Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Paramount public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
40 issues with medium priority
Mr. J's Bar Live Entertainment Expansion Consideration
Mr. J's Bar at 7824 Alondra Boulevard asked to add DJs and live bands to its karaoke-only permit, running Thursdays through Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The city's six-month review found zero incidents, and the council was set to weigh neighborhood noise and safety concerns.
Mobile Home MOU and Ordinance Update
Staff was set to give an oral update on negotiations and ordinance work affecting mobile home park residents and owners — a matter with direct rent and residency implications.
Bus shelter expansion at high-ridership stops
The city planned to spend up to $64,300 with Studio One Eleven for preliminary designs of alternate bus shelters, funded from Proposition A transit money.
Historic preservation and oral history project
The council got a look at the finished 1970-1999 historic context statement and an overview of historic preservation ordinances, and agreed to keep moving toward a possible local ordinance with incentives like Mills Act property tax relief.
Ballistic shields for sheriff's deputies
Using a federal grant plus a little general fund money, the city is buying three upgraded Vanguard Tri-Grip ballistic shields to protect deputies and bystanders during active shooter incidents. The sworn division itself requested the upgrade.
Code enforcement caseload surge
Code enforcement cases are up about 55% since before COVID — over 1,100 a year — and officers are carrying double the old caseloads. Staff credits the city's easy online reporting tools and keeps an education-first approach.
I-105 Express Lanes Construction Impacts
Freeway construction is starting in Paramount's segment of the I-105 Express Lanes project — retaining walls, new pavement and overnight lane closures through 2029. Residents near Somerset can call a project noise line.
Federal Housing and Community Development Results (CAPER)
The city's annual report to HUD showed strong results: alley improvements served 39,000+ residents over five years, the senior program beat its goal, and fair housing services exceeded targets — and the council signed off on sending it to the feds.
Emergency HVAC Repairs at City Facilities
The gym at Paramount Park and City Hall needed emergency HVAC work, costing about $179,000 pulled from the equipment replacement fund. Expect better climate control at those buildings.
Flock Surveillance Cameras Concerns
Three residents emailed the council expressing concerns about the city's Flock camera program. The comments were distributed to the council but not discussed in detail on the record.
Santa Train Stop Relocation to Orange Avenue
Staff recommended moving the popular Santa train stop from Murray Street to 15328 Orange Avenue, cutting the number of affected homes from 159 to 74 and keeping a lane open for emergency vehicles. The council agreed to try it for the upcoming holiday season.
Delinquent Refuse Collection Charges Placed on Tax Roll
257 households and properties with unpaid 2025 trash bills will have those balances added to their county property tax bills after July 31. Owners got up to six notices and can still pay before the deadline.
Illegal Fireworks Enforcement — Fourth of July After-Action
This Fourth of July saw 49 illegal fireworks calls, 117 citations, and about 3,300 pounds of fireworks seized, with undercover sheriff operations arresting 49 sellers. Calls were up slightly from last year but below 2023-24 levels.
Homelessness Services Funding via Home-ARP
The city renewed its $150,000 contract with Family Promise of Los Angeles to deliver homelessness services in FY 2026-27 using federal Home-ARP money.
New Teamsters contracts with pay raises
City Public Works and Public Safety employees get 4%, 4% and 5% raises over three years, plus certification pay, better vacation and sick-leave benefits, and free summer camp for employees' kids. Funding was already in the adopted budget.
2025 Urban Water Management Plan Postponed
The state-required five-year water plan was adopted — and Paramount hit its conservation target, using 89 gallons per person per day against a 114-gallon limit, which strengthens its shot at state water grants.
Zoom public participation at council meetings
Starting July 14, residents can watch and speak at council meetings over Zoom — cameras off, hands raised to speak. If the feed goes down, the council must recess for at least an hour under the new state law.
SELA Cultural Center progress
A ten-acre arts and cultural center near the LA River in South Gate is moving toward an operations plan in early 2027 and a possible 2028 opening, with community input sessions ongoing.
World Energy/AltAir community benefits spending
The council put off approving the Year Four spending plan for the World Energy/AltAir community benefits money so the city and company can negotiate further — a decision expected June 23.
Paramount Education Partnership Scholarships
PEP gave 59 scholarships worth $189,000 this year — 714 total and $2.2 million since 2004 — funded by local businesses, the school district, and donors. Two students also won Gates Scholarships, which pay for a full four-year education.
