Executive Director’s Monthly Reports

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California State Budget Reduces Barriers to Housing Production and Extends Deadline for Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) Program 

Earlier this week, the governor signed the 2025-2026 state budget, which includes a suite of reforms to reduce barriers to housing production. The two budget trailer bills, AB130 and AB131, include several provisions to streamline application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to housing development. These reforms are consistent with long-standing priorities in SCAG’s legislative platform and provisions previously included in SB 607, which SCAG’s Regional Council voted to support.

The trailer bills also include a six-month extension for expenditures under the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program. This extension helps to make up for time lost during proposed cuts to the REAP program during the 2024 state budget process, which jeopardized SCAG’s $231 million in funding from this program, most of which had been granted to projects throughout Southern California. SCAG staff will work with California Department of Housing and Development (HCD) to determine how the time extension will be administered and how this affects SCAG’s timeline for delivery of the program. 

Executive/Administration Committee Kicks off the Year with Annual Retreat 

The Executive/Administration Committee met for its annual retreat in Long Beach on June 19 and 20. During the meeting, Regional Council President Cindy Allen went over the priorities for her term: housing, regional planning in preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games, and clean transportation technology. The agenda also included presentations by Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson on emerging issues related to SCAG’s work, with focus on SCAG’s economic analysis and state climate policy, as well as an outlook for the year’s Regional Council and Policy Committee meetings. Chief Legal Counsel Jeff Elder outlined the Regional Council Policy Manual Amendments and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena presented on SCAG’s signature events. 

The full presentation can be found in the meeting agenda packet. 

California Transportation Commission Adopts Funding Programs 

At its June meeting, the California Transportation Commission adopted four significant funding programs:   

Active Transportation Program MPO Component 

The MPO component of the Active Transportation Program comprises $67.48 million, accounting for 40 percent of overall ATP funding, and is distributed by population to the ten large MPOs. SCAG, accounting for approximately half of this population, was allocated $35.023 million for ATP Cycle 7. The SCAG 2025 Regional ATP includes 15 projects and 113 contingency projects, spanning infrastructure, non-infrastructure (education and engagement), quick-build, and planning projects. 

At the same meeting, the Commission allocated funding for three SCAG 2025 Regional ATP projects, selected through SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program. These include a transportation demand management plan for CSUDH and two quick-build projects in Los Angeles County and City of Covina. 

Solutions for Congested Corridor Program 

The 2024 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP) for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 totals $482.8 million. This program includes $52.6 million in SCCP funding for SCAG and Metrolink’s jointly nominated project, the Metrolink Sustainable Locomotive Replacement Project, which will include procurement of 12 new Tier 4 diesel locomotives. 

Trade Corridor Enhancement Program 

The Commission approved adoption of 24 projects totaling $810.5 million in the 2024 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program. Including Caltrans nominated projects, 14 out of the 26 adopted projects are in the SCAG region, totaling $272.4 million. 

Local Partnership Program – Competitive 

The Commission approved 11 projects in the competitive Local Partnership Program for a total of $202.7 million in funding, including $24.9 million for LA Metro’s Zero Emission Bus Project—which includes the procurement of 34 new battery-electric buses to replace 34 Compressed Natural Gas buses currently in service on Metro bus lines. 

Revocation of California’s Clean Air Act Waivers Triggers Conformity Lockdown 

Due to federal mandates, California’s Clean Air Act waivers were revoked as of June 12. These waivers have significantly influenced clean air efforts and allowed the state to adopt and enforce stricter vehicle emissions standards than the federal government, subject to EPA approval. 

As a result of the new federal mandates, California and the SCAG region entered a “conformity lockdown”—meaning there will be no new regional transportation conformity determinations on Connect SoCal or the Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) until the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can work together to approve a new emissions estimation model consistent with the latest planning assumptions.   

Although immediate impact is not anticipated given the current schedule for conformity determination for the 2027 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 consistency amendment, there is concern the lockdown could impact SCAG’s ability to advance project schedules in response to new requests, particularly those needed for the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. Given the uncertainty with the length of the conformity lockdown, SCAG staff are in the process of determining the breadth of projects potentially impacted and will provide updates as they become available. 

SCAG Releases Two New Reports on Expanding Access to Economic Opportunity in Southern California 

SCAG's two new reports– “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” and “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California”–look at expanding access to quality jobs, training, and long-term economic mobility, especially for historically underrepresented communities.     
 
The “Addressing Barriers to Economic Opportunities” report identifies structural barriers, such as housing costs, limited transportation options, skills mismatch, and lack of affordable childcare. It also outlines targeted policy solutions like universal basic mobility, safer infrastructure, and workforce-centric planning.   
 
The “Apprenticeships: Expanding Economic Opportunities in Southern California” report highlights how apprenticeships can bridge workforce gaps and provide debt-free pathways to employment. Featuring case studies and strategies across industries, it offers recommendations to strengthen and scale apprenticeship programs across the SCAG region.   
 
Both reports were produced under SCAG’s Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) and provide a roadmap for building a more resilient regional economy. To read both reports, visit SCAG’s IERS webpage.   

Transit Transformation Task Force Final Report Expected This Fall 

Senate Bill 125 established the Transit Transformation Task Force, led by CalSTA, to develop statewide recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit customer experience, and address long-term operational needs. Since December 2023, SCAG’s Executive Director, Kome Ajise, has served on the Task Force along with other Southern California representatives from Metro, Move LA, RCTC, and the UCLA Institute of Transportation Studies. The Task Force is currently developing a final report, which will be shared with the legislature in October 2025. 

In advance of the report’s release, SCAG is preparing a letter to CalSTA with input on the priorities to be included in the final recommendations—with a focus on funding. SCAG is currently soliciting stakeholder feedback to further refine the letter.  SCAG aims to submit the letter to CalSTA prior to the next Task Force meeting, anticipated August 1. 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise Awarded Lifetime Achievement Award   

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise received the Heinz Heckeroth Lifetime Achievement Award at the California Transportation Foundation’s 36th Annual Transportation Awards Gala on June 12. Ajise previously served as chair of the California Transportation Foundation and was honored in recognition of his long public service career in transportation. 

The award is named for Heinz Heckeroth, who was Caltrans District 7 Director during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and founded the California Transportation Foundation, where he spent 30 years volunteering as the organization’s first Executive Director. A former Caltrans executive officer and now SCAG Executive Director, Ajise, in his remarks, said he is grateful to receive an award created to honor the legacy of an individual who made an invaluable impact on our region and California.   

SCAG Joined Transportation Leaders at the LAX Metro Transit Center Station Grand Opening 

SCAG joined elected officials and community stakeholders for the long-awaited LAX/Metro Transit Center station, which opened on June 6, marking a new era of transit in Los Angeles. After a decade of planning and four years of construction, the station promises to enhance connectivity for more than a million daily Metro riders. Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined Mayor Karen Bass, Former Mayor Eric Garcetti, L.A. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn in celebration of Los Angeles' growing rail system.   

SCAG Joins Mobility 21 Legislative Trip 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in Mobility 21’s 2025 Washington D.C. Delegation Trip in early June, where Southern California’s transportation leaders advocated for shared priorities, such as the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, optimizing project delivery, and repairing Southern California’s transportation network. 

During the trip, Ajise met with several members of SCAG’s federal legislative delegation, including Representatives Laura Friedman (D, CA 30), Mark Takano (D, CA 39), and Salud Carbajal (D, CA 24). Ajise also met with key stakeholders and federal officials, including Shaz Umer, the newly appointed Director of Strategic Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

REAP 2.0 Lasting Affordability Program–$5M Disbursed to Century Affordable Development, Inc. Catalytic Development Fund 

SCAG processed its second REAP 2.0 Lasting Affordability Program payment directly supporting a regional lending program, disbursing $5 million to Century Affordable Development, Inc. (CADI) Catalytic Development Fund (CDF). The CDF is a revolving line of credit for programmatic investment in infill projects that are part of large master-planned communities or mid-size multi-phase developments. 

The REAP 2.0 contribution is expected to directly support financing for an estimated 984 affordable units, benefiting households earning between 30% and 70% Area Median Income (AMI). With this investment, the CDF now totals $14.6 million, creating a renewable and long-term source of funding for housing development in the region. This award brings the total REAP 2.0 program investments in revolving loan programs to $10 million to date. 

SCAG Represented at Annual NARC Conference 

SCAG attended the National Association of Regional Councils’ (NARC) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Seattle in June, which focused on promoting effective regional collaboration and solutions through educational and networking opportunities. Representatives of Councils of Governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations—including executive leadership, professional staff, and local elected officials—shared best practices and learned about relevant issues. 

SCAG’s Chief Planning Officer, Sarah Jepson, joined a panel on mobility’s role in providing access to opportunities, such as connecting people to job centers and schools. SCAG’s Housing Manager, Ma’Ayn Johnson, presented on SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) programs’ impacts in reducing barriers to housing production. 

Regional Council Member Alan Wapner was re-elected to the NARC Board of Directors to represent the entire state of California. 

Go Human Supports Traffic Safety Events throughout the Region 

During the month of June, SCAG’s Go Human program supported three partners in hosting traffic safety events within the SCAG region. These partners included DEV Partnerships with their Juneteenth Jam in Rialto on June 19, Stronger Together Now for their Juneteenth Block Party in Downtown San Bernardino on June 20, and Active SGV at their Open Streets event: Mission at Twilight on June 22. Go Human supports partners across the region with funding for traffic safety, education, helmet purchases and distribution. 

Two Go Human-funded Partners Recognized at the Los Angeles APA Awards Gala 

At the Arizona State University Center in Downtown Los Angeles on June 26, the American Planning Association (APA) Los Angeles Section honored two Go Human-funded projects at their 2025 Awards Planning Awards Gala. Central City Neighborhood Partners received the Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category for their project, Connecting Communities: Identifying Structural Barriers in Westlake, MacArthur Park and Koreatown. Los Angeles Walks also received the Award of Excellence in the Communications Initiative & Outreach category for their project, Safe Streets Advocates/Safe Streets Promotoras Office Hours. SCAG congratulates these partners for their achievements. 

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Connect SoCal 2024 Implementation Update: Sustainable Communities Strategy Accepted

On May 7, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) informed SCAG that it had accepted SCAG’s determination that the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) meets CARB’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets. CARB’s acceptance ensures transportation projects in the SCAG region remain eligible for all SB1 funding programs.

However, the lengthy review process highlights SCAG’s concerns about the need to revisit Senate Bill 375 to better support SCS implementation. On May 21, CARB presented proposed scenarios at a public workshop on the GHG target-setting process. SCAG is preparing a joint public comment letter reiterating concerns about the applicability of the scoping plan scenario to metropolitan planning organization (MPO) targets and the need for clarity on the technical assumptions guiding both target-setting and SCS evaluation. SCAG and other MPOs have requested CARB maintain current targets. Given current economic and demographic challenges, along with restrictions on crediting electric vehicle transition, MPOs face growing difficulties meeting current targets.

CARB plans to release a draft target report in fall 2025, followed by a final report and environmental assessment in spring 2026, which will apply to SCAG’s next SCS, expected in 2028. SCAG will continue to engage with CARB throughout the process and provide updates to policy committees after the draft target report.

Subscribe to stay informed about key developments and upcoming opportunities as we collaborate to implement Connect SoCal 2024.

SCAG Economic Roundtable Publishes Quarterly Report on the Regional Economy

SCAG’s Economic Roundtable met on May 22 for its second quarterly meeting in 2025 to review trends, data, and current events impacting the region’s economy.

According to the SCAG Economic Roundtable, the region is showing several severe economic warning signs, including low regional job growth, with all new jobs created in 2024 and 2025 being in the healthcare, local government, and logistics industries. Tariffs, federal funding cuts, and low consumer confidence weaken the outlook further.

Read SCAG News for more detail on each of the major themes identified by the Economic Roundtable in the latest Quarterly Report.

Regional Council Adopts Resilience Resolution

Over the last several decades, Southern California has faced an increasing number of events and natural disasters that have significantly impacted the region’s communities, infrastructure, economy, and natural environment. In response to these events and the need for regional collaboration to increase resilience, the SCAG Regional Council adopted the Resilience Action Resolution on June 5. The resolution outlines several ongoing and upcoming SCAG efforts to increase resilience and support a thriving and prosperous region. To read more about SCAG’s new Regional Action Resolution, read the June staff report.

SCAG Outlines Role to Support 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games

To prepare for the success of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, its impact on the region’s transportation network, and to leverage this opportunity to create a regional legacy, SCAG presented the draft Games Mobility Program Development Framework to the SCAG Executive/Administration Committee in June. Drawing from the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the Games Mobility Program Development Framework coalesces SCAG’s planning efforts toward goals, objectives, and guiding principles around the LA28 Games and this framework is expected to go to the Regional Council in the fall

SCAG’s upcoming work to prepare for the LA28 Games includes developing transportation demand management strategies for passenger vehicles and goods movement, pilot programs and projects, and community hubs. Staff will continue to provide updates on the program’s strategies and projects to the SCAG Regional Council and policy committees. To read more about the draft Games Mobility Program Development Framework, read the June staff report for the Executive/Administration Committee.

SCAG Staff Reports Progress on the ‘Southern California Zero-Emission Truck Infrastructure Study’

SCAG staff provided an update on progress for the “Southern California Zero-Emission Infrastructure Study” (ZETI Study) at the June meeting of the SCAG Transportation Committee, The ZETI Study will create a phased blueprint and action plan to realize a regional network of zero-emission charging and fueling infrastructure and answer key questions about how stations in the region will be required to serve different truck markets and business functions. The report will also detail the quantity, distribution, and characteristics of charging and fueling stations needed in the region.  

The ZETI Study includes three technical analysis components to develop an understanding of future public charging and hydrogen fueling demand across the region: analyzing statewide truck travel to determine trip characteristics of the fleet, simulating travel as battery electric or hydrogen trucks to generate aggregated energy demand metrics, and classifying locations across the region into typologies that can meet demand with adequate power levels and charging and fueling taps. An industry-focused technical advisory committee guided this work.  

Based on ZETI’s findings on future projected demand, public agencies, utilities, and the private sector will need to ramp up development of charging sites, working together to find available land in proximity to industrial and warehousing districts to ensure prompt grid interconnection, while also considering innovative approaches such as fast-track permitting. The region will need an estimated 3,267 chargers distributed across 191 locations, consuming 1.6 gigawatt-hours of energy during peak demand. Public site demand is anticipated to be 62 percent of all truck charging by 2040; these sites are especially critical for long-haul truck markets that often lack reliable parking or overnight residences.  

Concerns about the potential repeal of the state’s Advanced Clean Fleets Rule (ACF) and other clean air rules under California’s waivers from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will have impacts to the timeframe of the expected demand scenarios. ZETI’s analysis was completed before the ACF rule was withdrawn—the change might potentially require more time to ramp up fleet transition and meet rising energy demand. However, the state and other stakeholders can take additional actions to incentivize zero-emission truck purchases and supporting infrastructure, which will continue to drive the industry forward. 

Water White Paper Presented to SCAG Energy and Environment Committee

SCAG is developing a “Water Resolution White Paper” to explore regional water management challenges and potential strategies to increase regional water resilience. Staff presented findings from the white paper at the June Energy and Environment Committee meeting, with further discussion from an expert panel.

SCAG launched the white paper in response to the Water Action Resolution, adopted by the Regional Council in October 2022, which called for regional collaboration to address regional water resilience challenges.

These findings will inform SCAG’s work to identify and refine strategies and resources that can support member jurisdictions as they advance regional water resilience with infrastructure investment and public policy.

SCAG Disburses $5 Million to San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust

SCAG has officially processed its first Lasting Affordability Program payment supporting a regional lending program, disbursing $5 million to the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust’s (SGVRHT). The Lasting Affordability Program is one of several programs enabled by the Regional Early Action Planning Program of 2021. This disbursement will expand SGVRHT’s Revolving Loan Fund, which provides acquisition and predevelopment capital for affordable housing across the San Gabriel Valley.

SGVRHT’s Lasting Affordability Program funding will directly support a second round of financing for an estimated 75 to 150 affordable units, benefiting households at or below 80 percent of the area median income. With this investment, SGVRHT’s Revolving Loan Fund now totals $14 million, creating a renewable and long-term source of funding for housing development in the region.

SCAG Hosts Inaugural Regional Transportation Demand Management Forum to Prepare for LA28 Games

On May 7, SCAG hosted the inaugural Regional Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Forum at SCAG’s Downtown Los Angeles office and via Zoom.

Working with the Games Mobility Executive (GME) partners—including the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, LA28, Caltrans, and Metrolink—SCAG is leading the GME TDM Subcommittee to coordinate TDM initiatives across the region for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The LA28 Games will be exciting and impactful for the entire Southern California region, particularly as an opportunity to rethink transportation networks. Recognizing the need to engage regional partners in this work, SCAG established this Regional TDM Forum to facilitate introductions and begin preparing for the significant coordination required for a successful LA28 Games. The forum was the initial dialogue among GME and regional partners on TDM strategies for the LA28 Games. Topics of discussion included lessons learned from past games, existing conditions, and partner efforts.

The Regional TDM Forum will function as an advisory group, facilitating coordination and collaboration of planning, development, and implementation of regionwide TDM strategies for the LA28 Games. TDM will contribute to a cohesive regional strategy to optimize transportation options, reduce congestion, and enhance mobility across the region during the LA28 Games as well as to support enduring modal shifts and emissions reductions. 

Future forum discussions will cover topics such as partnership and funding opportunities, regional partner planning and pilot project updates, and steps toward regional TDM strategies and coordination. 

STBG/CMAQ Call for Project Nominations Application Period Closed

The SCAG federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28 Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) call for project nominations application period ended on May 16.

To support potential applicants, SCAG hosted two general program workshops and six county-specific workshops, including a requested second Los Angeles County workshop for applicants interested in applying for projects that would support the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. SCAG also offered technical support via office hours for potential applicants in April, resulting in over 30 appointments with potential applicants.

In total, 257 applications were submitted as part of the STBG/CMAQ Program Call for Project Nominations.

The call for project nominations will make an estimated $1.2 billion available for eligible transportation projects in the SCAG region in federal fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Next, the six county transportation commissions will begin review and prioritization of applications within each of their counties consistent with their respective board approved project prioritization frameworks, with final prioritization lists due to SCAG on August 1. SCAG will evaluate applications from August through November 2025. Award recommendations are planned for presentation to the SCAG Regional Council by December 2025.

SCAG plans to publish an application receipt log on the SCAG STBG/CMAQ webpage.

Clean Cities Coalition Strategic Plan Update

In May, SCAG staff published the 2025 Southern California Clean Cities Coalition Strategic Plan, providing a multi-year roadmap outlining specific objectives and activities for coalition stakeholders, aligning with SCAG's Clean Transportation Technology Policy (Resolution No. 23-654-5), the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the Clean Technology Program, and federal, state, and regional objectives. The strategic plan advances clean transportation technologies within the SCAG region, emphasizing a commitment to environmental sustainability. 

The Southern California Clean Cities Coalition received two first place awards at the national 2024 Clean Cities and Communities Training Workshop for the “greatest percent increase in gasoline gallon equivalents (GGEs) reduced” and the “greatest percent increase in greenhouse gases (GHGs) reduced.”

The U.S. Department of Energy requires all Clean Cities and Communities Coalitions to establish and maintain a strategic plan. Given shifting priorities and uncertainties with federal transportation programs, the nature of this annual update was minimal. The primary changes were condensing content and redirecting readers to other resources where appropriate (such as the “Clean Technology Compendium”). However, the 2025 strategic plan can be revisited later this spring or summer as more guidance becomes available regarding federal programs. The strategic plan will be revised again in fiscal year 2025-26 as part of SCAG’s annual responsibilities under the Clean Cities and Communities Program, offering another opportunity to align with future federal priorities. 

For more information on SCAG’s Clean Cities Coalition and to view the 2025 strategic plan, visit the SCAG website.

Toolbox Tuesday Recap: Water Resilience Challenges and Opportunities

On May 20, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday session about how clean, safe, affordable, and reliable water supply supports Southern California’s people, economy, natural systems, and projected population growth.   

The Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Policy/Sustainable Communities Strategy includes Regional Planning Policies and Implementation Strategies that support regional water resilience and support local partners in tackling the region’s deepening water crisis. This work builds on the Regional Council’s 2022 resolution to reduce water use; improve water conservation, reuse, and efficiency; enhance water system health and resilience; pursue and potentially implement new water supply and storage opportunities; and support investments in water infrastructure and conservation practices that support the region’s economic and population growth and fosters planning for the region’s housing needs.   

The session reviewed current and emerging issues as well as opportunities in the water management ecosystem based on interviews with water agencies and community-based organizations. Video of the session is available on YouTube.

Technical Working Group Launches Next Connect SoCal Cycle

SCAG officially launched the Technical Working Group (TWG) for the upcoming Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy development cycle. The kickoff meeting was held on May 22, with materials available on the TWG website.

The TWG serves as a collaborative forum for local jurisdictions, subregional and county transportation agencies, regulatory partners, and field experts to engage on the technical foundations of Connect SoCal. The group provides an opportunity to discuss and provide feedback on data collection, growth-related methodologies, technical tools, and other components essential to plan development—informing SCAG’s work ahead of policy committee discussions.

TWG agenda topics will include the Regional Forecast Framework, regional data platforms, and key milestones in the development process. Primary representatives are expected to participate in six bi-monthly meetings throughout the year, while other participants can stay engaged through the TWG email distribution list and publicly available meeting materials.

APA Inland Empire Recognizes Two Go Human-Funded Partners with Excellence Awards

Go Human congratulates Tomorrow’s World and the Riverside Art Museum, 2024 Go Human-funded projects, for receiving Excellence Awards from the American Planning Association Inland Empire section. The Inland Empire Section honored these organizations at its 2025 Awards Gala on May 14 at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center.

Tomorrow’s World received the Excellence Award in the Grassroots category for their project, “Rialto Juneteenth Jam.” This community celebration included traffic safety education and a Go Human Kit of Parts traffic safety demonstration, reaching 5,000 attendees. The Riverside Art Museum received the Excellence Award in the Communications category for their project, “RIDE-WALK-ENGAGE," a pedestrian-focused traffic safety marketing campaign, funded through the Go Human Community Streets Grant program.

SCAG Visits the Nation’s Capital for Lobby Day

Regional Council President Cindy Allen led a delegation of SCAG leadership to Washington, D.C., on May 19-22, to advocate for SCAG’s federal legislative priorities, including dedicated funding for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, critical housing programs, and resiliency efforts, as well as seeking support for the Surface Transportation Reauthorization priorities adopted by the Regional Council.

President Allen was joined by Second Vice President Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula) and regional councilmembers Jan Harnik (Palm Desert) and Thomas Wong (Monterey Park).

The advocacy trip began with a series of meetings with members of SCAG’s Congressional delegation and staff:

• Representative Ken Calvert (R-Corona)
• Representative Judy Chu (D-Claremont)
• Representative Laura Freedman (D-Burbank)
• Representative Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach)
• Representative Dave Min (D-Costa Mesa)
• Representative Jay Obernolte (R-Hesperia)
• Senator Alex Padilla (D-California)
• Senator Adam Schiff (D-California)
• Representative Nanette Barragán (D-Long Beach)
• Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles)
• Representative Pete Aguilar (D-San Bernardino)
• Representative Julia Brownley (D-Oxnard)
• Office of Representative Gil Cisneros (D-Covina)
• Office of Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles)
• Office of Representative Young Kim (R-Yorba Linda)
• Office of Representative Luz Rivas (D-Arleta)
• Office of Representative Mark Takano (D-Riverside)
• Office of Representative Norma Torres (D-Ontario)

The day concluded with SCAG’s annual California Transportation Reception, co-hosted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The time-honored event, held in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Room, brings together California’s transportation leaders and stakeholders in the nation’s capital to network and discuss issues of importance to California’s transportation and infrastructure needs. The reception drew over 200 attendees, including members of California’s Congressional delegation, as well as legislative and committee staff. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Washington State) joined as guest speaker.

SCAG San Bernardino County Office Closure

SCAG closed its San Bernardino County Regional Office in the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) building, effective May 30.  SBCTA needed additional office space to accommodate their growing workforce, and SCAG mutually agreed to terminate the lease. 

SCAG’s Riverside County Regional Office, located at 3403 10th Street, Ste. 805, in Riverside, will continue to support SCAG’s operations and videoconferencing in the Inland Empire. This closure will not affect SCAG’s work or presence in San Bernardino County, as work will continue to partner with Regional Council and policy committee members, member cities, and stakeholders across the region.

SCAG Participates in Move LA Community Conversation and Policy Conference

SCAG joined hundreds of policy leaders from the local, state, and federal levels in Downtown Los Angeles at the annual Move LA Community Conversation and Policy Conference to participate in dialogue as Los Angeles County strives to forge a brighter future for transportation and housing in the region. Keynote speakers Toks Omishakin, secretary of California State Transportation Agency, and Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County supervisor and SCAG Regional Council member, addressed pressing issues such as greenhouse gas emission goals, state and local transit and mobility solutions, the federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, and sustainability innovations. 

SCAG Chief of Planning Sarah Jepson joined the conference as a speaker on a panel titled “Creating a Climate Resilient Region” to highlight the importance of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy for helping cities become more resilient, share SCAG’s new resilience tool kits for local agencies, and share how cities can develop enhanced infrastructure financing districts.

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General Assembly Elects 2025-26 Board Officers

The General Assembly voted to approve the nominations for the SCAG 2025-26 Regional Council officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as 2025-26 Regional Council president; Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Jenny Crosswhite (City of Santa Paula) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino), who finished his term as Regional Council president for 2024-25 and will continue as a board officer in the role of immediate past president.

Year in Review and 2024-25 President’s Report Now Available

SCAG Regional Council Past President Curt Hagman closed out his term as Regional Council president at the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly by sharing a report of SCAG’s accomplishments for fiscal year 2024-25. The report is organized by the Presidential Priorities established by Supervisor Hagman at the beginning of his term: goods movement and technology, clean transportation and technology, and transit recovery and technology. The report also chronicles advocacy accomplishments and awards that SCAG received over the past year.

At the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly, SCAG debuted a video to celebrate Hagman’s accomplishments as president. To read more about the report and watch the video, visit SCAG News. 

SCAG General Fund Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 Approved

The SCAG General Assembly adopted the General Fund Budget and Membership Assessment Schedule during its annual meeting on May 1. The General Fund is the designated financial resource for the operating budget of the Regional Council and supports SCAG activities not funded by, or non allowable charges to, federal or state grant funds. The fiscal year 2025-26 General Fund budget is $2,817,857, slightly less than the fiscal year 2024-25 General Fund budget of $3,089,698. 

SCAG Presents ‘2025 Sustainability Awards’ to Honor Regional Excellence

Seven innovative projects across the six-county region were honored by SCAG during the Sustainability Awards ceremony at the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly.

SCAG presented its top award, the “Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability,” to the city of Baldwin Park's Homeless Reduction Initiative, a groundbreaking innovation in dignified, eco-friendly housing. The initiative began by creating two unique communities—Esperanza Villa, serving individuals; and Serenity Homes, designed for families. These spaces offer private units, pet-friendly policies, and comprehensive services that help residents transition from crisis to stability.

The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for contributing to the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and for achieving progress toward a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region. 

For the complete list of Sustainability Award winners, visit SCAG News.

SCAG Awards 10 Scholarships to Southern California Students 

At the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly, SCAG announced the awardees of the 2025 SCAG Scholarship Program. This 15th annual SCAG Scholarship Program supports the next generation of public servants. SCAG received a record total of 165 applications from throughout the SCAG region.   

The Scholarship Committee of nine Regional Council members and two representatives from academia recommended that the Regional Council award 10 students with a 2025 SCAG Scholarship Award:

Hudson Burch (El Centro, Imperial County) 

• Cruz De Loera (Brawley, Imperial County) 
• Elisa Hong (Los Angeles, Los Angeles County) 
• Serena Tarango (Norwalk, Los Angeles County) 
• Tyler Wu (Walnut, Los Angeles County) 
• Alexis Schober (Cypress, Orange County) 
• Matthew Thomas (Lake Elsinore, Riverside County) 
• Danaya Figueroa (Colton, San Bernardino County) 
• Sofia Manzano (Santa Paula, Ventura County)

The California Transportation Foundation (CTF) once again partnered with SCAG to provide funding for one additional scholarship award: 

• Noelle Kim (Santa Ana, Orange County) 

Congratulations to these future leaders in Southern California’s planning and governing community. More on the scholarship award program can be found in the Scholarship Committee report in the May Regional Council agenda. 

SCAG Sustainable Communities Program Releases ‘Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations’ Call for Projects Final Report

SCAG published the final report for the Sustainable Communities Program – Smart Cities and Mobility Innovations funding cycle. This grant cycle supported local jurisdictions in improving efficiency and performance of the transportation system by funding curb data collection and inventory, technology assessment and adoption, parking management, and permitting process evaluation. These efforts encourage shared modes, effectively manage parking, and support commerce, and growth of housing and job centers. For more information and to download the final report, read SCAG News.

SCAG Hosts ‘ZEV Vehicles in Under-Resourced Areas’ Toolbox Tuesday Session

In April, SCAG hosted the “Expanding Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure in Under-Resourced Areas” Toolbox Tuesday session, exploring innovative strategies to bring zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to under-resourced communities. The video of the session is available to watch on YouTube.

Distribution of ZEV charging infrastructure across the SCAG region has not reached many areas of persistent poverty. This Toolbox Tuesday demonstrated how local governments can expand ZEV infrastructure in such areas, such as increasing the number of pole-mounted chargers and creating public-private partnerships for electric vehicle-sharing.

SCAG’s Regional Transportation Demand Management and Freight Industry Forums Prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games

Working with the Games Mobility Executive (GME) partners—including the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, Caltrans, LA28, and Metrolink—SCAG is leading the coordination of transportation demand management (TDM) initiatives for freight and passengers across the region for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The TDM will contribute to a cohesive regional strategy to optimize transportation, reduce congestion, and enhance mobility across the region during the LA28 Games to support enduring modal shifts and emissions reductions. 

To engage regional partners in TDM work, SCAG established a Freight Industry Forum and a Regional TDM Forum to prepare for the significant coordination required. The Regional TDM Forum will be an advisory group, facilitating coordination and collaboration of planning, development, and implementation of regionwide TDM strategies for the LA28 Games. The inaugural Regional TDM Forum, scheduled for May, will foster dialogue among regional partners about TDM strategies for the LA28 Games.

In April, SCAG hosted the second Freight Industry Forum for the LA28 Games, gathering freight industry representatives, the GME, and regional partners to provide input and guidance for consideration in regional freight TDM planning for the LA28 Games. 

Housing Working Group Meeting Recap

SCAG held its first Housing Working Group (HWG) meeting of 2025 on April 15. As a Regional Planning Working Group, the Housing Working Group session brought together local leaders, city and county staff, developers, advocates, and community members for a discussion on housing priorities across the region.

Highlights from the HWG meeting included a technical advisory presentation from the California Department of Housing and Community Development on Assembly Bill 2097, which eliminates minimum parking requirements near major transit stops. Attendees also explored Rialto's Foothill Central Specific Plan, a SCAG-funded initiative guiding local housing and development. In addition, staff demonstrated the 3.0 version of SCAG's Housing, Environment, and Land-Use Parcel Tool, a site-specific online interactive mapping tool to support data-driven decision-making in land use, environmental planning, and sustainable development.

The HWG meets quarterly and has tentatively scheduled its next meeting for July 15; registration details will be available as the date approaches. To view meeting material and learn more about the HWG or other Regional Planning Working Groups, visit the SCAG website.

Inland Empire Mobile Workshop Tours Amazon Robotics Fulfilment Center in Ontario

In April, SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman, Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey, and a delegation of SCAG Regional Council members toured the Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center in Ontario. The 4.5 million-square-foot, five-story facility uses robotics to automate and streamline the fulfillment process, from storing and moving inventory to picking and packing orders for shipping. 

SCAG members and staff learned how robots and automation help workers to quickly and efficiently process as many as one million daily shipments.  

SCAG Participates in UCLA ‘Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles’ Panel

In April, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise spoke on a panel hosted by UCLA’s Center of Excellence on New Mobility and Automated Vehicles to examine lessons learned from the previous ten years of emerging technology deployments. The panel was moderated by former SCAG Executive Director Hasan Ikhrata and included panelists representing the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Caltrans District 7, and the California Public Utilities Commission. Ajise emphasized safety as a core focus for deployments of new technology and the need to develop stronger data privacy and security protections for users. Several SCAG staff members attended the all-day workshop and collaborated with government and business leaders throughout Los Angeles to reenergize the region through the safe and equitable deployment of new mobility technologies.

SCAG Participates in the Inland Empire Economic Partnership's E-Commerce and Logistics Summit

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the Inland Empire Economic Partnership's (IEEP) E-Commerce and Logistics Summit this week, participating in the “Where Do We Go from Here: Syncing Research with Reality” panel alongside industry and academic leaders from Prologis; the University of California, Riverside; Amazon; and the Western States Petroleum Association. 

On the panel, Ajise emphasized the role of industry in the region and SCAG as the agency tasked with vision building and long-term planning. He also stressed the need to address the housing crisis to retain talent within the region. The summit successfully brought together stakeholders from throughout the region to discuss the importance of logistics and goods movement in Southern California. More on the IEEP website.

SCAG’s Highlights the ‘Local Agency Technical Assistance’ Project at Catalina Island Resident Resource Fair

SCAG Regional Council Member Dr. Suely Saro (Long Beach, Avalon) joined SCAG’s Partnerships, Technology, and Innovation department at the annual Catalina Island Resident Resource Fair, where community members gather each year to receive help navigating state and city assistance programs and to learn about resources for individuals and families.

Dr. Saro and SCAG joined city of Avalon leaders to conduct community outreach for the city’s recent Local Agency Technical Assistance grant award for local jurisdictions facing significant challenges related to internet affordability, reliability, and access. Community members spoke with SCAG about the importance of addressing broadband accessibility to support public safety, economic activities, and children’s educational needs. By investing in upgraded broadband infrastructure, Avalon can improve residents’ quality of life, support businesses and tourism to strengthen its local economy, and reliably provide tools for students’ academic success.

California Transportation Commission Townhall Talks ‘Lithium Valley’ in Imperial County

In April, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) held a town hall meeting in Imperial County. The Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) helped coordinate the meeting which was held at the El Centro Library. CTC representatives heard presentations from ICTC and Caltrans regarding ongoing and completed transportation infrastructure projects. Imperial County provided an overview of county projects too, including Lithium Valley, the condition of roadways, and the County Emergency Operations Plan. To conclude the meeting, a number of presentations from the cities of El Centro, Calexico, Imperial, and Brawley were provided.

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Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Call for Project Nominations Now Open

The federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28 Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) SCAG online application opened for all eligible applicants on March 31. This application will be available through May 16 at 5 p.m.

The call for project nominations will make available an estimated $1.2 billion for eligible transportation projects in the SCAG region in federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28.

SCAG hosted two general program workshops and co-hosted five additional county-level program workshops in March 2025 to support eligible applicants in learning about program requirements. Workshop materials are available for reference on the SCAG STBG/CMAQ webpage.

Applicants should coordinate with their county transportation commissions to ensure project applications align with county priorities. Award recommendations will be presented to the SCAG Regional Council by December 2025.

These Federal Highway Administration programs fund transportation projects and programs based on unique eligibility criteria. The STBG program supports transportation projects that preserve and improve conditions and performance of highways, bridges, and public roads; pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; and transit capital projects. The CMAQ program supports transportation projects and programs that reduce congestion and improve air quality for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter (e.g., nonattainment areas) and for former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance (e.g., maintenance areas).

For additional information on these programs and the call for projects, including application resources, please see the SCAG STBG/CMAQ webpage.

Regional Council Approves 2025 Active Transportation Program

In April, the Regional Council approved the 2025 Regional Active Transportation Program (ATP), comprising 15 projects totaling $35 million and 113 contingency projects totaling $972.2 million that support walking, bicycling, and other forms of active transportation in the region. SCAG partnered with the region’s six county transportation commissions to develop the program according to the statewide 2025 ATP Guidelines and 2025 ATP Regional Guidelines, the latter of which were adopted by the Regional Council in April 2024.

At its March 6, 2025, meeting, the SCAG Transportation Committee recommended the 2025 Regional ATP for Regional Council approval. SCAG staff will now submit the 2025 Regional ATP for adoption by the California Transportation Commission on June 26, 2025. More information about the 2025 Regional ATP is available in the April staff report.

Regional Council Adopts 2025 Federal Legislative Platform

In April, the Regional Council adopted SCAG’s 2025 Federal Legislative Platform. The 2025 platform updates the adopted 2024 platform, streamlining language and aligning with the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities strategy, newly implemented laws, and other changes to the political landscape. SCAG’s 2025 Federal Legislative Platform is available online.

SCAG Receives Climate Pollution Reduction Grant to Expand Last Mile Freight Program

In April, the SCAG Executive/Administration Committee and Regional Council officially accepted a grant sub-award from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) to expand the SCAG Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP).

The South Coast AQMD received a $500 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. As a grant sub-recipient, SCAG will administer a $50 million program for Class 4 and 5 battery-electric trucks under the LMFP. The program will offer a maximum rebate of $67,000 per vehicle. Program funding information will be released by June 2025.

SCAG’s LMFP has already awarded nearly $17 million to date through a partnership with the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee, funding zero- and near-zero emissions trucks and supporting infrastructure. This additional CPRG funding builds upon SCAG’s success in advancing the region’s transition to a clean transportation system.

2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly Program Preview Now Available

The 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly’s program of panels, discussions, and activities will feature leading thinkers and practitioners in planning and related fields from Southern California and around the nation. Event panels are already taking shape:

• From Smart Cities to a Smart Region: Advancing Mobility Strategies and Technology Innovations – An exploration of a holistic, regional approach to smart cities to create efficiency and deliver better services.
• Fostering a Healthy Local Economy for All – A look at the economic recovery toward greater resilience in the context of new population trends.
• Strong Foundations: Housing Solutions in the Wake of Disaster – A showcase of innovative housing and community development success stories, recognizing the heightened urgency and changing market due to Southern California wildfires.
• Sustainable Infrastructure for Resilient Growth – A discussion of infrastructure’s role in sustainable growth, with a focus on utilities.

Space is filling up quickly. Visit the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly website to learn more and register online.

Goods Movement and Clean Transportation Technology Discussion Featured at Regional Council

The April 3 Regional Council meeting featured a discussion with guest speakers on clean technologies in goods movement systems and infrastructure—one of Regional Council President Curt Hagman’s Presidential Priorities for the fiscal year 2024-25. 

Representing the private and nonprofit sectors, Joost de Vries, chief executive officer of ZM Trucks and Matt Petersen, president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator discussed the importance and continued need for advancement of clean technologies in goods movement.

SCAG staff also shared progress on plans and programs that advance this priority, most recently with the Last Mile Freight Program and the Southern California Zero-Emission Truck Infrastructure Study. A video of the Regional Council meeting, including the discussion with guest speakers, will be available on the SCAG website.

SCAG Publishes ‘Mobility Hubs Design and Implementation Guide’

SCAG published the “Mobility Hub Design and Implementation Guide” to equip jurisdictions and potential partners with resources to conceptualize, design, and implement mobility hubs. The guide discusses how to locate and prioritize candidate mobility hub sites, design and optimize sites, secure funding, and explore partnership opportunities. The guide also includes four mobility hub site conceptual design examples in a variety of contexts in the region. To create a guide for practical applications throughout the region, SCAG solicited input from a broad range of stakeholders, including cities, counties, transit agencies, Caltrans, and potential private and nonprofit partners.

To further support mobility hubs implementation, SCAG plans to partner with a select number of local jurisdictions to develop more detailed mobility hub designs, supported via SCAG’s Regional Pilot Initiatives program. In addition, SCAG hosted a mobility hubs-focused Toolbox Tuesday training on March 18. Read more about the “Mobility Hubs Design and Implementation Guide” at SCAG News.

SCAG Conducting Second Wave of the SoCal Transportation Study

The SoCal Transportation Study is underway. As travel behaviors change and technologies evolve, transportation planners will use the results of this study to plan for future transportation improvements in our region. Survey respondents provide a picture of how local roads, highways, public transportation, and sidewalks are used today and how they can be improved to meet the evolving needs of communities.

Participants are selected via random sample methodology; those who complete the survey receive a gift card for their time. More than 3,000 randomly selected households are expected to participate in this essential study, providing valuable data to help shape a more efficient and sustainable transportation future. Households that were selected have until May 30 to complete the survey to receive incentives. To learn more about the SoCal Transportation Study, please visit the SCAG website.

Travel Safety Impact Assessment: Enhancing Transportation Safety Through Big Data Analytics

SCAG is advancing data-driven transportation safety through the Travel Safety Impact Assessment survey, a key initiative under SCAG’s Transportation Data Analysis Technical Assistance Program and part of the Regional Pilot Initiatives program. This Travel Safety Impact Assessment leverages big data analytics to study transportation safety challenges and identify solutions for jurisdictions across the region.

Jurisdictions selected through the survey process will benefit from a before-and-after safety assessment at no cost, receiving tailored recommendations based on results of advanced data analysis. By using Citian, a predictive safety modeling tool, SCAG will evaluate the effectiveness of nationally recognized safety interventions across various types of infrastructure.

Big data analytics plays a critical role in urban and regional planning by transforming large datasets into actionable insights. This approach enables policymakers to analyze traffic patterns, safety risks, infrastructure usage, transit ridership, and commuter behavior, helping them make informed decisions about transportation safety. By studying pedestrian and bicycle safety, the impact of infrastructure improvements, and broader safety trends, jurisdictions will gain valuable data-driven perspectives to guide future investments and policy development.

A “Best Practices Report,” to be released next fiscal year, will compile key findings and recommendations to support long-term safety improvements across the SCAG region. This initiative underscores SCAG’s commitment to leveraging innovative tools and big data to foster safer, more efficient transportation systems.

SCAG Hosts Sacramento Summit

On March 18 and 19, SCAG held its annual Sacramento Summit to convene a group of SCAG board officers, board members, staff, and partners in the state capital to advocate for the agency’s top legislative priorities. These priorities included dedicated funding for continued housing work in the region, extending the expenditure deadline for the REAP 2.0 program, and supporting the governor’s transportation budget commitments. Additionally, SCAG advocated for various funding priorities, including technical assistance to help communities establish climate resilience districts, a wildlife crossing study, and resources to support efficient goods and passenger movement during the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

The Sacramento Summit began with a panel session, where the SCAG delegation heard from various speakers via three panels. The first panel, titled “A Builder’s Perspective,” featured Matthew Hargrove, chief executive officer of the California Business Properties Association; Jeff Montejano, president of the Building Industry Association of Southern California; Mark Stivers, legislative director of the California Housing Partnership; and Kiana Valentine, executive director of Transportation California. These speakers offered perspectives on what laws and ideas are, and aren’t, working to address the state’s housing crisis.

Later, Robert Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable, shared a business perspective on top issues being discussed in Sacramento. Finally, State Senator Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Redlands) and Assembly Republican Floor Leader Heath Flora (R-Ripon) joined the group to offer perspectives on top legislative issues, such as public safety, cap-and-trade, a proposed $10 billion housing bond, and more. 

Next, the group reconvened for the Alumni Dinner, joined by various members of the State Legislature who formerly served as SCAG Regional Council members. SCAG alumni who joined the dinner included Senator Steven Choi (R-Irvine), and assemblymembers Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) and José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood). Additionally, Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) greeted the group. The following day, the group heard from California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin at breakfast before the delegation made its way to the capitol to attend 24 advocacy meetings with state elected officials or their staff. 

During the Sacramento Summit, SCAG attendees met with various members of legislative leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), and Assembly Appropriations Committee Chair Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland). The SCAG delegation also met with California State Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara. Additionally, the group met with senators Monique Limon (D-Santa Barbara) and Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R-Redlands), as well as assemblymembers Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel), Corey Jackson (D-Riverside), Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles), Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey), Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), José Luis Solache (D-Lynwood), and Tri Ta (R-Westminster). Former SCAG Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee (LCMC) Chair Assemblymember Solache invited the delegation to join him on the Assembly floor.

SCAG Regional Council members in attendance included Regional Council President Curt Hagman (San Bernardino County), First Vice President Cindy Allen (Long Beach) and Second Vice President Ray Marquez (Chino Hills); LCMC Chair Patricia Lock Dawson (Riverside) and Vice Chair Margaret Finlay (Duarte); as well as Regional Council members Wendy Bucknum (Mission Viejo), Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula), Thomas Wong (Monterey Park), Ryan Balius (Anaheim), and Gil Rebollar (Brawley), Policy Committee Member Tanya Doby (Los Alamitos), and SCAG partner Rich Lambros, managing director of the Southern California Leadership Network.  

SCAG Attends ACCESS D.C. With the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce

SCAG's Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena traveled to Washington D.C. in March as a member of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce's ACCESS D.C. delegation. During the trip, Cartagena met with Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Thousand Oaks), who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to discuss SCAG's priorities for the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill.

SCAG Comments on State’s New Emissions Model for Transportation Conformity

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing a new emissions model, EMFAC202Y, to replace the latest EMFAC2021 model developed by CARB and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). SCAG is required to use the latest EMFAC model to demonstrate regional transportation conformity for the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Community Strategy, the Federal Transportation Improvement Program, and their amendments to comply with federal Clean Air Act requirements.

