1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting of the
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
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, April 9, 2024, in the Council Chambe r at City Hall 1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California; Mayor Tasha Cerda presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka; and Council Member Paulette C. Francis. Council Member Wanda Love was not present and was on an excused absence. Other City Officials: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero . City Clerk Mina Semenza was not present and was on an excused absence.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION - None
2. CLOSED SESSION - None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION - None
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Cesar Doratt, Recreation Leader with the City of Gardena’s Recreation & Human Services Department, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Cesar has lived in Gardena for many years and attended Amestoy Elementary & Peary Middle School. His hobbies include swimming, hiking, powerlifting and kickboxing. He recently picked up photography and editing for fun.
Occasionally, he will help with the City’s Recreation Department by taking pictures at City events. He currently assists special needs students at George De La Torre Elementary in Wilmington.
4. INVOCATION
Reverend Bonnie P. Brandon, of The Church of the Holy Communion, led the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A ELECTION OFFICIAL'S CERTIFICATION OF OFFICIAL CANVASS OF
MUNICIPAL ELECTION VOTES
RESOLUTION NO. 6661, Reciting the Fact of the General Municipal Election held on March 5, 2024, Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law
RESOLUTION NO. 6661
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, RECITING THE FACT OF THE
GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD ON MARCH 5,
2024, DECLARING THE RESULTS AND SUCH OTHER
MATTERS AS PROVIDED BY LAW
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 2 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 Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Council Member Francis and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6661:
Ayes: Council Members Tanaka and Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
The Oaths of Office were then given to the newly elected officials, Mark E.
Henderson, and Paulette C. Francis.
At 7:55p.m. Mayor Cerda announced that we would be taking a short recess to serve cake for the newly elected officials. The meeting resumed at 8:05p.m.
5.B Finance Committee Presentation – presented by Ray Beeman, Director of Administrative Services
Questions and comments were made by: Council Members Tanaka and Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and Mayor Cerda. Director Beeman answered all questions.
5.C Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena:
(a) Luis Villanueva, Police Officer - 22 years (Gardena Police Department) – Chief Saffell spoke of all Officer Villanueva’s accomplishments and presented the certificate of recognition; Officer Villanueva accepted , thanked everyone and appropriate photos were taken.
5.D Gardena Events Video Presentation
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A “ Challenge the Norm and Influence of Marijuana Use on Youth Day” – April 20, 2024 – was accepted by Tracy Saruwatari
7. APPOINTMENTS - 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, March 26, 2024
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 3 8.C Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, April 9, 2024 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
April 9, 2024: Wire Transfer: 12673- 12685; Prepay: 175585; Check Numbers:
175586-175762 for a total Warrants issued in the amount of $7,757,180.09; Total Payroll Issued for April 5, 2024: $1,784,074.98
8.D Personnel Report P-2024-6 4-09-24
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.E RESOLUTION NO. 6662, Approving Application for Specified Grant Funds from the Budget Act of 2023, 19.561(b)(44) $2,000,000 for the City of Gardena for the Renovation of the Mas Fukai Park Building Structure
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
RESOLUTION NO. 6662
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING APPLICATION FOR
SPECIFIED GRANT FUNDS FROM THE BUDGET ACT OF
2023, 19.561(B)(44) $2,000,000 FOR THE CITY OF
GARDENA FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE MAS FUKAI
PARK BUILDING STRUCTURE
8.F RESOLUTION NO. 6663, Approving Application for Specified Grant Funds from the Budget Act of 2023, 19.561(b)(57) $3,000,000 for the City of Gardena for the Rowley Park Gymnasium Renovation
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
RESOLUTION NO. 6663
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING APPLICATION FOR
SPECIFIED GRANT FUNDS FROM THE BUDGET ACT OF
2023, 19.561(B)(57) $3,000,000 FOR THE CITY OF
GARDENA FOR THE ROWLEY PARK GYMNASIUM
RENOVATION
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve all Items on the Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Council Member Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 4 10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A APRIL 2, 2024 MEETING
Environmental Impact Report; General Plan Amendment; Zone Change; Zone Text Amendment; Specific Plan; Site Plan Review; Vesting Tentative Map; Development Agreement, and Affordable Housing Agreement for the Normandie Crossing Specific Plan
Project Location: 16829, 16835, 16907, and 16911 S. Normandie Avenue, 16964 Brighton Avenue and 0.43 acre property located at the eastern edge of the specific plan area
Project Applicant: Fred Shaffer and Steve Ludwig – 16911 Normandie Associates, LLC
Commission Action: The Planning Commission made the following actions on this item by a 3-0- 2 vote, being Commissioners Langley and Wright -Scherr not being able to vote because of a conflict:
• The Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 4-24, recommending the City Council certify an Environmental Impact Report for the purposes of the project. • The Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 5- 24, recording the Commission’s 2 to 1 vote on recommendation of approving General Plan Amendment #3 -21. The vote of the Planning Commission does not constitute a recommendation of approval for the General Plan amendments. • The Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 6- 24, recommending the City Council deny the project entitlement requests other than the General Plan Amendment.
