MINUTES
Regular Meeting Notice
Gardena City Council
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
The Regular Meeting Notice and Agenda of the Gardena City Council of the City of Gardena, California wascalled to order at 7:39 p.m. on July 28, 2026, 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 Jeff Fukasawa. Other City Officials and Employees present: City Manager Clint Osorio; City Attorney Carmen Vasquez; City Treasurer Kale Morita; City Clerk Becky Romero; Acting Assistant City Clerk Katherine Rhee; and Acting Records Management Coordinator Victor Villarreal.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION
3. CLOSED SESSION
There was no Closed Session.
RETURN FROM CLOSED SESSION ROLL CALL
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Ryan and Julian Lee, sons of Public Works Coordinator Hong Lee, and entering 1st and 3rd grade in the fall at Nativity Catholic School, led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Julian and Ryan have a passion for baseball and play in North Torrance Little League and West Torrance Little League. They spend hours every day practicing with their dad in the backyard. They also train Judo and Jiu Jitsu at Zumi.
5. INVOCATION
Pastor Charles Williams of Grace Chapel led us in the Invocation.
6. PRESENTATIONS
6.A. Boards & Commissions Presentation - Recreation Commission Acting Director of Recreation and Human Services, Nikki Sweeney, gave a background on the Recreation Commission. Acting Director Sweeney introduced Woods Woolwine Jr., Chair of the Recreation Commission.
Commissioners Steven Dyson and Phillip Johnson introduced themselves. PowerPoint was shown regarding their Commission.
6.B. 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. Reorganization of the City Council - Selection of Mayor Pro Tem City Manager Clint 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.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone would like to nominate anyone. Mayor Pro Tem Mark E. Henderson nominated Council Member Rodney G. Tanaka. Council Member Fukasawa seconded it.
Council Member Tanaka thanked the Council and Mayor Cerda.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Fukasawa to Appoint Council Member Tanaka to serve as the new Mayor Pro Tem from July 2026 to July 2027. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Henderson, Fukasawa, Cerda, Tanaka and Francis).
8.B. Reorganization of Council Assignments of Delegates and Alternates to Outside / City Committees City Manager Clint Osorio presented the Staff Report.
Mayor Cerda asked if anyone from the Public had asked to speak on this item.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Cerda noted that SCAG will not be voted on, because Mayor Pro Tem Henderson has been appointed for a two-year term previously.
Mayor Cerda then asked if there were any volunteers to sit on the California Contract Cities Association. Mayor Pro Tem Henderson volunteered Council Member Fukasawa as the Delegate. Council Member Francis volunteered to be the Alternate.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and seconded by Council Member Tanaka to Reorganize the Council Assignments of Delegates and Alternates to Outside / City Committees with the exception of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea:
Henderson, Tanaka, Cerda, Francis and Fukasawa).
9. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no Public Comments.
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 of Minutes - Regular Meeting of City Council, July 14, 2026 CONTACT: CITY CLERK
10.C. Approval of Warrants/Payroll Register, July 28, 2026 CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.D. Monthly Investment Report, June 2026
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.E. Personnel Report P-2026-12 07-28-26
CONTACT: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
10.F. Approval of a new Fortunetelling Permit - Psychic Reading and Meditation Center located at 1500 W. Artesia Square, Suite B
CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10.G. Amendment to Agreement with UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. for Environmental Consulting Services for Ponce Recycling Project Located at 1937 West 169th Street for Additional Services Needed in an Amount of $26,400 (Contract Amount Totaling $145,680) CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10.H. Ratify Administrative Approval for BPR Consulting Group, Inc from the Amount of $924,000.00 to $1,238,958.49, to Cover Plan Check Reviews for FY 2025-26.
CONTACT: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
10.I. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1891, Amending Chapter 8.70 of the Municipal Code for Stormwater and Runoff Pollution Control and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
10.J. Acceptance and Notice of Completion for the Pedestrian Safety Improvement FY 2024-2025 Project (Phase 2), JN 545
CONTACT: PUBLIC WORKS
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Henderson to Approve the Consent Calendar items. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Tanaka, Henderson, Cerda, Francis and Fukasawa).
11. PLANNING & ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMISSION ACTION SHEET
11.A. ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT #3-26 - PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO PORTIONS OF TITLE 18 (ZONING) OF
THE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE REVIEW PROCESS AND STANDARDS FOR MECHANICAL/ROBOT
PARKING STRUCTURES
On July 21, 2026, the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a recommendation to amend Title 18 (Zoning) of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to the review process and development/design standards for mechanical/robotic parking structures.
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission adopted Resolution No. PC 9-26,by vote of 5-0, recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance for Zone Text Amendment #3-26.
City Council Action: No City Council action required. Zone Text Amendment #3-26 will be reviewed and considered by the City Council at a future City Council meeting.
No City Council action was required.
11.B. ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT #2-26 - PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 18.13 OF THE GARDENA
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS) AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS (JADUS)
On July 21, 2026, the Planning and Environmental Quality Commission reviewed a recommendation to amend Chapter 18.13 of the Gardena Municipal Code relating to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs).
Commission Action: The Planning and Environmental Quality Commission adopted Resolution No. PC 10-26,by vote of 5-0, recommending that the City Council adopt an Ordinance for Zone Text Amendment #2-26.
City Council Action: No City Council action required. Zone Text Amendment #2-26 will be reviewed and considered by the City Council at a future City Council meeting.
No City Council action was required.
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (LIMITED TO A 30-MINUTES PERIOD)
12.A. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1) Andrea Simental, Community Library Manager of the Mayme Dear Library, came to give updates regarding the Mayme Dear and the Masao W. Satow Libraries.
