[00:10:04]
[00:10:04]
RIGHT,[00:10:04]
FOLKS.LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD.
WELCOME TO THE LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
LET'S, UH, CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER WITH ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
PRESENT VICE MAYOR ANG COUNCILWOMAN THRASH AND TUCK.
WE'RE GONNA ASK VICE MAYOR URANGA TO LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
I'M NOT GONNA ASK FOR YOUR INDULGENCE THAT WHEN YOU TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE, THINK NONE OF YOURSELF BUT OF OTHERS, BECAUSE WE NEED A LOT OF HELP.
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE.PUT YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART AND REPEAT AFTER ME.
TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WI IT STANDS NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS ALLEN AND KERR WON'T BE JOINING US THIS EVENING.
UH, WE HAVE TWO PRESENTATIONS.
LET'S START WITH OUR ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, PET ADOPTION.
LET'S INVITE OUT ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.
THIS IS WHAT WE DO ONCE A MONTH WHEN WE INVITE OUT OUR ANIMALS FROM OUR LONG BEACH ANIMAL CARE SHELTER, AND WE HIGHLIGHT THEM.
AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
WE USED TO DO THIS PRE PANDEMIC.
WE BROUGHT THIS BACK, AND IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE, THE PETS, THE
[ ACS PET ADOPTION]
INCREDIBLE PETS WE DO HAVE, UH, IN OUR VILLAGE.OH, I'M GONNA HAVE SOME FUN WITH THIS ONE.
HELLO, ESTEEMED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND HONORABLE MAYOR.
MY NAME IS ALMA FROM LONG BEACH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.
TODAY WE ARE JOINED BY OUR AWESOME VOLUNTEER, ROBERT AND OUR SHELTER PET OF THE MONTH.
THIS GENTLE AND SHY PITBULL PUPPY WAS BROUGHT TO ALBAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.
HE'S ABOUT TWO MONTHS OLD AND WILL SOON BLOSSOM INTO A PLAYFUL, CUDDLY PUPPY WHEN HE SETTLES IN WITH HIS FOREVER FAMILY.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO TAKE ON THIS REWARDING ADVENTURE OF RAISING A PUPPY, PLEASE COME VISIT OUR SHELTER TO ADOPT POKEY.
WE'RE OPEN FROM WEDNESDAY TO SUNDAY, STARTING AT 10:00 AM I'LL TAKE POKEY FOR A WALK.
AS THE 4TH OF JULY APPROACHES, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO PROMOTE OUR FOSTER THE FOURTH EVENT.
EVERY YEAR, ANIMAL SHELTERS SEE A SPIKE IN INCOMING DOGS, BECAUSE PETS OFTEN GET SCARED BY FIREWORKS.
THE LOUD NOISES AND BRIGHT FLASHES CAN CAUSE ANIMALS TO PANIC AND RUN INTO ROADWAYS OR UNSAFE AREAS, PUTTING BOTH THE ANIMALS AND DRIVERS AT RISK.
WHEN SHELTER ADMISSIONS INCREASE, SUDDENLY IT BECOMES A CHALLENGE TO FIND ENOUGH SPACE FOR ALL THE ANIMALS.
AT ALBAS, OUR MISSION IS TO SAVE EVERY HEALTHY AND TREATABLE ANIMAL.
BUT RIGHT NOW, OUR KENNELS ARE OVER CAPACITY.
YOU CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE BY VOLUNTEERING TO FOSTER A DOG OR CAT TEMPORARILY.
FOSTERING CREATES MUCH NEEDED SPACE FOR OUR NEW INCOMING ANIMALS DURING THE HOLIDAY, AND PROVIDES A SAFE, CALMING ENVIRONMENT FOR PETS IN NEED.
YOUR SUPPORT NOT ONLY HELPS THE SHELTER, BUT ALSO HELPS FAMILIES WHO MAY BE SEARCHING FOR THEIR LOST PET AND GIVES THOSE ANIMALS A CHANCE TO BE REUNITED WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.
IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN GIVE, HOW YOU CAN GIVE A SHELTER DOG OR CAT A SAFE AND LOVING HOME THIS HOLIDAY, PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE@LONGBEACH.GOV SLASH ACS.
LONG BEACH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES AND COMMUNITY ANIMAL MEDICINE PROJECT OR CAMP ARE TEAMING UP TO BRING YOU LOW COST VACCINE AND MICROCHIP CLINICS JUST IN TIME FOR THE 4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY.
REMEMBER, A HEALTHY PET IS A HAPPY PET, AND MICROCHIPPING CAN BE A LIFESAVER IN CASE THEY GET LOST DURING THE FIREWORKS.
THIS CLINIC IS AN ONGOING EVENT AND IS AT BECKS EVERY MONDAY AND SECOND AND FOURTH FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.
EACH CLINIC IS FOR THE FIRST 60 PETS, NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.
TO VIEW DETAILS, INCLUDING A MORE ACCURATE SCHEDULE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, LONG BEACH.GOV/ACS,
[00:15:03]
CALIFORNIA AND LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL LAW REQUIRES THAT ALL CATS AND DOGS OVER THE AGE OF FOUR MONTHS TO BE LICENSED AS A RABIES CONTROL MEASURE.IF YOUR PET ISN'T LICENSED YET, GETTING THEIR LICENSE IS SIMPLE.
YOU CAN APPLY EITHER ONLINE OR IN PERSON AT LB LB ANIMAL CARE, LONG BEACH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES, AND ALL YOU NEED IS PROOF OF RABIES VACCINE AND THE SPAY NEUTER CERTIFICATE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PET LICENSING OR TO START THE PROCESS, PROCESS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE@LONGBEACH.GOV SLASH ACS.
LET'S HEAR FOR OUR INCREDIBLE ANIMAL CARE SERVICES PROGRAM, ALL THE GREAT, VERY MUCH VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO.
AND POKEYS A GREAT, A GREAT PUPPY.
UH, UH, POKEY MIGHT HAVE MADE SOME FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE.
I THINK POKEY CHANCES OF GOING HOME WITH A LONG BEACH FAMILY ARE PRETTY HIGH, I WOULD SAY YOU.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CONTINUING, UH, THIS, UH, INCREDIBLE WORK, BUT ALSO COMING, INCLUDING OUR CITY COUNCIL ONCE A MONTH IN THIS PROGRAM.
LET'S HEAR IT ONE MORE TIME FOR ANIMAL CARE SERVICES.
ALL RIGHT, SO OUR OUR SECOND AND FINAL PRESENTATION THIS EVENING, CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE, HISTORIC DISTRICT, 30 YEAR RECOGNITION CEREMONY.
UH, WE WANNA INTRODUCE AND BRING UP MARGARET MADDEN, UH, TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND, UH, THE, THE COMMUNITY.
AND MICHELLE, UH, ECKHOFF, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
[ CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT 30 YEARS RECOGNITION]
SO COOL.I'M MARGARET MADDEN FROM COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ON BEHALF OF OUR DEPARTMENT AND HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, IT'S MY PLEASURE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT FOR 30 YEARS OF NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS, MORE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS THAN ANYONE, UH, ANY OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD GROUP IN THE CITY.
WE, WE DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AS PART OF THE CITYWIDE MAYE SPRING CLEANING INITIATIVE, UM, TO LOOK AT, UM, WHO HAD DONE THE MOST CLEANUPS IN ALL THE YEARS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
AND CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT, UM, WAS, UH, HAS AMAZING STATISTICS THAT I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WITH YOU.
SINCE 1992, THEY'VE HOSTED 312 NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS, AND THEY'VE REMOVED 200, I'M SORRY, 2,808 TONS OF TRASH AND DEBRIS FROM THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, FROM OUR SIDEWALK STREETS AND ALLEYS OVER THOSE YEARS.
UM, I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE, UM, THEY WERE ALSO PART OF THIS C CITY'S SECOND ANNUAL CITYWIDE MACE SPRING CLEANING INITIATIVE.
AND WE WORKED WITH 14 NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS, UM, DURING THE MONTH OF MAY, UM, AND 290 VOLUNTEERS CITYWIDE FROM ALL THESE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, UH, REMOVED 108 TONS OF TRASH AND DEBRIS FROM OUR STREETS, ALLEYS, AND SIDEWALKS.
SO I WANNA THANK ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS FOR THEIR HARD WORK.
UM, I THINK THAT THERE'S A VIDEO.
ARE THEY ABLE TO SHOW IT? MY NAME'S JIM MOKI.
I'M WITH HOUSING AND NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES, WORKING WITH CRAFTMAN BARS.
THEY HOLD THE RECORD WITH OUR DEPARTMENT FOR DOING THE MOST CLEANUPS AND THE LONGEST PROGRAM SINCE WE'VE HAD THE PROGRAM GOING.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL.
WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THIS LITTLE PLAQUE TO SHOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO, NOT ONLY FOR THE CITY, BUT ALSO FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
MY NAME IS MICHELLE AARON ECKHOFF, AND I'M THE CO-CHAIR OF CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
BEFORE MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT THIS HOUSE, WE WERE CLEANING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY THAT WAS DOING IT.
AND I'M NOT EVEN SURE AT THAT TIME IF WE HAD A DUMPSTER.
AND BEHIND OUR HOUSE IS AN ALLEY BETWEEN EIGHTH STREET AND NINTH STREET.
THERE WAS SO MUCH TRASH, IT WAS LIKE THIS DEEP ALL AROUND, BACK BEHIND OUR HOUSE AND DOWN THE ALLEY.
AND WE WERE JUST OUT THERE JUST THROWING IT INTO THE BACK OF JOSE'S TRUCK.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE DUMPED IT BACK THEN, BUT WE DUMPED IT SOMEPLACE.
LIKE WE JUST, WE, WE ALSO, BESIDES CLEANUPS, WE STARTED, OUR HUSBANDS MAINLY STARTED, UH, STARTED TAKING OFF THE GRAFFITI WELL BEFORE THERE WAS GRAFFITI ABATEMENT IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
AND IT SURPRISES ME THAT EVERY TIME WE DO THIS, THAT DUMPSTER'S USUALLY FULL.
MY WIFE AND I FIRST GOT INVOLVED, UM, WE MOVED HERE A FEW YEARS AGO, AND ONE OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS IN,
[00:20:01]
IN CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE AND STORAGE DISTRICT, UH, MET US RIGHT AWAY AND TOLD US ABOUT THE, THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS.AND SIMPLY EXPLAINED TO US THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO MEET OTHER NEIGHBORS AND ALSO TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE, UH, THE WELFARE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I'D LIKE TO INVITE MICHELLE AARON DECOFF TO SHARE A FEW REMARKS.
UH, MY NAME IS MICHELLE AARON DECOFF.
I AM THE CO-CHAIR OF CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT.
AND, UH, WE STARTED THIS CLEANING JOURNEY JOURNEY OVER 40 YEAR, 30 YEARS AGO.
AND DUE TO THE EFFORTS OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING RIGHT OVER OVER THERE,
IF I CAN GIVE ANY ADVICE TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE JUST BEGINNING TO ORGANIZE AND IMPROVE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT IS THIS CONSISTENCY, LONGEVITY AND RESOURCES.
BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR CLEANUP EFFORTS.
IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD TO HAVE JUST A ONE-OFF EVENT LONGEVITY.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO GET USED TO THE ROUTINE AND FOR PARTICIPATION TO INCREASE.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT OUR CITY HAS TO OFFER.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD RESOURCE CENTER AND THE CLEAN TEAM.
UM, BOTH ARE GREAT PLACES TO START AND THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EVERYTHING THAT A NEIGHBORHOOD COULD NEED.
ON BEHALF OF CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE HISTORIC DISTRICT, I THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION OF OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE OUR LITTLE CORNER OF LONG BEACH A MUCH NICER PLACE.
ALRIGHT, SO, UH, MICHELLE, BEFORE YOUR COUNCILWOMAN WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING, BEFORE I DO, I'LL JUST ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, UH, JUST WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, INCREDIBLE, UH, FIRST DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD COMMUNITY THAT YOU ARE.
WE, FOR THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS, AS I'VE BEEN MAYOR, WE'VE CONVENED OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SUMMIT OF ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION LEADERS.
UH, YOU ALL HAVE PARTICIPATED.
YOU ARE ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, SO THANK YOU FOR BEING AN EXAMPLE AND FOR SHOWING OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS HOW TO STEP UP AND SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY AND HELP THE ORGANIZE.
AND ALSO, UH, MARGARET MADDEN, WHO'S SORT OF THE, THE SORT OF THE, UH, COORDINATOR OF ALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS IN THE CITY.
WHAT WOULD WE BE IN LONG BEACH WITHOUT THE WORK THAT MARGARET MADDEN'S DOING? GREAT.
AND THE NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM'S HERE FOR BOTH OF YOU.
COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS, YOU'VE GOT YOUR RESIDENTS HERE.
AND THANK YOU, MARGARET, FOR ALL YOUR, YOUR WORK IN HELPING, UM, WITH OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
UM, VERY PRIDEFUL MOMENT FOR ME.
UM, COMMUNITY CAN BE BUILT IN MANY WAYS, BUT A KEY FACTOR, LIKE YOU SAID, MICHELLE, IS CONSISTENCY.
CRAFTSMAN VILLAGE, HISTORIC DISTRICT IS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT, BUT ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT ONES.
AND I THINK THAT YOU SAID IT PERFECTLY IN YOUR REMARKS.
UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK AND ADVOCACY FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS.
UM, I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW, UH, OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT ARE HERE.
SO IF YOU GUYS WOULD JUST STAND UP.
JUST TO BE RECOGNIZED FROM CRAFTSMAN'S VILLAGE SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE YOU.
UM, DEDICATION AND CONSISTENCY.
NOT ONLY DO YOU GUYS PROVIDE, UM, CLEAN AND SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY TO ENJOY, BUT YOU ALSO THINK AB ARE THINKING ABOUT WAYS THAT YOU CAN BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER, LIKE THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN THAT WE HAVE.
UM, TAMALES ON TOLEDO, WHICH IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS DURING CHRISTMAS TIME.
UM, SO MANY OTHER EVENTS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE.
UM, OF COURSE ONE OF THE MOST RECENT ONES THAT I HAVE TO BRAG ABOUT IS THE LITTLE LIBRARY AT OUR LITTLE PARK THAT WE HAVE.
I MEAN, THAT'S SUCH A PRIDEFUL JOY, AND YOU GUYS REALLY DESERVE THIS, UM, THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
UM, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THE WHOLE CITY VERY PROUD, BUT ESPECIALLY DISTRICT ONE.
PINK ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THEM AND THEM.
YOU WANNA COME FORWARD, UH, THE COUNCILWOMAN AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER.
AND JOSE, RIGHT IN THE CENTER.
HOW'S IT GOING? NICE TO SEE YOU.
YEAH, I USUALLY TAKE PICTURES, BUT IT'S OKAY.
[00:25:01]
IT'S ME.OH, YOU GUYS HAVE A REALLY NICE NEIGHBORHOOD AS A RESULT.
HEY, HOW'S IT GOING? WE NEED SOME PEOPLE ON THIS SIDE.
WAIT, DID YOU BLINK? OH, YOU'RE GOOD.
LET'S, UH, TAKE UP THE CONSENT CALENDAR, PLEASE.
AND SECOND FROM THE COUNCIL ON CONSENT.
IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT? THERE'S TWO SPEAKERS.
VIVIAN SHAMA AND JANINE S PLEASE COME FORWARD.
MAYOR RICHARDSON, CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, CITY STAFF AND PUBLIC.
I'M VIVIAN SHIMOYAMA AND I'M A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH, AND I ALSO HAVE A BUSINESS IN LONG BEACH.
I'M THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE LONG BEACH ACCELERATOR.
I'M HERE TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON CONSENT ITEM NUMBER 13, WHICH AUTHORIZES A CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE LONG BEACH ACCELERATOR OR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION TO RECEIVE US SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT FOR OUR LONG BEACH TECH CENTER.
THE LONG BEACH ACCELERATOR WAS FOUNDED AS A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CITY OF LONG BEACH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BLUEPRINT.
[CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 31.)]
DEVELOPED AS A MODEL PRI PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, A P THREE, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, AN INVESTMENT PARTNER, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AND CAL STATE UNIVERSITY, THE INSTITUTE FOR INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP.UM, AS THE ACCELERATOR IS BUILDING OUR STARTUP TECH ECOSYSTEM, WE HAVE A GLOBAL VISION WITH LOCAL IMPACT.
WE HAVE A TECHNOLOGY HUB FOR OUR CITY.
UM, WE PARTNER WITH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL TECH ECOSYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GLOBAL PRESENCE.
THE ACCELERATOR HAS SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE, WHICH ARE CO COHORT BASED BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT EDUCATION PROGRAM.
WE'RE BUILDING AN AI TECH COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ON BOARD TO ADOPT AI, AS WELL AS LOOK AT NEW METHODS TO BE ABLE TO ENHANCE JOBS.
UM, WE ALSO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND FINANCIAL ACUMEN FOR OUR GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES.
AND WE'RE THE ORGANIZERS FOR THE FIRST LONG BEACH TECH WEEK, WHICH WILL BE SEPTEMBER 22ND TO THE 26TH OF THIS YEAR.
WE HOST, WE'RE GONNA HOST OUR SECOND ANNUAL INVESTOR AND FOUNDER SUMMIT.
THE CORE VALUES ARE TO INVEST IN DIVERSE FOUNDERS.
WITH THE 46 COMPANIES THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN, WE'VE RAISED OVER 34 MILLION IN FUNDING THE GEN, THE REVENUE HAS BEEN GENERATED AT 13000068% OF OUR FOUNDERS IN THE COHORTS HAVE BEEN DIVERSE FOUNDERS.
SO I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY KNOWS, AND THAT WE KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THE WORK WITH THE CITY.
UH, 5.5 MILLION FOR STARTUP TECH COMPANIES HAS INVEST, INVEST INVESTED IN NOT ONLY THE EQUITY IN THE COMPANIES, BUT ALSO OUR LBA ORGANIZATION.
I WANNA THANK THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR WORKING WITH US AS WE APPLIED FOR THE GRANT FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND ALSO CENTER FEINSTEIN'S OFFICE.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO TYLER BONANO, CURLEY, MARY TORRES, AND THE CITY'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNER FROM WHEN WE STARTED.
WHEN WE FIRST APPLIED, JOHN KEISER WAS THERE WITH US, AS WELL AS, UM, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM.
UM, JEANETTE CHRISTIAN WORKED WITH US FROM SENATOR FEINSTEIN'S OFFICE.
WE TOOK A WHOLE TEAM OF PEOPLE TO BRING A MILLION DOLLARS TO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO INVEST IN OUR CITY, AS WELL AS OUR LONG BEACH TECH CENTER.
SO AS WE MOVE FORWARD, I'LL MAKE SURE THAT I KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT THE TECH CENTER AND KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT HOW WE BUILD NOT ONLY OUR NATIONAL, OUR STATE, OUR LOCAL, BUT THE TECH ECOSYSTEM RIGHT HERE IN IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, VIVIAN.
THANK YOU, JANINE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M SPEAKING ON CONSENT CALENDAR, ITEMS ONE AND FIVE RELATED TO THE FUNDS YOU'RE PROVIDING THE L-G-B-T-Q CENTER OF LONG BEACH.
[00:30:01]
MAY RECALL, IF YOU REMEMBER ME, I OBJECT TO THE CITY SUBLEASE WITH SPACEX ON THE BASIS THAT THE COMPANY'S CEO HAS A HISTORY OF SPEECH AND POLITICAL ACTION AGAINST THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY.THE MAN HAS BOUGHT HIS POWER TO TRANSFORM MINDS AND LEGISLATION WITH MONEY MADE IN COLLABORATION WITH THIS CITY.
THE FUNDS FOR THE CENTER ARE MEANINGLESS COMPARED TO THE DAMAGE DONE BY THE SUBLEASE.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU DON'T HAVE THE POLITICAL WILL TO TERMINATE THE SUBLEASE BASED ON IDEOLOGY, EVEN IF THE IDEOLOGY IS A LIFE AND DEATH CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE.
SO I WILL SPEAK TO OTHER ASPECTS OF THE SUBLEASE DISCRIMINATION.
LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I SPOKE TO YOU ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SPACEX OF SEX DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, GENDER DISCRIMINATION, AND RETALIATION BASED ON THE SAME AS IT RELATES TO THE SUBLEASE PROVISION REQUIRING NO DISCRIMINATION.
THERE WERE SO MANY EXAMPLES THAT I WAS NOT ABLE TO COVER THEM DURING MY ALLOTTED TIME.
I COULD SPEND THE REST OF MY TIME TELLING YOU MORE ABOUT THAT AND COME THE REST OF THE SUMMER AND TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THAT.
THE WOMEN AND TRANS NON-BINARY EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE COME FORWARD ON THIS ISSUE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE CULTURE OF SPACEX IS ONE OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION REPORTING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANTS.
THE DOCUMENTATION I RECEIVED FROM MY RECORDS REQUEST ON THE REPORTING BY SPACEX FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL COVENANTS WAS A BIT OF A MESS.
MOST OF THE REPORTING WAS UNDATED, BUT THERE IS DOCUMENTATION THAT SPACEX DID NOT PROVIDE REPORTING FOR 2021 UNTIL AFTER REPORTING FOR 2022 WAS DUE, AND SPACEX WAS REMINDED BY THE PORT TO PROVIDE THE REPORTING FOR BOTH YEARS.
THIS IS A VIOLATION OF THE SUBLEASE INSURANCE.
THE SUBLEASE REQUIRES SPACEX TO MAINTAIN INSURANCE OR SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS.
THERE ARE FIVE TYPES OF INSURANCE NAMED THE RECORDS I WAS PROVIDED BY.
THE CITY SHOWED A LAPSE IN MID 2024 IN FOUR OF THE FIVE TYPES.
THE WATERCRAFT POLICY ALSO LAPSED FOR A MONTH IN 2021, UNLESS WE ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE HANDWRITTEN NOTES AS PROOF OF INSURANCE.
DID SPACEX CEASE OPERATIONS DURING THESE LAPSES? I ALSO NOTED IN THE WATERCRAFT POLICY THAT THE DEDUCTIBLE AND THE COVERAGE LIMIT WERE THE SAME AMOUNT WITH NO INDICATION OF SELF-INSURANCE AS WAS PRESENT IN SOME OF THE OTHER POLICY TYPES.
I AM NOT AN INSURANCE EXPERT, SO I SURE WOULD NEED AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THAT POSSIBLY COMPLIES WITH THE INTENT AND THE LETTER OF THE SUBLEASE.
I FEEL YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED.
ALRIGHT, WE'RE NOW MOVING IN A GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE 10 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
OH, WE NEED TO VOTE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
MEMBERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
NOW LET'S QUEUE UP GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT PLEASE.
PLEASE COME FORWARD WHEN YOU HEAR YOUR NAME.
CARL KEMP SILVA NEHA, UH, SEAN KENDORF, LAURIE LOGAN, LAURA FOY, MANSOUR ACH, UH, JULIANA PER YEAR.
[ 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. ]
DARRELL TERRELL, AND JOSE NAVARRO.PLEASE COME FORWARD, MR. KEMP.
MR. CONGRATULATIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL JUNETEENTH FIFTH ANNUAL.
UH, AND THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
I JUST WANTED TO COME AND SAY, UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, TO THE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
WE HAD A FANTASTIC, UH, WEEKEND FOR JUNETEENTH.
WE HAD A RECORD CROWD, UM, COULD BARELY SEE A BLADE OF GRASS, AND YET WE HAD NO INCIDENTS THAT REQUIRED SECURITY AT ALL.
AND THERE, THERE WAS JUST AN OVERFLOW, UH, OF JOY AT THE EVENT.
UM, FOR FIVE STRAIGHT YEARS, WE'VE HAD THIS EVENT, UM, ONCE ON PINE AVENUE, UH, AND, UH, FOUR YEARS AT RAINBOW LAGOON.
AND WE THANK COUNCILWOMAN, UM, ZENDEJAS FOR, UH, OPENING UP THE FIRST DISTRICT TO US.
I JUST WANTED TO COME AND GIVE SOME SPECIFIC THANK YOUS.
UM, ONE, I WANT TO THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS.
THIS IS AN ALL VOLUNTEER ARMY THAT PUTS THIS, UH, EVENT TOGETHER.
UM, FOLKS WHO ONLY GET PAID, UH, BY THE JOY THEY SEE ON THE FACES WHO, UM, COME TO OUR EVENT.
UH, SO I WANNA THANK SPECIFICALLY THE VOLUNTEERS, UH, ON THE CORE TEAM.
UH, MICHELLE GILL IMANI ON, UH, JALEN GUTIERREZ, CLARA RANDOLPH, JEREMY SCRUGGS, LAUREN SIMPSON, UH, KAT KAT BRAMAN,
[00:35:01]
UH, AND RASHINA YOUNG.I ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR MAJOR SPONSORS.
UH, WITHOUT THEM, UH, THIS EVENT COULD NOT HAPPEN, UH, BECAUSE IT IS A PREDOMINANTLY FREE EVENT FOR THE PUBLIC.
UH, OUR MAJOR SPONSORS THIS YEAR, UH, WERE VISIT LONG BEACH.
UH, LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, DISNEYLAND RESORT, SOUTHWEST AIRLINES, CAL STATE LONG BEACH, AND COMPTON COLLEGE.
UH, AND FINALLY, I WANT TO THANK, UH, THE MEMBERS, UH, BEHIND THE RAIL.
UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON, YOU'VE BEEN A MAJOR SUPPORTER, UH, SINCE YOUR TIME AS VICE MAYOR, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THAT.
UM, THE FIRST SUPPORTER WE HAD, UH, WAS COUNCILWOMAN, UH, MARY IN DEJAS, WHO I'VE KNOWN SINCE CAL STATE LONG BEACH, GO BEACH.
UM, UH, COUNCILMAN CINDY ALLEN, COUNCILWOMAN MEGAN KERR, UH, COUNCILWOMAN, DR.
SOLI SORO, COUNCILWOMAN TORTU COUNCILMAN, UH, ROBERTO URANGA.
UH, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, DR.
I THANK YOU ALL FOR, UH, YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS EVENT.
UH, AND, AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE, UH, BEEN ABLE TO COME OUT TO THE EVENT.
IT'S ALWAYS GREAT TO SEE YOU THERE.
UH, THIS HAS BEEN, UM, THIS HAS BECOME THE LARGEST BLACK CULTURAL EVENT IN THE CITY.
THIS HAS BECOME THE LARGEST BLACK CULTURAL EVENT IN THE CITY, UH, AND AN ANNUAL DESTINATION FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
UH, AND IT'S A SIGNATURE EVENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
AND THIS YEAR WE EVEN HAD SOMEONE PROPOSE, UH, TO HIS FUTURE WIFE ON STAGE.
UH, PEOPLE, PEOPLE MAKE THIS AN ANNUAL TRADITION, UH, AND COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.
UH, WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THE CITY MANAGER AND HIS TEAM.
WE THANK YOU, UH, FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS EVENT.
UH, CHIEF, UH, WE APPRECIATE HAVING, UH, YOU THERE.
UM, WHETHER IT'S, UH, ON THE CLOCK AND, UH, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, AS PART OF SPECIAL EVENTS OR AS PART OF OUR, UM, THE RECRUITMENT TEAM OR THE COMMUNITY SERVICE TEAM, WE'D LOVE IT WHEN YOU GUYS HAVE TIME TO COME OUT AND WOBBLE WITH US.
WE KNOW YOU GUYS ARE BUSY THIS YEAR, BUT WE HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, UH, AND ESPECIALLY, UH, WANNA GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO TASHA TANAKA, UH, AND LEAH, UM, AT THE SPECIAL EVENTS TEAM, YOUR TIME HELPING US TOGETHER.
