MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California was called to order at 7:09 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, 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; Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Rodney G.
Tanaka; 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; Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero; and Records Management Coordinator Katherine Rhee. City Treasurer Guy Mato was not present.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
City Clerk Semenza stated there was no public comment.
3. CLOSED SESSION
3.A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Sheffield, Sherri vs. City of Gardena, et. al.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCV15351
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting to the Regular Open Session at 7:49 p.m. and asked the City Clerk to call roll. City Clerk Semenza called roll and stated all members of the Council were present.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
When City Attorney Vasquez was asked if there was any reportable action from Closed Session, she stated that all members of the Council were present; Staff was provided with direction, but no reportable action was taken.
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Kyle Chin, 9th grade student at North High School, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. INVOCATION
Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Pastor Les Higgins of True Way Missionary Baptist Church led the Invocation.
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Gardena Police Department Patrol Car Graphics: Then & Now - was presented by Chief Todd Fox
6.B. Boards & Commissions Presentation - Recreation Commission - was presented by Recreation Commissioner Woods Woolwine
6.C. Gardena Events Video Presentation
The video presentation highlighted the Recreation and Human Services Department's current and future events.
7. PROCLAMATIONS
8. APPOINTMENTS
8.A. Gardena Youth Commission - Kyle Chin (Appointed by Youth Commission) It was moved by Council Member Tanaka, and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to Approve the Appointment of Kyle Chin to the Youth Commission. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Tanaka, Henderson, Cerda, Francis and Love).
8.B. Rent Mediation Board - April Pamplin (Appointed by Council Member Love) It was moved by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Francis to Approve the Appointment of April Pamplin to the Rent Mediation Board. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Love, Francis, Cerda, Henderson and Tanaka).
8.C. Gardena Beautification Commission - Giovanny Rivera (Appointed by Council Member Love)
It was moved by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Francis to Approve the Appointment of Giovanny Rivera to the Beautification Commission. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Love, Francis, Cerda, Henderson and Tanaka).
**Mayor Cerda announced that Item 20.A would be taken out of order, before our Consent Calendar, due to the fact that the attorney is present.**
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
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9.A. Waiver of Reading in Full of All Ordinances Listed on this Agenda and that they be Read by Title Only
CONTACT: CITY CLERK
9.B. Approve Minutes - Regular Meeting of the City Council, July 8, 2025 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
9.C. Receive and File Minutes: Regular Meeting of the City Council, May 6, 2025 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
9.D. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, July 22, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.E. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, August 12, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.F. Monthly Investment Report, June 2025
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.G. Personnel Report P-2025 08-12-2025
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.H. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Western Avenue and Normandie Avenue Railroad Crossing Rehabilitation Projects, JN 537 and JN 540 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Francis to Approve the Consent Calendar items with the exception of 9.I through 9.K. The motion passed by a vote of 4-1 (Yea: Henderson, Francis, Cerda and Tanaka; Abstain: Love).
9.I. Resolution No. 6710 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Elderly Nutrition Program
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
** Item was Removed from Consent
Item was pulled by Council Member Francis.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Francis to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Elderly Nutrition Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Program and Adopt Resolution No. 6710. The motion passed 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Francis, Cerda, Tanaka and Love).
9.J. Resolution No. 6711 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Supportive Services Program
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
** Item was Removed from Consent
Item was pulled by Council Member Francis.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Francis to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Supportive Services Program and Adopt Resolution No. 6711. The motion passed 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Francis, Cerda, Tanaka and Love).
9.K. Approve Paratransit Service Agreement with the City of Hawthorne CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
** Item was Removed from Consent
Item was pulled by Council Member Francis.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio and Director of Transportation Ernie Crespo answered all questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Approve the Paratransit Service Agreement with the City of Hawthorne. The motion passed 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda, Francis and Love).
10. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. AUGUST 5, 2025, MEETING - Meeting Cancelled
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (LIMITED TO A 30-MINUTES PERIOD)
12.A. Public Comment-
1) Bernadette Suarez, Chair of the South Bay City Council of Governments - came out to thank the Council for their membership with the SBCCOG.
Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 2) Andrea Simenthal, Library Manager of the Mayme Dear Library - Did not speak; left meeting before Oral Communications started.
3) Paul Randall, Representative of Mama Rosa's Food Pantry - came to give mid-year updates.
At 10:07 p.m., Mayor Cerda announced that the Council would be taking a 5-minute break.
At 10:15 p.m., Mayor Cerda reconvened the meeting, and City Clerk Semenza stated all members of the Council were present.
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13.A. Approval of Blanket Purchase Orders for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 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. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
A motion was made by Council Member Francis and was seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Approve the Blanket Purchase Orders for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. The motion passed 4-1 (Yea: Francis, Tanaka, Cerda and Henderson; Noes: Love).
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
17.A. Award Construction Contract for the Nakaoka Community Center Electrical System and Civic Center Outdoor Lighting Upgrades Project, JN 528, to Waisman Construction Inc., in the amount of $1,387,000.00, Approve the Project Plans and Specifications, Budget Appropriation, Project Contingency, and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Questions and comments were made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Approve Construction Contract to Waisman Construction Inc., in the amount of $1,387,000; the Project Plans and Specifications; Budget Appropriation and Project Contingency; and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption. The motion passed 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda, Francis and Love).
17.B. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1885, Amending Chapter 10.32 Special Speed Zones of the Gardena Municipal Code and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda opened the Public Hearing at 10:29 p.m. asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions; there were no public speakers.
Questions and comments were made by Mayor Cerda and Council Member Francis. Director of Public Works, Allan Rigg answered all questions. Mayor Cerda then closed the Public Hearing at 10:33 p.m.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, and seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Introduce Ordinance No. 1885; Find the action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to the Common Sense Exemption of CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3). The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda, Francis and Love).
Ordinance No. 1885 was Introduced by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson.
17.C. Authorize a contract and payment to Southern California Edison for inspections and new electrical service for the Gardena Community Aquatic and Senior Center facilities, JN 978, in the amount of $58,256.04.
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.
A motion was made by Council Member Love and seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Authorize Contract and Payment to Southern California Edison. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Love, Tanaka, Cerda, Henderson and Francis).
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18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
18.A. Approval of Agreement with South Bay Parkland Conservancy (SBPC) for Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. There were no public speakers.
Questions and comments were made by Mayor Cerda, Council Members Francis and Love.
South Bay Conservancy Vice-President Mary Simun, Vice President of the Willows Wetland Preserve Cheral Sherman, and Naturalist, Danielle Marquez spoke and answered all questions.
A motion was made by Council Member Tanaka and seconded by Council Member Love to Approve Agreement with the South Bay Conservancy (SBPC) for Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Tanaka, Love, Cerda, Henderson and Francis)
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
19.A. Approve Contract for the Retrofit of Driver Protection Systems at a Cost of $53,280 and a Project Total of $63,936
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.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Approve Contract for the Retrofit of Driver Protection Systems at a Cost of $53,280 and a Project Total of $63,936. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea:
Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda, Francis and Love).
19.B. Approve Contract with Remix for Transit Planning Software at a Cost of $120,900 and a Project Total of $132,990
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any comments or questions. there were no public speakers.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis and Mayor Pro Tem Henderson. City Manager Osorio and Director Crespo answered all questions.
Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 A motion was made by Council Member Francis and was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to Approve Contract with Remix for Transit Planning Software at a Cost of $120,900 and a Project Total of $132,990. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Francis, Henderson, Cerda, Tanaka and Love).
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
20.A. RESOLUTION NO. 6709, Discuss and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 6709 Censuring Council Member Love for Unprofessional Behavior Towards City Staff 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 two Public Speakers. Public Speakers: 1) Peggy Evans; and 2) Valerie Barbour who spoke in opposition of Resolution No. 6709.
Questions and comments were made by Council Members Francis and Love, Mayor Pro Tem Henderson, Mayor Cerda and City Manager Osorio. Attorney Scott Tiedemann of Liebert Cassidy & Whitmore answered all questions.
City Clerk Semenza stated that two (2) public comments came in one before and one after the deadline of posting the Agenda. She stated those comments were entered into the record, distributed to the Council and were made available to the public.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and was seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Discuss and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 6709. The motion passed by a vote of 3-2 (Yea: Henderson, Tanaka and Cerda; Noes: Francis and Love).
21. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Council Member Francis
Subject: Date certain for installation and completion of EV parking at Rowley Park Purpose – To set a timeline for completion.
Reason – The construction of new parking space impacts parking at the most active parks.
Benefit – Improvement of park parking.
Mayor Cerda seconded it.
Mayor Cerda
Subject: Redistribute $2,000 discretionary money from Councilwoman Love’s account Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Purpose – Make sure our non-profits are still able to request donations from the City Council.
Reason – To make sure the non-profits don’t suffer as a result of the censorship.
Benefit – To help the non-profits.
Council Member Tanaka seconded it.
Mayor Pro Tem Henderson
Subject: Confer with the City of Hawthorne regarding their Chatbox tool “Nate” Purpose – Create transparency to the community by creating a 24/7 accessible City Hall.
Reason – Improve customer service alleviate staff from “Frequently Asked Questions” to handle pertinent items.
Benefit – An always open City Hall for community inquiries.
Council Member Tanaka seconded it.
22. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS None
23. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE - Since the last council meeting, she attended Gardena’s Show & Shine car show. She attended most of the Ichikawa events. It was great to see the kids interacting with one another, to see the little excitement on their faces, and to watch them play the game. She also attended the Gardena Dodger Day at Dodger Stadium with the Ichikawa delegation, City employees, and residents. She attended and co-hosted the Gardena Chamber Backpack Giveaway, where they were able to give away over 400 backpacks; the Inglewood Family Unity Day at Darby Park, hosted by Councilwoman Gloria Gray in Inglewood; a meet and greet for Mayor Karen Bass over at a friend's house in Inglewood; the Maximize Athletic Performance's grand opening; the National Night Out event; and the Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee tea fundraiser. She ended her community events at the City's yard sale.
2) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS - Since the last council meeting, she attended the Gardena’s Show & Shine car show. She also attended the Ichikawa dinner at El Pollo Inka, Gardena Dodger Day, the summer block party, and the Maximize Athletic Performance gym grand opening. She thanked everyone who came out to the Summer Western Tea fundraiser by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee where we presented two Arthur Johnson college scholarships. As Chair of the Beautification Committee, she looks forward to working with Mr. Rivera. She also Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 congratulated April Pamplin and Kyle Chin on their commissioner appointments. She mentioned on September 20th, the City is having the 25th annual Keep Gardena Beautiful Day. She offered her sincere and deepest condolences to Senator Steve Bradford on the loss of his sister, Vicki. As she always says, a lot is going on in the world, but just remember, better days are coming, it’s been promised.
3) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON - Since the last meeting, he has attended his ICA summer seminar event. This was his last seminar as President. He stated he appreciates his colleagues, our City Manager, and City staff for all their support. He attended the Ichikawa events. The dinner was very heartwarming. He also attended the Maximize Athletic Performance's grand opening. He also just wants to say, as Mayor Pro Tem, thank you very much, and he respects you all as professionals. He thanked every single department for their hard work, professionalism, and discipline.
4) MAYOR CERDA - Since the last council meeting, she attended the ICA summer conference. She attended her monthly Sanitation meeting, CCGA meeting, and EOC meeting at the city level. She mentioned it was interesting to see how our Emergency Operations Center operates and works with other cities. She also attended all of the events with the Ichikawa delegation. She mentioned that the Mayor and his delegation were so impressed with everything we did. She thanked everybody who took part in all the Ichikawa events and the whole agenda. She mentioned she also attended her monthly Town Hall meeting at The Toss Up restaurant; a backpack giveaway hosted by the City of Refuge; the Haas Block Club neighborhood block party; the summer concert that was held at Mas Fukai; the Serra High School golf tournament; the Bizfed reception that was hosted at the South Bay Realtor’s office in Torrance; the grand opening of the Maximize Athletic Performance; the UTLA Pace reception in downtown LA for teachers; our summer block party, which was another successful event. She thanked everybody for all that they did and for all of her colleagues for being there and just interacting with everybody. She mentioned she attended for Council Member Tanaka, the League of Cities installation ceremony for Council Member Britt Huff from Palos Verdes; the Peruvian Lions Club, Miss Pan America Beauty pageant that was held in Anaheim; the Second- Time-Around club. She thanked our City Manager and our Chief of Police for joining as well. Lastly, she spoke about how it's really neat when you have a celebrity hosting a free sports clinic and asked if our staff can just share with AC Green and thank him again for working with the City of Gardena. We love partnering with him, and we hope that he continues with that moving forward. 5) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA - Since the last meeting, he mentioned he attended two South Bay Cities Council of Governments ("SBCCOG") Steering Committee meetings, an Regional Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Communications Center board meeting, and an Executive Committee meeting. He attended all the Ichikawa events, and spoke about the visit, stating that this could not have happened the way it did, and it could not have been a success the way it was without the efforts, dedication, and hard work of our city employees and our directors. He thanked Director Rigg and Public Works, Director Crespo, thank you for all the trips, the buses, and all the transportation that your people provided; and Chief Fox, thank you for all that your department did to impress the delegation and the young people, the volunteers; he mentioned LA County Fire, and thanked them for showing up, and Director Stephany Santin and staff; the Mayor and his delegation were impressed that we did all that in three days. He briefly discussed the topics they had discussed in their last SBCCOG board meeting; they are doing the South Bay legislative briefing that is taking place on August 14, at 9:00 a.m. and mentioned if you're interested in going contact Jacki Bacharach at the SBCCOG office. He mentioned he also attended the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive; the ribbon-cutting for the Maximize Athletic Performance; and National Night Out. He was impressed that Nathan Hochman and Maxine Waters showed up. He then told Chief Fox, you, and your staff, your volunteers, your non-sworn, everybody that you had out there did a great job; he then thanked Stephany and her staff for getting Public works and transportation out there, for getting all the tents put up, for the food that they gave away, and for everything that was done. He mentioned he didn't go to ICA because he was attending the Cal Nev Ha district convention in Summerlin, Nevada. He mentioned he met with the Deputy City Clerk so she could teach him how to be smart tonight and work on the new program; and attended Assessor Jeff Prang's presentation at the senior luncheon.
MAYOR CERDA ADDED - One last thing she forgot to mention. If we can make sure we send a thank you to Nissin Foods, their CEO. They were the ones who donated all the jerseys for both teams for the Gardena team as well as the Ichikawa team. It was nice of them. They were the main sponsors along with a couple of other companies, but they even had their logo on there as well.
24. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Camp DA 2025, taking place on Saturday, August 16, 2025 from 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. at Rush gym;
2) Self-defense Workshop, taking place on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at Thornburg Park; 3) 22nd Annual Jazz Festival taking place on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Rowley Park; and 4) Keep Gardena Beautiful Day taking place on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 8:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
25. REMEMBERANCES
Docusign Envelope ID: E1B0274A-BAFF-4C8D-95AC-B5319D717805 Ms. Vikki Bradford; sister of Senator Steven Bradford and a beloved longtime resident of Gardena for 56 years. She attended local schools and had a deep love for music and spent her youth singing and dancing with childhood friends. She was a devoted mother of two and would’ve celebrated her 66th birthday on the same day as a Gardena jazz festival.
26. ADJOURNMENT
At 11:45 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, August 26, 2025.
APPROVED:
___________________________________
Tasha Cerda, Mayor
MINA SEMENZA
City Clerk of the City of Gardena and
Ex-officio Clerk of the Council
By:__________________________________
Becky Romero, Deputy City Clerk
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