City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
From: Su Tan, Director of Human Resources
Department: Human Resources
Submitted by: Lisette Grizzelle, Human Resources Manager Subject
Appointment of Veronica Petrosyan as Director of Health and Environmental Control Recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-020 appointing Veronica Petrosyan to serve as the Director of Health and Environmental Control of the City of Vernon effective May 6, 2026, and approving and authorizing the execution of a related at-will employment agreement.
Background
Recruitment Process
The Human Resources Department conducted a promotional recruitment to fill the vacant Director of Health and Environmental Control position. The recruitment period to fill this vacancy began on March 30, 2026, and ran through April 8, 2026. One application packet was received. Following an in-depth review of the application packet, the candidate was deemed qualified and was invited to participate in a selection panel interview process on April 13, 2026. The selection panel consisted of six department heads and the City Administrator. The City Administrator has recommended the appointment of Veronica Petrosyan to serve as the Director of Health and Environmental Control for the City of Vernon.
At-Will Employment Agreement
The At-Will Employment Agreement for the Director of Health and Environmental Control has been presented to Ms. Petrosyan and is included as Exhibit B to Resolution No. 2026-020. The agreement establishes an effective start date of May 6, 2026, and a starting salary of $18,116 per month, plus all benefits provided to executive personnel.
The proposed agreement is consistent with other City of Vernon executive employment agreements.
Candidate Summary
Veronica Petrosyan has over 21 years of experience working in the public sector Environmental Health field with over seven of those years serving in the City of Vernon Health and Environmental Control Department. Ms. Petrosyan began her career at the Los Angeles County Department of Health – Environmental Health where she held professional and management level positions ranging from Environmental Health Specialist I, II and III, and Chief Environmental Health Specialist, to Environmental Health Services Manager. During her career with the City of Vernon, she has held the following management level positions: Environmental Health Program Administrator and (currently) Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control.
Ms. Petrosyan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Occupational Health, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. She also possesses the following certifications:
• Public Safety Leadership Program Certification from USC – Sol Price School of Public Policy
• Registered Environmental Health Specialist – State of California Department of Public Health
• California Under Water Storage Tank Inspector – International Code Council (ICC) Given Ms. Petrosyan’s qualifications and considerable experience in the public sector Environmental Health field, she is well suited to meet the needs of the City and lead the Health and Environmental Control Department.
At its regular City Council meeting on May 5, 2026, prior to taking final action to approve this resolution, the City Council received an oral report summarizing the recommended appointment and compensation, in accordance with Government Code Section 54953(d)(3).
Fiscal Impact
The fiscal impact is estimated at $4,770 for the remaining Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26. The Director of Health and Environmental Control position was approved in the adopted FY 2025-26 budget and is currently vacant. Additionally, the Deputy Director of Health and Environmental Control will be defunded from the budget for the upcoming year.
Attachments
1. Resolution No. 2026-020 – Director of Health and Environmental Control