1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California, was called to order at 7: 40 PM on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162
nd Street, Gardena, California, Mayor Tasha Cerda
presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka; Council Member Mark E .
Henderson; 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; Treasurer Guy H Mato; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
2. CLOSED SESSION - None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Sisters Maya and Emma Hironymous, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Maya is in the 3rd Grade and attends Amestoy Elementary School. She is the first student of the inaugural Japanese Dual Language program at Amestoy Elementary. She is beginning the Conservatory of Fine Arts, studying Voice. Emma is in the Gifted Magnet Program at Robert E. Peary Middle School and is entering her 3
rd year of the Conservatory of Fine Arts, studying World Dance.
Both Maya and Emma have participated in many City of Gardena events and love the Recreation Department.
4. INVOCATION
Reverend Nobuharu Uzunoe of the Konko Church of Gardena led the Invocation.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Recognition of the City of Gardena Police Department Canine Officer s for being awarded 1st Place at the Los Angeles County Police Canine Association - 23rd Annual Police K9 Demonstration – Police Chief Mike Saffell and Lieutenant Christopher Cuff spoke about both K9’s, Maxo and Vito, and their accomplishments at the demonstration. Two videos were shown demonstrating the canine officers’ performances and a certificate was presented by Police Chief Mike Saffell and accepted by Canine Officer s Humberto Ruvalcaba and Mike Medeiros.
5.B Gardena Events Video Presentation
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 2 6. PROCLAMATIONS – None
7. APPOINTMENTS
7.A Reorganization of Council Assignments of Delegates and Alternates to Outside/City Committees
Approve Council Assignments to Outside / City Committees
There was a discussion regarding the positions and assignments of delegates and alternates to outside committees . Mayor Cerda mentioned that the Inglewood Fire Training Facility Authority Commission no longer existed. It was discussed that Council M ember Henderson would be the alternate for the Los Angeles County Sanitation, Mayor Cerda is the representative; Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka will be the representative West Basin Water Board and Mayor Cerda will be the alternate, and that everything else would remain the same.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Council Assignments to Outside / City Committees:
Ayes: Council Member s Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Members Henderson and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
8.A Waiver of Reading in Full of All Ordinances Listed on this Agenda and that they be Read by Title Only
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.B Approve Minutes:
Regular Meeting of the City Council, July 23, 2024
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, August 13, 2024 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.D Personnel Report P-2024-13 8-13-24
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.E RESOLUTION NO. 6680 , Approving the Blanket Authority to File Applications for Grant Funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A Funding for Projects and Programs
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
RESOLUTION NO. 6680
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING THE BLANKET AUTHORITY TO FILE
APPLICATIONS FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE
DISTRICT FOR MEASURE A FUNDING FOR PROJECTS AND
PROGRAMS
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 3 8.F SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1873, Readopting the zone changes for all the Inventory Sites, adopting the zone changes to eliminate the Parking zone on split -zoned properties, adopting a formal statement regarding the dividing line on split -zoned residential properties, and readopting the t ext changes to Title 18 with the amendments set forth in the Ordinance. Adoption of Ordinance No. 1873 includes making findings required by CEQA and adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program
CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ORDINANCE NO. 1873
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA READOPTING THE CHANGES TO
THE ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF GARDENA AND CHANGES
TO TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF THE GARDENA MUNICIPAL CODE
AS SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE NO. 1848, WITH MINOR
AMENDMENTS, ADOPTING A MITIGATION AND MONITORING
REPORTING PROGRAM, AND MAKING REQUIRED FINDINGS
UNDER CEQA
8.G RESOLUTION NO. 6679, Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Execute Agreements with the California Department of Transportation for the GTrans Comprehensive Operations Analysis Project
CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
RESOLUTION NO. 6679
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO
EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE GTRANS
COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS ANALYSIS PROJECT
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 8.E:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Henderson, Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
8.E RESOLUTION NO. 6680 , Approving the Blanket Authority to File Applications for Grant Funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for Measure A Funding for Projects and Programs – Item was pulled by Council Member Francis
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 4 Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis regarding the allocation; and how the Council will be informed. City Manager Osorio replied to her questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6680:
Ayes: Council Member s Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Members Henderson and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A AUGUST 6, 2024 - Meeting Cancelled
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Carlos Marquez resident; filled out a speaker slip but withdrew his time because Executive Assistant Alejandra Orozco spoke with him and he was good with what they discussed.