Last month, SCAG and the eight San Joaquin Valley metropolitan planning organizations submitted a joint letter outlining anticipated transportation conformity challenges from the new EMFAC202Y model to avoid another "regional transportation conformity lockdown" caused by significant technical changes in the then-latest EMFAC2017 model from the previous EMFAC2014 model. The letter recommended CARB pause the finalization and submittal of the new model to the U.S. EPA, anticipated this summer, to allow additional time to evaluate and address its anticipated implications on regional transportation conformity. As an alternative, the letter proposes meaningful partnerships and collaboration that support realistic and solutions-driven pathways to anticipated regional transportation conformity challenges from the new EMFAC202Y model.

CARB staff hosted the final public workshop on the new EMFAC202Y model in March. SCAG staff continue to proactively monitor and evaluate the model.

SCAG Go Human Showcases Traffic Safety Interventions, Kit of Parts Lending Library at the 2025 LifeSavers Conference

SCAG staff deployed the Go Human Kit of Parts Lending Library at the 2025 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety on March 9 and 10 at the Long Beach Convention Center. They presented in the workshop, “When Help Can’t Wait: Using Low-Cost Strategies to Improve Pedestrian Safety,” to discuss how the Kit of Parts is a model for low-cost, quick-build improvements for pedestrian and bicycle safety. The conference brought together transportation professionals from across the county to learn about the latest traffic safety research, best practices, and cutting-edge initiatives, exploring innovative technology and strategies to combat risky driving behaviors and save lives.

SCAG Attends California State University, San Bernardino’s Transportation Leadership Policy Forum

On March 14, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the 2025 Transportation Leadership Policy Forum hosted by the CSUSB Leonard Transportation Center, where he participated in the “Regional Leaders’ Perspectives on a Sustainable Inland Empire” panel. Ajise provided an overview of SCAG, discussing the intersection of housing, transportation, and long-term planning for sustainability, and spoke about the Inland Empire’s role at the forefront of the region’s growth and goods movement. The panel also featured Dr. Vanessa Thomas, dean of Applied Technology and Transportation at San Bernardino Valley College, and SCAG Policy Committee Member and Claremont Councilmember Ed Reece.

SCAG Attends Mobility 21 Reception for the California Transportation Commission

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, joined Mobility 21 board members and regional transportation officials for a reception honoring the California Transportation Commission. Ajise provided remarks welcoming dignitaries, friends, and guests to the SCAG region, and highlighted the continued need to prioritize transportation projects that not only meet environmental, economic, and equity goals, but support each jurisdiction with their diverse transportation needs. SCAG Regional Council First Vice President Cindy Allen also attended the event.

Kome Ajise Moderates Panel at ITS America Policy Summit

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise moderated a panel of experts at the ITS America 2025 Policy Summit on March 26. The panel, “Maintaining Consumer Privacy in a Connected Ecosystem,” discussed the transportation industry’s best practices for maintaining consumer data privacy. The panel also discussed the potential for a federal data privacy framework and other ways to shape policy and improve consumer education practices. As part of the conference, ITS America released a set of privacy principles to “commit to protecting consumer data privacy by protecting personal information; building trust through transparency and accountability; supporting ethical and responsible use of data; improving data governance; meeting and anticipating consumer education; and adapting to the evolving technological landscape.”

Also participating in the panel were Carlos Braceras, executive director of the Utah Department of Transportation; Erik Dietz, executive director of PrePass Safety Alliance, which advocates for safe, secure, and seamless commercial operations throughout North America; Mina Sartipi, executive director of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga Research Institute; and Michelle Quadt, senior director of 5G Acceleration for Verizon Business.

Regional Council Members Recognized at 2025 BizFed Bizzi Awards

SCAG sponsored the 2025 BizFed Bizzi Awards on March 21, where Regional Council First Vice President Cindy Allen received an award for the Los Angeles County Supervisor District 4 Elected Official of the Year and Regional Council Member Thomas Wong received the Los Angeles County Supervisor District 1 Elected Official of the Year. SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena also attended the event, which convenes business leaders, industry champions, and policymakers to celebrate the power of political advocacy and economic impact across Los Angeles County.  SCAG values its long-standing partnership with the private sector and looks forward to working with BizFed to further improve the regional economy.

SBCTA/SCAG Delegates Meeting Presentation

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson presented at the SBCTA/SCAG Delegates Meeting. Comprising SCAG Regional Council and policy committee members who sit on the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Board of Directors, members received updates on SCAG’s housing program, Senate Bill 375 Reform, the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District, and other legislation.

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Surface Transportation Block Grant and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Guidelines Now Available 

On March 6, the SCAG Regional Council approved the federal fiscal year 2026-27 and federal fiscal year 2027-28 Surface Transportation Block Grant program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program (CMAQ) Program Guidelines. The upcoming call for project nominations will make an estimated $1.2 billion available for eligible transportation projects in the SCAG region in federal fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28.

The new program guidelines incorporate learnings from the previous call for project nominations, streamline the application process, and establish project categories that reflect goals and strategies from the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and the 2024-25 SCAG presidential and Regional Council priorities and objectives. These updated guidelines also prioritize federal performance management areas, consider presidential executive orders and U.S. Department of Transportation policy changes, prioritize projects that reduce particulate matter 2.5 air pollution (in alignment with federal guidance), and ensure timely information about the funding opportunity and related requirements for eligible applicants. SCAG developed the program guidelines in coordination with county transportation commissions, outlining SCAG’s project selection process for federal STBG and CMAQ funding.

These Federal Highway Administration programs fund transportation projects and programs based on unique eligibility criteria. The STBG program funds transportation projects to preserve and improve conditions and performance of highways, bridges, and public roads; pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure; and transit capital projects. The CMAQ program funds transportation projects and programs that reduce congestion and improve air quality for areas that do not meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone, carbon monoxide, or particulate matter (i.e., nonattainment areas) and for former nonattainment areas that are now in compliance (i.e., maintenance areas). 

SCAG will host virtual program workshops on March 12 and 18 to engage with interested applicants. County transportation commissions will also host their own workshops. Applicants should coordinate with their county transportation commissions to ensure their project applications align with county priorities. 

The online application will be available from March 31 through May 16. Award recommendations will be presented to the SCAG Regional Council by December 2025. 

For additional information on these programs and the upcoming call for projects, please see the SCAG STBG/CMAQ webpage. 

Regional Council Approves Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26

At its March 2025 meeting, SCAG’s Regional Council approved SCAG’s Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26, including the Draft Overall Work Program (OWP). The framework for developing the fiscal year 2025-26 Draft Comprehensive Budget is SCAG’s multi-year Strategic Plan, which documents the agency’s vision for improving the organization and its operations.  

The Regional Council’s vote authorized the release of the Draft OWP for a 30-day period of public review from March 6 to April 7. Comments may be submitted to nguyenk@scag.ca.gov or via the online comment form.

At the close of the public comment period, the Final OWP will be submitted to the Regional Council for approval on May 1. The General Fund Budget and the Membership Assessment will also be submitted to the General Assembly for approval in May.

Register Today for the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly

Join SCAG for the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly, May 1-2 at the JW Marriott in Palm Desert. This year, SCAG will celebrate its 60th anniversary. SCAG has worked with the region’s leaders to plan for a brighter future for Southern California since 1965.

Attend the 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly and join regional leaders from the public and private sectors to share best practices and lessons learned and work toward common goals. At the event, SCAG members can access all the benefits of membership while networking with panelists and SCAG staff to learn about resources and tools available to support the region’s collective success. The Regional Conference and General Assembly also offers an annual opportunity to represent local causes at the regional scale, including voting on SCAG’s new leadership and budget for the coming fiscal year.  

Register online today to join SCAG in celebrating the 60th anniversary of regional planning in Southern California while looking to the next 60 years and beyond.

Calexico Intermodal Transportation Breaks Ground with SCAG REAP Funding Support

The Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) held a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of the long-awaited Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC). The Calexico ITC will provide a needed multimodal mobility hub in downtown Calexico, improving transit service and pedestrian safety near one of the busiest transit lines and international ports of entry in the state and creating opportunities for economic development.

The total project cost is approximately $19 million. SCAG funded approximately $1 million for the project through the County Transportation Commission Partnership Program—a program included in SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grants program, also known as REAP 2.0. Earlier in 2014, SCAG funded the feasibility study that resulted in the project. Additionally, ICTC was awarded $1.1 million through the state’s Active Transportation Program.

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise spoke at the groundbreaking on the importance of regional collaboration and leveraging creative fund sources to support important projects in underserved communities throughout the region. Other speakers included Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert), ICTC Executive Director David Aguirre, and representatives from the offices of State Senator Steve Padilla (D-San Diego) and State Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio). The project is scheduled for completion in early 2026 and will serve numerous public transit routes, taxi services, microtransit, Greyhound buses, and farm labor buses to support downtown growth, safety, and economic vitality.

Regional Recovery and Resilience Policy Committee Conversations

In February, after the Eaton and Pacific Palisades Wildfires, SCAG held a Joint Policy Committee to discuss rebuilding, recovery, and resilience from a regional perspective.  This meeting featured rich discussion on a range of issues and considerations important to regional recovery and long-term resilience. In response, each policy committee brought forth resilience topics for further discussion in March, including a speaker panel on Climate Resilient Districts, an item on Community Development Financial Institutions, learnings from Sonoma County’s rebuilding and mutual aid support efforts, and items on Ventura County and Caltrans plans for emergency preparedness and operations from a transportation perspective. Each of these shared angles on how jurisdictions can increase their resilience to wildfires and related hazards through planning and implementing various strategies and tools. Resilience will continue to be a core topic of each committee over the coming months to lift up best practices for increased resilience throughout the region.

SCAG Economic Roundtable Publishes Quarterly Report on the Regional Economy

SCAG’s Economic Roundtable met for its third 2024 quarterly discussion on Feb. 20 to discuss trends, data, and current events impacting the region’s economy. The new U.S. presidential administration and the Southern California wildfires dominated the discussion.

While the effects of the wildfires have been severe and devastating, the size, diversity, and vigor of the county and regional economies provide additional economic incentives to rebuild and will likely accelerate the process. Policy uncertainties stemming from the first month of the new federal administration create challenges for setting expectations for future policies, programs, funding, and investments at this time.

More detail on each of the major themes identified by the Economic Roundtable can be found in the complete Quarterly Report.

Connect SoCal Program Environmental Impact Review Receives National Award

SCAG will receive an award for “Outstanding Environmental Analysis Document” from the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) for the Program Environmental Impact Report for the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The AEP is one of the largest and most well-respected organizations for public- and private-sector environmental planners and California Environmental Quality Act practitioners in the State of California. The AEP comprises nine local chapters and over 2,000 members throughout the state, publishing the “CEQA Statute and Guidelines” each year.

This is the first time SCAG has received state recognition for its environmental analyses for an RTP/SCS. SCAG staff will attend the AEP Conference in Oxnard on April 7 to receive the award. SCAG won a 2023 AEP award for its Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 1.0 Development Streamlining project, which developed a series of guidance materials on streamlining options or exemptions under CEQA and other state laws as part of SCAG’s efforts to accelerate housing production.

SCAG Go Human Receives CALCOG's Eureka! Award for Regional Excellence

On March 5, 2025, in Sacramento, the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) recognized SCAG’s active transportation safety and engagement program, Go Human, with the Eureka! Award for Regional Excellence. The award recognizes Go Human’s creative leadership and thinking needed to develop and implement new ideas that serve as best practices for others to follow.

The award celebrates Go Human for crafting resources to address regional priorities by amplifying locally-identified solutions, creating unique, innovative offerings, representing a model of success for effective community engagement strategies, and supporting hyper-local community challenges and needs as a regional convener. Go Human is a multi‐pronged active transportation safety and community engagement program that implements critical safety targets related to more sustainable transportation as outlined SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.

SCAG and Go Human are honored to receive the Eureka! Award.

SCAG Welcomes New Regional Council Members

On Feb. 26, President Curt Hagman, Executive Director Kome Ajise, and executive staff welcomed new members to SCAG at the New Member Orientation. Joined by current regional council and policy committee members and former SCAG presidents, nearly 30 new members and supporting staff learned about SCAG’s history, work, and projects. Workshop attendees heard from former Regional Council members about their experiences at SCAG in a special mentoring session.

SCAG Go Human, Riverside University Health System-Public Health Team Up for Traffic Safety Campaign

Riverside University Health System-Public Health collaborated with SCAG to pool resources to create a three-month pedestrian safety advertising campaign focused on trips to and from school during back-to-school season. The campaign featured bilingual traffic safety advertisements that ran in movie theaters ahead of the featured shows in San Jacinto, Hemet, and Coachella Valley between November 2024 and January 2025. SCAG provided Go Human creative to Riverside University Health System-Public Health, which created video advertisements with tips for student safety and reminding drivers to watch for people walking near schools–which, through the donated media space in theatres, received 500,000 impressions. 

SCAG Attends California Transportation Foundation Forum

The California Transportation Foundation held the 2025 Transportation Forum in Sacramento. Regional Council Member Daniel Ramos (Adelanto) attended along with SCAG staff. The event’s keynote speaker, Laura Chace, president and chief executive officer of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, highlighted the importance of the new federal government administration’s focus on “safety” as an area to leverage and advocate for resources while recognizing the uncertainty around the new administration’s goals. Panel speakers included Assemblymember and Chair of the Committee on Transportation Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Caltrans Director Tony Tavares, Former Caltrans Director Malcolm Daugherty, and Seleta Reynolds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

SCAG Hosts UC Institute of Transportation Studies Board of Advisors Meeting

In February, SCAG hosted an annual gathering of University of California Institute of Transportation Studies (UC-ITS) Advisory Board Members to share UC-ITS accomplishments from the past year as well as strategic directions to guide the program’s direction as UC-ITS drives innovation in transportation through research and collaboration with policymakers and practitioners.

Participating members included SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, Director of Center for Urban Infrastructure Sarah Catz, Richard France from Estolano Advisors, Fran Inman from Majestic Realty Co., Stephanie Wiggins from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Ramin Massoumi from Arcadis. Areas of interest discussed included reducing vehicle miles traveled as a cornerstone of state transportation planning strategy and ongoing efforts to increase post-pandemic transit ridership.

SCAG Attends NARC Conference of Regions

The National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) hosted its annual “Conference of Regions” from Feb. 9 through Feb. 12. The conference gathers metropolitan planning organizations from across the country to access information and facilitate discussion on current and potential impacts of federal action.

Representing SCAG were Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, and SCAG legislative team staff. In addition to participating in the conference, which provided valuable insights into ongoing federal reconciliation and budget negotiations and Surface Transportation Reauthorization updates, SCAG met with staff from various members of the SCAG Congressional delegation, including the offices of Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), both of whom sit on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; congressmembers Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) and Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), both of whom sit on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; as well as minority staff for the Senate Environment and Public Works and House Transportation and Infrastructure committees and Intergovernmental Relations staff from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

SCAG Joins Mobility21’s Sacramento Delegation Trip

SCAG’s Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey participated in Mobility 21’s Sacramento Delegation Trip, where he and his fellow regional leaders met with state elected officials, department secretaries, and staff to discuss the region’s transportation priorities. During the trip, Chidsey met with Toks Omishakin, secretary for the California State Transportation Agency; Senator Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), chair of the Senate Budget Committee; and several other assemblymembers and senators.

SCAG staff emphasized SCAG-region priorities during the trip, including the extension of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program, solutions for meeting the region’s transportation safety targets, and the protection of vital transportation funding in the upcoming state budget. The trip concluded with a legislative reception featuring members of SCAG’s state legislative delegation, including Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), Senator Rosilicie Ochoa-Bogh (R-Yucaipa), Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), and others.

SCAG Attends ZM Trucks Opening Event 

On Feb. 28, SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman, Regional Council Member Acquanetta Warren (Fontana), Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson, and government affairs staff attended the ZM Trucks Opening Ceremony of the North American Plant and Headquarters. ZM Trucks, North America’s newest zero-emission commercial truck brand, is locating its first North American manufacturing plant in the city of Fontana. The company will manufacture a diverse portfolio of zero-emission products including electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment. President Hagman and Mayor Warren spoke to the importance of having businesses like ZM Trucks in the region and the impact zero-emission goods movement transportation equipment will have in meeting emissions reduction goals in the SCAG region. 

SCAG Presents to Graduate Students at the University of Southern California

On Feb. 20, Executive Director Kome Ajise gave a lecture to a “Collaborative Governance” graduate-level class at the University of Southern California. The presentation provided an overview of SCAG’s governing structure and core responsibilities, the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and other key issues in the region.

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Joint Policy Committee Holds Panel Discussion on Regional Resilience

As Southern California grapples with the destruction caused by January wildfires, SCAG is committed to supporting local agencies in the collective work of recovery and resilience.

The recent disasters require regional collaboration on how to build resilient communities that prevent and mitigate negative impacts from extreme weather and natural disasters. As a first step in an ongoing process, the SCAG Joint Policy Committee (JPC) convened a panel with leading resilience and planning experts on Feb. 6. The panel discussed resilient recovery and long-term planning for creating more equitable and resilient communities.

The panel discussion included a presentation by Dr. Lucy Jones—renowned seismologist, author, and former seismic risk advisor for the city of Los Angeles—on important considerations during and after disasters. Dr. Jones’ presentation was followed by a moderated panel discussion with:

• Amy Bodek, Director, Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning
• Vince Bertoni, Director, Los Angeles City Planning
• Steve Soboroff, Chief Recovery Officer, City of Los Angeles
• Nuin-Tara Key, Executive Director of Programs, California Forward

A video of the Joint Policy Committee meeting, including the resilience presentations and panel, will be published on the SCAG website. A SCAG staff report provides more background on the JPC discussion.

Following the Joint Policy Committee, each policy committee is expected to have additional discussions in the coming months to identify recommendations for SCAG to support equitable recovery and long-term resilience. Additional information about resources for fire victims, resilience planning, and government actions are available on SCAG News.

Update on the Mojave Desert Highway Sanction Clock

The SCAG region has been impacted by multiple highway sanction clocks imposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) following disapproval of local air quality plans and rules. SCAG staff has worked extensively with local air districts and the U.S. EPA to address and remove highway sanction clocks, enabling critical transportation projects in the region to continue with planning and construction.

However, one highway sanction clock—resulting from the U.S. EPA’s disapproval of the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District’s (MDAQMD) local rule in their stationary source review and permitting program—has been particularly challenging to resolve. If the underlying issue facing the MDAQMD is not resolved, the highway sanction in the Mojave Desert will start on July 31.

The highway sanction could result in significant impacts to transportation projects in the SCAG region. To better understand the impacts, staff will work with federal and local transportation agencies to develop a project list to identify which projects in the Mojave Desert area can move forward during the sanction and which projects can be obligated before July 2025 to minimize the impacts.

The federal air plan, developed by the U.S. EPA for the Mojave Desert area, is already in place and will be effective on Feb. 28, 2025. The federal air plan includes measures for stationary sources but no measures related to transportation. SCAG staff has met with MDAQMD staff, who confirmed a plan to resolve the issues through litigation against the U.S. EPA. SCAG will continue to closely monitor the situation and work with the MDAQMD and all involved parties to prevent the sanction.

2025 SCAG Scholarship Program: Applications Open

Applications for the 2025 SCAG Scholarship Program are now open. In partnership with the California Transportation Foundation, the program provides nine $4,000 scholarship awards for high school or community college students from the SCAG region. Students in any field of study are invited to apply; however, preference is given to applications that demonstrate a commitment to community planning, regional planning, urban planning, civil engineering, political science, public administration, sustainable development, or other related fields. Applications are due electronically on March 21. More information is available on the SCAG website.

2025 SCAG Student Showcase Now Open for Submissions

The 2025 SCAG Student Showcase is now open for submissions. Apply online by March 13 at 10 a.m. 

The SCAG Student Showcase challenges students to create posters and StoryMaps that tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, engage stakeholders, and illustrate the possibilities of open data at the regional level. By submitting, Student Showcase participants compete to receive cash prizes. 

Competition finalists will be invited to attend SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert on May 1-2—complimentary event admission and hotel accommodation included—to present their posters and StoryMaps to elected officials and industry leaders from across Southern California.  

A panel of judges will select one poster and one StoryMap for the “Best in Show” award. Conference attendees will vote for their favorite poster and StoryMap to be recognized with an “Audience Award.” All four awards, each worth $1,500, will be announced at the end of the conference. 

To download Student Showcase guidelines and to apply online, visit the SCAG website.

Regional Council Adopts 2025 State Legislative Platform

In February, the Regional Council adopted SCAG’s 2025 State Legislative Platform.

The 2025 platform updates the adopted 2024 platform, streamlining language and aligning with the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities strategy, newly implemented laws, and other changes to the political landscape. SCAG's 2025 State Legislative Platform is available online.

SCAG staff will present a separate 2025 Federal Legislative Platform at the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee, Executive/Administration Committee, and Regional Council meetings in the coming months.

Regional Council Adopts Regional Traffic Safety Targets

At the February Regional Council meeting, the SCAG Regional Council adopted regional safety targets for calendar year 2025, in accordance with a 2016 Federal Highway Administration rule requiring statewide departments of transportation, in coordination with metropolitan planning organizations, to improve safety on all public roads.

The transportation safety performance targets facilitate statewide and regional transportation investments toward the greatest possible reduction in fatalities and serious injuries resulting from multimodal collisions.

For calendar year 2025, SCAG recommends maintaining a long-term aspirational focus on regional transportation safety, while adopting evidence-based near-term targets. The modeled safety targets for the SCAG region forecast a two percent increase in fatalities, a four percent increase in serious injuries, and a 2.8 percent increase in non-motorized fatalities and serious injuries. SCAG updates the regional safety targets each calendar year.

In addition to the adoption of regional safety targets, staff highlighted the SCAG Transportation Safety Predictive Modeling Platform, which will be available soon for local agencies to use while planning to reduce fatalities and serious injuries. SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday series recently featured a two-part demonstration of the forthcoming platform. Part 1 and Part 2 of the series are available on YouTube. More details on SCAG’s methodology and the regional traffic safety targets can be found in the SCAG staff report.

Updated Housing, Environment, and Land Use Parcel Tool Update Now Available

SCAG’s Housing, Environment, and Land Use Parcel Tool (HELPR) 3.0 is now available online, offering a site-specific interactive mapping tool for land use, environmental planning, and sustainable development. Built on SCAG’s Regional Data Platform, HELPR 3.0 provides the latest parcel-level data from Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, enabling cities, planners, and stakeholders to make better-informed decisions about housing site selection and land use planning.

Key features include a housing statistics dashboard for quick insights, wildfire risk screening using CalFire data, and tools to align local plans with regional policies. HELPR 3.0 allows users to download datasets for further analysis but does not assess development capacity or suitability.

To learn more about applications and maps included in HELPR 3.0 to assist with regional and local planning activities, visit SCAG News.

SCAG Awarded ‘Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection’ Grant

The Federal Highway Administration awarded SCAG a federal Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection grant to test how a mileage-based user fee can work in tandem with existing revenue collection mechanisms, including tolling. While the growing adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) advances regional air quality and climate goals, the transition to ZEVs is rapidly diminishing traditional gas tax revenue as a source for transportation funding. The Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy addresses the urgency of this transition by supporting a road user charge to maintain a state of good repair for the transportation system while establishing a more sustainable and equitable funding model to support the region’s growing needs.

With this grant, SCAG, in partnership with NextMove by Cintra, will test a concept for transportation revenue collection technology to capture the full picture of drivers’ transportation fees while evaluating policy parameters to holistically address inequity in transportation. This project will help determine viability of a mileage-based user fee at the regional level and uncover how a user-based mechanism can coexist with existing tolling infrastructure.

Toolbox Tuesday: January Sessions

In January, SCAG hosted a two-part Toolbox Tuesday series featuring the SCAG Transportation Safety Predictive Modeling Platform. The platform is based on the CRASH traffic safety data platform developed and customized for the SCAG region by the Citian consultant team. The Jan. 14 session introduced the platform, with SCAG staff presenting background on the platform’s development and Citian sharing an overview of the platform, reviewing the datasets featured in the platform, and demonstrating how to do some basic and common analyses. The Jan. 21 session focused on the more advanced functionalities of the platform, including an overview of customized and prebuilt dashboards and collision diagrams, as well as real-world usage case studies.  

Videos for Part 1 and Part 2 are available on YouTube.

SCAG Hosts 17th Annual LA Biz Fed Board of Directors Meeting

SCAG hosted partners from the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) for its 17th Anniversary Board meeting and Officer Installation and Swearing in Ceremony on Jan. 21. SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise delivered welcoming remarks, describing SCAG's long-standing partnership with the private sector. Kome Ajise thanked BizFed for its advocacy on behalf of the region’s businesses and affirmed SCAG’s commitment to further improve the regional economy by working with partners, identifying solutions, and advocating for a more sustainable business climate. SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena was formally sworn in as the newest BizFed co-chair of the Goods Movement, Mobility, and Transportation Committee for the 2025 term.

SCAG Attends Long Beach State of the Port Event

SCAG staff joined city and business leaders at the 2025 State of the Port in Long Beach on Jan. 14. Speaking to more than 800 industry partners and community members at the Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach Port Chief Executive Officer Mario Cordero highlighted the Port of Long Beach's record-breaking 2024 year, including 9.6 million cargo containers moved without disruptions or backlogs, and progress in transitioning operations to zero emissions while marking dramatic air quality and environmental improvements. Cordero also thanked the community for its role 20 years ago in demanding action that resulted in the Green Port Policy, which is a range of sustainability initiatives that resulted in a cleaner harbor, industry-leading green building practices, and, most notably, air quality improvements. The Port of Long Beach has set a new goal to move half of all container cargo by rail. 

SCAG Attends Los Angeles State of the Port Event

SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined port officials and industry leaders at the 2025 annual State of the Port of Los Angeles, hosted by the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association on Jan. 23. Port Executive Director Gene Seroka outlined the Port of Los Angeles’ priorities for 2025, including sustainability and the environment, investment in the community, workforce development, cargo efficiency, and supply chain digitization. Scott Kelly, vice president of ocean services for the Americas at Expeditors International, joined Seroka to discuss tariffs, East Coast and Gulf labor issues, and the role that logistics companies like Expeditors play in the global supply chain. The Port of Los Angeles celebrated being on pace to exceed 10 million container units for only the second time in its 117-year history, thanks to the women and men of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, the trucking industry, terminal operators, rail partners, and many others whose efforts continue to elevate the Port of Los Angeles to new heights.

SCAG Executive Director Attends Transportation Research Board’s Annual Meeting

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise visited Washington, D.C. for the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Annual Meeting in early January. A division of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, TRB’s mission is to mobilize expertise, experience, and knowledge to anticipate and solve complex transportation-related challenges. The annual meeting covers all transportation modes, with sessions addressing topics of interest to policymakers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry, and academic institutions.  While in D.C., Kome Ajise held several one-on-one meetings outside of the conference, including Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank), marking her first official meeting as a member of Congress; Richard Cesar, senior director of Federal Affairs and National Engagement in the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass; and Elaine Nessle, executive director of the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors.

SCAG Represented at Riverside State of the City

SCAG Second Vice President Ray Marquez (Chino Hills), Executive Director Kome Ajise, and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena attended the 2025 Riverside State of the City. They joined Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, also chair of the SCAG Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Chair and the Big City Mayors Coalition, in celebration of the city’s success. Mayor Lock Dawson presented the prior year’s accomplishments and highlighted plans for a resurgent and innovative Riverside.

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2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Receives Federal Approval

The 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) has been officially approved by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. This approval supports over 1,100 transportation projects in the SCAG region, totaling more than $38.8 billion in investments over the next six years. These projects include highways, transit, rail, bus, and active transportation improvements, and align with SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, which aims to enhance mobility, foster livable communities, support a vibrant economy, and improve environmental sustainability. SCAG continues to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners to deliver these vital investments in support of the region’s long-term transportation goals.

To share more about the projects, SCAG created the FTIP Interactive Project Search (eFTIP) tool with an interactive map and details for transportation projects programmed in the current FTIP.

For more information and to access the eFTIP, visit SCAG News.

SCAG to Participate in Transportation Access Pilot Program

SCAG is one of several regional and state agencies selected to participate in the Federal Highway Agency’s (FHWA) new Transportation Access Pilot Program (APP), funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, for state departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and regional transportation planning organizations to improve accessibility measures and data, including modeling and analysis. The APP cohort will receive technical assistance, engage in peer reviews and critiques, publish and promote methodologies and results through the FHWA, and inform future data and analysis practices.

Through APP, SCAG will explore improvements to accessibility metrics in a testing environment with input from practitioners familiar with the barriers to this work. The scope of SCAG’s APP project includes expanding accessibility measures in the equity analysis for the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy to include access to healthy and fresh foods. SCAG will also develop methods to assess project-level impacts of transportation investments on access to everyday destinations for the Federal Transportation Improvement Program.

Go Human Hosts Safe and Active Streets Working Group

On Dec. 12, SCAG Go Human hosted SCAG’s Safe and Active Streets Working Group meeting. SCAG Go Human staff and guest speakers presented an update on the Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Project and Contingency Project List; an update on 2025 regional traffic safety targets, a review of public engagement best practices from the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Bus Stop Safety and Accessibility Plan; promotion of the Caltrans Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants program; a review of the Caltrans Complete Streets Action Plan; a review of Go Human engagement strategies and outcomes in 2024; and a request for public feedback to inform future Go Human program strategies.

SCAG Immediate Past President Art Brown Retires

SCAG Regional Council Immediate Past President Art Brown officially retired in December. Hon. Jan Harnik (Riverside County Transportation Commission) will fill the role of immediate past president for the remainder of the fiscal year. Harnick served as Regional Council president in fiscal year 2022-23.

Regional SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey attended a December Buena Park City Council meeting to present a proclamation recognizing Past President Brown’s service to the community, the region, and the nation. After serving for multiple decades in multiple branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, Past President Brown spent 32 years as a member of the Buena Park City Council, including eight years as mayor, where he worked to improve and maintain the quality of life in Buena Park. Past President Brown served as president of the SCAG Regional Council in fiscal year 2023-24, when, under his leadership, the Regional Council adopted the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.

SCAG Networks Through the End of 2024

SCAG staff continued the important work of connecting with stakeholders throughout the region during the busy holiday season in December.

SCAG Regional Council members and Government Affairs staff attended the “All Cities Holiday Reception” hosted by the League of California Cities in partnership with the California Contract Cities Association and the Independent Cities Association. Among the leaders from throughout Los Angeles County, League of California Cities CEO Carolyn Coleman joined Regional Council members Hon. Frank Yokoyama (Cerritos); Hon. Thomas Wong (Monterey Park); Hon. Margaret Clark (Rosemead); and Hon. Mark Henderson (Gardena), and SCAG Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena.

SCAG leadership joined regional business leaders at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual holiday event at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, BizFed's 2024 holiday party at Fox Studios in Century City, and the Port of Long Beach’s Holiday Reception at Hotel Mayou.

SCAG staff also attended the Orange County Public Affairs Association's Regional Holiday Mixer at the Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, joining elected council members and government relations staff from throughout Orange County.

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SCAG Receives $6 Million for Transportation Safety During the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics

In November, the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded SCAG a $6 million Safe Streets and Roads for All grant to help the region prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The grant will fund a partnership between SCAG and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to create safe street reconfigurations along corridors on the high injury network that will also expect high volumes of travel during the 2028 Games. This demonstration project will prioritize safety for walking, biking, and riding transit and will allow SCAG to establish regional best practices for permanent projects in the future. Read more about the grant award on SCAG News.

December Regional Council Features ‘2024 Southern California Economic Update’

SCAG’s December Regional Council meeting included a presentation of the “2024 Southern California Economic Update,” featuring SCAG’s annual economic reporting, presentations from SCAG’s Economic Roundtable, and in-depth discussion about the state of the economy among Regional Council members.    

SCAG Regional Council President and San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman delivered the opening remarks to the presentation. Kate Gordon, chief executive officer of California Forward, moderated the event, with members of the SCAG Economic Roundtable presenting reports on the overall regional economy and each of SCAG’s six counties. In addition, David Roland-Holst, managing director of Berkeley Economic Advising and Research, gave a presentation on regional sustainability, and Beth Tamayose, research director at the University of California, Riverside, School of Public Policy, gave a presentation on economic equity. A round of questions from members of the Regional Council followed the presentations.

SCAG also published the “2024 Southern California Economic Update” during the event. SCAG publishes this annual economic update with analysis covering the entire region as well as providing specific insight into the economies of Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial counties. The “2024 Southern California Economic Update” reviews the past year and highlights economic trends to watch for in the coming year to assist Southern California policymakers in planning for the next 30 years. To read more about the update and download the full report, visit SCAG News.

SCAG hopes to continue the spirit of this discussion while working toward the implementation of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy in the coming months and years. We look forward to continuing the conversation at our next event. Please mark your calendars for the upcoming 2025 Regional Conference and General Assembly on May 1-2, 2025, in Palm Desert.

2024 Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Awards

On Dec. 5, the Regional Council approved the 2024 Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) – Active Transportation and Safety Project List and Contingency Project List. The 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety awards include active transportation-related plans and quick-build projects that support the implementation of mobility policies included in the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Projects will be funded through the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 regional funds, a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant, and SCAG matching state funds (to address the ATP Cycle 7 budget cuts). A total of 40 applications were evaluated, and 13 projects were selected for funding. To read more about the 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety awards, visit SCAG News.

Final REAP 1.0 Update

SCAG staff presented a final program update on the 2019 Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 1.0) to the Executive/Administration Committee and the Community, Economic and Human Development Committee (CEHD). Through REAP 1.0, SCAG funded over 100 housing development and infrastructure planning projects, supporting communities in meeting the growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing. The REAP 1.0 program resulted in a range of adopted land use plans, development streamlining tools, financing strategies, and planning strategies that have identified best practices and can be scaled across the region.

Among the many takeaways of the program, REAP 1.0 has highlighted SCAG's role as a critical bridge between state and local policy. SCAG submitted all its final processed invoices and program closeout materials to the California Department of Housing and Community Development on Nov. 21, 2024. SCAG has published the full REAP 1.0 project list.

The CEHD presentation on Dec. 5 highlighted select REAP 1.0 projects, sharing outcomes and lessons learned. A video of the committee meeting will be published soon on the CEHD webpage of the SCAG website.    

Call for Nominations Open for the 2025 Sustainability Awards

Nominations are now open for SCAG’s 2025 Sustainability Awards. The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for contributing to the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and for achieving progress toward a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region. 

The 2025 Sustainability Awards are open to governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations, nonprofits, universities, and more. Applicants are encouraged to submit a joint entry for projects that span multiple agencies, sectors, and geographies. Projects completed or adopted between Jan. 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2024, are eligible for nomination. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 13, 2024. More information about the awards and the nomination guidelines is available at the Sustainability Awards page on the SCAG website.

SCAG will announce the winners of the 2025 Sustainability Awards at the 2025 Regional Council Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 1.

SCAG Hosts First ‘Freight Industry Forum’ to Prepare for the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games

On Nov. 20, SCAG hosted the first Freight Industry Forum to gather a diverse set of participants—including the Games Mobility Executive partners, SCAG regional partners, industry stakeholders, and other agency representatives—to discuss the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. The meeting included overviews of logistics planning for the 2028 Games and lessons learned from past Olympic Games in Paris and London. Industry stakeholders want to ensure that 2028 Games events locations and routes are well understood and that communication is clear before and during the events.

SCAG's Freight Industry Forum will continue to advise in the preparation leading up to the 2028 Games, with the next meeting anticipated for this winter.

SCAG Attends Organizational Session in Sacramento

On Dec. 2, SCAG’s Legislative Team and Executive Director Kome Ajise traveled to Sacramento to represent SCAG while the California State Legislature conducted its “Organizational Session” and swearing-in ceremony.

Of the assemblymembers and senators sworn in, 33 are brand new to the legislature. The next year will be important for building relationships and providing education on the needs of our region.

During this trip, the team met with Senator Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), who is leading the charge to prioritize state funding for the LOSSAN line, Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton), who played a central role in protecting the REAP program, and Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Fairfield), chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee.

‘Big 4’ State Metropolitan Planning Organizations Gather for SB 375 Discussion

On Nov. 17-18, the California Association of Councils of Government hosted a meeting for executive directors of the state’s “Big Four” metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and key members of leadership teams to discuss shared goals for Senate Bill (SB) 375 reform and priorities for the upcoming legislative sessions.

The group also met with executive officers from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), California Transportation Commission, and Caltrans to discuss next steps in working together on SB 375 implementation and potential reform.

MPO representatives emphasized our commitment to climate goals and improving the process without abandoning SB 375 and discussed technical challenges with the current SB 375 process, including modeling, data, and metrics. MPO representatives also expressed concern over the growing cost of these activities and a desire to simplify plan submittal processes to put more funding toward implementation.

The meeting concluded constructively, with an agreement to continue discussions and a commitment from CARB to follow up on next steps regarding a pause in Sustainable Community Strategy guidelines.

Following the meetings, SCAG staff had additional conversations with CARB staff on the process for addressing outstanding technical issues regarding CARB’s approval of SCAG’s greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment for the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Based on these conversations, SCAG will be preparing additional analysis on the plan’s work-from-home assumptions and electric vehicle strategies to further support that the plan would meet GHG targets if implemented.

SCAG Mobile Workshop Visits North America’s First Hydrogen-Powered Home

A SCAG delegation gathered in Los Angeles County on Nov. 22 to participate in the third mobile workshop under the leadership of SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman. Members were provided with an exclusive tour of the “Hydrogen Home” created by the SoCalGas [H2] Innovation Experience. The [H2] Innovation Experience is North America’s first clean, renewable, hydrogen-powered microgrid and home. The mobile tour of the Hydrogen Home in the city of Downey explored the exciting potential of hydrogen energy—a technology that could help shape the future of sustainable, low-carbon communities.

The SCAG delegation was enthusiastic to broaden their understanding of the important role of hydrogen in helping the state achieve its greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. Innovations like the Hydrogen House are key in reducing emissions and creating a smarter, more sustainable future for California, the nation, and the world. SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey, and Regional Council President Curt Hagman were among those in attendance.

Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Studies the 2024 General Election

On Nov. 19, Paul Mitchell, the owner of Redistricting Partners and Vice President of Political Data Inc., joined the SCAG Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee to share data and statistics about the 2024 General Election. Mitchell shared expertise and insight on the 2024 elections, with electoral maps to illustrate the election results, delving into voter turnout trends and the most competitive races across the state. A video of the Nov. 19 meeting is available on the Legislative/Communications and Membership page on the SCAG website.

SCAG Sponsors CoMotion LA

SCAG sponsored the CoMotion LA event held in November at the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise spoke on the “Driving Change: Electrification of Drayage for Sustainable Logistics” panel, focusing on the electrification of drayage and how ports are investing in innovative infrastructure to reduce carbon footprints. Major freight hubs have already received significant federal investments in clean energy infrastructure within the ports of California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, and New Jersey with Climate Pollution Reduction Grants through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. SCAG Regional Council Member Suely Saro and additional SCAG executives also attended the event.

2024 California Resource Management Association ‘Vision’ Conference

SCAG staff was invited to speak at the annual California Resource Management Association ‘Vision’ conference on Nov. 14 in Buena Park to present information on SCAG’s regional greenhouse gas reduction efforts, with a focus on Senate Bill 743-related vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analysis requirements and mitigation strategies. The one-hour presentation included an overview of SCAG’s collaboration with local agencies to develop VMT mitigation analysis tools and mitigation strategies, the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy performance monitoring program, and the land use strategies promoted through Connect SoCal 2024 to reduce single occupancy vehicle dependency in the region, including Priority Development Areas and Green Region Resource Areas.

SCAG Participates in the 2024 Facing Race Conference and GARE Annual Meeting

Staff facilitated the session “Building Strong Peer Networks for Advancing Racial Equity: Strategies and Insight from Local to National Levels” at the 2024 Facing Race and 2024 GARE Annual Meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, from Nov. 20-22. The session focused on sharing the origin and experiences of different peer networks (such as the MPO Equity Working Group and Sacramento Area Practitioners Network) and conducting a mapping activity to help other agencies and organizations start their own networks. At the end of the session, the presenters wanted participants to understand there is no perfect way to address and advance equity and that it is a work in progress, and developing or having a peer network can help create a foundation for lasting impact.

SCAG Attends ITS America Workforce Development Community of Practice Presentation

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in the Intelligent Transportation Society of America's (ITS America) Workforce Development Community of Practice meeting. The ITS Workforce Development Community of Practice is focused on understanding and addressing future workforce gaps and needs in the transportation industry, particularly as related to the growth of intelligent transportation systems. Ajise shared his personal workforce journey along with his thoughts on future workforce needs and SCAG’s workforce development efforts.

SCAG Staff Mentors Future Planners at the California Transportation Foundation Education Symposium

In November, SCAG sponsored the California Transportation Foundation's annual Transportation Education Symposium, an intense two-day, hands-on workshop that pairs undergraduate engineering and planning students from across the state with a professional mentor for one-on-one coaching. Student teams collaborate to develop a grant application, with professionals role-playing as stakeholders and decision-makers. The 29th Annual Transportation Education Symposium was held on Nov. 7-8 in Fresno. SCAG’s Principal Modeler Bayarmaa Aleksandr attended the event as a mentor, taking on the role of a climate scientist and stakeholder.

SCAG Supports the WTS-LA Scholarship Gala

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson, Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, Department Manager of Partnerships, Innovation, and Technology Kate Kingongo, and additional SCAG staff joined WTS-Los Angeles on Nov. 12 at the Music Center in downtown Los Angeles to honor industry trailblazers and award scholarships to exceptional young women shaping the future of transportation. SCAG proudly awarded Emily Tang a scholarship to continue studies at Cal Poly Pomona in mechanical engineering.

SCAG Presentation Provided to Graduate Students at the University of California, Irvine

On Nov. 6, Executive Director Kome Ajise gave a lecture to a “Transportation Planning and Policy” graduate-level class at the University of California, Irvine’s Institute of Transportation Studies. The presentation provided an overview of SCAG’s governing structure and core responsibilities, the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the housing crisis, SCAG’s success with the Regional Early Action Planning program, and other key issues.

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‘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.”

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2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Navigates the ‘New Growth Reality’

More than 460 people attended the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 for a fact-based discussion about how to plan for the future of Southern California as demographic trends diverge from the rapid population growth of past decades. The 35th annual event was hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy.

Highlights of the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop included the presentation and publication of a new report by SCAG demographers providing insight into American Community Survey data released earlier in September by the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year data released on Sept. 12, 2024, provide comprehensive data on Southern California’s social, demographic, economic, and housing conditions, capturing the region’s recovery following the pandemic. 

The 2023 ACS data shows that real household income growth in Southern California outpaced national growth over the past year and last decade, reflecting long-term economic well-being for the region’s median household. The new ACS data also reveal population growth stabilizing in Southern California—counter to the prevailing media narrative about the decline of California’s population—which will require new thinking from local and regional planners to expand the economy and improve quality of life for all Southern Californians.

The event also included two panels; keynote speaker Bill Fulton, FAICP; and a series of roundtables for participants to consider how the demographic trends of the past decade, including the historic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, will impact the economic realities of the region and day-to-day considerations like mobility and public health. 

To read more about the report and the event, visit the SCAG website.

Federal Planning and Demonstration Grants Include $88 Million for Southern California

In September, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) announced awards for the second round of the 2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant, which includes more than $88 million in investments for the SCAG region. These awards include Planning and Demonstration grants to 14 local jurisdictions (Anaheim, Burbank, Calabasas, Carson, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, Moreno Valley, Palm Springs, Pasadena, Placentia, Port Hueneme, Temecula, and Westminster) and a Tribal government (Pechanga Band of Indians). The funding announcement also includes implementation grants for Long Beach, Riverside, San Bernardino, the Housing Authority of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County. Throughout the application period, SCAG coordinated with prospective applicants and provided letters of support to ensure alignment with its own SS4A-funded activities. In 2023, U.S. DOT awarded $12 million to fund the development of a Regional Safety Action Plan, Go Human traffic safety initiatives, and quick-build projects. The third and final round of 2024 SS4A awards is expected to be announced in November 2024. 

Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Call for Applications Now Closed

On Sept. 27, the call for applications closed for the Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety. Staff will lead application evaluation this fall and anticipate preparing a project list for Regional Council approval in January 2025. An awards announcement will follow in June 2025 after the California Transportation Commission approves the project list.

This component of the Sustainable Communities Program aims to improve the mobility and safety of the region’s transportation system in alignment with Connect SoCal 2024. It is funded by Cycle 7 of the Active Transportation Program and the Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

SCAG Tours the Imperial County on Mobile Workshop

On Thursday, Sept. 26, and Friday, Sept. 27, SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman joined other council members for the Imperial County Mobile Tour. SCAG attended the California League of Cities Imperial County Division Dinner on Thursday evening, where President Hagman reinforced his and SCAG’s commitment to collaborating with Imperial County and regional partners. Many local elected officials and representatives from Imperial County attended the dinner.

On Friday, Sept. 27, SCAG coordinated a tour with Imperial County’s Natural Resources Office to highlight the county’s ongoing efforts to develop “lithium valley.” The Known Geothermal Resource Area (KGRA) around the Salton Sea has been identified as one of the most lithium-rich areas on the planet. Imperial County is working with various industry sectors, academia, and government stakeholders and partners to support this potential industry cluster in creating a comprehensive development opportunity to spur strong economic growth and competitive advantage in the region. The tour included stops at the various areas around the KGRA to highlight this opportunity, as well as participation from Imperial County local elected officials, several SCAG Regional Council members, and other local stakeholders. The event concluded at the Brawley Stockmens Club, with lunch hosted by Regional Council member and Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman Luis Plancarte.

