MINUTES
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
REGULAR JOINT MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
FEBRUARY 24, 2026, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez called the Regular Session to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
Joseph A. Vinatieri, Mayor (6:31 p.m.)
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
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Pacheco led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. PRESENTATIONS
4.A. Recognition of Curator Nicholas Edmeier / Whittier Museum Mayor Pro Tem Martinez read a statement from Council Member Dutra and discussed Nicholas Edmeier’s work at the Whittier Museum.
Mr. Edmeier thanked everyone for their support during his career at the Whittier Museum.
The City Council thanked Mr. Edmeier for his service to the Whittier Community.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Council Member Pacheco seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried 3-0, Mayor Vinatieri and Council Member Dutra absent.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez indicated that any members of the audience who wish to deliver a public comment should fill out a public comment card and 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; Rachel Estuar; Rita Murray; Brandon Arcega; Steven Gerard; Martin Adams; Conny McCormack; Brian Ahern; Monica Piedra; David Avirom; Pier Avirom; Philip Sywulka; Janis Cavanaugh; Mark Wilson; Leonard Avila; Ze Wong; Rolando Cano; Alex Rocha; Catherine Heath Aguilar; Maggie Moe; and Armando Hernan.
Mayor Vinatieri entered the meeting at 6:31 p.m.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Susan Cameron; Ashley Reveles; and Javier Garcia.
All public comments and documents submitted are part of the record and are on file with the City Clerk Department. A recording of the oral communications is available through the City’s website.
7. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager McNamara indicated Assistant City Manager DeLong was appointed unanimously as the City Manager of Cypress by their City Council.
The City Council congratulated Assistant City Manager DeLong and thanked her for her service to the City of Whittier.
8. JOINT CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager McNamara requested Item 8.K. be removed from the Agenda.
Council Member Pacheco pulled items 8.G and 8.H. for individual consideration.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to approve the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 8.G. and H, and noting Item 8.K.’s removal from the Agenda. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0.
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 January 27, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes.
8.C. Claims Against the City
Recommendation: Deny claims filed by Denise A. Tubbs, Melissa Bautista, Marcos De La Cruz, Margaret Mejia, Justin Foust (minor) and guardian Michael Foust.
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.
8.E. Ad Hoc Committee - Board and Commission Interviews Recommendation: Establish an ad hoc committee for the purpose of interviewing and selecting applicants for board, commission, and committee vacancies, and appoint Mayor Vinatieri and Council Member Pacheco to the ad hoc committee.
8.H. Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Mid-Year Budget Update
Recommendation: Receive and file the mid-year budget update for Fiscal Year 2025-26.
8.I. Clean Power Alliance - Outside Agency Appointment
Recommendation: Appoint the Public Works Management Analyst as the City's alternate to the Clean Power Alliance Joint Powers Agreement.
8.J. Disposition of City Property - Vehicles
Recommendation: 1) Declare the following vehicles to be surplus:
No.14348, 2010 Ford E350;
No.16351, 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe;
No.41509, 2009 Ford E350;
No.415081, 2009 Ford E350;
No.13397, 2009 Ford E350,
No.13386, 2016 Ford Utility Interceptor;
No.13359, 2017 Ford Utility Interceptor;
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
No.14327, 2002 Ford E250;
No.13398, 2016 Ford Utility Interceptor;
No.13376, 2021 Ford Utility Hybrid Interceptor;
No.29133 2014 AutoCar Xpert;
No.31162 2004 214 JCB;
No.18627 1990 GMC Top Kick; and
2) Direct staff to sell the surplus vehicles and equipment at public auctions to the highest bidder.
8.K. Multi-Way Stop- Anaconda Street and Hornby Avenue
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2026-13, establishing a Multi-Way Stop control intersection at the controlled intersection of Anaconda Street and Hornby Avenue.
This item was removed from the agenda and not voted on.
8.L. Parcel Map 84222 - 8816 Shoemaker Avenue
Recommendation: Approve Final Parcel Map 84222 in substantial conformance and authorize the City Clerk and City Engineer to sign on behalf of the City.
