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, April 22, 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, April 22, 2026 at 6:01 PM.
Mayor Del Rio requested a moment of silence for Pastor Larry Darnell, St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Councilmember Farfan.
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 Reynaldo Rodriguez spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. RECOGNITION OF ARTIST FELIX QUINTANA FOR HIS “HAWAIIAN GARDENS” LA METRO THROUGH THE EYES OF ARTISTS POSTER
Mayor Del Rio presented the certificate.
Felix Quintana spoke.
Mayen Alcantara, Metro Art Director of Public Art and Design, spoke.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
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1. RECOGNITION OF ARTIST FELIX QUINTANA FOR HIS “HAWAIIAN GARDENS” LA METRO THROUGH THE EYES OF ARTISTS POSTER
Mayor Del Rio presented the certificate.
Felix Quintana spoke.
Mayen Alcantara, Metro Art Director of Public Art and Design, spoke.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Francisco Noyola, ABCUSD President of the Board, spoke, and introduced Nereyda Armenta, Interim Coordinator Migrant Education.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
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 June 10, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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, June 10, 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 Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction, for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of June 10, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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, June 10, 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 ChavezUnlimitedConstruction,Inc.,forpropertylocatedat12347E.CarsonStreet,tothemeeting
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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, June 10, 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 Chavez Unlimited Construction, Inc., for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of June 10, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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, June 10, 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 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; 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, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of March 2026.
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; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of March 2026.
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; 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, Code Enforcement Division Report for the month of March 2026.
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; 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 March 2026.
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; 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 March 28 to April 10, 2026.
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; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES0
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
5. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of March 28 to April 10, 2026.
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; 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 February and March 2026.
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; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
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 month of March 2026.
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; 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, April 8, 2026.
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; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
8. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
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; 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 a donation to Fedde Academy.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, presented the staff report.
Denise Macias, Principal, Fedde Academy, spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve a $5,000 donation to Fedde Academy.
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 read by title only, conduct first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2026 625, amending Chapter 6.28 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code regarding Firework Regulations.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 5; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT:0;
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SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, 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 dates for upcoming events:
April 30 pet vaccinations; May 16 Second Annual Teen Summit; May 22 Memorial Day Event; and announced hours for the Teen Center and tutoring service.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that a Neighborhood Safety Meeting will be held on May 6; and a Catalytic Converter Engraving Event on May 16.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, thanked everyone who attended the Earth Day Event; and provided an update on the upcoming Carson Street Improvement Project.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember De Paula thanked residents and schools for participating in the parade; and extended condolences to the Catholic community for the passing away of Father Larry Darnell, St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church.
Mayor Del Rio thanked staff and everyone who participated in the parade and carnival Councilmember Vargas complimented staff for the parade and carnival.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:50 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 6:50 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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