MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
JANUARY 28, 2025, 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on January 28, 2025. 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.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
None.
CLOSED SESSION
3.4. Conference with Legal Counsel Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case
3.B. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
PropertyAIN: 8139-009-033 (12510 Hadley St)
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Property Negotiator Curt Skotnicki
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
3.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: State Route 72, Properties along Whittier Boulevard from Esparanza Avenue to Sorensen Avenue
City Negotiator: Brian Saeki
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms/Relinquishment
3.D. Public Employee Appointment Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Title: Interim City Manager
CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:38 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tem
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
ABSENT:
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
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
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Yolanda Martinez, Director of Human Resources/Risk Management
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Assistant City Manager DeLong led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
PRESENT ATIONS
8.4. Pioneer High School CIF Football Champions
Mayor Vinatieri congratulated the Pioneer High School Varsity Football Team for winning the 2024 CIF Southern Section Championship.
Coach Ramon Juarez discussed the team's hard work and the football program.
Russell Castaneda Calleros, Board President of the Whittier Union High School District, thanked the players, their families, the City Council, and their supporters.
City Council thanked and congratulated the coaches, families, and players.
Mayor Vinatieri invited members of the Whittier Union High School District, the coaches, and the team to the dais for a group photo.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
s.s. 2025 Recycling and Litter Prevention Artwork Contest Director Cason presented on the contest and shared the names of the winners along with their artwork.
Mayor Vinatieri welcomed Wendy Carrera, East Whittier City School District Board, and invited the winners and school staff to the dais for a picture.
9. APPROV AL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Warner seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried 4-0.
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 reVleW.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Tom Hall; Brandon Arcega; Monica Sena; Conny McCormack; Mary GormanSullens; Helen Rahder; Tom Bihr; David Dickerson; Gail Cofer; Jenny Martin; Gary Troxell; Noa Larios; Veronica Garcia; Javier Garcia; Raul Galvin; Magdalena Moe; Alex Rocha; Brian Ahern; Scoff Kalassay; and Isaiah Leslie Leon Savage.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
D.K. and Catherine Aguilar.
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. CITYMANAGERREPORT
None.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Dutra pulled Item 12.D. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 1 2.D. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
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 December 24, 2024 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Mary Viramontes Mechaca, Teddie Serna, Mary Anderson, Anita Mangaser, Zuo Huan, Aurora Ibay Ball, Judson Richard Ball, Jordin Howard Ball, Jacob Alessandro Ball and Judson Enrique Ball.
12.E. Side LetterAmendmentApproval
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-02, approving a Side Letter amending the Employee Additional Cost Share agreement with California Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS) for New Local Executive Members.
12.F. 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial, Justice Assistance Grant Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-03, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 budget for the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial, Justice Assistance Grant.
12.G. Request for Proposal for Art in Public Places at Whittier Boulevard & Philadelphia Street
Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Arts Commission's
recommendation to approve the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Art in Public Places project at Whittier Boulevard & Philadelphia Street and approve the use of $250,000 of Art in Public Places funds for the project.
12.H. Offer of Right-of-Way Dedication 12352 Whittier Boulevard Recommendation: Accept and authorize the City Clerk to execute the Offer of Right-of-Way Dedication along the frontage of 12352 Whittier Boulevard. l2.1. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Sewer Main Spot Repair Program Bid Results and Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation: Reject all bids for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Sewer Main Spot Repair Program due to high bid cost; approve the revised specifications for the project and authorize the Secretary to advertise the project for construction bids.
12.J. Professional Services Agreement - City Corporate Yard Master Plan Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Executive Director to execute a professional services agreement with Practice in an amount not to exceed $141,146 to prepare a City Yard Facilities Assessment and Master Plan.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
12.K. SolidWasteandRecyclingFranchiseAgreementAmendmentNo.3 Recommendation:
1) Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance N0. 3'163 with Amendment No. 3 to the Exclusive Franchise Agreement for the Provision of Solid Waste and Recycling Services between the City and Arakelian Enterprises, Incorporated, dba Athens Services (A17-161) to add the newly annexed West Whittier areas to Athens service zone and Finding herein the ordinance is categorically exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act.
2) Set a public hearing at the regular City Council meeting to be held on February 11, 2025, in the City Council Chamber at City Hall at 6:00 p.m.
12.L. Temporary Parking Lot - Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard Notice of Completion
Recommendation: Accept the work performed by Terra Pave Inc. for the Temporary Parking Lot - Mar Vista Street and Whittier Boulevard and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion on behalf of the City of Whittier.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.D. ProfessionalServicesAgreement-StateAdvocacyServices Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for a one-year term with two one-year extensions for state legislative advocacy services, not to exceed $48,000 annually.
ASSiStant City Manager DeLong answered questions regarding the execution of extensions; progress reports from the ad hoc committee; and the frequency of updates to the City's legislative policies.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council requested updates from the ad hoc committee on the consultant's progress every six months.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to authorize the City Manager to sign a professional services agreement with Townsend Public Affairs for a one-year term with two one-year extensions for state legislative advocacy services, not to exceed $48,000 annually. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
13. STAFFREPORTS
13.4. Parks Priorities and Implementation Guide
Recommendation: Provide direction on the Priorities and Implementation Guide for the Parks Master Plan.
Director Santana presented the report. City Manager Saeki and Director Santana answered questions regarding the "park average" formula; certified safety checks; fitness equipment; improvements for Kennedy Park; frequency of analysis to determine park needs; walking paths; the possibility of joint uses of school fields as parks; closure of splash pads; maximizing park space; community outreach; and improvements to Broadway Park.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the Priorities and Implementation Guide for the Parks Master Plan, and directed Staff to continue with next steps for improving Broadway Park, J.G.
Whittier Park, and Joe Miller Park Field. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess and City Council reconvened in Closed Session.
The open session meeting reconvened with all Council Members present except Council Member Martinez.
13.B. Liability Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the report and provide direction as necessary.
Director Martinez presented the report. City Manager Saeki, City Attorney Collins, and Director Martinez answered questions regarding alternate options for insurance policies; potential risks associated with going out to bid on insurance; the composition of the risk assessment committee; construction documents for Parnell Park; whether the Parkway Tree Manual applies to trees citywide; the process for determining the criteria for the justified tree removal category; whether other cities have a risk assessment committee; the benefits of creating a risk assessment committee; California Insurance Pool Authority's view on the creation of a risk assessment committee; and whether there is a possibility of higher insurance rates if the City switches carriers.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved, and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to proceed with the next steps for the creation of the Justified Tree Removal Type category and the Risk Assessment Committee. The question was called, and the motion carried 4-0.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 28, 2025
Minutes
14. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Mayor Pro Tem Warner congratulated Pioneer High School.
MayorVinatieri disclosed his attendance atthe annual u.s. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C. and the League of California Cities' Revenue and Taxation committee meeting in Sacramento.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 9:59 p.m.