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, May 14, 2025
Regular Meeting, 6:00 PM
Ernesto Marquez,City Manager
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council meeting was called to order on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by David Sifuentes, Mayor’s Youth Walk of Achievement recipient.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember Farfan
Councilmember Roa
Councilmember Vargas
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio
Mayor De Paula
ABSENT
None
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Rene Lara spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. MAYOR’S YOUTH WALK OF ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS
Mayor De Paula presented the awards to the Youth Walk of Achievement Recipients.
Mayor De Paula declared a recess at 6:19 PM.
Mayor De Paula called the meeting back to order at 6:30 PM.
PRESENTATIONS
There were no Presentations.
AGENDAORGANIZATION
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1. MAYOR’S YOUTH WALK OF ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENTS
Mayor De Paula presented the awards to the Youth Walk of Achievement Recipients.
Mayor De Paula declared a recess at 6:19 PM.
Mayor De Paula called the meeting back to order at 6:30 PM.
PRESENTATIONS
There were no Presentations.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
1. Recommendation to hold a public hearing and receive and file the Status of Vacant Positions Report as required by California Assembly Bill 2561.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Rosario Pozzoli, HR Manager, presented the staff report.
Luis Schmidt, provided a presentation representing the Management Unit.
Kevin Nguyen continued the presentation.
Steve Gomez continued the presentation.
Jose Martinez continued the presentation.
Shavon MooreCage continued the presentation.
Juan Serrano continued the presentation.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Juan Soto, spoke representing the Rank and File Unit.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Mayor De Paula closed the Public Hearing.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to receive and file.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
B. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA ThattheCityCouncilwaivereadinginfullofallordinancesandresolutionsontheagendaand
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The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
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 Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of April 12 to May 2, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to approve Amendment No. 1 to Agreement for Legal Services between the City of Hawaiian Gardens and Best Best & Krieger (BBK); and Appoint Norma Tabares of BBK to Serve as City Attorney.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
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of Hawaiian Gardens and Best Best & Krieger (BBK); and Appoint Norma Tabares of BBK to Serve as City Attorney.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
4. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0072025 to amend the Sister City Travel and Donation Policy.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
5. Recommendation to receive and file the current Donation Policy relating to Local Schools.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
6. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0082025, approving applications for the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks and Fireworks Stands in the City of Hawaiian Gardens for the year 2025 Independence Day Celebration.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
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NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
6. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0082025, approving applications for the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks and Fireworks Stands in the City of Hawaiian Gardens for the year 2025 Independence Day Celebration.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
7. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, April 23, 2025; and the Special Meeting of Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
8. Recommendation to receive and file the minutes for the Sister City Committee meeting of Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
9. Recommendation to receive and file the Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes for the month of April 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the
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AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
9. Recommendation to receive and file the Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes for the month of April 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember Roa, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0062025, identifying the Street Improvements Project and adopting the list of projects for Fiscal Year 20252026 funded by SB 1: the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio, to approve recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 0062025.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to approve a donation to Artesia High School.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Mayor De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation and approve a $1,500 donation to Artesia High School.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
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Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
Mayor De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation and approve a $1,500 donation to Artesia High School.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; Farfan, Roa, Vargas, Del Rio, De Paula
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
D. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced that the Alternative to Gangs Membership program will host a Teens Summit on May 17, 2025; a Memorial Day Event will be held on May 26, 2025; and registration for swimming classes opens on May 24, 2025.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no Oral City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Mayor De Paula acknowledged Public Works for National Public Works Week.
H. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957.6
Agencydesignated representative: Ernesto Marquez, City Manager Employee Organizations: AFSCME Local 3624 Management Unit Union Norma Tabares, City Attorney, read the Closed Session item into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:38 PM.
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 8:04 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM to the next City Council Special Meeting to be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 8:04 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM to the next City Council Special Meeting to be held on Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
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