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, August 12, 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, August 12, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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 Jesus Mendoza spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – ART CONTEST WINNERS
Mayor Del Rio presented the certificates.
PRESENTATIONS
1. HAWAIIAN GARDENS YAL 2026 YOUTH CAMPING TRIP
Cristian Rodriguez, Neighborhood Counselor, spoke and presented a video.
Gael Siron spoke.
Stephanie Garcia spoke.
Marley Miranda spoke.
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Mayor Del Rio presented the certificates.
PRESENTATIONS
1. HAWAIIAN GARDENS YAL 2026 YOUTH CAMPING TRIP
Cristian Rodriguez, Neighborhood Counselor, spoke and presented a video.
Gael Siron spoke.
Stephanie Garcia spoke.
Marley Miranda spoke.
Michael spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Mayor Del Rio declared a recess at 6:29 PM.
Mayor Del Rio called the meeting back to order at 6:38 PM.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
1. Recommendation to adopt Resolution 0252026, amending the City’s Administrative Citation Schedule to update fines for vehicle and traffic violations of Title 10 of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code, Title 15 of the Los Angeles County Code and portions of the California Vehicle Code.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Reynaldo Rodriguez spoke.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to approve recommendationandadoptResoltionNo0252026
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Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to approve recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 0252026.
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 warrants processed during the period of July 11 to July 31, 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 RecommendationtoapprovetheminutesfortheCityCouncilmeetingofWednesdayJuly22
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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 approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, July 22, 2026; and the City Council Special Meeting of Wednesday, August 5, 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 read by title only, conduct first reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2026 626, adding Chapter 12.22 to Title XII of the Hawaiian Gardens Municipal Code, regulating the use of electric bicycles and other electric mobility devices on public property and within the public rightofway.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
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;
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Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
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 receive and file an update on the Fisher of Men West Coast Community Shoe Giveaway sponsored by the Hawaiian Gardens Casino.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Reanna Guzman, Administrative Analyst, presented the staff report.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke
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
3. Recommendation to receive and file a Youth Sports update.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation.
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Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Mayor Del Rio 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
4. Recommendation to accept the construction improvements by Onyx Paving Company, Inc., for the fiscal year 20242025 Arterial Street Improvements, Project 116 (CDBG Project No. 60279825) and authorize the City Clerk to file the notice of completion.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
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, provided summer programming updates:
summer lunch program has completed; camp had 165 signups; pool will remain open until Labor Day weekend; registration is open for volleyball and flag football; the last summer concert series is September 18, announced the deadline of August 31 to reserve the graduation banner; and announced a free soccer clinic for youth on August 19.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that today was the first day of school, and that public safety was patrolling the schools to ensure safety.
ErnestoMarquez,CityManager,providedanupdateonthebusinesslicensetaxrevenuemeasure.
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There were no New Business items.
E. ORAL STAFF REPORT(S)
Joe Jimenez, Recreation and Community Services Director, provided summer programming updates:
summer lunch program has completed; camp had 165 signups; pool will remain open until Labor Day weekend; registration is open for volleyball and flag football; the last summer concert series is September 18, announced the deadline of August 31 to reserve the graduation banner; and announced a free soccer clinic for youth on August 19.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that today was the first day of school, and that public safety was patrolling the schools to ensure safety.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, provided an update on the business license tax revenue measure.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Mayor Pro Tem Roa asked about a midbudget review.
Mayor Del Rio thanked staff for a great National Night Out event; and asked about the possibility of graduation banner options for nonHawaiian Gardens residents.
H. CLOSED SESSION
There were no Closed Session items.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:12 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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