CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 1
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, December 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, December 10, 2025 at 6:02 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pastor Joam Martinez.
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 Irene Zapata, Hawaiian Gardens Library Manager, spoke.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Marcela Trujillo spoke.
REORGANIZATION
1. PRESENTATIONS TO MAYOR DANDY DE PAULA AND THE MAYOR'S FAREWELL
COMMENTS
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 2
Aydan Pena, District Staff Assistant, Congressman Derek Tran, spoke.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, read a certificate from the Office of Senator Tony Strickland.
Isabella Carbajal, Field Representative, Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, spoke.
Lauren Yokomizo, Field Deputy, Supervisor Janice Hahn, spoke.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, read a certificate from the Office of LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang.
Yolanda Castro, SELACO Workforce Development Board, spoke.
Daniel Holguin, Captain, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, spoke.
Mayor Rene Trevino, City of Artesia,
Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, City of Cerritos, spoke.
Councilmember Mario Trujillo, City of Downey, spoke.
Councilmember Margarita Rios, City of Norwalk, spoke.
Councilmember David Arellano, City of Lakewood, spoke.
Ellen Rodriguez-Swing, Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Cerritos and Gateway Cities, spoke.
Francisco Noyola, ABC School District, President of the Board.
Councilmember Roa.
Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio.
Councilmember Farfan.
Councilmember Vargas
Mayor 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.
Councilmember Vargas nominated Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio for Mayor.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 3
A motion was made by Councilmember Vargas, to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio for Mayor.
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
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, opened the nominations for the position of Mayor Pro Tem and all committees the Mayor Pro Tem serves on.
Councilmember De Paula nominated Councilmember Roa for Mayor Pro Tem.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, closed nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.
A motion was made by Councilmember De Paula, to nominate Councilmember Roa for Mayor Pro Tem.
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
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, VICE
PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Francisco Noyola, ABC School District, President of the Board.
Dr. Myra Lozano, ABC School Services, spoke
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
1. Recommendation to conduct a Continued Public Hearing and adopt one of the following
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 4
resolutions as Resolution No. 029-2025:
A Resolution affirming the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a Minor Use Permit for a proposed boat sales business located at 12347 E. Carson Street and determining that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); or
A Resolution overturning the Planning Commission’s decision and denying a Minor Use Permit for a proposed boat sales business located at 12347 E. Carson Street and determining that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
SUGGESTED ACTION: Either affirm the decision of the Planning Commission and approve the MUP subject to the same or different conditions of approval or overturn the Planning Commission’s decision and adopt appropriate findings to deny the MUP.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
Andrew Hard, applicant, spoke.
A discussion ensued between the Applicant and Councilmembers.
Mayor De Paula declared a recess at 9:27 PM.
Mayor De Paula called the meeting back to order at 9:44 PM.
Scott Birkey, Cox, Castle and Nicholson LLP, spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Del Rio, seconded by Councilmember Vargas, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
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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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 5
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to open a public hearing, hear public testimony, affirm the decision by the Community Development Director denying the business license application for office use, and adopt Resolution No. 034-2025, denying a business license for Chavez Construction Unlimited, Inc., located at 12347 E. Carson Street.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
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 open a public hearing, hear public testimony, affirm the decision by the Community Development Director denying the business license application for office use, and adopt Resolution No. 035-2025, denying a business license for A Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction located at 12347 E. Carson Street.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
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 waive full reading and adopt by title only Urgency Ordinance No. 2025-622U, amending Section 18.90.080 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units to comply with recent changes in state law, and finding the action to be statutorily exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code § 21080.17.
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DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 6
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Ryan Stager, BB&K Associate, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to adopt Urgency Ordinance No. 2025-622U.
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 Mayor Pro Tem 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 the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the months of October 2025 and November 2025.
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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 7
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 receive and file the Community Development Department, Planning Division Report for the months of October and November 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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 receive and file the Community Development Department, Code Enforcement Division Report for the months of October 2025 and November 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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 approve First Amendment to the Master Service Agreement for
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 8
Business License and Compliance Services with Hinderliter de Llamas and Associates (HDL Companies) to prepare a Business License Tax Ordinance and Fee Study; and authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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
6. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of November 1 to November 28, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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 receive and file the Public Works Department Permits Report for the months of October and November 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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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REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 10, 2025 Page 9
Motion Carried: 5–0–0–0
8. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem 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)
There were no Discussion items.
D. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
There were no Oral Staff Reports.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Mayor Del Rio thanked staff who participated in the Christmas Parade and Santa Breakfast.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 10:25 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM.