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LongBeachCC_04052022_22-0383 | Speaker 0: All right, we. Announce the vote. Okay. All right. Item 29, please.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilman Price. Councilman Austin Recommendation to request city manager to work with the Long Beach Police Department to present a report to City Council on Statistics and Impacts of Ghost Guns and the feasibility of developing additional ordinances to criminalize the possession, sale and or manufacture of ghost guns and ghost gun parts.
Speaker 0: Councilman Price.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. And I believe our police department is here tonight to help do a presentation on this topic. So just a little bit of background on this topic. I am a member of the Public Safety Committee and I did request that this item addressing ghost guns specifically be presented to the Public Safety Committee. So and I started that process in January. And in late February, the committee heard a report on ghost guns. And the results of that presentation by the police department was eye opening. And frankly, in my opinion, one of the biggest public safety concerns facing our state right now. It may be facing other states, but I don't know the stats on other states. I just know that in the state of California, the number one public safety threat right now is ghost guns. So our police department brought back the presentation and staff presented to us some. Facts about ghost guns. And we talked a little bit about legislation that's going to be coming forth to the state for consideration. The item tonight that's before you has nothing to do with the state legislation. It really is just a report back for us about the feasibility of developing additional ordinances locally to criminalize possession, sale or manufacture of ghost guns. And I imagine that with this directive, city staff would go back then and work our police department, work with our city prosecutor to come up with potential legislation that we could take up in this area. Specific to go scans, those scans. A lot of people don't know what they are. And I know there's going to be a presentation by the police chief. Is that correct? Is there going to be a presentation tonight or. No?
Speaker 3: We weren't planning on a presentation tonight, but we can answer a couple of questions if there are some from the council.
Speaker 4: Okay. Sounds good. No problem at all. I know there was a presentation done at the Public Safety Committee on it, so it goes on. A lot of people don't know what they are, but they have. Obviously, there's no background checks required for ghost guns. There's no serial number required or on ghost guns. There's no mechanism, legal mechanism to obtain ghost guns. They're purchased online primarily. And we have seen just in the city of Long Beach alone a huge increase from 2020 to 2021 on the number of ghost guns that were seized in the city of Long Beach in 2021. We seized 185 ghost guns in the city of Long Beach as opposed to 83 seized in 2020. We had in terms of citywide shootings, 453 in 2021 and 396 in 2020. So we can see that there's an increase in shootings, but certainly a huge increase, double of ghost guns that are being used in some of the offenses that we're seeing. Unfortunately, the reality of ghost guns is that anyone can buy a ghost gun with no background check, making it easier for prohibited possessors or anyone intending to commit a crime to possess or access a gun. We've seen a number of California cities take important steps to increase enforcement on ghost guns, and I'm hoping that the council will join me tonight in requesting this report come back so that we can make a determination as a council whether or not to adopt some sections into our local city ordinance that address ghost guns specifically. I think the urgency of this item is clear in light of the events of the last few days, in light of the increase in gun violence and in light of the seriousness of gun violence and the impact that it has on victims and their families. And so I ask my council colleagues to support this item. Again, this item doesn't deal at all with state legislation. It's just talking about ghost guns and our efforts to legislate them and add more sanctions to the ordinances that can be adopted by municipalities to address ghost guns specifically.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 6: Thank you. And I second this this motion proudly. You know, gun violence is a it's a problem in our city. We're reading and hearing about gun violence every day. And they are real victims. They're impacted by by gun violence. And to the extent that we can minimize, eliminate access to these illegal guns or the manufacturing of these illegal guns, I think we'd be doing something tremendous. I I'm looking forward to this this report coming back, because I know we're going to be taxing our our police department to to be very innovative and and to solve something that no one has been able to solve up to this point with with an ordinance. But if we sit by and do nothing and we're not doing our justice to to the victims and we're not doing anything to improve public safety in our city. And so I give this this motion, my full support, and I say my colleagues do as well. Thanks.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you. Is public comment on this?
Speaker 1: Yes, there are three people, Kathy. Family. Thank you. Brian Martinez and son, I can say thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, everybody.
Speaker 2: For being here. Let me start off with I am part of an organization.
Speaker 4: Parents of Murdered.
Speaker 2: Children.
Speaker 5: It's been around for 43 years. And I'm the leader of the Los Angeles chapter.
Speaker 2: Which covers all of L.A. County. I am not speaking.
Speaker 5: On behalf of the organization today. I am speaking on behalf of myself.
Speaker 2: Who've lost.
Speaker 1: My nephew.
Speaker 2: And a cousin to gun violence, and two other cousins were murdered in the harbor area.
Speaker 5: I say the organization that I am part of to validate that I.
Speaker 2: Am an advocate for survivors of.
Speaker 5: Homicide. And we need to take this very seriously.
Speaker 2: I'm going to throw a number out there. And I don't know if many of you know there are currently 5600 unsolved murders in the county of L.A.. Throw the factor of unaccountable, untraceable ghost guns and that number is going to increase. So I'm here to beg you to please do all that.
Speaker 5: You can do.
Speaker 2: So that I don't have to sit.
Speaker 5: Across the table.
Speaker 2: From another mother or a father or a brother or a child and listen to them year after year after year cry because.
Speaker 5: Somebody made a decision to take their life. My organization does not speak on gun control, but we're talking about illegal guns.
Speaker 2: So, yes, my organization.
Speaker 5: Is behind.
Speaker 2: This. This ordinance, we would say, yes, we got.
Speaker 5: To get these illegal guns.
Speaker 2: Off the street so that when a murder does occur.
Speaker 5: We can trace it back to whoever did.
Speaker 2: It and hold them accountable.
Speaker 4: For the murder.
Speaker 2: So I beg you to please keep that number in mind. I believe I'm.
Speaker 5: Preaching to the choir. I think you probably.
Speaker 2: All feel.
Speaker 5: The way you feel.
Speaker 2: I sat here and I listened about the.
Speaker 5: Martin Luther.
Speaker 4: King Park.
Speaker 2: Those kids.
Speaker 5: Need parks.
Speaker 2: So they're not on the computers. Later, trying to learn how to make ghost guns. Okay. That's the reality.
Speaker 4: Of where we're at.
Speaker 2: These kids have too.
Speaker 4: Much time on their.
Speaker 1: Hands.
Speaker 5: They don't have anybody watching over them. And they need.
Speaker 2: Good places to go so they don't.
Speaker 5: End up on this end of the spectrum. So I beg of you, please. I represent thousands of I sit on the National Board of Trustees for the organization. We represent thousands of homicide survivors across the country.
Speaker 4: But right here in L.A., there's quite a few.
Speaker 2: And I.
Speaker 5: Beg you to please do anything.
Speaker 4: And everything you possibly.
Speaker 1: Can.
Speaker 2: To get these guns off the street. Thank you very.
Speaker 5: Much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Chairman and Council. My name is Brian. I'm the language deputy for assembly member Mike Gibson of the 64th District. Mr. Gibson was pretty elated when he saw this would be in the agenda today and he wrote a letter and I will not worry it to the Council on this subject. Letter of Support for Council Item 22 383 Report on Ghost Guns and Feasibility of Ordinance Strengthening Enforcement. Good evening, Council. I applaud and fully support the City of Long Beach in its process to create a local law that would criminalize the production and possession of ghost gun parts. Despite reforms to regulate them, Ghost continue to be a pervasive issue for local governments across the U.S. So much so that President Biden and the Department of Justice have proposed the rule change to federally redefine the term firearm to encompass its parts and kits such that they are regulated and require a background background check and serialization. Two days ago, we had a mass shooting just blocks away from the California state capitol. President Biden has once again called on for more reforms, this time for all of California to formalize a statewide band on ghost guns. Let me be clear this isn't a new issue. After numerous attempts, I was able to propel AB 879 into law. This California law required a state background check for individuals seeking to purchase firearms and receivers. It requires the Department of Justice to electronically approve the purchase or transfer of firearm parts through a licensed vendor. It also requires the sale of firearm frames and receivers to be conducted by a licensed firearm precursor parts vendor. Unfortunately, as the problem has worsened, it's clear that a more aggressive framework is necessary to prevent the continued proliferation of these weapons into our communities. Therefore, I stepped up to the plate and introduced just this year, AB 1621, which will completely ban ghost guns in every community statewide. Support from our city of Long Beach is critical in making this band a reality for every community in our state and joining alongside of other communities like San Diego, San Francisco and Oakland, which have levied citywide bands that make it illegal for any resident to possess or buy these weapons. We need all hands on deck to eradicate gun violence with our communities, wildfire in the 64th District and those alike. And as the assembly member always says, it takes a village. Thank you very much and I appreciate the opportunity to speak.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Listen, I can play in the audience. He's the last speaker that concludes public comment on this item.
Speaker 0: All right. Back behind the real Councilman Price.
Speaker 4: Thank you, vice mayor. And I know I apologize. I thought the presentation that we had at public safety would be shown tonight. And that was my fault for my lack of clarity. But I'm not sure if the camera can pick up on this. But a ghost gun is just it's it can be made through a 3-D printer. It can be made using plastic. And now there are 3-D printers that can actually make make it using metal. But it's just different gun pieces that are molded and printed. And the most common model that we see right now is our Glocks that are made. And the interesting stat that I found in Long Beach last year was that of the ghost guns that were found to have been used in crimes. Two were in homicides, 21 in assaults, ten in batteries are threats criminal threats PC for 22, as we call them for and robbery carjackings, two in sexual assault, four in domestic violence, four in non-injury shootings. And this was the most interesting stat that I found, 116 were sold, possessed or illegally carried. That just means there's people, more and more people walking around armed with ghost guns, which to me was the scariest stat found property. There were five suicides. There were four. That's a particularly hard reality for me to understand because you can purchase these online with no background checks. And I don't know how many of you know of children who were youth who committed suicide just in the last few years as a result of COVID and used a gun to effectuate that intent. And I do know a youth that that happened to a very good friend of ours. And so the fact that they're easy, so easy to access is really concerning to me. I try really hard not to exaggerate things, but I will tell you, this is the number one ghost guns are the number one public safety threat facing our state because they're so easy to acquire. And all of the measures that we've put into place to make sure that the wrong people don't have access to guns are completely eliminated through ghost guns because anyone can purchase a ghost gun. And so I think we need to do everything we can as a city to try to regulate and sanction the possession of ghost guns and ghost gun parts. And I look forward to our police department coming back with a report that hopefully covers the same topics we covered at public safety and beyond. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you as well. We already had council comment. Okay. Let's go ahead. Talk to our vote, please.
Speaker 1: Councilmember under. Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Long Beach Police Department to present a report to City Council on statistics and impacts of ghost guns; and, the feasibility of developing additional ordinances to criminalize the possession, sale, and/or manufacture of ghost guns and ghost gun parts. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_04052022_22-0381 | Speaker 0: All right. Item number 35, please.
Speaker 1: Report from Public Works recommendation to adopt plans and specifications and award a contract to all American asphalt for the market street pedestrian and streetscape project and a total contract amount not to exceed 8,318,600. And accept categorical exemption. S.E. 21-01-100 District.
Speaker 5: Eight.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Who's been moved and seconded and you want to say anything else when asked if.
Speaker 6: Sure. I'm happy to see this this motion and item come forward. It's been about eight and a half years in the making and something that many residents in North Long Beach, in my district, the great eighth District, have been looking forward to for many, many years. And so I would not do it just if I did not allow Mr. Lopez in Public Works segment, Mr. City Manager to give a brief report on this matter.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Councilmember Austin. We are extremely excited to be here today. This has been a huge priority. There are four major corridors that we've been really investing in strategically. It's been a market. It's been Artesia, it's been Anaheim and Studebaker. And this is the one that we're just so excited to be delivering today. So I'll turn it quickly to Eric Lopez. Thank you, Tom. Vice Mayor, members of the City Council. The limit of our Market Street project goes from city edge to edge, so it's one of our bigger corridor projects that we had in the wild in a while. 2.2 miles. Overall, we're looking at existing conditions that are deteriorated, are in need of major improvement, major investments from sidewalks to the roadway itself to path of travel, improved lighting. There's really a whole lot of different areas that we're going to be investing in. The all of these all of these improvements are made possible by a variety of funding sources that I will get to. But I want to show what some of these are going to look like. So here's an example of both buyouts at select locations. We're going to make the crossings at certain intersections safer, and we're also going to be able to build different classes of bike lanes to reinforce, depending on on where we're at, we're in Market Street. We're also going to be investing in high visibility crosswalks and rectangular, rectangular, rapid flashing beacons throughout the corridor. And a lot of path of travel improvements, a lot of sidewalk work, new curb ramps are relocating some of the fire hydrants. And we're we are going to be able to expand the length of sidewalks at various locations. Streetlight improvements, not just for the street, but also on the sidewalk and the pedestrian corridors. That's a that's an important part of the project as well. I'm not going to focus too much on on on the design, but we wanted to show at various locations the existing condition and with the improvement that we're going to implement. So it is going to differ from the L.A. River to Long Beach Boulevard. We have one solution from Long Beach well over to Orange Avenue. We have a different solution. And and there are slight variations as we go through the corridor. Major corridor projects are usually require various funding sources to really bring them together. And so we have a series of different sources that we've been able to accumulate in order to fully fund the project and allow us to proceed. The recommendation today is to award a contract to all American asphalt, and our target schedule is to break ground in May and our estimated completion target is around the fall of 2023. That concludes our presentation.
Speaker 0: So Councilmember, I'd.
Speaker 6: Like to just thank you for the presentation, but I would be remiss if I didn't thank the many residents who who advocated to to make changes started with the request for a street light. And it grew and the need grew and the working with staff, public works. And we worked with many folks over the years, many of them who are not with us today. But a lot of hard work and effort went into this with public outreach. And I think we've had, you know, at least a half a dozen or more public outreach sessions with residents. And this project will impact a number of neighborhoods in North Long Beach, the the heart neighborhood, the Jackson Park neighborhood, the Adams neighborhood, the in the Virginia Village neighborhoods and Sutter, all of these neighborhoods will be impacted. And I think it greatly the character greatly improved as a result of this project. So I'm excited to break ground and see the finished product and I would ask my colleagues to support this matter.
Speaker 0: Thank you. All right. I'm going to have my kudos here in the this is an exciting project. Congratulations, Councilman Austin. I know you and the community have worked really hard on this. And I'll tell you, between this project and Partizan project both happening this year, it's going to make a huge, huge difference. And so this is certainly an incredible upgrade, doesn't it tie in to the is there a connection to the river?
Speaker 6: There could be a connection to the river. I think it ends at the L.A. River. Absolutely.
Speaker 0: Absolutely.
Speaker 6: No, don't don't forget to mention that we did pretty good work on South Street as well.
Speaker 0: South Street was a little more, more to do, but absolutely lots of corridor. And you got to work cut out for us.
Speaker 6: And.
Speaker 0: Along looking right and the level that's right so so he says an on and I lot to do so thank you so much every public comment here.
Speaker 1: No public comment on the.
Speaker 0: Site. All right let's. Members please cast your vote. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7177 and award a contract to All American Asphalt, of Corona, CA, for the Market Street Pedestrian and Streetscape Project, in an amount of $7,394,311, authorize a 12.5 percent contingency in the amount of $924,289, for a total contract amount not to exceed $8,318,600; and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $6,071,837, offset by $2,838,000 of State Local Partnership Program Funds (LPP) and $3,233,837 of Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funds;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $6,071,837, offset by transfer of $2,838,000 State Local Partnership Program Funds and $3,233,837 of Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds from the Capital Projects Grant Fund; and
Accept Categorical Exemption CE 21-1 | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_04052022_22-0382 | Speaker 1: Motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 0: All right. 36, please.
Speaker 1: Report from Public Works recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to execute a contract with petrochem manufacturing for a total annual contract amount not to exceed 1,200,000 citywide.
Speaker 0: All right, the second. Public comment.
Speaker 1: Dave Shukla.
Speaker 0: Dave Shukla.
Speaker 2: Good evening. I'm not too stunned, but the process by which this slurry is made.
Speaker 0: Is not too dissimilar.
Speaker 2: From what's made with the ash from the surf. And I'd just like to.
Speaker 0: Know.
Speaker 2: If this, uh. Our features of the built environment that we would like to have around the children and other growing things. Uh, you know, 2040, 2050 thereafter. Thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, members. Please cast your vote.
Speaker 1: Motion is security at zero. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary amendments, with Petrochem Manufacturing, Inc., of Carlsbad, CA, for furnishing and delivering as-needed premix rubberized emulsion aggregate slurry (REAS) and related equipment, on the same terms and conditions afforded to the City of Los Angeles, in an annual amount of $1,000,000, with a 20 percent contingency in the amount of $200,000, for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $1,200,000, until the City of Los Angeles contract expires on December 31, 2022, with the option to renew for as long as the City of Los Angeles contract is in effect, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03222022_22-0328 | Speaker 1: Kerry.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Number 28. Number 19, please.
Speaker 2: I'm 19. Communication from Councilwoman Price, Councilwoman Mango and Councilman Austin. Recommendation to require city manager to work with Development Services Department, as well as a legislative delegation to report back on the status of tenant rental assistance payments.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilmember Price.
Speaker 1: So I'm wondering if city staff is here and can give us an update on the tenant repayment program and where the bottleneck seems to be, and if there's anything we as a council can do to move that along, because there's a lot of people who are still waiting on money.
Speaker 0: Yes. Thank you, mayor and council members. We've been actually moving forward and making progress with our rental program at this point in time. We as you know, we had $64 million. Most of those funds have been either distributed or committed. We have about 14% of those funds remain that have not been committed. And we are working with the more challenging cases at this time, what we call the red flag cases, to be able to assist with the the tenants and the landlords. Right now, we've assisted approximately 4000 households, including over 38 households with utility arrears. So that's the current status and we'll be happy to answer any questions, additional questions that you may have.
Speaker 1: Sure. Are we on track to be able to allocate all the funds before the end of the month? And what is the consequence? If we don't meet that timeline?
Speaker 0: The requirement is to be able to disperse at least 50% of the funding by the end of the month. And we are on target to to exceed that at this point.
Speaker 1: And what does that mean? If we if we meet that requirement, then we don't lose the funds?
Speaker 0: That is correct. We were able to continue with program disbursement and keep. Please note that the state we've been asking the state to allow us to sunset the program and not receive additional applications. As and as of this date, we have not been directed to to to close the program, because we still have quite a few requests for assistance that far exceed our remaining funds.
Speaker 1: Okay. So explain tell me a little bit more about that because I don't think I understand that. So for this phase, we have already received more applications than we have money, but we're still continuing to get applications.
Speaker 0: That is correct. Our program.
Speaker 1: Okay.
Speaker 0: Go ahead.
Speaker 1: Now, so the sunset request would be for this phase.
Speaker 0: That that both the ERA1 funds have been fully expended. We're talking about the second phase or ERA two funds, and we are oversubscribed with the request for assistance beyond what our funding would allow us to to provide.
Speaker 1: So we're still taking the applications in, but are we letting people know that it's unlikely they're going to get funds so that they're not waiting on it?
Speaker 0: We put messaging both in our response emails as well as on our website, letting folks know.
Speaker 1: Letting them know what?
Speaker 0: That we currently don't have the funding opportunities to to be able to fund our programs and we encourage them to, especially for those tenants and landlords that don't have completed applications to complete them and submit this to us so we can process their requests and essentially a first come, first serve.
Speaker 1: Okay. So, so have we notified the people that are likely to get funds, that they're likely to get funds and they're just waiting for processing?
Speaker 0: Yes. It's it's also communicated to them that some of those requests are in process. So like I said, a lot of these requests are our red flags, meaning that we have to get more detailed information from the tenants and landlords to be able to address their particular situations. In some cases, for example, the request does not meet the lease contract amount, so we have to sort those out. In some cases we have multiple tenants and we're only receiving information from one tenant. So we have to sort those out. And again, we're assisting as many people as we can to get those issues resolved.
Speaker 1: So when we have the red flag situations where there's either missing information or a question about eligibility, do we say and but it's first come, first serve, do we save the money that they're requesting in a pot until those questions are resolved and then fund them? Or do we just move on to the next step?
Speaker 0: We we move on to the next applicant in hopes that we can help them. There's a priority requirement by the state that requires us to to do take certain actions for those lower income and those with higher incomes. So we try to process those that have lower income needs or where we have future arrears. As Council had asked us to do, we were also working with landlords that have multiple tenants that are in need of rental assistance to be able to effectuate payment in a timely or faster manner. And we're doing a few other things just to make sure that we can get to those cases. But we do notify them and we also have information on our web or when the when they receive information that they can check their progress.
Speaker 1: Okay. So you're in the best position to know this. We're not. But do you have sufficient staffing to get done what needs to be done by the end of the month? Because there's so many people who who think it's a staffing issue on our end.
Speaker 0: Yes. We've been we've been as you may be aware, we reached out. We are contracted our services to Yardi Consultants. They're helping us with processing applications. They've recently in the council approved a contract amendment to increase their staffing levels, number one. Number two, we've recently let them know that we need to make more payments before the end of the of the month. And they have switched staff and added more staff without charging us in order to be able to process these requests in a timely manner.
Speaker 1: Okay. So I just want to I know this is a request for report back, but I just want to make sure that I'm clear that we are on track to not have to give any money back from this phase of the program, because we've met the threshold requirement to be able to keep those funds in the city to help the tenants and the housing providers in the city. That is correct. To the best of our ability.
Speaker 0: That is correct.
Speaker 1: Okay. And then are we expecting any additional phases?
Speaker 0: There are several legislative bills, one that was approved and ones that is pending where we will be able to request and that'll be coming to you in the future. Meeting additional funding to fund our program. We're asking for more funding. Council will need to approve that request and that program will allow us to get loans from the state. And if the Treasury for some reason does not cover those loan amounts, they will be forgiven. So we're we're bringing that that request back to you and next month, early next month.
Speaker 1: Okay. And so on. The applications that we're receiving right now. But we're letting them know we've received your application, but it doesn't look like we're going to have the funds to be able to fulfill this application or reimburse this application. Can we save those for the next phase if we should get that funding? Or is it a whole new application?
Speaker 0: No, no. We are going to use the same process, the same documentation, and we will be working with those individuals to make sure that their applications get completed and with the hopes of getting that additional funds to be able to assist them.
Speaker 1: Okay. Okay. So I'm grateful that the report back is coming. And I would love to see the specific language embedded in the report that we give to people who are applying. We don't think we have money for them yet, but we expect that we might have money in the future. I would love to see what that language looks like, if possible. If you could just embedded into the TFF on that, that would be really great.
Speaker 0: Will do.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 5: Councilwoman Austin.
Speaker 4: Thank you so much. And I appreciate the the item and the clarification. Thank you. Councilmember Price and staff for clarification on this matter. Looking at the item, are we still looking at the feasibility of expanding eligibility based on the staff report that we've just heard? I mean, that could be, I guess, in the TFF. I just I know this question is on the spot, but do we have an estimate in terms of how many households have been, I guess, service through this this.
Speaker 0: Yes. 64,000 households have been assisted by this program. 4000.
Speaker 4: 4000. Right. Thank you so much.
Speaker 5: Council members who were not.
Speaker 8: Thank you. And I'd also like to thank Councilman Price for bringing this very important item forward. I have a question. It's completely anecdotal. It's happened today. So we had a 4 to 6 resident who applied in October. So almost six months supposedly in the queue. But we learned today that the landlord had not filled out his part of the application. I'm sure. Maybe. Well, I shouldn't say I'm sure. Possibly there's a way to check that online for the applicant. But if not, how do we get the word out that, you know, don't waste time in the queue if your landlord signed on board?
Speaker 0: Thank you. And Councilmember, that can get a little bit more complicated. We have case managers, both internal staff, as well as our consultant that they can reach out to. If you can provide the information to us, we can certainly find out the status. And there are some landlords that do not want to participate in the program, in which case there is a different option that we can afford to the tenants to pay them directly, but they have to then show us proof that they've actually paid their landlord. And that's been very challenging to to do that process. So it's not necessarily one that we favor, but it does help them. But again, it's there's been some challenges with that effort.
Speaker 8: Okay. Thank you for that response. But I'm just thinking, if there's a way we can get the word out or somehow that you have to have your landlord on board, I mean, maybe it seems obvious in the application, but here's one person who didn't know that. So that looks like a pretty logical improvement. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 1: Councilman Superhot spurred the opposite question for me, which is can the housing provider or the landlord? I know currently it's the tenant that has to apply. Right. Is there any scenario where the tenant with a housing provider or landlord can apply? And is that something that might be an alternative for the next round of funding?
Speaker 0: Councilmember Right now, and I think that council had previously asked us to look into potential tenant landlord and potential landlord requests based upon previous conversations with the state. They would not allow us to do that. The program is established for the tenant and the tenant alone, and with that the landlord has to participate. So that's certainly something that we could explore in the.
Speaker 1: Yeah, that'd be great. And I appreciate, I know we've talked about this issue, but this is not one of those situations that's like a point in time and it stays static. There's been a lot of changes. And and the fact that we get so many questions shows that there's a lot of movement, especially in things that we've asked you to look into that maybe haven't come to fruition. So I really appreciate the update. It helps provide information and I think the report back will be instrumental for us in terms of communicating what the city is doing. And I look forward to that. I just I know the staff is working on this, but I think to the extent that we can help be a part of the solution in terms of eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic processes not placed by us. Right. But kind of, you know, dictated to us that we have to comply with. So to the extent that we can streamline, because there are people who have, you know, the money that's owed to them, that's like in the six figures. And for people that have a mortgage to pay on properties that they're renting out, that's our incredible burden. And so what we don't want is a lot of small housing providers to have to default and get taken over by larger conglomerates that maybe don't have as big of a footprint or personal interest in the city. So thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I'll just add a couple of thoughts. Thank you for bringing this up. And Oscar, I'm just. So the last report, January 28th, it was a lot of good information here. The response to keep might be Charles presentation. A few things to note in this report. It says all funds are expected to be dispersed by April 20, 22, so that's still on track.
Speaker 0: It was, again, we've experienced the red flag cases that are taking a little bit more time to spend. So that actually has slowed us down more than we anticipated.
Speaker 5: Okay. Well, you think you'll meet? You think you'll meet your goal?
Speaker 0: Yes. We like I said, we're devoting additional resources to be able to disperse the funds.
Speaker 5: Certainly. I also know we requested an online dashboard. Where are we? The report says it was recommended. I checked online when it was originally last, but I check. Right now. I don't see it.
Speaker 0: I it should be on there. I'll. I'll take a look for you, and I'll send that your way.
Speaker 5: I saw it when it originally came up and I was happy with a lot of the questions we got tonight were the types of answers we saw exactly where we were in terms of disbursement. Let's make sure that that dashboard is circulated widely so people can get that information. I know one of the recommendations was also some of the things brought up tonight around can the landlord or can the tenant initiate? And you explore that. And we talked about there are some, you know, some restrictions in the state with the state funding less or less so than the federal funding. And so I think, you know, continuing, if we get additional tranche to get feedback like we discussed before, that flexibility is important. I also think the five CEOs I want to thank, the five community based organizations, part of IDA Housing, Long Beach Point, Latino Association, UCC and YMCA of Greater Long Beach. They helped with some of those out, you know, hard to reach buildings and tenants. And so all of those we've learned as we move along with this program and I know it's going to be you have some very, very difficult ones. And I know I know that, you know, some folks may think that it's the fault of the city, but I actually have seen you do some incredible work. And my hope is that we get additional funds to help more people. But I think this was a great discussion to continue to have and I look forward to the report back. Members, please cast your vote. That was any public comment. I think we were withdrew public comment, right?
Speaker 2: There's no public comment.
Speaker 5: Okay, members, please cast your vote.
Speaker 2: Casual events are. The motion is.
Speaker 1: Carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with Development Services Department as well as our legislative delegations in Washington and Sacramento to report back to the City Council on the status of tenant rental assistance payments, and the feasibility of opportunities to expedite payments, and advocate to expand those eligible to receive rental assistance. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03222022_22-0329 | Speaker 5: Thank you. Next is item 20.
Speaker 2: Item 20 Communication from Councilman Alston. Councilmember Oranga recommendation to require City Manager to work with the Energy Resources Department to schedule a study session to review the operation of the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility.
Speaker 5: Councilman Austin.
Speaker 4: Thank you so much. And I want to, first of all, thank our Councilmember Jurado for signing on this very important item for the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility, also known to serve as one of two facilities, actually still of its kind, still operating in the state, was first opened in 1988 and Phillips facility services long beaches refuse burning approximately 275,000 tons of solid waste each year, converting this waste into energy. This is specifically timely because there is a bill HB 1857 that will remove diversion credits from the city that we receive from landfill avoidance. And this critic accounts for about 10% of our diversion goals currently. And as 2024 approaches, our council and residents, I believe, should be really informed on service operations and its impacts to help determine the Phillips facility's future. For this reason, I'm requesting a study session to better understand the operational, environmental and financial impacts of surf, its effectiveness compared to other alternative methods of waste management and its viability for continued use. And again, I'd like to thank Councilmember Urunga for helping me bring this forward, but also look forward to a robust conversation with the community and and a great staff report. Hopefully when this comes back. And so I ask for your support.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Miranda.
Speaker 3: But thank you, Councilmember, asking for including me in this very important item. It's new to me in terms of my district. I just the through redistricting as it is now in my district. And I think it's important that we revisit serve to get a better handle for especially my residents in terms of what it actually does and how it operates in the city of Long Beach and how we can make some improvements if needed to or whatever. The report comes back with only. I'm totally encouraged by the fact that we're going to be looking into this. There's a lot of issues. Timing has changed. I mean, this facility is what, over 20 years old or so, whether it's I mean, 88 year old came to my son's age, got to look at, you know, it's time that we need to revisit. There's a lot of trash out there, of course, a lot of other types of trash that are that is accumulating. And now we're looking at trying to look at how we can do green waste and serve, might have a play in that disposal as well. So I'm looking forward to that report. And as a consumer also said, a robust discussion about this. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Allen.
Speaker 7: Yes, I thank you, Vice Mayor. This is an interesting item and a complicated issue. And as chair of the Climate Action Environment Committee, our committee back in August of 2021 requested a presentation on Sur Suture, and we were expecting a discussion on options this year. Also, given that this facility is now part of Councilmember Year Ranges District, I think it would be beneficial to hold a study session for him as well, as well as all of us on council and understanding. Service, environment. Impact. Cost and effectiveness. Compared to the other forms of waste management. Management is also going to be important for us to consider. I'm happy to look into this at a committee level as we have already been working on this or discussed this at the council level. If my colleagues, my colleagues. So decide. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Counsel Mungo.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I always am a big supporter of Cerf, and I think that the more people that know about it and know what it does to save us emissions, the better. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 4: Thank you. And I just want to just to reemphasize that we brought this item forward because I thought it was very important to obviously study these at committee levels. And we have committees that that do this work and we encourage you to continue to do that. But it's a timeliness issue with legislation pending. We've also had legislation that has really put us in a situation where we we've had to rethink, sir, from, you know, what are we doing with our organic waste? We won't be able to use that facility for organic waste moving forward. And so I think it's important that we have this public study session. We've heard from some some members of the public who who really, really want to get this on the agenda to understand this. And I think if we have a comfortable place where everybody is understanding where this is, what understanding this facility and is on the same page in terms of getting the information, we will be in a better position to take some positions. There could be positions taken then state legislation committee. There could be positions taken. And Councilmember Allen, your committee on climate, this affects so many aspects of our our work. And I know there is a movement we've already taken positions as a council to to move toward zero waste. All of that is relevant to this conversation related to serve. So again, I hope to have your support on this item.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I'll just add my comments here. I think, you know, we've talked about surf a lot over the years and it's certainly time for a fresh conversation. I think committees can also go deep, you know, have a little bit more time to, you know, evaluate and make recommendations to the council as well. And I also think, you know, technology has probably changed since the time all of us joined the council. I'm really interested in anaerobic digestion. I'm interested in, you know, what maintains jobs. And I also also know that we need to keep an eye on what other cities are doing around the world, around waste. So I think I think it's time for a study session. And I think going that doesn't stop I think the committee from sort of owning recommendations around it, you know, taking a deeper dove. So I think this is a both and so is any public comment. I see one. Dave Shukla.
Speaker 6: Good evening. Two years ago, by telephonic correspondence, I. Thank you. Two years ago, by telephonic correspondence, I asked for the job to run, sir, because it's hard for me to imagine more perverse incentives for a city that sells oil to pay for things, to also have a scheme to make money or electricity from burning fed things. Ultimately, I mean, it's a kind of perverse closed loop of endless profit accumulation as long as we can pull the stuff up as fast as possible. And that is something that not only the global atmosphere, but the local soil and the local population is is is bearing in terms of pollution impacts. And then there's the whole question of, you know, what happens to the ashes ultimately? As a Hindu, I care about that. It's important to note, as someone who helped S.B. 100 get passed, that green waste or waste slurry, the kind of value stream that folks are looking to get out of anaerobic digestion. That's that's not a clean energy source. And it's something that like in the case of Phenix, you're going to create another perverse incentive for municipal dependency. But the broader kind of question, just from a physical perspective, is how many times is the port going to build this city out? I mean, it bailed it out of the recession of the nineties when the Navy left. But if you take the one site where you want to pipe in the electricity and just kind of wrap it up around this one facility, you may buy yourself out of things that are happening literally next week, going to be in the Bay Area talking to folks about offshore wind. And to be perfectly honest, I mean, if the city doesn't want those opportunities, you don't want clean energy, you want to keep trying to make money off of selling oil. It may be time to admit defeat in my hometown and help all the other coastal cities in California eat your fucking lunch. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Members, please cast your vote.
Speaker 2: Councilwoman Mango can. The motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Energy Resources Department to schedule a study session for the City Council to review the operation of the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF). The scope of the study session should include reviews of SERRF’s incineration process, operational costs, energy production, recycling capabilities, greenhouse gas emissions, and possible alternatives. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03222022_22-0331 | Speaker 2: Emotions carry.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Number 22, please.
Speaker 2: Item 22 A report from Health and Human Services. Recommendation to amend contract with Shri Ganesh for providing temporary lodging and emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Contract amount not to exceed 2.7 million CDI.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Just a brief, brief rundown on this, Mr. Modica.
Speaker 8: So these are part of our housing voucher system. So when we have ability to place people in our emergency shelters and we also have the ability to place them into motels, said this is what you're authorizing.
Speaker 5: And tastic. Thank you. I see one public comments and I can fill you up.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Vice Mayor, City Council. My name and I can say I'm the sixth district resident using some of the terminology of Mr. Soup Supernormal. I'm mystified that the city is interested in renewing this contract with three ganache, specifically because this motel is a known nuisance motel. It's Colonial. It's on PCH. For those that don't know, I spoke originally in 2020 when this item first came up, the contract first came up. It was for $350,000 on premise. That's great. The idea of housing our unhoused, our homeless population. But this space is a known sex trafficking and criminal entity with respect to who inhibits it, people in the community complained dozens of times. I'm actually surprised, compliance wise with the amount of police calls that are referencing this specific property, how this even was able to get pushed for a renewal. You know, I just think that all respect to the motels, the vice mayor a couple of years ago pushed for the Nuisance Motel designation with respect to, you know, getting rid of these types of entities. And this is a nuisance motel. So if the city is going to, you know, push forward with my my understanding of the RFP program, this was a minority owned business. So I think that's probably why I was able to skate around some of the compliance issues, but $2 million to essentially put people who are trying to recover from living on the streets into a space where the streets are central. And it doesn't really seem like it's cost effective with respect to the state. And I just I'm just concerned with people in the community. I'm a part of a neighborhood association called Central Neighborhood Association Committee, and we've written letters in the past about this space. And so it's just concerning that Colonial will be able to get more city funding to, you know, push criminal elements into our community in central Long Beach. So thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Members, please cast your vote.
Speaker 2: Councilwoman Sandy has. In Mango. The motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35502 with Shree Ganesh, Inc., of Long Beach, CA, for providing temporary lodging and emergency shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, to increase the contract by $1,028,785, for a revised aggregate contract amount not to exceed $2,778,785. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03222022_22-0338 | Speaker 2: The motion is.
Speaker 1: Carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Item 26, please.
Speaker 2: Item 26 is a communication from Councilman Austin, Councilwoman Zahra Council Member Turanga. Recommendation to investigate the feasibility of utilizing Long Beach Recovery Act funds to support upcoming significant cultural events in the city.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Austin.
Speaker 4: Thank you. And I'm happy to bring this item forward after conversations with many, many groups in the city. Many, many who have did not and were not able to to have cultural celebrations as a result of COVID over the last two years. I think it's only right that we look at opportunities to to to help support some of these cultural events that really define our city. City is home to our city is home to a majority of the I'm sorry, a variety of ethnicities and nationalities, cultures that make Long Beach really one of the most diverse large cities in the nation. And the results? We're hosting many significant cultural events annually, like the Cambodian New Year celebration, Juneteenth. As of last year, the Long Beach Filipino Festival, DIA de los Muertos. And I'm sure there are others that that we can think of here. These important festivities, honor historic traditions, educate our residents, and are prime opportunities for local minority vendors to expand their outreach. The celebrations have continued during the pandemic hybrid and virtually. But now we are coming back together. And I think it's very, very important that we we have some stake in the game as a city. As the local restrictions lift. More events will be held in person. So within the last year's Recovery Act, the goals specific to economic inclusion and expanding opportunities for our city's historically disenfranchized communities. We actually put forth several million dollars in economic recovery inclusion efforts, and I believe the acceptable uses of these funds include creating economic opportunities for underrepresented businesses, conducting community outreach and uplifting diverse small communities, and really promoting business and opportunities for people to gather along our in our business course and support business and come together. And so for those reasons, I'm bringing this forward with us as the city manager and city team. You know, look at our Recovery Act dollars, look at our existing strategy. We prioritize and develop a fund and come back hopefully within the next 30 days. Is that reasonable time?
Speaker 8: I think we could set that as a goal. And if we need a little more time, we'll let you know. But we always shoot for 30 days.
Speaker 4: Where we are in the second day of spring. And so summer is will be upon us pretty quickly. And we want to be able to be in a position to support some of our community organizations that are doing large events. And so with that, I would ask for my colleagues support and thank Councilmember Saroyan Durango for joining in on this.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Saru.
Speaker 1: Yes. Thank you, Councilmember Austin, for bringing this item forward. I, I do appreciate the consideration of how these cultural events are very important to the work that we've been doing to creating the cultural centers. I think that they not only highlight the cultural center and the goals of it, but also how do we ensure there's economic development and recovery opportunities because it's not only doing them in the corridors of the where the community maybe these centers might be, but it's also in allowing vendors to be in the festival to make sure that they're given the opportunity to share their businesses to everybody around them as well. You know, I'm really sad that I had to cancel the our annual MLK Parade. The City and I and the MLK Junior Parade and Festival due to the surge in the COVID 19 and then also the Cambodian New Year celebration, I was going to do as well because of the uncertainty of the COVID variant. So I do hope that we're looking into better days so we can do things outdoors. And it's really, I think, also a way to not only recover economically, but lift our spirits in this in this time of recovery. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Ranga.
Speaker 3: Thank you. And I want to thank Councilmember also for bringing this forward. I think it's important to know that Long Beach is a very diverse and cultural city. We've been having cultural events for the last at least eight years every year, but we've been here for a long time. And I think that it's time that we support them in other ways as we move forward. I think that we need to look at the importance of cultural events well as a whole in in the city islamique, including the things that happened with the arts as well. So I'm very happy to support this item tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you for asking, Richardson.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I'm very happy to support this idea tonight as well. I'll tell you, you know, hosting events during the pandemic, there's additional costs, you know, testing, you know, barricades. When we did the Uptown Jazz Festival two years ago, we just went virtual. But we did an in-person this past year. And it was I'm talking about, you know, just additional things that normally wouldn't have come up. And I'll tell you when you know you know, when I think about the cancelation of the King parade, you know, there's if there were funds to say, hey, maybe there are things that we can do if this one were available, then maybe there were things that we could do to make adjustments or save some element of it or, you know, do something later on. So I think having flexibility to make sure that we don't overlook these incredibly important cultural assets and our flexibility with funding to be able to support these things that are incredibly important, I think is important to the whole community. You know, and I think about I think about, you know, concerts in the park in general have come a long way. I remember we didn't have any concerts in the park in North Long Beach till Steve Miller started Uptown Jazz Fest. It was back then. The title was The North Long Beach, Latin Jazz and Blues Way Too Long, the title Way Too Long. But the point was, we had a very diverse community that wasn't being served with art. You know, it was, you know, 92% people of color. You couldn't find Latin music, you couldn't find blues or R&B or jazz in their community. And now it's one of the most successful. Again, it's been citywide. So I think we made a commitment to, you know, equity in the arts and diversity in the arts. And I think we just have to acknowledge that when those things are absent, it has a greater impact. So I love this item. I think it's a great item. Thank you, Councilman Austin, all the signers for bringing it forward. And I look forward to supporting this. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Zendejas.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. A huge thank you to Councilmember Austin and Sarah and New Dunga for signing on to this item as well. I really think that not only not being able to hold these these cultural events during these past two years was very detrimental to our community. And I was very, very excited to host DIA de los Muertos back in 2020. But that did not happen, obviously. So in 2021 I did. I was able to host them it and it was just a super big hit. And everybody till this day still comes up to me and telling me how amazing it was and how awesome it was to see community out there and how uplifting it was as well. I think that these events are not only really fun to attend, but they are a beautiful celebration of our multi cultural community here in the city that we live in. So I'm very happy to support this item.
Speaker 0: Is there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 2: We have Sonny Kinsey.
Speaker 6: Hello. Good evening. Um, just wanted to say full support of this item. I think this is a great moment with respect to the Tower of Babel that the city of Long Beach is. This is a very tribal place. And, you know, I think that there's enough city funding for every member of whatever tribe you are to get some type of funding so that we can all you know, I love Nowruz because I like the the little Persian treats, you know. And if the Persian people in Long Beach wanted to get together and get some Recovery Act funding and, you know, they had some vendors coming out, that would be great for me. I would like to come and support it. So I like when these opportunities come with respect to public funding, towards celebrating diverse cultures within the city. That being said, you know, I am a member of a tribe. I'm a proud member of my tribe. And what I've learned in this moment of COVID is that my tribe, specifically African-Americans in this city, outside of some of the events that was referenced, specifically the Juneteenth celebration that Mr. Cole Kemp did, we are most of mostly a community that our events are celebrated with under the auspices of the city. We've had very rare private events going on. And so as a result of that, I think that that's some of the COVID stipulations we were most hindered by specifically as my council representative, Mrs. Dr. Sara reference with the Kings Day Parade. And then, you know, that was canceled due to COVID. And then just a week prior it was a major festival in the downtown area. So 70,000 plus people are walking around. So, you know, that was a private event. And so I guess what I would like, Mr. Modica, if you could look into, is an opportunity with respect to this report and an empowering opportunity where a lot of the cultural events that the City of Long Beach kind of takes the shoulder of responsibility towards, if we could figure out a way to create, you know, relationships with maybe neighborhood associations, whatever it could be under a private entity that way, you know, if COVID 25 or whatever comes, you know, in the future in terms of stipulations, a private entity could take the responsibility of representing the cultures that are impacted when these kinds of moments happen. Thank you.
Speaker 0: I think that concludes public comment on this item. We have a motion in a second. Members, please go ahead and cast your votes.
Speaker 2: Kasman. Alston the motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I think we have item number 27.
Speaker 2: Next item 27, Communication from Public Works recommendation to enter into an agreement with the Boeing Company to accept a one time cash payment of 2.7 million for the improvement of the Cherry Avenue and 405 intersection District five. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to investigate the feasibility of utilizing Long Beach Recovery Act funds to support upcoming significant cultural events in the City of Long Beach and report back to the City Council in 30 days. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03152022_22-0283 | Speaker 5: Fantastic. Thank you. And I was cut off a bit earlier. But but we are going to close in in memory. We do have a closing council district extension facility. We're going to move on to item number 13 and let's do a voice motion. I'm pretty sure the council councilmember supervisor was read. It was read the item on 13.
Speaker 1: Communication from councilman super not Councilwoman Allen Councilman Price recommendation to request.
Speaker 0: City Council support.
Speaker 1: For the CARE Court Framework and request City Manager to examine a local program administered by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services.
Speaker 5: All right. Council members who bring our motion there. A second here.
Speaker 7: I'll second its price in a pricing.
Speaker 5: Okay. Price. Okay. Let's go ahead, Councilman Supriya.
Speaker 7: Okay. Thank you. I will just read one sentence from the agenda using memo that's also included in the press release from Governor Newsom. The care court framework was created using the evidence that many people can stabilize, beginning healing and exit homelessness in less restrictive community based care settings. The plan focuses on people with schizophrenia, spectrum and other psychotic disorders who may also have substance use challenges and who lack the medical decision making capacity and advances and upstream diversion from more restrictive conservatorships or incarceration. And my comments will be brief tonight before I handed over to the second of the motion. But that's not because I'm not enthusiastic about this. I can tell you that the governor made his press release on March 3rd, and this item was agenda for this meeting tonight, four days later on March 7th. I firmly believe in this because it represents a paradigm shift in the way we're dealing with this crisis. And that's exactly what our constituents have been asking for. I noted in a press Telegram editorial that it was reference that, yeah, this this problem started when our governor, Ronald Reagan, closed all the mental institutions. I'm sure we've all heard that line before, but that if you want to say that he signed a bill rather than veto it, the linchpin bill, that was in 1967. So 55 years ago, what has always struck me about that analysis is that we've had seven governors since Ronald Reagan was governor of California and both ends of the spectrum, very conservative to very progressive. And I don't think Ronald Reagan was that powerful a judge and we just lacked the will to address this. And finally, Governor Newsom has to tackle this issue head on. And I'd like our counsel to stand in support of that tonight. I also want to say that I'm fully aware that this has to be passed by the legislature and all bills are tweaked along the way. But in principle, I'd like us to support it tonight. Also, I added to this that I would like to see local control here. The item as presented is not set up that way. It's for counties. But we do have our own health department and I've already talked to the director of Health and Human Services who mentioned to me, well, this is kind of this is a civil court based system, and we don't have that ability. But you know what? It's very early on in the process. So all I'm asking is for city staff to work on a system that we might be able to have local control over. So with that, I'd like to hand it off to the Secretary of the Motion.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Supernova. And thank you for inviting me to sign on to this item. This is an item that's obviously a very important item in terms of a lot of the things that are happening in the area of criminal justice reform and early interception and connecting people with services rather than causing unforeseen or unanticipated negative interactions with law enforcement and the justice system. In recent years, we've definitely seen the landscape change and although many of our state laws have been that have been implemented were done with good intentions, there have been negative consequences of some of those. So I'm thankful that the Governor is proposing this new initiative that will help better address the needs of those most urgently in need, those with addiction related issues, those with mental health issues and concerns. Those individuals that struggle to adequately care for themselves and would truly benefit from a focused effort to get them back on the right track, will benefit from the judicial intervention that will allow first responders to be able to refer people to the CARES Court program. The CARE Court program will allow for those for whom it may be difficult or even impossible to take the first step towards making major changes to their lives be connected with services in up to 24 months of care and treatment that will help them lead to a path of stabilization and help fully independent living. The one thing that I think is is really important to note is we have so many different collaborative court processes that are available in the state of California, whether it's homeless court, white court, which is whatever it takes court, drug court and now care court are systems that are designed to help support people as they go through a process to connect with services, to get the support they need to be able to transition from one place in their lives to another in a position of strength and support. And this seems to do that. Although Councilman supervised, correct? It's so early in the process, I don't know exactly how it's going to work out, but local control would be great. But if CARE Court is similar to any other collaborative court or any other judicial intervention model, it's going to be a collaborative effort that is going to have to come through the county in many ways, because the county is going to be the county that places the order upon the individual and orders a specific treatment plan. I know that this process is expected now to start with the legislature, and I know that there's a timeline that's anticipated to go with that. My biggest concerns are the costs associated with this. And so I'm hoping that city staff can continue to track this legislation, if we will, if we write this off or if this letter of support so that we're mindful of what those costs will be. And we can advocate for L.A. County, which will be the justice system that this CARE court will be administered out of, is sufficiently funded to be able to accommodate all those who might be able to need and benefit from this treatment. So I want to thank Councilman Super now for bringing this item forth and really huge applause for the governor for being innovative in terms of connecting people with services that they need. Becoming stabilized, whether it's from substance abuse or mental health, is something that often does require judicial intervention to get people to that place. And I'm grateful for this path. Thank you.
Speaker 5: All right. I saw Councilwoman Cindy Allen raise her hand. Councilwoman?
Speaker 0: Yes. I just want to also say thank you to Councilmember Supernormal for including me on this item. We know that a significant number of homeless individuals in our street are in desperate need of additional mental health services and care. And this item explores how we can better care for people in need within our community. And the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted today unanimously to support the CARE Court program. So just thank you again, Councilman Supernormal, for bringing us for this great item. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Before we I. I see you councilman's and any other comments inside the chambers?
Speaker 4: I have comments.
Speaker 1: How do we signal to you here?
Speaker 5: I was going to go to the people in the dais first, then we'll come here. So, Councilwoman Durham before.
Speaker 0: Her.
Speaker 1: It's a matter of trust. Okay. So thank you. This hybrid is a learning process. So first one of the thing, councilmember student Sabrina for bringing the item forward with the COA coauthors of the bill. I mean this item, you know, I do appreciate bringing this forward so that we can have conversation about what we're doing in this crisis that we have around our homelessness challenge that we face. And I think that while this is early on, I think, you know, we kind of started that conversation with I think the vice mayor had brought kind of a mental health item and how do we localize it from county to mental? So I hope that our staff would look into that as well. In addition to how are we going to partner with the state better as part of the housing plan? Because as much as we're able to provide a variety of mental health services that we can look into, ultimately all of them will need homes, stable homes in order to be able to recover and I think get back on a healthy path. So I think that to me needs to, in addition, be looked at. And I just want to mention, you know, there is there is a fine line that I'm processing between why I do understand the need to do some level of, you know , insisting people get services and treatment to whether where it's voluntary. I think it's really important then that we look into it and consider what that means and what that looks like in a way where I think it's respectful for everybody and that's a healthy process. Right. So so those are my comment and I look forward and how we can learn more and our local city can can see how we can take steps forward in some of these consideration that we're sharing on at the dias at the moment. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Certainly. Thank you. Councilman Austin.
Speaker 6: Thank you. And also I want to thank Councilmember Supernova in the COSIGNERS for bringing this forward. Obviously, this was I see this as a welcome approach to a very serious mental health and behavioral health crisis facing our streets today and exacerbating our homelessness crisis. Make no mistake about it. I want to thank you, Councilman Suber, not for for bringing it up and reminding us that we've been moving forward in a state would have failed realignment strategy for over 50 years now. And I think this really must. We need to stop it and stop it now. I will say that I think we need to be fully engaged here at the city council to ensure that whatever is decided in Sacramento, it comes with the necessary local funding support that we need, whether it's going to the county or directly to the city or pass through. We have a health department which uniquely positions this city to do a lot more than others. I think we need to look at building capacity for community, community care support, and I know we are doing that simultaneously. And I think this is going to be will require a major reprioritization of our state resources today to provide the necessary care to literally thousands of people that are that needed on the streets today. So this item has my support, my full support. And I know that there's going to be a robust conversation in Sacramento in terms of how this looks. And I think we as a city council, our city needs to be a major stakeholder at that table. Thanks.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Sylvia.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Vice Mayor, for the opportunity. I just want to give a huge thank you to Councilmember Supernova and Councilwoman Allen and Councilmember Price for bringing this item forward. I think it's very important, especially right now in the times that we are living in right now. This is a continuous, continuous problem in the downtown area and in the first district as a whole. One of the things that I feel is that we have individuals experiencing homelessness who are suffering from mental illness and may not have the capacity to accept services. But it is our responsibility as leaders to try to help them get off the street and get into on a pathway to secure housing. So I just want to thank you for bringing this up. And Gavin Newsom has in multiple occasions expressed one of his top priorities in the in our state is addressing the growing homelessness concern that is impacting nearly every one of our communities throughout the state. And we are and we all know this very well, the pandemic only exacerbated the already existing issue around the need for secure housing, the need to be able to feel safe and decent and living decent standards, and also to please individuals. And, you know, with mental health needs in even more vulnerable circumstances, to be able to place them in programs that will uplift them and help them get out of the path that they may be in right now. So with that said, I'm very, very hopeful for this program. This is something that we need to focus on. I hope that we continue keeping a close eye on it. But I do have some questions that that maybe you, the staff, might be able to answer some of these questions. It may be too early to even have an answer for. But also, these are some of the questions that some of my residents have been asking in regards to peer courts, first of all, and maybe I'll ask in like three questions and then if I have to queue up again, I will. But some of my residents would like to know, first off, when with the care for Fremont go into effect, if it comes to the legislature, that may be too early of a question. And also, what does outpatient model look like or can this. And if we don't have those answers right now, right now, maybe we can keep an eye out for those answers.
Speaker 4: Our director of Health and Human Services, Kelly Collopy, will do her best.
Speaker 1: Good evening, council members. So the the primary the. So it still needs to go to a vote. And at that point, there will have to be a lot of design and work. So it's not really clear yet as to when it will be implemented. We would be working very closely with the county in this process and the ability to look at referral systems and service systems and others as part of that process. And in terms of of outpatients, so it really provides different opportunities for people to engage based on the level of service need. So an outpatient opportunity could be, you know, weekly meetings with a counselor. It could be everyday meetings, it could be, you know, multiple days. So it really it can be a lot of different opportunities. But generally, outpatient is not a place that you stay overnight. And so it can be you know, there's a lot of other opportunities from there. Um, I don't know. Do you have anything you want to add to that? Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Right. Thank you, Councilmember. Any other comments?
Speaker 0: I was the. Okay. What exactly is the expectations that is being set for the city? How will this seat measure what? Whether or not a local jurisdiction has met their specified duties? And what exactly are those duties?
Speaker 1: And remember, I don't think those are identified yet. So the local jurisdictions for this purpose right now as they're being mined, says County. And so I don't know what at a at a sub a sub local jurisdiction that looks like as a city. But we don't have any of those in place at this time.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. And I knew some of this was premature, that I wanted to get them out there just in case. But thank you very much for your help. And thank you. Thank you. And again, thank you to the maker of the motion.
Speaker 5: All right. Thank you. But in at bat, my support here, I certainly can't support this sort of you know, I'm a family member and, you know, it's hard to the sort of judicial process is very hard to navigate, even for family members who have someone who's sort of caught up in the mental health, drug addiction space. It's very difficult to navigate. So having a court that's designed to specialize in this and tap into diversion, I think it makes sense. The governor's bottom line. I thanks counsel Mr. Bernoff for agreeing. Of course, we can endorse the state program. In November we took a step. I think this dovetails very well with some of the work that we're doing here in Long Beach in November. We took a step and we asked staff to begin looking at a whole menu of items that we could localize away from the County Department of Mental Health locally. And those discussions are going well. And we just did a study. And so my question for staff is how can this dovetail into this broader discussion about localizing mental health and where are we with that, if you could provide an update.
Speaker 4: So this is Tom. I'll start. Yes, we do see that there is synergy here. The council did ask us to look at how we can work on mental health, and this definitely fits into that. And we think this is a very good proposal. We do have resources. The council just allocated $100,000 last month to be able to start on that study. And we see moving this kind of components about how we can be involved into that study. So I will turn it over to Kelly to answer more on progress.
Speaker 1: Good evening. So in terms of the parties, we have been hosting meetings both with the Department of Mental Health and we're in sort of spite with the we are meeting with our local mental health representatives as well as those in the Executive Office at the Department of Mental Health, as well as with the Division of Substance Abuse or otherwise known as steps within the L.A. County Department of Public Health. So we've been meeting with both of those different teams to look at the ability to streamline resources, understand where the gaps are. We're also moving forward with identifying the advisory committee to this effort, and we anticipate that that meeting will be hopefully in the end of April, early May, as we start to move forward. And then we'll also be bringing on a consultant to support those efforts.
Speaker 5: Certainly. And that's all incredible progress. And I think thinking about the way the courts connect to this is incredibly important. So, so good work, everyone. Please remain focused on this mental health localizing the discussion. Was there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 2: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak, please line up at the podium. Or if you're attending, virtually, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. CNN. Oh, sorry. We have members in person. You have 3 minutes.
Speaker 0: Thank you. My name is Sherry Ingram. I am a resident.
Speaker 3: At Plum with.
Speaker 0: Apartments here on Chestnut. We as neighbors in the area, in the building, we are here as well as the immediate area is concern and question what's become of the vacant store which was once cow.
Speaker 3: Cop. Very nice call. Something else in Spanish I don't know how to pronounce without being embarrassed. It seems like we've getting a lot of runaround. Nobody knows who this person is. The property is a private, private ownership. Well, why can't the private ownership let you all know.
Speaker 0: What's going to be happening with that.
Speaker 3: Particular building? We need a grocery store. We need we need it badly. We got lots of people don't get around, as you see. I am. And a lot of other people. What's going to happen to that particular building that sits on? What the old building was. All the building still there? Someone please answer. We need a grocery store. Vons is too far and expensive. And the rest of them all. A little outreach. But for our local, all elderly disability.
Speaker 0: Persons without a car.
Speaker 3: I don't have a lot of money to pay a cab to take him there and then wait around for a cab to bring back home. Les, please find out.
Speaker 0: What's going to happen to this building.
Speaker 3: Someone, please.
Speaker 5: Well, thank you. Where?
Speaker 0: Where we are.
Speaker 5: Well, who I'm thinking of. This public comment is limited to this discussion. Promoted. If you could have a word.
Speaker 1: Miss Tatum is walking over there. Vice Mayor. Miss Tatum.
Speaker 5: Okay, great. Thank you. Is there any other public comment on this item?
Speaker 1: There is no other public comment on this item.
Speaker 5: Okay. Let's go ahead of our roll call vote.
Speaker 0: District one, district two.
Speaker 1: I District three.
Speaker 0: I. District for.
Speaker 7: I.
Speaker 0: District five. All right.
Speaker 1: District six by district seven. District eight.
Speaker 0: District nine.
Speaker 5: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 5: All right. Item 14. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Council support of the CARE Court framework that will create a new State policy for Mental health services - and request City Manager to examine the feasibility of the local program being administered by the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (LBDHHS). | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03152022_22-0282 | Speaker 5: All right. Item 14.
Speaker 0: Communication from Councilman Austin, Councilwoman Allen, Councilwoman.
Speaker 1: Price Recommendation to request City Manager to investigate.
Speaker 2: The feasibility of.
Speaker 1: Repealing the tax for cannabis cultivation in Long Beach.
Speaker 5: All right, I'll recognize the motion. So moving in motion often. John Allen went off the air before.
Speaker 6: Thank you so much. And so I just wanted to bring this motion forward. This item aims to understand the impact of eliminating the cannabis cultivation tax in Long Beach. Well, actually, since voters passed the measure in May in 2016, our city's cannabis cultivation businesses have been charged $12 for every square foot of product under cultivation. They also pay $161 per pound of dried cannabis flower to the state over the tax overtaxation. Obviously can be a barrier for potential cultivators and is a burden to current operators in our city's cannabis industry. So I'm told fees associated with cannabis cultivation also affect profits for businesses. I'm sorry. They they affect profits for businesses. Wages for a local workforce. And prices for consumers. Further, there's no precedent for this tax. No other industry in Long Beach is taxed based on the cultivation of its products. Imagine taxing local farmers for every fruit or vegetable harvested. Not only would private the profits of prices at your local farmers markets increase, but the grower is essentially being fined for successfully growing food. The only groups subjected to this tax are local cannabis cultivators who should not face additional obstacles because of what they decide to grow and the crop that they grow. Previous the reduction of cannabis business license taxes approved by this Council in 2019 led to an uptick in active non-retail licenses and likely contributed to a match to massive financial gains the city has seen since 2020. The same thing. Elimination of cultivation tax could spur unprecedented growth in this sector and provide a net benefit for all involved. These potential impacts merit an investigation and ask to look at. This is why I brought this item before us today. We need to do our due diligence on this topic for the consumers and business community. I also like to just point out that since we began collecting revenue in 2019, our city has brought in over $50 million over the past five years through cannabis, retail and revenues. We've also brought in an additional $8 million. I know we have a pending social equity program, which I want to reemphasize is a priority for me. And so I'm asking for, obviously, the Council to support this item this evening. I want to thank council members Pryce and Allen for their support on this item. But again, I want to reemphasize, we have been working on this process with this industry for some time, several years now. It's a very fluid, intense industry. We know today things that we didn't know two years ago or even five years ago. And so I want to acknowledge that. And I do think that we have to get it right. This is an emerging industry. This is an emerging job creator in our city. And we need to do all we can to ensure that that we have a success in this industry here in the city of Long Beach. So, again, I want to thank you for allowing me to present this item, encourage my colleagues support on it. Thanks.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I have a secret list of Alan Longo. Is there anyone else would like to speak on it and is going to keep a list?
Speaker 4: It's.
Speaker 5: Okay. Season three has anyone else? Okay. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yes. I just want to say thank you to Councilmember Austin for introducing this item, and I was so happy to sign on to it. I've heard from so many folks in the cannabis industry that operators are overtaxed and burdened by various regulations, and cannabis businesses are taxed sometimes 40% more than other businesses, and we need to have equal treatment under the law. I think looking into whether we can repeal the cultivation tax is just a way that we can help businesses succeed and keep jobs in the cannabis industry. So I will be supporting this item. I wanted to ask Councilmember Austin if he would also consider standing when the presentation comes back, if it can also be presented to the committee as well. I know that there's been a lot of work done in that committee, if that's possible. Thank you very much. And I just a great item and it's commend Councilmember Alston and price for signing on to this. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Woman.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I want to start by saying that I will be supporting the item tonight, but I would like to bring some information to the forefront of the discussion. I've reached out to landlords and to cannabis business owners, both in the city of Long Beach and outside the city of Long Beach. And it's important to note that the market in Long Beach has been flooded, and that is one of the reasons why the cost per square foot for some of these facilities on the rental side has declined. If we decreased the tax, it would probably help the landlords more than it helps the growers because then they would be able to sustain a higher price per square foot of the places that they're leasing. So one of the things that I will say, though, that both the landlords and the business grow, the grower business owners have acknowledged that they are losing money because the initial projections were much higher or demand locally than they ended up being. And I think that that has a lot to do with our inability to stop the large volumes of marijuana coming into Southern California from non. Registered grows those. I know all growers are illegal because the Federal Government hasn't yet authorized marijuana yet.
Speaker 5: But I'm just.
Speaker 0: Saying that illegal in the sense of the term of non certified by a city or authorized by the state of California. So I think that we're really talking about a two part piece. So what I would also propose is a friendly amendment to include an initialization reduction. So a tiered taxation. So may be if you're willing to start a cannabis, grow in Long Beach and employ a certain number of people, perhaps your taxes are a third of the price for the first three years. Then it could be a serious escalation. Therefore, the landlords would not take advantage of that and then build in a higher price on the cost per square foot than recouping the money that the taxpayers are giving up. So just something to think about because it is a supply and demand curve and once the tax isn't there, the landlords will pick it up on the other side to be comparable with other cities. Thank you very much.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Companies that they are.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mayor. Vice Mayor. I want to say thank you to Councilmember Austin for bringing this very important item forward. I'm really, really happy to see our city council receiving two cannabis related items in a row. Last week we voted on the city more funds for our city's cannabis equity program. And today we have the opportunity to receive the feasibility or request the feasibility report for the changing of our cultivation tax in Long Beach. I think that this is very important, and I think that if we're moving towards equity, which within the industry we really need to pay attention. So I am very, very supportive of this item and look forward to the report when it comes from.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I'll just add my my support for the item here. I think the councilman will. I think your comments about cultivation and how it's unique to this and how be treated if it were. Give me a mute how it would be treated if it were a farm. I think that truly resonates, so I'm happy to support this. I would also say that we have some history with this. We know it was a very different environment when we had the first discussion about reducing cannabis taxes and originally there was some apprehension because we thought it would reduce our revenues. What we actually saw happen was we reduced the taxes, we extended operating hours. You know, we sort of relaxed the rules a bit. That didn't work when we originally set up the program. And what we what we saw happen was the opposite. We brought in more revenue by taking those steps. And so we certainly learned and so did the city manager, as we do this study, I would say was a factor in what we learned. But also, I would say, you know, the first time we reduced the taxes, you know, the idea was it was a pilot, right. To see how it worked. I think we at some point need to get to a restructuring of the way that our retail tax taxes should as well. I don't know if that's something tackled here, but that's certainly something I'm open to and those are my comments. So before you go to public comment, I heard I heard two friendlies. Councilman Mongo, what was your. Do you want to restate that just so we're clear?
Speaker 0: That's just to include some analysis on what market pressures are at bay so that even if it's just a few phone calls to some of the landlords on what their price per square foot is and then comparable, a lot of these landlords own warehouses in multiple jurisdictions, and you'll see that they have various prices based on the city, based on the city's taxation rate. And so if we're going to reduce the tax rate and then the landlords are just going to swoop up that variance. I don't think any of us want that to be what's happening. I would rather collect the tax and reinvest it back into the businesses for them. Just something to think about.
Speaker 5: Great. So include some analysis on sort of the impact of the market demand on on the real estate.
Speaker 0: Yeah. And consider a step by step step process where the first three years, maybe you have like a fraction of the tax so that those first three years when you're doing your startup costs and you're getting your customers and all those things, you're relieved of that additional cost burden. And then as you get your feet underneath you and you're becoming more successful, and that's often when these different businesses have like a structure themselves and the grows, they're more successful then they can afford that tax and the landlords can't build in that high price because then they wouldn't sign the lease in the first place because they know that tax increase is coming.
Speaker 5: Okay. And? And Councilman Allen was there friendly.
Speaker 0: If my friendly was to ask to make a motion, if the report would also or could also be presented to the the enact committee in addition to the Budget Oversight Committee.
Speaker 5: Got it. Councilman, often reactions to too friendly.
Speaker 6: I definitely want to accept the friendly for the Indian F committee. And I think during that process, Councilmember Mongeau, who I believe chairs that committee, can can further examine her ideas about the the compensation tax so and impacts on the the property owners or landlords for commercial property owners. And so I'd like to accept. Councilmember. Allen's friendly and ask that councilmember Mongo I think you know that's a very detailed I'm trying not to conflate this issue. I want to bring it back kind of clean on its own. And if this is another issue that we can agenda at a later time or study more through the committee process, I'm happy to to work with you on that.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Council member. We meet regularly, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Speaker 5: Great. All right, that sounds perfect, but we'll get some input from the idea and maybe even factor some of that in. Let's go ahead and go to Bob.
Speaker 1: Mr. Vice Mayor, I wanted to comment as well after.
Speaker 5: I'm sorry.
Speaker 1: That's okay. I apologize. I didn't tell you ahead of time, so no need to apologize. I just. I wanted to I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge Councilman Allen's friendly because I know there's been a lot of committee work that's done. And I really appreciate the fact that a lot of the details get studied at the committee level and hopefully get incorporated into what comes back to council. And I think that's really important. I do want to say for me, ultimately, I hope the report very clearly identifies what the bottom line impact to the budget would be because I'm supportive of this item, I'm happy to support it tonight, looking forward to having the report. But ultimately, the reasons why we discussed attacks tax to begin with were all related to city revenue and what's generated. So that's ultimately what we need to know that information as we move forward so that we know what what shifts need to be made if in fact we do make a change here, which it might make total sense to do. But I just want to know what that specific hit is going to be, not just for the next year, but, you know, preferably based on trends in the next five years. So I want to thank staff in advance for clearly identifying that in the report. Thanks.
Speaker 5: All right. Thank you. Any further council deliberation before we go to the comment? All right, let's have Google come in.
Speaker 2: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on item 14, please line up at the podium. Or if you're attending virtually please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. Seem more than ten speakers. We have 90 seconds. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Good evening. My name is Steven Cortez. I'm employed in the city of Long Beach. I'm here today in support of lowering cannabis taxes through the Elimination of Cultivation Tax. Last year, I began my first job working in the cannabis industry as a bartender for Cutler's Cannabis Co. Prior to working for cannabis, I was working as a mental health worker. I recently had the experience of reuniting with a former patient I had cared for. He reminded me that two years ago he had he had crippling pain and was taking four OxyContin and six Percocet pills every day. This type of regimen landed him in the local community hospital, now allowing him to play with his grandchildren or do anything really besides sit in a fog. He stated he had given all that stuff up and doesn't take it anymore and now has a life worth living again through the incorporation of a THC CBD sublingual tincture regimen . I share this story to say that by lowering cannabis taxes down the entire California supply chain, we can begin to address the massive need for safe, affordable retail access and to better focus on truly serving the will of the people and our well-intentioned local farmers through systemic relief. I want to remind everyone that most California cannabis consumers do not buy cannabis from state licensed shops, according to market observers such as Global Growth Analytics, which estimate that illegal cannabis sales in California total 8 billion a year, double the amount of legal sales. And one reason for black market staying power is that many Californians do not have easy access to legal retailers. For example, according to Scott Hacker, the reason California has only two licensed dispensaries for every 100,000 residents, compared to about 18 in Oregon and 14 in Colorado. And thanks to rising inflation in 2021 and cultivation taxes jumped at the beginning of 2022, even though the market value of cannabis had declined. All told, taxes increases.
Speaker 1: The 90 seconds has expired.
Speaker 4: Oh, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 4: I just want to quickly say that I urge my city council to investigate the feasibility of appealing the cultivation.
Speaker 1: Your time has expired, sir. Thank you.
Speaker 0: All right. Hello, counsel. My name is Samantha Koehler. I'm a resident of Long Beach and a worker and advocate for the cannabis industry. The industry was here to save me in the middle of the pandemic when I was displaced from my previous career in restaurant marketing, the cannabis industry offered me a chance to survive all during those very uncertain times with the addition of union representation and employee benefits. I'm here today in support of a giant agenda item 14. Unfair taxes are driving the cannabis industry to the point of near collapse, especially our farmers. No other industry in Long Beach is taxed based upon the cultivation of its products because of high taxes. Millions of pounds of products are being wasted every year due to the inability to compete with the low prices of the black market and overbearing taxes. This means millions of dollars of tax revenue lost that could improve public safety, fix roads and fund youth community programs. I want to urge my City Council to investigate the feasibility of repealing the tax for cannabis cultivation and help save the cannabis industry from the brink of collapse due to these crushing taxes. Thank you, council members Austin, Cyndi Allen and Susie Price for supporting this initiative. Thank you for your time.
Speaker 4: Good evening. Councilmembers My name is Jose Hernandez and I work here in the city of Long Beach. So I just want to, first of all say that I'm in solidarity and support for the cult with the cultivators and the growers that are the backbone of the cannabis industry. You know, for a long time there was reefer madness. There was a racially oriented attack against people that would smoke cannabis or, you know, be around cannabis, brown people in particular. That's why they call it marijuana. And now cannabis people are still in jail, literally locked up while folks are making millions of dollars off of that. You know, it's it's important to know who was with us and make sure that those folks that when it was not as politically convenient that were with us. And so we want to definitely highlight and think our Austin Susie Price and Cindy Allen for being their champions and supporters of this issue. You know, and a lot of the issue comes to taxation right now. It's a new industry and like the oil industry doesn't get this kind of treatment. Other industries, liquor, tobacco. Why cannabis? Like, why are we the scapegoats to try to solve all the problems in the state, in the city. So I would definitely want to last thing to say is that that woman that spoke earlier about social equity was absolutely right. It's time that we highlight and we streamline the process so that we can have black and Brown owned businesses be have a, you know, a seat at the table so that we can make right all the wrongs that happened for years. And. Good evening, City Council. My name is James and I want to add that the exorbitant taxes are a challenge and seen as another hindrance, which makes it counterproductive to the impact that it has on the community and city overall comprehensively. From the museum's millions, it has added as not only a financial stimulus to the city's budget, but also the employment that it provides the mental and medical health benefits of those citizens residing within the city of Long Beach. At this moment, I would like to issue a call to action to the whole city council at this moment to delve deeper into the barriers and challenges that hinder its citizens and remove those barriers for all in order to allow its citizens and voters to truly prosper for support of Agenda Item 14. Furthermore, it impedes those social equity recipients, like the lady who spoke earlier of the opportunity to engage and run a flourishing business, which is her American. Right. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor and City Council first. So I'm happy to hear that you're considering getting rid of the cultivation tax. Second, we need to lower the tax on kind of a sales period by enforcing these oppressive taxes. Not only are you doing a disservice to the social equity program, but you're also doing a disservice to your constituents. The more legal sales, the more tax revenue will be collected. 15% of 14 billion is more than is more than 30% of 7 billion. Simple math. You guys think you. Good evening, city Council. Thanks, Councilman Austin, for bringing this forward. Councilwoman Price. Councilwoman Allen. I'll do my best in a minute. Through anybody who knows me, I could go on this topic for an hour, but was created with this high tax policy is an 80% black market. This is 300,000 jobs that are in the black market that should be in the legal market. All we would have to do is drastically reduce taxes and these jobs will be legal. This is worker rights issues. Most of these workers in the retail especially are unionized. It's a women's rights issue. Someone came up here and spoke about women's rights. This is a women's rights issue. You know, I interview everybody we hire. And in the trap market, there's a lot of good people on the black market, but it's very common the women get creeped on. These are protections that we need in the legal market under OSHA. Also, I'd say this, these local cannabis businesses, I've been to a mall. These are not big businesses. There's one that's owned by a guy and his wife and the niece. There's a couple of young kids that are only half built out because of the oppressive tax system. There's another family business, its own. Another couple of gentlemen that have both been incarcerated. And the other thing that everybody forgets and this is the patient. They use this as a medication. This is for veterans. This is for patients. This is for customers. And it's for weed for the people. Let's get the price down.
Speaker 2: Hello, Mayor and city council members. My name is.
Speaker 0: Natasha Brown, but I am a licensed.
Speaker 2: Cannabis cultivation operator.
Speaker 0: In the city of Long Beach called Bud. I am one of the first adult.
Speaker 2: Use cultivation licenses to get up and running.
Speaker 0: Three years.
Speaker 2: Ago and I'm an active member of the.
Speaker 0: CAA. As an organization, we pushed for tax modernization to broaden the tax base on the supply chain in.
Speaker 2: 2019 and advocated for extended retail business hours in lieu.
Speaker 1: Of a of a retail.
Speaker 0: Increase, both with successful outcomes.
Speaker 2: Of more tax revenue for the.
Speaker 0: City, increased jobs and.
Speaker 2: More cannabis business.
Speaker 0: In actual operations.
Speaker 2: They'll support the tax modernization for cannabis cultivation. However, the BCA asked us to include retail tax monitor and ization at both medical and adult use points of sale.
Speaker 0: We are asking for a feasibility study to.
Speaker 2: Return in 60 days with a presentation to the Economic Development Committee following the same process as the path to successful cannabis talk.
Speaker 0: Tax modernization information. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Good evening, City Council. I am an operator in the District six of a cannabis business or manufacturing group here today just in support of the tax modernization and lowering the cultivation tax. Thank you, Councilmember Austin, for championing this effort. I just I just wanted to quickly end and side with some comments that Vice Mayor Richardson made about also including retail tax modernization study, along with this study and also to champion working in passage of said, I think is a good time to include all modernization, not only on cultivation but on the retail level. If we want everyone to succeed, I think is the faster we do tax modernization, the more we improve sales. And all the changes we've been making together will continue to benefit higher tax income. Thank you. Hello again. So, yes, you know, these taxes that you levied on working class people and small businesses, they're not good. You know, why is it that you're not pushing to tax the multi-billion dollar multinational corporations and lump it? You know, you should be taxing them. It shouldn't be taxing the people. And it goes beyond this. But I'd also like to mention, I'm picking up on what the council members and some members of the public said. You know, they is this is a women's rights issue. It's a it's a health issue. So that's like an interesting angle on it, right? It's a health issue. So what is it that you know where the people want in terms of health care? Right. We want something like a single payer system here. So guess what? You are, you know, here in Long Beach, we should pioneer something like that. We should pioneer essentially like a public option for this because to make sure it's truly available and equitable, because as you know, as has been said multiple times, it's about health care . So, I mean, of course, you know, each individual has their own course and their treatments and, you know, what they want to be doing in there with their health care treatment. So it's time to, of course, repeal all of this, all these taxes that, you know, you're just profiting from working class people. You're making them more poor by putting this stuff out there. So you got to just, of course, banish it and.
Speaker 2: We have seen they can pay. Your 90 seconds began now?
Speaker 5: Yes. And I think just just to be clear, city clerk, everyone that has to raise their hand and Zoom has to acknowledge their name.
Speaker 4: So just for decorum sake, if there is the public speakers in the chambers, I think that it's appropriate. That same thing is done. Just for the sake of the recording and down act. That said, I'm calling in support of the modernization of the tax. I think that is a welcomed opportunity to facilitate, you know, the growth of a.
Speaker 5: Burgeoning.
Speaker 4: Industry here in the city. And I'm in complete support of it.
Speaker 5: That said, and thank you to the sponsors.
Speaker 4: If not in the offices of I afternoon Cindy Allen and Susie Price for bringing that up. To be clear.
Speaker 5: I would also like.
Speaker 4: With a junction to this in conjunction of this coming into effect.
Speaker 5: You know, if we could somehow.
Speaker 4: Use it as an opportunity to facilitate more African American equity partners within this space, because we're solely.
Speaker 5: Underrepresented within this industry and being one of the most impacted by the war on drugs.
Speaker 4: It still bothers me that.
Speaker 5: There is not a single one. Actually, there was recently one.
Speaker 4: Thanks to Mr. Trey Sessions and others coming together there. But.
Speaker 2: Our next speaker is David Jude Aiken. Your 90 seconds begin now. David.
Speaker 5: Hi.
Speaker 0: Yes.
Speaker 5: Hello. Hi. My name is David. You take care of Walmart LLC. We're one of the largest cultivators in Long Beach and they supported the joint recommendations. Help the members of similar smelling cannabis cultivation is in dire straits. Wholesale prices have dropped by 50 to 70% in the last year. And of course, course of to rise. I want to just give you a couple of statistics. We employ about 161 full time employees and 104 men and 67 women. 77 of our people live in Long Beach and 106 in the Gateway Cities hire local. We have a young workforce with an average age of 34, almost make well of a minimum wage. Our employees live in 12 of the city of London. Wal mart facilities are less than one acre. I comparison Toyota Auto Body Company, which has 3038, has just under twice as many employees as I would just say where one acre cultivation is the first step in the cultivation industry. By eliminating unfair tax on cultivation, you'll help the legal cannabis industry by lowering the cost of reducing illegal operations and ultimately increase revenues in the city. That increased legal retail sales last year. Walnut.
Speaker 2: Edward Wilson. Your time begins now.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 2: Please begin.
Speaker 5: Did you see my name?
Speaker 3: Yes.
Speaker 5: Hello. Hi, this is Ed Wilson again. I'm going to finish up with my boss. I'm also the controller for Wal-Mart LLC. And so I'll finish what he was going to say. Last year, Walmart paid $3 $13.02 per square foot, which amounted to $290,000 400. With this money, we can employ an additional eight full time employees. Honorable Counsel. Time is of the essence. This is a cost to every. There is a cost to everything, even inaction and delay. We would like the Council to consider the two changes in the recommendations that we feel will make it even better. One. Have the analysis come back in 30 to 60 days. We all know that great people meet. Whatever deadline or timeline is assigned. And Long Beach has awesome staff. Second place an immediate suspension on all corporation tax collection until after the council makes the final decision. If the council wishes to vote to maintain the current level of taxes, the city will have ample opportunity to collect the amount in arrears. However, right now, the the cultivation industry is in dire straits. And so we need and would really like. It means some type of immediate action and help. 90 days, six months may be too late. I want to thank you for this opportunity to speak, and I'm available to answer any question.
Speaker 2: Our next speaker is Jake. No, Till King's. Your time begins now.
Speaker 4: Hi.
Speaker 5: My name is Jake. I'm a licensed cultivator here in the city of Long Beach, and we're a small craft operation. And Long Beach has a lot of small operators. If we are able to repeal the cultivation tax, this will have a huge impact on a lot of small operators that run as. Like owner operated businesses. That's what we are. And. I'm just in full support of it. I appreciate the Council for bringing it forward and it would really do a lot, especially for the small operators like us. And Long Beach has a lot of them. And so I try to speak for all of us and say that we do we do support this. And thank you very much for all your time.
Speaker 2: Our last speaker is Olivia Sweeney. Your time begins now.
Speaker 0: Hi. My name is Olivia Sweeney. I am a resident of downtown Long Beach and I work in the industry as a receptionist. I'm here tonight in support of Agenda Item 14 because thousands of jobs would be lost if the cannabis stores, growers and distributors go out of business. As my colleagues here have mentioned, many of these jobs are union jobs with health benefits, including mine here at Catalyst Cannabis, which has provided me the support I needed post-COVID. I urge my city council to investigate the feasibility of repealing the tax for cannabis cultivation. Thank you, council members. I'll Austin, Susie Price and Cindy Allen for leading this initiative. Thank you.
Speaker 2: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 5: All right. Let's go ahead and have our roll call vote and vote on this one.
Speaker 1: Actually, Mr. Vice Mayor, can I have a couple comments?
Speaker 5: Go for it.
Speaker 1: Thank you. So I want to thank all the speakers for coming out. There was just there was a few comments that were mentioned that I think it's really important for us to acknowledge where we are at this point. You know, we talked about the historical context of this topic, and I think it's important to know that we're in a much different place today when we're talking about cannabis than we were four or five or six years ago. And a lot of that has to do with the legal operators who were provided the opportunity to operate in the city. And what they have done to educate everybody about the legitimate parts of the industry. I think that's been critical, the credibility that's been established there, the understanding that we wouldn't be getting a proposal in front of us that wasn't well thought out, that wasn't prudent. I'm really proud of the prudence that the city has taken on this issue. I know it's been probably slow for some people, but it has allowed us to be able to be very deliberate at every stage with every decision that we've made based on actual data and practical application . I think that's really important. So I want to acknowledge that it's we're in a much different place today than we were years ago. And where we are today and the discussions that we're having, the foundation of all of that was built by the, you know, business leaders in the city who have established cannabis operations and demonstrated the industry and what the impacts of the industry can be and really done their part to mitigate any concerns. And I just want to take a moment to appreciate all of those people, because I know for me, you're never fixed in time with an opinion. You develop and you grow and you learn and you allow yourself the education. And I'm grateful for the people who have, you know, called us in to that conversation and demonstrated credibility. There's no way, I think we would be looking at an item like this today without the history of work with these partners that we've industry leaders and partners that we've had. So I want to thank you guys for that.
Speaker 5: All right. Any additional comment?
Speaker 6: I'll just close and say thank you to my colleagues. I want to thank the many public commenters who came out. It sounds like it's unanimous in support of moving forward, at least from the public comment standpoint. And I do think that there are opportunities and this is not the first that we are going to hear about taking another look at our tax structure for cannabis, as should happen here on the local level. But it should also happen in Sacramento, which I expect to be happening as well. And these these conversations happening simultaneously, I think will make for a better industry, a more robust legal industry here in the state of California and in Long Beach . Thanks.
Speaker 5: All right. Let's go to a roll call vote with District one.
Speaker 1: My district to. I.
Speaker 0: District three i. District four.
Speaker 7: I.
Speaker 0: District five. I. District six.
Speaker 1: I. District eight.
Speaker 0: High District nine.
Speaker 1: I emotion is carried eight zero. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to investigate the feasibility of repealing the tax for cannabis cultivation in Long Beach, including fiscal and workforce impacts, and present to the Budget Oversight Committee in 90 days. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03152022_22-0305 | Speaker 1: Motion is carried. Seven zero.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Item 21 with.
Speaker 1: Communication from Vice Mayor Richardson, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Councilmember, your UNGA.
Speaker 1: Recommendation to request city manager to enter discussions with L.A. County to partner on establishing a reward of no less than 25,000 for information leading to the arrest of Octavio, Montano is less.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Take it from here. I'm introducing this motion. We had a tragic circumstance two weeks ago in my district. We lost two members of our community to a hit and run. 42 year old Jessie Palacios and three of Samantha Fields. It's a deeply heartbreaking circumstance. At the request of the community and the family, I am advancing this request for our city to formally request to partner with L.A. County on establishing a reward of no less than $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of several months of Huntley's list. And I'm happy to make this motion in your hand up for a second. Councilman Allen. Okay, Counsel. Now our second. Anything.
Speaker 0: Yeah. I just. I just wanted to say that I know how important it is as a former police officer to have these rewards, to get people to come forward that has any information. And I just appreciate you leading on this item. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Any further council deliberation? Any public comment on this?
Speaker 2: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on item 21, please line up at the podium. Or if you're attending, virtually, please use the raise hand feature. Seen. And that concludes public comment.
Speaker 5: Fantastic. Will cover.
Speaker 0: District one. My district to. I District three i. District four.
Speaker 7: I.
Speaker 2: District six i. District eight.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District nine. I motion is carried seven zero. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to enter discussions with LA County to partner on establishing a reward of no less than $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of Octavio Montano Islas. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0251 | Speaker 0: All right. So next, we will take of the fund transfer items. Item 14, 15 and 17. Now, where can you read those items?
Speaker 1: Communication from Council Member Your UNGA recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $10,000 to provide a donation to the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association to create additional painted utility boxes in Council District seven. Item 15 is a communication from Councilwoman Sara recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $500 to support the Carmi Parent Association's seventh Annual Mother and Daughters Conference. And Item 17 is a communication from Vice Mayor Richardson recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by 1400 to provide a donation to the name Neighborhood Association and African-American Historical Society of Long Beach.
Speaker 0: They can never part of their emotion. Second, to prove the fund transfer items. I've got a motion by Councilmember Thoreau and seconded by Councilmember Price to you. Is there any public comment towards these funds transfer items?
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the.
Speaker 0: Public.
Speaker 3: That would like to speak on item 14, 15 and 17, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. CNN. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: All right. About roll call vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 1: District two.
Speaker 4: High.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 0: District by.
Speaker 1: District five. District six. I'm District seven. I. District eight.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 0: Wonderful. So next up, we have our hearing out of over 30. Madam Clerk, turn it over to you as introduced item. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $10,000, offset by the Seventh Council District One-time District Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a donation to the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association to support our partnership to create additional painted utility boxes in Council District 7; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $10,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0257 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's move on to item number 16. He's retired.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Allen, Councilwoman in the House Councilmember Urunga. Recommendation to request Climate Action and Environmental Committee to work with appropriate city staff, the Infrastructure Funding Alliance, Southern California Edison labor organizations and other stakeholders to be identified to understand the potential regional and local impacts of the proposed Freedom Villages project and consider the formation of an enhanced infrastructure finance district and forward recommendations to the Port's Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Speaker 0: Great. So I have a motion by Councilmember Allen, seconded by Raga. Councilmember Alvin, please. Sorry, George.
Speaker 4: Yes. Can I request that we do the public comments first before I make my comments?
Speaker 0: Absolutely.
Speaker 4: Thank you for.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public, they would like to speak on this item. Please use the race hand feature or dial star nine. Shukla. Your time begins now.
Speaker 0: Hello? Can you hear me?
Speaker 3: Yes.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. And thank you, Councilman Allen, for this commitment to deliberative democracy. I very much appreciate it. The staff report that accompanied this item was a bit confusing, not completely clear on what an e f IED is. Moreover, what freedom villages are. Or how they're related to arena numbers or. Everything else, including existing state legislation, SB 671 on clean air freight corridors, but more specifically the place I'm guessing it's down Queensway Avenue where where this electricity passing is. There's you know, there's only so many things you can do with it, but physically, logically or actually not through it, physically, logically as well as procedurally, you know, you're either going to overload it doing anything with anyone. And then you have too many physical risks and maybe too many mental risks. You're going to right size it and either control it yourself or let someone else do it for you, or you're going to limit it severely and most likely keep the status quo, which I know seems like what? But it's not. It's not clear. There's a major conference right now. I'm sitting on a city council zoom, but there's a major conference in Arizona happening right now. Largest one that's ever happened in the country. It's on solar and wind together. People are rapidly realizing that you can use clean energy to meet all of your energy needs. And that's a very, very good thing to hear when you've got Vladimir Putin invading not just Ukraine, but a whole bunch of other countries around oil and gas pipeline wrote. But specific to our ports and goods movement. There's a lot in how we do things that could be more efficient and better run for the people who live here, the people who work here, the people who should be enjoying, frankly, the social product and social benefits of their labor. I've been in this town long enough to see things like a tax on container traffic, to fund some of the pollution caused by these shipping companies, viciously, violently outfought outspend and neutered. And I wonder, frankly, what this is. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: The. Councilmember Price. I mean, Ellen.
Speaker 4: Yes. Thank you so much. I want to first, I just say thank you to Councilman Van de Hoff and council member Urania for joining me on this item. They represent the areas where this project is proposed and their residents are currently most impacted by harbor by the harbor goods movement. I want to make sure that all my colleagues know that Marc Garneau, chair of the Infrastructure Funding Alliance, is on the zoom and he's available to answer any technical questions that you may have tonight. As we discussed this agenda item back in 2021. My office was approached by the Infrastructure Funding Alliance with the Freedom Villages proposal. I know that the Teamsters, UAW, let's see, IBEW, meet council are on board with this project. And I also know that the proposers have reached out to ILWU as well. This project has the potential to greatly reduce local diesel and other emissions in the port area and also reduce our overall GHG emissions as well. I met with harbor staff and my my team facilitated a high level meeting between harbor staff and the proposers and city and harbor staff were generally supportive but without specific council direction to devote time and resources to studying the proposal. Staff just could not get into detail to fully understand all the implications. So I asked them to reach out to the other council offices and the mayor's office as well to share the proposal. And now is the right time for the City Council to discuss sending the conversation into our committee. The proposal at a high level is a good, future oriented project. I understand that the proposed financing mechanism needs further analysis and discussion. The Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District would require the city and other government agencies future tax dollars to support this. Therefore, the right first formal step is for the Council to direct staff at City and Harbor, to direct staff at the city and harbor to work with proposers and other stakeholders to fully that the pros and cons of the project. This process is designed to guarantee that additional information and analysis of the specifics of the specifics of the project will be discussed. So at minimum, three more public meetings should take place before any decision is made on the project. This would ensure that transparency and we also have opportunities for civic engagement. The Climate Action and Environmental Committee will discuss the project from an environmental standpoint, including the value of reducing emissions sooner than later for both our cap and local health benefits to all of our frontline communities. Then the Port Transportation and Infrastructure Committee would add their perspective. And finally, staff would then bring recommendations from the committee process back to full city council. So I look forward to starting this process. So we and the public can learn more about this proposal and the impact that it may have. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Okay. Council member Yolanda. Thank you. Acting mayor of. And I want to thank Councilmember Allard for bringing this forward and being so explicit in explaining what the project actually has. I was able to I, too, was approached last year about this project, and I, I was I had an opportunity to read the white paper that the committee put to put forward the the second year, the infrastructure funding alliance. And I see that Jan Perry, former councilmember in L.A., is also present on this council, may have additional input. We have any questions, any any study. I mean, in the past, I have always been reluctant to approve a go forward studies because it. Use of time that that management can use for other projects. But this one, because of the potential impact it has in our environment, has a lower quality of life, especially in my district in the West Long Beach area. It's very important. We need to explore ways that we can have good movement that doesn't is not as invasive into the communities as every president we have. We know that we have an issue with air quality, with goods movement, with impact traffic. And so anything we can move forward to alleviate that and ameliorated would be greatly beneficial. And I totally agree that we should study this further. I mean, it's new technology. It's it's something that we should investigate and look into. But of course, I'm doing it with the caveat that I'm concerned that if if this comes forward, that there are going to be jobs lost, I would have a difficult time approving a project that that while it to clean the air and an imagery of traffic, that it would be at the cost of people losing their jobs or losing their homes and having other unexpected consequences happen with that. So looking forward to studying this and looking forward to a report that might come back to us that we could better evaluate what impacts cumulative in other ways a project like this would have on our city. So thank you again, Kathryn Rather for bringing this forward. Thanks. Next, we have our councilmembers. And they are.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilmember Austin. And thank you very much, Councilwoman Allen, for bringing this item forward and for inviting me to sign on. This is a very, very important item. The fight for climate adaptation change is being led by our youth, and I find it our responsibility as leaders to support this movement and our youth to the best of our ability. We have begun for some time now, moving in the direction of reducing emissions and prioritizing clean energy. We have committed to addressing the issue of climate change, and this item adds to the motion of curbing our waste into action. This item seeks to discuss the development of an enhanced infrastructure financing district and of technology that uses carbon free electric transportation to help innovative the disproportionate environmental and health impacts placed on our most geographically vulnerable populations. Our residents throughout the city, but especially in the districts closest to the port and the 710 freeway, are both forced to be endured and live with the long term health consequences from these environmental injustice. And this is why it is critically important that we begin these processes of changing that into making it a reality. I hope that the report we receive will incorporate the length of approximate cost for the implementation of this project so as to more holistically discuss our next steps, as well as the degree of impact these projects may have of awesome. So on our on our truck drivers and like Councilmember, I said, will there be a loss of jobs? That's also very concerning. That's why I think it's very important that the community meetings that Councilwoman Allen referred to take place in order to really have true transparency with moving forward with this action. So thank you again, Councilwoman Allen, for bringing this item forward.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Council member Sorrell. Next.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I thank you, Councilwoman Allen, for bringing this item forward, as well as the co-sponsors of the bill. You know, I'm always supportive of ideas and ways that we can explore how to move towards kind of green, cleaner and greener goods movement, especially in a way that it can benefit, you know, the surrounding community that's just always been greatly impacted because they're also impacted by other impacts such as the corridor. Right, the freeway corridor as well. But one of the things that I am interested in learning more, which is what this item is proposing to do, and I'm so I understand the general approach in looking at new technology and ways that we can fund it, which is needed as we're trying to transition to zero emissions. So but one of the things that I would like to ask that we can include is how does it also help us meet our Long Beach Climate Action and adaptation plan, where there are lines there that also help us address those goals so that we're making sure that we're not only working towards kind of this process of figuring out how to address climate change at the harbor and as well as surrounding community, but overall as a region and a city as well. So thank you very much.
Speaker 0: It's. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And I don't see any of the council members queued up to comment or.
Speaker 4: Maybe don't remember often. Can I. Q I'm sorry, I'm having trouble with the queue.
Speaker 0: Please.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I want to.
Speaker 4: Appreciate my business and the community at large that are interested in helping us solve these really big issues. And I want to thank my colleagues for all of their comments. I think that this is a great step forward, and I look forward to hearing the results. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you for that. With that. I'm supportive of this as well. I think this is innovative. Do you have questions a little bit regarding the direction on whether or not this was a committee going to a committee or city council? I think that's been clarified. This is been worked on, received by multiple committees. I think it's an innovative idea. Thank you for bringing it forward with that. With no other comments on the table.
Speaker 4: You know what I did. Q AB just one more time just to if that's okay.
Speaker 0: Please.
Speaker 4: Okay. Thank you. Just one quick question. I'm Mark with Mark on the line. I think you on the Zoom call. Mark, could you just briefly talk about the jobs impact on this proposal? And I don't know if staff can free him up to speak. And if not. I see them on here.
Speaker 3: If you press star nine, you can unmute yourself.
Speaker 4: There is.
Speaker 0: Um, first of all, my name is Mark Pichardo, and I'm the chairman of the Infrastructure. Finding Alliance, and I'm trying to turn my video on and it just won't turn on.
Speaker 1: We don't have a video for non council members. Mr. Fasano.
Speaker 0: Okay, fair enough. First of all, I'd like to thank the three council persons who have put forward the motion and secondly the comments from the multiple council members on the proposal. And let me just specifically address the issue of jobs and employment. The one of the reasons why Labor is so strongly supportive and we have multiple labor unions in support of this as well as community, environmental and social justice support for the organization. But the labor unions involved see this as an opportunity to develop new technologies, new jobs and new ways where in fact their members can expand employment in. And let me note that the opportunities of the new technologies and our hope is that those new technologies will not only result in building this project, but could lead to in employment opportunities in building these new products. And I don't want to use your your scarce time tonight to describe all of those potential, but I will assure you that the the labor union folks who are involved see the possibility of increased employment opportunities, not reduced ones. And I very I, I took to heart calcium in your NGOs, your request that we specifically bring that information forward and let you have an opportunity to further understand it. And let me add one additional comment. In my career, I was the director executive director of Skog for three plus decades. The Alameda Corridor was a project that I and my staff led and helped create, and it was basically established so that we, in fact, could deal with the the goods movement, environmental and transportation impacts. What we found in our work and and that is, is that the increased movement out of the ports is coming by trucks, not by rail. And the fact that the almost the total increase in movement since the turn of the century has been by trucks moving out of the port. And given the impacts, the environmental impact, as well as the transportation impacts, the logistics industry in our region has not expanded to the extent, full extent that it could. It is our hope and my hope in this project. And let me just note that the basic concept in the proposal was adopted in a Skog plan in 2009. It was not implemented because there was no entity that would enable us to implement it. The reason for for the enhanced infrastructure finance industry legislation came from work of our IFAD working with California Forward in Governor Jerry Brown to in fact put this mechanism in place. It gives us the vehicle to do it. If we're successful, it will not only increase employment opportunities within the area that are clean jobs. That don't adversely impact the community going adversely store owners in the community, but rather find ways to move them efficiently and secondly, enable us to truly take advantage of the supply chain logistics industry to expand employment not only in the Long Beach area, but in the region. So I look forward to further discussions bringing this information forward and enabling the team. And it's led by Jan Perry, who's our executive director, to bring the information forward you requested this evening. And if there's further questions, I'll be more than happy to and answer them. Councilman Allen. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 4: Thank you very much. Mark, now, that was great. All right. That's all right. That's all I have.
Speaker 0: Still have Councilmember Price. Judah.
Speaker 2: Sorry. And I had tried to queue earlier. I just wanted to say thank you so much for allowing the community process to be involved in this. I'm really looking forward to getting a briefing at the Port Transportation Infrastructure Committee. And as chair of the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, which Marc just mentioned, I think it's going to be a really fascinating discussion. We've talked about similar topics there. So thank you for bringing the item.
Speaker 0: Okay. We've had, I think, exhausted comment from the council on this item. Well, how about.
Speaker 1: District one. I'm District two.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 0: I'm.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I'm.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 0: Right. So the next item is item number 18. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request Climate Action and Environmental Committee to work with appropriate City staff, the Infrastructure Funding Alliance, Southern California Edison, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to be identified to better understand the potential regional and local impacts of the proposed “Freedom Villages” project and consider the formation of an Enhanced Infrastructure Finance District, and forward recommendations to the Ports, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee; and
Request Ports, Transportation, and Infrastructure Committee to review the recommendations of the Climate Action and Environmental Committee, working with appropriate City staff, the Infrastructure Funding Alliance, Southern California Edison, labor organizations, and other stakeholders to be identified, and forward recommendations to the City Council. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0253 | Speaker 0: Right. So the next item is item number 18.
Speaker 1: Could report from city manager recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to execute an agreement with the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development to receive grant funding in the amount of $3,235,203 to support the Long Beach Cannabis Social Equity Program citywide.
Speaker 0: Hey, I have a motion from a council member Sorrel seconded by a council member Urunga. Is there a staff report on this?
Speaker 6: Emily Armstrong can provide a quick staff report. Can we see her on the zoom call? Anyway, if you could unmute.
Speaker 2: Can you hear me?
Speaker 6: Yes. Now we can hear you. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Okay. Sorry about that. Um, yes. So tonight you have before you a.
Speaker 2: Grant agreement with Go Business is our third.
Speaker 4: Round of funding with the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development for our Cannabis Equity Program. This will give us $3.2 million, of which 80% will go towards direct grants to equity applicants, and the other 20% will go towards administration and direct technical assistance.
Speaker 0: Thank you for that staff report. Is there any public comment on the site?
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial star name. Tonight can be. Your time begins now.
Speaker 0: Hello. My name is Sam. I am very successful resident. I'm curious if staff could display to the public as well as the council, the amount of African-American graduates of the equity program who graduate through the program and became a dispensary owners or any retail space. I'm curious because tangibility wise, I don't understand what this funding does with respect to creating that business infrastructure towards the community most represented by the war on Drugs. This weekend I'm engaging with the Office of the City prosecutor on an expungement program to help with these old drug convictions that are no longer applicable to the modern era . And it's still fascinating to me that we have this social equity program, and we've still yet to see any black graduates have any actual dispensaries in the city of Long Beach. City of L.A. seems to be doing better than us. So if that I can maybe speak towards that, where exactly that 80% of the money goes into creating new business opportunities in the city of Long Beach that, you know, can help pay for some of these things in the future. Because on the outside, in percentage wise, I don't understand where the money where it's actually going. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes the public comment.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I will continue with your sorrow that you have come in.
Speaker 2: And I just appreciate the work that staff has been doing to get us to the point where we were able to receive the grant and looking forward in ways that we can make sure we move this program toward.
Speaker 0: I see. Mayor has rejoined us. What had been on this island. So. Sure. Now I think. Is there any. Thank you, councilman, for doing the meeting. Also, just want to just want to go ahead. Any of the council members have any comments on this item? Good news. Great. Any public comment, madam? Sorry.
Speaker 1: We had no further comment from the public.
Speaker 0: Okay, let's go ahead and do a walk over, please.
Speaker 1: District one. I district to.
Speaker 4: My.
Speaker 1: District three, my district four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 2: I'm.
Speaker 1: District seven. I'm district eight. I motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you. And I'm not sure if we had I'm assuming Councilman Austin mentioned that we're going to do the budget hearing at the end of the meeting. So we still have a few more meetings, a few more items before that item so that we move that to the end of the meeting. So let's continue on the item. Let's do item with the next few items should be fairly quick. Item number 19, please bring it in motion in a second. I also in order to queue up, if you want to motion in a second, just go ahead and verbalize the motion. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents including any subsequent amendments, with the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), to receive and expend grant funding in the amount of $3,235,203, to support the Long Beach Cannabis Social Equity Program, from May 14, 2022 through May 13, 2023; and
Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the City Manager’s Department by $3,235,203, offset by grant revenue from GO-Biz. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0228 | Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next item is item 21. We have three audiences that are reading. So Councilmember Superman, I think has a motion for item 21. Can I get a second, please? Second break comes from Ringo to add any additional comments. Councilmember to Vernon yes, I'd like to add. Last week I was asked just how pervasive are these street takeovers? And we never got to that point. So thanks to the administrative deputy city manager, April Walker, I have those numbers tonight and that is year to date in 2022. But we've had 46 events and those events are defined by ten cars and spectators or more. It's not the one offs. And for all of 2021, there were 282 street takeover events in Long Beach. And if you averages out per day, that's about 77% of the days we had a street takeover. So it is pervasive. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. I don't believe Councilmember Ranga has any additional comments. So we will go ahead and do. Councilwoman Price to comment.
Speaker 2: Yes. I just wanted to echo what Councilman Supernova just said. And since we approved this last week, we had a street takeover in Belmont Shore just a few days ago. And it was very scary and very loud. And we're going to have a community meeting about it. So I want to thank Councilman Super now for pushing this forward because I think it's important. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. With that, we've got a motion any second. Is your public comment on this.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or doust or knight. CNN. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen, if you have something you want to add to this.
Speaker 4: No, I was just going to second it.
Speaker 0: Okay, great. And then we are we got we have a motion in a second. Please go ahead, members, and cast your votes.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District two I, District three I. District four.
Speaker 0: I'm.
Speaker 1: District five II District six. I. District seven. I. District eight. My motion carries eight zero.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And before we move on to the next item, if you want to queue up, just raise your hand or either virtually or just wave and I'll call on you. Next up is item 22. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 10.82 relating to prohibiting spectators at street races, sideshows, and reckless driving exhibitions, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0234 | Speaker 0: Thank you. And before we move on to the next item, if you want to queue up, just raise your hand or either virtually or just wave and I'll call on you. Next up is item 22.
Speaker 1: Please report from city attorney recommendation declare ordinance amending and restating chapter 5.53 and repealing Section 5.53.090 relating to COVID 19 worker retention read and adapted as read citywide.
Speaker 0: Got a motion by Council member Austin. Can I get a second please? Second backcountry country. Is there any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: There are any members of the public that would like to speak on the side and please use the raise hand feature or doust or nine. CNN. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Okay, great. Unless there's anyone who wants to comment from the makers of the motion, I will move on to a vote, roll call vote police district one.
Speaker 1: I am district two.
Speaker 4: I.
Speaker 1: District three. High District four. I'm District five, district six. I District seven. I'm District eight. A motion carries eight zero. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 5.53, and repealing Section 5.53.090, relating to Covid-19 worker retention, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0235 | Speaker 1: District three. High District four. I'm District five, district six. I District seven. I'm District eight. A motion carries eight zero.
Speaker 0: Great item number 23, this.
Speaker 1: Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance amending and restating Chapter 5.55 and repealing Section 5.55.090 relating to COVID 19 work a recall read and adopted as read citywide.
Speaker 0: I have emotion that comes from your anger. Can I get a second, please? Second by Councilwoman Sara. Is there any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial our name. See. Now, that concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Thank you. With that, then we'll go into the roll call vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one, district two.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 1: District three. I. District four. I'm District five.
Speaker 4: II.
Speaker 1: District six. I. District seven. I. District eight.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is security. Zero.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. That concludes everything on the regular agenda. We do have a study session that we were going to do here at the end of the end of the meeting. So we'll go ahead and start that. I wanted to just double check, madam, quick, is there anything else on the agenda that we've missed or we all completed? With the agenda.
Speaker 1: We've completed all the other items on the agenda.
Speaker 0: Okay, excellent. Then we will transition into our 30 session and then do some any any new business or announcements we have for the study session at the council too was good about that. We wanted to get to the agenda because we do have an important budget update and I want to begin by saying a few remarks and | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 5.55, and repealing Section 5.55.090, relating to Covid-19 worker recall, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03082022_22-0259 | Speaker 0: Okay, excellent. Then we will transition into our 30 session and then do some any any new business or announcements we have for the study session at the council too was good about that. We wanted to get to the agenda because we do have an important budget update and I want to begin by saying a few remarks and then turning it over to to Mr. Mode. Again, just want to broadly just really take first and foremost our financial financial management staff and our city manager who have been working on the budget every single day. I think oftentimes we view and think about the budget as something that we do during part of the year. And the truth is, is that the budget staff are working on the budget every single day of the year and faithfully. And thanks to a really strong economic recovery, we're going to start seeing some really great news, I think, tonight as it relates to how the city and the budget is doing. So I just want to thank the staff as we go into this. I'll have more remarks after the presentation, but I want to turn this over to Mr. Mordecai and the Budget team.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for that great introduction. Absolutely. We're excited to be here tonight and really talk about how things have changed over the past year and what some of the future holds for us, both in terms of budget, but also in terms of some major investments in our infrastructure. So next slide, please. So as the mayor mentioned, we've had a really strong revenue recovery. And so the bottom line you'll hear all the detail tonight is we get to announce tonight that due to strong revenue recovery, we are not having to do budget targets. We normally at this time of the year are talking about what our deficit might be, what some of the strategies are, and then how we're going to tackle that. But essentially, we've reduced our budget deficit from a projection of about $36 million a year to $12 million a year. And so we are bouncing back very well. It's still important that we remain fiscally prudent and that we're disciplined, as this council always is. And that's really what's helped get us to this point. The budget that we'll be focusing will have a big focus on infrastructure. We heard that very clear from the mayor and city council over the past a year to two years about the importance of our infrastructure and really given the charge to the city manager and to the whole staff on how to find a way to invest more in streets and roads and parks and all of the core services . And so you'll hear about that tonight as we make some announcements on how to move forward using Measure eight money and launching another five year large investment in infrastructure. And it's important to remember that our strong fiscal management has really prepared us for and for for the the actions that we're taking on our budget and and reducing those deficits. And also for so many things that we've accomplished, we have really strong financial practices. The council and the mayor have been very focused on managing our finances. And and we've had good reserves that have helped us cover our temporary shortfalls and the ability to to bounce back. And then, of course, with the Recovery Act, that has really allowed us to both respond and effectively serve the community as well as plan for existing services to continue. Next slide, please. And so quickly, I just want to we always start these presentations to talk about what's happened and keep an eye really focused on on all the accomplishments. If we listed all the accomplishments, you'd be here a long, long time. But just some highlights. We were an early leader in COVID 19, vaccine distribution. Hard to believe that was just about a year ago when nobody had the vaccine in January. And we between January, March, April really rolled out. And we're a leader in ahead of everybody else in getting out the vaccine to our community. And to date, we've done over 330,000 residents have been vaccinated. We created those incredible COVID 19 testing programs. We've now tested 800,000 people and administered 1.1 million tests. We have our booster program. It's still running and we've administered 16,000 shots. We implemented quickly the CARES Act programing and really supported basic needs and early childhood support and helped with youth development and provided food to people and nonprofits and local business support. We launched a number of programs to help our businesses and fill out forms and get help in language and through our busy care hotline, busy care, pop ups, busy outreach teams. For the first time in our history, we implemented Emergency Rental Assistance Program and helped 4000 people with past due rent and utility payments. We did our Open Streets initiatives to get our restaurants back open again and created all those temporary parklets. The Council adopted the Long Beach Recovery Act, a $250 million program, which is the size of an entire budget for some cities to really focus on recovery and been getting back to normal through city hall and city facilities getting back open again. Next slide. It's important to remember just a year ago or actually two years ago, we we've been managing the longest coordinated disaster response in our city's history with our EOC was activated since March 2020. And it's important remember that just last year we went through an enormous humanitarian effort with a family reunification effort and one of the several emergency shelters set up throughout the country to help 1583 migrant children. All were reunited with family members or sponsors, and the community came out big to raise $100,000 to make sure that they had the best amount of care while they were here in the emergency shelter. Next slide. And, of course, homelessness is on the top of everybody's minds. It is a national crisis and Long Beach has risen to that challenge. There is we've done so much. There's still more to do. Everyone acknowledges that. But just to look back on our on our successes, the Atlantic Bridge housing community is opened and was running and a site for up to 125 people experiencing homelessness. We purchased hotel room to room hotel room for transitional supported housing. We opened Project Roomkey, a 47 room Days Inn. We have permanently housed 458 people and stabilized 560 people and housing. We've served 3500 people at the mercy in 2021 total of. 33,000 total visits, averaging 132 people per day at our multi-service center. We've had 4600 enrollments in different homeless services and more than 900 outreach contacts. And we've conducted 860 homeless encampment cleanups. Next slide, please. We've continued the implementation of our Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative with racial equity 1 to 1 trainings, action plans and development of tools for our staff to use. Our Language Access Plan has managed more than a 500% increase in translation requests as we work to ensure information gets out to our community in the language they feel most comfortable. We've had so many different new and re-envisioned existing programs through our city parks, including the senior center and Bixby and Drake and Eldorado and Ranchos. As we look to adapt our services. We've loaned out almost 800,000 digital and physical items from our libraries, including Chromebooks and hotspots, as people can use those to get onto the Internet. And our clean team has been very, very busy out there every day collecting 2400 plus tons of litter and illegal dumped items. We've abated 1.5 million square feet of graffiti, filled 25,000 potholes, and we have an updated and relaunched our Go Long Beach app. Next slide, please. So I'm going to turn it over to Grace now that I get to talk about kind of successes. And and just you could be very proud of the work that the city team has done on your behalf and and for the direction that the mayor and Council have given us on the things to focus on in the last year. And I'll turn it over to Grace now to really talk about what some of our financial projections look like and what the future holds. Grace.
