ATTACHMENT B
MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
MAY 27, 2025, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on May 27, 2025. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 6:06 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. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the April 22, 2025 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Joseph Anthony Esquivel v City of Whittier, Claim No. 521004
3.C. 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.D. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1)
Two Cases
3.E. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8139-034-010, 7247 Washington Ave
City Negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Property Negotiator: Whittier Penn Partners Limited
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:42 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
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
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
David Montgomery-Scott, Interim Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Erin Hamilton, Community Services Manager
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
City Attorney Collins 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. Athens Services Presentation
Mayor Vinatieri invited Vicky Martinez Muela from Athens to provide a presentation with updates and upcoming events. Ms. Martinez Muela answered questions regarding economies of scale, the the use of the landfill, and rates.
8.B. California Distinguished Schools Mill School (WCSD) Mayor Vinatieri discussed the distinguished school designation and invited members from Mill School and the Whittier City School District to the lectern.
Dr. Brad Mason introduced the members and discussed the distinguished school designation.
Mayor Vinatieri provided a certificate to Mill School and Technology Academy.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
The City Council congratulated the school.
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:
Tom Hall; Veronica Garcia; Javier Garcia; Brandon Arcega; Constanza Pachon; Loretta Rihbany; James Becerra; Tom Bihr; Magdalena Moe; and Helen Rahder.
Council Member Warner exited the Chamber at 7:14 p.m. and returned a few minutes later.
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 presented the following updates:
1) The City has been granted a receivership for 14081 Summit Drive due to ongoing violations. A neutral third party has been appointed to ensure the property complies with all court orders and no further unpermitted events take place.
2) The Community Development Department launched their pre-approved ADU design plans.
3) The Youth Services Swap meet will take place on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Whittier Community Center. 4) The Whittier Summer Reading Club begins on Monday, June 9, 2025, and is open to all ages.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Vinatieri recused himself from Items 12.J. and 12.K. since he owns a business in the Uptown area.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Warner seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, noting Mayor Vinatieri’s recusal on Items 12.J. and 12.K. 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 April 22, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Miguel Garcia, Pedro Camalich, Vianey Garcia, Andrea M. Serafin, Greenleaf Investment, LLC, and Javier Garcia.
12.D. Funding Agreement with The Salvation Army - CDBG Funds Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with The Salvation Army for CDBG funds in the amount of $150,000 for fencing, and adopt Resolution No. 2025-18, amending the Fiscal Year 2024- 25 Budget with a supplemental appropriation of $150,000 for the installation of security fencing and the gate replacement for the Whittier Navigation Center.
12.E. Memorandum of Understanding for Fuel Clearance on Two City-owned Parcels
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority to provide fuel clearance on two City-owned parcels.
12.F. Engineering Evaluation at the Intersection of Yermo Street and Widener Avenue
Recommendation: Approve the establishment of a two-way stop control intersection at the uncontrolled intersection of Yermo Street and Widener Avenue, and adopt Resolution No. 2025-19, establishing the two-way stop control intersection for the north and south approaches on Widener Avenue.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
12.G. Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Authority - Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Power Authority Agreement
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-20, approving the Amended and Restated Joint Exercise of Powers Authority Agreement and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City Council.
12.H. Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program (RMRA or SB-1) Fiscal Year 2025-26 Funding Resolution
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-21, approving the Slurry Program Phase 1 Project in Fiscal Year 2025-26 funded by Senate Bill 1:
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
12.I. Solid Waste Franchise Agreement Compliance Audit - Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with HF&H Consultants for an amount not to exceed $125,156 for a solid waste franchise agreement compliance audit for Athens and Republic Services, pursuant to existing franchise agreement provisions.
12.J. Uptown Parking District No. 1
Recommendation: Approve the preliminary budget for the Fiscal Year 2025- 26 for Parking District No. 1 and set a public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on June 10, 2025, in the City Hall Council Chamber to hear public testimony and consider approving the budget and confirming the assessments.
12.K. Uptown Parking District No. 2
Recommendation: Approve the preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 for Parking District No. 2 and set a public hearing for 6:00 p.m. on June 10, 2025, in the City Hall Council Chamber to hear public testimony and consider approving the budget and confirming the assessments.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
Council Member Pacheco recused herself from the item since she lives in proximity of the Whittier Library and exited the Chamber at 7:44 p.m.
14.A. Application for Landmark Designation of the Whittier Central Library 7344 Washington Avenue (AIN 8142-039-915)
Recommendation: Discuss the authorization to process the application for landmark designation of the Central Library (HRC24-0003) submitted by the Whittier Conservancy and provide feedback as necessary.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
Director Pongetti presented the report. City Attorney Collins and Director Pongetti answered questions regarding the most recent renovations to the Central Library; the Secretary of Interior standards; adherence to the Environmental Science Associates (ESA) Historic Resources Evaluation report; future renovations to the building; Whittier Municipal Code Section 18.84 and the authority it grants the City Council; the benefits of a historical landmark designation; the 2017 Measure L Library Bond; the impacts of moving this item to a future meeting; and the next steps for approving the landmark designation.
CONSENSUS
The City Council directed Staff to provide them with the reports from ESA and Galvin Associates and move the item to a future meeting.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess to go into Closed Session at 8:15 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 9:12 p.m., with all Council Members, except Mayor Pro Tem Martinez, present.
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez recused himself from the item due to a conflict since he is employed by an organization seeking social services grant funding.
14.B. Social Services Grant Funding Program FY 2025-26
Recommendation: Approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 distribution of Social Services Funding in the amount of $176,516 as recommended by the Social Services Commission.
Interim Director Montgomery-Scott presented the report. City Manager McNamara, City Attorney Collins, Assistant City Manager DeLong, Interim Director Montgomery-Scott, Director Pongetti, and Manager Hamilton answered questions regarding the eligibility criteria; the percentage of Whittier residents served by the agency; funding to Whittier Area First Day, the Women & Children Crisis Shelter, and Interfaith Food Center; the Los Angeles Centers For Alcohol and Drug Abuse (LA CADA) service population and headquarter address; agencies receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding; score ranges and averages; verification process for percentage of Whittier residents served; the budget process for social services funding; establishing objective criteria; reliance theory; the option to rescore; and next steps if funding is not approved tonight.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Mayor Vinatieri seconded a motion to approve the Fiscal Year 2025-26 distribution of Social Services Funding in the amount of $176,516 as recommended by the Social Services Commission. The motion failed 2-2-1, Council Members Dutra and Warner dissenting and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez absent.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 27, 2025
Minutes
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to send the item back to staff for further refinement of the application and scoring rubric, with the understanding that the $176,516 amount remain in the budget.
The motion failed 2-1-2, Council Member Pacheco dissenting, Mayor Vinatieri abstaining, and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez absent.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner exited the Chamber at 10:02 p.m.
Council Member Dutra thanked Staff for the Memorial Day event.
Council Member Pacheco thanked everyone for supporting her on Dancing with the Whittier Stars and indicated she raised the most money; indicated she spoke at the Local Wellness Foundation 5K Walk Informational Fair; attended the Public Safety Expo and Kiddy Run, the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) semi-annual Positive Image Award event, the Wake-Up Whittier event, and the Memorial Day ceremony.
Mayor Vinatieri indicated he attended the Dancing with the Whittier Stars event, the Public Safety Expo and Kiddy Run, and the Memorial Day ceremony; and indicated he, along with City Manager McNamara and Director Pongetti, attended the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Conference.
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 10:06 p.m.