1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, February 22, 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 22, 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.
At 7:03 p.m., the City Council recessed into Closed Session via Microsoft Teams, with the following in attendance: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka; Council Member Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Art Kaskanian; Council Member Paulette C.
Francis. Other City Officials and Employees present City Manager Clint Osorio and City Attorney Carmen Vasquez ; Police Chief Mike Saffell and Outside Counsel Attorney Eugene Ramirez.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION - None
2. CLOSED SESSION
2.A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Roshawn Douglas, et. al v. City of Gardena, et al.
United States District Court, Central District of California, Case No.2:21-cv-06327-
JFW-MAR
Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting to the Regular Open Session at 7:32 p.m., and the City Clerk noted the return of all Council Members, who were present at the meeting.
When City Attorney Vasquez was asked if there was any reportable action from Closed Session, she stated that Item 2.A in the matter of Roshawn Douglas vs. City of Gardena, the City recently attended a mediation where they were presented with the mediator’s proposal for $60,000 subject to Council approval the parties tentatively agreed to that settlement on the date of the mediation, tonight the Council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve that settlement in the amount of $60,000.
2 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Lauren Portis and Melefehi Tufia led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lauren and Melefehi both attend Robert E. Peary Middle School. Lauren Portis is currently the ASB President and Melefehi Tufia is currently the ASB Vice President. Both students are residents of the City of Gardena, and both possess a growth mindset, leadership, great planning, and communication skills.
4. INVOCATION
Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka led the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Special Primary Election for State Assembly 62nd District Presentation Flyer - Presented by City Clerk Mina Semenza
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH" March 2022
- was proclaimed by Mayor Cerda
7. APPOINTMENTS – No Appointments were made
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, February 8, 2022
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C Receive and File of Minutes:
Planning & Environmental Quality Commission, January 4, 2022 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.D Receive and File of Minutes:
Planning & Environmental Quality Commission, February 1, 2022 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.E Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, February 22, 2022 CONTACT: CITY TREASURER
February 22, 2022: Wire Transfer: 12128-12131; Check Nos. 166303 -166465 – for a total Warrants issued in the amount of $1,455,812.56 Total Payroll Issued for February 11, 2022: $1,646,600.76.
8.F Personnel Report P-2022-4 2-22-22
CONTACT: HUMAN RESOURCES
3 8.G RESOLUTION NO. 6561 , 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. 6561
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, MAK ING THE LEGALLY
REQUIRED FINDINGS TO REAUTHORIZE 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
8.H RESOLUTION NO. 6562, Amending the list of authorized games and authorizing the play of certain games in licensed card clubs.
CONTACT: CITY MANAGER
RESOLUTION NO. 6562
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE LIST OF
AUTHORIZED GAMES AND AUTHORIZING THE PLAY
OF CERTAIN GAMES IN LICENSED CARD CLUBS
8.I RESOLUTION NO. 6552: Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District Renewal for the Fiscal Year Commencing July 1, 2022 and Ending June 30, 2023 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
RESOLUTION NO. 6552
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, ARTESIA BOULEVARD LANDSCAPING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT RENEWAL FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1ST, 2022 AND ENDING
JUNE 30TH, 2023
8.J RESOLUTION NO. 6553: Consolidated Street Lighting District Renewal for the Fiscal Year Commencing July 1, 2022, and Ending June 30, 2023 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
RESOLUTION NO. 6553
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA CONSOLIDATED STREET LIGHTING
DISTRICT RENEWAL FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
COMMENCING JULY 1ST, 2022 AND ENDING JUNE
30TH, 2023
4 8.K Ratify Administrative Approval of the Elderly Nutrition Program Contract ENP202105 Amendment Eight
CONTACT: RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve all Items on the Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Members Henderson, Kaskanian, Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A FEBRUARY 15, 2022 MEETING
Continuation of Environmental Assessment #14- 21, Site Plan Review #5- 21, Conditional Use Permit #5-21, and Conditional Use Permit #6-21 The Planning Commission considered a request for site plan to construct a four - story residential building for 121 single room occupancy units; a conditional use permit to permit the construction of a single room occupancy (SRO) residential development in the Industrial (M -1) zone; another conditional use permit to permit the construction of two, six-tier automated parking structures; and a density bonus request to allow the density and FAR increase as the project included seven affordable, very low-income units. The project qualified for a categorical exemption from the provisions of the CEQA, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15332 for an in-fill development project.
PROJECT LOCATION: 13126 S. Western Avenue
APPLICANT: Lee Johnson, West Realty Group, Inc
Commission Action: The Planning Commission voted 5- 0-0, approving Resolution No. PC 4-22, approving Site Plan Review #5-21, Conditional Use Permit #5-21, and Conditional Use Permit #6-21.
