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, July 8, 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, July 8, 2026 at 6:02 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
ABSENT
1 Mayor Del Rio
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA Pat Alviso spoke.
Sabrina Gaona spoke.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
PRESENTATIONS
1. CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS RECREATION DEPARTMENT – HEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICY PRESENTATION
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, provided a presentation.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
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1. CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS RECREATION DEPARTMENT – HEALTHY FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICY PRESENTATION
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, provided a presentation.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Farfan 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 Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of June 13 to June 26, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
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SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0192026, approving an amendment to Agreement No. 106008 between the City of Hawaiian Gardens and the Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO) accepting funding in the amount of $39,652 for PY 20262027 “Youth@Work” program, ratifying the City Manager’s authorization to proceed with program implementation effective July 1, 2026 and authorizing an amendment to the FY 20262027 budget to appropriate the funds.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
4. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to adopt the Consent Calendar as presented, in its entirety.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0202026, ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hawaiian Gardens and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFLCIO, Local 3624, Council 36, Rank and File Unit and approving a side letter of understanding to the MOU.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Rosario Pozzoli, HR Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
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Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0202026, ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Hawaiian Gardens and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees AFLCIO, Local 3624, Council 36, Rank and File Unit and approving a side letter of understanding to the MOU.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Rosario Pozzoli, HR Manager, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to approve recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 0202026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to award a contract to Curbrite Addressing Services for the 2026 Citywide Curb Address Painting Project.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to accept the construction improvements by Elecnor Belco Electric Inc. for the Norwalk Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Project 117 (HSIPSL5387016), and authorize the City Clerk to file the notice of completion.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
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AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to accept the construction improvements by Elecnor Belco Electric Inc. for the Norwalk Boulevard Pedestrian Safety Improvements, Project 117 (HSIPSL5387016), and authorize the City Clerk to file the notice of completion.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Councilmember De Paula, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
4. 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 Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember De Paula, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
5. Recommendation that the City Council provide direction on a potential update to the business license tax structure and related changes to Chapter 5.06 of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Provide direction to staff on the preferred business license tax model and
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The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
5. Recommendation that the City Council provide direction on a potential update to the business license tax structure and related changes to Chapter 5.06 of the City of Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Provide direction to staff on the preferred business license tax model and direct staff to return on July 22, 2026, with the necessary documents to place the ballot measure before the voters.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, presented the staff report.
Eric Myers, HdL, continued the staff report.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember De Paula, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve Model 1, as amended, the Single Gross Receipts and Contractor Flat Rate applies a single gross receipts structure to all businesses, consisting of a $50 flat rate for businesses with up to $30,000 in gross receipts, followed by a rate per $1,000 of gross receipts above $30,000.
Under this model, businesses classified as contractors, without a business location in the City, would be charged a flat rate of $175. Applying a rate of $0.95 per thousand of gross receipts over the base of $30,000; and direct staff to return on July 22, 2026, with the necessary documents to place the ballot measure before the voters.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Vargas, Roa
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Del Rio
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
D. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced that a concert in the park will be held on July 10; a Car Show on July 11; and a Teen Center Overnight Camp Experience from July 1518.
NeemaGhanbariPublicWorksDirectorprovidedanupdateontheGoldenStateWaterProgram
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RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
D. NEW BUSINESS
There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, announced that a concert in the park will be held on July 10; a Car Show on July 11; and a Teen Center Overnight Camp Experience from July 1518.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, provided an update on the Golden State Water 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
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
This closed session item was continued to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
2. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Designated Representative: Norma Tabares, City Attorney Unrepresented Employee Title: City Manager
This closed session item was continued to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:19 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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