MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California was called toorder at October 28, 2025, at 7:37 PM 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; and Deputy City Clerk Becky Romero. City Treasurer Guy Mato was not present.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
None
3. CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session.
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
None
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Gardena Police Department Explorer Eduardo Hurtado led the Pledge of Allegiance. Explorer Hurtado is currently a Junior at Cal State University Dominguez Hills, He has been with the Explorer program for 2 years and holds the rank of Corporal.
During his free time, he likes to workout. Explorer Hurtado aspires to be a great leader and a role model for his sibilings.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Charles Williams led the Invocation. He comes from Grace Chapel in Inglewood.
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Gardena Events Video Presentation
The video presentation highlighted the Recreation and Human Services Department's current and future events.
7. PROCLAMATIONS
None
8. APPOINTMENTS
8.A. Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Board of Trustees Appointment City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Docusign Envelope ID: FC6E2AFF-CAA9-4670-8B33-7FF244C132C9 Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if the Council had any questions or comments; there were no public speakers.
Mayor Cerda asked for confirmation of the number of years in the term. City Attorney Vasquez answered all questions.
A motion was made by Council Member Tanaka and was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to Appoint Council Member Francis to a 2-year term. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Tanaka, Henderson, Cerda, Francis, and Love).
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR
10. CONSENT CALENDAR
10.A. Waiver of Reading in Full of All Ordinances Listed on this Agenda and that they be Read by Title Only CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.B. Approval Minutes - Regular Meeting of the City Council, October 14, 2025 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.C. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, October 28, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.D. Monthly Investment Report, September 2025
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.E. Personnel Report P-2025-17 10-28-25
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.F. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Annual Pedestrian Safety Improvements FY 2024-2025 - Sidewalk Trip Hazard Removal Phase, JN 545
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
** Item was Removed from Consent
Item 10.F was pulled by Council Member Francis.
Questions and comments were made by Council Members Francis and Love. City Manager Osorio and Public Works Director Rigg answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Francis and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to approve Item 10.F. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Francis, Tanaka, Cerda, Henderson, and Love).
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of 10.F. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Francis, Henderson, Cerda, Tanaka, and Love).
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. October 21, 2025 MEETING, ITEM 6.A
This Item was Received and Filed.
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (LIMITED TO A 30-MINUTES PERIOD) 1) Delia Castro, representative from the Southern California Inka Lions Club; came out to speak about their Peace Poster contest taking place at the Mayme Dear Library on 11/15/2025 from 10:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. They are encouraging our youth ages 11-13 years old, to showcase their talent.
Docusign Envelope ID: FC6E2AFF-CAA9-4670-8B33-7FF244C132C9 2) Andrea Simental, Library Manager of the Mayme Dear Library; came out to give announcements for both the Mayme Dear and Masao W. Sato Libraries.
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
13.A. Approval of the 2025 - 2029 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Gardena and the Gardena Management Employees Organization (GMEO)
City Manager Osorio read the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone had asked to speak on this item and if any members of the Council had any questions or comments; there were no public speakers and no comments from the Council.
A motion was made by Council Member Tanaka and seconded by Council Member Love to Approve and Adopt the GMEO MOU for the period of July 1, 2025-June 30, 2029. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Tanaka, Love, Cerda, Henderson, and Francis).
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
No Items
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES No Items
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
No Items
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
No Items
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
No Items
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
19.A. Approve Contracts for the Renewable Energy and Storage System Project and Operations and Maintenance Agreement with Performance Guarantee and Warranty with SiteLogIQ, Inc. for a Total of $5,719,655.18 and a Project Total of $6,863,586.21; And declare this project to be categorically exempt under CEQA, Class 1, Section 15301(b)(3) - Common Sense, Section 15303 - New Construction of Small Structures, Section 15311 - Accessory Structures, and California Public Resources Code Section 21080.35 City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone from the public had any questions or comments; there were no public speakers.
A slide was then presented by Director of Transportation Ernie Crespo, who spoke about the project.
