MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
OCTOBER 22, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on October 22, 2024. Mayor Vinatieri 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. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the September 10, 2024 and September 24, 2024 Closed Session Minutes
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case
3.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8230-028-048 (15466 Whittier Blvd)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Kimco (Whittwood)
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Marcial Johnson v City of Whittier, Claim No. 583928
3.E. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: AIN 81 39-009-033 (12510 Hadley Street)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Kurt Skotnicki
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
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4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:43 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
ABSENT:
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Pacheco led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Whittier City School District - Blue Ribbon Recognition (Wallen L.
Andrews School)
Mayor Vinatieri invited Dr. Brad Mason, Superintendent of the Whittier City School District, Heidi Rico-Magaña, Principal of And rews School, and the board members to the lectern.
Dr. Mason introduced the board members and discussed the Blue Ribbon award.
Mayor Vinatieri presented the board members and Principal Rico- Magana with certificates of commendation.
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The City Council shared anecdotes of Mr. Wallen L. Andrews and of their experience in the Whittier City School District; and congratulated the board, students and teachers for their award.
Mayor Vinatieri indicated that the City Council and Staff are wearing red ribbons to celebrate Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31, 2024), discussed its meaning, and discussed ways to express support.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
City Manager Saeki requested that Items 12.D. and 12.M. be moved to a future date and that 13.A. be continued to the November 12, 2024 City Council Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to approve the amended Agenda, postponing Items 12.D., 12.M., and continuing the public hearing of Item 13.A to November 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. The motion carried 3-0.
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:
Tom Hall; Monica Sena; Javier Garcia; Ed McCallister; Ben Reed; Magdalena Moe; Danya Hazen; Carmen Moran; Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage; and Brian Ahern.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Conny McCormack and D.K. Reagan’s Own.
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 indicated that:
1. The 1 5~’ annual Spooktacular Race will occur on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
For more information, residents can call the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 567-9430.
2. Tree trimming will occur in the Uptown Area beginning October 27 and will be completed by November 2. Tree trimming on Greenleaf Avenue and Hadley Street will begin on November 4 and will be completed by November 29. Work will take place Monday through Friday between the hours of 5 a.m. and 12 Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes October 22, 2024 Page 4 of 8
p.m. Work at busier intersections of Philadelphia Street will occur on Saturdays between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m.
3. The City received a request from the originally proposed affordable housing developer at the Former Alpha Beta site, Thomas Safran & Associates, to withdraw and substitute a different housing developer. On September 10, 2024, at a regular City Council meeting, in open session, as detailed in staff report Item 12.J., the City Council made the decision to substitute a developer amendable to the project lead, City Ventures. The chosen housing partner, Jamboree Housing, is a non-profit corporation that has partnered with more than 50 cities to produce more than 10,000 affordable housing units.
4. Aleshire & Wynder, a law firm that represented the City of Whittier and other charter cities in the lawsuit involving Senate Bill (SB) 9, requested and was awarded attorney’s fees for the case.
City Clerk Garcia indicated that the City Clerk Department will be hosting a drivethrough vote-by-mail event from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day (November 5, 2024).
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, noting the previous removal of Items 12.D. and
12.M. The question was called and the motion carried 3-0, Council Members Martinez and Dutra absent.
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 September 10 and September 24, 2024 Special and Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Ruben Reynoso, Christine E.
Ramirez, Ahmed Ali, Mercury Insurance Co. ASO Isabel Boston, Paul Gutierrez, John Rae Dimond, Louise Mella, Cyril Mella, Camille Mella and Haydee Munoz / El Buen Gusto.
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12.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3159 - Proposed Amendments to the Whittier Municipal Code (WMC)
Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA22-0001
Zone Change No. ZCG24-0001
Recommendation: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3159, amending Title 18 — Zoning and Title 17 — Subdivisions (ZCA22- 0001), and adoption of an official Zoning Map (ZCG24-001) for the implementation of, and consistency with, the previously adopted 2021-2040 Envision Whittier General Plan.
This item was moved to a future meeting.
12.E. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3161 - Mobile Home Rent Stabilization
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3161, adding Chapter 9.20 to Title 9 of the Whittier Municipal Code relating to rent stabilization in mobilehome parks which parks are annexed into the City of Whittier from Unincorporated County of Los Angeles.