Full Funding Grant Agreement between the Federal Transit Administration and Metro for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended a ceremony for the signing of the Full Funding Grant Agreement for $893 million between the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project. Several local, state, and federal elected officials attended, including FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, and U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas. The 6.7-mile ESFV light rail project will add an at-grade north-south connection between Pacoima and Van Nuys to improve mobility for the eastern San Fernando Valley.

Go Human Hosts Arts and Active Transportation Safety Session for September Toolbox Tuesday

In honor of Pedestrian Safety Month, the Sept. 3 Toolbox Tuesday highlighted three outstanding speakers from community-based organizations and jurisdictions from across the SCAG region, including Santa Ana Active Streets, Arts Council for Long Beach, and the city of Laguna Niguel. Speakers focused on active transportation projects that use asphalt art to improve safety for people walking and biking, presenting arts engagement and creative placemaking and placekeeping strategies to bolster community engagement and increase active transportation safety. 

A recording of the session is available on the SCAG website.

Go Human Program Completes Summer Traffic Safety Activities

Coinciding with California Pedestrian Safety Month in September, SCAG’s Go Human program completed traffic safety and community engagement projects that provided approximately $500,000 in direct support to more than 40 local partners in more than 30 jurisdictions in the region.  

The 2024 Community Streets Grant Program awarded more than $430,000 to 15 community-based organizations in all six counties of the region. Awardees distributed more than 2,200 safety materials, including helmets and bike lights; held 25 capacity-building workshops; collected more than 400 surveys; and produced 23 videos. Since 2018, Go Human’s community grants program has distributed more than $1.7 million to approximately 130 traffic safety projects through six funding rounds.

SCAG expanded the reach of the Go Human traffic safety advertisement campaign by distributing 1,600 co-branded safety advertisements to 14 local partners. SCAG’s partners utilized this resource to create local traffic safety advertising campaigns, resulting in an estimated 10 million impressions. In preparation for the 10th year of Go Human programming in 2025, SCAG also conducted research to inform content update recommendations. These research activities collected data from 25 interviews, more than 600 surveys, and 12 focus groups.

SCAG Go Human supported 11 complete streets pop-up demonstrations using its Kit of Parts Lending Library, reaching more than 5,000 people. SCAG additionally provided four sponsorships to support local traffic safety events and co-developed educational materials with 11 community traffic safety experts.

SCAG Participates in Mobility 21

SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey and Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson represented the agency at the annual Mobility 21 Summit, participating in panel discussions related to federal and state funding, and the human equation in transportation innovation. Both highlighted recent SCAG funding and projects, such as the Safe Streets and Roads 4 All grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the $50 million funding award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the Last Mile Freight Program, the Go Human program, and current and future work on regional collaboration for the LA28 Olympics. Several SCAG staff, Regional Council members, and policy committee members were also in attendance.

SCAG Represents Southern California at ITS Dubai

Executive Director Kome Ajise and Regional Council President Curt Hagman represented SCAG at the ITS World Congress in Dubai in late September. Organized by ERTICO (ITS Europe) and hosted by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority, this year’s World Congress united international professionals from mobility, technology, and policy sectors to discuss and showcase advancements in smart mobility. With 20,000 attendees, 200 sessions, 850 international speakers, and 500 exhibitors, the event covered mobility driven by intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Kome and President Hagman were invited to participate in panels about leveraging connected and automated vehicles and electrification: a green revolution against climate change. They spoke to SCAG’s work and state and regional priorities and projects.

SCAG Joins California Delegation for European Study Trip on Transportation Innovation

SCAG was honored to participate in a professional field study trip co-hosted by California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph and Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator Chief Executive Officer Matt Petersen. SCAG Regional Council First Vice President Cindy Allen and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined a California delegation to London, Oslo, and Munich to explore innovative policies, technologies, and business models to inspire California’s transportation and clean energy infrastructure. The study trip focused on passenger vehicle electrification, multi-modal transit expansion, and electrification of goods movement. The delegation met with European policymakers, businesses, and organizations committed to bold transportation electrification, climate, and air quality goals.

SCAG’S Go Human and Partners to Lead Student Day Activities at APA CA 2024 Conference

On Sept. 28, SCAG Go Human staff presented the Kit of Parts Lending Library during a hands-on tactical urbanism workshop at the American Planning Association California 2024 Conference at the Riverside Convention Center. In coordination with the Young & Emerging Planners Committee, staff presented an overview of the Kit of Parts program, project outcomes, and considerations for how attendees can rent the Kit of Parts for their next temporary traffic safety projects. Staff also demonstrated a Kit of Parts outside the convention center, allowing attendees to experience the Kit of Parts firsthand. 

For more information on the Kit of Parts program, visit the SCAG website.

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2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop Program Announced

Register today to join SCAG for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop on Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. Online attendance is also available.

The program will gather local leaders, elected officials, and demographic experts to discuss how changing population growth affects regional planning—from accommodating development to improving quality of life and cultivating the economy.

Morning Panels

• Demographic Check-Up: The Numbers Behind the Current Growth Outlook
• What Does the New Growth Reality Mean for Regions?
• Evolving Southern California Neighborhoods

Keynote Address: Bill Fulton, FAICP, author and leading expert in urban planning and economic development

Afternoon Roundtable Discussions

• U.S. Census Bureau’s Population Estimates and Projections
• Getting to Know the Department of Finance Demographic Research Unit’s Data Hub: Population Estimates, Census Data, School Enrollment, and More
• The Neighborhood Data for Social Change Platform

Registration is open until Sept. 20. For additional details about the event, visit the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop website. Please contact update@scag.ca.gov with any questions.

Adoption of 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1

On Sept. 5, the SCAG Regional Council adopted the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1, including the associated transportation conformity analyses. The Regional Council action was based on the SCAG Transportation Committee’s recommended adoption of the 2025 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 and the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee’s recommended adoption of the transportation conformity analyses. 

A funding program spanning six years, the 2025 FTIP includes over 1,100 projects, totaling $38.8 billion and incorporating a wide range of multimodal investments supported by federal, state, and local funds to improve transportation options across Southern California. Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 makes changes to better meet regional needs, such as additions, deletions, and modifications to project scope, cost, and schedule, for approximately 350 projects. 

During the 30-day public review period, the draft 2025 FTIP received 21 comments, including five general observations and 16 comments specific to individual projects. The draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 received eight comments, including one comment on demographics and growth forecasts, one general comment, and six project-specific remarks. SCAG staff reviewed and addressed all feedback, incorporating relevant suggestions into the final documents. Importantly, none of the comments or the resulting revisions affected the transportation conformity analyses or determinations. 

Additionally, in adherence to the California Environmental Quality Act, SCAG staff prepared an addendum to the recently certified Connect SoCal 2024 Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). The Regional Council reviewed and adopted the addendum to the 2024 PEIR as recommended by the Energy and Environment Committee before the approval of Amendment 1. 

SCAG anticipates receiving final federal approval for transportation conformity for both the 2025 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 by mid-December 2024.

2024 Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Funding and Engagement Update

The 2024 Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) – Active Transportation and Safety call for applications is open until Sept. 27.

The state budget enacted in June 2024 reduced Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 7 funding, resulting in significant reductions to available funding for the 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety call for applications. While SCAG is identifying potential additional funding to supplement existing funding sources, the final funding estimate will not be available until SCAG finalizes the2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety budget in fall 2024. Therefore, the program anticipates awarding between $6.3 million and $8.2 million (down from $10.4 million) for the following project categories:

• Community/Areawide Plans: up to $700,000 available (down from $2.4 million; funding cap based on ATP state guidelines).
• Quick-Build Projects: between $5.6 million and $7.5 million available (pending final budget availability).

On Sept. 5, the Regional Council adopted “Amended 2025 Active Transportation Program Regional Guidelines” and “Amended Connect SoCal 2024 Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Guidelines” to ensure consistency for the 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety call for applications with the ATP’s amended statewide and regional guidelines for the revised funding estimate.

On Aug. 7, SCAG hosted the second of two application workshops to support the 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety call for applications. More than 100 registrants participated across the two workshops, with representation from all six SCAG counties. Staff will continue to support interested applicants with office hours throughout the application period, which can be booked online on the SCP page of SCAG’s website.

SCAG Publishes Report and Model Ordinance for Broadband Permit Streamlining

Insufficient broadband infrastructure and permitting challenges continue to complicate efforts to bridge the digital divide. Complex processes, high resource demands, and inconsistent fees impede infrastructure deployment. Lengthy permitting processes increase costs and lead to project delays, which pass costs onto consumers.

To help resolve these challenges, SCAG, in collaboration with the San Diego Association of Governments and with funding from the California Emerging Technology Fund, developed a “Broadband Permit Streamlining Report” and “Broadband Permit Streamlining Model Ordinance.”

The report outlines key challenges and complexities involved in both wireless and wireline broadband deployment. SCAG created a model ordinance based on the report’s findings to offer local jurisdictions options for accelerating permitting processes. Jurisdictions can use this ordinance as a template, either adopting it in full or selecting specific sections to streamline their existing broadband permit processes.

The report and ordinance are available on the SCAG website. For more information regarding the “Broadband Permit Streamlining Report” and “Broadband Permit Streamlining Model Ordinance,” please contact Roland Ok at ok@scag.ca.gov or (213) 236-1819.

Federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program Open for Funding

The Notice of Funding Opportunity is now open for the federal Reconnecting Communities (RCP) Pilot Program. The funding opportunity is a continuation of two previous rounds of RCP funding condensed into a combined allocation of fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026. No further funding is available beyond this cycle, and the application deadline is Sept. 30.

The RCP program funds work to improve access to daily needs, such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, fostering equitable development and providing technical assistance to further these goals. Up to $607 million is available for planning, capital construction, and technical assistance. The U.S. Department of Transportation will prioritize grant funding applications that demonstrate the following characteristics:

• Equity and Justice40 (i.e., benefit for economically disadvantaged communities) 
• Access
• Facility suitability
• Community engagement and community-based stewardship, management, and partnerships
• Equitable development
• Climate change mitigation and/or adaptation and resilience
• Workforce development and economic opportunity
• Planning integration

SCAG is also committed to advancing this federal initiative through the “Highways to Boulevards Regional Study,” which will identify opportunities to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation infrastructure, such as highways or railways, that hinder community connectivity, mobility, access, or economic development. Through this study, SCAG seeks to position the region to compete for federal funding while identifying projects that, although not ready to apply, could be compiled into a project list.

For more information on the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Decision Ends Potential for South Coast Highway Sanctions

On Aug. 15, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) proposed a finding of failure of the South Coast region to attain the 1997 8-hour ozone standards. This finding of failure will not trigger highway sanctions and will not affect the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, the Federal Transportation Improvement Program, nor any regional transportation projects. In addition, the finding will not trigger new air quality planning requirements for the South Coast region because the 1997 federal ozone standard has been revoked and has been replaced by more stringent standards, namely the 2008 and 2015 federal 8-hour ozone standards.

A previous U.S. EPA proposed disapproval in the South Coast region was collectively resolved in July by the U.S. EPA, the California Air Resources Board, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, and SCAG.

SCAG Submits Sustainable Communities Strategy to California Air Resources Board

As required following adoption of a Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), SCAG provided a SCS submittal package to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on July 2. The SCS submittal package includes the quantification of the greenhouse gas emission reductions of the SCS and a “Technical Methodology” explaining how SCAG estimated the reductions.

CARB’s review is limited to acceptance or rejection of SCAG’s determination that its SCS would, if implemented, achieve the region’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 19 percent by 2035. This acceptance is important for projects included in Connect SoCal 2024 that seek state funding sources required to be included in an RTP and consistent with an approved SCS. If CARB rejects SCAG’s determination of meeting the greenhouse emission target, SCAG would need to revise the SCS or adopt an alternative planning strategy demonstrating the ability to achieve the target.

CARB has 60 business days (through Sept. 27) to complete the evaluation. Staff anticipates working with CARB to respond to questions and requests for additional information as part of the evaluation period.

SCAG-Sponsored Assembly Bill 2485 Held in Committee

The SCAG-sponsored Assembly Bill (AB) 2485 (J. Carrillo) was held in the Senate Appropriations Committee in August. The bill did not move off the suspense file and will not move forward.

AB 2485 aimed to increase transparency measures in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment determination process. The bill would have established procedures for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to publish data sources, analyses, and methodology used in the development of a given region’s RHNA determination on its website and would have required HCD to convene a panel of experts to advise HCD on those data sources, analyses, and methodology used in the development of a given region’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment determination.

The Senate and Assembly appropriations committees hurtle through hundreds of bills with new spending attached, passing or holding them in rapid fire with no explanation and with no opportunity for public comment. The Senate Appropriations Committee held 34 percent of its 515 measures, including AB 2485. The typical hold rate is about 25 percent.

SCAG’s Legislation team focused on this bill during the current legislative session, reviewing input from members, creating the initial bill concepts and presenting them to the Regional Council for approval, securing a sponsor in Sacramento, and working AB 2485 through the processes in the capitol. SCAG thanks members of the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee, bill sponsor Juan Carrillo, as well as numerous partners who helped AB 2485 on its journey.

Toolbox Tuesday on Quick-Build Projects for Roadway Safety and Complete Streets

August’s Toolbox Tuesday explored how quick-build projects using low to medium-cost materials can implement near-term infrastructure improvements that increase safety, comfort, and accessibility for all road users. Planners can also use feedback generated by community engagement with quick-build projects to evaluate and improve future street designs.

This session, attended by 79 participants, introduced quick-build projects and reviewed case studies from the SCAG region. Attendees learned the many possible forms that quick-build projects can take in different communities and heard from consultants and local agency staff about their experiences designing, implementing, and evaluating quick-build projects.

For more information, check out the session recording and other materials on the SCAG website.

Paris Olympic Games Observation Tour Update

In anticipation of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, SCAG staff are working with LA28, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Planning Authority (Metro), Caltrans, the Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office, and Metrolink—a group collectively known as the Games Mobility Executives—to develop mobility plans and strategies and pursue state and federal funds to support the transportation infrastructure needed for the region during the Olympics.

As part of this work, SCAG Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson and Deputy Director of Planning for Transportation Annie Nam participated in the official 2024 Paris Olympics Observer Program in early August to learn from and engage with experts about the preparations and operations in Paris. 

Key takeaways from Olympics operations, expert-led presentations, and roundtable discussions during the 2024 Paris Olympics Observer Program: 

• The organizing committee for the Paris games, Paris 2024, focused mobility planning and strategies on the transport of athletes and other officials to and from competition venues. Meanwhile, Paris and partner cities were responsible for addressing the broader mobility needs of spectators and residents.
• Paris 2024 designed a basic kit of parts and identity for visual design elements. The city of Paris worked to determine site approaches, key points in the city, and iconic Paris locations and was responsible for the design, production, installation, and removal of the visual design elements (including wayfinding) across the city.
• Legacy was a critical component in developing strategies for the Paris Olympics, including establishing a legacy endowment fund to support youth and sports, similar to the International Olympic Committee’s agreement with the city of Los Angeles to seed a $160 million endowment fund.
• The “Olympic Lanes” in Paris (equivalent to the Games Route Network under development in Los Angeles) provided safe and efficient travel for athletes and officials; thereafter, the lanes will become carpool lanes. The city of Paris restricted motor vehicle access to roads approaching competition venues with exceptions for accredited vehicles.
• The Greater Paris Metropolis created a working group on urban logistics during the Olympics, organized workshops on traffic restrictions, and created tools and an online platform to plan and facilitate deliveries during the Olympics. During the games, Paris 2024 and the city of Paris coordinated over 50,000 volunteers at venues and around the city. 

SCAG Advances Regional Transit Priorities in Transit Transformation Task Force

On Aug. 29, SCAG hosted the fifth meeting of the Transit Transformation Task Force, led by the California State Transportation Agency, at the SCAG offices in downtown Los Angeles. At the meeting, SCAG highlighted its regional approach to transit planning, and the task force’s larger discussions focused on policies and programs to improve transit operator workforce recruitment, retention, and development. Task force members joined SCAG, Metro, Metrolink, and Move LA for a ride-along to experience Los Angeles transit. The transit tour highlighted Los Angeles’ public transportation systems—both opportunities and challenges— and recent improvements along the Metro A Line.

Senate Bill 125 established the task force to develop statewide recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve transit customer experiences, and address long-term operational needs. The Task Force includes 25 members, including a cohort from Southern California—SCAG, Metro, Move LA, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, and UCLA’s Institute of Transportation Studies. The task force’s work aligns with the Connect SoCal 2024 vision of a future in which public transit functions as the backbone of the mobility ecosystem, enabling seamless and efficient mobility without using an automobile.

The task force is developing policy recommendations for a report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the State Legislature on or before Oct. 31, 2025.

Transit Technology Panel at September Regional Council

In support of the Presidential Priorities and the work of the Transit Transformation Task Force, the Sept. 5 Regional Council meeting included a panel discussion on transit recovery and technology. The panel featured Metrolink Chief Executive Officer Darren Kettle, who shared efforts to implement operations changes to optimize service, and Riverside Transit Agency Chief Executive Officer Kristin Warsinski and Riverside Transit Agency Planning Director Jennifer Nguyen, who highlighted efforts to implement technological innovations that address changing customer needs. Video of the panel discussion will be available soon on the Regional Council video archive.

Go Human Community Streets Awardees Complete Traffic Safety Community Engagement Projects

In August, Go Human Community Streets Grant Program awardees completed 15 traffic safety community engagement projects throughout the region. Community Streets Program awardees implemented activities to increase safety for people walking and biking. These projects brought people together to tell their stories about mobility, provide their feedback on local infrastructure, build local capacity for activity to improve street safety, and re-imagine the safety of their communities.

From Brawley in Imperial County to Oxnard in Ventura County, awardee projects reached residents and decision-makers with nine safety leadership workshops, 10 walk audits and community bike rides, seven temporary traffic safety demonstration projects, four data collection efforts, and three traffic safety storytelling projects.

For example, throughout July and August, Santa Ana Active Streets educated and engaged the public on potential improvements to the city of Santa Ana’s roadways with community workshops, a traffic safety training session, a temporary artistic crosswalk, a walk assessment, and new safety signage.

As part of their 2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program project, Stronger Together Now conducted a traffic safety education campaign to engage, empower, and educate local K-12 staff, students, and their families throughout the Inland Empire. The education campaign, held at local schools and community gathering places throughout the summer, included student-led art installations and traffic safety workshops.

For more information on the 2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program, visit the SCAG website and the Go Human blog. The call for applications for the 2025 Community Streets Grant Program will open in spring 2025.

SCAG Board Officers Tour Port Hueneme for the Ventura County Mobile Tour

In August, SCAG Board Officers, along with Ventura County members, attended a tour of the Port of Hueneme. A vital economic engine, the Port of Hueneme is a vibrant West Coast port with high productivity, low congestion, and a big impact. The port is among the top 10 in the United States for produce and automobile imports, including around 5 billion bananas every year. As part of the mobile workshop, attendees visited the BMW processing facility and produce distribution center.

SCAG Issues 2024 California Clean Air Day Proclamation

The SCAG Regional Council on Sept. 5 issued a proclamation pledging SCAG’s support for California Clean Air Day.

California Clean Air Day encourages individuals and organizations to commit to actions, big and small, that help to improve air quality. Last year, more than 16,500 individuals made more than 125,000 clean air action pledges; 22 transit agencies provided free rides on buses, trains, bike share programs, and ferries; and 121 California Clean Air Day events were held virtually and in person.

SCAG has participated in the annual California Clean Air Day in the past by signing the organizational pledge, encouraging SCAG’s 197 member jurisdictions to explore actions and pledges, and encouraging SCAG staff to take the California Clean Air Day pledge.

SCAG’s regional planning policies, programs, strategies, and initiatives, as reflected in the adopted Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program, will continue to play an important role in achieving significant air quality improvements in the SCAG region.

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2024 Southern California Demographics Workshop Registration Open, Keynote Announced

Registration is now open for the 2024 Southern California Demographic Workshop, “Navigating the New Growth Reality,” presented by SCAG and the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California. This 35th annual event will be held on Sept. 24 at SCAG’s main office in Downtown Los Angeles and will also be available to attend online.

SCAG also announced the keynote speaker for the event: Bill Fulton, FAICP, principal of the William Fulton Group. Fulton is the former mayor of Ventura and former director of planning and economic development for the city of San Diego. Fulton wrote Guide to California Planning, a standard urban planning textbook in California, among numerous other books. Fulton is also editor and publisher of California Planning & Development Report, the authoritative information source for urban planners in California; a visiting policy designer at the University of California, San Diego Design Lab; and a fellow at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley.

Fulton’s keynote will respond to recent population projections for the region and state, informed by experience and perspective earned through a long career in public service. Taking lessons from other states, Fulton will discuss how Southern California can adjust to an era in which prosperity is no longer—and need not be—determined by the pace of population growth.   

Full Funding Anticipated for REAP 2.0 Grants Following $231.5 Million Allocation

Following the 2024 Budget Act, the state allocated $560 million to restore the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 2.0) grant program. SCAG received a final award of $231.5 million from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which represents a reduction of $14.5 million from SCAG’s initial allocation. Despite this reduction, SCAG anticipates full funding for all competitive and formula-based grant awards previously approved by the Regional Council.

This achievement would not have been possible without the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG’s many partners. SCAG extends gratitude to everyone involved and to the state legislature and governor for recognizing the critical importance of regional efforts to address the housing affordability crisis.

SCAG looks forward to resuming REAP 2.0 projects. For more information about the REAP 2.0 program, visit the SCAG website.

Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Call for Applications Open

The Active Transportation and Safety call for applications for the Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) opened on July 8. Eligible project types include community plans, area plans, and quick-build projects. Funded projects will support Connect SoCal 2024’s mobility goal to build and maintain an integrated multimodal transportation network. Available funding in this call for applications is estimated to be $10.4 million, comprising Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 regional funds and a 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant.

The deadline for applications is Sept. 27, and SCAG anticipates announcing application awards in December 2024. To support the application process for eligible applicants, SCAG held an application workshop on July 25, with a second application workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 7 (register online). In addition, office hours are available on Mondays and Thursdays during the application period. For more information about the call and to sign up for office hours, visit the Sustainable Communities Program page on the SCAG website.

Toolbox Tuesday on Creating Local Profiles and Analyzing Neighborhood Conditions Using the R Statistical Programming Language

Last month’s Toolbox Tuesday demonstrated how to use the latest Census data to analyze neighborhood conditions—a critical step in the local planning process due to a variety of housing and environmental planning requirements. The session demonstrated how to analyze neighborhood-level characteristics within cities using the R statistical programming language to extract, organize, and visualize data. The session was attended by 35 participants, who learned basic data skills in R and how to identify and use the appropriate Census data based on the goals of the analysis, join Census data at different geographic scales, map data in R, create shapefiles in R, and look up variables in Census data.

For more information, check out the session recording and other materials on the SCAG website.

SCAG Receives $50 Million to Support Clean Goods Movement

SCAG will receive $50 million for clean technology improvements to reduce pollution from goods movement—part of a nearly $500 million grant for Southern California included in $4.3 billion in investments announced last week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This award responds to a collaborative application led by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, outlining a coordinated, large-scale regional effort for zero-emission vehicles and fueling infrastructure improvements to support the regional goods movement network. SCAG’s award will fund the Last Mile Freight Program, which supports deployment of nearly 300 zero-emission fueling stations and up to 740 medium- and heavy-duty trucks.   

Read more on the funding award, including a statement from SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, on the SCAG website.

SCAG Receives $1 Million in Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants from Caltrans

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) recently announced $76.1 million in fiscal year 2024-2025 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Awards, including two $500,000 grants for SCAG in the Strategic Partnerships funding category.

With the first grant, SCAG will conduct a survey and study airport passenger surface transportation behaviors and attitudes in the SCAG region. SCAG anticipates launching the study later this year and completing it in late 2027. The proposed airport passenger surface transportation study will explore and explain the perspectives and behaviors of passengers and employees traveling to and from the SCAG region’s airports, including developing actionable recommendations for ground transportation and alternative connections to airports.

With the second grant, SCAG will partner with Caltrans Districts 7, 8, 11, and 12 and local jurisdictions on the “Planning for Main Streets” project, conducting planning work to enable improvements on state highways in the SCAG region that double as main streets given existing and planned land uses, related projects, and community priorities. This work will develop conceptual plans and associated cost estimates for sustainable transportation improvements to position these corridors for future funding opportunities or incorporation into future workplans to implement improvements. The “Planning for Main Streets” project is anticipated to kick off in Spring 2025 and be completed in Summer 2027.

2025 Draft FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment #1 Comment Period

The draft 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and draft Amendment 1 to the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy are available for public review and comment through Aug. 12.

SCAG has prepared the draft 2025 FTIP in compliance with the adopted Connect SoCal 2024 and all federal and state requirements. SCAG has also prepared the draft Amendment 1 to Connect SoCal 2024 to reflect additions, deletions, and changes to several critical transportation projects ready to move forward to the implementation phase. 

A major component of Connect SoCal 2024 is a project list that contains thousands of individual transportation projects throughout the SCAG region. Since Connect SoCal 2024’s adoption, some of these transportation projects have experienced time-sensitive technical changes. In addition, the county transportation commissions in the SCAG region have identified new priority transportation projects, as well as projects no longer identified as priorities. The 2025 FTIP and Amendment 1 to Connect SoCal 2024 are needed to allow these projects to proceed quickly. 

SCAG conducted two public hearings in July to gather input on the draft documents. These hearings provided a forum for public feedback, which will inform final revisions before adoption. SCAG anticipates bringing the finalized FTIP to the Regional Council for action in September before submitting to Caltrans by its Sept. 30 deadline.

Agreement Avoids Highway Sanction Clocks for South Coast Air Quality Management District

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) published a joint statement last week committing to a sustained collaboration across local, state, and federal levels to reduce emissions from all sources. This shared effort includes withdrawal of the AQMD’s 2019 Contingency Measure Plan, which the U.S. EPA proposed disapproving in February 2024. This withdrawal avoids potential highway sanctions that could have impacted federal transportation approvals and funding in the South Coast Air Basin, an area that includes all of Orange County as well as the urban areas of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. SCAG has been engaging with the U.S. EPA and the AQMD for much of this year toward a solution to improve air quality and avoid highway sanctions.

For more details on the agreement, including a statement from SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, read the news post on the SCAG website.

SCAG Submits Sustainable Communities Strategy

As required following adoption of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS), SCAG provided a SCS submittal package to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on July 2. The SCS submittal package includes the quantification of the greenhouse gas emission reductions of the SCS and a technical methodology explaining how SCAG estimated the reductions.

CARB is limited to acceptance or rejection of a metropolitan planning organization’s determination that its SCS would, if implemented, achieve the region’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 19 percent by 2035. Acceptance of SCAG’s determination by CARB is important to the implementation of projects included in Connect SoCal 2024 seeking certain state funding sources that require inclusion in an RTP consistent with an approved SCS. If CARB rejects SCAG’s determination of meeting the greenhouse emission target, SCAG will need to revise the SCS or adopt an alternative planning strategy demonstrating the ability to achieve the target.

CARB has 60 business days, through Sept. 27, to complete the evaluation. SCAG staff anticipates working with CARB to respond to questions and requests for additional information as part of the evaluation period.

Executive/Administration Committee Retreat: Planning for the 2024-25 Fiscal Year

The annual Executive/Administration Committee (EAC) Retreat convened from June 27-28, 2024, in the city of Ontario with SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman and the EAC discussing topics ranging from board employment classification; emerging issues related to transportation finance, housing, and Connect SoCal 2024; review of the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly; 2024-2025 presidential priorities and policy committee outlooks; the 2024-2025 Regional Council outlook; and the schedule of meetings for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

For a complete report on the EAC Retreat, see the staff report from the EAC meeting on July 31.

SCAG Funding Supports Reconnecting MacArthur Park Planning

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in a press conference announcing the launch of the Reconnecting MacArthur Park project.The Reconnecting MacArthur Park project announced a major milestone in July, launching planning for the project after receiving $2.5 million in grant funding, including $500,000 through SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program. The Sustainable Communities Program is one way SCAG supports local jurisdictions in implementing the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.

The Reconnecting MacArthur Park project could create two acres of open public space by closing Wilshire Boulevard through MacArthur Park west of Downtown Los Angeles. The project intentionally aligns local, regional, and federal planning priorities to reduce vehicle miles traveled, improve air quality, increase public open space, and improve quality of life for local communities. For more information on the project, read an editorial published by the Los Angeles Times.

SCAG GIS Training Services: Getting Started with GIS for Regional and Local Planning

SCAG’s Local Information Services Team (LIST), in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, successfully completed the last GIS training program for local jurisdictions and partners in Los Angeles County with an in-person training session at the SCAG offices in Los Angeles. The GIS training program provided training to more than 200 participants throughout six sessions.  

The training program is tailored to planning professionals, GIS technicians, engineers, management analysts, and other related professionals within the region. Developed from feedback from SCAG’s Regional Data and Services Experience Survey, this two-and-a-half-day course equips attendees with essential GIS skills, focusing on real-world planning challenges. Trainees gained hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro software and learned data capture, analysis, and visualization techniques. Videos of each GIS training program session are available on YouTube.

SCAG Attends the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials

Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in the 53rd Annual Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) in Houston from July 9-12. This year’s conference theme was “Transportation Equity: Meeting the Moment.” During the conference, Ajise joined a special half-day “CEO Summit” with public sector leaders to share and discuss insights about expanding industry leadership and workforces; embracing new technology and innovation; and incorporating equity, environment, and sustainability into projects, policies, and initiatives.

SCAG Shares Knowledge at the 2024 Esri User Conference in San Diego

Multiple SCAG staff members attended the 2024 Esri User Conference in San Diego from July 15-19. As the world’s largest geographic information systems (GIS) conference, the 2024 Esri User Conference focused on the power of geospatial thinking. SCAG staff collaborated with other industry professionals by attending presentations and participating in interactive workshops, learned about new and upcoming developments in GIS through technical sessions, and explored the conference expo, featuring vendor exhibits demonstrating innovative GIS solutions.

SCAG Go Human 2023 Community Hubs Grantees Win 2024 APA California Planning Award

The California Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) awarded the TWIGY Bikey Summer program, the Bicycle Tree, and Santa Ana Active Streets with the 2024 California Planning Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category. The TWIGY Bikey Summer program, funded by SCAG’s Go Human Community Hubs Grant Program in 2023, created a supportive community for people who identify as transgender, women, intersex, and gender nonconforming (TWIG)—all historically underrepresented and excluded in bicycling communities. The program promoted a visionary and innovative approach to inclusive community planning, demonstrating grassroots community impact by directly engaging and empowering impacted communities as a mobility justice strategy in Orange County.

The award will be recognized at the 2024 APA California Conference in Riverside in September 2024. The project previously won the APA Orange County Section Award of Excellence in the Grassroots Initiative category. Find more information about the Bicycle Tree, Santa Ana Active Streets, and other Go Human Community Hubs grantees on the SCAG website.

SCAG-San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Delegates Update

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson visited the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) in July to provide updates to SBCTA and SCAG members. Topics of discussion included the Regional Early Action Planning grant program, transportation finances, the California State Transportation Agency Transit Task Force, and more. Thank you to all members and staff who attended and participated in a productive discussion.

Press Conference: Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Groundbreaking

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SCAG joined the Long Beach community to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility. A long-awaited centerpiece of a series of improvements to the port rail network, the new facility will double the size of the existing Pier B rail yard from 82 acres to 171 acres, and more than triple the annual on-dock rail cargo capacity at the Port of Long Beach—from 1.5 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 4.7 million TEUs. Dignitaries present included congressmembers Robert Garcia and Grace Napolitano, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, and Regional Council Member Larry McCallon.

Press Conference: $77.5 Million for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Electric Buses

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena joined local leaders in a celebratory press conference with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to highlight preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and their benefits for Southern California over the decades to come.

At the press conference, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced $77.5 million in Low or No Emission Grant Program funds from the Federal Transit Administration, which fund the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Zero-Emission Bus and Charging Infrastructure Project. These funds will allow Metro to procure battery-electric buses, charging equipment, and supporting infrastructure to provide reliable zero-emission service along bus routes from Metro’s Bus Division 7 in West Hollywood. Also joining Metro and SCAG officials at the press conference were congressmembers Maxine Waters, Ted Lieu, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Los Angeles County supervisors Janice Hahn and Lindsey Horvath.

SCAG Go Human Traffic Safety Demonstration Project Showcased in Palm Springs

On May 11, over 300 people attended the Palm Springs Farmers’ Market to test pop-up traffic safety improvements using the SCAG Go Human “Kit of Parts.” With support from Go Human, the Palm Springs Cultural Center temporarily showcased potential safety improvements, including an artistic crosswalk, a parklet, and a median refuge island. After experiencing the demonstration, 100 percent of survey respondents supported the traffic safety improvements. Learn more about this event by reading the summary report online and watching the demonstration video on the SCAG YouTube channel.

SCAG Go Human Sponsors CicLAvia South L.A. Plan Zone

On June 23, SCAG Go Human sponsored an interactive Play Zone for CicLAvia – South LA. Almost 10,000 attendees enjoyed car-free streets by biking, playing, skating, walking, and exploring five miles along Western Avenue in South Los Angeles and interacted with the SCAG Go Human Play Zone. Read more about the event on the CicLAvia website and see photos on CicLAvia’s Flickr account.

Miche1ada Partners with Go Human to Discuss Bike Safety in Southern California

This summer, local content creator Michelle Moro (@Miche1ada on Instagram and TikTok) partnered with SCAG and Go Human to raise awareness of bicycle and pedestrian safety and infrastructure in Southern California by sharing personal bicycling experiences and safety tips. Watch the video on SCAG’s YouTube page to learn more about biking in Southern California and Go Human’s efforts to make Southern California communities safer. 

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Final State Budget Secures $480 Million for REAP 2.0 Program; Restores More Funding

The California State Legislature has approved the Budget Act of 2024, taking a major step forward in addressing the housing crisis by restoring funding to the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP 2.0) program and other funding programs crucial to Southern California’s collective goals.

 The state budget approved by the legislature on Wednesday and signed by Gov. Newsom on Saturday retains $560 million for REAP 2.0, $480 million of which is dedicated to the formula component for metropolitan planning organizations, just five weeks after the governor’s May budget revision proposed $300 million funding reduction for the program. 

Before the budget cuts first proposed in January, SCAG had awarded more than $192 million in REAP 2.0 funds to 100 transformative projects. The restoration of REAP 2.0 funding means restarting these projects, several of which are detailed in the news release highlighting the restoration of REAP 2.0 funds in the state budget.

Transportation Conformity Analyses for Draft 2025 FTIP/Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 Available for Public Comment

As authorized by the SCAG Regional Council, the transportation conformity analyses for the Draft 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 have been released as part of the Draft 2025 FTIP and Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 documents for a 30-day public review period, starting on July 12 and ending on Aug. 12. After the public comment period, SCAG staff will present a summary of transportation conformity-related comments to the Energy and Environment Committee in September and request Regional Council adoption of the transportation conformity analyses and determinations for the Final 2025 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 in October. The transportation conformity determinations are anticipated to receive final federal approval in mid-December 2024. This federal approval is required for the approximately 2,250 projects in the 2025 FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 to proceed toward implementation.

SCAG’s Active Transportation and Safety Call for Projects: $10.4 Million Available

SCAG is releasing the Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety call for projects on July 8. The call for projects will include $10.4 million, funded by state Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 regional funds and a federal Safe Streets and Roads for All grant. Funding will be available for community and area plans, and quick-build projects that encourage active transportation (e.g., walking and biking) and improve roadway safety. Funded projects will be expected to support the implementation of Connect SoCal 2024 strategies.

Details about program goals, eligibility and project types can be found in the Program Guidelines. SCAG will hold workshops on Thursday, July 25 and Wednesday, Aug. 7 and offering office hours during the application period. Online applications will be due by Sept. 27. SCAG’s Regional Council will consider the approval of application rankings in April 2025, with final award announcements anticipated in June 2025. Please contact Rachel Om at om@scag.ca.gov for more information.

SCAG Publishes ‘Equity Resources for Action Toolbox’

The “Equity Resources for Action Toolbox” (ERA Toolbox) is a compilation of practices, policies and strategies from local agencies and groups to address existing and potential inequitable outcomes for communities and census tracts with high concentrations of low-income populations and people of color. The ERA Toolbox will help local jurisdictions and community members advocate for and apply equitable methods in policies, projects, and program development and implementation. The toolbox, formerly called the Environmental Justice Toolbox, draws from the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research General Plan Guidelines, the SB 1000 Implementation Toolkit developed by California Environmental Justice Alliance and PlaceWorks, and staff research on local and community-based organizations’ efforts.  

All recommendations are optional. Recommendations incorporating or referring to compliance with existing regulations are for informational purposes and do not supersede existing regulations. Please email environmentaljustice@scag.ca.gov to provide feedback or contribute to the toolbox.

Toolbox Tuesday Recap: Developing and Implementing Effective Language Access Strategies

June’s Toolbox Tuesday focused on incorporating language access strategies in local planning to empower non-English speakers to meaningfully engage with public process and access public services. This session reviewed legal obligations to provide language access and essential elements of language access programs, with emphasis on best practices for developing and implementing tailored language access plans. During this session, Laureen Laglagaron from the U.S. Department of Justice, Daniel Trejo from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Lupita Huerta from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, and Ana Vallianatos from SCAG discussed how jurisdictions can implement language access strategies.

Check out the session recording and other materials on the SCAG website.

SCAG GIS Training Services: Getting Started with GIS for Regional and Local Planning – Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura Counties

SCAG, in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, hosted a comprehensive GIS training program with local jurisdictions and partners in Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties in June. So far, the GIS training has more than 395 registrations regionwide and beyond.

The training program is tailored for planning professionals, GIS technicians, engineers, management analysts and other professionals in the region. Developed from feedback from SCAG’s Regional Data and Services Experience Survey, this two-and-a-half-day course equips attendees with essential GIS skills, focusing on real-world planning challenges. Trainees will gain hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro software, learning data capture, analysis, and visualization techniques. These training sessions are eligible for AICP Certification Maintenance credits. To sign up for future GIS training sessions, register online. Contact SCAG at list@scag.ca.gov for additional information.

SCAG Highlights 2028 Games Leadership and Support

The Olympic and Paralympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, roughly 1,500 days from now; work will intensify this summer when Paris officially passes Olympic duties to Los Angeles.

The Olympic Games will impact all of Southern California, particularly the region’s transportation networks. Transportation planning is already underway. LA28, a nonprofit organization responsible for delivering the games, is currently working with partners from across the region—e.g., SCAG, Caltrans, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Metrolink, etc.—to implement a comprehensive transportation strategy for the games. With a goal of creating a “car-free” games, partners are engaging around a variety of concepts, including mobility hubs, first/last mile treatments and transportation demand management (TDM), for freight and bus-only lanes. Priorities for 2024 include securing funding for transportation projects to support the games, such as legacy projects that will provide enduring benefits for residents for decades and engage stakeholders from across the region in preparations.

On June 7, Metro held the 2028 Games Regional Transportation Assembly, which brought together 100-plus agencies to discuss planning efforts and opportunities for partnership and engagement. Metro highlighted its Games Mobility Concept Plan, including updates on various workstream efforts (e.g., first/last mile, mobility hubs, supplemental bus system, etc.), and SCAG highlighted its efforts to provide leadership and support for the Games, including funding opportunities (e.g., Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation & Safety Call for Projects) and freight TDM planning. Though partners will continue meeting through the summer, Metro intends to reconvene the Regional Transportation Assembly after the Paris Games to review lessons learned and encourage even more collaboration. Please contact Annie Nam at nam@scag.ca.gov for more information.

‘Racial Equity Early Action Plan’ Update

Since adopting the “Racial Equity Early Action Plan” in May 2021, SCAG staff implemented 23 early actions, with another seven still in progress and two early actions in the planning stage.

In July 2020, the Regional Council adopted a resolution affirming its commitment to advancing justice, equity, diversity and inclusion throughout Southern California. SCAG staff refers to the ‘Racial Equity Early Action Plan’ to guide and sustain SCAG’s regional and organizational leadership in service of equity and social justice since its adoption. SCAG staff remain committed to advancing racial equity in the agency and the region.

As SCAG closes out the “early” phase of SCAG’s racial equity efforts, work will continue to incorporate racial equity throughout all SCAG programs.

SCAG Last Mile Freight Program Update

On June 20, the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) took action on more than $2.6 million in funding for clean freight transportation in the region as part of SCAG’s Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP). First, MSRC approved the reallocation of $1.4 million from canceled projects to New Bern Transport Corporation (a subsidiary of PepsiCo Inc.), allowing New Bern to expand their project in Buena Park from 10 class 8 electric vehicle tractors to 20.

Second, MSRC approved a scope change request by Zeem Solutions to fund the deployment of 42 direct current fast chargers at their Long Beach depot, which will support drayage operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and 42 zero-emission trucks at the company’s depots in Inglewood and Long Beach. The Zeem project involves a reallocation of $1.2 million from canceled projects. SCAG staff worked diligently with both companies, MSRC staff and Regional Councilmember Mark Henderson, representing SCAG on the MSRC, to advocate for these changes and ensure clear environmental and economic benefits for the SCAG region.

The LMFP is implemented by SCAG and funded through a partnership with MSRC. To date, SCAG has awarded $16.5 million under the LMFP to projects focused on the commercial deployment of zero-emission or near-zero emission heavy- and/or medium-duty on-road trucks. Twenty-one of 22 active projects are in various stages of implementation and must be completed before June 2026.

SCAG Advances Regional Transit Priorities

Senate Bill 125 established the Transit Transformation Task Force, led by the California State Transportation Agency, to develop statewide recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit customer experience, and address long-term operational needs. The task force includes 25 members, including a cohort from Southern California –SCAG, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Move LA, Riverside County Transportation Commission, and UCLA’s Institute of Transportation Studies.

At the June 17 meeting, the task force discussed fare and scheduling coordination between agencies, service improvements to support increasing frequency and reliability, and safety and cleanliness on and around transit. The task force is developing related policy recommendations for a report to the legislature’s appropriate policy and fiscal committees on or before Oct. 31, 2025.

 The task force’s work aligns with Connect SoCal 2024’s vision of a future in which public transit functions as the backbone of the mobility ecosystem, enabling seamless and efficient travel without owning an automobile. Frequent, reliable and convenient transit is vital for advancing the state and region’s vision of more livable and equitable communities. The task force will next meet at the SCAG offices on Aug. 29.  Please contact Priscilla Freduah-Agyemang at agyemang@scag.ca.gov for more information.

Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva Attends the June LCMC

SCAG’s Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee hosted Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva (D-Fullerton) at its June 18, 2024, meeting Assemblymember Quirk-Silva is chair of the Budget Subcommittee No. 5 on State Administration, which has jurisdiction over budget and fiscal policies affecting housing and shared an update on the state budget with the committee. Assemblymember Quirk-Silva is a skilled budget negotiator and key in the legislature’s budget proposal that protected the Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 2.0). SCAG looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the assemblymember on REAP 2.0 and other priority housing programs.

SCAG Advocates for Planning on the June 2024 Mobility 21 D.C. Trip

SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey attended Mobility 21’s annual Washington, D.C. trip from June 3 to June 5, where a coalition of public and private partners advocated for regional transportation solutions in Southern California. The delegation met with U.S. Senate Banking Committee staff and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Washington) to advocate for various priorities, including the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Contingency Measure Plan, increased funding for goods movement, and streamlining/providing additional flexibility for successful implementation of “Build America, Buy America” provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The delegation also advocated for the federal government to prioritize investments and support for the regional projects and programs related to the 2028 Olympics, especially regarding infrastructure and transit.

SCAG Attends the Western Riverside Council of Governments General Assembly

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, along with SCAG staff and Regional Council members, recently attended the Western Riverside Council of Governments General Assembly & Leadership Conference. This year’s keynote speaker was Los Angeles Rams Head Coach Sean McVay, who discussed the importance of relationships when working for the greater good. Regional Council members Jan Harnik (Palm Desert), Andrew Masiel (Tribal Representative), Karen Spiegel (Riverside) and Damon Alexander (San Bernardino) attended the event, along with policy committee members Crystal Ruiz (San Jacinto), Valerie Vandever (San Jacinto), Linda Molina (Calimesa), Joseph Morabito (Wildomar) and Dale Welty (Canyon Lake).

South African Delegation Visit

SCAG was honored to host a delegation of local government leaders representing South Africa’s Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority. Attendees toured SCAG offices and received a presentation on SCAG’s governing structure and an overview of SCAG programs and priorities.

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Regional Early Action Planning Program Update 

On May 30, the legislative leadership in the State Assembly and State Senate announced the Joint Legislative Budget Plan. Thanks to the collective advocacy efforts of SCAG and its partners, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan restores funding for several programs cut under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s January Budget proposal and May Revision.  

