1 MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, April 8, 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, April 8, 2025, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California; Mayor Tasha Cerda presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Council Member Mark E . Henderson; Council Member Paulette C. Francis; and Council Member Love. Other City Officials and Employees present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; Treasurer Guy H. Mato; City Clerk Mina Semenza; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero. Mayor Pro Tem Rodney G. Tanaka was away on an excused absence.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
2. CLOSED SESSION - None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Lorelei Alvarado and Abigail Barrientos, both in the 3 rd grade, and attend Gardena Elementary School. Abigail led the pledge in English; and Lorelei led the pledge in Spanish.
Both Lorelei and Abigail are model students who consistently demonstrate both exceptional academic abilities and exemplary behavior. Wit h a strong work ethic, they approach each subject with diligence and curiosity, consistently achieving high marks across all areas. Their passion for learning is evident in their engagement during class discussions, where they actively participate and cont ribute thoughtful ideas. Beyond academics, Lorelei enjoys singing and playing with her toys; when she grows up, she wants to be an artist. Abigail enjoys singing and dancing and when she grows up, she wants to be a singer.
4. INVOCATION
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.A Gardena Events Video Presentation
6. PROCLAMATIONS
6.A "National Library Week," April 6 through April 12, 2025 – was accepted by Andrea Simental and Travis Hernandez, Library Managers of the Mayme Dear and Masao W. Sato Libraries, and the Friends of the Library
6.B "Challenge the Norm and Influence of Marijuana Use on Youth Day" - April 20, 2025 – was accepted by Tracy Saruwatari , Community Organizer with ADAAP, along with members of her adult coalition GDAAP Task Force
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 2 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 25, 2025
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
8.C Receive and File Minutes:
Planning and Environment Quality Commission March 4, 2025 Planning and Environment Quality Commission March 18, 2025 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
8.D Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, April 8, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
April 8, 2025: Wire Transfer: 12940-12953, Prepay: 180059-180060; Check Numbers:
180061-180213 for Total Warrants issued in the amount of $11,137,968.29; Total Payroll Issued for April 4, 2025: $2,068,830.36
8.E Personnel Report P-2025-7 04-08-25
CONTACT: HUMAN RESOURCES
8.F RESOLUTION NO. 6700, Amending the List of Authorized Games and Authorizing the Play of Certain Games in Licensed Card Clubs
CONTACT: CITY MANAGER
It was moved by Council Member Francis , seconded by Council Member Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Items 8.D and 8.F:
Ayes: Council Members Francis, Henderson, and Love and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
9. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
8.D. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, April 8, 2025 – Council Member Love asked to abstain from the vote
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Francis and carried by the following roll call vote to approve Item 8.D:
Ayes: Council Members Henderson and Francis, and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Abstain: Council Member Love
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 3 8.F. CITY MANAGER: RESOLUTION NO. 6700 , Amending the List of Authorized Games and Authorizing the Play of Certain Games in Licensed Card Clubs
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Love and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Item 8.F:
Ayes: Council Members Francis, Love and Henderson and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
10. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
10.A APRIL 1, 2025 MEETING
FIRST EXTENSION OF TIME REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #9- 23, SITE PLAN REVIEW #5-23, AND VARIANCE #1-23
The Planning Commission considered a request for a six-month extension for the construction and the use of a new public utility facility by the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts in the General Commercial (C-3) zone within the City.
LOCATION: 1919, 1923, 1931 W. Artesia Boulevard; APNs: 4094-007-903, 906, 905
APPLICANT: Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 2 Commission Action: The Planning Commission approved a six-month extension of time for Conditional Use Permit #9- 23, Site Plan Review #5- 23, and Variance #1-23, by a vote of 5-0.
City Council Action: Receive and file OR call for review by way of two votes from the City Council.
This Item was Received and Filed.
10.B APRIL 1, 2025 MEETING
2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
An information report was presented to the Planning Commission providing an overview of the City of Gardena's 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report.
Commission Action: The Planning Commission received staff’s report.
Council Action: No action needed.
11. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
1) Travis Hernandez, Library Manager of Masao W. Sato Library, came to give information regarding library events at both Masao W. Sato and Gardena Mayme Dear Libraries; 2) Chris Bennett, Block Club Captain of the Casimir Gate Keepers Network, read a letter of accommodation on behalf of the Block Club in support of Lt. Chris Cuff as he is applying for a promotion to Captain.
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 4 3) Herman Becaria, resident; came out to speak about some serious issues that are taking place at the Party on Western bar and asked for help from our Police Department; 4) Brandon Smith, resident: spoke about Redondo Beach Boulevard Improvement Project; 5) Valerie Barbour, spoke regarding the Mayor’s town hall meeting, and wanted to address the colors of the revitalization on Gardena Boulevard.
