[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6141431,"mediaKeyId","5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661","parentId",5572834,"title","Council adopts updated CAL FIRE local area fire hazard severity zone maps","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",6557000,"endMs",6835000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661&start=6557&end=6835","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661/thumbnail_6557000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6141431/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-adopts-updated-CAL-FIRE-local-area-fire-hazard-severity-zone-maps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141431-b74ae9c5302ba3460fef51ba1a96b3d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776362474&Signature=m2zGcOb9dW6ctz94uzR6Igqlu3upYn7atRKwSt1ZeEaFRudkLvvb5UH2O60hJ13NXiFZaOPAHBQudbm8N9h~xkovfd3XAp06yxF1BisyXbzH9U~n5DczhdHPMXcAI~qbVJzSf79bCGyvPd-4nBIfuh-zFbotvwH1m5ZeP9jkQ6zR1J1vTXMHkHqnJ9~3hyWL1bcF56yvsGkERD1znFuYnnRkQ8ms9ZeBQIkxnShMabIyRlXVVHd1ZoYA06iDgdmNAh3XQbh58mUh5JkLks5-7jZ0idhWKddCibcnmz4D8Z27UN73N3UtCOx9663tlwRwZ~qx6hsq~kj~f5mXLfgdPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Whittier City, CA","date","2025-08-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Whittier City Council held a public hearing and adopted an ordinance updating the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone maps that cover parts of the city’s hillside areas.

City staff told the council the updated maps were released by the state fire marshal on March 24 and the city posted materials and hosted a virtual public workshop on June 18 as part of the review process. The ordinance before the council was the map adoption prepared for the second reading.

\"The updated fire maps were released by the state fire marshal on March 24,\" said city staff presenting the item, and staff recommended ordinance adoption. The staff report and packet also included presentations from the Habitat Authority and Los Angeles County Fire about the mapping and public engagement.

Council members asked about potential effects on insurance. Staff noted the state insurance commissioner had issued guidance saying there is not a direct one‑to‑one link between the CAL FIRE maps and individual insurance carriers’ maps — insurers produce their own risk maps and rate structures — and the maps are one factor among many.

After closing the public hearing with no speakers at the lectern and no remote commenters on this item, the council adopted Ordinance No. 3,165 updating the CAL FIRE maps by roll call vote. Council members recorded aye votes in the roll call.

What happens next: The ordinance puts the city’s mapped designations on the local record. Implementation details such as vegetation management, defensible‑space programs and coordination with the Habitat Authority and county fire will continue through established programs and the city’s existing permitting and code enforcement processes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council-WRSA-WUA Joint Meeting City Council 8/12/2025 6:00:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","After a public hearing, the Whittier City Council adopted an ordinance updating the city's CAL FIRE local area fire hazard severity zone maps; staff said the maps were released March 24 and the city held a virtual workshop June 18 to gather input.","taxTitle","Whittier City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4517,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6141436,"Council approves $15 million‑plus for Parnell Park renovation after public objections over tree removals",3541,403000,3944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661&start=403&end=3944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661/thumbnail_403000.jpg","/articles/6141436/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-approves-15-millionplus-for-Parnell-Park-renovation-after-public-objections-over-tree-removals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141436-cab3645a85f9976c07d406f431ee4f98/orig.mp4?Expires=1776362474&Signature=Layad7jFg51sN-w~Pi28Ay7ar4VauVJFjn8rxqIyB1~5t47duDfpCE2iNI4kJ87lzBrr70Plt9Fpj2GqtGBN6oIfjIVIgQHJBcnr9Upy5RT9pWb1TdRIthfFQAjgSYIKkV68V13iqS-4MuvbrCloW2zS9pwQ~ENRIje2JkIYDi~9ymbbb7ZxXeo-2xzjQ4NW5ojkaMyX5xqxqu5tp5EqLhpfGBSOZCyAfhHOP9agmD8YkpyX5ny8hTSaf6YkpRCFEaDIkqzLMynhXXG5ESZOPy555b4vBbXouTi-n61WHkN5DdQ4VB5BNZCJ-MQiePFIolJTjFSnAWpwhQUNIW9Njg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whittier City Council approved a supplemental appropriation of $15,000,398.754 for construction of the Parnell Park renovation project as part of the consent calendar, despite extensive public comment opposing removal of mature trees and the park layout.

Several residents used the public comment period to press the council to preserve the park’s mature canopy and to question other design elements, including installation of artificial turf, a new track and concentration of multiple soccer fields in one location.

\"First, of course, is the trees. The loss of a 175 beautiful, mature trees is horrible even to contemplate,\" said a resident speaking during the public comment period. Connie McCormack, a 29‑year resident, called it \"insulting\" that the bid award and the $22,000,000 Parnell Park renovation project were included on the consent agenda rather than discussed in more detail, and she urged the council to address community appeals and petitions opposing tree removal.

City staff told the council the appropriation is included in the consent calendar and is intended to fund construction and improvements for the Parnell Park project. During the consent calendar roll call, council members approved several budget resolutions including the supplemental appropriation for Parnell Park. The consent items adopted at the start of the meeting included: a resolution terminating the local public health emergency related to waste hauling disruptions; a supplemental appropriation of $69,366 for emergency operations upgrades; the $15,000,398.754 supplemental appropriation for Parnell Park renovation and improvements; and a supplemental appropriation of $216,392 for the Youngwood Drive Slope project. Council members Warner, Pacheco, Dutra and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez recorded aye votes and the mayor registered aye as well when the roll was called.

