AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
APRIL 23, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Fernando Dutra, Mayor Pro Tern
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Jessica Martinez, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member [installed after Item 8.A.] STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member J. Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.A. Whittier Art Association 85th Anniversary
Lark Hickey from the Whittier Art Museum discussed the museum’s history and activities and invited residents to the 85th anniversary celebration.
5. 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.
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6. 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:
Tom Hall; Noah Larios; Eve Rodriguez; James Becerra; Connie McCormack; Helen Rahder; Charlene Bok Herbert; Javier Garcia; Anthony Murphy; Michelle Martinez; Jennifer Stevens; Bridgette Antuna; Alana Melgar; Denise Condra; Ben; Mitch; Anthony Avila; Alex Rocha; Lisa Pena; Magdalena Barragnon Moe; and Anthony Mercado.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Stephanie Vallejo and D.K.
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.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORT
None.
8. STAFF REPORTS
8.A. 2024 General Municipal Election Certification and Installation of Newly Elected City Council Officers
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-16, reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on April 9, 2024, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law; and install newly elected City Council officials.
City Clerk Garcia presented the report and answered questions about the cost of election and the time it takes to certify election results.
The City Council thanked City Clerk Garcia and his staff for running the municipal election.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2024-16, reciting the facts of the General Municipal Election held on April 9, 2024, declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law; and install newly elected City Council officials. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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Ivan Sulic from Supervisor Janice Hahn’s office discussed Council Member J.
Martinez’s contributions to the Whittier community and presented her with a commendation.
Fred Zermeno from Senator Bob Archuleta’s office recognized Council Member J. Martinez for her contributions to the Whittier community and presented her with a commendation.
Michelle Martinez (resident) presented Council Member J. Martinez with flowers.
City Council shared personal anecdotes about Council Member J. Martinez, thanked her for her service to the City of Whittier, and presented her with parting gifts.
Council Member J. Martinez thanked the City Council, City Staff, her family, and her friends; discussed her experience as Council Member; and led a prayer.
Council Member J. Martinez exited the Council Chamber.
Vida Reyes, Art Sandoval and Maria Esther Montes de Oca administered Council Member-elect Mary Ann Pacheco’s Oath of Office. The City Council shared anecdotes of Council Member Pacheco and congratulated her on the election.
Council Member Pacheco introduced her family, discussed hope, and expressed her excitement to be a City Council Member.
David, Christian, and Jared Warner administered Council Member-elect Cathy Warner’s Oath of Office while her daughter, Ashley, and grandson, Clayton, held the Bible. The City Council congratulated Council Member Warner on her election.
Council Member Warner thanked residents for re-electing her; discussed her service to her community; and expressed her excitement in working with the Council.
City Clerk Garcia administered the Oath of Office to Mayor-elect Vinatieri. The City Council congratulated Mayor Vinatieri on his re-election.
Mayor Vinatieri thanked his wife and supporters; and discussed his vision for the City of Whittier.
8.B. Selection of Mayor Pro Tern
Recommendation: Nominate a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro Tern for a one-year period.
City Clerk Garcia presented the report.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Dutra moved and Council Member 0. Martinez seconded a motion to nominate Council Member Warner as Mayor Pro Tern. The question was called, and the motion carried unanimously.
9. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
The following items were moved to a future meeting.
9.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.
9.B. 23-002 Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase I)
Recommendation:
1) Award the Construction contract to S&H Civilworks, in the amount of $113,800 for the construction of 23-002 Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase I) Project;
2) Reject all other bids;
3) Authorize the City Manager to sign the contract on behalf of the City; and 4) Approve $11,380 in contingency for the Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase 1) Project subject to the approval of the City Manager.
9.C. 23-020 Calmada Avenue and Mills Avenue 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 23-020 Calmada Avenue and Mills Avenue Rehabilitation Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids.
9.D. Temporary Parking Lot - Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard - Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1(b) Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines;
2) Approve the plans and specifications for the Temporary Parking Lot Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise the project for construction bids.
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10. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Mayor Pro Tern Warner thanked the Staff for their support and hard work and indicated that a new member of the family had been born.
Council Member 0. Martinez indicated he flew to Sacramento to speak in support of Senate Bill 1262.
Council Member Pacheco expressed her excitement to be on the City Council.
Council Member Dutra recounted a conversation with a friend who installed 114 trees throughout the City of Whittier; thanked former Council Member Jessica Martinez for her service; congratulated the newly elected Council Members; and wished his wife, Mary, a happy anniversary.
Mayor Vinatieri expressed his excitement about continuing on the Council and indicated he also flew to Sacramento to speak in support of Senate Bill 1262.
11. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 9:01 p.m.
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