UM, I WANNA THANK, UH, THE CITIZENS OF THE WORLD, UM, HUMANS OF THE WORLD.
I'D LIKE TO START OFF SAYING IS I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE BIG ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM.
ISRAEL IS COMMITTING A GENOCIDE.
AND WE, YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND HUMAN MEMBERS FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD ARE WATCHING WHAT THE MAYOR OF OUR BEAUTIFUL LONG BEACH CITY HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT.
YES, THE GENOCIDE, YOU MAY CONSIDER THE GENOCIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE A NON-ISSUE NOW.
BUT WHEN ANOTHER MAYOR IS VOTED INTO THAT VERY SEAT, YOU'RE SITTING IN AND YOUR POSITION AND POWER ARE RETIRED, YOU WILL HAVE TO FACE THE FACT THAT YOU MAYOR RICHARDSON WERE ACTIONLESS DURING A GENOCIDE THAT IS BEING BROADCASTED IN THE PALMS OF OUR HANDS.
AND I HOPE I HAVE THE BODY'S UNDIVIDED ATTENTION BECAUSE WE ARE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE EXHIBITING, AND I, I DON'T, I CAN'T EVEN TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, I'M GOING OFF OF SCRIPT, BUT MY HANDS ARE SHAKING.
A LOT OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE HAVE CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF IF WE CAN JUST TAKE CARE OF THIS HUGE ISSUE.
ONE OF THE ACTIONS IS TO UPDATE THE PROCLAMATION SUPPORTING THE PERMANENT, UH, HUMANITARIAN CEASEFIRE IN GAZA THAT WAS PASSED, UH, BY LONG BEACH, UH, ON DECEMBER 19TH, 2023.
WE, THE PEOPLE WOULD LIKE FOR THE WORLD TO KNOW THAT LONG BEACH DOES NOT SUPPORT THE GENOCIDE OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.
AND THIS IS WHY I ASK YOU MAYOR RICHARDSON, TO TAKE ACTION NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE FOR YOU.
PALESTINIANS ARE BEING STARVED AND MURDERED EVERY SINGLE DAY.
WE URGE YOU TO HAVE A VETTING PROCEDURE FOR THE LONG BEACH INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM, SUCH AS, AND WHAT YOU'VE SUPPORTED THE LBA AND THE LAUNCH BA BEACH COALITION TO PREVENT ANY BUSINESS STARTUP SUPPORT THAT HAS ANY TIES OR ANY ASSOCIATIONS WITH COUNTRIES BEING ACCUSED OF COMMITTING GENOCIDES SUCH AS ISRAEL AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH OUR ORGANIZATIONS AND LEGAL BODIES STATING THAT ISRAEL IS COMMITTING A GENOCIDE.
AND BY ME, BECAUSE I HAVE A PHONE AND IT'S AN OLD ONE AND I CAN STILL SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
I HOPE THAT YOU CAN CONSIDER, I GUESS I, I HAVE MORE TO SAY,
[00:40:01]
BUT PLEASE LOOK INTO YOUR HUMANITY.PLEASE, PLEASE, I LIKE TO TAKE THE REST OF MY TIME FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE DEATH THAT IS BEING COMMITTED IN PALESTINE.
OUR NEXT SPEAKER IS SEAN KENDORF.
GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY.
I WAS HERE, UH, LAST MEETING IN OPPOSITION TO SPACEX, MAINLY BECAUSE OF THE MAN BEHIND IT.
ELON MUSK, WE KNOW IS NO SECRET THAT HIS NAME IS SYNONYMOUS WITH FASCISM.
AND HIS LACK OF CONCERNS FOR OTHERS IS VERY CONCERNING IN THIS COMMUNITY AND FRANKLY, THE WHOLE COUNTRY.
UH, LAST TIME I GAVE YOU A LIST OF THINGS THAT I DON'T TRUST ABOUT THIS MAN, AND HERE'S A COUPLE MORE.
I DO NOT TRUST A MAN WHO BASICALLY PITCHED HIMSELF INTO THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY DEPARTMENT, LAUGHING WITH OUR CURRENT CORRUPT PRESIDENT ABOUT BEING THE GREATEST CUTTER OF JOBS.
I DO NOT TRUST A MAN WHO THREATENS TO FIRE HIS EMPLOYEES FOR EVEN TALKING ABOUT FORMING UNIONS.
I DO NOT TRUST A MAN WITH SO LITTLE INTEGRITY.
I'M A SPIRITUAL LEADER, AKA MINISTER, AND I'VE BEEN LEADING MY CONGREGATION FOR 23 YEARS.
SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY IS SO, SO IMPORTANT TO US.
WE WORK WITHIN SHARED LEADERSHIP AND CON AND CONSENSUS, WHICH IN ACTION MEANS TO US THAT EVERY VOICE HAS VALUE.
EVEN IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE SOMEONE'S COMING FROM, EVEN IF I THINK SOMEONE'S EXAGGERATING, EVEN IF SOMEONE I DON'T AGREE WITH, OUR INTEGRITY REQUIRES THAT WE LISTEN, NOT PASSIVELY, NOT PATRONIZINGLY WITH A HEART THAT WANTS TO LEARN.
AND I SAY THAT TO SET UP THIS BECAUSE I'VE LEARNED THAT IN ORDER TO LEGALLY RELEASE LONG BEACH FROM THAT CURRENT CONTRACT WITH SPACEX, THERE MUST BE A BREACH OF THE CONTRACT ON THEIR SIDE.
WELL, I'M ALSO LEARNING THERE, THERE HAVE BEEN BREACHES MOSTLY REGARDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT TOWARD WOMEN.
IT'S A BIG DEAL THROUGHOUT HISTORY.
THIS IS OFTEN BRUSHED OFF AS WOMEN BEING, OH, WE'RE JUST TOO SENSITIVE OR OVEREXAGGERATING OR EVEN MAKING STUFF UP.
BUT FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, THESE WOMEN DESERVE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
I'M NOT REALLY RELIGIOUS, I'M SPIRITUAL IN MY BELIEF, WOMEN ARE EQUAL TO MEN IN GOD'S CREATION AND DON'T DESERVE TO BE DISMISSED.
THIS IS THE MAIN POINT FOR ME.
YOUR ACTIONS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SEND TWO POWERFUL MESSAGES.
WE DON'T JUST DISMISS YOU AND TWO, SPACEX OWNER AND EMPLOYEES, WE'RE NOT LETTING YOU GET AWAY WITH IT.
DON'T YOU THINK I ASK AGAIN? DO WE REALLY WANT A PERSON WITH SO LITTLE INTEGRITY THIS'S INVOLVED IN THIS CITY? I DON'T MY WORDS.
AND WOMEN DESERVE TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
MY NAME IS LORI AND GOOD EVENING TO THE MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
UM, I LIVE IN FIRST DISTRICT IN THE WASHINGTON NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I'M SPEAKING ABOUT THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, WHICH HAS A FOCUS OF BECOMING A GREENER AND SUSTAINABLE PORT.
THE LONG BEACH VOTERS APPROVED FUNDS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE INNER AND OUTER HARBOR IN 1924.
THIS MANDATE HAS RESULTED IN INVESTMENTS IN MODERN, EFFICIENT, AND SUSTAINABLE FACILITIES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ELON MUSK AND SPACEX COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE LONG BEACH ENVIRONMENT BECOMING GREENER AND SUSTAINABLE.
THE EPA ISSUED ISSUED AN ORDER LAST MARCH TO ELIMINATE UNPERMITTED DISCHARGE.
SPACEX EVENTUALLY AGREED TO PAY $145,000 CIVIL PENALTY OVER THE CLEAN WATER ACT ALLEGATIONS.
ACCORDING TO EPA FILED FROM JANUARY 15TH TO 2025.
SPACEX WASTE INCLUDES SMALL PARTICLES OF ERODED MATERIAL GASES AND AEROSOLS AND POST EROSION SLURRY.
THIS TOXIC HAZARDOUS WASTE PRODUCT IS HARMFUL TO THE LONG BEACH ENVIRONMENT AND EMPLOYEES AT THE SPACEX PLANT.
IN ADDITION, STAR BASE HAS FACED MULTIPLE EPA VIOLATIONS AT THE SITE IN SOUTH TEXAS, PRIMARILY FOR DISCHARGING WASTEWATER INTO WESTLANDS WITHOUT THE PROPER PERMITS.
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THESE VIOLATIONS OCCURRED DURING TESTING AND LAUNCHING OF THE SPACESHIP ROCKET.THESE EVENTS HAVE LED TO FINES AND LEGAL ACTION.
STAR BASE WAS FINED BY THE EPA FOR CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING A 148,000 PENALTY.
ALSO IN BOCA CHICA, TEXAS, THERE IS CONCERNS ABOUT HARM TO THE ENVIRONMENT DUE TO THE IMPACT OF THE ROCKETS.
CONTAMINANTS, POLLUTANTS INCLUDE DEBRIS DISPERSED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, WATER POLLUTION AND HARM TO ECOSYSTEMS AND WILDLIFE IN LONG BEACH SPACE X WASTE INCLUDES A GAS AND AEROSOL MIXTURE OF D ELECTRIC FLUIDS.
THIS MIXTURE DECOMPOSES INTO A BYPRODUCT OF GASES THAT CAN BE HAZARDOUS TOXIC CON CONCENTRATE IN THE AIR.
IN ADDITION, HYDROGEN GAS IS PRODUCED AND IT CAN BE EASILY IGNITED BY SPARKING OUR OPEN FLAMES.
THE LONG BEACH PORT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS DON'T NEED THIS ILLEGAL MIXTURE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS AND GASES IN THE AIR THAT THEY BREATHE.
YOU MUST CUT TIES WITH SPACEX BECAUSE SPACEX, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A HISTORY OF POLLUTING THE LAND, WATER, AIR ECOSYSTEM, AND WILDLIFE LONG BEACH PORT IS THE LANDLORD.
AS THE LANDLORD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TOXIC WASTE OF ITS TENANTS, THE CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH WILL BE STUCK WITH A BILL FOR CLEANING UP THIS MESS IN YEARS TO COME.
THANKS SO MUCH FOR HEARING US.
I'D NEVER COME TO CITY COUNCIL BEFORE, UH, FEBRUARY WHEN THE SHOCK OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY AND OUR WORLD LED ME TO COME HERE.
UM, AND LIKE I SAID, LAST TIME, WE'RE LEARNING ON THE FLY.
I'LL PICK IT UP WHEN I'M DONE
AND IT'S BEEN THIS INTERESTING PROCESS OF LEARNING ABOUT WHAT IS REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY AND PARTICIPATING IN IT, AND THE FEAR AND THE TERROR THAT WE MIGHT LOSE IT.
AS YOU GUYS KNOW, TWO DEMOCRATS WERE JUST SHOT, ONE WAS KILLED.
WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE ARE ARRESTS TAKING PLACE.
WE'RE LIVING IN UNPRECEDENTED TIMES.
UM, ICE, WHAT ELSE CAN I EVEN SAY? A MAN WHO SELLS FLOWERS IS NOW MISSING.
EVERY DAY WE'RE ALL GETTING THESE TEXT THREADS OF, HAVE YOU SEEN, DO YOU HAVE INFORMATION? OUR CITY IS TERRIFIED AND WE ALL FEEL THE BREWING OF A CIVIL WAR.
AND ANYONE WITH A BRAIN AND A HEART KNOW CAN WE KNOW THIS IS WHAT'S HAPPENING.
SO REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY, OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FAILED US.
THE DEMOCRATS DID NOT STOP THIS.
THE GUY HAS HOW MANY FELONIES, AND YET HE'S PRESIDENT.
WE'RE WATCHING THE DEMISE OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR DEMOCRACY IN REAL TIME.
AND THERE'S THIS FORUM FOR US TO COME AND SPEAK TO YOU GUYS.
AND THERE'S A MAN WHO BANKROLLED THIS AND WE KNOW WHO HE IS.
AND FOR THAT, THAT POINT, YOU GUYS, YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK THERE WAS A PROTEST OUTSIDE.
I KNOW YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR CITY.
AND I KNOW THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THE TERROR THAT'S OUT IN THE STREETS.
YOU CAN'T HAVE CAMBODIA TOWN HERE.
WE, WE ARE A CITY OF IMMIGRANTS.
WE KNOW THAT YOU SAID THAT YOU, YOU CAN'T CONTROL DONALD TRUMP AND YOU CAN'T CONTROL ICE, BUT YOU CAN CONTROL WHO YOU DO BUSINESS WITH AND, AND YOU'RE NOT SUBJECT TO LEGAL LIABILITY BASED ON THE BREACHES OF THAT CONTRACT THAT WE FOUND.
AND THE QUESTION IS, WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA WISH YOU HAD DONE? ARE YOU GONNA WISH THAT YOU FACILITATED AND ENABLED THE FASCIST DEMISE OF OUR NATION AND OUR WORLD? OR ARE YOU GONNA WISH THAT YOU DID WHAT YOU REALLY COULD? IT'S NOT TOO LATE FOR ANY OF YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AT THIS EXTREMELY HISTORICAL MOMENT IN TIME.
UH, DEAR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS MY REMARKS TO CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH, INCLUDING YOU ELECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
UH, IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE TO REPORT TO YOU.
IF YOU ATTENDED THE RALLY NO KINGS
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DAY RALLY ON SATURDAY THE 14TH, THEY WERE CLOSE TO 12 TO 15,000 CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH RALLYING ON OCEAN BOULEVARD FOR MILES ON END.AND THEY WERE OVER 2100 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE AND ORGANIZED BY MORE THAN A HUNDRED ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING INDIVISIBLE AND REFUSE.
AS THE PREVIOUS, UH, CITIZEN OF LONG BEACH, MADE A COMMENT THAT WE ARE HERE FACING ICE, FACING RATES ON FAMILY.
THIS IS A VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY.
EVERYBODY IS HERE IN LONG BEACH.
ALL THE HYPHENATED AMERICANS ARE HERE.
WE NEED TO SUPPORT CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH.
NO RATES, NO ICE RATES, NO TAMPERING WITH THE BUSINESSES OF LONG BEACH.
THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE THE ONES THAT RUNNING THE SOCIETY.
LONG BEACH CITY RELIES HEAVILY ON THE SMALL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, THIS AND THAT.
UH, THE TWO MOST UBIQUITOUS HANDWRITTEN SIGNS WERE WE PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS ASSIGNED TO SAY NO ICE RATES HERE.
AND THE OTHER ONE WAS, NO ONE IS ILLEGAL ON THE STOLEN LAND, WHICH WHICH OPPOSES HOMEGROWN WHITE SUPREMACY, WHITE SUPREMACY AND FASCISM IN THE UNITED STATES.
SO PEOPLE OF ALL WALKS OF LIFE WERE THERE, ESPECIALLY MEXICANOS AMERICANOS ATTENDED THE RALLY AND WORE THEIR PROUD FLAGS.
ALSO, PEOPLE WERE KAFIS AND WAVE PALESTINIAN FLAGS IN SOLIDARITY WITH PALESTINIANS.
I'M GONNA CUT CHASE TO MY, THE REST OF MY, UH, COMMENTS.
BUT I DO WANT TO PRESENT TO CITIZENS OF LONG BEACH.
I HAVE NO FINANCIAL INTEREST IN BOOKS, UH, ESPECIALLY, UH, UH, THIS CIVIC SELF RESPECT, A TITLE OF THE NEW BOOK BY RALPH NADER AND RALPH NADER IS ONE OF THE HUNDRED MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
SO FOR THOSE WHO JUST ATTENDED THE RALLY, PLEASE CONTINUE PICK A ONE, TWO, PICK ONE OR TWO SUBJECTS THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO YOUR HEART AND STAY FOCUSED AND LET'S STAY ACTIVE.
TIME HAS, HAS CONCLUDED CLASSES IN THIS CITY.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS JULIANA, THEN ASH.
I WAS BORN IN LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA IN 1961.
AND I LOVE MY CITY, AND I THINK EVERYONE THAT'S HERE DOES TOO.
AND I AM HERE TO REGISTER MY CONCERNS ABOUT SPACEX.
I WOULD SPECIFICALLY LIKE TO LIMIT THEIR GROWTH AND HOPEFULLY DIMINISH THEIR FOOTPRINT IN LONG BEACH.
LONG BEACH IS KNOWN AS SPACE BEACH.
WE HAVE A HANDFUL OF OTHER, UM, AEROSPACE AND SPACE ROCKET BUSINESSES HERE IN THE UNI AND IN LONG BEACH.
AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERREACH OF ELON MUSK'S ABILITY TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
AND ALSO I'M REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT STARLINK.
AND IF HE SO CHOSE, HE COULD ACTUALLY OVERRIDE THE CONTROL OF PERHAPS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
I THINK HE'S A FECKLESS CHARACTER AND HE'S DANGEROUS.
AND THE REASON I SAY HE'S DANGEROUS IS BECAUSE HE PUTS PROTOTYPES OUT ONTO THE STREET BEFORE THEY'VE BEEN TESTED.
WE HAVE CYBER TRUCKS THAT HAVE HAD MULTIPLE RECALLS.
WE HAVE A, UM, STEEL PANELS FALLING OFF ON THE STREETS.
WE HAVE, UM, FOUR DAYS AGO IN AUSTIN, THERE WAS A TEST OF THE SELF-DRIVING TESLAS, AND THEY FAILED TO STOP FOR A CHILD SIZED DUMMY.
THIS WAS FOUR DAYS AGO IN THE NEWS.
THEY DIDN'T RECOGNIZE A CHILD SIZE DUMMY.
AND OF COURSE, UM, THAT WAS A FAILURE.
UH, THE OTHER THING THAT REALLY WORRIES ME IS THAT WE KNOW THAT HE'S A BAD NEIGHBOR.
IF YOU TALK TO BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, ANYONE IN TEXAS, THERE IS IN THE PRESS A STATEMENT THAT HE IS A BAD NEIGHBOR.
HE'S FECKLESS, UM, IN THE TOWN OF STAR BASE IN TEXAS.
UM, THEY REALLY WANT TO CREATE BASICALLY A, A CON A COMPANY STORE.
WE ALL REMEMBER THIS, RIGHT? UM, HE WENT IN THERE, UM, AND NOW HAS POLITICAL POWER AS A CITY TO CLOSE DOWN THE BEACHES WHEN THEY WANT.
UM, THEY'RE THE ARBITRATORS OF WHEN IT'S SAFE TO CLOSE THE BEACHES AND CLOSE DOWN THE ROADS.
[00:55:01]
NOW, NOW, TEXAS GAVE THEM THAT PRIVILEGE, HOWEVER, THEY GOT THAT BY PUTTING IN EMPLOYEES THERE.AND I KNOW LONG BEACH IS A FAR STEP AWAY FROM THAT, BUT HE'S DANGEROUS.
HE'S FECKLESS, HE PUTS THINGS OUT BEFORE TESTING THEM.
THEY FALL FROM THE SKY, THEY FALL ON THE STREETS.
UM, I LOVE MY CITY AND I THINK THERE SHOULD BE COMPETITION IN THE SPACE RACE, IN AVIATION.
IT SHOULDN'T ALL GO TO ELON MUSK.
SO, UM, I'M SUPER NERVOUS MY FIRST TIME PUBLICLY SPEAKING.
I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE COMPLICATED DECISIONS TO MAKE, BUT PLEASE, PLEASE TRY TO DIMINISH AND DO NOT LET THIS FECKLESS, UM, DANGER TO DEMOCRACY CONTINUE TO GROW IN LONG BEACH.
AND, AND I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY FOR 12 MINUTES.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS ASH BRADY, THEN DARYL TERRELL.
HELLO, COUNCIL MEMBERS IN REX.
UH, YOU KNOW, BEFORE I GET TO BUSINESS, I DO WANNA SAY THANK YOU.
MARY, I LOVE YOUR YOUR AQUARIUM NIGHTS.
SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY, I FEEL LIKE I YELL AT YOU ALL THE TIME.
SO I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FIRST NOW TO BUSINESS.
SO LAST WEEK I SPOKE ABOUT THE TOXIC WORKPLACE CULTURE AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS COMING OUT OF SPACEX TONIGHT.
LET'S REITERATE WHY THIS MATTERS.
IN 20 22, 8, CALIFORNIA BASED EMPLOYEES WERE FIRED BY SPACEX, AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WHO WAS WORKING RIGHT HERE IN LONG BEACH.
AFTER THEY CIRCULATED AN OPEN LETTER CALLING ELON MUSK'S BEHAVIOR A DISTRACTION AND EMBARRASSMENT TO THE COMPANY, FOLLOWING REPORTS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.
MUSK'S PUBLIC RESPONSE, OF COURSE, WAS A JOKE, A PENIS JOKE.
UH, THOSE EIGHT WORKERS FILED THE LAWSUIT IN JUNE OF 2024 IN THE CALIFORNIA SUPERIOR COURT.
THEIR CLAIMS INCLUDED HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT, RETALIATION, FAILURE TO PREVENT HARASSMENT, GENDER DISCRIMINATION, AND WRONGFUL TERMINATION.
NOW, THESE ARE NOT ABSTRACT ALLEGATIONS.
THE LAWSUIT DESCRIBES A CULTURE WHERE ENGINEERS CASUALLY NAMED EQUIPMENT, THINGS LIKE OUTSKIRT CAMERA, WHERE MECHANICAL PARTS WERE REFERRED TO AS TOADS AND SLS.
SO THIS IS THE STUPIDEST NAME.
AND WHERE WOMEN AND QUEER FOLK WERE ROUTINELY DEMEANED IN COMPANY MEETINGS, ONE ENGINEER REPORTED A COLLEAGUE FOR REPEAT, UH, FOR REPEATEDLY BRINGING UP SEXUALLY EXPLICIT TOPICS, INCLUDING INVITING HER TO A SEX PARTY.
HR TOOK NO ACTION, AND THAT COLLEAGUE WAS PROMOTED.
ANOTHER WOMAN, AN ENGINEER WHO WORKED RIGHT HERE IN LONG BEACH, SAYS THAT SHE LEFT SPACEX IN 2021, RIGHT WHEN THAT LEASE STARTED.
FOUR YEARS OF UNADDRESSED HARASSMENT.
SHE DESCRIBES MEN HUGGING WOMEN WITHOUT CONSENT, STARING AT THEM WHILE THEY WORK AND TREATING EVERY ENCOUNTER AS A DATING OPPORTUNITY.
ANOTHER PLAINTIFF SAID THAT ELON MUSK MADE A LEWD SEXUAL CHARGE COMMENT ONLINE, AND SHE OVERHEARD MA UH, MALE COLLEAGUES TAKING, TALKING ABOUT WOMEN'S BREAST AT WORK.
WHEN SHE RAISED CONCERNS WITH THIS MANAGEMENT, SHE WAS TOLD SPACEX IS ELON.
ELON IS SPACEX, THIS MAN AND THE COMPANY.
WE GAVE HIM PUBLIC LAND, A MAN AND THIS COMPANY WHO ENCOURAGES TOXIC SEXUALLY CHARGED WORK ENVIRONMENTS.
A MAN IN A COMPANY WITH A GROWING HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESTRUCTION.
SEPARATELY, THERE IS A $250,000 PAID TO THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT WHO SAID MUSK EXPOSED HIMSELF AND THEN PROPOSITIONED HER FOR A WORKPLACE MASSAGE.
SHE WAS SILENCED WITH, GUESS WHAT? AN NDA.
WHEN I SEE THE CITY COUNCIL, I LOOK AT THE MAJORITY OF YOU ARE WOMEN.
WOMEN WHO I WOULD ASSUME AND WANNA FEEL TO ENSURE THE WOMEN OF LONG BEACH FEEL SAFE TO COME TO WORK.
WHO CAN FEEL SAFE SHOWERING IN THEIR LIVING SPACES? WHY DO WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF WOMEN SITTING ON CITY COUNCIL IF WE'RE NOT HERE TO PROTECT THEM? WHY DO WE HAVE A WOMEN'S COMMISSION IF WE'RE NOT HERE TO HELP THE VERY WOMEN THAT THIS MAN COMPLETELY TARGETS? I AM GOING TO MAKE A BOLD STATEMENT THAT I CAN RAISE MY HAND AND I CAN ASK EVERY WOMAN IN HERE IF THEY'VE EVER BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IN THE WORKPLACE.
AND I GUARANTEE YOU EVERY SINGLE WOMAN WILL RAISE THEIR HAND.
THAT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE ELON MUSK IN PLACES LIKE THIS.
THIS IS WHY WE NEED TO STOP HERE.
ALRIGHT, DARRYL AND THEN JOSE.
UM, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
I'M A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF RENO VALLEY IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY SINCE MAY OF 2022, I HAVE TIRELESSLY, UM, TO HELP COMMUNITIES ACROSS STATE, ACROSS THE STATE TO CONFRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS.
I'VE SUCCESSFULLY ADVOCATED FOR THE ADOPTION OF WHAT I CALL THE ONE AND DONE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER UNLAWFUL POSSESSION ORDINANCE IN BOTH RIVERSIDE AND FRESNO COUNTIES AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY ALONE.
WE, ALL OF OUR 28 CITIES ARE ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO THAT ORDINANCE.
AND IN YOUR COUNTY, 22 CITIES HAVE ADOPTED THIS ORDINANCE.
NOW, I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THIS ORDINANCE, AND LET ME EXPLAIN WHY.
[01:00:01]
ALLOWS YOUR POLICE OFFICERS TO CHARGE THS WITH ILLEGAL AUTOMOBILE, AUTOMOBILE DISMANTLING WHEN THEY ARE CAUGHT WITH NINE OR MORE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WITHOUT A DISMANTLING PERMIT.SO WHAT THAT MEANS IS IT CREATES AN ILLEGAL LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWS A THIEF TO STEAL UP TO EIGHT CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND NOTHING HAPPENS TO 'EM.
SO WHAT, SO WHAT THIS ORDINANCE WOULD DO, IT WOULD ALLOW YOUR OFFICERS TO ENFORCE THE THEFT OF CRIMES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY HAVE ONE OR NINE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.
AND, BUT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT NUMBERS, THIS IS ABOUT REAL PEOPLE.
ON FEBRUARY 25TH IN BEAUMONT, UM, HEIGHTS, A MAN TRIED TO STOP AT THIEF OUTSIDE HIS HOME, WHO HE, HE WAS TRYING TO STEAL HIS CATALYTIC INVERTER.
IF YOU LOOK AT MAY 25TH AND SANTA CLARITA, MR. OZ AND HIS NEIGHBORS WERE VICTIMS OF BROAD DATE LIGHT OF PEOPLES OF STEALING HIS CATALYTIC CONVERTER.
AND SO THESE, THIS IS, AGAIN, IT'S NOT A JUST NUMBERS.
YOU GOTTA THINK ABOUT PEOPLE IN YOUR OWN COMMUNITY WHO DO, WHO USE THEIR CARS TO GO TO WORK IF SOMETHING, GOD FORBID, HAPPENS TO THEIR CAR THAT NO LONGER COULD, COULD GET TO WORK, PICK UP THE KIDS OR, OR OTHER THINGS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES.
AND WE AS A CITY HAVE, WE HAVE TO GET TOGETHER WITH OTHER CITIES LIKE MY CITIES AND ALSO IN THE COUNTY OF VENTURA AND LET'S SEE WHO ELSE, UM, AND ORANGE COUNTY AND KERN COUNTY ARE READY TO DO THEIR FIRST READING OF THIS ORDINANCE.
SO I'M ASKING YOU, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER ADOPTING THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE WE CANNOT, CANNOT ALLOW SACRAMENTO TO DO WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO HERE BECAUSE IT'S TOO MANY PEOPLE DEPEND ON THE AUTOMOBILES.
