MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JANUARY 23, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on January 23, 2024. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:01 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. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1)
Two Cases
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:30 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, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Yolanda Martinez, Director of Human Resource/Risk Management
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member J. Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes January23, 2024 Page 2 of 7
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Whittier College Report
Ron Gastelum, Whittier College Board Chairman, introduced Dr. Kristine Dillon, Interim President of Whittier College. Dr. Dillion presented on the goals, the undergraduate student headcount, and the proposed Whittier City Scholarship program.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
City Attorney Collins answered a question regarding the scheduling of a separate study session for the Greenleaf Promenade.
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:
Claudia Nava; Monica Bobadilla; Joanna Rodriguez; Bob Henderson; Mary Sullens; Mel Sturr; David Dickerson; Helen Rahder; Gale Bryson; Ben Reed; Conny McCormack; Curt Skotnicki; Austin McCormack; Catherine Lushner; Kim Hallinger; Giovani Briseno; Brian Ahern; Monica Sena; Magdalena Barragnon Moe; Stephanie Vallejo; Madelyn; Joanna; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; Ruben Valdez; Eddie Gonzalez; Emily Olivas; Rolando Cano; Mathew Zepeda; Christine Aurreaga; Frank Arramiguez; Jason Barrio; Paula lniguez; Alan Zolnekoff; Soledad Villanueva; Reyna; and Virginia Ball.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K.; Eddie; Susan Cameron; Christian Israelian; Ivy Rachel; and Brenda Valle Valderama.
City Clerk Garcia indicated that any emails received prior to the 5:00 p.m. deadline are posted to the City’s website and are part of the record. Emails received after 5:00 p.m. are also part of the record.
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.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes January 23, 2024 Page 3 of 7
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki provided the following updates:
1) The link to the Greenleaf Promenade Project will be relocated from the “Whittier Transparent” page to the City’s home page.
2) An estimate for the Uptown Whittier Streetscape Project was provided in 2019; since then, the project has evolved to include more streets along Greenleaf Avenue, which resulted in the increased estimated costs. 3) A total of 15 public discussions have been held since 2020 regarding the Uptown Whittier Streetscape Project; the meetings are advertised on all social media platforms and the website.
4) The City Council has neither declared Whittier a sanctuary city nor discussed the matter in a public setting.
5) The City Council has not defunded the Police Department. 6) The trees removed on Mills Avenue that were discussed during public comments are not in the City; they are part of Los Angeles County. City Staff will reach out to the County partners so they are aware of the concerns with the removal.
7) If members of the public have concerns about City Staff, those concerns should be directed to the City Manager.
8) The grand reopening of the Senior Center took place on January 23, 2024.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Warner pulled Item 12.H.
Council Member 0. Martinez recused himself on Item 12.E. due to a conflict of interest since he is an employee of CAPC, inc.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 12.H. and noting Council Member 0. Martinez’s recusal on 12.E. 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 December 26, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Katherine Espinoza, Judith Ann Gwinn, Rolando Ruiz and American Family Connect ASO Ernest Funari.
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12.D. California State Library Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-04 amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library for Lunch at the Library program and appropriate $17,875 for this grant for Library Services and program.
12.E. Social Services Grant Funding FY 2023-24
Recommendation: Approve the FY 2023-24 distribution of Social Services Funding in the amount of $176,516 from the General fund and $10,000 from Low/Moderate Income Housing Asset Grant funds as recommended by the Social Services Commission and direct the Social Services Commission to begin the FY2024-25 application process with the same mental health emphasis.
12.F. 2021 State Homeland Security Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No 2024-05, amending the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget to accept the 2021 State Homeland Security Grant, and authorize the purchase of police equipment from Transcend Robotics.
12.G. Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. WUA-21-015 - Calgon Carbon Corporation
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the Executive Manager to execute Amendment No. 2 to Agreement No. WUA 21-015 with Calgon Carbon Corporation (Calgon), in the amount of $600,000 to provide carbon supply for the Whittier Groundwater Treatment System (WGTS) and modify the expiration date of the agreement to October 12, 2026; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. WUA-2024-01 amending Fiscal Year 2023-24 Budget to appropriate an additional $600,000 to fund the carbon supply agreement with Calgon.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.H. Heli Hydrant Pump Station Design - Professional Services Agreement — Award of Contract
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation to provide Engineering Design Services for the Heli Hydrant Pump Station for a fee not to exceed $80,430.
City Manager Saeki described the purpose of a heli hydrant; the location of the project; the estimated costs; and the funding sources.
The City Council deliberated.
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MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tern Dutra seconded a motion to approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation to provide Engineering Design Services for the Heli Hydrant Pump Station for a fee not to exceed $80,430. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Discuss Partnership with Whittier College
Recommendation: Discuss proposed partnership and scholarship program with Whittier College and provide direction as appropriate.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report and answered questions regarding contributions from Santa Fe Springs; home schooling; Whittier residency requirements; the applicant expectations; ongoing community service requirements; goals of the program; and reporting requirements.
The City Council deliberated.
CONSENSUS
The City Council directed City Staff to work with the Whittier College Staff to refine the plan and bring back for a Town and Gown discussion.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the proposed partnership and an amended scholarship program with Whittier College, amending the residency and school attendance requirements and the applicant expectations. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously
14.B. Liability Update
Recommendation: Receive a progress report on addressing the California Insurance Pool Authority recommendations and provide direction as appropriate.
Director Martinez presented the report. City Manager Saeki, City Attorney Collins, Director Martinez and Janet Kaiser, General Manager of CIPA, answered questions regarding the composition of the proposed risk assessment committee; legal definition of what constitutes a health and safety issue; layers of coverage; the Penn Park settlement case; consequences of getting dropped from CIPA group; industry standards; comparable tree cities’ best practices; modifications to tree manual as requested by CIPA; and police department liability insurance policies.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to receive and file the report, to proceed with the additional steps for the creation of a risk assessment committee, and to direct Staff to research best practices for liability in other cities. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
14.C. Draft Parks Master Plan Discussion
Recommendation: Review and provide direction as appropriate for the Draft Parks Master Plan.
This item was postponed to a future meeting.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER! DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner discussed the reopening of the Senior Center and the approval of the Social Services Funding
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to bring back a report related to the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to refine the criteria for Social Services funding.
Council Member 0. Martinez discussed some factors that go into the City Council’s decision-making process.
Council Member J. Martinez discussed the trees in Uptown Whittier, the reopening of the Senior Center, and the disappearance of two Navy SEALs.
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra discussed the Whittier Chamber of Commerce event hosted at Whittier College; the ribbon cutting event at Paramedic Engine 59; the Murphy Ranch Light League field lighting event; attending an event unveiling the new name of the light rail project that will go from Downtown Los Angeles to Artesia; attending an event with Supervisor Hilda Solis regarding the Gold Line Phase 2 project; the approval for the repair of the Beverly Blvd off-ramp on the 605 freeway; and the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) People Mover project.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed the lighting issue at Palm Park raised during public comments; concerns regarding the State’s deficit as mentioned at the League of California Cities Revenue and Taxation Committee meeting; the ribbon cutting event at Paramedic Engine 59; the Murphy Ranch Light League field lighting event; and the reopening of the Senior Center.
Mayor Vinatieri exited the Chamber due to a conflict of interest since he owns a business in Uptown Whittier. Mayor Pro Tem Dutra presided over the meeting.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes January 23, 2024 Page 7 of 7
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to agendize a Special Study Session to discuss the proposed removal of trees on Greenleaf Avenue as part of the Uptown Whittier Beautification project.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra adjourned the meeting at 10:26 p.m.