[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6327077,"mediaKeyId","2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334","parentId",2323185,"title","Council opens consolidated-plan outreach; consultant seeks public input on housing and community needs","audioSeconds",691,"startMs",7781000,"endMs",8472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334&start=7781&end=8472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334/thumbnail_7781000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6327077/South-Gate/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-opens-consolidated-plan-outreach-consultant-seeks-public-input-on-housing-and-community-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327077-53000288152489a3189db7e1db7aeb25/orig.mp4?Expires=1773723529&Signature=oVaq7edv5qCcpW6eNJSvS0muNX8CQg~SZ9nphm2DFq7GO5idA8wsVjfl1af7F~5J-oz3WaS5ZxDEPGR7Cd8BzfqPaszDqyJahCe4KCrqNZNtbCvHktgKqRFtNuNd42AXHg75c5Hof1vrAlKC8fuQytKeI8Wkhcp1HdJsmWa8vxj6CDNKO3t25AGVVA0UtYVjnU~bdHbnLWnU368kEGunD0utngDl-StSmcG5vMRrP8HdXPSIiQUL-MVgr-W--fhLqaDxnH~DuGUrGpJZiJx2kk7wSgChyHq84fiDRbllTUaH6G-JzyoBhKLKFkayGob8FSbkPZEHd13MWWpXwglxOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","South Gate, CA","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Southgate held its first public hearing on Feb. 11 to gather community input for the 2025'2029 consolidated plan, the five-year strategic document that guides the city's use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership funds.

What staff and the consultant said
Anna LeNeu of Avant Garde, the city's housing consultant, said the consolidated plan identifies housing and community-development priorities and must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She reviewed the plan timeframe (program years 2025'2029), the types of eligible activities under CDBG and HOME and the requirement that public services spending not exceed 15% of the annual CDBG allocation.

Current funding context and common goals
LeNeu summarized the city's current categories used in recent annual action plans: administration and fair housing, housing preservation (residential rehab), public facilities and infrastructure, public services, commercial/fa\u0000e7ade programs, and affordable-housing development (including the CHDO set-aside). She told the council the estimated 2025 allocations to date were roughly $1.2 million for CDBG and $560,000 for HOME, which implies a five-year program worth approximately $6.2 million in CDBG and $2.8 million in HOME subject to federal appropriations.

Public comment and priorities from the hearing
Residents urged the council to invest consolidated-plan funds in parks and neighborhood improvements, pointing to needs at Southgate Park and Holiday Regional Park and to local street and alley repairs. Speakers also recommended using CDBG to leverage state grants for park construction and to target infrastructure improvements in underserved neighborhoods. The consultant said the city will distribute a survey, host citizen advisory-committee meetings and produce a draft plan for a 30-day public comment period before a second hearing.

Next steps and schedule
LeNeu said outreach will continue with an online survey and two citizen advisory committee meetings planned in February; the consultant expects to circulate a draft plan for a 30-day review period and to hold a second public hearing (tentatively April 22) before sending the consolidated plan to HUD (the transcript noted a target submission after the comment period and allocation confirmation). The consultant and staff asked the public to use the posted QR code and survey to prioritize needs.

Council action
Council accepted the public input at the hearing and directed staff to include the comments and survey results in the draft plan to be considered at the second hearing and during the public comment period.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","South Gate City Council Meeting 2/11/25","oneSentenceSummary","At a required first public hearing on the 2025-2029 consolidated plan (CDBG and HOME), the city's consultant reviewed objectives and funding limits, invited public comments and surveys, and council accepted public input for inclusion in the draft plan.","taxTitle","South Gate, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",5784,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327082,"Council tables decision on restoring remote call-in or Zoom for meetings after staff and treasurer warn of technical and legal risks",825,5663000,6488000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334&start=5663&end=6488","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334/thumbnail_5663000.jpg","/articles/6327082/South-Gate/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-tables-decision-on-restoring-remote-call-in-or-Zoom-for-meetings-after-staff-and-treasurer-warn-of-technical-and-legal-risks","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327082-d723283a81ae6cad1812c43d0345f47b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773723530&Signature=bJ1NuBfkTVR~eGO1AAGtjdHyccIvp6ZejNWpN-~oQITfAB1KZRkQM5A6MWsY2Ebh3rWBXT1Rltw-zhg3gwfV5DAFxYzKEVTL4PtAQZ-K-3tRQgJqhml1RzXlOITCf6ssMoALLVyOI~kc3BYhHawLWs6syKpyOdV~YbetbunpQEPIHAE1pH9RlbmZTA5FJgx0BJOzBqmL1MTA4pgMRZ1SLWU4VIpuFuQQi7rev19LzsT-08l8iQ2U75b5NtKeF2uSUQ0H9ejvSqQTR6B1RNKDpRLh0qFiDE0yWXUrvK5qLjt9r-PHL5JvwSJuQ71YgbOOPeDvU2fAh5XvM5AKJm5vHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilmembers debated restoring a remote public-participation option (phone/Zoom) for council and commission meetings on Feb. 11 and ultimately tabled the issue for further staff study.

