MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
FEBRUARY 8, 2022, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
No Closed Session items.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
No Closed Session items.
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 6:31 p.m. via telephone conference in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Henry Bouchot, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Richard Jones, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk
Aviv Bar, Chief of Police
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Dutra led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
There was nothing to report since there were no Closed Session items.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Blue Star Military Recognition: Jade Kastl-Givens -Army Mayor Vinatieri read a biography about Jade Kastl-Givens containing her education, training, and ties to the Whittier Community.
8.B. Police Department Updates
Chief Bar provided updates regarding average response times in 2021; reported part-i crimes; and injury collisions.
City Manager Saeki and Chief Bar answered questions regarding calls for services for homelessness; response times for non-emergency crimes; staffing availability; retirement averages; misdemeanor arrests and prosecutions; rehabilitation options; and requests for additional officers.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tern Warner seconded a motion to approve the agenda. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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 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.
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11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki provided the following updates:
1. Geo-Advantec, Inc will be potholing and collecting soil samples on Colima Road between Mar Vista Street and Lambert Road starting Wednesday, February 9, 2022 through Friday, February 11, 2022. Traffic lane closures will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tern Warner pulled Item 12K. for individual consideration.
Council Member Bouchot pulled Items 12.E. and 12.L. for individual consideration.
Council Member Dutra pulled Item 12.F. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 12.E., 12.F., 12K. and
12.L. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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 December 14, 2021, December 28, 2021, and January II, 2022, Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Christian A. Aguirre, Patrick Aguirre, Wayne R. Chavez, Avantya A. Cruz, Justin Galindo, Mercury Insurance Company ASO David Hernandez, Mercury Insurance Company ASO Kathleen Lohran, Jesus Naranjo, National General Insurance, Jaime Lopez, and Claudia Madero.
12.D. 7018 Greenleaf Avenue - Exclusive Negotiating Agreement Extension #3
Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director/City Manager to execute Amendment #3 to extend the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with STC Nixon Hotel, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (“STC Nixon”), JOW Investment LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (“JOW’), Nixon Office, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company (“Nixon Office”), for the potential purchase of the Successor Agency parcel located at 7018 Greenleaf Avenue.
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12.G. 8315-19 and 8335 Greenleaf Avenue (Florence Homes) Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. TTM2I-0001 (VTTM 83339); Development Review No. DRP2I-0005; Variance No. VAR2I-0003 Recommendation:
Receive and file the Planning Commission action to:
1) Adopt Resolution No. P.C. 2022-02 for a Mitigated Negative Declaration with a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
2) Approve Resolution No. P.C. 2022-03 for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. TTM 21-0001 (VTTM 83339), Development Review Permit No.
DRP2I-0005, with conditions of approval and Variance No. VAR2I-0003 with amended conditions of approval regarding a proposed 17-Unit, Two-story, Detached Condominium Residential Development located at 8315-19 and 8335 Greenleaf Avenue.
12.H. Exclusive Negotiation Agreement for Five Points Property Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director/City Manager to extend the Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with Sycamore Group LLC for the two Successor Agency parcels located at 12540 Whittier Blvd. and 12549 Washington Blvd. extending the term of the agreement to August 1, 2022.
12.1. Professional Services Agreement with PGN
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with PGN for an additional five years to February 8, 2027, to perform the technical and professional on-call planning and CEQA environmental services at the hourly rates set forth in the Professional Services Agreement.
12.J. 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial, Justice Assistance Grant Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-09 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 budget to accept the 2021 Edward Byrne Memorial, Justice Assistance Grant.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.E. Document Imaging Conversion — Pre-2018 Building Permits Recommendation: Authorize the expenditure of up to $55,000 with Hyland Software Inc. for the conversion of the City’s building permits from paper to digital format and authorize the City Manager to sign the Service Proposal.
City Manager Saeki and City Clerk Garcia answered questions regarding the importance of digitization and incorporating the perspective of the City’s historic resources consultant.
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CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to ask the historic resources consultant about the destruction of building permits for pre-war aged homes and to bring this item back at the next meeting.
12.F. New Retail Market with On-Site Sale of Alcoholic Beverages for OffSite Consumption (ABC Type 21 On-Sale General License) 14249 Whittier Boulevard - Conditional Use Permit No. CUP2I-0014 Recommendation: Receive and file the Planning Commission action approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP2I-0014, an application to allow the on-site sale of alcoholic beverages under a Type 21 (On-Sale General) California Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) license for a new retail market at 14249 Whittier Boulevard.