While still making the tough choices to balance the state’s budget, the Joint Legislative Budget Plan would:  

• Reduce proposed cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 2.0) from $300 million to $50 million.
• Protect the Active Transportation Program by rejecting the proposed cuts and shifting the source of funds from the General Fund to the State Highway Account.  
• Reject the $148 million cut from the competitive Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program but approve delays and fund shifts.  
• Approve delays and fund shifts to the formula Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program and delays an additional $500 million in General Fund. 
• Cut $350 million from the Safety Grade Separations program, which eliminates the program.  
• Adopt a $235 million reduction to the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program. 
• Delay $680 million for the Zero Emission Transit Capital Program.  
• Cut $75 million from OPR’s Regional Climate Resilience program and reduce funding for OPR’s Regional Climate Collaboratives by $9.8 million.  
• Delay $100 million from Broadband Last Mile Infrastructure Grant program from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
• Propose $1 billion for Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 6 grant funding to support local governments combating the homelessness crisis, a major priority for the Big City Mayor’s Coalition.

Restoring funding to the REAP 2.0 program and protecting funding for the Active Transportation Program align with the goals of Connect SoCal 2024 and are important resources for plan implementation.

If this budget is approved, SCAG staff hope to move forward with significant REAP sub-allocations and will continue engagement to “restart” the program once the budget is finalized. Given that much is possible between now and June 15, SCAG staff recently released the REAP 2.0 Updated Program Development Framework and Phased Expenditure Plan to prioritize available funding and ensure stability amid uncertainty with the state budget. Following release of the updated framework and expenditure plan, SCAG recently conducted information sessions on the proposed updates.

Following the sessions, SCAG staff shared a FAQ and is processing input. SCAG will continue to share updates as they are available and post information on the SCAG website. 

SCAG will continue to focus our advocacy efforts as the Legislature and Governor’s Office negotiate the final budget, and we thank our partners for continued support and collaboration in highlighting transformative projects in the region. 

Regional Council Approves the Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation and Safety Call for Applications Guidelines 

On June 6, the SCAG Regional Council approved a call for application guidelines for an estimated $10.4 million in funding through the Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) – Active Transportation and Safety, comprising Active Transportation Program Cycle 7 regional funds from the state and a 2023 Safe Streets and Roads for All federal grant. 

Following the Regional Council’s adoption of Connect SoCal 2024, staff developed guidelines for the Active Transportation and Safety component of the SCP. Eligible projects include communitywide/area plans and quick-build projects. Funded projects will align with Connect SoCal 2024 goals to build and maintain an integrated multimodal transportation network.

SCAG staff conducted extensive engagement to inform the development of the 2024 SCP – Active Transportation and Safety guidelines. The call for applications is anticipated for summer 2024.

SCAG Awards $280 Million in STBG/CMAQ/CRP Funding 

In June, the SCAG Regional Council approved $280 million in funding for projects through federal fiscal year 2026 via Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) programs. Eligible project sponsors submitted nominations through their respective county transportation commissions and were scored according to criteria outlined in the STBG/CMAQ and CRP Guidelines.  

With Regional Council approval, project sponsors may now program projects into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program and begin the funding obligation process. For more information on STBG/CMAQ/CRP funding and award lists, visit SCAG’s STBG/CMAQ and CRP websites.

2025 Draft FTIP/Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 Available for Public Comment 

The SCAG Regional Council approved the Draft 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) and Draft Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 for public review. To meet state and federal submittal deadlines, the 2025 FTIP will need to be released for a 30-day public review period starting on July 12 and ending on August 12. After the public comment period, staff will present a summary of comments to the Transportation Committee in September and request Regional Council approval of the Final FTIP and Connect SoCal 2024 Amendment 1 in October.

The 2025 FTIP includes approximately 1,900 projects with a total programming of $38.5 billion over a six-year period. Amendment 1 includes project additions, deletions or changes to scope, cost and schedule for about 350 projects.

The FTIP and Amendment 1 were prepared in coordination and consultation with county transportation commissions, including multimodal investments programmed with federal, state and local funds. The 2025 FTIP and Amendment 1 are anticipated for federal approval in mid-December 2024.

2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program Awardees Announced

SCAG has selected 16 community organizations to implement equity-centered, traffic safety and community engagement strategies through the 2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program. The Community Streets Program aims to increase the safety of people most harmed by traffic injuries and fatalities, particularly those walking and biking.  

This summer, awardees will implement a variety of safety projects: community audits that share and build local knowledge, street activations that prioritize safety for people walking and biking, community events that build momentum and support for essential safety installations and more. Congratulations to all awarded projects and community partners.

SCAG Receives Federal Approval of Conformity Determination of Connect SoCal 2024  

On May 10, SCAG received accelerated federal final approval of the transportation conformity determination, valid for four years through May 10, 2028. With this approval, important transportation projects in Connect SoCal 2024 and Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Amendment can now move forward.

The Regional Council adopted Connect SoCal 2024 and the 2023 FTIP Consistency Amendment No. 23-26, including the associated transportation conformity analysis, in April.

Thank you to Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for expedited review and approval of the conformity determination. 

SCAG Region Makes Progress in Addressing Regional Air Quality Issues  

Due to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) disapprovals of air plans prepared by local air districts and the California Air Resources Board or local air district’s failure to submit required air plans, the SCAG region is impacted by multiple federal Clean Air Act highway sanction clocks. If not resolved soon, resulting highway sanctions will have serious consequences on transportation projects, as well as the region’s economy and jobs. 

SCAG staff take highway sanctions clocks very seriously and have been engaging with the impacted air districts and the U.S. EPA to track progress of corrective actions, discuss solutions to turn off highway sanctions and prevent imposition of highway sanctions.  

From March through May, the U.S. EPA permanently stopped two highway sanction clocks, reducing the number of sanctions impacting the SCAG region from 15 to 13. The U.S. EPA has also approved interim actions to defer three of the remaining 13 highway sanction clocks, expected to be permanently turned off upon U.S. EPA’s conclusion of public process.

SCAG looks forward to continued coordination and efforts with impacted local air districts and the U.S. EPA to achieve permanent relief from remaining highway sanction clocks in the region.

SCAG’s 2024 Strategic Plan Approved

The Regional Council adopted the 2024 Strategic Plan, defining key roles SCAG has in the region by establishing a fresh set of strategic priorities and objectives to guide the agency’s focus, operations and performance to deliver on its mission to improve the lives of Southern Californians and beyond.  

The development of this plan included engagement with board members, stakeholders across the region, and experts within the organization to articulate the agency’s mission, values and priorities to stakeholders while aligning policies and strategies in Connect SoCal and critical initiatives.  

Following the adoption of the 2024 Strategic Plan, SCAG will establish key results to measure progress against our strategic priorities and objectives, integrate these metrics into agency workplans, and align budget development and resource allocation with our priorities. 

Highlights From the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly 

Many thanks to the 800+ attendees, esteemed speakers, panelists, members, partners and sponsors who gathered in May for the 2024 Regional Conference & General Assembly.  Local and regional leaders gathered to collaborate on fundamental issues, such as mobility, housing and communities, the environment and the economy following the adoption of Connect SoCal 2024 – the long-term plan and vision for Southern California.

Outgoing SCAG Regional Council President Brown closed out his term by sharing the “2023-24 President’s Report,” a detailed report of SCAG’s accomplishments since May 2023, which were also highlighted in the 2023-24 Year in Review video.

SCAG also welcomed the new Regional Council officers for 2024-25: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino), 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach), 2024-2025 Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills), 2024-2025 Regional Council second vice president.

In addition, the event also saw the rollout of SCAG’s annual awards, which include the Sustainability Awards, the Student Showcase and the Scholarship Program. SCAG announced the 115 awardees of its 14th annual Scholarship Program, supporting the next generation of public servants. SCAG received a record total of 115 applications from throughout the SCAG region. SCAG honored seven innovative projects across the six-county region at the 2024 Sustainability Awards ceremonies. SCAG announced two Jury Awards and two Audience Awards for the Student Showcase poster and StoryMap contest.

California Department of Housing and Community Development Provides RHNA Reform Recommendations 

On April 18, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) published “California’s Housing Future 2024: The Next Regional Housing Needs Allocation,” a 176-page report providing recommendations for Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) reform, required for submittal to the California Legislature by Assembly Bill (AB) 101 (2019). The report covers the regional determination process, SCAG-led processes such as allocation methodology and appeals process, and RHNA consistency with regional transportation plans and sustainable communities strategies.

While the report does not specify timing for action by HCD, AB 3093, under consideration by the legislature, would implement one of the report’s recommendations to address homelessness in the RHNA process by increasing the number of allocated income categories. SCAG staff is reviewing the report and continuing to monitor legislative activity. Staff will report updates to the Regional Council as more information becomes available.

RHNA Transparency Bill Update

Assembly Bill (AB) 2485 by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo is SCAG’s sponsored bill to increase transparency measures in the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) determination by:

• Establishing procedures for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to publish data sources, analyses and methodology used in the development of a given region’s RHNA determination on its website.
• Requiring HCD to convene a panel of experts to advise HCD on those data sources, analyses and methodology used in the development of a given region’s RHNA determination.

The bill was first heard in the Assembly Committee on Housing and Community Development on April 17, where it passed. The bill then moved through the Assembly Local Government and Appropriations committees, then landed back on the Assembly floor on May 22, where it was passed unanimously. The bill is now headed to the Senate, where it will likely be assigned to the Senate Housing Committee.

City of Yucaipa Approves EIFD Resolution

The City Council of Yucaipa approved a resolution on April 24 to establish the Yucaipa Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and adopt an infrastructure financing plan for the district. The Yucaipa EIFD will finance affordable housing and supportive infrastructure within the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan housing area along with other community enhancements. Funding for this project was provided through SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program.

Highways to Boulevards Regional Study Project Advisory Committee Convenes

In May, SCAG hosted the second meeting of the Highways to Boulevards Regional Study Project Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC comprises staff from cities, counties and councils of governments to shape the study’s methodology and identify corridors for future conceptual design.  SCAG staff highlighted high-level goals and guiding principles, built out the ongoing project list, introduced draft screening criteria and solicited feedback regarding prioritization criteria.

SCAG staff will continue to engage stakeholders through the study’s anticipated completion in April 2025. More information on the project and PAC can be found on the SCAG website.

CARB-MPO SCS Target Setting Meetings 

On May 16 and 21, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) hosted two information meetings for metropolitan planning organization staff to share their planned process for updating Sustainable Communities Strategy guidelines and setting new Senate Bill 375 targets. Under their proposed timeline, CARB is planning a public kickoff of the process in July 2024, a release of a draft target report in April 2025 and adoption of new targets by July 2026. 

Toolbox Tuesday on Re-Imagine Biking While Black: A Road Map to Advocacy & Joy

Last month’s Toolbox Tuesday focused on mobility justice leader Yolanda-Davis Overstreet’s research and findings from the 2023 advocacy guide, “Re-Imagine Biking While Black: A Road Map to Advocacy & Joy Guide.” In 2021, Davis-Overstreet was awarded funding through the Go Human Mini-Grant program to film and release “Biking While Black: How Safe are Black Lives Bicycling?” an award-winning documentary film. Building on the film’s groundwork, Davis-Overstreet published “Re-Imagine Biking While Black: A Road Map to Advocacy & Joy Guide” in 2023. During the session, Davis-Overstreet discussed how to use the advocacy guide to address transportation inequities. Watch the session recording on the Toolbox Tuesday video archive.

SCAG GIS Training Services: Getting Started with GIS for Regional and Local Planning—Riverside and Imperial Counties 

SCAG’s Local Information Services Team (LIST), in partnership with Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Urban and Regional Planning, kicked off its first comprehensive GIS training program with local jurisdictions and partners in Riverside and Imperial counties in May.  

The training program is tailored for planning professionals, GIS technicians, engineers, management analysts and other professionals within the region. Developed from feedback from SCAG’s Regional Data and Services Experience Survey, this two-and-a-half-day course equips attendees with essential GIS skills, focusing on real-world planning challenges. Trainees will gain hands-on experience with ArcGIS Pro software, learning data capture, analysis and visualization techniques and can earn AICP Certification Maintenance credits. Register online for future GIS training sessions in Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura and San Bernardino counties. Contact list@scag.ca.gov for additional information. 

SCAG Attends Annual California Congressional Transportation Reception

Regional Council President Curt Hagman led a delegation of SCAG leaders to Washington, D.C., for the agency’s annual federal advocacy trip earlier this month.  President Hagman was joined by First Vice President Cindy Allen (Long Beach), Second Vice President Ray Marquez (Chino Hills), and Legislative/Communications & Membership Committee Vice Chair José Luis Solache (Lynwood). The delegation held meetings with SCAG’s Congressional delegation as well as key federal agency leadership to share relevant agency updates, including the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing grant program, the Active Transportation Infrastructure Improvement Program, the Healthy Streets Program, the Affordable Connectivity Program and the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Delegation members also attended SCAG’s annual California Congressional Transportation Reception, co-hosted with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, convening California’s transportation leaders and stakeholders to network and discuss issues of key importance to California’s transportation and infrastructure needs, drawing over 300 attendees. In attendance were members of California’s Congressional delegation as well as legislative and committee staff. Guest speakers at the event included California Senator Alex Padilla, House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen, and Federal Highway Administration Administrator Shailen Bhatt. Additional special guests in attendance included representatives Judy Chu, Kevin Kiley, Linda Sanchez and Norma Torres.   

Members of the SCAG delegation also participated in the Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors Annual Meeting, with the nation’s foremost freight policy leaders, to discuss the next iteration of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, planning supply chain issues and understanding current and future funding cycles.

WTS International Presents Honorable Ray LaHood Award to SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise

WTS International honored SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise with the 2024 WTS Recognition Award–Honorable Ray LaHood Award at the Awards Gala during the 2024 WTS Annual Conference in New Orleans on May 8. This award honors male leaders in transportation for outstanding commitments to the advancement of women and diversity in the field and elevating the reputation of professionals in transportation. WTS International specifically recognized Kome’s leadership and vision during SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 planning process.

Kome received the WTS-Los Angeles (WTS-LA) chapter’s Honorable Ray LaHood Award in November 2023. WTS-LA then nominated Kome for the international award alongside transportation leaders nominated by WTS chapters all over the United States and Canada. Read more about this prestigious award on the SCAG website.

SCAG to Participate in 2024 Paris Olympic Games Observation Program and Study Tour

The Regional Council approved up to two Regional Council members and four SCAG staff to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games Observation Program and Study Tour and to meet with the Paris delegation in preparation for the LA28 Olympic Games. 

Sarah Jepson, SCAG chief planning officer, and Annie Nam, SCAG deputy director of planning for transportation, will be participating in the LA28-led 2024 Paris Olympics Observation Program. Program participants from Southern California, in addition to state and federal representatives. will learn from and engage with experts from Paris to gain firsthand knowledge about preparations and operations for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

SCAG Joins Goods Movement Summit

SCAG Regional Council President Curt Hagman and Deputy Planning Director Annie Nam participated in the Inland Empire Economic Partnership’s Logistics and E-Commerce Summit last month. Annie presented a SCAG white paper on the state of goods movement in the region. Following the presentation, President Hagman spoke on a panel discussing data on truck routes, the role technology will play in improving the industry and how SCAG can support collaboration in this space.

Go Human Kit of Parts Supports Santa Monica Safety Demonstration 

On May 18, the city of Santa Monica hosted a one-day temporary traffic safety demonstration event using SCAG’s Go Human Kit of Parts. Residents provided input on temporary, colorful and durable street designs at the intersection of Pico Boulevard and Urban Avenue for the East Pico Safety Project. Community members experienced temporary street designs, including a parklet, an artistic crosswalk and curb extensions, offering feedback for improvements in their community. 

This project is a part of Santa Monica’s commitment to promote sustainable transportation and make walking safe and convenient for all ages and abilities. For more information about the East Pico Safety Project, visit the East Pico Safety Project Website. 

SCAG Executive Director Presents on Regional Planning at CoMotion Miami

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the 5th annual CoMotion Miami conference, joining regional executives across the nation to discuss long-range regional plans and emerging mobility. The conversation included how metropolitan planning organizations are incorporating new ideas about mobility into regional plans, while preserving local autonomy and using artificial intelligence to create a clear picture of future regional plans for residents.

Go Human Partner Projects Win APA LA and IES Section Awards 

Last month, the American Planning Association (APA) Inland Empire and Los Angeles sections awarded four SCAG Go Human Community Streets Grant Program projects.  

The Jurupa Valley Community Hub by Reach Out Jurupa Valley received the 2024 APA Inland Empire Section (IES) Award of Excellence in the Public Outreach category.

The “Washington Neighborhood Community Corners: A Neighborhood-Led Intersection Transformation” by Arts Council Long Beach won the 2024 APA Los Angeles Section Award of Merit in the Grassroots Initiative category.

Yolanda Davis-Overstreet Consulting won the 2024 APA Los Angeles Section Award of Excellence in the Communications Initiative category.

People for Mobility Justice won the 2024 APA Los Angeles Section Award of Merit in the Public Outreach category for “South Los Angeles Quick Build Community Planning: An Equity-Centered Outreach Model.”

Congratulations to these award-winning Go Human partner projects and to all APA award winners!

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General Assembly Elects 2024-25 Board Officers 

The General Assembly approved the nominations for the SCAG 2024-25 Board Officers as recommended by the Regional Council: Hon. Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino) will serve as 2024-25 Regional Council president; Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) will serve as Regional Council first vice president; and Hon. Ray Marquez (City of Chino Hills) will serve as Regional Council second vice president. Leadership also recognized Hon. Art Brown (City of Buena Park), who served as president for 2023-24 and will continue as a board officer in the role of immediate past president, and Hon. Carmen Ramirez, as Regional Council president in memorium for the past year.

SCAG Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-25 Approved 

The General Assembly adopted the General Fund Budget and Membership Assessment Schedule for Fiscal Year 2024-25. The General Fund is the designated financial resource for the operating budget of the Regional Council and supports SCAG activities not funded by, or are not allowable charges to, federal or state grant funds. The FY 2024-25 General Fund budget is $3,089,698, nearly the same similar figure as the FY 2023-24 General Fund budget of $3,089,747. 

Year in Review and 2023-24 President’s Report Now Available 

Regional Council President Art Brown closed out his term at the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly by sharing a report of SCAG’s accomplishments for 2023-24. SCAG also debuted a 2023-24 Year in Review video, highlighting SCAG’s extensive work to identify and address the needs of the region and promote sustainability, prosperity and quality of life improvements for all Southern Californians. 

President Brown’s top priority for SCAG this year was the completion of the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, which was formally adopted by the Regional Council in April. President Brown also set priorities for the Regional Council and SCAG staff to research and collaborate on transit recovery, clean technology and goods movement.  

SCAG Announces 2024 Sustainability Awards 

SCAG honored seven innovative projects across the six-county region at the 2024 Sustainability Awards ceremonies at the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly. The Sustainability Awards highlight SCAG’s commitment to excellence in sustainable planning and development projects. The seven winning projects are integral to the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. 

The Los Angeles Department of Transportation received the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability, SCAG’s most prestigious Sustainability Award, for its Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Program in South Los Angeles. The Universal Basic Mobility Pilot Program demonstrates a future where transportation is equitable, accessible and sustainable for all by encompassing a variety of components designed to connect diverse and sustainable transportation options with the community. These include transportation subsidies, e-bike libraries, electric vehicle car-sharing programs, increased mobile payment options on all modes of transportation and workforce development training to empower residents with skills for an emerging green economy.   

Other 2024 Sustainability Award winners were:    

• Active, Healthy and Safe Communities: The City of Buena Park, Silverado Trail Phase 2 
• Carmen Ramirez Award for Equity: Inland Equity Community Land Trust, Plan Adelanto 
• Clean Cities: Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure: Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles, Clean Truck Fund Program 
• Green Region Initiative: Climate Action and Resource Conservation: The City of Oxnard, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan 
• Housing Innovation: The City of Moreno Valley, Courtyards at Cottonwood 
• Plan, Policy and Program: Riverside Community College District, Sustainability and Climate Action Plan 

For more information and to view the awards showcase videos, visit the SCAG website.

Student Showcase at the Regional Conference and General Assembly 

Student Showcase winners were invited to attend the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly as SCAG conference fellows. The Student Showcase poster and StoryMap competition challenged students to think innovatively and meaningfully to tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, engage supporters and stakeholders, illustrate the possibilities of data and highlight the usefulness of open data at the regional level. 

A panel of judges selected one poster and one StoryMap for the “Jury Award.” Conference attendees will vote on their favorite poster and StoryMap for the “Audience Award.” In all, $6,000 across four prizes will be awarded. For more information on the Student Showcase projects, visit the SCAG website. 

12 Scholarships Awarded to Southern California Students 

SCAG announced the awardees of its 14th annual scholarship program, helping to inspire and support the next generation of public servants. SCAG received a record total of 115 applications from throughout the SCAG region.  

The Scholarship Committee of 13 Regional Council members and two representatives from academia, recommended that the Regional Council award nine students with a 2024 SCAG Scholarship Program Award. The California Transportation Foundation, in generous partnership with SCAG, provided funding for three additional scholarship awards. An additional scholarship was made possible by generous donations from Randall Lewis, the Building Industry Association, the City of Santa Fe Springs and incoming Regional Council Second Vice President Ray Marquez. The list of scholarship award winners is in the Scholarship Committee report in the May Regional Council agenda packet. 

Connect SoCal 2024 Post-Adoption Update  

After SCAG’s Regional Council adopted the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) on April 4, SCAG staff submitted Connect SoCal 2024 and its adopted transportation conformity determination to the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, which, in consultation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will make a final transportation conformity determination by June 5.  

Later this summer, SCAG will submit Connect SoCal 2024 to the California Air Resources Board to review SCAG’s determination that the SCS would, if implemented, achieve the established greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.  

Meanwhile, SCAG staff are working to advance the Implementation Strategies included in Connect SoCal 2024. In June, SCAG will launch the Sustainable Communities Program Active Transportation and Safety call for projects to fund implementation efforts in local communities across the region. SCAG is also leading work to advance regional solutions, like with the “Highways to Boulevards Study,” the Last Mile Freight Program and the Smart Cities Strategic Plan. 

REAP 2.0 Update: Program Development Framework Information Sessions 

As previously reported, Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed draft fiscal year 2025 state budget would reduce SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 allocation by 50 percent. SCAG has worked expeditiously to develop the REAP 2.0 program for the region and has already suballocated $192 million of this award via formula-based and competitive programs. We continue to urge Gov. Newsom to reconsider these cuts. To stabilize the REAP 2.0 program amid budget uncertainty, SCAG staff is preparing a phased expenditure plan to prioritize available funding. Funding priority will be based on the program’s core objectives and guiding principles, as defined in an updated version of the REAP 2.0 Framework. 

SCAG staff will host two information sessions. Register online for a session on Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. or Wednesday, May 15 at 1 p.m. REAP 2.0 awardees are invited to attend the information sessions and provide input. 

With Regional Council approval, the phased expenditure plan could allow some work to restart this summer while efforts continue to restore the full budget.

Toolbox Tuesday on Environmental Justice Tools for Local Planning 

This month’s Toolbox Tuesday focused on resources to incorporate environmental justice in local planning to meet Senate Bill (SB) 1000 requirements for general plans. Video of the session is available with the series archive. 

This session featured the SB 1000 Equity Toolkit developed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and San Bernardino Council of Governments. Participants learned about the new toolkit’s free general plan tools, such as interactive maps, data dashboards and model environmental justice policy language. The toolkit’s developers, Mairany Anaya from SBCTA and Eric Yurkovich from Raimi + Associates, provided an overview of the SB 1000 Equity Toolkit and a demonstration of how jurisdictions in San Bernardino County, and beyond, can use the tools.  

SCAG also shared the region’s progress on SB 1000 and additional resources from SCAG’s Equity Resources for Action Toolbox. Contact SCAG’s Local Information Services Team at list@scag.ca.gov for additional information.

SCAG Continues Sacramento Advocacy  

Due to the significance of SCAG’s legislative priorities this year, SCAG leadership coordinated additional advocacy meetings in Sacramento to urge protection of the REAP 2.0 programs and enlist support for SCAG-sponsored legislation, AB 2485 (Carrillo), to improve the accuracy and transparency of the Regional Housing Needs Determination process. SCAG also used these meetings to highlight how the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and Active Transportation Program are helping local cities and counties achieve emission reductions. 

On the April 10, SCAG Regional Council Member Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula) and Legislative Analyst Francisco Barajas met with Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), Assemblymembers Greg Wallis (R-Palm Desert) and Freddie Rodriguez (D-Pomona), as well as staff to Assembly Speaker Emeritus Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) and Assemblymember Bill Essayli (R-Corona).  

Immediate Past President Jan Harnik (Palm Desert) and Regional Council members Ray Marquez (Chino Hills) and Frank Yokoyama (Cerritos) participated in an April 24 trip along with Legislative Affairs Manager Kevin Gilhooley. The group met with Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), senators Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) and Bob Archuletta (D-Pico Rivera); assemblymembers Mike Gipson (D-Los Angeles) and Tri Ta (R-Westminster); and staff to assemblymembers Isaac Bryan (D-Culver City) and Phil Chen (R-Yorba Linda). 

Caltrans Audit Underway 

The Caltrans Internal Audits Office (CIAO) informed SCAG that they will be performing an audit of costs on all Caltrans-administered funds. The audit will determine whether SCAG’s costs are adequately supported and incurred in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, regulations and contract provisions. At the audit’s end, CIAO will conduct an exit conference to discuss audit results. CIAO will also provide a draft audit report and request a written response from SCAG, which will be incorporated into the final audit report. The audit has been initiated, and SCAG staff is working to provide all requested information and documentation. 

Tribal Data Needs Assessment in Process 

As part of the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy implementation grant, SCAG kicked off the Tribal Data Needs Assessment for Tribal Resilience Project in collaboration with the Brookings Institution. SCAG and Brookings will work with Tribal leaders and other Native American-serving organizations in the region to explore their unique data needs, and identify and document strategies that can inform more inclusive data collection efforts for Tribal communities. Ultimately, this research will help drive policy to provide Tribal leaders and Native American-led organizations access to more significant resources to meet their own needs as sovereign governing entities. The final report is expected to be published in December 2024.

SCAG Participates at Esri’s 2024 Geodesign Summit  

Members of the SCAG Local Information Services Team (LIST) attended the 2024 Geodesign Conference hosted by Esri—a geographic information system (GIS) software company—on April 8 and 9 at their campus in Redlands.  

The conference highlighted innovative examples of how public and private sector entities, non-government organizations and academic institutions are leveraging the geodesign approach and GIS technologies to improve sustainability, confront complex challenges and better plan. Presentations focused on applied examples of how GIS and geodesign have been used to solve problems and develop solutions across topics, including city planning, regional planning, master planning, resiliency, natural resource conservation and environmental planning at local, regional and global scales. Presentations from Esri staff also provided a sneak peek of upcoming Esri tools and features, such as AI tools. 

The plenary session also highlighted the SCAG Regional Data Platform (RDP) along with other leading best practices around the world. LIST members networked with other industry professionals and highlighted the RDP and other SCAG projects in the GIS realm.

Tres Hermanos Ranch Property Tour 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, SCAG Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson and SCAG planning and government affairs staff joined Regional Council Member Ray Marquez (Chino Hills) and City of Industry Assistant City Manager Sam Pedroza on a tour of the 2,445-acre Tres Hermanos Ranch property, jointly protected by the City of Industry and the cities of Chino Hills and Diamond Bar. The SCAG tour explored the property’s potential for active transportation projects.

Santa Ana Installs First Artistic Crosswalk with Support from SCAG’s Go Human 

The city of Santa Ana installed and showcased its first artistic crosswalk at 15th Street and Ross Street in the Willard neighborhood last month. Community feedback informed the location and safety treatment, recognizing that drivers slow down for high visibility artistic crosswalks. People of all ages can now enjoy a safer and colorfully vibrant crosswalk that reflects community character.  

This successful community planning and implementation process was supported by the Willard Safe Streets Summer Nights event in August 2023, attended by more than 150 families and funded by a 2022 SCAG Go Human Mini-Grant. At the event, Santa Ana Active Streets collected community feedback on a temporary artistic crosswalk, using the Go Human “Kit of Parts” safety materials with support from California Walks. 

Anne Mayer SCAG Proclamation 

During public comment at a recent Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) meeting, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise presented a SCAG proclamation to retiring RCTC Executive Director Anne Mayer. Kome congratulated Anne on three decades of public service dedicated to transportation improvements in Southern California. 

SCAG Go Human 2023 Community Hubs Grant Awardee Wins APA Orange County Award 

The TWIGY Bikey Summer program, created by the Bicycle Tree and Santa Ana Active Streets, won the 2024 American Planning Association (APA) Orange County Section Award of Excellence in the Grassroots Initiative category. 

The TWIGY Bikey Summer program, funded by SCAG’s Go Human Community Hubs Grant Program in 2023, creates a supportive community for people who identify as transgender, women, intersex and gender nonconforming—all historically underrepresented and excluded in bicycling communities. The program promotes a visionary and innovative approach to inclusive community planning, demonstrating grassroots community impact by directly engaging and empowering vulnerable communities to facilitate mobility justice in Orange County. The award will be formally presented at the APA Orange Section Planning Awards event in fall 2024. More information about the Bicycle Tree and other Go Human Community Hubs awardees is available online. 

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Connect SoCal 2024 Approved 

The formal adoption of Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) by SCAG’s Regional Council marks a significant milestone, putting forward a long-term vision for the future that balances mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals over the next 25 years. 

If fully implemented, Connect SoCal 2024 would reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and improve the region’s long-term economic viability through more than $751 billion in transportation investments and a more sustainable regional development pattern. Of the investments identified in the plan, $303 billion is specific to transit projects and operations, $75 billion to state highway operations and maintenance, $62 billion to goods movement and $38 billion to active transportation. 

Unique to this plan cycle, SCAG developed a set of Regional Planning Policies to guide decision-making in the region toward integrated land use and transportation planning and other goals in the Connect SoCal 2024 vision. Twenty-two policies—in areas such as complete streets, housing the region, air quality and workforce development—are included in the plan, created with direction from SCAG’s Regional Council, policy committees and special subcommittees. The plan also includes a detailed project list, and strategic investments to bridge local plans with overarching performance targets and goals.  

The Regional Council also certified the Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) on April 4. SCAG, as the Lead Agency, prepares a PEIR for the RTP/SCS in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The PEIR is a first-tier, programmatic document that provides a region-wide assessment of potential environmental impacts of Connect SoCal 2024 while complying with the requirements of the CEQA. Pursuant to CEQA, the PEIR considers regional planning and implementation strategies prior to application of CEQA mitigation measures that can avoid or reduce significant adverse environmental impacts of Connect SoCal 2024 and discusses two book-end alternatives that could feasibly avoid or substantially lessen any significant adverse environmental impacts of the plan while attaining most of the basic plan objectives. To view the certified PEIR for Connect SoCal 2024, visit the PEIR website.  

Stakeholder feedback and public consultation for both documents spanned two years, involving thousands of individual comments, hundreds of meetings and dozens of formal comment letters. 

As Connect SoCal 2024 work transitions to implementation, SCAG emphasizes the importance of collaboration at all levels to realize the plan’s transformative potential. From here, SCAG will pursue implementation work through collaboration and policy leadership; federal funding administration; data collection, analysis, and research; and local technical assistance resources. Visit the Connect SoCal 2024 website to subscribe to get involved in implementation and receive progress updates. 

SCAG Responds to U.S. EPA Proposed Disapproval of AQMD Air Quality Plan 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) recently proposed a rejection of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (AQMD) 2019 Contingency Measure Plan for the 1997 Federal Ozone Standard. In the past month, SCAG and the county transportation commissions in the region prepared and submitted a joint letter outlining the significant regional implications of this potential disapproval. The letter recommends that the U.S. EPA approve the air plan rather than proceeding with the proposed disapproval. As an alternative, the letter proposes a conditional or partial approval that supports meaningful partnerships and provides a practical pathway to resolve the underlying issues and to avoid highway sanctions.   

If the issues raised by the U.S. EPA are not addressed within the 24-month period, a highway sanction and a federal air plan would be imposed in the South Coast Air Basin, which covers all of Orange County and the urbanized areas of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. A highway sanction would prevent impacted highway capacity projects from receiving federal approval or funding. The U.S. EPA must finalize its action by July 1. 

SCAG staff at all levels are proactively addressing the proposed disapproval, but there are no easy solutions to resolve the underlying air plan issues and lift the highway sanction once imposed. SCAG will continue to proactively monitor, evaluate and consult with regional partners and report future developments to the Regional Council.  

Panel Highlights for the Regional Conference and General Assembly

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There’s still time to register for SCAG’s 59th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert from May 2-3. 

REGISTER

The Regional Conference and General Assembly is a unique opportunity to gather with regional elected officials, and business and community leaders from across the region for informative discussions on work to address the region’s transportation and housing challenges and improve quality of life for everyone in Southern California.  

The full agenda for the event is now available online, including panels focused on implementing the vision in the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy: 

• Transit Recovery and Beyond: Means, Methods and Better Mousetraps 
• Running on Empty: Zero Emissions Vehicles and Transportation Funding 
• Investing in Economic Resilience 
• Creating Complete Communities 

Online registration ends on April 26. 

Development Streamlining Information Session  

SCAG hosted a virtual information session for member agencies and councils of governments as part of its Development Streamlining work on Feb. 29. The information session offered guidance and resources to support local jurisdictions in streamlining their CEQA and general administrative review processes. The session provided an overview of the Development Streamlining efforts to date, including topics such as Senate Bills 35 and 330 and CEQA streamlining. Access to the guidance materials, recorded workshops and additional details about the Development Streamlining project are available on the SCAG website. 

Regional Council Adopts Southern California Clean Cities Coalition Strategic Plan  

The completion of SCAG’s inaugural Clean Cities Coalition Strategic Plan marks a pivotal step in the SCAG Clean Cities Coalition’s mission to foster the transition toward cleaner fuels and vehicles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Introduced in fiscal year 2024 as part of the coalition’s annual work with the U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE), this strategic plan leverages current and ongoing SCAG initiatives and aligns regional, state and federal objectives. The strategic plan also addresses the barriers to electrification of the transportation sector, such as cost and infrastructure, and outlines activities to shift the region to cleaner transportation. The strategic plan is intended to integrate with Connect SoCal 2024 regional priorities and strategies.  

By approving the strategic plan on April 4, the SCAG Regional Council provides the SCAG region continued eligibility for exclusive U.S. DOE funding. For the next update to this plan, SCAG staff are planning to enhance stakeholder engagement through expanded participation and strengthened partnerships, reinforcing the coalition’s commitment to dynamic growth and sustainable progress. 

Regional Council Approves Regional Guidelines for the 2025 Active Transportation Program 

At its April 2024 meeting, SCAG’s Regional Council approved Regional Guidelines for the 2025 Regional Active Transportation Program (ATP). The guidelines outline the process by which SCAG, in collaboration with the California Transportation Commission (CTC) and the six county transportation commissions within the SCAG region, will recommend funding awards for the 2025 Regional ATP, which will have an estimated $118 million in available funding.  

In addition to considering applications not funded in the statewide competition, SCAG’s Regional ATP includes more than $10 million for a supplemental call for projects administered through SCAG’s Sustainable Communities Program – Active Transportation & Safety component (SCP-ATS). The SCP-ATS aims to align technical assistance with regional planning priorities and opportunities outlined in Connect SoCal 2024. SCAG staff anticipate releasing the SCP-ATS call for projects this summer.  

SCAG staff will continue to work with the region’s county transportation commissions, the CTC, Caltrans and other partners to provide outreach to ensure eligible applicants are aware of ATP funding opportunities and offer technical assistance, resources and support to facilitate regional competitiveness. More details will be shared on the SCAG website as it becomes available. 

Advocating for Southern California in Sacramento 

Regional Council President Art Brown led a delegation of SCAG leaders to Sacramento for the agency’s annual Sacramento Summit on March 19-20. The trip focused on three important goals: 1) protecting the Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 grant program from proposed budget cuts; 2) supporting Assembly Bill 2485, authored by Assemblymember Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale) that would increase transparency and accuracy Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) determination process; and 3) honoring promises made to the Active Transportation Program and Infill Infrastructure Grant program that fund local infrastructure needs that support regional goals related to climate, housing and roadway safety. 

Also part of the delegation were First Vice President Curt Hagman (County of San Bernardino); Second Vice President Cindy Allen (Long Beach); Immediate Past President Jan Harnik (Riverside County Transportation Commission); Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Chair Patricia Lock Dawson (Riverside) and Vice Chair Jose Luis Solache (Lynwood); Community, Economic, and Human Development Committee Chair Frank Yokoyama (Cerritos); and Regional Council members Wendy Bucknum (Mission Viejo), Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula), Clint Lorimore (Eastvale) and Ray Marquez (Chino Hills). Tracy Hernandez, founding chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Business Federation, represented the GLUE Council. SCAG staff—including Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey, Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena—also attended the summit.

Federal Communications Commission to End the Affordable Connectivity Program 

In March 2023, SCAG received a $500,000 grant from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) across the region. The ACP provided a discount of up to $30 per month toward the cost of internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. In March 2024, The FCC issued a public notice stating that, due to the lack of additional funding for the ACP, April 2024 will be the last fully funded month of the benefit. Partial reimbursements will be available in May 2024. SCAG staff have begun the process of closing out the outreach grant with guidance from FCC staff. The FCC’s March 4 notice announcing the wind-down is available online. 

Annual Regional Early Action Planning Report Submitted   

On April 1, SCAG submitted its annual report detailing the use of Regional Early Action Planning (REAP 1.0) funds to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The report includes project updates, associated accomplishments and best practices, the status of activities and a summary of housing production indicators.  

SCAG was awarded $47 million in REAP 1.0 funding in 2019 to increase housing supply, accelerate housing production and support local jurisdictions during the 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment process. All REAP 1.0 programs and projects are expected to conclude by June 30 and a final report will be submitted to HCD. SCAG will also share project tools and resources along with outcomes with its members and the public after June 30. 

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Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Advocacy Updates 

Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget announced on Jan. 16 includes $300 million in cuts to the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0) that will result in approximately $123 million in cuts from SCAG’s $246 million REAP 2.0 program.  

SCAG issued a hold on sub-allocation projects while working to assess impacts of the proposed cuts. Given the delays and impact caused by the proposed budget, adjustments will need to be made to SCAG’s REAP 2.0 program. Staff plans to bring an informational item to the Executive Administration Committee in April to discuss priorities and processes for reshaping the program. 

In the meantime, SCAG encourages the Governor to reconsider these cuts and submitted an official letter to state legislators and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. SCAG will continue to advocate to preserve REAP 2.0 at the 2024 Legislative Summit in Sacramento and during the state budget process. SCAG has also prepared a grantee toolkit, with template letters and other share-able information, for partners to assist in this advocacy. 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Disapproval of South Coast Air Quality Management District’s 2019 Contingency Measure Plan  

According to a Consent Decree issued in January 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to take action by July 1 on the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) 2019 Contingency Measure Plan for the 1997 federal ozone standard. This plan covers the South Coast Air Basin, which includes all of Orange County and urban areas within Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. 

On Feb. 2, the EPA published a notice of proposed disapproval of the air plan, which will set in motion a 24-month highway sanction clock for AQMD to address underlying issues in the plan. If the issue is not addressed within the 24-month period, highway sanctions and a federal air plan would be imposed in the South Coast Air Basin, impacting the ability of nonexempt highway capacity projects in the region to receive federal approval or funding. 

SCAG provided comments on the substantial negative consequences of the EPA’s proposed disapproval and requested an extension of the March 4 public comment period deadline to allow careful analysis of the implications for the SCAG region. EPA granted this extension, and the comment period deadline is now April 3. SCAG and county transportation commissions are preparing a letter outlining the significant implications of the disapproval and recommending that EPA consider full approval of the plan, conditional approval that supports meaningful partnerships, or partial approval that provides a realistic and short pathway to resolve the underlying issues. 

EPA and AQMD representatives have been asked to provide a status report on the proposed disapproval at SCAG’s monthly Transportation Conformity Working Group meetings. SCAG will continue to evaluate potential impacts of highway sanctions.

Early Bird Registration Is Open for the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly 

Early bird registration is open for SCAG’s 59th Annual Regional Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 2-3. Don’t miss this event, which brings together elected officials and policymakers, as well as business, community and civic leaders, from across Southern California to collaborate on the future of mobility, communities, the environment and the economy. 

Early bird registration saves $150 on the price of admission. Register online before March 29 to lock in the savings. Hotel rooms at conference rates are also available on a limited basis. Rooms can be booked directly from the registration page. 

For additional details about the event, visit the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly website. Please contact update@scag.ca.gov with any questions. 

2024 Scholarship Program Call for Applications   

Applications for the 2024 SCAG Scholarship Program are open. The program offers a $4,000 scholarship for up to nine high school or community college students from the SCAG region interested in pursuing planning or public service‐related careers. Applications are due electronically on March 22. More information is available is available on the SCAG website. 

SCAG Joint Policy Committee Recommends Connect SoCal 2024 for Approval 

The Joint Policy Committee, at its March 7, 2024, meeting, recommended the proposed final Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) including the associated proposed final transportation conformity analysis, and the Connect SoCal 2024 proposed Final Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) to the Regional Council for approval and certification.  

This decision came after a staff presentation summarizing comments from the public review periods. During public review, SCAG hosted 15 elected official briefings and three public hearings on the draft RTP/SCS, receiving 53 comment letters on the draft RTP/SCS and 33 comment letters on the Draft PEIR.  

SCAG staff are currently in the process of updating the draft Connect SoCal 2024 in response to comments. A direct response to each plan comment will be included in the proposed final Connect SoCal 2024 Public Participation & Consultation Technical Report. Response to PEIR comments will be included in the proposed Final PEIR. 

The proposed final Connect SoCal 2024 will be available on the SCAG website on March 28. The Regional Council is set to consider certification of the Final PEIR and adoption of the final RTP/SCS, including the associated final transportation conformity analysis, in April 2024.

Regional Council Approves Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 

At its March 2024 meeting, SCAG’s Regional Council moved to approve SCAG’s Draft Comprehensive Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25, including the Draft Overall Work Program (OWP). The framework for developing the FY 2024-25 Draft Comprehensive Budget is SCAG’s multi-year Strategic Plan, which focuses on the agency’s vision for improving the organization and its operations.  

The Regional Council’s vote also authorized the release of the FY 2024-25 Draft OWP for a 30-day public review period from March 7 to April 8. Comments may be submitted by completing the comment form or emailing nguyenk@scag.ca.gov. 

At the close of the public comment period, the FY 2024-25 Final OWP will be submitted to the Regional Council for approval on May 2. The General Fund Budget and the Membership Assessment will also be submitted to the General Assembly for approval in May. 

Call for Applications: Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Carbon Reduction Program 

The deadline to submit project nominations for the federal fiscal year 2023 through federal fiscal year 2026 Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ), and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) solicitation is March 29 at 5 p.m. County transportation commissions are coordinating with eligible entities within their counties to prioritize and submit project nominations. Local agencies should confer with their respective county transportation commissions for county-specific application deadlines.  

In April, SCAG will review all county transportation commission project nomination packages and score projects according to criteria outlined in the STBG/CMAQ and CRP Guidelines. Once the recommended project lists are developed, the CMAQ and CRP lists will be shared with local Air Quality Districts and Caltrans. Final award recommendations will be presented to the SCAG Regional Council for approval in June 2024. Once projects are approved, agencies may program their projects into the Federal Transportation Improvement Program and obligate funding. 

For more information on STBG/CMAQ/CRP funding and project eligibility, visit SCAG’s STBG/CMAQ and CRP websites. 

Presidential Priorities Discussion: Goods Movement 

The March 7 Regional Council meeting featured a panel discussion on key issues and opportunities for goods movement in Southern California. Participants included Lena Kent, general director of public affairs for BNSF Railway; Ross Lane, government affairs leader for the Arizona & California Railroad Company; Salim Youssefzadeh, chief executive officer for WattEV; and Stephane Fosso, director, fleet technology and electrification for Sysco Corporation. Video of the panel discussion will be available on the Regional Council video archive. 

Toolbox Tuesday on Data Tools and Research from the Latino Policy and Politics Institute  

The second Toolbox Tuesday session in the ongoing Equity series was held on Feb. 27, highlighting Data Tools and Research from the Latino Policy and Politics Institute. Participants learned about the Latino Data Hub, a new, free data resource developed by UCLA’s Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) that can create customizable data visualizations, highlighting population disparities based on race, ethnicity, citizenship and gender, among other metrics.   

Jie Zong, manager of the Latino Data Hub, and Mariah Bonilla, community coordinator of the Latino Data Hub, provided an overview of the Latino Data Hub, including a demonstration of how to use the tool to find and visualize data by detailed race and ethnicity at the county level. In addition, Misael Galdámez, senior research analyst of the Latino Data Hub, presented relevant LPPI research on economic opportunity and social mobility, including Latino-centered planning. Resources and a recording of the session can be found on the Toolbox Tuesday website. 

SCAG Mobile Workshop Tours Esri and Metrolink Arrow Service 

SCAG Regional Council President Art Brown led a delegation for a tour in Redlands on March 1. Immediate Past President Jan Harnik and Regional Council members Damon Alexander, Clint Lorimore, Marisela Nava and Frank Yokoyama, as well as policy committee member Daniel Ramos, joined the delegation.  

The tour kicked off at the Esri headquarters with an introduction by CEO and founder Jack Dangermond. Esri is the global market leader in geographic information system (GIS) software, location intelligence, and mapping and is a partner in SCAG’s Regional Data Platform. 

The mobile workshop concluded with a stop at the Metrolink Arrow Service Downtown Station where the delegation learned about the new Arrow passenger rail service, its impact on the region and how it models for the future of zero-emissions rail in the United States. 

SCAG Participates in CALCOG Regional Leadership Forum & Pricing Panel 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, Chief Operations Officer Darin Chidsey, Chief Government & Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena, and several SCAG staff attended the 2024 California Association of Councils of Governments Regional Leadership Forum in Monterey, Calif. The conference centered on state issues and regional solutions including gas tax replacements and pricing policies, zero emissions vehicle efforts, vehicle miles traveled, artificial intelligence and Regional Early Action Planning. Guest speakers included California Assembly Transportation Chair Lori Wilson. 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise joined a panel on pricing alongside leaders of metropolitan planning organizations, councils of governments and state agencies. The conversation focused on maximizing transportation system efficacy, gas tax replacements like mileage-based user fees and ensuring equitable solutions for all Californians. 

SCAG Tours the City of Adelanto 

In February, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise toured the City of Adelanto by Community, Economic and Human Development Committee Member Mayor Gabriel Reyes, Energy and Environment Committee Member and Mayor Pro Tem Daniel Reyes, City Manager Jessie Flores, city engineer staff and consultant Dr. Gil Keinan.  

The tour included an overview of Adelanto’s challenges, such as need for flood mitigation and infrastructure, pedestrian safety and access restrictions. There were also tours of local industry, including Clark Pacific, one of the nation’s leading design-build manufacturers of prefabricated building systems, and site tours of two cannabis manufacturing buildings representing the leading industry in Adelanto. To conclude the tour, the entire city council joined the group for dinner. 

SCAG Shares Knowledge at Esri City & County Planners Workshop  

SCAG staff attended the Esri City & County Planners Workshop on Feb. 12 to discuss how to leverage local planners’ data and ArcGIS mapping tools to visualize place-based information and analyze spatial data. Esri demonstrated how planners use ArcGIS to understand demographic data, analyze sites for suitability, model transportation outcomes, assess environmental impacts and more. ArcGIS plays an important role in land use planning, demographic analysis and transportation planning. Esri walked planners through key GIS concepts, including a hands-on ArcGIS Urban Workshop. 

SCAG Shares Knowledge at University of Southern California Spatial Sciences Institute’s 2024 Geospatial Summit  

SCAG staff attended the USC Spatial Sciences Institute’s 2024 Geospatial Summit on Feb. 23. The summit provided an opportunity to gain insights on GIS industry trends and opportunities that include workshops, student ArcGIS StoryMap presentations, panel discussions with industry professionals and networking. SCAG staff showcased Connect SoCal, SCAG Data/Map Books and the RDP for attendees. 

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Proposed State Budget Would Cut Funding for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Program 

The proposed budget announced by Governor Gavin Newsom on Jan. 16 includes $1.2 billion in cuts to funding for housing programs, including $300 million for the Regional Early Action Planning program of 2021 (REAP 2.0). SCAG released a statement urging the governor to reconsider these funding cuts, which would severely limit cities’ and counties’ ability to address the state’s housing affordability crisis. In the past year, SCAG has awarded more than $192 million in REAP 2.0 funding across the six-county region to projects designed to thoughtfully, strategically and sustainably accelerate housing production. These projects play a critical role in increasing housing supply and providing more affordable housing options.  

Reducing or eliminating future funding will have a devastating effect for cities and counties across Southern California and the entire state. SCAG is working to assess the specific impacts of the proposed cuts and will partner with key stakeholders to use the state budget approval process to advocate for the protection of critical housing programs funded by REAP 2.0. 

Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and the Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Comment Period Closed, Upcoming Report at Joint Policy Committee 

The public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the Connect SoCal 2024 Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) ran from Nov. 2, 2023, to Jan. 12, 2024, and Nov. 9, 2023, to Jan. 12, 2024, respectively. During the public review and comment periods, SCAG hosted 15 elected official briefings and three public hearings on the draft plan. SCAG received 47 comment letters on Connect SoCal 2024 and 32 comment letters on the Draft PEIR. SCAG staff will now review, consider and catalog all comments received. SCAG staff will present a summary of the comments received on both documents at a Joint Policy Committee meeting on March 7. A Public Participation and Consultation Technical Report will document comments and responses for the final Connect SoCal 2024.  The Final PEIR will present and respond to comments on the Draft PEIR. The Regional Council is set to consider certification of the Final PEIR and adoption of the final plan, including the associated final transportation conformity analysis, in April 2024.    

Visit the Connect SoCal website to read the draft RTP/SCS, learn more and sign up to receive updates. For more information on the PEIR, please visit the PEIR website.

2024 Scholarship Program Call for Applications  

Applications for the 2024 SCAG Scholarship Program are now open. The program offers a $4,000 scholarship for up to 9 high school or community college students from the SCAG region interested in pursuing planning or public service‐related careers. Applications are due electronically on March 22. More information is available is available on the SCAG website.

SCAG Now Accepting Student Showcase Applications 

Applications are now open for SCAG’s annual Student Showcase poster and StoryMap competition. The Student Showcase challenges students to tell a story, provide insight, showcase plans and projects, and illustrate the possibilities of data and highlight the usefulness of open data at the regional level. SCAG is proud to invite student participants to conceptualize, create and submit posters and ArcGIS StoryMaps. The deadline is Feb. 20 for abstracts and Mar. 16 for final projects.  

Students whose projects are selected will receive cash prizes and be invited to attend SCAG’s Regional Conference & General Assembly as SCAG Conference Fellows, with complimentary hotel accommodation and conference admission on May 2-3. At the conference, student fellows will present their posters and StoryMaps to elected officials and industry leaders from across Southern California. For guidelines and additional information or to apply, visit the Student Showcase website. 

Call for Applications: Surface Transportation Block Grant, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality, Carbon Reduction Program 

SCAG is now accepting project nominations through March 29 for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) for the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2023 through FFY 2026. County transportation commissions are coordinating with local agencies and other eligible entities within their counties to prioritize and submit project nominations. Local agencies should confer with their respective county transportation commissions for county-specific application deadlines.  

For more information on project eligibility, visit SCAG’s STBG/CMAQ and CRP websites.   

Call for Applications: Go Human Community Streets Grants Program 

On Jan. 9, SCAG Go Human opened the Call for Applications for the 2024 Go Human Community Streets Grant Program. With funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), the Community Streets Program provides grant funding to eligible community organizations to implement local traffic safety strategies through community engagement activities. The program will award approximately 12 eligible applicants up to $30,000 in grant funding to implement traffic safety projects in the SCAG region. Community-based organizations, nonprofits and social enterprises are eligible to apply. SCAG staff held office hours and an application webinar (available on YouTube) for interested applicants. The Call for Applications closes Friday, Feb. 9. To learn more about the program, review the Program Guidelines. 

Greenprint Data Standards Move Forward 

At its Jan. 4 meeting, the SCAG Energy and Environment Committee advanced proposed data standards for the SoCal Greenprint data and mapping tool to the Regional Council with a recommendation to adopt. The Regional Council adopted the data standards at its February 1 meeting. 

The Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee convened over the second half of 2023 to inform the creation of data standards that define parameters for identifying, evaluating, maintaining, updating and communicating the purpose of data in SoCal Greenprint data and mapping tool. Now adopted by the SCAG Regional Council, the data standards will govern the development and ongoing use of the Greenprint tool as it moves forward. 

SCAG Submits 2023 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Annual Obligation Report 

On Jan. 10, SCAG staff completed the submittal of 34 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) project obligation updates for federal fiscal year 2023 (FFY23) with information reviewed and confirmed by staff from each of the region’s county transportation commissions. Last quarter, SCAG staff coordinated a review of scopes and budgets with each of the county transportation commissions and Caltrans to ensure consistency with the Federal Transportation Improvement Program list and to provide accurate reporting to the CMAQ Project Tracking System. In the coming months, Caltrans will review the FFY23 CMAQ obligation submissions and, upon approval, route to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval. 

Toolbox Tuesday Highlights SCAG’s ‘Inclusive Contracting Toolkit’ 

The first Toolbox Tuesday session of 2024 was held on Jan. 23, highlighting SCAG’s newly published “Inclusive Contracting Toolkit.” By implementing inclusive contracting practices and considerations, public and private institutions can level the playing field and support economic mobility among historically disadvantaged businesses, ultimately generating wealth for historically marginalized populations, strengthening the region’s economic resilience and delivering cost-savings. The “Inclusive Contracting Toolkit” provides a step-by-step guide to actionable strategies and best practices from across the Southern California region (and beyond). To show how agencies can implement the “Inclusive Contracting Toolkit” to support the growth of small businesses, the session featured external speakers Jill Bengochea (HR&A), Audrey Chang (Children’s Hospital Los Angeles), Gloria Burton (Southern California Edison), Maria Agrusa (Orange County Procurement) and Jennifer Kropke (Port of Long Beach). 

Presidential Priorities Discussion: Transit Recovery in Southern California 

The Feb. 1 Regional Council meeting featured a panel discussion on the trajectory of public transit in Southern California as transit operators work to recover ridership lost during and after the pandemic. Participants included David Aguirre, executive director of the Imperial County Transportation Commission; Darren Kettle, chief executive officer for Metrolink; Michael Pimentel, executive director for the California Transit Association; and Seleta Reynolds, chief innovation officer for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Topics included methods for integrating transit service across systems and modes, how and where to strategically develop infrastructure to grow ridership, and which policies can also help grow and maintain ridership. The presentation will be available on the Regional Council video archive. 

SCAG Mobile Workshop Tours the Alameda Corridor, Long Beach Affordable Housing Projects 

SCAG Regional Council President Art Brown led a delegation for a tour in Long Beach on Jan. 19. Regional Council members Marshall Goodman, Frank Yokoyama, Cindy Allen, Suely Saro and Margaret Clark, as well as policy member Dan Kalmick, joined the delegation. 

The SCAG region includes the nation’s largest trade gateway, with the Alameda Corridor freight expressway as a critical departure point to the rest of the continent. Touring the Alameda Corridor expressway and hearing from goods movement industry stakeholders at the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, the SCAG delegation of SCAG members learned about the ever-increasing volatility and complexity of the supply chain, as well as its role in transportation infrastructure and the larger economy. The mobile workshop concluded with a guided tour of several award-winning affordable housing projects that would benefit low-income seniors, formerly unhoused veterans and families in need of affordable housing, led by representatives from the Long Beach Housing Community Development Department. 

Call for Candidates for Officers 

SCAG is now accepting applications for officer positions for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The SCAG clerk sent an email to Regional Council members on Jan. 16 with instructions for how to apply. If you did not receive the email, please let us know so we can send another copy. Applications are due to SCAG no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15. After reviewing applications, the Nomination Committee will forward its recommendations for consideration at the April 4 Regional Council meeting. 

The Regional Council will present its slate of incoming elected officials on May 2 at the SCAG Regional Conference & General Assembly at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert.

Appointments to Bylaws and Resolutions Committee, Nominating Committee and Scholarship Committee 

SCAG Regional Council President Art Brown recently appointed members to the Bylaws and Resolution Committee, the Nominating Committee and the Scholarship Committee. Thank you to all these appointees for their service on these committees. 

Bylaws and Resolutions Committee 

• Hon. Cindy Allen, Chair (Long Beach/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Frank Yokoyama (Cerritos/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Gil Rebollar (Brawley/ Imperial County) 
• Sup. Luis Plancarte (Imperial County) 
• Hon. Marty Simonoff (Brea/ Orange County) 
• Hon. Art Brown (Buena Park/ Orange County) 
• Hon. Rocky Rhodes (Simi Valley/ Ventura County) 
• Hon. Jenny Crosswhite (Santa Paula/ Ventura County) 
• Hon. Damon L. Alexander (City of San Bernardino/ San Bernardino County) 
• Sup. Curt Hagman (San Bernardino County) 
• Hon. Jan C. Harnik (RCTC/ Riverside County) 
• Hon. Maricela Nava (Perris/ Riverside County) 

Nominating Committee 

• Hon. Jan C. Harnik, Chair (RCTC/ Riverside County) 
• Sup. Luis Plancarte (Imperial County) 
• Hon. Ali Saleh (Bell/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Larry McCallon (Air District Representative/ San Bernardino County) 
• Hon. Jose Luis Solache (Lynwood/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Marshall Goodman (La Palma/ Orange County) 
• Sup. Vianey Lopez (Ventura County) 

Scholarship Committee 

• Hon. Ray Marquez, Chair (Chino Hills/ San Bernardino) 
• Sup. Luis Plancarte (Imperial County) 
• Hon. David J. Shapiro (Calabasas/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Margaret Finlay (Duarte/ Los Angeles County) 
• Sup. Vianey Lopez (Ventura County) 
• Hon. Keith Eich (La Cañada Flintridge/ Los Angeles County) 
• Hon. Kathleen Kelly (Palm Desert/ Riverside County) 
• Hon. Jan C. Harnik (RCTC/ Riverside County) 
• Hon. Steve Manos (Lake Elsinore/ Riverside County) 
• Hon. Andrew Masiel (Tribal Representation) 
• Hon. Valerie Amezcua (Santa Ana/ Orange County)

Inland Empire Economic Partnership Recognizes SCAG With ‘2023 Public Agency Award’ 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise was honored with the 2023 Public Agency Award at the Inland Empire Economic Partnership’s Annual Dinner and Awards Reception earlier this month. SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey, Regional Council Member Karen Spiegel, and policy committee members Thomas Wong and Aquanetta Warren were also in attendance at the reception.

SCAG Shares Knowledge at the 2024 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 

Multiple SCAG staff members participated in the 2024 Transportation Research Board 103rd Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. in early January. The conference gathered national and international attendees to learn and share knowledge on developments in transportation research, innovation, policy and practice. The event featured 6,400 presentations during 650 sessions, workshops and meetings, and more than 400 committee and subcommittee meetings. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg delivered closing remarks for the “Chair’s Plenary Session” and participated in a session titled “New Materials for Infrastructure: Reinventing the Roadway, Runway, and Railway.” 

Annie Nam, SCAG deputy director for transportation planning, presented the draft Connect SoCal 2024 during a session titled “Developing Sustainable Community Strategies for Achieving Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets in California.” Bayarmaa Aleksandr, SCAG principal modeler, spoke on a panel for the “Remote/Hybrid Work, Activity and Travel Patterns, and the Future of Society” session. Sunghi An, SCAG assistant modeler, presented a poster titled “Re-Envisioning the Park-and-Ride Concept for the Automated Vehicle Era with Private-to-Shared Automated Vehicle Transfer Stations.” Tom Vo, SCAG principal regional planner, participated as an appointed member of the “Urban Transportation Data and Information Systems” committee, contributing to a research paper-reviewing process and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group.

Go Human Partners on Coachella Valley Traffic Safety Demonstration 

On Jan. 27, Alianza Coachella Valley along with the Desert Recreation District used the Go Human “Kit of Parts” to demonstrate temporary traffic safety improvements for the Pathways to a Resilient Salton Sea event at the North Shore Beach and Yacht Club in Mecca. More than 100 attendees participated and gave feedback on the improvements showcased at the event. More information about borrowing the Kit of Parts can be found on the SCAG Go Human website.

March Joint Policy Meetings to Replace Regular Policy Committee Meetings 

SCAG staff will present proposed approaches to revisions for Connect SoCal 2024 and the Draft PEIR to a Joint Policy Committee meeting on March 7. The Joint Policy Committee meeting will be conducted from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., before the Regional Council meeting, replacing the regularly scheduled March policy committee meetings. 

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Connect SoCal 2024 Public Comment Update

As part of the public comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, SCAG hosted 15 briefings with elected officials in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. In all, 229 local elected officials, city and county staff and stakeholders participated in the briefings, where SCAG leadership shared details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 and discussed implementing the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future. Following SCAG presentations, attendees asked questions about projects in their respective counties and provided critical feedback on the draft Connect SoCal 2024. The comment period closes Jan. 12, after which staff will review comments and revise the draft accordingly; the Regional Council is expected to consider the final Connect SoCal 2024 for adoption in April 2024. 

14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit Recap  

More than 500 attendees joined SCAG for the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7, 2023, to discuss connections between regional planning and the long-term health of the Southern California economy.  

Highlights of the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit included the presentation and publication of the “Regional Briefing Book,” which details the current state of the region’s economy with benchmarks to track throughout the region in the coming year. Photos and resources from the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit are available in the news brief on the SCAG website. 

SCAG to Sponsor Two RHNA Reform Bills 

The Regional Council, in a vote at its January 2024 meeting, authorized staff to pursue two legislative bill concepts related to Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) reform. The first bill would establish procedures for the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to publicize data sources, analyses and methodology, and require HCD to convene a panel of experts to advise HCD on its assumptions, data and analyses, before making its final determination for a region. The second bill would reinstate a trade and transfer option of RHNA units between two jurisdictions, setting limitations so trades continue to advance state housing objectives.  

SCAG’s advocacy will include securing an author in the California State Legislature for these bills while calling on individual cities and councils of governments to support these legislative efforts. The concepts in this legislative platform grew out of SCAG’s stakeholder engagement and resulting official comment letter to HCD on the RHNA reform process, then prioritized by action of the Legislative/Communication and Membership Committee (LCMC).

SCAG Regional Council Approves $35 Million to Support the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot Program 

On Jan. 4, SCAG’s Regional Council approved funding recommendations for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot Program (RUSH), funding 12 projects for a total of $35 million. RUSH invests in utility infrastructure planning and capital improvements to support jurisdictions in meeting the housing production goals defined in the 6th Cycle of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment, local housing elements and REAP 2.0 program objectives. Project awards include infrastructure planning projects and programs, such as green infrastructure plans and capital projects that address current and future utility restrictions in housing development by upgrading infrastructure for sewer, water, stormwater and dry utility systems to enable infill housing. 

Joint STBG/CMAQ/CRP Solicitation for Project Nominations 

On Jan. 4, SCAG will begin accepting project nominations for Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG), Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding. This solicitation has an estimated combined budget of $278 million across all three funding sources. County transportation commissions in the region will coordinate with eligible entities within their counties to submit prioritized project nominations and required documentation. Local agencies should confer with their county transportation commission for county-specific application deadlines. SCAG will review the county transportation commissions’ project submissions against program criteria and develop a list of prioritized projects for approval by the SCAG Regional Council in June. 

2024 Sustainability Awards Call for Nominations 

SCAG is now accepting nominations for the 2024 SCAG Sustainability Awards, SCAG’s annual recognition of plans and projects that exemplify core principles of sustainability. These plans and projects are integral to accomplishing the goals of the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and promoting a cleaner, healthier and happier Southern California.  
  
The Sustainability Awards are open to governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations, non-profits, universities and more. Projects that span multiple agencies, sectors and geographies, applicants are encouraged to submit a joint entry. Submittals include projects completed or adopted between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 10, 2023. The winners of the SCAG Sustainability Awards will be presented at the 2024 Regional Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 2. Nominations will be accepted through Jan. 12. 

SCAG Receives $12 Million for Traffic Safety Initiatives 

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $12 million award for SCAG under the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program. This funding will support three comprehensive initiatives to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Southern California.  

With the grant performance period anticipated to begin in late 2024, SCAG will pursue the following activities:   

• Develop a Regional Safety Action Plan as the roadmap for new and ongoing safety strategies and support supplemental planning and demonstration activities led by local jurisdictions. 
• Expand Go Human safety programs, including grants for community-based organizations, complete streets pop-up demonstrations and local safety campaigns. 
• Pilot quick-build demonstrations through a competitive call for applications. 

Established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, SS4A awards $5 billion over five years to regional, local and Tribal traffic safety initiatives. Learn more about all the selected projects on the SS4A website. 

SCAG Receives Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Grant 

SCAG received a $500,000 Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation (SALC) Program planning grant from the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) to study the economic and fiscal benefits of natural and working lands, including environmental, tourism and recreation benefits. The study will also explore model policies and revenue opportunities to support local and regional efforts to maximize these benefits, and support regional economic, social and environmental resilience. The SALC Program supports agricultural land conservation, economic growth, and sustainable development by providing grants for three types of projects: land use planning grants, agricultural conservation acquisition grants, and capacity and project development grants. The SALC Program is a component of SGC’s Affordable ​​Housing and Sustainable Communities Program​, which invests with revenue from the California Climat​e ​Inv​estments Fund. To learn more about this round of SALC funding, read the press release published by the SGC in December 2023.

Imperial County to Use REAP Funds to Create Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District 

On Dec. 19, 2023, the Imperial County Board of Supervisors adopted a Resolution of Intention to form the County of Imperial Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) to finance affordable housing and the construction, repair, acquisition and maintenance of capital improvements, including the acquisition and remediation of land for such improvements. The draft EIFD’s boundaries, which include the Lithium Valley and Salton Sea area, target areas with high potential for economic development. The draft EIFD encompasses approximately 61,658 acres with an existing assessed property value of $617 million. The resolution proposes a Public Financing Authority, comprising members from the Board of Supervisors and public appointees. The first public hearings are scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. The development of the EIFD is funded by SCAG allocations from the Regional Early Action Planning grant program. 

SCAG Represented on CalSTA Transit Taskforce 

In December, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) held the first meeting of the statewide Transit Transformation Task Force. This group was formed by a Senate Bill 125 requirement for a task force representing local agencies, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders to develop recommendations for improving transit and growing ridership. SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise was one of 25 appointees to the task force, alongside representatives from the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Move LA and UCLA’s Institute of Transportation Studies.  

Moving forward, the task force will meet on a bimonthly basis, developing policy recommendations to increase transit ridership, improve the transit experience and address long-term operational needs. The task force’s work will culminate in a report of findings and recommendations to the California State Legislature’s policy and fiscal committees on or before Oct. 31, 2025. Regular updates on the task force’s progress will be shared at Regional Council meetings and other relevant stakeholder meetings (e.g., SCAG’s Regional Transit Technical Advisory Committee).

Big 4 Executive Directors Meet on Regional Planning Policies 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise joined executive directors of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, San Diego Association of Governments, Sacramento Association of Governments and the California Association of Governments in Sacramento on Dec. 4, 2023, for a series of meetings with state agency leaders to strengthen relationships between state and regional agencies. Discussions with California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin, Office of Planning Research Director Sam Assefa and Caltrans Chief Deputy Director Mike Keever focused on better aligning state and regional policies and leveraging various funding opportunities to meet shared climate, housing, equity and mobility goals. The executive directors also shared successes of the Regional Early Action Planning programs (REAP 1.0 and REAP 2.0) and discussed the importance of identifying an ongoing revenue source to invest in regional housing planning and sustainable communities strategies implementation. 

Toolbox Tuesday Presents Youth-Driven Urban Planning Toolkit 

SCAG staff conducted a Toolbox Tuesday session on Dec. 12, 2023, as part of the ongoing Equity Series. The “Youth-Driven Urban Planning through Y-Plan (Youth – Plan, Learn, Act Now),” session focused on strategies for engaging younger individuals in urban planning and policymaking. The session featured speakers Deborah McKoy, Ph.D., executive director and founder of the Center for Cities + Schools (CC+S) at the University of California, Berkeley, and Shirl Buss, Ph.D., creative director of CC+S and head of Y-PLAN Elementary.  

Participants learned about youth engagement and advocacy through Y-PLAN, a strategy that engages youth within a community context to encourage learning and involvement in city planning and policy development. Speakers showcased their youth-driven model of city planning and social change through three examples of Y-PLAN in action and presented an overview of the Y-PLAN Toolkit, which local jurisdictions can use to expand and enhance their youth engagement strategies.

SCAG Attends Brightline West Press Conference

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise attended a Dec. 11, 2024, press conference hosted by the City of Rancho Cucamonga to highlight the U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent $3 billion award for the Brightline West high-speed rail project. The event took place at the Rancho Cucamonga Metrolink Station, with California State Assembly Majority Leader Emerita Reyes, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Executive Director Ray Wolfe and others in attendance.  

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SCAG Adopts Carbon Reduction Program Guidelines  

The SCAG Executive/Administration Committee approved guidelines for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) on Dec. 6, 2023. SCAG will be initiating a combined solicitation for project nominations for the CRP along with the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program—all FHWA funding programs—in Jan. 2024. Eligible entities should begin discussing potential nominations with their respective county transportation commission as soon as possible. 

Connect SoCal 2024 Elected Official Briefings Update  

The public comment periods for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and the Connect SoCal 2024 Draft Program Environmental Impact Report end on Jan. 12, 2024. During this time, SCAG will host three public hearings, on Dec. 4, 5 and 8, in person at SCAG offices or online through Zoom.  

As part of the public comment period, SCAG has also hosted 14 elected official briefings in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. At these briefings, SCAG leadership shared and discussed the details of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan, focusing on how to implement the plan’s vision for a more resilient and equitable future. Following SCAG presentations, attendees asked questions about projects in their respective counties and provided feedback on the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan. 

For more plan updates, including future hearing dates, please visit ConnectSoCal.org, or email ConnectSoCal@scag.ca.gov with questions.  For more information on the 2024 PEIR, including how to submit comments, please visit scag.ca.gov/peir or email ConnectSoCalPEIR@scag.ca.gov.    

Toolbox Tuesdays Housing Series Continues in December  

This fall, SCAG hosted a two-part Toolbox Tuesday Housing Series to introduce technology, tools and resources to simplify and accelerate demographic and site selection analysis to increase equitable housing access.  

In part one, held in October, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) presented the Annual Progress Report Dashboard Tool, which allows jurisdictions to look up housing needs and trends in their area. HCD also showcased the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Data Viewer Tool to assist with fair housing analyses, site selection and program development to satisfy housing element requirements.  

In November, part two focused on tools jurisdictions can use to identify suitable sites for housing development, such as SCAG’s Regional Data Platform Housing Element Parcel (HELPR). HELPR allows jurisdictions to input several variables best suited for housing development and determine how that development may qualify for streamlining under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). SCAG is also working on guidance materials for available development streamlining options, which, when combined with information about recent CEQA legislation, can assist jurisdictions in identifying opportunities to accelerate housing production. 

Recordings from both sessions can be found on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage.  

Funding Approved for Highways to Boulevards Regional Study  

On Nov. 2, the SCAG Regional Council authorized staff to accept Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending grant funds to support SCAG’s Highways to Boulevards Regional Study. The study will identify opportunities to remove, retrofit or mitigate transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity, such as highways or railways.  

The study furthers the vision in Connect SoCal 2024 for a more resilient and equitable future. SCAG will engage stakeholders from across the region through Apr. 2025. Through this study, SCAG will support local jurisdictions by positioning the region to compete for Federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant funds and developing a best practices guide. More information about the study is available on the SCAG website.  

SCAG and Go Human Participate in the California Traffic Safety Summit  

Go Human staff also showcased its “Kit of Parts” artistic crosswalk at the conference, providing interactive education for traffic safety practitioners to become familiar with SCAG’s resources. 

SCAG Go Human participated in the California Traffic Safety Summit on Nov. 7 and 8, hosted by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) and American Automobile Association (AAA). The summit theme, “Responding to the Crisis Together: Prioritizing Safety and Achieving Equitable Outcomes,” affirmed the importance of prioritizing safety initiatives and working with communities to prevent crashes. SCAG’s Chief Planning Officer, Sarah Jepson, presented on the panel “Combatting the Pedestrian Safety Crisis,” highlighting SCAG’s role as a leader, convener and data hub in the state’s traffic safety efforts.  

SCAG and OTS will continue to collaborate in 2024 through a new round of OTS-funded traffic safety activities as recently announced. 

SCAG Awarded Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting  

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to SCAG for its annual comprehensive financial report for the 2022 fiscal year. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government agency and its management.  

SCAG Executive Director Recognized by WTS-LA  

The Women’s Transportation Seminar – Los Angeles Chapter (WTS-LA) recently recognized SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise with the prestigious Honorable Ray LaHood Award, named after the former secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. WTS created the Honorable Ray LaHood Award to recognize male transportation leaders who have exemplified the WTS mission by contributing to the advancement of women and minorities in the transportation sector. 

The Honorable Ray LaHood award was presented to Kome Ajise during the 2023 WTS-LA Awards and Scholarship Gala on Nov. 14, which paid tribute to industry leaders and innovators and celebrated the distribution of scholarship funds to young women pursuing transportation-related careers.

SCAG Attends Local Government Roundtable Hosted by the Governor’s Office and Planning and Research and the California Association of Councils of Government  

The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, along with the California Association of Governments, hosted a distinguished government roundtable titled “A Perspective from the Middle” on Nov. 6.  SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise represented the four major metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) at the roundtable, with remarks highlighting challenges and opportunities facing the delivery of infrastructure goals and community planning.   

He also provided an overview of the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) grants and SCAG’s ability to support local planning activities through the Connect SoCal Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. SCAG’s REAP 1.0 program to help jurisdictions meet their housing need through planning and other tools that supported 100 projects with $47 million. REAP 2.0 is underway, designed to reinvest 80% of SCAG’s $246 million suballocation into local communities and subregions through partner-led projects.   

Kome was joined by other MPO partners, including James Corless, executive director of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments; Alix Bockelman, chief deputy executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and Coleen Clementson, deputy CEO for the San Diego Association of Governments.

SCAG Shares Knowledge at Cal Poly Pomona’s Geographic Information System Day 

SCAG staff attended and participated in the “Cal Poly Pomona GIS Day: Bridges to the Future” event on Nov. 15, organized by the Center for Geographic Information Science Research in the College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences. SCAG Principal Senior Planner Tom Vo, an alumnus of Cal Poly Pomona, shared about his professional experience with GIS, including how it influenced his career and work in regional planning, and provide guidance for students interested in pursuing careers in the field. The event hosted 150 people throughout the day.  

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Draft Connect SoCal 2024 and Draft Program Environmental Impact Report Now Available for Public Comment 

The SCAG Regional Council voted on Nov. 2, 2023, to release both the draft Connect SoCal 2024, the region’s 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS) and the accompanying Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for public review and comment through Jan. 12, 2024. The comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan begins on Nov. 23, while the comment period for the draft PEIR begins on Nov. 9. 

Updated every four years, Connect SoCal 2024 outlines a vision for the region, with integrated strategies across the areas of mobility, community, environment and economy to help us get there. The Plan meets federal transportation conformity requirements and state requirements for greenhouse gas emission reduction, enabling the region to continue to receive funding for much-needed transportation projects.  

Connect SoCal 2024 is informed by local jurisdiction plans more so than in past cycles, facilitated by SCAG staff meeting with 164 jurisdictions during the development stage, which also included input from hundreds of stakeholders and thousands of Southern Californians; and leadership from 149 policy committee and Regional Council members. The transportation investments include projects submitted by six County Transportation Commissions and supplemented by a set of regional strategic investments. 

During the draft Connect SoCal 2024 public comment period, SCAG staff will host three public hearings on Dec. 4, 5 and 8, in addition to briefings for elected officials in each county in the SCAG area. For more plan updates, including future hearing dates, please visit ConnectSoCal.org, or email ConnectSoCal@scag.ca.gov with any questions.   

As the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) lead agency, SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 draft PEIR includes a region-wide, programmatic-level environmental assessment, and considers and discusses feasible mitigation measures and a range of reasonable alternatives to the Plan. The separate but parallel CEQA 65-day public comment period for the draft PEIR begins Nov. 9 and ends on Jan. 12, 2024, the same day as the comment period for the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan. The draft PEIR will be available on Nov. 9. To view and submit comments please visit scag.ca.gov/peir or email ConnectSoCalPEIR@scag.ca.gov. 

Early Bird Registration Ends Nov. 3 for the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit 

Time is running out to take advantage of early bird pricing for the 14th Annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 in Downtown Los Angeles. Every year, SCAG hosts business leaders, elected officials, economists and more to assess the state of the regional economy and plan for its long-term prosperity.  

This year, discussions at the event will relate directly to the trends that inform the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. Register today to participate in this important event at a critical time for the region. Nov. 3 is the last day to get $75 off the general admission price! 

Deadline Approaching for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Program 

The Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Call for Applications for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program is open through Nov. 6. This competitive Call for Applications has an estimated budget of $35 million available for projects in any of the following categories and meeting the definition of infill:    

• Planning Projects: Plans, programs and green infrastructure projects to increase utility capacity to support the residential development identified in local housing elements.   
• Capital Projects: Projects that address current and future utility constraints for housing development through upgrading infrastructure for sewer, water, stormwater and dry utilities systems, thus enabling continued infill housing development. 

SCAG hosted a recorded workshop on Oct. 4 to explain the Call for Applications and is offering office hours to support applicants in the application process. For more information on the call for applications and technical assistance opportunities visit the SCAG website. 

SCAG Regional Council Approves $45 Million for the Lasting Affordability Program 

On Nov. 2, the Regional Council approved funding recommendations for the Notice of Funds Available (NOFA) for the Lasting Affordability Program, a $45 million competitive call supporting program-level investments in housing trust funds, community land trusts, catalyst funds and nonprofit organizations that secure lasting affordability.  

The NOFA is funded by the Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing (PATH) Program under the REAP 2.0. With the NOFA, SCAG will fund 14 transformative planning and implementation projects in the region to carry out REAP 2.0 goals of accelerating infill development, affirmatively furthering fair housing and reducing vehicle miles traveled.

County Allotments of REAP Suballocations Now Available 

SCAG’s REAP 2.0 program aligns transportation and housing development by investing in innovative finance, land use and transportation strategies to help achieve California’s climate goals. SCAG is sub-allocating 80 percent of its $246 million REAP 2.0 grant award for partner-led projects, which can help projects be delivered efficiently while investing funding back into the region. The REAP 2.0 program also builds capacity to deliver 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) goals. 

The REAP 2.0 program includes three major program areas for technical assistance and funding programs: the Early Program Initiatives, Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing and the Transportation Partnership Programs. SCAG has facilitated five calls for applications for REAP funding awards—the County Transportation Commission Partnership Program, the Subregional Partnership Program 2.0, the Sustainable Communities Program Call 4, the Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Program and, the most recent, Lasting Affordability—working to ensure that suballocations reflect the geographic diversity of infill opportunities in the Southern California region: 

*Totals do not reflect the RUSH program, which currently has an open call for applications. 

SCAG Tours Imperial County Transportation Projects 

On Oct. 26 and 27, a SCAG delegation, including Regional Council President Art Brown, Immediate Past President Jan Harnik and Executive Director Kome Ajise, visited Imperial County to tour important regional facilities. 

The group was recognized as “guests of honor” at the California League of Cities-Imperial County Division Annual Dinner in Brawley before visiting the Calexico East Port of Entry California Highway Patrol Heavy Truck Vehicle Inspection Facility. The group also visited several ongoing projects in downtown Calexico designed to support transit and pedestrian access, including the Calexico West Port of Entry which has received $191 million in federal funding for an upgrade, and major investments for pedestrian access. The tour concluded with a stop at the “Lotus Living Tiny Homes” project in El Centro, completed in 2021 in partnership with Imperial Valley College. 

Final SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee Meeting 

The third and final SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting was held on Oct. 30. The meeting included discussion of updated SoCal Greenprint draft data standards and potential data layers, tool functionality and user testing to continue the TAC’s work in advising staff on development of the SoCal Greenprint tool and to ensure the tool’s alignment with the approved Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning policy framework. Staff will integrate the guidance and feedback from all three meetings into recommendations presented to the Energy and Environment Committee in January 2024 and the Regional Council in February 2024. 

SCAG at the CTC, CARB, HCD Joint Meeting 

Housing Department Manager Ma’Ayn Johnson represented SCAG at a joint meeting of the California Transportation Commission, California Air Resources Board and the California Housing and Community Development Department on Nov. 2 in Riverside. The joint meeting is an important convening of state partners and an opportunity to share SCAG’s work on the Connect SoCal 2024 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy and SCAG’s progress in implementing almost $300 million in REAP funding across the region.

Sustainable Communities Award Recommendations Highlight Parking Bundle Projects 

The 2020 Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) “Call 3” awards, approved by the Regional Council in July 2022, focused on Smart Cities & Mobility Innovations projects, emphasizing curb use, parking management and the integration of technology. These “parking bundle” projects tested new curb management technologies, assessing baseline and future conditions related to parking inventory, management and policy in each of the two cities, and recommended approaches for managing local parking needs into the future. Two case studies—from the City of Desert Hot Springs looking at parking management plans and City of Garden Grove assessing on-street parking issues in residential areas—were shared in a staff report to the Transportation Committee on Nov 2.

SCAG at the California Forward Economic Summit 

SCAG Chief Planning Officer Sarah Jepson spoke on the “Accelerating Infrastructure” panel session at the California Forward Economic Summit (CAFWD) on Oct. 13, along with SCAG Regional Council Member and Indio Mayor Oscar Ortiz and representatives from the Strategic Growth Council and the Milken Institute. SCAG’s Immediate Past President Jan Harnik, of Palm Desert, was also featured in a local government panel discussion, along with Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman Ryan Kelly and Brawley City Councilmember and SCAG CEHD Member George Nava. Additional panels discussed energy, economic development and numerous other topics.  

CAFWD took place in Indian Wells and highlighted the Imperial and Coachella Valleys. The program included tours of the Salton Sea, Agua Caliente Tribal Conservation Lands and other critical projects in the region. CAFWD’s bipartisan network of business, equity, environmental and civic organizations is unique in championing solutions that meet the triple bottom line—equity, environmental sustainability and economic growth. 

SCAG Publishes Clean Technology Compendium 

SCAG published the “Clean Technology Compendium” on Oct. 30 in response to the imminent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in the region. Because the transportation sector directly contributes to these environmental risks, the SCAG Regional Council adopted the “Clean Transportation Technology Policy and Resolution” earlier this year, defining clean transportation technology as zero- and near-zero emission vehicles and the infrastructure needed for their operation, along with other products that reduce the environmental impact of the transportation sector.  

The “Clean Technology Compendium” contributes to the work of cleaning the environment by providing an in-depth overview of zero and near-zero emission transportation technologies, including charging and fueling infrastructure and other supporting products. The compendium also offers a suite of recommendations and strategies to help overcome obstacles and accelerate widespread clean technology adoption. With clean transportation technology, Southern California can improve livelihoods, health and equity, concurrently delivering economic advantages for business and industry. 

SCAG Publishes Climate Equity Compendium 

In October, SCAG published the “Climate Equity Compendium” in partnership with CivicSparks fellows, The “Climate Equity Compendium” provides resources for local planners in the SCAG region to advocate for equitable and actionable policies and implement effective climate adaptation solutions. SCAG and CivicSparks reached out to more than 60 local jurisdictions to identify and assess major obstacles to climate equity at the local level, including lack of funding, resources and staff capacity, as well as difficulties finding relevant data and conducting outreach. 

Temporary Traffic Safety Demonstration Projects and National Pedestrian Safety Month 

In celebration of National Pedestrian Safety Month in October, Go Human partnered with the following communities to deploy the “Kit of Parts” and showcase potential street improvements: 

• On Oct. 4, LADOT hosted a temporary demonstration project for their Walk to School Day event at Young Oak Kim Academy in Koreatown.  
• On Oct. 7, the City of Menifee hosted a temporary demonstration project for their Clean Air Day Expo at Mt. San Jacinto College. 
• On Oct. 19, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority showcased the Go Human program’s Kit of Parts at their “lunch and learn” event. 

Recently released Go Human final report summaries and project videos are available on the SCAG website. 

Toolbox Tuesday: Training for the HCD’s Annual Progress Report Dashboard Tool 

As part 1 of a new Housing Series, SCAG partnered with the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to host a Toolbox Tuesday session on “Tools and Resources for Increasing Equitable Housing Access and Exploring Development Trends.” 

In this session, SCAG presented and demonstrated HCD’s Annual Progress Report Dashboard Tool, which allows jurisdictions to research housing needs and trends in their area. In addition, HCD also presented and demonstrated the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) Data Viewer Tool to assist with fair housing analyses, site selection and program development housing element requirements. The interactive AFFH Data Viewer tool provides data on issues related to fair housing, including segregation and integration, disparities in access to opportunity, disproportionate housing needs, racially and ethnically concentrated areas poverty and more. 

Recording of the session is posted in the Toolbox Tuesday library.

Sustainable Communities Program Staff Report Highlights Impact 

The Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) provides resources and direct technical assistance to jurisdictions to complete local planning efforts that implement Connect SoCal 2020. Projects funded under this program demonstrate a comprehensive approach to planning, integrating transportation planning with active transportation, housing production, safety, smart cities, mobility innovation, transportation demand management and sustainability. Through SCP, SCAG seeks to strengthen partnerships with local agencies responsible for land use and transportation decisions.  

The Regional Council approved the current SCP Guidelines in 2020, and since then, SCAG has issued four calls for applications and awarded $11.8 million to 56 projects. The 2024 SCP Guidelines will follow the release of the draft Connect SoCal 2024 plan. The staff report shared with the Regional Council this month includes a summary of the projects funded to date. 

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Economic Summit Registration Now Open

Registration is now open for SCAG’s 14th annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 7 at the Sheraton Grand Los Angeles. Mark your calendars and register now to join leaders in business, planning and public policy to assess the state of the region’s economy. 

The program will explore the major economic factors that inform Connect SoCal 2024, SCAG’s draft Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. From generating new jobs to creating efficiency gains for commuters, shipping and travel, a strong regional transportation system has economic benefits for all of the nearly 19 million people in the region.  

Register today to join leading voices for conversations on strategies to promote the long-term health of Southern California’s economy. Elected officials and city managers of SCAG’s member jurisdictions may attend for free. Learn more and register to attend at scag.ca.gov/economicsummit. 

Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Grant Program Call Now Open  

The Call for Applications for the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program is now open through Nov. 6. This competitive call will award an estimated $35 million to projects in any of the following categories meeting the definition of infill:    

• Planning Projects: Plans, programs and green infrastructure plans to support increased utility capacity to support residential development identified in housing elements.   
• Capital Projects: Projects that address current and future utility restrictions for housing development and enable continued infill housing development by upgrading infrastructure for sewer, water, stormwater and dry utilities systems. 

Recordings of an Oct. 4 information session will be available soon, and office hours with SCAG staff are available to support applicants. More information on the call for applications and technical assistance opportunities are also available on SCAG’s website.

SCAG Regional Council Approves $8 Million for Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Program 

In October, the Regional Council also approved funding recommendations for the Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands (HIPP) Pilot Program, an $8 million competitive program to support scaling up the development of available land and implementing corridor-wide or area-wide infill housing policies and initiatives. The 11 awarded projects include site assessments, site inventories, inclusionary housing programs and specific plans that unlock lands for housing with diverse housing types. 

The HIPP Pilot Program is part of Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing, funded by the Regional Early Action Planning program (REAP 2.0), which supports planning and implementation to accelerate infill development, affirmatively furthering fair housing and reduce vehicle miles traveled. 

Read more about the HIPP projects here.

SCAG Regional Council Approves $4 Million in Sustainable Communities Program Funding 

The SCAG Regional Council approved $4 million in October to support 11 projects advancing multimodal communities, and sustainable housing and land use strategies across Southern California. The Sustainable Communities Program – Civic Engagement, Equity and Environmental Justice (SCP CEEEJ), under which these awards are issued, is funded through Senate Bill 1 for multimodal communities projects and Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 program (REAP 2.0) for housing and land use strategies projects. The SCP CEEEJ prioritizes strategies that close the racial equity gap and include partnerships with community-based organizations, and fund or provide direct benefit to historically disadvantaged, underserved, underrepresented and under-resourced communities.

Read more about the SCP CEEEJ projects here.

SCAG Awarded $1.3 Million from California Office of Traffic Safety  

SCAG’s Regional Council, at its October meeting, approved a resolution authorizing SCAG to accept $1.35 million in grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). This funding will be used to continue the Go Human program, with plans in 2023-2024 to support localized traffic safety engagement, temporary safety demonstration projects and the distribution of Community Streets Grants across the region, as well as a research and analysis effort to assess existing strategies and inform new ones.

Learn more about the Go Human program here. 

In addition, the Regional Council approved a second resolution authorizing SCAG to accept a $886 thousand OTS grant award to fund development of a regional transportation safety predictive modeling platform. This award will facilitate SCAG’s efforts to take a more proactive approach toward the analysis and mitigation of safety risks on our regional multimodal transportation system, with the objective of reducing the incidence of collision-related fatalities and serious injuries. 

Inclusive Contracting Toolkit Coming Soon 

In July 2021, the Regional Council adopted the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy (IERS) to implement SCAG Resolution No. 20-623-2, which puts forward strategies for SCAG’s role in advancing equitable regional economic recovery and growth. With support from Senator Susan Rubio, SCAG received one-time grant funding of $3.5 million from the California Workforce Development Board to implement several core recommendations developed in the IERS. One such project is the Inclusive Contracting Toolkit. 

The toolkit will include actionable recommendations for procurement professionals in public agencies and private anchor institutions to support inclusive contracting policies, programs and practices. To ground this project in an understanding of the unique procurement approaches in each organization, SCAG staff convened a technical advisory committee and a series of industry focus groups made up of small businesses and contracting professionals from government agencies and anchor institutions. 

The toolkit will feature a library of best practices and recommendations, as well as summarize relevant context for inclusive contracting and recommend immediate actions organizations can take. The toolkit will be finalized and released by the end of October. 

Sign up for updates from SCAG to get notified when the Inclusive Contracting Toolkit is available.

34th Annual Demographic Workshops Spotlights Slower Population Growth and High Housing Costs 

SCAG hosted the 34th annual Demographic Workshop on Sept. 20. The event, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” brought together the region’s leading demographers and population experts, as well as more than 400 attendees from the public and private sectors, to discuss the implications of Southern California’s shifting demographics for housing, transportation and sustainability.  

