CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: April 7, 2026

CAT To Host 65th Assembly District Candidate Forum Today

The race to fill the 65th Assembly District seat is heating up, and tonight is your chance to hear directly from the candidates vying to represent our community in Sacramento.

With Assemblymember Mike Gipson set to term out this year, six candidates have stepped forward to compete for this open seat. Carson Accountability & Transparency (CAT) is proud to host a AD 65 Candidate Forum, bringing all of the candidates together so that voters can compare perspectives and walk away feeling confident and informed ahead of the June election.

The forum is free, open to all, and will be virtually via Zoom. Tune in from the comfort of your own home. There's no reason to miss it.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

6:00 PM

For more information visit: https://www.carsoncat.org/ad65

Carson Experience Website Launches, Counting Down to the 2028 Olympics

The City officially unveiled its Carson Experience website Tuesday night, kicking off the city's public-facing Olympics campaign ahead of the LA 2028 Games. The site, built by the city's IT team, serves as a one-stop hub for residents, visitors, and international delegations interested in Carson's role as a venue city.

The website offers details on the City's four Olympic venues, including Carson Stadium, Carson Courts, Carson Field, and Carson Velodrome, along with information on all eight featured sports, from Rugby Sevens and Tennis to Para Cycling Track. The site also includes a volunteer sign up form, links to LA 28 ticket information, and a "Plan Your Visit" section highlighting Carson's convenient access to freeways and public transit.

The City of Carson will host five Olympic events and three Paralympic events, with facilities branded under the Carson name, a naming victory the Mayor and council fought for to ensure the city's identity is recognized on a global stage.

"Notice there on the venue highlights. It doesn't say LA 28. It doesn't say South Bay Stadium, South Bay Courts, South Bay Field, South Bay Velodrome. It actually says Carson Stadium, Carson Courts, Carson Field, Carson Velodrome... So globally, Carson is known around the world..." — City Manager David C. Roberts, Jr.

Residents can sign up as volunteer ambassadors directly through the site, or reach out to TheCarsonExperience@carsonca.gov for partnership opportunities and general inquiries. Councilmember Dr. Hilton also announced the City will be relaxing its Airbnb ordinance during the Olympics, creating a financial opportunity for homeowners to rent their properties during the Games.

The city is also conducting outreach to embassies and consulates throughout Los Angeles, and has already hosted a delegation from Great Britain. Mayor Davis-Holmes noted a forthcoming meeting with the Republic of the Philippines as part of efforts to attract countries to the Carson Experience.

Visit the website yourself at https://carsonca.gov/2028_games.php

City Council Doubles Fireworks Tip to $500

The City Council approved increasing the illegal firework tip reward from $250 to $500 for tips that result in a successful enforcement action against a fireworks ordinance violator.

Under the updated program, a qualifying tip must lead to a conviction, an administrative citation payment, or a court judgment in order for a reward to be issued. Residents are required to report violations to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Carson Station on the same day as the incident, submit supporting documentation, and file a formal claim with the City Clerk. The City Manager or a designee will review and approve all claims.

Each individual is eligible to receive no more than two rewards, for a maximum of $1,000 per person. The program carries an overall funding cap of $25,000, at which point it will automatically terminate unless the City Council takes further action.

City officials, employees, law enforcement personnel, and anyone involved in the reported violation are not eligible to participate. The city will maintain confidentiality of informant information to the extent permitted by law.

The program is expected to be paired with a "see something, say something" public outreach campaign in advance of the 2026 Fourth of July season.

As per the staff report, the City prohibits the sale, possession, and use of all fireworks under the Carson Municipal Code.

City Receives $33,072 Dodgers Foundation Grant for Summer Youth Baseball and Softball Programs

The City has been awarded a 2026 Dodgers Dreamteam grant from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation in the amount of $33,072.

As per the staff report, the grant will fund summer youth baseball and softball programs at seven city parks: Calas Park, Carson Park, Dolphin Park, Dominguez Park, Foisia Park, Hemingway Park, and Veterans Park. The program is expected to serve 504 participants this summer.

Of the grant total, $9,072 will cover field maintenance and umpire costs, while the remaining $24,000 will fund a dedicated Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator responsible for organizing the program and supporting coaches throughout the season.

In addition to direct funding, the city will receive in-kind contributions at no cost, including player uniforms, sports equipment, park banners, and access to educational and health-related resources for participants and their families. Coaches will receive training through the program, and participants will have opportunities to attend special events during the season.

To keep the program accessible, the Dodgers Foundation requires the city to charge no more than $15 per participant. Families will register through LeagueApps, an online platform provided by the foundation.

The Dodgers Dreamteam program is part of a broader national initiative called Nike RBI, or Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities, which focuses on bringing organized sports to communities with limited access. The program places particular emphasis on increasing participation among Black youth, girls, and teenagers.

City Projects Update Includes New Sprouts for July, Three Housing Projects, Parks, and Tech Work Underway

Community Development Director Nathan Freeman highlighted several active projects at the council meeting, covering a major projects from four-department.

"Together these projects reflect continued investment in housing, mixed-use development, and long-term growth here in Carson. And we are just getting started."— Nathan Freeman, Community and Economic Development Director

On the retail front, the owner of Carson Plaza on Avalon and University confirmed that Sprouts is likely to open in July 2026, possibly earlier depending on inspection timelines.

