City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
From: Daniel S. Wall, P.E., Director of Public Works-City Engineer Department: Public Works
Submitted by: Dulce Gonzalez, Management Analyst
Subject
Memorandum of Understanding for Technical Assistance Related to the Regional Climate Collaboratives Program Grant
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Administrator to execute the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by and between the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (GCCOG) and the City of Vernon, in substantially the same form as submitted, to receive technical consulting services funded through the Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) Program Grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) at no cost to the City.
Background
The City of Vernon (City) has been a member of the GCCOG since its formal establishment in 1996. The GCCOG is a California joint powers authority that facilitates regional cooperation among member cities. As one of the 27 member jurisdictions, the City collaborates with neighboring Southeast Los Angeles County cities to address regional challenges such as transportation, housing, and environmental planning. This foundational partnership is frequently updated through specific project-based agreements and MOUs.
The GCCOG was awarded an RCC Program Grant from the California SGC and established the Gateway Cities Regional Climate Collaborative (GCRCC). The GCRCC is an RCC grant-funded partnership designed to strengthen climate readiness across the region by providing support for local planning, project implementation, and community engagement that helps cities access funding and prepare for climate impacts. Under this collaboration, the City is eligible to receive technical assistance to support grant applications for priorities such as clean mobility, sustainability projects, and community resilience planning.
In 2026, the GCRCC selected Collective Emergence Consulting (Consultant) to provide professional grant writing and technical coordination services tailored to each of the membercities. The GCCOG offered the City of Vernon $15,000 in assistance to support one grant application. The proposed MOU with an effective date of May 5, 2026, by and between the GCCOG and the City, establishes a framework for the Consultant to execute a defined scope of work with professional care and diligence until completion, unless terminated earlier by the GCCOG or the City.
Public Works staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Administrator to execute the MOU, by and between the GCCOG and the City, to receive technical consulting services.
Approving this MOU enables the City to leverage regional grant funding for climate-related technical services without requiring additional local expenditure.
The proposed MOU has been reviewed and approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report. The $15,000 cost for these services is fully covered by the Regional Climate Collaboratives Program Grant.
Attachments
1. MOU with Gateway Cities COG for Technical Assistance