City Council Agenda Report
Meeting Date: June 16, 2026
From: Genoveva Rocha, City Clerk
Department: City Clerk
Submitted by: Sandra Dolson, Deputy City Clerk
Subject
Commission and Committee Appointments
Recommendation
A. Appoint two (2) Business Representatives, one (1) Employee/Labor Representative, and (1) Real Estate Representative to full four-year terms (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030) to the Business and Industry Commission;
B. Appoint one (1) Business Representative, and one (1) Vernon Area Representative to full four-year terms (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030) and one (1) City Council Representative and one (1) Vernon Area Representative to a partial term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee;
C. Appoint two (2) Business Representatives to full four-year terms (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030) to the Green Vernon Commission; and
D. Appoint one (1) Resident (Council Member) to a partial term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029) to the Vernon Housing Commission.
Background
The City has several commissions and committees established by Ordinance that serve to advise the City Council on policy matters or review specific issues and carry out assignments as requested by the Council or prescribed by law. Pursuant to Title 2 of the Vernon Municipal Code, the City Council has the pleasure of making appointments to each body. Appointments to fill the current vacancies will comply with the Code's requirement to provide staggered terms on each Commission.
Except for City Council Members, serving members may receive a stipend of $100 per meeting, up to a maximum of $200 in any calendar month.
Currently, there are vacancies on the Business and Industry Commission, Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee, Green Vernon Commission, and the Vernon Housing Commission.
Recruitment began as soon as unscheduled (resignation) vacancies were available, and in preparation for the upcoming vacancies due to term limits. Recruitment has been widely advertised on the City’s website and social media outlets, community events, as well as distributed through the Vernon Chamber of Commerce. The due date to submit an application for the above-referenced appointments was May 13, 2026. However, the City has and will continue the recruitment process until all vacant seats are filled.
The BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY COMMISSION (BIC) serves as an advisory body whose main mission is to make the City of Vernon even more attractive to employees, businesses, and investors, while appropriately considering the needs and concerns of the residential communities within and in proximity to Vernon. Its intended goal is to provide a special forum to address public concerns related to the City’s business and industrial development-related costs, procedures, and activities related to the industrial character of the City of Vernon. The Commission meets on the second Thursday of each quarter in the months of February, May, August, and November at 9:00 a.m.
The Commission consists of seven members:
• Three individuals, each of whom represents the owner or operator of a business located in Vernon
• Two individuals, each of whom has knowledge of the Vernon Real Estate market • One individual who is employed by a business located in Vernon or who is a member of a labor union that represents workers at a business located in Vernon • One current member of the Vernon City Council
The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
Two (2) Business Representative Seats (full 4-year terms – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2030)
1. Catherine Browne (current representative and is eligible to serve a second term)
2. Jacquie Cabrera
3. Ronit Edry
One (1) Employee/Labor Representative Seat (full 4-year term – July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2030)
1. Jacquie Cabrera
One (1) Real Estate Representative (full 4-year term – July 1, 2026- June 30, 2030)
1. Thomas Condon (current representative and is eligible to serve a second term)
2. Miles Solomon (full 4-year term – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2030) The VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT COMMITTEE (VCFGC) serves to improve the quality of life for the Vernon Area by awarding student scholarships and grants to charitable and governmental entities for projects and programs that benefit those who live, work, and attend school in Vernon and its surrounding communities. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday in May and November at 10:00 a.m. and holds special meetings as needed. A Special Meeting of the VCFGC is tentatively scheduled for Monday, June 29, 2026 at 10:00am.
The Committee consists of seven members:
• One representing a member of the California Legislature with a district that includes at least a portion of the Vernon area
• Four individuals that reside or work in the Vernon Area • One person who represents the owner or operator of a business located in Vernon • One current City Council Member
The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
One (1) Business Representative (full 4-year term - July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2030)
1. Ronit Edry (current representative and eligible to serve a second term One (1) Vernon Area Representative (partial term – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029); and One (1) Vernon Area Representative (full 4-year term – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2030)
1. William Michael McCormick
2. Brenda Orellana
3. Susana Ybarra
4. Leticia Lopez
In addition, the City Council must appoint a Council Representative to serve the following term.
Those listed have expressed interest in serving:
One (1) Council Representative (partial term – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029)
1. Council Member Crystal Larios
2. Council Member Judith Merlo
3. Council Member Monica Rodriguez
The GREEN VERNON COMMISSION (GVC) reviews the City’s Sustainability Action Plan and provides a forum for addressing the public’s concerns relating to sustainability and energy efficiency issues. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Commission meets on the 3rd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December at 3:30 p.m.
The Commission consists of seven members:
• Three representatives from Vernon’s business community • Two Labor Representatives
• Two Representatives engaged in the advancement of environmental and sustainability issues
The following candidates are presented to the City Council for appointment consideration:
Two (2) Business Representatives (full 4-year terms – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2030)
1. Catherine Browne (current representative and is eligible to serve a second term)
2. Ronit Edry (current representative and is eligible to serve a second term) The VERNON HOUSING COMMISSION (VHC) makes decisions regarding leasing, market rental rates, repair and maintenance and offers recommendations to the City Council on potential divestment and development opportunities. Each member serves a four-year term, and the Commission meets on the 2nd Wednesday each quarter in the months of March, June, September, and December at 6:00 p.m. and holds special meetings as needed. A Special Meeting of the VHC will be held sometime in July 2026.
The Commission consists of seven members:
• Three Vernon Residents, one of whom shall be a member of the City Council • Three Vernon Business Representatives that own or operate a business in the City • One Business Employee
The City Council must appoint a Council Representative to serve the following term. Those listed have expressed interest in serving:
One (1) Resident - City Council (partial term – July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029)
1. Council Member Crystal Larios
2. Council Member Judith Merlo
3. Council Member Monica Rodriguez
Fiscal Impact
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Attachments
1. Applications Received Chart
2. Applications
3. Current Members Local Appointment List