1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California, was called to order at 7:0 6 PM on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162 nd Street, Gardena, California, Mayor Pro Tem Mark E.
Henderson, presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka; Council Member Paulette C. Francis; and Council Member Wanda Love; Other City Officials and Employees present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; City Clerk Mina Semenza; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero. It was noted for the record that Mayor Cerda was running late but was on her way.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
2. CLOSED SESSION
2.A. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54956.8
Property: 1112 W. Gardena Blvd., Gardena, CA 90247; APN: 6111-004-032, 6111- 004-033
Agency Negotiator: Clint Osorio, City Manager and Greg S. Tsujiuchi, Director of Community Development
Negotiating Parties: Shar P & J Family Trust represented by Darryll Hamilton, Thompson Team Real Estate
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting to the Regular Open Session at 7:58 p.m., and the City Clerk noted the return of all Council Members, who were present at the meeting, including Mayor Cerda. When City Attorney Vasquez was asked if there was any reportable action from Closed Session, she stated that staff was provided with direction, but no reportable action was taken.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Amarachi Sunday led the Pledge of Allegiance. Amarachi is 5 years old and attends Gardena Early Education Center. She excels in Reading, Math and Writing. She enjoys playing with her peers, listening to and reading stories on her own. Make sure to lookout for the year 2044 to see Amarachi as the future Mayor of Gardena! Amarachi introduced her Principal Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Blackman, her Father and Mr. G.
4. INVOCATION
Deacon Rodney Blackburn, of New Direction Community Church, led the Invocation.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 2 5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Gardena Military Veteran Recognition to Honor George Thomas Graham, who served in the U.S. Air Force. He was chosen at the recommendation of Councilmember Tanaka – Mayor Cerda read Veteran George Thomas Graham’s bio, Council Member Tanaka presented him with a Veteran coin, and appropriate photos were taken.
5.B Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena:
(a) Peter Graffeo, Police Officer - 21 years (Gardena Police Department) – Mr. Graffeo was not present to accept his Certificate of Commendation; Chief Mike Saffell spoke on his behalf.
5.C Certificate of Recognition to the Gardena Youth Cheer Program - 2024 California State Championships and 2024 National State Championships – was accepted by members of the Gardena Youth Cheer Program.
5.D Boards & Commissions Presentation - Rent Mediation Board – an update was given by Board Member Florence Bagsby.
5.E Gardena Events Video Presentation - the video presentation highlighted the Recreation and Human Services Department's current and future events.
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A "Fair Housing Month," April 2024 – was accepted by Christina Prado, Outreach Coordinator for the Fair Housing Foundation
6.B "DMV / DONATE LIFE MONTH," April 2024 – was accepted by Cathy Mora
7. APPOINTMENTS
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, March 12, 2024
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, March 26, 2024 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
March 26, 2024: Wire Transfer: 126 59-12672; Prepay: 17 5420-175423; Check Numbers: 175424 -175584 for a total Warrants issued in the amount of $13,262,080.64; Total Payroll Issued for March 22, 2024: $2,550,138.83
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 3 8.D Monthly Investment Portfolio, February 2024
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.E Personnel Report P-2024-5 3-26-24
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.F Annual Housing Element Progress Report 2023, of the 6th Cycle 2021-2029 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.G SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1866, Amend GMC to implement programs set forth in City's 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 1866
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING TITLE 2, TITLE 14,
AND TITLE 18 OF THE GARDENA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO CHANGES REQUIRED BY 6TH CYCLE
2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS FOR
HOUSING REPLACEMENT, EMERGENCY SHELTERS,
AND EMPLOYEE HOUSING AND CHANGES REQUIRED
BY STATE LAW AND FINDING THE ADOPTION TO BE
EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES
SECTION 15061(B)(3)
8.H Approve Amendment to the Agreement between the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the City of Gardena for the Transit Access Pass (TAP) Program
CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Items 8.F and 8.G:
Ayes: Council Member Francis , Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Tanaka and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
8.F. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - Annual Housing Element Progress Report 2023, of the 6th Cycle 2021-2029 – Item pulled by Council Member Francis
CM Francis questioned the number of homes that received help with the Handy Worker Program; and asked if it is difficult to qualify for the program; she also asked about the Residential Rebate program; the status of homeownership opportunities , and if it had to do with downpayments (she went on to say that this was for the next item);
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 4 Community Development Manager Amanda Acuna and Director of Community Development Greg Tsujiuchi explained the program and answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Love, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Item 8.F:
Ayes: Council Member s Francis and Love, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
8.G. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1866, Amend GMC to implement programs set forth in City's 6th Cycle 2021-2029 Housing Element – Item pulled by Council Member Francis
CM Francis questioned the housing choice vouchers; she then asked how affordable housing is determined, and asked about density bonus and if we would end up with fewer low-income housing projects, and then she also asked for confirmation of use by right language.