AND IT'S, AND WE COULD BE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
I THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.
ALRIGHT, OUR FINAL SPEAKER, JOSE NAVARRO, UM, THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING ME SHARE.
UM, I COME FOR THE, WE HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT IN THE SHELTERS GOING THROUGH ROUGH TIMES, UM, ESPECIALLY GINA KIM.
SHE HAS, UH, A PLASTIC ANEMIA.
SHE HAS, UH, SEIZURES AND, UM, I GUESS RIGHT NOW SHE'S HAVING ONE.
THAT'S WHY SHE COULDN'T COME IN HERE, ESTABLISH BULLYING OTHER SENIORS.
AND, UM, ACTUALLY THEY PUNCHED THEM.
AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD, UH, WAY TO ESTABLISH BOTH TO BE ACTING TOWARDS THOSE THAT NEED HELP.
AND, UM, THEY THREATENING HER RESIDENTS TOO.
AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, I, I STAND UP FOR HER AND I GOT PUNCHED AND I GOT KICKED OUT.
'CAUSE OF AB RAPIST THAT'S IN THERE STILL.
AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT SHOULD BE DONE.
INSTEAD OF HIM BEING OUT, I'M THE ONE WHO GOT KICKED OUT.
UM, GINA, AS A MATTER OF FACT, WALKED OUT 'CAUSE SHE COULDN'T TAKE ALL THAT PRESSURE, ALL THAT BULLYING.
AND RIGHT NOW SHE'S IN, UH, OUTSIDE THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, SLEEPING IN THE STREETS WHILE THAT PERSON IS INSIDE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
SO THAT CONCLUDES, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT.
AGAIN, WE, THIS IS, UH, THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE, 10 SPEAKERS AT THE VERY BEGINNING, THREE MINUTES, UH, UNLIMITED, UH, NO CAP ON THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS AT THE END OF THE MEETING.
UH, BUT, UH, FOLKS CAN COME HERE AND SAY, UH, WHATEVER ISSUES THAT THEY WANT THE CITY COUNCIL TO HEAR, OR, UH, IN SOME THINGS, YOU KNOW, COUNCIL MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY TAKE UP, FOLKS DO LISTEN.
AND, UH, AND YOU ALSO HAVE KEY STAFF HERE.
SO AT TIMES STAFF WILL SORT OF PULL FOLKS TO THE SIDE ON ISSUES, HOMELESSNESS, SAFETY, WHATEVER, AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM.
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON WITH THE AGENDA.
UH, WE HAVE A HEARING TONIGHT, HEARING ITEM 32, PLEASE.
AND THIS ITEM WILL NEED AN OATH REPORT FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION INTO THE RECORD, CONCLUDE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND GRANT AN ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT WITH CONDITIONS FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING TO JT WATSON, L-L-C-D-B-A, EVENTS ON PINE, LOCATED AT 140
[32. 25-55541 Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and grant an Entertainment Permit with conditions for entertainment with dancing to JTWatson LLC, DBA Events on Pine located at 140 Pine Avenue, Suite 300, Long Beach, CA 90802. (District 1) Levine Act: Yes Office or Department: Financial Management Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
PINE AVENUE, SUITE NUMBER 300, DISTRICT ONE.OKAY, YOU AND EACH OF YOU DO SOLEMNLY STATE THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE AND THE CAUSE NOW IMP PENDING BEFORE THIS BODY SHALL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH.
TYLER, YES, WE HAVE JUNIE SALCITO, OUR
[01:05:01]
BUSINESS SERVICES OFFICER TO PROVIDE THE REPORT.GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE YOU.
TONIGHT IS AN APPLICATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH DANCING FOR EVENTS ON PINE.
THE ESTABLISHMENT IS LOCATED AT ONE 40 PINE AVENUE, SUITE 300, AND OPERATES AS A HALL RENTAL.
ALL APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, POLICE AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT HAVE REVIEWED THE APPLICATION AND HAVE PROVIDED THEIR RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS AS CONTAINED IN THE HEARING PACKET.
THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT A SHOULD BE NOTED FROM THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS.
SECTION ONE, THE PERMITING MUST PROVIDE ALL RENTERS WITH A COPY OF THE APPROVED PERMIT, WHICH SHALL INCLUDE A COPY OF THE APPROVED CONDITIONS OF OPERATION.
TWO, IT SHALL BE LEFT TO THE PERMITEES DISCRETION TO DETERMINE THE LEVEL OF SECURITY NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE VIOLATIONS OF LAW AND ANY OTHER DISTURBANCES ARISING OUT OF, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ITS BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
SHOULD THE PERMITEES OPERATIONS GIVE RISE TO A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS, CALLS FOR SERVICE, THE PERMITEE SHALL INCREASE SECURITY AS DIRECTED BY THE CHIEF OF POLICE.
THE PERMITEE SHALL NOT CONVERT THE HALL RENTAL OR ANY PORTION THEREOF INTO A PUBLIC DANCE NIGHTCLUB.
ALL ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO PRIVATE GATHERINGS.
THE PERMITEE SHALL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO RENT THE HALL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING A CONCERT DANCE OR DISC JOCKEY EVENT, WHICH IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
AND FOR THE PERMITEE SHALL MAINTAIN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS, ORDINANCES, AND STATED CONDITIONS.
IN THE EVENT OF A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PERMIT AND YOUR ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT, THE MORE STRINGENT REGULATION SHALL APPLY.
I, ALONG WITH COMMANDER ERIC FERNANDEZ FROM THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT, ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
THIS CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT.
UH, WE HAVE, UH, BOARD COMMENTS.
YEAH, THERE ARE NO BOARD COMMENTS.
THEN THIS, UH, HEARING IS NOT CLOSED.
UH, ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL? NO.
COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS.
MAYOR RICHARDSON, COUNCILWOMAN ELLEN.
RECOMMENDATION TO DIRECT CITY MANAGER TO WORK WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICES TO ESTABLISH A ONE YEAR ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT PROGRAM IN THE DOWNTOWN DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
[34. 25-55620 Recommendation to direct City Manager to work with the Police Department, Economic Development, Special Events, and other relevant departments and offices to establish a one-year Entertainment Zone (EZ) pilot program in the Downtown Dining & Entertainment District and return to council by the next available City Council meeting with recommendations outlining City processes and tools currently available such as street closure, open alcohol, and event permits, and immediate steps to develop a management plan and any required ordinance changes amending Title 5 of the Long Beach Municipal Code and other sections as needed pursuant to California Senate Bill 969, with a target of allowing a pilot to begin in the Summer of 2025. Office or Department: Mary Zendejas, Councilwoman, First District; Rex Richardson, Mayor; Cindy Allen, Councilwoman, Second District Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
COUNCIL BY THE NEXT AVAILABLE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WITH RECOMMENDATIONS OUTLINING CITY PROCESSES AND TOOLS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE SUCH AS STREET CLOSURE, OPEN ALCOHOL AND EVENT PERMITS AND IMMEDIATE STEPS TO DEVELOP A MANAGEMENT PLAN AND ANY REQUIRED ORDINANCE CHANGES.AMENDING TITLE V OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND OTHER SECTIONS AS NEEDED PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA SENATE BILL 9 6 9 WITH A TARGET OF ALLOWING A PILOT TO BEGIN IN THE SUMMER OF 2025.
SO, UH, THIS IS, UH, AN ITEM THAT'S IMPORTANT TO DOWNTOWN.
IT'S DOWNTOWN'S AN ECONOMIC DRIVER FOR OUR CITY.
AND, UH, WE'VE BEEN HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WAYS THAT THE STATE CAN HELP SUPPORT MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
IN THE DOWNTOWNS THAT HAVE REALLY STRUGGLED SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, FEWER PEOPLE COME TO WORK IN THE OFFICE SPACE.
THAT MEANS FEWER PEOPLE ARE SITTING INSIDE THE RESTAURANTS, WHICH LEADS TO CLOSURE OF RESTAURANTS AND, UH, ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.
THE WAY YOU SUPPLANT THAT, THE WAY YOU SORT OF REPLACE THAT IS BUILDING MORE HOUSING IN YOUR DOWNTOWN AND CREATING A 24 HOUR ECONOMY AND BRINGING MORE PEOPLE INTO YOUR DOWNTOWN.
WE'VE DONE MUCH OF THAT ON HOUSING.
WE SET A GOAL TO BUILD 5,000 UNITS.
WE BUILT 6,500 UNITS IN THAT WIN IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME.
SO WE'RE AHEAD OF MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN TERMS OF, UH, ADDING THE RESIDENTIAL ELEMENT.
BUT WE HAVE TO DO MORE AROUND THE 24 HOUR ECONOMY, SPECIAL EVENTS, UH, LARGE SCALE EVENTS, UH, TOURISM TO HELP SUPPORT, UH, UH, THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN OUR DOWNTOWN.
UM, YOU, YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THERE'S A REALLY BUSY SCHEDULE AHEAD FOR THE SUMMER.
YOU'VE GOT THINGS LIKE WARPED TOUR, CALI VIBES JUST, JUST LEFT.
YOU'VE GOT A DAY TRIP THIS WEEKEND.
THESE ARE, THESE ARE LARGE SCALE EVENTS THAT'LL BRING, UM, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO OUR CITY.
EVEN, UH, JUST WARP TOUR IS 85,000 PEOPLE PER DAY.
BUT UNLESS THOSE FOLKS ARE COMING INTO THE, THE CORE OF THE DOWNTOWN AND SUPPORTING
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THE RESTAURANTS, IT'S HARD TO TURN THAT INTO A REAL ECONOMIC REALITY.SO WE'VE BEEN TALKING WITH SOME OF THE MAYORS ACROSS, UH, ACROSS, UH, THE STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER MATT HANEYS LED A COALITION OF CITIES AND MAYORS TO LOOK AT NEW, NEW IDEAS, UH, TO BRING MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY INTO THE DOWNTOWN.
I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CALIFORNIA BIG CITY MAYORS ON A PACKAGE LEGISLATION.
ONE IMPORTANT STRATEGY THAT SUBMERGED FROM THOSE DISCUSSIONS IS THAT THE STATE HAS NOW ALLOWED CITIES TO ESTABLISH SAFE AND PERMITTED AND REGULATED ENTERTAINMENT ZONES, UH, WITH, UH, YOU KNOW, SECURITY AND PROTOCOLS, BUT ALLOW OPEN CONTAINER AND OTHER THINGS IN CERTAIN AREAS OF, UH, THE DOWNTOWN.
UH, THERE ARE TWO CITIES THAT HAVE ADOPTED THESE PILOTS.
SAN FRANCISCO AND SANTA MONICA.
SANTA MONICA ON THE THIRD STREET PROMENADE, WHICH HAS HAD SOME CHALLENGES.
THEY'RE LOOKING AT THIS AND WE WANNA EXPLORE DOING THIS IN LONG BEACH.
UH, ESTABLISHING A PILOT HERE.
UH, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD CERTAINLY, UH, WORK WITH THE COUNCIL OFFICE, THE COMMUNITY, AND, AND MAKE SURE YOU IDENTIFY A, A SAFE SPACE TO, TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN AND WORK WITH, UH, THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ASSOCIATES.
UH, BUT I'LL TELL YOU THE ENERGY, THE EXCITEMENT AROUND THIS IS PALPABLE.
THE COUNCILWOMAN HAS BEEN A BIG ADVOCATE, UH, FOR THIS.
AND WE DO THINK THAT THIS COULD BE A, POTENTIALLY A REALLY STRONG THING TO REALLY HELP IDENTIFY, UM, LONG BEACH AS A SORT OF A TOURISM DESTINATION, A MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION.
UH, THE WAY THAT YOU MIGHT LOOK AT NASHVILLE AS MUSIC CITY OR, OR AUSTIN.
UM, AS, UM, YOU KNOW, UH, A LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL.
THEY HAVE SIXTH STREET, RAINY STREET, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT AREAS THAT ARE REALLY CENTERED ON MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT.
WE'VE GOT A LOT OF MUSIC HISTORY IN OUR CITY, BUT IT MAKES IT HARD FOR LOCAL SORT OF, UH, LOCAL, UH, SMALLER BANDS AND OTHERS TO ACTIVATE.
SO AN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE CREATES SOME ECONOMIC INCENTIVES TO DO SO.
SO, UH, I WANNA PASS IT TO, UH, THE COUNCILWOMAN OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, UH, TO SHARE HER, HER THOUGHTS AND SUPPORT ON THIS COUNCILMAN'S IN DEJAS.
THANK YOU, MAYOR, AND I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS WITH YOU.
UM, FOR OUR DOWNTOWN, THERE'S A GENERAL FEELING AS WE APPROACH BIG EVENTS SUCH AS, UM, THE OLYMPICS OR THE PARALYMPICS THAT ARE COMING HERE TO LONG BEACH.
UM, AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE OUR, OUR DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH, UH, MORE AND MORE TOURIST DESTINATION AS YOU JUST MENTIONED.
AND THIS IS A GREAT THING FOR LONG BEACH.
IT MEANS MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY, BETTER BUSINESSES, AND MORE AMENITIES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
HOWEVER, THE PRINCIPLE INTENT REMAINS, HOW DO WE MAKE LONG BEACH A BETTER CITY TO LIVE IN OUR, UM, LIVE IN FOR OUR RESIDENTS? I THINK THAT THIS ENTERTAINMENT ZONE CAN BE FUN AND INNOVATIVE AND IT WILL BE A, A SOCIAL OUTLET FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE.
LIKE THE TRUTH IS THAT OUR SOCIAL CONNECTIVITY HAS STRUGGLED TO RESUME POST PANDEMIC SO MUCH TIME IN ISOLATION HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT TO FOSTER COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, PEOPLE WANT TO BE OUT, PEOPLE WANT TO BE IN COMMUNITY.
SAN FRANCISCO, GRAND RAPIDS AND MANY OTHER CITIES PRESENT GREAT EXAMPLES OF HOW MUCH LIFE CAN, UH, ENTERTAINMENT ZONE BRING TO A CITY.
OUR DOWNTOWN IS ALREADY PART OF A CITY'S ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR, AND I FIND IT TO BE IDEAL, AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT PROGRAM TO HAPPEN.
ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR THIS IS TO HELP OUR SMALL BUSINESSES WHO CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE PAST PANDA POST PANDEMIC.
WE MUST BE CREATIVE AND THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX WHILE MAINTAINING SAFETY AND ABIDING BY THE LEGAL MANDATES.
I WANT TO THANK DTLB ALLIANCE FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND PARTNERSHIP IN THIS INITIATIVE, AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT THIS WILL BE A GOOD THING FOR THE ENTIRE CITY OF LONG BEACH.
I JUST WANNA MAKE A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS.
I WANNA THANK YOU AS WELL AS MY COLLEAGUE COUNCILWOMAN, UH, MARY ZENDEJAS, UH, MAYOR, IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THAT YOU ARE CONNECTING WITH OTHER MAYORS AND REGIONS NATIONALLY TO IDENTIFY BEST PRACTICES FOR OUR DOWNTOWN.
UH, WE HAVE BIG PLANS AROUND ENTERTAINMENT AND SO THIS DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ENTERTAINMENT ZONE, UH, CREATES A DYNAMIC ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION OPPORTUNITY THAT CAN RESHAPE, UH, FOLKS' VISIONS ABOUT OUR, UH, DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.
UM, I SEE AND HEAR CLEARLY THAT THOSE MAIN OBJECTIVES INCLUDE EXPANDING UPON SIGNATURE EVENTS, DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR OUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO STAY IN DOWNTOWN LONGER, THEREBY ENGAGING IN THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES AND CREATING A THIRD PLACE SO THAT WE CAN SUPPORT PLANNED GATHERINGS AS WELL AS OTHER ENTERTAINMENT THROUGH TEMPORARY AND IN PLANNING, WHICH WE LIKE TO CALL EPHEMERAL, AS WELL AS PERMANENT STREET SCAPE IMPROVEMENTS.
[01:15:01]
AND I'M SO DELIGHTED TO SEE SOME OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND VENUES AND DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH SUPPORT THIS.UM, AND SO WITH THAT, I HAD URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT.
UM, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I THINK WE'VE ALL TALKED ABOUT, UM, THINKING ABOUT CREATIVE WAYS, UM, TO, TO ACCESS AND HARNESS, UM, THE HARD WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TO PROMOTE OUR DOWNTOWN, UM, AND INCREASE ECONOMIC VIABILITY, SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES.
AND SO I APPRECIATE YOU ALL BEING THOUGHTFUL IN THINKING ABOUT THIS.
UH, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR ME AND JUST A CLARIFICATION.
SO FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, THE IDEA IS THAT WE ARE THEN DIRECTING STAFF THEN TO PUT TOGETHER AND PLAN, UM, THE EVALUATION, IMPLEMENTATION AROUND A PILOT.
IT'LL COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL FOR US TO REVIEW, AND AT THAT POINT WE'RE THEN WE'LL DIRECT, UM, THE STAFF TO THEN START THE PILOT PROGRAM.
THE ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM IS THAT, AM I UNDERSTANDING THIS CORRECTLY? I'M SORRY.
SO IS WHEN I READ THIS, ARE WE THEN DIRECTING STAFF TO THEN DESIGN THE PILOT PROGRAM? THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK TO COUNCIL AND THEN AT THAT POINT THEY'LL THEN START THE ONE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.
YEAH, I THINK AN ORDINANCE HAS TO BE CREATED TO ALLOW THIS, SO THAT ORDINANCE HAS TO COME BACK TO COUNCIL IS MY, MY, MY BELIEF.
UM, IS THERE A WAY THAT WE CAN MOVE FASTER THAN THAT? 'CAUSE WE KIND OF ACTUALLY WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS GOING THIS SUMMER.
AND IF I MAY, UH, MAYOR, I THINK THE INTENT WAS TO USE THE PILOT PROGRAM DURING, THAT'S THIS SUMMER, THAT'S AS THE STUDY TO INFORM THE ORDINANCE.
AND THEN AFTER, AND THEN GET WHATEVER, YOU KNOW, EVALUATE IT, SEE HOW IT'S COMING, AND THEN BRING TOGETHER AN ORDINANCE.
SO THEN MY FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO THAT IS, AND I'M GONNA PUT ON MY LITTLE DR.
JOANIE HAT HERE, 'CAUSE YOU KNOW, I LOVE PILOTS.
UM, IS, I KNOW IN HERE WE TALK ABOUT ASSESSING THE SUCCESS OF THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE.
AND THERE'S A COUPLE OF COMMENTS HERE ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION EVALUATION.
SO THEN I GUESS THE QUESTION BECOMES, UM, AND THIS IS A FOLLOW UP, I THINK TO WHAT COUNCIL MEMBER THRASS AND TOOK WAS TALKING ABOUT, UM, AROUND HOW WE'RE ASSESSING IT.
SO WHEN I WAS READING THE ITEM, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS INTERESTED IN IS WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SUCCESS, UH, AROUND A PILOT THAT WOULD DEMONSTRATE THE FACT THAT WE DEFINITELY WANNA DO THIS.
WHAT DO YOU THINK, THINK, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MEASURE OF SUCCESS? WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WANNA LOOK AT, UM, IN OUR DOWNTOWN TO DETERMINE THAT? SO I THINK THE IDEA HERE IS, UH, CREATE, UM, A SPACE TO GENERATE MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES.
UH, SO ONE METRIC COULD BE, HAS IT TURNED INTO MORE, UH, REVENUE TO THE BOTTOM LINE? WHEN MORE FOLKS ENGAGE WITH THE RESTAURANTS, THE BARS, UH, IT CREATES, UH, REVENUE FOR THE CITY THROUGH SALES TAX AND, AND OTHER MECHANISMS. AND IT CREATES A LARGER, UM, SORT OF WAY FOR US TO TEST OUT HOW WE HANDLE LARGE EVENTS MOVING FORWARD.
PULL 'EM OUT OF JUST LIKE, LET'S SAY THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT OR THE QUEEN MARY, AND PULL 'EM INTO THE DOWNTOWN MORE SO THAT YOU CAN EXTRACT MORE ECONOMIC, UH, VALUE.
SO THIS COULD BE ONE OF A FEW STRATEGIES TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE DOWNTOWN CORE TO ACTIVATE IT.
I THINK ANOTHER THING WE WANNA WATCH IS SAFETY.
UM, IT'S MY BELIEF THAT AN ACTIVE CORRIDOR IS A SAFE CORRIDOR.
SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ON A CORRIDOR, IT MAY LEAD TO MORE VAGRANCY CHALLENGES WITH HOMELESSNESS AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THAT SPACE.
SO YOU HAVE TO DO MULTIPLE THINGS.
YOU HAVE TO DO OUTREACH, YOU KNOW, STRATEGIES, PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT ALSO FIGURE OUT CREATIVE WAYS TO INCENTIVIZE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY ON THE CORRIDOR.
COUNCILWOMAN, YOU HAVE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ON THE THINGS YOU'D LIKE TO SEE OUT OF THIS PILOT? YES, YES.
I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD.
UH, MAYOR, I THINK ONE OF OUR MAIN THINGS IS WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UM, FOOT TRAFFIC IS INCREASED, THAT, UM, COMMUNITY IS BUILT, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT OUR BUSINESSES IN THAT AREA ARE SUCCESSFUL AND THRIVING AND, UM, THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO CREATE NEW REVENUE FOR THIS CITY.
UM, BUT THAT ALSO IS PART OF, OF THE PLAN, UM, HOW WE EVALUATED.
I KNOW THAT, UM, WORKING TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS, UM, OUR DOWNTOWN BID, DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE, UM, THEY HAVE A MANAGEMENT PLAN TOO THAT WAS ATTACHED IN THE ITEM.
AND SO THAT, UM, THAT'S GONNA HELP GUIDE US AND HOPEFULLY HELP CITY STAFF TO BE ABLE TO EVALUATE AND COME BACK WITH AN ORDINANCE OF WHAT WAS LEARNED THROUGH THIS PROJECT AND PILOT PROGRAM.
AND, YOU KNOW, THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY, THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY IS A PILOT ALLOWS YOU TO SEE IF YOU LIKE THE PROGRAM BEFORE YOU MAKE IT A PERMANENT PROGRAM.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING I'M ALSO INTERESTED IN.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COUNCIL MEMBER? YEAH, NO, THAT WAS IT.
I JUST, UM, UH, THINKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHO WORKS A LOT IN, IN AN ACADEMIC SPACE, OF COURSE, UH, IN PILOT PROGRAMS, UM, I'M ALWAYS VERY, VERY INTERESTED AND ENGAGED WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING SURE THAT WE START OUT WITH THOSE MEASURES THAT WE WANT AT THE BEGINNING, RIGHT? BECAUSE WHAT I WANT IS A SUCCESSFUL PILOT PROGRAM THAT REALLY INFORMS,
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UM, A POTENTIAL ORDINANCE, UM, AND THEN ALSO MAKE SURE WE CAN DEMONSTRATE VALUE TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS DOWNTOWN, RIGHT? MM-HMMSO RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, TOURISTS ALIKE.
UM, AND SO I'D REALLY ENCOURAGE YOU, LIKE YOU SAID, TO, TO REALLY DIG IN DEEP WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WITH, WITH PUBLIC SAFETY, TO REALLY THINK ABOUT WHAT THOSE THINGS ARE SO THAT WE MAKE SURE WHEN WE COME BACK TO CITY COUNCIL, WE CAN DEFINITELY MAKE THE ARGUMENT FOR WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT, UM, IN GENERAL FOR THE STRATEGY DOWNTOWN.
UH, BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT QUESTION, ONE OF ONE, ONE THING I WOULD SAY IS WHEN I VISIT, UM, CITIES, UM, MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE A REALLY VIBRANT ENTERTAINMENT LIKE DISTRICT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
SO IT, YOU KNOW, NASHVILLE HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE FIVE TO SIX YEARS, NOT, I MEAN, THEY'VE BEEN A MUSIC CITY AND COUNTRY MUSIC FOR YEARS, BUT REALLY THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND A LOT OF IT WAS A LOT OF FOCUS ON ONE CORRIDOR, BROADWAY.
AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE ACTIVATED ROOFTOP BARS, THEY'VE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL MUSICIANS WHO AREN'T ON TOUR TO COME AND PLAY FOR, YOU KNOW, PLAY AND GET ACCESS TO THESE VENUES.
PEOPLE ARE DOING BACHELORETTE PARTIES THERE, CALL IT NASH VEGAS.
I MEAN, IT'S, NASHVILLE'S REALLY TURNED IT AROUND.
AUSTIN'S, YOU KNOW, A GREAT EXAMPLE TOO, AS I MENTIONED, RAINY STREET, UH, SIXTH STREET.
AND SO I THINK LONG BEACH HAS A POTENTIAL TO, I MEAN, OUR DOWNTOWN IS WALKABLE.
YOU'VE GOT RESTAURANTS, UH, YOU ALREADY HAVE A BIG DRAW WITH CONVENTIONS AND CONCERTS, BUT WE'RE STILL HAVEN'T CLAIMED OUR SPOT ON THE WEST COAST.
THERE IS NO REAL MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION ON THE WEST COAST, GIVEN WE'RE EVEN IN THE HEART OF THE ENTERTAINMENT, SORT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS THE, IS IS THE CENTER OF THE EARTH FOR SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE NOT GETTING OUR SHARE THE WAY THAT WE SHOULD.
SO IT'S GONNA TAKE A FEW STRATEGIES.
THIS ISN'T GONNA BE THE ONLY STRATEGY HERE, RIGHT? BUT THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF 'EM TO FIGURE OUT WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN GO FOR LIVE MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT AND OTHER THINGS.
THIS DISTRICT MAY BE ONE OF MANY TOOLS THAT WE EXPLORE.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
I'M GONNA DEFER TO COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DEJAS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS PROPOSAL IS SUPPORTED BY RESIDENTS LIVING DOWNTOWN.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A REPORT BACK ON WHAT AN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT WOULD LOOK LIKE.
UM, SO THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTED AND WE'RE GOING TO GET OUR DATA FROM AN ACTUAL TEST.
SO I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND THEY RELATE WHETHER IT WAS REPORT OR MORE IMPORTANTLY, IF WE'RE GOING TO IMPLEMENT THIS.
UM, I, I'D LIKE TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY ELEMENT.
SO MY FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT OUR POLICE RESOURCES.
DO WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THE POLICE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM? IT ADDS HOURS, UH, THAT BUSINESSES ARE OPEN.
I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE DTLB AND THE BIDS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, BUT HAVING THE RESOURCES IS IMPORTANT.
UM, AND IF WE DON'T HAVE EXISTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE, WHAT WOULD NEED TO BE ADDED TO MAKE SURE WE AREN'T REDUCING POLICE RESOURCES IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS? FOR INSTANCE, I KNOW IN THE EAST DIVISION WE'RE HAVING A HARD TIME FILLING THE GRAVEYARD OVERTIME, UH, VOLUNTARY OVERTIME POSITIONS TO WORK THE BARS.
SO I ASSUME THAT THE DOWNTOWN AREA WOULD HAVE THE SAME CHALLENGES.
UM, I WAS GONNA ASK FOR THAT IN A REPORT BACK, BUT CHIEF ISH.
UM, SO IN TERMS OF RESOURCES, I ALWAYS ASSESS THE TOTALITY OF THE ENTIRE CITY, NOT JUST ONE SPECIFIC AREA.
ANYTIME YOU ADD ANY TYPE OF EVENT TO THE CITY, IT'S GOING TO REQUIRE AN ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES.
SO PART OF THE ASSESSMENT, UH, FOR SPECIAL EVENTS IS HOW MANY EVENTS DO WE HAVE? HOW DOES THAT IMPACT, UH, THE AVAILABLE OFFICERS THAT WE HAVE? SO WE CAN MAINTAIN OPTIMAL SERVICES IN THE CITY FOR PATROL RESPONSE CALLS FOR SERVICE RESPONSE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.
