MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
WHITTIER COMMUNITY THEATER, 7630 WASHINGTON AVENUE
AUGUST 26, 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 August 26, 2025. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 8:30 p.m. in the Whittier Community Theater, 7630 Washington Avenue, Whittier, California.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. Closed Session Minutes
Approve the July 16, 2025 Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Victor Wario v. City of Whittier, Claim No. 627043
3.C. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Whittier v. National Opioid Settlement: Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikma, Indivior, Mylan, Sun, and Zydus (CL-1761827)
3.D. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
City of Whittier v. Purdue Pharma L.P., et al Case No. 19-23649 (SHL)
3.E. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case
3.F. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) One Case
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
4. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Vinatieri called the Regular Session to order at 6:34 p.m. in the Whittier Community Theatre, 7630 Washington Avenue, 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
Aviv Bar, Chief of Police
Kyle Cason, Director of Public Works
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Development
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Dutra led the Pledge of Allegiance.
8. PRESENTATIONS
None.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Dutra moved and Council Member Warner 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; Monica Sena; Conny McCormack; Javier Garcia; Brandon Arcega; James Becerra; Robin Axworthy; Nancy Lynee Woo; Claire Cure; Jose Enrique Medina; Jeanette Kelly; Chuck Reiber; Lori Derrington; Natalie; Alex Rocha; Helen Rahder; Gabe Montoya; Jeffet; Elizabeth Cruz; Anonymous; Ben; Magdalena Moe; Rose Scott; Diedra Schatzen; and Jenny Martin.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
Stephanie Vallejo provided teleconference a 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
None.
12. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Pacheco pulled Item 12.J. for individual consideration.
Council Member Dutra pulled Item 12.K. 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.J. and K., and noting Council Member Warner’s abstention on Item 12.E. 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 July 16, 2025 Special Meeting and July 22, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Alicia Ortiz, Kimco Realty Corporation, Lisa Seville, Julie Klinger, Kelly Peppard, Rosie Denise Esparza, and Javier Garcia.
12.D. Professional Services Agreement with Partner Vantage Point Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Partner Vantage Point for its software solution HaloITSM, to streamline internal service requests, automate workflows, and manage incidents and assets in an amount not to exceed $26,000.
12.E. Modify Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and Ratify Donations for Immigration Relief Efforts Pursuant to Resolution No. 2025-38 Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-39, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to appropriate funds and ratify the expenditure of $180,000 in relief effort funding as detailed in Resolution No. 2025-38.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
12.F. Updating the City's Fee Schedule (Solar Energy System Permit Fees) Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-40, updating Resolution No. 2022-84 (City Fee Schedule) to incorporate fees applicable to building permits for solar energy systems capped by State law.
12.G. Purchase of 7247 Washington Ave (Vacant Lot)
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-41, authorizing the City Manager to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and all related documents for acquisition of real property located at 7247 Washington Avenue (APN: 8139-034-010); and appropriate $387,035 and an additional $20,000 for related acquisition costs using General Funds.
12.H. Slurry Program Phase 1 - Award of Contract
Recommendation:
1) Award the construction contract to Pavement Coatings Company, in the amount of $2,182,511 for the Construction of Slurry Program Phase 1 Project;
2) Reject all other bids;
3) Approve $218,252 in contingency funding for Slurry Program Phase 1 Project, subject to the approval of the City Manager; and 4) Authorize the City Manager to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City.
12.I. Agreement for Contract Services - Ocean Blue Environmental Services Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an Agreement for Contract Services with Ocean Blue Environmental Services, Inc. (Ocean Blue) to provide on-call abandoned debris and material removal services for a fee not to exceed $100,000 annually; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-42 adding a supplemental appropriation of $100,000 to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to fund the agreement with Ocean Blue Environmental Services for abandoned debris and material removal services.