Mayor Cerda asked City Clerk Romero if any public comments had been received by email. City Clerk Romero stated that we received fourteen (14) Public Comments. Eleven (11) Public Comments were received before the deadline and were added to the agenda packet. Three (3) Public Comments were received after the deadline and were distributed to Council and made part of the record.
13. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
No Items.
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
17.A. Approve a Contract Change Order to the Engineering Staff Augmentation Services Agreement with DCCM Consultant, Inc., an Additional Amount not to Exceed $124,800.00 City Manager Clint 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.
Questions and comments were made by Council Member Francis. City Manager Osorio answered all questions.
It was moved by Council Member Tanaka and seconded by Council Member Francis to Approve the Contract Change Order to the Engineering Staff Augmentation Services Agreement with DCCM Consultant, Inc. The motion passed by a vote of 5-0 (Yea: Tanaka, Francis, Cerda, Henderson and Fukasawa).
18. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
No Items.
19. DEPARTMENTAL ITEMS - TRANSPORTATION
No Items.
20. COUNCIL ITEMS
No Items.
21. COUNCIL DIRECTIVES
Mayor Pro Tem Henderson
Subject: Reimagine Permitting & Licensing with AI (Pilot) Community Development (Review other proven pilots in CA).
Purpose – Deploy an AI tool to address the rudimentary tasks of permit approval.
Reason – Can allow staff to better address more complicated tasks that require deeper analysis.
Benefit – Provide greater efficiencies, improve community/customer service (this is not to replace staff).
Council Member Tanaka seconded it.
22. CITY MANAGER REMARKS RE: DIRECTIVES / COUNCIL ITEMS City Manager Osorio stated that he had no updates at this time.
23. COUNCIL REMARKS
1) MAYOR PRO TEM HENDERSON – Mayor Pro Tem prefaced the primary reason they participate in associations and professional groups it is for the opportunity to connect with other cities. Since the last meeting, he participated in various topics of AI and government. He has been doing a lot of research on AI and hopes he can work with staff and the City Manager to showcase it to the world that it’s possible to do it. Lastly, he attended the plug-in electric event. 2) COUNCIL MEMBER TANAKA - Council member Tanaka thanked Mayor Pro Tem Henderson and said that they are lucky to have him as the guy that helps with new research on I.T. topics. Since the last meeting, he attended the South Bay Regional Public Communications Authority, users committee; Johnson Park and Rowley Park’s electric vehicle charging ribbon cuttings; the Council of Government board meeting; Mayor Emeritus Russ's wife, Irene Russ's funeral; the Japanese Cultural Institute Japanese speaking mental health support group meeting; and lastly, the Island Roots grand opening.
3) COUNCIL MEMBER FUKASAWA - Council member Fukasawa thanked his colleagues and the community. He’s very excited and honored to be here. He attended the Rowley Park and Johnson Park charging ribbon cutting stations. He added it’s nice to see the City of Gardena be progressive and it’s also great for our environment. 4) MAYOR CERDA - Since the last council meeting, she attended the monthly card room meeting which is California Cities Gaming Authority; the LA County sanitation meeting; the District 3 Neighborhood Watch meeting; the Soccer Watch Party; the Serra High School's golf tournament; the two new EV charging stations; the Island Roots grand opening; and lastly, the Carson's Cajun Blues concert.
5) COUNCIL MEMBER FRANCIS - She thanked Ryan and Julian Lee for leading the Pledge of Allegiance; Pastor Charles Williams and the first lady Williams from the Grace Chapel for their prayer; Woods Woolwine, Steve Dyson, and members of Recreation Park Commission for their presentation. Since the last meeting, she attended the Johnson Park ribbon cutting ceremony for the charging station; the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District Committee. She thanked Steve Dyson, the member of Recreation Park Commission. She sent her condolences to our Deputy City Manager and Transportation Director, Ernie Crespo, and remembering his father. She congratulated the newest council member, Jeff Fukasawa. She also encourages everyone to participate in the program activities of the library. Lastly, she stated that technology is advancing and she will be looking at AI.
24. ANNOUNCEMENT(S)
1) Line G is now open through Saturday, September 5, 2026, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
2) Coffee With a Cop, Thursday, July 30, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Chick-Fil-A located at 16210 Crenshaw Blvd;
3) Dive-In Movie, Friday, July 31, 2026, from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Gardena Community Aquatic Center; 4) National Night Out Summer Block Party, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the City Hall Complex;
5) End of the Summer Teen Pool Party, Friday, August 7, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Gardena Aquatic Center;
6) Sounds and Bites, Friday, August 7, 2026, on Gardena Blvd; 7) 23rd Annual Gardena Jazz Festival, Sunday, August 23rd at Rowley Park; 8) Battle of the Blood Drive event, Friday, August 21, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Rush Gym; and 9) 26th Annual Keep Gardena Beautiful Day, Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
25. REMEMBERANCES
Mr. Francisco Crespo, 77 years of age, beloved father of Deputy City Manager and Director of Transportation Ernie Crespo;
Mr. Michael H. Saffell, father of former Gardena Chief of Police, Mike Saffell; and Mr. Carlo Lomeli, 71 years of age and beloved owner of Lomeli's Italian Restaurant, which has been in Gardena since 1978. He will truly be missed by the Gardena community for his kindess, generosity and welcoming spirit.
26. ADJOURNMENT
At 8:45 p.m. Mayor Cerda adjourned the Gardena City Council 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, August 11, 2026.
APPROVED:
___________________________________
Tasha Cerda, Mayor
BECKY ROMERO
City Clerk of the City of Gardena and
Ex-officio Clerk of the Council
By:__________________________________
Katherine Rhee, Acting Assistant City Clerk