Executive Director’s Monthly Report, November 2024
‘Southern California Economic Update’ Presentation Scheduled for December Regional Council
The “2024 Southern California Economic Update” will be presented during the SCAG Regional Council’s Dec. 5 meeting alongside regular SCAG business. The update will present SCAG’s annual economic analysis and near-term outlook from SCAG’s Economic Roundtable, followed by an in-depth discussion on the state of the economy among Regional Council members.
This change is due to scheduling conflicts with multiple holidays during 2024-25 and the importance of sharing the data and analysis included in the “2024 Southern California Economic Update.” The 2024 Southern California Economic Update will present a detailed economic outlook for the region, highlighting that growth in sectors such as goods movement, healthcare, and tourism will drive the economy in the coming year.
Please complete the interest form for additional information and a link to livestream the presentation.
Regional Early Action Planning Program Update
SCAG successfully negotiated an administrative extension with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, giving Regional Early Action Program grantees an additional seven months to expend grant resources. The new expenditure deadline is June 30, 2026. The staff report presented to the Regional Council on Nov. 7 highlights SCAG’s efforts to swiftly restart work across the program and support successful delivery.
In January, the governor’s budget proposed a 50 percent reduction to the 2021 Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 2.0) funding across the state, which would have potentially reduced SCAG’s REAP 2.0 allotment by $123 million. In response to budget uncertainty, SCAG issued a stop work order to pause its regional REAP 2.0 program and refrain from entering any new memoranda of understanding. As a result of the region’s successful advocacy, SCAG received a final award allocation of $231.5 million, a total reduction of $14.5 million from SCAG’s original allocation.
Despite the budget reduction, SCAG prioritized fully funding all competitive and formula-based grant awards as approved by the SCAG Regional Council, which include $192 million for 100 projects. The revised budget reflects a reduction in the SCAG-led regional programs and services originally planned under REAP 2.0 to account for the budget cut, as well as the abridged timeframe for program delivery.
Call for Sponsors: SCAG’s 60th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly
SCAG will host the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 1-2, 2025, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert. Celebrating its diamond anniversary, the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly is a unique opportunity to gather with local and regional leaders to collaborate on mobility, housing and communities, the environment, and the economy.
Visit the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly website for more. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have questions about sponsorship opportunities, please contact SCAG Special Events Producer Perla Lopez at lopezp@scag.ca.gov.
SCAG Nominates 13 Projects, Totaling Over $323 Million, for Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Funding
On Nov. 7, the SCAG Regional Council approved project nominations for Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funding. As the region’s metropolitan planning organization, SCAG is tasked with submitting project nominations from region’s agencies to the California Transportation Commission.
SCAG received 15 project nominations for the SCAG region, with a total TCEP funding request for this cycle of more than $477 million. Out of the total of 15, two project nominations are led by Caltrans, and six are in partnership with Caltrans, with a TCEP state funding request of over $154 million. The total TCEP regional funding request is over $323.7 million. The 2024 TCEP will provide two years of programming in fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 for an estimated total of $1.071 billion, as provided by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
By nominating these projects, SCAG confirms their consistency with the adopted Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and the adopted regional freight plan. In addition, SCAG will provide individual consistency letters to include in the applications as part of the new process for 2024 TCEP as to confirm that the proposed nomination is included in the current approved Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Communities Strategy.
The TCEP funds freight infrastructure improvements on federally designated Trade Corridors of National and Regional Significance, on California’s portion of the National Highway Freight Network, as identified in the California Freight Mobility Plan, and along other corridors that have a high volume of freight movement as determined by the California Transportation Commission. For more information on the TCEP and SCAG’s project nominations, read the staff report.
SCAG Awarded $2.28 Million in Grants for Traffic Safety Programs
The SCAG Regional Council approved a resolution to accept 2.28 million in grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to improve regional transportation safety.
The funding includes, $922,456 to support continued development of a new regional safety data analysis and modeling platform. The platform will predict and analyze safety risks on Southern California’s multimodal transportation system to help reduce the number and severity of roadway collisions in the region by leveraging innovative technologies and safety data resources, such as in-vehicle information systems and newly available collision modeling capacities.
OTS also granted $1.36 million to continue SCAG’s Go Human program, which launched in 2015 to reduce collisions and improve safety for people walking and biking. The newly awarded OTS grant will fund continued Go Human activities through Sept. 30, 2025, and support implementation of Go Human’s new traffic safety advertising campaign as the program enters its 10th year. The funds will also support the development of an accessibility assessment of Go Human programs for improved accessibility and equitable distribution of traffic safety resources across the region.
