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 25, 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 25, 2026 at 6:02 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Councilmember De Paula.
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 Anthony Dominguez spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. RECOGNITION OF PARTICIPANTS FROM STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY 2026 Mayor Del Rio presented certificates to the students.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:15 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 6:27 PM.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Francisco Noyola, ABC School District, President of the Board, spoke.
AGENDAORGANIZATION
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Mayor Del Rio presented certificates to the students.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:15 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 6:27 PM.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Francisco Noyola, ABC School District, President of the Board, spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
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 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 receive and file the Community Development Department, Code Enforcement Division Report for the month of January 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
3. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of January 2026.
SUGGESTEDACTIONARdi
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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 receive and file the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of January 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
4. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Planning Division Report for the month of January 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
5. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of January 31 to February 13, 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 Treasurer's Report for January 2026.
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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 Treasurer's Report for January 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
7. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0022026, approving a revised salary schedule for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Rank and File Unit to add Parking Enforcement Officer position.
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, February 11, 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
9. Recommendation to receive and file the Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes for
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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
9. Recommendation to receive and file the Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting Minutes for the month of January 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
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to award a construction contract to Onyx Paving Company, Inc., in the amount of $1,182,000 for the fiscal year 202425 Arterial Street Improvements, Project 116 (CDBG Project No. 60279825).
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 Roa, to approve recommendation.
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 that the scholarship deadline has closed and is in the process of reviewing all applicants; provided updates on the C. Robert Lee renovations; and that the summer program guide will be distributed to residents in March SteveGomez,PublicSafetyDirector,announcedthataNeighborhoodSafetyMeetingwillbeheldon
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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 scholarship deadline has closed and is in the process of reviewing all applicants; provided updates on the C. Robert Lee renovations; and that the summer program guide will be distributed to residents in March Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that a Neighborhood Safety Meeting will be held on March 4, 2026 at Fedde Middle School.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, announced that the city secured 100% costsaving coverage for the removal and replacement of six water heaters for several city buildings; and provided an update on the Los Angeles County Sewer Relining Project.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, announced new regulations on blackjack that would impact the Gardens Casino.
Sergeant Bitolas spoke and introduced two new deputies: Deputy Reyes and Deputy Gonzalez.
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
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Consideration of Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9: (one potential case)
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, read the Closed Session items into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 6:44 PM.
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 7:25 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 in memory of Robert Prida at 7:25 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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