MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JANUARY 11, 2022, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council, consistent with mandates of Assembly Bill 361 and local adopted policies, met in Closed Session on January Ii, 2022. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
David Barboza submitted correspondence for Item 3.B.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8232-028-020 11280 First Ave
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: NCN Investments
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1): One Case - Orange County Council of Governments (“OCCOG”) v. Gustavo Velasquez, California Dept. of Housing and Community Development, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 2ISTCPOI97O
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri, consistent with mandates of Assembly Bill 361 and local adopted policies, called the Regular Session to order at 6:30 p.m. via telephone conference in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
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5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
ABSENT:
Henry Bouchot, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Richard Jones, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Attorney Jones led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Jones indicated that in the case of Orange County Council of Governments (“OCCOG”) v. Gustavo Velasquez, California Dept. of Housing and Community Development, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 2ISTCPOI97O, in a motion by Mayor Pro Tern Warner and seconded by Council Member Martinez, the City Council unanimously agreed to appeal the case.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Chamber of Commerce Monthly Updates
Carol Crosby, Executive Director of the Chamber of commerce, provided the following updates:
1. During the holiday season, the Chamber actively promoted businesses and the value of shopping locally through the “Shop Home for the Holidays” and the “25 Days of Giveaways” campaigns. A total of 1,630 receipts were turned in to the Chamber, totaling over $101,000.
2. Due to the rise in COVID cases, the in-person Wake-Up Whittier event was cancelled, and the Business Expo was postponed to March 16, 2022, from 4- 7 p.m. at Whittier DoubleTree Hotel. Registration is open on the Chamber’s website.
3. The Chamber will hold a City Council Candidates Forum on March 9, 2022.
4. The Business and Economic Recovery Task Force continues to look for ways to assist businesses through funding opportunities and education.
5. The Chamber will offer free KN95 masks, surgical masks, and hand sanitizers.
Businesses can contact the Chamber to reserve their supply.
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9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Bouchot absent.
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Vinatieri stated that consistent with mandates of Assembly Bill 361 and local adopted policies, public comment options were made available to the public for participation by email, voicemail, and live teleconference. Staff forwarded and provided copies of the correspondence to City Council Members for review.
City Clerk Garcia stated one public comment was received via email prior to the 5:00 p.m. deadline and was previously forwarded to the City Council. City Clerk Garcia indicated one additional speaker was waiting to provide live public comments.
The following individual provided live teleconference public comment:
D.K.
All public comments submitted are part of the record and are on file with the City Clerk Department.
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki provided the following updates:
1. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, City Hall will remain open for limited inperson services through the remainder of January. Residents and business owners are encouraged to call ahead and schedule appointments.
2. The City’s community centers, Senior Center, and public libraries will remain closed through January; however, City Staff will resume facilitation of recreation classes for pre-registered participants beginning the week of January 17, 2022.
3. Curb-side book and craft kit pick-ups will continue at the library.
4. The Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department is excited to welcome a new tennis instructor, who will be offering individual classes.
Residents can visit www.whittierrec.com to sign up.
5. For more information on the upcoming 2022 General Municipal Election, residents can contact the City Clerk Department.
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12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Dutra pulled 12.D. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a rnotion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 12.D. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Bouchot absent.
12.A. Waive Further Reading
Recommendation: After the City Clerk has read the title, waive full reading of all resolutions and ordinances on this agenda for adoption.
12.B. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the November 18, 2021, Special Meeting Minutes and November 23, 2021, Regular Meeting Minutes. 12CC. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Oscar And rade, Yolanda Gutierrez, Alfredo Vitela, and Peter Diaz.
12.E. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3133 - April 12, 2022, General Municipal Election
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3133, establishing various election procedures relating to election style, voting locations, appointment, early voting, precinct consolidations, auditing, and reporting for the 2022 General Municipal Election.
12.F. Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-22-01 approving a Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for the fiscal year from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 and taking certain related actions.
12.G. Whittier Redevelopment Successor Agency Administrative Budget for July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-22-02 approving the Whittier Redevelopment Successor Agency Administrative Budget for the fiscal year from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177(j) and taking certain related actions.
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12.H. Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant — Adoption of a Resolution
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WUA-2022-01 authorizing the grant application, acceptance, and execution for the Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project; accept and execute agreements; and related documentation to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for the Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant for the Murphy Reservoir Replacement Project.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.D. AB 361 — Remote Meetings Under State Emergency Orders & Public Comment
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-01, making the legally required findings to authorize the conduct of remote telephonic meetings during the state of emergency for all Brown Act bodies and rescinding Resolution No. 2021-94.
City Manager Saeki answered questions regarding the City’s current policy regarding public meetings; options and logistics for providing live public comment; and COVID-1 9 updates.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-01, making the legally required findings to authorize the conduct of remote telephonic meetings during the state of emergency for all Brown Act bodies and rescinding Resolution No. 2021-94. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Bouchot absent.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
None.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Dutra welcomed everyone back; thanked the Whittier Union High School District and the Board of Trustees for having adopted the fare-less system initiative, which allows kids K-12 to ride the buses for free; and discussed upcoming improvements to the Kennedy Park.
Council Member Martinez wished everyone a happy New Year; discussed the Whittier Christmas parade; and expressed excitement for the upcoming year.
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Mayor Vinatieri asked City Manager Saeki about a ballot proposition regarding Senate Bill (SB) 9 and about putting an item on the agenda regarding a coalition of cities opposing SB 9.
Mayor Vinatieri thanked Whittier residents for supporting local businesses; discussed Governor Newsom’s new budget and the expected $47 billion surplus; and discussed the Whittier Christmas parade.
16. ADJOURNMENT in memory of Don Jenkins
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography about Don Jenkins and discussed his ties and contributions to the Whittier Community.
The City Council offered personal accounts of Don Jenkins.
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.