11.A PUBLIC COMMENT – 04-08-2025 Regular CC Meeting – PC #1 – Oral Communication - was attached to the Agenda Packet and made part of the record.
12. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
12.A Approval of Two (2) Professional Services Agreements for Voter Survey, Education, Outreach, and Communications for Potential Ballot Revenue Measure with TeamCivX for $165,250 and Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) for $62,750 including a 20 Percent Contingency of $45,600 for a Project Total of $273,600
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
A presentation was given by Joy Kummer of TeamCivX.
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.
Questions and comments were made by all Members of the Council. Ms. Kummer and City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Francis and carried by the following roll call vote to Approval of Two (2) Professional Services Agreements for Voter Survey, Education, Outreach, and Communications for Potential Ballot Revenue Measure with TeamCivX and Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (FM3) for a Project Total of $273,600, which includes a Contingency of Twenty Percent (20%):
Ayes: Council Member Henderson, Francis and Love and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
12.B Approval of Police Managers' Resolution No. 6699, the Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement between The City of Gardena and Michael Saffell, and Classification and Compensation Schedules
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.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis . City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 5 It was moved by Council Member Francis , seconded by Council Member Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Approve Police Managers' Resolution No. 6699, the Second Amendment to the Employment Agreement between The City of Gardena and Michael Saffell, and Classification and Compensation Schedules:
Ayes: Council Members Francis, Henderson, and Love and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - None
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES - None
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – POLICE - None
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
16.A RESOLUTION NO. 6688, Approving the Engineer's Report for the Gardena Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026, Declaring its Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments under the Gardena Artesia Boulevard Landscaping Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and Appointing a time and place for a Public Hearing thereon (Public Hearing: May 13, 2025)
RESOLUTION NO. 6688
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA , APPROVING THE ENGINEER'S
REPORT FOR THE GARDENA ARTESIA BOULEVARD
LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2025 -2026, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY
AND COLLECT ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE GARDENA
ARTESIA BOULEVARD LANDSCAPING ASSESSMENT
DISTRICT FOR F ISCAL YEAR 2025 -2026, AND
APPOINTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING
THEREON (PUBLIC HEARING: MAY 13, 2025)
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.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Love. City Manager Osorio, Director of Public Works, Allan Rigg, and City Attorney Vasquez answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis, seconded by Council Member Henderson and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6688:
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 6 Ayes: Council Members Francis, Henderson, and Love, and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
16.B RESOLUTION NO. 6689 , Approving the Engineer ’s Report for the Gardena Consolidated Street Lighting Assessment District for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026, Declaring its Intention to Levy and Collect Assessments under the Gardena Consolidated Street Lighting District for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, and Appointing a time and place for a Public Hearing thereon (Public Hearing: May 13, 2025)
RESOLUTION NO. 6689
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE ENGINEER’S
REPORT FOR THE GARDENA CONSOLIDATED STREET
LIGHTING ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-2026, DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO LEVY AND
COLLECT ASSESSMENTS UNDER THE GARDENA
CONSOLIDATED STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2025 -2026, AND APPOINTING A TIME AND
PLACE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING THEREON (PUBLIC
HEARING: MAY 13, 2025)
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.
Mayor Cerda stated that a Public Hearing was going to be held for both items at our May 13, 2025 Council Meeting.
It was moved by Council Member Henderson, seconded by Council Member Francis and carried by the following roll call vote to Adopt Resolution No. 6689:
Ayes: Council Members Henderson, Francis and Love and Mayor Cerda Noes: None
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Tanaka
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES – None
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS – TRANSPORTATION – None
19. COUNCIL ITEMS – None
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 7 20. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Francis
Subject: To add an agenda item to discuss honoring Cesar Chavez with an official holiday in the City of Gardena.
Purpose – To offer a day to set aside to honor Cesar Chavez with an official holiday; Reason – The birthday of Cesar Chavez is already established as a holiday; and Benefit – To highlight the diversity of holidays and honor the principals of the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez.
Council Member Love seconded it.
Council Member Love
Subject: For staff to check with Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s office for funding an art project to paint the utility boxes around the City.
Purpose – To make the utility boxes more appealing to the eye; Reason – The City could use more art around town; and
Benefit – Help beautify the City.
Mayor Cerda seconded it.
20. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
(1) A memo has been sent to all Members of the Council regarding Moody’s Investor ’s Service Annual Issuer Comment Report for the entire City of Gardena regarding our credit rating.
