1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, February 8, 2022
In order to minimize the spread of the COVID 19 virus, Governor Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 361. Please be advised that the Council Chambers are closed to the public and that some, or all, of the Gardena City Council Members may attend this meeting telephonically.
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California, was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, Mayor Tasha Cerda presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka; Council Member Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Art Kaskanian; and Council Member Paulette C. Francis; Other City Officials and Employees present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; and City Clerk Mina Semenza.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION - None
2. CLOSED SESSION - None
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Aiden Sekine and Damian Consencion led the Pledge of Allegiance. Aiden and Damian both attend Denker Elementary School. Aiden is the school site Council President and Dami an is the school site Council Vice President.
4. INVOCATION
Presented by Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Certificate of Special Recognition to Junipero Serra High School Football Team, 2021 CIF Division 3 Champions and 2021 CIF State Division 1 Champions - Scott Allenberg, Head Coach and Richard Jenkins, Athletic Director for Serra High School came into the meeting and accepted recognition.
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A "BLACK HISTORY MONTH," February 2022 - was proclaimed by Mayor Cerda
7. APPOINTMENTS
7.A Council Appointments to Commissions, Committees, Councils and Boards (Appointees to be Ratified and Sworn In)
Planning and Environmental Quality Commission - Kale Eaton - was Appointed by Council Member Kaskanian
2 It was moved by Council Member Kaskanian, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Appoint Kale Eaton to the Planning and Environmental Quality Commision:
Ayes: Council Member Kaskanian, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Henderson and Francis and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A Waiver of Reading in Full of All Ordinances Listed on This Agenda and that they Be Read by Title Only
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.B Approve Minutes:
Regular Meeting of the City Council, January 25, 2022
Special Meeting of the City Council, January 26, 2022
Special Meeting/Workshop of the City Council and Planning Commission, January 27, 2022 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C Receive and File of Minutes:
Planning & Environmental Quality Commission, October 19, 2021 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.D Receive and File of Minutes:
Planning & Environmental Quality Commission, December 7, 2021 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.E Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, February 8, 2022 CONTACT: CITY TREASURER
February 8, 2022: Wire Transfer: 12121-12127; Prepay: 166139-166143; Check Nos. 166144 -166302 – for a total Warrants issued in the amount of $3,014,368.69 Total Payroll Issued for January 28, 2022: $1,921,189.13.
8.F Personnel Report P-2022-3 2-08-22
CONTACT: HUMAN RESOURCES
8.G RESOLUTION NO. 6559, Reaffirming Proclamation and Resolution No. 6441, which declared the Existence of a Local Emergency
CONTACT: CITY MANAGER
RESOLUTION NO. 6559
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, REAFFIRMING
PROCLAMATION AND RESOLUTION 6441 WHICH
DECLARED THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL
EMERGENCY
3 8.H RESOLUTION NO. 6560, Making the legally required findings to Re-Authorize the use of Teleconferencing in accordance with Assembly Bill 361 for meetings of the Gardena City Council and other Commissions, Committees and Boards subject to State open meeting laws.
CONTACT: CITY MANAGER
RESOLUTION NO. 6560
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, MAKING THE LEGALLY
REQUIRED FINDINGS TO RE-AUTHORIZE THE USE OF
TELECONFERENCING IN ACCORDANCE WITH
ASSEMBLY BILL 361 FOR MEETINGS OF THE
GARDENA CITY COUNCIL AND OTHER COMMISSIONS,
COMMITTEES AND BO ARDS SUBJECT TO STATE
OPEN MEETING LAWS
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Kaskanian, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve all Items on the Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Council Members Henderson and Kaskanian, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A FEBRUARY 1, 2022 MEETING
Continuation of Environmental #14 -21, Assessment Site Plan Review #5 -21, Conditional Use Permit #5-21, and Conditional Use Permit #6-21 This item was continued to the February 15, 2022, Planning Commission meeting
10.B FEBRUARY 1, 2022 MEETING
Site Plan Review #4-21
The Planning Commission considered a request for site plan approval to construction of a new 3,720 square -foot multi-tenant commercial building with a drive -thru in the Commercial (C-2) and Mixed -Use Overlay (MUO) zones that qualified for a categorical exemption from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to Guidelines Section 15303(c), New Construction of Small Structures.
Commission Action: The Planning Commission voted 4-0-0, approving Resolution No.
PC 2-22, approving Site Plan Review #4-21.
This Item was Called for Review by Council Member Francis - Council Member Henderson seconded it. A Public Hearing was set for the March 8, 2022, Council Meeting.
