[{"_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",6236192,"mediaKeyId","3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c","parentId",3377873,"title","Gardena officials stress fiscal health, cite Measure G and card-room risks from SB 549","audioSeconds",2684,"startMs",326000,"endMs",3010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c&start=326&end=3010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c/thumbnail_326000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6236192/Gardena/Los-Angeles-County/California/Gardena-officials-stress-fiscal-health-cite-Measure-G-and-card-room-risks-from-SB-549","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236192-b2e91f3915171628afeb4bbd0c4762ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200681&Signature=RK854tqfJRzTHReFMahr30QjP6MaE7sEuJcZka3VjyMi5l3Z5Mj0LfoX4kWKwjkJ-0LaPXNpmKVnxX-W2SB3gPyRosdI5uOWnQqgbUaqXOYOh3C1dSLmgbZlDUUkTtJhVhGZ9tI6iekvYtx0qW4tznwNWAg0EqXT4ngrEvjMPlIH137154-8MnfKrnxtZFNQx00j9tyMSrionUDlqtHtY8BPba4bbsnMZ9IafKl8UIMRCHaPeHIjHymltv2BNJ3nIq-QKt9Vw5wUypyiYc2DPmx6m3hF3Y3hn7BrzpfIbtbHe~ls-k8sR4gNjEXS4J4VFr8C4KH949bTq4~lq5DFfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gardena, CA","date","2025-05-15T16:10:04Z","article","Gardena leaders used the State of the City address to describe the city’s fiscal position, point to recognition for financial reporting and warn of revenue risks tied to state law and the local gaming industry.

“Since mayor Cerna took office in 02/2017, the total property valuation for all properties in our city increased by over 52% to just over $9,000,000,000 in assessed value today,” the mayor said during the address. Cerna also explained revenue sources and cited Measure G, a local sales-tax measure passed in 2020.

On Measure G, Cerna said the 2020 ballot measure keeps sales tax revenue in Gardena and helps fund city projects. “We passed it. Money is staying here, and that's why you're seeing so many different projects throughout the city that are improving it,” she said.

Officials described current budget figures: the mayor said the city’s general fund operating budget is $86,000,000 and that the city maintains an additional $300,000,000 in other funds, including special revenues, grants and transit accounts.

Risks cited: Cerna and city staff identified two financial concerns that could affect revenues. First, the city relies in part on card-room revenue historically; the mayor said California Senate Bill 549 (SB 549) allows Indian tribes to sue California card rooms and could reduce card-room income and related city revenue. Second, contracts such as the city’s fire service contract with LA County were noted as increasing costs — Cerna said the city was “looking at different options and ideas” to address higher fire costs.

The city touted financial management awards and tools: officials said Gardena earned a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, a certificate of achievement in financial reporting for consecutive years, and maintains an online financial-transparency dashboard updated every two weeks.

What the address did not include: detailed multi-year revenue projections or a line-item budget for the $72,000,000 CIP; those would be found in public budget documents and staff reports rather than the speech itself.

The mayor closed the fiscal section by praising the city’s finance team and urging continued transparency as projects and risks play out.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","State of the City 03/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","City leaders said Gardena's property valuation has risen since 2017, highlighted awards for financial reporting and credited Measure G with keeping sales tax revenue local, while flagging state legislation and changing card-room income as budget risks.","taxTitle","Gardena, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",4031,"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},6236196,"Gardena police chief praises staffing gains, cites major fireworks seizure and community programs",1316,4684000,6000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c&start=4684&end=6000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c/thumbnail_4684000.jpg","/articles/6236196/Gardena/Los-Angeles-County/California/Gardena-police-chief-praises-staffing-gains-cites-major-fireworks-seizure-and-community-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236196-8d63f287522d52c8d4c2e542a8d61637/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200681&Signature=iJbEOEbPok~iC-UVW2IVZ4OJO7SuA8g7kpDEILZQdqQ9jjejw3l9hJxtr71rxaoi6YneG~l3qfgER6M5OD5Vi3PAh4AouMzgaSEMzT9rwbR1qVK~tAnUw8n2s~eB~OTprZq7eEvFgK6ScD7DY1Aqt8XyQ9bG-elYU9RuBpfpAdBr8kb7ZXs4g0DzoPTDKyzK3DNeChh0dzhMuSPDZL2VYsd-JjSANrgkffSWOFUS3Y7l-Ojz1ro1IVHGfPJ7nbx-Q8eyULvVodlv3eSc4Xh-Bh38ZOX3l19X3lDfIPB~cdzAlvhohNzBrG4cQcLJHxkO7SZXbZgAF6Wy5K28TjOXKQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Police Chief Mike Saffel used the State of the City gathering to present a 95-year history of the Gardena Police Department and to summarize recent operational changes and crime figures.

