To provide leadership and resources that ensure the highest quality of life possible for residents, support business development, welcome visitors, and establish a positive work environment for City employees.
MAYOR
MAYOR PRO TEM
COUNCILMEMBER
COUNCILMEMBER
COUNCILMEMBER
CITY CLERK
CITY TREASURER
TASHA CERDA
RODNEY G. TANAKA
MARK E. HENDERSON
PAULETTE C. FRANCIS
WANDA LOVE
MINA SEMENZA
GUY MATO
CITY MANAGER
DEPUTY CITY MANAGER / DIRECTOR, TRANSPORTATION
CITY ATTORNEY
CHIEF OF POLICE
DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR, RECREATION & HUMAN SERVICES
ACITY MANAGER CITY MANAGER FROM THE DESK OF THE FROM THE DESK OF THE
s the City Manager of the City of Gardena for the past five years, I am proud to lead a wonderful and hard-working team that works
diligently to provide the best public service to the residents of Gardena Their commitment to our residents and to our community is commendable, and I am extremely grateful to be part of this wonderful community.
As the City Manager, my daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, managing the City budget, overseeing City personnel, providing direction for economic development projects and citywide maintenance, and ensuring that City programs and activities are meeting our diverse community needs. I also work closely with the Mayor, City Council, and staff members to ensure the City and its departments are properly carrying out City policies and successfully implementing new ones as needed.
In August of 2024, the City held the first ever Citizens Leadership Academy where Gardena residents got a behind-the-scenes look at how each department operates I am pleased to announce the second Citizens Leadership Academy will be taking place this September, and registration is now open. The first academy was a great success; members appreciated the information provided and the transparency shared by each department The members received a deep understanding of how local government serves the community.
The City will continue to provide this engaging sixweek session to our residents Please contact my office at 310-217-9503 for any questions and for further details regarding the Citizens Leadership Academy.
The City of Gardena continues to host many events throughout the year, allowing visitors of all ages to enjoy activities year-round. With every event that is hosted, the City of Gardena’s goal is to celebrate the cultures, heritages, and ages reflected in our community. Come out and enjoy these city-wide events dedicated to our residents, and I hope to see you there.
I am looking forward to the future of Gardena and all the upcoming events already planned for our wonderful community I hope the Activity and Resource Guide continues to provide valuable information about all our programs and services to our residents.
Respectfully,
Clint Osorio, City Manager
CITIZENS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
JOIN OUR ENGAGING SIX - WEEK SESSION! SESSION BEGINS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 AT 6:00 PM
09/04, 09/18, 10/02, 10/16, 10/30, & 11/13
The City of Gardena’s Citizens Leadership Academy consists of six Thursday evening sessions that open the doors of local government to the community. The Citizens Leadership Academy provides participants with a behind-the-scenes look at the City of Gardena’s operations, including programs, services, departments, and facilities.
Why participate?
Learn how decisions are made, how city funds are allocated and how departments operate.
Meet the Mayor and Councilmembers, City Manager, Department Directors, and City Staff. Discuss important issues such as planning, traffic, growth, city finances, and more.
Program Guidelines
City of Gardena Resident Ages 18+
Complete application and sign waivers
Attend 5 of 6 sessions to receive a
& Council recognition
Dinner will be provided
The City of Gardena, in partnership with the Fair Housing Foundation (FHF), offers a comprehensive Fair Housing Program that includes: Enforcement and Impact Litigation General Housing (Landlord/Tenant) Counseling
The Fair Housing Foundation provides direct client services from their office located in Long Beach. The address is provided below: Long Beach Office
3605 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 302, Long Beach, CA 90807 T: 562-989-1206 F: 562-989-1836
800-446-3247 www.fhfca.org
RENT MEDIATION
On April 10, 1987, an Ordinance of the City of Gardena became effective to assist tenants and owners in resolving rental increase disputes through mediation and hearing services. Chapter 14.04 of the City of Gardena's Municipal Code requires all owners of residential rental units to provide one booklet of the Gardena “Rent Mediation and Hearing Procedures” to each residential unit/tenant and to all new tenants thereafter. The booklet provides an overview of the mediation and hearing procedures, along with the full text of the Ordinance
Additionally, the Ordinance requires that a tenant receive a written notice of a rent increase at least thirty (30) days prior to the actual effective date of the increase if the increase is ten percent (10%) or less. If the rent increase is greater than ten percent (10%), the ordinance requires that a tenant receive a written notice of a rent increase ninety (90) days prior to the actual effective date of the increase. Mobile Home Park tenants must receive a ninety (90) day notice.
