City Manager's Report October 2025 - December 2025

Halloween Scare Zone

The event which was held at Rowley Park featured games, candy, and a load of fright.

Boo-tiful and I know it.
Hocus pocus and chill
Caution; May Cause Goosebumps

Too Cute To Spook

Those who prefer laughs over screams came over to Arthur Johnson Park for 100% good vibes.

The only thing terrifying here is how much popcorn we ate.
Rated G for Great Mood.
Plot twist: it’s just wholesome fun.

Harvest Festival

The 2025 Harvest Festival packed fun, dance, and food all in one!

Attendees were able to sign up for a corn hole competition, watch dance performances, eat, and so much more.

Loteria

Participants came with their game faces ready to win at a friendly game of BINGO.

Fun Fact: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, farms and towns were spread apart and traveling Ferias (fairs) would set up in ranchlands and small towns on the weekends, and many people would go to play Loteria. 

6th Annual Furbaby Lovefest

Vendors and residents packed City Hall with their best buddies to scoop up some cool merchandise and even compete in a little costume competition.

At the Furbaby Lovefest, Love is a four-legged word

Dia De Los Muertos

Residents gathered at City Hall to take part in the festivities and honor their loved ones.

Fun fact: Traditions connected with the holiday include honoring the deceased using calaveras and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl, building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items as gifts for the deceased.

Pop Up Food Pantry

In partnership with the Kiwanis Club, the City was able to hold a pop-up food pantry for those in need.

If you are experiencing food insecurities, contact our Human Services Department at 310-217-9574. 

Operation Gobble

In partnership with the Carson Dominguez Rotary Club and Superior Grocers, families facing food insecurities were able to obtain meals this holiday season.

Recreation and Human Services, PD and tons of volunteers, along with local sponsors, secured food for families in need this holiday season.

Thanksgiving Day at El Pollo Inka

In partnership with the Gardena Valley Lions Club, residents were able to get a free Thanksgiving meal.

Special thanks to El Pollo Inka, who welcomed all and served a free hot meal on Thanksgiving Day!

Amestoy Elementary - Backpacks for Hope

 The Multilingual/Multicultural Magnet Program at Amestoy Elementary School pursued a new endeavor this school year with the goal of becoming more globally aware and developing stronger global citizenship. In response, beginning in September, students and their families came together in an incredible show of generosity. Students were able to pack 53 backpacks to distribute to unhoused individuals in our community.

Over the past three months, parents donated more than 2,700 items—including deodorant, body products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, soup, candy, sanitizing wipes, scarves, blankets, socks, and beanies. The collection boxes were overflowing! 
The City of Gardena was able to assist the students with delivering the backpacks to families in need. Staff also visited the students to personally thank them for their hard work. Great job Amestoy!

Christmas events

The Recreation & Human Services Department hosted numerous holiday events that helped ring in the holiday season.

While shopping went on inside at the Holiday Boutique, a massive snowball fight broke out at the Winter Wonderland event outside. But Mrs. Clause was there to help residents warm up.

Gtrans lent a hand at the Holiday Boutique & Winter Wonderland event by connecting with community members and sharing helpful resources.

 Attendees were invited to stop by, ask questions, and learn more about available transit programs and services. Many attendees hopped aboard the holiday-decorated GTrans trolley, creating a fun and interactive photo moment along the way.
Jingle Jam, which is a multi-day and multi-location event featured snow, treats, and photos with Santa. Thanks to the Gardena Police Department and Recreation & Human Services who work together to put on this event. 
The Senior Bureau closed out the year strong with their Winter Gala. Attendees came decked out, ready to celebrate the holiday season!

Citizens Leadership Academy

The participants of the 2025 Citizens Leadership Academy received recognition at the City Council meeting on November 11, 2025.

The Citizens Leadership Academy consists of Gardena residents who applied and were accepted into an engaging six-session program. The program is designed for residents who want to learn about local government and play a more active role in our community. You must be within the Gardena jurisdiction to apply.

Public Works

Shredding Event

The paper shredding event at Rowley Park offered residents the opportunity to securely shred up to five boxes of important/confidential documents. 

This event took place in the month of October and was sponsored by Waste Resources

Shine Gardena- Graffiti Clean-Up

The graffiti cleanup event consisted of volunteers and city staff cleaning graffiti and stickers from light poles, streetlights, bus benches, signs, etc.

Christmas Tree and Street Decor Installation

Ahead of the many holiday events, City Hall was ready to welcome you and your family to the perfect backdrop for your holiday memories.

Holiday Cheer in every branch
Christmas Magic Starts here 

Construction In Progress

Community Aquatic & Senior Center

In December, we saw significant progress. In these photos you can see the construction of the pool deck, patio area, and concrete sidewalk.

Artesia Blvd. Street Improvement Project

In the month of October, installation of drip irrigation lines on the median planters and curb ramp took place.
Asphalt Paving along Artesia Blvd.

