* 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. [00:08:55] OKAY. [00:08:56] THANK YOU FOR MEETING THIS EVENING. THIS IS, UH, TUESDAY, APRIL 7TH, MEDIA AND CITY COUNCIL. UH, PLEASE TAKE A ROLL CALL. COUNCILWOMAN SANJA. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. HERE. COUNCILMAN SUPERAL. [ROLL CALL] HERE. COUNCILWOMAN KERR. PRESENT COUNCILWOMAN SORROW. VICE MAYOR ANG PRESENTE. COUNCILWOMAN TH ACTION TOOK HERE. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK SODI HERE. MAYOR RICHARDSON, WE HAVE A QUORUM. THANK YOU. UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON HAS A COMMITMENT BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX. HE WILL BE JOINING US LATER DURING THIS MEETING, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE ON THAT ONE. UH, TODAY WE HAVE, UH, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A SIT, CHRISTINA. OKAY. CHRISTINA SAYS, ALAN HERE. OH, SHE'S NOT HERE. DO PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IN A MOMENT. SILENCE. YEAH. YEAH. RIGHT. GO AHEAD. GOOD EVENING. I'D LIKE TO [00:10:01] ASK YOU ALL TO TAKE [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] A MOMENT TO BOW YOUR HEADS AND THINK OF THOSE WHO WE'VE LOST BEFORE US. NOW, IF YOU WOULD RISE, IF YOU'RE ABLE, AND LET'S SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. READY? BEGIN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE. THANK YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER FOR, UH, GOING THE BAT. OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE, UH, ONE PRESENTATION TONIGHT. UH, HAND IT OVER TO STAFF. YES. WE HAVE A VIDEO IF WE CAN GET THAT GOING, PLEASE. [ Community Development Week] AT THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, WE'RE WORKING TO ENSURE EVERYONE HAS A PLACE TO CALL HOME. THE CONSTRUCTION OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IS CRUCIAL TO ACCOMPLISHING THIS MISSION. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS MORE THAN JUST NEW BUILDINGS. IT'S MUCH NEEDED STABILITY AND DIGNITY FOR OUR CITY'S WORKERS, SENIORS, VETERANS, AND FAMILIES. WITH FUNDING FROM THE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THROUGH THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, CDBG AND HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS, THE CITY IS BUILDING HOMES THAT UPLIFT ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. THIS INVESTMENT COMES AT A CRITICAL TIME AS HOUSING COSTS CONTINUE TO OUTPACE INCOMES. ACCORDING TO ZILLOW, THE AVERAGE ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT IN LONG BEACH BEACH IS ABOUT 1900 A MONTH, MEANING A SINGLE WORKER MIGHT NEED TO EARN AT LEAST 76,000 A YEAR JUST TO AFFORD RENT. FIXED INCOMES LEAVE OLDER ADULT RENTERS WITH TOO FEW OPTIONS. AND ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER, NEARLY ONE IN THREE IN THIS GROUP PAY MORE THAN HALF OF THEIR INCOME IN RENT. IT'S NO WONDER ADULTS OVER AGE 50 ARE THE FASTEST GROWING POPULATION EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. TO HELP CLOSE THIS GAP, THE CITY IS CREATING THOUGHTFULLY DESIGNED, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH ACCORDING TO RECENT STUDIES, DOES NOT LOWER NEARBY PROPERTY VALUES. INSTEAD, THE HOUSING STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES. LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK INSIDE AND SEE HOW THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE, STARTING WITH OUR FIRST LOCATION, THE SPARK AT MIDTOWN, WHICH INCLUDES ITS OWN ATTACHED TO YMCA FACILITY COMPLETED IN 2021 ON LONG BEACH BOULEVARD. THE SPARK AT MIDTOWN