City Council Meeting Agenda Announcement
In-Person Public Comment is now Available
Speakers must limit their comments to three minutes. Please note, by order of the presiding officer, public comments minutes may be reduced if at their discretion a surplus of public speakers is present at the meeting.
View live open session meeting:
On Cable, Channel 3
Online: www.cityofwhittier.org/Streaming
In person at City Hall, City Council Chamber
Zoom (Details below)
Public Comment options:
Email: [email protected]
In-person for Closed and Open Session in the City Hall Council Chamber Zoom (Details below)
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR ZOOM SOFTWARE IS UPDATED TO PROVIDE LIVE COMMENTS Live Public Comment for CLOSED SESSION: Login or call at 6:00 p.m. and raise your hand. Smart Phone App or Computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98640033144 o Use ‘Raise Hand’ feature.
Phone Call-in: (669) 900-9128 Meeting ID: 986 4003 3144 o Press *9 to ‘Raise Hand’ and then *6 to unmute yourself when prompted.
Live Public Comment for OPEN SESSION: Login or call at 6:30 p.m. and raise your hand. Smart Phone App or Computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/95676597390 o Use ‘Raise Hand’ feature.
Phone Call-in: (669) 900-9128 Meeting ID: 956 7659 7390 o Press *9 to ‘Raise Hand’ and then *6 to unmute yourself when prompted.
Email: Please submit public comments at least one hour before the date of the meeting to ensure City Council members receive and have time to review them.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Disability-related services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting, consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Spanish interpreters are also available.
For information or to request services, please contact the City Clerk at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at (562) 567-9850.
View recent public comments: https://www.CityOfWhittier.org/PublicComments Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 26, 2023
Agenda
AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
The public is invited to comment on any closed session item listed below.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the August 22, 2023 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 Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel—Anticipated Litigation Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9:
One Case
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
5. ROLL CALL
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Fernando Dutra, Mayor Pro Tem
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 26, 2023
Agenda
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Recognition of VolunTeens
8.B. Recognition of Public Works Employees
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
This is the time for the City Council/Boards of Directors to reorder the agenda, add or delete items, or make changes to the Agenda.
10. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public is invited to address City Council Members and Directors regarding any item of business or any matter within the bodies subject matter jurisdiction.
Pursuant to State law, City Council Members and Directors cannot take action or express a consensus of approval or disapproval on any communications which do not appear on the printed agenda.
Speakers must limit their comments to three minutes. Please note, by order of the presiding officer, public comments may be limited if at their discretion a surplus of public speakers are present at the meeting.
Detailed instructions on how to provide public comments are provided on the Agenda Announcement Page.
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved by a single motion. If a Council Member or Director wishes to discuss a Consent Calendar item, the item may be removed from the calendar for individual consideration.
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 August 22, 2023 Special and Regular Meeting Minutes.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 26, 2023
Agenda
12.C. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3150 - Military Equipment Use Policy
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3150, 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.D. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Patricia Apolinar and Guillermo Blanco.
12.E. 2024 Uptown Business Improvement Area (BIA) Assessment Recommendation:
1) Approve the Whittier Uptown Association 2022-2023 annual report and proposed 2024 budget.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-65 declaring the City’s intention to levy and collect assessments within the Uptown Whittier Business Improvement Area for calendar year 2024.
3) Schedule a public hearing to consider the matter on October 24, 2023.
12.F. Whittier Well-Being Initiative - Monthly Status Report Recommendation: Receive and file the monthly status report on the Whittier Well-Being Initiative.
12.G. California State Library “Zip Book” Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-66, amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library in the amount of $8,466 for the California State Library “Zip Book” Grant.
12.H. Office of Traffic Safety - Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-67 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget related to supplemental appropriations for the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant.
12.I. Police Fitness Center Equipment Replacement
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2023-68, amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 budget to accept $87,058 in funds from the Officer and Mental Health Grant and authorize the purchase and installation of police department fitness center replacement equipment.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 26, 2023
Agenda
12.J. SKILLS Organization – Orchard Dale and Scott Avenue Elementary After-School Programs
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with the SKILLS Organization for the City’s operation of Scott Avenue Elementary and Orchard Dale After School Programming.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-69 amending the FY 23/24 budget to include $82,512 for the Orchard Dale Elementary After School Program and $63,728 for the Scott Avenue School Program.
12.K. Michigan Park Improvements Project – Notice Inviting Bids and Modular Building Purchase
Recommendation:
1) Find the Project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301 Existing Facilities and 15303 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines. 2) Approve Plans and Specifications for the Michigan Park Improvements Project.
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids. 4) Authorize the City Manager to purchase a new VESTA modular voting center at a cost of $235,686.
5) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-70, allocating funding for the purchase and use of a modular building as a Vote Center and other recreational activities at Michigan Park.
12.L. Pickering Avenue Transmission Main Emergency Repair Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WUA-2023-06 amending Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget in the amount of $238,000 for the Pickering Avenue Transmission Main Emergency Repair.
12.M. Utility Users’ Tax Low Income Exemption Qualification Recommendation: Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 3151 finding that the code amendment is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act and amend Chapter 3.24 (Utilities Tax) to increase the income level to qualify for utility users’ tax (UUT) exemptions for residential service users to $56,750.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Anyone interested in matters scheduled for public hearing may speak for three minutes at the time of the hearing. The applicant and appellant will have up to 20 minutes to present their case and up to an additional 10 minutes to make rebuttal comments at the conclusion of the public hearing. If you challenge any part of the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised during the public hearing.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 26, 2023
Agenda
13.A. 2022-23 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing to review and approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period beginning July 1, 2022, and ending June 30, 2023; and Authorize the City Manager to submit the report, along with any public comments received and necessary revisions, to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. City Council Meeting Teleconference Rules and Public Comment Options
Recommendation: Provide direction on current teleconference rules and public comment options.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS
16. ADJOURNMENT
Disability-related services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting, consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Spanish interpreters are also available. For information or to request services, please contact the City Clerk at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at (562) 567-9850.
The agenda packet for regular meetings is available three days before the meeting on http://www.cityofwhittier.org. Materials distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the City Council meeting are available for public inspection; please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Los servicios relacionados con la discapacidad están disponibles para permitir que las personas con discapacidad participen en esta reunión, de conformidad con la Ley Federal de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990. También hay intérpretes en español disponibles. Para obtener información o para solicitar servicios, comuníquese con el Secretario Municipal al menos 24 horas antes de la reunión al (562) 567-9850.
El paquete de la agenda para juntas regulares están disponible tres días antes de la reunión en www.cityofwhittier.org. Los materiales distribuidos al Concejo Municipal dentro de las 72 horas de la reunión del Concejo Municipal están disponibles para inspección pública; póngase al contacto con la Oficina de la Secretaria Municipal.
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.
Regular and Adjourned Regular meeting agendas may be amended up to 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Dated this 21st day of September 2023. /s/ Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk