MINUTES
VERNON CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2026
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lopez called the meeting to order at 5:36 p.m.
FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Lopez led the Flag Salute.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Leticia Lopez, Mayor
Melissa Ybarra, Mayor Pro Tem
Jesus Rivera, Council Member
Crystal Larios, Council Member
ABSENT:
Judith Merlo, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Administrator
Zaynah Moussa-Milward, City Attorney
Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Alice Hui, Finance Director/City Treasurer
Fredrick Agyin, Health and Environmental Control Director Su Tan, Human Resources Director
Robert Sousa, Police Chief
Dan Wall, Public Works Director-City Engineer
Todd Dusenberry, Public Utilities General Manager
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Ybarra moved and Council Member Larios seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Merlo absent.
Docusign Envelope ID: DDECABA9-6042-4257-90B6-017DD5848680 Special City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 3
March 3, 2026
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. City Council Strategic Planning Workshop
Recommendation: Provide direction to staff regarding the City Council’s strategic priorities.
City Administrator Saeki presented the staff report and introduced Consultant Bill Kelly of Kelly Associates Management Group, who facilitated the workshop.
Residents and community stakeholders provided input on railroad track congestion and transportation issues, and hazard lights, parking and drop-off zones around Vernon Elementary School.
Some of the opportunity goals that were prioritized were the following:
Develop community facilities (Parks/Community Center, dog park, library, health clinic).
Enhanced long-term financial and capital planning.
Proactively engage in economic development and planning for the City’s future.
Actively pursue residential and retail development.
Green Tech and Circular Economy: Position the city to become clean-tech hub.
Reduce environmental impacts to SELA communities.
Review Public Safety alternatives.
Kern County Property
City Administrator Saeki assured the City Council that staff would revisit the tagged opportunities, formulate the goals, and agendize the item for discussion and consideration at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
The City Council reached consensus to direct staff to present an informational item during the regular meeting scheduled for March 17, 2026, outlining the prioritized opportunity goals identified in the workshop.
Docusign Envelope ID: DDECABA9-6042-4257-90B6-017DD5848680 Special City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 3
March 3, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lopez adjourned the meeting at 6:54 p.m.
_____________________________
LETICIA LOPEZ, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
GENOVEVA ROCHA, City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: DDECABA9-6042-4257-90B6-017DD5848680