BRINGS 95 AFFORDABLE AND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOMES TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. THE SPARK COMBINES QUALITY HOUSING WITH ONSITE SERVICES THAT HELP RESIDENTS MOVE FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO YOUTH PROGRAMS, FAMILY SUPPORT AND WELLNESS ACTIVITIES. RENT IS THE SINGLE LARGEST PART OF ANY PERSON, ANY INDIVIDUAL'S BUDGET. AND SO IF YOU ARE PAYING AN UNAFFORDABLE RENT THAT REALLY AFFECTS YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE, YOUR ABILITY TO, UH, HAVE STABILITY, TO HAVE PEACE OF MIND, BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND SAVE AND GET AHEAD. AND SO IT MATTERS VERY MUCH FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR ABILITY TO STABILIZE AND BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. SO AT THIS PROPERTY, THE SPARK AT MIDTOWN, WE PROVIDE 95 UNITS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HALF OF WHICH ARE RESERVED FOR THE FORMERLY HOMELESS, AND THE REST ARE ALL FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. AND WE ARE SITTING ON TOP OF MULTIPLE SPACES THAT PROVIDE COMMUNITY BENEFIT. IN FACT, WE CALLED THIS PROJECT THE SPARK AT MIDTOWN BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST PROJECT TO APPROVED UNDER THE MIDTOWN SPECIFIC PLAN, AND WE REALLY WANTED TO BE THE SPARK TO HELP IGNITE THIS REVITALIZATION OF THE MIDTOWN AREA. COMPLETED IN 2017, EMANUEL PLACE TRANSFORMED THE FORMER EMANUEL CHURCH ON THIRD STREET INTO 24 AFFORDABLE ONE BEDROOM HOMES FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS. THE ADAPTIVE REUSE PRESERVED A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD LANDMARK WHILE CREATING STABLE HOUSING FOR OLDER ADULTS, INCLUDING 15 SENIORS EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS. E EMMANUEL PLACES ONSITE MANAGEMENT ENSURES RESIDENTS HAVE LONG-TERM SUPPORT NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION ON PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY, THE 1 0 1 IS A 52 UNIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMUNITY, SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 2026, LOCATED IN THE SOUTH WRIGLEY NEIGHBORHOOD AND DEVELOPED BY JAMBOREE HOUSING CORPORATION. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS, SUPPORTED BY 4.1 MILLION IN CDBG AND HOME FUNDING, [00:15:01] ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL LEVERAGED FINANCING. THE 1 0 1 REFLECTS THE STRATEGIC INVESTMENT IN HOUSING STABILITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD VITALITY. THESE ARE JUST A FEW HIGHLIGHTS IN A GROWING PIPELINE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING ACROSS OUR CITY. RECENT MILESTONES INCLUDE WELLSPRING, WHICH WELCOMED RESIDENTS IN 2024 AND HERITAGE GARDENS, WHICH OPENED THE SAME YEAR. ADDITIONAL HOUSING UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDES APARTMENTS FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS AT 300 ALAMITOS. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH WILL BUILD NEARLY 400 ADDITIONAL AFFORDABLE HOMES SUPPORTED BY FEDERAL GRANTS AND SIGNIFICANT PRIVATE INVESTMENT. TOGETHER WE CAN BUILD A BETTER LONG BEACH WHERE ALL RESIDENTS HAVE A SAFE, COMFORTABLE PLACE TO GROW, ROOTS, AND CALL HOME. VISIT LONG BEACH.GOV/AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CURRENT AND UPCOMING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS. THANK YOU. AND NOW WE HAVE LIZ WITHERS WITH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TO SAY A FEW WORDS. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. I'M ELIZABETH WITHERS. I'M THE HOUSING OPERATIONS OFFICER IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, AND WE'RE SO GLAD TO BE BACK HERE TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK. THE CITY OF LONG BEACH IS A LONGTIME RECIPIENT OF THESE US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT HUD FUNDS. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK IS A TIME FOR US TO UPLIFT THE PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY THIS FUNDING IN LONG BEACH. AND THIS WEEK, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS HOSTING EVENTS, CONDUCTING OUTREACH TABLING, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SHARE INPUT ON OUR ACTION PLAN AND CURRENT PROGRAMS THAT HELP MEET THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN GOALS SUCH AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AS YOU SAW IN THE VIDEO, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ROY MATA, SENIOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT REPRESENTATIVE AT HUDS LA UM, CPD OFFICE AND L-B-C-I-C CHAIR ALEJANDRA RAMIREZ. UM, THE SUPPORT AND EDUCATION WE RECEIVED FROM BOTH OF YOU IS INVALUABLE, AND WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE TODAY, ROY AND ALEJANDRA. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH HUD, MANY MORE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK CELEBRATIONS, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYTHING ELSE? NO. OKAY. WELL, WE KNOW THAT LONG BEACH IS A GROWING CITY. WE HAVE A LOT OF, UH, DEVELOPMENT GOING ON. WE'RE, WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH OUR HOUSING NOW, AND, UH, I WANNA APPRECIATE THE, THE, UH, THE WORK BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUR, UH, OUR ARENA NUMBERS. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL? OKAY. HEARING NONE NEXT TIME IS, UH, CONSENT CALENDAR. CAN I HAVE A MO A MOTION AND SECOND PLEASE? [CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 15.)] OKAY. SEE A, A MOTION A SECOND. UH, ANY COMMENTS ON THAT? NO. ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? NO FURTHER COMMENTS. OKAY. TAKE A MOVE PLEASE. MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU. NEXT ITEM. WE HAVE A GENERAL PUBLIC NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE 10 SPEAKERS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. UM, IF YOU HEAR YOUR NAME, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM. ERIN HOOPS. DEANDRE ALBRIGHT. TONY [ 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. ] FISHER. CAROLYN ESSEX, KAREN , BRIAN COCHRAN, SEYMOUR, JUSTICE ELLIOT LEWIS, PORT RON ROGELIO, MARTINEZ. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. YES, GO AHEAD. OKAY. SO MY NAME IS AARON HOOPS. I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT TWO. UM, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH A GRASSROOTS GROUP IN LONG BEACH, RCV AND THE LBC TO BRING RANK CHOICE VOTING TO LONG BEACH. AND WE'VE BEEN AT IT FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. WE'VE COLLECTED OVER A THOUSAND SIGNATURES, OVER 13, UH, COMMUNITY GROUPS IN SUPPORT. AND THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT WE NEED YOUR ACTION TO KEEP THE BALL MOVING FORWARD. WE TALKED TO THE CITY CLERK AND WE NEED A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO CHANGE HOW WE VOTE, AND WE HAVE A DRAFT CHARTER AMENDMENT, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP HEARING THAT AND, UM, FOLLOWING THE STEPS THAT WE NEED TO PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS, UM, IN ORDER TO GIVE PEOPLE A CHOICE IN HOW THEY VOTE. AND I JUST WANNA