12.F. Professional Services Agreement with MDG Associates, Inc. and Corresponding Budget Resolution
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-60, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for the expenditure of $171,800 for Professional Services Agreement with MDG Associates, Inc. and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and necessary amendments for HUD related services, preparation of the HUD Consolidated Plan, Annual Action Plan, Citizen Participation Plan, and Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing.
12.G. SWA Group — Amendment No. 3— Parnell Park
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute an updated agreement for Professional Services Agreement with SWA Group, extending the term of performance and authorizing the expenditure of an additional $61,900, for design services; and adopt Resolution No. 2024-61, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for the engineering, landscape, hardscape and irrigation plan updates for the ParneN Park Renovation Project.
12.H. Whittier Well-Being Initiative: SPIRITT Partnership for Opioid Remediation Settlement Program
Recommendation:
1) Approve a funding agreement with SPIRITT Family Services for implementation of substance use education and treatment programs for Whittier youth, funded through California Opioid Settlement funds; 2) Authorize the City Manager to sign agreements as appropriate to facilitate the program; and
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3) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-62, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget related to supplemental appropriations for the implementation of substance use education and treatment programs for Whittier, funded through California Opioid Settlement Funds.
12.1. Fiscal Year 2024-25 First Quarter Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the first quarter budget update for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
1 2.J. Office of Traffic Safety -Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-63, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget related to supplemental appropriations for the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant.
12.K. Measure A Funding Allocation Agreement
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-64, approving the City Manager’s authority to file applications and accept grant funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) for Measure A funds, and authorize the City Manager to conduct all negotiations and to execute and submit all necessary documents.
12.L. Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority — Prop A Maintenance Reimbursement
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-65, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget for reimbursement to the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority for Whittier Hills and Trails Maintenance.
12.M. Social Services Grant Funding Program FY 2024-25
Recommendation: Approve the Fiscal Year 2024-25 distribution of Social Services Funding in the amount of $169,956 as recommended by the Social Services Commission.
This item was moved to a future meeting.
12.N. 25-007 Easement Sewer Cleaning and Video Services - Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2) Approve the Specifications for the 25-007 Easement Sewer Cleaning and Video Services; and
3) Authorize the Secretary to advertise the project for construction bids.
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12.0. Citywide Striping Services- Contract Amendment
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement (PSA) No. A24- 074 with Safe USA, Inc., of Ontario, California, for an amount not to exceed $500,000, in substantial conformance with the provided agreement for citywide striping services.
12.P. Fleet Maintenance Software Upgrade
Recommendation: Approve an upgrade of the Public Works Department’s Fleet Division fleet maintenance software and purchase of eight tablets and two wireless access points; and adopt Resolution No. 2024-66, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget for the expenditure of approximately $38,495 to fund the purchases and authorize the City Manager to sign the software agreement on behalf of the City.
12.0. Temporary Parking Lot - Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard - Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-67, amending Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget with an appropriation for the Temporary Parking Lot — Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard Project;
2) Award the construction contract to Terra Pave, Inc. in the amount of $154,150 for the construction of the Temporary Parking Lot — Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard Project;
3) Reject all other bids;
4) Approve $15,415 in contingency for the Project subject to the approval of the City Manager; and
5) Authorize the City Manager to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.A. 2025 Uptown Business Improvement Area Assessments (TO BE CONTINUED TO NOVEMBER 12, 2024 CITY COUNCIL
MEETING)
Recommendation: This item will be continued to the November 12, 2024, City Council meeting.
This item was continued to November 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess so that the City Council could go into Closed Session.
Following Closed Session, Mayor Pro Tem Warner left the meeting due to illness.
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16. ADJOURNMENT
City Clerk Garcia adjourned the meeting due to a lack of quorum at 8:23 p.m.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Whittier People Mover - Next Steps
Recommendation: Provide direction on the implementation of a pilot neighborhood electric vehicle service.
This item was not discussed.
14.B. Ad Hoc Committee for the Council Chamber Remodel
Recommendation: Receive and file information on the proposed City Council Chamber Renovation, providing direction as appropriate, and appoint two members to an ad hoc committee to advise on project development.
This item was not discussed.
14.C. Sister City Committee
Recommendation: Provide direction for the potential formation of a Sister City Committee.
This item was not discussed.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS This item was not discussed.
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