Community Development Manager Acuna and Director of Community Development Tsujiuchi explained the ordinance and answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Love , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Item 8.G:
Ayes: Council Members Love, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Tanaka and Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A MARCH 19, 2024 MEETING
Environmental Impact Report (Environmental Assessment #20-21); General Plan Amendment #3 -21; Zone Change #4-21; Zone Text Amendment #6-21; Specific Plan #1-21; Site Plan Review #11 -21; Vesting Tentative Map #4- 21; Development Agreement #2-21, and Affordable Housing Agreement.
The Planning Commission considered the recommendation to the City Council for the request to approve a Specific Plan (SP #1-21) that provides for development of approximately 5.3- acres for up to 403 residential dwelling units. The project proposed to remove all existing onsite structures and, in their place, construct 328 apartment units in a seven- story apartment building and 75 three- story townhome units within ten buildings. The applicant’s request included a General Plan Amendment, Zone Change, Zone Text Amendment, Site Plan Review, Vesting Tentative Tract Map, a Development Agreement and an Affordable Housing Agreement to guarantee the affordability of the 20 lower income units for a period of 55 years. As part of the project, the Planning Commission was asked to consider the Zoning Map and General Plan Land Use map amendments of two separate parcels, immediately adjacent to the project site, to correspond to the existing land uses within each parcel.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 5 The Planning Commission was also asked to make a separate recommendation on certification of an Environmental Impact Report that was prepared by the City.
Project Location: 16829, 16835, 16907, and 16911 S. Normandie Avenue
(APN:6106-030-011, 015, 016, and 017) Other Project Locations: 16964 Brighton Avenue (APN: 6106-030-008) and unaddressed Union Pacific Railroad parcel (APN: 6106-030-800)
Project Applicant: Fred Shaffer and Steve Ludwig – 16911 Normandie Associates, LLC
Commission Action: The Planning Commission directed staff to bring forth a Resolution recommending the City Council certify the Final Environmental Impact Report as it complied with CEQA, a Resolution recommending the City Council approve General Plan Amendment #3-21, to redesignate the project area to Specific Plan, and the adjacent parcels to land use to designations that correspond to their existing uses and a Resolution recommending the City Council deny the requested Zone Change, Zone Text Amendment, Site Plan Review, Vesting Tentative Tract Map, a Development Agreement, and Affordable Housing Agreement. These resolutions will be brought back to the Planning Commission on April 2, 2024.
City Council Action: No action is needed. This item will be brought forth to the City Council at a future City Council meeting.
This Item Required No Action by the City Council.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Andrea Simenthal, Community Library Manager of the Mayme Dear Library; she came to announce library events for the Gardena Mayme and Masao W. Sato Libraries.
2) Carlos Marquez, resident; brought forth a complaint regarding the Gardena Police Department.
3) Jordan Girms, came out to address the City Council regarding short term rentals.
11.A PUBLIC COMMENT
1) City Clerk Semenza noted for the record that two (2) emails were received. She stated that the emails were received, distributed and made part of the record.
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES – No Items
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – No Items
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES – No Items
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
15.A Approve Agreement Among South Bay Cities for the Joint Use of a Surveillance Sky Tower and Tow Vehicle Obtained Using 2020 State Homeland Security Grant Program Fund.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 6 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
There was a presentation by Chief Mike Saffell.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
Questions and comments were made by Council Francis, who asked about which account this money would be coming from; Mayor Cerda, who asked if we use the tower more than any of the shared cities, would we have to pay more , M ayor Pro Tem Henderson , who asked if there was a conflict with the dates; Council Member Tanaka, who asked if it was a cost efficiency to get onboard because we are sharing with other cities and Council Member Love, who asked what are some of the events that this device will be used at; and if there is any event that is more urgent, what happens then.
