MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
MARCH 14, 2023, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on March 14, 2023. 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
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the February 14, 2023 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2)
Two Cases
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier - Court Case No. 22STCP03523
3.D. Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Represented and Unrepresented Employee: Whittier City Employees’ Association, Whittier Police Officers’ Association, Whittier Police Management Association, and unrepresented employees
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 6:36 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City HaIl, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
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
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STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Richard D. Jones, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Jeff Lopez, Management Assistant
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Warner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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, so they would be returning later in the evening.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Recognition of Fabian Gomez
Mayor Vinatieri read a statement about Fabian Gomez, a six-year-old boy who called 911 when his mother fell unconscious due to illness, and presented him with a certificate of recognition.
Acting Assistant Fire Chief Jason Robertson read a statement recognizing Fabian’s bravery.
Fire Chief Anthony Marrone presented Fabian a certificate of recognition.
Ivan Sulic, deputy for Supervisor Janice Hahn, presented Fabian with a proclamation.
Fabian’s mother, Kim, recalled how she trained Fabian to call 911 through role playing.
The City Council congratulated Fabian on his bravery, Chief Marrone on his new appointment, and the Fire Department for keeping the community safe.
8.B. Blue Star - Edward Ryan Ill - Seaman Apprentice, US Navy Assistant Lopez read a biography about Edward Ryan Ill containing his education, training, and ties to the Whittier Community.
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Mayor Vinatieri and Mayor Pro Tern Martinez thanked Edward Ryan Ill and his family.
B.C. Athens Services Presentation
Amanda Mejia, Government Affairs Director for Athens Services, presented on services provided in 2022 and upcoming services in 2023, including compost giveaways and lid-flipping.
The City Council thanked Ms. Mejia for the services they provide to the community.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra 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 and provided copies of the email correspondence to City Council Members for review.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Monica Sena; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; David Barboza; and Christian Israelian.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K.; Stephanie Vallejo; Susan Cameron; and John Perez.
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 indicated that the city purchased 1.9 acres of new park space near First Avenue and the end of the Greenway Trail. City Manager Saeki thanked the residents, Director Cason, Assistant Deputy Director Smith, Assistant City Manager DeLong, the Finance Department, and additional city staff that were involved with the process.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Dutra pulled items 12.E. and 12G. for individual consideration.
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MOTION
Council Member Dutra and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 12.E. and G. 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 February 14, 2023 Regular and Special Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Leslie Wilson, Anthony Fink, Edgar Sedano, Victor Felix, AAA for Ruben Torres, Jose Hidalgo, and Florencia And ruet.
12.D. Amendment to Agreement A14-042 for Cellular Communications Equipment Lease at Comstock Ave. Parking Structure
Recommendation: Approve an amendment to agreement A14-042 for a cellular communications tower at the City-owned Comstock Parking Structure located at 6738 Comstock Avenue.
12.F. Santa Fe Springs Water Delivery Agreement- Amendment No. I Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute Amendment No. I to Agreement No. WUA-18-008 with Santa Fe Springs Water Utility Authority (SFSWUA) for water delivery service.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.E. 2021 -2022 General Plan Progress Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the 2021-2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to forward a copy to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
Director Pongetti answered questions regarding the number of permitted units; new units at the Groves; affordable housing; accessory dwelling units (ADUs); and the Former Alpha Beta site development.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to receive and file the 2021-2022 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to forward a copy to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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I 2.G. Adoption of the City of Whittier 2023 Local Roadway Safety Plan Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-23 approving the City of Whittier 2023 Local Roadway Safety Plan.
Director Cason answered questions regarding short-term and long-term solutions to traffic collisions; traffic calming options and their effectiveness; barriers and street configurations along Lambert Road and the Greenway Trail in East Whittier; improvements on Lambert Road, Calmada Avenue, and Gunn Avenue; and traffic collisions on Citrus Ave to Pickering Avenue on Beverly Boulevard.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Warner seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2023-23 approving the City of Whittier 2023 Local Roadway Safety Plan. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.A. 2020 US Census Redistricting Public Hearing No. 4 Final Map Selection
Recommendation: Conduct Public Hearing No. 4 to consider public testimony on the 2020 US Census data, review map proposals, select a final map; and if appropriate introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 3146, establishing District Boundary Lines for by-district election of council members resulting from the 2020 US Census Redistricting process.
City Clerk Garcia presented the report.
Dr. Justin Levitt answered questions regarding the differences between Public Map No. 2 and Public Map No. 5; deviation percentages allowed under the Fair Maps Act; shifts in population and registered voters between the two focus maps; shifts in voting schedules; redistricting requirements; and communities of interest and contiguity.
Mayor Vinatieri opened the public hearing
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Christian lsraelian and Raul Mazariego.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Susan Cameron and Stephanie Vallejo.
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.
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Mayor Vinatieri closed the public hearing.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to select Public Map No. 5 as the Final Map and conduct the first reading of an amended Ordinance No. 3146 establishing District Boundary Lines for by-district election of council members resulting from the 2020 US Census Redistricting process. The question was called, and the motion carried 4-1, Mayor Vinatieri dissenting.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess at 8:48 p.m. The City Council entered Closed Session. The regular meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
City Attorney Jones indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Social Services Grant Funding
Recommendation: Approve ranking criteria for FY 2022-23 Social Services Funding applications.
Director Santana presented the report. City Manager Saeki and Director Santana answered questions regarding the awarding criteria and disbursement process for the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and Low-toModerate Housing funds; verification of service to Whittier residents; agency’s headquarters and offices; City-staff conducted audits; HOME Investment Partnerships Program; additional funding sources; and the number of Whittierbased agencies that applied.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve ranking criteria for FY 2022-23 Social Services Funding applications and to deem ineligible organizations that receive a CDBG or LowMod housing asset allocation. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
14.B. Los Angeles County CARE Court Implementation
Recommendation: Consider requesting the inclusion of the City of Whittier in the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ early implementation of the County’s CARE Courts.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report and answered questions regarding current process for the caring of individuals suffering from homelessness and debilitating mental health conditions.
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CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to send a letter to Supervisor Janice Hahn requesting the inclusion of the City of Whittier in the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors’ early implementation of the County’s CARE Courts.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner thanked the Whittier Police Department Officers who collaborated with officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at a drug bust in the Whittwood Towne Center.
Council Member Martinez acknowledged the “orange shirts” of Whittier, the Whittier Police Department, and the firefighters for the work they do for the City.
Council Member Dutra thanked Director Cason and the Public Works Team, in particular the concrete crew, for the work they do.
Mayor Pro Tern Martinez invited residents to attend the Free Community Dump Day on Saturday March 18, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 5760 Pioneer Boulevard and the Founder’s Day Memorial Park event on Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Mayor Vinatieri thanked Staff for their hard work, the residents of Whittier for voting in favor of Measure W, and Congresswoman Linda Sanchez for giving the City and the Whittier Union High School District a $750,000 check for a new center at the Sierra campus.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 10:26 p.m.