10.B APRIL 2, 2024 MEETING
Zone Text Amendment #3-24
Commission Action: The Planning Commission approved Resolution No. PC 7-24 recommending that the City Council on adopt Ordinance No.1871 to amend Chapter
5.52 and Title 18 of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to significant tobacco retailers, cigar lounges, and hookah lounges and making a finding that the Ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b) (3).
10.C APRIL 2, 2024 MEETING
Zone Text Amendment #1-24
Commission Action: The Planning Commission approved Resolution No. 8- 24 recommending that the City Council to adopt Ordinance No. 1865 amending Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 18.60 and Sections 5.08.170, 8.16.030, and
8.16.050 relating to temporary use permits and temporary evens permits and amending section 5.04.160 and 5.04.278 relating to permits and finding the Ordinance to be categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and Section 15304 as a Minor Alterations to Land.
City Council Action: No action needed on these items. Each item will be brought forth to the Council for review at a future City Council Meeting date.
These Items were Received and Filed.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 5 11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Paul Randell, Director of Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry, came to give an update on the status of their food pantry.
2) Andrea Simental , Community Library Manager for Mayme Dear Library, came to announce programs and events taking place at both Mayme Dear and Masao W. Satao libraries.
11.A PUBLIC COMMENT
1) Deputy City Clerk Romero noted for the record that we received a public comment.
She stated that the email was received, distributed, and made part of the record.
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12.A Amendment to the Contract between the California Public Employees' Retirement System Board of Administration and the City of Gardena
a. RESOLUTION NO. 6660, Adopting the Resolution of Intention to Approve an Amendment to the Contract between Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System and the City of Gardena b. INTRODUCE ORDINANCE NO. 1870 , Authorizing an
Amendment to the Contract Between the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System and the City of Gardena
RESOLUTION NO. 6660
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION
OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
CONTRACT BETWEEN BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF
THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT
SYSTEM AND THE CITY OF GARDENA
ORDINANCE NO. 1870
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT
TO THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF
ADMINISTRATION OF THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY OF
GARDENA
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.
Ordinance No. 1870 was Introduced by Council Member Tanaka.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 6 It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Council Member Francis and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6660 and Introduce Ordinance No. 1870:
Ayes: Council Members Tanaka and Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
12.B Single Audit Report Required for Federally Funded Programs for Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2023
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.
Council Member Francis commented asking for confirmation that we did everything we were supposed t o for the audit , and that we are okay. City Manager Osorio confirmed that was correct.
Director Beeman presented a few slides.
This Item was Received and Filed.
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
13.A Approval of Contract Services with Converse Consultants for Environmental Services Performed at 1112 W. Gardena Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90247
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.
Council Member Francis had a question and asked if this will now be resolving all issues at this location. City Manager Osorio replied to her question. She then asked about a contingency fee and what if something else were to occur. Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi came up and answered all questions.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and seconded by Council Member Tanaka and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the contract services with Converse Consultants in the amount of $50,846 for environmental services performed at 1112 W. Gardena Boulevard, Gardena, CA 90247:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Tanaka and Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 7 13.B Appeal of the Community Development Director's decision to deny Home-Sharing Rental Application #24-006
Mayor Cerda opened up the Appeal Hearing and went over the procedures . Deputy City Clerk Romero gave the Oath to the Appellants , Vera Povetina and Yegor Kochetov, and City staff, Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi, Building Official Mark Berg, and Economic Development Manager Jackie Choi.
Director Tsujiuchi then presented the case on behalf of the City.
Mayor Cerda then asked the Appellants to come up to present their case.
Mayor Cerda asked the Appellants if there was anything they would like to add or rebut. She then asked Director Tsujiuchi If there was anything further to present or rebut.
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.
Council Member Francis asked for clarification of what they were not allowed to discuss. City Attorney Vasquez replied that there is currently a litigation case that Mariya Wrightsman has filed against the City regarding home sharing rentals, and the Appellants indicated tonight that they will be joining in on that lawsuit.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis, Mayor Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and Council Member Tanaka, which the Appellants responded. Building Official Berg, and Director Tsujiuchi also responded to Council’s questions and comments. City Attorney Vasquez commented when Council needed clarification.
