* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:03:30] ALRIGHT, MADAM CLERK, LET'S CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL, PLEASE. COUNCIL MINSON DEJA. PRESENT, VICE MAYOR ALLEN. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. HERE. COUNCILMAN AU? HERE. COUNCILMAN KERR. PRESENT. COUNCILWOMAN SORROW. COUNCIL MEMBER ORANGA. WHAT IS THAT NAME? COUNCILMAN AUSTIN. COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS ODI. I'M HERE, MAYOR RICHARDSON. I'M HERE. WE HAVE A QUORUM. THANK YOU. WELL, AS I JUST GOT BACK FROM, UH, HELPING BRING, UH, THE OLYMPICS BACK TO, UH, LONG BEACH [ROLL CALL] FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS, I SAY BONIS TO ALL OF YOU. I HOPE YOU GOT A CHANCE TO SEE LONG BEACH FEATURED IN THE CLOSING CEREMONIES. UH, AND AND ABSOLUTELY BRING ATTENTION WORLDWIDE TO OUR CITY. UH, WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HOME. WE ARE HAPPY TO BE HOME, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. UH, AND I WANNA ALSO WISH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA, UH, WHO IS HERE WITH US TONIGHT. IT'S, IT'S AUGUST. IT'S WE'RE, WE ALMOST HAVE THE SAME BIRTHDAY. WE'RE 30, 30 YEARS APART, BUT ALMOST THE SAME DAY. SO HE OLDER. YEAH, I'M A LITTLE OLDER. ALRIGHT. UH, WE'RE GONNA START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE LED BY VICE MAYOR ALLEN. WELL, THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, AND IN [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] THE SPIRIT OF THE OLYMPICS, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT JUST TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE ATHLETES OF THE PARIS OLYMPICS AND THE POSITIVE [00:05:01] ROLE MODELS, UM, THAT THEY WERE AND ARE IN A WORLD THAT NEEDS JOY AND INSPIRATION. SO LET'S KEEP THEM ALL IN OUR THOUGHTS AND ALL THE ATHLETES AS THEY PREPARE FOR LA 28. LET'S BOW OUR HEAD. ALL RIGHT. IF YOU'RE ABLE TO PLEASE STAND UP. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER FRAUD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. SO LET'S, LET'S JUST GET THIS OUTTA THE WAY. LET'S REPORT OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MAYOR. WE HAVE TWO REPORTS FROM CLOSED SESSION, UH, IN THE MATTER OF GREGORY LEE VERSUS AMCO CORPORATION. THE CITY, CITY HAS SETTLED THAT MATTER IN THE AMOUNT OF $975,000, AND IN THE MATTER OF LEO LYNN BOYER VERSUS CITY OF LONG BEACH. THAT CASE HAS SETTLED FOR THE AMOUNT OF $650,000. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS THIS EVENING. UH, LET'S INTRODUCE OUR FIRST SOCAL BALLET SCENE AND BALLET FESTIVAL INAUGURAL IN LONG BEACH. AND SO FOR THIS EXCITING PRESENTATION ON LONG BEACH'S IN INAUGURAL BALLET, BALLET FESTIVAL, NOT VALE FESTIVAL, THAT'D BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF FESTIVAL. I WANNA INVITE SONNY SOLTANI, WHO'S A BOARD MEMBER FROM SOKE [ SOCAL BALLET SCENE GALA & FESTIVAL: INAUGURAL IN LONG BEACH] SOCAL BALLET SCENE, A NEIGHBORING CITY, CITY ATTORNEY IN THE CITY OF CARSON. WELCOME, UH, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. UH, THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING OPPORTUNITY FOR ME. I'M ON THIS SIDE OF THE, UH, PODIUM. UH, FIRST CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU IN THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY FOR THE OLYMPICS. AND MAYOR, I SAW YOUR PICTURE WITH MAYOR LEILA LULA DAVIS HOMES, AND IT CERTAINLY WAS A PROUD MOMENT, UH, FOR ALL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ESPECIALLY THE SOUTH BAY AREA. UM, I WANT TO, UH, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY. UH, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND THANK, UH, YOUR DEPUTY MAYOR, UH, UH, RASHINA YOUNG, UH, FOR, UH, CONNECTING ME WITH YOUR WONDERFUL STAFF SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT OUR BALLET FESTIVAL. UH, AS THE MAYOR INDICATED, I'M ACTUALLY A CITY ATTORNEY. UH, I HAVE BEEN COMMITTED TO PUBLIC LAW, MY ENTIRE LEGAL CAREER. AND, UH, I DANCED AS AN OUTLET. AND WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS, UH, TO MANY BALLET CLASSES, NOR COULD I AFFORD TO TAKE BALLET CLASSES. AND, UH, I HAD TO KIND OF LEARN HOW TO DO THINGS BY MYSELF. UH, WHEN I BECAME AN ADULT AND I HAD A CAREER, UH, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY, UH, GIVE BACK IN A MEANINGFUL WAY. UH, COMMUNITIES BIG FOR ME, AND THAT'S WHY I DO LOCAL, UH, LAW, LOCAL POLITICS OR LOCAL LAW. AND, UH, WHEN I MET, UH, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, RENA, WHO'S HERE, UM, AND, UH, SHE TOLD ME ABOUT HER VISION ABOUT HAVING A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BALLET FESTIVAL, UH, WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAN COME TOGETHER, ALL DANCES OF OUR SIZES, ALL COLORS, ALL GENDERS CAN BE RECOGNIZED. AND THE SECOND MISSION THAT SHE EXPLAINED TO ME WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE SO MANY GREAT LOCAL DANCERS, AND, UH, FOR SOME REASON BALLET IS SUCH A YUPPIE, UM, IS THAT THE WORD? YUPPIE? , UH, UH, PERFORMANCE THAT, UH, OUR LOCAL ARTISTIC DIRECTORS WERE ALWAYS BRINGING DANCERS FROM NEW YORK OR COMPANIES FROM OTHER, UH, UH, COUNTRIES. AND SHE WANTED TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM WHERE OUR LOCAL DANCERS CAN HAVE A HIGH CALIBER FESTIVAL OR A GALA WHERE THEY CAN PERFORM AND SHOWCASE WHAT THEY CAN DO. SO THOSE TWO, UM, MISSIONS REALLY RESONATED WITH ME. AND, UH, I GOT INVOLVED. I'M ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. UH, WE, WE HAD OUR FIRST FESTIVAL IN CITY OF COSTA MESA. IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL, SOLD OUT, UH, THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER. AND THIS YEAR WE STRATEGICALLY PICKED LONG BEACH. UH, WE BELIEVE, UH, THAT BALLET NEEDS TO BE INTRODUCED IN THIS COMMUNITY. WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S STRATEGICALLY LOCATED, SO WE CAN DRAW FROM THE WEST SIDE DANCERS AND THE ORANGE COUNTY DANCERS. AND SO WE ARE HOPING, UH, THAT WE CAN BUILD A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND HAVE THIS BE AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL. YOU'RE ALL INVITED. I WILL COORDINATE WITH YOUR STAFF AND I HOPE YOU CAN ALL MAKE IT THE COMMUNITY. UH, WE HAVE TWO SHOWS AND I WILL ALLOW OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TO TALK ABOUT IT. BUT WE ALSO HAVE A FREE FESTIVAL, UH, BETWEEN THE TWO PERFORMANCES. FROM FOUR O'CLOCK TO SEVEN O'CLOCK, THERE WILL BE FOOD VENDORS, THERE WILL BE LIVE MUSIC, THERE WILL BE SHORT DANCE PERFORMANCES. SO IF SOMEBODY DOESN'T WANT TO INVEST THE MONEY TO GO TO THE TWO, UH, PERFORMANCES, THEY'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME TO THE FREE FESTIVAL. IT'S AT THE CARPENTER CENTER, SEPTEMBER 14TH. [00:10:01] BUT WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE RENA. I CAN'T PRONOUNCE HER LAST NAME, SO I'M NOT EVEN GONNA TRY ARTISTIC DIRECTOR. AND I HAVE TO INTRODUCE MY FAVORITE ALL TIME BALLET DANCER, RACHEL, WHO DANCED WITH THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET. SHE WILL BE PERFORMING ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT BALLET PIECES AT THE FESTIVAL, AND SHE WANTS TO SHARE ABOUT HER JOURNEY AND WHY WE THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO INTRODUCE OUR YOUTH TO THIS BEAUTIFUL ART FORM AT A YOUNG AGE AND CREATE A COMMUNITY AROUND IT. SO WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER. THANK YOU. SO MY NAME IS RENA KATAKI. I'M ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF SOCAL BALLET SAINT. UM, OUR MISSION IS TO FEATURE THE BEAUTY OF BALLET, UM, BRINGING IN DIVERSITY OF ETHNICITIES AND BODY TYPES, AND JUST SHOWING ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE CAN BE INVOLVED IN BALLET AND INCLUDED IN BALLET. UM, WE WANT TO REACH NEW AUDIENCES, UM, WITH THIS BEAUTIFUL ART FORM AND INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO THIS ART FORM, UM, TO ALL COMMUNITIES. UM, GO AHEAD, NEXT SLIDE. AND I'M GONNA LET RACHEL STEP IN. THAT'S A PICTURE OF RACHEL ON THE LEFT THERE. VERY ATHLETIC, BEAUTIFUL . HI, MY NAME IS RACHEL HUTZEL. UM, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME. I AM CURRENTLY A BALLERINA IN LOS ANGELES. BEFORE THAT, I WAS WITH STATE STREET BALLET IN SANTA BARBARA. AND THEN I HAD THE ABSOLUTE BLESSING OF BEING ABLE TO DANCE WITH NEW YORK CITY BALLET FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE THAT, UM, WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL, I HAD ONE DREAM, AND THAT WAS TO DANCE BALLET. AND IT WAS, YOU KNOW, BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE BLESSING OF MY PARENTS AND PUTTING ME IN LESSONS, AND THEN TRUSTING MY DECISION TO MOVE AWAY FROM HOME AT THE AGE OF 15 TO TRAIN IN NEW YORK CITY AT THE SCHOOL OF AMERICAN BALLET, WHICH IS THE FEEDER SCHOOL TO NEW YORK CITY BALLET. WHILE I WAS AT SAB, AS WE CALL IT, I WAS ONE OF, UH, I WAS IN A GROUP OF KIDS THAT THEY WOULD TAKE TO COMMUNITIES THAT MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITIES OR THE EXPOSURE TO THE ARTS. AND WE WOULD DO A SERIES OF LECTURE DEMONSTRATIONS AROUND DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND SEEING THE LITTLE FACES LIGHT UP IN THE AUDIENCE. WHILE WE DID, YOU KNOW, 30 SECONDS OF THIS BALLET, 32ND DEMONSTRATION OF PARTNERING WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF A BALLERINA, UM, YOU KNOW, WAS DANCING WITH A MAN OR BY HERSELF. UH, JUST SEEING THEIR FACES LIGHT UP WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR ME. AND I KNOW THAT HAD I HAD THOSE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS A KID, I PROBABLY WOULD'VE, YOU KNOW, JUMPED INTO BALLET EVEN FASTER. UM, I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT RENA IS DOING HERE WITH THIS FESTIVAL IN BRINGING ACCESSIBILITY AND VISIBILITY FOR YOUNG DANCERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL RACES, ALL GENDERS, TO BE ABLE TO, TO SEE SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO DO SO BEFORE. UM, I THINK THAT WHEN OUR AUDIENCE LOOKS OUT ONTO THE STAGE, THEY'RE GONNA SEE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM, WHETHER IT'S IN THE INDIVIDUAL DANCERS OR IF IT'S THROUGH THE STORIES THAT WE'RE TELLING. THIS IS A VERY IMPACTFUL FESTIVAL. IT'S VERY DIGESTIBLE AS WELL. EVERY, EVERYTHING WE'RE DOING IS, YOU KNOW, THOUGHT OUT TO WHERE YOU CAN SEE SOMETHING THAT'S BEAUTIFUL AND NOT HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, SIT THROUGH A DRAGGING PERFORMANCE. WE'RE MAKING IT BITE SIZE AND DIGESTIBLE FOR AN AUDIENCE TO ENJOY. SO HOPE YOU'LL BE THERE. WELL, WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS, UH, UH, SURE. IF YOU CAN CONCLUDE, DO YOU WANNA WRAP IT UP? SURE. UH, JUST TO WRAP UP, I DO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT, UM, LAST YEAR, UH, WE DONATED 111 TICKETS TO UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY. OUR GOAL IS TO TRIPLE THAT. THIS YEAR WE'RE REACHING OUT TO DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS, UM, DONATING TICKETS TO THE UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND JUST EXPOSING THEM TO CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY BALLET. SO, UM, WE HAVE TWO SHOWS. I HOPE YOU COME SEE YOUR SHOWS. ALRIGHT, WELL, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU. AND WHERE CAN FOLKS FIND YOU, UH, TO BUY TICKETS? DO YOU WANNA GO AHEAD? UM, SO CAL BALLET SCENE.COM AND, UH, IF YOU GO FORWARD A COUPLE OF SLIDES. UM, IT'S GONNA BE AT THE CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH. ALRIGHT. SEPTEMBER 20, SEPTEMBER 14TH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS EVENT. THANK YOU EVERYBODY CITY TO LONG BEACH. BYE. TAKE CARE. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT, UH, TONIGHT WE'LL BE CELEBRATING THE 30TH GRADUATING CLASS OF THE NEIGHBOR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU'RE PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. ALL RIGHT. GOOD. OUTSTANDING. AND SO, THE CITY'S BEEN DEVELOPING NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS FOR DECADES, UH, AND IT HAS 33 RESIDENTS, [ NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM] UH, IN THIS PROGRAM REPRESENTING EVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT. AND TO PROVIDE THIS PRESENTATION, WE'RE WELCOMING UP MARGARET MADDEN, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. SAY THAT AGAIN. WE'RE WELCOMING MARGARET MADDEN . THAT'S RIGHT. [00:15:01] COME ON, COME ON IN. GOOD EVENING. HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TO YOU THE 33 RESIDENTS GRADUATING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT'S NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM CLASS OF 2024. THIS IS A SPECIAL YEAR AS THIS CLASS REPRESENTS THE CITY OF LONG BEACH'S 30TH GRADUATING CLASS SINCE 1992. AND AS THE MAYOR SAID, THERE ARE 32 RESIDENTS THAT HAVE COMMITTED THE, UH, PAST FIVE MONTHS TO LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY, LEARNING HOW TO WORK TOGETHER AND COMPLETING FOUR COMMUNITY CLASS PROJECTS ALL ALONG THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. AVENUE CORRIDOR. IT'S MY PLEASURE TONIGHT TO INTRODUCE JAMES SILVA ESQUIRE, WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED BY HIS CLASS MEMBERS TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEIR CLASS THIS EVENING. GOOD EVENING. UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND CITY COUNCIL STAFF AND TO ALL OF MY CLASSMATES. UM, MY NAME IS JAMES SILVA AND I'M A RESIDENT, UH, IN RETRO ROW AND, UM, IN THE RETRO AREA. AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN ALUMNUS OF THE 30TH GRADUATING CLASS OF THE LONG BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. UM, I'VE HEARD IT WIDELY WISELY SAID THAT A DREAM IS A, IS A, A GOAL, IS A DREAM WITH A DEADLINE. UM, HOWEVER, TURNING A DREAM INTO A GOAL IS EXPONENTIALLY MORE CHALLENGING WHEN IT'S DONE ALONE. HAVING LIVED IN LONG BEACH FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS, I LIKE MOST OF YOU, UH, HAVE A DEEP AFFECTION FOR THE CITY. BUT AS WONDERFUL AS THE CITY IS, WE ALL KNOW IT'S NOT PERFECT. AND EVERY DAY I WAKE UP DREAMING HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER. UH, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW, UH, MANY OF MY FELLOW RESIDENTS ALSO HAD THOSE SIM SIMILAR DREAMS. THE LONG BEACH NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM HAS BEEN A TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE FOR ME. IT'S REALLY INTRODUCED ME TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY WHO ALSO HAVE DREAMS OF MAKING A BETTER, BETTER COMMUNITY. IT'S INTRODUCED ALL OF US TO THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US, UH, AND IT'S MADE US MORE, UM, ENCOURAGED TO MAKE OUR CITY A HAPPIER AND MORE PROSPEROUS CITY. NOT ONLY DO I BELIEVE THAT OUR DREAMS ARE ATTAINABLE, I BELIEVE THAT THEY'RE INEVITABLE. THROUGH THE PROGRAM, WE BUILT BONDS, LEARNED VALUABLE SKILLS, AND HAVE BECOME EMPOWERED TO MAKE OUR DREAMS COME TRUE TOGETHER. I'M DEEPLY, DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR OUR RELATIONSHIPS AND I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE OUR CITY COUNCIL LEADERS TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. UH, AND I'D LIKE TO CONCLUDE BY WISHING YOU BOTH A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL. IS IT 32 OR IS IT 33? 33? ALRIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 32, UH, GRADUATES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE, UH, PROGRAM. I'VE SEEN FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, BEGIN AS A, A LEADER AND THEY JUST WANNA SEE SOMETHING CHANGE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT IT REALLY CREATES A SPARK. THEY CREATE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, THEY JOIN CITY COMMISSIONS, THEY EVEN RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. AND SO, UH, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE ARE, YOU KNOW, JUST A FEW YEARS OUT OF A PANDEMIC, ONE OF THE WORST THINGS TO IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES. THERE'S STILL A LOT OF THINGS TO DO. AND SO WE'LL BE COUNTING ON YOU TO STEP UP, HELP US, YOU KNOW, CLEAN UP OUR COMMUNITIES, HELP US PREPARE, UH, TO LEAVE IT IN BETTER HANDS THAN IT WAS WHEN WE RECEIVED IT. SO, CONGRATULATIONS. THERE MIGHT BE A COUPLE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. LEMME JUST CHECK. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, UH, AND WELCOME TO THE CITY FAMILY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. UH, WE WILL NOW BEGIN WITH THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. SO WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS, UH, WE'RE GONNA TAKE ON, UM, UH, LET'S SEE, WE HAVE SOME CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS, AND THEN WE'RE GOING INTO THE, UH, BUDGET PRESENTATION. SO LET'S START WITH, OR ACTUALLY, WE'RE GONNA TAKE TWO ITEMS BEFORE WE DO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION. SO LET'S, LET'S DO THE CONSENT [CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 28.)] CALENDAR. WE'RE GONNA PULL ITEMS 25 AND 26. SO LET'S MOVE THE CONSENT CALENDAR FIRST. OKAY. ON CONSENT, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, AND WE HAVE TWO MEMBER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. DAVE SHUKLA AND ABIGAIL MATLOCK. PLEASE COME FORWARD. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS. MR. MAYOR, MY NAME'S DAVE SHUKLA. I'M SPEAKING ON ITEMS 17, 19, AND 22, ALL OF WHICH RELATE TO THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM. I'D LIKE, UH, TO SUPPORT THESE, UH, ITEMS, UH, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE CONSENT, UH, AND PRETTY PRO PRO FORMA, UH, BECAUSE THERE IS AN ITEM BEFORE YOU, UH, 35 THIS EVENING THAT ACTUALLY DISCUSSES THE CONTENT OF THE WORK FOR THESE THREE DIFFERENT FIRMS THAT WILL BE HIRED TO PILOT THIS, UH, STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN. STATEWIDE PROJECT. IT'S IMPORTANT. UH, WE DO HAPPEN TO KNOW [00:20:01] THAT THE SAME ZIP CODES, THE SAME CENSUS TRACKS, THE SAME AREAS OF TOWN, UH, AS IT'S REPEATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN THROUGHOUT THE STATE, HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHICS. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY RECOGNIZE THEM, BUT WE TAKE MEASURES SUCH AS THESE TO FIX THEM. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. OUR NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. ABIGAIL. GOOD EVENING. UM, I'M ADDRESSING NUMBER 20, THE DESIGNATION OF A, OF THE RON AREAS HEALTH AND EQUITY CENTER AS A CA YOUTH ZONE. UM, I'M THIS, I'M DOING THIS PROJECT FOR MY CAMPFIRE JILO PROJECT, AND THIS IS, AND I'VE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WRITING EMAILS, FUNDRAISING, MAKING PHONE CALLS, OR EVEN BEING IN MEETINGS FOR THIS, TO GET THIS PROJECT MOVING AND TO GET THIS PROJECT HERE IN FRONT OF YOU GUYS TODAY. THIS PROJECT OR CREATING OR DIGNIFYING THE ROTTEN AREAS HEALTH AND EQUITY CENTER AS A SAFE YOUTH ZONE WOULD BE VERY BENEFICIAL TO THE YOUTH OF LONG BEACH BECAUSE IT WOULD HELP YOUTH WHO ARE IN DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES WHO ARE BEING TRAFFICKED OR ABUSED, OR THOSE WHO ARE IN DANGER OF BEING TRAFFICKED OR ABUSED, GET THE HELP NECESSARY TO THEIR SAFETY AND SURVIVAL. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. AND, AND I'LL TELL YOU ON THAT, UH, ITEM THAT'S, IT'S RIGHT THERE AT A PARK RIGHT NEXT TO A HIGH SCHOOL. IT WAS DESIGNED TO HAVE AN STI CLINIC AND, AND THE OFFICE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT THERE. THE WHOLE POINT WAS FOR IT TO BE A A, A SAFE ZONE. AND SO THIS IS, UH, CONSISTENT. SO THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN. SPEAKING TO SUPPORT OF THIS MEMBERS. PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTIONS CARRIED. THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW HAVE ITEM 25 PLEASE. ITEM 25 IS REPORT FROM LONG BEACH AIRPORT. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS WITH THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO ACCEPT THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION AIRPORT ZERO [25. 24-54379 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, including any necessary amendments, with the Federal Aviation Administration, to accept the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Zero Emissions Vehicle and Infrastructure Pilot Program grant funds for federal Fiscal Year 2024 funding, for the acquisition of six electric airside operations vehicles and two solar-tree chargers, in an amount not to exceed $782,980. (Districts 4, 5)       Office or Department: Long Beach Airport         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] EMISSIONS VEHICLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM. GRANT FUNDS FOR FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR 2024 FUNDING DISTRICT FOUR AND FIVE. OKAY, WE'LL GIVE IT A STAFF REPORT AND THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL FOR SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. JUAN LOPEZ RIOS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE AIRPORT. ALRIGHT, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. THIS ITEM SEEKS COUNCIL'S APPROVAL TO ACCEPT A GRANT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES FOR THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT HAS HISTORICALLY ACCEPTED FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FOR CRITICAL SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS AND PROJECTS. AS FAR BACK AS THE MID 1950S, THE FAA PROVIDES MORE THAN 3 BILLION ANNUALLY TO MORE THAN 3,300 ELIGIBLE AIRPORTS. AS AN ENTERPRISE DEPARTMENT, THE AIRPORT HAS A FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE FINANCIALLY SELF-SUSTAINING OPERATIONS. THEA'S ZERO EMISSIONS VEHICLE AND INFRASTRUCTURE PILOT PROGRAM STRIVES TO IMPROVE AIRPORT AIR QUALITY AND FACILITATES THE USE OF ZERO EMISSION TECHNOLOGIES AT AIRPORTS. THE PROGRAM FUNDS THE PURCHASE OF ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES REFERRED TO AS ZEVS, AS WELL AS THE CONSTRUCTION OR MODIFICATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO USE THE ZEVS. THIS PROGRAM EXPANDS THE SUPPORT OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO INCLUDE VEHICLES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT. THE AIRPORT ANTICIPATES A FEDERAL GRANT FOR SIX ZEV VEHICLES AND TWO FREESTANDING SOLAR TREE CHARGING UNITS. THESE VEHICLES WILL BE UTILIZED BY THE AIRPORT'S AIRSIDE OPERATIONS TEAM AND WILL FURTHER REDUCE THE AIRPORT CARBON EMISSIONS. THE VEHICLES WILL BE ACQUIRED THROUGH THE CITY'S FLEET SERVICES BUREAU AND WILL INCLUDE PURCHASING, OUTFITTING, AND CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AS NEEDED. THE AIRPORT'S EFFORTS ALIGN WITH THE LONG BEACH ACT, CLIMATE ACTION PLAN TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND THE AIRPORT STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES. TO BE A GREEN AIRPORT LEADER, TO ADOPT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY POLICIES AND INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE CARBON NEUTRALITY AND TO IMPLEMENT SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS AND OPERATIONAL PRACTICES. STAFF REQUEST COUNCIL APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDED ACTION. THIS CONCLUDES THE STAFF REPORT. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR? YES. UH, THANK YOU DEPUTY DIRECTOR RIOS, YOU ANSWERED MY THREE QUESTIONS IN YOUR PRESENTATION, SO I WON'T ASK YOU AGAIN. UM, BUT IT WAS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE GRANT FUNDING AND YOU SAID BACK FROM THE 1950S, SO COUNCILS FROM THE FIFTIES HAVE ACCEPTED GRANT FUNDING, UH, FOR THE AIRPORT. AND COULD YOU JUST, UH, SPEAK ONE MORE TIME. UH, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, BUT I THINK YOU ALSO MENTIONED STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE AIRPORT. UM, COULD YOU JUST SAY A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHY THIS, UM, IS IMPORTANT TO THOSE? UH, YES. COUNCIL COUNCILWOMAN, UM, WITHIN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY, THERE IS A, AN ORGANIZATION, AIRPORTS COUNCIL INTERNATIONAL AND SUITE. AND SO [00:25:01] ONE OF OUR OBJECTIVES IS TO BE AS CARBON NEUTRAL. AND, UM, WE GO THROUGH ANNUAL, UH, IN AN ANNUAL ACCREDITATION PROGRAM. WE ARE NOW AT LEVEL TWO WITHIN THE INDUSTRY. UM, WE ARE, WE SEEK TO GET TO LEVEL THREE, WHICH IS A BIG JUMP. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING BEHIND THE SCENES TO TRY TO MAIN, TO TRY TO MAINTAIN OUR LEAD AS RE UH, AND OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN, UH, IN AIRPORT, UH, IN OUR EFFORTS TO CURB THE CARBON EMISSIONS, UM, LOOK AT WASTE, UH, FOR BETTER SUSTAINABILITY. UM, SO THAT'S, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WORK ON BEHIND THE SCENES. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NO MORE QUESTIONS. VICE MAYOR ALLEN. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRESENTATION. WE KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE, SUPER IMPORTANT TO THE, TO THE RESIDENTS AND ESPECIALLY RESIDENTS IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT. SO, UH, CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO ADVANCE ZERO EMISSIONS, UH, AT THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO ITEM 26 PLEASE. ITEM 26, REPORT FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT WITH BROWNING FERRIS INDUSTRY OF CALIFORNIA FOR SPECIAL WASTE DISPOSAL [26. 24-54409 Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary documents including any necessary amendments, with Browning-Ferris Industries of California, Inc., of Sylmar, CA, for special waste disposal services, in a total annual amount not to exceed $21,017, for a period of three years, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods at a 13 percent increase from the original term, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide) Levine Act: Yes       Office or Department: Police Department         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] SERVICES IN AN TOTAL ANNUAL AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $21,017 CDY. THANK YOU. WE HAVE SOME LEVINE ACT. RECUSALS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER XTI. I AM SORRY. YOU LEVINE, ACT RECUSAL. OH, UH, YES I AM. UM, I'M SORRY MY STAFF DIDN'T FLAGGED FOR ME THERE. YEAH, I'LL DO, I'LL DO MINE AND THEN YOU CAN SAY ME TOO. OKAY. . ALRIGHT. UH, IN ACCORDANCE WITH LEVINE ACT, I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF THIS ITEM, HAVING ACCEPTED A CONTRIBUTION OF MORE THAN $250 FROM AN ASSOCIATE OF BROWNING FERRIS INDUSTRIES, WHICH IS PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROCEEDING. UH, I'M ALSO RECUSING FOR THE SAME REASON. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT, SO WE'LL STEP OUT, HAND IT OVER TO YOU, VICE MAYOR. THANK YOU, MAYOR. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AS THEY'RE STEPPING OUT? WAIT TILL THEY GET OUT. NO PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. ANY COMMENT FROM MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES? I'M NOT SEEING ANY. OKAY. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. OKAY, MAYOR, WE'RE ALL DONE. YOU CAN COME BACK IN. ALL RIGHT. NOW WE'LL GO TO GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT NUMBER ONE. SO WE HAVE, IT LOOKS LIKE, UH, 10 PEOPLE SIGN UP, PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, YOU HEAR NAME PLEASE COME FORWARD. KIMBERLY LEWIS. UH, ANTHONY HOLMES, TED ZELMER JR. ALEX MARTINEZ, LESLIE SANDERS, RONNIE BARNES, JULIE HYEN, UH, MICHAEL DURHAM, RILEY CARPENTER, AND ELIZABETH MARQUEZ. KIMBERLY, YOU ARE UP FIRST. HI EVERYONE. UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING THIS PUBLIC COMMENT. UM, MY NAME IS KIMBERLY. I RUN A NONPROFIT HERE CALLED I DID SOMETHING GOOD TODAY FOUNDATION. I'M ALSO A COMMISSIONER ON THE HOMELESS COMMISSION HERE IN LONG BEACH. UM, AND I WANT, MY REASON FOR BEING HERE IS JUST TO ADDRESS A FEW ISSUES. WE WERE GONNA BE PUTTING ON A WONDERFUL END OF SUMMER EVENT FOR THE SENIORS, BUT WE RAN INTO A LOT OF UNNECESSARY ISSUES WITH, UM, PARKS AND REC AND SPECIAL EVENTS. AND IF YOU DON'T MIND, I'D LOVE TO READ THE [ PUBLIC COMMENT: OBTAIN SPEAKER CARD FROM THE CITY CLERK Opportunity to address the City Council (on non-agenda items) is given to the first 10 persons who submit Speaker Cards to the City Clerk beginning at 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the meeting. Each speaker is allowed three minutes to make their comments. ] EMAIL THAT I SENT SO THAT IT JUST KIND OF EXPLAINS WHAT WE DEALT WITH AND HOPEFULLY THERE'LL BE SOME RESOLVE LATER BECAUSE THERE'S SOME PROCEDURES THAT SHOULD BE CHANGED. SO, UM, OUR SUMMER, UH, GOLDEN NOMAD SUMMER SPECTACULAR BREATHING EASY TOGETHER, WHICH WAS OUR FIRST TIME GETTING SUPPORT FROM THE LONG BEACH PORT. UM, FOR THIS PROGRAM, IT WAS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK, AUGUST 24TH, AT CAESAR CHAVE PARK. THIS EVENT WAS DESIGNED TO BRING JOY, UM, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION TO THE SENIORS OF LONG BEACH. UNFORTUNATELY, DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS AND MONTHS OF PLANNING, WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED A SERIES OF UNNECESSARY CHALLENGES IN DISORGANIZATION ON THE CITY'S PART, WHICH HAS MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE EVENT. FIRST, WE SUBMITTED OUR APPLICATION FOR THE FEE WAIVER ON JUNE 17TH. WELL, IN ADVANCE OF THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION MEETING, WHICH WAS TAKING PLACE ON JUNE 18TH, I'M SORRY, JULY 18TH. AND WE WERE NOT ON THE AGENDA. THEY DID NOT HAVE OUR PAPERWORK FOR [00:30:01] WHATEVER REASON. UM, GLADYS, UM, WHO GET GLADYS KAISER, WHO WAS THE COMMUNITY RECREATION SERVICES MANAGER, SHE CAME OVER, SAID TO, UM, CONTACT HER, SHE'LL TAKE CARE OF IT. AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS, EMAILS NEVER HEARD ONE WORD FROM HER TO THIS DAY. ADDITIONALLY, FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROCESS, NO ONE IN THE PARKS AND REC, UM, RECREATION OR SPECIAL EVENTS OFFICE COULD PROVIDE CLEAR INFORMATION ON OBTAINING THE NECESSARY PARKING PERMITS. WHEN I WAS STANDING THERE IN THE PARKS AND REC OFFICE, I ASKED, HOW DO WE GET THE PARKING PERMITS SO THAT WE CAN BLOCK OFF PARKING FOR OUR STREET VENDORS? I MEAN, I'M SORRY, OUR FOOD VENDORS. AND NO ONE KNEW. THEY SAID, CALL, CALL, UM, SPECIAL EVENTS, CALL THEM. I GOT PASSED TO FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE. NO ONE KNEW THAT ANSWER. SO EVEN, UH, THANK YOU. UM, MARYS AND SEJA, SHE, HER STAFF DID TRY TO HELP. SHE REACHED OUT AS WELL. THEY TOLD HER TO CONTACT, UM, THAT I NEEDED TO CONTACT A TRAFFIC VENDOR, WHICH I KNEW WAS WRONG. THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO OFFER TO AUTHORIZE A PARKING PERMIT. THEY JUST EXECUTE WHATEVER THAT PERMIT IS. SO, IN ANY CASE, UM, IT WAS THE PARKING PERMIT. PEOPLE WHO TOLD ME, I'M SORRY, THE PARKING VENDORS WHO TOLD ME TO REACH OUT TO BRILEY MANZELLA AND BRILEY MANZELLA IS IN, UH, . SHE IS IN SPECIAL EVENTS. SO I DON'T KNOW WHY NO ONE IN HER OFFICE KNEW THAT SHE HANDLED THAT. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN I MET WITH HER OR ON THE PHONE, SHE WAS EXTREMELY RUDE, CONDESCENDING, AND JUST WAS VICIOUS. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. OKAY. THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT, AND SORRY YOU HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE AND WE'LL MAKE SURE SOMEONE FOLLOWS UP WITH YOU. THANKS. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. SO I HAVE, I HAVE ANTHONY HOLMES NEXT. UNLESS YOU WANNA DEFER, HE CAN GO. HE CAN GO. GO FOR IT. GO FOR IT. PLEASE RESPECT, Y'ALL DON'T HAVE TO LIKE ME, BUT Y'ALL WILL RESPECT ME. IT'S FOUR THINGS I'LL DIE FOR MY SON, MY DAUGHTER, THE BLACK CULTURE AND MY RESPECT. YOU KNOW, I COME DOWN HERE AND Y'ALL SEE JUST ME SOMETIMES, BUT I GOT A THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH ME OUT THERE IN THE QUAD, INSIDE HERE IN THE CHAMBER. MY ANCESTORS NOT IN A PHYSICAL FORM, BUT SPIRITUAL. YES, AS I STAND IN FRONT, AS I STAND IN FRONT OF Y'ALL TODAY, SUPER NA AND MEGAN, IF I WAS WHITE, I'LL BE DOWN HERE DOING THE SAME THING. VOING USING MY VOICE TO FIGHT FOR US. IF WE GOT TREATED, IF WE GOT TREATED LIKE AFRICAN AMERICANS GET TREATED IN THIS CITY, I'M NOT LOOKING FOR NO BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS TO COME SAVE ME. BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW BLACK FACES IN HIGH PLACES ARE NOT GONNA SAVE US. I WANT TO DIRECT, I WANT TO DIRECT THIS, I WANT TO DIRECT THIS TO EVERY BLACK ELECTED OFFICIAL. EVERY WHITE ELECTED OFFICIAL IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. IF YOU CAN'T COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, YOU JUST A PART OF THE PROBLEM. AND ANDREW, ANDREW QUALO, AGAIN, A KNOWN PEDOPHILE THAT'S ON MEGAN'S LAW. JUST THE OTHER DAY IN THIS, IN THE DEPARTMENT, A COUPLE OF KIDS FROM LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL CAME UP THERE AND HE WAS THE MAIN PERSON THAT WAS DOING THE TOUR. AGAIN, HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND PARKS. HE'S NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AROUND KIDS. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT LIKE, HOW DID HE GET THIS JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE? IS IT SOMEONE IN HR THAT HE KNOW? WE ALL HAVE KIDS. MOST OF YOU GUYS UP THERE, THERE'S A CRISIS GOING ON IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK EMPLOYEES. AND THIS IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD KNOW, TOM MOCA RUMOR HAS IT THAT, UM, YOU AND CHRIS GARDNER'S ARE BEST FRIENDS. HE'S THE HEAD OVER, HE'S THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OVER THERE, RIGHT? HE SHOULD DO HIS DAMN JOB. REX, ME AND YOU CAN WALK A MARATHON AND GO TALK TO EVERY BLACK ELECTED OFFICIAL UP IN HERE. YOU SHOULD HEAR THE STORIES THAT THEY CALL AND TELL ME HOW IS IT THAT ALL THESE AFRICAN AMERICANS IS CALLING ME? AND THEY DON'T CALL THE EEO, THEY DON'T CALL THE HR. THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM. IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYE WHEN I HEAR THE STORIES. I'VE BE GETTING PHONE CALLS SINCE LAST MARCH. I'VE BEEN HOLDING THIS INFORMATION WITH ANDREW QUALA FOR OVER A YEAR. I DON'T WATCHED HIM SIT BY PARKS SCHOOLS. THEIR YARD IS 882 FEET FROM A PARK IN THE SCHOOL, AS I STATED. SO I'M JUST BRINGING THIS TO Y'ALL ATTENTION BECAUSE SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. I JUST PRAY ONE DAY THAT YOU GUYS COME IN EVERY DEPARTMENT AND GET ON THESE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT'S ASSES BECAUSE THEY'RE PLAYING YOU. AS I STATED WITH TOM IKA. THIS IS A JOB HE'S SUPPOSED TO HANDLE. HOW IS EVERYBODY GETTING THROUGH? BUT [00:35:01] A MI A MINOR, A MI, A MINOR MISDEMEANOR, , WE CAN'T EVEN GET A JOB. AND THIS A FOUR FELONY COUNT. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME UP, YOU GUYS HAVE A NICE DAY. I SEE Y'ALL AT THE NEXT ONE. ALL RIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER IS TED ZELMER JR. THEN ALEX MARTINEZ. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE TO ALL OF YOU. CAPTAIN TED AT YOURS. YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, NOT IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT I, WE DELIVERED OUR CITIZENS COMMITTEE REPORT AT THE PRIOR MEETING AND WE WERE BLESSED TO BE FOUNDED BY BARBARA FAYE, UH, AS THE LIGHTHOUSE MUNCH UP AND COMING. 2028 OLYMPIC SAFETY AMBASSADORS, YOU HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF YOU. AND WE WERE ABLE TO DISPLAY ON JULY 4TH OUR PROPOSAL TO CREATE A MOTION TO SAVE A PORTION OF OUR VETERANS MEMORIAL PIER. AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE CREDIBILITY, HISTORY, CAME BACK IN 84. MY MOM, I MOVED HERE IN 67 NEW YEARS WHEN MY MOM OPENED UP THE HOLIDAY INN LOUNGE AT THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT. PLANAR MUSIC TOOK MY BROTHER EAST. I MOVED IN WITH MY GRANDPARENTS. MY GRANDFATHER WAS A DISTRICT MANAGER, LA TIMES LAKEWOOD HIGH CLASS SIX NINE, CAME BACK IN 84 AND BECAME A GENERAL CONTRACTOR. STARTED COACHING MY DAUGHTERS FROM 85 ALL THE WAY TO OH ONE WHEN MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, 10TH GRADE WILSON HIGH SCHOOL, MADE THE JUNIOR OLYMPICS FOR SOCCER IN 2000. IT WAS MY DAUGHTER, ABIGAIL MISTY MAY AT CAL STATE. AND MY DAUGHTER'S BEST FRIEND, TONY ACEVEDO, AWARDED BY MAYOR BEVERLY O'NEILL, THE CENT AWARD, ATHLETES OF THE YEAR, CITY OF LONG BEACH. WE HAVE THIS, WHICH IS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS GUIDE THAT WE PLAN ON DISTRIBUTING WITH THE LIGHTHOUSE BUNCH, WHICH YOU HAVE. AND WE'RE THE UP AND COMING 2028 OLYMPIC SAFETY AMBASSADORS. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CRIME WHERE WE LIVE DOWN THERE IN BELMONT SHORE. AND WE'RE HERE TO HELP. UH, WE ALSO WANNA REMIND YOU THAT WE DID PRESENT SAVING THAT PIER TO YOU AND MAKING IT PRETTY AGAIN, RED, WHITE, AND BLUE. AND MAYOR REX, I THINK YOU KNOW A LITTLE BIT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE AND WE DEMONSTRATED IT NICELY ON JULY 4TH, THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. BUT WE REMOVED OUR DEMONSTRATION. NO TRACE LEFT BEHIND. SO WITH THAT SAID, IT'S AN HONOR AND IT'S A LOT OF HARD WORK TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT IT TAKES FOR OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT POLICE DEPARTMENT KEEPING THIS CITY SAFE. AND THAT'S WHY THE LIGHTHOUSE BUNCH IS IGNITING NOW SO THAT WE CAN BE OUT THERE KEEPING OUR NEIGHBORHOODS NICE AND SAFE. IT'S BEEN TERRIBLE NEWS LATELY, BUT I'LL LEAVE THAT FOR THOSE THAT SHARE THE NEWS. SO CAPTAIN TED AT YOUR SERVICE AND AT THAT I'M GONNA PRESENT YOU WITH ALEX, WHO I'VE DONE BUSINESS WITH ALL THESE YEARS. AND HE'S GOT CITY PROJECTS IN STATE NOW. THANK YOU. OH, ALEX, YOU'RE NEXT. ALRIGHT. JUST IN TIME. THANKS CAPTAIN TED. THANK YOU EVERYBODY. UM, YEAH, SO THE LAST TIME WE SPOKE, UM, WE WERE JUST KIND OF GETTING STARTED. UH, ACTUALLY I'M WORKING WITH TED. HE'S BEEN, BEEN WORKING WITH MY COMPANY FOR A WHILE, REPRESENT SMITH PAINT IN LONG BEACH. AND, UH, I'M DOING THE PAINTING AND CONSTRUCTION PORTION OF IT. UH, HE'S ACTUALLY DOING MOST OF THE WORK, BUT I'M JUST THERE TO KIND OF ASSESS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE DETAILS, UH, WITH THE CONSTRUCTION, UM, AND GETTING THE CONTRACTORS AND EVERYTHING AVAILABLE. SO, UH, AS OF RIGHT NOW, LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT ALL THE BASES COVERED. UH, WE'RE JUST WAITING ON THE COST ASSESSMENT, LITTLE DETAILS HERE AND THERE. UM, AS FAR AS THE REPRESENTATION OF COLORS AND THE RENDERINGS, AND HOPEFULLY, HOPEFULLY GETTING THE, UH, CONSTRUCTION COMBINED WITH THE DECONSTRUCTION OF THAT PIER, UH, TO KIND OF REALLY SHOW SOMETHING. UH, ESPECIALLY THE UPCOMING OLYMPICS, UH, COMING IN. IT'S GONNA BE A VERY, UH, I FEEL LIKE, UM, MONUMENTAL PART OF, UH, OF THE PIER IN LONG BEACH. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, UH, TED WANTS TO RESERVE. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M KIND OF GETTING INTO WHERE I THINK IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE COMMUNITY. UH, IT REPRESENTS THE VETERANS. UH, IT REPRESENTS WHAT WE DO AND IT'S GONNA BRING KIND OF A LUSTER TO THE PIER THAT HAS BEEN GONE FOR QUITE SOME TIME. UH, WE WANT TO CREATE A NEW ENVIRONMENT AND TED HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB WITH HIS, HIS GROUP AND THE PEOPLE HE'S WORKED WITH TO GET THINGS GOING. AND AGAIN, HE'S JUST HAS ME INVOLVED WITH MAINLY, UM, THE BEAUTIFICATION OF THIS PROJECT. SO I'M EXCITED. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED. UH, IT WASN'T AT THE 4TH OF JULY EVENT, BUT I HEARD IT WAS A GREAT TURNOUT. AND, UH, WE HAVE, UM, HAD A LOT OF GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THE RESIDENTS AND PEOPLE THERE. SO, UM, YEAH, [00:40:01] SO WE HAVE CAUGHT UP FROM A LOT, UH, WITH, UH, AS FAR AS GETTING, UH, PROPOSALS IN AND GETTING EVERYTHING SET UP. SO, UH, WE ARE ON TRACK. AND AGAIN, WE THANK YOU GUYS FOR, UM, GIVING US THE TIME TO SPEAK AND KIND OF JUST DEMONSTRATING WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU. THANK YOU. CAN I ADD 10 MORE SECONDS ON HIS TIME? HE'S GOT A MINUTE LEFT. THANK YOU. SO AT THE BELMONT PIER, THERE'S A VERY BAD SITUATION OCCURRING NOW WITH THOSE THAT LIVE UNDERNEATH IT AND THE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE OCCURRING DOWN THERE ON THE PUBLIC PARK AND REC PROPERTY. AND WITH INTERIM MEASURES, WE CAN QUICKLY CREATE A BARRIER THERE AT THAT PORTION OF PIER ON THE BEACH WHERE THEY'RE ALL LIVING AND HANGING AND ALL OF THE BAD STUFF'S GOING ON. WITH SOME FENCING, WE CAN DO THE WORK PRIOR TO THEM REMOVING THE OLD PIER WHILE THEY BUILD THE NEW HORSESHOE PIER AND GET THE SIDES READY TO GO. AND THEN IT'S, WHEN WE REMOVE THAT OLD PIER, MAKE IT PRETTY LEE OUR FARMER'S MARKETS BIGSBY. AND DOWN THERE WE MEASURED, WE NEEDED 20 FEET TO HAVE A FARMER'S MARKET OUT THERE. WE HAD 20 FEET, FIVE INCHES. SO ALL ALTERNATIVE VENUE IS VERY IMPORTANT, INCLUDING BANDS PERFORMING. WE'VE DISCUSSED THAT IN THE PAST. WE WOULD LIKE TO SET A MEETING WITH YOU IN PERSON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. ALL RIGHT. TAKE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. APPRECIATE IT. ALRIGHT, RIGHT NEXT FEW SPEAKERS. LESLIE SANDERS, UH, RONNIE BARNES, JULIE HYEN, MICHAEL DURHAM, UH, RILEY CARPENTER, ELIZABETH MARQUEZ. HELLO. I WANNA SPEAK ABOUT A COUPLE OF THINGS, BUT FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA SPEAK TO YOU. I WENT TO, UH, EXCUSE ME, COFFEE WITH A COP THE OTHER DAY WITH JOHNNY RICK, UH, RICK'S OLDIE. THAT WAS REALLY A NICE EVENT AND A LOT OF NICE EVENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN GOING AND COLLABORATING ON A LOT OF GOOD THINGS WITH THE COMMUNITY. BUT WHAT HAPPENED WHEN I TOOK THE FLYER THAT YOU, THEY WERE DOING THE BUDGET, UH, ANALYSIS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, AND I WENT ON THERE AND THEY HAD ONE SESSION THAT THEY WERE GOING TO ALLOW FOR ZOOM, BUT IT WASN'T A ZOOM ADDRESS. SO WHEN I TYPED IT IN, WENT IN TO CALCULATE, EXCUSE ME, WHEN I WENT A COMPUTER AND TRY TO PUT THE, THE, UH, EXCUSE ME, THE ADDRESS ON THERE SO I CAN ACCESS IT FOR THE DAY WHEN THAT IS GONNA HAPPEN. IT SAID THAT THE SERVER WAS NOT WORKING, BUT IT WASN'T NO LISTED, UH, THING WHERE YOU CAN GET ON A ZOOM FOR THAT PARTICULAR DAY THAT THEY WERE GONNA HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY. SO THAT THINK THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED, UH, BECAUSE IT'S NOT SHOWING ANY, UM, THE FLYER HAD, THEY WERE HAVING THIS SESSION, BUT YOU COULDN'T GET ON THERE WHEN IT HAPPENED. 'CAUSE IT DIDN'T HAVE A ZOOM ADDRESS ON THE PAPER. SO THAT WAS, UH, SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE, WERE WHEN MY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION WERE TALKING ABOUT. AND SECONDLY, I WANT TO KNOW THAT, UH, I KNOW WE WERE ROLLING OUT THE BUDGET, SO I AM INTERESTED TO GET IN THERE BECAUSE I STILL HAVE A PRO, A COUPLE OF PROJECTS FROM THE YEARS THAT'S STILL PENDING SINCE, YOU KNOW, SINCE I HAD A DISASTER AT MY HOUSE. AND I'M REALLY, UH, CONCERNED, UH, AND MY, UM, INTEREST IS INTO THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF, UH, PRODUCT PROJECTS AND THE FUNDING FOR THOSE DIFFERENT THINGS AND HOW WE CAN ACCESS IF YOU FUND A DEPARTMENT WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND IT DOES AND YOU EXCEED THAT, ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, UH, PLANS THAT WE HAVE, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN, AND SEVERAL OTHER THINGS. AND THEN VOTER INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE VOTED ON AS SINCE I'VE BEEN IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH THAT WE HAVE VOTED ON THAT PROVIDED MORE REVENUE BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE TAX RATE OF LONG BEACH WENT FROM JUST HYPOTHETICALLY HERE, SAY 3% ALMOST TO WHERE IT IS NOW, BECAUSE THAT BRINGS IN THE EFFORT, OTHER REVENUE. SO ONE THING I DID IS AS I WAS, UH, GOING THROUGH THE THINGS THAT I'M GOING TO WAS GET MORE INVOLVED SO I COULD UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET AND SO I COULD, SO I COULD EDUCATE MYSELF ON IT SO I CAN ASK MORE, UM, INTELLIGENT QUESTIONS BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOT OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES THAT I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT I WAS IN, UM, UH, I WOULD SAY UP TO DATE ON. BUT I THINK I'M MORE, UH, KNOWLEDGEABLE OF IT SO I CAN TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE MORE IN DEPTH SO I CAN GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING SO WE CAN, GOING FORWARD, HOW WE CAN USE THIS MONEY FOR NEW PROJECTS AND THEN ALSO THE PROJECTS THAT ARE PENDING. BUT I DID, 'CAUSE I KNOW THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TELL, BEEN TELLING ME SINCE MY HOUSE GOT FLOODED, THAT WE'RE GONNA ROLL OUT DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THIS, THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WOULD BE FIXED, BUT I HAVEN'T SAW ANYTHING NO MOTION OR THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT I STILL AM HOPEFUL THAT THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO COME TO, YOU KNOW, HAPPEN BECAUSE THIS IS OVER WHEN, AND OUR MAYOR WAS IN THAT AREA AND THE COUNCILMAN BEFORE THAT. SO I'M JUST GOING TO SAY I KNOW THAT A A 22 YEAR PERIOD AND THE SAME ISSUE IS STILL HAPPENING. I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE ADDRESS IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER IS RONNIE BARNES. AS I LIVE AND BREATHE, I AM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME AS YOU JUST SAID, RONNIE BARNES, I HAVE, UM, A LITTLE BONE TO PICK WITH, UH, [00:45:01] THE, WITH THE CITY I GUESS. AND WITH MEMORIAL, BECAUSE ON SATURDAY I WITNESSED SOMETHING THAT I HAD NEVER EVEN DREAMED WOULD BE HAPPENING HERE IN AMERICA. UH, I GOT OUTTA MY CAR AND A YOUNG MAN APPROACHED ME AND, UM, I SORT OF TOOK A SIDE VIEW OF HIM AND THEN I HAD TO TAKE A FULL VIEW OF HIM BECAUSE HE HAD ON A, A HOSPITAL GOWN AND EVERYTHING, AND THE FOOTIES. AND I ASKED HIM WHAT HAPPENED. AND HE SAID THAT FRIDAY NIGHT HE HAD GOTTEN HIT BY A CAR AND HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL AND, UH, THEY, UH, DISCHARGED HIM. OKAY? HE'S SITTING THERE, THIS MAN, WHOLE SIDE OF HIS FACE IS ALL SCARRED UP FROM WHERE HE FELL. THE UM, AND ON THIS SIDE IS A BIG GASH OUT OF HIS HEAD. AND IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS HEAD THERE IS A BIG GASH. AND SO I, HE WANTED ME TO TAKE HIM TO A HOSPITAL. AND I SAID TO MYSELF, WELL, THE SPIRIT OF GOD SAID, DON'T, BECAUSE NUMBER ONE, IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO HIM WHILE HE IS WITH ME, THEN THEY'RE GONNA BLAME ME. SO I DECIDED TO CALL 9 1 1. SO I CALLED 9 1 1. THE, UM, FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. THE, THE GUYS GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THE GUY HAD HAD CONVULSIONS, HE HAD START CONVULSING AND HE FELL OUT. AND SO HE TRIED TO GET UP, BUT I TOLD HIM NO BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THEIR WAY. SO HE GET, HE SITS UP AND HE'S STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT HIS HEAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT GET THERE, THE GUY GETS OUTTA THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, COMES OVER, GRABS HIM BY THE ARM AND SAY, AND, AND INTO HE JAKE HIM UP. AND I SAID, WHOA, WHOA, HOLD IT BROTHER. I SAID, NO, THAT MAN HAS BEEN HIT. HE'S NOT DRUNK, HE'S NOT ON DRUGS. AND I TOLD THEM, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, MEMORIAL SHOULD HAVE PUT THAT MAN IN A, IF THEY WASN'T GONNA TAKE CARE OF HIM, THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT HIM TO A HOSPITAL, A PACIFIC MEMORIAL. WHAT THEY WERE SAYING, THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT HIM OVER THERE WITH SOMETHING BECAUSE THIS MAN WAS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF HIS MIND. HE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE WAS. HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO GET THERE. THAT'S WHY HE ASKED ME, WHERE IS PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY? I SAID, YOU GOT ABOUT SEVEN, EIGHT BLOCKS BEFORE. 'CAUSE WE WAS AT WILLOW AND ATLANTIC. I SAID, YOU GOT ABOUT SEVEN, EIGHT BLOCKS. BUT THE, THE, THE WAY THE, UH, THE UM, OFFICER, I MEAN THE, UM, FIRE DEPARTMENT GUY TREATED HIM WHEN HE GOT THERE. THAT WAS KIND OF LIKE, UH, UNRU ME, I'M A VIETNAM VET. I I'M AN AMERICAN. I SERVE MY COUNTRY. I'M A DISABLED VET. BUT HEY, LOOK, I DON'T, I I'M NOT GONNA SEE ANYONE MISTREATED THAT WAY. AND SO WHEN I GOT HOME, I SAID SOMETHING TO MY, THE, THE GUY THAT I WORKED FOR, AND HE SAID TO ME, HE SAID, WELL, PROBABLY 'CAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE. I SAID, WELL, OKAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT, BUT THAT'S NOT HOW YOU TREAT ANYONE. DO. WE ARE AMERICAN. THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THEY DON'T NEED TO TREAT PEOPLE LIKE THAT. I MEAN, THEY COULD'VE, IT'S A BETTER WAY. A BETTER WAY. 'CAUSE HE COULD'VE DIED. 'CAUSE HE WAS, HE WAS. AND HE, LIKE I SAID, THE GUY, THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE WAS. THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THAT FOR US. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. THE NEXT SPEAKER IS JULIE HEISEN. HI, AS YOU SAID, I'M JULIE HYEN. UM, WHILE DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT PRACTICE YESTERDAY, I SAW A MAN DART ACROSS TRAFFIC. WHEN WE WERE DRIVING DOWN ANAHEIM, NEAR ANAHEIM AND WALNUT NEAR THE LIBRARY, I LOOKED TO SEE WHAT WAS WORTH HIM GETTING HIT BY A CAR. 'CAUSE WE WERE ACTUALLY DRIVING, NOT, YOU KNOW, AT THE STOPLIGHT. I LOOKED TO THE RIGHT AND SAW A GROUP OF PEOPLE SITTING ON THE SIDEWALK. THERE WAS A FEMALE SMOKING A CRACK PIPE. I HAD GONE 45 YEARS, NEVER SEEN A CRACK PIPE. NOW I'VE SEEN IT TWICE IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. WHAT'S GOING ON? I CALLED THE POLICE TO REPORT AND THE DISPATCH SAID, OH, WE'LL GO OUT THERE AND TELL 'EM TO STOP. REALLY TO STOP ON SEVENTH AND REDONDO. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR AGAIN. WE WERE WALKING, THERE WAS A MAN WALKING DOWN THE STREET NEAR REDONDO AND SEVENTH STREET. HE WAS SMOKING A CRACK PIPE. THAT WAS THE OTHER TIME I'VE SEEN IT. MY DAUGHTER, ALONG WITH OTHER STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS HAVE TO GO THROUGH, UM, PEOPLE SITTING AT SEVEN ELEVENS. THEY OPEN THE DOOR VERY NICE MOST OF THE TIME OR TALKING TO THEMSELVES OR WHATEVER. SHE CAN'T EVEN GO INTO SEVEN 11. AND THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE RIGHT THERE CAN'T EITHER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE GATEKEEPERS, WHICH ARE THE HOMELESS PEOPLE, UNHOUSED CITIZENS SITTING ON THE CURB OR, OR AT THE DOOR. UM, WHEN I TRY TO GO GET CHICKEN AT CHURCH'S CHICKEN, IT'S LIKE I HAVE TO HAVE ALL THE COURAGE AND BRAVERY TO GO THROUGH THAT DRIVE-THROUGH. I HAVE TO WANT SOME CHICKEN REAL BAD TO GO GET IN THAT DRIVE-THROUGH WHERE THE [00:50:01] ENCAMPMENTS ARE. GOD KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON IN THERE. I TRY NOT TO EVEN LOOK. IT'S SO MANY OF 'EM. I DON'T EVEN MAKE EYE CONTACT OR EVEN LOOK, THERE'S A PARK, UM, ON ALAMEDO SINCE SEVENTH. I THOUGHT WE WEREN'T LETTING HOMELESS PEOPLE OR ADULTS BE IN KIDS PARKS, BUT IT'S BEEN OVERRUN WITH HOMELESS RIGHT ON THE CORNER WHERE THE MUSEUMS ARE. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE. I HAVE VIDEO, BUT I, I NEED TO GET ON THE AGENDA IN ORDER TO SHOW YOU WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU HAVEN'T DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK. I DID IT FOR LIKE FIVE MINUTES TO SHOW YOU GUYS AND TELL YOU IT WAS RIDICULOUS. THERE WAS TOO MANY TO EVEN TELL YOU. IT'S EVERYWHERE. ALAMITOS IN SEVENTH, SEVENTH IN ATLANTIC. THAT'S LIKE A MINI SKI ROLE ON A LUNCH BREAK. IF I GO TO LUNCH AND I WANNA GO TO EL POYA LOCAL, I GO THROUGH THE DRIVE THROUGH AND I GOTTA GET BY THE GUY WHO'S CHANGING IN THE, UH, PARKING LOT OR IN THE, UM, IN THE ALLEYWAY. YOU KNOW, THIS IS HIS AREA. I'M IN HIS WAY. IF I GO UP AND DOWN LONG BEACH BOULEVARD, IT'S RIDICULOUS. I CAN'T EVEN NAME ONE SPOT, BUT I'VE BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. A GUY WILL HAVE A BLANKET ON AND LAY DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION WITH HIS BLANKET ON AND TAKE A NAP OR WHATEVER HE'S DOING. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. I CONTACTED THE CITY MANAGER. I HAVE. THANK YOU. JU SIT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. UH, FOUR SPEAKERS LE THREE SPEAKERS LEFT. WE HAVE MICHAEL DURHAM AND THEN RILEY CARPENTER. AND THEN ELIZABETH. GOOD AFTERNOON. UM, I'M KIND OF PIGGYBACKING OFF JULIAN. WE NEVER MET BEFORE, BUT I'M JUST GONNA GO INTO IT. UM, I LIVE IN THE ARTS DISTRICT. I'M A PHOTOGRAPHER AND I HAVE PEOPLE COMING OVER THERE, WHETHER IT'S CLIENTS OR NOT. AND, UM, I LIVE NEAR GOVERNOR PARK, WHICH IS A REALLY BIG PROBLEM RIGHT NOW. HUGE. UM, IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT FOR, UH, LAST COUPLE YEARS, I BELIEVE. UM, GOVERNOR PARK WAS FUNDED $2.83 MILLION STATE, UH, THROUGH PROPOSITION 84, WHICH IS A STATEWIDE PARK DELL, UH, DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM. UM, WHEN IT WAS FIRST BUILT, I THOUGHT, WOW, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PARK. YOU KNOW? AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT, MAYBE THAT SHOULD BE AN AREA WHERE THEY'RE GONNA PUT PARKING LOTS. I THOUGHT THAT'S A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE NEED PARKING IN LONG BEACH. AND THEN THAT CAME UP AND I THOUGHT, OKAY, THAT'LL BE BEAUTIFUL. AND THE FIRST COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN IT WAS OPEN, I SEE FEW PEOPLE COMING IN THERE, CHILDREN AND WHATNOT, AND THEY'VE DESIGNED THE PARK FOR, FOR CHILDREN. THERE'S A LITTLE SKATE PARK THERE, THERE'S A PLAYGROUND THERE. AND, UM, THROUGH THE YEARS, IT'S JUST BEEN DECLINING AND DECLINING AND DECLINING. UH, PART OF THE PROBLEM IS THE, THE HOMELESSNESS THAT THAT IS THERE. UM, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I REALLY THINK THAT, THAT THE CITY OF LONG BEACH SHOULD START, UM, OBSERVING AND START DOING IS WHEN THEY HAVE ORDINANCES. LIKE THERE'S AN ORDINANCE HERE, 14.0, 4.01 OBSTRUCTING. NO PERSON SHALL, UH, CONGREGATE UPON USE OF ANY STREET, ALLEY, PIER PARK, YOU KNOW, SO FORTH. AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, ORDINANCE, PARKS AND BENCHES. 16.6 0.01. NO PERSON SHALL DO ANY OF THE ACTS HEREAFTER, ENUMERATED WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ANY PUBLIC PARK, PUBLIC BEACH, BEACH AREA, PARKING LOT, BICYCLE PATH, UH, PUBLIC BUILDING. AND, UM, IT'S, AND THE LETTER E IT SAYS CAMP. YOU CANNOT CAMP UNLESS IT'S AN EXECUTIVE AND DESIGNATED AREA. ALL THESE THINGS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE. AND GRANTED, THERE ARE, WHEN I CALL, WHICH IS PROBABLY TWO TIMES A WEEK, I CALL, I LET THEM KNOW THAT THEY'RE THE SAME PEOPLE HERE. AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THESE PEOPLE, UH, THE THE HOMELESS PEOPLE, THEY, YOU KNOW, THE HOMELESS SERVICES COME IN AND THEY SAY, YOU KNOW, DO YOU WANT HELP AND WHATNOT? AND A LOT OF 'EM SAY NO BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE DOING DRUGS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO, THEY DON'T WANNA STOP DOING DRUGS. AND WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THAT THEY, WHEN THEY'RE LET, THEY'RE ASKED TO LEAVE, THEY'LL LEAVE, BUT THEY'LL LEAVE LIKE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. AND THEN WHEN THE COPS LEAVE AND THEN ANYBODY ELSE LEAVE, THEY COME RIGHT BACK. AND ANOTHER THING IS THERE IS A GREEN TENT, EIGHT TO 10 MAN TENT RIGHT THERE IN THE FRONT OF GOVERNOR PARK. AND I THOUGHT, GOD, ARE THEY GONNA LEAVE? AND THEY DID IT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST FOR ME. YOU GUYS HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT THERE. 'CAUSE I LIVE OFF OF, UH, LOS ALTO ALAMEDOS, AND SEVENTH, THERE'S ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL. AND THEN ON SIXTH, THERE'S ANOTHER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THESE KIDS HAVE TO PASS BY. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. THESE HOMELESS PEOPLE. MM-HMM. . SO I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS RILEY CARPENTER. HELLO MARIN COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS RILEY CARPENTER AND I HAVE BEEN AN EMPLOYEE WITH THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS. AND I'M CURRENTLY EMPLOYED WITH THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL DIVISION AS AN EPIDEMIOLOGY PROGRAM SPECIALIST. I'M HERE REGARDING THE LOSS OF FUNDING OF [00:55:01] ABOUT 70 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING MYSELF, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30TH. THE MAJORITY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, AGAIN, INCLUDING MYSELF, ARE CAREER STAFF. MEANING THAT WE ARE NOT TEMPORARY, UH, SLASH NON-CAREER. EVEN IF THESE JOBS ARE FOUND, EVEN IF JOBS ARE FOUND ELSEWHERE IN THE CITY FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS, IT STILL LEAVES BEHIND A CRITICALLY UNDERSTAFFED TEAM TO PERFORM THE DUTIES NECESSARY FOR ACCREDITATION AND TO FULFILL REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THIS IS NOW OUR THIRD ROUND OF LAYOFFS OR LOSS OF FUNDING SINCE 2022. WITH ONGOING OUTBREAKS SUCH AS THE TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK AND LARGE UPCOMING EVENTS SUCH AS THE 2028 OLYMPICS. WE NEED TO INVEST IN PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY FROM THE THREAT OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASE. AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MORE STAFF WHEN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RESPONSE AND INTERVENTIONS ARE SUCCESSFUL. OUR IMPACT OFTEN GOES UNNOTICED. OUR IN OUR INVISIBILITY IS A TESTAMENT TO OUR EFFECTIVENESS. WHEN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RESPONSE IS INSUFFICIENT, OUTCOMES CAN BE DEVASTATING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INCLUDING SEVERE ILLNESS AND EVEN DEATH. TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR SUPPORT FOR INCREASED AND SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN THE VITAL DUTIES WE PERFORM. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LISTEN TO MY STORY AND I HOPE YOU'LL SUPPORT LONG BEACH HEALTH STAFF. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, FINAL SPEAKER, ELIZABETH. HELLO, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH MARQUEZ AND I'M A SENIOR EPIDEMIOLOGIST WITH THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL DIVISION. AND I'M HERE REGARDING THE LOSS OF FUNDING FOR MYSELF AND 70, UM, COWORKERS EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 30TH. UH, THE HEAVY RELIANCE ON ON GRANT FUNDS, UM, WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT, CONTINUOUSLY JEOPARDIZES ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS AND THREATENS COMMUNITY HEALTH. THE CITY MUST INVEST IN ESTABLISHED SUSTAINED FUNDING FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ADDITIONALLY, I'M HERE TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPACTS THIS WILL HAVE ON FIVE KEY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE DISABILITY ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS EPIDEMIOLOGY, HEALTHCARE ACQUIRED INFECTIONS, COMMUNICABLE DISEASE INVESTIGATIONS, AND VITAL RECORDS. TOGETHER THEY'RE, UM, AT RISK OF LOSING OVER 75% OF THEIR STAFF, WHICH IS ALREADY A PRETTY SMALL TEAM. UH, THESE TEAMS HAVE LED AND RESPONDED TO AT LEAST, UM, TO THREE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. UH, OCS, COVID-19 AND TUBERCULOSIS. WITHOUT ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR OUR DEPARTMENT, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RAPIDLY RESPOND TO A FOODBORNE DISEASE. UM, OUTBREAKS WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRACK AND RES RESPOND TO. UM, MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT, UM, OUTBREAKS AND DISEASE REPORTS INCLUDING, UM, CANADA ALBICAN. SO FUNGUS THAT ARE RESISTANT TO MANY DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS, MEANING THESE PEOPLE JUST, THEY DON'T GET BETTER. UM, THERE IS AN INCREASE IN, UM, MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT GONORRHEA THAT'S GONNA BE AFFECTING, UM, OUR YOUTH AND, UH, YOUNG ADULTS. UH, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF STI INFECTIONS IN THE ENTIRE STATE. UH, WE ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR FORESEEING SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS OF, OF THIS, UM, SPECIFIC STRAIN OF GONORRHEA. WE, UH, WILL BE UNABLE TO PLAN AND PREPARE FOR EMERGING AND, UM, EMERGING IN INFECTIONS AND DISEASES INCLUDING AVIAN, INFLUENZA, DENGUE, AND MEASLES. WE'LL BE UNABLE TO, UH, PREPARE FOR LARGE EVENTS, INCLUDING THE 28 ALLEY OLYMPICS. UM, THAT WHERE WE ANTICIPATE TO SEE MANY INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS. UH, PARIS ALONE SAW AN ESTIMATED 15.3 MILLION INDIVIDUALS WHO VISITED, UM, PARIS, UM, ASSOCIATED TO OLYMPICS. SO YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE, UM, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS COMING TO VISIT INCREASING RISK HERE IN THE CITY. UH, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO, UH, MEET MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION AND, UH, REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE'RE CURRENTLY IN A TUBERCULOSIS OUTBREAK AND THE REASON THE CITY ENDED UP IN THE PLACE THAT IT'S CURRENTLY AT IS DUE TO UNDERFUNDING AND UNDERSTAFFING OF THAT PROGRAM. AND SIMILAR THINGS ARE LIKELY TO HAPPEN TO COMMUNICABLE DISEASE WITHOUT APPROPRIATE FUNDING. SO WE ASK FOR YOUR SUSTAINED SUPPORT, UM, OR ACTUALLY GIVE US SUPPORT, UM, AND CONTINUE TO SUSTAIN THAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, BIG TOPICS ON PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY. THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING OUT AND SPEAKING WITH US. WE HEAR EVERYTHING YOU SAY. UH, WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 41 PLEASE. ITEM 40 ONES COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ORANGA, CHAIR OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. RECOMMENDATION [41. 