Workshop highlights include the release of SCAG’s assessment of the American Community Survey (ACS) data for 2022. This report looks at the shifts and constants of post-COVID Southern California, providing insights into the demographic, economic and housing trends between 2019 and 2022. Event speakers discussed this analysis, emphasizing the potential consequences of slower population growth and high housing costs across the region. Another major focus of the workshop was how the ongoing generational shift stands to redefine politics, culture, technology and the economy of the region. Program materials, photos and videos from the event can be found here.

$215 Million Awarded to Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Projects in Southern California  

The California Strategic Growth Council recently announced the 7th cycle of its Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) program, which advances building affordable housing in walkable neighborhoods with access to jobs. As part of this funding cycle, $215 million was awarded to six projects in the SCAG region that are projected to develop more than 997 new units of affordable housing in disadvantaged communities.  

Overall, this cycle of the AHSC program funded a total of $757 million for 16 projects in California.  

Every year, SCAG writes letters of support for affordable housing projects applying to the AHSC program and will continue to work with local partners to bring funding to projects in Southern California.

Other-to-Residential Toolkit Wins APA Award 

SCAG’s innovative Other-to-Residential (OTR) Toolkit was honored with the American Planning Association’s (APA) California Chapter’s Merit Award for Best Practices. This toolkit offers planners and policymakers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to promote residential development in local jurisdictions by transforming underutilized non-residential land into vibrant residential areas. 

The OTR Toolkit empowers jurisdictions to boost housing availability by identifying and prioritizing sites for land-use conversion, turning ‘other’ into ‘residential.’ The recognition by the California Chapter of the APA underscores SCAG’s commitment to advancing sustainable, inclusive urban planning practices that benefit our communities. 

The OTR Toolkit was made possible by funding from California’s Regional Early Action Planning grant program.

SCAG Collaborates with Office of Transportation Safety and Caltrans to Launch Street Safety Campaign 

On Sept. 12 the OTS and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, Automobile Club of Southern California, SCAG and the City of Long Beach held a news conference to announce a new statewide media campaign, “Safety is Sharing. Safety is Caring,” to promote bike and pedestrian safety and reduce injuries and fatal crashes. The campaign coincides with California’s Pedestrian Safety Month. 

By focusing on education, awareness and collaborative efforts, the campaign seeks to create a safer environment for everyone who uses California’s roadways. Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,508 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2022, the highest number since 1981. From 2011-2020, pedestrians and bicyclists constituted approximately one-third of all traffic deaths in the six-county SCAG region, despite accounting for less than three percent of all road users.

Go Human Program Completes Summer Traffic Safety Demonstrations 

For California Pedestrian Safety Month in September, SCAG’s Go Human program completed 11 grant-funded community-based traffic safety Hubs; 25 traffic safety campaigns utilizing co-branded advertisements; six oral history videos centering community-led voices and narratives; 11 new Traffic Safety Pledge commitments from jurisdictions across the region; eight Kit of Parts demonstration projects; and four sponsorships to support local traffic safety events. In total, SCAG’s Go Human activities provided approximately $500,000 in direct support to more than 40 local partners in the region across more than 30 jurisdictions.

Go Human Deploys Temporary Safety Demonstrations and Open Streets Events Around Southern California 

Go Human recently partnered with the following communities to deploy the Kit of Parts for the Go Human program: 

• On Aug. 31, Santa Ana Active Streets (SAAS), in the City of Santa Ana hosted a temporary demonstration project in the Willard Neighborhood using the artistic crosswalk from the Go Human program’s Kit of Parts. The demonstration allowed SAAS to collect community feedback that will inform the future installation of permanent artistic crosswalks. 
• On Sept. 8, the Township of Altadena hosted a temporary demonstration project using the Go Human program’s Kit of Parts as part of the weekly Neighborhood Market event series at Loma Alta Park. Community members were able to test out a curb extension, separated bike lane and parklet, providing feedback that supported potential traffic safety improvements.  
• On Sept. 16, the City of Lancaster hosted a temporary demonstration project using Go Human’s Kit of Parts, in partnership with the Antelope Valley Partners for Health. Hosted at Lancaster’s Walk N Roll open streets event, the demonstration featured parklets, bike lanes, and curb extensions.  

Recently released Final Report Summaries and project videos will be available soon on the SCAG website.

SCAG Showcases Go Human Best Practices at the APA California 2023 Conference  

SCAG’s Go Human program shared planning best practices and strategic collaborations on two key panels at the APA California 2023 Conference, “Planning at the Crossroads,” from Sept. 16-19.  

Staff and partners presented during two panels, including, “Go Human x Fresno: A Local Spotlight from a Statewide Pilot Program – Using SCAG’s Kit of Parts Lending Library for Pop Up Safety Projects,” as well as “Planning for Mobility Hubs: Experiences from Northern and Southern California.” SCAG staff joined speakers from the Fresno County Department of Public Health and the Association of Bay Area Governments.

SCAG Represents at Mobility 21 Event 

SCAG was a sponsor of this year’s Mobility 21 Summit in Anaheim, Calif., themed “Challenge of Change,” exploring the direction and future of transportation policy and funding. SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey spoke on a panel to share ideas for tackling state and federal disruptions facing the transportation industry. Regional Council President and Buena Park Mayor Art Brown, Regional Council First Vice President and San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman, Regional Council Second Vice President and Vice Mayor of Long Beach Cindy Allen were also in attendance. 

Executive Director Kome Ajise Headlines Student Speaker Series 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise took part in a speaker series held by the University of Southern California Institute of Transportation Engineers student chapter, dedicated to broadening student perspectives in the transportation field.  

Director Ajise shared about his career journey in the transportation field, providing insight into SCAG’s role and major initiatives in the Southern California region. In all, more than 50 aspiring transportation and urban planning students took part in a dialogue on the future of transportation. 

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Demographic Workshop Program Preview

Registration is open for the 34th annual Demographic Workshop, “The Seismic Generational Shift,” hosted by SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy on Sept. 20. This event will take place at the SCAG Main Office in downtown Los Angeles, with an online broadcast for virtual viewing.

Workshop panels will explore continuing trends with the latest data, the state’s new housing data infrastructure and generational change through the lens of the region’s housing and jobs. Attending in person includes access to the full workshop program, including roundtable discussions with experts, networking, Q&A with the keynote speaker and full AICP credits.

To see the full program and register, visit scag.ca.gov/demographics.

CEHD and Regional Council Approve RHNA Reform Recommendations

In September, the Regional Council approved the release of SCAG’s recommendations on the reformation of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process. These recommendations will be provided to the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) in a formal letter to be included in a report of recommendations to the California State Legislature.

On Aug. 16, SCAG staff presented a total of thirteen recommendations at a special meeting of the Community, Economic and Human Development (CEHD) committee, with changes to the regional determination, methodology and appeals processes. The committee acted to recommend the draft recommendations be moved to the Regional Council for further action.

Some recommendations will also require legislation to implement changes while others will be evaluated as part of the 7th RHNA cycle. The Legislative/Communications & Membership Committee will now use the recommendations to prepare multiple proposals for potential SCAG-sponsored bills and to advocate for bills containing high-priority RHNA reform concepts. SCAG will continue to monitor and report on HCD’s process and explore ways to implement the approved recommendations.

As part of its statewide RHNA reform effort, HCD is soliciting comments until Sept. 15. For more information on SCAG’s RHNA program, visit scag.ca.gov/rhna.

Connect SoCal 2024 & Stakeholder Engagement

This month, SCAG’s joint policy committee recommended the draft Connect SoCal 2024 Plan to the Regional Council for approval to release for circulation in November. The committee heard a presentation previewing the contents of the Plan, which showcased key policies and strategies to be included in the draft Plan to address existing and emerging challenges facing the region. The presentation also showed how the Plan is based on the best available information, and rooted in local planning and policy actions.

In anticipation of the draft Plan release, SCAG staff continue to engage key stakeholders and provide standing updates at SCAG’s policy committees and working groups. Further discussions, along with other necessary engagement and consultation with tribal governments, elected official briefings and public hearings, will occur during the public review period.

Following the public review and comment period, including a concurrent review and comment period for the program environmental impact report, we anticipate seeking approval for the adoption of a final Connect SoCal in April 2024. For the latest details on Connect SoCal 2024 development, visit connectsocal.org.

Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee Second Meeting

SCAG held the second meeting of the SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee on Aug. 28. The meeting included a discussion of potential draft data standards for identifying, evaluating and selecting data. This work supports the TAC’s purpose of ensuring the future SoCal Greenprint tool is aligned with policy objectives identified in the approved Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning policy framework. The final TAC meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 and will include discussions on revisions to the draft data standards, tool functionality and beta testing. After this final meeting, SCAG will continue to integrate committee input into staff recommendations for further development of the Greenprint tool, which will be brought to the Energy and Environment Committee in November for consideration.

Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 Update

At its September meeting, the Regional Council approved updates to the Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing (PATH) guidelines, setting up the release of the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Pilot Program Call for Applications this fall. This represents $35 million from the REAP 2.0 Program that will be focused on funding utility infrastructure planning and shovel-ready capital improvements that will help meet housing production goals.

These updates incorporate input from the RUSH forum earlier this year and are part of ongoing work to distribute the $237 million awarded to SCAG from the California Department of Housing & Community Development for the Regional Early Action Plan 2.0 Program. SCAG has issued Calls for Applications for five programs to sub-allocate a significant portion of the REAP 2.0 funds to eligible entities in the SCAG region. In July, the Regional Council approved $80 million in projects under the County Transportation Commission Partnership Program. The Regional Council will consider the approval of awards for the Sustainable Communities Program, Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Pilot Program and Notice of Funds Available for Lasting Affordability this fall.

SCAG staff continue work to launch funding programs focused on accelerating infill development, connecting infill housing to daily services and increasing travel options, and building capacity for planning innovation through data-driven decision-making tools. For more information, visit scag.ca.gov/reap2021.

Multiple Toolbox Tuesday Sessions Available Online

SCAG hosted the Empowering Southern California with Big Data Analytics Toolbox Tuesday session on Aug. 8, describing powerful new planning and policy tools that allow users to gather and interpret large volumes of data.

Through the state’s REAP 2.0 program, SCAG, via the Regional Data Platform, is providing member agencies free access to StreetLight’s Insight Web App big data platform for the six-county region. This session also included information on StreetLight’s Insight Web App, which provides insights into travel behavior trends in an easy-to-use interface. A recording of the Empowering Southern California with Big Data Analytics Toolbox Tuesday session is also available.

SCAG hosted the Planners as Therapists, Cities as Clients Toolbox Tuesday session on Aug. 22. Urban planner, activist, social worker and artist Jose Richard Aviles led participants through the intersections of social work and urban planning practices. This training session covered how city design can contribute to reconciling the trauma of past racist urban policies and prioritizing access to a dignified quality of life for all people. A recording of the Planners as Therapists, Cities as Clients Toolbox Tuesday session is also available.

For more information on Toolbox Tuesday, visit scag.ca.gov/toolbox-tuesday.

SCAG Presents to the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions

On Aug. 25, SCAG Deputy Director of Planning, Annie Nam, presented an overview of key transportation funding issues impacting the SCAG region. The presentation was part of the panel on regional transportation solutions focusing on planning and funding. The panel was one of three heard by the Assembly Select Committee on Regional Transportation Solutions held at the Antelope Valley Transit Authority City of Lancaster offices. The presentation highlighted the importance of state action furthering the establishment of a user fee-based system that better reflects the true cost of transportation for an equitable distribution of costs and benefits.

Assembly Bill 1335 Moves to the Next Legislative Session

SCAG is pleased to share that Assembly Bill (AB) 1335 was held as a two-year bill for further study and debate. This highly technical bill by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur would have required SCAG to accept HCD’s RHNA goal as the only data source to inform household growth for the first eight years of the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy’s 30-year time horizon. AB 1335 would have impacted SCAG’s ability to demonstrate air quality conformity and access to transportation funding for the region.

SCAG will continue to work with Assemblymember Zbur on a collaborative solution that best supports the extensive work our region does to forecast population, jobs and household growth. To learn more about SCAG’s legislation and advocacy program, visit scag.ca.gov/legislation.

SCAG Meets with Assembly Leadership

SCAG representatives met with California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and the newly appointed chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee and former SCAG Regional Council member Assemblymember Juan Carillo. Representing SCAG on the call were Regional Council President Art Brown, Second Vice President Cindy Allen, Immediate Past President Jan Harnik and Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Vice Chair Jose Luis Solache, accompanied by Executive Director Kome Ajise.

SCAG leadership was pleased to share longstanding legislative and budgetary priorities, including support for ongoing statewide investments in active transportation and infill infrastructure grant programs, as well as the funding and implementation of the Regional Early Action Planning 2.0 program, which SCAG is using to fund implementation of pro-housing and greenhouse gas emissions reducing infrastructure programs. SCAG looks forward to working with Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Carrillo to further these and other vital programs.

SCAG Advocates with BizFed in Sacramento

SCAG representatives joined the Los Angeles County Business Federation on a one-day trip to Sacramento to advocate for regional priorities. SCAG met with eight legislative offices, including Assembly Local Government Committee Chair Juan Carrillo, Assemblymember Blanca Rubio, Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez, Assemblymember Luis Rivas and Senator Susan Rubio

SCAG Clean Cities Redesignation

SCAG Leadership met remotely last month with leadership from the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Coalition redesignation committee. SCAG Regional Council Second Vice President Cindy Allen, Immediate Past President Jan Harnik and Regional Council member Oscar Ortiz attended and shared their support for the program along with members of the SCAG Executive team who shared the importance of this work, as well as the California regulatory drivers and the need for more funding in this area.

SCAG Senior Planner and Clean Cities Coalition Director, Alison Linder, provided a detailed presentation outlining SCAG’s coalition structure, recent accomplishments, and activities and future work plan, highlighting the Passenger Electric Vehicle Atlas, the Zero Emission Truck Infrastructure Study and the Last Mile Freight Program.

To learn more about SCAG’s Clean Cities Coalition, visit scag.ca.gov/clean-cities.

SCAG Participates in the 2023 Climate Adaptation Forum

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated as a panelist in the opening plenary session of the 2023 California Adaptation Forum. The session highlighted priorities and initiatives related to climate adaptation and community resilience. Panelists demonstrated the importance of working across sectors and jurisdictions to create an enabling policy environment, build social infrastructure and develop projects for equitable, community-driven climate resilience efforts.

Go Human Program Highlighted in New Report on Behavioral Traffic Safety

In August, the Transportation Research Board and Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program released a report and guide titled, “Improving MPO and SHSO Coordination on Behavioral Traffic Safety.” The guide highlights metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and state highway safety office (SHSO) coordination activities through SHSO support of innovative projects and programs, like SCAG’s Go Human community engagement program. Read the full report and guide here.

Temporary Safety Demonstration Projects & Open Streets Events

Go Human partnered with five communities to deploy the Kit of Parts in July and August.

On July 12, Go Human Hubs awardee Reach Out, showcased a protected bike lane and artistic crosswalk at their Skate Thru Summer event in the City of Jurupa Valley, reaching 400 attendees.

On July 29, the City of Montebello, supported by Circulate San Diego, hosted a bike lane and artistic crosswalk at the Montebello Downtown Street Fest.

On July 31, the City of Duarte hosted the Kit of Parts at their Summer Concert: Anything for Selenas! reaching more than 200 attendees as part of their Safe Routes to School efforts potential infrastructure treatments such as an artistic crosswalk, a pedestrian refuge island, a separated bike lane and a parklet.

On Aug. 7, the City of Port Hueneme, supported by California Walks, showcased temporary curb extensions and artistic crosswalks at their Health and Wellness Fair.

On Aug. 26, the City of Irvine showcased the separated bike lane as part of their Re-envision South Yale Avenue effort, allowing residents to test out the first potential improvement of its kind in the city.

The Go Human Kit of Parts will be featured in upcoming demonstrations through the rest of the summer in Santa Ana, Altadena, Lancaster, Menifee and more.

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SCAG Awarded $237 Million for REAP 2.0  

The Department of Housing and Community Development has officially approved SCAG’s full funding application, awarding SCAG with more than $237 million in REAP 2.0 funds. 

The REAP 2.0 program is a flexible program to accelerate progress toward state housing goals and climate commitments through partnership between the state, its regions and local entities. SCAG will sub-allocate a large portion of the REAP 2.0 funds to eligible jurisdictions in the SCAG region through calls for applications. For more information, visit scag.ca.gov/reap2021. 

Regional Council Approves County Transportation Commission Partnership Program Award List  

The Regional Council today approved funding recommendations for the County Transportation Commission (CTC) Partnership Program, an $80 million competitive program developed in close partnership with the CTCs. The program is made possible by the recently approved REAP 2.0 funding. Through this program, SCAG will fund 33 transformative planning and implementation projects that expand access, increase mobility, and bring jobs and housing closer together to achieve a more sustainable growth pattern across the region.   

Project awards are split across three eligible project categories:  

• $35 million invested in projects that increase transit ridership  
• $36 million invested in multimodal communities projects  
• $9 million invested in projects to shift travel behavior  

Multiple Calls for Applications Open for Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing 

The Call for Applications is now open for two of three funding areas in the recently approved REAP 2.0 Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing (PATH):  

The Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands (HIPP) Pilot Program is focused on the development of affordable housing at scale on available public and private land as well as development and implementation of corridor-wide or area-wide regulatory infill housing actions. The HIPP program applications are due by July 10. 

The Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) for Lasting Affordability provides support for innovative housing finance, trust funds, catalyst funds and new permanent funding sources. The NOFA for Lasting Affordability applications are due by July 31.   

The Call for Applications for the third PATH funding area, Regional Utilities Supporting Housing, is expected to be released in late summer 2023. Click here for more information on all PATH funding areas. 

Next Steps on the Subregional Partnership Program 2.0   

The Subregional Partnership Program (SRP) 2.0 Call for Applications closed on May 31, with extensions granted to several subregional partners through June 30. The SRP 2.0 Program is noncompetitive and makes $23 million available to subregional councils of governments for eligible activities supporting member jurisdictions in implementing housing element work plans. Projects must accelerate infill development that facilitates housing supply, choice and affordability; affirmatively further fair housing; and reduce vehicle miles traveled. SCAG is evaluating applications and will work with subregional partners on next steps. Awards are anticipated in summer 2023.  

REAP 1.0 Biannual Update 

The REAP 1.0 grant is a one-time $47 million award from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) to increase housing supply and accelerate production in the region. 

More than 100 projects are funded under this program, focusing on planning to help jurisdictions meet 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment allocation. 

SCAG has completed several projects under REAP 1.0 since the last update in January 2023, including Palmdale Digital Utility Data Inventory Tool, County of Los Angeles Parking Strategies to Increase Housing Production, Coachella Valley Association of Governments’ Affordable Housing Catalyst Fund Investment Plan and more. All REAP 1.0 projects must be completed by early 2024 per grant requirements. 

SCAG looks forward to the tools, programs and best practices being produced under REAP 1.0 and will continue to showcase highlights.

SCAG Receives Federal Approval of Conformity Determination   

The Regional Council in June adopted Connect SoCal Amendment No. 3 and the 2023 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP) Consistency Amendment, including the associated conformity analysis. SCAG has since received accelerated federal final approval of the conformity determination.  

With this approval, $26 billion worth of important transportation projects in the Connect SoCal and FTIP Amendments can now move forward. Thank you to Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration for expedited review and approval of the conformity determination.   

SCAG Awarded Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant to Expand Broadband 

The California Public Utilities Commission approved SCAG’s $1 million Local Agency Technical Assistance Grant (LATA) on June 29. LATA grants support local agencies and tribes in their efforts to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved Californians. 

The funding enables SCAG to advance up to three broadband projects in unserved or underserved areas. SCAG will collaborate with local jurisdictions that were unable to apply for funding or lacked the resources to engage a consultant or manage the project themselves. Thanks to the CPUC for their continued investment in advancing broadband access in our region.

Active Transportation Projects Receive $361 million in Funding  

The California Transportation Commission adopted the 2023 Active Transportation Program (ATP) Metropolitan Planning Organization Component on June 28, including SCAG’s component, which totaled $361 million and included 77 projects distributed across the region. When combined with the previously approved statewide ATP Cycle 6 component, the region will receive $706 million in funding for active transportation projects.

$413 Million in Funding Now Available for Freight Corridor Projects  

The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) provides funding to enhance infrastructure along important freight corridors. On June 8, the California Transportation Commission approved the 2022 program cycle, which includes approximately $413 million for SCAG’s Los Angeles/Inland region and will fund a variety of projects at the ports, freeway corridor and interchange improvements and two zero-emission facility projects across multiple counties in the SCAG region. 

State Announces $1.3 Billion for Supply Chain-Related Projects  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Regional Council Second Vice President Cindy Allen joined California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin; Senator Lena Gonzalez, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee; and Assemblymembers Josh Lowenthal and Steve Bennett; and Southern California Ports leaders on July 5 at the Port of Long Beach to announce the one-time Port and Freight Infrastructure Program award of more than $1.3 billion. This program funds to projects across the state for long-term supply chain upgrades that improve global trade gateways and reduce environmental impacts on neighboring communities, as well as inland projects to improve safety at intersections, and reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

Multiple Toolbox Tuesday Sessions Held in June Available Online  

SCAG hosted the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Modeling and Analytics in Regional Planning Toolbox Tuesday session on May 16. Speakers shared best practices for using ArcGIS and GIS programming to streamline SCAG’s geospatial data development, spatial analysis and visualization process. This session provided demos on leveraging Python and other programming tools to streamline GIS workflows. A recording of the GIS Modeling and Analytics Toolbox Tuesday session is also available. 

SCAG staff and external speakers led the Youth Empowerment Programs Toolbox Tuesday on June 27 as part of the ongoing Equity Series. In this session, researchers, leaders and participants of youth empowerment programs demonstrated ways to integrate and institutionalize systems to improve racial equity. This session focused on the strategies outlined in SCAG’s Racial Equity Early Action Plan and Equity Resource Guide. A recording of the Youth Empowerment Programs Toolbox is also available.  

Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee Convenes this Month   

The Regional Council approved the Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning (RAMP) Policy Framework in February 2023, which directed SCAG to convene the SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)to advise staff on development of the Greenprint tool and ensure its alignment with the approved policy framework.    

Membership for the TAC has been finalized and the first meeting will take place on July 26 from 2 to 5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public, virtually and in-person at SCAG’s Los Angeles office. 

The TAC will meet three times before presenting recommendations to the Energy and Environment Committee in October and Regional Council in November. Upon Regional Council’s approval, SCAG will move forward completing the SoCal Greenprint tool. 

Regional Housing Needs Assessment Reform Comments Underway  

The California Department of Housing and Community Development is required by state law to submit a final report on RHNA reform to the State Legislature by December 31, 2023. SCAG has been active in conducting outreach and collecting input from various stakeholders for our draft RHNA reform recommendations, consistent with the statewide effort, to address the region’s needs in this process with a collective voice. Staff will present draft recommendations at a special meeting of the Community, Economic & Human Development Committee on August 16. The committee will be asked to review and recommend this report to the Regional Council for action in September before it is shared with HCD. 

Outreach Concludes for Connect SoCal 2024   

SCAG recently wrapped up outreach for Connect SoCal 2024, the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. SCAG engaged Southern California residents on topics related to the future of the region and collected 3,600 surveys with input. Surveys were fielded via online and traditional advertising, as well as 20 in-person workshops, seven virtual workshops, pop-ups at 20 community events and partnerships with 15 community-based organizations. Themes in the feedback related to housing affordability, transportation safety, climate change and economic opportunities. SCAG is now incorporating this feedback collected during outreach into the draft plan due for release in Fall 2023. 

Executive Administration Committee Convenes for 2023-24 Strategic Planning Session 

SCAG President Art Brown convened the Executive Administration Committee on June 29 for a two-day work planning session in Buena Park. During the session, EAC members reflected on the past year and discussed strategic planning for the year ahead. It was a productive and engaging discussion on priority areas for this year’s work plan, which will be presented to the regional council at a future meeting. 

SCAG Attends Mobility 21 Annual Delegation Trip in Washington, D.C.  

SCAG’s Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena participated in the Mobility 21 Annual Delegation Trip in Washington, D.C. on June 19-21. Representatives from transportation agencies from all six counties in the SCAG region, as well as Mobility 21 private partners, were in attendance for meetings with members of our region’s congressional delegation, including Congressmembers Ken Calvert, Norma Torres, Mark Takano, Young Kim, Tony Cárdenas, Grace Napolitano, Brad Sherman and Lou Correa. The delegation discussed the region’s infrastructure funding needs ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games, implementation of the Build America Buy America Act, and needed support for Southern California’s goods and freight movement corridors, projects and facilities. 

SCAG Participates in National Association of Regional Council Annual Conference 

SCAG was represented at the National Association of Regional Councils annual conference again this year, which took place June 4-6 in Detroit. As part of the conference, Regional Council member Alan Wapner moderated a panel on street safety and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson spoke on a panel about equity in planning. This event is important because it allows SCAG to exchange ideas and best practices with other metropolitan planning organizations across the nation. 

Go Human Engages at 626 Golden Streets    

Go Human participated in 626 Golden Streets – Heart of the Foothills on April 23. Hosted by ActiveSGV, this event temporarily opened streets San Dimas, La Verne, Pomona and Claremont for people to walk, jog, skate, bike and more. The event promoted sustainable and active communities, encouraging participants to interact with local businesses, organizations and community groups along the route. Go Human distributed 130 helmets and gathered responses to the Connect SoCal survey.  

Go Human Demonstrates Safe Streets in Buena Park  

The City of Buena Park, in partnership with Go Human, hosted a Kit of Parts demonstration, showcasing a pop-up parklet, bike lane, artistic crosswalk and curb extension at the Buena Park Food Truck Festival on June 23. The demonstration showed how infrastructure can improve bicyclist and pedestrian safety. SCAG’s Executive Director Kome Ajise, and Regional Council President and Buena Park Mayor Art Brown attended the event. 

SCAG Attends Event Celebrating Regional Connector Opening 

SCAG staff attended the Los Angeles Metro Regional Connector event on June 16. Mayor of Los Angeles and SCAG Regional Councilmember Karen Bass attended, as well as Los Angeles County Supervisor and SCAG Regional Councilmember Hilda Solis, Senator Alex Padilla, White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, Congressman Jimmy Gomez and others. The Metro Regional Connector adds three new subway stations in downtown Los Angeles, creating more transit access to major job centers, local businesses and cultural destinations to support increased transit ridership in the region. 

SCAG Meets with the City of Bell  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Government and Public Affairs Officer Javiera Cartagena visited the City of Bell on June 12 to meet with SCAG District 27 Regional Councilmember and City of Bell Councilmember Ali Saleh and City Manager Michael Antwine. During the visit, SCAG learn about challenges and opportunities for cities in District 27 to inform its continued support for these cities in planning a more sustainable future. 

SCAG Meets with City of La Palma  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise visited the City of La Palma to meet with SCAG District 18 Regional Councilmember and City of La Palma Mayor Pro Tem Marshall Goodman on June 22. The discussion focused on Goodman’s interest and ideas for his new role as a SCAG Executive/Administration Committee member. SCAG will continue supporting District 18 cities in their effort to improve resiliency and sustainability in their communities.

SCAG Meets with Multiple Los Angeles City Councilmembers  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Government Affairs Manager Sarah Patterson met with SCAG Regional Councilmember and Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price on June 9. The conversation included the councilman’s interest in a partnership with SCAG to develop a safer streets pilot program in his district.   

Director Ajise and SCAG staff met with Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez and Planning Director Emma Howard on June 26. The conversation focused on Soto-Martinez’s vision and support for the Hollywood Plan Update, detailing the need to develop Hollywood and East Hollywood as an area for job growth and more transit. 

Go Human Partners Recognized with Awards Across the Region     

SCAG’s Go Human program is a collaborative regional effort aimed at reducing traffic collisions in Southern California and encouraging people to walk and bike more. The American Planning Association (APA) chapter and state awards celebrate each region’s most outstanding planning work, its hard-won victories, best practices and thought leaders dedicated to place-making. SCAG’s Go Human program is thrilled that its partners projects have been recognized with multiple APA awards across the region:  

• APA Orange County – 2023 Grassroots Initiative, Award of Excellence, Santa Ana Active Streets: Willard Safe Streets   
• APA Orange County – 2023 Implementation Category, Award of Excellence, the City of Laguna Niguel: Niguel Hills Middle School Safety Program   
• APA Inland Empire Section – 2023 Grassroots Initiative, Award of Excellence, the Artlands Creative & OmniTrans: Revitalizing Public Transportation Through Bus Bench Art   
• APA Los Angeles – 2023 Grassroots Initiative Award of Excellence, Public Matters: How East Los Moves: Creatives, Custom People-Powered Transit in City Terrace   
• APA Los Angeles – 2023 Public Outreach Award, Award of Merit, Los Angeles Walks: Promoters for Safe Streets: A Model for Public Outreach Investments   

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Update on the RHNA Reform Process and Schedule  

The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is crafting recommendations to reform the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA) process, which will be provided in a report to the California State Legislature by Dec. 31.  

Because this process involves stakeholder engagement, SCAG seeks input from jurisdictions, stakeholders and the public on our own draft RHNA reform recommendations through a brief public survey. In addition to the survey, we will hold a public listening session on June 22, with a second date still to be announced. Stakeholders can also submit comments at housing@scag.ca.gov. All survey responses and comments are due by June 30. 

SCAG will present its draft recommendations for review and approval to the Community, Economic and Human Development Committee at a special meeting in August and to the Regional Council for final approval on Sept. 7. The approved recommendations will inform a comment letter from SCAG to HCD on RHNA reform. View the draft recommendations, take the survey and register for a listening session at scag.ca.gov/rhna. 

REAP 2.0 Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Call for Applications  

SCAG is pleased to announce that the REAP 2.0 Call for Applications for the Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands (HIPP) Program Pilot is now open until July 10.     

The HIPP is a competitive Call for Applications, with an estimated $8 million available for projects focused on: 

• Development of affordable housing at scale on available public and private land  
• Corridor-wide or area-wide regulatory infill housing actions – development and implementation  

The completed application and all required attachments must be submitted by email to housing@scag.ca.gov with “HIPP Application” in the subject line. An emailed Dropbox link is also acceptable. Click here to access the application. 

Connect SoCal Outreach Wraps Up  

SCAG has concluded the in-person and virtual workshops for Connect SoCal held throughout the region in April and May 2023. These workshops invited stakeholders to share their thoughts on pressing issues impacting Southern California. Stakeholders can still contribute to Connect SoCal by taking a brief survey before June 4.  

Staff will present highlights and findings from the Connect SoCal outreach to the Regional Council next month and ask the Executive/Administration Committee and Regional Council to approve an update to the Connect SoCal Policy Development Framework based on feedback received at the May Policy Committee meetings. 

Guidelines Approval Address Corrective Action  

The Regional Council today approved the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program/Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program Guidelines (CMAQ/STBG). 

During our federal certification in 2022, SCAG was issued one corrective action. With the approval of the program guidelines, by the Regional Council today, and by Caltrans, the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration last month, we have now substantially addressed it.  

All that remains is to ensure SCAG selects any new projects funded with CMAQ or STBG dollars consistent with the program guidelines starting next month. SCAG plans to initiate a call for project nominations in early 2024 to align with an amendment to the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program.  

Thank you to our county transportation commissions, Caltrans and federal partners who worked with us over the last year to achieve this milestone. 

Regional Council Actions End Transportation Conformity Lockdown   

The Regional Council today approved Addendum No. 4 to the Connect SoCal 2020 Program Environmental Impact Report, Connect SoCal 2020 Amendment 3 and 2023 Federal Transportation Improvement Program Consistency Amendment 23-03. These significant approvals ended a 650-plus day transportation conformity lockdown.  

This major milestone would not have been possible without unprecedented multiagency collaboration:  

• South Coast Air Quality Management District  
• California Air Resources Board  
• United States Environmental Protection Agency  
• Caltrans  
• Federal Highway Administration  
• Federal Transit Administration 
• County Transportation Commissions 

Thank you to our partners for their efforts and commitment.  

Advanced Clean Fleet Rule and Last Mile Freight Program Partnership with Sysco  

The Regional Council adopted a resolution in March 2023 that called on local, state and federal partners to continue investing in a “safe, secure, clean and efficient multi-modal transportation system, including both highways and rail, to support the movement of goods across the region.”  At that meeting, we heard from both the California Trucking Association and the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association about supply chain disruption challenges, market share loss and uncertainty. We also discussed how the focus on advancing zero-emission technologies has led to increased rules and regulations from the state.  

One of those new regulations is the Advanced Clean Fleet Rule, set to begin Jan. 1, 2024.  The rule states that only zero-emission drayage trucks serving seaports and intermodal railyards will be allowed to register in the California Air Resources Board online system, with all registered trucks required to be zero-emission by 2035. This new rule has implications across tens of thousands of drayage trucks operating in the SCAG region, many of which are smaller businesses.   

In alignment with the principles of the Goods Movement Supply Chain Resolution, SCAG’s partnership with the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee as part of our Last Mile Freight Program (LMFP) has supported the transition of medium- and heavy-duty trucks to near-zero and zero-emission trucks and infrastructure. Nearly 40 percent of the awarded funds go to small and medium businesses.   

One of the projects funded through LMFP is a partnership with Sysco, the largest food service company in the world. The LMFP funded 17 Sysco clean air trucks and chargers at their Riverside Distribution Center, as announced last month. Click here for a video on the project.   

SCAG Hosts Listening Session with the California State Transportation Agency  

SCAG hosted California Secretary of Transportation, Toks Omishakin, on May 8 for a listening session with transit agencies from throughout Southern California for a listening session on regional financial and regulatory challenges and solutions in this post-pandemic era.  

The conversations at the session centered around the economy, workforce development, transition to zero emissions, housing and more. Leaders also recognized consensus among transit operators on the California Transit Association letter to the State of California asking for $5.15 billion for transit operations from sources that have historically supported transit providers.  

SCAG continues to support our region’s transit operators through legislative advocacy, technical assistance and regional engagement.

Update on the SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee 

SoCal Greenprint will be an optional and open data and mapping tool for the SCAG region to support regional advanced mitigation planning. Regional advanced mitigation planning (RAMP) is a process to expedite project delivery by planning for environmental mitigation to reduce environmental impacts earlier in the planning process and at a wider scale. SCAG is in the process of finalizing the SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), which will advise staff on the development of the Greenprint tool and ensure its alignment with the approved RAMP policy framework.  

The TAC will be a forum for potential users to provide direct feedback on data selection and policies to ensure SoCal Greenprint is an effective tool for users throughout the region.  

Staff are currently reviewing applications and working to fill gaps to ensure regional representation. Once membership is finalized, SCAG will schedule meetings with the TAC in summer 2023. 

SCAG staff will report on recommendations for the Greenprint tool at the Energy and Environment Committee and Regional Council in fall 2023. Development will include beta testing with potential users and stakeholders. SCAG staff anticipates the development of the SoCal Greenprint to be completed in spring 2024. 

SCAG Attends Annual 88 Cities Summit  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in a discussion at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Annual 88 Cities Summit on May 23 with LAEDC Chief Executive Officer Stephen Cheung. The conversation centered around the economic benefits of ending the digital divide and homelessness and implementing more clean-technology infrastructure.  

SCAG Participates in Broadband Digitial Equity Workshop in Long Beach   

SCAG, the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) hosted a workshop on May 20 in Long Beach to seek input on the development of the State Digital Equity Plan and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Five-Year Action Plan. 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, Regional Council President Art Brown, and Regional Council members Suely Saro and Mark Henderson attended the workshop, which emphasized stakeholder input on strategies and best practices to support community based broadband expansion opportunities to our most vulnerable communities.

SCAG Attends FuturePorts Strong Ports Conference 

SCAG Regional Council President Art Brown, Executive Director Kome Ajise and Planning Director Sarah Jepson attended the annual Future Ports Strong Ports conference on May 24. Port Executives like Mario Cordero from the Port of Long Beach were in attendance, as well as stakeholders across the goods movement industry. The panels featured discussions on supply chain automation, competition and decarbonization. 

SCAG Executive Director Meets with Multiple Local Leaders 

SCAG Executive Director, Kome Ajise, held one-on-one meetings with Los Angeles City Councilmembers Bob Blumenfield, Marqueece Harris Dawson, John Lee, Tim McOsker, Traci Park and Monica Rodriguez, as well as Council President Paul Krekorian, during the month of May 2023. He also met with San Bernardino Supervisor Curt Hagman and the Mayor of Eastvale, Clint Lorimore. The meetings focused on updates from SCAG and these local jurisdictions around housing, transportation and sustainability, as well as opportunities for collaboration, engagement and more. 

SCAG Deploys new ArcGIS Workflow Management System  

To prepare for Connect SoCal, SCAG collected data through our Local Data Exchange (LDX) process to better understand the region in terms of land use, mobility, housing, employment and the environment. This information from local jurisdictions is one of the crucial inputs to properly plan and develop strategies to improve the quality of life for 19 million Southern Californians. In the past, SCAG faced challenges tracking and organizing input, particularly due to different data formats and limited resources.  

To streamline the data collection process and improve efficiency, SCAG implemented ArcGIS Workflow Manager, which is software that automates work related to tracking and reviewing data inputs. This solution allows for flexible data sharing, automated communications and enhanced management and tracking of data contributions from local jurisdictions.  By adopting Workflow Manager, SCAG improved transparency and efficiency in the data input collection process. Ultimately, it has enhanced SCAG’s ability to manage and utilize data effectively for sustainable and efficient regional planning. The LDX web is live, and local jurisdictions are encouraged to use it to share updated data with SCAG and vice versa.   

Click here to read the full article on how SCAG is utilizing Workflow Manager. Please contact SCAG Local Information Services Team at LIST@scag.ca.gov for questions. 

SCAG’s “Other-to-Residential” Toolkit Receives Award from the American Planning Association Los Angeles Chapter  

The American Planning Association Los Angeles chapter has awarded SCAG’s REAP-funded Other-to-Residential Toolkit the Award of Excellence in the Best Practices category. The Best Practices category recognizes how innovative planning practices can create lasting communities of value. The Other-to Residential Toolkit is a step-by-step guide for policymakers and agency staff on innovating to expand housing options, such as converting underutilized sites into residential.  

SCAG’s Development Streamlining Project Recognized by California State Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals 

The California State Chapter of the Association of Environmental Professionals recognized SCAG and its consulting partners Ascent, Civic Solutions and Sohagi Law Group with the Award of Merit at their annual statewide conference in April 2023 for the Environmental Resource Document as part of the Development Streamlining efforts.  

The Development Streamlining project continues to move forward with its fourth and final workshop scheduled for June 20. Registration details, recordings of prior workshops and guidance materials are all available on the Development Streamlining webpage. 

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SCAG Leads Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly 

SCAG kicked off the 2023 Regional Conference & General Assembly today in Palm Desert with a message from outgoing Regional Council President Jan Harnik and a video review of SCAG’s accomplishments from 2022-23.  

We then welcomed our new board officers for 2023-24: Hon. Art Brown (City of Buena Park) who will serve as the new SCAG Regional Council President; Sup. Curt Hagman (San Bernardino County) who will serve as Regional Council First Vice President; and Hon. Cindy Allen (City of Long Beach) who will serve as Regional Council Second Vice President. Additionally, former Regional Council First Vice President Sup. Carmen Ramirez was posthumously named Regional Council President, In Memoriam, for the 2023-24 term.   

The day continued with the recognition of seven exemplary local projects at the 2023 Sustainability Awards Luncheon.  

After lunch, attendees participated in our Student Showcase and panel sessions. The panels looked at some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the region, including mobility hubs; accelerating clean transportation in Southern California; job growth in an inclusive economy; and housing in the region. 

Thank you to everyone who joined us on day one and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow. 

SCAG Continues Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024   

Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.   

SCAG has been hosting public workshops and pop-up events all over the region for stakeholders to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. These in-person events will continue over the next several weeks. Additionally, we are pleased to announce the addition of seven virtual workshops in May. Find a workshop or pop-up event near you at scag.ca.gov/connect-socal-workshops.    

In addition to the workshops and pop-ups, you can share your thoughts on important issues affecting our region by taking a short survey. 

Calls for Applications Open for Multiple REAP 2.0 Programs 

Subregional Partnership Program 2.0  

The Subregional Partnership Program (SRP) 2.0 Call for Applications closes May 31 at 5 p.m. The SRP 2.0 Program makes $23 million available to subregional councils of governments for eligible activities supporting member cities and counties implementing housing element work plans. Projects must accelerate infill development that facilitates housing supply, choice and affordability; affirmatively furthers fair housing; and reduces vehicle miles traveled. SCAG has technical assistance available while the call is open. For more information on SRP 2.0, visit scag.ca.gov/post/subregional-partnership-program-20.  

Sustainable Communities Program: Civic Engagement, Equity & Environmental Justice  

The Sustainable Communities Program: Civic Engagement, Equity & Environmental Justice (SCP CEEEJ) Call for Applications opened on April 12 and closes May 15 at 5 p.m. The program has approximately $5 million available and will award funding and direct technical assistance through a competitive evaluation process for projects within the categories of Housing and Land Use Strategies and Multimodal Communities. SCP CEEEJ is open to eligible agencies and local jurisdictions as primary applicants and encourages co-applicant partnerships with community-based organizations and nonprofits. SCAG hosted two application workshops in April to support the application process. To view the workshop recordings and learn more SCP CEEEJ, visit scag.ca.gov/scp/civic-engagement-equity-environmental-justice.  

County Transportation Commissions Partnership Program 

The County Transportation Commission (CTC) Partnership Program call for Applications opened on April 12 and closes on May 9 at 5 p.m. This program awards funding and technical assistance, determined by a competitive evaluation process, for proposed projects that can be implemented quickly to advance new concepts for reducing vehicle miles traveled—while simultaneously achieving other program goals for REAP 2.0. To learn more about the CTC Partnership Program, visit scag.ca.gov/post/transportation-partnership-programs. 

Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing – Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Pilot Program & Notice of Funding Available for Lasting Affordability  

The Housing Infill on Public and Private Lands Pilot Program (HIPP) and the Lasting Affordability Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) calls will be announced later this month. HIPP and the Lasting Affordability NOFA are two of the three funding areas in the Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing Program, with the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Pilot being the third. HIPP supports landowners with available underutilized lands in assessing and preparing those lands for development with an affordable component and supports land use regulators in updating regulations and processes to improve housing production and affordability. The Lasting Affordability NOFA will support new permanent financing tools and strategies for creating and maintaining affordable housing, including new housing trust funds and finance products, as well as tax increment financing strategies. For more information on HIPP and the Lasting Affordability NOFA, visit scag.ca.gov/programs-accelerate-transformative-housing-path.

Call for Fellowship Providers Open Now  

The Call for Fellowship Providers is open now through May 19 at 5 p.m. SCAG’s Call for Fellowship Providers will award grants, as funding becomes available, to approved fellowship providers that will place students from local universities and/or professionals seeking to work on regional planning issues, expand their experience base and contribute to the realization of Connect SoCal. 

 Through this call, SCAG seeks to create opportunities for early-career and mid-career fellows to gain experience and proficiency in public service and to make a meaningful positive impact in the SCAG region. 

To apply and learn more about the Call for Fellowship Providers, visit scag.ca.gov/call-fellowship-providers. For questions, please contact Elizabeth Carvajal, Deputy Director of Planning, Land Use at carvajal@scag.ca.gov.

SCAG’s Local Data Exchange Process Concludes for Connect SoCal 2024

SCAG facilitated the Local Data Exchange Process from February to December 2022 for the purposes of gathering and sharing planning, land use and growth-related data with our local jurisdictions in preparation for the development Connect SoCal 2024. During this time, SCAG’s Local Information Services Team met one-on-one with 167 local jurisdictions and received input from 148 to feed into Connect SoCal.   

Since December, SCAG has been analyzing and aggregating the refinements received and following up with individual jurisdictions to ensure that input is appropriately captured.  All edits and comments received have been reviewed, integrated into the updated projections and will be recommended to our policy committees and Regional Council in June. SCAG appreciates the support and participation of local jurisdictions in reaching this critical milestone in the planning process.

Print Requests Open for Co-Branded Go Human Creative 

SCAG co-brands Go Human safety advertisements with partner logos and provides them at no cost. Local jurisdictions, agencies, nonprofits and community-based organizations can request print or digital materials. SCAG is now taking requests for materials through the Materials Request Form.

Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Panel and Industry Forum 

SCAG hosted the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Industry Forum on April 28 in partnership with PlaceWorks and the Urban Land Institute of Los Angeles. The RUSH forum brought together thought leaders from Southern California and across the country for recommendations to implement the basic utility infrastructure needed for housing in the region: water, wastewater, stormwater management and electricity.  Results of the forum will help guide the delivery of SCAG’s RUSH grant program. For more information, visit scag.ca.gov/programs-accelerate-transformative-housing-path. 

SCAG Comment Letter on Draft State Rail Plan 

The California State Rail Plan was last updated in 2018 and is currently out for public review and comment through May 10.  SCAG staff reviewed the draft plan and have prepared comments that will be submitted to Caltrans. SCAG supports California’s efforts to develop an integrated network – that will support 6.5 million daily passengers and provide zero-emission rail service.  This plan aligns regional and statewide efforts for reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. 