Public commenters said the city previously removed a large track and field, and referenced a decades‑old site called The Groves where residents had expected preserved playing fields. Several commenters said petitions opposing tree removal included more than 7,000 signatures; commenters gave two close but differing counts of trees to be removed — speakers cited both 175 and 178 mature trees — and asked the council to revisit design options.

The action taken tonight was a budget adoption through the consent calendar; the council did not hold a separate, detailed public hearing or vote on the project design at this meeting. Staff and the city manager said project implementation steps, including construction contracts and schedules, will follow the adopted budget and applicable procurement and environmental review processes.

What happens next: With the appropriation adopted, staff will proceed with construction procurement and project implementation steps for Parnell Park consistent with the adopted budget and city procedures. Community members opposed to the design may pursue the Historic Resources Commission and other administrative avenues if they seek further review or appeals.","The Whittier City Council approved a supplemental appropriation exceeding $15 million for construction of the Parnell Park renovation as part of the consent calendar. Public commenters urged the council to preserve mature trees and questioned project design and placement of multiple soccer fields.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6141441,"Whittier Council adopts amended resolution on federal immigration enforcement after weeks of public outcry",5830,919000,6749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661&start=919&end=6749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5572834-90055272f8823f01ee5c13c73c136661/thumbnail_919000.jpg","/articles/6141441/Whittier-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Whittier-Council-adopts-amended-resolution-on-federal-immigration-enforcement-after-weeks-of-public-outcry","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6141441-8c23ce01d2bb20c2a39080883d4eccc3/orig.mp4?Expires=1776362474&Signature=kXv3~52Cp0qiBMoErCcDTDVR4BnLA-4rQp892ILrbDw1P9LyzxVxDgjstoYij4ZrwIRpz7nmCWViQEQHrO9Pw5n9j~HxQkD4~C6UrYFIAKSYgtA9~K1Y1QZI3H2djWfsVNgPKHkGcS~2ba-2VoBAYI2gbNbSuNG-uyWospqgUh76yWEIsy9d2X9F8wgHUm1ljYXcxcsAdED89z-GTgnTPwXOm-5NC2JeHFdxhFglHB2kpXoXb3Wlj-IqiahxnLZJfNQ1TE8AvBTuSkAMuOFfL-H6JIxX17FGgvrBitz7gbpktHdUYvr9pzXVHTMf7dk~-gbk0Q1Zm1OKHbQVNJAGng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Whittier City Council adopted an amended resolution addressing federal immigration enforcement after a wave of public comment calling for officers to unmask and identify themselves and for local protections for residents.

The action responds to weeks of community concern about masked agents and warrantless stops. Legal counsel told the council several provisions of a locally drafted ordinance would likely be preempted by federal law, but the council approved a package of measures intended to increase transparency and support residents.

David King, special counsel from the Hensley Law Group, told the council the firm had reviewed the ordinance language and related issues and warned that an ordinance that \"dictates or tries to regulate ICE or federal immigration enforcement within the city of Whittier would very likely be preempted,\" citing the U.S. Constitution's supremacy clause and recent federal court activity. King summarized recent litigation: a class-action complaint resulted in a temporary restraining order in the Central District of California limiting suspicionless detention stops; the Ninth Circuit kept the TRO in place and the federal government has sought emergency relief at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Public commenters urged the council to act. Ronan Walsh, a third‑generation resident, said: \"Pass the ordinance, enact the ordinance presented by council member Pacheco without watered down amendments.\" Brenda Victoria Castillo, president and CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition, told the council: \"Being human is our greatest strength,\" and urged elected officials to protect children and families.

Council member Mary Anne Pacheco, who introduced the original ordinance draft, proposed and won several amendments to the staff resolution. The council approved directing staff to pursue the following actions: join Los Angeles and other jurisdictions in litigation to challenge federal enforcement practices; request that the state legislature consider elevating impersonation of law‑enforcement officers to a felony; direct staff not to share certain local data sources with federal immigration officials consistent with state law; provide funding for community assistance; and request regular updates from federal representatives.

Specific funding items added by the council include an additional one‑time allocation not to exceed $100,000 to support local outreach and emergency assistance (in addition to $30,000 previously provided to local partners), and a one‑time $50,000 allocation to support legal aid and community organizations assisting residents with immigration paperwork, subject to the city’s standard accountability procedures. The council also directed staff to provide monthly written updates to the council and public on implementation of the resolution’s directives.

The council adopted the amended resolution (listed in the agenda as an amended Resolution regarding enforcement of federal immigration laws). Roll‑call votes were recorded; the motion carried. Council member Warner said she would \"abstain on sections 3 and 5,\" and Council member Pacheco recorded an abstention on section 2.1 as adopted; other members voted aye.

City staff said the amendments will be implemented through directed staff work and follow‑up reports; outside counsel and the city attorney will continue to advise the council on legal risk and next steps.

What happens next: Staff will return with implementation details and the city will send the requests and reports directed by the council. The legal limits King outlined mean any future ordinance that attempts to regulate federal immigration enforcement directly could face court challenges, so the council used a mix of local actions, requests to state and federal lawmakers, and funding for community services to respond to residents’ concerns.","After hours of public comment focused on masked federal agents, the Whittier City Council voted to adopt an amended resolution directing staff to pursue localized protections, funding for community services and requests to higher levels of government while legal counsel warned parts of a local ordinance could be preempted by federal law.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council adopts updated CAL FIRE local area fire hazard severity zone maps

Council approves $15 million‑plus for Parnell Park renovation after public objections over tree removals

Whittier Council adopts amended resolution on federal immigration enforcement after weeks of public outcry