MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JANUARY 9, 2024, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on January 9, 2024. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:02 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 November 28 and December 12, 2023 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City Of Whittier, a Charter City; et al. v. Superior Court Of The State Of California, County Of Los Angeles, the judicial branch for the County of Los Angeles, California; et al., Case No. 23STCP03579
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Gurrola v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 18STVC09295
3.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8124-007-918 (3551 San Gabriel River Pkwy, Pico Rivera, CA 90660)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: United States Navy
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:36 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Fernando Dutra, Mayor Pro Tem
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Katie Galvin-Surbatovic, Public Information Officer
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The captain from the La Serna High School Football Team led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. La Serna High School Football Team - CIF State Division 2-AA Champions
Mayor Vinatieri read a statement congratulating the La Serna High School Football Team for being CIF State Division 2-AA Champions.
Varsity Football Head Coach Andy George thanked everyone for their support and discussed the La Serna Football program.
The Council Members congratulated the coaches, players, and parents.
8.B. Russ Bassett Corp and Tool & Jig Plating Company - Good Corporate Citizens List (LA County Sanitation Districts)
Council Member Warner read a statement about the Good Corporate Citizens program.
Mayor Vinatieri and Linn Steinbeck, President from Russ Bassett Corp. discussed the actions the company took that won them the award.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
8.C. Chamber of Commerce
This presentation was postponed to a future meeting.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member J. 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:
Monica Sena; Laurie Baccus; Magdalena Barragñon Moe; Lauren Victoria Ruiz; Alex Rocha; Brian Ahern; Dan Durand; Tim Nally; Fernando Lopez; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; Olivia Aguilar; and Niran Naranki.
There were no teleconference public comments.
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. Negotiations are ongoing relative to Open Space Legal Defense Fund and Matrix.
2. The project on Santa Gertrudes will be completed in April of 2024.
3. The ribbon cutting for the Whittier Senior Center will take place on January 23, 2024.
4. In comparison to neighboring cities, the City of Whittier offers highly competitive incentives for police officers, including a $20,000 signing bonus, a $75,000 homebuyer loan program, and a $5,000 internal referral incentive.
5. The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority will host an Open House at Parnell Park on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
6. On behalf of the City, City Manager Saeki extended his congratulations to the La Serna Football Team.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Dutra 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
Recommendation: Approve the November 28 and December 12, 2023 Special and Regular Session Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Robert Alvarez, Sharon Solovroff, Samar Abou Zaki, Greenleaf Investment LLC., Mirian Janet Zambrano Carrillo, Lucas E. Del Raso Zambrano, Julio Cesar Del Raso Lopez, Julia Esther Lopez, and Santiago Del Raso Zambrano.
12.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3152 - April 9, 2024 General Municipal Election
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3152, establishing various election procedures relating to election style, voting locations, appointment, early voting, precinct consolidations, auditing, and reporting for the 2024 General Municipal Election.
12.E. RSM Design Amendment No. 1
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to a Professional Services Agreement with RSM Design, not to exceed $27,000, to provide additional meeting coordination, design services, and brand management services for the City of Whittier through December 31, 2024.
12.F. Mills Act Agreement No. MAA23-0001
6054 Alta Avenue
Recommendation: Accept the Historic Resources Commission’s recommendation to approve a Mills Act Agreement, and:
1) Find that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Class 31, Section 15331 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-01, approving Mills Act Agreement No.
MAA23-0001 with the property owner of 6054 Alta Avenue; and 3) Authorize the Mayor to sign the Mills Act Agreement contract.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
12.G. Mills Act Agreement No. MAA23-0002
12310 Penn Street
Recommendation: Accept the Historic Resources Commission’s recommendation to approve a Mills Act Agreement, and:
1) Find that the project is categorically exempt pursuant to Class 31, Section 15331 of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines; 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-02, approving Mills Act Agreement No.
MAA23-0002 with the property owner of 12310 Penn Street; and 3) Authorize the Mayor to sign the Mills Act Agreement contract.
12.H. Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-24-01 approving a Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177 and taking certain related actions.
12.I. Whittier Redevelopment Successor Agency Administrative Budget for July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. WRSA-24-02 approving the Whittier Redevelopment Successor Agency Administrative Budget for the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, pursuant to the Health and Safety Code Section 34177(j) and taking certain other related actions.
12.J. Citywide Guardrail Improvements (Phase 2) Federal Project No. HSIPL5111(069) – Award of Contract Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-03 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget with supplemental appropriation for the Citywide Guardrail Improvements (Phase 2) Federal Project No. HSIPL-5111(069) (Project); 2) Waive a minor bid irregularity;
3) Award the Construction Contract to Aguilar & Calderon Corporation, Whittier, California, in the amount of $416,606 for the construction of the Project;
4) Reject all other bids;
5) Authorize the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City; and 6) Approve $41,660 in contingency for the Project subject to the approval of the City Manager.
12.K. Community Facilities District Special Tax Annual Accountability Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the Community Facilities District (CFD) 2019-01 annual report pursuant to the Local Agency Special Tax and Accountability Act for Fiscal Year 2022-23.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
12.L. Fiscal Year 2022-23 Annual & Five-Year Development Impact Fee Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Development Impact Fee Report pursuant to Government Code sections 66000et seq. for both the annual reporting and five-year reporting requirements.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Branding Update
Recommendation: Approve the Branding Ad Hoc Committee’s recommended updates to Phase One of the City’s branding initiative and direct RSM Design to move to Phase Two, establishment of Whittier’s brand identity.
Public Information Officer Galvin-Surbatovic introduced Steve Luoma from RSM Design, who presented on the updates to Phase 1.
City Manager Saeki and Mr. Luoma answered questions regarding the next steps; branding in Uptown Whittier; park designs; and the inclusion of additional imagery.
The City Council suggested changes to grammar and syntax and requested the inclusion of additional dog park, dog, and landmark images.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member O. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the amended Branding Ad Hoc Committee’s recommended updates to Phase One of the City’s branding initiative and direct RSM Design to move to Phase Two, establishment of Whittier’s brand identity. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
14.B. Discussion of Poet Laureate Proposal
Recommendation: Discuss and provide direction as appropriate regarding the establishment of a Whittier Poet Laureate.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report and answered questions regarding the length and scope of the program; duties of the Poet Laureate; selection process of a Poet Laureate; stipend for service; the work produced by the Poet Laureate; and staff support.
The City Council deliberated.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 9, 2024
Minutes
MOTION
Council Member O. Martinez moved and Mayor Pro Tem Dutra seconded a motion to direct the Board of Library Trustees, the Cultural Arts Commission, or a non-majority number of representatives from both to serve on a joint ad hoc committee to further refine expectations for the scope and scale of Poet Laurate activities and programs. The motion carried unanimously.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member O. Martinez thanked City Staff for their hard work.
Council Member J. Martinez discussed the La Serna high School football team’s CIF championship and expressed excitement for the upcoming year.
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra wished everyone a happy New Year and indicated he is looking forward to the upcoming year.
Mayor Vinatieri expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming year.
16. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Kenneth Bennett
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography of Kenneth Bennett and discussed his ties and contributions to the Whittier Community.
The City Council shared personal anecdotes and expressed their condolences.
The City Council returned to Closed Session. City Clerk Garcia indicated that there was nothing to report out of Closed Session. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.