21. COUNCIL REMARKS
(1) COUNCIL MEMBER HENDERSON - Since the last meeting, he attended the Independent Cities Association E-Board meeting. He participated at the Redondo Beach City Council farewell for Council Members Nils Nehrenheim and Todd Loewenstein. He participated in our Gardena Paper Shredding event; it was a good event. He sat in line he didn't use the rank as the counc il person to go around everybody. He thanked our community for the dialogue on issues outside of council, folks have questions, and concerns about different things. He always encourages everyone to look at our council meetings and go through our minutes. They can't give you a whole play -by-play in the Ralphs ice cream section of what happened at the council meeting. For those that are engaged continue to stay engaged. He had the opportunity to meet the Prince of Venice, Italy, and speak to him about everything Italian, including gelato, and invited him to our City; we also talked about the World Cup and the Olympics. The Prince of Venice, Italy was a part of an event of the Orders of Savoy, where they were honoring our LA County Fire Department and a few folks supporting the Eaton and Palisade fires. He mentioned to Madam Mayor that he missed her town hall meeting but will try to catch the next one.
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 8 (2) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE - Since the last meeting, she drove by the Paper Shredding Event and there were quite a few cars in line. She did attend the yard sale event.
Everybody who knows her knows she loves a good bargain. She spoke of an opportunity for residents in the City of Gardena she is working with the Western State Contractor’s Union and they're going to offer the birdhouse library books that you see in some of the neighborhoods on some of the blocks. If any of the residents or businesses in Gardena are interested in putting a birdhouse library in front of their businesses or on their lawns you can reach out to her at City Hall, she’ll have the contractors come out and install them.
(3) MAYOR CERDA - Since the last Council Meeting, she attended the personnel meeting for the LA County Sanitation Board and her monthly Town Hall meeting at the Toss Up.
She also attended our quarterly Finance Committee meeting, she thanked all of the members who attended the meeting, the union groups, their representatives as well as other members of our Finance team. She also attended the Gardena Police Foundation Scholarship Awards luncheon. She commended the foundation for doing an amazing job not just rais ing money but making sure money is going to a worthy cause for the youth of tomorrow ; each student received a $16,000 scholarship for their college education. She attended the Kiwanis Club meeting and the Baker to Vegas Run, where several of our officers participated; she indicated it is a yearly run and there are a lot of other departments throughout the State of California that participate. She commended our officers for placing sixth in their division and thanked them for representing the City of Gardena.
(4) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS - Since the last meeting, she attended the Beautification Commission meeting, and mentioned due to other commitments, she was not able to attend any other events. She thanked the Managers from the Masao Sato and the Mayme Dear Libraries for coming to make presentations at our meetings on the activities that are going on in the library. She mentioned it’s spring break time, so please be mindful that the children are out and about. Lastly, no matter how you celebrate or what you celebrate the Easter holiday is coming up so enjoy your family. A lot of things going on in the world, a lot of anxious people going around, and a lot of crazy stuff, but just remember to stay faithful things will get better, better days are coming that’s been promised.
COUNCILMEMBER LOVE ADDED – She mentioned she is working with a nother nonprofit, Young Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow, to help the young men in Gardena who are seniors and either live in the City of Gardena or are attending Gardena’s high schools. They are helping offset the cost of their prom. When it comes to the guys, and her being a mother of two sons, they don't get that much support, so she is working with this nonprofit that is raising money to help seniors. This organization will help offset the cost of t ransportation, help rent a tuxedo, help buy a suit, shoes, haircut, neckwear, manicures, and whatever they need to attend the prom. If anyone is aware of any male students who need this assistance, they can reach out to her at City Hall.
CITY MANAGER OSORIO ADDE D – A promotion took place in the City Manager’s Office; our Director of Transportation, Ernie Crespo, has been promoted and will be assuming the role of Deputy City Manager. Mr. Crespo spoke and thanked Council for this opportunity.
Docusign Envelope ID: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED 9 22. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
(1) Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) Books & Beyond Adventure, Friday, April 11, 2025 from 10:00a.m. to 1:30p.m. at the Nakaoka Community Center; (2) Compost Giveaway, Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. at Rowley Park;
(3) Volunteers Needed “Willows Week of Service” Join us for a day or an entire week beginning April 14, 2025 to Friday, April 18, 2025 from 8:00a.m.-11:00a.m. (4) Hoppin’ Bunny Breakfast, Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 8:30a.m.-11:30a.m. (5) Eggstravaganza Bonanza, Saturday, April 19, 2025 at Rowley Park at 11:00a.m. (6) Earth Day Clean-Up, Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00a.m to 1:00p.m. at the Willows Wetland Preserve.
(7) Drug Takeback Day, Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. out in front of our Police Department.
(8) Challenge for 20 Week, Don’t Huff, Don’t Puff and stay away from that stuff.
23. REMEMBRANCES
Mr. Arthur Joe Castillo Sr., 81 years of age, resident of Gardena for over 50 years, and a member of the Gardena Elks Lodge where he helped run Bingo on a weekly basis.
Mrs. Kohar Tavoukjian, beloved mother of WRG General Manager Mark Tavoukjian.
24. ADJOURNMENT
At 9:37 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 22, 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: E87E4836-1B31-4095-A23D-9B078728E2ED