Questions and comments were made by Council Members Love and Francis, and Mayor Pro Tem Henderson. City Manager Osorio and Director Crespo answered all questions.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Francis to Approve Design and Construction Contract with Years 1-5 for Operations and Maintenance and Performance Guarantee Services in the amount of $5,565,481.53; Authorize the Option of Extended Warranty and Option Term (Years 6-10) of Operations and Maintenance and Performance Guarantee Services in the amount of $154,173.65; Approve Project Contingency of 20%, or $1,143,931.04; Declare this project to be catergorically exempt under CEQA, Class 1, Docusign Envelope ID: FC6E2AFF-CAA9-4670-8B33-7FF244C132C9 Section 15301(b)(3) - Common Sense, Section 15303 - New Construction of Small Structures, Section 15311 - Accessory Structures, and California Public Resources Code Section 21080.35. The motion passed 5-0 (Yea:
Henderson, Francis, Cerda, Tanaka, and Love)
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
None
21. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
None
22. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS 1) A memorandum regarding our California Cities Gaming Authority operations; there were questions asked by Council at our 9/9/2025 Council meeting; included in their packets are some agenda packets from the past meetings of the CCGA.
23. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE – Since the last meeting, she commented that she took a well-needed vacation; and said she was not able to attend a lot of the city events, but got back just in time for her neighbor's 100th birthday drive-by celebration, where Gardena PD, LA County Fire, and a lot of the people in the community came out to show him an amazing amount of love.
2) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS – Since the last meeting, she attended the Water Festival hosted by the West Basin Municipal Water District; the Beautification Commission meeting, where they selected the Halloween home decorating contest winner. She also attended the Halloween Senior Candlelight dinner; and the birthday drive-by for Mr. Suzuki. She thanked Council Member Love for the invitation. She reminded everyone that Halloween is on Friday, and as you know, a lot of our kids will be out trick-or-treating and attending different Halloween festivities, so please keep your eyes open and make sure that you drive slowly, and enjoy all the festivities. 3) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON – Since the last meeting, He attended his SCAG Legislative Committee meeting; he commented that he did some business and community visits. He then asked Mr. City Manager, to please thank the Department Heads and the staff for all their support with his remote meetings. He congratulated his son Mark II and his wife Rio on the birth of their daughter Marley, and said he now has grandchild number four, and commented the squad is getting big, and he is excited.
4) MAYOR CERDA – Since the last Council meeting, she attended her CCGA meeting; the Gardena Carson Wilmington Rotary Club; her monthly LA County Sanitation meeting; the LA County Sanitation personnel meeting; the Senior Candlelight dinner; Gardena High School's homecoming game; the City of Refuge Harvest Festival day; the Dia de Los Muertos event at Roosevelt Cemetery; the celebration of Laity Day at United Methodist Church; the 70th anniversary of the Alpha Psi Zeta sorority. She mentioned there was a girls’ camp for young girls who are interested in becoming firefighters, and this was put on through LA County Fire; it was a great event. She then invited the community to the Tossup Restaurant for her upcoming town hall this Friday at 5:00 p.m.;the speaker is going to be the Search and Rescue team with their K9. 5) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA – Since the last Council meeting, he attended the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG's) Legislative briefing; and the SBCCOG'S board meeting, where we were recognized; he then congratulated Allan Rigg, Director of Public Works for all they did; and told him his department should be proud. Lastly, he sent prayers and condolences to the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department and the family, whose officer was shot and killed in the line of duty.
24. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Too Cute to Spook, Friday, October 31, 2025 from 5:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. at Johnson Park; 2) Halloween Scare Zone, Friday, October 31, 2025 from 6:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. at Freeman Park; Docusign Envelope ID: FC6E2AFF-CAA9-4670-8B33-7FF244C132C9 3) The Dia de Los Muertos celebration, Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 5:30p.m. to 8:30p.m. at City Hall Complex; including a Community Ofrenda that will also be taking place. 4) Semi-Annual Clean up Event, Last day if your normal trash pickup day is Friday this event will be Saturday, November 1, 2025;
5) Operation Gobble, registration opens Monday, November 3, 2025, at www.cityofgardena.org/events; and 6) 55th Annual Veterans Day Service, Tuesday, November 11, 2025 starting at 11:00a.m. at the City Hall Lawn.
25. REMEMBERANCES
Sho Yonemura, 92 years old, who retired from the City of Gardena as a Park Maintenance Worker on June 29, 2018, after being employed with the City for over 28 years. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law. He has now joined his dog Kai, who passed several months ago, who he loved dearly; and
Andrew Nunez, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.
26. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:42 p.m. Mayor Cerda adjourned the Gardena City Council Meeting to the Closed Session portion of the City Council Meeting at 7:00p.m. followed by the Adjourned Regular City Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 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
Docusign Envelope ID: FC6E2AFF-CAA9-4670-8B33-7FF244C132C9