2) Loui se Chao; volunteer for Meals on Wheels Program; came to make Council aware of an employee, Layne Wakuta, who is considered a part time employee, that works more than 37 hours a week at times and receives no benefits. She reminded Council of the City’s mission statement and provided a petition that supports Layne Wakuta to become a full-time employee and receive benefits.
3) P ouya Yousef, businessowner of Evolution Auto Body; came out to express his desire to become more involved in the community; work with the C ity to leverage, and lend themselves as a resource to the community;
4) A ndrea Simental – Community Library Manager at Mayme Dear Library; came to give updates about events taking place at the Mayme Dear and Masao W. Sato libraries; 5) P aul Randall, rep of Mama Rosa’s Food Pantry; came to inform Council that they opened on 8/3/2024 with a very limited opening; he spoke about the use of their parking lot, and came out to commend Chief of Police Mike Saffell for all his hard work; 6) M aureen Neil – resident; came out to petition for a traffic light at Vermont and 131st street because there are many accidents happening at this intersection.
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 Authorize the Transfer Agreement Renewal Between the Los Angeles County Flood Control District and City of Gardena Pertaining to Safe, Clean Water Program (Measure W)
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 5 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone from the public 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 regarding how this ties into the storm drain master plan? Director of Public Works, Allan Rigg came up and answered her question.
It was moved by Council Member s Francis, seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Authorize the Transfer Agreement Renewal:
Ayes: Council Member s Francis and Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , Council Member Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
16.B Authorization to Purchase Three Heavy Equipment Vehicles from Quinn Company in the amount of $593,712.75 for the Public Works Department and Sell Current Equipment at Estimated Residual Value
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Director Rigg presented a PowerPoint.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone from the public 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 Henderson regarding the $110K revenue asking which fund does that go back to? City Manager Osorio replied.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Purchase and Sell Current Equipment:
Ayes: Council Member s Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
18.A Approve Contract with Clean Energy for the Operations and Maintenance of GTrans' CNG Facility for $775,020 and a Project Total of $852,522
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 6 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone from the public 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 regarding the current allocation of electric and CNG buses. Transportation Director Ernie Crespo answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Contract :
Ayes: Council Member s Francis and Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , Council Member Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
18.B Approve Contract with Clean Energy for the Purchase of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and Credit Management Services
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda then asked if anyone from the public had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
A videolink was presented in order to show Council more information.
Transportation Director Crespo recognized Contract Manager Rachel Yoo and Facilities Maintenance Manager Victor Santos , who worked on the project . City Attorney Vasquez also commended Rachel Yoo for all her hard work.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Contract:
Ayes: Council Member s Francis, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Members Henderson and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
19. COUNCIL ITEMS
20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Love
Subject: To have staff consider revising our Parks Ordinance to allow dogs in our parks . - Council Member Francis seconded it.
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 7 Purpose – To remove the “No Dogs in the Park” ban;
Reason – Our residents with dogs want to access our Parks; Benefit – This would allow residents with dogs to legally use our Parks.
21. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
1) National Night Out Video;
2) M emo to Council regarding the demo phase of Rosecrans Community project; 3) Memo to Council regarding the EIR of the1450 Artesia Specific Plan; 4) Memo to Council regarding the Rental Assistance Program memo explaining the report; and
5) Mentioned Happy Birthday to our City Clerk; we will be having cake after our meeting.
22. COUNCIL REMARKS
(1) COUNCIL MEMBER HENDERSON – Since the last meeting, he was honored to do the greeting at the Citizens Leadership Academy, so for those that are missing out this is there third class of the Citizens Leadership Academy it is an opportunity for our community to get well versed in what we do in this community as far as our city departments and everything. He attended some business meetings and some community meetings. He participated in an informal meeting with LA county in regard to sustainability. He participated in the seminar in regard to further use of AI in government, so he is going to challenge our staff to start looking into that. He attended the Quake Hero Expo this past Saturday and watched the film in regard to the Northridge Earthquake that happened in 1995. He also attended our E mployee Mixer; from the bottom of his heart, he wants to thank our staff, thank the City Manager in regard to the responsiveness and acumen of the staff that we have here in Gardena City Council.
Every time he talks to somebody at a different function, he shares the knowledge that they share with me, with other colleagues and in other communities. They say where’d you learning about that his response is “I just talk to staff”. He definitely encourages folks if they have a questio n, just submit your question, someone will get back to you. He wants the staff to know that they have support from him Council Member Henderson in regards to what you do and continue to do what you do and make us all smarter up here.
He also participated in an International Conference with some folks across the pond over in England, in regards to the Independent Cities Association and kind of what we do as 40 cities in the county and they wanted to know what his vision was going to be for our 40 cities moving forward; he told them he’s developing that vision a little more he’s going to talk to his eboard this week and they’re going to figure out what they need to do. He gave a preliminary understanding that his tenure this time is going to be more about inclusion, diversity, and equity for all our LA County cities to make sure everybody’s voices are heard equally.
(2) MAYOR PRO TEM TANAKA – Since our last meeting, h e went on to say that Council Member Henderson made a great presentation about our Employee Quarterly Mixer. It’s a really great event because all of our directors and their departments get together and have a great time interacting with other departments. Plus, we showcase our new employees and those that have been promoted within that time frame, so it really does
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 8 show that we are a family, and I believe that the new employees and those that belong to this city feel that they are a part of us and that we do things that a family does. He attended the California Cit ies LA Division Installation of Officers and congratulations to the Arcadia Mayor, Dr. Cao, it was a really great event. He has been reelected as the RCC Board Chair for his third term, He t hanked RCC. Lastly, he is the President of the Gardena Kiwanis Club, and somebody had to take one for the team, so he went to the District Training in Kona, Hawaii. He just got back at 1:00 am this morning but anybody looking to be in a service Club, look us up.
(3) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE– Since our last meeting, she attended the City’s Candlelight Dinner for the seniors; she attended the very interesting Country Bash it was good to see a lot of the residents come out and dance to the country music ; she attended the MLK Tea Party Fundraiser; she attended the amazing National Night Out, she tells people and that she was with some Long Beach Police Officers, and they didn’t believe that we had the largest in the South Bay. She attended Holly Mitchell’s School supply giveaway, where she gave away laptops, iPads, and lots and lots of resources, and backpacks.
She also attended Steve Bradford’s School supply giveaway over at Compton College this past weekend.
(4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last council meeting, she attended the Citizen Leadership Academy and for those residents who are watching this meeting now if you want to learn more about Gardena this is a great way to do it. If you’d like to know more about city government and how things work, consider signing up for the next class starting. We have a great group of directors that love explaining about all the departments. She had the pleasure of hearing about Public Works, she thought she knew everything but her colleague and herself learned some things the other day about Public Works. It’s just a great way for the community to come out and get informed, know the process, relating to why we do certain things in our City. She went ahead and thanked the staff, and they are doing an amazing job presenting that to our community. She also attended the Quarterly Mixer, although her colleagues have mentioned already about what a great job you know it is having that. However, something that stood out to her was that some of our employees that were promoted to their new positions here, it was just really nice hearing their directors talk a little bit about their background and how great of an employee they were. She thought that’s really nice because those new people who are coming to work for the city now, they could see that you know what we really appreciate our employees here. She wants to commend all of you guys and thank you guys for just adding that extra little part to it. She attended LA County Fire Department’s 2024 Lifeguards Medal of Valor ; it’s something she usually go es to every year. It was in Hermosa Beach this year, always a great event, and lifeguards are folks that a lot of times she thinks we overlook, they are part of our Fire Department. But what she thinks is so unique about our lifeguards out their male or female these people are out their saving lives almost with no equipment. These lifeguards have to rely on their strength to be able to run through sand, swim out to a victim, rescue the person, bring them back in, do CPR, and go back to their station to get ready for the next person to save. This takes so much endurance. She’s always very proud to represent the City of Gardena and just commend our lifeguards for always doing an amazing job. She also attended a recognition from one of our residents for our Police Department for just the amazing job that they do year-round one of our residents were nice enough to provide lunch for our officers and just their way of thanking them. She also attended the Quake Hero Expo this
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 9 past Saturday, how ironic was it that we just had an earthquake. She hopes that everybody considers going to the next expo that we have. Also consider doing the Cert Training as well because those members who are certified feel a lot more confident as far as what to do in the event of an earthquake, especially had this been the big one.
