South Bay Watch

Ted Lieu, member of Congress, 36th District, will keynote the 24th General Assembly.

The 24th General Assembly

36th District U.S. Representative Ted Lieu to Address AI’s Impact on Cybersecurity as Event’s Keynote

For the 24th General Assembly, the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) invites experts to explore artificial intelligence (AI/generative AI) and the types of AI applications that could benefit local government, as well as potential red flags cities should consider.

As a preview to the event, South Bay Watch invited the event’s keynote speaker, 36th District U.S. Representative Ted Lieu, to answer questions about AI’s potential impacts on cybersecurity and benefits to society. In February Lieu was appointed to co-chair a congressional bipartisan task force on artificial intelligence.

You have a history of championing the cause of cybersecurity. How and why does the emergence of AI fuel this passion?

AI is developing at an incredible speed and presents a unique challenge to the

government. How can we effectively regulate this emerging technology while ensuring that we can harness its benefits? We’ve already seen AI’s impact across society, from smart appliances in our homes to self-driving cars and large language models. As a member of Congress, my priority is the safety and well-being of my constituents and our nation. As a recovering computer science major, I know that AI in the wrong hands could create serious risks. It’s essential to harness the benefits of AI while mitigating those risks.

You have helped introduce a number of bills pertaining to protection from AI harm. In January, you and other lawmakers introduced the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act, to require that U.S. federal agencies and vendors follow the AI risk management guidelines put forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). How will this help us proactively avoid potential AI pitfalls?

To meaningfully address AI at the federal level, the executive branch must adopt a uniform set of guidelines to protect our national security, our economy, and the rights of Americans. While this might sound like a daunting task, the hard work of crafting these guidelines has already been done. NIST collaborated with experts in the private and public sectors to develop their AI Risk Management Framework, which can help individuals and organizations mitigate AI risks. Right now adoption of this framework is voluntary, but I believe implementation of this guidance by vendors and federal agencies would help promote consistent, consensusbased practices for developing and employing AI in safe and effective ways.

Zooming in to the local level, how can cities seize this moment in time to instill similar AI protections?

I encourage cities to consider adopting the NIST AI Risk Management Framework themselves and for their vendors. When we talk about the whole-of-government approach necessary to mitigate potential risks of AI, we must include local governments. Local governments are uniquely positioned to impact the daily lives of the people they represent through a variety of essential services. How many of these services could be helped or harmed by AI? City governments must be prepared to take advantage of AI’s

strengths while protecting their constituents from its potential harm.

Diving deeper into these benefits and risks, what do local governments need to be vigilant about when it comes to AI adoption?

There are certainly ways in which AI can make local governments more efficient, but we need to be careful about how the technology is implemented and how governments operate it. That’s why I encourage organizations to implement NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework. For example, our state’s Department of Transportation is exploring ways that AI could help reduce traffic, and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services is experimenting with using AI to combat homelessness. These applications could prove to be incredibly useful in improving local government operations and assisting the public. At the same time, governments should be mindful of potential pitfalls. Facial recognition technology is an example of a narrow application of AI that federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have deployed in criminal investigations. But the technology is less accurate for women and people of color and can be used in ways that violate Americans’ civil liberties.

What are some exciting ways city workers and constituents could directly benefit from AI’s use in local government?

AI-powered computer programs could have wide ranging benefits for cities, their employees and their constituents. Using AI tools like data gathering, predictive pattern analysis and others could assist cities to improve tasks like casework responses, constituent outreach, payroll for city employees or even service schedules for public facilities.

How can local government workers get their feet wet in AI? And should they be worried about slowly being replaced by bots?

Governments already use AI for various priorities, including urban planning and transportation, among other areas. One of the most important ways to get to know AI is to see it in action. I encourage anyone who may be interested to check out AI tools for themselves to understand the immense capability of this technology. I encourage folks to experiment with large language models like ChatGPT. While the technology

“One of the most important ways to get to know AI is to see it in action. I encourage anyone who may be interested to check out AI tools for themselves to understand the immense capability of this technology.”

