Mar 12, 2024 City Council - Revised

COUNCIL MEMBER RICK

[00:00:01]

WE HAVE A QUORUM.

DO WE WANNA WAIT FOR WE HAVE A QUORUM? I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE COMING OUT TO GIVE US ONE MINUTE.

THERE WE GO.

ALL RIGHT.

FOR THE RECORD, COUNCILWOMAN DUGGAN HAS ARRIVED.

ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE BY COUNCILMAN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU.

IF YOU'LL ALL, UH, JUST JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND REFLECTION

[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]

OKAY.

IF YOU CAN PLEASE STAND, FACE THE FLAG.

READY? BEGIN.

I PLEDGE.

ALY.

OKAY.

SO WE HAVE A COUPLE OF, UH, PRESENTATIONS.

SO WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE CELEBRATION OF RAMADAN.

[CEREMONIALS AND PRESENTATIONS]

[ CELEBRATION OF RAMADAN]

ALRIGHT, WELL, LET ME JUST START, UM, BY SAYING, UH, , I WISH YOU ALL A VERY WARM RAMADAN, UM, TO, UH, THE ENTIRE MUSLIM COMMUNITY HERE IN LONG BEACH AND AROUND THE WORLD.

THE MONTH OF RAMADAN IS A TIME OF LASTING FASTING, REFLECTION, DEVOTION OF TO GOD AND COMMUNITY.

THIS RAMADAN IS ESPECIALLY IMPACTFUL WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS DEAD AND MILLIONS MORE AT RISK OF STARVATION IN GAZA.

THIS COUNCIL HAS ALREADY MOVED TO SUPPORT OF A CEASEFIRE, BUT WE MUST TO, WE MUST CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR A LASTING CEASEFIRE IN PEACE AGREEMENT FOR THE REGION AND FOR EVERYONE.

AND 2023, MY FIELD DEPUTY, UH, LEAH RAZA KHAN, HELPED FIT TOGETHER WHAT WE BELIEVE WAS A CITY'S LONG BEACH'S FIRST EVER CELEBRATION OF THE MONTH OF RAMADAN.

AND HERE'S A VIDEO SO YOU ALL CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENED YEAR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SO, WHEN I JUST TAUGHT YOU GUYS, I FORGOT, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART MEANS PEACE BE UPON YOU.

I'M WISHING PEACE UPON YOU.

AND WHEN YOU SAY BACK TO ME, YOU ARE WISHING PEACE UPON ME AGAIN BACK.

SO I REALLY HOPE THAT YOU CAN TAKE AWAY THE, THE SPIRIT OF THIS GREETING.

THE MESSAGE OF THIS GREETING RAMADAN IS ONE OF THE MOST, UH, SACRED MONTHS IN THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR FOR THE ENTIRETY OF THE MONTH, MUSLIM FAST FROM DAWN TO DUSK.

IN THIS TIME, WE ABSTAIN FROM EATING, DRINKING, AND SINNING.

UH, FASTING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP.

IT, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PILLARS OF ISLAM, AND IT IS A WAY FOR US TO PRACTICE OUR DEVOTION TO GOD.

IT STRENGTHENS OUR RELATIONSHIP TO OUR CREATOR AND OUR FAITH.

AND IT REMINDS US OF ALL THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO BE GRATEFUL FOR IN LIFE.

IT'S BEEN EXCITING FOR ME, UH, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RAMADAN, UM, THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PLANNING THIS, AND THEN ALSO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF, OF THIS EVENT TONIGHT.

INTERFAITH EVENTS LIKE THIS, UH, REALLY HIGHLIGHT, UM, THE SENSE OF BELONGING AND HOW WE ALL, UM, CAN PRACTICE OUR FAITHS AND BELIEVE WHAT WE BELIEVE.

AND OUR CITY WILL REPRESENT US NO MATTER, UM, NO MATTER HOW YOU PRAY IN OUR CITY, UH, WE HAVE YOUR BACK.

WE'RE NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT SURE, BUT WE'RE PRETTY SURE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE CELEBRATED RAMADAN HERE AT THE CITY.

AND WE'VE HAD AN INTERFAITH IFTAR LIKE THIS.

SO IT MEANS A LOT FOR EVERYBODY TO JOIN US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU GUYS.

.

LOVE THAT.

SO, WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NOW AT THE TIME? AS SOON AS THE TIME SUNSET, THE SUNSET, IMMEDIATELY WE ARE GONNA RAISE THE, THE COLORFUL PRAYERS, AND I GONNA TRANSLATE IT IN THAT TIME.

WE'RE GONNA START BREAKING OUR FAST A DATE.

THIS IS THE, THE UNA WE USED TO HAVE USED TO HAVE

[00:05:01]

AND GO PRAYING AND CONTINUE.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN, AND MEAH BLESS YOU.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND BLESS THE CITY AND GIVE YOU THE, THE STRENGTH TO, TO WORK THE BEAUTIFUL WORK AS WE ALWAYS HOPE THAT YOU'RE GONNA DO THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THAT WAS WONDERFUL.

SO THANK YOU TO ED LOPEZ FOR PUTTING THAT VIDEO TOGETHER.

AND, UH, IN THE SPIRIT OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, I WOULD LIKE TO WARMLY INVITE THE PUBLIC TO CELEBRATE RAMADAN THIS YEAR ON APRIL 2ND, 2024 FROM SIX 30 TO EIGHT RIGHT HERE AT CITY HALL.

UM, WE'LL BE JOINED BY A MOM, TAREK MOHAMMAD FROM THE LONG BEACH ISLAMIC CENTER.

AND WE'LL HAVE IFTAR PLATES, UH, FOR, UM, FOR FOLKS THAT WILL, UH, BREAK YOUR FAST.

AND THERE WILL ALSO BE, UH, AN AREA FOR PRAYER.

IT'S JUST A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE TOGETHER.

SO MAY YOUR RAMADAN BE FILLED WITH MANY BLESSINGS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT, SO NOW WE'RE GONNA GO ON TO OUR NEXT, UH, PRESENTATION.

AND, UM, LET'S GO TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMAN VOTERS 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

AND, UH, JANE ABES IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING.

SO COME ON UP.

[ LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS 100TH ANNIVERSARY]

THANK YOU TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR INCLUDING US ON THE AGENDA THIS EVENING.

YOU TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE OUR ORGANIZATION AS WE CELEBRATE OUR 100TH BIRTHDAY IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.

SINCE OUR INCEPTION, WE HAVE BEEN A RESPECTED SOURCE OF VOTING AND ELECTION INFORMATION FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN LONG BEACH.

BY PURSUING OUR MISSION OF DEFERRING DEMOCRACY, DEFENDING DEMOCRACY, AND EMPOWERING VOTERS.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HAS ALSO BEEN AN ACTIVE CHAMPION OF OPENNESS IN GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT ITS HISTORY.

OUR PRI PRINCIPLES INCLUDE THE REQUISITE THAT GOVERNMENT BODIES PROTECT THE CITIZENS RIGHTS TO KNOW BY GIVING ADEQUATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTIONS, HOLDING OPEN MEETINGS, AND MAKING PUBLIC RECORDS ACCESSIBLE.

AS AN ACTIVIST GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION LEAGUE, FOUNDERS BELIEVE THAT MAINTAINING A NONPARTISAN STANCE WOULD PROTECT THE FLEDGLING ORGANIZATION FROM BECOMING MIRED IN THE PARTY POLITICS OF THE DAY.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN ORGANIZATION FULLY COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN PRINCIPLE AND IN PRACTICE.

AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE SLIDE CURRENTLY ON THE SCREEN, WE PARTNER WITH MANY COMMUNITY GROUPS TO CONDUCT NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATE FORUMS. I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAVE PARTICIPATED IN AT LEAST ONE OF THESE FORUMS. WE ALSO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO EDUCATE OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS ON LOCAL AND STATE PROPOSITIONS.

YOU CAN SEE AN EXAMPLE OF THE SPECIFIC EVENTS WE'VE HAD.

IN ADDITION, WE SHARE VOTING RESOURCE WEBSITES.

WITH ALL A FEW EXAMPLES OF OUR FOCUS TODAY, AND AS WE BEGIN THE NEXT 100 YEARS, WE ENCOURAGE INFORMED AND ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT AND INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

WE TAKE ACTION ON SELECTED GOVERNMENT POLICY ISSUES AND THE PUBLIC INTEREST AT LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVELS.

WE ARE ACTIVELY BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP WITH CSU LONG BEACH AND LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE.

THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HAS REINSTATED A CORE OF MEMBERS TO OBSERVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS AND REPORT BACK TO THE LARGER MEMBERSHIP ON CURRENT ISSUES.

OUR MEMBERSHIP HAS AUTHORIZED TO STUDY TO UPDATE THE EXISTING LOCAL POSITION ON LAND USE.

THE STUDY WILL UPDATE OUR LOCAL LAND USE POSITION

[00:10:01]

AGAIN, WE THANK YOU AND I AM VERY PROUD TO REPRESENT THIS ORGANIZATION THAT IS 100 YEARS OLD.

THANK YOU.

OKAY, I AM GONNA TURN THIS OVER TO MEGAN KERR.

YES, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT AND THANK YOU FOR THE STRONG WORK THAT YOU DO, UM, FOR VOTERS OF ALL AGES, UM, IN VOTER, FOR VOTERS IN ALL PARTS OF OUR CITY TO CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE, UM, ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION.

UM, I GET THE EMAILS, I READ THEM, UM, AND THEY MATTER AND THEY MATTER IN WAYS THAT, UH, THE WORK THAT YOU SITTING HERE AND THOSE WHO YOU REPRESENT PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE.

SO AS WE'RE, UM, IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ELECTION CYCLE, ONCE AGAIN, I THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING, UM, TO ALLOW US TO BE MORE INFORMED ABOUT THE ISSUES, UH, AROUND US STATEWIDE, LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.

SO, THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT WORK AND CONGRATULATIONS ON A HUNDRED YEARS.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN, MARRIES AND DEJAS.

OOPS.

THANK YOU VICE MAYOR AND THANK YOU, UM, TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S VOTERS, FOR ALL THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO, IT IS SO IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY RIGHT NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET EVERYBODY ACTIVE IN VOTING.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEFENSE, ESPECIALLY OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

I REMEMBER BEING AT A, A PRESS CONFERENCE WHEN WE WERE DEFENDING AND DEMONSTRATING AGAINST WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO, UM, ROE VERSUS WADE.

AND THAT IS WHAT THE WOMEN'S VOTER LEAGUE OF WOMEN'S VOTERS LEAGUE IS ALL ABOUT.

SO, VERY THANKFUL FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO, AND IT'S CONTINUE TO DO THIS WORK TOGETHER.

YES, AND I ALSO JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU, JANE, FOR PRESENTING, UH, TODAY AND THANK YOU TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FOR AND EMPOWERING WOMEN AND VOTERS IN DEFENDING DEMOCRACY OVER THE LAST A HUNDRED YEARS.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY VITAL TO OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS THAT CONSTANTLY EDUCATE VOTERS BOTH ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, UM, AND ON THE STATE LEVEL AT EVERY, UH, ELECTION CYCLE.

AND COMING FROM A COUNCIL, UH, FOR MAJORITY WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS, WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF UPLIFTING WOMEN'S VOICES.

SO I'M SO EXCITED TO SEE THE CONTINUED WORK OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

OKAY, SO NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO TO, UM, A CELEBRATION OF COURT OF COURAGE AND THE HH STAFF IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING.

GOOD EVENING VICE MAYOR AND ESTEEMED COUNCIL MEMBERS.

I'M HERE TODAY TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A VERY SPECIAL FAMILY.

WE TALK A LOT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING IN THESE COUNCIL MEETINGS AND HERE IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND WE HELP SHARE THE STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUND THEIR WAY TO HOUSING AFTER EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT AS THE CITY WE ARE, BUT ONE PIECE OF THE PUZZLE IN TRULY STABILIZING A FAMILY.

AND THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW THAT PUZZLE CAME TOGETHER FOR A REALLY GREAT PIECE OF HISTORY AND ART.

JEREMIAH ARMSTEAD AND HIS MOTHER, MINDY BROOKS, HIS BROTHER MARCUS, AND HIS SISTER ARMANI, PERSEVERED THROUGH INCREDIBLE HARDSHIP, INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND FOUR YEARS OF HOMELESSNESS.

JEREMIAH GRADUATED FROM POLLY HIGH SCHOOL, HAVING PLAYED BASKETBALL WHILE LIVING IN THEIR CAR.

HE DIDN'T STOP THERE.

HE HAS GONE ON TO MATRICULATE AT FISK UNIVERSITY IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE, OF WHICH I AM A PROUD GRADUATE.

