GARDENA CITY
COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda
Council Chamber at City Hall
1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California
Website: www.cityofgardena.org
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
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
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
5. INVOCATION
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. South Bay Cities Council of Government's Energy and Climate Recognition Program Award
6.B. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena for Louis Alford III - Bus Operator with the Transportation Department - 23 years of service
6.C. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena for Rita Lopez- Permit/Licensing Technician II with the Community Development Department- 20 years of service
6.D. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement and Long-Time Service to the City of Gardena for John Moore - General Building Inspector with the Community Development Department - 11 years of service
6.E. Certificates of Commendation presented to Ashley Lotman, Kali Bragg, and Josiah Davis, for their Heroic Efforts
6.F. Presentation of the "Holiday Home Decoration Contest 2025" Winners
6.G. Gardena Events Video Presentation
7. PROCLAMATIONS
7.A. "Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Week," January 12 through 19, 2026 (to be accepted by Councilmember Paulette C. Francis, Chair of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Committee of Gardena)
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.
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 of Minutes - Regular Meeting of the City Council, December 9, 2025 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.C. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, December 23, 2025 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.D. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, January 13, 2026 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.E. Monthly Investment Report, November 2025
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.F. Personnel Report P-2026-1 01-13-26
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.G. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Park Electronic Signage Project, Rowley Park, JN 529 CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
10.H. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Fire Station No. 159 Roof Replacement Project, JN 569
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. DECEMBER 16, 2025 MEETING - Cancelled
11.B. JANUARY 6, 2026 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. PUBLIC HEARING: Substantial Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan
Staff Recommendation:
- Conduct a public hearing and receive testimony;
- Allow three (3) minutes for each speaker;
- Approve the proposed 2025-2026 Annual Action Substantial Amendment which includes reallocating $90,624 from the Fair Housing Services and Community Food Pantry Services Programs and $603,358 from the prior year rollover funds for a total of $693,982 to the Residential Rehabilitation Program; and Authorize the City Manager to execute and submit the plan, amendment and any other necessary and related documents to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
17.A. Consideration of a Request to Approve the Assignment of the Amended and Restated Agreement Between City of Gardena and Waste Resources of Gardena for Solid Waste Handling Services to USA Waste of California, Inc. and Approve Consent to Assignment and First Amendment to Agreement for Integrated Solid Waste Management Services
Staff Recommendation: Approve the Assignment of the Amended and Restated Agreement between the City of Gardena and Waste Resources of Gardena for Solid Waste Handling Services to USA Waste of California, Inc. and Approve Consent to Assignment and First Amendment to Agreement for Integrated Solid Waste Management Services
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
20.A. Discuss and Consider the City Council Policy Guidelines for Proclamations, Certificates, Commendations, and Congratulatory Letters
Staff Recommendation: Discuss and Consider Adoption of the City Council Policy Guidelines for Proclamations, Certificates, Commendations, and Congratulatory letters
21. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
22. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS
23. COUNCIL REMARKS
1. COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS
2. MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON
3. COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA
4. MAYOR CERDA
5. COUNCIL MEMBER LOVE
24. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
25. REMEMBERANCES
Mr. Jessie James Ingram, 81 years old; longtime Gardena resident.
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, January 27, 2026.
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: January 9, 2026