Replaced by bots? While AI technology is impressive, according to Ted Lieu, “We still need government employees with expertise to run government operations.” Image created using Adobe generative technology.

is impressive, we still need government employees with expertise to run government operations.

You have discussed the importance of adopting NIST. What other actions should federal, state and local governments take in further AI policy development?

It is essential to our nation’s security that governments at all levels take action to protect their constituents from the risks of AI. From President Biden’s recent executive order on AI to city governments using AI software to automate delivery of municipal services, each elected official has a responsibility to respond to this rapidly developing technology.

Here on the federal level, I am working with my colleagues in Congress to counter urgent threats to our security. Earlier this year I introduced the Block Nuclear Launch from Autonomous Artificial Intelligence Act, which would safeguard our nuclear command and control process by ensuring that nuclear weapons can never be

launched solely by AI.

At the state level, I was pleased to see Governor Newsom sign an executive order last fall to study the development, use and risks of AI throughout the state and develop a responsible deployment process within the state government. California is a leader in emerging technology, and this action will ensure that we remain our nation’s foremost hub for AI development and use.

City governments are well positioned to introduce individuals to AI technology and its uses. Whether it’s educational events at public libraries or the use of AI tools at city hall, city governments could play a vital role in the education of their constituents and the implementation of helpful AI programming. I look forward to continuing my work with the Biden-Harris administration, Governor Newsom and local officials throughout coastal Los Angeles County to ensure that our communities can take advantage of AI’s power while we work to counter its potential risks. •

24th Annual SBCCOG General Assembly

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – FRIEND OR FOE FOR THE SOUTH BAY?

The program will explore AI—what it is, the types of applications that can benefit cities and possible red flags.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (includes continental breakfast and lunch)

Registration and exhibits open 8:30 a.m.

Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center • 801 East Carson Street, Carson Register for this FREE in-person event at southbaycities.org/24th-annual-generalassembly.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Benefactors $5,000

Chevron Products Company • Daily Breeze | Beach Reporter | Palos Verdes

Peninsula News • LA County Supervisor

Holly Mitchell • South Bay Association of REALTORS® (SBAOR)

Sponsors $2,500

AECOM • California State University

Dominguez Hills • Clean Power Alliance • Continental Development Corporation | Mar Ventures • 4LEAF, Inc. • Geo Search

• Kosmont Companies • Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts • LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn • Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

• Rambo House • Southern California Association of Governments • Southern California Edison Company • The Energy Coalition • Sunflower Farms Nursery

• TransTech Engineers Inc.• Water Replenishment District of Southern California • Watson Land Company • West Basin Municipal Water District

Contact Rosemary Lackow: rosemary@southbaycities.org to become a sponsor

On social media use

#sbccogGeneralAssembly for General Assembly updates.

Affordable Housing

Study Shows ADUs Not Ideal as Solution

Acceleration of ADU development has come to the forefront of possible solutions to help cities meet their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) requirements to further the state’s economic, fair housing and environmental objectives. However, a new South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) study indicates that in the South Bay, less than half of accessory dwelling units (ADUs)—known as “granny flats”—are being rented out, with the rest being occupied for personal use or to house friends and family.

The survey was mailed to 404 unique residents of primary residences (ADU applicants) and 413 unique tenants (ADU occupants) in August 2023. In total 93 surveys were completed—71 by residents of the primary residences and 22 by tenants. It aimed to learn what went well for homeowners and what hurdles they faced in obtaining permits to build their ADU. It also sought to learn whether the ADU was being offered as free housing or to bring in rent.

Key findings:

• 45% of owners are renting out their ADU

• 20% are allowing a relative or friend to stay in the unit for free

• 14% are using it for something else not specified

• 26% were seeking tenants, had an ADU that was not livable or had other unspecified reasons for not renting out the unit

Who is renting ADUs?

• 50% of units being rented out were occupied by a stranger

• 51% were occupied by a relative, friend or someone else unspecified

The study reported rents range from $600 to $4,500, with an average rent of $1,834, not qualifying as “affordable.” The California Department of Housing and Community Development indicates that “very low-income” occupants of a studio unit must pay no more than $809 monthly and “low-income” tenants must be charged no more than $1,388 for a three-bedroom unit. Average rent in Los Angeles for a 790-square-foot apartment is $2,795 according to Zillow.

REMOVING ADU BARRIERS

The study suggests that reduced permit fees and speedier approval process could facilitate ADU construction and identifies “best practices” for cities. Most would require state funding support. It also identifies barriers such as high construction costs and rising interest rates. It concludes that state incentives might boost the percentage of ADUs built and rented at below-market rates.

The study examined whether ADUs advance the state’s environmental goals by reducing auto travel. It found no evidence that ADUs prompt shorter vehicle trips, which would lower emissions.

Transportation consultant Black & Veatch assisted with the study. It was funded by by the Southern California Association of Governments’ Regional Early Action Program (REAP), through the California Department of Housing and Community Development, to spur affordable housing production.

STUDY ON CONVERSION OF UNDERUTILIZED COMMERCIAL SITES TO HOUSING REVEALS OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES

A second REAP-funded SBCCOG study finds that conversion of underutilized commercial strips and parking lots show potential to support housing construction to help meet regional housing and environmental goals. The study also reveals that the cost of such conversions could constrain development,

and high-density housing projects alone may not provide the sought-after panacea for spurring housing production.

The study sought to leverage underperforming parcels for potential redevelopment among the South Bay’s urban development profile. Targeted areas included strip arterials and parking lots. It also earmarked areas that would place development in destination- and amenityrich areas that facilitate zero-emission travel, such as walking, biking and shortrange electric microdevices. It examined whether existing infrastructure, such as water and sewer capacity, was sufficient.

Key findings:

• Conversion of underutilized commercial building sites to housing could physically accommodate many housing units in the South Bay to meet RHNA requirements.

• Conversion of surface parking lots to housing presents an economically workable way of adding housing without changing a neighborhood’s character and keeping community businesses and destinations in place.

• Economic considerations, such as high land and construction costs, are significant factors in limiting affordable housing development; offering density bonuses that create higher-density projects will not lead to the affordable housing needed to meet RHNA targets.

• The private market supported by inclusionary zoning will not be able to reach RHNA’s affordable housing targets of 21,000 affordable units in South Bay cities. Government subsidies in the range of up to $3 billion will be needed.

• Existing city infrastructure, such as water and sewer capacity, is not a barrier to new development, but would depend on the upgrade’s size and scale.

The SBCCOG worked in partnership with consultants Studio One Eleven, Dudek and Kosmont Companies on the study. •

To read the entire findings of both studies, visit southbaycities.org/housing.

The Turtle Receives Warm Welcome in El Segundo

It’s been said, “The turtle wins the race.”

But the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) and the City of El Segundo are hoping the turtle will also improve street safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of local travel in the South Bay.

The SBCCOG and El Segundo recently launched phase one of a street network that will support the growing market and use of lightweight, zero-emission, low-speed vehicles for local trips. The network, called the Local Travel Network (LTN), is the first in the world to safely accommodate the use of such vehicles—which include neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), e-bikes, pedal bikes, e-scooters and other devices—as they share

the road with traditional motorized vehicles on existing, low-speed streets.

The El Segundo route is part of a 243-mile network of streets that will eventually connect the South Bay from as far north as Inglewood to San Pedro in the south. Street routes are marked by “rolling turtle” signage that notifies users they are on the network, wayfinding signage to major city destinations and safe intersections, and sharrows—two inverted V-shapes above a bicycle that when painted on the street indicate when low-speed vehicles are sharing the road with other motorized vehicles.