Speaker 2: Great. Thanks, Tom. Good evening, Mayor. Members of the City Council. I'll first be talking about the general fund, its trends, the outdoor forecast and budget balancing strategies for FY 23. The Star of the general fund outlook story this year really is revenue. Revenue growth projections for FY 23 have improved significantly from our previous projections for FY 23 made last year. At the time, we put the 22 budget together as discussed in the ACT by 21 year end performance report brought to City Council on February eight. Revenues in FY 21 have rebounded from the pandemic and perform better than our expectations. This has improved our projections for the future. This slide here shows a few examples of some key notable revenue streams and how they have improved from the previous projections for FY 23. And just to clarify, the graph does not show a year over year change, but is a comparison between the current FY 23 projection and last year's projection for FY 23. Our two largest revenue sources non measuring sales tax and property tax have improved 14% and 2% respectively from previous projection. In addition to users utility tax, which improved 17% based on better than budgeted performance in FY 2021, there are some revenue streams that are performing less than anticipated. This includes our transient occupancy tax, which was heavily impacted during the pandemic with travel restriction. It has steadily improved over the past year and we are showing growth in the outyear, but just at a rate that was lower than previously assumed. In terms of oil revenue, we are keeping our budgeted rate at $55 a barrel for structural purposes due to the volatile nature of this revenue source and learning from past lessons not to over rely on oil revenues for structural uses. If the price of oil continues to remain higher than the budgeted rate during the year, we will assess at the end of the year for available revenues, net of oil expenses and bring to city council additional one time funds that could be used for citywide one time purposes. Overall, the key takeaway here when talking bottom line impact on our forecast for FY 23 is that revenues have increased from our previous projections for FY 23 by 21 million. Next slide. In terms of expenditures, there are some notable trends to highlight for 23 as well. The projection related to general liability are remaining the same when compared to FY 22. As costs for settlements and judgments have decreased in recent years, the fund is still a negative funds available as previously discussed in different meeting, but looks to be on track to continue to make improvements. So at this time no additional increase to the budget are slated for FY 20. Worker's compensation costs are seeing a savings of about 1.4 million to the general fund due to a good performance and cash available in the fund as of the end of FY 21. Salary changes are increasing by 18 million over the FY 2020 budget and include negotiated cost increases for existing contracts with labor groups as well as a general inflator if there is no contract. There are also some adjustment and reallocation of budgets internally to better align actual cost of services to budget, all offset internally through reallocation of budget or by projected vacancy saving. CalPERS is particularly notable with cost increases being the lowest it has been and a $500,000 increase in the general fund for FY 23. And with the out years starting in FY 24, actually showing a decrease in cost. And I'll talk about this a little more in the next slide. Overall, the key takeaway here when talking bottom line impact on our forecast for FY 23 is that expense projections have stayed the same bottom line from our previous FY 23 projection. Expenses are growing by 22 million from the FY 22 budget. But this was essentially the same growth in expenditures we were previously anticipating. Even though the variables have been updated. I've noted some trend changes and net bottom line impact is the same as before. Excellent. As I mentioned, CalPERS is a really notable trend in this year's projection. As you can see on the graph, we have had years of very significant CalPERS cost increase. To pay down our unfunded liability. Previously we were projecting cost increases to continue straight up until around fiscal year 32, after which we were then projecting to start to see a decrease in costs. Now the projection for FY 23 is a small increase that I mentioned earlier, but then decrease over the next few years until FY 29, when we then see some small increases again to FY 23, after which FY 33 after which we see a significant decline in cost. This is the first time in years we have seen any projection that has cost decreases for CalPERS in the near future. This improvement to the trend is mainly the result of the high investment return of 21% that was experienced in 2021. And one important thing to note is that this trend may fluctuate and even change back to be cost increases depending on variables such as investment, return and CalPERS methodology. A bad investment can easily swing costs back up, but this is good news for this year and a very positive projection in the short term outlook. Next light. All right. So this brings us to our projection for FY 23. We are now projecting a shortfall of about 12 million compared to our previous shortfall of about 36 million. As you can see in the table, our projection improved from 35 million to 15 million, which is approximately 21 million improvement. This is the 21 million I referenced earlier as being the improvement in revenue. We then have about 3 million and measuring revenues that are covering eligible public safety cost increases, which I'll mention more in a later slide. This results in a 12 million shortfall situation for FY 23. It's like. In terms of the budget balancing strategy for FY 23. As Tom mentioned earlier, the plan is to use one time funds made available by the Long Beach Recovery Act to cover the shortfall for FY 23. Originally under the Long Beach Recovery Act, under the category of securing our cities, future funds were being made available to help the city's financial status with shortfalls that were being projected for FY 21 and FY 22 and the general fund and other challenged funds. However, with the strong performance of NY 21, less assistance was needed from the Long Beach Recovery Act, making 12 million now available for FY 23. This is all within our securing our city's future category and does not change or impact programs to the community under the Healthy Communities and Economic Recovery Category. This really is great news in that no general fund reduction targets will be issued to departments as we work to put together a proposed FY 23 budget. Looks like. Moving forward, it will be important to continue to do so with fiscal prudence and discipline. There are some key assumptions and uncertainties in the projections to note. We are still waiting to hear if the California Supreme Court will pick up our measure and if they do not, our structural shortfall situation worsens by 9 million in significant one time. Need to be identified to remit back to water. For the short term, however, we are working and planning to address any FY 23 gap as a result of Measure M with one time in terms of negotiation, FFA and lifeguard contracts expire in FY 22 and miscellaneous contracts expire in FY 23. We have general inflator included in our projection for when these contracts expire, but depending on the results of actual negotiations, our projections will need to be updated, which could make the shortfall larger or smaller, depending on the outcome. There are also potential future costs that may hit that are not currently factored in, as we are still looking into and estimating those items. And this outlook also assumes no future recession, which, if it were to occur, would change our numbers. Additionally, using one times to solve the F 23 shortfall covers the problem just for FY 23. The 12 million shortfall from FY 23 carries over to 524, and this increases the projected FY 24 shortfall from 9 million to 21 million. As a result, while revenues are better than anticipated. The ability to add new services at this point is not in the longer term forecast. All this being said, the youth of one time is a recommended approach. The youth of these one time funds through the Long Beach Recovery Act is intended for this very purpose of helping to address fiscal challenges as we continue to stabilize from the pandemic. Next slide. In the next few slides, I'll talk about Measure eight and our approach for other five with the extension of Measure A voted on by Long Beach residents in 2020. Measure eight revenues are slated to continue at a higher level into the out years instead of dropping to half a percent in FY 23 and then sunsetting completely at the end of F 27. In FY 23, the rate does drop from 1% to 0.75% beginning January 20, 23 through fiscal year 27 due to county measure H in order to stay within the tax rate limit. This is less than the 1% we have been receiving up until now, but still more revenue than what we had originally been anticipating starting in FY 23. I like. The potential use of measuring funds will be developed and proposed as part of the proposed 23 budget for City Council Review . It is anticipated that there will be in the range of 20 to 22 million, an unallocated measuring fund each year, beginning in FY 23 through FY 27. Measuring revenues will continue to cover past structural and other ADD that were part of previous year plan. And as Tom mentioned earlier, a significant focus will be placed on infrastructure. We are looking at issuing three potential bond issues over the next five years that would generate 50 million every two years for approximately 150 million from bond proceeds for infrastructure projects. The annual debt service would start around 3.5 million and the earlier an increase to about 12 million by fiscal year 27. Funding is also proposed to be used towards covering cost increases to maintain public safety services, including resolving the budget issue in fire department for their FY 20 reduction target and increasing and the increasing cost of doing business for police such as the crime lab. We thought. Other potential uses include the funding of Engine 17 and the out years. For the short term, the hope is that we will receive a safer grant to cover costs and are expecting to be able to continue Engine 17 service in FY 23 and beyond. And also we are looking at things like funding neighborhood safe streets, which allow the police department to quickly impact crime hotspots throughout the year. Again, this is all still being developed and will be brought to City Council as part of the proposed FY 23 budget. Flight. In terms of other funds, I wanted to highlight three thing related funds that impact the general fund, either through interdepartmental MRU or cost changes or through overhead rates will not be issued any reduction targets similar to the general fund. The Special Advertising and promotion fund. Main source of revenue is the transient occupancy tax. As noted earlier, during the general fund revenue slide, this was dramatically impacted by the pandemic. So the balance between revenues and expense in this fund is still looking to be a shortfall in FY 22. We were able to use one time funds made available through the Long Beach Recovery Act to help replenish the revenue that was lost in 21. And we are anticipating that we will need to do so again for FY 22 and possibly FY 23. In order to avoid issuing cuts, we will need to look for any one time funds made available during the year to be set aside for this purpose. For the refuge fund. There is a rate study underway as rate increases will be needed to provide for structural balance and the fund, including funds that are needed to cover cost of Greenway Collection and meet state mandates. This study and initial rate increase request is anticipated to come to City Council soon in this fiscal year. FY 22. Next slide. For the last section of this presentation, we wanted to report back on our community engagement efforts around the budget process. So for the first time in recent history, community engagement efforts were done at the beginning of the budget process with two virtual meetings that were held in January. This early engagement was in response to the Mayor and City Council's request for earlier and more robust community engagement. It also aligns with the goal of our citywide racial equity and reconciliation efforts to reach out to a broader demographic and include more community voices from across the city, particularly those who are most impacted by racial inequities and systemic racism. The budget survey was also conducted in January that we usually do in August during these community engagement efforts. We prioritize language access by having all outreach materials available in different languages and having interpretation services available at the meetings as well. Another update we made this year was to add demographic questions that we asked participants in the meeting and in the budget survey to complete. And these were questions such as ethnicity, gender and disability to start with collecting data as best as we can to better inform and track how we are doing and how we can make improvements for future engagement. This exit demographic survey was also made available in different languages. And lastly, this was not related to community engagement efforts directly, but in line with our racial equity goals. We have also requested departments to provide information on their budget proposals through an equity lens as applicable, providing information on groups that might be impacted by the budget requests. That's like. For our virtual meeting, we had a total of 141 community participants join about 44% or 62 participants completed the demographic exit survey. And the data on these slides are from those responses. So please keep in mind that this is not a statistically valid report and depended whether community members participated in doing the demographic exit survey. And we hope to continue to develop these efforts and data collection into the future. Two of those who completed the demographic exit survey. We had representation from all council districts and in terms of age, the largest age group was in the 45 to 49 age category, but we had almost equal participating people in their thirties, forties and 65. With regards to race and ethnicity. The two highest represented groups were white at 42% and Hispanic at 31%. And for gender, the respondents were majority women attendees with women at 65%. Let. For the annual budget survey, we had a total of 723 respondents. A majority of respondents did complete the demographic portion of the survey as well. And from that data, we had representation in every county, whole districts that the High Peace Council District three. At 29% of the respondents, then the highest age group was 65 to 74, age range at 20%. But it was quite even for the other age groups as well, ranging around 7 to 10%. Now slide. In terms of race, the majority of respondents were white at 53%, followed by Hispanics, 17% in terms of gender. Similar to a virtual meeting, the majority of respondents were were women at 53%. Excellent. One thing we did this year that we've never done before was to take detailed notes from the community meeting, recording both the comments made verbally from the community and those entered into the chat box feature. We then took this data and partnered with the city to code and categorize these comments to provide more data than we usually have from the meetings. Based on this, the slide provides the list of the most popular topics that came up at the virtual meeting in order of most mentioned and discussed being at number one. The top three topics were on addressing homelessness, providing sufficient affordable housing options and combating crime, and increasing the community's sense of safety. We're still analyzing this information and will be putting together a report to provide to council in a separate memo to city council. Now fight. In terms of the budget survey feedback. These are the top ten services from the survey that we conducted in January 2022, this past January, compared to last year's survey that was conducted in August 2021. This was analyzed by Andrew Cheng in the city manager's office. Two services have been replaced in the top ten of the service ranking this year. On the left hand side, the service is in green and 523 have been newly ranked into the top ten, while items in red from FY 22 have dropped out of the top ten. Since the last community budget survey, the top three services relating to infrastructure and public safety continue to be top of mind for survey respondents. Police Patrol and response make a return to the top ten services and concerns relating to addressing homelessness and mental health services remain in the top ten. Similar to our virtual meeting comic. And this year we also work with the density to take the comment, a qualitative comment submitted by the residents through the budget survey and categorize them as well. This slide shows the major theme in order, starting with the most frequently mentioned topic combating crime and investing in public safety resources and improving the community's overall sense of safety. Or most comments and you can see other items were around homelessness. Road and sidewalk maintenance. Mental health addiction. Redirecting funds from police to social services, library investments, affordable housing parks. And fostering a business friendly environment. Again, this information is being synthesized and will be provided in a separate memo to city council. Next slide. And now I will turn it back over to Tom to follow up.
Speaker 6: So thank you, Grace. So just to sum up, is, again, we don't have to take cuts this year and get you targets, which is just fantastic. We're not in a point yet where we are able to add a whole bunch of services, but it's just great knowing that we don't have to go to our departments and affect the services that people really rely on, rely on us for. We will be moving forward with good fiscal prudence and discipline, knowing that we still have some challenges. But the picture is again looking better. And again, we hear so strongly from the Council about investing into infrastructure, just really excited to be able to start working on a five year plan of infrastructure. Those three different bonds that we would do every two years and will be really working on that, getting council input on projects and then proposing that as part of the FY23 budget. And and of course, we'll be focused this year on implementing the Long Beach Recovery Act as well. So thank you for the time. We will stand by. Four questions.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much, Mr. America, and you appreciate the other presentation. I do have some some comments and just some some broader thoughts and images over to the council. And I think I have some more options to attitude at first. And then we'll go we'll go from from there for any questions or comments. Let me let me just start just broadly by saying that the economic recovery in our city is absolutely happening. And we're seeing it obviously in these numbers and we're seeing it and we're hearing from business owners we have a long way to go, but there is no question that we are seeing that impact by looking at these numbers in the budget. One, two, one note. Know broadly speaking, the fact that we recovered, particularly on the revenue piece of the release, the sales tax and other revenues coming in is absolutely a good indication of where we're headed. And I know that those numbers continue to perform well. And so we could expect our numbers to continue to even get to get even better as we move forward. I want to just share the significance of what we are looking at here. We are looking at a second year with no budget reductions that are being targeted for the city and a really critical time where the city is actually addressing and facing economic recovery. We have just a barely pulling out of this health recovery that we have been in. Things are finally better. We're feeling more hopeful. Right now, we know that small businesses are still struggling. I met with a group of small, small business owners this morning. We're hearing their stories where they're finally beginning to see folks coming back into the restaurants. They're starting to see more people on the streets. And so we know that this focus on our economic recovery and what it's doing to our budget is also really, really critical. So having this opportunity, once again, to not have to focus on cutting a street sweeper or cutting a bike patrol or adding a library services is really important, especially when you're talking about economic recovery and recovery for the whole city. So I am very heartened by the news and I'm even more excited to help put together a budget this year as we present that to the City Council, knowing that that we're not going to have to look at these deep cuts. In addition to that, I want to note that I want to commend the Council for passing the Long Beach Recovery Act last year. That framework that we put in place is actually producing really strong results right now in the community. You think just on the issue of the putting aside money to secure our city's financial future, which is when we look at what we did with furloughs and eliminating those, we rebuild our reserves. Let's not forget the first thing we did and we put all our reserves back for the next emergency, and then we set aside money to help us bridge this difficult economic time. And because we were fiscally prudent and because we didn't have to use all of those funds in the last year's cycle, we're able to take some of that money from the Recovery Act, not additional new money, and put it towards an additional bridge as we continue to recover from the from the economy. So I just want to thank staff for kind of thinking about that and using those resources, quite frankly, as intended by the president. The president I'm proposing the American rescue plan was very clear that the resources were to bridge and allow municipalities to bridge resources so that cuts wouldn't be made so people wouldn't lose jobs during the pandemic as we see the economy improve. And if things continue to improve and there's no guarantees, of course they will. But if we continue to improve, we will continue to see those deficits hopefully get reduced over time. And so that's another very, very positive sign. And I want to commend the staffer for thinking about that. In addition, I want to I just want to also just uplift that as we are in this time that we're focused on this budget, we see what's important. We have to focus on issues around safety, around infrastructure and address those. We all know that that safety is also tied to economic performance in the community as we've seen crime increase across the country in almost every major city in the last two years. We know that it's all direct. There's a direct tie to unemployment. And if people having access to good jobs in Long Beach, we went from a 6.7% unemployment rate at the start of the pandemic to 21% at the height of the pandemic. And now. And now. I'm sorry. We were I'm sorry. We were at 4.6% before the pandemic went to 21%, and now we're at 6.7. So I project there is a huge, huge economic shift that we have seen in just a matter of two and a half years to go from under 5% to hit 21, which was hired , by the way, than at any time in the Great Recession. And now we're back down to 6.7 is an enormous turnaround and comeback for the city, but doesn't mean we should be satisfied because we're not. Too many people still are underemployed and need access to jobs. But that focus and our hope will focus on this budget coming up around and supporting small businesses and workers is going to be critical to the public safety piece because we know that when people have jobs, when streets are filled, when people come back to our offices and are going back to a shop at the small business , go to the grocery, go to the restaurant. That also makes your community safe. Beyond just the investments that we make. And so I'm really proud of that work that staff has done in putting this budget and these ideas together. I also just want to note a few things that were mentioned. I want to again uplift and think to voters. Thanks to Missouri, we are going to see another historic five year plan put in place to put in more infrastructure across the city. This is enormous for us. I know all of you. The council hears all the time more investment in infrastructure. We want more investments in infrastructure. And I want to thank the council for their support. Councilman Price's work on the Infrastructure Committee. I want to thank Councilwoman Mango's work. We've heard and I've been talking about bonds and bonding for infrastructure for years, and she's been continuously an advocate for putting a bond process within the infrastructure package. And I think staff has listened. That's been supported by other members of the council. So I want to thank Councilman Mongo for for continuing to do that. And also, I think Councilman after work, as well as the Committee on our Budget and Finance work has been really stellar in getting to this place. So I think what you're seeing is a product of so many folks work and Tom and the team being be reflective of that. So I want to don't want to sugarcoat that. The challenges absolutely have those liabilities in the future. We have to look at be careful about not overspending in this in this next year. But I think we're starting to budget a really, really great place and and grateful to the people of the community for reinvesting back into the city, because we're seeing the damage back into the city and into our communities as well. So thank you for that. And I want to just personally, Maysoon, a big thank you to you for all the work that you're doing as well. This is a great start to the budget cycle. And with that, Councilmember Austin. Thank you. And I think you really summed it up well. Mr. Mayor, this is welcome news. I think it's actually the best news that I think in my nine years on the council that we we're almost ten years now that we've had to see the curve start to stabilize. The funding coming in and the revenue coming in, the projected budget deficit going down by $20 million over the course of a year. That is a lot of the use of. And I am thrilled about this infrastructure focused plan that we have. It shows that our staff is really listening to not only our constituents, but also the council as well is going to be welcome news to many of our constituents who have been really ringing that bell for the streets, alleys and. Attention to our city's crumbling infrastructure. Although we have made some great, great, great advances with our measure over the last few years, I think, you know, often times, you know, the city council, yes, we take the tough votes. You know, we set the direction for our city budget. You know, I have great colleagues on the Budget Oversight Committee and very attentive council colleagues. But to get us to this point, I think we do have to give our staff a lot of credit. We have excellent stewardship of our financial management team and excellent leadership from our city manager. So I think this is an opportunity for us to just salute them and say great work to get us to this point right now. We were also. Think of benefit significantly from the American rescue plan. Those funds were critical to getting us where we need to be. I just recall just a couple of years ago, the outlook was very, very different from our reactions to our budget outlook since the Council were were very scary. We didn't know where we were going to be. So to have that contrast, to be a leader in the city. The decision maker at this point to hear this information today, to contrast where we were a couple of years ago is is truly, truly amazing. And in the. It also shows that the economy is impacting these revenues and impacting, obviously, our state budget, but also our our bridges system. We're also just a few years ago, the outlook was very different than it is today. Of return rates, rate of returns on the pension funds are different than they were. And I think as a result, we receive from flatter and more stabilized projections of CalPERS. I want to say let's stay the course. I'm again, very, very pleased and optimistic about the outlook. This is very welcome news. And I would just say let's stay to it, stay with it. And, you know, keep our keep working to manage our budget ahead of us. I want to be talking about surplus post deficits in the next couple of years. Thank you. Count summary ringa. Thank you. And I want to thank all of. Councilmember Austin's comments. I mean, they're excellent. And we really have to give kudos to our city manager. He's built a good team. And to put it at this point, I'm very happy to see that our pensions are in the out. They are under control now. They were out of control two years ago. We were talking about the sky is falling in regards to pensions and our commitment to it. So I'm glad to see that there's going to be a somewhat of a decline in the next few years. And and we are. What question I had was about the the oil revenues that was coming in. And we're keeping it at, what, 50, 55, 81 barrel right now. So.
Speaker 2: Yes, Councilmember, our projection for our structural side of the budget is $55 a barrel.
Speaker 0: Yeah, right now I think barrel prices have gone up to about just under 100 or right around 100. So, I mean, that's in a way good for us. However, you know, with the. Impending impacts that the Russian war is going to have Russian oil respected oil deliveries in the U.S. So I'm just wondering if that's going to have any kind of significant impact in our oil revenue in the future? Any any projections on that?
Speaker 2: So Councilmember Urunga, what we'll do is we will analyze the current fiscal year, FY 22, to see what our projections for a year end may be. And if we are projecting and most likely we will projected higher revenues compared to our budgeted $55 a barrel in 20. Those additional revenues above, you know, expenditures, what's needed to cover expenditures could be included as one time or 22 year end or as part of the 23 budget as well.
Speaker 0: I want to thank you also for keeping us in line with our reserves. It's very important we saw how that really came in handy through this pandemic. And so I want to thank you also for your leadership and keeping us above water. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I appreciate all of your comments and I appreciate staff's recommendation. So a couple of things. And I know you probably covered this and I missed it. But on the survey, what was our survey population? Do you have? Did you have that in a slide and the distribution across the city? Yes, we did. Councilwoman Rice, let me get to that. So in terms of our virtual meeting, we had 141 total attendees. And this excludes city, city staff. And also we had identified 16 people who had attended both meeting and then for our budget survey. So this is the written survey or the electronic survey that people could conduct or complete even if they were not able to attend the virtual meetings. We had total survey respondents of 723. And do we have a distribution across the city? Yes. So on slide 22 or the budget survey participation, that would show how many people participated in answering across the council this year. Thank you. Yeah, it's up here on the slide. Oh, I got it. 674 people who answered the demographic exit survey where this information is pulled from. Okay. Got it. All right. So thank you for that. So when we're talking about the budget and that, you know, we don't expect to have any cuts, which is wonderful, does that mean that we're not going to reprioritize anything to address the priorities that people shared with us at the. In the budget survey because there's really no point to do the survey if we just keep the priorities the same from year to year. Right. I mean, the whole reason we do the survey is so we can shift priorities to find the things that people want funded. So what's the plan? And I guess the manager proposes his budget, but I'm assuming that there's going to have to be some shifts in the budget, too, for us to be able to meet the priorities of the residents.
Speaker 6: Something else. But yes, that will happen in this process. And then the council can take that further once the recommended budget is out as well.
Speaker 2: Okay. And I know it's still early, and I appreciate that we're having these conversations early. But one of the things that I that I've shared with the city manager privately and that that I'll I'll talk about obviously when we start having our budget oversight committee meetings is look, the community has spoken very clearly about a number of priorities. The mayor talked about infrastructure. That's clearly one. But safety and homelessness are clearly at the top of the priorities for everybody. I think any of us who's having community meetings will tell you those are the priorities. So what I would like city staff to do is be creative about next year's budget. I understand we don't have to have any cuts because we have some bridge funding that will help. But is there anything that's not essential and not an emergency that we can defer for a 3 to 5 year period of time, whether it's equipment purchases or things that are just not essential so that we can invest in the areas where our residents have indicated these are the priorities because we can't continue to st do the same thing every year in terms of budget funding and expect a different result. So I think when we're talking about safety, especially when we're talking about homelessness, I think there are some specific things that we can do if we're able to allocate, even for a 3 to 5 year period of time, some priority and resources to those efforts. And so I know we'll be talking about this a little bit more, but I just I don't want us to get in the position of this is wonderful. We don't have to have any cuts. That means everything stay status quo because the whole point of doing the surveys is for us to have to make some difficult decisions and reprioritize within the budget that we have. And I'm hope I'm looking forward to that conversation. And I and I hope that that's something that's on your.
Speaker 4: Radar as our.
Speaker 2: City manager as well.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Ciro.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mayor. I will add to my gratitude of our mayor's leadership through this past few years, as well as our city manager and the team for just getting us to this place. I was really worried when we heard projections, so I just want to congratulate and just breathe a, you know, a breath of relief that we won't be going into a, you know, having to make these difficult cuts and really appreciate the steps that the city team is taking to just slowly inch into something that is been discussed prior to the pandemic, which is more participatory budgeting and which is where I think it's been great to be able to move into doing the community engagement meetings earlier before the budget come out. So we do hear from the part about the priorities. But I think with our online survey, I think what is most interesting is you would assume the youngest people that you would survey would be the one to fill out because of their assumed access to online, you know, being more tech savvy that we have a 24 year old being the least number of people filling out the survey. Right. So I like to explore further. I do hear what Councilmember Price is saying about, well, how are we utilizing the information from the survey to inform our budget priorities? But I think what's important is to maybe dig in a little deeper, to hear maybe a focus group of these groups on what their priorities are, and even taking a step towards thinking about what are their ideas of solutions so that maybe it's not so much about funding, but it's the strategy group and how we're utilizing the fund that's resonating in how we're addressing these issues. Right. So I think there are some different steps we could take to make sure that not only are we ensuring all members of our residents are being heard, but also hearing about what they think we could do. And we've heard about them and we've taken different steps and how we are moving towards around public safety issues to homelessness and affordable housing. You know, we're building more housing as much as we can, and we've been going through all of those various processes. So I think that it would be great if we could do a dig in a little deeper to here and really activate our youth engagement. Right. We have had kind of a youth invested in youth, this youth investment fund that was made. And how do we make sure they're part of a larger budget discussion rather than being their own separate? Right. So and also and people who, you know, I know that the survey were done in different languages, which is great, but that's where sometimes people are more in verbal conversation rather than the survey. So those are ideas and a suggestion I love to see as a grow on it now that maybe we won't worry so much about having a shortfall, but thinking more about our engagement, to hear from people, residents, business owners in the strategies we can take to ensure that we're hearing their budget priorities. So, so thank you so much. Congratulations, everybody, for making sure we don't have to have these different cover, you know, difficult conversation and cutting and but being able to think about how do we can be constructive in growing and including, you know, as many voices of our residents as possible.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman, Councilman and D.A..
Speaker 2: You, me, and thank you to the staff and to the Finance Committee for doing a great job. And, of course, our chairs, the Finance Committee, Councilmember Austin, for all the work that they've done on the budget. This is very, very good news. I, too, was very scared to see what was happening with the budget and stuff. And I did see a lot of things that could have gone the complete opposite way when there are things that I'd like to see. Now, if we go back to the slide where it says about how different districts responded to the survey. Please staff. Thank you. And just seems like. Continuously know we see. Maybe you can explain to me a little bit more how District One did this. Is this survey? And as far as the sponsors. Absolutely a compliment. Then they have. So this slide that you have in front of you is from our virtual meeting. So the 141 participants in our two virtual meeting, there were 62 people who chose to complete the demographic survey. And out of those people who completed the survey, we were not able to capture information on any of those. Obviously who did in 14 were from District one. And then if we go to Slide 22. The Budget survey. So this was the survey that was available, our annual budget survey. There were 700 total, 723 total survey respondents. Of those, 674 people completed the demographic questions that were part of that survey. And out of those 674 people, 47 or 6.5% were from District one. Okay. Which brings me back to the point that I do believe that you're doing a better job at not you this year, but just as a city that we're doing a better job at reaching out to the community. I know that in the past some district one would come in very low when it comes to recruiting. Members to be part of the discussion. So I really and one of my ask was that we do a little bit more intentional promoting of the, the, the sessions that we have regarding budget. So I just wanted to say thank you that I've seen the numbers increase and I hope that from what I can recall, I've seen the numbers increase and I just wanted to say thank you and set out for, you know, thank you for doing that good job in trying to reach out to especially some of the hardest reach communities and just just one. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I think, Councilwoman. I don't see Councilman Mongo on. On. Oh, there she is. Councilman, I got to give some comments also.
Speaker 4: Yes. I want to thank the staff for an excellent presentation. I am hopeful that the CalPERS returns have been great and will continue to be great, but I don't want to get overly hopeful because when this has happened in the past and they've allowed cities to reduce their contributions. How we got to where we are now, because there wasn't enough contributions during the good times to have the leveling and the smoothing that's necessary over the bad times. So it's great news. I agree with Councilman Price, the priorities of the community that have been consistent. Our homelessness, public safety and infrastructure. And I want to start with infrastructure. We need to do more. I know we're bringing an item back that's related to my initial item related to a bond. It needs to be bigger. It needs to be more. We need to fix the sidewalks. We need to fix these streets. These people have been waiting for way too long and that the stakes of prior councils have gotten us to where we are today. But even doubling what we've contributed is just not enough. We need to do more. And so that's the first part. The second part is public safety is expensive, but public safety done right really helps a lot of other components of our city. And so we need to make sure to have a strong public safety plan in place and a multi-year strategy. And then homelessness. I think the public safety and homelessness go hand in hand. We've done so much with long term strategies of housing and things like that, but we have to have the funding available for the outreach. The outreach is just so huge, and until you have enough staff to do a lot of outreach, you don't have individuals taking the housing that's available. So thank you for the budget presentation. Thank you to my colleagues for continued fiscal prudence. I still would love to see a strategy where every year the council is brought. 10 to 15 programs that we can either reduce or cut that are not as effective. We need performance measures to show whether programs are being effective. And if something's not effective, you don't just wait until downturns in budget years to eliminate them. We need to address those on an annual basis and all of our programs should be competing to be the best and for residents to demonstrate how much they love those certain programs so that we can continue to invest in the programs that are most successful. And be sure that I think that we notice when we cut the budget a few years ago, we had certain programs that had maybe two or three participants that were other programs that needed funding of the exact same program across the city, had 40 participants. And those evaluations need to be done on an annual basis, not just on years, but we have custody. Think.
Speaker 0: Any other council comments? Case I seen on the map. My last just comment, I'll say is that I hope it's one I recognize also that I think Councilman Price is right and that obviously the budget's not developed yet. I think at the end of the day, that's a process that we're going to all begin through the city manager process, through any recommendations that I make to the council and and then through the through the BRC and of course, the whole, the community piece, which I'll be a big part I think, this year. And I just want to leave us with this. You know, the the idea that as we're as we're going to this budget cycle, we shouldn't forget what what we need to focus on at this moment. And we have to continue, if it's not focused on helping us recover and not helping not helping us focus, focusing on ensuring that we're providing all the basic services that we need to post-pandemic moving forward, that has to be the priority. And so we know right now that we are doing such a great job on that health piece. This economic recovery of supporting our small businesses is critical to our future. It will impact everything that we do in the future is that support for our workers and our small businesses and and again, that relationship with that as it relates to public safety and our support of ensuring that people are safe in our community, that we have strong programs in place. And we know, of course, that that includes everything from our parks to our libraries. And the things that keep folks and families safe and secure is all critical as well. So it can be a good budget process. And I'm glad that we'll be starting at a place where we can actually think about what investments we want to make in the budget. And with that we have a hopefully a motion and a second on this receive and file study session. Uh, can I see if there's any public comment, Madam Kirk And for the study session.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public, they would like to speak on this item. Please use the raise hand feature or dial star name. They Chikhlia. Your time begins now.
Speaker 0: I think you can hear me.
Speaker 3: Yes.
Speaker 0: Good evening. Okay, great measure and litigation. Uh, may. If we don't win, remit back 9 billion in. No known deficit. There's a lot of contingency generally, but there's one I wanted to kind of highlight at the beginning. The Brant price, the delivery price for oil per barrel is projected to be over $125 in April in the United States. I think it's a very good thing. And Grayson, thank you so much for the presentation and city staff for developing a really great, very detailed, thoughtful presentation, especially on keeping $55 per barrel as the structural price of oil for projections, as we're figuring out a lot of these volatilities. It's also a very good idea to use any. Overage for onetime things. It's quite possible that in addition to record oil prices, we could see 150 or even $200 per barrel. And then at that point, just, you know, there is kind of performance reviews per per annum proposed. If you were to have such a surplus of money for just one time like we had in 2013, 2014, you should use it to pay for one time things you normally wouldn't get to. Like, for instance, a study for how to replace oil and gas revenues structurally and entirely in the city. Eventually, you know, you need to do that. And, you know, I haven't yet gotten to the point of figuring out how it would be good to know how to do that and good to do it with money that we get that we normally want. I have a real concern about these potential bond issues for infrastructure funding when there so so much federal funding available. You know, if you look at the the debt service the year before the Olympics, the 12 million that wipes out, the 12 million that we've been able to kind of claw back from the sluggish recovery for this year. There's a lot of there's a lot of problems with these bond markets, especially if we have another recession or if we have an earthquake the same year before the Olympics. I would like to request either the budget survey or another budget meeting be conducted again in April prior to the May revision of the state budget. It looks like as we're developing this budget and we're looking at things not only in the rose colored equity lens, but the kind of hard headed what are the physical and structural risks perspective? It may be that maintaining natural natural gas systems and water systems in good physical condition may be the wrong way to describe what people actually care about. And then the last, last note. Ba ba ba ba ba ba.
Speaker 3: Joanne Diaz, your time begins now.
Speaker 2: Evening. Can you hear me? Yes. Good evening. My name is John Edwards, and I'm here on behalf of the People's Budget and the Language Access Coalition. I'm making an official request to extend the amount of time the community is given to respond. When asked if we would like to provide a public comment. The time we currently receive is not sufficient, especially when considering the time it takes to provide proper interpretation for a multilingual community.
Speaker 4: It would also give those who are having.
Speaker 2: Technical difficulties time to respond. I ask.
Speaker 4: That you provide a.
Speaker 2: Minimum of 20 seconds for folks to respond before declaring that there are no requests to comment. I also want to highlight the fact that I'm deeply troubled to hear about any increases to the police budget, especially after hearing the clear support to defund the police during.
Speaker 4: Both of your community budget.
Speaker 2: Sessions that I attended in January. You have to embrace what the community has already reimagined for you and what true community safety looks like. Police are not the answer to echo what Councilmember Price shared. We can't do the same thing year.
Speaker 4: After year and expect a different result. We have increased the police budget year.
Speaker 2: After year and it is clearly not the solution that our city needs and deserves. Divest from the police and reinvest in the life affirming resources for our black community and.
Speaker 1: Other.
Speaker 2: Communities of color that your constituents have been asking for year after year. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Ailsa Chang, your time begins now.
Speaker 4: Good evening, City Council. This is Alpha Tung. I'm a constituent of the new District five. I wanted to thank the previous speaker for her eloquent comments. And also note I dig a little bit deeper on the written community budget survey that had 723 respondents. Let's be clear. This community budget survey.
Speaker 2: Is entirely.
Speaker 4: Not representative of the entire city of Long Beach population.
Speaker 2: The overwhelming.
Speaker 4: Plurality of respondents for the written budget survey were white.
Speaker 2: People.
Speaker 4: Seniors and residents of District three. Now, Councilwoman Price, I totally applaud your success in promoting the budget survey. I promote. I applaud the success of District three constituents in completing the budget survey. But this is not representative of the entire city and the entire city. The majority are people of color, young people and families and making under $65,000, which is the median income. So let's just be clear. The community budget survey is not representative of the City of Long Beach as a whole. I want to uplift Councilwoman Sorrows comments in asking for a deeper community engagement, deeper investigation, and particularly activating youth who were clearly not represented in the written budget survey. So when you see comments like combating crime and investing in public safety coming out of the community budget survey, this is not so coded language for increasing policing and we have to ask ourselves who is requesting that? Once again, white people, seniors and residents of District three, not representative of the majority, people of color and majority of low income and working class city of Long Beach. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: That concludes public comment on this item.
Speaker 0: Yeah, I do. We have I didn't see any other council comment, so I appreciate the comments. And I also wanted to just note, I don't think we had a motion in the second yet for let me see the file. Who's going to make that motion, Councilman Marston and a second. But Councilman is in the house. Let's do the roll call. Vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one high District two I.
Speaker 2: District three i.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five. District five. District six.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 0: By.
Speaker 1: District eight, HY Motion carries seven zero.
Speaker 0: Thank you. With that, we have any other second full time period. People signed up. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to conduct a study session to receive and file a presentation and update on Citywide Fiscal Outlook and FY 23 Budget Development. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0222 | Speaker 0: Thank you very much. We're going to go ahead and do item ten now, which is a transfer item, please.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Allen recommendation to increase appropriations by $500 to provide a donation to the African American Heritage Society of Long Beach.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much. I support this item.
Speaker 0: I need. I need a second on this item.
Speaker 2: Please keep it up right now.
Speaker 0: Okay. I have emotion and I have a second becomes memory Ranga. If there's any public comment on this item.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please press star nine. If you're calling in by phone or used to raise a hand feature. Seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Okay. Let's go and do a roll call. Vote for you.
Speaker 1: District one. I district to.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 1: District three. My district for my district five i. District six. I District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District eight. District nine.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $500, offset by the Second Council District One-time District Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department, to provide a donation to the African American Heritage Society of Long Beach; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $500, to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0223 | Speaker 0: Thank you. We're going to take item 11, please, which is the local preference medium.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Allen, Councilwoman Mongo, Councilwoman Sara Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Financial Management Department's Purchasing Division to ensure a study of the current local preference ordinance is included in the Extreme Procurement Makeover Project and report back to City Council in no more than 180 days.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I just want to say, first of all, thank you to Councilwoman Ciro and Mongo for joining me on this item. And we all understand just the importance of keeping spending locally. And this policy has not been updated for over a decade. And this is something that I am very passionate about. Local businesses are the heart of our city and we need to make sure that we give them preference. These businesses have decided to invest in our city. They hire in our city. They also support other local businesses and restaurants. And local businesses who operate in the city. Need to know that if they decide to open up shop here or open up a business here in our city, that we're going to support them as a as a city and that we are also, as a city invested in their success . So I also want to thank Jeremy Harris of the Chamber of Commerce and the Delbert for their letter of support with this item. I appreciate I definitely appreciate the support, but also their interest in being an active partner in our procurement makeover. One of the things that I'd like to make sure that you reach out to the following groups as part of this makeover process. So that would include the Chamber, the Long Beach Economic Partnership, any business associations across the city, the deal, Bay, these groups and these members will be on the other end of the Nube procurement systems and they can help us. You know, have been included in this process. They'll help us be the best this can be. And I just know from from my past life in business, in business and doing a lot of pure procurement with the city and other municipalities across the state, how important it is for these cities to focus on on their local vendors. And I'm telling you, it does make a difference. It's better for us. It's better for our city. It's better for for our workers. The first step was taken in 2009 when our local preference was first established, but the cap of 100,000 was too low then, and inflation has almost made this comical now . So I think a preference of 10% was a good start. But it may not be enough to entice businesses elsewhere in our area to open offices or move their headquarters to Long Beach. So I want to thank the mayor and council who first took the step back when the mayor was first council member of the first District . I. A stronger local preference program will further empower local firms, many of which are designated small business enterprises, their minority owned business enterprises, their woman owned business enterprises. And they all need to compete successfully with established firms outside the city. And that may not share many of those characteristics. So it is my hope that all city employees who are involved in any purchasing decisions when possible, that we that we keep it local. So I do hope that my colleagues will support this logical next step in strengthening our local purchasing and our local economy, especially for small businesses . Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember Sara.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mayor. And I also want to thank Councilmember and Councilwoman Allen for leading on this item, as well as Councilman Mongo for supporting it. You know, I think that this is a great next step because as we're in this opportunity to be able to work on recovery, it's great to be able to review our local preference ordinance because we want to make sure that as businesses as well as nonprofit are getting back on their feet, that we consider how as a city that we help them do that. So I appreciate this item and that I hope that, as Councilwoman Allen said, it'll help to increasing jobs but also increasing, hopefully internship and fellowship opportunity for those that we are getting from college or even our colleges that we're proud of locally, so that we're able to grow and retain those talents and keeping them in their city. So thank you. I appreciate this item and I support it.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much. Councilman's in the house.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mia. And a huge thank you to Councilwoman Ellen Taro and Mongo for bringing this item forward. I think it's very important, especially right now as we're trying to recover from COVID and a lot of our small businesses are being affected citywide, nationwide, worldwide. Great. But one of the things that I'm I think that this council has is that we're always very focused on our small businesses and making sure that we support them. So thank you very much for this. And I also wanted to make sure that our staff while looking into into this thank you, also includes the LGBT Q plus chamber of Commerce, which I think is very important. And also the look into making sure that we extend this also to our disabled business owners. I think that's also very important. So thank you again for this item. And I supported who hide it.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Mongo. Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I just want to thank Councilman Allen. She's been an advocate for this long before she was a councilwoman. I remember working on this with her and now State Senator Lena Gonzalez. And it's just such an important program. And we really need to do whatever it takes to get these bids to local businesses. It really comes back to the city ten fold. Thank you so much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is customary, Ringo. Thank you. Thank you, Cindy, for bringing this forward, this long overdue. The limits were just too low, and we need to have more participation for our lives, as well as LGBTQ people who to participate in this process. But I think we also need to encourage them to participate in the procurement process by getting the education they need. A lot of them don't know the process of how to get a contract with the city or how to apply for a contract with us. So I think we also need to make sure that we include a educational component to improving our are our opportunities for how maybe we be applying for contracts with the city. So thank you for bringing this forward. A proposal we agree with. Thank you. Thank you. I have count. I have Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you. First of all, this is a great item. Thank you, Councilwoman Allen and the COSIGNERS for bringing this forward. Tell you it's been a big item of discussion. I think these goals are great. Going from 10 to 20, right out of date. That's great. And I would love to see that. And I'll see how we can get higher. We talked about this a lot when we did the the listening tour and that everyone had planned. And there were some, some really good things that we learned, particularly, you know, when people do procurement in Long Beach and it's hard to navigate. You have folks who have to go to different departments and have different processes to certify as maybe we be and we we've got school districts and we've got transit and we've got all these agencies. We also have to certify the woman or to certify the person of color. You have a different process for each one of these, and there is a lot of interest in seeing if we can partner as a part of this and streamline and have one process where if you want to sign up and certify that you're an African American business or your local locally on business, your certification in the city can have a me too with other agencies. These were great ideas. I heard about an incident with a local business owner when she needed to produce her her birth certificate to show that she was African-American. She was clearly African-American, but she she didn't have a birth certificate. She didn't have a race on a birth certificate. So she needed to go prove it. She had to go get her father's military records showing he was African-American and show that he was her father on her birth certificate. I think that whole process can be updated. So I love an extreme makeover. The other thing I would say is so we should learn from some of those things. But we also pushed and made sure and I'm not sure how much if the city manager could say we pushed in the recovery plan to put, I believe it was $200,000 and or some number around doing a comprehensive study. And what I don't want is for multiple efforts, because that was just funding this past year. So I would love for all that to dovetail. So we have one comprehensive study that comes back, and it's a true comprehensive makeover. It is. John Cox, one on the line.
Speaker 3: This is Tom. So. I think I heard the question. But yes, essentially, the council women's item is.
Speaker 0: Dovetailing very nicely into the.
Speaker 3: Existing effort. That is our extreme purchasing makeover. So we believe it's all coordinated. We'll be able to incorporate this in and come back with all of those changes to our purchasing system, many of which will meet our goals of the reconciliation plan.
Speaker 0: And recovery as well. And are we using the recovery dollars for the extreme makeover?
Speaker 3: We'll get back to you on that. I'm not sure. I think we had already funded some of that. A lot of it is internal staff and then we have the Recovery Act money.
Speaker 0: So I'll get you back a response on that. Awesome. Well, I think this is this is incredible work. I'm happy to support it. Thanks so much, Councilwoman Allen. Great item. Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Councilman Allen, Soli and Mongo, thank you very much for this item. As a small business owner, I think it's a step in the right direction. And I applaud your efforts to help all the small business owners, because it's not always what people think. As Councilman Allen knows. And it's it's really hard to keep things going. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you for public comment on this item.
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine if dialing in by telephone. Seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Road covered.
Speaker 1: District one. High district to.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District six. District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I've had a request to do ordinance 18 and 19. So let's go to Ordnance 18, the first reading, I believe. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Financial Management Department’s Purchasing Division to ensure a study of the current Local Preference Ordinance is included in the Extreme Procurement Makeover Project (which is remaking procurement policies, processes, and practices in Long Beach), including an analysis, assessment of the feasibility and options for implementation of the items. In addition, prioritize this study by modifying the workplan for the Extreme Procurement Makeover Project, and report back to City Council in no more than 180 days. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0234 | Speaker 0: Thank you. I've had a request to do ordinance 18 and 19. So let's go to Ordnance 18, the first reading, I believe.
Speaker 1: Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance relating to COVID 19 worker retention. Read the first time and lead over to the next regular meeting of City Council for Final Reading Citywide.
Speaker 0: I have a motion by Vice Mayor Richardson. And I have a second backcountry ranger does as a staff need to give an update on this ordinance or I mean we have it. Which audience? And I'm sorry, do we? The question was whether or not we need to.
Speaker 3: Give an update on the ordinance.
Speaker 0: Oh, I just I just wasn't sure if there was any, any, any update from staff on the ordinance as presented to us or not? No, I don't think so. This is what you would ask us to do.
Speaker 3: And we're ready for first reading.
Speaker 0: Okay. Just making sure. Okay. There's a motion from the second Vice Mayor Richardson. Anything. Having scored okay. Gives me ringa. Okay. Is there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please raise hand feature or dialing in by telephone press star nine. Our first speaker is Christina.
Speaker 2: Hello. Good afternoon, Mayor and Council. My name is Christina. You guys hear me?
Speaker 3: We can hear you.
Speaker 2: Yeah, great. I am speaking on behalf of Unite Here Local 11, the Hotel Workers Union. We want to thank the Council for taking the initiative for the hotel workers and building services workers and leading the region as our members face mass layoffs at the height of the pandemic. Many are still struggling to recover. We urge you to adopt these permanent regulations to unite our industry, which is the economic backbone of the city, is especially sensitive to disruptions in the economy. We faced this reality back during 911, which is why the city of Santa monica responded by passing the right to recall ordinance. The hard worker, working hotel housekeepers and janitors that welcome guests into the city every day deserve to have some basic job security, not just during the pandemic. But if, God willing, we are to experience another massive disruption in the future. Thank you again to the entire Council. So that has been supportive of these regulations since they were first enacted and we are encouraged to see the council headed in the right direction this evening. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Rob, north of.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Good evening. Mayor Garcia, Vice Mayor Richardson and members of the council. My name is Rob. No talk from the policy director of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. And I'd like to thank the Council tonight for your collective leadership in moving this item forward and strongly encourage your vote to make right of recall and retention permanent policies for hospitality and janitorial workers. This is a tool that will greatly assist workers in two essential industries as they pieced their lives back together after the pandemic. And it's a tool that will greatly assist the city in its overall economic recovery. And further passing. This policy will yet again show that Long Beach is a national leader. And let me explain. As fate would have it, there was an article over the weekend highlighting the crisis currently being faced by housekeepers and other service workers seeking to get rehired after the pandemic and recover their wages and benefits. And by passing tonight's policies that not only benefit Long Beach workers, the Long Beach economy, but you also give a ray of hope to a work to other workers in the hospitality janitorial industries across the rest of the nation. And you'll be the first to have this policy for both hospitality and janitorial workers. So, again, thank you for your time. And that's proved yet again that Long Beach does, in fact, lead. Thank you for your time.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Grazia Lopez. There is.
Speaker 2: Good evening, Mayor, and members of the Council. My name is Gracie. Local three is Director of Link Lambert Coalition for Good Jobs. Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman and they had Councilwoman Allen for bringing this item forward. We strongly support making Long Beach right of record retention, permanent policies in Long Beach. We need to ensure that there is an equitable recovery for all. And as many of us know. Right. Hospitality and janitorial workers are the key to this ongoing recovery. Making these protections permanent policies in Long Beach is critical for businesses and workers. We today we hear more and more of businesses reporting difficulty filling open jobs as these key industries begin to slowly recover. It is essential for businesses to have a pathway to quickly rehire qualified and experienced staff that we that were laid off as a result of this crisis. These policies are economically sound for business right to record retention, remove the economic costs associated with onboarding new employees, which can cost thousands of dollars per employee. Lastly, Miami Beach has invested millions of dollars in this downtown hospitality industry with the promise of a return of good jobs for Long Beach residents. Locking in permanent right to recall and retention ordinance for these two industries help to protect that promise of a return of good jobs to Long Beach residents. We urge you to make the Long Beach right a record retention, permanent policies in our city. These policies will help spearhead a strong, robust recovery. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Ann Burdette.
Speaker 2: Good evening. My name is Brigette. And first of all, I just want to say I every day I get more proud of being Long Beach. So thank you for making me feel so proud of my community every day. And on behalf of the faith communities of Long Beach and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, I want to thank this council especially for recognizing and it is a moral imperative to safeguard the livelihoods of those residents that have been most terribly affected by this pandemic. Guaranteeing the right of essential hotel and janitorial workers to return to their jobs is an enlightened policy, and it demonstrates your ethical and economic commitment to equity. Making the right to recall a retention policy enforceable as a permanent ordinance is the next important step to ensuring the safety and well-being of our city. And we include strongly support items 18 and 19 and urge you to repeat your unanimous vote in favor of this policy that you made on February 15. Thank you again for your diligence and for your integrity in moving these items forward with your yes votes tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our final speaker is Gary Heidrich.
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mayor and city council members. My name is Gary Hetrick and I reside in the Fort District. I'd like to begin by thanking the Council and the mayor for your leadership on this. I think there's a critical issue. I also echo what the other speakers have just mentioned. I'm speaking out tonight as co-president of the Language Chapter, the California Faculty Association Association. BE we represent over 2900 faculty, coaches, librarians and counselors. At issue, I'll be on behalf of our members. I urge you to make the right to recall and retention permanent policies. Hospitality and janitor. Janitorial workers are essential workers who not only suffered greatly during the pandemic, but are key to our region's recovery. These policies are critical to protecting the lives and the livelihoods of Long Beach workers and also helping ensure that businesses recover. CFA Long Beach support for these ordinances making these ordinance permanent is really simple. First, CSU educates the majority of essential workers in our state. Many of our students, as well as parents of other students, are essential workers. Both will directly benefit from these two policies. Second, Sue Shelby has proven to be a pathway to the middle class for thousands of working class and first generation students. Although Shelby is one of the most successful drivers of upward social mobility in this country, this only works if working families and working students in these essential industries have the economic stability to take advantage of, casual , be and can afford the cost. These policies will help ensure that happens. I urge you to make these protections permanent. Recovery means everyone. Thank you for your time and your leadership.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment on this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's go and do a role. I believe that also I don't have any more comment from the council. So let's go ahead and do a we'll call the police district one.
Speaker 1: I district to.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 1: District three, my district four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District seven. I. District eight. District nine.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is the ordinance number 19. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 5.53, and repealing Section 5.53.090, relating to Covid-19 worker retention, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0235 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is the ordinance number 19.
Speaker 1: Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance relating to COVID 19 worker recall. Read the first time and lead over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for Final Reading.
Speaker 0: We have a motion by Vice to be represented a second by Councilmember Ranga. Is there any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine if dialing in by phone. Our first speaker is Veronica Lagunas.
Speaker 2: The photos in. No matter.
Speaker 4: What. Afternoon, everyone on. You know, ration. Whatever.
Speaker 2: The failure of.
Speaker 4: The sun is very bright, but the animal connections are going to.
Speaker 2: Be.
Speaker 4: Inoperable. What about.
Speaker 2: This? Yeah, well, I won't use the radio.
Speaker 4: My name is Veronica Laguna. I am a member of the Union Continua.
Speaker 2: Feel good. You are a long way to that and I feel that.
Speaker 4: During the pandemic, the city of Long Beach was the first one to guarantee continued.
Speaker 2: I feel like it's all a bit of a Hegarty. I look at Bill.
Speaker 4: Are to making sure that all workers from the hotel industry and janitorial services continue to.
Speaker 2: At the hearing. I got to ask you about the traversal. That's what it gets that I don't know if.
Speaker 4: They had the guarantee to going back to work in case the buildings were closed down or the hotels were closed down. Go ahead. Continue with.
Speaker 2: So I'm okay with that. If someone got a different area than being a reporter.
Speaker 4: So we knew that our jobs, we knew that our jobs were guaranteed, were safe, and our security was also safe. Continuing.
Speaker 2: In this moment, both every moment that bear that egg, that straw Trevor who compromised Trevor but his been.
Speaker 4: And so at that time we understood that the Syrians language sent a very clear message, making it very clear that our jobs and our safety and security were not going to be compromised.
Speaker 2: Oh, definitely. Mozart, likely. Yeah, I love Nembutal. They'll come in there, they can, they'll start using. I said it's a little bit of my name.
Speaker 4: So now we ask you a city council and city mayor to help us police make this law a permanent law.
Speaker 2: Can I tell you then? I said if I could pull them off the use of a handful of partners to give them a strava math hour. I almost l'économie almost like weather bike.
Speaker 4: And to make sure that we can come back to work being sure that our jobs are secure, safe, particularly now knowing that the economy is very weak and that we need to recover. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: That's it.
Speaker 3: That concludes our comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. And then with your roll call vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one. My district to my district three i. District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five. District five. District six, i. District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine. High emotion is.
Speaker 2: Key, but it's well.
Speaker 1: Received. Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's do the final audience of the night, which is audience 16. And then we'll go back to the I did a comment, general public comment and the rest of the agenda. Madam Kirk, can you read item 16? | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 5.55, and repealing Section 5.55.090, relating to Covid-19 worker recall, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0228 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's do the final audience of the night, which is audience 16. And then we'll go back to the I did a comment, general public comment and the rest of the agenda. Madam Kirk, can you read item 16?
Speaker 1: Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance relating to prohibiting spectators at street races, sideshows and reckless driving exhibitions. Read the first time and later the next regular meeting of City Council for Final Reading Citywide.
Speaker 0: Let me turn this over to Councilman Super now. Okay. Thank you, Mayor Garcia. I move that we accept the recommendation and declare an ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code. My motion also requests that we adopt the proposed seven page ordinance exactly as written without amendments. The City Attorney's Office has created an ordinance that aligns precisely with City Council's directive and unanimous vote on July 20th, 2021. It is modeled after the ordinances of San Jose and Anaheim. And both those municipalities were referenced in my council presentation on July 20th. Further, our city attorney's office sought and received input from both the city prosecutor's office and the Long Beach Police Department. That input included vetting, fine tuning and final signoff. That action is perfectly aligned with our goal to provide law enforcement with the necessary tools. For these reasons I'm asking we approved the ordinance as proposed. I'd also like to thank our city attorney, city prosecutor and LBP for their collaborative and comprehensive work. Last, I'd like to remind everyone of our goal that the ordinance should act as a deterrent. With other ordinances existing in our region. Our city should never be a target due to inadequate or non existing laws. This ordinance has put us on a path to achieving that goal. I respectfully ask for your support. Thank you. Mr. Mayor, that is an emotional thank you. As acknowledged, I think Mr. Mayor is gone. I don't have the view. I think he has a commitment at 6:00. And so if you have your sacking, we'll just raise your hand and I'll know speaking.
Speaker 2: Okay?
Speaker 0: Okay. Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 2: I support the motion and I thank Councilwoman Sabrina for bringing it forth.
Speaker 0: Okay, I'll add a council comment. And if you have council comments, just raise your hand. First of all, thank you, Councilman Supernormal, for trying to take on this issue. I think people want to see a resolution to the street takeovers and we have a lot of them in North Hollywood, I would say. I did raise this raises concern that I had some good conversation. The city prosecutor raised the concern about the youth who are spectators. And we talked about it last time. And I want to bring it up again that as we implement this this this ordinance, I'm going to support this. And I would I want to make sure that what we've learned is people under 26, they they respond to positive intervention. We have data on this. We've created the program, the past program to specifically talk about work with this audience. I don't believe that attending a street takeover should leave a black mark that ultimately can keep them from getting a job or connected to the things that we're supposed to be doing or getting an apartment or get into purchasing a home. So I think that we need to lean in and make sure we use the programs that we have. If somebody breaks the law, I think there needs to be a penalty. However, we need to make sure that we're being developmentally sensitive, particularly with young people. So I want to is the prosecutor here today and I have a question for him. Good evening. Members of the city council, this is Doug Halbert, Long Beach City here. Thank you. Hey, Doug, I will I want to just request that you tell us how we can engage, particularly with young people on this, you know, path was originally we talked about, you know, 24, 26 was the point when brains are fully developed and we have a lot of resources in the city, educational, you know, other things. And so the way, you know, path is work is not largely pretrial. So you get your ticket, then you get a letter from prosecutor says, look, you can stand in front of a judge and pay a fine or you can come in and connect and get on the right track or whatever it is. How would you engage path with this ordinance? It would be my first question. Well, first of all, I support the ordinance. I think it's a good idea and definitely needed in the city of Long Beach. Most of our path diversion and most of our diversion programs in general are pre filing diversion. So they don't actually go to court and they get a letter that they're offered to participate in a diversion program. If they take us up on that offer and they complete the diversion program, then they do not have to go to court or pay a fine or suffer any of the criminal consequences. So the PATH Program is a jobs based diversion program for mostly 18 to 24 year olds. And that's because that matches the grant that's available to Pacific Gateway, and it helps connect them to jobs or employment or some type of job skills to make them more employable. That's what the PATH program does. We have other programs as well. But since you mentioned the PATH program, that that one is geared towards young adults under the age of 24 and younger who have cases in my office. Fantastic. I think that's great. You know, I support the discretion that you have as a prosecutor to determine, you know, the best course of action. But what I like that we you know, we don't just have sticks, we have carrot. You can issue citations and we can do the things that need to happen. However, we you know, we're a local community, so we can handle our local youth a certain way. I think that's good. I think I think that satisfies my question. I'm happy to support the ordinance and comfort it, knowing that our prosecutors are going to get it passed. And I think, you know, I would encourage you to, you know, like. If people get questions because we got a lot of questions about what happened since these take over. Are largely young people out there. I think we should talk about we have more than one tool in the tool shed. I think that's important for us to know in how we are sensitive and how we deal with young people. That those are my comments. Any other comments he has raised? Okay. I see Councilman Ciro.
Speaker 2: I want to thank Councilmember Sabrina for bringing it forward. I mean, I do, you know. Agree that it can be dangerous and that we do need to figure out how to address it. But at the same time, I think when it initially came up, I did have concerns with what it means for young people, especially not just young people of color, but who are also immigrant and even maybe undocumented. I don't I certainly wouldn't want them being at an event and then getting caught and being not just only going through proceedings, but also being deported as well. And so I do want to make sure we do look into programs that can provide alternative ways and where they can learn their lesson, but also not have it be a mark against them as they move forward into whether it's higher education or jobs or other opportunities. So so those are some just having worked with young people of color and nonprofit and pretty. And it's particularly important for me that we we don't criminalize them for the, you know, for the things that they do as young people. Thank you.
Speaker 0: And ask anyone else. I see two hands. Counsel Now for your first. Your immediate counsel.
Speaker 2: Sorry about that. You think after all this time I would get that. So. Thank you, Vice Mayor. And I also wanted to thank council member Super Scott for bringing us this item last summer. And the city attorney for drafting the ordinance. I do agree with you, Vice Mayor, that I think that we could utilize a path that would be that would be great. I do think that these street races and fight shows are dangerous and harmful. They interfere with traffic. They disrupt businesses. And and I think it's important that the city that we do everything that we can do to stop these events that are happening all across the city. I think in all of our districts, this is happening. I know I've seen the races down here along the the ocean corridors over the pike and Rainbow Harbor, and these are just happening on a regular basis. So I'm glad that that council members, if we're not took took a lead on this. I do also believe that these penalties are necessary to deter these events from happening. And in focusing on areas is a good start because they are a big part of the issue. But we also need to focus on the drivers of these events and these events would never even happen without the driver. So I think also exploring solutions to focus on those individuals is good too. I also believe that if a spectator is founded violation of this policy, that we have to make sure the extent of their involvement. I know there was a one of these takeovers over at the town center and my cousin had called me, you know , he was over there and he's like, I saw that. And so I just, you know, we just, you know, I hope and trust that the Long Beach Police Department will make sure that we do understand the assault, that that the extent of this involvement of folks and that just not bystanders are or people that are happened to be in the area. So I trust that that that that that that will have that that will happen. And so thank you very much. And I will be supporting this item today.
Speaker 0: Fantastic. Thank you. Can make complements and data.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much, Mayor. Thank you, councilmembers, for leading on this very important item. I'm very supportive of this item. I know that our young people sometimes feel that they are invincible. And so they they really feel that it's not dangerous. But when you're really creating a circle of people and then you have cars that are showing off, it just really terrifies me. And, you know, it's just a matter of time before something really bad happens. And, you know, I would not want to see that here in our in our city. So I really applaud Councilmember Super now for bringing this item forward. I also do agree that we have to make sure that we do let everyone know who participates, that this is not allowed in Long Beach. But at the same time, like other colleagues of mine have said, we do have to. Kind of be sensitive to some of the people that might be doing this. But also we have to send a firm message that this is not allowed. We're not going to allow people to come in and put innocent lives at danger. And so with that, I will absolutely be supporting this item.
Speaker 0: And tastic. Thank you. Any public comment on the item?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine if dialing in by phone. Seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Fantastic. Thank you, Councilman Supernova. This great item will go ahead with our roll call vote.
Speaker 1: District one, district two. I. District three.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five. District six. I. District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: All right. Thank you. I want to just check in with the clerk on what items we have next to do.
Speaker 1: Items 13, 14, 15 and 20.
Speaker 0: Okay.
Speaker 1: And public comment.
Speaker 0: So that's what I'm going to ask. Let's do public comment now and then we'll do the rest of the items in in that order. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 10.82 relating to prohibiting spectators at street races, sideshows, and reckless driving exhibitions, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0225 | Speaker 0: All right. Thank you. Let's move on to the next agenda item, please.
Speaker 1: Item 13 report from Longreach Airport. Recommendation to authorize city manager to execute all documents with the Federal Aviation Administration for airport runway project in an amount not to exceed 7 million. District four and five.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Their emotion. On OKC council. Urunga is our second. Okay. I see. Councilwoman Burro. Something wrong? You want to say anything? Matter of fact, there's a staff report on this. Oh, this is your own. This is. Yeah. This is this is is their staff report.
Speaker 2: One low press release can provide a brief staff report on this item.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. Good evening, Vice Mayor Richardson and members of the City Council. This item this evening relates to the acceptance of the Federal Aviation Administration airport improvement grant funds for electrical improvements to airport runway 1230 are main runway at the Long Beach Airport. Runway 1230 is a primary air carrier runway. In early 2020, an airfield lighting investigation was performed in the results recommended replacement of the existing runway lighting and associated equipment due to its age. The need to be and the need to be brought up to current standards and the probability of electrical failures in continual repair. The runway electrical improvements will preserve and enhance safety and will align with the airport's sustainability efforts. The existing fixtures will be replaced with energy efficient LED fixtures. A grant offer from the FAA is pending. The estimated cost of the project is 6.8 million, of which approximately 6.2 million will be federally funded. The airport share of approximately 600,000 will be funded with airport revenue. City Council authorization to accept the grant award is requested this evening so that the grant may be fully processed in the timeframe required by the FAA staff request council approval of the recommended action. This concludes my report. I'm available for any questions regarding this item. Thank you. Fantastic. Thank you. It was moved by Durango. Who was the second?
Speaker 2: I'm counting on.
Speaker 1: Councilwoman Sara was the second on the side of.
Speaker 0: Okay.
Speaker 2: Councilwoman Mangal, second in line.
Speaker 0: Okay. I will be recognized. Okay, Councilman. You can see anything.
Speaker 2: Just that it's great that the airport is continuing to move forward and making progress. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Gentlemen. Super. Thank you. Thanks for the report. Mr. Rios. I had a question on the construction related to this grant. Is it your anticipation that this would be done overnight in the proximity of runway 30? The Project Council of Super not. The project will consist of some day work, some evening work as well as the closure over approximately three weekends. We are currently in the selection process of a contractor. We anticipate that those bids will be opened mid-March and once we have selected a contractor will begin the process of a schedule and then be able to provide a more detailed schedule for the council and do us and do council briefings as we did with our previous projects. Okay. I would just like to add that our request would be that the contractor is made well aware of the impacts of construction noise in the overnight hours. So we don't have a repeat of what's happened in the past. Thank you. All right. Thank you. Any public comment on this item?
Speaker 3: There's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item. Please use the raise hand feature or dialing in by phone. Star nine. Dave Shukla.
Speaker 0: Hello again. Please consider Dark Sky principles. Pittsburgh's a great example. You can save a lot of electricity, save a lot of money. And the night sky looks wonderful when you can see the stars. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you.
Speaker 1: District one. My district to.
Speaker 2: Right. District three.
Speaker 1: My district for.
Speaker 0: My.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, including any necessary amendments, with the Federal Aviation Administration, to accept an Airport Improvement Program Grant award for federal Fiscal Year 2022 funding, for capital improvements to Airport Runway 12-30 Electrical Improvements Project, in an amount not to exceed $7,000,000. (Districts 4,5) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0227 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Congratulations, Central Chair. I would just want to remind the council I. I don't have the cue system. So you won't be recognized using a hand raised hand function or just wave your hand and I can see it and make sure that we don't overlook anyone. I believe we have item 15 next to that, correct?
Speaker 1: That is correct. Report from economic report from Economic Development and Public Works. Recommendation to authorize City Manager to enter into an improvement and reimbursement agreement with Kilroy Realty LP for the repair, repaving and re stripping of public right away located within Arrow Long Beach on the stated terms and conditions. Authorize City Manager to negotiate and amend any terms as needed to expedite the project and increase appropriations by 2,600,000 for the improvement of Kilroy Airport Way, District four.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Recognize Councilman Shuler? I'll go ahead and make the motion. And taxes are second. It was right hander. I'll take it. And is there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or if dialing in by phone by pressing star nine seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: With our vote with.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: And.
Speaker 1: District two.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: District three. I district for. All right, District five. High District six i. District seven. I. District eight. District nine.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to enter into an Improvement and Reimbursement Agreement with Kilroy Realty, L. P., a California limited partnership, for the repair, repaving and restriping of public right-of-way located within Aero Long Beach (3750 - 3900 Kilroy Airport Way) on the stated terms and conditions;
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to negotiate and amend any terms as needed to expedite the repair, repaving and restriping project; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $2,600,000, offset by revenue received from Kilroy Realty, L.P, for the Improvement of Kilroy Airport Way. (District 4) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_03012022_22-0231 | Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Great. And then we have item 20.
Speaker 1: Report from Public Works recommendation to adopt a resolution to authorize city manager to submit a notice of intent to comply with the regulations of Senate Bill 1383 per the Senate Bill 619 statute citywide.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Every staff report here.
Speaker 2: Marin County Property team. Can we provide Aaron rolling with panelist access, please? Thank you.
Speaker 1: Yes. We're promoting her right now.
Speaker 0: For.
Speaker 3: Mayor in council. We're getting the staff on.
Speaker 0: But I'll just give a real summary. We did this action. That's what we did. Yeah, we did this action last meeting.
Speaker 3: But the state asked for some pretty minor changes to the actual documents that you're going to approve. And we need to get those approved tonight so we can submit them by March 1st tonight and be in compliance with state law. So this is essentially.
Speaker 0: What you saw last week, just slightly modified. Fantastic. Thanks for clarifying. Is there a motion in the second I can move your fingers or a second? Second Sunday. Has there any public comment here?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public wished to speak on this item, please use a raised hand feature or if dialing in by phone by pressing star nine. Dave Shukla.
Speaker 0: Oh, hello. Thank you. Very briefly. I'd really like to see green beans throughout the entire city. I think also we need collection points for organic. We need soil creation. We need the ability to allow vendors who already do this, to do it in the most cost effective or least zero leased vehicle. Miles traveled way possible. We want. As fewer listeners as possible. Thank you.
Speaker 3: I conclude.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you. Councilwoman Mungo's queued up.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I could because I was going to make some comments related to the implementation of the system may actually be less environmentally friendly than the system we currently have in place. And so while we are working towards meeting the statewide goals, I think it's also important for us to continue to advocate for the most effective and environmentally friendly option for Long Beach, which may be different than environmentally friendly options for cities that live closer to landfills. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's have a look.
Speaker 1: District one. High District two.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 1: District four. By District five. I. District six. I. District seven. I. District eight. District nine.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution to authorize City Manager to submit a Notice of Intent to Comply with the regulations of Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) per the Senate Bill 619 (SB 619) Statute. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0169 | Speaker 1: Thank you. I think we pulled item with it. Three councilwoman in the house, remember? So it's good to hear a update on that from staff, please.
Speaker 3: We'll have Theresa Chandler, the deputy city manager, provide a brief staff report for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I can't even get a good evening, everybody. So last year's budget process, city council allocated an additional $300,000 in structural funding towards the Long Beach Justice Fund. The item before you item number three is to approve contracts for the legal services provider and community connectors to support the continued operation of the Long Beach. Just fine. So we're going to continue to utilize immigrant defenders, also known as MDA as our legal services provider. They're responsible for providing direct representation for individuals who live and work in Long Beach and are facing removal or deportation. The legal services provider provider will adhere to the universal representation model by which representation is offered to as many clients as funding will be allowed without qualifying based on the merits of the case. In response to the challenges posed by COVID 19 for fiscal year 21, the Long Beach Justice Fund Oversight Committee recommended adding a community connection services component to the Justice Fund. Furthermore, the city manager will allocate funding to three organizations Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition, St Mary Medical Center and Central Park to serve as community connectors. The Community Community Connectors will be responsible for connecting community members to the Justice Fund, legal service provider to MTF, to provide outreach and education, to provide referrals to community services, and to serve as liaisons with clients and their families. These four organizations will work, collaborate, collaborate collaboratively. Use me to affect how we implement the justice plan going forward. And that concludes my report, and I'm available for questions.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Can I get a motion in a second, please? Motion by councilman's and day house and a second move, Ashley Richardson. Is there any public comment?
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. They should clear. Your time starts now.
Speaker 1: Sorry. I forgot. Lower, man.
Speaker 3: See no other. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Roll call vote please.
Speaker 0: Council women's today has. Casual Women's Day has.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Price. Hi, Councilman Sabina. Hi, Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: Okay.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga, I. Councilman Alston.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. Hi. The motion is carried.
Speaker 1: You bet. Concludes the consent calendar. We will now do. Or to charter or to commission items. So let's go and do item number eight, please. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP CM21-078 and award contracts to Long Beach Immigrants’ Rights Coalition of Long Beach, CA, St. Mary Medical Center of Long Beach, CA, and Centro CHA, of Long Beach, CA, for Community Connector Services under the Long Beach Justice Fund, and to Immigrant Defenders Law Center, of Los Angeles, CA, for Legal Services under the Long Beach Justice Fund, in an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $275,000, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for one additional one-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager, and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0165 | Speaker 1: Thank you. Our next step is our next item, which is charter commission appointments, which is 26.
Speaker 0: Item 26 is a communication from Councilman Spinner, chair of the government.
Speaker 1: To be charter general.
Speaker 2: Mr. Mayor, your microphone.
Speaker 1: Yep. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Item 26 is communication from councilman super nature of the Government Personnel and Election Oversight Committee. Recommendation to receive Charter Commission appointments approved by the Government Personnel and Election Oversight Committee.
Speaker 1: Got some more super now. Thank you. As the clerk said, these appointments were approved by our committee and there are five individuals to fill spots on four different commissions. So we ask for your approval. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. And let me go ahead. I do have a motion and a second by County Councilwoman Allen. I'll give me additional comments before I read the commission names and.
Speaker 2: No, no Mayor, just congratulations to everyone.
Speaker 1: Okay. Let me. Thank you. Councilman Super. Now I want to go ahead and go through each of these commissioners. There's a handful of them into the Citizens Police Complaint Commission. I do want to congratulate David and Joel. David Ochoa currently works as a field representative for the Office of State Senator Tom Byrd and his previous experience as a congressional staff member in the office of Congresswoman Annette Barragan. David holds a bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach in political science and history, and is currently working on a master's degree in political science. For those who know David, he's also incredibly involved across the community and will be a great addition to the commission. Also to the PCC is Kenneth Kenneth Asher Kawamoto. Kenneth is a Council District two resident, and he works as an appraiser, specialist and field trainer for the L.A. County Assessor's Office. Kenneth holds a master's of public administration, public sector management and leadership from Cal State, Long Beach, Northridge Degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine. And congratulations to Kenneth as well. The next next appointment is Eric Bowers. Eric Bowers is a council District One resident, and he currently works as a director of Public Affairs and Marketing for Coast Community College and served as Executive Director for the Coast Community College District Foundation. Mr. Bowers is a member of the California Community College's LGBTQ Plus Caucus and Public Relations Society of America. Eric holds a master's degree from Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and is currently working towards a doctorate in education leadership. I want to congratulate Eric as well on his appointment. And next up is for the Ethics Commission, Mary Ellen Mitchell. Mary Ellen is a council district four resident, and Mary served as executive director of Women's Shelter of Long Beach from 2015 to 2021. She previously served on the Human Relations Commission and on everyone's home, Long Beach Task Force. A Maryellen has been a member of the Finance Committee for the African-American Cultural Center of Long Beach and also served as a board member for the United Cambodian Community, UCC. Also on the Water Commission is Gina maguire. Gina is a Council District five resident. She's a 1967 graduate of Saint Anthony High School and became a transformative figure at the educational and educational institution. Gina recently retired to serving as City Anthonys president and CEO for 20 years and was awarded the keys to the city for her leadership and community development. She's really involved, of course, across the community, and she was one of the founders of leadership, which for those that may or may not know. She also was president of the Omega Junior League and has had a positive impact on many lives across this community. She has a B.A. in California from California State University, Long Beach. We want to congratulate Gina in excellent condition. I also want I think I may have missed that when I gave Eric Bally's bio, I didn't say that he was actually also rejoining the Civil Service Commission. So I just want to be clear that Eric Fallis is being appointed to the Civil Service Commission and that includes all of the commissioners. A huge congratulations to all of them. Any other any other council comments? Seeing none. Then if we could have, Madam go to any public comment or then go to the rock office.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial store nine. They basically. Your time starts now.
Speaker 1: Good evening. My name is Steve. Q I'm a resident of the third district. I often speak on city council items of late. And I'd just like to say, just as a general public comment, as an American, as someone who not only believes in freedom of speech, but has. Often defended it. Please understand that I just as a matter of operational prudence, it's my policy and one within my rights as an American. To just say two things hopefully make use of the time, make it worthwhile listening to, let alone putting on the public record. And in my own personal case, while that may seem chaotic and at times. Uh. Highly specific or greatly meandering. I'm kind of always making the same argument. And it's kind of for a moment like this. We're at a stage in human history and specifically a stage in American history. Who? I'm going to steal a line from the Long Beach artist Rudy Dion. It's a very tender epic, but that one, it's a very tender time. And when I see, I know I won't say who, but when I see, you know, old men, businessmen, uh, I getting excited about the prospects of the war. Be good for business. So rubbing their hands, I mean, you know, it's usually kind of inversely proportional to the likelihood of that person actually manning a post on the border of Ukraine or in the case one of my friends who was in Armenia last December. Um, actually seeing a church that you would. You married one of your friends and been taken overtaken by by the various with Russian help. It's a very kind of tender moment. I'm somebody who shortly after September 11th, I did something really kind of creative. I went to my advisor in college and I told him, Hey, you know, whatever you need, I'll do. I was young and I, you know. I just wanted to help. Uh. I'd like to suggest there's more than one way. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: I think that was likely for general public comment. So we'll take that a general public comment for that section. But let's go ahead and do the. Roll call. Vote for this item, please.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sandy has.
Speaker 2: A.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Price. Councilman Sabina.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sara, I. Council member oranga i. Councilman Alston.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Is there any additional general public comment? | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive Charter Commission appointments approved by the Government, Personnel and Elections Oversight Committee pursuant to Section 509 of the City Charter and Section 2.03.065 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0177 | Speaker 1: Thank you. Next up is item 11 six.
Speaker 0: Item 11 is report from city manager. Recommendation to receive and file a report on the evaluation of Long Beach Citizen's Police Complaint Commission.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I know we have a a lengthy report, one that I know I know staff has put a lot of work into. And I also know that this is a presentation that, uh, the council, many of the community are looking forward to seeing. And so this will be for many of us, the first time we get a chance to see this final report and we look forward to the presentation. So I'll turn it over to Mr. Murphy.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Mayor and Council. This project was a significant priority for the council, and you funded a study for the staff to work with a consultant to do an independent deep dove on the PCC. And this ten month effort by the consultant is going to present to you tonight the results of that study. And they have a significant amount of recommendations, primarily around restructuring the the PCC, but also a number of recommendations for enhancing the overall operations of the PCC. So with that introduction, I'd like to turn it over to Patrick Leathers, our PCC manager, and he will kick off the presentation and introduce our consultant for this project. Patrick.
Speaker 5: Thank you and good evening, honorable mayor. Members of the city council. So over the past nine months, an extensive independent evaluation of the Citizen Police Complaint Commission was conducted. And in tonight's presentation, the poll's change integration team. And I will go over how this evaluation came about. The steps that were taken during the evaluation process. The final report of the evaluation and next steps. So on August 11th of 2020, the City Council approved the Racial Equity and Reconciliation and Initiative initial report and directed city staff to engage an outside expert to evaluate the operations of the CPC stated and the Russell and the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Report as a short term action under Goal three. What is the redesign to police approach to community safety and strategy to to redesign police oversight and accountability through improved complaint and discipline practices? And so as a result of this $150,000 allocated in the fiscal year 2021 budget to support the evaluation. On January 27th of 2021, the city initiated a request for proposals, and so proposals were received from six firms nationwide by the March 21st, 2021 deadline. And so myself, the City Manager Team and Office of Equity evaluated the proposals and conducted follow up interviews on March 31st of 2021. On April 15th of 2021, the Notice of Intent to Award a contract. The Pulse Solutions, Inc. of Seattle, Washington. Partnering with Change Integration Consulting was posted. So this evaluation had consisted of four plan objectives, the first being to identify ways to improve the existing CBC operations. The second to identify options for redesign of the CBC. The third, to identify any related legislative priorities. And the fourth, to produce an implementation roadmap. So just going over briefly a few things that took place during the process of the evaluation. So between May 2021 and January of 2022, the poll's change integration team conducted a benchmark study of over of other oversight models. They did examination of the CPC case management system. They did an analysis of the CPC open and closed session meetings for the June 2021 through January 2022 CPC meetings. They reviewed 74 CBC case investigation files that were presented at the June 2021 through January 2022 CPC meetings. They observed that Long Beach Police Department case review meeting. They conducted interviews with internal and external stakeholders. They facilitated two community public listening sessions. An online survey was developed where they assessed public feedback and they conducted three public meetings to present preliminary findings. So just to get a little dense, a little bit more detail on the community participation in this evaluation. The Post Change Integration Team, they conducted a 30 interviews with internal and external stakeholders. 31 responses were received from the CBC's The Evaluation Online Survey that was posted on the CPC website to gather input. And lastly, two community listening sessions took place to gather input on CBC's reform. The first being a virtual listening session that took place on September 16th of 2021, and the second being an in-person listening session that took place on September 20, 20, 23rd of 2021. And so overall, the Pulse change integration team met with over 100 members of the community by way of either external stakeholder interviews or through through listening sessions. So just a few things that we repeatedly heard from the community during the evaluation process. For that, there's a need for independent oversight body. The community needs more transparency during the IPCC process. There is a need for oversight of internal affairs, rules and regulations. The community has waited 30 years for a good commission and the community needs to be more educated about the PCC. And so in December of 2021, the pull changing integration team conducted public presentations to gather input from the community speakers, commissioners and public safety the from the Community Speaker, the Commissioner of the Public Safety Committee on their preliminary findings from the evaluation. The input was gathered from the public for the Committee other December 3rd, 2021, Public Safety Committee meeting. Input was gathered from the community during a virtual community presentation on December 14th of 2021. And lastly, input was gathered from the CBC's commissioners on December 15th of 2021 and December 21st of 2021. There were also items for public comment at the Public Safety Committee meeting and both the IPCC meetings as well. And so I'll now hand it over to Kathryn Olsen and underneath Rodriguez of the Polo Change Integration Team to conduct a presentation on the CPC evaluation final report.
Speaker 4: There we go. Thank you. My name is Catherine Olsen, and I am one of the members of the policy change integration team. If we can go to the next slide. Patrick. I have been working on matters of civil rights and police reform basically my entire career with a real focus on police reform starting in oh six. I was a civilian that was appointed. Excuse me, I'm.
Speaker 5: Sorry to interrupt the presentation, but we've lost a quorum of the council. We need to have five council members. Thank you. We can continue.
Speaker 4: So I was appointed to go inside the Seattle Police Department as a civilian to head up internal affairs, overseeing a group of sworn officers. And did that work for a number of years? And after leaving the Seattle Police Department, had I been doing consulting on a variety of police reform matters, including how departments handle police misconduct investigations ? I also coauthored a book on the handling of police misconduct and own investigate allegations. And also served two terms as Nicole president. That's the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and as a result was particularly interested in appreciated at the opportunity to work on this project, which involves both a focus on investigations and on civilian oversight. MARGARET You want to introduce yourself? Maybe if there's difficulties, Denise could pick up.
Speaker 2: Thanks, Catherine, and good evening. My name is Denise Rodriguez and I'm a my background in research. And in addition to working with police and a number of police reform projects, I'm also the chief deputy monitor on the Puerto Rico consent decree. And I've spent the last 13 years working with police agencies across the country, reformed their organization. Thank you.
Speaker 4: So if Margaret's not able to speak up, maybe. Denise, if you want to, just continue.
Speaker 2: Sure, we'll do. All right. Next slide. All right. So before we start, just a quick overview of the different city departments involved in complaint investigations. These include the PCC, which investigates Complaints Commission, recommends findings and has access to some of the case analysis produced by Internal Affairs. You also have the Long Beach Police Department Internal Affairs that also investigates complaints. The city manager's office that receives the recommendations from both the PCC and Internal Affairs. And issues of final determination. Then you also have the Civil Service Commission to which officers can appeal discipline to. Next slide. So before I pass it to Catherine to review the oversight models and our recommendations to the city. I do want to point out two important underlying assumptions. The first is that civilian oversight of police is just one piece to the puzzle. That is police reform. It is not a panacea and will not address all issues related to misconduct or all of the organizational and operational changes that must occur to effect cultural change. Things like policy training and most importantly, internal accountability mechanisms also play a role. The second is that there's no perfect civilian oversight model. There is limited research on the different oversight models, and no single approach has been shown to answer all community concerns or to be a good fit for all cities. Further, these models must also evolve with the needs of the city and the community over time. Next slide, and I'll pass it to Catherine.
Speaker 4: Thanks, Denise. There's very, very little research that's been conducted on civilian oversight with the fact of how what's required to be successful. But practitioners in the field generally agree that the attributes that are noted here are important to effective oversight. That includes independence, the access to information and personnel, transparency, community engagement, regular agency evaluations. And and as we conducted our evaluation in Long Beach of the PCC, we consider these attributes in terms of how how they were demonstrated by the work of CPP CC and where they were lacking. Next slide, please. Often people think of civilian oversight means complaint investigations. But actually, there are a number of agencies that perform a wide variety of functions beyond or instead of complaint investigations. There are three primary models a review model, the auditor monitor model and the investigative model. Though, in reality, most agencies these days in the United States are a hybrid of these three primary functions. Next slide.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 4: The most popular or most common not popular, but the most common model is the review focused model. The investigation focused model is what the City of Long Beach has had by way of PCC. With the focus on conducting investigations. The Auditor Monitor model IS has become much more prominent over the last 5 to 10 years and is now the second most common model of oversight. Again, it's important to remember that most agencies combine these different functions, but the auditor monitor model is has the potential to be more effective than the other two models, because it is aimed at systemic change in a police department. It's aimed at looking at the broader kinds of issues that the department might have challenges with or the community feels requires some change as opposed to individual investigation or review models, which tend to focus just on individual acts by individual officers. It's important to note that a commission can be involved in any of these three models or any hybrid. Many agencies, however, don't have commissions. And what I want to emphasize here, too, what we heard from the community in our many listening sessions and interviews, a lot of frustration with KPCC and but also a lot of concern, concerns that are not easily addressed by an individual misconduct complaint, concerns that are much, much broader that I think we think will be appropriately addressed through an auditor approach. Next slide, please. We also did a benchmarking study as noted and were asked initially. We looked at all California agencies and then were asked to focus on those that are of similar size to Long Beach. And as you can see, they find that we're similar size. Four out of the five include an auditor monitor function within that within the agency. Three out of the five have commission. Next slide, please. So we looked at what works well with the current CP CC model. It is important to acknowledge that Long Beach was an early, early adopter adopter of oversight and should be commended for that. The commissioners and the staff that we encountered and worked with and heard from and observed are all very committed to the mission of CP, CC and take their take their jobs very seriously. And that's important to bear in mind. However, we found inherent limitations with the CPC model, including quite a bit of redundancy, a lack of community engagement, a lack of provision for access to information that is necessary to strive for thorough investigations. And we also I mean, just we're providing examples right now, but we also found that the way the Commission functions, how the PCC and I.A. interact and how the PCC fits within the larger structure is has a number of limitations also in the current model. Next slide.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 4: So the limitations inherent with the model undermine accountability and transparency. Two important goals of civilian oversight. The way that the Commission arrived at its own recommendations and how it interfaces with IAEA and with the city manager's office, raised concerns about the potential for conflict and as I mentioned earlier, redundancy. And we found that a community trust in the department has suffered and CPC sees legitimacy as an independent investigative body is in doubt by many of the community members. Many members of the public and many internal to the city also were concerned about the legitimacy of the current model. Thus we're recommending a new oversight model, and it is excuse me, a combination of the police auditor model that also includes aspects of the review and investigation functions. So it's a hybrid model being recommended. We recommend that the Police Oversight Commission also be part of this hybrid model, though, repurposed as we'll be discussing. Next slide.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 4: The just for the sake of time. We can't go through all of the detail. But if you look at the current model that Long Beach has and the role of the commission and some of the attributes we mentioned, you're going to see that under the new hybrid model that we're recommending, there's definitely increased authority and increased ability to impact through systemic reviews. There's still a role for looking at investigations, but the focus is much more again on auditing and broader impacts. The commission's role shifts to one of being engaged with the community and bringing community concerns back to the auditor to help set priorities with the auditor in a very collaborative fashion so that the community concerns are there's response to the community concerns. There's also critical incident briefings that would happen with the commission that do not happen right now, along with a role in hiring the auditor monitor. Again, the so many of the concerns that we heard from the community. Many concerns about the process processing that Denise will speak to. But so many concerns about policing in Long Beach that you just can't trust that any of those issues would really ever be addressed through the complaint investigations system. All of the attributes, independent access to information and personnel, transparency, community engagement, all of the attributes will be strengthened in the model that we're recommending. Next slide.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 4: So again, the police auditor monitors role is one of addressing systemic issues through recommendations for improvement with a set procedure for a response from the police department on recommendations that are made and explanations of recommendations not adopted. Having the auditor involved in all major uses of force, the whole issue of Long Beach Police Department use of force is one that we heard about in in each every listening session and kind of figuring out ways to address some of those community concerns will happen both through systemic reviews and also reviews of major uses of force. There is still, as you can see, a role that the auditor monitor will play and can play when it comes to individual investigations, but they just won't be involved in a day to day capacity. The way the PCC is currently. Next slide, please. It is vital that for the auditor monitor to be successful that the person had broad, direct access to departmental information, databases and personnel. We have found and in fact, we heard from a current commissioner who is works with the Los Angeles officer inspector general, that over time, as trust is built between the auditor and the police department, that there is usually always very high levels of cooperation and collaboration that happen. And we don't have some of the issues that come up now that impact how thorough investigations can be. We want to see that the auditor monitor is hired by city council in a very transparent process that's going to include collaboration with the Oversight Commission. Next slide.
Speaker 1: Please.
Speaker 4: Also, I meant to say that the auditor monitor in cities that use this model is someone who's got, you know, deep, broad experience in policing matters. Someone who has experience doing that good communication skills is a professional to be brought into this role. The Police Oversight Commission role is one again to work collaboratively with the auditor monitor, bringing the interests of the community into the process. So very much playing a role of liaison, if you will, between the auditor monitor and the Long Beach community. The commissioners can also provide education of the community about policing matters or the role of the auditor will hold regular meetings to make sure that community input is heard and considered. And the bottom line is that the commission is going to fill that community engagement function that has been missing for 30 years. And we we found that people were so eager to talk about their experiences and were so eager to share. And it's been because there hasn't been a mechanism set up for regular input from the community. And this this model that we are recommending would provide that kind of input. We're confident that the new model that that combines an auditor with expertize, along with a commission that is going to be folding in the community's perspective on issues that are outdated is going to create much more accountability, transparency and legitimacy than Long Beach's currently seen in its current model. Thank you. I'll turn it over to Denise.
Speaker 2: Thanks, Catherine. So we know that the process of establishing the new oversight model is going to take some time. So we also identified some interim changes that we recommend the city undertake in the meantime. These recommendations are also grounded in some of the attributes of Catherine reviewed at the beginning of the presentation. And in terms of improving transparency, we've recommended increased transparency with complainants and the community around the complaint process itself. The role of the PCC and the recommendations made by the SEC. As you see further, we also recommend that the PCC activate its Community Engagement Committee and the committee should actively engage with the community by attending city sponsored events, neighborhood association meetings and the like to share with the community more information about the CBC, how to file a complaint or commendation in relation to training. We're also recommending additional training for both PCC staff and commissioners, specifically for for the commissioners. We'd like to see additional training on police policies and operations and a review of case examples as part of an in more in-depth orientation. Next find. So as far as improve functioning, we're recommending recommending, establishing a written agreement between Internal Affairs and the CBC. The written agreement should formalize the data sharing procedures, access to information, role of the internal affairs at the PCC meetings, among other items. We're also recommending that the PCC develop a standard operating procedures for the office. This will institutionalize and clarify the roles of the staff as well as their procedures. Next find. So I realize we're only touching on a few of these today, few of our recommendations. I encourage you all to review our entire report. We are recommending addressing timeliness issues in the process. As you all know, in most instances, it can take over a year for complaints to hear back about the outcome of their complaint . We have found that these issues have had a ripple effect on transparency and legitimacy in the process and timeliness. In terms of the complaint investigation process, the review by the city manager's office and the sharing of information back to the complaint and the community impacts external procedural justice and creates opportunities for questions about the efficacy of the CPC oversight of police complaint investigations. Next slide. So a couple of our other findings related to interim changes and improved functions deal with the issues in the findings categories and the ambiguity of the other such training findings. Refining these categories and creating a policy training category to allow the commissioners to make recommendations that address more systemic issues is also recommended. Next slide. Another concern that we heard in our interviews with committee members and our review of documents were those related to perceived or actual conflicts of interest. A couple of ways we recommend to address the issues are citing the IPCC, its own city attorney, which is a change that was recently made, as well as improving the city manager's process for conducting final reviews and no longer conducting these reviews in Silo, but in a more collaborative and transparent manner. Next slide. Okay. I think I just touched on that one. Sorry. Next line. All right. So finally, we've made some recommendations around how commissioners are chosen and encourage the city to be more open and transparent with the process of identifying and selecting commissioners. And we're also recommending the city consider developing an alternative dispute resolution program. This would mean collaboration between the CBC, Internal Affairs and the city manager's office and another avenue for the community members to seek resolution on their complaints or issues with the Long Beach Police Department. Again, these are just a brief overview of the 26 interim changes we've recommended to the city to implement. These are changes that can be made now as I'll begin to work on a process to institute a new model. Further, these changes will also reflect to the community the city's commitment to change and improvement of the CBC. Before I do preface by Patrick, I do want to acknowledge our colleague on this project, Margaret Warner. She was not able to unmute herself, but she's a program manager with police. And in addition to working alongside Catherine and I on this project, she has also worked in a number of local and federal initiatives involving police and community engagement. Thank you. And I'll pass it back to Patrick.
Speaker 5: All right. Thank you, Katherine. Underneath for moving on the next steps. So here you see a breakdown of the current CBC budget compared to what the budget would be, what the recommended changes that polar change integration is recommending. So if you look at table number one, you will see that currently in the current CBC budget, it consists of two and a half full time employees or FTE, with the total amount for the budget being $533,497. And so with the recommended model that Paul of Change integration is recommending, there would be seven FTE, which would drastically increase the budget for the PCC totaling an amount of near of around $1.4 million. Looking at table number three, you'll see the comparison side by side comparison of the current CBC budget and the proposed budget with what the proposed recommendation that polar change integration is recommending. And so you'll see under the net impact amount that that would be an increase of $901,439. All right. So after tonight, there will be several steps that will need to be taken before a charter amendment for the CBC can go on a November 2022 ballot. The schedule outlines a feasible schedule to complete the process in time for a charter amendment until November and November of 2022. Fourth of the City Council provide the recommendation regarding the Charter amendment tonight. The City Attorney's Office will begin preparation of the charter amendment and so per state law. Discussions with relevant employee labor organizations will begin this month as well. The exact duration of the meeting for a process is unknown and will depend upon the complexity of issues discussed with employee organizations at the table. And it's important to note that actual implementation of the charter amendment may be may vary based on the requirements of meet and confer and state law. If an agreement is not reached. And so moving down the timeline here. So on May 24th of this year will be the deadline for the city clerk to post notice of the first public hearing for a CBC ballot item in the newspaper and three public places. Then there will be the required the three required public hearings for a proposed charter amendment ballot measure, which will be on June 14th, July 19th and August 9th. Then on August 19th would be the last day to submit the arguments in impartial analysis. On August 30th would be the last day to submit rebuttal to the city clerk. And sample ballots will be mailed out on September 29th. And then finally, Election Day would be on November 8th. So based on everything president tonight, the recommendations for this item would be to receive and file the IPCC evaluation report and provide city staff direction on the recommendation and begin the process for a charter amendment and initiate the meeting for a process with relevant employee labor organizations. And so this would effectively trigger the next steps in the timeline, which were in the previous slide. And that concludes this presentation and we are available for any questions or comments. Thank you.
Speaker 3: So I just wanted to conclude the staff presentation and acknowledge that we heard a lot of the findings that came out of this report. We have a lot of data and a lot of recommendations. And what we heard loud and clear from all of the stakeholders and all of the public meetings is that there is a desire for change, and the recommendations speak to options that the city has to implement those changes. So what that what we are looking for from the council tonight is a number one, a received file on the report. And number two, we'd like council direction as to whether the recommended action is the direction we'd like to go or if you would, if you're interested in a different direction, if you could provide that direction to staff so that we can initiate the those next steps. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. I have, of course, our folks queued up to speak. Councilman Austin is is first and I have a series of questions I think are important. Also, did councilman did I also want to hear. Do we should we hear from the public first or do you want to go to the council comment first and then come back? I'm okay with going with the public purse. Okay. I hear all the public's input on the presentation and then we'll come back and that might inform your questions. I certainly have a I have a series of them as well. So why don't we go ahead and hear from the public and then we'll come back and have a have a discussion.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. Tai do. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: I'm sorry. I just now got the news, so please bear with me. I'm just district one, and I really appreciate your conflict of interest analysis as well as hiring a special attorney. My experience with the police and I will give you three instances began in February, March of 2019, when I lived at Third and Magnolia. I reported a breaking and entering where I had reported someone entering my apartment. The police did not even want to take the USB drive into evidence and there were cameras in the hallway that would have clearly shown that somebody entered my apartment and literally turned on the gas at the back stove that abutted a wall that I could never turn down by myself. When I approached the property manager, he said the video wouldn't rewind. There is no such electronic video that would do that. When I reported this to two officers, they said, What do you want us to do? I can imagine that they'd go over there and review the video and they chose not to ignore it. In February of 21, I asked about accessibility, where I basically was being targeted by property management and by storing items in the hall and the like, obstructing my path and using a scooter and the like. When the police officer came out here instead of listening to me, he had the audacity to tell me that the cameras that I have in my home to protect myself pointing at the parking lot are illegal and to remove them, I told them absolutely not. I would not remove them. He told me that it's a business and they can do whatever they want. I need you to further please analyze how protected classes are met with disdain. I specifically pleaded with Sergeant Solo Llano forgive the pronunciation that I was disabled as well as gay, and had been thrown epitaphs at both Asian as well as gay, and he refused to send another officer. I just the final item was another tenant that party services witness saying that he was going to knock me out. Initially a female officer was dispatched and when I was playing her, the video showing that suddenly she was re dispatched somewhere else and then two male officers showed up who refused to tell it. They specifically told me that there was no such thing as misdemeanor assault, and absolutely there is. And they refused to take a report and they should have under a hate crime as well as misdemeanor report. Uh, I am not somebody that is insane. I came out of the closet when I was 40. I used to be an attorney. I was a full time faculty member at George Mason University. When I was 26 years old. I interned at the Oklahoma Attorney General's office when I was in high school. These are the things that are happening to me on a daily basis. I urge you to consider the seriousness of this and immediately approve this. The items.
Speaker 3: Tiffany Davey. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: Good evening. Can I keep this rather brief? If I want to. First of all, just lend support to. I do really appreciate you speaking up and advocating for yourself and the instances that you've endured recently in the city. And I wish you all the best of luck. I know how hard it.
Speaker 2: May be to navigate.
Speaker 1: Certain waters.
Speaker 2: Is it possible that we can just.
Speaker 1: I mean. Honestly, Mick stops to. How do I say? Implement some of these suggestions made by the community without necessarily having to wait till November? I know there's a lot at stake, but the community spent quite a lot of time. I know years voicing concerns. So what can we do to expedite this process? I really want to thank police polis. Pardon. And you know, everyone who does their work and tries to change a system that is not really the product being one individual. But again, thank you all for the presentation. I'm strongly in support of the amendments to the CBC.CA as well as new positions created. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Let me go ahead and start with some questions. I won't go through all of them unless I'm sure I have a long list of folks queued up. But I do have some I think some basic questions you want to get answered. I want to just start by thanking staff and the the team that worked on the presentation. I think it's a lot of information. First of all, I think for us, but I think it's important first for the council to understand it. This is a major conversation that we don't also all have to have tonight. I think a lot of us want to absorb what we just what we just read and get some questions answered and also hear from our from the community. But I do want to thank the the staff and the consultant team for putting together a robust presentation and for going out and getting feedback, particularly from our community members, but also from the PCC themselves. And oftentimes I think what we have to remind folks that the commissioners and those that have served have been serving under a model created by the people of Long Beach many years ago. And so they are many are they are also trying their best to work within the confines of that commission. And they also recognize and have a lot of ideas as to as to how to make changes to the PCC as well. And so I just want to thank them again here for their for their, their service. I had some questions that I hoped to maybe get answered by staff. So to to my my first question I think is important, and we don't need to answer them all. Now, if you want to get back a memo to us on this as soon as possible and a lot of the changes that were proposed, obviously, obviously the city attorney question are need to be made at the charter or at the ballot box. I mean, maybe there's other additional recommendations that are not presented that would also need to be made a bit at the ballot box. Is there a recommendation as to what actually ends up being a charter amendment versus what actually becomes changes to the municipal code? And the reason I ask that is because in reviewing other. Police commissions across the country. And I've just in just a little research I've done and they vary also not just in approach but in what, what, what, how it's actually codified into law. And so I'm wondering if there's been a thought as to what should actually go into the charter and then what should go into the municipal code, knowing full well that it might take off, of course, the initial change in the charter to create the commission, but then a lot of the other functions can be put in the municipal and I use the. The Ethics Commission and the British Commission is an example where we created a framework for a commission, but then we were adding Unicode. It will be adding Unicode changes to that as well. And so the attorney or or staff can we address that can be really interesting. I think that's an important piece of it also.
Speaker 5: Mayor, this is City Attorney Park. And the the answer to your question is because we have the existing KPCC in the charter, we would need to amend the charter to change the structure and the jurisdiction or authority of the new commission or changed commission. Your question as to could we model the charter amendment similar to the redistricting commission or other commissions recently adopted would be, yes. I think that that discussion and that decision obviously would not have to be made tonight, but it would be it would come during your public meetings and direction, during your decision or discussions on whether you want to put this on the ballot or not.
Speaker 1: Okay. And by the way, to be clear, I'm not advocating that that's the model we go with. But I do think it's important that the council understand that. And for us to understand what should be in the charter versus in the Munich or should we put it all into the charter? Knowing that that, of course, can only be changed by a vote of the people or should be. There should be there shouldn't be that should there be certain items in the charter and another proposal of meaningful changes. So I don't know what the best approach is, to be honest. I think you want to have a, you know, as much in the charter amendment as possible. But I but I know a lot of these commissions exist in ordinances or muni codes. And that's just something I didn't hear tonight. And I think I think the council should hear more from. I certainly would like some recommendations on that. And I don't know, I'm interested if you remember, you have some in the future, but that would be, I think, important. My other my other question was. Who is the auditor monitor?
Speaker 3: Mayor, could you repeat the question, please?
Speaker 1: Who and who actually is the auditor monitor in this scenario that you recommended?
Speaker 4: Mr. Miller, this is Katherine Wilson. If I understand your question correctly, the auditor monitor would be a person who is hired from outside the current city structure, city government structure. So this person will not have any affiliation with the city of Long Beach's auditor's office. It would be a person who would be independent of any current office or or representation group within the city right now.
Speaker 1: The mayor.
Speaker 5: The successor to the park. And I think the mayor I think if I understand the proposal correctly, that individual who was selected would be hired. If I read this right in the by the charter, the authority to hire that person would be the city council. So there would be three people that the city council would hire the city manager, the city clerk and this auditor inspector.
Speaker 1: Okay. And that's what I want to just to clarify. So. So the the because I think it said on here reports the city council and city manager. I think it said maybe I missed it. I was just curious as to who the auditor monitor actually who who hired this position. So in the proposal, is it just the city council? Is it basically the city council by majority vote hires this auditor monitor position?
Speaker 4: That's what's anticipated, Mr. Mayor, and that we but we appreciate it that the city manager still has an important function with regards to personnel matters. And so the you know, there are certain aspects of the hiring process that the city manager would be involved in. But in order for it to be a very transparent process, we think that the city council needs to be in charge of that process.
Speaker 5: And that could be determined during the charge as part of your charter alignment language in meetings on what you want to include in the charter.
Speaker 1: It's just not clear to me. I'm just trying to understand. It's just not clear to me. If this person is hired by the council and then reports of the council, or if they're hired by the council and then they report to the city manager or both, which would be something that currently doesn't exist. So I just think, you know, be good to have some clarity on what that actually would look like, what that model would look like. And because right now the council has direct hiring authority over the city manager and the city clerk, and those are direct appointments. And so it sounds like what you're proposing is that this would be a third direct hire, which would be this auditor monitor position. And the staff of the auditor monitor would report to this auditor position, not the city manager. Is that correct? Correct. Yes. Okay. And my next question is as far as the role. I'm glad that there remains important role for the commission and that you've kind of changed that a bit to be more community involvement in that. What what I'm hoping is that we don't diminish the role of the public and the community and the commission's role. And so. I could be reading this wrong, but it sounds like some of the function it currently is is as you propose it. That currently being proposed by the I'm sorry, that's currently being done by the commission. That function would then move to the auditor monitor, particularly as it relates to investigations. Is that correct?
Speaker 4: Weird. Weird. But the model that we are proposing takes both the auditor and the commission out of the job of looking at every citizen complaint or community member complaint that gets investigated. Right now, they're very much focused on just looking at individual complaints. What we're suggesting is that they, as an oversight body are going to be more effective if they, in fact, move back and not focus on the day to day aspect of complaints, but rather look at, you know, samples of complaints and quality and timeliness and that kind of thing, helping the internal affairs do a better job of what they're doing already, since right now both IAEA and CP CC investigate. So rather than have that redundancy, have the oversight function being one of helping to monitor and ensure quality control across the system, the commission is. Again, I started out my early in my presentation saying that many people think of civilian oversight as being the same thing as misconduct investigations. And I think it takes a bit of shifting perspective to appreciate that the commission will still have a very important role here, a very important role, even if they're not making recommendations on cases that have been investigated by PCC. Keeping in mind that they haven't even had access to all of the information that's necessary for a thorough investigation. So they've been making investigations based on on sometimes limited information. So this is just, you know, taking the issue of investigations away from the commission. But at the same time, giving the commission what we think is more authority in terms of a vital role, bringing community input to the oversight function and to the Long Beach Police Department.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And I don't have my own timer, so I could be over time. I have no idea. I don't know. The court's doing the time or during the time. But just really briefly, if you just let me know on the time. So just to be clear, it wasn't very clear, the investigation piece, the individual case investigation piece in your proposal. Is not now done by the commission itself. Or the auditor monitor. But by who? By the actual department.
Speaker 4: By the department, as it does now is the department does the investigations now. And the commission also was doing investigations. So that's where the redundancy was.
Speaker 1: So they were doing the same. So. So. Okay. Because I thought that there was. If it. I thought that if. I guess it was hard. It's hard. It's hard for me to tell. If a citizen puts in or if there's a a complaint made, then right now, that complaint in certain cases goes to the commission. What you're saying is that if they make a complaint, it would go to. The Auditor monitor and the department's already a process, not necessarily the commission itself, but the commission will be looking at broader issues.
Speaker 4: The Auditor and the commission will be looking at broader issues. There are certain circumstances in which the auditor might be involved in doing an investigation, for example. Right now, there's no clear policy on what happens if there is a complaint filed against the chief or a member of the command staff. Though we got assurance that that would be handled by someone independent. That's an example of the kind of case that the auditor could investigate. But the auditor would not be doing the day to day investigations, the hundreds of cases that get filed every year. Instead, that would be that job would be handled by internal affairs with oversight from the auditor's office.
Speaker 1: And lastly, and I'll let I'll pass with a lot of other questions with the role of the Civil Service Commission in the proposal. I didn't. That wasn't clear to me at the end. It that we have a role still.
Speaker 4: Yes. And I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cut you off. They they the their role right now in this system is to accept and consider appeals from misconduct findings. And so their role doesn't change under this scenario.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. I'm going to pass it on to the rest of the council. Let me go back to Austin. Well, thank you, Mr. Mayor, and I appreciate those clarifying questions. I had some questions as well. I this system which you of we don't know who's first or what. So but I did want to just just acknowledge that. I brought this item forward back in 2020. Originally, it requested that we do a review of the. And get recommendations on how we can improve the efficacy of our our commission, our civilian oversight. This was also included in the framework for reconciliations a few weeks later that was also adopted by the City Council. And so I'm really pleased that we are at this point that this is robust. The high level review of our commission has been done. I do want to hold off on my comments and defer to the protocol to the chair of the Public Safety Committee, because that's that's the protocol. But I do want to just acknowledge that this process started over two years ago. So I'll defer my my original motion and I'll be the second or whatever. But I want to defer to councilmember on. Thank you, Councilmember Sora.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilmember Austin. I appreciate that. I would like to motion to receive and file the report and to move forward with the recommendation that staff has provided the interim as well as the recommendation for the charter change. But I do have some comments in question after making this motion. And first, want to make sure that two things star Patrick Weathers and Paula solution for all their hard work as well as other staff involved in getting us to this point. It is in addressing all three of the framework for reconciliation. And we had a report back on this, back on February 1st when we had Theresa Chandler as well as Alana Grant do a report back one year. And so it's timely that we come back with this PCC recommendation, which is to address all three, which is the redesign police approach to community safety. And I also want to just add to I really appreciate a message that was sent from the police department saying that they believe in community engagement, transparency and accountability because it does align in terms of the direction that I think this recommendation sets forward, which was what Ms.. Tatum said was to address the concern that had come up not only recently from the community engagement that policy solution has brought forward, you know, have engaged with, but also prior during the listening session. And I think that that is what the recommendation is, making sure it does to address that. And as somebody who, in addition to Councilmember Austin and myself, who I believe are the only council member that serve on the CPC commission can share that, I think maybe more of a little bit insight. And I think what what makes this a little bit unique is I agree that some of the concern that's been raised has been that there are silos. You know, there's three review process actually of a complaint which not makes certainly redundant the commissioner's review, the thing complaint with certain kind of information, internal affairs of the police department reviews it and then both finding goes to the city manager. And I think where as commissioner it's been unclear is how decisions ultimately get made. So I do appreciate the the approach where it's more collaborative, it's breaking down the silo. But my question comes up as far as well, where does the decision I think eventually get made? Because before a lot of decisions were about each case. And I do appreciate it's about addressing systemic issue patterns that showed up about, you know, use of example or use of force. So but can you kind of share a little bit more of what's the process and how decision is made and what kinds of decision gets made through the auditor commission auditor monitor commission relationship.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Councilmember. So the under the recommended hybrid model. Individual decisions on an individual case of a complaint of police misconduct. Those individual decisions would still go to the city manager's office. But under the model that we're proposing, you would not have the auditor or the commission involved at all in the average complaint. It's not going to be there. So it would just it would be just like the current system, except for you would not have the redundancy of the CPP CC involvement. When it comes to recommendations by the auditor for broader sorts of changes. What our recommendations include is a timeline for the department to respond to any recommendations. And if the timeline is, you know, it can't be met or if more time is necessary, that that would get worked out between the auditor and the department. But ultimately, if the department did not agree with the recommendation and the auditor still felt strongly they didn't accept that rationale, then then that decision would go to the city manager. Given that the city manager has oversight of the police department, that's that's what we're proposing in the model.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you. I appreciate a little more of the clarification for the decision still. And the ultimate decision is still gets made by the city manager, but at least there's more of a process than a discussion that takes place across the entities then.
Speaker 4: Exactly. And a transparent process, because the what we're asking, the model that we've built would be provide for, you know, explanations from the department as to why they wouldn't adopt something or, you know, maybe it's going to be a modification of whatever the recommendation is. And ultimately the auditor will be reporting to the council also. And so the city council will have a flavor of what sort of recommendations have been made and how responsive the department has been.
Speaker 2: And I appreciate that because I think one of the challenges I've always had was why were decisions made and how are decisions made? And I hope that this is a part of the process that builds the transparency and hopefully that leads to increasing public trust. Because I think that one other other area that I hope I see that this can improve is increasing, you know, engagement with the communities. It always felt like the CBC was always working in secret when really it was just all of these a process set up that limits the interaction that occur. So lastly, I will just end on saying that.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Councilmember, your time is up.
Speaker 2: Okay. All right. Well, up here again. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Yes, you can go ahead and count on me. Just finish up.
Speaker 2: Okay. I just want to say that I appreciate the interim changes to CBC C as far as all those listed and particularly changing the word citizen to civilian, because I think citizens can be misleading in that it only reference that this is only for some people versus that it's really to make sure that's accountable to all people . Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Vice May Richardson. I think Councilman Austin wanted to queue up and say So I can defer if you want me to. Thomas now. He made his comments or let me start. I did it. Okay, great. Thank you. Appreciate it. I just want to also just salute and commend the consultants, city staff for getting this this report done. This was exactly what we requested in terms of. And it was clear that that that stakeholder involvement, community input, really. Really guided a lot of the recommendations. Good findings. I think that's the findings. Many of the findings here also support many of the frustrations that many as council member, so many commissioners have had over the years, because there was always this something's missing here, right? There's there's something missing here. We're here doing a great job. We're working hard. But I think this this report kind of illuminated that. And so to the extent we we want greater transparency and greater accountability, we want to inspire greater public confidence in our our city and our law enforcement and oversight. I think the recommendations here certainly will help achieve that. I think there's some details that need to be worked out. I fully support the recommendations for the interim fixes to the current civic model. I think we have to move forward with that and with the structure or give them a stronger urging to the city manager to implement those. And I think the point about engagement, community engagement of the commission is is priceless. We've been doing this the last 30 years. There have been better community engagement. We would not have been so many people saying that they didn't know about this could be efficient in what it did and that it even existed. Right. And so increasing community engagement for for this model, existing model, but also new models moving forward, I think is going to be extremely important. And in training for commissioners, the recommendation there can't be understated. Right. It is critically important to have training. The current model allows us to appoint a commissioner. The commissioner gives a brief orientation. They get a few hours of orientation by staff and then they're off, right. And then they're making decisions on cases that may require knowledge about how a police officer is actually true. The policies that they may or may not be violating rights related to use of force, officer involved shootings or or however they're trained. And so these policies are very important. It is important for the commissioners to understand those policies. I've got a feeling I'm going to have to queue up a lot of notes here. This is this is a very important conversation. And I think ultimately, no matter what model we settle on here, the city council is ultimately the responsible party. And Bill Pearl passed away. You know, in the spirit of Bill Pro, he would say it's always the council's fault. Right. For 30 years, we've had five plus years. We've had this model now. Right. And I can tell you today that is not funded staff to the level it was when we first went into place. Right. And that was a oversight or potential failure on behalf of the council and management over over the years to get it to a point where there's a lack of confidence in the commission, in our civilian oversight process. And so we can improve upon that. We have the ability of the council to today. The. And I do think that it's important that you have a move away from the investigative model of auditor monitor and also review model. And and I think having a letter of. Email you with between the commission and the PD makes a lot of sense. We recently approved a similar agreement with the Lewis registry USC animal you between our City PD and the Lewis registry to share information. So I think that's that's something that that makes sense for for for civil civilian oversight here for the city. And that can be done immediately. The challenge I have is with the budget, and I want to I want to get back to that. And I'm not prepared to necessarily say we need to move forward with a ballot initiative tonight. I think the mayor raised some great points related to how we do this. There's a ballot initiative moving forward. If you restructure the way the PCC is is developed when it comes to in order to monitor and, you know, kind of locking in the staffing and whatnot, I think those are recommendations that we need to take in. But also we can we can massage if we go to that slide. You know, I'm looking at the salaries that are that are proposed there, the structure that's proposed. They're they're they're they're variables that we can we can look at, too. I think. Put forth a very, very effective body of oversight, obviously taking into consideration existing staff as well, but also responsibilities. I think that model says that there's this auditor monitor who's paid over $300,000 a year and then there's two managers. And my question, I guess, to the consultant is, do you see the role as the of the auditor monitor as a manager, or is that somebody just completely independent of everything? Know, that's a question for the consultant, I guess.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Council member Austin. I think we've we've seen the auditor monitor as being the, you know, the director of the office, you know, and I realize that might not fit in with the skiing in Long Beach. But I'm really more of a directing function with with managers who have, you know, responsibility for some of the subtasks that fall under under the auditors overall responsibility. I also wanted to add, in response to an issue the mayor brought up, the city of San Jose might be a model to look towards. They re not recently some time i think a year or two ago, maybe two years ago, adopted a charter amendment that allowed for a change in authority with their independent police auditor in San Jose. But they did not get into all the specifics. It was rather, you know, authority to make this change if, you know, if it was decided that that's the right change to make. And so I think there is an example there in terms of creating a structure that perhaps addresses the goals of oversight and, you know, the the basic structure without getting into some of the details that created, quite honestly, those were the inherent limitations that we started out with, you know, created some problems, completely unintended consequences, but created some issues that that could be avoided.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I know I probably adjusted my time IQ up later thinking. The question. Thank you, Councilmember. Mixed up is customary, Ringo. Vice Mayor Richardson. Oh, you're right. There are going back. Leslie Richardson and Kathryn. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First, thanks to everyone who's been involved in this process. I want to applaud first all the people who served on that commission for decades. Everyone has done exactly what the city is asked to do. When this commission started and I think it was highlighted in the presentation. We were one of the first to do this. And and although there have been over time, there were concerns about the commission's role being outdated. I think it's important to acknowledge that at one point this was cutting edge and it was leading, I think was being presented in front of us. There's certainly been some things to tweak, tweak, but I think it's important to note that this is a big step forward. And I actually like the idea of adding another factor with the auditor monitor that's focused on big picture structural, systemic changes. I think that's good. Those are upstream. Those are big picture. If you get that right, it becomes a more functional police department, a more functional government. The big picture is people want to have trust in their local government and they want to have the trust in their police department. And that is, you know, that requires a high standard. And I think having someone whose only function is to look at policies and data and making sure that, you know, iron ore, sharpening iron as it relates to our police department is a very good thing that builds public trust and confidence. I sort of like I sort of like the idea of maintaining some engagement with our civil service commission in our charter, civil services, already independent of the city, that there have been concerns about the process of, you know, when a recommendation the commission makes a make recommendation. The city manager doesn't necessarily report back some of you know the details of why upheld or didn't hold some of the concerns. But I think if there's a function or a connection, perhaps oversight of the audit to monitor or see PCC, there's some alignment with civil service that's already independent city manager. I think that's a strength we can play to. I think we need to, you know, as we advance toward a ballot measure, really refine what the role of civil service could be because there could be we could lean on that strength of independence here. I think I also want to just state that, again, it is not it is not something that happens overnight. It requires when you see patterns of disparity for generations, when you see issues that build over time, those are not incidents, specific incidents. Those are those that mean that that means they're systemic. And having an auditor monitor and looking at our charter and all of those things are systemic solutions to a systemic problem. And so when we think about building public trust or accountability or transparency, you know, just putting together a program may not cut. It was changing the actual structure of how things work and putting some accountability checks and balances in place and with, you know, with a mission of accountability and transparency, I think that's the way to move forward. You know, I do have a question about the process. I know that this will these changes will have an impact on city employees, whether it's civil service employees who are representing or police officers that are represented. I know that we're going to need to work through a process, probably a meet and confer process. I would like to know what that a little bit more details on what that looks like and how we can make sure that these changes are back in front of our city council in time to actually meet the deadline for the ballot this November. I know. I know it was touched on, but I'd like to just hear a little bit more from staff about what that process looks like as we move forward. That incredibly important for us to understand how urgent it is for city council to take action and make a final recommendation.
