City Manager's Report

JANUARY 2026

43rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Parade & Celebration

What an incredible day at our annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade and Celebration!

Huge shoutout to everyone who brought their energy, smiles, and spirit to the parade—you made it unforgettable!

A special thank you to the Recreation and Human Services Department, who worked for months to make this event happen. Thank you to all of the other departments and staff who helped, and a great big thank you to all of the grand marshals!

After the parade, the celebration kept rolling with tasty eats from food trucks, awesome vendors, and an epic Battle of the Bands! Schools and organizations rocked the stage, but Gardena High School took home the gold—way to go! Can’t wait to see everyone again next year!

Viva Las Vegas Bingo

Our Viva Las Vegas Bingo fundraiser was an absolute blast—thank you to everyone who joined the fun, cheered each other on, and helped support our Senior Services program.

Can’t wait for the next one!

B.R.I.D.G.E.

Our 2026 B.R.I.D.G.E. (Bringing Recreation Into Diverse Generational Eras) program kicked off, which brings seniors and our afterschool program kids together to participate in activities.

They had a blast playing trivia and learning from one another!

Visit www.cityofgardena.org/events to register for our next B.R.I.D.G.E. event.

Ministerial Meeting

Our quarterly Ministerial Association meeting provided valuable information and networking opportunities.

Our special guest from Community Development discussed their role in the City.

Great Gatsby Senior Candlelight Dinner

We kicked off 2026 in true Roaring Twenties style with our Great Gatsby Candlelight Dinner!

Delicious eats, glamorous vibes, and a dance lesson that had everyone dancing.

Employee Quarterly Mixer

The City's Quarterly Mixer was held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and brought together employees from all departments to celebrate new hires and promotions.

It was a Super Bowl-themed event, so of course we had to have a little friendly competition.

Police Department

The Gardena Police Department Special Tasks and Response Team partnered with several South Bay agencies for a coordinated gang-enforcement operation across the City.

The effort led to multiple arrests involving guns, drugs, outstanding warrants, gang-related crimes, probation-search violations, and even vehicle pursuits.

Operations like this are part of our ongoing commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safe, supported, and protected.

Four members of the Gardena Police Department were recently recognized for their exceptional professionalism, teamwork, and dedication following the successful investigation of a violent home invasion. Through swift response, thorough investigative work, and proactive patrol efforts, Detectives and Patrol Officers worked together to identify, locate, and apprehend the suspect, ultimately leading to multiple felony charges.

Outstanding work by Detective Saldana, Detective Perez, Officer Davidson, and Officer Martinez. Your commitment to public safety reflects great credit upon yourselves and the Gardena Police Department.

Public Works

Capitol Improvement Project Updates

Gardena Aquatic & Senior Center Project

Continued work in pool deck area next to the building.

Patio area with a concrete and decorative fence.

Artesia Boulevard Street Improvement

Finishing the center median with landscaping for Artesia Boulevard.

Striping of the crosswalk at Artesia and Gateway.

New lights installed in lawn and planter areas.

Placement of electrical conduit runs.

Rowley Park Basketball Court Rehabilitation

Grinding and prepping for basketball court restoration.

Shine Gardena

Volunteers and City staff cleaned graffiti and stickers on light poles, streetlights, bus benches, signs, etc.

Transportation

Path Town Hall Meetings

GTrans hosted PATH town hall meetings both in person and virtually to connect with riders and community members through meaningful discussions about the transit system.

These meetings centered on identifying service gaps and exploring ways to better meet the evolving needs across the service. To learn more about the project or to share additional feedback, visit RideGTrans.com/PATH.

Line 7X

GTrans wrapped up the football season with its final 7X service during the Rams vs. Cardinals game, giving fans a convenient and reliable way to get to SoFi Stadium.

The service helped ensure smooth, stress-free game-day travel, and we’re excited to carry this momentum into the next season!

86th Anniversary Celebration

GTrans proudly celebrated its 86th anniversary, honoring a long-standing commitment to serving the community.

This milestone reflects our gratitude for the riders, employees, and operators who make our service possible every day. As we celebrate our local legacy, we also look ahead with excitement as we step into a global moment.