8.M. Award of Contract - Bronte Drive Water Line Replacement Recommendation:
1) Adopt Resolution No. WUA 2026-02, amending the Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Budget in the amount of $1,328,870 for the Bronte Dr. Water Line Replacement Project;
2) Award the construction contract to Williams Pipeline Contractors, Inc., in the amount of $1,207,870 for the construction of the Bronte Dr. Water Line Replacement Project;
3) Reject all other bids;
4) Authorize the Executive Director to sign the construction contract on behalf of the Whittier Utility Authority; and
5) Approve $121,000 in contingency funding for the Bronte Dr. Water Line Replacement Project, subject to the approval of the Executive Director.
8.N. Engineering Services for Treatment System Expansion – Award of Contract
Recommendation: Authorize the Executive Director to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Jacobs to provide engineering design and consulting services for a Treatment System Expansion Project (Project) for a fee not to exceed $1,772,906.00 and adopt Resolution No.
WUA-2026-03 amending the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget with a supplemental funding appropriation for the project.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
8.O. Palm Avenue Improvement Project from Beverly Boulevard to Whittier Boulevard - Notice of Completion
Recommendation:
1) Approve $206,982 in additional funds to close out the project; 2) Accept the work performed by Big Ben Engineering for the Palm Avenue Improvement Project; and
3) Authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion on behalf of the City of Whittier.
The following items were pulled for individual consideration:
8.F. Memorandum of Understanding - Los Angeles County Development Authority
Recommendation: Authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for lead abatement of homes in Whittier.
Director Pongetti answered questions regarding the service area and public outreach.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) for lead abatement of homes in Whittier. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Dutra absent.
8.G. Professional Services Agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles
Recommendation: Approve a professional service agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, for exterior home repair projects for low- to moderate-income homeowners in the City of Whittier with a total contract expenditure not to exceed $100,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and necessary amendments.
Director Pongetti answered questions regarding unspent funds and public outreach.
MOTION
Council Member Pacheco moved and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez seconded a motion to approve a professional service agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles, for exterior home repair projects for low- to moderateincome homeowners in the City of Whittier with a total contract expenditure not to exceed $100,000 and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and necessary amendments. The question was called and the motion carried 4-0, Council Member Dutra absent.
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
Minutes
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
RECESS
Mayor Vinatieri called a recess to go into Closed Session. The meeting reconvened at 8:09 p.m. with Council Member Warner and Council Member Dutra absent.
10. STAFF REPORTS
10.A. Code of Ethics – Advisory Bodies
Recommendation: Receive and file a report outlining the City’s existing policies related to ethical standards and conduct applicable to City Council, Boards, and Commission Members, and provide direction as appropriate.
This item was moved to a future meeting.
11. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Pacheco indicated she attended the Silver Shield Awards Ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and congratulated the Soroptimist Club for raising over $100,000 through a fundraiser.
Mayor Pro Tem Martinez discussed the programs for the special needs community; indicated he attended the Silver Shield Awards Ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and discussed the stories of heroism he heard at the event.
Mayor Vinatieri discussed the Opening Day of Whittier Girls’ Softball, Murphy Ranch Little League, and Pony baseball; indicated he and Council Member Pacheco attended the Historical Society’s Tea event at the Whittier Museum; and indicated he also attended the Silver Shield Awards Ceremony.
12. CLOSED SESSION
12.A. Approval of Minutes - Closed Session
Approve the January 27, 2026 Closed Session Minutes.
12.B. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation, significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(e)(1):
One Case.
12.C. Conference with Real Property Negotiators pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: APN 8140-025-005 (12102 Hadley St)
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority February 24, 2026
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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 Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier – Case No. 25STCP04856
12.F. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier – Case No. 24STCP03966
12.G. 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
City Attorney Collins indicated that there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
14. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Vinatieri adjourned the meeting at 8:16 p.m.