City Council Action: Receive and File or Call for Council Review
This Item was Called for Review by Council Member Francis – Mayor Cerda seconded it. A Public Hearing was set for the March 22, 2022, Council Meeting.
10.B FEBRUARY 15, 2022 MEETING
Ordinance No. 1840
The Planning Commission considered an ordinance to add Chapter 18.74 to Title 18, Zoning, of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to reasonable accommodations.
Commission Action: The Planning Commission voted 5- 0-0, approving Resolution No. PC 5 - 22, recommending the City Council approve Ordinance No. 1840.This Ordinance is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to the common sense exemption.
5 City Council Action: No action needed, this item will come before the City Council at a future meeting.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - None
11. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES – No Items
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
12.A PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION NO. 6558, A Resolution amending the Gardena General Plan by adopting an Environmental Justice Element and an update to the Public Safety Plan and adopting amendments to the General Plan Implementation Program and direct staff to file a notice of exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061, Review for Exemption
RESOLUTION NO. 6558
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE
GARDENA GENERAL PLAN BY ADOPTING AN
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ELEMENT AND AN
UPDATE TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN AND
ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE GENERAL PLAN
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM AND DIRECTS STAFF
TO FILE A NOTICE OF EXEMPTION PURSUANT TO
CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061, REVIEW FOR
EXEMPTION
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Senior Planner Amanda Acuna and Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi were available for any questions.
DeNovo Senior Planner Kelly Hickler gave the PowerPoint presentation and was available for any questions.
Mayor Cerda opened the Public Hearing at 7:48 p.m . and asked if there were any comments from the public.
There was a discussion that included our Mayor and some of our Council Members. Some of the items discussed were: that if the survey conducted determined that the north side of Gardena needs a market; there is no vacant land to accommodate the market; opportunities to demolition, reconstruction and refurbishment certain areas and properties; opportunities for developers to reimagine areas in the city; mentioned of hazardous waste sites and the former Brownsfields sites; in favor of the Environmental Justice Committee; recommendation to create an electronic dashboard to track the progress in real time; explanation of low rent income in order to create more affordable housing but at the same time not be over reliant on affordable housing; one particular census tract that is not labeled a disadvantaged community – how is it possible when were all in the same six square miles and what is unique about that tract; i nformation provided regarding the Housing Element household size and disadvantaged community map; restated that what was once considered to be a disadvantaged community it is not solely based on income 6 and that the income levels have changed with the addition of the air quality element and living within a half mile of a hazardous site; concerns regarding the information shown on the Hazardous Material and Toxic Sites M ap; what is the difference between chain markets versus independent markets. Assistant City Attorney Lisa Kranitz , Senior Planner Amanda Acuna, and DeNovo Senior Planner Kelly Hickler responded to all the Council’s questions.
No Public Speakers
There was no further comment, Mayor Cerda closed the Public Hearing at 8:43 p.m.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6558:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson and Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Kaskanian, Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
13.A COVID-19 Update
City Manager Osorio presented the update.
Mayor Cerda stated that she is pleased to see that the numbers are starting to go down.
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – POLICE
14.A Execution of One-Year Agreement with JL Group, LLC for Background Investigation Services Not to Exceed $77,000
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Council Member Francis asked for confirmation if this is an extension of an agreement that was already in place or is it new. City Manager Osorio confirm that the information was correct and explained the contract terms and conditions.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, seconded by Council Member Francis, and carried by the following roll call vote to Authorize and Execute Contract:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Members Fr ancis, Henderson, Kaskanian, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS – No Items
7 16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – No Items
18. COUNCIL ITEMS
19. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Francis
1. Stated that the project at El Segundo and Crenshaw Blvd. has been clean but there is a lot of graffiti on the walls, two large trash containers and a trailer. She asked, if possible, when they approve a project that we request that the developer maintain t he property.
Assistant City Attorney Lisa Kranitz responded that they’ll go through the contract conditions and make sure that the language is included in all future projects and in the meantime the city will reach out to the developers.
Mayor Cerda asked and wanted confirmation that when a developer or individual assumes a property, they’re the new owner and are responsible to maintain the property.
Assistant City Attorney Lisa Kranitz confirmed that the information was correct.
2. Asked if there’s a quicker turnaround time to disclose permit ted or non- permitted construction work and process any permits and plans that may be required when a property is being sold and trying to close escrow.
Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi explained what the city requirements are when a property is being sold and the permit process for unpermitted construction.
Mayor Cerda recommended that Council Member Francis speak to City Manager Osorio and Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi directly so they can get a better understanding of the directive.
Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
1. Asked if we can look at what is going on with the two railroad tracks on Western and Normandie and possibly alleviate any issues, because he has received complaints regarding the railroad tracks that run from Crenshaw Lumber through Normandie, the tracks are lower than the street which causes issues when driving by. Seconded by Council Member Henderson.
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 the removal of the term “alien” from city agreements. City attorney report on the memo that her office has reviewed all city templates on agreements and removed any references to the term alien.
8 2. Memo regarding a question on an initiative number 21-004281 which is the Taxpayer Protection and Government Ac countability Act. The Act would amend the California Constitution to restrict the ability of the state counties and cities and the electorate to approve or collect taxes fees and other revenues.
3. Memo regarding the explanation of the Comm unity Development Department response and Plan of Action for the continued maintenance of a property located at 12850 Crenshaw Blvd.
4. Video presentation highlighting the Recreation and Human Services Department current and future events:
• Free Shredding Event for Gardena Residents, Saturday, February 19, 2022. • Co-ed Youth Basketball Outdoor Skills & Drills Clinics : Freeman Park on Sunday February 20, 2022, and Mas Fukai Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022. • Free COVID -19 Vaccinations Mobile Clinic, Thursday, February 24, 2022, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the City Hall Complex.
• 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.
• Afternoon in the Park Celebrating Black History Month at Rowley Park, 13220 S. Van Ness Ave., Gardena.
• Paint in the Park, Friday, March 4, 2022, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Johnson Park and Thursday, March 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at Rowley Park. • Spring Camp, April 11 – 15, 2022, Camp locations: Freem an and Johnson Park.
• State of the City 2022, Thursday, March 3, 2022, at City Hall Lawn. For additional information please call (310)217- 9507 or visit [email protected].
• Casino Night, Friday, March 11, 2022, 4:00p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at City Hall Lawn. • March Madness Youth Competition, Sunday, March 20, 2022 , at Mas Fukai Park.
• Birthday wishes to Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi.
21. COUNCIL REMARKS
1. MAYOR PRO TEM TANAKA - Since the last meeting he attended the shredding event and lastly asked everyone to think of Officer Vela who lost his life being as being a helicopter observer is not an easy job. Mayor Pro Tem sent his condolences to him, his family, and the Huntington Beach Police Department.
2. COUNCIL MEMBER KASKANIAN – Had no report, only congratulated Greg T. for his birthday.
3. COUNCIL MEMBER HENDERSON – Thanked the Gardena Police Department for providing service to a family in need. Since the last meeting he attended the Count of LA homeless panel, District 2 meeting, Metro South Bay Vermont Corridor update meeting, shredding event, and the Board of Realtors event. Lastly, wished everyone a Happy Valentines Day.
9 4. MAYOR CERDA – Since the last meeting, she attended her board meetings for the LA County Sanitation, and CCGA. Mayor Cerda discussed she will start talking more about the new initiative that will be on the ballot and would like everyone to be informed about the benefits to the State of California. She also shared she tried out a new restaurant CM chicken and commented they have the most amazing chicken.
Encouraged everyone to try out the place. She also attended the paper shredding event and encouraged everyone to keep using the Gardena Direct application to report graffiti, furniture, and illegal dumping. Lastly, mentioned residents are leaving their trash cans in front of their homes and reminded everyone that trash cans are to be put out 24 hours before trash pickup day and to be put away within 24 hours.
5. COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since the last meeting Council meeting, she attended the Los Angeles Vector Control meeting, and Homeless Count training. She mentioned she will be participating on the Homeless Count night. She also wanted to make sure everyone participates in the Dr. Martin Luther King Commemorative Parade on Saturday, February 26, 2022. The parade will be combined with Afternoon in the Park Celebrating Black History event. She also shared the grand marshals will be the Serra High School 2021 CIF Champions, there will also be a battle of the band’s competition and a drum line competition after the parade. Lastly, urged everyone that lives north of Rosecrans Ave. to come out and vote on April 5, 2022, at Rowley Park.
22. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
Mayor Cerda announced:
1. Support Services Program for Seniors. City Staff and volunteers will assist Gardena seniors who are age 60+ with the following services: light housekeeping; transportation to appointments; grocery shopping; medication pick -up; program application and paperwork. For further information please contact the Senior Bureau Office at (310)217- 9552.
23. REMEMBRANCES
Teresa Loan Nguyen; 92 years of age, beloved aunt of Program Coordinator Hong Lee in the Public Works Department; William Tillis , who worked for the City of Gardena's Recreation Department in the 1970s.