South Gate, California: From Ranch Land to a City with Tight Money and Big Questions
South Gate got its name from the South Gate Gardens project on the Cudahy Ranch 18. Later, the city used a shorter form of that name 18. South Gate became a city on January 20, 1923 21.

In short
South Gate, California became a city on January 20, 1923 21. The town got its name from the South Gate Gardens development on the Cudahy Ranch. The city uses a short form of that name 18. In 1927, Firestone Tire and Rubber opened a big plant at Alameda and Firestone. Industry came to the city because of it 17. In 1934, Communist candidates ran for city council on a united front workers' ticket. They got 204, 175 and 137 votes 40. The records show an ethics accusation against City Clerk Yodit Glaze 42. A HUD Office of Inspector General review found that the city did not handle its Community Development Block Grant money the right way 26. The records do not show how either one turned out. An outside auditor checked the city's money for the year ending June 30, 2023. The auditor gave a clean result 7778. Measure SG is proposed for the November 3, 2026 ballot, so voters will decide it 63. It would set the utility users tax rate at 8% 67. Three lawsuits against the city are still pending. They are listed in an August 11, 2026 closed meeting 545556.
A Name From a Ranch Plan
The community got its name from the South Gate Gardens development on the Cudahy Ranch. Later, the city used a shorter form of that name 18. South Gate, California became a city on January 20, 1923 21. The checked evidence does not say who the first council members were, so it cannot say if they were elected or chosen 22.
Firestone Tire and Rubber opened a big plant at Alameda and Firestone in South Gate. The plant brought new factories to the city 17.
Readers should also know that the name is shared. The Southgate area in London is named after the place called Southgate 32. It is part of the London Borough of Enfield 35. So news about it is about Enfield elections, not about any California city 35.
A City Election with a Communist Party Team, and the First Town Building
In 1934, Communist candidates ran on a joint workers' ticket in the Southgate, California city council election 40. They got 204, 175 and 137 votes for city councilmen 40. The most votes any candidate got in that election was 1,891 41. The source does not say who won the seats.
The city's first public building was its library. A building permit for it was approved in 1938 19. The old library building was named a landmark. It was the first public building the City of South Gate built 20.
Nearby Cities in the News, Not South Gate
In July 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Bell city council asked three city officials to step down 45. That same month, the Los Angeles County district attorney widened an investigation into Bell's city government 48. The California Attorney General sued over city pay in Bell, according to CNN 49. Robert Rizzo, a former Bell city leader, was sentenced to 12 years in prison 52.
In Vernon, city managers Bruce V. Malkenhorst and Bruce V. Malkenhorst Jr. worked in a closed group of leaders. They got around checks and balances 43. A former Vernon official, Malkenhorst, had his pension cut to about $115,000 by the retirement system. This led to a long legal fight 44.
Complaints and Checks, With No Clear Answer Yet
City Clerk Yodit Glaze is being accused of breaking ethics rules 42. We do not know yet if the accusation was checked, found to be true, or dropped. So it is still not proven.
A HUD Office of Inspector General review found that South Gate did not manage its Community Development Block Grant funds in accordance with HUD requirements 26. This is an official finding. The evidence does not say when it happened or what steps came after.
An outside auditor checked South Gate's money reports for the year that ended June 30, 2023. The auditor said they were fairly shown in all important ways 77. The auditor gave a clean result, and it was not changed, even though the reports had some updates and a new rule 78. The auditor also says an audit is not a full guarantee. It gives a high level of trust, but it cannot catch every big mistake or fraud 80. A State Controller's Office report lists South Gate with a due date of 3/31/2026. But this part does not show any review results 27.
Where Things Stand Now (October 2026)
On September 15, 2026, the Planning Commission voted to recommend an exemption and changes to the city's rules for extra homes 53. The record for that vote does not mention any audit, investigation, lawsuit, criminal case, or state oversight action 53. The city council adopted a trimmed budget for 2026–27 after about $9.3 million in cuts 6269. The budget is meant to balance the general fund starting July 1 69. The city's ordinance says the City is in a Financial State of Emergency. It also projects a shortfall of about $9.4 million in the general fund for 2026–27 74.
Public-facing problems are visible too. Southgate has experienced a record number of water main failures in the past two years, disrupting service to residents, schools, and businesses 28, and the city has identified 19,288 linear feet of water mains that are most at risk of failure, mainly in densely populated neighborhoods 29. Due to financial constraints, the city can address only about 1,500 feet of at-risk mains every other year without significantly raising rates 30, and its five-year water main rehabilitation plan is estimated to cost $13,172,820 31. The proposed Measure SG would set the Utility Users Tax rate at 8%, not 7%, and would provide approximately $10,400,000 annually until voters end it 6467. Voters decide the measure directly on the November 3, 2026 ballot 63.
The August 11, 2026 closed meeting lists lawsuits that are still going on. Teresa Reyes Ramirez 54, Celia Brown 55, and Raul Lara and Maria Velasquez 56 are suing the City of South Gate. The papers we checked do not say what these lawsuits are about or how they will end. The city council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays 57. Agendas and staff reports must be ready at least 72 hours before a regular meeting 58. If a seat on the council that was won by a vote becomes empty, the council must either pick someone to fill it or hold a special election within 60 days of when the seat became empty 3. The council is not allowed to pick someone for a seat if that would make most council members people who were picked, not voted in 5.
Still unknown
Was the ethics accusation against City Clerk Yodit Glaze investigated, and what was its outcome? The evidence does not date it or report a result.
When did the HUD review of South Gate's block grant administration come out, and what did the city have to change afterward?
What are the August 2026 lawsuits by Ramirez, Brown, Lara and Velasquez about, and how will they be resolved? Criminal, civil-court, and federal or state oversight lanes are thin: the checked evidence shows no South Gate official charged or convicted, and no grand jury report.
Who were South Gate's first council members and mayors after 1923, and who won the seats in the 1934 election? The evidence does not name them.
Explore this colony and ask your own questionsConnected to other stories
United States also appears in Do crypto insiders really take money from other investors?, How did the Federal Reserve Act change who could create money?, Did Israel's ten lost tribes really disappear forever?, How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Where did Cajun and Creole people really come from?, What are the best ways to make money online in 2027?, Is the US government really poisoning us with processed food?, How long has AI been around for everyone to use?, Is it really only three licks to reach a Tootsie Pop center?, Could One Bitcoin Really Be Worth $200,000?, Have leaked Project 2025 plans really been happening?, Has Anyone Ever Used the Internet for Time Travel?, Why hasn't anyone flown to Mars yet?, Did the Poythress Family Really Come From Pocahontas?, How much would 10 sales a day at $500 make?, Can you really make money trading crypto?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?, Who Is the Richest Freemason, and Can We Prove It?, Is the US really just taking minerals from Congo?, Can Anyone Really Name the First Horror Movie Ever Made?.
Internal Revenue Service also appears in How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, What are the best ways to make money online in 2027?, Could One Bitcoin Really Be Worth $200,000?, Have leaked Project 2025 plans really been happening?, How much would 10 sales a day at $500 make?, Can you really make money trading crypto?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?.
Supreme Court of the United States also appears in Do crypto insiders really take money from other investors?, How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Is the US government really poisoning us with processed food?, Have leaked Project 2025 plans really been happening?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?.
World War II also appears in How long has AI been around for everyone to use?, Is the US really just taking minerals from Congo?, Can Anyone Really Name the First Horror Movie Ever Made?.
Federal Bureau of Investigation also appears in Do crypto insiders really take money from other investors?, How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Have leaked Project 2025 plans really been happening?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?.
England also appears in How did the Federal Reserve Act change who could create money?, How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Did the Knights Templar really invent banking?, Where did Cajun and Creole people really come from?, Has Anyone Ever Used the Internet for Time Travel?, Did the Poythress Family Really Come From Pocahontas?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?, Who Is the Richest Freemason, and Can We Prove It?, Can Anyone Really Name the First Horror Movie Ever Made?.
Spain also appears in How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Did the Knights Templar really invent banking?, Where did Cajun and Creole people really come from?, What are the best ways to make money online in 2027?, Is the US government really poisoning us with processed food?, Can you really make money trading crypto?, What was the first real crypto trade, and when did it happen?, Is the US really just taking minerals from Congo?.