UH, I DON'T PULL OFFICERS OUT OF CALLS FOR SERVICE TO STAFF SPECIAL EVENTS.
THAT'S PART OF THE PLANNING PROCESS.
SO CITY SPECIAL EVENTS SUBMITS THIS, UH, A PROPOSAL TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND WE REPORT BACK ON WHAT A SECURITY PLAN WOULD LOOK LIKE, HOW WE WOULD BE ABLE TO MEET, UM, THE CRITERIA THAT WE LAY OUT IN THAT PLAN AND IF IT'S FEASIBLE OR NOT.
SO, UM, WHENEVER THERE ARE EVENTS LIKE THIS OR PROPOSALS LIKE THIS, UH, I USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASSESS WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE AND HOW TO SUPPLEMENT WHAT WE HAVE, IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT THIS BODY DECIDES THEY WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH.
AND SO, UM, HOW IT WILL IMPACT US.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT ANY ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD IS GOING TO IMPACT US RIGHT NOW, BUT WE FIND WAYS TO, TO MAKE IT WORK AND TO BALANCE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS.
AND, UH, IF YOU LOOK AT, THIS IS KIND OF GOING OFF TOPIC, BUT EVEN THE, THE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE, WE'RE SEEING THAT WE'RE BEING PULLED IN OTHER DIRECTIONS, NOT JUST OUR INITIAL,
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UH, PUBLIC SAFETY RESPONSE OR CALLS FOR SERVICE RESPONSE.SO IT'S A BALANCE AND UH, IF THERE IS A, A CRITICAL NEED TO DO SOMETHING ELSE, THEN, UH, I VOICE MY CONCERNS RELATED TO SPECIAL EVENTS AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A CRITICAL SAFETY NEED THAT WE HAVE TO RESPOND TO.
SO IT'S, IT'S AN ONGOING ASSESSMENT.
SO I'M ALWAYS APPRECIATIVE AND IMPRESSED BY THE FACT THAT THE PLANS ARE PUT IN PLACE WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES.
UM, THAT'S WHAT THE COMMANDERS DO.
COMMANDER BENSON DOES A GREAT JOB WITH THAT.
UM, PART OF THE REPORT DOES SAY THAT THE BUSINESSES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THEIR PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SECURITY.
SO THEY ACTUALLY GIVE THAT TO YOU.
I, IS THIS GOING TO BE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK? I MISSED THAT.
NO, I THINK, I THINK THE IDEA, YOU, YOU DO A SCOPE, A REALLY TIGHT SCOPE ON YOUR PILOT, OKAY.
AND YOU TEST THAT, RIGHT? THIS ISN'T A FULL SCALE PROGRAM.
THEY'RE PROPOSING, THEY'RE SAYING THIS SUMMER IS A GREAT SUMMER TO TEST IT OUT BECAUSE IT'S GONNA BE A REALLY BIG SUMMER THIS YEAR.
NEXT YEAR'S GONNA BE EVEN BIGGER WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT POTENTIALLY FIFA AMPHITHEATER AND OTHER THINGS.
THE SUMMER AFTER THAT IS SUMMER PRE OLYMPICS, AND THEN THE SUMMER AFTER THAT IS 18 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC EVENTS.
SO IF THERE'S ANY TIME TO TEST SOMETHING NEW, YOU STARTED SMALL AND TIGHT.
IT WON'T BE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, I DON'T THINK YOU, I DON'T THINK IT WILL.
IT MAY NOT EVER BE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
OKAY? IT MAY BE A WEEKEND PROGRAM.
I THINK THE CONTEXT WILL BE THE LOCAL BUSINESSES, LOCAL RESIDENTS, AND THE COUNCIL PERSON TO KIND OF SHAPE WHAT WORKS FOR THAT CORRIDOR.
THAT'S, THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT'S ENVISIONED THE REPORT BACK AND DATA.
AFTER A FEW TEST EVENTS COMES BACK, COUNCIL HAS MORE FULL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SCOPE OF WHAT AN ORDINANCE WILL LOOK LIKE.
AND THE BUSINESS, UH, INVOLVEMENT IN THIS IS TO WORK WITH PD TO, SO A PLAN IS SCOPED OUT BECAUSE THE BUSINESSES ARE ALSO PARTICIPATING SPECIAL EVENTS, RIGHT? UH, WITH THE SECURITY PART OF THIS.
SO RIGHT NOW FOR THE PILOT, THE, WE ENVISION IT GOING THROUGH THE SPECIAL EVENTS AND FILMING TEAM AND THEY WOULD WORK WITH PRESUMABLY AUSTIN AND D-T-L-D-T-L-B.
AND THEN WE WOULD CREATE THE PLAN, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, THE FULL SCOPE.
AGAIN, TASHA AND HER TEAM WILL WORK WITH BOTH CHIEFS ON THEIR REVIEW AND APPROVAL.
AND THEN WE WOULD ISSUE A PERMIT IF ALL OF THE PARAMETERS MET WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DELIVER FOR THAT PARTICULAR EVENT.
THAT'S WHAT WE ENVISION THE PILOT DOING.
IT'S NOT A, THIS AREA IS OPEN TO PROGRAM WHATEVER YOU WANT, YOU KNOW, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, 24 HOURS A DAY.
AND SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO GO THROUGH OUR USUAL PERMITTING PROCESS AND THERE ARE TIMES THAT WE'VE HAD TO NOT BE ABLE TO ISSUE PERMITS BECAUSE WE CAN'T MEET PUBLIC SAFETY OR OTHER NEEDS.
AND SO THAT MIGHT BE A REALITY IN THIS CASE TOO, BUT I THINK THAT ALSO ALLOWS US TO BUILD INTO OUR RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO AN ORDINANCE.
SOME OTHER CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE MIGHT BE FACING, YOU KNOW, DEPENDING ON DIFFERENT SCENARIOS, STAFFING LEVELS FROM EITHER CHIEFS AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS.
SO BASICALLY WE WILL START WITH THE PILOT.
AN EVENT WILL GO OUT, MODIFICATIONS WILL HAPPEN, THE NEXT EVENT AND SO ON.
AND, AND DTLB IS GOING TO BE HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THEIR BUSINESSES WHO HAVE AGREED TO PARTICIPATE AND TAKE CARE OF SECURITY WITH THEIR PATRONS AND THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THEN ONE THING I WANNA ADD IS ANYTHING ALCOHOL RELATED STILL HAS TO ABIDE BY A, B, C REGULATIONS.
SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT SPECIAL EVENTS IN FILMING WILL ALSO ENSURE IS PART OF THE PLAN AND SIGNED OFF AND GOOD TO GO.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, ZENDEJAS, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THOSE GREAT QUESTIONS.
I THINK THEY'RE VERY IMPORTANT.
UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO DO WAS READ A STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF COUNCILWOMAN CINDY ALLEN, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.
UM, AND SHE SAYS, I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING COUNCILWOMAN IN DEHA AND MAYOR REX RICHARDSON FOR THEIR COLLABORATION ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.
A PROPOSED ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT PROGRAM IS AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO REINVIGORATE DOWNTOWN BY GIVING OUR BARS, RESTAURANTS, BREWERIES, AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC.
WITH THIS UPCOMING LONG BEACH ANTHEM THEATER, THE PROGRAM OFFERS A UNIQUE CHANCE TO EXISTING EVENTS AND WITH LOCAL ECONOMY, ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN BEFORE AND AFTER EVENTS, AND EXTENDING THEIR TIME SPENT SUPPORTING NEARBY BUSINESSES.
WE'VE SEEN SIMILAR PROGRAMS THRIVE IN CITIES LIKE SAN FRANCISCO AND SANTA MONICA.
AND WITH THIS RECENT PASSAGE OF SB 76, CALIFORNIA
[01:30:01]
HAS NOW PROVIDED A CLEAR FRAMEWORK FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT ZONES WHERE OUR ENTERTAINMENT ZONES CAN OPERATE WHILE MAINTAINING STRONG SAFEGUARDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.THE BILL OUTLINES STRICT REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS DESIGNATED BOUNDARIES, CONTAINER RESTRICTIONS ID, VERIFICATION, AND PROHIBITIONS OF ON OUTSIDE ALCOHOL, ENSURING THESE ZONES ARE WELL REGULATED AND RESPONSIBLY MANAGED.
THIS ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S 2030 STRATEGIC VISION, WHICH EMPHASIZES UPLIFTING LONG BEACH'S UNIQUE CULTURE, HISTORY, AND ART AS A PATHWAY TO INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
BY PILOTING THIS PROGRAM, NOW WE CAN TEST AN INNOVATIVE MODEL FOR ACTIVATING OUR PUBLIC SPACES, SUPPORTING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS, AND CREATING A MORE VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE, AND RESILIENT CITY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT OUR NEXT STEPS.
THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN.
UH, BEFORE WE GO TO SECOND ROUND OF COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL, WE'RE GONNA GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED WITH SEEK SPEAK, SAM PINA AUSTIN MATOYER, AND ALEX ESCOBAR.
UH, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL TONIGHT.
MY NAME IS SAM PINA, UH, AS CHAIR OF THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE AND PROUD TO VOICE OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT PROGRAM.
THIS INITIATIVE HAS BEEN A TOP PRIORITY OF OURS FOR OVER A YEAR, AND FOR GOOD REASON, PINE AVENUE AND THE PROMENADE ARE HOME TO SOME OF OUR MOST VIBRANT RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
THEY DESERVE TOOLS THAT HELP THEM THRIVE, ATTRACT FOOT TRAFFIC, AND CONTRIBUTE TO A MORE ACTIVE AND INVITING DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE.
THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT IS A STRATEGIC STEP FORWARD.
IT GIVES US A FRAMEWORK TO SAFELY ALLOW OPEN CONTAINER CONSUMPTION DURING PERMITTED EVENTS, ACTIVATING OUR STREETS, CELEBRATING CULTURE, ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO STAY LONGER, EXPLORE MORE, AND SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES.
THE PLAN IS THOUGHTFUL WITH CLEAR BOUNDARIES, SAFETY MEASURES, AND COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT.
IT'S NOT ABOUT CREATING CHAOS, IT'S ABOUT CREATING ENERGY, ECONOMY AND OPPORTUNITY.
WE'RE GRATEFUL TO CITY STAFF, THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL FOR ENGAGING IN THIS CONVERSATION WITH US AND TO ALL THE PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS WHO HELP SHAPE IT, LET'S CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH A DESTINATION THAT'S BOLD, INCLUSIVE, AND BUILT FOR COMMUNITY.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
MY NAME IS AUSTIN VENTURA, PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE.
UH, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMAN ZENDEJAS, MAYOR REX RICHARDSON, AS WELL AS COUNCILWOMAN CINDY ALLEN FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM.
UM, AS ARE OUR BOARD CHAIR, SAM HAD MENTIONED THIS HAS BEEN A INITIATIVE OF THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE FOR THE LAST YEAR IN SOME CHANGE.
UM, WE'VE TALKED WITH BUSINESS OWNERS ON PINE AVENUE, THE PROMENADE.
WE'VE TALKED WITH RESIDENTS ON THE PROMENADE IN THE PINE AVENUE AREA TO UNDERSTAND THEIR CONCERNS.
AND WE BELIEVE THAT A PILOT PROGRAM THAT IS SPECIFIC TO EVENTS ONLY IS THE BEST WAY TO TEST THIS OUT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESN'T WORK.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LIKE, WHAT ARE OUR METRICS, IT'S LOOKING AT WHAT IS PEDESTRIAN FOOT TRAFFIC? WHAT DO OUR VACANCY RATES LOOK LIKE? WHAT IS BUSINESS STABILIZATION AND, UH, SALES TAX REVENUE LOOK LIKE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES? WHAT IS BUSINESS PERCEPTION OF HOW THINGS ARE GOING? THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE'D BE LOOKING AT AND TESTING OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR, AS WELL AS THE SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS CONCERNS.
THEY WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WHOEVER'S LEAVING THE SPACE, THEY AREN'T THROWING THEIR CUPS AWAY AND LEAVING THEM ON THE STREET.
THEY'RE NOT OVERLY INTOXICATED.
SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE'LL WANNA CHECK WITH OUR, OUR PARTNERS AT PD TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T AN UPTICK IN THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES AND THAT RESIDENT COMPLAINTS REGARDING CLEANLINESS AREN'T SEEN AN UPTICK AS WELL.
UM, WE DO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS GONNA PROVIDE A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LEAN INTO THE IDEA THAT DOWNTOWN AND THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CAN BE AN ENTERTAINMENT HUB.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE, THE EVENTS THAT ARE COMING UP BETWEEN THE LARGE SCALE EVENTS LIKE WARP TOUR, LIKE DAY TRIP, HOW DO WE CREATE A SPACE THAT KEEPS PEOPLE IN THE DOWNTOWN WHEN THEY'RE WALKING FROM THE CITY PLACE PARKING STRUCTURES AND THEY'RE GOING TO THE GRAND PRIX.
HAVING THE PROMENADE ACTIVE WITH THIS TYPE OF ENTERTAINMENT ZONE IS A GREAT WAY TO CAPTURE THEIR ON THE WAY BACK OR ON THE WAY TO THE EVENT.
WHEN WE THINK ABOUT FAMILY FRIENDLY AND SMALL EVENTS THAT WE CAN DO ON A MONTHLY BASIS IN THE PROMENADE SPACE, HOW DO WE WORK WITH SOME OF OUR BUSINESSES TO CREATE A HOME? SO WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY.
UM, YOU KNOW, WE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE THE FIRST CITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
UNFORTUNATELY, WE MIGHT BE THE SECOND CITY, BUT WE WILL BE THE MOST UNIQUE AND FUN CITY
[01:35:01]
IN TERMS OF THAT ENTERTAINMENT ZONE, AND I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.SO THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT TONIGHT.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN LONG BEACH AND I CURRENTLY LIVE IN THE EAST VILLAGE ARTS DISTRICT.
I ALSO SERVE ON THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCES EVENTS COMMITTEE AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT IN DOWNTOWN DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
LAST THURSDAY, I VOLUNTEERED AT TASTE OF DOWNTOWN PINE AND PROMENADE.
I SOLD A HUNDRED DOLLARS WORTH OF TASTE TICKETS, MUCH MORE THAN THAT.
THIS IS JUST A FAMILY SPECIFIC STORY.
UM, AND THIS FAMILY WAS FROM OUT OF TOWN AND THEY, THEY ASKED ME WHERE THEY WANTED, WHERE THEY SHOULD START.
SO I GUIDED THEM STRAIGHT TO SAKE.
SECRET LA COUNTY'S ONLY SAKE SPECIALTY SHOP AND TASTING ROOM RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN.
GREG HAPPENS TO ALSO BE A FRIEND OF MINE, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A REALLY GREAT THING TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THIS FAMILY.
THAT SPONTANEOUS CONNECTION IS WHAT MAKES THESE EVENTS SO SPECIAL.
VISITORS DISCOVERING SOMETHING UNEXPECTED AND BUSINESSES GETTING THE EXPOSURE THEY DESERVE.
IF WE WANNA SEE MORE OF THAT, MORE PEOPLE WALKING THE PROMENADE AND MORE UNIQUE LOCAL SPOTS LIKE SAKE SECRET, THRIVING, WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR BUSINESSES TO BE PART OF THESE EXPERIENCES, NOT HARDER.
AND THE PROPOSED ENTERTAINMENT ZONE PILOT DOES JUST THAT.
IT CREATES A SHARED SPACE WHERE LOCAL BUSINESSES CAN SERVE PEOPLE DIRECTLY, WHERE ART, CULTURE AND HOSPITALITY INTERSECT IN A WAY THAT FEELS UNIQUELY LONG BEACH.
I'D ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO KEEP THE SPIRIT OF THIS PROPO PROPOSAL, AGILE AND COLLABORATIVE.
IF WE CAN PRIORITIZE COMMUNITY INPUT AND ALLOW TRUSTED PARTNERS LIKE THE DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE TO HELP SHAPE IMPLEMENTATION, WE'LL BE SETTING OURSELVES UP FOR A SUCCESSFUL CUS SUMMER AND A CITY PREPARED FOR THE LA OLYMPICS IN 2028.
AS YOU DISCUSSED THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PILOT PROGRAM VERSUS A PERMANENT PROGRAM, IT GOT ME THINKING TOO OFTEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROCESSES AND REGULATION GET IN THE WAY OF US ULTIMATELY ACHIEVING THE THING.
WE ALL WANNA SEE A REVIVED DOWNTOWN, A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE CAN COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND A THRIVING BUSINESS CORRIDOR THAT MAKES LONG BEACH A SPECIAL PLACE.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE AND REMOVE UNNECESSARY BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES OF MEASURING A PROGRAM WE ALL KNOW IS GOING TO BENEFIT THE CITY, ESPECIALLY LEADING UP TO THE OLYMPICS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VOTE IN SUPPORT OF AN ENTERTAINMENT ZONE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH.
THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE'LL GO BACK TO BEHIND THE RAIL.
UM, I THINK ACTUALLY, UH, THE EXCHANGE THAT COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN HAD WITH CITY STAFF, I THINK ANSWERED MOST OF MY QUESTIONS.
'CAUSE IT ACTUALLY SOUNDS TO ME BECAUSE YES, IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM, BUT IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE SEVERAL PILOT PROGRAMS ALL KIND OF PUT INTO ONE 'CAUSE THE IDEA BEING THAT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT EVENTS, POTENTIAL EVENTS WITH DIFFERENT FACTORS AND PARAMETERS, RIGHT, THAT ALLOW TO KIND OF, KIND OF TEST THE BOUNDARIES OF WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO.
UM, AND THEN COME BACK WITH WHAT WE THINK ARE KIND OF, WERE OUR BEST PRACTICES.
UM, SO THAT ACTUALLY HELPED ME A LOT TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE, OF THE, OF THE PLAN.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH AND TOOK, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
NOT TOO MUCH TO ADD, BUT YOU DID BRING UP AUSTIN AND I ACTUALLY JUST RETURNED FROM AUSTIN AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT, UM, THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT, UH, I APPRECIATED BOTH ABOUT THE CONVERSATION AS WELL AS THE WRITEUP IS THAT I THINK THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF LEARNINGS, UM, THAT WE CAN GLEAN FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND THERE HIGHLIGHTED HERE IN TERMS OF ISSUES OF SAFETY, HOW WE ENGAGE THE BUSINESSES TO OUR PARTNERS THAT WERE HERE TODAY TO SIGNAGE, TO DISPOSAL OF, UH, CUPS AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE AN ORDERLY, UM, SET OF ACTIVITIES AS PART OF THE, UM, ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.
SO I ENCOURAGE ANY COLLEAGUE THAT'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THAT EXPERIENCE, I'M HAPPY TO SHARE, UM, WHAT THAT WAS LIKE.
BUT, UM, I SAY LET'S MOVE FORWARD.
UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING OUR PILOT PROGRAM MOVE FORWARD FOR 2025.
ALRIGHT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS ZENDEJAS? YES.
AND I JUST WANNA CLOSE BY SAYING THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR, AGAIN, FOR ALL THOSE GREAT QUESTIONS.
WE'RE GOING INTO A PILOT PROGRAM.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO ASK THOSE QUESTIONS, UM, AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PILOT PROGRAM SO THAT WE CAN HAVE IT IN MIND.
I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE THAT, UM, ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO I WENT TO GRAND RAPIDS AND THAT'S WHERE I LEARNED ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT ZONE.
AND I SAW, UM, WHAT IT WAS DOING THERE, THERE WAS A CONCERT ACROSS THE STREET AND PEOPLE WERE JUST COMING AND IT WAS FULL AND THERE WASN'T A LOT OF CHAOS.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHAT, UM, THAT'S WHAT I AM ENVISIONING TO MAKE SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE, UM, ENJOYING THEMSELVES AND, UM, ALSO HAVING REGULATIONS TO NOT LET IT GO TOO FAR, UM, BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN PROBLEMS, UM, YOU KNOW, ARISE.
SO I AM VERY THANKFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO COMMENTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
[01:40:01]
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH CITY STAFF WITH SPECIAL EVENTS AND WITH OUR BID FROM DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH ALLIANCE, UM, TO BRING THIS INTO FRUITION AND SEE WHAT CAN BE OF THIS.ALL RIGHT, WELL, GREAT DISCUSSION.
THANKS FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER ZENDEJAS MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
WE'LL GO TO ITEM 35, REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY.
RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO SUPPORT ACCELERATING THE TRANSITION TO ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES FOR PRIVATE AND CITY OWNED REFUSE TRUCKS.
ALRIGHT, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF CONTEXT HERE.
UH, WE, UH, IN FEBRUARY CALLED ON, UM, UH, OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS
[35. 25-55595 Recommendation to adopt resolution of the City Council of the City of Long Beach to support accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles for private and city owned refuse trucks. Office or Department: City Attorney Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
TO PURSUE STRATEGIES TO HELP ACCELERATE OUR CITY'S FLEET TO ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY OUR HIGHER POLLUTING, UH, TRUCKS AND HEAVY DUTY REFUSE TRUCK VEHICLES.WE OUTLINED STEPS THAT STAFF COULD, COULD BEGIN TO TAKE TO AMPLIFY OUR TRANSITION EFFORTS, INCLUDING NEW GRANT FUNDING, PROACTIVELY PLANNING FOR THE EVENTS TRANSITION, UH, FOR THE FLEET TURNOVER TRANSITION, INCENTIVIZING CREATE, AND CREATING GOOD PAYING UNION JOBS THROUGH PROCUREMENT AND PREPARING FOR LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
LAST WEEK RECEIVED A MEMO FROM STAFF HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY'S PROGRESS, UH, AND SO, UH, ON IN THE REFUSE DEPARTMENT, OTHER GENERAL FLEET VEHICLES, AND SOME OF THE STRATEGIES THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRANSITION AND DEPLOY IN THE YEARS AHEAD, DESPITE THE HEADWINDS THAT WE'VE ENCOUNTERED WITH THE SHIFT IN THE FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION.
SO WE'RE STILL GONNA CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS TRANSITION.
TODAY'S RESOLUTION IS AN AFFIRMATION OF THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THIS ESSENTIAL ZERO EMISSION FLEET TRANSITION AS A CRITICAL SUSTAINABILITY MEASURE THAT WILL ADVANCE LONG BEACH'S CLIMATE ACTION GOALS, DECREASE LOCAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, HELP CURB THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.
I WANT TO THANK THE COALITION OF LABOR AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES WHO RALLIED TO SUPPORT THIS EFFORT, AS WELL AS THE CITY'S FLEET SERVICES TEAM FOR THEIR INSIGHT AND CITY STAFF FOR THEIR, UH, THEIR INSIGHTS AS WELL IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS RESOLUTION.
UM, AND WE WILL NOW GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH TOOK, I'M DELIGHTED TO SEE THAT OUR CITY, THANK YOU MAYOR, IS CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD ON THIS PARTICULAR MATTER.
UM, THIS RESOLUTION, UH, I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF, UM, FOR OUR CITY AS THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF A REFUSE WORKER AND THAT KIND OF VEHICLE, UM, IN THE ADMISSIONS THAT IT, UM, EXHIBITS AS BOTH, YOU KNOW, HARMFUL FOR, UH, OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS FOR, UH, THE PUBLIC.
SO I'M, I'M GLAD THAT THAT IS AN AREA WHERE WE'RE STARTING.
UM, AND PLEASED THAT THE CITY IS CONTINUING A FORWARD LOOKING APPROACH, UM, TO FLEET SUSTAINABILITY.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY STAFF FOR CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF THE CITY ZERO EMISSION FLEET TRANSITION, UM, BY EXPLORING VARIOUS STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS TO DO SO.
SO WITH THIS, I ENCOURAGE MY, UH, COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT AND VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION.
YEAH, JUST WANNA ADD MY GRATITUDE, ALL THE HARD WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE TO, UM, PUT THIS TOGETHER AND TO ENSURE THAT WE IMPLEMENT IT.
AND AS ALWAYS, JUST AS A CITY THAT'S FORWARD THINKING, MAKING SURE THAT WE MEET OUR CLIMATE ADAPTATION GOALS, UM, AND THAT WE GET THERE, UM, ON A TIMELY MATTER REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF OUR CITY.
UH, WE NOW WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE HAVE FIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED TO SPEAK.
SUZANNE KALI, UH, FERNANDO GUYTON, MARTIN BARRERA, JOCELYN, AND, UH, DAVE SHUKLA.
MY NAME IS SUZANNE, I'M WITH THE BETTER WORLD GROUP.
UM, I'M HERE COMMENTING ON THE, UH, ZERO MISSION REFUGE REFUSE RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE LA COUNTY ELECTRIC TRUCK AND BUS COALITION.
AS YOU NOTED, WE, UM, ARE COMMITTED TO ADVOCATING FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLE ADOPTION ACROSS ALL COUNTY FLEETS, UM, ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WITH ROBUST WORKFORCE STANDARDS TO BUILD A CLEAN ECONOMY FOR ALL.
UM, I WANNA THANK THE CITY COUNCIL AS WELL AS MAYOR RICHARDSON, UH, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND TAKING STRONG CLIMATE ACTION.
UM, AND I'M STRONGLY URGING THE COUNCIL TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION.
UM, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IN THIS MOMENT FOR LONG BEACH TO ESTABLISH ITSELF AS A LEADER IN THE REGION ON CLIMATE ACTION.
THIS IS A MOMENT WHERE WE'RE FACING A LOT OF FEDERAL UNCERTAINTY AND LONG BEACH CAN SET A STRONG EXAMPLE FOR NEIGHBORING CITIES, THE REGION, AND REALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
[01:45:01]
IN THIS MEETING, THE OLYMPIC GAMES ARE COMING TO OUR REGION IN A MATTER OF YEARS, AND THIS IS A CHANCE FOR LONG BEACH TO DEMONSTRATE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP ON THE WORLD STAGE.UM, SO REALLY WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO WASTE THIS MOMENT.
UM, AND THEN CLIMATE ACTION, AS WAS NOTED, IS ALSO REALLY, REALLY SIGNIFICANT.
UM, LONG BEACH HAS COMMITTED ITSELF TO A CITYWIDE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, WHICH CALLS FOR REDUCING AND ELIMINATING GREENHOUSE GAS AND AIR POLLUTION FROM CITY FLEETS.
UH, TRUCKS ACCOUNT FOR ONLY 6% OF CALIFORNIA'S VEHICLES, BUT 25% OF ON-ROAD GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.
AND SO, IN CONCLUSION, JUST WANNA SAY AGAIN, UM, WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF ITEM 35 AND, UM, THE ACCELERATING OF THE TRANSITION TO ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES FOR PRIVATE AND CITY OWNED REFUSE TRUCKS.
FERNANDO GAETAN WITH URGE JUSTICE.
UH, THANK YOU MAYOR RICHARDSON, UH, AND COUNSEL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
UM, I'M HERE, UH, ALONG WITH THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY ELECTRIC TRUCK AND BUS COALITION, STRONG SUPPORT OF ITEM 35, UH, TRANSITION TO ZERO EMISSIONS REFUSE TRUCKS.
UH, YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN REALLY CHALLENGING TIMES AS WE'VE, UH, BEEN TALKING ABOUT, BUT, UM, THIS IS A BRIGHT SPOT.
THIS IS, UH, ONCE AGAIN LONG BEACH STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE POSITIONING ITSELF AT THE FOREFRONT OF CLIMATE ACTION CLEANER AIR, AND PROTECTING THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE WELLBEING OF LONG BEACH RESIDENTS.