City Manager Rob Houston reviewed the city's prior use of Zoom during the COVID-19 period and the city's later decision to discontinue remote participation while adding cameras and YouTube streaming. Houston told council that 28 of 32 surrounding cities had removed remote call-in features and warned that system failures can create Brown Act risk when remote access is allowed but not available.

Why it matters: Restoring remote participation would expand access for residents who cannot attend in person, but technical failures during meetings can prevent public comment and create legal exposure; the council asked staff to develop options that balance access, reliability and cost.

Key points from the debate
- Technology and reliability: City Treasurer Jose de la Paz (serving as the meeting's technology adviser) said no system is immune to failure, but robust solutions require investment and redundancy. Treasurer de la Paz estimated a modest recurring cost for limited audio-only dialing was possible (~$12,000 per year referenced in staff commentary), but said more resilient citywide solutions could cost substantially more (he offered an illustrative ongoing annual range near $120,000'150,000 for a highly reliable system). Staff warned that a live stream or call-in service outage could force a meeting suspension to preserve the administrative record.
- Legal risk: The city attorney and city manager explained that if the city advertises and offers remote participation and a technical failure prevents the public from participating, the city could face Brown Act complaints or a challenge to actions taken while remote access was unavailable.
- Access and equity: Multiple councilmembers and members of the public supported restoring some remote option as a way to increase civic engagement for people who cannot attend in person because of work, family or mobility limits. Speakers suggested a phone-based call-in feature that allows listening in real time and calling in when the item is called.

Council action
After discussion, councilmember motioned to table the proposal indefinitely, asking staff to research technologies used by similar agencies, cost estimates and operational plans; the motion passed by roll call (Council members Avalos, Hurtado, Rios, Vice Mayor Baron and Mayor Davila voted \"yes\").

Next steps
Staff was instructed to investigate options, gather cost estimates and best-practice models from agencies that maintain remote participation, and return when a feasible, reliable proposal and budget estimate are available.","After a lengthy discussion on whether to restore a remote call-in or Zoom option for council and commission meetings, the council voted to table the item indefinitely and asked staff to research reliable options and costs; staff noted technical failure risks and potential Brown Act implications.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327087,"Council continues hearing on proposed alcohol sales at SoFi soccer complex after large public turnout",1817,4599000,6416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334&start=4599&end=6416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334/thumbnail_4599000.jpg","/articles/6327087/South-Gate/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-continues-hearing-on-proposed-alcohol-sales-at-SoFi-soccer-complex-after-large-public-turnout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327087-852bc0d1e679553148e6962ef63288c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1773723530&Signature=UOFpLCq21Bkqe30RAYN71~d8SO6T3ZVcofA50EE5cZcFgBT-up5daKjR5WABm-q2-aoWNPu1xKgOOuIygeC97G-eX8LWj7hWDAbvg6DJNJ3z~KidDjfkSKJB4j2m15ytPjZBHOByxKK62KyV~TI4af38Dyos49fMKyG4A6GRMdF7SNe5VEdSgb4zL3vufzO6ywXnSl6ycJyRFzMg~7c02yTp6tv~Ry4JwFR-m5GgEfJk9~42xDZ-E3pXUukkX8LxrItzwfpwACjyOKJ9obrhpHxQ05owhqSDBOVpV5bfEcNyHCVlQuhYz32sJNxrnAwjX5JPPXvy96Ua-vzDjdkWmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Southgate City Council continued a public hearing on Feb. 11 on a proposal to amend the zoning code to allow restaurant uses and on-site sales of beer and wine in the Open Space zoning district, and to consider a conditional-use permit for on-site beer-and-wine sales (type 41) at the SoFi soccer complex.

