MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
OCTOBER 25, 2022, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on October 25, 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.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
None.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the September 27, 2022 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Stefanie Oviatt v. City of Whittier Court Case No. ECS000822
3.C. 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.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 6:35 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 2 of 7
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
Katie Galvin- ~urbatoviô, Public Information Officer
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tern 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. Proclamation -Women’s Shelter Awareness Month
Mayor Vinatieri read a statement about Women’s Shelter Awareness Month and the contributions of the Women and Children’s Crisis Shelter to the Whittier community.
Elizabeth Contreras Martinez, Executive Director, discussed the services provided by the Women and Children’s Crisis Shelter.
Mayor Vinatieri presented Ms. Contreras Martinez with a proclamation.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
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 Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 3 of 7
and provided copies of the email correspondence to City Council Members for review.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Gwen Woirhaye; Stephanie Cuevas; Ben Tan; Ralph Ruedas; Susan Eiden; Chris Hardeman; and Maggie Moe.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K. and Chris Gallezzi.
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) City Staff will look into the concern raised by the residents of The Groves area. 2) Residents can still register for the Whittier Spooktacular 5K Walk/Run, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2022.
3) Also on Saturday, October 29, 2022, the Whittier Police Department will host a Drug Take Back event in partnership with the DEA from 10 a.rn. to 2 p.m. in front of City Hall.
4) On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the City will host its second public hearing for the redistricting process at the Whittier Central Library beginning at 6:30 p.m.
5) Staff has been looking into the fentanyl concerns. The City and its local schools are celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign raising awareness of substance abuse and encourages students to live drug free. 6) Chief Bar sent a letter to Whittier school superintendents urging them to discuss prevention with the parents.
7) The City is in discussions with the County on potential train ings for staff serving in public facilities and libraries on the proper administration of Narcan. 8) Residents can visit www.dea.qov/onepill for parental resources.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tern Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. 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
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 4 of 7
Recommendation: Approve the September 27, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. AB 361 — Remote Meetings Under State Emergency Orders Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-88, making the legally required findings to authorize the conduct of remote telephonic meetings during the state of emergency for all Brown Act bodies if necessary and rescinding Resolution No. 2022-77.
12.D. 7018 Greenleaf Avenue Purchase and Sale Agreement Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager/Executive Director to execute the purchase and sale agreement between the City and the Successor Agency for the City’s purchase of the parcel located at 7018 Greenleaf Avenue, which would subsequently be considered for approval by the County Oversight Board;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-89, amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget with a supplemental appropriation for the expenditure of $485,000 for the purchase of real property located at 7018 Greenleaf Avenue and approving a purchase and sale agreement for the property; and 3) Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-22-03, approving and directing the Executive Director to execute a purchase and sale agreement, a grant deed, and all other related documents for the sale and transfer of the property at 7018 Greenleaf Avenue to the City of Whittier.
12.E. Disposition and Development Agreement for 12540 Whittier Blvd. and 12549 Washington Blvd.
Recommendation:
1) Approve the finalized disposition and development agreement between the Whittier Redevelopment Successor Agency for the Sycamore Group LLC’s purchase of the parcels located at 12540 Whittier Blvd. and 12549 Washington Blvd., which would subsequently be considered for approval by the County Oversight Board; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-22-04, approving and directing the Executive Director to execute a disposition and development agreement, a grant deed, and all other related documents for the sale and transfer of the property at 12450 Whittier Blvd. and 12549 Washington Blvd. to the Sycamore Group, LLC.
12.F. Fiscal Year 2022-23 First Quarter Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the first quarter budget update for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 5 of 7
12.G. Penn Park Playground Improvement Project — Award of Contract Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2022-90 amending the Fiscal year 2022-23 budget in the amount of $213,921 in supplemental funds to be allocated for the construction of the Penn Park Playground Equipment Project; 2) Award the construction contract to Micon Construction, Inc., in the amount of $346,524 for the Penn Park Playground Improvement Project and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement; 3) Reject all other bids; and
4) Approve $34,652 in contingency for the Penn Park Playground Improvement Project subject to the approval of the City Manager.
12.H. Orange Grove Ave & Vicinity Water Main Replacement - Professional Services Agreement -Award of Contract
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon to provide Design Services for the Orange Grove and Vicinity Water Main Replacement Project for a fee not to exceed approximately $171,497.
12.1. Transmission Main Valve Replacement Phase II— Notice of Completion Recommendation: Accept the work performed by Williams Pipeline Contractors, Inc. for the Transmission Main Valve Replacement Phase II project and authorize the Secretary to file the Notice of Completion on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority (WUA).
12.J. Uptown Whittier Parking Structure - Professional Service Agreement for Elevator Maintenance
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2022-91 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for the maintenance of elevators at the Uptown Whittier Parking Structure and authorize the City Manager to enter into a Professional Service Agreement with Otis Elevator Company for maintenance of two elevators at the Uptown Whittier Parking Structure.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Vinatieri recused himself from this item because his law office falls within the Uptown Business Improvement Area. Mayor Pro Tern Martinez presided over the meeting.
13.A. 2023 Business Improvement Area Assessments
Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing to consider the Uptown Business Improvement Area levy of assessments for the calendar year 2023 and adopt Resolution No. 2022-92 confirming the annual report and levy of assessments for the Uptown Business Improvement Area for Calendar Year 2023.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 6 of 7
Public Information Officer Galvin-~urbatoviO presented the report.
Mayor Pro Tern Martinez opened the public hearing.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Pro Tern Martinez closed the public hearing.
City Council thanked Justin Tipton and the Whittier Uptown Association for their hard work.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2022-92 confirming the annual report and levy of assessments for the Uptown Business Improvement Area for Calendar Year 2023. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0-1, Mayor Vinatieri absent.
Mayor Vinatieri re-entered the meeting and presided over the meeting.
14. STAFF REPORTS
I 4.A. Crossing Guard Reimbursement
Recommendation: Approve the reimbursement of crossing guard services for Whittier City and East Whittier School Districts for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and adopt Resolution No. 2022-93, appropriating $464,778 the reimbursement.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report. City Manager Saeki and Assistant City Manager DeLong answered questions regarding the length of time funds will be provided; current agencies responsible for funding; addition of new crossing guards; crossing guard locations; and Measure W funding.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the reimbursement of crossing guard services for Whittier City and East Whittier School Districts for Fiscal Year 2022-23; and adopt Resolution No. 2022-93, appropriating $464,778 the reimbursement. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner invited residents to attend the Hispanic Outreach Task Force’s Day of the Dead celebration.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 25, 2022 Page 7 of 7
Council Member Dutra discussed the Whittier Spooktacular 5K Walk/Run and reports of homelessness cases; and indicated he would be attending the Light Rail Convention in Miami, Florida, this upcoming weekend.
Mayor Pro Tern Martinez discussed going on a tour of the City’s Public Works facilities and invited residents to the Whittier Museum’s Haunted House event.
Mayor Vinatieri asked City Manager Saeki to speak on the Whittier Community theater lighting project; and discussed attending the Whittier Regional Symphony event, doing a ride along with the Whittier Police Department, and the fentanyl epidemic.
16. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council returned to Closed Session.
City Clerk Garcia indicated the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. with no Closed Session report.