“We have 2 missions at the Gardena Police Department. They are distinctly different. We make people safe and we make them feel safe,” Chief Mike Saffel said, describing the department’s dual focus on tactical response and community engagement.

Saffel highlighted staffing and program milestones: he said the department currently has 91 officers, has promoted dozens of staff in recent years, and added specialized teams and technologies, including a real-time crime center, a drone program, a citywide camera feed and a trained explosive-and-firearms-detection K-9 named Ghost.

Saffel also described a major 2024 enforcement action involving illegal fireworks. “75 tons of fireworks were discovered. ... We had 52 pallets with approximately 150,000 pounds of fireworks. It required 5 53 foot, tractor trailers and 1 40 foot big rig to haul this away. Street value of these fireworks was estimated between 7 and $10,000,000,” Saffel said. He said the seizure was the largest single fireworks seizure in the department’s history and, according to the address, the largest in California.

Crime and use-of-force data cited by the chief:
- Officers responded to roughly 55,000 calls for service in 2024, of which about 29,000 were face-to-face encounters.
- The department recorded 14 complaints in 2024, a complaint rate of about 0.048% per face-to-face incident as stated in the address.
- The department recorded 31 uses of force in 2024 (about 0.106% of face-to-face encounters, per the chief).

Saffel emphasized community-facing programs, including district policing, a community academy, a Find and Protect campaign (which distributes Apple AirTags to help locate caretakers’ missing relatives) and partnerships with schools around STEM and drones. He said 10 officers received lifesaving awards at a regional ceremony and that the department received policy recognition for ongoing policy maintenance.

What the speech did not include: detailed incident reports, names of suspects, or prosecutorial outcomes for the fireworks seizure; those records would be handled through standard law-enforcement channels.

Saffel closed by thanking long-serving community leaders and department staff and urging continued two-way communication between the police and neighborhood representatives.","Gardena Police Chief Mike Saffel reviewed department history, recent staffing and program changes, crime statistics for 2024 and a large fireworks seizure the department says was the largest in California.",{"_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},6236201,"Gardena highlights microtransit \"Bolt\" and electric-bus fleet expansion",693,4347000,5040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c&start=4347&end=5040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c/thumbnail_4347000.jpg","/articles/6236201/Gardena/Los-Angeles-County/California/Gardena-highlights-microtransit-Bolt-and-electric-bus-fleet-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236201-dff7d6fadf73bc09ce9570643b03558c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200681&Signature=S6DOrO4ip8AHNGU-zn3OkbOjx6sfCVrEcl-9sYrQF8XC2C~fWNn00zANlJP8cDMw28LUEMtY~abd6Uu3jHBS4wa63Wa1q1IOBkXUmXnPQGvAUbVSPdI-nlYz8vjrlxKJBzgtj5DjLRRrT6W5PlN5ZAf3uZjpZmR9AWmsY22pQhM5eqy17~ooiYlDDNkEaacHA2v7UHvYXJ0mmetB5ZTu5JeOR4QJATDl5OMvdsB6oYMVxzV2etGUR6uNQiURUguur2qvabcSuantMFjBS~kzmIsvpHTtTzAc0DyOue7ZsrW0uhnW2xVrNGPX0cwRbX2rXIqForfQoS-mpwz6PAK8IQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Gardena officials used the State of the City address to outline recent changes at the city's transit operator, G Trans, including a new on-demand microtransit service and an upgraded fleet that officials said has shifted to cleaner propulsion.

“Isn't that exciting? And so with that, the last thing I probably just wanna mention is that G Tranz has served over 2,300,000 customers, and they've seen a 90% increase in their ridership since 2020,” Mayor Tasha Cerna said during her remarks. She also introduced a new service name: “Bolt.”

What the city said: Cerna described Bolt as “a new on demand micro transit service that's perfect for short trips around the city of Gardena.” She said the service costs $2 per ride and can be booked via an app or by phone for riders without smartphones; the service operates inside Gardena city limits.

G Trans details announced in the address:
- Fleet size and value: Cerna said the city owns 52 buses with a combined value of $60,000,000 and noted that a single electric bus is worth approximately $1,300,000.
- Pricing and routes: Cerna said base fares were $1 on fixed-route services, while the new on-demand Bolt would charge $2 per ride.
- Beach trolley: officials said Gardena runs seasonal beach-trolley service to Manhattan Beach with multiple daily trips during summer months.
- Paratransit and ridership: Cerna said paratransit and microtransit combined have provided tens of thousands of senior and disability rides, and the city has seen a large ridership increase since 2020.

Why it matters: Transit service changes affect mobility for seniors, workers and other residents who rely on public transportation. The introduction of an on-demand service and investment in cleaner buses are examples of how the city is positioning transit for short trips and lower emissions.