Why it matters: The proposal would change how alcohol sales are regulated at public park facilities and requires a zoning-code amendment, a conditional-use permit and an ordinance. Residents said selling alcohol near schools and a heavily used youth-sports park would jeopardize safety and the family character of the park.

What the proposal would change
City staff read the item as an ordinance amending Chapter 11.21 (land-use types) of Title 11 (zoning) of the Southgate Municipal Code to allow restaurant uses and alcohol sales in the Open Space district, and as a request to approve a conditional-use permit to allow on-site beer-and-wine sales (type 41) at the SoFi Soccer Complex at 9599 Pinehurst Avenue.

Public response
Dozens of residents attended and most who spoke urged the council not to permit alcohol sales at the facility. Speakers cited the complex's proximity to schools and youth programs, existing problems with intoxicated people and illegal behavior at or near park areas, police staffing vacancies, and the risk of underage drinking. Comments included these points:
- The facility is adjacent to schools and is used daily for youth sports, and residents argued that alcohol sales would increase the chance of intoxicated adults at youth events.
- Several speakers said the park already faces vandalism, homelessness encampments and drug use and that adding alcohol sales would worsen public-safety and public-health problems.
- Some residents said they were not given adequate notice and asked for greater transparency from the applicant and city staff.

Comments by name (selection)
Resident Jose Antonio Gutierrez said the repeated continuances of this item disrespected residents' time and asked the council to prioritize community concerns. Caroline Monavia, who filed an appeal of the prior approval, said the presence of a school and church nearby made alcohol sales inappropriate. Francisco Gallegos urged the council to address staffing shortages in the police department before changing park policy. Lisa Ruiz, a planning commissioner who voted against the project at the planning commission, said proposed security measures were inconsistent in the applicant's materials and would not be sufficient to prevent alcohol-related incidents.

Applicant and procedural note
The applicant was not present and asked for a continuance. City staff and the city attorney explained that when an applicant requests a continuance the city customarily allows one but that comments made at a continued hearing become part of the administrative record. The city told the audience the council would hear comments tonight but would not take final action until the continued hearing.

Emails and written comments
Staff summarized public emails received before the meeting. The record included both letters of support (several from parents and participants in the Manchester City program saying beer-and-wine service could enhance the experience) and many letters of opposition focused on safety, youth exposure and park character.

Council action
The council voted to continue the public hearing to the regularly scheduled council meeting on Feb. 25, 2025. The motion was seconded and adopted by roll call (Council members Avalos, Hurtado, Rios, Vice Mayor Baron and Mayor Davila all voted \"yes\"). Notes in the record state the applicant specifically requested the continuance and that the council followed its standard practice to honor such requests; the council also reiterated that comments provided at the Feb. 11 hearing will be included in the administrative record.

What happens next
The public hearing will resume on Feb. 25, 2025. Residents who addressed the council tonight will be able to appear again at the continued hearing; the council emphasized that it would not respond substantively tonight because the applicant requested a continuance and the administrative hearing is being preserved for a complete record.","The council continued a public hearing on an ordinance and a conditional-use permit that would allow restaurants and on-site beer-and-wine sales at the SoFi soccer complex; dozens of residents spoke, mostly in opposition; the applicant requested a continuance and the council moved the hearing to Feb. 25, 2025.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6327092,"Council receives update on Go Southgate app as staff, hauler outline steps to address illegal dumping and bulky pickups",1346,2926000,4272000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334&start=2926&end=4272","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2323185-8b58b5c7c4d8591b19527af6e3f93334/thumbnail_2926000.jpg","/articles/6327092/South-Gate/Los-Angeles-County/California/Council-receives-update-on-Go-Southgate-app-as-staff-hauler-outline-steps-to-address-illegal-dumping-and-bulky-pickups","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6327092-50df0944d4c095ca4120af23b4b8a2fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1773723530&Signature=YnXZwx4dtDI5EG-Hrhev5tcnfpQlnNTm3xW7SFY3zeq-wNKs5rfIBhsn2i0bAP74O995H0CmnPT9Mv7C0x8Py0ZyZNLENLQ-hOxIAXo6lCHYZ2cMSyhshQqYtNxpBWy5nhmyN6e9LbtxTBdGIdghnY~-osjg2~1BMiOZD3-vgWcnnwOjc-CBBEBZGJsb8KUtGJCQ19CZFPTUBuYdvrRy2bKoy~HT~WrV-K9qJsp9k8J4nuwi-gR61cU3cnKvj1Zvu0z5A7YnHfUlgcWHdQ3wARrWzB-~iA50vtUCF9TREyGDYlOo4QMfNp7ENswyTkQtez2hOixkzdLnB5g52S5oIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City officials presented an update on the Go Southgate smartphone app and how the city and its hauler are using the tool to track service requests and clear illegal dumping.