AND WHAT WE WANT YOU TO KNOW TODAY IS THAT IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE TO DO THIS WORK.

AND JEREMIAH HAS BENEFITED.

UH, ADDITIONALLY, FROM THE HELP OF A NONPROFIT, WE EDUCATE BRILLIANT MINDS.

THE FAMILY WAS REFERRED TO US THROUGH OUR REALLY GREAT PARTNER, UH, INTERVAL HOUSE, THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.

AND THE SISTERS OF WATTS, UH, WAS A NONPROFIT WHO REFERRED THEM TO REEDUCATE BRILLIANT MINDS, AND THEY RAISED MONEY

[00:15:01]

TODAY, JEREMIAH IS STUDYING KINESIOLOGY AND PLAYING BASKETBALL COMPETITIVELY.

AND HE WAS RECENTLY RECOGNIZED BY THE UNITED STATES BASKETBALL WRITERS ASSOCIATION FOR THE 2024 MOST COURAGEOUS AWARD.

HE IS THE FIRST RECIPIENT, UH, TO ATTEND A HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE.

AND AS A RESULT OF THE AWARD, HE HAS BEEN GIVEN AN ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO THE FINAL FOUR THAT WILL BE HAPPENING VERY SOON.

BUT WE JUST WANTED TO PAUSE AND THANK THESE NONPROFITS FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, THANK OUR TEAM FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE, AND TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS FAMILY THROUGH SITUATIONS SUCH AS OUR CRISIS ON HOMELESSNESS AND THE EMERGENCY THAT WE HAD, ARE THE RECIPIENTS OF THE WORK THAT WE ALL DO HERE EVERY DAY.

AND I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT FORWARD AND COMMEND JEREMIAH, HIS MOTHER, MINDY, WHO WAS HOUSED BY A VOUCHER IN OUR CITY IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR, AND HIS TWO SIBLINGS WHO ARE BOTH VERY ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ALSO EXCELLING IN HIGH SCHOOL.

SO WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND I BELIEVE WE ALSO HAVE SOMEONE HERE FROM THE FISK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT.

NO.

OKAY.

BUT ANYWAY, WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

YOU SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING.

I DO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

I WROTE A LITTLE SOMETHING DOWN THAT I JUST WANNA, FIRST, I WANT TO THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING ME AND MY FAMILY TO CONTINUE TO HAVE BLESSINGS COME OUR WAY.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AT POLLY, ESPECIALLY MY COACH SHELTON DIGS FOR COMING IN MY LIFE AND BEING LIKE A FATHER FIGURE.

I WANNA THANK HIM FOR BEING THAT DEACON OF SUPPORT.

AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AT ENTER HOUSE WHO MADE AN IMPACT.

MISS CAROL, MISS DIANA, MISS AHA, MS. CHRISTINA, AND A BIG THANK YOU TO MS. CHRISTINA VINE FROM FOX 11 FOR HELPING US GET HOUSING.

I WANNA THANK, UM, STEVEN BERNSTEIN FROM WE EDUCATE, BRING MINDS, UH, MISS KEISHA DANIELS FROM SISTERS OF WATTS, WHERE YOU AT? HOW YOU DOING? UM, AND I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL.

I WANNA THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THIS GREAT AWARD.

I'M A BELIEVER THAT THROUGH CHRIST ALL THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

I HAVE A LOT OF FUTURE PLANS SUCH AS TO ONE DAY OPEN A SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN, MORE SPECIFICALLY TALL KIDS, SUCH AS MYSELF, BECAUSE GROWING UP I WASN'T REALLY ABLE TO FIT IN THE SHELTERS BECAUSE I WAS SO TALL FOR MY AGE.

AND I KNOW IT TAKES TIME AND EVERYTHING WON'T HAPPEN FAST, BUT I WALK BY FAITH.

SO I HAVE NO PROBLEM WAITING.

THAT'S EVERYTHING.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT, WHAT AN INCREDIBLE STORY.

AND THANK YOU DR. KING FOR LIFTING UP THE NONPROFITS AND JEREMIAH AS A, AS A FELLOW ALUM FROM LONG BEACH POLY.

YOU MAKE US PROUD.

WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS.

UM, OKAY.

UM, I'LL TURN THIS OVER TO AL AUSTIN.

WELL, I JUST WANT TO JOIN AND, AND SAY THANK YOU TO JEREMIAH, UM, AND TO YOUR VILLAGE, YOUR SUPPORTIVE VILLAGE FOR JOINING US HERE TODAY AND INSPIRING US.

UH, THE STORY IS VERY INSPIRING.

UH, CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, YOUR WALK ISN'T OVER.

UM, AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT, THAT SUPPORTIVE, UH, STRUCTURE AROUND YOU.

UH, I, I, I I, I, I WANT TO JOIN, UM, IN SALUTING YOU, CONGRATULATING YOU, AND, UM, REALLY WISHING YOU THE, THE, THE BEST.

UH, YOU, YOU HAVE OVERCOME QUITE A BIT.

AND YOU SHOW THAT RESILIENCE IS, UH, YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF RESILIENCE.

AND, UM, JUST APPRECIATE THE INSPIRATION HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU, UH, COUNCILWOMAN JONI, RICK SODI.

UM, I AM GOING TO ECHO EVERYTHING THAT MY COLLEAGUE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER AUSTIN SAID.

UM, WE DON'T OFTEN, I THINK AS A COUNCIL, GET TO SEE, WE DO, YOU KNOW, WE AS A CITY WORK WITH NONPROFITS, RIGHT? AND WE DO A LOT OF THIS KIND OF PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, BUT WE DON'T OFTEN GET TO SEE THE FRUIT THAT COMES FROM THE WORK THAT WE DO, RIGHT? UM, AND SO IT'S A DISTINCT HONOR TO HAVE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HERE SHARING YOUR STORY, WHERE YOU'RE GOING, THE FACT THAT THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP, RIGHT? UM, AND I THINK THAT THAT EMPOWERS US.

THAT ENCOURAGES US TOO, RIGHT? SO YOUR PRESENCE HERE, JUST KNOW, ENCOURAGES US AS COUNCIL MEMBERS, RIGHT? TO THINK ABOUT, OKAY, WHAT ELSE CAN WE BE DOING? HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS, KNOWING THAT THEY BORE FRUIT, LIKE, UH, LIKE, LIKE YOURSELF AND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING, AND HOW YOU'VE IMPACTED AN ENTIRE, YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY AND YOUR COMMUNITY.

