* This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting. [00:10:23] ALL [00:10:23] RIGHT, [00:10:23] MADAM CLERK, LET'S CALL TO ORDER THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL. ROLL CALL PLEASE. COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS. PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. HERE. COUNCILWOMAN KERR. HERE. COUNCILWOMAN SORROW. PRESENT. COUNCILWOMAN THRASH OOK. PRESENT. [CALL TO ORDER] COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS OTI. HERE. MAYOR RICHARDSON. I AM HERE. WE HAVE A QUORUM. THANK YOU. WE'RE GONNA ASK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH TOOK TO LEAD US IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. GOOD [ROLL CALL] EVENING. UH, BEFORE WE BEGIN TONIGHT'S MEETING, I'D LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE. AS WE DO SO, LET'S REFLECT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF STANDING WITH ALL FAMILIES AND CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF STATUS. [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] LET US PAUSE AS A REMINDER THAT LONG BEACH IS A CITY THAT IS INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING. WE WILL NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR OUR DIVERSITY. NOW, I INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. IF YOU ARE ABLE, PLEASE STAND. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED. WE HAVE THREE PRESENTATIONS. WE'RE GONNA TAKE TWO RIGHT NOW. UM, UH, FIRST IS ON PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER MONTH, AND THEN WE'LL HAVE DISABILITY PRIDE. 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE A DA. UH, BOTH OF THESE PRESENTATIONS ARE FIVE MINUTES. WE'RE NOW GONNA, UH, INTRODUCE UP, UH, OUR, OUR, OUR DIRECTOR, BRENT DENNIS. THANK YOU MAYOR RICHARDSON. SO, YOU KNOW, EVERY YEAR, UH, [ PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER MONTH] DURING THE MONTH OF JULY, WE ARE PLEASED TO COME BEFORE YOU AND OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE WE JOINED THE NATIONAL CELEBRATION WHERE JULY IS PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER MONTH. AND WE, WE MODIFIED IT TO SAY, PARKS MAKE LB FOR LONG BEACH. SO WE DO BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE. SO WE HAVE, UM, ACTUALLY THE LONG BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER WHO WE'RE FORTUNATE DURING THE SUMMER TO HAVE JOINED OUR TEAM AS A RECREATION SUPERVISOR. AND HER NAME IS DAPHNE. AND SHE ACTUALLY HAS PUT TOGETHER THIS VERY CREATIVE PRESENTATION TO REMIND YOU AND THE COMMUNITY OF ALL THE THINGS WE DO TO MAKE LIFE FUN. AND DO I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING? OH, NO. OUR TECH AND INNOVATION TEAM IS, OH, LOADING IT UP. H IS MORE THAN A CITY. IT'S A COMMUNITY BROUGHT TOGETHER BY OUR PARKS, RECREATION PROGRAMS, MARINE SPACES, AND ANIMAL SERVICES. FROM HUNDREDS OF RECREATION CLASSES, PROGRAMS, AND TO EXCITING SPECIAL EVENTS. WE PROVIDE NONSTOP FUN TO LONG BEACH RESIDENTS ALL YEAR ROUND. OUR PARKS ARE KIDS' PLAYGROUNDS FOR THEIR IMAGINATION AND GROWTH. WHETHER IT'S PLAYING SPORTS, RUNNING THROUGH THE OUTDOORS, THESE SPACES FOSTER THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH WHILE CREATING MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME. OUR SENIOR PROGRAMS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR OLDER ADULTS. OUR MULTIPLE SENIOR CENTER LOCATIONS PROVIDE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITH ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES SUCH AS CLUBS, MEALS, AND WORKSHOPS. THE LONG BEACH MARINE BUREAU MANAGES MORE THAN 3,300 SLIPS IN OUR THREE MARINAS. A THRIVING HARBOR THAT PROVIDES MANY ENJOYABLE WATER ACTIVITIES. NEARLY 11 MILES OF RECREATIONAL BEACH AND THE LIST GOES ON. LONG BEACH ANIMAL CARE SERVICES SUPPORT THE PEOPLE AND ANIMALS OF OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH, EDUCATION, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT SERVICES. WE PROTECT SHELTER ANIMALS BY CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT OF CARE THROUGH [00:15:01] ENRICHMENT AND INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. LONG BEACH PARKS, RECREATION, MARINE AND ANIMAL SERVICES HAVE A POWERFUL AND LASTING IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITIES PROMOTING CONNECTION AND ENGAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. NOW, LET ME ASK YOU, WHICH WILL YOU TRY FIRST? A PARK TRAIL, A STROLL ON A BEACH OR THE PUPPY ADOPTION EVENT. PARKS MAKE LONG BEACH. ALRIGHT, SO ON, ON BEHALF OF OUR OVER 1000 TEAM MEMBERS HERE THAT ARE BUS, VERY BUSY MAKING IT A FANTASTIC SUMMER. WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT, BUT ALSO THE SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE THE PORT OF LONG BEACH, UH, CIGNA HILL PETROLEUM, THE PARTNERS OF PARKS. JUST A LOT OF COMMUNITY MINDED, UH, ORGANIZATIONS OF BUSINESSES HELP MAKE ALL THIS HAPPEN. SO AGAIN, HAVE A GREAT SUMMER AND THANKS SO MUCH. HANG ON. DENNIS BRENT. HANG ON JUST A MOMENT. BRENT PARKS MAKE LIFE BETTER, RIGHT? PARKS MAKE LB. LOVE IT. UH, BUT YOU'VE MADE PARKS BETTER, BRENT DENNIS HAS MADE, UH, LIFE BETTER. AND I HEAR YOU HAVE SOME NEWS. YES, I DO. SO, UM, I GUESS I'LL SHARE IT. SO AFTER, UM, 40 , I'M GONNA GET EMOTIONAL. UH, AFTER 47 YEARS OF DOING GOOD WORK, LIKE PARKS AND RECREATION, PUBLIC GARDENS, UM, I'VE DECIDED TO RETIRE. MM-HMM . SO SEPTEMBER 7TH WILL BE MY RETIREMENT DATE, BUT THE NEXT THREE WEEKS WILL BE MIXED EMOTIONS. SO IT'S BEEN A, A PLEASURE. I KNOW I TOLD TOM THAT FOR MY WHOLE CAREER JOURNEY MM-HMM . UH, CERTAINLY THE FIVE YEARS HERE IN LONG BEACH HAVE BEEN THE, THE EXCLAMATION MARK OF MY CAREER. SO, ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. WELL, WE HAVE A COUPLE MONTHS TO CELEBRATE YOU AND YOUR INCREDIBLE LEGACY. WE, WE GOT THE NEWS, I THINK, UH, YESTERDAY. UH, WE KNOW IT'S OUT THERE. WE'RE ALREADY GETTING, UH, CONTACTED ABOUT IT. YOU'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY IN LONG BEACH, AND WE HAVE A GREAT PARKS DEPARTMENT AND, AND, UH, WE LOOK FORWARD TO, UH, HIGHLIGHTING THE WAYS THAT YOU'VE CONTINUED TO, UM, JUST MAKE OUR PARKS SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY. SO, UH, THANK YOU AND TO YOUR ENTIRE DEPARTMENT. LET'S HEAR IT. FOR PARKS, RECREATION, MARINE AND DIRECTOR. UM, BRENT DENNIS. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL GO TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ZENDEJAS FOR DISABILITY PRIDE AND 30TH FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF A DA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN, UM, DIRECTOR BRENT DENNIS, CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE, NOT ONLY IN MY DISTRICT, 'CAUSE I KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE'VE DONE A LOT IN MY [ DISABILITY PRIDE & 35TH ADA ANNIVERSARY PRESENTATION ] DISTRICT, BUT CITYWIDE, UM, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED AND WE WILL MISS YOU, BUT YOUR LEGACY WILL LIVE ON WITH THROUGH US. SO, THANK YOU . UM, YES. TODAY IS, UM, JULY AND BACK. IN JULY OF 2023, I INTRODUCED AN ITEM WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, DUGGAN AND KER TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE EVERY JULY AS DISABILITY PRIDE AND EMPOWERMENT MONTH HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. THIS RECOGNITION UPLIFTS AND CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISABILITY ADVOCATES WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIVES TO ENSURE BETTER WORKING AND LIVING CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THREE, LONG BEACH DISTRICT ONE WARRIORS HAVE BEEN CINDY SOTO, BEN ROCKWELL, AND FRANCIS DAWSON, WHO I'M SURE, UM, RINGS A BELL. BELL IN EVERYONE'S HERE. THEY'VE BEEN GREAT ADVOCATES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, MANY, MANY YEARS. FOR YEARS THEY HAVE CARRIED THIS WORK, AND IT'S UP TO THE NEXT GENERATION TO CONTINUE THEIR LEGACY. MY VISION FOR LONG BEACH IS FOR US TO BECOME THE MOST ACCESSIBLE CITY IN THE NATION WHERE EVERYONE CAN NAVIGATE OUR STREETS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES WITH EASE ACCESS. I WANT TO THANK OUR MAYOR, MY COLLEAGUES AND CITY MANAGER, AND ALL OF THE STAFF THAT HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO GET US THERE AND FOR UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL THAT IS THE SPIRIT IN WHICH WE CELEBRATE DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH HERE IN LONG BEACH. [00:20:01] SO IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I BRING THIS PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OH, THANK YOU. DISABILITY PRIDE AND EMPOWERMENT COMMEMORATES THE PASSAGE OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT THAT WAS SIGNED ON JULY 26TH, 1990. THIS DAY WAS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CIVIL RIGHTS VICTORIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE US HISTORY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH WAS ESTABLISHED NATIONALLY IN 2015 WITH CELEBRATIONS AND PARADES ALL ACROSS THE NATION. THIS CELEBRATION EMPOWERS THE COMMUNITY AND SERVES AS A REMINDER THAT DISABILITY IS A NATURAL PART OF HUMAN DIVERSITY. HERE YOU CAN ALSO SEE THE DISABILITY PRIDE FLAG. I'LL COVER MORE DETAILS ON THAT IN LATER IN THE PRESENTATION. THE A DA PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT, PUBLIC SPACES, EDUCATION, AND MUCH MORE. THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES PUBLIC SPACES TO HAVE ACCESS THROUGH RAMPS LIKE TURNKEY DOMES OR CURB CUTS, A SL ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS AND MUCH, MUCH MORE. IN OTHER WORDS, I WOULD SAY THAT THE A DA GAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE LIFE FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE US LIVING WITH DISABILITIES. IT MADE A LIFE WITH DIGNITY, NOT ONLY POSSIBLE, BUT A HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHT. NEXT SLIDE. THANK YOU. AND IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE DIVERSITY OF DISABILITIES. RECOGNIZING DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH ALSO SERVES TO RAISE AWARENESS TO THE DIVERSITY OF DISABILITIES. THERE ARE BOTH VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE DISABILITIES. FOR THIS PURPOSE, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO SHARE THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY. DISABILITY ACCORDING TO THE C, D, C IS DEFINED AS ANY CONDITION OF THE BODY OR MIND THAT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR A PERSON WITH A CONDITION TO DO ANY CERTAIN ACTIVITY. FOR INSTANCE, FOLKS WHO USE MOBILITY DEVICES LIKE MYSELF HAVE VISIBLE DISABILITIES. THERE ARE ALSO FOLKS WHO HAVE INVISIBLE DISABILITIES, LIKE LEARNING DIFFERENCES, DIABETES, DEPRESSION, A DHD, OR OTHER CHRONIC ILLNESSES THAT DO NOT ALWAYS PRESENT THEMSELVES IN A PHYSICAL FORM. IN SHORT DISABILITIES FALL ON A SPECTRUM, AND EACH PERSON WITH A DISABILITY HAS THEIR OWN UNIQUE NEEDS. LONG BEACH LEADS, AS I MENTIONED, IN 2023, LONG BEACH DECLARED DISABILITY PRIDE AND EMPOWERMENT MONTH. TODAY, WE ARE REAFFIRMING OUR COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING FOR ALL RESIDENTS. WITH THAT COMMITMENT, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A MORE ACCESSIBLE CITY FOR ALL. LAST YEAR, WE RAISED THE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CITY'S HISTORY, THE DISABILITY PRIDE FLAG, WHICH IS SOARING RIGHT NOW OUTSIDE CITY HALL AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW. AND IT REAFFIRMS THE COMMITMENT TO DO SO EVERY SINGLE YEAR. EVERY COLOR ON THIS FLAG REPRESENTS A CERTAIN TYPE OF COLLECTIVE MOURNING AND RAGE FOR VICTIMS OF ABLEISM, VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. THAT'S WHAT THE CHARCOAL COLOR STANDS FOR. THE RED COLOR IN THE FLAG REPRESENTS PHYSICAL DISABILITIES. THE YELLOW REPRESENTS NEURODIVERSITY, WHITE REPRESENTS INVISIBLE DISABILITY, OR THOSE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN DIAGNOSED YET. BLUE REPRESENTS EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES. GREEN REPRESENTS SENSORY DISABILITIES SUCH AS DEAFNESS, BLINDNESS, OR PROCESSING DISORDERS. TO WRAP UP THIS PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE ACCESSIBILITY IS FOR ALL THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY IS THE ONLY [00:25:01] GROUP THAT ANYONE CAN JOIN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE OR DUE TO AGING. ENSURING ACCESSIBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, WITH DISABILITIES ALSO ENSURES FAMILIES WITH STROLLERS, SENIORS WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES, AND QUITE LITERALLY EVERYONE CAN NAVIGATE THEIR DAILY LIFE WITH DIGNITY. LASTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO CELEBRATE THE SIGNING OF THE A DA, UM, THIS SATURDAY, JULY 26TH, UM, HERE IN DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH. WE WILL BE, IT WILL BE A BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION OF THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE A DA. I HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE. YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE TO REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT. AND I HOPE THAT IF YOU'RE A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY, YOU CAN JOIN US. IF YOU'RE AN ALLY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, PLEASE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THIS VERY IMPORTANT DAY. WITH THAT SAID, I CONCLUDE THIS PRESENTATION AND JUST WANT TO END BY SAYING, HAPPY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH LONG BEACH. AND I WOULD, I NOW HAVE THE HONOR OF INVITING ONE OF MY FAVORITE COMMISSIONS. YES, I'M A LITTLE BIASED. UM, OUR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DISABILITY, OUR CHAIR, GRETCHEN, TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, GRETCHEN, FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER. UH, GOOD EVENING. UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON, UM, AND ESTEEMED CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, OUR ADVOCATES AND ALLIES TO OUR, UH, C COMMUNITIES OF DISABILITY. I'M PLEASED TO SHARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS YEAR'S INITIATIVES BY CAPE COD, WHICH ALSO STANDS FOR CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DISABILITY, ONE OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH'S OLDEST AND MOST I IMPACT, WE THINK MOST IMPACTFUL COMMISSIONS. OUR WORK CONTINUES TO REFLECT A DEEP COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING ACCESS, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ACROSS OUR CITY. IN HONOR OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITY ACT, I AM HERE TO LIFT UP THE SUCCESS OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES LAST YEAR, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU, K COD SECURED A ONE-TIME FUNDING, UH, ONE TIME FUNDING DOLLARS, UH, IN THE FY 25 BUDGET TO CONDUCT A DISABILITY DATA AND COMMUNITY SURVEY, WHICH WILL RESULT IN THE CITY'S FIRST EVER STATE OF DISABILITY REPORT. THIS WORK IS CRUCIAL FOR US AND, AND FOR YOU AS LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN LONG BEACH. WE HAVE CAREFULLY DESIGNED THIS EFFORT TO ENSURE THE VOICES OF OUR DIVERSE DISABILITY COMMUNITIES ARE HEARD. AND WE ARE JUST WEEKS AWAY FROM LAUNCHING THIS CITYWIDE SURVEY. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO PARTNER WITH US TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN YOUR NETWORKS ARE INCLUDED. LONG BEACH IS UNDERGOING A SHIFT BEYOND JUST BUILDING RAMPS TO ENSURING THAT RAMPS LEAD SOMEWHERE TO INCLUSIVE, ACCESSIVE ACCESSIBLE AND WELCOMING SPACES. THIS SHIFT SYMBOLIZES REAL PROGRESS. HOWEVER, IT ALSO COMES AT A TIME WHEN MANY OF OUR DISABILITY COMMUNITIES FACE UNPRECEDENTED THREATS, INCLUDING CUTS TO CRITICAL PROGRAMS LIKE MEDICAID AND SNAP. THAT'S WHERE IT ALL STARTS. THESE CHANGES DEMAND INNOVATIVE THINKING AND COLLECTIVE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND. THROUGH STEADFAST ADVOCACY EDUCATION, ENG ENGAGEMENT, CAPE COD REMAINS A VITAL FORCE IN ENSURING THAT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND A VOICE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY. OUR MISSION IS TO DISMANTLE SYSTEMS, UH, AND SY SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT CREATE, UM, ADVERSITY AND CREATE A LONG BEACH WHERE RESIDENTS HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THEY NEED TO LIVE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO EXPLORE THE IMPORTANT WORK OF K CO AND JOIN US IN FOSTERING A MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY. AND IN CLOSING, I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO OUR CURRENT AND OUR PAST COMMISSIONERS. THEIR DEDICATION, SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE LONG BEACH FOR ALL. [00:30:01] THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, GRETCHEN. I KNOW THAT MAYOR HAS A, A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU. UM, BUT BEFORE WE, UM, PRESENT THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MY COLLEAGUE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER THRESH INTO TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS. I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS, UH, MATTER FORWARD. UM, IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE A MOMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE DISABILITY, UM, AWARENESS MONTH. UM, AND THANK YOU ALSO FOR HIGHLIGHTING NOT ONLY THE VISIBLE BUT THE INVISIBLE, UH, DISABILITIES AS WELL AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AND HELPING EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY CAN BE AN ALLY IN THE PROCESS. SO, JUST GLAD AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT YOUR EVENT COMING UP THIS WEEK SO THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO COMMEMORATE AGAIN THE A DA, UM, AND GLAD THAT LONG BEACH IS A PLACE WHERE WE ARE INCLUSIVE OF ALL. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, GRETCHEN TO YOU AND KCO AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. COUNCILWOMAN ZENDEJAS, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. IF YOU CAN COME, UH, BEHIND THE, THE ROPES, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR YOU. ALL RIGHT, WELL, THANK YOU. NEXT UP, JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL IS IN THE HOUSE. WOO WOO. THAT'S RIGHT. UH, WE'RE GONNA PASS IT ON TO, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER X OIE TO RECOGNIZE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL ESPORTS, UH, TEAM RECOGNITION. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UH, THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. AND THANK YOU TO THE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL ESPORTS TEAM FOR JOINING [ JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL E-SPORTS TEAM RECOGNITION ] US TODAY. UM, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAVE STUDENTS, AIDEN FUENTES, PHILLIP RODRIGUEZ, DANIEL PITA, LUIS AVILA, AS WELL AS THEIR COACHES, AMANDA CHAVEZ AND MARIO VAZQUEZ JOINING US TODAY. UM, AND SO TODAY, REALLY, I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRA CONGRATULATE THE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL ESPORTS TEAM ON AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT, WHICH IS WINNING THE LONG BEACH UNIFIED ESPORTS TOURNAMENT IN THEIR VERY FIRST SEASON. UH, TO SAY THIS IS IMPRESSIVE WILL BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. COMPETING IN A NEW AND RAPIDLY GROWING SPACE LIKE ESPORTS TAKES FOCUS, DISCIPLINE, AND TEAMWORK. AND THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS ROSE TO THE OCCASION AND MADE NORTH LONG BEACH PROUD. UH, AS THE COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTING JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL AND THE PATH AND THE PANTHER COMMUNITY, I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED TO SEE OUR STUDENTS LEADING THE WAY, NOT JUST IN ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS, BUT IN, IN EMERGING FIELDS LIKE ESPORTS THAT ARE SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND CAREERS. THIS TEAM'S SUCCESS AS THEIR DEBUT SEASON IS A CLEAR REMINDER THAT WHEN OUR STUDENTS ARE GIVEN THE RIGHT TOOLS, MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT, THEY CAN AND WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE. SO AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PLAYERS AND THE COACHES AND THE ENTIRE JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY, AND YOU ALL ARE GONNA GIVE US A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION ON YOUR INAUGURAL SEASON. THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO. I'M GONNA, UH, KIND OF CUT IT. THAT WAS MADE BY SOME STUDENTS, UM, IT THROUGH OUR JMAC PATHWAY. SO THEY TOOK FOOTAGE. THIS IS OUR STUDENTS GETTING READY TO SUPPORT US. WE HAD MEMBERS OF OUR BAND THERE, OUR CHEERLEADERS, UH, OUR ADMINISTRATION, OUR PATHWAY SUPPORT LEADERS. ALL OF THIS IS STUDENT RUN, UH, STUDENT CREATED, STUDENT LED. SO WE HAVE SOME BEHIND THE SCENES FOOTAGE FOR YOU TO ENJOY FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN I'LL TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM. OKAY. SO THIS IS, UH, THROUGH LOLLIPOP LABS. THEY'RE OUR HOST, UM, THEY HOST THE TOURNAMENT, UH, IT WAS HOSTED AT MILLIKEN, AND IT'LL BE HOSTED AT JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL NEXT YEAR IN THE AUDITORIUM. SO THEY BRING [00:35:01] IN A PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION COMPANY, PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCERS, SO THE STUDENTS REALLY GET, UM, TO FEEL ON STAGE LIKE THEY'RE AT A WORLDWIDE TOURNAMENT. SO THE WAY THAT THEY RENT OUT, LET'S SAY, THE STAPLE CENTER OR FORMER STAPLE CENTER, UH, CRYPTO.COM ARENA FOR LEAGUE OF LEGENDS TOURNAMENTS, WE GET TO RENT OUT THE SCHOOL, UM, AND HAVE THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS. SO INDIVIDUAL COMPUTER SCREENS, EVERYTHING IS BROADCAST, UM, ON THE SCREEN FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE AUDIENCE TO SHARE. AND ADDITIONALLY, WE LIVE STREAMED THE ENTIRE EVENT, AND THEY TOLD US IT WAS THEIR LARGEST VIRTUAL AUDIENCE YET. SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE THE PROGRAM GROW. UM, MOVE ON FROM THIS JUST A LITTLE BIT. THERE ARE SOME PHOTOS OF ALL OF US, UH, KIND OF IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR FINALS GAME THERE AT MILLIKEN HIGH SCHOOL. UM, AND THEN THIS IS LONG BEACH E ESPORTS, SPONSORED BY LOLLIPOP LABS AND, UM, THE CITY AND EVERYTHING. SIX WEEK PROGRAMS, EIGHT HIGH SCHOOLS WERE, UH, COMPETING 160 STUDENTS ACROSS ALL OF THE GRADES. UM, AND THE TOP TEAM FROM EACH SCHOOL ENTERED PLAYOFFS. SO THIS IS OUR TEAM BEHIND ME. UH, THEY GET TWO FREE ONLINE COLLEGE COURSES OFFERED FOUR COLLEGE CREDIT STUDENTS LEARN FROM SPEAKERS AND GAMING AND STEAM COMPANIES. SO THEY PLAY EACH OTHER ON WEDNESDAYS. AND ON MONDAYS WE HAD A SPEAKER SERIES WHERE THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT, UM, THE PROCESS AND WHAT GOES INTO THIS. UM, I EVENT IN GENERAL, UM, ESPORTS ATTRACTS STUDENTS A A LOT WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO OR CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN TRADITIONAL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. UM, SO IT STILL GIVES THEM A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PURPOSE, JUST THROUGH A DIFFERENT OUTLET. UM, AND THE US BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS ANTICIPATES THAT JOBS IN STEAM FIELDS WILL GROW BY 10%, UM, UP TO 20 TO 30, WHICH IS FASTER THAN MOST OCCUPATIONS. SO A LOT OF, UH, A LOT OF WHAT GOES INTO BEING A SUCCESSFUL MEMBER OF AN ESPORTS TEAM, ESPECIALLY ONE THAT DOES FIND THAT SUCCESS, UM, IS, YOU KNOW, COLLABORATION. OUR BOYS DO AN EXCELLENT JOB OF COMMUNICATING IN THE MOMENT AND ADJUSTING AS THEY GO THROUGH STRATEGIC THINKING, THINKING AHEAD, PROBLEM SOLVING, TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO USE THE MATERIALS IN ORDER TO PLAY CREATIVITY AND ADAPTABILITY. UM, AND IT JUST HELPS THEM BE MORE ENGAGED WITH SCHOOL, BE MORE ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER, AND IT IMPROVES THEIR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. BECAUSE LIKE NEXT YEAR WE WILL BE CIF ELIGIBLE AND WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THAT GPA AND YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN, UM, EVERY, YOUR ACADEMICS. IT'S SCHOOL FIRST, ESPORTS SECOND. UM, AND THEN, SO LAST YEAR WE WERE ROCKET LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. NEXT YEAR WE WERE GOING TO PLAY, UH, ROCKET LEAGUE, MARVEL RIVALS AND VALANT, UM, IN CIF AS WELL. WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF, UM, A COUPLE OF TEAMS. SO WE'RE RAPIDLY GROWING. AND THEN THIS IS A PICTURE OF THEM WITH OUR BANNER THAT WE GET TO DISPLAY OUTSIDE OUR TROPHY THAT IS PROUDLY DISPLAYED RIGHT NOW IN THE AUDITORIUM. IT'S GOING TO BE IN OUR NEW LAB THAT'S OPENING UP AT THE BACK OF CAMPUS. WE'RE SUPER EXCITED FOR THAT. YOU'RE FIVE MINUTES HAS EXPIRED. IF YOU CAN WRAP UP OUR COMMENTS. THAT'S IT. PERFECT. YEAH. THANK YOU UHHUH. . THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. ALRIGHT. WELL, YOU KNOW, JORDAN, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL, I'LL TELL YOU. YOU KEEP FINDING NEW WAYS TO, UH, UH, MAKE US PROUD HERE, HERE, HERE, UH, IN LONG BEACH. THANK YOU. WHEN I WAS A KID PLAYING VIDEO GAMES OR ESPORTS WAS SOMETHING YOU DID THAT WASN'T A PART OF SCHOOL. MM-HMM . AND YOU ALL HAVE FIGURED OUT HOW TO TAKE THE THING THAT WE USED TO LIMIT AND IT TO AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE WAY TO WAY TO NEGOTIATE. I MEAN, THAT, THAT'S A WAY TO NEGOTIATE WITH YOUR PARENTS. THERE. GOOD STUFF. THE GAMES YOU'RE PLAYING VERY DIFFERENT. YOU KNOW, I WAS PLAYING MEGA MAN AND SUPER METRO CONTRA. YEP. AFTERBURNER SPACE HARRIER KIND OF GAMES THAT I WOULD PLAY. BUT YOU ALL WOULD PLAY. YOU'RE DATING YOURSELF THERE. YOU'RE DATING YOURSELF. I'M DATING MYSELF. I'M DI YOU GUYS ARE PLAYING MARVEL RIVALS, RIGHT? MM-HMM . I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT'S PRETTY INCREDIBLE. THAT'S GONNA BE FUN. UH, SO CONGRATULATIONS, COUNCIL MEMBER CURRY, ANYTHING. THANK YOU. YEAH, YOU CAN GO PRACTICE WITH THEM. THE MARVEL RIVALS. IF I, YOU'RE WELCOME. ONLY HAD TIME. I KNOW. UH, JUST CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE JORDAN COMMUNITY. UM, IT WAS AN HONOR TO REPRESENT THAT AREA ON THE SCHOOL BOARD FOR EIGHT YEARS. YOU NEVER STOPPED MAKING US PROUD ALL OVER THE CITY. UM, I LOVE THAT IT WAS AT MILLIKEN THIS YEAR, AND I LOVE EVEN MORE THAT IT'S GOING BACK TO THAT AMAZING AUDITORIUM AT JORDAN. THERE'S SO MUCH GOOD THINGS HAPPENING, UH, THAT HAVE BEEN BUILT ON, INCLUDING THE CULMINATION OF A NEW FOOTBALL FIELD BEING THE RIBBON CUT, I BELIEVE ON AUGUST 16TH. IF ANYBODY IS AROUND AND WANTS TO SEE THE BLUEST FOOTBALL FIELD IN THE CITY AND IN THE REGION, UH, WE'D LOVE YOU TO COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIS INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THANK YOU. UH, MAYOR, CAN I ASK IT ONE MORE TIME IF YOU JOIN ME DOWN THERE JUST FOR A PHOTO WITH THE STUDENTS, A PHOTO? SURE. YEAH. [00:40:29] THANK YOU FOR COMING. THIS IS FANTASTIC. OKAY. 3, 2, 1. PERFECT. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. LET'S HA LET'S TAKE UP CONSENT CALENDAR, PLEASE. OKAY. IT'S BEEN MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND ON CONSENT? OKAY. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. WE HAVE MEMBER ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. CARLOS, [CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 48.)] GOOD EVENING. REGARDING ITEM NUMBER ONE ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, UH, ABOUT, UH, MAYOR REX RICHARDSON'S VISIT TO FLORIDA AND LATER TO WASHINGTON. I, UM, WOULD HOPE MAYOR RICHARDSON, UH, HIS TRAVELS TO FLORIDA, UH, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK STRONGLY AGAINST ALLIGATOR SA FACILITY THAT PRETENDS TO BE A DETENTION CENTER, BUT IS FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES, A CRUEL CONCENTRATION CAMP, UH, OPPOSED BY MAJORITY OF AMERICAS, INCLUDING THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN, UH, SOUTHERN FLORIDA. I SUSPECT NOT BECAUSE IN 2021, MAYOR RICHARDSON AND MANY OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HERE PRESENT DID NOT TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AGAINST MAYOR GARCIA'S CREATION OF A DETENTION FACILITY FOR CHILDREN SEPARATED AT THE BORDER BY BIDEN AND TRUMP. THE DETENTION CENTER FOR PEOPLE SEPARATED FROM FAMILIES FOR THE CRIME OF SEARCHING FOR A BETTER LIFE IS NOT A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. IT, IT IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. A DETENTION CENTER FOR CHILDREN SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES IS NOT A HUMANITARIAN SHELTER. IT IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY. I HOPE THAT, UH, UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON'S MOVE TO, UH, BE IN SOLIDARITY WITH, UH, UH, IMMIGRANTS, UH, HELD, UM, UH, BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ALL ITS AGENCIES, UH, IS, UH, PUNCTUATED BY, UH, AN OPPOSITION TO THE LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OTHER CITY AGENCIES COOPERATING WITH ICE, UH, WITH, UH, UH, THE BORDER PATROL AND WITH SIMILAR ENTITIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. ITEM 50, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FOR MAYOR RICHARDSON. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, RECOMMENDATION TO DIRECT CITY MANAGER IN COLLABORATION WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, PARKS, RECREATION, AND MARINE AND OTHER RELEVANT CITY DEPARTMENTS TO WORK WITH CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LONG BEACH, THE LONG BEACH BASEBALL CLUB, INC. AND OTHER KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR [50. 25-55849 Recommendation to direct City Manager, in collaboration with Economic Development, Parks, Recreation and Marine, and other relevant city departments, to work with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), the Long Beach Baseball Club, Inc. (LBBC) and other key stakeholders to explore opportunities to develop a collaborative partnership agreement for the use of Blair Field as a home venue for a new professional baseball team for the City of Long Beach, and report back to the City Council.