NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING BY MAYOR VINATIERI
MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
NOVEMBER 19, 2024, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on October 29, 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
Rolando Cano provided comments regarding what the public purpose would be for properties being negotiated.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8139-023-014, 8139-023-015, 8139-023-022 (7058 and 7042 Comstock Aye, 7055 Greenleaf Aye)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: Skyline Holdings LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
3.B. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 81 40-025-005, 12102 Hadley St
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator: JLC Transportation Inc.
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.C. 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 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.
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5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tern
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Brian Saeki, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Lenette Perez, Records Manager
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
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
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tern Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to move Item 15 be moved before Item 9 and approve the Agenda as amended. The motion carried unanimously.
15. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Norm Kirschenbaum
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography of Norm Kirschenbaurn and discussed his ties and contributions to the Whittier Community. City Council recognized the family members in the audience.
The City Council shared personal anecdotes and expressed their condolences.
9. 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. Mayor Vinatieri reminded the audience that the public is invited to address City Council Members and Directors regarding any item of business listed on this Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority Minutes Special Meeting November 19, 2024 Page 3 of 7
agenda only. General public comments can be made at the next regularly scheduled meeting, which will occur on December 10, 2024.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Brandon Arcega; Brian Ahern; Veronica Garcia; David Williamson; Tracy Whitman; Nickolas Edmeier; Conny McCormack; Jesse Gonzalez; Jason; Javier Garcia; Rolando Cano.
Mayor Pro Tern Warner exited the meeting.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present except Mayor Pro Tern Warner.
Mr. Cano resumed his public comment.
Mayor Pro Tern Warner entered the meeting.
Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage and Tom Hall also provided live public comments.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K.; Kristine Dillon; and Stephanie Vallejo.
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.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT
In response to public comments, City Manager Saeki indicated that pedophiles are not allowed into the City, the City of Whittier has never discussed being a sanctuary city, and the City of Whittier has not defunded the police.
11. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Pacheco pulled Item 11 .C. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Warner seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 1 2.C. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
11 .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. 11 .B. Marketplace Disposition and Development Agreement (DDA) Reimbursement
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Recommendation: Approve the January through June 2024 reimbursement to Whittier Marketplace, Inc. of the 2023-24 debt service payment on the Community Facilities District 1989-1 bonds in the amount of $266,784, pursuant to the DDA.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
11 .C. Whittwood Town Center Reimbursement
Recommendation: Approve $335,298 in property tax increment and sales tax reimbursement to Whittwood 1768 Inc. pursuant to the Owner Participation Agreement for the Whittwood Town Center.
Director Pongetti answered questions regarding the background for the agreement in place with the Whittwood Town Center and the purpose of the reimbursement.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve $335,298 in property tax increment and sales tax reimbursement to Whittwood 1768 Inc. pursuant to the Owner Participation Agreement for the Whittwood Town Center. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
12.A. Solid Waste Collection Franchise Agreement
Recommendation:
1) Hold a public hearing in consideration of granting an exclusive franchise agreement to Arakelian Enterprises, Inc. (dba Athens Services) for the provision of solid waste, recycling, and organics services. 2) Introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 3162, granting an exclusive franchise agreement to Athens Services for the provision of solid waste, recycling, and organics services.
3) Authorize the City Manager to sign the franchise agreement on behalf of the City.
Director Cason presented the report. City Manager Saeki and Director Cason answered questions regarding rate increase; new barrels; the porter service; the reasoning for inviting only two haulers to participate in the request for proposals process; bulky item pick-ups; public right-of-way clean-ups; low-income discounts; railroad right-of-way clean ups; rates of surrounding cities; and trash up near school zones.
Mayor Vinatieri opened the public hearing.
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.
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Rolando Cano provided a live public comment.
Mayor Pro Tem Warner exited the Council Chamber.
Anna Parra, D.K., and Stephanie Vallejo teleconference public comments.
City Clerk Garcia summarized Mr. Cano’s public comments at Mayor Pro Tern Warner’s request.
City Manager Saeki answered questions regarding the withdrawal letter received by Republic Services.
Mayor Pro Tern Warner indicated that she has a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) issuing the opinion that she does not have a conflict of interest in this matter and can thus participate in the discussion; that she has not received campaign contributions from Athens; and that she was invited to a dinner by Athens, but she issued the company a check.
City Manager Saeki and Director Cason answered questions regarding the length of the current contract with Athens; the previous public bid process for trash hauler services; the approval of the proposer package; HF&H’s assistance during the bid process; the withdrawal letter from Republic Services; and the previous actions to arrive at this part in the process.
Mayor Vinatieri closed the public hearing.
Manager Perez answered a question about the ernailed public comments received for the item.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to hold a public hearing in consideration of granting an exclusive franchise agreement to Arakelian Enterprises, Inc. (dba Athens Services) for the provision of solid waste, recycling, and organics services; introduce and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 3162, granting an exclusive franchise agreement to Athens Services for the provision of solid waste, recycling, and organics services; and authorize the City Manager to sign the franchise agreement on behalf of the City. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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RECESS fi
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
13. STAFF REPORTS
13.A. Citywide Branding & Signage Update
Recommendation: Receive and provide direction on updated brand concepts, including wayfinding and signage designs, as recommended by the Branding Ad Hoc Committee.
Assistant City Manager DeLong presented the report.
The City Council deliberated on wayfinding and parks signage concepts.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tern Warner seconded a motion to approve the wayfinding and parks signage concepts. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0-1, Council Member Pacheco abstaining.
The City Council deliberated on whether to use the City’s incorporation date (1898) or the City’s founding date (1887) on branding materials.
Assistant City Manager DeLong answered questions regarding the appropriateness of using both dates.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed Staff to go back to the design team and discuss when the use of both dates would be appropriate on branding material.
13.B. Purchase of five vacant parcels in Uptown Whittier Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2024-73, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for expenditure of $1,616,400 for the purchase of real properties located at 7055 Greenleaf Avenue, 7042 and 7048 Comstock Avenue (APN5: 8139-023-022, 8139- 023-01 4,01 5) and 12900 Philadelphia Street (APNs: 81 39-023-020 & 8139- 023-028); and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and all related documents totaling $1,575,000 for the parcels and $41,400 in related acquisition costs using General Funds.
Director Pongetti presented the report. City Manager Saeki and Director Pongetti answered questions regarding park space; additional parking; density requirements; lot line adjustments; zoning; Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) calculation; and the Surplus Land Act process.
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MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to Adopt Resolution No. 2024-73, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget with a supplemental appropriation for expenditure of $1,616,400 for the purchase of real properties located at 7055 Greenleaf Avenue, 7042 and 7048 Comstock Avenue (APN5: 81 39-023-022, 8139-023-01 4,015) and 12900 Philadelphia Street (APNs: 8139-023-020 & 8139-023-028); and authorizing the City Manager to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and all related documents totaling $1,575,000 for the parcels and $41,400 in related acquisition costs using General Funds. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Council Member Martinez exited the Council Chamber at 9:33 p.m. and returned at 9:38.
14. COUNCIL MEMBER I DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Mayor Pro Tem Warner exited the meeting at 9:43 p.m.
Council Member Dutra thanked Staff for their hard work.
Council Member Pacheco attended a BABC scholarship dinner; attended a kettle kickoff event at the Salvation Army; and indicated that Proposition PH passed.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed the Chalktastic event, the 33-mile Veteran’s Walk, and the Whittwood tree lighting ceremony.
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 9:46 p.m.
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