Council Member Dutra thanked the Council and Staff for their hard work to attract a second Amazon store to the City of Whittier.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Warner seconded a motion to receive and file the Planning Commission action approving Conditional Use Permit No. CUP2I-0014, an application to allow the on-site sale of alcoholic beverages under a Type 21 (On-Sale General) California Department of Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) license for a new retail market at 14249 Whittier Boulevard. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.K. Professional Services Agreement with SWA for concept designs for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-10 approving authority to accept grant funds in the amount of $5,019,000 from the State of California Specific Grant Funds and amending the FY 2021-22 Budget to receive and expend funds for the approved Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project and authorize the City Manager to execute a sole source professional services agreement with SWA-Laguna Beach, in the amount not to exceed $112,000 to provide conceptual design services for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project.
City Manager Saeki, City Attorney Jones, and Director Santana answered questions regarding the Council’s input on the design; new playground equipment; design concept for the zoo; and creation of an ad hoc committee.
The City Council directed Staff to bring back an agenda item to form an ad hoc committee.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-10 approving authority to accept grant funds in the amount of $5,019,000 from the State of California Specific Grant Funds and amending the FY 202 1-22 Budget to receive and expend funds for the approved Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project and authorize the City Manager to execute a sole source professional services agreement with SWA Laguna Beach, in the amount not to exceed $112,000 to provide conceptual design services for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.L. Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1) - Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-11 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget for the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1); 2) Award the construction contract to Ace Fence Company in the amount of $213,801 for the construction of the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1);
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract on behalf of the City; and
4) Approve $21,380 in contingency for the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1) subject to the approval of the City Manager.
Director Cason answered questions regarding the number of bids received and potential cost-savings.
MOTION
Council Member Bouchot moved and Mayor Vinatieri seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-11 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget for the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1); award the construction contract to Ace Fence Company in the amount of $213,801 for the construction of the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1); authorize the City Manager to execute a construction contract on behalf of the City; and approve $21,380 in contingency for the Citywide Guardrail Improvements Project (Phase 1) subject to the approval of the City Manager. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
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14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. AB 361—Remote Meetings Under State Emergency Orders and Public Comment Options
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-12, 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. 2022-01; and provide direction on public comment options if necessary.
City Clerk Garcia presented the report. City Manager Saeki and City Clerk Garcia answered questions regarding daily case rates; staff time required to implement in-person public comments; and teleconference public comment options.
The City Council deliberated.
City Council directed Staff to draft a letter to Supervisor Janice Hahn, requesting she advocate that Los Angeles County mask mandates align with State guidelines; and provided City Manager Saeki the authority to resume in-person public comments when the mask mandate is lifted due to a decline in COVID-19 cases.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-12, 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. 2022-01. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
14.B. Boards and Commissions — Planning Commission Vacancies Recommendation: Interview, appoint or provide an alternative for two short term vacancies on the Planning Commission. Term Expiration: July 1, 2022 and July 1,2023.
City Manager Saeki presented the report and answered questions regarding the composition of the Planning Commission; applicant interviews; and the impact of creating a vacancy on the Design Review Board (DRB).
The City Council deliberated.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to appoint Wes Murray to the first vacancy on the Planning Commission expiring July 1, 2022. The question was called and the motion carried 4-1, Council Member Bouchot dissenting.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to appoint Yvonne Connelly to the second vacancy on the Planning Commission expiring July 1, 2023. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
14.C. Measure W - Staffing Resources
Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-13 adopting a 2021-22 Salary Resolution and rescinding Resolution No. 2021-62; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-14 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget with supplemental appropriations for the addition of four (4) sworn officer positions and three (3) concrete worker/finisher positions, funded by City of Whittier Measure W.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the staff report. City Manager Saeki and Director Cason answered questions regarding the scope of services for the concrete worker/finisher position; potential cost-savings; time efficiency; number of sworn police officers; Measure W language; and sidewalk repairs.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2022-13 adopting a 2021-22 Salary Resolution and rescinding Resolution No. 2021-62; and Adopt Resolution No. 2022-14 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget with supplemental appropriations for the addition of four (4) sworn officer positions and three (3) concrete worker/finisher positions, funded by City of Whittier Measure W. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Bouchot discussed his appearance on a podcast with former Whittier Commissioner, Todd De Voe regarding earthquake preparedness.
Council Member Dutra discussed the Metro Board’s expansion of the light rail system throughout Southern California.
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Council Member Martinez thanked residents for watching the City Council meeting; congratulated Jade Kastl-Givens for her service; discussed attending the Puente Hills habitat Meeting and the consequences of the redistricting maps; and discussed the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control’s educational outreach.
Mayor Pro Tern Warner thanked Chief Bar and his team for the presentation and thanked City Manager Saeki and his team for bringing forth Item 14.C.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed the conversation on reserves held at the January 25, 2022 meeting; thanked City Staff for their hard work; and discussed the efforts to recall District Attorney George Gascon.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.