Freedom of Information Act also appears in How early did people really reach Australia and Asia?, Have leaked Project 2025 plans really been happening?.
Sources
"First, the council should confirm that an appointment is permitted; a vacancy cannot be filled by appointment if it would result in a majority of the members serving on the council having been appointed ."Filling a Vacancy on the City Council - smwlaw.com · saved copy
"The first ordinance option removes the council’s ability to fill the vacancy by appointment and requires it to call a special election immediately. The second ordinance option still allows the council to fill the vacancy either by election or appointment, but the council must call a special election when a petition with a specified number of valid signatures is filed."Filling a Vacancy on the City Council - smwlaw.com · saved copy
"If a vacancy occurs in an elective office provided for in this chapter, the council shall, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election to fill the vacancy."California Government Code section 36512 (2025)
"If the council calls a special election, the special election shall be held on the next regularly established election date not less than 114 days from the call of the special election."California Government Code section 36512 (2025)
"an appointment shall not be made to fill a vacancy on a city council if the appointment would result in a majority of the members serving on the council having been appointed."California Government Code section 36512 (2025)
"the resigning city council member may cast a vote on the appointment if the resignation will go into effect upon the appointment of a successor. A city council member shall not cast a vote for a family member or any other person with whom the city council member has a relationship that may create a potential conflict of interest."California Government Code section 36512 (2025)
"If a vacancy occurs in an elective office provided for in this chapter, the council shall, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election to fill the vacancy."California Code, Government Code - GOV § 36512 - FindLaw · saved copy
"If the council calls a special election, the special election shall be held on the next regularly established election date not less than 114 days from the call of the special election."California Code, Government Code - GOV § 36512 - FindLaw · saved copy
"an appointment shall not be made to fill a vacancy on a city council if the appointment would result in a majority of the members serving on the council having been appointed."California Code, Government Code - GOV § 36512 - FindLaw · saved copy
"If, by the 88th day, during normal business hours as posted, before the day fixed for a regularly scheduled municipal election... (i) no one or only one person has been nominated for any office that is elected on a citywide basis... the city elections official shall submit a certificate of these facts to the governing body of the city and inform the governing body of the city that it may... adopt "California Elections Code section 10229 (2025) · saved copy
"Notwithstanding Section 10403 , if, by the 75th day before the municipal election, no person has been appointed to office pursuant to paragraph (1) or (2), the election shall be held."California Elections Code section 10229 (2025) · saved copy
"if the governing body of a city makes an appointment pursuant to subdivision (a), the elections official shall not accept for filing any statement of write-in candidacy that is submitted after the appointment is made."California Elections Code section 10229 (2025) · saved copy
"Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a city from enacting an ordinance pursuant to Section 36512 of the Government Code, requiring that a special election be held, or from enacting an ordinance pursuant to Section 36512 of the Government Code, providing that a person appointed to fill a vacancy on the city council shall hold office only until the date of the special election, or b"California Elections Code section 10229 (2025) · saved copy
"If a vacancy occurs in an elective office provided for in this chapter, the council shall, within 60 days from the commencement of the vacancy, either fill the vacancy by appointment or call a special election to fill the vacancy."PDF Excerpt from the GOVERNMENT CODE · saved copy
"If the vacancy occurs in the first half of a term of office and at least 130 days prior to the next general municipal election, the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall hold office until the next general municipal election that is scheduled 130 or more days after the date the council is notified of the vacancy, and thereafter until the person who is elected at that election to fill the vacan"PDF Excerpt from the GOVERNMENT CODE · saved copy
"an appointment shall not be made to fill a vacancy on a city council if the appointment would result in a majority of the members serving on the council having been appointed."PDF Excerpt from the GOVERNMENT CODE · saved copy
