MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JUNE 13, 2023, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on June 13, 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 May 9 and May 16, 2023 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. 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
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Ayied Zakhary Beshy Salib v. City of Whittier, Case No. 20STCV07327
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Khalil Abbany v. City of Whittier, Workers’ Compensation Claim No. 572698 Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes June 13, 2023 Page 2 of 8
3.E. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Properties: Former Alpha Beta Site:
8139-005-909- 12813 Bailey Ave
8139-005-910, 12802 Hadley St
8139-005-911, 12813 Bailey Ave
8139-005-912, 6557 Comstock Ave
8139-013-901, Milton Ave
8013-013-900, 6703 Comstock
8139-005-904, Comstock Ave
8139-005-905, Cornstock Ave
8139-005-906, Comstock Ave
8139-005-907, Comstock Ave
8139-005-908, Comstock Ave
8139-005-902, Green leaf Ave
8139-005-903, Green leaf Ave
8139-004-900, Bright Ave
8139-004-901, Bright Ave
8139-015-900, 6711 Bright Ave 8139-015-902, 6724 Greenleaf Ave 8139-015-901, 6726 Greenleaf Ave
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki, City Manager
Property Negotiator: Brian Saeki, Executive Director
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:31 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602
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 PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, Assistant City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Clerk Garcia led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Assistant City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Whittier Beautification Awards
Director Santana presented an award to each of the five recipients of the Whittier Beautification Award.
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 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:
Christian Israelian; Alexis Quetzalcorrogas; David Barboza; Rach lsraelian; Victor Llavera; Queti Importa; Edin Enamorado; Anonymous; Laura; Anthony Mercado; and Luz.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Reagan’s Own and Susan Cameron.
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
None.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Warner pulled Item 12.G. for individual consideration.
Mayor Vinatieri pulled Item 12.1. for individual consideration.
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MOTION [i
Council Member 0. Martinez and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 12G. and I. 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 May 9, 2023 Regular and May 9 and May 16, 2023 Special Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Jose Aleman, Edgar Rodriguez, Victor Andrade, Alejandro Martinez, Jacqueline Miller, and Chrisna Vanegas.
12.D. Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan - Professional Services Agreement - Award of Contract
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Dynamic Planning + Science to update the City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, formerly referred to as the Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, for the City of Whittier for a fee not to exceed $64,948, and adopt Resolution No. 2023-38, amending the 2022-23 Budget to accept $37,163 in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and appropriate $34,280 from the General Fund.
12.E. Assistance League of Whittier Donation to Whittier Public Library Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-39 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget to accept a grant from the Assistance League of Whittier and appropriate $8,000 for this grant for Library services and programs.
12.F. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Project Funding Grant - for Sierra Field Restoration Project
Recommendation: Approve the formal application for HUD Community Project Grant funds for the Sierra Athletic Fields Refurbishment Project; and authorize the City Manager to conduct all negotiations and sign and submit all documents necessary for the completion of the Grant.
LI
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12.H. Murphy Ranch Little League Baseball Field Lighting Project — Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-41 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget for the Murphy Ranch Little League Baseball Field Lighting project; 2) Award the construction contract to the lowest responsive bidder, RMF Contracting, mc, dba R&M Electrical Contracting, in the amount of $791,877 for the Construction of the Murphy Ranch Little League Baseball Field Lighting project;
3) Reject all other bids;
4) Authorize the City Manager to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City;
5) Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 with PBLA Engineering, Inc. for Agreement A22-017; and
6) Approve $79,188 in contingency for the Murphy Ranch Little League Baseball Field Lighting project subject to the approval of the City Manager.
12.J. Project Partners Inc. - Professional Services Agreement for Project Management Services -Amendment No. I
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-42 adding a supplemental appropriation of $133,000 to the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget for staff augmentation and authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. I to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) No. A22-123 with Project Partners Inc. in the amount not to exceed $133,000.
12.K. Santa Gertrudes Avenue Improvements Federal Project No. STPLG 5111(070) - Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(c) — Existing Facilities - of California Environmental Quality Act guidelines;
2) Approve Plans and Specifications for Santa Gertrudes Avenue Improvements Federal Project No. STPLG-51 11(070); and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids.