All rent increases must also include a notice to the tenant of their right to mediation/hearing and that the tenant has ten (10) business days following receipt of the notice to file a mediation petition with the City, and twenty-five (25) days for mobile-home tenants, in order to exercise their rights under Chapter 14.04 of the Gardena Municipal Code.
A tenant may file a request for mediation by completing a "Request for Mediation" form and submitting it to the City Manager's Office at 1700 W. 162nd Street, or by email rentmediation@cityofgardena.org.
The updated booklets of the “Rent Mediation and Hearing Procedures,” and the “Request for Mediation” forms, are available online at https://cityofgardena org/rent-mediation/ and are also available at the City Manager's Office For any further questions or concerns, please contact the City Manager's Office at 310-217-9503
CHIEF’S FAREWELL
Best, Chief Mike Saffell
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 6:00 PM-8:00 PM 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
TRASH SERVICES TRASH SERVICES
There will be no trash collection services on the holidays below. Collections on and after these holidays will be delayed by one business day for the rest of that week.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Friday, July 4, 2025
LABOR DAY
Monday, September 1, 2025
THANKSGIVING DAY
Thursday, November 27, 2025
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Residents can place up to three (3) cubic yards (approximately 3 washing machines) of bulky items on the curb by 6 AM on the collection days below.
STREET SWEEPING STREET SWEEPING SCHEDULE 2025 SCHEDULE 2025
There will be NO street sweeping on the following holidays.
*Rain may also impact services* Street sweeping will resume the following week.
JUNETEENTH
Thursday, June 19, 2025
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Friday, July 4, 2025
LABOR DAY
Monday, September 1, 2025
VETERANS DAY
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
THANKSGIVING DAY
Thursday, November 27, 2025
DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING Friday, November 28, 2025
CHRISTMAS EVE
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
CHRISTMAS DAY
Thursday, December 25, 2025
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
COYOTE COYOTE SAFETY SAFETY
Coyotes are highly resourceful and adaptable canine natives of North America. They play an important role in the ecosystem, as their primary diet consists of small rodents such as mice, rats, and squirrels. They are by nature fearful of humans.
Follow these tips below to help keep ourselves and our community safe:
KEEP GARBAGE CONTAINERS SECURE
Keep containers closed and put garbage out the morning of pick-up. Clean garbage and recycling bins with bleach or ammonia.
Remove unsecured trash and strongly scented items from the yard.
LANDSCAPE CONSIDERATIONS
Pick ripe fruit off trees and promptly collect fruit that falls.
Trim ground-level shrubbery to reduce hiding places. Remove bird feeders from yard and plant native flowers to attract birds instead.
METHODS TO KEEP COYOTES AWAY
Keep doors and windows closed and locked when unoccupied.
Install motion-activated lights, noise devices, or alarms. Keep small pets inside at night and do not leave pet food outside.
Never feed a coyote. It is critical that coyotes never learn to associate people with food. This may result in a dangerous situation for people, pets, and coyotes.
REPORT SIGHTINGS OR ATTACKS
Via the city app Gardena Direct, available in app stores on electronic devices. Scan the QR code to download. Contact the Code Enforcement Division at 310-217-6184.
If a coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, call 9-1-1.