In 2024 work will be done in Carson, Lomita, Harbor City, San Pedro and Wilmington to bring the Local Travel Network to those communities.

SBCCOG RESEARCH REVEALS:

• 70% of trips taken in the South Bay are 3 miles or less.

• The average gas-fueled passenger vehicle weighs an inefficient 4,000 pounds and carries 1.67 people.

The LTN is made possible through Measure M subregional transportation funding. To learn more visit southbaycities.org/ localtravelnetwork. To receive updates about the network, Turtle Talk monthly, as well as other news from the SBCCOG, sign up at bit.ly/SBCCOGNews. •

South

Bay Watch Recognized at PR Daily’s Nonprofit Communications Awards

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments’ (SBCCOG) quarterly print and email publication South Bay Watch received an Honorable Mention in the Print Publication category for PR Daily’s 2023 Nonprofit Communications Awards program. The program honors organizations that have demonstrated excellence in nonprofit communications and highlights their impactful efforts in the industry throughout the United States. To read the entire list of honorees, visit prdaily.com/awards/events/nonprofit-communications-awards-luncheon-2023.

The SBCCOG and the City of El Segundo celebrated the LTN launch with a ribbon-cutting and low-speed vehicle parade in front of El Segundo City Hall. Signage featuring a “rolling turtle” was unveiled, along with designated NEV parking signs.

Drew Boyles, El Segundo mayor, Jacki Bacharach, SBCCOG executive director, Cedric Hicks, SBCCOG chair and Carson Council member, and Paige Kaluderovic, Redondo Beach Council member, led the parade on the LTN route.

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments presented the City of Carson with its Gold South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Award. Carson earned the most points of any city. From left: Talia Perluss, SBCCOG project coordinator; Reata Kulcsar, Carson innovation and sustainability manager;

Going for Gold

Cities Honored for Energy and Climate Achievements at First Annual Recognition Event

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) partnered with the Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN) to recognize South Bay cities for their efforts in pursuing energy-efficiency initiatives and sustainability-related tasks over the past year as part of the inaugural South Bay Energy and Climate Recognition Program. Carson, Hawthorne and Rolling Hills Estates achieved gold-level status.

To earn the gold-level distinction, the City of Carson purchased clean energy, advocated for climate action through community presentations and organized events, conducted greenhouse gas inventories, explored the replacement of traditional gas water heaters at city facilities with more energy-efficient heat pump water heaters, and replaced nonfunctional turf at its municipal facilities. It also achieved 5% energy savings (combined kilowatt-hours and therms) last year. The City of Hawthorne installed electric vehicle (EV) chargers at its city hall and LED lighting citywide. The City of Rolling Hills Estates completed a roof renovation and installed EV chargers at its city hall.

Reaching silver-level achievement were El Segundo, Gardena, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills and Torrance. Lawndale, Palos Verdes Estates and Redondo Beach earned bronze-level achievement.

To participate, cities were required to be enrolled in the SoCalREN—a program administered by Los Angeles County to provide energy-saving services to residents, businesses and public agencies served by Southern California Edison and/or Southern California Gas Company. Progress was tracked through a point system where cities had to complete at least one activity within the categories of climate action, education and technical assistance.

In 2022 the California Air Resources Board released the most ambitious climate action proposal of any jurisdiction in the world to drastically slash pollution and accelerate the transition to clean energy. The SBCCOG/SoCalREN rewards program is designed to help cities meet these goals one sustainable step at a time. •

To learn more, visit bit.ly/EnergyandClimateRecognition.

South Bay Cities Council of Governments Earns Beacon Award for Leadership and Innovation in Sustainability

The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) has been selected as a 2023 Beacon Leadership and Innovation award winner for its cross-agency collaboration in supporting cities in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, renewable energy, clean transportation and more.