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to hold a hearing, receive testimony, and uphold the decision of the Community Development Director to deny the Home-Sharing Application (HSP) #24-006 and further directed staff to draft a Resolution reflecting the Council’s actions today which shall be presented at our next regularly scheduled meeting:
Ayes: Council Member Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
Mayor Cerda then asked that we move Item 19.A out of order by the following roll call vote:
It was then moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and seconded by Council Member Tanaka to move Item 19.A out of order:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Tanaka and Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 8 19. COUNCIL ITEMS
19.A RESOLUTION NO. 6664, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gardena California, In Support of An Enduring Ceasefire in Gaza
RESOLUTION NO. 6664
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF AN ENDURING
CEASEFIRE IN GAZA
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.
There four (4) speakers who spoke in favor of the Resolution:
Timothy Beyer, Margie Hoyt, Dawn Petty, and Melanie Cohen
Comments were made by Council Member Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Mayor Cerda, and Council Member Tanaka. City Manager Osorio and City Attorney Vasquez replied to the questions being asked by Council. Mayor Pro Tem Henderson then asked if we could modify the resolution to include other cities.
It was moved by Council Member Francis , there was no second; the motion died.
Mayor Pro Tem Henderson then asked if he could propose an alternate resolution to include some of the other areas that experiencing potential genocide to include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Ukraine, and Rwanda.
Council Member Francis questioned the amendment. She then asked for clarification of what Mayor Pro Tem Henderson is doing.
City Attorney Vasquez replied and then asked for clarification of Mayor Pro Tem Henderson’s position and recommended that he make a directive and have staff amend the resolution and bring it back to a future Council meeting.
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
14.A INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1869 , Adding Chapter 2.70 to Title 2 of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to Statements of Economic Interest and Electronic and Paperless Filing of Campaign Disclosure Statements
ORDINANCE NO. 1869
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 2.70 TO
TITLE 2 OF THE GARDENA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTEREST AND
ELECTRONIC AND PAPERLESS FILING OF CAMPAIGN
DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 9 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.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis and Mayor Pro Tem Henderson. Deputy City Clerk Romero responded to all questions. City Manager Osorio and City Attorney Vasquez also commented.
Ordinance No. 1869 was introduced by Council Member Francis.
It was moved by Council Member Francis , and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 1869:
Ayes: Council Members Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – POLICE – No Items
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
16.A Approve and Authorize Director of Public Works to execute an Authorization for Crossing Improvements between the City of Gardena and Union Pacific Railroad for the Normandie Avenue Railroad Crossing Improvement Project JN 540.
Additionally, approve Budget Appropriation of $110,000 from Gas Tax
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.
Council Member Francis asked how this project will impact traffic, and will our residents get some kind of notice. Public Works Director Allan Rigg came up and answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Authorize the Director of Public Works to Execute an Authorization for Crossing Improvements with UPRR; Approve Budget Appropriation:
Ayes: Council Members Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
16.B Reject all bids for the Rosecrans Community Center Project, Chase Building Demolition Phase, JN 505, and re-bid the project.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 10 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.
Questions and comments were made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda regarding the rejection of bids; City Manager Osorio and City Vasquez replied to their questions.
It was moved by Council Members Francis, and seconded by Council Member Tanaka and carried by the following roll call vote to Reject all bids and rebid:
Ayes: Council Members Francis and Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: Council Member Love
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – No Items
19. COUNCIL ITEMS
19.A RESOLUTION NO. 6664 – This Item was heard after Agenda Item 13.B
20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Henderson
Subject: To rewrite Reso No. 6664 to include the countries of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Ukraine, and Rwanda.
Purpose - To include the other countries dealing with strife.
Reason - Piggybacking off Reso No. 6664 to make sure everyone knows that Gardena is known as a global city.
Benefit - Could raise quality of life and raise community morale and understands that Gardena wants to keep everyone safe.
Council Member Francis seconded it.
City Attorney Vasquez asked Mayor Pro Tem Henderson if he was agreeable if this Resolution comes back to our first meeting in May. He stated he is agreeable.
21. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
1) A Memo in which a directive was given by Council Member Love regarding livestreaming of the Planning Commission Meetings.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 11 22. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON – Since their last meeting, he had the honor of being the moderator for the South Bay Cities Council of Governments General Assembly where the topic was AI, Friend, or Foe, in public sector. In speaking with the City Manager earlier, he definitely wants to encourage our staff to start figuring out ways on how artificial intelligence can help us be more efficient to our offerings to our community. He was in a presentation today and shared that a few cities are using AI to handle a lot of the rudimentary issues and questions that are addressed by the community which allow staff to then spend more time on real complex community issues and they were receiving high remarks from the community regards to their responsiveness. He said AI may not fit in every department or every function, but it’s something we should start looking at.