Monday, November 24, 2025 - Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Monday, November 24, 2025 - Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Register beginning Monday, September 29, 2025
Register beginning Monday, September 29, 2025 FALLSESSION FALLSESSION $50 Deposit Due at the Time of Registration $50 Deposit Due at the Time of Registration Gardena Residents Only Gardena Residents Only
Register beginning Monday, November 3, 2025 Register beginning Monday, November 3, 2025 WINTERSESSION WINTERSESSION
Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 9, 2026
Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 9, 2026
DANCE DANCE
On Your Toes Dance Studio, LLC
On Your Toes Dance Studio, LLC aims to inspire young dancers to build confidence through dance instruction. Dancers aged 2 to 13 will learn basic steps while following directions in a positive and fun environment.
SEARCHING FOR SOME SUMMER FUN? SWING BY OUR PARKS FOR A TON OF SWING BY OUR PARKS FOR A TON OF FUN WITH ACTIVITIES, GAMES, SWEET FUN WITH ACTIVITIES, GAMES, SWEET TREATS, AND PLENTY OF SURPRISES! TREATS, AND PLENTY OF SURPRISES!
TAI-CHI TAI-CHI
MONDAY, TUESDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, & THURSDAY, & FRIDAY FRIDAY 1651 W. 162ND ST. GARDENA, CA 90247
9:45 AM - 11:15 AM 9:45 AM - 11:15 AM
MONDAY MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM MONDAY AND MONDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY 3:15 PM - 5:15 PM 3:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Dates and times are subject to change. Call 310-217-9537 to confirm.
Saturday, November 1, 2025 Saturday, November 1, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & SERVICES
DID YOU KNOW?
The Human Services Division offers programs, services, and resources for residents of Gardena. We are here to support those in need and accept donations from the community. Registration is required for all programs and services.
Community Food Pantry
The Gardena Community Food Pantry provides nonperishable food, hygiene, and baby supplies
Pantry hours are Monday - Friday 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. By registering, residents can qualify for up to six (6) pantry visits per year. Appointments are recommended. Donations to our pantry are welcomed anytime.
Birthday Program
This service is for families with children ages 1 - 12 years experiencing food and financial hardships. A birthday kit provides ingredients to make a birthday cake, a gift, and decorations.
Operation Gobble
For the Thanksgiving holiday, we dish out some love to our Gardena families with food vouchers and some scrumptious side dishes. Community donations are always appreciated. Registration begins Monday, October 27, 2025.
Homeless Assistance & Prevention
Case Management and emergency services are available to those at-risk of or experiencing homelessness in Gardena.
Staff partner with other agencies and conduct outreach to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. For more information, call 310-217-9574 or email emergencyservices@cityofgardena.org
COMPLETED COMPLETED
APPLICATIONS WILL BE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED ACCEPTED
MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025
MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025
BEGINNING AT 11:00 AM
BEGINNING AT 11:00 AM
Registration begins Monday, November 3, 2025
Registration begins Monday, November 3, 2025
Open Only to Gardena Residents & Registration is Required Register at www.cityofgardena.org/events
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS:
Must be able to provide and upload: Driver License/ID
Proof of Residency: Utility Bill, Rent Check, or Lease
Proof of Income (SSI, CalWorks, Pay Stub)
Children's Birth certificates/Court Appointed Documents
SSEEKINGINSTRUCTORS EEKINGINSTRUCTORS
THE CITY OF GARDENA IS ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR THE CITY OF GARDENA IS ACTIVELY SEARCHING FOR INSTRUCTORS FOR CLASSES FOR YOUTH, ADULTS, AND SENIORS. INSTRUCTORS FOR CLASSES FOR YOUTH, ADULTS, AND SENIORS.
EARN EXTRA INCOME
CREATE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE
TEACH OTHERS A NEW SKILL GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
RREQUIREMENTS: EQUIREMENTS: SCAN THE SCAN THE QR CODE FOR THE QR CODE FOR THE AAPPLICATION PPLICATION