Chief Saffell answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Love, seconded by Council Member Francis, and carried by the following roll call vote to Authorize and Execute Contract:
Ayes: Council Member s Love and Francis , Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
16.A RESOLUTION NO. 6653, Approving the Engineer's Report for the Gardena Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District for fiscal year 2024-2025, declaring its intention to levy and collect assessments under the Gardena Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District for fiscal year 2024- 2025, and setting a time and place for hearing protests in relation thereto (Public Hearing: April 23, 2024)
RESOLUTION NO 6653
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S
REPORT FOR THE GARDENA ARTESIA BOULEVARD
LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2024 -2025, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE GARDENA
ARTESIA BOULEVARD LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 -2025, AND SETTING A
TIME AND PLACE FOR HEARING PROTESTS IN RELATION
THERETO (PUBLIC HEARING: APRIL 23, 2024)
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 7 It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Love, and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6653:
Ayes: Council Members Francis and Love, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
16.B RESOLUTION NO. 6654 , Approving the Engineer's Report for the Gardena Consolidated Street Lighting Assessment District for fiscal year 2024-2025, declaring its intention to levy and collect assessments under the Gardena Consolidated Street Lighting District for fiscal year 20 24 -2025, and setting a time and place for hearing protests in relation thereto (Public Hearing: April 23, 2024)
RESOLUTION NO. 6654
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S
REPORT FOR THE GARDENA CONSOLIDATED STREET
LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2024-2025, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND
COLLECT ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE GARDENA
CONSOLIDATED STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2024 -2025, AND SETTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR
HEARING PROTESTS IN RELATION THERETO (PUBLIC
HEARING: APRIL 23, 2024)
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Francis, and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6654:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, Tanaka and Love and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
16.C Award Professional Engineering Design Services contract for the Local Street Improvements Fiscal Years 2023-2024 Project, JN 525, to DMS Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $139,730
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 8 Questions and comments made by Council Member Francis, who asked if this was for citywide streets or for just a particular zone and Mayor Cerda, who asked if we were going out of the Gardena area (it showed all the way to Ainsworth) as part of the design phase.
City Manager Osorio and Principal Engineer and Assistant Public Works Director Kevin Kwak answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Award Professional Engineering Design Services Contract:
Ayes: Council Members Francis and Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka and Love and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
17.A Award Planning Services for the Vacant and Underutilized Lot Inventory in the City of Gardena to KTUA, Inc. in the amount of $165,425
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
There was a Presentation made by Joe Punsalan of KTUA.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
Questions and comments made by Mayor Cerda, who asked if we are looking more at parkettes; and if you find a lot, will you reach out to the owner; in the past have you ever taken property over by domain; what other cities are you working with; and do you look at existing property to consider first . Council Member F rancis, who asked about the Park’s Master Plan and how it will be incorporated into this plan; and how do you define under-utilized lots; she then asked for confirmation that you are looking at three possible parks. Council Member Love, who asked if this is for a new property; if you identify the three locations then the City would have to purchase them; she then asked about the properties that we already own that we already have plans for them; Director Stephany Santin said these parks or green space would be in addition to what we already have planned.
Mr Punsalan and Director Santin answered all of Council’s questions
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, seconded by Mayor Cerda , and carried by the following roll call vote to Award Contract to KTUA, Inc.:
Ayes: Council Member Tanaka and Mayor Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Francis and Love
Noes: None
Absent: None
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 9 18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – No Items
19. COUNCIL ITEMS – No Items
20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Mayor Pro Tem Henderson
1) Status Report on our Digital Equity Initiative and reminder of completed projects (WiFi) – Council Member Francis seconded it.
Purpose – To continue to address our digital divide concerns.
Reason – To update the community.
Benefit – To continue our efforts to becoming a smart city and tech infrastructure upgrade.
Council Member Francis
1) To draft and adopt a Resolution in support of Enduring Ceasefire in Gaza – Mayor Pro Tem Henderson seconded it.
Purpose – To support the position of a Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas should occur.
Reason – W e are global citizens and it’s important that we should be concerned about what goes on globally that could impact us.
Benefit – I t would raise the quality of life, not only on a local level, but standing for peace globally.
Council Member Love
1) To consider showing the Planning Commission meetings live on YouTube and/or Spectrum -
Council Member Francis seconded it.
Purpose – To give our residents the ability to stay informed.
Reason – Transparency.
Benefit – Have a recorded record of previous meetings for review at a later date.
21. 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) At our March 12 , 2024, Council Meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson made a directive regarding financial impact analysis in providing crossing guard support to all Gardena schools; the analysis is complete, and the report has been distributed to the City Council.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 10 22. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) COUNCIL M EMBER FRANCIS – Since our last C ouncil meeting, she attended the Beautification Commission meeting, of which she’s the chairperson, one of the things that came out of that meeting was Officer Marisol Baza n reported that for the month of February, through Gardena Direct, there were submissions for 143 graffiti removals and 143 graffiti was removed, for illegal dumping there were 119 submissions and 119 were completed. She wanted to thank Officer B azan for attending their meetings and also Public Works for the outstanding job they’re doing to keep Gardena beautiful and also everyone for the submissions being made through Gardena Direct. She advised everyone on how you can download the Gardena Direct App on your phone and use it to report illegal dumping and graffiti. She further remarked that it takes all of us working together to keep our city clean and beautiful. She attended and is the trustee for the Los Angeles County Vector Control District meeting and they discussed various methods that they’re going to be utilizing to keep the mosquito population down with all the rain we’ve had. She also attended the State of the City for Gardena and remarked that our city is doing quite well, as well as the Inglewood Town Hall hosted by Gloria Gray, Councilwoman for the City of Inglewood, and also the Gardena Valley Democratic Club general meeting. She said we hear her say over and over that there’s a lot of crazy things going on in our world, but keep the faith and just know that better days are coming.
2) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA – Since the last Council meeting he met with Andrea Rojas of the Youth Institute regarding the group’s tobacco concerns related to youth and they are going to continue meeting regarding that issue. He attended the RCC board meeting, of which he is the chair of the board, and they discussed their upcoming budget.
He attended Coffee with a Cop at Ladybug Restaurant, said it was a good turnout and gave a thank you to Pablo who sponsored and supported that one. He attended the State of the City event presented by our Mayor and commented that our mayor’s great display of what her leadership for this team has done to continue our city moving forward and making sure that we’re always looking out for our community and our citizens and he particularly liked how she named us the Emerald City. He attended the Senior Citizen Bureau charity casino night. He thanked Director Stephany Santin and her staff for putting that on and said he thought it was one of the better casino nights they’ve had. It was well attended and they raised a lot of money for our seniors. Speaking of our seniors, Director Stephany Santin and her staff represented the city at the COG’s Senior Services meeting, where they showcased the programs that we put on for our seniors and h e believes they were totally impressed with what we do and how we do. He said this is Holy Week and however you celebrate this event, he just wishes you all to have a blessed week Monday through Good Friday and Easter and blessings to all.
3) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE – Since our last Council meeting she attended the amazing Koi Show where she saw all of the gorgeous, bright, vibrant fish that were out there for sale and for show. She commented that it’s always interested to learn about them and all their different names and how they identify them. She also attended Coffee with a Cop that did have an amazing turnout. She met some great people and had some great conversations. She attended the State of the City address and also, with Councilwoman Francis, the Inglewood Town Hall put on by C ouncilwoman Gloria Gray and Congresswoman Maxine Waters and also the LA County Bizfed Bizzi Awards which she said is a pretty amazing organization to be a part of and is a serious powerhouse that does a lot of advocacy in Sacramento, even with the Governor, to make sure that good policy is pushed and put forward and they try to shut down the bad policies. On that note, DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 11 like her colleague said, this is Holy Week and regardless of how you celebrate it she just wishes everybody a Happy Resurrection Sunday.
4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last C ouncil meeting she attended the 40th Annual Koi Show. It’s an annual thing that she’s been doing for many, many years now, not only their Koi Show but also their banquet that they have, in which they had a lot of great prizes. One of the things most people may not know is that they actually have judges that come all the way from Japan and this is one of the largest shows that is held internationally. People were really enthused about it and it’s great to be able to give these awards out to them for having some really amazing koi fish. On that same day, she got a chance to see one of her commissioners LaWanda Staten’s book signing that she had.
She said a lot of people in our city are doing some really great, amazing things and she’s just really proud of our residents and our community people just for all the great things they do. She was happy as her appointee to be able to support her commissioner on her book signing. She also attended a community meeting that was led by Dave Matthews, a community organizer that works east of Vermont, an amazing person who is able to get a lot of different organizations together and is very instrumental in helping us keep criminal incidents from happening in our city working with our Police Department and now Gtrans by just helping out our drivers in regards to homeless people trying to get on our buses and things of that sort. The entire Nakaoka room was packed in there with residents from the east of Vermont that came out to Gardena, and she was happy we were able to host and help out a lot of different agencies that were out there within LA County. They were very impressed with Gardena, they loved the way we police our city and all that we had to share with them as far as things they can do to better the situations that are going on in the unincorporated side. She’s proud of our city and some of the things that we’ve put in place and it’s unfortunate that they’re going through some of the situations they’re going through with all of the RVs, the homelessness and how a lot of that is being neglected. Sharing what they can do as an organized group and some of our experiences here and how we’ve tried to keep from having some of those same issues. Also, she attended her monthly CCGA meeting, her sanitation meeting and State of the City and she wanted to thank everyone for coming out. It was really great to be able to report on all the amazing things everybody does in this community here, it’s one thing as a Council that they make all the decisions, the ordinances and so on, but she always says they can’t do it alone, it's all of our different departments, employees, service clubs, and our community for participating so this here is the culmination of a group effort.