UM, BY COMMITTING TO TRANSITION TO ONE OF THE MOST POLLUTING FLEETS TO ZERO EMISSIONS, UM, IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT LONG BEACH IS SITUATED IN AN AIR BASIN THAT CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO MEET ATTAINMENT STANDARDS.
THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION CONSISTENTLY RANKS US IN THE TOP AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY IN THE TOP WHEN IT COMES TO DANGEROUS OZONE LEVELS.
UH, THIS PAST YEAR WE SAW IN AN INCREASED NUMBER OF DAYS WITH UNHELPFUL AIR QUALITY, UH, AND THIS YEAR WE'RE NOT OFF TO A GOOD START.
WE'VE ALREADY HAVE 40 DAYS OF UNHEALTHFUL AIR, AND WE'RE ONLY IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SMOG SEASON.
UM, THAT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WE NEED DECISIVE ACTION LIKE THE ONE YOU'RE GONNA TAKE TONIGHT.
UH, DESPITE SOME IMPROVEMENTS, WE'VE NEVER MET A SINGLE FEDERAL OZONE STANDARD, BUT THAT CAN CHANGE.
UH, THIS TRANSITION IS A VITAL STEP TO PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH BY ELIMINATING THE HARMFUL EMISSIONS FROM FOSSIL FUEL, FUEL-BASED ENGINES THAT ARE LINKED TO THE ELEVATED RATES OF ASTHMA, LUNG DISEASE, AND CANCER.
UH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT REFUSE TRUCKS OPERATE, UH, IN ALMOST EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD AND, UH, EVERY WEEK COLLECTING TRASH AT LOW SPEEDS, UH, WITH EXTENDED IDLE TIMES.
AND THIS MAKES THEIR EMISSIONS PARTICULARLY IMPACTFUL IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH.
TRANSITIONING TO ELECTRIC REFUSE TRUCKS IS NOT ONLY FEASIBLE, BUT IT'S IDEAL.
THEIR FIXED ROUTES AND THEIR ABILITY TO RECHARGE BETWEEN SHIFTS MAKE THEM PERFECT FOR ELECTRIFICATION STUDIES.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, STUDIES SHOW THAT BATTERY ELECTRIC REFUSE TRUCKS USE LESS ENERGY PER MILE AND CAN OFFER UP TO 75% LOWER MAINTENANCE COSTS OVER, UH, VEHICLE, UH, OVER THE VEHICLE'S LIFESPAN.
AND THE LONG-TERM SAVINGS RESULT IN LOWER COSTS OF TOTAL OWNERSHIP, POTENTIALLY FREEING UP PUBLIC DOLLARS FOR THOSE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AT LONG BEACH NEEDS TO OFFER ELSEWHERE.
UH, NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED YOUR LEADERSHIP AS MENTIONED BEFORE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UH, SHIFTING COURSE YOUR LEADERSHIP, UH, IS, IS VERY IMPORTANT AND WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR, AND WE AIRED YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS ITEM.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS MARTIN AFTER MARTINS JOCELYN.
HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS MARTIN BARRA.
I'M THE MEMBER OF, UH, LA COUNTY ELECTRIC TRUCK AND BUS COALITION.
I'M HERE COMMENTING ON ITEM 35, THE ZERO EMISSION REFUSE RESOLUTION.
I WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER ALLEN, UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND VICE MAYOR ORANGA FOR LEADING IN CLIMATE ACTION AND PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH.
I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PASS THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE AS SOMEONE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT ZERO EMISSION TRUCKS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN THOUSANDS OF HIGH ROAD CAREERS AND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE REGION.
A SUBSTANTIAL WORKFORCE IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE, MAINTAIN, AND BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EVS, AS WELL AS THE POSITIVE IMPACTS OF THE REST OF THE, OR, SORRY, SUBSTANTIAL WORKFORCE IS REQUIRED TO OPERATE, MAINTAIN, AND BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR EVS AS WELL AS THE POSITIVE IMPACTS TO THE REST OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN.
DUE TO LONG BEACH'S SIZE, THE CITY HAS THE ABILITY TO GENERATE MAJOR EV DEMAND, WHICH CAN SPUR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE HUB WITH SO MUCH POTENTIAL FOR GOOD PAYING FAMILY SUSTAINING JOBS FOR RESIDENTS, IT IS EVIDENT YOU ARE ALL ON THE RIGHT PATH TOWARDS ENSURING AN ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY PROSPEROUS FUTURE BY PASSING THIS RESOLUTION.
I THANK EVERYONE, UH, WHO HAS WORKED HARD TO GET US TO THIS POINT AND LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT WILL COME FROM THIS MOMENT.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS JOCELYN AND DAVE.
I'M WITH EAST COMMUNITIES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, AND I'M ALSO COMMENTING
[01:50:01]
IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 35, UM, THE ZERO EMISSION REFUSE REFUSE MOTION.SO WE ORGANIZE, UH, PRIMARILY WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT LIVE IN WEST LONG BEACH, AN AREA THAT SEES DISPROPORTIONATE LEVELS OF POLLUTION AND HEALTH IMPACTS.
UM, THIS MOTION OFFERS A VIABLE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE HARMFUL EMISSIONS LIKE NOX, UH, WHICH ARE LINKED TO A RISE IN ASTHMA, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND CANCER.
UM, I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT STAFF AND COUNCIL HAVE PUT INTO THIS RESOLUTION AND STRONGLY URGE YOU, UH, TO ADOPT THIS MOTION FOR ZERO EMISSION REFUSE FLEETS.
THIS IS AN ACTION THAT ALSO ALIGNS WITH THE CITY'S CLIMATE ACTION PLAN THAT AIMS TO ELIMINATE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, UH, FROM CITY FLEETS DURING SUCH AN UNCERTAIN TIME.
AND WITH THE LOSS OF MANY FEDERAL AND STATE PROTECTIONS FOR AIR QUALITY, IT IS CRUCIAL THAT A CITY LIKE LONG BEACH SETS THE PRECEDENT FOR CLEAN AIR.
SO I URGE YOU, AGAIN TO ADOPT THIS MEASURE.
ALRIGHT, OUR FINAL SPEAKER, DAVE.
THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM AND, UH, TO, UH, CITY STAFF FOR BRINGING IT, UH, BACK ON THREE MONTHS TURNAROUND.
UM, REFUSE TRUCK ELECTRIFICATION IS A GOOD GOAL AND, UH, I SUPPORT IT.
UM, I'D LIKE TO MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS ON THE LANGUAGE OF THE RESOLUTION.
UH, FIRST, UH, ON PAGE THREE, LINE ONE, UM, IT SAYS BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, BUT PRESUMABLY WE WANT ZERO EMISSION BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
UH, SECOND, UM, PAGE THREE LINES 10 TO 20.
UH, I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING TO CREATE A GOOD JOBS PROGRAM, BUT IN A MOMENT LIKE THIS, UH, THIS LANGUAGE, UH, EVEN, YOU KNOW, JUST AS SOMETHING ASPIRATIONAL MAY BE A LITTLE TOO RESTRICTIVE, UM, THE CITY CAN AND SHOULD FIND, UH, AND CAN, SHOULD EXPLORE ALL, UH, MEANS TO DRAMATICALLY EXPAND THE SKILL SETS NEEDED FOR ELECTRIFICATION WORK, UH, BEYOND JUST THOSE OF A CERTAIN UNION'S APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OR C 10 CONTRACT LICENSING, SCHEDULING, UM, THIRD, UH, LICENSE, UH, LINES 21 THROUGH 25, UM, ON ELECTRIC CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE.
UH, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH DOESN'T NEED SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON'S PERMISSION, ESPECIALLY WITH ITS OWN FLEET.
JUST SAYING, UM, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD THING, UM, THAT THE CITY CAN LEAD ON BY LOOKING TO INSTALL AND OWN ITS OWN CHARTING STATIONS, ESPECIALLY ON ITS OWN PROPERTY, ON STARTING WITH CRITICAL MUNICIPAL FACILITIES ALONG WITH A PORT PORT ALREADY HAS THE ZEN Z PROGRAM.
UM, AND THEN, UH, FINALLY, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS RESOLUTION, OH S**T, I CAN'T SEE THE TIME.
UM, UH, I, I THINK THIS RESOLUTION SHOULDN'T BE LOOKED AT AS A, A REACH CODE FOR 2032.
I THINK IT SHOULD BE, UH, LOOKED AT AS PART OF THE CHECKLIST FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS.
AND THIS CITY WANTS TO WORK, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE, YOU KNOW, IN THIS MOMENT, YOU KNOW, AFTER THE ALLEY FIRES, YOU WANNA WORK WITH THE MANUFACTURERS WHO CAN DELIVER BY 2028 AND WANT TO BE THAT KIND OF PARTNER.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
UH, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
ALRIGHT, SO THAT WAS, UM, A LABOR ENVIRONMENTAL ITEM.
THE NEXT TWO ITEMS ARE, UH, UH, SAFE STORES ITEM WITH, UH, THE FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS AND THEN, UH, CONCESSION WORKERS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.
SO IT'S HOT LABOR TUESDAY IN LONG BEACH.
COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS, VICE MAYOR, ORANGA, COUNCILWOMAN THH AND TUCK.
RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE TO ENACT NEW SELF CHECKOUT LABOR STANDARDS, REQUIREMENTS FOR STAFFING AND OPERATIONS
[33. 25-55613 Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare ordinance to amend the Long Beach Municipal Code under Title 5 – Regulation of Businesses, Trades, and Professions to enact new self-checkout labor standards requirements for staffing and operations at subject grocery retail stores and retail drug establishments in Long Beach, as outlined in Option 4 in the City Manager’s June 6, 2025 memo, in order to proactively address retail theft and advance the preservation of public safety and welfare, and bring back the proposed ordinance to City Council in 30 days. Office or Department: Mary Zendejas, Councilwoman, First District; Roberto Uranga, Vice Mayor, Seventh District; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Councilwoman, Eighth District Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
AT SUBJECT GROCERY RETAIL STORES AND RETAIL DRUG ESTABLISHMENTS IN LONG BEACH, AS OUTLINED IN OPTION FOUR IN THE CITY MANAGER'S JUNE 6TH, 2025 MEMO IN ORDER TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESS RETAIL THEFT AND ADVANCE THE PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE AND BRING BACK THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO CITY COUNCIL IN 30 DAYS.JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND.
IN APRIL THERE WAS DISCUSSION AT COUNCIL AROUND, UM, STAFFING STANDARDS, QUESTIONS ABOUT SAFETY, UH, UH, IN OUR GROCERY STORES.
UH, DURING THAT, UM, CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM, YOU'VE HEARD A LOT OF FEEDBACK FROM A WIDE RANGE OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING, UH, A NUMBER OF WORKERS, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM, FROM, UM, BOTH WORKERS AND BUSINESS ABOUT DIFFERENT EXPERIENCES.
IN JUNE, UH, STAFF PUT TOGETHER A MEMO OUTLINING OPTIONS FOR THE CITY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER AND ESTABLISHING POTENTIAL SAFETY AND POTENTIAL STAFFING OPERATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SELF CHECKOUT.
UH, THOSE OPTIONS ARE BEHIND BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY.
[01:55:01]
A RECOMMENDATION BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING A CITY ORDINANCE BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BY CITY STAFF IN THEIR MEMO AND THE ONGOING FEEDBACK RECEIVED FROM A BROAD RANGE OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS.YOU'LL ALSO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, THERE'S A NUMBER, UH, A NUMBER OF FOLKS SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT TO WEIGH IN AGAIN TODAY, UH, THROUGH THE PROCESS OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
WITH THAT SAID, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBERS ZENDEJAS, WHO'S BEEN LEADING ON THIS IMPORTANT ITEM.
UM, FIRST I WANNA BEGIN BY THANKING OUR CITY STAFF AND OUR CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR YOUR DILIGENT WORK AND CLEAR WORK ON THIS.
YOU'VE TAKEN IN WORKER TESTIMONY, PUBLIC INPUT AND LEGAL GUIDANCE AND DELIVERED A POLICY THAT MEETS THE MOMENT WITH CLARITY AND PURPOSE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER THRA AND VICE MAYOR RGA FOR SIGNING ON TO THIS SAFE STORES OUR STAFF STORES ORDINANCE.
THAT IS BEFORE US ALL TONIGHT.
UM, BUT MAYOR, I WAS HOPING WE COULD GO TO COM PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST.
THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF PUBLIC COMMENT HERE.
SO THERE ARE 39 MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, SO THAT MEANS EVERYONE GETS 90 SECONDS, 39, UM, I'M SORRY, 39.
IS THAT KNOW WHAT I SAID? THREE NINE.
UM, I'LL READ THE FIRST 10 MW BIANCA CARILLO, L UH, KM LAZE, SHAMAL SKY FIELD, UH, SOPHIA CHEVAR, REVEREND JENNIFER TAFEL, STEVE NEIL, FRED CUSHIER, KUSHNER, AND IRMA FARRA.
MW IS FIRST, GOOD EVENING TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS PRESENT TODAY, VOICING THEIR CONCERNS FOR WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
MW, I'M A COMMUNITY MEMBER, A PART OF EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IN THIS ROOM.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT SELF-CHECKOUT COUNTERS, WHICH I SEE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO UNDERSTAFFING AT OUR LONG BEACH STORES TO POOR SHOPPING EXPERIENCES, INCREASED THEFT AND STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENTS FOR ALL WORKERS, ALL OF WHICH NEGATIVELY IMPACT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND SAFETY.
AS WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THESE CHALLENGES, WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE STAFFING SOLUTIONS THAT WILL BENEFIT EVERY INDIVIDUAL.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR AND MOVE THIS FORWARD.
I'M WITH THE PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY, CALIFORNIA CENTRAL COMMITTEE, AND I'M ALSO A LONG BEACH RESIDENT LIVING IN DISTRICT SIX.
I SUPPORT SAFE STORES, OUR STAFF STORES FOR GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL WORKERS, AND URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR AND MOVE THIS POLICY FORWARD.
THIS OPTION WILL SAFEGUARD OUR RETAIL SPACES AND THIS APPROACH WILL ENSURE THE PROTECTION AND WELLBEING OF OUR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES WHILE ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETY.
IT'S MOVING PRETTY QUICK HERE.
MY INITIALS IS KM AND I AM A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO.
I SUPPORT THE KEEPER VISION OF THE MOTION BEFORE YOU, WHICH REQUIRES HAVING MORE EMPLOYEES, ACTIVELY ENGAGING WITH CUSTOMERS, AND MONITORING THE STORE FLOOR STAFF ASSIGNED TO SELF CHECKOUT SHOULD FOCUS SOLELY ON MONITORING AND ASSISTING CUSTOMERS AT THESE STATIONS.
THIS WILL SAFEGUARD OUR RETAIL SPACES AND, AND THIS APPROACH WILL ENSURE THE PROTECTION AND WELLBEING OF OUR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES WHILE ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS MATTER AND URGE YOU TO VOTE OPTION FOUR.
UM, I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ASSEMBLY MEMBER LOWENTHAL TO READ A LETTER FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER LOWENTHAL.
I WRITE TO EXPRESS MY STRONG SUPPORTIVE AGENDA.
ENSURING THE SAFETY OF GROCERY WORKERS IS ESSENTIAL, ESPECIALLY AS MANY STORES MOVE TOWARDS AUTOMATION BY INCREASING SELF-CHECKOUT COUNTERS.
THESE SELF-CHECKOUT COUNTERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO UNDERSTAFFING AN INCREASE IN THEFT AND A DECREASE IN SAFETY AT OUR LOCAL LONG BEACH GROCERY STORES AND ACROSS THE STATE, ALL WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A POOR ENVIRONMENT FOR THE WORKER, CUSTOMER, AND COMMUNITY.
BY VOTING FOR OPTION FOUR, THE CITY CAN ENSURE MORE SAFETY FOR BOTH THE WORKER AND THE CUSTOMER BY ENSURING STAFF WILL NO LONGER BE SPREAD THIN.
WE KNOW ONE OF THE BIGGEST DETERRENTS FOR THEFT IS HAVING ACTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPTION FOUR WILL DO JUST THAT.
GROCERY WORKERS ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE TREAT THEM AS SUCH AND ENSURE THEIR SAFETY.
OPTION FOUR PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO REAFFIRM SOLIDARITY WITH OUR WORKING CLASS RETAIL EMPLOYEES WHILE PROVIDING SAFER SHOPPING EXPERIENCE FOR THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
FOR THOSE REASONS, I RESPECTFULLY ASK
[02:00:01]
YOU TO VOTE FOR AGENDA ITEM 33.NEXT WILL BE REVEREND, UH, JENNIFER AND THEN STEVE NEIL.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS REVEREND JENNIFER TOFL AND I AM A MINISTER IN COMMUNITY AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF LONG BEACH.
I ALSO REPRESENT HUNDREDS OF FAITH LEADERS CONNECTED WITH CLERGY LADY UNITED FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE CLUE.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE BECAUSE IT PROVIDES SAFETY FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND FRONTLINE GROCERY WORKERS.
WORKING AT A RETAIL STORE SHOULDN'T MEAN RISKING YOUR SAFETY.
WHEN STORES ARE SHORT STAFFED, WORKERS ARE OVERSTRESSED.
CUSTOMERS WAIT IN LONG LINES WITH FRUSTRATION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY IS AT RISK.
YOU CAN'T SEE IT, BUT I HAVE A MOBILITY ISSUE, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO STAND FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME AS A CUSTOMER.
THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT IS RARE TO FIND A LINE WITH A CASHIER.
IT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE TO HAVE ASSISTANCE IN CHECKING OUT, BUT IT IS NOT ALWAYS AVAILABLE.
MY MOBILITY ISSUE MAKES ME FATIGUED AND I CAN GET EASILY FRUSTRATED IF SELF-CHECKOUT LINES, IF THE PROCESS, I GET FATIGUED AND I GET CONFUSED.
I SEE THIS ORDINANCE IS ABOUT ENSURING A CULTURE OF CARE AND SAFETY FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND IT IS TIME FOR US TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE AND WELL SUPPORTED AT WORK.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS ORDINANCE AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
UH, NEXT IS STEVE NEIL AND THEN FRED KUSHNER.
GOOD EVENING, ESTEEMED COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR CITY STAFF.
I'M PROUD, PROUD MEMBER OF THE NINTH DISTRICT OF LONG BEACH.
BUT I STAND TODAY IN MY CAPACITY AS, EXCUSE ME, DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT FOR THE LA FEDERATION OF LABOR AND THE FEDERATION OF LABOR STANDS IN SOLID SUPPORT WITH THE PURSUING OPTION FOUR.
AND I'D LIKE TO THANK, UH, THE AUTHORS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DEJAS, VICE MAYOR ANG AND COUNCIL MEMBER THRASS TOOK.
UH, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE SELF CHECKOUTS AND THE PROBLEMS THAT ARE CREATED BY THAT, WHICH MOST OF THEM ARE CAUSED BY GREED REGARDLESS OF OF HOW IT AFFECTS NOT ONLY OUR COMMUNITY BUT OUR WORKERS.
LONG BEACH HAS THE MORAL RIGHT AND OBLIGATION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
SO WE ARE HOPING THAT THROUGH THIS OPTION, THE LACK OF STAFF, STAFF SUPERVISION, WHICH PRODUCES AN ENVIRONMENT OF FRUSTRATION FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND ALSO THEFT WITHIN, UM, WITHIN THE STORE ENVIRONMENT.
SO THE FEDERATION OF LABOR FAMILY, IT RECOGNIZES LONG BEACH HAS A PROUD LEGACY OF ENACTING THOUGHTFUL POLICY AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CHOOSE OPTION FOUR AND MOVE THIS FORWARD.
AND THAT'S, THAT'S RETIRED COUNCIL MEMBER, THE HONORABLE STEVE NEIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ALRIGHT, UH, FRED, AND I'M FRED.
BEFORE YOU GO, I'M GONNA READ THE NEXT 10 EXCUSE, JUST HANG ON BEFORE YOU START, I'M GONNA READ THE NEXT 10 COMING AFTER YOU.
SO IT'S FRED, THEN IT'S IRMA, HILDA DUIS.
LIZA MYRON W UH, UH, NATA, GRETCHEN SWANSON, CELESTE WILSON, MINA CRUZ AND GARY RE.
ALRIGHT PLEASE FRED, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE.
MY MA MY NAME IS FRED KUSHNER.
I REPRESENT THE UNIVERSAL UNITARIAN CHURCH OF LONG BEACH IN DISTRICT FOUR.
A CHURCH THAT HAS LONG SUPPORTED WORKERS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND A LIVING WAGE.
THIS CHURCH HAS DONE THIS SINCE ITS FOUNDING, SUPPORTING THE FARM WORKERS WHERE CESAR CHA HAS SPOKE AT THE CHURCH TO SUPPORT A BLACK LIVES RIDERS MOVEMENT TO THE HOTEL, HISTORICAL HOTEL WORKERS STRIKE OF LA AND LA MAYA, THE WHOLE HYATT REGENCY HERE IN LONG BEACH.
[02:05:02]
WE ARE A WELCOMING, DIVERSE CHURCH WHERE MEMBERS ARE PROUD TO BELONG TO AN ANTI-RACIST CHURCH, A PRO WORKER CHURCH WHERE OUR MEMBERS HAVE VOTED AND CANVASES FOR THINGS LIKE RW AND MERE.THE FIGHT OF GROCERY WORKERS FOR A SAFE, SAFE WORKPLACE IS PUSHED BEHIND.
THE LI LIMITS IS OUR FIGHT, THE FIGHT OF ALL WORKERS AND I, WE JOIN WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS TO HAVE A SAFE AND JUST WORKING CONDITIONS AND WAYS.
GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS IRMA AND I'M PART OF THE LANE AND LBJ UH J TEAM AND I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.
I'M HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR OPTION FOUR OF THIS MOTION WHICH YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, WHICH, UH, PROPOSES A DESIGNATION OF MORE PERSONNEL DEDICATED TO SUPPORT CLIENTS AND TO SUPERVISE THE SALES FLOORS EXCLUSIVELY.
SPECIFICALLY, I CONSIDER FUNDAMENTAL THAT THE DESIGNATED PERSONNEL AS ASSIGNED TO THE SELF CHECKOUT SHOULD EXCLUSIVELY MONITOR AND ASSIST CLIENTS IN THESE AREAS.
THIS WILL MESH, UH, THIS MEASURE WILL NOT ONLY PROTECT OUR COMMERCIAL SPACES, BUT IT'LL ALSO GUARANTEE THE SECURITY AND WELLBEING OF THE WORKERS AND PATRONS.
I TRUST YOUR LEADERSHIP, UH, TO PRIORITIZE THE SECURITY AND INTEGRITY OF YOUR COMMUNITY, AND I INVITE YOU TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF OPTION FOUR OF THIS MOTION.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS HILDA, THEN SHAYLA.
GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS
I SUPPORT THE MOTION WHICH REQUIRES TO HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES DEDICATED TO WORK WITH CLIENTS AND MONITORING THE SALES FLOORS.
THE PERSONNEL DESIGNATED TO THE SELF-CHECKOUT SHOULD FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY TO MONITOR AND HELP THESE CLIENTS AND THESE STATIONS.
THIS WILL IN TURN PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES WORKERS WHILE IMPROVING OUR COMMUNITY SECURITY.
I HOPE THAT TO SEE YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS MATTER AND THAT YOU VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS SHAYLA, THEN MARIA, THEN KIKI.
I LIVE IN DISTRICT SEVEN AND I'M ALSO A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER ON LANE SLUM BEACH FOR JUST ECONOMY CAMPAIGN.
AND I'M HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM NUMBER THREE, THREE AND OPTION FOUR
[02:10:01]
OVER FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND.I WAS SHOPPING AT A RALPH'S NEARBY, UM, WHERE THEY HAD 12 SELF-CHECKOUT LINES AND ONLY THREE REGULAR REGISTERS OPEN AVAILABLE FOR THE SHOPPERS.
AND SO SHOPPERS, UM, WHO WERE USING THE SELF-CHECKOUT REGISTER START TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE SYSTEM.
UH, UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS ONLY ONE EMPLOYEE THERE AND TO HELP AND SHE WAS ALSO TASKED WITH BAGGING GROCERIES FOR FOLKS AT THE REGULAR CHECKOUT LINE.
UM, SO YOU CAN ALREADY IMAGINE HOW STRESSFUL THAT MUST HAVE BEEN FOR HER.
UM, AND SO IF A WORKER IS TASKED WITH TAKING CARE OF FOLKS WHO, UM, USE A SELF CHECKOUT ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM SHOPPERS AS WELL AS MULTIPLE OTHER TASKS SUCH AS SELF PREVENTION, IT'S REALLY A RECIPE FOR CREATING AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT.
SELF-CHECKOUT CALENDARS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS TYPE OF POOR SHOPPING EXPERIENCES AND STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENTS FOR WORKERS.
SELF-CHECKOUT CALENDARS ARE PRESENTED AS AN EFFICIENT WAY TO GET OUT OF THE STORES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND TO AVOID A LONG LINES THAT WE SEE GOING DOWN THE AISLES DUE TO THE LACK OF ENOUGH CASHIER LINES BEING OPEN.
HOWEVER, WITH THE LACK OF STAFFING, UM, AS IT WAS THAT DAY IN RALPH'S, THEY REALLY DIDN'T LIVE UP TO THEIR PROMISE.
AND SO THIS IS WHY I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT STAFF STORES OR SAFE STORES BY VOTING FOR OPTION NUMBER FOUR TODAY.
SO AS STORES ARE BECOME SAFER BY HAVING MORE EMPLOYEES.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS MARIA, THEN KIKI, THEN MYRON.
MY NAME'S MARIA AND I'M A LONG BEACH RESIDENT.
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AND SUPPORT THE STAFF.
STORES ARE SAFE STORES FOR GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL WORKERS.
HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING AND EXHAUSTING TO DEAL WITH LONG LINES IN EVERY STORE.
ONLY TO FIND THEM SEVERELY UNDERSTAFFED.
MOST TIMES YOU END UP WAITING IN ANOTHER LONG LINE FOR ONE OF THE ONLY WORKING SELF OUT CHECKOUT MACHINES THAT END UP CRASHING.
THIS ISN'T JUST INCONVENIENT, BUT IT CREATES A STRESSFUL AND OVERWHELMING ENVIRONMENT FOR SHOPPERS AND WORKERS.
I'VE SEEN PEOPLE TAKE THE FRUSTRATIONS OUT ON EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY STRETCHED THIN AND HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS.
WE NEED REAL STAFFING SOLUTIONS.
ONE THAT SUPPORT THE PEOPLE WHO KEEP OUR STORES RUNNING AND MAKE THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE BETTER FOR EVERYONE.
VOTING OPTION FOUR IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
IT'S A VOTE TO PROTECT THE WELLBEING OF OUR HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES AND OUR COMMUNITY.
LET'S BRING BACK A SHOPPING EXPERIENCE THAT FEELS FUN AND CHAOTIC.
OPTION FOUR FOR SAFE AND BETTER STAFF STORES.
MY NAME'S KIKI LIGA AND I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LONG BEACH LATINO DEMOCRATIC CLUB AND WE SUPPORT ITEM NUMBER 33 IN OPTION FOUR.
OUR SHARED VISION AS A COMMUNITY AND CITY OFFICIALS SHOULD BE THAT STORES HAVE ADEQUATE AND WELL-SUPPORTED STAFF TO BOTH PREVENT THEFT BEFORE IT HAPPENS, TO SUPPORT HARDWORKING GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL WORKERS AND TO ENHANCE SAFETY FOR OUR RESIDENTS IN LONG BEACH.
