MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
FEBRUARY 25, 2025, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on February 25, 2025. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
Brandon Arcega and Javier Garcia provided live public comments on the City’s Organization chart.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the January 2, 14, and 21, 2025 Special Meeting Minutes and the January 14, and 28, 2025 Regular 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 AIN: 8137-028-900
City Negotiator: Shannon DeLong
Property Negotiator Shannon DeLong
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Whittier v. Romero Investments LLC, Claim No. 24STCV15002
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:36 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Cathy Warner, Mayor Pro Tem
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Octavio Martinez, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Shannon DeLong, Interim City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Warner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
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; Javier Garcia; Brandon Arcega; Monica Sena; Will Gearheart; Mitch Edwards; Monica Piedra; Shauna Vartanian; Susan Cameron; Philip Nuñez; Brian Ahern; Alex; and Rolando Cano.
Conny McCormack provided a teleconference public comment.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
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
Interim City Manager DeLong indicated that the City Council has an agenda item regarding the Summit Drive property on Closed Session because there is ongoing litigation with the property owner along with an injunction.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Dutra pulled Item 12.E. for individual consideration.
Council Member Pacheco recused herself from Item 12.F. since she lives within a 1,000-foot radius of the property.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Warner seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 12.E. and noting Council Member Pacheco’s recusal on Item 12.F. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
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 January 21, 2025 Special Meeting and the January 28, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Progressive Direct Ins. Co. ASO K.
Garcia, Jasmine Guevara, Mirna Gutierrez, Jose Andres Garcia Gutierrez, Gabriel Rodriguez, Jacquelyn Torres and Joseph R. Leos.
12.D. David Montgomery Scott Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement with retired annuitant David Montgomery Scott to perform executive parks and recreation duties on a limited basis.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
12.F. New 40-Unit, Three-Story Townhome Development
13412-13420 Franklin Street and 7336-7362 Painter Avenue (AIN: 8142-003-008, 011, 069, 070)
Development Review Project No. DRP24-0020
Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. TTM24-0002 (VTTM 84459) Recommendation: Receive and file the Planning Commission action to approve Resolution No. P.C. 2025-01 for Vesting Tentative Tract Map No.
TTM 24-0001 (VTTM 84459) and Development Review Permit No. DRP24- 0020, an application for a new 40-unit Townhome Development at 7336- 7362 Painter Avenue with amended conditions of approval.
Environmental Review
The project Development Review No. DRP24-0020 and Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. TTM24-0002 (VTTM No. 84459) is categorically exempt pursuant to Class 32, Section 15332 (In-Fill Development Project).
12.G. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Mid-Year Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the mid-year budget update for Fiscal Year 2024-25.
12.H. Agreement for Contract Services with Graffiti Protective Coatings Amendment No. 1
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Contract Services with Graffiti Protective Coatings (A23-097) to provide graffiti removal services to the newly annexed West Whittier areas.
12.I. Norino Drive Water Transmission Line Slip Lining-Award of Contract Recommendation:
1) Award the construction contract to Mike Prlich and Sons, Inc., in the amount of $446,150 to slip line the water transmission line on Norino Drive;
2) Authorize the Interim Executive Director to sign the contract on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority; and
3) Approve $50,000 in contingency for the Norino Drive Water Transmission Line Slip Lining Project subject to the approval of the Interim Executive Director.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
12.J. Professional Services Agreement - Fleet Replacement Planning and Advanced Clean Fleets Compliance
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with Mercury Associates, Inc. in the amount of $74,500 to prepare a fleet replacement plan including advanced clean fleets compliance; and
2) Approve Resolution No. 2025-09, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget in the amount of $74,500 to fund the professional services agreement.
12.K. 25-007 Easement Sewer Cleaning and Video Services Project - Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Award the construction contract to Tunnelworks Services Inc., in the amount of $149,125 for Sewer Easement Cleaning and Video Services; 2) Reject all other bids;
3) Authorize the Executive Director to sign the contract on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority; and
4) Approve $14,913 in contingency for Sewer Easement Cleaning and Video Services subject to the approval of the Executive Director.
The following item was pulled for individual consideration:
12.E. Master Cooperative Agreement with Metro for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2
Recommendation: Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the Master Cooperative Agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) Project.
Interim City Manager DeLong and City Attorney Collins answered questions regarding changes to the agreement during negotiations; the number of cities that have approved a master cooperative agreement (MCA); and the legal review of the agreement.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to authorize the Interim City Manager to execute the Master Cooperative Agreement with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for the Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 (ESP2) Project. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
13. STAFF REPORTS
13.A. State Route 72 - State Highway Relinquishment Agreement 07-5277 with City of Whittier
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-10, authorizing City Manager to execute Agreement 07-5277 with the State of California for the relinquishment of Whittier Boulevard in exchange for the payment of $16,700,000.
In response to a resident question, City Attorney indicated that the item was allowed on Closed Session because it dealt with real property negotiations, and this is allowed by the Ralph M. Brown Act.
