[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6240792,"mediaKeyId","3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d","parentId",3318653,"title","Native community asks Hawaiian Gardens to set dates and bless Robert Canada Friendship Powwow","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",181495,"endMs",361205,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d&start=181&end=361","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d/thumbnail_181495.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6240792/Hawaiian-Gardens-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Native-community-asks-Hawaiian-Gardens-to-set-dates-and-bless-Robert-Canada-Friendship-Powwow","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240792-f401e15722e576a38ec3aa21bbadb592/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=l9Rbbx29LA9z~eo2iPGBmX1lLl-B5lmifncLm6Y5iZFAYZ0i6ed7EcaP5u8ILS1r7mj~~7fxhBnof795TEZ-8QscQE4ge6AVgfZR83gfHVEL-NXfb7KH037yGIlxzk0Y9P9Xon4AOPcYpxTYwLm1zT3IOc-b0MbHtpgUmbFRVVGfEJY3BxpSrluKdHNeAeaktreInNdjFa5SyRfYMgS~HAyT2PI~Nb8AQVatNBl-ICzZhCvwmTLuDEBCy7HJdQGEqnDJj08QkfIcnQy84JQnxEVDG7oAVQhvJfhlWAoi3~~jjY0ZrjxI1pFi9kd2~l1mx8VD8A8eBqnb2uQ6chLDsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hawaiian Gardens, California","date","2025-05-15T03:11:21Z","article","Hawaiian Gardens — During public comment at the City Council meeting on May 14, community members asked the council to formally support and set dates for the C. Robert Canada Friendship Powwow, a cultural and healing gathering that presenters said preserves Tonga and other indigenous traditions.

“My name is Jesus Mendoza. I live at 22022 Saint Avenue in the city of Hawaiian Gardens,” said Mendoza, who spoke at length about the powwow’s history and community importance. “The powwow and the bear ceremonies are the last voice in the Tonga have left in Hawaiian Gardens. To stop the powwow means the city of Hawaiian Gardens is contributing to the cultural extinction of the Tonga and will silence the voices in Hawaiian Gardens forever.”

Mendoza asked the council and staff to “narrow it down on the dates” and proposed Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16–17, so organizers could finalize plans. He said City and school district blessings were needed; Francisco Noyola was present as a representative of the school district, Mendoza said, and the powwow organizers were prepared to coordinate with the district because the proposed site is district land.

Renee, identified in public comment as a longtime firekeeper and member of the Bear Clan Society, also described the powwow’s role in bringing healing ceremonies and cultural reconnection to Hawaiian Gardens. “All we need is a green light,” Renee told the council, urging a clear, set date so participants statewide could plan to attend.

The speakers said they do not expect city staff to support every operational detail immediately and offered to return to council with further logistics; they explicitly asked for an approved date and the council’s blessing so they could begin outreach and event planning. No council action or formal commitment was recorded at the meeting on the powwow request.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council - 5/14/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Two community members urged the council during public comment to formally support the C. Robert Canada Friendship Powwow, request set dates (proposed Aug. 16–17) and permission to use school district land; presenters said the powwow and Bear Clan ceremonies are vital to preserving Tonga/indigenous cultural practices in Hawaiian Gardens.","taxTitle","Hawaiian Gardens City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",71956,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6240798,"Hawaiian Gardens approves $1,500 donation to Artesia High and to refine school donation policy",468,2775804,3244025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d&start=2775&end=3244","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d/thumbnail_2775804.jpg","/articles/6240798/Hawaiian-Gardens-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Hawaiian-Gardens-approves-1500-donation-to-Artesia-High-and-to-refine-school-donation-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240798-057829917272366ca986dbb5fda200a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=eUaBDoKJUv0rDtP-htFGvz3iBGHLMjKofmVDlwJxVCSQAlIqSfBPLZUr0HKwOGQkpX4gAGLITTXdLqATBgVL7ENRgxGVx2aBgGxBUyCVdBcHt8CJsftq14oCIqxp1xTXSCU5teMJ4m84HQWzurfhfF7OPq~g9-QjoMmvlKFzRDxHUX~pOmD6BIi60UnkLJgELwLg00hQ~Tg6cMVq-PmFI1Dn3jtzbsEOqZGiav4785qjHBogDfBQQdTZt6Zh-8hZK1VCoeO6cTuYtgW2bj0JrL8IUjijNA-IJ52IzLn4gLUYvg1JO7zMJ3V~c5ZoON29OrdLMuZ~F-OtU9QQP7aFNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hawaiian Gardens — The City Council on May 14 approved a $1,500 donation to Artesia High School to help cover expenses for a large graduation/recognition event and asked staff to revise the city’s school donation policy to set clearer application timelines.

Councilmember Roa asked that the donation‑policy item be pulled from the consent calendar for discussion. Staff said the request for monetary support came after a late outreach from Artesia ASB; city staff and local partners had attempted to provide additional support but were constrained by timing and vendor availability. “We were reached out to by the ASB president and staff did everything possible,” one staff member said.

Sergio Garcia (staff) told the council the casino partner provided $3,000 and the staff recommendation was for a $1,500 city contribution to assist with event expenses. Councilmembers discussed adding explicit application dates and encouraging student or school‑body submissions so the city and schools can coordinate earlier. “Maybe in the application process we could set a date every school year,” one councilmember suggested; staff said they would incorporate the council’s points into an amended donation policy to return to the council.

The council approved the $1,500 donation and the motion to update the donation policy language on a unanimous roll call vote: Councilmember Farfan — yes; Councilmember Roa — yes; Councilmember Vargas — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio — yes; Mayor De Pala — yes.

Staff said they will update the donation policy to add application deadlines and stronger guidance on student‑led requests, then return the amended policy to the council.","The City Council approved a $1,500 donation to Artesia High School’s graduation event and directed staff to incorporate clearer application timelines and student‑led request guidance into the city’s donation policy.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6240803,"Hawaiian Gardens adopts SB 1 street‑repair project list; staff outlined funding and street segments",191,3297929,3488929,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d&start=3297&end=3488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d/thumbnail_3297929.jpg","/articles/6240803/Hawaiian-Gardens-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Hawaiian-Gardens-adopts-SB-1-streetrepair-project-list-staff-outlined-funding-and-street-segments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240803-de039573d74a7508171672f48a0bb47a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=aXVErTUwdFADu7VmU-nsHLGFu5M6PcJQz2UPG4pjy2ezYkRwfEf99NAyixiLMwAFMaye4IDf6xEUTGweFv~e5BkBJfpTaltiTTV48B~KI-YmOAI3u8gCjK~7L3Oh3Li4-KnrHWaBbvETEsa7x6UjuzYTWnsfIgkqNzusvdXdVQoHdOR45PxKkqlmSoHpgVDaelYaVCEPtnkDo2ds259rv-uZHbSmnsCXaYn0Sv27TkwpOQK9i~aqyrOm5cvsEaU5AGf8Dboq-keJGB1ZZzNPhIAHu8yR083iupCrinQEZCmAWyKhwcv79Ym~CDzmLkQmqsRI7WdmNFRfw5LD-Z9nJg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hawaiian Gardens — The City Council on May 14 adopted Resolution No. 006‑2025, which identifies street improvement projects eligible for Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account (RMRA) funding under the Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB 1) and forwards the city’s project list to the California Transportation Commission.

Public Works staff told the council the city is projected to receive SB 1 funds for the coming fiscal year and must submit an adopted list of eligible projects to remain eligible for apportionments. “The city is projected to receive $352,000 in SP 1 funds in fiscal year 2024–25 that can be used for the fiscal year 2025–26 street improvement project,” staff said during the presentation.

Staff described a five‑year pavement management program adopted by the council in February 2025 and said the proposed FY 2025–26 residential street rehabilitation will be funded with a mix of SB 1 (RMRA), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Measure R and Measure M funds. The presentation named street segments proposed for rehabilitation, including portions of Carson Street, Norwalk Boulevard, Civic Center Drive, 20 First Street, 214th Street, Farlow Street and Wartime Avenue.

During the presentation staff referenced two different SB 1 allocation figures in sequence: an initial statement that staff proposed applying $260,000 of SB 1 funds, and later a slide that recommended allocating $360,000 of SB 1 funds to the FY 2025–26 rehabilitation project. The council approved the resolution as presented; staff and council did not reconcile the two figures on the record during the meeting.

Councilmember discussion was brief and concluded with a unanimous motion to approve the resolution. The roll call vote was recorded as: Councilmember Farfan — yes; Councilmember Roa — yes; Councilmember Vargas — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio — yes; Mayor De Pala — yes.

The adopted resolution and submitted project list make the named streets eligible for RMRA apportionments and allow staff to pursue the identified mix of local and state transportation funding for design and construction.","Council adopted Resolution No. 006‑2025 to identify SB 1 (RMRA) eligible projects for fiscal 2025–26 and to submit the project list to the California Transportation Commission. Staff described available SB 1 funds and prioritized several residential and collector street segments for rehabilitation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6240808,"Hawaiian Gardens receives AB 2561 vacancy report as unions press city to fill long‑standing openings",2766,1656164,4422284,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d&start=1656&end=4422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3318653-aea4a04e9d62454e1f17cc5ba1687d2d/thumbnail_1656164.jpg","/articles/6240808/Hawaiian-Gardens-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Hawaiian-Gardens-receives-AB-2561-vacancy-report-as-unions-press-city-to-fill-longstanding-openings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6240808-6a784f46559acf73b623ff4331cfdb69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189423&Signature=jDsPclUjhV-AfIRA4OS7Fhxm07yJbT2ID0bu5pNS8Zv0JLiTb2y9lytyXz3sDu8-M7H5PbVre6FYZDQnHRUjN~cVm4vUB3zo1cW3W7ZDwBrM~tmLLfhj-mn3K67C8xNNYYtBsCHWRJi4vgJ27f6HR~gX3~jjf9Z8ffOvuN5~QIfymITZeWrH-OqA~2sINkIKjQ68OkfLKez764wdGc5xth3t8s0CrTPRzTsHwTQ8pqtWn7jVVP0D7nYKrTrgpw~SxVM51mBFnaLf77Hn90ZiQtEMopyIkwW0ZO5Qzl4jj0P6XQtJNPYRIO-MKHZowk1H2at97LRZAGbMky78~G1eKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hawaiian Gardens — The City Council on May 14 received and filed a report on the city’s vacant positions required under California Assembly Bill 2561, after human resources staff presented the status of posted and unfilled jobs and union representatives urged the council to fill several long‑standing vacancies.

The report, presented by HR Manager Rosario Zoli, described the AB 2561 requirement that public agencies present the status of vacancies in a public hearing at least once per fiscal year and before adoption of the final budget. “This new law requires public agencies like the city to present on the status of vacancies in a public hearing at least once per fiscal year and before the budget is approved,” Zoli said.

Unions representing both management and rank‑and‑file employees told the council they see multiple positions filled by contractors or assigned to staff working out of class, and they urged the city to recruit and promote from within. “We as a union stand against contractors because it takes away opportunities for community members,” said Arman Soto, president of Unit 36‑24 (rank and file). Juan Serrano, union president, said the city is losing employees and local hiring opportunities, arguing that pay and benefits reductions for new hires have harmed recruitment.

City staff said the vacancy picture reflects several factors: a class and compensation study completed earlier in 2025 that led to restructuring; a hiring freeze implemented in July because of fiscal uncertainty tied to potential impacts from litigation and development; pandemic‑era disruptions to recruitment; difficulty finding qualified on‑site candidates; and turnover from retirements. Zoli noted that some vacant duties are being covered temporarily by internal out‑of‑class assignments or consultants while job descriptions are updated and meet‑and‑confer obligations with bargaining units are resolved.

Union presenters provided a separate tally of positions they believe remain vacant or filled temporarily, and they asked the council to prioritize filling certain classifications. The union presentation listed roughly nine bargaining‑unit positions of particular concern, including a longtime vacant senior accountant, recreation supervisors, a transportation supervisor, and multiple part‑time and seasonal positions such as crossing guards and lifeguards. Zoli’s staff report listed 26 positions posted as of May 8, most of them part time and rank and file, and identified a single management vacancy (accounting manager).

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the number of contract employees and the city’s fiscal ability to fill the positions. Union representatives urged the council to review the use of contract employees and to consider promotions, stipends or out‑of‑class pay where appropriate. The council did not direct immediate hiring actions during the meeting; the item was presented as informational under AB 2561.

The public hearing closed with a motion to receive and file the report. The motion passed on a unanimous roll call vote: Councilmember Farfan — yes; Councilmember Roa — yes; Councilmember Vargas — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Del Rio — yes; Mayor De Pala — yes.

Council and union speakers said they intend to continue discussions outside the public hearing to resolve outstanding classification, posting and recruitment issues.","At a May 14 City Council public hearing required by California Assembly Bill 2561, city HR staff presented a status report on vacant positions and unions urged the council to replace long‑vacant posts and limit use of contract workers. The council voted to receive and file the report.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Native community asks Hawaiian Gardens to set dates and bless Robert Canada Friendship Powwow

Hawaiian Gardens approves $1,500 donation to Artesia High and to refine school donation policy

Hawaiian Gardens adopts SB 1 street‑repair project list; staff outlined funding and street segments

Hawaiian Gardens receives AB 2561 vacancy report as unions press city to fill long‑standing openings