Speaker 3: So the assuming that we get direction from council tonight on the the either the recommended model or some version of that. The next step would be for us to start the meet and confer process. And what you heard reported earlier was a really high level of that schedule. And we've roughed out a schedule that assuming that we start the the process of bringing the language for the ballot initiative in May based upon the city clerk's schedule, we feel that the the several months between now and May would give us time to establish and work through the meet and confer process. Obviously, if we started that in May, based upon the city clerk's schedule for an amendment or a charter amendment for the November ballot, we could make that. But I think, you know that the issue regarding meet and confer would be around the any change to the duties of either a either the the staff of the PCC or the the current police department staff. So any change in duties requires that meet and confer process. And the idea would be to work through those and come to some consensus so that we could move the the ballot amendment forward by the May 24th date.
Speaker 1: Okay. Just final thought that, you know, publicly, you know, the community demanded that this is what the community demanded well before the reconciliation or motion of that council happens, I think it's important that we we all made multiple commitments. Councilman also mentioned earlier we made multiple commitments to the public to get this done. And so all parties are going to need to come to some sense of agreement in order to meet this deadline. That's just the reality. So we made a commitment, you know, through you know, we talked about redesigning police oversight and accountability to improve complaint and discipline practices. That's something we voted on unanimously. And I think from what we have so far, from what I'm hearing from folks generally, we have a direction to go, but we need to get through those details , engage with our partners and make sure we have some degree of consensus in order to meet this deadline. Thank you. Thank you. Next up is a council member, Ringo. Thank you, Mary, and thanks to my colleagues for all their comments. But I think that one of the reasons the public was concerned about the CBC is communicate lack of communication, lack of transparency. And we've talked about that. But at the same time is that the lack of communication with the community? A lot of it. And when I heard about complaints that were coming through and that the community was being heard, if there was a language access problem as well, Spanish speaking people weren't being understood. No, no. Bilingual staff at the complaints that were being filed were not very clear because they didn't know how. So it was it was it was a lot of confusion there. A lot of actually a lot of frustration that was taking place about how do you file? Where does it where does a complaint go? And then, of course, the usual take it, take a year, two years to have any kind of resolution on any complaints. That's where that that's where all of this comes from. And what we're talking about right now is a big a big change, essentially. Well, we're going to put it in a ballot is approve creation of a new department because we're asking the CBC not only to be a commission, but also to have its executive director would be a monitor auditor to report directly to the city council. And so we were talking about now that city council would have three people to hire. Sinbad, you're see. Clark And now this is the honor monitor, which is at, at the departmental level, where we would have to have the reports out, because I would want reports on a consistent basis as to what this guy, this guy, this individual is doing in terms of their job, because they're going to be at the council or city council reporting level. I won't at all what they're doing. Also, we're increasing the budget of about two and a half times from what it currently is, 500 to 1.4 million. And that's that's a significant increase of a budget, especially for what that's going to be at the departmental level. The other thing is I haven't heard anything about the the the staffing that's going to be there. I hear about the auditor monitor, but who's actually doing the investigations? I saw a staff of seven. I saw a stack of seven with the other monitor. So are the other five or six investigators. Somebody has got to go out there, talk to these police officers. Somebody has got to talk to the community, to the to the complainants and to get their their complaints resolved or at least addressed . So I haven't heard anything about that, as well as the need to deal with our language access problems. We need to have people there who can actually communicate with the complainants, and I didn't hear anything about that at all. And then, of course, there was a discussion about training and I totally supportive of that. The more training our commissioners receive and our staff, all the better. Which brings up the other issue where we're going to be basically restructuring a security into a civilian oversight commission. What's going to be the makeup of that commission? What are we looking at? How many members are we looking at? Other commissions? Most of our commissions have five members that we're looking at at the same structure as five or seven or nine. What are we looking at in terms of that structure when it comes down to a ballot measure? What are what are the people going to be voting for? Well, in that regard, because there's going to be a lot of interest out there in regards to policing in general. I mean, we know that that we're on the line for everything that's happened with the last two years in public safety and the reviews that are out there and and the responsibilities of our police department and modern policing in general. And we're the ones in the city council being held accountable for that. It's it's our duty to ensure that our residents are receiving the best quality services possible, and we do that by hiring. It's on us to make sure that we hire the best and the brightest that we get there. And we do it with the city manager. We do it with our city clerk. We do it with now this new guy. Here I go again with this individual, new individual who who might be taking this this position of auditor monitor. And that person is going to have to do the the hiring of his or her staff when it comes right down to it. So I'm very unclear about a lot of these issues. This is the first time I see this report and reading it. So I'm going to have to have a little bit more of a deeper dove into the specifics of the report. And, of course, this this is an overview that we received today, which is that it's just an overview in order for us to really dove into what we want to include in a ballot measure to create this a new commission. So the jury's still out for me in regards to what I'm receiving today. I want to probably get at it again with Commissioner Commissioner, Councilmember Sorrell when we meet at our public safety committee, a committee in the next. Couple of weeks or few times, we could probably pick up deeper and deeper analytic view as to what is being proposed here. So kudos to staff. Great report. Kudos to everybody who worked on it. Very thorough. But again, it's it's my first shot at it. And now when I have an opportunity to critique it a little for me. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I want to thank the staff for their work on this project. And I want to thank the consultants. I wish we could have gotten a preview. I think items like this, I really feel more comfortable when I have more time to digest it. And I imagine that the public feels the same way. Also, I would add that. A lot of complex things, a lot of big changes. I'd love to dove into the details more clearly, and I'd love to see some input and feedback from people who are.
Speaker 1: Really.
Speaker 2: Aware of the issues that are already working within the city structure. So I heard earlier this is named X or Y, but in the city of Long Beach it might be named something else. I think there's some value in finding out what that language is so that it's more palatable to our city staff, who mostly live in Long Beach and will be voting on this this this initiative. And we at the Council have really worked hard at ensuring that we have that community input before we put items on the ballot so that we have a lot of support for those things. And I think that there's a lot of. Opportunity for that in the next few weeks. I know we have some strict deadlines, but I'd really like to see some additional feedback, including but not limited to I worked for under the Obama administration Grant. I did a lot of work with police department reform, and I think it's really critical that we acknowledge that some of the people who want the reform the most are those within the department. I remember one of my first shifts as a deputy. I was paired with someone who was not the most admirable individual to work with, and it put me in a really compromising position and as a newbie and a rookie and I didn't want to be put in those positions and I dealt with them in the appropriate manner. But there's a lot of pressure in those positions, and I know that a lot of individuals who are in law enforcement want to have opportunities to bring light on the bad apples because 99% of the people are are doing the right thing all the time. And the bad apples are the ones that are bringing bringing forward this opportunity. So I'd like to know, what have we got? Going back to my work with the Obama administration Grant, one of the things that we felt was critical to the instruction that came out of the research out of University of Chicago was that when implementing policies that impact.
Speaker 1: The.
Speaker 2: Police department, they're most effective when they've actually received input from individuals in that department. Have we done that? Have we also had input from individuals in internal affairs on how they can be better at their job in supporting the Citizens Police Complaints Commission? And then I know I've spoke with Dana and others that serve on the commission and they had a lot of ideas as well. And Mr. Mayor brought that up that, you know, they're really limited in some of the things they can do because of the way the charter is written. And it seems as though you've gained some of their input already, but I don't know that I understand the extent of it. And so I think I'll ask for a private presentation where I can dove into a lot of those details in the next week or so. And then also, if I could hear from the community, community or committee and I don't know, I know maybe we can either sui from the.
Speaker 1: Public safety.
Speaker 2: Committee and or the consultant and what outreach was done to our own. Officers that want to fix our department.
Speaker 1: The question. Also, the staff want to answer that. I think there's a couple of questions there.
Speaker 5: Hi, this is Tom. This is city manager. So we one thing we try to really accomplish here is to make this a fully independent report. So that's why we brought on this outside group. We really wanted them to come up with best practices and look throughout the nation what others did. They did help hold a couple of community meetings. We did not have this report kind of go through the police department. We did not have our police management weigh in on this. Frankly, the city manager's office didn't weigh in on it very much either. We really wanted their recommendations to come directly to you because it's supposed to be a report about the oversight of both the police department and then the city manager's office who oversees that. So we did not engage officers at that level. We do expect more as we move into the meeting confer. We're going to get a lot of feedback. I can't guarantee you that we're going to stay on the schedule that we put out there. We do think we have a schedule that we could make a November deadline if that's the goal of the council. But some of that discussion might take some additional time. So we do have our work cut out for us over the next couple of months to engage through the employee organizations and get that direct feedback.
Speaker 2: Well, I appreciate the meeting confer process.
Speaker 1: I think it's bigger than just.
Speaker 2: Meeting with quote unquote union representation. I think union representation is important. But I think even before that, surveys from the community, even retired individuals in different forms of public administration and police service, and then also some of our current law enforcement really should get an opportunity to weigh in and all. There's so many examples of how it makes the policy that much stronger in the end. So I hope that those organizations and people in internal affairs, people who've worked in internal affairs, hopefully people who are retired and have no ties, would also have the opportunity to weigh in and voice their grievances and opportunities for how to make the system better because they've all worked in it and the restrictions. So with that, I'm going to do some more homework and circle back with everyone for some additional work. But a lot of information, a lot of work was done and we appreciate the consultant and the staff for the work and time, they said, bringing us back to work. It's really important work and we got to get it right because as far as we can see from the current, see the current citizens, the commission, what we put in through a ballot initiative is there for a very long time. So we need to do it correctly and put the investment and time in. And I know that this is a beginning step and there's great work ahead. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Next, I have Councilman Price.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I appreciate all the comments of my colleagues and Councilwoman Mongeau. I had a lot of the same thoughts and I agree with a lot of your your recommendations and comments that you made. I do have a couple of questions about the role of the auditor monitor. I'm going to call that role a gal just to bounce off with the council member, Rhonda, when I call her the gal. But that position, when you look at the responsibilities and the recommendations that are laid out. Is it envisioned that these possible duties would be independently carried out by this position, or is that in combination with the commissioners or part of the commissioners?
Speaker 4: Thank you for your question. This is Katherine North. And I what we envision is that the auditor monitor, the GAO, will be working collaboratively with the commission in setting priorities and in developing recommendations. So, you know, they'll work together. But it's sort of recognizing that the auditor has the expertize to be sorting through data and in developing recommendations and the, you know, the background in best practices and what have you. But that is not you know, they're not going to act on their expertize in isolation. They're going to work with the commission in terms of getting input from the community on particular areas of concern and then how the community feels about the recommendations that are being made.
Speaker 2: Okay. So just because I know I'm on a I'm on a literally on a clock with my comment. So some of the recommendations like review, all major uses of force, visit the scene of critical incidents. Is it a vision that this individual would go out and do their own independent investigation?
Speaker 4: No. The what what's envisioned is that by being able to go to the scene of a critical incident, for example, they can they can kind of monitor in terms of how the criminal investigation is is happening in case there's any concerns there. But they're not going to be interfering with or actively involved in any way if they do. You know, it's not if, but down the line, when there is a review of, for example, a use of force in a critical incident, they're going to have the benefit of actually having been there on scene and and bring that experience with them as they help critique the review that occurred.
Speaker 2: Okay. Well, and that's why I think it's important for us to bring in the department as well, as well as the district attorney's office, because as someone who's responded to many things in the middle of the night, I know that the the role of the parties that are out on the scene is very important in terms of preserving the investigation and making sure you're not getting in people's way. So I think, you know, for me, there are a few red flags like what would this person's position be? Would they kind of be, you know, just flying off in the space of the investigation and kind of hovering or would they be hands on? Have we envisioned what the relationship would be of of this particular position with the DA's office, where there is use of force or officer involved, shooting analysis, investigations going on, where the DA's office investigators are involved.
Speaker 4: We did not get down to that level of granular detail. Unfortunately, I knew just the scope didn't allow for it. But we do say in a number of different instances, spelling out those details is really important. And, you know, we're not going to pretend that we would know exactly how that should work in Long Beach versus in Anaheim or, you know, L.A.. But I can assure you that it is the norm for a person such as an auditor monitored to be going to critical incidents. And and, in fact, in some investigation offices, that's also the norm. So that those kinds of details can be worked through. And I also wanted to say that the couple of comments that have been made about the importance of involving the police department as as the charter amendment gets worked through as the any any legislation gets worked through. I we wholeheartedly agree with that. And in fact, we did engage with the some members of the department command staff with Internal Affairs on the front end and then also sharing some of our preliminary findings. You know, we did not have the opportunity to engage with the with the entire membership. And and but we do we have talked about how important it is to have that kind of communication strategy as the city moves forward with this, to have advocates for, you know, the vision. And so that that kind of engagement is happening with the department, with other members of the city government, with the community, all stakeholders involved 100% agree that should be happening.
Speaker 2: Okay. That's great. You know, I'm grateful for our commissioners. I know a few of them, the ones from the third district. I know they're heavily engaged in this. And our newest commissioner that's been serving, Michael Soto, I know has hands on experience with this type of work in terms of how it's done in L.A. And I'm I'm grateful that they're part of this conversation. I think that's important. They should be active parts of the conversation. My time is probably up, so just in case I get cut off, I did have a question about the role of the commission and the Auditor Monitor on the issue of training recommendations for the police department. There's a lot of great white papers coming out right now regarding police reform and restructuring and some best practices that are being implemented by by universities and trainers throughout the country. I'm wondering, what would what do you envision the role of this commission or this auditor monitor being in terms of top down training, culture changing training for the department?
Speaker 4: Again, I think we're in an area where we all will benefit from each other's thinking on this. So to the extent that the auditor, for example, based on just their expertize and the experience they would bring to the office, might have access to an information about training that a an average commissioner who might be a layperson from the community doesn't have that grounding and the training. But they can learn about it. And as they learn about it, learn about what the issues are, what the challenges are, what the options are, and and then also share that kind of information with the community and bring some of the community's thoughts about the process back there. You know, whether it's policing or it's oversight, it is a very much of an evolving field. And, you know, we we look for promising practices, but, you know, there aren't a lot of I mean, there are best practices. But right now, there's so much change that's happening, thinking about promising practices and where it makes sense to, you know, perhaps try a new approach, whether that's, you know, whatever that is. It can be, you know, diversion options for arrestees that can be involving mental health professionals on the front line. You know, those are typical kinds of issues that are coming up the same way that body camera, you know, having body camera was the thing five or ten years ago. So I think the community, you know, as long as as Long Beach and the department is, you know, forward leaning and and everyone is working more from a place of collaboration than than an adversarial place. I think there's a lot that can be done here.
Speaker 2: Okay. And just because no one has cut me off and I feel like I've won the lottery with my time, I'm just going to give you one more comment. I think our timekeeper might be asleep at the wheel, so I'm going to take advantage with this one.
Speaker 0: Your time is up, Councilmember.
Speaker 2: Oh, okay. I can reach you. Shoot. I'm the worst criminal. I read myself out. I'll recue.
Speaker 1: Gentlemen, if you have one more question, go ahead and do it.
Speaker 2: I do. It's more of a comment than it is a question. And that is, first of all, I think these changes are necessary. Look, taking a deep dove and looking at what needs to change is necessary because the commission has really turned into a monster. They don't have the transparency and the independence that they need, and there's not that collaboration that we envisioned. So the effectiveness is questionable. So I think there definitely is an opportunity for reform. But I will say the budget impacts, the recommended budget impacts are huge. And I agree with Councilman Aranda on that. We have major issues to address citywide. Increasing our police patrols is one. Addressing our homelessness issues is another. And I just I just cannot imagine a hit this big to our budget and where that would come from in terms of priorities. So a huge task ahead for the city manager because I'm not sure these changes are going to be wanted and recommended, but I'm not sure if there is a phased in process, if there is a way to whittle this down a bit to reprioritize some things. But the budget impact for me is the hugest thing that's glaring out at me as the potential issue here. But otherwise I thank the consultants for their work and the commission for working with them and Mr. Mayor, for letting me go a little over things.
Speaker 1: Ukrainian Councilwoman Ellen.
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you, Mayor. And I also want to thank all the consultants.
Speaker 4: For the.
Speaker 2: Presentation. I see some major opportunities for improving oversight and community trust through this proposal, and I know that many community members wanted to reevaluate our CPC, see how it operates and the scope of authority. I appreciate that insight that the CPC would be more effective if it had more resources. So like Councilwoman Pryce, I am concerned about that and what that looks like. This is a major change overall and we would nearly triple our investment in staffing and oversight resources. I know that community members, especially people in my district, have asked for greater transparency and oversight, and this proposal would definitely do that. I agree with Vice Mayor Richardson on our fight. I had the same questions about the inmate transfer and me personally, I would have liked to to know what our labor organizations have to have to say about this. I know that our city manager, Nordica, talked about, you know, the process, but I still don't don't completely understand why they weren't why the police don't hire the police or the labor unions weren't involved in the process. But but nevertheless, at the end of the day, I agree with one of my colleagues. It's a sad I agree with what Councilwoman Mungo said, that we just have to to have to get this right. I definitely support more oversight, but I definitely would like to have a little bit more information as we're taking the next.
Speaker 4: Steps.
Speaker 2: In this. And so I do have a question. Do we will we get a chance to have another meeting on this after the meet and confer starts?
Speaker 3: The idea behind the meet and confer or let me back up a little bit. What we're looking for tonight is a direction from Council on the general framework or the structure that you would like the staff to pursue. That is what we would then take forward to the meet and confer process once the meeting confer process is completed. Then we would certainly come back to council because you would need to take action on the potential ballot language. At that point, it would be too late to to change and shift or go to a different direction. So the direction that you provide us, whether it's tonight or a subsequent meeting, that is the direction we would go into the meeting confer with and that is the direction that would ultimately be drive what we end up putting on the ballot. Does that answer your question?
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you very much. I appreciate that.
Speaker 5: And this is Tom. This is all based on the assumption of trying to get on the November 2020 ballot. I heard a number of people say, we got to get this right. So we are shooting for that target. But the council will have the option to to say we need more time. So if what we could bring back from meeting confirmed doesn't meet the needs, then we can go through that process again. We can get amendments that will just elongate the time frame. We'll also certainly look at the concept of can you do something higher level in the charter and create that new authority and then do that through a further meeting confirmed, further detailed, either in the municipal code or through bylaws. We'll certainly look at that recommendation as well. So we are just trying to meet the the intent of the council to have something on the November 2020 ballot that was really kind of clear to us as we started this. But now that it's coming back to the council, it's really going to be in your hands on on what that timing looks like.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Tom. Counsel for Supernanny. Uh. Thank you. Um, I just have a couple of points that I wanted to make, and that is, I think the city manager has said that he heard several times we got to get this right. I heard the consultant say this is an evolving field. So I think we might be in the area of, um, making the perfect the enemy of the good here. If it's an evolving field, maybe we need a more flexible model so we can evolve with that field. And that's why I thought the consultant might come back to the that is saying it's an evolving field. Then what is the prescription for that? That's what I would like to see. The thing I keep hearing is this this price tag. And I would just say we had better not put something out about we can't afford it. Just that simple. I don't mean to simplify this, but that's what we're staring up at right here. And I just don't think we're ready tonight. To provide the data that's needed to move forward its effects. Thank you. Before I go back to Customer Austin. I do have some questions. Some of what's been mentioned and countless people I just spoke to this partly, but I actually think to go back to something I asked earlier, and I think this is the critical question, which is what actually goes into the charter and then what goes into the municipal code or bylaws after that? And Tom, wouldn't it be that doesn't that have a lot of impact on the meeting confer process. It could. So should we. The timing book?
Speaker 5: Yes. Both would have to be meeting confirmed no matter what. So. But it would be what had to happen before November and what has to happen afterwards. So we can certainly explore with the city attorney's office something is going to have to be in the charter change. So really reforming the powers of the PCC, at what level can that be done? And then we do confer on that. And then if you wanted to bifurcated, then you wouldn't be able to start a commission until you're done with the rest of the work, which is the granular detail. In the meantime, we would really still recommend that we move forward on those interim recommendations to the currency PCC. I think that's in the motion. We heard that from the Council. There will be some budget impact to that. I'll bring that forward to the budget process. But that would allow us to get started on on those interim changes as well.
Speaker 1: Okay. Well, that's great. And then Tom would have it just to also be clear, because it wasn't it wasn't super clear to me what beyond the staff recommendation and the motion that's on the floor. Do you need from the council to move forward in the process any anything else? Or do you feel you have enough to take the next step?
Speaker 5: I think we have enough, from what I'm hearing from the council tonight to take the next step. I'm hearing a couple of things. Is the desire to still move forward with a charter amendment and to bring that at least through the meeting, confer and bring it back to the council with what we come back with. We'll certainly look at a bifurcated approach as well. I did hear a loud and clear concern about cost. I have those concerns as well. And what does that actual model look like and how could we maybe trim some of the costs? Some support of the interim changes as well? What can we do now with communications, with improving the KPCC model that we currently have, and just try and do some better management, better training, potentially some staffing, get that into a a a better position. And and then we would go through this meeting, confer, get all the input from our labor partners as we lay forward the recommendations. Because what you got tonight was a high level recommendation, but there's a lot of detail in the actual report that's in front of you tonight, and then we'd come back to you with what that plan is in March or May and see if we're able to move forward with the ballot measure for November.
Speaker 1: Okay. And I would encourage us and I think I heard that earlier that Councilman Suarez I believe having some meetings as well and so that be a good opportunity for input and and discussion and you know very. What do you envision, Mr. Murphy, as far as next steps for the council? So you're going to you're getting what you need. You're going to go off and look. Begin being confirmed, begin the process. And then you'll come back to the council for, I imagine, a broader conversation. Is that how what do you see? As for the timeline?
Speaker 5: Yeah, I think so. So while we definitely want to make sure we get it right from the council, there are some timing concerns with the meeting confer. You need to have a proposal in front of your labor groups to say this is what we're going to try to accomplish. And then you let them interact with that, ask all the questions and get to a point where they feel like they have their questions answered. If we change it later, we can do that and then you have to restart the meeting confirmed. So tonight was really the goal to hit as many of the high level details from the Council as possible, knowing that we're not going to get into the granular let yet let us work that out at the bargaining table, you know, on the granular details, and then bring that back to you. And hopefully we'll have something that's been supported by through the meeting confer process but then also meets the council's goals. But we also heard loud and clear if we've got to get this right, if what we bring back in May isn't ready, then we do need to consider of getting this on the on the next charter amendment , which isn't for another two years. So we really are trying to get this all done so that we can do it and once in one in one package if possible.
Speaker 1: And just to be to be clear, four charter amendments that they can only happen every every two years. It can't happen in a special election and it can't happen before that. Is that correct? That's correct. Which which again, I think Mr. Monaco, which is why I think the parallel track of the meeting confirm process with what's been presented. And a deep dove as to what a ballot measure would look like that would provide an overall kind of an overall overarching commission structure, but then allow the council to work on municipal code additions to it. I'm really look, I'm really hopeful that we see both those options. I'm not sure what the best option is, but that does provide, I think, some more more options. You know, I think the concern of some and the council and some what I've heard tonight is that, you know, whatever would come back, that we would miss our deadlines through the meeting for process. And then essentially you are three years away from this this getting back to any changes. And I think I think that everyone I think when I'm here from the councils, everyone is interested in moving forward and obviously make sure we get it right and we get the proper input from all the parties. But I think there is that interest too, and we're anxious to see what you bring back. So thank you for all of your work. Councilor Interesting. Thank you. I think you addressed most of my questions. I did want to follow up on Councilmember Supernovas point because I tried to make this similar point earlier. And I think Mr. Mayor, as well. I do like the idea of having some some flexibility to to, you know, maybe build this into our municipal code as opposed to going to a ballot initiative completely. And so I think we need to we talk about a hybrid approach. I think as we we we move forward with our changes to potential changes to our civilian oversight process that we have a a of some flexibility to try to manage personnel and direction, but also clarify the role of the commission as well with the voters. Because I think, you know, the current model kind of has hamstrung us a bit. But at the same time, the current model has has afforded there to be a lot of administrative oversight and control in terms of budgetary and staffing. So just keep that in mind as well. I would ask the city manager of think about ways in which we can still have the flexibility to govern, but at the same time provide that transparency, the accountability and and improve public confidence and trust in the police department in our city. Thanks. Thank you. I think that concludes all the comment from council. There is a motion in the second to receive and file the report and I will go ahead and ask for a roll call vote, please.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Cindy has.
Speaker 5: Mayor, just to clarify that it's a roll call to receive and file and to direct. It's the beginning of the charter amendment process.
Speaker 1: Thank you. We table, please.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sandy has.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen. I can go home and praise.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 0: Councilmen soup. But now.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: Yeah, i.
Speaker 0: Councilman Alston. Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 0: The motion is Kerry nine zero.
Speaker 1: Q And thank you for that for that presentation and discussion. And I guess there's been a lot of work going on there. Let's go continue with the agenda. Please do item number. 12. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a report on the evaluation of the City of Long Beach Citizen Police Complaint Commission (CPCC); and
Receive general direction from the City Council on the recommendations to begin the process for a Charter Amendment on a new CPCC structure and initiate the meet and confer process with employee labor organizations. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0178 | Speaker 1: Q And thank you for that for that presentation and discussion. And I guess there's been a lot of work going on there. Let's go continue with the agenda. Please do item number. 12.
Speaker 0: Item 12 is a report from economic development. Recommendation to authorize city manager to execute the First Amendment to amended and restated lease with M W NW Community Hospital LLC for modification to various provisions of such lease and Adobe resolution, finding that the community, hospital and surrounding campus remains necessary for the City of Long Beach use as a general health care campus. District three.
Speaker 1: Councilman Price motion.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, I'll make the motion, but I would like a staff report on this, please.
Speaker 1: Mr. Modica?
Speaker 3: Yes. If we could have a staff presentation by economic development?
Speaker 6: Yes, certainly. Honorable Mayor and members of the City Council. Good evening. This is a lease amendment for community hospital that will address a number of issues that we are we're facing with regard to the termination of the lease and ultimately the plan for moving forward. So next slide, please. As a recap, at least 35, four, three, two. As we know, it was between the city and M.W. n four community hospital and it required an acute care hospital to be provided, including an emergency room and other health services, and that was actually restricted by the recorded deal with the county. But in that lease agreement, because it was a real challenging project for the operator as well, the tenant NWN had the right to terminate the lease if there was not an economic justification or if the project became infeasible because of requirements for construction, permitting, licensing or even just straight financial challenges. That the tenant was required under the lease to initiate seismic compliance construction by January 1st of 2022, just last month. And that is actually a part of state law. Next slide.
Speaker 1: The restaurant of the restaurant.
Speaker 6: So ultimately, the tenant abandoned the seismic compliance project in late 2021. A few months ago, when they received the final estimated construction cost, they exceeded $75 million, which was 50% higher than originally anticipated. About three years ago when we entered into this agreement, another reason was that the demand for acute care services never really materialized at levels that could sustain the operation. In fact, there there were maybe 1 to 2 patients per day admitted into the hospital for those those acute care services. So on September 27th of this past year, the Tenant NWN sent us a formal communication which we briefed you and the public on back in the fall, that they requested that the , the, um requirements under the lease to modify the current deed restriction and remove the general acute care hospital requirement was requested, as well as an amendment to the belief to allow for negotiation of a transition plan so it would still be used as a health care campus. But for non-acute services and ultimately the tenant had to surrender their general acute care hospital license effective December 31st. And we, the city, received confirmation from the California Department of Public Health that acute care was no longer licensed at the property effective January 1st. And I wanted to give you a little bit of background on the next slide of why this happened. So under state law, save the compliance. There are two laws SB 1953 and SB 90 that required acute care hospitals to meet seismic regulations by June 30th of 2019. If they didn't meet those regulations, they were required then to wind down or cease acute care services. A subsequent law was passed called AB 2190, which allowed hospitals to apply for seismic compliance extension. And Long Beach was accepted in that group of hospitals. Ultimately HK, which is the Department of Health Care access that information they gave community hospital Long Beach and nwn the tenant up to January 1st of 2025 for that extension if certain conditions were met. But one of the conditions under AB 2190, this is in Section E required that the tenant would have to submit a construction schedule , obtain their building permits from H Chi and start their construction no later than January 1st of 2022. So when the U.N. suspended its seismic compliance and notified formally the city and the state that they would no longer seek to do the construction because of the $75 million estimates that actually ruled out their compliance with their their their licensing and their seismic plan. Next slide. Another issue with regard to the hospital licensing. So as we know and when I was able to meet a number of very difficult standards to reopen the hospital, get licensed and ultimately continue to operate while they worked on their seismic plans. But when they notified both HQ, the state and the city that they would no longer pursue these plans, the city page, the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program, informed us that you're no longer able to provide acute care services. You need to find those services down. And the effective date for ending those services was made on January 1st of 2022. Next slide. So acute care is no longer allowed. That's the short of it. And we have a property with a deed restriction that says only acute care can be provided there. So this recommendation to City Council is to modify the deed restriction that would allow and to be within the current tenants for a future tenant, somebody else to be able to provide non-acute care at the site. As we discussed with with council throughout this process. We're still recommending that the deed restriction be for non-acute health care services that would benefit the community and that really address the community needs assessment for the service area. So behavioral health, recuperative care, social services, health care, educational services, government offices focused on on community health or public health housing of health care students or health care related housing, and then specialized services related to health care. So these would be the the new recorded restrictions for the property, all health care related. But we would have to remove the acute care restriction because it's no longer allowed at the site per state law. Next slide, there's a couple of other provisions that have to do with, um, the negotiations that are ongoing for the transition plan. So we would address those in these, this amendment, um, they would just accommodate the timeline for our ongoing negotiations. There could be a potential sale to the current tenant or another party that has not been decided or even is recommended at this time. But the amendments would include the extension of noticing provisions and deadlines that are also, um, required as a part of the, the agreement so that the tenant then is supplying the city right now with what are called net hospital capital costs. These are the reimbursable costs that they experienced for starting the hospital and reopening it. And then, um, we're both in the process of preparing appraisals for the city council and the public to consider. Those appraisals will establish hopefully the fair market value of the subject property or will end up, um, still going out to market. So ultimately we go through this process, but council will still have the ability to reimburse and the tenant and take this property out to fair market value as established by another buyer. So any proposed agreement, um, would have to come back to the city council and the public for final review. So I want to make sure that the council is clear that this, these amendments tonight don't change the fundamental process in the lease. Um, it really just focuses on giving us more time to complete that process and, uh, to modify the, the deed restriction language. Last lastly, please. So finally, just authorizing the city manager designee to execute the First Amendment to the amended and restated lease that will modify various provisions of the lease with regard to timeline doesn't change the overall process that we're going through comparing appraisals and, you know, reconciling or auditing net hospital capital costs. But also a resolution would be adopted. Um, finding that community, hospital and the surrounding campus remains necessary for the city as use for general health care, with community serving uses and authorizing, um, the record ation or the change of the amended covenants in the recorded deed restricting the property for those uses. So that's it. I'm happy to answer any questions, but please let me know if there's any, uh, follow up.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Kaiser. Just a couple of questions. First of all, I want to thank my my colleague, Councilman Supernova, who's really been the lead on our community hospital efforts and has done tremendous work in those efforts up to this point. He continues to be a partner, and I think we continue to to traverse this journey together. And so I'm thankful that that we're we're still working together on this and look forward to doing so. And I want to thank staff for the presentation. A couple of things. Once these latest amendments are accepted, if they were to be accepted by the Council. What is the next step? Could that could the new uses? New services launch automatically? Or would there have to be any sort of community outreach input, things of that nature?
Speaker 6: Yeah, absolutely. So I don't imagine that anything would launch automatically. We're still going through the process of negotiating the net hospital, capital cost recognition valuation and the appraisal process. And we will we'll be bringing those back to the city council in the public first before any other recommendations are made, new uses or an extension to the lease that would support those new uses. Those would have to be approved by the city council because ultimately the lease agreement itself has an expiration date. And once we finish the process that I just described, we'll be at a new decision point for the to for the public in the city council's consideration.
Speaker 2: Okay. But pending that, let's say tomorrow, they decide they're going to turn the current facility, the building, the structure that's there into a behavioral health center.
Speaker 6: I know that that wouldn't be something that they could be doing. You know, immediately they would start with community outreach. They would start with meeting with the city around the community needs assessment. And then those uses would would be proposed to to the council and the community before any action can be taken. Because remember, the lease the current lease agreement will be expiring with the conclusion of this process.
Speaker 2: Got it. Perfect. And that's exactly what I wanted to communicate. I want to make sure. First of all, let me ask you this. And I know the city attorney is probably online. Can we include a community outreach component in any future use as part of what we're doing tonight?
Speaker 6: So, you know, ultimately the recommendations for tonight, I would, I would expect that if, um, the Council would like to see a community outreach component included, it would be something that we could, we could discuss with the tenant and the operator and they could do willingly. But I don't think that the action tonight would compel them to do that. Um, we would probably bring something back, as you know, either an extension to the existing lease or a new agreement that would require that that would be something that I would envision is very much possible.
Speaker 2: Okay. And that's going to be very important, one that we do. And I've made a commitment to the community there that now falls in the third district that before any use is implemented at the location, which would include much needed. And I think we all agree and I've had the chance to meet with the operators, you know, health care in terms of substance abuse, mental health abuse, adolescent substance abuse and mental health abuse, medical detox. Those are things that we've talked about potentially this facility providing down the road. But we need to have robust community outreach and more importantly, make sure that that community outreach includes the hospital foundation. And so I want to make sure if whether we can include that tonight or not, I want to make sure that I'm on record that no no discussions should be had in terms of approvals by this council , in terms of the use of that site without those the residential community, the broader city wide community, and of course, the Community Foundation, the Hospital Community Hospital Foundation. That needs to happen in terms of when we're talking about what the future use of can be, because it has been everyone's expectation that this is going to be an acute care facility. And if that use is going to change as it needs to change, then any future use needs to only happen if we've got appropriate outreach with the stakeholders. And so I just want to make sure that that's very clear. I know that's very important to me. I can't speak for Councilman Super now, but I know that that's important for him. In the past, it's been a major priority for him. And I just want to make sure the community hears us loud and clear. This is not something that we've taken action on outside of this public setting. We're talking about it in a public forum for the first time in terms of future use. And so I want to make sure that we are all on the same page with that.
Speaker 6: That's great. And I'm taking notes as well. For for the council denied to include any of these requests as part of our discussions, and they will be included in any recommendations we bring back to city council.
Speaker 2: Great. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Ray.
Speaker 1: All right. Thank you, Mayor Duffy, for the evening. We're going to go to the hands up system. So if there are additional comments by the members of the council, just raise your hand. Okay. Thing nine is a public comment on this item.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine.
Speaker 0: Vice mayor, could we have the second?
Speaker 1: We don't have a second. Councilman Supernatural, you seconded this motion. Fantastic. Councilman Juvenile Seconded the motion.
Speaker 3: Thankfully. Baby, your time begins now.
Speaker 4: Good evening. Tiffany David.
Speaker 1: District four resident. I have a lot of questions, but I'd like.
Speaker 2: To first state my.
Speaker 1: Position.
Speaker 4: Generally.
Speaker 2: I'd like to see.
Speaker 1: The city examine possibilities.
Speaker 2: Of completing.
Speaker 1: The retrofit. Finding alternative sources for funding, and possibly at the announcement of the state surplus. State budget surplus for FY 22 to 23. Now, some of the questions, what.
Speaker 2: Are the legal.
Speaker 1: Ramifications of modifying the deed restriction being that the loan was granted for purposes specifically of an acute care hospital, being the property of the city of Long Beach for 111 years.
Speaker 2: Couldn't find any.
Speaker 1: You know.
Speaker 2: Proper reference for the instrument.
Speaker 1: Number as cited in the.
Speaker 2: Lease. Now, seismic is going to be an issue.
Speaker 1: For any operator, especially being that there are 13 buildings in the, you know, the parcel number specifically that is being addressed that was suppose to be an acute care center.
Speaker 2: Do we allow any operator.
Speaker 1: To walk away from such state requirements knowing the cost of an action to mitigate would only increase over time. Having not sought adequate emphasizing retrofits.
Speaker 2: For any necessary.
Speaker 1: Health care facilities, what other risk are there for the surrounding communities other than seismic?
Speaker 4: Again, we.
Speaker 1: Have a stark home up.
Speaker 4: Up in the air once.
Speaker 1: Again. It is one of nine search centers in Los Angeles County. When was the last operated? What are the conditions of the current sublease? And has a city sought use of.
Speaker 2: Another facility.
Speaker 1: As many.
Speaker 2: Unrelated.
Speaker 1: To the city websites still have? Community Hospital of Long Beach listed as a start center. How are we missing the opportunity to prepare for the next disaster, earthquake or any other hazard? Losing an acute care hospital.
Speaker 2: Center while we.
Speaker 1: Have. Less than I mean, we have less than five hospitals, right? I mean, let's think about it. If we need a trauma center. We should. I hope we be looking at operators who can.
Speaker 4: Scale up the needs.
Speaker 1: To to meet the needs of the community. Now.
Speaker 2: What has the burden been on.
Speaker 1: The other hospitals in the region since the trails were closed in 2018? Being that it was only open for one year, I'm sure we didn't really quite see.
Speaker 2: You know, a prevalent use.
Speaker 1: Or a specific spike in use. Right. Build it and they will come. Give them time.
Speaker 2: Right now, is the burden going to be shifted to underserved.
Speaker 1: Communities already face adverse health impacts on the West Side? If so, why? Previous estimate for seismic retrofit. You know, I see that there was a feasibility.
Speaker 4: Study done.
Speaker 1: Again. What is the ultimate cost of not.
Speaker 2: Completing seismic.
Speaker 1: On something that we're still hoping provides health care services? What are the potential costs for the city as.
Speaker 2: The landlord currently?
Speaker 1: Why just change the use.
Speaker 2: To meet.
Speaker 4: The.
Speaker 2: Needs of a lease.
Speaker 1: That I've never seen? A number a dollar a year.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I'll just add my comments here. I'm happy to support this motion. And I think a lot of the things listed here from behavioral health, recuperative care, social services, housing, specialized services, they're all certainly things that are needed. And we just had a presentation about 50% of the chronic homelessness associated with non-economic issues, behavioral health, drug addiction. But I will say, you know, I agree with Councilman Price. Civic engagement, community support is incredibly important to the success of the project. Hmm. And so, you know, with the L.A. Bridge community, our city's first municipal shelter, the only reason it was successful was because of a deep engagement with those local neighbors. And so I think that's certainly important if we want to see that see this transition become successful. And so I'm happy to have my support here, but I certainly agree about successful community engagement. Councilman Rubinoff. You are muted, sir. There. Am I a little louder now? We can hear you now. Okay. So I just want to address a couple of points that that were brought up because the general public should know. And John Keiser, you can certainly jump in here to to correct me if I misstate this, but there's a different standard of a seismic retrofit for an acute care hospital versus the health center that's being proposed. We probably didn't make that clear, but that's you're avoiding whatever the price tag is now closer to $80 million for the retrofit versus 40 that we started off with. Also, I'm so happy to report that we've found a home for Smart and let's get that out there because I appreciate my colleagues on that bed load committee back me all the way there. This is something that I just thought was unconscionable, that this group lost their home twice. And so I'm glad it's still on the Fed led agenda because we should make sure this thing, they never lose their home again. But we were able to get them a home a couple of weeks ago, so we're all good there. So I just wanted to add how I know I was very vocal about that in the past and I didn't make that correction publicly, so I wanted to do that. And I think that said, I appreciate what Councilman Price said about the work I did, but I'm supporting her 100% now, and she's got the job, the outreach of the immediate community. But we're still doing that with the entire east side of the city. So thank you. Fantastic. Thank you. Members, let's go ahead. Have the roll call vote.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Cindy has.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Sabrina.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sarah. I'm Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin, Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: The motion is carry nine two. | Resolution | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Lease No. 35432, and necessary documents, with MWN Community Hospital, LLC (Tenant), for modifications to various provisions of such Lease; and
Adopt resolution finding that the Community Hospital and surrounding campus remains necessary for the City of Long Beach use as a general healthcare campus with related community-serving uses and authorizing the recordation of amended covenants so restricting use of the Subject Property. (District 3) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0179 | Speaker 0: The motion is carry nine two.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Number 13, please.
Speaker 0: Item 13. Report from Economic Development. Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute five separate contracts on behalf of the University. Extension of the University of California, Los Angeles to provide training and employment services to residents in a total aggregated amount not to exceed 1 million citywide.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Is there emotion here of looking for hand moved by move price? They're second seconds and they have. Thank you. Is there any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: Are there any members of the public that would like to speak on this item? Please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. CNN. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Price. Any comments?
Speaker 2: No, thank you.
Speaker 1: Certainly. Seconder.
Speaker 2: It.
Speaker 1: All right. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sundance.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen. I character woman price. I count. Spencer Brown.
Speaker 1: Eye.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: Eye.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Zara.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: Yes. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute contracts, and any necessary documents including any subsequent amendments, with College of Instrument Technology, of Bellflower, CA; Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, of Long Beach, CA; Los Angeles Unified School District, of Los Angeles, CA; Nurses Development Center Inc., of Cypress, CA; and Regents of the University of California, a public nonprofit educational institution, on behalf of University Extension of the University of California, Los Angeles DBA University of California Los Angeles Extension, of Los Angeles, CA, to provide training and employment services to residents, in a total aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000, through December 31, 2022, with the option to renew for an additional one-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0180 | Speaker 0: Most of these carry nine zero interest.
Speaker 1: Interesting 14 we've.
Speaker 0: Had in 14 report from financial management. Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing city manager to execute a contract with Office Depot for furnishing and delivering custodial supplies in an annual amount not to exceed 2 million by.
Speaker 1: So I write a motion to Ranga so I can throw. Councilmember, you're going to want to speak to this. A good second to.
Speaker 2: Start making.
Speaker 1: The comment.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. CNN. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Fantastic. Let's have a roll call vote.
Speaker 0: Catwoman Sunday has. Catwoman. Alan.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Catwoman. Price. I councilman's it, but now I. Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sara I. Councilmember Ranga I. Councilman Alston.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. On the motion is Cory nine zero. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with Office Depot, Inc., of Cincinnati, OH, for furnishing and delivering custodial supplies, on the same terms and conditions afforded to Region 4 Education Service Center (ESC), of Texas, through Omnia Partners, in an annual amount of $2,000,000, with a 10 percent contingency of $200,000, for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $2,200,000, until the Omnia Partners contract expires on January, 31, 2025, with the option to renew for as long as the Omnia Partners contract is in effect, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0054 | Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. On the motion is Cory nine zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. 15, please.
Speaker 0: Item 15, a report from Parks, Recreation and Marine recommendation to authorize city manager to execute a contract with the Helen Sanders Cat Protection and Welfare Society to partner with Long Beach Animal Care Services to take cats and kitten into its care directly from Long Beach Animal Care Services for an annual contract amount not to exceed $50,000 citywide
Speaker 1: . Looking for a most significant. I see. I see Superman hand up at the council on its arrow. So move. Superman sort of construe anything, Councilman. Yes, I'd like to make the motion, but I do have an amendment that I will read and that is approve cap pass agreement and direct staff to report back to council in 60 days with a formal operational policy that supports all city's approved rescue partners to receive $100 for the mandated care sterilization. I think I read that sewn up, but the staff has that. So what I'm asking is that they come back in 60 days for a way that we can take care of our local rescue folks for the sterilization requirements. So this is a report coming back in 60 days. Okay. Tom, could you just quickly respond to the council, react to the the amendment?
Speaker 5: Yeah, we understand the motion. It's something that's been worked out with Parks Rec and Marine. We can certainly look into that and come back with a fiscal impact and how we could move something like that forward. So happy to come back in 60 days.
Speaker 1: Outstanding. Councilman Massaro, you accept that's your second.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Speaker 1: Right. I saw a bunch of hands go up and then come down. Is everyone good when you talk about it? All right. Is there any public comment.
Speaker 2: Up.
Speaker 1: Here I'd.
Speaker 2: Like to you.
Speaker 1: Okay, Councilman.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I want to appreciate Councilmember Cooper. And I know my staff is looking into understanding what our cost per cat was and how we can also reward the local nonprofits that are already doing this great work. I just want to make sure that no one is left out and that we have a comprehensive plan. It's great when there's one organization that wants to do it, but just because other organizations have been doing it for a long time at zero cost doesn't mean that. That's right. So I appreciate the amendment and I will support that.
Speaker 1: Ambassador. Thank you. Let's let's have a look now.
Speaker 0: Public common.
Speaker 1: How about we call it the government? Okay, so we've got the Commonwealth, right?
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the race hand feature or her name. CNN That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Fantastic roll call vote please.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sandy has I. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Sabina.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: Yes. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Helen Sanders Cat Protection and Welfare Society, of Boulder, CO, to partner with Long Beach Animal Care Services to take cats and kittens into its care directly from Long Beach Animal Care Services for the purpose of rehoming, providing spay/neuter education to adopters, and arranging for routine and other necessary medical care services to cats and kittens transferred into their care, for an annual contract amount not to exceed $50,000, from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2025, with two optional five-year renewals, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0182 | Speaker 0: The motion is carry nine zero.
Speaker 1: And that's the number 17.
Speaker 0: Item 17 report from Public Works recommendation to adopt a resolution authorizing city manager to execute a contract with the conservation corpse of Long Beach to public service conservation work for Youth on City of Long Beach property in a total annual amount not to exceed 4 million citywide.
Speaker 1: Company, Ranga. I want to push the motion forward. I think it's great job that a conservation does for. That's wonderful. Fantastic. Thank you, Councilman Saru.
Speaker 2: You just want to add to that? I think it's great that we continue to have a partnership with Conservation Corps with all the great work that they do for us throughout the city. Thank you.
Speaker 1: All right. I couldn't agree more. My my support for the Conservation Corps has been a tremendous partner along the Elk River. We're excited for the new headquarters to open this summer at the Environmental Education Center at the Forest Park and look forward to just deeper relationships and engagement in the years to come. Any other council comment notes? Any hands? Any public comment?
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the recent feature. They Chikhlia. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: I'll give you a thank you. And let me first apologize to the charter commission appointed by both the general public comment period. But specifically this item, as I mentioned, when it was first proposed back in November. I would like to see this fit into the state's overall climate goals. I mean, I support the motion, obviously speak KING as the kid who would have been the guinea pig for AP Environmental Health Science for LAUSD in 1997, but chose to do physics and write poetry instead because, I mean, we were privatizing everything. Yeah, you know, you're either serious or not. Did you know that Aubrey Meyer solved at the theoretical level the problem of climate change globally in 1997? If that's something that we wanted to do, then it was capable without putting too fine a point on it. I have a hard time believing that the. Human activity and the outcomes thereof are somehow beyond the realm of even understanding. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Next speaker we have is Dan Knapp.
Speaker 1: Good evening, Vice Mayor and city council members is Dan Knapp, executive director of the Conservation Corps Long Beach. For over three decades, the Conservation Corps is part of with the city of Long Beach, bringing valuable resources to the communities we serve. Thousands of young people have come through our doors to garner critical job training, support services, all while serving our community and in the world we live in. Over the past five years, CCL has been able to match every dollar in the city with our contractual services, with the city at a rate of more than 10 to 1 . That means for every dollar of city contracted services such as park improvements, urban forestry, litter abatement, beautification, the permit, pandemic support that we provided and response to name a few. Cecil has contributed $10 to every dollar we contracted with the city via state funding and federal funding grants that we've been able to bring and incorporate into our our programing in the city. Again, our mission is to support young people in realizing the potential to work serious in conservation education. And we are extremely proud of our partnership with the City of Long Beach, and we are excited and look forward to doing even more together in the coming years. Thank you all.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: All right. Thank you for the speakers and thank you. Thank you as well there for I do in the city. Let's go ahead and have a roll call with.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Cindy has.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman subpoena.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sarah.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Ranga. Hi, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. I the motion is carried nine zero. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, of Long Beach, CA, to provide public service conservation work for youth on City of Long Beach property, in a total annual amount not to exceed $4,000,000, for a period of five years, with the option to renew for one additional five-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0183 | Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. I the motion is carried nine zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Number 18, please.
Speaker 0: Adam, 18, is a report from Public Works recommendation to adopt resolution to authorize city manager to submit a notice of intent to comply with the regulation of Senate Bill 1383 for the Senate Bill 619 statue citywide.
Speaker 1: All right. Is there emotion here? Look at the motion for a second afternoon, councilman. Anything?
Speaker 2: No. No comment.
Speaker 1: Coulson often weeping and I second emotion we have to get this done this is regulatory and I'm glad we have an extension, but we have our work cut out for us. Absolutely concur is any public comment on the fact.
Speaker 3: That there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item? Please use the racin feature or dial star nine. Shukla. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: Hello again. Specific to our cap and the state's climate goals, specifically the diversion of waste and of the 1383. I would love to see a technical assessment of how Cerf works, how the ACARS of the RS sorry, south east regional recovery facility, the trash incinerator that we have instead of landfilling. How that works. Down to the 15 minute interval. On down to which great Southern California Edison New. I would also like to see things like green beans and soil creation. And I mean, we're going to have a, you know, civilian conservation corps in the city expanding a certainly, I hope, one in each council district or at least one in each historical core of each council district since the district lines. I mean, what did we show as a city to the rest of the state? You know, that we can try to draw the first two lines of it anyway. Yeah, I'd like to see the areas where it is. It's just made easier for people to pick up soil to drop things off. If you make it easy on people, you don't make it over. I mean, you know, the 34 years of privatization has meant, you know, people being, you know, not the best of. If you cut the fat out of the kind of in between, you know, so we could we could solve the problem, not be a problem for the rest of the world, you know? Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Let's play a roll call of.
Speaker 0: Councilman Sun has.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Allen.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Supernanny.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Zahra.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Alston.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: All right.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried nine zero.
Speaker 1: Fantastic. And before we do, audiences will do two fun transfers. We haven't done those right. 24 and 25. Madam Clerk?
Speaker 2: No. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution to authorize City Manager, or designee, to submit a Notice of Intent to Comply with the regulations of Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) per the Senate Bill 619 (SB 619) Statute. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0152 | Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. I the motion is carried 903.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Now we have five audiences. Start with number 19.
Speaker 0: Item 19 is a report from city attorney. Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the language municipal code relating to inclusionary housing. Read and adopt it as read city.
Speaker 1: I write the council now and move several seconds. Any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: There's any member of the public that would like to speak on this item. Please use the raise hand feature or dial tzaneen. I do. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: I appreciate again the opportunity to speak with all of you, particularly at a slower pace pace that this does relate specifically to lower income housing. I address what the three housing has done in District one, and they also run the Cabrillo where veterans live. I need you to understand that I've lived here since May of 2019. I'm beyond asking for accessible accommodations. Instead of providing those accessible accommodations, they did. Things to aggravate me, for instance, has dictated that all of their properties be smoke free since 2017 when I demanded accessibility. What I won't even allow the property management company to do is to create a smoking area right below my window. In addition, HUD protocol specifically says any units that have two bedrooms in them. And here in my complex we have three. So I imagine the other complex of Beachwood, there's another three single one married couple and two single people live there. And the HUD manual specifically says even a married couple must justify why they need a two bedroom apartment. Beyond that, you should understand that normally in order to get into Section eight housing, you need to be on a three year waiting list, probably. I was placed in this housing complex without a single day of waiting period. You need to understand that if any future contracts come up, you need to scrutinize century housing very methodically. Thank you for your time.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Was there a roll call vote?
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sandy has.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilman Allen.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Pryce. I councilman's a bona.
Speaker 1: Fide.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman. Mongo.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Councilman. Sara.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Council member Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Alston.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: Yes. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 21.67 relating to Inclusionary Housing, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0153 | Speaker 0: The motion is carried. Nine zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. 20, please.
Speaker 0: Adam 23. Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to no net loss of affordable residential housing units in the city. Read and adapted as read city why.
Speaker 1: Thank you moved Alan's second can you ranga any public comment on this.
Speaker 3: There are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item. Please use the phrase raise hand feature or dial star nine. Nadia Tushnet. Your time begins now.
Speaker 1: Nader personally.
Speaker 2: I I'm speaking as chair of the Long Beach Senior Advisory Commission. We passed a motion at our last meeting about our concern about how the sails of Plymouth West and Providence Gardens will affect low income seniors. Consequently, we urge City Council to include senior housing.
Speaker 3: In the policy.
Speaker 2: Of no net loss of housing available to low income individuals, and work with owners and with HUD to enforce the policy. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Let's have our roll call vote now.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Cindy has. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: I think.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Pryce. Hi, Councilman Sabina.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Zahra.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: On. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 21.11, relating to no net loss of affordable residential housing units in the City, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0155 | Speaker 0: The motion is carried to nine zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. 21, please.
Speaker 0: Adam 21 two Report from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to just cause for termination of tenancies. Read and adopted as read city citywide.
Speaker 1: All right. Looking for a motion in the Councilman Allen's second furrow. Is any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: Are there any members of the public that would like to speak on this item? Please use the raise hand feature or dial star nine. See none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: All right, let's have a roll call, please.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sun has.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen. Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman. So. But now.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman. Mango. Councilwoman. Councilwoman Sara. I Council member Oranga.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. And the motion is carried nine zero. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 8.99, relating to just cause for termination of tenancies, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02152022_22-0157 | Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried nine zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you. 23.
Speaker 0: Item 22. I'm sorry. Item 23 report from City Attorney. This required two votes. Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to temporary enforcement of Long Beach health orders related to COVID 19. Declaring the urgency thereof and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately read and adopted as read citywide.
Speaker 1: Brownian Motion the second. Sorrow and sun. Thank you. And do we need two motions in 30 seconds, or can this count for both?
Speaker 0: Do we need to move on the second one to correct it?
Speaker 1: Was that a roll call vote on the first?
Speaker 3: Well.
Speaker 0: We'll go to common.
Speaker 1: No public comment. That's right.
Speaker 3: If there are any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or dial name. See. Now, that concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: Right. All right. Roll call vote on the first vote.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sandy has.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman So. But now.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mingo.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Sarah.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Oranga.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Councilman Austin. Hi, Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried nine zero.
Speaker 1: All right. So back then, that's our business for the evening.
Speaker 0: Do we need another vote?
Speaker 1: That's right. Another vote. Late 5 hours in. We need a motion in effect. Okay. Emotions and they are back in sorrow. Do we need to public comment again or just.
Speaker 0: No?
Speaker 1: All right. Roll call.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Cindy has.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Allen, I. Councilwoman Price, I. Councilman Sabino.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Mongo. County Councilwoman Sara. I Council member Oranga I Councilmen Alston.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried nine zero.
Speaker 1: Fantastic. Now, that's the last vote of the evening. So we have to we have closing public comment. Any member of the public would like to address the body. Raise your hand or press their name. | Emergency Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 8.120, temporary enforcement of Long Beach health orders related to COVID-19; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0143 | Speaker 2: Thank you. Now here we have our first hearing, which is item number 16, I believe, which are our general plan amendments. So let's go ahead and get right into our hearing. I'll ask the correct to introduce the item.
Speaker 0: Report from Development Services recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record and conclude the public hearing and adopt a resolution approving an addendum to the general plan. Land Use Element and Urban Design Element Program Environmental Impact Report Approving the 2021 through 2029 housing element of the city's general plan and adopt a resolution to submit general plan and ordinance amendments citywide. I'd like to.
Speaker 2: Report I'm going to go ahead and introduce our staff and our I believe that our assistant city manager Mysterium, is going to be doing the report.
Speaker 0: Yes, Mayor and Council, I'd like to introduce Patricia Defender for who will make the staff presentation for this public hearing. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Hi. Good evening, Commissioner. Sorry. Council members. Mayor. Vice Mayor, can you hear me? Okay? Yes. Yes. Great. All right. I had a little bit of an issue logging in, but as long as you can hear me, that's good. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor. Vice Mayor, council members. I'll be providing this presentation on staff efforts related to the general plan housing element update Since this Council confirmed the plan back in November, staff have made a number of non substantive technical edits to address feedback from the State. Housing and Community Development Department and staff is back before you this evening seeking formal adoption of the plan prior to resubmitting for final state approval. Next slide, please. As you may recall from our detailed presentation in November, the housing element is a required element or chapter of the city's general plan. It establishes a road map for accommodating projected housing units, demand for existing and future residents over the next eight years. It sets citywide goals and objectives and policies for housing and shows how the city will meet the demand for housing at all income levels. Per state law, the plan must be updated every eight years and submitted to the state on a prescribed schedule. The city must demonstrate that it has sufficient zoning capacity to accommodate the regional housing needs assessment or arena allocation for Long Beach. This allocation is approximately 26,500 new units through 2029. And this number is almost four times larger than the city's allocation for the last housing element cycle. The housing element must analyze the current and future housing needs of the community, identify housing resources and constraints to building housing, and propose a housing plan for the next eight years with specific programs and actions on how that plan will be achieved. Next slide, please. So this slide just provides an overview of the timeline. Thus far, the city has been working on the housing element update since early 2020 and released an initial draft plan in the summer of 2021. That draft plan was submitted to the State Housing Department and the city did receive formal feedback on that plan from the state. On September 17th, 2021. That was the initial formal feedback which outlines the requirements, the required changes to the document prior to certification by the state. On October seven, 2021, the Planning Commission held a public hearing and recommended that the City Council adopt the general plan housing elements that's before you and approve the Environmental Impact Report addendum that was prepared for the plan. On November 16th of 2021, the City Council considered the proposed plan, including the revisions that were made to address the Housing State Housing Department feedback. At that time, City Council confirmed the proposed plan and provided direction to the Department of Development Services to finalize the plan and submit it to HPD for. A second round of review by way of just a brief background. Extensive community feedback and input would inform the goals and policies and programs and other facets of this draft plan and that that outreach and engagement was summarized in the November 16th City Council letter. Details were provided there on the input received and how it was incorporated into the plan. On January 18th, 2022, the Housing Department provided a second round of feedback outlining a much smaller number of issues and edits to be addressed. Most were technical in nature, as I mentioned previously. That is primarily related to additional analysis that supports the site inventory and fair housing analysis. The final plan and technical appendices are what is before the Council for Adoption this evening. And upon action. If the City Council adopts, then it will be resubmitted to the Housing State Housing Department for final review and certification. Just a few sort of legal notes for the Council to be aware of. In September of 2021, the State adopted a 1398 that law. Because of that law, the city is required to have housing elements both adopted by the City Council and certified prior to February 11th of 2022. That's a statutory deadline or be subject to new requirements, including a requirement that rezoning consistent with the site inventory be accomplished within one year rather than three years. While the state housing the state housing Department has not issued guidance about how they will enforce this law. Most cities have been unable to meet the certification deadline with the changes instituted by that new law at the very late stage. But by having council adopt this plan this evening prior to the deadline, staff hopes that the state will make a favorable interpretation and find the city's housing element to have met the statutory requirement. And staff will be working with the state to demonstrate that the city has made all best efforts to meet the changing deadlines and requirements of the new law. So after tonight, again, HPD will have 60 days to review and certify the plan after it is submitted. We submit to the state. If if it is found that the city is out of compliance with the deadline, it is required and is required to complete the rezoning of properties within one year by October 15, 2022, instead of three years. This will create some level of hardship. This is more stringent requirements that would pose significant challenges to staffing resources and would hamper the city's ability to conduct community outreach related to the city wide geographic rezoning program. Even though the rezoning would be consistent with the adopted general plan, community engagement and technical analysis to tailor zoning to respective communities has been a part of this process thus far, but that would be made much more difficult if it was required to be done within the one year time frame. And there are also. Challenges related to funding. Several federal, state and regional funding programs consider housing element compliance as an eligibility criteria, and recent state law creates penalties for noncompliance. So staff will be continuing to work with the state to achieve compliance and certification. Next slide, please. To quickly summarize steps the subsidy staff has taken thus far to achieve HDD or Housing Department certification. The first round of feedback from HCV was addressed in the plan that was brought to the Council in November and subsequent to the November Council meeting, it was submitted to the state and as I mentioned on January 18th, the city did receive the second round of feedback and made a number of minor technical edits. AICD asked for additional analysis to support the site inventory assumptions and to demonstrate how the site inventory strategy is projected to address and begin to ameliorate fair housing disparities in the city and thus fair housing and how the fair housing goals of the plan will be implemented. Specifically by looking at how the inventory impacts fair housing indicators, including access to housing in high resource areas, mitigating placement and making place based investments in low income communities. The letter also requested that the city update programs based on that analysis and show how such strategies will improve fair housing conditions when paired with identified sites. And again, all that feedback has been incorporated in the draft that is before council tonight. And I'll go over a few more of the specific changes on the following slide. Next slide, please. So most of the changes since the Council started plan last were focused on additional data and analysis, such as those listed on this slide, and include estimating the number of housing units in need of replacement based on the age of the city's housing, stock and data and analysis of how often and by how much developments do not maximize their building potential. The changes also involve clarifications on previous analysis, such as whether transitional and supportive housing is currently allowed in the updated zoning code, Title 22 zone and what the parking requirements are for things like congregate care facilities . Refinements to actions and objectives. Actions of actions and timeframes of certain programs to make them more quantifiable, specific and measurable, such as the example shown on the slide here and shown with the changes shown in blue, are representative of the types of refinements to the programs that were made and that are similar to refinements that you saw last time we presented. The staff presented the plan to you. Next slide, please. So in particular, additional analysis was focused on the site inventory and the fair housing assessment, specifically on how the site inventory is expected to improve and or exacerbate fair housing conditions. And more information will be provided on this in a little bit later in the presentation. Additional analysis to support assumption. The assumptions used to develop the site inventory, such as the likelihood that sites would be used for 100% commercial use rather than housing. The likelihood of non vacant sites being developed with housing and what potential impediments to residential development are. And to demonstrate that small sites and lot consolidation are not impediments to housing development. So generally speaking, all of this additional data and analysis is to support the fact that the sites, inventory sites really are feasible for development and that they are likely to be developed with housing in the time frame of this plan. And the plan appendices in particular were augmented with additional information about that, essentially shared local knowledge and identified relevant factors that contribute to the city's fair housing issues and experiences in achieving high achieving housing goals. So, for example, more information and community feedback was added from the framework of reconciliation, the draft race and suburbanization context historic context statement, which is being prepared currently the 2016 Housing Assessment of Fair Housing and the city's success in in the last several years in implementing the housing goals identified in the Mayor's Affordable and Workforce Housing Report . Next slide, please. So the next several slides are data heavy, but they are intended to just convey what some of the quantifiable outcomes of the planned site inventory are, which are supported by the plans, policies and programs. This slide shows how the site inventory sites and participated units or committed units are distributed among state defined, high, moderate and low resource areas, which you can see on the map on the left. That map shows what areas of the city fall in each of these categories. The high resource areas are shown in the shades of blue. Moderate resource areas are shown in the darker green shades, and low resource areas are shown in light, green, shade and yellow. The site inventory sites are shown on this map in the dark stuff that you see on the map there. The data on the right represents the important strategy that the city has put forward to help address patterns of segregation by focusing new low income units in high resource areas and more higher income units in low resource areas. You can see that the data on the right show overall a disproportionately high number of percentage of site inventory units in lower resource areas. But that is in part explained by the fact that those areas are where some of the highest transit access is located, and again, that there are most there are the most moderate and above moderate or market rate units focused in low income areas as well. And conversely, there are low income units in high resource areas. Additionally, many of the low resource or high segregation poverty areas, like I mentioned, are near transit and locating housing opportunities. There help align with the city's climate goals of priorities of prioritizing housing near transit and reducing carbon emissions. And it also addresses prevent future displacement by directing additional housing where residents are already living. So just to point out very quickly, some notable stats from this table, which have a lot of numbers when looking at the distribution of units as a whole. Just over 50% of the units are in the high and moderate resource areas, and just under 50% of the units are in the low resource areas. But when you look more closely at the numbers, it does illustrate the mixed income strategy. 19% of the lower income units are in higher resource areas as compared to just over 9% of the market rate units. And 38.2% of lower income units are in the low resource areas. Those areas that are near transit and proximate to job. 61%, almost 62% of lower income units are in the combined high and moderate areas as compared to just under 40% of the above moderate or market rate. Conversely, 54% of the above market rate units are in low resource, high poverty areas, as compared to 38% of low income units. And this distribution allocation of higher percentage of a above moderate income units in low resource, high poverty areas ensures that these areas will be more mixed income in the future and addresses concerns about concentrated poverty and segregation. Next slide, please. So this this slide more specifically looks at the racially and ethnically concentrated areas of poverty, which are called recap. You can see the map on the left shows the site inventory with the blue dots and it's overlaid with the with these recap areas that are shown in yellow. As a reminder, the map on the right hand side shows in green and then the circles within the green areas, the areas that are most that have that are transit priority areas and have the highest quality transit, in particular in the black circles, which is where the inventory is focused most. Again, the table shows how more higher income units for the site inventory are concentrated in recap areas, and fewer number and percentage of lower income units are in those areas to help begin to reverse some of the patterns of segregation. Only 10% of the lower income units are in the recap areas and nearly 90% are located in non recap areas. And similarly, nearly 40% of the moderate income and mercury units are located in recap areas. Helping again to make sure those areas become more mixed income in the future. Next slide, please. Finally, this is the left data slide, which shows how the site inventory units compare to total units citywide, putting the distribution of units into a sub regional and historical context. You can see the city was broken down by zip codes into six subregions listed on in the table. Those subregions are north, central, east, south, east, downtown and west. For purposes of the data analysis and at the request of the State Housing Department, the table shows how many site inventory units and what percentage of the inventory are at each of the sub areas. You can see that west, south, east and east are underrepresented in terms of proportion of site inventory units compared to existing housing units. While North is proportional and downtown and central are overrepresented. You'll remember, of course, the high quality transit map on the last slide, which explains why more of the new housing is focused in downtown in central, which are served by the highest quality transit. The bar graph on the bottom of the slide puts all this into historical context. While there's still some over and under concentration of housing by area, some areas had very specific historic developed historical development patterns due to a combination of market forces and governmental policy at both local and national level, which has resulted in the distribution that you see represented by the bar chart here. When taking a long view of the site inventory, the distribution of the site inventory is an important step in making the city's housing stock more equitably distributed among the subregions of the city. Next slide, please. So it was noted earlier that refinements were made to the programs of the plan. The most significant refinements were made to programs related to the fair housing strategies and strategies to affirmatively further fair housing there. Cuts are shown here on this slide specifically, and additional refinements to actions, objectives or timeframes of certain programs were made based on the additional fair housing and site inventory analysis that I just ran through, the data that that was just shared. And so the the changes are shown here in blue. Some specific examples for is more specificity of geographic focus such as housing production of A2 use in high resource areas, which is shown in the first row there. There other examples are a commitment to have to do targeted programs such as home ownership assistance and tenant right to council program to ensure low income communities of color have access to these resources and services. And those are the two middle rows of this table. And finally, a program was added, program 7.3, to do a mid-term evaluation of the housing element implementation, to assess the overall performance and progress on as it relates to the fair housing goals that I talked about in detail. Next slide, please. In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act and this state's equal guidelines, the city prepared an addendum to the previously certified program Environmental Impact Report that was prepared for the general plan land use element. Update Housing element builds off of the vehicle's policies and strategies and provides a more detailed road map for creating sufficient capacity for needed housing in the city, including through the zoning code, amendments and rezoning of properties that are on the site, and how the elements inventory, which will be reasoned in alignment with the LME and will implement the values that are EUI, which is the land use element of the contemplated and anticipated buildout of more than 28,000 housing units and the housing element. Rina goal as you know, our allocation is 26,500 units, which is within the framework of what was anticipated by the land use element. The housing element update and the rezoning of specific properties do not result in any physical improvements that were already analyzed, and particularly because this is a planning action. These are planning actions that are consistent with value and intended to comply with state law, identify to identify a plan to meet the housing needs of the city and to implement the zone change program. That is a an actual program of the land use element. And it's important to note that future discretionary development facilitated by the implementation of the housing element would be subject to project level score review as appropriate at the time of the project that the projects are proposed. Next slide, please. So this concludes my presentation. The recommendations to council are listed here on the slide staff recommends consistent with the Planning Commission action. The Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the Environmental Impact Report Addendum er a to 21 and adopt the 2020 129 general plan housing element and staff will resubmit to the Housing Department for final certification by the State upon action by the Council this evening and implementation. As you know we discussed in our in some detail and the November presentation is underway and has been underway and the slide just demonstrates some of the actions that have been taken that have implemented the housing element even while we've been updating and preparing the update of the housing element. With that, that does conclude my presentation staff is available to answer any questions and we do have our consultants on the line who have joined us and are available to answer questions as well if necessary. Thank you so much.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much. We didn't and we will go on to any public comment that we might have.
Speaker 3: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine. Our first speaker is Leona Libra.
Speaker 1: Hi. This is Lianna Noble from Libra. I live downtown Fourth and Pine. I am speaking behalf on behalf of Long Beach residents empowered as part of the Housing Justice Coalition here in Long Beach. And I'm not going to speak on the details of the content of the plan. Rather, I want to refer you to a letter that you've received from all of us and make the point to you that from a community perspective, the way in which it was possible for community based groups to are accountable to their constituency is primarily renters and people of color. The way in which we were. Recruited and worked together with the Development Services staff was a new experience.
Speaker 2: As.
Speaker 1: Radically different from the debacle of the land use element? And to me, what it proved, and I hope the Council will consider this it proved that it is more than possible for community based organizations and their constituents to make very real, concrete contributions in a process.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Your time.
Speaker 2: Is over.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Brie Larson.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Great presentation. My name is Brie Larson and I represent the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. We are a labor union representing over 50,000 carpenters to live in six states, including California. And we have a strong interest in well-ordered land use planning and addressing environmental impacts of development projects. Individuals, members in the Southwest work, live and recreate in the city of Long Beach and surrounding communities and will be directly affected by the project's environmental impacts. City should require a use of local, skilled and trained workforce to benefit the community, economic development and environment. The city should require the use of workers who have graduated from a joint labor management apprenticeship training program approved by the State of California, or have at least as many hours of on the job experience in the affable craft which were required to graduate from such a state approved apprenticeship training program who are registered apprentices in a apprenticeship program and approved by the state of California. Community benefits such as local hire a skilled and trained workforce requirements could also be helpful in reducing environmental impacts and improve the positive economic impact of the project. Local higher provisions requiring that certain percentage of the workers reside within ten miles or less of the site project and reduce the vendor trail.
Speaker 3: Here do talking about.
Speaker 2: It.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Susanna sime.
Speaker 1: Hi. My name is Sam and I'm the executive director of United Kimberley Meeting and I want to thank the city for partnering with CBOs in the Housing Element Plan. The CBOs that we were able to engage and build the capacity of is Long Beach, Miami toward Lake Agency, Miami to immigrant rights, coalition, labor, my Girls in Action and UCC. And together we were able to host a joint community in which we had over 120 community participants. And we also were able to engage committee members in public comment at planning and City Council. Individually. Our organizations were able to do outreach and education through social media workshops and training in English, Spanish and Canadian do these engagement efforts. We were able to prioritize community residents and their priorities around housing, which you have heard us share in the past. Overall, I want to continue to urge the city to engage the community in meaningful ways from the very beginning of city planning processes so that our committee recommendations can be included and that these changes can be made to these plans. Specifically, I urge the city to continue to engage it in the consolidation plan and any rezoning plan processes that are moving forward in our communities. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker, Stephen Donohue.
Speaker 2: Can you hear me?
Speaker 3: Just right here.
Speaker 2: Yeah. Good evening, Mayor. Vice Mayor and council member. My name is Steven Donahue. I'm a member of the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters Local 562. I work and recreate in the vicinity of Long Beach. The city should require projects to be built utilizing local and skilled and trained work forces, local hire and skilled and trained workforce requirements . Reduce construction related environmental impacts while benefiting the local economy. Thank you for hearing my message.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is tonight Kemper.
Speaker 2: City Council and mayor. I'll be concise. We you know, you should if there's any biblical scholars in the room, should read the book of Jeremiah, in which the protagonist warnings for the destruction of the city of Jerusalem were unfortunately left unheeded with respect to the air. Thank you for the presentation, Miss Patricia. You know, historical context wise, I didn't hear the term redlining referenced explicitly, which is why these transit hub areas are so remarkably transit focused because the land was purposely maintained as blight in order for the development that we see today. With respect to this general plan, we have to put teeth and have prerequisites, contextually speaking, before we even have these development projects come down the pipeline. There needs to be mandated. Low income and affordable housing. There's a there's an agenda item later that you guys are changing the definition of what affordable rent even looks like in the city. Chapter 21.67 In the Municipal Code. You guys are changing that in the agenda item later. Mark my words, these kinds of developments are going to push out black and brown and Asian people and low income poor Caucasians out of the city. We need to make. We need to mandate prerequisite affordable housing.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Your time is up. Our next speaker is Ailsa Chang.
Speaker 1: Good evening, Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Ailsa Chang, District five resident and Long Beach Forward Staff. I want to start by thanking staff from the Development Services Planning Bureau, especially Patricia Defender for Allison Spindler, Ruiz and Alejandro Sanchez Lopez for their tremendous, tremendous work and leadership over the past two years of the housing element process. Now, as a result of years of tenant and housing, justice organizing and as a result, as you heard from others of the city's investment and community based organizations to engage in capacity building for the first time ever, the housing element incorporates critical community led housing justice solutions that reflect the needs of the people and the people of color. Renter Majority. Such community wins include program 5.2 to implement various tenant protections, including a program to allow substantial remodels while minimizing displacement program. And 6.8 on Community Land Trust and Program. 7.2 to establish dedicated rental housing staff slash division within the city government. Despite, however, the significant progress, the housing element still does not go far enough to advance and invest in housing justice solutions, including, as you just heard from the staff presentation, fair desegregated housing. Born from generations of racist policies and market practices. I want to turn quickly to the community engagement process. While which forward is grateful to have been one of the CBOs to partner with the city during the.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes your public comment. Our next speaker is Gabriela Perez.
Speaker 2: Good evening. My name is Gabriel Perez. I'm an organizer with Land and Lobbies, Coalition for Good Jobs and a Healthy Community. The stories and experiences we've come across from community members have made clear that the programs incorporated the housing element are significant victories for working class voters of color. Program 6.5 in particular, which implements tenants rights to council, is a huge win for monolingual residents like my earlier Breda, as well as working parents like Calvin Warren and Reynoso, all of whom face the threat of eviction and will now be more empowered to navigate a confusing legal landscape and advocate for themselves and their families. That said, the city still has a way to go to ensure that Long Beach residents are protected by a proactive, comprehensive and just approach to housing. Moving forward, this means a housing element process where CBOs that have trust and relationships, marginalized bipoc communities serve as critical, positive partners with the city, especially when involved from the very beginning of city processes and a housing delivery process where engage in marginalized communities and land use planning processes is mutually supportive and beneficial instead of extractive and tokenizing. This means meeting the immediate needs of people by collecting and sharing resources and potentially offering direct services such as rental assistance, application support, housing counseling and legal assistance. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Ruben.
Speaker 2: Good evening, Mayor. Vice Mayor, Little Beach Council members, thank you for your time. Thank you for the presentation. My name is Ruben Minerals and I am as well a union member from the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. So I just come to you, the panel here today, you know, off script, just with an open heart and humble mind. I work and live in Long Beach. I'm currently involved in marine construction with the Port of L.A. and Long Beach. And I just can't express to you enough the importance of local workforce, skilled and trained workforce. We definitely all know the challenges of logistics, right? When with the rail, the freeway, 710, 110. So we come to you, you know, with numbers and just want communications, transparency, be involved and again can express how important it is to having this local and trained and skilled workforce. Our apprentices are dreaming in the field, doing a safe job, doing a good work, beautiful product, put out skilled craftsmanship, and that's only going to help the logjam. Like was mentioned earlier with suppliers just, you know, the highways and byways again. And just please take my words. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Natalie Hernandez.
Speaker 1: Hello, councilmembers. My name is Natalie Hernandez and I'm a ninth district resident member. I'm speaking to support the adoption of the City of Long Beach housing element in the housing need. Summary data shows that Long Beach is a city of 61% of renters, with black and Latino renter households more likely to be rent burdened than white renter households and having the highest rates of rent hardship in a city that is majority renter, there should be more programs that assist first time homeownership, like establishing the Homeowner Assistance Program with Recovery Act stimulus funds. I can personally speak to the barriers to homeownership as a next resident. My family and I were in the process of buying a home for about all of 2021. One barrier was constantly being over bid by all cash investors in our Long Beach flipping properties. I was even overbid by Zillow. I see in the housing element there's no policy guardrails to limit investor speculation. And another barrier I haven't seen addressed is incentivizing sellers to prioritize first time homebuyers. More work needs to be done on the barriers mentioned, but I hope the Down Payment Assistance Program proposed in the elements will be one tool to give local residents a pathway to homeownership. Though the housing element needs strong and swift implementation, I fear the suggestions put in the element are already being outpaced by the Long Beach housing market, controlled by investors and realtors. The city needs to actively work with local realtors to ship local renters to be first time homebuyers. And the city needs to continue to work through this so that we will stop being a city of renters and workers and won't have to keep talking.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Luis Flores.
Speaker 2: Yes. Good evening. My name is Louise Flores with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. Look, 22 and I just want to say that, you know, I believe in that you should hire, rein in your workforce that we provide through our union. And also, you know, if you hire local hire, it would diminish the pollution in our city. And also, I believe that if we live here, which you work here in our city. You know, bring more revenue to our city and reduce our traffic as it is. You know, I live here then we in. All the pollution that we get from that and also the refineries around. So I believe that if we live here, we shall be the first to work here. They'll be all.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Myron Walden.
Speaker 2: Hello. This unmarried woman. I am the immediate past president of the Long Beach Great Panthers. We are advocating for seniors in Long Beach, and therefore, we are concerned most about affordable housing for seniors. And we see that there are mentions of seniors and disabled, but we are concerned about some certain things that can be done to improve what is generally has some very good things within the plan. We find there's no provision, for example, for multi-generational housing. We see that there's nothing there about LGBTQ people. We like very much the fact that it mentioned no net no net loss. However, there's one provision within that one thing that's happening within the senior community that we're very concerned about in terms of loss of affordable housing for seniors. And that's among the high housing where the contracts are up and speculators are buying what the housing and therefore converting them to market rate. We are concerned about this issue. There would be, therefore, a net loss of affordable housing for seniors, and we would like the city to get involved and come up with plans to alleviate the problem of loss of senior housing, affordable housing. Please think about this as an issue and don't leave it to HUD, to this to the federal government. Think of innovative.
Speaker 3: Times included our final speakers, Melody Osuna.
Speaker 1: Evening. My name is Melodie Osuna, and I'm an attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles through our Long Beach community office at 601 Pacific and clinics at the Long Beach Courthouse, LeFlore is deeply invested and committed to justice for the people of Long Beach. As such, we take a great deal of interest in the city's housing element and its impact on poor and low income residents of Long Beach. We appreciate all the hard work and effort that went into developing the housing element over the past two years. We genuinely appreciate the attention the city has given the developer to developing a robust housing plan that addresses the needs for tenants. We look forward to working with you on developing and implementing these programs. Many of these programs, such as technical assistance for Community Land Trust and expansion of the inclusionary housing requirement, have specific target dates in the next few years, and we eagerly await the opportunity to help develop these policies on their scheduled timelines. Others, such as the rental housing division, are more aspirational in nature, and we hope that the city remembers that and the housing element and also that they remember that these legally mandated objectives and timeframes over the next eight years as we work together to make Long Beach a safer, healthier and happier place for tenants of all income levels. We do have certain reservations about the assessment of fair housing and what this plan does plan to do. And we hope that the city takes more.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes public comment. That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Well, thank you. I appreciate all the comment. We're going to continue the hearing that we have. I'm going to have counsel deliberation first. So if you want to speak, please make sure that you queue in. Let me just get to the queue really quick. I first up, I have Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. First of all, I want to take a moment to just thank staff. We've certainly come a long way as a community. You know, I was around the last time we did this, I believe I was Councilman Neal's chief of staff at the time. And it was a very different experience. We didn't have community coming forward saying thank you for including us, very different experience. And you know, what I saw in terms of the consultative process between HCB and Skaggs last year as president? It was it was you know, it was a little tense as we were discussing Rena and disagreements. I'm glad to see that you've had a better consultative process here with our original plan. Here's our feedback. Here's we're responding to the plan. I think that's helpful. That's helpful. That's going to help us to get where we need to go. I think more more globally here. You know, I think it's important for people to understand what it is we're doing. You know, cities need to plan for growth. Growth is going to happen. Demographic growth will happen whether you plan for it or not. The question here is where the growth is going to happen in a haphazard way. We have over crowded conditions, folks living in cars, overcrowded in homes, or, you know, living in motels and on the street, or whether we can plan in a healthy and safe and smart way for growth and accommodate the growth within our city. And that's what the goal of this plan is. You know, the good thing about it is we plan for it. We protect ourselves. One of the kids, through something down the stairs threw me off a little bit. So, you know, we plan for it. I think that's a good thing. We can advance economic development, create jobs. But one thing we definitely need to do and we've done a lot of strategies in terms of inclusionary housing and other things include include including here. But it will be hard to develop the affordable housing without a dedicated source of revenue. We still haven't replaced it. We know we used to have it with redevelopment. We knew we to invest $45 million a year into that. And we're doing a lot of other things. You know, we're squeezing as much from the term as you can. But the truth is, we just can't compete with the scale that's needed to keep them affordable. Premier housing, great housing, we'll get there. But as it relates to affordable housing, we have to continue to work to find dedicated source of revenue and some of the middle income housing stuff and all that. That helps. We have a lot more work to do. I also think it's important to know that, you know, we've got projects today that were held up because of the entitlement processes. We have to make it easier to get projects approved. I've got a project on Artesia on Artesia Boulevard right now. Smaller project was the first one using up plan zoning. And, you know, they're being required to go well and beyond what I would have expected them to be able to do. We have to just keep in mind that we are in a housing crisis and we have to build housing and we're going to have to be flexible . We have to be more in our in our in all of our processes of getting approvals, get housing built. And so that's what we certainly need to do. I think the downpayment assistance and homeownership programs are incredibly important. We're funding a pilot recovery plan. I think that's important. I like that we have a mid-term evaluation on this. I think that's good. And so I'm generally supportive of what I have today, what I hear, what I see today. So I'm happy to make the motion to support staff recommendation. I think it's certainly timely. We need to get this done. And one question. I know that we have we've done a number plates. We have the idea of zoning. We've done a number of things downtown, uptown, midtown. What's actually left to do? What areas of town actually need to be? What zoning needs to be updated? I'm really curious about that.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson. Patricia Defender For the record. So currently we're working on the central Long Beach area. So you may have heard us talk about the Anaheim Corridor zoning implementation program. That is the Anaheim Corridor, some area north and south through the central area of the city. We still have to work on the West Long Beach rezoning in West Long Beach, and it's just going through and all of the places where the land use element changed the place type, we have to just go back and ensure that the zoning is consistent with that place type. So it's generally in there's some areas within continuing the plan, right? The plan north Long Beach, the phase to the west, Long Beach, Central, Long Beach, there's some areas in the east side looking at the the founding contemporary neighborhood place type and developing, you know, low density residential zones that are more commensurate with that place type as well. So there's still a lot of areas of the city that we need to evaluate and read them.
Speaker 2: Just a thank you. Thank you. I have the second by Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 1: Ank you. I'm mayor and I just want to thank staff for the presentation today. I appreciate all of staff's hard work on this, and this is important for our city's future. And I enjoyed seeing the progress unfold. This updated housing element gives a roadmap for accommodating. All of the help you need and also guide our future decision making when it comes to housing issues. I really am impressed with what we have today. We are prioritizing housing production for all income levels, including those with special needs and improving housing affordability and preserving existing affordable housing, and also promoting fair.
Speaker 4: Housing options.
Speaker 1: For all of our residents. So I really appreciate the community outreach and the incorporation of feedback on this plan. I think that has been a really important role that what we're seeing today and I will be supporting this item. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. So I, too, will be supporting this item. And I want to thank Patricia for an excellent presentation. I have a couple of questions that I wanted to talk with you about. Just couple of because I know these questions have come up in terms of our our radar numbers. What do you think is contributing to us being able to increase our housing production in the way that we have? I mean, I know that I'm familiar with some of our specific plan CCF and the downtown plan and others that have allowed for additional housing. But what are other factors that are contributing to our ability to be able to make progress towards that 2029 requirement? Thank you for your question, Councilwoman Pryce. So as you noted, our specific plans have made a huge difference in particular and more recently, the Southeast Area Specific plan, which accommodates 2500 units. I think, to answer your question, streamlining the environmental review process by doing the program level eyes and tearing off of the the program level. I.R. for the land use element. Do you facilitate the housing production by streamlining the process for the environmental review? That's a significant way in which housing units are facilitating the development of housing units. Some some programs going forward are looking a little bit more as site plan review thresholds. You may have noticed some of the programs in the plan that look at both site plan review thresholds and can they be increased in order to allow more projects to go through a more administrative review process for things like design? Applying objective design standards is going to be important going forward and taking advantage of some of the state streamlining as the 35 we had one SB 35 project in the city recently that qualified for that process, which is a process that if it meets various criteria, it can go through a more streamlined review without hearings, but through a staff level review. So those are some of the ways in which those those housing can be facilitated by the things that we're doing. So is that the streamlined process? Is that because it reduces the turnaround time or the time that a developer has to wait? Is that okay? All right. So basically, it's it's facilitating more housing production within the timeline of between now and 2029, because we're shortening the time that people have to wait for entitlements. Yes. We're doing everything we can to do that. You know, from the entitlement process itself to the environmental review process and taking advantage of different in sequence streamlining. Okay. Can you talk a little bit about I mean, I just reading this article about only 24% or something like that of Californians can afford to buy a home right now in California, which was a shocking number. So can you talk a little bit about down payment assistance programs? And you know what what we're doing, I'm I'm hoping and I'm assuming that we're being as aggressive with those programs as possible and that we're leveraging all state and federal resources. But maybe you can talk to that a little bit more. Yeah, I believe that. I think our deputy director has and our housing staff have a little bit more information on the homebuyer assistance program. But I believe there's a program there's money available through the Long Beach Recovery Act, too dedicated to providing the homeowner assistance program in the calendar years of this calendar year in the next calendar year. Believe that a dollar amount is about $3 million.
Speaker 2: And this is Christopher Terrence. Patricia is correct. There is $3 million in the Long Beach Recovery Act that will go to first time homebuyer down payment assistance. And, you know, that will not, um, you know, that will help hundreds of families that want to help thousands of families. But it will be incredibly significant to those who we are able to help through that program. That's kind of going through the procurement process now. And families should be able to apply come January of next calendar year. We also have a state program, which is how we do programs like Habitat for Humanity, and we're looking at funding kind of there are homeowners that may have very low incomes, but they do own homes they bought at a time those homes were more affordable. And we're looking at how can we help them build 80 years on their backyard, which would provide additional rental housing in the city, but also provide an additional income stream to those low income homeowners? We received a grant from KD to do that. So where we can gather funds, like I just mentioned, we're able to intervene directly into the housing market. But the most important thing we can do in terms of homeownership is having a robust supply of housing. So that means, you know, producing housing units in general to the degree that we can get rent increases under control, that gives people more money each month to save towards a future home purchase. And then we need to find the right mix of carrots and sticks to make sure that that we're building condos in the city as well, because, you know, a single family home and you look at the price of a single family home in this city and throughout California, that's not going to be a first purchase for for most folks. But to the degree that we can build condos that maybe are smaller or they those could be available at a much lower price point and at current interest rates at a price point that's probably commensurate with your rent. So that could provide a lot of great options for first time homeownership. And that's all part of the overall housing strategy we have here in the city. And then the housing element is one piece of that. But there's there's other pieces that, you know, we want to continue down that road that continue to make improvement.
Speaker 1: Thank you so much for that. I appreciate it. I think my head's pretty much up. So all of you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank staff for just really your hard work in getting the housing element plan to this point. I appreciate the effort and policies taken to include community voices in this, and I hope that you'll continue to do that as we will be able to get report back on how things are progressing on a periodic basis. That's what I know, that we're not going to get everything we want in this plan. But what I do hope to have is a periodic follow up to see where we're at a meeting. Our goal on a yearly basis to also, hey, what, what can we learn from what's not working and catch that and see what we could do to improve it for the following year. You know, one of the things that I'm wondering is, you know, we we we try to make sure that we create a housing element plan that will develop housing for all different income level. But I'm wondering, how do we collect data and how we're helping to address our homeless numbers? Like how are we are we, you know, at the end of the day, I want to make sure we're also helping people to get home, becoming homeowners, getting into affordable rent. But I also want to make sure that we're decreasing our homelessness number. Is there a way for us to see if by meeting our rent, a number were also able to decrease our homeless numbers as well? Thank you, Councilman Ciro. You know that there's a whole continuum of care infrastructure in the city that's charged with providing those kinds of services. And we work closely with them and the housing authority to to, you know, implement all of these plans and to track numbers. And we do have to do annual reporting each year on how we're progressing and in developing housing units and how, you know, the site inventory is working. And we can certainly try to look at additional data points that we can include in that process that can help us understand how we're making significant strides in addressing with this as a result of the housing that is being developed through that. And of course, there's the the programs around permanent supportive housing and shelters, all the things that the the many different ordinances that the council has adopted recently. And the plan cumulatively tries to address those issues and those concerns. Yeah, thank you. I really appreciate that because I do know there is a fine line and how where development services track you know that the number of people getting housed as far as making sure there is, you know, units available and that they're being built. But I think that it's really important that if we could make sure there is a connection to our Health and Human Services numbers, I know that we don't track people going into long term housing or even if it is short term. But I think that that I want to make sure we're painting a whole picture about how we're housing people in addition to making sure that we're increasing housing. So thank you. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Next up is Councilman Ringo. Basically very simple. I think that's a wonderful job and doing there in the analysis done. I think that value, as we know, is a very stressful process that we went through four years ago. And to get to this point, this is a it's a good indication that we've made a lot of progress. Still a lot of work to be done, obviously. Our numbers have not gone down. They've gone up. And we still need to be aware that we still are challenge with our housing. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Jan De.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor, and thank you very much to staff for all the hard work that they've done on this great presentation and throughout the time in bringing that up. I know it's been eight years, eight years. That seems like it's an eternity to some, but as many of you know quite well, time really flies. This is why it's critical that we act now to address. And yet we saw at the same time that long term solutions. What got us to this situation and where we are now was a combination of the past decisions, of past agendas, of past decisions and standards. What we need to build for the future is that desire, and what we deserve is a new and long way of looking at things, especially when we're coming together with community. I think that is the main thing. Making sure that our agenda is equitable and that our visions raise humane living standards for all. That is exactly what this housing element presents as hope for a better tomorrow, in which housing will no longer be a dream or a necessity, but actually a reality. And I have a lot of hope for that with the housing element. It is going to take a lot of work and it's going to take an intersectional approach to getting there. But I know that here in Long Beach, we as a community know what work is all about and we're willing to put in the work. So thank you to every single community member who showed up and participated in the process by voicing your needs and concerns and guiding the development of this housing element. I'm excited for the future of the cities of Thrive and I support this item wholeheartedly.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Constable Austin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I share of most of the sentiments of my colleagues already expressed here today. Obviously, this is a this has been a long process, one that I have been part of from the very beginning. And I'm very proud of the document that is actually before us. Obviously, our need is great for to build housing and our goals are our aspirational. We need to build 28,000 new units in the next ten years. That's that's significant. So this decision, this housing element is a huge step forward. This housing element will help to give us strategic direction and clarity for future housing development in our city. It will certainly. And one thing that I'm really pleased to see with this document is that it has taken an integrated approach to community engagement and outreach. Because mentioned in this work several different types of community outreach forums where they extrapolated public input related to housing, put it to this and that consideration and I think that is very important, shows that our city staff is smart with their time and resources, but also is listening to our constituents, listening to the people of Long Beach . And so this document is comprehensive. Looking at the housing plan, I'm literally seeing just about everything that this council has voted on related to housing in terms of our values and direction in this document. So with that, I, too, am happy to support this 100%. Thank you so much. Thank you. That concludes council comment. I'm going to say a few comments and then we'll go ahead and go to the vote and close the hearing. I just wanted to thank the the staff for really the incredible work I'm putting the document together. It should be noted that if you look regionally and how housing production is faring in our neighbors, I mean, Long Beach is certainly ahead across the region. Whenever when when you're looking at population and versus the amount of housing units that we're creating. I think we cannot forget that that in Long Beach, we should always strive to ensure that housing is a right for everybody, that it's accessible to all people, regardless of income level. I think the council has worked really hard to change in the last decade of our approach to housing, whether it's been through inclusionary housing policies or that's been through protections and new protections for tenants and renters, whether it's also been through the amount of affordable housing that we're building, which I'm really proud as a great to see, particularly go along the downtown corridor along midtown, along Cambodia town. Are you going to see a lot of great housing projects and development that's happening and much of it affordable? And I think that's really a testament to not just the staff work and the community work and the community work, but a lot of organizing around housing that has happened in the last ten years. And I remember I was just thinking at first, one of the first meetings I had with now Councilwoman in the House was when she was a housing advocate and I was on the city council and she was advocating for housing policies ten years ago. I think believe you're on the board of Housing Long Beach Councilwoman. And I remember that very well. And so many folks have been involved in this work for a really long time. So I do want to thank everyone that's been involved in housing. Your voices and organizing and advocacy and advocacy has really made a difference, I believe, and has made us have better housing policy, more inclusive housing policy. I also want to thank so many partners. I think when you look at a housing element like this and the progress we've made, it's it's easy to not think fully about who's been at the table. But we have worked with incredible housing developers and partners, both on the nonprofit side, as well as, of course, private developers that have built significant amounts of housing. Whether that has been the affordable projects, we have some of our new middle income housing projects that are starting to come up and our market rate projects. I have been one and not everyone agrees all the time, but I think that we should be supportive of all types of housing all the time. A unit of housing is is good housing. We know that we need all types of housing in this community, particularly focused, of course, on housing that is affordable to folks. But we are we are I believe also the research is very clear which which I think tells us that any type of housing development actually overall helps folks get into housing at all levels of income because it's just an additional unit that enters the marketplace. And so we got to continue that production, not just in Long Beach, but across across the state and across across the country. I want to add that the this housing element reflects some really significant policy decisions the Council has made, especially, I would say, in the last 4 to 5 years around protection of renters. I think about some of the decisions that were made, not just to build affordable housing, but to preserve housing that has been traditionally affordable. Some things to remember that when when the city steps in to preserve a unit of housing, there is a cost there's a public cost to doing that work. And and it's an investment that the city decides to make. Well, we hear all the time we want more affordable housing. Think we all do. Someone has to build that housing. Someone has to, in many cases, subsidize that unit for a period of time since the housing unit can actually get built. And so it is a complex system to get affordable. Housing is not easy to get it developed, but thanks to the federal government, the state county support, city support and the work of our commissions and our city. I want to thank our community investment company. That commission or housing groups that have come together to support this work have really done. It really fantastic job. And so I just want to thank everyone. Lastly, just moving, looking forward. It is great to see all the housing that is currently under construction and I would just encourage us to continue that work. We should not be afraid or we should not be reactionary to looking at opportunities for up for us to up to zone appropriate areas across our community. We've had that discussion in the past. It's been difficult sometimes, but we have as a as a city up zoned much of the city, whether we're talking about certainly the downtown or we have up zoned midtown. We have done a lot of zoning across the northern part of the city and even in East Lombard recently with what we went through with our or Southeast plan there, there was a housing up zone that we did there. And so I am encouraged that the city has supported a smart and as they call it now, a gentle density and commuter phase where it's been appropriate. And certainly there are communities where where we're built out and we have historic neighborhoods and single family neighborhoods that folks deserve to have their neighborhoods preserved in a way that is historic and that is there for their families. And and that makes sense. But we have so much of our city still where we have opportunities, I think, to to develop and to build more housing. And and certainly that's something that we should continue to support. And it looks like where there is success in this work, thanks to our city team and looking at these numbers, I hope that those numbers continue and I hope that we continue to to create strong density, especially in our downtown and our long along or our Midtown transit corridor. There's so much more opportunity to build really great housing. So thank you to staff for this. I know it was a long presentation, a lot of council comment, a lot of community comment, but it's a really important topic as it relates to housing. And so thank you for all the great work. And there is a motion any second by Vice Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman Allen to approve and close this hearing and move forward. So I will do a roll call vote when the clerk is ready.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to.
Speaker 1: My.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District four.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: District five. I. District six.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District eight. By District nine.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you. That concludes our hearing. Now we are going to go to the regular agenda and we will be hearing. The first item, the instructions for my agenda here. We will be during our first item, which is going to be item 17, please. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record and conclude the public hearing;
Adopt resolution approving and adopting an Addendum (EIRA-02-21) to the General Plan Land Use Element and Urban Design Element Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) (PEIR-SCH# 2015051054), in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines, and making certain CEQA Findings and Determinations relative thereto, including a finding that the adopted General Plan Land Use Element PEIR Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program shall apply; and that no new or different mitigation measures are required; approving the 2021-2029 Housing Element of the City’s General Plan; and authorizing City Manager, or designee, to submit the Housing Element to the California Department of Housing and Community Development for its consideration and certification; and | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0145 | Speaker 2: Thank you. That concludes our hearing. Now we are going to go to the regular agenda and we will be hearing. The first item, the instructions for my agenda here. We will be during our first item, which is going to be item 17, please.
Speaker 0: Communication from Mayor Garcia, Councilwoman Allen, Councilman Price, Councilman Sara recommendation or to request City Manager and Long Beach Health and Human Services in coordination with Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care advocates, meet and develop a written recommendations on how Long Beach can partner with Los Angeles County to respond to Roe versus Wade, be overturned and report back within 45 days.
Speaker 2: Well, thank you. And I do want to thank first just the incredible group of women's health organizations, particularly Planned Parenthood, that I know have worked really hard on this issue. And we've been we've also been having some conversations with the county about the seriousness of where this actual really health conversation is at at this moment in time . I want to note that because Long Beach has its own health department and because we have a health jurisdiction, it's also our responsibility to have robust conversations and insert also and insert ourselves when we can in these important and these important conversations in debates around women's health and access to, in this case, abortion and and women's health care. We just celebrated, as we probably know, the 40th anniversary of Roe v Wade. The idea that access, safe legal access to abortion is now being debated in our courts, especially in our highest court, where we can actually lose this constitutional protection for people is is is really hard to do to witness and to see. We know that right now in this country, over 80% of Americans support, access and select safe and legal abortion access. We know that also this this access to reproductive health is under attack across our country. And we have a responsibility as a city to continue supporting not just our community, but but folks are going to look to our community and others as restrictions are placed across across the country. And we're already seeing that happen today. I want to want to make a couple a couple notes right now, because access to reproductive health is or is being limited already in some states, we are seeing a wait times dramatically increase in states that are just adjacent to those. This is happening right now in our country. We could be months away from this constitutional right being decimated. And what that could mean for particularly for women across this country is is is immense. I want to note that here in Long Beach, we have had a proud history through our health department of working with Planned Parenthood and other health partners and agencies to support this important work for women and for reproductive rights and for safe and legal abortion access. We need to prepare as a community on what could happen to this to to not just us here. Unfortunately, we are in California, which is a state that has a very progressive view on this access. But what that could mean for us as it relates to jurisdictions and states that are just adjacent to us, that we could see limitations for reproductive health for women. The L.A. County and working with Planned Parenthood recently passed a series of recommendations. Those recommendations really revolve around working with Planned Parenthood and other agencies to address what the overturning Roe v Wade could mean for county health agencies and their relationship with, with or with clinics and the coalition of health groups that are out there. And so we have been asked and are working with Planned Parenthood as well, since we have our own health department as separate of L.A. County, to pass a similar resolution and look and work with L.A. County on this issue so that we have a unified response if we are faced with this really terrible decision in the in the months ahead. I want to thank L.A. County and the supervisors that have taken a leadership role in bringing this to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. I also want to thank Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Councilwoman Suzy Pryce, Councilwoman Sally Sara. I know all three are very interested in this in this conversation and in this legislation. And so I want to thank all three of those council women for their support of this and for sponsoring this. I know they all have relationships and with some of these health organizations and Planned Parenthood as well. Let me also just finally add that California right now is in the process of becoming a reproductive freedom state and is willing to step forward and provide these critical services for women that may be in need from across the country. And I think it's important for us in Long Beach to be prepared to also open our doors as a community and be a part of that network of spaces where if women need these critical services, they can they can look to us to help provide those. And so with that, the recommendation that everyone has in front of them from our city management team to come back to this council in about 45 days after talking to L.A. County. And looking for opportunities to expand health care opportunities to address some of these health disparities that could arise and other issues that have been brought forward at the county level as well. I want to thank the team at Planned Parenthood and our health agencies for their incredible work in preparation of this. Really, I think, really dangerous and dark time in our history as it relates to reproductive health. And so with that, I'm going to ask that we get a motion on this and then I'll pass this off to the agenda of this. Of this item. I see Councilman Allen has made the motion and I have Councilwoman Sara and Councilwoman Price all cued up. So let me turn this verse over to Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 1: I just I just want to say thank you, Mayor Garcia, for leading on this and for coordinating this item. What we face is a potentially dangerous Supreme Court ruling against women's health and against women. Against women, period. And I'm scared. I'm worried about women all across this country that are scared, too. I think, you know, as you mentioned, as a city that owns its own health agency, in a city that values women, it is our duty to protect anyone made vulnerable. If the Supreme Court strips away a woman's right to choose. There are so many low income women, men in our community who rely on public services for care, and we must be ready to provide these services. I'm going to share just a little bit of a shocking story. So I would ask anyone who's sensitive to this topic just to turn off your volume for a couple of seconds. In a recent trip to Kentucky, I stayed in a motel room where a woman. Had an underground abortion performed on her because she had nowhere else to go. An abortion in a hotel room. This is unbelievable and it's dangerous. And I'm not going to give you any more details because it's too hard to hear or even believe. You know, this is this is 2022. And women are being driven to these dangerous and harmful extremes. And many more women will be, you know, would have would be forced to make these drastic measures like this woman in this motel room. This is unacceptable. We must provide support for women who would otherwise be forced to consider dangerous procedures. I wish that we could protect women all over the country. I'm so glad to hear the mayor talk about how California is going to reach out to women. But we start right here in our backyard, and I will be completely supporting this item today. Thank you, Mayor.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor, for your leadership in bringing this item forward. It's unfortunate that we have to prepare for the worse. You know, the attack against women's reproductive rights have happened ever since Roe versus Wade have passed and so many efforts taken to chip away at not just, you know, older women, but young women, miners rights to be able to make the decision over their body and their access to health care, especially marginalized young women of color. There's been already enough shaming about women's body, and then there's already a layered challenge for them to be able to access care, much less have these legal right and access affordable access to care provided to them. And I definitely stand with our county and our state being a reproductive freedom state and and becoming a reproductive freedom city to make sure that regardless of your status, regardless of your income level and regardless of your background, we want to make sure that women feel safe in in the decision they make, not just for themselves that their partner. So if the reproductive justice issue is a gender justice issue, that the attack is being targeting, targeting women, but also it impacts on men and the families of these women before the fact that if they're taking desperate measure like potentially to lose a daughter, a sister. And so it's really a family. It's a community issue. At the end of the day, because we want to make sure that women regardless have access to care and feel comfortable being able to get them. So for that, I stand in preparing for, unfortunately, the watershed, the right for access to abortion and care is taken away that we look at in every way possible to put measures in place and resource in place, to continue to tell young women and all women that we stand with you and we will fight this. And if we can't, we're going to make sure we protect you. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Councilwoman. Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and thank you to my colleagues for their comments, especially Councilwoman Allen, with sharing that story. That's just a reality that I think we don't talk about very often. And it's obviously happening. And I appreciate you sharing that story. And that's such a horrific, horrific thing to even imagine. Thank you to our mayor for asking, bringing this item and for asking us as females to sign on to this item. I think it's very, very important that we highlight the importance of women's rights to reproductive health care through this item and beyond. In recent years, we have seen the courts move closer and closer to overturning a landmark decision that protects women's rights, fundamental women's rights. It is this legal decision that has changed and caused a lot of anxiety for people around this nation. And if this decision changes, it will change the rights of millions of women across America, and their fundamental rights will be impacted in a detrimental way. It's important for us as a local government with a health department. We often talk about our health department. Our health department protects everyone and should protect everyone, especially women in this scenario. And we need to work with our federal partners, our state and local partners, to make sure that we take a stand together and are prepared to work together to protect the rights of women and to protect the women. Should the laws change in the future, we need to stand together to protect them. This is a fundamental right for all women, and I thank you for bringing this item forward.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilman's in the house.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor, and thank you to my fellow council women for signing onto this very, very important item. Roe versus Wade recognize the fundamental right to choose an abortion. Since then, it has served as a layer of protection for women's reproductive rights. However, it's been challenged time and time and time again by claims that disregard or just devalue a woman's right to autonomy over the decision regarding their own body. I am proud to support this item that stands to reassure our women here in the city of Long Beach that your health and your rights are important. We are committed to working with the county and other partners to ensure access to contraceptives, abortion services and other services that we need, even in cases of even in the case that this week to be overturned. However, I am hopeful that the Supreme Court will find to uphold the president it established in Roe versus Wade. But thank you for this item. And I welcome the opportunity for us to become a city for reproductive freedom and a state that really embraces the rights of women to choose.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman. I have Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for bringing this forward. Thank you to my council colleagues. Alan Price, borrow for your comments. Hey, you know what we've seen in Washington, D.C., in terms of partizanship and gridlock? All it's done is force local governments to find ways to expand what we traditionally haven't had to do. And I think this is another example of local government thinking about adding additional protection for folks, because we can't count in many ways on consistency from the federal government on issues that are that are critically important. So I think this is a great strategy. So I applaud the L.A. County Board of Supervisors for really being creative and saying, what can we do in the event that is, you know, this landmark this landmark ruling is overturned? What can we do to add an additional layer of protection and safety and comfort to the women here in Long Beach, across L.A. County? And so I think that's incredible. And so I just wanted to chime in at my, you know, my strong, unequivocal support and to thank my colleagues for bringing this forward. Thanks a lot. Thank you. Councilman Ringo. Thank you, Mayor, and to my council colleagues for bringing this forward. I totally agree with all the commentary there. We are in dangerous times, and if we don't do something now to prepare ourselves, we'll be in a very bad spot once the season goes forward. Hopefully won't. But we have to be prepared. And I sit in solidarity with my council colleagues. Thank you. Councilman, Councilmember Austin. Thank you so much. This is just a reminder that issues matter of political ideology, matters of Supreme Court justices. Those decisions whose make who sits on the bench matters. This is an issue that is a landmark if you thought it was settled many years ago. But it has served as a litmus test for an issue in a very divisive issue for many, many years. I wasn't going to say anything this evening because this is this is a matter of women's reproductive rights. And I want to yield to those my colleagues who we have a great deal of respect for. The majority of our city council today are women. And so absolutely, I stand with women and I stand with my wife. I stand with the women in our country who are standing up for our reproductive rights. And I certainly support this item. I think we have to be very, very strategic, just like we were with. The immigration reforms that were coming down and the draconian kind of efforts that were coming from Washington, D.C., from the administration just a few years ago, we designated ourself as a sanctuary city. In this regard, we are going to stand strong and show as the city that we stand up for women's reproductive rights. So I'm happy to support. City councilman, Councilmember Superdome. Thank you, Mayor Garcia. I would also like to thank the councilman who brought this item forward. And I'd just like to state that as the father of a daughter and grandfather of two granddaughters, I stand in support of this item. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. Let me go ahead and we will make sure if there's public comment and if there is, we'll go to that right now. But I just want to add one thing. Mr. Murphy, as we develop the motion that certainly when the report comes back, it will also be great to hear from the health department as to how we are, how we're preparing as far as these partnerships and what we're currently doing as the date, as it relates to reproductive health and and what our partnerships look like. We obviously have a Planned Parenthood clinic in the city and in services and other agencies as well. And so be great to get that as well. Is there any public comment on this, Madam Kirk?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine. Our first speakers, Tiffany, Simon, Davey.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Tiffany Simone, Navy fourth District resident, sworn to speak in support of this item. I think. You know, just and, you know, women haven't gone through enough. There's there's always more to overcome. Sisyphean feat, they say. Looking forward to seeing this item again when it returns. Being able to read that memo that will be issued in support and really hope to see, perhaps, you know, a detailed guide for residents of the city, you know, this year, possibly from the public health department, you know, for those residents already residing here and thus something to make it easier to know. There are, I believe if you ever use two of the most popular abortion, you know, search sites there are really only showing two clinics, although I know there are other private offices as well as those in the area. So just looking forward to again seeing, you know, collaboration between the Black Health Equity Collaborative as well and really glad to see, you know, former first council district now current senator. Supporting S.B. 245, which just made it to it through its third reading. You can go ahead and resign this comment with saying. Also hope the city can draft a similar memo to support the passing of the VRA.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speakers, Sue and Vasquez.
Speaker 1: Good evening, everyone. I hope you can hear me. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And the city council members. My name is Selina Vasquez, and I'm the chief external affairs officer for Planned Parenthood, Los Angeles. I'm also a daughter and a mother of a young child and teens. I want to thank the city of Long Beach for your foresight and for working alongside Los Angeles County, as well as the state building off of what Governor Gavin Newsom, the pro tem and the speaker and the California legislators have recommended to preserve abortion access and the breadth of reproductive health care services to reduce health disparities and inequities. This item should not be happening at a more critical time. You do have the health department in your jurisdiction. Planned Parenthood. Los Angeles does have a. Very robust presence in the city of Long Beach. And we see hundreds of thousands of patients every year at the Long Beach Health Center. As a result of the end of this federal right to abortion access, we have been preparing and we are already seeing patients from Texas and other states. We know that more people will travel here and we have to be prepared to ensure and increase access to abortion. Last month, we marked the 49th anniversary of Roe v Wade, and we're sobered and really understanding that this moment could be her last birthday. We just want to thank you again for your leadership, your fierce commitment to ensuring access and to ensure that wherever a person comes from, whether it is in the city of Long Beach, the county, Texas, we will make sure that access is protected regardless of what the Supreme Court will do. What regardless of what the courts are doing. So, Mr. Mayor and council members that are in support and that have spoken up and have shared their perspectives, you speak on behalf of all of the patients that we serve in your city, that we serve in the county, and that we serve in this great state of California, the Reproductive Freedom State. Male grace Yes.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you and thank you to Linda Vasquez, a great partner here in Long Beach. And as a reminder to the community and to the council, I would recommend, if you haven't had a chance to visit the incredible facility that it has that serves these tens of thousands of patients on a regular basis. I think you heard the numbers from from his past, because right now I would recommend that you do. So it's a really incredible facility here in our community. And with that, I want to go and take the vote. If we can do the roll call, vote, please. Madam Fourth.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District for.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 0: District five. District six.
Speaker 1: By.
Speaker 0: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District eight.
Speaker 2: II.
Speaker 0: District nine.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you, city council. We will be moving on to the. I think we have actually one item of unfinished business, I think, which was 28. And then we'll do general public comment and then go to the regular agenda.
Speaker 0: Item 28 Report from Development Services Recommendation to adopt a resolution declaring the Long Beach Community Investment Company owned property located at 4151 East Fountain Street as exempt surplus land District three. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager and Long Beach Health and Human Services in coordination with Planned Parenthood and other reproductive health care advocates meet and develop written recommendations on how Long Beach can partner with Los Angeles County to respond should Roe v. Wade be overturned and report back within 45 days. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0111 | Speaker 0: Item 28 Report from Development Services Recommendation to adopt a resolution declaring the Long Beach Community Investment Company owned property located at 4151 East Fountain Street as exempt surplus land District three.