Director Cason presented the report. Interim City Manager DeLong, City Attorney Collins, and Director Cason answered questions regarding the purpose of the existing agreement with Los Angeles County; the language of a provision of Agreement 07-5277 related to the payment that will be made to the City of Whittier; the benefits of relinquishment; responsibility for the maintenance of the highway; future City plans and goals for Whittier Boulevard; the number of public meetings on the item; the payment amount negotiations; Caltrans annual budget for Whittier Boulevard; streetlights and traffic signal ownership; future grant applications for street improvements; Caltrans’ permitting process; the jurisdiction of the property immediately off the 605 Freeway onto Whittier Boulevard; traffic signal synchronization; future sidewalk improvements; code violations in businesses along Whittier Boulevard; the cost of ongoing operations and maintenance; bicycle lanes and the Greenway Trail; street vending and Senate Bill 946; the definitions of the relinquishment, annexation, and eminent domain; the jurisdiction of Lockheed and Esperanza Avenue; jurisdiction for accidents at the 605 freeway off-ramp at Whittier Boulevard; median improvements; ownership of Whittier Boulevard in neighboring cities; future interest accumulated on the payment; funding for future emergency improvements to Whittier Boulevard; and Metro Hot Spots projects.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-10, authorizing City Manager to execute Agreement 07-5277 with the State of California for the relinquishment of Whittier Boulevard in exchange for the payment of $16,700,000. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess at 8:07 p.m. to go into Closed Session. The meeting reconvened at 8:46 p.m. with all Council Members present.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
City Attorney Collins reported that with regards to the nuisance issues at the Summit Drive property, the City of Whittier had obtained a preliminary injunction to prohibit further events. The City Council is aware the parties continued to occur, so they directed the City Attorney’s office to seek an order that the property owners be held in contempt of court and to enforce the order through criminal and civil means.
13.B. Circuit Transit Inc. Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Service Agreement Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Circuit Transportation Inc. to implement a one-year pilot program for a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) service in Whittier for an amount not to exceed $780,060.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-11, amending FY2024-25 Budget for the expenditure of $780,060 in Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Prop-C Local Tax Return Funds for the operation of the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Pilot Program.
Director Santana presented the report. Director Santana and Daniel Kramer, from Circuit Transit, Inc., answered questions regarding hours of operation; the evaluation reports; potential service area stops; the exterior of the service vehicles; hiring policies for drivers; the location of the bay station; base fare per ride; revenue sharing; timeline for deployment; fixed routes; a stop near the Turnbull Canyon Trailhead; the number of operational cars; other cities that utilize the service; the maximum speed of vehicles; ridership; the trial period length; the newly annexed areas; and public outreach efforts.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Mayor Vinatieri moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to 1) approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Circuit Transportation Inc. to implement a one-year pilot program for a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) service in Whittier for an amount not to exceed $780,060; and 2) adopt Resolution No. 2025-11, amending FY2024-25 Budget for the expenditure of $780,060 in Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Prop-C Local Tax Return Funds for the operation of the Neighborhood Electric Vehicle Pilot Program. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
13.C. City Street Light Policy Updates
Recommendation: Approve the updates to the City's current street lighting policy and provide direction on pending petitions to comply with the updated policy.
Director Cason presented the report. City Attorney Collins and Director Cason answered questions regarding the existing Bluford Avenue application; the minimum number of parcels required to file a petition; existing street lighting policy; reasons for changing the policy; best practices for street light policies; the Proposition 218 process; the upfront engineering costs associated with petitions; reasonable order of magnitude (ROM) costs; potential partnership with SoCal Edison (SCE) to provide estimates; and whether people pull applications for streets they don’t live on.
Mayor Pro Tem Warner indicated she would be abstaining because she would need more information on engineering estimates.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Council Member Martinez seconded a motion to approve the updates to the City's current street lighting policy to implement Proposition 218 changes, but removing the 100-parcel minimum. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0-1, with Mayor Pro Tem Warner abstaining.
CONSENSUS
The City Council directed staff to bring back information on best practices for the minimum number of parcels to submit a petition to install streetlights.
14. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Martinez indicated that on February 16, he attended an event in Agoura Hills where he presented “Knucklehead” Tom Telles with a certificate on behalf of the City of Whittier; discussed attending the 2025 Silver Shield Awards; and invited residents to attend the City National Bank grand opening event on Saturday, March 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Council Member Dutra discussed a cost-benefit analysis motion he proposed for the Metro Board’s consideration; pilot programs, such as Item No. 33 for taller fare gates to increase safety and Item No. 38, which is a weapons detection system; a motion to expand the weapons detection system to include a video detection system; and a motion to establish a public policy safety pension for the new Metro sworn officers.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 25, 2025
Minutes
Council Member Pacheco discussed serving on three outside agencies that involve the hills; indicated she was a judge for Whittier Rotary Club Speech contest; attended a meeting at the Whittier Downs mobile home park; attended the Veteran’s Resource fair event; attended the Silver Shields Awards event; and shared that she will be a contestant on this year’s Dancing with the Whittier Stars.
Mayor Pro Tem Warner indicated she attended the Silver Shield Awards event and the Wake-Up Whittier event; and congratulated the Cal High boys’ basketball team for winning the semi-final game for CIF.
Mayor Vinatieri thanked Interim City Manager DeLong for her hard work and indicated that the City Council is in the process of scheduling interviews with applicants for the city manager position; discussed the annexation meeting at Whittier Downs and indicated there would be additional meetings at Guirado Park and West Whittier School; and expressed concerns over the hillside brush clearing situation.
15. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 9:59 p.m.