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 23, 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 23, 2026 at 6:00 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
Mayor Pro Tem Roa
Mayor Del Rio
ABSENT
1 Councilmember Vargas
Pablo Rubio, City Clerk, announced a quorum.
PUBLIC COMMENTS GENERAL OR ITEMS ON OR OFF THE AGENDA William Parmenter spoke.
Rebecca Barrett spoke.
Maria Garcia spoke.
Reynaldo Rodriguez spoke.
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Celine Pineda spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
Jesus Roman spoke.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
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SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 Page 1
Jesus Mendoza spoke.
Celine Pineda spoke.
Norma Tabares, City Attorney, spoke.
Jesus Roman spoke.
PRESENTATIONS
1. ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES BY FRANCISCO NOYOLA, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD
Francisco Noyola, ABCUSD President of the Board, spoke.
AGENDA ORGANIZATION
There were no changes to the Agenda Organization.
A. PUBLIC HEARING(S) / HEARING(s)
There were no Public Hearing Items.
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: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file warrants processed during the period of August 29 to September 11, 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: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
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REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 23, 2026 Page 2
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: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0312026, to approve the Sixth Amendment and Restated California Cities for SelfReliance Joint Powers Authority 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: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
4. Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meeting of Wednesday, September 9, 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: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
C. DISCUSSION ITEM(S)
1. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of August 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Farfan spoke.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to approve recommendation.
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1. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Building & Safety Division Report for the month of August 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Councilmember Farfan 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: 0;
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 0–0–1–0
2. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Code Enforcement Division Report for the month of August 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 4–0–1–0
3. Recommendation to receive and file the Community Development Department, Planning Division Report for the month of August 2026.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
A motion was made by Councilmember Farfan, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, to approve recommendation.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 0;
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 0–0–1–0
4. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0302026, declaring October 17–23, 2026, as “Flood Preparedness Week”, and encouraging all residents to assess their flood risk, create emergency plans, and prepare for the upcoming storm season.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
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NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
RECUSE: 0;
Motion carried: 0–0–1–0
4. Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 0302026, declaring October 17–23, 2026, as “Flood Preparedness Week”, and encouraging all residents to assess their flood risk, create emergency plans, and prepare for the upcoming storm season.
SUGGESTED ACTION: Approve Recommendation.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, presented the staff report.
Councilmember De Paula spoke.
Mayor Del Rio spoke.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Roa, seconded by Councilmember Farfan, to approve recommendation and adopt Resolution No. 0302026.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: 4; De Paula, Farfan, Roa, Del Rio
NOES: 0;
ABSENT: 1; Vargas
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, provided some programming updates:
youth football and youth volleyball programs started; ATGN Teen Football also started; are introducing a mini football program for ages 36; a senior flower arrangement class will be offered on October 5; YAL offers a STEM program at the Teen Center on Wednesdays and a STEM program at Lee Ware on Mondays; the Teen Center will offer a Youth Success Series: Life Skill Workshops on Thursdays; the outdoor club for the YAL program will take teens and their families to the Miramar Air Show; our golf tournament will be held on October 12; Family Pumpkin Carving Night on October 23; Red Ribbon Rally Walk on October 28; and the Halloween event on October 31.
Steve Gomez, Public Safety Director, announced that Public Safety is cohosting a Halloween safely meeting on October 8.
Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, provided a block cleanup event summary from last weekend; a Public Safety Center roof replacement project update; and announced that the engineering department secured a $160k grant from the US Department of Transportation for preparing a comprehensive safety action plan for the City.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, reported that she attended the International Council of Shopping Centers Western Deal Making Conference.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, reported that the city started the final phase of our audit; and provided a YEP update.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
TherewerenoCityAttorneyReports.
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Neema Ghanbari, Public Works Director, provided a block cleanup event summary from last weekend; a Public Safety Center roof replacement project update; and announced that the engineering department secured a $160k grant from the US Department of Transportation for preparing a comprehensive safety action plan for the City.
Elise McCaleb, Community Development Director, reported that she attended the International Council of Shopping Centers Western Deal Making Conference.
Linda Hollinsworth, Finance Director, reported that the city started the final phase of our audit; and provided a YEP update.
F. CITY ATTORNEY REPORT(S)
There were no City Attorney Reports.
G. ORAL COUNCIL REPORT(S)
Councilmember De Paula thanked the Trauma Prevention Initiative, under the Office of Violence Prevention.
Councilmember Farfan asked staff about the options residents have regarding their trash bins.
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, October 14, 2026 at 6:00 PM.
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