So it was great to just showcase what we as an entire community do as a whole here so she just wanted to say thank you to everybody for letting them have a lot of good information to share with our community. Last thing she got a chance to attend was the Baker to Vegas run that our Gardena police officers participated in and she just wanted to thank the officers that invited her to attend, it was her first time. It was a great team building and she hopes they continue to participate in the years to come.
5) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON – Since their last time together he attended our State of the City and said it was very refreshing to see the work we’ve done and what we’ve been able to share with our community and our surrounding communities and those that are interested in our success. He gave kudos to the City Manager and the staff because it’s important to develop these plans as you look at what makes a city successful and that’s the best practice because as you have plans for various departments and functions and you’re looking for funding, especially if you’re a city that’s kind of land locked and you don’t have a lot of retractions and different things, but some of the funding entities because we plan so thoroughly and so carefully and the plan is tied to our vision and our mission and our values, the funding opportunities start to present themselves so he DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 12 definitely wanted to share that with staff because he’s noticing when he’s in his SCAG meetings or ICA meetings they talk about these things. He was at his ICA planning meeting where they have two seminars a year, a winter and summer seminar, and he’s going to be assisting in the planning of the summer seminar which will be in Coronado Island in the San Diego area and all colleagues are welcome. The summer seminars differ from the winter seminars in that they talk about a plethora of topics, but they really try to center around best practices and he tried to create an opportunity along with the leadership group to give cities an opportunity to share the great things that they’re doing related to their city and for us to kind of share and get tidbits to do di fferent things to make our city successful. He attended the Koi Show and remarked that it was really outstanding, and he learned quite a bit and called the fish impressive. He participated in the toxic drop off event and he thanked staff for a great event. He attended Casino Night and had a rip roaring time and said it’s fun to play and gamble when it’s going to a good cause. He also interviewed with Andrea Rojas and they talked about smoking in youth and what’s Gardena’s intent as far as becoming a tobacco free community. He shared that they haven’t had that discussion yet, but it could be an aspirational goal, but he thinks they’re all in agreement in regards to the access of tobacco and youth and they are definitely not in favor of that. On March 28th he’ll be facilitating the general assembly that’s being held by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments at the Carson Community Center, C ouncilmember Cedric Hicks is the president of the COG, our Councilmember Tanaka is the vice president. He continued to say it was going to be a wonderful General Assembly because they’re going to talk about artificial intelligence and the equity of it, what it does to communities that could be underserved or unutilized, what it can do to process ease and procedures in government to make sure that there’s greater transparency, but all in all to provide greater services to your community so he’s looking forward to facilitating that. There are going to be a lot of presenters, Ted Lou is going to be one of their presenters at the federal level, Dr. Pete who is the City Manager of Los Altos is going to do a presentation on what some of the other cities are doing for artificial intelligence and how it’s really enhancing staff. Competitive cities moving forward will definitely be taking advantage of artificial intelligence, so you just have to figure out how it works best. He also did some community and business visits.
23. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
Mayor Cerda announced:
1) Semi-Annual Clean Up Event – One Day Only! Leave items out by 6:00 am (adjacent to street curb). Free for all Gardena residential customers. Accepted: Single item that can be safely handled by two people; furniture; appliances; yard waste (bagged) and wood waste; electronic waste; televisions, and computers. For more information, call WR at (888)467-7600.
If your normal trash day is… Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Then your cleanup day is… Mar. 16 Mar. 23 Mar. 30 Apr. 6 Apr. 13
2) Senior Candlelight Dinner – Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 5:00- 7:00p.m.at the Nakaoka Community Center.
3) Youth Chess Tournament – Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center.
4) Gardena Police Department “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive – Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at Rush Gym in Gardena.
5) Easter Breakfast & Egg Hunt – Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 9:00- 11:00a.m.at the Nakaoka Community Center.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 43AA4CD3-184A-4818-A97C-FF34F0DE6B4F 13 6) E aster at Rowley Park – Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. 7) Volunteers needed for The Wall that Heals on Thursday, April 4, 2024 through Sunday, April 7, 2024 at Johnson Park in Gardena.
8) Community Yark Sale – Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 7:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. at Mas Fukai Park in Gardena.
24. REMEMBRANCES - None
25. ADJOURNMENT
At 10:09 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, April 9, 2024.
MINA SEMENZA
City Clerk of the City of Gardena and
APPROVED:
Ex-officio Clerk of the Council
______________________________ By:___________________________
Tasha Cerda, Mayor Becky Romero, Deputy City Clerk
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