SO, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SPEAKING AND SHARING YOUR STORY AND SHARING YOUR TRUTH WITH US.

THANK YOU.

UH, COUNCILWOMAN KERR.

YES, UH, ECHO.

ECHO, MY COLLEAGUES, UH, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR KING FOR COMING TODAY TO

[00:20:01]

AND CONGRATULATIONS.

I THINK IT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'RE SEEING YOU SINCE YOUR APPOINTMENT.

SO, UM, JEREMIAH AND YOUR FAMILY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONTINUING TO SHOW THAT WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED THUS FAR IS PART OF YOUR STORY.

AND YOU HAVEN'T LET IT DEFINE YOU, ANY OF YOU.

AND IT CONTINUES TO BE THE THING THAT EMPOWERS YOU TO DO MORE, UM, NOT JUST FOR YOURSELF AND FOR YOUR FAMILY, BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO EMPOWER OTHERS.

AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THE EXAMPLE THAT YOU'RE SETTING FOR ALL OF THOSE JACK RABBITS.

I HAVE TWO JACK RABBIT KIDS AS WELL.

UM, BUT ESPECIALLY YOUNGER FOLKS WHO MAY BE IN A SIMILAR SITUATION, UM, THAT YOU ARE MOVING PAST WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED AND TAKING IT WITH YOU AND GOTTEN STRONGER.

SO THANK YOU FOR WHO YOU ARE AND WHO YOU CONTINUE TO BECOME.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO MAKE IN OUR COMMUNITY, UM, WHERE YOU'RE CURRENTLY LIVING AT SCHOOL AND, AND HOPEFULLY WHEN YOU COME BACK TO US HERE IN LONG BEACH.

SO, THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU FOR COMING TONIGHT.

COUNCILWOMAN ZA DEJAS.

I ECHO, ECHO, ECHO, ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID.

UM, I'M VERY TOUCHED BY YOUR KIND WORDS TONIGHT, JEREMIAH, I, UM, A AS IT WAS SAID, WE AS COUNCIL MEMBERS WORK REALLY HARD WITH OUR NONPROFITS TO, UM, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT YOU WERE ABLE TO SHOW US THAT THERE IS HOPE, AND THAT THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING, UM, WILL DELIVER, UM, SO MANY GREAT THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE THAT YOU KNOW, THAT ARE PROVIDED SERVICES.

UM, SO I'M VERY, VERY HUMBLED AND TOUCHED TO, TO BE HERE IN YOUR PRESENCE.

UM, YOU'RE, YOU SPEAK SO ELOQUENTLY, I'M SO PROUD OF YOU.

UM, AND I THINK I OWE IT ALL TO, WE OWE ALL TO YOUR MOTHER, MINDY.

UM, THANK YOU MINDY, UH, FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, JUST BEING THE STRONG WARRIOR WOMAN, UM, AND SUPPORTING YOUR CHILDREN AND BEING ABLE TO ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGES OF THOSE RESOURCES THAT NOT ONLY HELPED YOU, BUT THAT WERE ABLE TO HELP YOUR CHILDREN AS WELL.

AND I THINK JEREMIAH IS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF WHAT TOGETHER A VILLAGE CAN DO.

SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH, BOTH OF YOU.

AND I AM JUST, YOU KNOW, YOU HAD ME AT, UM, THE FACT THAT YOU SAID THAT YOU WANT TO ONE DAY BUILD A SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

AND, UM, I JUST REALLY ADMIRE YOU AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE TO BE ON THE BEGINNING OF YOUR LIFE BECAUSE THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR YOU.

UM, AND TO HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL GOALS IN LIFE.

I ADMIRE YOU AND THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE TONIGHT.

WELL, THANK YOU AGAIN.

I THINK JEREMIAH, MOM, YOU CAN SEE YOU HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT AND FANS HERE.

SO WITH YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND COMMUNITY, I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA DO GREAT THINGS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, FOLLOWING YOU.

ALRIGHT, SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON TO, UM, NOW WHAT I WANNA DO IS TURN THIS OVER TO OUR CITY ATTORNEY TO REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, VICE MAYOR.

WE HAVE A FEW REPORTS FROM CLOSED SESSION TONIGHT.

UM, IN THE MATTER OF JENNY VARLEY VERSUS CITY OF LONG BEACH, UH, CITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZED A SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.375 MILLION, UH, IN THE MATTER OF TWAN FAY RUIZ VERSUS CITY OF LONG BEACH.

UH, THERE IS A SETTLEMENT APPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $380,000.

AND IN THE MATTER OF MICHAEL COLBERT VERSUS CITY OF LONG BEACH, THERE IS AN APPROVED SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, CITY ATTORNEY.

ALRIGHT, NOW LET'S GO TO, UH, THE CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS ONE THROUGH 40.

OKAY.

UM, ARE THERE

[CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 40.)]

OKAY, LET'S VOTE.

COUNCILMAN SUPER NA COUNCILWOMAN SUN, ARE YOU AN AYE? THANK YOU.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

OKAY.

UM, ITEM 54, REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY.

RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM TO BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.

SORRY, THAT WAS JOAN.

[00:25:02]

JOANIE.

JOANIE, DO YOU WANT A MOTION ON THIS? DO THE MOTION, UH, I DON'T ACTUALLY REMEMBER PULLING THIS.

NO, NO.

DO, ARE YOU ON MOTION? UM, COUNCILMAN KER ARE PULLING IT.

IT'S YOUR ITEM.

MEGAN KERR AND CHRISTINA DUG.

OKAY.

NO, WHAT WE'RE ASKING IS, DO YOU, THIS IS YOUR ITEM.

DO YOU WANT MEGAN, KURT TO PULL IT SO YOU CAN MOTION? OH, SURE.

OKAY.

ALRIGHT.

SO JUST MAKE, JUST CHANGE THAT OVER THERE.

OKAY.

IT USED TO BE WAY EASIER WITH THE OLD, BUT THE OLD SYSTEM, THE NEW SYSTEM IS THIS MINE.

WE'RE NOT ABLE TO DO THAT OURSELVES.

SO, FEEDBACK.

YEAH.

ALRIGHT, SO, UM, WE HAVE, OKAY, SO NOW IT'S MOVED BY COUNCIL.

I'M JONI RICK SODI, SECOND BY CHRISTINA DUGGAN.

