MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
FEBRUARY 22, 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 February 22, 2022. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, California. Council Member Martinez and Bouchot absent.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
The public is invited to comment on any closed session item listed below.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the December 14, 2021 Closed Session minutes.
3.B. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 15025 E. Whittier Blvd. (APN 8224-017-003)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Gerry Schwarzblatt, S&S Partnership Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
Raymond Duran v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 22-591600-015
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4):
One Case
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.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes February 22, 2022 Page 2 of 7
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
ABSENT:
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
Henry Bouchot, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Scott Porter, Assistant City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk
Alice Hui, Assistant Director of Administrative Services Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tern Warner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Porter indicated that by a vote of 3-0, the City Council authorized the initiation of litigation, and once litigation has commenced, the action and the other particulars of the litigation will be publicly disclosed to any person upon inquiry.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Chamber of Commerce Monthly Updates
There was no presentation.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Saeki requested Item 14.A.be postponed to a future meeting.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the agenda, with the exception of Item 14.A., which was postponed to a future meeting. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0.
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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 two additional speakers were waiting to provide live public comments.
The following individuals provided live teleconference public comment:
Edgar Gutierrez and Mary Gorman-Su lIens.
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 thanked the City Council and Staff, especially the Police Department and the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, for the memorial honoring Officer Keith Boyer and others on Sunday, February 20, 2022.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Vinatieri pulled Item 12.D. for individual consideration.
City Manager Saeki indicated that for Item 12.E., Staff is requesting an expenditure of $55,000 with Hyland Software to do the scanning and an additional $11,900 to have scanned documents returned to the City to be made available to interested parties.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Warner seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 12.D. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0.
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 January 25, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes.
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12.C. Oceanic Arts Special Event Permit
Recommendation: Approve a special event permit and temporary street closure for a multi-day exhibit and celebration at Oceanic Arts proposed for Saturday, April 2, 9, and 16 and Sunday, April 10 and 17, 2022.
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.
12.F. California State Library “Stronger Together: Improving Library Access”
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-15 amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library and appropriate $70,000 for the California State Library “Stronger Together:
Improving Library Access” LSTA Grant; and authorize the City Manager to execute any required agreements and documents to accept the grant.
12.G. California State Library “WPL Digital Memory Lab” Copycat Grant Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-16, amending the Fiscal Year 2021-22 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library and appropriate funds in the amount of $20,000 for the California State Library “Digital Memory Lab” LSTA Copycat Grant; and authorize the City Manager to execute any required agreements and documents to accept the grant.
I 2.H. 22-007 - City Yard Water and Electrical Meter Shop Demolition - Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Class I (Existing Facilities);
2) Approve the plans and specifications for the City Yard Water and Electrical Meter Shop Demolition Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise the project for demolition bids.
12.1. Deed of Right-of-Way Road Dedication 15740 Citrustree Road Recommendation: Accept and authorize the City Clerk to execute the Offer of Right-of-Way Dedication along the frontage of 15740 Citrustree Road.
12.J. Disposition of City Property — Vehicle Donation Lottery Results Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreements for the donation of vehicle No. 11535, a 2005 Ford Taurus Sedan, to the Research Design Access, vehicle No. 16324, a 2007 Dodge crew-cab truck, to the Whittier First Day Coalition, and vehicle No. 16571, a 2007 Ford Expedition SUV, to Canning Hunger; and
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes February 22, 2022 Page 5 of 7
2) Direct Staff to evaluate and recommend adjustments to the current Vehicle Donation Policy.
12K. Greenway Trail East Extension - Professional Service Agreement for Construction Administration, Material Testing, and Inspection Services — Second Amendment to Contract
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 with FCG Consultants for the Greenway Trail East Extension Construction Administration, Material Testing, and Inspection Services, extending the performance period and adding $132,845 to the contract.
12.L. National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) — MS4 Program and Fats Oils and Grease Control Program
Recommendation: City Council and Whittier Utility Authority authorize the City Manager to extend the professional services agreement in the amount of $137,525 with John L. Hunter and Associates (JLHA) for an additional year, to assist the City with MS4 Permit Compliance and implementing the Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) control program.
12.M. Preferential Parking Districts Program Study — Professional Services Agreement for PlanninglEngineering Services
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-17 adding a supplemental appropriation of $79,800 to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 budget for the City’s Preferential Parking Districts (PPD) Program Study and authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Walker Consultants in the amount not to exceed $79,800 for planning and engineering services.
12.N. Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Compliance Audit Report Recommendation: Receive and file the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Compliance Audit Report for the calendar year 2019-2020.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.D. Fiscal Year 2021 -22 Mid-Year Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the mid-year budget update for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
City Manager Saeki and Assistant Director Hui answered questions regarding projected fund balance; projected increases in property tax revenue; and general fund reserves.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Warner seconded a motion to receive and file the mid-year budget update for Fiscal Year 2021-22. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0.
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13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Whittier Beautification Program
Recommendation: Receive and file the Whittier Beautification Program requirements and process.
The item was postponed.
14.B. Metro Hot Spots — Whittier Boulevard at Colima Road — Scope Change Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 extending the expenditure schedule and updating the scope of work for the Funding Agreement between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for Metro Hot Spots - Whittier Boulevard at Colima Road Intersection Improvements Project.
Director Cason presented the report and answered questions regarding the storage of cars; the purpose of the Metro Hot Spots Project; and traffic signal synchronization.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tern Warner seconded a motion approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 extending the expenditure schedule and updating the scope of work for the Funding Agreement between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for Metro Hot Spots - Whittier Boulevard at Colima Road Intersection Improvements Project. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0.
14.C. County Health Officer Order - Consistency with State Health Order Recommendation: Consider sending a letter to the Los Angeles County Health Officer and Medical Officer regarding consistency between County and State Health Officer Orders.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the staff report and answered questions regarding Supervisor Janice Hahn’s support for the consistency between State Health Orders and County Health Officer Orders; upcoming updates to County Health Orders; and sending a request to surrounding cities.
The City Council deliberated.
Mayor Vinatieri directed Staff to additionally send a letter to surrounding cities in the region and ask them to send their own letters to the Los Angeles County Health Officer and Medical Officer.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to send a letter to the Los Angeles County Health Officer and Medical Officer regarding consistency between County and State Health Officer Orders. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Dutra thanked the City Council and City Staff for organizing the memorial service for the five-year anniversary of Officer Keith Boyer’s murder; congratulated the City, the Whittier Conservancy, and the City Council for receiving the Governor’s Preservation Award; and invited residents to attend the 50th anniversary celebration of the former President Richard Nixon’s visit to China, which will take place Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Whittier Museum.
Mayor Pro Tem Warner discussed the memorial service held on Sunday, February 20, 2022, for the 5th anniversary of Officer Keith Boyer’s death and the wounding of his partner, Officer Patrick Hazell; and thanked the Whittier Police Department for their ongoing support of colleagues in Huntington Beach and Azusa.
Mayor Vinatieri invited residents to the Whittier Museum’s event celebrating the 50th anniversary of former President Nixon’s visit to China; discussed the Whittier Police Department sending officers to Huntington Beach after the passing of one of their officers in a helicopter accident; and thanked City Manager Saeki and staff for organizing the remembrance of Officer Keith Boyer.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 7:14 p.m.