City Commission, Corporation, Board and Committee members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council to advise the City on important programs and policy decisions. Public participation, therefore, is a vital component of the City’s governing system. All meetings of advisory groups are open to the public.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is comprised of four members: City Manager, City Treasurer and two members of council. This committee meets on a quarterly basis to discuss the state of city finances and budget.
Gardena WeTip Committee
Gardena is a member city of WeTip, a national program that fights crime through anonymous tips on criminal activity. The WeTip Committee is chaired by a Councilmember and comprised of City staff, school and community leaders working together to increase public awareness and cooperation in reducing crime in the Gardena area. The Committee has also been instrumental in promoting programs such as G.R.A.D.E. and S.P.O.R.T.S. to provide education on the dangers of drug abuse. The Committee meets quarterly and as needed.
Traffic Committee
The City Traffic Committee is comprised of City staff persons, including the Chief of Police, the Public Works Director, Community Development Director, Recreation Director, and the Transportation Director. This Committee advises the City Manager on traffic-related matters including but not limited to parking, stop signs, signals, and congestion, etc. This Committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber Management Information Center (MIC) located at City Hall.
Gardena Sister City Association
The Gardena Sister City Association has been active in promoting international friendship for over three decades, through home hospitality and student and adult cultural exchanges. The program’s goal is to learn something about the community, enjoy the hospitality and build personal contacts with other cultures. Gardena enjoys cultural exchanges with three sister cities: Ichikawa, Japan and Rosarito Beach and Huatabampo, Mexico. This Association meets on the 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Nakaoka Community Center.
- Click here to read more about our sister cities.
Gardena Rent Mediation Board
This fifteen-member Board is comprised of five owners, five tenants, and five members-at-large all of whom are appointed by the City Council to assist residents in mediating rent-related disputes. This Board meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Management Information Center (MIC) located at City Hall. The term of service for a member of the Rent Mediation Board coincides with the term of the City Council member by whom they were appointed, and the monthly rate of pay is $50. Members are required to attend scheduled meetings in order to receive the monthly rate of pay. Elected officials are not allowed to serve on Commissions, but Citizens may serve on multiple Commissions.
Board of Appeals
Comprised of five members, including a duly licensed architect, a duly licensed civil engineer, a duly licensed real estate broker, a general building contractor and a member-at-large, the Board determines the suitability of alternate materials and methods of construction and provides reasonable interpretations of the provisions of the Uniform Building Code. This Board also determines whether a building constitutes a menace to public safety, and whether repairs, alterations or demolition are necessary to abate the menace to public safety.