1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice of the
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, June 11, 2024
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California, was called to order at 7:05 PM on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162
nd Street, Gardena, California, Mayor Tasha Cerda presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem M ark E. Henderson; Council Member Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka; Council Member Paulette C. Francis; and Council Member Wanda Love. Other City Officials present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; City Clerk Mina Semenza; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero.
Before going into Closed Session, City Attorney Vasquez stated that we will be withdrawing Item 2.C from Closed Session.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
2. CLOSED SESSION
2.A CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL -ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
(One [1] Matter)
2.B CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Mariya Wrightsman v. City of Gardena, et al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCP04453
2.C CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation, pursuant to Gov. Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) or (d)(3) and (e)(1)
One Potential Case
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting to the Regular Open Session at 7:30 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 staff was provided with direction on Items 2.A and 2.B, but no reportable action was taken.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 2 3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Gabriela Garcia and Victor Avina, both in the 5th grade from Denker Avenue School, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Gabriela is a part of the Student Council and loves to dance, draw and visit Disneyland. She enjoys drawing Disney movie characters, especially the Star War characters. She is the Korean Dual Language Program at Denker and performed the Korean traditional fan dance at the 30- year anniversary celebration. She can even say the U.S. pledge of allegiance in Korean.
Victor has been a member of the Student Council for the last two years. He has consistently demonstrated the three most important Denker Bear qualities: respect, responsibility, and safety. He loves to draw and is a foodie who loves to try new things. He plays football and basketball. He loves his family and his dog Daisy.
Both students introduced their parents and Victor asked Mayor Cerda about allowing dogs in our city parks. Mayor Cerda replied.
4. INVOCATION
Pastor Israel Campbell of Flourishing Church, led the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Gardena Events Video Presentation
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A "Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance" - June 14, 2024 through July 4, 2024 – was proclaimed only
6.B "JUNETEENTH Commemoration Day" - June 19, 2024 – was proclaimed only
6.C LGBTQI+ Pride Month – was proclaimed only
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, May 28, 2024
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 3 8.C Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, June 11, 2024 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
June 11, 2024: Wire Transfer 12695-12696, 12707-12719; Prepay: 176256-176257; Check Numbers: 176258- 176422 for a total Warrants issued in the amount of $2,354,709.65; Total Payroll Issued for May 31, 2024: $1,882,956.40
8.D Personnel Report P-2024-10 6-11-24
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.E Approval of Annual Membership and Reserve Assessment Dues in the amount of $82,944.34 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and $168,083 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the City's Participation in the Interoperability Network of the South Bay Joint Powers Agreement
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.F Approval of Annual/Periodic Event and Renewal of Bingo Permit - Gardena Buddhist Church Obon Festival
CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.G Second Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding by and between the South Bay Cities Council of Governments and the City of Gardena regarding the use of allocated County Local Solutions Grant Funds to Implement the City's Outreach Project - Additional Funding $100,000
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
8.H Approve Agreement with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Metro ExpressLanes Direct Allocation of Funds for Incremental Transit Service
CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
8.I Approve Agreement Regarding Reimbursement Policy with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Low -Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Program
CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
8.J Approve Funding Agreement between City of Gardena and South Coast Air Quality Management District for the AB2766 / MSRC Zero Emission Microtransit Service Grant Program
CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
It was moved by Council Member Love seconded by Council Member Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 8.E:
Ayes: Council Members Love and Tanaka, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 4 9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
8.E Approval of Annual Membership and Reserve Assessment Dues in the amount of $82,944.34 for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and $168,083 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for the City's Participation in the Interoperability Network of the South Bay Joint Powers Agreement – Was pulled by Council Member Francis
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis . City Manager Osorio replied.
It was moved by Council Member Francis seconded by Council Member Love, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Item 8.E:
Ayes: Council Members Francis and Love, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A JUNE 4, 2024 - Meeting Cancelled
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Paul Randal, Director of Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry – came to speak regarding re- opening Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry.
