City Council Meeting Agenda Announcement
*Open Session Begins at 6:00 p.m.*
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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 January 27, 2026
Agenda
AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JANUARY 27, 2026, 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. 2026 Recycling and Litter Prevention Artwork Contest
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
Public Comment Cards are available near the entrance to the Council Chamber, with instructions on obtaining a speaking number.
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.
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.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
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 for providing public comments are available 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 December 23, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes.
8.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Molly Shipton, Juan Alvarado, Donna Lee Hobbis, Nicolas Saez, Candice Sanchez, David Lugo, Stephanie Greene, and Xavier Guevara.
8.D. Second Reading of Ordinance No. 3175 - Short Term Rentals - Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA24-0003
Recommendation: Conduct second reading and adopt Ordinance No. 3175, approving Zoning Code Amendment No. ZCA24-0003, relating to short-term rental regulations.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
8.E. Affordable Home Ownership Program Regulatory Agreement for Olson Project (Whittier Walk)
Recommendation:
1) Approve the Affordable Housing Covenant and enter into the Regulatory Agreement with the Olson Company for a single unit at the project site, with a specific address to be provided at a later date and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and necessary amendments; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-05, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget with an appropriation of funds for a new Affordable Home Ownership Program (AHOP) unit.
8.F. 2026 Whittier Uptown Association Annual Agreement
Recommendation: Approve the administrative agreement between the City of Whittier and the Whittier Uptown Association for calendar year 2026 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
8.G. Professional Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc.
Recommendation:
1) Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA), for a landscape maintenance improvement project along the Greenway Trail, in an amount not to exceed $330,000; and
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-06, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget for appropriation of funds for the Greenway Trail Landscape Visibility Improvement Project.
8.H. Engineering Services for Beverly Boulevard at Norwalk Boulevard Realignment Project - Professional Services Agreement
Recommendation:
1) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Kimley Horn and Associates, Inc. to complete the Engineering Services for Beverly Boulevard at Norwalk Boulevard Realignment Project for a fee not to exceed $300,000; and 2) Adopt Resolution No 2026-07, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget to add supplemental appropriations and revenues in the amount of $1,800,000 for the Beverly Boulevard at Norwalk Boulevard Realignment Project.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
8.I. First Avenue Park – Ad Hoc Design Recommendations and SWA Design Agreement
Recommendation:
1) Approve the refinements to the First Avenue Park design recommended by the First Avenue Ad Hoc Committee.
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Service Agreement with SWA Group for First Avenue Park design refinement, completion of construction documents, bid specifications, and consultation through the completion of construction for an amount not to exceed $378,421. 3) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-10, amending the FY 2025-26 Budget for the appropriation of funds for the Professional Service Agreement with SWA Group for the First Avenue Park Project.
8.J. Call Up - Parking and Transportation Commission Item 6.C. East side of Greenleaf Avenue north of Hadley Street - Passenger Loading Zone Recommendation: Revise action taken by Parking and Transportation Commission Item 6.C. to establish a "Passenger Loading 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m." zone on the east side of Greenleaf Avenue in front of 6338 Greenleaf Avenue by adopting Resolution No. 2026-09, establishing a “Passenger Loading 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.” zone on the east side of Greenleaf Avenue in front of 6338 Greenleaf Avenue by adopting Resolution No. T-25-05.
8.K. Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase II District I) Recommendation:
1) Award the construction contract to CJ Concrete Construction Inc., in the amount of $488,016 for the construction of Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase II District I);
2) Approve $48,802 in contingency funding for the Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase II District I) Project subject to the approval of the City Manager;
3) Reject all other bids;
4) Authorize the City Manager to sign the construction contract on behalf of the City of Whittier; and
5) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-10, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget in the amount of $536,818 for the Sidewalk Maintenance Program (Phase II District I).
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
10. STAFF REPORTS
10.A. Tree Ordinance Suspension Update and Action Items Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-11, amending the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget related to professional services;
2) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Michael Baker Inc. in the amount not to exceed $369,538 for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the replacement of Chapter
12.40.100(D) of the Whittier Municipal Code and the provisions of the Parkway Tree Manual;
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Richards, Watson, & Gershon in the amount not to exceed $200,000 to provide special legal services related to the replacement of Chapter 12.40.100(D) of the Whittier Municipal Code and the provisions of the Parkway Tree Manual; and
4) Authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Tripepi Smith in the amount not to exceed $50,000 to provide public relations services on matters related to the replacement of Chapter 12.40.100(D) of the Whittier Municipal Code and the provisions of the Parkway Tree Manual.
10.B. Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Vacancies - Fiscal Oversight Advisory Committee and Citizens Technical Advisory Committee
Recommendation: Select applicants to interview or appoint for vacancies, or create an Ad Hoc Committee for selecting individuals to serve on advisory bodies. The Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority has the following openings:
1) Fiscal Oversight Advisory Committee (3 terms)
2) Citizens Technical Advisory Committee (1 term)
10.C. Broadway Park Improvement Project and Formation of a Park Design Ad Hoc
Recommendation: Receive and file public feedback on amenities and appoint two members to an Ad Hoc Committee to guide design concepts.
11. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
12. CLOSED SESSION
12.A. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case.
12.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2):
One Case.
12.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8140-025-005 (12102 Hadley St)
City Negotiator: Conal McNamara, Executive Director
Property Negotiator: Los Angeles County Fire Department Under Negotiation: Price and Terms.
12.D. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8170-029-900 (12540 Whittier Blvd) and 8170-029-902 (12549 Washington Blvd)
City Negotiator: Conal McNamara, Executive Director
Property Negotiator: William Nascimento, Sycamore Group LLC 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, Executive Director
Negotiating parties: Adam Lentz, Madison Capital Group, LLC Under negotiation: Price & Terms
12.F. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier – Case No. 25STCP04856.
12.G. Conference with Legal Counsel – Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier Case No. 24STCP03966.
12.H. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Lori Gibson v. City of Whittier Claim No. 22-591230-096.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority January 27, 2026
Agenda
12.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, and unrepresented employees
13. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
14. ADJOURNMENT
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 23rd day of January 2026. /s/ Rigoberto Garcia Jr., City Clerk