Executive Director’s Monthly Report, September 2024

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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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