By Brett Callwood
At the City Council meeting on the evening of Tuesday, February 25, Item 13A called for a resolution, “Certifying an Environmental Impact Report, adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations and making CEQA Findings Relating to the 1450 Artesia Specific Plan for the 6.3 acre Property located near the southwest corner of Artesia Boulevard and Normandie Avenue.
Also, “Approving the 1450 Artesia Specific Plan and a Development Agreement to allow the redevelopment of the site with a mixed-use commercial/industrial development consisting of a 268,000 gross square foot building with an approximate height of 75 feet.”
Members of staff and representatives from the applicant were on hand to present positive findings, and most of the speakers were in agreement that the site, currently an eyesore, needs development. Both parts were agreed unanimously.
Item 16A called for the council to “Award Construction Contract for the Rowley Park Improvements Basketball Court Rehab Phase 1 – Demolition, Drainage, Electrical and Site Furnishing Project, JN 530, to Zeco, Inc. in the amount of $588,537.55, Approve the Project Plans & Specifications, 15% Project Contingency, and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.”
Item 16B called for the council to “Award Construction Contract for the Park Electronic Signage Project, JN 529, to Square Signs LLC dba Front Signs in the amount of $435,015.85. Additionally, Approve the Project Plans & Specifications, $12,000 Construction Support Services Contract with David Volz Design (DVD), 20% of Project Contingency and Declare California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Exemption.”
Both items passed unanimously.
Item 17A called for, “Approving the Renaming of the Freeman Park Baseball Field to Ichikawa Nippon Yakyu Field to Recognize the Long-Standing Relationship with our Japanese Sister City.” That passed unanimously.
Item 19A called for the approval of “Resolution no. 6697, Designating Certain Members of the Gardena City Council to serve as Representatives on the South Bay Council of Governments Governing Board.”
A staff note read, “Council considered the assignments of Gardena’s Council Delegates and Alternates to Outside Committees at their February 11, 2025, City Council Meeting. At that time Councilmember Mark E. Henderson was approved as the Alternate, to the Governing Board of the South Bay Cities Council of Governments; Councilmember Rodney G. Tanaka is still serving as the Delegate.”
That item passed 4-1, with Council Member Wanda Love the sole no vote.
Item 19B called for the adoption of “Resolution no. 6695, Discuss and Consider Adopting Resolution No. 6695-City of Gardena Code of Conduct for Elected and Appointed Officials.
A staff note lays out the proposed code of conduct:
“1. Ethics – This section provides guidance on ethical issues and questions of right and wrong. Areas in this section include general ethical principles, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and political neutrality.
- Conduct – This section describes the expected behavior of Elected and Appointed Officials in their interactions with each other, staff, constituents, and the public when representing the City of Gardena.
- Implementation – This section provides that all current Elected and Appointed Officials with be provided with a copy of the newly adopted Code of Conduct and all current Elected and Appointed Officials will be asked to sign a statement acknowledging they have read and understand the Code of Conduct. Thereafter, candidates for elected office and applicants to commissions, committees, and boards will receive a copy of the Code of Conduct, and newly elected officials as well as newly appointed officials will receive a copy of the Code of Conduct and sign an acknowledgement that they have read and understood the document.
- Compliance and Enforcement – This section details the City Council’s authority and responsibility to enforce the Code of Conduct on behalf of the City, as well as the sanctions that may be imposed in the event of a Code of Conduct violation.”
Council Members Love and Paulette Francis both voiced concerns about freedom of speech issues, as well as their view that the code of conduct is too vague and ambiguous. Still, that passed 3-2 with Love and Francis the no votes.
