Southgate council backs Lower LA 'Paratodos' campaign, with one recusal
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Summary
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Lower LA Paratodos campaign, endorsing community-centered approaches to Lower LA River revitalization; Councilmember Hurtado recused himself from the discussion because he lives nearby.
The Southgate City Council voted to adopt a resolution affirming support for the Lower LA Paratodos campaign, a multi-city effort to encourage equitable development and community-centered projects along the Lower Los Angeles River.
Diana Morales, a consultant with the San Gabriel and Lower LA Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, told the council the campaign grew from state funding and a 2023 legislative initiative and has produced a report called “Stronger, Greener Communities” that surveys housing, workforce-development and homelessness policies along the Lower LA River corridor. Morales said the campaign’s work includes outreach to encourage grant applications and to help cities take lessons from projects such as the Urban Orchard and national examples like the 11th Street Bridge.
Councilmembers lauded the Urban Orchard as a local example of community-led design and described the proposed Selak Cultural Arts Center as a regional asset they want to support. Several council members noted the campaign’s emphasis on grant readiness and community engagement so that state funds reach Lower LA River cities.
The council took a public comment from members of the Southeast LA Collaborative, who voiced their support for the resolution. The clerk read a written comment from a resident urging the council to prioritize three projects tied to the Lower LA River revitalization plan and to add them to the city’s legislative platform.
A motion to adopt the resolution was moved and seconded; roll call reflected affirmative votes by the voting members and a recorded recusal by Councilmember Hurtado. The council’s adoption means the city formally endorses the campaign’s community-centered approach and signals support for related grant applications and advocacy.
The resolution is a policy endorsement; it does not commit local funds beyond existing grant-eligible activities. The council’s next steps will include incorporating the campaign’s materials into grant outreach and tracking opportunities identified in the RMC report.