GARDENA CITY
COUNCIL
Adjourned Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda
Council Chamber at City Hall
1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California
Website: www.cityofgardena.org
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Closed Session 7:00 p.m.
Open Session 7:30 p.m.
TASHA CERDA, Mayor
MARK E. HENDERSON, Mayor Pro Tem
RODNEY G. TANAKA, 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
IVY TSAI, 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
3.A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
3.B. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Government Code Section 54957.6
City Designated Representative: Carmen Vasquez, City Attorney Unrepresented employee: City Manager
3.C. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL-ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9 (One [1] Matter)
3.D. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Mariya Wrightsman v. City of Gardena, et al. No. B344781 (Cal. Ct. App. 2d Dist.) and Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 23STCP04453
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Israel Campbell
Flourishing Church
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena for Mary Moreland-Smith - Bus Operator with the Transportation Department - 28 years of service
6.B. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena for Theodore Taylor Jr. - Bus Operator with the Transportation Department - 23 years of service
6.C. Certificates of Commendation presented to the members of the 2025 Citizens Leadership Academy (Candidates to be presented by City Manager Osorio)
6.D. Boards & Commissions Presentation - Human Services Commission
6.E. Gardena Events Video Presentation
7. PROCLAMATIONS
7.A. "Small Business Saturday" - Saturday, November 29, 2025 (To be proclaimed only)
8. APPOINTMENTS
Council Appointments to Commissions, Committees, Councils and Boards (Appointees to be Ratified and Sworn In)
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR
10. 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
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. Approve Minutes - Regular Meeting of the City Council, October 28, 2025 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.C. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, November 11, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.D. Personnel Report P-2025-18 11-18-25
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.E. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Rowley Park Improvements Basketball Court Rehab Phase 1, JN 530
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. NOVEMBER 4, 2025 - Meeting Cancelled
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. Award Contract with Willdan Engineering for Professional Services to Manage the Gardena Boulevard Revitalization Program in the Amount of $360,000 Staff Recommendation: Review and Approve the Award of the Contract
14.B. Consideration of Prequalified List for Environmental Consultants to Reduce the Processing Timeframe of Development Applications/Projects
Staff Recommendation:
-Review and approve the list of consultants to be used for environmental consulting services for three years ending November 18, 2028 that includes De Novo, Kimley-Horn, MIG, Rincon, and UltraSystems; and -Provide the Director of Community Development the option to extend the validity of the list for up to two (2) years at their discretion
14.C. Award Contract with UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. for Environmental Consulting Services for Ponce Recycling Project Located at 1937 West 169th Street in the Amount of $119,280.00 Staff Recommendation: Review and Approve the Award of the Contract
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
16.A. Authorization to Purchase Five (5) Ford Explorer Utility Vehicles and Two (2) Chevrolet Tahoe Vehicles from National Auto Fleet Group in the Amount of $417,015 and Build-Out Costs in the Amount of $271,695 for a Total of $688,710
Staff Recommendation: Authorize Purchase and Build-Out Costs
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
17.A. Award Construction Contract for the Gardena City Hall Electrical Systems Upgrade Project, JN 541, to Mel Smith Electric, Inc. in the amount of $743,000, Approve the Project Plans and Specifications, Budget Appropriation, Project Contingency, Construction Support Services, and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.
Staff Recommendation:
- Approve Construction Contract to Mel Smith Electric, Inc., in the amount of $743,000.00 - Approve the Project Plans & Specifications
- Approve Budget Appropriation and Project Contingency
- Declare CEQA Exemption
17.B. Award the Gardena Community Aquatic and Senior Center Pool Maintenance Services Contract to Sea Clear Pools Inc., in the amount of $339,960, Approve 10% Contingency and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption
Staff Recommendation:
- Award Aquatic Pool Maintenance Service Contract
- Approve 10% Contingency
- Declare CEQA Exemption
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
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
Mr. Michael Skogh; Former Chief of Police with the Gardena Police Department. Mr. Skogh retired in 2002.
26. ADJOURNMENT
The Gardena City Council will adjourn to the Closed Session portion of the City Council Meeting at 7:00pm followed by the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:30pm on Tuesday, December 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: November 14, 2025