UM, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? THERE IS ONE SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.

CHRISTOPHER PEREZ.

HI CHRIS.

HELLO.

OKAY, YOU'RE ON .

GOOD EVENING MAYOR COUNCIL, I AM HERE TO THANK YOU, UH, FOR, UM, ITEM 54.

UH, THE CITY'S PROPOSED RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE AFFORDABLE INTERNET ACCESS THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM, ALSO KNOWN AS KNOWN AS THE A CP.

MY NAME IS CHRIS PEREZ HERE ON BEHALF OF CONGRESSMAN ROBERT GARCIA, WHO IS CURRENTLY IN DC HOWEVER, HE ASKED ME TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND SPEAK ON THE ITEM, GIVEN ITS IMPORTANT TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.

THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH AND CALIFORNIA'S 42ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, OVER 76,000 CONSTITUENTS RELY ON ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE INTERNET THROUGH THE A CP.

TODAY, HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICE IS NO LONGER A LUXURY.

IT HAS BECOME A NECESSITY.

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS CRITICAL TO EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, AND THE ECONOMY.

THAT IS WHY LOWERING PRICES, INCLUDING THE COST OF HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SERVICE, IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR HOUSE DEMOCRATS.

CONGRESSMAN GARCIA IS PROUD TO HAVE SIGNED ONTO A TRI CAUCUS LETTER URGING CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP TO INCLUDE 6 BILLION IN NECESSARY FUNDING TO REPLENISH THE A CP AND ANY GOVERNMENT FUNDING PACKAGE.

HE BELIEVES THAT OUR RESIDENTS, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TAKING UP THIS ITEM.

THANK YOU, CHRIS.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY, LET'S VOTE.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

WONDERFUL.

OKAY, LET'S GO TO OUR HEARINGS AND LET'S START WITH ITEM 41.

THE GALLAGHERS ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT REPORT FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INTO THE RECORD, CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND GRANT AN ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING TO GALLAGHER'S PUB AND GRILL DISTRICT TWO.

AND THERE IS AN OATH REQUIRED FOR THIS ITEM.

WILL THOSE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM,

[41. 24-52366 Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and grant an Entertainment Permit with conditions for entertainment with dancing to KRK Family RG, LLC, dba Gallagher’s Pub & Grill. (District 2) Levine Act:  Yes       Office or Department: Financial Management         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

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.

THANK YOU.

YES.

VICE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL, UH, TONIGHT WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM JEANNIE STO, BUSINESS SERVICES OFFICER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

OKAY, THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING.

HONORABLE VICE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL BEFORE YOU TONIGHT ARE AN APPLICATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITHOUT DANCING FOR KRK FAMILY, RG LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS GALLAGHER'S PUB AND GRILL.

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS LOCATED AT 27 51 EAST BROADWAY AND OPERATES AS A RESTAURANT AND READY TO EAT FOODS WITH ALCOHOL.

GALLAGHER'S PUB AND GRILL HAS A TYPE 47 ON SALE, GENERAL EATING PLACE, AND TYPE 58 CATERER PERMIT FROM THE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSE.

ALL APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, POLICE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT HAVE REVIEWED THE APPLICATION AND HAVE PROVIDED THEIR RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS, UH, AS CONTAINED IN THE HEARING PACKET.

THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS AND ATTACHMENT A SHOULD BE NOTED FROM THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.

SECTION ONE ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO NO LATER THAN 12:00 AM ON SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

AND TWO 2:00 AM ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

ENTERTAINMENT CAN BEGIN AT 10:00 AM MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

ENTERTAINMENT ON THE FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS IS PERMITTED UNTIL 12:30 AM NEW YEAR'S EVE, NEW YEAR'S DAY, ST.

PATRICK'S DAY, CINCO DE MAYO MEMORIAL DAY EVE, JULY 3RD, LABOR DAY EVE AND HALLOWEEN NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT CAN BEGIN AT 9:00 AM TWO.

THE PERMITING MUST PROVIDE ALL RENTERS WITH A COPY OF THE APPROVED PERMIT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A COPY, UH, OF THE APPROVED CONDITIONS OF OPERATION.

AND THREE, THE PERMITEE SHALL NOT CONVERT THE HALL RENTAL OR ANY PORTION THEREOF INTO A PUBLIC DANCE NIGHTCLUB.

ALL ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO PRIVATE GATHERINGS.

THE PERMITEE SHALL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RENT THE HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A CONCERT DANCE OR DISC JOCKEY EVENT, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

I, ALONG WITH COMMANDER DARREN LANCE

[00:30:01]

THIS CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

UM, CAN WE GO AHEAD AND GO TO, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT? THERE'S ONE SPEAKER, ERIC KAMINSKI.

HELLO, I'M, UH, HERE ON BEHALF OF, UH, MY TENANTS THAT LIVE IN THE AREA OF GALLAGHERS.

UH, FIRST OFF, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE, UH, THAT THE LAND THAT WE ARE ON NOW IS STOLEN FROM NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

THIS IS JUST SOMETHING I SAY TO FEEL, MAKE MYSELF FEEL BETTER THAT I'M HERE.

UM, IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PROBLEMS AND INCREASING CRIMES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON ON SECOND STREET, I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD ONLY BRING MORE TO, UH, A NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, THAT IS BASICALLY A BEDROOM COMMUNITY.

UH, IT'S IT'S WAY TOO CLOSE TO, UH, UH, RESIDENCES TO, TO ALLOW THIS KIND OF, UH, UH, PERMIT.

UM, CURRENTLY I ALREADY RECEIVE NOISE COMPLAINTS FROM GALLAGHER'S, UH, FROM MY TENANTS.

AND, UH, I DON'T THINK THAT THIS WILL, UH, MAKE IT ANY LESS.

UM, IN THE REPORT, UH, CURRENT STIPULATION STATES THAT THERE'S, UH, NO AUDIBLE NOISE BEYOND 50 FEET OF THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

UH, CURRENTLY IT ALREADY TRAVELS MORE THAN 50 FEET, UH, WITH A, UM, UH, WITH THIS, UM, PERMIT TO BE ALLOWED.

UH, I'M SURE IT'S GONNA TRAVEL EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT.

UM, I RECEIVED NOTIFICA, OR ONE OF MY TENANTS RECEIVED NOTIFICATION, UH, ABOUT, UH, THIS PERMIT A DAY AFTER.

UM, THEY WERE TO BE ABLE TO, UH, MAKE A COMMENT A ABOUT IT.

