📬 Brad Waller — District 1 Newsletter — January 19, 2026

Neighbors,

Today, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This is a day that always reminds me why civic engagement matters. When I think about the arc of progress Dr. King described, I see it playing out right here in our community: neighbors showing up to advocate for one another, volunteers restoring our green spaces, families rallying together to protect our neighborhoods. That spirit is what keeps me motivated to serve.

This week brings a critical decision for the South Bay's transit future, a consequential City Council agenda, and a chance to reflect on what our community accomplished together over the past few days. Let me walk you through it.

🚇 Metro C-Line Decision: Thursday, January 22

🔹 The Metro Board meets this Thursday to vote on the C-Line (Green Line) extension to Torrance—the biggest transit decision our region will face in a generation. I've been vocal about supporting the Hawthorne Boulevard alignment, and this is the moment when it matters most.

→ 🎯 Why I'm fighting for Hawthorne Blvd: The alternative route would run rail through our neighborhoods and green spaces, adjacent to active freight lines and high-pressure fuel pipelines. That's not smart planning; it's transferring risk to our families. Hawthorne Boulevard was literally built for rail transit (the old Red Cars ran there), sits in commercial corridors, and serves more riders. Redondo Beach, Torrance, Lawndale, and Hawthorne all agree on this. We need Metro to listen.

→ 🚌 Join us: Free buses leave from Redondo Beach Transit Center and Lawndale Civic Center at 7:00–7:30 a.m. on Thursday. Park for free and ride with your neighbors to make your voice heard. I'll be in Sacramento at the Cal Cities Mayors and Council Members Academy, and also attending their Housing, Community, and Economic Development Policy Committee, where I will be advocating for local control and fighting the housing mandates.

👉 RSVP for free bus to Metro Board meeting

👉 Learn more about the alignment options

🏛️ City Council: Tuesday, January 20

🔹 We meet tomorrow night at 6:00 p.m. with significant items on the agenda: including floor area ratio (FAR) decisions for Public/Institutional zones (covering city facilities, schools, and Beach Cities Health District), Public/Utility properties, and Parks and Open Space. These zoning choices shape what can be built and how much. The details matter.

🔹 Also on deck: a potential 10-year contract extension with Athens Services for solid waste handling. This would lock in rates and terms for the next decade, which brings stability but deserves scrutiny on costs and service levels. I'll be asking questions.

→ ⚡ Why this matters: Land-use decisions like FAR rules are technical, but they determine the character of our neighborhoods for years to come. And a decade-long contract commitment means we need to get the terms right now.

👉 View the City Council calendar

⚡ Understanding Your Electric Bill

🔹 If you've noticed changes on your electric bill lately, here's what's happening. Most Redondo Beach residents get their electricity generation through the Clean Power Alliance (CPA), where I serve on the Board of Directors, representing our city. You still receive one bill from Southern California Edison (SCE), which includes both CPA generation charges and SCE's delivery/transmission charges.

→ 💡 The good news: The CPA Board just approved a decrease in generation rates, which should help offset some of your costs.

→ 📊 The challenge: SCE's delivery rates and mandatory Base Service Charge continue to climb. These are factors outside our local control. That's driving some of the increases you're seeing overall.

I know utility costs are a real concern for many households. I'm watching this closely and will keep pushing for transparency on what we can and can't control.

🚗 Community Highlight: Cruisin' 2 Freedom Success

🔹 What a day at Seaside Lagoon this past Saturday! I brought my car out for the Cruisin' 2 Freedom car cruise and show—an LA County debut right here in Redondo Beach. With support from the owner of In-N-Out Burger, the event drew cars and crowds, served up great music and burgers, and raised over $587,000 for the Slave 2 Nothing Foundation to combat addiction and human trafficking.

→ 🎯 My take: Events like this showcase what makes our community special. Great weather, classic cars, live music, and neighbors coming together for a cause that matters. I'm grateful we could host it here, and I'm already looking forward to next year.

📄 Shredding Day Recap

🔹 Shout-out to everyone who took advantage of the free document shredding event at the Performing Arts Center last Saturday. Athens Services helped neighbors safely dispose of sensitive paperwork while keeping it out of landfills. If you missed this one, keep an eye out—these events come around a few times a year.

🎵 Looking Ahead: BeachLife Festival Returns

🔹 Mark your calendars—BeachLife Festival is coming back to Seaside Lagoon May 1–3, 2026, and the lineup is stacked. Friday brings Duran Duran and The Chainsmokers. Saturday features The Offspring, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Slightly Stoopid, and Switchfoot. Sunday closes it out with James Taylor, My Morning Jacket, and Sheryl Crow. Three days of incredible music right here on our waterfront—who's your favorite on the list?

👉 Follow BeachLife Festival (Instagram)

🥕 Weekly Markets

Farmers' Market by the Pier (Veterans Park) — Thursdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m. 309 Esplanade.
👉 Read more

Riviera Village Farmers Market — Sundays, 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Triangle Lot, 1801 S. Elena Ave.
👉 Read more

📱 Access Redondo

Do you have a problem or need to report an issue to the city? Use the Access Redondo App.
👉 Download App

This week is about showing up—at the Metro Board meeting, at City Council, in whatever way you can. Dr. King reminded us that the time is always right to do what is right. For our community, right now that means speaking up for transit routes that protect our neighborhoods, asking hard questions about long-term contracts, and celebrating the moments when we come together for good.

If you have thoughts on any of these items—or anything else—reply to this email. I read every message.

See you around the neighborhood.

"I believe progress isn't one headline — it's how we treat each other at games, how we welcome visitors to our beach, and how we keep showing up for small, unglamorous work. Thanks for doing that work with me. 🤝"

Brad Waller
City Council Member, Redondo Beach
brad.waller@redondo.org