MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
MARCH 26, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on March 12, 2024. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:03 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 February 20, 2024 Special Meeting and February 27, 2024 Regular Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Public Employee Matter Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 Personnel Board Appeal Resolution No. 23-01
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Chiu v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 625417
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Harlow v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 612663
3.E. Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Yakemonis v. City of Whittier, Case No. 1 9STCV34886
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3.F. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 81 24-007-918
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: United State Government
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
Property: APN 8126-001-035
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Pace Trust (Phillip J and Phyllis) Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
Property: APN 8139-023-014, 8139-023-015, 8139-023-020, 8139-023-022, and 8139-023-028
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Skyline Holdings LLC and Pacific Crest Holdings LLC Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
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 HaIl, 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
Paymaneh Maghsoudi, Director of Library Services
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
Katie Galvin-Su rbatovic, Public Information Officer
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra led the Pledge of Allegiance. El
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CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. National Library Week
Mayor Vinatieri introduced Director Maghsoudi, who discussed the events occurring at the Central and Branch libraries in honor of National Library Week, which is April 7 through April 13.
Mayor Vinatieri presented Director Maghsoudi and her staff with a proclamation.
The City Council thanked Library Staff for their hard work.
8.B. California Park and Recreation Society Awards
Mayor Vinatieri introduced Kayla Brown, President of the California Park and Recreation Society, who described the two awards presented to the City of Whittier: the Marketing and Communications Award of Excellence and the Champion of the Community Award.
Director Santana thanked Margo Diamond-Nelson and the rest of her staff for their hard work increasing the outreach for programming.
Bobby Ruiz thanked Margo Diamond-Nelson for contacting him regarding a collaboration.
The City Council congratulated the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department on their awards and thanked them for their hard work.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Saeki indicated there will be a Special Study Session held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. regarding the Greenleaf Promenade.
Council Member Warner asked the City Council to consider adding an item to the Agenda regarding the request received from the Alliance of Mexican American Women of Los Angeles to use the Council Chamber for an event.
City Attorney Collins indicated that in order to walk an item on the Agenda, there must be two findings: (1) there is an immediate need to take action and (2) the need to take immediate action arose after the posting of the agenda.
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The City Council articulated that the correspondence was received after the posting of the Agenda and that the discussion of the item cannot wait since it is in relation to the April 9, 2024 General Municipal Election.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tern Dutra seconded a motion to walk on an item to discuss the correspondence from the Alliance of Mexican American Women of Los Angeles as Item 14.B. The motion carried unanimously.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Agenda, including Item 14.B. 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:
Samuel Hall; Monica Sena; Magdalena Barragnon; James Becerra; Conny McCormack; Tom Burr; Mary Gorman Sullens; Gail Cofer; Helen Rahder; David Dickerson; Brian Ahern; Fernando; Noah Larios; Eva Rodriguez; Javier Garcia; Lisa Peña; Alex Rocha; Rodolfo Cortez; Anonymous; Rolando Cano; Marce Rodando; and David Williamson.
D.K. 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 MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Saeki thanked Director Santana and her Staff for their hard work and flexibility with the annual Eggxstragavanza event, and provided the following updates:
1. The City Council has taken proactive measures toward historic preservation in Whittier including authorizing the preparation of a contributing resources analysis in the Central Park and Hadley-Greenleaf districts, approving a contract to provide city staff with historic preservation training, and approving a contract for consulting services for historic preservation.
2. A discussion regarding the replacement of the tree on Comstock Avenue will be agendized at a regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
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3. There is no line item for planting trees in the City’s Budget because tree replacement, tree planning, and other tree-related issues involve multiple parties.
City Clerk Garcia provided the following updates:
1. Physical “I am a Whittier Voter” stickers are available at City Hall and digital versions are available on Instagram for residents to utilize.
2. In-person voting for the April 9, 2024, Election begins on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 7:00 a.rn. to 8:00 p.m. Residents can in-person vote at York Field, Michigan Park, Parnell Park, and Palm Park.
3. Replacement ballots can be requested by contacting the City Clerk at (562) 567-9850 or visiting www.cityofwhittier.org/status.
4. City Staff did not cancel the Candidate Social that was to take place on March 20, 2024, at the lglesia de Greenleaf; City Clerk Garcia informed the relevant parties about electioneering laws; and the sequence of events is captured on the City’s Election Transparency webpage.
5. A Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballot drop Box was installed at City Hall in 2022 in response to citizen concerns about the lack of VBM drop boxes in the City.
The box is located near the City Clerk Department counter, and after the close of business hours, the glass doors to access the ballot box are locked.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra pulled Item 12.E. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Council Member 0. Martinez moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 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 February 20, 2024 Special Meeting and February 27, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Ronnie Borges, Cindy Corbett, Edwin Elias, and Kenneth Miller.
12.D. Resolution Declaring the Whittier City Council’s Support of California Senate Bill 1262 (Archuleta)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-15, declaring the City Council’s support of Senate Bill 1262 (Archuleta) seeking specific reforms to public safety laws.
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12.F. 24-012 La Serna Drive North of Whittier Boulevard Rehabilitation Project - Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the Project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(c) Existing Facilities - of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines;
2) Approve Plans and Specifications for 24-012 La Serna Drive North of Whittier Boulevard Rehabilitation Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.E. 2022-2023 General Plan Progress Report
Recommendation: Receive and file the 2022-2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to forward a copy to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
City Manager Saeki and Director Pongetti addressed questions regarding whether the Historic Resources Element in the General Plan is optional; the required elements of a General Plan; and expanding historic districts.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Dutra moved and Council Member J. Martinez seconded a motion to receive and file an amended 2022-2023 General Plan Annual Progress Report and direct staff to forward a copy of the amended report to the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The motion carried 4-0-1, Council Member Warner abstaining.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened at 9:05 p.m. with all Council Members present.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Branding Update
Recommendation: Receive and provide direction on the updated brand vision and recommended concept for Whittier’s brand identity from RSM Design on behalf of the Branding Ad Hoc committee.
Public Information Officer Galvin-Surbatovic introduced Steve Luoma from RSM Design.
City of Whittier Branding Discussion
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Mr. Luoma and McKenna Figueroa presented the report on the City of Whittier branding. City Manager Saeki, Mr. Luoma, Ms. Figueroa and Kate Gilman answered questions regarding the City’s established and incorporated date; the use of bronze on monuments; graffiti coatings; branding on police vehicles; the City motto; and the resiliency of the materials used for signage.
The City Council deliberated on the General City Branding.
UiMown Whittier Branding Discussion
Mr. Luoma provided the presentation. City Manager Saeki and Mr. Luoma answered questions regarding trademarks; designing a new City flag; input from the Whittier Uptown Association and the Whittier Uptown Improvement Association; community outreach opportunities; uniformity in City employee attire; and a timeline for implementation of branding initiatives.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to pursue trademarks for the branding.
City Manager Saeki indicated that the next deliverable will also include a discussion on whether to use the incorporated or the established date.
14.B. Discussion Regarding a Letter Request from the Alliance of Mexican American Women of Los Angeles
City Manager Saeki and City Clerk Garcia discussed the letter received from the Alliance of Mexican American Women of Los Angeles and indicated Staff attempted to contact the organizers to get clarification but did not receive a response.
City Manager Saeki and City Clerk Garcia answered questions regarding waiving fees for the League of Women Voters candidate forum; the City of Whittier’s adopted televised policy; the Chamber of commerce Candidate forum; attempts to contact the organization; and the requirements to use the Council Chamber for events.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to continue contacting the Alliance of Mexican American Women of Los Angeles for clarification.
Council Member Warner exited the Council Chamber.
City Attorney Collins answered a question about public comments related to Item 1 4.B., which was walked on the Agenda before the Public Comment portion of the meeting.
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15. COUNCIL MEMBER! DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS [] Council Member 0. Martinez discussed the Eggxstravaganza event and thanked City Staff for their hard work.
Council Member J. Martinez thanked Staff for hosting the Eggxstravaganza event, the vendors and sponsors that attended the event, and the City Clerk Department for the children’s coloring books they distributed.
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra discussed attending the Arbor Day event and thanked Staff for organizing it; reminded the residents that Election Day is April 9, 2024; and thanked the candidates running for office and wished them luck.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed Easter Sunday; invited residents to the Mayor’s Breakfast on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 6:30 a.m. at the DoubleTree hotel; and reminded everyone to vote in the upcoming election.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m.