MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 13230 PENN STREET
SEPTEMBER 23, 2025, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - CLOSED SESSION
The Whittier City Council met in Closed Session on September 23, 2025. Mayor Vinatieri called the meeting to order at 8:29 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 August 26, 2025, Closed Session Minutes.
3.B. 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.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8124-007-918 (3551 San Gabriel River Pkwy, Pico Rivera, CA 90660)
City Negotiator: Conal McNamara
Property Negotiator: United States Navy
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
City Owned Property: APN 8139-023-903 & 904 (12900 Philadelphia St) City Negotiator: Conal McNamara
Property Negotiator: Gavin Percy, Melia Homes
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
3.E. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
One Case – (Orange County Catholic Worker, ET AL v. Orange County, ET AL: Case No. 818-CV-00155-DOC)
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
3.F. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case.
3.G. 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.H. 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
3.I. Conference with Labor Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Conal McNamara
Represented and Unrepresented Employee: Whittier City Employees’ Association, Whittier Police Officers’ Association, Whittier Police Management Association, and unrepresented employees
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.
5. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Octavio Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
Cathy Warner, Council Member
ABSENT:
Fernando Dutra, 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
6. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
8. PRESENTATIONS
8.A. La Serna Golf CIF-SS Division 1 Championship
Mayor Vinatieri introduced members from the Whittier Union High School District, La Serna High School and the Boys Golf Team, and discussed how they won the 2025 CIF Southern Section – Division 1 Title on May 19 against Santa Margarita High School with a one-stroke victory and a team score of 360.
Coach Jarrod Zavala introduced the team members and discussed the team’s hard work.
9. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to approve the amended Agenda. The motion carried 4-0-1, Council Member Dutra absent.
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; Brandon Arcega; Alicia Seward; and Armando Herman.
Council Member Warner exited the Council Chamber.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present, except Council Member Warner and Dutra.
City Attorney Collins reminded the public that Government Code Section 54957.95 authorizes the presiding member of the City Council to remove, or cause the removal of, any individual who is disrupting the meeting. Any individual who fails to leave the meeting once ordered to leave can be arrested for violating Penal Code Section 403.
Armando Herman continues public comment.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present except Council Member Dutra.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
City Attorney Collins indicated that the Council Chambers had been cleared due to a disturbance by members of the public. The disturbance could not be removed by removing the individuals causing the disturbance, so Government Code Section 54957.9 authorizes the City Council to continue its meeting in the absence of members of the public so long as members of the press who are not causing a disturbance are allowed back in. City Attorney Collins invited members of the press into the Council Chamber. Members of the public may participate in the meeting via Zoom.
There were no teleconference public comments.
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
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0.
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 August 26, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
12.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Clara Gonzalez, Rosemary Islava, and Tom Moerbeck.
12.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3167 - Accessory Dwelling Unit and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance
Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA25-0001
Recommendation: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3167, approving Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA25-0001 to comply with new state laws pertaining to accessory dwelling units and junior accessory dwelling units and finding that the action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
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12.E. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3168 - Zoning Code Amendment No.
ZCA25-0002
Senate Bill (SB) 9- Two-Unit Housing Developments and Urban Lot Splits and determination of CEQA exemption
Recommendation: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3168, approving Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA25-0002 to comply with new state laws pertaining to two-unit housing developments and urban lot splits and finding that the action is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
12.F. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3170 - Targeted Residential AntiPicketing Ordinance Recommendation: Conduct the second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3170, adding Chapter 9.24 ("Targeted Residential Picketing") to Title 9 ("Public Peace, Morals and Welfare") of the Whittier Municipal Code, establishing distance requirements for targeted residential picketing.
12.G. Special Event Permit – 2025 Los Muertos Festival
Recommendation: Approve a special event permit and waive City fees in the amount of $2,400 for the annual Los Muertos Art & Music Festival in Uptown Whittier, hosted by Casita del Pueblo on October 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
12.H. League of California Cities Annual Conference – Voting Delegate and Alternate Selection
Recommendation: Appoint Mayor Vinatieri as the delegate and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez as the alternate for the 2025 League of California Cities Annual Conference to be held on October 8-10, 2025, in Long Beach, California; and authorize the delegate to take a position on behalf of the City if a resolution is introduced for consideration.
12.I. General Services Agreement Part-time Temporary Staffing Agency Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Robert Half in an amount not to exceed $150,000 and Advantex Professional Services for temporary staffing services in an amount not to exceed $100,000; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-47 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget with a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $250,000 for temporary staffing services.
12.J. California State Library Groundwork Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-48, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library in the amount of $6,701.59 for the California State Library "Groundwork Grant.”
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
12.K. California State Library "Zip Book" Grant
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-49, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to accept a grant from the California State Library in the amount of $11,520 for the California State Library "Zip Book" Grant.
12.L. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Access for All Grant (Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle)
Recommendation:
1) Approve the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), Access for All, Grant Funding Agreement;
2) Authorize City Manager to conduct all negotiations and to execute and submit all necessary documents; and
3) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-50, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget to accept $130,000 in grant funds.
12.M. Art in Public Places - Guirado Park – Request for Proposal (RFP) Recommendation: Approve the Cultural Arts Commission’s
recommendation to approve the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an Art in Public Places project at Guirado Park.
12.N. Janine Drive and Vicinity Rehabilitation Project – Award of Contract Recommendation:
1) Waive minor bid irregularities;
2) Award the construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $2,875,000;
3) Reject all other bids;
4) Authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract on behalf of the City and;
5) Approve $287,500 in contingency for the Project subject to the approval of the City Manager.
12.O. Engineering Evaluation at the Intersection of Orange Drive and Redman Avenue
Recommendation:
1) Approved the establishment of a two-way stop control intersection at the uncontrolled intersection of Orange Drive and Redman Avenue; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-51, establishing the two-way stop control intersection for the north and south approaches on Redman Avenue.
12.P. On-Call Environmental Site Assessment Services - Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation: Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with SCS Engineers to provide on-call environmental site assessment services for a total annual compensation not to exceed $100,000, for a 36-month term.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
12.Q. Bailey Street Sewer Replacement Project - Notice Inviting Bids Recommendation:
1) Find the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15301, Class 1 (b,d) Existing Facilities - of the California Environmental Quality Act;
2) Approve the plans and Specifications for the Bailey Street Sweeper Replacement Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise the project for construction bids.
13. PUBLIC HEARINGS
13.A. 2024-25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report Recommendation: Conduct a public hearing to review and approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025; and authorize the City Manager to submit the report, along with any public comments received and necessary revisions, to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Director Pongetti presented the report.
Mayor Vinatieri opened the public hearing. There were no public comments.
Mayor Vinatieri closed the public hearing.
The City Council deliberated.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to Conduct a public hearing to review and approve the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for the period beginning July 1, 2024, and ending June 30, 2025; and authorize the City Manager to submit the report, along with any public comments received and necessary revisions, to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Dutra absent.
14. STAFF REPORTS
None.
15. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Pacheco indicated that the City of Whittier is a great place to live and discussed dissent and disagreement.
CONSENSUS
The City Council requested that Staff research temporary ice-skating rinks for the holiday season and come back with information.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority September 23, 2025
Minutes
Mayor Vinatieri discussed bringing a temporary ice-skating rink to the city and expressed disappointment with the disruptions at the meeting.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri indicated that the City Council would go into Closed Session.
7. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Clerk Garcia indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
16. ADJOURNMENT
City Clerk Garcia adjourned the meeting at 9:24 p.m.