CITY COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: March 17, 2026

Uchenna Nwosu Recognized for Super Bowl LX Victory

Carson native and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu was presented with a trophy and certificate of recognition by the City Council for his Super Bowl LX victory.

Nwosu attended Narbonne High School in nearby Harbor City before playing college football at USC, where he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior. He was selected 48th overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and joined the Seattle Seahawks in 2022. In the 2025 regular season, he recorded 37 tackles and 7.0 sacks.

In the fourth quarter of Super Bowl LX, against the New England Patriots, Nwosu scooped up a loose ball and returned it 46 yards for a touchdown, putting Seattle ahead 29-7, effectively ending the game. The Seahawks won 29-13.

"On behalf of the entire city council and all the residents in the city of Carson, it is my great honor to recognize a hometown champion," said Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes.

Nwosu thanked the council for the proclamation, "Just wanted to say thank you to the city of Carson for recognizing my efforts."

"Being able to give back to the city where I was raised means a lot. Keep inspiring the youth, because that’s what it’s all about." - Uchenna Nwosu

Sheriff Deputies Recognized for Rescue of 11 Elderly Patients

The Council recognized a team of Carson Sheriff's Station deputies and detectives for a multi-phase rescue operation involving elderly patients at unlicensed elder care and hospice home facilities.

Councilwoman Arleen Bocatija Rojas led the presentation, describing the events for the record. On February 24, 2026, deputies responded to a call in the 200 block of 234th Street and rescued seven elderly patients described as malnourished and neglected. Then, on March 4, detectives executed a search warrant at multiple residential locations, ultimately leading to the rescue of three additional patients and permanently shutting down one of the facilities. " We would like to personally thank all the personnel and partner agencies who worked diligently and quickly to locate the elderly patients,” said Rojas, “nothing is more important than protecting our most vulnerable members of our community, particularly our elderly patients."

"What we came across that day motivated us to move as fast as possible. It was a large operation [...] we were able to rescue more elderly patients from these homes and also prevent more patients from coming into these homes. And with the city helping us out, one of the homes was shut down permanently.” - Lead Detective Shane Douthit

Captain Norman of the Carson Sheriff's Station also reported that Carson is down 24% in Part One crimes — including homicide, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault — through February 28, 2026.

Council Formally Adopts "The Carson Experience" as 2028 Olympic Brand

The Council unanimously adopted a new resolution, officially designating the city's events, programs, and community activities associated with the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games as "The Carson Experience."

Deputy City Manager Arminé Chaparyan described the designation as a marketing and branding umbrella under which all Olympic-related programming will be organized through the summer of 2028.

Mayor Davis-Holmes asked when the City's volunteer website will be available for the public. Chaparyan noted that the volunteer website is nearly complete but requires adjustments based on recent feedback from LA28 before it goes public. In the interim, residents interested in volunteering can contact Chaparyan's office directly by calling the City's phone number: (310) 830-7600

Mayor Pro Tem. Cedric Hicks requested staff to provide a current list of confirmed Olympic events scheduled at Carson venues at a later meeting.

Housing Progress Report Authorized for State Submission

Community Development Director Nathan Freeman presented the city's 2025 Annual Housing Element Progress Report: under its 6th Cycle Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA), Carson is required to produce 5,618 housing units by 2029 — an increase from the prior cycle's requirement of 1,698 units. As of the reporting period, 4,889 units remain to be produced.

The staff report shows permit activity declining in recent years: 115 building permits were issued in 2023, 86 in 2024, and 45 in 2025. Certificates of occupancy followed a similar trend: 60 in 2023, 69 in 2024, and 37 in 2025.

Freeman told the Council that 2026 and 2027 are projected to be high-volume years for residential building permits, citing active projects including Envision Carson on Avalon Boulevard, the Carson Triangle development, and the Perry Street development. Staff are also in discussions with affordable housing developers regarding several city-owned properties, including the former Domino's Pizza site, the southeast corner of Carson Street and Figueroa, and the southeast corner of Main Street and Torrance Boulevard.

"I am happy to report that Carson has made notable progress to date and, in my opinion, is very well positioned to significantly accelerate housing production, with 2026 and 2027 anticipated to be banner years for the issuance of residential building permits." — Nathan Freeman, Director of Community and Economic Development

Mayor Pro Tem. Hicks flagged a discrepancy between the RHNA Arena Housing obligation units and the figure appearing in the state-provided report summary. Freeman acknowledged the discrepancy and committed to reconciling it prior to submission.

