Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Services Veterans topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves $5,000 donation to Hawaiian Gardens VFW for kitchen renovations
Summary
The City Council approved a $5,000 donation to Hawaiian Gardens VFW Post 71943 to help renovate a dated kitchen that staff said limits the post's community meal and training services.
The Hawaiian Gardens City Council voted June 11 to approve a $5,000 donation to Hawaiian Gardens VFW Post 71943 to support kitchen renovations, council members said.
Shadiq Anderson, senior vice commander at the local VFW post, told the council the post’s kitchen is “rather dated” and limits the organization’s ability to provide trainings, cater events and deliver community services. “The only thing we need is renovations there,” Anderson said, and requested $5,000 to help get the kitchen operational.
City staff noted the donation request was submitted outside the updated timing recommended in the city’s donation policy but recommended the council still consider the request. Council Member Roa moved to approve the donation; the council approved the motion on a roll-call vote (Roa: yes; Vargas: yes; Mayor Pro Tem del Rio: yes; Mayor De Pala: yes). Council Member Farfan was excused.
Council members and the mayor expressed support for the VFW and thanked members for their service. Staff and council discussed outreach and resource options that could help the post expand or finance other facility upgrades, including city business grants and beautification programs; staff agreed to share program information with the post. Anderson said the post uses social media and an email newsletter to promote events and outreach and that, once renovations are complete, the post would invite the council to a meal.
The donation was approved as a one-time contribution; no additional appropriation or amendment to the city budget was proposed at the June 11 meeting.
