NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING BY MAYOR VINATIERI
MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JUNE 18, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on June 18, 2024. Mayor Pro Tern Warner called the meeting to order at 6:00 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. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1)
One Case
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner 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.
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
ABSENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Yolanda Martinez, Director of Human Resource/Risk Management Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 2 of 4
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Dutra led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Pro Tern Warner requested that the staff presentation for Item 10.A. be moved before Item 9.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to move the staff presentation for Item 10.A. before Item 9 and approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
10. STAFF REPORTS
bA. Greenleaf Promenade
Recommendation: Receive and file the report and provide direction as necessary.
City Manager Saeki presented on remaining questions and answers, carbon sequestration, and tree sizing revisions. City Manager Saeki, Director Cason, Director Martinez, Jeff Cram (West Coast Arborists), and Alan Ashimine (Michael Baker International) answered questions regarding plans for vacant lots in the Uptown area; carbon sequestration analysis; sidewalk repairs and payers; buttress root removal; elevation modifications to accommodate Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements; Secretary of Interior Standards related to restoration of historic lights; discussions with other cities regarding trees and liability exposure; public participation in liability policy discussions; sidewalk power washing schedules; the relocation of historic streetlights; the 2021 Greenleaf Promenade Survey results; and the canopy size and rate of growth for recommended trees.
RECESS
Mayor Pro Tern Warner called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
City Manager Saeki resumed the presentation on potential extensions to patio umbrellas and answered questions regarding the maintenance of the shade structures; outdoor seating options; whether umbrellas are removable; and the use of misters.
City Manager Saeki and Director Cason presented on phasing alternatives and answered questions regarding the phasing of the water project.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 3 of 4
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tern Warner indicated that any members of the audience who wish to deliver a public comment should submit a Public Comment Speaker Card 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 teleconference public comments:
Paul Long; Laura Velkei; David Knittle; Susan Cameron; Danny; and Noa Larios.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Helen Rahder; Alan Zolnekoff; Catherine Heath-Aguilar; Tom Hall; Veronica Garcia; Javier Garcia; Maria; Conny McCormack; Austin McCormack; Miguel Garcia; Mary Gorman-Sullens; Gail Cofer; Tom Bihr; David Dickerson; James Becerra; Vanessa Lopez; Jill Frieze-Prado; Xavier; Victoria; Henry Ray; John; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; David Kornblum; Emilio; Joanna; Patti McCarthy; Deanna Woirhaye; Evan; Stefano; Andrew Terrazas; Orlando; Alex Rocha; Brenda Valderama; Ruben Valdez; Claudia Prado; Laura Garcia; Maggie Moe; Gb; and Rose.
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.
In response to public comments, City Manager Saeki indicated:
1. The carbon sequestration breakeven year for the approved project is not year 61; it is projected to be year 40.
2. The City has a claims process in place for infrastructure damage caused by City trees.
3. Staples are not healthy for trees, and stapled flyers are removed from trees.
4. Trees on Painter Avenue are not on an automatic irrigation system, but the trees on Greenleaf Avenue will be.
5. City Staff will consult with the Fire Department regarding the spaces between shaded structures.
6. The 2021 Greenleaf Survey did not ask about tree removal because the purpose of the survey was to gage the public’s interest about whether to maintain or expand the promenade.
7. Removing every other tree as part of phasing is not feasible because of the tree protection zones.
Jeff Cram answered a question about the rate of survival for bigger box trees.
Director Cason addressed a concern over parking spaces and answered a question regarding the extension of sidewalks as a mitigating option.
City Manager Saeki, Director Cason, and Mr. Ashimine answered questions regarding previous meetings held on the project; opportunities for public engagement and outreach efforts; i-Tree reports and certifications; the annual growth rate of 72-inch box trees; the carbon sequestration produced by Uptown Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes June 18, 2024 Page 4 of 4
Whittier compared to the City; electric vehicle charging stations; a business support plan; the zoning designations for Greenleaf Avenue; potential changes to buildings in Uptown; alternative plans proposed by arborists; and taxes.
RECESS
Mayor Pro Tern Warner called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
City Manager Saeki, Director Cason, and Mr. Cram resumed answering questions regarding sewer damage caused by tree roots; the rate of growth for recommended species and canopy sizes; mitigation strategies to combat root expansion; trees native to California; one-way streets in Whittier; phased tree removal; and the possibility of blending in Ficus trees.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Martinez moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to support Staff’s recommendation to increase box tree sizes, increase shade options, and include a block-by-block phasing option in the bid specifications. The motion carried 3-1-1, Council Member Pacheco dissenting and Mayor Vinatieri absent.
11. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS None.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tern Warner adjourned the meeting at 10:34 p.m.
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