In December, crews were working to finish the center median landscaping.

Nakaoka Community Center

New electrical conduits were placed in the auditorium at Nakaoka Community Center.
Electrical conduits for new parking lot lights were placed.

Local Streets Improvement

Striping of new continental crosswalk on Haas Avenue.
Striping of new Stop Bars on Spinning Avenue.

Rowley Park Electronic Sign

The long-awaited electronic sign at Rowley Park is up and ready to inform residents.

Transportation

Line 7X

The GTrans Green Team proudly assists passengers every Sunday during major NFL matchups, including Rams vs. Saints, Chargers vs. Steelers, Rams vs. Seahawks, Rams vs. Buccaneers, and Chargers vs. Raiders, Rams vs. Lions.

Their participation underscored the community’s continued trust in GTrans and its dedication to safe, convenient game-day travel. GTrans looks forward to providing exceptional support throughout the season.
Line 7X helped fans get to SoFi Stadium during the Rams vs. Lions game. Customers took advantage of the $4 roundtrip fare to the stadium, making game-day travel both easy and accessible. The GTrans team were up bright and early to support customers every step of the way, helping ensure a smooth, welcoming ride all the way to kickoff.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection

GTrans recently completed its annual California Highway Patrol (CHP) inspection, a comprehensive review that ensures the fleet meets the highest safety and maintenance standards.

This process demonstrates GTrans’ continued commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality transportation, successfully meeting CHP’s rigorous requirements year after year.

Retirements

GTrans celebrated the well-deserved retirement of three long-serving bus operators, whose combined 100 years of service helped keep our community moving.

The City of Gardena extends its heartfelt gratitude and best wishes as the operators embark on this exciting new chapter.

Transit Association (CTA) Fall Conference & Expo

GTrans had the opportunity to attend the 60th Annual California Transit Association (CTA) Fall Conference & Expo, held November 5–7 in Long Beach.
GTrans also proudly showcased one of its buses, in partnership with ENC, a transit bus manufacturer, giving attendees a closer look at its CNG model. The conference offered valuable learning on emerging technology, workforce development, and best practices in safety and operations, all of which will support ongoing service improvements.

PATH (Planning a Transit Horizon)

In December, GTrans conducted surveying for its PATH (Planning a Transit Horizon) study, aimed at reimagining how Gardena’s bus system can better serve the community.

Using insights from available data, the agency is assessing current service and future needs. Town hall meetings are scheduled for January 20 and 21, inviting community members to join the conversation, share their perspectives, and play an active role in shaping the future of local transit. Visit RideGTrans.com/PATH for more information.

Police Department

Coffee with a Cop

Garden PD hosted its famous Coffee with a Cop at Target, thanks to the Starbucks baristas; no coffee was left unsipped. 

Residents who attended got the opportunity to connect with the team and learn about all of the valuable resources PD has to offer.

Annual K9 Pancake Breakfast

PD hosted their annual Pancake Breakfast to earn money for the GPD K-9 Program.

Residents were able to grab merchandise, eat breakfast, and meet GPD's finest four legged friends.  It is an honor for K9 Vito, K9 Ghost, and K9 Maxo to protect the City of Gardena

Red Ribbon Week

PD met with students to talk about being drug free.

Recognition and Graduations

Please join us in congratulating Officers Dietrich Jache, Hailey Ibarra, Maria DeJesus, and Denice Tinoco on their graduation from the Rio Hondo Police Academy! 
Congratulations to Hailey Ibarra! From volunteering as a Police Explorer at 13 years old to now becoming a police officer, her journey has been nothing short of inspiring! She even earned an award for excelling in scenario training at the academy. 
Congratulations to Sergeant Dolores Searle! Sergeant Searle proudly graduated from the prestigious Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) — one of California’s most respected leadership development programs for law enforcement. This accomplishment reflects her commitment to growth, professionalism, and service to the Gardena community. 
Chief Todd Fox had the honor of graduating three new Police Explorers, Angely Figueroa, Olivia Saldana, and Delilah Ortiz , from the South Bay Regional Law Enforcement Explorer Academy, Class #88.  A special congratulations to Explorer Saldana for earning the Top Female Athlete Award, an incredible achievement that showcases her hard work and perseverance.
Officers Mendoza, Caso, and McComas graduated the Police Academy in December. This milestone reflects months of discipline, sacrifice, and determination—and it’s only the beginning. The city of Gardena is gaining three dedicated professionals.

Remembering Officer Toshio Hirai

On November 15, 2018, we lost Officer Hirai in a tragic motorcycle accident — a loss that forever changed our Gardena Police Department family and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Toshio served our community with dedication, compassion, and quiet strength. He was a devoted husband and father, a committed officer, and a friend whose presence made the department better every day. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the partners he protected, and the community he proudly served.

Every year, on November 15th, Gardena remembers Officer Toshio Hirai.