2) Travis Hernandez, Library Manager of Masao W. Satow Library : came to give updates regarding libraries activities at both Mayme Dear and Masao W. Satow libraries.
3) Jonathan Quiroz , businessowner: came to speak about actions made by Council Member Love.
4) K ien Sien, resident: came to speak on behalf of his friend who needs City Council’s attention on citizen hardship.
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 – No Items
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
16.A Approve Contract for HF&H Consultants, LLC to Monitor the Solid Waste Agreement and Manage Senate Bill 1383 Requirements for the City of Gardena, in the amount of $226,000.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 5 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak o n 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 Members Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda.
City Manager Osorio and Public Works Director Allan Rigg explained and answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Contract:
Ayes: Council Members Tanaka , Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Members Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
16.B INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1868, Amending Chapter 13.04 Sewer System of the Gardena Municipal Code and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (QEQA) Exemption.
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.
Director Rigg answered all questions.
Ordinance No. 1868 was introduced by Council Member Love.
It was moved by Council Member Love, seconded by Council Member Francis, and carried by the following roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 1868 and declare CEQA Exemption:
Ayes: Council Member s Love and Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Council Member Tanaka, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – No Items
19. COUNCIL ITEMS – No Items
20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES – No Items
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 6 21. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
1) A memo in your packets regarding senior meals.
22. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON – Since the last meeting he had his ICA eboard meeting as they set up our program for our summer seminar in Coronado, Californi a.
This will take place the second weekend in July. He also, attended his SCAG meeting, of my community economic and housing development subcommittee, along with his regional council meeting. He came with some good knowledge; he will be formulating it before sending it over to the City Manager for discussion. He attended his post VFW, post 3261, and our job fair, for it being our very first job fair it went well. He is looking forward to doing another one. He also attended the Los Angeles U rban League awards dinner; it was also a great opportunity to understand what Urban League is still doing in our community and in our surrounding areas.
2) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since the last meeting she attended the Los Angeles County Democratic Party r egional meeting; she also attended the Gardena Boulevard ribbon cutting for the new parking lot and the Bring it on the B oulevard celebration on Gardena Boulevard. She also attended the Gardena Hol ly Park Homeowners Association meeting. She just wants to remind everybody now that its summer vacation time, there are a lot of kids at home, a lot of college students are back home, so there will be a lot of activities like bicycle riding at the parks and on the streets ; she wants us to keep a watchful eye for our young people who are on their cell phones and not paying attention as they cross the street. She also wants to encourage everybody to participate in the programs at the Masao Satow and Mayme Dear libraries. As a teacher she wants to encourage summer reading to help prevent summer slide. Last but not least, she said I know there’s a lot of bad news going on that you hear on the radio, on television, and when talking with your friends. It seems that the world is getting crazier, and things aren’t getting any better, but I just want you to make sure to keep the faith and just know better days are coming.
3) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA – Since the last meeting he attended the Gardena Boulevard event. He thanked Stephany for her staff doing a great job and her hot links were awesome. The dedication of the new parking lot seemed to go very well. He attended an event in San Pedro Elks L odge to honor our S outh Bay COG’s executive director and Jacki Bacharach, she received an award that was called the inspiration award. It was an event to honor her as well as the F armers Merchant Bank, Congratulations. The next day he met with Jacki to discuss his upcoming COG Chair responsibilities and expectations. He went ahead and thanked City Manager and his staff for presenting the community finance program. He attended his Cal Cities LA division monthly meeting, and it was really awesome because it was held at the U.S. Air force space command, he got a walking tour; it’s quite a place he was totally impressed. He got to cheer on the Gardena Police Department team that carried the Special Olympic torch on their run. He said we last did it back in 2019 but this was a really great representation by our department, and we got really good press from Channel 11 news that day. Yesterday, he was able to attend the Gardena Police Foundation golf tournament. He is a silver sponsor, and he congratulated our own Police Department.