Speaker 1: Mr. Mayor, can I motion for that? Unfortunately, I have one device that's out of battery, so I can't text you on the Q.
Speaker 2: Yes, there is. Can I get a second, please?
Speaker 1: I get. Councilman Superman's raising his hand.
Speaker 2: Okay, great. Okay. Councilman Supernatural is the second. Is there anything that stat needs to add to this?
Speaker 1: Yes. I would like staff to just briefly talk about the limitations of the use of this particular parcel. And I realize that we're going to be we're only voting tonight to declare surplus land. But assuming that declaration happens this evening, if staff can talk about the limitations of the use of this particular plot of land.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilmember. This is Oscar Orsi. Just wanted to let you know that the city acquired this property with housing successor funds. I see that. That those funds are earmarked for the development of affordable housing. We have other programs and other funds that that fund other things like shelters and other types of programs. But the color of the money for these funds to acquire this property was made with a strict understanding that we would recycle the property and develop affordable housing. As you indicated, Councilmember, this allows us to exempt us from the Surplus Land Act and allows us to offer that property to those that are interested in developing the site for affordable housing purposes only.
Speaker 1: Okay. And I realize we're not voting on any particular projects tonight or anything like that. But I assume, just as we would with any development project, there will be an opportunity for community outreach and discussions before any proposals are accepted.
Speaker 2: That is correct. Councilmember We will follow our customer process at offering this property to those companies and groups that are interested and again, developing the site for affordable housing.
Speaker 1: And will this be by way of an RFP process once it's once it's ready for that that next phase?
Speaker 2: Yes. We typically offer the property for those that are interested. Megan Sorenson can provide you greater details.
Speaker 1: Okay. I think I'm good. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Is your concern, reassurance that you have anything or. No, I'm fine. I just stand in support. Okay, great. There is a motion and a second then any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine. Dave Shuker. Your time again, sir.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Thank you. I support this motion as well to thank council members who brought it forward, as well as the questions that were asked just now. Clearly, we heard earlier this evening that we need more affordable housing construction as well as siting. And I look forward to hearing how not only the RFP will roll out, but what the possibilities space for. This potential project would be in terms of a Title 22 and some of our green building codes. More generally, the issue of where and how to site land. For what purposes? Especially if it's land that has to be remediated. If it's land that's polluted. That's something that the city needs to get ahead of. Thank you. Thank you for that comment, Madam Carper.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you. Well, then we will go ahead and take a vote on this. Real copies.
Speaker 0: District one. District two.
Speaker 1: All right.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District four.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: District five. District six II District seven. By District eight. By District nine.
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring The Long Beach Community Investment Company owned property located at 4151 East Fountain Street (APN 7253-026-029) as "exempt surplus land" as defined in Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(A) and/or 54221(f)(1)(F), and authorize City Manager, or designee, to take any actions and execute any documents necessary to ensure compliance with the Surplus Land Act and State regulations relating thereto. (District 3) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0146 | Speaker 2: Thank you. We're going to move on to the next item, please, Madam Clerk, that's going to be item 18.
Speaker 0: Communication from Councilman Austin. Recommendation to request city manager to work with Long Beach, Continuum of Care partners and all appropriate departments to study acquiring land and funds to support the expansion of the Health and Human Services Department's tiny home shelters and report back within 60 days.
Speaker 2: Austin. You're on mute. Councilman. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you, counsel, for the indulgence of a brought this item forward after many conversations with my homeless service advisory committee. Designee Mr. Jim how you know others in the communities on the ground working with Gibbons in the clear care closet and having conversations with our unhoused neighbors, asking what we could do as a city to better serve and work on this issue of homelessness. For many years, obviously, California has battled increasing rates of homelessness among its population, which is no different at a last point count. Over 2000 individuals were experiencing homelessness in our city, and 78% of those individuals were unsheltered. This is a problem that continues to negatively impact our city and our most vulnerable populations. The ongoing COVID 19 pandemic and its effects on shelter capacity has exacerbated the challenges that individuals experiencing homelessness face daily. And while we continue to address these challenges, is evidence that an innovative approach is necessary to properly mitigate homelessness at this critical time. Critical time, I would just say several innovative approaches needed expanded transitional housing opportunities, particularly tiny home shelters because many of the qualities needed to serve our unhoused. Tony Owen. Soldiers also offer adequate isolation for socially distanced privacy for occupants, quality dwellings that can be built quickly in small areas. And also they provide a bevy of benefits, benefits for both residents and staff. I'd like to take a moment to really acknowledge and commend our health department currently plan to construct and operate 25 to 50 tiny home structures on their site. And what I saw was, I think this is commendable and necessary. Their diligent work will help the pandemic, along with the work of our continuum of care product partners and the possibility of even more funding coming to Sacramento gives me great confidence that an expanded townhome program is really possible in our city. So with this item, I aim to find avenues to support our Health Department's current initiative and activate our continuum of care network in the process, but also challenge us to figure out ways and innovative ways for this item to expand that to community partners, nonprofits, faith based organizations, to expand our capacity to develop tiny homes, shelter throughout the City of Orange. If this is an innovative approach that requires our attention today, obviously I think that that this is not the panacea. This is not the only answer to dealing with our homeless crisis, but is the most immediate solution we have at our disposal. And it's not as expensive to building structures. So with this, I would ask the city council have a robust discussion on this. I think it's imperative that we begin this process now so we may serve sooner, so serve those in need. With that, I ask for your support on this. I thank you. Thank you, Councilman Austin. Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I love this item, Councilman Austin. This is awesome. When we're talking about innovative ways to address some of the biggest issues facing our city, including available housing, especially housing for the unhoused. I think this is a fantastic step in the right direction. And I look forward to reading staff's report on this and working with the community on any outreach. There should be definitely some outreach that gets done and hopefully that's part of the process. But at a high level, this is a fantastic idea and a great, great item. So I'm proud to support it tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Now Truman's in the house.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor, and huge thanks to Councilmember Austin for bringing this item forward. This is a very important especially right now while we're dealing with the health crisis that we're in, when we talk about housing our shelter, it is critical that we emphasize that we are talking about habitable, inhumane conditions of living. This item brings into conversation the need to discuss and address the conditions of the shelters. We as a city offer are individuals experiencing homelessness. How many homes shelters are you hearing there to build and provide a level of space and privacy that is needed during a health emergency, such as the ones that we're living today in L.A. with these tiny houses. Shelters have provided it's not only needed shelter, but also a safe community for people experiencing homelessness with connections to place management that help them get documents, document ready so that they have all the paperwork that they need when they apply to programs and jobs, which is very, very important to feel supported and to feel like somebody's actually cheering for you to succeed. I am hoping that the report will provide more details on how those how many tiny houses we would be able to build in Long Beach and where as well as how often would they need to be remodeled or replaced. In addition, I look I look forward to receiving more information on what the process for qualifying for a tiny home house would potentially look like, and the stats of the already existing tiny houses project in cities like me. There are so many more questions, right? But I am certainly motivated by this innovative approach to addressing homelessness and I'm very much looking forward to receiving this report and seeing what the feasibility would be of expanding such a program here into the city of Long Beach. Again, thank you, Councilmember Austin, for bringing this very important item forward.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Next up is council member. Councilor Customer Austin again. Thank you. I do have other I have another councilmember cued up. Did you want to go now or at the end? It's okay. Are you okay? Let me go to the other members that are cued up. I have Vice Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman Allen. Thank you. Thank you to my colleagues, councilman. Awesome bringing this forward. And we've talked about tiny homes for some time. Just a couple questions for staff. I thought there was a proposal that will allow springs at some point to explore. Do we evaluate something that will allow springs for tiny homes? Who's going to self-report on this? Hoosier. So we have our Health and Human Services Director here. I don't recall something specifically for four Willow Springs, but we can look into that discussion on a few locations just and would like an update on where they are. It was like, well, spring. I know we talked about Inside the warehouse, which was a feasible warehouse at the ABC shelter and some other efforts. Can we just speak to that?
Speaker 5: Councilmember.
Speaker 1: Can you hear me there? You hear me?
Speaker 2: I can hear you.
Speaker 5: Okay. So we have not looked at sites like springs. We looked at some sites. We are currently looking at the MSI. We'll continue to be looking for other sites that the Willow Springs is not originally inside the camp.
Speaker 2: Mm hmm. And the MSI, you know, I know there was a talk about the warehouse and site once we acquired the warehouse outside of the ABC. Where did that discussion go?
Speaker 5: That discussion has not continued at that stage because we're looking at what the possibility of that overall site will look like. The infiltrating homes. So in the funding courses that we're currently aware of, there's a 15 year commitment to the tiny homes. So we would need to be able to carry those forward to either the site we originally land them on or into the future. So we're looking for longer term sites going forward. And the ABC site did not was not a fit for those criteria.
Speaker 2: Okay. And I know there was a conversation that everyone at home and some exploration of state dollars. What are the state dollars is the idea roomkey is that we're talking about switching from what i just want to roomkey opportunities.
Speaker 5: We are looking to apply for roomkey, but we're also looking to explore for. I mean, we're actually putting in a proposal for tiny homes for the masses. So we are putting forward in this round one, round two for the Multi-Service Center for 10 to 20 or 30, 20, 25 sites at the Mercy. And then through this item, we would also be looking at additional sites for residents.
Speaker 2: Now, the last question is really about the development of tiny homes. So I you know, I've heard, you know, for years, you know, folks would have the ideas about tiny homes or container homes. And I know that in development services, we've had some challenges with establishing whatever standards that we need to have to make these things possible . What are we doing from a planning standpoint to prepare, let's say, a developer set in how to have a small parcel? And I want it developed for tiny homes, you know, as opposed to, you know, a commercial building, whatever it is. And we, you know, updated what our pathways are or regulations around tiny homes or modular, modular homes. So the container. Vice mayor. This is Christopher Coons from Development Services. So there's two. Parallel answers to that question. So we're we're working with the health department and the item in front of you, the health department administered tiny homes that specifically target homeless individuals through provisions of state law, were able to waive various provisions of our own rules, as well as state rules because of the crisis of unhoused persons and the shelter crisis in the city. So there's a very straightforward process for that. You're asking a different question, which is not the city, but Joe Philanthropy Street Developer walks in and says, I want to build four tiny homes. So we're still bound by various rules. The tiny homes need to be certified by the California Department of Housing and Community Development as a modular construction forum. The good news is that a lot of different models of modular housing have been approved over the last couple of years. There's a major manufacturer not in our city, but in the next city over. And and we our staff, our engineering staff and development services have done tours of the factory to help us better understand how the modular construction works. We still have to plan check aspects of those projects because they need utilities, they need water and they need electricity, and you want that to be done safely. So we have a process. We haven't seen a lot of interest from the development community in terms of tiny homes, which, you know, if you're thinking of what you see on HGTV and you know, this cute thing on wheels, but what we do see a lot of interest in is more modular type construction, whether that's in the form of an 80 unit backyard or a larger construction of an apartment building, if you think of it being put together and just like a Lego set . So that technology has come a long ways and we do permit those structures, but we're just starting to see them today. So we don't have a lot of examples yet, but when we talk in a year, we'll probably have more to report back. Oh, sorry.
Speaker 5: I just I just want to add from the different perspective, so tiny homes, modular housing as a shelter perspective also includes services. And so it's a place for at different sites is not our strongest proposal in terms of the ability to work with folks, provide the case management and other services to move these people into permanent homes . So I think there are multiple conversations here to look at.
Speaker 2: Look, I think we have to be as creative as we can. I certainly like making sure we pay our services. But if there's a private model out there, you know, because I'm hearing about things around tiny rooms and services, we just have to be open to make sure that, you know, whatever policies we have locally, we're able to explore. But, you know, I think this is certainly a step in the right direction. Look forward to the report. Thank you. Councilman Allen.
Speaker 1: I thank you, mayor. I also want to thank council member Austin ran this forward. I think it's an interesting and promising item, especially since there is state funding to support expanding shelter beds. So I'm happy to support more housing to get folks off the street and connected with that coordinated services.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman Austin. Mr. Mayor, I want to defer to public comment at this point. Great. Let's go ahead and go to the public comment and we'll come back. Have comment and then to an awesome wrap up.
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand feature. Our first speakers Lee Charlie.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman. Austin Today I spent 3 hours and got a self-guided tour at the West V.A., the West L.A. VA. They actually have 32 tiny homes that are in operation as of three or 4 hours ago. I learned a whole lot and I hope that maybe we can expand and improve on what I saw this afternoon and be a little bit more forward. First of all, accessibility and location is key. They must be near transportation where they can either get a bus line or a train. The whole goal and intent of a tiny home is to get permanent housing and get employment. So I think the report really should look at how close and how feasible the accessibility to the cost. I would encourage the city to look at these two echo cubes ranch which have solar panels pet friendly and have a mini garden. And fortunately, many tiny shelters and tiny homes do not accept pets. Also, there's a lot of unhoused and Lumbee that I speak to almost daily that are couples married and the tiny homes. Only the ones I saw only have one. So please think about that as well. Also, we need to have some kind of wraparound service, 24 hour emergency hospital or emergency service if there was a medical emergency. Also, I think that having some tiny homes, I know of three areas that would be very beneficial. And District one and district two where a large concentration of the unhoused are. And I know tomorrow and Thursday we're having our point of time training and then we're going to be counting and getting an accurate number for our city. Please look at where the highest concentration of unhoused are, and maybe we could put some tiny homes there. And then also, I learned today risk assessment and time frame. Well, and how a person have six months, a year or two years to find permanent housing, permanent employment. And then also the risk assessment really needs to be taken care of. There's LGBTQ youth that I spoke with yesterday. They're students living in cars. They're in a house. There's two pregnant women along the 710 that need help. An elderly man has cancer. There's a woman that was raped eight times the last three months. So what is the risk assessment priority of who gets these homes and not? And I would ask that all these reports, maybe questions be looked at. But I'm super excited about Tiny Homes and I personally will take anyone on city council, our staff and my car to go visit the West, L.A. West, L.A. VA. It's only a 25 minute drive if you go in the afternoon. It's quite enlightening. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: Your next speaker is Brandon Washington.
Speaker 2: Sorry about that, folks. I want to thank you for having me again. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you, city council members. Again, my name is Brandon Washington. I am a board member with the Long Beach Continuum of Care Board. I am the board member with lived experience of homelessness. So this issue is of particular note to me. Folks, there are a lot of questions around tiny homes, and I really want to thank Mr. Charlie. You kind of stole my thunder here. I am a licensed clinical social worker. Other than my board role at the West Los Angeles V.A. and the tiny home project that he was referring to is called Stress in S.T.A.R. Se. What we do is we combine these tiny homes with treatment and rehab rehabilitative services. It is a low barrier to entry outreach program. And what we do is we provide homeless veterans or unhoused veterans with a clean living area, regular access to medical care and, of course, behavioral health services. And like you mentioned, they are close to transportation. The same project could be undertaken here in Long Beach, and we could be using a model similar to what is being used in West L.A., since we have our own Health and Human Services as well as a V.A. hospital here. The project could start as a veteran based project and be expanded from that veteran based project to a all citizen wide project. I mean, make sure that you are aware that these aren't just thrown together projects. When I initially heard things about Tiny Homes, I thought it was just a way to divert funds away from traditional brick and mortar buildings. However, these shelters have an added benefit that people haven't really played into, and that is the social component of creating these very small communities. Those small communities actually help these folks along with those supportive services that they're receiving to lower the rate of reverse ism into homelessness. Now, these tiny shelters are completely equipped with beds, mattresses, their fire lined with safety equipment, air conditioning, heating. And of course, these shelters provide additional privacy and protection from the elements, making the participants more comfortable as they work with their case managers, licensed clinical social workers and MSW. Just like we have here in Long Beach, and especially with our wonderful, wonderful teaching and training institutions like Cal State that have a massive amount of social workers who could be utilizing the the service, offering their services via practicum, where they would be learning and helping our homeless population here in Long Beach. Now, there are also several organizations that have that can choose your time again.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Melissa Williams.
Speaker 1: Hello again. Thank you again for your time. Again, I'm here with a project, Dignity.
Speaker 0: Most of us.
Speaker 1: Started out as volunteers with AOC seven Neighborhood Group, and we've brought together a lot of local organizations who work with our unhoused neighbors for some mentorship and just to form a coalition. And we were here to.
Speaker 4: Support this idea of.
Speaker 1: The tiny home development. And furthermore, with one of our partners, we've identified one piece of land that seems unused. It's adjacent to the 710 Freeway. The address is 1325 to 1395 West Carson Street. One of our partner organizations.
Speaker 4: The Long Beach Hair.
Speaker 1: Closet, has been working with several members of the unhoused.
Speaker 4: Community who live at that location.
Speaker 1: And he's been working with them.
Speaker 4: To clean up trash and do outreach and bring supplies. And we identified that piece of land. And we really just hope that this tiny homes idea can continue to be explored and come to fruition in our city. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Tai Do.
Speaker 2: I appreciate the opportunity to speak to you at a normal pace. I want to reiterate Melissa Williams's comments, but specifically with her project, Dignity. You know, I live in a housing project. It's called Beachwood Apartments. It's half of this. And Magnolia there in my lobby, there is a the size of a 32 inch television plaque applauding the city of Long Beach. The mayor, former Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, as well as former city manager Patrick West for creating low and affordable housing. You know, you put yourself in the position of the person living here. Do you want literally every guest that comes to my home knows that I'm here? If you don't. Think about these items in construction, then you do not you cannot dignified people and lift them up to employment. I'm sorry, but literally things like that suggest that the city does not understand what it means to have dignity and to move from low income to high income. So I specifically with item 11 as well as these tiny home projects. Please assure me that any plaque that you may erect it to applaud yourself for. And I think you should be applauded. Right. But I think those things should be in resource rooms and not be available for public view for every guest that comes by. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Mary Simmons.
Speaker 1: Good evening again, Mary Simmons with Project Dignity. I really want to encourage the council to support.
Speaker 5: The expansion of the Health and Human Services tiny home shelters.
Speaker 1: For individuals experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, our coalition has identified a.
Speaker 5: Property we feel that the city should consider for acquisition and development of tiny homes. The property is a large lot adjacent to the 710 Freeway. 1325 1395 West Carson Street. One of our project, Dignity Partner Organizations has worked with a large community of unhoused individuals near the location, and we had a chance to visit that location on Sunday.
Speaker 1: Tiny homes are an important transitional.
Speaker 5: Resource for unhoused individuals who.
Speaker 1: May not be able to go to traditional shelters tiny homes paired with crucial.
Speaker 5: Basic needs. And resources can help provide unhoused neighborhoods with dignity and support as well as. As well as work towards stability. So I live near the Anaheim Street corridor and I see the daily struggles and challenges and it's just heartbreaking.
Speaker 1: So I'm hoping that, you know, I think Councilman.
Speaker 5: Austin for bringing this forward and thank you, Kelly and Christopher, for bringing in the information. The data is important and thank you, Brendan, for sharing your experience as well. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Our next speaker is Tarek Foll.
Speaker 1: Hello. I'm sorry. I was changing my costume. Whether it's actually Pam try to sway into a wrong zoom account. Sorry about that. Good evening and thank you for your time tonight. My name is Pam Tara. Like I said, I'm a 20 year resident here in Long Beach. I'm now in 32. I wasn't 54. I am a volunteer with 87 and with Project Dignity. And I just want to support my fellow community organizers here that I've already spoke and just say how crucial this project is needed for our our unhoused neighbors. And really preparing these tiny homes in a place, a clean place with basic needs, such as, you know, basic mental health care and medical care is very, very important. And as my colleague also mentioned, the place where we went that care closet took us to, they were saying that there was trash there for nine years that had been built up for that long. And it just makes me sad to think that it took organizing of people that were in house to actually do that work and just put that into your perspective. Thank you again, council member Austin, for bringing this word. And I really hope that we start seeing some action on this item. Thank you again.
Speaker 3: I think our next speaker is Russia.
Speaker 1: Good evening again. My name is Jose Torres and I'm also part of Project Dignity. Like the speakers before me, as I mentioned, we did go and have a tour this.
Speaker 4: Sunday.
Speaker 1: And it was very insightful. The property that we are is a large lot is adjacent to the 710 Freeway. The address is 1325 through 1395 West Carson. Our partner and project entity care closet Long Beach has been working with the large community about housing individuals near that location.
Speaker 4: Giving them a sense of purpose.
Speaker 1: It's really important for all of us to not just think about our own house neighbors.
Speaker 4: As a burden, but also they are our neighbors.
Speaker 1: So let's think as human beings and let's not wait a year or more to bring housing, more tiny home housing in Long Beach or tiny homes that can be found throughout L.A. County. Let's bring tiny home to Long Beach sooner than later. Homeless residents can't wait. And with those tiny homes, we bring critical resources.
Speaker 4: Everything in one location to uplift our neighborhoods. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker tonight can be.
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you for hearing me, Counsel. First, I want to thank the eighth District Council in Austin for bringing this item to the agenda tonight. I think that tiny homes are a great opportunity for us to draw people out of the streets and empower.
Speaker 4: And.
Speaker 2: Friendly with respect to placing them in housing. Situations that are agreeable to the reality of what it looks like in the end to find them in a scarcity model that we're facing here in California. With that said, I'd be curious to see what happens at entities that we can partner with. There was a reference by staff.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Jim Howitt.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Jim Howitt. I have been working with the homeless for probably about 30 years. And everything everybody has said before are all true. But one thing that I noticed in working, particularly with homeless individuals or unhoused individuals, you probably call them, is their sense of community they have among themselves. When I first heard about the tiny home concept, I visited a few of the villages in Seattle, and what I saw there were individuals helping each other, getting sober and getting dealing with all the problems and moving into permanent housing. In other words, they had become a community. And I think that's very important. Sometimes we forget that the unhoused do live in communities among themselves. And to me, that is one of the important things the tiny homes do that allows them to live in a community where they can support each other. It also provides stability. That you have a place to be where you can get services and everything that you need can be what you can work with it at that point. And another point that a few people have mentioned is dignity. There is a dignity in having a house and having a place to do what some might call your own. You know, the old saying is that home is where the heart is. It isn't necessarily a building or a house or whatever it is, but it's where you believe you belong. And that's what I think that we give people when we talk about the tiny homes that we give them a place that they can call their own and they can start that process of moving on, doesn't it? We don't know exactly how long it's going to take, but we can work with them and they can make those moves they need to do to transition into permanent housing. I really support this and I really think the councilman for bringing this up, if he knows I've been been somewhat of a passion of mine and. I think it is probably the best way would come about to work with individuals who are not how. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Right. Thank you. Let me just add that I am absolutely a strong supporter of the tiny house concept. I think we've seen it work in other places. And so thank you to Councilman Austin for bringing this in front of the council and thank you to the staff. I know that I continue to explore new models to help folks that are unhoused and also really great to see so many community members also just coming forward to say that they welcome these types of opportunities for housing even in their neighborhood. And so that's it's really always encouraging to see so thank you talked to them and very supportive of of this and and Mr.. Mr.. Modica, I know that you had already been looking for some state money for projects like this for different types of, of solutions. Is that something you're still feeling pretty confident about? Yes. So besides the money that we've set aside in the Recovery Act, we'll certainly be looking at Project HOMEKEY as one of our top priorities, and it absolutely qualifies. And so we're going to be putting together a very strong application for that. Great. Thank you. And then the council in Austin is going to cause a stir. Yes. Again, I want to thank all of my colleagues. We are very encouraging words and for your support of this particular item. Again, I want to just lift up for Mr. Graham how it serves on our on the Service Advisory Committee. He's been advising me and talking to me about this particular issue of tiny homes for literally years now. And so I want to thank him for coming forward and speaking for all to all of our public speakers. I know that this is a passion for many in our community who want to see us resolve and get to immediate solutions on this issue of homelessness. I think the city council I mean, we're going to get a report back in 60 days, like the minute the instructions or the recommendation if if I might, just to include working with potential public private partnerships, community partners to try to. To construct and build and locate tiny home communities. That's okay, Senator of Motion. And I'd also like to just as a as a council, we should we should be not closed in it, but be very deliberate. And when this item comes back, I'd like to for us to set some some real goals in terms of what we'd like to accomplish, in terms of housing people in tiny homes and and building this into our every one home kind of strategic approach. And so with that, I would love to have your vote support on this. Thank you so much, everyone. Roll call vote, please.
Speaker 0: District one. Received District two.
Speaker 1: By.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District four.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 0: District five. District six. I. District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District eight.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: District nine.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried eight zero.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Let's take the next item please. Erm which I believe is the current presentation, I repeat the 1990. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with Long Beach Continuum of Care Partners and all appropriate departments to study the feasibility of acquiring land and funds to support the expansion of the Health and Human Services Department’s Tiny Home Shelters for individuals experiencing homelessness, and report back within 60 days. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0147 | Speaker 2: Thank you. Let's take the next item please. Erm which I believe is the current presentation, I repeat the 1990.
Speaker 0: Report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a presentation by the City Manager's Office on the status of recent initiatives by the Aquarium of the Pacific Citywide. Good evening. Mayor and city council members. This is a presentation to from the aquarium of the Pacific. That facility is one of the city's most valued and recognized assets. It attracts millions of visitors to the city each year. And the city has maintained a strong partnership with the board of directors and the executive staff at the aquarium who operate and manage it on a day to day basis. Consistent with this partnership, the Aquarium team periodically provides an update on their program initiatives and their overall financial status to this body and to that tonight. That's the nature of this presentation. So I would like to introduce Peter Cava. He is the aquarium CEO and he will kick off this presentation. Thank you, Peter.
Speaker 2: Okay. Start again. I don't know. Mayor and vice mayor and distinguished councilmembers. Thank you for the opportunity to speak with you this evening. My name is Peter Cribb and I'm the CEO and president of the Aquarium of Pacific has it. With me this evening is Edgefield, the Aquarium of Pacifics board chair, and Anthony Brown, the aquarium's chief financial officer. We come before you to thank the city for its ongoing support. Your support uplifted our staff. Your support enabled us to not only survive the last two pandemic years, it allowed us to thrive. And so, in addition to thanking you, we want to share some of our new programs and we want to share our financial results. Next slide. Starting with the programs when the pandemic hit. Suddenly, there were no more yellow school busses parked outside the aquarium. Nonetheless, we found ways to connect with our youth. We developed online education programs that reached over 200,000 students who were stuck at home. We mastered that new short form of communication tik-tok and built a global following of 2.5 million. Yes, 2.5 million tik-tok followers. Learning about our otters, learning about our sharks, our penguins. And so much more. Next slide. This next new program is my personal favorite. And let's hear from Anthony Brown, as he describes it. Thank you, Peter. In 2020, we developed the idea of an African-American scholar program. After raising sourcing over $100,000 in early 2021, we awarded scholarships to ten college students with studies in the areas related to the field of aquarium. Each scholar received $10,000 and ongoing engagement with the aquarium. And I'm pleased to announce that our second cohort. Of 11 students. Have been identified. Our scholarship committee has identified these students and we will acknowledge them. As the newest class of scholars at our African American Festival on February 26. While the monetary award has certainly been meaningful to these scholars, these students have communicated that the community building, the networking, the support by the aquarium has been invaluable towards their future. Next slide. Picking up from Anthony. In the last few months, we have created an American Indian Fellowship. It may be one of the. Only once in the nation and a Hispanic fellowship program. These programs bring young people to the aquarium to participate in meaningful mission related work and to learn important professional skills. Finally, another new initiative we are introducing is the opportunity for students to gain transferable college credit courses in marine conservation and science from our facility. This is free to high school students and could be a gateway to STEM fields. Next slide. Then there is conservation. During the pandemic. Our specially trained staff have been out along the shoreline, rescuing and recovering our precious wildlife. You see some of them here in protective gear. Sea turtles, elegant terns and oiled seabirds. We are also developing a sea otter surrogacy program that will foster baby otters to release back into the wild. We are becoming a leader in California conservation. Next slide. And I now I'd like to turn it over to Anthony. Thank you again, Peter. So the aquarium, the Pacific, operates and runs its financials on a calendar fiscal year. And what I have here is an illustration of the last three years. In 2019 pre-pandemic, the aquarium enjoyed its best year ever with its major expansion, complete and total operating revenue reaching a historical high of 41 million. And of course, in 2020, with the pandemic and the aquarium was only fully open for 91 days. We were fully closed for more than two months and partially opened with outdoor only access for the majority of the year. We suffered tremendously. You can see a net loss of nearly 13 million and earnings. I'm pleased to report, though, in 2021, with pent up visitor demand and record level spending in retail and annual memberships, we achieved 43 million in total operating revenues. Operating expenses were offset significantly by a 10 million federal grant that the aquarium was able to switch to get awarded. And so favorable revenue and expenses resulted in a net earnings finishing at a historic high of 22 million. Next slide, please. This allowed the aquarium to focus on recovery and growth. We work together with city leaders in Treasury, Financial Management and the city manager's office to achieve the following results. We reestablished our operating and operating reserve account. We created with the city a financial model that uses the surplus that I talked about to secure rent obligation of 2.2 million per year that we pay for more than four years. And also, it allocates the same amount, 2.2 million a year for four plus years towards a capital account to improve the city's facility. During the pandemic, the city allowed the aquarium to pay off our $10 million loan early. This loan was granted in 2017 by the city to help the aquarium with the timing of construction payments versus the contribution for our capital campaign. And most notably, our our 2021 financial results were achieved without the need to exercise the option to use the two loans the City Council had previously approved. The $2.2 million in 2020 we thought we might need to fulfill our rent covenant. And then also in early 2021, we had our four or $5 million loan option to pay for rent and to cover operating expenses if we remained close. Never. We never needed to exercise those loans. And so the results that you saw on the earlier slide reflect the hard work and commitment of the staff here and now. I would like to introduce our newly elected board chair, MPO, who will conclude this presentation. Thank you, Anthony. Next slide, please. In closing, we thank the city for its support of the aquarium during the period of our shutdown. With the support of the city and that of our members and donors and the significant efforts of the aquarium staff, the aquarium has come into 2020 to an excellent financial condition. We believe the Aquarium of the Pacific is a wonderful resource for the students and citizens of Long Beach and adds to the reputation of the city as a leader in marine sciences. The staff and board of the aquarium value the continuing strong partnership with the city and look forward to future collaboration on important issues related to education, the environment and the city itself. Thank you.
Speaker 0: So that concludes the the presentation by the aquarium staff is available to answer any questions you might have.
Speaker 2: Let me go to Councilwoman Zendejas.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. I motion to set this presentation. Thank you very much. I just want to say thank you to the aquarium for being such fantastic partners. I think it's amazing all of the things that you are doing for so many of us here in. Here in Long Beach. I fallen in love with the Aquarium of the Pacific since before it was built, which was a long, long, long time ago. And you have just come through over and over again. So I'm very, very thankful to have you. You're one of our true gems here in the city. Thank you for providing this presentation and thank you for truly highlighting the beauty of our amazing aquarium. It is mesmerizing to learn all about the work that you continue to do in our aquarium, even though times have been difficult. You still seem to push through and push forward and on to gain that many followers. That is that may seem to be an aquarium and actually you know be able to. Just to capture that big of an audience. I know. I love watching your take pass on the face again, you guys. That I mean I'll give you some details. You guys are pretty, pretty creative. So I just have to give you an applause for that. I also want to thank you for the opportunity that I had when you asked me and invited me to be a judge for your Tai Chi film festival, which was geared towards high school students all over that competed in this unique film festival where they were able to betray their relationship with the ocean, with the with the animals in the ocean through film. And that was just such a great experience to watch all of these. Fantastic. You've come forward with some amazing ideas and be able to showcase them and be able to have a red carpet event for them, which is what you had when you announced the winners. And I just was so honored to be part of this, along with Councilwoman Allen. And I just want to thank you for all the wonderful work that you do. And I just want to remind you what a valuable asset you are here to our city of Long Beach. And thank you for all you do for not only our community, but especially our children. You always have programs that focus on them. And I just want you to know that I will keep supporting in any way that I can. And also thank you again for also hosting the Human Ability Festival that happens every year. That was back this year. That is a very special event for me, very close to my heart. And it's super, super special to be to be having that big solarium. So, again, thank you so much.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 1: I thank you, Mayor. And I agree with everything that Councilwoman De has just said. Thank you, Dr. Riva, for the wonderful presentation. You are absolutely a wonderful person and just such a great partner in our city and our region. I love hearing about all of your your tip top and just all of your engagement during COVID. I think you and your team, you guys are just, you know, innovative and resourceful. So congratulations on all of that success. I also love seeing the African American Scholar program, the American Indian Fellowship Program, the Expanded Fellowship Program, the Festival of Human Ability. And so I you know, equity is really equity and access is is very important to me. And and I know it's important to you, too, with all the conversations that I have had. So I just want you to know I can't wait until we have the the district two nights at the aquarium. And I just I just look forward to being able to figure out a date for that. So thank you for your presentation and all the great work that you do.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: You Mayor. I just want to add to Councilmember Sunday has been Allen's comment that I'm so relieved and happy to hear that you have financially been able to not only exceeded what you were able to generate prior to the pandemic, because I knew that it was concerning when we had to consider how to provide a loan and knew that, you know, that everybody was struggling and so glad to see the creative steps you talk to, making sure that you figure out ways to keep people engaged. I would be honest online with my kids because we have a membership to the Aquarium of the Pacific. We go regularly. I think I'm due for a membership renewal. I'll make sure I do that to continue to support you all and the great work you do. So just really appreciate the team, the board members and all of their hard work and effort to ensure that there's just your you're making sure to reach just such a diverse audience, to engage everyone possible in marine biology and conservation and how to water conservation and all of that. So please keep up the great work and thank you so much for that great update and presentation.
Speaker 2: Councilwoman Mongo, please. Thank you, Councilman Toro.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 4: I've been looking forward to this presentation for quite some time. I'm a big fan. My whole family is a big fan of the aquarium. And every time we have out-of-town guests, of course, it's one of our top priorities, the places we take people. It's an educational opportunity. And I love to see the interns that are so enthusiastic and the volunteers and. Just being at the aquarium is such a blessing to have you in our city is such a blessing. And I'm really proud of.
Speaker 1: The financial changes you've made.
Speaker 4: I'm excited about that and I look forward to following up.
Speaker 1: And learning more about.
Speaker 4: How we turn those Tik-Tok followers into lifetime supporters of the aquarium. Thanks so much.
Speaker 2: Councilman Price.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to echo the comments of my colleagues, and thank you for the presentation, really, really positive presentation. Great to see that this city asset is thriving and continues to bounce back and in really impressive ways after the pandemic. So I really appreciate the presentation. I tell everyone that I talked to you about the aquarium, that the aquarium has a really special place in our family's heart because we were members when the kids were babies. I think our little one wasn't even lifting his head up yet. We had him and a baby and going to the aquarium. And that was just an activity that we really all enjoyed doing as a family. And now he's. Five foot 11 and much different than those days. But our very first fundraiser for the school was that we purchased tickets to a sleepover at the aquarium. So we took our sleeping bags and we spent the night in one of the exhibit rooms with a lot of other families, and it was just the coolest thing. So I always feel like we have a special connection to the aquarium because of that and always and rooting for its success and to do well. So thank you for the presentation and thank you for giving us something so positive to tell our guests and our friends and our our families about this wonderful city asset. It really does make us proud. And it's one of those city assets, I think that's worth the investment because of the work of the board to ensure that we're not taking risks that are not measured in regards to this specific city asset. And in fact, the investment that we're putting into this asset is is being rewarded in many ways back to us. So thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I have actually that was all of the councilmembers. Do we have any public comment on this.
Speaker 3: At this time? If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine. Our first speakers tie do.
Speaker 2: I, um, I just wanted to also second Councilwoman Van de Haas's comment about human abilities. I would ask that the museum consider joining the Museums and Zoos for all program, which provides a $3.3 admission price to those holding an ID card. I would like to remind the museum that it's probably the only museum in Long Beach that isn't a part of that program. And I'm certainly well aware that you have a disability day as well as a seniors day. So if you are unable to immediately join the Museum's for all program, I would ask that you at least provide a quarterly free day for those with disabilities. And those over 62 I think is currently what the ages and that is all. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you. And as we go to a vote, I just want to, of course, also just thank our aquarium team and great new leadership. One of the best things about our city, this incredible research institution, attraction sanctuary, uh, just so many different roles of different plays in our community and just grateful that it's there, it's expanding, and it welcomes so many amazing families, obviously, in person and and online as well. And so thank you for that presentation. And we're going to roll call Brooklyn's.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to.
Speaker 1: My.
Speaker 0: District three. My District four.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District five i. District six i. District seven. District eight. All right. District nine.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a presentation by the City Manager’s Office on the status of recent initiatives by the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0148 | Speaker 2: Thank you. Next up will be item 20.
Speaker 0: Report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on the 2021 Independent Redistricting Commission for the City of Long Beach Citywide. Okay. Mayor, just like to acknowledge that the work of the Independent Redistricting Commission is completed and their final report has been shared with the City Council, and it's been posted on the city's website. Bradley Bounds will provide an overview of the Commission's work, as well as a summary of their final report and the recommendations for the city's next redistricting effort. I want to take this time to acknowledge and thank the collaborative effort by multiple city departments to try to complete this effort. So thank you to the city clerk's office, to the city manager's office, as well as the city attorney's office. It was a challenging but it was a very a very positive experience. And we are at the conclusion and I will turn it over to Bradley to make a brief summary of the work of the Commission. Bradley.
Speaker 3: Thank you. So as a brief overview of the process, as everyone here knows that there was an outreach process that happened from August 2019 to 2020, that application period for the from for the commission selection was April 2020 to June 2020 and there was 400 applicants. And the Ethics Commission created that support of 20 to 30 qualified applicants, randomly selected the nine and the remaining four and two members were selected by those nine that were selected. Yeah. So this is the the I.R.S. These are the acting commissioners for the Independent Redistricting Commission, the chair of the Alejandro Gutierrez. And the vice chair is Sharon, Dick Jackson. So before we continue through this presentation, we have to take a break to talk about the communities of interest, because this was very integral to the work of the commission. So what a community of interest is, it's a connected population that shares common and socio economic interests that should be included within a single district for its fair and effective representation. Some examples. Some examples are cultural or historical bonds, shared economic interests, and shared racial. Ethnic or religious identities and neighborhoods. So the work of the commission, they held 17 training and business meetings. Those meetings were designed to train them into being a commissioner, also providing them information on redistricting fundamentals, the demographics of the city, some public mapping, tool training and a team building meeting. There were ten community of interest outreach meetings held as well. These ten meetings were comprised of nine district specific meetings intended to receive communities of interest, feedback from the public to inform them for the mapping hearings. And there was one citywide meeting to make sure we covered all of the bases. And the six mapping hearings occurred between October and November. So how we got the word out on this project, we had a three phase engagement plan education, motivation and activation. Through these phases, we kept equity in mind by promoting digital in print advertisements that were translated into Spanish, into Gaelic with the educate phase. It was to introduce the public to the commission, but also provide the basics of redistricting of motivate phase was the period but for the the communities of interest hearings that get information from the public regarding their community and also train about the public mapping tool workshops. And the activate phase was to encourage public the public to draft maps and that was from October to December. So with all the work that the Commission and staff put in regarding communities of interest testimony, there was 772 communities of interest forum submissions. 16 total hours of public comment heard. Over 1000 pages of emails submitted from the community in 90 C0 II mapping tool submissions and 110 partial and full district plan submissions by the public. Using all of the information that they received as a commission, they were able to create the new district plan map, and that was adopted on November 18th, 2021. And the map became effective on December 18th, 2021. So as a final act of the commission, they were they transmitted a report with recommendations for future commissions. The first recommendation was regarding application and recruitment. They wanted the project to be clear about the commitment adding to the and adding to it. And as.
Speaker 1: You see.
Speaker 3: They wanted to be clear at the beginning about the time commitment and the limitations on political participation during the term of appointment and the assessment of analytical, analytical skills of applicants. In addition, the Ethics Commission is also planning to form a separate report highlighting their recommendations regarding the Ethics Commission involvement in the recruitment and selection process for future independent redistricting commissions. The next recommendation was around training that future commissions should receive training assistance from the 2021 commissioners and city staff with direct experience with independent redistricting commissions. Regarding staffing, the commission involvement should be in the budget in spending. The Commission should also be able to select the demographer and also work directly with independent legal counsel and develop rules around commissioner outreach activities. Regarding public input. They wanted to make sure that meetings were held at schools and community centers. If mapping begins after the district specific meetings, then another round of district outreach should occur to avoid skewing towards a political outcome. Incumbents, their staff, consultants, candidates or city lobbyists should be discouraged from participating and provide the commission with a list of registered lobbyists. Regarding the chair and vice chair selection before the selection of the chair and vice chair, a commission should create opportunities to get to know each other and assess leadership skills and also consider the use of an interim chair and vice chair prior to the selection of permanent chairs. During the mapping stage. They should that the next commission should start with public drawn and cause in consultant drawn maps to avoid starting with a blank map and transition to a public live line drawing to increase transparency and allow the public and commissioners to understand the intent behind every line change. So in conclusion, the new map has been delivered to L.A. County, the L.A. County registrar. The map will be used for the 2022 upcoming election. And the Independent Redistricting Commission report has been posted to the redistricting website at Lone Star. Gov. Slash redistricting. Slash Resources. So just as a reminder, the this is a received following a presentation for the 2021 Independent Redistricting Commission for the City of Long Beach. Thank you.
Speaker 0: That concludes the staff report, just acknowledging that the commission came up with a variety of recommendations. And in the coming weeks and months, staff will be reviewing and assessing those recommendations. We will be holding on to those. And the whole idea behind those is to make sure that the next redistricting process is more efficient and a more positive process. And we will be forwarding those recommendations to the next commission. Thank you. We're staff is available for any questions or feedback.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Amy. First, I have a motion to approve the report by Councilmember Gringa. Let me start with customary ringa, and then I have some cues and I'll go through all the cues and then I will speak as well. Thank you, Mayor, for regulating me. Basically, I want to just thank the District Commissioner for all the work that they did. And, of course, to stay positive or to get ready to commission. I think that this report is a very thorough it provides a lot of good ideas for the future commission. We're only eight years away year. I mean, it is not that far. When the next census comes up and we're going to be doing this again. The the recommendation to have it future commission talk to those who already participated in this one. I think it's an excellent one. It's something that they can provide their knowledge and their expertize and experience and work in this commission. How that can work from this all around. And I think that this recommendation, this report basically is a is a matter for future commission as to how they want to participate and how they want to move forward with another redistricting effort. And kudos to the commission as a whole. They maintain their integrity, maintain their professionalism, their competence. They certainly show that in regards to the whole process. And they really maintain their their patience. I mean, they were there. I was looking at it and many times it ended at 1230, 1:00 in the morning. And it was very grueling, I'm sure, for not only the commissioners themselves, but for their families. So thank you, Mayor and I wholeheartedly with this report forward as we see the file. Thank you. I think I think there's a second to receive on file and also with some possible comments and questions. Councilman Nelson. Yes. I'd like to just, first of all, commend the commission staff who spent really long hours working on this this exhaustive process. This was mentally exhausting to watch. And so to be in the midst, in the seat to the decision makers, I know it was not an easy process. So those citizens who were selected for this inaugural independent districting commission should be commended for their their endurance, but also their their efforts to create what and listen to the community . Because I think there was many hours of public comment and input from the community. I think many lessons were learned in this process. And so I do appreciate the report. I'd love to see these maps once. We can. We can. They can be displayed on the. The County Registrar's office. Print them out. We kind of understand them. I think there's been some delays and some lags in terms of efficiencies with the process and obviously the challenges of getting the data which could have been made for a better process overall. And so, again, I wanted to lend my. Kudos and salute the commissioners for their their efforts, their work. Not everybody is happy with the outcomes. Well, no, but that I don't know that this council would have been able to. Draw maps that would have made everybody happy with the outcomes. It's always a very political and politically charged process that that is very difficult to to satisfy the the ideas that everybody has about what a community of interest should be overall. And so that I brought I was the guy that brought forth this concept became a ballot initiative, became reality. And no impacts were made as a result of this independent redistricting commission. I think one way or another, like it or not, the imprint and the commission have made a Long Beach change for for, for for the next two years. And so, again, I want to thank them for their service. Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I appreciate the work of the commission.
Speaker 4: I did have a question on one of the earlier slides. It talks about the amount of participation.
Speaker 1: And one of the things that has been brought.
Speaker 4: To my attention by some constituents was.
Speaker 1: That they felt as though to really participate.
Speaker 4: You couldn't just submit a map. You actually had to go to all.
Speaker 1: The meetings, stay.
Speaker 4: Till.
Speaker 1: Midnight, and really for your voice to be heard.
Speaker 4: You had to continue to raise your voice over and over again. So I guess I would just like to add that. I would love to find a way where are very vocal advocates who spend.
Speaker 1: Considerable hours submitting multiple.
Speaker 4: Options and comments, etc. could be balanced against those.
Speaker 1: That are senior citizens that worked.
Speaker 4: Hard and went to the library and and submitted one comment or one map. And I think that that's something that's interesting about becoming a council member. And we have our regulars that we listen to and we hear their input and their feedback. We also take a lot of time to spend on individuals who make a comment or a question or concern about just one agenda item or something that's just.
Speaker 1: Important to them. And maybe they're not a regular, but we learn their names and we learn the things that are important to them. I know that that's a process.
Speaker 4: That when you become a new council member, you're overwhelmed at first with the high, high touch constituents that call every day. But over time, you work with them to make sure that their issues are addressed, but that they're not more important than the constituent that calls just once. So I would love to know, based on your first slide, I'd love to get a follow.
Speaker 1: Up report on how many people was.
Speaker 4: That if there were 70.
Speaker 1: Maps submitted or 700 maps submitted? Did five people submit.
Speaker 4: 500 of them? I mean, there were people who submitted dozens and dozens of maps, and I'd be interested in knowing what the total person interaction was. And I also think that it would be interesting to see what that interaction was by district in the new maps, because I think that if you did it by district of the new or old maps, you would find.
Speaker 1: That individuals who were really.
Speaker 4: Invested in the way things.
Speaker 1: Were and didn't participate as much, and then they found.
Speaker 4: Out, oh my gosh, things are changing. And if you're things are.
Speaker 1: Changing mid process and maybe you galvanized in the middle of the process.
Speaker 4: Like happened in the third district, but if it changed on you.
Speaker 1: At the very last minute.
Speaker 2: I like the fifth district.
Speaker 1: A lot of people called me and said, Stacy, why didn't you tell us?
Speaker 4: And I said, You know, throughout the process, I provided feedback and update the maps regularly, but it's really up to the commission. And in supporting the initial agenda item I propose by Councilmember Austin.
Speaker 1: I felt as though council members shouldn't be.
Speaker 4: In attendance.
Speaker 1: And supporting and doing those things.
Speaker 4: In the in the volume and in reading the the pink that came from Charlie Park. And then I know that.
Speaker 1: We all followed the rules.
Speaker 4: And that those rules were supported by our city attorney. But it was just a very, very different process for different parts of the city. And so I'd like us to work on that next time. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilmember Supernormal. Thank you. I just have a question for you. I think I heard Bradley Brown say that there was a lot of attention paid to outreach. And I believe, Bradley, if you can correct me if I'm wrong, but you said it, my words, a very robust effort that included both digital and print media. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. So and this is what is a major disconnect from me. Was there any discussion at the commission or by staff explaining to the commission that. If you take a district by district for. And you're only going to retain 20,000 of the residents. Are you going to have that district gain, 30,800 residents? Maybe we should have an equally robust system for alerting those residents of the change. And when you say print and digital. Yeah. Like a postcard program or something like that. So I began asking for this on November 18th. I saw this coming and I didn't wait for it to be finalized on December 18th. So I don't think I'm ever going to get quite that I've asked for. Can you give me the names of the people I can do? The outreach I've received that I did finally get the number, I think that was shared with everyone because I suspect that it was this staggering a number. So I know that's a very long question, but my question but I guess I'll make a very simple. Was the commission ever engaged in this problem that was created? Or was there any comment from staff to them that while you're doing this or did anyone suggest, hey, we better do something moving forward so this all works?
Speaker 0: Uh, Councilman. Super. Now, I, I think that the, the, the commission was really guided by looking more specifically at the communities of, of interest in redrawing the lines. I'm not sure that there was a lot of focus, our attention paid to the the the differences and the ultimate impacts of those lines in terms of the the numbers of of of residents that were leaving a district or coming into a new district. So that is a feedback that we can certainly capture and make a note of so that it can be considered in future redistricting efforts. But I will say that as a result of the new maps, staff has done a very extensive outreach to to publicize the new maps. And that is, in addition to the postcard mailings, there has been extensive social media. There has been neighborhood contacts for all of the Cities Neighborhood Association. So we are making it.
Speaker 2: I have to interrupt for 1/2, Linda. I'm not aware of any postcard mailings.
Speaker 0: That is in process. And those I think we communicated with your staff earlier today that we just got the date that that will go out next week. But that is in.
Speaker 2: Process so that they may go out next week. And that would be two months after this is finalized, three months after we knew the data. So that's my issue, is that this simply was not addressed. The report tonight, if I had this the final year that I'll have them, we're going to go guess what? Our issues are just starting. And I know for my district, we have another district that had gained 211 new residents. I gained 30,800. So I'm just asking that moving forward, that included in the plan, if we're going to put that much effort into outreach, let's get something together for after the fact and how we communicate to the residents of these massive changes. Because every day in our office is not just the 30,000 is the one we've retained because it was so huge in the fourth District. We get calls from people. Hey, am I still in your district? I'm not quite sure. And the idea of sending out a postcard that where you would have a QR code and that person has to look up the map, it's a generic postcard that goes to everyone. If you want to know what district you're in. Scan this QR code. That's the antithesis of a print medium, telling someone what district they're in. So that's all I have to say. And I hope that's considered next go round. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman. Councilman in Dallas, please.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I just want to thank the commission for all the hard work that they did on the commission. I know that this was the first time that we as a city had an independent redistricting commission and that there were many lessons learned. And I hope that some of the comments that we share here today that those those lessons were actually learned. I do have to agree with my colleagues on there being more outreach. I know that it was it was a difficult time absolutely a difficult time to do the redistricting commission because of all the things that that were in place. Right. With with COVID. But one of the things that I think was very positive is that the community came out to see those that could. And I want to echo Councilmember Mungo's comment that we really, really have to do better when reaching out to those that may not be able to come and not be able to physically be in the spaces, including our seniors and people with disabilities, that that feel that they missed out on an opportunity to voice their to voice their voices, as we all witnessed. It was this had a significant impact on our communities and our city overall. For that reason, it's crucial that we learn as much as we can from this experience to ensure that next time around the city has all that. When I say city, I mean the residents have all the tools that they need that are necessary for this process to be to be able to have an efficient redistricting process. I also noted in the presentation today by Bradley that it said that the new commission would be trained by the old commissioners. One of the things that I would say and I would recommend is that that not happen only because it is supposed to be an independent redistricting commission and the commissions, the old commissioners, which did a wonderful job to the best of their ability, they might still have something pending where they might not come in with or they might come in already influenced and wanting a certain thing. So I think it's good to actually take all the recommendations from the commission right now that is fresh in their mind and and then pass those on to the next commissioners instead of having the commission itself come back and train them just so that it could be fair to them, to the new commissioners, and so that they that they are able to start from a fresh slate. If you may. Also, one of the things that I think is important is to be able to do outreach to the community. Earlier, I know that there had been a lot of outreach. I know that you know a lot of my constituents, because we live in the first district, we found out about the meetings that were happening and a lot of my residents missed it and were upset that they didn't have a chance to participate. But I know that it was a lot of factors that caused them. Also, one of the biggest things that that also hurt is that. That let me rephrase that that we can improve on is actually doing outreach, maybe, you know, door knocking, you know, house to house, making sure making a real effort to reach out, especially to those hardest to reach communities that don't have the ability to get online, that don't have the ability to do a math online. Maybe they don't have that capability because they don't know how to do it, or maybe it's because there's language barriers that prevent them from doing it. I think that that's important only because sometimes the redistricting process affects them, sometimes the most. So again, I just want to thank all the commissioners for all the hours that they put into this, all the late nights that they put into this. And I hope that we take all the good things that we that we gain from this process and really work through and to get through those that weren't as efficient going forward. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Last May, Richardson. Thank you. First, I want to just take a moment and just congratulate everyone on completing this process. We know that the goal was to ensure that resources to reach every part of our city, and that is fair representation and resources. We also know that we had a late census, and that puts some pressure on our ability to conduct our redistricting process. And that was outside of everyone's control. But I do want to congratulate, I think, all involved for making sure that we are able to finish that process. Kolb It was also a barrier to outreach through the census and through redistricting. Folks forget that. But this commission stepped up, stepped up because of up, and they conducted the process that made it happen. I also want to just take a moment and acknowledge the commissioners. I watched most of those meetings from home. And I'll tell you, those commissioners were thoughtful. I saw the process of how they built consensus. I saw how they resolved their disagreements amicably. You know, we learned about the whole city. We watched as they attempted to learn and understand that unique issues and communities all across our city. And they did they, I think, demonstrated grace and and real composure through that process. I also want to just thank the residents. I learned a lot just listening to the residents about their communities of interest. I'll tell you, you know, I've seen more than one redistricting process in the city. It always is always lively in one way or the other. But I also saw a lot of communities that we haven't heard in the past step up and talk about their communities. North Long Beach in particular, has come a long way. You know, the folks were unified and spoke with one voice about their interest, a little positive framing about our community. It wasn't all, hey, this is terrible. That's terrible. We heard some, you know, some real pride in the community and in the neighborhoods. And that made me really proud just to see how the neighborhoods stepped up and came together and spoke with one voice. You know, I also thought that the community meetings were really well done. The nine meetings that were out to or however many work that went out to the different communities. I thought that was really well done. I attended two of those personally, the ones in the community, and sat back and listened. And this was the first time we had had community meetings in a while because because of Coby, it was really inspirational about the conversation in the community. Meetings were really locally focused on those communities and I think that's important. I think as we move forward, you know, the next year, I would hope ten years from now, I would love to just see more of that neighborhood outreach. I think what we saw at City Hall, I think, was a very different tone. It really took a larger level, higher heightened level of organization to really break through. And I didn't see that in the neighborhood meetings and the neighborhood meetings. I really saw the commissioners taking time and listening to each individual community. And I think I think that that helped make the process better. So, you know, again, you did your job. You know, I think our city it was difficult, obviously, but our city reflects its community and our changes were made and the citizens stepped up. The residents stepped up and did the process. And I think our community's going to be stronger as a result of it, because I tell you, you know, local government, you know, we're great at building things, but it really takes residents to point out what we can do better and dismantle and tell us when we need to reform and do things better. And that's really ultimately what I see happen through this process. Again, congratulations to all involved and thank you. Thank you. I'm going to just make a couple a couple of comments to close your any other comment. So I want to make a couple of comments.
Speaker 1: I cued up, but I'm not sure if I.
Speaker 2: Think you did you didn't hear about it for some reason. I, I, I passed you and Vice Mayor Richardson, which you both cued up. So. Councilman Zoro.
Speaker 1: Yes, I have a queued up case. I don't know if Councilmember Price should go next. Ah.
Speaker 2: Okay. I, I'm having a little bit of a Q issues with my, my phone here. So I actually have in this order. You're right. I have Councilman Price and then Councilman Zero.
Speaker 1: Great. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I won't take too much time. I appreciate the report. I think it's a it's a really good report. And I did find this to be a fascinating process. It was great to hear about all the different communities and just, you know, what happens when a line moves, you know, just a few blocks in one direction or the other. And what kind of impact that has in terms of city assets and recreational facilities and things of that nature and and the familiarity or lack thereof with some of those neighborhoods and impact that was was a fascinating for me for me to watch and observe. I want to just take a moment to thank, obviously, everyone who was involved in the process for for going through the process and being methodical about it. I think it was very obvious that they were listening. And of course, not everyone is was in agreement that they were listening to what they were able to to listen to all everybody. And some of those meetings were very long. But I do want to think just for a moment, I want to just one person that really I thought helped a lot. This was the first time there was a lot of question. People who know me know that I ask a lot of questions. And I also like to understand the framework that we're operating in from a legal standpoint. And Taylor Anderson was just a phenomenal asset from the city attorney's office because there were a lot of questions about what does the charter say, what does the charter allow, what is allowed by public comment, what's allowed to be considered by the commission? And I just thought that she did a great job as long as well as Amy Webber. On trying to help maneuver all the questions since this was the first time and there were a lot of things that the commissioners had questions about, lot of things that the public had questions about, and of course, a lot of things that even officials in the city had questions about since this was our first time. So I want to thank Taylor Anderson for answering questions that me and my staff had every step of the way. I know that I tried to check with her at every step of the way to make sure that we understood the process and what the charter limitations were. And we had the first meeting in our Council district, and I have to say, I don't think anybody knew what the process was going to be at the time. We were very passive listeners at that meeting and did not understand since it happened, you know, nine months or so before the final, I think it was about nine months or so before the final decisions and so learned a lot in that process. But at that very first meeting, I kind of wish we had gone first because we really had no idea what what the process was about. When we met, when we had the meeting in our district and had had the opportunity to ask questions, we just didn't know what we didn't know. And as the process went further, it became clear what this was all about. For those of us who were not part of the city the last time this process happened, it was an eye opening experience because we were new to all of that. Me and a lot of community members. So I want to thank the the commission for the report and specifically again, just Taylor Anderson from the City Attorney's Office for answering the legal clarifying questions that came up throughout the process. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman and Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I just want to add to what's been said in terms of just my thanks to the commissioners. I've also watch almost every one of the meetings and agree that, you know what, they're really clear how the process was going to roll out because we've never had an independent redistricting commission before. I just remember just reassuring that they were doing the district wide orientation. And I think that what would have been helpful for us is to figure out what was going on so that we can help inform our constituents, you know, early on that, you know, in the best way possible that this was happening and this is what the process were. Because I think that it kind of went from zero one, two miles and then it went into like 50 really quick because of the timeline and waiting for the census and all of that. So I just want to add to that what was said around, you know, I did have concerns about the process and how input was taken because a lot of it was happening right then and there as a lot of the commissioners are trying to process the maps and the decisions they were made a week before and then they were getting input at that moment. And I just want to make sure that people who weren't able to make it, that submitted written input was somehow, you know, compiled for the commissioners to review so that they could look at everything rather than those who were the loudest. And that was there all the time that had the capacity to be there. Right. And I know we had some issues with language interpretation that was kind of made maybe a little challenging in the beginning, that I hope that we can take a lot of these lessons learned to smooth it out to ensure that there is inclusive engagement because it's already hard enough. I think that we wanted people to be there to share that their concern, but also making sure they're accessible in other languages. So I just want to add to that that, you know, I agree that it made it difficult for the community outreach engagement. There is a large digital staff, but I'm not quite sure if we did other avenues of outreach. I know that were attempts to be made an event that was impacted by COVID. But Charlie, just to speak, thank you to our staff for figuring out the process with our commissioner. And I think that there's a lot of lessons we can take and how to make the next one better and maybe provide more support and training to the commissioners early on before they actually go into that meeting. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Councilman Sara and I got over the council. Alright. I just want to make sure I didn't miss anyone on this cute thing. Okay, great. Let, let me, let me just add some comments. I want to just first just start by thanking the commission. Redistricting is a very difficult process. There are a lot of interests, of course, across across any large city in a community. I mean, I think the commission took their jobs seriously. I stand by the support that many of us worked on to get this commission actually across the finish line, not just at the county level, which Councilman Austin mentioned, but also in the campaign and in the community meetings that led up to a process that was put in front of voters, which we know voters passed by pretty substantial margins to put the commission on the ballot. The that the commissioners I found did not know. I think most of them I found them to be folks that cared about their city. I found them to be folks that cared about doing a process with integrity and doing and doing the best job that they could. And I and I was really impressed with the staff providing the support to the commission as well. Redistricting processes are very hard and they were they weren't just difficult and hard here at the city level, but they certainly were at the state and federal level as well. When you have independent commissions and at the county where you have independent commissions, now I'm doing this work in the country, the state. We are moving towards independent commissions are doing redistricting across the across the country. And that's something that I have long supported. I believe that commissions of people that try to divorce them selves from the the day to day politics of of of bodies are best equipped to make these decisions. And I know that we all don't always end up with with lines as we all would like. And certainly there's you know, there's things in the map that I think I should have been different. But I think that's kind of the point, right? That things that they are an independent groups that are going to creep into the lines the way they see is best for the community. And I just want to thank the commission, the staff and the community for engaging. I also am grateful for all the recommendations that are being put forward to make improvements. The truth is, is ten years ago, when the state first had their first independent commission, it was very messy and they learned a lot in those few years following. And the last commission where we had the second state commission. Ten years later was a vastly improved process from the first one that was held ten years ago. And so I think that for language having in its history the first redistricting commission process, there is a lot to be learned and there's a lot to be learned and not just on recommendations that the Commission has provided, but I think the community has provided that you're hearing from the council. There's a lot more focus that should be baked in in the future as it relates to outreach and reaching and reaching communities. And so I think all of that is is true. And there's a lot to learn, but also a lot to to be grateful for. I want to thank Mr. Monica, you and the entire redistricting team for really, really difficult work. And and I just want to echo what the council said is I do want to thank the individual commissioners for your service. You were selected through a process that was independent of any of us selecting selecting the commission and again, to the clerk and to the Ethics Commission, who both played vital roles in that process of selection . I just want to thank them for their work as well. Is there any public comment, Madam Clerk, on this item?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press star nine. Our first speaker is Dave Shukla.
Speaker 2: Hello? Hello? Can you hear me?
Speaker 3: Yes. We can hear you.
Speaker 2: Okay. Wow. A lot of good comments. Uh, but getting right to it. My name is Dave Shukla. I'm a third district resident, and I went to each and every mapping session as much out of interest for what my own district would look like. As for an interest in what the city's map overall would look like with regards to this little nonprofit that I wrote. In both regards, I think if you look at pages 5 to 6 of this report, you can see immediately a number of things. Point one, it's not clear based on the areas of change in the redistricting map. Especially with data and housing construction that was planned prior to 1921. Number two, maybe, maybe not. In fact, you could make an argument that what districts won through six on the map, the final adopted map slept for or for people who voted eight for Prop 13 and B supported can limit restrictions at the time. Number three, geographic continuity. You bypass an existing population in the form of seven Memorial Heights to shoehorn it into the six for the first time in its history where your demands are being reinvested. Number four, check the tape. There's a lot of questions, especially with data that was available after 930, 21. Number five, there are blatant disregard for and cherry picked cop testimony. Number six didn't do that a lot. I actually broke that a lot. Number seven didn't do that a lot. Number eight, no clear reason for the fifth District to cross over Signal Hill unless it's working for the interest or the space economy's interests or even interest. A lot of questions about that. What else? Number nine. Uh, yeah. The district really isn't compact in order to six by definition. But more generally, just, you know, there's other problems too with the maps. Haven't yet had the time to even compile a. Compile it all. But the idea, right, is that we can learn to do it better. We're most likely going to do that in five years. I think this market locally has a lot in common with Alabama's situation in that we had both voting rights and purple. You know, kind of discrimination going on. And don't you.
Speaker 3: Think that concludes your public comment? Our next speaker is Ryan given.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor Garcia and Council. My name is Ryan Giffen from District one and a member of the Independent Redistricting Commission. I briefly wanted to publicly thank the city staff for their unwavering and dedicated work to the city and commission itself throughout the process. JT, Brad Taylor, Amy and many others, thank you very much. Additionally, it must be noted that Mr. Paul Mitchell from Redistricting Partners was truly an integral asset to this team, and we want to thank him for his patience, his expertize and service, as well as Vice Mayor Rex Richardson mentioned in his comments earlier, the I.R.S. body was truly one that worked from a place of thoughtfulness, integrity and courage, a wonderful reflection of the make up of our city. It was truly an honor to serve our city and its people. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Madam Kirk. And with that, please call the roll call for the final report.
Speaker 0: District one, district two.
Speaker 1: All right.
Speaker 0: District three. High District for.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District five. II District six.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District seven. I it's an eight.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 0: District nine.
Speaker 2: Yeah.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on the 2021 Independent Redistricting Commission for the City of Long Beach. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0151 | Speaker 2: Thank you. Let me go to item 23.
Speaker 0: Report from Public Works recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group and the Public Works Department by 1,900,000 for the Shoreline Drive Realignment Project, offset by Measure R funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority District one.
Speaker 2: Can I get a motion in a second, please? Motion by councilmembers and they have seconded Councilmember Austin. This is a pretty, pretty significant project. And Mr. Monica, do you want to have just to kind of briefly share what we're doing here? Yes. Eric Lopez will give the staff report. Thank you. So staff is is happy to announce that we are in the process of receiving additional funding for the realignment of Shoreline Drive. This is part of the Early Action Project. 17 early action projects are related to that. Shoemaker Bridge Rebuild. The realignment from Shoreline Drive is the first major phase of kind of our new gateway westward and then try to and and so we received grant funding in the past we got some more that will help us complete the engineering design and helps and help prepare us to request that future funding now for construction. So this is a really big project, one of our bigger projects in the area and we're really excited to continue moving forward. Thank you, council members and perhaps any comments?
Speaker 1: Yes, thank you, Mayor. I just cannot express how excited I am about this project. This will enhance and revitalize the area near our beloved Cesar Chavez Park Islam. Absolutely love this vision. There are many details and different components to making this vision come true. Thank you. Thank you, Director Lopez, for your comments. And thank you for all the hard work that you've been doing along with the team and everybody involved. I am really looking forward to seeing this this item come alive. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilmember Austin. Thank you. And this is really. Really amazing to see it come to fruition. I had a great pleasure working on the campaign for Measure. It's been a lot of sweat equity to get that measure passed in to see that that that those funds. Now, literally ten years later or more coming into the city of Long Beach, making our our our downtown more accessible. The Shoemaker Bridge Project, the Shoreline Drive realignment projects were all listed as potential early action product projects for several years. And so, you know, working with the Gateway Cities Council, the government through that that body to see this, this these funds are being appropriated, something that certainly I'm happy to support and I would encourage our colleagues to do as well. This is all good for our downtown, our economic development goals, but also make our city more accessible for for visitors. Thank you. Thank you. Just just what is really public. I mean, first.
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please, you just raise a hand feature or press star nine. See none. That concludes our comment.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I do have a couple questions. So this is just for staff. So obviously incredibly supportive of this project. Of course, I've been following it since I joined the council and very active and in the development with the community early on. And want to ask Mr. Lopez or anyone. Obviously this project has a lot to to also to do with our Schumacher Bridge project and all of the other smaller early action projects that we have happening in that area from a construction perspective. Mr. Lopez. Remind me again, as far as the Shoemaker Bridge Project, how far away or where we are from fully funding that that project. The shoemaker bristles. Yes, Mayor. So the shoemaker bridge rebuild. If that's the design, the engineering, the design is fully funded. So we're working with Caltrans on the design. We're going through our process. We hope to be ready in the next couple of months to really bring forward the latest design proposal, proposals to the community. But but the design is fully funded. We have to reach a milestone, a certain percentage milestone in the engineering to be able to make a request for construction funding. But because it is an early action project, we really feel good about about securing the construction funding as part of our standard process, working with the state and the federal government. And I just want to, again, just uplift that. The time to get this funding is now right. I mean, the infrastructure money for this project that qualifies for top of federal funding for the infrastructure bill is right now. And so us making sure that we are prepared to receive that funding and are aggressively lobbying for it in D.C. with our with our team is really, really important. And so I know that obviously you're all aware of this and you're on this, but I just really want to hope that we're really pushing hard. I mean, we we pushed hard outside the normal system to get the port, the $51 million that we got for the fair for Pier B and the rail extension. We got the largest grant in that first infrastructure cycle for for the port. And I'm hoping that we do the same for this project and others. And so I just hope that we're doing more than just the regular checking the boxes on on the on the applications here and there and that we're being aggressive. Secondly, on this part of the project, Mr. Lopez, which is the Shoreline Drive realignment. When do you actually think we're going to actually see construction? Oh, at the, at the current schedule, we, we are looking at starting construction in the next 12 to 15 months. So we got to finish the design. We have to make our formal request for construction funding and and then we've got to gear up and go through the normal bidding process in order to kick out that construction. But it could be as close to 12 to 15 months as our current estimate. And what what percent. I know that a big percentage of the funds for this project are the county or county, and are we doing a county state funded combination or what's the biggest piece of the funding? May we expect a combination of state and federal funds. We actually think this this realignment project and Shumaker are going to be very competitive with the recently approved, approved Federal Infrastructure Fund. And so we're coordinating with Caltrans and the local groups to ensure that when the opportunities are actually there to apply for funding. This is one of the top regional projects that we push forward. So at the end of the day, I really think it's going to be a combination of both state and federal funds. What federal funds being the bigger chunk? And okay you said that the designed to be ready soon for for this for all of this project. When do you think that will will be will be done. So the first part of the project will be the design of a short realignment. So that design will be done within the next 8 to 12 months. So that gets us through shortly. Great. Okay, great. Great update. Thank you all very much. Roll call. Vote, please, Madam Park.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to.
Speaker 1: My.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I district for.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 0: District five.
Speaker 2: I agree.
Speaker 0: District six. I. District seven. District eight.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 0: District nine. I motion is carried.
Speaker 2: I think someone asked for a public comment. We did take public comment on that.
Speaker 0: That is correct.
Speaker 2: Great. Next the next item will be let's go through the four ordinances. And then we have we do have a report for the an end of year budget performance. So let's kind of quickly go to the first reading of the ordinances and then we'll go back to our final item. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group (Capital Projects Grant Fund) in the Public Works Department by $1,900,000 for the Shoreline Drive Realignment Project, offset by Measure R funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MR306.60); and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $1,900,000 for the Shoreline Drive Realignment Project, offset by transfer of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R funds from the Capital Project Grant Fund. (District 1) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0152 | Speaker 2: Great. Next the next item will be let's go through the four ordinances. And then we have we do have a report for the an end of year budget performance. So let's kind of quickly go to the first reading of the ordinances and then we'll go back to our final item. But the 24.
Speaker 0: Report from City Attorney Recommendation of declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to inclusionary housing. Read the first time and later to the next regular meeting of City Council for final reading and declare the ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to no net loss of affordable residential housing units in the city. Read the first time and later to the next regular meeting of City Council for final reading and adopt a resolution amending Resolution Number E. s-21-0006. Establishing automatic adjustments to the existing inclusionary housing in lieu fee citywide.
Speaker 2: It was a motion in a second. Any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please use the race hand feature or press star nine. Our first speaker is Ileana.
Speaker 1: I will be very quick whether there's time or not. I commend only liberate commend the Council for getting the inclusionary ordinance approved in its just in time. As was mentioned earlier, we are very concerned about the stability of the subsidized rent and the tax credit subsidized rents in the senior buildings. They are now, all of them, pretty much old enough to be coming to the end of contracts and covenants. And it is going to be very important that we have the protection of inclusionary. No net loss. Policy here in the city to.
Speaker 2: Protect and preserve.
Speaker 1: What we have in the way of affordable housing.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Our next speaker is Tiffany on Davy.
Speaker 4: Good evening. If you see my be. I just want to just briefly go over just a few numbers. When I'm thinking about affordable, I think about, you know, being a lifelong Californian, the energy and ability of that for a majority of the population, as well as those who seek services that make, you know, a living wage for some of those. I'll just highlight to recently online within the past year and a half buildings. One building in particular. Two bedrooms are renting for $15,945 a month. One year, that's $181,240. That ran over five years. 956,000. But it has a ripple effect throughout the city, changes the rest of the environment of when we're talking about rentals and what others see and believe the market to be, as well as the reaction when we're going through tragedy and. And again, it is a disaster that affected every resident within the city, whether they were businessmen or not, worker or not, those living on fixed incomes or those again. Being paid non-verbally wages. Another building that just went up recently. I believe that rent. Oh, let's see. As about 13,000. This is the three bedroom, $13,360 per month. That's one year, 160,325 years, $801,000. So when we're looking at development and these density bonuses, we do understand the structure historically. But where they are coming from and really the challenges for legislatures across the nation, if not those also adopting the rate development scheme, you know, are volatile. Thank you for the work that you all do. I know this isn't really something that any one of you created. However, we all do have a part in the solution. Thank you so much.
Speaker 3: Thank you. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 2: For this item. Thank you, gentlemen. Alan, give any comments?
Speaker 1: I just want to say that I'll be pleased to support this audience today. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Gotham Brosnan. Okay. Great. But please.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to.
Speaker 1: My.
Speaker 0: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: District four.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District five. I. District six.
Speaker 1: II.
Speaker 0: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District eight.
Speaker 2: II.
Speaker 0: District nine.
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Item 25. And I do. I know the city attorney has a few comments at the start of the item and then we'll do public comment. And in a moment about. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 21.67 relating to Inclusionary Housing, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0155 | Speaker 2: Thank you. Item 25. And I do. I know the city attorney has a few comments at the start of the item and then we'll do public comment. And in a moment about.
Speaker 0: Report from city attorney. Thanks for.
Speaker 2: This.
Speaker 0: Continue. Sorry, Rich.
Speaker 2: Oh. Okay. You can hear me. Okay. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. And council members. Just a couple of introductory remarks. I wanted to point out that I'm bringing back an ordinance in that complies with the direction you gave me back on December 7th. In all respects, except for one. One of the things you asked for was that there would be a 90 day notice in advance of any tenant termination for a substantial remodel rather than a 60 day notice. I apologize that we did not discuss this in depth on December 7th. We should have, but it wasn't brought to my attention until after you gave me that direction. That there is a California appellate court decision that pretty strongly holds that landlord tenant transactions and notices under a lease are a matter of statewide concern and can't be changed by local city council actions. So we removed it. I'm fairly confident that the 90 day change would not have held up had it been challenged. I took it out so that you could consider action on everything else. Tonight we can discuss this further if you're so inclined in closed session. Whether you approve this tonight or disapprove it. We can always discuss this further and make further changes in the future if need be. The second thing that I would like to address is that there's I think as a lot of people know, the county recently extended its eviction moratorium on January 25th. In that what that means is any change that you make may make tonight to Chapter 8.99 regarding substantial remodel. It will be legal and it will immediately go into effect. As far as being on the books. But in practice, it's going to be suspended. It'll be on the books, but there will be no landlord that will be moving forward with a termination of tenancy or an eviction because the county moratorium will effectively immediately suspend any evictions under the substantial remodel. You can still go forward with your change. It does not conflict with the county moratorium. It'll just be suspended. So because of that, we had originally set this up as an emergency ordinance. I really don't think that it needs to be an urgency ordinance anymore given the recent county extension of its moratorium. So I would if the Council is interested in moving forward with this adoption, I would suggest that maybe the the motion could be to adopt the staff recommendation, but subject to the following, which would be the removal of the emergency declaration. And then related, we need to adjust the effective date of the prohibition on evictions. We need to make sure that those will be effective as of April 1st, because that will be the effective date if you remove the urgency declaration. Just a couple of minor ministerial changes to the ordinance amending 8.102. Hopefully that was clear enough. That's that's all I have to say. I stand by for any questions. Councilman Allen.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I just I'm glad to see this ordinance today. I know it's been a long road and I'm pleased to see how far that we have come. And I know that many folks have for their concerns. But what we have here today are concrete actions that will make a difference for renters at a lower cost to both the city and landlords. I also want to recognize my co-sponsors on the original item Councilwoman Susie Farrow and our Cosigners Vice Governor Richardson and Councilwoman Van de Hoff for their partnership and support on this. Sorry about the background noise. I also want to thank all the Senate and property groups and residents who reached out to my office and participated in the process to voice their questions and concerns. The work that we've done is going to actually improve our housing climate in the city, I understand, but still continue to have concerns. And I recognize these perspectives. But increasing relocation benefits, collecting data and establishing a civil fine for both bad landlords are actions that make a difference for renters today and in the city. So I would like to make a motion to adopt that recommendation subject to the following. First, due to the renewed L.A. County eviction moratorium. I like to remove the urgency declaration from both ordinances. And second, as a result, I would like to adjust the effective dates referenced in the ordinance amending Chapter 8.1 or two to reflect the actual effective date resulting from the removal of the urgency declaration. So just a summary. I'd like to move this item forward, but remove the urgency declaration due to the current L.A. County moratorium and take the steps necessary to make that happen.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilman Ciro.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I want to also think I want to thank Councilwoman Allen for her leadership on this item. I know that I agree with her that there's been concern raised. And I want to make sure that to thank the our in those who reached out to share them that that we we heard you and we also know that it's important that we do that that I know that I'm in support of Councilwoman Allen's motion that she just made around some of these changes. And I just want to share and just think staff for their hard work and and getting us to this point with the language as well and that I know that there's more that we could do that you feel that we could do. And I think that that today is and the only time that we'll have a discussion about this item, I believe so. With that, I agree with Councilman Allen and and I and I seconded and I support it.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Any public comment on this item?
Speaker 3: At this time, if there's any members of the public that works to speak on this item, please use the raise hand feature or press start on our first speakers credit Mona.
Speaker 4: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and Council Member. I know that we're all tired of revisiting this issue, but I nevertheless ask you to table item 25 until later in the year in acting. I will just cause confusion since it will be suspended until next year because of the L.A. County eviction moratorium. If you insist on taking action on this item tonight, I urge you to revisit the staff recommendation to change the construction threshold for a substantial remodel from 30 to 60 days. This item, which came out of meetings with tenants and landlords, was the only item in staff recommendations that actually prevents evictions. Rather than just making them more expensive, this change would protect the remaining 20 original tenants in my apartment complex and many other Long Beach tenants who will otherwise face eviction. At the end of the county moratorium. Moratorium. Even with the proposed changes tonight, whether you table the item or act on it, I request that the city issue a statement to the press and posted on the city website and social media as well as mailing directly to landlords, clearly stating that landlords are required to comply with the L.A. County eviction moratorium. I know of three people who received illegal 60 day notices in the past week, so the city needs to do more to educate both landlords and tenants that there is still a moratorium in place through the end of the year. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Ailsa Chang.
Speaker 1: Good evening. Councilmembers Members Tung from Long Beach forward. A huge, huge thanks to council members Alan and sorrow for championing this item. Look, as you heard from the city attorney and from the Legal Aid Foundation letter submitted yesterday, the countywide eviction moratorium bans substantial remodel evictions in Long Beach through the end of the year. Therefore, passing this ordinance tonight will lead to mass public confusion for both tenants and landlords and unfortunately will lead to more evictions. As explained in Lafleur's letter. The county policy is not an actual moratorium on filing eviction cases. Thus, a landlord can still serve an illegal notice, file an illegal eviction, and it would be up to the tenant to know their rights and assert them in court. Most tenants don't know their rights, don't want to go to court, and are understandably terrified when they get an eviction notice. So most tenants simply move out without knowing they are protected. This is a self eviction because of the awkward timing of this ordinance. It is fundamentally the city's responsibility to prevent mass public confusion and publicize via news media, social media websites and mailers that the countywide eviction moratorium is currently the law of the land and protects Long Beach tenants from eviction through December 1st through December 31st of this year. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Leona.
Speaker 1: Libra wishes to. Support the concerns that have been raised. And we echo the things to the city council members that have supported this. And I especially want to recognize tonight the tenant leadership and consistent participation over months to try to move this the tenant protection policy forward. I agree that we need the Council to make a clear statement about the county protections covering all of us who are resident here and the council people, not only the city staff, but the council people need to use your newsletter. You need to use the area of City Hall where we pay our utility bills. We need to have leadership from the city. If you are going to pass this because as has been said, the evictions have already started, illegal or not. There are bad actors, as we all know. There are just regular landlords out there. And they are. Escalating their use of evictions. Leverage telephone is ringing off the hook when we are making outreach calls to thousands of tenants here in Long Beach. We are increasingly hearing about what are illegal evictions. So if you pass this tonight, we are going to look to you and to the city staff for an aggressive public education campaign to make sure the tenants do not get preyed upon by landlords who will attempt to use this public confusion to. Get rid of the tenants that they have. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our next speaker is Melody Ozuna.
Speaker 1: Good evening, Council and Mayor. Again, my name is Melody Osuna and I'm an attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. I'm also a resident of the eighth District. LeFlore agrees with city attorney Rich Anthony's assessment that the county moratorium prevents substantial remodel evictions while the county resolution is in place, which is at least until December 31st, 2022. It's important that the city communicate that landlords cannot move forward with these types of evictions until the county resolution known as the moratorium, is over. As I mentioned in my letter to the city yesterday, there's a real risk of tenants self evicting after receiving a notice from their landlord or landlord filing an unlawful detainer action as the county resolution is not an actual moratorium on evictions, but a defense a tenant has to assert against an unlawful detainer in court. There needs to be a strong effort from the city to communicate that these notices are invalid until the county resolution ends. Finally, I have to reiterate that this current substantial remodel item does not go far enough to protect long standing tenants, making a small adjustment of requiring 60 days worth of work other than 30 days for a substantial remodel. Eviction. Show that the city supports long established tenants. The current substantial remodel ordinance. Just make substantial remodel evictions slightly more expensive. It doesn't protect the long established tenants. Tenants will be displaced for higher paying tenants, and the cost to substantially remodel and evict the previous tenants will be recuperated quickly by the property owner. Without strong anti displacement policies. The third is choosing to support profit rather than long established communities of color and tenants. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Our last speaker is Maggie Swallow. Maggie Valenzuela. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 1: I'm sorry. I just got. I'm sorry. I was doing hard time with my. Good evening. Name is Michelangelo. I am the senior organizer with the union, part of the Coalition for Good Jobs and Healthy. I wanted to speak about the center model ordinance. One Long Beach member comes to mind name is Shelly Ward, who expressed to her member concerns the damages in her apartment. She applied to Long Beach rental assistance application even after applying was still served with a 15 day notice and then of 30 things to make her very sick to the point where she ended up in the hospital because the L.A. County Emergency Eviction moratorium and no fault evictions through the end of 2022, which includes the substantial remote evictions passing the ordinance today will lead the mass confusion of language with bad landlords to take advantage and issue eviction orders to tenants who don't understand the rights. To truly prevent these evictions, we still need to change the definition of substantial remodel to construction work that requires a tenant to make use of 60 days instead of 30 days. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Take include follow comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you for back to councilman zero.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I wanted to make sure I forgot to ask the question earlier. If, um, Mr. Anthony can just clarify. How do we make sure that there isn't confusion about this moratorium that county, as you know, put out and between what our ordinances. Thank you.
Speaker 2: I don't know that there's any change that can be made to the language of the ordinance that will help assist with that. I think I would probably say that the most effective way to combat confusion would be what several of the speakers mentioned, which would be, you know, a concerted effort on the part of staff to publicize the fact that there's a county moratorium and to publicize it as widely as possible.
Speaker 1: I think you.
Speaker 2: I have councilman's in house.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I want to say thank you to Rick Anthony for the clarification provided. I really appreciate it. I would also like to thank Councilwoman Allen and Councilwoman Sorrell for bringing this very important item forward. I'm glad that the L.A. County has issued a moratorium and will be protecting tenants who are still combating COVID 19 challenges . So thank you again for this item. I do. I do want to say that we should definitely. Do as much as we can of the city to inform both, both landlords and tenants about the moratorium. I think that's going to be important. I also think that there might be people out there that I mean, landlords out there who may not know about this moratorium and who may feel that they can evict, but they're not doing that maliciously. They just don't know about the new ordinance. So we just need to make sure that we are able to pass out this information to everyone.
Speaker 2: Anything additional from staff. No. Mr. Mayor, we are. My report is done unless there are any further questions. And I believe we did public comment already. So with that roll call vote, please.
Speaker 0: District one. I district to district three i. District for. Right. District five. By District six i district seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: District eight. District nine?
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 8.99, relating to just cause for termination of tenancies, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02082022_22-0157 | Speaker 2: Next item is going to be 27.
Speaker 0: Report from City Attorney. Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Long Beach Municipal Code related to Temporary Enforcement of Long Beach Health Orders regarding COVID 19 and declaring the urgency thereof. Read the first time and lead over the next regular meeting of the City Council for Final Reading Citywide.
Speaker 2: Okay, I. I have a motion by Councilwoman Sara and a second by councilman today. Is there any public comment on this?
Speaker 3: If any members of the public wish to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand feature. If Shukla.
Speaker 2: Good evening. I support this item and this motion. It's an ugly thing that we've had done to us in this country. I think we all deep down know that if it was COVID 15, it would have been handled differently. We're going to have over a million people dead in this country just from Coban easily. But the true cost in lives. The total number of excess deaths. Because of the pandemic and the resultant. Economic recession and slow recovery. K-Shaped recovery. Um. That's going to be a drag. And it's going to be one internationally that, you know, people are going to compare this to the Kansas City flu and they're going to make a lot of conclusions about how far American society has or hasn't come since a lot of our. Creaky 19th century in origin institutions have kind of proven their limits, frankly. But moreover, I mean, I don't care if you like math, you don't like masks for vaccines, not for vaccines. I think we could all agree as Americans that. Yeah. It'd be great to end this pandemic and be allowed to do your job or get a better one. You know, I think we're we're all team like one country could get better after this and. I'm really looking forward personally to seeing. Not only positive vision for the future of our region and our city and our state lucky to be in the state of California, but really how we're going to pull people together out of this. Just coming out of this. Uh, I think you can lay every single excess death over the past two years at the feet of the past Republican administration. And I don't think that's a stain that just goes away. I don't care how often or how hard they have to lie to people. People go and every 17 to 41 year old in this country, you know, we can just walk. We don't have to put up with any of this. We can just move to Canada. Can you imagine the Republican Party trying to move towards fascism if we all just fucking voted with our feet? Remember that this is a democracy. Thank you.
Speaker 3: That concludes public.
Speaker 2: Comment. There's a motion and a second member. Three square and Castro votes.
Speaker 0: As a reminder, Mayor, this item does require two votes. The first vote Council. District one, high council. District two. I Council, District three. I Council District for.
Speaker 2: High.
Speaker 0: Council District six. I Council District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Council District eight. I. Council District nine. My motion is eight zero.
Speaker 2: And they will take the second vote, please.
Speaker 0: Ah the mover in the secondary or sirens in the house.
Speaker 2: Councilman So on. Councilwoman Didn't they have to? If I have councilman serum shoot up.
Speaker 0: Okay. Council District one. I. Council District two. I. Council District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 0: Counsel District four.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 0: Counsel District six. I counsel District seven. I counsel District eight. I counsel District nine. I motion carries eight zero.
Speaker 2: I think you know, I think we have our last item, which is item 23. | Emergency Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 8.120, temporary enforcement of Long Beach health orders related to COVID-19; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0120 | Speaker 0: Thank you. With that, we will move on to the study session. That's the first item of business on the agenda. We are at the top of the agenda. And so please, let's go ahead and have turnover to staff.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, and members of the City Council. We are pulling up the presentation on the bike infrastructure. So I will turn to Eric Lopez to walk us through this item with his team.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Tom. Mayor, members of the city council were actually. Update today. And then in our city, I have the engineer and acting city engineer. I will take us through some of our some of the planning documents are really important to this work. And then Bernd Leno, our mobility officer. Some. How can we go to the next slide? The. I mean, so the, the we spent a lot of time developing our bike master plan and we're going to do a very quick and easy refresher and similar with our Save three Long Beach Action Plan that was adopted in 2020. It really helps us identify a lot of our focus areas where we are having a lot of safety issues with vehicles and pedestrian safety. And it's really helped ground and provide us critical data to to recommend projects and really seek funding and make improvements in targeted areas. So we'll get a little bit of air into those two major planning documents. Then we're going to talk about two of our programs, our bike share and our goal out go active Long Beach Hub program. And then we're going to talk about projects both recently completed, some that are in the pipeline and we are expecting a lot of more funding opportunities that are going to be made available as part of the Federal Infrastructure Fund. And we want to be ready for that. So with that, Roseman will take us through the next slide. Carl. Thank you, Eric. Go ahead and go to the next slide, please. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. And council members. You know, I've worked for four different agencies over the course of my career. And as you probably know, the city of Long Beach really is supportive of our bicycle community, folks who are out riding the the roadway network and the trails in the past. You know, we we really make a good effort here in the city of Long Beach to support those folks. And we do have a bicycle master plan. It was adopted by the city city council in 2017. It really focused on equity mode, shift sustainability and safety. As a city traffic engineer and acting city engineer, for me, safety is the number one priority. The plan really is to have a vision to shift 30% of all trips to bicycle trips in the course of 30 years. And we want to create an 80 to 80 bicycle network. It is connected, safe and convenient. When we say 1880, that really means we want a bicycle network that is comfortable for anyone to ride from the age of eight to the age of 80. All different types of riders and users. It needs to be comfortable and safe for all of those users. And of course, we want to continue to implement bike friendly programs that support everything that we're working on with the master plan. There's a picture of the front cover of the master plan there on the bottom. Next slide, please. Now, the the bicycle masterplan really goes hand in hand with the safe streets Long Beach action plan that we adopted in city council back in July of 2020. The Vision Zero policy's goal is to eliminate all traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2026. The plan focuses really on the vulnerable road users who are really at a higher risk folks like pedestrians and bicycles, bicyclists. The Action Plan focuses on resources, speeding design, education, data equity in different partnerships. Again, there's the front cover of the Safe Streets plan there at the bottom of the slide. And you can see the map on the right shows some of the what we call hotspots, where we've identified corridors or intersections where we have a high prevalence of collisions that are taking place. We we compiled the data that we have regarding the types of collisions. And we come up with these types of what we call heat maps. Next slide, please. So the safe streets, Long Beach Action Plan, really, we are we are looking at bicyclists who are overrepresented in the crash data, unfortunately. We survey feedback, emphasizing the need for separation between bikeways and vehicular traffic. We look at roadways with bikeways that are typically redesigned to reduce speeding. Bicycle infrastructure can improve safety for drivers as well as speeds come down on a lot of the roadways. You know, it not only makes it safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, but it makes it safer for drivers who are in vehicles as well. And that's really important, again, for all users. Since 2020, some of our achievements we've received 19 million for roadway safety improvement projects. Last year we started a yard design education program and we were really kind of unsure how this was going to take off and whether it would be popular. But it has shown to be very popular. And we have staff who meets with residents delivering signs and instructing them how to put them in their yards or along the side the sides of the roadway. Also, we have been successful in reducing speed limits. So far, we've done 29 road segments just recently in the past nine months or so, and we're on course to do another 30 or so. And this is where we can legally and justifiably reduce speed limits anywhere in the city. We have a program where we are looking at doing that every year. So these are some of the things that we're looking at. Our next slide. Okay. So now we'll have Fern come in. She is the lead for the mobility team. Fern.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Now that we've discussed some of the city's guiding documents, I'm going to provide some information on bicycle related programs and then the projects. So go active. I'll be Hub is a city owned bike commuter bike commuter parking facility is located downtown that you can see here next to the first Street Transit Gallery. The city contracts with a local vendor had on movement to operate the facility, and we offer monthly and annual commuter parking memberships available to the public. We offer 24/7 secure and monitored indoor bike parking. There's also a restroom and showers available for members free monthly bike safety workshops open to the public. And then we also discuss bike registration. We have service and repairs, retail and other information on the city's bicycle network and programs that we we give out to people through this facility. Next slide, please. Now our bike share program has been very successful over the last several years, and I want to provide some program metrics from 2021 . We had almost 600 total buy from the system last year and we refurbish almost 600 also in 2021. We have a total of 96 hubs operating now and during the summer, when we have the highest use in bike share, we see that Belmont Pier, Juniper Lot, 54th place, the Aquatic Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific are the most utilized hubs in the city. We've had almost 50,000 trips last year and almost 250,000 total miles of road. And we've seen our active membership increase year over year with around 30,000 active members in 2018. 40,000 in 20 1940. 6000 in 2020. And as you can see here, almost 60,000 active memberships in 2021. And writers, they have the option to pay per ride or they can purchase a bike share membership. And we also offer student discounts available to one big city, Cal State. Anyone who has a dot edu email address. Next slide, please. In 2021, we signed a new contract with Heron Movement as our vendor to operate and maintain the program. The contract is through September 2023 and it also includes refurbishment of the recently purchased fixture. We intend to expand the bike share program this year starting in May, and this expansion will include up to 1500 new controllers that will allow QR codes to unlock the bikes. And we're also excited to introduce electric bicycles into the bike share program this year with about 100 to 150 added to the fleet this upcoming year. Also be adding in 700 non-electric bikes that will be refurbished and added into the system with the addition of new bike parking hubs installed citywide. And those have we'll be able to accommodate the new e-bikes and the existing non electric bike tricycles. Next slide, please. So this map shows the existing bikeways across the city. The rest from the map are the shared routes and the painted bike lanes and the green are the facilities that Karl mentioned earlier, which includes recreational paths and trails, separated and parking, protected bike lanes and bike boulevards. In 2021, the port completed construction on the pier and Jay Path, which is one and a half miles. And we completed a bike lane on Temple Avenue. And then in addition to that, short segments on Alamitos and Cherry were constructed by private developers as required conditions of approval for the adjacent development projects. Next slide, please. These are the upcoming bikeway projects that we have that are a citywide effort that we plan to complete over the next three years. The total mileage for all 15 of these projects is about 33 miles. The grant funded projects are big projects that were awarded funding through a Caltrans active transportation program. Skaggs Sustainable Communities Program and Metro Measure a active transportation program. The repaving projects are bike projects that were added onto the already planned repaving work. And the local return funded are bike projects that are not connected to a repaving project, but that are paid through local water and transportation dollars. A majority of these projects are separated bike lanes, but we also have a few others like Pine of the Bike Boulevard Project. And then, as I mentioned earlier, we are anticipating release of a few different grant applications this year. A Cycle six will open this summer and we do intend to apply for several bicycle projects through that grant program again. Next slide, please. I just want to talk about a few of the upcoming projects and a little bit more detail. You can see this one is an HP project at the downtown walkable corner. And the intent of this project is to improve comfort and visibility, both for pedestrians and bicyclists. And it also threw some of these both out to encourage safer vehicle turns. We have concrete medians that will help fortify the separated bike lanes along third and Broadway. And this is a really good example of the city's effort to upgrade our temporary striping and green bollard elements to more permanent concrete treatments. So you can see here we have 190 curb extensions and pedestrian medians that will be proposed throughout the downtown area. Magnolia, Alameda, seventh and Ocean are the limits. And that photo there is a rendering of some of what the intersections will look like. Next slide, please. Another ATP project. Here is our Pacific Avenue cycle track. This will extend from Ocean Boulevard to Pacific Coast Highway, which is identified as a high injury corridor on the district phone reduction funding. So that map earlier on the screen. For bikes and pedestrians from a high injury network map. This project includes Bass Islands. You can see here on the photo on the right and shorter pedestrian crossings, separated bikeways and additional traffic calming elements. And through this project, we hope to have reduced vehicle speeding and reduce dwell time and then also create a more comfortable experience for bicyclists. Next plan. And then the third project that was awarded through ETP recently is the Pine Avenue Bike Boulevard Project, and this extends from Eighth Street to Willow Street, which will help us connect downtown to the Willow Street Metro Line Station, which is a gap that's identified in our bicycle master plan. And this is a project that will create a suitable bike route for each 80 people, ages 8 to 80. So we're excited about this one. Also, the bike boulevards will use SROs and other traffic calming elements to create a comfortable place for bicyclists to share the road with the local vehicle traffic that rides on the street. And we'll do this through vehicle diverter sprays, intersections, traffic circles, rapid flashing beacons, curb extensions and pedestrian medians. You can see in the photo here, this is the proposed diverter at Eastern Time, and that's to help us with the reduced cut through traffic and speeding and improved comfort for everyone. Next slide, please. And so this is the last project that we wanted to highlight in more detail. This was included as part of a repaving project. This is Del Alma Boulevard. And this is part of our effort to move away from the bollards and the paint towards more concrete, more permanent concrete elements. This is a one way bike lane that's adjacent to a school and will help bring vehicle speeds down. This will be from Atlantic Avenue to Orange Avenue and it is a separated bikeway using concrete separated. You can see the photo in Portland here. And this is funded through local transfer and return funds. And another really exciting thing about this project is that it will connect our Orange Avenue and Atlantic Avenue bikeways. Next slide, please. So the Bicycle Master Plan has a target goal to construct 300 miles of bikeways by 2040, and we currently have approximately 165 miles. You can see in this chart that in order to reach that goal, the city needs to build approximately eight miles per year. In 2019, we had our highest recent year when we constructed three miles. That was in Second Street, Audenshaw and East Broadway. You can also see in the chart that we'll focus on building more Class four, which is the separated by claims in the coming year. So you can see the GRE at the top, how most of the future projects are the class for the gray and we'll have kind of a reduction of the class two, which is the second from the bottom shade of blue there. So we'll be converting most of the projects to pass for instead of be the shared route. So just so everyone knows. Class four are the separated by claims, and then class two are just the painted by claims as the separate lane, but not separated by any vertical element and then class three of the shared routes. That's where we have sheroes. And then one are the paths and trails. So that would be a separate path similar to the ones along the two rivers and the beach path. We also are trying to focus on what we are considering low hanging fruit projects. We have about 18 miles of those and those are existing class two lanes that we can upgrade to separated bike lanes. In the future. May our future. Next slide, please. So how we hope to achieve this. This goal is by continuing to get some of these projects awarded by Grantham, considering some of these is both low hanging fruit and more permanent projects. Over the past decade, we have focused more on the temporary materials birth, separated by claims as kind of pilot projects to see how they worked out and they've been pretty successful. But we do know that we'd like to transition to the bottom there, which is the best practice for some of these operated infrastructure projects, those ones there that have either parking or vertical kind of concrete separation. Those are more comfortable, more permanent and more esthetically pleasing for us to do in the streets. However, they are far more costly. As you can see the price comparison here between the quick build of having the best practice one on the bottom there . And then the next slide is just a last slide here. We want to show you some more examples of best practice bikeway design. These ones use more permanent materials and really make bicyclist and pedestrians feel more comfortable. Clockwise from the top left. That's San Francisco, California. That's the concrete median separated bike lane. And then Cambridge, Massachusetts, that's a sidewalk grade separated bike lane. Chicago, Illinois, that's a protected intersection. And then Saint Paul, Minnesota, that's the sidewalk grade separated by Clinton as well. And these are really important designs for us because we know that they attract a broader portion of the population and they enhance comfort for all users and improve accessibility for people with limited mobility. Next slide, please. Okay. Well, that concludes our presentation. Thank you so much for this opportunity to present an update on our bicycle infrastructure.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Members of the council that concludes our presentation were available to answer questions.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you very much, Mr. Motorcar and and to the staff to get you really a great job as you always do want to just overall to say that the work that's happened on this has been really incredible to see. I think you and I have talked about how important it is to continue our mobility projects or our production oriented projects and just great to see all the expansion. So just a huge kudos to the team and this market to you and everyone working on all these projects. I may have some more questions and I want to turn to the council to your question. So I've councilman's in the house first.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Great presentation, STAFF. Thank you very much for all the hard work that you've been doing. It just really excites me to see so much good planning put into this. It's just such a great, great presentation. I also wanted to ask a couple of things. I know that in the past and I'm going to use my home as an example, there was a bike lane that was created there and now I am no longer able to access the vehicles that are wheelchair accessible to be able to transport me or they don't have somewhere to wait for me because they're blocking the bike lane. How did you guys take that into consideration? And if so, what is the plan for for something like that?
Speaker 0: Unaccompanied.
Speaker 1: And if you need me to clarify, I'd be more than happy to.
Speaker 0: I think I can address that, Councilwoman. And, um, you know, with all of our projects, there are always sometimes details that fall through the cracks. And that's something that that we didn't know about, we weren't aware about early on. You know, when we do have special conditions that arise, we always come back after the project is installed to try and remedy those situations, to mitigate those issues. So if you let me know where you need to have something done, you know, we can definitely try to help you out there for sure. And we try to catch these things early on in the process, but sometimes it's slipped through the cracks.
Speaker 1: Yes. Yes. Thank you. And being a big advocate for the disability community, I think that my my fellow disability community members would agree with me that we've been working really, really, really hard to actually be up for thought and not an afterthought. So I've been more involved with you guys and try to pinpoint things because it's not only in my house, you know, I've seen other seniors trying to get picked up, for example, by dialysis and they have nowhere to park because they are now blocking the bike lane. And when they are there and they're blocking the bike lane, the bikers have to get out of the bike lane, around the vehicle and back into the bike lane, which puts everybody involved. So. Mr. Hickman, I look forward to continuing this conversation off line and making sure that we address that. Sure.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you. Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Hickman. And with it, turn for the presentation. I'm sorry. There's somebody I want to make sure I get the claims right. Yes, sir. Thank you. So I appreciate the report back on the bicycle masterplan, as well as how it connects back to the Vision Zero plan. Because I think ultimately what I want to make sure everybody in some level of mobility have safe form of it. And I appreciate the opportunity to look into how we're not only just creating safer bike path, but how we're considering improving our stormwater in that way too, in order to efficiently, efficiently and capture water and make sure that they're clean. And one of the things that I think that is important, too, is connectivity. It's how are the bike paths ultimately also connecting to the L.A. River? Because I do know that there are some people who may want that as an optional commute into the city. So I want to make sure that that is an opportunity we look at. And I just want to make sure that we consider Rivers and Mountains Conservancy as an option of funding that does provide funding into that in addition to federal funding. So so thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Council member Austin. Thank you. And also want to just move my. Appreciation to the staff for their view of the presentation on this plan. We we, I think, should talk more about our. But in active transportation models. And certainly I support the investment that we've been able to make thus far in our city. Been a long champion of active transportation and mobility connectivity throughout our city. I think that the priority, one big priority that we should should always not lose focus on and not just the safety of our our children, the young people, and making sure that they have safe access to ride their bikes to or from school to or from our parks, playgrounds. And we should put put them first. I think also what I hear from a lot of our our constituents is, you know, they'd like to see some consistent application. Right. You know, there are there are corridors where bike lanes look one way on one stretch and then they change to whole another design along the same street. And it may provide some level of protection and safety for one corridor, one section of a corridor, but it's that level of protection and safety changes. And so I think it's very, very important for us as we move forward to not just look at new opportunities, but we need to reevaluate the infrastructure, the infrastructure that we already have to and improve upon it and make it as consistent as possible. You know, I've had the good fortune of working with the traffic engineers, you know, literally over the last ten years on the city council. And I've understood that there are different philosophies and ways to do things. And so consistency is something that I'd like to see more of. And then understanding as I talk about the the infrastructure that we already have, we need to make sure that that that infrastructure is well maintained. Right. I don't think it defeats the purpose to say, hey, we're going to build new bike infrastructure. If the existing infrastructure bollards are missing. Paint is not not clear in on the on the streets. So I'd like to see us put a lot more emphasis on that that type of those type of improvements and ongoing maintenance. I think it would be critical to to improving safety, but also consistent with our our Vision Zero plan. Those are my comments. And I look forward to working with our traffic engineer public works department to to meet those those and in the weeks and months to come. Thank you. Councilmember a councilwoman price.
Speaker 1: Okay. So it's almost as if Councilman Austin and I had three determine what our our thoughts are going to be tonight. Because as he was talking, I was I cued up early because here's the thing. And first of all, thank you for the presentation. And I tell everyone at every community meeting, our traffic engineers are actual engineers. They're experts whose opinion we should absolutely rely upon and support in terms of what recommendations they bring to the table. And I do what in my field is called the foundation for their expertize, because a lot of times our traffic and neighbors make recommendations that are not popular with certain communities because I don't know about the rest of my colleagues, but traffic is a major issue and every one of my community meetings and everyone has a traffic mitigation solution that they think is the best one. But a lot of times it's not the same one that our traffic engineer is. The one is recommending like stop signs. Everybody wants stop signs all the time to slow down speed. And we know from our engineers that that's not what stop signs do. In regards to bikes, we are at a bicycle infrastructure. We're at a place now where just a few years ago, we went through a very painful process, which I call the era of the bollard. And I know Councilwoman Mungo can back me on this. I'm sure all of my council colleagues, if they had installed in their districts, are aware of the era of the bollards. So I felt like I was because we have amazing city staff in terms of your education, your background, people that are very thoughtful and the recommendations that they give. And so a lot of times council members, I defer to city staff a lot because you have the expertize that that I don't have and I'm very mindful of that. And I don't want to second guess what you're recommending, but it looks like we're no longer using bollards. And so what happens to all the bollards that we have already in the city is the plan that at some point down the road will replace those bollards with that little cushion that we have. Talk to me a little bit, Mr. Hickman, about bollards, and promise me that you're never going to leave the city because we want to have consistency with every application. And if that's what the bump that we're doing now is, is a good application that everyone can stand behind, then I'd love to see that be the new standard, but let's let's talk a little bit about that because I don't like that there's inconsistency in look. For me, it's the look. It just makes the city look messy. It doesn't make us look like we have a cohesive plan. It's the same thing with the colors of the ADA ramps. Some are gray, summer yellow. I know we've talked about that, but consistency would be good as we move towards, you know, this concept of equity . Because I think it's really important that the city overall from one side of the city to the other side of the city has same access, same safety features, all of that. So, Mr. Heckman, can you talk a little bit about that?
Speaker 0: Yes, Councilman Price and Councilman Austin, I totally understand what you're saying about the need for consistency throughout the city. And as a matter of fact, we are currently right now working on developing citywide standard plans and citywide standard specifications that we're going to use on all of our projects. Now, in regards to bollards, yes. In the past there was quite a few green bollards installed on major corridors and we are leaning towards not doing that. And if you see bollards now, you'll be able to see them maybe at the beginning or the end of a particular segment or a or a block. But you're not going to see that long continuous line like you see on some of our roadways. So in place of that, we do need of some sort of a vertical element, which is what a bother provides you. So we are going to be moving towards the more concrete, flatter vertical element that is that separator between the traveled way and the bike lane. Those concrete elements seem to work well, but I want to point out that those type of concrete vertical elements will only be installed where we don't have parking because we don't want to create trip hazards with people tripping over wheel stops or vertical concrete elements. So yes, we are definitely moving away from the typical bollards that you're talking about, but you will still see an occasional bother here and there. It provides additional level of safety right at the intersections. So I hope I answer your question. Good.
Speaker 1: You did, and I appreciate that. And I think whatever we do, I'm happy to support as long as we have a longer term plan, because our term on the council is council members is limited by the staff's terms in their roles are limited as they move. And we need to have some sort of plan so that the city doesn't look like it's disjointed or fractured from one part of the city to the other. Because then as we get into issues where the city doesn't have a consistent image, and I think that's important. Oh, I.
Speaker 0: Agree.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Next up is council member your Ringo. Thank you, Mayor. Good discussion so far. But as many of you know, I'm colorblind. So it was hard for me to follow some of those lines where you had it red and green going north, east, west, where they were. It was hard for me to follow in that respect. Yes. Information in place for future presentations. And I'm not the only one I know. There's probably a lot of people out there with a red green color like me having a hard time. And having said that, I couldn't tell if there were any bike lanes in the west part of the city, in the west side, as an example. There's there's a dearth. I drive it a lot, set up a corridor and set up a corridor, goes to report all the way to downtown Los Angeles. And I didn't see anything that even resembled a bike lane in that in that area. There's also some issues in regards to connect connectivity with the West Long Beach area. There's no biking that goes from, say, Pacific to Santa Fe. And of course, there's only four points of. Contact and I PCH will award Wardlow does have a bike lane of course it's littered that had a high propensity of ballots all over on both sides of the street. So that's another issue in and of itself. But that's the only seems to be the only corridor, if you want to call it that, that connects East LA, which, if you will, with West Long Beach, and that's the only one. And then there's no there's nothing on Santa Fe for a, say, a bicyclist to connect to Santa Fe and then go from there to either towards downtown the river or to downtown L.A.. So I think that we need to look at that that bicycle plan a little, a little more before inclusionary. Obviously, equity is a big issue with us in Long Beach and and especially when it comes to the West Long Beach area. So I would want to work with with you, Mr. Hickman. And in regards to what we can do to resolve that, there's of bike lanes in West Palm Beach. Thank you. Councilman Tharanga, if I could respond real, real brief. We do have class three bike lanes getting installed on Santa Fe are coming up this this year. That's part of the improvement project there. But the class threes again are with the shareholders in the roadway, notifying drivers that they should share the road with bicyclists. There isn't a dedicated lane, but we do have a project in the works. Hopefully we get funding to put a bike lane over the Willow Bridge and I am happy to say that with the Shoemaker Bridge that we're constructing, we are bringing and connecting the folks from the west side to the east. There will be a bike path over the Shoemaker Bridge that will drop down and you can access it on the west side at the southern end of Fashion Avenue. So we are working on those kind of activities to the West Side. We're working on it. Thank you, Councilmember. Next up is Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thanks to Carl and Fern for the presentation and a long time in the works, he's made tremendous progress. You know, I remember when a lot of this was planned, you know, was plans and funding identified. But we're in a different place now where we see a real difference on the orientation of our bike lanes, you know? You know, active transportation is the goal. And we have to make sure that we have the facilities in place to ensure that, you know, one can participate in our in our network safely. You know, I remember the conversations earlier were particularly in uptown, all of all of the the lanes were North-South or had a North-South orientation. It was how can we connect uptown to downtown? But the reality and the experience of the people using using those lanes was that they didn't all just want to go downtown or go to the beach. Folks in North Palm Beach wanted to go west or go east. L.A. River, the San Gabriel Valley River. There were already routes to get to get downtown to the river and needed to. But what I've seen is a lot of now the plans really show a lot more east west orientation. That's good. But I think we definitely need to talk about implementation and making sure that the plans do become a reality for people who truly, truly care about transportation equity and are looking to use a bike or whatever means to get where they need to get to. Because there is still a disconnect, in my opinion, between the infrastructure that we plan, what we implement and all the strategies implemented. For example, you know, it took a long time to get the bike network to extend to North Long Beach. There's still a lot more work to do to make sure that those resources, the bikes, you know, even the scooters are in places where our communities can access them. I think, you know, the issue of schools was was raised a bit earlier. I think we have to maintain our conversations with the school district to maintain our emphasis on favor of the school. The bollards were implemented first on Artesia Boulevard because of a need to make the Artesia Bridge safer. Between Jordan High School and starting elementary school. They were never supposed to be a permanent solution. And then we saw that they went citywide. Well, we don't want the bollards forever. I know that we've got work on hand with Artesia Boulevard that are going to make them, you know, make permanent enhancements. But, you know, but what I want to emphasize is that this was because the walk over that bridge was so unsafe for the students, we needed to have some sort of a partition between traffic and a very narrow sidewalk. What we got out of it was we use that as an opportunity extends sidewalks. We gave you know, we got red rose barbecues and patio dining through the process. They were the first ones in the North Miami Beach area to have that happen as the traffic jams were too high for a parklet. And so we did a curb extension. We used active transportation as a means to create some economic opportunity. Those were good. We got to keep doing that. And so I wanted to so my message here is let's, you know, great progress in the planning. We have to continue to apply for funding to make these projects become a reality. You know, our neighborhoods and many you know, I can talk about North Palm Beach. The neighborhoods are great. It's the business corridors. It's the corridors, the lack of attention. Right. And it's the same way in a lot of areas. The homes are great. But when you look at some of the corridors, they need attention. And without redevelopment, sometimes the only funding we get is the funding we can apply for for the public realm, street projects, widening sidewalks, pedestrian lighting I that make it safer also make it more beautiful. And so those are my that's my encouragement was make sure we apply for the dollars that you get as much bang for the buck as we can in the areas that certainly need, you know, based on data. But, you know, the areas that are using this this infrastructure, the areas that businesses could use, you know, some some enhancement because we've seen what happens. It makes a real difference. I mean, Rob Earls is an example. Last name, Carl, if you could just give us a quick update. Where are we with the RTG project? That's a very good question. Vice Mayor Richardson, we were looking at the 100% design plan today with the designer and going over and making sure that they dotted all the I's and cross all the T's and addressed all of our comments from prior submittal. So the 100% design is in the design team that is going to go back, make a few minor adjustments. And then we're looking to advertise between March and June of this year for the RFP for construction. Yes. Okay. Yes, we can see that up a little more. I think that's better because we've what we originally talked about was put on the street in Q one. Yeah. So and it's closely phasing the project. Yes. So you get as much bang for the buck as you can get. Right around Jordan High School. Exactly. You know, we're going to be phasing it in two pieces, but we're making great progress right now. Fantastic. Thank you. Big, grave controversy for now, please. And thank you. The topic of bollards was of little interest to me, but for redistricting, there wasn't a single ballot in the fourth district. Now I just inherited a tunnel. So what I'd like to ask is if, in fact, we're looking at a redesign or removing those, if we could look at options that do not require a specialized street sweeper. It sort of looked like that low version might work well with traditional street super, so you don't have to answer it today. If you could look into those possibilities. And I do remember above what the vice mayor was saying, and that was one of the pet peeves that they would call right off the bat is there was no way of cleaning that thing. Originally, when those bollards first went up on Artesia as major hazard with gravel and whatnot collecting in the bike lane, and I'd love to see improvements in that area. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember. I think that we do have a motion by Councilperson for now. If I can get a second, that would be great. And I have some comments and questions as well. First, I agree with almost one step further by the Council's really great comments. Mr.. Mr.. Modica, can you go ahead and just put up the of the shot of all the upcoming projects by projects coming up with.
Speaker 2: Yes. We'll get that on the screen.
Speaker 0: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Slide ten.
Speaker 0: And there is a second by councilwoman. So, Councilman, do you have anything to add if you want to say anything else?
Speaker 1: Me. Yes. Oh, no.
Speaker 0: Okay.
Speaker 1: Good. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you for that for the second there. Greg, this is this is this is really great. Thank you very, very much for this. So so I wanted to just do first of all, this is a lot of stuff that one of the things I think that we're hoping for. A lot of us are hoping for is I think a lot of us were around back when the city was first experimenting. And we were.
Speaker 4: I think about like.
