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, May 13, 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, May 13, 2026 at 6:05 PM.
INVOCATION
The invocation was led by Pablo Rubio, City Clerk.
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 Los Alamitos Pop Warner Football and Cheer Program Representative spoke.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Francisco Serrano, Head Coach, Artesia High School Girls Volleyball, spoke and presented the City with a Championship ring.
Battalion Chief Guadalupe Muñoz, Los Angeles County Fire Department, spoke and recognized newly promoted Captain Lionel Lara.
Captain Lionel Lara, Los Angeles County Fire Department, spoke.
Fernando A. Zamora, Office of Congressman Derek Tran, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Madison MarksNoble, Office of Senator Tony Strickland, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Isabella Carbajal, Office of Assemblywoman Sharon QuirkSilva, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Shavon MooreCage recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
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Battalion Chief Guadalupe Muñoz, Los Angeles County Fire Department, spoke and recognized newly promoted Captain Lionel Lara.
Captain Lionel Lara, Los Angeles County Fire Department, spoke.
Fernando A. Zamora, Office of Congressman Derek Tran, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Madison MarksNoble, Office of Senator Tony Strickland, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Isabella Carbajal, Office of Assemblywoman Sharon QuirkSilva, recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
Shavon MooreCage recognized Captain Lionel Lara.
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 adopt on second reading by title only, Ordinance No. 2026625, amending Chapter 6.28 of Title 6 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code regarding firework regulations and finding the action to be exempt from CEQA.
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 warrants processed during the period of April 11 to May 1,
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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 receive and file warrants processed during the period of April 11 to May 1, 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 a report on coyote sightings, safety suggestions and resources.
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 the Public Works Department Permits Report for the month of April 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
6. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0062026, approving the preliminary Engineer's Report for Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District No. HGLLA1 and declaring the intent to levy and collect an assessment for fiscal year 20262027, and setting a public hearing on the proposed levy at the regular City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 24, 2026 in accordance with the landscaping and lighting act of 1972.
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 approve a professional services agreement with Badawi & Associates to provide independent auditing services from FY 20252026 through FY 20272028 with the option to extend for two additional oneyear periods and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
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 adopt Resolution No. 0052026, approving applications for the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks from Fireworks Stands in the City of Hawaiian Gardens for the 2026 Independence Day Celebration.
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:
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
8. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0052026, approving applications for the sale of Safe and Sane Fireworks from Fireworks Stands in the City of Hawaiian Gardens for the 2026 Independence Day Celebration.
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 approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, April 22, 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 approve plans and specifications and award a construction contract to Bridgerock Construction Inc., in the amount of $218,669 for the City Hall Building Restroom Renovation, Project 124, and approve an amendment to the FY 20252026 budget.
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
2. Recommendation to discuss Assembly Bill (AB) 413 daylighting requirements and provide direction on implementation of curb markings and parking restrictions.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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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 discuss Assembly Bill (AB) 413 daylighting requirements and provide direction on implementation of curb markings and parking restrictions.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Manager, presented the staff report.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation to implement curb markings in the City’s southwest quadrant and return with a phased plan at a future City Council meeting.
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 dates of events: May 16 Teen Summit; May 22Memorial Day Event; that the pool will be open for recreational swim and swimming registration on Memorial Day weekend; and that youth baseball registration is now open.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that they will hold a catalytic converter engraving event on May 16.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, announced that Waste Management became the waste service provider on May 1; that the next block cleanup will be held on June 27; provided updates on the Carson Street and Pioneer Blvd Resurfacing Project; HAWK Traffic Safety Project; and the Golden StateWaterlineReplacementProject;andannouncedthatPublicWorksweekisnextweek
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E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced the dates of events: May 16 Teen Summit; May 22Memorial Day Event; that the pool will be open for recreational swim and swimming registration on Memorial Day weekend; and that youth baseball registration is now open.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that they will hold a catalytic converter engraving event on May 16.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, announced that Waste Management became the waste service provider on May 1; that the next block cleanup will be held on June 27; provided updates on the Carson Street and Pioneer Blvd Resurfacing Project; HAWK Traffic Safety Project; and the Golden State Waterline Replacement Project; and announced that Public Works week is next week.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, provided an update on the ERP software.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember De Paula requested an ebike safety awareness update and Teen Center outreach strategies for programming.
Steve Gomez provided an update on ebike safety.
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, provided an update on the Teen Center outreach strategies.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa asked about Lee Ware camp participants.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 7:14 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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