SAY ALSO, RANK CHOICE VOTING IS A SIMPLE UPGRADE TO HOW WE VOTE, WHERE INSTEAD OF VOTING FOR A SINGLE CANDIDATE, YOU VOTE FIRST CHOICE, SECOND CHOICE, THIRD CHOICE. AND ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT THAT THIS, UH, FIXES IS THAT WE NO LONGER NEED TO HAVE A PRIMARY AND A RUNOFF. SO IF YOU LOST YOUR PRIMARY BY 2%, I KNOW YOU DIDN'T [00:20:01] LOSE, RIGHT? BUT LIKE YOU GOT, IF YOU HAVE 48% IN YOUR, IN YOUR PRIMARY, THEN YOU HAD TO CAMPAIGN FOR THREE MORE MONTHS AND THEN HAVE THE SAME RACE AGAIN. BASICALLY THAT WOULD BE ELIMINATED WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM WHERE YOU COULD GET ALL THE INFORMATION IN ONE GO FROM, UH, ALL THE CHOICES. SO IF YOU WERE THE SECOND CHOICE PERSON FOR WHATEVER THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, OR A HUNDRED ACTUALLY IN, IN OUR CASE, UM, THEN THAT WOULD JUST GET MOVED OVER AND YOU COULD WIN IN ONE ELECTION AND NOT HAVE TO RUN FOR THREE MORE MONTHS. SO IT'S A BIG WIN FOR CANDIDATES. IT'S SAVES MONEY FOR THE CITY BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE TO RUN ONE ELECTION, NO RUNOFFS. AND, UH, IT HAS A LOT OF BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS WELL, INCLUDING MORE REPRESENTATION. WE HAVE A LOT MORE PEOPLE WHO VOTE IN OUR GENERAL ELECTION COMPARED TO PRIMARIES. SO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WOULD NOW HAVE A SAY IN WHO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IS. SO PLEASE, UM, WE'VE MET WITH SOME OF SOME OF YOUR OFFICES, BUT WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH ALL OF THEM, UM, AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO GET THIS MOVING FORWARD. UM, WE HAVE DONE LIVE WORK ON OUR END WORKING WITH FAIR VOTE, WHICH IS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION. THEIR LAWYERS HAVE DRAFTED WHAT HAS WORKED IN OTHER CITIES, BUT WE OF COURSE NEED TO ADAPT THAT OVER TO MAKING SURE IT WORKS IN LONG BEACH. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. UH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, NEXT WEEKEND PLEASE. HI, COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS DEANDRE ALBRIGHT. I'VE LIVED AT MY RESIDENCE, UM, SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2025 OR 2027. AND WHEN I MOVED IN THERE, THEY TOLD ME THAT I HAD TO ESTABLISH AN ACCOUNT WITH, UH, LONG BEACH, UH, UTILITIES, AND I DID SO. AND AFTER, WELL, WHEN I SIGNED UP, THEY, THEY ASKED ME, UM, HAD I EVER HAD AN ACCOUNT WITH THEM BEFORE, WHICH I SAID NO. AND FROM THERE THEY MADE THE ACCOUNT AND JUST TO SPEED THINGS UP, I ONLY HAVE A FEW MINUTES AT YOUR TIME. UM, LAST YEAR IN JUNE, THE RATES OF THE, UM, TRASH AND REFUGE, UH, HAD WENT UP SO MUCH THAT I CALLED AND ASKED SOMEONE AT THE, TO HELP ME WITH, UM, REVIEWING MY ACCOUNT BECAUSE IT HAD GOTTEN TOO MUCH FOR ME TO PAY. AND WHEN THEY REVIEWED THE ACCOUNT, THEY, UH, TOLD ME THAT I WAS PAYING FOR TWO REFUGE CANS, WHICH WAS $50 AND $45. AND WHEN I SIGNED UP FOR THAT ACCOUNT, UM, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP NEVER TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT REFUGE CANS, HOW MUCH THEY COST, AND HOW MANY DID I WANT, BECAUSE I SURELY WOULD'VE TOLD 'EM I DIDN'T WANT, UM, UM, TWO REFUGE CANS. SO FOR ALMOST EIGHT YEARS AND SEVEN MONTHS, I WAS BEING CHARGED $45 A MONTH FOR A REFUGE CAN THAT I DIDN'T HAVE. AND WHEN I, UH, WROTE, WROTE THE CREDIT REVIEW BOARD TO ASK FOR A REIMBURSEMENT, THEY QUICKLY RESPONDED IN SAYING THAT THEY COULDN'T REVERSE ME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHEN THE SECOND CAN WENT MISSING. THAT'S IN THEIR STATEMENT HERE TO ME. AND