Speaker 0: Ten years ago, we were just barely getting started. 15 years ago, the city was just getting started, having these conversations around like infrastructure and around what the city would look like. And I want to credit I know then Vice Mayor Susan Lowenthal really what I thought was kind of like the city thought if you're around bikes, you work with folks like Mark Bixby and so many other folks in getting our master plan to where it is today and so many others across the across the country. What I hope is I'm looking at this plan as far as the upcoming bikeway projects. And it's super it's super exciting to see this. I want to say a couple of things. One is we should continue to.
Speaker 1: Link.
Speaker 0: Our bike projects as well to the impacts around around housing and climate change. And they're all linked. The more we can get folks to travel safely, it does have impacts air quality and does have impacts to the way housing is developed. And so those are always really important things for us to consider. One of the big reasons why these projects are so important. Also, I want to echo the conversations around reinvesting back into bike and bike lane projects that are really need, as we touched on a little a little paint ball replacement, some of the things that we're discussing as far as bollard replacement, which I know I love to hear that from. I'm not a huge fan, but I understand why those put in place, what actually we replace those with. Yes, Mr. Mayor, when those vertical elements, the bollards are damaged, or let's say we were to do a wholesale removal, we would we would need to replace those with some sort of a vertical element. And I mentioned earlier that we're leaning towards that concrete vertical element. It's not really a curb. It's actually quite mountable by a car. But it does provide that vertical separation between the travel lane and the bicycle lane. And so it's a concrete flatter than a normal curb concrete installed with pavement or with the project. And then you can also do other things like we tried wheel stops and on some of our bike projects, but in some areas of the city, the residents complained that the wheel stops were actually trip hazards. So we had to go back and remove those as well. So, you know, again, you need some sort of a vertical element and we are leaning towards that concrete vertical element. That's great. Thank you. And I tell you that I think some of these projects that are that are on here, I remember years ago, some of these projects were not eligible or there is different perspective on whether or not a bike lane could be implemented, including the one on Pacific. I think I'm really glad to see that. But I remember being on the council and that was not a possible bike lane area back then and I'm glad that things have changed and a little more progressive bike policy and locations. I want to also just add their gear doing a major, for example, I see there on Studebaker a big part of that Studebaker grant funded bike lane project, I'm assuming, aligned with our repave of Studebaker that we're working on right now. Is that correct? Yes, that is correct. And we're trying to do the the pavement and the installation of the class for bike lane so that, you know, we don't do redundant work or one one type of task doesn't damage the other work that is done. So that is getting installed on Studebaker the class for thank you and then the you know what's missing on here which. You know, I mentioned before and I wish we were able to include it. We're also working on a major review of Anaheim. All the way from Zamfara to the western side of the city and not a fully funded project, but getting more funded project, I think. And so. Will you remind me why we're not included any sort of bike lane project on our home? Yes, that's a very good question. And Anaheim is a very unique corridor because we don't have the road with on a lot of the segments to allow to have the lanes that we need to accommodate the volumes of traffic and then the additional width to accommodate bike lanes. So what we're doing with the Anaheim Improvement Project is we're installing other types of improvements that are that are consistent with complete streets and active transportation where we're doing a lot of improvements at the intersections. And those improvements will help bicyclists and pedestrians and motorists. So also when folks try to cross the street, cross Anaheim, they're going to have islands and medians in the middle for bicyclists and for pedestrians to act as a refuge. So they're not just jumping across the street into traffic, which I love, by the way, because those are incredibly complete street projects that are happening all up and down on through the great. But Anaheim is very wide, and I know that there's a mixed opinion about whether whether bike lanes could go into that project. And so there are other streets where we've installed bike lanes that are much narrower than Anaheim, which is, I believe, one of the wider streets we have in the city. So I'm just wondering if it campaign valuation of that or is there a bigger issue, a bigger safety issue that they'd like to see? Well well, to get the road to get the bike lanes in there, like, say, a class four, you would have to do a road diet. There's there's no other way around that. We don't want to condemn businesses or take people's property to gain additional with in many of the locations. So you would have to go down to a single lane each direction. And we all know how busy Anaheim is. It would greatly impact the vehicular traffic flow along that entire corridor. It'd be quite a mess, quite frankly, if we went down to one lane in each direction. So that is the challenge, you know, road width and eating the road to carrying and having that capacity for the vehicles. So it's a tradeoff and it's a challenge. All right. Gary Mayor Eric Lopez. I was just going to ask if Karl can talk a little bit about, you know, that East West connection and the importance that and if it can't happen on Anaheim, some of the other areas that the bike master plan looks at that can help with that connection. You know, of course, it's going to be safe. It will be convenient. But I, I just want to make sure that when people look at this map, that they know that we recognize the importance of that East West connection and that we do have plans that that we're looking at to ensure that happens. But let me just add to that, that that's really also I think the key piece of this is when you think about the communities between Anaheim and PCH and along that corridor, you have some of our densest, most lower income communities in the city. And I just want to make sure that those folks are being are have access to safe bike ways to get to get from one end of the city to the other and to go east west. So I know that we have some incredible bike infrastructure along the coast even. I think we're building some great, great linkages on 14th. We have incredible bikeway. I think I'm on six, but I do I continue to be concerned about the ability for folks that are along Midtown, along Cambodia, towns through the center of the city to have access to safe pedestrian transportation. And so interstate bike access. So just just want to put it out there. I know I've mentioned the city before. It's fantastic job with all this. This is looking really great. I just wanted to look that up and continue moving forward. Councilman Michael.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. Sorry that I had some technical difficulties earlier. I'd like to think that there is some value in discussing. Where are the path to lead when they get to the city edges? So you'll see that there was a discussion of. Specifically that it goes the eastward boundary or the city's northern boundary. It's very valuable to have those connected to other bike infrastructure in the adjacent cities and for US council members to work with the adjacent elected to ensure that there is connectivity so that individuals in those parts of Southern California can bike to Long Beach to experience . Some of the corridors that Mr. Richardson was discussing. So just something to think about. And then I think that we're really excited about the opportunity to have standardization of the bulb outs and standardization of the coloring and standardization of where we do what classes. I also think there needs to be an exception process. If you look at a project that I'm really, really proud of on Viking Way, those bulb out and that additional safety measures could not have been possible if we would have had to wait for the funding to be able to do it via concrete. We did an experiment. We did it with paint and other visual aids that got us there. But that project was originally and ended up being around half a million dollars, and we would have done those bulb outs that have been significantly more expensive with the concrete, and it probably wouldn't have gotten done. And there are times when the priorities of the city are such where a project of that magnitude growing by 25% would not be possible. And so I think we need to look at when and where those exceptions can be.
Speaker 0: Made and what that looks like.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much.
Speaker 0: And finally, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 1: Yes. Thank you, Mayor. I'm just following up on what the mayor was just speaking about. When I'm looking at the second district, I see some significant gaps, especially from north to south. And as we know, these gaps are in some of our densest neighborhoods in central Long Beach. So is there, like any timeline or. I guess it's just kind of a follow up question to what you already asked, too. Like, how are we going to address these these gaps that I'm seeing on this map?
Speaker 0: Well, we typically do, Councilwoman Allen, as we are aware of where we have those those type of gaps that you're talking about. And as projects are developed and as and as project funding comes along, however that arrives, we do try to fill in those gaps. We do have about six projects that we're going to be applying for this coming year for projects. I'm getting into all those details. But with many of our projects, we fill in those gaps as best as we can. And again, it's a corridor by corridor basis, and we look to do that. And on the west side of the city, there's a lot happening up against the river, you know, with the Shoemaker Bridge and the Drake Park improvements. So there are a variety of things happening in the downtown area as well.
Speaker 1: And I understand that you're aware of the gaps, and I trust that you'll you know, that you'll find ways that you can fill them when you can. But is do you have is there like in any timeline for this?
Speaker 0: Well, there's no real timeline to say that, you know, everything will be done by act by year X. You know, we do have a goal to to try to get this complete master plan done by, say, 2040. But again, it's piece by piece, developer by developer, project by project. And we sort of piece it together the best that we can as as funding is available and as the projects come together as one agree.
Speaker 1: Just want one other question. I know I look at the the the go active Long Beach Hub is great but we only have one. What are we doing to provide more secure parking and storage elsewhere in the city? And then also, is there something that we could do to like incorporate in any of the city owned parking structures or locked in to secure parking?
Speaker 0: Yeah, that's a tough question. You know, right now we do have the one hub, as you mentioned, and it's, um, it costs us a little bit of money to keep that thing up and running. And it's really a unique setup there. And, you know, we would be open to looking for other areas, other sections of town to set up similar hubs. And we do have bike parking in the city structures right now in the Hamilton I'm sorry, the Lincoln Garage. So, you know, again, we are working on those things and as as opportunities arise, we try to fit them in wherever we can.
Speaker 1: Thank you so much, Carl.
Speaker 0: Compliment. Can I just add a little bit more to that in now? I have two things. First, you know, we have we do have a lot of parking assets, but I think we can do a better job with providing more secure bicycle parking. So, you know that that is an area where our mobility officer and public works is going to be looking at working with our partner, with our parking team and see what we can do. The second part, um, big grant opportunities like the active transportation program that the state administers that comes every two years. So, you know, in terms of the question of, you know, how often do we get the opportunities? Do proposed projects compete for funding to be able to do some of these bigger improvements? You know, it's right now it's happening every three years. We are expecting more funding to come under those programs because of the federal infrastructure bill. So, you know, I think we're in a unique place. We have our planning documents in place. We know where our gaps are. We know where our where where we can do a better job. And with all of this additional funding coming in, I really think it's an exciting time to to compete for some of these funds, bring some of this funding in and be able to get a lot more of these projects completed. So I, I just wanted to lift that up and just point that out because, you know, not every year that we get to compete, it's been every two years for the last 4 to 6 years for us.
Speaker 1: I think thank you, Eric, for all your hard work on that.
Speaker 0: Thank you and councilman for. Thank you. I just wanted to follow up on the mayor's question about Anaheim and Cindy Allen's question about North-South. So and this happened on my watch. So Anaheim was deemed not appropriate for bike lanes. So they chose 15th Street. And that bike lane goes from Magnolia on the West all the way to Cal State line, which actually jumps out of the north up to Atherton, then over on the way to Studebaker. So that was the alternative for the Anaheim Street Bike Lane and for Cindy Allan Obispo. And staff can talk about this. This was just completed recently, but I believe I'm not I know it's the fourth District. I know the bike lane goes from 10th to PCH, but it might go even further than that. But so there's a good North-South route right in the middle of the second District section that goes up to PCH. Thanks. You can count on her for those good updates. That concludes council comments on this very session. Is there any public comment? I'm sure.
Speaker 4: At this time. If there's any members of the public that like to speak on this item, please use this raise hand feature or press star nine. We have three public comments. Dave Shuker.
Speaker 0: Your time starts now. Great. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: Can you?
Speaker 0: Great. Good evening. Thanks for the opportunity to comment on this. Very, very, very good presentation, Mr. HIGGINS. Mrs.. Thank you. So that you can better judge and evaluate what I'm saying. I should note that Vision Zero is something that I have been tracking since Director Con in New York City when I was living there first proposed it and it's something I did research on in 2016, 2017 at UCLA. I very much would like to see Complete Streets on Studebaker. I'm glad to see that there's funding for that. I think the point about the Santa Fe Corridor, using the Alameda Corridor and having not just bike lanes but complete streets on the west side would be really great using the L.A. River as a form of connectivity, not just for bikes, but multimodal connectivity. I think it's something that should be explored on both banks. Things like the DeForest Parkway, for instance, are really going to lead in that direction. It's good to see the traffic safety issues, especially on Vision Zero, have been identified where they're most concentrated on the borders between the first, second and the six districts. 35 saved lives. Speed limit restrictions are helpful, and they're legally and justifiably possible. We should do it. To go back to pub is gorgeous. That is a wonderful use of space. Great program metrics on some of these slides, including the co-benefits for the cost of emissions. A lot of win win win scenarios. It's great to see. I think the city should own site and maintain its own manufacturing capacity for active transportation and multi-modal connectivity. So I'd like to ask, you know, with the 100 250 new e-bikes, are these connected any charging stations or prefiguring things like light monorail or something? I mean, where are these things are going to be located? Because, you know, we've had some problems with some of these electric scooters. The rollout was a bit of a mess. And I hope that their safety and risk model for adding these new e-bikes to the roads. Yes. So, um, I'd like to hear about materials other than concrete cool streets, materials excrete something that doesn't take a lot of carbon emissions to produce. Incidentally, when you look at all the different utilities and sectors that you need to do a lot of these projects, it's completely understandable why every other coastal city in California has a community choice aggregation program, you know, ways to coordinate these things better and faster. And then finally, I appreciate the points about 15th Street and 10th Street and alternative corridors. Maybe not all of our major.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is senior campaign.
Speaker 0: And I can say this resident. So the only comment that I have think thank you city staff for this presentation. The only comment that I have is I. I unfortunately respectfully think that your pine corridor element is not appropriate. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: Yes. We can hear you. Okay. Okay. The reason being is.
Speaker 0: That when you get from. Uh, ten or you guys say from 8/8 to Willow. So when you get above, let's say, 14th Street, all the way up to maybe 20th Street. Most people on Pine Park, their car in the middle of the of the road. That's a known fact. You go outside right now, you'll see it at least 40 to 50 plus cars parked in the middle of the street due to the lack of parking availability in such a highly dense area. The average block going from 14th Street up to 20 to 20th Street has about 4 to 5 apartment buildings on each side of the street, which are at least four places now. So I don't understand how and I live on 20th and 25th and pine and so and that empties out into willow. So I don't understand how that would work for us. Creating a bike a bike lane. Because then you would just throw up, you know, in a working class neighborhood, some somewhere of, you know, dozens of parking spots for people, many of them who live in the neighborhood. So if we can coordinate. The bike lane maybe to Atlantic, which is a natural. Business corridor as the vice mayor, Rex Richardson, referenced earlier.
Speaker 4: Or even as the mayor.
Speaker 0: Said, I thought that the Pacific Avenue bike lane was a great addition with respect to running it through the neighborhood of Fine. It's not going to work out to the benefit of the people living in the first and sixth District. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Gloria Bradley. Gloria Bradley, your time starts now. Please unmute yourself. Our next speaker is Padraic Gleeson.
Speaker 0: Hello. My name is Patrick Gleason. I live on Cherry and Anaheim in District six. And so thank you for raising the Anaheim corridor. Those improvements, even if they don't include bike lanes, will be will be massive. And I hope that the city can find funding for that. I am a renter and a rider. That means I don't own a home and I don't own a car. And so I wanted to just make myself known and ask that the council please remember us. I know we are a minority in this city, at least from the rider perspective. And so I wanted to emphasize how important projects like these are in my day to day as well. So I right a scooter or a bike to work every single day. I am honked at and kind of harassed on a really regular basis. And I think part of that has to. Do with the design of our roads, which many of them are 100% designed for cars. So of course, they think, you know, what are you doing in my lane? And the reason I mean, that lane is because there is no lane for me. There is, you know, you can't ride on the sidewalk and there's no bike lane. So I just wanted to thank the council for having the session, encourage you to find additional funding advocate for active transportation. I know the state is looking at expanding transportation. Lina Gonzales is the transportation chair. You know, I think the resources are out there and we can get creative to to bring them to Long Beach. So thank you very much for hosting this.
Speaker 4: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes the study session. Let me close the discussion. Thank you very much. Let me also for item 24. I'm being told you have to take a roll call vote just to move back. So let's go and do that really briefly. There is a motion in the second, please, Councilman Pryce, who wanted to actually, we have the item. Forget that. We need a vote on that.
Speaker 2: We need a vote on it.
Speaker 3: Mayor, I'm sorry. We need to vote on the study session item.
Speaker 0: I'm sorry you didn't file.
Speaker 1: Correct?
Speaker 0: Yeah. Did you have this virtual things? Let's.
Speaker 4: Let's go ahead and do that.
Speaker 0: Let's do the we'll do the roll call vote and received file, right?
Speaker 1: Correct. And can you repeat the.
Speaker 3: Mover in the second year for us?
Speaker 0: With this item. I believe in one.
Speaker 1: Super nine six.
Speaker 0: Avenue with Councilmember Superman and Councilman Zoro. Thank you. So let's go ahead in your roll call vote.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 0: Won.
Speaker 1: By district two. I District three. I. District four.
Speaker 0: All right.
Speaker 3: District five. I District six.
Speaker 1: Hi.
Speaker 3: District seven. By District eight.
Speaker 1: By District nine, a motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to hold a study session to receive and file a presentation on City’s Bicycle Infrastructure. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0111 | Speaker 0: Thank you. And item 24 in motion, please. Councilmember Price if I can get a second on that. Vice Mayor Richardson, go ahead and do a roll call vote, please.
Speaker 1: First District one.
Speaker 3: Oh, I'm sorry. Before we begin the vote, is there any public comment on this item? On 24.
Speaker 4: If there's any members I would like to speak on this item, please press star nine or use a raise hand function.
Speaker 0: And this is the table and not on the item.
Speaker 4: Correct? See? None. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 3: We'll continue the vote District one.
Speaker 1: And.
Speaker 3: District two.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District five i. District six. By District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District eight.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Can I get a motion on that calendar, please? Motion by Council member Alan Secondary Council. They ask any public comment on. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring The Long Beach Community Investment Company owned property located at 4151 East Fountain Street (APN 7253-026-029) as "exempt surplus land" as defined in Government Code Section 54221(f)(1)(A) and/or 54221(f)(1)(F), and authorize City Manager, or designee, to take any actions and execute any documents necessary to ensure compliance with the Surplus Land Act and State regulations relating thereto. (District 3) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0112 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Now we'll be going up to a request to have 25, I believe, up next by councilwoman. And they have them on the item, right? Councilwoman. Yes. Let's go ahead and do it. And 25.
Speaker 1: Report from Development Services and Financial.
Speaker 3: Management Recommendation to adopt a resolution, approve the issuance of bonds by the California Community Housing Agency of the.
Speaker 1: Civic Center, Mid-Block District one.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Members of the Council, this is a really significant project that we want to make sure that you understand the components and how it works. It's a really complex tool. We talked about some of this last week as we talked about middle income and this is a ground up construction of 580 brand new units , which will be 100% affordable. And when it's complete, we will have completed the public private partnership that is the Civic Center. This is the last component that we've in that arrangement. And we found an innovative way to build the project and also bring you some additional affordable units. So I will turn it over to Oscar Orsi, who will walk through the project for us.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Mr. Modica. And thank you. Mayor and City Council Members. The Development Services Department is happy to present the recommended financing structure for the development and operation of the Civic Center. Mid-Block mixed use development for the city is considered consideration. Next slide, please. In 2015, the City Council approved the Civic Civic Center project. Since then, the new City Hall, the port headquarters and the main library have been completed. With Lincoln Park nearing its completion. The approval also includes the Mid-Block mixed use residential development to replace the Old City Hall, which is currently under demolition. Plenary The owner and the sponsor is requesting that the City Council authorize the issuance of a tax exempt bonds to finance the construction and operation of the development. Next slide, please. As Mr. Modica indicated, the project will include 580 moderate income housing units and two eight story buildings with subterranean parking, retail, restaurant space and more importantly, a grocery store. The buildings will feature amenity spaces including but not limited to courtyards pool in an eighth floor skydeck. The Mid-Block conveyance agreement between the city and the plenary group required that 10% or 58 of the total units be restricted to moderate income households. This proposed financing structure for the project includes a significant increase in the number of affordable housing units. In fact, the project will bring 100% affordable housing units. And with that, I'd like to turn this over to Mr. Yaw Patrick Bua, who will provide you a brief description of the actual financing structure. Mr. YORK, Next slide, please.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Oscar. And good evening, Mayor and City Council Plenary will partner with the California Community Housing Agency, our Kelsey H.J., a Joint Powers Authority that will issue the tax exempt bonds that Oscar mentioned. A regulatory agreement will impose income and rent restrictions on the lower tier moderate income housing units. There will also be a project administration agreement between Plenary and Kelsey H.A., under which plenary will serve as the project administrator, an asset manager and a property management agreement with Greystar Property Management. A public benefit agreement will guide the relationship between the city and Kelsey. It also grants the city the option to purchase or forced the sale of the property at 15 and provides a variety of transaction terms that the JPA must follow and makes the JPA responsible for property management and overall property condition affordability, compliance reporting and payment of a host fee and affordable housing monitoring fee. Next slide, please. The project will be financed with 240 year series A bonds and a subordinate series B bonds. The total development costs for the project are estimated at over $493 million. These bonds are repaid through project cash flow. Project. Cash flow in the city has no obligation to repay the bonds. Next slide, please. Project affordability will be governed by two income structures to state income limits prepared by the State Department of Housing and Community Development or CD and the Tax Credit. Income limits prepared by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The state, income limits are lower. For example, a two person moderate income household can earn up to 70,400 under the state limits, while that same household can earn up to 113,528 under the HUD income limits. Next slide, please. The units have a meaningful affordability restriction with rents based on 30% of the state or HUD income limits or a 5% discount from market rates, whichever market rate rents, whichever is less. So if 30% of someone's income means that their rent is not 5% or less from the market rate rent, then the rent will be reduced even further by that 5% margin. As you can see from the chart, the current market rate rent for a two bedroom unit in the area is about 30 $600. A plenary average rent for that unit will be approximately 3037, which is about a 16% discount to the market rate rent. I also want to just briefly talk about the difference between the HUD rents and the city rents. So I'm going to look at a one bedroom units and this is coming from figure eight on page 13 of the attached HRA report. Market rate rent for a one bedroom unit in the area is estimated at 20 $700. The HUD unit rent for a one bedroom is estimated at 20 $460, which is about a 9% reduction from market rate rents. And then the state rents for that same unit would be 1650 $5, which is a 30 almost a 39% reduction over the market rate rent, which is significant. Next slide, please. A total of 120 units will be restricted to the lower state income limits and 460 will be restricted to the HUD income limits. 120 state income units will be secured by a 54 five or deed restriction. Next slide, please. Annual city property tax losses are estimated at 650,000, but the developer will pay the city an annual host fee equal to that figure to compensate for the lost property tax revenues. Next slide, please. The city will receive regional housing needs assessment, arena credit for 520 units, all of the units in the project, 120 of them will be counted as moderate income units, and the remaining 460 will be counted as market rate units for rent purposes. This is due to the higher income levels imposed by the HUD income units and the deeper affordability of 120 state units. The project will also promote housing for teachers in new commercial retail space, including a grocery store and active site security. It will also create jobs both during construction and after completion, and construction workers will be paid prevailing wages. Also, it's estimated the project may generate approximately 2.2 million in retail property tax and up to $14 million in retail sales tax annually. Next slide, please. There are some risks, you know. One being the foregone public benefits to the other taxing entities. Although this site has been the site of the Civic Center for decades, and so those taxing entities have not seen property taxes on the site in the past. Something to think about. Complicated financial structure. Although as someone who works in the affordable housing industry, I can I can attest to the fact that all affordable housing projects have complicated financing structures, and then there are risks from lack of enforcement of the public benefit or regulatory agreements, although those will be mitigated by the city's annual monitoring of the project. Again, the recommendation is to adopt a resolution authorizing this. I'm sorry. Next slide, please. I'm sorry. Again, the recommendation is to adopt a resolution authorizing the city to approve the issuance of bonds by the California Community Housing Agency to finance the development of the Civic Center Mid-Block, and to authorize the execution of all documents necessary to effectuate the issuance of the bonds and the development of the Civic Center. Mid-Block, as described herein, including the Public Benefits Agreement with California Community Housing Agency District one. That concludes the presentation. Thank you. Mr. Modica, did you have any additional comments which go to the county?
Speaker 2: Just thanks to the opportunity to present that. We just want to make sure that the deal is just and something the council understands. It is something new for us. But we think a lot of due diligence has been performed. We brought on third party groups to also tell us and inform us on making sure that this deal is is as good as possible for the city and for the development community. And we really appreciate our partners plenary for bringing this deal forward and working very collaboratively with the city to address a lot of the questions that we had and put a good proposal in front of you. So we're available for questions.
Speaker 0: I have a motion by a company that they have secondary company, first customers, and they are.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Actually, at this time, if you don't mind, can we go to public comment before I give my comments? I mean. Do we have public comment on this?
Speaker 0: Adam Okay. If they go over, I think the mayor stepped away and we have public comment here.
Speaker 4: Yes. If there's any members of the public that would like to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand function. Alex. See your first speaker. Your time starts.
Speaker 0: Now. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Members of City Council Alex Charron, representing Waterford Development, sent a letter earlier today memorializing our support for the site. And we think staff has done a great job in embracing, as we talked about last week, when the policy was first brought forward, this concept of workforce housing and I think it's much needed and obviously checks a lot of the housing boxes from a policy perspective. We did send a letter voicing the support for raise some concerns with some of the specific analysis done by H.R. and a consistent with our comments last week. I think there's more of a distinction needed to be made by staff in these ground up affordable housing or moderate housing projects as opposed to conversions. We appreciate staff's amenability in the Council's direction to work with Waterford over the next 60 days, to come back with some further refinements reflecting that and hopefully have before you in that time. The final strokes on the Cal State Long Beach teacher step housing proposal, which also fits in this moderate income program. So again, Waterford is very supportive of the item tonight with those caveats and look forward to discussing our Cal State project specifically with staff in the next few weeks. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Ann Cantrell.
Speaker 5: Good evening, Council and mayor. Wherever you may be, I send a letter. Stating my concerns about this project. One of the first red flags is in the staff report where it says previous efforts by Flannery to secure a developer have not been successful. I do not understand why you think that putting up a bond is going to make this project any more successful. I think the reason that they have not been able to find a developer is that. Most people would say this is not a project that's going to succeed. This is not. Geared to providing affordable housing. You have to make at least $70,000 a year. I'm more interested in providing low cost housing, which I think is really needed in the city. And there's no mention of what happens if this project fails and the.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker telephone number ending in 3319. Your time starts now. You may begin.
Speaker 0: Yeah. Good evening. Can you hear me? Yes. We can hear you. Yeah. My name is Gus Torres, and I represent your local 255 fitters, welders and apprentices. And we're 5500 strong, and we're in full support of this project. This project could be a great opportunity for good wages and benefits for everybody involved and having highly skilled and trained workers. The building FU provides is a plus. Not to mention all the much needed living spaces. That it will create out there as well. So we urge you to approve this project. Thank you for your time and God bless.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is tonight campaign.
Speaker 0: Somebody needs some vitamin A, A, B, C and d. Sounds like what respect to do this project. Um. My only concern. Well, I have several concerns. For one, this is.
Speaker 4: Publicly owned land, and I don't think that the.
Speaker 0: Public is getting a fair deal. 290802 as a zip code. Um, you know, we have an overrepresentation of single adults. Uh, I am a single adult at this present time. But. I am with the mindset of one day having a family. And I think that communities and neighborhoods foundationally start from that. That that concept and premise and these types of developments do not emphasize or reiterate what a neighborhood looks like. You know, Long Beach, the beauty of Long Beach is that our downtown center has always had a family presence. And these types of developments not secure that for the future. You know, this area is represented by one Benitez. And as the most recent recent redistrict redistricting effort showed, his district lost over 3000 children.
Speaker 4: Jennie Oropeza Elementary School is at a deficit.
Speaker 0: Stevenson Elementary School is at a deficit. We continue to fixate on properties that are raising what the costs are in this area. We are not encouraging families to stay in the city.
Speaker 4: And thank you. Our next speaker is Ann Marie Otto.
Speaker 1: Good evening. This is. I'm representing the Los Angeles Orange County's Building and Construction Trades Council. We are strongly in support of the city moving forward with the development of the Civic Center. Mid-Block. The ambitious makeover of the Civic Center is almost complete. We at the building trades are very proud that thousands of our highly skilled and trained men and women are building these projects. And this really includes more than several hundred Long Beach residents who have started their lifelong careers in the building trades. Speaking in particular to what the previous speaker just said, we think it's important and relevant that the new project does provide middle income, affordable housing, which would help many of our building trades union members and their families, enabling our members who grew up in Long Beach and joined a trades union to stay here, raise their families here , and send their kids to the local school. When I wrote that before the last comment, or this is the missing middle class housing that every area desperately needs. And we're glad that Long Beach is taking the lead, promoting the well-being of hardworking middle class families. According to the development agreement, this is a prevailing wage project. We do urge the authority and the City Council to include a full project labor agreement on this project, which will enable us to continue to target Long Beach residents for hiring. It's a formula that's been successful to build the new library, city hall, court headquarters and courthouse and park. We do urge you to include it on the Civic Center, Mid-Block as well. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Francisco Guerrero.
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Francisco Riddle. I live in the seventh district. I am speaking on behalf of the Long Beach Union Carpenters Local 516. I'm a lifelong Long Beach resident. I have been a member of the Union for 25 years. We are in support of the item 25 and in favor of moving this project forward. We're also supporting the developer that believes in using state approved, skilled and trained apprentices from our community. They will also use responsible contractors at a livable wage to its workers. They will have the local hire requirements for the city Long Beach. That will include the hiring of veterans. The members of Long Beach, Virginia, Local five six who are eager to start and keep working near their home in their town, Long Beach. We are local five six. Thank you and thank you for your time.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Corey Leslie.
Speaker 5: Okay. Hi, this is courtesy of my greatest concern when I look at this is the complexity of it that having a consultant come in and put something like that together, I don't think this should be a hasty decision. I would think that we should go out and get Ernst and Young and at the very least, we should have our own city auditor be weighing in on this. I didn't see a report from her and we pay her to do that. So. You know, we've had a number of financial boondoggles here lately with the Queen Mary and Community Hospital and and now this situation. And I would just caution everyone to please don't be in a hurry and get all the information you can before you vote. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Rae Lawson. Ray Lawson. Dear me. Yes, we can hear you.
Speaker 0: Okay. Good evening. City Council. Mayor Garcia. Oh, hey. My brothers and sisters, they said it best. I don't want to repeat their their points, but we got a thing called community will. Where we are, we encourage young people to build in trades, to be able to work in the city that they live. And with this affordable housing component that's in here, and also our skilled and training workforce that once they graduate from a state approved apprenticeship program, they'll be able to actually live in the city and say, Hey, I built this project and I live here. They can have a career is not just a job, but it's a career where they can raise their families and a new park is being built. You know, we talk about recreate and coming out of COVID, reimagining some of the future. And this is one of the things that we're doing here. We imagine a future council. The mayor has taken the first step. The developer has taken the first step in doing it and reimagining the future and actually putting action into words and not just talking. They're actually doing something here. So we believe that we support and we approve the issuance of these bonds, that this will be the first step of looking at a new Long Beach. And we can be an example for the rest of the state, rest of the country in how we create jobs and careers and also a place to live for young people for the upcoming decades. So thank you for your time, and thank you for your time, Mayor Garcia.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Ian Payne.
Speaker 0: Oh, Council. I find this item to be quite disheartening, to be honest. I would really encourage you to slow this down and look at it more carefully and get some additional analysis. I'm not saying that the HRT analysis was lacking, but this is a $500 million deal to basically bail out $1,000,000,000 worth of construction loans on the original project. And we need to have a second opinion on this. We need to go out and see if there are other options. Plenary has not succeeded at finding a private developer for this site, which was supposed to pay for the whole project. And so I understand we're in a bind now and there's no easy way out. But considering the history of this, where we signed a 700 plate, 700 plus page contract for the Civic Center. And there was literally no financial model. There was a blank page. It's you can check out the contract in the appendix. It's like buying a house with no HUD statement. And now we're doing it all over again to try to paper over the fact that the private end of the public private partnership. Is not succeeding here. So I think we need some more help with this.
Speaker 4: So thank you. Our next speaker is Steven Donohue.
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mayor and Council Member. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: Yes. We can hear you.
Speaker 0: Yes. Good evening. My name is Steven Donahue and I'm a member of the Carpenters Local 562. I just want to express my. I just want to express that I support this project, that it provides our skilled and trained workforce and our state approved apprenticeship program the opportunity to to live and and work here in the city of Long Beach. And it also provides great jobs for our veterans. And the local hiring component is a just an added benefit. Thank you for listening to me and have a great evening.
Speaker 3: Can I please have counsel turn on their cameras.
Speaker 1: Before we proceed.
Speaker 3: In that? Speaker can counsel please turn on. Thank you very.
Speaker 1: Much.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Paul Marino.
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mr. Mayor and council members. My name's Colm Raynham with the Ironworkers Local 433 and I just wanted to let you know that we're in full support of this project. We have many men and women who reside in the beautiful city of Long Beach and they love working in Long Beach. So we're hoping to keep them working in Long Beach. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is telephone number ends in nine, seven, four, three. Time begins now.
Speaker 0: Good evening. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: Yes, we can hear you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Good evening. Mayor Garcia and fellow council members. My name is Tommy Provi. I represent IBEW Electrical Workers Local 11, and we're in full support of the item that's in front of you tonight. Item number 25. This project, Cranberries Culinary Group's project, has come a long way through the process. They've stepped up with the city to pursue of the government bonds so they can have access to issuance of these bonds for this project. We appreciate primary group on committing project labor agreement with Chris Hammond in the building trades and also housing prevailing wage included in this process. We look forward to the city council on your on urging you to support this project moving forward. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: All right. So I don't have the Q system. I'm going to go to Councilwoman DeHart and Councilwoman Allen. I'll give my comments and then just raise your hand on the screen and we'll go in that order. Councilman, the detox.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Vice Mayor. Really excited about this project. I know it's been a long time coming, but I know that this is going to be so good as an affordable housing, as a housing advocate for for the city and for many, many years. I am so excited to see one so many units coming to this location, but I'm especially excited to see it go from 10% affordable house help affordable units to 100% affordable units. And that's a big deal. And that doesn't happen too often. So that's something that I'm really, really excited about. Also, parking is always an issue. So the fact that it's going to bring over 800, almost 900 stores with this project, I think is also very important because parking continues to be an issue. It's really amazing to be able to support projects like this. And, you know, especially when we all work together to make something really good, come forward. So thank you very much. Very supportive of this project.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Vice Mayor I just wanted to say I'm just really impressed by this project and at the Downtown Resident, I just think this has so much potential to transform that Mid-Block Civic Center even further. And I also think the project will meet our a lot of our housing goals as well as add more retail and commercial space. And I'm really impressed by the developer. I think he's done a lot of great projects and particularly this one has a lot of community benefits that we've all that they've agreed to provide, including workforce housing for educators and promoting public transit, building community space. And also which is really important to that area, is just enhanced me enhancing security around the area. So I'm just very supportive of this project as well as any middle income housing programs. I know they're new, but I do think that there'll be a good fit, that it increases the affordable housing units from 10% to 100% middle income, which I think will provide a lot of benefit to that community, particularly to our workforce housing goals. So I'll be supporting this tonight. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I'll have my comments here. Thank you all at my comments here. And Councilwoman Allen Esther second, correct. Okay.
Speaker 1: I yes. Yesterday, Vice Mayor Richardson, I had already seconded it. I think the mayor mentioned that before. Okay.
Speaker 0: I didn't hear that. Okay. You can go speak emotionally. I'm sorry. I just know it was Councilwoman Allen's district and transferred to. And they is one to respect that.
Speaker 1: I totally want to respect that. I totally want to respect it, too. But since you don't have the Q system, I did try to text Councilwoman Allen to let her know that I had cued up. So I was just trying to. It's not an issue of respect. It's just I didn't want to get lost in the queue. So I'm know after you, if you'd like.
Speaker 0: You can go now.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Okay. So thank you very much to the staff for the presentation. I really appreciate it. You know, I'm mindful that these particular projects that we're doing with this kind of financing come with some risks. And I just want to hear from city staff a little bit more about the risk and have you really articulate for us what those are before we embark on this partnership.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Will have us, Rosie, try to answer that question.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Councilmember. So, as was indicated in the PowerPoint presentation, there are some risk. It is a complicated, uh, financial structure. There is not much history on the long term viability of these structures. But the way this deal is structured, it's first of all, it's consistent with the policy document that was brought to you at the previous meeting and what they've done in order for as an example, to reduce the risk of the foregone property taxes, they are providing a host fee that will make the city whole for its property tax revenues, number one. Number two, the bonds, as an example, will be amortized at the end of the life of the program, meaning that the the principal and interest will be paid off that way when it does come to selling the property, if that's what the city elects to do. You are capturing or reducing the the large level of debt that that that hopefully at the sale of the property you'll be able to capture and use elsewhere, including but not limited to the extension of the buildings into middle income housing units. Also as as was discussed here, the the the property the buildings will will have the affordability requirements and covenants to provide for some meaningful middle income reductions or inclusions, including rental qualified units, which is something that is, I think, meaningful for the program. So we staff believe that with these efforts, including reporting requirements and other factors, a requirement to have reserves, in other words, savings accounts, to be able to take on any maintenance requirements for the life of the bonds with the appropriate escalators. We feel that these provisions not only allow us to move forward and reduce the risk, but also provide, again, meaningful middle income units for the city.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I appreciate that. And in terms of meeting for middle income, how many middle income units have we built in recent history in the city.
Speaker 4: Councilmember prior to the Ocean Air Project, we, I believe, had built somewhere in the neighborhood of 39 units, and that's under the old cycle housing element cycle, which was, I believe, 3% of our requirements. With this next cycle that you were familiar with, we are required to provide over 4100 middle income units. That's not an issue for debate. It's a state requirement. It's not whether or not we believe in middle income in the in the the funding or the income requirements or for the the households. It is something that the state has indicated that they that we, the city of Long Beach, need to provide.
Speaker 1: And so of the 580 or so. Correct me if I'm wrong, but of those units, will they all qualify as middle income?
Speaker 4: Potentially, yes. All not only just 120, but there's a bill that was approved that will allow us to be able to consider the extended units as middle income units. We do have the measures, the monetary measures, the restrictions that we could potentially deploy for arena eligibility. But we need to look into that further.
Speaker 1: Would this type of financing structure impact the city's current credit rating in any negative way?
Speaker 4: I'm going to defer with others. But but at this point, my you know, you know what? I'm just going to defer to either Kevin or our or our consultants that are online and available to answer questions.
Speaker 0: This financing structure to the California Community Housing Agency will have no impact on the city of Long Beach's credit rating.
Speaker 1: I'm sorry. Did you say we'll have no impact?
Speaker 0: No impact, zero impact? We're not responsible for the debt or the debt service, the principal or the interest. It's all on the JPA, the joint powers, the third.
Speaker 1: Okay, I got it. And then one final question, actually, to the skilled and trained workforce that we've been talking about. That's not part of the play, but that's an agreement that the developers agreed to correct.
Speaker 4: Right. That is an agreement between bind between the developer and the and the the in the plan the labor unions.
Speaker 1: Got it. Yeah. So similar to what we did at Second and PCH. I think in terms of this with this project, this financing structure, I know it's dependent on a number of variables like property values. What happens if this project were to fail? What is the risk that the city is taking?
Speaker 4: There is no risk to the city. Again, the owners of the property will be the Joint Powers Authority. They are the owners. They're responsible. They carry on the liability for the payment of the bonds, the repayment of the bonds.
Speaker 1: Okay. So it's a JPA read. Correct.
Speaker 3: Councilwoman, your time is up.
Speaker 1: Thank you so much for the question.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I'll just add my, my my comments here. Good job to the development team to staff to for getting this project off the ground. I know there were some significant delays. We weren't originally planning to have affordable housing component on the project. Originally with the market rate, housing and a hotel was the concept. I know with inclusionary housing this would have required the 11% or whatever it is. And so I'm glad to see that we're using this new tool to ensure that there's significant significantly more units that are available at an affordable rate. The Middle Income Housing Program. I'm also glad that we conducted the pilot program first and learned a lot from that and has put a policy on board over the past few weeks to make sure that we've thought through all of these questions that council is asking around risk. I'm certainly happy to see that the city is being made whole on property taxes, that there's no no loss to the city in that regard. If anything, we're going to see see some increases in terms of overall growth for the area, because it's been significantly depressed in the years since the city hall has been being closed. And so we'll see some economic progress there. You know, this does help us with Rina. We still have a lot to do with other tiers of affordability. So we have to build more housing at different income levels. That's the way the arena works. So I'm glad to see that we are taking a step forward here, but there's still significantly more to do. And, you know, I'm certainly glad to see, you know, construction and pave the way for for jobs. And, you know, I'm glad to see that we have so many people interested and invested in this project. I think, you know, that was something really important to the council when we approved the Civic Center project was ensure that there was a project, local project, labor agreement with local hire since it didn't automatically fall into the city's project labor agreement. That was something intentionally that we called out. The last thing I'll say is it's a question. Originally, when we designed this, there was a lot of connectivity between City Hall and Lincoln Park and the library. What have we done in the new design to ensure that we still have that connectivity through that walkway and that we have we still have some level of engagement or retail on the ground floor. Can we speak to that?
Speaker 4: Yes, Councilmember. And we can if others can weigh in on it, that's great. But we do have the Meet the Paseo still included in the design that will allow for folks to connect not only within the Civic Center complex, but also to our downtown area. And in the in the Mid-Block project, we will have opportunities for restaurant space, commercial space, and my personal preference is a grocery store within walking distance. So these items will still be included in this entitled project.
Speaker 0: Well, that's great to hear. Certainly happy to hear that. I think the grocery store would be fantastic. I always hear that about lack of grocery in downtown, so that would be huge available in that. Thanks a lot. I see. Christopher Coombs, your hand is up. Councilman, just on.
Speaker 4: The design that we can.
Speaker 0: Follow up tomorrow with your office. But for those of you, when you're at city hall and you look down that sort of broad open spectrum open courtyard, that courtyard will continue through the Mid-Block project. And then there's a few corridor through Lincoln Park. So you'll actually see all the way over into the light rail and sort of the greater downtown area. And that's meant to provide just visual transparency. So there you see the exciting, you know, the grocery store, the park, the places you want to go. But it's also meant to provide symbolic transparency because the city hall and the park complex are open to the public. And we're visually demonstrating that through the landscape architecture that tie all these different projects together. So we have some great exhibits that we can share with you, and I can follow up with your office tomorrow. That's great. And I know we talked about actually doing some monuments and some other, like, landmarking here. And, you know, from the park to the city halls. Any words, any of that preserved? There's a history walk, local history walk with art produced by local artists.
Speaker 4: It's not quite ready.
Speaker 0: To show you. So we're polishing that up. And it's if you give us another 30 days, I think myself and Public Works would be glad to share that with you, Councilman. Absolutely. That was one of the things like all the neighbors across the city wanted to see some part of their local community pride in our civic center . And that's the way we want. We represented the compliment Cubano. Thank you. I just want to take a moment to thank staff for the presentation and in particular for answering some very complex and detailed questions from the fourth District. And I want to mention Christopher Coons is answering those questions right up to the council meeting and during the council meeting. So thank you for that, because the questions are so detailed inside baseball, if you will. I didn't want to read all of them, but I just wanted to mention one which I thought was very pertinent, and that is if your staff can address this. So saying something should happen to the property in 15 years, what would happen to that covenant of of non-market rate housing? My understanding that it stays with the project for 55 years. Can you comment on that?
Speaker 4: Council Member That is correct. The the units are restricted for 55 years. So if the project is sold at the 15 year or later mark, those units will be retained for qualified.
Speaker 0: Middle income units. Okay. Thank you for that. And just what the answer to all the questions. It's very apparent to me that staff has done all their due diligence and so I'll be supporting the project. Thank you. Miles, any other hands up and we don't public comment so we can go ahead and go through all of this
Speaker 1: . District one.
Speaker 3: District two.
Speaker 1: High District three. High district for.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District five. II District six.
Speaker 1: I. District seven. By District eight. By District nine.
Speaker 3: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing the City to (i) approve the issuance of bonds by the California Community Housing Agency to finance the development of the Civic Center Mid-Block, and (ii) authorize the execution of all documents necessary to effectuate the issuance of the bonds and the development of the Civic Center Mid-Block as described below, including a Public Benefits Agreement with California Community Housing Agency. (District 1) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0109 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's have item 22, please.
Speaker 3: Communication from Councilman Price recommendation to increase appropriations by $3,000 to provide a donation to the Naples Improvement Association for the annual Naples Boat Parade.
Speaker 0: Price.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I've moved and asked my colleagues to support the item.
Speaker 0: Fantastic. Is there a second? Does my voice just voices. Okay. Okay. Bring us your hand. Acknowledge that as you spoke in a very public comment.
Speaker 4: At this time, if any members of the public would like to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand function. Seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Thank you, members. Please get in. Let's do a work on District one.
Speaker 3: I. District too.
Speaker 1: I. District three. I.
Speaker 3: District four. District four. District five.
Speaker 0: And thumbs.
Speaker 3: Up. Thumbs I received. District six.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District eight. District nine.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 3: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: All right. Item 23, please.
Speaker 3: Report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a one year update on the implementation of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative citywide. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $3,000, offset by the Third Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a donation to the Naples Improvement Association for the Annual Naples Boat Parade, and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $3,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0110 | Speaker 3: Report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a one year update on the implementation of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative citywide.
Speaker 0: Great. I'm happy to make the motion and kick it to staff for presentation.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much, Mr. Vice Mayor. So, yes, we do have a presentation for you. Our team has done a tremendous amount of work over the past year plus and culminated in a really comprehensive report that's in front of you tonight. So we will give you a summary and I'll turn it over to Theresa Chandler and Alana Grant to walk us through it.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Tom. So. Good evening, Honorable Vice Mayor and members of the City Council. I'm really happy to be here in partnership with our newly appointed equity officer, Elena Grant, to share equity, racial equity and reconciliation one year update. We're really excited to share some of the work that has been done by our equity leadership team and champions from across the city departments. Though we have a long way to go. We have made a lot of progress with uplifting this work since the initiative was initially approved. We also don't want to proceed without making a formal acknowledgment that today is the first day of Black History Month. This initiative centered and amplified the black community voices, and we honor this spirit as we lead racial equity work for the city of Long Beach. If we were to cover all the work that has taken place since the initial approval, it would definitely take us longer than 15 minutes. But to keep our conversation brief this evening, tonight we're going to cover we're going to walk through our implementation of the initiative, including the staffing infrastructure in some of the most prominent updates. We're going to walk through the reconciliation investments, share about some of the promising practices and challenges identified throughout the first year. And we'll take a look ahead at our two year priorities. In our initial presentation, we delve deep into how we got to this point as a city, as our city leadership. You all declared racism as a public health crisis and then put in a call to action for the city team to prepare the framework for reconciliation, to put Long Beach in a position to address systemic racism. Ultimately, our vision is that race and ethnicity do not determine social and economic outcomes for those who live and work in Long Beach. This framework continues to serve to support the way we move this work forward and hold us accountable not only to ourselves, but to the community at large. We continue to acknowledge, listen, convene and catalyze in multiple spaces as we proceed with this critical work. As a quick reminder, Council adopted the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative initial report on August 11th, 2020. Each of the four goals have anywhere from 3 to 8 strategies. Upon council direction, we walked away with nearly 120 potential actions to support all of these strategies. Tonight's presentation highlights key updates within each goal and provides information on some of the actions underway. The next few slides will explain how the Office of Equity organizes staff to add capacity to our small but mighty team. I will also describe some of the tools we've developed to support city staff in understanding and operationalizing equity. You all have seen our implementation structure in previous presentations. Today we would like to highlight some of the changes to this infrastructure. First, we rebranded the Racial Equity Advisory Group to the Racial Equity Executive Team. We wanted to we wanted the name to be reflective of our intentions for convening department heads. The executive team plays an active role in learning and implementing equity frameworks within their department. Additionally, workforce equity has emerged as a policy workgroup priority. Members will explore the feasibility of making recommendations to the city's personnel, policies and procedures with support from the Civil Service and human resources departments and the City Attorney's Office. Lastly, rather than convening a large workgroup for Communications, Office of Equity Staff is working closely with the public affairs team to develop tools and strategies for equitable communications. We would like to provide a few in-depth updates on some of our work groups. To achieve a future where race does not determine social and economic outcomes. Accurate and specific data collection is critical to our decision making. The Data and Performance Metrics Work Group began by creating an implementation strategy to address the proposed actions within the initial report, such as creating racial equity centered benchmarks for our results based accountability process and developing equity profile snapshots that allow users to compare citywide population level indicators across council districts. Over the last year, workgroup members supported the Technology and Innovation Department and Commission in researching best practices around the governance of facial recognition technology. Finally, workgroup members helped develop the Equitable Data Collection Toolkit, which works in tandem with the city's Communications Plan for Equity Toolkit, Data Privacy Guidelines and Digital Engagement Toolkit. Following the Government Alliance for Race Equity Theory of Change. We first began with normalizing conversations about race within the city organization. We do this to establish shared language and grounding for our work. The Internal Transformation Workgroup consists of 1 to 2 champions from every citywide department. Champions facilitate racial equity one on one trainings and are actively involved in the Results based Accountability Training Series. We have a total of 41 champions and over the last year they completed 32 hours of capacity building workshops. They've also trained nearly 1000 city employees, and currently six departments have fully trained their entire staff. The word cloud on the slide comes from the Champions Responses to our Year two survey. When asked what three words they would use to describe being a champion, challenging, emotional and important were among the top. These words underscore how impactful but how hard this work is. The Framework for reconciliation began in response to an act of police violence. Consequently, community stakeholders pushed for the city to explore the creation of non-police civilian response teams. The Alternative Crisis Response Work Group became our first special project as this objective garnered support from City Council with funding to pilot an alternate response program. The workgroup is developing recommendations for a non-police civilian crisis response team to respond to nonviolent, non-medical, non-criminal calls for service related to mental health crises, with technical assistance from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Performance Lab. The workgroup plans to conduct stakeholder engagement with community members and service providers later this month. And we are hopeful to have a pilot model up and running by the end of the summer. Next, we're going to walk you through some of the specific updates and accomplishments that fall under each of the goals. I'm sure you noticed that the one year update is just as long as the initial report. And that's because there are so many actions to address. Our update focuses on implementing the immediate and short term potential actions outlined in the initial report, as these items were estimated to require less than six months and between six months and a year for implementation respectively. In the report, the updates are formatted in a table just as you see on the slide. Updates were gathered from department leadership, racial equity champions and other staff between July and December of 2021. Each potential action identifies the city department and or workgroup assigned to the item. There's a status indicating whether the action item is completed in progress or not started. Over the last year, the implementation team and corresponding city departments began implementing 93 immediate and short term potential actions and have completed 12 of the recommendations uplifted in the initial report by aligning existing resources, programs and staff. In Goal one, we are acknowledging that government has long been the creator and perpetual perpetual excuse me perpetuate of racist policies and practices. And it is our role and responsibility to proactively dismantle the systemic racism. To date, we have made the most progress and goal one because we had to start internally in order to create a foundation to effectively uplift the actions outlined in goals two, three and four. We've already talked about many of the accomplishments that are listed on the slide, but we want to take a moment to highlight one more as well as some of the work that's in progress. Earlier earlier this year, the Council directed the city manager to work with the Human Relations Commission to update and expand its mission and scope to align with the recommendations from the initial report. The Equity in Human Relations Commission's name, purpose functions and membership were modified with stakeholders input and approved by the City Council last fall. Financial management is working to transform the city's procurement processes to remove barriers for black and other historically marginalized business communities by streamlining processes and policies, developing resources for internal and external stakeholders, and improving outreach.
Speaker 1: Mechanisms to.
Speaker 3: Racial equity. 1 to 1 is a staff led training that provides a foundational understanding of racial equity. Though adapted from care, this training uses local data to contextualize the inequities in Long Beach, and it explains the historic role of government in creating and maintaining inequities. The training also introduces the equity lens, which staff can apply to various elements of their work. Additionally, the Office of Equity is utilized utilizing anti-racist results based accountability, also known as RBI, to develop and operationalize racial equity action plans for the 21 citywide departments. These strategies will be specific and measurable guaranteeing guaranteeing that we can monitor and evaluate our impact in the years to come. Allen is going to walk you through the steps of RBA framework later in this presentation. The acts, the actions outlined and goal to provide an opportunity to systemically look at the local and economic barriers which perpetuate violence in communities and begin to address them. We are focused on moving upstream in order to address the root causes of violence and continue to expand on community safety efforts from a holistic place that includes a spectrum of city departments and cross-sector collaboration efforts. This goal also focuses on building a coordinated reentry network, as well as a structural city investment in best practice and what works for community based violence prevention and reentry. The Health Department is in the process of filling positions related to community safety and youth development. The youth and Emerging Adult Strategic Plan, as you know, was adopted by council last February. $50,000 of reconciliation funding was allocated for the Long Beach Advancing Peace Steering Committee in four place based areas across the city, and 100,000 to contract with the nonprofit partnership to provide technical support to startup and small community based organizations. Libra funding will be allocated to expand the violence interrupter model from central Long Beach into North Long Beach. Staff concluded a landscape analysis of the Reentry Service Network in Long Beach and drafted a report with recommendations to pilot a reentry integrated model. And the police department is working with human resources, civil service, civil service and labor organizations to develop the roles and responsibilities of the community services assistance which will be unarmed civilians trained. Trained to respond to nonviolent crimes. Goal three comes directly from the Long Beach community, calling for reimagining of police practices and assurances that none would disproportionately and negatively impact the black community and communities of color. And so it takes a deeper dove into redesigning the police approach to community safety. One of these challenges, one of these changes includes the Office of Constitutional Policing, with whom we meet regularly to coordinate implementation of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative. A few of the accomplishments and activities to highlight include the REACH team, which serves as an alternative response model focused on increasing access to services for people experiencing homelessness. In addition, the city is seeking to establish an alternate response model for nonviolent calls for service related to mental health needs. We previously mentioned this program during the workgroup updates. The police department is also developing a course catalog of trainings and professional development for officers to include topics related to procedural justice and racial equity. And lastly, the Technology and Innovation Commission has led discussions on regulatory approaches for the city's use of facial recognition technology. Our fourth and broadest goal is to improve health and wellness in the city by eliminating social and economic disparities and the communities most impacted by racism. We know that if we want to improve health and safety for all, we must look at the root of what creates opportunity. Things like economic justice, early child and youth development, housing, environmental justice and more. Accomplishments and work in progress include structural funding added to the Health Department budget, which we will share on the next slide. The Parks, Recreation and Marine Strategic Plan, which acknowledges that Park Equity is directly linked to life outcomes. Hiring two full time positions to lead the Office of Youth Development and alignment with the Youth Strategic Plan. Allocating recovery funding to invest in health equity and economic equity. And $6.3 million to increase youth development through the Long Beach Youth Climate Corps program. During the fiscal year 2021 budget process in alignment with the framework for reconciliation. More than 3 million in one time and structural funding was allocated to support communities most impacted by inequities. 1.5 million came from the funding sources such as Major Measure US Cares Act and the Recovery Act. The 1.5 million you see on the screen is the structural funding that was allocated to support implementation of the initiative. The largest allocation was invested in the health department to increase the capacity to support some, but not all the actions outlined in the report. Throughout the year, community grants and contracts have supported black mental and physical health providers planning with Latinx community stakeholders through the movie La Quinta Initiative, vaccine outreach, support for reentry, youth social capital programs, early childhood education through the library's summer community. Engagement in parks and training and capacity building. In addition to the goal area updates, we wanted to uplift the Long Beach Recovery Act, which provides one time funding to support many of the objectives from the initial report, such as food security programing, digital inclusion, early childhood education, business support and housing, just to name a few. Reconciliation and our Equity Toolkit have equipped city staff to lead a smart and inclusive recovery over the past 18 months. This includes equitable access to COVID testing, vaccinations and the administration of the CARES Act and LIBRE funds. We are centering community in our program, development and implementation as we reflect on our first year of implementation. We believe it is important to uplift many of the promising practices and challenges we've encountered thus far on our journey. In naming them, we lean into the equity team's core values of humility and transparency, and we use these lessons learned to inform our priorities and next steps as we move the work ahead. Last year, the Department of Financial Management Management recruited employees to join a core team known as the FM equity advocates. The team's primary role is to build an inclusive culture to integrate the reconciliation potential. Actions across the bureau's financial management is one of five departments to organize an internal equity team in year one. The other departments that demonstrated this is as a promising practice include economic development, the Harbor Department's Equity, Equity and Inclusion Champions, Library Services, Racial Equity Committee and the Water Department Equity Coalition. The Library Services Audit is a strong, strong example of applying an equity lens to our work as it as it engages diverse communities and centered the recommendations on the community's distinctive needs to improve equitable access to library services and programs. Another promising practice we like to uplift is the Harbor Department's hiring of AI of AI diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging consultant. The Port's consultant, partner and with department leadership and Key Project leads to provide facilitation, support and help shape internal actions regarding the initial report. We uplift this work as a promising practice because the port is the first department to hire an external consultant to support their equity efforts. The first. The first challenge we name concerns, leadership support and the prioritization of racial equity as each department implements the initiative. We have observed champions and department heads navigating unique organizational cultures, varying capacities, resources and priorities, all of which can affect implementation. That said, it is important to note that this work starts with buy in and engagement at the top. We've done a great job of building capacity through our racial equity champions and we are therefore prioritizing capacity building and engagement at the director level. Likewise, we look forward to continuing our counsel briefings to keep you all engaged on the initiative. During the past year, champions have struggled to balance the time needed for racial equity tasks with their assigned duties, causing many to experience burnout and feel unsupported. Ideally, we would like to reach a point where equity is fully baked into the city's day to day service and culture. So to further integrate equity into each department. Champions are recruiting members of other bureaus to serve as part of their internal equity committee. Committees will provide additional capacity in the work to come. The initial report focuses on improving outcomes for black, indigenous and people of color. And other underresourced communities through the equitable delivery of services, programs and resources to address the community facing strategies. We have spent a significant amount of time on staff training and education. Looking ahead, we plan to balance our focus on internal infrastructure with external strategies. So this will be done through stronger communications and community engagement. From the inception of our country, government at every level has played a role in creating and maintaining racial inequity. Too often, racial equality, racial equity efforts focus on the symptoms of inequity acting as more more as bandages that do not address the underlying root causes. Therefore, our results based accountability methodology will help us develop race explicit strategies to achieve equity for black communities and communities of color, which in turn benefit all of us across the city. Leaving Council tonight. Our champions will continue to develop departmental racial equity action plans using RBA or results based accountability. To quickly walk you through this process. We begin at the top of the inverted triangle. Looking at the results. All people in Long Beach are healthy, safe and thriving. Next, we use population level indicators low income, extreme rent burden and life expectancy to help us measure whether we are meeting this vision. Champions are currently at the root cause analysis step where they repeatedly ask, why is there a gap for black people and people of color? And what city policies and practices are preserving this disproportionality? From this analysis, we identify the hot roots or the things that the city can seek to change. And those hot roots inform the strategies or performance indicators each department will prioritize within their racial equity action plan. With those strategies, we will build in accountability measures to evaluate our impact and to adjust as necessary. So this slide summarizes all of the priorities we've discussed this evening. Deeper engagement of city leadership and community. Stronger communications. Finalizing our racial equity action plans. And seeking resources to further support this work. So as you can see, the 136 page update that we provided all of you, there's really a lot of work. We had to use a lot of pages because there's a lot of work being done and there's so much more to come. We're grateful for the ongoing support from our council and our mayor and our city team and our community members, and we look forward to moving forward with this work in all the years to come. So we thank you for your time this evening, and we are available for questions.
Speaker 2: So. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. That concludes staff's report. And just we're really proud of the work that they're doing. Teresa and Lot get to present this tonight. But there's a whole group of our champions, of our department directors, of our managers who are really engaged in this work every single day. And we're very proud of what they do and we'll continue to support them and move this forward. So we're available for answering questions.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much. Thank you very much. That was a great report. Big you very much for that. I want to go ahead and. I have the cute back here. Councilman Murray Ringo. Thank you, Mayor. And I want to thank staff for a very thorough report. It's a lot of good work done there in regards to a real big challenge that we have not only here in Long Beach, California, and in the country and all whole that as well. Very good aspects of it. I have a question regarding to the champions. It seems like the report really relies a lot on the reporting that these champions go through in terms of getting the data and the information necessary. They went through some training. Is how are these champions chosen? How are they trained? And do they get any kind of compensation or reimbursement or some other kind of benefit for. Are they volunteers for volunteering to be a champion or is it something that is done through another methodology?
Speaker 3: Thank you. That's a good question. We're going to tag team on tab, tag team on our responses this evening. So our champions, we do have one to do champions. The first initial commitment of the champions was six months. Many of the champions have rolled into full gear, but we have had some turnover. Champions were referred through a leadership team that was already established from department directors, from managers across the city, and people that just showed interest in the work. So we do have a bit of a formal process for bringing people in and they receive some training and support from the equity office directly. We were able to they this work has also worked into their regular work day because all the directors are embracing this work and so the departments, you know, it's baked in are baking it in to the champions work life balance. Of course we still have opportunities to grow in that space, but we're a work in progress. We also were able to provide the champions with bonuses this year for that work. And our our hope is that we can continue to do so moving forward. So I'll turn it over to Alina. Yeah. Just to quickly add, some of the champions were identified as members who previously participated in the GARE cohorts that the city also conducts as part of the A national network.
Speaker 0: So are these bonuses going to continue throughout the process or is there going to be a soak in the termination date? Is there a process to either turn them over or is there just be an opportunity for these individuals to serve as champions for as long as they want? Or they can.
Speaker 3: Councilmember. So those bonuses were identified through a one time funding source. Ideally, we would definitely love to look at ways to structurally fund and support our equity work across the entire city. So that's definitely something we we we hope to have your support with. Regarding the continuity of champions. We definitely do not turn anybody away who wants to engage in this work. Equity is a responsibility for all of us. That said, the champions who have opted to stay on are continuing to support and serve as champions. But by creating these racial equity committees for each department, we are bringing more people into the work so that we can better disseminate equity and the responsibility of this work across the city.
Speaker 0: Well, I'm glad to see that all departments are being engaged in this process, and that's where we start to get a change of culture in order to change the attitudes. So thank you very much for your report. Thank you, Councilmember. I know that Vice Mayor Richardson, you made the motion at the start. Did you already make your comments on the motion? No, not yet. Okay. So let me just go back to you since you made the motion and then I'll go up and down the. The folks have like you up. Great. Thank you. Well, first, I want to just congratulate the team on a tremendous degree of progress. 105 out of 120 some items progress, 105 of them. That's significant. I know also that you also had a lot of other critically important work to do at the same time. And I love to see that how this work includes those significant things like the distribution of pandemic resources, critically, critically important from testing to vaccinations, food security, all of those things we we were confronted with since implement this plan. And I've seen evidence of this work lays throughout all of that work. We also continue a lot of progress on a lot of progress on our land use work up plan that significantly advances equity, that work. That's incredibly important. I know we we've taken some significant steps on that, creating some nonviolence response models, the rich themes. Looking forward to seeing that roll out. I also know that our efforts look like mental health support are called out as priorities when it is planned. And we're finally taking steps to localized mental health here. That's super important. I'm excited for the Office of Youth Development at Toronto's Alacrity Center of Youth Development and run our youth center directly directly called out within the reconciliation plan. The youth funding measure us huge, huge advancement. I look forward to seeing that impact the lives of youth and use our organization across the city. That's incredibly important. And you know, the work that we're doing to establish this structure, the structure you set up is great with equity champions. I think the work within the police department is critically important about building trust with our police department and embracing community policing. That's absolutely critical. I love the new capacity infrastructure in place. Long Beach Center for Economic Inclusion, the Black Health Equity Collaborative, the new Data Center of Media Report with the Latino Health Equity Initiative. All of them have been incredibly active, super active throughout this year with health, health fairs and getting resources out communities. That's great. I also just generally want to comment that, you know, these are this is not easy work. It's important, but it's not easy if it's a shift in culture. Like, quite frankly, to be frank to say, it's a shift in the service of your city, a commitment to shaping a city where every neighborhood is healthy, safe and driving. That's great. Where every neighborhood, no matter zip code, you know, have an opportunity to provide. We know that hasn't been the case. But that's a commitment. That's a commitment that the path forward will require acknowledgment of deep inequities, not being afraid of using it, talking about race, looking at data, the those issues that have plagued our communities for a long time, from poverty to deep inequities on health and economic inequity. Those are outcomes of largely human based decisions land use decisions, environmental decisions that we made, things like red line and yellow line and where freeways are built. We're dealing with that result today. So I pointed to residents. Do you kind of sum up with this equity works with be about? For me, I use the analogy of a garden. If you have a garden, that garden in order to bear fruit is going to need some level of nourishing and nurturing. But if that garden is starved of water, you know, lack of care, it takes all the bad and characteristic risks in our communities that might be crime, may be poverty. Some of these characteristics. But you can't simply just turn on the spigot and expect with regard to the balance right back, you got to reinvest in the very soul. You have to restore the garden in order for it to bear fruit. It will take care. It's going to take some more planning and to take resources. It's going to take leadership. Those are the types of things. It's really true equity in the city. So to me, it's about building a modern and resilient city. Doesn't happen overnight. Neither did the transition away from harassment, the culture of harassment, the workplace, and two years of training. It's years of capacity building. And so to. But, you know, I would say a city has a robust infrastructure around harassment. Culture is probably a stronger, more resilient city. I say the same thing about creating an anti-racist, inclusive city, which is the city that Long Beach strives to be. And so, you know, I want to thank all the staff for all the work you've done. I know that you called out things that still needed to be done. It's important to do that. It needs to be mean. There's certainly more to do. And I want to thank the 41 equity champions across the city and the new Equity and Human Relations Commission, all of you, for doing a great job. There's significant movement, significantly more focus, but continue to chart. This is culture shift in our city. I think our city be better off for it. Thanks. Thank you very much, Mayor. Let me go through the impressive list I have. Councilmember something.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. Yes. I want to add to my thanks to the team that Chandler and Grant for the comprehensive presentation to making sure that, you know, you kind of come through the report, making sure you report back on all the goals. And I also want to make sure to thank Katy Balderas, who had recently left for her hard work and, you know, going through the listening sessions as well as getting to this, helping to get at this report as well and thank the equity champions. It's I think it's a lot of work. It's a lot of great work to be able to kind of be that person to make sure that you're being conscious about. How do you bring the conversation about race and equity to the forefront and to be that representative for your department and the city? You know, I want to make sure to just acknowledge how how far we came. Right. So much has happened and so many difficult conversations had occurred. And there was a lot of pain, a lot of pain involved in this discussion and creating this framework. And I just really want to make sure that that that we're moving in. And I see this report back as a healing process and a process that we're taking toward a solution that we're not stuck on, you know, the problems and that we're able to really kind of move together collectively and how we think about working towards solution. And that is really where it's about collecting data, about really being able to see what's happening on the ground. When we talk about inequity into numbers, right? We're talking about numbers we're collecting around poverty numbers to unemployment numbers and breaking them down. Also, I like seeing race because then we'll see a clearer picture when we're able to really dig in what those roots problem are. We want to be able to then think about those solutions. And I know that this report back was demonstrating some steps towards that. And I really appreciated and really look forward to continuing on that journey because I it gives me hope as a representative of the sixth District that has one of the higher rates of people living in poverty and violence. Right. It gives me hope that and it lifts up my heart to know that we're able to work towards the solution, to be able to address it collectively together and to give people hope in the district, too, that we're not sitting down and, you know, we're thinking about it all the time. Staff is thinking about it. So we're always thinking about how can we do better at the city? And that's what I want people to leave with when they think about this equity, this framework for equity, equity and of the solutions that we're working towards. In the end of the day, how do we make sure that we're overall making our city a better place to live, work and recreate? Right. Thank you.
Speaker 0: City Council member. I have come a supermarket. Thank you. I'd just like to thank staff for a great presentation. Theresa Chandler, your usual stellar job. Thank you. And I also want to mention Alana Grant and say congratulations on your promotion to equity officer. I think is this your first presentation of council as the new equity officer? And you did an incredible job. Thank you. You have council member Irena. Oh, sorry, Mayor. I did not bring down my hand. Okay, great. I just. I want to thank staff for the for the report. I know how many of us are receiving briefings and updates on the progress, and I agree with a lot of what has been said. I do have just a thought. Mr. Murdoch, I thought it would be good. I know we have a presentation coming to the council about the P.C.C. Our reforms and our conversation has happened and public safety committee and community forums. That's been a big part, I think, of this report. I mean, I know that it's in the report as one of the recommendations, but I think there's been a lot of conversation about what the next steps are. So I know this is coming in front of a council, I believe, for some recommendations for some of the outreach that's happened. I mean, community meetings. Can you provide the Council a framework of the kind of C.P.S. process and how it relates to the reform framework?
Speaker 2: Sure. So you raise a really good point. The report's over 130 pages long, and tonight we did a 15 minute presentation of kind of themes and certain items. We did not get into every single item. And then, you know, a lot of that is in the report itself. I also want to make sure we do remember that in December we talked a lot about the police specific reforms. And so we really focused on a heavier presentation on those in December. And then in February we're going to be coming back February 15th on the PCC. So that recommendation was it's gone through an outside consultant. We brought on some experts to really do a lot of listening and then come up with some different ideas and concepts. They did some initial revealing of their recommendations, kind of the framework back in December and did some community meetings. They'll have their final report done fairly soon, and that'll be on your agenda. We're shooting for February 15th to talk both about what can be done under the current structure and then what are the options for a ballot measure, which is one of the items in the reconciliation report and and get that to council so we can start on the meeting confer and if we want to go towards a ballot measure getting ready for November 20, 22.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I know that a lot of folks on the council's computer are looking forward to that, the presentation. I think everyone's been working on that. I know it's a big initiative happening at the city. I do want to also just take a second to think not just all the champions and the equity champions, but also the Office of Equity. I know that we've had some changes as well, but just to the to our former team and the new team that's transition and just really great work. And I just want to thank them individually for just continuing to think about equity across all of our city departments and and really to serve as models for the rest of the country and that they're also doing and engaging in this work. So a huge thank you to them and to everyone and all of our city departments that are doing this work. Councilwoman, did they?
Speaker 1: Thank you. Marry me. I thought I had already queued up, as they say, headed. I just want to say thank you so much to staff, to Alana, to three staff for all the incredible work that they've done on this, the equity. It's it's been it's been a tough road. I know that that because I remember where we were when we first began. And it was so difficult and so really, really intense and very heavy on all of our hearts that I, I agree with with council members sorrow that we must move forward and we must really focus on what we're doing from here on and correct things and really emphasize on making a positive, positive impact for our community to be able to grow from there and thrive. So I'm really excited about that. I also loved everything in the presentation. I think that that's great. I'm really excited to have you back with that as part of the, um, initiative on, on this. Awesome. And I think that, um, one of the things that, that is very, very important is our, our equity champions. I mean, I can't thank them enough for their role. I think that they've done some amazing work and really, really hard to really get deep down into it. And I think that, you know, I think that they're very, very important of the success of this. And so hopefully we can find some structured funding to be able to provide for them and be able to to show them how much we we value them as we move forward. And so because this is a very, very complex but very necessary step to take. So to to all the champions. And thank you. Thank you very much and to the staff for doing a fantastic job. Alana, like the council members for now said, you know, they did great on their first official big presentation on this. Congratulations. And we cannot forget about Katie and all the work that she put into this, too. So thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much, Councilmember. I do have some people cued up. Councilwoman Price.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you to Teresa and Alana for your presentation tonight and also for providing us a briefing along the way. I really, really appreciate that council offices are being brought to the table regarding city wide initiatives so that we can all weigh in on on the things that are important to all of us beyond just the greater efforts. I love that you called out specifically the library efforts that we've made in response to the city auditor's audit. I know that Councilman Ranga and I have both been really involved in that, and I think it's great that you guys called it out here. And that was very important. And I'm hopeful that as we move forward with next year's budget, the city manager is able to prioritize some of the items that we requested on our agenda item that we brought to council that resulted in a finding that those additional items were going to be. Significant of significant cost to the city. But still, they're very important for the future of our library system. I think we really have to start thinking about the way that we utilize our library system and the importance of access and what we can do to try to incentivize and encourage residents to continue to use our library system . So I appreciate you guys covering that specifically. I think that's really important. And I know that the city manager mentioned the the work of the police department that was highlighted in their own presentation on this topic. But I do know that when Councilman Superman and Councilman Austin and I were on the Public Safety Committee along the same time that we were working on some of these policies and initiatives, we talked at length about some opportunities for adoption of best practices by the police department. And the police department has been completely 100% supportive of taking on additional best practices. And I just want to point out, I know that the police department never mentioned it before, but I want to highlight again and that the participation in Georgetown Law School's able program is a huge thing for our city police department. I know that they are working to make sure they have the funding to do that and have interviewed for that. But as someone who is in the criminal justice reform space every day, that program is getting a lot of accolades in terms of top down management training that changes culture and helps integrate best practices into our police departments, especially when we're talking about bystander liability, bystander responsibility. And that's just been a huge, huge, a lot of progress made in that program. So I'm glad that our police department will be participating in that. And I just want to thank you guys for the report. And I look forward to the February 15th meeting where we talk about changes to the PCC. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilmember. Councilmember Durango. Something has came to mind in regards to the police department and how you brought that up was the fact that there was a constitutional committee or something about it in the police department. Are we going to be getting an update on that eventually?
Speaker 3: Sure. So the Office of Constitutional Policing is. It's on its way. So they are actually bringing on more staff to the team. I think they are taking on more just more initiatives. We work very closely with the Office of Constitutional Policing. They are great partners with us, and especially focusing on our goal three of the initiative that we are walking hand-in-hand through these concepts together and initiatives or items. We also have the Office of Constitutional Policing Online. If you have more questions, but if you wanted a specific update from them, I'm sure we could talk to them about providing one later on. Yeah.
Speaker 0: Yeah, that was my only request would be that maybe we could get a report later on down the line. And in terms of the work they're doing and what are the expectations? They? Thank you. I have Count Vice Mayor Richardson. And just just two things. One, um, I'm kind of embarrassed. I didn't congratulate a lot of great on her first first presentation. Congratulations, Lana. I think you did an incredible job on the presentation. Secondly, you know, I think, you know, thinking back to the presentation, I think to years, two weeks ago on homelessness, when I talked about the population of our chronic homeless in 44, 46% black, I think at one point it was a cultural when women talk about race. I think it's important particularly with justified is work with the public by using data points like that is important to have a culturally appropriate response when we take on issues that everyone cares about, there's great agreement on the issue of homelessness. I think some would say, you know, that the way that we address it, given the significant over representation of the black community, is the lead in with folks like the newly established Black Health Equity Collaborative. And to make sure that there are community groups that, you know, have a similar shared background help, do a lot of engagement in the work, and that you also acknowledge that, you know, there's, you know, alignment between the homelessness and the poverty work that we're talking about and that we're doing here in the city. And so I just wanted to give that up between last presentation. This presentation and given today is Black History Month. It's important that we acknowledge these things so that we can do a better job in the future and address them. Thanks a lot. Thank you. Councilmember Austin. Well, thank you. And also, I just salute our staff for their presentation, which unfortunately I had to miss. I had to step away. But I read most of your your staff report, and I wanted to just say the accountability after one year in the progress is something that we should salute and and celebrate. We are making great progress here in the city of Long Beach, in the areas of racial equity and inclusion with our our. A reconciliation initiative and much of the work that has gone into it. And I think that that is a credit to. So obviously our city management team working with Teresa and Helena Grant, having a dedicated staff who truly believe and are passionate about this work. I think that is there's evidence in the presentation, but also of the staff report and the work that is actually continuing here in our city. You know, obviously, a big piece of that work was also of, you know, policing and changing policing of the mission or guarding the office of Constitutional Policing. Councilmember Price also mentioned, you know, many of the the the reforms that have kind of gone in place as a result of council direction, but also listening to our community as well. I'm looking forward to the PCC presentation, obviously a former chair, that commission, somebody who served on the commission. I'm looking forward to us to the recommendations and actually going fully vetting those recommendations from a consultant who has been working with our community for some time. And also, I just want to point out the fact that we also, as a city council, have made some bold moves to talk of accountability and transparency in policing and saying that, you know what, we want to we want to be a leader. And so, you know, the move that we made to join me and partner with the Louis Registry at USC, I think should also be noted here as we as a city have demonstrated great commitment to to the issues that have been communicated to our council by our residents, but also, you know, just understanding where we are in terms of, you know, the policies that need to be moving forward. So with that, I just wanted to just my voice and congratulations and appreciation to our team for their great work and understand that they will continue to do this and they have my full support moving forward. Make a council member. Do we have public comment?
Speaker 4: Yes. At this time, if there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand function. Our first speaker is and I can pay.
Speaker 0: Hello. Please go. Hello? You hear me?
Speaker 4: Yes, we can hear you.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. City staff. Excellent report. I read all 136 pages. Although, to be fair, it really is about 120 pages. And then you guys kind of overlap too with the equity talk, but I know that's just city staff trying to make sure our pilots are engaged. Council is keeping up with these reports. That being said, I think what the Office of Equity in the city manager's office has been able to do with this document is essentially provide an infrastructure plan for the future of the city of Long Beach with respect to equity and race relations. And it's up to the culture. As a council councilmember, Turanga stated, It's up to the culture of the of the city staff and bureaucracy and just as a whole and to the development of a progressive future. Okay, so that was the positive. Now we've got to get to the meat of the bones of it. I have an issue. I have to be honest, I have issue because I don't really see in this document. I see references to being in other groups, which I love them and everyone, Dr. Andrew Johnson, everyone involved, April Parker and Jackson, everyone involved. That said, I have issues with this report because I don't really see funding in pipelines towards black led organizations and groups. And to be clear, as Ms.. Chandler referenced, the city takes responsibility for its part in systemic racism with respect to life here in America. Okay, I understand that. But if we're trying to create solutions, we have to create financing structures of opportunity for black led organizations to deliver with respect to our communities. It's not enough that there are carve outs, one time carve outs with respect to things like a food crisis or a food desert I live in. 908131 out of three people in my in my zip code is living under the poverty line and it's over. Even though my ethnicity is an underrepresented group. Now we're overrepresented, I think as a vice mayor, Richardson referenced with regards the homeless report from a week ago. So unless there's financial funding in pipelines for black led organizations, this is just something that's going to be perpetual. And I would rather that we as a city and as a community provide black. If I accept as a black community, we don't have capacity, but we need the city structure to help us build capacity so that we can be the architects of our own future and not be opportunities for charity as it currently. That being said, this infrastructure help but helps us. We just need you as a city to really extend that dollar to towards black led organizations. So thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Ailsa Chang.
Speaker 1: Hi. Good evening, city council. I actually don't have prepared remarks today, which is kind of a new thing for me, but yeah, I just wanted to. Well, first of all, I'm in District five now, Satterlee District seven. And then secondly, I wanted to formally and through public comment, congratulate Alan Grant on the being the equity officer and during this presentation and now so many thanks to Teresa Chandler and the whole Office of Equity Team. There's a lot to digest, unlike the previous speaker, since I did not read all 136 pages. But what I am incredibly, incredibly encouraged about is the city's use of the anti-racist results based accountability framework. I have personally worked with the city's consultant that is called Equity and Results, the team of Theo and Erika. And I'm I love them. I'm super encouraged that the city is is working with that team and using this anti-racist results based accountability framework to go really, really deep into the root causes and therefore solutions. And then lastly, I just want to support the comments of the previous speakers and I can say in terms of building pipelines for funding for black led organizations. Thanks so much.
Speaker 4: Our final speaker is Dave Shukla.
Speaker 0: Good evening, ma'am.
Speaker 4: Yes, we can hear you.
Speaker 0: Okay, thank you. And thanks to Chandler and Ms.. Grant for that wonderful presentation so that you can better assess and make up your own mind about what I have to say. Next couple of. Quick points. I'm a son of the sea. The I in that statement did not refer to Dave Chappelle. Third point, there are few things more racist in the history of California over the past 140 years than the division of oil, knowledge and oil moneys. Fourthly, the passage of this framework, an initiative in August of 2020, was not without its own inequity. And five, we need a black Supreme Court justice. Female Supreme Court justice. All right. Okay. At 7:49 p.m. this evening. The coalition. Which coalition, please. At 7:50 p.m., the court is hiring a consultant that should be a full time staff. Jedi to Justice, Equity, Diversity and inclusion staff. 7:51 p.m. We want to have equity baked into the city, baked in like oil and gas. I think we need to call the question on the mission of the city. At 7:54 p.m.. Did the feedback in the audio mean that robert garcia and Rex Richardson are in the same room? 7:58 p.m.. No, this is a friendly, but the goal should not just be to disseminate, but it should be to transmit, to transmit this data, these practices and these results. Now I've written notes, comments on the report and translation. I can email, but with what little time I have left, I'd like to briefly explain some of my comments back in August of 2020. Basically, without getting too deep into sort of details and all that, I was being asked to betray myself. And that's not what I'm about. I left graduate school to do a thing. And a guy like me, he picks his dates, picks these moments and today's the day. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. That concludes, I think, public comment. Is that right, madam first.
Speaker 3: That is correct. Public comment.
Speaker 1: As I go.
Speaker 0: Back to jump ready to go back to Councilman Alan Grayson to leave that to me if you're in my corner.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Thank you, Mayor. I appreciate that. I just also I just want to say thank you to you. Thank you, Alina, for this just incredible informative presentation. I know this was a lot to take in, but as a council member who was not on the diocese during the 2020 process, just the simplistic nature of all of this just just amazes me. And I'm sure that it hasn't been easy. I saw in the report some issues like burnout that you had to overcome, and it still persists. So I just want to say just thank you for your hard work. Overall, what I see is a rigorous examination and progress, and I know that the progress of ensuring that equity is part of all our decisions is is something that's going to take years of sustained effort. And I just look forward to that periodic update on our progress and any recommendations that you have, both internally for our city team and externally for our whole community. So just thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much, gentlemen. That concludes the comments and the report. There's a motion on a second. Remember who you are.
Speaker 3: Local District one.
Speaker 1: District two I.
Speaker 3: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District five. District six. District seven.
Speaker 0: II.
Speaker 3: District eight.
Speaker 0: II.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. We will now move on to item 26.
Speaker 1: I don't think my I was recorded city clerk Keith.
Speaker 3: I received. Thank you. Item 26 Report from Financial Management Recommendation to receive and file the results of the user fee and cost recovery studies for the Energy, Resources and Public Works Department citywide. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a one-year update on the implementation of the Racial Equity and Reconciliation Initiative. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0113 | Speaker 3: I received. Thank you. Item 26 Report from Financial Management Recommendation to receive and file the results of the user fee and cost recovery studies for the Energy, Resources and Public Works Department citywide.
Speaker 2: So, Mr. Mayor, we've done this several times with the council over the last probably two years where we pick a department and we go through and we do a really in-depth analysis of the fee structure of what a service costs and what a fee should be set at and determining the right subsidy level. And so we do have a presentation for you tonight. We have gone in-depth into public works and energy resources. You're not adopting or approving any fees tonight. Tonight is the ability to get informed on the work, to ask us questions, to raise any concerns you have. And then we'll come back in April with the actual fee increases and changes. And so I will be turning the presentation over to our finance team to walk through it with the departments.
Speaker 1: Great. Thanks, Tom. This is Grace. Good evening, Mayor, and members of the city council. As Tom mentioned, this is our second round of the city wide field study and has been completed for two departments, public works and energy resources. And as Tom mentioned, there are no actual changes to the master fee and charges schedule being proposed tonight. But again, the purpose of today's presentation is to provide you all with an overview and an opportunity to make comments, and we will come back for formal approval on April 12th. So with that, I will pass it over to Geraldine Vallejo, our revenue officer, who will be first providing a general background on fees and the citywide fee study. Then we will turn the presentation over to public works and energy resources will each go over the highlights of their department's study findings and their recommended fee changes. Thank you, Grace. If I can get next slide. Next slide. Next slide. Good evening, Mayor, and members of the city council. As a reminder, fees and charges include two types of categories user fees and regulatory fees, both of which are included in the city wide measure fees and charges, schedule rent and penalties are also included in master fees and charges. Schedule for convenience, but are not subject to the cost of service limitations. Next slide. User fees and regulatory fees may not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service or program. City policy requires that fees are set at the cost of service, except where there is a greater public benefit using a lower fee . As the department presentations will highlight. This includes pandemic related financial hardship and maintaining and encouraging access to popular services. Next slide. The city currently has routine processes in place to ensure that these are reviewed and updated regularly to capture annual cost increases. The city implements an annual inflation adjustment based on city cost increases called the City Cost Index. The master fees and charges schedules are adopted each year with the budget with any proposed changes by the departments and CPI updates. Mid-Year adjustments are also periodically submitted to City Council. The next citywide fee adjustment letter will be presented to City Council on April 12. Next time. Each Fee Adjustment Council letter includes an estimated revenue impact from proposed changes. The revenue impacts are theoretical and may not necessarily result in a budgeted revenue change by the same amount. Any adjustments to actual budgeted revenues must be evaluated holistically and consider a variety of factors such as the stability and certainty of the revenue source, as well as whether the department is meeting its current overall budgeted revenue commitments. This review and update is typically part of the overall budget development process. Next slide. The next slide. As a reminder, in fiscal year 19 and at council's direction, staff initiated an updated city wide study. Each department study will identify and review the fees charged, calculate the full service cost, determine intervention rates by comparing fee revenue to the full cost of service and provide recommendations or fee levels or structures. Next slide. This is a multiyear project, and the project continues to move forward with city manager departments anticipated to be completed by the end of 2022. The first round concluded in fiscal year 21 and covered development services, parks and a portion of health. The second round includes energy, resources and public works. We'll be presenting study findings and department recommendations today. The third round is in progress and includes by our city manager and the remainder of Health and Human Services. Preliminary results and department recommendations are anticipated for summer 2022. Next slide. The consultant applied a consistent methodology across all department studies. Cost components are based on the 21 budget and includes direct costs and indirect costs. The cost components are then included into a fully burdened hourly rate per position. The allocated cost is determined by multiplying the fully paid in hourly rate to the staff time spent to support each service. After the fully allocated service cost is determined, it is compared to current fee revenues to identify the source of the revised service. Next ranks. This table is a summary of the cost, recovery and subvention rates per department and shows that the city is under-recovery for calculated service cost by 2.4 million. More information will be included as part of the fee department presentations. The cost and subvention rates are reported as general service categories or areas. Next site. The departments have reviewed the results of the studies and have the same recommendations. The majority of department recommendations align with the study but do deviate in some cases based on prioritizing different goals other than full cost recovery, as I noted earlier. These factors will be noted as part of each departmental presentation. Next slide. The departments will share more information on the recommendations. But to summarize here, the first table is a summary of the department's 22 midyear recommendations, which include no changes to current fees, rate increases and decreases. New and revised fee structures to align the services. And finally, there are fee deletions related to revised fee structures, as well as clean up to fees schedules for services no longer provided by the city. The department recommendations are anticipated to result in a theoretical annual revenue impact of $334,777, which will be reviewed during the budget process and will vary based on usage and market or economic conditions. Next. This concludes this overview. I will now turn it over to Joshua Hickson of the Public Works Department for an overview of study findings and the department's recommendations for fiscal year 22.
Speaker 0: All right. Good evening. Thank you for that overview, Geraldine. And good evening, Mayor, and members of the City Council.
Speaker 1: The next time, please.
Speaker 0: Perfect. Thank you. The Pew study before you here tonight is really focused around the public works fees that are recovered based on the cost of services provided. So this study does not include fees related to reviews which are being studied separately as part of another effort and other fees that are not determined based on cost of services . Next slide, please.
Speaker 1: So the study's broken down.
Speaker 0: Into four different groups and overall the current fees are below the cost of service provided. Note The one exception is traffic engineering services, which we'll dove into a little bit further on a future slide. Next slide.
Speaker 1: In aggregate, taking into account the.
Speaker 0: Fee increases, the decreases in the percentage of cost recovery that Geraldine had had mentioned. Theoretically, the recommendations, if approved, could have a positive revenue impact of over 400,000. Next slide, please. So a couple of key items that we want you to consider. The proposed changes further enhance and streamline our planning, checking, permitting and inspection efforts that have been underway for the last couple of years. The commonly requested items that we receive, such as curb painting, have been added and the costs have been spread out over the next three years to avoid a steep increase given the importance of these items to the community. And finally want to highlight the traffic control plan review is separate from the planned check the as currently outlined in the current schedule. This recommendation will reflect the true cost of services which are actually higher than the cost of service today. Next slide, please. So roughly a quarter of the fees are recommended to be decreased based on processing efficiencies. Since the last study, a quarter are recommended to be removed to align with the current business practices. And you can see a couple examples here on the slide. Next slide, please. Another quarter are recommended to increase for full cost recovery. And approximately the last quarter of the fees are new fees or a restructure to existing fees to better align with today's current operations and to continue providing the critical services to the community. Next slide, please. So in.
Speaker 1: Summary, if.
Speaker 0: The recommendations are approved, the public works fees will be in line with or slightly lower than other local agencies. And this concludes the public works portion of the presentation. I'm going to go ahead and turn it over to Tony Foster with energy resources so he can move forward with presenting his portion of the presentation. Good evening, mayor and city council members. I'm here with our utility services office serving some of our teenagers to present a brief overview of the Energy Resources Department. Cost Recovery Fees, study results. Next slide, please. I'll keep it on the slide. Currently, Energy Resources lists 81 fees on the master fees and charges schedule. 75 of those fees are reviewed under this cost of services study. The remaining the remaining six fees were not included in the study because those are not what we call customer facing fees, but are rather related to internal administrative fees that do not impact cost to gas utility customers or ratepayers. The subject fees being discussed here fall across four service categories construction and pipeline, gas services, engineering and Construction and Utility Services. Call center of these fees, the overall department cost recovery is 85%. Therefore, subvention currently falls at 15%. Next slide, please. Okay. This matrix illustrates cost recovery intervention rates at current levels across the four service categories by revenue and by percentage of total service costs across all four categories. The total calculated cost of services was 9.8 million, of which 8.3 million was collected, yielding a subvention of 1.5 million or 85% recovery. This is the first time, to our knowledge, that a study of this type has been performed. So as you can see, the cost of recovery by service categories are not uniform. Next slide, please. All right. Based on the energy resources cost recovery frame, study results. Staff recommends proceeding with 56 rate changes in order to recoup costs and maintain operational needs. If all of the study recommendations were to be accepted, the estimated theoretical revenue impact is $8,675. In other words, energy resources would collect roughly 80,000 more than it currently qualifies. However, Energy Resources staff emphasized that this theoretical increase would present a hardship for many of the gas utility customers and ratepayers and support a partial acceptance of these recommended changes. The recommended total theoretical impact based on partial acceptance of the recommended changes is projected to reduce the pension to $104,525 based upon certain assumed variables such as the number of certain services or projects undertaken. In other words, based on the partial acceptance of the recommendations, if the projected number of product projects and services is accurate, energy services subvention losses fall to under $34,000. Next slide, please. Again, full cost recovery is not being recommended for all fees as some relate to. Utility. Ratepayers and department staff strongly believe that increasing these rates would cause a hardship to our customers during the rebound period from the COVID 19 pandemic and should therefore be delayed. The decision to proceed with changes to 56 fee items is based on infrastructure and operational needs as identified by the study. It is related to new construction, engineering projects, gas meter purchase and installations driven by requests for new services. For example, no contract or developer developers request for new gas services. Next slide, please. The next two slides summarize energy resources staff recommendations by change, which, for example, increase or decrease, no change and so on. So let's look at no change. Of the 17 fees recommended not to change, eight in the gas services and utility services were validated as accurate and are currently at cost. Recovery nine Gas services and utility services fees are recommended by staff to hold at current levels for the future, i.e. post-pandemic for review by staff and present.
Speaker 1: Tony. I think you got muted.
Speaker 0: Oh, I'm sorry. That's odd. So let's just start going with slide 30 here, if that's okay with you. So for the Fiji decrees, three fees in the engineering and construction services are recommended to decrease to better align with cost recovery and operational need. 16 fees and the gas services segment are recommended to increase to better align with cost recovery and operational need and 35 fees across all energy resource services areas are recommended for restructure to better align with the provision of service. The detailed breakdown of these fees are presented in the attachment. B2 Next slide. The Energy Resources Department's rate structure does not easily compare across utilities in other jurisdictions. A primary reason for jurisdictional uniqueness is due to the specific policy goals and objectives of each city or utilities governing body. And it's important to note, however, that energy resources does consider consumer utility costs as they relate to the Southern California Gas Company to ensure fair and equitable rates. Specific fees are not compared to so-called gas, as energy resources is a municipality as opposed to an investor owned utility and therefore mandated to follow specific local and state guidelines . And this concludes our report, and we're happy to answer any questions.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Tony. So to wrap up this presentation and summary, three key points. The city is generally under-recovery for cost based on the study done for public works and energy resources. E through departments have proposed recommendations that generally align with the study's finding for full cost recovery. Exceptions to full cost recovery is based on the prioritization of other goals, such as resident's needs and the ability to pay and maintaining access to popular city services. And lastly, the theoretical revenues potentially generated from the proposed fee changes will be evaluated and included as appropriate as part of the proposed budget process in line with our financial policy. And again, we'll come back we're scheduled to come back April 12th, where city council can officially adopt these changes at that stage. This concludes the presentation. And Geraldine, the department and I are available for questions.
Speaker 0: If you have a motion by Councilmember Ringo to make it a second place. Second Bay Councilmember Sara Canterbury Aranda. Examiner During the presentation I saw some of my questions were answered in regards to where we stand with a market study in terms of where our fees lie compared to our competitors or our neighboring cities. Are we competitive? Are we in line? Or what's what's the status of our fees as compared to those of other jurisdictions? Geraldine?
Speaker 1: Yes. Council member. Each department presentation included the the comparison to comparable jurisdictions. And in it we found that we were generally inline, but it will depend on particular services or areas that you are inquiring about. So if you had a specific area as part of this presentation, will be happy to have the department answer that.
Speaker 0: Service calls an example. So, for example, getting on certain stuff is good.
Speaker 1: We're not changing the rules.
Speaker 0: Yeah, but those remain the same. And in short, they are comparable to other jurisdictions, in our case, Southern California Gas Company. Yes, it's a careful analysis because while we the city charter does mandate that our rates are comparable to their rates, their rates do bake in some cost of services, like turn on turnovers. As you mentioned, our laws do not. So it's not quite apples to apples, but we are mindful of equitable charges for our services. Q What do you see as challenges in the future as we continue with this pandemic? Should it go on another another year or even possibly two? That's a great question. You know, we the state is not giving much guidance as to when we can end moratoriums. In a in a recent memorandum that's coming to you, we plan to end our moratoriums against shutoffs no earlier than June of this year. So with that, you know, as our arrearages continue to grow, you know, we need to try to be mindful of maintaining operations. And it's going to be a balancing act to make sure that we're mindful of hardships to customers but being whole as a as a gas utility. So we'll just move forth cautiously. We're awaiting some assistance from the state in terms of mitigating some of those arrearages. And then when we can finally return to the end of moratorium and. Have a tool to encourage payments will be in a better position to evaluate what total cost of services will be. Okay. Thank you very much. That's all I have there. Council member, Sarah.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. So I definitely understand why we need to make sure that we are evaluating if our fees are ensuring that we're breaking pretty much a balance of it being even and not. And but at the same time, it's always hard when we have to increase fees, especially when it's things like and you know, that impacts the quality of life of our residents that could range from, you know, parking permit, driveway parking permit to, you know, driveway type repaint and all of that. So I'm just wondering how how, how, how, how would we go about making sure that the fees, like some of them, they're increased by almost 50%, if not some higher, and there's some 82 where it's recommended to lower fee. So I'm just wondering, at what point do you decide, hey, we're going to maybe break those costs out over a number a year? Or like, for example, is it the percent threshold that you say, well, we're going to break them up into two years increment of how we increase it, 25%, one year and then 25 the next. And I'm just wondering how how would we go about making sure it doesn't impact people kind of kind of shop in the fees changing and also making it kind of palatable for for residents.
Speaker 0: Well, with regard to the gas fees, yes, Councilwoman Sara, we're very mindful of that. And so any fee that throwback recommended for a substantial increase, we will defer those increases and implement them slowly so as not to be an undue hardship on ratepayers. Some fees we are quite happy to keep at current levels simply because we can maintain operations at those subvention levels. But where we are massively under collective, we do need to slowly roll in. So to better. Manage the cost of our services.
Speaker 1: Thank you. What about public works? Is that similar or because there's there's a lot of things here that might. You know, removing certain things that you in the city like in front of businesses as well. I'm just wondering, is that the same approach to.
Speaker 0: It is the same approach. Yes. And as far as implementing over a period of time, specifically for a couple of those items that you mentioned, the the curb painting and the the other items there, we are facing those in over a period of three years. So it'll be one third each year over the next three years, which would then get us to two whole in year three moving forward.
Speaker 1: Yeah, because I didn't realize there was 175 per location and then it would be increased to 325 just to do a painting, a driveway like painting the red. Right, kind of red, what you call red tips, right?
Speaker 0: Yeah, that's correct. So the study takes into account all of the efforts to actually get out there and do it, including the labor and the materials. The existing fee is currently 175 for the driveway tips and the repaint is 87. So the RCC study did recommend a higher fee to recover those costs, but we do understand it was a pretty significant increase and therefore our phasing it in over the three year period.
Speaker 1: And thank you so much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I have council member Austin. Thank you so much for the presentation and I do understand, you know, the need and I do I think we need to be smarter as a city in terms of, you know, recuperating our our cost for poor services. At the same time, I'm also mindful of the fact that we are not for profit entity. And many of the services that we provide as a city will never bring the cost for. And that is that that goes along with public works and our gas and energy, energy and gas departments, but with several other departments as well . I am. And I guess it may be lost on some, but for me I'm concerned. Any time we're talking about raising rates or fees on the gas, the increase in gas fees for services has me a little concerned because of where we are right now with the the the rates going up and increasing literally. At the same time, I think to to councilmember sorrows point, you know, children are concerned about the impacts on our our lower income residents and those seniors who are on fixed incomes and who are being challenged with those of. The rising price of natural gas. But also, you know, now the city is is looking at raising fees for various services. And so, you know, I would ask that we would be doing very, very well with extreme caution here and being very sensitive to the those of those individuals who we all represent, say senior citizens, low income families who would be impacted by by these fees, rates and or fee increases. Also wanted to. And I. Raise this issue with the city manager a little earlier. But I think it's worthy, too, for a public discussion here. You know, some of the services that our public works department provides are obviously indirect services to businesses and residents. But, you know, we as city council members, we may get a complaint. We may be responding to a constituent request or just a notice, for example, you know, painting curves in a business district. Right. Anything, you know, of green curves. Of red curves. These are these are things that we don't necessarily you know, they're not celebrated and talked about. The city council members have to be attentive to those those issues, particularly in support of our our businesses, communities and where it relates to the safety of it in those those areas . My question to the city staff is how if a city council office would request those type of services, are we going to be charged to see a budget that we may control for such fees? Or is it coming from somewhere else? Can't remember. This is Eric Lopez. I know you won't be charged. We still have our regular maintenance crews that do street maintenance that will handle some of these requests. This is for either more regular service from, say, an apartment complex or another private property owner. Not for our regular maintenance. So no, you will not get charged for the regular work will still continue repairs incurred in our right away and maintaining them. This is this is just an added an added work to recover some fees for working extra work. Well, thank you for the clarification. It helps a lot, you know, from time to time. You know, Mr. Lopez, you know, we have a request, special request waiting in the alley. Know whatever it may be, sometimes those photos or even of speed bumps. Right. Because those those those are those works. Those come from our our our our district budgets. All right. I just wanted to get some clarification and show that this was a where we were going. So thank you so much for that. Again, like I say, my concerns, you know, please do not take this into account. Are our rate increases or fee increases for for those who are already rate payers or for gas and energy who are lowest income. I think we need to build in some small provisions to account for those type of hardships. Thank you. Councilman. Awesome. Thank you so much for your comments. I just really want to emphasize that of the proposed fee increases, none of them are to individual ratepayers. All of the increases are directed at construction and new development in fee increases. Nothing to that an individual gas ratepayer would incur. I definitely appreciate that clarification. Thank you. If you count on her supernova. Thank you staff for the report. I have kind of a general question and I hope there's a simple answer, but my question is, how do we how did we get to this point? I, I just to foster use the phrase areas where we are massively interconnected. So if we have a city price index, I'm just wondering how we get so far behind. I assume that might be due to regulations that you're subject to. But if there's a simple answer, I would like to hear it.
Speaker 1: Council member. So our last piece of citywide study that we had was back in 2006. So fast forward to now, it is through this citywide study where we are taking a very close look at our fees and charges and realigning to the cost of service. So it's been some time and even in the interim, we do have the routine processes in place for us to review as well as the city cost index. The city cost index is a general inflator that is applied to all departments, are all applicable fees and of course that's captured across all departments versus this more specific in-depth study per department at the service level area.
Speaker 0: Okay. So if I hear you correctly, it's it's it's the the time passage that has done this. So we 2006, that's a while back. So if we did this on a more regular, consistent basis, we probably wouldn't fall this far behind.
Speaker 1: That is correct. Councilmember And I do want to note that following the completion of the study, there is a cost of service model that will be available to departments as applicable. And as we move forward, departments will be able to reassess their cost and then also their levels of fees and charges.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. Thank you. I have Councilmember Allen.
Speaker 1: Inky so much. I just have a couple of questions. I thank everyone for the presentation. I am with regards to temporary no parking fines. Does that fee change also apply to no parking fines related to neighborhood cleanups or community events?
Speaker 0: Absolutely. It does not apply. So the idea that it does not apply.
Speaker 1: Okay, great. Thank you. And then also, Bob, thank you for your your informative presentation. I wanted to ask if your team has looked into subsidizing like home weatherization, like insulating attics or the walls as a way to incentivize gas uses reduction in older homes.
Speaker 0: I see Bob's on the line, but I can I can answer that question. The short answer is yes. We do have several home efficiency programs that are available offering rebates and in-house services to help customers be more efficient in their consumption of natural gas.
Speaker 1: Wonderful. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Very public comment. On this report.
Speaker 4: If there's any members of the public who'd like to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the right hand function. Our first speaker is Dave Shuker.
Speaker 0: Good evening. Nice to see this agenda. Right after the previous item. Can you hear me? Yes. We hear you. Thank you for confirming. So. We're talking about gas and energy, but not specifically about which utilities other than gas, not electricity, not waste services refuse collection. It'd be nice to only see some more specificity, but how these different institutions relate in the city now specifically calling for a market study for comparisons is a very good idea. And yes, it depends on which particular services the city kind of wants. This is something I think community choice aggregations as well as the DWP. I mean, there's different models, but more integrated models are just better for, you know, deployment. They're they're more effective. They're faster, more responsive. The community owned and controlled the city owns its own assets. It's something I got to keep telling you until we're entirely corporatized. Um. What else? Oh, yeah. So, what are the big things that I wanted to say on this item when I first read it last night was that I'd like to see some dark sky principles for our city lighting and city contracts with lighting. Look at Pittsburgh as a comparison. It works for safety. It works for cost. It works for the environment. There's a lot of things in the city that we could do. But again, you know, we need to. We need to we need to do so. Here is an immediate truth and reconciliation freebie. It's not a rape, nor is it a read. A real estate investment trust. Moderate. But you could restructure measure U.S.. To be in line with signal. That's that there was a missed opportunity. Putting it indexing it to the consumer price index instead of the producer price index. And that would more than double the money, especially now that we're going to have a period of ramp up in the markets, even though we shouldn't. With oil and gas, this is the year. Ladies and gentlemen, science tells us we should stop oil and gas. Period. So every moment that you delay is something that you know you're doing wrong. And it's important to say that on the record. But yeah, you know, if we're going to keep using oil, tax it properly and let us use those moneys properly. Thank you.
Speaker 4: That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Roll call vote, please.
Speaker 3: District one.
Speaker 1: My district to my district three I.
Speaker 3: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District five I, District six.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file the results of the user fee and cost recovery studies for the Energy Resources and Public Works Departments and associated departmental recommendations. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0114 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Let's go ahead and keep moving on the agenda. Item 27 for you.
Speaker 3: Report from Public Works. Recommendation to enter into an agreement with FEMA to accept.
Speaker 1: Grant funding in an.
Speaker 3: Amount of 702,823 for.
Speaker 1: The City of Long Beach.
Speaker 3: Pump Station Mitigation Project. Phase one.
Speaker 1: Citywide.
Speaker 0: Can I get a motion in a second, please? Emotional breakdowns and bizarro world country rank. Is there any public comment?
Speaker 4: If there's any members of the public who wish to speak on this item, please press star nine or use a written function. Dave Shuker. You have the floor.
Speaker 0: Oh, I'm good. Thank you.
Speaker 4: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Roll call the district one. So as.
Speaker 3: District two.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District three.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District five. By District six.
Speaker 1: I. District seven.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 3: District eight. A motion is carried.
Speaker 0: In district nine.
Speaker 1: I'm sorry, district nine. I'm so sorry.
Speaker 3: District nine, as in I received motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), to accept and expend grant funding in amount of $702,823, and execute all documents necessary to implement the grant for the City of Long Beach Pump Station Mitigation Project, Phase One (Project);
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group (Capital Projects Grant Fund) in the Public Works Department by $702,823, offset by grant reimbursement funds from the FEMA CalOES HMGP, for the Project; and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group (Capital Projects Fund) in the Public Works Department by $702,823, offset by a transfer of FEMA CalOES HMGP grant reimbursement revenues from the Capital Grant Fund. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_02012022_22-0116 | Speaker 3: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Item 29, please.
Speaker 3: Report from City Attorney Recommendation to adopt a resolution declaring an inclusive language policy and declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to gender references. Read the first time laid over the next regular meeting of City Council for Final Reading Citywide.
Speaker 0: I have a motion that comes from around. Can I get a second, please? And I got a second. So I want my customer. Austin Any public comment?
Speaker 4: If there's any members of the public that wish to speak on this item, please press star nine or use the raise hand function. Seen none. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 0: Great. Thank you. There is emotion in the second members. Please go ahead and talk over District one.
Speaker 1: I district to my district three. I. District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 3: District six.
Speaker 1: I.
Speaker 3: District seven. By District eight, District nine, my motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And I didn't miss any items. Right. Madam President, I thought for a little bit that missing the items earlier are all the items.
Speaker 3: We have open public comment. And second public comment.
Speaker 0: Was a general comment that wasn't done earlier.
Speaker 3: No, that was not completed. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring an Inclusive Language Policy for all future Long Beach Municipal Code Ordinances, Ballot Proposals for Long Beach City Charter Amendments, City Council Resolutions, and City Council Policies; and | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0026 | Speaker 2: All right. Let's go to item number 20 to continue hearing.
Speaker 3: You have failed our children. All of you.
Speaker 2: Item problem are not business like.
Speaker 1: Yes, we will mute public participation. Item 20 Report from Harbor Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record and conduct a public hearing on two appeals of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Adoption of the final initial study. Negative Declaration of the World Oil Tank Installation Project filed by Safer, California and the Coalition and adopt a resolution denying the appeals and upholding the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Adoption of the final is and d for the project. If you would like to speak on this item, please raise your hand.
Speaker 2: All of it required a live stream of now.
Speaker 1: Yes, but anybody participating in this item, if you and each of you do solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the course now and pending before this body shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God.
Speaker 2: I do.
Speaker 0: I don't.
Speaker 2: Right. Thank you, Madam Claude. Mr. City Attorney, can you now walk walk through the council and the public through the process of this hearing?
Speaker 0: Yes. Vice Mayor, the first I believe there was a preliminary matter. My understanding is that world oil has decided to stipulate to prepare an environmental impact report for this project. So if we could hear from world oil to see if that is indeed the case.
Speaker 2: Paul Ryan is the representative from world over.
Speaker 0: Sue Gornik, the vice president of Environmental Health and Safety. I agree with that stipulation.
Speaker 2: Right. And so. Ms.. City Attorney So what do we need to do from here now that they've agreed to that?
Speaker 3: Yes.
Speaker 0: So in light of that stipulation that moots the appeals for the evening, which we're seeking to have an air prepared. And so if there is a motion from the city council to then direct this to go back to the port for further environmental review, consistent with that stipulation that world oil will prepare an environmental impact report for the project. So moved.
Speaker 2: It's been moved by Councilmember Aranda. The next in line was Councilman Austin. Is that a second? Yes. Okay. Yes. All right. Thank you. So it's been moved and seconded. Is there any public comment on the motion to accept this stipulation?
Speaker 1: We do have public comment at this time. There are 12 speakers queued up.
Speaker 2: Okay. And just to be clear to folks, what we're doing is they've agreed to effectively do what the appellant is requesting. And so if you're speaking to that, then now would be the queue up. But let's go ahead administer public comment.
Speaker 4: Nick Garcia. Your time begins now. You have 90 seconds.
Speaker 2: I'm.
Speaker 1: Mr. Garcia, please unmute yourself. Your 90 seconds starts now.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Robert Smith.
Speaker 2: Oh, I'm so sorry. I was then when I'm. You know.
Speaker 4: So start.
Speaker 2: Good evening, Vice Mayor. Councilman. My name is Nicolas Garcia. I am a member of the State for fuel and energy resources. California separate. California is a coalition of individuals and organizations with members, including myself, who live and work in and around this area. We advocate for sustainable development in Long Beach that minimizes environmental, environmental and public health impacts that provide community benefits, including investment and safe and skilled local construction workforce. Before this project can be improved, the city must address the project's impact on workers, public health and Environmental Environment and Environmental Impact Report, or incorrectly concluded that the project will have no significant environmental impacts. At this that is simply false to project a significant environmental impact on air quality health risk and greenhouse gas emissions, the Harbor Commission failed to disclose and mitigate. We believe the mitigation project impacts are critical to ensure good jobs, clean jobs and sustainable construction economy. I urge the Council to uphold this appeal and deny the project. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker, Robert Smith. Your 90 seconds begins now.
Speaker 2: There we go. Good evening, Mr. Vice Mayor and members of the City Council of Long Beach. Thank you for hearing this issue. The painters in L.A. trades are happy that this is going to go back, that the oil has accepted the. e.R. Royal impact report. They're going to do one of the we we as the painters have concerns about safety in the area, etc. for our workers in our workers families in the area. And we also have concerns about skilled and trained workforce, and we look forward to moving forward. To the next step here. We just see where we're going to go at harbor commission that the thing is for us is that safer California and. The state building and construction trades have a voice here within this forum. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker with the telephone number ending in 8019 year 90 seconds begins now. Please begin. Please hit star six. Oh, that's put him back on. You can begin. Our next speaker is Chris Chavez.
Speaker 2: Yes. Thank you and good evening. Councilmembers. My name is Chris Chavez. I'm the deputy policy director at Coalition Clean Air, one of the appellants for today and also a resident of Brinkley in the seventh District. I want to thank the council for making this motion for your attention to this issue over the past couple of months. It really encouraged a thorough air in this process, just to quickly highlight both this project and the community surrounding it are under the Protection of Assembly Bill 617, the Community Air Protection Program. They are both part of the Wellington Carson West, Long Beach, age 17, community, which signifies it's one of the most polluted, most vulnerable communities in the state of California. So that's important to keep in mind as we move forward through this process. I just want to encourage the council and the Harbor Commission to do your due diligence in protecting the folks who live in LA in these areas and really make sure that we're reducing emissions from this project. Thank you very much for your time.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Dave Shuker.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: Yes, we can hear you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Dave Fuqua speaking in his capacity as operations director of the Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy. In principle, I support the motion and thank World Oil for agreeing to the stipulation, although I'd like some clarity on whether the stipulation is for an environmental impact review or just a report. I think what's needed is a project air that includes it. That includes all phases of the project, including planning, construction and operation. As we just heard from some of our union folks. Safety issues should be thoroughly examined. Moreover, we need to take seriously maybe whistling in the wilderness that we need to take seriously how a project like this fit into our existing program. I mean, just for the state, for instance, the downtown plan, climate plan, city climate plan. As somebody else mentioned, maybe 617 community, police specific communities. Obviously, part of the reason why there's the diesel definition. Right. And I also just, you know, trying to think of, you know, 20 or 100 years scale. I'd like to see a technical review of some of these.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Julie May.
Speaker 0: This is truly a may from communities for a better environment. I'm a senior scientist.
Speaker 3: In our four communities in Wilmington and southeast Los Angeles.
Speaker 0: I just want to thank you.
Speaker 3: For.
Speaker 0: Performing the E.R..
Speaker 3: It was both a no brainer and common sense that this was necessary. And it was.
Speaker 0: Also deeply.
Speaker 3: Documented in the record with the materials we presented about biofuels.
Speaker 0: Hydrogen sulfide, fire danger, earthquake hazards, water risks.
Speaker 3: Many other hazards that were significant in this heavily impacted community.
Speaker 0: We appreciate you doing the full air that was absolutely necessary. Thanks.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Whitney.
Speaker 3: Levine. My name is Whitney Amaya.
Speaker 0: I'm a resident of West Palm Beach and a member of Eastern Communities for Environmental Justice. And yeah, I also just want to echo what's been shared. I'm glad that, you know, we're not moving forward with a negative declaration and that there is going to be a full year because honestly, a negative declaration for this project just did not make any sense because there's a lot of impacts that would come from the project. And I guess I don't think that it needs to be a reminder, but just in case, like my community and a lot of the other communities surrounding this area, we're already impacted by this so much. And so please take that into consideration as well, that it's not only the impacts from this project, but the impacts from everything else as well. And I think that's one thing that I wanted to say and thinking of this year is also taking into consideration like accidents, because it's not a question of whether it will happen, but when it's going to happen. You know, just from my experience of living next to refineries pretty much all my life and oil and gas infrastructure, it's super scary when things like this happen. And it's also frustrating whenever there's any accidents because there's never any real answers for community members. I think the thing that we tend to hear is, you know, there was this crazy accident, but there aren't any threats or any impacts for our health. And if there are impacts from these facilities during regular operations, how are we supposed to believe that there aren't any impacts?
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Sylvia.