"1927 Firestone arrives Firestone Tire and Rubber opened a major plant at Alameda and Firestone."South Gate History: Timeline & Historic Downtown
"The community took its name from the South Gate Gardens development on the Cudahy Ranch."South Gate History: Timeline & Historic Downtown
"1938, a building permit was approved to build the city's first public building, its library."Chapter 7.68: PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE - City of South Gate, CA · saved copy
"It exemplifies the cultural, social and historical heritage of the community, as it was the first public building built by the City of South Gate."Chapter 7.68: PRESERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE - City of South Gate, CA · saved copy
"Incorporated on January 20, 1923, it is part of the Gateway Cities region."South Gate, California - reference.org
"The City Council consists of five persons elected at large by the residents of South Gate."South Gate, California - reference.org
"No Grace Period: There is no grace period for submitting this report."Georgia Ethics Commission Reporting Requirements · saved copy
"The local filing officer is responsible for keeping a copy and electronically uploading the PFDS to the State Ethics Commission website within 30 days of the due date."Georgia Ethics Commission Reporting Requirements · saved copy
"This affidavit exempts the need to file Campaign Contribution Disclosure Reports (CCDR)."Georgia Ethics Commission Reporting Requirements · saved copy
"The City did not administer CDBG funds in accordance with HUD requirements."The City of South Gate, CA, Did Not Administer Its Community Development Block Grant Program in Accordance With HUD Requirements
"19-885-000 | City of South Gate"State Controller's Office, Division of Audits Status Report - Fiscal Year 2025 · saved copy
"In the past two years, the City has experienced a record number of failures, disrupting service to residents, schools, and businesses and impacting daily life and economic activity."Appropriations Requests for - : - City of Southgate · saved copy
"the City has identified 19,288 linear feet of water mains most at risk of failure, primarily in densely populated neighborhoods."Appropriations Requests for - : - City of Southgate · saved copy
"only about 1,500 feet can be addressed every other year without significantly increasing rates."Appropriations Requests for - : - City of Southgate · saved copy
"A comprehensive five-year plan has been developed to rehabilitate these critical sections at an estimated cost of $13,172,820."Appropriations Requests for - : - City of Southgate · saved copy
"The ward is named after the suburb of Southgate, London ."Southgate (ward)
"The ward is named after the suburb of New Southgate"New Southgate (ward)
"New Southgate is an electoral ward in the London Borough of Enfield"New Southgate (ward)
"Southgate is an electoral ward in the London Borough of Enfield ."Southgate (ward)
"The ward was first used in the 2002 elections and elects three councillors to Enfield London Borough Council ."Southgate (ward)
"The ward was first used in the 2022 elections and elects two councillors to Enfield London Borough Council"New Southgate (ward)
"The vote taken was decisively against Mr. Southgate being allowed to remain."Image 1 of Virginian-pilot (Norfolk, Va.), June 15, 1900
"and lobbied for the interest of the Williams syndicate"Image 1 of Virginian-pilot (Norfolk, Va.), June 15, 1900
"Communist candidates, running on a united front workers’ ticket, polled 204, 175 and 137 votes for city councilmen."Image 3 of The daily worker (Chicago, Ill.;New York, N.Y.), April 28, 1934, (City Edition, Section One)
"received by any candidate was 1,891."Image 3 of The daily worker (Chicago, Ill.;New York, N.Y.), April 28, 1934, (City Edition, Section One)
"The City Clerk, Yodit Glaze, is being accused of e"A few days before the election, South Gate elected official faces accusations of ethics violation · saved copy
"In Vernon, City Managers, Bruce V. Malkenhorst and Bruce V. Malkenhorst Jr. operated within an insular leadership group that circumvented checks and"CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTHRIDGE Corruption in Public Administration:
"The retirement system whacked Malkenhorst’s pension to about $115,000, triggering a protracted legal battle."Ex-Vernon official could be on hook for $3.4 million
"Bell council seeks resignations of 3 city officials"Bell, California
"U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff , (D- Pasadena ), appealed to federal prosecutors to scrutinize the widespread political corruption in Los Angeles County."City of Bell scandal
"The Bell scandal involved the misappropriation of public funds in Bell, California , United States, over a period of several years in the late 2000s."Corruption in the United States
"Bell city scandal: L.A. County D.A. expands probe into Bell city government"Bell, California
"California AG sues over California town's municipal salaries"Bell, California