AT THAT POINT, I'M THINKING TO MYSELF, I'M TELLING THEM IN MY INITIAL APPROACH THAT I DIDN'T NEVER HAVE A SECOND CAN. THEY SENT SOMEONE OUT TO VERIFY WHAT I WAS TELLING THEM. AND THEN THAT'S WHEN THEY WROTE ME BACK AND SAID, WELL, THERE'S NOTHING WE COULD DO BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THE CAN WENT MISSING. OKAY. SO, UM, I TOLD HIM, OKAY, WELL, I DON'T HAVE TWO CANS. THEY ADJUSTED MY ACCOUNT TO ONE CAN, AND I'D ALREADY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE RATES GETTING HIGHER. SO AT THAT POINT, I FELT CUSTOMER SERVICE AT YO BEACH, UTILITIES SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME WE ACTUALLY HAVE SMALLER REFUGE CANS THAT YOU CAN DOWNGRADE TO AND ACTUALLY MAKE YOUR BILL GO DOWN EVEN FURTHER. I DIDN'T FIND THAT OUT UNTIL I STARTED TALKING WITH OTHER, UM, MEMBERS OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND SAYING THAT I COULD ACTUALLY GET A, A CHEAPER REFUGE CAN. I FOUND THAT OUT, OUT ON MY OWN, NOT THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE AT LONG BEACH UTILITY, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN THE ONES THAT TOLD ME THAT I COULD LOWER MY BILL THAT WAY. AND SO I'M JUST HERE, UH, TRYING TO GET THIS MATTER EXPEDITED YOUR TIME. HAVE CONCLUDED. THANK YOU. OH, BASICALLY, YOU GUYS GET THE GIST THERE. A PLEASE STEP TO THE SIDE. WE SOME MONEY FROM OUR, THE CITY MANAGER OFFICE. HELP ME OUT. OH, SIGN. YEAH. AND, UH, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, TYLER BONANO CURLEY WILL HELP YOU. THANK YOU. OKAY, NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? OH, GOOD EVENING EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CAROLYN ESSEX. I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT, UM, JUAN. UH, AND I AM ALSO A CANDIDATE [00:25:01] FOR STATE ASSEMBLY. SO I GO AROUND DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS. AND LAST NIGHT I WAS ABLE TO VISIT THE WRIGLEY ASSOCIATION NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING, AND I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD BRING BACK, UM, A SMALL REPORT, UM, ABOUT THE WRIGLEY, UM, NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THE WRIGLEY NEIGHBORHOOD IS, UM, ONE OF THE OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS IN LONG BEACH. AND, UM, I BELIEVE IT'S IN YOUR DISTRICT, UM, UM, VICE MAYOR. AND, UM, THEY'RE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND THEY LOVE A SIMPLE LIFE. AND I CAN SEE THAT. UM, UM, AFTER, UH, I SPENT SOME TIME IN OREGON, AND SO I SAW A KINDRED SPIRIT OF OREGON PEOPLE THERE, ACTUALLY. UM, UH, AND SO I WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY HAD AN OFFICER THERE LAST NIGHT AND, UM, HE SPOKE ABOUT, UM, WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON IN WRIGLEY. HE SAID THAT THE HOMICIDES WERE DOWN, BUT, UM, PEDESTRIAN, UM, FATALITIES ARE UP. UM, AND SO HIS THOUGHTS WERE THERE JUST NEED TO BE MORE COORDINATION BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS TO HELP, UM, HELP FACILITATE AND, UM, BRING THAT DOWN. UM, IT IS A CRISIS NOW WHERE PEOPLE ARE JUST, UM, BEING HIT AND THEY'RE JAYWALKING AND, AND IT POINTS TO THE HOMELESS AND UNHOUSED SITUATION IN LONG BEACH. UM, PEOPLE HAVE LOST HOPE, AND WE DON'T KNOW, AND THE OFFICERS SAID IT HIMSELF. WE DON'T KNOW IF THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE OR THEY'RE JUST SO DISORIENTED. UM, UH, BUT HE DID SAY THAT BECAUSE OF BUDGET CUTS THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO BE OUT THERE AS MUCH. I DON'T KNOW THAT IF THAT IS TRUE. UM, AND SO I'M HOPING THAT SOMEONE HEARS THIS