Sidewalk Vending Ordinance Advances First Reading

The Council introduced a new ordinance for first reading, which would prohibit sidewalk vending within 1,000 feet of public places of assembly during and up to two hours before or after events, and within 1,000 feet of school entrances during and up to one hour before or after school sessions.

The City Manager noted the ordinance mirrors one already enacted by the City of Inglewood and was requested by Mayor Davis-Holmes in connection with the city's large event venues, including Dignity Health Sports Complex.

"This basically gives us some teeth to be able to operate to those that have illegally vending within the City." - David Roberts, City Manager

Public Safety Director Nora Garcia confirmed that the ordinance includes an explicit exemption for city-sanctioned events, meaning vendors invited by the city to participate in official programming would not be subject to the restrictions. The first reading passed unanimously.

Mixed-Use Avalon Development Clears First Reading

The Council unanimously approved an amended and restated development agreement for the mixed-use project at 21207 S. Avalon Blvd.

The project involves two developers: Imperial Avalon DE, LLC, responsible for 764 multi-family apartment units across two buildings on the eastern portion of the site; and Lennar Homes of California, LLC, which purchased the western portion in October 2024 and is responsible for 351 townhome units. The project also includes 10,000 square feet of restaurant space and over 111,000 square feet of publicly accessible open space, including a park of at least 22,859 square feet.

The amended agreement consolidates five prior minor modifications approved since the original development agreement was adopted in December 2022. According to the staff report, consolidation was sought in part to facilitate Lennar's ability to secure construction financing.

A second reading and final vote will be required at the next scheduled council meeting in April.

Smoke Shop Restrictions Directed Back to Staff

During the monthly business license report for February 2026, Councilman Dr. Jawane Hilton raised a question about whether Carson had an existing ordinance banning smoke shops. Staff indicated they were unable to locate such a prohibition in the municipal code, though a ban on cannabis retail is in place.

The Mayor directed staff to draft an ordinance restricting new smoke shop licenses and bring it back to the Council. The City Manager indicated a draft could be ready by the last council meeting in May.

AB 1768 and LA County Sales Tax Opposition

The Council voted to formally oppose Assembly Bill 1768, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, and the related LA County sales tax measure proposed for the June 2, 2026 ballot.

AB 1768 would authorize LA County to exceed the state-imposed 2% cap on local sales taxes — a legislative step required before the county's ballot measure can take effect. The ballot measure itself, known as the Essential Services Restoration Act, would impose a half-cent general sales tax increase for five years through October 2031, raising the county's sales tax rate from 9.75% to 10.25%.

County officials project the measure would generate approximately $1 billion annually, with funds directed primarily toward healthcare services in response to federal Medi-Cal funding cuts under H.R. 1. The measure was placed on the June ballot by a 4-1 vote of the LA County Board of Supervisors in February, with Supervisor Kathryn Barger casting the sole dissenting vote.

Critics have noted that, because many cities within the county already carry additional local sales taxes on top of the county rate, the measure could push combined sales tax rates significantly higher in some communities. Mayor Pro Tem. Hicks noted that representatives from approximately 88 contract cities attended the county's meeting in protest.

Fiber Optic Project: Labor Compliance Concern Raised

During oral communications at the close of the meeting, Chris Longoria, business agent for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 11, addressed the Council regarding the city's $23 million municipal fiber optic network project.

Longoria stated that while the contract was awarded under a C10 electrical contractor classification, the contractor, HP Communications, has indicated its intent to perform all work using laborers only, without licensed electricians. He warns this approach conflicts with the terms of the contract, California prevailing wage law, apprenticeship utilization requirements, and contractor licensing standards, and could expose the city to regulatory investigations and civil penalties.

"What is especially concerning is that during a follow-up meeting with city staff and labor compliance consultant, these issues were raised clearly and dismissed." said Longoria

Mayor Davis-Holmes directed the City Manager to meet with Longoria to address the concerns.

Council Members Announce District Events

April 15, 2026: Councilmember Dr. Hilton shared that Los Angeles County is preparing to host a town hall on Project Room Key, tentatively at 6:30 PM. Mayor Davis-Holmes offered to host the meeting at the Carson Community Center.

District 2: Councilmember Dear will host a D2 town hall Wednesday, March 25th at Veterans Park.

*Note: The City will hold a special council meeting later today, March 24, 2026 at 3 p.m. to consider renaming César E. Chávez Day Tribute Event and related recognitions.

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