AND IT WAS ACTUALLY MAILED THE DAY THAT THAT COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED.

SO I DON'T FEEL THAT THEY WERE PROPERLY, UH, GIVEN NOTICE ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.

UH, AND THEN, UH, ALSO PARKING IN THE AREA, UH, IS ALREADY FAIRLY IMPACTED.

UM, IF THEY'RE ALLOWED TO DO CONCERTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, UH, IT'S GONNA BE MUCH WORSE.

UM, TRASH IS ALREADY A PROBLEM FROM THIS ESTABLISHMENT.

UH, IT SPILLS OVER INTO THE ALLEY.

I GET CALLED OUT AND I HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP.

AND IT'S USUALLY NOT JUST FOOD WASTE, IT'S HUMAN WASTE.

ALSO, UM, IN THE REPORT FROM, UH, DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, THE BUSINESS SERVICE BUREAU, IT SAYS, UH, IN THEIR APPLICATION SECTION G, QUESTION 16, ARE THERE SURROUNDING RESIDENCES? THEY ASKED, ANSWERED, YES.

UH, THEY ASKED HOW CLOSE, THEY SAID 300 FEET.

IT'S MORE LIKE 15 FEET, UH, 300 FEET IS TO THE, UH, ASSISTED LIVING.

UM, SO THESE ARE ALL SENIORS THAT IF, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M SORRY, BUT THAT IS YOUR TIME, YOUR THREE MINUTES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING TODAY.

THANK YOU.

ALRIGHT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER, UM, PUBLIC COMMENTS? NO FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.

ALRIGHT, WELL, UM, I JUST WANNA SAY, UH, THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

UM, YOU KNOW, GALLAGHER'S IS A CLASSIC ESTABLISHMENT IN DISTRICT TWO, AND I KNOW IT'S BEEN THERE FOR, UH, FOR DECADES.

UH, AND I THINK IT, IT, WITH REGARDS TO DISTRICT TWO, IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HISTORY.

AND, UH, IT'S A ESTABLISHMENT THAT WE ALL VISIT AND, UM, ENJOY.

SO I JUST WANNA THANK AND RECOGNIZE THE RESIDENTS WHO DID REACH OUT, UM, TO MY OFFICE AND VOICE THEIR OPINIONS, UH, AND SUPPORT OR OPPOSITION TO THIS PERMIT.

UM, I KNOW THAT THE OWNERS OF GALLAGHER, I, I KNOW THE OWNERS AND I KNOW THAT THEY WILL COMPLY WITH ALL THE CONDITIONS LISTED AND MAKE, UM, EVERY EFFORT TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.

'CAUSE THEY ALREADY DO THAT.

UM, I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS PERMIT TONIGHT.

AND, UM, SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE ENTERTAINMENT IN, IN DISTRICT TWO WITH THE UNDERSTANDING, UM, THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR THAT THEY ALREADY ARE.

SO, UM, WITH THAT, LET'S VOTE.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

ALRIGHT,

[00:35:01]

ALRIGHT, NOW LET'S GO ON TO ITEM, UM, 42.

REPORT FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INTO THE RECORD, CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND GRANT AN ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING AT CHE DISTRICT EIGHT.

THIS ALSO REQUIRES A OATH.

WILL THOSE TESTIFYING ON THIS ITEM? PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

DO YOU, AND EACH OF YOU SOLEMNLY STATE THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE AND THE CAUSE NOW AND PENDING BEFORE THIS BODY SHALL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH,

[42. 24-52365 Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and grant an Entertainment Permit with conditions for entertainment with dancing to Maria Regla Sardinas, dba Prendido De Noche. (District 8) Levine Act:  Yes       Office or Department: Financial Management         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

THANK YOU.

VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL WILL HEAR AGAIN FROM, UH, JUDY SALCITO, BUSINESS SERVICES OFFICER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.

UH, GOOD EVENING ONCE AGAIN.

UM, HONORABLE VICE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, BEFORE YOU.

TONIGHT IS ANOTHER APPLICATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING FOR, UH, REGULAR MARIA SARDINAS, LLC SARDINA, UH, LLC, DOING BUSINESS AS CHE.

THE ESTABLISHMENT IS LOCATED AT 26 88 EAST SOUTH STREET AND OPERATES AS A BAR TAVERN LOUNGE.

CHE HAS A VALID TYPE 48 ON SALE, GENERAL PUBLIC PREMISE BAR, NIGHTCLUB, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSE.

ALL 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.

THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS AND ATTACHMENT A SHOULD BE NOTED FROM THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.

SECTION ONE, ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO NO LATER THAN 1:30 AM ON THURSDAYS THROUGH SUNDAYS 12:00 AM ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

ENTERTAINMENT CAN BEGIN AT 9:30 PM ON MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY.

TWO, THE PERMITING MUST PROVIDE ALL RENTERS WITH A COPY OF THE APPROVED PERMIT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A COPY OF THE APPROVED CONDITIONS OF OPERATION.

THREE.

THE PERMITING SHALL NOT CONVERT THE HALL RENTAL OR ANY PORTION THEREOF INTO A PUBLIC DANCE NIGHTCLUB.

ALL ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO PRIVATE GATHERINGS.

THE PERMITEE SHALL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RENT THE HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A CONCERT DANCE OR DISC JOCKEY EVENT, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

I, ALONG WITH COMMANDER DARREN LANCE FROM THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.

THIS CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT.

THANK YOU.

UM, LET'S GO TO A PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE.

THERE'S NO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THIS ITEM.

ALL RIGHT, THEN, UH, I'LL GO TO A COUNCILMAN AUSTIN.

YES, THANK YOU.

UH, THIS, UH, ESTABLISHMENT IS IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, UH, ON THE CORNER OF SOUTH AND PARAMOUNT.

UH, THE APPLICANT, UM, MR. SERGEANT IS, UH, HAS, UH, SO FAR DEMONSTRATED HERSELF TO BE A, A VERY RESPONSIBLE, UM, BUSINESS OWNER AND SOMEBODY WHO HAS INVESTED SIGNIFICANTLY, UM, IN THE, THE PROPERTY.

A PROPERTY THAT HAD BEEN A EYESORE AND A, AND A CHALLENGED, UH, LOCATION, UM, OVER THE YEARS.

AND SO, UH, I JUST, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO, TO KIND OF STUMBLE INTO THIS, THIS, THIS ESTABLISHMENT FOR LUNCH THE OTHER DAY.

