Votes at a glance: council approves nonprofit donations, sewer plan, compensation changes and retirement incentive

The Hawaiian Gardens City Council took a series of administrative and policy votes on Aug. 13, approving donations to local youth sports organizations, adopting a sewer plan update required by state regulation, approving compensation changes for unrepresented employees and authorizing an employee retirement incentive program.

Donations to nonprofits The council approved two July‑cycle donations from the city’s FY 2025–26 allocation of $20,000 for nonprofit donations. The Hawaiian Gardens Eagles Soccer Club received $5,000 for team uniforms, equipment, and league and tournament registrations. The Hawaiian Gardens Little League received $5,000 to support youth baseball and softball programming and opening/closing ceremonies. Staff said both applications met the city’s donation policy requirements. The motion passed on voice vote by council members present.

Sewer system management plan update (Resolution 026-2025) Council adopted Resolution 026-2025 approving the city’s 2025 Sewer System Management Plan (SSMP) update. Staff told the council the update aligns the city’s SSMP with the State Water Resources Control Board’s revised general order for sanitary sewer systems (order adopted Dec. 6, 2022; effective June 5, 2023) and implements audit recommendations prepared with LA County Public Works and HDR Engineering. The update is required every five years and addresses changes to sanitary‑sewer‑overflow categories and reporting.

Salary ranges and benefits for unrepresented positions (Resolution 025-2025) Council adopted adjustments to salary ranges and benefits for unrepresented, at‑will confidential and professional/management positions as part of implementing a class‑and‑compensation study. Changes described in staff remarks include a $2,500 monthly health‑care contribution cap for hires after July 1 (regardless of plan selected), a phone allowance increase to $100 per month, a two‑tier car allowance ($500/month for department directors; $400/month for managers) and up to a 2% employer match in a 457(b) retirement plan for unrepresented employees.

Retirement incentive program Council authorized a retirement incentive program with an anticipated cost of roughly $300,000 plus employer payroll taxes (program budgeted in the FY 2025–26 budget). Staff said the program is intended to allow up to 12 eligible employees to retire under an incentive and recommended an election window in the fall; council approved a modification to extend the election window so the council‑approved outside retirement date is November 30 (staff will work backward on notice/election periods). Notices will be issued after council action; staff emphasized the program will operate on a first‑come, first‑served basis and includes standard revocation windows described in the program materials.

Consent calendar The consent calendar was approved by motion and roll call. Council members who voted were recorded on the roll calls for each item.

Roll call voting record for key items (as recorded) - Donations to nonprofits: motion made and seconded; roll call: all present voted yes (motion carries). - Resolution 023-2025 (Bicycle Master Plan): vote recorded separately (see separate article). - Resolution 026-2025 (SSMP update): Council member Farfan — Yes; Council member Roa — Yes; Mayor Pro Tem del Rio — Yes; Mayor De Pala — Yes. Motion carries. - Resolution 025-2025 (compensation): same roll‑call pattern; motion carries. - Retirement incentive (modified election window to end Oct. 30 with outside retirement Nov. 30 as discussion concluded): motion carries by roll call.

Staff noted that several items (for example, specific project designs and detailed contract documents) will return to council for separate review and approval as needed.