SCAG Comments on the Office of Management and Budget’s Proposed Updates to Statistical Policy Directive 15 Standards for Maintaining, Collecting and Presenting Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity  

SCAG’s role as advanced data users and disseminators, along with our Regional Council and Policy Committee’s commitment to racial equity, prompted staff to engage on proposed updates to Statistical Policy Directive 15. The Federal Interagency Technical Working Group on Race and Ethnicity Standards developed the proposed changes:  

1. Collecting race and ethnicity together with a single question  
2. Requiring detailed race and ethnicity categories by default  
3. Adding a response category for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA), separate and distinct from the “White” category  
4. Updating Statistical Policy Directive 15’s terminology, definitions and question wording  

SCAG’s comments generally supported all proposed revisions but noted limitations of race and ethnicity categories in their ability to distinguish people who experience racism and asked for consideration of ancestral identity and experience in the way terminology is updated, given the context of slavery, discriminatory public practices and potential for reparations. SCAG specifically asked to consider the inclusion of an “Armenian” subcategory under the MENA category, and for guidance documents to help standardize the way race and ethnicity data is reported across agencies.   

SCAG Hosts Successful Sacramento Summit  

SCAG’s annual Sacramento Summit took place on April 17-18, gathering elected officials and private sector partners from throughout Southern California to discuss transportation, housing and greenhouse gas reduction goals with our legislators. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon kicked off the summit with a powerful message on the importance of local government. Thank you to all who met with us, and we look forward to our continued partnership in addressing these key policy issues. 

California Public Utilities Commission Roundtable Meeting on Broadband   

SCAG led a roundtable discussion with California Public Utilities Commissioner Darcie Houck on April 26 to discuss opportunities and challenges pertaining to bridging the digital divide in our region.   

Access to broadband is an emphasis for SCAG. Connected communities have greater access to a better quality of life. Broadband is foundational in achieving regional goals in transportation, housing, climate, equity, and supporting and growing the economy.     

We were pleased to learn that the California Public Utilities commissioners are aware of the concerns and various challenges of local jurisdictions and are developing solutions to streamline the grant process.  We look forward to future conversations with the California Public Utilities Commission on ways metropolitan planning organizations can continue to support the commission. 

Multiple Toolbox Tuesday Sessions Held in April  

SCAG hosted the Engage and Co-Power Toolbox Tuesday on April 11. The session focused on the importance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone can share their experiences and is equipped to talk about racial inequities. Speakers from the San Diego Association of Governments shared their experiences, best practices and lessons learned in a variety of settings, including with community-based organizations and tribal governments.   

Paul Philley from the California Air Pollution Control Officer’s Association presented Integrating Equity and Adaptation into the Planning and Environmental Process at Toolbox Tuesday on April 18. Philley demonstrated the new CalEEmod Tool – a statewide land use emissions computer model designed to provide a uniform platform for government agencies, land use planners and environmental professionals to quantify potential criteria pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions associated with construction and operations from a variety of land use projects.

SCAG Presents at Esri 2023 GeoDesign Summit 

SCAG staff presented on our Regional Data Platform at the Esri 2023 GeoDesign Summit on April 11. SCAG represented the only public sector agency presenting at the summit and provided a unique on-the-ground public service perspective. Staff demonstrated how the Regional Data Platform can enhance the quality of planning at the regional and jurisdictional levels. 

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SCAG Kicks Off Public Outreach Initiatives for Connect SoCal 2024  

Every four years, SCAG updates its visionary plan for the future of the region, Connect SoCal. This process is now underway, and we want to hear from our stakeholders.  

Please join us at a public workshop or pop-up event to learn more about the plan, ask questions and provide input. The purpose of these events is to gather input from each community to establish planning priorities for the next 20 to 30 years. 

Workshops will be held throughout SCAG’s six-county region to provide a variety of opportunities to connect with us. We expect to add more events soon, so please look out for updates. 

Find a workshop or pop-up event near you at scag.ca.gov/connect-socal-workshops. 

In addition to the workshops and pop-ups, you can share your thoughts on important issues affecting our region by taking a short survey. 

Regional Conference & General Assembly Program Preview  

SCAG’s 58th annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 4-5.  

Register by Monday, May 1 to secure your spot! The event is free for elected officials and city managers in the region.   

The event will feature a slate of high-quality presentations and panels on planning and implementing mobility hubs; accelerating clean transportation in Southern California; job growth in an inclusive economy; housing in the region; and Connect SoCal – the Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy. There will also be a session showcasing outstanding student work, bringing in bright minds from across the region to share innovative research and planning projects.  

The event will also feature the 2023 SCAG Sustainability Awards, the region’s highest honors for projects that promote and improve mobility, livability, prosperity and sustainability in Southern California. 

For more information about the event, visit scag.ca.gov/ga2023. 

Applications Now Open for SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee 

SCAG invites those interested in joining the SoCal Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to apply now through April 17. 

The Regional Council approved the Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning (RAMP) Policy Framework on Feb. 2. RAMP is a process to expedite project delivery by planning for environmental mitigation to reduce environmental impacts earlier in the planning process and at a wider scale. The RAMP Policy Framework directed the creation of the TAC to ensure the future SoCal Greenprint tool is aligned with policy objectives identified in the framework.  

Membership of the TAC is designed to represent expected primary user groups of the SoCal Greenprint tool and government agencies who may participate in RAMP. The TAC will be open to the public and seek input from the development community, non-governmental conservation groups, regional conservation agencies, researchers and other stakeholders.    

Interested applicants are encouraged to fill out the application form, by April 17.  

Regional Council Approves Expedited Programing for Carbon Reduction Program 

The Regional Council today approved the advance programming of the Fiscal Year 2022 Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funding in response to the limited time available to spend the funds.   

The CRP is a new program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and provides funding for transportation projects that reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For Fiscal Year 2022, the first year of available funding, the SCAG region’s share is $33.6 million. SCAG is responsible for selecting projects in the region to be funded by CRP dollars.  

SCAG worked closely with county transportation commissions in the region to propose a series of projects that reduce carbon emissions, align with regional transportation goals and objectives, and can be delivered quickly to meet federal timelines.

Regional Council Approves SCAG’s Digital Action Plan  

The Regional Council today approved the Digital Action Plan, which outlines SCAG’s actions to provide digital accessibility and foster an equitable, prosperous and resilient region for all residents. 

The growth of the SCAG region has been significantly impacted by technological advancements that revolutionized the way people access information. Despite the benefits of new technologies, a significant population in the region does not have access to these advancements. These disparities became more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when impacted communities faced disadvantages accessing services, such as healthcare, food, telework and e-learning. These disparities will widen as our reliance on technology increases. 

The Digital Action Plan outlines clear goals and actions on this issue, and is driven by SCAG’s commitment to equity, innovation and resilience. With faster broadband speeds and enhanced devices becoming more critical post-COVID-19, the plan aims to bridge the digital divide and ensure all residents in the region have access to the digital world. 

Update on SCAG’s Compliance Action Plan 

After completing a joint review and evaluation of SCAG’s metropolitan transportation planning process, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) found that SCAG meets federal requirements, with one corrective action.  

The corrective action pertains to SCAG’s role in the prioritization and selection of projects funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds.  Working closely with county transportation commissions, SCAG developed a Compliance Action Plan – a high-level framework for how the region plans to address this federal corrective action.  

After the Regional Council’s approval in February, SCAG formally submitted the Compliance Action Plan to Caltrans, FHWA and FTA. SCAG recently received confirmation that the Compliance Action Plan will address the corrective action from Caltrans and the federal agencies. Following today’s approval, SCAG will continue to develop more detailed STBG-CMAQ program guidelines consistent with the Compliance Action Plan. 

Call for Applications Now Open for Go Human Community Hubs Program  

Applications are open now through April 21 for the Go Human Community Hubs Program! The program awards funding to eligible community organizations to implement local traffic safety and community engagement strategies that leverage community gathering sites or networks. SCAG will award up to $40,000 to 10 selected traffic safety projects. Click here to apply!  

SCAG and Urban Land Institute of Los Angeles to Host Regional Utilities Supporting Housing Industry Forum 

On April 28, SCAG is partnering with PlaceWorks and the Urban Land Institute of Los Angeles to host the Regional Utilities Supporting Housing (RUSH) Industry Forum. The Forum brings together thought leaders from Southern California and across the country for recommendations on transformative investment and regional collaboration to overcome infrastructure obstacles and deliver accelerated housing production – while addressing climate change and historical inequities.  

Funded by REAP 2.0, this forum will guide strategies and potential projects that could be eligible for part of the $35 million in RUSH grant funds to implement basic utility infrastructure needed to support housing in Southern California. 

Click here to register for in-person attendance at the networking breakfast, keynote address, panel presentation and strategy roundtable session. In-person attendance will be limited to 100 people. 

Click here to register for virtual attendance of only the keynote address and panel presentation.   

SCAG Holds Workshops on Development Streamlining Efforts  

SCAG’s Development Streamlining efforts include user-friendly materials and workshops to support local agencies to identify appropriate streamlining tools to help expedite reviews for housing projects.  

The series of virtual workshops kicked off on March 23, with a workshop featuring an overview of Senate Bill 35 and Senate Bill 330 and best practices for each.  

Register for the next virtual workshop on April 13, which will include a brief overview of the Density Bonus Law and Assembly Bill 2345, recent amendments, the difference between incentives/concessions and waivers, and some examples of each.  

Go Human Resources Available to Support National Bike Month  

National Bike Month is recognized in May to encourage more people to bike, celebrate those who do, and help make bicycling safer and more enjoyable. Go Human works towards these goals year-round by making resources available, convening partners, sharing information and centering mobility justice across the region.  

Throughout National Bike Month, Go Human will further amplify its resources and invest in local, community-led safety strategies across the region: 

• Community Hubs Awardees: SCAG and Go Human anticipate project awards for 10 Community Hub Partners in April and project implementation will launch in May.   
• May 21 Go Human X CicLAvia: Go Human has partnered up with CicLAvia, and will join the open street event in Watts. Attendees will engage and share input on Connect SoCal and receive free helmets and educational resources.   
• May 27 Go Human @ the Costa Mesa Bike Festival: Go Human will distribute safety resources including helmets and educational materials in support of the event. 
• Traffic Safety Resource Distribution: Go Human will continue to make its message-tested and data-informed co-branded traffic safety materials and Kit of Parts Lending Library materials available at no cost to local jurisdictions and community organizations. 

SCAG Awarded $500,000 for Affordable Connectivity Program Outreach  

The Federal Communications Commission recently announced $66 million in outreach grants for projects that expand participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households a discount on broadband service and connected devices. SCAG will be awarded a minimum of $500,000 of the ACP Outreach Grant Program funds to utilize in helping bridge the digital divide through implementing innovative strategies to reach historically underserved communities across jurisdictions. This grant is aligned with SCAG’s resolution to assist in helping bridge the digital. SCAG will be working with the state, local jurisdictions and stakeholders to boost ACP adoption across the region. 

SCAG’s Economic Roundtable Update – First Quarter, 2023 

Despite showing economic resilience, Southern California is likely to follow the nation into a recession and faces several challenges ahead, including potential new supply chain constraints, labor and equitable growth, according to the latest quarterly update from SCAG’s Economic Roundtable.    

The Roundtable, a consortium of regional economic experts, met in January to update the region’s economic outlook and discuss challenges and opportunities facing the six counties in the SCAG region. These experts’ consensus was that the region and nation continue to face significant economic uncertainty during what has been an uneven post-pandemic recovery.   

Read the First Quarter Economic Roundtable Update to learn more about the conversation on inflation, labor, housing, the logistics sector and more. 

Multiple SCAG Sustainable Communities Projects Completed This Quarter  

SCAG recently completed the Advanced Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Implementation of SCAG’s REAP 2019 grant program, through Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) Call 2, which provided $546,676 in planning assistance to Laguna Beach, Pasadena and Santa Monica to develop and augment ADU implementation policies and programs to encourage housing production. The project seeks to improve the accessibility and approachability of the cities’ ADU processes by providing information to homeowners and lower costs through streamlined permitting practices. These cities will be models for best practices related to ADU policy and implementation in the SCAG region.  

SCAG recently completed the Electric Vehicle Charging Station Study partnering with 18 cities to help jurisdictions promote development and deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to accelerate transportation electrification. The study includes policy guidance around station permitting, outreach materials and findings, EV planning guides for cities and property developers, a regionwide site suitability analysis to target areas for future EV charging infrastructure, and initial conceptual plans for site locations 

The City Council of Cathedral City recently approved their Active Transportation Plan, funded by a $195,000 grant through SCAG’s SCP. This project leveraged community insight to identify bike and pedestrian improvements, and improved wayfinding for future community events. Community engagement included walking tours, online surveys, sidewalk decals and in-person events, including a Go Human demonstration.  

Update on SCAG’s Local Data Exchange 

In March 2022 SCAG began the Local Data Exchange Process for the purposes of providing and receiving planning, land use and growth-related data with our local jurisdictions in preparation for the development Connect SoCal 2024. 

The Local Data Exchange is currently in the follow-up and data confirmation phase. SCAG staff is working to follow up with local jurisdictions to confirm inputs, request clarifying information and secure data verification signatures. To date, SCAG has received inputs from 135 jurisdictions representing more than 66 percent of jurisdictions in the SCAG region. 

Toolbox Tuesday on Planning in Rural Environments  

 SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday on Planning in Rural Environments on March 28. This session covered strategies to address the unique challenges of planning in rural environments, with a discussion to hear from agencies and organizations actively working to address these challenges. 

SCAG Partners with the San Diego Association of Governments for Housing Policy Forum 

SCAG and the San Diego Association of Governments hosted a virtual Housing Policy Forum on March 15 to explore new innovative housing policies to address the California housing crisis. Presenters and panelists discussed opportunities to adapt innovative social housing policies in a context fit for California and identified steps to bring social housing to the region. The forum also highlighted how Vienna, Austria solved its housing crisis by adopting a social housing model that made the city a global leader in environmental and social sustainability, design and infrastructure. Click here for materials from the forum. 

SCAG Executive Director Presents at Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations Board Meeting 

Executive Director Kome Ajise attended the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations (TASIN) board meeting on March 20. In coordination with Regional Council member and Tribal Representative Andrew Masiel, he presented an update on SCAG’s outreach, housing and planning efforts. Vice Chairman of the Chemehuevi Tribe Brian McDonald also spoke at the meeting and stressed the importance of tribal participation on SCAG committees. 

SCAG Sponsors Annual California Transportation Congressional Reception  

SCAG was pleased to co-sponsor the Annual California Transportation Congressional Reception on March 28, at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The annual event brought together California transportation leaders and stakeholders, including 42 transportation agencies from throughout the state, to network with Congressional members and staff.  The guest of honor this year was Former Speaker of the House and the Dean of the California Delegation, Nancy Pelosi. 

SCAG Meets with Senator Susan Rubio 

SCAG met with Senator Susan Rubio on March 8 to give an update on the $3.5 million grant SCAG received in 2021 to implement the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy, which she championed. 

SCAG staff updated Senator Rubio on progress implementing the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy. The presentation outlined work SCAG completed and is planning, and several core recommendations in the strategy centered around: supporting expansion of the quantity, and access to, middle-wage jobs; strengthening supply chains and access to contracting opportunities; construction apprenticeships and training; providing regional data; and addressing human capital needs. 

Senator Rubio was pleased with SCAG’s progress and expressed her desire to continue supporting SCAG’s continued work on the Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy.  

SCAG Participates in Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee Broadband Oversight Hearing 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise participated in the Senate Energy, Utilities and Communications Committee broadband oversight hearing on March 7. He provided updates on SCAG’s broadband efforts and priorities, including ensuring equitable distribution of funding, and difficulties smaller jurisdictions have competing for funds. Additional speakers included representatives from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, California Department of Technology, California Public Utilities Commission, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and Rural County Representatives of California. 

Regional Council and Policy Committee Members Tour Palm Desert and Orange County 

SCAG hosted Regional Council members in Coachella Valley for a mobile tour on March 10.  

The group met with Cal State San Bernardino’s (CSU-SB) Vice President Robert Nava and CSU-SB Palm Desert Campus Dean Jake Zhu. They also toured the CV-Link and San Pablo Avenue active transportation improvement projects in Palm Desert, which originated from a Go Human demonstration project. Additionally, SunLine Transit hosted the delegation at their hydrogen fuel processing facility to highlight the agency’s industry leading advancements in clean fleet deployments. The day concluded with a tour of Coachella Valley Water District Water Control Room as well as some of their water recycling and storage facilities. 

On April 3, SCAG Regional Council and Policy Committee members took a tour of Impact Housing’s modular manufacturing site in Yorba Linda. SCAG’s Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy recommends expanding homeownership to lower income communities through nontraditional approaches, such as modular housing. The tour showed members the process of modular housing and its potential for increasing housing supply. 

SCAG Attends California Transportation Commission Meeting in Los Angeles  

Executive Director Kome Ajise presented at the California Transportation Commission meeting in Los Angeles on March 22. He talked about SCAG’s work, regional equity initiatives and efforts to improve the everyday lives of Southern Californians. Several commissioners asked follow-up questions regarding equity in transportation, housing and across diverse communities. Following the meeting, Mobility 21 hosted a reception honoring the California Transportation Commission, where Director Ajise gave the welcoming remarks. 

SCAG Attends League of California Cities Riverside County Division Training  

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise, along with leadership from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments, Riverside Transit Agency, Sunline Transit, Riverside County Transportation Commission, Western Riverside Council of Governments and the Local Agency Formation Commission – Riverside County, presented on their organizational role and purpose to newly elected officials in Riverside County on March 3. SCAG Policy Committee member Michael Vargas was moderator for the training. Regional Council member Linda Krupa and Policy Committee member Joseph Morabito participated in the training.  

SCAG Participates in the California Association of Councils of Governments Regional Leadership Forum 

On March 5 -7, SCAG leadership participated in the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) Regional Leadership Forum. To kick-off the forum, SCAG Regional Council President Jan Harnik and Executive Director Kome Ajise attended a special session led by Assembly Transportation Chair Laura Freidman. The next day, President Harnik participated on a panel about regional collaboration for change and Director Ajise spoke on a panel to discuss REAP funds. On the third and final day, President Harnik and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson presented on a panel centered around broadband. The CALCOG forum facilitated discussions among SCAG and other regional and policy leaders on how California can remain resilient and adaptable to change, and regional governments’ critical role in driving solutions to regional challenges. 

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CONNECT SOCAL 2024 SUBCOMMITTEES 

In September 2022, SCAG launched three subcommittees to look at emerging issues for the Connect SoCal 2024 plan. 

The Resilience and Conservation subcommittee, and the Racial Equity and Regional Planning subcommittee concluded last month, and members of both committees unanimously approved a set of recommendations. 

The Next Generation Infrastructure subcommittee will meet on Feb. 15 to review their key findings and finalize their own recommendations. 

At the next Joint Meeting of the Policy Committees on March 2 recommendations from all three subcommittees will be considered both for their immediate application to Connect SoCal 2024 and to inform ongoing policy discussion at SCAG.   

COMPLIANCE ACTION PLAN   

After completing a joint review and evaluation of SCAG’s metropolitan transportation planning process, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) found that SCAG meets federal requirements – with one corrective action.  

This action pertains to SCAG’s role in the prioritization and selection of projects funded with Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) funds.  

Working closely with the County Transportation Commissions, SCAG staff have finalized a Compliance Action Plan (CAP), which is a high-level framework for how the region plans to address the federal corrective action.  

This final action plan was on this month’s Regional Council agenda for approval, which authorizes SCAG to formally submit it to Caltrans and FHWA/FTA. Following this submission, we will continue developing more detailed STBG-CMAQ program guidelines. 

REGIONAL COUNCIL APPROVES THE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM – CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (SCP CEEEJ) PROGRAM GUIDELINES 

On Jan. 5, SCAG’s Regional Council approved the SCP CEEEJ program guidelines and authorized staff to release the Call for Applications, upon approval of SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grant (REAP 2.0) full application to the State Interagency Partners.  

This competitive Call for Applications includes $5 million through a mix of two funding sources, including REAP 2.0 and Senate Bill 1 funds. SCP CEEEJ is one of the Early Action Initiatives of SCAG’s larger REAP 2.0 program, which was approved by the EAC on behalf of the RC on Nov. 30, 2022.  

SCP CEEEJ funds eligible transportation and land use projects, with a focus on funding projects that provide direct benefit to Priority Populations (underserved and under-resourced areas across the region) and encourages co-applicant partnerships between community-based partners and government agencies. 

SCAG anticipates opening the Call in the coming months, following the State’s approval of SCAG’s full REAP 2.0 application. SCAG expects evaluation will occur in the spring, with project recommendations in the summer. 

LOCAL DATA EXCHANGE PRODUCES GROWTH-RELATED LAND USE UPDATES 

In March 2022, SCAG’s Local Information Services Team began the Local Data Exchange Process for the purpose of providing and receiving planning, land use and growth-related data with our local jurisdictions in preparation for the development of SCAG’s Connect SoCal 2024 – The 2024-2050 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy.  

As of January 2023, the Local Information Services Team received inputs from 126 jurisdictions in the region, representing 64 percent of regional jurisdictions. The team has coordinated additional meetings with cities in Riverside County in collaboration with the forecasting team to ensure high-quality responses on growth projections. 

TOOLBOX TUESDAY ON CURB SPACE MANAGEMENT 

SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday is a monthly workshop in which SCAG staff and institutional partners present information and instruction on new tools to aid in the planning process.  

On Jan. 17, Prithvi Deore and two external presenters led a Toolbox Tuesday session on tools for curb space management. The sessions were well attended by stakeholders from across the region. 

All past Toolbox Tuesday training webinar recordings are available here. 

SCAG RELEASES RFP FOR INCLUSIVE CONTRACTING PROCUREMENT TOOLKITS 

SCAG was awarded $3.5 million in a one-time grant funding to implement several core recommendations from our Inclusive Economic Recovery Strategy. One of the recommendations was to strengthen supply chains and expand access to contracting opportunities for our local small businesses. To implement this, SCAG seeks to develop two toolkits on inclusive contracting best practices specifically for our cities, counties and anchor institutions (such as universities, hospitals, or companies that have deep ties to the regional and local economy).  

Upon completion, public and private sector institutions can look to these toolkits as a roadmap that contains implementable actions with direction on how to expand economic opportunities for our diverse local businesses. The RFP for the Inclusive Procurement Toolkits project was released on Thursday, Jan. 12 and will close on Monday, Feb. 13. 

FORMAL KICK-OFF OF ZERO EMISSIONS TRUCK STUDY 

On Jan. 4, SCAG kicked off the Supporting Infrastructure for Medium and Heavy Duty Zero Emission Trucks Study, which will conduct modeling, outreach and policy analysis to determine a regional road map for medium and heavy duty zero emission infrastructure planning. This study will create a phased blueprint and action plan toward realizing this goal, and answer key questions about how stations in the region may operate to serve different truck markets and business functions.  

The study will assist with planning for investment and infrastructural needs with respect to the quantity, distribution and placement of charging and fueling stations. Up to ten sites will be selected to provide a closer look at the needs of deploying an individual station.   

Ultimately, SCAG’s study will feed into a larger study led by the California Energy Commission Research Hub for Electric Technologies in Truck Applications, which seeks to demonstrate and evaluate corridor-based charging strategies for zero emission truck solutions. 

CONGRATULATIONS GATEWAY CITIES HOUSING TRUST FUND   

The Gateway Cities Council of Governments approved the formation of a new Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust last month – a REAP 1.0 success story!  

This trust will fund housing projects for all affordable income categories and help the Gateway Cities meet their housing needs identified in the 6th cycle Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA).  

Cities that join the Trust receive help in collaborating to leverage local housing dollars and combine them with other funding sources. The COG is currently soliciting member cities to join the Trust and will its Board by May 2023. 

The program to develop the Trust was funded by SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 1.0 grant, which provided funding to create plans and programs to increase housing supply and accelerate housing production.  

Congratulations to the Gateway Cities Council of Governments on taking advantage of these important dollars that we are providing to help increase housing production in the region. 

SAFE STREETS & ROADS FOR ALL GRANT AWARDS   

The Safe Streets & Roads For All Grant Program was created in the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provides $1 billion each year for cities, counties and tribal governments to develop vision zero plans in their communities, and implement safety projects in their jurisdictions to prevent death and injury on their local streets and roads. 

SCAG was pleased to support numerous applications from our region seeking this important funding, which can help us achieve the safety targets reviewed at our February 2023 Regional Council meeting. 

Congratulations to cities of Colton, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Indian Wells, Irwindale, La Habra, Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Moreno Valley, Palm Desert, Pasadena, Rialto, Seal Beach as well as LA Metro, County of Riverside, County of Orange and Town of Apple Valley for their planning awards.  Special congratulations to City of Los Angeles for its implementation grant. 

There are four more opportunities to apply, and the next round of Safe Streets & Roads For All grants will be open in April 2023. If you haven’t already, please sign up for our Money Monday newsletter for updates on this and other funding opportunities. 

MOBILITY 21 LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT 

SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey were pleased to participate in Mobility 21’s annual Sacramento Delegation Trip at the end of January.   

Mobility 21 is a coalition that brings together the public sector, private sector and labor to pursue transportation solutions for Southern California. The purpose of the trip is to advocate for the group’s state legislative priorities for the upcoming legislative year. 

This year, priorities included: protecting transportation investments in the state budget, strengthening the collaborative spirit between state and locals, increased funding for transit operations, and support for a more regional approach to national goods movement impacts. 

During the trip, the coalition met with dozens of legislators from all over the state, including the offices of Assemblymembers Steve Bennett of Ventura and Phil Ting of San Francisco who are the Chair of the Budget Sub-Committee for climate and transportation programs and the Chair for the full Assembly Budget Committee, respectively.   

OTHER EVENTS AND APPEARANCES   

Over the past month, SCAG staff have also been out sharing updates on the agency’s work and making connections with key stakeholders. 

At the 2023 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting last month, several staff members participated in various workshops and sessions alongside transportation administrators, policymakers and researchers from around the world. These sessions helped to advance our understanding of transportation planning and modeling from recent research into pandemic impacts, and emerging modes of efficient transportation.   

 
SCAG staff also recently participated on a panel on regional governance at The Association of California Cities, Orange County. This event welcomed newly elected council members and was a packed day with representatives from all the major public agencies and utility agencies in the area. 

JOE STEPHENSHAW SPEAKS AT THE JANUARY LCMC 

SCAG’s Legislative/Communication & Membership Committee (LCMC) had the pleasure of hosting Joe Stephenshaw, Director of the California Department of Finance, at its January meeting. Governor Newsom appointed Director Stephenshaw to this position in July 2022, where he serves as his Chief Fiscal Policy Advisor.  

Director Stephenshaw gave an overview of the Governor’s $297 billion January Budget proposal for 2023-2024, with a projected deficit of $22.5 billion. Director Stephenshaw informed the committee of the proposed funding delays, reductions/pullbacks, shifts and trigger reductions meant to bridge the gap caused by the deficit. During the meeting, committee members had an opportunity to ask the Director questions about specific cuts and other facets of the budget. Ultimately, the Director noted that there is much negotiation to be done as we get a clearer picture of the State’s fiscal situation as we approach the June deadline for the Legislature to pass a budget bill. 

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10 SPOTS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING SUPPORTIVE GRANT APPLICATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

In addition to Permanent Local Housing Allocation application assistance, SCAG is offering technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for housing-supportive funding.

Several grant funding availability notices are being made available by the California Department of Housing and Community Development and other public agencies. SCAG has expert assistance available on a rolling basis to help selected recipients prepare and submit applications for these funds and grants.

Applications for assistance are available on SCAG’s housing webpage and can be submitted to SCAG until program funds are expended. For more information, email housing@scag.ca.gov.

RELEASE OF SOCAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY RESOURCE HUB

To support local jurisdictions in their efforts to advance transportation safety and help the region achieve its annual safety targets, SCAG developed the SoCal Transportation Safety Resource Hub, a centralized source of information on SCAG’s transportation safety data, reports and resources.

This hub features:

• A summary of regional transportation safety goals and targets
• An overview of SCAG’s transportation safety existing conditions
• An interactive map of SCAG’s Regional High Injury Network (HIN) along with downloadable data and resources to support local jurisdictions in creating their own HIN
• Opportunities to get involved with ongoing transportation safety programs
• Data, tools, funding and other resources from SCAG and other organizations

For questions or additional information, please contact Anita Au at au@scag.ca.gov.

NEW AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY (ACS) DATA FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

On Dec. 8, the Census Bureau released the latest ACS 5-year data (2017-2021), which represents data from a period that includes time on either side of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advantage of these data is that they are available for smaller geographic areas like cities and tracts, as well as population subgroups.

Drawing on the current ACS data and comparing it to data from the previous five-year ACS, SCAG staff have computed several key variables for the Southern California region, like commuting and work from home patterns, renter household numbers and more. Click here for more details on this ACS data.

TOOLBOX TUESDAY RESOURCE WEBINARS

SCAG hosted a special “Money Monday” webinar on Nov. 21, with information on regional funding opportunities made possible by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act. SCAG Legislative Staff led this session and the video recording is available here.

On Dec. 13, SCAG staff hosted a Toolbox Tuesday webinar on site planning for electric vehicles and associated infrastructure needs; this session was led by Alison Linder from SCAG’s Transportation Team. Video of the session is available here.

All past Toolbox Tuesday training webinar recordings are available here.

2023 SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

SCAG is now accepting nominations for the 2023 SCAG Sustainability Awards! Each year, SCAG honors projects and plans that exemplify core principles of sustainability toward accomplishing the goals of the Connect SoCal regional plan.

The deadline to submit nominations is Jan. 10. Click here to learn more about this opportunity or to submit a nomination.

The winners of the SCAG Sustainability Awards will be presented at the 2023 Regional Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 4-5, 2023.

JANUARY 2023: SCAG OFFICES REOPEN TO THE PUBLIC

SCAG offices have been closed to the public since March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. While Regional Council and Policy Committee meetings will continue to be held in a hybrid format for the near future, beginning in January 2023, SCAG offices will reopen to the public to allow public participation at SCAG’s legislative body meetings in person.

Members of the public can choose to attend in-person or virtually and have the option to participate in the meetings via written or verbal comments. Members of the public are encouraged, but not required, to submit written comments by sending an email to: ePublicComment@scag.ca.gov by 5 p.m. the day before the meeting. Members of the public wishing to verbally express their comments in real time during the meeting will be allowed up to a total of three minutes to speak on agenda items.

For more details on how to participate in the Jan. 5, SCAG Regional Council meeting, click here, and for a list of future Regional Council and Policy Committee Meetings, click here.

REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 1.0 BIANNUAL UPDATE

Our REAP 1.0 program had a good 2022. Under the extension granted by SB 197, we now have until 2024 to complete programs and spending.

Our Housing Policy Leadership Academy concluded last November, graduating nearly 200 participants. As part of the program, participants created policy proposals to address the housing crisis locally. Many participants indicated they will try to further these proposals outside of the program.

We also held our fourth Housing Forum in partnership with SANDAG, and we will partner with them again for a fifth forum in 2023.

Many of our subregional partners used REAP funding to augment housing element work and successfully reach compliance. Additionally, the Cities of Covina and Yucaipa voted on a resolution of intent to establish an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District under one of the REAP programs. This is an excellent example of jurisdictions exploring new ways to fund important housing infrastructure.

The full report on each program area is in the Regional Council agenda packet.

SCAG’S REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 UPDATES

On Nov. 30, 2022, the Executive Administration Committee, on behalf of the Regional Council, approved SCAG’s full REAP 2.0 application. SCAG is eligible to receive approximately $246 million in formula grant funding through REAP 2.0, a one-time funding program administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). SCAG submitted the full application to HCD and the State Interagency Partners by the Dec. 31 deadline.

SCAG’s full application is driven by the state program guidelines, released in July 2022, and an extensive engagement process. Since 2021 and throughout 2022, SCAG has reached out to a broad array of regional stakeholders to identify programs and partners and develop the full REAP 2.0 application.

On Dec. 14, SCAG received notice from HCD and State Interagency Partners announcing a staff-level approval SCAG’s Advanced Application, which allocates ten percent of the REAP 2.0 funds SCAG is eligible to receive. SCAG’s Advanced Application is subject to final approval by the HCD Internal Loan Committee.

RESOURCES FROM THE 13TH ANNUAL SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ECONOMIC SUMMIT

SCAG would like to thank all who joined us at the 13th Annual Southern California Economic Summit on Dec. 1. Special thanks to SCAG Regional Council President Jan Harnik for guiding us through the summit, as well as to all our speakers and panelists who helped make this year’s summit a success. A photo gallery of special moments from the summit can be seen here.

To access the resources and information that SCAG and partners prepared for the 2022 Economic Summit, including the SCAG Regional Briefing Book, SoCal Economic Trends Tool (beta), go to scag.ca.gov/economicsummit.

2022 GO HUMAN YEAR IN REVIEW

SCAG’s Go Human program has had a busy year providing resources to communities across the Southern California region, prioritizing those that have been disproportionately impacted by traffic violence. Emphasizing community-led storytelling, the program’s efforts funded and amplified local groups and agencies working to improve safety. Click here to learn more about the program’s 2022 accomplishments.

LOCAL DATA EXCHANGE (LDX) UPDATE

On May 23, 2022, SCAG officially launched the LDX process, which allows local jurisdictions to provide input related to land use as well as household and employment growth to help inform the development of the Connect SoCal 2024 regional plan.

Throughout 2022, SCAG’s Local Information Services Team met with local jurisdictions to provide background on the data, available tools and details of this input opportunity. Feedback and data edits were due to SCAG by Dec. 2, 2022. As of December 2022, the Local Information Services Information Team met with 164 of the 197 jurisdictions in the region and received input from 136 jurisdictions.

FALL LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH MEETINGS

SCAG is hosting series of virtual meetings with members of our region’s legislative delegation to maintain positive working relationships and continue to advocate for SCAG’s priorities during the legislature’s recess.

Priorities shared with each of the members during these meetings include continuation of the Infill Infrastructure Grant Program, continued funding for the Active Transportation Program, adding more flexibility for local jurisdictions to meet their Regional Housing Needs Assessment goals and gaining continued support for Regional Early Action Planning Grant Programs.

From the Senate, we met with Senators Rosalicie Ochoa-Bogh (R-Rancho Cucamonga) and Steven Bradford (D-Gardena). From the Assembly we met with Assemblymembers Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), Mike Fong (D-San Gabriel), Vince Fong (R-Bakersfield) and Freddie Rodriguez (D-Chino).

IMPERIAL LITHIUM MOBILE WORKSHOP

The SCAG Executive Team and Regional Council President Jan Harnik visited Imperial County last month and attended a comprehensive tour of several major regional infrastructure and energy projects.

The tour began at the U.S.-Mexico border, where we visited both the Calexico East Port of Entry bridge widening project and the Calexico West Port of Entry expansion.

The SCAG group then joined a meeting of the Imperial County Board of Supervisors, where we shared updates on SCAG’s ongoing work in the county and discussed opportunities for collaboration on environmental mitigation efforts around the Salton Sea.

Our final stop was a visit to the Imperial County Known Geothermal Resource Area on the south end of the Salton Sea, where there has been optimism around the development of lithium extraction facilities in tandem with existing geothermal plants.

STRATEGIC GROWTH COUNCIL GRANT PROGRAM

On Dec.15, 2022, the Strategic Growth Council announced awardees of the Regional Climate Collaboratives (RCC) Grant Program, with three of six awardees being from within the SCAG region: Gateway Cities Regional Climate Collaborative, led by Gateway Cities Council of Governments; Southern California Tribal Regional Climate Collaborative, led by the Pala Band of Mission Indians; and, the 2030 Resilient Networks Collaborative, led by the Fernandeño Tataviam band of Mission Indians.

The RCC Grant Program is a new capacity-building grant program for under-resourced communities in California and enables partners to deepen relationships and develop processes, plans and projects to drive and sustain climate action.

SCAG engaged with partners across the region on applications to the new RCC Grant Program, and provided letters of support to eleven applicants, including two of the three successful awardees. SCAG congratulates the awardees and we look forward to supporting their work under this program.

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State Agency Meetings 

On Nov. 8 and 9, SCAG Executive Director Kome Ajise and SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson traveled to Sacramento for a series of meetings with executive leadership at the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the California Office of Planning Research (OPR), the California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS).   

These conversations focused on challenges and opportunities for achieving housing, climate and safety goals in Southern California. There were discussions on the role SCAG can play in supporting local implementation of state policies, including through the new programs SCAG is proposing to fund in its REAP 2 application. The REAP 2 program supports transformative housing and mobility planning and implementation activities to promote infill housing, reduce VMT and affirmatively furthering fair housing. 

Connect SoCal Committee Updates  

SCAG’s Connect SoCal subcommittees have been diving deeper into key topic areas to develop recommendations for the next update of the plan. In November, these three policy subcommittees — Next Generation Infrastructure, Resilience & Conservation, Racial Equity & Regional Planning — met for the third time. The meetings have included level-setting presentations, panels of outside experts and facilitated discussions with the members. 

The subcommittees next and final meeting will be in January, where they will review white papers and recommendations to be submitted to the SCAG Regional Council in March.  

These meetings are open to the public. The agendas and meeting materials can be found on SCAG’s website.  

RAMP-ATG Update 

The Draft Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning (RAMP) Framework was unanimously accepted by the RAMP-ATG during its last meeting on Nov. 16. This came after extensive outreach with public sector stakeholders, as well as the business and environmental communities. It will now be forwarded to SCAG’s Energy and Environment Committee and Regional Council for action early next year. The RAMP Framework will also be shared with the Community Economic and Human Development, and Transportation Committees.

As the RAMP policy framework is finalized, we will revisit efforts to develop a tool to help stakeholders make early and informed decisions about infrastructure, growth and conservation, and mitigate the environmental impacts of Connect SoCal.   

The current contract with the Nature Conservancy has expired, and staff will initiate a competitive procurement process for a consultant to facilitate the Greenprint Technical Advisory Committee and complete the planned Greenprint tool in alignment with the RAMP Policy Framework. 

Housing & Economic Empowerment Program Updates 

As part of its efforts to assist jurisdictions in accelerating housing production, SCAG has prepared a series of Development Streamlining guidance materials, covering a combination of streamlining options or exemptions under CEQA and other state laws. ­The guidance materials are now available to view online and a series of virtual workshops and office hours are planned for Spring 2023.  

In November, SCAG also hosted a housing policy forum, covering the latest information on state housing policy initiatives, including an overview of the 2022-2023 state budget, and key state bills and legislative themes. The session was attended by more than 200 people and featured information about funding and legislative opportunities that can help in meeting local and regional housing needs. A recording of the session can be found on SCAG’s housing web page. 

Strategic Plan Process Update 

Continuing the process to update the agency’s strategic plan, SCAG staff have kicked off the stakeholder outreach phase, connecting with partners from Federal, State, Regional and Local entities. Staff will also be meeting with representatives of the GLUE Council, COG Directors and Tribal Government chairs, as well as local non-profits and housing agencies. 

Events and Appearances 

Throughout the past month SCAG executive and staff have been out in the region making connections and furthering the agency’s agenda. We met with VCTC to discuss the REAP CTC Partnership Program, participated in a discussion at CoMotion LA on creating public-private partnerships to facilitate more sustainable communities, presented a SCAG-sponsored scholarship at the WTS LA annual scholarship dinner, spoke on a panel hosted by RAND on leveraging investments around the LA 28 Olympics to benefit underserved communities and attended the Ontario International State of the Airport, which focused on the continued growth of that significant sector of the SCAG Region. Housing staff shared their expertise in presentations to Leadership Today and HomeAid Orange County, we had a speaker at the Eye on DEI event hosted by the Orange County PRSA and our Planning Director presented at the annual California Transportation Association conference, hosted this year by Omnitrans and held in Ontario. 

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REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE

Continuing development of the REAP 2.0 program, staff have been conducting outreach to identify priorities for transformative planning and implementation. This has included engaging representatives from disadvantaged and rural communities on their participation in the program. Most recently, staff hosted virtual workshops to provide information and collect feedback from tribal entities and the public.

The County Transportation Commission Partnership Program guidelines and the Program to Accelerate Transformative Housing (PATH) guidelines were both released for public comment and have been revised based on comments received. You’ll see these guidelines will be on the agenda at the Transportation Committee, CEHD and Regional Council. Both programs plan to open the call for projects in early 2023. The SCP Call 4 guidelines are planned to go to Regional Council in January 2023. Staff will seek authorization from the Regional Council to submit the final REAP 2.0 program application to the state before the Dec. 31 deadline.

HOUSING-SUPPORTIVE GRANT UPDATES: CHANGE TO NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR APPLICATIONS

We recently reached the Oct. 15 deadline for all SCAG jurisdictions to have compliant housing elements. Non-compliance triggers a number of impacts, including potential ineligibility for critical funding resources. Staff will continue to monitor funding sources and requirements to advocate on behalf of our cities and counties, and importantly, to ensure the residents of our region have the greatest access to funding resources while jurisdictions continue to finalize their Housing Elements.

In September, HCD changed guidelines for the formula-allocated Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) program to indicate that jurisdictions without housing elements out of compliance on Oct. 15 allocation could not apply. This direction was inconsistent with prior interpretations and housing element compliance requirements in other funding programs. I reached out to the Executive Director of HCD to share our concerns and recommend allowing jurisdictions nearing compliance to maintain access to this critical funding source. On Oct. 7, HCD issued an amendment to the PLHA guidelines that extended the application deadline to Nov. 30 and clarified that a jurisdiction without compliant housing elements may apply if their housing element is compliant by the date of the funding award. HCD plans to award PLHA funds by February 2023.

SCAG will be offering PLHA application assistance, as well as technical assistance for jurisdictions and Tribal Governments to prepare and submit applications for other housing-supportive funding. HCD and other public agencies are releasing several notices of funding availability for grants. SCAG is offering expert assistance on a rolling basis to help selected recipients prepare and submit applications for these funds and grants. Applications for assistance are available on SCAG’s housing webpage and can be submitted to SCAG until program funds are expended. For more information, email housing@scag.ca.gov.

CONNECT SOCAL PROGRAM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT – NOTICE OF PREPARATION

On Oct. 17, SCAG released a Notice of Preparation (NOP) of a Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for Connect SoCal 2024. Release of the NOP formally kicks off the environmental review process, in accordance with the California Environment Quality Act, for the upcoming Connect SoCal 2024. The NOP is currently under the required 30-day public review and comment period — from Oct. 17 through Nov. 16, 2022 – where we will receive comments from interested parties on the scope and content of the Connect SoCal 2024 Draft PEIR. During the public review and comment period of the NOP, SCAG staff will host two virtual public scoping meetings. More information is available at scag.ca.gov/peir.

RAMP/GREENPRINT PUBLIC SECTOR STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP

Staff held a successful workshop last month to review the draft policy framework for Regional Advanced Mitigation Planning. During this workshop, we heard from public sector agencies who lead projects and can potentially use RAMP and the planned Greenprint tool to expedite their projects and bring more certainty to their environmental review process. Their feedback was helpful as we formulate plans for the Technical Advisory Committee to advise on the development of the Greenprint tool. From here, we will be revising the draft RAMP framework according to this feedback before bringing it back to the RAMP Advisory Task Group and later the Regional Council.

LOCAL DATA EXCHANGE (LDX) UPDATE

Over the course of 2022, SCAG Local Information Services Team (LIST) plans to meet one-on-one (approximately 90 minutes) with all local jurisdictions to discuss the maps in their local context, provide background on the development of Connect SoCal 2024, and provide training on available tools in the Regional Data Platform (RDP) to local jurisdictions. To date, LIST members have met one-on-one Local Data Exchange (LDX) meetings with more than 66% (131) of jurisdictions in the region! Detailed information about the LDX process can be found in a letter that was sent via email to all City Managers and Planning Directors on May 23 from Sarah Jepson, SCAG Planning Director. This is the main opportunity for jurisdictions to provide input into the next regional plan, so staff is working hard to achieve maximum participation. Feedback is due on Dec. 2.

TOOLBOX TUESDAY: CEQA 101

On Oct. 18, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday session titled “CEQA 101 and the Connect SoCal PEIR”. SCAG staff provided attendees with a basic understanding of the California Environmental Policy Act (CEQA) fundamentals, including the context and legislative intent of the CEQA statute and guidelines, guiding principles, environmental review process, and types of CEQA notices and documents. A recording and materials for the sessions are available on the Toolbox Tuesday website where you can also register for the next training on Baseline Conditions scheduled for Nov. 8. Please reach out to LIST at list@scag.ca.gov if you have any questions or suggestions.

MULTIPLE SCAG PROGRAMS RECOGNIZED AT THE AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION (APA) CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE

SCAG’s Disadvantaged Communities Active Transportation Planning Initiative received the Opportunity and Empowerment Award of Excellence from the APA California Chapter at their conference last week. The initiative significantly changes active transportation planning and mobility justice in Southern California by aspiring to make active transportation plans—and their implementation —accessible to all communities in the region. The project developed an Active Transportation Plan Toolkit based on best practices, practitioner input, and most importantly, actual piloting and use in seven communities within the SCAG region.

Additionally, Biking While Black, a 2021 and 2022 SCAG Go Human Mini-Grant Awardee project, received the Communications Initiative Award of Merit from the APA California Chapter. The documentary film is a project from mobility strategist Yolanda Davis-Overstreet and centers racial justice as a planning issue, uplifts Black bicyclists and thoughtfully addresses local experiences. Congratulations as well to the Go Human partner projects that received APA awards at the section levels, such as the Artlands Crosswalk Mural, San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project and Muscoy Sidewalks for Safety Coalition. Learn more about these projects on the Go Human blog.