Speaker 3: Hi. Good evening, Sylvia Arradondo with Communities for a Better Environment. And it's good to hear that this is going to go back to the air.
Speaker 0: I'm also a community member in Wilmington and have represented to the community in the harbor area for and through my work in different capacities and also as steering committee member for the one with Ben Carson with long with input from seven of. And I just want to thank you for sending us back to the air and as other speakers have mentioned of having a project of this scale move forward without an air process is too damaging. And it's also it does bring about a lot of concern, as you all know, living surrounded by industry or at least seen industry in our communities really has a severe impact on community health. And so both these are one thing that I'm always constantly talking about with folks because the the health harms.
Speaker 3: That are related from the off season.
Speaker 0: I've experienced many of, you know, friends who passed away from the different chemicals. And we just need to continue to take a stand for community. And so seeing, you know, a 40 hour process really helps us and the community know what is already going on and and continue to put in the documentation.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is actually Hernandez.
Speaker 0: Hello. My name is Ashley Hernandez and I grew up in Wilmington and I'm also with an organizer with Communities for a Better Environment, and we're with our youth program in the local Wilmington Harbor area. I also want to echo what a lot of peers here are saying, and thank you for really including FDR, into this process. I think it's obviously a bare minimum for front line communities to get these processes to be carried out. And so I just really wanted to emphasize the need for frontline communities that are dealing with heavy cumulative impacts, including refineries, oil drilling and heavy diesel traffic to be considered in the in the in the many impacts that we're going to deal with, including, obviously, this proposal. And so I just really want to echo the sentiments of folks here and really wanting to have a full air be carried out in the next couple of months, it seems. Well, I know it was, but thank you so much.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Darrell Golden.
Speaker 2: Good evening, everyone. My name is Sarah Golden. I'm a member of West Long Beach Association and the 617 Committee and a resident of West Long Beach. And I just have a couple of questions. The lady from World Oil, did she stipulate to the entire request of the appeal, but just the Arab portion? Well, what was the stipulation for police? Hey, there. We're we're not it's not a Q&A, but we're a promotion before we go. Okay, I buy one of those. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Kalani Lee. 90 seconds begins now.
Speaker 3: Good evening, everyone. My name is Kay. Honestly, I'm both a community member and a lawyer. I'm here to speak on behalf of myself, a Harbor Gateway resident, and my cousin and her son, who are Long Beach residents. I am grateful, like many of the public commenters here today, that this project is going to be sent back for a full hour. Given the nature of this project, it's clear that.
Speaker 0: One was required. The fact that.
Speaker 3: It's adding 2500 barrel crude oil storage tanks and freeing up almost 190,000 barrels of petroleum storage has at least the potential to cause significant environmental impacts related to air, water, fire prevention, resources, earthquake hazards and more. And this project clearly. Exceeds their firemen. To prove that there's a potential to cause a significant.
Speaker 0: Impact on a community. And.
Speaker 3: I'm just very grateful that it's going to undergo the required environmental review under CSA. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Allison Ham. Your 90 seconds begins now.
Speaker 3: Hi. Good evening. My name is Allison Holm. I'm an attorney with Communities for a Better Environment.
Speaker 0: I'd just like to thank you for moving.
Speaker 3: Forward with us. For the full year of the World Oil Project.
Speaker 0: SEQUA is a lifeline for frontline line communities that rely on seek review to understand the potentially significant impacts of the proposed projects and to provide comments and proof proposed projects. It goes without saying community should not be sacrificed for the sake of economic development. So thank you for prioritizing community health and safety for this project. Appreciate it.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Marine Premiere.
Speaker 0: Marine Premiere. All right. I apologize. I was having trouble meeting myself. Hi. My name is Marnie Premiere. I'm the executive director for Future Ports, based in Long Beach. We are an organization dedicated to both growing and greening ports of Long Beach in Los Angeles, as well as Wyoming and San Diego. And. And building a sustainable supply chain. We are very supportive of World Oil's efforts to work with the council and with the community and labor partners to move this project forward. It's a much needed facility for recycling fuel in the port terminal area. We applaud World Oil for voluntarily seeking air on this project and working with the labor and community partners to move.
Speaker 2: The project forward through the air process.
Speaker 0: And thank you very much, the council this evening for your substitute motion to allow this project to move forward. And we certainly do wish that any negative declaration had been upheld, and we were very supportive of the project. But we're glad to see that it will continue through the process and we'll be committed to working with world oil and the community partners to make that happen. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Anna Christianson.
Speaker 2: Hello? Hello.
Speaker 4: Well, please begin.
Speaker 2: Sorry you asked me to unmute, but I'm not interested in that. Oh. One moment, please.
Speaker 4: Anna Christiansen.
Speaker 0: Hello.
Speaker 4: Please begin.
Speaker 0: Okay. Wait. I'm on the phone because the camera was. The computer wasn't working. I'm sorry. I'm going to try it. Does the computer work now?
Speaker 3: Can you hear me?
Speaker 4: We can hear you.
Speaker 0: Okay. I'm not going to talk on the phone. All right. Sorry. Yeah, this process got a little weird on the computer. Okay, so along with everybody else, I'm grateful. I'm not particularly grateful to world oil. I'm certainly not grateful to city staff who recommended that the project be approved without any air. I'm grateful to all the community activists, all the organizations who wrote and researched and did the hard work of contacting community members and and doing the science that is necessary. Grassroots science and outreach that should have been done by the city staff to understand just how. Bad. This project is how much we do not need it. There is no. I'm glad. I'm grateful to have an air. Everybody will go. Go through it. But there is no way in hell that this that expanding fossil fuel infrastructure in production, whether it's in the port or in the low cerritos wetlands, is or offshore or offshore island is any benefit to this community. It's time to walk away from fossil fuels. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Ella Gonzales.
Speaker 2: You know, today meant a lot. And it just said, I, you know, basically, yeah, I'm not here to applaud World Oil Company. This is a private corporation that is pillaging the planet. There was, um, there was a town that caught on fire this, this year on New Year's Day in Colorado. I mean, Colorado usually expects snow, not fire. And this is just the beginning of the rest of our lives. But this is a company that made millions of dollars causing, you know, cancer to people, children, asthma, planet burning up. So Long Beach needs to start phasing out oil. It needs a plan to not add any more infrastructure. And air should be the expectation and is.
Speaker 0: The law.
Speaker 2: For any type.
Speaker 0: Of development.
Speaker 2: Whatsoever. You're building a building. You're building a parking lot. You're building you're drilling for oil. You're building an oil tanker. You need an air. So, you know, good for them for complying with the law because there was a hearing, because there was a lawsuit filed by Earthjustice, an environmental nonprofit. But this isn't a cop out for the city council. You are expected to deny this project in.
Speaker 0: The name of climate.
Speaker 2: Change. If you are not a climate denier, if you accept the science, you accept the reality of the warming planet that you live on. So, you know, good, good. For those who did write the city council, you guys got lucky this time. But, you know, we're we're paying attention to these projects. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. What the individual with the telephone number 8019. Your time begins now.
Speaker 2: I just wanted to ask if this is the item number 26. So by the.
Speaker 4: Thank you. That concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Excuse me. I don't.
Speaker 3: Remember you.
Speaker 2: Mr. Clarke. With a few more people.
Speaker 1: It's the appellant who would like to speak. Please begin.
Speaker 0: Yep.
Speaker 3: Good evening, council members. My name is Carla Fetterman on behalf of appellant Save for California. We support the motion to remand the project in order to prepare an environmental impact report to address and mitigate the project's significant environmental impacts. Safer California filed this appeal to address the board's failure to prepare an air for the project pursuant to Secure to disclose and mitigate the project's significant, unmitigated air quality impacts, public health impacts and climate change impacts associated with construction and operation that were not disclosed or mitigated by the negative declaration. Our appeal presented substantial evidence supporting a fair argument that the project may result in potentially significant impacts related to volatile.
Speaker 1: Organic compounds.
Speaker 3: And particulate matter and greenhouse gas emissions. As such, we support the motion to remand the project to preparing air. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Right. Thank you. So that satisfies the public comment when they get back behind the rail. I raised my hands. Councilmember Durango.
Speaker 4: I'm sorry, Vice Mayor. We still have one more volunteer.
Speaker 2: I would like to speak. Do we have one more comment on. Hang on. Mr. Clark, go ahead and handle the rest of it. Let us know we have a green light.
Speaker 4: Carter Garage. Your time begins now.
Speaker 2: Thank you. My name is Cody Rhodes. I'm an attorney from Earthjustice representing the coalition that appealed this project. I'm glad to hear that world oil will be preparing in the air for the project. And I'd like to thank the city council members for considering the community concerns on this issue. I hope that this air will address the concerns we raised in our appeal filing and the public comments of the project. Specifically, the air need to strongly investigate this project's cumulative impact for context. Over 1000 petroleum storage tanks are already permitted in the South Air Basin and world oil already had seven oil storage tanks at their Long Beach terminal with over half a million barrels of capacity. So what doesn't allow us to act as if these tanks don't exist by evaluating the project in a vacuum? So in the air, these cumulative impacts must be thoroughly investigated to give the public and decisionmakers a complete picture of the project's real impacts. Unfortunately, recent studies from the South Coast have shown that the emissions from storage tanks like these are systematically underestimated. So benzene, which causes cancer, for example, was found to be underestimated by 34 times. So consideration of these findings is something that really must be incorporated in the upcoming air for this project. We're also concerned about disaster risk for the project in the Air must look into alternatives that will mitigate the risk to residents and ecosystems from disasters, especially given the governmental influence of climate change. Thank you very much.
Speaker 1: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you. All right. They're going back behind the room. Councilmember doing a thank you, vice mayor. And I want to thank all the presenters who spoke this evening about the project, the motion that we put on the floor. I just want to make sure that I have an understanding of where we're at. And my understanding is that world oil has agreed to simply prepare an environmental impact report with a world oil tank installation project. And I'd like to hear from world oil that my understanding is correct. So it's the city attorney. Could you could you clarify? I think I think we're past that part of me, Rita. The city attorney. Can we can you just clarify a lot of discussion between then and now?
Speaker 0: Yes, that is the stipulation. Councilmember.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much for that clarification. So in light of the other fact, I moved to dismiss the appeals as moot and send this project back to the Port of Long Beach for further environmental review and preparation of an environmental impact report as stipulated by world oil. I want to thank all of the oil for taking this initiative and ensuring that all potential environmental impacts are exploring this project. I appreciate their willingness to take the lead on this. It also allows for additional details and environmental review to be gathered during the process, as are more important for community input than negative declarations. And I look forward to the process in the community. I also want to thank the Point Loma staff for their work on the project and look forward to seeing this full environmental impact review come back to City Council in the near future. And then I have a second thought that that would be my statement. That would be my motion. Thank you. Great. Thank you, gentlemen. Most. Helpful advice.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Vice Mayor, I want to echo Councilman Romney's comments and.
Speaker 0: Thank.
Speaker 3: World Oil for voluntarily withdrawing your project this evening and moving forward with a full air.
Speaker 0: It's clear to me from.
Speaker 3: The public comment that we heard that this next phase for you should definitely include.
Speaker 0: A more robust community.
Speaker 3: Outreach component. I think I know for sure that they're based on my understanding.
Speaker 0: Of the project and some of the comments that we heard that they maybe a little bit of of a lack of outreach in.
Speaker 3: Terms of what the project entails and the impacts.
Speaker 0: And I hope that that happens. And also that from some of the comments we heard earlier, that world oil work very actively on.
Speaker 3: Obtaining some.
Speaker 0: Agreement on a skilled and trained workforce as we move forward on this project.
Speaker 3: So thank you very much and have a great night.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Vice Mayor I've spoken with the port staff. I've spoken with the applicant, I've spoken with the applicant, and I've heard all sides. And I just want to thank World Oil for voluntarily moving forward with the air. You listen to the community and the climate advocate and you are receptive to all of our concerns. So I look forward to being part of the Yarra process and seeing the additional information and the review that comes out, as well as seeing the increased community engagement that will be a part of the process. So thank you for being a good partner and keeping impacted communities at the center of our decision making.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Ciro.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Vice Mayor. I want to add to the comments my colleagues made about wanting to think many of the community members and the coalition that's made up of the coalition and providing their concern and ensuring that information is shared with us. In addition to thanking staff at the port, as well as oil for providing various information and coming to the conclusion that the best process was to move forward with an air. So thank you.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you. Say no further council comment. I'll just add my support for what's what's in front of us. You know, two weeks ago, I think no one anticipated that there would be this much anxiety and community angst about the project. And I want to thank all the folks who have reached out to my office community members, labor partners, world oil representatives to try to get to the place where I think is the right decision, which is to move forward with a full, more robust process. So I'm happy to support this tonight. Let's go ahead and call our roll call vote we.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: I'm Mr. Vice Mayor. Just for a while. What I did on second emotion so far. My apologies. I'm just going to go ahead and speak to the company. Well, I think everything has already been said. I agree with all of the comments that have been stated by my colleagues. I appreciate the robust input and the passion from the community, but also the the coalition that actually came together, I think was one that I don't think I've ever witnessed, the man who lost ten years on the council. And so with that said, I think it's we've landed in a good place. We should move forward, but also in the future when it comes to robust community input. I would just like to also maybe admonish and. Recommend to our port commissioners that they do a little bit more work with the community so that we can get these issues dealt with before they get to the city council level. Thank you. Thank you. Let's proceed to the roll call. Vote for.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 3: Hi.
Speaker 1: District two. I District three.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District six. I. District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to request that the City Council: (1) receive supporting documentation into the record and conduct a public hearing on two appeals of the Board of Harbor Commissioners' adoption of the Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the World Oil Tank Installation Project (Project) filed pursuant to Long Beach Municipal Code Section 21.21.507 by Safe Fuel and Energy Resources California (SAFER CA) and Long Beach residents Nicholas Garcia, Sopha Sum, and Sophall Sum, and Earthjustice, Coalition for Clean Air, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Communities for a Better Environment, Center for Biological Diversity, and Sierra Club - Angeles Chapter (collectively, "The Coalition"); and (2) adopt resolution denying the appeals and upholding the Board of Harbor Commissioners' adoption of the Final IS/ND for the Project. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0061 | Speaker 2: All right. We're here just to do item 21.
Speaker 1: Report from Development Services recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing and consider a third party appeal by Supporters. Alliance for Environmental Responsibility. Adopt a resolution approving and adopting an addendum to the program. Environmental Impact Report for the City of Long Beach Downtown Plan relating to 3636 Locust Development Project and the Equivalency Program and deny the appeal and approve a site plan review for a new seven story mixed use building at 636 Locust Avenue in the Downtown Plan Zoning District District one.
Speaker 2: All right. So if it looks like a over and over is required here, work.
Speaker 1: Yes. If you will be participating in this hearing. Do you and each of you solemnly state that the testimony you may give and the cause now in pending before this body shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?
Speaker 0: I do.
Speaker 2: I do. Idea. All right, I'll pass it back to city staff.
Speaker 0: I'd like to. I'd like to introduce the planning manager, Patricia Defender, for she'll make the presentation for this item.
Speaker 3: Thank you so much. Good evening, Vice Mayor. Council members. Just making sure you can hear me okay.
Speaker 2: I can hear you. Okay.
Speaker 3: Perfect. Great. Okay. Patricia Devendorf, our planning bureau manager. This item involves an appeal of an action of the planning commission to approve a mixed use project in downtown and an addendum to the Downtown Plan Environmental Impact Report, which cleared excuse me, an addendum to the Downtown San Environmental Impact Report, which cleared both the development project and a downtown plan air equivalency program to enable more residential development to occur downtown this year. Addendum in question Because it environmentally cleared both the project and the equivalency program, it is important for future development in the downtown and I will provide more detail about both the project and the equivalency program in this presentation. Do I have the ability to control the side? Just want to make sure. Yeah, probably I do. Okay. Thank you so much. So for some background on this. On September 16th, 2021, Planning Commission approved an ER addendum and a site plan review for a mixed use project at 636 Locust Avenue and also received a presentation on the downtown equivalency program as an informational item. A nonprofit organization, Supporters Alliance for the Environmental Responsibility spoke at the Planning Commission hearing and opposition to the environmental review process and subsequently filed an appeal within the appeal period. Over the next several slides, I'm going to describe the projects and then followed. And following that I will describe the equivalency program. So the proposed project will replace a vacant single storey building with a new seven storey mixed use structure containing 108 dwelling units nearly 1200 square feet of ground floor commercial uses and associated parking. The project has a diverse unit mix, ranging from 1 to 3 bedroom units. It also has building amenities that include a community room, fitness center, lounge area pool, outdoor seating areas, rooftop deck and private balconies. The project site is located at the southwest corner of Seventh Street and Locust Avenue in the Downtown Plan Development District. The 22,000 square foot site is bounded by Seventh Street to the North Locust Avenue to the west. A two story apartment building to the south and an alley way court to the east. The general plan land use designation for the property is the downtown place site, which allows higher density development. Intensity of development. Next slide, please. This slide shows pictures of the existing condition of the site. You can see the existing vacant building that is a former auto facility, auto care facility. Next slide, please. The site is surrounded by a mix of uses. Adjacent uses include an elementary school housing, a health care facility and commercial use. Next slide, please. Project Essentials. The project is consistent with a downtown place type and the land use element of the general plan. Project meets the Downtown Plan Development and design standards, including the promotion of mixed use development with pedestrian oriented ground for project, the project with conditions of approval with meet the required site plan review findings. The project is designed as designed is harmonious and compatible in terms of design, character and scale of the neighborhood and the surrounding community, surrounding structures and the surrounding community. Next slide, please. So now I'll describe in the next few slides equivalency program. So in 2012, the City Council approved the downtown plan, the PD 30 Zoning District and its Associated Environmental Review, which is a program IIR. At that time, the City Council adopted the plan as well as adopted and certified the air to air environmentally cleared development anticipated through 2035. The plan filled out year anticipated development is shown on the table on the right so you can see the different land uses that were contemplated as part of the plan and the program e air and the levels of development associated with each of those uses. This was what was analyzed in the air. Currently, development projects consistent with the levels of development contemplated by the plan and the air can rely on the program air for their environmental clearance and do not require additional environmental review. The mitigation measures identified in the program are are applied to projects as appropriate to ensure individual project impacts are mitigated to the extent feasible. And additional technical studies are sometimes required to analyze project level impacts and ensure that there are no project level impacts that were not identified in the program. Air. The Land Use Equivalency Program, which I'll show a little bit more about that in a moment, was prepared to provide development flexibility so that downtown can continue to to respond to market conditions over the buildout duration of the plan. Land uses would be allowed to be reallocated among already permitted land uses of the plan, using an exchange factor developed through the equivalency program, which will ensure that projects will not exceed the levels of development that were analyzed in the program. IRR for the plan. Because overall levels of development would remain the same. These are supported by necessary technical excuse me, the er addendum supported by necessary technical analysis was prepared to demonstrate that future projects would remain within the impacts analyzed by the program. Ah, when the exchange factors were applied. And square footage in one use was reduced in exchange for increases in another use in accordance with sequence guidelines. California Environmental Quality Guidelines. An addendum to the previously certified air was prepared because the changes are technical in nature and based on a determination that the equivalency program would not result in any new significant environmental impact or substantial increase in the severity of the impacts identified in the previously certified IIR. In addition, future development will continue to be subject to the Downtown Plan II or Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, and will have to comply with all applicable mitigation measures, as is the case currently. Next slide, please. This table represents the buildout that has occurred in the downtown plan area to date. As you can see from the table, the number of residential units anticipated by the plan has been reached due to the housing shortage and a strong demand for housing. At the same time, there has been less build out in the levels of their nonresidential use as contemplated by the plan and the air and the air due to reduced demand for office and commercial space as compared to what was anticipated by the plan. In order to continue to allow more residential development to be developed in downtown in response to market demand, and in recognition of the fact that due to a number of market forces, there's less demand for nonresidential uses. South Prepare the equivalency program to allow the swapping among the uses and established equivalency factors that will allow for increases in the number of residential uses in exchange for commensurate reduction in the amount of nonresidential. Uses. And. So looks like. But this slide shows the exchange factors, if you will, of the plans. So you can see there were several different impact areas that were analyzed as part of the technical analysis for the equivalency program. Traffic and noise. Air quality and greenhouse gas emissions. Based on that analysis, traffic and noise were required the highest exchange rate in order to establish that equivalency. And so going forward, the high exchange rate will be used to to allow for increased residential development. And this represents a conservative approach to ensuring that the impacts that were analyzed in the EIA are not exceeded. And you can see, for example, that 82 square feet of commercial equals one dwelling unit. Similarly, 315 square feet of office equals one unit or. Just over half a hotel room equals one unit. So this is the exchange rate or the equivalency factor that will be used in the future. Next slide, please. This table just provides a an example. If there's a project that consists of 100 residential units, there would be a reduction in order to allow that project. There could be a reduction of office of 31,500 square feet, and that would ensure that there the project is staying within the impacts that were analyzed in the air and that we're not exceeding those impacts for the future. The. Excuse me with future development. Next slide, please. So just to provide an overview of the equivalency program, equivalency program anticipates a build out of an additional just over 3200 units in exchange for reductions in nonresidential square footage. You can see those reductions in the middle column there. Those are the reductions that would be required in each of the nonresidential categories to remain equivalent to an increase in 3200 units. And you can see that that would mean a reduction of approximately 140,000 square feet of commercial, just over 400,000 square feet of office and a reduction of 177 guestrooms hotel guestrooms. But also with the increase in housing. There's still an opportunity to develop additional nonresidential uses. And you can see those adjusted capacity for those uses on the floor, on the column, on the right there. And this is to ensure that a mix of uses can continue to be developed in the downtown. Next slide, please. So just to cover some of the appeal, the specific appeal points, the appellant is appealing the project and the addendum on the basis that the project and the equivalency program are not within the scope of what was analyzed by the previously certified E.R. and the city should have prepared additional separate environmental analysis, a new environmental impact report or a negative declaration. This claim is made on the basis of the points that are shown on the table here. Summarized on the left. The appeal points on the left. Provide the staff. Sorry, on the right, provide the staff response. The project is within the scope of the ER because there is no change to the type of uses permitted nor to the overall plan density or building intensity or the geographic area that was analyzed in the original air. The idea did consider and rejects an increased residential density alternative, but that alternative was an overall higher intensity alternative that included increased residential density but also contemplated the same or greater levels of non residential density. The equivalency program, as I pointed out previously, would make reductions in nonresidential nonresidential development in exchange for increases in the residential development to stay within the overall level of. Development and impacts that were analyzed in the air. The addendum presents substantial evidence for the finding that the equivalency program will have the same or less impacts as the program analyzed in the air. The impact of the project and the equivalency program is consistent with the analysis and conclusions presented in the certified air. And no additional findings are required because no new impacts have been identified as a result of the equivalency program. And as a result, none of the circumstances requiring a subsequent or supplemental air in accordance with law are present. Next slide, please. In accordance with the school guidelines. On the basis of what I described previously, an addendum to the ER was prepared. The addendum was prepared to analyze the proposed project to determine whether the project resulted in any new significant environmental impacts. It was determined that this project and the equivalency program will not result in any new, significant impacts that exceed those that were analyzed in the downtown plan air. In addition, future development will remain, will continue to be subject to the downtown plan, air mitigation monitoring program, and will have to comply with all applicable mitigation measures. Equivalency program does not require or involve any amendments to the downtown plan. The PD 30 zoning district and none are proposed. The allowable uses and the plans, development standards and overall densities and intensities remain the same. The preparation of the Environmental Impact Report addendum is an administrative process and does not have a public notice requirement or a stipulation period. So with that, the five, please. These are the recommendations for council to receive supporting documentation into the record complete. Conclude the public hearing and consider this the third party appeals adopt a resolution approving and adopting the addendum and all of the required finding and to deny the appeal and approve the site plan review for the seven storey building at 636 locust and to uphold the equivalency program. And that does conclude this presentation. The applicant is here and the city. The consultant who worked on the environmental analysis are also available to answer any questions if needed. Thank you.
Speaker 2: All right, let's set up the presentation. Now we're going to go to public comment. And when we're done with that, will close the hearing and have a council deliberation. So do we have any public comment on this?
Speaker 1: Yes. We have public comment on this item. There are two of our panelists, Brian Flynn and Sandy Schmidt.
Speaker 2: Good evening. Can you hear me? Yes. All right. Good. Thank you. Good evening, honorable council members. My name is Brian Flynn. I'm an attorney with the law firm Lowther Drury here on behalf of the Supporters Alliance for their.
Speaker 0: Civility.
Speaker 2: And support of their appeal. The pertinent question here is what level of environmental review sequel requires for this project? For reasons I'll discuss, Safer is not opposed to the project per se, but believes that sequel requires an environmental impact report rather than an agenda. So Safer is respectfully request of the Council. Uphold the appeal and refrain from approving the project at this time until anti-air is prepared. So in situations where there's a prior program, the air, which in this case is the 2012 bar for the downtown plan, seek to have standards for what level of review is required for subsequent activities when certain factors are met. The sequel requires an air and we think some of those factors are met here. First, the equivalency program and the Seventh and Locust Project are not within the scope of the impacts analyzed in the downtown plan. He air the downtown planning air on the analyzed up to 5000 units and the increase in residential use proposed by the equivalency program is outside the scope of the downtown planning air and the addendum is not proper. Rather, an air should be prepared the tiers from the analysis and the 2012 air that can be addendums and proper because the air is required for the projects remaining significant and unavoidable impacts. The addendum can see that the equivalency program will result in numerous significant and unavoidable impacts, including air quality, greenhouse gases, public services and traffic. When a first tier EIA, such as the downtown plan, the air reveals significant and unavoidable impacts, and those impacts are not mitigated by a subsequent project. Sequel requires in the air any statement of overriding considerations for those impacts. Third, and the air should be prepared because there are significant impacts to air quality that were not analyzed in the 2012 downtown planning air Safer submitted comments from indoor and outdoor air quality experts. They found that emissions of diesel particulate matter and formaldehyde would result in increased cancer risk in excess of the threshold set by the Air District. These impacts to human health were not addressed in the 2012, the air or the addendum and should be included any new air for this project for their new mitigation measures available to reduce the project's impacts. Such mitigation measures include Tier four final emissions standards for construction equipment and no formaldehyde added products for indoor air quality impacts. These mitigation measures are now commercially available as compared to 2012. With that, I will conclude again. To be clear, Safer is not opposed to this project in and of itself. Safer just wants the project to undergo the proper amount of environmental review and make sure all impacts are disclosed and fully mitigated. So Safer is requesting the Council uphold the appeal and not approve the project at this time so that an air can be prepared first. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Sandy Schmidt.
Speaker 2: Let's just let's just clarify before we go to the next point, madam Claire. These are the is the appellants. So they they actually have an extended period of time, is that correct?
Speaker 1: That is correct. Brian Flynn is the appellant and Sandy Schmidt is the applicant. They both get 10 minutes. Mr. Flynn just used his time and the next speaker is Sandy Schmid.
Speaker 0: The applicant.
Speaker 2: Is there any additional public comment beyond that?
Speaker 1: There are public comment. There are two public comment speakers after Sandy.
Speaker 2: Okay. So I'll let so go ahead and let me know when all of that is concluded. Thank you. Hello, this is Sandy Schmid. I am the developer representing the project and not much in the way of comments tonight. Vice mayor and council members. Thank you, first of all, for for hearing us and our project. And most of all, thanks to staff for privacy preparing this presentation. It was in-depth in its technical scope and review far beyond my capabilities. So thank you to the staff for doing a tremendous job here. It's an old vacant tire shop, and we'd love to, you know, make something which we think has contributed to the to the downtown Long Beach community, and hopefully we have that opportunity. So thanks again.
Speaker 4: Our next speaker is Lee Charlie. Your time begins now. You have 3 minutes.
Speaker 2: Hey. Good evening. I just pulled over. I'm actually working. I really appreciate all the data and analysis, but I'm speaking from a lot of residents that live literally three streets down from the Taco Bell, the Ginny Ora Pausa on seventh street and Chestnut and this location, that tire shop is abandoned. And right next door there's an abundance of parking. The issues that I raised to the developer is not about the environmental impact, but about the traffic impact. As you know, Seventh Street is the corridor that goes on to the 710 and it's already what we call the Mini Grand Prix. And then at about 4:00 on the exit ramp off the 710 coming down sixth Street where my car was totaled last year. And pretty much I would say not exaggeration about every three weeks there are wrecks that go from Magnolia all the way to Long Beach Boulevard on Sixth Street. So my question is, looking at the data, 108 units, commercial units. My question is, where did the developer do like the traffic study, for example, how many people and residents will be using cars going in and out? How many residents will now be using this exit non ramp for the 17 to get to work in L.A.? Another thing is commercial use. What kind of commercial will it be? Like a grocery store, a shop which will bring even more traffic to the Seventh Street and Sixth Street. So my question is living there, Taco Bell has a lot of foot traffic, Jenny, or a pod that has a lot of foot traffic. And now we're having an additional unit with more cars, more traffic, more commercial. So I just asked the city council, are the developer to maybe give us some insight of that? Was there a traffic study done? And then from my understanding with our councilwoman giving us some great information, I believe Seventh Street and Sixth Street are going to be close. And so my question then is how will that traffic impact our district and the neighborhood and the well, more well, more city and the north time now that there's no exit an on ramp and we've got a 100 to 135 more cars and people accessing this development. So I just raised questions and want to know if possible, did the developer do a lot of traffic impact study? And I hope you have a wonderful evening. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Bridget de la Toya. Bridget Dilatory. Your time starts now.
Speaker 0: Sorry. I made a mistake. Wrong item.
Speaker 4: Thank you. That concludes public comment.
Speaker 2: All right, closing public comment, bringing it back behind the real council members. And Dana.
Speaker 3: Thank you very much, Vice Mayor. I also want to thank the the staff who have been doing an enormous amount of work on this item. And I also wanted to ask staff a couple of questions, maybe addressing the concerns that Mr. Flynn brought up. I wonder if staff is available to address some of those concerns that were brought up for the public to hear. Please. Sure. Thank you, counselor in Kandahar. So good to address in general the issue. As I mentioned, the analysis that was conducted, the technical analysis that was conducted to inform the addendum, the analysis was all about, is there are there any new significant impacts that would be associated with the equivalency program that were not identified in the previous air? Or whether there was any increase in the severity of those impacts. A checklist was conducted for every impact area that is analyzed in through as a requirement to figure out all the different environmental impact areas . And it was determined that there would be no new significant impacts that were not already analyzed in the air, and there would be no increase in the severity of any impacts that were analyzed in the air and that there were no new feasible mitigation measures that were identified. For those reasons, it was determined that there would be no additional the circumstances that surround that. Requiring additional environmental impact reports or additional analysis did not exist in this case. And so that that is the conclusion and it is substantiated by the analysis that is part of the public record. And in particular, I wanted to just quickly address the the issue of air quality. The Environmental Impact Report that was certified by the council did identify a number of areas that were significant and unavoidable impacts. And that remains the same with the equivalency program. So there are no new areas of impact that were not already identified and hence there is not a need for a statement of overriding considerations because the statement of overriding considerations is already adopted by the Council. But there are mitigation measures associated with air quality, in particular construction mitigations. And those mitigation measures do require the use of the most up to date equipment that is available for reducing emissions during construction processes. And it does refer to the assumed, which is the Southern California Air Quality Management District, and whatever standards are the relevant standards at the time of construction. And we do apply that when we are applying the mitigation measures to the individual projects. Thank you so much for that. And I am very much in support of Stafford's recommendation today, because I know that they've worked very diligently to try to meet all of all of the ten points that were addressed in in the field. So. And as you all know, we are in dire need of more housing here in Long Beach. As a big advocate for housing that I am, I must support projects that really lead us in the right direction for housing. Housing for everyone. There is with just with this project alone, there is 108 additional dwelling units in the city. And that that comes with additional 135 parking stalls, which is something that is very much needed. This is really a great addition to the downtown area, and I hope that my colleagues will support me in this as well . Thank you.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Was that a motion councilwoman? Yes. Recommendation. Okay. Yes. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Vice Mayor, and thank you, Councilman de hop for those questions. I think that this project will bring the much needed additional housing to our downtown area, and addressing our housing shortage in downtown and throughout the city is definitely a priority. I will continue to monitor these projects very closely and I just want to thank staff. I want to thank the Planning Commission for their work on this. And I also want to recognize the appellant for bringing their concerns forward. The appeal process has prompted a deeper dove into this project, and I definitely appreciate staff taking the time to brief my office and answer our questions. And as chair of the Climate Action Environmental Committee. I definitely take environmental impact concerns very seriously. The project is consistent with the PD 30 development standards and the pier that are prepared for the downtown plan. And staff have assured me that this project will not cause no negative impacts upon the environment or the surrounding area, nor would it introduce new uses that are not already permitted by the downtown plan. So it is my understanding that the debate, which represents both residents and businesses in downtown, submitted their letter in support of this project. So I will also be supporting this item today.
Speaker 2: It's a fantastic very public. Well, we already did, but we can't say it's time to go for the roll call vote on this.
Speaker 1: District one, district two. I District three i district four I. District five.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and consider a third-party appeal by Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (APL 21-006);
Adopt resolution approving and adopting an Addendum (EIRA-06-20) to the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) for the City of Long Beach Downtown Plan (PEIR-SCH# 2009071006) relating to the 636 Locust Development (Project) in the Downtown Plan (PD-30) Area and the Downtown Plan Program EIR Land Use Equivalency Program (Equivalency Program), in accordance with the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Section 15164 of the CEQA Guidelines and making certain CEQA Findings and Determinations relative thereto, including a finding that the adopted Downtown Plan Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program mitigates, to the extent feasible, impacts associated with Equivalency Program projects, in accordance with those measures set forth in the Downtown Plan, and that no new or different mitigation measures are required; and
Deny the appeal and approve a Site P | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0064 | Speaker 2: 24. Let's just go straight down the list.
Speaker 1: Okay. Report from Economic Development and Public Works. Recommendation to authorize City Manager to submit a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support the Long Beach Tourism, Media and Training Center Project, District one.
Speaker 2: All right. Waiting on a motion. Okay. We have councilwoman sandy house move. Councilmember during a second councilman woman's day has any comments.
Speaker 3: Just that I'm excited about this. I'm very supportive of this item.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you, Councilmember Miranda. Anything. Okay. Thank you. All right. Let's go to public comment.
Speaker 4: That's where there are no public comments.
Speaker 2: All right, roll call, vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one. I district to.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District nine. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to submit a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration through its Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation grant program, in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000, to support the Long Beach Tourism Media and Training Center Project. (District 1) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0065 | Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Next item.
Speaker 1: Item 25 Report from Human Resources Recommendation to adopt a resolution approving the appointment of David Nakamoto as an interim appointment to a vacant position during recruitment in the Financial Management Department and an exception to the 180 day waiting period for public agencies citywide.
Speaker 2: All right. We need a motion in the second. Okay. Move. Back. Second, you, Ranga. Uh, and I see Councilman Burrows spoken up about something. Councilwoman Allen would like to speak to this. You just shake your head. Okay. Councilmember Ranga Exactly. Okay. Councilwoman Takara I was.
Speaker 3: Just trying to make a motion.
Speaker 2: Fantastic. We've got a public comment.
Speaker 4: There's no public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Roll call. Call Police.
Speaker 1: District one. District two. I. District three. My district for.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 1: District five. All right. District six. I do. Six, seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight. All right. District nine. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the appointment of David Nakamoto, retired annuitant, as an interim appointment to a vacant position during recruitment for a permanent replacement in the Financial Management Department pursuant to Government Code 21221(h) and an exception to the 180-day waiting period for Public Agencies pursuant to Government Code 7522.56 and 21224. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0066 | Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Next item, please.
Speaker 1: Item 26 Report from Human Resources Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract with Apple one Employment Services for temporary staffing services to increase the contract amount by 1,759,500 citywide.
Speaker 2: We need a motion in the second. Move sorrow back your ranga. Is there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 4: There is no public comment.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Let's have a roll call, please.
Speaker 1: District one, high district two. High District three. My district for.
Speaker 2: My.
Speaker 1: District five I. District six.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District seven. My District eight. By District nine. Motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 33651 with Howroyd Wright Employment, Inc., dba AppleOne Employment Services, of Long Beach, CA, for temporary staffing services, to increase the contract amount by $1,759,500, for a new contract amount not to exceed $20,417,500, and extend the term of the contract to July 1, 2022. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0068 | Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I think we're on tape now.
Speaker 1: Report from, please. Recommendation to amend contract with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for providing law enforcement services to increase the contract amount by $3,730,814. Districts one, two, six, seven and eight.
Speaker 2: We need a motion on the second. Move Austen and Allen during public comment.
Speaker 4: There is no public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: All right. Another thing must be to this. Can we roll? I think just that it is a contract to continue safety along our light rail within our city. I did want to ask the city manager. Are there any significant stipulations in this contract that we need to be aware of or the public need to be aware of
Speaker 5: ? Um. Yes, in this contract. I think we're good to go. I do want to bring something that is new that came up in December 2021. There has been a new board motion by the MTA to require vaccinations for everybody who is working on the airline. So that policy is something that we are actively reviewing and looking at. It's not completely formatted yet, and we will bring that back to you about what any potential implications would be depending on where and, you know, what motions that they have in the city's process of requiring vaccinations.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you. And I want to know and I know this is important this is important to Mayor Garcia, and he would be here, but he's at US Conference of Mayors this week. And so I just wanted to lift that up. But Councilwoman Allen, anything.
Speaker 0: Yes. Just just really briefly, I just want to say that this contract is key to providing rapid responses and safe spaces that I metro trains and platforms that are. And I want to thank Supervisor Janice Hahn for her support of our local law enforcement and providing these services and also to our wonderful Mayor Garcia, for getting this contract set up in the first place. Our continued support as we push to increase the quality of life for homeless outreach that is also provided in this contract. And I can tell you, you know, especially living downtown, I know the difference. I saw the difference immediately. It was very apparent to me when Long Beach PD took over from the sheriff. So I'm just very proud that we can continue this arrangement.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Let's go to a roll call vote, please.
Speaker 1: District one. High district to.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District three.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 2: Right.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 0: Hi.
Speaker 1: District six. I'm District seven. District eight.
Speaker 2: By.
Speaker 1: District nine. Motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 95866000LBPD24750, with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, for providing law enforcement services, to increase the contract amount by $3,730,814, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $36,953,404, for the term of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022. (Districts 1,2,6,7,8) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0069 | Speaker 1: District nine. Motion is carried.
Speaker 2: All right. Item 29 for your.
Speaker 1: Report from Public Works Recommendation to award a contract to E two contracting for construction of the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Facility. Phase one C Wetlands Project for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,227,052. District one.
Speaker 2: Move your rank of second to the very highest council meeting. Rank anything. I yeah. I'm also worked on the reverse amount conservancy was able to acquire $2 million to go towards this project. Very happy to see that it's moving forward with the wetlands component to it. Thank you. In fact, the councilwoman said they are.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Vice Mayor, and thank you to Councilmember Dunga for supporting this awesome project. I'm really excited for this project and everything that comes with it. It's been, you know, again, a long time coming, but I think it's going to be one of the most fantastic things that we have in Long Beach. So I'm really, really happy to see this project moving forward.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Ciro.
Speaker 3: Yeah. So just out of an abundance of caution, I work for ANSI, who provided the funding for this contract. So I would like to recuse myself from voting on this item.
Speaker 2: Okay. I think you have to exit the meeting.
Speaker 0: Do I hear?
Speaker 2: The second reason for the last meeting. So tonight, Councilman Austin, I just want to throw my support behind this item. This is something that I have also worked on with the Gateway Cities Council, the government, as well as been a long term member of city council. This is great to see us putting more investment toward stormwater infrastructure, but at the same time continuing to develop parks basically along the L.A. River. So congratulations to to the city, to the residents, and happy to support this. All right. Interesting. I'll offer my comments and support. This is a project that touches every district along the river. There's opportunities not only to clean our clean our water and have a more sustainable system. It also helps us to add some natural wetlands and some of those things. Our staff has a photo that they'd like to show if that would be a good time to pull it up.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Eric Lopez. We'll pull that up. And just a real quick rendering. This is a wonderful, wonderful project. The council talked a lot about parks and open space. And this has been a great partnership to be able to take land that is currently not a usable open space and turn it into something beautiful.
Speaker 2: I. Council members, I'm showing the renderings on the map or on the screen as part of the previous action. The actual treatment facility is already under construction, and tonight's action will have kicked off the actual construction of the wetlands. That's going to be across the street from the facility that's adjacent to that to the river. This was a former private development parcel that we acquired with grant funding support that we've been working to to empty. And now we'll be ready to demolish the site improvement and create or restore some wetlands with visitor serving amenities, including a walking path. So I'll go through some of these renderings to just show the the proposed project and and what we plan for the area to look like once we complete the work. And that concludes that customization. All right. Thank you. They look incredible. Look forward to seeing this project and all the enhancements along the river. Let's go ahead and go to public comment.
Speaker 4: There is no public comment for this item.
Speaker 2: Fantastic. Whatever. We'll call the district one.
Speaker 1: High District to.
Speaker 0: High.
Speaker 1: District three. I district for.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 2: Hi.
Speaker 1: District nine.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7187 and award a contract to E2 Contracting, Inc., of Irvine, CA, for construction of the Long Beach Municipal Urban Stormwater Treatment Facility Phase 1C Wetlands Project, in the amount of $2,689,210, with a 20 percent contingency in the amount of $537,842, for a total contract amount not to exceed $3,227,052; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments. (District 1) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01182022_22-0070 | Speaker 2: One, two. I'm 30. This is our last item, right?
Speaker 1: Correct. We still have open public comment after this item.
Speaker 2: Got it. This is the last one was here, I.
Speaker 1: Report from Public Works recommendation to receive and file a presentation of the 2021 Gateway Cities Energy Action Gold Award earned by the City of Long Beach Citywide.
Speaker 2: All right. But we have report on them.
Speaker 5: Yes, we have a brief staff report and a very quick video should be less than three or 4 minutes.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Tom. We're really proud to present this item today and receive an award. The, uh, the city staff has been working with slightly. What the gateways, cities, councils, government, their energy action committee to meet a series of requirements that are that have made us one of three cities to receive gold status. To present the video and say a few words. Today we have Nancy Pepper, the director of Gateway Cities Council, our government that should be on. And we would like her. We would like to invite her to say a few words and then we can show the video.
Speaker 3: Sure getting name right.
Speaker 0: There and council members and Eric, we haven't had the chance to meet but it's nice to meet you this way and thanks for the opportunity to congratulate the city of Long Beach for winning the Gold Energy Action Award for 2021.
Speaker 3: These awards were developed through the.
Speaker 0: City's Energy Working Group to help cities become more energy efficient, more sustainable and save money. We hosted the first Gateway Cities Energy Action Awards in December, and Long Beach, as Eric mentioned, was one of only three cities that won a gold level award for their overall efforts. Among other actions, the city was recognized for equitably installing electric vehicle charging stations across the city and for adopting a climate action plan. I believe we have a brief video about.
Speaker 3: The award, so if we can go ahead to that, let's show that and.
Speaker 0: Then I'll wrap up very briefly.
Speaker 3: The Gateway Cities Energy Action Awards, recognize the cities for their actions to improve energy efficiency and sustainability. And we hope they also help motivate.
Speaker 0: Progress through some.
Speaker 3: Friendly competition. Congrats to our 2021 bronze tier winner. And congratulations to our 2021 silver tier winners. And introducing our 2021 gold tier public agencies. City of Long Beach. Long Beach is committed to expanding EV charging options equitably across all communities, with 600 new level two ports in order to empower residents to make the switch to electric. City of Lynnwood, the Lucy Avalos Community Center is a shining example of Winwood's commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability a $5 million LEED gold certified facility. City of Paramount. Paramount has begun the process to upgrade to electric vehicles in planning, public works, public safety, community services.
Speaker 0: And administrative services. I am so proud of all the great cities making strides to become more energy efficient and more sustainable by participating in the Cox Energy Working Group. Congratulations to all the cities that have reached the bronze and silver levels this year, and I especially want to congratulate our three gold levels cities Paramount, Lynnwood and Long Beach, who reached the highest level of energy efficiency and sustainability and are also climate leaders. Congratulations and thank you for your dedication to energy excellence. Okay. Okay. I just also wanted to mention that we did award a plaque to the city in December. I understand that Justin Beck from Public Works has that plaque. I don't know if he's able to hear anyone else from public works are able to show that to the council. But if not, it's really pretty. I hope you stop by to see it. And that that concludes my presentation and thanks so much for the opportunity to congratulate Long Beach in my official capacity from the court. But I'm also proud, as a resident of Long Beach, to see the city doing this. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Also. Thank you. We have a motion and a second motion by Councilwoman Allen. You want to say anything?
Speaker 0: Yes. Just real quickly. I love that we are one of only three cities to be awarded this honor. And this just goes to show the great work that we have been doing and just want to congratulate the city staff on their recognition on their recognition and and efforts. And you've done a great job, Eric, and I know that moving forward will continue to lead our region on sustainability. So just great job, everyone.
Speaker 2: Do come home in sorrow.
Speaker 3: Yeah. I do want to congratulate Eric and the team at public works for this great recognition as an alternate to the mayor at the Gateway COG. I'm just proud to be able to represent Long Beach as the leader of sustainability. And I have my colleague here, Councilmember Turanga, who also sits on Gateway COG as well. And we're proud to be the goal here. Already. So on the record. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Have there been any public comment on this?
Speaker 4: Dave Shuker. Your time starts now.
Speaker 2: Hello? Can you hear me? Yes. Great. Congratulations on the award. I would love to see where those 600 new stations are supposed to be located. I think we just got an email this evening saying that they're going to equitably take input, to equitably distribute them along the equitable lines that Southern California Edison has already centralized their procurement . I mean, is this stuff we're going to own or not? Are we are we are we hollowed out as a city to the point where we're owned by just like one corporation now? Or. Or do we get to like like own our own stuff and, like, build the Jetsons? Kind of like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What do we get to do? Do we get to keep having a war or for the next ten, 20 years? Well, we're not actually materially reducing our. Our emissions load. I mean, you know, what do you want? You want a livable future. You want more awards. I don't mean to rain on the parade, but I. I just, you know, I, I, I keep wondering where, when we're, we're all going to be shown the wisdom of the path and the way and why we've had to wait so long to participate in these decisions that affect, you know, basic decisions for some of us. Like, should I go to school here? Should I work here? Should I start a family here? Is this place safe for my parents to have a home? And a lot of that information, frankly, you know, it's kind of papered over and I would hope one from the evens that development was development and get. Yeah. Um. So thank you. So, Cal ran for telling the city of beach we're going to apparently do things. We could just divide up and do it ourselves. Lynwood and Paramount make a lot more sense. For instance, being part of some municipal or community service aggregation program, maybe it will be DWP outright at this point might just be faster and easier. But the one thing that I don't know about these awards, but one thing I'm certain about is I got a lot to think about over the next few months with this place. With this place I grew up in. Like being an adult here now, is the 2020s a bit different? Thank you.
Speaker 4: That concludes public comment.
Speaker 2: Fantastic. Let's go ahead and have our.
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: K.
Speaker 1: District, too, right? District three.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 3: I.
Speaker 1: District seven.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District eight.
Speaker 2: All right.
Speaker 1: District nine. A motion is carried.
Speaker 2: All right. Thank you. That satisfies the agenda. We have a number of announcements from some folks who have requested to us around the minute memory and the honor of residents. Let's start with Councilwoman.
Speaker 3: Sorrell.
Speaker 1: Vice Mayor. We still have open public comment. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a presentation of the 2021 Gateway Cities Energy Action Gold Award earned by the City of Long Beach for achievements of excellence in furthering sustainable energy goals. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0024 | Speaker 1: The motion is carry.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Item 24, please.
Speaker 1: Item 24 Report from Public Works. Recommendation to accept an easement deed from 1542 Seabright Holdings for the installation of Public Utilities District seven.
Speaker 0: Mr. America.
Speaker 4: And Mr. Lopez, if you have a report.
Speaker 2: On this.
Speaker 8: And I think it's on the on the side that we need to have the exhibit be a revised sequel or and we've submitted it to learn more about. And then we can incorporate a revised view that would that would allow us to be able to complete this process. I wouldn't even be.
Speaker 0: Anything else, Mr. Modica?
Speaker 4: That's it.
Speaker 0: Thank you. There's a motion and a second, please. Can I get those? There is no public comment on this item.
Speaker 1: There's no public comment.
Speaker 0: We will go ahead and cast her votes.
Speaker 1: Vice Mayor Richardson. The motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Why don't we go ahead and do general public comment? I think there are three speakers. If the clerk wants to facilitate that. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to accept an easement deed from 1542 Seabright Holdings. Inc., a California Corporation, and the owner of the property 1542 Seabright Avenue, for the installation of public utilities; and
Accept Categorical Exemption No. CE-21-154. (District 7) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0026 | Speaker 0: Sir. That concludes public comment. So we're we're going to move on now to our hearing. We were going to have a presentation that's been canceled, I think partly for pandemic reasons. But we are going to move right into hearing item 26. Madam Clerk.
Speaker 1: At 26 is report from Harbor Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record and conduct a public hearing on two appeals of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. Adoption of the final initial study. Negative Declaration for the World Oil Tank Installation Project Fire by Save for California and the Coalition and Adobe Resolution Denying the appeals and upholding the Board of Harbor Commissioners adoption of the final I guess anti for the project this items requiring an oath. Please stand for those of you who are going to testify on them. You and each of you do solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the court now and pending before this body shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. You may be seated.
Speaker 0: Thank you. As we as we begin, we do have a a motion that's going to be made here by the of Councilmember Ranga. And so, Councilman, did you want to move. Make them put in the motion that. That you're going to. To begin as we begin the hearing.
Speaker 3: Yes. Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here. I want to first say that, as you know, we're in the middle of a COVID 19 surge due to all my current variant and various other COVID 19 positive numbers of hospitalizations. And people are getting sick even tonight. We have instituted different protocols for public participation and have limited entry to the Council chambers for public comment. Am also sure that this COVID 19 surge has also kept folks from wanting to show up and participate this evening. In the interest of fairness and to hopefully have our city in a better place with our COVID 19 positivity numbers, I would like to make a motion to continue this hearing to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on January 18th, 2020, and I hope to get your support.
Speaker 0: There is a motion and a second to essentially continue this item to January the 24th, I think. Is that is that right? 18th, I'm sorry, to January 18th, that is the motion on the floor. There is a motion by Councilmember Urania and a second by Councilwoman Price. Councilman Price. To have anything to add to that?
Speaker 6: No, I support that motion and I think there are a number of issues that need to be addressed on this particular appeal that I'm hoping the parties will have an opportunity to talk through before the 18th. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Mr. City Attorney, do anything to add to that?
Speaker 2: No, no. We would continue.
Speaker 3: It to the next available date, and that is the 18th.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. Before we take a vote on the continuation, actually, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 7: Thank you. Because it is a hearing. Are we not able to ask questions to help resolve those issues now?
Speaker 3: If it's not illegal. I mean, it is. It is. The motion is now at the it can be made now it can be made after the presentation by both parties. It could be made at any point during the hearing to continue it. Yeah, but generally speaking, you would decide to continue it now or let both parties present.
Speaker 0: But let me let me just add to I want to make sure that we do have a motion on the floor. So the motion on the floor is to continue. So that's unless there's a different motion, we need to vote on the motion on the floor and do public comment on that motion.
Speaker 7: Right. And I'd consider making a motion to support, but I don't know what my colleague's concerns are because I received a briefing and so I only know what I received in my briefing. And so I would be interested in knowing what my colleague's concerns are, because I think that that would help me considerably. But that's, I guess, where I was.
Speaker 0: Well, I think comes from hearing it did list his his reasons for. For the postponement. You made the motion. So I'm not sure if the council needs to restate those.
Speaker 7: I'm so sorry. Would you mind? I was in the restroom. I wasn't feeling well.
Speaker 3: Basically, as you see, we have an empty chamber.
Speaker 7: Oh, okay.
Speaker 3: There are people outside, which I feel that if we did not have this, COVID 19 would would be inside. Okay. And we'd have a good, solid hearing. Okay. That is not possible today. There are going to be some change protocols for the 18th that I think would provide a better opportunity for more participation from the public in this hearing. So that's basically putting it off two weeks and next week we have our state of the city. So the next regularly scheduled meeting will be on the 18th. And that's when I that's what I proposed.
Speaker 7: Oh, I apologize. When I was walking back in from the restroom, I thought there was a specific item that was an issue with the Declaration. I misunderstood.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Thank you for a clarification.
Speaker 0: So there is a motion in a second. Now, I know that people signed up for public comment for the hearing. Just to be clear, we can still take will still take public comment, but the public comment needs to be only on moving the item two weeks, not on the merits of the hearing, not on the merits of information as far as that relates to the hearing. So if there is public comment, it has to be only based on whether or not we are going to move the hearing to the 18th. Just to be clear and so, Madam Clerk, if there is public comment on that part of the hearing, please let me know and facilitate that.
Speaker 1: We do have some public comment. They're on the way. But I will make an announcement. It is to the the continuing of the hearing.
Speaker 0: Then make sure that anyone from the public knows what the actual public comment is. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1: Franklin Sen.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And before we get we a about it and I just want to make sure that our folks are folks are being letting folks are being told that they can only speak to the continuance, not to the merits of the hearing itself. Correct.
Speaker 6: We've told them.
Speaker 0: Everyone knows it. Okay, great. Excellent. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Please. I'm proud to say that Long Beach had a vision for the first the world's first green port. And we've got to live up to that name. The color green makes you think of words like refreshing, clean, open and honest. This isn't a tough call. It's a matter of right and wrong. Cancer causing emissions are going to increase in Long Beach because of this project. And because of that, there are to be a report that ought to be heard today.
Speaker 0: Okay. I need you to focus on whether or not the hearing should be today or not or two weeks from now. Please.
Speaker 2: Based on. Everyone who came to speak on this item is out in the hallway ready to talk now on the merits. We came here facing COVID 19 to delay our ability to speak for your State of the city. Address that already on the 11th that you requested is to further delay what needs to happen today. I respect Councilman Tauranga's call because in some ways it speaks to his embracement of a democratic process. But let's be honest. We know there's more to it than that. I came here to talk on the merits, and now I can't. And it creates an opportunity for deals to be made away from this deal. And that's the sort of shady business that we're tired of. So don't get in front of it and say, oh, we're who want to preserve the democratic process. Most of the people out there are here for this item. The public has arrived. And one of the major issues regarding this agenda, at least by the dissenters, is that the ports data did not allow for public engagement in the first place because the data is not there. So my question is, is the data going to come down the 18th? Is there going to be more data? The last thing I want to say is this. The South take one day. Our vice mayor sits on it. I think he should recuse himself from this item when it comes time for a vote. And he knows why. I'm very disappointed in what's happened. I feel like we've been shafted. I'm not happy about it and I don't like the thread of this is the democratic way to go because it's not . Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Speaker 0: Speaker, please.
Speaker 2: I guess. I mean, the two week delay, I wanted to say that it sounds good. I think one of the, uh, I think this gives time for the city council to make, uh, some, some, uh, some questions to make some really important questions before the public. As the previous speaker just mentioned, there really wasn't much of a public process when it came before the Harbor Commission. I've seen nothing but climate denial. I just want to acknowledge the movie that came out called Don't Look Up, which was about climate and saying, Oh, look, there's a comet in the sky. The comet is symbolic of the climate crisis, and two weeks from now, the climate crisis will be that much worse. We'll be that much further into the future. So I would like at a certain point for this council to show genuine climate leadership. Garcia has mentioned running for office a wonderful, ambitious, very proud to be mayor. If you believe in a Green New Deal, this gives you two weeks to actually demonstrate that and show that you have courage in your heart to represent us in Washington. Same with you, Mr. Richardson. As mentioned, you are on the AQ, M.D. As mentioned, you also have mentioned that you would be interested in representing the citizens of Long Beach. When are we going to see a change in Long Beach? When are we going to see an acknowledgment of the crisis as the warmest December in history? A town burn down to to a crisp. On New Year's Eve, another city, another small town burned. So in two weeks from now, the climate crisis will be that much warmer. We'll be that much further into the future. And so I want you to take these two weeks to do some type of climate analysis. You know, really ask that question of staff. Has there been a thorough climate evaluation? If you look in the air, you'll find that there is no significant they say no significant difference by by adopting this project. I've mentioned climate concerns to the to the to the Harbor Commission. When there was a public comment I mentioned they referred me to this one sentence. I says no significant difference. How is that possible? I want you all to ask questions that show that you have a genuine understanding of the severity of this crisis that shows that you're connected to the community in some way to understand the health impact on the precious children on the lungs of the community. I want to see that from each one of you in two weeks. Some actual courage to pronounce. Do you have courage in you? I don't know that I've seen from anybody here on this council quite yet genuine courage. So I just want to let you all know what the public is expecting in two weeks, but yeah, sounds good.
Speaker 0: Speaker, please.
Speaker 2: Good evening. My name is John Edmund. I'm here on behalf of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, the Harbor Association, Industry and Commerce, Southeast Association, Chamber of Commerce. And Bill said, We're all here. There's a room full of people that are ready to present public testimony. You have both applicant, the applicant and the appellant in the room right now. You have staff prepared to make a staff report and you're going to punt it to the 18th when I'm pretty sure we're not going to be able to be here. And you're going to limit public speaking. I mean, this is what you guys are here for. You have a fiduciary duty to be here and to hear the issues at hand. Win, lose is your responsibility. COVID is a terrible, debilitating, terrible thing. But are you postponing anything else on the agenda today? Why this issue? Because it takes a little more time. I'm sorry. I record asking you guys to hear the people's business conduct the city government. We want the item heard. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Speaker, please.
Speaker 2: Dave Shukla, resident of the third. I am proof positive that Councilman Ringo's reasoning is sound. I support the motion. I think, as we heard earlier, the hearing can still be had and then be continued. So you're not telling anyone to go home without being heard? There's a lot of questions I'm going to have after the hearing, and I think it would be. Advantageous for all parties, given how much COVID is already kind to constrain the process over the past year. I mean, I woke up this early to read those, you know, 600, 700 pages. It's complicated. I think you would do well to continue the hearing. Thank you.
Speaker 0: They can expect police.
Speaker 6: Good evening. My name is Khalilah Fetterman on behalf of Safer California, the appellant tonight. And we support the continuance until the 18th. To allow for public participation and for the Council to review and consider the comments that we submitted today. And we ask the Council to require any I.R. for this project. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Speaker, please.
Speaker 2: Good afternoon. My name is Carter Garage. I'm an attorney for Earthjustice representing the Coalition of Community Groups, appealing this project. I greatly appreciate Councilman Franco's concern for a public engagement, and I understand his rationale for this motion to continue the hearing. However, I'd like the Council to at least consider hearing the folks who did come out here today despite the adversity, who might not be able to make it on the 18th. I think we could have had a lot more public engagement today if there was a telephonic or online opportunity to provide verbal public comment. So I'd like the council to at least consider hearing those who are prepared to speak on the merits today, but the members of the public who could not attend in person at the 18th and we've heard the protocols will be different, but we haven't heard the details of what that would be and how much that would facilitate public comment at that time. So we'd like you to consider to make sure everyone's voices could be heard in that front. And if and if they cannot, then we would support that. We think that it should be heard today so that the folks outside are not ignored. Thank you very much.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Madam, quick, is it more public comment on the continuance?
Speaker 1: That's in the public comment.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. A couple a couple just things. First is just to also just to be clear, you know, there is a motion on the floor and a second that was made. And so that is the motion on the floor. And that's a process we're going through right now. The public comment has to be to the motion as far as additional public comment like was suggested by the gentleman that just spoke, that's not allowable in the in the scope of the way this hearing is set up. The hearing has to be done a certain way, and we have to speak to the motion that's on the floor. And so I just want to make sure that to clarify that for the for the gentleman that's here. And so the motion and a second is to continue this for two weeks on til the 18th before we take that vote. Let me go and go to Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 7: Thank you. Is this staff able to tell us how many people were signed up for public comment tonight? 820.
Speaker 1: We have.
Speaker 7: 909. Okay. Okay. And do we know if we will be virtual on the 18th? Like, I guess there's just a lot of questions.
Speaker 0: I can I can answer that question. We actually don't. So we have not received the full recommendation yet, and I have not, as the chair of the body earlier tonight, Mr. Morgan said there might be adjustments in a couple of weeks, but we don't know what those are yet. And we're waiting to hear back from the Health Department what those will be. So as soon as I know or as soon as Mr. Modica knows what those are, I think he's intending to work with the clerk to put those out there. Mr. Mark, is that correct?
Speaker 3: That's correct.
Speaker 4: So we focused on today in order to make today as safe as possible. But clearly COVID is going up. But we are looking at some alternate methods about how to do that, which could include a virtual meeting. But we've not made that decision yet, and we'll make that definitely in advance of the 18th meeting.
Speaker 7: And our current rules as a body are that if we hear an item, a person can speak to it multiple times. So if someone spoke on an item and then it was continued, they wouldn't be barred from speaking on it again. I know other bodies have it where if you speak at committee that you don't speak at the council or any of that, but we don't have that.
Speaker 0: That's correct.
Speaker 3: That's correct. We have had that type of situation come up in the past where they have one opportunity to speak. But generally speaking.
Speaker 4: You are correct.
Speaker 7: Okay. Well, I, of course, want the most public input as possible. I think we're in a tough situation to know and understand where we'll be in two weeks. And I, of course, didn't want to turn away the nine people who are here. And maybe we'll have more participation if it is online or not online or I just I just hope that we can work really hard to tell people far enough in advance what the plan is for the 18th, because it seems like there are a lot of people very concerned about this item. Those are my comments.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Ever. We have a motion to confirm your ring a second bit. Councilman Price to postpone this for two weeks. Public comment has been closed as part of this hearing. We will to take a vote on that. Mr. City Attorney, I know this is a hearing. Anything else that we need to do as far as that piece? Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 1: The motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Okay. Thank you. We're now moving on to the rest of the agenda. First up will be item number 34. | Resolution | Recommendation to request that the City Council: (1) receive supporting documentation into the record and conduct a public hearing on two appeals of the Board of Harbor Commissioners' adoption of the Final Initial Study/Negative Declaration (IS/ND) for the World Oil Tank Installation Project (Project) filed pursuant to Long Beach Municipal Code Section 21.21.507 by Safe Fuel and Energy Resources California (SAFER CA) and Long Beach residents Nicholas Garcia, Sopha Sum, and Sophall Sum, and Earthjustice, Coalition for Clean Air, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice, Communities for a Better Environment, Center for Biological Diversity, and Sierra Club - Angeles Chapter (collectively, "The Coalition"); and (2) adopt resolution denying the appeals and upholding the Board of Harbor Commissioners' adoption of the Final IS/ND for the Project. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0029 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Cohen. Next up is item 28, please. Actually, before me, 28, let's do the first transfers items, which are 29, 30, 31 and 32.
Speaker 1: Adam, 29, is a communication from Councilwoman Sarah recommendation to increase appropriations by $500 to provide a donation to the AIDS food store to support the grocery pickup program. Item 30 is a communication from Councilwoman Allen. Councilwoman has recommendation to increase appropriations by $800 to provide a contribution to partnership parks to support the Kriseman Village Historic District Doc Ways BAT Program Back Program. Item 31 is a communication from Councilwoman Allen. Recommendation to increase appropriation by $3,000 to provide a contribution to Musica Angelica to support their 2021 2022 season. Item 32 is communication from Councilwoman Allen. Recommendation to increase appropriations by $500 to provide a contribution to new image. Emergency shelter for the homeless for their 27th annual Children's Christmas store, operated on December 18, 2021.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Is there any public comment on these items? There is a motion. Can I get a second, please? Unless there's any comment from the makers of the motions, which I don't believe there is some else that you have something. Okay. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 1: The motion is.
Speaker 6: Carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $500, offset by Sixth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a donation to the AIDS Food Store to support the Grocery Pick-up Program; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0028 | Speaker 0: Thank you. Now we're going on to item 28, please.
Speaker 1: I'm 28. It's a communication from Councilwoman. Councilman Alston. Councilwoman Sarah. Recommendation to require city manager to report back to the City Council in 60 days with the recommendations for implementing a approved accessory dwelling units program.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Council Member Austin.
Speaker 3: Thank you very much. First of all, I'd like to thank Council Member Sorrell for joining me on this this item. And as we begin 2022, we've heard a lot of goals about our our housing crisis and the need to build quality, affordable housing in our city. And this is just another tool in the toolbox. This item aims to assist the city as it looks to increase the number of quality, sustainable and affordable housing units in our communities. In November, we proposed the proposed housing element, Long Beach's arena allocation increase to 26,502 units, with over 11,000 of those being low and very low income . We've fallen short of these goals in the past, and only 16% of our affordable housing target is the fifth housing element cycle permitted. I hope this item can be a useful tool that we can leverage to increase production and alleviate the housing crisis in our city. 80 youth presented a unique solution because of their small size and compatibility with single family housing and zoning. Wait times and design costs can can become barriers for projects prospective residents interested in constructing to use. And we want to eliminate that. For these reasons, the cities throughout California have started adopting approved edu plans to streamline the approval processes for employees and residents alike. Our developments the services department previously intended to develop a new preapproved program for those plans were direct but derailed by the pandemic. This item makes use of the preliminary research already done by the department staff and ensures that we develop a program based on best practices for the city of Long Beach. And I just would note that the city of L.A., La, San Jose, Chico and other cities have all adopted strategies to streamline their development processes, and this will decrease permitting time. Pre-approved 80 plans will provide applicants for 80 new construction plans. They've already been reviewed by the city with necessary permitting staff, which potentially could streamline the approval processes for able to use from weeks to days. And so this is an efficiency item as well. And so with that, I would. That's what my colleagues support on this. All right. Thank you. Next is Councilwoman Sorrow.
Speaker 6: Vice mayor. I want to thank Councilmember Austin for his leadership on this item. You know, last month seems like a lifetime ago because of the holidays. But just last month in last year, we just finalized the housing element plan for the city of Long Beach. And I think we heard loud and clear consistently that we need to increase housing and we need to explore every option possible. And I think that one of the ways that we can do it is through making it easier through this preapproved accessory dwelling unit program. And so I think that and I think that it's just, again, one of the many avenues we can take to make sure that we just really ensure that we're meeting our numbers, but most importantly, ensuring there's increased housing. So for that reason, I completely support this item and understand that hopefully, you know, when we get a report back is seeing what are the various options people can choose from based on the pre approved plan. So thank you very much.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 7: Thank you. This is a very interesting one for my district. On one side, we're very supportive of reducing government regulation and red tape and barriers to entry and finding ways for people to be able to get through city processes faster. On the other side, we also don't want to incur additional government costs. And so I hope that when the report comes back, we would be open to when a. Applicant plans to use one of these, that they would have a small nominal fee that would go towards reimbursing the city for the cost. So let's say that they cost the city 30, $50,000 to move forward with this program of a current application fee is $6,000, maybe it's 6200 because they're using one of the previous plans. It saved them in architectural and engineering $9,000. So the $200 fee could make up for and feedback into that pot. I know that there's a lot of discussion and calls to our office regarding individuals who want to use to use to. Allow family members, particularly parents, to move in with them. I know that there's one that's pending right now. That is for a daughter who was recently left by her husband and her kids and and her are going to move into a adu at her parent's house that they're building. And those delays are significant. When you don't have somewhere to live, being able to move a process forward more quickly can mean the difference between months, months of living care for an elderly parent. So I've been torn on this item because I know that there are conflicting feelings. But I do want to reduce government regulation, and I do want to support a plan for a nominal way to reimburse the city for that. A lot of these ideas that Council Member Austin have brought forward are very innovative and I appreciate the research and I look forward to seeing the report back with the recommendations in 60 days.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Councilmember Super.
Speaker 4: Now I was going to go to public comment, but because I've inherited a lot of Councilmember Mango's district, I might as well just follow up on what she just said, and that is it. We don't even have to go to the merits of aid to use and affordable housing or what impact it will have. To me, this item is about reducing staff time and improving these units or streamlining the staff process. So I would love to get there, but I'd also like to ask staff now. That's a great goal. But but is it going to be minimal impact for the study to happen? Do you see much time spent on that? Mr. MacGregor. Mr. TIM.
Speaker 6: Because some of it is. Is development services on the line?
Speaker 8: Yes, department services is on the line.
Speaker 6: Go right here to ask if you could respond.
Speaker 8: Thank you, Mayor and council members. What we plan to do is report back to you with different options, some of which could provide the staff with additional time and expenses that we currently don't have. There are other options that potentially could be easier to administer and quickly and cost the city with little impact in terms of funding . So we'll well, what we'd hope to do is provide you with those options. We have already done some preliminary investigations, including the use of pre-fabricated modular units and a housing project and a funding for such a for those types of projects. So we'll provide that information to you in short order.
Speaker 4: Okay. Thank you for that. Mr.. Morsi. And so based on that, the fact that the study is not going to impact staff time tremendously with the goal of streamlining the process and taking some burden off planning or development services. I'm supporting the item.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Councilman Price.
Speaker 6: Thank you. I'm very supportive of this item. And I just want to say I really appreciate the frequently asked questions sheet. It really helped break down the issue for me. I guess my question would be to the to the author of this item. I mean, it seems to me that this also affords an opportunity for people who want to have an EDU to be able to do so at a reduced cost, because the all the investment that they would have to take to build an idea would be such a deterrent for most people. And it seems like this item does that. Am I reading it correctly?
Speaker 3: I think you're reading it absolutely correctly. If you look at the cost of building 80 youths that are not pre-designed in prefab. It's significant today and I think it becomes a barrier. And so we need to remove barriers as much as possible.
Speaker 6: I agree. I mean, it's it's no secret. I've spoken very publicly about the fact that I thought our council did a very good job outlining our new laws. We listened to public comment. We incorporated many characteristics and variables that we wanted to make sure were met before we allowed an ADU and our ordinance was superseded by the state. And that's just a reality that sometimes happens and it took away some local control. So now that that ordinance is now in place or that state laws in place allowing for a readily accessible way to use and more of them, then I want to make sure that everybody has an opportunity to participate in that process and that cost is less of a barrier, although let's not make any mistake about it building. And Adu is very expensive with this item or without, and it is a barrier for many people. But if it allows folks to have an opportunity to earn some additional income on their property, then I think we should try to remove those barriers. So thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 7: Thank you. Just to circle back, I think that after finishing reading the FFA cuz I think it's important to kind of highlight a few of the things that Councilmember Austin has brought to the forefront, which is that the costs of ADU use for garage conversions all the way through detached units, really in construction costs alone, you're talking 90,000 to this says 180,000. But I'm aware of a bit of a recent ADA in our our area that was over 250,000 just for construction costs. And the individual had mentioned not only had they already been in for thousands of dollars in engineering and architectural costs, but I don't think that they were aware of the fees. And so one of the other things I'd love to see on this, because the family was pretty blindsided, is there a set of fees associated, whether they're sewer fees, Long Beach, unified fees, all these different fees. And in fees alone, they had upwards of 6000, $10,000 in fees. And a lot of those fees are directly tied to the square footage. And so there's calculations that are involved. And so I would love to see that if we do bring back something that discusses the specifics of these different little options that you could have. So like San Jose says, okay, here's here's a two bedroom floor plan for 500 square feet. Average construction costs in the Southern California area are x per square foot. And by the way, your sewer fees would be this year. Let me unified fees would be that your community college fees would be this and that there should be a schedule so that people know what their all in costs are before they get started. Because once they do get started, a lot of people are all in and then they overleverage themselves or they try to get loans and they can't afford to finish the project. And we have a couple of projects that are just stuck because people ran out of money and that's also not good for the community. So if we could get those fee schedules attached and some estimates, that would be very helpful. Thank you.
Speaker 3: All right. Thank you. I'll I'll add my support here, then we'll go to public comment. First of all, I love this. I think it's a great item. It's not a referendum on IOUs use. We already proved a to use in the city. I think this is a recommendation to make it better and I support that. It is a tool we're counting on to use. We are certainly counting on to help meet our arena numbers and our housing shortage. And so if this helps make that happen, I'm supportive. Growth is going to happen. This just helps make sure it's done safe and up to code and not haphazard and illegally converted garages and things like that. I think cut sheets are good. Like when we have cut sheets on other things and make it easy, you can say, hey, build it like this and it's approved. It takes one layer out of the planning process and that's always good. I also think, you know, I always get these cards. I'm sure my colleagues do, too. Hey, we can build a you and your backyard and all that. So, you know, I've called some of them and it's not Stand B, they can't give you a flat rate. They have to do a lot of work. Just to give you a quote, I think doing something like this, when you standardize, hey, this is what this is what this size will look like, so that looks sides look like. I think the business community will respond and say, I think people would actually design businesses around where they're at, you, experts in Long Beach, so on and so forth. So I fully support this. You know, I think I think just a suggestion. I think it would be good if staff were to just work with the apartment association or developing companies that are developers of this to help make sure it actually, you know, that that is something they will utilize and that'll work. But I love this item and I'm happy to support it. Let's go to public comment and congratulations, Councilman. I think I will go let's go to public comment. We have three votes and I can say John Edmond and Tiffany Davey. So now you're up.
Speaker 2: So I said I can face six votes for president. I want to commend first of Councilman Austin for bringing this to this item to the agenda. And, Dr. Sophy, sorrow for second unit. As we know, 80 youths are the future. And it's a very harsh reality to the affordable housing crisis that we have here in California. A You seem to be one of the few very visible examples of development, specifically towards the income brackets that need the most housing and so falling in support of it. UC Berkeley says that UC Berkeley did a study and they said the average ADU cost is about $156,000. We need some teeth. With respect to this program, I think that a preapproved, a streamlining effort will help some solutions. I would like to offer would be very simple. I think there should be no fees. Forgive me, Councilwoman Mongeau. I think that the city should eat all the cost. The reality is that if the city incentivizes the free market to take advantage of something like, you know, fees and stuff like that, you're talking about, you know, 12 to $18000 in fees, blueprint blueprint fees and the planning permits and loan that $18,000 added to the cost of whatever you have to use. If the city was to eat that up, we would easily knock out a lot of the arena issues that we're facing. You know, we're behind and we need to incentivize the market to take to take advantage of this. A second thing that I would offer is that we create a, you know, similar to the gun buyback program where we allege that we take guns off the street, even though most of them are not guns used in crimes. We need to actually actually incentivize people who have illegal garage conversions to legalize them. And, you know, if that's a one time fee, like you're talking about a nominal fee where people are incentivized to bring their illegal garage conversion or granny flat and make it a legal one. I think that those units, when then legally added into the our arena unit that were behind would help us a lot because people have already done this, they just didn't do it legally. And oftentimes people, you know, are in fear of either selling their house or making it unaware that they have to use because they didn't illegally get it converted. So I think if we created a process for people, that would help a lot. And then finally, I think that RFP should be put out for a pre fabricator, a sizable one to do modular adus and the city also using maybe some of the code good money to eat up the cost for them. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you. Next is John Edmonds. Hello.
Speaker 2: It's not even here. Thank you, Mayor. Councilmember, city manager, city attorney, city staff. For all your hard work. Greatly appreciated. Wonderful item. Thank you so much for putting this forward. I'm speaking on behalf of the Apartment Association of California Southern Cities and in many ways city staff is fantastic, but their hands are tied a lot of the time, so the state constantly changes and then the city has to update their rules and regulations and codes to meet what some of the state rules are. But I think we can we can do more, right? I think there's always an opportunity to do that. I ask if there is a way that we could work with local stakeholders that are their subject matter experts on this issue, that can aid the city in finding, you know, more opportunities to be able to do a to use couple of examples that come to mind. We have a new construction of new apartment buildings which allow under state law the the one of the parking units to be converted to EDU and the person has to fill in the concrete, put all the things up, and then submit for an application. You know, why can't that be done concurrently? Why can't we have the inspector come out before you fill in the concrete, make sure all the pipes are there, and that we make sure that we have these units done successfully to protect life and property, but that we have a more streamlined system so that under new construction they're able to fully maximize the number of units that are able to be made. To me it seems like a no brainer, but the city's hands are tied because it doesn't speaks clearly to that issue. And I think that we can work together on finding those types of solutions in terms of process, right, because they have a lot on their plate. The second thing is like, for instance, height, there's duplexes that are within the height restrictions for the state. But because it's a duplex, it's not a single family unit, it's not viewed the same way and being able to have an ADU and so therefore staff, you know, again, have their hands tied because. Current code does not recognize what the intent surely of the state. I mean, whether it's a duplex or a single family home, as long as the heights compliant. What issues with there really be. So I think that looking at real world market examples of what the current limitations are and applicants that have gone through the process that have been denied and finding sort of, you know, common sense solutions, I just welcome that and hope to be part of those conversations. So it's fully enveloped and we can really capitalize on all the opportunities. But tremendous hats off. Wonderful item. Thank you very much for being able to bring this forward and thank you city staff for all their hard work that they do to make this happen and make Long Beach. Great. So thank you. Have a great evening.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mr. Redmond. I think that concludes public comment. Or do I have another one?
Speaker 6: We have one more. Davey? Yes.
Speaker 0: Oh, yeah, please. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Good evening. It's not every Tuesday that housing advocates and the California Apartment Association are on the exact same page, but we are definitely in support of this item. As we all know, the conversations regarding housing being the need for housing being a crisis requires innovation. That said, beyond just this program, which I'm again, fantastic, I saw the 13 units example with three different sizes, a wonderful way to bring more units on board as soon as possible. But to the two comments from the previous speakers in regards to those that are already in existence, we do need to have a streamlined process for that as well. I shared I believe in last year that I had a lot of experience during the pandemic, speaking with homeowners who had been denied within the past 15 years to have their units go online. And we have units sitting empty. We also have units that were very reluctant to even take part in the census for the shame of living in an illegal unit and of fear of just reporting that they live somewhere to protect both their landlords and themselves. Housing is a human right, but it's also something that during the pandemic we have fought day and night for. Whether you're working till midnight, helping folks with emergency rental assistance applications, or again walking door to door to make sure every community member is counted. Thank you.
Speaker 1: That concludes the public comment.
Speaker 0: Thank you. We'll go back comes from Austin.
Speaker 3: Thank you. I'd just like to thank my colleagues for their input there on this particular item. I think it's very important that we come out in 2022 with a real aggressive approach to dealing with our housing crisis here in the city. And I think this item certainly speaks to that. I'd like to just step to to speak to what is already been done in terms of the the pre-approval or the template for garage conversions. Because I heard a little bit about that and I think we need some clarification on that.
Speaker 8: Yes, thank you. Council member staff began in two page process before COVID. The first phase we were successful was successfully implemented and that was the conversion developing country that someone mentioned earlier or typical to help those individuals wishing to convert their garages into EDU. So that's there that's available online. And it's it was something that we in the city paid for to be able to more easily convert garages. We started with looking at the different options that you listed in the council letter as well as visiting several different locations, a pre manufactured edu type.
Speaker 2: Of.
Speaker 8: Fabrications throughout the surrounding area in hopes to be able to learn a little bit more. So we've already done that. One other thing too is that the state rules regulate the amount of fees and funding you can charge on these fees. So that regulated by them. We do still, however, and again, as Councilmember Mungo indicated, it depends on its size. So we have that information that we will provide to you and report back. So there have been several efforts done, but again, COVID and funding kind of limited our phase two. So we're hoping to get back to completing our efforts. So we do appreciate this. Councilor Councilmember Hoffman.
Speaker 3: All right. Thank you. And my my just last words is we've heard a lot of good comments from an input from the council as well as public comment. Please take that all into consideration. When you come back with some recommendations, we asked for the best options possible for this Council to consider with the goal in mind to expand and streamline production of a to use in our city. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 7: Thank you. I just have another question for our director, Oscar. Are the fees regulated only for the city or are they regulated for every government entity that you pay fees to the regulated for every government entity that we pay fees to?
Speaker 2: That is correct. Wow.
Speaker 8: There are certain fees. We will engage our city attorney's office on the school fees. School fees are requesting fees and there may be a bit of a conflict there, but we'll get you that information as well in our report back report.
Speaker 7: Good to know. Thank you.
Speaker 0: There's a motion and a second and we've heard public comment to members, please cast your votes.
Speaker 1: The motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. I appreciate that. We're moving on to our next item, which is going to be item 27. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Manager to work with all appropriate departments to report back to the City Council in 60 days with recommendations for implementing a pre-approved Accessory Dwelling Units program. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0027 | Speaker 0: Thank you very much. I appreciate that. We're moving on to our next item, which is going to be item 27.
Speaker 1: Item 27, communication from Mayor Robert Garcia Recommendation to cancel the City Council Meeting of January 11, 2022.
Speaker 0: If there's a public comment, please come forward.
Speaker 1: If Shukla.
Speaker 2: Please, Sugar. It must be said that the work of your office has not ended. You can have the meeting, you can cancel the meeting, you can have the meeting in person. You can have the meeting in a hybrid way. You can have the meeting, uh. Uh, online. There are words to express how disappointed I am that you could not control your worst impulses, Robert, and that you interfered, in my view, with the redistricting process. Every cloud has a silver lining. And I suppose I don't have to go in there again. Not if. Today. Today. Without any relish or rancor. I can look you in the eye and say, this city would have been better off past eight years. Bonnie Lowenthal had been mayor. If for no other reason than this wouldn't have happened. Now, I sincerely think that this city shouldn't contract with redistricting partners again. I also think that even if in the next five years. Even if, you know, next week you give us the best possible, you know, State of the City address or whatever. In the next five years, we're able to to deal with some of the inequities that are built in structurally to the redistricting process. There's a whole group of youth voters that are going to be disenfranchized regardless. For more over the next few months, Robert, you're going to have to show us that the heat working in the best interest of the city while simultaneously making the case that you've got to leave the city to keep working in the best interests of the city gives you security.
Speaker 0: And I appreciate everything you're saying. I want to make sure it's about the cancelation of the meeting.
Speaker 2: Please. I think the meeting shouldn't be canceled. And I'm telling you why we want to break ground and to again. This is a difficulty for me. It's a difficulty for me because there is a lot of things that I'd like to be able to do to do, or at least try and do the city things that aren't easy from a technical perspective, from an intellectual perspective, from a planning or, you know, community organizing perspective, it can get sort. I mean, why build a nonprofit on climate stabilization in Long Beach? Why not just, you know, sort of program in Duluth or Ortega? I mean, why is the source worth my time? Why is next week worth my time?
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Sugar.
Speaker 0: Killers are in motion in a second. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 1: The motion is. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to suspend Council rule contained in Long Beach Municipal Code 2.03.020 (B) to cancel the City Council meeting of January 11, 2022. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0033 | Speaker 1: The motion is.
Speaker 6: Carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is item 33, please.
Speaker 1: Item 33, Support from Economic Development Recommendation to Award a contract to Gioco for Long Beach Recovery Act. Small Business and Nonprofit Grant Administration Support Services in a total amount not to exceed $690,000 citywide.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Mr. Murdoch is there. A staffer put on this.
Speaker 4: Just that this we are going to be launching our Recovery Act programs in 2022, and a lot of those are going to be grants for businesses and others out of a multiple different categories that the council has approved will be bringing on some assistance to help with the thousands of applications we expect and all of the paperwork it requires to get federal reimbursement. And that's what this is.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Any public comment on this item?
Speaker 1: There's no public comment.
Speaker 0: Kevin motioned a second. Members, please cast your votes. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP ED21-068 and award a contract to Geocko, Inc., of Seattle, WA, for Long Beach Recovery Act small business and non-profit grant administration support services, in a total amount not to exceed $690,000, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for one additional one-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_22-0038 | Speaker 1: The motion is. Kate.
Speaker 0: Item 38, please.
Speaker 1: Item 38 Report from Public Works Recommendation to award a contract to accelerated modular concepts for furnishing and delivering a fabricated junior lifeguard facility. Margin of a building in a total amount of $930,000. 390 5263.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Is there emotion? Can I get a second, please? As you probably comment on this item. Members, please cast your votes. Oh, yes.
Speaker 6: I just wanted to thank city staff on this. This has been a project that we've been working on for years now, and it's finally coming to fruition. And I'm so grateful to Chief Medina for his work with the Junior Guard program, and I'm excited that there's going to be a new facility that comes close to resembling the gem of a program that we have here in Long Beach, because the current building does not. So thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And sorry about that. This Councilman Allen, do you have any comments? Okay. There's a motion to second. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 1: Councilwoman Zendaya's, Councilwoman Price. The most of these. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. ITB PW21-095 and award a contract to Accelerated Modular Concepts, Inc., of Victorville, CA, for furnishing and delivering a prefabricated Junior Lifeguard Facility Modular Building, in a total amount of $930,395, authorize a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $93,040, for a total contract amount of $1,023,435; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (District 3) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_01042022_21-1303 | Speaker 1: The motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Next up is item 40.
Speaker 1: Item 14, report from City Attorney and Report from City Clerk. Recommendation to adopt ordinance amending the Lombard Municipal Code by amending school board districts. Establish declaring the urgency thereof and declared that this ordinance no take effect immediately read and adopted as read citywide.
Speaker 0: Thank you. There's a motion and a second. I do believe there's public comment.
Speaker 1: Dave Shukla.
Speaker 2: Here's the issue. As I stated at the last meeting in December evening, it meant that a 12 year old can understand a independently of LP with d uh keep me keep making. I kept making redistricting maps. And I'd like to to point out, not only do I support this motion and support what he did with their map , but that if we'd had it, if he'd had an expert so called, uh, contracted for us, they clearly would have hit upon the same kind of logic that will be widely used to not overreach across the signal hill boundary and specifically over a temple street. For anyone who's interested, I was never interested myself in making the map, the redistricting map for the council districts of Long Beach, where I was interested in. Ah. Uh, the reason why we didn't just do the obvious thing, which was make historical Cambodia town as whole as possible, given the one chance we had with that aging population and why we didn't just use Temple Street the way the zip code map does, the way the city council district map used to and why we didn't doing the exact same weeks. We're not only are we getting an infrastructure bill passed for the first time, but some of those crucial components of that infrastructure bill are electrical vehicle charging stations. And where those charging stations are matter. It matters to Southern California Edison, for instance, for a kind of refilling of their existing assets. It matters for the rest of everyone else to not have a grid that is centralized around the wrong things. So there are major questions not only about our physical infrastructure, but about who owns and who controls them. And we don't have the time space to even begin to scratch the surface of them because, you know, frankly, I to come here and, you know, sit through our long redistricting meetings, they don't go anywhere because there seems to be an agenda in. And I would gladly sit here for a minute and just stare at you, if that's what it takes. It's really, really unfortunate. School board believed in itself and in the students and people of this city. Why didn't the Independent Redistricting Commission, why didn't the city manager's office and the consultant working with them? Why didn't you believe the people of the city? To do it themselves. I was sitting here each week making a map, making another map, people that do it themselves. I'm not the only one. Why don't you believe in essentially do it right. But you're going to you're going to represent us in Washington, yet you're running. Roberts running.
Speaker 0: Thank you. That concludes public comment for more than 40 members, including Castro votes. | Emergency Ordinance | Recommendation to adopt ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 1.27.010 School Board Districts established; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopt as read. (Citywide)
(Emergency Ordinance No. ORD-21-0041) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1271 | Speaker 1: Unanimously, actually. Thank you. Thank you for that for the consent calendar. Next up is we have a first hearing, which I am hearing 31.
Speaker 0: Report from Development Services recommendation to receive supporting documentation under the record, conclude the public hearing and consider the appeal from the applicant. Steve Rawlings, representing grocery outlet and uphold the Planning Commission's decision to approve a conditional use permit with conditions of approval to allow the off site sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits at 1340 East Seventh Street District two. This item does require an oath. If any, who are going to be speaking on this item can please. Take the oath. Do you and each of you solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the cause now and pending before this body shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth , so help you God.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I'm going to begin the hearing with the staff report.
Speaker 4: I'd like to introduce Patricia Defender for our planning manager who will make this a staff presentation. Thank you so much. Good evening, mayor. Vice Mayor, council members. This item before you is an appeal by the applicant of specific conditions of approval imposed on a conditional use permit for the sale of alcohol at a grocery outlet grocery store . Council is being requested to uphold the Planning Commission decision on this matter on September 16th of this year. The Planning Commission conditionally approved a conditional use permit to allow the off site sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits in conjunction with a 6000 square foot expansion of an existing approximately 14,000 square foot grocery store. The grocery store in question is located at 13/47 Street on the south side of Seventh Street between Almond and Nebraska Avenues in the central area of the city. The grocery store is a tenant in the existing shopping center and will comprise that will comprise just over 20,000 square feet with the expansion. The project site is predominately surrounded by residential uses, but properties in the vicinity have a variety of zoning designations, including commercial mixed use and residential zoning, as shown on the map. On this slide, the grocery store currently has a conditional use permit to allow the offsite sale of beer and wine, which was approved by the Planning Commission in 2008. The subject conditional use permit is required because of the expansion of the liquor license to include the offsite sale of distilled spirits and also due to the expanded footprint of the grocery store and those operations. The Planning Commission based its approval on the fact that positive findings could be made in support of the request, particularly as it relates to limitations related to overconcentration of alcohol sales and allowing alcohol sales in high crime areas. You can see here the Planning Commission did find that the approval would not contribute to an overconcentration of alcohol licenses in the area at this location, as this location already has an alcohol license and that the site is not located in a high crime area and thus determined that the required conditions are met and positive findings could be found. The subject of appeal was filed by the applicant, who has concerns specifically related to two conditions conditions number 14 and 20. The applicant requests that condition number 20, requiring an onsite security guard between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily be eliminated and additionally request a modification to condition number 14 to allow the sale of beer or malt beverages and 22 ounce containers, which is a common container size. This approval already does allow the sale of craft beers in that container size. As previously stated, council is requested to uphold the Planning Commission decision. However, if council wishes to consider alternatives, there are some alternative modification or modifications to the conditions that could be considered. The condition number 20 and option of the Council is to update the condition to allow the applicant to be relieved of the requirement after a 12 month period with a zoning administrator review for condition number 14, that condition could be modified to grant an exception in container size for microbrews and specialty malts, so sold under certain designations that are listed here on the slide and. And that concludes the staff presentation. The appellant is here and will speak more to the appeal points and I am available to answer any questions you might have.
Speaker 1: Do we have the we have comments now from the appellant.
Speaker 2: I don't know where members of the council.
Speaker 1: Before we before we begin, I just want to make sure. But reasonable time is 5 minutes enough for you? Yeah.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much for that. Good evening. My name is Steve Rawlings. I'm a business consultant to grocery outlet. Joining me this evening is Pat Barber, who is the vice president of real estate for grocery outlets, as well as Dave O'Connell, who is the property manager for the shopping center that this site is located in. First of all, we greatly appreciate the Planning Commission for approving us to move forward with a 6000 square foot expansion, as well as be able to add some distilled spirits. The only reason we're here is we were just hoping for some consideration on a little bit of modification on the particular conditions of approval. One was as as Patricia, so well articulated. Just just don't allow us to be able to sell craft beer in in kind of the 22 and 24 ounce containers. And what was presented to you as draft modification language is is acceptable to us, and that would allow us to accomplish what we're trying to do there. The second was was the security guard. There was a time that was placed between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., which we didn't we didn't quite understand where that was coming from. But that was ultimately the condition that was adopted. Subsequent to that, we hear Patterson, who is the store operator, a Long Beach resident. We met with her as well as Lieutenant Gonzales out at the site. And Barbara, myself, to kind of talk about, you know, security issues and what we could do to, you know, make sure that we're helping out with the situation. He informed everybody that she already employs a person whose sole job is, you know, security and or loss prevention from the hours of 4 p.m. to closing Monday, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She's been on the property now for about four years. She's the hardest working person you'll ever meet. She's at that store 60, 70 hours each and every week. She understands what it takes to run a clean and safe operation. And she is determined that that those are the best hours. So, you know, our request was, you know, hey, if we could be relieved of that condition because we're already proactively trying to take care of any issues out there, and we haven't been a great source of issues with our operations. But alternatively, if the Council would like to see a specific condition in there, we would just ask that it be aligned a little bit more with what we're already doing, because I think that that has proven to be effective and that, you know, that security plan be open for review either by the zoning administrator. I think I proposed the Long Beach Police Department and it doesn't make a difference to us either way. So in essence, that is the request. Grocery outlet already operates three stores in Long Beach. They did sign a lease for a to open another store on Long Beach Boulevard and Willow. So we're hoping to get that open relatively soon. They have been embraced by the neighborhoods that they they serve. They're very happy that they've been making investments in your community and are looking forward to possibly continuing to make more investments there. So thank you for your time and consideration. I think Pat just had one or two other quick comments. Yeah. Thank you.
Speaker 1: We still have about a minute and a half. So for.
Speaker 2: Little.
Speaker 1: Share here, Pat.
Speaker 3: Good evening. My name is Pat Barber. I'm vice president of real estate for Grocery Outlet. I've been working on supermarket real estate for 43 years. I've seen thousands of shopping centers and grocery stores. It is exceedingly rare. In my observance, it is true for a city to require that a security person be stationed at certain hours in a store. This existing store, which has been operated by IKEA for four years plus without getting into details about how a grocery outlet does business has not had a problem. She's there all the time. She sees what the issues are. She deals with them. We have had no complaints filed by any of the people that received the notice of this meeting. I just say we really don't think that it's at all necessary for you to make a specific requirement with regard to a security person for the store, given that the operator of this store herself, who's black and who's a woman and who's very involved in the community and has received awards within the community for her involvement with the community should be overruled by you folks. You know a lot of things, but she knows a lot about operating this store. I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have. With regards to grocery outlet, it's a public company. 75 years old, 414 stores growing are going to be doing another new store shortly in the city. We love this store. It's growing nicely. We need the extra space. We're not including any additional space for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Very much. And I believe that concludes the the appellant's time. I believe there is a additional appellant and then the staff. Any additional comment or response?
Speaker 4: No additional comments.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Is it public? Is there any public comment know for this?
Speaker 0: There is no public comment for this item.
Speaker 1: You think? Yeah, I think you have them queued up for public comment prior to the hearing start.
Speaker 0: Not prior to the start of the item.
Speaker 2: Okay.
Speaker 1: Mr. Graham, please. Please grab a seat. Thank you. Just just to be clear. Madam Clerk, how does public comment work for hearings? And are items.
Speaker 0: You need to come in and get a speaker card prior to the beginning of the item being read once the item is read. We closed the speakers list. So please, if you'd like to speak on an item, you can come over and get a speaker card prior to the item being read.
Speaker 1: And I believe that's how it's been been done. That is correct. Okay. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I have to follow the rules that are in place for the hearing, for and for the council. So there's a motion and there's no public comment about Councilman Allen. So I might. My job is to follow the rules established by the City Council on hearings. So unless I get direction differently from the city attorney because it's a legal procedure, I have to follow exactly the rules that are set by the body and the council. So unless I'm told differently by the attorney, that's the rules I have to follow. So let me. Sir. Sir, I need to.
Speaker 0: Councilman Allen. All right. First of all, I want to say thank you to city staff director R.C. and Development Services. Detective Gonzalez, Avon Police Department, for your frequent communication with my office. I also enjoyed seeing Payton, Steve and the folks here from a grocery outlet. I feel that with regards to city staff that you engage both the community and the applicant to work and find solutions for for all the parties. And I know that it can be really hard some time sometimes to balance all the issues on on different sites. That being said, the Planning Commission unanimously voted on these conditions, and I have carefully reviewed the circumstances and staff's updated recommendations. So the two items of the appeal are separate. I do support the modification to condition 14, allowing the sale of a 22 ounce to 24 ounce beer and malt beverages. I think these are common sizes these days for local and small breweries and they reduce the bottling cost. Now, with regard to Condition 20, the security guard condition, if we were able to update the condition to allow the applicant to be relieved of the requirement for the onsite security guard by allowing the zoning administrator action after a 12 month period of good operations can only shorten the minimal period of good operations before possibly relieving the operator of this security guard requirement.
Speaker 1: Yes, we can reduce.
Speaker 2: That to six months. That's the pleasure of the council.
Speaker 0: Okay. I also I received the supplemental letter sent in by grocery outlet regarding that condition, and I've seen the public comments that were also submitted to the Planning Commission as well. And I believe the city staff has created a good balance. So I like to make the like to move the following. I like to approve the amendment to condition 14 as outlined by the staff, and also update condition 20 to allow the applicant to be relieved of the requirement for the onsite security guard, by the way, of zoning administrator action after a six month period of good operations
Speaker 1: . Thank you is the second by Councilman Desmond Austin. Any comments? Any comments by the city council? Any additional comment, Mr. City Attorney. Okay, there's a motion and a second. Please go to cast your votes. Sir. We need to go. Please. Let's not be disruptive to the hearing.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Mix item is for transfers items 33 and you business 52 to 58. | Public Hearing | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and consider the appeal from the applicant, Steve Rawlings representing Grocery Outlet (APL21-007); and
Uphold the Planning Commission’s decision to approve a Conditional Use Permit (CUP21-004) with conditions of approval, to allow the off-site sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits (Type 21 License) in conjunction with a 6,000-square-foot expansion of the existing grocery store located at 1340 East 7th Street in the Community Auto-Oriented Commercial (CCA) Zoning District. (District 2) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1273 | Speaker 1: Mix item is for transfers items 33 and you business 52 to 58.
Speaker 0: Communication from Vice My Richardson recommendation to increased appropriations in the General Fund Group by 1500 to provide a donation to Long Beach Blues Society and Carlo Creative. Item 53. 52. Communication from Councilwoman Price recommendation to accept and expend grant funding from the Port of Long Beach and increase appropriations in the General Fund group by 6000 to support the annual community concert hosted at Marine Stadium Park. Item 53 Communication from Councilwoman Sara Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $400 to provide a contribution to the local Heart's Foundation. 11th Annual Diamond Christmas Toy Drive. Item 54 Communication from Councilwoman Sara Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $400 to provide a contribution to California Families in Focus for the 18th Annual Spirit of Christmas Brunch. Item 55. Communication from Councilwoman Zendejas. Councilman Supernova. Sara Richardson. Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $500 to support the Lutheran Social Services of Southern California Holiday Toy Drive. Item 56 Communication from Councilwoman Zendejas. Councilman Supervisor Richardson. Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $1,000 to support the Philippine Independence Day Foundation Paw Patrol Lantern Festival. Item 57 Communication from Councilwoman Zendejas recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $2,500 to support the Kahlo design. Long Beach International Tamales Festival. An Item 58 Communication from Councilwoman Zendejas recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund group by $1,250 to support the Washington Neighborhood Association Holiday Plaza. That is the end of the phone transfers.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I don't see any public comment on any of those.
Speaker 0: No comment on those items.
Speaker 1: And so we have all the items written to the record. And you have a motion in a second. Unless Councilwoman Price or Vice Mayor, which don't have any comments, I'm going to go and I'll call for a vote. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 0: And so we price. Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $1,500, offset by $1,500 of Ninth Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a donation to Long Beach Blues Society, in the amount of $500; Kahlo Creative LLC, in the amount of $1,000; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $1,500 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1272 | Speaker 0: And so we price. Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Item 32, please.
Speaker 0: Item 32 Communication from Councilwoman Mongeau Councilwoman Allen Councilman Super Now Recommendation to direct City Manager to report back with 180 days on piloting an innovative citywide clean parks restroom facilities initiative.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Throughout the region, cities have been tackling the public restroom issue differently and starting six or seven years ago, when I was first elected, we had park bathroom issues within our parks, adjacent to our sports fields and other areas where the ability to keep them clean throughout the day was just impossible. The volume of participants in our programs, the growth of the programs now as the environment has changed after hours has become challenging in many cities throughout the region have just shut down bathrooms, as have some of the community parks in our city that we just can't keep a handle on. We've tried multiple things. We've staffed bathrooms where we would lock them at night. Staff that were requested to go out and do those lock ups were often threatened and put in harm's way. We need a better solution. So my staff pulled up some pilot programs across the region that include new technology of bathrooms that have floors that are sensitive to when a person is using it. It only allows people to be in the bathroom for a limited amount of time, that amount of time necessary to use the facilities for how they were intended and not other uses. The door then opens automatically so that other types of activities cannot be held in these facilities. And then when the doors closed again without wait on the floor of the bathroom itself cleans. And so these potentially could be a solution to provide bathrooms. Many know that families often choose to use certain parks and park playgrounds and sports facilities based on the ability of their children to use facilities. And when you have a little one, it's important that they get to use a bathroom regularly. And occasionally you might have to make an exception where you allow them to perhaps pee on the grass. But you'd prefer that not be the case because you don't want that to be another type of issue that can't arise. So we would like to experiment and find some solutions for the many park bathrooms across our city. Many know that when I was budget chair I asked for funding to be set aside if there was additional measure that came in specifically for rehabilitation and solutions for park bathrooms. At a subsequent meeting, staff brought back alternatives to spend the money on that was approved by the council, which was disappointing. But I think that this needs to be a priority and I think a unanimous vote tonight will demonstrate that this council is behind ensuring that there are safe and clean places for our kids and communities to utilize in our parks. Thank you. I hope I have everyone's support.
Speaker 6: Thank you. Councilman Sabrina. I'm supporting the same as I am. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman Price.
Speaker 4: Thank you. This is a great item, and I thank my colleagues for bringing it forward. And I thank Councilwoman Manzo and her staff for doing that research on some of the innovative ways that cities are using technology to make sure the bathrooms are clean. This is a super important topic right now because we have a lot of residents who are avoiding going to certain parks and definitely avoiding using the restrooms because of the condition of the restrooms. And we want to make sure that that doesn't continue to happen. Also, I know that we do have some bathrooms that we have had in the past, some bathrooms that stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and they start to create a nuisance issue if they are not cleaned regularly and things are left in there that are dangerous to the people that are using the bathroom who are park users. So I want to make sure that we're sensitive to that. If we're not able to maintain a bathroom in a park, my philosophy is that we shouldn't have that bathroom open. We really need to make sure that we're maintaining the bathroom in a way that's safe for everyone and all users, and that we're not creating a space where people are spending extended amounts of time and depositing things that might be dangerous to someone that might stumble upon it. So I really support this item. I think it's a good quality of life type item because our parks are wonderful. We're always talking about how we enhance our parks and our park programing, but if we don't have clean facilities for people to use, they're going to be disincentivized or deterred from going to use the city facilities. So I want to thank my colleagues for bringing this item and I will be supporting it.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Councilman Allen.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Thank you very much, Councilwoman Mongo, for including me on this item and just allowing us to collaborate. And Councilwoman Pryce, I agree with everything that you just said. As the item states, public restrooms are necessary and they are for everyone. But we need to make sure that they're clean and they're safe and they're not monopolized by any one group. I know that we are seeking to include some new and helpful technologies on our new build restrooms, but we need to strategically look at how can we retrofit our existing locations as well. So I just look forward to working with staff on this item. Thank you very much.
Speaker 6: Thank you. Councilwoman in the House.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Vice Mayor. Again, thank you, Councilwoman Mongo, for bringing this item forward. And I couldn't agree more with my fellow colleagues up here on the dais in regards to the restrooms that we have in our parks. I think that they need to be extremely clean, extremely safe, because the purpose of having the restrooms in our parks is for them to be able to be used. And when they are filthy, when they are used in appropriately, it doesn't help anyone. So I'm really looking forward to that. And I was hoping that maybe during this pilot program also that we look into those those parks that are smaller, that don't have a restroom on site. So that might be something we could probably look at, too. And I really, really am excited about exploring the technology that could help us maintain the restrooms, because I do think that it's a big responsibility for us to be able to maintain the restrooms that we do have in these parks. So I welcome that opportunity. So thank you again for that.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Just to piggyback on the comments of my colleagues, we have a lot of bathrooms that have a lot of need. And when we did the infrastructure documentation, we're talking about millions upon millions of dollars that we need just to retrofit and fix the plumbing, much less the the looks and feels of a lot of the parks through the years. One of my staff members and I have gone through seven or eight iterations of solutions, including code base doors. They're open. I know Councilman Price and I both have code based gates on other types of facilities that allow community members and others to access them. Those have not been possible in a lot of our facilities. And then kind of piggybacking on the comments of our 3:00 meeting and our study session, I think we really need to undergo and I think Dennis and I have talked about this for about six months, an understanding of Parks Master Plan, our community pocket parks, including some in my district, don't have bathrooms. And and what what is the the standard that we talk about and furthermore. What is the standard timeline for when something is stolen out of a bathroom, like a sink or a toilet seat or all of the toilet paper or any of those things? And what does that replenishment time and what are the tools that community members can use? Should there be QR codes on the bathroom where you can QR code and let the city know that we're out of toilet paper, we're out of soap? Kyle on my team when he came on as an intern, used to on Saturday mornings, go around to all the bathrooms that were used by all the leagues and stock them with toilet paper and soap and replace toilet covers that were stolen during the night. And we spent a considerable amount of money and time and resource and effort to get that started and for leagues to take that on. But those people change over time, and a lot of those parks are now without toilet seats or without toilet paper, and it's very challenging for parents. So I look forward to this and thank you all for your support. Thank you for all your comments.
Speaker 6: Thank you. At my support, I think it's important across the whole city. I think, you know, I can remember some very, very ugly situations in some of the parks and park restrooms throughout the years. So technology always presents an opportunity to look at it from fresh eyes. So I'm happy to support this item. A public comment on this.
Speaker 0: There is one public comment on this, Mr. Franklin Sims.
Speaker 7: Members.
Speaker 2: I'd like to thank counsel.
Speaker 7: For this agenda item. It really brings.
Speaker 2: Us back to the basics for our forgotten working families in Long Beach. When I first became a Long Beach dad to a little girl, the Long Beach Park bathrooms were really my biggest learning curve. It's hard enough being a dad, taking a little girl. And last night there to the bathroom. Well, last week I talked to a local mom who takes a who like today she takes large trash bags to our local park with her because my her little girl has to go. She's forced to create a makeshift toilet. You know, there are Red Cross refugee camps that have better facilities standards. And it teaches a civics lesson to our kids at an impressionable, impressionable age that this is what they should expect and what they deserve from our city. And it's not. Recently I've.
Speaker 7: Been visiting.
Speaker 2: Parks across the city, and when they're not locked, I go inside the park bathroom. Neither what I've seen or the odor are something appropriate for me to describe in such polite company. And while this agenda item narrowly focuses on clean bathrooms. When I visited the parks, what I see is that the bathrooms are a symptom of the problem. But the root of the problem is our homelessness crisis. So now over the past five years, $122 million has gone through the hands of our Homelessness Service Bureau. That's a lot of money for my neighbor and her young daughter to have to be humiliated in our public park restrooms. Or for my family just last week at a Bixby Knolls park to have to watch a homeless man take the number two in a park trash can in front of a.
Speaker 7: Child and mother. So this agenda item calls for the city manager.
Speaker 2: To return with a clean bathroom plan and 180 days. I'm sorry. If you're a parent taking a child to a bathroom, it's urgent. And six months is just too long for a plan and six months, I think we ought to have a concrete action because we've already waited for too many years. My daughter's in middle school now. So and we're going to keep waiting until people rise up and tell you, like I'm telling you that we're tired of it.
Speaker 7: And this isn't about just clean bathrooms. It's about cleaning up our act when it comes.
Speaker 2: To decency and family values that ought to be top priority. I know a lot of you are and agree with me because you're parents, too. So I thank you for the agenda item and thank you for the time and space.
Speaker 6: Members, please cast your vote.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to direct City Manager to work with all appropriate departments to report back within 180 days on piloting an innovative citywide Clean Parks restroom facilities initiative to address resident concerns and improve the cleanliness, accessibility, and use standards of our public park restroom facilities. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1287 | Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 6: Thank you. 47, please.
Speaker 0: Item 47 Report from Public Works Recommendation to receive and file an update on the Open Streets Initiative Plan regarding temporary parklets on the Second Street Corridor District three.
Speaker 4: I think our city staff's in the back.
Speaker 3: I think if there's one minute we're getting the staff. Thank you, members of the city council. We're happy to present tonight on a lot of work that's gone into reviewing Parklets on the second street quarter. And I will turn it over to Eric Lopez and his team to give the presentation.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Tom.
Speaker 1: So the San Diego will.
Speaker 6: Start with some.
Speaker 3: What, some initial comments, and then Carlos is going to walk us through a presentation.
Speaker 2: He got. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Members of the council, thank you for having us here this evening. I'm just going to provide a little context. Before Carl Hickman, our traffic engineer, provides the the formal report on this. And there's a misconception, it appears in the public that the discussion between temporary parklets and permanent parklets and that the existing temporary structures could potentially be converted to permanent. And before we get started, I just want to make sure everybody's clear that that is not the case. Permanent parklet structures have very different requirements than temporary parklet structures. I'm here to tell you tonight that none of the temporary structures currently anywhere in the city would qualify as a permanent structure. And in each case, those structures would have to be removed and a new structure would be installed, assuming that it meets the requirements of a permanent structure, which are a lot more stringent than the temporary ones. So just to start it off, I wanted to make sure everybody understood that any discussion about making temporary parklets permanent does not mean that the existing structure would be revised to be considered permanent. So that said, I'd like to turn it over to Carl Hickman, our traffic engineer, who's going to give us an update this evening. Thank you.
