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Whittier council approves Parnell Park contract, EOC upgrades, tree maintenance and adopts updated CAL FIRE hazard map
Summary
At its Aug. 12 meeting the Whittier City Council approved multiple consent-calendar contracts and budget amendments — including a $19.26 million construction contract for Parnell Park and $2.24 million for tree maintenance — authorized Emergency Operations Center audio/visual upgrades, and adopted Ordinance No. 3165 updating the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map.
Whittier — The Whittier City Council on Aug. 12, 2025, approved a range of consent-calendar items that included large public-works contracts, budget amendments and equipment purchases and separately adopted an update to the local CAL FIRE hazard map.
On the consent calendar the council authorized an agreement with Western Audio Visual for replacement of audio/visual equipment in the Emergency Operations Center and related rooms for approximately $363,977 plus a 10% contingency, and adopted a budget amendment of $69,366 to fund the work. The council approved a professional services agreement for tree maintenance with West Coast Arborists, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $2,241,263.
The council also authorized contract actions for significant capital work at Parnell Park: it adopted Resolution No. 2025-36 to amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget by $18,398,754 in supplemental funds for the Parnell Park Renovation and Improvements Project and awarded the construction contract to Kasa Construction, Inc. for $19,262,782, with a 10% construction contingency of $1,926,278 and an allocation of up to $50,000 to KIZH Nation Resources Management for mitigation monitoring services.
Other approved consent items included a professional services agreement with AmeriNational Community Services for loan portfolio management (not to exceed $15,000 per year for 10 years), authorization to advertise for bids on the Janine Drive and Vicinity Rehabilitation Project (found categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15301 Class 1(c)), and acceptance of notices of completion for two water projects.
Separately, during the public hearing for the CAL FIRE Local Area Fire Hazard Severity Zone Map (released March 24, 2025), Director Ben Pongetti presented the staff report. There were no public comments, and the council determined adoption of the CAL FIRE map is exempt from environmental review under CEQA Section 15061(b)(3), authorized staff to file a Notice of Exemption and adopted Ordinance No. 3165 updating the map (motion carried unanimously).
The meeting adjourned at 11:09 p.m.; council members used the meeting to note public-safety concerns such as brush clearance on Colima Road and Turnbull Canyon and to promote upcoming community events including a concert at Parnell Park.
