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

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.