The SBCCOG received the Beacon Award for its South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC). Since 2003, the SBESC has helped cities, businesses, schools and residents save more than 15 million kilowatthours (kWh) of electricity and 99,000 therms* of natural gas, among other achievements.

The Institute for Local Government established the Beacon Program to provide recognition and year-round support for California local agencies that are working to build more vibrant and sustainable communities. The Beacon Awards honor voluntary efforts by cities, counties and special districts that are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and adopting policies that promote sustainability. For more information visit ca-ilg.org/ beaconprogram.

For a complete list of 2023 awardees visit ca-ilg.org/awards-0.

*=approximately 100 cubic feet of natural gas will produce (and therefore save) 1 therm of energy

Arleen Rojas, council member; Jawane Hilton, mayor pro tem; Kim Fuentes, deputy executive director, SBCCOG; Cedric Hicks, council member and SBCCOG chair; and Jim Dear, council member.

A Concerted Plan is Essential for Reducing Artificial Intelligence (AI) Risk

Written by Philip de Souza

In 2017, as the festive season approached, Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network followers were targeted by an impersonation scam on Instagram—a forewarning of the rampant deceit that generative AI would soon unleash across the digital landscape. Six years later, these AI-driven scams continue to deceive, mislead and even bankrupt individuals globally. Once a trusted technology, questions are now raised about its reliability and the authenticity of its outputs. Amid this, the critical challenge lies in distinguishing between genuine and deceptive AI-generated content.

Generative AI, as defined by IBM, refers to deep learning models that can generate high-quality text, images and other content based on data they were trained on. The technology’s infancy demands a cautious approach rather than alarmist reactions. While the risks are evident, understanding their full extent is still a work in progress. A triad approach can mitigate these risks, focusing on awareness, governance and the deployment of defensive AI tools.

1. CULTIVATING AWARENESS AND LEARNING

Awareness and education are pivotal in navigating the landscape of generative AI. A well-informed user—be it a customer, vendor, employee or stakeholder—is a valuable asset. Recent surveys indicate a significant awareness of AI’s benefits and risks. For instance, a 2023 KPMG study titled “Trust in Artificial Intelligence” published by Global Insights revealed that 85% of respondents recognized AI’s advantages, while 73% acknowledged its inherent risks.

Key considerations include:

• Discerning the Good from the Bad: Despite its potential for innovation, generative AI also poses risks like AI-supported phishing and identity theft. Understanding these dual aspects is crucial for leveraging AI responsibly.

• Assessing the Risk Quotient: Generative AI’s widespread application necessitates

a critical evaluation of organizational risk postures, considering both its benefits and potential for misuse.

• Ethical Implications: Ethical use of AI is a major concern. Organizations must establish principles for ethical AI adoption, addressing issues like privacy, bias and misuse.

• Promoting Responsible AI (RAI): As defined by TechTarget, RAI involves ethical and legal considerations for AI deployment. Key principles include accountability, fairness, privacy and security.

• Preparation and Action: World Economic Forum’s piece, “Here’s Why Organizations Should Commit to RAI” states that fostering a learning environment and diverse teams, identifying training metrics and regular bias testing are crucial steps toward RAI.

2. ESTABLISHING AI GOVERNANCE AND MONITORING

Legislation and administrative measures are essential for AI risk management.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency provide frameworks and roadmaps for AI use in organizations. Collaboration between

policymakers and industry experts is key, emphasizing the adoption of best practices and regulatory compliance.

3. UTILIZING DEFENSIVE AI

Deploying AI for defense involves using its capabilities to detect and counteract threats. This includes using unbiased data sets, recognizing attack patterns and proactive threat remediation. Tools like AI PromptGuard from Plurilock offer innovative solutions for safer Generative AI usage.