OTS-funded activities in 2025 will leverage a five-year, $12 million grant from the federal Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant program. The SS4A grant will expand the reach of SCAG’s Go Human work, such as the Kit of Parts Lending Library technical assistance program, co-branded safety messaging, and the Community Streets Grant Program, which has distributed more than $1.7 million to community-based organizations since 2018.
Regional Council Adopts Budget Amendment 1
On Nov. 7, the SCAG Regional Council adopted Resolution No. 24-668-1, approving Budget Amendment 1 for SCAG’s Fiscal Year 2024-25 Comprehensive Budget. Budget Amendment 1 primarily includes adjustments to account for actual grant balances certified by Caltrans, as well as adjustments from other carryovers for various federal, state, and local funding sources.
Earlier this year, on May 2, the SCAG Regional Council and Executive/Administration Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Final Comprehensive Budget, which included the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Overall Work Plan (OWP) budget for $396.1 million. The Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration approved the 2024-25 OWP on May 29, 2024.
For more details on the approved changes to SCAG’s budget, read the Regional Council agenda.
Southern California Clean Cities Coalition Awarded for Climate Progress
The Southern California Clean Cities Coalition, administered by SCAG since 2010, received two first place awards at the September 2024 Clean Cities and Communities Training Workshop. The awards are for the greatest percentage increase in gasoline gallon equivalents (i.e., an alternative fuel source equivalent to one gallon of fossil fuel) and the largest reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. More than 75 coalitions in the national network of clean cities coalitions were eligible for the awards.
To earn the award, the Southern California Clean Cities Coalition achieved a 129 percent increase in GGEs reduced and an 814 percent increase in GHG emissions reduced compared to 2022. In second place: Houston-Galveston, with a 59 percent increase in GGEs reduced, and Minnesota, with a 105 percent increase in GHGs reduced. More details about how the Southern California Clean Cities Coalition is leading the nation on clean cities action can be found on the SCAG website.
The awards were based on data reported in the coalition’s “2023 Clean Cities Annual Report.” The report is a required annual submission to the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE), which, together with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, analyzes the data for energy use impact, GHG emissions reduction, and other metrics to show the progress of individual coalitions and the network. The report includes data on the sales of alternative fuels, deployment of alternative fuel vehicles, idle-reduction initiatives, fuel economy activities, and efforts to reduce vehicle miles traveled within the coalition’s region.
Regional Early Action Planning – State and Regional Partnerships
In recent years, the state has released significant funding to jurisdictions that demonstrate alignment with adopted housing elements and state policy goals, with incentives for local jurisdictions demonstrating pro-housing efforts. With support from state partners, SCAG’s dynamic implementation of the Regional Early Action Planning grants and other housing efforts allows for more funding and technical assistance resources to support local cities and counties in implementing their Regional Housing Needs Assessment goals. To highlight work completed with $47 million in funding from by the 2019 Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 1.0), SCAG recently published a REAP 1.0 project list that details investments by county in the SCAG region.
Dhakshike Wickrema, deputy secretary of homelessness at the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency, presented to the Regional Council on Nov. 7 to supplement a staff report highlighting how the SCAG Housing Program accelerates housing production through technical assistance and funding programs to support local jurisdictions, subregional partners, and community-based organizations.
Connect SoCal 2024 Implementation Report
SCAG staff provided an update on Nov. 7 to policy committees and the regional council on progress toward Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy implementation. As outlined in the staff report, SCAG has advanced 71 of the 93 Implementation Strategies included in Connect SoCal 2024.
Successful implementation of Connect SoCal 2024 relies on many partners, stakeholders, and decisions makers beyond SCAG. However, SCAG has an increasingly significant role in plan implementation through collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders, policy leadership, its role as an information hub, research, and, lastly, by providing resources to local agencies or jurisdictions to advance their planning and implementation.
Video of the progress report presentation is available in the Community, Economic and Human Development committee meeting recording.
Racial Equity Early Action Plan Final Update Released
SCAG released the final update to the Racial Equity Action Early Plan on Nov. 7—culminating a three-year process to center equity in SCAG plans and processes.
The SCAG Regional Council adopted the Racial Equity Early Action Plan on May 6, 2021, to guide and sustain SCAG’s regional and organizational leadership in service of equity and social justice. The Racial Equity Framework adopted by SCAG’s Regional Council in May 2021 established overarching goals and strategies to advance racial equity through SCAG’s policies, practices, and activities.
The update released on Nov. 7 by SCAG provides a summary of each of the 32 early actions included in the Racial Equity Early Action Plan, detailing accomplishments and laying the groundwork for a sustainable approach to equitable planning for the long term.
Since the Racial Equity Early Action Plan’s adoption, SCAG implemented 23 early actions in pursuit of those goals. The remaining seven early actions are still in progress, and two early actions in the planning stage are incorporated in the SCAG Strategic Plan and the ongoing implementation of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.
October 2024 Housing Working Group Recap
SCAG convened its quarterly Housing Working Group on Oct. 15 to spotlight three 2019 Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) projects, including presentations by Los Angeles County (regarding the Multifamily Residential Parking Ordinance), the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (on the “SB 1000 Equity Toolkit”), and the city of Los Angeles (regarding inclusive engagement). The presentations showcased a range of successes achieved through the first phase of the REAP program. The presentations also allowed housing stakeholders to ask questions and discuss lessons from each project. The presentations can be viewed online.
SCAG Hosts Two Toolbox Tuesday Sessions in October
SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday sessions in October explored extreme heat mitigation strategies and smart cities and mobility innovations.
The first session, “Exploring Innovative Technologies and Fostering Smart Cities: A Showcase of Recent Projects and Pilots,” shared results and takeaways from key projects in SCAG’s Future Communities Pilot Program and Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities & Mobility Innovations call for applications. The session presented data-driven impacts and solutions—from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, the city of Laguna Woods, and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments—which other agencies can replicate to implement similar smart city projects. SCAG staff also highlighted the future of smart cities in Southern California, critical programming updates, and new collaborative opportunities.
The second session, “Heat-Proofing Communities: Resilience Planning and Mitigation Strategies,” focused on incorporating extreme heat mitigation strategies into local planning to help protect communities and vulnerable populations from heatwaves, wildfires, and heat-related illnesses. Participants learned about the process and best practices of developing and integrating an extreme heat mitigation strategy into existing policies. The session included speakers from the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Insurance, and Raimi + Associates sharing an overview of their work developing resources surrounding extreme heat mitigation strategies and discussing how they can be implemented.
For more information, watch session recordings and find additional training materials on the SCAG website.
Go Human Community Streets Grant Program Awardees Support Safer Streets
This summer, three Go Human 2024 Community Streets Grant Program awardees—Nyeland Promise, Latino Health Access, and Los Angeles Walks—demonstrated pop-up traffic safety infrastructure improvements using Go Human’s Kit of Parts at their project events in their communities.
On July 21, Nyeland Promise, alongside Bike Ventura County, created opportunities for more than 100 community members to test and provide feedback on an artistic creative crosswalk and a separated bike lane at the Nyeland Promise Bike Rodeo in Nyland Acres. Community feedback reflected robust support for making the pop-up designs permanent across Nyeland Acres.
On Aug. 10, Latino Health Access concluded their walking tour by showcasing an artistic creative crosswalk and parklet to collect community feedback on improvements for people walking and biking in Santa Ana. More than 110 attendees tested the pop-up safety improvements. Community feedback indicated significant support for permanent installation of the designs.
On Aug. 21, Los Angeles Walks showcased a pop-up parklet at their Safe Street Advocates event and capacity-building workshop in the city of Los Angeles to collect feedback on a potential parklet in their community. More than 40 community leaders and promoters attended the workshop and shared feedback on the parklet, which indicated resounding support for permanent parklets in the city of Los Angeles.
For more information, read the full project reports on the Go Human website and watch the event videos on the SCAG YouTube channel. Visit the SCAG website for information on borrowing the Kit of Parts to showcase potential traffic safety improvements in your community.
SCAG Participates in the National Association of Regional Councils Executive Director’s Conference
SCAG’s Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson joined Regional Council Member Alan Wapner (San Bernardino County Transportation Authority) on a trip to Dayton, Ohio, for the Executive Directors Conference & Board Retreat for the National Association of Regional Councils. During the conference, Wapner shared information on SCAG’s “Regional Airport Passenger Transportation Study,” which will study passenger behavior and develop actionable alternatives for ground transportation to Southern California airports. SCAG representatives also participated in workshops on using artificial intelligence in the workplace, electric vehicles, air taxis, and unmanned aircraft systems, as well as an update on SCAG’s recently adopted Strategic Plan.
SCAG Shares Regional Perspective at the California Forward Economic Summit
SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise traveled to Sacramento to participate on a panel at California Forward’s Economic Summit, which brings together diverse public and private sector partners to discuss building an inclusive and sustainable economy for California. Ajise participated in the main stage panel “Regions Up: Present and Future,” discussing the role of local and regional governments in developing a more sustainable California economy. During the panel, he highlighted SCAG’s “Southern California Zero-Emission Truck Infrastructure Study,” which will boost the availability of electric truck charging infrastructure throughout the region by developing consistent siting criteria to efficiently use potential supply of land available for charging stations. The study supports SCAG’s Last Mile Freight Program, which will soon see an infusion of a $50 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for additional commercial deployment of zero-emission heavy- and medium-duty trucks and supporting infrastructure.