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor; Kristina Duggan, Councilmember, Third District         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] THE USE OF BLAIR FIELD AS A HOME VENUE FOR A NEW PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AND REPORT BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL. ALRIGHT, UH, THANK YOU. IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR EFFORTS TO, UH, GROW OUR CITY'S ECONOMY AND GROW LONG BEACH, WE'VE BEEN EXPLORING OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND SPORT OFFERINGS AND HONOR LONG BEACH'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE WORLD OF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, ESPECIALLY AS WE PREPARE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO HOST THE WORLD WITH THE PARALYMPIC GAMES, OLYMPIC GAMES AND OTHERS. SO RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO BRING PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL BACK TO LONG BEACH. WE HAVE A HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL, AND NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THAT BACK. THE LONG BEACH BASEBALL CLUB. A NEW INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING TO ESTABLISH A NEW PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM THAT'S SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO LONG BEACH [00:45:01] AND OUR UNIQUE LOCAL COMMUNITY. SO THIS ISN'T SHIFTING A TEAM FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE TO HERE. IT'S CREATING A BRAND NEW PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM FOR LONG BEACH. UH, THIS EFFORT HAS A POTENTIAL TO INVIGORATE LOCAL PRIDE AMONGST OUR RESIDENTS. FOSTER COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, STIMULATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR THE GREATER LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. BLAIR FIELD IS A CITY OWNED ASSET THAT HOSTS CAL STATE LONG BEACH'S BASEBALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A DE AS AN IDEAL VENUE FOR THIS PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM FOR ITS RICH HISTORY. IT'S, UH, AND ALSO AS PREVIOUS HOME VEN VENUE FOR PREVIOUS INDEPENDENT PROFESSIONAL TEAMS. ITS AMENITIES, ITS CENTRAL LOCATION FOR THE CITY AND ITS POTENTIAL TO BE A GOOD COMPLIMENT TO LONG BEACH STATE'S PROGRAM. SO THIS ITEM DIRECTS STAFF AND KEY CITY DEPARTMENTS TO WORK WITH CAL STATE LONG BEACH AND LONG BEACH BASEBALL CLUB TO DEVELOP A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF BLAIR BLAIR FIELD AS A HOME VENUE FOR THIS NEW PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM IN LONG BEACH. BY HELPING FACILITATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF BLAIR FIELD, THE CITY CAN HELP TO IDENTIFY, MITIGATE POTENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS, UH, PRESERVE DESIGNATED PUBLIC ACCESS DAYS TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, THE USE OF BLAIR FIELD, ENSURE THE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTS A VIBRANT AND RESPONSIBLE GROWTH OF LONG BEACH SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT LANDSCAPE, AND HELP, UH, GENERATE THE KIND OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO HELP ULTIMATELY INVEST IN RESTORE BLA BLAIR FIELD TO ITS GLORY. SO THAT'S WHAT THIS MOTION DOES AND I'M PROUD TO BRING THIS FORWARD TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND ASK FOR THEIR SUPPORT. COUNCIL MEMBER, DUGGAN'S BEEN A, UH, A BIG ADVOCATE FOR THIS AND, UM, AND BEING A PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS. SO I WANNA INVITE IN COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN AS THE MA MAKER OF THE MOTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. THIS IS AN EXCITING PROSPECT BECAUSE BLAIR FIELD IS A CHERISHED CITY ASSET IN THE THIRD DISTRICT AND PROUDLY THE HOME OF C-S-U-L-B, DIRTBAGS BASEBALL. SO I'VE BEEN TALKING WITH, UH, C-S-U-L-B FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS ABOUT BLAIR FIELD, AND I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF BRINGING A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM TO BLAIR FIELD, AS THE MAYOR SAID, UH, IN PARTNERSHIP, WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE THEIR SCHEDULES WORK. THEY'RE BRINGING NEW ENERGY, NEW RESOURCES AND ENTERTAINMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AHEAD. SEVERAL RESIDENTS REACH OUT AND TALK ABOUT THIS AS A FAMILY OUTING. UM, THAT'S A GREAT POSSIBILITY. SO I MET WITH LONG BEACH BASEBALL CLUB SEVERAL TIMES, AND WITH THE CITY INVOLVED IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE AN AGREEMENT THAT REALLY WORKS FOR EVERYONE, THE UNIVERSITY, THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE BROADER LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. SO IT'S AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY THAT I'M REALLY HAPPY TO SUPPORT MOVING IT FORWARD. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. UH, LET'S SEE. COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW. YES. VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT A BIG CITY MAYOR UNLESS YOU HAVE A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM. SO, UM, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO REALLY CONTINUE TO ELEVATE THE TALENT WE HAVE IN OUR CITY. I MEAN, RIGHT NEXT TO BLAIR FIELD IS THE BILLIE JEAN TENNIS, UH, COURTS. AND SO IT'S A GREAT SPORTS CORRIDOR THAT WE CAN IMPROVE AND ATTRACT, UH, TOURISM AND ACTIVITIES. SO VERY HAPPY TO SUPPORT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CARR? YES. UH, THANK YOU. THIS IS REALLY EXCITING NEWS. I ALWAYS, UH, HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH, UM, THIS GROUP, UH, VERY EARLY ON IN THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS. I AM A SEASON TICKET HOLDER AT BLAIR FIELD FOR THE DIRT BAGS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. UM, IN FACT, TWO OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, UH, WHO WERE IN COLLEGE JUST GOT DRAFTED BY THE RED SOX IN THE LAST DRAFT. WE HAVE AN AMAZING HISTORY OF BASEBALL HERE IN THIS CITY. UM, AND TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT ARE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL FOR THE UNIVERSITY, FOR BLAIR FIELD, FOR ATHLETES THAT WILL BE WHOLEHEARTEDLY EMBRACED IN THIS CITY. UM, I'M EXCITED AT THE PROSPECTS OF WHAT TO COME. AND SO, LOOKING FORWARD, I KNOW WE'VE GOT A COUPLE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON IT, AND I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO'S RALLYING AROUND THIS IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WAY TO HAVE A GROUNDSWELL OF SUPPORT AS WE MOVE FORWARD. SO THANK YOU. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. BRIAN CARMEL AND CHASE, DR. NOD. THANK YOU MARY RICHARDSON. AND, UH, ESTEEMED COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CHAMBER. MY NAME'S BRIAN CARMEL. I AM THE CO-FOUNDER OF THE OAKLAND BALLERS, WHICH IS AN INDEPENDENT BASEBALL TEAM IN OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA. I'M ALSO PART OF THIS OWNERSHIP GROUP THAT'S BRINGING A NEW BASEBALL, A NEW PRO BASEBALL TEAM HERE TO LONG BEACH. SO WHAT DOES A PRO BASEBALL TEAM IN OAKLAND HAVE TO DO WITH BRINGING A NEW PRO BASEBALL TEAM TO LONG BEACH? I'M GONNA GIVE YOU THE VERY QUICK ABRIDGE VERSION. GREW UP IN THE EAST BAY IN NORCAL. WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL [00:50:01] IN OAKLAND. I'M A LIFELONG OAKLAND SPORTS FAN. AND THEN IN 2023, CATASTROPHE HIT OAKLAND SPORTS. THE RAIDERS HAD LEFT. THE WARRIORS MOVED ACROSS TOWN TO SAN FRANCISCO, AND THEN THE A'S DECIDED THAT THEY WERE GOING TO MOVE TO LAS VEGAS BY WAY OF SACRAMENTO. APPARENTLY, BASICALLY OAKLAND SPORTS FANS FELT LIKE WE HAD, HAD OUR HEARTS RIPPED FROM OUR CHEST. WE'D LOST THREE TEAMS IN FIVE YEARS. AND WE WERE WONDERING, WHAT DOES THIS SAY ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY? SO THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO START A NEW PRO BASEBALL TEAM WITH MY BUDDY FROM HIGH SCHOOL. UH, THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WE HAD NO CLUE HOW TO DO IT. WE HAD NO BASEBALL EXPERIENCE, BUT WE WERE VERY DETERMINED AND OUR PLAYBOOK WAS REALLY SIMPLE. JUST BUILD A TEAM BASED ON OUR VALUES. SO I WANNA TELL YOU ALL WHAT OUR VALUES ARE. ONE, THE MAGIC OF SPORTS IS BRINGING DIVERSE COMMUNITIES TOGETHER FOR SHARED JOY. TWO, DON'T BUILD ON TOP OF A COMMUNITY. BUILD WITH A COMMUNITY, BUILD WITH RADICAL PARTICIPATION FROM COMMUNITY AT EVERY LEVEL. THREE, BUILD IN PUBLIC AND BUILD TRANSPARENTLY. AND FINALLY, CENTER THE FANS IN EVERYTHING YOU DO. BECAUSE WE THINK THE REAL VALUE OF A SPORTS TEAM IS THE FANS IN OAKLAND. IN YEAR ONE, WE SOLD 13,000 HATS. WE WELCOMED A HUNDRED THOUSAND FANS TO A BALLPARK THAT WE HAD BUILT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND THE COMMUNITY IN A MATTER OF MONTHS. WE MADE THE PLAYOFFS IN OUR FIRST SEASON, WE GOT FOUR PLAYERS SIGNED TO MLB TEAMS. UH, WE HAD 33 PEOPLE, I BELIEVE, GET BALLERS TATTOOS ON THEIR BODY, WHICH WAS A LITTLE SCARY. AND, YOU KNOW, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE BUILT STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH NEIGHBORS, WITH LOCAL, SMALL BUSINESSES, WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND WITH THE CITY. AND THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WERE NOW STARTING TO SEE YIELD FRUIT THAT'S GONNA ENDURE FOR, FOR, YOU KNOW, FOR DECADES, IF NOT LONGER. ALONG THE WAY, I THINK WE DISCOVERED THAT WE HAD DEVELOPED A NEW MODEL FOR BUILDING A SPORTS TEAM THAT'S GROUNDED IN COMMUNITY VALUES. AND SO WHEN WE DECIDED THAT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD REPLICATE, THE FIRST PLACE THAT WE THOUGHT OF WAS LONG BEACH. OKAY, SO WHY LONG BEACH? WHY IS LONG BEACH THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT COMMUNITY FOR THIS? LIKE OAKLAND LONG BEACH IS A CITY WITH A A BIT OF A CHIP ON ITS SHOULDER, RIGHT? IT'S A LITTLE BIT IN THE SHADOW OF ANOTHER BIG CITY THAT I'M NOT GONNA NAME. UM, IT'S HARDWORKING FOLKS WHO ALWAYS SHOW UP FOR EACH OTHER AND FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND IT'S A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE TAKE LONG BEACH WITH THEM WHEREVER THEY GO. THEY TAKE IT ON THEIR HATS, THEY TAKE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. SO FOR US, THE RECIPE, YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAD THE RECIPE AND IT FELT LIKE THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO TRY TO BRING THE SAME KIND OF APPROACH TO A PRO BASEBALL TEAM. YOUR TIME'S CONCLUDED AND MY TIME HAS CONCLUDED. CHASE . THANK YOU. BRING IT HOME, CHASE. HEY, HOW'S IT GOING? UM, SORRY. IF YOU CAN SMELL SUNSCREEN OFF OF ME. I JUST CAME STRAIGHT FROM ONE OF OUR YOUTH CAMPS. UM, WELL, GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS. UH, MY NAME IS CHASE AU. I'M A LONG BEACH NATIVE AND I PLAYED BASEBALL PROFESSIONALLY FOR 12 YEARS. UM, I WAS BLESSED TO BE A PART OF SIX MAJOR LEAGUE CLUBS. CURRENTLY, MY BROTHER TRAVIS IS A CATCHER WITH THE LOS ANGELES ANGELS. UH, TOGETHER WE RUN A BASEBALL DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS. WE SPECIALIZE IN YOUTH, MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL, ALL THE WAY THROUGH PRO. UM, HERE IN TOWN. UH, FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE DEVOTED OUR TIME TO HELPING LOCAL ATHLETES CHASE THEIR GOALS, BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD. SUMMERS IN LONG BEACH ARE PACKED WITH YOUTH BASEBALL FROM BRECK TRAVEL BALL TO ALL STARS. BUT ONCE ALL STARS ENDS BASEBALL HERE IN LONG BEACH, KIND OF COMES TO A STOP. THE DIRT BAGS ARE OUTTA SEASON AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT FOR LOCAL FAMILIES AND KIDS TO WATCH LIVE IN LONG BEACH. WHEN WE WERE KIDS, THAT'S WHEN BLAIR FIELD REALLY MEANT SOMETHING. UH, MY BROTHER AND I WOULD GO AND WATCH MINOR LEAGUE GAMES THERE. WE'D BRING OUR GLOVES, WE'D GET AUTOGRAPHS, WE'D TOSS THE BASEBALL AROUND BEHIND THE STANDS, AND WE'D PLAY WITH OTHER KIDS UNTIL IT GOT DARK. WE TRAINED THERE, WE DREAMED THERE. AND BLAIR KEPT BASEBALL ALIVE FOR US WHEN OUR SEASONS HAD ENDED. AND THAT'S WHY THIS OPPORTUNITY MAKES SO MUCH SENSE TO ME. LIKE BLAIR FIELD IS WHERE SERIOUS BASEBALL PLAYERS FROM THIS REGION GROW UP WANTING TO PLAY. IT'S ICONIC. IT'S WHERE THE GAME LIVES IN THE CITY, AND THIS NEW INDEPENDENT LEAGUE TEAM BELONGS THERE. IT'S HARD TO PICTURE THEM ANYWHERE ELSE. TRUTHFULLY, I'VE ALSO HAD THE CHANCE TO SEE HOW THIS OWNERSHIP GROUP IS APPROACHING THIS PROJECT, AND I'VE BEEN GENUINELY IMPRESSED. THEY'RE NOT JUST SHOWING UP TO DROP A TEAM IN TOWN. THEY'RE DOING THEIR RESEARCH, LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY, TRYING TO BUILD SOMETHING MEANINGFUL HERE. THEY'VE ALREADY PROVEN THAT THEY CAN DO IT. IN JUST LAST YEAR, AS BRIAN MENTIONED, THE OAKLAND BALLERS AND THAT TEAM, THEY'VE ALREADY EARNED SOME SERIOUS RESPECT THROUGHOUT THE BASEBALL WORLD AND THEY'RE MAKING WAVES. SO BRINGING HIGH LEVEL BASEBALL BACK HERE TO BLAIR FIELD THROUGH THE SUMMER GIVES OUR COMMUNITY SOMETHING SPECIAL. IT GIVES KIDS ROLE MODELS, IT BRINGS FAMILIES BACK TOGETHER AT THE BALLPARK, AND IT KEEPS THE DREAM ALIVE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. MM-HMM . WELL CHASE, UH, YOU KNOW, THANKS FOR REALLY NEVER LEAVING LONG BEACH AND MAKING YOUR COMMITMENT, UM, YOU KNOW, AFTER YOUR CAREER [00:55:01] COMING BACK AND CONTINUING TO INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE AND SIMILAR REGARDS TO YOUR BROTHER AND YOUR FATHER, YOUR WHOLE FAMILY. UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND, AND, UM, BRIAN, UH, SINCE YOU ALL CAME ON THE SCENE, I THINK YOU'VE BEEN VERY SINCERE ABOUT YOUR INTEREST AND REALLY REFLECTING THE COMMUNITY OF LONG BEACH. YOU WORKED REALLY, REALLY HARD. WE WOULDN'T HAVE BROUGHT THIS MOTION FORWARD TO ASK MORE PUBLICLY TO ENGAGE IN THIS IF THERE WASN'T A DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN YOU AND YOUR TEAM. UH, SO I WANNA ENCOURAGE YOU, UH, CAL STATE LONG BEACH, EVERYBODY COME TO THE TABLE AND GOOD FAITH, AND LET'S FIGURE OUT A WAY, UH, TO MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR OUR CITY BECAUSE, UH, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS THAT CAN COME OUT OF BRINGING MORE RECREATION, MORE SPORTS, MORE PRIDE, MORE INSPIRATION TO OUR CITY. AND I KNOW THAT BLAIR FIELD NEEDS A LITTLE BIT OF LOVE. WE ALL NEED TO STEP FORWARD AND TALK ABOUT WHAT IT'S GONNA REQUIRE TO IMPROVE WHAT BLAIR FIELD, TO BRING IT BACK TO ITS GLORY. BUT, BUT I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU AND LONG BEACH STATE THAT YOU ALL CAN COME TOGETHER AND MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND, AND WE'RE GIVING DIRECTION TO OUR STAFF NOW TO BE A PART OF THAT CONVERSATION, TO HELP, UM, RESPECTFULLY ENCOURAGE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS, UM, TO BEAR FRUIT. SO, THANKS A LOT. UH, THANKS, UH, TO THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANKS FOR THE COMMUNITY. FOR COMMENTS MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU BOTH. GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY. UM, WE'RE, I KNOW THERE'S A COUPLE ITEMS. WAIT UNTIL FIVE. WE GOT FOUR MINUTES, UH, BEFORE THAT HAPPENS. SO WE'RE GONNA BRING UP, UH, DR. JOHNNY, WHAT WAS YOUR ITEM? WHICH ONE? 51. 51. LET'S TAKE ITEM 51 QUICKLY. COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS OTI, COUNCILMAN SORO. COUNCILWOMAN THRESH TOOK RECOMMENDATION TO EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY AND OUTLINE THE PROCESS FOR IMPLEMENTING A PILOT CHILD WATCH PROGRAM DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS. A AND REPORT BACK IS REQUESTED IN 90 DAYS. ALRIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER OTTI. THANK [51. 25-55839 Recommendation to request City Manager to evaluate the feasibility and outline the process for implementing a pilot Child Watch Program during City Council meetings. A report back is requested in 90 days.       Office or Department: Joni Ricks-Oddie, Councilmember, Ninth District; Suely Saro, Councilwoman, Sixth District; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Councilwoman, Eighth District         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] YOU MAYOR. UH, GOOD EVENING MAYOR, COLLEAGUES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. UM, I'M PROUD TO BRING FORWARD AGENDA ITEM 51 THIS EVENING. ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES COUNCILWOMAN, DR. SULI SORROW AND COUNCILWOMAN UA THRASH TOOK, UM, WE, UH, WE AFFECTIONATELY CALL OURSELVES THE MOM CAUCUS, UH, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY MANAGER EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A CHILD WATCH SERVICE PROGRAM DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AND REPORT BACK IN 90 DAYS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES AND INCREASE CIVIC PARTICIPATION BY EXPLORING THE LAUNCH OF A CHILD WATCH SERVICE PROGRAM. DURING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS, THE IDEA IS TO PROVIDE SAFE CHILD WATCH SERVICE FOR CHILDREN WHILE THEIR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS ATTEND AND ENGAGE IN PUBLIC MEETINGS. THE INITIATIVE WAS ORIGINALLY, UM, LED BY FORMER COUNCILWOMAN JANINE PIERCE, WHO'S ACTUALLY IN THE AUDIENCE RIGHT NOW, UH, IN 2019, UM, AS WELL AS, UH, NOW MAYOR, UH, RICH RICHARDSON, ALONG WITH THEN COUNCILWOMAN COUNCILMAN ROBERTO ARANKA. THIS ITEM WITH UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THAT TIME, AND AIMED TO ESTABLISH THE CHILDCARE SERVICES DURING COUNCIL MEETINGS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND THE LOS ANGELES EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THE ONSET OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE PROGRAM WAS NEVER LAUNCHED. HOWEVER, THE NEED FOR THE SERVICES NOT GONE AWAY. THE PROPOSAL SUPPORTS THE CITY'S BROADER GOALS OF EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT. IT ALIGNS WITH THE FRAMEWORK FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION, WHICH CALLS ON US TO ELIMINATE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES. AND WITH THE 2030 STRATEGIC VISION, WHICH EN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF ENHANCING THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN AND UPLIFTING COMMUNITY VOICES, THE REALITY IS THAT MANY WORKING PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BUT FACE THE VERY REAL CHALLENGE OF SECURING CHILDCARE. WHETHER IT'S PUBLIC HEARING A COUNCIL VOTE, OR SIMPLY WANTING TO GIVE PUBLIC COMMENT. IF THERE'S NO CHILD WATCH CI, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IS OUT OF REACH FOR THEM. WHILE WE WELCOME CHILDREN AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AT MEETINGS, YOUR ABILITY TO FOCUS ON MEETINGS WHILE CAREGIVING FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IS QUITE DIFFICULT. AS A MOTHER OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND AND A CITY OFFICIAL MYSELF, I EXPERIENCED THE CHALLENGES OF NAVIGATING BOTH CAREGIVING AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. MY OFFICE STRIVES TO CREATE FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENTS, AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO MORE STRUCTURED MEETINGS LIKE MY STATE OF THE DISTRICT ADDRESSES AND TOWN HALLS. AS MANY OF YOU ALL KNOW, MY YOUNGEST CHILD WAS BORN DURING COVID. AS A MOM AND A CITY COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT IT'D BEEN LIKE TO NAVIGATE A BABY, A TODDLER WHILE ATTENDING EVENING MEETINGS DURING COVID. MY DAUGHTER CHLOE, OFTEN JOINED MOMMY IN MY VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND SOMETIMES EVEN MADE A LITTLE CAMEO. THE FLEXIBILITY AND EASE OF NOT HAVING TO FIND CHILDCARE MADE SERVICE TO MY COMMUNITY SO MUCH EASIER. WHILE WE WERE NOT SO, BUT WE WERE NOT SO BLESSED WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I AS NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS REGULARLY ATTENDED REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE MEETINGS, MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD HAVE TO EITHER TAG TEAM WHILE ONE OF US SAT IN THE LOBBY WITH THE KIDS, OR SOMETIMES BOTH OF US WOULD HAVE TO WALK AROUND THE LOBBY WITH OUR CHILDREN, WITH OTHER NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS TEXTING US UPDATES ON WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. WE KNOW THAT OUR CITY IS STRONGER WHEN MORE PEOPLE FROM VARYING BACKGROUNDS ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE. THAT'S WHAT THIS ITEM IS ABOUT, [01:00:01] ENSURING THAT OUR MEETINGS ARE ACCESSIBLE NOT JUST IN TERMS OF LANGUAGE OR PHYSICAL SPACE, BUT IN TERMS OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES. BY REMOVING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION, WE MAKE THIS CHAMBER MORE REFLECTIVE OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE. WE MAKE OUR PROCESS MORE EQUITABLE, AND WE AFFIRM THAT EVERY VOICE, INCLUDING THOSE OF WORKING FAMILIES, MATTER IN OUR DEMOCRACY. I'M ASKING MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM AND JOIN ME IN MAKING OUR CIVIC SPACES MORE FAMILY FRIENDLY AND ENSURING THAT EVERY RESIDENT, REGARDLESS OF THEIR CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES, HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE LETTER OF SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THIS ITEM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK SENATOR LE GONZALEZ, UH, FOR HER SUPPORT. UH, WE RECEIVE LETTERS FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER JOSH LOWENTHAL, UH, ASSEMBLY MEMBER MIKE GIBSON, UH, FROM LONG BEACH FORWARD, UH, BEST START, CENTRAL LONG BEACH, UH, THE LONG BEACH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. UM, OUR, UH, FROM, UH, RESIDENTS LIKE GABRIELA ZA, UM, OUR COLLEGE SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION LEADERS LINDA WILSON, UM, UH, REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR UPTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, UM, AS WELL AS MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF OUR, UH, OF OUR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY, UM, THAT ARE ALL IN SUPPORT OF THIS 'CAUSE THEY ARE FOLKS WHO WANT TO BE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND RECOGNIZE THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF A SERVICE LIKE THIS. AND SO, AGAIN, I ASK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT AND I THANK MY COUNCIL COLLEAGUES FOR SIGNING ONTO THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER THRASS INTU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. I TOO WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS OTI AS WELL AS COUNCILWOMAN SOLI SORO FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. UH, WE DO AFFECTIONATELY REFER TO OURSELVES AS THE MOMMY CAUCUS, NOT 'CAUSE THERE AREN'T OTHER MOMMIES ON THE COUNCIL, BUT BECAUSE WE ALL HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER 12 YEARS OLD, UH, HERE IN THE CITY. UM, THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS ONE THAT I, I'M SO PROUD OF AND SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE LEGACY OF ENSURING THAT MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, PARENTS, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, UH, A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR CIVIC LIFE. UM, AND THIS KIND OF POLICY WILL ALLOW FOR THAT TO HAPPEN. I DO THINK THAT, UH, FROM CITY MANAGER STANDPOINT AS WE MOVE FORWARD, UM, CERTAINLY STARTING SMALL AND TRYING TO IDENTIFY, YOU KNOW, A SET OF INDIVIDUALS, MAYBE EVEN THE CITY FAMILY TO START WITH, FOR THOSE OF US WHO NOT ONLY SIT ON THE DAIS, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE TO COME AND PROVIDE REPORTS, UH, TO US AS WELL INTO THE EVENINGS, UH, MIGHT BE A GOOD TEST CASE FOR US TO GET STARTED. TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BARRIERS, CONCERNS, OR UNIQUE RESPONSIBILITIES OF CARING FOR, UH, OUR PRECIOUS CARGO THAT WE KNOW AS OUR CHILDREN. UM, FOR, UH, THIS EVENING, I JUST WANNA SAY, I WANNA URGE OUR COLLEAGUES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS AS WELL, UM, AS A REALLY IMPORTANT STEP IN ENSURING THAT WHEN YOU'VE GOT A COUNCIL OF SEVEN WOMEN, UM, YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THERE IS CHILDCARE AND THERE'S SYSTEMS IN PLACE, UH, TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. YEAH, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK OTI FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. WE KNOW CHILDCARE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING FOR PARENTS. UM, AND GOING TO CITY COUNCIL IS PROBABLY THE LAST THING MANY PARENTS WANNA DO, UM, AFTER THEY'VE WORKED ALL DAY AND THEY HAVE AN EVENING OFF. UM, OUR GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND EFFICIENCIES COMMITTEE, I THINK WE SHOULD ALSO LOOK AT THIS. IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE COULD, UH, POTENTIALLY GET MORE PEOPLE ENGAGED IN OUR CITY COUNCIL MEETING. UM, I HAVE ONE PARTICULAR QUESTION I WANTED TO GET ANSWERS BACK IN THE REPORT. UM, I JUST WANNA UNDERSTAND IF THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE HAS STAFF AVAILABLE TO TAKE ON THIS PROGRAM. I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD BE SET UP FOR CITY CLERK, WOULD DO ALL THE REGISTRATION FROM FIVE TO 10:00 PM AND, AND, UH, IT WOULD ALSO HANDLE JUST A FEW HOURS A WEEK, SETTING UP THE REGISTRATION. SO WOULD THIS REQUIRE THE CITY CLERK TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL, UH, OR A PARTIAL FTE TO, UM, OVERSEE THIS PROGRAM? THANK YOU. SO IF I CAN JUMP IN, THAT'S, UH, SOMETHING WE'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT. WHEN WE DID THE INITIAL, UM, REVIEW, YOU KNOW, FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO, THAT WAS, UH, KIND OF THE TIME THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT THAT THE CLERK COULD DO THAT. THINGS HAVE CHANGED, BUDGETS HAVE CHANGED. AND SO, UH, WE WOULD CERTAINLY READDRESS THAT WITH THE CLERK AND, UH, THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE FEASIBILITY REPORT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW. THANK YOU MAYOR. AND, UM, THANK YOU TO HONORABLE JANINE PIERCE FOR HAVING BROUGHT THIS FORWARD AND, UH, COUNCILWOMAN DR. RICKS OTI AS WELL AS, UM, COUNCILWOMAN THRASH AND TOOK, UM, FOR, UM, BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. UM, I, YOU KNOW, WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE THAT ACCESSIBILITY IS SO CRUCIAL FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION. AND IT'S NOT SO MUCH, I THINK FOR THE PARENTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE CHILDREN TO SEE THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE BARRIERS. AND IF THERE ARE, THEN WE [01:05:01] NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET REDUCED IN ORDER TO ALLOW FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION. SO THIS IS A WAY THAT WE'RE SHOWING AS A CITY, UH, NOT JUST TO PARENTS, BUT ALSO CHILDREN, THAT YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT AND, AND THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT. AND I THINK THAT IT'S GOOD TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE AS A CITY UPLIFT OUR VALUES THAT WE HAVE PROBABLY DEMONSTRATED THROUGHOUT THE MANY YEARS, UM, THAT WE CARE ABOUT FAMILIES AND, AND, AND, AND THAT THEY'RE PART OF OUR CITY PROCESS. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REPORT BACK IN ABOUT 90 DAYS IN THE WAYS THAT WE CAN START PILOTING THIS PROGRAM. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR? YES. UH, THANK YOU DR. RICKS ODI, UH, FORMER COUNCILMAN P PIERCE. THANK YOU, UM, FOR ALWAYS BEING INCLUSIVE OF FAMILIES IN THE PROCESSES THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT THAT HAVE MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES ON A REGULAR BASIS. AND WE KNOW THIS IS PART OF IT. I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, UM, ABOUT ALIGNING WITH OUR VALUES AND DOING THINGS THAT ARE, UM, MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR MORE, UH, FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS. I HAVE A COUPLE OF SPECIFICS THAT I'D LIKE, UM, ANSWERED IN THE REPORT BACK. THAT'S JUST A LOGISTICS PIECE. UM, WE KNOW TONIGHT WE STARTED AN HOUR EARLY AND WE KNOW THAT SOME OF OUR MEETINGS OFTEN GO LONG. AND SO IF A FAMILY COMES DOWN TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ITEM, UM, BUT HAS TO LEAVE AFTER THREE HOURS AND WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT ITEM, UM, LIKE LOOKING AT THE TIMEFRAME OF HOW LONG, UH, FAMILIES COULD BE EXPECTED TO BE HERE. ARE THERE THINGS IN OUR OWN MAYBE THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE CAN LOOK AT AS WELL? ARE THERE THINGS IN HOW WE RUN OUR MEETINGS THAT WILL ALLOW FOR PARTICIPATION? BECAUSE WE CAN'T ALWAYS, UM, PREDICT THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS WHO COME. SOMETIMES WE HAVE 10, SOMETIMES WE HAVE ZERO, SOMETIMES WE HAVE 47. UM, AND THE WAY THAT THAT PUSHES AN AGENDA AROUND. AND SO IF SOMEONE WAITS 3, 4, 5 HOURS FOR AN ITEM THAT HAS NOT YET COME, HAVE WE CREATED KIND OF AN ILL WILL TOWARDS THE PROCESS. SO AS WE LOOK AT BEING ABLE TO BEST SUPPORT, UM, FAMILIES THAT WOULD WANNA TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM, MAKING SURE, UM, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE DON'T ALWAYS TAKE THINGS IN ORDER. SOMETIMES WE TAKE THEM OUT OF ORDER. WE DID THAT AGAIN TONIGHT. UM, HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT WHEN WE INVITE PEOPLE TO BE PRESENT, TO HAVE THEIR VOICE HEARD IT, IT HAPPENS IN A WAY THAT IS PREDICTABLE AND IT, THEY DON'T END UP COMING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK. SO I THINK THERE'S SOME LOGISTICS IN THOSE PROCESSES THAT I, WE, I DON'T THINK WE CAN WAIT TO PILOT. 