12.L. Solid Waste Franchise Negotiations - Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with HF&H Consultants (HF&H) for a not to exceed amount of $215,000 to negotiate a new solid waste and recycling franchise agreement(s).
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-43 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Budget for the expenditure of up to $215,000 to fund the professional services agreement with HF&H Consulting to negotiate solid waste and recycling services franchise agreements.
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I 2.M. Suburban Water Systems Water Delivery Agreement — Amendment No.
I
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute Amendment No. I to Agreement No. A20-005 with Suburban Water Systems for water delivery service.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.G. Metro Hot Spots — Whittier BoulevardlPainter Avenue Intersection Improvement Project — Metro Funding Agreement
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Funding Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the Metro Hot Spots — Whittier Boulevard/Painter Avenue Intersection Improvement Project (Project),
FA#9200000000MR31 545; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-40 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget for the expenditure of up to $7,184,500 for the Project.
Assistant City Attorney Collins and Director Cason answered questions regarding the source of the funding; acceptable uses for the allocation; bike lanes on the Greenway Trail; Class I facility classification; the review process for the commissioned reports; idling vehicles and reduced emissions; and the scope of the project.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tern Dutra seconded a motion to 1) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Funding Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the Metro Hot Spots — Whittier Boulevard/Painter Avenue Intersection Improvement Project (Project), FA#9200000000MR31545; and 2) adopt Resolution No. 2023-40 amending the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget for the expenditure of up to $7,184,500 for the Project.
12.1. Professional Services Agreements for York Field Stormwater Capture Project
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Craftwater Engineering Inc. (Craftwater), for design of the York Field Stormwater Capture project (Project) in an amount not to exceed $1,536,899; and
2) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with John L. Hunter and Associates (JLHA) to assist with value engineering services and project management related to the design of the Project in an amount not to exceed $50,275.
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City Manager Saeki and Director Cason answered questions regarding future improvements to York Field; the potential interruption to youth sports programming; time frame for project completion; legal requirements for stormwater capture; Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits; and stormwater mitigation on future projects.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to 1) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Craftwater Engineering Inc. (Craftwater), for design of the York Field Stormwater Capture project (Project) in an amount not to exceed $1,536,899; and 2) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with John L. Hunter and Associates (JLHA) to assist with value engineering services and project management related to the design of the Project in an amount not to exceed $50,275. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Whittier People Mover — Initial Study Results
Recommendation: Review and provide feedback on the Whittier People Mover — Initial Study Results and provide direction as appropriate to finalize the report.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report and answered questions regarding the cost of the Circuit service; public engagement from Whittier College; options for adding historical sites as stops; hours and days of operation; survey responses; Uptown benefit district participants; initial study results; access points for micro transit driver shuttle; DMV permit holders and service delivery alternatives; and the viability of autonomous shuttle services.
The City Council deliberated.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to conduct an analysis of micro transit shuttles and large-scale driver shuttles, as well as a transit option between Hellmann Park and Uptown Whittier.
14.B. Art in Public Places Committee Membership
Recommendation: Provide direction on Art in Public Places Committee membership composition and if appropriate introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 3148, amending Chapter 2.38 of the Municipal Code to change the membership size to five members for the Art in Public Places Committee.
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City Clerk Garcia presented the report and answered questions regarding quorums and the Cultural Arts Commission representatives.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to conduct the first reading of an amended Ordinance No. 3148, amending Chapter 2.38 of the Municipal Code to change the membership size to five members for the Art in Public Places Committee and modifying the composition to 3 Artists / Landscape Architects I Architects and 2 Community Representatives The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Mayor Pro Tem Dutra discussed attending the National Junior Basketball opening day and wished a speedy recovery to Bill Wood.
Council Member 0. Martinez indicated he attended the Community Street Banner Program reception; the Whittier Police Department swearing-in ceremony; and the National Junior Basketball opening day.
Council Member J. Martinez indicated the allegations against her involving a street vendor altercation were false; discussed a ride-along opportunity with the Whittier Police Department; and indicated she attended the Movies in the Park event.
Mayor Vinatieri wished everyone a happy Father’s Day and discussed the Whittier Memorial Day event.
Council Member Warner discussed visiting Omaha Beach and discussed Memorial Day.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 8:44 p.m.