NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING BY MAYOR BECERRA
AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
WHITTIER REDEVELOPMENT SUCCESSOR AGENCY
WHITTIER UTILITY AUTHORITY
WHITTIER HOUSING AUTHORITY
WHITTIER PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY
SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
MAY 5, 2026, 6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Becerra called the Regular Session to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Council Chamber of Whittier City Hall, 13230 Penn Street, Whittier, CA 90602.
2. ROLL CALL
PRESENT:
James Becerra, Mayor
Mary Ann Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tem
Cathy Warner, Council Member
Aida Macedo, Council Member
Vicky Santana, Council Member
STAFF PRESENTING:
Conal McNamara, City Manager
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Tram Pham, Director of Finance
Ben Pongetti, Director of Community Services
Aviv Bar, Chief of Police
Jacqueline Sanchez, Interim Director of Library Services Yolanda Martinez, Deputy City Manager – Administration
Kyle Cason, Deputy City Manager - Operations
Virginia Santana, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Santana led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Warner moved and Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously..
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 5, 2026
Agenda
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Becerra 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.
Julian and D.K. provided teleconference public comments.
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Tom Hall; Veronica Garcia; Javier Garcia; Brandon Arcega; Yasmin Gomez; Nolan Carter; Shannon Hammer; Tony Avila; Stephanie Vallejo; Brenda Castillo; Felicia; Jenny Martin; Andrew Moraga; Gail Bryson; Mary Gorman-Sullens; Helen Rahder; David Dickerson; Maggie Moe; and Rolando Cano.
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.
6. CITY MANAGER REPORT
None.
RECESS
Mayor Becerra read a statement about the purpose of Closed Session and called a recess to go into Closed Session. The meeting reconvened with all Council Members present.
7. STAFF REPORTS
7.A. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget Proposal
Recommendation: Conduct a workshop and provide direction to staff on Fiscal Year (FY) 2026-27 estimated revenues and proposed expenditures in preparation for the FY 2026-27 City Budget.
Director Pham presented the staff report. City Manager McNamara, Deputy City Manager Cason, and Director Pham answered questions regarding Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) payments; Homeless Shelter and Outreach reserves and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; 5-year projections; the Whittier Boulevard relinquishment initial payment; the ongoing cost of personnel and funding sources for Whittier Boulevard; the use of interest earnings as payments; the policing contract with Santa Fe Springs; the projected deficit; potential rebate program; community meetings regarding the budget; Measure W revenues and expenditure; and the process of adding items to the budget.
CONSENSUS
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 5, 2026
Agenda
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to return with a timeline for a written master plan for the revitalization of Whittier Boulevard.
Directors from each department presented their respective accomplishments, new projects/programs, and performance measures.
CONSENSUS
By consensus, the City Council directed staff to bring back a discussion of budget memos at the next meeting.
City Staff answered questions regarding Broadway Park.
The City Council thanked staff for their hard work.
8. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Council Member Warner thanked City Staff for their hard work and professionalism.
Council Member Macedo thanked staff for their presentations and for their willingness to share information.
Mayor Becerra expressed excitement about working with the new City Council and staff.
RECESS
Mayor Becerra called a recess to go into Closed Session.
9. CLOSED SESSION
9.A. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier – Case No. 25STCP04856
9.B. Conference With Legal Counsel—Existing Litigation pursuant to Government Code 54956.9(d)(1):
Whittier Conservancy v. City of Whittier – Case No. 24STCP03966
9.C. 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
Whittier City Council/Redevelopment Successor Agency/Utility Authority May 5, 2026
Agenda
10. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Collins indicated there was nothing to report out of Closed Session.
11. ADJOURNMENT
City Clerk Garcia adjourned the meeting at 11:42 p.m.