I UTES
WHITTIER CITY COU CIL
HITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
HITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETI G
COUNCIL CHA BER, 13230 PENN STREET
AY 23, 2023, 6:00 P
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on May 23, 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 CO ENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSIO
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the April 25, 2023 Closed Session Minutes
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Tim Roberts v. City of Whittier, Workers Compensation Claim Nos.
ADJ1 1971587, ADJ13286572, ADJ13287042
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. 225TCP03523
3.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8139-024-027 (12826 Philadelphia Street)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Beverly Professional Company, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.E. 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 called the Regular Session to order at 6:37 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 May 23, 2023 Page 2 of8
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Fernando Dutra, Mayor Pro Tern
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
STAFF PRESE T:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, Assistant City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Aviv Bar, Chief of Police
Yolanda Martinez, Director of Human Resources/Risk Management
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant City Attorney Collins led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
ORDER OF THE CHAIR
By order of the chair, Mayor Vinatieri moved Item 8.B. before 8.A.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.B. hittier High School Varsity Tennis CIF Southern Section Champions Mayor Vinatieri introduced Superintendent Monica Oviedo, Whittier High School Principal Timothy Liggett, Assistant Principal of Business and Activities Brian Covey, Whittier Union High School District Board of Trustees President Jaime Lopez, and Head Coach Abraam Guirguis.
Head Coach Guirguis thanked the parents and staff for their support and thanked the boys’ tennis team for their hard work.
Board President Lopez thanked the City Council for the opportunity to recognize the tennis team and thanked Superintendent Oviedo and Coach Guirguis for their support.
The City Council congratulated the boys’ tennis team for winning the championship.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 3 of 8
Mayor Vinatieri presented a Certificate of Commendation to Coach Guirguis and Principal Liggett.
BA. Police Department Updates
Chief Bar indicated that the Police Department is hiring for entry and lateral positions and provided updates on reported part-i crimes; frequent crimes; response times; decreases in injury traffic collisions; and criminal cases not filed by the District’s Attorney since the introduction of Special Directive 7.
Chief Bar answered questions regarding the threshold for prosecuting theft; staffing shortages; effects of the economic recession on hiring; reductions in crime; and officer morale.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
10. PUBLIC CO E TS
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:
Emily Benitez; Mat Bushyeager; Anne Bushyeager; Monique Holguin; and Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage.
Reagan Own provided a teleconference public comment.
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 A AGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki thanked those who attended the Public Safety Exposition and TK Run; indicated that this week was Public Works Week and discussed the week’s events; and informed residents that the Annual State of the City will take place on Thursday June 1, 2023 at the Double Tree Hotel.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 4 of 8
12. JOl T Co SENT CALE DAR
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra recused himself from Item 12.J.
Mayor Vinatieri recused himself from Items 12.K. and 12.L.
MOTION
Council Member Warner and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, noting Mayor Vinatieri’s recusal on Items 12.K. and L. and Mayor Pro Tern Dutra’s recusal on Item 12.J. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.A. aive 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 mutes
Recommendation: Approve the April 25, 2023 Special and Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Vanessa Caro, Mercury Insurance ASO Fernando Aragon, Carlos Hernandez, and Teddie Serna.
12.D. onthiy update on hittier eli-Being Initiative
Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly update on the Whittier Well Being Initiative.
12.E. De Luca’s Restaurant
16503 Whittier Boulevard
Conditional Use Permit No. CUP22-0015
Recommendation: Receive and file Conditional Use Permit No. CUP22- 0015 approved by the Planning Commission under Resolution No. P.C. 2023-06, an application to allow for a Type 47 (General Alcohol Sales License) and revised live entertainment at an existing restaurant located at 16503 Whittier Boulevard.
12.F. Alleys North of Hadley between Pickering and Friends Sewer Main Replacement Project Phase 2 - Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Waive a minor bid irregularity and award the construction contract to All Cities Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $1,222,045 for the construction of the Alleys North of Hadley between Pickering and Friends Sewer Main Replacement Project Phase 2;
2) Reject all other bids;
3) Authorize the Executive Director to sign the contract on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority; and
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 5 of 8
4) Approve $122,205 in contingency for the Alleys North of Hadley between Pickering and Friends Sewer Main Replacement Project Phase 2 subject to approval of the Executive Director.
12G. Greenway Trail East Extension Project — Suburban Water Systems Contract
Recommendation: Approve the work contract with Suburban Water Systems in the amount of $94,521 for the Whittier Greenway Trail East Extension Project.
12.H. Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91 (Foxley Drive) - Preliminary Budget and Engineer’s Report
Recommendation: Approve the Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2023-24, on Street Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91; and adopt Resolution No. 2023-37 declaring the district’s intention to levy and collect Fiscal Year 2023-24 Foxley Drive, Street Lighting Assessment and setting a time and place for a public hearing for June 27, 2023.