12.L. Summit Drive Water Main Replacement – Notice Inviting Bids Near Summit Drive and Midvale Drive
Recommendation:
1) Find the project is Categorically Exempt pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1 – Existing Facilities, of the California Environmental Quality Act. 2) Approve plans and specifications for the Summit Drive Water Main Replacement; and
3) Authorize the Secretary to advertise for construction bids.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
12.M. Poet Laureate for City of Whittier
Recommendation:
1) Approve the Poet Laureate program framework as developed by the Poet Laureate Task Force, including eligibility criteria, program requirements, and application process.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-43, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to appropriate $1,000 in supplemental funding for the Poet Laureate program.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
12.J. Police Department Military Equipment Annual Report Recommendation: Receive and file the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 3166, adopting a policy governing the use of Military Equipment and rescinding Ordinance No. 3154.
Chief Bar answered questions regarding the categories of military equipment; procedures and protocols for deploying military equipment; mutual aid agreements; imminent danger situations; the use of drones; POST peace officer certifications; training for deployment of projectiles; replacement costs of projectiles; reporting requirements for projectiles; use of force proceedings; and the use of pepper ball equipment.
City Attorney Collins answered a question regarding the expansion of Senate Bill 1421.
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to receive and file the 2024 Military Equipment Annual Report and conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 3166, adopting a policy governing the use of Military Equipment and rescinding Ordinance No. 3154. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
12.K. Heli Hydrant Project-Notice Inviting Bids
Recommendation:
1) Find the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15303 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines;
2) Approve the Plans and Specifications for the 23-011 Heli-Hydrant Project; and
3) Authorize the Secretary to advertise the project for construction bonds.
Director Cason answered questions regarding the total cost of the project; the project timeline; the project location; location of other heli hydrants; service time in response to potential fires in the Whittier Hills; water level maintenance; and the integration with the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to 1) Find the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15303 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines; 2) Approve the Plans and Specifications for the 23-011 Heli-Hydrant Project; and 3) Authorize the Secretary to advertise the project for construction bonds. The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess at 8:30 p.m. to go into Closed Session. The meeting reconvened at 9:42 p.m. with all Council Members, except Council Member Warner, present.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.A. Landmark Designation No. HRC25-0002
8016 Santa Fe Springs Road – Googie Carwash (AIN 8165-008-018) Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-44, approving Landmark Designation No. HRC25-0002 to authorize placement of the property located at 8016 Santa Fe Springs Road (Googie Carwash) onto the City of Whittier’s Local Official Register of Historic Landmarks.
Environmental Review:
The request for landmark designation is categorically exempt from the environmental review process, pursuant to Section 15308 (Class 8) of the California Environmental Quality Act, which exempts actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment. Whittier Municipal Code Section 18.84.050 enables landmark designation to protect and enhance a historic resource.
Hazardous Waste Sites: The project site is not identified on any of the lists enumerated under Government Code Section 65952.5. The site is adjacent to listed properties and will have mitigation measures to address hazards and hazardous materials.
Director Pongetti presented the report.
Mayor Vinatieri opened the public hearing.
Dan Kassel (the applicant/owner), Helen Rahder, and Magdalena Moe provided live public comments.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority August 26, 2025
Minutes
Mr. Kassel answered questions regarding the number of employees at the car wash and investments in the property.
The City Council deliberated.
Mayor Vinatieri closed the public hearing.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Council Member Dutra seconded a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-44, approving Landmark Designation No. HRC25- 0002 to authorize placement of the property located at 8016 Santa Fe Springs Road (Googie Carwash) onto the City of Whittier’s Local Official Register of Historic Landmarks. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0-1, Council Member Warner absent.
14. STAFF REPORTS
None.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Dutra thanked Staff for the Concerts in the Park series; and discussed recent satisfaction surveys with Metro services and future improvements to Metro transportation.
Council Member Pacheco discussed the Concerts in the Park series and thanked City Staff; and indicated she attended the production of Romeo and Juliet in the park and thanked the Whittier Shakes Theater Company; and thanked Chief Bar for addressing her questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez discussed the Concerts in the Park series and thanked City Staff; thanked City departments; indicated he attended various ribbon cutting events; discussed the new parking arrangement on Greenleaf Avenue by Hadley Avenue; and thanked Chief Bar.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed the new parking arrangement on Greenleaf Avenue by Hadley Avenue; indicated he attended the production of Romeo and Juliet in the park; and encouraged residents to call representatives in support of Senate Bill 759 (Archuleta).
16. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 10:18 p.m.