NOTICE AND CALL OF SPECIAL MEETING BY MAYOR BECERRA, COUNCIL
MEMBER MACEDO, AND COUNCIL MEMBER SANTANA
AGENDA
WHITTIER CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 13230 PENN STREET
JUNE 12, 2026, 11:00 AM
1. CALL TO ORDER - REGULAR SESSION
Mayor Becerra called the Regular Session to order at 11:02 a.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:
Keith Collins, City Attorney
Rigoberto Garcia, Jr., City Clerk
Yolanda Martinez, Deputy City Manager – Administration
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Warner led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION
Council Member Macedo moved and Council Member Santana seconded a motion to approve the Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
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.
City Attorney Collins indicated that public comments are limited to the agenda item and not general public comments.
Whittier City Council Special Meeting
June 12, 2026
Agenda
The following individuals provided live public comments:
Felicia, Ken Vadra, Jeanne Renner, Rolando Cano, Nick Donovan, Lizette Navarez, Janice, Anonymous, Tony Liotto, Brenda Victoria Castillo, Martha Escutia, Jafet, and Jenny Martin.
The following individuals provided teleconference public comments:
Tamora, Orlando Terrazas, Anonymous, and Ashley.
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. STAFF REPORTS
6.A. Federal Immigration Activity
Recommendation: Receive and file report on federal immigration activity within the City of Whittier and provide direction to staff.
The City Council discussed the purpose of the Special Meeting and shared their experiences/views of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the City of Whittier, specifically from Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Deputy City Manager Martinez answered questions regarding the series of events on Wednesday, the protocols taken after notification of ICE activity outside of the Library, and registration for senior and youth programming.
The City Council deliberated on the protocol for the City’s response to ICE presence in the City of Whittier.
MOTION
Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco moved and Council Member Macedo directed staff to draft a protocol that includes the following:
Prior to taking any action, confirm the presence of ICE near City facilities, City events, or within the City of Whittier and alert City leaders and the City Council Prepare a press release informing the public about the presence ICE, including location, time, and any other confirmed information that could inform the public. Provide talking points for public officials to use when addressing resident concerns.
Alert parents and guardians of any children participating in City-sponsored activities within close proximity to ICE activity.
Implement a shelter in place program if/when ICE enters City buildings. Continue to comply with Senate Bill (SB) 54
The question was called and the motion carried unanimously.
Whittier City Council Special Meeting
June 12, 2026
Agenda
Council Member Santana also requested that Staff return with information regarding how the funding provided to the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT) was spent and whether the scope of the spending can be changed; and requested that the City Attorney provide an opinion on the contract for Flock cameras and data sharing.
7. COUNCIL MEMBER / DIRECTOR COMMENTS AND CONFERENCE REPORTS Mayor Becerra indicated that the City Council is aware of the pressing concern regarding ICE's presence in the City of Whittier and is addressing it to the best of its ability, as it concerns the City of Whittier.
8. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Becerra adjourned the meeting at 12:33 p.m.