SB 1 Street Paving Program
About $1.4 million in state gas-tax money is headed for local streets: Colorado Avenue from Somerset to Alondra gets repaved this year with the 2025-26 funds, and Orange and Century follow next fiscal year.
CDBG/HOME Federal Grant Spending
The city is redirecting about $77,600 from its senior enrichment program to a new Paramount Shelter Bed Program under its federal grant plan, plus rolling over leftover home improvement money.
City goals progress: street sweeping, school zones, sidewalks
Staggered street sweeping is expanding to two more neighborhoods this fall, school-zone speed studies are underway, alleyway parking citations are up, and sidewalk fixes on Indiana Avenue are done.
Warehouse master CUP at Capital Business Park
Instead of permit-by-permit reviews, the 22-suite business park on Downey Avenue now has a master CUP with one set of operating conditions — truck parking rules, prohibited uses, EV chargers, and screened trash bins — to speed up filling vacant suites.
Proposition FF and state housing law
A 1988 voter initiative capped density at 22 units per acre, but state housing law makes it unenforceable for qualifying housing-element sites. The council introduced an ordinance to say so explicitly and stay compliant with state housing mandates.
Median enhancements on Rosecrans and Garfield Avenues
The next phase of the city's median beautification program covers medians west of Anderson and east of Downey on Rosecrans, plus three sections on Garfield. It should make major corridors greener and more welcoming.
Alley improvement project completion
Vice Mayor Olmos asked staff to look at speeding up the alley improvement program, which currently only fixes one alley per year, saying that pace isn't enough for the city's aging alleys.
Residential parking congestion
A 26-year resident told the council her 16-home cul-de-sac is so clogged with parked cars that emergency vehicles can barely get through. The city's public safety team will review the street and look at options like time-limited no-parking rules.
Progress Park Stormwater Capture Project
The city is spending about $1.8 million (mostly state Safe Clean Water money) to design a system that captures stormwater at Progress Park — cleaner water and better use of a resource the region usually just lets wash away.
General Plan and housing production
The city's annual report shows strong progress: 81 housing units entitled and 64 building permits issued in 2025, bringing the total to 256 of the 364 units the state requires by 2029.
SoCalGas Rate Increase for Meter Replacement
SoCalGas plans to seek approval to replace 13-year-old smart meter modules across its system, costing average residential customers up to about $5.10 more per month starting in 2027, if approved.
Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (2026-30)
The council adopted a five-year roadmap of infrastructure projects — some funded, some awaiting grants — to keep the city safe and attractive, with annual updates each budget cycle.
Youth Activities League program at Spane Park
The sheriff-run after-school program serves 58 at-risk kids ages 7-17 with tutoring, fitness, life skills and excursions; the Sheriff's Youth Foundation takes over administration July 1, and the city will continue housing and partially funding it.
Hay Tree Pocket Park design unveiled
Conceptual renderings show a mini park with outdoor dining, a lawn, playful cow-themed art and the historic hay tree preserved — but no construction funding has been identified yet.
Go Store It community benefits agreement
The self-storage developer at Garfield and Petterson will pay the city $400,000 in exchange for its entitlements — money earmarked for the museum and community room at the Hay Tree Public Market.
2026 Legislative Platform
The council adopted its annual advocacy platform — and specifically changed language to reference residents' "legal status" rather than "background," reflecting council concern about immigration policy.
Downey & Jackson intersection safety fixes
A traffic study found the intersection performs within state norms, but the city is adding longer yellow lights, reflective striping, signal repairs and extra enforcement near Alondra Intermediate School — about $25,000, already budgeted.
Noise and liquor complaints at 15337 Lakewood Boulevard business
Residents report loud weekend music, street drinking and public urination outside a business on Lakewood Boulevard that allegedly sells liquor without a license. The council said it would investigate.
Freeway Ramp Cleanup and Caltrans Relations
The council renewed and expanded the Adopt-A-Highway contract to keep freeway on- and off-ramps clean, and pressed state legislators for better Caltrans maintenance and graffiti paint-out on the 91, 710 and 105.
Zone Change at 15529 Colorado Avenue
The official zoning map was changed from multi-family residential to planned development with performance standards at 15529 Colorado Avenue.