YOU MAY HEAR FROM THE GROCERY LOBBYISTS THAT POLICIES LIKE THIS WILL DRIVE BUSINESS OUT OF LONG BEACH.
THE FEAR MONGERING ABOUT STORE CLOSURES IS NOT ROOTED.
IN FACT, IT IS A DEFLECTION FROM THE INDUSTRY'S REFUSAL TO INVEST IN ADEQUATE STAFFING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
WE CANNOT ALLOW CORPORATE COST CUTTING TO COME AT THE EXPENSE OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND WORKER DIGNITY.
THE REALITY ON THE GROUND IS THAT THE GROCERY INDUSTRY IS NOT SHRINKING IN LONG BEACH.
AT LEAST SEVEN NEW GROCERY STORES HAVE OPENED ACROSS THE CITY, INCLUDING SPROUTS, ALDI, WHOLE FOODS, AMAZON FRESH AND GROCERY OUTLET.
DISTRICTS 3, 4, 5, 6, AND EIGHT HAVE ALL SEEN RECENT GROCERY EXPANSIONS COMPANIES CONTINUE TO INVEST IN THE LONG BEACH MARKET.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
ALRIGHT, NICE TO MEET YOU KIKI
ALL RIGHT, UH, MYRON AND THEN NAIDA NAIDA.
GOOD EVENING MAYOR RICHARDSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FOUR IN LONG BEACH.
I'M ALSO A LEADER OF THE SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE AT TEMPLE ISRAEL LONG BEACH LOCATED IN DISTRICT THREE.
I'M ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE LONG BEACH GREAT PANTHERS.
I ALSO REPRESENT HUNDREDS OF FAITH LEADERS CONNECTED WITH CLUE TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.
AS A SENIOR I KNOW HOW CHALLENGING SELF-CHECKOUT COUNTERS ARE TO OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY.
HAVING ADEQUATE STAFFING IS CRUCIAL FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY GROCERY STORES.
IT ENSURES THAT THE SENIOR COMMUNITY HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO ALL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THEY NEED.
NOT TO MENTION, FOR SOME SENIORS LIVING BY THEMSELVES, ONE OF THE FEW HUMAN INTERACTIONS THEY HAVE IN A DAY IS WITH THE STAFF AT THE CHECKOUT STAND.
STAFF STORES NOT ONLY KEEP US SAFE, BUT ALSO HELP US BUILD STRONGER COMMUNITIES.
AT MY TEMPLE, DURING OUR CELEBRATION OF THE WORKER JUSTICE PASSOVER SEDER, IN APRIL, ONE OF THE GROCERY WORKERS SHARED HIS STORY WITH US OF HOW HIS EMPLOYER PRESSURED HIM AND HIS COLLEAGUES TO PUSH CUSTOMERS TO USE SELF-CHECKOUT, HE HAD TO OVERSEE MULTIPLE MACHINES AND STILL PERFORMED OTHER DUTIES.
THIS MADE HIM AND HIS COLLEAGUES OVERSTRESSED AND COULDN'T PREVENT CUSTOMER THEFT AS MUCH AS THEY TRIED TO.
WITH THIS ORDINANCE, WE CAN ENSURE SAFE
[02:15:01]
WORKING CONDITIONS FOR WORKERS, IMPROVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, AND HELP BUSINESSES THRIVE.I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON THIS ORDINANCE OPTION FOUR.
ALRIGHT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ALRIGHT, NAIDA THEN GRETCHEN SWANSON AFTER GRETCHEN IS CELESTE WILSON.
MY NAME'S KNIT AND I'VE GOT TWO POINTS I WANNA MAKE.
THE FIRST ONE IS THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS A FAVORITE SCARE TRACK TACTIC.
THEY'RE GONNA CLOSE STORES, BUT WHEN LONG BEACH PASSED HERO PAY KROGER CLOSED TWO STORES AND THEN BLAME THE CITY IN COURT.
HOWEVER, THEIR OWN CEO ADMITTED THAT THOSE CLOSURES WERE ALREADY PLANNED BEFORE COVID DUE TO A MIX OF POOR PERFORMANCE.
THESE WEREN'T POLICY RESPONSES, THEY WERE PR MOVES.
WE SHOULD BASE OUR POLICIES ON FACTS, NOT FEAR.
THE OTHER HAS SPEAKS TO WHAT SAFETY REALLY IS.
SAFETY DOES NOT MEAN JUST VIOLENCE.
SAFETY IS NOT ONLY REGULATED BY THE POLICE WITHOUT TELLING TOO MUCH ABOUT ME.
THERE ARE TIMES THAT I NEED MEDICATION IN AN EMERGENCY, BUT IN THE DRUG STORE, IF THERE IS ONLY ONE STAFFED, UH, CHECKOUT COUNTER, IT'S AT THE PHARMACY.
AND I'M WAITING IN A LONG LINE.
I ACTUALLY NEED MY MEDICATION PRETTY QUICKLY FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF REASONS.
SO IT PUTS MY SAFETY AT RISK, NOT AGAINST VIOLENCE, BUT BECAUSE THERE IS A LONG LINE, I URGE THE COUNCIL TO REJECT THE INDUSTRY'S THREATS AND UNDERSTAND THAT SAFETY GOES BEYOND STOPPING VIOLENCE.
YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED YES FOR OPTION FOUR.
ALRIGHT, IS GRETCHEN HERE? I DON'T THINK I SEE GRETCHEN.
UH, BEN, HOW ABOUT CELESTE? I'M SORRY GRETCHEN IS NOT HERE, BUT, UH, I'M GONNA SPEAK HER.
ARE YOU SPEAKING YOURSELF? UH, NO.
UM, GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS, UM, ITEM UP.
I LIVE IN THE SECOND DISTRICT AND I WANT TO SHIFT OUR FOCUS TO WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY CONFIRMED THAT THIS GROCERY INDUSTRY IS THRIVING EVEN DURING CRISIS.
AND STUDY HAS FOUND THAT MAJOR CHANGE RAISE PRICES.
DURING THE PANDEMIC TO PAT PROFITS.
ALBERTSONS PAID NEARLY $4 MILLION IN FINES FOR OVERCHARGING AND FALSE ADVERTISING.
AND THESE COMPANIES EXPLORE CRISIS WHILE CUTTING STAFF AND STILL DEMAND MORE.
AND SO IN JUST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT KROGER AND ALBERTSONS HAVE FUNNELED OVER $15 BILLION TO SHAREHOLDERS INSTEAD OF INVESTING IN STORES.
SO WE KNOW THE MONEY IS THERE AND WE JUST NEED TO USE THIS MONEY TO CREATE SAFER CITIES AND HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES FOR OUR CITY.
AND SO I URGE YOU, UH, ON BEHALF OF GRETCHEN TO VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR TO SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE LONG BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, REPRESENTING NEARLY 900 BUSINESS MEMBERS, INCLUDING A LOT OF GROCERY AND DRUG RETAILERS.
UM, MINE'S GONNA BE PRETTY SHORT AND SWEET.
UM, OUR BIGGEST TWO WORRIES ARE THE VERY INDUSTRY SPECIFIC REGULATION THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL CREATE.
DOESN'T REALLY KIND OF TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY OF THE SELF-CHECKOUT STANDS AT HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES, CLOTHING STORES, UM, YOU KNOW, HARDWARE STORES, ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
IT IS VERY SPECIFIC TO AN INDUSTRY, WHICH RAISES A LOT OF CONCERNS IN TERMS OF LEGAL, UM, LEGAL CHALLENGE LATER ON.
UM, THE OTHER ONE IS THAT THERE IS ALREADY A PIECE OF POLICY MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE, SB 4 42 BY SMALLWOOD CUEVAS FOR THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE CYCLE IN A ROW.
UM, IT IS ON THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR.
AND SO WE ARE URGING THE CITY COUNCIL TO JUST TAKE A PAUSE, LET THE STATE DO WHAT IT'S GONNA DO, KINDA TAKE A DEEP BREATH, UM, AND WHATEVER THE STATE ENDS UP DOING, IF YOU GUYS WANNA MATCH THAT, OR IF YOU WANNA REVISIT IT LATER AND IMPLEMENT SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT STRONGER HERE IN LONG BEACH, GREAT.
BUT JUST DON'T LET LONG BEACH BE THE PILOT PROGRAM FOR A STATE POLICY THAT'S ALREADY MOVING ITS WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS GARINA, THEN GARY, WHEN I,
[02:20:45]
GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR.MY NAME IS GINA CRUZ, RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NUMBER SIX IN LONG BEACH.
I'M HERE TO SUPPORT, UH, OPTION FOUR, WHICH REQUIRES TO HAVE MORE EMPLOYEES DESIGNATED TO MONITOR THE SALES FLOORS AND DEDICATED TO THE SUPPORT CLIENTS, THE EMPLOYEES DESIGNATED, UH, TO THE SELF SERVE.
CHECKOUTS SHOULD FOCUS ON MONITORING AND ASSISTING CLIENTS IN THIS SITU, IN THESE STATIONS.
THIS WILL ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF OUR SALES SPACES AND SUPERMARKET EMPLOYEES.
MOREOVER, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DEPEND ON THESE SUPERMARKETS FOR SURVIVAL WILL ALSO FEEL MORE SECURE.
I HOPE THAT YOU LISTEN TO US AND SUPPORT OUR FIGHT FOR OPTION FOUR.
ALRIGHT, GARY, BEFORE YOU GO, I'M GONNA CALL THE NEXT 10, UH, AMAR DEEP, UH, JOSE ESP ESPINOZA, DYLAN BOY, LINDA MOLINA, CURTIS LAWRENCE, TERRY MONDOR, KAREN RESIDE, MIKE BERGER, KEITH MASON, AND JENNIFER S OKAY.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER STAFF.
I'M A LONG BEACH RESIDENT AND I LIVE IN THE MIGHTY DISTRICT FOUR.
UM, I'M HERE TONIGHT THOUGH AS A POLITICAL, AS THE POLITICAL DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS 3000 FACULTY, LIBRARIANS, COUNSELORS AND COACHES AT C-S-U-L-B.
UM, I'M ALSO HERE TO VOICE OUR SUPPORT FOR THE STAFF, THE STAFF, STORES, AND SAFE STORES POLICY AS OUTLINED IN OPTION FOUR.
AMONG THE MANY PO POSITIVE EFFECTS OF THIS, UM, OPTION I WISH TO REITERATE, SUMMARIZE THE, THE FOLLOWING.
FIRST, THIS OPTION WILL PROTECT JOBS.
SECOND, IT WILL PROMOTE THE WELLBEING OF HARDWORKING EMPLOYEES BY MINIMIZING UNDERSTAFFING THAT CAN LEAD TO INCREASED, UH, WORKLOADS AND STRESS.
THIRD, IT WILL ENHANCE THE SAFETY FOR BOTH WORKERS AND SHOPPERS.
FINALLY, WE KNOW THAT THAT STAFF VISIBILITY DE DETERS THEFT BY REDUCING THEFT, THE NEW STANDARDS WILL PROTECT THE RE CITY RESOURCES FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY, LIBRARIES AND PARKS.
THIS KIND OF COMMON SENSE REGULATION BALANCES THE NEED OF FOR CONVENIENCE WITH THE NEED FOR SAFETY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
I URGE YOU TO MOVE FORWARD ON OPTION FOUR, NOT WAIT FOR THE STATE, DO WHAT LONG BEACH HAS ALWAYS DONE, TAKE THE LEAD AND SET THE STANDARDS FOR THE STATE.
UM, GOOD EVENING, UH, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
AMER GILL, DIRECTOR OF GROCERY AND RETAIL CAMPAIGN WITH LANE.
I URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR.
WHEN SELF-CHECKOUT COUNTERS ARE NOT PROPERLY STAFFED MAKES IT NECESS INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO PREVENT THEFT AND PROVIDE GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.
WORKERS ARE FORCED TO DEAL WITH THE, UH, FA FALLOUT RESULTING IN HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS.
THIS SITUATION CREATES AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR BOTH SHOPPERS AND WORKERS.
MAJOR RETAILERS LIKE LOWE'S, COSTCO, AND BEST BUY HAVE PROVEN THAT MORE STAFFING AND TRAINING ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE.
I QUOTE LOW CEO MARVIN ELLISON.
THE GREATEST DETERRENT FOR ANY TYPE OF THEFT ACTIVITY IS EFFECTIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
THESE COMPANIES, BY MAINTAINING HIGHER STAFF LEVELS, CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEFT IS LESS LIKELY TO OCCUR BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE WATCHFUL EYES IN THE STORE.
THIS HAS TANGIBLE BENEFITS FOR BOTH CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES.
I ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE LEADERSHIP TODAY.
LB WAS UH, AMONG THE FIRST TO PASS HERO PAY AND YOUR LEADERSHIP INSPIRED CITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA.
AS A CHARTER CITY, LONG BEACH HAS THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO REGULATE STORE SAFETY.
THE CITY HAS YOUR TIME, HAS TO INCLUDED CHECKOUT AND STAFFING AS PART OF ITS POLICE POWERS.
[02:25:01]
DYLAN.I'VE BEEN A SUPERVISOR HERE IN LONG BEACH AT BONDS FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
MY JOB INCLUDES MONITORING, SELF-CHECKOUT MACHINES, ASSISTING CUSTOMERS, BUT ALSO MAKING SURE THEY'RE RINGING UP THEIR ORDERS ACCURATELY.
MOST PEOPLE ARE HONEST, BUT THERE ARE SOME WHO ROUTINELY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE HONOR SYSTEM.
HABITUAL SHOPLIFTERS ARE EMBOLDENED BY COMPANY POLICY, WHICH PROHIBITS EMPLOYEES FROM ASSUMING, CONFRONTING, OR ACCUSING.
AS A RESULT, I'VE WITNESSED THOUSANDS, SOMETIMES HUNDREDS, SOMETIMES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WALK RIGHT OUT THE FRONT DOOR ON A DAILY BASIS AT MY STORE, THERE'S A MAN WHO OUR MANAGEMENT KNOWS, HAS BEEN STEALING THROUGH SELF CHECKOUT FOR THE BETTER PART OF TWO YEARS.
INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM, THEY GIVE 'EM A CUTE NICKNAME, WALTER WHITE.
AT PRESENT, THE COMPANY'S ANTI-THEFT POLICY PROHIBITS US FROM CALLING THE POLICE WITHOUT MANAGEMENT APPROVAL.
INCIDENTS AT SELF CHECKOUT OFTEN PUT EMPLOYEES IN SITUATIONS THAT BECOME CONFRONTATIONAL LEADING TO VIOLENCE OR THREATS OF VIOLENCE.
EVEN THOUGH WEAPONS ARE SOMETIMES BRANDISHED, A GREAT QUANTITY OF THESE INSTANCES GO UNREPORTED OUT OF FEAR OF POLICIES THAT PRIORITIZE THE COMPANY'S BOTTOM LINE.
OVER THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEES.
I'VE SEEN FIGHTS ITSELF CHECKOUT, I'VE WITNESSED A STABBING IN THE PAST YEAR.
I'VE BEEN SPIT ON PEPPER SPRAYED CALLED EVERY RACIST AND HOMOPHOBIC SLUR IN THE BOOK.
SAFETY SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION.
WE NEED YOUR HELP PASSING THIS ORDINANCE.
MY NAME IS DYLAN BOKEY AND I'VE WORKED AT ALBERTSON'S FOR SIX YEARS.
WHILE ALL OF US IN THE STORE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY UNDERSTAFFING IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE MOST UNDERSTAFFED AREA OF THE STORE IS SELF CHECKOUT.
IN THE EARLY MORNINGS, THERE'S USUALLY ONLY ONE EMPLOYEE WHO IS DESIGNATED TO STAFF THE ONE OPEN CHECK STAND WHILE ALSO MONITORING AND ASSISTING ALL SIX SELF-CHECKOUTS WHILE ALSO HAVING TO BE HAVING TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR PEOPLE COMING TO PICK UP ONLINE ORDERS.
BUT ASIDE FROM A HIGH LEVEL OF STRESS THAT THIS PUTS ON A SINGLE EMPLOYEE, THIS SITUATION CAN ALSO VERY QUICKLY COMPROMISE THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THE EMPLOYEE, BUT ALSO THE SAFETY OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO ARE INSIDE THE STORE.
I'VE SEEN CUSTOMERS GET VISIBLY AND VERBALLY AGITATED BECAUSE, BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD TO WAIT A LONG TIME FOR SOMEONE TO, BECAUSE SOMEONE'S BUSY RINGING UP TO THE CHECK STAND.
I'VE HAD COWORKERS TELL ME THAT THEY'VE BEEN VERBALLY ABUSED BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO ABLE TO HELP SOMEONE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
AND I KNOW THAT AS A CUSTOMER, I WOULD NOT FEEL SAFE IN THAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT.
BUT IF WE CONTINUE TO NEGLECT THE ISSUE OF UNDERSTAFFING AT THESE SELF CHECKOUTS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FACE SITUATIONS LIKE THESE.
AND IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE PEOPLE START GETTING HURT.
SO WE URGE THE COUNCIL TO STEP IN AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS LINDA, THEN CURTIS.
GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MAYOR, AND ALL THAT'S COUNCIL MEMBERS.
I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR ROS FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
ALMOST EVERY DAY I'M ASSIGNED TO WORK AT THE SELF CHECKOUT IN MY STORE.
AND IT'S VERY TOUGH JOB TO DO.
I FEEL LIKE I HAVE, I, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO BE SEVEN LENDERS IN ONE BODY.
CUSTOMERS ALWAYS NEED HELP AT THE SAME TIME, AND I CANNOT HELP THEM ALL, ALL, ALL FAST ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM HAPPY.
IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM HAPPY.
THEY GET FRUSTRATED AND TAKE OUT ON ME AND MY UNION.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I LOVE MY UNION AND MY, AND MY STORE.
I TRY TO KEEP IT STRONG FACE SO I CAN BE A LEADER IN MY STORE.
BUT AFTER EIGHT HOURS SHIFT AT THE SELF CHECKOUT, OR I DO NOT EVEN GET A STANDING MAP SOAP FOR MY LEGS.
IT COULD BE AS TOUGH AND GET VERY FRUSTRATED WITH HOW THE CUSTOMERS TREAT ME AND MY WORKERS.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR AUDIENCE AND GROCERY WORKERS DO NOT DESERVE THE ABUSE THAT WE GET AT THE CEP CHECKOUT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE.
NEXT IS CURTIS AND THEN TERRY.
I HAVE BEEN AN ALBERTSON'S EMPLOYEE FOR OVER FIVE YEARS, AND I'VE SERVED AS A UNION STEWARD FOR THREE OF THOSE YEARS.
WHEN I'M SCHEDULED TO WORK SELF CHECKOUT, I CAN FILL A PIT FORM IN MY STOMACH.
WORKING SELF CHECKOUT MEANS THAT I'M RUNNING IN THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE STORE, WHICH IS THE SMALL ENCLOSED AREA WHERE THE COMPANY HAS SQUEEZED SEVEN SUB CHECKOUTS INTO WORKING SUB CHECKOUT MEANS THAT CUSTOMERS WILL BE MAD AT YOU, THEY WILL YELL AT YOU.
IT IS NO LONGER A CUSTOMER SERVICE JOB.
YOU'RE NOW ALSO A SECURITY GUARD TRYING TO DEESCALATE SITUATIONS THAT WE SHOULD NOT BE PUT INTO.
SO ONCE A GROUP OF YOUNG MEN WAS ACCUSED OF STEALING BY MY STORE MANAGER, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE STEALING, BUT THESE YOUNG MEN THEN CAME TO SELF-CHECKOUT TO
[02:30:01]
PURCHASE THE ITEMS THEY WERE CARRYING DURING THE COURSE OF THE TRANSACTION.THE MACHINE LOCKED UP SEVERAL TIMES, AS THEY USUALLY DO.
SO I HAD TO UNLOCK THE MACHINE TO KEEP THE TRANSACTION GOING, THE ENTIRE TRANSACTION.
THESE MEN WERE SURROUNDING ME WHILE YELLING AND TAUNTING MY STORE MANAGER AND CRACKING JOKES AT MY EXPENSE WHILE I DID MY BEST TO END THE TRANSACTION AND GET 'EM OUT OF THE STORE.
AS THERE WERE MULTIPLE PEOPLE ALSO PROCESSING THEIR TRANSACTIONS AT OTHER SELF-CHECKOUTS.
I REMEMBER MY HANDS WERE SHAKING AFTERWARDS.
A CUSTOMER TOLD ME I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT KIND OF INTERACTION WORKING AT A GROCERY STORE, THAT I WOULD HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER THE TRANSACTION AT A TRADITIONAL LINE.
AND SO THAT I AGREED, WHICH IS WHY I'M ASKING THE CITY TO SUPPORT OUR ORDINANCE.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS TERRY AND THEN KAREN.
GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I WORK AT A RALPH'S GROCERY STORE AT MARINA PACIFICA.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE FOOD INDUSTRY AND HOW IT IS THRIVING AND MAKING RECORD PROFITS.
YOU, KROGER STILL INSISTS ON CUTTING HOURS AND SAYING THAT WE MAKE TOO MUCH MONEY.
THE AVERAGE WORKER OF THE GROCERY STORE MAKES ABOUT $20 AN HOUR, AND THAT IS BARELY EVEN A LIVING WAGE.
SO IN ORDER TO STAY COMPETITIVE, THEY SAY THEY MUST CUT HOURS.
AND KROGER HAD $7 BILLION IN PROFITS LAST YEAR.
ALL WE'RE DOING IS ASKING THEM TO SHARE, SHARE IT WITH ITS WORKERS, MAKE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT, AND WE'D ASK YOU TO PUT THIS ORDINANCE THROUGH.
I AM ALSO GONNA SPEAK ABOUT THE VIOLENCE THAT I SEE AT SELF CHECKOUT.
I OFTEN HAVE TO BREAK UP CUSTOMERS WHO GET IN FIGHTS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET OUT PRO IN FAST AMOUNT OF TIME OR BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT THEY NEED TO BE HELPED.
I PUT MYSELF IN HARM'S WAY AND I'M TIRED OF IT.
ALRIGHT, NEXT IS KAREN AND THEN MIKE.
I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LONG BEACH GREAT PANTHERS, AND I ALSO SIT ON THE LA COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING.
THIS IS AN AGE FRIENDLY CITY ISSUE.
AS I AGE, I, I WANT YOU TO PICTURE, I AM HAVING TROUBLE LIFTING WATER.
I HAVE TO FIND SOMEBODY TO HELP ME.
I HAVE ALMOST HURT MYSELF TRYING TO BALANCE THE WATER ON MY SHOPPING CART BECAUSE I CAN'T CARRY BAGS OF GROCERIES ANYMORE.
I GOT A WATERMELON AND A 40 BOTTLE CONTAINER OF WATER, AND THERE WAS NOBODY AT THE REGISTERS.
SOMEBODY HAD SPILLED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR.
SO PICTURE ME TRYING TO BALANCE THIS WATERMELON ON THE SCALE AND I WAS TRYING TO PROVIDE TWO GIFT CARDS FOR THE SENIORS AT THE SENIOR CENTER.
UM, I COULDN'T GET THE TRANSACTIONS TO GO THROUGH.
THE POOR WOMAN THAT WAS OVERSEEING THE SELF CHECKOUT WAS TRYING TO GET THE SPILL CLEANED UP BECAUSE IT WAS A FALL HAZARD FOR ME.
SO WE, UM, WE NEED MORE HELP, NOT LESS HELP.
THIS IS A COMMON SENSE APPROACH FOR LONG BEACH.
MORE STAFFING IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED, PARTICULARLY AS OUR POPULATION AGES.
AND I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE LARGE NUMBERS ON THE COUNTDOWN CLOCK.
AND, UH, WE SUPPORT OUR UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT, ABOUT THEIR JOBS.
THERE'S A STORY BEHIND THE BIG CLOCK.
I'LL TELL IT AT THE END OF PUBLIC COMMENT.
ALL RIGHT, MIKE AND THEN KEITH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COUNCIL.
I'M A 31 YEAR EMPLOYEE WITH RALPH'S.
UM, THE PAST, UH, SEVERAL YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT SHIFT IN THE GROCERY EXPERIENCE AT RALPH'S AND AT MANY OF THE GROCERY STORES.
WE, UH, WE HAVE IN CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN, UH, SELF-CHECK HAS BECOME NOT AN OPTION, BUT A DEMAND BY THE COMPANIES.
YOU ARE SHIFTED AND SHUFFLED LIKE CATTLE INTO THE SELF-CHECK STANDS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO OPEN MORE CHECK STANDS THAT ACTUALLY HAVE ONE PERSON IN THEM.
THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET ONE PERSON TO RUN SEVEN CHECK STANDS VERSUS
[02:35:01]
ONE PERSON RUNNING ONE CHECK STAND.I'M MORE EFFICIENT AT ONE CHECK STAND WITH MY CUSTOMERS.
I CAN KNOCK 'EM OUT, GET 'EM DONE, GET 'EM OUT, GET SEVEN CHECK STANDS AT ONE TIME.
I'M DEALING WITH SEVEN DIFFERENT PROBLEMS AND MAYBE THE CONFIDENCE LEVEL OF CUSTOMERS COMING THROUGH CHECK STANDS ON THEIR SELF CHECK STANDS DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE THEY WOULD DEALING WITH ME DIRECTLY.
SO IN THAT I'M LOOKING AT SEVEN DIFFERENT PROBLEMS OR SEVEN DIFFERENT SUCCESSES DEPENDING ON HOW THE CUSTOMERS REACT.
MY OPPORTUNITY IS PLEASE VOTE FOR OPTION FOUR.
GIVE US MORE HELP AT THE CHECK STANDS AND MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE GROCERY STORE A PLEASANT ONE.
UH, THANK YOU MAYOR AND COUNCIL.
UM, I, I ACTUALLY REALLY HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THIS IN TERMS OF, I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.
PREVIOUSLY WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ACTIVATING AN AREA OF DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH TO ENCOURAGE BUSINESS.
AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT SETTING A SET OF RULES TO TELL BUSINESSES HOW TO PERFORM THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, THEIR HOW TO CONDUCT THEIR BUSINESS.
AND, UM, I'M, I'M MOVED BY SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE HERE.
UM, I ALSO HEAR A LOT OF THIS RELATIVE TO, UH, POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, LONG LINES, ET CETERA.
UM, THE MARKET WOULD DICTATE THAT IF IT'S POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, I'VE GONE TO A STORE, GOTTEN POOR, POOR SERVICE, I JUST DON'T GO TO THAT STORE ANYMORE.
AND MY CONCERN IS THAT IF WE START PUTTING THESE KIND OF RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSES, WHERE DOES THAT STOP? I THINK THE OTHER THING I'D ASK IS WHAT HAVE WE TRIED TO DO AS A CITY TO ENGAGE THOSE BUSINESSES TO SAY WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, POTENTIALLY AN ORDINANCE.
WHAT COULD YOU DO TO TRY TO HELP MITIGATE THESE ISSUES TO TRY TO MAKE IT A SAFER ENVIRONMENT? UM, I I, I KNOW I HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT LOSS OF THE BUSINESS, UM, THAT THAT'S REALLY NOT, CITY COUNCIL'S SHOULD NOT BE IN CITY COUNCIL'S.
THAT'S NOT A CITY COUNCIL ISSUE.
SAFETY OF THE WORKERS, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT BEING AN ISSUE.
I WOULD SAY GO TO THESE BUSINESSES AND TRY TO ENGAGE THEM AND TRY TO GET A, A RESOLUTION THAT WAY.
S BUT THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE JENNIFER.
JENNIFER S THAT LOOKS LIKE COUNCILWOMAN PIERCE.
UH, YOU ARE, YOU ARE UP NEXT COUNCIL MEMBER.