AND, UM, COMES TO THE AID OF THE WRIGLEY, UH, NEIGHBORHOOD AND ASSOCIATION. THEY, THEY, UH, FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEING NEGLECTED, BUT THEY HAVE A GREAT SPIRIT. THEY'RE VERY ENGAGED. AND, UM, AND SO I TOLD THEM I WOULD COME AND, AND GIVE A, A REPORT OF COURSE, BECAUSE I COME HERE A LOT AND I WANNA MAKE IT, UM, UH, SOMETHING THAT IS, UM, BENEFICIAL. AND SO THAT'S ALL I I WANNA SAY. AND I REALLY HOPE THAT, UM, THE WRIGLEY NEIGHBORHOOD GETS SOME REVITALIZATION MONEY FOR THEIR PARKS AND I HOPE THAT, UM, UH, THEY WILL BE STOOD UP FOR. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING EVERYBODY. I'M KAREN . I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE LONG BEACH GRAY PANTHERS FOR A FEW MORE MONTHS. UM, AND I JUST WANNA INVITE YOU ALL TO COME TO OUR SENIOR FEST, THAT IS GONNA BE MAY 2ND AT BILLIE JEAN KING LIBRARY ON THE PROMENADE. AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE 40 TABLERS AND A HOUSING PANEL TALK ABOUT HOUSING PROCESSES. AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE A SPEAKER ON SENIOR SEX. AND, UH, WE'RE ALSO GONNA DO STORY CORPS. THERE'S A LOVELY ARTICLE ON THE LONG BEACH POST TODAY ABOUT THE STORY CORPS. WE DID OUR FIRST INTERVIEWS OF OLDER ADULTS AND THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THE WEALTH OF, UM, EXPERIENCE IN LONG BEACH. SO WE HELP YOU ALL JOIN US ON THE 17TH SO WE CAN RECORD YOUR STORIES. AND, UM, I JUST WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT JOB THAT YOU'RE ALL DOING, AND, UM, A VERY PRODUCTIVE MEETING WITH THE LA CASA THIS AFTERNOON. I'M VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH LA CASA AT BOTH THE CITY AND HOW THE COUNTY AND CITY ARE WORKING TOGETHER. AND THE GRAY PATHERS, WERE THE FIRST ORGANIZATION IN LONG BEACH TO JOIN UP AND SUPPORT LA CASA. SO OUR EFFORTS, WE FEEL LIKE ARE REALLY BEING REWARDED. SO THANK YOU. BUT WE DO WANNA INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. UH, THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. UH, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS TJ FISHER. I'M A MUSIC EDUCATOR AND NONPROFIT OWNER, UH, IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UH, I'VE BEEN A MUSIC EDUCATOR IN LONG BEACH FOR LIKE, OVER 25 YEARS. I KNOW I LOOK LIKE A KID, BUT, UH, YEAH, UM, IT KIND OF COMES WITH THE TERRITORY. UH, SO, UM, I'VE WORKED WITH, UH, DIFFERENT NONPROFITS AND DIFFERENT THINGS DURING, [00:30:01] UH, THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I'VE WORKED WITH LONG BEACH, UH, COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP. I'M A FORMERLY, I'M EMPLOYED AT RENAISSANCE PERFORMING ARTS HIGH SCHOOL RIGHT NOW. I'VE WORKED AT JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL. SO I, I'VE KIND OF BEEN AROUND, UM, AND THROUGH MY EFFORTS I'VE SEEN, UH, SOMETIMES THERE NEEDS TO BE MENTORSHIP. THERE NEEDS TO BE HELP, THERE NEEDS TO BE GUIDANCE. AND MOST OF THE TIME THE MUSIC PROGRAMS ARE THE FIRST ONES TO TAKE THE HIT. SO I PROPOSE TO PUT TOGETHER, UM, OR TO, TO START A REC CENTER SLASH MUSIC SCHOOL, UM, WHICH WOULD MENTOR AND GUIDE STUDENTS INTO THE PLACE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A TANGIBLE CAREER IN MUSIC OR A TANGIBLE CAREER. NOW AT THIS REC CENTER, I DON'T LOOK TO JUST TEACH THEM MUSIC SKILLS, BUT I WANT THEM TO TEACH THEM LIFE SKILLS. I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO KNOW HOW TO TIE A TIE, HOW TO FILL OUT A JOB APPLICATION, HOW TO, UH, USE A COMPUTER, UH, ALL THE NECESSITIES OF LIFE. BUT I ALSO WANT TO TIE IN THE ASPECT OF MUSIC. NOW. MUSIC IS SO CONNI COGNITIVE, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT BUILD AND HELP, UH, STUDENTS TO BECOME BETTER BECAUSE THEY, THEY LITERALLY, UM, BECAUSE THEY DO MUSIC. UM, SO I'M LOOKING FOR RESOURCES AND I'M LOOKING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF LONG BEACH TO PROVIDE RESOURCES. UM, I KNOW MENTORSHIP IS A PASSION OF MINE AND I KNOW IT'S A PASSION OF YOU GUYS. 