Development News for Cudahy, California

Cudahy Park Project Phase One Under Construction, On Track for December Completion

An update was provided on the progress of the Cudahy Park project. Phase one of the project, which includes the former skate park, tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground, is currently under construction. Phase two encompasses the baseball fields. Notices regarding demolition and construction activities were distributed to adjacent residents via hand-delivery to specific streets (Santa Ana, Cecilia, Fostoria, Wilcox, Park Street) and also through social media and on-site postings. Construction began on May 11th with a groundbreaking event. Activities since then have included demolition and grading. Upcoming work includes the demolition and reinstallation of the concrete plaza between City Hall and Bedwell, which will take approximately three weeks and was postponed by a week due to the election. The project is scheduled for completion in December of the current year.

Cudahy City Council Seeks Input on Ballot Measure Language for Sales Tax Extension

The City Council discussed the language for a proposed ballot measure to indefinitely reauthorize the city's three-quarter percent transactions and use tax for the November 2026 general election. The current tax, approved in 2018, generates approximately $1.3 million annually for the city's general fund, supporting services like park maintenance, graffiti removal, street repair, and youth/senior programs. It is set to sunset on March 31, 2029. The extension is needed to maintain local revenue, as other jurisdictions could claim the tax space if it expires. The council debated the wording of the ballot measure, with a focus on ensuring clarity that it is an extension and not a new tax. Keywords like 'continue,' 'extend,' or 'maintain current funding' were preferred over 'protect' or 'stabilize' to avoid confusion with new taxes being proposed by neighboring cities. Staff was directed to gather community input on the proposed language, with outreach efforts to be completed before the second council meeting in July, and the measure to be submitted to the county by August 7th. The council also considered incorporating language related to youth and recreation programs, and potentially gang prevention/intervention and crisis management, though conciseness was noted as a critical factor for the ballot measure's word limit.

Cudahy Council Considers Public Safety Staffing Adjustments to Address Budget Shortfall

During the budget discussion, the Cudahy City Council deliberated on potential reductions to public safety expenditures, specifically examining the cost of the special assignment deputy and the number of deputies assigned per shift. The Sheriff's Department indicated that the current staffing level of three deputies per shift (two general law, one traffic law) is the minimum recommended, with the early morning shift having two deputies. They suggested that the special assignment deputy, costing $275,000 annually, could be a point of discussion for expenditure modification. The council considered two options to address the budget deficit: Option A includes retaining the special assignment deputy and utilizing $1.2 million in fund transfers, while Option B proposes eliminating the special assignment deputy and reducing deputy staffing to two per shift, alongside fund transfers. The council expressed a desire to explore these options further, considering the fiscal crisis and the need to maintain service levels while seeking cost savings.