1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California, was called to order at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162
nd Street, Gardena, California.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha 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 present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; City Clerk Mina Semenza; 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
Iakopo “Bam” Tovio and Tre’ Harrison, both seniors at Serra High School led the Pledge of Allegiance. Iakopo is a dual sport athlete playing football and rugby. He plans to major in Mechanical Engineering and has obtained a 3.5 GPA over the course of 4 years. He is the ASB Vice-President, and his favorite subject is English. Tre’ is a dual sport athlete playing football and track. He has committed to the University of California Berkeley. He has maintained a 4.0 GPA for 6 years. He is ASB President, and his favorite subject is Math.
4. INVOCATION
Reverend John Iwohara of the Gardena Buddhist Church led the Invocation.
5. PROCLAMATIONS
5.A "BLACK HISTORY MONTH" February 2025 – was proclaimed by Mayor Cerda
6. APPOINTMENTS
6.A Reorganization of Council Assignments of Delegates and Alternates to Outside/City Committees
Approve Council Assignments to Outside / City Committees
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda stated that we have four (4) different Alternate positions that we need to temporarily fill, because these committees are so important, and we definitely want to make sure that they are represented by the City of Gardena. They are being temporarily assigned to fill in for Council Member Love.
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 2 She then asked if any of the Council Members were interested in being appointed as the City Selection Committee, LAFCO, Coastal and Transportation Commission Alternate; Council Member Henderson volunteered.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , and carried by the following roll to Appoint Council Member Henderson as the LAFCO Alternate:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and Council Members Henderson and Francis
Noes: Council Member Love
Absent: None
Mayor Cerda asked if any of the Council Members were interested in being appointed as the League of California Cities Alternate; Mayor Cerda volunteered.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll to Appoint Mayor Cerda as the League of California Alternate:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Council Member Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and Council Member Francis
Noes: Council Member Love
Absent: None
Mayor Cerda asked if any of the Council Members were interested in being appointed as the South Bay Cities Council of Government ; Council Member Henderson volunteered.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll to Appoint Council Member Henderson as the South Bay Cities Council of Government Alternate:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and Council Member Henderson
Noes: Council Members Francis and Love
Absent: None
Mayor Cerda asked if any of the Council Members if were interested in being appointed as the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Alternate; Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka volunteered.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Council Member Henderson, and carried by the following roll to Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka as the SCAG Alternate:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Council Member Henderson and Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka Noes: Council Members Francis and Love
Absent: None
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 3 Mayor Cerda stated again that these appointments are temporary. It’s important that we have an Alternate in the event we are sick or unable to be there. Unfortunately, because Council Member Love was temporarily removed from her council assignments, we need to make sure we have representation.
7. PRESENTATIONS
7.A Certificate of Recognition to the Winners of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee of Gardena 52nd Annual City-Wide Essay Contest – Council Member Francis spoke and the certificates were accepted by 1
st Place Winner Bianca
Magnifco and 3 rd Place Winner Gianna Streeter ; 2 nd Place Winner Kayden Moore was not in attendance. Each of the winners spoke and appropriate photos were taken; Council Member Francis also mentioned that the 1st place winner received a scholarship award for $4 00, the 2nd place winner received a scholarship award for $300, and the 3rd place winner received a scholarship award for $200.
7.B Recognition of Members of the City of Gardena Police Explorer Post #142 for their Successes at the 27th Annual Chandler Tactical Competition in Chandler, Arizona - Chief Mike Saffell introduced all the Explorers and spoke about all their accomplishments at the event; the certificate was accepted by all members of the City of Gardena Police Explorer Post #142 and appropriate photos were taken; Sargent Tyler Nash spoke about all their hard work and thanked the Council for their continuous support and thanked Chief Saffell and all his advisors for all their support.
7.C Find and Protect Campaign Presentation – was presented by Lieutenant Alex Rivera
7.D Gardena Events Video Presentations
8. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Cerda asked if there were any public comments from the public regarding any of the items on the Consent Calendar, City Clerk Semenza responded that we did receive a Public Comment regarding 8.B, which was distributed, and made part of the record.
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, January 28, 2025
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C. Receive and File Minutes:
Planning and Environmental Quality Commission December 3, 2024 Planning and Environmental Quality Commission January 7, 2025 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 4 8.D Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, February 11, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
February 11, 2025: Wire Transfer: 12894- 12903, 12908- 12909; Prepay: 179297- 179306; Check Numbers: 179307-179471 for Total Warrants issued in the amount of $3,016,745.33; Total Payroll Issued for January 24, 2025: 1,937,388.81
8.E Personnel Report P-2025-3 02-11-25
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
8.F RESOLUTION NO. 6686, Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District Renewal for the Fiscal Year Commencing July 1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2026 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
RESOLUTION NO. 6686
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, ARTESIA BOULEVARD
LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT RENEWAL
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025,
AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
8.G RESOLUTION NO. 6687: Consolidated Street Lighting District Renewal for the Fiscal Year Commencing July1, 2025, and Ending June 30, 2026 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
RESOLUTION NO. 6687
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, CONSOLIDATED
STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT RENEWAL FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025, AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2026
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 8.B:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
8.B CITY CLERK Approve Minutes:
Regular Meeting of the City Council, January 28, 2025
Council Member Love stated that she is pulling the minutes from the last Council meeting because of the misrepresentation of the minutes referring to the statements made by Ricky Riker and Jonathan Quiroz; she indicated that the
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 5 individuals spoke about personal matters that had absolutely nothing to do with City business, she continued to comment that what they spoke about was inaccurate and asked that the minutes be pulled and corrected.
Mayor Cerda stated that she did not see anything wrong with the minutes and made a motion to keep the minutes as they are.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Excluded Consent Calendar:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and Council Member Henderson
Noes: Council Members Francis and Love
Absent: None
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A FEBRUARY 4, 2025, MEETING
1818 West Redondo Beach Boulevard, the Tire House Progress Report Staff presented an update report on the Tire House Inc.’s progress with meeting the requirements of Site Plan Review #4-15.
Commission Action: The Planning Commission motioned to grant the appeal, made by the Appellant, by a vote of 5- 0. The Planning Commission directed staff to bring back a resolution to approve the appeal at a later Planning Commission meeting.
No action by Council was needed.
10.B FEBRUARY 4, 2025, MEETING
Environmental Assessment #9-21 (SCH 2023060263), Specific Plan #1-23, Site Plan Review #5-21, and Development Agreement #1-21 The Planning Commission reviewed a request for a recommendation to the City Council for the entitlements needed to establish a 1450 Artesia Specific Plan.
Environmental Assessment Consideration: Approval of these items requires certification of an Environmental Impact Report (EA #9- 21), adoption of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan, Findings Relating to Alternatives and Mitigation Measures, and a Statement of Overriding Considerations
Project Location: 1440, 1450, 1462, 1472 Artesia Boulevard, (APN: 6106-036-010, -012, -034, -035, -036, -037)
Project Applicant: 1450 Artesia Acquisition Company LLC (Representative: Brian Sorensen)
Commission Action: The Planning Commission adopted the following resolutions by a 5-0 vote:
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 6 Resolution No. PC 2-25, recommending the City Council certify the FEIR and adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, Findings Relating to Alternatives and Mitigation Measures, and a Statement of Overriding Considerations for the purposes of the project; and
Resolution No. PC 3- 25, recommending the City Council approve the 1450 Artesia Specific Plan (SP #1-23), Site Plan Review #5-21, and Development Agreement #1-21.
No action by Council was needed. These items will be brought before the City Council on February 25, 2025.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Michael Brown, owner of Legends Cigar Lounge; came out to ask Council to re -open the cigar lounge moratorium so he could transfer his tobacco license; 2) T ravis He rnandez, Library Manager of Masao W. Sato Library, came to give library updates;
3) P aul Randall, representative of Mama Rosa’s Pantry; came to give an annual report and thank the Council for allowing them to reopen and serve this community; 4) T homas Lee, representative of Dink House LA; came to introduce the business and ask Council to help keep their indoor pickleball facility open; 5) C arrie Scott, resident; asked Council what the requirements were for becoming a Mayor Pro Tem; asking if it’s a rotation position;
6) G reg g Kelbaugh, pickle ball player from Manhattan Beach, came to speak about keeping the Dink House LA pickle ball facility open;
7) Je ssica Dickerson , came to speak about the positive interactions she has had with Council Member Love; and
8) He idi Walter ; avid pickle ball player; came to speak about keeping the Dink House LA pickleball facility open.
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES – No Items
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
13.A Gardena Economic Business Advisory Commission's Facade Improvement Program Guidelines for the Gardena Boulevard Revitalization
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
GEBAC Chair Steve Rogers presented a PowerPoint.
Mayor Cerda asked if there were any questions or comments.
There was a discussion which included Mayor Cerda, Council Member Francis, Council Member Love and Council Member Henderson regarding the following: 1) the choices from the limited color palettes ; 2) if conversations and/or meetings have been had with the business owners, 3) if the program is voluntary for the businesses to participate, and 4) if there was a vision of what you wanted Gardena Blvd to look like. Chair Rogers responded to their questions. Economic Development Manager Jackie Choi
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 7 clarified that th e copies of the color palettes that Council received were printed incorrectly, and new copies were being distributed.
At 9:10p.m Mayor Cerda announced that we would be taking a 5- minute recess.
Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. and stated that we have been given an updated color palette.
Public Speaker: Valerie Barbour, owner of Mr. Bob’s Unique Store spoke against the color palettes.
Mayor Cerda then confirmed the colors came from the original booklet that we approved f or residential, businesses and new developments moving forward; she also confirmed that the $30,000 grant will be used to paint, provide awning as well as signage to give it a uniform look; based on the Consultant’s recommendation, this would make it more appealing to the business owners.
Economic Development Manager Choi explained the process and options that are available to the business owners. She also confirmed that the colors came from the original conceptual design booklet that was approved by Council last September.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and carried by the following roll call vote to approve GEBAC’s recommendation and the Facade Improvement program guidelines and the color palette for the Gardena Boulevard Revitalization:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, and Council Members Francis and Love, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
13.B PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION NO. 6694 , Approving Conditional Use Permit #1-24 for a modification to a conditional use permit for an existing high school located within the R-1 zone; Site Plan Review #1-24 for the demolition of a 9,036 SF building and proposing a new 7,500 SF facility in its place; and an Administrative Adjustment to the off - street parking requirements, for a 12% reduction in the number of required spaces for the existing high school located at 2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
RESOLUTION NO. 6694
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL
USE PERMIT #1-24 FOR A HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED
WITHIN THE SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (R-1) ZONE;
SITE PLAN REVIEW #1-24 FOR THE DEMOLITION OF A
9,036 SF BUILDING AND PROPOSING A NEW 7,500 SF
FACILITY IN ITS PLACE,TO CONTINUE SERVING THE
EXISTING SCHOOL ON THE PROPERTY; AND AN
ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUSTMENT TO THE OFFSTREET
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 8 PARKING REQUIREMENTS, FOR A 12% REDUCTION IN
THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED SPACES FOR THE
EXISTING HIGH SCHOOL LOCATED AT 2818
MANHATTAN BEACH BOULEVARD
Environmental Consideration: The proposed project is being considered for a categorical exemption from the provisions of the California Enviornmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guideline Sections 15302 and 15303, as a Replacement of an Existing Structure and New Construction of Small Structure project.
APPLICANT: Farnaz Golshani-Flecher, Farnaz Golshan-Flechner, Enviornmental Charter High School
LOCATION: 2818 Manhattan Beach Blvd; APN: (4067-007-005)
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Economic Development Manager Amanda Acuna indicated that staff does not have a presentation, only t he Applicant will be presenting. She commented about some notes that happened at the Planning Commission meeting regarding an additional condition and some public comments that came in. She indicated that there was a public comment that was received via email tonight, which Council has not yet received a copy; she read the public comment into the record.
A Power Point presentation was made on behalf of the Applicant by Allison Diaz, Founder and Director of Growth & Sustainability. Ms. Diaz indicated that Danielle Kelsick, Cindy Guardado, Lacey Harris, Madison Donatoni and their Architect were all present.
Mayor Cerda then opened the Public Hearing at 9:58p.m.
Public Speakers: Danielle Marquez, Camilla Sosa and Stephen Langley all spoke in favor of the project.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis, Mayor Cerda, Council Member Love and Council Member Henderson. Ms. Diaz, her leadership team, Community Development Manager Acuna, and City Attorney Vasquez answered questions. Community Development Manager Acuna spoke regarding the condition that was added.
Mayor Cerda closed the Public Hearing at 10:41p.m.
It was moved by Mayor Cerda, and seconded by Council Member Love , and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6694 with the amendment if the property hosts an event, the applicant must demonstrate that adequate parking is available, and if there is an agreement they must provide a copy of the agreement to staff:
Ayes: Mayor Cerda, Council Member Love, Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka and Council Member Henderson
Noes: Council Member Francis
Absent: None
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 9 13.C PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE NO. 1877 , Amending the Gardena Municipal Code Chapter 18.66 and Section 18.36.020 relating to allowing non- storefront retail medical cannabis delivery services businesses in the M-1 and M-2 zoning districts.
ORDINANCE NO. 1877
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE GARDENA
MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 18.66 AND SECTION
18.36.020 RELATING TO ALLOWING NON -STOREFRONT
RETAIL MEDICAL CANNABIS DELIVERY SERVICES
BUSINESSES IN THE M-1 AND M-2 ZONING DISTRICTS
Environmental Consideration : Adoption of this ordinance is exempt under the common sense exemption of CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) where it can be seen that the project will not have any possibility of creating significant effects on the environment.
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda then asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
Public Hearing opened at 10:45p.m.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Henderson, Mayor Cerda and Council Member Francis.
City Manager Osorio, Community Development Manager Acuna, City Attorney Vasquez, Community Development Director Greg Tsujiuchi and Police Chief Saffell answered all questions.
Public Hearing closed at 11:10p.m.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka , and seconded by Council Member Love, and carried by the following roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 1877:
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Members Love, Henderson and Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
Ordinance No. 1877 was introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka.
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 10 14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
14.A ORDINANCE NO. 1880, Amending Sections 14.04.090 and 14.04.220 of Chapter 14.04 – Residential Rent Mediation and Hearings – of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to Notification of Rent Increases
ORDINANCE NO. 1880
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS
14.04.090 AND 14.04.220 OF CHAPTER 14.04 –
RESIDENTIAL RENT MEDIATION AND HEARINGS –
OF THE GARDENA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
NOTIFICATION OF RENT INCREASES
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda then asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers and no comments from the Council.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson , and seconded by Council Member Love, and carried by the following roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 1880:
Ayes: Council Member Henderson and Love , Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka, Council Member Francis, and Mayor Cerda
Noes: None
Absent: None
Ordinance No. 1880 was introduced by Council Member Henderson
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – POLICE – No Items
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS – No Items
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – No Items
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORATION – No Items
19. COUNCIL ITEMS – No Items
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 11 20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Mayor Cerda
Subject: Name the scoreboard at Freeman Park Ichikawa/Gardena or have Council suggest a name.
Purpose – In recognition of the visit from our Sister City coming in July for a friendly softball game;
Reason – We should go through the formal process/agendize; and Benefit – This would further our relationship with our Sister City.
Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka seconded it.
21. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS - None
22. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) COUNCIL MEMBER HENDERSON – Since the last meeting he attended his SCAG meeting, they had a joint policy meeting in regard to what they are going to do in our region in response to the wildfires and other issues and they’re looking to schedule a legislative trip to Washington DC. , s ince a lot of the SCAG work is centered around transportation, they want to make sure that our six-county groups are still going to have access to the funding to support our initiatives. He had his ICA board meeting or E board meeting to discuss our upcoming conferences from February 21st through the 23 rd, he
will miss our MLK parade. He likes that parade so he’s sad he will miss that. He will be hosting the conference in Santa Barbara. He wants to thank those who wished him well over his sickness this past week and he couldn't get around to the businesses and community members because of his illness so he just had to make phone calls, so it was good to get some updates from everybody.
2) MAYOR PRO TEM TANAKA – He went to the Gardena Police Department ’s Ladies Hiring Expo which was a really packed event so he’s glad that they had that because there were a lot of ladies that were there looking into law enforcement, dispatch, the district attorney’s office there were a lot of ladies there interested, and our people put on a great course. He attended the CCOG Transportation Committee meeting. He thinks Public Works people would be very happy because they had a yes -vote request for monies under the CCOG. He attended the Steering Committee meeting. They discussed some future things that are coming up and he did attend C offee with a C op today at McDonald's. He is probably going to bring up three deaths that occurred in the last couple of weeks, maybe in the next meeting.
3) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE – She has no events to report that she attended as stated before she does not attend the city events, but she did want to reiterate rather her disagreement regarding the City Council's correction to the minutes decision made by the Mayor and my colleagues not to correct the minutes. She believes that this is a politically motivated maneuver to set up for an upcoming election. It’s important that the printed records reflect accurately what happens in the City Council meetings, and the minutes that were read from the January 28th meeting, had no relevance to city business at all. It's just unacceptable for the Council to allow the misuse of public forums for
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 12 personal disputes that have no city government . The integrity of the public records. should not be compromised for political gamesmanship so she hopes that her colleagues can get back to doing what the community is asking us to do, versus swaying to the left or right serving any and everybody other than what they're asking us for. She has sat here on this C ouncil many meetings and she has heard our constituents ask us to do things that we had the power and authority to do, and it is kind of disappointing to see the way some of her colleagues vote.
4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last meeting she only attended a couple of things, first was the launch of the new Bolt ride that is in our community here, and it was really fun. She had a really great time out there, and she thanked her colleagues for attending. She thanked all the residents who came out there and mentioned that the first 10 rides are free up until February the 28th. Also, besides that on a sad note, she attended the funeral services for one of our residents , Ms.Essie Edwards, she was somebody who was commonly always at our Coffee with a Cop and over the past couple of years, especially since COVID, we didn't see her there. She was a resident that we adjourned in memory of, she was 98 years old, and she loved coming to Coffee with a Cop. She attended her funeral services and gave some remarks on behalf the City and of Chief Saffell, who was out of town; we always appreciate our residents always coming out to just support all of our events. She attended the Okinawa Association of America's 2025 New Year's party; it was a great event as always and she was happy that she was able to be there along with our Assembly Member Al Muratsuchi. Then lastly, she attended the Los Angeles County City Selection Committee meeting as we chose a new member for AQMD and the person who was chosen was Brenda Olmos from the City of Paramount. She stated she was not able to attend more events because she went on vacation, something she never does and so, unfortunately, she apologized to people who were texting her all weekend she was out of cell phone range, so she couldn't respond. Last thing, she mentioned here that it has been alluded to several times about the unfair treatment on this Council; things alluding to that she is doing that are politically motivated ; she continued to say as elected officials , our only job is to sit here and be leaders of this community and things that are important to them is making sure we get these resolutions; these things changed here so businesses that are trying to come here, just to do our job and again we can't control anybody who wants to come up here and talk during oral communications; everybody has that right it's their First Amendment right they can talk about whatever they want to talk about during oral communications; she has even heard of situations where people got up during oral communication and sang a song, so it's their right to do that, and she doesn’t think in all my years of attending Council meetings for over 25 years and her 15 years being on the Council, has she never seen a situation where a City Council member because of whatever activities have happened outside Council meetings somebody had to come up and talk about some behavior that was exhibited to the point that it had to spill over into our council meeting. You know people come here and they do that, and she doesn’t think any of us have the power to control anybody to do that. It just is what it is so to sit here and say that any of us here are pushing this or you know trying to make things hard for somebody is crazy. It doesn't make any sense at all ; she has seen her name all over social media, lies about her supposedly all these things that she is trying to orchestrate she thinks it needs to stop.
She thinks at the end of the day the facts speak for what they are in previous situations. as it related to the investigation that was done here, situations happened with the Council Member that warrant our employees to report it, because they felt they couldn't do their
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 13 job professionally and an investigation had to happen . It had nothing to do with any of us. We didn't hear about it until it was presented to us, and we have the right if we want to either vote to let it be read out or not, that was our right to do and still at the same time this costs our city $20,000 just for the investigation that's not including the legal fees not to mention it left us open to the exposure that either one of these employees want to sue the city, we could be out of a lot more money. So, these were just the facts, this is just the way it happened. To sit here and try to make it seem like her colleague was a victim here, you need to look at what initially happened, in the beginning, and it had nothing to do with us none of us have been involved in this so with that she just wants to set the record straight. Again, as you know as it relates to all of that we're just trying to do our job and conduct business and you know everything that she does and she can't speak for all here, but you know we're just having the business at hand as it relates to the City of Gardena, we have no gain in any of this politically, emotionally or anything like that, it just is what it is.
5) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS –First of all, she thanked everybody who's been watching from home, and for those who came out tonight for whatever reason thank you for coming out and participating in our City Council meeting or oral communication comments. It's important, it's nice to look out and see people s taying out there for change; we love the staff, but we see you all the time but anyway thank you. Although you may or may not agree with some of the decisions that we make, if you want to talk about something, come see her she’ll be more than happy to talk with you. She is excited about this Find and Protect campaign, it's going to help a whole lot of folks, and she is glad we're doing a lot of good things. We’re doing a lot of good stuff so we'll make sure in somewhat you see down here we don't always agree on everything we're not supposed to but her goal is to make sure that we make the best decisions for the City of Gardena because she lives here too and she has got to live with some of these decisions hopefully long after the City Council is over and she has to live with some of this stuff. So, we're going to try and make the best decisions that works for the City of Gardena. She wants to remind everybody to come out to our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade it was really scheduled for January 15
th, but because of the fires and it was rescheduled
for February 22nd that's the last Saturday of this month; it starts at Serra High School and then it proceeds down Van Ness Ave. to Rowley Park and at the end of the parade will have a Battle of the Bands and this is always a lot of fun and our G rand Marshall is AC Green, a former Laker, our Community Grand Marshall is Senator Steven Bradford whose done lots for our community, he grew up here, and our Hometown Hero is Dylan Andrews; and she understands he has a game that weekend he won't be able to attend.
She is sorry to hear that, but he's still our hometown hero; this young man grew up in our city, played right here in our gym, and now he's at UCLA doing great things for us , and not only that but he came back and did a basketball clinic for our young people, he gave them laptops, so whether he's in a parade or not he's still our hometown hero. She also wanted to say congratulations to our essay contest winners; they wrote some very good essays; our future is in good hands based on some of the essays she had read with our young people, so congratulations to Kayden Moore, Giana Streeter, and Bianca Magnifico our first place winner. As we said each got a certificate, first place received a scholarship award for $400.00 second place winner received a scholarship award for $300.00, and the third place winner received a scholarship award for $200. Also, if you are graduating high school senior s, be on the lookout for the Author Johnson College Scholarship program, it's named after the founder Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural
Docusign Envelope ID: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7 14 Committee and you should hear about that around April and especially thank you to Mr.
Martinez and Ms. Kim from Gardena High School for supporting our students they’re the reason that we had so many submissions and the reason that we had such great essays, and some wonderful young people came out. So again, thank you everybody we'll see you, looking forward to seeing you all in the parade hopefully the weather will agree, and it won't be too cold and come on out support us and she knows there's a lot of crazy things going on, hear a lot of stuff on the news, and all this about this, that, and the other, but stay faithful, better days are coming, it's been promised.
23. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Western Avenue Railroad Crossing Improvement Project – Closure of Western Avenue between 166th to 168th from February 28th to March 3rd; 2) Co-Ed Youth Soccer & Futsol Registration period February 9th to March 8, 2025; 3) Semi-Annual Clean-up Day, one day only; Free for all Gardena residents; see flyer for event schedule;
4) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade and Celebration (new date) February 22, 2025 from 10:00a.m to 3:00p.m;
5) Glow in the Dark Kickball Game (new date) February 22, 2025 at Rush Gym; 6) Bollywood Candlelight Dinner, February 27, 2025 at the Nakaoka Community Center ; Check in 4:30p.m.; Dinner served at 5:15p.m.;
7) Glow in the Dark Bingo, February 28, 2025 from 6:00- 8:00p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center;
8) G ardena Police Department Community Academy , 4 sessions, starts March 22, 2025 and goes through April 12, 2025; see flyer for more information; and 9) Gardena Citizen Day Care Center, providing a supportive and enriching environment for seniors with Alzhemer’s, Dementia, or related disabilities; see flyer for more information.
24. REMEMBRANCES - None
25. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:35 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 February 11, 2025.
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: FB0997E8-65AF-4477-BA90-7AD075D332C7