GO HUMAN MINI GRANTS

In September 2022, the implementation period concluded for the SCAG Go Human Mini-Grants Program. This program funds community-based organizations, non-profits, and social enterprises to implement innovative traffic safety and community engagement projects. SCAG awarded over $350,000 to 26 projects representing all six counties of the region. Projects included demonstrations of safety infrastructure, public art to encourage safe driving, walk audits, community bike rides, and other outreach events.

GO HUMAN TEMPORARY SAFETY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

Throughout October 2022, SCAG, in partnership with agencies across the region, supported three temporary safety demonstration projects to showcase potential and planned traffic safety improvements in the following jurisdictions:

• Oct. 5: The City of Glendora hosted a crosswalk and median refuge island demonstration and curb extensions for Walk to School Day at Washington Elementary. More than 100 students, parents, and residents participated and provided feedback.
• Oct. 12: The Imperial County Office of Education and Imperial County Public Health partnered with the Westmorland School District to demonstrate an artistic crosswalk in alignment with Walk to School efforts.
• Oct. 27: The Imperial County Office of Education and Imperial County Public Health partnered with Heber Elementary School to demonstrate an artistic crosswalk for their Walk to School event.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY MONTH AND “WALKTOBER”

Throughout September and October, SCAG and its community partners recognized National Pedestrian Safety Month and Walktober by distributing co-branded safety messaging materials across the region. SCAG developed more than 11,000 safety messaging materials for more than 25 schools, cities, community organizations, and regional agencies. Partners distributed materials to raise public awareness of traffic safety messaging in their communities. Partner organizations customized messaging to reflect unique community needs. SCAG’s Go Human program also partnered with Omnitrans to create and place 18 full-side ads on nine near-zero emission buses using Go Human branded art and messages, generating more than nine million impressions.

GO HUMAN & DIGITAL EQUITY: EXPANDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BEST PRACTICES

On Sept. 1, 2022, the SCAG Regional Council adopted Resolution Number 22-646-6, in support of a “Digital Equity Call for Action” to initiate work to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) campaign. The ACP provides access to affordable internet to unserved and underserved areas via broadband subsidies available through the Federal Communications Commission. SCAG is partnering with the California Emerging Technology Fund to bolster the existing ACP campaign to support promotion in alignment with SCAG’s vehicle miles traveled reduction goals and equity commitments, as established in SCAG’s commitment to racial equity in its July 2020 Resolution and the adopted Racial Equity Early Action Plan. SCAG is leveraging successful Go Human strategies to expand and deepen local engagement and increase sign-up rates for the ACP. The program includes Go Human models such as Community Ambassadors, local demonstrations, and technical assistance via resource distribution. SCAG is procuring consultant support for this work and aims to kick-off in early 2023.

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REGIONAL EARLY ACTION PROGRAM (REAP) 2.0 PROGRAM UPDATE

Since the approval of the REAP 2.0 Program Framework by the Regional Council (RC) in July, staff has continued outreach efforts to develop specific programs using the framework as a guiding document. This has included targeted outreach to the Subregional Councils of Governments to inform the development of the Subregional Partnership Program 2.0 Guidelines, engagement with the County Transportation Commissions (CTC) to better understand opportunities and define project concepts to be incorporated into CTC Partnership Program, and soliciting feedback on the program guidelines for the Connect SoCal Sustainable Communities Program (SCP) Call 4: Civic Engagement, Equity and Environmental Justice. Most recently, SCAG held a series of 20 engagement activities to refine the development of the Programs to Accelerate Transformative Housing (PATH) program through one-on-one meetings, listening sessions and presentations. These engagements allowed SCAG staff to solicit stakeholder input on the proposed focus areas and prioritization of projects.

As SCAG continues to shape the program, staff will engage stakeholders through various outreach efforts that target disadvantaged communities. Program guidelines will be brought to policy committees and the RC for approval. Key program updates to highlight include: the CTC Partnership Program guidelines are currently available for public comment and will be recommended for approval at the Transportation Committee (TC) and RC in November 2022, after being presented to TC on Oct. 6. The PATH program is also currently available for public comment, and after being presented to the Community, Economic and Human Development (CEHD) Policy Committee on Oct. 6, will be recommended for approval at CEHD and RC on Nov. 3. The SCP Call 4 guidelines are planned to be approved by the RC in January 2023. Staff will seek authorization from the Executive Administration Committee (EAC) to submit the final REAP 2.0 program application to the state before the Dec. 31 deadline.

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR 2022 ECONOMIC SUMMIT

On Thursday, Dec. 1, SCAG will host the 13th annual Southern California Economic Summit at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Los Angeles. The theme of this year’s summit is “Resourcing the Region.” Southern California is uniquely rich in both natural and economic resources. We are also leading the way financially, with a major influx of federal and state funding slated to come to the region. Still, there is a growing need for improvement in workforce development and education.

Join us, along with Southern California’s business and civic leaders, to assess the status of the region’s economy and define strategies for keeping Southern California a national and international economic powerhouse. Don’t wait to register – early bird registration ends Oct. 28. Elected officials and city managers may attend for free. Learn more and register to attend at scag.ca.gov/economicsummit.

REGIONAL ADVANCED MITIGATION PLANNING ADVISORY TASK GROUP (RAMP-ATG) UPDATE

The RAMP-ATG has continued work toward the policy framework that they were tasked with by the Regional Council. RAMP is a proven process for expediting project delivery by planning for required mitigation to reduce environmental impacts earlier in the planning process and at a wider scale. After five meetings of the RAMP-ATG, staff released a white paper on the concept of RAMP and the draft policy framework last April. Since then, staff has conducted outreach with key stakeholders on the draft policy framework.

Next week’s public sector stakeholder meeting is one of the final outreach milestones to incorporate feedback into this draft policy framework. We will ask public sector stakeholders for input on the composition and role of the technical advisory committee, which will consult with SCAG staff to ensure the SoCal Greenprint tool – which has data and scenario visualizations primarily intended to support lead agencies in pursuing mitigations – can become a useful resource for RAMP and is aligned with local priorities and opportunities, as outlined in the draft policy framework.

DEMOGRAPHIC WORKSHOP OUTLINED CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE “NEW NORMAL”

Last month, SCAG and the USC Price School of Public Policy co-hosted the 33rd annual Demographic Workshop, which was attended virtually by over 250 people and brought together 18 topic area experts around the theme of “Forecasting the New Normal.”

While some key post-pandemic data are still missing, California’s population in the middle of this century is likely to be over a million people less than we thought three years ago due to fewer births, more deaths and a steep drop in immigration. However, the state is still growing in the age groups that need more housing—undersupply risks inequality, displacement, delayed life ambitions, and losing workers and taxpayers to other places. While Southern California and other large regions lost more migrants during the peak of the pandemic, this trend has generally subsided in the last twelve months. Our region’s economy and natural amenities do continue to attract talented, educated workers. While most out-migrants cite housing cost, price appreciation is now faster in states Californians are moving to. Regional housing production trends are encouraging, but the nationwide increase of institutionally-owned single-family rental properties is concerning, especially for communities of color.

The pandemic-driven trend toward remote work shows promise but most implications are still unclear. Unbundling housing from work travel can yield welfare gains, and competition for footloose workers between cities may stimulate innovation. Service sector growth in new places could yield benefits even for in-person industry workers. Understanding the sustainability implications of remote work includes assessing both environmental and behavioral outcomes. The racialized consequences also vary – remote work can provide opportunities, but policymakers must be mindful of heterogeneous impacts by race and class.

Presentations and videos for the 2-day event can be found at scag.ca.gov/demographics alongside a report on newly-available Census Bureau data for the region.

LOCAL DATA EXCHANGE (LDX) PROCESS FOR CONNECT SOCAL 2024 UPDATES

SCAG’s Local Information Services Team (LIST) has set a goal of holding one-on-one meetings with every jurisdiction in the region over the course of 2022. These meetings, approximately 90 minutes each, allow staff to discuss the maps in their local context, provide background on the development of Connect SoCal 2024, and provide training on available tools in the Regional Data Platform to local jurisdictions. To date, LIST members have held one-on-one LDX meetings with more than 100 cities and counties in the region – over 50 percent of the region’s jurisdictions! Detailed information about the LDX process can be found in a letter that was sent via email to all city managers and Planning Directors in May 2022 from SCAG Planning Director Sarah Jepson. To schedule your own meeting with the LDX team, email list@scag.ca.gov.

TOOLBOX TUESDAY: OTHER-TO-RESIDENTIAL (OTR) LAND USE TOOLKIT

On Sept. 27, SCAG held a live demonstration of the OTR Land Use Toolkit, which is a toolkit developed in collaboration with Studio One Eleven, South Bay Cities Council of Governments, and the USC Price School of Public Policy. The mounting housing shortage in the SCAG region has created the need for finding innovative ways to increase the housing supply. The OTR Toolkit provides an actionable guide to envisioning the reuse and conversion of underutilized sites in the SCAG region that fit the retail commercial, brownfield, gas station and underutilized golf course typologies.

A recording and materials for the sessions are available on the Toolbox Tuesday website where you can also register for the upcoming Oct. 18 training on CEQA 101 and the Connect SoCal Program Environmental Impact Report.

GO HUMAN PROGRAM UPDATES

Go Human Mini Grants

The Go Human Mini-Grants projects wrapped up in September 2022. In this fourth funding round of the program, SCAG awarded over $350,000 to 24 organizations to implement 26 projects. Awardees shared and built local knowledge, activated streets with temporary safety improvements and art installations, and hosted community events to drive momentum and support for essential safety improvements. This program reached over 300,000 people across each of the six counties of the region. Additionally, 20 awardees distributed over 600 bicycle helmets with helmet fitting guides.

SCAG has produced videos on projects led by Public Matters (Los Angeles County), Community Intelligence (Los Angeles County), Highlanders Boxing Club (San Bernardino County), and Arts Council for Long Beach (Los Angeles County)—with more to come!

Demonstration Projects

SCAG’s Go Human program makes its Kit of Parts lending library of materials available to partners across the region to temporarily demonstrate safety improvements and street redesigns. In September, the City of Laguna Niguel and the Century Villages at Cabrillo, a 27-acre affordable housing complex in Long Beach, deployed the artistic crosswalk from the Kit of Parts to demonstrate pedestrian safety improvements. In Laguna Niguel, the artistic crosswalk demonstration was held at Niguel Hills Middle School and promoted the start of an artistic crosswalk design contest, which will be used to select the artwork that will be permanently installed at the intersection. At the Century Villages at Cabrillo, the crosswalk was used as an education and feedback opportunity in conjunction with the End of Summer Block Party, where activities included community resource tables, a BBQ, live music and games.

Celebrating Pedestrian Safety Month by Committing to Safety

To recognize California Pedestrian Safety Month in September, SCAG implemented a Safety Storytelling Campaign in partnership with local jurisdictions and community organizations. The campaign called on jurisdictions to take action and commit to safety. New pledge signatories were provided with traffic safety messaging resources to carry out commitments, including multilingual paid social media campaigns, printed banners, lawn signs and photobooths for outreach events. Congratulations to the following eight agencies and offices that signed the Safety Pledge this September and made a commitment to traffic safety:

• City of Alhambra
• City of Indio
• City of San Bernardino
• City of South El Monte
• City of Yorba Linda
• Santa Ana Department of Public Works
• Orange County Healthcare Association
• California State Assembly District, 47th District

Take action today and sign the Go Human Safety Pledge: scag.ca.gov/scag-safety-pledge

SCAG LEADERSHIP ATTENDS VIENNA SOCIAL HOUSING FIELD STUDY

From Sept. 11 to 17, SCAG leadership including immediate past President Clint Lorimore, Deputy Director of Planning for Land Use Jenna Hornstock and Housing Program Manager Jacob Noonan, attended a field study program in Vienna, Austria. The SCAG team joined a delegation of 50 elected officials, developers, philanthropy, land use and finance experts as well as community-based organizations to learn about Vienna’s social housing model. Nearly 60 percent of Vienna’s 1.9 million population lives in some form of social housing, which is driven by development of publicly owned land. This includes households at a range of income levels from extremely low up through moderate income. The delegation learned from the city’s staff that manage and drive programs, toured various social housing sites, and participated in interactive discussions about lessons learned. Staff will provide a presentation to the EAC at the Nov. 2 meeting and will identify additional opportunities to share learnings and support member cities and counties interested in adapting these innovative models to serve the housing needs of the SCAG region.

SCAG SHARES KNOWLEDGE AT INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONVENTION

ITS World Congress was held in Los Angeles from Sept. 18 to 22. SCAG staff, including Executive Director Kome Ajise, spoke on various event panels including: “How Technology and Driving Behavior Data are Transforming Road Management for Safe, Equitable, and Sustainable Mobility” and “Achieving Environmental Justice Through Innovative Freight Logistics and Decarbonization.” SCAG staff also spoke on a panel about a recent System Dynamics pilot project with WSP to ITS World Congress attendees.

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33rd Annual Demographic Workshop Dates Announced

The 33rd Annual Demographic Workshop, co-hosted by SCAG and the University of Southern California, will be held virtually on the afternoons of Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. This year’s workshop will explore the demographic trends that have and have not bounced back following the COVID-19 pandemic, how different populations have experienced the rebound in different ways, and the impact of remote work and other emerging trends in our cities. More information will be available soon. Please check scag.ca.gov/demographics for updates.

Meeting with Assemblymember Davies

SCAG’s Regional Council officers, including President Jan Harnik, Immediate Past President Clint Lorimore, First Vice President Carmen Ramirez, and Second Vice President Art Brown, who were joined by Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Chair Peggy Huang and Regional Council members Wendy Bucknum, Fred Minagar, and Don Wagner, met with Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) on June 15 to discuss the agency’s budget priorities and other items of importance. Assemblymember Davies represents the 73rd Assembly District in South Orange County and is a member of the Transportation and Appropriations committees. SCAG’s budget priorities include budget augmentations to the Infill Infrastructure Grant and Senate Bill 1 programs, funding for the 2028 Summer Olympics Transportation projects, and increased investment in the Active Transportation Program. During the meeting, there was also a discussion on public safety, Regional Housing Needs Assessment reform and funding equity for Southern California, especially regarding ports, freight, and goods movement.

REAP 2.0 Housing Supportive Infrastructure Program Development Outreach

SCAG staff have kicked off an extensive outreach program for development of the Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) 2.0 housing supportive infrastructure program. In June, SCAG hosted a series of one-on-one meetings, listening sessions and presentations to solicit stakeholder input on proposed program areas, core objectives, and prioritization of projects. Through coordination with subregional councils of governments, SCAG staff engaged with city and county planning staff at regularly scheduled planning director meetings and working groups. To help identify existing efforts, funding gaps and need for technical assistance, SCAG hosted two listening sessions open to staff of local cities and counties and engaged key tribal government representatives as well. To solicit feedback from the housing development community, SCAG launched focused outreach efforts targeting community-based organizations, housing trusts, developers, tribal governments, community land trusts and housing authorities. Outreach efforts will continue throughout summer and early fall, in support of SCAG’s full REAP 2.0 funding application due in December 2022. More information on SCAG’s REAP 2.0 programs is available at scag.ca.gov/reap2021.

Go Human Update

In June, SCAG’s Go Human campaign selected 26 projects – spread throughout all six counties in the SCAG region – to receive an award as part of its Mini-Grant Program to fund community-driven traffic safety engagement projects. SCAG released its call for applications for the Mini-Grants Program in March 2022 and receiving 37 applications by the deadline. SCAG intends to conditionally award up to $15,000 per project, totaling $350,000, to these community-led traffic safety projects to implement safety and engagement strategies between June and August 2022. A full list of awarded projects will be available on the Go Human blog in the coming days.

Connect SoCal 2024 Local Data Exchange Underway

SCAG’s Local Information Services Team (LIST) has met one-on-one with 51 SCAG region jurisdictions to discuss the Local Data Exchange process, which is the main opportunity for cities and counties to provide input into Connect SoCal 2024. SCAG’s goal is to meet with all jurisdictions by fall 2022 to discuss land use, growth and other data that will help the region achieve the next plan’s goals. More information is available at scag.ca.gov/local-data-exchange. For jurisdictions in the counties of Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino, these meetings will be initiated by their respective subregional council of governments. Jurisdictions in the counties of Imperial, Los Angeles and Ventura are encouraged to sign up for a one-on-one meeting at your earliest convenience. Please contact list@scag.ca.gov for more information.

Toolbox Tuesday on Census and ACS Data Using the R Statistical Programming Language

SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday technical webinars provide a range of practical skills and knowledge for local planners, including training in the use of tools and education in practical approaches to timely planning issues such as equity. On June 7, SCAG staff provided an advanced training titled, “Census and American Community Survey Data Using the R Statistical Programming Language,” which had the most attendees in the Toolbox Tuesday series this calendar year. In this session, more than 100 participants learned how to utilize R to perform various tabular and spatial analyses as well as obtaining data directly using the Census application programming interface. Materials from the training session, as well as for past trainings, are available on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage. Register here for the next Toolbox Tuesday training on “Innovative Parking Strategies,” scheduled for July 26. Please reach out to LIST at list@scag.ca.gov for any questions.

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President Harnik Shares Region’s Housing and Transportation Priorities

SCAG President Jan Harnik had the pleasure of hosting a recent meeting with Senate Transportation Committee Chair Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to discuss our region’s housing and transportation budget priorities, such as the Regional Council’s support for an augmentation to the Infill Infrastructure Grant program and using budget surplus dollars to fully fund the Active Transportation Program. Chair Gonzalez shared information on a number of her priorities as well, such as SB 1104, which would establish the Office of Freight within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development to serve as the coordinating entity to steer the growth, competitiveness and sustainability for freight and ports across the state. This meeting is part of a series of outreach meetings to support SCAG’s housing and infrastructure budget priorities. President Harnik was joined by Immediate Past President Clint Lorimore, Second Vice President Art Brown, Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee Vice Chair Jose Solache, and Regional Councilmembers Cindy Allen, Ali Saleh, and Ray Hamada.

REAP 2.0 Draft Program Framework Outreach

Through April and May, SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Draft Program Framework was widely shared with the public through email blasts, newsletters, and two virtual information sessions (April 25 and April 27), as well as on the SCAG website. The public comment period was open from April 19, 2022 to May 19, 2022. Six public comment letters were received during the comment period from the City of Los Angeles, Coachella Valley Association of Governments, and the Gateway Cities, South Bay Cities, San Gabriel Valley, and Ventura Councils of Governments. Based on the comments received, SCAG has generated a summary of themes and hosted an information session to share feedback. SCAG will present the final Program Framework to the Executive/Administration Committee in June and seek adoption by the Regional Council in July.

Regional Data Platform/Local Data Exchange Update

The Regional Data Platform (RDP) is a revolutionary system for collaborative data sharing and planning designed to facilitate better planning at all levels – from cities and counties of all sizes up to the region as a whole. The platform includes publicly available resources and tools, which can be accessible to both the public and local jurisdictions. Cities and Counties in the SCAG region can also take advantage of complementary GIS licenses. To date, more than 130 jurisdictions have received these licenses to support their local planning activities.

SCAG introduced the Local Data Exchange (LDX) process to serve as an extensive data exchange process with local jurisdictions to support Connect SoCal 2024 development. SCAG will engage in the LDX process to gather the most updated information available from local jurisdictions covering land use and growth to help understand how the region is developing and the extent to which we are meeting our climate goals. Over the course of 2022, SCAG’s Local Information Services Team (LIST) plans to meet one-on-one (for 90 minutes) with all 197 local jurisdictions to discuss maps in their local context, provide background on the development of Connect SoCal 2024, and provide training on available tools in RDP to local jurisdictions. Detailed information about the LDX process can be found in a letter that was sent via email to all Planning Directors in the region on May 23. For Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County jurisdictions, these meetings will be initiated by the subregional councils of government. For Imperial, Los Angeles, and Ventura County jurisdictions, please select a meeting time at your earliest convenience. Please reach out to LIST at list@scag.ca.gov for any questions.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Six-Month Anniversary

Over the past six months, federal agencies have been working to implement the bipartisan infrastructure law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). To date, the Biden administration has announced the availability of approximately $110 billion in federal formula and competitive grant funding, which can be viewed on an interactive map by state or project category. Over the next few months, there will be several funding opportunities for local governments and transportation agencies across new and existing programs. The White House re-released a comprehensive guidebook to help navigate through this information and a Technical Assistance Guide that provides a list of over 65 technical assistance resources and programs across the federal government. Below is a current list of open Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) issued for transportation and broadband-related competitive programs:

Go Human Update

SCAG’s Partner-Supported Projects Receive Awards from the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section

SCAG celebrates the following awarded projects, recognized by the American Planning Association – Los Angeles Section (APA-LA), that were supported by SCAG resources, including:  

• Equity Lenses: Targeting Equitable Community Investment Across Southern California: Academic Category, Award of Excellence – SCAG student fellow Jayne Vidheecharoen, from UCLA, developed a multilayered mapping and scorecard tool to guide equitable investment in the SCAG region. Learn more about her project here.  
• Biking While Black: Communications Initiative Category, Award of Excellence – Using Go Human Mini-Grant funding, mobility justice strategist Yolanda Davis Overstreet filmed and released “Biking While Black,” a short documentary centering the daily experiences that Black lives encounter while bicycling. Watch the film here.  
• Safe Routes to School Los Angeles: Neighborhood Planning Category, Award of Excellence – Safe Routes to School Los Angeles, a Los Angeles Department of Transportation and Los Angeles Unified partnership, secured funding to construct Safe Routes to School Plans, including efforts for the SRTS Westlake/Pico Union Neighborhoods Project, to utilize a robust concept-to-construction model, inclusive of community-centered planning and pop-up safety demonstrations, with support from Go Human. 

Congratulations to all the award winners!

Go Human Mini-Grants 

SCAG has selected 26 projects to receive funding through the Go Human Mini-Grants program. SCAG will distribute over $350,000 to community-based organizations and non-profits to lead projects that address traffic safety in each of SCAG’s six counties. Recipients will implement pedestrian safety campaigns, create murals to encourage safe driving, provide bicycle education, and install temporary safety infrastructure to educate communities on potential improvements, among other creative project types. Projects will be implemented between June and August. During the call for applications, which closed in April, SCAG received 37 applications requesting nearly $500,000. Awardees will be announced in June.

Go Human Demonstrations Across the Region 

SCAG’s Go Human campaign supported partners across the region with temporary safety demonstration projects that utilized the Kit of Parts lending library of resources. On May 11, the Westmorland Union School District and Imperial County Office of Education showcased a temporary artistic crosswalk as part of their Walk and Bike to School event. More than 120 students, parents, and staff participated in the event in the City of Westmorland. On May 21, the City of Azusa held a demonstration project, alongside the CommUNITY Festival, showcasing a creative crosswalk, parklet, and curb extensions. Feedback was also collected from more than 50 community members. 

SCAG’s Go Human Campaign Partners with the Active Transportation Resource Center 

SCAG’s Go Human campaign has partnered with the Active Transportation Resource Center (ATRC) to implement a Statewide Kit of Parts Pilot Program. The Kit of Parts is a lending library of pop-up materials to temporarily demonstrate potential and planned street design treatments and safety infrastructure to create safer and more inviting public spaces. The Statewide Pilot Program will provide three selected agencies with an opportunity to plan and implement a one-day to one-week active transportation temporary demonstration project, with the goal of accomplishing a piece of the community engagement piece to a future Active Transportation Program (ATP) application or other grant opportunities. Applications for agency involvement opened on May 24 and can be found here.

Toolbox Tuesday Training on Housing Preservation Efforts

On May 24, SCAG hosted a Toolbox Tuesday training and was joined by The California Housing Partnership, Enterprise Community Partners, Fideicomiso Comunitario Tierra Libre, and the California Community Land Trust Network to discuss housing preservation efforts. Speakers showcased the policies and technical assistance efforts underway as well as existing, new, and proposed resources for acquisition and preservation of unsubsidized properties. SCAG staff also shared data and mapping tools in the Regional Data Platform, which can be used to support these collaborative efforts. SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday technical webinars provide a range of practical skills and knowledge for local planners, including training in the use of tools and education in practical approaches to timely planning issues. Materials from the training session, as well as for past trainings, are available on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage. Register here for the next Toolbox Tuesday training on “Census and American Community Survey Data Using the R Statistical Programming Language,” scheduled for June 7, 2022. Please reach out to LIST at list@scag.ca.gov for any questions.

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State Housing Funds Awarded to 29 SCAG Jurisdictions

The California Department of Housing and Community Development approved another 35 jurisdictions for Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) funds, bringing the total to 135 jurisdictions state-wide. Specifically, 29 of the 35 jurisdictions are located in the SCAG region and totaled another $49.4 million in homelessness and affordable housing funds for PLHA’s second round. Total SCAG awards for PLHA’s second round are $121.9 million for 54 jurisdictions. SCAG has provided free PLHA technical assistance to SCAG jurisdictions since Fall 2021 and is gearing up for the next PLHA Formula Notice of Funding Availability, which will be published next month.

Los Angeles Chamber of commerce ‘ACCESS Sacramento’ Day

On April 20, President Clint Lorimore joined the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce for its annual “ACCESS Sacramento” event at the State Capitol. A delegation of business, civic, elected, educational, and community leaders from Southern California came together to represent the greater Los Angeles region. The delegation met with state legislators to discuss various policy priorities relating to economic growth and job creation. While meeting with legislators, President Lorimore highlighted the Regional Council’s Infill Infrastructure Grant budget request and other legislative priorities of both SCAG and the Chamber.

The Chamber delegation advocated for a $10 million budget request to expand its OneLA program, which provides technical assistance for small, women, and minority-owned businesses to access corporate or governmental contracting and procurement opportunities. The delegation also advocated for AB 1864 (Gipson), which would incentivize small businesses to hire locally through a local hire tax credit for businesses with fewer than 49 employees who hire full-time employees living within five miles of the business.

Go Human Update

Go Human Demonstrates Safety Improvements at the ‘Activate Fair Oaks’ Pop Up in Pasadena

On April 23, the City of Pasadena, in partnership with SCAG’s Go Human campaign, hosted “Activate Fair Oaks,” a temporary demonstration showcasing safety improvements at the Valley Street and Fair Oaks Avenue intersection. Adjacent to the Jackalope Arts Fair in Central Park, the demonstration showcased artistic crosswalks, curb extensions, and a parklet to engage community residents on the proposed improvements. The event engaged over 80 residents and attracted new audiences, with 81 percent of participants reporting they had never attended a community meeting on transportation. Attendees shared positive feedback on proposed safety improvements, 96 percent of participants wanted to see creative crosswalks permanently installed, 84 percent wanted to see the parklet permanently installed, and 80 percent wanted to see curb extensions permanently installed. The city looks to use the public feedback as they prioritize improvements highlighted in “Pasadena Walks!,” the city’s pedestrian plan.

SCAG Staff Highlight Successful Strategies at National Conferences

On April 21, SCAG staff, alongside Go Human Community Ambassadors, presented at the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Annual Meeting, which gathers racial equity practitioners who work in local, state, and regional government to uplift best practices, celebrate victories, and share lessons learned from their work advancing racial equity. Staff facilitated an interactive workshop called, “Go Human Community Ambassadors: Creativity, Resilience & Equity through Community-Centered Cohort Learning.” This session focused on the key considerations that build meaningful virtual spaces, accessible learning environments, and real relationships. The session meaningfully engaged 127 participants.

On April 27, staff presented on the “Indio Streets are Treats” temporary safety demonstration project at the Oregon Active Transportation Summit, organized by The Street Trust, to convene professionals and advocates to discuss transportation issues. Along with partners from Alianza Coachella Valley and the City of Indio, staff facilitated an interactive workshop called, “More than the Sum of Parts: The Critical Role of Community-Based Storytelling and equitable partnerships in co-powering community.” This session focused on the importance of building partnerships and leveraging community assets when planning and implementing safety projects. This session engaged 72 participants.

SCAG and Partner-Funded Projects Receive Awards from the American Planning Association – Inland Empire Section

SCAG, and its funded partners, have been selected as award winners by the American Planning Association – Inland Empire Section (APA Inland Empire) for the following projects:

• SCAG’s Disadvantaged Communities Active Transportation Planning Initiative: Best Practices Category, Award of Excellence – SCAG developed a low-cost tool to develop active transportation plans for communities across the region. The tool was piloted through the development and completion of seven active transportation plans in disadvantaged communities in each of SCAG’s six counties.
• Muscoy Sidewalks for Safety: Healthy Communities Category, Award of Merit – This Go Human Mini-Grantee conducted community engagement in the unincorporated community of Muscoy in San Bernardino County and showcased temporary safety improvements, which resulted in a $1.88M infrastructure grant from the California Active Transportation Program.
• Artlands Crosswalk Mural: Grassroots Initiative Category, Award of Merit – This Go Human Mini-Grantee utilized grant funding to implement an LGBTQIA pride-themed mural crosswalk in the City of Redlands, showcasing the importance of both infrastructure as well as inclusion and representation as a means of saving lives.

Moreover, the City of Palm Desert’s San Pablo Avenue Corridor Project, was selected by the APA Inland Empire for the Award of Excellence in the Implementation category. This implemented project is connected to a Go Human demonstration project which catalyzed the community engagement and feedback.

Congratulations to all of the award winners!

Toolbox Tuesday Training Held on Advancing Equity

SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday technical webinars provide a range of practical skills and knowledge for local planners, including training in the use of tools and education in practical approaches to timely planning issues such as equity. On April 12, SCAG, in collaboration with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) and the City of Long Beach and the City of Portland, provided a webinar that was focused on taking action to advance equity by developing and implementing action plans and frameworks. Materials from the training session, as well as for past trainings, are available on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage. Register here for the next Toolbox Tuesday training on “Preserving Affordable Homes in Priority Growth Areas,” scheduled for May 24, 2022.

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REGISTER FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SCAG’s 57th Annual Regional Conference & General Assembly is just around the corner on May 5–6. Register today for access to high-quality presentations and panels, featuring engaging speakers and thought leaders, and unbeatable networking opportunities filled with collaborative, solution-oriented discussions on fostering change and addressing challenges in our communities. The event will also feature the presentation of the 2022 SCAG Sustainability Awards, the region’s highest honors for projects that promote and improve mobility, livability, prosperity, and sustainability in Southern California. The event is free for elected officials and city managers in the region. Don’t wait to make your plans – the special conference rate of $169 per night at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa ends on April 12. For more information about the event, including COVID-19 protocols, visit scag.ca.gov/ga2022.

SCAG AT COMMUNITY EVENTS

South Bay Cities Council of Governments General Assembly

SCAG proudly sponsored the 22nd Annual South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG) General Assembly, which was held March 24 in Carson. The event featured panels on “Building a Community of Innovation” and “A Glimpse into the Future: Aerospace and Defense,” plus TEDx-style talks on how to reduce our carbon footprint. Attendees heard from speakers on how cities can leverage a new multi-dimensional world to create a business-friendly environment, well-trained workforce, and a sustainable, livable community, as well as private sector perspectives on fulfilling a “smart, livable, robust, and vibrant” vision for the South Bay subregion. Congratulations to SBCCOG Executive Director Jack Bacharach and SCAG Regional Councilmember and Chair of SBCCOG Mayor Drew Boyles for such an excellent event.

COMTO Southern California Celebrates Women in Transportation

SCAG sponsored this year’s Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Southern California Chapter’s reception celebrating women in transportation, which was held March 26 in Los Angeles. COMTO is the leading national advocate for employment diversity, inclusion, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry. Congratulations to Schenaé Rourk, President of Redwood Resources, Marion Colston, Senior Director at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), and Carrie Bowen, Principal Advisor at HDR, for their incredible contributions.

REAP UPDATE

REAP 1.0 Program Highlights

With program implementation well underway for the Regional Early Action Planning Grants (REAP) 2019 program, SCAG has seen some notable successes in the recent months, with almost 60 projects having kicked off by March 2022. These projects include housing element technical assistance, accessory dwelling unit (ADU) analysis, model ordinance templates, affirmatively furthering fair housing (AFFH) analysis, surplus land inventories, housing-supportive infrastructure inventories, and outreach and education across various projects.

The Call for Collaboration, which funds community-based organizations’ (CBO) local planning and housing initiatives by promoting community-driven, equitable growth strategies, has kicked off all projects and has thus far increased involvement of CBOs and advocacy groups in housing element development.

The Sustainable Communities Program’s (SCP) Housing and Sustainable Development call for projects included 12 project “bundles” for 24 jurisdictions, with eight projects kicked off and four additional projects in the procurement process.

This month, SCAG released a request for proposals to seek grant writing technical assistance to support our member jurisdictions applying for affordable housing funding.

REAP 2.0 Program Development Outreach Update

The Regional Early Action Planning Grants of 2021 (REAP 2.0) Draft Program Guidelines were released on March 24, 2022. Comments on the draft are due by April 15, 2022. While the program guidelines are still being finalized, SCAG hosted one-on-one meetings with subregional councils of government (COG) to identify partnership opportunities for REAP 2.0 stakeholder outreach and program development. SCAG staff will summarize feedback received and share back with the COGs at the April Subregional Directors meeting, along with recommended next steps. SCAG staff also convened the County Transportation Commission (CTC) Partnership Working Group meeting on March 31, 2022, initiating the first in a series of meetings intended to identify partnership initiatives for REAP 2.0.

SCAG will host two virtual information sessions on April 25 and April 27 to share a REAP 2.0 program overview and the program development timeline. During the information sessions SCAG staff will present the draft framework that SCAG has developed to guide its program development activities. The public comment period will open April 25, 2022 and be open until 3:00 p.m. on May 25, 2022. All comments should be sent to james@scag.ca.gov.

In the coming months SCAG will host virtual focus groups and listening sessions, by sector and geographic area, to seek feedback on core objectives driving the development of the housing supportive infrastructure program and prioritization of projects.

SCAG SECURES FEDERAL EARMARK FOR THE HIGHWAYS TO BOULEVARDS STUDY

With the help of California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla, SCAG secured $480,000 in Community Project Funding for the Highways to Boulevard Regional Study. SCAG’s earmark was included in the Fiscal Year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Act (H.R. 2471), which Congress approved with a bipartisan vote and was signed by President Joe Biden on March 15, 2022. The study will identify and evaluate urban highways within the SCAG region that could be converted to city streets that better fit the context of their surroundings, particularly within environmental justice areas and disadvantaged communities. This study will offer a path for reconnecting communities by replacing aging highways with city streets. Many of the communities (where there is a disproportionate focus on personal vehicle infrastructure) that will benefit the most from this study have experienced higher than average transit ridership and lower than average vehicle ownership. Apart from the support provided by Senators Feinstein and Padilla, a number of elected officials, cities, and agencies provided support letters for the funding request, including: Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-El Monte), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (D- Los Angeles), Congresswoman Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-San Pedro), the California Department of Transportation, City of Los Angeles, City of Rialto, and Metro.

GO HUMAN UPDATE

Call for Applications Released for Community Engagement Mini-Grants 

On March 28, with support from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), SCAG released its Call for Applications for the Go Human Community Engagement Mini-Grants Program to support creative, community-driven traffic safety and engagement projects. SCAG will award up to $15,000 to 25 selected projects. To access the application or to learn more about the upcoming information sessions and eligibility, please visit the Go Human webpage. Applications are due Friday, April 29.

Three Temporary Safety Demonstration Projects in March 

SCAG’s Go Human campaign hosted three demonstration projects to showcase temporary safety infrastructure improvements and collect community feedback. Demonstrations included: 

• On Saturday, March 12, SCAG’s Go Human campaign joined the City of Cathedral City and local partners at the City’s Butterfly Festival in Panorama Park. The event engaged residents in the city’s ongoing Active Transportation Plan development and provided an opportunity to experience and provide feedback on future street safety improvements. The event attracted more than 150 people with participants sharing positive feedback on the temporary improvements, including a creative crosswalk and temporary bike lane. The demonstration was held alongside a co-branded advertising campaign, reaching residents in Cathedral City and seeking input on the ongoing Active Transportation Plan. The feedback from this event will help shape the plan and future safety improvements in the city. Please visit the webpage for this event for highlights.
• On Saturday, March 19, the City of San Bernardino partnered with SCAG’s Go Human campaign to hold a demonstration project in downtown San Bernardino. The event was a part of the community engagement effort for the City’s General Plan update, “San Bernardino 2050: The Future is Ours,” and was held in conjunction with the San Bernardino Arts Fest. The event attracted over 100 community members, showcasing a creative crosswalk, separated bike lane, parklet, and curb extension. The demonstration provided an opportunity for residents to provide feedback and learn more about potential pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements in the city.
• On Friday, March 25, SCAG’s Go Human campaign partnered with the City of Pomona and Cal Poly Pomona to hold a demonstration project in collaboration with the annual Town & Gown Bike Ride. The demonstration activated a portion of the route with a temporary creative crosswalk and curb extensions, creating a safer and more enjoyable place to walk and bike. The city plans to incorporate community feedback into the launch of a Citywide Complete Streets Ordinance, a project in collaboration with SCAG. Please visit the webpage for this event for highlights.

REGIONAL DATA PLATFORM UPDATE

The Regional Data Platform (RDP) is a revolutionary system for collaborative data sharing and planning designed to facilitate better planning at all levels – from cities and counties of all sizes up to the region as a whole. The RDP places data and technology in the hands of local jurisdictions to support more robust community planning, to provide resources to help solve many of our common challenges, and to align with Connect SoCal’s objectives. The platform includes publicly available resources and tools, which can be accessible to both the public and local jurisdictions.

Local Data Exchange

As a part of the launch, SCAG introduced the Local Data Exchange (LDX) to begin an extensive data exchange process with local jurisdictions to support Connect SoCal 2024 development. This bottom-up approach ensures that local jurisdictions are actively involved in the development of SCAG’s regional plans and that the data is accurate. In the LDX system, designated users can provide updates, edits, and share local data with SCAG through a secured file upload or a web editor. These tools are built using the latest technologies to allow two-way data exchange between SCAG and local jurisdictions to efficiently facilitate the LDX process. If you would like to get credentials and one-on-one technical assistance, please submit your request by visiting the RDP Regional Hub or contact us via the Local Information Services Team (LIST) email at list@scag.ca.gov.

Toolbox Tuesday Training

SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday trainings provide a range of practical skills and knowledge for local planners, including training in the use of computer-based tools and education in practical approaches to timely planning issues. On March 15, SCAG and Esri provided a walkthrough of the RDP and the LDX process. The platform catalyzes spatial data and technology in the hands of local jurisdictions to enhance robust, transparent, and collaborative community planning. Materials from the training session, as well as for past trainings, are available on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage.

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REGISTRATION FOR THE 57TH ANNUAL REGIONAL CONFERENCE & GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOW OPEN!

Join Southern California’s most influential elected officials and policymakers on May 5–6, 2022 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, CA. This two-day event will focus on solution-oriented discussions to address the most pressing problems facing communities, businesses, and families throughout the SCAG region. General admission tickets for the event are $350, but registrations done in advance by Thursday, March 31 using the code EARLYBIRD will receive $100 off the general admission price. The event is free for elected officials and city managers in the region. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, please contact Houston Laney at laney@scag.ca.gov. To register and for more information about the event, including COVID-19 protocols, please visit scag.ca.gov/ga2022.

SCAG’S REGIONAL DATA PLATFORM LAUNCHED

On Feb. 23, SCAG launched the Regional Data Platform (RDP), a revolutionary system for collaborative data sharing and planning designed to facilitate better planning at all levels – from cities and counties of all sizes up to the region as a whole. As one of SCAG’s largest and most transformative initiatives to date, the RDP places data and technology in the hands of local jurisdictions to support more robust, transparent, and collaborative community planning. Since July 2021, SCAG and Esri have been working closely with eight pilot jurisdictions to design a system that can potentially enhance their planning activities and allow for greater collaboration. The launch of the RDP includes publicly available resources and tools, as well as the Local Data Exchange (LDX) system, which is accessible to local jurisdictions only. These tools are built using the latest technologies from Esri to allow two-way data exchange between SCAG and local jurisdictions using the LDX process. If you would like to get credentials and one-on-one technical assistance, please submit your request by visiting the RDP Regional Hub at hub.scag.ca.gov or contact the Local Information Services Team (LIST) at list@scag.ca.gov. For more on the RDP launch, please read the launch announcement or visit the RDP webpage at scag.ca.gov/RDP.

SCAG HOSTS ‘TOOLBOX TUESDAY’ TECHNICAL WORKSHOP ON SB 379 COMPLIANCE

SCAG’s Toolbox Tuesday trainings provide a range of practical skills and knowledge for local planners, including training in the use of computer-based tools and education in practical approaches to timely planning issues. On Feb. 15, SCAG presented on the Senate Bill (SB) 379 Safety Element Technical Assistance Program, a one-on-one technical assistance series to guide local cities and counties on how to achieve SB 379 compliance. This training session showcased resources from the SCAG Compliance Curriculum for Local Jurisdictions and Regional Climate Adaptation Framework and gave a first look at SCAG’s newest resource, the Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment Tool for SB 379 Safety Element Updates. Materials from the training session, as well as for past trainings, are available on the Toolbox Tuesday Online Training Materials webpage. The next Toolbox Tuesday training on the recently launched Regional Data Platform and the LDX process is scheduled for Mar. 15. Please visit the Toolbox Tuesday webpage for more information and to register for future trainings.

HOUSING POLICY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AND FORUM SERIES

SCAG’s Housing Policy Leadership Academy kicked off in early February 2022 with the first session of the 10-month, 10-session training program, engaging an estimated 270 participants through eight cohorts. Participants learned about the evolution of housing policy frameworks and the fundamentals of systems change and adaptive leadership. Regional Councilmembers provided welcome remarks at each session and staff presented on the Regional Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Element updates. Future sessions will cover topics including: the housing affordability crisis, history of racism and exclusionary zoning, strategies to increase housing production, advocacy and coalition building, state and local housing laws and ordinances, and housing finance.

As part of the Housing Leadership Academy program, SCAG will host the second convening of the Housing Policy Forum Series entitled, “Scaling Housing Production: Strategies and Funding Sources,” on Tuesday, April 19. This forum will offer case studies that highlight strategies and programs that accelerate housing production while also affirmatively furthering fair housing and meeting climate and sustainability goals on a regional scale. Attendees will gain insights into how SCAG’s Regional Early Action Planning (REAP) program was structured to achieve results and lessons learned. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide feedback on SCAG’s REAP 2.0 program framework. Please visit the Housing Policy Forum Series webpage for updates.

HOUSING ELEMENT STATUS UPDATE AT HOUSING WORKING GROUP MEETING

On Feb. 22, SCAG hosted the second Housing Working Group meeting, which was attended by over 100 participants. As part of the agenda, staff from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) provided an update on the barriers to housing element compliance and addressed issues concerning non-compliance, including eligibility for grants such as the over-the-counter Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) grant. As of mid-February, only six SCAG jurisdictions have adopted a compliant housing element. SCAG will continue to facilitate conversations with the state and develop technical assistance to support jurisdictions in achieving compliance. The full meeting presentation can be found here.

SCAG PARTICIPATES IN COMTO SOCAL ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

On Feb. 25, I participated in a panel organized by the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) to discuss their work in removing barriers to increase the number of African Americans in transportation and promoting racial equity in their respective fields. On the panel, I explained SCAG’s recruitment process that reflects inclusive and equitable hiring practices and discussed the agency’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Awareness (IDEA) Team that focuses on developing awareness of diversity principles, leading with shared language, and highlighted prioritizing equity in the implementation of the agency’s new hybrid work model called “Work@SCAG.” The panel shed light on current implemented practices that put equity at the forefront of their agencies, but also with a message that there is more to do.

SWISSCAL CONFERENCE BRINGING TOGETHER SWISS TRANSIT EXPERTS AND CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION POLICYMAKERS

SCAG, in partnership with Seamless Bay Area, Metro, and Caltrans, sponsored a conference of four educational sessions to share insight on best practices from the Swiss integrated public transportation ecosystem. The conference provided participants with a real-world example of how another region has successfully integrated and created a seamless transit system. The conference featured expert testimony from Swiss officials through three facilitated, interactive workshops held throughout February 2022. A fourth and final workshop focused specifically on applicability to the SCAG region was held on March 1. This conference supports SCAG’s Connect SoCal transit strategy, including its key connection for shared mobility and mobility as a service (MaaS). Together with SCAG’s ongoing MaaS Feasibility White Paper, the lessons learned from the Swiss experience will inform forthcoming Transportation Committee policy discussions as part of the Connect SoCal 2024 update. Additional information on the conference can be found on the SwissCal Conference on the Swiss Public Transportation Ecosystem event webpage on the Seamless Bay Area website.

INFRASTRUCTURE, EQUITABLE RECOVERY HIGHLIGHTED IN LAEDC ECONOMIC FORECAST PANEL DISCUSSION

On Feb. 16, I moderated a panel on infrastructure at this year’s Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s (LAEDC) Economic Forecast, which was focused on “An Economy in Transition” and the effects on the regional, state, and national economy. The panel discussion explored how partners can collaboratively utilize new federal funding via land, air, and sea projects to create a more equitable recovery in Southern California.

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The February 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The January 2022 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The November 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The October 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The September 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The July 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The June 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The May 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The April 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The March 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The February 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past month.

The January 2021 Executive Director’s Report covers the agency’s major activities, key programs, and accomplishments over the past two months.