Who we are
The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) is a joint powers authority of 16 cities and the county of Los Angeles that share the goal of maximizing the quality of life and productivity of the South Bay subregion of Los Angeles County.
South Bay cities and the county maintain the qualities and characteristics that make them unique and independent, while coming together collectively to address issues of common interest for a greater good. Our members are motivated by the collective vision of what the SBCCOG can do for our communities through cooperation, collaboration and innovation.
Working with South Bay cities to foster cooperation, collaboration and innovation...
The SBCCOG’s “South Bay Sustainability in Action” Photo Contest awarded two first prizes at the SBCCOG’s 24th General Assembly.
Governance
Top: Jeff McBurney, horticultural teacher at Rudecinda Sepulveda Dodson Middle School, captured his students enjoying the radishes they planted and harvested in a sustainable garden at their school in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Left: Starr Nagdev, fourth grade teacher at Silver Spur Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes, snapped the second winning image of her students collecting trash at the Malaga Cove storm drain.
To learn more visit southbaycities.org/ photo-contest.
Overseen by a board of directors, the SBCCOG conducts business through committees and working groups made up of city and county elected officials, city and county staff, government partners and members of the community. These groups focus on issues that fall under our five programs:
1. South Bay Sustainable Strategy
Environmental Service Center
Technology
Social Welfare, Equity and Access
Advocacy
2024
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1. SOUTH BAY SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY
Based on years of study of the land use and transportation patterns, the South Bay Sustainable Strategy (SBSS) provides guidance to improve land use and transportation performance in the South Bay based on its physically varied and geographically dispersed neighborhoods that are not transit rich. It focuses on neighborhood-oriented development and alternative mobility options--both public and private.
SBCCOG staff prepared the SBSS using grant funding. It was then adopted by its board of directors to provide a sustainability guide for South Bay cities to consider as they redevelop their communities.
One such proposed alternative is the promotion of what’s known as “micromobility” and the use of electric powered low-speed, zeroemission travel modes. These include neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), e-bikes, pedal bikes, e-scooters and other devices which operate at 25 mph and below. SBCCOG research found that 70% of subregional trips are 3 miles or less, so it makes sense to consider “right-sizing your ride” to such microdevices for local trips.
SAY HELLO TO THE “ROLLING TURTLE”
The SBSS strategy is being tested as El Segundo pilots phase one of a street network that will support the growing use of micromobility for local trips. The South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN), is designed to safely accommodate such vehicles as they share the road with traditional motorized vehicles traveling at low speeds. The proposed 243-mile route will eventually connect the South Bay. Streets are marked by “rolling turtle” signs that notify users they are using the network.
In 2024, work will begin to bring the LTN to Carson, Lomita, Harbor City, San Pedro and Wilmington. The LTN is made possible through Measure M subregional transportation funding.
AREAS OF FOCUS
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
1. Electric Vehicle Adoption
2. Goods Movement
3. Housing
4. Local Travel Network
5. Measures R&M
6. Sustainable Neighborhood Strategy
7. Transportation Demand Management &Telework
SOUTH BAY MEASURE R HIGHWAY PROGRAM AND MEASURE M SUB REGIONAL PROGRAMS
In partnership with LA Metro, Caltrans and South Bay jurisdictions, we will continue to manage the expenditure of more than $906 million in funding available from Measure R and more than $1.9 billion from Measure M over the next 40 years for transportation projects in the South Bay.
Community members gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the new City of Torrance Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center. The center is expected to provide the future terminus of the Metro Los Angeles C (Green) Line extension to Torrance. The SBCCOG provided $24.7 million in Measure R funds and $1.63 million in Measure M funds toward its construction. It also allocated $4 million for improvements to intersections surrounding the center. The center is connected to the South Bay Fiber Network (see bottom of page 3), the SBCCOG’s middle-mile broadband network funded through Measure M that provides high-speed broadband capacity for its operations.
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION
We have obtained more than $1.5 million to assist cities to develop local and subregional climate action plans with carbon emission inventories and reduction strategies focused on transportation, land use, energy efficiency, solid waste, urban greening and energy generation/storage.
SBCCOG staff also helped cities assess progress towards their sustainability goals, working with fellows and volunteers.
SBCCOG has also developed a South Bay Adaptation Plan with a subregional vulnerability assessment.