Lastly, she wants to mention National Night Out, every year we have it it’s great, but it seems like it just keeps getting better and better. As you can see from the pictures it was amazing and, in the past, she has shown videos from last year’s National Night Out not only to other Cities but she has a friend of hers who’s a king in another country and they actually said they would like to come out to Gardena and see what its all about because of the videos it looks amazing. With that being said she wants to tell everyone to continue doing what you’re doing our community appreciates it . She went ahead and thanked everyone, it was awesome, everybody was talking about it.
(5) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since the last council meeting, she attended the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District meeting. She attended Senator Steve Bradford’s backpack giveaway, the Summer Block Party, National Night Out was an excellent program. She thanked Congresswomen Maxine Waters for attending our National Night Out and she comment ed that this was by far the largest event, National Night Out, within the South Bay, so congratulations and thank you everybody that came out. She also attended the Empire Youth Summit at Rowley Park. It was nice seeing and she’s really proud of our young people who came together to talk about anxiety and how to navigate through life. It was an excellent presentation she hopes they’ll be able to come back and do it again. She attended the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Culture Committee meeting. She attended a fatherhood conference hosted by Assembly Member Mike Gibson over at Dominguez Hills; well attended, very great conference, and you know we talk about moms a lot but sometimes the role the dads play in the lives of our children and our families sometimes goes unnoticed, but just know after this conference you know fatherhood is key to successful families. She also attended Earthquake Heroes and saw the part of the heroes’ film and the Earthquake Expo. She echoed Mayor Cerda’s comments about it how ironic it was that a few days later we had our own earthquake. She wants to encourage you if you haven’t done i t already you know prepare for the earthquake because it’s not a matter if it’s coming it’s just a matter of when it’s coming so prepare you know make sure you have water on hand and food, and you know the resources are available because it has been said should the big one hit we are going to be on our own for at least 3 days, so you should be able to take care of yourself for at least 3 days, but now here in Gardena we are going to be just fine. She attended our Hats and Pearl Fundraiser for the Martin Luther King Jr. Culture Committee, and they presented three Arthur Johnson Scholarships, named after the founder of our committee, to three High School students. She’d like to thank Council Member Love and Mayor Cerda for attending and supporting us. She also attended A.C. Green Leadership Academy Awards Program and she’s sure she’s leaving something out, but she was there. She can’t attend a lot of the events during the school year because she teaches.
She can’t supersede one for the other but know she’s there in spirit and supporting you all the way and as always stay faithful and just know better days are coming.
Docusign Envelope ID: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB 10 23. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Co-Ed Flag Football Clinics, registration period Sunday, August 11, 20 24 to Monday, August 26, 2024, Clinic location and dates: Freeman Park from August 27-30, 2024; 2) GTrans Public Community Meetings and Hearings regarding January 2025 Pr oposed Service Change Plan, Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 12:00PM , Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:00AM, Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 6 :00PM, and Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at 6:00PM;
3) Zumba, Friday, August 30, 2024 from 6:00- 7:30PM at the City Hall Lawn ; reserve your spot today;
4) Keep Gardena Beautiful Day, Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 8:00AM -12:00PM; Register by September 5, 2024;
5) Compost Giveaway, Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 8:00AM -12:00PM at Rowley Park;
6) 911 23rd Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony, Wednesday, September 11, 2024 at 9:00AM on the City Hall Lawn; and
7) Night Under the Stars, Friday, S eptember 13, 2024 from 7:00- 9:30PM, Free Family Movie Night featuring Disney’s Encanto;
24. REMEMBRANCES
Mr. John Wesley Hinton, Sr. , 83 years of age, Gardena resident since 1975.
Mr. Sergio Saucedo, 61 years of age, beloved father of Prescilla Saucedo, Office Specialist in the Recreation & Human Services Department.
Mrs. Nadine Hadley, 79 years of age, sister of long-time Gardena resident, Dr. Hadley
25. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:27p.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, August 27, 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: A89CE010-5FD9-456A-AF4F-77A556E9DDBB