MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
MAY 13, 2025, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on May 13, 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.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Represented and Unrepresented Employee: Whittier City Employees’ Association, Whittier Police Officers’ Association, Whittier Police Management Association, and unrepresented employees.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Monica Valdez v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 623824, Case No. 23-CV04668-SPG-KS
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Mike Ibarra v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 564440
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Sandra Ruth Camarena v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 595544
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:35 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Octavio Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
Cathy Warner, Council Member
STAFF PRESENT:
Conal McNamara, City Manager
Shannon DeLong, Assistant City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Aviv Bar, Chief of Police
David Montgomery-Scott, Interim Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Arturo Soriano, Parks Manager
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated that there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. Recognition of Pioneer High School Student Olivia Jimenez Mayor Vinatieri discussed STEM scholarships and invited Adrian Garcia from SCE and Pioneer student Olivia Jimenez to the lectern. Mr. Garcia discussed the scholarship. Miss Jimenez discussed her future academic plans and thanked SCE and the City Council.
The City Council congratulated Miss Jimenez.
8.B. Proclamation - Public Works Week, May 18 - May 24
Director Cason discussed Public Works Week, and Mayor Vinatieri presented Director Cason with a proclamation in honor of Public Works Week.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez 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:
Constanza Pachon; Tom Hall; Monica Sena; Brandon Arcega; Brian Ahern; Jenny Martin; Dave Whitman; Tom Bihr; Dan Martinez; Rebecca Jimenez Pacheco; Charles Mack; Stephanie Vallejo; James Becerra; Dayna Hazen; and Kim Gomez.
Conny McCormack provided a teleconference public comment.
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 McNamara provided the following updates:
1. Thursday, May 15, 2025, will be Bike to Work Day.
2. Friday, May 16, 2025, will be the Dancing with the Whittier Stars event.
3. Saturday, May 17, 2025, will be the Public Safety Expo and Kiddie K Fun Run.
4. On Thursday, May 22, 2025, the American Red Cross is hosting a blood drive at the Whittier Community Center.
5. The Memorial Day celebration will be on Monday, May 26, 2025, in front of City Hall.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Pacheco pulled Item 12.G. for individual consideration.
Mayor Vinatieri pulled Items 12.E. and F. for individual consideration.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 12.E., 12.F., and
12.G. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.A. Waive Further Reading
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
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 April 8, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Irene Rodriguez, Ruben Zavala, Elisa Noriega, Julia Rueda, Carmen Chavez, Leon Wilson, Rebecca Thomas, Mary Anderson, Moses Corona, Kelvin Sanchez, Jessica Alonso and Claudia J. DeLuna.
12.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3164 - Voting Districts of Newly Annexed Area in West Whittier
Recommendation: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3164, amending Municipal Code Chapter 2.04 related to adding newly annexed parcels to existing voting districts from the City of Whittier Annexation No. 2021-09.
12.H. 23-020 Calmada Avenue and Mills Avenue Rehabilitation Project - Notice of Completion
Recommendation: Accept the work performed by Onyx Paving Company, Inc. for the 23-020 Calmada Avenue and Mills Avenue Rehabilitation Project and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion on behalf of the City of Whittier.
12.I. 25-011 Painter Avenue Wall Repair Project – Award of Contract Recommendation:
1) Award the construction contract to Golden Coast Construction, in the amount of $65,681 for the Construction of Painter Avenue Wall Repair Project;
2) Reject all other bids;
3) Approve $20,000 in contingency funding for the 25-011 Painter Avenue Wall Repair Project subject to the approval of the Executive Director; 4) Adopt Resolution No. WUA-2025-01, amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget in the amount of $85,681 for the 25-011 Painter Avenue Wall Repair Project; and
5) Authorize the Executive Director to sign the construction contract on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority.
