CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 1
CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Victor Farfan, Mayor Pro Tem
Dandy De Paula, Council Member
Luis Roa, Council Member
Ernie Vargas, Council Member Maria Teresa Del
Rio, Mayor
Tuesday, December 12, 2023
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 12, 2023 at 6:02 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Councilmember De Paula.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember De Paula
Councilmember Roa
Councilmember Vargas
Mayor Pro Tem Farfan
Mayor Del Rio
ABSENT
None
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA There were no Public Comments.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. PRESENTATIONS TO MAYOR MARIA TERESA DEL RIO AND THE MAYOR’S
FAREWELL COMMENTS
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 2
Dr. Gina Zietlow, Superintendent, ABC Unified School District, spoke.
Sophia Tse, ABCUSD President of the Board, spoke.
Ernie Nishii, ABCUSD Vice President of the Board, spoke.
Francisco Noyola, ABCUSD Clerk of the Board, spoke.
La Fonda Riggins, LA County Fire Department, Community Services Liaison – Division IV, spoke.
Dan Holguin, Captain, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Farfan spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
2. 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 Finance Authority.
Councilmember Roa nominated Mayor Pro Tem Farfan for Mayor.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Farfan as Mayor.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
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 Finance Authority.
Mayor Del Rio nominated Councilmember De Paula for Mayor Pro Tem.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 3
A motion was made by Mayor Del Rio, to appoint Councilmember De Paula as Mayor Pro Tem.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
3. RECOGNITION OF FRANK AMARO FOR OVER 30 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE
TO THE HAWAIIAN GARDENS LITTLE LEAGUE PROGRAM
Mayor Del Rio presented a certificate to Frank Amaro.
4. CERTIFICATES FOR THE HAWAIIAN GARDENS EAGLES - SECOND PLACE FINISH AT THE 2023 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL ATHLETIC FEDERATION, FLAG
FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Mayor Del Rio presented certificates to the Hawaiian Gardens Eagles participants.
PRESENTATIONS
1. UPDATE FROM THE LA COUNTY OFFICE OF THE VIOLENCE PREVENTION (OVP),
TRAUMA PREVENTION INITIATIVE (TPI)
This presentation was continued to the Wednesday, January 10, 2024, City Council meeting.
2. PRESENTATION BY ANJELIQUE GRANADOS, COMMUNITY LIBRARY MANAGER,
HAWAIIAN GARDENS LIBRARY
Anjelique Granados, Community Library Manager, Hawaiian Gardens, spoke.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:51 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 7:23 PM.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
A Presentation of Certificates was added to the agenda for the Hawaiian Gardens Eagles, Second Place Finish at the 2023 Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation, Flag Football Tournament; and the Reorganization of the City Council was moved after all presentations.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Del Rio, to approve the Agenda Organization.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 4
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
There were no Public Hearings.
B. 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 determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 039-2023 of the City Council of the City of Hawaiian Gardens, County of Los Angeles, State of California approving the exchange of FY 2023-2024 Proposition A funds between the City of Hawaiian Gardens and the City of La Habra Heights, California and authorizing the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 5
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
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 18 to December 1, 2023.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
4. Recommendation to approve a five-year contract renewal with UniFirst Corporation to provide uniforms and related services.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
5. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 040-2023, fixing the date and time for the Regular Meeting of the City Council, Planning Commission, and Successor Agency to the RDA.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 6
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
6. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Tuesday, November 28, 2023; and the Joint Meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission of Tuesday, November 28, 2023.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to accept the construction improvements by Best Contracting Services, Inc., for C. Robert Lee Roof Replacement, Project 102 and authorize the City Clerk to file the Notice of Completion.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, provided the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Mayor Del Rio, to approve recommendation.
The motion was Carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Roa, Vargas, Farfan, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 7
RECUSE: 0;
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
D. COMMITTEE REPORT(S)
There were no Committee Reports.
E. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
F. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced that Santa will be coming to town on Thursday, December 14, 2023, for Santa’s Neighborhood Parade.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem De Paula spoke.
G. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
H. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember Vargas showed a video for the Hawaiian Gardens Eagles.
Councilmember Roa reported that he attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Event, City Holiday Party, and Breakfast with Santa.
Councilmember Del Rio reported that she attended the Christmas Tree Lighting Event, and the City Holiday Party.
Councilmember Roa expressed appreciation to Eric Leon, Recreation Coordinator and Iliana Arechiga, Sr. Recreation Leader III for their hard work.
Mayor Pro Tem De Paula reported that he attended the Christmas Tree Lighting, Breakfast with Santa, and wished everyone a happy holiday.
Councilmember Vargas thanked Recreation Director, Joe Jimenez and his recreation staff for their hard work.
Mayor Farfan thanked staff for their hard work this year.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 12, 2023 Page 8
I. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Number of Cases: One (1)
Name of Case: Californians for Homeownership, Inc. v. City of Hawaiian Gardens, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 23STCP00624
John Natalizio, City Attorney, read the Closed Session Items into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:46 PM
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 8:25 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
John Natalizio, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
J. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:26 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM.