MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
WHITTIER COMMUNITY THEATRE, 7630 WASHINGTON AVENUE
JULY 8, 2025, 6:00 PM
**MEETING BEGINS AT 6:30 PM**
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on July 8, 2025. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 9:10 p.m. in the Whittier Community Theater, 7630 Washington Ave, Whittier, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Thomas Osendorf v City of Whitter Claim No. 640859
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1)
Two Cases
3.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: Portions of Whittier Blvd near 12090 Whittier Blvd Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara
Negotiating parties: Adam Lentz, Madison Capital Group, LLC Under negotiation: Price & Terms
3.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: Portions of the Greenway Trail and Greenbelt near 12310 Penn St.
Agency negotiator: Conal McNamara
Negotiating parties: Atkins OZ Rental LLC
Under negotiation: Price & Terms
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:46 p.m. in the Whittier Community Theatre, 7630 Washington Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority July 8, 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
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Dutra led the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. PRESENTATIONS
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
This is the time for the City Council/Boards of Directors to reorder the agenda, or delete items, or make changes to the Agenda.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez moved 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; Delia Morales; Armando Hernan; Nancy; Veronica Garcia; Anonymous; Paul Ramirez; Claudia Banuelos Marin; Javier Garcia; Brandon Arcega; Stephanie Vallejo; Anonymous; Anonymous; Janis Cavanaugh; Krista; Anonymous; Diane; Steve; Quincy Grace; David Avirom; Pier Avirom; Marilyn Avila; Leonard Avila; Patricia Lopez; Krista Belgian; Anonymous; Anonymous; Christina; Anonymous; Lorena Villanowith; Yasmin Ferrada; Christopher Anaya; Patrick Campbell; Raquel; Anonymous; Gabe Montoya; Yasmeen; Anonymous; Martha Escutia; Jeanne Renner; Maggie Cordero; Kathy Dunn Muzingo; Stephanie Ortiz; Anonymous; Ivan Sulic; Colo Morales; Vicky Santana; Conny McCormack; Maria Munoz; Anonymous; Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority July 8, 2025
Minutes
Bill Dobrenen; Anonymous; Anonymous; Ron; Japhet; Anonymous; Anonymous; Lee Willard; Magdalena Moe; and Rolando Cano.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Claudia Morales; Aida Macedo; and Byron Jose.
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.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess at 9:10 p.m. to go into Closed Session. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
11. CITY MANAGER REPORT
None.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Warner pulled Item 12.E. for individual consideration.
Council Member Pacheco pulled Item 12.H. for individual consideration.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council approved the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 12.E. and H. 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 June 10, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Raquel V. Gonzalez, Daniel S.
Garcia, and Maria Lourdes Morales.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority July 8, 2025
Minutes
12.D. Worker’s Compensation and General Liability Administration Services Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement renewal for Workers' Compensation and General Liability administration services with Keenan & Associates.
12.F. 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.
12.G. Friends of the Whittier Public Library donation
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-32, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to accept a grant from the Friends of the Whittier Public Library and appropriate $90,000 for this grant for Library services and programs.
12.I. Engineering and Traffic Speed Zone Survey Updates Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-33, establishing posted speed limits on certain portions of Philadelphia Street within the City of Whittier.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.E. CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map updated March 24, 2025
Recommendation:
1) Determine that adoption of the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map which was released for Southern California on March 24, 2025, where it is determined exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act and authorize staff to file a Notice of Exemption.
2) Introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 3165, updating the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
Director Pongetti presented the report. City Attorney Collins, Assistant City Manager DeLong, and Director Pongetti answered questions regarding the workshop attendance; expansion of the Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map areas; the submission deadline for the maps; and public hearings.
The City Council requested the public hearing presentation include information about fire insurance implications and a summary of the workshop held on June 18, 2025.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to determine that adoption of the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map which was released for Southern California on March 24, 2025, where it is Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority July 8, 2025
Minutes
determined exempt from environmental review pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act and authorize staff to file a Notice of Exemption; and introduce and conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 3165, updating the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map, with the understanding that the second reading will be in a public hearing format. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.H. 25-008 Slurry Program Phase 1 – Notice Inviting Bids Recommendation:
1) Find the Project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 – Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines;
2) Approve Tabulations and Specifications for 25-008 Slurry Program Phase 1; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids.
Director Cason answered questions regarding the location of project and City Attorney Collins answered a question about potential conflicts of interest.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to 1) find the Project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 – Existing Facilities of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines; 2) approve Tabulations and Specifications for 25-008 Slurry Program Phase 1; and 3) authorize the City Clerk to advertise for construction bids. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
14. STAFF REPORTS
14.A. Update on City’s Regulation of Short-Term Residential Rentals Recommendation: Review the information provided regarding short-term rentals, and if appropriate, provide staff with additional direction to finalize an ordinance.
Director Pongetti presented the report and answered questions regarding shortterm rentals (STRs) within the revised fire hazard zones; the legality of STRs in R-1 (residential) zones; enforcement of residency requirements; and staff’s recommendation on where STRs would be allowed.
The City Council deliberated.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority July 8, 2025
Minutes
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to direct staff to draft an ordinance incorporating staff’s recommendations from the Agenda Report, including a section banning STRs located in the red, orange, and yellow zones of the Fire Hazard Severity Maps. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Dutra requested a future discussion on the impacts of the demands made during public comments relative to the immigration issues.
Council Member Pacheco discussed an ordinance she wants the City Council to consider regarding actions that ICE should take, including wearing identification and not wearing facial coverings.
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to bring back an item that studies the impacts of the action items presented by public speakers and analyzes Council Member Pacheco’s ordinance. The question was called and the motion carried 4-1, Council Member Pacheco dissenting.
16. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Selma Minerd
Mayor Vinatieri read a biography of Selma Minerd and discussed her ties and contributions to the Whittier Community.
The City Council shared personal anecdotes about Ms. Minerd.
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 11:25 p.m.