CONCLUSION

The journey with generative AI is complex yet inevitable. As the technology evolves, so must our strategies to harness its potential while mitigating risks. The resilience of the cybersecurity industry, coupled with proactive measures and technological advancements, points toward a future where generative AI is used safely and responsibly. •

Philip de Souza is president of Aurora Systems Consulting, Inc., a leading provider of comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and services, dedicated to safeguarding organizational digital assets and enhancing enterprise information security frameworks.

General Assembly Speaker: Unlocking the Power of AI: An Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI

Making Lemonade

Young Entrepreneurs in Lomita Get a Taste of Business Ownership

For any business to make the leap from street corner to mass market, it takes a unique value proposition, potential for scalability and profitability.

Cultivating that mindset is the goal of Lemonade Day—a national event that the City of Lomita and the Lomita Chamber of Commerce have partnered to host on a local level for the past three years. It offers a free, experiential learning program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their own business: a lemonade stand.

Customers line up to quench their thirst with Pearl DiMassa’s award-winning lemonade. Photo provided by the Lomita Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s great to see how much the kids learn in the Lemonade Day program and how seriously they take their new business,” says Barry Waite, Lomita City Council member and South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) board member. “Even as they are selling on the day, they are planning for next year with new flavors, a new design and how to reach more customers. The fact that they make a good chunk of money is icing on the cake.”

Through the program, each registered child receives access to curriculum and training conducted by Lomita’s elected leaders, the city manager and other city staff. It includes lessons on creating budgets, setting profit-making goals, serving customers, repaying investors and giving back to the community.

In 2022, Pearl DiMassa, now age 12, won first place among 53 other contestants. She went on to become first runner-up at the event’s national level that same year. Her stand, named Lucky Lemonade, stood out for its “chef-crafted blends,” which include juice from farmed-picked lemons, infused with natural blends of watermelon-mint, boysenberry and blackberry-acai.

During the program, she and the other contestants applied for business loans from sponsor South Bay Credit Union, received help from Ace Hardware and Lowe’s to construct their stands using recycled wood and paint, and were evaluated by a Los Angeles County Health Department inspector. They also learned about marketing tools, such as setting up social media accounts and creating flyers and other materials.

But DiMassa didn’t stop there. She expanded her business to include themed merchandise such as Honey Lemon Lip Balm, T-shirts, Honey Lemon Lavender Goat Milk Soap and more through her website luckylemonadeco.com. Through her efforts she has earned close to $3,000, of which she donates 10% to Harbor Pregnancy Help Center. She is saving the rest for college and a car.

“Pearl was already confident, but now I think she feels she can take on the world,” says Pearl’s mother, Drea DiMassa, crediting the program.

Her confidence is infused with a dose of humility as she recites her biggest takeaway: “Victory loves preparation.” She elaborates, “When you’re prepared, it sets you up to win. Not always—but most of the time, that’s the case.” In 2023, Pearl returned to the event as a mentor to share her lessons with others. •

To learn more about the event and how to become involved, visit lemonadeday.org/lomita.

South Bay Watch is a quarterly bulletin by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments to inform local leaders of subregional progress and alert them to emerging issues.

Governing Board: Chair

Cedric Hicks, Carson

1st Vice Chair

Rodney Tanaka, Gardena 2nd Vice Chair

Bernadette Suarez, Lawndale

Immediate Past Chair

John Cruikshank, Rancho Palos Verdes

Members:

Carson, County of LA, El Segundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Lawndale, Lomita, Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Torrance

SBCCOG Executive Director

Jacki Bacharach

Legal Counsel

Michael Jenkins, Best Best & Krieger LLP Treasurer

Matthew Robinson, City Treasurer

City of El Segundo

Editor:

Colleen Farrell, Senior Project Manager, Communications, SBCCOG

Contributor:

Rosemary Lackow, Administrative Assistant

Design:

Vincent Rios Creative, Inc.

To subscribe to SBCCOG newsletters or view past editions, visit southbaycities.org/newsletter

To view a schedule of SBCCOG meetings, visit southbaycities.org/calendar

Website: southbaycities.org

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