Housing Pipeline:

Three residential projects are moving through entitlement. The Avalon West project at 21243 Avalon Blvd. (District 1) proposes 157 condominiums, including 17 deed-restricted very low income units. At 404 E. Carson Street, a three-story mixed-use building would bring nine rental units above ground-floor retail in the former Samoan Federation building. At 21611 S. Perry Street in District 3, the 62-unit townhome project has cleared entitlement, with staff awaiting building plans from developer Lennar while site cleanup with the state proceeds.

Public Works:

As per the staff report, the Sepulveda Bridge Widening (with a $12 million budget) is underway, aiming for a March 2028 completion target. Carriage Crest Park redevelopment is deep into construction, with restrooms, picnic shelters, a concession stand, and pickleball courts all progressing. Foisia Park is in punch-list phase and nearly complete. Mills Park had its original contractor terminated over performance issues and is being re-bid, with advertisement expected around April 9th.

Phase 10 of the annual citywide pavement maintenance began March 19th, the Santa Fe sidewalk project is 70% complete, and the Civic Corridor Median Streetscape on Carson Street and Avalon is expected to go out for construction bids imminently.

Technology:

The Citywide Fiber Optic Network Phase 1, a $27 million project bringing high-speed connectivity to parks across all four districts, broke ground and began construction March 11th. A new OpenGov procurement platform is also being implemented to streamline city contracting, with staff training completed March 19th.

Public Safety Technology:

Surveillance cameras continue to expand across parks and facilities. License Plate Recognition cameras are deployed at several locations targeting illegal dumping, truck speeding, and game-day enforcement near Dignity Health Sports Park. A Citywide Intrusion Project to modernize security systems has completed vendor selection and is moving to contract negotiations.

Public Safety also announced an RX Takeback Day on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Carson Sheriff's Station for safe disposal of unused medications.

Crime Rates Decline Across All Categories

Carson Sheriff's Captain Norman reported that crime across the city continues to trend downward. Part-1 crimes, which include serious offenses such as robbery, assault, and vehicle theft, are down 19.4% compared to the same period last year. Grand theft auto has dropped 43% and burglaries are down 48%.

We are still continuing to trend down as far as part one crimes are concerned... Overall part one crimes about 19.4% declining." — Captain Norman, Carson Sheriff's Station

Captain Norman also noted progress on catalytic converter theft. A multi-agency operation involving the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and several law enforcement partners resulted in the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of approximately 1,800 catalytic converters with an estimated value of $500,000.

In response to ongoing theft concerns, the city has scheduled a free catalytic converter etching event for Saturday, May 9. The etching process marks converters with an identifying code, making them easier to trace and less attractive to thieves. Location details are forthcoming. Residents are encouraged to participate.

On a separate public safety matter, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed through DNA testing that coyotes responsible for recent attacks in Carson have been euthanized. Residents are advised to keep children and small pets close, avoid leaving food or trash outdoors, and report sightings to the Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 201-2958 or the Carson Sheriff's Station at (310) 830-1123.

Commercial Facade Program Advances; East Carson Corridor Construction to Begin

The City's Commercial Facade Improvement Program is moving forward on multiple fronts, with grant funding agreements and corridor construction expected to come before the City Council at its next meeting.

According to City staff's presentation, three new citywide grant applicants are anticipated to have its funding agreements finalized by April 21. The projects include a facade improvement at Carson Plaza, a project at a commercial property on 219th Street, and a door upgrade for Ding Tea on Carson Street.

City staff also provided an update to the East Carson Corridor application, which runs between Harbor View and Santa Fe Avenue and contains a score of retail businesses. The city received bids of approximately $1.2 million, and is working on drafting a dozen funding agreements. These agreements will be brought forward for council approval at the next meeting according to City staff.

Council Member Dr. Jawane Hilton raised concerns about the financial impact on tenants during construction, citing calls from business owners who experienced revenue loss during previous facade work. He requested a loan or a relief program be brought forward for council consideration.

Mayor Davis-Holmes established a facade ad hoc committee and appointed herself and Councilmember Arleen Rojas as members to review incoming design renderings of the new renovations. She requested that future proposals include at least three rendering options for council review.

Carson Formally Adopts Development Agreement for 1,115-Unit Mixed-Use Project on Avalon Boulevard

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to formally adopt Ordinance No. 26-2606, finalizing a development agreement for a large-scale mixed-use project at 21207 S. Avalon Boulevard. The vote represents the conclusion of a multi-year approval process for what is one of the largest housing and development commitments in recent Carson history.

The project is being developed by Imperial Avalon DE, LLC and Lennar Homes of California, LLC on a 27-acre site that formerly operated as a mobilehome park known as Imperial Avalon Mobile Estates.

The development will include 1,115 residential units in total: 764 multi-family apartment units across two buildings of up to four stories on the eastern portion of the property, and 351 townhome units of up to three stories on the western portion. The project also includes 10,000 square feet of restaurant space and more than 111,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space, including a park of no less than 22,859 square feet.

The City Council first approved the original development agreement in December 2022 following certification of an Environmental Impact Report by the Planning Commission. The agreement has since been amended several times to address design refinements, a settlement agreement between the city and the developer, and the addition of Lennar as a co-developer. The amended and restated agreement was introduced at the March 17, City council meeting with a 5-0 vote.

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Upcoming City Events:

Cinco de Mayo 5K Fun Run/Walk

Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m.

Carson Park

214111 Orrick Ave., Carson, 907454

(To Be Followed By Cinco De Mayo Celebration at 11 a.m.)

City of Carson Summer Day Camp

June 15 - August 7

Several City Parks

Call (310) 846-3570 for more information