Accomplishments

Through the SBCCOG, cities have been able to increase their voice in the region and influence regional decision-making. Our goal is to have the SBCCOG function as additional staff support, both technical and practical, to member cities focusing on issues of the South Bay and greater Los Angeles region. SBCCOG seeks to provide tangible value added services for our cities and not overburden them with our activities.

Some of our major accomplishments include:

General

Intergovernmental Relations - We take positions on legislation to support the goals and values of the South Bay cities. Through our Legislative Committee, we annually evaluate and fine-tune our focus on legislative issues , which is documented in our Annual Legislative Agenda. The Committee not only recommends positions on legislation to the Board, but also prepares recommendations on positions regarding changes to SCAQMD Board membership and the potential for area code changes.

Liaison – SCAG, LAMTA, AQMD and other agencies use the SBCCOG to disseminate information to our member cities. Issues that SBCCOG facilitates the review of deal with city population and employment numbers as well as Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) data and the preparation of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). SBCCOG also provides comments to SCAG to ensure that their modeling reflects accurate assumptions for the South Bay and throughout the process of the RTP adoption. For the LAMTA, SBCCOG serves as the place for them to brief South Bay cities on their Long Range Transportation Plan and Congestion Management Plan update.

Special Programs

Special Projects - SBCCOG sponsors training sessions for councilmembers and city staff on topics such as Goods Movement, Media Relations and Budgeting The SBCCOG also issues opportunity alerts when informed of the possibility to apply for grants or coordinate on joint projects to save money for our members.

Salary Survey - Under the direction of the City Managers and Human Resource Directors, SBCCOG continues to maintain the South Bay Salary Survey service that lists information on salaries and benefits for various job classifications so that each city does not have to collect this data separately. In addition, member cities have had the opportunity to participate in the CalPACS salary survey database with oversight of the SBCCOG.

Newsletter and Web Site – The SBCCOG’s newsletter features news about the SBCCOG, City Showcases of interesting projects in our subregion and some Food for Thought. We are also continually enhancing our web site - www.southbaycities.org, which has recently been completely redesigned. The site lists posting of important announcements and South Bay studies, and provides an intra-city communication function.

Transportation

Regional Transportation Plan - The SBCCOG ensured that our cities’ transportation projects would be included in the RTP to make them eligible for future State and federal funds.

LAX Issues - The SBCCOG Aviation Issues Committee continues to inform our members on issues related to proposed expansion, noise, air space, commercial carrier priorities, and more.

Portfolio of Projects – The SBCCOG continues to update a list of South Bay cities transportation projects, both funded and unfunded . A compilation of these projects allows us to better assess our cities’ needs and should greatly assist our ability to secure funding.

Call for Projects - The SBCCOG actively encouraged our member cities to participate in the MTA’s Call for Projects. We support projects through a collaborative approach that will benefit members of the SBCCOG.

Livable Communities

The SBCCOG Livable Communities Committee is working on a three-phase study of South Bay centers to assess how mixed-use development works successfully in the South Bay. The result of this study will include a document to provide guidance to South Bay cities on how to develop high performing, compact mixed-use centers that respond to constituents’ concerns about increased density.

Economic Development

The SBCCOG also coordinates with the South Bay Economic Development Partnership and the South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce in promotion of the South Bay as a vital subregion that has economic impact far beyond its borders.

Other accomplishments include:

• Partnering with Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Company to establish the South Bay Energy Savings Center (now known as the South Bay Environmental Services Center), providing energy efficiency resources to cities, business, and residents - the first in the LA area and the second energy efficiency grant project of the SBCCOG
  
   
• Partnering with the Water Replenishment District to coordinate water and energy savings messages and programs for South Bay agencies, residents and businesses
  
   
• Securing $1.5 million in federal funds for advancing South Bay Transportation projects
  
   
• Performing over $500,000 of transportation studies which has lead to roadway improvements
  
   
• Working with transit providers to coordinate South Bay transportation services
  
   
• Co-chairing the LA Air Force Regional Alliance – a government & business coalition - to help ensure the LA Air Force Base remains in the South Bay
  
   
• Coordinating a South Bay government & business coalition in an effort to retain the 310 area code
  
   
• Promoting South Bay interest in livable community concepts by providing resources to cities and the general public through library collections as well as facilitating studies which answer the question, “What does livable communities mean for the South Bay?”
  
   
• Acting as liaison with other governmental agencies including Southern California Association of Governments, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Caltrans, and South Coast Air Quality Management District