UH, MY WIFE AND I, AND I WANT TO JUST TELL YOU, YOU SLEPT.

I, WE FOLKS HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON A, ON A GREAT, GREAT MEAL.

SO I, I WOULD RECOMMEND, UM, NOT ONLY ARE THEY A ENTERTAINMENT, UH, ESTABLISHMENT BY NIGHT, BUT DURING THE DAY THEY HAVE EXCELLENT CUISINE.

UM, AND, UH, I WILL BE BACK.

SO WITH THAT, I LIKE TO JUST SAY THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, CLEARLY PD HAS DONE ITS DUE DILIGENCE.

UH, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAVE ALL, UH, RECOMMENDED, UH, THAT WE MOVE FORWARD.

UH, AND SO WITH THAT, I WOULD, UH, ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT, UM, THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO GRANT THE, UM, LICENSE.

ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

COUNCILMAN AUSTIN.

I DON'T SEE ANY OTHER COMMENTS, SO LET'S VOTE.

MOTION IS CARRIED.

OKAY, SO NOW WE'RE GONNA HEAD ON OVER TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.

SO LET'S START WITH ITEM 50.

REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT TO A MG FOR THE LONG BEACH REPLACEMENT FIRE STATION NINE PROJECT FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 19,435,900 DISTRICT FIVE.

[50. 24-52359 Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7206 and award a contract to AMG & Associates, Inc., of Santa Clarita, CA, for the Long Beach Replacement Fire Station 9 Project, in an amount of $17,669,000, authorize a ten percent contingency in the amount of $1,766,900, for a total contract amount not to exceed $19,435,900; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary amendments; and Increase appropriation in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $22,00,000, offset by funds future bond proceeds. (District 5)       Office or Department: Public Works; Fire Department         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]

UH, THIS HAS BEEN A BIG, BIG, BIG PROJECT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

UH, THIS,

[00:40:01]

WE RELOCATED THEM, UH, WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY, UH, FOUND A LOCATION, AND NOW ARE PRESENTING TO YOU THE ACTUAL PROJECT TO BUILD A BRAND NEW FIRE STATION, UH, THAT IS VERY MUCH NEEDED IN BIXBY.

SO, UH, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO OUR TEAM TO KIND OF GIVE A PRESENTATION, UH, ON, UH, WHAT THE NEW FIRE STATION'S GONNA LOOK LIKE AND THE, AND THE SCHEDULE.

GOOD EVENING, UH, VICE MAYOR ALLEN, AND ALL MEMBERS OF, UH, STATE COUNCIL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INVITING US HERE TO DISCUSS THIS NEW FIRE STATION NINE PROJECT.

I'LL TURN IT OVER TO, UH, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ERIC LOPEZ.

THANK YOU, CHIEF.

SO, UM, I'LL PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OF THE PROJECT DETAILS, UH, AND THEN, UH, THE CHIEF CAN TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE AND, UM, AND WHAT'S GOING TO BE, UH, HOUSED HERE.

UM, AND, UH, AND WE CAN GO FROM THERE.

SO, UH, THE, THE LOCATION IS ON LONG BEACH BOULEVARD.

UH, THIS WAS THE LONG PROCESS TO FIND THE APPROPRIATE SITE.

UH, THEN WE WENT THROUGH THE ENTITLEMENTS PROCESS, UH, AND GOT ALL OF THE PLANNING APPROVALS.

UM, AND THEN WE'VE DESIGNED, UH, THE STATION AND, UH, WE'RE NOW MOVING, UH, READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

UM, UH, WHAT WE WILL BE DOING HERE IS DEMOLISHING THE EXISTING, UH, FACILITY, UH, AND CONSTRUCTING A NEW 12,780 SQUARE FOOT, UH, TWO STORY, UH, FACILITY THAT CAN HOUSE UP TO THREE APPARATUS.

BAY FIRE, UH, FIRE, UM, STATIONS.

UH, WE WILL HAVE NEW LANDSCAPING.

WE WILL HAVE NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS.

UH, WE WOULD BE, UH, IMPROVING AND WIDENING THE, UH, THE ALLEY ON THE NORTH SIDE.

WE WILL BE MAKING SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ADJACENT, UH, SIDE BOUNDARIES.

UM, AND WE WILL ALSO BE UNDERGROUNDING THE OVERHEAD UTILITIES THERE TO, UH, ACCOMMODATE THE NEEDS, UH, TO BE ABLE TO BUILD, UH, THE, THE NEW STATION.

UM, SO, UH, THE, THE PROJECT SITE, UM, AND THE, AND THE FLOW OF OUR, UH, EQUIPMENT, UH, IS SHOWN IN THIS DIAGRAM.

UM, AND THE NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS ARE, ARE MEANT TO, UH, BE CONTROLLED BY OUR RESPONSE TEAMS AS THEY'RE GOING IN AND OUT OF THE FACILITY, UH, TO HELP, UH, FACILITATE THE RESPONSE TIME, UM, AND, UH, AND, AND, AND MANAGE THE, UM, THE MOVEMENT, UH, THROUGHOUT THE SITE.

WE DO HAVE ONSITE, UH, PARKING FOR FIRE PERSONNEL, UH, THAT'S, UH, GONNA BE ASSIGNED, UH, AT THE, AT THE STATION.

SO, UH, HERE ARE SOME RENDERINGS OF THE, OF THE FIRE STATION, UM, OF WHAT'S GONNA BE BUILT, UM, AND, AND THE SETUP.

UM, SO, UM, IT'S, UH, OUR MODERN STATION, UH, NEWEST STATION, UH, THAT WE WILL BE BUILDING.

UH, THIS PROJECT IS, UH, FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF MEASURE A AND SOME GENERAL CAPITAL DOLLARS, BUT, UH, MOSTLY GEN, UH, MEASURE A, UM, AND, UH, WE'RE READY, UH, TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO, UM, WITH APPROVAL OF THE, UH, CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT TODAY, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO, UM, TO, UM, EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.

AND, UH, WE ANTICIPATE WE CAN START WORK SOMETIME IN MAY, MAY, JUNE.

UH, AND CONSTRUCTION DURATION, UH, WILL BE AR BETWEEN 26 AND 32 MONTHS.

UH, WE WILL HAVE A DETAILED SCHEDULE AS ONE OF THE FIRST DELIVERABLES FROM THE CONTRACTOR, AND THEN WE CAN RECONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE, UH, WE, UH, COMMUNICATE THE, THE, THE MILESTONES AND, AND THE DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PROJECT, STARTING WITH THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING, UH, BUILDING.