"Subsequent investigations found atypically high property tax rates, allegations of voter fraud in municipal elections and other irregularities"Corruption in the United States
"Bell mayor in corruption case"Bell, California
"Shirley Jahad (April 16, 2014). "Former Bell city leader Robert Rizzo sentenced to 12 years" . Southern California Public Radio ."Corruption in the United States
"The commission approved the Sept. 1 meeting minutes and voted to recommend the CEQA exemption and adoption of Resolution 2026-11 recommending amendments to Chapter 11.43 (ADUs) to City Council."Votes at a glance: Southgate Planning Commission, Sept. 15, 2026
"a. Teresa Reyes Ramirez v. City of South Gate"Agenda
"b. Celia Brown v. City of South Gate"Agenda
"c. Raul Lara / Maria Velasquez v. City of South Gate"Agenda
"The regular meetings of the City Council are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, closed session business will usually commence at 5:30 p.m., when scheduled, and general business session will commence at 6:30 p.m."Agenda
"Meeting agendas and staff reports are available at least 72-hours prior to the scheduled regular City Council meeting and a minimum of 24-hours prior to a Special City Council meeting."Agenda
"producidos en South Gate California"
"Todas las piezas así fabricadas se enviarían a las instalaciones de Weatherby en South Gate, donde se llevaría a cabo el pulido final, el pavonado y el montaje."
"This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing body of South Gate."South Gate, California, Measure SG, Utility User Tax ... - Ballotpedia
"The Southgate City Council adopted a pared FY2026–27 budget after roughly $9.3 million in reductions and directed more modeling on a proposed utility users tax for the Nov. 3 ballot."Southgate adopts tight FY2026-27 budget after $9.3M in cuts; council ...
"Measure SG is a proposed Utility Users Tax (UUT) measure that will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot."PDF South Gate Measure SG November 2026
"Shall an ordinance preventing cuts to City of South Gate services including maintaining streets and sidewalks; maintaining school crossing guards, parks/ recreation programs, police 911 and support services, and other General Fund uses by establishing an 8% utility user tax, exempting low income seniors, annually providing approximately $10,400,000 until ended by voters"South Gate, California, Measure SG, Utility User Tax ... - Ballotpedia
"Selecting a Utility Users Tax rate of 8% or 9%, in place of the 7% rate reflected in the documents presented on April 14, 2026;"PDF SOUTH GATE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. SOUTH GATE ...
"Staff presented 7%, 8% and 9% scenarios and a one‑year water‑bill discount to offset first‑year household impacts."Southgate adopts tight FY2026-27 budget after $9.3M in cuts; council ...
"The measure would set the Utility Users Tax rate at 8%."PDF South Gate Measure SG November 2026
"Staff recommends the City Council direct that the measure be set at 8% or 9%."PDF SOUTH GATE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. SOUTH GATE ...
"The council approved the spending plan and master fee schedule after staff outlined nearly $9.3 million in reductions over two years intended to balance the general fund starting July 1."Southgate adopts tight FY2026-27 budget after $9.3M in cuts; council ...
"Revenue may be used for any City purpose through the annual budget process in public meetings"PDF South Gate Measure SG November 2026
"Southgate adopted a pared FY2026–27 operating budget and capital improvement program Wednesday after a year‑long process that identified an ongoing structural gap."Southgate adopts tight FY2026-27 budget after $9.3M in cuts; council ...
"by the required two-thirds vote of the full Council under California Government Code section 53724(b);"PDF SOUTH GATE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. SOUTH GATE ...
"Services that were cut or reduced could be considered for restoration by the City Council"PDF South Gate Measure SG November 2026
"the City is in a Financial State of Emergency"PDF SOUTH GATE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. SOUTH GATE ...
"Read the City Attorney's impartial analysis and the arguments for and against the UUT Measure in your sample ballot."PDF South Gate Measure SG November 2026
"Albert T. Robles (“Robles”) appeals his convictions for honest services mail and wire fraud (18 U.S.C. §§ 1341, 1343, 1346), money laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1957), and bribery (18 U.S.C. § 666)."United States v. Garrido (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2013-04-15)
"In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the"ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
"Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter."ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
"We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States"ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
"Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute"ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT
Ask your own question