AREAS OF FOCUS
1. Adaptation
2. Climate Action Planning
3. Greenhouse Gas Inventories
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. During the festivities, designated NEV parking signs were unveiled.
ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CENTER
Celebrating 20 years of service to the South Bay, the South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) operates with our current partners Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), Water Replenishment District, West Basin Municipal Water District, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, LA County Metro and City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to provide energy efficiency, water conservation, shared mobility options (e.g. van pool and carpool), telecommute and traveler information, and recycling resources to cities, school districts, businesses and residents.
AREAS OF FOCUS
1. Energy Efficiency
2. Environmentally Friendly Landscaping, Gardening and Pest Control
3. Green Business Assist Program
4. Renewables
5. Waste
6. Water Conservation
3. TECHNOLOGY
SOUTH BAY FIBER NETWORK
With Metro Measure M Subregional South Bay funds, the SBCCOG has created a gigabyte municipal fiber optic network to serve the internet and broadband needs of the SBCCOG city members and other participating public agencies.
For city governments, the South Bay Fiber Network (SBFN) provides high-speed, lowcost, secure and resilient broadband--a critical technology tool that has led to faster, more affordable internet for the day-to-day operations at city halls, but also to “smart cities” applications that will unlock economic development and innovations for the South Bay cities:
1. Improved traffic flow
2. Community broadband at parks
3. Online permitting
4. Real-time monitoring of city infrastructure
Delivered 10,000+ rain barrels to residents.
• Over 10 years, helping cities and school save 14,355,145 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 90,456 gas therms
• Providing information to the public at 100 community, employee and business events and presentations annually
• Involving the community and extending our reach with SBCCOG volunteers
• Facilitating trainings and workshops that assist cities to adopt energy and water efficient policies and practices
The SBFN is the 21st century infrastructure that will support these opportunities. Network service began in August 2020 and continues to grow.
THE NEXT CHAPTER
The SBCCOG is now using $498,949 in grant funding to analyze the existing South Bay small and micro-business broadband market, focusing on underserved areas, to better understand the need and demand for services within these communities and throughout the South Bay.
The study, called the “Digital Equity Project,” will produce a “shovel-ready” plan for expanding parts of the South Bay Fiber Network in underserved areas, as well as identify community needs.
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4. SOCIAL WELFARE, EQUITY & ACCESS
HOMELESSNESS
The SBCCOG has a unique and important role in facilitating a regional approach with its member cities to address homelessness. The SBCCOG engages cities through co-investment opportunities, while leveraging cities’ unique position to improve housing access.
The SBCCOG utilizes public (Measure H) and private funding to establish programs in partnership with our cities. Successful interventions include 1) Client Aid just-in-time funding for security deposits, application fees, and other housing expenses; 2) case management services to guide participants through the rehousing process; 3) Homeless Court to repair backgrounds necessary to access the private housing market; 4) SHARE!™ housing to employment; and 5) increased interim bed capacity through investments in shelter, single-room occupancy homes and motel beds.
Leveraging non-profit, landlord and government partnerships, the SBCCOG’s Measure H housing locator speeds throughput from street to shelter to permanent housing to meet individuals’ current income and mental health needs.
With L.A. County funding, the SBCCOG provided $145,000 for project construction and start-up costs allocated through Measure H Homeless Innovation funds for the Tiny Home Village in Torrance. SBCCOG provided an additional $250,000 for outreach and mental health staff to supplement its operation.
SENIOR SERVICES
The SBCCOG supports awareness and shares best practices among cities of various programs that serve the community’s older adults and promote an age-friendly South Bay. Specifically, these include identifying mobility, wellness and housing strategies to improve the quality of life for senior adults.
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5. ADVOCACY
The SBCCOG monitors and coordinates responses and positions on legislation and regional plans that affect the South Bay and sponsors legislation when required. We facilitate meetings with our legislators and other state agencies as needed.
Become an SBCCOG volunteer. Learn more at southbaycities.org/volunteer/
To learn more about our programs visit southbaycities.org
Visit our office at 2355 Crenshaw Blvd., #125, Torrance, CA 90501. Call us at 310-371-7222
SBCCOG: facebook.com/SBCCOG
SBESC: facebook.com/SBESC
Follow us:
SBCCOG: @SouthBayCCOG
SBESC: @SBESC
SBCCOG: @southbayccog