The update came at the City of Southgate City Council meeting on Feb. 11, when City Manager Rob Houston introduced the item and Deputy Director of Public Works Eric described the app's functions and recent performance. Eric said the app \"went live in April of last year,\" and staff have used it to centralize requests that previously came in by phone and email.

Why it matters: City staff and the trash hauler said more residents are reporting bulky items and illegal dumps through the app, which helps schedule pickups and direct field crews. Residents said the app already speeds some repairs but asked for clearer feedback when requests are referred to other departments and for help making the system work for apartment residents.

The app and service details
Eric told council the Go Southgate app supports non-emergency service requests (not 911) on Android and Apple devices, and provides real-time tracking and notifications to requestors. He said staff have closed requests with photos so users can see work completed and tested an integration between the app and the city's work-order system so records sync.

Eric reported the app has about 500 downloads and more than 1,000 service requests since launch. He said average field turnaround varies by problem type: graffiti and potholes are often addressed within a day or two; sidewalk temporary repairs typically take two to four days; and bulky-item pickups and illegal dumping may take one to seven days depending on the hauler's service day and equipment availability.

Universal Waste Services'role
Matt Blackburn of Universal Waste Services (UWS), the city's trash contractor, said the company runs five daily citywide sweep routes and targets known hot spots three times a week. Blackburn told the council that UWS received about 500 bulky-item calls in 2023 and just over 1,000 in 2024, and that the company collected 34,652 bulky items from city residences in 2024 (this figure excludes automatic daily street sweeps and illegal-dumping removals). He said UWS will help the city increase outreach through monthly billing inserts and recommended targeted surveillance at repeat-dumping locations.

Resident feedback and staff follow-up
Several residents praised the app's responsiveness; others described unanswered reports and confusion about how anonymous reports are handled. Council members pressed staff on two recurring points: whether anonymous reports receive acknowledgement and how apartment residents without an account or utility account ID can request bulky-item pickups. Eric said the system sends acknowledgement messages and that staff will check whether the app requires an email address for replies and will ask customer service to accept apartment-unit requests when customers cannot provide an account ID.

Actions and next steps
The council voted to receive and file the presentation. Staff and UWS described operational next steps: expand outreach to increase downloads, add billing-mail advertising of the app, refine the workflow for referrals to engineering or other city divisions, consider targeted surveillance at repeat dumping sites, and improve the app's linkage to UWS so crews can upload completion photos faster.

Council member comments and public reaction
Speakers at the meeting commended rapid removals in some cases and urged improved follow-up on items that are referred to engineering or other departments. Several residents asked for clearer guidance on how to report from apartments and how to ensure completion updates reach anonymous reporters.

The council took no additional formal policy action beyond receiving the presentation.","City staff and contractor Universal Waste Services reviewed downloads, request volumes and response times for the city's Go Southgate app and outlined outreach and operational changes to reduce illegal dumping and speed bulky-item pickups; council voted to receive and file the presentation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council opens consolidated-plan outreach; consultant seeks public input on housing and community needs

Council tables decision on restoring remote call-in or Zoom for meetings after staff and treasurer warn of technical and legal risks

Council continues hearing on proposed alcohol sales at SoFi soccer complex after large public turnout

Council receives update on Go Southgate app as staff, hauler outline steps to address illegal dumping and bulky pickups