12.J. 25-012 Youngwood Drive Slope Project – Notice Inviting Bids Recommendation:
1) Find the project categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines; 2) Approve Plans and Specifications for the 25-012 Youngwood Drive Slope Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.G. 1991 Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91 (Foxley Drive) Preliminary Budget and Engineer’s Report
Recommendation: Approve the Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26, on Street Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-17, declaring the district’s intention to levy and collect Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Foxley Drive, Street Lighting Assessment and set a time and place for public hearing for June 10, 2025.
Director Cason answered questions regarding the process for creating lighting districts; how lighting districts are funded; and how assessments are used.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve the Engineer’s Report for Fiscal Year 2025-26, on Street Lighting Assessment District No. 01-91; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-17, declaring the district’s intention to levy and collect Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Foxley Drive, Street Lighting Assessment and set a time and place for public hearing for June 10, 2025. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.E. School Resource Officer Program Agreement Renewal Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a three-year police services agreement with the Whittier Union High School District to continue the School Resource Officer Program.
Chief Bar answered questions regarding the benefits of student resource officers in high schools and who pays for the officers’ salaries.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a four-year police services agreement with the Whittier Union High School District to continue the School Resource Officer Program. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.F. Updated Agreement for County Public Health Services Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute the updated agreement for County Public Health services.
Assistant City Manager DeLong answered questions regarding the cost of services; and having an ombudsperson at the County.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute the updated agreement for County Public Health services, and send correspondence indicating the City would like a dedicated liaison. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. STAFF REPORTS
13.A. Tree Appeal – Palm Avenue Infrastructure Improvement Project Recommendation: Consider the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission’s decision to deny the appeals regarding the proposed removal of trees located on Palm Avenue due to the risk of structural failure of the trees in association with the Palm Avenue Improvement Project, and to provide a final determination.
Interim Director Montgomery-Scott presented the report. City Attorney Collins, Interim Director Montgomery-Scott, Director Cason, Manager Soriano, and Eric Gorsuch (from V & E) answered questions regarding the two arborists’ recommendations; the timeline for tree replacement; the size of the replacement trees; the City’s liability as it related to dying trees; civil engineering options for each individual tree; the commission’s action to deny appeals in one motion; the individual tree analysis including all mitigation measures; the depth of improvements; repaving; potholing; the cost of removing a tree; planting 15 gallon trees versus 36 inch box trees; the amount of trees getting replaced; the total number of trees in the project area; the causes of tree angles; the timeline for the project; Mr. Gorsuch’s qualifications; who can file an appeal; and the health of trees and their overall long-term survival.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez moved and Council Member Warner seconded a motion to deny the appeals regarding the proposed removal of trees located on Palm Avenue due to the risk of structural failure of the trees in association with the Palm Avenue Improvement Project. The motion carried unanimously.
14. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner indicated the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County had a display of electric vehicles they purchased over the years; indicated the Sanitation District and the Metropolitan Water District are facilitating the Clear Water Project and the Environmental Impact Report is available; and indicated she attended the Friendly Hills Property Owners Association meeting.
Council Member Dutra indicated he attended the Founder’s Day event; indicated that starting in June, Metro is going open the K Line, which is the connection to LAX; thanked Chief Bar for working with Metro’s new security team; and discussed the Rodeo 72 opening.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 13, 2025
Minutes
Council Member Pacheco discussed the opening of Rodeo 72; indicated she attended the Founder’s Day event; attended a meeting with the Groves’ homeowners; expressed gratitude for new City Manager McNamara; and invited residents to attend the Dancing with the Whittier Stars event.
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez invited residents to attend the Dancing with the Whittier Stars event; indicated he attended the Founder’s Day event; and discussed the opening of Rodeo 72.
Mayor Vinatieri asked City Attorney Collins about the process for making changes to the Tree Manual; discussed the opening of Rodeo 72; and invited residents to the Memorial Day celebration.
15. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Harry W. Stone
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography of Harry W. Stone and discussed his ties and contributions to the Whittier Community.
The City Council shared personal anecdotes about Mr. Stone.
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 9:39 p.m.