GARDENA CITY
COUNCIL
Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda
Council Chamber at City Hall
1700 West 162nd Street, Gardena, California
Website: www.cityofgardena.org
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
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. Written public comments will be provided to the City Council and will be part of the record but will not be read aloud.
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. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation, pursuant to subdivision (d)(2) of Government Code Section 54956.9 One Potential Case
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Gardena Elementary
Nicole Banuelos and Amara Cazares
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Stanley A. White
Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Resolution of Commendation to Officer Laurent Hentges of the Gardena Police Department in Acknowledgement of Receiving the 2026 Sustained Superiority Award from the South Bay Police and Fire Memorial Foundation at the 50th Annual Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony on May 21, 2026
6.B. Certificate of Commendation in Special Recognition of Retirement with the City of Gardena for Brian Tanaka- Human Services Coordinator - 7 years of service
6.C. Boards & Commissions Presentation - Senior Citizen Commission
6.D. Gardena Events Video Presentation
7. PROCLAMATIONS
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, May 12, 2026 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.C. Personnel Report P-2026-9 05-26-26
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.D. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, May 26, 2026 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.E. Monthly Investment Report, April 2026
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.F. Authorize South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Inc. Paid Work Experience Program Worksite Agency Agreement No. 25-W423, for a period through October 31, 2027.
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.G. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Rowley Park Basketball Rehabilitation Project (Phase 2), JN 530
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
10.H. Adopt Resolution No. 6736 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Supportive Services Program
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
10.I. Adopt Resolution No. 6737 Authorizing the City Manager to Execute an Agreement for the Elderly Nutrition Program
CONTACT: RECREATION AND HUMAN SERVICES
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #1-26 AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT #1-26 TO ALLOW VEHICLE STORAGE FACILITIES WITHIN THE GENERAL INDUSTRIAL (M-2) ZONE AT 13625-13629 ALMA AVENUE (APN: 6102-015-027)
On May 19, 2026, the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a request from Liliger Damaso & Rob De La Torre, representing Wanderwell Society South Bay, LLC., to allow the operation of a private vehicle storage facility within an existing industrial building totaling 11,970 square feet.
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission adopted Resolution No. PC 7-26 approving Conditional Use Permit #1-26 and Environmental Assessment #1-26 and finding that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), by a vote of 4-0, with one commissioner absent.
City Council Action: Receive and file; OR call for review (by way of two votes from the City Council).
11.B. CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #4-26 AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT #4-26 TO ALLOW THE SALES OF BEER AND WINE FOR OFF-SITE CONSUMPTION FOR SPROUTS AT 15505 SOUTH NORMANDIE AVENUE (APN: 6105-008-039)
On May 19, 2026, the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a request from Terri Dickerhoff, representing Spouts Farmers Market, to approve Conditional Use Permit (CUP) #4-26 and Environmental Assessment (EA) #4-26 to allow the sales of beer and wine for off-site consumption in a new retail store within an existing tenant space.
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission adopted Resolution No. PC 6-26 approving Conditional Use Permit #4-26 and Environmental Assessment #4-26 and finding that the project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (Class 1 - Existing Facilities), by a vote of 4-0, with one commissioner absent.
City Council Action: Receive and file OR call for review (by way of two votes from the City Council).
11.C. FIRST EXTENSION OF TIME REQUEST FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #5-24 ALLOWING THE OPERATION OF WAREHOUSING FACILITIES AT 1855 WEST 139TH STREET (APN: 4061-025-130) On May 19, 2026, the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed the first extension of time request for Conditional Use Permit (CUP) #5-24, for the operation of warehousing facilities in the General Industrial (M-2) zone submitted by Charles Hobey of Zelda PG PropCo LLC, due to new property ownership.
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission approved the first extension request for Conditional Use Permit #5-24, extending the entitlement expiration to January 15, 2027, by a vote of 4-0, with one commissioner absent.
City Council Action: No action needed.
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
13.A. Presentation of the City of Gardena's Proposed Biennial Budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and Fiscal Year 2027-2028
Staff Recommendation: Receive and File
13.B. Approval of the 2025-2029 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Gardena and the Gardena Municipal Employees Association (GMEA), and Approval of the Classification and Compensation Schedule, Effective July 6, 2025.
Staff Recommendation: Approve and Adopt the 2025-2029 GMEA MOU, and the Classification and Compensation Schedule Eff. July 6, 2025
14. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
15. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICES
16. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - POLICE
17. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - PUBLIC WORKS
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
18.A. Authorize Purchase of MAX169 16'x9' Mobile LED Screen for City Events in the Amount of $118,928.39 from Musco Sports Lighting.
Staff Recommendation: Authorize Purchase
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
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
Mrs. Nicole Lauren Kornoff, 42 years old, beloved granddaughter of Rev. John E. Ward, Senior Pastor of First Southern Baptist Church of Gardena, and Mrs. Nancy L. Ward, former Executive Office Assistant with the City of Gardena who retired in December 2021 after 33 1/2 years of service.
Mr. Darrell E. Goss, 65 years of age, 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, June 9, 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: May 22, 2026