CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
Luis Roa, Mayor Pro Tem
Dandy De Paula, Councilmember
Victor Farfan, Councilmember
Ernie Vargas, Councilmember Maria Teresa Del Rio,
Mayor
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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, February 11, 2026 at 6:01 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Rajan Zed, President, Universal Society of Hinduism.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Mayor Pro Tem Roa.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT
Councilmember De Paula
Councilmember Farfan
Councilmember Vargas
Mayor Pro Tem Roa
Mayor Del Rio
ABSENT
None
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA Mary Bueno spoke.
Irene Zapata, Hawaiian Gardens Library Manager, spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. 2025 VOLUNTEERS RECOGNITION
Mayor Del Rio presented certificates to the volunteers.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:22 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 6:32 PM.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
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1. 2025 VOLUNTEERS RECOGNITION
Mayor Del Rio presented certificates to the volunteers.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:22 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 6:32 PM.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
1. Recommendation to continue the Public Hearing for the Minor Use Permit (MUP) for a proposed boat sales business located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to continue the Public Hearing for the appeal of business license denial for Chavez Unlimited Construction, Inc., for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to continue the Public Hearing for the appeal of business license denial for Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction, for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES:5;DePaulaFarfanVargasRoaDelRio
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to continue the Public Hearing for the appeal of business license denial for Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction, for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
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 Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to adopt on second reading by title only, Ordinance No. 2026623, amending Section 18.90.080 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code relating to Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units and finding the action to be statutorily exempt from CEQA under Public Resources Code § 21080.17.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to adopt on second reading by title only, Ordinance No. 2026624, amending Section 1.12.050 (C) of Chapter 1.12 of Title 1 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code regarding authorizationtoissuecitations
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A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
3. Recommendation to adopt on second reading by title only, Ordinance No. 2026624, amending Section 1.12.050 (C) of Chapter 1.12 of Title 1 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code regarding authorization to issue citations.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
4. Recommendation to receive and file Treasurer's Report for November and December 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
5. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of January 17 to January 30, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
6. Recommendation to receive and file the 20242025 Single Audit Report on schedule of
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A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
6. Recommendation to receive and file the 20242025 Single Audit Report on schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
7. Recommendation to authorize the City Manager to approve the Willdan Engineering proposal in the amount of $65,000 for Citywide Infiltration Testing.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
8. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
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SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
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 December 2025.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to approve donations to nonprofit organization.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, presented the staff report.
Bill Sinko, Community Family Guidance Center, spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve a $5,000 donation to Community Family Guidance Center.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to approve a donation to Hawaiian Elementary School.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Maria PerezBrena, Principal, Hawaiian Elementary School, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
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ABSENT: 0;
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to approve a donation to Hawaiian Elementary School.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Maria PerezBrena, Principal, Hawaiian Elementary School, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Del Rio, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve a $5,000 donation to Hawaiian Elementary School.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
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 the youth and adult scholarship deadline.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, summarized the Neighborhood Safety Meeting that presented to teenagers regarding NOS.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, provided facility improvement projects updates, and showed some updates on the Public Works website.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, made announcements about HUD's new reporting requirements
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, provided updates on the fee study and the YEP Program.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
There were no Oral Council Reports.
H. CLOSED SESSION
TherewerenoClosedSessionitems
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Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, provided updates on the fee study and the YEP Program.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
There were no Oral Council Reports.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:54 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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