MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
OCTOBER 11, 2022, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on October 11, 2022. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City HaIl, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
None.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the August 30 Special Closed Session Minutes and September 13, 2022 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Represented and Unrepresented Employee: Whittier City Employees’ Association, Whittier Police Officers’ Association, Whittier Police Management Association, and unrepresented employees
3.C. 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.D. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
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 6:41 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City HaIl, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
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5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Jessica Martinez, Mayor Pro Tern
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Richard Jones, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Jones indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session; however, the City Council did not conclude Closed Session, and would return later in the evening.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Blue Star - Tony Alcantar Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps Assistant Lopez read a biography about Tony Alcantar containing his education, training, and ties to the Whittier Community.
Mayor Vinatieri and Mayor Pro Tern Martinez thanked Lance Corporal Alcantar’s family.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tern Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
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10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Vinatieri indicated that any members of the audience who wish to deliver a public comment should line up by the lectern and any members of the public on Zoom who wish to deliver a public comment should raise their hand. Staff forwarded and provided copies of the email correspondence to City Council Members for review.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Maggie Moe; Ally; Amanda; Mitch Clemmons; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; Manuel Arismendez; Jeff; Cindy Moscarenas; Rick; Jolie Franz; and Bob King.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K.; Victoria Landeron-Lopez; David Aviron; Stephanie V.; and Rick B.
All public comments and documents submitted are part of the record and are on file with the City Clerk Department. A video of the oral communications is available through the City’s website.
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki provided the following updates:
1) The City has officially begun its decennial redistricting process and will be hosting community meetings in the coming months. The first meeting will be held at the Whittier Central Library on Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30 p.m. 2) The City’s annual “Chalktastic” drawing contest will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in front of City Hall on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Interested residents can register for free at WhittierRec.com to reserve their chalk kit and kneeling pad.
3) On Saturday, October 15, 2022, the City is hosting the Halloween edition of Family Movie Night featuring “Casper” at Joe Miller field. Crafts and the costume contest begin at 5:00 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Dutra pulled Item 12.1. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 12.1. 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.
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12.B. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the September 13, 2022 Regular Meting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Alex Salas, Sandra Vidal, and Loan Nguyen.
12.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3141 - Military Equipment Use Policy
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3141, adopting a policy governing the use of military equipment; an amended Military Equipment Use ordinance, as required by California Assembly Bill 481 and approve the amended Military Equipment Use policy to allow the Whittier Police Department continued use of vital equipment as well as the acquisition of new equipment in the future.
12.E. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Pre-approved Construction Plans — Request for Proposal
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to circulate a Request for Proposals (REP) to develop pre-approved ADU construction plans.
12.F. 5B2 Permanent Local Housing Allocations (Years 2021 and 2022) Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-83 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for pending revenue and expenditure of $595,595 (2020) and $655,434 (2021) in Permanent Local Housing Allocation 2020-21 (PHLA 20-21) and 2021-22 (PHLA 21-22), and authorize the City Manager to submit and execute necessary grant agreements.
12.G. Willdan Engineering— Professional Services Agreement Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Willdan Engineering for planning staff augmentation to assist with the duties of the Planning Division within the Community Development Department set forth in the Scope of Services Agreement.
12.H. Update City Fee Schedule
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-84, rescinding Resolution No. 2022-42 and establishing an updated City Fee Schedule to include fees for application permit processing and psychological exam for the police department. LI
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12.J. Metro Hot Spots - Whittier BoulevardlPainter Avenue Intersection Improvement Project - Environmental Determination and Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans
Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-87 to approve and adopt an Addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration, the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the Revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Metro Hot Spots -Whittier Boulevard/Painter Avenue Intersection Improvement Project (Project); and
2) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Cooperative Agreement 07-5281 with Caltrans for the City to oversee the construction phase and close-out of the Project.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.1. Metro Hot Spots - Whittier Boulevard!Santa Fe Springs Road Intersection Improvement Project - Environmental Determination, Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans, and Metro Funding Agreement Recommendation: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-85 to approve and adopt an Addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration, the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the Revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Metro Hot Spots - Whittier Boulevard/Santa Fe Springs Road Intersection Improvement Project (Project); 2) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Cooperative Agreement 07-5282 with Caltrans for the City to oversee the construction phase and close-out of the Project;
3) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Funding Agreement with Metro for the Project, FA# 9200000000MR31544; and 4) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-86 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget for the expenditure of up to $4,568,200 for the Project.
Director Cason presented the staff report and answered questions regarding scope of work; the benefit of the project for Whittier residents; and construction phasing.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Warner seconded a motion to 1) adopt Resolution No. 2022-85 to approve and adopt an Addendum to the previously adopted Mitigated Negative Declaration, the Final Mitigated Negative Declaration, and the Revised Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Metro Hot Spots - Whittier Boulevard/Santa Fe Springs Road Intersection Improvement Project (Project); 2) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Cooperative Agreement 07-5282 with Caltrans for the City to oversee the construction phase and close-out of the Project; 3) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Funding Agreement with Metro for the Project, FA# 9200000000MR31 544; and 4) adopt Resolution No. 2022-86 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget for the expenditure of up to $4,568,200 for the Project.
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Parnell Park - 30% Concept Design and Professional Services Agreement for Construction Documents
Recommendation: Approve the Parnell Park Concept Design; and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. I with SWA for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project Professional Service Agreement A22-033, adding $908,000 to the project.
Director Santana presented the staff report. City Manager Saeki, Director Santana, and Lovisa Kjerrgren, landscape architect from SWA, answered questions regarding the different-sized soccer fields; basketball courts; pickleball courts; sustainable landscaping and drip irrigation; next phase of construction; opportunities to add electric vehicle parking; additional restrooms; additional parking spaces; allocation and sources of funds; and the sizes and uses of the two amphitheaters
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Warner seconded a motion to approve the Parnell Park Concept Design; and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. I with SWA for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvement Project Professional Service Agreement A22-033, adding $908,000 to the project. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The City Council returned to Closed Session.
After Closed Session, the meeting reconvened with all members present.
City Attorney Jones indicated Closed Session had been concluded and there was nothing to report.
14.B. Board and Commission - Selection of Interviewees
Recommendation: Select applicants to interview or appoint for vacancies on the Cultural Arts Commission (1 term) and Historic Resources Commission (2 terms).
City Clerk Garcia presented the staff report.
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CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council selected to interview Susan Hunter Eiden, Varun Gandhi, and James Mericle for the Cultural Arts Commission and Vanessa Ortiz, George Montano, Susan Cameron, and Ken Hesse for the Historic Resources Commission.
14.C. Preferential Parking Districts — Program Update
Recommendation: Review and provide feedback on the recommendations prepared by Walker Consultants to update the existing Preferential Parking District Program.
Director Cason presented the staff report. City Manager Saeki, Director Cason, and Daniel Garcia from Walker Consultants received feedback on the 10 recommendations in the staff report to be included in the next discussion on Preferential Parking Districts.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER! DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner discussed attending the Whittier Public Library Foundation Booktober Fest on Thursday, October 6, 2022 and the Lions Club “Sight for Kids” event on Saturday, October 8, 2022.
Council Member Martinez expressed his gratitude for the Council’s efficiency in discussing Item 14.C.
Council Member Dutra thanked the CAPC organization for their event on Friday, October 7, 2022; discussed attending the opening of the K-Line in Los Angeles; and expressed his interested in bringing back the item on the old Police Department for further discussion.
Mayor Pro Tern Martinez thanked Whittier Officer Emily Armstrong for responding to a call where she had to perform the Heimlich maneuver on a gentleman and saved his life.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed attending Booktober Fest, the CAPC event, and the Lions Club event; and invited residents to sign up for the Spooktacular 5K event.
16. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Paul Curt Schirmer
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography of Paul Curt Schirmer and discussed his ties and contributions to the Whittier Community.
The City Council offered personal accounts of Mr. Schrimer and offered their condolences.
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 10:39 p.m.