'CAUSE I THINK WE'LL ENGENDER SOME HURT FEELINGS AND PEOPLE WILL FEEL FRUSTRATED. AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL WHEN THEY COME TO COUNCIL. WE WANNA MAKE IT AS POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH THE LITTLES AND THE PARENTS, UM, OR THE CAREGIVERS OR THE CARERS WHO ARE HERE WITH THEM. SO, UM, IF WE COULD LOOK AT THAT KIND OF IN GAO, MAYBE THAT'S AN ITEM THAT THEY WANT TO TALK TO AT SOME POINT, BUT ALIGNING TO WHAT AN AGENDA LOOKS LIKE TIMEFRAMES LOOK LIKE. SO WE'RE BEST MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE THERE. UM, I KNOW CULVER CITY HAS A RESERVATION PROGRAM AND IF THE PEOPLE ARE COMING, MAYBE THEY IDENTIFY WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SPEAK TO AND REARRANGE. BUT JUST BEING ABLE TO BE, UM, TO BE NIMBLE WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE KINDS OF PIECES AND NOT, IF WE SET A PROGRAM THAT'S SUPER STRUCTURED, UM, WHILE IT'S UNDER, UM, THE EFFORT OF INCLUSIVITY MIGHT NOT EVEN BE THAT INCLUSIVE. SO IF YOU COULD JUST, UM, LOOK INTO THOSE KIND OF TIMELINES, BEDTIME LIMITS FOR LITTLES, LIKE HOW DOES, HOW DOES OUR MEETING REFLECT THE ABILITY TO DO THIS WELL, BECAUSE I KNOW IF I BROUGHT MY KIDS TO A MEETING, EVEN IF THEY WERE IN CHILD WATCH, IF I WENT HOME AT 8 45, IT WOULD NOT BE HAPPY FOR ANYBODY ENGAGED. SO I THINK THE REALITIES OF PARENTING LITTLES IS, IS, UM, COMPLEX AND FUN. BUT UH, IF WE COULD TAKE SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN DRAWING UP THE REPORT, I WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATIVE. ALRIGHT, UH, NEXT IS COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DEJAS. THANK YOU. UM, I AM PROBABLY THE ONLY COUNCIL WOMAN ON THE DIOCESE THAT IS NOT A MAMA, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A GAME CHANGER. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS UP. UM, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK SODI AND YOUR CO-SIGNERS, I THINK THAT THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF A DIS UH, ZIP CODE, UM, THAT HAS THE HIGHEST POPULATION ON ON YOUTH. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FACILITATE ACCESS TO BEING ABLE TO HAVE CIVIC ENGAGEMENTS AT ALL LEVELS. AND, UH, WE HAVE A LOT OF MAMAS THAT ARE VERY INTERESTED IN WHAT OUR CITY IS DOING. SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS. ALRIGHT, UH, WE'LL TAKE IT TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I SEE TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP SPEAK. MELANIE PIERCE AND KATHLEEN ADAMS. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE JANINE. [01:10:01] I SEE MELANIE PIERCE. IS THAT JANINE PIERCE? JANINE, I GO WRONG THE WRONG ADAM ADAMS FIRST. HI, I AM KATHLEEN ADAMS. THANK YOU CITY COUNCIL PEOPLE. I APPRECIATE THIS TODAY. UM, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I DO TRY TO ENGAGE PEOPLE AND INVITE PEOPLE TO THIS MEETING JUST TO INCREASE OUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OF OUR PARTICIPANTS. AND THIS HAS BEEN A BARRIER IS HEY, CAN'T GO. AND SO THIS WILL OPEN IT UP. SO I WANT TO JUST ECHO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. ALSO, UM, LA COUNTY HAS A CALL IN. SO AS PART OF THIS, I'M HOPING MAYBE, UH, I ENVISION THAT THE DISTRICTS MIGHT HAVE A COMMUNITY GATHERING AND HAVE IT A COMMUNITY THING. SO DISTRICT FOUR, WE MIGHT MEET IN THE LIBRARY AND THE PARENTS CAN LINE UP LIKE HERE IN THE LIBRARY WITH THEIR KIDS WATCHING AND HAVE AN INTERACTION OVER ZOOM. I THINK THAT WOULD BE SUCH A COMMUNITY BUILDER. IT'S LIKE AN OCTOPUS EFFECT OF THE CITY COUNCIL, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. SO CONSIDER THAT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. COUNCILWOMAN PIERCE. THANK YOU. NOT MELANIE PIERCE. I'LL TAKE IT. COME ON DOWN. SOMETIMES WE NEED A A NAME CHANGE EVERY NOW AND THEN. UM, WELL, I HAD A BUNCH OF COMMENTS WRITTEN, BUT I THINK I'M JUST GONNA SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM BACK, UM, TO ALL OF YOU. IT WAS, I THINK 2017 THAT WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT. 2018 WE STARTED PULLING THE ITEM TOGETHER AND THEN 2019 FINALIZED, 2020 HAPPENED. SO, UH, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT MOMS, IT'S ABOUT DADS. UM, IT'S ABOUT UNCLES AND GRANDPARENTS AND AUNTS AND UNCLES THAT WANNA ENGAGE, BUT WE KNOW SO OFTEN THERE ARE SO MANY BARRIERS. EVEN TONIGHT, AS YOU MENTIONED, THE MEETING GOT MOVED UP. WE'VE GOT WORKERS TRYING TO GET HERE IN TIME THAT ARE DEALING WITH FAMILY CHALLENGES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. AND SO I KNOW THAT THE CITY DID A LOT OF WORK ON THIS. I KNOW TOM, UH, WE HAD LOTS OF CONVERSATIONS. I KNOW IT'S BEEN SEVERAL YEARS, BUT I WOULD URGE YOU TO KIND OF LOOK BACK AT WHAT YOU GUYS ALREADY DID. THERE WAS ALREADY LIKE BUDGETS IN PLACE AND HOW MANY HOURS WOULD IT BE EXPECTED AND WHERE IT WOULD HAPPEN. AND SO YOU GUYS HAVE A REALLY GREAT STARTING POINT, UH, TO DO THAT WORK FROM. UM, AND THE, THE PHRASE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, YOU KNOW, I THINK IS IMPORTANT. AND WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON AT OUR FEDERAL LEVEL RIGHT NOW, I THINK DEMOCRACY. THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE DECISIONS THAT ARE IMPACTING THEIR LIFE AND THAT THEY GET TO FULLY ENGAGE. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HELPING OTHER PEOPLE BRING THEIR CHILDREN HERE. . SO, SO, UH, JANINE COUNCILMAN PIERCE. SO IF YOU REMEMBER BACK THEN WE DIDN'T DISTINGUISH BETWEEN MOM CAUCUS OR DAD CAUCUS. WE HAD THE COUNCIL BABIES CAUCUS. WE SENT IT ON TO LET'S BE'S CLEAR. WE HAD THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AND THE PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS AND THE COUNCIL BABIES CAUCUS. THAT'S RIGHT. UH, BUT I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THIS WORK CONTINUES. AND ALTHOUGH, YOU KNOW, MY, UH, DAD COUNTERPARTS AREN'T HERE TODAY, THEY WOULD BE IN SUPPORT OF, OF THIS MOTION, YOU KNOW, AND AS THE ONLY DAD MAYOR THAT WE'VE EVER HAD IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY OF SMALL CHILDREN, THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. 64. 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. READ THE FIRST TIME AND LAID OVER TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR [64. 25-55838 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. ] FINAL READING CITYWIDE. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. THIS IS, THIS IS, UH, UH, FIRST READING OF THE CONVENTION CENTER WAGE ORDINANCE. WE KNOW LAST YEAR, COUNCIL MEMBERS SORROWS AND DEJAS, RICK SODI INTRODUCED AN ITEM AS STAFF TO EXPLORE MODIFICATIONS TO THE EXISTING WAGE ORDINANCE, BRINGING ALIGNMENT WITH, UH, MEASURE RW. UH, AND SO, UH, WE ARE NOW IN THE PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE A FIRST READING IN FRONT OF YOU. IF IT'S NOT CHANGED, THEN WE'D ADVANCE TO A SECOND READING. SO, UH, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THIS ADVANCE TONIGHT. AND SO WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT OVER TO COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW. YES, THANK YOU MA. MAYOR, I, I, I REALLY JUST WANNA THANK THE WORKERS FOR MANY YEARS OF HARD FOUGHT, UM, YOU KNOW, VICTORY AND ENSURING THAT WE UPLIFT, UM, THE BACKBONE OF OUR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, WHICH ARE THE WORKERS. AND, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WANNA THANK, UM, A SM GLOBAL, UH, LONG BEACH AIRPORT, UH, AS WELL AS ALL THE HOTELS WHO HAVE BEEN, UM, COLLABORATIVE ON THIS PROCESS. AND IN THE END IT'S REALLY AN ENSURING THAT, YOU KNOW, FAIR WAGES AND LIVING WAGES ARE PROVIDED TO BUILD A STRONG, RELIABLE WORKFORCE AND FOR FAMILY TO REMAIN IN LONG BEACH. UM, AND ALSO TO BUILD A THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY. WE CAN'T HAVE A [01:15:01] THRIVING LOCAL ECONOMY IF WORKERS ARE NOT THRIVING. SO JUST WANNA THANK EVERYBODY AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUE TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK SODI. UM, I, UH, ECHO EVERYTHING THAT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER DR. SOROS SAID. AND I THINK, UM, THE WORK THAT WE'VE SEEN, UH, THROUGH THIS ITEM AND THE NEGOTIATIONS WE'VE SEEN THAT, YOU KNOW, LIVING WAGES DON'T HAVE TO BE ADVERSE TO BUSINESS, RIGHT? SUPPORTING OUR WORKERS CAN ALSO SUPPORT BUSINESS AND THEY CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MOVE THESE THINGS FORWARD. AND SO I AM, UM, EXCEEDINGLY HAPPY TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD TONIGHT, UH, TO BEEN ABLE TO BE, UH, PART OF THIS PROCESS. UM, AND SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE THAT WAS INVOLVED, UM, AND YOUR HARD WORK AND ADVOCACY, UM, COMING HERE TONIGHT. UM, SO THAT WE CAN REACH THE FINISH LINE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALRIGHT, UH, WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE SEVEN, SIX MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, UH, SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. I'LL READ YOUR NAMES, PLEASE COME FORWARD. GLORIA HERNANDEZ, ALIN MAHONEY. MAHONEY, UH, VICTOR SANCHEZ, MIRIAM YUSEF, RENEE HOLIDAY, EPI VIA TARSIA. YEAH. AND THOSE ARE OUR SPEAKERS. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. UM, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME'S GLORIA HERNANDEZ AND I WORK AT THE LONG BEACH AIRPORT FOR JUST OVER FOUR YEARS AS A CASHIER FOR PARITIES. FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS, MY UNION MEMBERS AND I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR SOMETHING SIMPLE, YET VITAL. A LIVING WAGE FOR ALL THE TOURISM WORKERS. THOSE OF US WHO WORK IN HOTELS AND IN THE CITY OWNS TOURISM FACILITIES IN LONG BEACH AIRPORTS. IT'S THRIVING. IN 2024 ALONE, OVER 2 MILLION PASSENGERS CAME THROUGH OUR AIRPORTS AND I THINK I SAW HALF OF THEM A RECORD BREAKING YEAR. AND WITH MAJOR GLOBAL EVENTS COMING INTO OUR REGION, THAT NUMBER WILL ONLY GROW. BUT BEHIND THOSE MEMBERS ARE WORKERS LIKE ME, THE PEOPLE WHO GREET OUR PASSENGERS, WHO SMILE AND WHO, UM, KEEP THE AIRPORT RUNNING AS SMOOTHLY AS WE CAN. AND YET, DESPITE OUR HARD WORK, MANY OF US ARE BARELY HANGING ON THE COST OF RENT, GROCERIES, GAS, EVERYTHING KEEPS RISING, BUT OUR WAGES ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH US. SOME WEEKS I HAVE TO CHOOSE WHICH BILLS I CAN PAY, UM, ENOUGH GROCERIES OR MY MEDICATION. SO I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE. MANY OF THE WORKERS IN OUR MANY WORKERS YOU PASS BY IN THE AIRPORT ARE STRUGGLING JUST LIKE ME. AND WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE MAKING IT. IT'S HARD TO SURVIVE. SOME OF US. WE DON'T WANT, WE DON'T WANT LUXURY, WE WANT DIGNITY. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THE CITY. WE SERVE PRIDE EVERY DAY. I'VE LIVED AND I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 40 YEARS AND I BOUGHT MY OWN HOME AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT. MY HUSBAND WAS BORN AND RAISED AND WORKED IN LONG BEACH FOR 60 YEARS. SO WELL, NO, 50 YEARS, 20 YEARS. BUT HE'S NOW RETIRED AND LOVING LONG BEACH STILL. THAT'S WHY THIS LIVING WAGE INCREASE MEANS SO MUCH TO ME. IT'S NOT JUST A NUMBER, IT'S FOOD ON THE TABLE. RENT ON OVER OUR HEADS AND LITTLE LESS ANXIETY AT THE END OF THE MONTH. I WANNA THANK THE COUNCILMAN FOR STANDING FOR US WORKERS AND FOR VOTING TO MAKE SURE ALL CON CONCESSIONS WORKERS, NO MATTER WHO SIGNS OUR PAYCHECK, OUR PROTECTED BY THE LIVING WAGE AS WE ALWAYS INTEND UNDER THE LAW. LET'S GET THIS DONE, PLEASE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME, TO THOSE OF US KEEPING OUR CITY SAFE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS ALIN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO PSL IS HERE TODAY STANDING IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM WORKERS. WE URGE LONG, LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL TO PASS THE LIVING WAGE POLICY THAT HAS BEEN IN THE MAKING FOR TWO YEARS SO THAT THESE WORKERS COULD LIVE AND THRIVE HERE UNDER THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. THE AIRPORT AND CONVENTION CENTER ARE CURRENTLY THRIVING ECONOMICALLY AND ARE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MILLIONS OF MORE DOLLARS FOR THE UPCOMING WORLD CUP AND WORLD CUP AND THE OLYMPICS. THE WORKERS DESERVE THEIR FAIR SHARE AND THEY DESERVE IT. NOW, NOT LATER. CURRENTLY OUR WORKERS [01:20:01] AT THE AIRPORT AND CONVENTION CENTER STRUGGLE TO AFFORD RENT, GROCERIES, UTILITIES, MEDICINE, CHILDCARE AND LIFE NECESSITIES THAT EVERY HUMAN DESERVES. HOW COULD IT BE THAT THE WORKERS THAT KEEP THE CITY RUNNING BE OFFERED SO LITTLE IN RETURN? AS SOCIALISTS? WE KNOW THIS POLICY IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THESE WORKERS AND THE CONDITIONS AROUND THEM. WE KNOW THAT DURING THESE POLITICALLY HEIGHTENED TIMES, IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE IN ONE'S COMMUNITY OR IN ANY POLITICAL MOVEMENT WHEN BASIC NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET DUE TO CRIMINALLY LOW WAGES. THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO HESITATE. REFORM IS NECESSARY. THANK YOU TO THE COUNCIL MEMBER, DR. SOLI SORO FOR ADVOCATING FOR THIS POLICY TO MAYOR REX RICHARDSON TO CITY COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF ARE MOVING THIS FORWARD. NOW LET'S FINISH THIS. VOTE YES ON THE LIVING WAGE POLICY AND ENSURE THAT EVERY WORKER IN LONG BEACH CAN THRIVE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR RICHARDSON, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. UH, MY NAME IS VICTOR SANCHEZ. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LANE, THE LOS ANGELES ALLIANCE FOR NEW ECONOMY. UH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE AT A PIVOTAL MOMENT, ONE THAT I THINK HAS BEEN YEARS, UH, IN THE MAKING. IN 2023, WE LAUNCHED A TOURISM WORKERS RISING CAMPAIGN WITH OUR PARTNERS UNITE HERE, LOCAL 11 LANE. THE LONG BEACH FOR JUSTICE ECONOMY CAMPAIGN INCLUDE TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR HOSPITALITY WORKERS HERE IN LONG BEACH. THIS MOVEMENT WAS NEVER ABOUT A SINGLE VOTE. UH, IT'S ABOUT ASKING WHAT KIND OF CITY DO WE WANT. UM, IT'S ALSO ABOUT REWRITING WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR WORKING FAMILIES HERE IN LONG BEACH. AND OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, HOSPITALITY WORKERS, ALONGSIDE NEIGHBORS, FAITH LEADERS, SMALL BUSINESSES AND STUDENTS HAVE BUILT SOMETHING POWERFUL. WE'VE MARCHED, WE'VE ORGANIZED, AND WE'VE MOBILIZED WITH A CLEAR VISION. NO ONE WORKING IN LONG BEACH TOURISM. TOURISM INDUSTRY SHOULD BE LEFT BEHIND. WE'RE CALLING ON THE COUNCIL TO PASS THE LIVING WAGE POLICY BECAUSE IT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF LONG BEACH HAD DEMANDED AND WHAT WORKERS DESERVE. AND SO LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR. THE PATH TO A THRIVING CITY STARTS WITH FAIR WAGES, RESPECT, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD A LIFE WHERE YOU WORK. LET'S FINISH WHAT WE STARTED. THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBER DR. SULI SORROW FOR HER LEADERSHIP, MAYOR RICHARDSON, AND TO THE COUNCIL FOR STANDING UP AND TO, FOR CONTINUING TO STAND UP AND BEING AT THE FOREFRONT FOR FIGHTING FOR WORKING FAMILIES. I ALSO WANNA EXTEND OUR SUPPORT TO THE GROCERY WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ADVOCATES WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE AS WELL. BUT WE'RE READY. LET'S WIN THIS. LET'S VOTE YES. LET, THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD AFTERNOON, LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR. UH, MY NAME IS RENEE. I'M A CONSTITUENT OF DISTRICT SIX AND A MEMBER OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA. SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE LONG BEACH CHAPTER, WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF RAISING TOURISM WORKER WAGES. IT'S NO SECRET THAT LONG BEACH'S ECONOMY THRIVES ON TOURISM AND THEREFORE ON THE HARD WORK OF AIRPORT AND CONVENTION CENTER WORKERS. YET THESE SAME WORKERS WHO GENERATE OUR CITY'S WEALTH STRUGGLE TO PAY FOR FOOD AND HOUSING, BUT WITH THE SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY OF LANE LBJE, CLUE AND UNITE HERE. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, 700 OF THESE WORKERS HAVE BRAVELY SHOWN THE CITY THE POWER OF PEOPLE DEMANDING WHAT THEY NEED. DSA UNDERSTANDS THAT WITHOUT WORKERS IN THESE SPACES, LONG BEACH CANNOT PROSPER. OUR CORE TENANTS ARE BUILT ON SUPPORTING WORKER FAMILIES. THIS POLICY ALIGNS WITH OUR GOALS AND FURTHERS OUR DREAMS OF STRENGTHENING UNION POWER, UH, OBTAINING HOUSING FOR ALL AND ESTABLISHING EVEN A 32 HOUR WORK WEEK. WE ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO MOVE FORWARD, SAY YES AND SUPPORT THE AIRPORT AND CONVENTION WORKERS. THANK YOU TO MY COUNCILWOMAN, DR. SULI SORROW FOR CHAMPIONING THIS. AND I HOPE EVERYONE IS ABLE TO STAND WITH HER AND EVERYONE ELSE HERE TODAY AND VOTE YES AND MOVE THIS THING FORWARD. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. UH, GOOD EVENING, UH, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME'S EPI VITALIA AND I HAVE PROBABLY WORKED AS THE RECEIVING CLERK FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF DOWN AT THE, UM, CONVENTION CENTER. AND I'M HERE TONIGHT TO URGE YOU TO MOVE FORWARD WITH RAISING THE WAGES OF AIRPORT CONVENTION CENTER AND FUTURE AMPHITHEATER WORKERS, UH, RAISING THE WAGES TO 25 THIS YEAR, NEARLY 30. BY THE TIME THE OLYMPICS COME TO TOWN WOULD NOT JUST BE A NUMBER ON THE PAYCHECK, IT WOULD BE LIKE CHANGE, UH, WOULD BE LIFE CHANGING. IT WOULD MEAN FINALLY BEING ABLE TO BREATHE A LITTLE BIT EASIER WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING MY RENT, WHICH I AM BEHIND PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE FOR MY FAMILY AND MAYBE EVEN SAVING A LITTLE BIT FOR MY, UH, EMERGENCIES. AND THE REASON I WANNA SAY VOTE YES ON THIS IS BECAUSE BEING THE RECEIVING CLERK DOWN AT THE CONVENTION [01:25:01] CENTER IS, UH, IT GETS HECTIC AND THERE'S JUST ONLY TWO RECEIVERS, MY SUPERVISOR AND MYSELF. AND WHEN THE ENTIRE GRAND PRIX CAME IN THIS YEAR, I RECEIVED EVERYTHING AND PUT EVERYTHING ON, ON THE SHELVES WHERE THEY NEED TO BE FOR THE CHEFS, THE WAREHOUSE, THE KITCHENS AND I'D MARK AND DATE. AND I PUT USED, UH, USED FIRST LABELS ON ITEMS THAT'VE BEEN SITTING. AND THE TEAM DOWN HERE, LOCAL 11, I CANNOT SPEAK ON MYSELF, BUT I CAN SPEAK ON MY TEAM. THEY WORK VERY HARD DOWN HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS GO ACCORDING TO PLAN FOR THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THE EVENTS THAT WE HAVE. AND WE CONSTANTLY HAVING EVENTS. SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM TO, UH, GRANT THIS MOTION HERE ANYWAYS. MY COWORKERS AND I OFTEN MUST CHOOSE PAYING FOR GUESTS TO GET TO WORK. SOME OF MY COWORKERS LIVE IN LA AND INGLEWOOD AND THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE CITY THAT THRIVES ON OUR LABOR AND HOSPITALITY. YES, I, I RESPECTFULLY URGE THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM. SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DR. S FOR CHAMPIONING THIS ITEM AND ESPECIALLY FOR BRINGING FORWARD THE REVISIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CONCESSION WORKER IS COVERED. THANK YOU FOR HIS TIME IN CONSIDERATION. AND EXCUSE ME, I'M VERY NERVOUS 'CAUSE I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM, UH, MARYAM YUSEF. I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO IN LONG BEACH. UM, I'M ALSO A LECTURER AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH SINCE 2018. AND I'M ALSO A PERSON OF FAITH AT ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, WHERE I SERVE AS THE CHAIRPERSON OF OUR BOARD IN DISTRICT ONE. UM, I'M REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF FAITH LEADERS CONNECTED WITH CLUE CLERGY AND LAITY, UNITED FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE TO SUPPORT THIS LIVING WAGE FOR CONCESSION WORKERS AT THE AIRPORT AND CONVENTION CENTER ALONGSIDE MANY OTHER CONGREGATIONS IN LONG BEACH. MY CHURCH, ST. LUKE'S ENDORSED MEASURE OUR W BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT ALL WORKERS DESERVE TO HAVE LIVING WAGES TO LIVE AND THRIVE WHERE THEY WORK. THE AIRPORT AND CONVENTION CENTER ARE THRIVING ECONOMICALLY AND BOTH ARE SET TO RECEIVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO PREPARE FOR THE WORLD CUP AND OLYMPICS. IT'S ONLY FAIR AND EQUITABLE THAT CONCESSION WORKERS HERE RECEIVE THE SAME WAGES AS HOTEL WORKERS IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY. $25 AN HOUR IMMEDIATELY AND TO 29 50 AN HOUR BY 2028. THESE WORKERS ARE OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR COMMUNITY. AND WHEN WORKERS HAVE HIGHER WAGES THEY CAN SPEND AND INVEST MORE IN OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, IT'S A WIN-WIN. IN MY CHRISTIAN TRADITION, WE UNDERSTAND ALL OF US ARE CREATED IN DIVINE IMAGE AND INTERCONNECTED AS ONE FAMILY. SO WHEN OUR WORKERS THRIVE, WE ALL THRIVE, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US. UM, SO THANK YOU TO DR. SORROW FOR CHAMPIONING THIS ORDINANCE. MAYOR REX, THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY STAFF FOR STANDING WITH WORKING FAMILIES AND HELPING US TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. I URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS ORDINANCE TO THE FINISH LINE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, WELL, VERY WELL SAID. UH, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT TODAY. UM, UH, SHOULD THIS PASS THEN, UH, IT COMES BACK ONE MORE TIME FOR A SECOND READING, UH, BEFORE IT GOES INTO EFFECT. UH, LAST YEAR LONG BEACH WAS THE FIRST CITY, UH, TO, UH, PUT FORWARD MEASURE. RW AND HOTEL WORKERS WON A LIVING WAGE FIRST CITY TO DO SO TO WIN THE OLYMPICS WAGE. AND WITH THIS VOTE, UH, WE'LL ALSO BE THE FIRST CITY TO EXPEND THAT, EXPAND THAT TO CONVENTION CENTER AIRPORT WORKERS. SO, THAT SAID, WHICH IS A BIG DEAL, UM, AS YOU KNOW, LONG BEACH IS A MAJOR VENUE CITY, UH, FOR THE OLYMPICS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS. SO, WITH THAT SAID, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. COUNCILMAN MOTION IS CARRIED. GREAT. CONGRATULATIONS. ALRIGHT. RIGHT NOW WE ARE GOING TO ITEM 65, REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION TO DECLARE ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE V OF THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING CHAPTER 5.93 RELATING TO ESTABLISHING STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR SELF-SERVICE CHECKOUT STATIONS AT GROCERY AND DRUG STORES TO ADVANCE PUBLIC SAFETY AND [65. 25-55860 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Title 5 of the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Chapter 5.93, relating to establishing staffing requirements for self-service checkout stations at grocery and drug stores to advance public safety and prevent retail theft, 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. ] PREVENT RETAIL THEFT. READ THE FIRST TIME AND LATE OVER THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR FINAL READING CITY. RIGHT, THANK YOU. UH, SO THIS, UH, PAST APRIL CITY COUNCIL REQUESTED STAFF TO LOOK AT OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING STAFFING STANDARDS AND REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO SELF-CHECKOUT [01:30:01] OPERATIONS AND LOCAL GROCERY STORES, RETAIL DRUG ESTABLISHMENTS AS A NEW TOOL TO HELP ADDRESS, UH, SAFETY AND ISSUES RELATED TO RETAIL THEFT, WHICH ALSO IMPACTS SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF RETAIL WORKERS AND RESIDENTS WHO SHOP AT LOCAL RETAIL STORES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AT THAT CITY COUNCIL MEETING, APRIL, WE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF STAKE HOLDING GROUPS, UH, INCLUDING, UH, WORKERS LABOR RETAIL INDUSTRY, UH, WHO PAIR SHARED PERSONAL STORIES, UH, ABOUT HOW UNCHECKED INCIDENTS OF THEFT AT CHRONIC STORES JEOPARDIZES THE OVERALL FEELING OF SAFETY AND SECURITY. UH, LAST MONTH IN JUNE, CITY STAFF RELEASED A MEMO PROVIDING VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING STAFFING AND OPERATION STANDARDS THROUGH A LOCAL ORDINANCE. AT THE FINAL MEETING BEF UH, AT THE LAST MEETING THIS CAME FORWARD, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO BEGIN DRAFTING AN ORDINANCE BASED ON THE ANALYSIS CONDUCTED BY CITY STAFF IN THEIR MEMO. AND, UH, AND SO THAT IS WHAT HAS COME BEFORE US TODAY. SO SINCE THEN, A NUMBER OF PERSONAL CONVERSATIONS HAVE HA HAVE TAKEN PLACE, UH, WITH UH, WORKERS, WITH INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT THIS POLICY PROPOSAL. I KNOW SEVERAL OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN THESE DISCUSSIONS AS WELL. SO TODAY YOU HAVE THE FIRST READING AND CONSIDERATION OF THIS POLICY PROPOSAL AND AS A DRAFT ORDINANCE FORM BASED ON PREVIOUS DIRECTION. AND SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO THE AUTHOR OF THIS, UH, INITIATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER ZENDEJAS. THANK YOU MAYOR. THANK YOU MAYOR. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY ATTORNEY'S TEAM FOR ENSURING THAT THIS ORDINANCE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO COUNCIL IN A TIMELY MANNER. OUR RESIDENTS AND LOCAL WORKERS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AT WORK AND IN OUR GROCERY STORES. THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG ADVOCACY FROM OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO ADOPT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES THAT ADDRESS THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES. I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE WAY TO DO THAT. I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL SUPPORT PUBLICLY AND ADOPT THIS ORDINANCE CITYWIDE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, WE'RE NOW GONNA GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. BEFORE WE TAKE IT BACK TO THE RAIL, I'M GONNA READ OFF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, I, UH, WHO ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. CELESTE WILSON, ANN BURETTE, KIM LIM, GARY DEVIN, ALAR, FRED KUSHNER, SABA, LINDA MOLINA, DYLAN BOY, AND FRED, IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD. IS CELESTE HERE? YES. ALL RIGHT. CELESTE, YOU'RE UP FIRST. AND THEN ANN IS AFTER CELESTE. AND THEN KIM. ALRIGHTY. UM, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS CELESTE WILSON AND I AM THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER FOR THE LONG BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, REPRESENTING THE POLICY INTERESTS OF NEARLY 900 MEMBERS. WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THE COUNCIL'S INTENT TO ADDRESS STAFFING CONCERNS AT GROCERY AND DRUG RETAILERS UTILIZING SEO TECHNOLOGIES, WE MUST EXPRESS THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES THAT THIS ORDINANCE WILL CREATE FOR OUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY. TRUTHFULLY, THERE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY LIMITED ENGAGEMENT WITH AFFECTED LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS. SO WE ARE RESPECTFULLY URGING THE COUNCIL TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE PERSPECTIVES OF THOSE WHO WILL BE MOST IMPACTED BY THESE CHANGES. THAT SAID, WE UNDERSTAND THE COUNCIL WILL PROBABLY CHOOSE TO MOVE FORWARD. SO WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT AN IMPORTANT AMENDMENT BE INCLUDED. THE CHAMBER'S RECOMMENDED LANGUAGE IS IN THE OFFICIAL LETTER THAT WE SUBMITTED EARLIER TODAY, STATING THAT SHOULD THE STATE ADOPT LEGISLATION WITH SIMILAR INTENT, UH, SB 4 42, WHICH HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF THOUGHTFUL ONGOING NEGOTIATION BETWEEN STATEWIDE LABOR AND BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS SINCE SB 1446, LONG BEACH WILL ALIGN WITH STATE LAW AND NOT ENFORCE LOCAL PROVISIONS THAT GO BEYOND WHAT THE STATE ULTIMATELY DECIDES. SIMILAR TO THE GRAND COMPROMISE OF THE 2016 MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE SCHEDULE, WE RAISE THIS REQUEST NOT IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO YOUR GOALS, BUT OUT OF CONCERN FOR WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CITY STANDS ALONE. ENACTING A POLICY THAT DIFFERS SIGNIFICANTLY FROM OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES WILL HAVE VERY REAL CONSEQUENCES IN THE LONG TERM. THIS NOT ONLY DISS REDUCING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL GOODS FOR OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, BUT IT WILL ULTIMATELY LEAD TO DIMINISHED TAX REVENUE THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, MASSIVE LOSS OF SALES TAX. WE ASK FOR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION AND DELIBERATION, ALIGNING WITH THE STATE WOULD PROVIDE REGULATORY CONSISTENCY, REDUCE THE RISK OF LEGAL CHALLENGES, AND SUPPORT A HEALTHIER BUSINESS CLIMATE HERE IN LONG BEACH. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT IS ANN AFTER ANN. LET'S, LET'S LET EVERYONE SPEAK AFTER ANN IS KIM. UH, GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MAYOR. MY NAME IS ANN BURETT. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT FIVE [01:35:01] AND I ALSO AM A MEMBER OF ST. LUKE'S, SAN LUCAS EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN MARY ZENDEJAS DISTRICT. AND I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF CLUE, UH, CLERGY AND LAITY, UNITED FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE. I WANNA THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ZENDEJAS FOR HER PROMOTION OF THIS POLICY. UM, I KIND OF WANNA RESPOND TO THE ENGAGEMENT PIECE THAT I JUST HEARD. UM, I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A GREAT DEAL OF ENGAGEMENT AND A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT BY MANY OF THE, UH, STAKEHOLDERS, THE WORKERS TO SPEAK TO THE NEED FOR SAFETY. AND MY PARTICULAR, UM, MY PARTICULAR INTEREST IS OUR SENIORS. UM, WHEN I MOVED BACK HERE, MY MOTHER WAS, UM, VERY ELDERLY. ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT SHE STILL DID IN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT WAS GO SHOPPING. SHE WOULD GET HER CART. SHE HAD LIMITED MOBILITY, AND SO MUCH OF HER SOCIAL LIFE WAS DEPENDENT UPON BEING IN THE STORE, THE SAFEWAY IN OUR DISTRICT, UM, AND BEING THERE AND BEING GREETED AND BEING, UM, RECOGNIZED AND BEING ASSISTED. UM, UH, SHE ACTUALLY CONTINUED TO DO THAT LONG AFTER. I WISH SHE HADN'T DONE IT, BUT SHE DID. AND I'M VERY, VERY ANXIOUS THAT WE KNOW THAT IF OUR SENIORS ARE NOT FEELING SAFE, THEY CAN'T GO TO THEIR STORE AND FEEL THAT THEY ARE SEEN AND THAT THEY ARE RECOGNIZED AND THAT THEY ARE ASSISTED IN THEIR SHOPPING, THEN WE'RE REALLY FALLING SHORT AS A CITY. SO THAT'S MY MAJOR INTEREST RIGHT NOW, IS THAT WE THINK ABOUT THE SAFETY, NOT JUST OF THE WORKERS WHO I HAVE SEEN BY VISITING MANY STORES WHO ARE OVERWHELMED BY SIX CHECKOUT STATIONS AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THEM. MOSTLY SENIORS, UH, WAVING THEIR HANDS AND BECOMING AGITATED AND IT'S A, IT'S A CONDITION RIPE FOR THEFT AS WELL. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD FOR LOOKING AT THE POLICY. MA'AM, YOUR 90 SECONDS IS CONCLUDED. YEAH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ALRIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. KIM. IS KIM HERE, GARY? ALL RIGHT. AFTER GARY IS DEVIN AND AFTER DEVIN IS FRAY. GOOD EVENING, UH, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS GARY TRICH. I LIVE, UM, IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT. I'M A LONG BEACH RESIDENT. I'M ALSO THE POLITICAL DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA FACULTY ASSOCIATION THAT REPRESENTS 3000 FACULTY, LIBRARIANS, COUNSELORS AND COACHES AT C-S-U-L-B. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE PARTICULARLY, UM, UH, MARY ZENDEJAS, COUNCIL MEMBER MARY ZENDEJAS, UM, AND FOR PRIORITIZING THE SAFETY OF OUR ESSENTIAL WORK GROCERY WORKERS AND, UH, DRUG RETAIL WORKERS IN THE CITY. TONIGHT I'M HERE TO REITERATE THAT THIS ORDINANCE IS ALSO BACKED BY STRONG LEGAL PRECEDENT. AS YOU WELL KNOW, LONG BEACH IS A CHARTER CITY, AND AS SUCH HAS THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. COURTS HAVE REPEATEDLY UPHELD SIMILAR LOCAL MEASURES, ESPECIALLY THOSE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS CRIME PREVENTION AND WORKER PROTECTIONS. I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR FOR YOUR ONGOING LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR CITY, OUR WORKERS, AND THE PUBLIC. THIS KIND OF COMMITMENT CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED IN THIS DAY AND AGE. THANK YOU. THANKS GARY. ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. NEXT IS DEVIN AND FRED, THEN SABA. UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, HONORABLE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL. UM, LIKE GARY, I'D LIKE TO, UH, THANK YOU FOR PRIORITIZING THIS. THANK YOU MARY, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. UM, A VOTE LIKE THIS SHOWS THAT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO NOT JUST PROTECTING THE CITY BY THE WORKING CLASS. AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE, WE'RE, WE'RE THANKFUL TO BE IN A CITY THAT PRIORITIZES THESE THINGS TIME AND TIME AGAIN, YOU MAKE VOTES, UM, THAT PROTECT YOUR RESIDENTS. AND THIS IS GONNA BE A HISTORIC ONE, I THINK. UM, WHEN OTHER CITIES AROUND HERE SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND SEE HOW IT WORKS, WE MIGHT SPREAD IT. YOU KNOW, LONG BEACH ALWAYS LEADS THE WAY. SO I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THIS VOTE AND TO GET THE POLICY UNDERWAY. ALSO, THANK YOU TO THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE FOR THE QUICK TURNAROUND ON THIS. UH, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES YOU HEAR 90 DAYS, 60 DAYS AND IT CAN'T ALWAYS GET BACK THAT QUICKLY, BUT YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB. SO, UH, THANK YOU TO THE WHOLE CITY AND THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR. THANK. THANKS, DEVON. NEXT IS FRED. AFTER FRED IS SABA, THEN LINDA. GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS FRED KUSHNER. I'M REPRESENTING THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF LONG BEACH, LOCATED IN DISTANCE THREE FOR THE PAST YEARS AND I AND MANY OTHERS HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED AND MOVED TALKING TO WORKERS IN LONG BEACH FROM THE UH [01:40:01] 11 STRIKE WHERE MANY OF US WERE ON THE PICKET LINE AT THE MAYA HOTEL AND THEN CANVASSING FOR RW AND MERE. AND ON THOSE PICKET LINES AND THOSE DEMONSTRATIONS AND MEETINGS, WE MET MANY WORKERS AND PRIVILEGED TO MEET THESE GROCERY WORKERS. AND IT'S A SENIOR WHO HAS MORE THAN ONE SENIOR MOMENT. I AM SO THANKFUL TO THE GROCERY WORKERS WHEN I SAY WHERE THE SPINACH IS AND THEY SAY RIGHT OVER THERE. SIR, THE WORKERS, UH, HAVE BEEN A LIFELINE FOR PEOPLE LIKE US WHO I'M GONNA BE 80 SOME DAYS I'M SHARP AS ATTACK SOME DAYS. I'M A SPONGY AS A MATZA BALL. AND I WANT TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY LIKE I DO TO SUPPORT THE WORKERS OF LONG BEACH 'CAUSE THEY ARE THE SALT OF THE EARTH. THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT US. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING. ALRIGHT, WELL SAID FRED. NEXT IS SABA, THEN LINDON, THEN DILLON. HELLO TO YOU ALL. MY NAME IS SABA. I AM A CLUE FELLOW AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE. THANK YOU FOR VOTING TO MOVE THIS POLICY FORWARD AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO DO SO. FOR LONG BEACH, TO BE THE FIRST CITY TO ADOPT THIS KIND OF PROTECTION IS MONUMENTAL FOR WORKERS AND WE'RE PROUD TO SEE OUR CITY LEAD THE WAY. AS A STUDENT AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH, I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT A POLICY THAT INCREASES SAFETY FOR GROCERY WORKERS ALSO PROTECTS STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. THIS POLICY DOESN'T JUST IMPACT WORKERS ON THE JOB, BUT IT HAS A RIPPLE EFFECT THAT WILL BE FELT ACROSS THE CITY. AS SOMEONE GROUNDED IN MY FAITH, I BELIEVE IN THE SACRED DIGNITY OF WORK AND THE MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THOSE WHO CAN SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY. YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS ITEM HAS A REAL IMPACT BECAUSE IT MEANS SAFER WORKPLACES, MORE STABLE COMMUNITIES IN A STRONGER LONG BEACH. BECAUSE WHEN WORKERS ARE SAFE, COMMUNITIES ARE SAFE. THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH WORKING PEOPLE AND SHOWING THAT LONG BEACH CAN BE THE MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. LINDA DILL. AND THEN I HAVE FRED AGAIN. LINDA DILLON, AND ANOTHER FRED. HELLO. SILLY HOW I'M SAYING SILLY. SORRY. HELLO CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS LINDA MALIA. I HAVE WORKED THERE FOR ROUSE'S FOR 31 YEARS. UH, RIGHT NOW I WORK AT A CASHIER AT RALPH'S ON CARSON CHERRY. I AM PROUD A UNION, A PROUD UNION STEWARD FOR MY STORE. I, I WORK AT THE SOUTH CHECKOUT ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IT'S HARD FOR ME. IT'S HARD ON MY BODY WHILE I'M ALSO BEING HARD ON MY MIND. WORKING SIX CHECK SIX SOUTH CHECKOUTS AT THE SAME TIME IS JUST AS STRESSFUL AND DIFFICULT TO SERVE EVERYONE WITHOUT OTHER CUSTOMERS GETTING UPSET. I'M DEALING WITH PEOPLE USING THE SOUTH CHECKOUTS FOR THEFTS. LONG BEACH IS AN ORDINANCE AND IT'S GOING TO MAKE THE JOBS OF MY UNION BROTHERS AND SISTERS LESS STRESSFUL AND MORE SAFE. I AM EXCITED TO SEE THE CHANGES THEY WILL MAKE TO MY STORES AND OTHERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANKS, LINDA, DYLAN, DYLAN, FRED, BRIAN AND DEANNA. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME'S DYLAN BOKEY AND I'VE WORKED AT ALBERTSONS FOR OVER SIX YEARS ON BEHALF OF ALL GROCERY WORKERS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNCIL FOR SUPPORTING THIS ORDINANCE, WHICH IS UNDOUBTEDLY GOING TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW WE'VE BEEN CONSTANTLY EMPHASIZING THE THEME OF SAFETY WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES OF SELF-CHECKOUT. AND THIS ORDINANCE WOULD NO DOUBT MAKE US WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE FEEL A SENSE OF SECURITY, KNOWING THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A SUFFICIENT PRESENCE AT SELF-CHECKOUT. NO LONGER WILL WE SEE IRATE CUSTOMERS HURLING ABUSE AT US BECAUSE THEY NEED ASSISTANCE AT SELF-CHECKOUT AND THERE ISN'T A SINGLE EMPLOYEE AVAILABLE TO HELP THEM. THIS WILL MEAN BOTH A SAFER AND MORE COMFORTABLE WORKING AND SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. ON TOP OF THAT, THIS ORDINANCE WOULD BE A HUGE HELP IN ALLEVIATING THE STRESS THAT US GROCERY WORKERS FACE DUE TO UNDERSTAFFING. TOO OFTEN I'VE SEEN MY COWORKERS WHO ARE MEANT TO BE SUPERVISING SELF-CHECKOUT, BEING MADE TO STOCK SHELVES OR DO ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN AREAS OF THE STORE WHERE IT'S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPERVISE SELF-CHECKOUT. NOW MY COWORKERS WILL BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON PERFORMING THE JOB THAT THEY'RE BEING ASKED TO PERFORM, AND AS A RESULT, OUR CUSTOMERS WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE ATTENTION THAT THEY DESERVE. SO ONCE AGAIN, WE THANK THE COUNCIL FOR PRIORITIZING THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPERIENCING THE [01:45:01] POSITIVE RESULTS OF THIS ORDINANCE FIRSTHAND. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS DEANNA KNOWLES, ORGANIZER WITH LONG BEACH FOR A ADJUST ECONOMY. I'M ALSO A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE AND A FORMER GROCERY WORKER FOR OVER SIX 16 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS POLICY AND THANK YOU TO CITY STAFF FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AS WELL. AS SOMEONE WITH FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE, I WANNA SAY THIS IS A COMMON SENSE APPROACH. THROUGH MANY YEARS OF WORKING SELF-CHECKOUT, I'VE ENCOUNTERED IN SITUATIONS THAT HAVE LEFT ME FEELING UNSAFE. I'VE ENCOUNTERED SITUATIONS THAT HAVE LEFT ME FEELING UNSAFE WHILE WITNESSING THE COMPANY LOSE HUNDREDS AND SOMETIMES THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS RIGHT OUT OF THE DOOR. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, YOU HAVE HEARD WORKERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND INDUSTRY ARTICLES THAT HAVE HIGHLIGHT BUSINESSES LIKE LOWELL'S BEST BUYS AND COSTCO, WHICH ALL POINTS TO STAFFING AS A PROVEN STRATEGY TO REDUCE DEATH, IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND LOWER RISK FOR WORKERS. THIS ORDINANCE IS A PUBLIC SAFETY SOLUTION ROOTED IN DATA LIVED EXPERIENCE OF WORKERS IN ECONOMIC COMMON SENSE. I URGE YOU TO VOTE YES AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ORDINANCE AND SHOUT OUT TO MY UFCW BROTHERS AND SISTERS. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU BRIAN. HI, GOOD AFTERNOON COUNSEL. UM, MY NAME IS BRIAN HERNANDEZ. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE CALIFORNIA GROCERS ASSOCIATION. DUE TO CONCERNS WITH THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE PENDING STATE LEGISLATION AND RECENT CONTRACT AGREEMENTS. WE ARE ASKING THAT THE COUNCIL NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ORDINANCE AT THIS TIME. SENATE BILL 4 4 2 2, WHICH REGULATES SOUTH CHECKOUT IS A SPONSOR IS SPONSORED BY U-U-S-C-W IS MOVING THROUGH THE STATE PROCESS. THIS BILL WOULD REGULATE SOUTH CHECKOUT AS DESIRED BY THE ADVOCATES AND WOULD NOT PLACE LONG BEACH ON A REGULATORY ISLAND. IT SHOULD ALSO BE RECOGNIZED THAT USCW JUST RATIFIED CONTRACT, WHICH IMPACTS SELF-CHECKOUT OPERATIONS. WE BELIEVE YOUR ATTENTION AND ENERGY SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON STATE LEGISLATIVE EFFORT AND AND AND SUPPORTING THE NEGOTIATED ACTIONS SPECIFIC TO THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE. IT APPLIES ONLY TO GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL, WHICH IS NOT EQUITABLE, RELIES ON LAWSUITS FOR ENFORCEMENT, DOES NOT INCLUDE ADEQUATE IMPLEMENTATION TIME AND MANDATES, UNMEASURABLE AND UNSPECIFIC ACTIONS BY EMPLOYEES AND THE STORES AS WRITTEN. IT IS A RECIPE FOR UNNECESSARY LEGAL ACTIONS, INCREASED COST TO OPERATE GROCERY STORES IN LONG BEACH, AND EXPOSURE TO EMPLOYEES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING PROPER IMPLEMENTATION. WE ASK YOU NOT TO MOVE FORWARD AT THIS TIME AND INSTEAD SUPPORT LEGISLATIVE OPTIONS AND RESPECT EXISTING AGREEMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU MADAM CLERK. I THINK THERE'S A, A FEW PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T ON MY LIST. WHO WERE THEY? YOU'VE CALLED THEIR NAMES. THEY WERE THE LAST TWO SPEAKERS. BRIAN AND DEANNA. I THOUGHT THERE WERE, UH, THREE ADDITIONAL SPEAKER. I DON'T HAVE THE, THE THE NAMES. WHERE'S PAUL? IF THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON. YOU GUYS ARE GOOD. THAT WAS IT. THAT WAS THE THREE. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. YOU TWO, FINAL TWO. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. THAT WAS MY, THAT'S MY UH, GROCERY STORE WORKER RIGHT THERE. YES. V UPTOWN IT'S ME. I KNEW SHE WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING. GOOD EVENING CITY COUNCIL. MY NAME IS SHAMEIKA PCO. I WORK ON THE FRONT END OF VS. BY THE LONG BEACH TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THAT'S MY NEW LOCATION. CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR TESTIMONY AND TAKING OUR ISSUE SERIOUSLY, THE COMPANY'S CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING OF OUR GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL STORES HAVE CREATED STRESSFUL AND UNSAFE ENVIRONMENTS FOR WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS. AND THE USE OF SELF-CHECKOUT JUST MAKES THINGS THESE PROBLEMS EVEN WORSE. I HAVE PRI PROUDLY SERVED THE CITY OF LONG BEACH FOR 24 YEARS AND I AM PROUD OF LONG BEACH FOR BEING THE FIRST CITY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS THE OVERUSE OF SELF CHECKOUT CAUSES. ONCE THIS ORDINANCE TAKES EFFORT, THE INCREASED STAFFING WE WILL SEE IN OUR STORES WILL GREATLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS AND WILL MAKE OUR STORES SAFER FOR BOTH WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN BECAUSE I REALLY, TRULY, TRULY ENJOY WHAT, YOU KNOW, SERVING MY CUSTOMERS AND THEY [01:50:01] BECOME A PART OF MY FAMILY. SO IT'S MY COMMUNITY AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOU. ALRIGHT, NEXT SPEAKER. MR. MAYOR LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING ON THIS ORDINANCE. SUPERVISING UP TO SIX TRANSACTIONS AT THE SAME TIME IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT FACING CONFRONTATION AND THEFT. BEFORE THIS ORDINANCE, WE MIGHT BE LEFT ALL ALONE TO DEESCALATE THESE SITUATIONS. WHILE OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR ASSISTANCE. WITH MORE STAFFING IN THIS AREA OF THE STORE, WE WILL BETTER, WE WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO HANDLE ANY SITUATIONS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN ON OUR FRONT ENDS. GROCERY AND DRUG STORES IN LONG BEACH WILL BE SAFER BECAUSE YOU LISTEN TO US. I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE RESPONDED WITH CONCERN AND COMPASSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HOPEFULLY WE MIGHT PAVE THE WAY FOR OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO FOLLOW. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, OUR FINAL SPEAKER PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, SENIOR COUNSELOR. MY NAME IS JENNIFER SUBER. I'M A LITTLE BIT NERVOUS. . UM, I WORK AT VONS. I'VE BEEN WITH VAUGHNS FOR 28 YEARS. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR TAKING UP THE ISSUE OF SELF-CHECKOUT. UM, TOO MANY TIMES AS A GROCERY WORKER IN SELF-CHECKOUT, I HAVE BEEN FORCED INTO UNSAFE WORK CONDITIONS. THE ORDINANCE WILL GIVE GROCERY WORKERS AND DRUG RETAILER WORKERS THE ABILITY TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY IN A SAFER, FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT. OUR GROCERY AND DRUG RETAIL STORE ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITIES, BUT THE STRUGGLE OF THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE STORES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED. SO ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU SILLY COUNCIL FOR HEARING OUR ISSUES AND TAKING THE LEAD IN THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'LL TAKE IT BACK BEHIND THE RAIL FOR THE DELIBERATION. COUNCIL MEMBERS AND DEJAS, DID YOU HAVE MORE? I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES. THANK YOU, MAYOR. ALL RIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH. INTU. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. UM, SO I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING THE CITY STAFF, UH, SPECIFICALLY THE CITY, UH, MANAGER'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR YOUR DILIGENT AND EXPEDITIOUS WORK ON THIS ORDINANCE. I WANNA THANK THE WORKERS FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND FOR BRAVELY TELLING YOUR STORIES OVER AND OVER AGAIN. OUR CITY, OUR COUNCIL, HAS RESPONDED TO THE CRY FOR HELP, UH, FROM WORKERS ASKING TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE SAFE. BOTH OUR STAFF AND OUR COMMUNITY COLLEAGUES AS WE LOOK AT THE ORDINANCE THAT STANDS BEFORE US IS LEGALLY SOUND. IT'S COMMUNITY DRIVEN AND URGENTLY NEEDED. I RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR YOUR FULL SUPPORT OF THIS AGENDA ITEM. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES. UH, THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. I TOO WANNA THANK EVERYONE WHO HAS COME OUT TONIGHT AND PREVIOUS EVENINGS, UM, WHO HAVE CALLED OUR OFFICES, SHARED THEIR STORIES AND MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD ON THIS ISSUE. IT'S CLEAR THAT GROCERY WORKERS AND CUSTOMERS THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH ARE FEELING UNSAFE. WORKERS ARE FEELING OVERWORKED AND PARTICULARLY EXACERBATED WHEN REQUIRED TO MANAGE SEVERAL SELF-CHECKOUT STATIONS AT WHAT TIME AS THEY'RE AT HIGHER RISK FOR STRESS, POTENTIALLY UNSAFE SITUATIONS INVOLVING RETAIL THEFT. UM, AND I APPRECIATE THE INTENTION OF THIS ORDINANCE AND ITS EFFORTS TO MAKE OUR FRONTLINE GROCERY WORKERS FEEL SAFE. OUR CUSTOMERS FEEL SUPPORTED, UM, AND ALL AROUND CREATING COMMUNITY. I HAVE VERY FOND MEMORIES OF THE GROCERY WORKERS GROWING UP. THEY SAW MY MOM WITH HER FOUR KIDS AND TWO CARTS OF GROCERIES OF EVERY WEEK. AND THEY'RE CONTINUE TO BE A SOURCE OF JOY. UM, ANYTIME THAT I AM IN THE STORE, THAT IS ONE OF MY RALPH'S GROCERY WORKERS RIGHT THERE. SO, UM, I DID HAVE A QUESTION. WE KNOW THAT LONG BEACH IN THE PAST HAS LED ON THESE ISSUES, UM, AND MOVED BEFORE OTHER CITIES, BEFORE THE STATE EVEN. AND SO EITHER MR. MAYOR, CITY STAFF, AS WE HAVE OFTEN DONE TAKING THE LEAD ON ISSUES LIKE THAT, WHEN THERE ARE CONCURRENT, UM, CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL, ARE THERE WAYS, UM, OR WHAT ARE THE WAYS, AND ARE THERE WAYS THAT THE CITY HAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND UPDATED LOCAL MEASURES OR WORKED ON LOCAL MEASURES THAT HAVE ALREADY PASSED IN RESPONSE THAT TO CHANGES THAT HAPPEN AT THE STATE LEVEL? YOU WANNA TAKE IT ON WE TO HANDLE THIS, TOM? ALRIGHT, I, I GOT IT. SO I WAS A MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE BECOMING MAYOR. THERE HAVE BEEN SITUATIONS WHERE WE'VE SEEN LONG BEACH LEAD AND THEN THE STATE FOLLOW. SO WE'VE SEEN SICK DAYS, WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF THINGS DURING THE PANDEMIC. UH, [01:55:01] BUT I THINK THE CLOSEST EXAMPLE HERE WAS MINIMUM WAGE. SO WE LED AND WERE, UH, ONE OF THE FIRST CITIES TO PASS A LOCAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE. AND THEN THE STATE, UM, MOVED AND UH, AND RAISED THEIR WAGE. AND A LOT OF IT WAS BECAUSE LONG BEACH IS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE SMALL ENOUGH TO BE NIMBLE, BUT LARGE ENOUGH PEOPLE PAY ATTENTION WHEN WE GET IT RIGHT. AND SO THE STATE DID DO THAT AND AFTERWARD THAT ISSUE CAME BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL. SO THE CITY COUNCIL CAN ALIGN OR ADJUST WHAT WE DID IN REACTION TO WHAT THE STATE DID. SO YOU AS A COUNCIL DO HAVE THE ABILITY, IF THE STATE DOES, AND WE ARE TRACKING THE STATE LEGISLATION, WE ARE HEARING THAT THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS, WE ENCOURAGE THOSE DISCUSSIONS. WE HOPE THE STATE SOLVES THESE CHALLENGES. UH, AND IF THEY DO, WE DO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND LOOK AT OUR LOCAL ORDINANCE AFTER THAT TAKES PLACE. I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TO DO IT NOW BECAUSE THERE HAS HASN'T BEEN ACTION. BUT WE ARE HEARING THAT THERE ARE, UH, FRUITFUL CONVERSATIONS TAKING PLACE AT THE STATE LEVEL. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? IT DOES. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. UM, AND SO I APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE, UM, THE URGENCY OF THE MATTER BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS MATTERS YESTERDAY. WE KNOW IT MATTERS A YEAR AGO AND WE KNOW IT MATTERS TOMORROW. UM, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESIDENTS AND RETAIL WHO ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THIS IMPLEMENTATION LOOKS LIKE. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE MAKER OF THE MOTION AND THE INTENT, UM, A VERY FRIENDLY CONSIDERATION OF MOVING THE RATIO FROM A ONE TO TWO RATIO OF ONE WORKER PER TWO TO ONE TO THREE IN THIS ORDINANCE AS A WAY OF ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE SOME REAL CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE, BUT THAT WE DO UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY OF THE MATTER, UM, AND THE SAFETY OF WORKERS AND THE INCIDENTS OF THEFT. SO I PUT THAT FORWARD FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. UM, I, I I ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY, I THINK THAT WOULD BE VERY GOOD, UM, TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THIS ITEM FORWARD. THANK YOU. I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT, A LOT OF SENSE. YOU'RE STILL SETTING A VERY REALIST, REASONABLE, UH, THRESHOLD, BUT YOU ARE ACKNOWLEDGING SOME OF THE CONCERNS PEOPLE HAVE HAVE RAISED. SO I THINK THAT'S A, A, A BALANCED RECOMMENDATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I, AND I ALSO WOULD ASSUME THAT WE WOULD, UH, FOLLOW PREVIOUS COUNSELS WHERE WE HAVE LOOK RE-LOOKED AT THE ISSUE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AT THE STATE LEVEL. CERTAINLY. ABSOLUTELY. YEAH. THANK YOU. WE CAN BRING THAT BACK. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. SO I APPRECIATE WHERE YOU WENT WITH THIS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. UM, I, I'VE SHARED HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS ITEM. I'M NOT GONNA REHASH MY PREVIOUS POINTS ABOUT IT, BUT I DO WANNA MAKE A FINAL ASK, REMEMBERING THAT, UM, LAST YEAR STATE LEGISLATURE CONSIDERED NEARLY THE EXACT SAME PROPOSAL WE'RE DISCUSSING TONIGHT, AND IT FAILED TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS. THIS YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE REVISED THAT PROPOSAL WITH INPUT FROM GROCERY STORES. IT'S MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS. MY ASK WOULD BE FOR THE CITY TO HOLD OFF ON THIS ORDINANCE UNTIL WE KNOW WHERE THE STATE IS GONNA LAND. SO LONG BEACH DOESN'T HAVE DIFFERENT REGULATIONS, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND MAKE CHANGES TO AN ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE. WE WANT TO LOOK AT SIMILAR REG REGULATIONS THAT THE STATE OFFERS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT A GROCERY STORE WON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS LAW UNTIL THEY'RE SUED AND A COURT DECIDES FOR THEM WHETHER OR NOT THEY'RE IN COMPLIANCE. SO I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES. THIS ORDINANCE SAYS SELF-CHECKOUT STATIONS MUST BE LOCATED TO ALLOW FOR ADEQUATE OBSERVATION BY BOTH EMPLOYEES AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT IT DOESN'T PROVIDE CRITERIA FOR WHAT ADEQUATE OBSERVATION MEANS. THIS ORDINANCE ALSO SAYS THAT THE EMPLOYEE MONITORING THE SELF-CHECKOUT STATIONS MUST HAVE NO OTHER DUTIES THAT QUOTE INTERFERE WITH THAT JOB. BUT IT DOESN'T SAY WHAT DUTIES WOULD OR WOULDN'T INTERFERE WITH OVERSEEING SELF-CHECKOUTS. THIS ORDINANCE SIMILAR TO A DA LAW, ALLOWS FOR A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION SUING FOR NON-COMPLIANCE BY ANYONE WHO IS IN THE STORE. UNLIKE A DA, THE A DA LAW, WHICH PROVIDES CLEAR AND SPECIFIC STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE, THIS ORDINANCE EXPOSES BUSINESSES TO LAWSUITS BASED ON VAGUE AND SUBJECTIVE INTERPRETATIONS OF ITS REQUIREMENTS. SO I'M HOPING TO GET SOME CLARIFICATION. UH, I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY OR WHOEVER CAN ANSWER THESE. FIRST, BASED ON THE CURRENTLY WRITTEN ORDINANCE WITH THE FRIENDLY, HOW WOULD A GROCERY STORE KNOW IF THEIR STORE LAYOUT IS COMPLIANT WITH [02:00:01] THE QUOTE, ADEQUATE OBSERVATION REQUIREMENT FOR BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT? I'LL GIVE YOU MY SECOND QUESTION ALSO. HOW WILL A GROCERY STORE KNOW IF A DUTY INTERFERES WITH AN EMPLOYEE'S ABILITY TO OVERSEE SELF-CHECKOUT? WOULD REQUIRING AN EMPLOYEE TO ANSWER CUSTOMER QUESTIONS COUNT AS INTERFERENCE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. COUNCIL MEMBER, MY NAME IS ASHLEY STONE, DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY HERE FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UM, AND I DEFINITELY, UM, UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE THAT YOU'RE RAISING WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION, UH, WITH REGARD TO THE USE OF ADEQUATE, UM, AND THE INTENT REALLY IS TO ALLOW THE EMPLOYEES TO COMPLETE THEIR DUTIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE. THAT SAID, THE LANGUAGE WITHIN THAT SECTION READS THE SAME IF WE REMOVE THE USE OF THE WORD ADEQUATE. SO IF THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT THERE BEING VAGUENESS AROUND THAT, WE CAN REMOVE THE PARTICULAR WORD ADEQUATE TO REMOVE ANY CONCERNS OF VAGUENESS AROUND THAT. AND THE, THE SECOND QUESTION, AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO THIS. YES. UM, COULD YOU ASK THAT AGAIN PLEASE? HOW WILL A GROCERY STORE KNOW IF A DUTY INTERFERES WITH AN EMPLOYEE'S ABILITY TO OVERSEE SELF-CHECKOUT? WOULD REQUIRING AN EMPLOYEE TO ANSWER CUSTOMER QUESTIONS COUNT AS INTERFERENCE? FOR EXAMPLE, SOMEONE'S RUNNING THE SELF-CHECKOUT AND A CUSTOMER WHO'S NOT CHECKING OUT COMES UP TO THEM AND ASKS THEM A QUESTION, THEY TURN AROUND OR THEY WALK TO A, A STAND 10 FEET AWAY. HOW DO WE KNOW THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE FOR INTERFERENCE? BECAUSE AGAIN, WE GO BACK TO THAT PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. SOMEONE COULD BE STANDING THERE AND LOOK AND SAY, OH, THEY WERE, THEY DIDN'T DO THEIR JOB. THEY WERE INTERFERING. I I I'LL SPEAK TO THIS ONE COUNSELOR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THIS. UM, SO THE WAY I WOULD EXPLAIN THIS IS MANNING THE SELF CHECKOUT STATION, YOUR DUTIES ARE TO BE ASSISTING THE FOLKS WITH SELF-CHECKOUT TO BE MAKING SURE YOU ARE MONITORING THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON THERE. SO SPEAKING TO A CUSTOMER WHO HAS A QUESTION IS PRECISELY YOUR DUTY. WHEN YOU'RE HANDLING SELF-CHECKOUT, IT IS NOT INTERFERING WITH THE DUTY. IT IS THE DUTY. IS IT THE DUTY WHEN IT IS A PERSON WHO IS NOT CHECKING OUT THOUGH IT'S SO VAGUE. IT IT'S VAGUE. SIMILAR TO ADEQUATE. I, I WOULD DISAGREE. I I THINK THAT AN ARGUMENT COULD BE MADE THAT ADEQUATE IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS ORDINANCE COULD BE INTERPRETED VAGUELY. AND AS WE SAID, IT COULD BE REMOVED. AND THE, AND THE LANGUAGE IS THE SAME. BUT WITH RESPECT TO INTERFERING WITH THE DUTIES, I THINK IT CAN BE PRETTY SIMPLY LAID OUT WHAT ARE THEIR DUTIES WHEN THEY'RE DOING SELF-CHECKOUT? IF THEY'RE UNPACKING A BOX IN AN AISLE NEARBY THAT THEY'RE NOT PAYING ANY ATTENTION, THE SELF-CHECKOUT AREA, I THINK AN ARGUMENT CAN BE MADE THAT, THAT'S INTERFERING WITH THE DUTIES OF OBSERVING AND ASSISTING IN SELF-CHECKOUT. BUT WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER ACTUALLY DOING THE JOB OF SELF-CHECKOUT IS PART OF THE DUTIES, I THINK IT IS. SO I, I DON'T SEE THAT AS VAGUE. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THEY HAVE DEFINED DUTIES AND THEY DON'T, UM, YOU KNOW, REASONABLE MINDS MAY DISAGREE, BUT I THINK THOSE TERMS, THERE'S, THERE'S A PURPOSE TO YOUR JOB AT THE SELF CHECKOUT. AND AS LONG AS YOU'RE DOING THE TASKS THAT ARE PART OF THAT JOB, IT DOESN'T INTERFERE WITH YOUR DUTIES TO DO THE JOB. ALRIGHT. IT'S REALLY TOUGH. I JUST THINK THAT THERE AREN'T SPECIFICS RELATED TO THIS AND WE'RE LEAVING OUR BUSINESSES OPEN. ALRIGHT. JUST, JUST, JUST A MOMENT. COUNSEL. OPEN UP. HANG A UP. HANG. LET ME JUST, OKAY. THERE ARE GROCERY WORKERS HERE WHO HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET THIS, UH, POLICY ISSUE TO THE PLACE THAT IT IS, UM, CLAPPING OR HISSING IN SUPPORT OR OPPOSED TO ANY POINT OF VIEW DOES NOT HELP THE GROCERY WORKERS. YOU SHOULD, IF YOU WANT TO HELP THEM SPEAK ON PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, ALLOW THE DISCUSSION TO TAKE PLACE. BUT INTERRUPTING DISCUSSION DOES NOT ADVANCE THIS ISSUE TONIGHT. SO I'M GONNA ASK YOU ALL RESPECTFULLY ALLOW THE DISCUSSION TO HAPPEN AND THEN WE CAN MAKE A DECISION, UH, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE WAITING ON US TO MAKE A DECISION TONIGHT. THANK YOU. PLEASE PROCEED. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, MY [02:05:01] CONCERN IS WE'RE LEAVING OUR BUSINESSES GUESSING ON THE SPECIFICS OF WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T BE SUED WITH. AND WE'RE OPENING THEM UP FOR PREDATORY LAWSUITS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST WITH A DA LAW THAT HAD TO BE CLEANED UP. I JUST DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN PASS A LAW REQUIRING BUSINESSES TO FOLLOW IT. IF WE CAN'T TELL THEM WHAT FOLLOWING THE LAW MEANS. I WOULD ASK MADAM CITY ATTORNEY THAT, UH, LIKE TAKING ADEQUATE OUT, CAN WE TAKE THIS ORDINANCE BACK TO YOUR PERUSAL AND WE NEED TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THAT SO WE AREN'T PUTTING OUR BUSINESSES IN JEOPARDY AND OPENING THEM UP TO LAWSUITS. I THINK IF IT'S THE COUNCIL'S DIRECTION THAT WE ADD OTHER LANGUAGE TO THE ORDINANCE, WE CAN ALWAYS DO THAT. IT'S UP TO THIS COUNCIL TO DECIDE HOW IT WANTS TO PROCEED TONIGHT. RIGHT. AND THAT IS TIME. I'LL SAY IT'S A POLICY DECISION. IT'S UP TO THE COUNCIL. IT'S NOT THE, YOU KNOW, EVERY ORDINANCE AND DIRECTION ORDINANCE, IF THAT'S WHERE YOU WANT TO GO, PUT IT FORWARD TO THE COUNCIL. COUNCIL CAN MAKE A, MAKE A DECISION IF THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. UM, BUT IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE, I NEED YOU TO QUEUE BACK UP TO SPEAK OR, UH, WE HAVE TO GO TO A VOTE. THERE WE GO. ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S START WITH MY FIRST QUESTION REGARDING ADEQUATE OBSERVATION. I'D LIKE TO MAKE A FRIENDLY THAT WE CAN REMOVE THE WORD ADEQUATE FROM THE ORDINANCE. UM, YES. I THINK THAT THAT STRENGTHENS THE ORDINANCE. GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WOULD GO BACK TO MADAM CITY CITY ATTORNEY. UM, IS THERE NO OTHER WORD OR ASHLEY, NO OTHER WORD OTHER THAN INTERFERES. IS THERE SOMETHING MORE SPECIFIC YOU COULD RECOMMEND FOR THIS ORDINANCE THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH COUNSEL THAT WE COULD USE TO STRENGTHEN WHERE IT'S GOING IN THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE ORDINANCE? I, I DON'T THINK I CAN COME UP WITH A WORD SITTING HERE IN FRONT OF YOU RIGHT NOW THAT I THINK BETTER CAPTURES THAT. IF IT'S SOMETHING THIS COUNCIL WANTS OUR OFFICE TO GO BACK AND REVIEW, WE CAN DO THAT. BUT SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW, I DO NOT HAVE A WORD FOR YOU THAT I THINK BETTER CAPTURES THE INTENT THERE. SO I'LL ASK A SECOND FRIENDLY, UH, OF COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DEJAS. WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO, UM, ALLOW THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO COME UP TO STRENGTHEN THIS ORDINANCE BY COMING UP WITH PHRASEOLOGY, UH, THAT TAKES AWAY INTERFERES AND MAKES THIS STRONGER? UH, FIRST THANK YOU COUNCILWOMAN FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND FOR YOUR IDEAS. I KNOW YOU WANT TO STRENGTHEN THIS ORDINANCE. UM, DUE TO THE FACT THAT, UM, OF THE URGENCY OF THIS ORDINANCE, I WON'T BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THAT. UM, I THINK WHAT WE CAN DO THOUGH IS, UM, I KNOW THAT THERE'S LEGISLATION THAT IS WORKING ON THIS ORDINANCE AND I FEEL THAT, UM, IF YOU KNOW TONIGHT, UM, I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN PASS THIS ORDINANCE AND MAYBE IF THE LEGISLATION COMES THROUGH STATEWIDE, UM, I THINK THAT THEN WE COULD LOOK BACK AND SEE HOW WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS. BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW, UM, BEST WOULD BE TO GO AS IS RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. WELL THAT CONCLUDES COUNCIL DELIBERATION. THANKS EVERYONE FOR BEING PATIENT. UH, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR. SO, UH, MADAM CITY, THE ATTORNEY, CAN YOU SUMMARIZE WHAT WE HAVE ON THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW? UH, YES SIR. MR. MAYOR. SO, UM, BASICALLY, UH, THE REQUEST IS FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TAKE THE ORDINANCE BACK AND TO MAKE TWO CHANGES. UM, THAT THE RATIO FROM ONE TO TWO WILL BE ONE TO THREE AND THAT THE WORD ADEQUATE WILL BE REMOVED IN, I BELIEVE SUBSECTION D. AND, UH, WE WILL BRING IT BACK FOR A FIRST READING AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. THANK YOU. THAT IS CLEAR. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALRIGHT. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. OKAY. WE'RE GONNA DO A FIVE MINUTE RECESS SO THE COUNCIL CAN RESET. THANK YOU. OKAY. [02:23:56] ALL [02:23:56] RIGHT. [02:23:56] WE'RE CALLING THE CITY COUNCIL BACK TO THE CHAMBERS. WE ARE CALLING ROLAND 60 SECONDS. ALL RIGHT, LET'S CALL, UH, ROLL CALL PLEASE. CALL THEM, CALL THE MEETING BACK TO ORDER. COUNCILWOMAN [02:25:01] ZENDEJAS PRESENT. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. HERE. COUNCILWOMAN KERR. PRESENT COUNCILWOMAN SORROW. COUNCILWOMAN THRASH ENUK. HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK OTI. HERE. MAYOR ITON. I AM HERE. WE HAVE QUORUM. THANK YOU. LET'S GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL READ THE NAMES. CARMEN V JAY FALCONER CHARITY CASTRO, UH, SEAN HEARNS, SANDY ALVAREZ, AND FREE PALESTINE. PLEASE COME FORWARD IF YOU HEARD YOUR NAME, JUST COME ON DOWN. CARMEN, IS THAT YOU? CARMEN? IT IS IYE CARMEN. ALRIGHT. [ 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. ] IT IS IYE. THANK YOU. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, CARMEN. THANK YOU. I'M CARMEN VALDEZ. I'M A MEMBER OF A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH. I FIRST OF ALL WANNA THANK COUNCIL MEMBER AND TOOK FOR YOUR COMMENTS WHEN YOU BEGAN, WHEN WE OPENED THE MEETING TODAY AS A YOUNG POLITICAL EXILE, HAVING FLED THE TYRAY AND OPPOSITION OF FIDEL CASTRO'S, CUBA WITH MY FAMILY, I KNOW THE VALUE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF UPHOLDING AND DEFENDING IT. I HAVE NOT MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE IN ANY ELECTION, FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL SINCE I FIRST ACQUIRED THE PRIVILEGE AT AGE 18, I HAVE FOUGHT FOR DEMOCRACY BY CASTING BALLOTS FOR MORE THAN ONE OF YOU WHO SIT BEFORE ME TODAY BELIEVING YOU TOO SHARED MY COMMITMENT TO IT. HOWEVER, I WAS APPARENTLY MISTAKEN. DEMOCRACY IS FACING A GRAVE CHALLENGE TODAY. NOT ONLY IN THIS COUNTRY, BUT IN THIS VERY CITY. PEOPLE ARE BEING ABDUCTED FROM THE STREETS OF LONG BEACH BY UNIDENTIFIABLE THUGS. THEY'RE TAKEN WITHOUT CAUSE, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, AND ARE DENIED DUE PROCESS, WHICH IS GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THIS COUNTRY. WHILE THIS COUNCIL SITS IDLE AND EVEN CONDONES IT THROUGH THE ACTIONS OF THE LONG BEACH POLICE AS CITIZENS, IT IS OUR CIVIC DUTY TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN WITHIN THE LAW TO RESIST AND PROTECT THE ACTION AND PROTEST THE ACTIONS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO IGNORE DEMOCRACY. WE MUST FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT, EVEN IF IT MEANS FACING FIRE HOSES IN BIRMINGHAM WHEN OBJECTING TO SEGREGATION OR POLICE BATONS IN CHICAGO WHEN PROTESTING THE VIETNAM WAR. GIVEN MY FAMILY'S HISTORY, I HAVE ATTENDED ENDLESS PROTEST RALLIES AND MARCHES THROUGHOUT MY LIFE WHEN I SEE DEMOCRACY BEING THREATENED, I HAD NEVER BEEN ARRESTED UNTIL THE NIGHT OF JUNE 25TH, WHEN WITHOUT VALID REASON, THE LONG BEACH DEPARTMENT. LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT HANDCUFFED AND TOOK ME INTO CUSTODY FOR EXERCISING MY FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT BY SIMPLY, PEACEFULLY AND LOUDLY VOICING MY OBJECTIONS TO THE PRESENCE OF ICE IN LONG BEACH. TO HAVE PEACEFUL RESIDENTS ARRESTED FOR VOICING THEIR OPPOSITION TO ICE IS A SEVERE REFLECTION OF THIS COUNCIL. BUT I WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO DESTROY DEMOCRACY. I SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER BY DEMANDING YOU CEASE ENABLING THE PRESENCE OF ICE WITHIN LONG BEACH AND STOP ARRESTING PEACEFUL CITIZENS WHO DEMAND THAT YOU DO. SO HERE, HERE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CARMEN. ALRIGHT, NEXT IS JAY. GOOD EVENING, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. UH, MY NAME IS JAY FALTER. I'M A CITIZEN OF, I'M A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH. UM, I BELONG TO SEVERAL GROUPS IN LONG BEACH THAT ARE ACTIVELY, UH, PROTESTING AND, UH, AGAINST, UH, THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL, UH, ACTIONS OF ICE. AND WE ARE HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS SOMETHING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS THAN A NEW BASEBALL TEAM AND THE 2028 OLYMPICS AND FUN SUMMER PROGRAMMING. WE'RE HAPPY TO EXPAND CHILDCARE OPTIONS THAT ARE BEING EXPLORED FOR THOSE ATTENDING MEETINGS. AND THAT A MOTION TO PROVIDE A LIVABLE WAGE TO OUR AIRPORT EMPLOYEES AND OTHERS WHO KEEP THE CITY MOVING AND THRIVING WILL MOVE FORWARD. WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THESE TOPICS WILL DELIGHTFUL AND EXCITING, OBSCURE AND DISMISS THE LONG-TERM WAYS. THE CITY CONTINUES TO ACTIVELY HARM PEOPLE. WE ARE HERE BECAUSE DESPITE THESE STEPS FORWARD, WE CAN NO LONGER IGNORE THE ROLE OUR CITY PLAYS IN CONTRIBUTING TO SYSTEMS OF VIOLENCE, BOTH GLOBALLY AND PALESTINE AND LOCALLY IN OUR FAILURE TO PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS. YES, THE CITY HAS LAUNCHED NEIGHBORS SUPPORTING NEIGHBORS FUND. AND YES, THAT FUND HAS PROVIDED REAL, ALBEIT STILL NOMINAL SUPPORT, UH, AND GROCERIES, RENTAL AID, INCOME ASSISTANCE, AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE MOST DIRECTLY HARMED BY IMMIGRATION RAID. BUT RELIEF WITHOUT PROTECTION IS NOT JUSTICE. A FUND IS NOT A SHIELD, AND OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES MORE. IN 2024, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TAXPAYERS CONTRIBUTED AN ESTIMATED 20 10, 29 [02:30:01] $0.2 MILLION TO ISRAEL'S WEAPONS AND THEIR FEDERAL TAX WITH THEIR FEDERAL TAX DOLLARS. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TO PROVIDE ONE MONTH'S RENT FOR OVER 18,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR A MONTH OF GROCERIES FOR MORE THAN 61,000 FAMILIES. IT'S ENOUGH TO MEET THE NEIGHBORS SUPPORTING NEIGHBORS FUNDRAISING GO 117 TIMES OVER. BUT INSTEAD OF FIGHTING TO KEEP THOSE RESOURCES HERE WHERE THEY'RE URGENTLY NEEDED, YOU PASSIVELY ALLOW THESE DOLLARS TO CONTINUE FUNDING WAR. THEN IN THE MOST CHALLENGING ECONOMIC YEAR IN RECENT US HISTORY, YOU TURN TO US, YOUR STRUGGLING RESIDENTS TO DON FOR DONATIONS TO DO WHAT YOU FAILED TO DO, PROTECT AND SUPPORT OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS AND THE FAILURES OF THE CITY. LEADERSHIP DOESN'T STOP AT THIS. DESPITE JOINING THE CALL FOR BY OTHER CITIES EARLY ON FOR OUR CEASEFIRE, THE CITY CONTINUES TO PROUDLY CELEBRATE AND WELCOMING AEROSPACE AND TECH INDUSTRIES LIKE BOEING, SPACEX CORPORATION WHOSE PROFITS ARE TIED TO MILITARISM, SURVEILLANCE AND DISPLACEMENT. I'M GOING TO NOW NO, THAT'S ALRIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT IS CHARITY AFTER CHARITY IS SEAN, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE FROM JAY'S STATEMENT. IN A CITY WHERE 45% OF ITS RESIDENTS SPEAK SPANISH, AND WHERE COUNTLESS FAMILIES, INCLUDING FOLKS WITH MIXED STATUS, DACA, TPS OR OTHER GREEN CALLED HOLDER STATUS, UM, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR AND OUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES HAVE DONE LITTLE FOR OUR CITY BEYOND PERFORMING ALLYSHIP. YES, YOU'VE DISCUSSED POTENTIAL LAWSUITS AND POTENT IN CLOSE SESSIONS, AND YES, YOU'VE PLEDGED SUPPORT FOR IMPACTED FAMILIES, BUT YOU'VE FAILED TO PROHIBIT THE DATA SHARING THAT PUT FAMILIES AT RISK. UM, THROUGH, UH, THE LVPD LICENSE PLATE DATA GATHERING, UH, FOR 10 STRAIGHT MONTHS, IT WAS ABLE TO ACCESS ICE, WAS ABLE TO ACCESS DATA ON OUR CITIZENS WITHOUT THEIR KNOWLEDGE. WHEN IT WAS EXPOSED, THE CITY SIMPLY SHRUGGED IT OFF AS AN ACCIDENT. NO NEW SAFEGUARDS AND NO ACCOUNTABILITY WERE PUT FORWARD. AFTER THIS. IN 2021, THE CITY COUNCIL AND THEN MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA APPROVED A LEASE NEGOTIATION WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONVERT OUR CONVENTION CENTER INTO A DETENTION FACILITY FOR KIDS WHERE 1,583 CHILDREN WERE KEPT IN CHAIN CHAINLINK FENCES SEPARATED FROM THEIR LOVED ONES, DEPRIVED OF AN EDUCATION, AND REGULARLY DEHUMANIZED IN A CITY RUN DETENTION FACILITY. OVER THE COURSE OF 92 DAYS THIS YEAR, YOU FAILED AGAIN TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES THAT LETS FEDERAL AGENTS OPERATE WITHIN OUR CITY, DIRECTING THEM TO DIRECTING LONG BEACH TRANSIT STAFF TO COOPERATE WITH ICE IF AGENTS SHOW UP ON BUSES OR AT THEIR FACILITIES, QUIETLY ENABLING ENFORCEMENT WHILE PUBLICLY CLAIMING SOLIDARITY. MOST RECENTLY LBPD ARRESTED TWO, NO SLEEP FOR ICE PROTESTORS OUTSIDE OUR LOCAL HOLIDAY INN, VIOLATING THEIR CONSTANTLY CONSTITUTIONALLY GUARANTEED RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST. YOU'VE ALSO, THEY ALSO PROCEEDED TO STOP CARS THAT WERE HONKING AND SHOWING SUPPORT FOR PROTESTERS THAT EVENING. AND MAKING MATTERS WORSE, ICE HAS ALSO BEEN OBSERVED STAGING ATER PARK POLICE SUBSTATION. SO WHAT DO WE, YOUR CONSTITUENTS DEMAND? A REAL SANCTUARY CITY POLICY, SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT HUNTINGTON PARK HAS RECENTLY SIGNED. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO LABEL OURSELVES PROGRESSIVE. BECAUSE WE HAVE SYMBOLIC POLICY, WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO PROTECT OUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR IMMIGRANT NEIGHBORS. AND WE WOULD LIKE THE END TO DATA SHARING WITH ICE, INCLUDING A FULL AUDIT, A FULL AUDIT OF THE CITY DATA SYSTEMS CONTRACTORS AND THIRD PARTY PLATFORMERS TO EXPLO TO EXPOSE WHERE AND HOW THIS INFORMATION IS GETTING TO THEM. AND FINALLY, A REALLOCATION AWAY OF CITY FUNDS AWAY FROM OUR BLOATED POLICE AND TOWARDS US, YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THE PEOPLE WHO PUT YOU IN THESE SEATS. AND LASTLY, JUST AS A REMINDER, BECAUSE I HAVE 24 SECONDS, THE NEXT PRIMARY ELECTION FOR THE MAYOR, THE CITY ATTORNEY, THE CITY AUDITOR, THE CITY PROSECUTOR, AND DISTRICTS 1, 5, 7, AND NINE, AND MOST NOTABLY THREE, REPRESENTED BY MS. CRITI, CHRISTINA DUGAN, THE ONLY CITY COUNCIL PERSON HERE TODAY, WHO VOTED AGAINST GIVING OUR CITY EMPLOYEES A LIVABLE WAGE AS WELL AS VOTED AGAINST PROVIDING GROCERY STORES, UH, EMPLOYEES, SAFER WORKING CONDITIONS. ALL OF THOSE SEATS ARE UP FOR GRABS IN THE 2026 ELECTION. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, NEXT IS SEAN. AFTER SEAN IS SANDY. SANDY'S GONNA GO FIRST. SANDY'S GOING FIRST. WAIT, ARE YOU OKAY? SANDY'S GOING FIRST. GOT IT. UM, I GOT KICKED OUT OF THE SHELTER FOR NO REASON AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN, UH, WE JUST, I JUST GOT SOMEBODY OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND ONE DAY, 'CAUSE HE HAD TROUBLE BREATHING. 'CAUSE THIS PERSON HAD TROUBLE BREATHING. AND HE'S FROM, HE'S 68 YEARS OLD. BUT THE ONLY THING IS WE GOT KICKED OUTTA THERE ON TUESDAY. ONE OF YOUR STAFF, ONE OF THE STAFF WORKING THERE, AND ONE THE OTHER ONE, THE HEAD ONE. SHE WAS SO MEAN TO ME. DISRESPECTING ME. ONE OF THE STAFF CUSSED [02:35:01] ME OUT. TWO STAFF GOES, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. OH, DO WHAT YOU MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS. WHAT KIND OF STUFF IS THAT? INSTEAD OF HELPING PEOPLE, I, I GET TREATED LIKE A ANIMAL. COME ON NOW. YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO TREAT PEOPLE LIKE ANIMALS. WE'RE ADULTS AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP PEOPLE NOT KICK 'EM OUT FOR NO REASON. AND I, I WAS STAYING THERE FOR TEMPORARY JUST TO GET A HOUSING, JUST TO GET A HOUSING FOR TEMPORARY. BUT THEY KICK, THEY KICKED ME OUT FOR NO REASON. OH THIS AND THAT, THIS AND THAT. RULES AND RULES AND RULES. AND I GET TREATED LIKE AN ANIMAL AT THE SHELTER FOR NO REASON. AND I MEAN, EVERYBODY GETS EQUAL RIGHTS. AND WHAT ABOUT US? WE'RE JUST BECAUSE, LIKE, YOU, LIKE SHE SAID, WE'RE DIFFERENT COLORS. THAT'S NOT COOL. THAT'S NOT COOL. YOU GOTTA HELP SENIOR CITIZEN. YOU GOTTA HELP THE, THE PEOPLE OUT HERE, NOT JUST US. PEOPLE ARE, ARE STARVING OUTSIDE PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS. THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. WHAT ABOUT US? WE HAVE NO, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP PEOPLE, SUPPORT PEOPLE. WHAT IS DONALD TRUMP IS GONNA SAY ABOUT THIS? WHAT IF DONALD TRUMP IS GONNA SAY ABOUT THIS? YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO HELP PEOPLE, SUPPORT PEOPLE, NOT JUST KICK 'EM OUT FOR NO REASON. BECAUSE PEOPLE GOT OUTTA THE HOSPITAL AND PEOPLE ARE HANDICAPPED. COME ON NOW. THAT COULD BE YOUR FAMILY. JUST REMEMBER. AND I HAVE NOWHERE TO GO. I'M BACK TO THE CAR AGAIN. NOWHERE TO GO. NO HELP, NO RESOURCES, NO HOUSING, AND I NEED SUPPORT. AND THEY NEED TO GET FIRED. ONE OF YOUR ONE OF YOUR STAFF IS SO RUDE. ONE OF YOUR STAFF IS SO RUDE. THE HEAD ONE, SHE'S RUDE, SHE'S RUDE. VERY RUDE. AND YOU BETTER INVESTIGATE YOUR STAFF AND YOUR SH AND YOUR SHELTER. YOU BETTER INVESTIGATE MORE OFTEN. YOUR SHELTER MORE OFTEN. ASK ANYBODY OUT THERE THEY NEED. SOME OF THEM GOT STOLEN. THEIR STUFF, THEY GOT STOLEN STUFF. MY STOLEN STUFF. THEY CR THEY SCRATCH MY CAR. ONE OF THE, ONE OF THE THINGS, THEY SCRATCH MY CAR WHEN I'M, WHEN I'M IN THE ROOM. COME ON NOW. HELP PEOPLE. NOT DESTROY PEOPLE. HELP PEOPLE. I GO TO CHURCH FOR 40 YEARS. I'VE BEEN GOING TO CHURCH FOR 40 YEARS. I KNOW THE SYSTEM. I KNOW ELECTRONICS. I KNOW HOW THINGS WORK. THAT'S ALL I GOTTA SAY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, SEAN. GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS. UH, I WAS HERE IN MARCH FOR PROBLEMS I WAS HAVING WITH THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER AND HOW MY VOUCHER PROCESS WAS OR WASN'T GOING. UH, I RECEIVED A VOUCHER IN OCTOBER OF 2024. AND, UH, WHEN I WAS HERE IN MARCH, THE VICE MAYOR DIRECTED ME TO CITY MANAGER REYNOLDS. SHE WAS EX EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND THERE WAS A REPORT DONE AND SHE GOT BACK TO ME VERY QUICKLY. UH, THE INFORMATION SHE WAS GIVEN WASN'T REALLY CORRECT, BUT MOVING FORWARD, UH, WHEN I WAS HERE, IT WAS MARCH 4TH. AND ON MARCH 20TH, UNFORTUNATELY, I WAS ARRESTED FOR RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY WARRANT FROM 2021. ON APRIL 15TH, THE VOUCHER EXPIRED. ON APRIL 18TH, I WAS SENTENCED TO LATA TREATMENT CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY, UH, THE HONOR HONORABLE JUDGE COLE. I WAS RELEASED TO LATA ON APRIL 23RD TO THE ALLEN HOUSE INPATIENT TREATMENT PROGRAM. WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF MY TREATMENT TEAM AT THE ALLEN HOUSE, WE WERE ABLE TO GET A FINAL EXTENSION FOR THE VOUCHER ON MAY 27TH WITH A NEW EXPIRATION DATE OF JUNE 14TH. ON JUNE 11TH, MY RFTA PACKET WAS SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BY THE VOLTA ON PINE APARTMENTS. HOUSING AUTHORITY STATES THAT THE PROCESS, ONCE THE PACKET IS SUBMITTED, IS 15 DAYS IF INSPECTION PASSES THE FIRST TIME. MY PROBLEM IS VERY, A VERY SIMPLE FIX THAT I CAN'T SEEM TO GET DONE MYSELF. THE PROCESS IS STUCK AT THE RENTAL, REASONABLE, REASONABLE PORTION. WHEN THE VOUCHER APPLICATION WAS COMPLETED, THE GR INFORMATION WASN'T ENTERED. SO HHA AWARDED AN AMOUNT, 2 220 $4 LESS THAN THE RENT, EVEN THOUGH I WAS UNDER THE PAYMENT STANDARD FOR THE 9 0 8 0 2 ZIP CODE. HOWEVER, THANKS TO JUDGE COLE GIVING ME THE PROGRAM I'M CLOSE TO. I FINISHED INPATIENT, I'M CLOSE TO COMPLETING OUTPATIENT WHERE I'M CURRENTLY HOUSED AT THE RESIDENTIAL BRIDGE HOUSING IN WATTS. I HAVE 112 DAYS CLEAN TODAY. AND THE BEN AND THE BENEFITS OF BEING SOBER, I NOW SOBER. I NOW HAVE A JOB. SO ON FRIDAY, I EMAILED THE EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION AND MY PAYMENT STUBS VIA PDF [02:40:01] TO MY MOVE SPECIALIST. AND I LET GI KNOW I'M WORKING NOW. UH, THIS MORNING I GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE MOVE SPECIALIST SAYING SHE WOULDN'T BE WORKING WITH ME ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE'S BEING MOVED TO THE INTAKE DEPARTMENT. ANOTHER MOVE SPECIALIST WOULD BE CONTACTING ME, NOT AT THE FINISH LINE. VOLTA APARTMENTS HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY PATIENT, PATIENT, EXCUSE ME, THEY CHANGED MY MOVE IN DATE THREE TIMES. WE GOT THE EXTENSION. I FOUND A PLACE, I GOT THE PACKET SUBMITTED IN TWO WEEKS. ALL FROM INPATIENT. MY MOTHER'S HAVING REPLACEMENT KNEE SURGERY IN MICHIGAN ON AUGUST 6TH. JUDGE COLE GAVE ME PERMISSION TO TRAVEL, BUT WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM, APPROACHING THE PROCESS, BEING ON PAUSE, I DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO COME BACK TO. I JUST NEED A LITTLE HELP. I'M A SUPPORTER. I LOVE LONG BEACH. I'VE BEEN HERE 25 YEARS IN AND OUT, AN ACTIVE APPROACH TO HOMELESSNESS AND A WELL COORDINATED LEVEL OF CARE. ALRIGHT, SEAN, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. MAKE SURE YOU CONNECT WITH, UH, OUR CITY MANAGERS TEAM TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THE SITUATION. THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALRIGHT, OUR FINAL SPEAKER, SPEAKER, PLEASE. FREE PALESTINE. THANK YOU ALL FOR WHO STAYED BEHIND AND FOR THE PRESS. I HOPE YOU'RE WRITING THE TRUTH FOR THE ATTORNEYS. I HOPE YOU'RE APPLYING THE TRUTH TO THE LAW. UH, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF, UH, DR. MAHA AFRA, WHO IS NOT HERE, WHO WAS ALSO, UH, UNJUSTLY ARRESTED ON JUNE 25TH WITH THE FIRST SPEAKER CARMEN. SHE, I WRITE, SHE WROTE, MY NAME IS DR. MAHARA. I'M A MOTHER, AN EDUCATOR, A DANCER, CHOREOGRAPHER, IMMIGRANT, A SEMI AND A CARING HUMAN BEING. ICE IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTING AMONGST OTHER TERRORISTS AS IN ISRAEL. THEIR PRESENCE ON THE LONG BEACH TRANSIT HAS PREVENTED MY DANCE STUDENTS AT NON, AT A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FROM COMING TO CLASS, A CLASS THEY LOOK FORWARD TO. TWICE A MONTH I WAS WITH A GROUP PROTESTING ICE PRESENCE AT THE HOLIDAY INN ON LAKEWOOD. WE COMPLIED WITH EVERYTHING OFFICER GUNN AND WILLIAMS ASKED US TO DO. NO SPEAKER, NO NOISE, NO SHOUTING. YOU CAN'T, YOU, AND THIS IS QUOTED, YOU CAN SAY YOU CAN STAY AS LONG AS YOU WANT AND WAVE YOUR FLAGS. BUT BE QUIET WORDS OF OFFICER GUNN. YET ALL OF A SUDDEN, THREE OFFICERS WALK TOWARDS ME AND ARREST ME. I HAVE THE VIDEO AS PROOF. THE THEATRICALS WERE PATHETIC AND ALL. AND FOR WHAT THE SAKE OF INTIMIDATION AND SILENCING, I DEMAND THAT THE CHARGES AGAINST ME TO BE DROPPED. IT IS YOUR HONOR AND INTEGRITY ON THE LINE, REX AND SOW, YOUR COUNSEL, YOUR SILENCE IS ACTUALLY ALLOWED ACCEPTANCE FOR THE ACTS OF INJUSTICE AND DEGRADATION COMMITTED AGAINST YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT YOU. THIS IS NOT ONLY SHAMEFUL TO YOU, BUT TO YOUR ANCESTORS WHO HAVE DIED FOR YOU TO BE SITTING ON THIS HIGH FANCY CHAIR, RECOVER SOME OF YOUR DIGNITY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. AND YOU SHAME YOUR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY BY LICKING THE BOOTS OF WHITE SUPREMACY. THE ICE VAMPIRES ARE NOT WELCOME IN LONG BEACH IN OUR CITY. NOT YOUR CITY. OUR CITY. AND FOR EVERYBODY WHO'S NOT LOOKING, I'M TAKING YOUR SILENCE AS ALSO ACCEPTING WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE TO THE PEOPLE OF YOUR OWN, UH, DISTRICTS. SHAME, SHAME. AND ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY FOR THE MOMMY CAUCUS AND THE DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH, UM, I HOPE YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HEARTS TO ALSO PRAY FOR THE WOMEN AND THE CHILDREN THAT ARE DYING IN GAZA RIGHT NOW. THAT MR. MAYOR HAS STILL, YET YOU'RE NOT SAYING ANYTHING MA'AM. YOUR TIMES CONCLUDED. FREE PALESTINE. FREE PALESTINE FREE PALESTINE. THANK YOU. DO IT RIGHT. ALRIGHT, WELL THAT CONCLUDES, UH, GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. WE'LL MOVE ON WITH THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. ITEM 49, PLEASE 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 WITHOUT DANCING TO LA FIESTA, DBA, THE GRASSHOPPER LOCATED AT 1 3 6 [02:45:01] EAST ANAHEIM DISTRICT ONE. THIS [49. 25-55815 Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and grant an Entertainment Permit with conditions for entertainment without dancing to La Fiesta, LLC DBA The Grasshopper located at 136 East Anaheim, Long Beach, CA 90802. (District 1) Levine Act: Yes       Office or Department: Financial Management         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ITEM DOES REQUIRE AN OATH. SO CAN I HAVE THE WITNESSES PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU AND EACH OF YOU SOLEMNLY STATE THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU MAY GIVE AND THE CAUSE NOW AND PENDING BEFORE THIS BODY SHALL BE THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD? I DO, I DO. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. UH, WE'LL TURN IT OVER. DEPUTY CITY MANAGER CURLEY. THANK YOU. AND YEAH, WE'LL TURN IT OVER TO UNI SALCITO, OUR BUSINESS SERVICES OFFICER, TO GIVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW. UH, GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL BEFORE YOU. TONIGHT IS AN APPLICATION FOR ENTERTAINMENT WITH WITHOUT DANCING FOR THE GRASSHOPPER. UH, THE BUSINESS IS LOCATED AT 1 36 EAST ANAHEIM AND OPERATES AS A BAR TAVERN LOUNGE. UH, ALL APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES HAVE REVIEWED THE APPLICATIONS AND HAVE PROVIDED THEIR RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS AS CONTAINED IN THE HEARING PACKET. UH, THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS IN ATTACHMENT A SHOULD BE NOTED FROM THE ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS SECTION. UH, ONE INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES SHALL BE RESTRICTED TO THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, 8:00 PM TO 1:00 AM AND SUNDAY, 3:00 PM TO 9:00 PM UH, AND TWO OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES AT THE PREMISES SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE CUP, UH, THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON MAY 15TH. I, ALONG WITH COMMANDER DOMINIC CIA, UH, FROM OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. THAT CONCLUDES MY STAFF REPORT. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS HEARING. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT IN THIS HEARING? OKAY. SEEING NONE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. WE'LL TAKE IT BACK, UH, BEHIND THE RAIL. WE'LL GO TO THE MAKER OF THE MOTION COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE DEJAS. THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, THANK YOU JUNIE FOR THAT PRESENTATION AND FOR, UM, SHARING THOSE DETAILS WITH US. I'M FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER CARR SUPPORT. ALL RIGHT. SUPPORT. I WANNA OFFER MY, UH, UH, CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK TO THE GRASSHOPPER. UM, AND WITH THAT, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. ITEM 52, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY MANAGER TO REPORT BACK WITHIN 120 DAYS WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE CITY OF LONG BEACH'S COORDINATED RESPONSE TO INDIVIDUALS DISPLAYING THREATENING OR UNSAFE BEHAVIOR. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. [52. 25-55855 Recommendation to request City Manager report back within 120 days with opportunities to improve the City of Long Beach’s coordinated response to individuals displaying threatening or unsafe behavior. This should include: Educational materials for when to call 911, the Non-Emergency Number, the Multi-Service Center, a partner agency, or when to file a report online; Educational materials for how calls for service are categorized, coordinated, and dispatched; Defined roles and response protocols for Police including Quality of Life Officers, Fire including Lifeguards, Community Crisis Response (CCR) teams, REACH Teams, Outreach Workers, other city personnel, and other support systems; Opportunities to improve interdepartmental and interagency coordination to enhance response efforts in these situations; A review of current services, gaps, and opportunities, including potential enhancements through pending Prop 1 funding; and Updated guidance and protocols for drug-related incidents, ensuring a consistent response under Prop 36, and developed with community input.       Office or Department: Kristina Duggan, Councilmember, Third District         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ALRIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. UM, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IS INVESTING IN HOUSING, PUBLIC SAFETY AND SERVICES, AND WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO BUILD OUT HOW WE RESPOND TO HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. WE ALREADY HAVE STRONG SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO RESPOND WHEN SOMEONE IS IN DANGER OR WHEN PEOPLE REACH OUT TO REPORT ENCAMPMENTS. THIS ITEM IS ABOUT THE ISSUES AND THE CALLS THAT FALL IN BETWEEN WHERE RESIDENTS SEE SOMEONE IN CRISIS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY COMMITTING A CRIME. THEY'RE UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO AND WHO TO CALL. THEIR EXPECTATIONS OF THE CITY'S RESPONSE DON'T ALWAYS MATCH REALITY AND WHAT PEOPLE WANT THE RESPONSE TO BE. SO IN SPEAKING WITH OUR DEPARTMENTS, I'VE LEARNED THAT MUCH OF THIS INFORMATION EXISTS, BUT IT'S NOT PRESENTED IN A WAY THAT'S EASY TO UNDERSTAND OR ACCESS FOR THE PUBLIC. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN A RESIDENT SEES SOMEONE SCREAMING WHILE WALKING DOWN THE STREET OR BEHAVING ERRATICALLY OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS, WHO DO RESIDENTS CALL? DO THEY CALL NINE ONE ONE? DO THEY CALL THE NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER? DO THEY CALL THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER? WE NEED CLEAR GUIDANCE ON HOW TO MAKE THESE REPORTS AND WHAT THE REPORTING PARTY CAN EXPECT SO RESIDENTS AREN'T LEFT GUESSING OR ULTIMATELY SAYING, I CALLED AND NO ONE SHOWED UP. WE ALSO NEED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT OFFERING SERVICES MEANS AND WHAT SERVICES ARE TRULY AVAILABLE TO OUR TEAMS WHEN RESPONDING TO THESE CALLS. CAN WE OFFER TREATMENT AND CASE MANAGEMENT TO THESE PEOPLE? OR ARE WE HANDING THEM A BOTTLE OF WATER OR A SANDWICH WITH NO OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO OFFER? THERE'S A BIG DIFFERENCE AND IT AFFECTS THE OUTCOMES. FINALLY, WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT PROP 36. THIS WAS A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN HOW THE STATE APPROACHES DRUG RELATED OFFENSES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A DECADE, OFFICERS NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE FELONY ARRESTS IN SITUATIONS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY TREATED [02:50:01] WITH CITATIONS. THIS IS A MAJOR SHIFT FOR MANY OFFICERS WHO HAVE NEVER OPERATED UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS IN THEIR CAREERS. I THINK WE NEED TO PROTECT OFFICER DISCRETION, BUT WE SHOULD ALSO BE HAVING AN OPEN CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IMPLEMENTATION LOOKS LIKE. SO IT'S NOT A SURPRISE TO OUR COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE THIS REPORT BACK WILL HELP CREATE A STRONGER, MORE TRANSPARENT SYSTEM. I'VE SPOKEN WITH MANY DEPARTMENTS ABOUT THIS. IN PARTICULAR, OUR CHIEF OF POLICE, CHIEF ISH. I'VE TALKED WITH, UM, OUR CITY MANAGER ABOUT THIS. I'VE TALKED WITH HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. THESE ARE THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE WANT TO BE SHARING THEIR INFORMATION TO RESIDENTS SO RESIDENTS KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THESE SITUATIONS. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. UM, I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS ITEM. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH. OKAY. THANK YOU, MAYOR. AND THANK YOU TO COUNCILWOMAN DUGGAN FOR INTRODUCING THIS ITEM. UM, CERTAINLY THERE'S ALWAYS, UH, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CLARITY SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, UH, WHAT TO DO, WHO TO CALL UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES. AND THIS, UH, PERTAINS TO THOSE WHO ARE IN ALL PARTS OF OUR CITY, INCLUDING THE NORTH PART. AND SO I'D LIKE TO ACTUALLY ASK THE CITY MANAGER IF HE COULD INCLUDE IN THAT REPORT BACK A SECTION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, UM, SPECIFICALLY SO THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND THE WAYS THAT THEY CAN REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND USE THE CORRECT TERMS, UM, AS THEY CALL IN SO THAT THEIR REPORT IS FILED AND RESPONDED TO APPROPRIATELY. UH, MANY OF US HEARD, UH, FROM OUR NORTH LONG BEACH RESIDENTS HERE AT COUNCIL ON APRIL 22ND REGARDING THE BLATANT ILLICIT ACTIVITY THAT TAKES PLACE IN THE PUBLIC. AND THESE INCIDENTS PERSIST LONG AFTER OFFICERS ARE NOTIFIED. AND SO WHILE WE ARE, UH, LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REPORT BACK ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THAT'LL BE COMING UP SOON WITH THIS ITEM THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY, I THINK IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO REPEAT THOSE DIRECTIONS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. SO IT IS TO ACT AS ANOTHER WAY TO ENGAGE AROUND A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT. SO PLEASE, UH, MAKE SURE THAT WE INCLUDE DIRECTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO WITNESS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER SEX WORK. SO CALLERS UNDERSTAND HOW TO EFFICIENTLY RELAY THEIR EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY AND THAT SAFETY, UM, TEAMS CAN RELY ON THIS INFORMATION. SO THAT WOULD BE MY RESPECTFUL REQUEST OF THE CITY MANAGER REGARDING THIS ITEM. EXCELLENT. AND THEN WE'D LOOK TO THE MAKER OF THE MOTION, IF THAT'S, UH, IN, IN AGREEMENT THERE. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. I WOULD ACCEPT THAT AS A FRIENDLY. GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN ZENDEJAS. UM, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I THINK ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE ACROSS THE DISTRICTS. UM, AND SO I REALLY AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE IF WE COULD ALSO MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE CLEAR. UM, I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF, UM, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH MENTAL ILLNESS CRISIS, AND HOW DO WE, UM, SAFELY ADDRESS THOSE, THOSE PEOPLE OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PROBABLY, UM, CAUSING SOME KIND OF HARASSMENT TO OUR RESIDENTS, UM, OUR BUSINESSES. SO IF THAT COULD ALSO BE INCLUDED, I THINK, IN A MORE CLEAR FORMAT ON HOW TO ADDRESS THAT, UM, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE'LL, NOW GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. KATHLEEN ADAMS. HELLO, I'M FROM DISTRICT FOUR. I'M KATHLEEN ADAMS. I'M NOT REPRESENTING CLUE RIGHT NOW. I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF AS A CITIZEN IN LONG BEACH. I LIVE BY THE CERRITOS CHANNEL. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT REALLY FIND THAT A BRILLIANT PLACE TO CAMP OUT. UM, AND I'VE MADE CALLS AND I'VE TRIED TO REACH THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. UM, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD TO CALL THE POLICE. I'VE BEEN TOLD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. SO I'VE TRIED ALL THE DIFFERENT WAYS. AND, UM, MY SUCCESS RATE IS, UM, SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD ONE. UM, BUT I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER STORIES WHERE IT HAS, UH, BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH. UM, I'VE HEARD THAT QUALITY OF LIFE HAS GONE TO AREAS, UM, WITH A TEAM, AND THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE AND HAVE THE RIGHT PERSON WHO'S A TRAINED COUNSEL BACKGROUND PERSON, INVITE THEM TO SERVICES AND THEY ACCEPT THEM. AND I'VE BEEN TO THE COFFEE WITH A COP AND THE PERSON SAID IT TOOK 108 REQUESTS FOR THE PERSON TO FINALLY ACCEPT SERVICES. AND SO, [02:55:01] UM, ANYWAY, SO I, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OUT OF THIS, THE VISION. UM, SO I'M JUST GONNA DREAM RIGHT NOW. JUST MAKE A DREAM FOR LONG BEACH. MY DREAM FOR LONG BEACH IS THERE'S A 24 HOUR MULTI-SERVICE CENTER PHONE NUMBER THAT I CAN CALL AND SOMEONE WILL PICK UP THE PHONE OR GET BACK TO ME WITHIN, I'LL SAY, AN HOUR. UH, A 24 HOUR QUALITY OF LIFE TRAINED OFFICER AND MENTAL HEALTH STAFF ON CALL THAT, UM, THE MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, ONCE THEY GET A REPORT, I'M UNDERSTANDING THERE'LL BE A QUEUE BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF HOMELESSNESS. BUT AFTER THAT INITIAL BACKLOG OF HOMELESSNESS, UM, IS ADDRESSED, HOPEFULLY THEY'RE ALL BEING HOUSED AND IT'S JUST MAINTAINING A, A FAST RESPONSE TEAM WITH THIS EFFORT. UM, ALSO I'D LIKE TO SEE MENTAL HEALTH, UM, WORKERS, TRAINED CITIZENS. HOW CAN CITIZENS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERS GET INVOLVED? I'VE BEEN WITH CLERGY AND VOLUNTEERS. I'VE SEEN THEM WITH BLACK EYES. I'VE SEEN THEM INJURED AND ASSAULTED BY HOMELESS PEOPLE. AND I'VE HEARD THAT THE PEOPLE ARE LET OFF OUT OF THE JAIL AND THEY'RE BACK ON THE STREET AS A VIOLENT PERSON. THIS IS ALL ANECDOTAL, JUST WORD OF MOUTH, GRASSROOTS. TALKING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY AND CITY COLLEGE, C-S-U-L-B, LIFELONG LEARNING RED CROSS CONGREGATIONS AND THE MINERAL HOSPITAL TO TRAIN VOLUNTEERS AND TO HAVE THE VOLUNTEERS TRAIN THE TRAINERS. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF ALL THE CITIZENS OR LARGE QUANTITY OF CITIZENS IN LONG BEACH, LIKE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE A CPR TRAINING THAT YOU GET CERTIFIED EVERY YEAR AND YOU'RE CERTIFIED TO RESPOND AND HELP IN A SITUATION. UM, SO IT'S NOT ALL ON THE POLICE OFFICERS AND IT'S NOT ALL IN THE CITY. AND AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP. WE ALL ARE TRAINED TO KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO THE SITUATION BECAUSE EACH MA'AM, MANY TIMES CONCLUDED, IS A UNIQUE CASE AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THAT CASE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW GO TO ITEM 53. PLEASE REPORT FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT TO MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH A SM GLOBAL CONVENTION CENTER MANAGEMENT FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT THE LONG BEACH CONVENTION AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER IN THE AMOUNT OF 25 MILLION. DISTRICT ONE. [53. 25-55822 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents necessary for a Supplemental Agreement to Management Agreement No. 36386 with ASM Global Convention Center Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, doing business as SMG, for capital improvement projects at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, at 300 East Ocean Boulevard, in the amount of $25,000,000. (District 1)       Office or Department: Economic Development; Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ALRIGHT, UH, WE DON'T NEED A FULL STAFF REPORT, BUT, UH, 'CAUSE WE WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH THIS, BUT SAY A FEW WORDS ON THIS IF YOU COULD. STAFF. YEAH. SO, UM, THIS, UH, UH, WE BROUGHT THIS TO YOU ACTUALLY ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO, TWO YEARS AGO, TO DO THE FIRST TRANCHE OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CONVENTION CENTER. UH, WE LOVE OUR CONVENTION CENTER. IT'S, IT'S BEEN A GREAT, UM, ECONOMIC ASSET, UH, BUT IT HAS BEEN GETTING OLDER. AND SO OUR CHALLENGE WAS TO FIND WAYS TO DO THAT WITHOUT PUTTING IN GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. THESE AREN'T STREET DOLLARS, THESE AREN'T DOLLARS TO GO TO YOUR SIDEWALK. IT'S ALL MONEY THAT'S REALLY GENERATED, UM, AT THE CONVENTION CENTER. UH, AND SO WE DID THE FIRST TRANCHE OF 25 MILLION, AND THEN, UH, YOU GAVE US APPROVAL AT THE LAST MEETING TO DO THE SECOND TRANCHE. SO, UH, IN THE PRESENTATION IS ALL THE SPECIFICS, UH, THAT WE'RE WORKING ON. EVERYTHING FROM HVACS TO A DA ACCESSIBILITY. WE GET COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE, THE, UH, ELEVATORS AND THE ESCALATORS AND ALL THAT'S A PART OF THIS. AND THIS IS A LOT OF THE BUILDING SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE THAT, UH, OUR, OUR BUILDING'S GONNA BE READY TO BRING IN NOT ONLY CONVENTIONS, BUT ALSO SUPPORT, YOU KNOW, MAJOR, MAJOR EVENTS, UH, THAT ARE COMING AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, THESE ARE MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS. WE'VE HEARD ABOUT IT A FEW TIMES. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NONE MEMBERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. 54. PLEASE REPORT FROM DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS, FIRE DEPARTMENT, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE POLICE DEPARTMENT TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION. RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE A CONTRACT IN ANY NECESSARY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING TERM EXTENSIONS WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES TO RECEIVE AND EXPEND DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT FUNDING [54. 25-55816 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract and any necessary subsequent amendments, including term extensions, with City of Los Angeles, to receive and expend Department of Homeland Security grant funding for the 2024 Urban Area Security Initiative Grant in an amount not to exceed $6,912,311, for the period of September 1, 2024, through May 31, 2027; and Increase appropriations in the General Grants Fund Group in the Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications Department by $510,733, in the General Grants Fund Group in the Fire Department by $2,525,601, in the General Grants Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $1,445,198, in the General Grants Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $100,000, in the General Grants Fund Group in the Police Department by $1,180,779, and in the General Services Fund Group in the Technology and Innovation Department by $1,150,000, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications; Fire Department; Health and Human Services; Parks, Recreation and Marine; Police Department; Technology and Innovation         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] FOR THE 2024 URBAN AREA SECURITY INITIATIVE GRANT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $6,912,311 CITYWIDE. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. THIS IS PRETTY ROUTINE. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH LOS ANGELES AND WE ROUTINELY RECEIVE U OI GRANTS. UH, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? SEEING NONE MEMBERS PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. 55. PLEASE REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING [03:00:01] THE AWARD AMOUNT OR TERM WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF 12,341,587 FOR THE HOMELESS HOUSING ASSISTANCE [55. 25-55817 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, all necessary documents, and any subsequent amendments, including to the award amount or term, with the California Department of Housing and Community Development, to accept and expend funding in the amount of $12,341,587, for the Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program Round 6 for a five-year period estimated to begin December 2025; and Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $12,341,587, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Health and Human Services         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. ROUND SIX FOR A FIVE YEAR PERIOD ESTIMATED TO BEGIN DECEMBER, 2025 CITYWIDE. ALRIGHT, WE ARE GONNA, UH, SAY A FEW THINGS ABOUT, UM, ABOUT THE HAP GRANTS. UM, UH, PAUL, GIVE US A FEW, A FEW LINES. SURE. UH, SO HALF ROUND SIX IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF APPLICATION. AS PART OF THAT, WE ARE REQUIRED TO CREATE A REGIONAL PLAN. UM, PART OF THAT REGIONAL PLAN IS WORKING WITH THE SIX OTHER JURISDICTIONS, UH, THAT ARE GETTING FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE, UH, FOR THIS PROGRAM TO CREATE ALIGNMENT. UH, SO WE'RE STILL GOING THROUGH THAT. WE HAVEN'T COMPLETED OUR APPLICATION, BUT WE ARE WORKING TO, AS A REGION, PUT IN A JOINT APPLICATION THAT HAS INDIVIDUAL BREAKDOWNS OF FUNDING, BUT HAS AN OVERALL PLAN FOR THE COUNTY AS A REGION. SO, UH, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS THAT WE HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON AS PART OF THAT PROCESS. THIS FUNDING BRINGS IN FUNDS THAT LARGELY SUPPORT BOTH OUR SHELTER AND PERMANENT HOUSING RESOURCES, SUPPORTING, UH, CASE MANAGEMENT ATTACHED TO VOUCHERS, AS WELL AS RAPID REHOUSING SERVICES TO HELP PAY PEOPLE'S RENT, UH, AND SUPPORT IN FINDING HOUSING. SO IT'S A VITAL PIECE, UH, BOTH IN GETTING PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY OFF THE STREET AND TERM SUCCESSFULLY BACK INTO PERMANENT HOUSING. SO I'M GONNA, UH, THANK OUR CITY TEAM, UM, FOR CONTINUALLY, UH, CONTINUALLY, UH, BEING SUCCESSFUL IN IN PLANNING FOR THESE HAP GRANTS, I WILL SAY. AND I ALSO WANT TO, UH, THANK THE CALIFORNIA BIG CITY MAYORS HAS BEEN A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY TO ADVOCATE FOR HAP FUNDING. THIS WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE IF IT HADN'T HAVE BEEN FOR THAT ADVOCACY. YEAR AFTER YEAR IS HOW WE FUNDED THINGS LIKE OUR YEAR ROUND NAVIGATION, YOUTH NAVIGATION CENTER, OUR CITY'S FIRST YOUTH SHELTER THAT'S OPEN IN A MATTER OF WEEKS. IT WAS, UH, THIS FUNDING THAT ALLOWED FOR THAT. AND ITS FLEXIBLE FUNDING THE CITIES THAT SAID, UM, MOST RECENTLY IN THE STATE BUDGET, UM, UH, NEXT YEAR'S ROUND WAS ACTUALLY CUT IN HALF. SO THE FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS, THE ONLY FLEXIBLE FUNDING THAT MANY CITIES RECEIVE HAS BEEN CUT IN HALF. AND NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO CHANGE OUR STRATEGY OR, OR GO BACKWARD. NOW'S THE TIME TO ACCELERATE. WE'VE SEEN THE PROVEN STRATEGIES THAT WORK. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I RAISE THIS BECAUSE, UM, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY NEXT YEAR IN THE BUDGET AND WE CANNOT SLEEP ON THIS. THIS WAS A CUT, A DEVASTATING CUT AT A MOMENT WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS BEING UNCERTAIN ON FUNDING IN A MOMENT WHERE OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE. UM, HOMELESS FUNDING WAS CUT IN HALF AND THERE WAS NOT A PEEP, NO ONE SAID A WORD. AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF. 'CAUSE BECAUSE THIS WILL IMPACT THIS, THIS FUNDING. FORTUNATELY, WE CARRIES THROUGH THE NEXT YEAR, BUT NEXT YEAR WE HAVE, WE HAVE TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE AND BE VERY CLEAR AS A COMMUNITY TO OUR STATE THAT THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR US OR ELSE WE'LL LOSE GROUND ON THE PROGRESS THAT WE'VE MADE. THAT SAID, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. A MOTION IS CARRIED. 56 REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT, ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, AND ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING TO THE AWARD AMOUNT OR TERM WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING OF THE ANNUAL ALLOCATION FOR A TOTAL OF 13,114,644 [56. 25-55824 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including to the award amount or term, with the State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), to accept and expend funding of the annual allocation in the annual amount of $4,371,548, for three years, for a total of $13,114,644, for the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Supplement Programs for the period of October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028; and Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $13,114,644, offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)        Office or Department: Health and Human Services         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] FOR THE WOMEN INFANTS AND CHILDREN NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT PROGRAMS CITYWIDE. ALRIGHT. THE PROGRAM, UH, IN OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, UH, HAS FUNDING TO CONTINUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GREAT WORK TO OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 57. PLEASE REPORT FROM HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION TO INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE HEALTH FUND GROUP IN THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT BY 200,000. INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND GROUP IN THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BY 3,800,000 FOR UPGRADES TO THE LONG BEACH MULTI-SERVICE CENTER. OFFSET BY GRANT REVENUE FROM THE CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCE AGENCY [57. 25-55818 Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department by $200,000, offset by grant revenue from the California Natural Resources Agency; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $3,800,000, for upgrades to the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, offset by grant revenue from the California Natural Resources Agency; and Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $3,800,000, offset by transfer of California Natural Resources Agency grant revenue from the Capital Grant Fund. (District 7)       Office or Department: Health and Human Services; Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] AND INCREASE APPROPRIATIONS IN THE CA CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND GROUP AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT BY 3,800,000, OFFSET BY A TRANSFER TO THE CALIFORNIA NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY. GRANT REVENUE FROM THE CAPITAL GRANT FUND. DISTRICT SEVEN. THANK YOU. MORE FUNDING FOR OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT. BIG NIGHT FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ANY PUBLIC COMMENT MEMBERS, PLEASE CASH YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 58. PLEASE REPORT [03:05:01] FROM POLICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO AMEND CONTRACT WITH SAFE WEAR FOR FURNISHING AND DELIVERING EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND PUBLIC SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES FOR A REVISED ANNUAL CONTRACT. AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 4,146,930 CITYWIDE. THANK YOU. THIS IS PRETTY ROUTINE. UH, ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? [58. 25-55819 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 36591 with Safeware Inc., of Lanham, MD, for furnishing and delivering emergency response and public safety equipment and supplies, to increase the annual contract amount by $1,026,930, for Year 3, for a revised annual contract amount not to exceed $4,146,930, for the period of March 31, 2025, to April 1, 2026. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Police Department         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS PLEASE. CASH REV VOTE MOTION IS CARRIED. 59. PLEASE REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT AND ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND FUNDING IN AMOUNT OF 1,500,000 FOR THE FIRST STREET PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT DISTRICT ONE. WELL, THIS IS A FUN ONE. SO WE ARE GONNA TALK ABOUT THIS. WE'LL PASS THIS ON TO CITY STAFF. YEAH, WE DO HAVE A SHORT PRESENTATION ON THIS. UH, THIS IS A REALLY GREAT PROJECT TO HELP ACTIVATE, UH, AN AREA, UM, [59. 25-55820 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an Agreement, and any necessary documents, including subsequent amendments, with the County of Los Angeles (County) to accept and expend funding in an amount of $1,500,000 for the 1st Street Pedestrian Improvements Project; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Funds Group in the Public Works Department by $4,216,524, offset by $1,500,000, of Los Angeles County funds and $2,716,524, of Proposition C funds from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; and Increase appropriations in the Capital Project Funds Group in the Public Works Department by $4,216,524, offset by the transfer of Los Angeles County and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority funds from the Capital Grant Fund. (District 1)       Office or Department: Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] IN THE EAST VILLAGE THAT HAS BEEN ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE MORE FOOT TRAFFIC. AND SO I'LL TURN IT OVER THE TEAM TO TALK THROUGH THE, THE DESIGN WE'VE COME UP WITH AND SOME OF THE PUBLIC OUTREACH AND THAT WE'RE GETTING READY TO GET GOING. THANK YOU TOM. MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. UH, WE DO ACTUALLY OWN A TRAIN, ONE OF THE ORIGINAL, UH, BLUE CAR 100 TRAINS THAT'S SITTING IN ONE OF OUR YARDS THAT'S WAITING FOR THIS PROJECT. SO, UH, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, UH, THAT GOT DONATED BY METRO IN 2021. UH, WE'VE BEEN GETTING, UH, DIFFERENT FUNDING SUPPORT FROM DIFFERENT AGENCIES, INCLUDING METRO, INCLUDING LA COUNTY, UM, AND, UH, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE DESIGN AND ON ALL OF THE DETAILS. WE'VE HAD A FEW COMMUNITY MEETINGS, UH, TO SHARE A LOT OF THESE DETAILS. AND THERE'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT, UH, OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT PROJECT THAT'S GONNA HELP BETTER CONNECT THE DOWNTOWN, UH, TO THE, UH, EAST VILLAGE, UH, AREA. UM, UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT ACTIVATION BEAUTIFICATION, UH, ENHANCING THE CONNECTIVITY, AS I JUST MENTIONED, PROMOTING, UH, SUSTAINABLE TRANSIT OPTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, THE, THE, YOU KNOW, RECOGNIZING THE HISTORY AND THE VALUE OF TRANSPORTATION, UM, AND, AND THE IMPACTS, THE POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT THE BLUE LINE HAS HAD. UH, SO SHOWCASING THAT LOCAL HISTORY, UH, IT'S REALLY IMP UH, IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROJECT. UH, WE SPLIT THE PROJECT INTO TWO AREAS, UM, AND, UH, THIS IS MEANT TO, UH, UPGRADE THE ENTIRE TRANSIT CORRIDOR, UM, UH, AND ALSO SERVE AS THAT, UH, THAT INTEGRAL, UH, CONNECTION PIECE. UM, HERE'S THE CAR. UM, THIS IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT'S SITTING IN OUR YARDS THAT WILL BE, UH, UH, INSTALLED AS PART OF THIS PROJECT IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY. UH, WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY, UH, FOR IT TO SERVE SOME TYPE OF CONCESSION. UM, YOU KNOW, WE DO ANTICIPATE SOME TYPE OF RFP OR, UH, OR, UH, CREATIVE PROCESS TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT ONCE IT'S INSTALLED, WHAT'S, WHAT CAN IT, UH, WHAT CAN IT HOLD IN ORDER TO HELP FURTHER ACTIVATE THE AREA AFTER IT HAS BEEN FULLY, UH, IMPROVED. UH, FROM, FROM THIS PROJECT, UH, WE ARE LOOKING AT DECORATIVE CROSSWALKS. UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, THE LANDSCAPING. UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT, UH, SAFETY LIGHTING, UH, JUST DIFFERENT WAYS TO, UM, IMPROVE AND ACTIVATE, UH, THIS MAJOR TRANSIT, UH, CORRIDOR AREA. HERE'S ONE OF MY FAVORITE RENDERINGS THAT SHOWS THE, THE BLUE CAR INSTALLED. THAT'S THE CORNER OF ELM. AND FIRST, UH, THAT'S, UH, OUR BUILDING THAT WE OWN THERE, UH, TO THE NORTH AS WELL. UM, AND THEN THIS IS THE NEW CONFIGURATION OF THE ROADWAY. UH, THIS IS, UH, SOME NEW LANDSCAPING. YOU SEE SOME ADDITIONAL KIOSK FOR OTHER FUTURE VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES. UM, A LOT MORE WALKABLE, UH, A LOT MORE LIVABLE, A LOT SAFER, UM, THAT, UH, THIS PROJECT IS GONNA, IS GONNA HELP TRANSFORM THAT AREA. UH, WE HAVE A BUDGET FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. WE HAVE THEM ALL LISTED HERE FOR A TOTAL OF $6.5 MILLION THAT HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO THIS PROJECT. MOST OF THAT IS ALL GRANT FUNDING. UH, WE ANTICIPATE BID AND AWARD IN THE FALL AND CONSTRUCTION, UH, TO START AFTER A SUCCESSFUL BID AND AWARD PERIOD. AND, UH, CONSTRUCTION DURATION IS, UH, JUST UNDER A YEAR. UH, THAT'S OUR, THAT'S OUR TARGET, UH, UM, AT, AT THIS POINT. SO THAT CONCLUDES, THAT'S, UH, UH, PRESENTATION. ALRIGHT. UH, THANK YOU. THIS IS, UH, AN EXCITING PROJECT IN THE EAST VILLAGE, UH, PARTICULARLY AT A TIME WHERE, YOU KNOW, THE, A LINE IS GONNA GONNA BE HIGHLIGHTED GLOBALLY. THIS WAS THE FIRST, UH, TRANSIT RAIL LINE OF METRO. IT'S THE WORKHORSE OF METRO. IT'S THE ALINE AND IT'S THE LONGEST, THE LONGEST LIGHT RAIL IN AMERICA. YOU CAN GO FROM LONG BEACH TO AZUSA ON ONE TRAIN. AND SO, UH, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT THE HISTORY, THE LONG BEACH HISTORY, AND IT IS STILL THE WORKHORSE OF, UH, METRO COUNCILWOMAN, ZENDEJAS, ANYTHING. I AM SO, SO VERY PLEASED, [03:10:01] UM, TO SEE THIS COMING TO FRUITION. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIRECTOR LOPEZ, FOR ALL THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING ON THIS. I KNOW THAT YOU'RE JUST AS EXCITED AS ME FOR THIS. I THINK THAT IT WILL ABSOLUTELY UPLIFT AND, UM, THE AREA OF THE EAST VILLAGE, UM, AND BRING MORE PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AS WELL AS ATTRACT MORE FOOT TRAFFIC TO THAT AREA AS WELL. AND I'M JUST SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO, UM, HAVE A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY THERE WHERE ALL, UM, ALL RESIDENTS FROM LONG BEACH AND OUTSIDE OF LONG BEACH CAN COME AND ADMIRE. UM, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS COME TO LIFE IN LESS THAN A YEAR. I'M JUST SO PLEASED WITH THE WORK THAT'S BEEN GOING ON, AND THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JUST HAVING AS MUCH EXCITEMENT FOR THIS AS I DO. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ANY PUBLIC COMMENT MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 60, PLEASE REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION TO PROCEED WITH CRITICAL UNPLANNED IMPROVEMENTS ALONG ATLANTIC AVENUE AND LARAY STREET DISTRICT EIGHT. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 61 [60. 25-55828 Recommendation to authorize City Manager to proceed with critical unplanned improvements along Atlantic Avenue and Luray Street. (District 8)       Office or Department: Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO ACCEPT AND EXPEND GRANT FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT OF 25 MILLION TO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PACIFIC AVENUE PROTECTED BIKE LANES PROJECT DISTRICT SIX AND SEVEN. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE FIGURING OUT WHO WANTS TO, WE'LL, WE'LL NOTE [61. 25-55826 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents, including any necessary subsequent amendments, with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $25,000,000, to be used for the construction of the Pacific Avenue Protected Bike Lanes Project, with a term ending June 30, 2029; Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $25,000,000, offset by Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program grant funds from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT); and Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $25,000,000, offset by transfer of SS4A Grant Funds from the Capital Projects Grant Fund.  (Districts 6, 7)       Office or Department: Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] WHO WANTS TO DO THE MOTION IN A SECOND IN A MOMENT. MOTION. OKAY, LET'S MAKE SURE SULI DOES THE MOTION. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER KER DOES THE SECOND AND IT'S IN COUNCIL MEMBER ROBERTO'S DISTRICT. BUT THIS IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE WE WERE CONCERNED BOTH DISTRICTS, UH, WE WERE, UH, A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROJECT. AND, UH, IT'S GREAT TO SEE THAT IT IS, IT IS, UH, MOVING FORWARD FOR NOW. UH, THAT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, BUT THIS IS EXCITING AND WE, WE WANNA RECOGNIZE, UH, CONGRESSWOMAN BARON, WHO PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE SECURING FUNDING FOR THIS AND OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM, WHO'S BEEN WORKING HARD TO BRING, UH, IMPORTANT PEDESTRIAN ENHANCEMENTS TO PACIFIC ALLEN, UH, PACIFIC AVENUE, UH, THAT WILL BE HELPFUL TO THE WRIGLEY NEIGHBORHOOD WHO'S REALLY BEEN ORGANIZING AROUND THIS, UH, VISION FOR A LONG TIME. THAT SAID, LET'S HAVE A BRIEF STAFF REPORT. YEP. ERIC LOPEZ WILL GIVE THIS ONE AS WELL. THANK YOU, TOM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. UH, THIS IS, UH, ANOTHER EXCITING, UH, MAJOR CORRIDOR PROJECT, UH, THAT, UH, WE HAVE BEEN, UH, WORKING REALLY HARD ON. UM, WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN, UH, SUCCESSFULLY WINNING, UH, GRANT AWARDS, UH, TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS, UH, HIGH, UH, PRIORITY, UH, CORRIDOR. UH, THE, WE HAVE TWO RELATED, UH, PROJECTS. UH, THEY'RE FUNDED FROM, FROM DIFFERENT, UM, SOURCES, BUT IT'S, IT'S PACIFIC AVENUE, UH, FROM OCEAN, UH, ALL THE WAY TO, UH, TO, UH, TOWARD THE, UH, THE, THE 4 0 5, UM, THE, THE I'LL GO, UH, OVER THE DIFFERENT FUNDING SOURCES, UH, IN, IN A BIT. BUT THE, THE, UH, MAIN OBJECTIVE IS NOT JUST TO, UH, REPAVE THE ROADS, BUT IT'S TO MAKE THIS ROAD SAFER. UM, IT IS PART OF OUR HIGH INJURY NETWORK. UH, WE ARE LOOKING AT IMPROVING THE MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITIES AND THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE, UH, IN THIS, UH, IN THIS CRITICAL, UH, CORRIDOR. AND THAT'S ALL PART OF THIS, UH, OF THIS, OF THIS PROJECT, OF THIS EFFORT. UM, WE ARE, UH, LOOKING AT VARIOUS STRATEGIES, UH, BETWEEN OCEAN BOULEVARD AND PCH, UH, TO, UM, TO, TO IMPROVE, UH, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, TO REDUCE VEHICLE SPEEDS, UH, TO PROVIDE, UM, ADDITIONAL, UH, SAFE, UH, BIKING, UH, BIKEWAY ACCESS, UH, THROUGH, THROUGH THIS IMPORTANT, UH, NORTH SOUTH CORRIDOR. UH, WE, UM, WE ARE DOING IMPROVE, UH, BUS STOPS. UM, AND, UH, WE ARE LOOKING AT IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE, UH, METRO, A LINE, UM, UH, UH, AREAS BETWEEN, UH, PCH AND WARDLOW. WE HAVE SOME SIMILAR, UH, IMPROVEMENTS, UH, INCLUDING, UM, INCLUDING THE BIKEWAY AND THE EXPANDED, UH, TRANSIT BUS STOPS. BUT WE ALSO, WE ARE ALSO DOING SOME, UH, ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA, UH, AS WELL, INCLUDING SOME, UH, CURB BOAT VALVES, SOME PEDESTRIAN, UH, CROSSING REFUGE ISLANDS, UH, SOME RACE PEDESTRIAN, UH, CROSSING, UH, IMPROVEMENTS, UH, TO, TO AGAIN, UH, IMPROVE SAFETY, SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC AND, UH, REALLY, UH, CREATES [03:15:01] A, A SAFER, MORE INVITING CORRIDOR. UM, AND, UM, AND, AND MAKE IT MAKE IT SAFER. SO HERE I HAVE AN EXISTING CONFIGURATION OF THE ROADWAY VERSUS THE PROPOSED CONFIGURATION OF THE ROADWAY FROM OCEAN TO, UH, PCH. AND THEN, UH, WE SHOW FROM PCH TO WARDLOW, SAME, THE EXISTING WITH THE PROPOSED, UH, THERE ARE SOME MAJOR CHANGES. UH, WE ARE LOOKING TO, UH, CALM TRAFFIC. WE ARE LOOKING AT VARIOUS LIVABILITY AND SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS IN THIS CORRIDOR, UH, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IN OUR OTHER CORRIDORS. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE WE'RE SEEING THAT AS WE RETRANSFORM SOME OF THESE CORRIDORS AND MODERNIZE THEM, THEY ARE BECOMING SAFER. AND, UH, TRAFFIC, UM, IS, UH, IS CALMED DOWN THROUGH, UH, THROUGH THESE, UH, TYPE OF ENGINEERING ENHANCEMENTS. UM, WE HAVE THE SCHEDULE HERE LISTED. IT'S A LONG PROJECT. WE STILL HAVE SOME, UM, SOME FUNDING, UH, TO, UH, TO APPLY FOR AND TO GET, YOU KNOW, AS YOU'VE SEEN WITH SOME OF OUR OTHER MAJOR CORRIDOR PROJECTS, IT TAKES, UH, SOMETIMES A FEW, UH, DIFFERENT SOURCES IN ORDER TO FULLY FUND, UH, THESE PROJECTS, UM, AND GET THEM READY FOR CONSTRUCTION. AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING TO LEVERAGE OUR EXISTING FUNDS, UM, AND BUILD UPON, UH, EXISTING FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO MULTIPLY, UH, MULTIPLY THE AMOUNT OF, OF BENEFIT AND THE EFFECT THAT WE CAN HAVE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE CITY SINCE WE KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF STREETS, A LOT OF CORRIDORS THAT STILL NEED TO GET IMPROVED. UM, SO, UH, HERE'S THE BUDGET, UH, FOR EACH OF THE SEGMENTS, INCLUDING THE MAJOR GRANT FUNDING. UH, THIS, UH, LATEST GRANT, UH, BETWEEN PCH AND WARDLOW $25 MILLION DOES PROVIDE THE LARGE MAJORITY OF FUNDING WHAT OUR LOCAL MATCH, UH, THAT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED. UH, SO, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS, UH, WE ARE, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO, UH, BE ABLE TO, UH, PUSH, UH, THESE, THESE PROJECTS AS PART OF OUR NEXT ROUND OF MAJOR CORRIDOR PROJECTS THAT, UH, WE'RE LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT. AND THAT CONCLUDES, THAT'S PRESENTATION. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SAAR? YES, THANK YOU MAYOR. IN ADDITION TO THANKING CONGRESSWOMAN BARON, I WANNA THANK OUR PUBLIC WORK STAFF FOR APPLYING FOR THIS COMPETITIVE GRANTS AND BEING AWARDED 25 MILLION IS SUCH A BIG DEAL. UH, WHAT A MAJOR TRANSPORTATION INVESTMENT IN THIS QUARTER THAT'S REALLY NEEDED. UM, ATTENTION AND AS WELL AS JUST ADDRESSING THE NEEDS THAT THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR, FOR MORE SAFETY, BUT ALSO TO BE ABLE TO HAVE, UH, BIKE LANES. AND, UM, SO, UH, I THINK I'LL ALSO SPEAK FOR CON UH, VICE MAYOR, UH, ANG, JUST BECAUSE WE SHARE THIS STREET, UH, HE REPRESENT ONE SIDE OF PACIFIC I AVENUE I DO ON THE OTHER. SO WE WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER AND WE KNOW THAT THIS IS GONNA MAKE A HUGE IMPACT. SO JUST WANNA EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF DISTRICT SIX AND SEVEN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. IT'S A GREAT PROJECT. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. MEMBERS PLEASE CAST A VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 62 REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS AND POLICE RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO BEST CONTRACTING SERVICES FOR PROVIDING CONSTRUCTION SERVICES FOR THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING ROOFING PROJECT FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT, NOT TO EXCEED 1,135,700 DISTRICT [62. 25-55825 Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7253 and award a contract to Best Contracting Services, Inc., of Gardena, CA, for providing construction services for the Long Beach Public Safety Building Roofing Project, in an amount of $987,565, authorize a 15 percent contingency in the amount of $148,135, for a total contract amount not to exceed  $1,135,700; and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contract, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (District 1)       Office or Department: Public Works; Police         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] ONE. THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN MOVED IN. SECONDED. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 63 REPORT FROM UTILITIES RECOMMENDATION TO ADOPT RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH BOARD OF UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS, FIXING RATES AND CHARGES FOR THE GAS SERVICES TO ALL CUSTOMERS BY ADJUSTING GAS RATES SCHEDULES ONE, TWO, AND THREE. THANK YOU. STAFF REPORT? YES, MR. MAYOR. UH, SO WE HAVE INVITED OUR, UH, UTILITIES GENERAL MANAGER, ANATOL [63. 25-55847 Recommendation to adopt Resolution No. UT-1536, a resolution of the City of Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners fixing rates and charges for the gas services to all customers by adjusting Gas Rate Schedules 1, 2, and 3.       Office or Department: Utilities         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] FAGAN, TO COME AND, UH, UH, TALK ABOUT WHAT HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT WITH HIS BOARD, UH, AND UH, AND TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON WITH OUR GAS FUND AND BUDGET CENTER RATES. ANATOL? YES, SHOULD HAVE PRESSED THAT BUTTON. UM, THANK YOU, HONOR ROLL, MARIN CITY COUNCIL, I HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION. THE ACTION ITEM BEFORE YOU IS AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE GAS RATES. I HAVE A BRIEF SERIES OF SLIDES TO JUST GIVE YOU CONTEXT FOR IT. AND SO I'LL GO THROUGH THEM NOW AND BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. SO THE GAS RATES BEFORE YOU ARE PART OF THE OVERALL UTILITIES, WHICH CONSTITUTES THREE FUNDS. SO GAS, WATER, AND SEWER. THESE ARE THREE CRITICAL SERVICES PROVIDED 24 7 365 DAYS A YEAR. THE CONSUMPTION [03:20:01] TRENDS, IN ESSENCE DEFINE THE BUDGET FOR THE LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY. IT'S SETS THE BUDGET. WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH A PROCESS WITH THE BOARD THAT STARTED EARLY PART OF THIS YEAR AND CONCLUDED WITH THREE BOARD WORKSHOPS, DEDICATED MOMENTS IN TIME WHERE WE SPENT EXTENSIVE INTERACTION WITH THE BOARD TO GET THEIR INPUT AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO SHAPE THE BUDGET AND THEN THE REVENUE AND RATES THAT WILL BE ASSOCIATED WITH IT. ON JUNE 17TH, THE BOARD ADOPTED THE BUDGET AND RATES FOR THE THREE FUNDS AND THAT CONSTITUTES THE ACTION THAT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY FOR THE GAS RATE, SPECIFICALLY, THE BUDGETS OFF OF WHICH THE GAS RATES ARE GOING TO CONTRIBUTE TO REVENUE ARE SUSTAINING A NUMBER OF INDUSTRY CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE ARE NOT UNIQUE IN THESE CHALLENGES. EMPLOYEE RETENTION IS A CRITICAL FACTOR AMONGST ALL PUBLIC AGENCIES PROVIDING UTILITY SERVICES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. WAGE INCREASES HAVE HELPED WITH THAT RETENTION AND AT THE SAME TIME, THOSE ARE COST PRESSURES. INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE VERY NATURE BY WHICH THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC. MAINTAINING THEM, REPAIRING THEM, REHABILITATING THEM IS IN ESSENCE HOW WE PROVIDE AND ENSURE THAT THERE IS SAFE, RELIABLE SERVICE FOR WATER AND GAS AND SEWER CONSTRUCTION COSTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS HAVE RISEN MUCH FASTER THAN TYPICAL INFLATION INDEXES FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. CONSTRUCTION COSTS ALONE HAVE INCREASED BY OVER 30% CUMULATIVELY ACROSS THOSE FIVE YEARS. AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS A BALANCE OF CONSUMPTION AND BUDGET. AND SO REGULATORY WISE, WE'VE SEEN DEMAND REDUCTIONS. PEOPLE ARE SIMPLY CONSUMING LESS WATER, PEOPLE ARE CONSUMING LESS NATURAL GAS WHEN THEY CONSUME LESS WATER. THE ACTUAL SERVICE FOR SEWER ALSO IS SEEING A REDUCTION. BUT THIS IS THE VERY NATURE OF HOW WE COLLECT REVENUE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT PROVIDES THESE SERVICES. LONG BEACH WITH THE SIZE OF THE CITY THAT IT IS, IS NOT SUSTAINABLE IN ITS OWN WATER RESOURCES. IT RELIES ON IMPORTED WATER AND IMPORTED WATER SUSTAINS ITS OWN COSTS. AND IN THIS CASE, OUR IMPORTED WATER SUPPLIER, METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT IS ALSO DEALING WITH DOUBLE DIGIT RATE INCREASES THAT WE ARE SUSTAINING. IN TURN, SOCAL GAS IS THE PROVIDER OF GAS FOR US, AND AS IT SUSTAINS COST INCREASES, WE PURCHASE OUR GAS FROM THEM AND THAT CONSTITUTES ANOTHER COST PRESSURE. ONE OF THE COMMITMENTS THAT I'VE HAD NOW IN MY TENURE AS GENERAL MANAGER HAS BEEN TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT THAT THERE IS A BUSINESS PLAN THAT EMBODIES THE SERVICES THAT OUR UTILITY PROVIDES TO THE PUBLIC. ACROSS FOUR DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS, CUSTOMER, FINANCIAL, INTERNAL OPERATIONS, AND WORKPLACE CULTURE. THE CUSTOMER FACING ELEMENTS OF THE UTILITY SERVICE THAT PINS DOWN WHAT THIS BUDGET IS ALL ABOUT AND WHAT THE ASSOCIATED REVENUE NEEDS ARE IS ONE, A DESIRE FOR AFFORDABLE RATES, RELIABLE AND RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, INNOVATIVE POLICY AND PROGRAMS FOR THE CUSTOMERS. AND ABOVE ALL, THE PROVISION OF SAFE AND RELIABLE AND CLEAN WATER, GAS. AND BY WATER WE ALSO MEAN SEWER SERVICES. THE OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU THAT UNDERPINS THE NATURE OF THE ACTION BEFORE YOU IS THAT AS WE WORKED OUR WAY OVER THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR ON BUDGET AND RATES, IT WAS MORE THAN JUST SIMPLY ASSEMBLING THE BUDGET NUMBERS AND THEN IDENTIFYING THE REVENUE NEEDED FOR IT. IT WAS INDEED A PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH WITH THE BOARD. AND SO THE BUDGET REPRESENTED EFFORTS AT CONTROLLING COSTS, IMPROVING EFFICIENCY, MANAGING DEBT, AND THEN DISCUSSING WHAT THE REVENUE NEEDS TO MEET THE BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO COST CONTROL AND IMPROVING EFFICIENCY. BY THE VERY NATURE OF THE BUDGETS NOW HAVING REDUCED CONSUMPTION AND THEN IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE TRIED TO MAKE FOR REDUCTIONS, WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE 10 AND THREE QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS REDUCTION IN THE GAS BUDGET. $3.6 MILLION REDUCTION IN THE WATER BUDGET. THE SEWER IS A MUCH SMALLER BUDGET OVERALL, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE $378,000 REDUCTION IN THAT BUDGET TOO. SO ALL OF THOSE EFFORTS AS WE BROUGHT THE BUDGETS TO THE BOARD IN THE FIRST PLACE, EFFICIENCY IS ANOTHER CRITICAL FACTOR THAT I'VE TRIED TO INSTILL IN THE ORGANIZATION GOING FORWARD. AND THE BUDGET ITSELF REPRESENTS EFFORTS AT STREAMLINED OPERATIONS, COST REDUCTIONS, BETTER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TIME SAVINGS. AND TIME IS MONEY, WHICH MEANS THAT MORE TIME WAS AVAILABLE TO DEDICATE TO HERE, UH, CRITICAL EFFORTS IN THE BUDGET AND NOT NECESSARILY INCREASING THE BUDGET, UH, BECAUSE OF THOSE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE GAINED. MANAGING DEBT IS ONE OF THE FINAL CRITICAL PIECES BEFORE WE BRING BUDGET AND REVENUE TOGETHER. MANAGING DEBT ALLOWS US TO DEAL WITH CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS THAT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF PROVIDING YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AFTERWARDS. AND IN THAT CASE, MANAGING DEBT ALLOWS US TO USE DEBT FINANCING SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THEY BENEFIT FROM. AND WE DON'T SIMPLY BURDEN THE EXISTING GENERATION WITH THE ENTIRE COST OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. MANAGING DEBT IS A CRITICAL TOOL. BEFORE WE GET TO THE REVENUE NEEDS [03:25:01] OF THE BUDGET, AND HERE I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU, WATER HAS THE LARGEST CIP, IT HAS ABOUT ALMOST $57 MILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS FOR THIS BUDGET. YEAR ALONE, $21 MILLION OF THAT WILL BE DEBT FINANCED GAS, $16.6 MILLION. AND HERE A MUCH LARGER PERCENTAGE, $10.5 MILLION OF THE GAS CIP WILL BE FINANCED SEWER, ALTHOUGH SMALL STILL HAS A FAIRLY HEFTY CIP AT $14.1 MILLION AND 8 MILLION OF THAT WILL BE THAT FINANCED AS WELL. HAVING DONE ALL THIS, NOW WE GET TO THE FINAL PIECE, WHICH IS INCREASING THE REVENUE NECESSARY TO MEET THE BUDGET. AND IN THAT CASE IT'S INSTRUCTIVE THAT WE DO AT THE SAME TIME CO-EQUAL GOALS. WE'RE BALANCING THE NEED FOR REVENUE FOR THE BUDGET, BUT ALSO THE NEED FOR REVENUE TO MAINTAIN RESERVES. MAINTAINING RESERVES IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. MAINTAINING RESERVES PRESIDES FOR ADAPTATION AND FLEXIBILITY. IT ALLOWS US TO DEAL WITH SHORT-TERM DEMAND FLUCTUATIONS. IN MY TENURE, IT HAS ALLOWED US TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND IT ALSO HAS THE ABILITY TO HELP US MANAGE REGULATORY IMPACTS THAT CAN AFFECT US FROM YEAR TO YEAR AFTER BUDGET HAS BEEN SET. IN ADDITION TO THAT, THE RESERVES ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT WHEN IT COMES TO DEBT RATING AGENCIES. I JUST HIGHLIGHTED FOR YOU THE AMOUNT OF DEBT FINANCING THAT WE WILL BE DOING ACROSS ALL THREE FUNDS. WHEN WE DO THAT, WE GET EVALUATED JUST LIKE YOU GET EVALUATED FOR YOUR MORTGAGE. SO THE BOND RATING AGENCIES EXAMINE THE LEVEL OF RESERVES THAT WE HAVE. THEY EXAMINE OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN THOSE RESERVES IN THE LONG TERM. AND SO THEREFORE REVENUE AND RESERVES GO HAND IN HAND. AND WITH THAT, THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE ACTION ITEM. BEFORE YOU. TODAY, SPECIFICALLY TO THE GAS SERVICE, WE ARE PROPOSING A 15% RATE INCREASE IN AUGUST FOR THIS YEAR, AND A 12% INCREASE IN APRIL. IT GENERATES REVENUES SLIGHTLY EARLIER, SO THAT'S WHY IT'S AN ADJUSTMENT TO THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR'S RATES. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE TRIGGERED THAT TO OCCUR IN A MANNER THAT SHOULDERS THE INCREASE BEFORE AND AFTER THE WINTERTIME CONSUMPTION. SUMMERTIME IS GENERALLY THE LOWEST GAS CONSUMPTION POINT. THAT'S WHEN BILLS ARE LOWER. CUSTOMERS CAN SEE THE CHANGE AND THEN ADJUST ACCORDINGLY. WATER AND SEWER SERVICE WILL COME TO YOU LATER. YOU'LL SEE THAT IN THE COURSE OF YOUR ACTIONS IN SEPTEMBER WHEN WE BRING YOU THE BUDGET FOR ALL THREE FUNDS AND WE GO THROUGH A PROP TWO 18 HEARING FOR WATER AND SEWER IN AUGUST. RATES FOR WATER AND SEWER, THOSE WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN OCTOBER. I'M NOT GONNA GO THROUGH ALL THE PIE CHARTS, I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU. AS A MATTER OF EXAMPLE FOR GAS, WHEN WE LOOK AT EXPENDITURES, IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE VERY NATURE OF UTILITY SERVICE, AS I MENTIONED AT THE START OF THIS PRESENTATION, THE LEVEL OF SERVICE DEFINES THE BUDGET. WHEN YOU ADD UP THE SALARIES AND WAGES, THE GAS COMMODITY, WHICH IS A PASS THROUGH AB 32, WHICH IS A REGULATORY PASS THROUGH THE O AND M COSTS AND THE CIP, THE MOUS TO THE CITY, THESE IN ESSENCE DEFINE UPWARDS OF 85% OF THE BUDGET IS SET BY THE VERY NATURE OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE TO THE UTILITY. AT THE SAME TIME ON THE REVENUE SIDE FOR GAS, IT'S INSTRUCTIVE TO NOTE THAT THE 15% AND 12% INCREASE THAT WE ARE PROPOSING, THAT IS STRICTLY TO THE GAS TRANSMISSION REVENUE. ALL OTHER REVENUES IN ESSENCE ON GAS COMMODITY, AB 32 AND PREPAY AND THE DEBT PROCEEDS, NONE OF THOSE ARE RELATED TO THE RATE INCREASE ITSELF. AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE HAVE THIS ACTION ITEM BEFORE YOU, IT'S INSTRUCTIVE, I THINK FOR EVERYBODY, THAT THE UTILITY CONTINUES TO COMMIT TO DELIVER VALUE TO THE CUSTOMER. EVEN IN THE FACE OF DIFFICULT BUDGET SITUATIONS AND RATES, WE ARE ALWAYS COMPARING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DELIVERING VALUE WITH THE QUESTION OF GAS SERVICE. THE INSTRUCTIVE PIECE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE COMPARING PROPERLY TO SOCAL GAS AND WHETHER IT IS THE 15% RATE INCREASE, WHICH IS THAT VERY SECOND, UH, FROM THE, GET MY SECOND FROM THE LEFT. SO THE LB 50 FISCAL YEAR 25 PROPOSED THE SUMMER INCREASE WILL BE SLIGHT. BY THE TIME WE GET INTO THE MIDDLE AND WE LOOK AT THE 26 PROPOSED, THE WINTERTIME CONSUMPTION WILL ALLOW FOR A HIGHER BILL. THAT'S TRUE. BUT WHETHER YOU LOOK AT BOTH OF THOSE AND YOU COMPARE TO THE FAR RIGHT, WHICH IS SCG OR SOCAL GAS UTILITY BILLS IN LONG BEACH, THE RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO ENJOY A BENEFIT FROM GETTING THEIR UTILITY SERVICE HERE AS OPPOSED TO FROM SOCALGAS. IF WE LOOK AT WHAT WE WOULD SAY JUST AS AN AVERAGE BILL, AND, AND I'LL MAKE THAT A POINT TO SHOW YOU AT ONE OF MY FINAL SLIDES. WHEN WE LOOK AT AN AVERAGE BILL, SO $54 IS WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING WILL BE THE AVERAGE ANNUAL BILL. IT'S STILL LOWER THAN SOCAL GAS AND IN COMPARISON ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE, IT'S LOWER THAN ANY OF THE PRIVATE UTILITIES AND IN PARTICULAR LOWER THAN THE CITY OF PALO ALTO, WHICH IS OUR OTHER MUNICIPAL GAS SUPPLIER THAT WE COMPARE TO WATER. THIS IS BEYOND THE ACTION ITEM BEFORE YOU TODAY. BUT INSTRUCTIVE FOR US IN TERMS OF UTILITY SERVICE, WHEN IT COMES TO COSTS, AGAIN, [03:30:01] WE GO THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS WHEN YOU ADD UP THE CIP PUMPED AND PURCHASED BECAUSE WATER HAS TO BE TREATED, SALARIES AND WAGES AND OMS, 95% OF THE BUDGET IS SET BY THE AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMPTION THAT OCCURS AT THE SAME TIME. THE REVENUE, AS I HIGHLIGHTED TO YOU BEFORE, COMES FROM THE ACTUAL SALE OF WATER. SEWER IS SIMILAR FASHION, CIPO AND M SALARIES AND WAGES. 95% OF THE BUDGET BECOMES SET AND FIXED WITH THE LEVEL OF CONSUMPTION THAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE. WATER AND SEWER, WE ALSO COMPARE, AND AS YOU SEE WHEN WE BRING ITEMS BEFORE YOU IN SEPTEMBER, YOU WILL SEE THE SAME COMPARISON THAT COMPARED TO LARGE CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, RESIDENTS IN LONG BEACH CONTINUE TO ENJOY SOME OF THE LOWEST UTILITY BILLS FOR WATER AND GA WATER AND SEWER SERVICE THAT CAN BE COMPARED TO ANY COMPARABLE CITY, IN THIS CASE, THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE STATE. I MENTIONED TO YOU THE TOTAL EFFECT ON THE BILL, AND I POINTED OUT TO YOU THAT THE INCREASE BEFORE YOU TODAY IS STRICTLY THE GAS TRANSMISSION. AND THAT MEANS THAT IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL BILL IMPACT, I SAID 15 AND 12%. BUT BETWEEN ALL OF THE PROPOSED INCREASES ON GAS, WATER, AND SEWER, THE AVERAGE ANNUAL MONTHLY IMPACT WILL BE ABOUT $14. UH, JUST OVER $14 ON THE BILL. THAT AMOUNTS TO ABOUT A 9.5% CHANGE IN THE TOTAL BILL. NOTWITHSTANDING THAT THE OTHER ASPECT OF DELIVERING VALUE TO THE RESIDENTS AT LONG BEACH FROM THE UTILITY SERVICE IS TO ASSIST. AND SO IN THAT MANNER, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. SOME OF THEM ARE INCOME BASED AND THEY HELP WITH PAYMENTS. SOME OF THEM ARE JUST SIMPLY OFFERING FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLANS. AND MANY OF OUR SERVICES OF ASSISTANCE HAVE EVERYTHING TO DO WITH CONSERVING GAS AND CONSERVING WATER, WHETHER IT'S APPLIANCE REBATES, APPLIANCE INCENTIVES, OR OTHER PROGRAMS TO CONSERVE WATER AND OUTDOORS. ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE THE NET EFFECT OF ALLOWING CUSTOMERS TO REDUCE THEIR CONSUMPTION AND REDUCE THEIR BILLS. SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER AT ALL. AND WE ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ALWAYS GO TO OUR WEBSITE@LBUTILITIES.ORG WHERE WE PROVIDE INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE ON HOW TO ACCESS THESE PROGRAMS FOR ASSISTANCE. AND THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE PRESENTATION. UH, I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL THIS, BUT WE'LL BE GOING THROUGH A SERIES OF ACTIONS IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER AS WE PROVIDE OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY AND RETURN BACK TO YOU FOR THE ACTUAL BUDGET AND RATES BEYOND THE ACTION ITEM FOR YOU TODAY. AND THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION. MAYOR COUNCIL MEMBERS, I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE. ALRIGHT, WELL THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. UH, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE, AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO EXPLAIN WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO BALANCE, UH, DEBT, INVESTMENT REVENUE, HOW THEY ALL FIT TOGETHER, AND THAT WHEN WE TAKE OUT DEBT, WE ARE RECEIVING THE BENEFIT OF INVESTMENT TODAY, BUT SHARING THE COST OF IT OVER THE LIFE OF THAT INVESTMENT SO THAT EVERYONE SHARES EQUALLY IN THE COST OF THAT INVESTMENT. AND WHEN WE DON'T THINK ABOUT, UM, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THAT WAY AND, UH, WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT RESPONSIBLY, THEN WE, WE ULTIMATELY PASS BURDENS ON FUTURE GENERATIONS THAT ARE GREATER THAN WHAT THEY CAN THEY COULD LIKELY MANAGE. SO I THINK THAT IS CERTAINLY RESPONSIBLE. I'LL ALSO SAY WE KNOW THAT CLIMATE IS A FACTOR IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT REQUIRES US TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HAVING FEWER MAIN BREAKS AND FEWER CHALLENGES IN PLANNING FOR A FUTURE WHERE, UH, WE HAVE A MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT SYSTEM. AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THOSE COSTS AS WE FACTOR THESE RATE INCLU INCREASES. I'M, IT'S IMPORTANT AND I WANNA HIGHLIGHT, I'M GLAD THAT YOU HIGHLIGHTED WHERE WE STAND COMPARED TO OUR, THE OTHER AGENCIES LIKE SDG AND E AND PALO ALTO AND UM, AND SOCAL GAS. WE ARE STILL, OUR RATES, EVEN WITH THIS ENHANCEMENT, UH, ARE STILL LOWER THAN OUR COMPETITORS. THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR LONG BEACH TO NOTE. UH, BUT WE KNOW THAT THERE IS MORE INVESTMENT WE NEED TO DO A MAJOR CIP PROGRAM AND IN THE BUDGET WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT ADDITIONAL MEASURES THAT WE CAN TAKE THINKING ABOUT USING TECHNOLOGY AND AI AND OTHER THINGS TO ANTICIPATE WATER MAIN CHALLENGES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES THAT MAY PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THIS NEW CLIMATE. UM, THIS CHANGING, CHANGING AND EVOLVING, UH, CLIMATE CONDITIONS FOR OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE'RE NOW, WE'RE GONNA GO TO, UH, THE COUNCIL, COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THIS PRESENTATION. THIS IS WHAT RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS TO SHARE WITH THEM IS REALLY IMPORTANT. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS PAST WEEK TOO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW. UM, YES, THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION. I DON'T THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY DIFFICULT TIME FOR MANY FAMILIES WITH JUST THE HIGH COSTS, [03:35:01] UH, IN EVERYTHING. AND I THINK THIS IS, UM, GONNA BE DIFFICULT TO, AS MUCH AS IT DOES SEEM LIKE IT'S $14, IT'S ALSO $14 LESS FOR FAMILIES. UM, AND SO I, I DID WANT YOU TO JUST SHARE A LITTLE BIT. I KNOW YOU KIND OF BREEZED THROUGH A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, BUT I IF YOU COULD JUST SPEAK A LITTLE BIT MORE TO IT, UH, AND ABOUT HOW THAT ASSISTANT WOULD WORK, JUST SO THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF HELP, UM, AS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN ARE AWARE OF THAT. THANK YOU COUNCIL. YES. SO, UH, WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH THE BILL AND THE $14, IT, IT IS A CHANGE AND IT'S SIGNIFICANT. SO WHETHER IT IS PAYING THE BILL ITSELF, THERE'S ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT HELP WITH THAT. SOMETIMES JUST MANAGING THE PAYMENTS IN A FLEXIBLE PAYMENT PLAN IS WHAT'S NECESSARY. SOMETIMES ACTUAL INCOME ASSISTANCE IS WHAT IS NEEDED TO PAY THOSE PLANS. AND SO DEPENDING ON LEVEL OF INCOME, WE HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO DEAL WITH LOW INCOME HEATING, UH, HEATING ASSISTANCE AND LOW INCOME, UH, PAYMENT PLAN ASSISTANCE AS WELL. AT THE SAME TIME, THERE IS ALSO PROGRAMS THAT HELP DEAL WITH APPLIANCE REPLACEMENT. SO DEPENDING ON YOUR NEEDS, YOU CAN SEEK INCENTIVES AND REBATES THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO REPLACE APPLIANCES THAT WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT, USE LESS NATURAL GAS, USE, LESS WATER, AND BY THAT VERY NATURE, THEN THE BILL WILL GO DOWN BECAUSE YOU'LL BE CONSUMING LESS. THERE ARE EVEN PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE THAT SEEK TO HAVE REPLACEMENT OF APPLIANCES OUTRIGHT AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. AND SO CUSTOMERS CAN ACCESS THOSE PROGRAMS AND GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEM AT OUR WEBSITE, AT LB UTILITIES.ORG, AND THEY CAN EVEN SEE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL. SO WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO GO ACROSS THE BOARD, UH, ONE OF OUR MORE, UH, FAMOUS ONES, THIS IS GAS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT, BUT ON WATER REPLACING OUTDOOR WATER, LANDSCAPING, OUTDOOR LANDSCAPING THAT AFFECTS WATER CONSUMPTION IS ANOTHER ONE OF OUR FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS THAT WE MAKE AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS. SO THAT, THAT HOPEFULLY GIVES YOU A SENSE OF THE WIDE RANGE. AND AS I SAID, SOME OF THESE ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY'RE AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. YEAH. AND I THINK THAT'S WONDERFUL HERE. I DON'T THINK THAT YOU COULD SHARE THAT ENOUGH. AND I HOPE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE EDUCATION PROCESS, THAT WE CONTINUE TO SHARE THAT, UM, THROUGHOUT ONCE THE RATES ALSO ARE IMPLEMENTED AS WELL, BECAUSE I THINK THAT, UM, THAT, THAT SOUNDS GREAT IN THE WIDE ARRAY. SO THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER CARR. UH, YES. UH, THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION AND THE HARD WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE PUT IN AND THE EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU'VE HAD WITH YOUR BOARD. UM, I KNOW YOU HAD AT LEAST TWO SESSIONS, POSSIBLY THREE WITH YOUR, UH, BOARD REALLY HASHING THROUGH WHAT THIS MEANS. UM, AND NOT EVERYBODY PAYS ATTENTION TO THOSE, BUT ARE THEY AVAILABLE ONLINE FOR PEOPLE TO GO BACK IF THEY HAD SOME SPECIFIC QUESTIONS NOW THAT THEY'RE HEARING ABOUT IT FROM COUNCIL? UM, THAT THEY COULD REVIEW SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, UM, AND THE DETAILS THAT YOUR BOARD MAY HAVE ASKED YOU? YEAH, ALL THE BOARD, UM, COUNCIL BRIEF, OH, SORRY. ALL THE COMMISSIONER, UH, PRESENTATIONS, THE ACTUAL AGENDA ITEMS, THE AUDIO FROM THE MEETING, ALL THOSE ARE AVAILABLE. THEY'RE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE CITY CLERK. AND THEN WE ALSO MAKE 'EM AVAILABLE THROUGH THE WEBSITE. UH, IF SOMEBODY HAS CONCERNS, THEY CAN CERTAINLY CALL US AND WE CAN HELP GUIDE THEM THROUGH IT. THANK YOU. AND ONE LAST THING, UH, TO FOLLOW UP ON COUNCILMAN SORROW'S. UH, POINT, UM, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE THOSE PROGRAMS. YOU HAD A SLIDE THAT HAD THE, THE THREE DIFFERENT AREAS. UH, CAN WE GET A COMMITMENT FROM YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO WORK WITH US DIRECTLY WITH OUR RESIDENTS? SO WHETHER, UM, WE CAN INVITE YOU TO DIFFERENT COMMUNITY MEETINGS OR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETINGS. IT'S ONE THING TO HEAR YOU SAY IT HERE, UM, BUT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ONE-ON-ONE OR EVEN IN A SMALL GROUP WITH RESIDENTS WHO MIGHT BE HIGHLY CONCERNED WOULD REALLY BE HELPFUL. DO YOU THINK YOUR TEAM IS WILLING TO DO THAT WITH US? INDEED. ONE, ONE OF THE ASPECTS THAT I WANTED TO CHANGE NOW WITH MYSELF AS GENERAL MANAGER OF THE UTILITIES, IS THAT I AM SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT THE VERY NATURE OF THE INTERACTION OF THE UTILITY WITH THE COMMUNITY PERHAPS IS NOT ALL THE BEST, RIGHT? WE SHOW UP AND IT COMES TO BUDGET AND RATES. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MY COMMITMENT IS TO WORK WITH THE COUNCIL DISTRICTS, WORK WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND HAVE AN EXTENDED CONVERSATION OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING CONVERSATION THAT SHARES DIFFERENT UTILITY HIGHLIGHTS, THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON, PROGRAMS, INCENTIVES AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO THAT IT'S NOT THE COMMUNITY'S EXPERIENCE OF US AND UTILITIES ONLY ONCE A YEAR AND ONLY FOR THIS ASPECT OF BUDGET AND RATES. THANK YOU. AND I WANNA SAY, I KNOW OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES IS YOUR DEPARTMENT, SOMETIMES VERY PERSONALLY IN FRONT OF THEIR HOMES OR BUSINESSES, UM, WHEN THEY'RE FIXING VERY CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE. AND I JUST WANNA THANK YOU AND THEM FOR BEING SO PROFESSIONAL AND SO KIND. I HAVE KNOWN, UH, YOUR EMPLOYEES TO GO, UM, AND SPEAK WITH NEIGHBORS WHO ARE STANDING OUTDOORS EXTENSIVELY ABOUT SOMETHING THAT THEY MAY BE SEEING OR CONCERNS THAT THEY HAVE. SO WE KNOW THAT THE TEAM ON THE GROUND, UM, RESPONDING TO THOSE EMERGENCIES OR THOSE MORE PRESSING MATTERS, UH, REALLY DO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. I WANNA THANK YOU, UM, AND EXTEND MY, [03:40:01] MY THANKS TO THE TEAM WHEN THEY'RE OUT THERE IN THE FIELD DOING THAT WORK. BUT, UH, I APPRECIATE THIS AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOUR TEAM IN THE FUTURE. WILL DO. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? NO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE SIDE. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. COUNCILWOMAN RICK SODI. MOTION IS CARRIED. THAT WAS THE LAST OF 65 OR SO ITEMS TONIGHT. WE'LL NOW GO TO GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT NUMBER TWO. THIS IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, UH, WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO COME AND ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL ON ANY TOPIC THEY LIKE. I'M GONNA, WE HAVE NINE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP. I'M GONNA READ YOUR NAMES, PLEASE COME FORWARD. TOWANDA WILLIAMS, JEANETTE SANDAGE, UH, BRANDI WELCH, LOURDES DIXON, JENNIFER CUSHING, [ PUBLIC COMMENT: IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT Opportunity is given to those members of the public who have not addressed the City Council on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes unless extended by the City Council. ] SANDRA OCAMPO, MARIA LOPEZ, AND IRENE AND STAR. SO FIRST UP IS TWANDA, THEN JEANETTE. IT'S TWANDA HERE. OKAY. NEXT IS JEANETTE. IS JEANETTE HERE? OKAY. AFTER JEANETTE IS BRANDY. IS BRANDY HERE? HERE, BRANDY, COME FORWARD. YOU'RE UP. JEANETTE'S FIRST. OH, JEANETTE. OH, JEANETTE IS HERE. OKAY, THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I LIVE IN HIS THIRD DISTRICT AND IN THE PAST TWO YEARS, DISTRICT THREE HAS HAD THREE SPECIAL TOWN HALL MEETINGS REGARDING THE SHOOTINGS AND STABBINGS IN BELMONT SHORE AND THE PENINSULA. NEITHER HAS BEEN CURTAILED. THIS 4TH OF JULY, WE HAD IN TAKEOVER OF BAY SHORE BLAME IT ON WHATEVER, BUT IT OCCURRED GRIDLOCK IN THE ENTIRE AREA. WILDNESS PREVAILED FROM ASSAULTS TO ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. 60% OF OUR LONG BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE DEPLOYED TO BAYSHORE THAT DAY. AND IT'S EXPLAINED BY AN LBPD OFFICER. THERE WAS NOT MUCH THEY COULD DO IN 2026. OUR COUNTRY IS CELEBRATING 250 YEARS. WHAT WILL BE IN PLACE TO CURTAIL SOME OF THE LAWLESSNESS AND GRIDLOCK ON THAT DAY AND EVERY DAY GOING FORWARD IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, JEANETTE. NEXT IS BRANDY AFTER BRANDY'S LORDES. GOOD EVENING MAYOR AND GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS. I APPRECIATE THE TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU THIS EVENING. UM, I'M BRANDY WELCH. I WORK AT LONG BEACH MEMORIAL MILLER CHILDREN'S AND I REPRESENT 2100 NURSES OVER THERE. WE HAVE BEEN IN BARGAINING NEGOTIATIONS SINCE FEBRUARY, AND IT'S BEEN VERY CONTENTIOUS WITH OUR EMPLOYER. WE HAVE BEEN, UH, ENDURING, UH, DISRESPECT AT THE TABLE AS WELL AS, UH, CUTS TO OUR STAFFING, WHICH IS IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PATIENTS. AND NOW WE ARE AFRAID FOR THEIR SAFETY AS WELL AS OURS. WE RECENTLY HAD A STRIKE, WHICH THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING, MAYOR. WE APPRECIATE YOU AND OTHERS THAT DID SHOW UP TO SUPPORT US THAT DAY. WE ALSO HAVE DONE A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE AND WE HAVE OVER 400 SIGNATURES FROM THE NURSES. AND SO TODAY WE ARE ASKING AND REQUESTING OF THE COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT YOU SIGN A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THE NURSES TO BRING THIS EMPLOYER TO THE TABLE, TO FAIR BARGAIN FAIRLY FOR A FAIR CONTRACT AND FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR PATIENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANKS, BRANDY. ALRIGHT, NEXT IS LOURDES, THEN JENNIFER IS LOURDES HERE. OKAY. NEXT IS JENNIFER. AFTER JENNIFER IS SANDRA. GOOD EVENING COUNSEL. UM, THANKS FOR HAVING US HERE. AND I WANTED TO THANK REX AND THOSE WHO CAME TO OUR STRIKE. UM, I AM AN ICU NURSE AT MEMORIAL CARE LONG BEACH MEDICAL CENTER, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION. AND THAT BASICALLY MEANS THAT THEY DON'T PAY TAXES BECAUSE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. UM, AND UNFORTUNATELY, PROFIT IS BEING PRIORITIZED, NOT SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY. UM, AT THE BARGAINING TABLE, AS WE'RE NEGOTIATING AS A UNION FOR OUR CONTRACT, THEIR MAIN PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN FORCING MANDATORY ARBITRATION, WHICH IS TAKING OUR RIGHT AWAY TO GO TO A COURT TO HEAR OUR CASES AND TRYING TO WEAKEN OUR UNION BY NOT ALLOWING THE REPS IN THE HOSPITAL NOT ALLOWING US TO EVEN HOLD ACTIONS ON THE STREET. AND ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS SAFE STAFFING [03:45:01] A SAFE HOSPITAL FOR EVERYONE. UM, A PATIENT'S FAMILY MEMBER DID BRING IN A LOADED GUN TO THE HOSPITAL THIS YEAR OR, OR LATE LAST YEAR. UM, THEY HAVEN'T INSTALLED METAL DETECTORS OR WEAPONS DETECTORS. UM, AND SO THAT JUST GOES TO SHOW WITH THE MILLIONS BEING MADE BY THE CEOS OF THIS HOSPITAL, THAT THEY'RE WILLING TO CUT THESE ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS, UM, THE CHILDREN'S VILLAGE. THEY ACTUALLY LAID OFF ONE OF OUR BARGAINING TEAM MEMBERS. SHE WAS THE RN, UM, EDUCATOR FOR CHILDREN WITH DIABETES. SO IT'S OBVIOUS WHERE THEIR PRIORITIES ARE. UM, WE'RE JUST ASKING THAT THEY BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND YOU GUYS CAN SIGN A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF US THAT WOULD BE SO MUCH APPRECIATED. BUT I ALSO WANTED TO ADDRESS THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM BECAUSE THIS IS OUR MEETING. THIS IS OUR TOWN MEETING, RIGHT? PLEASE DEMAND BETTER FROM THIS HOSPITAL BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PROVIDING YOU SERVICES, NOT MAKING MONEY. AND OF COURSE, EVERYONE HAS TO MAKE MONEY. BUT TO THIS EXTENT, TO PRIORITIZE THE PROFITS OVER YOUR WELLBEING AND YOUR HEALTH. EVEN YOU GUYS, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU GUYS, ALL OF US NEED HEALTHCARE. UM, SO THANKS FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU. NEXT IS SANDRA, THEN MARIA. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS SANDRA CAMPO AND I'M THE LABOR REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE CALIFORNIA NURSES ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTING OVER 2,100 REGISTERED NURSES AT LONG BEACH MEDICAL CENTER AND MILLER CHILDREN'S WOMEN'S HOSPITAL. FIRST, UM, I ALSO WANNA EXTEND THE THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE THAT SUPPORTED THE NURSES DURING THEIR STRIKE THAT, UM, YOUR PRESENCE MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO OUR NURSES, AND IT ALSO SENT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO LONG BEACH, UM, THAT YOU ALL STAND, UH, WITH FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS. UM, AS BRANDY MENTIONED, WE'VE BEEN IN BARGAINING FOR MONTHS NOW. UM, AND THEN OUR OTHER UNION, UM, USW, WHO HAS ALSO IN BARGAINING, HAS ALMOST BEEN IN BARGAINING FOR TWO YEARS. UM, SO CLEARLY, UM, MEMORIAL CARE, UM, DOES NOT, YOU KNOW, RESPECT ITS STAFF. UM, WE WANT THEM TO INVEST OF INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF THE CITY'S HEALTHCARE, BUT INSTEAD THEY'RE NOT BARGAINING IN GOOD FAITH. UM, THEY RESPONDED WITH MASSIVE LAYOFFS. THEY'VE CUT, UM, ESSENTIAL PATIENT CARE, UM, BY CLOSING THEIR PHARMACIES, BY LAYING OFF ALMOST, UM, ALL THE NURSES IN THE, UH, CHILDREN'S VILLAGE. AND THEN THEY'RE ALSO ATTEMPTING TO SILENCE THE NURSES BY, UM, PROPOSING MANDATORY ARBITRATION BY ALSO PROPOSING LANGUAGE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT THE NURSES FROM TAKING CONCERTED UNION ACTIVITY THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT, WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE CURRENTLY IN OUR CONTRACT. AND IN ADDITION, BY PROHIBITING MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUE KENNY SVA, WHO'S THE OTHER LABOR REPRESENTATIVE FROM TALKING TO NURSES IN THE BREAK ROOMS, THIS IS THEIR PRIORITY. THEIR PRIORITY IS NOT PATIENT CARE. AND, UM, THAT IS NOT OKAY. SO, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HERE TO ASK THIS COUNCIL TO STAND WITH US AND TO PLEASE ISSUE A LETTER URGING THE HOSPITAL TO STOP THE UNION BUSTING TACTICS TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH AND TO RESPECT THE NURSES WHO CARE FOR LONG BEACH. OUR FIGHT IS YOUR FIGHT BECAUSE WHEN NURSES ARE SILENCED, PATIENTS ARE THE ONES WHO PAY THE PRICE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, MARIA, HAPPY TUESDAY, FOLKS. MARIA, UH, DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT LONG BEACH TENANT UNION ORGANIZER AND SELECTION COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. I'VE BEEN IN MY HOME FOR ABOUT 28 YEARS NOW, AND, UM, I HA I HAVE BEEN WINNING MY DISPLACEMENT. AND SADLY, LAST TUESDAY I RECEIVED ANOTHER 60 DAY NOTICE TO VACATE FOR SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL. UM, MY LIVELIHOOD AND MY STABILITY CONTINUED TO BE, UM, UNDER THREAT AND, UH, WANTED TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION AND CONTINUE TO, TO REALLY, UM, EMPHASIZE THE NEED TO REMOVE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL FOR OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. I, AS A DACA BENEFICIARY, WOULD DEFINITELY BENEFIC BE A BENEFICIARY FROM CLOSING THE SUBSTANTIAL REMODEL. AND IN A TIME WHERE MANY ARE LIVING IN FEAR DUE TO ICE RAID, I WANNA BLUNTLY SAY THAT DEPORTATIONS AND DISPLACEMENT ARE DIRECTLY CONNECTED. UM, AND WE CANNOT SAY THAT WE SUPPORT WITH IMMIGRANTS WITHOUT SAYING THAT WE SUPPORT TENANTS, UM, AND THAT WE STAND WITH TENANTS. ACCORDING TO BERG'S NEW BRUNSWICK, UM, UH, ARTICLE, UH, TITLED, SOME STUDIES CHALLENGED LONG HELD VIEWS ON RENT CONTROL. UH, FOR DECADES, REAL ESTATE AND CONSERVATIVE ECONOMISTS HAVE PAINTED RENT CONTROL AS A FAILED POLICY THAT SHRINKS HOUSING SUPPLY AND HURTS THE VERY TENANTS IT AIMS TO PROTECT. BUT NOW, A WIDE ARRAY OF NEW STUDIES FROM UC AT U-S-C-U-C-L-A, UC, BERKELEY, AND EVEN HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW ARE MAKING A DIFFERENT CASE. THIS, UH, [03:50:01] THESE FINDINGS CHALLENGE, UM, THESE ASSUMPTIONS. WHILE RENT CONTROL REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL, THE EVIDENCE IS THAT, UH, IT HELPS OUR MOST VULNERABLE. ONE OF THE MOST COMP COMPREHENSIVE SYN SYNTHESIS COME FROM RENT MATTERS, A REPORT BY USC PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGIONAL EQUITY CO-AUTHORED BY PROFESSOR MANUEL. THEIR CONCLUSION, MODERATE RENT STABILIZATION IS A USEFUL AND UNDERUTILIZED TOOL IN ADDRESSING CALIFORNIA'S HOUSING CRISIS. UM, I AM ALSO HERE NOT JUST TO TALK ABOUT JUST COST, BUT ULTIMATELY TENANT PROTECTIONS. UM, A WIDE RANGE. WE KNOW THAT, UH, MONEY IS COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE FOR HOUSING. WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL KNOW THAT FOR COMMUNITIES, A RIGHT TO COUNSEL CODIFIED IS PRIORITY. A RENT STABILIZATION ORDINANCE AT TWO TO 3% IS PRIORITY NONPAYMENT PROTECTIONS. A LOT OF PEOPLE DURING ICE RAIDS, CURRENT ICE RAIDS ARE NOT SHOWING UP TO WORK. THEY CANNOT PAY THEIR RENT. SOME OF THEM ARE ALREADY IN EVICTION PROCEEDINGS. WE'VE BEEN TALKING AND COMING TO YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT A NONPAYMENT PROTECTION. IT'S LATE ALREADY. WE NEED TO PASS STRONGER JUST CAUSE PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS. TENA, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE THE CHAMPION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND A, AND A HOUSING CHAMPION IN GENERAL. SO I CALL YOU IN. UM, WE REALLY NEED SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF A MORATORIUM AT THIS MOMENT TO DEAL WITH THE EMERGENCY THAT OUR IMMIGRANTS ARE, UM, BEING TARGETED. UH, THAT'S IT FOR TODAY. UH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. OUR FINAL TWO SPEAKERS, IRENE AND STAR. GOOD EVENING. I'M, I, I HAVE A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW WITH EVICTIONS. OKAY. SO I WAS, UM, EVICTED FOR, BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION. I'VE BEEN LIVING WHERE I'M AT FOR A YEAR AND SEVEN MONTHS NOW. SO THE LADY OWNER AND HER HUSBAND DO NOT LIKE ME, UM, BECAUSE OF THE WAY I AM ACCORDING TO THEM. AND THEY'VE BEEN INVESTIGATING WHETHER I'M LEGAL HERE OR NOT. OKAY. SO I PAID THE RENT ON THE FIRST, ON THE FOURTH, I GOT A LETTER FROM THE LADY OWNER, UH, AND SHE'S, IT DID NOT INCLUDE A REASON FOR THE EVICTION. SO WHEN I CALLED AND ASKED HER, SHE SAID, BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE ME. SO I AM, I AM SICK RIGHT NOW, AND I AM JUST IN A FIX BECAUSE I GOT A 60 DAY NOTICE. UM, I'VE CHECKED MANY PLACES LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE TO STAY, AND I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I WORK ON MY OWN OR FOR MYSELF. I CLEAN HOUSES AND I GET PAID THROUGH ZELLE, THROUGH CHECK THROUGH CASH, WHICH IS NOT, UM, WHAT THEY ACCEPT. AND THEY'RE RUNNING. THEY NEED TO RUN A CREDIT REPORT ON ME, WHICH I HAVE GOOD CREDIT. MM-HMM . . SO CURRENTLY I PAY $900 RENT. I'M LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PLACE TO LIVE. I'M LOOKING AT 1395, $1,400. I'M A SINGLE PERSON. I'M LOOKING FOR A SINGLE PLACE. I'M HAVING TO, I WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH THREE TIMES WHAT I MAKE IN ORDER TO COVER THE RENT. [03:55:04] SO THAT IS THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW. SO I'M HERE ASKING FOR HELP. I MEAN, WE NEED HELP WITH RENTERS. I MEAN, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY POSITION, FOR SURE. UM, THIS IS NOT A COMPANY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, OR A CORPORATION, IT'S INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE WHO OWN THE APARTMENT AND THEY'RE WANTING THE APARTMENT FOR, TO RENT TO FRIENDS OR I DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE. SO I WOULD LIKE THAT YOU FREEZE THE, UM, EVICTIONS THAT HAVE NO FOUNDATION OR NO. CAUSE , THAT LADY WOULD'VE KILLED ME. I WOULD'VE HAD A HEART ATTACK. UM, I'VE GOTTEN SICK OVER THE SITUATION. UM, I'M HAVING TENSION. I'VE HAD TO TAKE TWO PILLS, AND THANKS TO THAT, THE, IT DIDN'T COME OVER ME. MM-HMM . SO THAT'S IT. I JUST ASK THAT YOU DO SOMETHING AGAINST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE EVICTING PEOPLE FOR NO REASON, JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO. AND I LIVE HERE IN DISTRICT ONE IN BROADWAY, AT CERRITOS IN BROADWAY. THAT'S WHERE I LIVE. SO I USED TO LIVE AT 1 35, BONITO, BUT I HAD TO LEAVE THAT PLACE. I GOT SEPARATED FROM MY PARTNER. AND NOW BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION I'VE HAD TO GET BACK TOGETHER. WE'RE GOING TO, UM, MOVE IN TOGETHER. UM, AND HE, HE DOESN'T HAVE WORK RIGHT NOW. WE BOTH HAVE MONEY. HE HAS MONEY IN THE BANK AND SO DO I. BUT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT WE'RE FACING NOW. . THANK YOU. GRACIA. MM-HMM . IS STAR HERE. OH, HER STORY ECHOES ALL OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW WITH ICE, WITH THE NURSES WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH NOW. ALL OF IT IS ALL INTERCONNECTED. FREEZE, FREEZE, EVICTIONS AND RENT, RENT PROTECTIONS WE DESPERATELY NEED. AND LET'S FOLLOW IN THE STEPS OF OTHER CITIES THAT ARE RESPECT AND LOVE THEIR CITIZENS. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE ROOM, PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING, PEOPLE ARE IN PAIN, PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH A LOT. YOU CAN DO A LOT TO HELP REX. YOUR COMMENT PERTAINING TO HOMELESSNESS STATISTICS IS THAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE STRATEGY. TRAGEDY, YOU MUST CELEBRATE. YOU GUYS MUST CELEBRATE, BUT THAT'S WRONG. AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ALLOW HOMELESS FOLKS TO BE ARRESTED SIMPLY FOR NOT HAVING A HOME. AND THIS ECONOMY, PEOPLE ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. HARDWORKING PEOPLE WHO CANNOT BE HERE TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING TOILING AWAY THEIR BODIES AND THEY'RE TOO TIRED TO BE HERE OR THEY'RE TOO TIRED TO BE HERE. SO JUST A SHOUT OUT TO THE NURSES WHO ARE HERE RIGHT NOW. I KNOW YOUR HOURS ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF CHANGE AND YOU GUYS ARE OVERWORKED. AND JUST SHOUT OUT FOR YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE RIGHT NOW. 'CAUSE I KNOW YOU'RE TIRED. WE'RE ALL TIRED. IT SEEMS LIKE THE SYSTEM IS MADE TO BE THIS INCONVENIENT. PLEASE FUND THE ARTS, DEFUND THE POLICE FUND HOUSING, AND AGAIN, FREEZE EVICTIONS AND RENT [04:00:01] WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON WITH THE ICE RAIDS. PEOPLE ARE AFRAID AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE THAT. WE SHOULD LIVE IN COLLECTIVE CARE AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REST EASY. LET'S SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER. I AM FROM LONG BEACH, BORN AND RAISED. WENT TO JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL. WELL LIVED IN CAMBODIA TOWN. I FEEL LIKE OUR SYSTEM RIGHT NOW NEEDS REPLACING. IT NEEDS TO BE DISMANTLED LITTLE BY LITTLE, CHANGE BY CHANGE. DO WHAT YOU GUYS NEED TO DO. DO THE RIGHT THING. DO THE RIGHT THING. THAT'S IT. ALRIGHT. THANK YOU, STAR. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. WE ARE APPROACHING THE END OF THE MEETING. WE NOW HAVE, UH, ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT. WE'RE GONNA START WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS IN DEJAS. THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN TODAY'S MEETING IN HONOR OF COMMODORE ABERT. COMMODORE [ANNOUNCEMENTS] EVERETT WAS THE, WAS THE COMMODORE ON THE QUEEN MARY. AND WE LEARNED LAST FRIDAY THAT HE PASSED AWAY. HE WAS SUCH A LIFE FOR THE QUEEN MARY, AND HE LOVED THE QUEEN MARY. SO, SO VERY MUCH. I THINK THAT HIS LOVE AND PASSIONATE, ANYBODY WHO WENT TO THE QUEEN MARY WAS ABLE TO EXPERIENCE HIS LOVE AND PASSION FOR THE QUEEN MARY. HE HAD THE MOST AMAZING STORIES TO SHARE. UM, HE WILL BE DEEPLY, DEEPLY MISSED. HE WAS ONE OF THE KINDEST PERSONS WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SMILE THAT I HAVE EVER MET. AND HIS, AGAIN, HIS JOY FOR THE QUEEN MARY AND UPLIFTING THE QUEEN MARY WAS SO IMPORTANT TO HIM. I'M SO GLAD THAT HE HAD THE OPPORT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE QUEEN MARY THRIVING AGAIN. AND I THINK WE OWE THAT TO OUR, UM, CITY STAFF WHO HAS DONE REMARKABLE JOB IN BRINGING BACK THE QUEEN MARY. AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT OUR COMMODORE EVERETT WAS, WAS ABLE TO SEE THE QUEEN MARY JUST SHINING BRIGHT. UM, EVEN THOUGH IN HIS HEART SHE ALWAYS WAS SHINING BRIGHT, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT. SO THANK YOU. MY MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES GO TO HIS FAMILY AND HIS QUEEN MARY FAMILY. SO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE SOME WORDS ON HIM. UM, IN ADDITION, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU ALL TO MY SECOND ANNUAL A DA DAY OF CELEBRATION AND RECEPTION HAPPENING, UM, AT INNER TREND THIS SATURDAY, JULY 26TH FROM 6:00 PM TO 10:00 PM. UM, FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT MY OFFICE ALSO. UM, MY OFFICE IS FRIENDS IN THE FIELD AT PARTAKE COLLECTIVE 4 56 ELM ON TUESDAY, JULY 29TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM AND THE DANCE FEST AT CAESAR CHAVEZ PARK, ANTHEM THEATER ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 19TH FROM 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM UH, IN ADDITION DTLB ALLIANCE ART AND DESIGN WALK THIS SATURDAY, JUNE, JULY 26TH. HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COUNCILWOMAN. UM, I'M GONNA, UH, CHIME IN NOW, UH, AT REQUEST OF COUNCIL MEMBER SUPERMAN, WHO COULDN'T BE HERE. SO I'D LIKE TO CLOSE THE COUNCIL MEETING IN MEMORY OF JIM JIMMY RICHARDSON. JIMMY WAS AN ICONIC TRACK AND FIELD STAR. HE GAVE, UH, BACK, HE GAVE BACK TO OUR CITY BY BECOMING A COACH FOR MANY TRACK STARS THAT EMERGED FROM LONG BEACH UNIFIED AND LONG BEACH, UH, CITY COLLEGE. HE WAS A LONG BEACH POLY ALUM, A CAL STATE LONG BEACH SPRINTER, A GREAT COACH, A MENTOR, A DEAR FRIEND TO FORMER VICE MAYOR, UH, DEE ANDREWS, HIS BEST FRIEND, UH, LEGENDARY TRACK, STAR, AND COACH. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. NOW WE'LL GO TO COUNCIL MEMBER SORROW. UM, THANK YOU MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO ADJOURN TODAY'S MEETING IN MEMORY OF MARCUS MCBRIDE SR. UM, WHO WAS BORN ON JULY 19TH, 1978 IN WESTMINSTER, CALIFORNIA TO CARL AND LAVATA MCBRIDE AND THE GRANDSON OF ERNEST S AND LILLIAN MCBRIDE. THROUGHOUT HIS CHILDHOOD, [04:05:01] HE WAS SURROUNDED BY LOVE AND SUPPORT FROM TWO FAMILIES WHO HELPED SHAPE HIS JOURNEY IN ANAHEIM. HE WAS RAISED BY HIS MOTHER, LAVATA MCBRIDE PATTERSON AND WESLEY PATTERSON. AND IN LAKEWOOD, HE WAS CARED FOR BY HIS FATHER, CARL MCBRIDE AND WENDY MCBRIDE. GROWING UP BETWEEN THESE TWO HOMES, MARCUS EXPERIENCED A FOUNDATION OF LOVE, STRENGTH, AND SUPPORT. HE BEGAN HIS EDUCATION AT THE NAZARENE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL IN LONG BEACH, WHERE HE PARTICIPATED IN THE BELL CHOIR UNTIL SIXTH GRADE. HE WAS AN HONOR ROLL STUDENT AT BALL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL AND GRADUATED FROM LA LARA HIGH SCHOOL IN 1996 IN ANAHEIM, WHERE HE WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL PLAYER. HE DEVELOPED A LOVE AND PASSION FOR CARS AT 15 AND WAS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS CLASSIC 1987 MONTE CARLO. HE CONTINUES EDUCATION TO BECOME A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED BY HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY. AND I WANNA SEND MY DEEP CONDOLENCES TO HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR THIS GREAT LOSS. THANK YOU, MAYOR. UM, THE OTHER, UH, THING THAT I DID WANNA SHARE COMING UP, UM, IS THE LONG ANTICIPATED MACARTHUR PARK RIBBON CUTTING THAT, THAT'S THE SATURDAY ON JULY 6TH AT 10:00 AM AT MACARTHUR PARK. IT'S VERY EXCITING. SO WE, UM, WELCOME EVERYONE TO JOIN US. AND THEN THERE'S GOING TO BE ON SUNDAY, JULY 27TH, A PACIFIC AVENUE CLEANUP AT NINE 30 ON 2120 PACIFIC AVENUE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER OTTI. UH, THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A, A, A MOMENT, HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE OF REALLY GREAT EVENTS THAT RECENTLY TOOK PLACE, UM, IN DISTRICT NINE, WHICH ARE OUR COFFEE WITH THE COMMANDER AND OUR FIRE AND ICE CREAM EVENT. UM, BOTH EVENTS WERE REALLY WONDERFUL REMINDERS OF THE POWER OF CONNECTION AND COLLABORATION. UH, COFFEE WITH THE COMMANDER PROVIDED OUR RESIDENTS WITH MEANINGFUL, MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE DIRECTLY WITH OUR NORTH DIVISION LEADERSHIP, ASK IMPORTANT QUESTIONS, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE. I'D REALLY LIKE TO THANK COMMANDER HUGHES AND THE ENTIRE LONG BEACH PD NORTH DIVISION TEAM FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND PRESENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. UM, AND I ALSO WANT TO LIFT UP OUR FIRE AND ICE CREAM EVENT. THIS EVENT BROUGHT FAMILIES, KIDS, NEIGHBORS TOGETHER FOR A FUN AND JOYFUL AFTERNOON ALONGSIDE OUR LONG BEACH FIRE DEPARTMENT. IT WAS HEARTWARMING TO SEE SO MANY SMILING FACES, ENJOYING ICE CREAM, CLIMBING, ABOARD, FIRETRUCKS, AND GETTING TO KNOW, UM, THE EVERYDAY HEROES WHO PROTECT OUR CITY. UH, AND LASTLY, I'D LIKE TO, UM, TALK TO YOU ALL ABOUT A COUPLE OF UP UPCOMING EVENTS. UM, UH, I'D LIKE TO INVITE EVERYBODY OUT TO ATTEND THE LONG BEACH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SYMPHONY INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOO ON FRIDAY, UH, JULY 25TH FROM ONE TO 2:00 PM EXPLORE HOW PROFESSIONAL LONG BEACH SYMPHONY MUSICIANS MAKE MUSIC AND THEN TRY TO HAND TRY YOUR HAND AT PLAYING DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS. THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT THE MICHELLE OBAMA LIBRARY AT 5 58 70 ATLANTIC AVENUE. AGAIN, THAT IS FRIDAY, JULY 25TH. SO THIS COMING FRIDAY FROM ONE TO 2:00 PM I'D ALSO LIKE TO INVITE EVERYBODY OUT TO ATTEND THE CAR LIGHT LONG BEACH, UH, CAR TO, UM, TO JOIN CAR LIGHT LONG BEACH BIKE LONG BEACH, AND THE NAM NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION FOR THE ARTESIA BOULEVARD BIKE LANE CLEANUP ON SATURDAY, JULY 26TH, 2025, UM, FROM 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM UM, MEET UP AT THE LO UH, THE MEETUP LOCATION WILL BE UPTOWN COMMONS AT 6,600 ATLANTIC AVENUE. UM, I HEAR THAT CAR LIGHT WILL BRING OUT THEIR, UM, UM, UH, WHAT'S CALLED THE CLEAN MARY, WHICH IS THEIR VERSION OF THE BIKE LANE CLEANUP DEVICE THAT THEY THAT THEY CREATED. IT'S CALLED THE CLEAN MARY. AND IT'S, UH, IT'S BIKE POWERED, UH, AND CLEANS OUR BIKE LANES. IT'S A LOT OF FUN. I GOT A CHANCE TO TO, TO RIDE THE BIKE AND PULL IT MYSELF. UH, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I INVITE ALL OF YOU OUT TO, UH, ATTEND THE 14TH ANNUAL UPTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL COMING ON SATURDAY, AUGUST. UM, IT SHOULD BE AUGUST 2ND, UH, FROM 2:00 PM TO 7:00 PM THIS EVENT IS FREE TO THE PUBLIC AND WE'LL HAVE DIFFERENT MUSICIANS, VENDORS, AND FOOD FOR ATTENDEES. THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD AT HOUGHTON PARK. UM, OUR HEADLINER THIS YEAR IS THE GRAMMY AWARD-WINNING ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. SO IT'S GONNA BE A FUN TIME. UH, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, MAYOR DW THREE WILL BE PRESENT , UM, BUT AGAIN, FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT. DO IT EVERY YEAR IN HOUGHTON PARK, LIFTING UP THE UPTOWN COMMUNITY. UH, MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HERE WILL BE PRESENT, SO COME HANG OUT. IT'S COMPLETELY FREE. UM, AND MEANT TO LIFT UP THE, THE LONG BEACH AND UPTOWN COMMUNITY. SO SEE YOU THERE. I AM SO PROUD TO SEE THE UPTOWN JAZZ FESTIVALS CONTINUING IN TRADITION. UH, LOOK FORWARD TO THAT LINEUP, ESPECIALLY DW THREE AND THE REST OF DEVELOPMENT TOO. REST OF DEVELOPMENT TOO. THANKS A LOT. UH, COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH INTO IT. YES, EXCITING. UM, WASN'T ON MY ANNOUNCEMENTS, BUT I TOO WANNA LIFT UP, MAKING SURE PEOPLE COME OUT. AUGUST 2ND IS THE UPTOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL. ALL RIGHT, SO CLOSING COMMENTS REGARDING THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. UM, ONE I WANNA HIGHLIGHT AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS. [04:10:01] THIS COMING MONDAY, THE LONG BEACH RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY, WE'LL BE HOSTING NAVIGATING IMMIGRATION LAW WORKSHOP. IT'S HAPPENING ON JULY 28TH FROM 9:00 AM TO 11:30 AM AT THE ART THEATER. THIS WILL BE A SESSION TO HELP EDUCATE OUR RESTAURANTS ON HOW TO PROPERLY RESPOND TO FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACTIVITIES THAT MAY OCCUR IN AND AROUND THEIR BUSINESSES. SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS ARE AT THE HEART OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE PROTECT THEM AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY HAVE OUR SUPPORT. WE ARE ALSO EXCITED ABOUT WELCOMING MORE NEW BUSINESSES TO THE EIGHTH DISTRICT. RADIANT SPA IS HOSTING THEIR GRAND OPENING THIS THURSDAY, JULY 24TH AT 11:00 AM THEY'RE LOCATED IN THE BIXBY KNOLL SHOPPING CENTER AT 4 5 1 2 ATLANTIC AVENUE. AND THEY OFFER INFRARED SAUNA AND SALT THERAPY FOCUSED ON HOLISTIC WELLNESS. WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO STOP BY TOUR THE SPACE AND ENJOY THE RELAXING ENVIRONMENT. THE NORTH LAW, THE NORTH VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION. I WILL BE HOLDING A GO LB WALK THIS THURSDAY FROM SIX TO 7:00 PM IT'LL START AT THE CRC ON ATLANTIC, AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO STAY ACTIVE AS WELL AS CONNECT WITH NEIGHBORS. I'M ALSO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A DOUBLE FEATURE EVENT NEXT WEEK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PARKS AND RECS IS HOSTING A SWEET SUMMER FIRE EVENT. THIS WILL TAKE PLACE JUST BEFORE MOVIES IN THE PARK. SO I ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO COME OUT EARLY TO MEET OUR LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS AND ENJOY SOME ICE CREAM. IT'LL START AT 6:00 PM ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 30TH AT SHEAR PARK. DON'T FORGET YOUR CHAIRS, BLANKETS, AND FAVORITE SNACKS FOR A FUN EVENING WITH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY. THE MOVIE SELECTION THAT NIGHT IS THE LIVE ACTION SNOW WHITE. AND FINALLY, UH, WE'LL WRAP UP THE MONTH WITH THE DISTRICT EIGHT HARBOR TOUR. A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTS TO SEE OUR INCREDIBLE PORT UP CLOSE. IT'LL TAKE PLACE THURSDAY, JULY 31ST FROM FIVE 30 TO 8:00 PM AT 100 AQUARIUM WAY. DOC TWO SPACE IS LIMITED, SO PLEASE BE SURE TO MAKE A RESERVATION WITH MY OFFICE. HAVE A GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES, THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. UM, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE CLEAN MARY. I'VE SEEN IT IN ACTION, COUNCILMAN RICKS OTI, BUT I'VE NEVER GOTTEN TO DRIVE IT. BUT WE RIDE OUR BIKES TO THE, TO THE JAZZ FESTIVAL MOST YEARS. SO, UM, THE CLEAN MARY WILL HAVE PROBABLY DONE THAT WORK TO GET US FROM SBY KNOWLES INTO NORTH NORTHTOWN. AND, UH, I SHOULD, UH, HIGHLIGHT THAT OUR FRIENDS AT PEDAL MOVEMENT ARE SPONSORING, UH, BIKE VALET. SO, PERFECT. THERE WE GO. EVEN MORE REASON TO HOP ON THOSE ORANGE AVENUE BIKE LANES AND HEAD NORTH. UM, THIS WEEKEND IN CD FIVE RESIDENTS HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS. UM, IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO THE LONG BEACH EXCHANGE ON A WEEKEND, THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO DO. THEY HAVE THREE POP-UP MARKETS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND. UM, THIS FRI OR ON FRIDAY, JULY 25TH, YOU CAN STOP BY FOURTH FRIDAY NIGHTS AT THE MARKET FROM FIVE TO NINE. YOU CAN RETURN ON SATURDAY FROM THE T ON THE 26TH FROM NOON TO SIXTH FOR A THROWBACK THEME MARKET. UM, AND ON SUNDAY THE 27TH, YOU CAN ROUND OUT THE WEEKEND WITH THE SUMMER SAFARI FROM 11:00 AM TO 7:00 PM ALL OF THOSE EVENTS. FECAL FEATURE, LOCAL VENDORS, ENTERTAINMENT, PHOTO OPS, AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY ON SATURDAY, JULY 26TH. YOU CAN ALSO SPEND, UH, THE EVENING AT AMBITIOUS SALES ON ATLANTIC AVENUE FOR THEIR NEXT AMBITIOUS RECORDS FAIR, WHERE YOU CAN SHOP AND SWAP RECORDS, LISTEN TO LIVE VINYL DJ SETS, AND SUPPORT A LOCAL BUSINESS ALL AT ONE TIME. AND LASTLY, I ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO JOIN US AT FIRST FRIDAYS AFTER THE MONTH OFF LAST YEAR, UH, LAST MONTH. FIRST FRIDAYS IS RETURNING FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST FROM SIX 30 TO NINE 30. YOU CAN GO BEFORE THE JAZZ FESTIVAL. UM, JOIN THE FUN UP AND DOWN ATLANTIC AS THE BEATLES INVADE BIXBY K KNOWLES, AND YOU CAN CATCH, UH, BEATLES TRIBUTE BANDS. UM, THERE'S ALSO A CONCERT IN THE PARKING LOT AT SEVEN 30 IN BIXBY, JOE. SO WE HOPE TO SEE OUT THERE. ALL RIGHT. WELL THAT CONCLUDES, UH, COUNCIL COMMENTS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UH, WE'LL BE BACK FIRST WEEK IN JA IN AUGUST, NOT JANUARY, FIRST WEEK IN AUGUST. THANKS FOR WATCHING. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THIS MEETING IS ADJOURNED. IT'S A VERY. * This transcript was created by voice-to-text technology. The transcript has not been edited for errors or omissions, it is for reference only and is not the official minutes of the meeting.