UH, SO, UM, HERE I CAN TURN IT OVER TO THE CHIEF.

THANK YOU DIRECTOR ERIC LOPEZ.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING US ON THIS PROJECT.

UH, ON BEHALF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE WERE JUST EXTREMELY GRATEFUL.

I JUST WANNA GIVE YOU SOME, UM, IMPROVEMENTS THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

SO AT THIS STATION, WE'LL HAVE FIRE ENGINE NINE AND PARAMEDIC RESCUE AMBULANCE NINE RESPONDING UNITED STATION.

UH, IN ADDITION, I'M GONNA RELOCATE BATTALION CHIEF THREE FROM FIRE STATION 16 AT THE AIRPORT.

HE'S GONNA BE RELOCATED TO THIS STATION.

YOU'RE GONNA SEE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN RESPONSE TIMES.

UM, YOU DO RECALL THAT WE WERE AT OH, FIRE STATION NINE.

THEY RESPONDED ONTO A RESIDENTIAL STREET.

UH, THEY, THE ALL THREE UNITS WOULD BE RESPONDING ONTO LONG, LONG BEACH BOULEVARD WITH A TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO STOP TRAFFIC.

THAT'S GONNA RE, UH, REDUCE RESPONSE TIMES, RELOCATING THE BATTALION CHIEF THERE.

HE'S GONNA BE ON SCENE QUICKER NOW, PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL INCIDENT COMMAND, UH, TO LARGE INCIDENTS, AND ALSO INCREASE, UH, FIREFIGHTER SAFETY ON THE FIRE GROUND.

UH, THE TWO STORY STATION, UH, DOES PROVIDE FOR WORKFORCE ACCOMMODATIONS.

UH, WE'LL HAVE SEPARATE SLEEPING QUARTERS, SEPARATE RESTROOMS. UH, I'M REALLY GLAD FOR THAT AND, AND, UH, IT'S ALL DESERVED.

AND THEN ALSO WE'LL HAVE A COMMUNITY ROOM IN THERE SO WE CAN BRING THE COMMUNITY INSIDE, PROVIDE SOME EDUCATION ON FIRST AID AND LIFE SAFETY.

SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS.

UH, AS YOU SEE IN THAT PICTURE.

IT WILL HAVE A DRIVE THROUGH APPARAT BAY, NO MORE BACKING IN THE, THE UNITS, UH, SO YOU'RE NOT EXPOSED TO DIESEL FUMES.

SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS AND, UH, REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO, UH, MOVING PERSONNEL INTO THIS NEW FIRE STATION.

THANK YOU FOR THE SPORT, AND WE BOTH STAND READY FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.

ALL RIGHTY.

UM, LET'S SEE.

ANY

[00:45:01]

OKAY.

I'LL TURN THIS OVER TO COUNCILMAN KIRK, ARE YOU READY? I AM.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

MADAM VICE MAYOR.

UH, I WANNA THANK THE CITY STAFF WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND, UH, THROUGH THIS RFP PROCESS SELECTION PROCESS, UH, WITH THIS COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSAL IN SERVICE TO THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR FIREFIGHTING STAFF.

UH, I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE'RE AT THIS STAGE NOW, UH, FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PERMANENT FIRE STATION NINE.

IT WAS BACK IN 2020, AS YOU SAID, THAT FIRE STATION NINE CREWS ARE RELOCATED TO A TEMPORARY FACILITY.

AND I'M PLEASED TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ITEM TONIGHT TO REESTABLISH FOR THEM A PERMANENT HOME BASE.

WE KNOW THERE'S PLENTY OF WORK TO DO, BUT AS YOU SAID, CHIEF, UM, AS WE FINISH THIS, IT WILL, UM, DECREASE RESPONSE TIMES.

IT WILL HELP BETTER SERVE THE AREA.

AND WE KNOW THAT INCREASED EFFICIENCIES AT NINES WILL HELP WITH EFFICIENCIES ACROSS THE SYSTEM, AND IT WILL BE A NET BENEFIT FOR, FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY.

IN TERMS OF RESPONSE, I WANNA THANK THE TEAM FOR IDENTIFYING THE MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES, ESPECIALLY MEASURE A FUND AND BOND FUNDS, UH, TO FUND THIS VITAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, UH, TO SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH A MG AND ASSOCIATES AND STAFF IN PROVIDING THE INFORMATION, THE IMPORTANT SERVICE TO OUR CITY.

AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND CARE THAT'S ALREADY GONE INTO THE PLANNING.

I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER AUSTIN, ESPECIALLY FOR HIS WORK ON THIS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

UH, THIS WAS A TOUGH TIME IN COMMUNITY.

I LIVE PRETTY CLOSE TO OLD FIRE STATION NINE, UM, AND KNOW THAT IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND, UH, IT WAS A TOUGH TRANSITION.

AND I KNOW THE FIRE SERVICE HAS DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN IN THEIR TEMPORARY FACILITY AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL THIS IS READY.

UM, BUT REALLY WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK COUNCIL MEMBER AUSTIN FOR LEADING THE CHARGE AND ADVOCACY ON THIS AND TAKING A LOT OF HEAT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

UM, OUR COMMUNITY STANDS TO BENEFIT GREATLY FROM YOUR COURAGE ON THAT.

UM, AS WE MOVE FORWARD, UH, DIRECTOR LOPEZ, JUST A COUPLE QUESTIONS.

I KNOW, UH, YOU ALREADY TALKED ABOUT IT.

UM, SO IF WE APPROVE THIS ITEM TONIGHT, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FIRST DELIVERABLE, WHICH IS A PROJECT TIMELINE FOR A MG.

CAN YOU TALK JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE? YES.

UH, SO, UH, ONCE WE EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT, CONTRACTORS ARE USUALLY WORKING ON MULTIPLE JOBS.

UH, SO, UH, THEY WILL GET THE RESOURCES TOGETHER AND, UH, DEVELOP THEIR SCHEDULE, UH, BASED ON ON WHEN THE RESOURCES CAN START.

UH, THEN, UH, WE HAVE TO REVIEW AND APPROVE THE SCHEDULE BEFORE THEY CAN START ANY ACTIVITIES, UH, OUT ON THE SITE.

SO THERE'LL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC, SHARE THE APPROACH TO CONSTRUCTION.