CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 1
CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Maria Teresa Del Rio, Mayor Pro Tem
Jesse Alvarado, Council Member
Victor Farfan, Council Member
Mike Gomez, Council Member
Luis Roa, Mayor
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Regular Meeting, 6:00 PM
Ernesto Marquez,City Manager
Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council meeting was called to order on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 6:02 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, provided brief information regarding the conduct of the meeting.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Mayor Roa.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Roa
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio
Councilmember Farfan
Councilmember Alvarado
Councilmember Gomez
ABSENT
None
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA Mike Laughlin, Hawaiian Gardens resident, spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
There were no Proclamations or Certificates.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 2
PRESENTATIONS
1. RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Alvarado spoke.
Councilmember Gomez spoke.
Mayor Roa spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Alvarado, to approve the Agenda Organization.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, Alvarado, Gomez
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 056-2022 declaring the results of the General Municipal Election held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt Resolution No. 056-2022.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, Alvarado, Gomez
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 3
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Administer the Oath of Office to the Newly Elected Members of the City Council: Dandy De Paula, Maria Teresa Del Rio, Luis Roa, Ernie Vargas.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected City Councilmember Dandy De Paula.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected City Councilmembers Luis Roa, Maria Teresa Del Rio, and Ernie Vargas.
3. Reorganization of Members of the City Council.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, opened the nominations for the position of Mayor and all committees the Mayor serves on such as Public Housing Authority, Successor Agency to the RDA, and Public Financing Authority.
Mayor Roa nominated Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio for Mayor.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor.
A motion was made by Mayor Roa, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio as Mayor.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, opened the nominations for the position of Mayor Pro Tem and all committees the Mayor Pro Tem serves on such as Public Housing Authority, Successor Agency to the RDA, and Public Financing Authority.
Mayor Roa nominated Councilmember Farfan for Mayor Pro Tem.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
A motion was made by Mayor Roa, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio as Mayor.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 4
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
4. ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Mayor Del Rio
Mayor Pro Tem Farfan
Councilmember Roa
Councilmember De Paula
Councilmember Vargas
ABSENT
None
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced quorum.
PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
1. Recommendation to read title only, and waive reading in full and adopt Ordinance No. 2022-605, amending Title 15 by repealing from Title 15 Sections 15.04.020, 15.06.020,
15.08.020, 15.10.020, 15.12.020, 15.14.020, 15.20.020 and adding in lieu thereof new Sections 15.04.020, 15.06.020, 15.08.020, 15.10.020, 15.12.020, 15.14.020, 15.20.020 to Title 15 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code to adopt by reference and amend the 2022 Los Angeles County Building Code, Electrical Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Residential Code, Existing Building Code and Fire Code.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke and provided a staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-605.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to adopt Urgency Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2022-606 and hold a Public Hearing and first reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 2022-607, amending Title 18 (Zoning), Chapter 18.90 (Supplemental Regulations), Section
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 5
18.90.080 (Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units) of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code regarding ADUs and JADUs and determining the project is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21080.17 of the California Public Resources Code.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Councilmember Roa recused himself from Agenda Item No. B-2.
Mayor Pro Tem Farfan recused himself from Agenda Item No. B-2.
Under rule of necessity Councilmember Roa was randomly selected to participated for the Urgency Ordinance.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke and provided a staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 2022-606.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Roa, Del Rio, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 1; Farfan
Motion Carried: 4–0–0–1
A motion was made by Councilmember Alvarado, seconded by Councilmember Gomez, to adopt Ordinance No. 2022-607.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 3; Del Rio, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 2; Roa, Farfan
Motion Carried: 3–0–0–2
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA
That the City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 6
determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to continue to authorize virtual and hybrid City Council meetings as well as virtual and hybrid meetings for all other City Boards, Commissions, Committees, or Agencies Pursuant to AB 361.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of November 5 to December 2, 2022.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 7
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
4. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council Special Meeting of Tuesday, November 15, 2022.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to adopt the necessary findings for a good cause extension under Business & Professions Code section 5273; and authorize the City Manager to take all steps necessary to pursue an appeal of the Caltrans Notice of Violation for the Gardens Casino sign, dated November 23, 2022.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke and provided a staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to approve recommendation.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan, De Paula, Vargas
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 057-2022 denying PLNG2021-0026 (General Plan Amendment), a request for a General Plan Amendment, from General Commercial to High Density Residential and denying a request for a zoning change (PLNG2021- 0025) from C-4 (General Commercial) to R-4 (High Density Residential) for property located at 12345 Carson Street, Assessor Parcel Number 7066-017-012, City of
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 8
Hawaiian Gardens, California; and finding the same statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and Adopt Resolution No. 058-2022 denying PLNG2021-0025 (Site Plan Review), a request to approve the site plan and architectural design of a new 13-unit apartment complex on property located at 12345 Carson Street, City of Hawaiian Gardens, California; and finding the same statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke and provided a staff report.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Farfan, to approve recommendation.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 3; Roa, Del Rio, Farfan
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
ABSTAIN: De Paula, Vargas
Motion: 3–0–0–2
COMMITTEE REPORT(S)
There were no Committee Reports.
NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items
ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, invited residents to the next Neighborhood Safety meeting on December 15, 2022, at 6:00 pm, at Hawaiian Elementary School.
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director provided an update on the Fedde Sports Complex renovation.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
Megan Garibaldi, City Attorney, congratulated the newly elected Councilmembers and appointments.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 13, 2022 Page 9
ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember Roa thanked Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director for the Christmas events.
Councilmember De Paula thanked the residents of Hawaiian Gardens.
Councilmember Vargas thanked the residents of Hawaiian Gardens.
Mayor Del Rio thanked the residents of Hawaiian Gardens.
Mayor Pro Tem Farfan thanked voters for participating in the election.
Councilmember Roa thanked everyone that participated in the campaign.
CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:49 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 6:00 PM.