Gardena PD came in first
, winning for the third time. He thanked all the volunteers and
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 7 all those with Liz that worked hard to put this event together. Lastly, he Congratulated Lieutenant Messina on his promotion today. He never thought in the years that he has known him that he was ever going to do this, but he thinks the C hief and a lot of the command staff encouraged him, it’s a good move for him and he congratulated him on his marriage proposal at the same time it was very exciting.
4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last Council Meeting, she also attended the Gardena VFW first job fair. It was overall a great event; a lot of different companies attended and came out to support. She was happy she was able to attend. There was a great guest speaker, Jan Vogel, that gave great encouragement to those who were looking for a job. She also attended the Bring it on the Boulevard event, to parks and rec team: another successful event for you guys. Also attended the ribbon cutting for the new parking lot in Gardena Boulevard. She just wants to let the business owners and the residents on that street know that we heard you at the neighborhood watch meeting;about the concerns that you had as it related to parking and she is happy to say that not only did we hear you but we acted on that ; and the parking lot that was available we were able to purchase it and hopefully this will help that street out. As soon as they did the ribbon cutting, they had cars parked there. She feels like that was a great thing. She also attended the Community Budget Forum; She wants to commend the City Manager as well as Director Beeman. They did a great job, it was a lot of information, especially for the residents, you guys made it interesting. She attended the 2024 law enforcement Special Olympics torch run with our Police Department, she thanked the officers that were out there running, they ran 2.4 miles from Raising Canes to Farmer Boys. It was a happy day for everyone out there, having the drone shots, having the K9 dog out there running as well, everyone was happy that we were able to participate in that. She also attended the Gardena Police Foundation Golf tournament. It was a great turnout, happy to see all the different businesses that came out to support. The Foundation does so much for our community from scholarships to helping out our Police Department. This benefits us as a city, as a whole. It’s a small group of foundation members but they do so much for our community.
Lastly, she attended the promotion ceremony for L ieutenant Brian Messina, and he surprised us all with his proposal to his girlfriend, which she thinks this is the first time it ever happened here at a promotion ceremony, so it was really neat, and it was talked about for the rest of the day. Congratulations to him twice he now and soon to be wife.
5) C OUNCIL MEMBER LOVE – Since the last meeting she attended the B ring it on the Boulevard event where she had a great opportunity to host a booth and meet more residents and help promote a power saving energy program through Edison. Also, she attended and had the opportunity to cheer on the Gardena PD as they ran with the torch.
It was really great to see the guys out there, had a lot of response reactions when she posted the video on social media. She also attended the grand opening of the parking lot. She couldn’t even get out of the parking lot before cars were already pulling into the parking lot. She might make a directive for Clint to start doing the budget updates mid- year. Clint responded they would be happy to do that. Wanda Love said she was only joking. Clint responded in fact they will be starting a Citizens Academy one module is learning about the City budget and how they present the cafe and financials and all that.
It will be interesting for our community to join that. Wanda love said I will comm end the City on the update and explanation of the investments and the budget. It spun from the community and resident inquiries on how we invested in all that so, she did notice that the City put forth a lot of effort in trying to calm those waters and explain. She commends the City on that.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F 8 23. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Citizens Leadership Academy begins on Thursday, 7/11/2024 at 6:00p.m. at Nakaoka Community Center;
2) Flag Day Celebration, Friday, 6/14/2024 at 11:00a.m. at the City Hall Complex; 3) Community Care Day, Saturday, 6/15/2024 from 12:00 -3:00p.m. at Human Services Building;
4) Eco Gardener Workshop, Saturday, 6/15/2024 from 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center;
5) Juneteenth Celebration Concert, Wednesday, 6/19/2024 from 4:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. at the City Hall Complex;
6) Show and Shine Car Show at Rowley Park , Saturday, 6/22/2024 from 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.; and
7) Boys to Men Workshop, Friday, 6/ 28/2024 from 5:30p.m. to 8: 30p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center.
24. REMEMBRANCES - None
25. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:55 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, June 25, 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
DocuSign Envelope ID: 955C1E7B-63BC-4A01-8BAD-4910083F4E3F