12.1. Project 22-017 Orange Grove & Vicinity Water am Replacement — Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(b) Existing facilities, of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines;
2) Approve the Plans and Specifications for the Orange Grove & Vicinity Water Main Replacement Project; and
3) Authorize the Secretary to advertise the project for construction bids.
12.J. 22-002 La Serna Drive orth of Whittier Boulevard Rehabilitation Project -Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Award the Construction contract to All American Asphalt of Corona, California, in the amount of $1,396,010.93 for the construction of the 22- 002 La Serna Drive North of Whittier Boulevard Rehabilitation Project; 2) Reject all other bids; and
3) Authorize the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City.
12.K. Upto n Parking District No. I
Recommendation: Approve the preliminary budget for the Fiscal Year 2023- 24 for Parking District No. 1 and set a public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on June 27, 2023, in the City Hall Council Chamber to hear public testimony and consider approving the budget and confirming the assessments.
12.L. Uptown Parking District No. 2
Recommendation: Approve the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24 for Parking District No. 2 and set a public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on June 27, 2023, in the City Hall Council Chamber to hear public testimony and consider approving the budget and confirming the assessments.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 6 of 8
13. PUBLIC HEARI GS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Selection of Boards & Commissions Applicants
Recommendation: Select applicants to interview or appoint for vacancies on the following boards and commissions:
1) Cultural Arts Commission (1 term)
2) Historic Resources Commission (2 terms)
3) Parking and Transportation Commission (1 term)
4) Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (2 terms) 5) Personnel Board (1 term)
6) Social Services Commission (1 term)
7) Art in Public Places Advisory Committee (2 terms)
8) Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (2 terms)
City Clerk Garcia presented the staff report and answered questions regarding Charter provisions about board and commission membership; eligibility of unsigned applications; ability of applicants to serve on multiple commissions; and current membership on Boards and Commissions.
The City Council selected the following individuals to interview:
Cultural Arts Commission
1. JulianCepeda
2. James Mericle
3. Michael Johnson
Historic Resources Commission
1. Theresa Rivas
2. Susan Cameron
3. Martha E. Romero
4. Jason Michael Chacon
5. Andrew Rodriguez
6. Elizabeth Cruz
Parking and Transportation Commission
1. Carla Melgar
2. Griselda Ortiz
3. Jorge C. Morales
PRCS Commission
1. JulianCepeda
2. Frank Medina
3. Wayne Hao
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 7 of 8
4. Victoria Pacheco
5. Yolanda Vega
Personnel Board
1. Magdalena Barragan Moe
2. Julie Petrelli-Cramer
Social Services Commission
1. Elizabeth Halpin
2. Isaac Martinez
3. Martha E. Romero
4. SulyRayo
CTAC
1. Shelley Romanoff-Andros
2. JanisCavanaugh
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to bring back a report on the membership and composition of the Art in Public Places Committee.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to hold interviews in person without a Zoom option to prevent applicants from having an unfair advantage.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
14.B. Liability Update
Recommendation: Receive a report on the California Insurance Pool Authority and provide direction as necessary.
City Manager Saeki and Director Martinez presented the report and answered questions regarding the California Insurance Pool Authority (CIPA) recommendations; the length of the tree removal process; arborists’ services; potential premium reductions; and reasons for increases in premiums.
MOTION
Council Member 0. Martinez moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to direct staff to conduct an analysis on potential changes to the Parkway Tree Manual to reduce litigation and liability risks, including but not limited to the tree removal process and private developments.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes May 23, 2023 Page 8 of 8
15. COUNCIL E BER I DIRECTOR CO MENTS A D CO FERE CE REPORTS Council Member Warner discussed attending the Boys and Girls Club Golf Tournament Dinner; indicated she visited Clear Water Project in Carson as part of her assignment with the Los Angeles County Sanitation District; and discussed the 20-year anniversary of the passing of former Whittier Sergeant Rod Bryant.
Council Member 0. Martinez discussed Public Works Week and the duties handled by the Public Works Department.
Council Member J. Martinez discussed attending the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District meeting and the Whittier Police Department Swearing-In ceremony; congratulated the Whittier High School Tennis Team for winning the CIF Championship; and thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work.
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra indicated he would be meeting with Assembly Member Blanca Pacheco, Senator Bob Archuleta, and Senator Lina Gonzalez to discuss funding for regional transportation; and invited residents to attend the City’s Memorial Day Event on Monday, May 29, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Mayor Vinatieri congratulated Pony Baseball; indicated he attended the Health and Safety Fair in front of the Whittier Police Department; discussed traveling to Las Vegas with City Manager Saeki and Council Member 0. Martinez to meet with real estate owners and retailers; encouraged residents to attend the City’s Memorial Day Event; and discussed the 20-year anniversary of the passing of former Whittier Sergeant Rod Bryant.
16. ADJOURN E T
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 8:29 p.m.