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
2. Environmental Service Center
3. Technology
4. Social Welfare, Equity and Access
5. Advocacy
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.
The 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 implements 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.
Soon work will begin to bring the LTN to Redondo Beach, Carson, Lomita, Lawndale, Harbor City, San Pedro and Wilmington. The LTN is made possible through Measure M subregional transportation funding.
TRANSPORTATION & LAND USE
AREAS OF FOCUS
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 SUBREGIONAL PROGRAMS
In partnership with LA Metro, Caltrans and South Bay jurisdictions, the SBCCOG continues 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. To date, we have provided our member agencies more than $820 million Measure R funds and more than $318 million Measure M funds for their transportation improvement projects.
The City of Torrance completed a project to modernize and improve operational conditions, traffic flow and safety of the Interstate 405 (I-405) freeway mainline and its on-and-off ramps at Crenshaw Boulevard and 182nd Street. The SBCCOG provided $86.4 million in funding to Caltrans and $15.3 million to the City of Torrance for the project through Metro Measure R South Bay Highway Program Funds.
CLIMATE ACTION & ADAPTATION
We have obtained more than $1.5 million to assist cities in development of 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.
The SBCCOG staff also help cities assess progress towards their sustainability goals. This includes working with fellows and volunteers to update greenhouse gas inventories.
The SBCCOG has also developed a South Bay Adaptation Plan with a sub-regional vulnerability assessment, which analyzes susceptibility to climate disruption.
AREAS OF FOCUS
1. Adaptation
2. Climate Action Planning
3. Greenhouse Gas Inventories
The City of El Segundo became the first South Bay City to launch the LTN lin 2023. City officials and the SBCCOG celebrated the occasion with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CENTER
The SBCCOG’s South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) operates with the SBCCOG’s current partners SoCalGas, Southern California Regional Energy Network (SoCalREN), Water Replenishment District, West Basin Municipal Water District, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, L.A. County Metro and City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to provide energy efficiency, water conservation, waste mitigation, 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
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, low-cost, 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.
Delivered 10,000+ rain barrels to residents.
• Helped cities and school save 14,355,145 kilowatt-hours of electricity and 207,765 gas therms
• Facilitated $1.1 million in incentives for replacing gaspowered water heaters in city and school facilities
• Provided information to the public at more than 100 community, employee and business events and presentations annually
• Involved the community and extended our reach with SBCCOG volunteers
• Facilitated trainings and workshops that assist cities in the adoption of 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
In 2024, the SBCCOG completed a $499,000 California Public Utilities Commission grant to study and analyze the digital divide that exists in the South Bay. The study, called the “Digital Equity Project,” focused on small businesses and community-based organizations, located in areas underserved by the broadband market. The SBFN is a unique public/ private asset that is intended to play an important role in addressing digital inequities in the South Bay.
Through the project a “shovel-ready” plan was produced for expanding parts of the SBFN in communities where need has been identified. In 2025, the SBFN will transition to a new private owner. The owner will partner with the SBCCOG to expand the network and seek further funding opportunities.
BAY FIBER
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 A) 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 individuals’ backgrounds necessary to access the private housing market; 4) SHARE!™ housing to employment; 5) housing location services to find Section 8-friendly landlords; and 6) increased interim bed capacity through investments in shelter, single-room occupancy homes and motel beds.
The SBCCOG also offers our cities a Functional Zero Street Homelessnes Program to help cities track and ensure their progress toward ending homelessness.
From left: Letitia Reynaud, case manager, The People’s Concern, provides Karina Hom keys to her new apartment, paid for with SBCCOG Client Aid, which helps fund permanent supported housing for the unhoused.
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.
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.
The SBCCOG also prepares and distributes housing white papers with more detailed explanations of our advocacy positions.
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
