MINUTES
Special Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Thursday, July 2, 2026
The Special Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California wascalled to order at 4:35 p.m. on July 2, 2026, in the Council Chamber at City Hall 1700 West 162ndStreet, Gardena, California, Mayor Tasha Cerda presiding.
1. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tasha Cerda; Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Henderson; Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka; and Council Member Paulette C. Francis. Other City Officials and Employees present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; City Treasurer Guy Mato; City Clerk Mina Semenza; Assistant City Clerk Becky Romero; Records Management Coordinator Katherine Rhee; and Deputy City Clerk I Crystal Contreras. Council Member Love was away on an excused absence.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Gianna Hoskins, granddaughter of City Clerk Mina Semenza, and a 7th grader at First Lutheran School, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. She plays AYSO soccer with heart, hustle, and a big smile. When she's not on the field, she's busy creating amazing artwork that shows off her imagination. She was honored to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and bring her bright energy to the community she loves.
3. INVOCATION
Council Member Tanaka led the Invocation.
4. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ELECTED & CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
4.A. ELECTION OFFICIAL'S CERTIFICATION OF OFFICIAL CANVASS OF MUNICIPAL ELECTION VOTES RESOLUTION NO. 6743, Reciting the Fact of the General Municipal Election held on June 2, 2026, Declaring the Results and Such Other Matters as Provided by Law
City Manager Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda then asked if anyone from the Public had asked to speak on this item, and if any Member of the Council had any questions or comments.
There were no public comments and no comments from any Member of the Council.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Adopt Resolution No. 6743. The motion passed by a vote of 4-0 (Yea: Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda and Francis. Absent: Love).
4.B. RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION to the Honorable Mina Semenza in Acknowledgement and Recognition of Distinguished Service to the City and Community of Gardena as the Gardena City Clerk; and, Further, to Bestow Upon Her the Title of City Clerk Emeritus Mayor Cerda read the Resolution of Commendation. City Clerk Mina Semenza accepted the Commendation, gave a speech and appropriate photos were taken.
4.C. RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION to the Honorable Guy H. Mato in Acknowledgement and Recognition of Distinguished Service to the City and Community of Gardena as the Gardena City Treasurer
Mayor Cerda read the Resolution of Commendation. City Treasurer Guy Mato accepted the Commendation, gave a speech and appropriate photos were taken.
4.D. OATH OF OFFICE by Newly Elected / Re-Elected Officials: Becky Romero - City Clerk Kale Morita - City Treasurer Jeff Fukasawa - City Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka - City Council Member Tasha Cerda - Mayor
The Oaths of Office were then given to the newly elected officials, Becky Romero, Kale Morita, Jeff Fukasawa, Rodney G. Tanaka, and Tasha Cerda.
At 5:16 p.m. Mayor Cerda announced that we would be taking a short recess to serve cake for the newly elected officials. The meeting reconvened at 5:42 p.m. and the newly elected officials assumed their respective positions.
5. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:49 p.m. Mayor Cerda adjourned the Gardena City Council Special Meeting to the Closed Session portion of the City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m., and the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, 2026.
APPROVED:
___________________________________
Tasha Cerda, Mayor
BECKY ROMERO
City Clerk of the City of Gardena and
Ex-officio Clerk of the Council
By:_________________________________________
Katherine Rhee, Records Management Coordinator