He attended the SCAG Community Economic Housing Development Committee meeting, as well as the Regional Council Meeting representing Gardena, Inglewood and Hawthrone. At SCAG he had his ICA Board Meeting, E -Board Meeting, he wanted to congratulate the Gardena Police Foundation Scholarship recipients, some great work, and he wanted to thank the Gardena Police Foundation for providing funding for those that are going to be beginning their r eticulation journey through college and everything so that’s a great opportunity. He attended the 34
th Annual Southern California Air Quality
Management District Air Awards, where he was able to talk to folks about air quality and different things in regards to what Gardena can do to start working on our air quality because we have been labeled a community that has some air quality issues that we need to address. He definitely wanted to say thank you to the City of Gardena for giving him the opportunity to be the MC of our Wall That Heals ceremony, recognizing the Vietnam veterans, he thinks that’s really important for us to recognize those that made the ultimate sacrifice and also acknowledge the families that were impacted by the loss of their family member because that hurt and pain never goes away. He also did his community and business visits and lastly, he wanted to say thank you to the citizens of Gardena for re- electing him for a final term, he realizes we still have more work to do and he’s up for the challenge so again, he wants to say thank you and he’s ready to get back to work.
2) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since their last meeting, she attended the Martin Luther King Jr. Culture Committee meeting, the Gardena Holly Park Homeowners Association meeting, and the Region 18 meeting of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party. She just wanted to say that the folks that attended the meeting at Nakaoka were very impressed with our facilities, they said it was very nice and the staff was wonderful so she wanted to thank the staff for everything. She visited the Wall That Heals and she’s glad we had another opportunity to see it because she thinks it’s important that we remember the men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. She said the number of people lost to that war is overwhelming to her and she just thinks of all the empty chairs at the dinner table across the years and children that won’t get to see grandparents and she hopes and prays that we never have to go through that type of war again. To our Vietnam veterans she thanked them for their service and sacrifice.
She, too, wanted to give a special thank you and shout out to everyone that supported her re-election for her second term to Gardena City Council and she’s had some long conversations on what they can do to continue to make Gardena a great city to live, work, and play.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 12 3) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA – Since their last gathering he attended our Finance Committee meeting with the city and he wanted to thank Mr. Beeman, our City Attorney and the staff that put the presentation on, it just shows what forward thinking minds we have when it comes to the finances of our city, so he thanked all of them for keeping us in the black. He attended the COG’s General Assembly at the Carson Community Center and he gave a thank you to Mayor Pro Tem Henderson for a great job moderating that.
The keynote speaker was Congressional Member Ted Lieu and he believes this was the best General Assembly that they’ve put on since he’s been a part of the COG and said it’s going to be a hard shoe to fill next year, but they’re working on it. He attended the Battle of the Badges blood drive, and thanked Chief Saffell and his staff for putting that on, as well as the retirement ceremony for Officer Villanueva, he said it was well deserved for all the things he has done as an officer for this city and all the people that he’s touched, especially the young people in our schools so congratulations. He was honored to be asked to attend the Wall That Heals event that started at Mar Vista School in El Segundo, they asked him to pray for that wall and its journey through El Segundo to Gardena and he was very touched that he was asked to do that. He said it was a great event to pay tribute to 58,000 fallen on that wall, some that he went to high school with are on that wall. He continued by thanking all the veteran motorcycle groups, California Highway Patrol and members of the Gardena Police Department that escorted that wall from El Segundo to Johnson Park and he wanted to thank the city staff and the volunteers that watched over that wall for 24 hours a day for the days it was at Johnson Park just making sure it was safe and allowing people to come any time of the day or night just to visit. It was a tribute that he appreciated people going to and he thanked all the veterans and their families for the service to our country and he said the Gold Star Family that did a presentation there was totally touching and he doesn’t think there was a dry eye in the place, once again he said thank you all for your service and God bless you. He attended the Gardena Police foundation scholarship event, it was a great event to see all the kids with above 5.0 GPAs going to great schools and it’s good to see our Police Foundation supporting our youth to become future leaders in our communities. He attended the COG Steering Committee meeting and Director Stephany Santin and her staff were commended for a visit that they made regarding our senior services and the things that we put on, they were totally amazed at how many events that our city puts on for our seniors and he believes Stephany is going to be asked to be showcased by other cities coming here and seeing what she does so he thanked her for representing us as the Emerald City. Lastly, he was honored to attend the celebration of life for Mr. Raymond Cordova, who is considered the Godfather of Labor, and it was held at the IBEW Local 11, known as the House of Labor. Mr. Cordova was a huge part of the South County Labor group and a true supporter of local union labor, he touched almost every politician in the State of California and some of the Congress people, Senators, Assembly people, he was a huge person that supported them and on his behalf they attended. It went on from 11 am to almost 4 pm with all the people that had things to say about him so he’s sure he had responsibility for success for many of the political figures in office today. He was proud on behalf of the M ayor, City Council, and the City of Gardena that they presented a certificate of recognition in his honor to a really distinguished man.
