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, September 9, 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, September 9, 2026 at 6:01 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.
Captain Juan Briseno, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station, spoke.
Eric Leon spoke.
PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. VIDEO PRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR FISHERS OF MEN WEST COAST AND THE GARDENS CASINO FOR SHOE GIVEAWAY PROGRAM Mayor Del Rio presented the certificates.
Jack McCulloch, Fishers of Men West Coast, spoke.
Keith Sharp, Hawaiian Gardens Casino, spoke.
2. PRESENTATION FROM THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT A CERTIFICATE TO THE GARDENS CASINO FOR THEIR BAKER TO VEGAS DONATION
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PROCLAMATIONS AND CERTIFICATES
1. VIDEO PRESENTATION AND CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION FOR FISHERS OF MEN WEST COAST AND THE GARDENS CASINO FOR SHOE GIVEAWAY PROGRAM Mayor Del Rio presented the certificates.
Jack McCulloch, Fishers of Men West Coast, spoke.
Keith Sharp, Hawaiian Gardens Casino, spoke.
2. PRESENTATION FROM THE LOS ANGELES SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT A CERTIFICATE TO THE GARDENS CASINO FOR THEIR BAKER TO VEGAS DONATION Lakewood Sheriff’s Station presented a certificate to the Gardens Casino.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
A presentation from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department presenting a certificate to the Gardens Casino was added to the agenda under Proclamations and Certificates.
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 October 14, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 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
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
2. 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 October 14, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 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 Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction, for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of October 14, 2026.
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Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 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 Precision Roofing dba A Precision Construction, for property located at 12347 E. Carson Street, to the meeting of October 14, 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to continue the Public Hearing to the City Council meeting of Wednesday, October 14, 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 warrants processed during the period of August 15 to August 28, 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;
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2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of August 15 to August 28, 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 approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, August 26, 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 Recreation and Parks Commission meeting minutes for the month of July 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 receive and file the Hawaiian Gardens Community Retail Survey results.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke.
Cielo FraustoLupo, Community Development Specialist, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
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Motion carried: 5–0–0–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to receive and file the Hawaiian Gardens Community Retail Survey results.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, spoke.
Cielo FraustoLupo, Community Development Specialist, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
Councilmember Vargas 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 select Springbrook Holding Company LLC for licensing software and implementation services for an Enterprise Resource Planning System and authorize the City Manager to initiate negotiations to enter into a contract with the selected provider subject to final City Council approval.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Roa spoke.
Ernesto Marquez, City Manager, spoke.
Councilmember Vargas spoke.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
Mayor Del Rio 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;
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Mayor Del Rio 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, announced that the Fall/Winter Program guide has been mailed to residents; and announced the dates of upcoming events: September 18 is the last concert in the park event and graduation banner pickup; October 12 is our golf tournament; October 28 is our Red Ribbon Rally Walk; October 31 is the annual Halloween event; and November 6 is our Veteran’s event.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that the next Neighborhood Safety meeting will take place on October 7.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, reported that the city will hold a block cleanup event on September 19.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, announced that the City has a new guide, Expand Your Business in Hawaiian Gardens. It’s a guide for retailers and growing businesses.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, reported that the Finance Department earned the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) award for the eighth year in a row.
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—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(3) to confer with its legal counsel with regard to a matter of significant exposure to litigation.
Number of Potential Cases: One (1) – A letter was sent to the City Attorney’s office, dated August 11, 2026, from Denise Fellers at the law firm of Morgan Lewis representing the BKK Working Group in a dispute over liability from a cleanup of a landfill in West Covina. The letter requests the City enter into a tolling agreement with respect to the threatened dispute. The letter is attached to the agenda and is also available for review upon request at the City Clerk’s Office, where it is on file.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, read the Closed Session Items into the record.
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H. CLOSED SESSION
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Pursuant to the provisions of Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) & (e)(3) to confer with its legal counsel with regard to a matter of significant exposure to litigation.
Number of Potential Cases: One (1) – A letter was sent to the City Attorney’s office, dated August 11, 2026, from Denise Fellers at the law firm of Morgan Lewis representing the BKK Working Group in a dispute over liability from a cleanup of a landfill in West Covina. The letter requests the City enter into a tolling agreement with respect to the threatened dispute. The letter is attached to the agenda and is also available for review upon request at the City Clerk’s Office, where it is on file.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, read the Closed Session Items into the record.
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 7:36 PM
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 7:58 PM.
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, conducted a roll call and announced a quorum.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, reported out of closed session that the City Council authorized the City to enter into a tolling agreement for the anticipated litigation item.
I. ADJOURNMENT
The City Council adjourned the meeting at 8:00 PM to the next Regular City Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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