City Council Meeting Agenda Announcement
*Open Session Begins at 6:00 p.m.*
Speakers must limit their comments to three minutes. Please note, by order of the presiding officer, public comments minutes may be reduced if at their discretion a surplus of public speakers is present at the meeting. Public Comment Cards will be issued to inperson speakers to help ensure an orderly public comment process. Staff will be available to provide and collect Comment Cards through the end of the ‘Approval of Agenda’ portion of the meeting.
View live open session meeting:
On Cable, Channel 3
Online: www.cityofwhittier.org/Streaming
In person at City Hall, City Council Chamber
Zoom (Details below)
Public Comment options:
Email: [email protected]
In-person for Closed and Open Session in the City Hall Council Chamber Zoom (Details below)
PLEASE ENSURE YOUR ZOOM SOFTWARE IS UPDATED TO PROVIDE LIVE
COMMENTS
Live Public Comment for CLOSED AND OPEN SESSION: Login or call at 6:00 p.m. and raise your hand.
Smart Phone App or Computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/95676597390 o Use ‘Raise Hand’ feature.
Phone Call-in: (669) 900-9128 Meeting ID: 956 7659 7390 o Press *9 to ‘Raise Hand’ and then *6 to unmute yourself when prompted.
Email: Please submit public comments at least one hour before the date of the meeting to ensure City Council members receive and have time to review them.
In-Person Submissions:
If you plan to distribute documents during the meeting, please bring 10 copies and provide them to the City Clerk’s staff for distribution to the City Council, Staff, and inclusion in the Public Binder. Documents provided to the City Council for their consideration must also be available to the Public. These materials will be uploaded for inclusion in the public record the following day.
Americans with Disabilities Act
Disability-related services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting, consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Spanish interpreters are also available. For information or to request services, please contact the City Clerk at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at (562) 567-9850.
View recent public comments: https://www.CityOfWhittier.org/PublicComments Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
NOTICE OF CONCURRENT CONTINUED REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
FROM OCTOBER 28, 2025, 6:00 P.M. AND
AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
NOVEMBER 18, 2025, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
2. ROLL CALL
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor
Octavio Martinez, Mayor Pro Tem
Fernando Dutra, Council Member
Mary Ann Pacheco, Council Member
Cathy Warner, Council Member
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.A. Small Business Saturday
4.B. Solid Waste Sanitation District - Good Corporate Citizens
5. 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.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public is invited to address City Council Members and Directors regarding any item of business listed on this agenda or within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. Pursuant to State law, City Council Members cannot take action or express a consensus on any communications that do not appear on the printed agenda. The Brown Act requires that members of the public be permitted to address the City Council at every meeting; however, public comments will not be broadcast outside the council chambers.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
To ensure a productive and respectful environment during City Council meetings, all attendees are asked to conduct themselves with courtesy and professionalism.
Please refrain from using profanity, making personal attacks, or engaging in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the orderly progression of the meeting. While the First Amendment protects a broad range of speech, including opinions that some may find offensive, the City may intervene only in cases involving true threats, incitement to violence, or substantial disruption to the proceedings.
Courts have consistently ruled that attempts to censor protected speech—even when offensive—can expose cities to costly legal challenges and liability. Such litigation diverts public funds from vital services like public safety, parks, and libraries. For this reason, the City Council urges all speakers to express their views in a manner that is civil and constructive.
The City of Whittier is committed to serving all members of the public with respect.
While the City does not endorse or condone discriminatory or hateful speech, it must uphold constitutional protections as interpreted by the courts.
If any member of the public finds a comment objectionable, they are free to leave the chamber at their discretion.
Please be advised: Conduct that materially disrupts the meeting may result in removal, in accordance with Government Code Section 54957.95 and Penal Code 403.
Detailed instructions on how to provide public comments are provided on the Agenda Announcement Page.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORT
8. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the Consent Calendar may be approved by a single motion. If a Council Member or Director wishes to discuss a Consent Calendar item, the item may be removed from the calendar for individual consideration.
8.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.
8.B. Approval of Minutes
Recommendation: Approve the October 7, 2025 Special Meeting and October 14, 2025 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
8.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Auto Club ASO Julie Kim, Bonnie LeSage, Lauren N. Torres, Jacqueline Mendoza, Efrain Perez, California Auto Insurance Co. ASO Clara Gonzalez, Tom Moerbeck, Kenneth Edward Fisk, Chris Brandon, Armando Herman.
8.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3172 - Temporarily Suspending the Tree Manual (Adjourned from October 28, 2025 City Council Meeting) Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3172, temporarily suspending application of the City’s Parkway Tree Manual and regulations relating to trees and determining that action is exempt under CEQA.
8.E. 2026 Business Improvement Area (BIA) Assessments
Recommendation:
1) Approve the Whittier Uptown Association 2024-2025 annual report and proposed 2026 budget;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-59, declaring the City’s intention to levy and collect assessments within the Uptown Whittier Business Improvement Area for calendar year 2026; and
3) Schedule a public hearing to consider the matter on December 9, 2025.
8.F. Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority - Fiscal Oversight Advisory Committee
Recommendation: Direct staff to advertise for three vacancies on the newly formed Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority’s Fiscal Oversight Advisory Committee.
8.G. Authorize Out-of-State Travel for Economic Development Purposes Recommendation: Authorize Out-of-State Travel to Pennsylvania for Economic Development Purposes.
8.H. Los Angeles County Measure A Homeless Services Funding Agreement
Recommendation: Approve the funding agreement with the Gateway Cities Council of Governments (COG) for $327,620 to be applied toward operational costs for the Whittier Navigation Center.
8.I. Fiscal Year 2025-26 First Quarter Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the first quarter budget update for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
8.J. Establishment of an Adult Literacy program in Partnership with Boys & Girls Club of Whittier
Recommendation: Approve the establishment of an Adult Literacy Program managed by the Whittier Public Library in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Whittier.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
8.K. 7037 Bright Avenue Demolition Project – Notice of Completion Recommendation: Accept the work performed by American Integrated Resources, Inc. for the 7037 Bright Ave Demolition Project and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion on behalf of the City.
8.L. Bronte Drive Water Line Replacement - 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; 2) Approve plans and specifications for the Bronte Drive Water Main Replacement; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to advertise for the construction bids.
8.M. San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority Board Member Election Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-60, casting full votes for Robert Gonzales from the City of Azusa to represent cities with prescriptive water pumping rights on the Board of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority.
8.N. Small Business Support – Temporary Rebate Program
Recommendation: Appropriate $50,000 from General Fund Balance to fund a one-time local business support program during the 2025 holiday season; and adopt Resolution No. 2025-58 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget with a supplemental appropriation of $50,000 for a Small Business Support program.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Anyone interested in matters scheduled for public hearing may speak for three minutes at the time of the hearing. The applicant and appellant will have up to 20 minutes to present their case and up to an additional 10 minutes to make rebuttal comments at the conclusion of the public hearing. If you challenge any part of the proposed action in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised during the public hearing.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
9.A. Building Code Updates by Reference (1st Reading)
Recommendation:
1) Determine that adoption, by reference, of the 2025 California Building Standards Code is exempt from environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (General Rule) and authorize staff to file a Notice of Exemption with the County of Los Angeles.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-61, setting forth findings with respect to local conditions within the City of Whittier which make certain modifications and changes to the 2025 California Building Code, the 2025 California Electrical Code, the 2025 California Green Building Standards Code and with errata and as amended by the State of California and adoption of new chapter for roof coverings and roof covering assemblies and adoption of the international swimming pool and spa code reasonably necessary because of local climactic, geological or topographical conditions.
3) Conduct first reading of Ordinance No. 3173, adopting by reference the 2025 Editions of the California Building Standards Code, California Residential Code, California Electrical Code, California Mechanical Code, California Plumbing Code, California Energy Code, California Historical Building Code, California Existing Building Code, California Green Building Standards Code, California Referenced Standards Code, International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the 1997 Abatement Of Dangerous Buildings Code, the 1997 Uniform Housing Code, the New Chapter 15.18 for roof coverings and roof covering assemblies and the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code with appendices and amendments thereto, and adopting local amendments thereto and finding that the adoption of these local amendments is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
4) Authorize staff to publish a summary of Ordinance No. 3173 pursuant to Government Code Section 6066 and to file a notice of the changes and modifications with the California Building Standards Commission.
10. STAFF REPORTS
10.A. Whittier Boulevard & Philadelphia Street Art in Public Places Project Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2025-62, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget for the Whittier Boulevard and Philadelphia Street Art in Public Places Project, “Dancing Leaves”; and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Artists Saori Ide and Jonathan Russell in the amount not to exceed $250,000.
11. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS
12. CLOSED SESSION
12.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the October 7, and October 14, 2025 Closed Session Minutes.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
12.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
Three Cases.
12.C. Conference With Legal Counsel--Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(2):
One Case, letter on file with the City Clerk.
12.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Properties: Former Alpha Beta Site:
8139-005-909- 12813 Bailey Ave
8139-005-910, 12802 Hadley St
8139-005-911, 12813 Bailey Ave
8139-005-912, 6557 Comstock Ave
8139-013-901, Milton Ave
8013-013-900, 6703 Comstock
8139-005-904, Comstock Ave
8139-005-905, Comstock Ave
8139-005-906, Comstock Ave
8139-005-907, Comstock Ave
8139-005-908, Comstock Ave
8139-005-902, Greenleaf Ave
8139-005-903, Greenleaf Ave
8139-004-900, Bright Ave
8139-004-901, Bright Ave
8139-015-900, 6711 Bright Ave 8139-015-902, 6724 Greenleaf Ave 8139-015-901, 6726 Greenleaf Ave
City Negotiator: Conal McNamara, City Manager
Property Negotiator: City Ventures and Jamboree Housing Corporation Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
12.E. 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
12.F. 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 Offices’ Association, and unrepresented employees
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority November 18, 2025
Agenda
13. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
14. ADJOURNMENT - In Memory of Wesley Murray
Disability-related services are available to enable persons with a disability to participate in this meeting, consistent with the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Spanish interpreters are also available. For information or to request services, please contact the City Clerk at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting at (562) 567-9850.
The agenda packet for regular meetings is available three days before the meeting on http://www.cityofwhittier.org. Materials distributed to the City Council within 72 hours of the City Council meeting are available for public inspection; please contact the City Clerk’s Office.
Los servicios relacionados con la discapacidad están disponibles para permitir que las personas con discapacidad participen en esta reunión, de conformidad con la Ley Federal de Estadounidenses con Discapacidades de 1990. También hay intérpretes en español disponibles. Para obtener información o para solicitar servicios, comuníquese con el Secretario Municipal al menos 24 horas antes de la reunión al (562) 567-9850.
El paquete de la agenda para juntas regulares están disponible tres días antes de la reunión en www.cityofwhittier.org. Los materiales distribuidos al Concejo Municipal dentro de las 72 horas de la reunión del Concejo Municipal están disponibles para inspección pública; póngase al contacto con la Oficina de la Secretaria Municipal.
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury, under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted in accordance with the applicable legal requirements.
Regular and Adjourned Regular meeting agendas may be amended up to 72 hours in advance of the meeting. Dated this 14th day of November 2025. /s/ Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk