GARDENA CITY
COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda
Council Chamber at City Hall
1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California
Webiste: www.cityofgardena.org
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Open Session 7:30 p.m.
TASHA CERDA, Mayor
RODNEY G. TANAKA, Mayor Pro Tem
MARK E. HENDERSON, Council Member
PAULETTE C. FRANCIS, Council Member
WANDA LOVE, Council Member
MINA SEMENZA, City Clerk
GUY H. MATO, City Treasurer
CLINT OSORIO, City Manager
CARMEN VASQUEZ, City Attorney
LISA KRANITZ, Assistant City Attorney
ROSEMARY KOO, Assistant City Attorney
If you would like to participate in this meeting, you can participate via the following options:
1. VIEW THE MEETING live on SPECTRUM CHANNEL 22 or ONLINE at youtube.com/CityofGardena
2. PARTICIPATE BEFORE THE MEETING by emailing the Deputy City Clerk at [email protected] by 5:00p.m. On the day of the meeting and write "Public Comment" in the subject line.
3. ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON
PUBLIC COMMENT: The City Council will hear from the public on any item on the agenda or any item of interest that is not on the agenda at the following times:
Agenda Items - At the time the City Council considers the item or during Oral Communications Non-agenda Items - During Oral Communications
Public Hearings - At the time of the Public Hearings listed on the Agenda If you wish to address the Council, please complete a “Speaker Request” form and present it to the City Clerk or Sergeant of Arms. You will be called to the podium by name when it is your turn to address the Council.
The City Council cannot legally take action on any item not scheduled on the Agenda. Such items may be referred for administrative action or scheduled on a future Agenda. Members of the public wishing to address the City Council will be given three (3) minutes to speak.
4. The City of Gardena, in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requests individuals who require special accommodations to access, attend and/or participate in the City meeting due to disability, to please contact the City Clerk's Office by phone (310) 217-9565 or email [email protected] at least 24 business hours prior to the scheduled general meeting to ensure assistance is provided. Assistive listening devices are available.
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS Treat everyone courteously;
Listen to others respectfully;
Exercise self-control;
Give open-minded consideration to all viewpoints;
Focus on the issues and avoid personalizing debate; and Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
Thank you for your attendance and cooperation
1. ROLL CALL
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Lyneiah Anderson - 153rd Street Elementary
5. INVOCATION
Rev. John Iwohara - Gardena Buddhist Church
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Certificate of Recognition to Stephen Rogers for his service to the community as a Member of the Gardena Economic Business Advisory Commission - To be accepted by Stephen Rogers
6.B. Gardena Events Video Presentation
7. PROCLAMATIONS
7.A. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month - September 2025
8. APPOINTMENTS
Council Appointments to Commissions, Committees, Councils and Boards (Appointees to be Ratified and Sworn In)
9. CONSENT CALENDAR
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC- Roll Call Vote Required On The Consent Calendar All matters listed under the Consent Calendar will be enacted by one motion unless a Council Member requests Council discussion, in which case that item will be removed from the Consent Calendar and considered separately following this portion of the agenda.
Waiver of Reading in Full of All Ordinances Listed on this Agenda and that they be Read by Title Only
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR
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. Receive and File Minutes:
Planning and Environmental Quality Commission, June 17, 2025 Planning and Environmental Quality Commission, July 15, 2025 CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
9.C. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, August 26, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.D. Personnel Report P-2025 08-26-2025
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
9.E. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 1885, Amending Chapter 10.32 Special Speed Zones of the Gardena Municipal Code and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
9.F. Approval of Agreement between the City of Lawndale and City of Gardena for the Elderly Nutrition Program Services
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
9.G. Approve Amendment to the Agreement with Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the Zero Emission Transit Capital Program CONTACT: TRANSPORTATION
10. EXCLUDED CONSENT CALENDAR
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. August 19, 2025, MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT #17-24, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #7-24 The Planning Commission and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP #7-24), to allow the operations of private vehicle storage facilities within two existing industrial buildings (totaling 23,334 square feet), located in the General Industrial (M-2) zone, in accordance with Gardena Municipal Code Section 18.46.030.C.
APPLICANT: Mathew Farah, Westside Collection Car Storage LOCATION: 1608- 1612 W. 139th Street, APN (6102-014-067 and -068) Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission approved Resolution No. PC 12-25, by vote of 4-0-0 (with one commissioner absent), approving Conditional Use Permit #7-24, and Environmental Assessment #17-24 determined the project exempt and directed staff to file a Notice of Exemption. — City Council Action: Receive and file OR call for review (By way of two votes from the City Council).
11.B. August 19, 2025, MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT #7-25, CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #2-25 The Planning Commission and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a request for a request for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP #2-25), per section 18.32.030.B of the Gardena Municipal Code, to allow the on- site-sale and consumption of beer and wine within a new restaurant located in the General Commercial (C-3) zone.
APPLICANT: Vicky's Bubbly Café
LOCATION: 14782 Crenshaw Boulevard, APN (4064-013-021)
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission approved Resolution No. PC 11-25, by vote of 4-0-0 (with one commissioner absent), approving Conditional Use Permit #2-25, and Environmental Assessment #7-25 determined the project exempt and directed staff to file a Notice of Exemption. — City Council Action: Receive and file OR Call for Review (By way of two votes from the City Council).
11.C. August 19, 2025, MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT #2-25, SITE PLAN REVIEW#1-25, AND TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP # 1-25 The Planning Commission and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a request for approval of an Environmental Assessment (EA #2-25); Site Plan Review (SPR #1-25); and Tentative Parcel Map (TPM #1-25; Tentative Parcel Map No. 84583) to allow for the construction a multifamily residential condominium development consisting of three (3) three-story townhome units (1,684 sf living area per unit, exclusive of a 550 sf garage and 100 sf deck) on a 7,405 sf lot in the Medium Density Multi-Family Residential (R-3) zone in accordance with Section 18.44.010.A and Chapter 17.08 of the Garden Municipal Code (GMC).
APPLICANT: Mason Zojaji
LOCATION: 15903 Brighton Avenue, APN (6105-014-017)
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission approved Resolution No. PC 10-25, by vote of 3-1-0 (with one commissioner absent), approving Site Plan Review #1-25 and Tentative Parcel Map #1-25, And Environmental Assessment #2-25, determined the project exempt and directed staff to file a Notice of Exemption.
— City Council Action: Receive and file OR Call for Review (By way of two votes from the City Council).
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (LIMITED TO A 30-MINUTES PERIOD) Oral Communications by the public will be heard for one-half hour during the oral communication segment of the agenda. Any additional speakers will be allowed to speak at the end of the meeting after Council Remarks.
Speakers are limited to three minutes, unless otherwise stated by the Mayor. The timer will be displayed on the screen. Your cooperation is appreciated.
12.A. Public Comment
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
14.A. PUBLIC HEARING: RESOLUTION NO. 6698 Adopting a Resolution establishing fees for Vacant Property Program Registration and Renewal, as authorized pursuant to Ordinance No. 1882 and finding that the fee resolution is exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15273 and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8). The adoption of this resolution is statutorily exempt from the requirements of CEQA because these fees are imposed to meet operating expenses through cost recovery for staff wages incurred by the City and the adoption of this resolution falls within the exemptions for local agency decisions specified in Public Resources Code section 21080(b)(8) and CEQA Guidelines section 15273.
Staff Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 6698
14.B. Consideration of a contract with spcaLA for Animal Sheltering and Services Staff Recommendation: Approve the contract between the City and spcaLA for a 12 month term beginning September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026.
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
20.A. Approval of the 2025 Gardena Wall of Fame Committee Recommendations for Individual Inductions to the Gardena Wall of Fame
Staff Recommendation: Discuss and Consider Committee Recommendations
20.B. Designation of Voting Delegate / Representative for the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo - October 8-10, 2025
Staff Recommendation: Designate Voting Delegate / Representative
20.C. RESOLUTION NO. 6712, Discuss and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 6712 Redistributing the Community Discretionary Fund of Councilmember Wanda Love to the Rest of the City Council Staff Recommendation: Discuss and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 6712
21. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
22. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
23. COUNCIL REMARKS
1. COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA
2. COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE
3. COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS
4. MAYOR CERDA
5. MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON
24. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
25. REMEMBERANCES
Mrs. Geneva Futrel, 94 years of age, served as the First Lady at South Vermont Avenue Baptist Church in Gardena for 23 years and Berachah Baptist Church in Gardena for another 22 years.
26. ADJOURNMENT
The Gardena City Council will adjourn to the Closed Session portion of the City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted in the City Hall lobby not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting. A copy of said Agenda is available on our website at www.CityofGardena.org.
/s/ MINA SEMENZA
MINA SEMENZA, City Clerk
Date Posted: August 22, 2025