BUT BEFORE YOU GO, I'M GONNA CALL THE NEXT, UH, LIST OF SPEAKERS.
UH, FOR SOME REASON I HAVE NAIDA LISTED HERE.
HAVE WE HEARD FROM ARACELI? I THINK WE CALLED HER EARLIER AND SHE, SHE DIDN'T COME UP.
NAD NADIA T NO, THAT WAS NATA.
I THINK YOU GUYS MISSPELLED IT.
UM, ACE, I THINK WE CALLED EARLIER, UH, PALESTINE, UH, SARAH, S ALINA, BENSON, MATT BELL, TIM JAMES AND MYRON.
I THINK MYRON, WE, WE HEARD FROM.
SO I THINK THAT'S A DUPLICATE.
SO IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO, UH, READ COMMENTS FOR JENNIFER SUBER, WHO YOU MET, UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON AT YOUR ROUND TABLE.
SHE SAID AT THE END OF THE TABLE, AND SHE WAS ONE OF THE WORKERS THAT SHARED MULTIPLE STORIES.
AND WHAT WE'VE GATHERED FROM HER IS SO MANY STORIES.
SHE WANTS TO TELL A DIFFERENT ONE EVERY TIME.
BUT SHE DID TELL A STORY THERE ABOUT HAVING A SHOPPING CART THROWN AT HER AND A KNIFE, UH, THE STABBING HAPPENING IN HER STORE AT THE DOWNTOWN VONS.
AND SO SHE HAS WORKED FOR VONS FOR 22 YEARS.
I'M COMING TO SHARE TWO SHORT STORIES OF WHEN I FELT UNSAFE.
I CAME TO ASSISTANT OLDER MAN AND A YOUNGER MAN.
THE OLDER MAN TOLD ME, YOU CAN'T PUT A CLUB CARD IN THAT SELF CHECKOUT.
AS SOON AS I SAID THAT, THE YOUNGER MAN SAID, SEE, I TOLD YOU THE OLDER MAN STARTS YELLING F YOU.
I'M NOT USING THAT BS I STARTED BACKING UP NERVOUSLY.
ANOTHER CUSTOMER GRABBED ME BY MY ARM AND PULLED ME BACK.
THE YOUNG MAN TOLD ME IT WAS HIS GRANDFATHER.
AND I TRIED TO GET THE OLDER MAN AS HE WALKED AWAY AND HE SAID, F YOU.
AND STUCK HIS MIDDLE FINGER UP WHILE SAYING, I'LL BEAT YOUR ASS.
THE YOUNG MAN CALLED HIS GRANDMOTHER AND SHE CAME UP THERE TO PAY FOR THE GROCERIES.
THE CUSTOMER WHO PULLED MY ARM WAS ONE OF MY REGULAR CUSTOMERS.
SHE SAID THAT THEY WERE ARGUING BEFORE I GOT THERE AND SHE FELT BAD AND WALKED INTO A SITUATION NOT KNOWING HOW AGGRESSIVE IT WOULD BE.
ANOTHER CUSTOMER NEEDED ASSISTANCE BECAUSE HER EBT CARD WAS NOT FULLY PAYING FOR HER.
GROCERIES GOT REALLY, SHE GOT REALLY AGGRESSIVE AND VERBALLY ABUSIVE WITH ME AS I TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AS SOON AS THE COWORKER THANKFULLY ARRIVED AND BACKED ME UP.
[02:40:01]
YOUR TIME CONCLUDED.OKAY, WELL THERE'S LOTS OF STORIES GUYS.
I THINK THE SITUATION IS THEY FEEL UNSAFE.
THE REPORTS, THE DATA THAT YOU GUYS HAVE PROVED THAT MORE STAFFING CREATE SAFER SPACES.
I AM A STUDENT TENANT AND WORKER LIVING IN DISTRICT ONE.
MY FAMILY LIVES IN DISTRICT FIVE.
I'M HERE TO URGE YOU TO SUPPORT OPTION FOUR TO PROTECT JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY IN LONG BEACH GROCERY STORES.
UH, THE COMMUNITY IS ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED REGULATION AND GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE.
WHEN VERY POWERFUL AND WEALTHY PEOPLE ARE IN CONTROL OF, UH, THE WAYS THAT WE GET FOOD, MEDICINE, UM, ALL OUR DAILY NECESSITIES.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE ARE AT THE MERCY OF THESE BUSINESS OWNERS.
I BELIEVE IT IS ABSOLUTELY OUR RIGHT AND OUR DUTY TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE THESE REGULATIONS TO PROTECT FAMILIES AND WORKERS.
MANY OF US HAVE, ARE EITHER ELDERLY OR HAVE ELDERLY PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO WE KNOW CANNOT SIMPLY CHOOSE TO GO TO A DIFFERENT STORE WHEN THE ONE THAT WE GO TO DOES SOMETHING THAT THEY DON'T LIKE.
UH, TRANSPORTATION IS NOT VERY EASY FOR THE ELDERLY AND I HAVE A GRANDMOTHER WHO IS OF THAT AGE.
SO, UM, I NEED THIS CITY COUNCIL TO, UM, PROTECT JOBS, PROTECT STAFFING, UH, AT GROCERY STORES.
BECAUSE IF MY GRANDMA'S HAVING A PROBLEM AT A LARGE CHAIN STORE WITH ONLY SELF CHECKOUT, SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE OPTION TO SIMPLY YOUR TIME HAS CONTROL.
THANK FARTHER TO A DIFFERENT ONE.
A FINAL SPEAKER, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
GOOD EVENING, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.
MY NAME IS SARAH SERRANO AND I WORK AT CVS HERE IN LONG BEACH.
THE USE OF THE SELF-CHECKOUT MACHINES HAS CAUSED A SAFETY ISSUE, NOT ONLY IN GROCERY STORES, BUT ALSO IN OUR CITY'S DRUG RETAIL STORES.
DURING THE LATE HOURS OF OUR 24 HOUR STORES, WE OFTEN ONLY HAVE TWO WORKERS SCHEDULED.
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER TASKS THAT ARE MEANT TO BE DONE.
THE SELF-CHECKOUT MACHINES ARE OFTEN LEFT COMPLETELY UNATTENDED.
THAT MEANS FOR SIGNIFICANT PERIODS OF TIME THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF A STORE.
THE FRONT END HAS NO EMPLOYEES AT ALL.
HOW ARE EMPLOYEES SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS AT THE FRONT OF THE STORE WHEN THEY CAN'T BE EVEN BE PRESENT? THIS ORDINANCE WOULD REQUIRE THAT OUR DRUG RETAIL STORES HAVE SOMEONE AT, AT THE VERY LEAST, ATTENDING TO THEIR TRANSACTIONS.
24 HOUR DRUG STORES SERVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IT IS IN LONG BEACH'S BEST INTEREST THAT THESE FRONT END STORES ARE ALWAYS SUPERVISED SO THAT THERE IS AN AUTHORITY WHO CAN ADDRESS SAFETY CONCERNS.
IT IS CONCERNING THAT A COMPANY AS BIG AS CVS RUNS 24 HOUR STORES IN THIS CITY WHERE YOU MIGHT NOT EVEN SEE AN EMPLOYEE AT THE POINT OF SALES.
THIS ORDINANCE WOULD FIX THAT PROBLEM REQUIRING THAT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE ATTENDING THE FRONT END, EVEN IN ODD HOURS OF THE NIGHT.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ORDINANCE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
I READ THE NAMES, I DIDN'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE LINE UP.
MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS TIM JAMES, CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION.
UH, WE ARE ASKING YOU TO NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH DRAFTING AN ORDINANCE AT THIS TIME.
THE PROPOSAL ONLY APPLIES TO FULL SERVICE GROCERY STORES WHILE EXEMPTING OTHER RETAILERS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO SELL SIMILAR PRODUCTS IN THE SAME MANNER.
AND HERZ GROCERS, THE RATIONALE FOR THIS ORDINANCE IS BOTH FLAWED AND DOES NOT SUPPORT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL STAFFING.
RETAIL THEFT WILL NOT BE IMPACTED BY STAGING ADDITIONAL EMPLOYEES IN HARM'S WAY.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS WITH RETAILERS HELP WILL PREVENT THEFT BY ENFORCING THE LAW.
EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY FULLY PROTECTED BY BOTH COMPANY POLICIES AND SEVERAL STATE LAWS THAT PREVENT THEM FROM ENGAGING IN INCIDENTS AND ENSURES THEIR SAFETY.
IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED FROM ENGAGING IN THREAT PREVENTION.
OVERSTAFFING IS NOT A SOLUTION.
AN ORDINANCE OF THIS TYPE WILL PUT, UH, CURRENT AND FUTURE LONG BEACH GROCERS AT A DISADVANTAGE.
COST TO OPERATE WILL INCREASE AT A TIME WHEN CALIFORNIANS ARE ALREADY PAYING MORE FOR GROCERIES
[02:45:01]
THAN THE REST OF THE OF THE NATION.IT WILL ALSO, AGAIN, SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE INDUSTRY THAT LONG BEACH GROCERS ARE NOT RESPECTED OR WELCOMED.
PLEASE DO NOT CHOOSE TO UNNECESSARILY RAISE FOOD PRICES.
AND CHASE GROCERS AWAY FROM LONG BEACH.
GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
I'M HERE WITH A STATEMENT FROM STATE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER LENA GONZALEZ'S OFFICE.
FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS, COUNCILWOMAN THRESH INUK AND VICE MAYOR ORANGA FOR INTRODUCING THIS ITEM.
SENATOR GONZALEZ STRONGLY SUPPORTS AGENDA ITEM 33, OPTION FOUR, WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH LABOR REQUIREMENTS AND OPERATIONAL STANDARDS FOR SELF-CHECKOUT OPERATIONS IN GROCERY STORES AND DRUG RETAIL STORES.
THIS MEASURE WILL ENSURE ADEQUATE STAFFING LEVELS HELP DETER THEFT, IMPROVE EMPLOYEE MORALE, WHICH I THINK IS KEY AFTER TESTIMONY WE HEARD TONIGHT AND ENHANCE THE OVERALL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.
ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT CONTINUES TO IMPACT COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA.
AND WHILE ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AT THE STATE LEVEL, IT IS CRUCIAL TO SUPPORT LOCAL INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT REMAIN ESSENTIAL TO STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SAFETY.
I URGE YOUR SUPPORT TO PROTECT OUR WORKERS, OUR BUSINESSES, AND OUR COMMUNITY.
ALRIGHT, WELL THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT.
I SEE NO ONE ELSE, UH, STANDING THERE READY TO SPEAK.
SO WE'LL NOW TAKE IT BACK BEHIND THE RAIL.
SHE WANTED TO REMIND ME, TELL TELL YOU ABOUT THE CLOCK BEFORE WE MOVE ON.
SO DO YOU SEE HOW SOMETIMES THE BLACK BOX COVERS UP THE CLOCK WHEN PEOPLE ARE SPEAKING? THEY YELL AT ME WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW THEY RAN OUT OF TIME.
SO WE ASK THE CLERK, CAN YOU MAKE A BIG CLOCK THAT TURNS YELLOW AND THEN RED SO PEOPLE SEE WHAT THE TIME IS.
SO EVERYBODY'S CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THE EXPECTATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE GO FROM THIRD THREE MINUTES TO 90 SECONDS.
AND IT'S UNCLEAR ON HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE.
'CAUSE 90 SECONDS, AS YOU KNOW, GOES BY PRETTY QUICKLY.
SO, UH, SO WHAT WE HAVE IS A BACKUP CLOCK AND WE HAVE BIG PUBLIC COMMENTS.
SOMETIMES WE BREAK, BREAK OUT LUCILLE, RIGHT? WE BREAK OUT THE BIG CLOCK 'CAUSE WE'RE GONNA NEED IT.
THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER, COUNCILWOMAN.
WE'RE NOW GONNA TAKE IT BACK BEHIND THE RAIL.
UH, THANK YOU MAYOR, AND THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION.
OKAY, NOW I KNOW, BUT I SHOULD HAVE ONE OF THOSE WERE THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AS WELL.
I THINK, UH, MY COMMENTS ON THIS IS GONNA BE VERY BRIEF.
WE HEARD IT FROM THE AUDIENCE, WE HEARD ALL THE TESTIMONY, WE HEARD THE STORIES SO COMPELLING.
I DON'T THINK I NEED TO SAY MORE THAN THAT.
I THINK IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF MORE THAN THAT.
THE TITLE OF THE ORDINANCE SAYS IT FOR ITSELF.
OVER THE MANY YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE HEARD THE CHICKEN LITTLE STORY.
DIFFERENT BUSINESSES, BUT THE SAME THING.
BUSINESS ARE GONNA LEAVE LONG BEACH BECAUSE IT'S MORE EXPENSIVE.
PEOPLE ARE GONNA NOT WANNA WORK BECAUSE IT'S DANGEROUS.
IN FACT, LONG BEACH HAS THRIVED HOW MANY ORDINANCES THAT WE'VE HAD IN IN THE PAST YEARS AND PASSED MEASURE IN MEASURE O.
SO IF MY COLLEAGUES EVER PAID ATTENTION, THEY KNOW THAT WE HAVE MORE POSITIVE ASPECTS TO THIS ORDINANCE THAN WE HAVE NEGATIVE.
WE WANNA HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON SERVICE TO NOT ONLY OUR WITNESSES, BUT TO OUR RESIDENTS.
WE WANT POSITIVE EXPERIENCES AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, BE SAFE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, BEING SAFE, IT WHAT MATTERS THE MOST.
SO I WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR PRESENTING TONIGHT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A DISCUSSION FOR MY COLLEAGUES AS WELL AS THEIR SUPPORT OF THIS ORDINANCE.
UH, MAYOR, I'D LIKE TO PASS IT OVER TO THE MAKER OF THE MOTION.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT COUNCILWOMAN IN DAY HAS HAD COMPLETED HER COMMENTS.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER AND THANK YOU MAYOR.
UM, THIS ITEM AIMS TO ESTABLISH STAFFING STANDARDS FOR SELF-CHECKOUT OPERATIONS TO MAKE OUR STORE SAFER BY PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING RETAIL THEFT AND ADVANCING THE PRESERVATION
[02:50:01]
OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE.THIS ITEM IS INFORMED BY THE APRIL 1ST CITY COUNCIL LETTER AND THE SUBSEQUENT JUNE 6TH, CITY MANAGER, TFF ENTITLED GROCERY STORES AND DRUG RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT, STAFFING REQUIREMENT ITEM FOLLOW UP.
WE AS A CITY HAVE A LONG PRIORITIZED STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP PREVENT RETAIL THEFT AND DETER INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
THESE EFFORTS INCLUDED, UH, 12 MARCH 12TH RETAIL THEFT ROUND TABLE WHERE JARRING RECOUNTS OF CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING OVER SELF-CHECKOUT STAND OPERATIONS IN STORES, AND THE FREQUENCY OF THEFT THAT OCCUR OCCURS THROUGH SELF CHECKOUT OPERATION MACHINES AND THE ASSOCIATED INCREASES IN HARM, HARASSMENT, VIOLENCE, AND INTIMIDATION ENCOUNTERED DUE TO MANY, MANY UNDERSTAFFED EMPLOYEES.
AND THAT, AND THAT WAS POINTED OUT IN THE ROUND TABLE.
THESE TESTIMONIALS TONIGHT ECHO THOSE CONCERNS AND INCLUDE A COALITION OF WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR STORY OF IMPACT.
IN ADDITION TO THE PUBLIC TESTIMONIALS, THE APRIL 1ST CITY COUNCIL LETTER INCLUDED DATA ON THE ISSUE ALSO REGARDING DATA.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT THE ABSENCE OF EVIDENCE IS NOT EVIDENCE OF ABSENCE.
THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THAT GO UNREPORTED.
I'VE HEARD MANY TIMES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUE OF SIGHT AND RELEASE AS A DETERRING REPORTING.
ALSO, MUCH OF THIS TYPE OF THEFT GOES UNREPORTED AND UNCHECKED BECAUSE OF THE INDUSTRY'S PRACTICES THAT DO NOT PERMIT EMPLOYEES TO REPORT THEM IN PROMOTING SAFETY TIPS FOR BUSINESSES AND IN MEETINGS WITH THE BUSINESSES WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS POINTED TO VISIBLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT EMPLOYEES ARE A CRIME PREVENTION FROM DEPARTMENTAL GRANT PROGRAMS ON THEFT PREVENTION TO PROSECUTION EFFORTS.
THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN TO US AS A CITY AND IT AFFIRMS THE NEED TO DEVELOP TARGETED PUBLIC POLICY TOOLS TO DISRUPT AND PREVENT RETAIL THEFT IN LONG BEACH RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE SHOWN THROUGH THESE, UM, THROUGH MANY ASPECTS THAT THIS IS A REASONABLE FACTUAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THE INTENDED REGULATION AND IT'S GOLD, A PROTECTING PUBLIC SAFETY.
THIS ORDINANCE REFLECTS WHAT EXPERTS, WORKERS, AND EVEN INDUSTRY INSIDERS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED.
STAFFING, PREVENTS THEFT, CALMS TENSIONS, AND PROTECTS WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE.
THE PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF US TODAY IS FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE TOWARDS THIS END.
SPECIFICALLY, IT PUTS FORWARD THE ORDINANCE AS A PROPOSED IN THE ORIGINAL COUNCIL LETTER AND PROMOTES OPTION FOUR OF THE CITY'S JUNE 6TH, 2025 MEMO.
WITH THIS CLARIFYING CONDITION THAT ENFORCEMENT BE CONDUCTED THROUGH PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION, THIS ACTION IS ANTICIPATED TO HAVE A MINIMAL IMPACT OF STAFFING.
LET'S VOTE YES ON THIS AGENDA ITEM UNDER OPTION FOUR.
LET'S LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE, WITH COMPASSION AND WITH CLARITY, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, SAFE STORES ARE STAFF STORES.
I INVITE MY COSIGNERS TO ALSO SAY A FEW WORDS.
THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER VICE MAYORGA FOR UM, YOUR WORDS EARLIER.
AND THANK YOU FOR SIGNING ON TO THIS ITEM, COUNCILWOMAN SHINTECH.
I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU HADN'T DELIVERED YOUR COMMENTS BEFORE YOU SPOKE.
[02:55:01]
TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS NOW? MY TURN.THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BOTH LED ON THIS COUNCILWOMAN ZHU AS WELL AS SIGNED ON VICE MA, VICE MAYOR, UH, YANKA.
UM, SO I WANNA BEGIN BY THANKING AS WELL OUR STAFF AND THE CITY ATTORNEY YOUR, UH, WORK ON.
THIS WAS QUICK, CLEAR, AND DILIGENT TO ENSURE THAT WE GOT TO THIS MOMENT.
YOU'VE HELPED US CUT THROUGH THE NOISE AND STAY FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST, WHICH WE BELIEVE IS KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND HOLDING INDUSTRY ACCOUNTABLE.
WE KNOW, AND WE'VE HEARD TODAY FROM RETAIL WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES, THAT THERE IS RISING THEFT CONFLICT AND CUSTOMER FRUSTRATION.
I TOO HAVE SPOKEN WITH WORKERS DIRECTLY, UM, WHO HAVE BEEN SCREAMED AT, THREATENED, AND EVEN PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED ONLY BE ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR REPORT WHAT HAPPENED.
IF THEY DO, THEY RISK BEING WRITTEN UP OR EVEN WORSE FIRED.
THAT KIND OF POLICY DOESN'T JUST ENDANGER WORKERS.
IT MAY, IT MASKS AND HIDES THE REAL SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM.
IT DRASTICALLY REDUCES THE NUMBER OF POLICE REPORTS FILED AND LIMITS THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE DANGER HAPPENING INSIDE THESE STORES.
THAT'S WHY AS ONE OF THE CO-AUTHORS OF THIS, UH, ORDINANCE, WE'RE PROUD TO INCLUDE A PUBLIC RIGHT OF ACTION.
IT PUTS ENFORCEMENT NOT ONLY IN THE WORKERS' HANDS, BUT ALSO IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC.
IF A STORE FAILS TO MEET MINIMUM STAFFING AND ANYONE A SHOPPER, A NEIGHBOR, A COMMUNITY GROUP CAN TAKE ACTION.
WE HAVE HEARD THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS SAID THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT.
UM, AND YET WE HEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, THEIR STORES OPENING.
UM, AND I WILL ADMIT THAT MARKETS HAVE CHANGED.
THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED, BUT THAT'S ALWAYS TRUE.
THERE IS CHANGE AND THE INDUSTRY IS CHANGING, UH, WHERE SOME STORES ARE USING SELF-CHECKOUT WHILE OTHERS ARE NOT.
AS WITH ANY ORDINANCE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT OUR LEGAL AUTHORITY.
I'D FIRST LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I CONFIRM MY OWN UNDERSTANDING FOR THE RECORD AS I STATED HERE, I'M SURE, UM, OUR, OUR, UH, CITY ATTORNEY WOULD CORRECT ME IF I SAY ANYTHING WRONG.
SO, UNDER ARTICLE 11, SECTION SEVEN OF THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTIONS, CITIES LIKE LONG BEACH HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PASS ORDINANCES THAT PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND GENERAL WELFARE OF OUR RESIDENTS AS LONG AS THEY DO NOT CONFLICT WITH STATE LAW.
THAT INCLUDES REGULATING PRIVATE BUSINESSES, SETTING MINIMUM SAFETY AND LABOR STANDARDS, AND USING OUR POLICE POWERS TO RESPOND TO DOCUMENTED HARMS LIKE THEFT, VIOLENCE AND CHRONIC UNDER STAFFING.
SO, MADAM CITY ATTORNEY, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE READ THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT AND IT STATES THAT THERE IS AN AUTHORITY IN THE LEGAL FOUNDATION FOR THIS ORDINANCE.
ALL OF THIS IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC TO REVIEW.
I BELIEVE THAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT ELIMINATE OPTIONS OR INNOVATIONS, BUT IT ENSURES THOSE OPTIONS ARE SAFE, FUNCTIONAL, AND FOR EVERYONE.
AND I WANNA LIFT UP THAT RETAILERS STILL HAVE FLEXIBILITY.
THEY CAN MEET THE STANDARD THROUGH STAFFED CHECKOUT LANES, DESIGNATED MONITORS ITSELF, CHECKOUT, OR SOME COMBINATION OF THE TWO.
WE'RE NOT TELLING THEM HOW TO OPERATE.
WE'RE MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THEY MUST OPERATE SAFELY.
AS A POINT OF REMINDER AND AS A POINT OF INFORMATION, I DO WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ON APRIL 20, OR ON APRIL 1ST, 2025, THIS CITY COUNCIL REQUESTED THAT THE CITY MANAGER EVALUATE OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING LABOR STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO STAFFING AND OPERATIONS FOR SELF-CHECKOUT STANDS IN GROCERY RETAIL STORES AND RETAIL DRUG STORES.
NOW PLEASE NOTE THAT MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM MET WITH THE PROPONENTS OF THIS INITIATIVE AND ALSO OFFERED TO MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSALS.
SO THERE WAS OUTREACH ON BOTH SIDES.
COUNCIL COLLEAGUES, THIS ORDINANCE IS LEGALLY SOUND AS HAS BEEN STATED.
COMMUNITY DRIVEN BY ALL OF YOU WHO ARE HERE TODAY AND HAVE TOLD YOUR STORY AND URGENTLY NEEDED.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR FULL SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 33 AND URGE A VOTE OF YES ON OPTION FOUR WITH NO DELAYS.
LET, LET US DO WHAT WE'VE DONE, LEAD WITH COURAGE AND LEAD TOGETHER AS LONG BEACH.
IT'S BEEN STATED ALREADY, UH, SAFE STORES ARE STAFFED STORES AND I'M PROUD TO CO-AUTHOR THIS, THIS ORDINANCE.
AND I RESPECTFULLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO VOTE YES ON ITEM NUMBER 33, AGAIN, UNDER OPTION FOUR.
I WANT, AS WE HEARD, UH, FROM ALL THE THREE AU UH, AUTHORS OF THIS ITEM.
[03:00:01]
YOU, COUNCILWOMAN SIN, COUNCILWOMAN, THRASH, ENUK, AND VICE MAYOR ANG.UM, YOU KNOW, I DID WANNA JUST SHARE THE WAY THAT OUR BUSINESS ARE ARE NOT DIFFERENT FROM OUR PARKS OR PUBLIC SPACE WHERE WE KNOW WHEN THERE'S MORE ACTIVATION, THERE'S LESS CRIME, THERE'S LESS VIOLENCE, THEFT, RIGHT? SO IT'S REALLY TO THE SIMILAR THINKING THAT IF YOU HAD MORE ACTIVITY AND PRESENCE OF PEOPLE, THERE'S MORE SAFETY.
SO WITH THAT, I WANTED TO SHARE THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HEARING FROM WORKERS THAT RETAIL THEFT AND SERVE VIOLENCE HAS RISEN.
AND, AND IF ANY, IF ANYTHING, UM, IS VERY SCARY.
AND IT AFFECTS, OBVIOUSLY NOT WORKERS, BUT CUSTOMERS AS WELL.
UM, YOU KNOW, WHILE AUTOMATION HAS REALLY HELPED STREAMLINE OPERATION, UH, IT'S ALSO REALLY FROM WHAT WE'VE HEARD, INCREASED STAFF INCREASED TE AND PRESSURE ON STAFF, UH, DETERIORATE REALLY CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NEGATIVELY IMPACTED WORKERS' MENTAL HEALTH.
AND AS A MOM, I GO TO THE GROCERY STORE PRETTY REGULARLY WITH A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO DRINKS ALMOST A GALLON OF MILK EVERY FEW DAYS.
IT IS A LOT OF MILK, BUT
WHO DO, WHO DO I HAVE, I WHO DO I ASK FOR A QUESTION WHEN NOBODY'S REALLY AROUND, WHEN THE, IT'S NOT WORKING RIGHT? SO I WANNA ALSO SAY I PERSONALLY EXPERIENCE, UM, JUST, JUST NOT HAVING A GOOD EXPERIENCE BEING A SELF CHECKOUT, UH, AT SELF BEING AT SELF CHECKOUTS.
UM, SO I'D LIKE TO, I THINK WE'VE HEARD, UM, A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ENFORCEMENT.
AND I WANTED TO OFFER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
UH, COUNCILWOMAN SENDE HAS, UH, SINCE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE IS DRIVEN BY PUBLIC RIGHT OF ACTION, UH, AS COUNCILWOMAN THRASH AND TOOK, HAS MENTIONED, WHICH I FULLY SUPPORT BOTH WORKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS MUST BE AWARE OF THEIR RIGHTS.
AND TO THAT END, I LIKE TO REQUEST A INCLUSION OF A REQUIRED SIGNAGE IN ALL COVERED ESTABLISHMENT ALERTING THE PUBLIC TO THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THIS ORDINANCE.
SO THE SIGN COULD INCLUDE A LINK OR A QR CODE THAT DIRECTS INDIVIDUAL TO A BRIEF DESCRIPTION POSTED ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE OUTLINING THEIR RIGHTS AND AVAILABLE ENFORCEMENT OPTIONS.
SO I PROPOSE THAT THIS SIGNAGE BE POSTED WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE ORDINANCE EFFECTIVENESS EFFECTIVE DATE TO ALLOW TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION, TRANSLATION, AND DESIGN, AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY USING A CITY PROVIDED TEMPLATE.
WILL YOU ACCEPT MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT? COUNCILMAN HAS? YES.
I ACTUALLY THINK THAT'S A VERY GOOD IDEA, UM, TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR, UM, OUR CUSTOMERS THAT OPTION.
SO THAT, YES, I WILL ACCEPT THAT FRIENDLY.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO CAME OUT TO TALK TONIGHT.
