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, September 10, 2025
Regular Meeting, 6:00 PM
Ernesto Marquez,City Manager
Norma Tabares, City Attorney
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council meeting was called to order on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Mayor De Paula.
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 Heather Ortega spoke.
Kim spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 9TH AS CALIFORNIA’S 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF STATEHOOD
Mayor De Paula read the proclamation.
2. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH Mayor De Paula read the proclamation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY LA COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT REGARDING SEWER LINE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY, INCLUDING PROJECT SCHEDULE, CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE, AND PARKING IMPACTS
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OF STATEHOOD
Mayor De Paula read the proclamation.
2. PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS ATTENDANCE AWARENESS MONTH Mayor De Paula read the proclamation.
PRESENTATIONS
1. PRESENTATION BY LA COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICT REGARDING SEWER LINE IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN THE CITY, INCLUDING PROJECT SCHEDULE, CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE, AND PARKING IMPACTS
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, spoke.
Abbas Ismail, LA County Sanitation District, provided a presentation.
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR
1. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, August 27, 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
B. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
C. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that the city has a security camera rebate program available for residents and the business community.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, provided an update on Public Works maintenance activities, City Hall Roof Replacement Project, and C Robert Lee Activity Center Reroofing Project; and announced that the city received a Supplemental Agreement from Caltrans, and we will receive $1.5 million for improving Norwalk and Pioneer Blvd.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, provided an update on the implementation of OpenGov software, and provided an update on the building division.
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C. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that the city has a security camera rebate program available for residents and the business community.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, provided an update on Public Works maintenance activities, City Hall Roof Replacement Project, and C Robert Lee Activity Center Reroofing Project; and announced that the city received a Supplemental Agreement from Caltrans, and we will receive $1.5 million for improving Norwalk and Pioneer Blvd.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, provided an update on the implementation of OpenGov software, and provided an update on the building division.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, announced that Alex Tires, joined YEP Program; provided an update on the fee study; and announced the a kickoff meeting was held for the ERP implementation project.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, provided Recreation updates, September 12, 2025 is the last concert in the park; flag football commences next week; and due to the reroofing of the building, the reception area is closed, but the building is open and recreation programming continues.
D. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no Oral City Attorney Reports.
E. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember Vargas asked about fireworks citations.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Councilmember Roa spoke regarding no parking near a stop sign.
Mayor De Paula, started his appreciation that the city proclaimed September as Attendance Awareness Month; and requested a Civic League item to come back.
F. CLOSED SESSION
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Title: City Manager
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, read the Closed Session items into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:02 PM.
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 7:23 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of George Gonzalez at 7:24 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
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Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, stated no reportable action from Closed Session.
G. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting in memory of George Gonzalez at 7:24 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM.
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