The South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), a government organization dedicated to improving the quality of life and productivity in the South Bay subregion of Los Angeles County, has elected city of Carson Council Member Cedric Hicks to lead its board as 2023/24 chair. The board, comprised of elected delegates from 16 South Bay cities, the Harbor City/San Pedro/Wilmington communities of the city of Los Angeles and District 2 and 4 of Los Angeles County, collaborates on issues of mutual interest such as improving transportation, solving homelessness, increasing broadband access in underserved communities and saving energy and water. Watch a video featuring Hicks discussing goals for the coming year.
Among Hicks’ top goals is bringing more innovative, energy-efficient technology to the South Bay. He takes the helm as the SBCCOG celebrates the 20th anniversary of its South Bay Environmental Services Center (SBESC) program. The SBESC provides information, solutions and resources to South Bay businesses, residents and governments on energy efficiency, water conservation and waste reduction.
The SBCCOG is also preparing to launch its South Bay Local Travel Network (LTN) by early fall. The LTN, which features a rolling turtle logo, will support the growing personal use of “micromobility” through a 243-mile route of slow-speed streets. Micromobility is a mode of travel defined by the use of zero-emission, slow-speed vehicles. Such devices include neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), e-bikes, pedal bikes and e-scooters.
“It’s a very exciting time to help lead this organization as we bring to fruition and idea that will change how we think about local travel in the South Bay,” Hicks said. “The SBCCOG offers a unique opportunity to collaborate as a region on issues that impact all of us. I am excited about working closely with my colleagues in the South Bay. There is much to do, and work begins on day one.”
Hicks joined the SBCCOG board as a member in 2017. He was appointed to the Carson City Council on April 19, 2016, and reelected for a four-year term in November 2016 and again in November 2020. His vision for Carson is to ensure a safe, clean and healthy community, supporting the motto “Make it Happen.” His goals for the SBCCOG include improving the environment, reducing traffic congestion and increasing public safety.
Hick’s career began in 1984 with the city of Compton Police Department where he rose from the rank of officer to director of community services. In 2001, he was hired by the city of Carson as recreation program manager. He went on to become the human services manager, recreation superintendent and eventually the first African American director of community services, where he oversaw a $31 million budget for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department contract, which covered code enforcement, transportation, human services and parks and recreation. In 2016 he was hired by the city of Compton as assistant city manager, a position from which he retired that same year.
Hicks will guide the SBCCOG as it continues to pursue a roster of projects that include studying accessory dwelling units and underutilized commercial areas as possible housing solutions; implementing a Digital Equity Project that will create a “roadmap” for improving broadband access in historically disadvantaged communities through expansion of its South Bay Fiber Network; and continuing the creation of innovative programs to solve homelessness through prioritization of $1.9 million in Los Angeles County Homeless Innovation Funds. Through its work managing voter-approved Measure R and Measure M Subregional Program Funds, the SBCCOG has contributed more than $1billion toward transportation improvements in the South Bay. This includes $27 million for the new Mary K. Giordano Torrance Transit Center.
Hicks received an associate degree in liberal studies from Los Angeles Harbor College and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice at California State University Fullerton. He is a distinguished alumnus of California University Dominguez Hills, where he earned a Master of Science in behavioral science. He is also a graduate of Anderson School of Management at UCLA’s Johnson and Johnson Fellows Program.