24-54495 Recommendation to request City Council approve a support position on Proposition 4.       Office or Department: Roberto Uranga, Councilmember, Seventh District, Chair; Intergovernmental Affairs Committee         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO REQUEST CITY COUNCIL APPROVE A SUPPORT POSITION ON PROPOSITION FOUR. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. SO FIRST I WANNA THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA AND THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE FOR TAKING THIS TIME TO STUDY AND DISCUSS, UH, PROPOSITION FOUR AT THEIR MEETING LAST TUESDAY, [01:00:01] AND PLACING THIS IMPORTANT ITEM ON TODAY'S CITY COUNCIL AGENDA WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO TAKE A POSITION OF SUPPORT. SO, PROPOSITION FOUR, THE, THE SAFE DRINKING WATER, FIRE PREVENTION DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS, AND CLEAN AIR BOND ACT OF 2024. THAT IS A LONG NAME FOR A BALLOT, UH, IS A STATE BOND MEASURE THAT REPRESENTS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT OF PUBLIC IN PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR CLIMATE ACTION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCY EFFORTS IN THE STATE'S HISTORY. IF APPROVED BY VOTERS PROPOSITION FOUR WOULD AUTHORIZE THE USE OF $10 BILLION IN STATE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR SAFE DRINKING WATER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, WILDFIRE PREVENTION, EXTREME HEAT MITIGATION, PROTECTION OF NATURAL LANDS, PARKS, COASTLANDS BAYS, OCEANS, AND FUNDING FOR CLEAN ENERGY INITIATIVES. SO THEY HAVE AN IMPACT ON LONG BEACH AS WELL. UH, THIS HAS A POTENTIAL TO BUILD UP OUR CITY'S RESILIENCE AGAINST THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER FROM EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS. IN RECENT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND WINTER STORMS AND RAIN UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF RAINFALL THAT HAVE CAUSED, UH, REAL FLOODING HERE IN LONG BEACH. PROPERTY DAMAGE SEWAGE SPILLS THAT HAVE LEFT LASTING EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS IN LONG BEACH AND ACROSS LA COUNTY. SO WE NEED ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS TO BUILD A MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTICULARLY AROUND OUR WATERSHEDS. AND EVERYONE KNOWS WE'RE AT THE BOTTOM OF TWO RIVERS AND SEVERAL WATERSHEDS HERE IN LONG BEACH. AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE HAS BEEN IN PLACE A LONG TIME. WE'RE 120 5-YEAR-OLD CITY AND WE, UH, WE HAVE TO UPDATE THIS INFRASTRUCTURE. SO WHAT PROPOSITION FOUR DOES, UH, IS, IS IT IT HELPS TO, UH, MAINTAIN OUR WATERSHED INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVE STORM WATER CAPTURE, AND REDUCE THE RISK OF FLOODING AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY ON RIVERS AND BEACHES, WHICH ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US. UH, THE BOND MEASURE ALSO INCLUDES, AND THIS IS REALLY EXCITING, $475 MILLION TO SUPPORT, UH, PORT PORT OF LONG BEACH'S CUTTING EDGE PURE WIND PROJECT. SO THIS FLOATING, FLOATING OFFSHORE WIND STAGING INTEGRATION FACILITY WILL CREATE MORE THAN 10,000 GREEN JOBS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS AND SIGNIFICANTLY HELPED STATE THE STATE MEET ITS CLEAN ENERGY GOALS. UH, AND SO THESE, UH, THIS FOR THIS AND MANY OTHER REASONS, THIS IS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT LONG BEACH TAKE A POSITION IN SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR STATE. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS ON THE BALLOT IN THE STATE, BUT THIS ONE HAS A REAL IMPACT ON HELPING THE CHART A CLIMATE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE IN LONG BEACH. SO THAT SAID, I WANNA PASS IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA, THERE'S NOTHING TO PASS OVER. MAYOR, YOU SAY IT ALL. THANK YOU. THAT'S MY JOB. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. I THINK YOU GOTTA HIT THE MOTION, THE BUTTON TO MAKE A MOTION. COUNCIL MEMBER KER, UH, STRONG SUPPORT. ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. UH, AS, UH, COUNCILMAN ARANGA SAID, YOU GAVE A GREAT DESCRIPTION OF THIS. UM, PROP FOUR IS INTERESTING FOR ME BECAUSE I'M USUALLY AGAINST HUGE BONDS LIKE THIS, BUT I WILL SAY DISTRICT THREE HAS A HUGE NEED FOR FUNDING FROM THE STATE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. UM, WITH THE STATE PHASING OUT ONCE THROUGH COOLING SYSTEMS, WHICH WE HAVE RELIED ON FOR CIRCULATION IN ALAMEDOS BAY FOR DECADES, UH, WE'RE GONNA NEED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ALAMITOS BAY WATER QUALITY REMAINS AT ACCEPTABLE LEVELS. AND ALAMITOS BAY IS, UM, SOMETHING THAT THE WHOLE CITY CAN ENJOY. UM, WE HAVE PROJECTS LIKE THE GREEN BELT AND GREENBELT HEIGHTS THAT CAN TURN VACANT PROPERTY INTO A NATIVE GARDEN, UH, STORM WITH STORM WATER CA CAPTURE. UM, AND WE HAVE OTHER PROJECTS LIKE BEE REPLENISHMENT, UM, AND OTHER PROJECTS WITH REGARD TO SEA LEVEL RISE. SO WE JUST, MANAGEMENT OF THESE PROJECTS, UM, IS REALLY, THERE'S A LOT OF PROJECTS IN DISTRICT THREE THAT WOULD, WOULD REALLY RELY ON THIS. SO FOR THE CONTINUED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT THREE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT. WE DO HAVE FUNDING SOURCES FOR THIS, THESE MAJOR PROJECTS, UM, ESPECIALLY WITH THE DECLINING OIL REVENUES. SO, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. UH, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. COUNCILMAN DUGGAN. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. UH, ITEM 40 PLEASE. ITEM 40 IS COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR RICHARDSON, VICE MAYOR ALLEN COUNCILMAN KERR, COUNCIL MEMBER ORANGA RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY COUNCIL [40. 24-54510 Recommendation to request City Council to take an official position in support of the Affordable Housing, Homelessness Solutions, And Prevention Now Citizens’ Initiative.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor; Cindy Allen, Vice Mayor, Second District; Megan Kerr, Councilwoman, Fifth District; Roberto Uranga, Councilmember, Seventh District         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO TAKE AN OFFICIAL POSITION IN SUPPORT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMELESSNESS SOLUTION AND PREVENTION NOW CITIZENS INITIATIVE. [01:05:01] RIGHT. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. SO, UH, YOU PROBABLY COULD HEAR FROM MANY OF THE FOLKS IN LINE. HOMELESSNESS IS AN INCREDIBLE, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ISSUE HERE IN LONG BEACH. UH, AND ACROSS OUR REGION AND ACROSS OUR STATE. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THE POTENTIAL IMPACT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF A CITIZEN DRIVEN INITIATIVE, UH, THAT HAS GONE ACROSS THE COUNTY. 400,000 RESIDENTS SIGNED TO PUT A BOLD NEW WAY TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE ON THE BALLOT. UH, AND THIS IS THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMELESS SOLUTIONS, SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION NOW INITIATIVE. AND SO, UH, WITH THE ELECTION, UH, ABOUT 80 DAYS AWAY, NOW'S THE TIME FOR US TO BEGIN TO, UH, TAKE POSITIONS AND 'CAUSE A LOT OF EDUCATION IS GONNA BE BEGIN TO TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, UH, ABOUT WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR NOVEMBER, UH, AND WHAT, HOW IT IMPACTS LONG BEACH. AND SO THIS IS CALLED LA COUNTY PROPOSITION. A, UH, PROPOSITION A WILL BENEFIT LONG BEACH IN THREE VERY SPECIFIC AND CONCRETE WAYS. ONE, UH, IT PROVIDES DEDICATED FUNDING FOR HOUSING. THAT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT GIVEN WE HAVEN'T HAD A DEDICATED SOURCE OF LOCAL REVENUE FOR HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRODUCTION SINCE THE LOSS OF REDEVELOPMENT IN 2013, UH, FIVE YEARS AFTER WE SAW THAT FUNDING GO AWAY, UH, YOU SAW A HOUSING CRISIS BE DECLARED IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN 2018. SO WHEN THE FUNDING GOES AWAY, AND IT TYPICALLY TAKES ABOUT FIVE YEARS TO BUILD HOUSING, YOU SEE A CRISIS MANIFEST. AND AFTER THE 2018 HOUSING CRISIS, 2020 HAPPENED, AND WE SAW SOME OF THE WORST LEVELS OF HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THAT OUR STATE HAS EVER SEEN. AND LONG BEACH IS A TOP 10 CITY IN THE STATE. IT MANIFESTS HERE TOO. SO WE HAVE TO BE A PART OF THE REGIONAL SOLUTION IF WE'RE GOING TO SEE, UH, CHANGES IN OUR COMMUNITIES. SO THIS IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. THE FIRST CONCRETE WAY IS DEDICATED FUNDING FOR HOUSING IN LONG BEACH. THE PROJECTIONS ARE BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MILLION THAT WE CAN RECEIVE IN LONG BEACH EVERY YEAR. THAT'S RELATIVELY, RELATIVELY COMPARABLE TO THE NUMBERS WE USED TO HAVE AT REDEVELOPMENT AROUND 20, 25 MILLION A YEAR. SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT. NUMBER TWO, THE WAY THAT WE FUND OUR HOMELESS SERVICES IN LONG BEACH IS SET TO EXPIRE. UH, THAT'S CURRENTLY MEASURE H SO THAT'S A COUNTYWIDE SALES TAX THAT'S SET TO EXPIRE, I BELIEVE AT THE END OF 26. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THE WAY THAT WE FUND OUR SERVICES AND SUPPORT, MANY OF OUR SHELTERS WILL END AND THERE WILL BE A CASCADE EFFECT. AND THE SHELTERS THAT WE'VE STOOD UP, WE'VE DOUBLED THE AMOUNT OF SHELTER WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY. MANY OF THEM WILL CLOSE. THAT'S A REALITY. THEY'RE NOT FUNDED LOCALLY. IF THE FUNDING GOES AWAY, THOSE SHELTERS WILL CLOSE. IT WILL EXACERBATE OUR HOMELESS PROBLEM IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THERE'LL BE REALLY NO PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO AS IT RELATES TO, UM, UH, GETTING OFF THE STREET. AND SO THIS CURRENT MEASURE, MEASURE A CONTINUES FUNDING FOR THOSE LIFE-SAVING HOMELESS SERVICES HERE IN LONG BEACH AND ACROSS LA COUNTY. SO NUMBER ONE WAS HOUSING FUNDING. THERE WAS NOTHING BEFORE THAT WILL EXIST. NOW, TWO DEDICATED HOUSING, UH, HOMELESS FUNDING, THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. NOW HERE'S THE THIRD WAY THAT THIS UNIQUELY IMPACTS LONG BEACH, EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT A LONG BEACH MEASURE, IT'S A CITIZEN DRIVEN MEASURE. THE MEASURE RE REPEALS THE FORMER MEASURE H. NOW HERE'S WHY THAT'S KEY. IT ALLOWS OUR LOCAL, OUR LOCAL MEASURE A, THAT THE VOTERS PASSED BACK IN, UH, WHAT WAS IT, 2020, TOM, WHEN WAS MEASURE A 20 20 20 19. SO WE APPROVED A SALES TAX BACK THEN TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE OF 1 CENT. WE ONLY ACTUALLY COLLECT 75 CENTS OF IT BECAUSE LA COUNTY PROPOSITION H CAPTURED THAT FINAL 25 CENTS. WHY IS THAT KEY FOR US WHEN H IS REPEALED? THE TAX THAT WE PASSED IN LONG BEACH, THAT VOTERS PASSED A FEW YEAR, FIVE YEARS AGO, WE WILL, WILL BE MADE WHOLE. SO RATHER THAN RECEIVING 75 CENTS, YOU RECEIVE A FULL CENT. UH, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? WE HAVE A, A DEFICIT ON HAND OF ABOUT $61 MILLION. THIS CLOSES ABOUT $25 MILLION OF THAT DEFICIT. SO IT TAKES AWAY A BIG DEFICIT AND ALLOWS US TO RESTORE AND SAVE SERVICES, SPECIFICALLY MEASURE A SERVICES THAT ARE POLICE, FIRE, AND INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT'S WHY THIS IS IN INCREDIBLY KEY. SO THIS MEANS STABLE FUNDING, UH, THROUGH SOME VERY DIFFICULT YEARS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, STREET IMPROVEMENTS. NOW, THE OTHER KEY THING IS THAT THE, THE HOUSING FUNDING IS GONNA BE ADMINISTERED THROUGH A NEW AGENCY CALLED LOS ANGELES COUNTY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS AGENCY. AND WE HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THAT BOARD. LONG BEACH HAS A DEDICATED SEAT. I HOLD THAT SEAT ON THAT BOARD. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR IS THE ALTERNATE BOARD. THEY'LL DEDICATE THAT FUNDING. AND IN FACT, I'M CHAIR OF THE BOARD, WHICH GIVES US, UH, REAL REPRESENTATION HERE IN LONG BEACH TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FUND THOSE FUNDS, MAKE IT TO OUR LONG BEACH, UH, COMMUNITIES, UH, IN, IN AN ADEQUATE WAY. AND SO, AS WE SPEAK WITH, UH, COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, BUSINESSES, UH, MANY OTHERS, UM, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY KNOW, UH, WHERE, WHERE THE [01:10:01] MAYOR AND WHERE THE CITY COUNCIL STANDS ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. AS THIS CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING ACROSS THE REGION, WE'RE THE SECOND LARGEST CITY. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO, TO TAKE A POSITION HERE. AND AS A PROVEN LEADER IN DRIVING SOLUTIONS ON ISSUES LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WE'VE BUILT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAN THE NEXT NINE CITIES, UH, COMBINED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY. UH, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE'VE ENTITLED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, UH, AND WE HAVE JUST FINALLY SEEING A REDUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME, UH, IN SEVEN YEARS ON HOMELESSNESS, NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TURN BACK. IN FACT, WE HAVE TO DO MORE IF WE'RE GONNA REALLY MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE. AND SO THIS MEASURE, UH, PROVIDES US WITH THE TOOLS AND THE RESOURCES THAT WE NEED TO ACCELERATE OUR PROGRESS. AND SO THAT SAID, UH, WE WILL, UH, TAKE IT BEHIND THE RAIL COUNCIL MEMBER YANGA, MR. MAYOR, IF I CAN CORRECT THE RECORD REAL QUICK. SURE. UH, FIRST MERE WAS IN 2016. 16 AND EXTENSION WAS IN 2022. 2022. YES. WAS IT 22? IT WASN'T 22. THE EXTENSION WAS IN, I THINK, I BELIEVE IT WAS 2022. I THINK IT WAS 2020. YOU DOUBLE CHECK THAT. IT WAS SIX YEARS AFTER. IT WAS SIX YEARS AFTER. OKAY, GREAT. I BELIEVE HE KNOWS, BUT IT WAS FIRST IN 2016. WE AGREE ON THAT. THANK YOU. UM, COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA, GETTING MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR A VERY THOROUGH DESCRIPTION. BUT WE ALL KNOW THAT HOUSING IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE HERE IN LONGTON. GLAD TO PUSH THIS FORWARD, UH, FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS IMPORTANT ITEM COMING BEFORE LA COUNTY VOTERS THIS NOVEMBER LA COUNTY, UH, MEASURE A. AND I WANNA THANK YOU ALSO FOR THAT THOROUGH OVERVIEW AND TAKING OFF SOME OF THE LINES IN MY NOTES. SO I'LL TRY TO BE CONCISE. IN AUGUST, 2021, BEFORE I WAS A MEMBER OF THIS BODY, THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY IN SUPPORT OF SB 6 7 9, WHICH CREATED LA CASA, THE AGENCY TO WHICH MAYOR RICHARDSON IS THE CHAIR THIS YEAR AS AN APPROACH TO HOUSING CRISIS ON A REGIONAL BASIS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR OUR CITY'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE LA CASA BOARD SINCE INEP ITS INCEPTION, AND ESPECIALLY OUR MAYOR AS CHAIR THIS YEAR IN THE SECOND YEAR OF THE AGENCY'S IMPORTANT WORK. THIS BALLOT MEASURE BEFORE THE VOTERS HAS BEEN WORKED ON BY A COALITION OF NEARLY 100 EXPERTS, PROVIDERS, LABOR GROUPS, AND ADVOCATES FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS. IT IS THE FIRST COUNTYWIDE VOTER INITIATIVE, NO SMALL FEAT IN A COUNTY OF OVER 10 MILLION PEOPLE. THE MERITS OF THE MEASURE ARE IN LINE WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME WORK TO BRING SOLUTIONS TO THE HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING CRISIS FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE, MORE HOUSING, MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. WE KNOW THAT HERE IN LONG BEACH, WE'RE DOING OUR PART TO OFFER SERVICES, INCREASE SHELTER SPACE, AND BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THIS MEASURE AND LA CASA WILL SUPPORT NOT ONLY OUR EFFORTS WITH A DIRECT FUNDING ALLOCATION, BUT WE'LL SUPPORT AND FUND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITIES AND CITIES AROUND THE COUNTY TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY AS WELL, THEREBY ALLEVIATING SOME OF THE WORK THAT LONG BEACH HAS BEEN DOING AND COMMITTED TO FOR A REALLY LONG TIME. UH, I URGE MY COLLEAGUE SUPPORT ON THIS ITEM, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR VOTERS TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS MEASURE OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS. I URGE THE COURT. THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR ALLEN. AND MR. MAYOR, IF I CAN ONE MORE TIME, I'M SORRY. SURE. DO HAVE TO MAKE A SECOND CORRECTION. YOU WERE CORRECT. UH, IT WAS 2016 AND THEN FOUR YEARS LATER IT WAS 2020, UH, BEFORE IT, SO YOU WERE CORRECT. IT'S NOT OFTEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IT'S NOT OFTEN, BUT IT DOES, YOU KNOW, IT DOES HAPPEN EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. ALL RIGHT. VICE MAYOR ALLEN. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU MAYOR FOR, UH, INTRODUCING THIS ITEM. I DEFINITELY WAS PROUD, UH, TO SIGN ON. I THINK IT'S, UH, IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY TAKES A SUPPORT POSITION ON THE MEASURE AS, UM, AS MY, UH, COLLEAGUES ALREADY SPOKE OF, IT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES OUR HOUSING AND OUR HOMELESSNESS CHALLENGES. UM, IN 2021, I WAS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF LA CASA BECAUSE I KNEW HOW IMPORTANT THE AGENCY COULD BE, AND THE MEASURE WILL GIVE LA CASA, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY OUR MAYOR, UM, THE FUNDING TO ADVANCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COUNTYWIDE, AND THEN JUST OVERALL PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES, UH, BOTH, UH, TO, UH, FOR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS. AND BY REPLACING MEASURE A AND ADOPTING THIS INITIATIVE, WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, MORE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND OTHER CRITICAL RESOURCES, UM, THAT WILL SUPPORT, UH, FOLKS WITH HOMELESSNESS. UM, IT ALSO WILL, UM, EXPAND, UH, TENANT SUPPORT PROGRAMS AND ACCESS TO PREVENTATIVE RESOURCES SUCH AS, UH, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HELP PREVENT HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT BEGINS. AND I KNOW THAT'S ESPECIALLY, UH, IMPORTANT IN MY DISTRICT, UM, WHERE WE HAVE RIGHT AROUND 65% OF MY CONSTITUENTS OR RENTERS, UM, IT'LL ALSO ENABLE US TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS OF WHAT YOU ASK. I, AND SO THANK YOU FOR ASKING. I SEE Y'ALL ALL ARE VERY, UH, LOOKING AT ME VERY ATTENTIVELY. BUT AGAIN, WE'RE GOING TO BE BUILDING MORE [01:15:01] AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PRESERVING EXISTING AFFORDABLE UNITS AND SUPPORTING OWNERSHIP, WHICH IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE RESIDENTS OF LONG BEACH. SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE COME OUT AND WE LEAD ON THIS MEASURE, UM, AND CAN'T UNDERSCORE HOW CRITICAL THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FOR OUR, UH, REGION AND THE POTENTIAL RESOURCES THAT WE MAY RECEIVE TO ADDRESS OUR HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS NEEDS. SO THANK YOU MAYOR, SO MUCH FOR LEADING ON THIS. AND THANK YOU FOR, UH, YOUR LEADERSHIP IN LA CASA. THANK YOU. UH, NEXT SPEAKER, COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. SO I WANNA START THE CONVERSATION BY JUST TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS ON HOW THIS CAME TO BE ON THE AGENDA. UM, THIS ITEM WAS PLACED ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AS AN URGENT ITEM, BYPASSING THE NORMAL PROCESS, WHICH IS SET UP TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I WOULD'VE SENT OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THIS IF I, WE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO GET THE COMMUNITY INFORMATION ON IT. UM, I WAS TOLD, WE WERE ALL TOLD LAST YEAR AS COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA SHOULD ONLY BE USED FOR URGENT ITEMS BECAUSE IT CUTS RESIDENTS OUT OF THE DISCUSSION AND IT'S A BURDEN TO STAFF. UM, WITH THE ELECTION THREE MONTHS AWAY, I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING THIS ITEM COULDN'T HAVE GONE THROUGH THE REGULAR, UM, AGENDA ITEM PROCESS. AND IF I WAS, IF I'M BEING ASKED TO VOTE TODAY, I CAN'T SUPPORT THIS PURELY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE'RE DOING OUR DUE DILIGENCE WITH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO GET OUR RESIDENTS INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING OF, OF US SUPPORTING THIS. UM, I, I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO LAY THIS ITEM OVER TO THE NEXT MEETING, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS AN EMERGENCY FOR THE CITY TO TAKE A POSITION ON A MEASURE FOR AN ELECTION IN THREE MONTHS. WHO IS MAKING A MOTION? COUNCIL, ROBERTA. COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA. THERE'S A, OH, WHO IS THE MAKER? IS IT RIGHT? YEAH, IT'S YOU. OKAY. I, UH, A QUESTION, HOW CRITICAL IS IT THAT WE VOTE FOR TODAY? SO I CAN ANSWER? I I BROUGHT THIS FORWARD. SO, UH, A FEW THINGS TO SPEAK ON THE URGENCY, IT'S INCREDIBLY, INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT. SO THE ELECTION SEASON COMES UP PRETTY, PRETTY QUICKLY HERE, AND WE, UH, I THINK THE NEXT TIME THIS WOULD BE AVAILABLE WOULD BE SEPTEMBER, UH, WHICH IS CLOSER TO THE ELECTION. AND IT WOULD ALSO DIMINISH IMPACT THE CITY'S DECISION. 'CAUSE CITIES ARE MAKING DECISIONS RIGHT NOW ON WHERE THEIR, ON THEIR, WHAT THEIR POSITION IS. AND, UH, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FRANKLY ALIGNS WITH MANY OF OUR CORE PRIORITIES. SO IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE, UH, THAT WE LEAD ON THIS. AND NOW IS THE MOST IMPACTFUL TIME TO MAKE A, MAKE A DECISION BECAUSE IT'S THE, BECAUSE OF HOW GREATLY THIS STANDS TO IMPACT OUR RESIDENTS. SO WE SHOULD PROBABLY BE PRO ENTREPRENEURIAL, SHOW A LEADERSHIP ROLE HERE. UM, AND THEN IN TERMS OF JUST THIS CONTENT, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF US. IN FACT, UH, THIS CONVERSATION BEGAN THREE YEARS AGO IN 2021 WHEN THE CITY COUNCIL BEGAN TO TAKE THE POSITION IN SUPPORT OF SB 6 79 AND ENABLING LEGISLATION TO CREATE LA CASA. AND THEN THERE WAS A NUMBER OF, UH, PRESENTATIONS LEADING UP TO TODAY ON OUR BUDGET THAT TALKED ABOUT THIS POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY. UH, AND THEN IN PARTICULAR, IN MAY DURING LONG BEACH HOUSING INNOVATION WEEK, WE RECOGNIZED THAT THAT WAS THE SAME WEEK THAT 40,000 PEOPLE SUBMITTED SIGNATURES TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE. AND THEN ON JUNE 11TH, WE RECEIVED A PRESENTATION FROM CITY STAFF ON MEASURE A, WHICH IS OUR, ONE OF OUR LARGEST, UH, REVENUE DRIVERS AND THE SIGNIFICANT DIRECT ALLOCATIONS, UH, TO BOTH HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS AND THE INCREASES OF MEASURE A, UH, SO THAT WAS ON JUNE 11TH. AND SO THERE, SO THIS, THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE THEIR DISCUSSION. CITY COUNCIL HAS BEEN PREPARED, THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE HOW THEY WANT TO VOTE BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER. AND SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF EDUCATION FOR THE PUBLIC, BUT THIS IS A DECIS DECISION FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO MAKE. NOW I ALSO WANNA SAY, I DON'T WANNA TWIST ANY COUNCIL MEMBER'S ARM TO VOTE YES OR VOTE NO. VOTE HOW YOU WANT TO VOTE, UM, BASED ON WHATEVER YOU FEEL, BUT I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO DO IT NOW. OKAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. YOU MAKE A, UH, COMPELLING ARGUMENT. I'M DECLINING. I DIDN'T HEAR WHAT HE SAID. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO, WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. SO WE HAVE, LET'S SEE, EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. IRMA FARRA LEAD, LYNN REED, LINHART, MYRA GARCIA CORTEZ, CIA, LOPEZ REYES, JILL, UH, ANDRE DONDO, AND ANTONIO HERNANDEZ AND PETE MARCH. PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME. [01:20:07] JUST COME ON DOWN. IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME. IF YOU JUST SAY YOUR NAME, WE, IF IT COMES OUTTA ORDER, YOU SAY YOUR NAME. IT'LL COME. IT'LL COME OFF. COME OFF THE LIST. HELLO. UM, MY NAME IS MYRA FERNANDA AND I'M A RESIDENT OF COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO, AND I AM ALSO THE LEAD ORGANIZER FOR LONG BEACH RESIDENTS. EMPOWERED. THANK YOU, MAYOR RICHARDSON, VICE MAYOR ALLEN AND COUNCIL MEMBERS ANG AND KER FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. IN PUTTING THIS ITEM BEFORE THE COUNCIL. AS A RENTER, I SUPPORT COUNTY MEASURE A AND URGE THE COUNCIL TO EXPRESS ITS SUPPORT AS WELL AS A RENTER AND ORGANIZER WORKING DIRECTLY WITH TENANTS. I'VE SEEN HOW PEOPLE ARE OFTEN ONE EVICTION AWAY FROM BECOMING UNHOUSED, AND ONCE THEY LOSE THEIR HOME, IT BECOMES DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO ESCAPE THE CYCLES OF HOMELESSNESS WITHOUT PROPER SUPPORT. THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS SOLUTIONS AND PREVENTION. NOW MEASURE A PRESENTS A NEW APPROACH BY ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS BY CREATING A MORE SAFE, UH, BY CREATING MORE SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOMES, EXPANDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH, AND CREATING MORE ACCOUNTABILITY TO TRACK PROGRESS AND SUPPORT OF SUCCESSFUL HOMELESSNESS SERVICES. IT'S ALS IT ALSO O OFFERS A PREVENTION FOCUS. CURRENTLY ONLY 4% OF COUNTY FUNDING IS ALLOCATED TOWARDS PREVENTION. THIS MEASURE EXPANDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND INVESTS FIVE TIMES MORE IN PREVENTION PROGRAMS LIKE EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO STOP HOMELESSNESS BEFORE IT EVEN BEGINS. PLEASE ENDORSE COUNTY MEASURE A AND HELP LONG BEACH MEET ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOALS AND COMMIT TO THE CRITICAL SERVICES THAT RENTERS AND UNHOUSED COMMUNITIES URGENTLY NEED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. I AM ANDREA DONNA, AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRE, OUR LONG BEACH RESIDENTS EMPOWERED. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT, VERY IMPORTANT ITEM TO, TO THE AGENDA. LIBRE HAS AND CONTINUES TO WORK TOWARDS THE PASSAGE OF MERE, WE WERE IN THE STREETS COLLECTING SIGNATURES, AND NOW WE ARE HERE, OF COURSE, SUPPORTING YOU ALL ON THIS, UM, ON THIS. UM, BECAUSE THIS MEASURE ENCOMPASSES ALL ASPECTS OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT, IT ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSES OF HOMELESSNESS, BUT CREATING MORE SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOMES. IT CREATES MORE ACCOUNTABILITY TO TRACK THE SUPPORT OF SUCCESSFUL HOMELESS SERVICES. IT ALSO FOCUSES ON HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION. BY SUPPORTING PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE STATE HOUSE LA PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL TO SO MANY PEOPLE THAT, UM, ARE ABLE TO STAY HOUSED. LONG BEACH HAS ALREADY SEEN THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROGRAM MEASURE A WILL INCREASE THE REACH AND THE NUMBER THAT WE CAN SERVE. THIS MEASURE IS A COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION TO MATCH THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE AT GEORGE THE COUNCIL. NOT ONLY TO SUPPORT THIS MEASURE, BUT TO JOIN US AS WE WALK THE STREETS AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THIS AMAZING MEASURE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS A COMMUNITY LED INITIATIVE THAT WILL BRING SO MANY BENEFITS TO OUR CITY AND TO OUR COUNTY. SO I NOT ONLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO PASS IT, BUT ALSO TO KNOCK ON DOORS WITH US AND EVERYWHERE THAT IS HERE TODAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. HI, MY NAME IS JILL. I BASICALLY GREW UP IN LONG BEACH. UM, I WAS DISPLACED AND I THINK WITH THE SUPPORT AND PASSING OF MEASURE A I WOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE BACK TO LONG BEACH WHERE I LOVE AND ENJOY. SO, UM, I'M IN SUPPORT OF PASSING THIS MEASURE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. UM, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL. MY NAME IS CIA LOPEZ REYES. I AM THE CAMPAIGN DIRECTOR WITH THE LONG BEACH DETROIT JUSTICE ECONOMY. UM, WITH LANE, WE ALSO CO-LEAD THE LONG BEACH HOUSING JUSTICE COALITION ALONGSIDE LIBRE. THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING EFFORTS, WE HAVE WITNESSED WORKING CLASS COMMUNITIES HAVING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PAYING RENT AND BUYING FOOD OR SOME OF THEM LIVING OUT OF THEIR CAR. WE HAVE HEARD TENANT STORIES OF DISPLACEMENT AND EVICTIONS WITHOUT JUST COSTS AND BEING PRICED OUT OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. MEASURE A PRESENTS A PATHWAY TO ADDRESSING THE HOUSING CRISIS. THIS IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK MOMENT FOR LONG BEACH FOR THE COUNTY, UM, AND IT'S A BIG PRIORITY FOR LONG BEACH FOR JUST ECONOMY AND LANE. WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE IT WILL CREATE MORE SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOMES. IT WILL, IT'S ALSO A PREVENTION FOCUS. THIS MEASURE, AS MENTIONED EARLIER, IT EXPANDS AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS AND IT SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE [01:25:01] HOUSING AND FUNDS, RENTER PROTECTION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES SUCH AS THE RIGHT TO COUNCIL, WHICH WE ARE ALSO ADVOCATING AS PART OF, UM, YOU KNOW, THE BUDGET FIGHT. THIS YEAR WE URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO ENDORSE COUNTY MEASURE A AND HELP LONG BEACH KEEP AND HELP, YOU KNOW, LONG BEACH, UM, RENTERS TO BE, UH, KEPT, HOUSED AND SAFE AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON. THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR. MY NAME IS IRMA FERREIRA, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NUMBER ONE, AND I'M HERE TO SU URGE, UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF MR. AND THIS MEASURE RULE NOT ONLY IS, UH, GRAND, MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO THE RESIDENTS OF LONG BEACH. WITH THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL PROGRAMS, WITH THIS SOCIAL PROGRAMS, WE CAN HELP THE PEOPLE OF OUR CITY TO OBTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING SO THAT THEY DO NOT RUN THE RISK OF BEING HOMELESS. 70% OF THE MONIES MY HUSBAND AND I EARN GOES TOWARDS OUR RENT, UH, ACCOUNT WITH MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND BETTER JOBS WILL ALLOW US TO STAY IN LONG BEACH, MUCH LONGER AND NOT BE FORCED TO RELOCATE TO ANOTHER CITY WE'RE NOT FAMILIAR WITH, SUCH AS THE CASE OF MANY OF OUR NEIGHBORS. , I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE SUPPORT MEASURE A SINCE IT WILL, UH, GREATLY HELP THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. IT IS A RIGHT TO COUNT, UH, WITH DECENT HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE, DECENT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ORDER TO LIVE IN A CITY WITH TRUE DIGNITY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. OKAY, HELLO AND GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL. MY NAME IS REID LENHART. I'M AN ACTIVIST IN LONG BEACH OF JUST ECONOMY AND I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO. UM, I'M HERE SPEAKING TODAY IN FAVOR OF MEASURE A. UM, CURRENTLY, AS BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE, THE COUNTY ONLY SPENDS 4% OF THEIR FUNDS ON PREVENTATIVE MEASURES FOR HOMELESSNESS. UH, SO THE GOAL OF THIS MEASURE IS TO FINALLY START ADDRESSING THE ROOT CAUSE AND GETTING SOME FUNDING GOING ON TO THAT, UM, BY MAKING AFFORD HOUSING MORE AFFORDABLE. AND THEN ALSO, UH, YEAH, SORRY. UH, THIS MEASURE WILL CONTINUE TO FUND HOMELESSNESS RESOURCE SERVICES THROUGH, UH, THAT WERE BEGAN IN MEASURE H, UH, BY REPEALING AND REPLACING THE ONE FOURTH CENT SALES TAX AND REPLACING IT WITH A ONE HALF OR HALF A CENT SALES TAX. UM, THIS WILL BE TWOFOLD. ONE, IT'LL, UH, THE SCALE UP OUR PREVIOUS MEASURES, UM, AND ALSO CREATE FUNDING FOR PREVENTATIVE ASPECTS SUCH AS, UH, BUILDING NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND THAT'S LIKE NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL. IT'S, UM, JUST BASED ON WHAT THE AVERAGE INCOME IS FOR LA COUNTY. SO WE HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT JUST LIKE WE HAVE TO BUILD, YOU KNOW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT ONE RATE, WE HAVE TO BUILD AT MULTIPLE RATES. UM, AND THEN ALSO IT'LL HELP, UH, CONNECT PEOPLE TO, UM, PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING THROUGH MENTAL ILLNESS AND, UH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE TOWARDS MORE SERVICES. UM, ONE THING THAT I THINK ABOUT WITH, UH, SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS THAT WE HEARD TODAY WAS THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, OUT OF, I LIVE OVER IN THE AREA THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT AND YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SEE THESE THINGS, YOU MIGHT HAVE THESE INITIAL REACTIONS OF LIKE, OH, WE SHOULD ENFORCE SOME OF OUR, OUR POLICIES MORE. AND I JUST THINK LIKE HOW MUCH MONEY IT WOULD COST TO, UH, LIKE INCARCERATE THESE PEOPLE, HAVE 'EM GO THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IT WOULDN'T REALLY BE HITTING, UH, THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS. IT WAS KIND OF JUST, UH, LOOKING AT IT AFTER IT'S HAPPENED. SO ONE THING THAT'S BEEN KEY WHEN I'VE BEEN WORKING AT, UH, LANE, WHICH IS THE HOUSING JUSTICE COALITION, I'VE SEEN HOW IMPORTANT [01:30:01] IT'S TO HAVE PREVENTATIVE SERVICES FOR RENTERS, ESPECIALLY LEGAL COUNSEL. SO PART OF MEASURE H WILL GIVE MONEY TOWARDS LEGAL COUNSEL. UM, YEAH, AND, UH, THAT'S PRETTY MUCH IT. I URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO VOTE IN FAVOR, UM, AS A CITY TO ENDORSE THIS MEASURE. AND YEAH, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS ANTONIO HERNANDEZ AND I AM A, AN ORGANIZER WITH LONG BEACH FORWARD AT LONG BEACH FORWARD. WE BELIEVE THAT RACE AND INCOME SHOULD NOT DETERMINE ONE'S FUTURE IN LONG BEACH, AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE GLAD TO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE AN OFFICIAL POSITION IN SUPPORT OF THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING HOMELESSNESS SOLUTION AND PREVENTION NOW CITIZENS INITIATIVE. THIS IS A POWERFUL CITIZEN LED COUNTYWIDE MEASURE THAT HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE BALLOT ALREADY. UM, AS AN ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS ALONGSIDE WORKING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN OUR CITY, WE SEE THIS COUNTYWIDE BALLOT INITIATIVE AS ONE OF THE TANGIBLE WAYS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS. THE MEASURE DOES NOT TAX ESSENTIAL GOODS LIKE GAS, GROCERIES, RENT, MEDICATION, OR DIAPERS. IT WILL APPLY TO DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD WOULD PAY ABOUT $4.91 A MONTH TOWARDS THE PRESERVATION AND CREATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTHCARE, AND HOMELESS, UM, SERVICES. LONG BEACH FORWARD SUPPORTS THAT OUR CITY MAKES A FAVORABLE STANCE ON THIS MEASURE. AND IN THE NOT SO FAR FUTURE, WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CREATIVE WAYS THAT THE CITY WILL USE THE FUNDS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. AND OUR FINAL SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL STAFF, UH, FELLOW CITIZENS, RESIDENTS, UH, PETE MARSH, SECOND DISTRICT. NORMALLY I'M HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT CLIMATE, UH, HOUSING IS A CLIMATE SOLUTION, UH, AS WELL AS A, UH, A HUMAN SOLUTION. UM, SORRY, GOT A GLARE THERE. UH, SO, UH, AS PART OF MY CLIMATE JOURNEY, I BECAME ACTIVE WITH SEVERAL HOUSING GROUPS IN THE AREA. EVERYBODY'S LONG BEACH, WHICH IS OUR LOCAL CHAPTER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING LA UH, CAR LIGHT LONG BEACH, WHICH ADVOCATES FOR, UH, BUILDING THE MOBILITY OPTIONS WE NEED TO BUILD GREATER HOUSING. UH, LAST WEEKEND AT OUR UH, CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY MEETING, WE HAD A GUEST, A DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKER, UH, ANDY KERR, WHO'S ON THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR, UH, LA COUNTY MEASURE H. UH, SO STRONG SUPPORT FOR, UH, CITY COUNCIL TO ENDORSE MEASURE A AND, UH, TO DO GOOD THINGS WITH THE FUNDING FROM THAT. UH, I GUESS I'D LIKE TO EMPHASIZE VERY BRIEFLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE IN PART BECAUSE OF DECADES OF DECREASING HOUSING SUPPLY. YOU KNOW, LOTS OF FACTORS HAVE MADE IT HARDER TO BUILD. WE'VE ALSO HAD, UH, YOU KNOW, URBAN FLIGHT TO THE SUBURBS, UH, UH, DRIVEN BY BIG AUTO AND BIG OIL, UH, DECREASING OUR MOBILITY OPTIONS. UH, OUR LONG BEACH PLANNING AND ZONING AND BUILDING DEPARTMENTS ARE ALREADY DOING GREAT THINGS IN, UH, WORKING TOWARDS INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING. WE'VE GOT A VERY AGGRESSIVE, UM, HOUSING REQUIREMENT, AS WE ALL KNOW, AND LOTS OF GOOD THINGS IN PROGRESS. THERE'S A HANDFUL OF THINGS THAT, UH, ELB, THE EVERYBODY'S LONG BEACH SUPPORTS REDUCED OR ELIMINATED PARKING MINIMUMS, UH, TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HIGH COST TO TAXPAYERS OF FREE PARKING, UH, LIVE WORK UNITS, SINGLE STAIR, UH, APARTMENT BUILDINGS, AND MANY MORE. UH, EVERYBODY'S LONG BEACH IS GONNA BE SPEAKING AT UPCOMING MEETINGS AROUND HOUSING. UH, SO ANYWAY, UH, THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. UH, THANKS FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, MR. MAYOR ON, UH, THE COUNTYWIDE BOARD AND, UH, STRONG SUPPORT FOR DOING THIS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, WILL NOW, UH, MEMBERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE? MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. AND JUST, JUST TO CLARIFY FOLKS, ONCE WE TAKE A POSITION ON A BALLOT MEASURE, THE CITY DOES NOT GET INVOLVED. NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS GO INTO CAMPAIGNING, IT GOES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WHO COLLECTED THOSE SIGNATURES. DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO, MAKE THIS HAPPEN. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER 31. THIS WILL BE THE LAST ITEM BEFORE WE GO TO THE BUDGET. ITEM 31 PLEASE. ITEM 30 ONE'S REPORT FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE ORDINANCE [31. 24-54207 Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending Table 35-2 (Park Dedications/Designations) of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) (ZCA20-016) to include Willow Springs Park – Parcel A at 2745 Orange Avenue; ​  ​Request City Attorney to prepare ordinance setting aside and approving for dedication in perpetuity, Willow Springs Park – Parcel A, located at 2745 Orange Avenue for public park purposes and uses; ​  ​Request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending the Use District Map (Zoning Map) to change the zoning district (ZCHG 20-008) of that portion of Parcel A adjacent to Orange Avenue zoned Medium Industrial (IM) to Park (P) for consistency with the General Plan Land Use PlaceType;  ​  ​Request City Attorney and City staff to establish a mechanism for banking of future park space to implement the City’s Parks in Perpetuity requirements; and ​  ​Request City Attorney to prepare resolution recommending the future dedication of Parcel B as Willow Springs Park located at 1040 Spring Street once a land bank is established and implemented in connection with park replacement requirements for three Downtown Projects. (Districts 1, 5)​        Office or Department: Community Development         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] AMENDING PARK DEDICATION DESIGNATIONS TO INCLUDE WILLOW SPRING PARK PARCEL A AT 27 45 ORANGE AVENUE REQUEST. CITY ATTORNEY PREPARE ORDINANCE SETTING ASIDE AND APPROVING FOR DEDICATION IN PERPETUITY FOR PUBLIC PARK PURPOSES, AND [01:35:01] USES REQUESTED ATTORNEY TO PREPARE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE USE DISTRICT MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING DISTRICT TO PARK FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE PLACE TYPE REQUESTED ATTORNEY AND CITY STAFF TO ESTABLISH A MECHANISM FOR BANK BANKING OF FUTURE PARK SPACE TO IMPLEMENT THE CITY'S PARKS IN PERPETUITY REQUIREMENTS AND REQUEST CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING THE FUTURE DEDICATION OF PARCEL B AS WELL AS SPRING PARK LOCATED AT 10 40 SPRING STREET ONCE A LAND BANK IS ESTABLISHED AND IMPLEMENTED IN CONNECTION WITH PARK REPLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR THREE DOWNTOWN PROJECTS, DISTRICTS ONE AND FIVE. ALRIGHT, KIND OF A LONG MOTION, LEMME TELL YOU WHAT'S, WHAT'S, WHAT'S UH, GONNA HAPPEN HERE. UH, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE THAT'VE BEEN WAITING THIS ITEM AND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME AND KNOW SUPER IMPORTANT TO THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WHO DO AND HAVE REPRESENTED WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. SO WE'LL START WITH A PRESENTATION FROM STAFF, THEN WE'RE HERE FROM THESE COUNCIL MEMBERS, HAVE JUST A FEW THINGS TO ADD AND THEN WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. SO TOM IS IN YOUR HANDS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR. UH, YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT MOMENT. WE'RE VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY. UH, WE'RE GONNA GIVE YOU THE PRESENTATION ON WHAT THIS IS. THERE'S SOME TECHNICAL ASPECTS HERE. UM, BUT, UH, I JUST WANNA SAY RIGHT UP FRONT I WANNA REALLY THANK THE COMMUNITY. I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, UM, ESPECIALLY, UM, ROBERTO WHO HAD IT AND THEN, UH, UH, GOT TRANSFERRED UNDER REDISTRICTING, UH, TO MEGAN WHO'VE BEEN VERY, VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, BUT ALSO GIVEN US THE TIME AND SPACE AND ABILITY TO FIGURE OUT A LOT OF COMPLICATED ASPECTS OF THIS. UH, WE MADE SOME COMMITMENTS TO COME AND MAKE THE DEDICATION AND I KNOW THAT TOOK LONGER THAN WE HAD ALL EXPECTED. UM, BUT WE'RE EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY. AND IN THE MEANTIME, WE'VE ALSO BEEN INVESTING IN, UH, WILLOW SPRINGS PARK THAT HAS BEEN PART OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN, UH, VERY GRACIOUS, UH, AND UNDERSTANDING WHILE ALSO BEING VERY, UM, UH, VO VERY LOUD ABOUT WHAT THEY EXPECT AND, AND, UH, WHAT THEY WANT US TO DELIVER ON, WHICH I REALLY APPRECIATE. IT'S BEEN A VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP. SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND I WILL TURN IT TO THE TEAM TO GO THROUGH, UM, UH, TO A LITTLE BIT OF THE PRESENTATION. I DON'T SEE ANY TEAM BEHIND YOU, TOM. ALL RIGHT. I GUESS I'M GIVING THE PRESENTATION. SO , SO AS OUR DEVELOPMENT SERVICES MANAGERS, THE JACK OF ALL TRADES, YOU CAN DO ANY PRESENTATION FROM ANY DEPARTMENT. LET'S GO. AS OUR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM COMES OUT, WE'LL GET STARTED. SO THE PRO, TELL ME ON THERE, THE PROJECT SITE IS, UH, BASICALLY, UH, WE KNOW IT ALL VERY WELL. THIS IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN LONG BEACH. THIS IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT PARK. UH, IT'S ORANGE ON ON ONE SIDE, IT'S CALIFORNIA, IT'S SPRING, AND UH, JUST NORTH OF THE CEMETERY. AND I WILL TURN IT TO THE EXPERTS WHO ARE GONNA DO BETTER THAN ME. SO GO. OKAY, WE ARE HAVING A REALLY FUN LEGAL MEETING IN THE BACK. SORRY ABOUT THAT. ALLISON SPINDLER, UH, PLANNING BUREAU MANAGER. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M DELIGHTED TO BE BEFORE HUGH TODAY, UH, FOR THIS HEARING RELATED TO THE DEDICATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK AND SUPPORTING ACTIONS AS YOU, UH, JUST BEGAN TO HEAR FROM CITY MANAGER MOCA. UM, IN THE MID TO LATE 18 HUNDREDS, THE FIRST ARTESIAN SPRING WAS DISCOVERED ON WHAT'S NOW WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. THE WATER DISCOVERY PROVIDED WATER FOR AGRICULTURE AND THE FUTURE POPULATION AND GROWTH OF OUR CITY. IN 1920, A PLAN FOR A 200 ACRE OPEN SPACE AREA, SIMILAR TO NEW YORK CENTRAL PARK WAS DEVELOPED ON THE AREA THAT'S NOW WILLOW SPRINGS PORTIONS OF THE 4 0 5 SAN DIEGO FREEWAY AND LONG BEACH AIRPORT. HOWEVER, THAT PLAN NEVER MATERIALIZED AND ALTHOUGH MOSTLY UNDEVELOPED, WILLOW SPRINGS OPENED IN 2012 AS A SPECIAL USE PARK. OOH, I'M OUTTA SHAPE. OKAY, THE GENERAL PLAN PLACE TYPE FOR MOST OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK IS OPEN SPACE EXCEPT FOR THE NORTHWEST CORNER, WHICH YOU CAN SEE ON THE MAP. HAS A PLACE TYPE OF COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL, BUT HAS AN INCONSISTENT ZONING DESIGNATION OF P OR PARK. AND REGARDING DEDICATION, TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BACKGROUND DEDICATION IS THE PROCESS THAT APPLIES TO CITY OWNED PARKLAND. TO PROTECT A PARK IN PERPETUITY FOR PUBLIC OPEN SPACE USE THE CITY CHARTER SPECIFIES THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL ADOPT ZONING AND OTHER REGULATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROTECTING PARKLAND. THE GENERAL PLAN, OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION ELEMENT PROVIDES THAT IF DEDICATED PARK SPACE IS SOLD OR USED FOR A NON-PAR USE THAT IT MUST BE REPLACED AT A RATIO OF AT LEAST TWO TO ONE IF APPROVED, TO MOVE FORWARD. THIS PROPOSAL IMPLEMENTS THE POLICIES OF THE GENERAL PLAN, OPEN SPACE, RECREATION ELEMENT, AND THE LAND USE ELEMENT WHICH CALLS FOR CREATING GREEN SPACES OUTTA VACANT AND UNDERUTILIZED LAND, PARTICULARLY IN PARK PORT COMMUNITIES [01:40:01] SUCH AS THIS AREA. NOW ONTO PREVIOUS ACTIONS, UM, AS PROVIDED IN THE CITY CHARTER, THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION INCLUDE RECOMMENDING TO THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY COUNCIL THE DEDICATION OF PUBLIC LAND FOR PARK, UH, PUBLIC PARKS. IN 2019, THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DEDICATE, UH, 28 EXISTING CITY OWNED PARKS, INCLUDING WILLOW SPRINGS. AND IN JULY, 2021, THE PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THAT COUNCIL ADOPT A VARIETY OF ACTIONS, INCLUDING ZONE CHANGES AND GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENTS FOR NUMEROUS PARK SPACES, INCLUDING WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. HOWEVER, WHEN THE PLANNING COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATION WAS FORWARDED TO COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN 2022, WILLOW SPRINGS, UH, WAS ORIGINALLY INCLUDED, HOWEVER, HAD TO BE REMOVED AS STAFF WAS DIRECTED TO CONDUCT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH AND BACKGROUND ON THE OVERALL PARK BOUNDARIES, TECHNICAL ISSUES THAT HAD TO BE RESOLVED, WHICH AT THIS POINT, UH, STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON AND ARE RESOLVED AS SHOWN ON THE SLIDE HERE, PROPOSING TWO PARCELS PARCEL A SHOWN IN RED IS APPROXIMATELY 46 ACRES AND PARCEL B, THE NORTHWEST CORNER SHOWN IN GREEN IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER IS APPROXIMATELY 1.8 ACRES. NOW THAT THE BOUNDARY ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, THE MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS OF PARCEL A AND B HAVE BEEN PREPARED. THE NEXT STEP IS TO HAVE PUBLIC WORKS REVIEW AND FINALIZE THE MAPS AND LEGAL DESCRIPTIONS, AND RECORD THE MAPS WITH LA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS. AS MENTIONED PRIOR, UH, STAFF IS REQUESTING THAT THE COUNCIL DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE ORDINANCES, WHICH WOULD CHANGE A SMALL PORTION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK, CURRENTLY ZONED IM OR MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL, AND WHICH HAS AN INCONSISTENT GENERAL PLAN PLACE TYPE OF OPEN SPACE TO PARKS AND RENDER CONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN PLACE TYPE. THE CURRENT RECOMMENDED ACTION IS, UH, ONE FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO CHANGE THE ZONE FROM IM TO P, WHICH IS NECESSARY IN ORDER TO DEDICATE THE PARK. AND TWO, APPROVE A ZONING CODE AMENDMENT MODIFYING TITLE 21 OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, UM, TO ADD WILLOW SPRINGS PARK TO TABLE 35 DASH TWO, WHICH LISTS OUR DEDICATED AND DESIGNATED PARKS HERE IN THE CITY. THE NEXT ASPECT, UM, OF THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A LAND BANK FOR FUTURE PARKS BASED. SO STAFF IS REQUESTING CITY COUNCIL ON DIRECT CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A LAND BANKING MECHANISM TO SUPPORT CERTAIN INITIATIVES SUCH AS THIS ONE. IT'S ANTICIPATED THAT THREE DOWNTOWN PROJECTS RELATED TO S SHOEMAKER BRIDGE, SHORELINE DRIVE REALIGNMENT, AND THE WEST SIDE GATEWAY AND TROTTA PROJECT MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON CURRENTLY UNUSABLE UM, PARK SPACE. AND A BANKING MECHANISM WOULD ENABLE THE BANKING OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK PARCEL B AS REPLACEMENT PARK FOR THE DOWNTOWN PROJECTS THAT WILL IMPACT, UM, EXISTING PARK SPACE. THIS PROPOSED LAND BANKING MECHANISM WILL FURTHER THE CITY'S GOALS IN A CREATIVE AND EFFECTIVE MANNER, AND THIS ACTION WILL LEAD TO THE FULL PROTECTION OF THE ENTIRE WILLOW SPRINGS PARK PROPERTY AS WELL AS FURTHER OPEN SPACE AND HOUSING EFFORTS IN DOWNTOWN. ONCE BANKED, THANK YOU. ONCE BANKED PARCEL B WOULD BE DEDICATED AND AVAILABLE TO OFFSET ANY FUTURE NEED . SO TO SUMMARIZE, AT THIS TIME, STAFF REQUESTS THAT CITY COUNCIL DIRECT, UM, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PREPARE ORDINANCES ADDRESSING, CHANGING THE ZONE OF THE PORTION OF PARCEL A FROM MEDIUM INDUSTRIAL TO PARK SETTING ASIDE AND IMPROVING IN PERPETUITY DEDICATION OF PARCEL A UH, THAT'S 46 ACRES AT WILLOW SPRINGS PARK AMEND TABLE 35 DASH TWO IN THE CODE TO FORMALLY DESIGNATE WILLOW SPRINGS AS A DEDICATED PARK SPACE AND PREPARE A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING FOR THE FUTURE DEDICATION OF PARCEL B THROUGH A LAND BANKING MECHANISM IN CONNECTION WITH PARK REPLACEMENTS IN DOWNTOWN. THAT CONCLUDES STAFF PRESENTATION AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE'LL TAKE IT BACK BEHIND THE RAIL COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR AND I AM SO THRILLED TO BE WITH HERE, HERE WITH YOU ALL OF YOU TONIGHT AS WE DISCUSS THIS ITEM IN HEARING ON THE LONG AWAITED DEDICATION AS THE SITE KNOWN, AS WELL AS SPRINGS PARK AS A PARK SPACE IN PERPETUITY. I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN A VERY LONG TIME IN COMING AS THE FUTURE OF THE SITE HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF CONVERSATION FOR MUCH OF OUR CITY'S MORE THAN CENTURY LONG HISTORY. AS MENTIONED, WILLOW SPRINGS PARK WAS IN FACT A SPRING. IT IS KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN A REGIONAL ASSET TO THE TONGA PEOPLE WHO ORIGINALLY INHABITED THE AREA THAT IS NOW LONG BEACH. WE KNOW IN THE LATE 18 HUNDREDS, THE SPRING WAS USED AS THE FIRST WATER SOURCE FOR LONG BEACH. AND THE DISCOVERY OF OIL IN SIGNAL HILL BROUGHT CHANGES HERE AS IT DID ALL OVER THE CITY AND LED TO DRILLING ON THE SITE. A HANDFUL OF OIL PUMPS DO STILL REMAIN AT THE SITE TONIGHT. AND AS THE CITY MOVES AWAY FROM THE OIL INDUSTRY AS A REVENUE SOURCE, [01:45:01] RECLAIMING WILLOW SPRINGS PARK IS A NATURAL SPACE AS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. OVER THE DECADES, MANY IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF THE SITE CAME ABOUT AND ULTIMATELY FAILED. THEN. UNTIL THEN, COUNCIL MEMBER JAMES JOHNSON HELPED USHER IN THE WILLOW SPRINGS PARK INTO AN OPEN SPACE, UH, IDEA THAT WE ARE SEEING EMERGE TODAY ALONG WITH OUR SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR, LARRY RICH. AS WILLOW SPRINGS OFFICIALLY OPENED FOUR ACRES OF USABLE PARKLAND FOR RESIDENTS TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY BACK IN 2017. EVER SINCE SIGNIFICANT HARD WORK HAS BEEN DONE BY CITY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS IN THE SUSTAINABILITY AND PRM DEPARTMENTS AND THROUGH THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE CONSERVATION CORPS AND THE SUPPORT OF RESIDENTS, UM, AND THE GROUP FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS, MANY OF WHOM ARE HERE TODAY. AND WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE JOINING US. WE'VE SEEN ACTIVATION HERE FROM THE LONG BEACH BEEKEEPERS, LONG BEACH COMMUNITY COMPOST FARM LOT 59 PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEMBERS, INCLUDING MY COUN, MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERTO ORANGA, WHEN THIS PARK WAS IN HIS DISTRICT AND HE DID SO MUCH WORK. AND MY PREDECESSOR, STACEY MGO, ARE ALSO TO THANK FOR WHERE WE ARE TODAY AS THEIR ADVOCACY CONTRIBUTED TO LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE DEDICATION BEFORE US TODAY. AND WHILE WE KNOW THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN TERMS OF RESTORING THE FULL 48 ACRES INTO A FUNCTIONAL, NATURAL PUBLIC SPACE FOR USE BY GENERATIONS OF RESIDENTS TO COME, WE'RE EXCITED TO BE FINALLY MAKING THE DEDICATION SHOULD THIS PASS, TO ESTABLISH THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO RESTORATION AND USE OF THIS LAND AS PARK IN PERPETUITY. THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET CURRENTLY ALLOCATES A MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS WILLOW SPRINGS PARK TRAILHEAD PROJECT, WHICH AGAIN, WOULD BEGIN TO PUSH FOR DEVELOPING MORE OF THE SITE INTO USABLE SPACE. IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. IT WILL SHOWCASE THE CITY'S DEDICATION TO REVITALIZING THIS IMPORTANT NATURAL SPACE. I AM COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK IN GOOD FAITH TO ALLOCATE FUNDS WHEN THE BUDGET ALLOWS, AND TO PUSH EVEN WHEN SOMETIMES IT MIGHT NOT, TO CONTINUE THE WORK AND TO WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND TO ACTIVATE AND ELEVATE THIS INCREDIBLE NAT, UH, NATURAL SPACE. I WANNA THANK ALL WHO LOVE THIS PARK. I RUN INTO FOLKS ALL THE TIME WHEN THEY HEAR THAT WILLOW SPRINGS PARK IS IN MY DISTRICT AND THEY'RE LIKE, I GO THERE ALL THE TIME. I WALK MY DOG THERE, I HIKE THERE, IT'S MY FAVORITE PLACE TO GO IN THE CITY. UM, SO FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO LOVE THE PARK OUT LOUD, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE JUST DISCOVERING IT, UH, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO INVEST AND ADVOCATE TO THE FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS TO THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK DAY IN AND DAY OUT, WHETHER IT'S WORK DAYS OR MEETINGS AT THE TOP. UM, I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU CONTINUE TO DO AND TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ME, MY OFFICE AND THE CITY. UH, THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. I'LL PASS IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER ORANGA. YOU GOT IT. COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KER FOR THE EXCELLENCE ABOUT, OF THE HISTORY OF THE PARK. I'VE GOT TO SAY THAT EVEN BEFORE I CAME ON CITY COUNCIL, MY WIFE TOYOTA COUNCIL MEMBER TO GOT RETIRED WAS ALSO WORKING ON THIS AREA TO CREATE A PARK. UH, I RECALL MAKING A VISIT TO, UH, INDIAN WELLS WHERE THERE WAS A, UH, A STADIUM THERE CALLED BUILD OF DREAMS. SO THEY WERE, THERE WAS CONTEMPLATION TAKING PLACE OF CREATING A BUILD OF DREAMS FACILITY HERE IN LONG BEACH AT WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. FOR THOSE OF YOU I'M OLD, SO, YOU KNOW, I GOT, I GOT THESE MEMORIES GOING ON. KNOW ADAM, I WON'T GO BACK FREE, FREE PRE, UH, PRE DISTRICTING. THERE YOU GO. SO NOW IT IS NOW PART OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT AND I'M GLAD THAT COUNCIL MEMBERS IS THERE TO USHER IN A NEW ERA FOR THIS, UH, MUCH NEEDED SPACE. WE ALL WELCOME NEW PARK SPACE. WE KNOW THAT WE NEED IT, WE WELCOME IT. UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME, IT'S NOT PART OF SEVENTH DISTRICT ANYMORE. IT'S GONNA BE PART OF THE FIFTH, BUT I'LL TAKE CREDIT ANYWAY. ONE MORE THING ON RED GREEN COLOR LINE. SO THOSE RED GREEN LINES, WHAT, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, BUT I KNOW THE AREA SO I KNOW GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT YOU, UH, WHAT YOU WERE REFERRING TO. YEAH, TELL GREEN CRINGE BECAUSE I TOLD YOU BEFORE. YEAH, WE KNOW THAT WE, THAT ONE WE MISSED. MY APOLOGIES. YOU KNOW, IT'S, RIGHT NOW I HAVE ANOTHER DISABILITY WORRY, NOTHING ABOUT THAT. SO I'M VERY HAPPY THAT THIS IS PROBABLY BEING BROUGHT FORWARD TONIGHT. VERY GLAD TO KNOW THAT THIS ITEM WAS MOVING FORWARD AFTER MANY YEARS OF EFFORT. OH, ONE [01:50:01] MORE. ONE, ONE MORE THING I DID, WE DID BRING IN A, UH, A DEPOT THAT WE WANTED TO PUT INTO THE WELL SPRINGS PARK TO MAKE IT A, UH, A UH, UH, UH, WHAT WE CALL THOSE, UH, FACILITIES. UH, YEAH, WE RELOCATED THE DEPOT THERE FOR A WHILE TO BE SORT OF THE HEADQUARTERS OF, OF THE TEAM AND A, AND A WEL AND A STATION THAT PEOPLE COULD COME AND VISIT. AND UNFORTUNATELY WE LOST THAT IN A FIRE. YEAH. CAUGHT ON A FIRE THAT WE, WE LOST IT. SO WE'RE TRYING TO GET THAT MONEY BACK THROUGH INSURANCE AND WE TO CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK AND PERHAPS REPLACE THE DEPOT WITH, UH, ANOTHER FACILITY THAT WOULD SERVE AS A, UH, INFORMATION, THE INFORMATION PLACE, LOCATION WHERE PEOPLE CAN VISIT AND LEARN ABOUT THE VARIOUS TYPES OF, OF, UH, TREES AND, AND PLANTS THAT GROW AND THAT ARE NATURAL TO THAT AREA, AS WELL AS THE HISTORY OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. SO WITH THAT, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BOARD AND I ENCOURAGED MY FELLOW COUNCIL MEMBERS TO PLEASE, UH, SUPPORT THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. AND BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT, JUST, JUST A COUPLE, COUPLE THOUGHTS. SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN FRONT OF US IS VERY, VERY TECHNICAL, SO I'LL TRY TO JUST SIMPLIFY. BASICALLY, WE'RE CREATING A GIANT PARK IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL. AND THIS VOTE AND THIS ACTION, UH, BASED ON THE LEADERSHIP OF REALLY THESE TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER JOHNSON BEFORE THAT, I REMEMBER WHEN HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THIS TOGETHER COLLABORATIVELY, ALL OF YOU HAVE BROUGHT US TO THIS VERY HISTORIC MOMENT IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? IT IS OFFICIAL. WE WILL HAVE A GIANT PARK IN THE CENTER OF LONG BEACH AND A REALLY EXCITING SPACE WHERE YOU'VE GOT FOLKS LIKE VAST RIGHT THERE ACROSS THE STREET BUILDING, YOU KNOW, THE FIRST COMMERCIAL SPACE STATION, YOU KNOW, IN GALACTIC HISTORY, UH, RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET. SO IT VERY, SO IF IT'S THE FIELD OF DREAMS, IT'S A LOT OF DREAMS GOING ON OVER THERE. IT'S, IT'S OPEN SPACE DREAMS, IT'S CLIMATE DREAMS, AND THEY'RE ENVISIONING SPACE. AND SO GOOD WORK. LET'S NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, WE HAVE, LET'S SEE A LOT, UM, LET'S CALL IT 13. SO WE HAVE 13 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. PLEASE COME FORWARD. UH, JACOB DICKINSON, PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY FORWARD. YOUR FIRST AND THEN SUSAN REDFIELD, VANESSA COVINGTON, UH, DAVID GOODWIN, SASHA KANO, UH, NIA KIFE, LYNETTE ZI, MIKE LARA, PETE MARSH, KATIE, UH, CHRISTOPHER CHAVEZ, MANA EICHNER, AND LEE FWE. SO JACOB, ARE YOU HERE? 90 SECONDS. WHERE'S JACOB? IS THAT JACOB? GREAT. COME ON DOWN. AND BECAUSE THERE'S, UH, BECAUSE THERE ARE, UH, MORE THAN 10 SPEAKERS, OUR RULES SAY 92ND SECONDS PER, PER TESTIMONY WITH 90 SECONDS. LET ME, UM, SKIP SOME OF THE USUAL PLEASANTRIES. I'M SURE SOME OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME WILL, UM, WILL CATCH UP TO THAT. BUT, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS SO FAR FOR YOUR EFFORTS. IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS. UM, UH, DELIGHTED TO, UH, HAVE SOME FUNDING COMING, I HOPE, AND IT WILL NEED MORE FUNDING, I THINK, TO NURTURE THIS LAND AND BRING IT UP TO ITS FULL POTENTIAL. I AM A MEMBER OF THE FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. I'M WEARING A DIFFERENT T-SHIRT TONIGHT. UH, FOR ONE THING BECAUSE I ALWAYS HAVE TO BE DIFFERENT, BUT ALSO BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE LONG BEACH BEEKEEPERS. AND AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF CITING OUR BEE SANCTUARY ON A SMALL PORTION OF THE WILLOW SPRINGS PARK LAND. UM, SOME FUN FACTS, SOME REASONS THAT YOU MAY NOT BE AWARE OF WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT AND I THINK HAS SOME REAL LEVERAGE IS THAT OUR, UH, UC RIVERSIDE PARTNERS TELL US THAT THE LOCAL B POPULATION HAS THE MOST GENETIC DIVERSITY OF ANY HONEYBEE POPULATION IN THE WORLD. IT'S NOT JUST A CURIOSITY AS, UH, THIS IS THE RAW MATERIAL FOR DEVELOPING THE BEES THAT WE NEED TO SURVIVE CLIMATE CHANGE AND PATHOGENS AND PARASITES AND CONTINUE TO POLLINATE OUR CROPS AND FEED US. UM, IT'S A JEWEL IN OUR CROWN AS A CLUB, NO OTHER LOCAL CLUB. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS LIKE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. NEXT IS SUSAN. THANK YOU MR. MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I AM THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. [01:55:02] I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF WRIGLEY AND I'M THE SEVENTH DISTRICT AND HAVE WORKED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA OVER THE YEARS ON MANY TOPICS AND ISSUES, AND PARTICULARLY THIS ONE. AND I HAVEN'T SPOKEN WITH MEGAN KERR ABOUT THIS YET, BUT I'M AWFULLY GLAD FOR THE HARD WORK YOU'VE BEEN PUTTING INTO THIS. WE ALL KNOW THE WEST SIDE NEEDS PARKS AND THAT THIS PARK WILL BECOME A JEWEL IS EVEN MORE VALUABLE AND VITAL FOR OUR CITY. UM, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE MOVEMENT MOTION. YOU'VE, THE MOVEMENT YOU'VE MADE ON THIS AND I ALSO, IF YOU'VE EVER HAD A CH NOT YET HAD A CHANCE TO GO VISIT THE, UH, B ACTIVITY THAT'S THERE AND THE PROGRAMS THEY HAVE ON THAT GROUNDS, IT'S SO EXCITING AND SO IMPORTANT. SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE AND, UH, CONTINUE ON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO SPEAK TONIGHT. IN FAVOR OF THE DEDICATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. MY NAME IS SASHA KANO AND I'M THE FOUNDER OF FARM LOT 59. WE STARTED WAY BACK IN 2010 FROM AN ABANDONED ILLEGAL DUMP WITH THE HELP OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, BEACH MAINTENANCE PARK AND REC, AND WHAT WAS THEN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. NICE TO SEE YOU MR. GARANGA, THAT YOU'RE DOING WELL. UM, WE HAVE A THRIVING URBAN FARM. WE'RE ABLE TO HOST THOUSANDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TEACH THEM ABOUT ORGANIC GARDENING AND LIVING A MORE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE. OUR FARM IS THE ANCHORED TENANT WITHIN WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. OUR FARM GROWS YEAR-ROUND VEGETABLES THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH OUR PARTNERS AT FOOD FINDERS AND SERVE THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO NEED IT MOST EACH WEEK. WITH THE HELP OF PAID STAFF, INTERNS, AND VOLUNTEERS, WE HARVEST, PACK, WASH, REPLANT, OUR SEASONAL VEGETABLES. WE ALSO HAVE AN ONSITE FLOWER SHOP LOCATED ON CALIFORNIA AVENUE. OUR SOCIAL ENTERPRISE HELPS SUPPORT THE FARM TO FOOD BANK PROGRAM WHILE PROVIDING JOBS AND TRAINING IN THE ART OF FLORAL DESIGN. WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE GREATER PARK AROUND US EXPANDED AND SOLIDIFIED INTO A PARK THAT WE KNOW WILL BE THERE IN THE LONG TERM. WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO HAVE OPEN SPACE IN THE OTHERWISE CONGESTED CITY. THERE'S NOTHING ELSE IN THE CITY LIKE WILLOW SPRINGS. IT HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL TO BE A GREAT REGIONAL PARK, WHICH WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT TONIGHT. FARM LOT USES THE CALIFORNIA GATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. OH, THANKS FOR COMING OUT. OKAY, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. UH, GOOD EVENING COUNCIL STAFF. MY NAME IS VANESSA COVINGTON. I'M A MEMBER OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. I'M ALSO ON THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THAT'S OKAY. I'M HAVING A HARD TIME HEARING YOU PULL YOUR, YEAH, LET'S PULL YOUR MIC CLOSER. THERE YOU GO. UM, AND ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THAT IS HOSTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. I WANNA THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AND COUNCIL MEMBER KERR FOR ADVOCATING FOR THIS DEDICATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS. I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE MAYOR AND THE CITY MANAGER AND ALL THE STAFF WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES TO DO ALL THAT COMPLICATED WORK THAT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER. UM, UH, HAVING THAT EXTRA FUNDING ALLOCATED FOR THE WILLOW SPRINGS TRAILHEAD PROJECT WOULD REALLY HELP ASSIST, UH, MAKING ALL THE PARK ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND, UH, IF THE CITY CONTINUES TO ALLOCATE FUNDS, IT WILL MAKE WILLOW SPRINGS THE REGIONAL NATURE PARK THAT IT SHOULD BE. AND MAKING SURE TO KEEP IT FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IS, UM, SOMETHING THAT SHOULD ALWAYS BE, BE KEPT IN MIND AS SOME PARKS IN THE COMMUNITY AREN'T FREE TO ACCESS. UM, IT'S AN AMAZING NATIVE HABITAT AND OFFERS EDUCATIONAL ENGAGEMENT AS I AM AN ALUMNI OF THE YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS AND ALSO OF THE CALIFORNIA, CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS. AND I WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, WHICH IS NOW THE CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE. UM, AND UM, I KNOW THAT THERE'S WORK TO BE DONE ON THE ORANGE AVENUE, MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND CREATING, UH, SPREADING THE BIKE ACCESSIBILITY ON ORANGE AVENUE. AND SO KEEPING IN MIND THAT THERE IS NO RIGHT OF WAY OF WALKING ON ORANGE AVENUE CURRENTLY TO THE PARK. SO MAKING THAT A A PRIORITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT. YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT UP. LET'S SEE HERE. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DAVID GOODWIN, ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL AT VAST SPACE. I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LONG BEACH, A PRODUCT OF OUR PHENOMENAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I WAS ENVISIONED WORKING IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY WITH ITS RICH HERITAGE IN LONG BEACH. RETURNED TO LONG BEACH AFTER GRAD SCHOOL TO RAISE MY FAMILY A FEW MILES FROM WHERE I GREW UP. LIVING A TRUE DREAM OF WORKING AT A WONDERFUL COMPANY IN MY HOMETOWN. BOTH LIVING AND WORKING IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT, VAST IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING EMPLOYERS IN LONG BEACH. MO [02:00:01] FROM 30 TO 500 EMPLOYEES IN LESS THAN IN THE LAST, LAST 18 MONTHS. AND A PROUD MEMBER OF THE SPACE BEACH COMMUNITY. OUR HEADQUARTERS LOCATED NEXT TO WILLOW SPRINGS PARK MAKES US BOTH A NEIGHBOR AND AN INVESTED STAKEHOLDER IN THE FIFTH COUNCIL DISTRICT. WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OPEN SPACE IN THE CITY WE CALL HOME. BEING SO CLOSE TO WILLOW SPRINGS PARK, OUR TEAM AT VAST HAS GAINED FIRSTHAND INSIGHT IN THE SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS OF THE PARK, BRINGS THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES. THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THIS MOTION. FOR WILLOW SPRINGS IS OUTLINED IN THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN FOR THE SITE. WE'RE PARTICULARLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PLANNED ENHANCEMENTS, INCLUDING UPGRADES TO TRAILHEAD IN ADDITION OF PUBLIC AMENITIES LIKE PARKING, WATER STATIONS AND LANDSCAPING. THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY ELEVATE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF THE PARK EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW. OUR EMPLOYEES ARE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE PARK'S EVOLUTION. MANY OF THEM ALREADY ENJOY THE PARK DURING LUNCH BREAKS, BEFORE AND AFTER WORK, AND ON WEEKENDS, ESPECIALLY SINCE MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES LIVE IN LONG BEACH, WE'RE EAGER TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY ON WAYS WE CAN HELP ENHANCE THE PARK AND IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS, INCLUDING EXPLORING POTENTIAL PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ON PARKING SOLUTIONS AND OTHER. UH, THANK YOU. IS THAT YOUR TIME? THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THIS. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT. NEXT UP. MY NAME IS MIKE LARA, LONGTIME WRIGLEY RESIDENT. GOOD EVENING MAYOR RICHARDSON. AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. USUALLY WHEN I SPEAK AT THESE MEETINGS, IT'S IN OPPOSITION TO SOMETHING. SO I'M VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE DEDICATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. MANY RESIDENTS HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS ADVOCATED FOR THIS NEEDLESS, NEEDLESS NEEDED INCREASE IN PARK OPEN SPACE IN OUR UNDERSERVED PART OF TOWN. AND I'M GLAD THAT IT APPEARS OUR EFFORTS HAVE NOT BEEN IN VAIN. WILLOW SPRINGS HAS VAST, UNTAPPED, POTENTIAL. SIZABLE AREAS ARE IN AN UNDEVELOPED STATE, WHICH MAKES IT A RESPITE FROM THE STRESSES OF URBAN LIVING, AS WELL AS PROVIDING A RESOURCE TO ALLOW CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE A NATURAL SETTING IN THE MIDST OF OUR URBAN ENVIRONMENT. HOWEVER, THIS DEDICATION WHILE NECESSARY AND WELCOMED, WILL ONLY SERVE AS A FIRST STEP IN ACTIVATING THIS VALUABLE RESOURCE. WE NEED FUNDING FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS, NOT JUST IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET, BUT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. IF THE CITY CAN MANAGE TO SPEND MILLIONS TO RETROFIT A DUCK POND IN EL DORADO PARK, I WOULD HOPE THERE'S ROOM IN THE BUDGET FOR PUBLIC BATHROOM FACILITIES AS WELL AS MANY OTHER PROPOSED WILLOW SPRINGS PARKS PROJECT. IN CONCLUSION, I THANK YOU FOR VOTING TO APPROVE THIS PARK DEDICATION WHILE ALSO ASKING THAT THIS MARK, NOT THE END, BUT JUST THE BEGINNING OF SUPPORT FOR THIS POTENTIAL JEWEL OF LONG BEACH OPEN SPACE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. OKAY, NEXT UP. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS LYNETTE ANCY AND I'VE BEEN A HOMEOWNER IN WRIGLEY FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE DEDICATION. I JUST HAVE TWO QUESTIONS. UM, WHY IS THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT FOR THE PROPERTY AT THE CORNER OF CALIFORNIA SPRING NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPORT? THE CURRENT GENERAL PLAN IS CC COMMUNITY COMMERCIAL AND WAS APPROVED AS OPEN SPACE, UM, ON JUNE 20TH, 2019 BY THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION AND PLANNING COMMISSION. UH, THE REZONING IS INCLUDED IN THE RECOMMENDATION BUT NOT THE GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT. WHEN THE CITY APPROVED THE GLOBE MASTER PLAN IN MAY, 2021, THE CITY FAILED TO CHANGE THE GENERAL PLAN FROM CC TO OS, CREATING AN INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN THE OPEN SPACE ZONING AND GENERAL PLAN. THE CHANGE TO THE GPA WILL PROVIDE CONSISTENCY WITH THE CURRENT PLAN. HAS THIS CORNERS DESIGNATED FOR OPEN SPACE USE? IF YOU COULD PLEASE CORRECT THIS OVERSIGHT TONIGHT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. SECOND, UH, THE DEDICATION OF PARCEL B 1.8 ACRES IS TIED TO THREE OTHER PROJECTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. THE SHOEMAKER BRIDGE SHORELINE DRIVE REA ALIGNMENT DEVELOPMENT OF WHAT EVENTUALLY WILL BE A PRIVATELY OWNED PROPERTY THAT WILL DEVELOP, BE DEVELOPED AS A HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL PROJECT ON APPROXIMATELY 11 ACRES KNOWN AS HAS THE WEST SIDE GATEWAY ENTRADA PROJECT, THE DEDICATION OF PARCEL B HAS PARK SPACE SHOULD NOT BE DEPENDENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF, OF THE 11 ACRE ENTRADA RESIDENTIAL, UH, PROJECT THAT MAY, MAY OR MAY NOT TAKE PLACE AND WOULD NEED APPROXIMATELY 22 ACRES OF, UM, PARK REPLACEMENT LAND. ALSO, IT IS NOT CLEAR AT WHAT POINT PARCEL B WILL BE DEDICATED AS PARK SPACE, IS IT WHEN THE PLANS ARE APPROVED FOR THE SHOEMAKER BRIDGE DURING CONSTRUCTION, OR WHETHER THE BRIDGE IS COMPLETE. UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR DEDICATION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. OKAY, AYA, YOU'RE UP. UM, MADAM VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL, MY NAME'S SONAI KIN FAYE SIXTH DISTRICT RESIDENT. UM, I WANT TO THANK THE LEADERSHIP OF THE FIFTH DISTRICT COUNCIL OFFICE, UH, COUNCILWOMAN KERR, AS WELL AS THE AFOREMENTIONED, UM, COUNCILMAN JAMES JOHNSON. IF WE REMEMBER, UH, IN 2013, THERE WAS A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE PROMISED IN THE MASTER PLAN, UM, THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY COMING INTO FRUITION [02:05:01] 10 YEARS LATER. UM, I HOPE, HOPEFULLY WE DON'T GO THROUGH AN RFP PROCESS WHERE, UM, SOME, SOME, UH, OFFICE, SOME, SOME PLANNING COMPANY, UH, WILL USE AI TO, YOU KNOW, FILTER OUT SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY EXISTING AND REPURPOSE IT AND GET PAID FOR IT. BUT WITH RESPECT TO, UM, I ALSO WANT TO THANK, UH, OUR STATE SENATOR, UH, LENA GONZALEZ, THE MAJORITY LEADER, UH, BECAUSE, UH, YOU KNOW, HER, HER OIL, UH, YOU KNOW, OH, AND PREVAILING WAGE BECAUSE THAT MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DIG AND PAY SOMEONE TO, TO DIG AND DEVELOP ON THIS PROPERTY. SO, THANKFULLY, THE, ALL THE MARKET FACTORS CAME TOGETHER AND WE GET A, AN, AN, AN INCREASED PART. I WOULD LOVE, UH, MR. KUNZ, IF WE CAN LOOK INTO, UM, THE PARK AND WATER BOND ACT OF 2018, UH, BECAUSE WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THIS A REGIONAL PARK AND GET SOME OF THE WETLANDS THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PROMISED IN 2006, THE CALIFORNIA GARDENS IN 2013. THANK YOU. THANK YOU'S. NICE. OKAY, SECOND DISTRICT, PETE MARSH, COME ON UP. YOU'RE UP, . THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, VICE MAYOR AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M HERE AGAIN, BUT, UH, FOR THIS ONE, I'M JUST CARRYING WA WHO ARE FIFTH DISTRICT RESIDENTS, UH, AND, UH, BIG FANS OF WILLOW SPRINGS, ALONG WITH ALL THE OTHER 170 PARKS. WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN UNOFFICIAL RATING SYSTEM FOR, UH, YOU KNOW, SCORE OF ONE THROUGH FIVE. HOW GOOD WAS THAT PARK WHEN WE'RE, UH, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHICH ONES TO GO BACK TO? SO, UH, BUT IN SERIOUSNESS, UH, BIG COMPLIMENTS TO THE PARKS DEPARTMENT FOR A REALLY GREAT VARIETY OF PARK FEATURES. THE PLAY SCRAPES GIVE A, A GREAT, UH, OPPORTUNITY FOR A RANGE OF DIFFERENT, UH, GROSS MOTOR SKILLS FOR KIDS. UH, THIS PARK, UH, COUNCILWOMAN KERR, YOU, YOU MENTIONED IT, UH, BRIEFLY, THE SYMBOLISM OF TRYING TO CLAW BACK SOME, UH, HEALTHY GREEN SPACE FROM A CENTURY PLUS OF THE DEGRADATION THAT WE'VE IMPOSED, UH, NOT ONLY HERE, BUT IN LOS SORITO SWEAT LANDS AND SO MANY OTHER PLACES IN OUR CITY. SO IT'S GREAT TO SEE US, UH, CLAWING BACK AND, UH, GREENING SOME OF THE URBAN JUNGLE AND REALLY APPRECIATE IT. STRONG SUPPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, CHRIS, YOU'RE UP? YES. HELLO, MY NAME'S CHRIS CHAVEZ. I AM A RESIDENT OF WRIGLEY IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT. ALSO, JUST WANNA BE FOR, FOR DISCLOSURE PURPOSES, MENTION THAT I AM A MEMBER OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. I STRONGLY SUPPORT ITEM 31. NOT ONLY WILL THIS MOTION LEAD TO DEDICATING THE FULL 48 ACRES OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK AS A PARK IN PERPETUITY, BUT IT'LL ALSO INCREASE PARK SPACE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH WITHIN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. THERE IS NO PARK, QUITE LIKE WILLOW SPRINGS PARK IS TRULY A UNIQUE GYM, ONE THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE CITY'S ECOLOGY AS WELL AS THE CITY'S HISTORY. ADDITIONALLY, GIVEN ITS LOCATION, WILLOW SPRINGS REALLY SERVES MORE AS A REGIONAL PARK, IS THE ONLY PARK OF ITS KIND WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE TO WESTERN AND CENTRAL LONG BEACH, BOTH OF WHICH ARE HOME TO MANY PARK POOR COMMUNITIES. FURTHER, THIS MOTION WILL ALSO ENHANCE PARK ACCESS IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH BY ADVANCING THE SHOEMAKER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT. ONCE THIS BRIDGE, ONCE THE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT IS COMPLETE, THE CITY CAN INCORPORATE CURRENTLY INACCESSIBLE GREEN SPACE INTO CESA CHAVEZ PARK. MY HOPE IS THAT THE CITY FOLLOWS UP ON THIS POSITIVE STEP BY BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A SHARED VISION FOR WILLOW SPRINGS PARK, AS WELL AS COMMITTING, UH, INVESTMENTS AND RESOURCES TO MAKE THAT SHARED VISION A REALITY. AND TO THAT END, I WANT TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER KERR FOR THE ANNOUNCEMENT, UH, FOR THE WILLOW SPRINGS TRAILHEAD PROJECT. AS A FREQUENT VISITOR TO WILLOW SPRINGS PARK, I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE ITS LONG DEDICATION PROCESS FINALLY COMING TO FRUITION. I WANNA THANK THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS, LIKE FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK FOR THEIR POSITIVE ADVOCACY, AS WELL AS THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FORD'S WORK TOWARDS DEDICATING THE PARK. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHRIS. GOOD EVENING. UM, I AM THRILLED THAT THE CITY IS CONSIDERING DEDICATING ALL 48 ACRES OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR AND COUNCIL MEMBER YENGA FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AND, UH, CITY MANAGER, UM, THE MAYOR, CITY STAFF. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD LIKE THE TO URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE ALLOCATION OF $1 MILLION FOR THE WILLOW SPRINGS TRAILHEAD PROJECT IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO JUMPSTART RESTORATION EFFORTS. HOWEVER, THE PARK IS 48 ACRES AND ONLY 16 ACRES HAVE BEEN RESTORED THUS FAR. AS A RESULT, I REQUEST THAT THE CITY COMMIT FUNDING FOR THE PARK IN EVERY YEARLY BUDGET CYCLE. THIS WOULD REPRESENT A STRONGER COMMITMENT TO THE CITY'S EQUITY GOALS BY FUNDING THE RESTORATION OF A MUCH NEEDED GREEN SPACE IN A PARK POOR AREA OF LONG BEACH. I SEE HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND COLLEGE PROFESSORS [02:10:01] BRINGING THEIR STUDENTS TO FIELD TRIPS IN THIS PARK ALL THE TIME. YOU HEARD FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND VOLUNTEERS TONIGHT, UM, TO, UH, UH, TESTIFYING THAT THIS IS TRULY A LIVING CLASSROOM AND AN OASIS THAT PROVIDES, UH, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL RELIEF FROM INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES SURROUNDING THE AREAS OF THE PARK. UM, IMAGINE HOW MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL THIS PARK WOULD BE IF ALL 48 ACRES WERE RESTORED, AND IMAGINE IF WE COULD BUILD MORE WETLANDS IN THE PARK TO CREATE THAT STORM WATER CAPTURE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT MAYOR RICHARDSON BROUGHT UP EARLIER TONIGHT. UM, IF, IMAGINE IF WE HAD BASIC NECESSITIES SUCH AS RESTROOMS, BIKE RACKS, AND SIDEWALKS FOR SAFE, SAFE PEDESTRIAN ACCESS. SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE PARK, AND I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT THE CITY CONTINUES TO SUPPORT THE PARK REACHING ITS FULL POTENTIAL. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. OKAY, NEXT UP BEFORE YOU START, MY TI MY TIME, UM, I'M ONE OF THE CO-CHAIR OF FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK, AND I WOULD LIKE EVERYBODY THAT SUPPORTS WILLOW SPRINGS PARK TO STAND UP. THANK YOU. UM, MY NAME'S MONA EICHNER AND I AM A SEVENTH DISTRICT RESIDENCE AND, UM, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. UH, AS, AS THE CO-CHAIR, UM, I SUPPORT THE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DEDICATION OF WILL SPRINGS PARK IN PERPETUITY. AFTER FORMING THE FRIENDS GROUP TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE INITIAL GOAL OF ADVOCATING THIS LONG OVERDUE DEDICATION, WE ARE OVERJOYED, AS YOU CAN TELL, , UM, THE COMBINED 48 ACRES ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE WHOLE CITY. AS YOU'VE HEARD FROM MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE. UH, THIS UNIQUE PLACE IN THE CENTER OF LONG BEACH ASPIRES TO BE A NATURE PRESERVE WITH ALL THE NA, THE GROUPS, THE NATIVE HABITAT AND LEARNING GROUNDS FOR VISITING YOUTH, ALONG WITH THE CLIMATE ACTION CORPS, THE CLIMATE AMBASSADORS THROUGH THE OFFICE OF CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY, FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK STARTED AS A SUBCOMMITTEE OF LONG BEACH HERITAGE WITH THREE MEMBERS, AND NOW WE ARE OVER 300 AND STILL GROWING. ALL THE FRIENDS GROUP MEMBERS ARE ADVOCATES FOR THE FULL 48. SO THIS FINALLY PUTS US ON TRACK TO BEGIN THE NEXT PART OF OUR ADVOCACY, RESTORING AND GROWING THE REMAINING 32 ACRES. WE ARE EXCITED TO START THIS NEW PHASE. UM, I MIGHT GO OVER 'CAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF THANK YOUS. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER YANGA, COUNCIL MEMBER COUNCILWOMAN KERR AND YOUR STAFF. PLUS OF COURSE, ANDY AND BOTH OF YOU FOR CHAMPIONING THE PARK NOW. AND FROM ITS EARLY BEGINNINGS, LEE AND I STARTED OUR ADMIRATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK WAY BACK IN 2010 AS WELL. UM, THANK YOU EL LB HERITAGE FOR SPONSORING THE FRIENDS GROUP. THANK YOU TO THE CITY MANAGER, TOM MOKA FOR, UM, ALL THE HARD WORK ON THE DEDICATION AND, AND THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. I AM, I HAVE ONE MORE REALLY IMPORTANT THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU ALISON. GO FOR IT. AND CHRIS, UM, FINALLY I WANT TO THANK LARRY RICH FROM THE OFFICE OF CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR JUST, FOR, JUST FOR DISCOVERING THIS SPOT AND HAD AN INKLING OF WHAT WILLOW SPRINGS PARK COULD BECOME. THANK YOU. YOU'RE UP YOUR TURN. OKAY, THANKS. UH, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMAN MEMBERS. UH, MY NAME IS LEFA KUI. I'M ONE OF THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. AS YOU'VE HEARD, UH, MANY OF OUR MEMBERS ARE HERE TONIGHT TO URGE YOU TO APPROVE AND BEGIN THE FIRST PHASE TO DEDICATE, UH, WILLOW SPRINGS PARK IN PERPETUITY AND TO SUPPORT THE ALLOTMENT OF $1 MILLION FOR THE TRAILHEAD PROJECT IN THE 2025 BUDGET. UM, I CAN'T REALLY ADD VERY MUCH MORE THAT IT'S ALREADY BEEN SAID . UM, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU, UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON, UH, COUNCILWOMAN KERR AND HER STAFF, COUNCILMAN YANGA, UH, CITY MANAGER MOCA AND HIS STAFF AND, AND CITY STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK PUTTING THIS TOGETHER. IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME AND IT'S FINALLY HERE. UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL, UH, FOR WORKING WITH US, UM, AND LISTENING TO US. UM, IT'S BEEN A LONG PROCESS, BUT I'M GLAD IT'S FINALLY HERE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALRIGHT, WELL CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU. UH, A FEW MORE COMMENTS, COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YEAH, JUST A QUICK QUESTION. I KNOW, UM, IT WAS BROUGHT UP, UH, THE IDEA OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO DO ENHANCEMENTS TO THE PARK, AND I WANTED TO GET STAFF'S, UM, PERSPECTIVE ON WHETHER, UM, FINDING MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL OPTIONS, UM, IN THOSE PARTNERSHIPS. DOES THIS PRECLUDE US FROM DOING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS OR IS THERE WAY, IS THERE A WAY FORWARD, UM, TO DO THAT WORK TOGETHER? YEAH, I'LL HAVE ALLISON GO INTO THE DETAILS, BUT, UM, THIS IS SUCH A BIG PARK. IT'S GONNA REQUIRE A LOT OF RESOURCES. IT'S GONNA REQUIRE A LOT OF THE GRANT DOLLARS NOW THAT WE CAN GO AFTER THOSE AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON IT. UH, THE CITY [02:15:01] WILL DO ITS PART, BUT THEN ALSO ARE THERE OTHER RESOURCES LIKE, UM, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ADJOINING PROPERTY OWNERS THAT CAN ASSIST, UM, AS LONG AS THAT'S MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL. SO I'LL TURN THAT TO ALLISON. YEAH, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. SO, UM, DEDICATING THE PARK SPACE ENSURES THAT IT WILL BE, UM, PROTECTED IN PERPETUITY FOR PUBLIC USE. UM, BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF EXAMPLES WHERE WE DO HAVE PUBLIC PARTNER PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP FUND, UM, IMPROVEMENTS TO, OR OPERATIONS OF, UH, PARKS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO THAT IS A, A TYPICAL, UM, MODEL THAT CAN BE SUCCESSFUL IN ENSURING WE CAN, UM, MEET THAT INTENTION TO PROVIDE THAT QUALITY PUBLIC USE. GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH ALL OF YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER Y THANK YOU MAYOR. UH, ONE LAST THING AS A REMINDER, UH, BACK IN, UH, I WANNA SAY EITHER 2000 OR BEFORE, UH, WE DEDICATED THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CEMETERY AS PERMANENT AND PERPETUAL PARK. SO TOGETHER WITH WILLOW SPRINGS AND THE CEMETERY, THE FOOTPRINT OF THE PARK IS EXPANDS AND EVEN IS EVEN GREATER. SO, UH, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL YOUR EFFORTS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT FOR ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND, UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK EVEN FURTHER. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, WELL, UH, GREAT STUFF. JUST TWO THINGS I WOULD JUST WANT TO LIFT UP. I HEARD THE VAST FOLKS WERE HERE. UH, JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND CERTAINLY THANK YOU, UH, I HEAR YOU'RE PARTICIPATING IN OUR FIRST SU SPACE SPEECH SUMMER CAMP, UH, FOR YOUTH. SO THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THAT. I'M HEARING GREAT REVIEWS. I'LL BE OUT THERE WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE TOMORROW OR THURSDAY. I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT'S TOMORROW OR THURSDAY. AND THEN THE OTHER THING, UH, THE COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, KERR RAISED A REALLY GOOD POINT ABOUT PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. WE HAD SOME GOOD EXAMPLES RIGHT HERE IN LONG BEACH WHEN I WAS THE COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE NINTH DISTRICT, UH, THERE WAS A LOT OF NEED TO INVEST IN DEFOREST PARK, WHICH IS RIGHT ALONG THE RIVER. AND WE SAW SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH CONSERVATION CORPS WHERE WE HAD AN OLD COMMUNITY CENTER, COULDN'T REALLY USE IT ANYMORE. OLD ISSUES, ASBESTOS, ALL THAT. THEY WENT AND WE PROVIDED THE LAND. THEY WENT AND BUILT A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THE COMMUNITY AND BROUGHT IN THEIR BASE OF TRAINING AND OPERATIONS FOR CLEANING UP, UM, THE LOWER LOS ANGELES RIVER AND HELPED WITH MAINTENANCE OF OUR DEFOREST PARK WETLANDS. IT WAS ALL THROUGH A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT WAS MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO BOTH. AND WHAT YOU ENDED UP WITH WAS JUST, JUST A MORE, UM, ENHANCED EXPERIENCE THERE. AND THE OTHER ONE WAS, WAS A CAMPFIRE RIGHT. COUNCIL MEMBER, I, I WANNA STEP ON YOUR TOES ON SOME OF THIS. I KNOW THIS IS OH NO, I WAS JUST GONNA SAY, UM, AND THEY'RE ALSO THERE, RIGHT? SO COUNCIL FISHER CORPS HAS THEIR BRAND NEW FACILITY, UM, CAMPFIRE HAS TAKEN OVER AND RESTORED AND, AND MAINTAINED, UM, AND IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY. THE EXISTING PARK FACILITIES THERE. THEY PUT IN THE RIGHT, THEY PUT THE WALKING TRAILS IN NORTH OF THAT. UM, YOU KNOW, AND THEN THAT CATALYZED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, RIGHT? SO WE, WE PUT IN PICKLEBALL COURTS, RIGHT? RIGHT. WE, WE REDID THE, THE FUTAL COURTS WE'RE GETTING READY TO COME IN AND REDO THE BASKETBALL COURTS. THEY'RE THE NEXT SET OF PLAYGROUNDS THAT WE'RE GONNA BE DOING. SO JUST, IT CATALYZES A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND IT'S KIND OF LIKE A SNOWBALL THAT JUST KEPT GOING. SO, SO THERE'S A LOT OF SIMILARITIES IN THE OPPORTUNITIES I SEE HERE. UM, YOU JUST HEARD FROM TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS IN NORTH LONG BEACH THAT, THAT CAN TELL YOU THAT ONCE THE BALL GET KEPT GOING, THERE WERE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES AND, YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T ALL PUBLIC DOLLARS. MUCH OF THIS WAS, WELL, WASN'T ALL CITY DOLLARS, MAN. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OTHER AGENCIES. BUT BY BRINGING ON PARTNERS THEY HAD SECURED, UH, THEY PROCURED MUCH OF THE OTHER RESOURCES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. SO THIS IT, WE HAVE THE EXAMPLES TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. SO THIS IS A GREAT HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US MEMBERS, PLEASE CATCH YOUR VOTE. DO YOU WANT PARTNER WITH PICTURE? CAN WE DO A PICTURE UP HERE? YES. YOU WANT ME TO DO IT OUTSIDE? NO, IT'S OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER ORANGA, ARE YOU? YES. MOTION IS CARRIED. NOW WE DON'T ALWAYS DO THIS, BUT WE'RE GONNA DO IT TONIGHT BECAUSE IT IS KIND OF A HISTORIC VOTE. SO THE COUNCILWOMAN HAS ASKED IF ALL OF THE FRIENDS OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK COME FORWARD TO TAKE A PHOTO. [02:21:37] ALL RIGHT. OKAY. UH, WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO THE BIG ITEM, THE ITEM DE JOUR. UH, ITEM 29, PLEASE. ITEM 20 NINE'S REPORT FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT. UH, RECOMMENDATION TO CONDUCT A BUDGET HEARING TO RECEIVE AND DISCUSS AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET FOR THE DEPARTMENTS OF POLICE, [29. 24-54361 Recommendation to conduct a Budget Hearing to receive and discuss an overview of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for the departments of Police, Fire, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation and Marine. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Financial Management         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] FIRE, PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE CDY. ALRIGHT, SO THIS IS OUR BUDGET HEARING FOR FOUR DEPARTMENTS, FIRE, POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS. UH, BUT BEFORE WE DO THE PRESENTATION, WE'RE GONNA GO A LITTLE BIT OUT OF ORDER. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF OF RESIDENTS BEEN WAITING TO PROVIDE THEIR COMMENTS, SO WE'RE GONNA TAKE THE RESIDENTS COMMENTS FIRST. UH, SO WE HAVE 10 FOLKS, UH, SIGNED UP. WE'RE GONNA DO THAT FIRST AND THEN WE'RE GONNA HEAR ALL FOUR PRESENTATIONS AND TAKE ALL THE COUNCIL'S COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK AT THE END OF ALL FOUR PRESENTATIONS. SO WHEN I HEAR, SAY YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD. UH, ERIC GARCIA, MARIA LOPEZ. DAVE SHUKLA. ANGELA ANDRE, VANESSA KAYLYN BEIS, SUSAN REDFIELD. LILIA OCAMPO, UH, MANA EICHNER. WAIT, HOLD ON. I CANCEL. OKAY. MONA'S, MONA'S MAN'S GONE. THAT WAS A QUICK CANCEL. IT JUST DISAPPEARED FROM MY LIST. AND NIA, KEN FAYE. ALRIGHT. DID ANYONE HEAR THEIR NAMES? 'CAUSE WE CAN JUST START THE PRESENTATION. I KNOW I WAS THE LAST ONE. ALRIGHT, I'M GONNA SAY IT AGAIN. THIS IS THE BUDGET HEARING. IS ERIC GARCIA HERE? OKAY. I SAID YOU GUYS' NAME, YOU GOTTA COME ON DOWN. ERIC, THEY'RE ALL WAITING ON YOU TO KICK THIS THING OFF. IS THAT RIGHT? ALL RIGHT. IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP, BE BEHIND, ERIC. COOL. COOL. IT'S MY FAULT Y'ALL. UH, WHAT'S UP Y'ALL? UH, ERIC WITH, UH, ORLE AND I'M HERE TO ASK ALL TO, UH, PROVE A BUDGET THAT INCLUDES THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. UH, AND, UH, I THINK WE, WE JUST AGREE ON ITS IMPORTANCE AND HOPE THAT YOU ALL DO TOO. UM, AS SOMEONE WHO, WHO IS STILL CURRENTLY IN DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS AND HAS BEEN FOR 20 YEARS AND COUNTING, UH, THE JUSTICE FUND OFFERS A SERVICE THAT I PERSONALLY COULD HAVE BEEN BENEFITED FROM, UH, WHICH IS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME, UH, TO ADVOCATE FOR SERVICES THAT I KNOW, UH, FROM EXPERIENCE CAN BE LIFE CHANGING. UH, AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE THE, THIS FUNDING STRUCTURAL SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP FOCUS ON, KEEP FOCUSING ON SUSTAINING THE PROGRAM, BUT INSTEAD CAN THINK ABOUT DIFFERENT WAYS TO EXPAND IT, UH, AND TO, UH, GROW IT. THE EXISTENCE OF FUNDS LIKE THIS, UH, THE EXISTENCE OF FUNDS LIKE THIS, UH, DOESN'T JUST HELP PEOPLE COVER LEGAL EXPENSES. I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPACT THAT A FUND LIKE THIS HAS ON IMMIGRANTS IN LONG BEACH. IT HELPS PEOPLE FEEL SAFER IN THAT IT, THERE'S A CITY FUND THAT IS INVESTED BY THE CITY, UH, TO HELP ME IN CASE OF ANYTHING HAPPENS. AND THAT ALONE IS MUCH MORE, UH, IT IS, IT GOES BEYOND THE, THE MONETARY VALUE OF, OF THE FUND ITSELF AND WHAT IT CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE COVER LEGAL EXPENSES. UM, [02:25:01] YEAH, AND SO WE'VE BEEN AT COUNCIL ADVOCATING FOR THIS ONE FOR YEARS NOW. UM, AND THEN, UH, JUST IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS FUND ALSO HELPS, UH, HUMANITARIAN VISAS LIKE, UH, U VISA, T VISA AND AWA VISA FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, UH, VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN'S ACT AND TV FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CITIZEN SPOUSES INCLUDING, UM, UH, LIKE, UH, NOT HELPING TO ADJUST STATUS. UM, SO PLEASE, UH, INCLUDE, UH, PLEASE APPROVE A BUDGET THAT INCLUDES THE RECOMMENDATION, UH, FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND OF $1.2 MILLION AND MAKE THAT STRUCTURAL. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU MARIA LOPEZ. OKAY. NO, IT'S, UH, ANGELICA READING IT FOR HER. OKAY. UH, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANGELICA AND I AM PART OF DISTRICT ONE. I HAVE THREE KIDS AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATION, OR, AND I'M HERE FOR YOU TO SUPPORT OR FOR YOU TO APPROVE, UH, A, A BUDGET, UH, THAT INCLUDES THE, UH, JUSTICE FUND, UM, THAT IS STRUCTURAL. UM, I THINK PEOPLE, UH, THAT BELONG TO MY ECONOMIC SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUND ALWAYS LEAVE IN FEAR AND, UH, AND WORRY. AND THAT'S WHY I ASKED FOR YOU TO APPROVE, UH, THE JUSTICE FUND OR SUPPORT JUSTICE FUND IN ORDER TO, FOR US TO HAVE MORE STRUCTURE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, AND THANK YOU FOR, UH, HAVING ME HERE, GRA THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS DAVE SHUKLA. AFTER DAVE IS ANGELA. GOOD EVENING MAYOR. UH, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL I'D LIKE TO SPEAK, UH, ON THE ISSUE OF, UH, EMBODIED CARBON AND EMBODIED ENERGY IN, UH, SOME OF THE BUDGETARY PROPOSALS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PARTS REC AND MARINE. THE, UH, PRESENTATION, UH, ATTACHED, UH, MENTIONS ON SLIDE 35, WHICH IS PAGE 37 OF THE PDF, UH, THAT THE CONCRETE TEAM, UH, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 25 PROPOSED BUDGET, UH, SEEKS TO EXPAND THE CITY'S IN-HOUSE CONCRETE PROGRAM, UH, TO RESPOND TO CRITICAL, UH, CONCRETE JOBS THAT HAVE, UH, BEEN PART OF A 20 YEAR BACKLOG OF WORK. ITS EXPANDED TEAM IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE 30,000 SQUARE FEET OF SIDEWALK AND 3000 LINEAR FEET OF CURB AND GUTTER ANNUALLY. UM, I'D LIKE TO ASK IF THE CITY KNOWS, UH, WHAT THE, UH, TOTAL AND EMBODIED EMISSIONS FROM THE PRODUCTION AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS CONCRETE WOULD BE, AND IF THE CITY HAS ANY PLANS FOR ADOPTING LOW CARBON, CONCRETE, OR O OTHER ALTERNATIVES. UM, MORE GENERALLY FOR A, A BUDGET THAT IS, UH, SUPPOSED TO KICK OFF THE TRANSITION AWAY FROM OIL. IT'S STRIKING HOW MUCH BUDGETARY DEPENDENCY ON OIL REVENUE REMAINS FOR EACH OF THESE FOUR DEPARTMENTS. AND THERE AREN'T MANY ANSWERS, FRANKLY, IN THE CITY MANAGERS AUGUST, UH, SIXTH OR AUGUST 13TH MEMOS, UH, TO THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL. SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD IN THIS BUDGET SEASON TO ASKING SOME QUESTIONS AND HOPEFULLY, UH, SEEING IF THIS CITY WANTS TO ANSWER THEM ABOUT HOW WE PRACTICALLY MAKE UP HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF REVENUE FROM NOT, YOU KNOW, DRILLING IN . THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS ANGELA. AFTER. ANGELA IS VANESSA. [02:30:20] UH, GOOD, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS ANGELA ANDRA, A WIDOW AND I LIVE IN, WITHIN THE DISTRICT THREE, AND I'M A MEMBER OF ORLE AND I'M HERE TO ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO PLEASE SUPPORT THE JUSTICE FUND IF WE ARE TO COUNT WITH THESE TYPE OF RESOURCES, PEOPLE BELONGING TO LOW, UH, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, LIKE MYSELF WILL HAVE MORE SUPPORT IN ORDER TO STAY CLOSE TO OUR FAMILIES. AND WHEN MY SON WAS LITTLE FOUR YEARS OF AGE, I WAS TERRIFIED OF THE IDEA OF BEING APPREHENDED ON MY WAY TO WORK BY IMMIGRATION AND BEING EXHALED OF THE OUT OF THE COUNTRY, LEAVING MY YOUNG CHILD TO FEND FOR HIMSELF, WHICH IS WHY WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE JUSTICE FUND TO BE, UH, STRUCTURAL. THANK YOU. GRACIA. GRACIAS. ALRIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER IS VANESSA, THEN KAYLIN. UH, GOOD EVENING AGAIN. UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR RICHARDSON. UM, MY NAME IS VANESSA COVINGTON. I'M A MEMBER OF THE SIXTH DISTRICT. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE TREE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, UM, THAT'S HOSTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. UM, AN INCREASE OF BUDGET TO THE TREE TRIMMING, UH, WILL ALLOW FOR THE INCREASE OF CANOPY AND CREATE, UH, POSSIBLY MORE POLICY AND OVERSIGHT SO THAT, UH, CURRENT CITY CONTRACTORS LIKE WEST COAST ARBORISTS, UH, DO A MORE THOROUGH JOB AND STOP DOING MORE HARM THAN GOOD. UM, CURRENTLY THE CITY ONLY HAS TWO ARBORISTS, WHICH I BELIEVE ONE IS EITHER ALREADY RETIRED BY NOW OR IS RETIRING SOON. AND SO, UH, HAVING FUNDING TO INCLUDE AN URBAN FORESTER, UH, WOULD HELP, UH, THE POSITION WOULD HELP, UM, IN PARK THE, SPECIFICALLY THE PARKS AND PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, UM, TO REACH THEIR GOALS IN THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND ALSO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER POSITIONS, UM, IN THE GREEN JOB FIELD. UM, CURRENTLY, UH, THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE A ROBUST GREEN CANOPY, UM, BUT WITH INCREASED FUNDING TO PUBLIC WORKS AND OFFICE OF CLIMATE ACTION AND SUSTAINABILITY, UM, THE CITY, UH, CANOPY CAN BE INCREASED AND THOSE GOALS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED. UM, MORE COHESIVE WORK BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS OF PARKS, UH, CLIMATE SUSTAINABILITY AND PUBLIC WORKS WOULD ASSIST WITH THIS GOALS AND, UH, WITH THE GOALS OF CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, UM, AS MANY OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THE EXTREME HEAT OF THE SUMMER, UH, WITHOUT THE OPTION OF HAVING AC UH, HAVING A ROBUST, A ROBUST GREEN CITY, UM, WILL HELP FIGHT THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, UH, WHICH WE ARE ALL EXPERIENCING. UM, AN INCREASE OF CAMP CANOPY WILL HELP MAKE, UM, OUR SOIL MORE PERMEABLE. AND SO ALL THE WATER RETENTION, UM, AND THE FLOODING THAT WE EXPERIENCE WILL BE REMEDIATED IF THERE ARE MORE TREES PLANTED. AND ALSO AN INCREASE TO JUST URBAN GREENERY, SHRUBS, NATIVE PLANTS, UM, AND YEAH, NATIVE PLANTS AND, UH, DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREES WILL HELP ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL. UM, SO, UM, INCREASED BUDGET FOR THESE DEPARTMENTS AND MORE, UH, POSITIONS IN THESE DEPARTMENTS, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE GREEN CANOPY AND FOR SPECIFICALLY THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WILL HELP ASSIST IN THOSE GOALS, THE GREATER GOALS OF THE CITY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK [02:35:01] YOU. UH, NEXT IS KAYLIN, THEN SUSAN KAYLIN LEFT. OKAY. KAYLYN LEFT. SUSAN, YOU'RE UP. AFTER SUSAN IS LILIA, THEN SONAI AND LILIA LEFT. SO, SO NOW YOU'RE UP THAT YOU'RE AFTER THIS. ALRIGHT. OKAY, SUSAN, YOU GOT IT. THANK YOU MR. MAYOR AND VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS SUSAN REDFIELD. I'M A RESIDENT OF THE SEVENTH DISTRICT AND I'M CHAIR OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE COMMISSION. AND I AM HERE TO JUST ASK YOUR VERY FAVORABLE, UH, LOOK AT THE BUDGET AS IT WILL BE PRESENTED FOR PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE. UM, THE COMMITMENT THAT YOU JUST MADE TO WILLOW SPRINGS IS INDICATIVE OF THE AFFECTION AND THE REC AND THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT YOU HAVE FOR ALL THE PARKS IN OUR CITY. AND WE ARE AWFULLY APPRECIATIVE AND HOPEFUL THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT KIND OF INVESTMENT IN OUR PARKS AS YOU REVIEW THE BUDGET AS IT WILL BE PRESENTED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, MR. KIN FAY, SO I CAN FACE SIX DISTRICT RESIDENT, UM, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, DID YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IS IMPERSONATING YOU ON FACEBOOK? OH, OKAY. I GOT A FRIEND REQUEST FROM THAT PERSON. I KNOW THAT I I DID NOT, I KNOW THAT OUR, OUR DETECTIVES YOU DIDN'T ACCEPT THE FRIEND REQUEST, RIGHT? NO, I DID NOT. OKAY. YOU, YOU HAVE ME BLOCKED ON FACEBOOK, SO WE SHOULDN'T BE TALKING ABOUT FACEBOOK , BUT, UH, I I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW, I JUST, THIS IS MY TIME UNLESS YOU'RE GONNA GIMME MY TIME. PLEASE DON'T INTERRUPT MY TIME, SIR. UM, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE OUR DETECTIVES DOING PATROL RIGHT NOW, SO THEY COULDN'T DO ANY CYBER INVESTIGATION, BUT HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, WE GET, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE GET THEIR MONEY IN ALIGNMENT AND THEY CAN INVESTIGATE THAT. BUT, UM, THE REASON I CAME IS I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR THE MARTIN LUTHER KING PARK. IT'S A NINE ACRE PARK THAT, UH, WAS PROMISED $3.5 MILLION DURING THE ELECTION CYCLE. WE SAW COUNCIL PEOPLE ON PHOTOS WITH DOLLAR SIGNS AND OTHER COUNT AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO I WAS LIKE, OH, I'LL VOTE FOR YOU SULE, YOU JUST GIMME THE 3.5 MILLION. NOW I'VE BEEN TOLD, I WENT TO THE COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETING, THEY SAID I ONLY GOT 700,000 FOR ME, SO I I'M GONNA NEED A LITTLE BIT MORE MONEY. THAT WAS, THAT WAS PROMISED. I JUST WANT WHAT WAS PROMISED FOR MY COMMUNITY. THERE'S NO REASON THAT CHILDREN IN THE CENTRAL AREA SHOULD BE GOING TO SIGNAL HILL PARK, WHICH IS A QUARTER OF A MILE AWAY TO ENGAGE IN AND ENJOY THE, UH, FESTIVITIES OF ANOTHER CITY'S PARK WHEN WE HAVE A NINE ACRE PARK IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT OUTSIDE OF A COUPLE OF LEAGUES, UH, WE'RE JUST NOT GETTING THE APPROPRIATE, UM, FINANCIAL INVESTMENT. AND I WANT TO GET MARTIN LUTHER KING'S PARK ON ELEVATE 28. I I SAW YOU WITH THE JOJOS T-SHIRT. YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU WOULD WEAR THAT T-SHIRT, BUT THAT'S OKAY. , YOU KNOW, UM, I, I RECOGNIZE THE COMRADERY OF THE OLYMPIC ENERGY AND FIN AND FIN AND FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT COME OUT OF IT, AND I WANT KINGS PARK TO BE A PART OF IT. AND IN ORDER FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, WE NEED AN APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT SO THAT WE CAN BE UP TO THE STANDARDS OF THE OLYMPICS, OF THE OLYMPICS WHEN THEY COME INTO THE AREA. AND SO WE CAN HAVE VENDORS LIKE MR. KELVIN, UH, ANDERSON, UH, PARTICIPATING AND, AND, AND THAT ORANGE CORRIDOR IN THE, IN THE CENTRAL AREA, HERITAGE PARK AREA, WHATEVER IT'S GONNA BE CALLED THAT WE CAN JUST PARTICIPATE IN A, IN A REGIONAL PARK, UM, LIKE MLK PARK IS A OPPORTUNITY OF AN ASSET OF THIS CITY THAT CAN BE PROPERLY LEVERAGED ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. AND FOR ORDER FOR US TO GET THAT, WE'RE GONNA NEED ABOUT $2.8 MILLION MORE. UH, AND SO I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET AN INCLUSION IN ADDITION OF THE PARK THAT I GREW UP GOING TO, THAT MY MOM GREW UP GOING TO, MY GRANDMA GREW UP GOING TO WHEN IT WAS 19TH STREET PARK, THAT WE CAN JUST BE IN THE ELEVATE 28 AND WE CAN GET SOME OF THAT 727 MILLION ADDED INTO US. THAT'S IT, THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR. YOU DON'T HAVE TO UNBLOCK ME. I DON'T CARE. . ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA LOOK INTO THAT, BUT, UH, BUT, UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, KING PARKS AND ELEVATE 28, BUT IT NEEDS A LITTLE BIT MORE, BUT JUST SO WE'RE CLEAR, IT'S IN THERE. THERE'S SOME MORE VISIONING WORK TO BE DONE AND THERE'S FUNDING FOR KING PARK AND THIS FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AS WELL. SO MAKE SURE YOU KEEP AN EYE ON THAT. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'LL NOW, UH, TAKE IT BEHIND THE RAIL AND LET'S START WITH OUR PRESENTATIONS, MR. MOKA. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. MAYOR. SO LAST WEEK, UH, WE WENT THROUGH THE HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW AND, UH, WE, UH, UH, WENT KIND OF QUICKLY THROUGH SOME OF THE MAJOR THINGS THAT ARE IN THE BUDGET TODAY. WE'RE REALLY DIVING DEEPER, SO, UH, WE'RE STARTING THAT, THAT MORE DETAILED WORK. YOU'RE GONNA HEAR, UH, FROM FOUR DEPARTMENTS TODAY, UH, THAT ARE GONNA GO EVEN DEEPER INTO, UH, THEIR ACTUAL OPERATIONS. UH, AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, UM, GIVING THE OVERVIEW AND GETTING INPUT. UH, WE HAD OUR, OUR SECOND ONE LAST NIGHT. UH, WE ALSO HAVE COME [02:40:01] COMMENT CARDS THAT ARE HERE. IF ANYONE WANTS TO FILL IN ONE OUT, WE HAVE 'EM ACTUALLY IN THE BACK. SO THERE'S LOTS OF WAYS TO GET INVOLVED. THEY CAN TALK TO ALL OF YOU, WHICH I KNOW THEY DO. UH, AND THESE HEARINGS ARE YOUR CHANCE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND TO REALLY DIVE DEEP. UH, WE ALSO THEN HAVE THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS. WE'VE GOT ONLINE SURVEYS, AND SO WE'RE REALLY, UH, LOOKING TO, TO GET THAT INPUT SO THAT YOU CAN HELP MAKE YOUR DECISION. SO, UM, I WILL TURN IT NOW TO OUR POLICE CHIEF. UH, HE WILL GO FOLLOWED BY FIRE AND THEN, UH, PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS AND REC. SO POLICE CHIEF. THANK YOU MR. MOCA AND GOOD EVENING HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. I'M PLEASED TO BE HERE TODAY, ACTUALLY TONIGHT TO PRESENT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSED FY 25 BUDGET AND SHARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS SINCE OUR LAST, UH, BUDGET ADOPTION. AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH HAS AN INDUSTRY LEADING POLICE DEPARTMENT, COMPRISED OF EMPLOYEES WHO WERE ROUTINELY DEMONSTRATE ACTS OF COURAGE, KINDNESS, AND COMPASSION. AND FOR THAT, I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE. OUR FY 24 BUDGET FOCUSED ON DEPARTMENT STABILIZATION AND CONTINUED COMMITMENTS TO WELLNESS, TRAINING, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION. OPERATIONALLY 2024 IS ALSO PRESENTED CHALLENGES, SOME OF WHICH INVOLVE GUN VIOLENCE, MUCH OF WHICH CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO AN INCREASE IN THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF FIREARMS, ALONG WITH THE PREVALENCE OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS WILLING TO USE THESE WEAPONS TO VICTIMIZE OTHERS. HOWEVER, OUR DEPARTMENTS MADE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS AND WE'VE PIVOTED IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS CHALLENGE. I BELIEVE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT SWIFTLY TO SUCH CHALLENGES DEMONSTRATES RESILIENCE IN A FORWARD THINKING APPROACH THAT'S NECESSARY IN TODAY'S MODERN LAW ENFORCEMENT LANDSCAPE. WE'RE DRIVEN BY A STRATEGIC RESPONSE TO CRIME TRENDS AND INFORMED DEPLOYMENT OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND A MINDFULNESS OF THE IMPACTS, INCREASED WORKLOADS, AND FREQUENTLY SHIFTING PRIORITIES CAN HAVE ON THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF OUR PERSONNEL. AS WE LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE, OUR JOURNEY IS GUIDED BY A BOLD VISION AND MISSION THAT WE COLLECTIVELY PURSUE, UNDERSCORED BY OUR SHARED CORE VALUES OF RESPECT, COMPASSION, SERVICE, INTEGRITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. OUR MISSION IS FOCUSED AND CLEAR, COLLABORATING TO REDUCE CRIME, ENHANCE SAFETY, BUILD TRUST, AND SUPPORT THE WELLNESS OF OUR WORKFORCE AND OUR COMMUNITY. DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS AND PRESSURE INHERENT IN THE POLICING PROFESSION, WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE CRITICAL SUPPORT THAT OUR COMMUNITY RELIES ON DURING ITS MOST DIFFICULT TIMES. OUR SERVICES ARE CAPTURED IN FOUR CORE AREAS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND CALLS FOR SERVICE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH INCORPORATE VICTIM SERVICES, SUPPORT AND ADVOCACY, HOMELAND SECURITY, AND THE PROTECTION OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND KEY RESOURCES AND SAFEGUARDING. EVERYONE IN OUR GREAT CITY LONG BEACH ISN'T JUST GROWING, IT'S THRIVING AND OUR SERVICES MUST EVOLVE AND PARALLEL THIS GROWTH. WE MUST PLAN FOR WHAT'S TO COME, PREPARE TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE, PREVENT POTENTIAL RISKS, AND READY OURSELVES TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO THE NEEDS OF OUR ENTIRE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. OUR CITY IS POISED TO BECOME THE FUTURE HOME OF THE QUEEN MARY AMPHITHEATER. WE'RE A REGIONAL PARTNER FOR THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP, AND AS WE ALL KNOW, LONG BEACH IS A KEY PLAYER IN THE 2028 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES. THESE OPPORTUNITIES WILL ALLOW LONG BEACH TO SHINE ON THE WORLD STAGE AND MOVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOWARD REALIZING OUR VISION OF NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE IN POLICING. TO ALIGN THESE OPPORTUNITIES, WE MUST LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND GROW AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS WHY MY FOCUS THIS YEAR IS ON OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES, INSIGHTFUL PLANNING AND STATE-OF-THE-ART TRAINING AND READINESS AND ANTICIPATION OF OUR CITY'S EXCITING FUTURE. THOUGHTFUL PLANNING NOW WILL HELP ENSURE WE MAINTAIN A STATE OF CONSTANT READINESS, OPERATING AS A UNIFIED ENTITY PREPARED TO RESPOND TO ANY EVENT OR DISASTER THAT MAY COME OUR WAY. WE'RE SUPPLEMENTING THIS PLANNING WITH A FOCUS ON EXPANDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF, INCLUDING RESPONDING TO MUTUAL AID REQUESTS DURING REGIONAL AND NATIONAL EVENTS, WHICH WILL HELP FURTHER EXPAND THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERTISE OF OUR WORKFORCE. CALLS FOR SERVICE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ARE THE FOUNDATION BY WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE BUILT. AS OF JUNE 30TH THIS YEAR, OUR POLICE OFFICERS HAVE RESPONDED TO OVER 180,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE AND AVERAGE OF 594 CALLS A DAY WHILE ONCE AGAIN MAINTAINING ONE OF THE BEST RESPONSE TIMES FOR PRIORITY ONE OR EMERGENCY CALLS IN THE NATION AT AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 5.7 MINUTES. THESE AREN'T JUST STATISTICS IN A REPORT OR A BENCHMARK OF EFFICIENCY. THEY REPRESENT CRITICAL MOMENTS IN THE MIDDLE OF CHAOS OR UNCERTAINTY. UNCERTAINTY, PROVIDING OUR COMMUNITY A SENSE OF SECURITY AND COMFORT. TODAY AS WE PRESENT THE BUDGET PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 25, I'D LIKE TO ALSO SHARE SOME OF THE SUCCESSES THAT HAVE HELPED PROPEL US FORWARD. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CRIME STRATEGIES AND POLICE RESPONSE HAVE HELPED US REALIZE [02:45:01] A NOTABLE DOWNWARD TREND IN SOME OF OUR MOST VIOLENT CRIME CATEGORIES. IN 2023, WE EXPERIENCED A 27.8% DECREASE IN MURDERS IN OUR CITY WITH AN AVERAGE HOMICIDE CLEARANCE RATE OF 80.7% WELL ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. WE ALSO EXPERIENCED A 9.4% REDUCTION IN SHOOTING CITYWIDE. THE DILIGENT WORK OF OFFICERS, DETECTIVES, AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO ADDRESS THESE CRIME TRENDS RESULTED IN 957 FIREARM RELATED ARRESTS IN 2023. YEAR. TO DATE, WE'VE AR, WE'VE ARRESTED 303 PROHIBITED FIREARMS POSSESSORS AND RECOVERED OVER 750 FIREARMS CITYWIDE IN EARLY 2024. WHEN WE SAW AN INCREASE IN SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES, WE TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION, WE DEVELOPED A SUPPLEMENTAL HIGH CRIME FOCUS MEETING TO SHARE STRATEGIC CONCEPTS AND INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION, AND WE MOVED INTO OUR SUMMER MONTHS WITH THE LAUNCH OF A BRAND NEW HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM TASKED WITH SUPPORTING FIELD OPERATIONS AND ASSISTING IN THE REDUCTION OF GUN CRIMES THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. IN JUST THREE MONTHS, THE HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM HAS MADE 89 FELONY ARRESTS, CONFISCATED 58 FIREARMS, AND CONDUCTED 19 SEARCH WARRANT OPERATIONS. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE PROACTIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY TAKEN BY OUR PATROL OFFICERS EVERY DAY TO MITIGATE GUN VIOLENCE. IN ADDITION TO THE SUPPORT THEY'VE PROVIDED PATROL RESPONSES TO GUN VIOLENCE, THE HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM ALSO ENGAGES WITH OUR COMMUNITY TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS THAT PROMOTE SHARED PROBLEM SOLVING AND STRENGTHEN PUBLIC TRUST. SO FAR THIS SUMMER, THEY'VE ATTENDED OVER 10 COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. WE'VE ALSO MAINTAINED OUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING DRIVING CONDITIONS ON OUR STREETS BY RUNNING IMPAIRED DRIVING ENFORCEMENT AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS AND CITYWIDE TRAFFIC SAFETY OPERATIONS, WHICH IN 2023 INCLUDED SIX DUI CHECKPOINTS, 28 DUI SATURATION PATROLS IN THE CITY'S MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN AREAS THAT HAVE HIGH TRAFFIC COLLISION RATES AND SIX TRAFFIC SAFETY PRESENTATIONS TO VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF THE DRIVING COMMUNITY. THIS WORK HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A 20% DECREASE IN FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISIONS, A 71% DECREASE IN CRITICAL COLLISIONS AND 265 TRAFFIC CITATIONS BEING ISSUED FOR SPEED RELATED OFFENSES. TRAFFIC SAFETY GOES WELL BEYOND AN ENFORCEMENT ONLY MODEL, WHICH IS WHY WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT AND PARTNER WITH MANY OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING PUBLIC WORKS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY CONDITIONS IN LONG BEACH, WE HAVE AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE INSTRUMENTAL SUPPORT TO THE CITYWIDE RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS. OFFICERS IN OUR COLLABORATIVE RESPONSE DIVISION HAVE MADE OVER 9,500 CONTACTS OFFERING SERVICES TO PERSONS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. THE INFORMATION YOU SEE ON THIS SLIDE HELPS TELL OUR STORY AND SHOWCASES THE RESULTS OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. WE CONTINUE EXPLORING WAYS TO INCREASE AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES WHILE ALSO TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS. OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSISTANCE PROGRAM HAS PROVEN TO BE A SUCCESSFUL AND VALUABLE ASSET, PROVIDING MUCH NEEDED RELIEF AND ASSISTANCE TO AN ALREADY STRETCHED THIN WORKFORCE. CURRENTLY WE HAVE NINE CSAS ASSISTING WITH A VARIETY OF NON-EMERGENCY CALLS IN THE FUTURE. ONBOARDING OF AN ADDITIONAL SEVEN CSAS WILL HELP IMPACT THE GROWING DEMANDS BEING PLACED ON OUR POLICE OFFICERS. SINCE THIS INCEPTION OF THE CSA PROGRAM LAST JUNE, OUR CSAS HAVE HANDLED OVER 7,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE. THEY'RE DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB. COMMUNITY POLICING PHILOSOPHIES AND CONCEPTS ARE FOUNDATIONAL FOR THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BIKE TEAM CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY POLICING. NSBT HAS ENHANCED OUR ABILITY TO CONDUCT OUTREACH AND ENGAGE WITH RESIDENTS THROUGH VISIBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY. THEY PROVIDE A WELCOME PRESENCE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESS DISTRICTS, WHILE ALSO SPENDING TIME IN AND AROUND OUR PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND BUSINESS CORRIDORS. ALTHOUGH THEY'RE ALSO MANDATED TO WORK OVERTIME SHIFTS AND PATROL. DUE TO OUR STAFFING SITUATION, THERE ARE TO SUPPORT PATROL OFFICERS AND PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AFTER CRITICAL INCIDENTS HAS PROVEN TO BE TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL AND GREATLY APPRECIATED. THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF ANY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I'M EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE TRANSITION OUR TEAM HAS MADE. FROM A MEDIA RELATIONS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT DETAIL INTO A TRUE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION, OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HAS LAUNCHED SEVERAL NEW INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE OUR VIRTUAL RIDE-ALONGS WITH PATROL OFFICERS, A ROBUST DAILY CRIME BLOTTER, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SOCIAL MEDIA FOOTPRINT WORTHY OF A POLICE DEPARTMENT TASKED WITH SERVING THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO ADDRESS THE UNPRECEDENTED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION CRISIS FACING OUR PROFESSION, WE LAUNCHED A MULTI-DEPARTMENT TASK FORCE TO FIND WAYS TO ENHANCE AND EXPAND RECRUITMENT SELECTION AND HIRING PROCESSES. AND [02:50:01] SPEAKING OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK OUR MAYOR, OUR CITY COUNCIL, AND OUR CITY MANAGER FOR RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFFING CRISIS AND IMPROVING ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE RETENTION PACKAGES IN THE REGION, WHICH TO DATE HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN RETAINING 23 VETERAN POLICE OFFICERS THROUGH OUR HEALTHCARE INCENTIVE, AS WELL AS PROVIDING HOUSING SUBSIDIES FOR 15 EARLY CAREER OFFICERS WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE IN LONG BEACH. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FROM OUR RECRUITMENT TASK FORCE HAVE HELPED US OVERCOME THE BURDENSOME, BURDENSOME, AND TIME CONSUMING BACKGROUND REVIEW PROCESS. WE RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED A SOFTWARE SOLUTION THAT HAS REDUCED THE LENGTH OF TIME OF BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS FOR POLICE RECRUIT CANDIDATES BY 50% FROM EIGHT MONTHS TO FOUR MONTHS. THIS SYSTEM HAS TRANSITIONED US FROM A PAPER TO A MUCH NEEDED DIGITAL BACKGROUND PROCESS. PRIORITIZING PARTNERSHIPS AND SUPPORTING THE WELLNESS OF OUR COMMUNITY REMAINS A TOP FOCUS FOR THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE'RE COMMITTED TO EMPOWERING AND ENGAGING OUR YOUTH AND SUPPORTING THE VISION OF THE CITY'S 2030 YOUTH STRATEGIC PLAN. IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR, WE LAUNCHED OUR FIRST EVER YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY WITH 47 LONG BEACH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AGES 14 TO 18. THIS WEEK LONG ACADEMY CONSISTED OF A SERIES OF WORKSHOPS, INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS AND TEAM BUILDING EXERCISES, WHICH EXPOSED YOUTH PART YOUNG PARTICIPANTS TO LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES, CONFLICT RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES. I WAS HONORED TO PROVIDE OPENING REMARKS TO THESE AMAZING YOUNG PARTICIPANTS. THIS PROGRAM ALSO INCLUDED A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PACIFIC GATEWAY WORKFORCE AND OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT TO OFFER SHORT TERM PAID EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY PARTICIPANTS DURING PARK ACTIVATIONS, ALLOWING THEM TO BRING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE AT VARIOUS LA LOCATIONS, INCLUDING HOUGHTON PARK, SILVERADO PARK, CAESAR CHAVEZ PARK, AND EL DORADO PARK WEST. IN KEEPING WITH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE BROUGHT ON 30 MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR MOST RECENT EXPLORER ACADEMY. DURING THE EXPLORER ACADEMY, OUR NEW YOUNG RECRUITS RECEIVED TRAINING ON THE FUNDAMENTALS OF LEADERSHIP FIRST AID AND DISASTER SERVICE WORKER AND TRAFFIC CONTROL TECHNIQUES, WHICH WE ALL SAW IN ACTION AS OUR EXPLORERS ASSISTED THE CITY WITH THE SANDBAG DISTRIBUTIONS. DURING LAST YEAR'S HURRICANE, THE LATEST EXPLORER ACADEMY BROUGHT THE NUMBER OF ACTIVE EXPLORERS TO 49, THE LARGEST IN OUR DEPARTMENT'S HISTORY. WE'VE ALSO DOUBLED THE SIZE OF OUR CADET PROGRAM, WHICH IS MADE UP OF LOCAL LONG BEACH COLLEGE STUDENTS OR RECENT GRADUATES INTERESTED IN PREPARING FOR FUTURE CAREERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. OUR CADET PROGRAM STANDS AT 10 AND WE'RE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ITS CONTINUED GROWTH. SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO, TO HAVE THREE OF OUR EXPLORERS WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE STAND UP FOR A MOMENT. DAMON TOVAR, JOSHUA MCLEOD AND TROY WAGU ARE UH, UH, UH, MEMBERS OF OUR, THEIR LIEUTENANTS IN OUR EXPLORER PROGRAM AND THEY'RE OFTEN SEEN THROUGHOUT THE CITY ASSISTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS, UH, IN SERVICE. THEY ARE THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE IN THIS DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT THE THREE OF YOU DO. I OFTEN SPEAK OF THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND WE'RE DEDICATED TO PROMOTING THE WELLBEING OF BOTH OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORKFORCE. ACKNOWLEDGING AND ACCEPTING THE NEED FOR TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE IS EVER PRESENT IN OUR LINE OF WORK. AS SUCH, WE'VE INSURED ANY EMPLOYEE INVOLVED IN A TRAUMATIC EVENT OR CRITICAL INCIDENT CAN QUICKLY BE REFERRED TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND RECEIVE SPECIALIZED TREATMENT. WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A STRUCTURED PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM AND BY THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE'LL HAVE BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PEER SUPPORTERS TO OVER 40. ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR LBPD BEING A POLICE OFFICER MEANS ENDURING, UNPREDICTABLE AND STRESSFUL BURSTS OF INTENSE AND STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, PLACING HIGH DEMANDS ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM. AND IN RECENT YEARS, OUR DEPARTMENTS EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN BOTH ON AND OFF DUTY CARDIAC INCIDENTS. SO IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL DEPARTMENT HOSTED EMPLOYEE AND FAMILY WELLNESS WORKSHOPS, I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED AND PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE ROLLOUT OF OUR FIRST OF ITS KIND OFFICER CARDIAC SCREENING PROGRAM. ANOTHER INDUSTRY LEADING ENDEAVOR FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LONG BEACH POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION, WE'VE ENTERED INTO A CONTRACT FOR ONSITE CARDIOVASCULAR SCREENINGS TO IDENTIFY CORONARY DISEASE AND PROVIDE CUSTOMIZED HEALTH MODIFICATION PLANS TO AID IN THE PREVENTION OF POSSIBLE HEART ATTACKS IN OUR PERSONNEL. OFFICERS ARE UNDERSTANDABLY EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND SIGNUPS HAVE FAR [02:55:01] EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS. MOVING ON TO OUR FY 25 BUDGET PROPOSALS. LEVERAGING ALL OF OUR AVAILABLE POLICE RESOURCES IN THE MOST EFFICIENT MANNER POSSIBLE IS CRITICAL TO THE WORK WE DO. THIS IS WHY I AM PROPOSING THE CREATION OF A CENTRALIZED DEPARTMENT SCHEDULING UNIT. FOR YEARS, SCHEDULING WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SERGEANTS IN EACH PATROL DIVISION, LIMITING THE ACCESSIBILITY AND AWARENESS OF RESOURCES FROM OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO FACILITATE A COMPREHENSIVE AND EQUITABLE SCHEDULING PROCESS. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HELD SEVERAL STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS AND PURCHASED AN ELECTRONIC SOFTWARE SOLUTION THAT COULD BE INTEGRATED INTO OUR EXISTING CITY SYSTEMS. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE'VE COMPLETED THE FIRST PHASE OF INTEGRATION AND OUR NEW SOFTWARE PLATFORM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED INTO PATROL SCHEDULING OPERATIONS. THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL ALSO CONSOLIDATE EXISTING PERSONNEL INTO THE CENTRAL DEPARTMENT SCHEDULING UNIT CONSISTING OF THREE FTES, ONE POLICE SERGEANT, ONE ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST, AND ONE CLERK TYPIST TO PERFORM CENTRALIZED SCHEDULING ACROSS ALL BUREAUS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WE'RE FACED WITH ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD SLATE WORKLOAD STRAINS, WHICH IMPACT OUR RESPONSE CAPABILITIES. THESE STRAINS INCLUDE EXTENDED BOOKING PROCESSES AS WELL AS LENGTHY TRANSPORTATION RUNS TO LOS ANGELES COUNTY JAIL FACILITIES. THESE IMPACTS WILL BE ADDRESSED IN FY 25 WITH THE ADDITION OF ONE CLERK TYPIST THREE IN THE BOOKING OFFICE TO DOUBLE THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR BOOKING OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE ADDITION OF TWO SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICERS IN THE JAIL TRANSPORT DETAIL TO PERFORM EVENING AND WEEKEND TRANSPORTS TO EXTERNAL JAIL FACILITIES, FREEING UP OFFICERS TO RETURN TO SERVICE AFTER COMPLETING THE BOOKING AND FILING PROCESS. THIS BUDGET ALSO PROPOSES RESTRUCTURING SOME STAFFING COMPONENTS IN OUR CRIME LAB AND EVIDENCE CONTROL SECTION AS WELL. THIS RESTRUCTURING WILL HELP BETTER REFLECT THE SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY OF SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR POSITIONS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRAINING AND OVERSEEING GENERAL EVIDENCE CONTROL OPERATIONS. OTHER ENHANCEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO EXISTING SUPERVISORY POSITIONS FOR OPTIMAL SPAN OF CONTROL. THESE INCLUDE ENSURING WE HAVE ONE LIEUTENANT FOR EACH PATROL SHIFT IN EACH PATROL DIVISION, ENSURING WE HAVE ONE SERGEANT FOR BOTH THE QUALITY OF LIFE DETAIL AND THE MENTAL EVALUATION TEAM AND ADDING PROFESSIONAL STAFF TO PROVIDE OVERNIGHT SUPERVISION IN THE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT DIVISION TO ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF OUR CRIME LAB. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL ADD A CRIMINALIST TO OVERSEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IN-HOUSE DNA ANALYSIS CENTER, REDUCING OUR RELIANCE ON OUTSIDE ANALYSIS FOR CRITICAL DNA EVIDENCE IN FY 25. WE'LL ALSO BRING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL INCIDENT VIDEO PRODUCTION SERVICES IN-HOUSE. THIS WILL INCREASE THE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY OF OUR EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS RELATED TO THE MANDATED RELEASE OF POLICE VIDEOS, WHILE ALSO IMPROVING OUR INTERNAL VIDEO CREATION ABILITY TO FURTHER EXPAND DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATIONS. IN ADDITION, WE'RE DOUBLING OUR CADET PRO, OUR CADET PROGRAM CAPACITY AND ALSO STRENGTHENING THE PROGRAM TO PROVIDE TOOLS FOR CADETS SU SUCCESS THROUGH INCREASED MENTORSHIP, COACHING AND LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT. ONCE AGAIN, ONE-TIME FUNDS HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED FOR OUR HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM SUPPORTS PATROL OPERATIONS BY ADDRESSING GUN CRIME, WHILE ALSO BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND INCREASING TRUST IN THE VERY NEIGHBORHOODS MOST IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE. TO ASSIST OUR PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTNERS AND MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CULTURALLY DIVERSE AND DYNAMIC POPULATION, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PARTNERED WITH THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT TO ADD ONE SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICER, PROVIDING DEDICATED SECURITY SERVICE AT THE MARK TWAIN NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY. ADDITIONALLY, TO REFLECT THE REQUESTED LEVELS OF SERVICE BY LONG BEACH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE FY 25 BUDGET ELIMINATES TWO VACANT SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICERS POSITIONS. WHILE WE CONTINUE WORKING TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS, WE MUST ALSO BE CLEAR AND CANDID ABOUT THE CHALLENGES WE FACE IN THE ENVIRONMENT THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THOSE CHALLENGES. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATES AT A RELENTLESS PACE. OUR PROFESSION IS OFTEN STRAINED BY COMPLEX AND TIME CONSUMING UNFUNDED LEGISLATIVE MANDATES, LEGAL CHANGES AND CONTINUAL REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT AND SERVICE. AND OUR INCREASED EFFORTS TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS CAN OFTEN BE COUNTERED BY A GROWING NUMBER OF RETIREMENT ELIGIBLE OFFICERS IN A DIMINISHED NATIONWIDE INTEREST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A PROFESSION. ON TOP OF THIS, REALIZING A FULLY TRAINED AND DEPLOYABLE OFFICER CAN TAKE FROM 18 TO 24 MONTHS. HOWEVER, I KNOW THE STRENGTH OF OUR CITY AND I KNOW THE STRENGTH OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, SO I REMAIN OPTIMISTIC THAT WE'LL FIND OUR WAY THROUGH THESE CHALLENGES AND CONTINUE BEING A BENCHMARK LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. DE DESPITE THE CHALLENGES MENTIONED, THE UNWAVERING WORK ETHIC AND CHARACTER OF OUR EMPLOYEES WILL ALLOW OUR DEPARTMENT TO EMBRACE UNFORESEEN OBSTACLES AND BUILD UPON THE OPPORTUNITIES EACH YEAR REPRESENTS. [03:00:01] IN FY 25, WE ARE POISED TO TAKE A POSITION OF REGIONAL LEADERSHIP. WE'VE BROKEN GROUND ON OUR NEW ACADEMY TRAINING CAMPUS, WHICH IS SLATED OPEN IN MID 2025. AND THE NEW ACADEMY WILL ALLOW US TO HOLD LARGER RECRUIT CLASSES AND IMPLEMENT INNOVATIVE TRAINING, HELPING US MOVE ONE STEP CLOSER TO FILLING OUR RANKS IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME AS WE HAVE IN RECENT YEARS. WE'RE PLANNING FOR BACK-TO-BACK ACADEMIES INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. WE'RE ALSO DEVELOPING A PRE ACADEMY PROGRAM TO HELP REDUCE ATTRITION IN THE ACADEMY AND TO HELP KEEP US FROM LOSING TOP CANDIDATES TO OTHER POLICE AGENCIES. IN PREPARATION FOR OUR CITY'S CONTINUED GROWTH AND THE MANY NOTABLE EVENTS COMING TO LONG BEACH, WE'VE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR A FULLY STAFFED CROWD MANAGEMENT TEAM AND HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING, INCLUDING THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TABLETOP READINESS EXERCISES. WE'RE ALSO FINDING EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE AREAS OF ENGAGEMENT IN TECHNOLOGY. IN THE COMING YEAR, WE'LL LOOK TO EXPAND OUR LBPD YOUTH LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, LAUNCH THE REDESIGNED LBPD COMMUNITY POLICE ACADEMY AND EVALUATE HOW BEST TO UTILIZE CURRENT AND EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE'RE ALSO EXPANDING OUR EXISTING BODY-WORN CAMERA PROGRAM TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND OFFICER SAFETY, UPGRADING OUR CURRENT DEESCALATION TOOLS AND WORKING TOWARD THE PHYSICAL CREATION OF A FULLY STAFFED AND OPERATIONAL REAL-TIME CRIME CENTER TO ADDRESS IMMEDIATE THREATS AND POTENTIAL RISKS TO THE COMMUNITY AND OFFICERS, WHILE ALSO SUPPORTING COMPLEX INCIDENT MANAGEMENT OF LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS. IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO AGAIN, EXPRESS HOW HONORED I AM TO LEAD THE OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF OF THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT. I'M EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO BE PART OF THIS MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR DEPARTMENT AND OUR CITY, AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT LIE AHEAD. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE OUR CITY REMAINS A SAFE AND THRIVING PLACE FOR ALL PEOPLE. THANK YOU, AND WE'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ALRIGHT, WE'RE GONNA HOLD OFF FROM QUESTIONS TO THE END, BUT I WILL JUST SAY, UH, THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE PRESENTATION, A GREAT AMOUNT OF WORK BETWEEN LAST BUDGET AND THIS BUDGET. THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, SUCCESSFULLY GRADUATED THREE ACADEMY CLASSES IN 18 MONTHS, AND I REMEMBER WHEN IT WOULD TAKE 18 MONTHS TO DO ONE ACADEMY CLASS. SO THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK. UH, MODERNIZING OUR, OUR DEPARTMENT IS EVIDENT WHAT, WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH THE REAL TIME CRIME CENTER AND JUST IMPROVING OUR SYSTEMS AND FOCUS ON RECRUITMENT AND REDUCING, UH, THE BACKGROUND CHECKS BY FOUR MONTHS. ALL THOSE ARE ARE INCREDIBLE. UH, I LOVE THE RESULTS THAT YOU'RE SHOWING, UH, CONTRARY TO WHAT PEOPLE MAY THINK IN THE COMMENT SECTION OF, YOU KNOW, UH, INSTAGRAM. UM, YOU'RE DELIVERING RESULTS WITH DOUBLE DIGIT REDUCTIONS IN HOMICIDES AND, AND VIOLENT CRIME AND, AND OTHER THINGS WHILE ALSO TAKING ON MORE RESPONSIBILITY THAN ANY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS EVER HAD TO DO IN OUR CITY WITH THE EVOLVING NATURE OF, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY. SO WE CERTAINLY, UH, RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND TRAFFIC SAFETY, RIGHT? WE CERTAINLY REC RECOGNIZE WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND, UH, I'M SUPER OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE. ALRIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? MR. MOCA? THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. UH, CLEARLY PD PUTS A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THEIR BUDGET EVERY YEAR. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. ABSOLUTELY. NEXT UP IS OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT LED BY CHIEF BUCHANAN AND HIS TEAM. WELL, GOOD EVENING, OLIVER MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. UM, I WAS GONNA SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA. HE'S NOT HERE, BUT, UH, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE FISCAL YEAR AT 25 PROPOSED BUDGET INVESTMENTS. THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISHED AN 1897 STANDS AS A PILLAR OF SERVICE DEDICATED TO THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE COMMITMENT OF OUR STAFF WHO HAVE CHOSEN THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AS THEIR HOME FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND SERVICE. OVER THE COURSE OF 127 YEARS OF SERVICE THIS TO THIS GREAT CITY, THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS REMAINED STIFF IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS FRONTLINE FIRE SUPPRESSION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE, AND RESCUE OPERATIONS. OUR DEPARTMENT BOAST A DIVERSE ARRAY OF CLASSIFICATIONS, SKILL SETS, EXPERTISE, APPARAT, AND TOOLS TO ADDRESS EVERY FIRE, MEDICAL, AND RESCUE NEED WITHIN THE CITY. THIS COMPREHENSIVE CAPABILITIES INCLUDES STAFFING MULTIPLE FIRE STATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE BOTH THE PORT OF LONG BEACH AND THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT OPERATE ACCORDING TO [03:05:01] FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS. OUR SPECIALIZED TEAMS URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIREFIGHTING, TACTICAL PARAMEDICS, OUR FIREBOAT CREW AND OUR INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM, OUR MARINE SAFETY DIVISION, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING RESCUES ALONG OUR 11 MILES OF BEACHES AND RIVERS AND OUR 90 PARAMEDICS AND 26 AMBULANCE OPERATORS WHO GUARANTEE THAT EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER CAN CALL 9 1 1 WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE PROMPT MEDICAL CARE. IN ADDITION TO OUR FRONTLINE PUBLIC SAFETY TEAMS, WE HAVE 56 BUDGETED PROFESSIONAL STAFF WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS OPERATE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK. THIS INCLUDES OUR FACILITY FLEET AND TECHNOLOGY TEAMS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO MAINTAIN THE TOOLS REQUIRED TO HOUSE, TRANSPORT, AND FACILITATE COMMUNICATIONS AMONG OUR FRONTLINE PERSONNEL, ENABLING EFFECTIVE AND SAFE RESPONSE TO NINE ONE CALLS OUR FIRE PREVENTION PERSONNEL WHO HAVE PERFORMED OUTSTANDING WORK IN INSPECTING BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO MINIMIZE FIRE RISK IN SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, RESTAURANTS, BUSINESSES, APARTMENTS, HOUSES, ADU AND VARIOUS OTHER STRUCTURES, OUR HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND POLICY COMPLIANCE TEAMS, AND OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM, WHICH FACILITATES MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP EFFORTS. WE ALSO THANK OUR EMS TEAM WHO DEVELOPS CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR OUR CURRENT FIRE SWORN STAFF AND OUR TRAINING DIVISION TEAM WHO PREPARES AND OPERATE OUR FIRE RECRUIT ACADEMIES AND DEVELOP CREATIVE AND RECRUITMENT STRATEGIES AS WE PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LONG BEACH FIREFIGHTERS. OUR SERVICES ARE DIVERSE, TECHNICAL, AND PERFORM UNDER STRESS AND HIGH RISK. THIS YEAR I WISH TO DIVE A LITTLE DEEPER INTO THE MOST VOLUMINOUS PORTIONS OF OUR WORKLOAD. IN FISCAL YEAR 23, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED OVER 84,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE ENCOMPASSING FIRE, FIRE SUPPRESSION, RESCUE REQUESTS, MARINE SAFETY CALLS FROM OUR THAILAND AREAS AND OUR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. ON AVERAGE, OUR DEPARTMENT HANDLES 230 CALLS PER DAY CITYWIDE WITH 75% RELATED TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES. THIS TREND UNDERSCORE UNDERSCORES A GROWING ROLE OF THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AS A CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY NET FOR OUR COMMUNITIES. YOUR LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT. PARAMEDICS AND AMBIT OPERATORS ARE OFTEN THE FIRST TO IDENTIFY HEALTHCARE CRISIS IN HOMES, SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES, PARKS, OR EVEN PUBLIC SPACES. THESE DEDICATED PROFESSIONAL SERVE AS A COMFORTING CITY STAFF WITH HEALTH RELATED SOLUTIONS FOR PATIENTS AND CONCERNED FAMILY MEMBERS. THEY COLLABORATE CLOSELY WITH OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS, NURSES, AND DOCTORS TO ENSURE A SEAMLESS FLOW OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR OUR LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. IN FISCAL YEAR 23 OUT OF THE 63,281, EMERGENCY MEDICAL CALLS, 50% RESULT IN AMBULANCE TRANSPORT TO A HOSPITAL. 4,000 CALLS ASSISTED OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS NEARLY A CORD INVOLVED. SUDDEN ISSUES OF UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND BREATH PROBLEMS, 23% RELATED TO SUDDEN CHEST OR HEART PAIN, SEIZURES, FALLS, OTHER PHYSICAL TRAUMA REQUIRING EMERGENCY ATTENTION AND 12% CONCERN. UNKNOWN PROBLEMS HIGHLIGHTING THE VIGILANCE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ACT AS GOOD NEIGHBORS BY CALLING 9 1 1 AND 11% ADDRESS PSYCHIATRIC SUPPORT, ASSISTING AFTER SUICIDE ATTEMPTS OR PROVIDING CARE FOLLOWING SEXUAL ASSAULTS. OUR REMAINING CALLS SPAN OVER SEVERAL DOZEN TYPES OF INCIDENTS. WE SERVED THE ENTIRE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY FROM NEWBORNS TO OUR SENIOR CITIZENS. WE ADDRESSED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ASSISTING BOTH HOUSE AND UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS. WE CARE FOR THE LONGTIME RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE VISITORS THAT'S PASSING THROUGH THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT MISSIONS MORE THAN FIGHTING FIRE. WE FUNDAMENTALLY ARE HERE TO SAVE LIVES. YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN OUR DEPARTMENT ENSURES THAT WE CAN FULFILL THIS MISSION WITH EXPEDIENCY AND EXCELLENCE. IN ADDITION TO THE VITAL WORK I HAVE ALREADY HIGHLIGHTED, THE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED KEY MILESTONES OVER THE PAST YEAR. AS YOUR FIRE CHIEF, I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THE CITY MANAGER, AND OUR PARTNERS IN HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, POLICE AND CIVIL SERVICE. OUR TEAMWORK ENABLE US TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOUR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS DISPLAYED ON THIS SLIDE. FIRSTLY, AS YOU'RE AWARE, ARSON CRIME IS ON THE RISE ACROSS OUR STATE AND WITHIN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. DESPITE OUR RS INVESTIGATION UNIT BEING SMALL, IT IS COMPOSED OF A DEDICATED AND HARDWORKING TEAM. THIS TEAM CONSISTS OF ONE FIRE CAPTAIN AND THREE FIREFIGHTERS WHO UNDERTAKE ALL INVESTIGATIONS DURING METICULOUS WORK INVOLVES COLLECTING EVIDENCE, COLLABORATING WITH WITNESSES AND VICTIMS, COORDINATING WITH THE DA OFFICE, AND ARRESTING SUSPECTS. IN RECENT YEARS, THE NUMBER OF CRIMES, CASES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND ARRESTS HAS SURGED. THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, WE HAVE TEMPORARY AUGMENTED TEAM WITH AN ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER TO MANAGE THE GROW, THE [03:10:01] GROWING CASE LOAD EFFECTIVELY. SECONDLY, WE ARE DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF THE CITY COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR OUR PARAMEDIC PEAK LOAD AMBULANCE UNIT. THIS UNIT COMPLIMENTS OUR EXISTING ROSTER OF PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES TO OPTIMIZE COSTS RESCUE TWO. OUR PEAK LOAD AMBULANCE UNIT OPERATES ON A 12 HOUR SHIFT DIFFERING FROM OUR STANDARD 24 HOUR SHIFTS SINCE ITS DEPLOYMENT IN JANUARY, 2024, THE INSTANCE OF OUT OF UNIT STATUS AND THE CITY HAS HAVE DECREASED BY AN IMPRESSIVE 71% FROM JANUARY TO JULY. THIS UNIT HAS RESPONDED TO 1,628 PATIENT MEDICAL CALLS SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCING OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE CAPABILITIES THOROUGHLY IN PREVIOUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE COUNCIL, WE HIGHLIGHT THAT WE HIGHLIGHT THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF CLASS 2023 A FIRE ACADEMY. TRADITIONALLY, OUR FIRE RECRUIT ACADEMIES AC ACCOMMODATE 24 FIRE RECRUITS. HOWEVER, THE INVESTMENT IN CLASS 2023 A ALLOW FOR 49 FIRE RECRUITS RESULTING IN THE GRADUATION OF 39 FIRE RECRUITS WHO WERE PROMOTED TO PROBATIONARY FIREFIGHTER. THIS STRATEGIC MOVE IMMEDIATELY STABILIZED OUR STAFFING LEVELS AND REDUCED MANDATORY OVERTIME SHIFTS BY 76%. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT. LASTLY, I'M VERY PROUD TO HIGHLIGHT OUR YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, WHICH WELCOME OUR CITY'S YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FAMILY. THE PROGRAMS LISTED ON THIS SLIDE REPRESENTS A SMALL PORTION OF OUR EFFORTS TO SERVE OUR LONG BEACH YOUTH. AS AN OVERALL SUMMARY, OUR DARREN ROCKET FUTURE FIRE ACADEMY GRADUATE 34TH HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH FROM ACROSS THE CITY, PROVIDING THEM WITH SIX, SIX WEEKS OF HANDS-ON TRAINING AT DAVE ROSA REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER. WE'RE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL LEAPS PROGRAM. THIS IS A LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PATHWAY PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INTERESTED IN PUBLIC SAFETY CAREERS. AND OUR JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM, WHICH IS OPEN TO YOUTH AGES NINE TO 17, ATTRACTS OVER 700 PARTICIPANTS IN ITS SUMMER PROGRAM IN 600 YOUTH IN SWIM TRAINING DURING THE NON-SUMMER MONTHS. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROGRAMS, WE, WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT VARIOUS OTHER INITIATIVES DESIGNED FOR YOUTH TO CHOOSE LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT AS THEIR EMPLOYER OF CHOICE. AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO FISCAL YEAR 2025, OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS READY TO BUILD ON ALREADY SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVES FUNDED BY PAST BUDGET INVESTMENTS. THE NEW FISCAL YEAR OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER MANAGE INCREASED WORKLOADS, ENHANCE COST RECOVERY, AND STRAIN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO OPTIMIZE OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES AS WE CONSIDER A MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL SHORTFALL. COST RECOVERY REMAINS A TOP PRIORITY. A A KEY AREA OF GROWTH IS AMBULANCE TRANSPORT REVENUE FOR EVERY PATIENT TRANSPORT. WE ARE RE REIMBURSED BY INSURANCE PLANS, INSURANCE PLANS, CASH PAYMENTS, OR MEDICARE OR MEDI-CAL. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVING THE ALIGNMENT OF OUR AMBULANCE TRANSPORTATION FEES WITH THOSE OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY IN FISCAL YEAR 23 WITH THIS FEE INCREASE AND ASSEMBLY BILL 1705, WHICH INTRODUCED A NEW PUBLIC PROVIDER GROUND EMERGENCY MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM TO THE STATE, WE HAVE SEEN INCREASED PAYMENTS FROM CALIFORNIA'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES. THESE OPPORTUNITIES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY BOOSTED OUR COST RECOVERY IN FISCAL YEAR 23 AND FISCAL YEAR 24. ACCORDINGLY, WE PROPOSED A LINE OUR AMBIT TRANSPORT REVENUE WITH ACTUAL GROWTH AT A PROJECTION OF $3.5 MILLION. RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR MODERNIZATION, WE PROPOSED CREATING AN EXECUTIVE BUREAU TO REPRESENT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE FIRE CHIEF. AND PAST YEARS, THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE CHIEF WAS COMBINED WITH THE DEPARTMENT'S ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU. UNDER THE NEW EXECUTIVE BUREAU, WE ESTABLISHED A PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS DIVISION. THE ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES INCLUDE RENAMING THE ADMINISTRATIVE BUREAU TO THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUREAU, AND ESTABLISHING PERSONNEL SERVICES AND FINANCE DIVISIONS. AS MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, PER PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS DIVISION WILL BE ADDED AND LED BY A PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS OFFICER. THIS MANAGEMENT POSITION WILL BE TASKED WITH LEADING INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS AND EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT. THEY WILL PROVIDE DEPARTMENT-WIDE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS TRAINING, AND WILL DEVELOP ACCOUNTABILITY METRICS. A NEW FINANCIAL SERVICE OFFICER AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST WILL BE ADDED TO THE FINANCE DIVISION, FOCUSING ON POLICY COMPLIANCE AND COST RECOVERY FOR DEPARTMENTAL FEES, SPECIAL EVENTS, AMBULANCE REVENUE, AND INTERDEPARTMENT MOU REVENUE, THUS ENHANCING THE HEALTH OF THE GENERAL FUND, THAILAND'S AND THE COUPA FUNDS. AND WE ALSO PLAN TO AUGMENT THE ARTS INVESTIGATION UNIT BY ADDING AN ADDITIONAL FIREFIGHTER AND EXPANDING COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAM IN THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU BY 1.44 FTES FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. OUR FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET PROPOSALS INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS IN [03:15:01] FRONTLINE SERVICES. NEARLY $1.2 MILLION WILL FUND INCREASED COSTS FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, FIRE STATION UTILITIES, AND MAINTENANCE. ONE TIME FUNDING ALLOCATION INCLUDES $500,000 FOR RESCUE TWO. THAT'S OUR PARAMEDIC PEAK LOAD UNIT FOR OPERATIONS. IN FISCAL YEAR 25, 2 $0.1 MILLION IS PROPOSED TO BE ALLOCATED FOR THE FIRE RECRUITING CAMMY 2025 A, WHICH WILL START IN FEBRUARY, 2025 TO REPLENS ANTICIPATED RETIREMENTS AND $550,000 FOR OUR FIFTH FIRE ENGINEERS AT CAMMIE, ENSURING WE HAVE SUFFICIENT APPARATUS OPERATORS. THESE ARE OF COURSE CHALLENGES AS WE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, BUT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT IS NAVIGATING A COMPLEX LANDSCAPE SHAPED BY BOTH EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL FACTORS. EXTERNALLY, WE FACE A REGIONAL HOUSING CRISIS, PARTICULARLY AFFECTING YOUNG ADULTS. THE SOUTHERN, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOUSING CRISIS AND AFFORDABILITY ISSUES, COUPLED WITH THE DEMANDS OF 24 HOUR SHIFT WORK HAVE RESULTED IN A DECLINE IN FIREFIGHTER APPLICANTS TURNING THE INDUSTRY INTO A JOB SEEKERS MARKET. THIS COMPETITION FOR CANDIDATES WITH THE NECESSARY WORK ETHICS, COMMITMENT, AND TECHNICAL SKILLS TO SUCCEED IN THE FIRE RECRUIT ACADEMY AND BEYOND IS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN. ADDITION, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED GAPS IN OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS THAT HINDERED SMOOTH TRANSITION TO PERMANENT FULL-TIME POSITIONS. OTHER AGENCIES HAVE SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTED ENTRY-LEVEL, PART-TIME, OR TEMPORARY ROLES SUCH AS FIRE ASSISTANCE OR FIRE INTERNS TO BRIDGE THIS GAP AND KEEP YOUNG ADULTS CONNECTED TO THE ORGANIZATION UNTIL THEY CAN BE HIRED PERMANENTLY. THE INCREASING NUMBER OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CALLS, WHICH HAVE RISEN YEAR OVER YEAR SINCE COVID AND ASSISTED TAKES EXPLORING NEW AND EFFICIENT SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS. AND FURTHERMORE, OUR COMMUNITY GROWING RE REQUESTS FOR EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, PUBLIC FACING INITIATIVES AND PARTNERSHIPS IN LOCAL EVENTS REFLECT THE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT OVER THE DECADES. HOWEVER, THE SURGE SERVICE CALLS LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE SWORN RESOURCES TO MEET EVERY COMMUNITY INVITATION. AT THE HEART OF THESE CHALLENGES IS OUR CONCERN FOR THE WELLBEING OF OUR STAFF. OUR FIREFIGHTERS ENCOUNTER UNIQUE STRESS AND TRAUMA IN THEIR LINE OF DUTY, MAKING THEIR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING AS CRUCIAL AS THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH. AS WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITIES, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO INVEST IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND FOSTER A SUPPORTIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT. THESE PRACTICES ARE INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZED AS BEST PRACTICES AMONG THE LARGEST AGENCIES IN LOS ANGELES, ORANGE AND SAN DIEGO COUNTIES. THESE EFFORTS ARE VITAL IN ENSURING OUR FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES CAN CONTINUE TO PERFORM THEIR ROLES EFFECTIVELY. AND WITH RESILIENCE. THESE CHALLENGES SUMMARIZE FACTORS THAT IMPACT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH CAPACITY, AND OVERALL WELLNESS. ADDITIONALLY, ADDITIONAL CHALLENGES ARE RELATED TO THE HEALTH OF OUR FACILITIES. I'VE MENTIONED INFRASTRUCTURE A FEW TIMES IN THIS PRESENTATION AS WELL AS THE AGE OF OUR ORGANIZATION. OUR FIRE STATIONS ARE LIKELY SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE CITY. THESE BUILDINGS ARE USED EVERY MINUTE OF THE DAY, EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. OUR FIRE STATIONS HOUSE OUR APPARAT, AS WELL AS OUR EMPLOYEES IN TIGHT QUARTERS, AND SOME OF OUR STATIONS ARE NEARLY 60 PLUS YEARS OLD. MAINTAINING OUR FIRE STATIONS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. THESE FACILITIES SERVE AS THE BACKBONE OF OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM. AGING FIRE STATIONS COMPOSE SIGNIFICANT HAZARDS TO OUR STAFF, LEAKING WINDOWS AND ROOFS, INOPERABLE HVAC SYSTEMS, PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL DEFECTS, OR EXAMPLES OF FACILITY ISSUES EXPERIENCED AT OUR FIRE STATIONS. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY THANKS TO PUBLIC WORKS TEAM WHO HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT PARTNERS IN ADDRESSING URGENT EMERGENCY ISSUES. HOWEVER, THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF FACILITY NEEDS IS GROWING AND EXCEEDS THE CAPACITY OF CURRENT FINANCIAL AND CITY LABOR RESOURCES. DESPITE THE CHALLENGES, I AM OPTIMISTIC FOR OUR JOURNEY AHEAD. OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS IDENTIFIED SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL OPTIMIZE OUR OPERATIONS AND ENHANCE OUR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. ONCE SUCH OPPORTUNITY IS OUR BASIC LIFE SUPPORT AMBIT PROGRAM, WHICH IS FULLY SELF-FUNDED THROUGH AMBIT TRANSP TRANSPORTATION REVENUE. THIS MODEL ENSURES THAT OUR VITAL, VITAL AM SERVICES REMAIN FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE, ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY CARE WITHOUT BURNING THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND. ADDITIONALLY, WE ARE FOSTERING ENHANCED PARTNERSHIPS WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS JUST AS LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE, AND CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY OF LONG BEACH. WE'RE REPEALING PARTNERSHIPS WITH PROFESSORS IN ACADEMIC PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN RIDE-ALONGS WITH OUR AMBULANCE TRANSPORT PERSONNEL. WE'RE ALSO EXPLORING ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE DEPLOYMENT MODELS TO MAXIMIZE COST AND RESOURCE EFFECTIVENESS, DEMONSTRATING OUR ADAPTABILITY IN THE FACE OF EVOLVING DEMANDS. WE'RE PROACTIVELY MEETING WITH LARGE AGENCIES NATIONALLY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND [03:20:01] BEST PRACTICES AND ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS TO HELP ADDRESS GROWING WORKLOAD. AND OUR COMMITMENT TO INNOVATION IS EVIDENT THROUGH THE INTEGRATION OF CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY, BOTH WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT AND OUR STATEWIDE PARTNERS. TO GAIN RAPID DATA INSIGHT RELATED TO RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE. THIS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT WILL ENABLE US TO MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS AND OPTIMIZE OUR OPERATIONS. AND FURTHERMORE, WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE PORT OF LONG BEACH TO PREPARE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL INVESTMENTS IN COMMUNITY SAFETY INITIATIVES, ALIGNING WITH OUR CITYWIDE GOAL OF GOING GREEN. THIS PARTNERSHIP NOT ONLY SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY, BUT ALSO ENHANCES THE SAFETY AND RESILIENCE OF OUR COMMUNITY. TOGETHER THESE OPPORTUNITIES REFLECT OUR DEDICATION TO PROGRESS AND EXCELLENCE IN FIRE SERVICE, ENSURING THAT WE CONTINUE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR CITY WITH EFFICIENCY AND FORESIGHT. IN CLOSING, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DOVE INTO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SERVICES AND PLAN INITIATIVES FOR FISCAL YEAR 25. YOUR SUPPORT IS DEEPLY VALUED AND I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE MY FIRE DEPARTMENT TEAM FOR THEIR UNWAVERING DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. AGAIN, WE'LL HOPE QUESTIONS TO THE END, BUT I WILL SAY, UH, IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE PROGRESS AND THE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. UH, I REMEMBER IT WASN'T VERY LONG AGO, JUST, YOU KNOW, 18 MONTHS AGO OR SO, YOU KNOW, WE WERE STRUGGLING SIMPLY TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES DURING THE, THE PEAK, THE PEAK STAFFING PERIODS. AND, UM, IT'S GOOD TO SEE MANY OF THOSE CHALLENGES RESOLVED AND RESPONSE TIMES DECREASING AND NOT SEEING THOSE, YOU KNOW, EMERGENCIES, RENTING OUT OF, UM, RESCUES. UH, AND SO THAT'S INCREDIBLE PROGRESS. ALSO, JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE YOUR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ADAPTABILITY THAT'S THAT'S GONNA BE NEEDED WITH THE FISCAL CHALLENGES WE HAVE. YOU'VE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE, YOU'VE IDENTIFIED, HEY, GEMT, WE CAN DO BETTER, RIGHT? LET'S MAKE THAT STRUCTURAL RIGHT. UM, MAKING BLS IS, UM, UH, SUSTAINABLE AND STRUCTURALLY FUND FUNDED, UM, SUPER IMPORTANT. AND THE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE OPEN TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE MODELS AND, YOU KNOW, GIVEN THE FISCAL CONSTRAINTS, THAT'S THE FLEXIBILITY WE'RE GONNA NEED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING QUALITY CITY SERVICES THAT OUR RESIDENTS DEPEND ON. SO, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO YOU AND, UH, TO YOUR INCREDIBLE TEAM IN LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT. ALL RIGHT, WHO'S NEXT? TOM? THANK YOU, MAYOR. I BELIEVE NEXT UP IS PUBLIC WORKS. PUBLIC WORKS. UH, OH. ERIC LOPEZ, OUR DIRECTOR, HOT SEAT. ERIC, THANK YOU. CITY MANAGER UNDER MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. UH, IT'S MY PLEASURE TO BE HERE, UH, TODAY TO, UH, GO OVER OUR PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET. UM, LAST WEEK I WAS HERE AND, UH, GOT TO PRESENT THE PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET, UH, WHERE ONE OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT GETS TO, UH, DO TWO IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE BUDGETS. AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT, UH, RESPONSIBILITY, UH, FOR BOTH PROVIDING THE CORE SERVICES AS PART OF OUR OPERATING BUDGET, AND FOR, UH, TAKING THE LEAD ROLE WITH DELIVERING OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, UH, WHICH IS, UH, WHICH IS IN LARGE PART RELATED TO THE DELIVERY OF THE ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN. UM, SO, UM, I, UM, I'M GONNA START BY, UH, JUST A, A QUICK REMINDER OF, UH, WHAT, WHAT WE DO AND WHERE WE DO IT. UM, YOU KNOW, WE WORK ON CAPITAL PROJECTS AND DELIVER THOSE PROJECTS, UH, BUT WE ALSO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE RIGHT OF WAY AND A LOT OF OUR PUBLIC FACILITIES. SO AS, UH, PEOPLE STEP, UH, OUT OF THEIR HOMES, INTO OUR SIDEWALKS, INTO OUR CURB, UH, AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS INTO OUR STREETS, UM, YOU KNOW, AS THEY DRIVE AND, AND THEY DRIVE THROUGH OUR, UH, TRAFFIC SIGNALS, OUR STREET LIGHTS, OUR PUBLIC SIGNAGE, UH, AS THEY DRIVE THROUGH STREETS, UH, THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE CITY, OUR URBAN FOREST, UM, OR, YOU KNOW, THEY MAY BE GOING TO A PARK SPACE THAT WE HELP BUILD OR, OR RE UH, INNOVATE, UH, OR, UM, OR IMPROVE. UM, AND, UH, COUNTLESS FACILITIES LIKE OUR LIBRARIES AND OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OUR SENIOR CENTERS AND OUR, UH, OUR POLICE AND FIRE, UH, FACILITIES THAT, THAT WE REALLY, UH, INVEST, UH, TIME IN, IN HELPING MAKE SURE THAT, THAT, THAT ARE IMPROVED. SO, UH, WE ARE A LARGE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND, UH, WE REALLY DO OUR BEST TO, UH, DELIVER, UH, OUR, UH, SERVICES, UH, THE, THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE WAY, UH, POSSIBLE. UM, THIS IS OUR, UH, ORGANIZATIONAL CHART. UM, THIS IS, UH, PROPOSED TO BE CHANGED. SO IN A FEW SLIDES, UM, WE'RE GONNA, UH, SHOW [03:25:01] WHAT WE'RE GONNA BE PROPOSING, WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET. AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, I HAVE A VERY LOT OF DIRECT REPORTS AND I REALLY ENJOY, UH, MANAGING, BUT, UM, I DO, I DO RECOGNIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO, UH, ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO WORK, UH, EFFICIENTLY AND, AND MORE EFFECTIVELY. AND, UH, I'M REALLY HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT KIND OF SOME, WHAT SOME OF THOSE, UH, PROPOSALS ARE, UH, LATER, UH, IN THE, IN THE PRESENTATION. UH, FOR TODAY, I DO WANNA THANK, UH, MY TEAM. I HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS FROM PUBLIC WORKS. I'M GONNA ASK THEM TO GET UP TOO. IF YOU'RE A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE, PLEASE STAND UP. UM, I WANNA RECOGNIZE YOU. COME ON, MARK. I'M LOOKING AT YOU, DANIEL, EVERYBODY. UH, SO THESE ARE OUR FOLKS THAT, UH, WORK THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE CITY, UM, AND DO A REALLY GOOD JOB. I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE TEAM. THANK YOU ALL. UH, WE, UM, AS WE, AS WE PERFORM OUR CORE SERVICES AND DO OUR BEST, UH, TO DELIVER, UH, KEY, UH, PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY, BY THE COUNCIL, UM, WE, UM, ARE, WE, WE TRACK EVERYTHING WE DO. UM, YOU KNOW, SO, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY, UH, LANE MILES THAT WE, UH, RESURFACED, UM, HOW MANY STREETS WE WERE ABLE TO SLURRY SEAL, UM, HOW MANY, UH, NEW A DA CURB BRANDS WE'RE ABLE TO REPAIR. AND WE'VE LISTED THEM HERE. I'M NOT GONNA GO THROUGH ALL OF THEM, UH, BUT, YOU KNOW, UH, IT, IT IS, IT IS QUITE A BIT, UH, QUITE A BIT OF WORK. WE'RE, UH, REALLY PROUD, YOU KNOW, OF. AND, UH, WE, WE REALLY DO, UM, DO A LOT WITH, WITH OUR PARTNERS, UH, TO, UH, KEEP OUR CITY CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED. UM, OUR, WE ALSO, UM, WE, LAST WEEK WE TALKED ABOUT OUR ELEVATE 28 PLAN AND, UH, THE ADDITION OF SOME ADDITIONAL, UH, FUNDING AND PROJECTS. YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S REALLY, UM, IMPORTANT TO US THAT WE LEVERAGE OUR, UM, OUR LOCAL DOLLARS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND BRING IN THE, UH, STATE AND FEDERAL DOLLARS. AND WE'RE DOING THAT. AND WE'RE, UH, WE'RE, UH, AND IN DOING THAT, WE'RE ABLE TO, UH, BRING, UH, INCREASE THE IMPACT THAT WE HAVE, UH, WITH WITHIN, WITHIN, UH, THE, THE CITY. UM, YOU KNOW, THE, A COUPLE PROJECTS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT, UH, THIS TIME AROUND, UM, OUR, OUR LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL URBAN STORMWATER TREATMENT FACILITY, UM, IS, UH, SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE. WE'RE WORKING WITH THE FILTRATION SYSTEMS AND OUR, UH, PARTNERS TO GET THAT, UH, UH, FACILITY UP AND RUNNING. UH, THE WETLANDS HAVE BEEN PLANTED AND, AND WE'RE, UH, WE'RE, WE'RE GETTING THAT, UH, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. UM, AND THIS IS THE FIRST PHASE OF A MULTI-PHASE EFFORT TO REALLY IMPROVE WATER QUALITY WITHIN THE RIVER AND BE ABLE TO USE SOME OF THAT WATER, UH, AS, UH, RECYCLED WATER TO BE ABLE TO, I IRRIGATE SOME OF OUR, UH, PARKS AND, AND, AND OTHER RIGHT OF WAY AREAS, UH, ARTESIA GRADE BOULEVARD PROJECT. REALLY PROUD THAT THAT'S COMING TO AN END. AND THEN, UM, WE'RE, UH, ALSO WORKING HARD TO, UH, FINISH, UH, OR TO GET, UH, STUDEBAKER STARTED AND, UH, AND FINISH, UH, THE ANAHEIM CORRIDOR PROJECT. UH, BOTH PROJECTS ARE GONNA BE KEY, UH, KEY, UH, FOCUS AREAS FOR US AS WE ENTER, UH, FISCAL YEAR 25 AND GET THOSE UNDER UNDER CONSTRUCTION. UM, ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE, UH, WE, UH, REALLY NEEDED TO, UM, TO FOCUS IN ON AND HELP RESPOND TO WERE THE WINTER STORMS, UM, THAT WE HAD THIS PAST, UH, WINTER SE SEASON. WE SAWW OVER 23 INCHES OF RAINFALL, UH, THIS PAST, UH, RAINY SEASON, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE, UH, FROM WHAT WE NORMALLY SEE. UH, THE YEAR BEFORE THIS ONE, WE ACTUALLY HAD, I THINK, AROUND 21 INCHES. SO TWO YEARS IN A ROW, WE SEE MORE RAIN, UH, THAN THAN WE NORMALLY HAD. SO, UH, WE HAD TO WORK, UH, WITH OUR TEAMS. UH, WE DID HA UH, TEMPORARILY REASSIGN SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS TO HELP WITH, UH, THE, UH, STORM, UH, RESPONSE AND SOME OF THE, UH, EMERGENCIES WE'VE HAD. AND WE HAD OVER 100 EMPLOYEES WORKING IN RESPONSE TO THE, UH, TO THE STORM EVENT DURING THE, THE HEIGHT OF, OF THE, UH, OF, OF, OF THE, OF THE STORM, OF THE, WHAT, SOME OF THE MORE, UH, BIGGER STORMS. UM, SO WE WORKED ON STORM, UH, PREPARATION LEADING UP TO IT. WE, UH, WORKED DURING THE MAJOR STORMS WHEN PEOPLE WERE HOME AND TREES WERE FALLING DOWN, OR, YOU KNOW, WAS STREETS WERE FLOODING, INGS WERE OUT THERE, UM, HELPING UNPLUG STORM DRAINS, HELPING RESPOND TO FALLING TREE CALLS. UM, AND, UH, AND, AND THEN THE CLEANUP EFFORTS AFTERWARDS, UM, AND A LOT OF DOWN TREES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO, UH, TO, TO ADDRESS. UM, I, I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT, YOU KNOW, UM, WE ARE NOT OFTEN THOUGHT OF AS, UH, AS FIRST RESPONDERS, UM, YOU KNOW, BUT WE'RE RIGHT THERE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, UH, EITHER CLEARING ROADS OR, UH, OR ASSISTING, UH, WITH, WITH, UH, DELIVERING CRITICAL SUPPLIES OR, YOU KNOW, OUR TEAMS, UM, ARE TRAINED, UH, TO WORK, UH, ANYTIME, UH, DURING THE DAY, DURING THE NIGHT, DURING THE WEEKENDS. WE HAVE CREWS ON CALLS [03:30:01] THAT ARE THERE ALWAYS, UH, UH, WILLING AND READY, UH, TO RESPOND. SO I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE JUST BECAUSE, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE'VE HAD A, A FEW EMERGENCIES WHERE OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE STEPPED UP AND REALLY, UH, REALLY HELPED US, UH, RESPOND TO SOME, UH, MAJOR, UH, EMERGENCIES. I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM. AND, UH, THIS, UH, THIS IS ACTUALLY FROM THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION. THEY HAVE A CAMPAIGN, A, A CAMPAIGN OUT TO, UM, REALLY ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES, AND, UH, OUR FIRST RESPONDER ROLES. SO, WANTED, WANTED TO SHARE THAT. UM, YOU KNOW, I LOVE RAIN, UM, BUT I HATE POTHOLES. AND UNFORTUNATELY, RAIN CREATES POTHOLES, UH, ESPECIALLY WHEN, UH, THE, UH, OUR STREETS ARE IN THE CONDITIONS THAT THEY'RE IN. AND AS WE MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND REBUILD MORE STREETS THAN WE EVER HAVE, WE STILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH POTHOLES. UH, SO, UM, WE DID, UM, STAFF UP OUR POTHOLES TEAMS, UM, AND, UH, AND WE ARE, UH, WE ARE FILLING OVER 5,000 POTHOLES A MONTH. UH, SO WE ARE EXCEEDING OUR GOAL. OUR GOAL IS TO GET TO UNDER 10,000 POTHOLES, UH, AND THEN, UH, YOU KNOW, AND THEN KEEP GOING TO, UH, ALL THE WAY TO TWO ZERO. UH, SO, YOU KNOW, I, I KNOW THAT'S, UH, AN ITEM WHERE YOU GET A LOT OF CALLS, AND WE HAVE SIX CREWS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW WORKING ON THIS ISSUE, GETTING US CAUGHT UP. BUT I DIDN'T CREATE THE POTHOLES, THE RAINS DID, AND WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO ADDRESS IT. UM, OUR, UH, OUR, UH, KRAKEN SLURRY SEAL TEAMS, UM, CONTINUE TO DO AMAZING WORK. THEY, UH, HAVE SEALED OVER 15 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF STREET PAVEMENT, 15 MILLION. UM, AND THEN, UH, WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL, UM, UH, 30 MILLION SQUARE FEET THAT REMAINS IN OUR ELEVATE 28, UH, PLAN. UH, SO THE TEAMS ARE WORKING HARD. UH, THEY'RE ONE THIRD DOWN, UH, THE PLAN, UH, AND THEY'RE WORKING HARD EVERY DAY, UH, TO SLURRY SEAL. UM, UH, ALL THE STREETS THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AS PART OF OUR, UH, ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT PLAN TEAM, UM, PLAN AS PART OF OUR PROPOSED BUDGET, WE ARE, WE ARE PROPOSING, UH, TO EXPAND, UM, OUR, UH, FIELD CREWS, UH, TO HAVE A DEDICATED CONCRETE PROGRAM, UH, WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF AND RESOURCES THAT CAN HELP US WITH OUR BACKLOG AND CONCRETE REPAIRS. UM, YOU KNOW, HAVING ADDITIONAL SKILLED LABOR ALSO OPENS UP OTHER OPPORTUNITIES WHEN WE NEED TO, UH, UH, FOCUS ON EITHER, UH, EMERGENCIES OR, OR OTHER PRIORITIES THAT, THAT ARISE THAT WE'RE NOT ANTICIPATED. UM, THE, UM, EXPANDED TEAM, UM, IS, UM, UH, IT'S ESTIMATING THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE, UH, UP TO 30,000 SQUARE FEET OF SIDEWALKS AND 3000 LINEAR FEET OF CURB AND GUTTER ANNUALLY AS, AS THE BASELINE. UM, AND WE'VE, UM, WE, WE ARE, THOSE ARE OUR ORIGINAL GOALS. UM, SO JUST, YOU KNOW, THIS, UH, LAST YEAR I DID, UM, COMMIT TO FOCUSING ON, ON OUR, OUR FIELD CREWS AND, AND MAKING SURE THEY HAD THE TOOLS AND THE RESOURCES AND THE TRAINING THEY NEEDED TO DO, UH, THEIR JOBS EFFECTIVELY. AND WE, WE REALLY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE SOME, SOME PROGRESS, UH, THERE. SO, UH, WANTED TO THANK THE, THE, THE MANAGERS THAT, UH, MANAGE, UH, THE TEAMS, UH, AND THE, AND THE CREW MEMBERS THAT ARE OUT THERE EVERY DAY, UH, IMPROVING OUR CITY. UM, I ALSO, UH, WANTED TO, UH, SPEND A, A, A, THIS OPPORTUNITY AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT LAST YEAR WAS A, UH, DIFFICULT YEAR FOR, UH, REFUSE OPERATIONS FOR, UH, WITHIN OUR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES BUREAU. WE HAD ACTUALLY STARTED THE PROCESS OF, UH, LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE, UM, OUR, UM, OUR, YOU KNOW, OUR DELIVERY OF CORE SERVICES. UM, AND THAT, THAT CAME IN HANDY AS WE, UH, ENTERED, UH, OUR, YOU KNOW, WENT THROUGH OUR CRISIS, UH, WITH TRASH PICKUP. UM, SO, YOU KNOW, I, I, I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT OUR TEAMS, UM, ESPECIALLY, UM, UH, THE WORK, UH, OF, UH, JOSH HICKMAN, OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR, UH, DON HENDERSON, UM, OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF, UH, PEOPLE AND CULTURE, AND THEN HER TEAM, OUR PERSONNEL OFFICER, AND OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER. UH, THEY REALLY HAVE LED THIS WORK AND HAVE HELPED US MAKE SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS IN HOW WE PICK UP TRASH, HOW WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS FOR RECYCLING, AND THEY ARE LEADING THE WAY WITH ORGANICS COLLECTION AND, UH, HELPING US TRANSITION TO, UH, TO, UH, BEING ABLE TO PICK UP, UH, ORGANICS WASTE, AND, UH, MEET ALL OF THE STATE REQUIREMENTS THAT WE HAVE SO WANTED, ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR WORK THERE. UM, AS WE, AS WE CONTINUE, UH, TO FILL IN OUR VACANCIES, UH, I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR, WE HAVE REDUCED OUR VACANCY RATE. WE ARE CURRENTLY AT 17% AND GOING DOWN. SO, UH, WE ARE TRENDING IN THE RIGHT WAY. AT THE SAME TIME, OUR DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO GROW AS WE BRING SERVICES IN-HOUSE, AND WE, UH, AND WE CONTINUE TO, UM, TO MEET THE, UH, EVOLVING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. UM, SO, YOU KNOW, SO TO BE ADDING, UH, POSITIONS AND [03:35:01] TO BE REDUCING OUR VACANCY RATE FOR EXISTING STAFF, I THINK IT'S A, A HUGE ACHIEVEMENT AND WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. UH, SOME EXAMPLES OF, UH, TWO CLASSIFICATIONS WHERE WE'VE MADE SOME OF THE BIGGEST IMPACTS IS OUR MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE WE HAVE BROUGHT AND OUR REFUSE OPERATORS. WE'VE BROUGHT THOSE DOWN TO ZERO. NOW. I WAS TOLD EARLIER TODAY THAT A COUPLE MAINTENANCE ASSISTANTS ARE GETTING PROMOTED, SO THEY'RE GONNA BE LEAVING A COUPLE VACANCIES THAT I WILL BE FILLING UP. SO, YOU KNOW, BUT WE'RE WORKING HARD AND PROMOTIONS ARE GOOD FOR OUR STAFFS. UH, UM, WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE SOME CHALLENGES, THOUGH, UM, WANTED TO, UH, POINT OUT THAT OUR SCHOOL GUARDS ARE NOT EASY POSITIONS TO, UH, TO RETAIN. WE BRING IN SCHOOL GUARDS, AND THEN WE LOSE A LOT OF THEM FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS. UH, SO, UH, THAT IS AN AREA OF, OF FOCUS. WE'RE TRYING TO SEE, ARE THERE, ARE THERE OTHER CREATIVE STRATEGIES, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT WE CAN USE THERE? UH, DO WE NEED TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CLASSIFICATION OR TO HOW, OR TO, OR, OR HOW WE MANAGE THE PROGRAM. SO WE'RE GONNA BE LOOKING AT THAT AND THEN, UH, COMING UP WITH SOME IDEAS, UH, TO HELP BRING DOWN THAT VACANCY RATE SO IT DOESN'T REMAIN AS HIGH AS IT IS NOW. UM, THIS REDUCTION IS DUE TO, UH, VARIOUS FACTORS. UM, AND, UH, BUT I DID WANTED TO GIVE OUR, UH, PERSONNEL DIVISION AND OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE, UH, TEAM, UH, KUDOS FOR REALLY WORKING HARD AT GETTING CREATIVE IN HELPING US BRING THE, UH, VACANCY, UH, RATE DOWN. UM, SO IN THE, IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, UM, WE, UH, WE ARE LOOKING AT MAKING SOME, UH, REORGANIZATION WITHIN OUR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE. UH, WE ARE CONTINUING TO ENHANCE OUR, UH, OUR TEAMS, OUR PROJECT DELIVERY TEAMS. UH, WE, UH, HAVE A MAJOR EMPHASIS THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR ON IMPLEMENTING THE STATE MANDATED ORGANICS COLLECTION PROGRAM. SO, IN THE FALL, WE EXPECT TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT THAT PROCESS IS GONNA LOOK LIKE, WHAT THE NEEDS ARE, AND, AND, AND, AND HOW WE'RE, AND THE DETAILS ON, ON THAT ROLLOUT. UM, AND THEN AS WE DO, UH, MOST YEARS, WE LOOK AT OUR CURRENT BUDGETS AND WE, UH, LOOK AT, UM, UH, OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR, UH, OUR EXISTING BUDGET IS ALIGNED WITH OUR, UH, DEPARTMENTAL, UH, NEEDS AND, AND, AND PRIORITIES. SO WE HAVE SOME ITEMS WITHIN OUR PROPOSED BUDGET, UH, THAT, UH, REALIGNS, UH, SOME OF OUR EXISTING BUDGETS. SO HERE IS OUR PROPOSED, UH, ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, UH, FOR FISCAL YEAR 20, UH, FIVE AND BEYOND. UM, THIS, UH, WILL ALLOW US TO BE MORE EFFICIENT, TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE, UH, TO CONTINUE OUR IMPROVING IN KEY AREAS OF THE DEPARTMENT. UM, AND I'M REALLY LOOKING, UH, FORWARD TO HAVING SOME HELP WITH, UH, UH, MANAGING SOME OF THESE, UH, CRITICAL, UH, BUREAUS, UH, THAT, UH, DO AMAZING WORK DAY IN, DAY OUT. UH, WE WITH, UH, WITHIN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, OUR TOTAL FTE COUNTS IS, UH, JUST UNDER 700. IT'S ACTUALLY 699. SO AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW AS A DEPARTMENT, WE GOTTA MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE STRUCTURE, ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE IN PLACE TO ALLOW US TO APPROPRIATELY MANAGE THE, THE, THE TEAM AND THE, THE VARIOUS TEAMS, UH, WITHIN OUR, OUR, OUR DEPARTMENTS. UM, I ALSO, I, I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT AND, UM, AND, UH, FOCUS A LITTLE BIT ON OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE DIVISION. UH, THAT WAS A GROUP THAT WAS ADDED LAST YEAR. UH, WE, UH, HIRED OUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER. WE'VE HIRED A NEW STAFF MEMBERS, AND THEY ARE DOING SOME AMAZING WORK. UH, SO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WE'RE ACTUALLY OFFERING RESUME AND INTERVIEW PREPARATION WORKSHOPS FOR OUR, UH, PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES. UH, WE'RE OFFERING COUCH COACHING OPPORTUNITIES. UH, WE'RE DOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS AND, UH, AND ACTUAL TRAINING WHEN PEOPLE GO INTO NEW ROLES. SO GONE ARE THE DAYS WHEN YOU GET PROMOTED AND YOU ARE LEFT TO FIGURE THINGS OUT ON YOUR OWN. UH, THERE'S ACTUALLY SUPPORT THAT THAT IS, UH, THAT IS BEING PROVIDED ON A PROACTIVE BASIS AND, UH, A LOT OF GOOD LEADERSHIP, UH, AND, UH, COACHING AND AND DEVELOPMENT. WE ALSO HAVE OUR OWN PUBLIC WORKS, NEW HIRE ORIENTATION. THIS IS REALLY HELPFUL FOR EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NEW TO THE ORGANIZATION, AND IT'S REALLY, UH, TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT TOOL THAT PEOPLE GO BACK TO. UM, OVERALL, WE'VE, UH, COMPLETED 20, UH, TRAININGS. UM, SINCE THE, SINCE WE SET UP THIS, UH, TEAM, WE HAVE COMPLETED 54 ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS, UH, LOT, A FEW, UH, COFFEE CHATS. AND, UH, WE'VE UPDATED 11 OF OUR POLICIES AND PROCEDURES AND, UH, FIVE ARE IN PROGRESS THAT ARE, THAT, THAT WE'RE CREATING JUST, UH, TO MAKE THINGS EASIER. WE ALSO HAVE AN INTERNAL NEWSLETTER, UH, THAT, UH, THAT WE HAVE BEEN RELEASING ON A MONTHLY BASIS, WE CALL IT IN THE WORKS. UM, AND, UH, WE'RE, UH, WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO SHARE COMMUNICATIONS, UH, FROM WITHIN OUR TEAMS AND HIGHLIGHT DIFFERENT WORK TEAMS. UH, IT ACTUALLY ENCOURAGES OUR TEAMS TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, TO REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER AND FIGURE OUT, UH, WHERE THEIR SYNERGIES WITHIN THEIR WORKS EXIST, UH, AND REALLY COLLABORATE, UH, WITH, WITH [03:40:01] EACH OTHER. UM, WE'VE ALSO HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR, UH, FROM, FROM, UH, THE CITY MANAGER, FROM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL, FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE IS A GREATER EXPECTATION, UM, AND REQUEST FOR COMMUNICATION. SO, UM, WE DO HAVE OUR NEW COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER THAT WE EXPECT TO START NEXT WEEK THAT'S GONNA HELP US CONTINUE MAKING SOME, UH, CRITICAL IMPROVEMENTS, UH, TO THE TEAM, UH, TO HELP US COMMUNICATE UP AND OUT, UH, THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. A LOT OF EDUCATION, UH, FOCUS, AND, UH, AND, UM, AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. UM, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAME FROM THIS TEAM THIS YEAR THAT ARE NEW, WERE THE ELEVATE 28 WEBSITE. UH, WE HAVE, UH, TAKEN OUR INTRANET, UH, PAGE INTERNALLY AND ADDED A LOT OF RESOURCES TO THAT. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY I MENTIONED THE NEWSLETTER, UM, THAT, THAT WE'RE, THAT WE'RE DOING INTERNALLY AS WELL. SO, UH, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE AND IMPROVING OUR COMMUNICATIONS, UH, WORK AND, UH, CONTINUING TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS AND, UH, AND WHAT WE DO IT, HOW WE DO IT, AND WHY WE DO IT. UH, UH, WE, WE REALLY DO, UH, FOCUS ON CAREER CORE SERVICES THAT THAT, THAT WE'RE PROUD OF. UM, BUT WE DO HAVE CHALLENGES. UH, LIKE EVERY DEPARTMENT, UH, THERE ARE, UH, THERE ARE, UM, UH, AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO WORK ON, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, THE COST OF GOODS AND SERVICES CONTINUE TO INCREASE. UH, WE CANNOT PREDICT THE WEATHER, WEATHER EVENTS. YOU KNOW, WE WENT FROM PERIODS OF DROUGHT TO PERIODS OF MAJOR RAINS, AND THAT HAD SOME MAJOR IMPACTS THAT, THAT WE HAD TO ADJUST TO. SO, UH, WE ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, THOSE, THOSE CHALLENGES. UM, WE CONTINUE TO SEE, UM, STATE MANDATES, UNFUNDED STATE MANDATES THAT WE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS, UH, AND THEN OUR UNFUNDED LIABILITIES, THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING WE NEED TO REPAIR EVERY STREET, EVERY SIDEWALK, UM, UH, EVERY POTHOLE, UM, EVERY STORM DRAIN SYSTEM, UH, IT EXCEEDS THE ACTUAL AVAILABLE FUNDING, BUT, UH, YOUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAMS DOES, DOES ITS BEST, UH, TO DO WHAT WE CAN WITH THE, WITH THE FUNDING, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT WE'RE INVESTING MORE, UH, TODAY IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE THAN WE EVER HAVE, AND WE'RE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THOSE RESOURCES AND THAT OPPORTUNITY. UM, SO THE OPPORTUNITY REALLY IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN. UM, YOU KNOW, TAKING IN MORE SOME OF THIS WORK IN-HOUSE AND DOING IT, UH, MORE EFFICIENTLY, MORE COST EFFECTIVELY, UM, AT LEAST FOR SOME OF THE, UH, SMALLER, UH, WORK AREAS. UM, AND, YOU KNOW, WE CONTINUE TO, UH, TO GROW, UH, THE DEPARTMENT AND, AND RESPOND TO SOME OF THE NEEDS OUT THERE. AGAIN, KNOWING THAT THERE'S A LOT, UH, A LOT OF NEEDS, UH, THROUGH, THROUGH THROUGHOUT THE CITY, I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT OUR, UH, FY 25 PROPOSED BUDGET DOESN'T HAVE ANY NEGATIVE IMPACT TO THE GENERAL OR TIGHTS FUNDS. UH, FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, WE SUBMIT A BUDGET THAT IS, UH, THAT DOESN'T, UH, PUT ANY ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE GENERAL FUND AND TITLELESS FUNDS. UH, SOMETIMES WE INCREASE REVENUE, SOMETIMES WE COVER FEES. UH, SOMETIMES WE, UH, WE RESTRUCTURE OUR EXISTING BUDGET IN ORDER TO BE, TO BE ABLE TO FUND THE, UH, THE, UH, RECOMMENDED ENHANCEMENTS. SO, UH, WITH THAT, UH, WE CONCLUDE THE PRESENTATION. ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. UH, LIKE I SAID ON THE, ON THE LAST ONE, SORRY. YEAH, HE'S, UH, ROBERTO SAID, UH, TAKE A BREATH. HE ALSO REMINDED THE FIRE CHIEF THAT HE'S BACK IN CASE HE WANTS TO WISH HIM HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUT, UH, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT PRESENTATION, JUST, YOU'RE DOING AN INCREDIBLE JOB. YOUR ENTIRE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM. IT WAS, IT WASN'T, IT WAS A YEAR AGO, UH, WHERE WE COULDN'T GET THE REF THE TRASH COLLECTED BECAUSE WE HAD, YOU KNOW, 17 GUYS DOING, YOU KNOW, THE WORK OF A WHOLE DEPARTMENT AND REFUGE REFUSE AND TO, TO TODAY TO BE ABLE TO SAY, YEAH, WE'RE FULLY STAFFED. YEAH, WE JUST PROMOTED A COUPLE GUYS. BUT, BUT THAT'S TWO PEOPLE. THAT'S AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK, UM, THAT YOU'VE DONE TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT LIKE THE CULTURE AND ALL OF THAT IS THERE AND WE ALL WORK TOGETHER ON THAT. BUT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN OUR PHONE CALLS AND WE GET PHONE CALLS THAT ARE TRASH WASN'T COLLECTED ON TIME, OR THE STREETS AREN'T SWEPT ON TIME. SO, UH, THE RESIDENTS REALLY, REALLY APPRECIATE THE QUALITY SERVICE WOULD ALSO SAY, LIKE, I'M SEEING A LOT HAPPENING ALL ACROSS THE CITY. UH, EVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT I'M SEEING SLURRY, SEALS, POTHOLES, MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS, AND IT LET'S NOT, YOU KNOW, SNEEZE ABOUT LIKE WHAT'S HAPPENING. YOU'RE, YOU'RE MANAGING THE BIGGEST INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY WITH ELEVATE 28. AND THE COOLEST THING ABOUT IT IS THE WAY YOU'RE COMMUNICATING ABOUT IT. WHEN FOLKS ASK A QUESTION, HEY, WHAT, WHEN'S MY GET STREET GETTING PAVED? OR HEY, YOU KNOW, ARE YOU JUST FOCUSING ON DOWNTOWN? YOU FOCUSED ACROSS THE WHOLE CITY? OH, JUST DON'T DO POTHOLE PAVED STREETS TOO. I CAN POINT IN ONE PLACE. YEAH, WE'RE ON TOP OF THAT. TAKE A LOOK RIGHT HERE. ELEVATE 20 EIGHT.COM, LB ELEVATE 20 EIGHT.COM. I DO IT ALL THE TIME. AND THEN THEY GO, AND THEN THE TONE HAS CHANGED AND THEN THE CONVERSATION AFTERWARD IS ABOUT DETAILS NOW. AND NOT THAT WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING, THEY ACKNOWLEDGE HOW MUCH WE'RE DOING AND THE ORDER IN WHICH WE'RE DOING IT. AND, AND, AND IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE. SO GOOD [03:45:01] WORK. WE'LL HOLD THE QUESTIONS TO THE END. UM, TOM, WHO'S NEXT? ALL RIGHT, OUR FOURTH AND FINAL WILL BE PARKS AND REC. UH, THAT'LL BE LED BY OUR DIRECTOR, UM, UH, BRENT DENNIS, AND IT'S PARK RECS AND MARINES. AND, AND HE LIKES TO ADD ANIMAL CARE IN THERE AS WELL. SO I'LL BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH THOSE. I KNOW THESE ARE LONG, UH, BUT THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CAN TELL THE DEPARTMENTS ARE PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THEY DO, AND THEY LIKE TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN ALL THIS. SO I'LL TURN IT TO BRENT. THANK YOU, TOM. SO I HAVE TO START BY SAYING WOOHOO FOR WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. SO GREAT MOMENT TONIGHT. SO THANK YOU COUNCIL FOR THAT SUPPORT. UM, AND I WANNA THANK JANICE MCN. SHE'S BEEN AT OUR SIDE HELPING CRAFT OUR PRESENTATION TONIGHT, AND SHE KNOWS ALL THE NUMBERS FOR AND SOME BACKWARDS, SO THANK YOU THAT, SO, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO PRESENT TO YOU THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, MARINE AND ANIMAL CARE SERVICES 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET. WE'RE HAPPY TO PRESENT WITH OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERS TONIGHT AS WE DO BELIEVE PARKS RECREATION MARINE IS ALSO A PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY CONTINUUM, AND AS OUR TEAM WORKS TIRELESSLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HELP WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO DIVISION, TO DEVELOP NEW VISIONS OF THEIR PARKS, UH, WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO WORK CLOSELY WITH PUBLIC WORKS AS THEY BUILD THOSE DREAMS. BEFORE I JUMP INTO THE NEXT SLIDE, UH, I'D LIKE TO PAUSE AND TALK ABOUT THE COVER SLIDE. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE IMAGERY THAT ACTUALLY KICKS OFF EVERY DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, I THINK IT'S VERY INDIC INDICATIVE OF WHY WE'RE SO PROUD OF THE THINGS WE OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY. EACH OF THESE PICTURES REPRESENT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, OUR DEPARTMENT PARKS RECREATION MARINE IS OFTEN THE PORTAL INTO THIS CITY FOR OUR RESIDENTS, AND AS MANY TIMES THE FIRST ENCOUNTER PEOPLE HAVE WITH THE CITY, THINGS LIKE SPORTS, PLAYGROUNDS, BEACHES, AND MARINAS THAT YOU SEE HERE ARE JUST A FEW OPPORTUNITIES THAT OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS EXPERIENCE IN OUR CITY. I'M PROUD TO SEE PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE REPRESENTED HERE AT THE FOREFRONT OF EACH BUS BUDGET PRESENTATION. OUR DEPARTMENT'S FOCUSED ON IMPLEMENTING OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH PRIORITIZES PARK EQUITY COMMUNITY IDENTIFIED GOALS, VALUES, AND ACTIONS TO, TO GUIDE OPERATIONAL AND BUDGETING DECISIONS FOR OUR DEPARTMENT. WE'RE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A VIBRANT PARK SYSTEM WHERE EVERYONE IS WELCOME AND CAN THRIVE. OUR DEDICATION IS FURTHER REINFORCED BY OUR STEWARDSHIP OF ALL OF OUR 166 PARKS, DOZENS OF FACILITIES, NEARLY EIGHT MILES OF BEACHES, AND HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF OPEN SPACE. WE PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE PET OWNERSHIP AND THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE COUNCIL SUPPORTED COMPASSION SAVES MODEL. WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE LARGEST MUNICIPALLY RUN MARINA SYSTEM IN THE NATION. WE MAKE SURE OUR MARINE FACILITIES AND WATERWAYS ARE WELL MANAGED AND MAINTAINED FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF OUR LOCAL RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL BOATING COMMUNITY. LASTLY, DEVELOPING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS BRING EVEN GREATER BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR OUR LONG BEACH RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO OUR CITY. NEXT, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT MANY OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. IN 2024, WE INTRODUCED DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS AT DEFOREST AND VETERANS PARKS TO ADDRESS A MAJOR UNMET RECREATIONAL NEED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. THE NEW COURTS HAVE INTRODUCED SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE ACTIVATION OF THESE PARKS AND SPAWNED OTHER REALLY FUN IMPROVEMENTS. THERE WAS THE SUCCESSFUL OPENING OF BEACHFRONT CONCESSION STANDS, INCLUDING GAUCHO BEACH AT THE SHORELINE, LOUISIANA, CHARLIE'S AT MOTHER'S BEACH AND GRILL 'EM ALL AT BAY SHORE. MONTY'S WILL BE OPENING SOON AT GRANADA BEACH, THE EL DORADO DUCK POND AND THE SURROUNDING RECREATIONAL AREA WAS REOPENED, WHICH AMONG OTHER BENEFITS WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE CITY'S WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS. BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS WERE COMPLETED IN ALL NINE COUNCIL DISTRICTS JUST AS CHAVEZ RECREATION, SOMERSET JACKSON, AND R RAMONA PARKS, JUST TO NAME A FEW. THESE PROJECTS WERE PROUDLY DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADERSHIP. LONG BEACH PROJECTS INCLUDED LANDSCAPING, TREE PLANTINGS AND WATER CONSERVATION ENHANCEMENTS. SECURITY CAMERAS THAT WERE INSTALLED IN PARK AND BEACHFRONT LOCATIONS OF HIGH LEVELS OF VANDALISM, THEFT AND GRAFFITI HAVE HELPED DECREASE CALLS FOR SERVICE AND THE COSTS FOR REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS OF VALUABLE CITY ASSETS. THE CITY WAS ALSO AWARDED $2 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE RIVERS AND MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY FOR THE 51ST STREET GREENBELT, SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS TO ADD OPEN SPACE OPPORTUNITIES TO THAT COMMUNITY. ALSO IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE ONGOING [03:50:01] DEVELOPMENT OF DAVENPORT PARK, WHICH WILL BE DOUBLING ITS AREA IN SIZE. VISION PLANS FOR SHEAR PARK AND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARK WERE COMPLETED AND PRESENTED TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO PRESENTING THESE PLANS TO CITY COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR. THESE PLANS ARE DONE WITH EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WHICH IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF BUILDING A PARK SYSTEM THAT TRULY MEETS THE NEEDS OF OUR RESIDENTS WHILE KNITTING TOGETHER NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS OUR CITY. OUR DEPARTMENT WORK TO ESTABLISH PARTNERSHIPS TO LEVERAGE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING AND PROGRAMS. SILVERADO SKATE PARK WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE WHERE PARTNERING WITH THE ASK FOUNDATION HAS BROUGHT TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT VERY POPULAR SKATE PARK. ANOTHER VALUABLE PARTNERSHIP IS WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE LONG BEACH ANIMALS. THEY'VE STEPPED FORWARD TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR OUR FOSTER PROGRAM. ANIMAL CARE SERVICES HAS HAD A VERY BUSY YEAR. THEY WERE OVER 30, THERE WERE OVER 30 OFFSITE EVENTS TO PROVIDE PET ADOPTION OPPORTUNITIES, AND I'M PLEASED THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL HAVE WELCOMED BACK OUR MONTHLY PET ADOPTION PRESENTATIONS, WHICH HAVE STILL RESULTED IN 100% PLACEMENT OF THESE PETS INTO LOVING FOREVER HOMES. WITH THE SAME GOAL IN MIND, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES DEVELOPED A COMPREHENSIVE KITTEN FOSTER PROGRAM RESULTING IN THE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION OF EARLY 900 UNDERAGE KITTENS INTO FOSTER HOMES. I WANNA SHARE OUR HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO THIS COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER FOR YOUR TRUST IN OUR DEPARTMENT WITH CRITICAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS. THIS FINAL ACCOMPLISHMENT SLIDE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THIS PRESENTATION, AND I'D LIKE TO SPEND JUST A MINUTE OR TWO ON THEIR IMPORTANCE. OVER THE PAST YEARS, WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, WHICH HAVE ENABLED US TO SUCCESSFULLY PROVIDE GREEN, CLEAN, AND SAFE SPACES AND QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ACROSS THE CITY, ALIGNED WITH THE NEEDS OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY. OUR PARKS ARE GREEN AND WELCOMING DUE TO INVESTMENTS IN WATER FOR IRRIGATION AND LANDSCAPING SERVICES. INVESTMENTS TO KEEP OUR SPACES CLEAN INCLUDE USING ONE-TIME RESOURCES TO COMPLETE OVER 720 HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS. THE PARK AMBASSADORS CELEBRATED ONE YEAR OF ITS SUCCESSFUL PILOT PROGRAM TO LOCK ALL PARK RESTROOM DOORS AT NIGHT, RESULTING IN REDUCED VANDALISM TO OUR RESTROOMS. THE PARK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO PROMOTE CLEAN AND SAFE PARK RESTROOMS BY ADDING A TEAM TO SECURE MANY PARK GATES AND RESTROOMS NIGHTLY MAKE OBSERVATIONS REGARDING OVERALL PARK ETIQUETTE AND ENCAMPMENT ACTIVITY, THE PRESENCE OF GRAFFITI AND THE NEED FOR IMPORTANT FACILITY REPAIRS. SIMILARLY, ENHANCED BEACHFRONT RESTROOM DOORS HAVE REDUCED UNAUTHORIZED AFTER HOURS ACCESS SECURED RESTROOMS DO REDUCE THE COST OF VANDALISM. SAFETY IS A PRIORITY. INVESTMENTS HAVE ALLOWED US TO ENHANCE SAFETY THROUGHOUT OUR PARK MAINTENANCE INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE TRIMMING OF 2000 TREES TO IMPROVE SAFETY WITHIN THE PARK SYSTEM. WE INCREASE SPAY AND NEUTER EFFORTS AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES UTILIZING ONE-TIME FUNDS, AND THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS SUCH AS CAMP. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT 93% OF OUTSTANDING HOME FIRST ADOPTIONS DURING COVID ARE NOW IN COMPLIANCE IN FISCAL YEAR 25. WERE PLEASED WITH THE PROPOSED INVESTMENTS SUCH AS ONE-TIME FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUATION OF A SIX WEEK SUMMER SEASON OF THE MUNICIPAL BAND. THIS PROGRAM IS SO MUCH FUN FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GATHER AND ACTIVATE OUR PARKS. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR OUR 116TH SEASON NEXT SUMMER. ALSO PROPOSED OUR VARIOUS STRATEGIC ALIGNMENTS FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT TO THE BE SAFE PROGRAM AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMMING AND OUR ESSENTIAL SENIOR PROGRAMMING. I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES ENHANCEMENTS TO CONTINUE A SEVEN YEAR CYCLE OF TREE TRIMMING WITH 2025 BEING YEAR NUMBER THREE, WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE CITY'S URBAN FOREST. OUR PROPOSED, ALSO PROPOSED IS INCREASED FUNDING FOR PARK IRRIGATION DUE TO CITY WATER RATE INCREASES THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE WATERING AT CURRENT LEVELS TO KEEP OUR PARKS GREEN. ALSO INCLUDED IS FUNDING TO SUPPORT COST INCREASES FOR OTHER UTILITIES AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, SUCH AS LANDSCAPE AND JANITORIAL MAINTENANCE. THESE INVESTMENTS ALIGN WITH OUR [03:55:01] STRATEGIC PLAN AND ARE A CRITICAL PART OF PROVIDING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE QUALITY PUBLIC SPACES. ANOTHER AREA RECEIVING MUCH NEEDED INVESTMENT IS IN ANIMAL CARE SERVICES INVESTMENTS HELP TO ENSURE LAC SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENTS COMPASSION SAVES BY SUPPORTING THE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS OF THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES, WHILE PROTECTING SHELTER ANIMALS AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF CARE. THROUGH ENRICHMENT AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES WILL UPGRADE A PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATE POSITION TO ENHANCE THE ADOPTION PROGRAM. THIS UPGRADE WILL BRING THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATE TWO POSITIONS TO FIVE FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS. ANIMAL CARE SERVICES IS WORKING WITH THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO RECLASSIFY POSITIONS FOR BETTER ALIGNMENT TO ANIMAL CARE DUTIES, WHICH IMPROVES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. ANIMAL CARE SERVICES WILL RECEIVE A STRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENT OF $100,000 TO PROVIDE FOOD FOR PETS AT OUR SHELTER AND THE TIDELANDS AREA. THE PROPOSED BUDGET ADDS TWO DEDICATED MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT POSITIONS AND EQUIPMENT TO SUPPORT HOMELESS RESPONSE SERVICES. ON THE BEACH FRONT, WE'RE ALSO ADDING A BEACH CLEANING SURF RAKE AND AN EQUIPMENT OPERATOR TWO POSITION TO AID IN THE REMOVAL OF DEBRIS FROM THE BEACH WATERLINE. THIS ENHANCEMENT ALLOWS FOR CLEANING OF THE WATER WATERLINE MORE FREQUENTLY. BEACH VISITORS TO THE DOG BEACH AND THE JUNIOR LIFEGUARD AREA WILL EXPERIENCE CLEANER WATER AND BEACHES BECAUSE OF THIS INVESTMENT. ANOTHER EXCITING ENHANCEMENT IS ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF 67 SOLAR POWERED HOLIDAY TREES AND THE NECESSARY STORAGE FACILITY. THIS REPLACES THE CURRENT TREES IN THE BAY, DEPLOYED DURING THE HOLIDAYS WITH GREEN SOLAR POWERED TREES, HELPING THE OPERATION ADDRESS SU SUSTAINABILITY GOALS. AND I WANT TO GIVE A REALLY GREAT SHOUT OUT TO OUR MARINE TEAM FOR THIS GREAT INNOVATION. LASTLY, BUT STILL VERY IMPACTFUL FUNDS FOR THE FINAL PHASE OF RESTROOM. DOOR REPLACEMENTS IN QUEENSWAY BAY WILL REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF VANDALISM AND ENHANCE THE CLEANLINESS AND USABILITY OF THESE HIGH USE RESTROOMS. EVEN WITH THE MANY PROPOSED STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THERE ARE STILL CHALLENGES. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ARE NEEDED AT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING NUMBER OF ANIMALS EACH YEAR NEEDING MEDICAL CARE. THERE WERE AN ESTIMATED 6,000 ANIMALS BROUGHT INTO THE SHELTER, OF WHICH 60% NEEDED MEDICAL CARE IN 2023. INTAKE CONTINUES TO GROW IN 2024. IT IS A CHALLENGE TO PROVIDE EVERY ANIMAL WITH DAILY CARE AND ENRICHMENT ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH COMPASSION SAVES, BUT ONE THAT THE DEPARTMENT AND OUR VOLUNTEERS WORK TIRELESSLY TO ADDRESS. WE COLLABORATE WITH OUR PARTNERS TO ADDRESS SAFETY, HEALTH, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS RELATED TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR PARKS. BUT THE IMPACTS OF DIVERTING STAFF TO THIS ACTIVITY DOES PROVE TO BE SIGNIFICANT. SIMILARLY, VANDALISM CAUSES DISRUPTION OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, AND IT IS COSTLY TO REPAIR AND REPLACE PUBLIC AMENITIES WITH RISING COSTS FOR EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS, AND SERVICES. THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR FACILITIES AND GROUNDS REQUIRES US TO PRIORITIZE OUR RESOURCES. CLIMATE RELATED IMPACTS, SUCH AS WINTER STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL IS ALSO A TIME CONSUMING AND COSTLY PROCESS. THIS YEAR WE COLLECTED NEARLY 2000 TONS OF STORM DEBRIS FROM WATERWAYS AND BEACHFRONT VIA THE LA RIVER. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HAVING GOOD WATER QUALITY AND CLEAN BEACHES IN LONG BEACH. ANOTHER CHALLENGE IS THE ENDING OF SUCCESSFUL LIBRA FUNDED PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR TEEN ACADEMY AND VIRTUAL RECREATION AND SERVICES SUCH AS HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT CLEANUPS. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE ENHANCED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITH THOSE LIBRA FUNDS. THE DEPARTMENT DOES HAVE DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE DUE TO AGE AND DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. AS YOU MAY KNOW, EACH YEAR, THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED. THE PROBLEM ONLY WORSENS. WE WORK TO LIMIT DAMAGE TO OUR FACILITIES BEFORE AND AFTER STORMS AND MITIGATE WATER WASTE THROUGH NEW IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY. THERE'S LIMITED OPEN SPACE FOR NEW PARK ACQUISITION OR EXPANSION IN IMPACTED NEIGHBORHOODS. WE MUST BE CREATIVE PLANNERS TO RE-ENVISION OUR PARKS AND OPEN SPACES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. HENCE, THE VICTORY TONIGHT [04:00:01] WITH THE DEDICATION OF WILLOW SPRINGS PARK. LASTLY, WE HAVE TO BALANCE REVENUE GROWTH AND PROGRAM SUBSIDIES WHILE MAINTAINING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. THIS CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DO AS THE COST CONTINUES TO RISE, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING GOOD STEWARDS WITH THE RESOURCES WE ARE TRUSTED WITH. WITH CHALLENGES DO COME, OPPORTUNITIES THE DEPARTMENT SEES OPPORTUNITIES IN ADVANCING POSITIVE PARK ACTIVATION, AND WITH FUTURE FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS SUCH AS FRIENDS GROUPS AND PARTNERS OF PARKS HELP US ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE QUITE OFTEN CAN'T DO ON OUR OWN. COLLABORATIONS WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND REGIONAL COMMITTEES CONNECT US TO MANY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES. WE'VE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES TO CONNECT NEIGHBORHOODS TO FUTURE PARK OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE HAMILTON LOOP AND THE 51ST STREET. GREENBELT GRANTS AND LEGISLATIVE EARMARKS ARE STARTING TO MOVE MANY PROJECTS FORWARD. WE'RE EXCITED TO PUT THESE EARMARKS TO GOOD USE AT PLACES LIKE BIXBY PARK, HARTWELL PARK, AND MARTIN LUTHER, LUTHER KING, JR PARK. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STRATEGIC PLANS, MASTER PLANS, AND VISION PLANS RECENTLY COMPLETED. AND WE'RE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD FOR A NEW YOUTH CENTER, AND ALSO PLANS FOR A NEW SENIOR CENTER DOWNTOWN. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE PLANS PROVIDES US WITH COMMUNITY INPUT AND OUR USEFUL TOOLS TO CONSIDER HOW PUBLIC SPACES CAN BEST MEET THE NEEDS OF A NEIGHBORHOOD. WE SHARE IN YOUR EXCITEMENT ABOUT 2028 OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS, ELEVATE 28 AND GOLD MEDAL PARK PROJECTS WILL BE TOTALING OVER $100 MILLION OF INVESTMENT AND WILL PROVIDE GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE TO SHOW OFF OUR BEAUTIFUL ASSETS. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED INVESTMENTS IN PARKS, RECREATION, MARINE AND ANIMAL CARE SERVICES. YOUR SUPPORT HELPS US MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR CITY, OUR DEDICATED TEAM. AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. AND THIS CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. ALRIGHT, UH, WELL THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON JUST ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. I WILL SAY, I WILL SAY, UH, PEOPLE FORGET HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY IN, UH, UH, PRM, RIGHT? LIKE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BEACH MAINTENANCE, THAT'S A BIG JOB. AND THE ADDITION OF THE RAKE, THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE RAKE, HUGE. WE, WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT JUST THE NEED TO CONTINUE TO CLEAN OUR BEACHES AND OUR WATERWAYS. AND, UM, AND I SEE YOU PROBABLY MORE THAN MOST DEPARTMENT HEADS BECAUSE YOU'RE IN THE COMMUNITY DOING CUTTING RIBBONS, CHECKING IN AT PARKS, ALL THAT WORK. SO IT HAS TO BE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A HEART FOR COMMUNITY TO SERVE, SERVING YOUR POSITION. SO, UH, THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU, UH, UH, PRM EMPLOYEES, YOUR ENTIRE TEAM. SO, TOM, IS THAT IT? THAT'S IT FOR TONIGHT. SO WE'VE, UH, WE'LL BRING ALL THREE, ALL FOUR OF 'EM BACK, AND THEY'LL HAVE THEIR, UH, BUDGET STAFF AS WELL. AND, AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH AND ANSWER QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT. SO THEY'RE GONNA GET SET UP, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS WHILE THEY'RE BRINGING IN CHAIRS, AND I DON'T WANNA BE, I, YOU KNOW, JUST SAYING WE, THERE ARE SOME EXTRA SEATS, SO WE DON'T NEED THAT MANY CLERKS RIGHT NOW. IF YOU NEED SOME EXTRA SEATS, YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE'S GOOD THROUGH THE END OF THE DISCUSSION, BUT, UH, GO AHEAD AND QUEUE UP NOW. COUNCIL MEMBERS, IF YOU HAVE COMMENT. I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING. IT IS JUST ME. NO, WE'RE JUST TIRED. . I KNOW IT'S, THIS IS BUDGET SEASON. I KNOW JONI FIRST. ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA GO TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK ODE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KER. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR WAS LIKE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK ODE IS FIRST TAG. I MEANT, UH, WELL SINCE, UM, OUR WONDERFUL PARKS RECREATION AND MARINE DIRECTOR DID SUCH AN ANIMAL CARE SERVICES DIRECTOR DID SUCH A GREAT JOB. WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA LET HIM BE IN, WE'RE GONNA LET HIM GO FIRST. NOBODY, YOU, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO IN MY ORDER. I'M JUST GONNA, I'M GONNA GO ON DOWN THE LINE HERE. UM, SO A COUPLE OF THINGS. SO ONE IS, UM, I DO REALLY WANNA DO, UM, CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE PARK AMBASSADOR'S PROGRAM. THAT PILOT, I THINK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL. UM, AND I ACTUALLY, I, I, I MEAN, I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE, THE PILOT PROGRAMS THAT WE CAN REALLY POINT TO IN THE LAST YEAR, UM, THAT WE CAN, LIKE OUR RESIDENTS TANGIBLY SEE, UM, THE IMPACTS. AND WE'RE HEARING IT AT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS UP IN THE NINTH DISTRICT FROM OUR, OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. PEOPLE ARE USING OUR PARKS. SO, UM, KUDOS TO THAT TEAM AND YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THINKING, I THINK IN COMING UP WITH THAT. YEAH, THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN. WE HAVE A REALLY HARDWORKING, DEDICATED TEAM OF 10 THAT ARE OUT ACROSS THE CITY FROM ABOUT 3:00 PM [04:05:01] TILL MIDNIGHT AND DOING REALLY GREAT WORK. SO THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION. UM, AND THEN A COUPLE OF THINGS I HAD A QUESTIONS ON JUST FROM THE BUDGET BOOK. UM, AND SO ONE WAS, I WAS REALLY INTERESTED. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WE HAD BEEN DOING VIRTUAL RECREATION PROGRAMS ON YOUTUBE. UM, SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY INTERESTING AND I WAS JUST WONDERING LIKE, WHO IS KIND OF THE TARGET AUDIENCE FOR THOSE YOUTUBE VIDEOS? YEAH, WE, THOSE WERE BIRTHED, UH, DURING COVID AND I KNOW I DID A LOT OF, UH, KIDS, KIDS ORIENTED PROGRAMMING, BUT WE ALSO FOUND THAT OUR SENIORS ACTUALLY WARMED UP TO ALMOST EVERYTHING WE DID THAT WERE ARTS AND CRAFT ORIENTED. UH, JUST ACTUALLY READING, YOU KNOW, THE NEWS OF THE DAY OR STORYBOOKS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. UH, BUT YEAH, IT WAS QUITE INTERESTING WHEN PEOPLE WERE KIND OF LOCKED AWAY FOR COVID THAT THE VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING REALLY CONNECTED WITH THE WHOLE DEMOGRAPHIC OF LONG BEACH. LOVE IT. ARE WE STILL CONTINUING TO DO THOSE? YEAH, I JUST, I JUST DID ONE THE OTHER DAY, IT SEEMS. SO THEY, THEY TRY TO MAINTAIN, I GUESS, A VIRTUAL LIBRARY. OKAY, NICE. UM, IT'S A LOT OF FUN. UH, A PLUG FROM SOME OF MY, MY, MY GEN Z UH, UM, CONSTITUENTS WAS, UH, IF YOU ALL WOULD CONSIDER THE PLATFORM OF TIKTOK, UH, TO PUT SOME OF THESE ON. SO, SO NOTED , SO NOTED. UH, I MEAN, I LOOK, I'M THE PERSON WHO, MY STAFF HAD ME DO A TIKTOK VIDEO. I NOTICED A LITTLE BY TIKTOK. I SPELLED IT WRONG. SO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S THAT. I THOUGHT I WAS BEING COOL AND HIP, NOT SO MUCH. UM, ON THAT SAME PAGE, UH, YOU MENTIONED UNDER PARTNERSHIPS AND SPONSORSHIPS, YOU SAID YOU PARTNERED WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THROUGH THE CALIFORNIA VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION CAL VIP COHORT FOUR GRANT PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED 142,500 TO OFFER ADDITIONAL BE SAFE. AND I KNOW PART OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE BEEN SEEING IN SOME OF THE, THE, OUR COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND FROM BUDGET OVERSIGHT, RIGHT, IS THINKING ABOUT THOSE, UM, LBRA FUNDS GOING AWAY AND ABOUT SOME OF OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION, UM, PROGRAMS. SO IS THAT, THAT PARTICULAR GRANT, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN APPLY FOR ANNUALLY? YEAH, I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THANKFUL FOR THE COOPERATIVE NATURE WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT WE ALSO, YOU KNOW, WANT TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE STRUCTURAL FUNDING FOR THE 11 BE SAFE SITES. THAT'S REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT ACROSS THE CITY. FANTASTIC, THANK YOU. AND THEN I HAVE LITTLE TABS HERE SO I CAN KEEP MYSELF ON. OH, SO, AND I'M SURE THERE'S A REASON FOR THIS, BUT, UM, SO UNDER THE SUMMARY OF CHANGES, YOU SAID THERE'S ONE TIME FUNDING FOR 370,000 FOR A VEHICLE TO SUPPORT THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SERVICES AND INCREASE IN THE INCREASE IN BUDGET FOR THE ONGOING OPERATION OF THAT. WHAT KIND OF VEHICLE IS THAT? YEAH, SO JUST TO HAVE EXTRA CAPACITY OUT IN THE BEACH FRONT AREA IN PARTICULAR, THAT HELPS US SET UP A CREW THAT CAN FOCUS PRIMARILY ON COLLECTING A LOT OF THE DEBRIS FROM ENCAMPMENTS ONCE THEY'RE, ONCE THEY'RE CLEARED. IS THAT A, IT'S A LARGER TRASH VEHICLE, SO NOT YOUR NORMAL STANDARD TRUCK. THESE ARE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT THAT CAN HANDLE BIGGER, BIGGER BOATS. GOTCHA. BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, I WAS LIKE, ARE YOU, ARE WE THROWING A FORD F-150 OUT THERE? I WAS LIKE, MAYBE WE NEED TO GO TO LIKE THE, UH, THE IMPOUND LOT OR SOMETHING. I WAS LIKE, THAT SEEMED LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT NOW I UNDERSTAND IT'S A SPECIALIZED VEHICLE. SO THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. UM, OKAY. I THINK THAT WAS ACTUALLY IT. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. THANK YOU. GOOD QUESTIONS. UM, MY MAN, UH, DIRECTOR LOPEZ. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO TO PUBLIC WORKS. WE, WE, WE GONNA SUSPEND THE CLOCK FOR RIGHT NOW. WE GONNA LET THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, DO THEIR THING FOR A LITTLE BIT, GET THROUGH EACH ONE SO WE DON'T HAVE TO KEEP DOING THE QUEUE UP THING. RIGHT. UM, SO I'M GONNA TRY TO, TRY TO MAYBE DOUBLE THE TIME YOU THINK THAT'S GOOD. 10 MINUTES THAT THAT'LL WORK. I'M GONNA, I'M GONNA TRY TO MOVE THROUGH AS QUICKLY AS I CAN. NO PROBLEM. WE'LL DO 10. GREAT. OKAY. UM, I APPRECIATE IT IN YOUR PRESENTATION, THE SLIDE ON HOW CAN WE DO BETTER? UM, I THINK, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE, THE CHANGES, LIKE I SAW THE, THE MOVE TO THE, THE REORGANIZE, THE, THE ORG CHART, RIGHT? LIKE REALLY THINKING STRATEGICALLY ABOUT HOW WE BEST USE OUR, UM, OUR CITY CER, YOU KNOW, OUR, OUR CITY RESOURCES, UH, TO DELIVER FOR OUR RESIDENTS. AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. UM, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I HAD FOR, UM, PUBLIC WORKS. UH, SO ONE WAS, UM, AND I KNOW WE TALK A LOT ABOUT TRAFFIC SAFETY, RIGHT? OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEERS LIKE CHALLENGES WITH THAT. UM, AND SO UNDERNEATH THE KEY MEASURES, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC SAFETY AND PARKING INVESTIGATIONS COMPLETED. AND THEN THERE WAS A SECTION IN HERE THAT TALKED ABOUT, UM, IN 2023, THE NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC TEAM OVERHAULED THE TRAFFIC CALMING PRIORITY PROGRAM TO MORE EQUITABLY RESPOND WITH TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERNS AND PRIORITIZE INVESTIGATIONS BASED ON THE NEED NEW GUIDELINES FOR PRIORITIZING CROSSWALKS. WERE ALSO ADOPTED. UM, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT THOSE NEW, UM, WHAT THAT OVERHAULING LOOKED LIKE, UM, AND HOW YOU WORKED TO STREAMLINE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS? ABSOLUTELY. UM, BUT I'M NOT A CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER, BUT I HAVE ONE ON THE STANDS AND, UH, HE TOOK THE LEAD ON THIS. I'M CALLING PAUL, UH, VAN D**E TO COME UP AND, UH, HELP EXPLAIN THIS. UM, IT IS AN [04:10:01] AREA, UH, WHERE WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK. UM, YOU KNOW, WE JUST LOST A SENIOR TRAFFIC ENGINEER TO ANOTHER COMPETITIVE CITY. UM, UH, BUT WE CONTINUE TO DO OUR WORK AND DO OUR BEST. SO, UH, PAUL, IF YOU CAN HELP ME, UH, ANSWER THAT QUESTION. THAT'D BE GREAT. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. UM, SO YEAH, TO SPEAK TO THAT QUESTION DIRECTLY, UH, YOU KNOW, I, I STARTED AT THE CITY IN 2012 AS AN INTERN. UH, AND SO I'VE SEEN, UH, WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU HAVE LONG TENURED EMPLOYEES HERE. THERE'S A LOT OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, UH, OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO, A LOT OF THOSE GREAT PEOPLE HAVE RETIRED. UH, AND SO AN ALTERNATIVE TO INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IS DOCUMENTATION. UH, AND SO, UM, WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD TO UPDATE OUR DOCUMENTATION SO THAT WHEN WE'RE ONBOARDING ALL OF THESE NEW EMPLOYEES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, UM, THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO. THEY HAVE REFERENCES. UH, AND SO WHEN IT COMES TO THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM, UM, HISTORICALLY, UH, WE WERE PRETTY REACTIVE, UH, IN A SENSE, UH, WHEN PEOPLE CALLED US ENOUGH, UH, TO ATTRACT A LOT OF ATTENTION, UM, THINGS TENDED TO MOVE A LITTLE BIT FASTER. BUT IN LIGHT OF THE RACIAL EQUITY AND RECONCILIATION INITIATIVE, WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HOW WE'RE RESPONDING TO THE PUBLIC AND DOLING OUT PUBLIC RESOURCES IS EQUITABLE AND DATA-DRIVEN. AND SO THAT TRAFFIC CALMING PRIORITY INDEX IS DRIVEN BY THREE FACTORS. HOW MANY CARS ARE ON A LOCAL STREET, HOW MANY CRASHES OCCUR ON A LOCAL STREET, HOW MANY CARS ARE SPEEDING ON A LOCAL STREET? AND WE TAKE ALL OF THOSE, UM, CATEGORIES, WE DOCUMENT THEM ANYTIME WE GET A REQUEST, AND THEN EACH QUARTER WE GO THROUGH AND WE PRIORITIZE BASED ON WHICH STREETS ARE EXPERIENCING THE MOST IN THOSE THREE CATEGORIES. SO, UM, THAT'S WHAT WE MEANT WHEN WE SAID WE OVERHAULED THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM. WE'RE TRYING TO BE MORE DATA DRIVEN, UM, BUT WE'RE ALSO PREPARING MATERIALS LIKE OUR CROSSWALK EVALUATION GUIDE TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY TO HOW WE'RE, AGAIN, UM, DEVELOPING THESE PUBLIC RESOURCES SO THAT, UM, IT'S, IT'S ABOVE BOARD. PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND OUR DECISION MAKING PROCESS, AND THERE'S FACTS AND FIGURES THAT, UH, MAKE IT MAKE SENSE. FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UM, AND THEN DIRECTOR LOPEZ, I THINK MAYBE THIS WAS JUST THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN, BUT I WAS LOOKING UNDER THE SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL MEASUREMENT ACT, AND WE WERE, I THINK WE WERE GIVING A COUPLE OF, UM, METRICS AROUND OUR DIVERSION RATE. UM, AND SO IT SAID, LONG BEACH'S BASELINE WASTE GENERATION AMOUNT IS 15.2 POUNDS OF WASTE GENERATED PER PERSON PER DAY. THE STATE DETERMINED THAT TO COMPLY WITH SB 10 16, LONG BEACH MAY NEED TO GENERATE MORE THAN 7.6 POUNDS PER DAY. AND THEN IT SAYS, LONG BEACH WAS MOST RECENTLY CERTIFIED IN 22 2 IS GENERATING 5.7. SO IS THAT SAYING THAT WE, WE NOW ARE UN WE NOW ARE BELOW WHAT WE NEED TO BE? IS THAT, WAS THAT IT WAS JUST, IT WAS, THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN WAS A LITTLE BIT AWKWARD. I'M GONNA NEED TO GET BACK TO YOU, UH, OKAY. ON THAT. AND, UH, IT COULD BE, IT COULD BE A TYPO, UH, BUT IT COULD NOT. SO, UM, LET, LET, THAT COULD BE ONE OF OUR FOLLOW UP ITEMS. OKAY, NO WORRIES. UM, AND THEN, UM, AGAIN, REORG, I THINK THE IDEA OF A DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PARTICULARLY FOR A DEPARTMENT, UM, THAT HAS AS MUCH GOING ON AND AS LARGE AS PUBLIC WORKS, UH, DEFINITELY MAKES SENSE. UM, I THINK I WAS ACTUALLY A LITTLE BIT SURPRISED. I DON'T KNOW IF I, I DON'T KNOW IF I EVER FULLY APPRECIATED THAT YOU DIDN'T HAVE ONE. I MEAN, NO ONE'S EVER IN MY BRIEFING MEETINGS, AND THEN I WAS LIKE, OH, YEAH. I WAS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW THAT HE HAD A DEPUTY DIRECTOR. SO, UM, NO. AND THEN I THINK, OH, AND THE LAST THING WAS, UM, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE BUDGET FOR A CUSTOMER SERVICE PORTAL SOFTWARE TO ASSIST WITH REFUSE OPERATIONS. WHAT WAS THAT? UH, JOSH HICKMAN, OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR. OKAY. UH, IS, UH, GONNA, UH, COME AND HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION. OKAY, JOSH. HI. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBER. UM, AS FAR AS THE, THE FIRST QUESTION THAT YOU HAD ASKED ABOUT THE, UH, THE WASTE LIMITS AND, AND THAT THE, THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES. SO WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATE. UM, THE STATE REQUIREMENTS THERE FOR THE 7.6, I BELIEVE, AND WHERE WE FALL UNDER THAT WITH A FIVE. UM, AS FAR AS THE, THE ACTUAL SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION. SO WE'RE DOING A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT, UH, ITEMS WITHIN THE REFUSE FUND WITHIN ESB. SO WE HAVE THE PROGRAM TO ROLL OUT A, UM, UH, A ROUTE OPTIMIZATION SOFTWARE. WE ALSO HAVE AN UPGRADED SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR OUR MOBILE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WHICH ALLOWS US TO DISPATCH, UH, OUT TO THE FIELD. AND WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH, UH, TI ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION UPGRADES FOR THE, FOR THE, UM, ROLLOUT OF, OF OUR COLLECTION, TRASH COLLECTION AND THE FUTURE ORGANICS COLLECTION. UNDERSTOOD. GREAT. UH, CAN I STILL KEEP GOING? MAYOR, HOW MUCH MORE YOU GOT? UH, WELL, I MEAN, IF WE WERE DOING 10 MINUTES FOR TWO, I WAS [04:15:01] LIKE, UH, I'M, I'M, I'M, I ONLY HAVE, I ACTUALLY, I ONLY HAVE TWO QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF. HE, HOW MUCH TIME YOU NEED? I DON'T KNOW. IT DEPENDS ON HOW LONG THEIR ANSWERS ARE. I'M NOT THE NUMBERS PERSON. FIVE MORE. UH, LET'S DO SEVEN. WE GONNA HAVE FIVE MORE, BECAUSE THAT SETS A STANDARD FOR EVERYBODY. AND THEN GONNA, I'M JUST GONNA CONTINUE TO IGNORE THE CLOCK, UH, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE TO THE NEXT SPEAKER. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, LET'S DO FIVE MORE. UM, SO I ACTUALLY ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ONE IS JUST A CLARIFICATION, UM, ON YOUR PRESENTATION, AND THEN JUST TWO QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT, UM, IN THE BUDGET BOOK. UH, SO THE FIRST WAS ON SLIDES, I THINK THIS IS SLIDE SIX, UM, OF THE DOCUMENT THAT WE RECEIVED UNDER THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AND SO, UM, IT SAYS THAT THE DATA THAT YOU SHOWED HERE ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME, THE HEIM CRIME FOCUSED TEAM, THE TRAFFIC SAFETY AND HOMELESS OUTREACH WAS ALL FOR THE YEAR 2023. YES, THAT'S FOR 2023. AND THEN I DID TALK ABOUT 2024 AND SOME OF THE VIOLENT CRIME THAT WE'VE BEEN ADDRESSING FOR 2024 IN THIS PART OF THE YEAR. OKAY. SO IS THE HIGH FOR THE HIGH CRIME FOCUS, BECAUSE I KNOW WE IMPLEMENTED THAT TEAM MORE RECENTLY. IS THAT DATA JUST KIND OF THE TERMINOLOGY OF HIGH CRIME FOCUS, OR IS THAT DATA SPECIFICALLY FROM THAT TEAM? NO, THE, THE HIGH CRIME FOCUS TEAM DATA IS SPECIFICALLY FOR THAT, WHICH WAS JUST, UM, UH, UH, ONBOARDED, UM, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER. OKAY. OKAY. SO I THINK THAT JUST, I JUST NEED A CLARIFICATION THERE. OKAY. SO THAT IS FOR 2024. OKAY. GREAT. UM, AND THEN, OH, I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT, SO ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE GET A LOT FROM RESIDENTS IS THE BIKE SAFETY TEAM, RIGHT? AND HOW MUCH PEOPLE LIKE THAT ENGAGEMENT, THEY LIKE SEEING THEM. SO CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LIKE HOW MANY BIKE OFFICERS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, HOW THEY'RE DEP AND HOW THEY'RE DEPLOYED, WHERE THEY'RE DEPLOYED IN THE DECISION MAKING AROUND THAT? YES, COUNCILWOMAN, SO WE HAVE SEVEN NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BIKE TEAM OFFICERS RIGHT NOW. WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT OFFICERS FOUR THAT ARE ASSIGNED TO SOUTH DIVISION THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BIKE TEAM, UM, UH, UH, PROGRAM. UH, THEY'RE NOT FULLY STAFFED. WE HAVE, UH, 16 THAT WE'RE BUDGETED FOR. SO AS SOON AS OUR STAFFING NUMBERS START TO INCREASE, WE CAN START FILLING THOSE POSITIONS WITHIN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SI SAFETY BIKE TEAM. BUT WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT CONCEPT, UM, THE SUPPORT THAT IT PROVIDES TO OFFICERS IN THE FIELD AND TO OUR COMMUNITY. UH, AND SO WHAT WE'VE DONE IS TRAINED ALL OF OUR OFFICERS, UH, NOT ALL OF OUR OFFICERS, BUT MANY OF OUR OFFICERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THAT, UH, PROVIDED BIKE TRAINING. SO THEY COULD SUPPLEMENT THE TEAM FOR AREAS AROUND PARKS AND BUSINESS CORRIDORS AND IN AND AROUND OUR LIBRARIES, UM, TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE ALSO USE THEM AS A MECHANISM TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR PUBLIC AFTER CRITICAL INCIDENTS WITHIN OUR, OUR CITY AS WELL. SO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THAT TEAM IS SITUATION SPECIFIC. SO WE LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE CITY, UH, MAKE A DETERMINATION ON, ON HOW WE COULD DEPLOY THOSE RESOURCES AND, UH, DEPLOY THEM APPROPRIATELY. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. CHIEF BUCHANAN. SEE, LOOK, I'M MOVING. I'M MOVING ALONG HERE. UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH, UH, FOR YOUR FANTASTIC PRESENTATION. SO I ALSO HAD A, I THINK A POINT OF CLARIFICATION FROM YOUR PRESENTATION AS WELL. SO GIVE ME OH, YEAH. SO IN YOUR, UM, IN YOUR PRESENTATION, UM, BECAUSE I KNOW ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, RIGHT? IS THE FACT THAT AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK THAT YOU ALL DO IS UNDER, UM, THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, RIGHT? UM, AND SO IN THE PRESENTATION YOU GAVE, THE METRIC YOU GAVE WAS THAT 75% OF THE CALLS THAT FIRE GETS RIGHT NOW ARE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, BUT I THINK IN THE BUDGET BOOK ON PAGE 360 4, IT SAID 84, 80 5%. IS IT THE 70? DO YOU KNOW IF IT'S, I WAS, YOU MAY NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS RIGHT NOW, BUT I WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS THE 75 OR THE 84. YEAH, SO THE BUDGET BOOK THAT EXCLUDED OUR MARINE SAFETY INCIDENTS, SO CALLS FOR SERVICE, AND WHEN WE INCLUDE MARINE SAFETY CALLS, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET THE 84,000 CALLS. AND SEVEN 5% OF THE 85, 70 5% OF THE 84,000 CALLS WE RESPOND TO ARE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CALLS. GOTCHA. SO I ALWAYS REMIND PEOPLE THAT HIGH SCHOOL MATH, THAT DENOMINATOR MATTERS. UM, SO, UH, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I KIND OF HAD, AND I THINK WE, I THINK THE MAYOR ALSO MENTIONED THIS, AND YOU MENTIONED THIS IN YOUR PRESENTATION, RIGHT, IS THE IDEA THAT WE HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE AROUND LIKE OUR SERVICE DELIVERY METHOD, RIGHT? AND SO RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE PRESENTED THIS KIND OF LIKE 12 HOUR PEAK LOAD, LIKE MULTI-DAY, A WEEK STRUCTURE. UM, AND SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA TRY THAT OUT FOR I THINK, FOR A LITTLE BIT LONGER TO SEE HOW, HOW WELL THAT, UM, IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY. BUT IN YOUR MIND, ARE THERE OTHER POTENTIAL MECHANISMS ARE OTHER POTENTIAL SERVICE DELIVERY MODELS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT AS A CITY? ABSOLUTELY. WE SHOULD ALWAYS BE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT DELIVERY MODELS. UM, AND ONE OF 'EM IS BASICALLY ENHANCING OUR, UM, PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENT UNIT ENGINES. OKAY. SO THAT IS AN, UH, THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, DO A PILOT STUDY. UH, I'M, I'M LOOKING AT THAT AND SEE HOW [04:20:01] MUCH THAT'S GONNA COST, UH, FOR A SIX MONTH TO MAYBE A NINE MONTH PERIOD IN FISCAL YEAR 25, AND SEE, UH, IF WE COULD PROVIDE ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT TO SOME OF OUR, UM, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THEN RELEASE THE PARAMEDIC RESCUE IF THEY DON'T NEED TO BE TRANSPORTED. BUT THE PEAK LOW UNIT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. THAT IS A OUTSTANDING, UM, PROGRAM. IT'S IN, AS YOU SEE, UH, IT'S REDUCED RESPONSE TIMES, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT HAS REDUCED SIGNIFICANTLY AROUND 70% OF OUR TIMES EVER WERE OUT OF UNITS. UH, WE DON'T WANT TO DEPEND ON AUTOMATIC AID AND HAVE, UH, AMBULANCES COMING FROM LOS ANGELES COUNTY, ORANGE COUNTY COMING TO THE CITY, THAT'S A LONG RESPONSE TIME. SO THAT PEAK LOW UNIT MAY HAS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT SPECIFICALLY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU. AND THEN FOR THE, YOU CALLED IT THE PARAMEDIC ASSESSMENT UNIT. OKAY. UM, HOW MUCH, IF WE WERE TO, AND LIKE I SAID, YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS, BUT IF WE WERE TO CONSIDER THAT AS A PILOT, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW MUCH WE MIGHT NEED TO BUDGET FOR THAT? UM, WELL, I PLAN TO PUT MAYBE THREE TO FIVE ADDITIONAL PAE UNITS. UH, THE TEAM WILL LOOK AT THAT, BUT YOU'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AROUND A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS. OKAY. TOTAL FOR STUDY PER, PER UNIT? NO, TOTAL FOR SIX MONTH STUDY, UH, SIX MONTH PILOT STUDY ON THAT. GOTCHA. OKAY. UM, AND THEN LAST COUPLE, UM, AND THIS MIGHT BE FOR, THIS ONE ACTUALLY MIGHT A LITTLE BIT MORE FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, BUT UNDER ON PAGE 360 9, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, UH, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING PACKS AND IT SAID THE POLICE AND FIRE PUBLIC SAFETY COMING, THE OIL PRODUCTION ACT. UM, AND I NOTICED THAT THE, THERE FOR THE PROJECTED FOR THE BUDGET, THERE WAS $0 OF REVENUE FOR THE FOR THE YEAR. IS THAT BECAUSE OF THAT WE'RE JUST NOT EXPECTING IT BASED ON THE COST, LIKE BARREL COSTS OR TAX? IS THERE A REASON WHY THAT WAS ZERO OR THAT WAS JUST A DASH, BASICALLY? SO KEVIN W RIPPER MIGHT KNOW THIS, BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S PART OF OUR OIL TRANSITION STRATEGY, UM, AS WE COME OFF OF OIL. SO, UM, BUT WE CAN ALSO, UH, FOLLOW UP ON THAT ONE TOO. OKAY. AND THEN LAST TWO QUESTIONS. UM, SO ONE WAS UNDER THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUREAU, UM, I NOTICED THAT FOR THE REVENUES FOR THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUREAU, AND THIS MIGHT BE 'CAUSE YOU DID, UM, A RESTRUCTURING, UH, CHIEF BUCHANAN, BUT I NOTICED THAT THE ADJUSTED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 TO FISCAL VISCO 25, WE HAD LIKE A DRAMATIC INCREASE. SO IT WENT FROM LIKE $8,000 IN REVENUE TO OVER $2 MILLION IN REVENUE FOR THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS. AND I WAS WONDERING WHY, UH, THE INCREASE IN REVENUE THERE IS FROM OUR, UM, OUR UPDATING OUR MOUS WITH THE PORT OF LONG BEACH AND, UM, THE AIRPORT. GOTCHA. AND SO THAT THOSE, AND I GUESS MY QUESTION IS IN UPDATING THOSE, WHAT ABOUT THEM CHANGES THE REVENUE STRUCTURE SO SIGNIFICANTLY? WELL, IT GIVES, BASICALLY WE'RE GONNA GET FULL COST RECOVERY, SO WE WERE BASICALLY SUBSIDIZING THAT MOU WITH THE GENERAL FUND, AND WE'RE CORRECTING THAT. EXCELLENT. UH, AND THEN LAST QUESTION, UM, WAS LAST YEAR, I KNOW THAT WE ADDED A FIRE CAPTAIN TO SUPPORT THE FIRE DIVERSITY RECRUITMENT PROGRAM, AND I JUST WANTED AN UPDATE ON HOW THAT WAS GOING. YEAH. AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. UM, SO THAT DIVERSE RECRUITMENT MANAGER AND PARTNERSHIP MANAGER, HE IS, UM, HELPING US WITH OUR RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. HE'S A, AT JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL IN OUR FIRE PATHWAY PROGRAM. UM, HE'S ALSO DOING OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH, UM, HELPING WITH LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE AND CAL STATE UNIVERSITY OF LONG BEACH. AS WE START TO CREATE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS FOR SHORT TERM RECRUITMENT. HE'S ALSO, UM, UM, BASICALLY COORDINATING OUR WORKSHOPS AND IN OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS LIKE THAT, DARREN ROCKET, FUTURE FIREFIGHTER ACADEMY. UH, I'M, I'M HOPING TO SEE HIS FRUIT OF HIS LABOR AND, AND, UH, IN THIS NEXT FIRE ACADEMY, UM, WE DO NEED TO INCREASE OUR DIVERSITY IN THIS, IN THIS DEPARTMENT. AND WE'RE GONNA, I THINK YOU'LL PROBABLY START SEEING THAT, UH, IN THIS ACADEMY COMING UP AND SUBSEQUENT ACADEMIES AS WE START CREATING THOSE PARTNERSHIPS. THAT'S WHY HE IS A KEY COMPONENT OF THAT. EXCELLENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT IS ALL MY QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT. THAT IS CERTAINLY ENOUGH. UM, UH, NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. UM, CHAIR OF OUR BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, RICK ODI. I'M GONNA FOLLOW HER LEAD AND SHE ASKED SOME GOOD QUESTIONS, SO I THINK WE CAN ASK FEWER AS WE GO. SO DIRECTOR DENNIS, THE FUN DEPARTMENT. RIGHT. UM, THERE'S A COUPLE OF ITEMS I WANNA HIGHLIGHT. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE FOCUS ON BEACH MAINTENANCE. I THINK YOU SAID 2000 TONS OF TRASH HAD BEEN PICKED UP FROM OUR BEACHES AND THE CLEANLINESS OF OUR BEACHES, THAT'S WHAT TOURISTS SEE, THAT'S PEOPLE COME TO THE BEACHES. SO I APPRECIATE ALL THE WORK THAT GOES INTO BEACH MAINTENANCE. AND THEN LAST WEEK WE HAD THE WORLDWIDE ATTENTION HERE IN VENICE OR LONG BEACH, WHATEVER, UM, HIGHLIGHTING OUR COASTLINE. SO I'M, I'M HAPPY TO SEE MORE INVESTMENT IN OUR BEACHES TO KEEP THEM CLEAN. UM, THE DEDICATED [04:25:01] HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM FOR THE TIDELANDS AREA IS REALLY IMPORTANT. UM, AND THE LARGE VEHICLE THAT IS PART OF THE BUDGET, I THINK THAT'S REALLY PERFECT FOR ALL THE WORK THAT'S DONE BY YOUR TEAM, UM, WITH PICKING UP THE TRASH IN THOSE SITUATIONS. I THINK IT'S ALSO MOVING THE TEAM TO THE TIDELANDS FUND. UM, IT'S GONNA FREE UP HOMELESS RESPONSE RESOURCES FOR ALL OUR COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING OTHER COMMUNITIES IN DISTRICT THREE. UH, MOVING ON TO SOMETHING FUN AND BEAUTIFUL, UM, THE INVESTMENT IN THE SOLAR POWERED TREES. UM, EVERY DECEMBER WHEN ALAMITOS BAY GETS THE TREES, THE VISITORS COME AND LOOK AT THOSE LIGHTS. I KNOW THAT LAST YEAR WAS OUR PILOT PROGRAM, THAT ONE TREE THAT WAS HARD TO FIND SAYS THAT SOLAR POWERED IS REALLY GOOD. UM, I KNOW THAT THE CITY I'VE TALKED WITH WITH TOM ABOUT THIS QUITE OFTEN, THE CITY IS MARKETING, UM, THE TREES IN ALAMEDOS BAY AND IT BRINGS THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO NAPLES AND TO THE PENINSULA. UM, WHAT AN ASK THAT I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IS MORE SUPPORT FOR TRASH CANS, PORTA-POTTIES, UM, PARKING ENFORCEMENT EVERY YEAR. IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET THOSE RESOURCES. WE NEED THEM PRE-PLANNED AND BUDGETED. HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOT JUST FOR THE RESIDENTS, IT'S FOR TOURISTS AND FOR PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR CITY. UM, AND THE LAST ITEM IS, UM, AN ASK FOR THE GREEN BELT. THE GREEN BELT PROJECT. THERE'S THE RED CAR, THE MIDDLE GREEN BELT, AND THE TOP GREEN BELT. UM, I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR ENHANCED, UM, MAINTENANCE FOR THE GREEN BELT. IT'S CURRENTLY CONTRACTED OUT BY AZTECA AND THEY DO A GREAT JOB, BUT I THINK WE COULD USE A, SOME MORE SPECIFIC MAINTENANCE IN THAT AREA. UM, THAT PATH THAT THOSE PARKS ARE USED BY A LOT OF RESIDENTS. AND WITH THE PRM, HONESTLY, I HAVEN'T HAD A GREAT CHANCE OF LOOKING AT YOUR BUDGET WHEN THIS WAS ADDED LATE ON. SO, UM, I'M GOING TO DIVE INTO YOUR BUDGET MORE AND MAYBE BRING IT BACK TO THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TOO. YEAH, THANK YOU COUNCIL. AND WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT FINE TUNING THE LANDSCAPE CORRIDOR ON THE, ON THE GREEN BELT. THAT'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT THROUGHOUT THE CITY PARK SYSTEM, WE TRY TO FINE TUNE IT AS NEEDED. AND AS FAR AS, UM, THE TREES AND PEOPLE VISITING, I KNOW THAT TODD'S WORKED A LOT WITH ADDING THINGS LIKE THAT, PRE-PLANNING, BUDGETING, THAT CORRECT? YEP. WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON THOSE ITEMS. GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THEN WE HAVE THE BUSY DEPARTMENT WITH DIRECTOR LOPEZ. UM, THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE REPORTED TO YOU BEFORE THIS REORG. SO IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO HAVE MORE TIME TO DO THE PLANNING INVOLVED. UM, AND YOU HAVE GREAT PEOPLE WHO ARE, I, I MEAN, I LOVE WORKING WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT BECAUSE PEOPLE REALLY KNOW THEIR PROJECTS. UM, I ALSO WANNA POINT OUT THE PEOPLE IN CULTURAL CULTURAL DIVISION SERVICES. I THINK THAT'S REALLY GOOD FOR HELPING YOUR, YOUR STAFF. UM, PUBLIC WORKS IS HANDLING MAJOR PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES AND IT'S GOING TO BE SO MUCH TO DELIVER THE GOALS THAT WE'VE SET FOR 2028 AND NOT JUST IN THE ELEVATE 28 PLAN. THE ORGANICS WASTE COLLECTION, YOU FIX CURBS, SIDEWALKS, ALLEYS, UM, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS HAVING TO STAFF UP. SO AFTER LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, UH, I WAS GONNA ASK ABOUT YOUR VACANCIES, BUT I LOVE TO HEAR THE REDUCTION IN VACANCIES, BUT YOU STILL HAVE 127 VACANCIES, RIGHT? SO CONTINUING THAT FOR GENERAL SERVICES TO THE CITY IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT. REFUSE WORKERS, MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE, PARKING ENFORCEMENT, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THAT. AND TREE TRIMMERS. UM, I, I WANNA TALK ABOUT THE CONCRETE WORK. 'CAUSE INITIALLY I QUESTIONED, UM, BRINGING THIS IN-HOUSE, BUT IT IS A REALLY, IT'S A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE HARD TO COME BY. WE WANNA RE TRAIN THEM AND RETAIN THEM. [04:30:01] SO I'M EXCITED TO SEE HOW MARK DEVELOPS THE, THIS STAFF SO WE CAN HAVE AN EXCELLENT CONCRETE CREW. I WANTED TO SHOW MY SUPPORT BECAUSE I WAS QUESTIONING IT AT FIRST. UM, QUESTION ABOUT HOW MUCH OF THE WORK ASSIGNED TO THE TEAM IS COMPLETING THE A DA RAMPS COMPARED TO FOCUSING ON FIXING CURBS AND SIDEWALKS? SO I, I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT WE STARTED, FISCAL YEAR 24 THAT WE STARTED TAKING ON MORE SIDEWALKS. UM, BECAUSE THE PREVIOUSLY WE WERE FOCUSED ON MEETING THE A DA SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT MM-HMM , UH, WHICH REQUIRED OUR, UH, A LARGE INVESTMENT ON, ON CURB RAMPS. AND THAT WE MET A VERY SPECIFIC NUMBER OF CURB RAMPS. UH, SO, UH, SO THAT'S, THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY THE FOCUS. NOW WE'RE NOW WE'RE ABLE TO ALSO START THE SIDEWALK WORK THAT'S PART OF THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AS WELL. UM, BUT THERE'S ALSO, UM, ALSO WITH OUR PROPOSED CONCRETE CREW, WE ARE LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE ON SOME OF THOSE SMALLER SIDEWALKS WHERE YOU MAY HAVE SOME EVEN UNEVEN SURFACES, UH, AND BE ABLE TO DO SOME OF THOSE IN-HOUSE AT A MORE COST EFFECTIVE, UH, PRICE. UH, SO WE'VE, WE'VE CALCULATED IT AND, UH, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT WE CAN DO MORE SIDEWALK WORK IN ADDITION TO CURB AND GUTTER WORK, UH, WHEN IT RAINS, UH, AND, AND, AND SOME NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE ISSUES WITH, UH, WATER DRAINAGE. UM, WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING THAT ADDITIONAL TOOL AS WELL TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME REPAIRS TO OUR, UH, CURB, UH, AND GUTTER SYSTEM. AND LOOKING AT YOUR BUDGET, YOUR BUDGET AMOUNT FOR THE CONCRETE PROGRAM, YOU FEEL THAT THAT'S GOOD START FOR YEAH, YOU SAW THE NUMBERS IN MY PRESENTATION OF WHAT WE THINK WE CAN PRODUCE WITH THE, UH, FTES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO CREATE AS PART OF THIS, UH, AS PART OF THE BUDGET, THE PROPOSED BUDGET. UH, WE'RE ALWAYS, UM, WE'RE ALWAYS EVALUATING. UM, AND, BUT GETTING A NEW PROGRAM OFF THE GROUND, YOU GOTTA MANAGE, UH, YOU KNOW, THE, UH, THE, THE, THE SIZE OF THE TEAM. THERE'S GONNA BE A LOT OF TRAINING. WE HAVE NOT HAD A, UH, CONCRETE TEAM IN A VERY LONG TIME. UH, SO, YOU KNOW, WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE START IN A, IN AT A POINT THAT IS MANAGEABLE. AND THEN AS WE'RE ABLE TO PROVE SUCCESS AND WE'RE ABLE TO PROVE THAT WE CAN DO THIS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY, THEN WE WILL ALWAYS LOOK AT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONTINUED GROWTH AND EXPANSION AS LONG AS WE HAVE, UH, AS LONG AS WE CAN JUSTIFY, UH, THE, UH, ADDED INVESTMENT. ALRIGHT, GREAT. UM, I WANNA FOCUS ON TRAFFIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY. UH, THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC STUDY REQUESTS HAS SKYROCKETED. UM, THERE ARE SO MANY, THERE'S LIKE A SIX OR EIGHT MONTH WAIT AND PEOPLE WANNA SEE TRAFFIC COMING MEASURES IN NEIGHBORHOODS. I THINK THINK THERE'S BEEN A CHANGE IN PEOPLE SPEEDING AND MISSING STOP SIGNS. PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. THEY'VE LIVED THERE FOR DECADES, AND MAYBE THINGS HAVE CHANGED. I, UM, YOU HAVE $500,000 SET ASIDE FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. UM, BUT THIS MAYBE YOU'LL GET US 10 OR 15 SPEED HUMPS OR REFRESH CROSSWALKS, UH, ACROSS THE, THE CITY. UM, I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE MAYBE WE DOUBLE THAT $500,000 FOR THE BUDGET, IF THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD LOOK AT. I THINK THAT WOULD BE, UM, SOMETHING TO CONSIDER. WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN BUDGET OVERSIGHT. AND THEN THAT'S FOR NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC, CALMING MEASURES, TREE TRIMMING. WE'RE ON A SIX OR SEVEN YEAR SCHEDULE. UM, WHAT IS THE NUMBER FOR MOVING THIS TO A FIVE YEAR SCHEDULE? WE, UH, CALCULATED THE ADDITIONAL, UM, WHAT WE WOULD NEED. WE WOULD NEED, UH, AN ADDITIONAL 1.39 MILLION TO GO FROM A SIX YEAR TO A FIVE YEAR CYCLE. SO YOU'RE ON SIX YEAR CYCLE AND MOVE IT TO A FIVE YEAR CYCLE, 1.39. OKAY. WE, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT MORE AND MAYBE BUDGET OVERSIGHT AND WE WOULD WANNA HEAR PROS AND CONS OF THAT. I MEAN, ONE YEAR I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW. UM, SO, SO THAT WOULD NEED TO BE STRUCTURAL, SO YOU'D HAVE TO PUT THAT IN EVERY YEAR IN ORDER TO, TO GET THAT. YEAH, WE CAN ALWAYS TAKE ADDITIONAL TREE MONEY OR, AND, AND ADDRESS TREES, BUT IF WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO A FIVE YEAR CYCLE, THAT'S GONNA HAVE TO BE EVERY YEAR STRUCTURAL. RIGHT, RIGHT. SO LET'S SEE. UM, [04:35:02] I THINK THE OTHER ITEM THAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS PARKING ENFORCEMENT OR PARKING CONTROL CHECKERS. IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE CALLED? YES. UH, PARKING CONTROL CHECKERS. HOW MANY POSITIONS DO YOU HAVE AND HOW MANY ARE VACANT? UH, SO THIS IS A CLASSIFICATION WHERE WE'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS, UH, IN THIS PAST YEAR. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 43, UH, PARKING CONTROL CHECKERS, UH, BUDGETED. WE ONLY HAVE, UH, FIVE VACANT POSITIONS NOW. UH, WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE'VE FIGURED OUT A WAY TO BRING, UH, UH, TO BRINGING THEM IN, UM, FASTER, UM, AND, AND DO ALL THE ONBOARDING FASTER. AND, UH, AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT WE'VE MADE SOME MAJOR PROGRESS, UH, WITH, WITH THAT, UH, WITH REDUCING THAT VACANCY RATE. UH, AS PART OF THE BUDGET, WE ARE PROPOSING TO ADD FOUR ADDITIONAL, UH, UH, PARKING, UM, CONTROL, UH, CHECKERS. UM, SO, UH, WE WOULD HAVE NINE POSITIONS TO FILL. THERE IS CURRENTLY AN ACTIVE, UH, LIST, UH, CIVIL SERVICE LIST, UH, WITH, UH, 148 CANDIDATES. SO WE FEEL THERE'S, UH, GOOD CANDIDATES OUT THERE. WE CONTINUE TO, UM, TO, TO, UH, INTERVIEW AND HIRE FOLKS. UH, BUT UNLIKE OTHER POSITIONS, THIS POSITION REQUIRES A LOT OF TRAINING, A LOT OF VERY SPECIALIZED TRAINING. UH, IT'S A PART, IT IS PART OF OUR CHALLENGE BECAUSE WE WANNA MAKE SURE THEY'RE WELL PREPARED BEFORE WE SEND THEM OUT TO THE FIELD. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. I, I, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS, BUT I KNOW THIS IS THE BIGGEST COMPLAINTS, PARKING IN RED CURBS, UH, IN FRONT OF HYDRANTS. WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE CAN MOVE PEOPLE AND CITE THEM AND GET PEOPLE USED TO NOT PARKING IN INAPPROPRIATE PLACES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK CHIEF ISH. UM, WE CALL THAT THE, YOU'RE THE URGENT DEPARTMENT BECAUSE EVERYONE NEEDS A POLICE OFFICER. RIGHT. UM, I JUST WANNA POINT OUT I LOVE YOUR EXPLORER PROGRAM. EVERYWHERE I GO FOR EVENTS, THEY ARE AMAZING. AND THE THREE THAT WERE HERE TONIGHT, THEY'RE ALWAYS VERY FRIENDLY. AND THEN I LIKE THE OFFICER CARDIAC SCREENING, UM, AS WELL AS PREPARING FOR LA 28 PART OF YOUR PRESENTATION. THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING TONIGHT. UM, I THINK WE'LL ALWAYS HAVE THE FOCUS ON STAFFING LEVELS BECAUSE IT'S GONNA ALLOW US TO DO MORE IN THE CITY. UM, AND WE'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO DO MORE IF WE CAN'T RECRUIT THE QUALITY OFFICERS. SO A COUPLE OF YOUR FOCUSES WERE ADDRESSING VIOLENT CRIME. UM, THIS HAS SUCH GREAT IMPACTS ON SO MANY AREAS THAT THE CITY, I THINK IT'S CRITICAL BECAUSE PEOPLE SEE THOSE HEADLINES AND THEN THEY MAKE DETERMINATIONS. YOU KNOW, ONE ACT OF VIOLENCE CAN HAVE HUGE IMPACT ON A, A, A COMMUNITY SENSE OF SAFETY. SO I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT VIOLENT CRIME IS, IS REALLY THE, THE PRIORITY. UM, AT FIRST I WAS PERTURBED THAT PUBLIC WORKS GOT MOVED TO TONIGHT, BUT WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE I THINK TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ENFORCEMENT GOES ALONG. JUST LIKE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT WORKING TOGETHER. UM, AS I SAID, WITH PUBLIC WORKS, MY OFFICE GETS SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNSAFE DRIVING, SPEEDING, GOING THROUGH STOP SIGNS. UM, I DON'T THINK THAT TRAFFIC ENGINEERING TRAFFIC CALMING WORKS AS WELL AS A GOOD OLD FASHIONED TICKET. IT CHANGES BEHAVIOR, RIGHT? WHEN YOU GET A TICKET, YOU SLOW DOWN. UM, I KNOW THE PRIORITY IS VIOLENT CRIMES, BUT I THINK, UM, WE'VE JUST, WE'VE REDUCED THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC STOPS WE'VE MADE FOR REGULAR TRAFFIC SAFETY ITEMS, AND I KNOW IT'S BECAUSE OF VACANCIES. UM, BUT I THINK WE DO NEED TO SOMEHOW COME UP WITH MORE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND HOW CAN WE PRIORITIZE THAT? I WANT OUR OFFICERS TO KNOW THAT WE WANT THEM TO ENFORCE TRAFFIC LAWS WHEN THEY CAN, AND WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN THEY PULL PEOPLE OVER FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING, SPEEDING, GOING THROUGH, UH, STOP SIGNS IN NEIGHBORHOODS. AGAIN, I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING UNDER, YOU KNOW, REQUIRED OVERTIME, ET CETERA, BUT I WANNA POINT THAT OUT THAT IT CHANGES THE DYNAMIC OF NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE THE, UM, ENFORCEMENT. CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT HOW THE BUDGET ADDRESSES, UH, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND TRAFFIC SAFETY? YES, THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. AND I'LL, I'LL, I'LL SAY THAT EVEN WHEN OUR, OUR FOCUS IS ON, UH, SPECIFIC CRIME TRENDS AND HOW THEY FLUCTUATE IT, WHEN, IN THIS CASE [04:40:01] VIOLENT CRIME, UH, WE DON'T DISMISS THE OTHER ISSUES THAT IMPACT SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY. SO WHEN I HEAR ABOUT YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, I'VE ALSO BEEN TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND TALKED ABOUT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, TRAFFIC SAFETY, THE COLLABORATION WITH OTHER CITY DEPARTMENTS AND PUBLIC WORKS. UM, TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT ISN'T EXCLUSIVE TO ONLY CERTAIN OFFICERS. ANY POLICE OFFICER CAN CONDUCT TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT. AND WHILE WE ARE DEALING WITH A STAFFING CRISIS, THERE'S A VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, UM, THAT WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT TO DETERMINE WHY CITATIONS ARE DOWN OR ENFORCEMENT IS DOWN. SOME OF THOSE THINGS INVOLVE OUR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SECTION, UM, BECAUSE WE'RE UNABLE TO FILL THOSE VACANCIES THAT WE'VE BEEN CARRYING FOR SO VERY LONG, BECAUSE ANY AVAILABLE RESOURCES WE HAVE NEED TO GO INTO PATROL AND TO CALLS FOR SERVICE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE. AND WHEN WE START GROWING THE DEPARTMENT TO THE NUMBER IT NEEDS TO BE, WE CAN START FILLING IN THOSE OTHER VACANCIES WE HAVE. BUT I WILL SAY THIS, AND, AND ERIC MENTIONED IT, UH, THERE IS A, A, UH, A STRONG COLLABORATION THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN PUBLIC WORKS AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT NOT ONLY INVOLVES THE, UH, THE, UM, PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN PUBLIC WORKS, BUT ALSO OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE ASSISTANTS THAT I, THAT I HAD MENTIONED, UM, AND ALSO PATROL OFFICERS. SO AFTER HOURS AND ON WEEKENDS, IF WE GET CALLED OR, OR KNOW OF A SPECIFIC LOCATION THAT REQUIRES TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT, WE RESPOND TO THAT. AND, UM, I APPRECIATE WHAT, UH, WHAT ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE DONE TO ADVOCATE AND, UM, AND, UH, COMMUNICATE COMMANDER FORMS AND HOW IMPORTANT THOSE ARE. UH, BECAUSE THAT'S A, THAT'S A PLATFORM TO SHARE THOSE SPECIFIC TRAFFIC CONCERNS THAT ALLOWS US TO ASSESS THE RESOURCES WE HAVE AND FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC AREA. SO, UM, UH, EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE DOING IS NOT ONLY ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME, BUT IT'S ABOUT ENHANCING SAFETY AND, UH, AND THERE ARE ISSUES THAT VARY FROM NEIGHBORHOOD TO NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. SO THIS BUDGET IS INCLUSIVE OF EVERYTHING THAT, THAT, UH, WE NEED TO ADDRESS AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT. UH, AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN DONE BY MOTOR PATROLS. HOW MANY POSITIONS DO WE HAVE FOR MOTOR PATROLS AND HOW MANY VACANCIES DO WE HAVE? SO WE'RE ABOUT 50% VACANT IN OUR TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT SECTION, WHICH IS MOTORS. SO WE HAVE CURRENTLY, WE HAVE NINE, UH, TRA UH, MOTOR OFFICERS, ONE OF THOSE BEING A SERGEANT. OKAY. UM, GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. UM, AND JUST QUICKLY, THE NEXT ITEM IS RELATED TO, TO, UM, MINIBIKES E-BIKES, E SCOOTERS. AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO TRAFFIC SAFETY, WHAT I WAS TALKING TO THE, OH, OKAY. UM, I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME EDUCATION, MAYBE A COLLABORATION AND MAYBE CITY MANAGER CAN HELP, UH, PUT THIS TOGETHER WITH HEALTH, UH, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I'D LIKE TO SEE SOME EDUCATION ON HOW THESE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATIONS ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM THE LAW, WHAT THEY SHOULD BE DOING. THEY CAN'T BE GOING AGAINST TRAFFIC. IT, IT'S TERRIFYING WHEN YOU SEE YOUNG KIDS DRIVING STRAIGHT TOWARDS YOU DOING WHEELIES WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. THEY DON'T HAVE HELMETS ON. IS IT SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO WORK WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ON EDUCATION OF YOUTH? THERE'S GOTTA BE SOME PROGRAMMING WE CAN DO ON THAT. SO THEY'RE, UH, LEARNING TO RIDE SAFELY AND LEGALLY. UM, AND CAN WE DO SOME SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT EVENTS ON THE BIKE PATH FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW THE LAWS? WE CAN ISSUE SOME CITATIONS. THERE HAS TO BE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE THE MEANS FOR THAT. WE DON'T, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE A PLAN FOR THAT. SO I THINK THIS IS A, A MULTI-DEPARTMENT QUESTION. SO I'LL START AND THEN TURN IT OVER TO, TO ERIC. UM, THE, UH, I, I LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT. I'M RE VERY TIRED. BIKES BIKE PATH. SO, UM, UH, A COUPLE OF THINGS ON, ON ENFORCEMENT, AND LET ME GO BACK TO YOUR FIRST POINT ABOUT EDUCATION. AND SO WE CERTAINLY CAN CONDUCT, UH, EDUCATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE, WE, WE DO SO, UH, QUITE OFTEN ON, UM, ON LEGAL CHANGES AND LAWS AND THINGS THAT HAVE, HAVE, UH, HAVE CHANGED WITHIN THE CITY. UH, WE ALSO, UH, RECEIVE, UH, OFFICE OTS, OFFICE OF TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANT, AND I DON'T WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, UH, DOES CONDUCT TRAFFIC SAFETY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, UM, WITH THAT GRANT FUNDING. SO THAT'S STILL AVAILABLE. WE STILL APPLY AND RECEIVE, UH, THOSE GRANT FUNDS AND WHEN WE HAVE AVAILABLE RESOURCES, UM, TO PROVIDE ANCILLARY SERVICES LIKE ENFORCEMENT ON THE BIKE PATH, THAT'S SOMETHING WE'LL EVALUATE AND DETERMINE HOW BEST TO, TO DO THAT IN COLLABORATION WITH, UH, PUBLIC WORKS. UH, THANK YOU CHIEF. AND I WOULD ADD, UH, WE DID RECEIVE DIRECTION FROM THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, TO LOOK AT, UH, ALLOWING EESS SCOOTERS THROUGH A PILOT PROGRAM. WE DO NEED TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL AS PART OF THAT DIRECTION, UH, TO, UH, BRING BACK, UH, [04:45:01] THE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO ALLOW US TO DO THE PILOT. AND WE KNOW THESE ARE QUESTIONS THAT YOU'RE EXPECTING, UH, FOR US TO HAVE ANSWERS TO, TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. SO WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. WE ARE, UH, IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH NOT JUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR PARKS AND REC AND MARINE TEAM. UH, IT, IT REALLY IS A MULTI-DEPARTMENTAL EFFORT TO BE ABLE TO, UH, TO UH, ADDRESS, UH, SOME OF THE CURRENT ISSUES THAT WE ARE SEEING ON THE BIKE PATH, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ANTICIPATED ISSUES THAT, UH, WE MAY SEE, UH, WITH, UH, WITH, UH, BY IMPLEMENTING THE, UH, THE DIRECTIVE THAT WE RECEIVE IN THE COUNCIL. SO, UH, WE WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH MORE INFORMATION. UH, THAT'S GREAT. THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR. AND THE COLLABORATION IS WONDERFUL. ONE FINAL QUESTION, CHIEF. UM, FROM THE COMMUNITY BUDGET SURVEYS, THE TOP CONCERN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY WAS HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS PETTY CRIMES. AND I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES AT THE STATE LEVEL, UM, TO OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, BUT PEOPLE WANNA KNOW WHAT, UM, POLICE ARE GOING TO DO FOR NUISANCE ACTIVITIES, VANDALISM, GRAFFITI, OPEN DRUG USE, ILLEGAL DUMP, DUMPING, PETTY CRIMES. UM, CAN YOU JUST DO A LITTLE, UH, OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET DETAILS ON HOW, HOW THIS CAN BE ADDRESSED? YES, COUNCILWOMAN. SO THE, UM, UH, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT INVOLVES THE ENTIRETY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, NOT ENFORCEMENT ALONE, AND NOT JUST A POLICE RESPONSE TO QU REALLY QUALITY OF LIFE CRIMES, BUT WE RESPOND TO THOSE. AND SO, UM, THERE AGAIN, AS I MENTIONED, THERE MAY BE SPECIFIC CRIMES OR SITUATIONS THAT HAPPEN WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES, UM, THAT CREATE A SENSE OF, OF, OF, UM, OR, OR IMPACT THE, A SENSE OF SAFETY. AND SO WHEN WE CONDUCT OUR REGULAR CRIME MEETINGS, WE DON'T ONLY LOOK AT THE STATISTICS AND MEASURE OUR SUCCESS THROUGH A REDUCTION IN CRIME, BUT WE ALSO TRY TO EVALUATE THAT FEELING AND PERCEPTION OF SAFETY THAT HAPPENS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. AND THAT HAPPENS BY RESPONDING TO QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES LIKE VANDALISM AND PETTY THEFT, EVEN EVEN SHOPLIFTING CALLS, IF OUR OFFICERS ARE, ARE CALLED TO RESPOND, THEY RESPOND AND, AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. UM, BUT MANAGING A DEPARTMENT, UH, THAT IS EXPERIENCING VACANCIES REQUIRES PRIORITIZING, UH, RESPONSES, ADAPTING, BEING ADJUSTABLE, WHICH IS, UM, IS WHAT THIS EXECUTIVE TEAM AND COMMAND STAFF HAVE DONE. AND SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, UH, UTILIZING OUR RESOURCES AS BEST WE CAN, UM, TO IMPROVE, UH, UH, THAT FEELING OF SAFETY AND ALSO REDUCE CRIME, WHETHER IT'S VIOLENT CRIME OR QUALITY OF LIFE CRIMES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, THAT'S GREAT TO HEAR. AND RESIDENTS WILL BE APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. ALL RIGHT. UM, WELL, COUNCIL MEMBER, THAT'S ENOUGH FIRED. DON'T I GET TO TALK TO CHIEF? I THINK YOU'RE NEED TO QUEUE UP. THAT'S 25 MINUTES. OKAY. ALRIGHT. YOU KNOW IT VICE MAYOR, YOU'RE UP. YEAH, YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY. I'M NOT GONNA TAKE THAT LONG. OKAY. I JUST WANNA SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT HAVE, UM, THEY'VE ASKED A LOT OF GREAT QUESTIONS AND I'M THANKFUL. UM, AND ALSO I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE LED BY JONI, RICK SODI, AND COUNCILWOMAN DUGGAN AND THE COUNCILMAN, UM, URANGA, I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE WORKED HARD ON THIS BUDGET, UM, AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES OF POLICE AND FIRE AND PUBLIC WORKS AND PARKS, UH, AND THE MARINE TEAM. I JUST WANNA SAY DEEP FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND CHIEF ISH AND BUCHANAN AND DIRECTOR LOPEZ AND, UH, DIRECTOR OF BRENT DENNIS. YOU GUYS ARE JUST, JUST, UH, ROCK STARS AND I KNOW EACH OF YOU HAVE, UH, UNIQUE CHALLENGES, YOU KNOW, IN YOUR DEPARTMENTS. AND SO, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UH, YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR TEAM ALL DO A GREAT JOB IN SERVING, UM, OUR COMMUNITIES. UM, I JUST WANNA SAY, JUST CONTINUE TO, TO DIVERSIFY, YOU KNOW, YOUR WORKFORCES, FOCUS ON HIRING LOCAL, FOCUS ON PUR, PURCHASING, LOCAL, CONTRACTING LOCAL, AND JUST FOR ALL THESE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE HERE TONIGHT, THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS. UM, AND JUST THE CITY IS GREAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF YOU. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. WITH EIGHT MINUTES AND 51 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS. THANK YOU. I'M GONNA TRY TO REPEAT THAT. JUST KIDDING. UM, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE, THIS SLATE AT NIGHT. UM, I WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO EACH OF THE PRESENTERS TODAY, UM, THE GREAT PRESENTATIONS. UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP IN ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS IN LONG BEACH, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT ONE. I'M PLEASED TO BE WORKING WITH, WITH EACH ONE OF THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT PRESENTED TODAY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE TOGETHER ADDRESS THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS. WE [04:50:01] ARE LIVING THROUGH THESE. UM, THERE HAS BEEN REMARKABLE WORK DONE, AND AS WE ALL KNOW, THERE STILL NEEDS A LOT MORE WORK TO BE DONE, UM, TO ADDRESS THIS WHILE CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON PROVIDING A PATHWAY TO PERMANENT HOUSING FOR UNHOUSED. EACH ONE OF THE PRESENTERS TODAY REFLECTS, UM, REFLECTS THE CONTINUOUS NEED, UM, TO PRIORITIZE THIS IN OUR BUDGET. SO THANK YOU, UM, TO CHIEF ISH. UM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT GREAT PRESENTATION. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND THAT COULD HAVE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING VERY WELL IN YOUR DEPARTMENT IS BEING ABLE TO DO THAT. UM, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE EVENT THAT COMES TO MIND IS WHEN WE HAD THAT MOB OF YOUTH, UM, THAT WERE COMING TO THE PIKE AREA TO, FOR NOT GOOD REASONS, UM, AND YOU GUYS WERE ABLE TO CALM THAT DOWN AND DISPERSE THAT AND, UM, AND KEEP OUR RESIDENTS SAFE, THAT WAS HUGE FOR, FOR US HERE IN LONG BEACH. SO, UM, USING PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND KEEPING AN EYE OUT IS VERY IMPORTANT. ANOTHER THING THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT REALLY DID GREAT THAT REALLY, UM, THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO PRIDEFUL OF OUR DEPARTMENT IS WHEN YOU FOUND THAT FOUR YEAR, 4-YEAR-OLD LITTLE BOY THAT WAS KIDNAPPED, UM, IN A CAR JACK AND YOU WERE ABLE TO FIND THEM BECAUSE YOU GUYS ACTED QUICKLY AND YOU WERE ABLE TO RETURN HIM TO HIS FATHER'S ARMS. AND, UM, THAT IS JUST SOMETHING TO BE VERY COMMENDABLE ON. UM, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY. UM, THE CSA PROGRAMS ARE ASSISTANCE ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND WELCOMING TO OUR COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT THAT IS SUCH A GREAT IDEA TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM AND BE ABLE TO, UM, HAVE THEM ASSIST OUR COMMUNITY AS, UM, AS THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO BE INVOLVED WITH. AND SO I REALLY DO THANK YOU FOR YOUR, FOR FOCUS ON THAT. UM, ONE THING THAT I DID WANT TO CLARIFY, UH, RPD IS BUDGETED FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OFFICERS, BUT WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED, DO NOT NECESSARILY FOR NOT HAVING, WE'RE UNDERSTAFFED, NOT NECESSARILY FOR, NOT IT NOT BEING BUDGETED, BUT BECAUSE THERE'S NO APPLICANTS. UM, AND SO I JUST WANTED TO, TO CLARIFY THAT. 'CAUSE I HAD, UM, A RESIDENT THAT SAID, YOU GUYS NEED TO FUND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT BETTER AND STUFF, BUT IT ALSO, THOSE, THOSE, UM, POSITIONS ARE FUNDED. UM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS. IS THAT CORRECT? CHIEF ISH? YES, COUNCILWOMAN, WE'RE, WE'RE, UH, OUR BUDGETED POSITIONS HAVEN'T GONE DOWN AND, AND THE FUNDING FOR THOSE BUDGETED POSITIONS EXIST TODAY, BUT, UH, THE PROFESSION IS IN THE, IN THE MIDST OF A UNPRECEDENTED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION CRISIS. AND SO, UM, IT GOES BEYOND JUST THOSE BUDGETED POSITIONS TO FILL OUR NUMBERS. IT INCLUDES, UH, AS I MENTIONED IN THE PRESENTATION, AGGRESSIVE, UH, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION, UH, AND, UH, DEMONSTRATION OF THE VALUE THAT, UM, AND APPRECIATION WE HAVE FOR THE EMPLOYEES THAT DO THIS JOB. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, UH, I THINK OUR DEPARTMENT DOES AN EXCEPTIONAL JOB AT. THANK YOU, UM, FOR THAT ANSWER. AND ALSO CONGRATULATIONS ON THE THREE ACADEMIES THAT JUST CAME THROUGH. SO I THINK THAT'S ALSO VERY HOPEFUL FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO SEE, UM, SO MANY PEOPLE WANTING TO BE PART OF OUR LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. UM, NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BIKE TEAM IS VERY, VERY MUCH WELCOME AND IS A GREAT, UM, PROGRAM THAT OUR RESIDENTS LOVE, UM, ESPECIALLY IN THE TOUGH AREAS. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT AND FOR KNOWING THE IMPORTANCE OF, OF HAVING THEM OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. I ALSO GOTTA SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE YOUR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY AND THE EXPLORER PROGRAM. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET OUR YOUTH ENGAGED WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, THAT THAT IS ALWAYS GONNA BE A PRIORITY OF MINE. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, ALSO, UM, TO CHIEF BUCHANAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. YOU CONTINUE TO SAVE LIVES AND PROVIDE FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN SUCH A COMPASSIONATE WAY. UM, THANK YOU FOR ALSO FOCUSING ON ENGAGING OUR YOUTH WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, MAKING SURE THAT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ALL OF ITS RESOURCES THAT IT NEEDS DURING TO BE ABLE TO DO YOUR JOB IS IMPORTANT TO OUR RESIDENTS, [04:55:01] ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT ONE, WHERE WE HAVE SO MANY HIGH RISE HOMES AND APARTMENT BUILDINGS, WHICH OF COURSE WITH THOSE HIGH RISES COME A LOT MORE CHALLENGES TO BE ABLE TO, UM, ASSIST WHEN THERE'S FIRES AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO I AM VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH THAT. UM, ALSO, UM, THANK YOU. NEXT, UM, DIRECTOR LOPEZ, YOU AND YOUR INCREDIBLE BIG, HUGE TEAM HAVE A HUGE JOB AND GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES. AND I DO NOT WANT TO UNDERESTIMATE THAT OR UNDERVALUE THAT. I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW HOW MUCH WE VALUE ALL THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU DO. YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT OVERSEE SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF OUR CITY, WHICH CONTINUOUSLY IMPACT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR RESIDENTS CITYWIDE. AND FOR THAT, I THANK YOU. THERE ARE SEVERAL PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING CLOSE TO COMPLETION IN DISTRICT ONE, AND MY RESIDENTS ARE SUPER EXCITED, ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE PROJECTS IN ELEVATE 28. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TREMENDOUS WORK WITH, UM, WITH OUR TEAM. SO THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE FIFTH YEAR OF, OF, UM, NOT HAVING TO IMPACT THE TIDELANDS FUND. I APPRECIATE THAT, UM, ESPECIALLY AS YOU KNOW, WHERE WE ARE WITH THE S FUND AND HOW, UM, CAREFUL WE NEED TO BE WITH THAT FUND. SO CONGRATULATIONS ON, ON YOUR BUDGET AND BEING ABLE TO KEEP THAT. UM, GREAT JOB. ALSO, UM, WANTED TO, I KNOW THAT THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED IN THE PRESENTATION, UM, BUT I WANTED TO, UM, I WANTED TO ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS, UM, IN REGARDS TO THIS. UM, I, I SAW IN THE BUDGET COMMUNITY BUDGET THAT, UM, THAT THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM AND THAT THE BIKE SHARE PROGRAM WAS CHANGING AND THAT WE WERE, UM, TRYING TO BRING IN IN-HOUSE. UM, AND SO I HAD A COUPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT. UM, MOSTLY BECAUSE I KNOW I SEE THIS BIKE SHARE PROGRAM ALL OVER DOWNTOWN AND THE COMMUNITY LOVES IT. IT IS GREAT TO HAVE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, UM, BECAUSE OF HOW PARKING IMPACTED WE ARE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. UM, COULD YOU EXPLAIN THE BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS THAT LED TO THE DECISION TO BRING THIS PROGRAM IN-HOUSE AND HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO OTHER CITIES WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMS? UM, ALSO, WHAT BENEFITS DOES THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ANTICIPATE FROM MANAGING AND OPERATING THE PROGRAM DIRECTLY, PLEASE. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. UH, YES, WE'VE, UM, WE'VE INCLUDED A PROPOSAL, UH, IN THE BUDGET, UH, FOR THIS EXCESS FISCAL YEAR TO BRING THAT PROGRAM IN HOUSE. RIGHT NOW IT'S CONTRACTED OUT AND WE'RE PROPOSING TO, UM, ADD A OFFICER, AN ANALYST, UH, A, UH, SIX MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE, UH, THAT CAN, UH, MANAGE THE PROGRAM AS A CITY, UH, PROGRAM. THAT, THAT, THAT'S THE PROPOSAL. UH, WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE FINANCIALS, UH, WE, UH, WE FEEL WE CAN DO IT MORE EFFICIENTLY, MORE EFFECTIVELY, BUT ALSO TO, IT CREATES MORE OPPORTUNITIES WHEN WE HAVE OUR OWN STAFF TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE COMMUNITY EVENTS, TO BE ABLE TO SPEED UP THE, THE, THE SCHEDULE OF GETTING MORE BIKES OUT THERE THROUGHOUT THE CITY. UH, AND THEN WE'RE ABLE TO THEN HAVE THE STAFF RESOURCES THAT WHEN WE HAVE EMERGENCIES OR WE HAVE, UM, UH, THINGS LIKE MAJOR WEATHER EVENTS, THOSE MAINTENANCE ASSISTANCE CAN HELP OUR OTHER TEAMS, UH, UH, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS THOSE, UH, THOSE, THOSE ISSUES. SO AGAIN, WE CAN'T, CAN WE THINK WE, WE, UH, FEEL CONFIDENT WE CAN DO IT MORE EFFICIENTLY, EFFECTIVELY, AND COST EFFECTIVELY. AND WE, UH, WE THINK WE CAN DO MORE WITH THOSE RESOURCES IN-HOUSE, UH, TO, UH, TO BENEFIT, UH, THE, THE COMMUNITY. UH, SO, YOU KNOW, WE ALSO WILL HAVE SOME EQUIPMENT THAT, THERE'S SOME EQUIPMENT THAT IS PROPOSED TO THE REQUEST SO THAT WE CAN, UM, WE CAN, UH, DO A BETTER JOB GETTING THE BIKES, UH, SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE CITY. UH, AND THEN WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ITEMS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THERE MAY BE A TREE THAT MAY NEED THAT, THERE MAY BE A BRANCH BLOCKING, UH, A BIKE LANE, OR THERE MAY BE SOMETHING DUMPED ILLEGALLY IN THE BIKE LANE. THESE CREWS WILL BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE KINDS OF REQUESTS RIGHT NOW ARE THE, THE CONTRACT IS NOT ALLOWED FOR THAT KIND OF STUFF TO BE ADDRESSED. SO AGAIN, MORE, MORE CAPACITY, UH, THAT WILL BE CREATED, UH, WITH, [05:00:01] WITH THAT BEING AN IN-HOUSE CITY PROGRAM. OKAY. UM, AND SO I AM, I AM HEARING THAT THE, THE PRIORITY REASON FOR THAT IS TO BE MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND THE BENEFITS ARE THAT, UM, ARE WE WILL BE ABLE TO STREAMLINE SOME OF THE NEEDS OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES, LIKE YOU JUST MENTIONED, UM, FOR RESIDENTS. UM, DOES THIS IMPACT EXIST, THE EXISTING CONTRACT? OBVIOUSLY IT DOES, RIGHT? UM, WITH THE CITY THAT, BUT DOES THIS, UM, IMPACT IT WITH THE OVERSIGHT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE PROGRAM? HOW IS THAT GONNA BE HANDLED? YEAH, SO RIGHT NOW WE ESSENTIALLY HAVE A CONTRACT MANAGER THAT OVERSEES THE PROGRAM BECAUSE IT IS A CONTRACT, UH, WITH AN OUTSIDE PARTY, AN OUTSIDE VENDOR. UH, BY BRINGING IT IN-HOUSE, WE WILL TRANSITION FROM A CONTRACT MANAGEMENT MODEL TO AN IN-HOUSE, UH, MANAGEMENT MODEL WHERE WE WILL HAVE AN OFFICER OVERSEEING THE PROGRAM, WORKING WITH THE ANALYSTS AND THE MAINTENANCE ASSISTANTS, UM, AND, UH, AND, AND RUNNING, RUNNING THE PROGRAM, UH, INSTEAD OF MANAGING A CONTRACT. OKAY. UM, ONE MORE QUESTION ON THAT. UM, WHAT IS THE EXPECTED TIMELINE FOR THIS TRANSITION? WHAT DO, WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR? UH, SO, UH, I THINK WE'RE LOOKING AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN, UH, SIX AND 12 MONTHS. UM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR CURRENT VENDOR. UH, WE NEED TO, UH, HIRE THE STAFF THAT'S BEING PROPOSED, UM, YOU KNOW, BE BEFORE WE, WE, UH, WE WOULD TAKE THIS ON. SO IF THE CITY COUNCIL, UH, APPROVES THAT, UH, THAT REQUEST AS PART OF OUR BUDGET, UH, WE WOULD NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH, UH, WITH OUR CURRENT CONTRACTOR AND WORK OUT A TRANSITION PLAN, UH, WITH THAT TRANSITION PLAN WILL LAY OUT THE DETAILS OF, OF TIMING IN MORE EXACT TERMS. UH, AND WE WOULD, UH, OBVIOUSLY DO IT IN A WAY TO AVOID OR MINIMIZE ANY IMPACTS TO OUR USERS. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR LOPEZ. UM, MOVING ON TO, UM, PRM. UM, THANK YOU DIRECTOR DENNIS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR ALL YOUR PROGRAMS THAT ARE AVAILABLE, UM, TO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS CITYWIDE. THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS MAKING SURE THAT PROGRAMS ARE INCLUSIVE OF THE NEEDS OF MOST OF, UM, OF THE NEEDS, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, LIKE IN LINCOLN PARK, DRAKE PARK, AND CAESAR CHAVEZ PARK. UM, I AM, I AM EAGER TO WE TO WELCOME THE LATINO CULTURAL CENTER IN EL MERCADO, UM, AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO BRING THIS TO LIFE TO BOTH, UM, UH, PUBLIC WORKS AND PRM, UH, PARKS, RECS AND MARINES. THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH, UM, THE WASHINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER. I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE WASHINGTON NEWS CENTER WAS HIGHLIGHTED AND KNOW THAT THIS IS AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL PROJECT. UM, MY QUESTION FOR, UM, FOR BOTH OF YOU WOULD BE, IS THERE, UM, THERE WAS A FY 24 ALLOCATION FOR THE VISIONING PROCESS. UM, DO YOU ALREADY HAVE A DATE FOR THE FIRST VISIONING MEETING IN MIND? YEAH, THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. SO, YEAH, OUR TEAM DOES HAVE A SCHEDULE. UH, I KNOW THERE HAD BEEN SOME ADVANCE, UH, COMMUNITY OUTREACH BY ONE OF THE, UH, WELL-INTENDED LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, SO WE APPRECIATED THAT. UM, AND THEY HAVE FORMULATED A SURVEY, SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GONNA BE ROLLED OUT AND WE'LL WORK AS WE'D HAVE IN THE PAST WITH YOUR OFFICE TO PROMOTE THE ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU. I'M VERY PLEASED TO SEE PROGRESS THERE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SURE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO, UM, ALWAYS BE INCLUSIVE OF NOT ONLY OUR YOUTH, BUT ALSO TO BE INCLUSIVE OF OUR OLDER ADULTS, UM, THROUGHOUT, THROUGHOUT OUR CITY. HAVING PROGRAMS THAT ARE TAILORED TO THESE NEEDS CAN MAKE A HUGE DIS DIFFERENCE IN THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELLBEING OF OUR OLDER ADULTS. I'M SUPER EXCITED TO MAKE THE FIRST DISTRICT THE NEW HOME OF THE SENIOR CENTER HERE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH. UM, AS MENTIONED, UH, GOING BACK TO, UM, CHIEF ISH, UM, THEY MENTIONED THE SENIOR CENTER AT, UM, 1 25. UM, UM, DO WE HAVE ANY PROGRESS ON THE, UM, LAB CRIME LAB THAT WE WILL BE HO HOSTING THERE AS WELL, OR HOUSING THERE? THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. I'LL FIND OUT. ERIC, DO WE HAVE ANY PROGRESS ON THE LAB THAT WE'RE GONNA BE HOSTING THERE? , UH, THE, THE CRIME LAB IS ONE OF THE FIRST PROJECTS THAT'LL BE, UH, ACTUALLY COMING OUT. UM, I KNOW WE'RE, UH, FINALIZING. I THINK THE PLANS ARE JUST ABOUT DONE. UH, SO OUR, OUR NEXT STEP WOULD BE FINALIZE THE, THE BID PACKAGE, GET THAT OUT TO BID. UM, WE STILL NEED TO DO SOME OVERALL [05:05:01] SYSTEM DESIGNS, UH, UH, UH, FOR THE OVERALL BUILDING. UM, BUT, UH, WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT IN TERMS OF SCHEDULE, UH, WE, WE CAN GET THAT TO YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. UM, CHIEF ISH, CHIEF BUCHANAN, DIRECTOR DENNIS, AND DIRECTOR LOPEZ FOR THOSE GREAT PRESENTATIONS AND FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. RIGHT. THANK YOU. WITH TIME ON THE CLOCK. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES, THANK YOU. I DON'T THINK I'LL BE VICE MAYOR ALLEN'S, BUT I WILL TRY TO BE SUCCINCT IN MY COMMENTS. UM, THANK YOU ALL OF YOU. UM, THE COMMON THEME IS MY GRATITUDE FOR THE HARD WORK, NOT ONLY OF YOUR WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP, BUT OF YOUR DEPARTMENT AND YOUR STAFF AND EVERYONE DOING THE WORK ON THE GROUND. UM, FOR ME IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO REMIND MYSELF AND MY TEAM THAT EVERY INTERACTION WE HAVE IS WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE WITH LONG BEACH. AND EVERY INTERACTION WITH THE CITY EMPLOYEE IS THEIR PERCEPTION OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UM, SO I APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF YOUR TEAMS THAT DO SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL INTERACTION WITH OUR RESIDENTS, UM, BOTH IN REALLY FUN TIMES AT PARKS AND REALLY CRITICAL TIMES WITH PUBLIC SAFETY. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU, UM, FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND THE TEAMS THAT YOU LEAD, PLEASE SHARE THAT, UM, WIDELY WITH YOUR DEPARTMENTS. UM, I'LL START WITH, UH, DIRECTOR DENNIS. WE HAVE 48 NEW ACRES OF PARK SPACE IN DISTRICT FIVE AS OF TONIGHT, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP ON HOW WE VISION FOR THE FUTURE. UH, WHETHER IT'S A SKATE PARK FEASIBILITY, WHETHER IT'S LOOKING LONG TERM AT WILLOW SPRINGS, UM, HARTWELL PARK, PAN AND PARK. THESE ARE ALL LONG-TERM PROJECTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. WE KNOW THEY DON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, UM, BUT YOU CONTINUE TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY TO VISION IN WAYS, UM, THAT ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE. AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THAT AND THANK YOUR TEAM FOR THAT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE WORK THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO. UM, AND ALSO SHOUT OUT TO YOUR ANIMAL CARE TEAM, WHO OVER THE LAST YEAR HAS REALLY DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK, JUST REALLY QUIETLY BEHIND THE SCENES. THEY'VE TAKEN THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING THEY WERE GIVEN IN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR, UM, TO STREAMLINE SERVICES, TO IMPROVE SERVICES, UM, BOTH WITH, UM, OUR PETS AND FURRY FRIENDS AND SCALY FRIENDS AND ALL OF THE FRIENDS THAT WE HAVE THERE AT ANIMAL CARE, UM, AS WELL AS THE RESIDENTS THAT THEY INTERACT WITH. SO THANK YOU TO THAT TEAM FOR REALLY DOING DILIGENT WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH THEIR BUDGET ALLOCATIONS. UM, DIRECTOR LOPEZ, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU. WE MET JUST LAST WEEK, SO I FEEL LIKE THERE ISN'T MUCH, AND MY COLLEAGUES ASKED SUCH GREAT QUESTIONS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION ON THE MOBILITY PIECE RESTRUCTURING AND REALLY APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING AT YOUR DEPARTMENT, UM, SEEING WAYS FOR IMPROVEMENTS AND EFFICIENCIES AND ASKING FOR THAT IN THE BUDGET. I THINK IT'S REALLY SMART THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE THAT AND GAVE US THAT PIECE OF, UM, WHAT OUR CHALLENGES ARE AND SOME SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD. UM, I KNOW WE DON'T ALWAYS HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BUDGET TO EXPAND THINGS, BUT THAT YOU'RE, UM, WORKING SO CREATIVELY WITH THE FUNDING THAT YOU HAVE, UM, IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO HEAR. I THINK FOR, UH, PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC SAFETY, BOTH. THE BIGGEST THING I CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM YOU WHILE IS STAFFING. UM, DIRECTOR LOPEZ, YOU HAVE TEAMS OUT THERE WORKING HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY. THE REALITY IS YOU NEED MORE PEOPLE ON THOSE TEAMS DOING THAT WORK. UM, AND THAT'S JUST A STAFFING ISSUE. AND THAT, UM, YOUR PEOPLE AND CULTURE DEPARTMENT AND DOING THAT WORK AGAIN TO STREAMLINE AND CREATE EFFICIENCIES, UM, IN ORDER TO GET THE BEST FOLKS OUT THERE, I THINK IS, IS, IS CRITICAL AND IT CAN'T BE OVERLOOKED. THAT AS THE MANY CALLS THAT WE GET IN OUR OFFICE AROUND STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, UM, YOU KNOW, THE BEST THING WE COULD DO IS THAT $3.5 BILLION IN BACKLOG AND DO EVERY STREET AND EVERYBODY WOULD BE SUPER HAPPY. UM, BUT WE'RE NOT THERE FINANCIALLY. UH, SO YOU CONTINUING TO WORK TO EXPLAIN HOW IT'S GETTING DONE, WHEN IT'S GETTING DONE, UM, AND THE NEED YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE TO HELP GET MORE DONE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE. UM, AND I ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE. THE PEOPLE WHO REPORT TO YOU, UM, WILL HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE, UM, AND SO ON AND SO FORTH DOWN THE LINE. SO WE KNOW EVERYBODY'S WORKING HARD, BUT WE ALSO UNDERSTAND YOU JUST NEED MORE PEOPLE DOING THAT WORK. UM, CHIEF ISH AND CHIEF BUCHANAN THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAMS. UH, YOU CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH OUR RESIDENTS ON TOUGH DAYS AND HARD DAYS, UM, DAYS THEY NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE IN. UM, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMPASSION AND YOUR PROFESSIONALISM THAT WE SEE, UM, IN ALL OF THE INTERACTIONS WITH, UM, FOLKS EVERY DAY ON THE GROUND AS WELL AS WITHIN LEADERSHIP RANKS. SO THANK YOU, UH, TO YOUR TEAMS FOR THAT. UM, FIRE, WE GET TO DO A GROUNDBREAKING ON FIRE STATION NINE IN THE NEXT MONTH, AND WE KNOW THAT'S BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT, UH, PIECE ALONG WITH PUBLIC WORKS TO MEET OUR, OUR CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF TIMING AND INCREASED TIMES AND THAT THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE, NOT JUST WHERE FIRE STATION NINE IS, BUT ACROSS THE CITY. AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD, UH, TO THAT CONTINUED WORK, WHICH WE'LL, YOU KNOW, WE SEE THAT BUDGET ALLOCATION AND THAT'S A LOT OF DOLLARS AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WELL SPENT. SO, UM, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THAT OR TO, TO DOING THAT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. I ALSO WANNA SHOUT OUT YOUR MARINE SAFETY BUREAU. [05:10:01] UM, THEY'VE HAD SOME REALLY HIGH PROFILE INCIDENTS THIS LAST YEAR AND DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK, SOME DANGEROUS WORK, UM, AND REALLY, UH, SHINED A LIGHT ON HOW PROFESSIONAL AND INCREDIBLE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE SAFETY DEPARTMENT ARE IN THIS CITY, UM, ON A REGIONAL AND SOMETIMES NATIONAL LEVEL. SO, KUDOS TO YOUR TEAM. KUDOS TO THE MARINE SAFETY TEAM AS WELL, UM, FOR REPRESENTING US SO WELL AND DOING, UM, AMAZING WORK. UM, CHIEF ISH, THANK YOU, UM, FOR THE CONTINUED DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITIES. UM, WE KNOW THAT FOR RESIDENTS, WHAT WE HEAR IS VISIBILITY AND ENFORCEMENT, OUR TWO REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS, BUT MOSTLY VISIBILITY, UM, AND SEEING YOUR TEAMS, UM, ACROSS THE THREE, I HAVE THREE, UH, DIVISIONS IN DISTRICT FIVE, UM, HAS BEEN REALLY IMPORTANT. UM, SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK WITH YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, UM, TO HELP WITH THAT REALLY CRITICAL STAFFING PIECE. AS, AGAIN, AS A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND A MOM OF YOUNG ADULTS, WE KNOW THAT ENGAGING KIDS EARLY AND SHOWING THEM SOMETHING THAT THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT POSSIBLE FOR THEIR CAREER, WHETHER IT BE POLICE OR FIRE, UM, IS REALLY CRITICAL. SO THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT ENGAGEMENT THAT YOU HIGHLIGHTED TODAY, I THINK IS IMPRESSIVE. UH, DR. RICKS OTI GOT A, A, AN E, AN EMAIL AND A LETTER FROM ME ASKING FOR A LITTLE BUMP TO, UH, SUPPORT OUR CADETS, UM, PROGRAMMING JUST A LITTLE, LITTLE BIT. SO I'M, I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE, UH, WILL, UM, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS WE ENGAGE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WORK, UM, AND YOUR PROFESSIONALS MODEL THE WORK FOR THEM, THE MORE LIKELY, LIKELY THEY ARE TO SAY YES. SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK, BOTH IN PD AND IN FIRE AROUND RECRUITMENT, DIVERSITY OF RECRUITMENT AND, AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT, UM, TO DO THAT WORK. AND JUST A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE SAFETY TEAM. I THINK WE ALL KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE IMPORTANT AND POPULAR. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE NUMBER OF TIMES PEOPLE HAVE TOLD ME HOW REASSURED THEY ARE SEEING THEM CRUISE BY THE BUSINESS DISTRICTS. UM, JUST KNOWING THAT THEY'RE THERE AND THEY STOP AND SAY HI, AND THEY ENGAGE WITH FOLKS, UM, HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THOSE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE ARE FEELING THERE'S NOT ENOUGH ENFORCEMENT, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH VISIBILITY, THAT THEY HAVE REALLY GONE OUT OF THEIR WAY, UM, TO BE VISIBLE AND TO ENGAGE IN WAYS, UM, THAT BUILD COMMUNITY WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT. UM, THAT'S ALL I GOT. I'M SUPER GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU. LET'S SEE WHAT THE CLOCK SAYS. WHAT THREE MINUTES AND THREE SECONDS TO GO. OUTSTANDING. UM, YOU CALL SOMEWHERE BETWEEN, WE LOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY BIKE TEAMS. WE WANNA STAFF THOSE UP. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? ALL RIGHT, NEXT, UH, WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERAL. OKAY, THANK YOU. AND, AND I'LL BEAT THAT TIME. UM, SO, UH, LEFT TO RIGHT. WE'LL START WITH, UH, DIRECTOR DENNIS. UM, I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR CREATIVITY, KIND OF OUT OF THE BOX THINKING. UH, WE GOT, UM, OUR FIRST PHOTOS OF THE NEW WASHING MACHINES AT, UH, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES TODAY. AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE LATITUDE TO ALLOW US TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT. I THINK THAT WAS A REAL WIN. UM, ALSO, UH, THANK YOU FOR, UM, THE DUCK POND OPENING. THAT'S A MAJOR MILESTONE. I KNOW WE STILL HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT ALL THE TIME, BUT, UH, THAT WAS, UH, A GREAT EVENT. AND WE GOTTA INTRODUCE THE, UH, COMMUNITY TO LUKE SKY DUCKER OUR NEW MASCOT. AND IF YOU DID MISS HIM AT THE, UM, UH, DUCK POND GRAND OPENING, HE'LL BE MAKING A CELEBRITY GUEST APPEARANCE FRIDAY NIGHT AT, UH, WAITLEY PARK AT OUR CONCERT. SO STOP BY AND, AND SAY HI TO, UH, UH, LUKE. UM, I THINK OUR CHALLENGES MOVING FORWARD WOULD BE SAFETY AND SECURITY, ESPECIALLY THE, UM, NATURE CENTER AREA. SO, UM, I, I, I HOPE WE HAVE SOMETHING IN THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. UM, MOVING TO, UH, ERIC LOPEZ, I WAS VERY, VERY IMPRESSED BY YOUR ORG CHART. PROBABLY NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE KNOW THE OLD ORG CHART, BUT I DO. AND, UH, YOU THINK ABOUT A DEPARTMENT THAT IS, UM, CHALLENGING TO RUN. I BELIEVE YOU HAVE, UM, SIX BUREAUS IN 26 DEPARTMENTS. I THINK THAT WAS THE OLD ORG CHART. AND, UM, ALMOST A THIRD EIGHT OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS HAD LEADERSHIP VACANCIES. SO KUDOS TO YOU FOR GETTING OUT OF THAT SITUATION. AND THE NEW ORG CHART IS MUCH IMPROVED. SO, UM, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ON THAT. UM, I ALSO HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC SER SERVICE, UH, BUREAU. UM, ALL THE SLURRY SEALS STARTED IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT, AND THEY'VE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB, SO SOME OF 'EM HERE TONIGHT. SO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR HARD WORK THERE. AND THE LAST THING, WE TALKED ABOUT PARKING ENFORCEMENT AND THE FOURTH COUNCIL DISTRICT HAS MORE PROVISION PARKING DISTRICTS THAN DUE TO CAL STATE LONG BEACH THAN ANY OTHER, UH, COUNCIL [05:15:01] DISTRICT. UH, THE UNIVERSITY STARTS UP, UH, AUGUST 26TH THIS YEAR. THAT'S WHEN WE HIT THE, A HUGE HIT OF THAT. SO IF THERE'S ANY WAY TO GET, UH, UH, PARKING ENFORCEMENT ACTIVATED, THOSE NEIGHBORS WILL BE CALLING ME, UH, THE MORNING OF AUGUST 26TH, UM, AND TO THE POLICE CHIEF, UM, AGAIN, UH, THANKS FOR A GREAT JOB DONE WITH, UM, LESS THAN IDEAL RESOURCES. UH, AN ITEM CAME UP TODAY AND, AND AGAIN, BECAUSE THE SPECIAL NATURE OF THE FOURTH DISTRICT, I THINK WE HAVE MORE LA COUNTY JURISDICTION WATERWAYS THAN ANY OTHER DISTRICT. SO WE HAVE, UM, COYOTE CREEK, SAN GABRIEL RIVER, UM, LOS CERRITOS CHANNEL, AND MOUNTAIN CREEK, JUST THE, THE MAJORS. BUT, UM, SO CLEANUPS OF ENCAMPMENTS IN THOSE JURISDICTIONS. UM, THE COUNTY, AND I AGREE WITH THIS, ASK FOR A POLICE ESCORT WHEN THEY GO IN THERE TO CLEAN THE ENCAMPMENTS. AND, UM, I, I'D REALLY LIKE TO SEE, UH, BUDGETING FOR THAT. UH, IT'S, IT'S A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO OUR, OUR DISTRICT, AND IT'S, IT'S A CHALLENGE IN COORDINATING ALL THOSE, UH, DIFFERENT ENTITIES. BUT, UM, I, I, I'D LIKE IT, I'M NOT SAYING WE CAN COORDINATE ANY BETTER, BUT WHEN WE GET THAT RARE OPPORTUNITY, WHEN THEY MOVE IN FOR THAT, I'D, I'D LIKE TO SEE OUR, OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOT, NOT, UH, BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THEM AS BEST POSSIBLE. SO LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN ASSIST IN, IN THAT. AND, UM, FINALLY, TO OUR FIRE CHIEF, I'M SORRY, BUT WE'RE OUT OF TIME. NO, I'M JUST KIDDING YOU. UM, BUT, UH, I, I REALLY, UM, LOVE THE WAY THAT THE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ON THIS, ON THIS, UH, UPWARD TREND. AND, UM, I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS TO ME TO HAVE A BUDGET, UH, SEASON WHERE I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT ENGINE 17. THAT IS A GREAT RELIEF AND THANK YOU FOR, UH, COORDINATING ALL THAT AND CONTINUING TO COORDINATE THOSE EFFORTS. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE. THANKS AGAIN. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. UH, THAT WAS IMPRESSIVE. YOU HAVE NEARLY SIX MINUTES LEFT, BUT NOT AS IMPRESSIVE WHAT THE VICE MAYOR I AGREE. AGREE. I WAS ROOTING FOR YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER. ALRIGHT, UH, NEXT WE HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER YANGA. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR. AND ACTUALLY I HAVE VERY LITTLE TO SAY A LOT OF WHAT I'VE HEARD, I HEAR DURING THE MU STEIN COMMITTEE, SO I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS TAKING CARE OF THAT. UM, BUT I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS REGARDING PD. UM, EITHER I FELL ASLEEP OR SOMETHING HAPPENED WITH THE RESERVE PROGRAM. DOES IT NO LONGER EXIST? DOES POLICE RESERVE PROGRAM? YEAH, THE, THE RESERVE PROGRAM ISN'T ACTIVE. IT EXISTS IN, IN, UM, IN FORMAT, BUT IT'S NOT ACTIVE. WE'RE HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME HIRING PAID OFFICERS. AND SO, UM, GETTING RESERVE OFFICERS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. UH, IT'S A PROGRAM THAT, UH, I'D LIKE TO SEE EXPANDED IN THE FUTURE AND, AND HOPEFULLY, UM, BUILT UP. UH, BUT IT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, THAT WE'RE CONTINUING TO LOOK AT. AND IT'S, IT'S BEEN QUITE DIFFICULT OVER THE YEARS TO MAINTAIN THE RESERVE PROGRAM. YEAH, I MEAN, I LOVE THESE GUYS, BUT A RESERVE OFFICER WILL PROBABLY BE LESS EXPENSIVE. UM, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE WORKING ON OVERTIME OR NOT, BUT YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A, A COST EFFECTIVE WAY OF, OF GETTING SOME ADDITIONAL SERVICES BESIDES THE FACT THAT, UH, BEING ABLE TO RESPOND TO NON-THREATENING, UH, OR NON VIOLENT, UH, CALLS. YOU COULD USE A RESERVE COMP FOR A RESERVE OFFICER, UH, FOR THOSE TYPES OF CALLS, UH, FOR FIRE. UM, YOU, UH, YOU HAVE A MUTUAL LANE THAT YOU PROVIDE AS WELL FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS, OTHER CITIES. IS THERE A, A COST TO THAT AND IS THERE RECOVERY ON THOSE COSTS? SO YOU'RE MOSTLY REFERRING TO AUTOMATIC AID AND THERE IS NOT A COST TO THAT. UM, THAT IS A SYSTEM AND AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH OUR LOCAL AGENCIES THAT, UM, IF THEY NEED OUR RESOURCES OR VICE VERSA, WE NEED OUR RESOURCES, THEY'LL COME IN. UM, SO IN THAT CASE WHERE THE EXAMPLE I'LL PROVIDE YOU WAS IF WHEN WE RUN OUT OF RESCUES, PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES, UM, WE, WE RELY ON LOS ANGELES COUNTY AN AMBULANCE COMING FROM LAKEWOOD OR CITY OF CERRITOS OR ON THE, ON THE EAST SIDE, WE RELY ON ORANGE COUNTY AND, UH, ORANGE COUNTY AMBULANCE COMING INTO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, AN EXAMPLE. I GIVE YOU THAT BECAUSE THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT LONG RESPONSE TIME, BUT THERE'S NO COST ON THAT. AND IT GOES ALSO, WE PROVIDE RESOURCES TO THEM ON FIRES AND THEN ALSO ON WATERWAY EMERGENCIES. SO OUR RESCUE BOATS ALSO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE. [05:20:01] THANK YOU. AND IN REGARDS TO THE, UH, UH, THE, UH, SW SWIFT WATER, UH, I SEE SOME, I SEE THE CHIEF OF LIFEGUARDS HERE IN THE MARINE, BUT THEY DO A LOT OF, UH, SWIFT WATER RESCUES. HOW MANY DID WE HAVE LAST YEAR? AND, UH, DO WE NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SAN DIEGO? CONSIDER JOB FULLY WITH, UH, EQUIPMENT IN REGARDS TO S WATER RESCUES. UM, THE AMOUNT OF INCIDENT, I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF YOU. I COULD GET, I COULD GET THAT TO YOU, BUT WE DO UTILIZE, UM, HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS AND SPECIFICALLY, UH, U USIC GRANTS TO U TO TRAIN OUR PERSONNEL TO INCREASE OUR SO FAR RESCUE PERSONNEL AND, AND, UH, AND BE READY TO HANDLE THAT TYPE OF EMERGENCY. UM, BUT I COULD GET, I COULD GET BACK TO YOU WITH EXACT HOW MANY RESCUES WE'VE DONE IN SO FAR. RESCUE YEAH, PLEASE. TO KNOW HOW MANY, HOW DIVERSE OUR DEPARTMENT IS IN REGARDS TO THE SERVICES THAT IT PROVIDES. SEARCH AND RESCUE WOULD BE ONE OF 'EM BECAUSE WE DO HAVE TWO MAJOR RIVERS AND ONE RIVER ESPECIALLY IS, IS, UH, A CHALLENGE WHEN IT COMES TO FLOODING AND PEOPLE FALLING IN. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT, UH, PUBLIC WORKS. ERIC, I'VE BEEN WITH YOU ALL THE TIME AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO, UH, TRAFFIC, UH, SAFETY ISSUES. I KNOW YOU LOST YOUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER, SO HOPEFULLY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO, UH, REPLACE THE POSITION FAIRLY SOON FOR RECREATION. UH, YOU MENTIONED I HAVE A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM FOR PICKLEBALL. UH, WE JUST OPENED UP ONE RECENTLY IN VETERANS PARK. I KNOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE COMING UP, OR YOU'RE DOING SOME STUDIES FOR OTHER, OTHER PARKS, UH, SILVERADO BEING ONE OF 'EM. DO YOU HAVE, UH, ANY PLANS FOR FUTURE PICKUP ON COURTS, UH, IN, IN THE CITY? UH, YEAH, COUNCILMAN, WE HAVE, UM, IT'S VERY ORGANIC, YOU KNOW, IT, IT'S ORIGINS WE'RE DURING COVID WHEN THE COMMUNITY WAS SELF RECREATING, AND THEY TOOK OVER ANY OPEN PAVED AREA WITH CHALK AND TAPE CREATED THEIR OWN PICKLEBALL COURTS WITH THEIR PORTABLE NETS. SO THAT STILL IS ACROSS THE CITY, SO WE'RE TRYING TO FORMALIZE IT. WE DO HAVE, UH, WITH THE INPUT OF OUR PICKLEBALL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WE DEVELOPED A MASTER PLAN FOR THE CITY. UH, SO THERE ARE OTHER, UM, PARKS AND SILVERADO IS ONE. WE, I THINK HAVE ONE OF THE ACTION ITEMS SET ON CONSENT WAS GETTING US BUDGET AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE DOING COURT RESURFACING AND UPGRADES. SO SILVERADO WILL BE GETTING FOUR DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS NOW THAT WE HAVE A CONTRACTOR, UM, THAT WE HAVE A BUDGET FOR. UH, SO YEAH, I THINK, UM, MARINA VISTA PARK IS ANOTHER ONE THAT'S, UH, REALLY A NUCLEUS OF A LOT OF ACTIVITY AND WE HAVE SOME PLANS, UH, TO EXPAND THAT. AND THEN ALSO MAYBE IN A BIGGER CONTEXT, UH, THERE HAS BEEN AN RFP OUT FOR, UM, ELEVATING BOTH OF OUR TENNIS CENTERS TO BE TENNIS AND PICKLEBALL CENTERS. SO WE ARE REALLY IN THE FUTURE OPENING UP A LARGER CAPACITY TO AGAIN, MEET OUR BIGGEST UNMET RECREATIONAL NEED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND THEN FINALLY, THANK YOU FATHER WORKING WITH, UH, ANIMAL SERVICES, ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, AND A WHILE BACK IT WAS QUITE, UH, CONTROVERSIAL AND YOU CAME IN AND ROLLED UP YOUR SLEEVES AND GOT GOT IT TOGETHER. SO THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. AND BY THE WAY, MAYOR, THEIR RESPONSES TO LOVING THE QUESTIONS. YEAH, YEAH, I GET IT. I GET IT. WE'RE, IT'S 11 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT. WE'RE BEING A LITTLE FACETIOUS FOLKS. UM, ALRIGHT. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, UM, THANK YOU CHIEF BUCHANAN FOR YOUR PRESENTATION TONIGHT. IT'S ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE WORK FIRE, UH, PROVIDES TO THE COMMUNITY. AND I LOVE THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. THOSE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE YOUTH OF LONG BEACH. UM, I'M JUST GONNA JUMP STRAIGHT TO, UM, THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE A BUDGET NEED, BUT I DO WANNA POINT IT OUT. UM, PART OF MY ONGOING THEME WITH ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS RELATED TO ALAMEDOS BAY, UM, IT RELATES TO BOATING AND SOME ISSUES ON OUR SHORELINE. SO I, I'M, I WANNA ASK ABOUT CITATIONS FOR, UM, I MEAN, IT'S LIKE TRAFFIC BOATING, SAFETY, UM, AND I'M JUST ASKING, UH, ALAMEDO [05:25:01] BAY NEEDS TO BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE, SOME BEACH ITEMS, AND I THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH LIFEGUARDS. I DON'T KNOW WHO DOES THE CITATIONS ON THE WATER COUNCIL MEMBER THAT THAT'LL BE, UH, MARINE SAFETY. THE CITATION? NO. OKAY. UH, GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, OR VICE, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, THAT'LL BE, UH, MARINE SAFETY DEATH CITATIONS ON THE WATER. UH, WE ALSO HAVE SUPPORT FROM OUR, UH, LONG BEACH PD, UM, BROTHERS, UM, WHEN THEY GET THEIR BOATS OUT THERE. UM, AND SPECIFICALLY, ARE YOU ASKING ON NUMBER OF CITATIONS OR I'M MORE INTERESTED IN, WE'VE HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT, UM, CITATIONS NOT NECESSARILY BEING GIVEN FOR RECKLESS BOATING BEHAVIOR, DRUNKEN BEHAVIOR. THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT I'M INQUIRING MORE ABOUT TO SEE IF OUR BUDGET IS SUFFICIENT TO COVER CITATIONS FOR, FOR SAFETY ON THE WATER. UH, CORRECT. YEAH. SO, UH, WE HAVE CERTAINLY, UM, HAD A LOT MORE ACTIVITY ON THE WATER WITH INCREASED, UH, RECREATIONAL VOTING. UM, WE, WE DID RECEIVE ONE TIME FUNDING, UH, I THINK IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE SPECIFIC ISSUES WE WERE HAVING IN THE ALAMEDA SPACE, UH, RELATED TO NOISE COMPLAINTS. AND THAT WAS IN LARGE PART, UH, BECAUSE BOATING BECAME REALLY POPULAR DURING COVID MM-HMM. AS A MEANS TO RECREATE. UM, WE, WE DID TARGET ENFORCEMENT. IT WAS EFFECTIVE, I THINK, UM, AND WE DID SEE A REDUCTION IN NOISE, BUT WE CONTINUE TO SEE A LOT OF, A LOT OF RECREATIONAL USE IN THE MARINA. SO, UM, UH, WE'RE OUT THERE, A LOT OF THE BOATING TRAFFIC THAT WE'RE, WE'RE STOPPING AND EDUCATING IS RENTALS FROM OUR, UH, RENTAL OPERATORS. AND SO IF WE SEE ANY MOVING VIOLATIONS OR ANY, ANY TYPE OF THOSE THINGS, WE TYPICALLY ESCORT THOSE VESSELS BACK TO THE, UH, OPERATOR AND TERMINATE THEM FOR THE EVENING. UH, BUT WE ARE VERY PRO-EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE THAT BOAT BOATERS ARE OPERATING SAFELY AND HAVE THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, SAFETY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD. AND SINCE THERE'S BEEN INCREASED BOATING, UM, DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO COVER SAFETY WATER SAFETY IN ALAMEDAS BAY AND ON THE WATERFRONT? I MEAN, UH, WE CONTINUE TO BE PRETTY AGGRESSIVE, UM, OUT THERE AS FAR AS, UM, YOU KNOW, BEING PROACTIVE. WE HAVE ACTIVE PATROLS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, IT'S BUILT INTO OUR POLICY. UH, WE HAVE A 24 HOUR PLATOON VESSEL OUT THERE THAT'S, UM, AVAILABLE FOR EMERGENCY RESPONSE, UH, DIVE RESPONSE. AND IT'S, AND CERTAINLY FOR ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS LONG, AS LONG AS A DAYLIGHT VESSEL OUT THERE AS WELL THAT DOES, UH, ENFORCEMENT FOR 10 HOURS A DAY. IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES. ONE VESSEL, UH, WE HAVE TWO IN THE BAY. YEAH, A 24 HOUR TWO AND RESCUE BOAT AND A DAYLIGHT BOAT. AND COLLECTIVELY, UH, THEY HANDLE A LOT OF THE, UH, ENFORCEMENT AND, AND EMS CALLS AND, AND CITATION ACTIVITY IN THE ALAMEDO BAY. AND CITATIONS HAVE INCREASED SINCE BOATING ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED. UH, WE, SO WE, WE HAVE INCREASED OUR CITATIONS FOR SURE, BUT WE'RE ALSO VERY PROACTIVE IN EDUCATION AND, UM, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S OPERATING SAFELY. OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS. THANKS CHIEF. THAT'S IT FOR ME. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT FIRE DOES. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU. AND WE'LL TAKE A MOTION NOW TO, UH, CONCLUDE WELL NOT CONTINUE, CONTINUE THE HEARING, WHATEVER THE MOTION IS. UCK UCK, IT IS LATE, THE MOTION. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. MEMBERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. COUNCILMAN DEJA. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. LET'S BEGIN THE COUNCIL MEETING NOW, . ALRIGHT, WE'LL TAKE ITEM 42, KITE SURFING. IS ANYONE STILL HERE FOR KITE SURFING? ALL RIGHT, THERE'S A COUPLE FOLKS. ALRIGHT, ITEM 42 IS REPORT FROM PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND AWARD PERMITS TO KITES SURF LIFE. LET'S HOLD ON JUST A MINUTE. AN ARMY OF CITY STAFF ARE GOING HOME FOR THE NIGHT. [42. 24-1398 Recommendation to adopt Request for Proposal Specifications No. PR-22-181, and award permits to Kitesurf Life LLC, of Long Beach, CA; Off the Hook Kiteboarding Inc., of Huntington Beach, CA; and SoCal Kitesurfing LLC, of Huntington Beach, CA, to provide certified kiteboarding instruction on City of Long Beach beaches for a period of three years, with the option to renew for one additional three-year period, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to award permits, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (District 3)       Office or Department: Parks, Recreation and Marine         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] LET'S JUST ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. MUST BE NICE. I KNOW. MUST BE NICE CITY MANAGERS. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. SEE YOU. BYE. YEP. SLEEP. MM-HMM, . ALL RIGHT, CHIEF, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. YEP. [05:30:01] HEY, TAKE YOUR TIME LEAVING. BY THE WAY, , WE'LL BE HERE ALL NIGHT. BE REALLY LOUD. YEP. BE AS LOUD AS YOU WANNA BE. IT'S TOTALLY FINE. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH MORE TO DO TONIGHT. THANKS EVERYONE. I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE NOW. MADAM CLERK, ITEM 40 TWO'S REPORT FROM PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND AWARD PERMITS TO KITE SERVE LIFE LLC OF THE HOOK, KITE BOARDING INC. AND SOCAL KITE SURFING LLC TO PROVIDE CERTIFY KIT INSTRUCTION ON THE CITY OF LONG BEACH BEACH, BEACHES, DISTRICT THREE. ALRIGHT, UH, MR. MOCA? YES, UM, AARON CITY COUNCIL, I WANNA APPRECIATE THAT YOU GAVE US SOME EXTRA TIME. UH, YOU HAD A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS IN JUNE, UH, AND LAST MEETING WASN'T THE MEETING TO, TO GET INTO THAT LENGTH OF DISCUSSION. I KNOW IT'S LATE, BUT, UH, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND A TOPIC. UH, WE ISSUED A LOT OF, UH, ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS IN A, IN A MEMO TWO FROM FOUR ON FRIDAY, BUT WE ARE PLANNING TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THAT TODAY. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME. WE DO A LOT OF PURCHASING IN THIS CITY AND YOU SEE A LOT OF ITEMS, UH, AND MOST OF 'EM YOU DON'T ASK QUESTIONS ON. AND, AND WHEN YOU DO HAVE QUESTIONS, I WANNA TAKE THOSE VERY SERIOUSLY AND IF THERE'S THINGS THAT COME UP, UH, THAT YOU HAVE, THAT YOU HAVE FAITH IN OUR, UH, PURCHASING PROCESS THAT WE ARE A TRANSPARENT AND SHOW YOU, UM, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED. SO WE'VE DONE A LOT OF WORK ON LOOKING INTO THESE CONCERNS. UH, AND SO WE'D LIKE TO REPORT ON SOME OF THOSE, BUT THEN ALSO, UH, A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE COME UP IN THE DISCUSSION HAVE LED TO I THINK WHAT ARE GONNA BE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE NEXT TIME. SO, UH, WE'VE GOT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON, ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM WHICH, UM, YOU KNOW ABOUT MOVING FORWARD, BUT THEN MAKING SOME CHANGES THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE AND OTHERS THAT ARE COMING THAT I THINK WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE COUNCIL'S THOUGHTS AND, AND HOW WE ALSO ENCOURAGE SOME OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR, UM, FOR OTHERS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A LOCAL BUSINESS, UM, UM, UH, PURCHASE PROGRAM. SO I WILL TURN IT TO, UH, MICHELLE WILSON. STILL WILSON, SHE'S STILL MICHELLE WILSON, SO SHE JUST GOT MARRIED THOUGH, SO CONGRATULATIONS. I'LL TURN IT OVER TO OUR TEAM, UH, TO BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH OUR, OUR PRESENTATION. SO MICHELLE, THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. UM, I'M ACTUALLY GONNA PASS IT TO TODD TO KICK US OFF. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS, MY NAME IS TODD LELAND, MARINE BUREAU MANAGER, PARKS RECREATION MARINE, MARINE BUREAU. UH, WE'RE GONNA START YOU OFF WITH A QUICK INTRODUCTION AND, UH, START WITH KITE BOARDING INDUSTRY IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA. COASTAL PERMITS, UH, COMPETITIVE PROCESS TO SELECT, UH, BUSINESSES FOR, FOR COMPETITIVE PROCESSES AND LOCAL BUSINESS SUPPORTS AND LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM. UH, Y KITE BOARDING IN LONG BEACH. UH, IT'S REALLY MUCH OUR MARINE CONDITIONS. UH, WE HAVE CONSISTENT OFFSHORE WIND COLUMN SEAS AND ABUNDANCE OF NAVI OCEAN FRONT THAT MAKE LONG BEACH IN AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR KITE BOARDING AND MANY OTHER AQUATIC RECREATION ACTIVITIES. UH, UH, CREDO WE HAVE, UH, FOR MANY YEARS IN LONG BEACH IS SAFETY FIRST SERVICE ALWAYS. UH, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVED DESIGNATED KITE KITEBOARDING AREA WITH CONDITIONS IN 2015 HAS ALLOWED THE CITY TO REGULATE AND MAKE SAFE IN AQUATIC RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY THAT WAS ALREADY OCCURRING ON THE BEACH FRONT. WHAT THIS DID WAS THE DESIGNATED KITEBOARDING AREA WITH AUTHORIZED BY PERMIT KITEBOARDING VENDORS HAS INCREASED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITY ON CITY BEACHES, ENHANCES PUBLIC RECREATION ACTIVITIES, AND MAINTAINS THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE SEA, ALL OF WHICH ARE ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED BY RELEVANT SECTIONS OF THE COASTAL, UH, CALIFORNIA COASTAL ACT. NOW FOR THE COASTAL PERMIT ITSELF, UH, COASTAL PERMIT 5 14 0 0 1 7 A ONE IS AN APPROVED DEVELOPMENT. UH, THE PERMIT AUTHORIZES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DESIGNATED KITE BOARDING LESSON AREA, KITE BOARDING, BEACH LAUNCH AND EXIT AREA, AND THREE KITE BOARDING VENDOR AREAS ON THE BEACH BETWEEN CLAREMONT AND LAVERNE AVENUES CONSISTENT WITH SET CONDITIONS, THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL SPECIAL CONDITION REQUIRE ONE REQUIRES THE CITY TO CONFORM TO ALL ELEMENTS OF THE APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND OBTAIN AN AMENDMENT TO THE PERMIT FOR ANY CHANGES. SPECIAL CONDITION TWO REQUIRES THAT VENDOR OPERATIONS WILL NOT OBSTRUCT THE, UH, THE PUBLIC'S ABILITY USE CLAREMONT LODGE AND SPECIAL CONDITION THREE REQUIRES A CITY AND ITS AUTHORIZED VENDORS TO ASSUME ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS. NOW, WITHIN THAT APPROVED DEVELOPMENT AND THE CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL, UH, WE HAVE CITY VENDOR RULES. UH, THEY ARE OUR OPERATION, THEY ARE THE PERMITTED OPERATORS MAY SUPPLY KITEBOARDING AND OR STAND UP PADDLE BOARDED LESSONS AND RENTALS. HOWEVER, THE PERMITTED OPERATORS MAY PROVIDE THOSE LESSONS AND RENTAL SERVICES. ONLY THE SALES OF EQUIPMENT AND SUNDRY ITEMS IS PROHIBITED. UH, THE [05:35:01] OPERATORS WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO PARK ONE VEHICLE ON THE CLAREMONT LAUNCH OR IN THE CLAREMONT OR LAVERNE PARKING LOTS AS PART OF THE OPERATION. HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES WHEN THEY ARE ON THE CLAREMONT LAUNCH, UH, ARE OUT THERE FOR VENDOR SETUP AND TAKE DOWN ONLY AND VERY, VERY SPECIFICALLY, THE PERMITTED OPERATORS MUST HAVE A VALID LONG BEACH CITY BUSINESS LICENSE AND REPORT ALL SALES MADE FROM LONG FROM THE BEACH AS LONG BEACH SALES FOR SALES TAX PURPOSES. NOW AGAIN, UH, PART OF THE COASTAL PERMIT PERMITTED OPERATORS MUST OBTAIN A CONCESSION PERMIT FROM THE CITY AND MAY SUPPLY KITEBOARDING OR STANDUP PADDLEBOARD LESSONS AND RENTALS OF RELATED SUPPLIES ONLY THE PERMITTED OPERATORS MAY NOT SELL EQUIPMENT OR BEACH RELATED SUNDRY ITEMS. UH, LANGUAGE IN EACH CONCESSION PERMIT, UH, AGREEMENT WITH THE THREE AUTHORIZED VENDORS SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT STEVE STAFF HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPROVE THE LEVEL OF SERVICE AND TO ORDER SUCH SERVICE, IMPROVED DISCONTINUE OR REMEDIES. MOST IMPORTANTLY, IF A PERMITEE VIOLATES ANY OF THE TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF THEIR CITY PERMIT, THEN AUTHORIZED CITY STAFF HAVE THE RIGHT TO REVOKE PERMITS. AND SO HOW DID WE GET TO WHAT WE WANTED? SO WE STARTED IN 2015 AND IN RECOGNITION OF INCREASING POPULARITY OF THE SPORT AND TO BETTER FACILITATE, REGULATE, AND MAKE SAFE COMMERCIAL KITEBOARDING ALONG BEACH BEACHES, THE CITY SOUGHT UP TO THREE QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS OR CORPORATIONS TO OPERATE KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTION AND RELATED RETAIL SALES CONCESSIONS. OUR GOALS AND EVALUATING EVALUATION CRITERIA WERE DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCE, EXPERIENCE, AND PERFORMANCE OF COMPARABLE ENGAGEMENTS, EXPERTISE AND AVAILABILITY OF KEY PERSONNEL, FINANCIAL STABILITY CONFORMANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE RFP PROPOSED ANNUAL PERMIT FEE AND AMOUNTS AND ABILITY TO MEET ALL APPLICABLE SAFETY RE REQUIREMENTS UPON THE SUN SITTING OF THOSE PERMIT OF THOSE PERMITS, UH, WE CREATED THIS NEW RFP AND THE CITY SOUGHT PROPOSALS AGAIN FROM QUALIFIED COMMERCIAL OP UH, OPERATORS PROVIDE CERTIFIED KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTION THE CITY, AGAIN VIA THE PERMIT, UH, LOOKED FOR THREE OPERATORS THAT WOULD MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS WHILE PROVIDING CUSTOMER FOCUSED YEAR-ROUND KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTION TO ENHANCE THE PUBLIC'S USE OF THE CITY'S SHORELINE. OUR GOALS IN 2023 AND OUR VALUE EVALUATION CRITERIA TO SUPPORT IT ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY AND EXPERIENCE, UH, METHOD OF OF APPROACH THAT WOULD PRIORITIZE SAFETY, METH METHOD OF APPROACH THAT WOULD CO UH, PRIORITIZE COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND EACH OTHER. UH, COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTING, REASONABLENESS OF COST, FINANCIAL STABILITY, PROPOSED ANNUAL PAYMENT AND RESPONSIVENESS TO THE PROPOSAL. THANK YOU, TODD, FOR THE INFORMATION ON THE KITE BOARDING INDUSTRY AND THE COASTAL PERMITS. GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL. I'M TARA MORTENSON, THE BUSINESS SERVICES BUREAU MANAGER FOR THE CITY. MICHELLE WILSON, THE CITY'S PURCHASING AGENT AND I WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CITY'S RFP PROCESS. FOCUS ON THE RFP IN QUESTION TONIGHT, THE EXTREME PROCUREMENT MAKEOVER, OUR PROCUREMENT PORTAL AND THE CITY'S LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM IN LONG BEACH DEPARTMENTS. AS A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT OF THE TOPIC, DRAFT RFP DOCUMENTS WITH ALL OF THEIR NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS DIVISION LED BY MICHELLE FACILITATES THE PROCESS. WE ARE AN INDEPENDENT OPERATION THAT ENSURES THE COMPETITIVE PROCESS IS FAIR, EQUITABLE, TRANSPARENT AND OPEN. I'M GOING TO GIVE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF A STANDARD RFP PROCESS ALONG WITH SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE RFP FOR KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTION PROVIDERS. WITH ALL RFPS INCLUDING THIS ONE, IT IS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS. THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE WINNERS AND ONES THAT AREN'T SELECTED, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE LIMITED SPOTS, LIKE IN THIS CASE, NOT WINNING DOESN'T MEAN ALL THAT APPLY AREN'T QUALIFIED, IT JUST MEANS THEY WEREN'T IN THE TOP THREE. ALL RFPS HAVE A REQUIRED ITEMS CHECKLIST TO HELP RESPONDERS PROVIDE A COMPLETE PROPOSAL AS WELL AS A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD COORDINATED BY THE PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION WHERE POTENTIAL PROPOSERS CAN SUBMIT ANY QUESTION THEY HAVE AND ALL ANSWERS ARE POSTED PUBLICLY. DID IT NOT MOVE FORWARD? SORRY. THANK YOU GUYS. UM, ALL RFPS HAVE A REQUIRED ITEMS CHECKLIST TO HELP RESPONDERS PROVIDE A COMPLETE PROPOSAL AS WELL AS A QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD COORDINATED BY THE PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION WHERE POTENTIAL PROPOSERS CAN SUBMIT [05:40:01] ANY QUESTION THEY HAVE AND ALL ANSWERS ARE POSTED PUBLICLY SO THEY ALL HAVE ACCESS AND BENEFIT FROM THE SAME INFORMATION. WE ALSO HAVE STAFF AND PROCUREMENT SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IF POTENTIAL PROPOSERS NEED ASSISTANCE NAVIGATING THE PORTAL AT ANY POINT, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUBMIT FOR VENDORS OR CHECK WHAT THEY SUBMIT. THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. THERE ARE MANY GUIDES TO HELP ASSIST AS WELL, WHICH MICHELLE WILL SHOW YOU IN A FEW MINUTES. SUFFICIENT TIME TO PREPARE A PROPOSAL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO RECEIVING GOOD QUALITY RESPONSES. OUR COMMON PRACTICE IS SIX WEEKS FOR THE TIME, FROM THE TIME THAT AN RFP IS OPEN UNTIL THE DUE DATE FOR THIS RFP PROPOSERS HAD 57 DAYS TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY, WHICH IS AN INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICE. LONG BEACH HAS RECEIVED ELECTRONIC RESPONSES SINCE 2012 AND UTILIZED LONG BEACH BUYS SINCE 2022. WE'VE RELEASED OVER 300 COMPETITIVE SOLICITATIONS IN THE LONG BEACH BUY SYSTEM AND OVER 1400 ORGANIZATIONS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATED THE SYSTEM AND RESPONDED TO THOSE SOLICITATIONS. IN THIS CASE, THE SOFTWARE VENDOR REPORTED NO ISSUES AND HAS PROVIDED US WITH A THOROUGH HISTORY OF INTERACTIONS WITH THE PROPOSERS. IN AN ATTEMPT TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND ENCOURAGE MORE RESPONSES, WE'VE SIMPLIFIED THE RFP DOCUMENT, INCLUDING DISCOURAGING BUSINESSES FROM SUBMITTING EXPENSIVE AND TIME CONSUMING PROPOSALS. WE ASK FOR STRAIGHTFORWARD INFORMATION TO SELECT THE BEST FIT THAT WE NEED, THE BEST FIT FOR THE NEED. THIS HELPS LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES VERSUS LARGE ORGANIZATIONS WITH MORE EXPENDABLE RESOURCES. AS WITH ALL RFPS, THE EVALUATION CRITERIA WAS DISCLOSED IN ADVANCE. BUSINESSES KNEW WHAT THEY NEEDED TO SUBMIT AND HOW THAT INFORMATION WOULD BE JUDGED. THE PROCESS WAS TRANSPARENT AND CONSISTENT TO PROMOTE FAIRNESS. MICHELLE WILL PROVIDE MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE SPECIFICS OF THIS RFP AND THE REMAINING TOPICS FOR THIS EVENING. THANK YOU TARA. GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. FIRST I'M GOING TO GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF THE COMPREHENSIVE STEPS TAKEN TO RESPONSIBLY FACILITATE A COMPETITIVE PROCESS WITHIN THE CITY AND THE SPECIFIC TIMELINE FOR THE KITEBOARDING INSTRUCTION PROVIDER'S. RFP. THE RFP WAS RELEASED IN EARLY JULY, 2023 AND THE QUESTIONS WERE DUE TWO WEEKS LATER. THE ANSWERS TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE SUBMITTED BY POTENTIAL VENDORS WERE POSTED PUBLICLY ON AUGUST 8TH. THEN THE PROPOSALS WERE DUE JUST BEFORE LABOR DAY WEEKEND. ALL OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS WERE TO BE SUBMITTED AS LISTED ON THE SLIDE. THIS INCLUDED A NARRATIVE AND COST PROPOSAL, A FEE SCHEDULE, AND A BUSINESS PLAN. AFTER THE PROPOSALS WERE DUE, OUR STAFF AND PROCUREMENT SERVICES CHECKED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE SUPPLIED ALL THAT WAS REQUIRED. WE SENT THE RESPONSIVE PROPOSALS TO THE DEPARTMENT'S EVALUATION COMMITTEE WHO REVIEWED THE, THE TOTALITY OF THE INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY EACH BUSINESS AGAINST THE EVALUATION CRITERIA AND CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS WITH EACH OF THE FOUR BUSINESSES. FOLLOWING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS, THE PANEL SELECTED THE BEST THREE CANDIDATES. THE NOI OF THOSE SELECTED WAS PUBLICLY POSTED ON DECEMBER 7TH AND THE PROTEST PERIOD BEGAN AS STATED IN THE RFP DOCUMENT. THE PROTEST PERIOD IS FIVE DAYS. WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY PROTESTS DURING THAT PERIOD. THERE WERE TWO SETS OF COMMUNICATION THAT OCCURRED WITH PROPOSERS AND THE PROCUREMENT SERVICES STAFF, ONE REGARDING THE RESPONSIVENESS OF A PROPOSAL AND THE OTHER REGARDING THE LACK OF A LOCAL PREFERENCE IN THE EVALUATION CRITERIA. THE NON-RESPONSIVE PROPOSAL DID NOT PROVIDE FOUR REQUIRED ITEMS AND THEIR CLAIMS OF STAFF AND SYSTEM ERROR WERE REFUTED. LONG BEACH BUYS REPORTED NO MALFUNCTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION AND THE AND THE SYSTEM LOG CAPTURED ALL OF THE ACTIVITY IN THAT TIMEFRAME. THE PROPOSER HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK THE ACCOUNT TO ENSURE ALL INTENDED FILES WERE THERE. IN ADDITION, THE CLAIM THAT STAFF COMMUNICATED WITH THE PROPOSER ABOUT THE COMPLETION OF THE SUBMITTAL COULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW THAT. REGARDING THE SECOND ITEM, A LOCAL PREFERENCE WAS THAT LOCAL PREFERENCE WAS NOT DISCLOSED IN THE EVALUATION CRITERIA AND NOT PART OF THIS RFP. IT WAS NOT LEGALLY PERMITTED IN THE OPERATIONAL AREA, NOR WAS IT AN OPTION IN OUR LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM AT THE TIME THAT THE SOLICITATION WAS CONDUCTED. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS VERIFIED THAT A LOCAL PREFERENCE IS NOT ALLOWED IN THE PERMIT AREA. WITH THE MAP DISPLAYED ON THE SLIDE, THE AREA OF THE CLAREMONT LAUNCH RAMP AND OF COURSE THE OCEAN ITSELF. TIDELANDS AREAS HAVE REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE PROPERTY HELD IN TRUST TO BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL AND A PREFERENCE TO A LOCAL GROUP CANNOT BE PERMITTED. TO [05:45:01] CONCLUDE THIS RFP PROCESS WAS CONDUCTED APPROPRIATELY AND WITHIN PROCUREMENT STANDARDS. EVEN THOUGH NO OFFICIAL PROTESTS WERE SUBMITTED, THE COMPLAINTS WERE REVIEWED AND FOUND TO BE UN UNSUBSTANTIATED. STAFF PERFORMED AN ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATION ON THE ALLEGATION THAT ONE PROPOSER LISTED A CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FOR LONG BEACH, BUT WAS NOT OPERATING THERE. RE RESULTS OF THE REVIEW FOUND THAT THEY DID CREATE THE SECRETARY OF STATE REGISTRATION THERE AND PAID UTILITIES FOR THREE MONTHS IN 2023. THEY APPEAR TO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE THE PERMISSION OF THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE, BUT STATE THAT THEY HAVE PERMISSION OF THE TENANT, ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT APPEAR TO HAVE CURRENT USE OF THE PROPERTY. IF WE WERE TO RESTART THIS PROCESS, LOCAL C, THE LAST BULLET PLEASE. WHILE CONCERNING FROM A TRANSPARENCY STANDPOINT, REGISTRATION CLAIMING TO BE IN LONG BEACH HAS NO BEARING ON THE REC RECOMMENDATION OF THE AWARD OF THE PERMIT. SINCE BEING A LOCAL BUSINESS WAS NOT LEGALLY ALLOWED TO BE A CONDITION OF THE RFP, IF WE WERE TO RESTART THIS PROCESS, LOCAL CONSIDERATIONS WOULD STILL NOT BE ALLOWED. UNDER STATE REGULATIONS. CITY STAFF RECOMMENDS THAT THE THREE SELECTED VENDORS ARE AWARDED PERMITS AND DO NOT SEE A LEGAL BASIS FOR DISQUALIFICATION TO RESTART THE SELECTION PROCESS. STAFF HAVE COMMITTED TO ASKING THE COASTAL COMMISSION TO CONSIDER A FOURTH PERMITEE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF COMPANIES THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC. UM, NEXT I'M GOING TO SWITCH OVER TO A TOPIC THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. THE EXTREME PROCUREMENT MAKEOVER. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, OUR PROCUREMENT SERVICES DIVISION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL'S GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE LAB EMBARKED ON WHAT WE CALLED THE EXTREME PROCUREMENT MAKEOVER. WHEN WE CAME TO CITY COUNCIL LAST YEAR TO DISCUSS THE ORIGINAL CHANGE TO LOCAL, THE LOCAL PREFERENCE ORDINANCE, I WAS ABLE TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT THE MAKEOVER. NOW THAT THAT PROJECT HAS CONCLUDED, I'M HAPPY TO BE BACK TODAY. TO GET TO HIGHLIGHT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, WE MEET REMADE PROCUREMENT IN LONG BEACH TO WORK BETTER FOR THE CITY AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. IT WAS A TOP TO BOTTOM RENOVATION OF PROCUREMENT POLICY, PROCESS AND PRACTICE, WHICH INCREASED EQUITABLE ACCESS WITH BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND PRODUCTS. THE OVERALL PROCESS BECAME FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT, AND WE ARE NOW ABLE TO SPEND CITY DOLLARS MORE STRATEGICALLY. WE REMOVED BARRIERS AND HELP NOT ONLY CITY DEPARTMENTS ACQUIRE WHAT THEY NEED, BUT ALSO SUPPORTED LOCAL AND SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS MORE EASILY. HERE IS A THREE YEAR SNAPSHOT OF OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. YES, IT IS A LOT AND I WILL QUICKLY PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW AND FOCUS ON A FEW KEY ITEMS IN THE SLIDES TO FOLLOW. IN YEAR ONE, WE FOCUSED INTERNALLY ON PROCESS. WE GATHERED EXISTING DATA TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT CHANGE. WE STARTED ANNUAL FORECASTING MEETINGS WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT TO ASK WHAT THEY WERE PLANNING TO PROCURE IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. THIS HELPS ASSIST WITH INTERNAL PLANNING. IT ALSO ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO DO BETTER OUTREACH AND GIVES US THE ABILITY TO FORECAST WHAT PROCUREMENTS ARE COMING FOR THE PUBLIC. WE ALSO STARTED A PROCUREMENT UNIVERSITY, WHICH WAS A COMPLETE SET OF TRAININGS DESIGNED TO EXPOSE STAFF TO BEST PRACTICES AND PROCUREMENT POLICIES AND TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IN THE CITY WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE TOOLS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS CHANGE. WE ALSO REDESIGNED THE RFP TEMPLATE. WE MADE IT MORE INVITING AND MORE DIGESTIBLE. WE TOOK OUT ALL OF THE BIG SCARY GOVERNMENT WORDS AND FOCUSED ON INFORMATION THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE VENDOR TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CITY WAS LOOKING FOR AND HOW TO SIMPLY PROVIDE IT. IN YEAR TWO, ONCE OUR INTERNAL TRANSFORMATION WAS COMPLETE, WE TURNED OUR FOCUS EXTERNALLY TO THE VENDOR COMMUNITY. WE COMPLETED A VENDOR SURVEY AND BEGAN SEVERAL VENDOR FOCUS GROUPS. WE HAD AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. WE HAVE VENDORS THAT WERE CURRENTLY DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY VENDORS THAT HAD NEVER DONE BUSINESS WITH THE CITY. AND WE HEARD FROM VENDORS THAT HAD BID ON CITY OPPORTUNITIES BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR US TO HEAR ABOUT THE SUCCESSES AND THE PAIN POINTS FROM THE EYES AND MOUTHS OF THE VENDOR COMMUNITY. IN ORDER TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT. WE ALSO FACILITATED WHAT WE CALLED AN RFP ATHON. THIS WAS A SIX WEEK TRAINING COURSE WHERE WE COACHED OVER 50 DEPARTMENT USERS ON WRITING RESULTS DRIVEN RFPS USING THE NEW TEMPLATE. LASTLY, IN YEAR TWO, WE PARTNERED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP THE PITCH LONG BEACH PROGRAM, INVITING VENDORS TO PROPOSE NEW AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS. AFTER THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TRANSFORMATION OF YEAR ONE AND TWO, WE FOCUSED ON CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT SUSTAINABILITY, AND OF COURSE ALWAYS ON EQUITY. THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE FY 24 ADOPTED BUDGET ADDED A NEW POSITION IN INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENT OUTREACH COORDINATOR. THIS POSITION LIFTS UP LOCAL BUSINESSES AND PROVIDES A DIRECT CONNECTION WITH [05:50:01] THE CITY AND PERSONALIZED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ALONG WITH MATCHMAKING WITH DEPARTMENT NEEDS. OUR COORDINATOR, WHO YOU WILL SEE ON OUR OUTREACH SLIDE, WORKS TO BUILD AUTHENTIC RELATIONSHIPS IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TARGETS OUTREACH EFFORTS TO UN UNDERREPRESENTED LOCAL BUSINESSES. THIS MORE IN DEPTH AND EQUITABLE APPROACH TO PROCUREMENT HAS ALREADY PRODUCED PROMISING RESULTS. ANOTHER BIG PART OF THE EXTREME PROCUREMENT MAKEOVER WAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LONG BEACH BUYS. THIS IS THE VENDOR PORTAL WHERE ALL OF THE INTERACTIONS WITH BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TAKE PLACE. THIS IS A SCREENSHOT OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE LANDING PAGE. THE CITY POSTS, ALL OF ITS FORMAL SOLICITATIONS AND CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES ON LONG BEACH BUYS. ANYONE INTERESTED IN AN OPPORTUNITY REGISTERS IN THE SYSTEM. THE SYSTEM WILL NOTIFY THEM WHEN SOMETHING COMES ALONG THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO BID AND IS FREE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED GUIDES AND VIDEOS IN ALL FOUR LANGUAGES ABOUT ALL ASPECTS OF THE USE OF LONG BEACH BUYS FROM REGISTRATION TO SUBMITTAL RESPONSE AND HAVE STAFF AVAILABLE TO HELP IS NEEDED BECAUSE OF ALL THIS GREAT WORK. LONG BEACH IS NOW VIEWED AS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THE PROCUREMENT INDUSTRY AND WE HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY CITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ABOUT HOW WE INNOVATED OUR OPERATIONS. WE HAVE BEEN FEATURED IN SEVERAL ONLINE GOVERNMENT FOCUSED MEDIA OUTLETS, PARTICULAR PARTICULARLY ABOUT OUR INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENT REFORM AND OUR POLICY AND PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS FOCUSED ON EQUITY. OUR BUSINESS SERVICES TEAM, WHICH YOU CAN SEE HERE ON THE SLIDE, IS DEDICATED TO MAKING THE CITY AND ITS PROCESSES MORE APPROACHABLE. WE HAVE MADE IT OUR FOCUS TO MEET LOCAL BUSINESSES WHERE THEY ARE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AT THEIR EVENTS, AND WITH THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS. EACH TIME WE DO OUTREACH, WE BRING STAFF FROM PROCUREMENT SERVICES, BUSINESS LICENSE AND LABOR COMPLIANCE SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ANSWER A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS AS IT RELATES TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY. ONE OF THE BIGGEST HURDLES TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY REPORTED TO US THROUGH FOCUS GROUPS AND SURVEYS IS SIMPLY JUST FINDING OUT WHAT THE CITY IS BUYING AND CONTRACTING FOR. IN THE FALL OF 2022, WE BEGAN WHAT WE CALL OUR THIRD THURSDAY WEBINAR SERIES TITLED DOING BUSINESS WITH THE CITY. ONCE A MONTH VENDORS OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ARE IS INVITED TO A 40 MINUTE PRESENTATION ABOUT THE BASICS OF DOING BUSINESS WITH THE WITH THE CITY. WE WALK THEM THROUGH THE LONG BEACH BUYS REGISTRATION PROCESS, THE PROCESS PROCESS TO OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR SMALL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. AND EACH MONTH WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST THAT HIGHLIGHTS UPCOMING PROCUREMENTS. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION, WE HAVE A 20 MINUTE LIVE Q AND A SESSION. THESE HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. WE HAVE DONE 22 WEBINARS IN TOTAL AND ARE AVERAGING AROUND 75 PARTICIPANTS EACH MONTH. IN FACT, THE AUGUST ONE IS COMING UP THIS WEEK, WELL ON THURSDAY, WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT MIGHT BE LIKE 24 HOURS AWAY AT THIS POINT. AND WE INVITE ANYONE TO LOG IN AND SEE WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST THREE YEARS GETTING TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE. THIS SLIDE IS A SNAPSHOT OF OUR OUTREACH EFFORTS. OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE ATTENDED 55 IN-PERSON EVENTS AND WE HAVE DONE 36 ONLINE EVENTS. EACH SUMMER. WE ATTEND ONE TO TWO COMMUNITY EVENTS IN EVERY COUNCIL DISTRICT. WE MOST RECENTLY WERE AT THE JAZZ FEST IN CD NINE, HELPING POTENTIAL VENDORS REGISTER IN THE SYSTEM AND APPLY FOR BUSINESS LICENSE. AND JUST AS A QUICK SIDE NOTE, SHOUT OUT TO CD NINE FOR KEEPING THAT EVENT GOING. I REMEMBER WHEN IT STARTED 13 YEARS AGO AND I WORKED WITH, HE WASN'T THE MAYOR THEN. UM, HE WAS THE CHIEF OF STAFF OF CD NINE AND WE STARTED IT. SO I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SEE IT'S STILL GOING AND THRIVING. UM, BEFORE I CONCLUDE ABOUT THE EXTREME PROCUREMENT MAKEOVER, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CELEBRATE ONE FINAL SUCCESS WITH YOU. WE JUST LEARNED THIS PAST WEEK THAT ONCE AGAIN WE WON FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN FIVE YEARS THE NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AND EXCELLENCE AND PROCUREMENT AWARD. WE ARE ONE OF ONLY 67 CITIES TO BE SELECTED NATIONALLY AND ONLY FIVE OTHER CITIES WE'RE LARGER THAN LONG BEACH. THE REVIEW PROCESS FOR THIS AWARD IS EXTREMELY COMPREHENSIVE, INCLUDING CRITERIA MEASURING INNOVATION, PROFESSIONALISM, PRODUCTIVITY, E-PROCUREMENT AND LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, AND INCLUDES COMPONENTS FROM THE GREAT WORK THE TEAM HAS DONE TO SUPPORT THE COVID TO 19 PANDEMIC EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS. AND FOR THE FINAL SECTION OF THIS PRESENTATION, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT OUR LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM. THE RECENT CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM AND THE CHANGES TO COME IN FY 25. THE ORIGINAL LOCAL PREFERENCE ORDINANCE WAS ADOPTED IN 2009, GIVING LOCAL VENDORS A 10% PREFERENCE UP TO $10,000 ON BIDS, WHICH ARE SOLICITATIONS FOR GOODS. AND THE SELECTION IS SOLELY MADE BASED ON THE LOWEST PRICE. LAST YEAR, CITY COUNCIL [05:55:01] PASSED AN UPDATE TO THAT ORDINANCE GIVING A 10% PREFERENCE TO LOCAL VENDORS UP TO $50,000. WHEN WE BROUGHT THAT ITEM FORWARD, WE ALSO COMMITTED TO WORKING ON EXPANDING THE PROGRAM FURTHER TO INCLUDE RFPS AND SMALL DOLLAR PURCHASES. UNLIKE BIDS, RFPS ARE NOT EVALUATED SOLELY ON PRICE. THE SELECTION PROCESS IS BASED ON EVALUATION CRITERIA WHICH ALLOW THE OVERALL BEST VALUE FOR THE CITY TO BE DETERMINED BY A GROUP OF SUB SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS SELECTED BY THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENT. AS OF JULY 1ST, FIVE EXTRA PERCENTAGE POINTS ARE NOW GIVEN TO LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WHO COMPETE FOR AN OPPORTUNITY THAT IS AWARDED THROUGH AN RFP AND FY 25. WE PLAN TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM EVEN FURTHER. THE SMALL DOLLAR THRESHOLD WILL BE INCREASED. WHAT WE ARE CALLING THE 40 IS THE NEW 25. FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS, THE SMALL DOLLAR THRESHOLD HAS BEEN $25,000. WE ARE GOING TO INCREASE THAT TO 40,000 WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR STAFF TO ATTEMPT TO GET LOCAL VENDOR PARTICIPATION AND THE PROCUREMENT COMPLIANCE DIVISION WILL OVERSEE AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ATTEMPTS ARE MADE. THESE TYPES OF PURCHASES ARE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS AND FORMAL SOLICITATIONS ARE NOT REQUIRED ONLY REQUESTS FOR VENDORS TO SUBMIT QUOTES. THIS 60% INCREASE TO THE THRESHOLD WILL ALLOW LOCAL BUSINESSES A GREATER OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE FOR CITY BUSINESS WITH MUCH LESS OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. WHILE WE USE THE TERM SMALL DOLLAR, THESE MAKE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT FOR OUR LOCAL AND SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. POTENTIALLY UP TO 25% OF ALL PURCHASES MADE BY THE CITY WILL BE MORE TARGETED AND FOCUSED TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY WITH BUILT-IN OVERSIGHT AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENT OUTREACH COORDINATOR TO MATCH DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES. LASTLY, WE PLAN TO FURTHER EXPAND THE RFP PREFERENCE THAT ROLLED OUT IN JULY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO GIVE LOCAL BUSINESSES THE FIVE EXTRA PERCENTAGE POINTS IF THEY ARE REGISTERED AS A HOME-BASED BUSINESS AND WE WILL GIVE 10 EXTRA PERCENTAGE POINTS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE OPERATING A STOREFRONT OR FROM OTHER COMMERCIAL OR INDUSTRIAL LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. WE ARE EXCITED FOR ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED AND THE CHANGES THAT WILL COME AT THE, IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO OFFICIALLY SAY THAT WE HAVE A WELL-ROUNDED AND IMPACTFUL LOCAL PREFERENCE PROGRAM THAT APPLIES TO ALL PROCUREMENT TYPES IN THE CITY. AND AS A FINAL REMINDER, NO PREFERENCE CAN BE APPLIED IN CERTAIN AREAS OF THE CITY, PARTICULARLY THE TIDELANDS AND FOR CERTAIN FUNDING, FUNDING SOURCES, INCLUDING SOME GRANTS. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THE CURRENT RFP AWARD AND THE ACTION TONIGHT, ALONG WITH OTHER FEATURES OF OUR CITY'S PROCUREMENT PROCESS AND OUR ACHIEVEMENTS. TODD, TARA, AND MYSELF ARE AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. WE'RE GONNA TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST. I KNOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN WAITING. THEN WE'LL TAKE IT BACK BEHIND THE RAIL. SO WE HAVE 15 PEOPLE SIGN UP TO SPEAK. I'M NOT SURE HOW MANY ARE STILL LEFT, BUT WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD. MAGGIE WILLIAMSON. BEN TO PIERS JR. JUAN CUNO ON DEAN. BEAUTIFUL BES BO FIELDS. BO FIELDS. GOT IT. UH, SABRINA PARIS, CAPTAIN KIRKS, UH, ERIC CHASE, BART MILLER, JOE WEBER, TONY C ADRIANA ZO, UH, JESSE MCCOURT, TOMAS ZIOKOWSKI, TIAGO D MORALES, AND LISA LOWE. SO GIVEN THAT IT'S, UH, PER COUNCIL RULES, GIVEN THAT IT'S MORE THAN 10, IT'S 15, UH, IT'LL BE A 92ND ON 90 SECONDS ON THE CLOCK. AND WE'LL START WITH MAGGIE. UM, I'LL BE MAGGIE. IS MAGGIE HERE? I'M GONNA BE MAGGIE BECAUSE MAGGIE HAD CHILDREN AND SHE LEFT A STATEMENT. IS THAT UH, I THINK THAT'S FINE. ALRIGHT. MY NAME IS MAGGIE WILLIAMSON AND I'M A CLUB RACE OFFICIAL CERTIFIED BY US SAILING. I HELP PLAN, ORGANIZE, AND RUN REGATTA EVENTS AT LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB. CAPTAIN KIRKS HAS WORKED WITH THE SAILING COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP KITE SURF RACING SOMETHING NEW TO OUR AREA. SHE HAS SUPPORTED MY FORMULA KITE CIRCLE DURING OUR WET WEDNESDAY SUMMER SERIES REGATTA, WHERE I TRAINED RACE COMMITTEE MEMBERS ON HOW TO, HOW THE FLEET OPERATES AND HOW THE RACING RULES OF SAILING DIFFER FOR THE KITE CLASS. SABRINA HAS SUPPORTED THE OLYMPIC CLASS REGATTA A JOINT EFFORT OF SEVERAL LOCAL YACHT CLUBS WHERE RACE COMMITTEE AND COMPETITORS ARE PREPARING FOR UPCOMING 2028 OLYMPICS. MOST RECENTLY, I ORGANIZED THE JESSICA UNISA MEMORIAL BEACH TO BAY REGATTA, WHERE WE HAD A HUNDRED YOUTH COMPETITORS FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA CELL FROM ALAMEDOS BEACH TO ALAMEDO BAY. I ASKED SABRINA IF SHE COULD HELP AND SHE WAS VERY WILLING. SHE DONATED BIG TICKET PRIZES TO OUR WARDS AND CAME [06:00:01] AND SUPPORTED THE ENTIRE EVENT. WITHOUT HESITATION, CAPTAIN KIRK SHOULD BE ISSUED THEIR KITE SURFING LICENSE RENEWAL. THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY AND HAVE SUPPORTED MY ENDEAVORS QUITE GENEROUSLY. THEY LOVE THE SPORT AND TREAT IT WITH RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY IT DESERVES. CAPTAIN KIRK SHOULD BE GRANTED A BUSINESS LICENSE RENEWAL. THAT'S HER STATEMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT IS BENTO. CAN WE GO TOGETHER? NO, ALL IT'S OKAY. YOU CAN SAY IT'S OKAY TO SAY ME TOO OR I SUPPORT WHAT THE LAST PERSON SAID, BUT COME, COME TO PLEASE COME FORWARD. LET ME, LET'S GO. UH, JUST STEP FORWARD. I'M A LITTLE BIT ANXIOUS. . IT'S ALRIGHT. IS IT RAIN? UH, GOOD EVENING. UH, MY NAME IS BENTO PERRIS. I'M THE OWNER OF KITE SURF LIFE. I'M AN I INSTRUCTOR. I'VE BEEN KITE SURFING IN LONG BEACH FOR SINCE 2015. UH, FIRST OF ALL, BIG THANK YOU TO MY LOVELY PARTNER, ANDIN AND ALL MY FRIENDS THAT ARE HERE. ALL OF YOU. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR. ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS, ALL THE STAFF, UH, PARKS AND RECREATION MARINE. GREAT JOB. WHEW, THAT THE PRESENTATION, UH, WAS WAITING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE, UH, TO, TO APPLY FOR THE PERMIT FOR FOUR YEARS. UH, RIGHT NOW IT'S EIGHT MONTH THINGS WE WERE SELECTED, UH, AND THE PARKS AND RECREATION MARINES SELECTED THE THREE BEST PROPOSALS AS WE SAW IN THE PROCESS. UH, WE MET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PROCESS. KITES SURF LIFE WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE OF OUR BUSINESS PLAN, OUR QUALIFICATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS THAT SHOWS THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST BUSINESS TO REPRESENT THE CITY. SO I REALLY NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO APPROVE THE KITE SURF LIFE WITH THIS PERMIT SO WE CAN START DOING OUR BEST. I'M A LATINO IMMIGRANT WITH A SMALL BUSINESS RESIDENT IN THIS COUNTRY, BECOMING A CITIZEN, AND I BELIEVE THAT IN THIS COUNTRY THE DEFINITION OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE REAL. SO PLEASE ALLOW ME TO TEACH TO WORK AND GIVE YOUR TIME IS UP. OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH GUYS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS, UH, JUAN CAMANO, AND THEN ON DEAN. GOOD EVENING. UM, UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS. UM, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, YOU KNOW, BENTO ON KAISER LIFE TO GET THE, YOU KNOW, HIS LICENSE. UM, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS JUST, UM, YOU KNOW, EXPLAIN TO YOU GUYS MY EXPERIENCE WITH, UH, UH, HIM, UH, AND, AND ESTRO, UH, UM, IN, IN PARTICULAR, UH, FOUR YEARS AGO I WENT THROUGH A PERSONAL LOSS AND, UH, YOU KNOW, PRETTY BAD DEPRESSION. AND, UH, I STARTED GETTING, YOU KNOW, LESSONS IN LONG BEACH. I DON'T EVEN LIVE IN LONG BEACH. I LIVE IN, IN IN PASADENA, AND I COME EVERY SINGLE TIME I CAN. AND, UH, I LEARNED THE SPORT. THIS REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE. UH, BEEN TO WHEN I WAS THE FIRST INSTRUCTORS THAT, UH, ACTUALLY TAUGHT, YOU KNOW, TAUGHT ME AFTER FOUR YEARS. UH, IT'S, UH, IT'S, IT'S BEEN, UM, A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE. UM, UH, HE NAMED THE AMBASSADOR OF HIS COMPANY, YOU KNOW, TRYING TO, YOU KNOW, UM, IT'S A, IT'S A, IT IT WAS SUCH AN AMAZING, UH, EXPERIENCE THAT I'VE BEEN, YOU KNOW, INTRODUCING OTHER PEOPLE TO THE SPORTS. I HAD TWO TEENAGER KIDS THAT I WANTED TO LEARN THE SPORTS TOO. AND I WOULD, UH, YOU KNOW, I, UH, I WOULD LOVE, YOU KNOW, FOR BENTO TO BE ABLE TO BE THE, THE INSTRUCTOR FOR THEM. UH, AND THE, THE COMMUNITY THAT HE HAS BUILT AMONG, YOU KNOW, ALL THE FRIENDS THAT WE ARE, WE'RE HERE. UH, IT ACTUALLY, UM, HE HAS CONNECTED ALL OF US. UH, THIS IS GONNA BE MY FOURTH YEAR THAT I GO TO BRAZIL WITH THIS COMPANY. THEY DO, UH, YOU KNOW, UM, UH, TRIPS. HE GATHERS PEOPLE FROM LONG BEACH AND, AND BRAZIL. AND WE GO THERE AND WE, AND WE KEEP, UH, YOU KNOW, UM, PRACTICING THE SPORT. SO ANYWAY, I, I WOULD LOVE, UM, TO HAVE MY KIDS, YOU KNOW, UM, LEARNING THE SPORT, YOU KNOW, WITH HIM. UH, MANY OF MY FRIENDS ARE WILLING TO WAIT ALSO. AND I WAS PRETTY EXCITED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER THAT THIS WAS GONNA HAPPEN. IT HASN'T HAPPENED YET, BUT HOPEFULLY, UH, FOR THE NEXT, UH, NEXT WIND SEASON, IT'S, IT'S, IT WILL, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE. SO I HOPE, UH, US CAN HELP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS ON DEAN, THEN SABRINA. GOOD EVENING. SO MY NAME IS ONDE. I'M PRE PRESENTING KAISER LIFE AS WELL. I WAS WITH YOU ON JUNE 18TH FOR THE CITY COUNCIL WHEN THIS WAS FIRST BROUGHT UP. UM, AND AT THAT TIME WE WERE NOT ABLE TO TALK ABOUT, UH, SOME OF [06:05:01] THE CRITICAL CRITERIA THAT TODD MENTIONED, SUCH AS SAFETY OPERATIONS CERTIFICATIONS, SO THE WHOLE CREW OF KAISER SURF LIFE AMBASSADORS, INSTRUCTORS AND FRIENDS ARE HERE TODAY. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS AND YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT, WE'D BE VERY HAPPY TO DO SO. YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE A LOT OF, UH, AGENDAS ON YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS GIVEN THE TIME THAT IT IS TONIGHT. UH, SO WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PROCESS, IT'S TAKING A LONG TIME. IN MARCH, WE HAD ASKED FOR A TEMPORARY PERMIT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE DURING THE SEASON AS THIS PROCESS WAS UNFOLDING. UM, WE KNOW THAT THE INCUMBENT SCHOOLS WERE CONTINUING THEIR OPERATIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO OPERATE. SO WE'RE REALLY HOPING FOR A SWIFT APPROVAL OF THE PERMITS TODAY TO STOP THIS, UH, TEMPORARY, UH, SITUATION AND ALLOW OPERATIONS TO START. AND, UH, YEAH, WE'LL BE VERY HAPPY TO, UH, REMOVE THIS ITEM FROM YOUR AGENDA AND FOR YOUR POST SOME OF YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT IS SABRINA, THEN ERIC. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS SABRINA PARISI AND THE, I'M THE OWNER OF CAPTAIN KESY LONG BEACH. A CAPTAIN KI AS PROUDLY SERVED THE BELMONT SHORE KAI SURFING COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST DECADE, MAINTAINING AN IMPECCABLE SAFETY RECORD AND FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AS ONE OF THE FEW KAI SURFING SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY WITH A PHYSICAL STORE AND THE ONLY ONE RUN BY WOMAN. WE PROMOTE DIVERSITY, UH, REFLECTING THE SPIRIT OF LONG BEACH O HOWEVER, WE ENCOUNTER A PROBLEM WITH THE KAISER FEE LICENSE APPLICATION AND THE CITY STAFF CLAIMED THAT WE DIDN'T RECEIVE, THEY DID NOT RECEIVE ANY DOCUMENTS, BUT THEY BELIEVE IT'S A SYSTEM ERROR ERROR. NO ONE INFORMED US ABOUT ANY MISSING DOCUMENTS UNTIL MUCH LATER, DESPITE NUMEROUS EMAILS AS SENT WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. I'M NOT ASKING FOR SPECIAL TREATMENT, BUT FOR FAIR. BUT JUST FAIRNESS, YOUR LOCAL ESTABLISHED SMALL BUSINESS SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR A COMPUTER OR SYSTEM ERROR. UM, WITHOUT THIS LICENSE, COULD BE FORCED TO CLOSE. OUR REVENUE LARGELY DEPENDS ON STUDENTS BUYING GEAR AFTER THE LESSON. SO THE SITUATION IS VERY STRESSFUL AND VERY CONCERNED. I KINDLY REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT TO ENSURE THAT CAPTAIN KE REMAINS OPEN AND TO CORRECT THE MISINFORMATION ABOUT US. WE ALREADY FACE CUSTOMER REQUESTING REFUND AND THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTABLE FOR US. WE ARE HERE TO HELP, TO HELP LONG BEACH TRIBE AND APPALL THIS VALIUM DIVERSITY. PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESS AND HELP US CONTINUE SERVING THE HEART OF LONG BEACH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. SORRY, I'M STRESSED, . THANK YOU. YOU DID WELL. THANK YOU. UH, NEXT IS ERIC, THEN BART, I'VE BEEN HELPING SABRINA. UH, SHE'S BEEN TEACHING WITH PERFECT SAFETY RECORD FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. ONE OF THE SCHOOLS THAT YOU'VE APPROVED HAD A FATALITY LAST YEAR, ANOTHER SCHOOL THAT YOU'VE APPROVED, UH, PARIS TO HAVE GIVEN YOU ERRONEOUS INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS. I HAVE BIG QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. I WANNA POINT OUT THAT, UM, I HAVE SENT ALL THE EMAILS THAT WENT BACK AND FORTH TO EACH OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'VE TAKEN TIME TO REVIEW THEM, BUT YOU'LL SEE THAT SABRINA HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM ONCE SHE GOT ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM AND SHE SUBMITTED ALL HER DOCUMENTS TIMELY. SHE HAD NO WAY OF CHECKING, UH, TO SEE WHAT DOCUMENTS WERE ACTUALLY RECEIVED. SHE SENT FOLLOW-UP COMMUNICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT AND RECEIVE NO COMMUNICATION UNTIL AFTER THE BIDDING HAD CLOSED. AS MS. WILSON INDICATES, THEY DON'T LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS AND THEY DON'T INFORM ANYONE UNTIL AFTER THE BIDDING CLOSES. AT WHICH POINT THEY, THERE WAS COMMUNICATION IN WHICH THEY, UH, THE, UH, PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT TOLD SABRINA THAT IT WAS TOO LATE FOR HER TO SUBMIT HER DOCUMENTS AND THAT HER APPLICATION WAS TRASHED. SO YOU TRASHED THE APPLICA, THEY TRASHED THE APPLICATION AND DIDN'T CONSIDER A PERSON WHO HAS A BRICK AND MORTAR BUSINESS, A PERFECT SAFETY RECORD, AN EIGHT YEAR TEACHING RECORD, AND HAS NOW BEEN ASKED TO TRAIN THE JUDGES FOR THE 2028 LONG BEACH OLYMPICS AND HAS BEEN ASKED TO TRAIN OLYMPIC COMPETITORS. SO IF YOU GUYS VOTE YES ON THIS, SHE WILL BE PUT OUT OF BUSINESS. SHE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO, UH, TRAIN THE OLYMPIC COMPETITORS. THANK YOU, MR. THIS IS A TRAVESTY AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. THANK YOU, ERIC. NEXT IS BART AFTER BART IS JOE, IS BART HERE? AND IS JOE HERE? UH, JOE JUST LEFT, BUT OKAY. SO BART, COME FORWARD. UH, OKAY. UM, MR. MAYOR AND COUNSEL, UM, I AM BART MILLER. SO I'M THE OWNER OF SOCAL KITE SURFING. I'M ACTUALLY YOUR KITE BOARDING, UH, PERMITEE SINCE THE PERMITS WERE FIRST ISSUED. AND IT'S BEEN MY HONOR TO WORK WITH THE CITY AND THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY OF LONG BEACH ALL THESE YEARS IN DEVELOPING KITE BOARDING AS A SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL ACTIVITY IN THE KITE BEACH AT BELMONT SHORE. [06:10:01] AND I REALIZE LOCAL PREFERENCE ISN'T A, UH, APPARENTLY A, A, UM, UH, STIPULATION. UH, BUT DUE TO A OLD MAILING ADDRESS, WHICH I'VE UPDATED, THERE WAS A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT SOCAL KITE SURFING WAS NOT A LONG BEACH BUSINESS. AND THAT BOTHERED ME. SO I JUST WANTED TO SET THIS RECORD STRAIGHT AND LET YOU KNOW THAT I AM A LONG BEACH BUSINESS AND I NOT NOW OR EVER HAVE PARTICIPATED IN ANY WATER SPORTS IN ANY OTHER CITY THAN LONG BEACH. AND, UM, IN FACT, I'VE BEEN YOUR CONCESSIONAIRE SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE PERMITS 15 YEARS AGO. UH, DURING THIS TIME I MAINTAINED MY BUSINESS ADDRESS AND I'VE HAD A, A BUSINESS LICENSE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. MY STAFF MEMBERS ALL LIVE IN LONG BEACH. I HAVE NEIL PARKER SVET, KEVIN SAGE, ET CETERA. THEY'RE ALL PERMANENT MEM, MEMBERS OF LONG BEACH. MY FAMILY INTEREST IN LONG BEACH, INCLUDING MY ADULT SONS, UH, BUT LONG, I'M A LONGSTANDING LONG BEACH FAMILY BUSINESS. ACTUALLY, ONE SON'S LIVED IN LONG BEACH FOR A DECADE. THE OTHER, UH, HAS GRADUATED FROM UNDERGRAD AND GRADUATE SCHOOL AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH AND MARRIED A WOMAN FROM LONG BEACH. AND BOTH HAVE WORKED FOR ME HERE IN LONG BEACH. AND, UM, I ALSO MAINTAIN A VESSEL IN LONG BEACH FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS. SO LONG BEACH IS WHERE I SPEND MY TIME. I'M A BIG SUPPORTER OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. AND, UH, SO PLEASE GIMME THE SUPPORT THAT I DESERVE AND RENEW MY PERMIT AND ALLOW ME TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CITY THAT I LOVE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALRIGHT, SO NEXT I HAVE JOE, I HEAR JOE'S NOT HERE. IF YOU'RE SPEAKING FOR JOE, JUST JUST WAIT TILL THE END. I'M GONNA GET THE PEOPLE AND WE'LL, WE'LL, WE'LL COME BACK TO YOU. IS TONY C HERE PRESENT? OKAY, TONY, YOU'RE UP. AND THEN ADRIANA. IS ADRIANA HERE? UH, THAT'S ME. OH, OKAY. YOU'LL GO AFTER TONY. HELLO, I'M TONY. C THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR MENTAL STAMINA, D TILL ALMOST MIDNIGHT. UM, THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. INTERESTING. UM, I HAD SOMETHING WRITTEN AND I GUESS I'M JUST GONNA FREESTYLE IT. I'M VERY FAMILIAR WITH OPEN BID FOR SOLICITATION AND RFPS, AND IT CAN BE ENC CUMBERSOME, BUT THE MATRIX OF GRADING THE, THE, THE, YOU KNOW, THE BIDS, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN JUKE THE STATS. YOU CAN GO FOR HERE AND THERE. FROM THE LITTLE INFORMATION I HAVE ABOUT THESE VENDORS AND THE TESTIMONY THAT I HEARD, UM, WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE WHAT'S ALREADY WORKING, RIGHT? WHY WOULD YOU CHANGE? UM, I GIVE MY TESTIMONY, SAY THAT I'M A SUPPORTER FOR CAPTAIN KIRK'S WATER SUPPORTS THE REASON WHY THEY SUPPORT GOOD PEOPLE. GOOD PEOPLE HELP, GOOD PEOPLE. SO WE HAVE 10 TO I'M A CAL STATE LONG BEACH STUDENT. GO BEACH, RIGHT? I'M LOCAL. AND, UM, 30 SECONDS. OKAY. . I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE HAVE TENTATIVE TRAINING SESSIONS FOR LONG BEACH RESIDENTS. PROJECT REBOUND. I THINK PROBABLY SOME OF, YOU KNOW, KNOW ABOUT THE DOR DEPARTMENT REHABILITATION. THEY FUND THE, UM, THE PROJECT REBOUND, WHICH ARE JUSTICE IMPACT PEOPLE, RIGHT? WE HAVE CLASSES FOR THEM, SO IT'S GONNA HELP 'EM THROUGH THE HEALING PROCESS, WHICH HELPS OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO POINT OUT. GOOD PEOPLE HELPING GOOD PEOPLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OKAY. UH, ADRIANA, YOU'RE UP AFTER ADRIANA WILL BE JESSE AND ADRIANA, WHEN YOU'RE DONE, IF YOU WANNA JUST GIVE YOUR, YOUR COLLEAGUES MATES, THAT'S FINE. NO, RIGHT NOW? YEAH. GRAB IT. DO YOU WANT READ THIS ONE? ALL RIGHT. CHOP TOP. WE GOTTA GO. NO, IT'S FROM TODD SMITH. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. SORRY. UM, SO, HELLO, MY NAME IS ABRIANA. I'M A FINANCE MAJOR STUDENT AT C-S-U-L-B. I'M HERE TODAY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO A BELOVED BUSINESS THAT IS CURRENTLY FACING CHALLENGES. CAPTAIN KIRK'S WATER SPORTS. AS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE CAL STATE LONG BEACH, UH, FOODIE CLUB, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE FOR, UH, GRATITUDE FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP PROVIDED BY CAPTAIN KIRKS WATER SPORT. OUR CLUB CONSISTS OF 714 MEMBERS AND GROWING WHO SHARE A PASSION FOR CULINARY EXPLORATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. OUR UNIVERSITY IS BIG ON LIFE AND BALANCE, AND WE VALUE WATER, SPORTS AND FOOD TOGETHER AS IT INCREASES OUR OVERALL WELLBEING AND POSITIVE ENGA UH, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT. WE ALWAYS, UH, LOVED WORKING WITH THIS COMPANY, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE EMPLOYEES OF THIS COMPANY ARE VERY GENUINE AND KIND. FOR THE UPCOMING FALL 2024, WE WERE PLANNING TO CONTINUE OUR COLLABORATION. CAPTAIN CORKS KIRKS WAS GOING TO SPONSOR OUR BIG CLEANUP AND PROVIDE COMPLIMENTARY, UH, KITE SURFING LESSONS. MANY OF, MANY OF US WOULD, UH, BE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED IF CAPTAIN KIRKS WERE NO LONGER ABLE TO PROVIDE INTER UH, INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BEACH. THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ANOTHER PERSON HERE, UH, WHICH THEY CANNOT MAKE IT, SO I'LL [06:15:01] READ THEIR EMAIL ON THEIR BEHALF, UH, WHICH IS BASICALLY JOE. UM, DO YOU WANNA RESET? BECAUSE IT WAS FOR JOE, THAT TIMER? BECAUSE IT'S FOR JOE. YEAH. JUST KEEP GOING. OH, OKAY. WE GOT YOU. UH, JOE HAD THIS EMAIL FROM, UM, MR. TODD SMITH, US SAILING. MY NAME IS TODD SMITH AND I'M PART OF THE ORGAN ORGANIZING COMMUNITY, UH, FOR THE ANNUAL OLYMPIC CLASSES. REGATTA, AND I HAVE BEEN THE BEACH MASTER FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS IN SUPPORT OF THE OLYMPIC CLASSES REGATTA. I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK CAPTAIN KIRKS AS CAPTAIN KIRKS HAS BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL AND SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE COMPETING KITES SAILORS, UH, AT THESE REGATTAS. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE, PLEASURE TO WITNESS THE COMRADERY AND GOOD SPORTMANSHIP OF THE COMPETING KITE SAILORS AND CAPTAIN KIRKS HAS BEEN A KEY, UH, CONTRIBUTOR. THEY ARE, UH, ORIGINALLY SET UP A BEACH TENT AND PROVIDED BEVERAGES, NOURISHMENT TO THE SAILORS DURING THE BREAKS, DURING THE COMPETITION. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, UH, WE HOPE THAT CAPTAIN CRAIGS CAN MAINTAIN THEIR PEASANTS ON THE BEACH AND SUPPORT THE SPORT FOR YEARS TO COME. TODD, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS JESSE, THEN TOMAS. AND AFTER TOMAS IS TIAGO. OKAY. UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS LATE . REALLY APPRECIATE IT. MY NAME IS JESSE MCCOURT. I'M ONE OF THE CURRENT PERMIT PERMIT HOLDERS AND, UH, ONE OF THE NEWLY AWARDED PERMITEES. UM, I'VE BEEN OPERATING OUT OF LONG BEACH SINCE 2016 WHEN I FIRST AWARDED MY FIRST PERMIT, AND I HAVE ONLY OPERATED OUTTA LONG BEACH SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THAT. MY RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS IN HUNTINGTON IS WHERE I RECEIVE MAIL. IF I COULD GET MAIL ON THE BEACH, I WOULD, BUT I CANNOT. UM, I LIKE TO BRING YOUR ATTENTION TOO. THAT LONG BEACH IS PARTICULARLY BELMONT S WHERE THE PRIME LOCATION FOR ALL KITE BOARDING, UH, INSTRUCTION. UH, THERE ARE NO KITE BOARDING SCHOOLS IN HUNTINGTON. THERE ARE NO KITE BOARDING SCHOOLS IN SEAL BEACH OR NEAR THE AREAS AROUND. AND FOR THAT MATTER, UH, LONG BEACH REALLY SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A PRIME SPOT FOR TEACHING AND SHOULD HAVE THE BEST SCHOOLS TEACHING THERE. WE BRING PEOPLE IN FROM PHOENIX, FROM SAN FRANCISCO, FROM SAN DIEGO. TWO OF OUR STUDENTS TODAY CAME FROM SAN DIEGO. SO PEOPLE COME FROM ALL OVER. AND WHEN CHOOSING THESE SCHOOLS, IT SHOULD BE BASED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AND THEIR MERIT, UM, WHETHER OR NOT THEY OWN A RETAIL BUSINESS. MY TOP TWO INSTRUCTORS AND MYSELF HAVE 52 YEARS OF TEACHING EXPERIENCE HERE IN LONG BEACH. UH, WE KNOW THIS BEACH PROBABLY BETTER THAN MOST. SOCAL KITE BOARDING HAS BEEN OUT THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. UH, BART AND I HAVE WORKED SIDE BY SIDE FOR MANY YEARS, AND BENTO, WHO HAD WORKED UNDERNEATH HIM FOR MANY YEARS, KNOWS THE BEACH JUST AS WELL. UH, WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE OF KITE BOARDING FOR THE BEACH. AND WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CITY LIFEGUARDS TO PROVIDE SAFETY CLINICS. WE DO BEACH CLEANUPS. UH, EVERY MONTH WE'VE STARTED DOING THAT TO JUST SPREADING AWARENESS OF OUR BEACHES AND KEEPING THEM CLEAN. AND MY SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO THIS AND KEEP BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY THAT WE'VE CREATED AND ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE WITH OUR PERMITS AND BUILDING THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ALRIGHT, UH, NEXT WE HAVE TOMAS. AFTER TOMAS IS TIAGO, THEN LISA LOWE. AND SUSIE. THAT'S IT. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. UH, I'M SUPPORTING, UH, BENTO. PIRE AND SO, AND, UH, ALSO, UM, OTHER SCHOOLS AS WELL. SO, UH, SO-CALLED KITE SURFING. LET ME, UH, BRIEFLY TELL YOU, UH, MY STORY ABOUT KITE SURFING. UM, I STARTED WITH, SO-CALLED, UH, KITE SURFING WITH BART MILLER, OUR EXAMINER. UM, ON THE WAY THERE, I MET BENTO AND I HAD A LESSON WITH HIM, WHICH TOTALLY CHANGED MY LIFE. UM, GOING FORWARD, UM, I BECAME ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR, THEN I CAME INSTRUCTOR, LEVEL ONE. UM, AND RIGHT NOW I'M AN INSTRUCTOR. LEVEL TWO. UM, I CREATED GREAT FRIENDSHIP WITH, UM, WITH BENTO, WITH ALSO BART, UH, WITH BEN BENTO. WE WERE THREE WEEKS AGO, UM, AT THE BEACH. AND WE'RE JUST HUGGING EACH OTHER. EVERY PERSON, UM, THAT KNOWS BENTO. WHEN THEY SEE HIM, THEY JUST GO LIKE THIS WITH HIS HANDS, WHICH TELLS A LOT, UH, ABOUT HIM. UM, OVERALL, WE HAVE A PROJECT FOR, UM, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. STUDENTS. MY, UH, DAUGHTER GOES TO TO, TO HIGH SCHOOL. BENTO, UM, ALSO RIGHT NOW WAS IN PARIS AND WATCHING, UH, OLYMPICS. SO HE HAS A GREAT KNOWLEDGE FIRSTHAND BEING THERE. UM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP FOR, UH, MYSELF, FOR, UM, BENTO TO, UH, HELP HIM CREATE HIS AMERICAN DREAM AND FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO, UM, WE'RE ABLE TO TEACH AGAIN AND SHARE OUR PASSION FOR, UM, KITE SURFING. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO, UM, GREATLY ASK, PLEASE VOTE IN FAVOR FOR, UH, KAISER FIVE SCHOOL PERMIT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU, LISA. NO, TIAGO. TIAGO, THEN LISA. GOOD [06:20:01] EVENING EVERYONE. UH, HELLO. MY NAME IS TIAGO. UM, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF BENTO, UH, BENTO. AND I'VE BEEN FRIENDS FOR A YEAR, A FEW YEARS NOW. WE WORK TOGETHER, COACHING, MENTORING, AND GUIDING KIDS IN SOCCER. WE BOTH COACH SOCCER TOGETHER WITH THE SAME CLUB. AND I CAN VOUCH FOR BENTO AS A GOOD MENTOR AND A GUY THAT IS VERY COMMITTED ON WHAT HE DO. UH, BENTO SHARED WITH ME HIS IDEA OF OPENING HIS SCHOOL A FEW YEARS AGO, AND I'M HAPPY TO SEE THAT HE'S IN THE FINAL STAGE OF BEING THE CHOSEN ONE. UM, I NOW RESIDE ON THE ADDRESS THAT BENTO, UM, WAS LEAVING, UH, IN LONG BEACH. AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT BENTO ASKED ME WHEN HE MOVED OUT IS IF HE COULD STILL USE MY ADDRESS AS, UH, HIS BUSINESS ADDRESS, WHICH I ALLOWED HIM A HUNDRED PERCENT BECAUSE I SUPPORT HIM. UH, I'VE SEEN, AND I WITNESSED IN MY OWN EYES THE PASSION THAT BENTO HAVE, UH, FOR KITE SURF. NOT TO MENTION THE TIME HE TOOK MY 8-YEAR-OLD FOR A KITE RIDE. AND NOW ON THE WEEKENDS WE HAVE TO GO FIND BENTON IN THE SKIES IN LONG BEACH. UM, I HOPE THIS PROJECT GO THROUGH AND THE LONG BEACH CITY, UH, ACCEPT HIM. HE, HE REALLY DESERVE IT, AND HE'LL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE CITY. UH, IT'LL BE VERY EXCITING FOR THE KIDS AND ADULTS TO ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL, UH, CITY OF LONG BEACH WITH, WITH KITES BUSINESS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, LISA AND SUSIE. I THINK I MIGHT SAY GOOD MORNING, BUT GOOD EVENING STILL. UH, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR RICHARDSON. MY NAME IS LISA LOWE. I'M A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH, LIVING IN DISTRICT THREE. I HAVE A BUSINESS IN LONG BEACH ON THE CUSP OF DISTRICT THREE. I'M ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TREASURER OF SAFFIA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS IN DISTRICT THREE. AND I LEARNED TO KITE BOARD IN LONG BEACH IN DISTRICT THREE. I'M HERE TONIGHT TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSION OF AWARDING A PERMIT TO KITE SURF LIFE LLC, TO TEACH IN LONG BEACH. I BELIEVE THE ORGANIZATION WILL ADD VALUE TO THE KITING COMMUNITY FOR BOTH THE QUALITY OF TEACHING AND THEIR VALUE OF SAFETY BY BEING IKO CERTIFIED KITEBOARDING IS FUN AND LONG BEACH IS AN AMAZING AND UNIQUE PLACE TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT. GEOGRAPHY AND THE CALMES OF GRANADA BEACH IS PERFECT FOR THE NEW KITING ENTHUSIAST. ANYONE WHO KITES WILL TELL YOU IS A GREAT PLACE TO SAFELY LEARN. IT'S WHERE I LEARNED OVER 14 YEARS AGO. BEING TAUGHT TO KITE BY A CERTIFIED IKO INSTRUCTOR IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PROCESS OF BEING A RESPONSIBLE SAFE KITTER WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF SAFETY AND THE RULES OF KITE BOARDING. IT PROMOTES BOTH CONSIDERATION OF NON KITERS AS WELL AS THE SAFETY AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE KITEBOARDING COMMUNITY. THE CONTINUITY OF TEACHING ASSOCIATED WITH IKIK OS ALLOWED ME TO BE TAUGHT BOTH IN LONG BEACH AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, BOTH TEACHING SCHOOLS WERE IKO CERTIFIED AND LEARNED. I LEARNED THE SAME PRINCIPLES FROM TWO IN TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES VIA I-K-O-I-K-O OR THE INTERNATIONAL KITE BOARDING ASSOCIATION WAS FOUNDED IN 2001 AS A GLOBAL NONPROFIT AND IS THE WORLD LEADING KITE BOARDING ORGANIZATION AND THE ONLY ONE TO OFFER INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BOARDING CERTIFIED. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. I RECOMMEND BENTO. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. AND FINALLY, SUSIE R CIO, CLOSE UP. R ROTI, ROSSIO ROTOR. ROSSIO. GOT IT. HI THERE. THANK YOU. HONORABLE. UM, HONORABLE RICHARDSON, VICE CHAIR AND STAFF. MY NAME IS SUSIE RODIO. UM, THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE, SERVING THE COMMUNITY AND, UM, THIS KITEBOARD COMMUNITY AS WELL. UM, I TOO AM A COMMUNITY SERVANT. I'M AN ER NURSE, AND, UM, YOU KNOW WHAT, SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT, UM, IN ALL OF THESE, UH, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. UM, KNOWING HOW BENTO IS AS FAR AS HIS PROFESSIONALISM, HIS CARING, UM, I KNOW HIM AS THE COACH OF BOTH MY CHILDREN. UM, HE'S WONDERFUL. UH, I AM HERE TO SUPPORT HIM KNOWING THAT HE IS VERY SAFE. HE WORKS WITH CHILDREN OF ALL AGES AND YOUNG ADULTS AND OBVIOUSLY OLDER ADULTS. UM, AND I JUST WANT TO REALLY BE HERE TO SUPPORT, UM, YOUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITIES, UM, KNOWING THAT BEING ON THE BEACH IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS, THESE BEAUTIFUL KITES FLYING ON YOUR, UM, OCEANS AND THE OLYMPICS COMING. I THINK IT'S GONNA BE VERY, VERY, UM, BEAUTIFUL AND, UH, WONDERFUL TO HAVE THESE SMALL BUSINESSES THERE. AND, UM, I JUST HOPE THAT YOU GUYS DO GO FORWARD WITH THESE PERMITS. AND I REALLY THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS LATE , THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND ALL YOU DO. WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WELL, THANK YOU ALL FOR STAYING SO LATE AND FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. WE'LL NOW BEGIN THE COUNCIL DELIBERATION. WE'RE GONNA GO TO VICE [06:25:01] MAYOR ALLEN. UM, THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, UM, THANK YOU EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT, UH, TONIGHT. UM, YOU KNOW, I JUST WANNA FIRST START, YOU KNOW, WE ALL, UH, HAVE SOMETHING THAT BRINGS US TO PUBLIC SERVICE. THERE'S A, THERE'S A, THERE'S A REASON AND, AND THIS IS, UM, THE RFP PROCESS AND CONTRACTING IS A REASON THAT, UH, THAT I STARTED, UH, THAT I GOT INTERESTED IN PUBLIC SERVICE. I, I FIRST, UM, I'VE DONE LOTS OF RFPS IN MY TIME AND I'VE HELPED A LOT OF WOMEN. UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS A BIG ANGST TO ME WHEN I STARTED LOOKING AT CONTRACTING IN THE STATE, IF YOU'RE A WOMAN, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A BLACK WOMAN, YOU'RE NOT GETTING BUSINESS. IT'S REALLY HARD. AND IT HASN'T CHANGED. I JUST WAS LOOKING AT STATS THAT HASN'T CHANGED. AND HERE WE ARE FIVE YEARS LATER. SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN, UM, I WAS DECIDING DO I GO TO LONG BEACH ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP OR DO I RUN FOR OFFICE TO MAKE A CHANGE? SO I RAN FOR OFFICE AND I WON. AND SO I'M GONNA CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPARITIES I'M PURCHASING, BUT SO LET'S TALK ABOUT, I'M JUST SAD OF WHERE WE'RE AT TODAY. YOU KNOW, UM, I I LOOK AT, UM, THE, THIS, THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT, AND THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S CALLED THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW AND THE LETTER OF THE LAW. UM, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACTS, AND, AND I KNOW THAT WE'VE HEARD, UM, YOU KNOW, COASTAL COMMISSION DOESN'T, UM, NECESSARILY THAT YOU CAN GIVE PRIORITY. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU CAN'T, IT DOESN'T MEAN JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE TO. YOU DON'T. IF YOU HAVE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE INVESTED IN OUR CITY, THAT INVESTED BUSINESS, THAT HAVE A, THAT HAVE A STOREFRONT THAT HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INVENTORY, AND THAT'S TWO BUSINESSES HERE IN LONG BEACH BY AWARDING THESE, UH, THESE LICENSES TO HUNTINGTON BEACH BUSINESSES, YOU PUT OUR OWN BUS, OUR OWN, OUR VERY OWN BUSINESS IS OUT OF BUSINESS. AND I DO APPRECIATE THE GENTLEMAN THAT SAID, WELL, WE KNOW OUR BEACHES. I GET ALL THAT AND I DO APPRECIATE, YOU KNOW, OUR BEACHES, BUT I, MY PRIORITY IS TO TAKE CARE OF MY RESIDENTS. AND THAT'S LONG BEACH. AND THESE ARE LONG BEACH BUSINESSES. THESE ARE LONG BEACH JOBS. THIS IS LONG BEACH REVENUE THAT WE ARE GOING TO USE. AND I DO APPRECIATE THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE MAKING IN THE FUTURE, BUT JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING MANDATED RIGHT NOW THAT SAYS, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU GUYS, THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO CONTRACT LOCALLY. DO WE NEED TO PUT THAT IN WRITING? DO I NEED TO GO SIT AT THE COASTAL COMMISSION AND SAY, CAN YOU MAKE A RECOMMENDATION THAT IS A GOOD IDEA THAT YOU NOT PUT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES OUT OF BUSINESS AND MAKE IT A PRIORITY? I MEAN, WE CAN DO ALL THOSE THINGS, BUT I JUST THINK JUST BECAUSE IT'S NOT, IT'S NOT IN THE LETTER OF THE LAW. THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW SHOULD TELL YOU WE CONTRACT WITH OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE TAKE CARE OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FOUND, UM, AND I KNOW, UH, TOM, YOU'VE HEARD MY SOAPBOX A LOT ON THIS, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I KNOW FROM WORKING ON HUNDREDS OF RFPS THAT LONG BEACH IS KNOWN FOR NOT GIVING PRIORITY TO THEIR LOCAL BUSINESSES. WE'RE KNOWN IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THAT. SO IT'S, IT, SO I DO APPRECIATE THAT THERE'S CHANGE AND I REALLY DO, BUT IT'S JUST LIKE, THIS IS TOO SLOW AND I'M NOT COMFORTABLE WITH PUTTING TWO BUSINESSES OUT OF BUSINESS THAT'S OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. AND THERE'S NO WAY I'LL BE VOTING ON MOVING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE OF THAT. I WOULD NOT SLEEP GOOD TONIGHT IF I, WHEN I, IF I KNEW THAT, ESPECIALLY A YOUNG LADY WHO WAS MAYBE TRAINING OLYMPIANS. SO, UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, MR. BENTO, I'M SURE YOU'RE, YOU'RE A WONDERFUL GUY, BUT I MEAN, I JUST, THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS I HAD WITH YOUR, YOU KNOW, IT'S SHADY. WHAT, WHAT, HOW YOU, YOU USED YOUR FRIEND'S BUSINESS, YOU SAID IT WAS YOUR BUSINESS AND YOU, YOU REGISTERED ON HUNTINGTON BEACH AND ALL OF THAT. I DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE STORY, BUT, BUT SOMETHING JUST DOESN'T, UM, THIS IS NOT, THIS IS MY TURN TO TALK. SO, UM, THIS IS, UM, THIS IS JUST, THIS IS NOT, UM, THERE'S SOMETHING HERE THAT I, THAT DOESN'T SMELL RIGHT, IT DOESN'T PASS THE SNIFF TEST FOR ME. SO, UM, I'M GLAD THAT YOUR FRIENDS LETTING YOU USE THIS ADDRESS, BUT YOU, YOU DON'T LIVE IN LONG BEACH. UM, SO, SO THAT IS, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT I ALSO HAVE CONCERNS WITH. AND ALTHOUGH I, I KNOW WE CAN GO BACK TO, WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE PREFERENCE 'CAUSE IT'S IN THE COASTAL COMMISSION, OR, YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF EXCUSES, NOT JUST FROM LONG BEACH FOR, FROM ALL OVER, NOT AWARDING PEOPLE, LIKE I SAID, ESPECIALLY WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR. BUT SINCE I'VE HEARD IT ALL, BUT, UM, BUT I JUST, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULDN'T. AND SO, UM, I, I JUST, I, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE QUESTIONS TO ME TOO, UM, THAT SOMEONE HAD TALKED ABOUT THE, THE, THE SCORING SYSTEM. UM, IT'S, IT'S, I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE GONNA FINALLY HAVE, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN COME BACK AND HAVE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT AND SAY, OKAY, WE SCORED THIS RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE, LIKE, HOW, HOW WAS THIS SELECTED? THERE'S NO WAY FOR US TO EVEN [06:30:01] LIKE, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THAT. SO I'M GLAD THAT, YOU KNOW, IN THE FUTURE, UM, THAT, THAT'S GONNA CHANGE TOO. UM, BUT, UH, UH, WITH THAT, I JUST, I JUST WOULD, UH, ASK MY, CALL MY, UH, COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SERIOUSLY THINK ABOUT THIS VOTE BECAUSE I THINK THAT IT SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE LONG BEACH BUSINESSES. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. WE'LL GO NEXT TO, UM, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA. UH, I JUST KINDA, I KNOW FROM MY CHIEF OF STAFF, IT'S A NEW DAY, MY BIRTHDAY, I DIDN'T EXPECT ME HERE THIS LONG TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAY ON THE CITY COUNCIL, BUT HERE WE ARE. UH, BY THE WAY, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE. WELL DONE. AND I THINK THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR WHAT, FOR WHAT YOU DO AND HOW YOU GOT TO BE TO WHERE YOU'RE AT, OR HOW WE GOING TO LEAVE ME HERE WITH THIS APPLICATION. THE GOALS COMMISSION HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES, INCLUDING BY MY COLLEAGUE IN REGARDS TO THE DEVELOP PERMIT THAT IS PROVIDED TO DO, UH, SKATEBOARDING IN LONG BEACH. I WASN'T THE COMMISSION AT THE TIME WHEN IT WAS FIRST GIVEN OUT, BUT I, I DON'T RECALL SEEING ANOTHER PERMIT SINCE FOR HOW LONG IS THAT PERMIT? IF YOU GIVE ME, IF YOU KNOW, UH, THE COASTAL PERMIT, UH, SUNSETTED ON JANUARY OF 2021, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF RE OF APPLYING FOR RENEWAL. IT'S A FOR RENEWAL. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OKAY. FOR, UH, HOW LONG. THE REASON I'M ASKING IS THAT SOME PERMITS ARE YEAR TO YEAR AND YOU HAVE TO GO EVERY YEAR. AND I, AS A MEMBER OF THE COASTAL COMMISSION, I'VE BEEN I FRAUD ON THAT BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE AN EVENT THAT'S ANNUAL, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR AN ANNUAL PERMIT FOR AN EVENT THAT'S ANNUAL? SO, UH, IF YOU HAVE TO DO THAT, PLEASE LET ME KNOW, BECAUSE I THINK THAT CAN BE AN ADVOCATE, IF YOU WILL. SO, OVER THE PAST, UH, UH, SINCE 2015, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY SUCCESSFUL, UH, KITE BOARDING DESIGNATED AREA. UH, WE ARE LOOKING TO GO FOR A PERMANENT ALLOCATION OF THE PERMIT. WELL, NOTHING GONNA HAPPEN. BUT YOU CAN HAVE A MULTI-YEAR PERMIT, CORRECT? WE'RE WE, WE ARE ASKING, UH, BUT WE'LL, WE'LL LOOK AT ANYWHERE FROM A FIVE YEAR AND BEYOND EXTENSION. OKAY, GOOD. UM, I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE, UH, VICE MAYOR IN REGARDS TO SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES. AND, BUT YOU KNOW, I DO TAKE SOME, SOME DIFFERENCE IN THE DEFINITION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW, UH, VERSUS THE LETTER OF THE LAW LAWS ARE THERE FOR PURPOSE, FOR A REASON TO BE FOLLOWED. UH, YOU FOLLOWED THE LAW, THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW SAYS, LET'S KEEP IT LOCAL, LET'S HAVE THEM APPLY. BUT IN REGARD TO THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW, UM, I MEAN, I MEAN, THE LETTER OF THE LAW, WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT. AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE, THAT WHAT YOU'RE GOING BY AND THAT'S WHAT WHAT GOT YOU THAT RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE, BECAUSE YOU FOLLOW THE LETTER OF THE LAW TO MAKE IT FAIR AND BALANCE, AND THEY GONNA VOTE ACROSS THE BOARD. SO I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS. ALL RIGHT. SO BEFORE WE CONTINUE, UM, I JUST WANT TO GET SOME CLARITY, UH, ON A COUPLE THINGS. SO, SO FIRST WE HAVE IMPARTIALITY ON, UM, THESE R THESE RFP PROCESSES AND HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF ARM'S LENGTH. SO WE DON'T, COUNCIL DOESN'T GET INTO PICKING FAVORITES AND ALL OF THAT. AND THERE'S BEEN, IT'S BEEN REFERENCED COASTAL VERSUS TIDELANDS. UH, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU WALK THROUGH WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT IS NOT? AND THEN SECONDLY, WAS THE RRFP CONDUCTED APPROPRIATELY? YES. THANKS, MAYOR. UM, UM, SO THAT'S, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN, UH, GETTING READY TO, [06:35:01] TO SPEAK TO BECAUSE, UH, VICE MAYOR, YOU HAD SOME WONDERFUL POINTS ABOUT LOCAL PREFERENCE, BUT THERE IS A LEGAL OBSTACLE TO USING LOCAL PREFERENCE IN THE TIDELANDS. AND THAT'S NOT THE COASTAL COMMISSION, THAT'S THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION. SO THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, UM, OVERSEEING THE USE OF TIDELANDS FUNDS AND THE OPERATION IN THE TIDELANDS AREA. AND YOU CANNOT USE LOCAL PREFERENCE IN THE TIDELANDS. YOU CANNOT LEGALLY DO THAT. SO WHEN PEOPLE MAY SAY LONG BEACH ISN'T DOING IT, IT'S BECAUSE WE LEGALLY CANNOT IN THE TIDELANDS, WE CAN USE IT OTHER PLACES, BUT WE CANNOT DO IT IN THE TIDELANDS BECAUSE STATE LANDS PROHIBITS IT. STATE LAW PROHIBITS IT. THE SEMINOLE CASE IS AGAINST THE CITY OF LONG BEACH MANY YEARS AGO. SO, UM, THAT IS A CRITICAL DIFFERENCE. IT'S NOT THE COASTAL COMMISSION. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COASTAL. SO WE HAVE COASTAL PERMITS TO ALLOW RECREATIONAL ACCESS. THERE. WE HAVE AN RFP PROCESS THAT HAS CRITERIA, AND IT CANNOT HAVE A LOCAL PREFERENCE CRITERIA. WE CANNOT SAY YOU'RE IN LONG BEACH, SO YOU GET MORE POINTS. UM, ABSOLUTELY CAN'T DO THAT. SO, UM, WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW THE RFP WAS CONDUCTED HERE, WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE A LONG BEACH BUSINESS OR NOT, THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, WHICH IS WHY THEY DIDN'T. SO, UM, I WANNA MAKE THAT CLEAR SO THAT EVERYBODY'S UNDERSTANDING, IT'S NOT, THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION OFTEN BETWEEN STATE LANDS AND COASTAL. THEY HAVE VERY DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS. AND HERE THE RESTRICTION WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS ONE IMPOSED BY THE STATE LANDS COMMISSION, AND IT'S BASED ON TIDELANDS. SO THE SECOND QUESTION WAS THE RFP CONDUCTED LEGALLY AND APPROPRIATELY. SO I'VE HAD EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF ABOUT THE CRITERIA THEY USED FOR THE RFP AND THE CRITERIA THAT THEY EMPLOYED FOR AWARDING THE CONTRACTS WAS THE CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THE RFP. AND THEY WERE THE LEGALLY ALLOWABLE CRITERIA. THEY WERE NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT INAPPROPRIATE CRITERIA SUCH AS LOCAL PREFERENCE. OKAY. SO I ALSO EMPATHIZE WITH, YOU KNOW, FOLKS WHO SAY, UM, YOU KNOW, I'VE, I'VE WORKED HERE, YOU KNOW, I HAVE MY BUSINESS HERE AND I DON'T WANNA CLOSE MY BUSINESS. I ALSO EMPATHIZE WITH FOLKS WHO SAY, I'VE ONLY TAUGHT HERE SINCE WE'VE OPENED IT UP. THIS IS MY BUSINESS AND I'VE GOT A CONNECTION. I THINK THERE'S CREDIBILITY BOTH WAYS, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A VERY LONG BEACH. IT'S IN THE NAME. IS THERE ROOM MR. CITY MANAGER FOR MORE THAN THREE OPERATORS? AND IS THERE A LEGAL CHALLENGE, OR WHAT WOULD BE THE PROCESS IF WE SAID THERE'S, YOU KNOW, THERE'S MORE, MORE ROOM TO PREP, TO PLAY AND GIVE A, A SECOND BITE AT THE APPLE FOR ADDITIONAL, UH, OPERATORS? YEAH, WHEN THIS FIRST CAME UP, THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE RECOMMENDED TO STAFF IS SAYING, CAN WE GO BACK TO COASTAL DURING THIS PROCESS AND ASK FOR A FOURTH? THERE ARE SOME SPACE CONSTRAINTS. THERE'S NOT UNLIMITED USE DOWN THERE. UM, THERE'S ALSO, AT SOME POINT YOU GET SO MANY PEOPLE COMPETING IS, IS IT GOING TO BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE FOR ANY OF THEM TO COMPETE? BUT, UH, WE, UH, HAVE RECOMMENDED, UM, APPLYING A FOURTH. OUR ORIGINAL IDEA WAS THAT THE FOURTH PERSON WHO WAS QUALIFIED, UM, WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THAT SLOT, BUT, UH, THAT COULD ALSO BE REOPENED, UM, TO ANYBODY AND, UM, INCLUDING THOSE THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT, UM, INTO THIS ONE. SO THAT WOULD BE KIND OF COUNCIL DIRECTION THAT YOU COULD CONSIDER. IT'S NOT A GUARANTEE WE HAVE TO GET COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVAL, BUT, UH, WE, WE WOULD BE GOING, WE COULD DO THAT TO THAT PROCESS. OKAY. MY LAST QUESTION BEFORE I, I GO BACK TO THE COUNCIL AND MAKE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS, IS THERE, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, IS THERE A LEGAL CONSEQUENCE BASED ON THE CONVERSATION ABOUT PRIORITIZING LOCAL? IS THERE A LEGAL CONSEQUENCE IF THE COUNCIL VOTES DOWN THIS RFP? ABSOLUTELY. ESPECIALLY IF WE MAKE IT CLEAR, WE'RE VOTING IT DOWN BASED ON LOCAL PREFERENCE. SO, UM, I THINK, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY STATE LANDS HAS THE ABILITY TO, UM, TAKE OUR TIDELANDS FUNDS BACK, UM, TO PUT THEM INTO SOME OTHER ACCOUNT THAT WE DON'T CONTROL, UM, AND TO PUT OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON OUR USE OF TIDELANDS FUNDS. AND THEY ARE ALWAYS WATCHING, IF YOU ALL RECALL, WHEN WE WERE BUILDING THE CIVIC CENTER PLAZA, UH, THEY WERE WATCHING EVERYTHING WE DID TO MAKE SURE WE DID NOT USE PORT TIDELANDS MONEY FOR THE CITY HALL BUILDING OR FOR CITY HALL FACILITIES. UM, SO THEY, THEY WATCH VERY CAREFULLY, US AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT USE TIDELANDS FUNDS. OKAY. SO, UM, YOU KNOW, AS THE MAYOR, I HESITATE TO, UH, UM, YOU KNOW, I'M LOOKING AT THE COUNCIL, I HESITATE, UH, I WANNA RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO NOT TAKE ANY ACTION THAT'S GONNA JEOPARDIZE THE CITY LEGALLY. I THINK IF THE CITY MANAGER'S SAYING, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A SECOND BITE AT THE APPLE, MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT THE COUNCIL, UH, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IF, YOU KNOW, IF ONE OR TWO COUNCIL MEMBERS DOESN'T LIKE THIS PROCESS, SURE VOTE NO. BUT THE COUNSEL IN HIS ENTIRETY SHOULD NOT, UH, CAST OUT THE RFP BASED ON THE ADVICE OF OUR CITY ATTORNEY. SO I WOULD, I WOULD, I WOULD ADVISE OR ENTERTAIN A MOTION EITHER TO THE ORIGINAL MAKER MOTION OR, OR A SUBSTITUTE, UH, THAT SAYS, MOVE FORWARD [06:40:01] WITH THIS AND GIVE STAFF DIRECTION BASED ON YOUR PREFERENCE AS A COUNCIL TO OPEN UP AN ADDITIONAL SPOT. AND IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL, WHETHER THAT IS CONTAINED TO THE EXISTING POOL, UH, WHICH WOULD JUST TAKE THE NEXT PERSON IN SCORING OR OPEN IT UP TO ALLOW ANOTHER PROCESS. SO IT COULD BE SOMEONE THAT WAS RANKED DIFFERENTLY IN THE POOL, OR SOMEONE WHO WAS OUTSIDE OF THE POOL AND STARTED FRESH. BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE MOST PRUDENT APPROACH, UH, TO ALLOW, UH, TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE FAIR BOTH TO THE FOLKS WHO COMPETED AND CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, FOR ADDITIONAL, UH, ENGAGEMENT. SO THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. I'M GONNA GO BACK, UM, TO, TO THE DAAS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERMAN. UM, THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, I'M WITH, UH, THE VICE MAYOR ON THIS ONE IN TERMS OF THAT, I, I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR THIS ITEM TONIGHT, BUT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. SO I'M THROWING OUT THE LOCAL PREFERENCE. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I THINK IT'S A SHAME. I THINK IT'S A TRAVESTY. AND THIS BRICK AND MORTAR WAS LOCATED IN MY COUNCIL DISTRICT BEFORE FOR REDISTRICTING. UM, BUT WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS, UM, A PROCESS THAT MAY HAVE ELIMINATED THE MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANT. THAT'S MY CHALLENGE HERE. UM, I WAS TOLD YESTERDAY THAT, WELL, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE FALSIFIED AN ADDRESS OR WHATNOT, WE CAN'T CONSIDER THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS NOT A REQUIREMENT OF THE PROCESS. WELL, THAT'S GREAT, BUT WE'RE, WE AS ELECTEDS ARE HELD TO A DIFFERENT STANDARD. OKAY, LET'S SAY THERE WASN'T IMPROPRIETY HERE. UM, OUR ETHICS TRAINING DICTATES THAT WE AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. AND THAT'S WHERE I BELIEVE WE ARE RIGHT NOW. WE JUST DON'T KNOW. SO, UH, FOR THOSE REASONS, UM, I, I'M NOT, I DON'T WANT TO FORWARD THIS TONIGHT. UM, SO AT THE MAYOR SUGGESTION, I COULD CERTAINLY MAKE, WELL, WE DON'T, WE DON'T HAVE A, I I, I GUESS I COULD MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION OR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE. BUT, UH, UM, I, I THINK IT, IT IS AT THE LEVEL OF SUBSTITUTE MOTION, AND THAT IS, UM, THAT WE DON'T PROCEED WITH THE ACTION TONIGHT AND WE, UH, OPEN THIS UP. AND I WOULDN'T SAY FOR ONE MORE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE CAPACITY IS. SO WE, IF WE HAVE A COUPLE OF APPLICANTS THAT, UH, ARE, ARE IN THE MIX BUT DIDN'T MAKE THIS CUT, THEN LET'S, LET'S MOVE IT FORWARD, UH, FOR EVERYONE WHO, UM, UH, IS APPEALING THIS TONIGHT. UM, SO IF WE CAN ARTICULATE THAT, I, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE LATE FOR ME TO GET THE WORDS PERFECT RIGHT NOW, BUT IF WE CAN HAVE SOME HELP, OR MAYBE MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES WANNA WEIGH IN ON THAT. BUT THE IDEA IS WE DON'T ELIMINATE ANYONE TONIGHT AND WE MOVE FORWARD AND SEE WHAT WILL BE ALLOWED BY EITHER TIDELANDS OR OUR COASTAL COMMISSION. IF I COULD JUST SPEAK TO THAT MAYOR, PLEASE. UM, I JUST WANT TO SPEAK TO SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS, COUNCILMEMBER, ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY. THERE ARE STANDARDS THAT APPLY TO ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT DON'T APPLY TO REGULAR CITIZENS. AND AN ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS A LOT OF OBLIGATIONS, ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS, AND TO EVEN AVOID THE APPEARANCE OF PERHAPS SAYING THINGS THAT ARE INCORRECT, UM, THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO A NORMAL PERSON WHO IS MUCH MORE ABLE TO MAKE MISTAKES IN EVERYDAY LIFE. UM, SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT IMPUTING A STANDARD THAT DOESN'T APPLY TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH RESPECT TO THIS RFP PROCESS. UM, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH THE ADDRESS, THAT REALLY HAS ZERO RELEVANCE TO THE QUALIFICATION OF THE RFP. SO WHETHER THAT PERSON HAD A RESIDENCE OR AN ADDRESS IN LONG BEACH OR NOT IS IRRELEVANT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE RFP AND THE CRITERIA THAT WERE APPLIED. SO JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE, WE'RE CLEAR ON WHAT THE OBLIGATIONS WERE, WHAT THE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WERE, AND WHAT THE RFP PROCESS WAS. OKAY. WELL IF I, IF I CAN HAVE THE FLOOR AGAIN TO RESPOND TO THAT. AND I, I APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE, UM, TO THE CITY ATTORNEY. UM, I, I'M TRYING ABOUT SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT AND, AND I THINK, UH, UH, THE VICE MAYOR WAS SPOT ON WITH THE LETTER OF THE LAW, UM, VERSUS THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. AND HERE, UM, YEAH, WE WE'RE, I KNOW WE'RE HELD TO THAT STANDARD, BUT IF, IF SOMETHING HELD HAPPENED THERE, YOU, YOU CAN SAY LEGALLY THAT THAT DOESN'T MATTER. UM, BUT I HAVE TO SAY FROM A SPIRIT STANDPOINT, IT DOES. AND I'M VOTING ON THIS TONIGHT, SO I'M VOTING FOR SOMEONE WHO FALSIFIED INFORMATION. ALTHOUGH YOU'RE SAYING IT DOESN'T MATTER THE APPLICATION, I STILL THINK THERE'S RELEVANCE TO ME. SO I DON'T WANT TO GET IN LEGAL DEBATE WITH YOU. 'CAUSE I REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU SAID, AND I THINK IT'S GOOD ADVICE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT IT FROM A LITTLE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA. THANK YOU. UM, I MADE MY STATEMENT REGARDING MATTER OF THE LAW AND RE LAW. UM, THERE WAS A PROCESS, IT HAPPENED, IT [06:45:01] PASSED. QUESTION, WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE OF US, UH, DECLINING THIS, THIS ITEM TONIGHT? WHAT IS THE CONSEQUENCE? AND I GUESS ON TOP OF THAT, YEAH, IS THERE ON TIMES THAT'S SET OF ISSUE WITH, UH, THE, THE, UH, THE ANIMAL AT THIS POINT? YEAH, SO THIS, THIS HAS BEEN QUITE A LENGTHY PROCESS. UH, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAD ASKED, UM, WE WERE ASKED IS TO TRY TO GET THESE PERMITS BY THE WIND SEASON. I BELIEVE THE WIND SEASON ENDS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND STUFF. SO THAT WE WOULD MISS THAT WINDOW. UH, WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY GO BACK AND REDO THE RFP. UM, AND, UM, AND, AND, YOU KNOW, ANYONE WHO HAD, WHO HAD BEEN POTENTIALLY AWARDED WOULD NOT HAVE AN, AN AWARD WHILE WE GO THROUGH THAT. BUT YOU WOULD CONTINUE THE, THE TEMPORARY, I BELIEVE WE'D PROBABLY ASK YOU FOR THAT, AND I CAN LET TODD JUMP IN HERE. UH, WE WOULD THEN REDO THE PROCESS, BUT WE REALLY WOULDN'T BE CHANGING ANY OF THE CRITERIA BECAUSE WE CANNOT LEGALLY ADD THAT THERE IS A LOCAL PREFERENCE. AND SO IT IS POSSIBLE YOU END UP WITH THE SAME LIST. IT'S POSSIBLE YOU END UP WITH A DIFFERENT LIST. UM, BUT IF, IF ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, UM, BEING ABLE TO HAVE A LOCAL BUSINESS IN THERE WOULDN'T MAKE ANY OTHER DIFFERENCE. POTENTIALLY, YOU WOULD HAVE A NEW ENTRANT IF THEY WERE ABLE TO COMPETE AND, AND SUBMIT EVERYTHING ON TIME. THERE MIGHT BE A FIFTH, BUT THERE ALSO COULD BE OTHER COMPETITORS OUT THERE AS WELL. SO THIS WOULD, UM, DELAY THE PROCESS FOR SOME, UM, AND WE WOULD, UH, WANNA, YOU KNOW, JUST MAKE SURE EVERYONE'S AWARE OF THAT. TODD, UH, ANY, ANY OTHER, UH, THOUGHTS ON THAT CONCURRING WITH CITY MANAGER? UH, WE WOULD STILL BE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE RENEWAL OF OUR COASTAL PERMIT. UH, WE WOULD, AT THE DIRECTION OF THE COUNCIL, UH, ADD A, IN OUR ASK ADD AN ADDITIONAL FOR A FOURTH, UH, AUTHORIZED VENDOR AREA. UM, BUT AGAIN, IT WOULD, IT WOULD JUST, UH, DELAY THE TIMELINE OF, OF THE NEWER PERMITEE. UH, BUT WE WOULD HOLD OUR CURRENT PERMITS AND HOLD OVER THROUGH THAT PROCESS. OKAY. SO, UM, I LIKE THE MAYOR'S IDEA, BUT THERE'S A CAVEAT COAST COMMISSION, YOU CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH A FOURTH VENDOR IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE PERMIT FOR THE COAST COMMISSION. SO I WOULD WELL, THAT, THAT WAS THE IDEA TO BEGIN TO TAKE THOSE STEPS. WELL, YOU DIDN'T SEE IT CLEARLY, BUT I, I THINK WE SHOULD ADD THAT. YEAH, THAT IF YOU'RE GONNA, IF YOU'RE GOING TO, UH, ADD A FOURTH VENDOR, IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A CONTINGENT UPON, UH, ON THE OTHER PERMIT COMMISSION THAT ALLOWS IT. AND THAT WOULD BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO YOUR, WELL, THE, DID HE GET A SECOND? WELL, LET'S HANG ON. SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S ONLY A MAIN MOTION. THERE WASN'T A SEC. THERE WASN'T. SO I WANT TO GO TO HE GET A MOTION, JUST, I KNOW. HANG ON. SO RIGHT NOW, THE MAIN MOTION IS WHAT'S ON THE, WHAT'S ACTUALLY HERE? ENLISTED WAS A RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL IS WHAT THE MOTION IS CURRENTLY BY THE VICE MAYOR. I'M GONNA GO TO VICE MAYOR. WE WANNA CLARIFY. YEAH. SO MY MOTION IS NOT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, UH, CON ANY OF THESE, UH, LICENSE AND TO, I DO BELIEVE IF IT'S NOT LOCAL, THERE WAS LEGALLY, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS LEGALLY AND PROPERLY DONE IN THIS RFP, I HAVE QUESTIONS. UM, BUT TO MOVE FORWARD, UH, I'D LIKE TO, UH, HAVE THIS, UH, PULLED AND GO BACK OUT TO RFP WHILE IT GOES BACK OUT TO RFP. THEN WE CAN WORK WITH COASTAL COMMISSION AS YOU'RE DOING, YOU'RE CURRENTLY DOING TO SEE IF WE CAN GET MORE PERMITS. SO THE MAIN MOTION IS TO REJECT THE, IS TO REJECT IT AND EXPLORE DOING IT AGAIN WITH MORE OPPORTUNITIES. THAT'S THE MAIN MOTION. AND THERE WAS NO SECOND ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. SO ARE YOU INTERESTED IN MAKING A SUBSTITUTE MOTION? WELL, I, UH, WHAT THAN THE FACT THAT IT IS A REJECTION? NO, I MEAN, YES. ACCEPTED WITH THE CAVEAT OF PLAN, THEY'RE ADDING A FOURTH VENDOR CONTINGENT UPON COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVAL. OKAY. SO THERE'S A SUBSTITUTE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE CURRENT RFP AND GIVE DIRECTION TO STAFF TO WORK WITH COASTAL ON OPENING UP A SECOND, UH, A FOURTH SLOT. PLEASE RESPOND TO THAT BEFORE WE GET UP. YEAH. AND IF I CAN ASK A QUESTION, LIKE ONE OF THE KEY POINTS IS DO WE THEN GO OUT TO RFP FOR THAT LAST FOURTH SLOT, IF UNDER THAT MOTION, UH, THAT SEEMS TO BE IN THE SPIRIT OF THE COUNCILS TO ALLOW ANYONE TO, TO SUBMIT FOR THAT. YES, I WOULD SECOND THAT. OKAY. SO THAT HAS MOVED. AND SECOND IT, WE'LL [06:50:01] KEEP GOING DOWN THE LINE. COUNCIL MEMBER OTTI. UH, SO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER AGA'S, UM, MOTION WAS WHAT I WAS GONNA TALK TO THE VICE MAYOR ABOUT. UM, BUT I'LL, UM, SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS. SO ONE IS, UM, I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE LEGALITIES HERE, RIGHT? AND I THINK THE, UH, CITY ATTORNEY LAID THOSE OUT PRETTY CLEARLY, UM, AROUND WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO. UM, AND THEN I THINK COUNCIL MEMBER ARANGA CAME IN AND CLARIFIED WHAT WE NEED TO DO AS FAR AS COASTAL COMMISSION. UM, I DID WANT TO ADDRESS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER SUPER NA'S QUESTION ABOUT LIKE THE PROCESS AND DISQUALIFYING, UM, UH, POTENTIALLY THE BEST CANDIDATE. I'LL GIVE YOU THE PERSPECTIVE AS AN ACADEMIC, RIGHT? UH, WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR SUBMITTING FOR GRANTS, AND YOU HAVE TO SUBMIT GRANTS A SPECIFIC TYPE OF WAY. AND YOUR GRANT CAN BE FANTASTIC, BUT IF YOU DON'T SUBMIT IT PROPERLY, UM, YOU DISQUALIFY YOURSELF, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT WE HAVE A PROCESS FOR A REASON. SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN, THINGS DON'T GET SUBMITTED CORRECTLY, RIGHT? DOCUMENTS ARE MISSED, THINGS LIKE THAT. UM, AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS IN AN ACADEMIC SETTING, YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY. LIKE THAT'S JUST, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS, RIGHT? AND SO I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE A REALITY CHECK HERE AROUND MAKING SURE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING HERE GO ALONG WITH WHAT IS BEING RECOMMENDED TO US BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY, WHAT WE CAN DO LEGALLY, UM, KNOWING RIGHT, THAT IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS GOING TO FEEL COMFORTABLE, RIGHT? BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE NOT BEING SUPPORTIVE OF A LOCAL BUSINESS. AND I GET THAT PART. UM, BUT WE HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THAT'S THE, THAT'S THE REALITY THAT WE'RE IN. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT. NO, I HAVE COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN UP NEXT. OH, OKAY. SORRY. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. I THINK WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS AS IT WAS. IF WE WANT TO OPEN IT UP FOR ONE MORE, THAT IS FINE. BUT WE, I, I FEEL THAT WE NEED TO ISSUE THESE CONTRACTS BECAUSE IT'S FOLLOWING THE LAW. IF WE CHANGE THIS NOW, BECAUSE SOMEONE, THERE IS A THOUGHT THAT SOMEONE GAVE A WRONG ADDRESS. LET ME TELL YOU, WHEN YOU'RE MOVING AROUND, YOU DON'T. I JUST, I JUST AM NOT GOING TO CAST ASPERSIONS OR BLAME ON SOMEONE SAYING THAT THEY PUT A WRONG ADDRESS DOWN OR THEY'RE LYING. WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE LEGALITY OF OFFERING THESE CONTRACTS, AND WE DON'T WANNA OPEN UP A CAN OF WORMS TO SAY, OH, IN THE RFP PROCESS IN THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT OPTION. WE NEED TO, WE NEED TO FOLLOW WHAT WE'VE DONE, UH, OFFERED WITH THESE CONTRACTS. IF THE RFP PROCESS IS, NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED, SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE DOING THAT, THAT'S FINE. BUT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD AFTER THESE CONTRACTS ARE ISSUED. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERMAN. UM, YOU KNOW, I, I, I WASN'T SURE WHERE WE WERE ON, ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION OR A SUBSTITUTE, UH, BUT THE POINT IS I TOOK THE LOCAL PREFERENCE OFF THE TABLE, THEN THE CITY MANAGER MENTIONED IT, AND COUNCIL MEMBER FROM DISTRICT NINE MENTIONED IT. SO, I, I THINK WE NEED TO SIMPLIFY THIS DISCUSSION BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE BEYOND THE, THE LOCAL PREFERENCE ISSUE BASED ON MY MOTION, WHICH WAS ON THE TABLE. BUT I GUESS THAT'S GONE NOW. SO TALK ABOUT PROCESS. UM, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S 'CAUSE OF THE, THE HOUR OF THE MORNING HERE, BUT I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE WAY OFF HERE. SO, UM, I, I, I JUST DON'T, I, I'LL JUST REITERATE IT. I CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS TONIGHT, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE WE ARE ON THE, ON THE MOTIONS. OKAY. LET'S SEE. UM, IF I, IF I CAN SPEAK THAT AND YOU WANNA CLARIFY? YEAH, SURE. SO, UM, YOUR MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERAL, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE WAS NO SECOND, SO IT DID NOT STAND AS A VIABLE MOTION. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLEN MADE A MOTION THAT DIDN'T GET A SECOND COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA MADE A MOTION THAT DID GET A SECOND. SO THAT'S THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. SO IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION, THEY CAN DO THAT NOW THAT THERE IS A VIABLE MOTION WITH A SECOND ON THE FLOOR. DARL, DO YOU WANNA MAKE A SUB SUB? SO ACTUALLY, VICE MAYOR ALLEN DID GET A SECOND. IT WAS COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA, BUT HE WITHDREW, UH, AND OFFERED THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. SO NOW IT DOESN'T HAVE A SECOND. SO MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THE ORIGINAL MOTION, WHICH WAS THE ONE WE WERE LOOKING AT, WAS BROUGHT BY THOSE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR DISCUSSION. THEN COUNCIL MEMBER SUPER NA ASKED TO MAKE A CHANGE THAT WAS NOT SECONDED. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALLEN MADE A CHANGE, WHICH COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA DID NOT SECOND, THEN HE MADE A MOTION THAT WAS SECONDED. AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW. RIGHT NOW, THE MOTION RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IS THE RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IS COUNCIL MEMBER [06:55:01] AKA'S MOTION. RIGHT. AND THAT MOTION, PLEASE RESTATE THAT, IS TO, UM, FOLLOW STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION TO ISSUE THESE PERMITS AND TO GO TO COASTAL COMMISSION TO SEEK PERMISSION TO DO A FOURTH PERMIT, AND THEN TO TAKE THAT OUT FOR A NEW RFP. THAT'S THE CURRENT MOTION THAT IS OPEN TO NOT JUST THE CURRENT, TO ANYBODY COULD APPLY TO THE NEW RFP. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE. WE'LL CONTINUE DOWN THE LIST. VICE MAYOR ALLEN. OKAY. SO I'LL MAKE A SUB SUB THAT WE NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE CONTRACTS AND THAT, UM, WE, UH, WE GO BACK, WE, WE GO BACK TO, UM, WHILE WE GO BACK OUT TO RFP, WE ALSO WORK WITH COASTAL COMMISSION TO SEEK MORE LICENSES. UH, MISS MADAM CITY ATTORNEY IS THAT DIFFERENT FROM, UM, FROM THE, UH, OR, UH, VICE MAYOR'S ORIGINAL MOTION? IF I UNDERSTAND THAT HER ORIGINAL MOTION WAS NOT TO ISSUE THE CONTRACTS AND TO GO BACK OUT FOR RFP PERIOD. I THINK THE CURRENT MOTION IS NOT TO ISSUE THE CONTRACTS AND TO GO TO COASTAL AND SEEK PERMISSION, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN THE ORIGINAL MOTION. OKAY. SO WE HAVE A, I SAYING WE HAVE A SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERAL. ALRIGHT, NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. UH, THANK YOU. I WAS GONNA ASK, I THINK I WAS GONNA ASK YOU TO REPEAT THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR. UH, ONE MORE TIME, PLEASE BEFORE I COMMENT. YEP. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE CURRENT MOTION IS THAT, UM, NO CONTRACTS WILL BE ISSUED TONIGHT AND THE, UH, CITY STAFF WILL GO TO COASTAL COMMISSION, SEE IF WE CAN GET A FOURTH PERMIT AND THEN PROCEED TO A NEW RFP WITH THAT INFORMATION. IS THAT CORRECT? NO. OKAY. SO WHAT, SHE DIDN'T MENTION A FOURTH, SHE SAID MORE SO YOU'RE SAYING COULD BE ANY NUMBER MORE. OKAY. SO GO TO COASTAL COMMISSION AND SEEK ADDITIONAL PERMITS AND THEN PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS. SO I WOULD ASK FOR SOME COUNCIL DIRECTION TO, BECAUSE WE DON'T JUST ASK THEM, GIVE US PERMITS, WE HAVE TO COME WITH AN APPLICATION THAT SAYS, I WANT 3 4, 5, 6, 7 8. SO I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL TO BE SPECIFIC ON HOW MANY LICENSES YOU'D LIKE US TO PROCEED. BUT THERE IS SOME TECHNICAL, UH, THERE, THERE IS A UPPER UNIVERSE OF, OF LICENSES. SO, UM, TODD CAN HELP US THROUGH THAT. , MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WE DO HAVE, UH, FINITE RESOURCES AT THE LOCATION. UH, THE CURRENT COASTAL PERMIT, UH, LIMITS US TO A CERTAIN SECTION OF THE BEACHFRONT THAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO OCCUPY. UH, SO THEREFORE, UH, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THREE AUTHORIZED VENDORS THAT DOES WORK AT THE LOCATION. UM, BUT THAT WAS APPROVED IN 2015 BEFORE WE ADDED ADDITIONAL ACTIVITY AT THE LOCATION, WHICH IS THE LONG BEACH JUNIOR LIFEGUARD, UH, STATION. UH, SO MY RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL WOULD BE TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT WHEN YOU DECIDE WHAT THE ADDITIONAL NUMBER IS. UH, THE MARINE BUREAU, UH, RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO LIMIT TO ONE AT THIS TIME. GO FOR IT. ONE ADDITIONAL FOR A TOTAL OF FOUR AT THIS TIME. OKAY. UM, AND I ALSO THINK I HEAR THE CITY MANAGER ASKING FOR A SPECIFIC NUMBER, BUT I'LL GET TO MY QUESTION FIRST. SO, I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH US MOVING AWAY FROM THE PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN, UM, SET FORTH, UM, WITH ALL OF THE CONCERNS AND QUIBBLES. I'M HEARING THE CITY ATTORNEY SAY THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING IN THE PROCESS THAT HAS HAPPENED THUS FAR THAT WOULD PRECLUDE US FROM A LEGAL REASON FROM NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THE WARDING, THE RFPS. UM, I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE THE PRESENTATION IN FRONT OF US, UM, AND I DON'T HAVE A PHYSICAL COPY. UM, BUT I DO RECALL THAT SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT INVESTIGATIONS THAT WERE DONE AND YOU DIDN'T AFTER REVIEW, THERE WERE NOT ANY LEGAL REASONS TO GO BACK AND REOPEN THE RFP BASED ON THE WORK THAT YOU DID. UM, IN LOOKING AT THE PROCESS THAT WAS SET FORTH, AM I CORRECT IN REMEMBERING THAT THAT WAS LIKE THE TOP OF ONE OF THOSE SLIDES? YES. AND IF WE CAN ASK THE TID STAFF TO PUT THE PRESENTATION BACK UP, WE CAN GO TO THAT SPECIFIC SLIDE. AND I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS OTI FOR TALKING, BECAUSE THIS FOR ME IS, IS A LEGAL PROCESS THING. AND, UM, FEELING LIKE WE NEED TO, WE HAD A SIMILAR SITUATION, UH, WITH AN RFP WITH SOMETHING IN MY DISTRICT, I BELIEVE ABOUT A YEAR AGO. SIMILAR SITUATION, UM, SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, UM, THAT SOMEONE SAID THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED IN THE PROCESS. UM, SO ONCE WE GET THAT BACK UP, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I WOULD ASK THAT STAFF GO BACK AND, UM, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE USED YOUR PROCESS AND FIND OUT HOW MANY OF THOSE SITUATIONS ARE OUT THERE. WHETHER IT WASN'T [07:00:01] THEY DIDN'T PUSH THE SEND BUTTON IN TIME, OR THEY ENCOUNTERED GLITCHES, OR THEY HAD A HARD TIME. I, I WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTED TO HEAR HOW MANY OF OUR, OUR FOLKS THAT WERE IN CONTACT WITH AND WORKING ON RECRUITING FOR RFPS AND TO APPLY TO US HAVE ENCOUNTERED TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. AND IF WE ARE ADDRESSING THOSE WITHIN THE, THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE AS BEST CHANCE AS POSSIBLE TO NOT HIT THOSE GLITCHES. UM, SORRY, I'M NOT ON THE WRONG SCREEN. SO THE PROCESS WAS CONDUCTED APPROPRIATELY AND WITH THE STANDARDS FOR COMPETITIVE RENEWALS, UH, NO OFFICIAL PROTESTS WERE RECEIVED. YOU REVIEWED THEM. UM, AND I THINK WAS THERE A NEXT PAGE? SO THE LOCAL VENDOR PIECE. OKAY, SO I, I, I CAN'T SUPPORT THE SUBSTITUTE TO, TO, TO NOT AWARD BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY TONIGHT. IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH NOT CARING DEEPLY ABOUT LONG BEACH LOCAL BUSINESSES. UM, I DO SUPPORT THE RECOMMENDATION TO GO BACK TO COASTAL TO ASK IF ADDITIONAL PERMITS CAN BE HAD, UM, AND OPENING THAT PROCESS FOR EVERYONE TO APPLY AGAIN AND MAKING SURE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, THAT IF WE KNOW FOLKS HAVE HAD, UM, FRUSTRATIONS OR ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM OR THE TECHNICAL PIECE, THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ATTENTIVE TO QUESTIONS AND RESPONSIVE TO QUESTIONS IN THE PROCESS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE AND THAT WINDOW CLOSES FOR OUR BUSINESSES. UM, SO THAT'S WHERE I AM TONIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER YANGA. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, FYI, BECAUSE I AM A MEMBER OF THE COAST COMMISSION, I CAN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, IT'LL TAKE MORE THAN A YEAR TO GET THAT, UH, THAT PERMIT, UH, PROCESSED AND DELIVERED. SO IF TIME IS AN ISSUE HERE AND THERE ARE TIME CONSTRAINTS, I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN FOR CLARIFICATION. IF THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR A YES WOULD MOVE IT FORWARD AND NO WOULD MOVE IT TO WHAT? NO, NO. THE MOTION ON THE FLOOR IS TO NOT GRANT THE PERMITS TONIGHT. CORRECT. AND TO GO TO THE COASTAL COMMISSION PROCESS, WHICH COULD TAKE SOME TIME AND NOT TO DO ANY ACTION UNTIL THE COASTAL COMMISSION PROCESS. I UNDERSTAND. TO GET ADDITIONAL LICENSES. A NO VOTE DOES WHAT FOR THAT. IF YOU VOTE NO ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, THEN THAT MOTION FAILS, THEN YOU GO TO THE PRIOR MOTION, WHICH IS TO AWARD THESE PERMITS AND THEN TO SEEK AN ADDITIONAL PERMIT THROUGH THE COASTAL COMMISSION PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. ALRIGHT, AND I'LL RESTATE RIGHT BEFORE WE VOTE, I JUST WANNA GET THROUGH THE REST OF THE MEMBERS. VICE MAYOR ALLEN. YEAH. UM, SO I JUST WANNA SAY, YOU KNOW, I, I, UH, I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES WE MAKE, UH, WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS UP HERE AT COUNCIL AND STAFF DOESN'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT. I THINK IF WE, IF IF WE FELT LIKE THAT WE HAD ALL OF OUR PURCHASING, RIGHT, WE WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THIS LONG PRESENTATION OF ALL THE STUFF WE'RE GONNA DO DIFFERENTLY IN THE FUTURE. SO I, I JUST, I KNOW THAT WE'RE GONNA DO, AND I KNOW THAT THIS, THIS PARTICULAR, UH, I DON'T KNOW IF THESE LONG BEACH BUSINESSES ARE PROBABLY NOT GONNA MAKE IT. AND THIS, YOU KNOW, I, AND I FEEL REALLY BAD. WE, I'VE, I, I'VE TRIED, BUT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THIS, THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU, YOUR, THESE LONG BEACH BUSINESSES, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU? IT'S GONNA CHANGE PUR PUR PURCHASING IN THE FUTURE. UM, I'M SORRY THAT IT, IF THIS, IF THIS DOESN'T WORK OUT FOR YOU AND YOU HAVE TO CLOSE YOUR BUSINESSES, I'M SORRY, IT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH. BUT THIS IS GONNA CHANGE BECAUSE I AM GOING TO HAVE MY EYEBALLS ON EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN RFPS IN THE FUTURE. I'M SO SORRY THAT YOU GUYS, UH, KIND OF FELL IN THIS TRAP, BUT WE, AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS, THAT WE DO BETTER BY OUR LOCAL BU UH, BUSINESSES. UM, AND THEN, SO I JUST WANNA SAY IF, IF, UH, IF WE, THE PRIOR MOTION ALSO, WE WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING TO SEE, IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS A NEW THING. I KNOW THERE WAS A MOTION TO APPROVE AND LOOK AND TRY TO GET ANOTHER LICENSE. WE'VE BEEN, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THAT FOR A WHILE. HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN WORKING ON GETTING ANOTHER LICENSE? WE HAVE OUR LAP APPLICATION PREPARED, AND WHEN WE'RE PREPARED TO, UH, TURN IT IN AS SOON AS, UH, COUNSEL GIVES US DIRECTION ON HOW THEY WISH US TO PROCEED. OKAY. ALRIGHT. AND AGAIN, I GO BACK TO I THINK THAT THIS RFP PROCESS WAS FLAWED AND IT HAD SOME LEGAL ISSUES, AND IT'S WHATEV, UH, WHAT, WHAT JONI, RICK SO SAID, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PROCESS. I GET IT. I'VE DONE MORE RPS AND I GUARANTEE YOU, THAN ANYONE IN THIS ROOM, THIS PROCESS WAS FLAWED. AND SO I GO BACK TO THAT'S, THAT'S, UM, THAT'S NOT ONLY IS IT NOT A LOCAL PREFERENCE, BUT I THINK THE PROCESS WAS FLAWED. SO WITH THAT, [07:05:01] UM, IT IS LATE AND I KNOW THAT, UM, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS, AND I DO APPRECIATE, UM, EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS AGREE, IT'S OKAY. BUT I DO APPRECIATE ALL MY, ALL THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE ALL HAD, UH, REGARDING THIS. AND I KNOW THAT NO MATTER WHAT, WE'RE GONNA MAKE THIS BETTER IN THE FUTURE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. SO, UH, IT'S TIME TO VOTE. UH, BEFORE WE DO SO, JUST A FEW THINGS. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, UH, SUPPORTS OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES, UH, AND WANTS TO DO EVERYTHING THEY, THAT THEY CAN TO EMPHASIZE, UH, HIRING LOCAL AND LOCAL PREFERENCES. I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE STAFF AND ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY'VE DONE, UH, IN THE LEAGUE AREAS THAT WE CAN LEGALLY APPLY LOCAL PREFERENCE. AND I WANNA RECOGNIZE HER VICE MAYOR, WHO THIS HAS BEEN, BEEN VERY IMPORTANT TO HER, AND I KNOW SHE'S GONNA CONTINUE TO CHAMPION, UH, LOCAL PREFERENCES. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE POSITION THAT THE, THE BUSINESS DECISION THAT THE COUNCIL NEEDS TO MAKE, WHEN THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYS VERY CLEARLY, UH, YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MOVE FORWARD, UH, IS THE PRUDENT, MOST LEGAL, PRUDENT DECISION. UH, I, I THINK IT'S, THAT'S THE RESPONSIBLE DECISION TO MAKE. UH, AND ALSO I WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE ALL THE INTEREST HERE IN OPENING UP OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES, UM, TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS. SO, EXPANDING OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE ONE MORE BITE AT THE APPLE, UH, DESPITE THE FACT THAT WE CANNOT PLACE A LOCAL PREFERENCE, UH, ON THIS. AND SO, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HARD WORK, UH, BUT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH DIFFICULT THINGS BEFORE. UH, SO WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU IS VICE MAYOR ALLEN'S MOTION, WHICH, UH, WHICH, UM, OKAY, I'M GIVING FINAL REMARKS. UM, YOU WANT TO, ARE YOU, YOU WANT TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW BEFORE I WRAP UP? I WANNA CUE BACK UP BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE YOU'RE TRYING TO LEAD THE CONVERSATION AT THE END OF OUR COMMENT. SO THAT'S MY JOB AS THE MAYOR. I'M, IF THAT'S YOUR COMMENT, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AGAIN. WELL GO FOR IT. OKAY. SPEAK NOW. SO, SO I JUST, I JUST WANNA MAKE SURE THAT I, I THINK THAT SOMETIMES I DO APPRECIATE THE CITY ATTORNEY AND I DO APPRECIATE, UM, HER LEGAL, UH, UH, ANALYSIS, BUT I WAS ACTUALLY KNOCKING ON DOORS. I KNOW THE REAL STORY BEHIND THIS. THERE'S MORE TO THIS, THIS THAN, UM, AND I THINK THERE WASN'T LEGAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WAS DONE PROPERLY. SO I THINK SOMETIMES WE CAN BE BOLD AND WE CAN BE BRAVE AS COUNCIL PEOPLE, AND, UM, AND, UH, AND I'M SORRY, A CITY ATTORNEY SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW, THERE'S JUST, THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR THAT AREN'T RIGHT. AND, AND I KNOW, UM, I, I'M DON'T WANT, I DON'T WANT TO PUT THE CITY IN ANY, ANY LIABILITY, BUT I ALSO, UH, I THINK THAT THIS IS WRONG. WHAT, WHAT'S, WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES WHO HAVE INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, WHO HAVE A BRICK AND MORTAR STORE, WHO HAVE A BUSINESS HERE IN LONG BEACH? THAT'S LIKE TELLING A RESTAURANT. UM, YOU CAN, YOU CAN OPEN UP AND HAVE A BUSINESS AND RESTAURANT. YOU CAN'T SERVE FOOD. THESE PEOPLE ARE OUTTA BUSINESS. THAT'S WHAT THIS MEANS. AND SO I THINK THAT WE CAN BE BOLD AND BRAVE, YOU AS AN ATTORNEY, YOU AS A CITY MANAGER, YOU AS PURCHASING, AND FIGURE THIS OUT FOR THESE LOCAL BUSINESSES. AND NOT JUST TAKE AN EASY WAY BECAUSE THE CITY ATTORNEY SAYS, I JUST THINK WE MIGHT, WE MIGHT BE IMPRO, THIS MIGHT BE AN ISSUE. YOU KNOW WHAT AN ISSUE IS? YOU'RE PUTTING LOCAL PEOPLE OUT OF OUTTA WORK. THEY'RE CLOSING THEIR DOORS. THAT'S A, THAT'S AN ISSUE. SO I JUST, AGAIN, I, I, I, I, I'M, I'M VOTING THAT WE DON'T MOVE FORWARD. ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SO AGAIN, UM, THERE, HERE'S WHAT HAPPENS. UH, A VOTE YES MEANS, UH, VICE MAYOR ALLEN'S MOTION PROCEEDS THAT, UM, UH, ESSENTIALLY OPENS UP THE PROCESS AGAIN AND GOES, THE COASTAL ASKS FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES. SO IT REJECTS THE CURRENT PROCESS. IF YOU VOTE YES, THAT'S WHAT THE COURSE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL TAKE. UH, IF YOU VOTE NO, THEN IT MOVES TO THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, WHICH ACCEPTS THE CURRENT RFP AND, UH, GOES AND REQUESTS THE COASTAL AND GIVE STAFF DIRECTION TO GO AND EXPLORE OPENING UP AN ADDITIONAL SLOT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE ON, UH, THE MOTION IN FRONT OF YOU, VICE MAYOR ALLEN'S MOTION. MOTION FAIL. OKAY, NOW WE'LL GO TO THE NEXT MOTION, THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. MAYOR, UM, IF WE COULD JUST CLARIFY THE, THE MOTION BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT, PLEASE. UH, THIS IS, THIS IS, UH, WE'LL ASK THE CITY ATTORNEY. OKAY. PLEASE CLARIFY THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION. THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE FLOOR NOW IS TO APPROVE THESE PERMITS THAT WERE, UH, RECOMMENDED THROUGHOUT THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS AND TO GO TO COASTAL COMMISSION TO SEEK ONE ADDITIONAL PERMIT. AND, UM, IF THAT'S GRANTED, TO OPEN AN RFP, A NEW [07:10:01] RFP PROCESS FOR THAT PERMIT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. SO, UM, 1241, UH, DEBATING KITE SURFING AT 1:00 AM. DIDN'T EXPECT THAT ONE. UM, WE STILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO DO TONIGHT, SO WE'RE GONNA MOVE PRETTY QUICKLY HERE. UH, ITEM 30 PLEASE. [30. 24-54453 Recommendation to authorize an annual salary for Monique De La Garza, City Clerk, at an amount equal to $223,176.103, including a $3,000 one-time performance incentive, effective the pay period beginning December 30, 2023; and Direct City Manager to prioritize possible FY 24 yearend surplus in the General Fund Group to fund the cost increase in FY 25 and return to City Council as part of the FY 24 yearend performance report.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ITEM 30 A COMMUNICATION FROM REX RICHARDSON, MAYOR RE, REX RICHARDSON. COMMUNICATION TO, UH, RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE AN ANNUAL SALARY FOR MONIQUE DE LA GARZA CITY CLERK. EFFECTIVE THE PAY PERIOD BEGINNING DECEMBER 30TH, 2023. ALRIGHT, UH, SO, UM, SO THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION. CITY COUNCIL HAD A CLOSED SESSION, AN EVALUATION ON THE CITY CLERK. UH, THIS IS THE FOLLOW UP, UH, WITH THE, UH, SALARY ADJUSTMENT ON THE CITY CLERK. UH, SO WE'LL NEED TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION IN A SECOND. UH, IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST OR VOTE. EXCUSE ME. MAYOR, WE NEED TO READ THE SALARY ALOUD. WHAT MOTION CARRIES? THANK YOU. WE NEED TO, I'M SORRY. WE NEED TO READ THE SALARY ALOUD. OH, WE NEED TO READ THE SALARY ALOUD. GO AHEAD. MADAM ATTORNEY. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE AN ANNUAL SALARY FOR MONIQUE DE LA GARZA CITY CLERK AT AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO 223,176. UH, 1 0 3 EFFECT OF THE PAY PERIOD BEGINNING DECEMBER 30TH, 2023. ALL RIGHT. OKAY, GREAT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, WE'LL MOVE ON NOW TO ITEM 32. ITEM 30 TWO'S REPORT FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT [32. 24-54362 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents or subcontracts, including any subsequent amendments extending the grant term or changing the amount of the award, with the State of California, Employment Development Department (EDD), to accept and expend Program Year 2024 - 2025 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grant funding in an amount up to $5,195,755, to implement workforce training programs and strategies for the period April 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026; and Increase appropriations in the Community Development Fund Group in the Economic Development Department by $5,195,755, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Economic Development         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO ACCEPT AND EXPAND PROGRAM YEAR 2024 THROUGH 2025. WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT GRANT FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT UP TO 5.5 0.1 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS CITYWIDE. OKAY. AND WHAT I'M GONNA DO, JUST SO COUNCIL MEMBERS KNOW, IF YOU WANNA SPEAK ON ANY OF THESE, 'CAUSE I'M MOVING QUICKLY THROUGH THE REST OF THESE MEETINGS, UH, ITEMS, JUST CLICK THAT YOUR REQUEST TO SPEAK. JUST CLICK TO RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANNA SPEAK. OTHERWISE, I'M GONNA MOVE QUICKLY ON THESE. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 32? JOANIE, COUNCIL MEMBER? JONI, RICK? I KNOW I SAID PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. NONE. OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK SOTE, UH, SINCE THE STAFF MEMBER STAYED THIS LONG, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT TRIUM? I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY DO, BUT GO FOR IT. THAT'S OKAY. ALRIGHT. JUST WANNA MAKE SURE WE DON'T NEED TO BE THAT COURTEOUS TONIGHT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. I THINK THEY'RE READY TO GO. HOME MOTION CARRIE 33. PLEASE REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND GRANT FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED [33. 24-54363 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, including to the award amount or terms, with the County of Los Angeles, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $899,906 for public health emergency preparedness and response services, for a one-year period beginning on July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with the option to renew for four additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Health and Human Services         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] $899,906 FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE SERVICES CITYWIDE. ALL RIGHT. UH, IS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? ALL RIGHT. MEMBERS OF PLEASE CASH YOUR VOTE ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDS. ALL GOOD THINGS. DETAILS IN THE AGENDA. FREE MONEY. FREE MONEY. GOOD THINGS. MEMBERS, PLEASE CASH YOUR VOTES. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALRIGHT, GREAT. UH, 34. [34. 24-54364 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount and the grant term, with the California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS, to accept and expend funding of the annual allocation in the amount of $1,114,281 for five years, for a total of $5,571,405, for the provision of HIV/AIDS health care services, for the period of April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2029; and Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $5,571,405, from 2024 - 2029, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Health and Human Services         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICE OF EIGHT, TO ACCEPT AND EXPAND FUNDING OF THE ANNUAL ALLOCATION IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.1 MILLION FOR FIVE YEARS FOR A TOTAL OF 5.5 MILLION. ALRIGHT, CY MORE FREE MONEY. GOOD. ALL GOOD NEWS. UH, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST OR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. NEXT IS ITEM 35. ITEM 35, REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND STATE GENERAL FUND [35. 24-54365 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amending the terms, or changing the amount of the award with the California Department of Public Health, to accept and expend State General Fund Black Infant Health grant funds in the amount of $1,904,000, of which $904,000 will be allocated towards administration of the Black Infant Health Base Program and $1,000,000 will be allocated towards the Black Infant Health Media Campaign for a one-year period beginning on July 1, 2024, with the option to extend the agreement for three additional one-year periods at the discretion of the City Manager; and Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,904,000 offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Health and Human Services         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] BLACK INFANT HEALTH GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.9 MILLION CITYWIDE. ALL RIGHT. UH, I SEE THERE'S ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. DAVE SHUKLA, THANKS FOR BEING HERE SO LATE. DAVE, GO FOR IT. YOU AS WELL. UH, GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL, VERY BRIEFLY. UM, I SUPPORT THE MOTION, UM, AND I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT, UH, $904,000 FOR ADMIN, UH, WHAT MADE THE BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM A SUCCESS AND A MODEL FOR THE STATE FOR THIS STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN WAS SERVICE DELIVERY. AND ULTIMATELY, THAT [07:15:01] SHOULD BE THE GOAL OF ALL OF THESE EFFORTS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK EXCEL. I KNOW THIS IS IMPORTANT. YOU WANNA SAY SOMETHING ON THIS? I THINK YOU ALL KNOW I DID THE BLACK AND HEALTH BACK AND INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM WITH MY DAUGHTER CHLOE. IT WAS AMAZING THE WAY THEY SUPPORT WOMEN. PREVENT ISSUES AROUND MATERNAL MORTALITY, EDUCATE WOMEN, PROVIDE THEM RESOURCES, UM, BEFORE THEY HAVE THE CHILD AND AFTER, UM, I CAN'T THINK OF A LOT OF BETTER USES OF THESE GRANT FUNDS. SO I'M IN FULL SUPPORT. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTIONS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. 36. WE HAVE POURED FROM HUMAN RESOURCES AND HARBOR DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EXCEPTION TO THE 180 DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES TO HIRE CHRISTINE HOUSTON [36. 24-54410 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for Public Agencies pursuant to Government Code 7522.56 and 21224, to hire Ms. Christine Houston for a limited duration to work in the Harbor Department. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Human Resources; Harbor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] FOR A LIMITED DURATION TO WORK IN THE HARBOR DEPARTMENT, CDY. ALL RIGHT. UH, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST OR VOTE. MOTIONS CARRIED. THANK YOU. 37 REPORT FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY [37. 24-54389 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Community College District, to provide law enforcement and security services, in an estimated amount of $2,808,518, beginning February 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Community College District, to provide law enforcement and security services, in an estimated annual amount of $4,080,622 for a period of five years, adjusted annually every year on October 1, for cost increases, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Districts 5, 6)       Office or Department: Police Department; Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] COLLEGE DISTRICT TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY SERVICES IN AN ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF 2.8 MILLION, BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1ST, 2024 TO SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2024 AND 4 MILLION FOR A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS. ADJUSTED ANNUALLY EVERY YEAR ON OCTOBER 1ST FOR COST INCREASES. DISTRICT FIVE AND SIX. ALL RIGHT, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTIONS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. 38 COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR RICHARDSON. RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE MAYOR'S DENIES AS ARGUMENT WRITERS FOR LONG BEACH BALLOT MEASURE. APPEARING ON THE NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024, CALIFORNIA [38. 24-54508 Recommendation to approve Mayor's designees as argument writers for the Long Beach ballot measures appearing on the November 5, 2024, California Statewide General Election ballot.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] STATE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION. ALRIGHT, UH, JUST BRIEFLY FOR OUR THREE MEASURES. UH, FOR THE FIRST TO REPEAL THE EXEMPTION FROM THE GAS UTILITY USERS. TAX FOR CHARGES MADE FOR GAS TO BE USED IN THE GENERAL ELECTRICITY, ELECTRICAL ENERGY BY ELECTRICAL CORPORATION OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY. UH, THERE ARE FIVE, UH, WRITERS WHO WERE SELECTED. UH, THE LEAD WRITER IS LAURA DOW, SONA COFFEY, UH, SEWARD KIM, UH, CHRISTOPHER CHAVEZ AND JAMIE ALFORD. NO ONE SUBMITTED AGAINST ON THE CHARTER AMENDMENT TO CONSOLIDATE IT. CONSOLIDATE CIVIL SERVICE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENTS TO ONE UNIFIED HIRING DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISH INDEPENDENT CIVIL SERVICE RIGHTS AND APPEALS COMMISSION AND IMPLEMENT CLASSIFIED HIRED PREFERENCES. ON THE FOR SIDE, WE HAVE THE LEAD ARGUMENT, WRITER, WRITER YVONNE WHEELER, UH, DR. JUAN BENITEZ, ISAAC JULIAN, UH, RICH CHAMBERS, AND GARY TREK. ON THE AGAINST SIDE, THE LEAD ARGUMENT WRITER IS MICHAEL MCDONALD, UH, THEN ELLA C MCDONALD, THEN IAN PATTON, THEN JAMES MARKS, AND THEN HERMAN. LONG ON THE CHARTER AMENDMENT TO MODIFY THE LENGTH OF TERMS FOR HARBOR AND PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONS. THREE, UH, TO THREE TERMS OF FOUR YEARS TRANSFER AUTHORITY OF HARBOR DEPARTMENT EMPLOYMENT EXEMPTING BOARD APPOINTED COO EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE BOARD, BOARD STAFF FROM THE HARBOR COMMISSION TO THE CEO, WHO THE BOARD WILL CONTINUE TO EMPLOY AND APPOINT, UH, AND FORMALLY ALIGN THE HARBOR'S ANNUAL BUDGET TIMELINE TO THE CITY OF CITY'S FISCAL YEAR OF OCTOBER, FIRST TO SEPTEMBER 30TH ON THE FORESIGHT LEAD ARGUMENT WRITER MARIO CORDERO. UH, SECOND. SECOND IS, UH, SHARON WEISMAN AND AGAINST IS IAN PATTON. UH, AND SO THOSE ARE THE SELECTED ARGUMENT WRITERS. UH, I SEE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP. PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. HE'S DEFERRED MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT. ITEM 39, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR REX RICHARDSON. RECOMMENDATION TO SUSPEND COUNCIL RULE CONTAINED IN THE MUNI CODE SECTION 2.0 3.020 RELATING TO THE MEETING SCHEDULE [39. 24-54509 Recommendation to suspend Council rule contained in Municipal Code Section 2.03.020 (B) relating to the meeting schedule of the City Council in order to cancel the City Council meeting on August 20th.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] OF THE CITY COUNCIL. IN ORDER TO CANCEL THE COUNCIL MEETING ON AUGUST THE 20TH, ALL IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED IS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT ON TO GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT NUMBER TWO. SEE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP SPEAK. DAVE SHUKLA. [ PUBLIC COMMENT: IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT Opportunity is given to those members of the public who have not addressed the City Council on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes unless extended by the City Council. ] DAVE, YOU GOT THE FLOOR. HAPPY BIRTHDAY. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER YANGA, IT'S, UH, REALLY GREAT TO SEE YOU UP IN THE MIX, ESPECIALLY THIS LATE. I HIT THE, [07:20:01] UH, RESCHEDULE AND AMTRAK. UM, GOOD EVENING, UH, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, WE'VE ALL BEEN HERE FOR A VERY LONG TIME, SO I'LL TRY AND KEEP IT BRIEF. UM, FOUR YEARS AGO, NEAR TO THE DAY, AS THE TRIPLE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC STRUCTURAL RACISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE LAID BARE, THE SYSTEMIC FRAGILITY OF OUR SOCIETY, THIS CITY, MY CITY, LONG BEACH, LIKE OAKLAND AND LOS ANGELES AND OTHERS, LED THE NATION IN CENTERING EQUITY-BASED AND DATA-DRIVEN APPROACHES TO THESE CHALLENGES, TO ITS CREDIT, AND FRANKLY, TO YOURS, MR. MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, CITY STAFF, UH, LONG BEACH HAS MAINTAINED ITS COMMITMENT TO THE FRAMEWORK FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION THROUGH NOW A FIFTH BUDGET SEASON WHERE YOU'VE HIT THE 1:00 AM MARK. UM, NOW THIS CITY KNEW FOUR YEARS AGO THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO MEET ITS STATUTORY EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGETS WITHOUT ADDRESSING ITS BUDGETARY DEPENDENCE ON OIL REVENUES AND THE TREMENDOUS UP UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS ASSOCIATED WITH HOW OIL IS DRILLED FOR IN LONG BEACH. UH, LONG BEACH HAD AN OPPORTUNITY IN 2020 TO, UH, FUNDAMENTALLY ADDRESS IT. AND I'D JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT WE NEVER GOT AS CLOSE FOUR YEARS AGO TO EXAMINING A LOCAL TO LONG BEACH COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION PROGRAM IN AS MUCH SERIOUSNESS AS THE RFP PROCESS FOR KITE BOARDING PERMITS TONIGHT. BUT MAN, OH MAN, IF WE HAD, I MEAN, IF IT HAD, IF WE'D COME BEFORE THIS CITY COUNCIL, MAN, I, I, I REALLY DO WONDER WHAT WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN, UH, MY PURPOSE HERE TONIGHT IS TO REMIND YOU THAT, UH, THERE IS A TICKING CLOCK WITH CLIMATE. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON I COME TO THESE MEETINGS. UM, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH HAS NOT ONLY TREMENDOUS HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE FEW WELL-MANAGED, WELL-RUN TOWNS THAT CAN ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING AS, AS, I MEAN, TECHNICALLY CHALLENGING, AS TURNING A SUPER TANKER AROUND IN A, YOU KNOW, LITTLE KITTY POOL. I MEAN, I MEAN, THE, THE AMOUNT OF INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE REQUIRED TO ACTUALLY MEET ANYTHING LIKE A SCIENCE-BASED, UH, EMISSIONS REDUCTION SCHEME, UH, OR PROGRAM, UH, IS, IS DAUNTING, UH, EVEN FOR THE MOST, UH, COMMITTED OF FOLKS. UM, BUT I, I HAVE SUCH, UH, I'M, I'M JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT, THAT THIS CITY COUNCIL AND THIS CITY STAFF AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP THE CITY NOW, UM, ARE, ARE WILLING TO TAKE YOUR LEAD. MAYOR RICHARDSON, IT'S NOT GONNA BE EASY. AND, UM, JUST BECAUSE I HAVE THE 15 SECONDS, TOM, UM, I WON'T WORK FOR MONEY. I WON'T WORK FOR THIS TOWN AGAIN, AND I WON'T SERVE ON ANY COMMISSION. BUT IF YOU REALLY NEED THE HELP, I'M HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE NOW GONNA GO TO CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT. I WANT TO FIRST GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER URANGA TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, THE MEMORY OF JOHN CROSS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF WEST LONG BEACH ASSOCIATION. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO CLOSE TONIGHT'S MEETING, LONG MEETING, UH, IN MEMORY OF JOHN CROSS AND GIVEN THE HOUR. I KNOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO SLEEP AND TURNED OFF THEIR TVS, BUT I WILL BE BRIEF. JOHN WAS A FRIEND. I'M VERY ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE WEST LA BEACH COMMUNITY, [ANNOUNCEMENTS] VERY PASSIONATE AMONG FROM WEST SIDE. HE WOULD CALL ME NIGHT WEEKENDS TO VOICE HIS CONCERNS ABOUT THE WEST SIDE, NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT TO MY WIFE, FORMER COUNCIL MEMBER, TO ARREST. WHEN, WHEN SHE WAS COUNCIL MEMBER, HE WOULD DO THE SAME CALL HER AT ALL TIMES TO VOICE HIS CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE WEST SIDE BECAUSE OF HIS ACTIVISM AND HIS CONSTANT MOIST OF CONCERNS. THERE WERE CHANGES MADE. THE AIR IS A LITTLE CLEANER, TRAFFIC IS A LITTLE SLOWER. THERE ARE MAG LANES AND ALL, BECAUSE JOHN CARED, HE WOULD BE DEARLY MISSED. HE WAS A LOVING FATHER, A LOVING HUSBAND, GRANDFATHER, AND, UH, ALL MISSES CALLS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. AND, UM, I'LL ALSO, UH, EXPRESS MY, MY CONDOLENCES. I KNEW JOHN AS WELL, UH, DEDICATED LEADER TO THE WEST SIDE. UH, AND WE ALL, UH, WE ALL, UH, THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY AS WELL. I BELIEVE I ENCOUNTERED JOHN WHEN I WAS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND HE CAME AND ACT AND ADVOCATED, UH, [07:25:01] FOR THE WEST SIDE. UM, IT'S LATE. PEOPLE HAVE TURNED IT OFF AS, AS MY COLLEAGUE SAID, BUT THERE'S LOTS OF MUSIC TO BE HAD IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF SUMMER HERE IN LONG BEACH. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US AT HARTWELL PARK TOMORROW FOR OUR PERFORMANCE BY THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY BAND AT SIX 30, FOLLOWED BY PRM DEPARTMENT SHOWING OF GUARDING ENDS OF THE GALAXY IN THE PARK. AND THEN WE ARE DOING OUR SECOND ANNUAL DISCOVER LBCC COMMUNITY CONCERT ON THE FRONT LAWN OF LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE. COME OUT AND JOIN, UM, A DJ, A BAND, ANOTHER DJ, UH, VENDORS, A BEER GARDEN ON FRIDAY, UH, AUGUST 16TH FROM SIX TO EIGHT, AGAIN ON THE FRONT LAWN OF LBCC AND THEN AT RANCHO LOS CERRITOS ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON FOR JAZZ IN THE AFTERNOON, UH, WITH THE JAZZ ANGELS. AND THE BKBA HAS THEIR FINAL CONCERT IN THE PARKING LOT ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18TH AT THE STEEL CRAFT PARKING LOT FEATURING WESTERN STANDARD TIME SCOTT ORCHESTRA. SO ENJOY SOME MUSIC WITH YOUR COMMUNITY. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU ALL. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.