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Hawaiian Gardens council adopts assessments, personnel pay increases and outreach policy; discusses monopole lease
Summary
At its June 24 meeting the Hawaiian Gardens City Council approved the annual landscaping assessment, three salary-schedule resolutions adopting a 2% increase effective July 1, 2026, and a policy to widen outreach to under-engaged communities; council also instructed staff to renegotiate a proposed T‑Mobile monopole lease amendment.
The Hawaiian Gardens City Council met June 24 and approved several routine and policy items while discussing community services and a major telecom lease.
Councilers voted to adopt Resolution 014-2026 confirming the assessment diagram and ordering levy and collection for the Hawaiian Gardens Consolidated Landscaping and Lighting Assessment District (HGLLA1) for fiscal year 2026–27 after a Willdan Financial Services presentation. Shawnee Ganoe, the Willdan consultant, said the assessment revenue is estimated at about $110,197 while direct costs are projected at roughly $479,000; the gap will be covered by ad valorem tax revenue, excess tax increment funds and the district reserve balance. The public hearing drew no public comment.
On labor and payroll matters the council unanimously adopted three resolutions (015-2026, 016-2026 and 017-2026) implementing a 2% across‑the‑board pay increase for AFSCME rank-and-file, AFSCME management, and unrepresented at‑will/confidential/management positions effective July 1, 2026. Staff said the adopted FY 2026–27 budget includes the cost of those increases.
The council also approved a policy to encourage participation by traditionally under-engaged communities, a measure intended to align the city's outreach with Senate Bill 707. Staff told council that the city will begin posting Spanish-language agendas in July and compile a list of community organizations and media outlets to expand meeting awareness.
During discussion of a separate item, staff described a proposed first amendment to a long-standing monopole lease at 21815 Pioneer Boulevard with T‑Mobile West LLC. The amendment would extend the lease and increase rent from $200 per month to $3,500 monthly (about a 1,650% increase), include a $5,000 signing bonus and permit battery replacements within the existing shelter. Councilors expressed interest in pursuing aesthetic improvements to the pole and asked staff to return with options and negotiations before final approval.
Other actions: council approved the consent calendar, received and filed community development reports for May, and heard presentations on youth workforce and youth-services partnerships. The meeting adjourned to the next regular meeting on July 8, 2026.
Votes at a glance
- Resolution 014-2026 (HGLLA1 landscaping and lighting assessment): adopted (roll-call vote unanimous). - Resolution 015-2026 (rank-and-file salary schedule, 2% increase effective July 1, 2026): adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 016-2026 (management salary schedule, 2% increase effective July 1, 2026): adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 017-2026 (unrepresented salary schedule, 2% increase effective July 1, 2026): adopted (unanimous). - Resolution 018-2026 (outreach to under-engaged communities/SB 707): adopted (unanimous).
What’s next: staff will return with negotiated options for the T‑Mobile monopole amendment and will present the list of organizations and outreach methods to implement the adopted engagement policy.
