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Food‑pantry leader asks for city support; bus operators report productive contract talks
Summary
Paul Bridal of Mama Rose's Food Pantry urged the council for financial help and a city letter for county funding and accused the city of "punishing" the pantry; council and the mayor responded that the city offered assistance and cited safety concerns. Separately, bus-operator union representative James Sandoval said contract negotiations began productively.
During oral communications at the Jan. 27 Gardena City Council meeting, three members of the public addressed the council on local programs and labor talks.
Paul Bridal, identified in the meeting packet as director of Mama Rose's Food Pantry, presented the pantry’s 2025 statistics — 6,811 clients served, 564,000 pounds of food distributed and 22,912 family members reached — and requested a letter of support so the pantry could apply for district funding. "Mayor, you yourself has said you're punishing Mama Rosa's food pantry, making us pay the full price for the permit because I did not partner with the city of Gardena," Bridal said in public comment, adding that the pantry is run by volunteers and needs financial assistance.
Mayor Serta addressed the point later in the meeting, saying, "Let me be very clear in saying that I have never said that I was punishing Mama Roses for not partnering with the city of Gardena." The mayor said the city had offered suggestions intended to reduce the pantry's costs and that the city's primary concern was safety at distribution sites — citing traffic and the potential for accidents when cars block driveways and streets. He commended the pantry’s service while stressing that city staff must consider public safety.
James Sandoval, speaking for Gardena bus operators and accompanied by several drivers, thanked the council for recognizing the union’s earlier vote and said contract negotiations began that day. "We think it was a very productive day," Sandoval said, adding that both sides showed good faith and that the union hopes to reach an agreement that will help recruit and retain staff.
Travis Hernandez of the Los Angeles County libraries in Gardena outlined upcoming children’s and teen programs at local branches.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 519, topfinish SEG 678
