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Votes at a glance: Whittier City Council approves property purchase, tree-replacement plan and legal contracts
Summary
At its April 22 meeting the Whittier City Council approved acquisition of 14590 Whittier Boulevard for park space (up to $55,000 acquisition costs), confirmed denial of appeals to replace 178 trees at Parnell Park, and approved legal-contract services in Closed Session (4-0-1). Several procedural and appointment items also passed.
The Whittier City Council on April 22 approved a series of motions and confirmations, including a property acquisition to increase park space, confirmation of a tree-replacement plan at Parnell Park, and approval of legal contracts in Closed Session.
The council authorized the Interim City Manager to execute an agreement to acquire real property at 14590 Whittier Boulevard and adopted a supplemental appropriation of up to $55,000 from the Park Impact Reserve Fund to cover related acquisition costs. Interim City Manager Shannon DeLong and Public Works Director Kyle Cason answered council questions about the process, timeline and the use of Quimby fees for park improvements. The motion to authorize the acquisition was moved by Council Member Fernando Dutra and seconded by Council Member Mary Ann Pacheco and carried unanimously.
On the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvements Project (15930 Lambert Road), the council considered appeals to the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission’s decision and, by motion (Warner/Dutra), confirmed the commission’s denial of appeals. The action approves replacement of 178 trees; Interim Director David Montgomery-Scott and consultant Steve Rydzon (SWA Group) responded to questions about species diversity, growth periods and drought-tolerant selections. The motion carried unanimously.
Item 12.C, proposing agreements with Andrade Gonzalez LLP and Clyde & Co. for specialized legal services (not to exceed $783,300), was pulled from the consent calendar for confidentiality and referred to Closed Session after City Attorney Keith Collins explained that postponement could prejudice the City’s position because a trial date is scheduled for August 2025. The Closed Session report recorded that Council Member Fernando Dutra moved and Council Member Cathy Warner seconded approval of the legal contracts; the motion carried 4-0-1, with Mayor Joseph A. Vinatieri abstaining.
Other procedural actions included the unanimous approval of the remaining consent calendar items and the selection of candidates to interview for several boards and commissions. The Council also created the Alpha Beta Site Ad Hoc Committee and appointed Council Members Mary Ann Pacheco and Fernando Dutra to the panel.
The meeting adjourned at 10:19 p.m.