4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last C ouncil Meeting she attended our quarterly finance meeting and she just wants to thank the staff for doing a great job in presenting all the information to the finance group and as everyone saw they had the simple version of it there just to show how we’re doing in the city. She was invited to attend the installation of the Inglewood Board of Realtors for the president executive board for 2024. She attended the retirement celebration for Officer Villanueva that was held in the PD parking DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 13 lot and Louis has touched so many people in this city including C ouncil Members and residents and definitely the kids. She attended the Inka Lions Club meeting that was held here in the City of Gardena at the Nakaoka Community Center, and they are a group that is so appreciative of the fact that they can use our facilities just to be able to have their meeting so she’s glad we’re able to offer that for our local community groups. She attended the Spirit of St. Mary’s banquet where they recognize several medical professionals in the City of Long Beach, more specifically that have helped out the Cambodian community and one of our commissioners here in Gardena who is a big part of that invited her to attend and it was nice to see how many people go over and beyond to help out folks that are at a disadvantage and making sure that they have the proper healthcare that they need. She also attended the Gardena Police Foundation scholarship awards that were presented to the young people. It was really awesome and put together by our business community and the scholarship award that they do has grown even bigger every year and she definitely encourages businesses to consider joining our foundation because they’re doing really great things. She attended the Wall That Heals opening, as well as, the closing ceremony and once again she’s honored by the fact that we were able to have the Wall That Heals here in Gardena and all the volunteers, everybody who was involved in that she extended a thank you. She wanted to give a special shout out to one of our departments here, she had a resident mention to her that the passport services the City Clerk’s Office offers is wonderful. He said it took the stress off of having to go to the Federal Building in Los Angeles away and everyone in the office was very polite and made the experience wonderful for him so she just wanted to give the City Clerk’s Office a special thanks because it was more than just the passports, he said they had the best personalities. She wanted to apologize for missing the big COG event, but everybody went and everybody was talking about how great it was so she’s glad to know they had a great event. The last thing she wanted to mention is that earlier that night they had a speaker about the pantry and how he felt bad he had to turn people away, she wanted people to be aware that Gardena does have their own pantry as well, so if there are people out there who are hungry they can visit our pantry through our Human Services Department and we also have resources for some of our churches in the area that also have food as well that they can give out to those who are in need so she doesn’t want people to walk away from their meetings thinking that there’s no services like that available, they may not be quite as large as the one the speaker mentioned, but there are still avenues that we can help you with in the City of Gardena.
23. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
Mayor Cerda announced:
1) Dementia Friends Event, Thursday, April 11, 2024 from 3:00-4:00p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center;
2) T herapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) Carnival Funday, Friday, April 12, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the City Hall Complex;
3) Community Yard Sale – Saturday, April 13, 2024 from 7: 00a.m. to 12:30p.m. at Mas Fukai Park in Gardena;
4) Gardena Police Department Education Series - Assembly Bill 481, Monday, April 15, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center;
5) 2024 Spring Carnival, Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Mas Fukai Park;
6) Compost Giveaway, Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Rowley Park;
DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723 14 7) Earth Day Clean U p, Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 8:00- 11:00 a.m. at the Willows Wetland Preserve;
8) Paper Shredding Event , Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.at the City Hall Complex;
9) DEA National Rx Takeback day, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; Drop off Location: Gardena Police Department; and
10) Cinco De Mayo Parade, May 4, 2024, starts at 10:00 a.m., begins at Gardena Market.
24. REMEMBRANCES
Mr. Raymond L. Cordova, 84 years of age, and a Vietnam War Veteran. Mr. Cordova laid the foundation of the modern labor movement in LA County and became known as the “Godfather of Labor.”
25. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:32 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 23, 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
5 DocuSign Envelope ID: 394589BE-3E9A-431E-82D9-5B6716582723