I'D LIKE TO SIMPLIFY THIS PROPOSAL.
THIS WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FOR ONE EMPLOYEE TO OVERSEE THREE SELF CHECKOUTS IN GROCERY STORES BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE.
IT WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FOR ONE EMPLOYEE TO OVERSEE THREE SELF CHECKOUTS BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE.
ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC COULD SUE FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.
AND IF WE ADD SIGNAGE, PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
THIS IS SIMILAR TO HOW A DA COMPLIANCE IS ENFORCED AGAINST BUSINESSES.
I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S THE BUSINESS'S FAULT THE INVENTORY IS BEING STOLEN, AND IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE JOB OF THEIR EMPLOYEES TO STOP CRIME.
THIS SHIFTS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FROM THE CITY TO STORE WORKERS.
AND THAT'S NOT THE DIRECTION WE SHOULD BE GOING IN.
THE CITY'S JOB IS TO PROVIDE SAFE, CLEAN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE PEOPLE FEEL SAFE.
BUSINESSES CAN OPERATE AND NEIGHBORHOODS CAN THRIVE.
WE'VE ALREADY SEEN STORE CLOSURES ACROSS THE CITY, AND THAT'S INCLUDING IN DISTRICT THREE.
AND SOME OF THOSE SPACES ARE STILL VACANT.
THIS PROPOSAL TELLS POTENTIAL INVESTORS THAT LONG BEACH IS TOO UNSAFE FOR STORES TO OPERATE WITHOUT HEAVY REGULATION.
[03:05:01]
AND THAT'S THE WRONG MESSAGE WE SHOULD BE SENDING.I ALSO THINK THIS PROPOSAL IS SHORTSIGHTED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.
MORE PEOPLE RELY ON SERVICES LIKE AMAZON FRESH AND INSTACART.
IF WE MAKE IT HARDER FOR IN-PERSON STORES TO ADAPT, WE RISK ACCELERATING CLOSURES AND LOSING LOCAL JOBS IN THE LONG RUN.
IF WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WE SHOULD FOCUS ON REAL SOLUTIONS.
HIRING MORE OFFICERS, IMPROVING RESPONSE TIMES AND HOLDING REPEAT OFFENDERS ACCOUNTABLE.
AND I THINK WE ARE DOING THAT.
WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF THIS.
WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING THE BUSINESSES THAT SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES AND NOT ADDING REGULATIONS THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO STAY OPEN.
FINALLY, IF WE'RE GOING TO PASS POLICIES IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THEY SHOULD BE GROUNDED IN DATA.
I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THAT DATA.
I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE PROVIDED HERE TONIGHT DURING THE PRESENTATION.
SO I'M GONNA HAVE ASKED TWO QUESTIONS, AND I HOPE I CAN GET SOME ANSWERS TO THIS.
FIRST OF ALL, RETAIL THEFT IS REPORTEDLY DOWN THIS YEAR, 24 25, WITHOUT HAVING STAFFING MANDATES FOR PRIVATE BUSINESSES, I'VE LISTENED TO THE TESTIMONY OF EMPLOYEES AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE NEED MORE POLICE AND SECURITY RATHER THAN MORE GROCER POSITIONS.
WITH THE CITY'S STATED GOAL OF IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY, HOW DOES REQUIRING ADDITIONAL CASHIER POSITIONS IMPROVE SAFETY MORE THAN ADDING SECURITY PERSONNEL POSITIONS? YEAH.
IS THAT QUESTION FOR STAFF? YEP.
SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU ARE ASKING US HOW THIS WILL IMPROVE SAFETY VERSUS THESE INDEPENDENT ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SECURITY, OR CAN YOU CLARIFY AND REPEAT AND THEN WE'LL HAVE CHIEF CHIME IN WHERE APPROPRIATE? MY QUESTION IS, WITH THE CITY'S STATED GOAL OF IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY, HOW DOES REQUIRING ADDITIONAL CASHIER'S POSITIONS MAKING IT A MANDATED ONE TO TWO RATIO WITHIN A PRIVATE BUSINESS, HOW DOES THIS IMPROVE SAFETY MORE THAN ADDING SECURITY PERSONNEL POSITIONS? WE'RE WRITING AN ORDINANCE.
I MEAN, MAYBE I NEED TO GO TO MY COLLEAGUES HERE.
WHY WOULD WE BE ASKING FOR MORE EMPLOYEES FOR THE SELF-CHECKOUT AND WHY AREN'T WE ASKING FOR MORE SECURITY PERSONNEL POSITIONS IF THAT IS THE CASE? BUT I NEED SOME DATA FOR THIS.
LET ME SEE IF I CAN HELP OUT WITH THIS.
SO, UM, AS FAR AS THE, I I THINK WE NEED TO, UH, THERE'S A CLEAR DISTINCTION BETWEEN REPORTED CRIMES AND CRIMES THAT AREN'T REPORTED IN SAFETY ISSUES INTERNALLY TO, TO ANY BUSINESS.
AND I CAN'T SPEAK TO HOW CHANGING OPERATIONS WITHIN ANY BUSINESS WOULD IMPACT SAFETY.
WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT THE ADDITION OF SECURITY OR ADDITIONAL, UH, EMPLOYEES ALWAYS PROVIDES ANOTHER, UH, A FORCE MULTIPLIER TO PUBLIC SAFETY REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION OR THE ITEM AT HAND.
I'M JUST SPEAKING FROM THE POLICE PERSPECTIVE, UM, THE, THE, UH, POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO REPORTS OF CRIMES.
SO WHILE THERE MAY BE THINGS HAPPENING THAT YOU'RE HEARING HERE, THOSE AREN'T NECESSARILY THINGS THAT I'M AWARE OF AS THE POLICE CHIEF OR AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE AGAIN, THERE'S A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE REPORTED CRIMES, HOW WE REPORT OUR CRIMES, UM, IN GUIDE IN THE, UNDER THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES AND THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN TESTIMONIALS THAT, THAT YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE.
SO, UH, WE FOLLOW THE REPORTING GUIDELINES THAT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY FOLLOWS THE FBI STANDARD FOR REPORTING.
UH, IT'S NOT BROKEN DOWN INTO RETAIL THEFT PER SE.
UH, WE LOOK AT, UH, PETTY THEFT, BURGLARY, GRAND THEFT.
THERE'S A VARIETY OF AREAS WHICH, UH, THAT WHICH WE, UM, DOCUMENT AND REPORT ON.
AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT, UH, A REDUCTION IN, IN, UH, CRIME IN THE CITY, I'M TALKING ABOUT, AND OUR STATS SHOW THAT THERE'S A DOWNWARD TREND IN TERMS OF PETTY THEFT.
UH, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY INCLUDE THINGS THAT AREN'T REPORTED.
AND SO I HOPE THAT OFFERS SOME LEVEL OF CLARIFICATION FOR YOU.
UM, BUT, UH, THIS, I I CAN'T REALLY GET INTO INTERNALLY HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT A BUSINESS'S OPERATIONS.
IT'S WHAT WE ASK OUR RESIDENTS TO DO REPORT.
I THINK THERE'S DIFFERENT SITUATIONS HERE.
UM, COUNCIL MEMBER ZENDEJAS, DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS? YES.
UM, I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU, CHIEF.
[03:10:01]
SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS.I THINK THE MAIN THING HERE TODAY IS THAT THE REASON THAT, UM, THESE ARE NOT REPORTED OR THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA, UM, TO BACK, THIS IS THE ONLY REASON, IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT REPORTED.
IT'S SO VERY UNREPORTED BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE INDUSTRY IS TELLING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO DO.
SO THE INDUSTRY IS ASKING THEIR EMPLOYEES NOT TO REPORT THIS, TO LET THIS GO.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S WHERE THE DATA IS MISSING.
I THINK THAT, UM, WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT, UM, THESE ARE LIVES THAT ARE AT STAKE HERE.
THESE ARE OUR RESIDENTS, THESE ARE OUR WORKERS.
THESE ARE THE ONES THAT ARE BEING, UM, HARASSED DAILY BY HAVING THESE.
AND YOU DID MENTION, UM, THE RATIO TWO TO ONE, UM, WHY THAT WAS IMPORTANT AND WHY? UM, NOT THREE, THREE TO ONE.
I THINK THAT THE MORE, UM, EYES YOU HAVE ON, UM, ON A SELF CHECKOUT MACHINE MAKES IT A LITTLE BIT MORE SAFER.
SO IF, UM, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BE ABLE TO HAVE EYES ON THEM AND THAT WILL DETER CRIME.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE WORKING TOWARDS MAKING SURE THAT WE AS A CITY DETOUR CRIME, UH, ESPECIALLY IN IN RETAIL THEFT THAT IS, HAS, HAS BEEN GROWING EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN UNREPORTED.
AND, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HEARD TODAY IN THE COMMENTS THAT, UM, CAME BEFORE US WAS THAT OUR WORKERS, OUR RESIDENTS WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT, UM, PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS.
AND I THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT IT'S DOING.
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS, AND ALSO THE INDUSTRY HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO CORRECT THIS TO ADDRESS THIS.
BUT THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO DO THIS.
THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE THIS AND ALLOW FOR THEIR, UM, WORKERS TO BE IN THESE KIND OF SITUATIONS.
COUNCIL MEMBER, WHY ARE WE, THIS IS A GREAT DISCUSSION, BUT SOMETHING'S GOING ON WITH THIS CLOCK 'CAUSE IT WENT FIVE MINUTES AND THEN IT RESTARTED.
SO ARE WE ON ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES? OKAY.
COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M GONNA GO THROUGH, JUST QUEUE UP AGAIN.
AND THEN YOU, YOU GUYS GOTTA LET US KNOW IF WE'RE HAVING CLOCK PROBLEMS. WE CAN'T SEE IT UP, UP THERE.
UH, I'LL BE SHORT, UM, BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF DIALOGUE, UH, GOING ON TONIGHT, WHICH IS WILL DESERVED FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
UM, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
ONE IS THE, THE TESTIMONY THAT WE HEARD TODAY FROM OUR ACTUAL GROCERY WORKERS, GIVING THEM THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE AROUND, UH, SELF CHECKOUTS.
WHAT'S HAPPENING INSIDE OF OUR STORES, WHAT'S BEING SHARED.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEJAS TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THESE THINGS ARE UNDER REPORTED.
SO OUR, OUR WORKERS ARE EXPERIENCING THEM, RIGHT, BUT ARE BECAUSE OF FEAR FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.
THEY'RE NOT REPORTING THEM TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AND SO THEREFORE, WE'RE NOT SEEING THE DATA THAT WE SHOULD BE SEEING.
UM, AND SO MY HOPES IS THAT AS WE ROLL THIS OUT, UM, TODAY, IF THIS PASSES, IS THAT WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO SEE THAT INFORMATION IN REAL TIME.
UM, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY SEE THE DATA THAT WE NEED TO.
UH, ADDITIONALLY, I'LL JUST SHARE MY OWN OBSERVATIONS.
I WAS AT A, A A TO BE NAMED, UH, BIG BOX, UH, RECENTLY.
AND I WAS IN THE BATHROOM WITH MY, MY KIDS AND I SAID, OH, THE, THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM NEEDS TO BE, NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.
I'M GONNA GO, I'M GONNA GO OUT AND TELL A STAFF MEMBER.
SO I WENT AND WAS IN LINE CHECKING OUT, TOLD THE CHECKER, TOLD THE CHECKER, HEY, UM, SOMEONE NEEDS TO, UH, ASSESS AND, UH, AND CLEAN UP THE, THE MAINTAIN THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM.
AND THEY SAID, AND THEY LOOKED BEHIND THEM AND THEY SAID, OH, UH, WELL, THE PERSON WHO'S SUPPOSED TO DO THAT IS BUSY.
AND THEY NODDED TO A WORKER WHO WAS MANAGING SELF-CHECKOUT, UM, AND THEN ALSO PUTTING AWAY GROCERY CARTS.
SO THEY HAD THREE JOBS THEY WERE DOING, THEY WERE CLEANING THE BATHROOMS, RIGHT? THEY WERE HAVING TO MAINTAIN THE BATHROOMS. THEY WERE DOING SELF-CHECKOUT, AND THEN THEY WERE ALSO PUTTING AWAY GROCERY CARTS IN THE STORE, RIGHT? AND I REMEMBER THINKING TO MYSELF, OH, THEY'RE DOING THREE JOBS, RIGHT? THAT'S WHY I CAN'T, THE, THAT'S WHY THE BATHROOMS ARE IN THE STATE THAT THEY'RE IN, RIGHT? SO I WANT US TO, TO SEE THAT WE AS EVEN RESIDENTS GET TO SEE THE, GET TO SEE EXAMPLES OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR OWN STORES, IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.
UH, AND THEN LASTLY, I WILL SAY FROM A, ADDITIONALLY, FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY STANDPOINT, I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY INTERESTING THAT IN THE TESTIMONY FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE CALIFORNIA GROCERIES ASSOCIATION, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY'RE PUTTING WORKERS IN HARM'S WAY.
'CAUSE HE SAID, AND I, YOU KNOW, ESSENTIALLY I QUOTE IS THAT, WELL, PUTTING MORE WORKERS IN HARM'S WAY, THAT'S NOT GONNA HELP.
SO THAT MEANS YOU'RE TELLING ME THAT YOU KNOW, THAT YOU'RE PUTTING WORKERS IN HARM'S WAY.
UM, I'M NOT SURE THAT YOU MEANT TO SAY THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT I HEARD AS A COUNCIL MEMBER.
AND THAT MEANS TO ME THAT YOU ALL RECOGNIZE WHAT'S HAPPENING AND ARE FAILING TO ADDRESS IT.
AND AGAIN, THAT IS WHY I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM.
THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBERS ZENDEJAS.
[03:15:01]
UM, I'LL PASS THIS.I WANTED TO JUST SEE IF I COULD ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, UM, HAD.
SO I, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LIFTING UP, UH, THE CONCEPT THAT IT, WE ARE FOCUSED ON, YOU KNOW, ONE WORKER PER TWO TERMINALS.
I SEE THAT, UH, AS A POSITIVE.
SO I THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT SEVERAL TIMES.
'CAUSE AS YOU SAID IT, I SAID, OOH, THAT SOUNDS RIGHT,
UM, AND PART OF WHY, UM, NOT ONLY DOES IT SOUND RIGHT AND I BELIEVE FEEL RIGHT FOR OUR EMPLOYEES, BUT THERE IS ENOUGH INDUSTRY BACKED RESEARCH SPECIFICALLY IN THE RETAIL INDUSTRY THAT CONFIRMS THAT THE MORE TERMINALS A SINGLE EMPLOYEE MONITORS, THE GREATER THE EXPOSURE TO, TO THEFT.
AND, UM, JUST, THAT'S JUST WHAT THE RESEARCH HAS SHOWN AND, AND TELLS US.
UM, WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DATA AND WHAT KIND OF DATA IS NEEDED.
UM, YOU KNOW, MY COLLEAGUE HERE, I HEAR FROM HER ALL THE TIME ON THE TOPIC OF DATA.
SO, UH, LET ME, LET ME SEE IF I CAN DO MY BEST IN CHANNEL, UH, COUNCILWOMAN JOANI, RICK SODI.
UM, WELL, WHAT WE HAVE HEARD HERE TODAY IS DATA THAT IS QUALITATIVE IN NATURE.
UH, EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF YEARS OF EXPERIENCE CUMULATIVE IN, UH, ENGAGING AND INTERACTING WITH BEING AT THOSE SELF-CHECKOUT STANDS ALONE WITHOUT THE KIND OF PROTECTION THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO OFFER TODAY.
AND THEN ONE THING I WANNA LIFT UP THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WAS HEARD EARLIER IS THAT, UH, SOME OF THE QUANTITATIVE DATA IS NOT THERE BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE A CALL.
SO IF THEY'RE NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE CALLS AND THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW THAT THEY CAN MAKE CALLS, THEN THERE IS NO INFORMATION AS THE CHIEF HAS NOTED THAT GOES INTO HIM, UH, REGARDING THIS MATTER.
SO BY BEING ABLE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO INFORMATION, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, UH, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY CAN MAKE THE CALL AND EMPLOYEES ALSO WILL HAVE A RIGHT, UH, TO MAKE THE CALL.
AND THEN I'LL SAY THE CONCEPT THAT WE JUST INCREASED SECURITY, FOR EXAMPLE, BE IT ARMED OR UNARMED WITHIN A GROCERY STORE.
FOR SOME COMMUNITIES COUNCILWOMAN DUG IN, THAT DOES NOT MEAN SAFETY.
AND SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONSIDER THE EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE.
UH, YOU'VE HEARD US TALK ABOUT, SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES TALK ABOUT TAKING YOUNG CHILDREN.
SAFETY THERE MEANS WE ARE ABLE TO GET THE HELP AND ASSISTANCE FROM, UH, VERY VETERAN AND EXPERIENCED GROCERY WORKERS, UM, WHOSE CRAFT, UM, YOU KNOW, I VERY MUCH RESPECT AND, AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A CRAFT, UM, IN THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, HAVING, UH, STAFFED, UH, COUNTERS AND STAFFED, UM, AUTOMATED, UH, COUNTERS ARE REALLY WHAT WE, I THINK WE SHOULD BE GOING FOR AS OPPOSED TO JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ADD, UH, MORE SECURITY IN THE FORM OF, AGAIN, PERSONNEL, UH, IN CERTAIN UNIFORMS WITHIN, UH, OUR STORES.
SO THOSE ARE SOME OF MY COMMENTS TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU BROUGHT UP HERE TONIGHT.
COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, I JUST WANNA GET TO, UM, REITERATING ONE POINT AND ASKING ONE MORE QUESTION.
I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE AREN'T FOCUSING ON SECURITY PERSONNEL VERSUS CASHIER POSITIONS.
IT IS NOTED THAT SECURITY HELPS TO, IT, IT, IT HELPS TO CURB CRIME.
IT DOESN'T, IT DOESN'T TAKE AWAY THE CRIME, BUT THAT'S GONNA HELP.
SO I'M GONNA GO TO MY SECOND QUESTION THOUGH.
UM, WHY ARE WE TARGETING SELF CHECKOUTS AT GROCERY STORES? AND WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT HOME IMPROVEMENT STORES, MAINTENANCE STORES, UM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT BIG BOX COUNCIL MEMBER RICK'S ODI, WAS IT A GROCERY STORE? WHY ARE WE JUST FOCUSING ON GROCERY STORES AS THE INDUSTRY AND NOT OTHER, UH, STORES THAT HAVE SELF-CHECKOUT, BUT WE CAN SAY WE, WE CAN SAY WHAT THEY CAN DO.
UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UM, ARE YOU DIRECTING THAT TOWARD THE MAKE OF THE MOTION? YEAH.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS THAT, UM, THIS IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE ISSUES ARE IS AT OUR GROCERY STORES.
THAT'S WHERE THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS ARE COMING FROM, WHERE OUR, UM, RESIDENTS WORK AT IS AT GROCERY STORES.
SO THAT'S WHY IT IS DEEMED SPECIFICALLY FOR GROCERY STORES.
I, AGAIN, GO BACK TO WHAT DATA DO WE HAVE? I, I JUST, THAT'S MY QUESTION.
[03:20:03]
THE ANSWER TO THAT IS THAT IT IS BEING UNDER-REPORTED DUE TO THE INDUSTRY'S REQUIREMENT TO NOT REPORT THOSE INCIDENTS.COUNCIL MEMBER TH TOOK FINAL COMMENT.
YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT.
I BELIEVE IT'S ALL RETAIL, UH, RETAILERS.
THAT WAS, THAT WAS ALSO INCLUDED IN ADDITION TO GROCERY STORES, UM, AS THE ENTITIES THAT WOULD BE COVERED BY THIS ORDINANCE.
GROCERY STORES AND DRUG RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS.
WELL, THAT, THAT CONCLUDES, UH, OUR COUNCIL DEBATE AND OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY, UH, FOR PARTICIPATING.
I WANNA THANK THE COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR, FOR, UH, UH, RAISING ISSUES AND, AND HAVING A HEALTHY DEBATE ON THIS MATTER.
NOW IT'S TIME TO MAKE A DECISION.
MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
ARE WE SUPPOSED TO BE, I THINK IT WAS ALREADY MOVED AND SECONDED AND THEN SOMEHOW IT CAME UP WITH ANOTHER MOVE.
UH, OH YEAH, THERE WAS ALREADY A MOTION IN THE SECOND ORIGINAL.
IT WAS MOVED BY CD HOUSE SECONDED BY THRASH AND TOOK, OH NO, CD SEVEN WAS THE SECOND UR URANGA SECONDED BY URANGA.
MOTION IS CARRIED JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE, THE PUBLIC.
SO THE NEXT STEP NOW THAT YOU HAVE DIRECTION, IS THE CRAFTING OF THE ORDINANCE, CORRECT? CORRECT.
AND WHEN DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT TO TAKE PLACE? SOON.
WE'LL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM INTENDED 49 PLEASE.
UM, MADAM ZACH, UM, MADAM A CITY ATTORNEY.
I THINK THE INTENDED DATE WAS 30 DAYS.
YEAH, WE DO HAVE THE DARK PERIODS AND THE LIKE.
ALRIGHT, WE'LL, WE'LL WORK, WE'LL WORK ON IT.
ITEM, UH, ITEM 49, PLEASE REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION TO DECLARE ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 16 OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING AND RESTATING CHAPTER 16.60 RELATING TO PAYMENT OF LIVING WAGE TO WORKERS AT THE AIRPORT AND THE LONG BEACH CONVENTION CENTER CENTER.
READ THE FIRST TIME AND LAID OVER TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL READINGS.
SO LAST YEAR, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, ZENDEJAS RICKS ODI, UH, AND COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW, UH, LED AN ITEM REQUESTING STAFF TO EVALUATE OPTIONS TO MODERN MO TO MODERNIZE THE EXISTING, UH, WAGE RATES AT CONVENTION CENTER, UH, FOR, FOR CONVE CONCESSION WORKERS AT THE AIRPORT AND THE CONVENTION CENTER.
AND THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE, THE, UH, CONCERTED EFFORT TO STABILIZE LOCAL TOURISM WORKFORCE, UH, THROUGH MEASURE RW.
AND SO MEASURE RW WAS ADOPTED IN MARCH, 2024.
[49. 25-55612 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Title 16 of the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 16.60 relating to payment of living wage to workers at the airport and the Long Beach convention center, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading. (Citywide) Office or Department: City Attorney Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
WORK HAS BEEN DONE WITH CITY STAFF, UH, TO PUT TOGETHER, UM, A DRAFT ORDINANCE.UM, SIT NOW THE CITY COUNCIL HAS SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL STAKE STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE AND COUNCIL MEMBER SORROWS PREPARED TO MAKE SOME AMENDMENTS TO THE CURRENT LANGUAGE SO THAT THE ORDINANCE CAN BE REVISED AND BROUGHT BACK TO CITY COUNCIL.
IT WILL GO TO A NEW FIRST READING AND A SECOND READING TO GET, UH, ADOPTED AND THEN GO INTO EFFECT.
UH, AND SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW, WHO'S BEEN LEADING ON THIS INITIATIVE.
UM, SO WE'VE BEEN ON THIS JOURNEY FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS, SO I WON'T GO INTO THE OVERVIEW AS I THINK YOU'VE BEEN, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS.
UM, AND MAYOR HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A LITTLE OVERVIEW ON TODAY'S ITEM.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOTION, UM, THAT, OR PROPOSE THAT WE MODIFY, UH, THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE LANGUAGE BY ONE, OMITTING THE PREVIOUS DIRECTION, PROPOSING TO REVISE TO ORDINANCE BY LIMITING THE APPLICABILITY OF THE NEW WAGE SCALE TO SPECIFIC CLASSIFICATION OF WORKERS AND RETAINING THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN LBMC 16.6 0.040 THAT DOES NOT CREATE DISTINCTION FOR TEMPORARY WORKERS.
TWO, PROVIDING NEW DIRECTIONS TO REVISE THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE LANGUAGE THAT RECOGNIZE THE APPLICABILITY
[03:25:01]
OF LBMC 16.6 0.040 TO FUTURE CONCESSION OPERATIONS AT THE PROPOSED CITY-OWNED TEMPORARY AMPHITHEATER PROJECT NEAR THE QUEEN MARY.AND THREE, ALLOWING THE 2025 WAGE RATE TO BE EFFECTIVE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE AMENDMENT.
AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PROPOSAL.
AND WHEN WE BEGAN THIS CONVERSATION, THE TEMPORARY AMPHITHEATER WASN'T, WASN'T REAL.
SO WE'RE PROUD TO INCLUDE, UH, OUR AMPHITHEATER IN OUR CONVENTION CENTER, UH, OUR LONG BEACH ARENA.
AND NOW WE HAVE A NEW VENUE ONLINE WITH THE AMPHITHEATER.
THIS HELPS ENSURE THAT THOSE, UH, WORKERS ARE MAINTAINED THAT SAME LABOR STANDARD.
SO WE'RE, WE'RE PROUD TO INCLUDE THAT.
ALRIGHT, UM, THE SECONDER OF THE MOTION IS COUNCIL MEMBER RICK OTI.
UH, AND THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DR.
SULI SORO, UM, FOR THOSE AMENDMENTS, UM, THAT I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF.
UM, AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, UH, REALLY THIS IS MORE THAN JUST AN UPDATE TO A POLICY.
UH, A SIGNIFICANT WIN FOR WORKING PEOPLE IN LONG BEACH BY INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE, UH, FOR CONCESSION WORKERS TO $23 PER HOUR UPON ADOPTION AND ESTABLISHING CLEAR INCREMENTAL INCREASES THROUGH 2028, EVENTUALLY REACHING 29 50 PER HOUR.
THIS ORDINANCE AFFIRMS THAT THE LABOR OF THOSE WHO SERVE OUR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS EVERY DAY IS VALUABLE, DIGNIFIED, AND ESSENTIAL.
UH, FAR TOO OFTEN THE HARDWORKING INDIVIDUALS WHO STAFF OUR FOOD, OUR FOOD STANDS, OUR RETAIL COUNTERS AND SERVICES AREAS ARE OVERLOOKED.
THIS ACTION ENSURES THAT THEIR WAGES KEEP PACE, NOT JUST WITH INFLATION, BUT WITH THE COST OF LIVING AND THE DIGNITY OF THEIR LABOR.
I WANNA THANK, UM, MY COUNCIL MEMBER, COLLEAGUES, OUR LABOR PARTNERS, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS, AND CITY STAFF, UH, WHO HELPED MOVE THIS EFFORT FORWARD.
THE PERSISTENCE HELPED BRING THESE ORDINANCE TO THE, UM, TO WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
UM, AND ULTIMATELY OUR CITY THRIVES WHEN WORKERS WHO, WHO POWER, UM, WHOSE POWER, UM, WHO POWER OUR COMMUNITY, UM, WHO LIVE HERE, WHO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND, AND REINVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY, ARE SUPPORTED IN THE WAYS THAT THEY NEED TO BE.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.
SEVEN, UH, I'LL READ THEIR NAMES.
PLEASE COME FORWARD, UH, REVEREND JENNIFER TO TOFL.
UH, GRECIA LOPEZ, ANDRE ROMERO, ANDRE, ANDREA ROMERO.
ANDRE DONATO, ALL REVEREND, YOU'RE UP.
UM, A MINISTER IN COMMUNITY AT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND ALSO WORKING WITH THE FOLKS AT CLUE ALL TOURISM WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL IN BUILDING OUR THRIVING TOURISM INDUSTRY.
SO ALL TOURISM WORKERS DESERVE SUSTAINABLE WAGES TO LIVE AND THRIVE WHERE THEY WORK