Speaker 6: Good evening, Mr. Mayor. And council members. This has been a long road. We've been working on Parklets now for 18 months or so and we've done quite a bit of work in public works to make the parklets of the program happen. Let's get started. There's a little bit of background regarding the parklets. Again, it was a citywide effort to support the economic recovery for businesses amid the social distancing health order. The first temporary parklets were installed in May of 2020. There was a vast majority that were installed for the 4th of July weekend in 2020. Programs peak citywide there were 124 temporary parklets 136 participating businesses because many businesses share parklets. Currently citywide, there are 96 Parklets installed and 99 participating businesses. Ten Parklets have been removed since September alone because we are in the process of removing Parklets. When we find that business owners no longer need them or they may request us further removals, so we do have an ongoing process. When I'm contacted to remove the park, this whenever possible. Now as a licensed traffic engineer, one of my main concerns with apartments is safety. Here are some of the safety elements that I look at when we consider installing temporary parklets. We want to look to see that we have that object marker on the corner of the park that you see the yellow and black sign. That designates the corner of the parklet. We want to make sure that the remaining traveled way that's the roadway between the edge of the parklet and the centerline is a minimum of 12 feet. Now we can varied from that occasionally, but it depends on the situation. 12 feet is the typical standard. We do look at the structural elements of the of the parklet to make sure that it is sturdy. We also fill the plastic rails, a minimum of three quarters of the way with water to make sure that they are able to withstand the impact from a vehicle. We do look at many stormwater drainage elements to make sure that along a curb line, water can flow like it normally would along the gutter. We also look for safe pedestrian passage on the sidewalks, make sure that there's 88 clearances and we pay close attention to utility complex. There were some cases where some of the properties were installed over the top of gas lines that we didn't know existed. And then we found out later that we had to make modifications because we couldn't have the gas lines underneath the temporary parklets. And I want to reiterate that existing temporary parklets cannot simply convert automatically to a permanent status. These temporary apartments are not designed to be permanent. They are installed with temporary type materials. So any modification to a permanent status would be a major redo. Now, back in September, we were asked to take a closer look at the Belmont Shore area. Why is Belmont Shore unique? Well, first of all, it's a pretty high dense neighborhood, high density, a lot of businesses, services, amenities in the area, especially between Bayshore and Livingston. A lot of visitors visit the area. There's a lot of pedestrian activity, as you know. And of course, there's the nearby residential homes on both sides of the street. Second Street is kind of narrow, actually, although it's two lanes in each direction. It's still a relatively narrow roadway and it provides a direct link to PCH, Pacific Coast Highway. So really, second Street acts almost like an arterial that is really meant to serve a large volume of vehicles. Obviously there are impacts to nearby residents with all of the activity in the area. It is an attractor, definitely. And of course, as I mentioned, all the traffic that goes up and down. Second is an important factor. Also the area does impact the coastal zone on the area from Livingston to Clermont is actually in the local coastal zone. Which means that any kind of discussion with the coastal zone and a decision by the local coastal zone would mean that is not appealable. So current conditions in CD3, in the entire council district, there are 38 total temporary parklets and 38 participating businesses. On Belmont Shore Loan from Second Street to Bay Shore, there are 25 temporary parklets. 30 participating businesses. Four Parklets are shared by two or more businesses. Three businesses have a pair of temporary parklets. That means one on second and one on a side street. And we also removed eight temporary parklets to date again as businesses contact us or we deem them unnecessary. We do the removals as quickly as we can. One of the issues that has come up quite often is the parking impacts in Belmont Shaw. And we did a very good inventory of all the parking spaces and we found that there were 517 total metered spaces on street, there's 351 and the public lots, there was 166 total, again 517 so far to date, as we sit right now, there are 56 stalls converted to temporary parklets, 38 stalls on Second Street and 18 stalls on the side streets. The total available for parking still is 461 stalls. So really we've converted 11% of the total available metered stalls to parklets temporary parklets. 7% on Second Street and 4% on the side streets. And there's a graphic representation there, you know, with your pie, the slice of the pie that shows the 56 out of the total available 517. Now, since the beginning of the program, we've had many opportunities to reach out to the public, reach out to businesses. And most recently, we reached out to the folks on Belmont Shore to have a community meeting. We've started public and business surveys. We've had multiple discussions with CD3 and we've had multiple field inspections and business visits where we talk really candidly with the business owners, talk about are they using the the parklets? Are there any problems? Do we need to make any adjustments? It's an ongoing thing and it's not going to stop. And we really think that that one on one conversation with the businesses is really a good, healthy conversation because the businesses need to understand how they're impacting not only the area, the residents, the street, but the city as a whole. Because, you know, Belmont sure is an important part of the city. So regarding our outreach, we have three parts. The first part of our outreach really was related to the business owners themselves. So we had a total of 584 total responses. And of those 584, there were 12 businesses that responded. Ten businesses are interested in keeping the temporary parklets through June of next year. Ten businesses are interested in applying for a permanent parklet. 83% agree that their temporary parklet helped their business recover amid health order and social distancing. And they also admitted that only 2% are staff to at least 95% of pre-COVID levels. One of the business owners said many guests still do not feel comfortable dining indoors but want to support local restaurants, etc.. The next step in our outreach was that we wanted to talk to residents and customers of the 584 responses. You can see on the on the pie charts a lot of the percentages. I won't go through all of the data, but you can see that, you know, in the center there, 30% of the customers never really use the parklets. 19% use them once a month, etc.. On the far right, you can see the chart that talks about neighborhood foot traffic, what kind of pedestrian activity is in the area, and 56% supply of the comment that there was really no change in pedestrian activity. I'll leave that there just for a second. If you want to take a quicker look. A longer look. Part three of the outreach. We again had 584 total responses and there were 572 customer or resident responses out of the 584. 38% support the program. 11% support but with restrictions. 12% are concerned about the parking. 6% traffic sightlines. 14% congestion and parking. And 9% were concerned about accessibility and esthetics. So on the right you'll see that the top concerns were the parking impacts, sidewalk access, esthetics, driver sightlines noise, especially on the side streets and quality of life issues . Quality of life issues could mean some of the patrons in the restaurants or bars maybe be loitering alongside the businesses or near the residents. Some of those quality of life issues could be excessive noise. There were a variety of other complaints, again, that we call quality of life that may not be directly attributable to the parties themselves . But nevertheless, the issue is there that needs to be addressed. And there's, again, a variety of positive feedback. Many folks value the outdoor dining option. It improves the walkability and enhances the experience. Character of Belmont Shore. Now, since the beginning of the program, we've always worked to do ongoing adjustments or improvements. We address each issue on a case by case basis. We remove temporary parklets by request. As I mentioned prior, we constantly look to make sure the departments are at the right footprint, in other words, in front of the business. There are many cases where over time the actual footprint or the perimeter of the park, this has been changed. You know, some of the business owners are kind of pushing out a little bit and expanding. So we want to make sure that people have the parklets where they're supposed to be. We're checking in and filling barricade water levels and we're making sure that businesses who are nearby are okay with any encroachment into their areas. And we continue inspections by staff regularly. Now after the Open Streets Initiative ends again, existing temporary parks are not approved or designed to be permanent. We have an existing permanent parklet guideline shown there on the left. That's the cover of it that's been used by the city since 2008. So it's nothing new. We already have that program in place. And if you're in the downtown area, you'll see many permanent parks already installed. On the right there, you'll see a poster board somebody created. And the first sentence says that the city of Long Beach is considering making outdoor dining parklets permanent. That is not true. We are not pushing to make temporary parklets permanent. Now moving forward on Second Street. We do already have guidelines in place for businesses who want to make permanent parklets. Here's a picture of a business the socialist that fought in Saint Louis. You'll see how the sidewalk pushes out or bulbs out away from the business a little bit further. And their they're of utilizing the hardscape to put their tables and chairs, etc.. So this is a standard that businesses who are near a corner could implement. Obviously, it's going to be for the business to install. They're going to have to pay for it. But this is an installation that we are already doing in the city, so it's nothing new. Next slide here. Again, this is what we would call a semi-permanent parklet. Again, this is an existing location, Berlin Bistro Fourth and Linden, where as part of the guideline on the right there, you'll see how we design this type of a parklet to be semi-permanent. If that business were to go away, we could technically remove that parklet and it would be a done deal. So ideally I mentioned earlier in the presentation that we had ten businesses who were interested in becoming permanent parklets. And really I think that that was sort of a knee jerk reaction to our last meeting back in September, where many businesses were probably unsure of the program, where it was going. A couple of those businesses who have applied to be permanent, we were already removed their temporary parklets. So but let's look at the worst case scenario. If those ten permanent parklet businesses who want permanent parklets were to actually get them go through the process. We're talking about a loss of approximately 20 stalls. The original total meet total needed spaces is 517. So we would only have to convert 4%, approximately 4% of the stalls to permanent parklets. And I want to point out that businesses need to understand that when it comes time to do a permanent parklet, not only do they have to go through the rigorous process that's already in place, but there will be a cost associated with that to design the installation, etc.. And I'm predicting those costs are in the neighborhood of 40 to $50000, depending on the the nature of the exact install. So again, this is not something that's just a slam dunk. There is a rigorous process already in place. So to wrap things up, we do have recommendations for Second Street, and I'll go through them slowly here. The first recommendation is to continue improvements, adjustments and inspections of existing temporary parklets. This is what we've been doing for the past 1820 months, making sure that the businesses are operating as they should be per their permits. We're going to coordinate with businesses, businesses to remove temporary parklets whenever possible. Again, I mentioned where it's an ongoing process. We're going to work with businesses not interested in the permanent parklet so that removal of the temporary parklet can take place as quickly as possible. We're going to check and refill all water filled barricades, maintain proper approvals and assurance documentation. Businesses have their insurances last quite frequently, so we have to make sure that we're on top of that. And again, anybody who's going to be interested in a permanent parklet, we're going to direct them to the existing sidewalk dining and park this handbook that is already in place since 2018. The next thing is Pakistan. Minor side streets will no longer be allowed in cases where there are multiple documented violations. The key here is multiple documented violations. Next. Businesses interested in a permanent Parklet must communicate in intent to apply for a permanent parklet by January 31st of next year. This will allow businesses to keep their temporary parklet until June 30th or 22 as they work through the process to finish their permanent parklet installations. We're going to organize a single effort to obtain local coastal zone approval for the businesses on Belmont Shore. We're going to facilitate permanent parklets that meet current construction and safety standards. And our overall goal is to allocate no more than 3 to 7% of stalls to permanent parklet installations. That concludes my presentation. And we are ready to field any questions that you may have. Thank you. There are two people queued up for public comment. Please come forward. And Jason Ileus and Brian Cochran. John, excuse me, John. I this is John here. Okay. Is Brian here? Okay, come forward. Brian. What was that? John? Okay. All right. Make your way to the front. Thank you. Good evening. My name is John Ayers.
Speaker 2: And I'm a property.
Speaker 6: Owner in Belmont Shore.
Speaker 2: As do parklets. Item 47 Parking in the short takes away needed parking as it was addressed and increases the occupancy levels for restaurants without providing adequate parking. Restaurants often have sidewalk dining as well as parklets for those who don't want to eat indoors. Today. Owners. Restaurants can select indoor dining as well as sidewalk dining. Again. I sent a. I had expressed my concerns a couple of months ago. At the at her. Council meeting. And I also sent a text to each council member in the past two months months expressing what I had just mentioned. Thank you. Thank you, Brian. Good evening, Mayor Garcia and city council members. I first like to thank Councilwoman Suzy Price and her team for continuing this important dialog on the park issue and for engaging our constituents in a robust, thoughtful manner. That's been very helpful. I'd like to urge the Council tonight to stop viewing and stop framing this issue as an either or situation that in order for businesses to survive, all considerations of residents, valid and exhaustive concerns must be secondary or worst ignored entirely. When the Council met on this issue in September. You heard from actual residents detailing both personally and on behalf of their neighbors the deep and detrimental impacts of these markets on their daily quality of life. 13 speakers addressed the council. All residents there urged a no vote on continuing the program. The other five speakers were all business owners, managers or employees of those businesses. Is it any surprise they urged continuing the program to their benefit. Similarly, with the Public Works surveys, which seem to gain the questions to get a desired outcome, what kind of a fair survey actually points out that a business owner in the district can fill out three surveys? Of course, they and their customers want to keep the parklets running. It benefits them directly. But after the vote of that September meetings concluded, only one one owner stuck around to talk with residents and expressed an interest in their needs as neighbors and to suggest he'd help with the quality of life issues. Just one owner. Since then, we've only seen abuses of these public spaces continue unabated and worsen. I walked Second Street again repeatedly since then on November 20th alone. I photographed vomit on a sidewalk next to a restaurant so much that a mom of a stroller had to skirt delicately around the stench near another restaurant. Piles of sawdust or judgment remains after some sort of food supply fallen in the street and occupied three or colleagues. Since the council turned to a lot of parklets, it's long overdue to enforce existing laws and rules and track every issue in a simple and transparent manner. City agencies and language police must be responsive to noise, traffic, trash and mobility complaints by the residents who encounter these abuses daily. This is not a new issue. It's not an either or. Since these businesses have been granted a lifeline by the city and its residents, it's essential that they act as good neighbors and accept responsibility for the impact of their moneymaking endeavors that have caused residents so much of their quality of life. Councilmembers Pleas and the Parking Program on Second Street in the Pier Arts Interchange. Please put some teeth into enforcing the abuses created by the program. Thank you very much.
Speaker 6: Thank you. That concludes public comment. Taking behind the dias, Councilwoman Fries.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor. So I want to start by thanking our staff for your work on this. I know that beyond just the three gentlemen that are here tonight presenting, there is a team of people whose work who have worked very hard on this issue, and they've been engaged with my office throughout the entire few months that we've been studying this issue. And you've really taken their concerns to heart, and this report is fantastic. So thank you. I really, really appreciate that. I also want to thank the community members. We had so many community members volunteer to go door to door to pass out the cards for the surveys. And that was really important. And I think that's one of the reasons that we had about 584 responses. And and so I want to thank them both. The Belmont.
Speaker 0: Shore Residents Association and the and the Friends of Belmont Shore were two community.
Speaker 4: Organizations that worked very closely with me on this issue. It's interesting when you have an issue like this, because depending on who you talk to, they will swear that everyone they have talked to agrees with them on the issue. So over the last couple of months, I've gotten emails that say, you know, I have lived in the city in certain number of years and I everyone that I have talked to insert opposes or supports the PARKLETS and I just have gotten a ton of emails like that and there's absolutely no consensus by the residents entirely on the issue of Parklets on Second Street. And I will say that I suspect and there's probably some data to support that multiple people took that survey. The Baltimore people took the survey multiple times. And I don't know which side of whether they're supporting our opposing, but the survey is meant to be an outreach effort. It's not a scientific survey. It's an outreach effort to try to gauge interest. And I want to thank staff for putting it together. I also want to thank a staff for clarifying that. And I'm not sure where this confusion occurred, and I'm disappointed that it did. But the permanent PARKLET program is totally different from the Open Streets Initiative. We've had permanent parklet options available in the city forever. All of this in my district, the social list. These are all businesses that have gotten permanent parklets way before the COVID pandemic even hit. So to conflate those two is has has mixed up the message quite a bit. And in fact, I myself, when I was reading the presentation earlier, thought Slide 15 was relevant to our current situation and not the hypothetical situation of permanent parklets being issued. So there is a lot of confusion there, and I just want to thank staff for clarifying that. I do want to point out that some eight, I believe, is that current eight parklets were removed. Eight Parklets were removed as a result of our discussions and our efforts. And what we did was we went out and Mr. Cochrane talked about the business owners that were here last time. Both the Panama Joes owner, as well as the Georges Greek owner, stayed after the last council meeting, and the Panama Joes owner actually voluntarily removed their parklet. So we've had eight parklets removed, which to me is tremendous. If we're talking about parking spots lost, this huge number of parking spots gained. We also were able to remove some parklets. Some businesses had two parklets like fills, and we were able to remove that. I want to. Okay. So a couple of questions for staff. I think enforcement to me is the biggest key here. And I'm going to approve staff's recommendation. I'm going to ask I'm going to vote in favor of staff's recommendation and I'm going to ask my colleagues to do the same. But I do want to make a motion, and I know the city attorney's on the line. I'm going to turn over to him in just a minute for Art Sanchez. I'm not sure if he's in here or on the line, but I do want to talk a little bit about every Parklet permit committee has to follow certain guidelines and standards, and there are good neighbor policies that are outlined here that basically say any violations or the permit can be revised, the conditions can be revised if any complaints are received and the permit may be revoked.
Speaker 0: If there is a nuisance.
Speaker 4: Situation. So I want to turn it over to the city attorney, Mr. Sanchez, and ask him if you can explain to us what that process is, because I would like to have a report back within 30 days that highlights what that process is and what efforts we've made to outreach to the community, what that processes for a permanent revocation of a temporary parklet for a violator of the good neighbor policy. So, Mr. Sanchez, can I ask you to explain that?
Speaker 8: Certainly. Councilwoman Pryce. So what would happen is we would have to have documentation of whatever the violation is, and it would have to be it would be done by venue task force at this point. And once we receive the documentation of the violation, we would reach out to the business owner, have them make somewhat immediate corrections, and if those corrections aren't made, we would move forward with removal of the parklet. Now that's you know, it's kind of in general in terms of the removal, assuming that violations exist and violations aren't corrected in a timely manner. Then we would post a notice providing the business with 72 hours to basically remove all items that had been collected at the parklet. They have an opportunity from. I believe, five days after the posting of the notice to request a hearing to appeal the removal of the parklet, the parklet would still be removed. The appeal would occur after the fact, and then we would just have that hearing and make a determination about the removal. And that is generally the process. If you have any questions like I've tried, answer.
Speaker 4: Okay. So my time is up, so I'm going to.
Speaker 6: Take.
Speaker 2: You back up. For it.
Speaker 4: Okay. Thank you. So, Mr. Sanchez, is there any way that we can document that process so that residents are aware of it? Because I know that residents have called the police in regards to some parklets and feel like they haven't had much of a process. So is there any way to document that process and then outreach it?
Speaker 8: Um. Yes, I guess we could have it done through a combination of public works and the venue task force can come up with a written process that outlines that it can post it. I guess it would be on the Public Works website.
Speaker 4: Okay, that sounds great. And my office will also help in getting the process out to the community once we have a process. And I think within that write up, there should be some sort of clear identification of what that threshold is. Is it just a simple complaint is a sustained violation. You know, a lot of times neighbors will call, for example, of a good neighbor policies, talk a lot about noise and loitering. So what happens is when they call that in, oftentimes code enforcement is not in a position to respond at midnight or 11 p.m. or even 9:30 p.m.. That's just those are not hours that code enforcement is able to respond. So then the resident is really left without recourse. And so I'd like, you know, a call to the police department and a police response to to qualify as one of the documented complaints that was either substantiated or not. So just nothing. I'm not making a motion as to how you effectuate this this process, but just a suggestion for when you do write it up that it would be good for residents to have some clarity. So with that, I do want to highlight just a couple of things. Unless, Mr. Sanchez unless there's anything else you want to add.
Speaker 0: In response to the talking points that I just raised.
Speaker 8: But, yes, so in terms of the violations, there would have to be some investigation that would be conducted. That investigation would include reviewing whatever calls for service that are for that particular location. And so that information would be reviewed. That would be some of the things that we would look into to confirm that the activity or the violation is occurring at that particular business.
Speaker 4: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Sanchez. And that takes me to slide number six. There's a bullet point that says Parklets on minor side streets will no longer be allowed in cases where there are multiple documented violations. So the attorney in me is reading this saying, what's the definition of minor and what is documented violations mean and what is the staff's recommendation as to this bullet? Are we going to be removing any parklets that currently exist on the side street?
Speaker 6: Yes. To answer your question, Councilwoman Price, the minor side street would be any of the streets that intersect Second Street perpendicular, so streets like Glendora, Saint Joseph Park, etc. those are the minor streets. Second Street is the major street. That's how we refer to it. And traffic engineering. And then when we talk about multiple documented violations, again, we're talking about what Mr. Sanchez referred to as when someone goes out and investigates, you know, did they hear a loud noise? Was there a health order violation? Was there some or some other kind of quality of life issue that was documented? And then when we have, depending on the severity of those issues that we that are documented, when we have a significant number of those that are documented, we can move to the next step to possibly start the removal process, the notification, working with the business owner to correct if possible or go straight to the notification and the posting of the notice to remove.
Speaker 4: Okay. And I assume that we're not pressing reset tonight as if no violations have already occurred, that what has occurred in the past that has been documented will be considered by staff moving forward?
Speaker 6: That is correct. And we are quite familiar with many of the so-called bad actors out there and what's been going on.
Speaker 4: Okay. All right. Thank you. I appreciate that. And on behalf of the residents, I thank you for that process. And, you know, I do I will say that we talk a lot about the loss of parking. In fact, I was at a friend's apartment short meeting the other night and someone was talking about the loss of parking . It is an 11% loss of parking. And, you know, one of the speakers talked about when we occupy those parking spots, we're not filling them. And so we're under parked. But a lot of the parklets are filled mostly in the evenings and a lot of our retail shops and services are closed at those times. So the parking spots that would be allotted, let's say, for the large lounge as an example or any other business or even fills, those parking spots really aren't used at night.
Speaker 0: So people will go to the restaurants.
Speaker 4: At night and they'll have more parking available because so many of the service businesses and some of the retail shops and daytime businesses are closed. So. So I support staff's recommendation. I know. It's not going to make everyone happy. But I do appreciate that we are eight less as a result and that we're still working to reduce as business needs change for the restaurants. And yes, this is a business friendly initiative, but it's also an initiative that we're trying to make resident friendly as well. So thank you very much. I appreciate it. And thank you, Mr. Vice Mayor, for indulging me that few extra minutes.
Speaker 6: Sure thing. Thank you. Members, please cast your vote and then we'll go to 34.
Speaker 0: She miscarried. Item 34 Communication from Vice Mayor Richardson. Councilwoman Zendejas. Councilwoman Allen. Recommendations Direct City Manager to Sunset Long Beach Municipal Code. Chapter 5.535.55 and 8.110. No sooner than February 28th, 2022. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file an update on the Open Streets Initiative plan regarding temporary parklets on the 2nd Street Corridor in Belmont Shore. (District 3) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1274 | Speaker 0: She miscarried. Item 34 Communication from Vice Mayor Richardson. Councilwoman Zendejas. Councilwoman Allen. Recommendations Direct City Manager to Sunset Long Beach Municipal Code. Chapter 5.535.55 and 8.110. No sooner than February 28th, 2022.
Speaker 6: Thank you. This is a pretty straightforward recommendation. Last summer, we proposed a number of protections for workers at the onset of the pandemic, and we received a two from Ford memo from the city manager indicating those will expire at the end of the year. We want to extend those for two months in order to ensure that we get through the holidays and have a broader conversation about what the phase out timeline and schedule should be. And so that's my motion for a second. Okay. So it looks like a seconded by councilwoman and they have councilmember.
Speaker 4: Thank you very much, Vice Mayor. We're going to come. Had gotten confused there for a minute. Thank you very much. Vice Mayor, I think that this is a very, very important item. As we know, we are still not out of this COVID situation. So a lot of our our hard working families who have been affected by COVID and by their you know, by being displaced from their jobs, still aren't in a position to be okay with this. And we still don't know what the ramifications of this COVID in in that the economy itself will be like. So I'm very happy to support this item and to give others the opportunity to be able to take advantage of this very important items. So thank you.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Councilman Price.
Speaker 4: Q Mr. Vice Mayor, I agree the ongoing COVID 19 emergency certainly requires that we continue to find ways to.
Speaker 0: Protect workers.
Speaker 4: Especially those in high contact industries. The one question I would have is what communication has occurred with the stakeholders regarding this extension so that they can prepare for it and make sure there is so that people know they have it and people know not to violate it.
Speaker 6: Certainly knows that. The point here is that we want to extend it because it's a difficult time to go do outreach to any of the stakeholders during the holidays. So we want to get past the holidays and have a and have the opportunity to have a more full policy conversation. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yes. Thank you, Vice Mayor, for your leadership on this item. Every three months we receive the staff update on protections, and I've checked in with the local unions on it. And this most recent update is no different. Some of our most vulnerable workers haven't seen the same recovery yet that others have. Many people still need reliable childcare and vaccinations. Vaccines are not yet available to all ages, though. We're getting closer. So I just think that it's short. It's premature to end all these protections. Let's keep these in place at least a little longer so we can check in on businesses and employees after the New Year and see how we move forward from there. Thank you very much.
Speaker 6: Thank you. There are two people here on public comment. There's Paul Evans and Robert, not Paul.
Speaker 2: Just briefly. Let's let the ordinance sunset. The current COVID circumstances do not warrant further intervention. Let's get back to normal.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Robert.
Speaker 2: Evening.
Speaker 3: Mayor Garcia, Vice Mayor of.
Speaker 2: Richardson and members of the Council. Rob Note, our policy director with the.
Speaker 3: Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, will be proud to represent 300 union affiliates, represent 800,000 proud, hard, hardworking women and men across all industries here in Los Angeles County, several of whom live and work right here in the.
Speaker 2: City of Long Beach. And I'm here tonight to speak on.
Speaker 3: This item because as you can imagine, the Fed is 100%.
Speaker 2: Opposed to sunsetting this ordinance.
Speaker 3: At this current time.
Speaker 2: And I'll explain why. First, while we're all cautiously optimistic that we're close to the end of this pandemic.
Speaker 3: And we can kind of see the light at the end of the tunnel, the reality is we still have a lot of work. We're still in uncertain grounds. We still have a lot of work to do, especially with the Omnicom variant. We don't know what's going to happen. There are still a number of other variants that we.
Speaker 2: Will probably be exposed to.
Speaker 3: And we could easily find ourselves in the midst of another.
Speaker 2: Of another massive outbreak. Second, as we all know, once the pandemic is finally over, the economic devastation.
Speaker 3: That.
Speaker 2: Is going to be left in the wake.
Speaker 3: Of this is going to take years to recover from. For instance, we all know the devastation that the Great Recession had, and that was peanuts compared to the devastation that this pandemic has had on the hospitality industry. So 4 to 5 years to recover from that, we only know how many years it's going to take for the hospitality to fully recover. Has been devastated.
Speaker 2: As a result of this pandemic as we currently speak. Speaking of the hospitality industry, the role of private equity is also starting to take hold in this industry. So you're seeing a number of of hotels.
Speaker 3: And janitorial companies who are on financially shaky ground. And there are private.
Speaker 2: Private equity is looking to purchase and buy up some of these hotels and some of these companies. And that is exactly.
Speaker 3: What the retention ordinance was put in place for, to protect workers, to make sure they can remain in their job and withstand and withhold and keep their same wages and benefits in the event that there is a transfer of ownership. And I will remind you that these that these industries, primarily the janitorial and hospitality industries, are overwhelmingly populated with working women of color at that. And they fought years to get wages and benefits to the levels at the hour right now. And lastly, the right.
Speaker 2: Of recall ordinance is a useful tool for bringing people back to work. We've all heard about reports where.
Speaker 3: People are struggling to bring people.
Speaker 2: Back. Well, with the recall ordinance, it helps to bring people back to work to maintain those same wages and benefits that they have earned over the years.
Speaker 6: And they also have the expertize.
Speaker 3: So employers don't have to actually retrain.
Speaker 2: These workers. So all that said, it's premature to sunset this ordinance right now. We should at least push this back at minimum.
Speaker 3: Another 60 days. And let's have a broader discussion. Thank you.
Speaker 2: For listening.
Speaker 6: Thank you, members. Please cast your vote and then we're going to general public comment.
Speaker 2: Ocean carries.
Speaker 6: All right. I think you have a list of folks signed up for public comment. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to direct City Manager to sunset LBMC Chapters 5.53, 5.55, and 8.110 no sooner than February 28, 2022. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1275 | Speaker 6: And trying to cue cue into my own here, taking some time. Okay, let's go to item 35.
Speaker 0: Item 35 Communication from Councilwoman Allen. Councilwoman Sorrell Recommendation to direct City Attorney to prepare a resolution to declare an inclusive language policy for all future ordinances. And to prepare an ordinance to state that all gender references in the Long Beach Municipal Code shall be considered neutral citywide.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Vice Mayor. And thank you, Councilman Ciro, for your partnership on this item. And also just want to give a special thank you to Tonia Medrano. MARTIN For all of her hard work on developing and bringing this bring all the stakeholders together. While it's wonderful to receive a perfect score with 11 bonus points from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Media and Municipal Equality Index, we know that there is more work to do. We did receive letters of support from California Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Senator Lena Gonzalez, Equality California, the LGBTQ caucus and California legislator, the LGBTQ attorneys section at the Long Beach Bar Association. Long Beach Pride. The in Long Beach, the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach and the Trans Latin Coal Line Coalition. This item is about inclusion and representation. About acknowledging that trans people exist and have a right to exist. Removing gender language from future ballot measures and harnesses take away nothing from many of us. But it means so much to trans and gender non-binary binary residents. Small steps like this that recognize the humanity of all of us can put an end to the culture of violence against trans and non-binary communities that persist in America today. Long Beach has been long recognized as an inclusive and welcoming city to all. And tonight we can become even more so and provide a place of refuge for those. Made unwelcome and other corners of our nation. Thank you to my colleagues for supporting this item. It may be late in coming, but it's never too late to ensure that our LGBTQ community feel seen, heard and understood.
Speaker 6: Thank you. Councilman Sorrell.
Speaker 4: Thanks, Vice Mayor, and thank you to Councilwoman Allen for leading on this item. And first, you know, I just I don't know if people heard because everyone was leaving as Councilmember Allen was talking about the item. But yesterday, our great mayor announced that for the 10th consecutive year, Long Beach has been recognized as the best city in the country when when it comes to LGBT. Q Plus inclusion. And so we've not only achieve a perfect score, but we're granted an additional 11 points in the Human Rights Campaign, Municipal Municipal Equality Index. And so I also want to reiterate my thanks to the support of organization and individual for partnering with us on this, which is the state of California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara State Senator Leading Gonzalez The State of California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, Equality California Bar Association, LGBTQ Attorneys, Long Beach Pride, LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, the Trans Latin Coalition and Trans Family Support Services and LGBTQ advocates in huge thanks to Tanya martin for bringing this item forward. And so I just want to make sure that we take this opportunity to recognize this monumental, huge step in supporting our transgender and non-binary residents. So as a as a strong and cemented ally and deeply disturbed by the stigma that our transgender and non-binary people face surrounding who they are from an early age and also when they decide to transition later in life. So I just want to share a really brief story about a transgender woman I met when I was a research summer fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. And her name is Tatiana. She was transitioning from male to female, and I had a chance to spend a lot of time with her and learn her story and meet her family. And she was a former bodybuilder that transition and really got exposed to the various challenges and stigma and mental health challenges that she face. And one of the things that stick with me, when I had moved back to go back to school this summer, and it was that she said, I hope you will do something for the transgender community. And I hope this is one of the steps I can take to honor my commitment when she asks me to do that . So with that, I just want to say how important language matters, and that language holds power. And the language of our law is especially important when reflecting the diversity of our great city and given the key role of language in shaping culture and social attitudes. Using gender inclusive language is a powerful way to promote gender equality and eradicate gender bias. And so by bringing this item forward, I just want to be very loud and clear that our transgender and non-binary binary community is being heard. And I see you and we hear you. And I hope to count on all our colleagues support on this item. Thank you.
Speaker 6: Thank you. And I'll just add my comments and we'll go to public comment. I want to thank both my colleagues, Councilwoman Allen and Sara. This is certainly, you know, if anything, if we know anything from our history is that we have to continue that to grow into change, to adapt and create a more, you know, a more inclusive society. And sometimes that means being, you know, evolving and how in how we speak and how we assign labels. And so we've taken this step already informally in many ways. I see this on, you know, signatures, a number of other things the city is doing, but taking a more formal action to say, let's make this a part of our muni code, I think is an appropriate step. And and I just support my colleagues for taking this step and formalizing this process. We'll go to public comment. We have two we have Paul Evans and Jordan Wynne.
Speaker 2: So the rationale for doing this is opposite of reality. There are only two genders, male and female. To think otherwise is an inaccurate belief that denies scientific reality. It is people who are confused about their gender that are having a hard time accepting who they are. This often leads to long term impacts on their mental health. We should be helping people who are confused about their gender, not normalizing it. We should embrace all people for who they are, male and female. Please reject this proposal.
Speaker 6: Thank you. Next speaker, please. With Jordan still here. Okay. Jordan is gone. Thank you. Members, please cast your vote. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to direct City Attorney to prepare a resolution to declare an Inclusive Language Policy for all future Long Beach Municipal Code ordinances presented to the City Council, as well as for future City Council Policies and ballot proposals for City Charter amendments; and
Direct City Attorney to prepare an ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code to state that all gender references in the Code shall be considered neutral and inclusive in form and context. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1278 | Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Scott. Item 38 Please.
Speaker 0: Report from Economic Development, Health and Human Services recommendation to adopt a resolution re declaring a shelter crisis and authorizing the operation of a winter shelter District one.
Speaker 6: I think a brief update is warranted here. Mr. Modica.
Speaker 7: Sure. Honorable Vice Mayor and members of the city council. This is something that we do each year in terms of reauthorizing the emergency for the winter shelter. In this case, we also have the part partner with the county who actually selects the vendor each year at the county level and then we provide the site. But the funding does come from the county to operate the shelter. We're very excited to say that we've got a place over on the west side of a facility we own. And here's Kelly Colby. If you have any questions about the actual operation, our services, etc.. But thank you. This is a very good thing for the city.
Speaker 6: Thank you, Catherine Austin.
Speaker 2: I've had the privilege of hosting this winter shelter in the District for the last three years. Really, I've seen the benefits and understand the important work that goes on with this shelter. And so it has my full support and I'm glad to be able to make the motion and counsel my friends in their houses of absence here
Speaker 6: . Thank you. There's no public comment. Members, please cast your vote. | Resolution | Recommendation to adopt resolution redeclaring a shelter crisis, suspending applicable provisions of local law, including those contained in the City’s Zoning Ordinances of the Long Beach Municipal Code and regulations; and, authorizing the operation of a Winter Shelter for the period of December 1, 2021 through March 31, 2022; and
Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Lease Agreement, including any necessary documents and subsequent amendments, with the Volunteers of America Los Angeles, for approximately 5,400 rentable square feet of space at 1718-1722 Hayes Avenue, for use as a Winter Shelter. (District 1) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1279 | Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 6: Thank you. I'm 39. Please.
Speaker 0: Report from Energy Resources recommendation to receive and file a report on the feasibility of a Long Beach community choice aggregation citywide.
Speaker 1: He will turn this over to staff.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Mayor, and members of the city council. We do have a brief staff report. You asked us to come back within a year. We were here last year and had a really in-depth discussion on CCS. I think it took several hours. That is not our plan tonight. But we do want to give you the update that you asked for. And I will turn it over to Chris Garner and Tony Foster and Bob Dow to give our report.
Speaker 6: Good evening, honorable members of the City Council. As Tom just said, last year, staff requested at a city council meeting on community choice aggregation that we report back on some actions. And that's what we're going to present tonight. We'll get a status report on those actions. And to start off with. I'll turn over to Tony Foster, the manager of business operations for Interview Resources. Thank you and good evening. So a quick refresher on case a Long Beach, CA would replace the incumbent electric utility, in our case, Southern California Edison, as the default buyer of electricity for all Long Beach residents and businesses. The idea was that a CA might procure lower priced and cleaner power. Then see. Yet, Edison would continue the transmission of power over its existing poles and wires. The Long Beach CA concept has been discussed in various aspects several times with the City Council and the Sustainability Commission. We have completed our due diligence. Staff has continually urged caution on the forming of a ceasefire. Council directed staff to conduct four tests as shown on the screen. Number one Monitor Sica's relative to current and emerging markets and related regulations. Number two, evolve the partnership between the city and city to promote awareness of existing and emerging programs focused on increased energy efficiency and greater utilization of renewable energy sources. Number three, facilitate community outreach regarding the CCAR concept along with potential risks and benefits to customers. And number four, undertake a study that analyzes CCAR governance options. Green Power Alliance S.p.a. Is the primary school in Southern California Edison's service territory the largest in California? CPA has presented to both the City Council and the Sustainability Commission in the recent past. Orange County Power Authority, a newly launched DCA in FCC territory, will not begin service to residents until late next year and therefore cannot be used as a benchmark. If you donate, if you recall, one of the main selling points of A to a city is the potential for cost savings for customers, SDF costs. And last year the reality is that the rate margins for cars has been shrinking over the past few years to the point where now several cars now have rates higher than those charged by the private utility for Long Beach. The best comparative example is the rates of Clean Power Alliance, which is shown on the screen currently. If Long Beach had joined CPA, a typical Long Beach resident would pay about 6 to 7% higher than they do today as a customer of Southern California Edison. Importantly, for our most vulnerable low income residents, they would have seen a 2 to 8% increase in their monthly electric bills. Something that's often heard is that customers of some of the company s and do not have a choice for green power and a CCAR would offer that. That's not exactly correct. If you look at the screen, a customer of Southern California Edison today has the same three options that they do with a Clean Power Alliance. They have the base option. They have a 50% minimum green power, and then they have 100% renewable. So any Long Beach resident that desires to have their electricity met with greener power mix has two options available. Today, with Southern California Edison, with each option at a lower cost than those doing so with S.p.a. On a completely voluntary basis of their own choosing and with no involvement or taking on risk by the city. Another thing you hear about is there's a proven track record for cars in that there's very little financial risk. That's far from the truth. There isn't much of a track record in Southern California for cars since we last updated the city council. California has experienced its first CTA bankruptcy, and now four cars have decertified due to market factors and financial realities. The Riverside County okay filed bankruptcy due to financial shortfalls in its first year of operation. All those customers returned back to Southern California. Edison and Edison is now going over the after the Joint Power Authority or JPA to cover the cost for this transition. If SCC does not get full cost recovery from JPA, these former KIA customers may be on the hook for these costs. So a JPA may protect the city, but customers may not have the same protection if it fails. The relationship with Southern California Edison is critical. We want to make sure that we point out that it's not necessary for the city to form to realize the city's environmental goals. It's important to realize that Edison and CCAS are subject to the very same clean energy targets by the state as independent provider of electricity in Long Beach for over 100 years. And Long Beach is the largest city served by Southern California Edison. Additionally, Long Beach's climate action and Adaptation Plan is heavily reliant upon the success of Edison meeting its own environmental goals. As such, it's both critical and logical for the city to take advantage of the long term relationship and maximize the cleaner benefits that can best be achieved by working closely with Southern California Edison. At City Council Directions. City staff has worked for the past year with Edison to create a new Clean Pathway Community Partnership. This partnership with Edison was discussed in detail last month in a presentation to City Council, explaining how it is focused on the transition to clean energy, utilizing and promoting technology innovations and expanding the electrification of transportation . Also, as mentioned earlier, Edison currently provides two options to Long Beach residents who desire greener power. The city is committed to working with Southern California Edison to get that information out to residents to try to increase the number of customers taking advantage of those greener options. This will help the city in its efforts to reach the CAP goals. I'll turn back over to Bob Del. As staff has mentioned before, there are still major regulatory issues that are currently and will continue to impact the financial competitiveness of cars listed on this slide or three of those issues. Exit fees known as PCI charges along with. Except he's known as CIA charges a charge by the CCAR customers every month. Resource adequacy requirements that increase supply reliability, which will significantly impact costs paid by CCAR beginning in 2023. And the requirements under SB 350 that we require that 65% of a six energy contracts be terms of ten years or more. This alone would equate to a Long Beach CCAR incurring hundreds of millions or even billions of financial obligations. In any event, the city council still wanted to pursue a CPA. Staff was asked to have a governance study prepared that evaluated the three options. Those three options discussed in detail on the staff report and the actual governance study is attached to the staff report. I'll just highlight these very quickly. There was a stand alone enterprise that we were asked to evaluate. The city maintains the full flexibility, responsibility for delivering all policies and procedures, and the CCAR would be tailored to the response of the city stakeholders and constituents. And those are the cons. The city assumes all risks, liability and cost, including a significant startup costs of 15 million associated with operating a CPA. And there's no protection for the financial assets of the city under this option. Creating a joint power authority proves the city shares responsibility with other agencies, protects the assets of the city, and distributes the risks and costs with the participating agencies. Industry in the GTA. Under the Cons with two or more parties, as you would assume the decision making is allocated among the agencies, management independence is diminished and many times the objectives of the participating agencies may not be aligned in setting priorities for local generation economic development and programs. Supporting programs. Adjoining a CETA or in this case we evaluated joining the Clean Power Lines. Obviously, a shared responsibility among participating municipalities is one of the pros, protects the financial assets of the cities. It's quicker to implement all of the cons. We would be just one of 33 participating municipalities with only one vote. Little to no ability to direct any priorities for rate setting as well as local generation, economic development and support programs. And that should the city ever decide to exit from that JPA or from CPA, we would likely be responsible for any future power commitments that the CPA purchased on behalf of the city of Long Beach. Our community outreach is critical. It is a critical component in the formation of a CCE. The COVID 19 pandemic restrictions on gatherings have made it problematic to have any meaningful community outreach events. As such, this outreach has been deferred for the time being. One of the recommended actions that staff will present this evening is for them. Do not take any action at this time to initiate the creation of a CCE in any form for Long Beach. City staff will continue to monitor the California energy market and regulatory environment as they relate to case. If any substantive CCR developments occur. Staff will report back to City Council with those developments to reevaluate the creation of a CAA for Long Beach and then the fourth continue the partnership partnership efforts with FCC to increase efforts to better promote green energy options that are currently available for residents and businesses. This concludes our presentation and we're available for any questions.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Come to me, Ringo. If a motion received file.
Speaker 2: Yesterday when I think it's time for a.
Speaker 6: Thorough report.
Speaker 2: On this, I think that obviously we are that the jury is still out on the benefits of jury. Okay. So I think that we need more opportunity to study it further. And I move that we receive a part of this report.
Speaker 1: Kathryn Austin.
Speaker 2: A second emotion. I think, again, we were asked for a feasibility study. The feasibility study has come back and it's pretty clear to me that at this point it is not prudent or feasible or wise for our city to move forward in this regard. I do say that our feasibility study and the work done by our staff, I'm encouraged because we heard a pretty comprehensive report from from Southern California Edison just a few weeks ago that I believe that had we not move forward with this, we may not have seen the type of advancements in clean energy from from from Edison in that regard. And so our actions are actually moving the needle. And so I think the council should be applauded for that. And I want to thank staff for their work on this important item. Perhaps it comes back in the future to see as, as as advancements with CCS are worked out. But it doesn't look like this would be in the interest of our or our residents as ratepayers. And for me, I'm really concerned about those who are.
Speaker 6: Always, always.
Speaker 2: Concerned about those who are on fixed incomes. I do not want to add to the cost of their their utilities, but by taking a risk at this point. And so I support this item to receive involved. Thanks.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Awesome. And thank you. I also want to thank staff for their hard work on this. And I also think all of the advocates that have been pushing us to get greener, I love that. And we can clearly see from the last few years that there is a burning desire for faster climate action in our community and local control is a motivating factor. But there are concerns as well given the Riverside CCAR bankruptcy and lingering unpaid balances by utility customers statewide. While I do not believe that the city's fiscal position at this time is strong enough to assume the risk of creating SCCA or JPA, this may not be the case and years from now. So staff, please continue to monitor the health of other CCS and the AC territory. The PC, the PUC actions, including any adjustments to the CIA and the green energy ratios and the CS portfolio. That's a lot of acronyms. Additionally, I think that continual monitoring is proper decision tonight and we need s c to come to the table and be, you know, a bolder, more active partner. Long Beach is is definitely important to see. And if we're going to delay considerations of a CC at this time, then we need to come to the table to come to the table in a more serious, a serious way. Let's make Long Beach, you know, a model community for electrification and zero emission, industrial, commercial and residential and transportation technologies. I look forward to working with my colleagues and SC and to step up our game in a new year and going forward. So for city staff and I just have a couple of questions for you. Can you share what the timeline looks like for getting city accounts into 100% green energy?
Speaker 6: Excuse me. So you're asking if we took all 20 city accounts? We actually did that back in late nineties. We purchased electricity for all 3000 city accounts on the open market. It was when deregulation first happened in the electric industry. We turned those back on workers, on the companies, and because that failed, not with us, but with the state, and we could look into that again. There's obviously a cost to go green power. It is increase. I know we looked at just for the water treatment plant it was we transferred to 100% green power, I believe it was about $300,000 a year increase in costs just for that one account. So it's quite expensive, but we can look into that.
Speaker 3: And just add on to that question. We have included that in our cap. I believe that was one of our long term goals through our cap, it was a several million dollar budget hit. So if I remember it was in the probably 3 to $5 million range and it was going to be phased in over the next several years. We can work to get you an actual date of when those go into the financial projections.
Speaker 0: And then can I kindly request with any future updates? With regards to SB 350, I was recently informed that the Clean Energy Project Revenue bonds in Northern California successfully generated like 1.5 billion and proceeds for three participating CCAS. So can you also look into that and how they work and include that in any future updates as well, please?
Speaker 6: Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 2: Okay.
Speaker 0: And then if it's okay with a member of the motion, there's just a couple of things that I like to add. So first, I continue to monitor the landscape of CCS and AC service territory and then report back next year, you know, similar to what you did at tonight's presentation and then bring back as part of the Clean Pathways Partnership with Southern California Edison Edison. The following clear goals and I'm happy to work on this, you know, and in committee or I can work at work here in the full diocese. But clear annual signup goals for S's Green Rate Program based on a robust Southern California Edison marketing and Long Beach. And then to direct identification of our largest and worse to use energy users from Etsy so that we can work with them and SC to reduce the energy usage in line with our cap. Okay. And then three increase generation and use of renewable on city and institutional sites, including Lobby, City College, Long Beach State and Long Beach Unified School District. And then last. Any innovative pilot projects for local EV charging at all income levels and grid resiliency solar generation in ways that could help reduce the urban heat island effects.
Speaker 6: Early and we're already working on quite a few of those with Southern California Edison as we speak. And so we'll be able to do that.
Speaker 0: Okay. And so what to make of the motion except those friendlies.
Speaker 2: Well, yeah. Also unclear because we're not really taking any action on this report that they received on file. But I think that you're giving instructions, I think, to staff to do some additional.
Speaker 0: Back.
Speaker 2: Study of this whole thing. Is that correct?
Speaker 6: From Council.
Speaker 3: Member Your Honor, you're correct that the friendlies would add.
Speaker 2: Additional requirement to receive and follow this motion. And I'd like to bring back a report in a year, along with the other items that she'd asked them to look at. So I would. Okay. Yeah. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I want to comment on a couple of quick things. I am really impressed with the way in which our city staff have really worked hard to ensure that our residents have options within the system that we're in today through Edison that give them the option to use 100% renewable energy. When I read the report, one of the things that's of concern is that as the excitement around cars was growing. The new creation of CCS and the demand for renewable energy completely exceeds the ability to produce the renewable energy. And so to give those Long Beach residents the ability to get that renewable energy today is great as we look at supply chain issues and our ability to build out green energy. I think that five years down the road, things might change. But where we are today, to be able to give our residents the option to opt into a green energy plan without the risks associated with the KIA model I think is a great step forward. I think that we as a city can do a better job advertising that rate so that we can encourage residents to move in that direction. But at the end of the day, with the cost of inflation and gas prices literally at $6 a gallon in some places in Southern California, people are choosing between. Filling their gas tank or feeding their family. And so I recognize that this is a very, very difficult time to make the noble choices of green energy. And I think that that's appropriate, that we still give, especially those on fixed incomes, the option to maintain their current rate plan. I am concerned generally at the cost of utility increases overall that received my notice in the mail about my rate change and my options of what plan to stay on with Edison. And I know that so did my Nana and so did my mom. And each of them came to me and asked, What does this mean? What are we talking about? And I thought Edison did an excellent job of outlining. If you stay on this plan, your annual cost is a if you go to that plan, your annual cost is B, I think that there's a lot of estimated annual cost , I should say. There's a lot of opportunity for education. And I appreciate all the work that the staff continue to do to give the community members options. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. We have a motion in a second. We also have public comment, I think, with two members of the public. Please come forward. Mr. Shukla. And I believe this is deeply, deeply.
Speaker 7: Okay. Good evening, Giovanni. Dating. Let's begin strong opposition of this item. I ask. No. I want to plead with you to consider the following factors and not suspend any further CC feasibility efforts as advised by staff. The staff cover letter preceding the MRA report missing informs of the contents of the report. While sitting city staff failed to conduct community outreach due to the pandemic and health orders. Since this item was answered, city staff were not hindered as various departments conducted outreach regarding a variety of issues. It is foster misinformed further that the MSW report recommends the city not move forward with the city at this time. That statement can't be found anywhere in the report in its entirety. Staff report states maintain competitive ranges of utmost importance to many customers. I ask which customers and to whom does the burden of inaction towards climate action adaptation shift? I hear sacrifice zones. I hear frontline communities. Are here. Small island developing nations such as ones my family are from threatened by inaction here. In conclusion, I urge you to read the Adobe report and deliberate on a few facts from the report. Some things left out were the ability for us to prepare our own energy and have power over that process as the market changes, as we get left behind. As the market changes. Remaining with us, he would deprive Long Beach of the opportunity, quote, to influence energy procurement or policy to satisfy the needs of its community. Now to meet the greatest challenges of our time. Bold action is required. It's not status quo. It's going to be uncomfortable. Relationships we've had for a century might change. They don't have to end. We all have to work together. When that bill comes due on climate change and it's an action. Is that going to just be paid here?
Speaker 1: Do you expect the police? Next week, the police.
Speaker 6: Network.
Speaker 1: No. Both work. But you got it from keeping together.
Speaker 6: Police giving. Good. So it's really. Uh, rarely in human history. As the fates of so many people in the hands of so few.
Speaker 1: We can here. Just put up a little louder. Please continue.
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 6: Jodie Foster I have a great deal of respect for you, but I don't think the city has completed the due diligence.
Speaker 2: The model that I had proposed that.
Speaker 6: I wasn't allowed to give. Even information on another working group so called is the most obvious model. You create a JPA with the port and you will do the outreach in Signal Hill Avalon, like with.
Speaker 2: Everything in the Lumby School District. Certain accounts want to leave. I see. He wants to lead. I have done.
Speaker 6: Research on how the state can reabsorption back.
Speaker 2: There's other ways to do things.
Speaker 6: But, you know, if you want to optimize around requests, that's that's not hard. Um, but, you know, we we need the data.
Speaker 2: We need the new.
Speaker 6: Data, we need the smart meter data. The state needs a lot of these things that he's not been providing. How much time do I have got? So I'd like to specifically take issue with the idea that it's not necessary to have to meet the cap. We don't know that. We don't know what the grand plan for the cap is yet. We have to wait till the review. One thing you should.
Speaker 2: Note, council members as a result of this body's decision. In August of last year. Southern California Edison went and picked off every single vulnerable seeker in their service territory in the region. The scare tactics.
Speaker 6: About Western clean energy especially need to be examined very, very closely. Especially with his role in a lot of those activities. This is a receiving file. I think when we have the camp draft, we will see the necessity for this much more. I'm not.
Speaker 2: Prepared to say that.
Speaker 6: We absolutely need one. But in this city, based on what I know of it.
Speaker 2: Being a Southern.
Speaker 6: California Edison.
Speaker 2: Ratepayer for 24 years. I don't think you have the time. I think you've made too many bad contracts. And the Asplin was one of them. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. There's a motion, the second to receive and file the report from staff members. Please go ahead and cast your vote.
Speaker 0: Motion is scary. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a report on the feasibility of a Long Beach Community Choice Aggregation. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1281 | Speaker 0: Councilman Allen. Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Item 41.
Speaker 0: Reporter on Health and Human Services recommendation to execute an agreement with Los Angeles County to receive and expend up to 5,236,895 of Measure H funding to implement homeless initiative strategies citywide.
Speaker 1: Mr. Mark I think the Council wanted maybe a short kind of update on this measure measuring rate.
Speaker 3: Can we call it?
Speaker 7: Good evening on a mayor and council members. So this is an annual measure h funding. And what is reflected here is about 2.7 million of new funding coming through measure H in addition to the rollover of approximately 2.6 million. So those two together, this allows for that rollover and to continue to move forward with, uh, with homeless services utilizing the measure h funding. So the measure H funding primarily focuses on homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, outreach, a coordinated entry system as well as case management. And are interim housing considered under the strategies of Measure H the crisis bridge housing. So as you know, the Measure H is one of the many funding sources that we receive and it is the the primary source from the county in addition to other statewide, such as a half or the federal continuum of care and other services . And so this is one of the funding sources that allows us to put together our entire program operating out of the MSI and with our partners with that close representation.
Speaker 1: Thank you. There's a motion and a second. Please go and have one member of the public. She can be pushing forward.
Speaker 2: They still proud some of the six. With respect to the 32 page equity toolkit that was presented with this agenda item, there's not a single initiative in that 32 pages that is doing anything to end homelessness. You have a language access policy. There is a homeless encampment on 24 Columbus Boulevard. I take my grandmother there to get her Social Security check. There's not a single person out there. If I brought them to my article. INTERPRETER That will say, at last, I'm ready to no longer be unhoused. I do not know why we are misappropriating county funds to do nothing to end homelessness. The beacon built at Long Beach in Anaheim is 160 affordable housing units at a cost of $530,000 a unit. Operation Homekey, which was utilized by the county to buy the best Western on Atlantic in Anaheim for $21 million. $21.7 million is at a cost of $20,000 per unit. We are grossly misusing this money and it's not doing anything to end homelessness. You have 32 pages. You have direct install gardens, language access policy, the climate adaption plan. These are these are the initiatives that are going to end homelessness. They aren't doing anything. This is affecting either the policies or the people that work on them. Great job. But that's not what this funding needs to be used for. I pay property tax. I pay $32,000 in property tax. I pay for my mother's house, my grandmother's house, and my aunt and uncle's house. I don't mind paying taxes. What I do mind is you guys misappropriating what my property taxes are being used for. It should be used not to pay for. They're all gone now. The poverty pimps, but the eggheads with the student loan debts who come in here and they bring poor people in here and they say, hey, to stay a renter forever. They're not pushing homeownership. Homeownership is how you get rid of and end homelessness. It's not by perpetual rent ship. Until Blackstone and BlackRock bypass apartment buildings, it's become homeowners. So we need to be using this county money to develop homeowners. I don't see in the equity toolkit a first time homebuyer program. I don't see anything that is substantial. It's just developing and furthering the bureaucracy. I'm sorry, I didn't I didn't get a liberal arts degree. You know, I work on my hands. So, you know, I got to go outside and work. And these people, I don't know what they're doing with taxpayers money besides wasting it. We need to see some of this measure h money being used to develop either homeowners or expand in preserving current affordable housing. If you look at the motels there exist in the city, even in sixth district, you can easily buy up 300 units of affordable housing by buying at the motels a.s.a.p that went through. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much for listening.
Speaker 6: RICHARDSON Thank you. Just so first of all, we're glad that we have our own continuum of care. We continue to get the right funding. And I agree with the last speaker in terms of homeownership, but I do want to highlight that we do have a first time homebuyer program in the works being funded by the recovery plan . And so my understanding from 2.4, that's one of the first programs to roll out of the recovery. So we look forward to sharing more details very soon.
Speaker 1: Thank you. We have a motion in a second. I just want to add, because I think that really spoke to a lot of what I think a lot of us feel some time. And I just want to just reiterate to the team that I do think oftentimes we get stuck in the academics of how to fix stuff and not just focus on kind of the bread and butter issues of actually getting people in the homes buying motel rooms. So I actually agree with a lot of the public comment that was said. But I do have a question. Can we get a report when we get back in January on Project On and where we are in the process? I know of multiple times and Ms.. Tatum has done a great job of working on getting us the current three sites we have. I know we have requested to purchase more. We know we have money coming down the state. I feel like all of our focus should be on purchasing motels and getting more folks to folks house. I also think that we should be less worried about. The ongoing. I know. I know. I know. What stops us from purchasing more is oftentimes kind of staff's concern about the ongoing cost after a few years. And I understand that. But I don't want us to lose sight of taking care of the emergency in front of us because we're worried about what can happen four years from now having to pay for it like that for hopefully mature age kids comes in or the programs from the state. So I just want to put that on the table. I do think, by the way, that staff have done a great job in in the project roomkey project Roomkey space. And so this is not a criticism of that because I think we've done a great job with the three projects, what, 250 units, I think total. But we, you know, if we're not purchasing another in the next few months, you know, one or two of the buildings, then I think we're not spending our homelessness dollars the right way. And so I think that that's got to be our top priority, is actually purchasing all the motels. And it's also fixes blight issues. The Motel six, let's say, over in Council Councilman Price's district. I mean, there's, like, zero impact to tubes. I'm sorry. Cancer, super nodes, district maps. So six. Thank God. I did great job with that project. But that that that project, for example, and I heard directly from from neighbors and friends that, you know, that live nearby who were really worried and everyone is agreement that there was little to no impact. The other two projects that we've done in the city, the county partnership's incredible investments. So I'm just really grateful for the work you've all done. And I'm hoping also that we stick to the bread and butter and homelessness stuff. I think that's that's hopefully the the future. Councilwoman, actually, I may have skipped town. We got that. You have. You were the second.
Speaker 2: Mayor, you said. Oh, thank you.
Speaker 1: Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I recently was sent a thread of some communications related to some individuals online, and I read through it. And one of the things that I think is really critical with all of the projects that we're doing is communication. So. Often. A few times we try to throw out my term, my multiple terms on council. We have tried to host homeless forums where community members could come forward and hear from the legal side, the compassion side, the law side, and all the different components and the complexity of it. And I think that they're very beneficial. I'm heartbroken that Sarah Green is no longer in the city attorney's office. She was so articulate in communicating to the community how the system works and what processes are in place on both sides to both protect the homeless community and protect the residents. And then the complexities of the prior legal findings and other opinions that have come out. I want to applaud. I believe Councilwoman Allen had a recent homeless forum with similar components to it. But I really believe that that's the city's job as a whole. Council offices cannot take on the sole responsibility of that communication. And when I read the threads of what the solutions are that community members are bringing forward and their perception that the council doesn't care because we're not implementing it, I think it goes to our our failure as an elected body and quite frankly, as a city in communicating that clearly my council office can continue to do it as long as I'm in office. And the 70 to 150 people that come to it can benefit from it. But we have thousands of community members who want to help solve the problem. And if they're not informed on the legal standards and requirements that are in place, they're not able to triage with us and support and help us find the solutions in those. So I would just like to say that I'd like to see the city take on that responsibility. I don't know if Councilman Allen has any additional input because I know she's done that. And then finally, I'd like to say that when I talked to the Housing and Housing Services Department, one of the questions that I've asked in the past is how many people that are on housing assistance have gotten off housing assistance? What programs do we have in place to do that? To create a voucher to be available for someone else who needs it. We are only adding and contributing to helping those that need it. But what are we doing to get the people who are receiving that help up into the next level of economics so that they then can be a part of the next level of solution? And so I'd really like to see our transparency on those numbers through our dashboard. I've asked for dashboards in the past, and there was always all these complexities. The pandemic came and dashboards are amazing that we're doing such a great job with them on the pandemic. I would love to see a dashboard on assistance programs on homelessness. It is a crisis and we need to be transparent. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Ciro. But I thought we spoke already. That is in addition again.
Speaker 2: Yeah. Okay.
Speaker 1: Bye. Richardson.
Speaker 6: I just, you know, since it came up, I would say I want to make I want to. I like the project calling to the room key. I want to make sure that we go back to prior to that, we looked at hotels, the nuisance motels. Since we've done that, I don't know that we've crossed the two, but if we're in a position to sort of free two birds in one key, I know that there have been challenges in terms of the rules on a state funding. Maybe we look at relaxing those rules, particularly, I know of five nuisance motels from Long Beach Boulevard, North Long Beach that are great potential sites for one of these. And after it serves in that temporary capacity, it could turn into supportive housing or something that's a bit more stable for that neighborhood. And although that used to be the neighborhood I represent and it's no longer I think it's still a issue of of great importance to the broader north, obviously, I think city wide. So let's use this tool. We've seen that project HOMEKEY works. And we also know that we do have corridors that have nuisance motels and need to be addressed. I thought that needs to be raised. Thank you. I'll second that and happy to carry the mantle.
Speaker 1: Councilwoman Sarno.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Mayor. I really want to reiterate and add to Councilmember Mango's comment about communication, because, you know, I think that when you talk about homelessness funding, you see this big number like it's always in the millions or thousands and it's really hard to grasp where does that money go? Right. And I think that that is where a lot of my resident ask, because they see the same issues occurring no matter what they've been advised to do, no matter how much activities they try to figure out to do and how much ideas they get. And so I think that we really need to invest some type type of time, staff, time or energy or expertize that can really communicate the work. Because I know staff is doing amazing work, a lot of work, a lot of ideas, and I just don't know where what is being done even on just it's hard for me to even grass so that I can communicate this with residents on where the investment is going into and how we're working towards our short term, mid-term and long term solutions. You know, when we talk about housing, that is supposed to be a longer term, but what is it intermediary like? You know, we know that we provide assistance, but it's really unclear in between and how many staff is needed to do that, all of that. Right. So I think it would be helpful to have some kind of not just dashboard but like some kind of annual report or something that can be, you know, that we can utilize so that we don't have to create them individually in our office. And the thing is that often gets to me is I hear from residents, oh, it's happening here in nine, 813, because we are the lower, you know, resource area, lower invested area. But I think we need to paint a bigger picture that it is not just a city, but a national pandemic. And I think we need to speak to examples that, you know, what are we doing all collectively to locally, right. So I just want more communication materials so that we can point to it as a city and and also within certain parts of how we are really addressing it. So thank you.
Speaker 1: Councilman Preston, that I'm going to have to make some comments.
Speaker 4: Soraya and I wasn't planning on queuing up to speak on this, but the public comment, I mean, if I could have. Decently shouted Hallelujah in the middle. I would have. Because, I mean, we just get asked all the time about where the dollars are going. And it's it's very difficult for us, at least for me. I'll speak for myself to explain because there's just so many nuances in that space that it's hard for residents to understand why we can't just directly fund certain things to solve the problems. I do I do want to recognize, you know, the mayor mentioned the project, Homekey project in my current district and I worked really hard on that project and I want to thank Theresa Chandler and Tracey Colombo or were partners in that with me of course Kelly as well. But we worked really directly and.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 4: Feel like we we manage the whole we proactively message and Tom and Linda were part of that conversation. We knew it was happening and we proactively messaged it in a way that signaled my early support for the project. So we were able to kind of, you know, address the concerns before it was even really announced. And we worked together really well, I feel like with messaging with our county partners. Then we had a community meeting, it was super positive and the facility actually opened up two weeks before it was supposed to and my staff said , You want to do an announcement on this? I said, No, let's let it open. And then we can tell people it's been open for two weeks or maybe even a month, and then they'll see that what we were saying about the facility was accurate, that there were no impacts, nobody even knew it had opened. And the key was the kind of operator we had and that was really, really good. So I think the operator I mean, I go by there all the time and drop off cookies and things for the workers there because they do a really good job respecting the space that they're in. And you would never know what that that uses there. And so I feel like we should be supporting more and more projects like that. I also think I to Councilwoman Mungo's point, I think we are very inefficient with how we disseminate the information because every council office is independently responding to emails, individual emails every day about the legal legal hurdles in the space of homelessness. And one, we probably shouldn't be giving legal summaries because it's it's very it's just so nuanced. And to, you know, even I, I feel like I understand it better than most. I mean, I read the legal opinions and even I have had missteps before where something I said wasn't completely accurate. And I think that's it's really important. So I feel like I wonder if there are some funds available for us to have a communications officer in the area of homelessness, someone who's like, and I hate to say this, I really do. I can't even believe I'm going to say this out loud. But I am.
Speaker 0: Next sure to.
Speaker 4: Come the question 100% of the questions, 99% of the questions are about homelessness. And I have a very good friend who's on the Newport Beach City Council. Same thing. It's not like it's unique to Long Beach. It's the number one concerns. They get there too. Obviously different scope, but we should have somebody who's accurately paying get paid a lot of money to respond and and to put the actual legal what we can and can't do as a city on these social media sites because it's a put it on the burden. To put that burden on the council offices is a tremendously inefficient responsibility and a hugely inconsistent.
Speaker 0: Because each of us communicates very.
Speaker 4: Differently and the message doesn't come out as clearly as it should. So I don't know exactly how to do that, but I feel like in the social media space, we should be using some resources to educate people. You know, we're I'm I tell everyone all the time, I'm happy to debate with you all day long. Trust me, I actually enjoy it. But I want to operate from the same fact sheet, right? Like if you're just making stuff up about what the options are for the city and I know those options are illegal, then we're debating. It's an efficient debate, right? We're not debating reality. So I feel like if we had a communicate, if we dedicated some of our homeless money to communication about homelessness and dissemination of that information and engagement, I think it would be a money really well spent. Has the perception of the public is that we have a lot of solutions that for whatever reason we're choosing not to implement. We have a lot of money and we have a lot of solutions. That's just not that's not reasonable. So who communicates that from a collective voice?
Speaker 2: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I personally agree with everything that's been said so far. I want to add a few things. I think one is I think what you're sensing from the council is the frustration. Also, I think I think the Council on numerous occasions has asked our team to focus on communicating, on bringing in team members, to get information out, because we're doing actually really amazing work. And I think what's happened is I know for a fact that if a resident wants to get information about homelessness, their best bet is to call a city council office. It's not the call. The AC or to call the health department and try to find who the right person is. They're getting direct information from members of the Council of Staff. I believe that to be true. I've heard that from numerous members, numerous, numerous residents. And I think that also has to shift, because the burden of responding to homelessness has been put on everybody at the status and we spend on the team spend a significant amount of time answering questions that should be answered by the team and Health and Human Services Department. Not to say that they're not answering questions because they're answering a lot of questions as well. But there is, I believe, no strategic effort to communicate, one, what we're doing, but to to help people understand how they can actually help us and assist and then what's not actually possible. One thing that's always been frustrating is when we came up with the Everyone Home Plan, which I thought is a it's a great, very simple to understand set of of initiatives. We, we stopped communicating it after a while. We don't continue to bring it back up and communicate what we're doing. Definitely, we're not actually implementing what's in the plan or doesn't mean that we're not focused on trying to solve those issues, but we certainly aren't communicating it. And so I just want to just kind of reiterate what Councilwoman Pryce said, that I would like to see resources actually spent on serious, proactive community engagement so that people understand what can and can't be done and what actually how they can actually help in a way that's productive. So I totally support that. And I also ask these funds, the 5.2, it's going to the CFC. Has this been line item doubt as to where it's going to be spent? Or does the S.O.S. decide how does that work? I'm just curious about that.
Speaker 7: This is an raised funds. So these funds are line item. There are very specific strategies. So Measure H has I can't remember something like 20 strategies of which we get a set of those strategies and the rest are provided by the county or other providers. So these strategies, the is hunger prevention, rapid rehousing, outreach, coordinated entry and crisis in bridge housing. That is the only thing that we're allowed to use the measure h funding for. And so I did want to, you know, share that. I think, you know, we're certainly happy to bring forward more information on sort of the chunks of funding and how they're utilized. You know, when almost all of the work is grant funded, they have very specific outcomes we're allowed to use it for. And so that is something that I want to share. And we'll I'm happy to bring forward and share more of that measure.
Speaker 1: H money not allowed to be used for communication.
Speaker 7: It is not so. But we have we we have carved out communications funds through one of our other grant sources and we are actually meeting tomorrow to start a communications strategy, meeting around homeless services. So it will be coming back with more information on that. We were moving forward and then COVID hit and as the health department and all of the things basically take over all other communications, and I do apologize for that. We know it's very important and we are looking forward to bringing forth a strategy back to you.
Speaker 1: Because I think we're also hearing is we're actually really proud of what you guys are doing. Like everyone loves like the work and knows how hard it is, but I think there's a disconnect. I don't certainly feel that we're communicating that. And I don't think and the public certainly is not receiving the information and the communication needs to be proactive, not passive. And and this is something that we've talked even more broadly about the city, and I know that that's being worked on right now, but I think that we keep coming back to this question, how we're communicating with the public, and they have a right to know what we're doing. And that's not an area that I think we are doing very well as a city. So I'm hoping that we can have some more conversations about how this is going to get fixed as our budget moves forward and as we talk specifically about what is the biggest crisis in the city, certainly post-COVID, and that is when it was before COVID. And that's, you know, our in-house population, how we how we get them housing. Councilman Mongeau.
Speaker 5: Thank you. I've attended some of the major meetings I get around all of my c all the agendas. Not only can you not use it on communication, you also can't use it to move people who are receiving aid out of the need to receive aid, which I think is a weakness of the strategies. But the strategies were created with community groups and community organizations. And while I did see some Long Beach staff members attending on our behalf and advocating for certain things, the number of people advocating and the types of things they were advocating for were different three years ago when this passed to where we are today. And I think that that's something else we need to consider and at. Except for I think that right now, at this point in time where we're days away from switching large areas of our city and what councilmember is the main communicator to those individuals? We're at a point where there's going to be a huge shift in gap. Even with the amount of information and meetings that I've been to, both at the county level, the regional level and the local level related to certain areas of my district that have sometimes three and four agencies at play. And the amount of work that my office has singlehandedly done in bringing together and having community meetings where the state senator, the representative of the supervisor of district, a representative from the City of Los Angeles and my self in my office are all in one meeting in a community because there's actual areas that have homeless encampments that in an area the size of this room, there are four jurisdictions at play for. And that is very frustrating to the residents. And those areas are now the primary contact will become councilmember supervisor. And what I'm concerned about is the six years it took to get to where we are and the communication that it would take. It has to be a citywide process. We can't be in this position again. And so I go to these meetings and then individuals say, this area has not been cleaned up in three years and my office can state this area was cleaned up on this day. It was a rollback on this day it was cleaned up again. On this day it was a rollback on this day. We've offered services 76 times. There are 34 people in the encampment. Of the 34 people in the encampment. 84% of them have received more than ten contacts. We can do that because we have great relationships with homeless services. But that can't be on a council office. It really needs to be on the city staff. And it's also an equitable the number of calls we get across council offices. It's just unreasonable for certain offices to receive thousands of calls a year and others to receive hundreds. And we all have the same budget and the same staffing, and that doesn't leave an equitable response rate for constituents. And that's not fair. But I will say thank you to my staff who were crazy hours and make sure that everyone gets a response despite the fact that we get 12,000 calls a year.
Speaker 1: Just one more thing. One last question also. Did we I know that we've talked about this and it's check chicken, for example, have we funded Mr. Givens and his project that he's been trying to get funded in all the amount of kind of trash and homeless services that provides is that that we were and were able to do. I know I think many of us have been asking for for him to get support for like a year.
Speaker 7: I believe we were able to get him the vehicle that he was looking for. The truth. Can add that I yeah.
Speaker 0: So we've been working very closely with Mr. Gibbons to get him to apply to the mayor's fund.
Speaker 5: And so, as you know, there's a process for application and we've been trying to support him in that process and his board who do the application. So we were able to get him away or the truck so that he can start doing the pickups. So that was a donation from the city, but we're still working on the application process for funding.
Speaker 1: And it just seems like there's just a lot of process to get through an application process to just give I mean, the amount of work that he's doing on his own with his volunteers, it should we should be like throwing resources at him and not not going through an elaborate application process that my $0.02. So what I'd like to ask is what's the what's the timing on this money. So if these resources we approved tonight are. They what I want to see in January and I'd like to have this conversation back on the council agenda, if I can ask the the Vice Mayor to amend the motion just to have a discussion about resources around homeless services and how we're going to invest in communications. I'd like to see that on the agenda. January, if we're just in, is willing to amend the motion.
Speaker 6: Absolutely. Okay.
Speaker 1: Do we have public comment on this item? But it also will prove the money that's on the. That's the.
Speaker 4: Idea.
Speaker 1: That's right. That's right. Okay. So we'll have that conversation in January, one of the last week of January. And with that.
Speaker 3: Well, Mr. Mayor, I'd like to make a few comments, please, if I may. Sure.
Speaker 2: So as we carry loud and clear, I.
Speaker 3: Think a lot of you brought up some very good points. In fact, just about a month ago, three weeks ago, we brought together all of our department heads to really talk about what's working, what's not. Where are areas of improvement? And that strategic management retreat really talked about a lot of these same issues, though. We recognize the challenges. We recognize. Communications is probably the top thing that every of our departments talked about. I do want to provide some context. Our health department is grant funded and they've gotten huge amounts of resources through grants and almost none of it paid for. A lot of the things that we wanted to pay for the administrative staff, the the customer service staff, the communication staff, and so over the years, we've actually had to build some of that through some other types of methods. For example, they've never had a POW ever for, you know, decades. And about two years ago we found a way to invest in that and with our own money, with SFP and did some really creative things. So they can at least have one position that's done that. And that person got rerouted completely to coronavirus this year. So we understand the need for it. I really want to do better with communications. I think we have an amazing story to tell and that is an area that we just are lacking some of the funding. A lot of our funding is incredibly inflexible. When we did the measure H, one of our big requests of the city was don't chop it up into little tiny bits and give us little pieces because we want a direct allocation to us because we know how we can spend it the best. And that was not approved by the county. We spent time in all of those different committees and they wanted their very specific grant funded approaches and then they only gave us little pieces of that. And so you'll see when we had a chance to talk to the management team, where's the money going? Where is it coming from? Where's it going? And you'd be surprised that almost all of it or a vast majority of it is required to go for housing people and only for housing people. And so we'll be able to show you a lot of that. I think it will help you understand some of the challenges, including like when you buy a motel, you have to then operate it and there is no money to operate it. And so that is like for each hotel, it's in that 2 to $3 million range structurally every single year and there's no money coming to operate those . And so we took some risks in the last two years to add those things, even though we didn't have the plans to fund it. And now we're trying to figure that out and then we've got to figure out how to go further. So I do want to I do think it'll be healthy to have a discussion about, you know, what are some of the opportunities we have and then what are some of the challenges. And as Kelly said, Collins is one that we're very much focused on and that those discussions are underway. And we'll report back to you in January with hopefully some solutions.
Speaker 1: Thank you. That's really great. That's a that's a that was a great update. So thank you very much. There is a there's a motion in a second and will, including a report towards the end of January, please submit.
Speaker 0: Emotion is scary. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, including amending the contract amount, with Los Angeles County, to receive and expend up to $5,236,895 of Measure H funding, to implement Homeless Initiative strategies adopted by the County Board of Commissioners to combat homelessness in Los Angeles County, for the estimated period of November 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_12072021_21-1303 | Speaker 1: Thank you. And our last item on the agenda is item 51. I will ask the clerk to give us a short or whoever, whoever I think has a short presentation on the item or once every ten years. Redistricting happens in this case, it was Long Beach Unified School District. I was hoping also that maybe the court can kind of explain what the city's council's role is in this process, because it does happen once every ten years or we adopt both the school districts and the city councils, I'm sorry, and the three year colleges maps. And so if we can, please have that. Thank you.
Speaker 0: So once every ten years we go through the redistricting process. This year was unique in that we had the Independent Redistricting Commission who created the Council district boundaries. However, in our charter, the Long Beach Unified School District does fall under us in the election process and we do approve their redistricting boundaries. And we did receive the boundary maps from the Long Beach Unified School District, and we will be passing those on to the county on their behalf. So that is this item.
Speaker 1: And does the charter speak to Long Beach City College or is it silent on Miami City College?
Speaker 0: The charter does not speak to language City College. They are independent of our charter and our municipal code. So they are sending their maps directly to the county and their board has designated their their areas and is responsible for communicating that to the county. However, we still do. Take care of the long unified school district in improving their boundaries and communicating that information to the county.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. I think it's important that we've been asked a couple of questions and a couple of customers asked, like there's three different processes for all three redistricting levels. I know that both the school school district and committee college have been engaged heavily, obviously, in getting the maps forwarded. I mean, in the case of Washington. But of course, I wanted to utilize maps. So thank you for explaining that process. We have a motion in a second. I public comments only do that first and then I'll go to the motion. Is Mr. Egan's or evidence here? Please come.
Speaker 2: Forward. So legitimacy of the school board, approval of the boundaries that the parents and our first school board meeting is questionable, that it was not on their agenda at the time the discussion began. And he appeared on the agenda as discussion continued. Ask the board secretary for an explanation of this rather than explain, she simply denied the fact. Which creates further suspicion of wrongdoing. Brown Act provisions for the agenda. May have been violated. Approve of the boundaries should be postponed until these issues are can be investigated and resolved.
Speaker 1: That concludes public comment. Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 6: So I understand this this process. And just one simple question for staff or the clerk, based on your analysis, is this what they present presenting? There's no red flags. Everything's been presented as it should in compliance with law. Anybody. We have no.
Speaker 2: Reason to doubt it hasn't been. I have no evidence of anything that's not compliance with the law. Well, given that our counsel didn't get to draw.
Speaker 6: Lines this time to at least participate in.
Speaker 2: Somebody's process. So.
Speaker 6: So I'm happy to make this motion, Mr. Mayor.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Vice Mayor. Councilman Sorrell.
Speaker 4: I just support the motion.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Members disco and Castro votes. And as folks vote, I just want to just congratulate Long Beach Unified. They put in a lot of work into getting these maps through a public process. And so these now going forward to the county, I believe, then become the official maps for the next ten years. So that is the process on these maps. And I was not aware that the Long Beach City College maps go straight to the counties. That's interesting that it's that's the charter separates it to out that way. So that's good. That's good to know. Thank you so much. And motion very generously. With that, we have the second public comment period. If I can add, Mr. Shukla. Mr. Battams, I think it says and Leigh, maybe Ms. Leigh. Deborah Britton say it is Satori. | Emergency Ordinance | Recommendation to adopt ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 1.27.010 School Board Districts established; declaring the urgency thereof; and declaring that this ordinance shall take effect immediately, read and adopt as read. (Citywide)
(Emergency Ordinance No. ORD-21-0041) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11162021_21-1206 | Speaker 0: Thank you so much. And I think we are all a little bit more conscious about Native American Heritage Month heritage. And we'll definitely do what we can to be more intentional with our support and recognition and acknowledgment. Thank you so much for your presentation. So I'd like to go to a hearing number 13.
Speaker 1: Item number 13 Report from Financial Management Recommendation to receive supporting documentation under the record, conclude the public hearing and grant an entertainment permit with conditions for entertainment without dancing to Vine at 2142 East Fourth Street District two. This does require an oath. Please people participating. If you can say I do, I will. At the end of the statement to you and each of you solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the course now and pending before this body shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Thank you.
Speaker 0: I do. Thank you. Uh, so I'd like to go to staff for presentation.
Speaker 1: I'd like to introduce Tara mortensen, our business services manager, for a brief presentation on this item. Good evening, council members. Before you tonight is an application for entertainment without dancing or a third planet LLC, DBA the vine at 2142 East Fourth Street operating as a bar with a Type 42 ABC license for serving and selling beer and wine, but not distilled spirits. All of the appropriate departments, Health and Human Services, Development Services, Police and Financial Management have reviewed the application and have provided their recommended conditions as contained in the hearing packet. There is one correction, however, that's in the condition section, section one, item number four is part of our regular standard conditions, but it's not applicable on this in this situation as it applies only to restaurants and will be deleted from this item. I, as well as Commander Burford from the police department who was on the phone this evening, are available to answer any questions that you may have. That concludes my staff report.
Speaker 0: Thank you, sir. We have a motion by Councilmember Allen and second by a councilmember that they have. We'll turn it over to Councilmember Allen.
Speaker 1: Yes. Thank you. I just want to thank the staff, Emily, also Emily and Dustin from the Vine for all their hard work on this fourth street and the retro row area. It's just an awesome, fun part of our community. I know the bid and all the businesses there do a great job at managing the area and the vine is just a very popular spot to go. So I am fully supportive of this entertainment license. Emily and Dustin are great operators and I know that they will comply with all the conditions listed and staff has not received any issues. So I don't think there's any reason why we wouldn't move forward with this license.
Speaker 0: That can come from within the data.
Speaker 1: Very supportive of this item.
Speaker 0: Okay. Remove the second and I don't see any further comment. I'll go to public comment now.
Speaker 1: Will the following speakers please line up the podiums? And I can say Justin Lavelle's, Tamara King, Morgan Hughes, Carl Stinson.
Speaker 0: You each have up to 3 minutes. You don't need to use all of that time, though.
Speaker 3: Careful, the one of these groups might say you're trying to, you know, disqualify the Brown Act amendment. Gentlemen, I am speaking in favor of this entertainment permit being received by the Vine Bar. I find Emily Anderson to be running and maintaining one of the finest examples of creativity within the city of Long Beach. This is a destination hub for a wide spectrum on the age bracket. But most importantly for me, as a participant in live music within the city, it's one of the few places that younger acts and older acts can simultaneously mix both in performance and in and attendance. I think that seeing them make the wonderful turnaround of Retro Row as a resident in the city of Long Beach has been inspiring. And it's it's finally due to the hard work and good nature of people like Emily Anderson. You know, it takes a lot, both as a musician and as a young family, to run an establishment such as this. And it's purely been done just for the good nature of maintaining a culture or a music culture here in the city of Long Beach. So I'm appreciative, appreciative of that. I think that it's one of the imperative pieces that holds together the whole retro area in itself. And I'm always glad to be in attendance there for any of the events that they have. And, you know, very rarely, but at times they do have a lovely root beer selection. And so I always find myself going there at times to just make sure that they they have that intact. So thank you and for support.
Speaker 0: Next speaker, please.
Speaker 3: Hi. My name's Steph in love with. Thanks for having us. This is Emily, my wife. We owned Vine together and Vine is served the Long Beach Music Community, music and arts community for over 12 years. The venue provides a safe environment for all walks of life to engage in and share their music and art. Our patrons and staff are extremely community oriented. We look out for the space as well as for street as a whole. We believe having a space like Vine open in the evening greatly benefits Fourth Street and its future. It brings new people to the city, brings all people to the city that have been here for a long time. In regards to sound, Vine has always and will continue to strictly follow the rules outlined in our entertainment license. Music will be over on time. Doors will be shut during light performances. We have a double pane sound, glass windows and our storefronts from the previous owner. And the ceilings are lined with soundproofing material as well. And I have submitted about ten letters from people that live nearby. People have really literally closed as well as the Fourth Street Association. And we have the full support of everyone in that. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you.
Speaker 1: Good evening. My name is Tamara King, and I'm a voting member of District two. I'm one of the residents that abuts the vine bar. And it is not quiet. It is not soundproof. I soundproofed my residence. There's apartment buildings. We just talked about density and cooperative living. This is a residential area. I love Fourth Street. I love live music. But it's seven nights a week and it doesn't stop at 10:00. There's usually people screaming in the alleyways. For those of us who actually do live there, it's a very loud. You know, it's residences on all sides. Apartment dwellers were renters, and no one has tried any sound mitigation whatsoever. So this is out on the parking lot. The door is not closed. The trash is gone through. Please think of the residence. Thank you. Hi there. Thank you. I am Morgan Hughes. I am also a resident very close to Vine. I actually live along the alleyway that butts up to the same alleyway that Vine is located on. So it is a very, very close location. I am here in front of you today fully in support of a small business and a staple to our community. And I echo what one of the other members here said about the cultural impact and the art and the value that Vine provides to our community. As I mentioned, I live very, very close, um, and for a very long time they have always followed the rules. We have never had any issues with people being disrespectful to our property. We do have an open yard against the alleyway and we have knock on wood. Never have anybody disrespect our property. We've never had any issues and we've always been very, very impressed with the way that they have followed the rules and been respectful of the noise curfew so fully and support. And I look forward to the next live venue.
Speaker 0: Thank you. This is our final speaker on this.
Speaker 3: I'm Carl Essence and I also live really close by to the vine. Also, musicians have the opportunity to play there sometimes. Yeah, they've done a great job. I think it's a really important part of our street that they keep this license. I think it's a big part of the community and the culture there. Especially on Retro Road, there's a lot of business, I think, that locally has driven through there as well as people come to visit from out of the area. I think it adds a lot and I would agree with the last speaker that sound wise we can hear pretty well down that street and they're always on curfew. Like when I've been there drinking late, there were the second curfews that like we all get put inside, doors are closed out that they do the best they can . I think it's more than enough, and I think it's really important to keep that place there and let them do what they're doing. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I'll take it back to Councilmember Allen.
Speaker 1: I yes. I just want to speak to the resident and just just know, I. I do hear your concerns, and I just want you to know that we will make sure that, you know, all the rules are being followed. And I trust that they will abide by all the stipulations of entertainment permit.
Speaker 0: Okay. The motion and second it we've heard from public comment members please cast your vote.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Before we go on to the next item, I'd like to hear from the city attorney to report out from closed session.
Speaker 3: Thank you, councilmember and members of the council this evening in closed session, the council by a vote of 8 to 0 authorize the city attorney to initiate litigation and participation in the national prescription opioid litigation. Case number 17, M.D., to No. Four in the United States District Court. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. So the next item is I would like to just kind of combine our fund transfers. Item 14, 23, 24, 25 and 26 as one item. Let me get a motion in a second on that. | Public Hearing | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and grant an Entertainment Permit with conditions for Entertainment without Dancing to Third Planet, LLC, dba Vine, at 2142 East 4th Street. (District 2) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11162021_21-1208 | Speaker 0: Good. So that concludes our public comment section. I do want to take it back to item number 15, which was already queued up. We have. We have a motion. Number 15.
Speaker 1: The report from Long Beach Airport recommendation amend contract with ABM Aviation for airport parking operations and management services to increase the contract amount by 1,506,552 and extend the term through November 30th, 2022, District five.
Speaker 0: And we have a very brief staff report.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Problem in Austin. This item is to extend the ABM Aviation Operating Services for or parking structures and be at the Long Beach Airport. They have provided a number of services throughout the years. During the pandemic, it was a difficult year. They have been extremely collaborative in the effort of managing staff costs and at this time we are preparing a new RFP for services in 22 to begin in 22. But today we are asking for your approval for.
Speaker 3: An extension for this contract.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Miss Guidry. Is there a councilmember, uncle?
Speaker 1: Thank you. Just excited to move forward with our projects and maintain the progress that our great staff have been working on. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Price. All right. Here in the motion in a second. It is your public comment on this item.
Speaker 1: There's no public comment on this.
Speaker 0: Public comment. Let's vote. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 34491 with ABM Aviation, Inc., formerly ABM Parking Services, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA, for airport parking operations and management services, to increase the contract amount by $1,506,552, with a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $150,655, for a total contract amount not to exceed $8,662,391, and extend the term of the contract through November 30, 2022; and
Increase appropriations in the Airport Fund Group in the Airport Department by $252,302, offset by Airport operating revenue.
(District 5) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11162021_21-1212 | Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Next item please.
Speaker 1: Im 20 Communication from City Attorney Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code to comply with SB 1383. The short lived Climate Pollutant Pollutants Reduction Act. Read the first time and lead over the next regular meeting of City Council for Final Reading Citywide.
Speaker 0: Right. It's been moved and seconded there any. Other comment on this particular.
Speaker 1: Loophole, comment on this item.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Allen, would you like to speak on this?
Speaker 1: I just think it's wrong to say this the is important to do our part locally to reduce emissions and waste. And we can have less of a climate impact through edible food recovery programs and by diverting organic waste appropriately. So support this. Thank you very much.
Speaker 2: Yes, I support this item and I look for it in the ways that we can also.
Speaker 1: Ensure we find the funding to implement this as well.
Speaker 0: Right. The only other have comments from Council three. None. Please cast your vote.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried. | Ordinance | Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending the title of Chapter 8.60, amending Sections 8.60.010, 8.60.020, 8.60.025, 8.60.060, 8.60.087.5, 8.60.140, 18.67.030, and 18.67.070; and, by adding Sections 8.60.370, 18.67.100 and 21.42.060, all to comply with the State mandated legislation SB 1383, the "Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Reduction Act", read and adopt as read. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1166 | Speaker 1: Thank you. Now we're going to do all of the fund transfer items, please.
Speaker 0: And 44 is communication from Councilwoman Allen. Recommendation to increase appropriation in the special advertising and promotion fund group in the City Manager Department by 2500 to provide a contribution to the Long Beach Blues Society for the 2021 Long Beach New Blues Festival and increase appropriation in the general fund group in the city manager's department by $5,730 to provide contribution to five community events. Item 62. Communications from Vice Mayor Richardson. Councilwoman Cindy has Councilmember Aramco recommendation to increase appropriation in the general fund group in the city manager's department by $1,000 to provide a donation to the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition.
Speaker 1: Is there a second on that? Your public comment.
Speaker 0: There's no public comment numbers.
Speaker 1: Please cast your vote.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor Richardson. The motion is key.
Speaker 1: Okay. We do have to I believe we have three. We have four hearing items on the Supreme Court. So we have four hearing ideas. We're going to what we're going to do is we're going to take hearing item 41 and 47, which both relate to the CVB together. And because they are presentations that staff are involved with, we're going to combine them for a total of 20 minutes so that we don't have to do two separate items and do two separate presentations on time. That way it fits within the time bucket that that is allowed. So if there is no objection to that, I'll turn it over. Madam Clerk, please read item 41 and 47. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Special Advertising and Promotion Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $2,500, offset by Second Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide a contribution to the Long Beach Blues Society for the 2021 Long Beach New Blues Festival;
Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $5,730, offset by Second Council District One-time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to provide contributions of:
$2,500 to Kahlo Creative LLC to support Long Beach International Tamales Festival 2021; $2,200 to the International City Theatre to support their 36th Anniversary Celebration; $500 to Long Beach Food and Beverage to support Long Beach Black Restaurant Week 2022; $250 to Partners of Parks for the Harvest Festival and Resource Fair on October 30, 2021; $280 to Pedal Movement to provide Bicycle Valet Services for Fourth Friday on Fourth Street on November 26th, 2021;
Decrease appropriations | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1163 | Speaker 1: So if there is no objection to that, I'll turn it over. Madam Clerk, please read item 41 and 47.
Speaker 0: And 41 is a report from economic development. Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record. Conclude the public hearing and Adobe resolution concerning the Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area Assessment Levy for the period of October 1st, 2021 through September 30th, 2022, and authorize City Manager to extend the agreement for a one year term. District one, two, four and five. This item requirement of item 47 is a report from City Manager. Recommendation to execute the 20th Amendment to agreement with the Long Beach Area Convention and the Visitor Bureau to extend the agreement by a period of one year and to provide funding in the amount of 4.6 million.
Speaker 1: Okay. Thank you. Will turn this will turn on the timer and we'll begin.
Speaker 0: I'd like to introduce Eric Romero, the economic developments business operations officer, and he will introduce the sub speaker.
Speaker 1: Good evening, honorable mayor and members of the City Council. I'll just do a quick staff report and they will introduce our friends from the CVB. As for the Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area was established by the City Council in 2005, allowing for the levy of an annual assessment to be paid by hotels with greater than 30 rooms located in that PBA or tourism business improvement area. And the city contracts with the Convention and Visitors Bureau to manage the tourism and business improvement area. A state law governing this district requires that there's an annual public hearing for any opportunities for the hotel operators to have to protest the assessments or to also practice any of the activities. The proposed activities will focus on promoting and marketing Long Beach as a destination for tourists and conventions. That concludes my public hearing or my my staff report and mayor and council. At this point, we'd like to turn it over to the CVB. They'd like to give you a presentation of all the wonderful things that they've been doing on our behalf over the past year. And so I will turn to Imron and to Steve Goodling to give the rest of the presentation. Good evening, Honorable Mayor and the Council. Long Beach. My name is Imran. I'm here on behalf of the CVB in Long Beach. As the past chair of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. First of all. Here we are coming right out of pandemic, winning the best in the West award for the fifth consecutive year. For the city of Long Beach and the CVB. And the third consecutive time that we have win that for the convention and convention center, Long Beach. The CVB has a economic impact of $1.8 billion that visitors spend, out of which $30.6 million is in t. O. T. Pre-pandemic. We employ over 18,000 people in our sector, the second largest employer in the city of Long Beach after health care. Harris, can you slow down a little bit? I need to breathe in the in the middle of this. Um.
Speaker 0: Yeah.
Speaker 1: The second largest soap. In July, we we all were concerned about celebrating our Independence Day. And the CDB stepped up. We partnered with private sector. And I want to give a big shout out to Dan Salus of Harbor Breeze Cruises who helped us partner with us. And, and we were able to celebrate the 4th of July in a big way. 50,000 in-person attendance and 40,000 dude over livestream. Long Beach CVB has been pioneer pioneered the the the streaming and and virtual meetings. We we were the first in the country. To do so. With that said. Finally, we do have on the 30th of November our tree lighting ceremony, and we will expect more people this time. With that, I'm going to hand over to Sam, our vice president of communications, together with them.
Speaker 0: Good evening. So thanks to the generosity of the City Council, the CVB received $1.25 million to promote the city and really boost boost our marketing and communications during the recovery period. So what we did was we took that funding. We leveraged our strong relationship with Visit California, which is the statewide bid for tourism. And we tripled our investment with a dollar for dollar match and added value value from our platform partners. The result of that was over 100 million impressions across various digital platforms, major ones including Expedia, Kayak, TripAdvisor. Basically, if you are trying to plan a vacation anywhere, you were seeing Long Beach advertising because we were the largest co-op partner with Visit California. We received additional marketing benefits, including being included in their Southern California billboard program, as you can see here, as well as in some of their video commercial advertising nationally, which was a $43 million program that we were rolled into because of our partnership with them this summer. We also launched an original content creation strategy where we highlighted every single corner of the city. So every week we rolled out unique listicles about our cuisine scene, as you can see here, and our Summer Long Beach Stays and Getaways campaign where we created ten or 20 listicles and 20 videos about every corner of the city, publicize them across our social media platforms as well as in the media. So just our initial rollout of our social, our summer campaign, we were printed in 110 national outlets, both in print digital that also appeared on regional news and radio programs, reaching an audience of 146 million people just initially and then throughout the summer that continued to grow. So we took our content that that was performing really well and we transferred it to other platforms as well, including Visit California's travel stories we reached with our Cycle City Story, a million impressions on Google, which broke all of their records. And they're now actually doing a case study on how we have crafted crafted our content because of that. As you can see, our social media platforms are benefiting greatly just from our follower. Growth on Instagram has increased 190% because of our original content, and you will see that across social media platforms promoting the city of Long Beach . We have partnered with influencers over the summer about 12, and we're continuing on with that program forward. And just through the summer we reached 2 million people through that venue. We also partnered with Los Angeles magazine. They wrote five original articles about different aspects of Long Beach on our city, and that reached their audience of 1.4 million people. So lots of great things and we're going to continue going forward. And now we have Paula, who's going to talk about everything we did for members coming out of the pandemic. So as the governor allowed us to have our people back in our desks, back in our doors, um, even though it's outdoor, um, we realized our members needed some additional promotion and that had to.
Speaker 2: Be via online.
Speaker 0: So we went out and started filming them. As of today, we have over 100 videos filmed and that includes our hotels, our restaurants and even our convention center as the videos are completed. Our members are able to upload those videos on their own marketing strategy, including their social media platforms and their website. And the greatest thing is that we are also able to utilize them as well and publish them on our site as well. Collectively, we are able to work as a team each and promote our city and our members and our businesses. And just like Sam mentioned, not only are we able to put them on their Instagram or YouTube and our Facebook, but also various of our media outlets. And now we have Kenya with South. So during the pandemic, as groups were canceling, we were able to actually save 30% of our group bookings by booking them into future years . We booked the primary. We booked them primarily into 2024 and 2025 because those were the next open years for the associations we were working with. Year over year growth for us in 2024 increased by 63% and in 2025 by 134%, which gave us a nice head start as we book conventions for those years. In addition to that. Aristotle would say in addition to that, the additional more great news is that as we're talking to our hoteliers, we're hearing that the Rampart increase for next year is a 17% increase for 2022, which is huge for us. Prior to the pandemic, our lead volume was 90 leads or RFP per month, and we're back at that level, which is amazing news for us and our business. These RFPs don't just come to us. We actually have to go out and solicit or associations and organizations to get them. We were the first city to launch in two major markets recently. We just completed two missions in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. We met with over 300 planners and garnered over 50 RFP. We also just completed Grand Prix weekend where we entertain 45 planners. We have traveled to four tradeshows and sorry, four roadshows and 11 trade shows within this last eight weeks. So since Labor Day, we've done that and today our team is actually in Vegas. What you're looking at here is our totally electronic booth that showcases our city in mass effect because of our extensive filming that. Claudia I'm sorry that Paula and Sam talked about. We have a vast library of over tons of videos and 8-K, and that allows us to take advantage of the latest technology. During COVID, it was we it was super important for us to master virtual production. We had to adapt to our clients needs of digital meeting solutions while our competition continues to use static PowerPoint presentations. We are actually using full broadcast capabilities. We're using cutting edge technology that multiple cameras in multiple locations, creating a seamless live event. We use this technology when we did the Long Beach Economic Forum, when we did the 4th of July event that streamed over 50,000 people. And when we did our tree lighting, our next video is going to show you a site that we did virtually, which is becoming a new trend as people are not able to travel as much. And this production catapulted us from one of 13 destinations to the top three. Good afternoon. Thank you so much for joining us today. We're so excited to have you here on our virtual site visit.
Speaker 3: Hi, guys. Hey, Debbie, how are you? Good to see.
Speaker 4: You. Thank you so much for for adapting to our need to do this virtually is an.
Speaker 0: Unusual site visit to have and I do appreciate the team at Long Beach and we look forward to today's journeys.
Speaker 3: And I just want to show off a little bit in this room because I can control this entire room from my cell phone. All I do is. But I promise you, I did it one time.
Speaker 0: And you're still on the second floor?
Speaker 3: No, we came down. We jumped over the railing and landed on the bridge. And there's a bridge that was built just for the convention center. It's called the Rainbow Bridge. Lining the bridge is an English garden that is spec tacular, and then in the center of the bridge is guess what a wine bar is? I am going to turn this over to Charlie, who is our general manager. It's amazing space here. My stage is decorated behind me, red, white and blue. As a matter of fact, the whole terrace was red, white and blue. Last night we had President Biden stay across the street. He was in town.
Speaker 1: I just want to.
Speaker 0: Say, I am amazed and astounded at how well you put together this virtual.
Speaker 3: Tour. Thank you. Bye bye.
Speaker 0: I am happy to say that we booked this event and we booked four others using a similar format. So it's the video that gets them here. But when they're here, what sells them is the turnkey spaces that save them hundreds of thousands of dollars. We created these turnkey spaces where we reposition the convention center. Now, I'm going to ask Steve to come up and talk to us a little bit more about the repositioning, as well as our competitive market.
Speaker 1: Thanks again. Good evening. As Kenya mentioned, one of the key things for us has been the repositioning of the convention center and also utilizing the new technologies in virtual streaming. With that, we've noticed, especially over the last several years, we are competing more and more with large big box hotels or another chain called Gaylord, which Marriott Corporation bought a few years ago. These are all inclusive. You basically could put downtown Long Beach under this roof, has the same number of hotel rooms, the same amount of convention space, the amount of exhibit space. So we knew as a facility that we had to migrate into a four star hotel. For many of you, this was our bathrooms in the promenade before our renovation ten years ago. This is what our bathrooms now look like. Again, more of a four star hotel since we're competing with four star hotels more frequently. This was our lobby. This is now our lobby. This was our Terrace Theater. This is now our Terrace Theater. As you can tell, all these spaces have been extremely activated with lighting, chandeliers, paintings, couches, places for people to connect. Our Terrace Theater, just. It looked this way. Now it's this way. We are definitely competing with Gaylord Hotels and big box hotels. This is the bridge, which of course connects both sides of our campus. And what we basically did is we we residential ized the facility. There was a comment made to me by Susie in Africa years ago. She said, Steve, I used to come in here and I'd want to run out. Now I want to stay. We've achieved through the TEDx model looking at spaces and creating turnkey, turnkey events such as the Pacific Ballroom, the Pacific Ballroom. We needed 40,000 square feet for $10 million. We repositioned us, took us from 23% utilization to 83% utilization. And in that same time period, more of our nonprofits in the city were able to use us to raise money for their various groups. And as a city, we got to benefit from this. But as an aside, Sacramento just spent $40 million to build a 40,000 square foot ballroom. And we, through adaptive reuse, did ours in ten. The Cove was another space by the TED conference and now especially with COVID. Having an outdoor space is very critical for special events. And lastly, our Terrace Theater and that performing art area. What does this really mean at the bottom line? Besides, a lot of smiles from customers. If you look at 2013, you go up. Look at that straight line. It's almost like a virgin spaceship. We've gone up 40% in total. The convention center, their revenue in catering has doubled in five years. That's not common. In addition, you can't just have the assets. You have to have the service. Our hotel partners are convention center partners. All of you behind the dais in our city staff. Our customers know it's this, as they call it, unique partnership, which makes us win. So with that.
Speaker 4: I think in Long Beach, I have found something brand new and really something that for the first time in a very long time has excited me. I have been in the association business for more than 30 years. I've seen a lot of convention centers and Long Beach has thought through every single piece of what the meeting experience should be. And they have created a space that I don't think is duplicated anywhere in the country. We went through a bid process. We're looking at what is a post-COVID meeting look like. We ended up having three finalists. And Long Beach just blew us out of the water. Long Beach has done so much of the work for you. They have invested in just incredible set pieces and decor and lighting grids and things that most associations can afford at most convention centers. We actually pay a decorator to bring in sofas and chairs to create lounge space. We pay decorators to put sets on stage. Don't have to do that at Long Beach. All of that is part of the package and can save millions dollars. I think Long Beach is truly a pioneer in the industry. I think that it is really innovating in ways that are going to set the tone for the entire convention world. I am absolutely now a convert. I mean, I think Long Beach needs to have evangelists, people telling the story. And I think my experience so far, I'm happy to be one of those people who go out and tell the long story.
Speaker 1: And as Ken, you mentioned that convention booked with us just two weeks ago. Tonight, we also have a very special guest, president of Pima sheriff. Sheriff was here in February, right before the pandemic in March. Sheriff is definitely one of those other evangelists for Long Beach. Sheriff represents 8000 meeting planners that do over a million events a year. Please welcome. Welcome, sheriff. Sheriff. Good evening, Mayor Garcia. Council members, council staff. It really is an honor for me to speak to you. My name is Sheriff Kermit. As you can see up on the screen, my ugly picture. My organization is Pixma, the Professional Convention Management Association. We are a global organization based in Chicago, and we have over 8000 members. Our members plan more than 2 million meetings annually. Our industry just prior to COVID, if it was a country by GDP, would have been the 14th largest country in the world. It was worth $1.07 trillion. Mayor and council. That was just the means to the end. It was not the end. That's actually overspend. But what we do is much more important what we do. And what you're seeing in your city is that we use tourism assets, but really we spur every other industry and of other industries growth for when we bring people together, when we meet face to face, we drive all our businesses. And that's what's so important about what Steve and his team does. I'm not going to repeat all the wonderful things about Long Beach that you've already heard, but I'll tell you a couple of things that I've observed. Long Beach has not been a pioneer. You've actually been a trailblazer. And thank you for your support of the CVB. You've been a trailblazer in what Long Beach has been doing from research, from the trend study. And when you think about it, we foster human connection connections just like you do in this chamber. And every day we bring people together to solve complex problems. And so the atmosphere that Steve and his team has built at the convention center is ideal for fostering human connections. And it is why Long Beach is a leader in the business events industry world over, not just in your city. You talked about competition, and competition is not necessarily in your state. Competition is not necessarily in our country. Competition comes from everywhere in associations and corporations look everywhere to hold their business. So it is critically important that your city is as competitive as possible. And what I'm what I've experience in Long Beach, not only are you trailblazing and setting the standard of today, you're looking ahead and you're keeping your competitors at bay by constantly improving. And that's so, so very important. I also want to address just very quickly before I go on, I know my time is limited that your city , under Steve's leadership, has also shown incredible leadership and thought leadership across the state. They brokered a relationship with Visit California, where visit comes up. All right. I'll stop there. Can I please finish the last thought? Where? Visit California. Become a partner of peace, an industry and mayor that shows Steve's leadership and your leadership as a community. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. And let's give a big round of applause to the CVB for that great presentation. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Could we just say thank you to everybody? I know you read a lot of signs. We thought you might enjoy this, too. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And we do have some comments from the council. First, so I'll I'll go ahead and go to the councilman. I'll make some comment after that to Councilman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yes. Thank you for those signs. That was awesome. And I appreciate that. Just congratulations to the CVB and the Convention Center team for winning the stellar awards. And the reason that you win so many awards is because you have a very unique and strong relationship with the CVB and the center. And I don't know if you guys know, but in most cities, these organizations are at odds. And so here it's so awesome that that we are working hand in hand. The CVB and the Center are great working partners, and I just really greatly appreciate your tree lighting the fireworks that we all got to enjoy on July 4th . And it's so important and much appreciated that you are engaged in the community and you do a lot. To bring businesses into town. And I'm just so grateful for you. It's also apparent, even as a resident, I live right next door to the to the convention center. How much that has gone into repositioning the convention center with the new residential eyes, special event spaces and Long Beach is now competitive, really competitive in this new environment. And we know how engaged you are in the community and you do so much more to bring conventions and tourists into town. And that's so important. And Sheree, thank you. It was good to see you again. I agree with you. And what you said earlier is that, you know, one of the things that we've done as a city when things got tough, like the Japanese are sharpening the iron, that's what we do here. We are just really good at looking at what we can do to be better. And I am so appreciative of everything that this whole team has done here. So thank you.
Speaker 1: Councilwoman. Councilman in the house.
Speaker 2: I'm so thrilled and excited to say congratulations to CVB for other awards not only this year, but you continuously seem to back them up. And it makes me so proud to be a Long Beach residents and to have you leading this. Thank you. Thank you for making Long Beach a vital hub for meetings and tourism and for creating jobs for residents. So very, very important. Also, you're also very involved with the community. Thank you so much for on the the wonderful street clean ups neighborhood cleanups that you participated in this past summer and helped us out. And we're out there with shovels and and everything, bags and brooms and everything to be able to clean up our streets. And that really shows community and that really shows that you care. And also, thank you so much for being a sponsor of one of the most traditional holidays, that empire, the Los Muertos that we had on Pine Street. And just knowing that we have such great partners in CVB, I think is amazing and you give so much back to the community. So I want to say thank you to you and congratulations. And one more thing, if I could see those thank you's and hearts, because that was a beautiful photo of that I can't miss. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson. Just a few.
Speaker 5: Thoughts. First, I know what the past year has been for the tourism industry. Not only did our local CBP step up for Long Beach, but you stepped up for the whole state of California and led the effort to get our conventions back to the state of California, which drives our local economy. It helps our general fund, our bottom line or public safety services. First. First, thank you for all your leadership that you've shown in the course of the past year. Secondly, it's important to note that not only did you just look out for the convention center, you looked out for the whole city. I saw an incredible video highlighting North Long Beach's recovery and the things that are happening in North Long Beach. And it was incredibly impressive. I was impressed by that. I've never seen our convention center tell visitors to go to North Long Beach. Never has that happen. And so I want to say on behalf of that was an incredibly proud moment, so important on behalf of me and my residents and the work that we're doing. Thank you so much, you and Samantha and everybody who had something something to do with that. Thank you so much for what you've done. The CVB is an incredible asset and you continue to have our support. You continue to show up for our city, and we look forward to continuing to support you. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman Ciro.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mayor. I just want to thank you so much for the presentation and an update and appreciate having your staff do their part so that we can meet them. Because I know that it's been a challenging year and transitions as my colleagues have shared. And it's really great to see you coming back at more than full swing. It's just full circle as not to doing what you all do best. So thank you so much for the great update and looking forward to hearing more and how we're putting Long Beach on the map are making it the destination point. Right. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Councilman Cooper again.
Speaker 2: Yes.
Speaker 1: Go ahead.
Speaker 2: I forgot a very important and I didn't forget it. Just I was so excited. But one of the things that I really wanted to say is thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for housing our migrant children in your in your house. And that is something that I will will forever be grateful to you for. You provided safety for children that were not feeling safe, and you did it in such an eloquent and such a loving way where you invited the community to feel part of this. And so for that, I want to thank you.
Speaker 1: Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I want to echo the comments of my colleagues and then also say that my full time job. Many of you know, I work for a government. But recently I had the. Great fortune to learn how to put on a conference of my own out of our county, out in another county. And the work that each of you do with a revolving door of customers who have very little knowledge or experience on these 17 million different components of a conference is really amazing work. And after planning a wedding five years ago and then all these different things to really get to that next level of a conference. My goodness gracious, the different types of people you work with on a daily basis. Congratulations to the amazing skill sets and patience that you must have. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I'm going to just say a few words and then we'll go on to the next item for the hearing. I just want to first add that I see so many great friends and supporters and folks who love the city most importantly, and work really hard, not just as CVB in some cases employees or folks who work in our hotels. I see, obviously members of the CVB board that are all out here, folks that are working at the Convention Center every single day. And so I just want to first just personally thank you for your incredible work and a lot of ambassadorship that happens in this in this work. And you're always serving as ambassadors to the city, and it's so very important. I also want to extend just a thank you for the really difficult year and a half. Plus, now that it has been I it was a strong effort made by everyone to transition out of a very, very tough economy and one that was necessary closures that were necessary to keep people safe and healthy and to save lives. And the industry went through a very hard time. When you have hotels that are close and know conventions are your business changes and it becomes becomes very difficult to come up with ways to bounce back in a way that kind of brings everyone along . And I think that all of you have done that very, very well. And I just want to thank you for that. I also want to just note that it has been in many ways a historic year and a half or two years for the CVB. We've gone from entering a incredibly era of growth to an immediate halt of operations to as far as long as I can remember, the a complete shutdown of our hotels and tourism business to then transition to coming back and bringing in a migrant children's shelter. That was a huge federal ask directly from the White House that you all took up and did an incredible job. And quite frankly, the model that was created in large part by many of you has now served as the national model in other places across the country for other shelters. That was a huge piece of of of history that was made as part of our story of the convention center and of our complex, which I'm really proud of. And I'm glad councilman's in the house brought it up. And I think you also know that we hosted the United States at one of your hotels just across the street from the convention center at the Westin. And I know that he looked out his window and shared with a few of us that the city looked great and it was very bright. And he liked all you know, he liked how lit up everything was in the city. And I think the impression that you left on not just him, but his whole team that was in downtown was what was really special, I think for for for for that team and the and the administration to see our city and all the investments that have been that have been made. And I want to just personally also just say and thank the the key CVB team and the board. Many of you are here. I see you. Thank you, Steve. And I've always said you're you know, you're the music man. You know, you are the master of being able to get anything done and and always put it together. And I also think it's important, as you know, as we thank the CVB team, led by by incredible Steve Goodling, your counterpart in running the facilities. And I think Charlie is here to see Charlie there. You know, Charlie, I know. I know. This is a CVB presentation and you're on the the operations facility with with with RSM. However, that partnership and your leadership of the team that runs all the facilities is incredible. And I think this is as much a testament to all of your work and your team as it is to the work that the CVB does as well. So just congratulations and we appreciate this this presentation. And thank you all for for being here today. And with that, we have two votes. Let's take them separately. We have the first vote, which is the the piece of 40 item 41 that was read by the clerk. I have a motion and the second is a public comment on this note with cast our votes.
Speaker 0: Councilwoman Ellen. Emotion is key. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution continuing the Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area assessment levy for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to extend the agreement with the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for a one-year term.
(Districts 1,2,4,5) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1162 | Speaker 1: We've got to get through those first. Let's go and take the the people we knew all. I don't think there's a a large presentation for that one. So let's quickly read that one and get that one adopted. And I'm quite. One.
Speaker 0: I didn't. Item 40 is report from economic development recommendations received supporting documentation into the record conclude the public hearing and Adobe resolution containing the Fourth Street Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessment Levy for the period of October 1st, 2021 through September 30th, 2022, and authorize City Manager to extend the agreement for a one year term. District two Thank you.
Speaker 1: And if I can have everyone just kind of talk as they exit outside, please, just so we can finish the meeting. I really appreciate that. Thank you. There's a motion and a second. Mr. Moore has anything to add to this.
Speaker 0: Yes. I'd like to introduce Eric Romero, who will make the staff presentation for this for both of these next items.
Speaker 1: For both the people and, of course, the program.
Speaker 0: Well, I'm sorry, I. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. He already did the one item. So. Yes, just the item 42.
Speaker 1: Okay. I was told the purchase repeated item is a short presentation, so please go ahead, sir. Mayor, members of the City Council. This public hearing is for the annual renewal of the contract with the Fourth Street Business Improvement District for the Fourth Street Business Improvement Association. And the renewal of the levy of the Assessment City Council shall here and consider all protest from area businesses against the Assessment Program and boundaries of the area as proposed in the annual report. This concludes my staff report. I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you. There is a motion and a second. There's one member of the public. Mr.. Can we please come forward? So I can say 6/6 district resident. I own a shop on Fourth Street. I love the opportunities of my partners East of Cherry, my shops, 1029, East Fourth Street, and I love the opportunity. We've tried a few times to try to merge ourselves with the business improvement, put the bid in the metro area. I'm fourth and Bonito. So we'd love it if in someone in the future we can expand it further just so we can. Because I like what they're doing in Bakes business. I think we can have an opportunity to do the same workforce training. So thank you. Thank you. There's no other public comment. There's emotion and a second member speaks. Gordon Caster votes.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution continuing the Fourth Street Parking and Business Improvement Area assessment levy for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to extend the agreement with the Fourth Street Business Improvement Association for a one-year term. (District 2) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1161 | Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much. There's a second hearing, which is item 39.
Speaker 0: Item 39 Report from Development Services Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record concluded the public hearing and a resolution directing the Director of Development Services to submit a consolidated local coastal program amendment for four previously approved ordinances to the California Coastal Commission citywide.
Speaker 1: Can I get a motion and a second? Okay. Thank you. And we'll have. And we do have a presentation. Yes.
Speaker 0: I'd like to introduce planning manager Patricia Defender for she'll make a brief presentation on this item. Good evening, Mayor, Vice Mayor and Council Members Patricia Defender Herr. This presentation will be brief. The item before you is a resolution to consolidate four previously approved ordinances. Pardon me. Thank you. That require a local coastal program amendment into one resolution for submittal to the Coastal Commission. It is necessary to bash these ordinances into a single resolution. Due to the number, the maximum number of local major local coastal program amendments that the city can submit in a given year, which is three. So the proposal before you would bundle several previously approved amendments so they can be submitted as one amendment to the Coastal Commission. This action is procedural in nature and does not propose any new changes to the municipal code. So just by way of some background. As you know, the city has a certified local coastal program. The zoning ordinance is a portion of that. It comprises the implementation, a portion of the implementation plan of the local coastal program. And any changes to the zoning code does require a local coastal program amendment. This option again would consolidate submittal, which would constitute one of the city's three local coastal program amendments for this calendar year 2021. The ordinances in question are the drive thru regulations, the interim motel conversion ordinance and some zoning code amendments related to uses and medical zoning and the UNpermitted Dwelling Unit Amnesty program. You can see on this slide the dates that they were adopted by council previously. Upon approval of this resolution, the Department of Dawn Services will submit a consolidated package to the Coastal Commission to encompass all of these amendments, then code amendments in accordance with the Coastal Act requirements. That does conclude staff presentation, and I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.
Speaker 1: Thank you. There is a motion and I don't believe there's any public comment on this hearing. I will conclude the hearing and take a vote. Councilman Allen. Any comments? No voter can take a vote.
Speaker 0: Catherine Mango. The motion is carried. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution directing the Director of Development Services to submit a consolidated Local Coastal Program Amendment (LCPA) for four previously approved Ordinances to the California Coastal Commission for a finding of conformance with the Certified Local Coastal Program. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1164 | Speaker 0: Catherine Mango. The motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And there actually is another hearing that which is the Peabody for which, you know, to think. Is also listed here.
Speaker 0: Item 42 is the report from Economic Development Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record. Conclude the public hearing in Adobe resolution continues on the Bixby Node Parking and Business Improvement Area Assessment Levy for the period October 1st, 2021 through September three, 2022, and authorize City Manager to extend the agreement for a one year term District seven and eight. And we have one public comment on it.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Well, we will go ahead and hear the staff report and then do the public comment again.
Speaker 0: Eric Romero.
Speaker 1: A mayor and members of the city council. This public hearing is for the annual renewal of the contract with the Bixby North Business Improvement Association for the management of the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area and the renewal of the annual levy on merchants in the Business Improvement District. City Council shall hear consider all protests from area businesses against the assessment program or boundaries of the area as proposed in the annual report. This concludes my staff report. Thank you. And I do have a member of the public, Mr. Kennedy. Oh.
Speaker 0: He didn't want to speak on this item.
Speaker 1: He did or he didn't.
Speaker 0: He did not. He began this item.
Speaker 1: Okay. That's okay. Thank you. Then we consider also to have any comments or support. Okay, we have a motion in a second. Please cast your vote.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Thank you. That concludes all the hearings we have for for the council meeting. Madam Clerk, if you want to do general public comment and then we will move on to the business, the agenda. | Resolution | Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and adopt resolution continuing the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area assessment levy for the period of October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to extend the agreement with the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association for a one-year term. (Districts 7,8) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1167 | Speaker 1: So, yes, we can do that. Try remember the year do we do that in 2010? 2010. All right. Thank you. Okay. We have next item that was asked to be moved up was item 45. And this is also by Tommy Richardson.
Speaker 0: I am 45 is a communication from Vice Mayor Richardson. Councilwoman Sunday has Councilwoman Allen recommendation to direct city manager to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and local mental health provider to explore the feasibility of establishing a more robust infrastructure for mental health services.
