CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Maria Teresa Del Rio, Mayor Pro Tem
Victor Farfan, Councilmember
Luis Roa, Councilmember
Ernie Vargas, Councilmember
Dandy De Paula, Mayor
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
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 Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 6:01 PM
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Robi Colon, Hawaiian Elementary student.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Farfan
Councilmember Roa
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio
Mayor De Paula
ABSENT
1 Councilmember Vargas
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA Scott Smith, ABC Unified School District, Communications Officer, spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. RECOGNITION OF HAWAIIAN ELEMENTARY STEM OLYMPICS GRAND PRIZE WINNERS AND THE READING OLYMPICS SECONDPLACE WINNERS
Mayor De Paula presented the certificates to the students.
2. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2025 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 1, 2025 AS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
Mayor De Paula presented the proclamation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS, REGARDING SEWER SERVICE CHARGERATE INCREASE
Andrew Ngumba, LA County Department of Public Works, provided a presentation.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2025 Page 0
Mayor De Paula presented the certificates to the students.
2. PROCLAMATION DECLARING APRIL 2025 AS AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH AND APRIL 1, 2025 AS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY
Mayor De Paula presented the proclamation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS, REGARDING SEWER SERVICE CHARGERATE INCREASE
Andrew Ngumba, LA County Department of Public Works, provided a presentation.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio spoke.
Mayor De Paula spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
Agenda Item No. C1 was condsidered before the Consent Calendar.
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 Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of March 15 to March 28, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2025 Page 1
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of March 15 to March 28, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority, authorizing work related to the Americans with Disability Act Assistance Program.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
4. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to discuss and consider approving a donation to Fedde Academy.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Denise Macias, Principal, Fedde Academy, spoke.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2025 Page 2
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to discuss and consider approving a donation to Fedde Academy.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Denise Macias, Principal, Fedde Academy, spoke.
Melanie Payumo, Teacher, Fedde Academy, spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to approve a $5,000 donation to Fedde Academy.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; Farfan, Roa, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
D. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced that the City Carnival will be held on April 1113, 2025; and the Easter Event will be held on April 19, 2015.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no Oral City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Mayor De Paula congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio and Shavon Moore, Executive Assistant, for winning the 2025 Women of Distinction award from the California State Assembly.
H. CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957
Title: City Attorney
Patrick Donegan, City Attorney, read the Closed Session Item into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:25 PM.
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 7:56 PM.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2025 Page 3
Mayor De Paula congratulated Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio and Shavon Moore, Executive Assistant, for winning the 2025 Women of Distinction award from the California State Assembly.
H. CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957
Title: City Attorney
Patrick Donegan, City Attorney, read the Closed Session Item into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:25 PM.
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 7:56 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Patrick Donegan, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:57 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 9, 2025 Page 4