What was not specified: exact procurement schedules for additional electric buses, detailed operating subsidy amounts, or a full service rollout timetable for Bolt beyond the description in the address.","City leaders described recent and planned changes to the Gardena Municipal Transit system: a new on-demand microtransit service called Bolt; a move to CNG and zero-emission buses; and ridership that the city said has risen 90% since 2020.",{"_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},6236205,"Gardena outlines large redevelopment projects, $72 million public-works program",2208,1746000,3954000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c&start=1746&end=3954","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3377873-a8b99cdd2fb5b13ce6ba16d23da8057c/thumbnail_1746000.jpg","/articles/6236205/Gardena/Los-Angeles-County/California/Gardena-outlines-large-redevelopment-projects-72-million-public-works-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6236205-c95f93f79a87ed489fe359465ec2a666/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200681&Signature=UPAgq7i7EzHKq8q9qzqstbXSr7Y9aZvk484rkF18NkwWy868CaKektCHHwGAPOXPS~PzKYiGLGhXeGFI0Ex-znAW-o4-abW96PoBTZDjUypn7PyU1ztLmvxtU6QjkjqBDlXjJ2UglnJ8QHqM4tQBBeegxxiEV5o7OpnEiffrQVD~CupfriQp0JPpBc~3wpAbe~cRXzzoBCXal1VPhtcdP1oPT4uJFYdhN779JMWbTJXjbpBVaHh3y~pRTKMGmWhKaVBiQwoz0T-9cSeGSs~3u19wFi5rfOC-zhSTDtJMscRNCHVr0IFAjydJmaUGFj1OYtG3BOj8R-CpgP3MLH-xvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Tasha Cerna used the city’s State of the City address to highlight a slate of redevelopment projects and infrastructure funding intended to finance street, sidewalk and facility work across Gardena.

“...this is what it was before and next is gonna be revitalized to 300 luxury unit apartments with 17 affordable units,” Mayor Tasha Cerna said of a site at Artesia and Western that she identified during the presentation. Cerna also pointed to work on a long-contaminated area the mayor called “the Sumps,” describing a redevelopment that will include a self-storage building and a parking area intended for public events.

Why it matters: the announcements signal the city’s near-term development priorities and the capital spending that will support them. Cerna said the city had secured a two-year capital improvement program (CIP) budget intended to finance many of the repairs and upgrades residents have been asked for.

City officials said the CIP totals $72,000,000 over two years and is funded by restricted capital sources rather than the general fund. “Public works department was able to secure a 2 year CIP budget of $72,000,000 to repair various parts of the city of Gardena,” Cerna said. The mayor and city manager described the funding as restricted money earmarked for infrastructure work rather than property-tax dollars.

Details and related projects covered in the speech included:
- Artesia/Western redevelopment: described by Cerna as a planned 300-unit luxury apartment complex that will include 17 affordable units. The mayor said she had visited the developer’s other sites in Newport and Lomita and described the project as an upgrade for local housing stock.
- The “Sumps” redevelopment: Cerna said the city has long wrestled with contaminants on the site and now plans a development that will include a self-storage building and parking that the city can use for events.
- Redondo Beach Boulevard/Vermont property: Cerna said the site is outside Gardena city limits and under City of Los Angeles control, but that a large fulfillment operation would occupy the parcel and that the company “happily agreed” to be a community partner and to provide donations for Gardena projects.
- Willow’s Wetlands: the mayor said the city received a $300,000 grant from Los Angeles County to fund a conceptual design of the Willow’s Wetlands Preserve.
- Streets and railroad crossings: Cerna highlighted recent railroad crossing repairs at Western and 166th and said the same work would move to Normandy and 166th. She credited public-works staff with finishing a planned weekend job ahead of schedule and noted sidewalk repair work and a pavement condition index (PCI) of 81 for Gardena’s streets.
- Aquatics and senior center: Cerna said Gardena’s new aquatics and senior center is due to open in summer 2025 and will include space for the city’s Alzheimer’s daycare program.

Officials framed the projects as part of a broader push to attract businesses, encourage façade improvements on Gardena Boulevard (supported by a $2,000,000 grant the mayor credited to a former state senator) and diversify city revenues. Cerna reiterated the city’s approach of using restricted capital funds for the CIP and said no property tax money was being used for the $72,000,000 package.

What’s next: the mayor said the aquatics and senior center will open this summer and that public-works pavement and railroad improvements would continue through the CIP schedule. Detailed project timelines, permitting milestones and contractor selections were not specified in the address and will be handled through the city’s regular department processes.","At its State of the City, Gardena leaders described multiple redevelopment projects — including a 300-unit apartment plan with 17 affordable units — and announced a two-year $72,000,000 capital improvement program intended to pay for streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gardena officials stress fiscal health, cite Measure G and card-room risks from SB 549

Gardena police chief praises staffing gains, cites major fireworks seizure and community programs

Gardena highlights microtransit "Bolt" and electric-bus fleet expansion

Gardena outlines large redevelopment projects, $72 million public-works program