Speaker 1: Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Tonight, I want to introduce a proposal about localizing Long Beach's mental health services. It's an important issue impacting our community. Thanks to my co-sponsors, council members Mary's and De Has and Cindy Allen and thanks to our outstanding city staff, particularly in the Health Department and Kelly Kelly Collopy, Paul Duncan and our senior manager Teresa Chandler for their help in the background and helping to shape this proposal. Cities have dealt with a number of issues over the course of the past year. And as we normalize, we have to acknowledge that things have changed. We have a real opportunity to build back and prepare to face new challenges. I want to lead with this quote from our U.S. attorney general. As things start to get normal. The full brunt of the trauma people, people have been through starts to surface in their lives and they have to deal with that. So that's why I think this is the right time for our country to have a conversation about mental health. So in addition to COVID 19 that we've all dealt with over the course of the past year, Long Beach has been dealing with another, less acknowledged epidemic for quite some time. A mental health epidemic is manifested in many ways elevated suicide rates and drug overdose rates. Our rate of E.R. visits due to mental health crisis was was a full 1%, one in 100 residents from 2017 to 2019. Our rate of visits due to mental health crisis. Excuse me? Our rates of hospitalizations due to self-harm and alcohol abuse are well over the L.A. County average. 2000 of our neighbors are homeless, the majority of whom suffer with mental health issues. The COVID 19 pandemic has only made the situation worse by placing our system under additional stress. The percentage of adults. Suffering from anxiety or depression has quadrupled during the pandemic. This still remains three times higher than normal. One in three of us suffers from anxiety or depression. Here in Long Beach. The impacts of this pandemic have also been very unequal. According to the CDC, the mental health impacts of the pandemic have fallen hardest on our youth, and particularly our youth of color. One in 500 children lost a parent during this pandemic, 65% of whom were youth of color. That's why our Racial Equity Reconciliation Initiative under goal for strategy one of advancing health equity calls on the city to increase investment in mental health and trauma services, including facilities, professionals, community responses and culturally tailored resources. As we acknowledge, communities of color face especially high rates of mental illness and psychological trauma. Moving toward a more locally tailored outreach and service provision can help reduce these inequities. So as Long Beach recovers from the trauma of COVID 19, we have a responsibility to deal with the effects of mental health and well being on our residents. It's time to reevaluate our capacity to evaluate, to address mental health, mental and behavioral health crises. And despite all of the challenges I just listed, there's hope. Many of the difficulties in Long Beach mental health care system stem from the lack of a venue for a local collaboration between L.A. County Department of Mental Health, who runs our mental health services. The city and local providers who influence over policymaking, whose influence over policymaking is limited in this area. This slippage makes program navigation more difficult, which falls especially hard on patients who already have a difficult time. Navigation system is. If you're a local resident, it's hard to know where to go for help. According to Long Beach's homeless management system, just 26%. One in four of people experiencing homelessness who have a disability receive disability benefits just one one out of four. These benefits could help them buy food, help them buy clothes, secure housing. But the system is difficult to navigate since it allows too many cracks to slip through. I take a local approach. Collaboratively working more closely with the county and possibly taking some of those services in our own hands. We can reduce redundancy and increase access to the services our residents so badly need in this moment. Now, this is not a pipe dream. Many cities in California and other cities around the country operate different ways than we do. The city, the cities of Berkeley, Claremont, Pomona, Pomona, Laverne all handle mental health services exclusively at the local level, receiving direct funding from the state of California. That option, they enacted that in the past. That option is not available to Long Beach today. But these cities built their mental health departments before California built theirs. But we can learn from their examples and see that this kind of local provision is not just possible. It's practical. Long Beach has also shown that we have the ability to take on a myriad of services independently under our own portfolio. We already have our own local health department, the largest independent health department in the state. In addition to our own continuum of care, our own dispatch center, a rich network of hospitals, local mental health service providers, standout educational institutions, our own prosecutor's office and our own police and fire departments. Our local infrastructure is strong and we can build upon that to tackle these new challenges. In preparation for this proposal, I brought together local providers, hospitals and our health department, together with Tri-Cities Mental Health, Mental Health, the municipal agency that covers Claremont, Pomona and Laverne for Mental Health Services for a roundtable discussion and brainstorm, try. Cities have had a great deal of success in addressing its dual crisis of COVID 19 homelessness. During 2020, there homeless population dropped by 37%. Tri-Cities was able to share a number of his innovative service models with our panel, including their packed themes and nonviolence response model similar to the REACH teams currently in development here in Long Beach . Thanks to all of our attendees that day. Thanks to the Health Department. Cal State. Long Beach. The LGBTQ Center in Long Beach. The Guidance Center. St Mary's Hospital, United Way, Los Angeles Memorial Care and Star Behavioral Group for participating. Since that meeting, we've also engaged with L.A. County Department of Mental Health Supervisor Janice Hahn. Long Beach. City College. Long Beach, Forward Century Villages, Cabrillo, the Black Health Equity Collaborative, MH L.A. and others. We've received letters support from a number of these groups and also from Juan Benitez, chair of the Long Beach Unified School District, our chair of our Equity and Human Relations Commission, Aliza Gutierrez, and Chair of Long Beach City College Board Woodward, Joe Winter. Thanks to all of you for your help and support on this important issue. So the opportunity before us is that this, you know, the stakeholder group highlighted many needs to fill opportunities that we have in the city, on our local on our local level. We can add additional residential mental health facilities by looking at partnerships with Major L.A. and our local planning department, including including hospital stepdown beds. We can add more opportunities for trained social workers and nurses in our own community through expanded internship programs, helping to address the crisis right here on front. We can add opportunities excuse me? We can localize our direct response and improve response times. We can streamline program navigation to make sure patients don't slip through the cracks. We can provide for more robust and localized strategies to address drug addiction in our community. We can improve coordination between existing programs to prevent redundant care and increase access. So I move that we accept this recommendation, ensure that the Health Department identifies the resources needed to engage with local stakeholders and stakeholders and begin this, this study and this process. Cities are already taking on today more than they've ever taken on. And and and the truth is, things have changed. There's no going back to the basics. The definition of what we consider a basic need has fundamentally changed. Local government has to evolve to meet that need, and that's what's required to have a modern, resilient city. In Long Beach is ready for that discussion. And I can't wait to see what we come up with. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Well, thank you. Bye. Actually, that coming into the next story, that being Comair.
Speaker 2: Thank you very much, Vice Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman Allen, for bringing forward this item and for letting me join you on this item. First off, I want to thank our Health and Human Services Department for the amazing work that they've been doing to help us and support our families during these devastating times. Our health department is key to helping us move towards a more equitable, healthier and safer city all together. So thank you for all that you do for our city. The topic of mental health has for so long been a taboo in many communities a topic you could not discuss, and therefore a topic and concern you would not address. I'm happy to see a new generation that prioritizes maintaining good health and that encourages addressing mental health issues. This item seeks to make it easier for our residents to access services and for our city to be able to respond. This is especially important to discuss now, since issues such as domestic violence and other mental health issues have been referred to as a pandemic within a pandemic. During COVID era, Long Beach song over a thousand more mental health related nine month long calls in 2020 than in previous years. That is why I fully support this move toward streamlining all of our local mental health resources to make it easy, easier for our residents to be able to be informed of all the resources that that can be accessible to them. What I love most about this item is that it strives to encompass as much as possible. It seeks to find a system in which every individual in need, whether at home, at school, in prison or in jail, can be easily connected with mental health services. And it tailors also to include and blend expansion of social work and nurse training and work opportunities for youth. So again, in it is our investment in our youth that will lead us on the right path. One additional thing I'd like to start to consider, and I'm pretty sure you guys are probably already considering this, but I want to make sure that we stream all these services and to make it in an equitable way so that we have all the residents have access to them in not only English, but Spanish combined and Tagalog. So thank you very much again, Vice Mayor Richardson, for this item.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce.
Speaker 0: And I appreciate this item and the opportunity to talk about mental health and some of the issues and challenges that we're facing as a city. This is a conversation that we've been talking about for many years. And so some of the challenges that our health department faces as a result of the necessary coordination with L.A. County have really presented or manifested themselves in some serious quality of life type challenges that we see in the community. But, you know, I would love for us to get to a point where we have a model that similar to the Orange County model that the cities are able to take advantage of with facilities like the Bidwell campus where . Mental health. Immediate acute care is available, that that process has been very, I think, very beneficial for that community. When the report comes back, there are a couple of things that I would love to see included in the report in terms of what our capacity is now and what it could be with more streamlined and direct access to funding. And so I just want to kind of go through them. So in September of 2016, I brought an item to have us look at social impact bonds. And while the response that came back was that it wasn't feasible at the time to initiate, I'm wondering if there's been any movement in that with the creativity of the additional funding that's been infused into local governments. I'd love to see whether or not that's something that the city can perhaps take on independently in 2017. I brought an item that had a lot of possible options for us to consider in terms of some of the issues that we were seeing with substance abuse and mental health education. And specifically, one of the things that I had asked for on there was the feasibility of having our health department staff funds. 24 seven. I'm wondering if there's something that we can do in working with the county that perhaps allows us more direct access to funding to be able to have that staffing available for 24 seven in. In December of 2018, I brought an item asking for an audit of the rehab, medical detox and sobriety beds that we have available in the city and within the region. And I looked for it. But I'm not sure if ATF ever came back, but it may have been a report to counsel at some point that came back. But I would love to see, you know, while we're talking about taking more direct control over mental health services to know what what resources we have available to us, what what natural partners are already out there that would allow us to not be able to to have to do it on our own. And then in 2019, I brought an item that I requested the city do really well, actually was a partnership with CSC Welby to talk about some of our homeless outreach efforts. And they did a lot of analysis on some of the mental health services that we offer that the county offers. And I'm just wondering if some of those proposals specifically could be incorporated into the report that comes back, because I agree with council with Vice Mayor Richardson and Councilwoman, and they have said it would be fantastic for the city to be able to have the capacity to take some of these things on ourselves, because I think we would be a lot more efficient just simply because we'd have a more targeted and limited scope. And I think that would be beneficial for the city. So I appreciate this item and we've been doing we've been talking about this topic for a long time, and the Health Department's been great partners to us, and it would be wonderful for us to be able to have a little bit more control and streamline processes for implementation of these policies. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you so much, Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yes, thank you, Vice Mayor. I'm very proud to sponsor this and thank you for for bringing this forward. I also want to say thank you to all the residents who regularly share their advocacy for a stronger, more holistic mental health services ecosystem with me. It's also important that we strengthen the entire pipeline of service delivery, coordination and and job training. And I know we're working on making this system stronger. And this will be this would be a good, solid start. So I'd love to see us be able to take more control of our mental health services that we offer to our community and so desperately need it. So thank you so much for bringing this forward.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Councilwoman Zoro.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I appreciate you bringing this forward, Vice Mayor. I think it's just so important that we center mental health in this conversation, not just only in the midst of the pandemic pandemic, but just right after our acknowledgment of Veterans Day is making sure that we also dig in a little deeper to serve our community who've experienced trauma, whether it's as a veteran through war, also as refugees who experience war. And I think that it's sometimes treated as an afterthought after people have gone through either physical health care services to even social services. It's that it's a last minute thing that we don't think is important. And I think that we need to center this is a piece in that's connected to a variety of health care issue, to service social services. So I really think it's important that we also include more nonprofits because a lot of the burden falls on their shoulder, even to social service organizations, especially those who are serving in other languages, because there's very little agencies that have the linguistic also the cultural competency to understand the community and their needs and even how to ensure that we're reducing stigma so that people even feel comfortable even acknowledging that they need services. So this has been a constant reoccurring issue when we talk about mental health is how do we reduce the stigma around it in general? And I think that we need to obviously continue to make sure that it's centered and is in the forefront in that that we show that it's important and that we care about it. And I think that doing this feasibility study will allow us to engage in that conversation, especially after the pandemic and where so many of us are experiencing things but is invisible and we're not really talking about it. So that's kind of where I'm supportive of this for that reason, and love to be able to ensure that we have a robust conversation, engagement with all those who are service providers, to those even who have had experience in getting mental health services as well. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I have a couple of questions. I would like the city manager to let me know or let us know what he thinks is being asked for tonight in terms of the feasibility studies that that we're bringing in a consultant. Is it that you're having current city staff bring together subject matter experts? I, I know that this conversation has happened in some prioritization ideas of supervising, and I'm supporting you as the city manager. But I think this also brings to light that over the last. Five or six years. Lots of different ideas continue to come forward to solve critical issues and to from flaws or feasibility of these other ideas that have come forward. I know come from on price listed a few and I've brought forward a few as well. They were just told to be not feasible. And so as times change, I'm not clear if we look back at those or how we recycle. And then another component of this is prioritization. Mental health is huge and it is an amazing opportunity. It is also a huge undertaking. Having worked in a county department that has taken on MHC funds in the past, it is a heavy lift, the RFP process, the federal drawdown and our city has done great in some cases of drawing down those federal and state funds. But we need to make sure that if we're going to do this, it needs to be something that has the staffing and the long term support and the financial support both from the feds or the states in terms of these grants have very, very little admin and they are very heavy on costs associated with the city taking them on. And we as a body maybe need to even kind of enroll our Fed Ledge committee and our state large committee on discussing that side of it, to advocate for what it really takes to take on some of these programs in the current society and environment. And then I want to close in stating that we often take on major projects that at the time seem manageable. And I would say that there's many cities throughout throughout our region when you purchase your home, the sidewalk in front of your house and the tree in front of your house, the one city property was your responsibility . And somewhere along the line, cities took on these responsibilities but did not have the long term capacity to make sure it was done and done well. And so I want to make sure that this is such a critical service. I really would love to hear from you how you plan to put your arms around the bigger side of it. I recognize that we've closed out a lot of other ideas along the way, and I think it's also time to really talk about how, within the scope of authority that we have in both our PD and our our firefighters and the new model that we're bringing through through racial equity and inclusion for responding to needs. How our mental health services. Transitioning and or being more approachable. So I look forward any comment you have at this time?
Speaker 1: Mr. MODICA Yes. So those are good questions. A couple of things. We will certainly be building on work that we've done in the past. A lot of this work is going on. Our team knows that mental health is one of the biggest issues that we face as we deal with populations experiencing homelessness. We have department heads coming together to talk about that, about what else we can get access to. I will say we're also looking at some other opportunities with the new community hospital coming on board. That's been a big thing the council have talked about, too, is are there additional services as they go through their transition that they can assist with? We've got additional facilities that have been brought into Long Beach. There's the with the acronym Bump on the Bucket The Buck. The Buck, the behavioral health center that is currently in Long Beach. And so we engage with some of those services already. In terms of doing this, we would certainly go back and look at anything that we've done in the past. So. Consumer prices, right. There's been several items that have explored aspects of this. So we will go look at that. So some of our staff can be pulling together those things. We will be of next step and basically putting together what it would cost to do this feasibility and where are we going to get the resources from. We think we may have some federal stimulus money as well that is coming that may be able to help. But then we believe we'd also need some consulting resources as well to really take this on. So next step is really to understand tonight that the council wants to proceed with this. And then we would put together that feasibility report of how we would address it and then get the funding and then move ahead.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: And I think the city manager answered one of the questions that I actually had. I think this is a worthwhile endeavor for us to look at. Obviously, mental health is a crisis that affected our city, but the entire region. I love the fact that, you know, there's an example of of collaboration or model to to look at. I'll just tell you, I went to college in Laverne. I lived in Pomona. We in Claremont as well. This is a very different area than the north areas as well and with different needs, I think. But it's good to have a model. Um, um, and I think it's great to always look at ways to enhance our mission, the mission of our health department. Right. And build upon the work that they do and the great work that they do. I do. I think, you know, something that was said earlier that that jumped out at me. It was talk was mentioned that that, you know, people don't know where to go to get help. And I think we can start there. Our Hope Department should be a clearinghouse of information on mental health. Poor, poor, poor residents to look to opportunities. And I know we have a number of community based organizations and nonprofits that are providing those resources in our in our city as well. And I think they need to be included in that partnership and coordination that we're discussing here. Obviously, funding is an issue, and I want to learn more about where that access and those opportunities are. This sounds like a in a lot of our our goals here at the city council are aspirational. But, you know, if the funding is there, it can be achievable. And so I'm supporting the the item and I look forward to coming back with the feasibility and opportunities to actually act.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And just to provide a little bit of context, Councilmember Alston, you asked about funding the MHC funds in the county of Los Angeles in a ten year period, not very recently, but enough to be reasonable. During my tenure with the 15 years, the county went from 700 million a year to their budget went from 700 million to 1.9 billion. So, I mean, the amount of funding is remarkable. The challenge is that these agencies are never given. There's two levels of admin, right? You have the admin from the city side and then you out, you contract that service and then there's the admin within those agencies and the very, very strenuous restrictions. And so I know you're on the state led committee, and I'd ask that almost immediately we start advocating or at least discussing with the. The stakeholders, what does it really take and how do we change that at the state and federal level immediately? Because that's impacting our ability to get services from local providers who are currently contractors through L.A. County. And their ability. The number of people who want to apply to provide these services is also a struggle because they they can't run the agency at the level that are necessary. And then you add in the last two years of inflation, I can only imagine what the challenges are. So I'm not on state ledge, but I'm happy to partner with anyone. That is, I'm not on Fed ledge, but I'm happy to partner with anyone that is, and I'm happy to go to any of the roundtables. This is something that's been a passion of mine for almost a decade, and I really feel strongly that there's so many solutions, but the legislative restrictions on the funding has been challenging. So thank you for your insights.
Speaker 5: Thank you. And you know, I would just add at that point that, you know, what I envisioned was something similar to what we have in our continuum of care at a local table. We don't even have a local table to bring everybody together. And that table can help, you know, help identify where the gaps are and where the opportunities are. And in terms of funding, there is more funding at this point than there's ever been to address this issue. And, you know, we've been in recovery for so long. Our health department is just now getting back to normal operations. If there's any time to talk about any shifts in how we operate, I think is now. And so I just think it's an incredibly timely conversation. Councilman Austin.
Speaker 1: Again. Councilmember Mungo always brings up some of the challenges with with just governance and implementing pro programs. The the funding of the I've mentioned may be there. Oftentimes bureaucracy is in the way in terms of implementation. I'm always concerned about staff capacity to be able to study the feasibility of this and what gets put aside and prioritizing , you know, what's important to us. I think it's very, very important that this council really engage in terms of understanding where our priorities are in economics and mental health will probably be a high priority for this council, no doubt, and someone who works with our mental health providers on an everyday basis for several years. I can tell you that there is a shortage of mental health providers and so some of these plans are that are great in terms of theory, but in terms of execution, it may be very difficult to actually find the providers to actually provide this unless we almost really tweak the system. There are shortages of of life, of clinical social workers and psychologists all across the state at this point. And I think in a lot of ways that's going to be part of the crisis that we face, as well as in terms of just making sure that we have the the human resources and capacity to deliver the mental health services that we need. So, again, I'm supportive of this right on my back. Thank you, Mayor, for bringing the vision item before us.
Speaker 5: Thank you so much to the Council for their conversations. And I see this as in alignment with all the priorities that people have brought forward. I think everyone's contributed. We've talked about homelessness as a top priority. Everyone home identify chronic homelessness and mental health as a significant driver of homelessness. We talked about racial equity and it's in our plan as the number one strategy under advancing health equity. And so these are, in my opinion, they're in alignment. Is there any public comment on this item?
Speaker 0: Yes, we have three sign up for this item. Well, Desiree Ruth, Mario Ramirez and Rene Castro, please come to the podium.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Go ahead and state your name and.
Speaker 0: Yeah, sure. Good evening, Vice Mayor and Council. I am Deborah Ray Rue. I am a licensed clinical social worker and clinical supervisor with century villages of Curio Oasis Residential Services. As Vice Mayor Richardson did. State. Century villages of Cabrillo is in support of this agenda item. Imagine that CVC is a community partner. We provide low income, permanent supportive housing to individuals, families and veterans in Long Beach. Many of our families receive case management and mental health support and other life changing services. So we see firsthand the impact of mental health services and the impact that they have in addressing the behavioral health needs . They show up as hurdles for housing stability. Likewise, we know sex services increase positive physical and emotional outcomes. So we support this proposal because it will serve as a starting point for which to build strong mental health infrastructure in Long Beach. Please vote yes on this very important agenda item. Thank you very much.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 0: Mario Ramirez.
Speaker 1: Good evening, council members. My name is Mario Ramirez and I am a current MSW graduate student at Cal State Long Beach, and I thought it was important to comment. Lynn My support voiced my support for this item agenda. I am currently doing an applied project and doing a community assessment and the community that my group is doing is assessing is here in Long Beach District one, the 908 13 zip code and through interviews with residents and stakeholders. One of their main concerns was barriers to access and lack of access for services, specifically mental health services. And some of the barriers could be language, fear of public charge or just not enough services out there. And so I think it's this agenda, this item is if it comes at a perfect time and hopefully everyone votes on it. And I think it's only fitting that that that a couple of days before Veterans Day, a group that, you know, faces mental health challenges, that the council votes on it. And also speaking of Cal State, Long Beach, they have an outstanding social work program, which I'm proud to be a part of. And they have future social workers who are eager to serve their community, specifically Long Beach, and where a lot of individuals can fall through the cracks. Those social workers can fill those gaps. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 1: Good evening. Members of the council, my name is Rene Castro. Nice to see you all. It's been a long time since I've been up here. I'm a proud resident of the third district, a social worker, faculty member at California State University in Berkeley, Long Beach, for the past 26 years. I'm totally in support of this item, given all the reasons that really can add more than what the council members have added. Mental health, as you all know, is extremely important to our community. We have the resources and capacity to serve our community. We do recognize that there are numerous challenges. This is a huge undertaking. But I will say, as the former chair for Mental Health America, Los Angeles, one of the things that I recognize. It took us four years to get reimbursed by L.A. County, donate on our services. And if we didn't have a $26 million budget at the time, there's no way. I don't know how agencies survive with four years waiting to be paid. So it's an enormous undertaking. But in Long Beach, with the leadership and diligence of our health department and our partners, as we've seen throughout the pandemic, we had the capacity to build a tailored system to address the needs of our local population. Thank you so much for your support of this item.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 0: Good evening. Karen Riverside and I live at 714 Pacific Avenue in a senior building with 200 other seniors. And one of the things that's missing is the attention to older adults. Older adults are still under the stay at home order, and they've been under a stay at home order for almost two years. I literally have people in my building, particularly those that are mobility, impaired or disabled, that have not left their apartment in months. And I was almost punched in the face by a six foot two man because I asked him to put a mask on as I was exiting my building and he was sitting in the lobby of my building. There's so much pent up rage and fury at people having to be so restricted. I really want to suggest that we do something like men's sheds where it's a safe environment for men to talk about this frustration and rage that they have so that people don't get hurt. And it was very traumatizing. Thank goodness I was able to talk to the police and the police were very, very helpful. So I commend them for being sensitive and handling the method.
Speaker 6: The problem really well.
Speaker 0: Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Thank you. That concludes public comment. Members, please cast your vote.
Speaker 0: In price. Emotions carry. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to direct City Manager to work with the Department of Health and Human Services and local mental health providers to explore the feasibility of establishing a more robust infrastructure for mental health services in collaboration and alignment with local mental health providers in Long Beach and the County of Los Angeles. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1165 | Speaker 0: The motion is here.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I am 43. Please.
Speaker 0: Item 43 is communication from Eric Garcia. Recommendation two requires the Climate Action Committee to take up a proposal to create a 5 million Long Beach year Long Beach Youth Climate Corp's program and provide recommendations to the Council.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Thank you very much. Let me go ahead and just chat about this this a little bit that we have in front of us. And then we do have we do have some public comment. And then also take the pick, the city council. I think we all are and have been very supportive of our cap, which is an incredible document that's been developed at the city. And and it's obviously really focused on issues that we are concerned with as it relates to climate, the climate crisis in front of us globally. But here locally, there's been a lot of conversation nationally about getting and creating climate cause at the federal level and at the state level. There are a handful of municipal youth climate courses that are. No. No. Is it on? They're working on.
Speaker 0: Their work around the mike and.
Speaker 1: Working on the mix. Okay. So. I want to make sure it's good. I keep going. Well, just give me 1/2 and we'll see if the mikes work. My. No. Okay.
Speaker 0: Test. One, two.
Speaker 1: And normally I would just keep going. But I know like the OC we have to record it for the for the, for the public though. Okay. Is it good now? Okay. Let me start over, I guess. What I what I was saying is that right now there are a handful of municipalities across the country and certainly at the federal level are looking at developing and funding Climate Corps programs, which are programs that range in and different in the types of programs that are being developed from youth climate programs to programs that are funding climate protection projects in communities to take other programs that are they're training young people to get involved in climate change issues or in climate adaptation programs in their communities. Now, with the proposal we have in front of us is is a group of mayors from California had asked Governor Newsom to add about $150 million in the budget to fund programs in the 13 largest cities in the state of California. So it was part of a group of mayors that advocated for this funding in this last budget. The governor did include about $150 million to support youth workforce programs in California for the 13 largest cities. That means that Long Beach would receive about $6.3 million in funding for youth development programs. As mayors, we came together and also made the decision that we wanted to fund youth development programs as it relates to climate protection and create these youth climate cause up and down the state of California. These would be workforce development programs for youth employment, youth careers and climate service, strengthening capacity for programs that already exist, and also for partnerships. For example, we have the Conservation Corps in Long Beach, which could be an incredible partner for this type of project that we could also help fund. In addition, we would we would be looking at funding through this through this program. Young people to get involved on on on the many projects that are out there that needs additional support across the city. I want to also that what the request actually is is not approve the full proposal tonight, but the send the resources and a sketch to the climate change committee of the council and to have them work with the community to get ideas and to see what the structures should look like and how the and how the program could look, could work. And then for the committee to come back to the Council with recommendations on what the Youth Climate Corps could actually look like. I will add that this is a significant amount of dollars, $5 million to start for a program like this is is a great start. And so we're grateful for these resources. And the additional 1.3 million is going to be used for use by staff for some admin issues, but also to strengthen some of the other workforce programs that I think already exist in the city, if I'm if I'm not mistaken. So I think Mr. Monica will come forward on those issues. So we have the ability to really develop this program as as we would like to and as the community would like to. But I want to make sure we get started and send this over to the Climate Action Committee of the City Council to create the Long Beach Youth Climate Corps program. With that, there's a motion and a second. Let me start with Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yes. I just thank you, Mayor, for introducing this item and for all your efforts and bring funding for these forward thinking programs. And the the climate crisis can be tackled by the leadership of our future generations of our young people. So this funding is just a tremendous way and transformative way, transformative weight for our entire community. So I love the focus of these dollars on expanding job training for the youth, and I think it will be essential part of a just transition for developing career pathways as well. So as chair of the Climate Action Environment Committee, I can't wait to discuss this in the committee and just thank you, Mayor, for all of your hard work in securing this funding.
Speaker 1: Count, Councilman. Sorrow.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for bringing this item forward. I just think it's just so crucial that we work on this. I just want to uplift the statement that's in your letter to the city council that this is indeed a wonderful opportunity to expand upon the work we do with the Conservation Corps. Long Beach. They have the experience, resources and expertize to bolster and scale the services that they currently provide to the city. And they have a waiting list of young people, including many that are from my district, eager to join and serve the community. And they've done so pretty much for the whole city. I think that there isn't an area that they haven't touched to make sure that they provide environmental stewardship. And I think they can do so much more to continue to help us combat climate change and meanwhile, providing workforce development opportunities for our youth. So I appreciate this and hope that, you know, they'll be engaged and part of the discussion as it gets developed. So thank you so much.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I think this is a great program. Thank you for your advocacy at the state level to prioritize the big cities. I think it's in alignment with all the things you mentioned, our climate action adaptation plan measure us, our commitment to climate and our commitment to youth and the upcoming youth fund that's rolling out . And I echo I think we have some great partners in your conservation cause building a facility in North Long Beach as we speak, to make a deeper commitment to Long Beach. And so we need to definitely support and work work with them on that effort. I also want to say that with everything ahead of us in terms of climate and the, you know, the end of oil as we know it, it's the future is really going to lean on STEM and in how we design and create a more resilient, sustainable future. And so I know a lot of times when we talk about a climate corps in youth, we're talking about teenagers. But I want to make sure that, you know, we engage with the little ones and we engage in their we inspire little ones, elementary school kids in some way into this process so that they are inspired by STEM and take interest in the things that Long Beach is doing and how we prepare them for what's what's ahead. Because this, you know, talking about climate is really talking about their future. So the more we can engage the little ones. So I'm hoping that the Climate Committee can really think about some sort of a recommendation to partner with schools for the little ones. But I think this is a great proposal and I look forward to supporting it.
Speaker 1: Thanks. Yeah. Let me just add one thing that to add to that, Vice Mayor and I think one of the when we're looking at we're getting guidelines from the state on flexibility of the dollars. But one small example where a even a small amount of dollars goes a long way is we have so many requests from Long Beach Unified, for example, of these classrooms, of these kids that come together to try to fund these small projects in the community that are climate related. And I'm just I mean, with a few resources, those projects and those kids go through an incredible experience. So whether those types of projects can be part of this broader, you know, youth Climate Corps program, I'm not sure. But I think that that's an idea that I think can be engaged with with the community and to see if something that would fit our work. Councilman Price.
Speaker 0: A lot. A lot of my colleagues have already mentioned it, but obviously it's no secret. I'm a huge fan of the Conservation Corps. I share an office with them. And one of the things that I was recently talking with their director about was that in some areas and this is something I'd love to be considered as this move through committee is some cities have or some jurisdictions areas have district wide corps teams. And so they'll have a conservation corps like in the city of Long Beach. There could be nine of them, and they could do climate projects, environmental projects that are specific to that district, whether it's a planting project or any type of project , a cleanup project, whatever. But it could be district specific and the Corps could have a team of youth that would work with that district on imagining some options for resiliency and climate action, and they can help implement it through the community and things of that nature. So I really hope that's something we can think about. I feel like that's a structure that would be creative and would help us engage youth from all over the city in different parts of the city. A project might be one thing in one district and totally different and another, but still accomplish the same overall purpose. And I think that really contributes to the beauty and the diversity of the city if we have something like that. So I'm hoping that whoever on the staff is taking charge of this as it goes through committees, that that's something we consider as well. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilman House.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Mayor. Thank you for this amazing opportunity and bold and necessary move for our leadership in state capital that recognizes the need to prepare a workforce that accounts for climate change adaptation. The youth are leading the way towards cleaner, a brighter future that protects our environment and our planet. And it is our responsibility as current leaders to support them and equip them with all of the resources they need to be successful and to be able to continue to save our future. I'm very supportive of all youth empowerment programs, but especially of the youth programs focused on climate adaptation efforts. So thank you again for this program. Thank you for giving the youth a space where they can empower themselves to make positive change in this industry.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Councilwoman. Madam, quickly. I think we have members of the public.
Speaker 0: Yes, we have six speakers. Teresa marino, Don Knapp, Dave Sugar, Kenny Allen, Michelle Lewis and Elliott Gonzalez. Please come to the podium. Teresa moreno. Good evening, honorable mayor and honorable vice mayor and.
Speaker 6: City council.
Speaker 0: Members. As stated, my name is Teresa marino. I live in the second district. I am a retiree.
Speaker 1: Of the city of.
Speaker 0: Long Beach, Department of Health and Human Services, and I am the founding executive director of the Conservation Corps of Long Beach, and I'm also the current chair of the board. So I thank you for this opportunity to come forward and just speak a little bit about the Corps. Our history in terms of 35.
Speaker 6: Years of service with the.
Speaker 0: City of Long Beach and being a partnering agency and and always having a.
Speaker 1: Master agreement.
Speaker 0: So that any department in the city can work with us. We started.
Speaker 1: With.
Speaker 0: 15 Corps members. Our first corps members were hired in 1989. And over the last 33 years, we've served more than 10,000 youth with workforce development, skills, training, education and service and.
Speaker 1: Stewardship to the community.
Speaker 0: So thank you, Mayor Robert Garcia, for putting the Conservation Corps in your letter and looking at us in terms of a partner, maybe a consulting agency, in terms of we have infrastructure, we have a holistic approach of working with young people. Our core members are 18 to 25 years old, but we also do afterschool programs with younger students. And we also have a model of clean and green, which was for.
Speaker 1: Smaller.
Speaker 0: Youth corps, younger youth members, and it was.
Speaker 6: Instituted and used by the L.A. Corps model, the Conservation Corps.
Speaker 0: We've done a lot of projects in the communities. We've done neighborhood cleanups. We've done conservation. We've done recycling solar installation. Stewardship, education, about the environment and many more. We work with the neighborhoods and the business districts and all city departments. So in looking at this allocation, we hope that will be at the table. We hope that will be a model. We hope that we can help.
Speaker 1: Others so.
Speaker 0: That they don't have to reinvent the.
Speaker 6: Wheel, but can see a model.
Speaker 0: That that work that has history and experience here in the city of Long Beach and that have corps members that are out in the community working, but also very diverse young people of every strata of economic in our communities.
Speaker 1: Working with us will save money because.
Speaker 0: You will not have to start from scratch. You won't have to reinvent the wheel.
Speaker 6: We are. I have our boots on the ground.
Speaker 0: Our young people are ready. We have many.
Speaker 1: Crews.
Speaker 0: We have about 80 corps members right now and we have a long waiting list. So thank you for your time and thank you all for this opportunity. Don Knapp.
Speaker 1: Good evening. And that's Dan Knapp. So good to see everybody. Mayor City Council again, thanks, mayor, for representing while you were up there with the the coalition of big city mayors. You know, we have our own association in California. The Car Conservation Corps is called Cal California Association Conservation Course. And we were also talking to the governor's office, working with California volunteers, Josh, Friday up there on on how is this climate money going to trickle down and how is it going to get to the communities that need it the most? Working with the resources agency, with the secretary, Wade Crowfoot as well. So we're right there with you. We want to bring as many resources as possible to the city, to the young people we serve, and not the director of the corps. I work for the young people that we serve, and I really strongly believe that. And that's why I'm here tonight. We're also right now, we belong to a larger national association. We're working to ensure that the President Biden's civilian climate corps, those dollars, those resources come to the community of Long Beach and help bolster what we're already doing. As Theresa said, it's pretty crazy right now.
Speaker 0: We pay a.
Speaker 1: Little bit above minimum wage for young folks coming to our. We pay above minimum wage just a little bit, though. We have a waiting list of young folks trying to join the corps and we're competing against Amazon, you know, 20 bucks an hour. All these other jobs, they want to come here, they want to serve. We couldn't be prouder of our young folks talked about, you know, mental health. We have our own support services department for our young folks who come to our doors to help them with anything that whether it's housing, mental health, parenting, what have you. We also have a very robust academic programs. As Theresa said, we can bring resources to the table. But we're always looking for more resources. This kind of money could help the Corps develop new partnerships with the young folks back here. I love that. I can't wait to talk with them, work with other organizations, help mentor, perhaps help guide, because we've been doing this for a while. We have resources, but we also want to, you know. Engage as many young folks as we can within in Long Beach, so serve the community. It'd be cool to have a team in every council district made up of young folks from that council district doing work. But at the same time, young folks are coming to our doors because they get to go to Catalina Island and work or do Clement work. The fuel reduction in the local national forest, the clearing, the Angeles National Forest. We're doing work on chat lines. We just started a new project at the SEAL Beach Wildlife Refuge working with the sea turtles there. That's why young folks come to our doors because they know we care and we want to build that with you. So again, thanks for including us, Mayor. Thanks for the council. We look forward to working with you.
Speaker 0: Kenny Allen, Michelle Lewis and Elliott Gonzalez. Please come to the podium.
Speaker 1: Good evening, City Council. Mr. Mayor. My name is Kenny and I am a resident of the Second District here to speak on behalf of Sunrise Movement. Long Beach. First, I'd like to thank you for advocating for these funds and congratulate you on being one of the cities to receive these funds from the state. And also like to thank you for considering that this money might be well spent in the enormous amount of mitigation and adaptation work we have to do to address the climate emergency here in Long Beach. Sunrise Movement has been deeply engaged at the federal level, advocating for something called the Civilian Climate Corps to be included in the build back better package that is awaiting a vote in Congress right now. We see this as a key program required to kick off the decade of the Green New Deal and provide good union jobs and meaningful work to millions of Americans. As you receive this one time funding from the state, we have three brief points of public input to offer. One of the jobs provided by this Youth Climate Corps must provide a living wage and benefits, and the work must actually pave a path to meaningful, long term career opportunities. Two. When hiring for these positions, the communities most impacted by the climate crisis should be prioritized. This includes, but is not limited to youth living among along the diesel death corridor. Bipoc youth and youth who have come into contact with our systems of incarceration. Finally, we strongly urge the city to look closely at the Civilian Climate Corps program proposed by Senator Ed Markey, as well as the Green New Deal for Cities Act that has been introduced in the House. Having a longer term plan for the work ahead will better position us to receive major funding from the Federal Government. We highly recommend you utilize this initial funding to make our city more eligible for this desperately needed federal funding. My generation is ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work building a world beyond fossil fuels. A world that centers care and community. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Michelle Louis and I'm a lifelong resident of District Second District and a member of the Sunrise Movement, Long Beach. Congratulations on being one of the cities successful in securing this funding from the state. We look forward to hearing the details about how these funds will be invested in our community to address the climate emergency. I'd like to tell you a bit more about the vision for the Civilian Climate Corps, which is a federal program awaiting a vote as part of the build back better package. We hope this vision of a, c, c, c might inform the way you develop this local youth climate corps. Imagine a world where millions of people, recent high school graduates and middle age alike, could work on projects protecting communities from sea level rise, taking care of the elderly, distributing fresh produce and food deserts, restoring wetlands and rebuilding after climate disasters while getting paid a living wage, having access to health care and getting apprentice to continue their career. That is the vision of the Civilian Climate Corps, and it goes far beyond just planting trees. We should use this opportunity, this funding, to actually build back better. If you need help figuring out how to do this the right way, we are here and ready to work with you. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Good afternoon. Members of the city council. Honorable Mayor. I'm here to speak in support of the Youth Climate Fund. However, there are some ideas I have for this how this process can be improved. First, I would like to ask the council members to reach out to organizations already working on youth climate jobs. Organizations such as Sunrise Movement, which has been active in advocating for a civilian climate corps, which is a jobs program to put people to work, especially young people doing some of the most important work there is to be done that is taking care of this earth and taking care of one another. There's also a student led Green Campus Club at Poly High School. If there is a sincere effort to provide a youth climate fund, the youth voices should go into shaping such a program. I would like to ask the council to adopt a polluter pays model to secure a long term funding source for this Youth Climate Fund. This funding can be generated by, one, increasing taxes, such as the oil tax, which was recently implemented, and two, also implementing fees on oil drilling. Those who are most responsible for creating this crisis should be the ones to pay for it. The oil tax was originally proposed as a way to speed up the phase out of of oil. Increasing the tax can bring additional revenue from the lucrative oil industry and help fund good paying jobs, cleaning up some of the city's most polluted regions. The residents near the these pollution sources, oil drilling refineries, gas facilities are on the are the frontline communities who bear the hardest burden of pollution. And they should be the first in line to receive these jobs by placing fees on the oil industry. We can hold this the city's largest carbon emitter accountable too, for its responsibility to provide funding for living wage jobs as directed by the community, most importantly, by the youth. Finally, I'd like to ask that the Council use the Council Offices, the Climate Committee of the City Council and the Sustainability Commission to gain the vision of the community. The community held a vision for it, for the transition. I believe in the youth and the young adults who are going to be the first to inherit the climate crisis. Their voices should go into providing the vision for the type of work to be done. They have the ability to secure the funding, to hold the oil industry accountable. They are the ones who are willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure that they have a livable future. Thank you.
Speaker 0: If sugar.
Speaker 1: Good evening. Thank you for letting me speak last. I am someone who has misspent his youth in the climate justice movement. I have literally aged out. I have gray hair. I have been doing this in some form or another for the past 30 years. I can remember not only James Hansen's testimony before Congress in 1998, but telling my mother not to use VO5 hair spray because of the aerosols and the CFC spec when the Montreal Protocol was being designed. I have a lot of thoughts. The Conservation Corps program idea was something that we advocated for when we organized the first National Green Jobs Day of Action back in September of 2008. It's a good program. My congratulations for the state funding and for your continued support of the Climate Action Plan. I sincerely hope that the youth that are have spoken as well as are listening to this will also stick around for item 58, which directly bears on how much space your future may or may not have in this town. I've been trying to do my best. Perhaps it's appropriate to be a bit more explicit about my goals and methods. As much as these comments are directed at them, they're really for you. They're to you. I'm of buy for from someone from UGA. So some thought having cause in each and every district is a good idea. I support that idea that these jobs should be informed by climate adaptation, environmental justice, best principles, starting with prioritizing the most disadvantaged communities. These jobs should be career path, and they should focus on existing statutes like SB 100 and SB 1000 and other laws that, you know are going to be part of a livable future. It'd be unfortunate if a lot of these jobs became ways to prioritize city trash filler into a fuel source or to prop up fossil fuel jobs that really don't have any future. And in the time that I have, if anyone would like to get started on a project. Prove or disprove the following propositions. Over the past 100 years, the City of Long Beach has one of the largest historical attributable emission loads profiles of any municipality in the Northern Hemisphere. These emissions can be calculated as much from the existing data and back facing estimates, as well as various social and political developments that the city has exported worldwide. Institutional mechanisms like the division in Signal Hill and Lakewood, Levittown town of Suburban Development to you growth overvalue growth in the port. And that historical responsibility is somewhere between two and 4% of all climate forcing in all climate disasters worldwide. From here on and bonus question which actuaries institutional thank.
Speaker 0: You your time is.
Speaker 1: The financial advisors would help you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I want to thank all the other folks that came for public comment. I do want to add that it was mentioned and I think I maybe should have leaned on this piece a little more. But this is certainly to the committee and to the chair. The idea is that this program would align with the federal civilian corps that is being currently discussed right now. So I want to make sure that I know I mentioned it, but that is it's a current proposal that's right now. Had a lot of vetting at the federal level. And the idea is that this program would align with that program. And so it would serve as an opportunity for us to get ready for hopefully that federal program and those dollars. There will be also additional state dollars for this program we expect in the future. So that should be a big part, hopefully, of a conversation that happens at at the committee. Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 0: My only question regarding that is the funding that would be coming down from the state or the feds. Do we know if there's going to be any supplementing restrictions on it? Because I don't know how we would be able to ensure that we could then add to it, if that makes sense. So I don't. Just something to talk about for our administrative team because nearly every grant in the last 12 months has had this new clause. And I don't want us to be disqualified by opening an area that we can't close and reopen or expand.
Speaker 1: I think we're still waiting to see what those admin regulations are going to be from the state. They haven't been published yet, so it is going to take a fair amount of time for them to tell us what we can do in the past to then build those programs.
Speaker 0: To make sure that we're behind this. I just it's a new thing that started to be a lot more dominant in the grant world. And so I just wanted to put it on the radar and thank the mayor for bringing the thought. This is an amazing idea, and I look forward to all the community partnerships that this could really bring. Thanks so much.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And I would encourage I know some folks came today, but I would encourage the committee to talk to the community. And I think that there is a lot of work going on in the community right now and a lot of energy around these climate cores that are happening. And we have an opportunity in Long Beach to be really one of a handful of cities to actually have one of the first ones, because we have dedicated funding now. And so if we can get it right and align ourselves with the federal programs that are that are that are being developed, I think that's a really, really great opportunity for for the city and for most importantly, for young people in our city. There's a motion in a second to approve the item. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 0: The most of these carry.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Next step is item number 48.
Speaker 0: Item 48 is a report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on 2020 Census Population Data for the City of Long Beach City. Why?
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Members of the council. So this is a update not not on the redistricting process. That's obviously the registering commission. But this is to use some of the data that came out of the census that the redistricting commission has been working with to look at how our city has changed, the demographics of the city has changed, and also by council district, just so we can get a sense of what has happened over the past ten years from 2010 to 2020. So I will turn it over to Kevin Jackson, deputy city manager, and and Julian Senator, assistant to the city manager, to go through the presentation. Thank you, Tom. And good evening, Mayor, and members of the City Council. I want to thank you for the opportunity to present some of the initial results of the 2020 Census. We do expect that there will be some continuing data releases over the over the next several months of data that's not available now. And we do want to state that if there is an interest in reporting on some of that additional data, we look forward to opportunity to do that either in writing or even an oral report. And tonight's presentation really is just as a representation of the population profile of the city with the data that's available to us today . So before we jump into that data, I just want to do a quick recap on the timeline and activity of the census. The census 2020 census was historic and unusual in a variety of ways, but most notably, it was impacted by the pandemic. And so just let me just just if we don't mind. Is Mr. Cordero here for something? Is he here for the item? Yes, he's here for the item on container stacking. Why don't we just see him and then Dr. Hasegawa here also. So why don't we? If the council doesn't object, let's pause on this presentation. Let's hear the item that relates to the port so that those two gentlemen can. Can head back to the port building, and then we'll come back to the census report. Madam Clerk, can you please read the item? Item 50, please? | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request the Climate Action Committee of the City Council to take up a proposal to create a $5 million Long Beach Youth Climate Corps program and provide recommendations to the Council. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1170 | Speaker 1: Thank you. Let's go back to item 48. Sorry about that stuff. Right. So picking up where we left off, you know, there's the sense is there was is historic for many reasons but the pandemic obviously had a significant impact on the operations of the census and particularly the the schedule. The schedule was extended from its attention to its initial timeframe from July 31st to October 31st, and then abruptly ended on October 15th at the behest of the last administration, despite the challenges with the pandemic. We're proud of the fact that we were still able to leverage significant and historic investment from the state and collaborate with the state and the county for a city wide effort in implementing the census successfully. And foundational to that, or the centerpiece of that was to work with the community through the Long Beach Complete Count Committee, consisting of about 45 different local institutions representing the business sector, the health sector, educational sector, as well as community based organizations. With that said, we had our project manager with Julius renewed. He did a wonderful job working with us in the community and the organization to move this initiative forward. And so I'm going to turn it over to Julian, and he will walk us through the data that we have to present tonight. Thank you. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you, Kevin. So to begin with, looking at the data we have here for the year 2010, we had a total population that were counted through the census of 406 to 2257. And in 2020, we have a total population enumerated of 466,742. So that is a net gain of 4485 residents. So that's about a 1% growth over ten years. To the right of that table, you'll see the graph that represents the 2020 population by race and ethnicity. So you'll see that Hispanic or Latino group is at 43.3%. Now white population is 26.1, black population 2%, American Indian at 0.2, Asian at 12.7, Native Hawaiian at point eight and other 8.6. And then two or more races at 4.3%. The next slide also presents a citywide 2020 2020 census data. As for the ethnicity question in the questionnaire, though, what this shows here is that from 2010 to 2020, there was a decrease of 2% in a population that identified as non-Hispanic or Latino, and from 2010 to 2020. The study experienced a 2.9% increase in the population that identified as Hispanic or Latino. So the big takeaway from this slide really is that it's telling us that the city of Long Beach continues to increase its population in the Latino community. This next slide is we think is a very interesting slide. So it is a city wide 2020 census data by race response. So the chart here represents the city's race distribution across the races included in the census questionnaire, which are white, black, American, Indian and Alaska, Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander and then some other race as well. From left to right. So for each race category, let's take the white category, for example. The center column you see there represents the resident that identified only as that specific race. And then the rightmost bar represents residents that identified as that race in combination with another race. So the first column on the left, meaning the dark blue column, then represents the total number of residents that identified by that race. In this example, white both either in part or in whole. The good. The interesting takeaway from this slide is that our residents really, if you can see on the far right under some of the race that residents are identifying as having more than one race than ever before. And with that, you know, to understand that, we'd really have to do some more weight on there, more released from the Census Bureau, and also to conduct additional resources to why that might be the case about an interesting finding there. So I'm moving on to the next slide. The next slide is the top table titled Race of non-Hispanic People. What that table does is that it breaks down the citywide population by race for non-Hispanic residents. So as you can see in the far right column title, percent change that there are less residents who are identified as non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic American, Indian and Alaskan alone, and also non-Hispanic native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander on. So for the race categories, Asian alone, some other race alone in two or more races categories, those have actually increased. So now moving to the bottom table on this is also an interesting finding here of the preliminary the preliminary data on. Here. The table titled Race of Hispanic People really reveal some interesting information. So from 2010 to 2020, both censuses, there was a 64.6% drop in Hispanic residents who identified as white alone so equal. Interesting also is that there's a significant increase of 178.9% in the American Indian and Alaska Native alone category. And there's also a really sharp increase of 300% in the residents who identify as being of two or more races. So moving to the next slide, slide number seven. On Flight number seven. It really shows the same information as the previous slide, but it shows it in nominal terms. So it gives you the actual number of residents here. You can see the percentages translated into the actual number. So you can see that almost 50,000 more residents are identified as white Hispanics in 2010 than in 2020. On the other hand, there's also a net gain, as you see at the bottom, second and third, third row from the bottom that there's a 24,000 and family residents who identified as some other race alone and a gain of 35,577 residents. Who identified as belonging in two or more races. So, you know, you might have some interesting questions at this point in time, for example. Comparing the data, you can see some interesting questions may arise. So for example, like, you know, what has caused the drops in residents that identify as alone a white alone Hispanics? What has caused the increase in the number of residents who identified as some of their race alone and two or more races? And then, you know, might there be a connection between this kind of enumeration that happened the 2020 census? So these are certainly intriguing and interesting questions. And again, we would kind of have to wait to see additional datasets being released by the census to see what is actually happening. And, you know, a more local level, we probably would want to see some studies to understand how they're related and why this is happening. So moving to flight number eight. So we're going to move into just more census data by council districts. So now that the citywide data has kind of been reviewed from a high level, we also do that on a council district level for you. So to begin with here on Slide nine or really what you see here is just a table slide that represents the same information that you'll see on the following slide. At this table here includes the columns for a nominal population, data for the 2010 and 2020 censuses, and those are the second and third columns from the left. So here's a map that kind of represents that for you visually. What you see here is that the visually, the darker blue a district appears, the larger the population. Gaining experience from the 2010 to 2020 census is the district. And in contrast, districts appearing lighter mean that there was a loss in population. And you'll see there's even a couple of districts there that have gone from a light blue to, you know, almost like a light red, indicating a loss in population. So the take away from this visual here is that districts one in six have lost the most population, while districts five, seven and eight have gained the most populations . Meanwhile, districts two, three, four and nine have remained largely the same or experienced some modest growth. Slide number 11 is represents here a pie chart that represents a district's population broken down by race and ethnicity. And this slide really has value because it allows you to very quickly determine which districts have large and small populations of a certain race or ethnicity. And it's really good to do a quick comparison if you want to add longer between certain districts to see how they differ in race and ethnicity. This is just an additional slide here, table for your reference. And again, it just represents the exact same information as the previous slide, but in the table format, in case you really kind of want to dig in there into the numbers. Slide number 13 shows the percent change by race for each district from 2010. 2020. I'm sorry, can you just go back to slides really quick, too? There we go. It's one. Make sure I'm reading this right. So let's take Council District one or two. So 59.3 is the Latino Hispanic population, right? That's not the citizen voting age population. It's just a total population. Correct. Total population. There's a census to see VAP or the just does total population. They'll do they'll do both. They do total population. Also 18 plus. Okay, 18 plus the c bap include 18 plus non-citizens or C that includes all voting population. See, that includes all voting population. Yeah, not. Not. Not, uh. Include all voting population, but including undocumented or including folks that are that are not counted as as as voters. I've always wondered about that, about the census, the way that that presents. So from our understanding, the questionnaire asked, You know what? You are born and raised from there it is how they decipher your age. So it it's citizen voting age population, correct? Yeah, that's. Yeah. Because there is. You might remember that. Thank you. Thank you. Um, the citizenship question, which was not on the questionnaire. So going back to fight number 13, it shows the change by race for each district from 2010 to 12 and 20. The interesting pattern here that emerges across all districts, if you can see the father's two columns, is that there are significant percent increase of residents that selected other or two or more races. And so this is something that also would be interesting to look at in the future as the census continues to release information. And then slide number 14. This just shows the same information as the previous slide, but this table really shows more clearly the percent increases in the other race and the two or more races. And because in the previous slide, those bars were actually truncated just for I'm for a graphic and visual effect. But you can see here that feeds 1 to 6 and eight. For example, I experienced the largest increases coming near or above a 200% growth in the category of other race. As we begin to wrap up here. Slide number 15. This shows the nominal change by race and ethnicity for each district from 2010 2020. And this graph shows the actual number of people gained or lost in each district by race and ethnicity. So contrasting this graph with the previous graph on the percent changes graph, one can see that although the other and two or more races categories appear significantly percent increases. Normally the growth is smaller. So just a quick comparison. You see the last two columns there in each council district graph are very high, indicating a high increase percentage wise. Nominally they are a lot smaller. But what you do see here is that the white and the Latino categories do not appear as dramatic percent increases in the previous table, but nominally on this slide. There is a significant gains and losses in the number of residents that identified as Latino or white from 2010 to 2020. So you almost kind of see the opposite as far as the height and decrease of the bars there. I mean, this here is also, just for your reference, is the same information provided in the previous graphs. And with that being said, you know, kind of the big four takeaway here is that we can glean from the initial information is that Long Beach is becoming more Hispanic or Latino. The Long Beach white population has decreased in contrast to the 2010 census. The Long Beach black population has also decreased. And then lastly, is that interesting pattern that continues to show in the data, which is that more residents are identifying with the other race and the two or more racist categories. And just a special thank you to Neish, who was the information systems officer and his two interns that were critical in helping us to gather that data for you to present today. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much for that presentation. Is your public comment on this?
Speaker 0: We have three signed up for this item. Dave Sugar Senior can fai Tiffany Davey. They shook the snake and say, Tiffany, please come forward.
Speaker 1: Your name is called. Please come forward and speak. Thank you. Can you can speak first at the. Son of a cell phone. The courtroom doctor. Okay. Appreciate the presentation by city staff. Just curious if you see the Citron analysis that was recently posted by Washington Post about the undercount of the US Census so that there is up to 2 million African-Americans nationwide that were unaccounted for, ten black children being ten times less likely to be counted as their white counterparts. Thank you. And Hispanics, large Latino children being 3.5 times less likely to be counted. But got a lot of data. I think the way that city staff put it out was an excellent opportunity to see district by district what is what, what is, what is current and what is going on. I think that it's very imperative, especially now with respect to the, you know, the controversial term of the night, the redistricting process, where these things are looking in and where they're going. So I appreciate the presentation and I will definitely be reviewing. I personally noticed and this is according to U.S. Census data, the self-reporting increase. But a lot of the household report's due to, obviously, COVID in the pandemic said family drop in in marginalized communities. So I'm just hoping that we can see some update from the feds with respect to that. I know specifically for in my neighborhood and the 200 block of BURNETT, there was only one apartment building that was visited by a census worker. And so a lot of the undocumented undocumented community in my neighborhood, sadly, were not counted. But, you know, as we know with the census, they do a over a count, an undercount over and under to count the you know, to cover this basis. But with respect to the census, it's imperative that these numbers are as close to the current population as possible, because this is how we do Medicaid and Medicare and Section eight and all of these federal programs that really make or break a trajectory for a lot of these families. But in any case, thank you for this staff report and we'll be reviewing.
Speaker 6: Good evening. Tiffany in Davie. I want to thank you for this presentation concerning the 2020 decennial census. Now I want to applaud the endeavors of the Census Bureau and local partners leading up to and throughout field operations for the Census. The Bureau face many challenges simultaneously, including the former administration as well as the COVID 19 pandemic. I focus tonight on three areas of improvement for the city as ascertained from my time as a data enumerator for the 2020 decennial census. Through our field operations, both in Los Angeles County, including the city of Long Beach, now had a data collection. The bureau identified four key innovation areas, which included re-engineering and just canvasing, optimizing salt response, utilizing administrative records and third party data as well as rendering field operations. Now, as a result of the pandemic, adjustments were made to the data collection, most notably along the calendar, as well as the schedule. Now. The coffee, manage the processing of data, and work to deliver high quality, defensible data as close to possible statutory deadlines. Now, despite the aforementioned challenges, as well as in concluding data collection, the 2020 census was still able to verifiably count over 99.9% of addresses nationwide. Now I highlight this aspect as essential as a unique identifiers for the establishment of dwellings correlate directly to street addresses which comprise the local data census addresses. Now, while carrying out my data collection duties, I found there to be difficulty not only making contact with a resident of a dwelling lacking an address, but in many of these cases, contact cannot be made within multiple visits, and attempts for proxy were insufficient now. And that also took place with multiple agents across multiple operations, including an initial house unit. Follow up as the non-response follow up as well. Most households across the nation received an invitation to respond to the census by mail during the week of May 12. March sorry, March 12th. The March 20th. Now the importance of there being unique identifiers for addresses is basically to ensure that each member of our community is counted. When we don't have those addresses, we won't do that going forward. We do need to do our best as a city to ensure all dwellings receive unique identifiers and I can see that possibly being encouraged by the participation of the accessory dwelling unit amnesty program and for marginalized communities are included ahead as well as are communicated with the deadlines as they change. And let's ensure that we do outreach, education and participation of the combined community to ensure they can be interviewed when we do conduct those interviews. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Good evening. I spoke earlier on the Senate calendar about this issue of integrity, of information. I think with the census data, it is absolutely imperative, I believe, that the 2011 and 2010, as well as 2020 decennial census have undercounted our city. I believe that at any given time there are over 500,000 residents in the city, which should be considered a major city. There's a growing body of literature about how this information specifically affected the ability of census enumerators to do their job. So I hope that the city will support efforts by the Census Bureau to make specifically spreading disinformation about the census a crime. And I'd also like to see the city do everything it can to support efforts for the next American Community Survey. That's going to be our best chance to clean up a lot of the problems with the data. Thank you.
Speaker 0: That concludes the public comment.
Speaker 1: Thank you. With that, Katherine Austin, any comments? Yeah, I did. I just wanted to comment. I thought this was pretty fascinating. And in my opinion, it's clear that there was an undercount in the census and that there were some bizarre shifts in racial identification. I love to learn more about how and why that was. And I guess one question that comes to mind is, were there any differences in the questions from 2010 to 2020 in terms of or for that particular category? So the categories remain the same. What did change out? A big change. Ever since 1800s, the questionnaire was in paper form. So we were a limited number of character boxes that you could use to identify your race by in the move to a digital era. They moved to Internet based questionnaire, so that allowed for, I believe, was about 120, 130 characters. So I think from the ability of a resident to complete the questionnaire, it just allowed them to include more information about their race background than previously before. And that's just, you know, we believe that there's a lot of other different reasons why this may be the case, but it just has to be. The way the questionnaire was presented to residents this time around was a lot different than beforehand. So so for an African American is of mixed race. And prior to if they were able to just mark on black or African American and now you have another person's identifying with maybe everything else that you may have within your heritage. You may have a few spike in terms of of. Two or more. Racist, right? That's correct. Yeah, that's correct. Which which impacts that that that uses data quite a bit in my opinion. Um, thank you for put American.
Speaker 5: I think. Councilman, you're Reagan's next. Go ahead.
Speaker 1: Councilmember. I mean you. Make you a race winner. Really don't have that kind of observation. Obviously, the city of LA, which is changing. We've had a little bit of growth, obviously, but I think we had significant changes in our population shifts in regards to race and ethnicity. One thing I didn't see here in terms of a factor that was obviously very important is the comparison of men and women, where we will see in terms of the population of men and women or LBGTQ youth population. I didn't see that here. Probably was. You probably weren't asked to do that or. I don't know. Was there a question on that in the in the census there? Yeah, there was one of those that's one of the general questions of the ten in the questionnaire, because that data was not included in any of the the graphs that we saw here. So we just curious as to what those numbers are and where and where they are actually in the city. Yeah, I think there will be more details into that in the future. Data table releases. So when they are, we can certainly communicate that to you.
Speaker 5: Like. Thank you. I'll go next. So, no, I was here in 2010 for the staff report on the last census. And I remember I think Long Beach lost 700 people at that census. 700, 900. It was a more than that.
Speaker 1: We went up about 800 people.
Speaker 5: We went up 800.
Speaker 1: We just it was less than a thousand was almost nothing.
Speaker 5: We had a small and then this time, you know, 6000 people went up more. Do we have any idea what what attributed to that growth? I know we were stumped before on how did we stay virtually the same size city over a decade. Any thoughts on was it growth with housing? Any any consideration.
Speaker 0: I would suggest that the growth in the number of new housing that the city has built over the last decade would certainly have been a contributor. It's hard to.
Speaker 1: Act, and.
Speaker 0: I know that it's also somehow correlated to the number of jobs. And I think if we can look at the growth in some of our major industries, that could likely be another factor. The only other point I would make is that we think that there's probably more growth, because what we're hearing from some of the national studies is that there was a significant undercount in the system. So I suspect that our numbers are bigger, but there's no way to validate that or to tell what those numbers are.
Speaker 5: Certainly that's okay. And there'll be other there'll be other counts that that happen. I think we first of all, Mr. Jackson, you did a great job through the census. We know that you faced significant challenges. There was problems with I remember we lot when I went in on behalf of the city to the registrar's downtown, all that meant to kick off the countywide census. And it was that day that like, I think we did like a health order or something requiring masks and no one had masks. So there were significant challenges this time, and I think we all anticipated there would be problems on some significant issues, and that's okay. And we also knew that 2020 was a very nationally politicized year and the administration significantly politicized the census. And that's something that communities tried to overcome. But we would be unwise to assume there wasn't some level of impact to people's confidence in that process, and that's okay. I think what it tells me generally and we're going to obviously I would love to see more data in terms of like what Mr. Tatum was talking about is what are the things that we're doing on a local level that impact growth and how we preparing for growth? And we're not going in a haphazard way, but really thinking about people's ability to live and thrive and have housing and access to open space and those things where we're growing. What attributes to that? That's, I think, an important insight. I think as our population shifts, we need to make sure that we understand the needs of our growing Latino population and what it contributing to the factors of populations that are that may be shrinking. I think Councilman Austin also raised a good point about like my daughters are biracial, they're they're African-American, they're also Latina. So when they grow up, what box do they check? I don't know. And so who knows what the census will look like in the future. But I think we just need to better understand that through data and crossing with, you know, American survey and and other things. But I certainly I want to thank you, Kevin, for four for your efforts in leading this the census this time summer. I think it was in time last time. Right. Good work, both of you.
Speaker 1: It was Reggie. Reggie Harrison, right. Who was read about it. And I insisted to the redistricting. Right. Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I also would be very interested in pulling the data related to home sales as it changed at the point of. Redistricting. So the fifth District has in the last 15 years been dominantly senior citizens, a lot of original homeowners, a lot of widows and widowers. And in the last 12 months, the turnover in housing and the number of families moved into the community. I look forward to seeing the data related to Unified School District in the fall. All sorts of families have called our office and said, I didn't get into the school nearby my house. Well, because those schools were already full and they're moving in midyear. They moved in during COVID, all these different things. So I don't know what. TAI you have economic development, but I know we've asked for a couple of reports back from the economic development staff, so just something to kind of bridge up because I think that had the census been taken 18 months later, my district would look a little bit different. But who knows what my district will be by Friday? Who knows? Thanks so much.
Speaker 1: Councilman Tara.
Speaker 0: Thank you so much for the presentation. I have then also just interested in how we're understanding the data from the census. And you know, I am also intrigued with this, the data around the two or more races that the numbers increase. And I don't mean to be funny, but I'm wondering if we consider maybe these genetic testing like these 23 and me and ancestry now data in the last year has made it so much more accessible that people are now using that as credible data to say that this is my race. So I cannot just say anymore that I'm X.
Speaker 2: Anymore now that.
Speaker 0: I've seen this test. Right. I'm just wondering, maybe we can look in that to exploring how much data has impacted people, identifying their race.
Speaker 1: Yeah. So that's, that's something that we were doing the presentation and we're working with technology innovations that we kind of came up several times. You know what, what is the impact that all this new technology on genetic information, access to people's genealogy have? And and how does that impact the way a resident identifies himself? And, you know, that'd be a very interesting kind of area of study to dig into. And especially here, you know, we have such a diverse community. Thank you. No other public comment or questions? Staff Great job in the presentation. It was good to see the numbers. Please cast your vote.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried.
Speaker 1: In. I have about six items that don't have presentations and are going to run to those pretty quickly. Item 51. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on 2020 Census population data for the City of Long Beach. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1174 | Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Item 52.
Speaker 0: Item 52 is report from Energy Resources Recommendation to what a contract to Utility Solution Partners for Information Technology Project Management Services for three main mission critical platforms for a total contract amount not to exceed one 4.7 million TDY.
Speaker 1: There's a motion in a second and there's public comment. Mr. Shukla. And if you're going to have public comment, if you don't mind, maybe being able of cross would be great. Please, I can do that very briefly. The same comments that I wrote through the comment portal for item 37 certainly apply to this one. It would be great when these software platforms are being bid on and in many cases the city has no option but to accept the incumbent platforms that the city work with the developers to do some kind of workshop and training so that the more of these skills can be retained in-house. A great example of this would be the workshop on oil well abandonment that the Oil and Gas Department did a couple of weeks ago. Thank you. These cars were built.
Speaker 0: Motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Item 52. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP ER19-115 and award a contract to Utility Solutions Partners, LLC, of Rancho Cordova, CA, for Information Technology Project Management Services for three main mission-critical platforms, in the amount of $3,625,000, with a 30 percent contingency in the amount of $1,087,500, for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,712,500, for a period of three years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any subsequent amendments. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1179 | Speaker 0: The President said has. The motion is carried on. A 55 identifies report from Health and Human Services recommendation to execute an agreement with each CFC to receive and expend 8.5 million from the homeless. Housing Assistance and Prevention Round three Program Continuum of Care Allocation Citywide.
Speaker 1: There's a motion reset. And is there any public comment?
Speaker 0: Franklin SIM.
Speaker 6: Well, I'm sure to a lot of residents, $8.5 million to fix homelessness. Sounds like a good thing. And I think that it is. I think that it's important also to remember that in the city of Long Beach, Measure eight was a lot of money, still is. A lot of our roads still aren't fixed. And that over a span of five years, $112 million has been dedicated to homelessness services. And to put it into context, we drive on the freeways. The fire department came here. They told you about the brush fires. I myself see open drug use by the homeless and the unhoused as human waste. Our children are seeing public nudity. Our cities are dotted with encampments. The fact is that we need a strategic plan. We don't have one. 2017 The Council asked Mr. West to give it. They didn't ask for a plan. You asked for an approach. We didn't get one. Instead, we got essentially a list of what all the departments were doing on homelessness. I can. I want to give you some examples of what I mean when I say we don't have a strategic plan. The Mayor's Homelessness Fund was founded in 2018. That's almost four years ago. I sat on a homelessness committee association this week. They said that only one out of four of the amount the organizations that were supposed to be funded had been funded. They actually had to change a letter that's going to go to the council people and the commissioner asked to take three of them now are to take the numbers out because the money isn't going to them . The mayor's homelessness fund said they didn't have a workflow, so for years, no work for working on that. They said they're still working on a rubric to help grade the proposals. Then Mr. Duncan from the WHO has the Homelessness Service Bureau. He says he's got three general outreach people. They lost a public health nurse. He even made a plea that if we know anyone who needed work, that the Homelessness Bureau was looking for four. For employees. They're understaffed. We need a strategic plan. So I want to say to the mothers in Long Beach and the parents. We want to take who we want to take our kids to to a part. Into a clean park. We need a strategic plan. We deserve that. We don't have it. And it's ridiculous.
Speaker 0: That concludes the public comment.
Speaker 1: Those of us who are in the second.
Speaker 0: The motion is carried. | Contract | Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents, subcontracts, and subsequent amendments, including to the award amount, with the State of California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency’s Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (HCFC), to receive and expend $8,516,928 from the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Round 3 Program, Continuum of Care allocation, for the period of November 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026, with the option to renew for one additional five-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $8,516,928, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1181 | Speaker 0: Because one mango. Councilman has. The motion is carried.
Speaker 1: Item 57.
Speaker 0: Item 57. Report from Public Works Recommendation to Award a contract to select electric 410 Signalized intersections on Los Coyote Diagonal for a total contract amount not to exceed 1.3 million District four and five.
Speaker 1: Thank you. The item. This one does not have a presentation of the motion in a second. There is no public comment on this. 57 But. COOPER Did you have any comments? True. And I apologize for holding up this process, but if Public Works is here. So this involves ten intersections. One that is not included is the southbound 4052 southbound Bellflower exit and that dumb shop on Moscow's diagonal, just west of Bellflower. Our office has requested of Caltrans signage at that intersection, indicating there's a pedestrian crosswalk there. And so I would like to request public works if we can parlay this project into petitioning Caltrans to please get that sign installed. We've waited four months for it and it's a serious public safety issue. Thank you. Thank you. But I'm not going to comment.
Speaker 0: I'm just really excited to work through and improve. Lookout is diagonal. For those of you who don't know, this is not the first project on this kind of diagonal during my term. But continued improvement is necessary for the safety of our community. And as traffic flow changes and as the safety measures go into place, we're always looking for a continued improvement. And I really appreciate the public works staff on their partnership for this. Thank you.
Speaker 1: Thank you. Next step is item 58.
Speaker 0: We need a vote.
Speaker 1: Oh, I apologize for this cash vote on this item. I'm so excited about 58 that I. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7190 and award a contract to Select Electric, Inc., of Vista, CA, for ten Signalized Intersections on Los Coyotes Diagonal, in the amount of $1,197,500, with a 10 percent contingency in the amount of $119,750, for a total contract amount not to exceed $1,317,250, and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter the contract, including subsequent amendments;
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $807,200, offset by Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funds from Caltrans (HSIPL-5108(190)); and
Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $807,200, offset by transfer of HSIP funds from the Capital Grant Fund. (Districts 4,5) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_11092021_21-1182 | Speaker 0: Will answer the motion in this case.
Speaker 1: I'm not really I'm 58.
Speaker 0: I'm 58. Is a report from Public Works recommendation to receive and file report on the Clean Pathway Community Partnership between the City of Long Beach and Southern California Edison Citywide.
Speaker 1: There's a motion in a second place. There's no public comment.
Speaker 0: We have two. Dave Sugar and Tiffany Davey has come forward. Dave Sugar.
Speaker 1: Aren't I commenting after a presentation? What am I commenting? Mr. Mayor, we do have a presentation. We've invited S.E. to be here to give this presentation about greenhouse gas emissions reductions and all the partnerships that they've been working with, couldn't it, at Long Beach? And Eric. Go ahead. Thank you, Tom. Honorable mayor, members of the city council. We'll go through our PowerPoint pretty fast. But we did think it was important to highlight a lot of the work that has been happening and our our how much progress we've made in this clean pathway, our community partnership with Southern California Edison. As we make as we get closer and closer to the Climate Action and adaptation plan and really making the improvements that are needed to meet the goals that that are outlined within the plan. We're working behind the scenes on partnerships like these to really position ourselves and be able to to do more. So I'm going to pass it over to George Cadenas, who's going to go through the PowerPoint. But I did wanted to point out that Edison, Southern California Edison is where they're we're their biggest customer in the area. We've been working with them on major initiatives in the past, highly successful ones. Just a couple of them include the LED streetlight conversions, many solar and battery storage installations, a lot of energy efficiency improvements at facilities, and then most recently, the installation of EV charging stations throughout the city which continues to pick up steam. And we continue to do more and more in that area to get ready for the continued electrification of our transportation system. So with that, I want to turn it over to Dr. Deena, who's going to walk us through the presentation. Honorable mayor and council members. Thank you for having us today. So my name is George Godinez, and I am the contracts and grants officer for the Department of Public Works. I'm joined and also joined here by Vic Noel and Bryan Bustamante from Southern California, Edison. And we're here to provide information on the joint initiative referred to as the Clean Pathway Community Partnership Program. The first will touch on the partnership timeline, discuss the mission, vision and values. Then we'll discuss the initiatives and achievements to date. Benefits and next steps. Finally, our partners are here to give an overview of their commitment to the community. In March of 2019, the City Council studied the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, also known as the CAP, with the primary purpose to provide a framework for the Long Beach community to reduce the city's greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change. In August 2020, as part of action related to the city's consideration of forming a community choice aggregation entity, the City Council directed staff to strengthen the city partnership with sea with an eye on raising awareness of both existing programs that provide the community with options to purchase a greater mix of renewables and information related to more efficient energy use. In November 2020, the city and city officially formed a collaboration by developing mutually agreed upon efforts to further sustainability and meet capped targets and goals. The pathway development phase took place in January of this year and resulted in a guiding framework agreed and including an agreed upon mission, vision, values and key objectives. The Partnership's mission is to implement a framework that execute sustainable, affordable and reliable energy improvement opportunities. The vision is to serve as a collaboration model to support a sustainable, reliable and affordable energy future. And we really feel that this will set the example for other cities to follow as they launch similar partnerships with See . The partnership is guided by six values, including accountability and commitment, alignment of mutual priorities to deliver positive outcomes, maintaining an equity lens by promoting resources to community members with historical roadblocks, organizational knowledge sharing, transparency by understanding organizational processes and communication. By promoting open exchanges to build meaningful relationships. The Partnerships Organization includes subject matter experts from several city departments with one city and city staff member designated as team lead for each of the four key objectives. Team leads meet biweekly to discuss, troubleshoot and report on developments. And while the largest group, the larger group meets bi monthly. So the partnerships for key objectives are made up of several initiatives. Here we have the clean energy transition objective, whose goal is to increase public awareness and participation in existing C program and offerings through joint advocacy efforts, public awareness campaigns and community engagement partnerships. Achievements so far include implementation of the first collaborative social media campaign focused on C green rate program. And then we also obtained funding, AB 32 funding in FY 22 to support commercial and residential greenery adoption. The funding will go towards programmatic efforts, including marketing at potential customer rebates, while ensuring alignment with CARB regulations. We also have an internal working group of staff from the city manager's office, public works, development services and Energy Resources working, working on these efforts. Finally, we leverage the city's utility billing to provide the community with sustainability messaging and worked with you to include power options information in the 2022 city utility calendar. The Energy Solutions goal is to provide solutions and technologies that enable the community to manage to better manage their water, natural gas and electric energy usage while saving money. This year's annual events include the execution of an SC corporate giving grant to fund $40,000 for a tree planting program in disadvantaged communities along the 710 corridor and working with Bombay's Conservation Corp. to implement the program. The program kickoff meeting occurred last month and we're targeting for planning to be completed by the end of this fall season. We're also engaging with the Office of Sustainability to address concerns related to ongoing maintenance. The Technology Innovation Objective seeks to improve the development, acceptance and implementation of emerging energy technology strategies in support of the city's renewable energy goals. This objective is focused on valuing resiliency provided by solar and battery energy storage systems to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improve city facility energy efficiency. So far, we've identified solar city facilities using diesel backup generators and developed a draft analysis framework and process to assess facilities and determine areas of focus for comprehensive solar and battery cost benefit analysis. The Transportation Electrification Expansion objective focuses on investment, emerging technology acceptance and streamlined processes to further electrification, reduce GHG emissions and achieve air quality goals throughout Long Beach and surrounding communities. These initiatives mainly focused on EV adoption. Achievements include initial meetings to discuss possible project projects and the application process and working with the new City Fleet Acquisition Manager to develop fleet strategy. We also submitted over 29 applications to SC for their Towards the Ready program that has a potential to add over 500 plus new EV charging ports at public workplace and fleet locations. So the benefits of this partnership are numerous. By improving our communication, we've been able to increase the speed, effectiveness and action between both organizations, along with improved internal alignment. We are also building an environment based on shared accountability and a strong ongoing commitment for achieving tangible results. Most importantly, we're improving our alignment of environmental priorities. By 2030. His goal is to provide 80% carbon free electricity to meet its 2030 cap GHG reduction target. The city will need over 192,000 metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent GHG reduction. Stationary energy, including all fossil fuels used in electricity generation and makes up 49.2% of the city's total emissions. So the city's ability to reach its 2030 cap GHG reduction target heavily depends on C as the city's electricity provider meeting its own 2030 goal. Ultimately, 98% of the target reduction will come from the 2030 goal and 10% voluntary participation in the green rate program. Similarly, his goal of 100% decarbonization by 2045 will be a significant contributing factor to the city's 2045 carbon neutrality goal. For next steps will continue and expand on our implementation efforts. With recent developments revolving around the infrastructure bill, we anticipate this partnership will play a key role in the implementation of the bill's objectives, especially those focused on EV chargers and renewable energy. We also plan to foster a culture of continuous improvement by consistently assessing partnership results and looking for areas for improvement. So now I'll hand it off to Vic and Brian to discuss his commitment to the community. Thanks, George. Good evening, America. And city council members. My name is Becnel. I'm Southern California, Edison's government relations manager for the city of Long Beach. Part of my major responsibilities. And that role is to be the liaison between the company and elected officials like yourselves in your offices. I work closely with a lot of your staff to help resolve constituent issues and whatnot, but I wanted to also let you know that please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly if you should ever have any questions regarding our policy priorities or or operational issues and concerns. Uh, as George mentioned, as he is committed to the community. Using shareholder funds from our parent company, Edison International. We. Support local nonprofits across our service territory, both big and small, in Long Beach. I'm particularly proud of our community giving. In 2022, we provided over $900,000 in philanthropic support to a variety of Long Beach serving organizations, such as the Aquarium of the Pacific Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach and many others. Digital equity. Enhancing digital equity. Just recently, we provided $150,000 in grants to be divided among a handful of Long Beach organizations to support and enhance digital equity, such as Centara Shore and Long Beach Math Collaborative, among others. And. Just to put in a plug on a current opportunity that we have is our Edison Scholars program. Each year, Edison gives 30 $40,000 scholarships to high school seniors across our service territory who want to study STEM in college. I've reached out to many of your offices to help promote that program. The application period is still open and is open through December 13th. If the public should be interested in applying, they simply need to go to Edison Scholars dot com for that application.
Speaker 6: Thank you very much.
Speaker 1: Right. Hi. Good evening. My name is Brian Bustamante. I'm the senior adviser supporting the city of Long Beach. I help support a lot of the business operational needs on the day to day basis. So in terms of strengthening our electric grid and creating a clean energy future, I'd like to touch on improving reliability and really focus on , you know, how we're transitioning into this sustainable future so as to not only track reliability each year, but we produce a publicly available report to every city tribe within our service territory, including the city of Long Beach. Estes reliability and Long Beach specifically continues to not only be good overall, but also have some of the best reliability within our company. It continues to be a focus for us. In terms of investing in our infrastructure, we're continually investing millions of dollars into projects and upgrades in Long Beach to continue to improve this reliability. These projects include grid modernization across the city, extensive system and improvements in the underground network around downtown, a rebuild of our substation in North Long Beach. And we also recently began work on a battery storage project on the East Long Beach substation. As part of it and in relation to time of use in managing our GHG related emissions as part of a statewide initiative to use more renewable power, our customers will be gradually transitioned over to a time of use base rate plan. These plans encourage customers to use energy at the times of day when renewable energy like solar and wind is most abundant and at the lowest cost. Sustainability. Energy efficiency will continue to be an item that supports the citizen. We are currently actually working through supporting our terminals at the Port of Long Beach monetarily through an energy efficiency rebate to implement high mast led lighting. Finally electrification. As we continue down this clean energy path with the city, we also we will also continue to look for opportunities to partner with the city. The couple electrification to drive down these greenhouse gas related emissions. The C e charger 82 and charged transport programs are good examples of this. And George touched on earlier how the city has participated in these programs. It will continue to be a focus for us to support the infrastructure upgrades around the city as necessary and also including with the port, the work at the port as well. I'll turn it over to George to close us out. Thank you. In conclusion, I'd like in conclusion, I'd like to re-emphasize that he has selected Long Beach to develop this partnership as a potential model for other cities in the future, which means I anticipate many emails from other cities in the future asking us about how this program went and being an expert in the field. And also, I'd like to give a thank you to all the departments who have been involved in the partnership as well, which include City Managers, Office, Public Works, Harbor Development Services, Economic Development, Financial Management, Energy Resources and water. It's really been a team effort. So thank you again, Mayor and council members, for having us here today.
Speaker 5: Thank you so much for that presentation. I just have a few thoughts. So first, I'm happy to support the Clean Pathway Community Partnership. I remember the genesis of the context of the conversation on the CCI. Prior to that, I also remember the City Council having, you know, very stern conversations with Southern California Edison about the downtown outage , the major downtown outage and the need to invest in infrastructure here locally, have more local discussions about what the condition our infrastructure, the resilience of that of that infrastructure looks like. I also know that we're at the precipice of a major transition in our ports, and we have to make sure that our city is a part of that. Just one clean zero emission electric truck could be a megawatt of power and that this will require significant investments into charging and enhancements to the grid. I'm particularly interested in this. I think the federal infrastructure bill will make investments toward that. The ports are looking toward the future. We have to make sure those investments help create living wage jobs as well as the major transitions. I think that's something that's important. I like Mr. Lopez that you mentioned the electric vehicle charging infrastructure for commuters in our city. I think that's a big opportunity, too. But we have to make sure that we're really looking at it with an equity lens. Areas that are a lot of times right adjacent to the freeways already, Bill, and breathe poor air and they oftentimes they're not in a place where there's infrastructure in place for them to even, you know , participate in work in an electric vehicle. We participate the programs we offer are sometimes the only thing they have access to in order to have an incentive to buy something or install it at their home or have electric charging in there in their area, in the electric vehicle charging stations that we do have, or a lot of times there are 110 right there. You know, you can sit down and eat lunch at Uptown Commons and after an hour, you've only added maybe five miles to your car. Right. So we have to think about where the Superchargers are. If you have Superchargers, people will drive and support that business and eat lunch at that place simply to get an hour on a supercharger. So it's an economic development opportunity and that's a supercharger. And so that those are certainly things we should look at. And the last thing I would say is, as we explore this partnership, some of our open space plans are directly related to the availability of Edison Raceway. And in the areas that have the least open space, some of the only opportunities they have are the Edison right away. Historically, Edison Edison's real estate folks have been very aggressive about monetizing those, prioritizing leasing to anything like a nursery or whatever it is, and have been resistant to open space. But that's some of our last opportunities on the West Side and North Long Beach for open space. And so I hope that as we look at this partnership, we think about reprioritizing the values in particularly in areas that lack open space or partnerships that can be mutually beneficial for the development. Open space cities need time. We need to note that that parcels available so we can write the grants and do the designs. It could take five years to develop a apart. If you don't have that type of partnership, it's very difficult to do so. So those are the things I would submit to say we should think about as we move forward. So it's really a truly beneficial partnership that advances equity. Councilman Austin. Councilwoman Allen.
Speaker 0: Yeah. Thank you. Um. I want to just first say it. Thank you, Eric, for your introduction and George for your presentation. You know, it's important and we're going to need to use every tool in the toolbox to reduce emissions and speed up our transition to clean energy. And as Southern California Edison's largest customer. We have a significant influence and our partnership with them. We need to find the funding to buy 100% green energy. And we need more residents and local businesses to make the commitment to 100% green energy as soon as possible. So I look forward to the a report coming back in December. I do have some questions with regards to our what outreaches on Southern California Edison doing to prompt residents to switch to the green rate.
Speaker 1: So in the partnership, we've actually been working collaboratively, collaboratively with Etsy to promote the green rate. So what we've done is we've tried to be more more mindful of of using our own social media accounts. What we've done is we recently we actually worked with ASEAN to develop that social media campaign. They pushed it out on their channels, and their channels reach more of a regional level. We then collaborated with them to use our own channels to then post that information to our residents. We also collaborated with them to leverage their next door account to focus green rate program messaging, specifically in the Long Beach area. And then we also have ideas, especially with the funding available now in FY 22 for maybe 32 to work more collaboratively, collaboratively on possibly more multimedia type efforts to promote the program within the city as well.
Speaker 0: Okay, great. And then my next question is, how much progress has Southern California Edison made on the charge ready 2.0 program implementation? Because I know, like our high rise is low income family buildings older than 20 years old weren't built with wiring for EV charging. So I know it's been slow, but it's going to be key for expanding to zero emission vehicles, especially to our renters and condo owners.
Speaker 1: So the program just opened up in July. And we're our goal is to get 38,000 charging stations out within the service territory over the next five years. That being said, we, the city of Long Beach has the most applications out of any other city within our service territory by far. And I think it's a symptom of the collaboration and the fact that we're looking at everything possible. We are completely open to exploring additional sites. It's just. At this point. There's about 29 applications in even just since July. So it's moving very quickly. So if you have any recommendations, will gladly take those.
Speaker 0: Perfect. Thank you. And also, I have another quick question for you. Has Southern California Edison invested in any might microgrid projects locally here in Long Beach?
Speaker 1: So where there has been some conversations about a looking at a microgrid in the the port area that's still a work in progress in terms of doing a specific microgrid here a lot of those projects at this time are customer driven. However, we are looking at opportunities to maybe couple some of those technologies, which is what I, I touched on a little bit in terms of the battery storage projects at some of our substations. So we're exploring it, but it's kind of a new piece for us.
Speaker 0: Okay. And then also has with regards to your Southern California Edison's fleet. Is there a timeline or what's the plan for that going 100% emission. Their omission. Are you are your is your fleet currently.
Speaker 1: So like our fleet of. Okay. So at this time, we do have a plan to do that. However, we're not currently retrofitting our approach from a utility standpoint as it's hard because these are big, heavy duty vehicles. We're not taking the approach to retrofit them. We want something that's sort of built for our industry. So it's definitely something that's on the horizon for us. But we're we're trying to get the market to catch up with what we need.
Speaker 0: And then one last question. Are there any, like, simple, straightforward opportunities for local property owners to invest in solar, solar cooperatives? I'm sorry and sell it back. Are there any opportunities for business owners or or property owners to invest and sell solar and then sell it back?
Speaker 1: So we have solar rates. The rates the goal really isn't so they can sell it back. It's really to be net neutral within the our tariffs, but there are opportunities for compensation back, but it's not necessarily a retail rate back.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much.
Speaker 1: Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Sabrina.
Speaker 1: Thank you. And thank you, folks for the presentation tonight. Great job. I want to speak off topic here for a little bit so much the work the council offices that they micro-level a street later a small power outage. So as long as it is here tonight, I wanted to commend Vic North for just providing a superior level of customer service to our office. I think you've been here less than a year, but it's been quite noticeable and we will feature the Edison Scholarship in this Friday's newsletter and continue to do so through December. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 0: Thank you. I also want to commend your office on the additional support my team has built, better supported, and we appreciate that. There's nothing harder for a family that either has an infant or a senior citizen than when a family member doesn't have power. And so those updates on your website and the regularity of which they can be updated and the ability to reach out to Vik or whomever from my team is really critical. I will say, though, that this year we had the least number of power outages in a very long time. And I think that that has a lot to do with a lot of the VoLTE upgrades that you've done. However, as the city embarks upon what I know Erik is so excited about, which will be a record breaking infrastructure decade, we really need support in staffing up your ranks to be able to support the planned changes and checks that are necessary to implement the EV charging stations, the VoLTE upgrades, all of those things. And I know you're struggling to get people just like the city is qualified. People are very hard to come by. But there has to be a solution. Otherwise, these major infrastructure projects across our city won't be able to move forward because we as a city have made a commitment that if we're going to have a street, we want to give you that opportunity in advance to fix all the things that are underneath that street before we pay for it. And I know that we've had some challenges with Volt locating and fixing and those timelines. And I know that they're they're not unusual challenges, but we do need to plan. The region will be getting significant federal funding. We're looking at some bond options. And we need you to be prepared to support us on that because the residents can't move forward and we're going to have some strict timelines. So I want to thank you for the work today and know that more needs to be done. And then I appreciate the the movement towards green energy, but I also want to speak on behalf of our senior citizens. Our senior citizens are experiencing 40% increases in grocery costs and gasoline cost 15% increases in some grocery needs and necessities. And energy is a place where they just can't take anymore increases. And so I would love to see an option that allows people opting in to the Green Plan, which I think is a great idea, but pacing ourselves and recognizing that our senior citizens are on a fixed income and their Social Security is not increasing at the same rate as inflation is. And so we need to really think about the ways in which you have supported our low income communities very, very effectively. And communities that are not typically considered low income are going to be experiencing some some pinching of their their pocketbook as all these costs have increased and their income has not. And I know that I've talked to a lot of seniors recently that are trying to figure out how that $800 a month or 1200 dollars a month that they live on can stretch further than it's ever had to stretch before. And I know you're a big part of that, and I appreciate your partnership. Thank you.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Zendejas.
Speaker 2: Think you raised me. I just wanted to thank you, Eric, George, Vic, all of you guys, for the presentation and for your continuous partnership and willing to work with us and for your excellent customer service. I know I've email you in panic that late at night and you and your team have really come through and really helped out my residents in times of need. And I just wanted to publicly thank you for for that. And I look forward to the continuing building of our partnership.
Speaker 5: Fantastic. Thank you. And as we conclude and go to public comment, I just want to echo and say, Vic, you're doing an incredible job. We love your service. And Larry and Kiana have been very thoughtful and responsive, not just here, but across the region as very public comment on this item.
Speaker 0: Yes, we have to. Dave Shukla and Tiffanie Davey, come forward.
Speaker 5: I mean, we know who the public comment is. We can just come on at this point. That's good. Come on. I mean.
Speaker 1: What am I doing here? Um. I couldn't help but laugh a couple of times during this presentation. Southern California Edison is one of the primary reasons why the state of California can't yet meet its climate goals. You have been holding the entire fucking state back. AB 1139 this year. Do you have any idea how much of my time wasted and for what? To take away the net metering, the battery storage and the solar panels that my neighbors have had for ten years. You asked Councilwoman Allen if there's a possibility of an electricity co-op that could get money back if they're producing an overage with their solar panels. Every car in the state has a program like that. The only people who don't want you to have net metering so that you can know how much you're sending back to their grid. Are these folks. I've been seeing it for ten years. I've also been a rate payer of Southern California Edison for the past 24 years. So for the entirety of my adult life, I've been watching this city make the wrong decisions since the O'Neill administration. The city of Long Beach could have created something like L.A. DWP back in the nineties. We didn't. And that's why the port had to bail us out of the recession in the nineties. The building that we're sitting in. This was paid for by the port. As a result of those decisions. We know from the M.W. analysis that if we had implemented a CPA, it would already be making money for the city today. By the end of the decade, we're talking about a couple hundred million dollars per year. A way to optimize across all the oil abandonment costs when they say they want to gradually work people in to the green rate or whatever it's called. What they're trying to do is figure out how to hold on to really bad contracts. Case in point horrible project the city is responsible for. I grew up across the street from the East Point and Studebaker. Project shouldn't have been rebuilt and you shouldn't have slapped 600 megawatts up to 300 megawatts right now. Right. A battery storage across the street from my mother's bedroom. We, the fire department, doesn't even have that much baking soda for an electrical fire. Um, but more importantly, it's because of contracts like that that have grown there. Delta has been basically making chumps out of you, and the innovations in the electricity markets have been one of the most fascinating things where you feel a graduate student study. If I didn't have to come home and help out here. The key discussion needs to come back. This is a fucking slap in the face.
Speaker 5: Thank you. Next speaker, please.
Speaker 6: Okay. I'll make my comment rather brief. Timothy Davie, District President Speaking in opposition of this item for a number of reasons, but I only highlight one, which is accountability. But I'm going to walk back to one of the items we discussed earlier this evening about mental health, and we've been very concerned with the pandemic since the beginning of the pandemic. In my partnership in assisting landlords and renters in the city, one way, perhaps, we could have been supported. But many other utilities did actually had a header, something close to our humanity about the impacts. As I was helping residents receiving bills upwards of 20 $500 past due. Disconnection. Disconnection. Disconnection. They're already stressed. But let's focus back. Let's go back to 2015. Those 30,000 customers that were affected, the cpu c0i results were what, 15 million? We supported SB 174 to have 4 million allocated back to the city. Granted, there were many items addressed so that we did not incur those same damages again. Insert 2021. Continued explosions underground. And then let's just go to the last weekend or exactly one week from when we passed today, where the same security and enforcement division issued an MCO in the amount of $550 million for his wrong and lack of. Accountability in the right. Myers in liberty, Thomas and Woolsey fires. Just want to go over that damage. That was 385,000 acres damage and destroy nearly 3000 structures and five fatalities. 550,000,375 million of which they can not step away from. So who pays for the future cost incurred in future disasters? We can almost assuredly be assured will occur.
Speaker 5: Thank you, members. Please cast your vote. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a report on the Clean Pathway Community Partnership between the City of Long Beach and Southern California Edison. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_10192021_21-1085 | Speaker 0: very much. And he is someone that needs a lot of prayers and love right now. So we just take a moment just to think about about our friend Val and his family at this time. Thank you. And please know, Val, that we are all thinking about you and praying for you and for your family as well. Please have a motion any second, please, to pass the consent calendar. Interesting that you up to speak that.
Speaker 4: Just wanted to just I don't want to pull the item, but we want to speak because some folks are paying attention to it. The item referred referencing the community garden in North Long Beach. I'm supportive of the item and I look forward to the opportunity to review the terms with the operator about expanding access to the local neighbors to be able to use that community garden. And so if you're listening and paying attention, that's not what we're voting on tonight. We're voting on the agreement with Edison, but we will have an opportunity to review the terms with the actual operator. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. There is a motion and a second. Please cast your votes.
Speaker 1: Motion is carried.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And I know we have a presentation tonight. We're actually beginning to roll presentations back into our meetings. And so for our first official presentation, back to Redding prior to COVID. I'm going to turn this over to Councilor Austin. | Contract | Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP LW21-032 and award a contract to Lien on Me, Inc., of Glendale, CA, for medical bill review services, in an annual amount of $600,000, authorize a twenty percent contingency in the annual amount of $120,000, for a total annual contract amount not to exceed $720,000, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments. (Citywide) | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_10192021_21-1099 | Speaker 0: So just appreciate all of you for for being involved in that. And obviously, one of the larger institutions that we have in the city, either on the public or private side, and certainly you can get engaged in all the volunteer work they're all doing. So thank you very much. And with that, let me go and turn it over to item number 15.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Ciro. Councilwoman, then they have Councilwoman Price recommendation to receive. And finally, pedestrian safety presentation and request city attorney to prepare a resolution to recognize October as National Pedestrian Safety Month.
Speaker 4: I'm sorry.
Speaker 1: Thank you. So it's been a very alarming and just in the past year, the the rising rates in pedestrian vehicle accidents. And I wanted to make sure that given that in the recent pandemic, many people have been encouraged to go outdoor and walk. And also, in light of our budget discussion, we've been talking a lot about infrastructure and making sure we have better roads. But I think that we want to I want to make sure we bring back the focus back to pedestrian and that it's really important we recommit back to our 2016 Vision Zero goal to eliminate traffic, death and serious injury by 2026. And in July 2020, the Safe Street Long Beach Action Plan was adopted and outlined to eliminate traffic and related death and serious injuries city wide. So I want to thank you. Public Works and Long Beach fire and police for being here to do the presentation today. So with that said, I'll hand it over to Mr. Hickman.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Councilwoman Ciro and Mr. Mayor, fellow council members. I'm Carl Hickman, city traffic engineer and acting city engineer. With me this evening, I have Deputy Fire Chief Hardin and Deputy Chief of Police Lewis. To talk about this important topic regarding pedestrian safety. A few facts that we do know. On the chart on the left, you can see where if there were to be a collision between a pedestrian and a car, if the car is traveling at 20 miles an hour, there's a 13% likelihood that there will be a serious or fatal outcome. And if a car is traveling at 30 miles an hour, there is a 40% chance that there will be a fatality or a serious injury. And it kind of makes sense as if you could go up there. You can see at 40 miles an hour, there was a 73% chance or likelihood that there will be a serious or fatal outcome as a result of that event. On the chart on the right. We do know that from 2013 to 2017, if you look at all the collisions in the city of Long Beach, 6% of those collisions involve pedestrians. And on the chart there on the far right of all the fatal and serious collisions that have occurred between 2013 and 2017, 34% of those injuries that are fatal or serious involve pedestrians as well. This is a chart of the entire city. It's kind of tough to see there. But for all the vehicle versus pedestrian collisions, it kind of shows you the dense area in the downtown section of the city where we have the majority of our car versus pedestrian collisions. It kind of, again, makes sense where you have a more dense area cars, pedestrians and a smaller, dense area, you have more pedestrian related collisions. And that data there is from 2019 to 2021. One of the important aspects about pedestrian collisions is that drivers need to be aware that they must always yield to pedestrians, whether there's a crosswalk there at the intersection or not. It is legal in the state of California to cross at an intersection, even if there's not a crosswalk. And drivers take a large bit of the responsibility to make sure that they're looking out for pedestrians, bicycles, scooters and whatnot as they approach the intersections. The drivers also need to slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. Drivers need to stop behind crosswalks and yield to pedestrians at all times. Drivers should never pass. Vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing that. Drivers may not be able to see. And one final note is that drivers really need to be able to follow directions from crossing guards or emergency responders. There's many times where cars enter an area that is being controlled by someone and they need to be paying attention to what's going on in the intersection. Following along with our drivers responsibilities. Drivers should never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers should always follow the speed limit, but especially when there are people on the street. Drivers should be paying attention and driving a little bit slower. As a commitment to our Safe Streets action plan in July of 2020. I've recently looked at, investigated and changed speed limits on 50 plus of our roadways in the city of Long Beach. So over 50 roadways. We are looking at the speed limits and reducing them by five miles an hour in an effort to make our streets safer. Also, drivers need to make sure that when turning on a red, they need to come to a complete stop. Look for all traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists. Folks on scooters, whatever the case may be. And then again, you know, when there's bad conditions out there on the road, hard to see conditions such as nighttime or bad weather . Drivers need to take extra precautions. So again, these roles, ideal safety tips are the responsibility of drivers and pedestrians. So now here are some rules and safety tips for pedestrians. One of the main problems that we're experiencing is that many drivers are distracted. So are the pedestrians. So pedestrians need to keep your keep their eyes up, put away the phones, pay attention. Look at what's happening on the streets. You know, pedestrians need to be looking out for scooters and bicyclists as well. There are times when collisions happen between between pedestrians and scooters or pedestrians and bicyclists. So those are unsafe as well. Pedestrians need to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. And if there are locations where pedestrians walking, where you don't have sidewalks, make sure that a pedestrian is walking on the far left of the roadway. That way. The the the pedestrian is out of the traveled way and less likely to be involved in a collision with the with the driver. That syringe should not run or dart out into the street or jump out between parked cars. Very unsafe. And pedestrians should always make eye contact with drivers as are crossing the street. Make sure that the driver of the car sees you before you cross the street and again look out for bikes or scooters. Now we're going to move into a section of the presentation where we talk about traffic signals and what happens at a traffic signal when a person approaches the intersection and pushes that button to cross the street. A steady walk signals the is that green man you see there on the top. That means you have 7 to 10 seconds to get into the crosswalk to start your crossing. Typically, I increase that time to 10 seconds around school zones or areas where there are senior homes. Next phase of the pedestrian walk time, you'll see the hand come up and usually a time, a number that will give you the number of seconds that is left for you to cross the street. That's the flashing don't walk period, where a pedestrian shouldn't enter the intersection from the curb. But if he's already in the intersection, he can proceed. And finally, you have the red hand at the very bottom there that's telling the pedestrian who might be approaching the intersection not to enter the intersection. You're not going to have enough time to cross. And that's a big problem in the city. When I walk around, I see people who are walking against that red hand. That's a big problem in the city of Long Beach. The pedestrian walk. Times are determined by the road, with divided by 3.5 seconds feet per 3.5 feet per second, minus the yellow time, minus all red time. So basically the average walking person is moving at 3.5 feet per second. And there are cases when I get phone calls to my office where folks want more time. So I make adjustments to make sure that they have enough time to get across the street when that's when it's proper. Next, we have additional resources. Again, you can always look at our Safe Streets initiative that was passed by this council in July of 2020. And I wanted to point out that many of our engineering projects, as we move forward, they do contain complete streets and safe streets elements to make the streets safer for all users, that is drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.. So we are making moves and taking giant steps to make our streets safer in the city of Long Beach. Now I welcome comments. From one of the deputies. Thank you, honorable mayor and council members. I'd like to present some of the data in regards to fire that we collected prior to this Council meeting in 2019. There are four we respond to 492 vehicle versus pedestrian pedestrian incidents and 347 vehicle versus biker motorcycle. 2020, those numbers did drop. Obviously, with COVID, there's a lot less traffic on the streets. And then 2021, we're on track and we had 528 vehicle pedestrians and actual vehicle versus biker motorcycles actually lower. And it was a 7% roughly increase in those pedestrian incidents. When you look at that heatmap, majority of our incidents were in that downtown area from ocean up to Willow or from Magnolia to Redondo, up Atlantic of all the intersections that had major thoroughfares. And then on the obvious, intersections such as lasco is diagonal. Santa Fe and PCH in Bellflower and Seventh Street have clusters at all those areas. Just an insight to how we operate. Any any incident that involves a vehicle versus pedestrian. We'll get at Charlie response which is a the closest engine or truck with a paramedic unit which has advanced life support the engine or truck and usually arrives on scene first and protects the incident and the personnel working on the incident. And then when the medics arrive on scene, if they determine that that vehicle is traveling over 20 miles an hour, that person is transported immediately to the closest trauma center, which for us is St Mary's Memorial. And that 20 miles an hour from reference, five or six is concurrent with what Mr. Hickman was talking about, is data of anything over 20 miles an hour. That 13% chance of increased injury or fatalities. That also includes the same procedure for an enclosed transport crash and significance over or greater than 20 miles an hour. And that relates to bicycles, motorcycles or scooters. And then if we have patients that do not want to be transported, we make a base station protocol contact and they can sign out against medical advice. Even then, we still encourage them to be transported to the local, local trauma center. But if they sign out, they can go with a VLF EMT ambulance or they can go by a family member. And that's all four of our.
Speaker 0: Vice Mayor and council. The police department is obviously an integral and important part of the city's city's overall public safety effort to reduce vehicular and as we heard already, pedestrian related traffic collision. This includes a big part of public education, traffic, engineering awareness and ultimately through enforcement. We understand this is a team effort in conjunction with staff and support from from other city departments, not even just sitting next to me tonight. It is important for residents and visitors to know the police department has an eye on traffic safety is in addition to in addition to standard patrol officers, the police department deploys specialized traffic safety personnel like motorcycle officers, DUI team and commercial enforcement officers to name a few types of personnel we have that are focused on traffic safety. All of this is in addition to staff who work with and support traffic safety efforts through the various city departments. Furthermore, in support of overall city effort, the police department deploys personnel in response to specific traffic complaint complaints and can include traffic safety issues in neighborhoods, business areas, entertainment areas and on large high volume roadways. In addition to the police department activities, the police department believes believe residents are a valuable piece of the overall traffic safety effort . The police department encourages all residents to drive safely report traffic concerns while providing suggestions or input on how traffic measures can be better implemented together through these efforts. We will make a positive difference on the safety of all the residents and visitors throughout the city. Thank you.
Speaker 4: All right. Thank you. Next, we have Councilwoman Van de Haas.
Speaker 5: Think. Thank you, Councilwoman Ciro, for bringing this very, very important item forward. Thank you to Carol, not only for this great presentation, but also for continuously working with my office on finding solutions for pedestrian safety. I know that's an ongoing thing, and I thank you for always being willing and open to working with my office when we have questions from our residents. A 2017 CD report indicated that in 2017, 5977 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S., which amounts to about one death every 88 minutes. Additionally, about 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for crash related injuries that same year. Therefore, we are concerned not only for the loss of life that may occur during these incidents, but also for the the lack of pedestrian safety and also the health implications that come after being injured in an accident as such. Also, pedestrians, child pedestrians who are children, seniors and or wheelchair users are at the highest risk of being a being. We have an accident resulting in fatal. And a collision when a collision happens. It also is a matter of equity when we talk about increasing pedestrian safety. This is of high concern for my residents, especially around our schools. This is why I am extremely supportive of this item. And thank you again, council member Sorrell, for bringing this item forward. Yes, I think it raises the importance of having this discussion and it aligns with our city's interest in protecting and strengthening our public safety. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you, Councilwoman Ciro.
Speaker 1: Yes? I wanted to.
Speaker 5: Thank.
Speaker 1: Mr. Hickman and Deputy Chief Hardin and Deputy Chief Lewis for your presentation. I think it's just so crucial. And thank you all the staff for their hard work in ensuring that everyone is safe on the street. And I just want to share that. While what Mr. Hickman presented isn't anything new, it's very common sense stuff.
Speaker 5: But I think that it's just like.
Speaker 1: Everyone needs to be reminded again and again, especially now as more people are on the streets walking and more people are driving as we're resuming back to working in-person again, and that we don't forget that this is a high priority issue and that we as a city have created many plans. In addition to the Safe Street Initiative of 2020, there's been the community of excellent nutrition, physical activity, but obesity prevention, the pedestrian plan, there's been that. And then more recently, the Cambodia Town Dry Vision plan. And a lot of these are within the highly dense area that was mentioned earlier where a lot of the accidents occur. And so we want to make sure we bring it back to the forefront that this is alarming. And the rates that people are being hit are almost hit. More and more people are not paying attention while they're driving and sometimes even walking. So that's why I wanted to make sure we recognized October as National Pedestrian Safety Month, is that we really need to recommit back to this vision plan. So thank you so much to my colleagues for your support and to staff for all their hard work.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Councilman Pryce.
Speaker 1: Thank you very much. And I want to thank Councilwoman Sara for bringing this item forward. We had the opportunity and the privilege to hear this presentation at the Public Safety Committee meeting, and I think it's a really fantastic presentation. It just reminds us all how important pedestrian safety is. And as I mentioned in the public safety meeting, and I'll do it again. You know, a lot of residents don't like the decisions that we make or don't make regarding traffic safety. But I always tell them I try. Perhaps it's just my background and profession. I try to tell people that even if you don't like the outcome or the decision, it's being made by an expert. And, you know, Mr. Heckman is I tell everyone all the time, he is an actual engineer that's required for traffic engineering. And sometimes I make him tell people that, too, because I think it it sets the foundation for why they should trust his opinion, why they should trust the decisions that he's making. It's important to me that when we ask people to take the direction of city staff in terms of a traffic measure or traffic mitigation measure or really anything, we ask the public to trust us in that. We tell them the expertize of the people. And and Mr. Heckman is a fantastic engineer. He spent a lifetime committed to the principles of traffic design and engineering, which include knowledge of physics and all the different human factors that take into account. When we're talking about traffic, traffic safety, this is a huge area for the city to focus on. It's no secret that I think we need a better a stronger and more populated traffic enforcement team with the Long Beach Police Department. I know that enforcement does not result in long term traffic mitigation and pedestrian safety, but it does provide for some directed enforcement efforts that serve as an outreach opportunity to educate drivers about the safety concerns. And our traffic division at the Long Beach Police Department has been reduced dramatically in the last ten years. We need to have more drug recognition experts hired by the Long Beach Police Department. We need to have more directed enforcement teams that do directed enforcement right now. I mean, I want to thank our police department. We don't have a commander. We have we have a commander starting this week. But in the past, the commanders we've had, you know, we've really had to beg for traffic enforcement because the resources are so limited. And again, that's a short term solution. The long term solution for pedestrian safety is Mr. Hickman and his team. But the short term solution, the solution that we need to remind drivers that you can't drive while you're impaired, you can't drive while you're distracted, you can't speed on especially on certain roads because it will result in great bodily injury or death. That's our police department. And so I really firmly believe that we need to route more money to the police department, specifically for traffic enforcement, because someone who loses a son, a daughter, a mother or father, a relative to a traffic fatality, especially by an impaired driver, that is no less of a murder than if someone is killed in their family because of a gun or a knife. It's still a death. It's still a major loss. It's still totally avoidable. And we need our police department to be out there educating people so that we don't lose members of our community due to impaired drivers and other factors that we can have a more active hand in . So I thank you for the presentation. I think Catwoman's sorrow for bringing this item forth. I know that when it came to Public Safety Committee, we talked about making sure that our California Office of Traffic Safety Grants are maximized right now, that we're looking at creative grant opportunities at someone who runs that program. In my day job with the jurisdiction I work in, it's important for us to change up those grants every year. We shouldn't be applying for the same grants with the same language. We should be looking at ways to be creative and including things like the mobility issues, the mobility options that we see into those grant funding opportunities , loud pipes, for example, speeding speed contests. We've seen a rise in speed contests in the region. These are things that we really should be trying to route money to, to have our police department be able to enforce. And again. Traffic engineering is actual real engineering. You have to trust the opinions and the decisions. Even though everybody wants a stop sign to solve every problem, that doesn't solve every problem. For reasons that our traffic engineer often shares with people. So thank you to our city team for being here. And I mean, I just think I'm always going to be advocating for more money to go to traffic, education, traffic, engineering and traffic enforcement, because that's what makes a difference in people's lives. Thanks.
Speaker 0: Thank you. We have Councilwoman Mango.
Speaker 1: Thank you. I want to thank everyone for the presentation. I want to thank the Public Safety Committee. Pedestrian safety has been a huge concern since I was on the city council. Many of you know, my story is similar to Councilman Price's, where our issue was about a crosswalk and a left turn arrow and protection for a neighborhood that had had far too many accidents and pedestrian deaths. And our neighborhood association kind of rallied around a woman who was going to run for city council, hopefully. And then she backed out. And here I am. And it comes down to the safety of the neighborhoods you live in. And changing driver behavior is definitely one of the best ways to solve some of these issues. Installing the stop sign that nobody's going to stop at anyway are the same people who are the ones speeding, are the same people who sometimes are the ones complaining. And I think that it's very poignant that I had a real heart to heart with a neighbor recently who was one of the people who complained all the time about speeding. And then his wife almost took the door off of the police chief's car because she was speeding in her own neighborhood. So we often forget and we get rushed and we have to remind people and the only way that we can really make meaningful change is to change traffic conditions. And I think that it's also really important to remember that our traffic engineer is also really restrained by state law. There's a lot of state law that is in place to ensure that when a driver drives from city to city to city to city, that they can expect the same standards across all cities. They don't always know when they're crossing from one city to another. And it's it's difficult to make changes that are meaningful. And we appreciate all the work you do. We know how hard it is. And on behalf of the residents, we want to thank you, all of you, for all three of you. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Is your public comment on this item?
Speaker 1: There's no public comment on certain.
Speaker 0: Customers or any additional comments. Looking to please members go and cast your vote.
Speaker 1: Careful analysis of motion is carried. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to receive and file a Pedestrian Safety presentation from Department of Public Works, Long Beach Fire and Police Department; and
Request City Attorney to prepare a resolution to recognize October as National Pedestrian Safety Month. | LongBeachCC |
LongBeachCC_10192021_21-1100 | Speaker 0: Next to that. I'm 16, please.
Speaker 1: Communication from Councilwoman Allen. Councilman and I have Councilwoman Sorrell recommendation to request city attorney. Their pair resolution recognizing October as breast cancer awareness month.
Speaker 0: Councilman Allen.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I'm very proud to introduce this resolution today, and I think it's an important gesture that our city can make. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and while most people are aware of breast cancer, many forget there are practical steps that we can take to detect the disease in its early stages. As most of you know, I'm a breast cancer survivor. And I think that it's important that we raise awareness for this disease. I am going to take this opportunity because a really close friend of mine done a woman called me when I was in my forties and she was so persistent that I go and get a mammogram . And it was when I look back and I think about these conversations, I thought, you know, I'm young and it was just a distant thought of cancer. But she was persistent and maybe just a good ma was speaking to her, but I wouldn't have that mammogram. And then I was diagnosed with cancer and I went on to have a double radical mastectomy. And breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death in women in the United States. The chance of a woman having breast cancer sometime during her lifetime is about one in eight. And early onset of cancer, which is women under the age of 45, is one in ten. Breast cancer is very common, but it's also preventable. So today I'm asking the city to recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and help our residents to be more informed and better prepare to prevent, manage and survive breast cancer.
Speaker 0: Thank you, councilwoman, councilman and engineer.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Councilwoman Allen, for bringing this item forward. I really respect and admire your passion and advocacy on this matter. As a breast cancer survivor, my sister is also a breast cancer survivor. And I just want to say I stand with you in this advocacy to raise awareness about breast cancer. I think it is very important that we all understand the importance not only within women, but also within men, because everybody has moms and daughters and sisters. And so I'm happy to support this item with you.
Speaker 0: Councilmember Granger.
Speaker 2: Thank you. And I want to. Think of the people who brought this forward of. I used to bring this forward a couple of times when I first started in the city council because my wife is a breast cancer survivor and I wanted to make sure that the message would get out to individuals to please, please, please. Get yourself examined. Get a press or get a test because your best way to fight it is when you catch it early in my way. We're fortunate in that you caught it early and didn't have to go through the major type of surgeries that other people have gone through, like my colleague in the islands. And, you know, thank you for bringing that forward and making people aware that this is a very important health issue and that people should continue to get the get tested. Very happy to support.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilwoman Sara.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank Councilmember Allen for bringing the item forward and that I also stand with her and all of the those who have survived breast cancer, as well as wanting to honor those who had passed from breast cancer as well. And that this is an important month where it's, you know, if you're not scheduled to get tested is a good time to make sure you do and that it's on a regular basis. And just that it's never. It's always important to do education on this. So thank you so much.
Speaker 0: Thank you. And Councilman Price.
Speaker 1: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I, too, want to thank Councilwoman Allen and the COSIGNERS for bringing this item forward. And also, I just really want to thank Councilwoman Allen for sharing so openly and honestly about her personal journey with breast cancer. I think her allowing herself to be vulnerable about that will hopefully allow a lot of people to to take, you know, to kind of heed that advice and and do what they need to to make sure they're safe. My mother was a breast cancer survivor. She is currently surviving breast cancer because her cancer came back a few years ago and she has metastasized breast cancer. But we have amazing medicine today and amazing doctors and nurses at the City of Hope, where we go as a family to get her treatment. And as a result of that and all of the research that's been done in the area of breast cancer, my mother is still hanging in there and, you know, feistier than ever with her four years in taking the current daily medication that she takes. And so I'm proud of the efforts that the leaders throughout this country have done to support policies to advance the science in the area of breast cancer and super proud to serve on a board with so many women for whom this disease is incredibly significant. And with at least one of those women has shared her personal story, having touched been touched by this personally. And so I appreciate that. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilwoman, is there any public comment on this? And please cast your votes. | Agenda Item | Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare a resolution recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness about breast cancer and promote healthy lifestyle choices that reduce the risk of cancer. | LongBeachCC |