SCAG Addresses Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions
The Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions, chaired by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), held a hearing on improving and expanding regional transportation options in California. Sarah Dominguez, manager of the SCAG Planning Strategy Department, provided testimony and an update on the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, sharing key strategies and programs from the plan, such as siting new housing near jobs, amenities, and transit. Dominguez also discussed the Last Mile Freight Program, which aims to reduce goods movement sector-related greenhouse gas emissions. SCAG will continue collaborating with state legislators and regional and local partners to support Southern California’s implementation of regional transportation solutions toward a world-class transportation system.
SCAG Attends UCLA Lake Arrowhead Symposium
On Oct. 14, 2024, SCAG Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey participated in a thoughtful and timely discussion about the potential of regional “mega events” to create long-term benefits for local and regional infrastructure through collaborative civic sector planning. UCLA Professor of Urban Planning Brian Taylor, Ph.D., facilitated the panel, which included Genevieve Giuliano, interim dean at the University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy, Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, planning professor from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, and Alicia Jean-Baptiste, chief executive officer of the San Francisco Bay Area Planning and Urban Research Association. The discussion focused on the value of regional collaboration in advance of “mega events,” such as the 2028 Summer Olympics and 2026 World Cup, both to be held in Los Angeles. Case studies show these events present opportunities for broader planning and collaboration to prop up long-lasting improvements, such as bus rapid transit lanes or creating capacity for historically underfunded and underserviced areas to meet the needs of the events.
SCAG Joins Electric Car Discussion at the League of California Cities Annual Conference
SCAG Regional Council Member and former President Jan Harnik (Palm Desert) moderated the “Are Cities Ready for an Electric Future” panel at the League of California Cities – Annual Conference and Expo. The panel included experts from the University of California, Riverside, Southern California Edison, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, who explored challenges and opportunities of electrification in the transition to a clean energy future.
During the panel, Harnik gave an overview of SCAG’s role as a regional convener and discussed how SCAG supports local stakeholders on electrification, including publication of the SCAG “Clean Technology Compendium,” a resource for local governments to establish policies that foster the adoption of clean technologies.
Event attendees included SCAG Regional Council members Wendy Bucknam (Mission Viejo), Mike Judge (Simi Valley), Ray Rhodes (Simi Valley), Frank Yokoyama (Cerritos), and Jeff Wood (Lakewood), as well as policy committee members Bridget Lewis (Torrance) and Ali Taj (Artesia).
SCAG Sponsors Ventura Council of Governments Annual Dinner
SCAG sponsored the annual Ventura Council of Governments (VCOG) Dinner at the Museum of Ventura County in October, where SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, Legislative Affairs Manager Kevin Gilhooley, and Senior Government Affairs Officer Rachel Wagner joined Ventura County officials for an evening to celebrate partnerships and regional collaboration. At the event, SCAG honored VCOG Executive Director Hugh Riley with a certificate of appreciation in response to his upcoming retirement. SCAG Regional Council members Rocky Rhodes (Simi Valley), Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula), and Laura Hernandez (Port Hueneme) were among those in attendance.
SCAG Attends San Gabriel Valley Awards Gala
SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena and SCAG Regional Councilmember and Mayor of Monterey Park Thomas Wong joined regional leaders and supporters of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership (SGVEP) at the 21st Annual San Gabriel Valley Awards Gala in Pasadena. The SGVEP recognized California State Senator Josh Newman and Foothill Transit for their extraordinary achievements and contributions to the San Gabriel Valley by honoring them at the annual awards gala. This event celebrates San Gabriel Valley leaders who champion quality-of-life improvements.
SCAG Sponsors the California Contract Cities Association’s City Manager’s Summit
SCAG sponsored this year’s California Contract Cities Association 8th Annual City Manager’s Summit in Downtown Los Angeles, led by SCAG Policy Committee Member and University of Southern California Sol Price School Professor Frank Zerunyan. SCAG Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey hosted the events’ ceremonial luncheon introductions, where he invited city managers to reimagine SCAG as a strategic partner to local communities when it comes to transportation, housing, and grant opportunities. Chidsey introduced the event’s keynote speaker, University of Southern California Professor Mindy Romero, who led a discussion panel titled “The Future of California Elections in California and Its National Implications.”