4 10.C FEBRUARY 1, 2022 MEETING
City of Gardena - Public Safety Plan & Environmental Justice Element The Planning Commission considered amendments to the general plan updating the Public Safety Plan, an Environmental Justice Element, and changes to the Implementation Program. The Commission considered the draft policy documents and made a recommendation to the Gardena City Council. The amendments to the City's General Plan is exempt from CEQA.
Commission Action: The Planning Commission voted 4 -0-0, approving Resolution No. PC 3 -22, recommending that the City Council approve amendments to the Gardena General Plan by adopting an Environmental Justice element and an update to the Public Safety Plan and adopting amen dments to the General Plan Implementation Plan.
City Council Action: No action needed. This item will come before the City Council on the February 22, 2022 meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None
11. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES – No Items
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – No Items
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
13.A COVID-19 Update
City Manager Osorio presented the update.
Mayor Cerda asked if the number of COVID cases within the last 30 days are accurate and do we have people contact the City and asked how to obtain vaccinations or booster shots and if so, do we have the information available for them. City Manager Osorio confirmed that the trend is going down and hopefully it starts to decrease e specially in the next few weeks.
He also confirmed that when calls or inquiries are received, they are directed to the appropriate agencies that handle vaccinations.
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – POLICE – No Items
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
15.A RESOLUTION NO. 6551 , A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gardena, California, authorizing submittal of application(s) for all CalRecycle Grants for which the City of Gardena is eligible
RESOLUTION NO. 6551
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING
SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATION(S) FOR ALL
CALRECYCLE GRANTS FOR WHICH THE CITY OF
GARDENA IS ELIGIBLE
5 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
There was a discussion that included our Mayor and some of our Council Members.
Some of the items discussed were: hiring a consultant and how many hours will they need to help us with the grant, and what will we do to be compliant with SB 1383; if we don’t meet our recycle requirements how it will imp act us; what about the people that go through our trash; if our trash hauler will do some of the services that are being requested; if it includes business and restaurants as well; will we be able to educate our residents. City Manager Osorio and City Attorney Vasquez responded to all the Council’s questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Kaskanian, and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6551:
Ayes: Council Member Francis and Kaskanian , Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , Council Member Henderson, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
15.B Award Professional Services Contract for the Sewer Master Plan Project, JN 990, to Carollo Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $598,000.
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Inge Wiersema, Vice President, National One Water Director & Water Resources Practice Lead of Carollo Engineering presented a PowerPoint presentation.
There was a discussion that included our Mayor and Council Members. Some of the items discussed were: what is a smart manhole cover and how happy they were to receive a manual; it was asked if the term ”Alien” in item 22 of the Consultant Agreement could be changed; the Consultant was confirmed that the work will cost $598,000 for 5 years of work and was asked if they are taking into consideration that in 10 years there will be 3,000 more households in the City; she was also asked if she would recommend making all of our manholes smart; City Manager Osorio, City Attorney Vasquez Public Works Director Riggs, and Consultant Wiersema, responded to all of the Council’s questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Professional Services Contract:
Ayes: Council Member Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Henderson and Kaskanian, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
6 15.C Award Construction Contract for the Police Station Sewer Pump Replacement Project, JN511, to OC Pump Company, in the Amount of $80,243.82 and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
There was a discussion that included our Mayor and Council Memb ers. Some of the items discussed were: how strict are we sticking to our maintenance plans; how the sewer in our Police Department’s building has always been bad, and how happy they are that it is finally getting fixed; the difference in bids fearing that since we picked the lowest that our service may not be good. City Manager Osorio and Public Works Director Riggs responded to all the Council’s questions.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Award Construction Contract and Declare CEQA Exemption:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Henderson, Kaskanian and Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
15.D Gardena Public Geographic Information System (GIS) Viewer
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Allen Rigg, Director of Public Works presented a PowerPoint presentation and was available for any questions.
There was a discussion that included our Mayor and Council Members. Some of the items discussed were: how about 10 years ago there was a system similar to this one; how the SBCCOG is reaching out to use the same line and how it’s our intent to use their service; did we only have 80 miles of work in our last contract and how often should we be checking our sewers; how old are some of our sewers; how this plan will help for the right type of investment; if a new development was being put in, do we look that it might cause overcapacity; what fund supports our sewer fund and do we share any of our sewers with the County; who is going to be responsible if there is a problem; could we put a tutorial on our website; how does it show the different pipes; that data is not public; is it possible to add crime statistics to this system. City Manager Osorio and Public Work’s Director Riggs responded to all the Council’s questions.
Received and Filed
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – No Items
18. COUNCIL ITEMS – No Items
7 19. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Kaskanian
1. Asked about the development on the southeast corner of Western and Marine; Council Member Henderson seconded it;
Council Member Henderson
1. If we could do some research and create a resolution to oppose Initiative 21- 0042A1 which has to do with business taxes and controlling tax revenues.
2. What are the parameters that prevent or allow us to create 20 hours of internship work for professional services.
Council Member Francis
1. Can I please find out who is responsible for maintaining the property located at El Segundo and Crenshaw, a project we approved almost a year ago. Mayor Cerda seconded it.
20. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
City Manager Osorio gave a verbal report of information to follow -up on matters that had been directed or requested by the Mayor and Members of Council. Those items were, as follows:
1. Memo regarding options available to make financial transparency for the public and make it feasible.
2. Memo regarding recommendations for the removal of a red curb along Western Ave.
3. Free Shredding Event, taking place at City Hall Complex on Saturday, February 19, 2022; 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., maximum of 2 boxes per household (15x10x24 in).
Proof of residency required.
4. Gardena Homeless Count 2022, taking place o n Wednesday, February 23, 2022; 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., at Juvenile Justice & Intervention Program 16206 S.
Western Ave., Suite E. For further information visit www.theycountwillyou.org.
5. 39th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. at Serra High School & ends at Rowley Park. This year’s Community Grand Marshals – Dr. Rachel Johnson and Mr. Philip Johnson. Also, Afternoon in the Park Celebrating Black History Month at Rowley Park, 13220 S. Van Ness Ave., Gardena.
21. COUNCIL REMARKS
1. COUNCIL MEMBER KASKANIAN – Since the last meeting Council Member Kaskanian presented a trophy to Cherrystone and congratulated Leonard Kim and his wife on the award. Lastly, shared “GO RAMS” and asked everyone to drink responsibly.
8 2. COUNCIL MEMBER HENDERSON – Since the last meeting Council Member Henderson attended the Special Council Session Housing Element, Environmental Justice Element, LA BIZFED Meeting, LA County Sustainability workshop, S CAG meeting and South Bay Fiber network meeting through the COG, spoke with Senator Ben Allen and his staff looking to what Gardena wants to hilight . Lastly, shared his point of view in the Environmental Justice Element.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since the last meeting Council Member Francis attended a special award presentation on January 29th for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee Essay contest winners. Council Member Francis shared scholarships awards were presented to Elementary, Middle and High School students. Also, Council Member Francis was a judge for the Gardena Lions Speech contest. Encourage everyone to come out and support the Martin Luther King Jr.
Commitment Parade and Black History Month Celebration. Council Member Francis shared the grand marshal will be the CIF and State Champions Serra High School football team and Rachel and Phillip Johnson will be the Community Grand Marshals. The celebration wil l be in conjunction with the Black History Month Celebration Afternoon in the Park, there will also be a Battle of the Bands and Battle of drum line. Lastly, asked everyone to look at some information about the achievement of African Americans to the Unite d States and wished everyone a happy Valentine’s Day. Wished everyone a safe super bowl and don’t drink and drive.
4. MAYOR CERDA – Since the last meeting Mayor Cerda gave Cherrystone their championship banner and shared, they did an amazing job and encouraged everyone to try their famous chili. Also attended the City Hall Housing Element meeting and Environmental Justice meeting by zoom and thanked everyone who did the presentation. Mayor Cerda gave a special thank you to the guys at Public Works for fixing the manhole on 139th street in front of the property at 2121. Lastly, shared “Go Rams!” and encouraged everyone that is attending the game to ride line 7x and it’s only $4.00.
5. MAYOR PRO TEM TANAKA – Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka shared Super Bowl seats are starting at $3,500.00 and parking is $800.00, also CAL Trans is also charging $5.00 to park. Also spoke about the homeless count and asked everyone to register.
Since the last meeting he attended the Housing Element and couldn’t attend the Environmental Justice meeting due to prior meetings. He also presented a banner to Cherrystone for winning, attended the COG’s Legislative Committe e and South Bay Housing Trust and will be meeting with Senator Allan next week.
22. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
Mayor Cerda stated that all announcements have been made.
I
I
23. REMEMBRANCES
Mrs. Gloria Elaine Cooper, 85 years of age, beloved sister of WRG Municipal Affairs Manager, Bevan Thomas , she was born on March 7, 1936, in Clarendon Jamaica and transitioned on Saturday, January 29, 2022.
24. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:49 p.m., Mayor Cerda adjourned the Gardena City Council Meeting to the Closed Session portion of the City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m., and the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022.
MINA SEMENZA
City Clerk of the City of Gardena and
Ex-officio Clerk of the Counci l
APPROVED:
~ ~
Tasha Cerda, Mayor
By: ~~
Becky Romero, Deputy City Clerk
9