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Council issues Arbor Day proclamation, honors Shakespeare Festival, awards city career service and recognizes retiree
Summary
Council held multiple special presentations: an Arbor Day recognition (Tree City USA, event at Griffith Park), a career service award to a fire department staffer, commendations for Shakespeare Festival LA and a retirement honor for Fred Herrera, with details and invitations announced to the public.
The Los Angeles City Council used part of its meeting to present several recognitions and community announcements, including an Arbor Day proclamation, a career service award for a long‑serving fire department employee, commendations for Shakespeare Festival LA and formal thanks to a retiring Department of Water and Power employee.
Councilman Hernandez described the city's urban forest and announced a public Arbor Day celebration at Griffith Park. In his remarks he cited estimates of "650,000 680,000 trees on its streets" and "850,000 trees in its parks" and invited residents to the Griffith Park event (tree planting, booths and activities at 3401 Riverside Drive reported for 12 to 4 on the cited March date). George Gonzales (Street Tree Division) and George Steigel (Department of Recreation and Parks) accepted recognition; Steigel noted Los Angeles had been named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for 14 consecutive years.
Councilwoman Chick presented a career service award to Gwendolyn Dujow of the Fire Department, commending nearly three decades of service and her role coordinating the department's stress management program and supporting firefighters after traumatic incidents. Chief Pammatree and others praised her service; Dujow introduced family members and thanked the council.
Councilwoman Galanter commended Shakespeare Festival LA and recognized staff and youth participants for the Willpower to Youth program. Festival representatives said the program had engaged more than 275 low‑income youth, provided wages and credits toward graduation, operated free public performances around the city and supported food drives and community outreach (presenters cited over $1,000,000 in food collected and substantial community participation).
The council also honored Fred Herrera on his retirement after more than 26 years with the city, noting his long service in community offices and industry and local recognition including a Lincoln Heights Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year award. Herrera thanked colleagues and introduced family members in the chamber.
Routine administrative items followed the presentations (roll call and approval of minutes), and the council later moved on to regular agenda business. The meeting concluded after a loss of quorum and an adjournment in memory of several community members and employees.