'CAUSE EDUCATION IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS, UM, THAT WE EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UM, SO I'D LIKE TO FIND RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO GET GRANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO BE ABLE TO START A REC CENTER SLASH MUSIC SCHOOL, UM, IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANKS, SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, HONORABLE VICE MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. MY NAME IS BRIAN COCHRAN AND I'M HERE TONIGHT AS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY'S NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM, WHICH AT 30 PLUS YEARS AND NEARING ITS 900TH GRADUATE THIS SUMMER HAS TO BE ONE OF THE LONG BEACHES, MOST SUCCESSFUL AND VALUED EFFORTS. NOT MANY PROGRAMS GET TO 10 YEARS, LET ALONE 32 AND COUNTING. RIGHT. I HOPE I POSE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS TO YOU AS CITY LEADERS, AS THE PROGRAM AND ITS DURABLE, QUANTIFIABLE IMPACTS SEEM TO BE ON THE BRINK OF ELIMINATION OR BEING GUTTED IN A CLIMATE OF ACUTE DIVISIVENESS. DO YOU SEE THE IMPACT AND RESIDENTS OF A PROGRAM THAT CROSSES GENERATIONS, BRINGS TOGETHER EMERGING LEADERS FROM ALL DISTRICTS ONE TO NINE, AND IS A FOUNDATIONAL ROOT OF MANY COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS IN A CITY STRIVING FOR UNITY AND A SHARED VISION? WILL YOU EMBRACE NLP FOR WHAT IT TRULY IS, A CONNECTOR, A BRIDGE GLUE. IT'S ALL OF THOSE THINGS. AND RIGHT NOW WHAT IT NEEDS MOST FROM YOU IS NOT JUST SHORT TERM LIFELINE FOR THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR, BUT A COMMITMENT FROM ALL OF YOU TO FUND IT ROBUSTLY AND TO PROTECT IT FROM INCREMENTAL DEATH BY EROSION. WHEN YOU SEE THESE T-SHIRTS ACROSS THE CITY, ANYWHERE IN THE CITY, KNOW THAT AN NLP GRADUATE IS ADVANCING SOMETHING FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND THEY DO IT FOR FREE. WHEN YOU SEE THIS YEAR'S GRADUATES COME BEFORE COUNCIL IN AUGUST, CELEBRATE WITH US THAT ANOTHER 20 TO 30 RESIDENTS HAVE BECOME FORCED MULTIPLIERS. THEY'LL BE LIFTING AND LEADING AT NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS. THEY'LL BE WRITING GRANTS AND GATHERING SUPPLIES FOR KIDS. THEY'LL BE ENGAGING WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS TO PREVENT CRIME AND FOSTER NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE. WHEN YOU SEE THE PHOTOS OF PARTICIPANTS AND OUR EIGHT VOLUNTEER FACILITATORS IMMERSED IN THIS YEAR'S SKILLS BUILDING WEEKEND OR DAY OF DISCOVERY, OR TEAM PROJECT DAYS, PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO APPRECIATE THAT EVERY ONE OF THE FACILITATORS WEEK AFTER WEEK WORKS FOR FREE AT LEAST THREE HOURS TO ELEVATE ALL OF THESE PARTICIPANTS' EFFORTS AND SKILLS OVER SIX MONTH PERIOD. WE AS NLP GRADUATES DO THESE THINGS, IN PART BECAUSE THE CITY ITSELF CANNOT. IT'S AN UNPAID, ADDITIVE AND DEEPLY ENGAGED TALENT POOL. AND IT'LL GO AWAY IF YOU CAN'T FIND A WAY TO FUND IT NEXT YEAR OR INTO YEAR 40. AFTER DECADES LEADING THE PROGRAM, MARGARET MADDEN TOOK RETIREMENT A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, LIKELY IN HOPES OF PRESERVING FUNDS FOR THE TWO CURRENT AND LONG SERVING PROGRAM STAFFERS. WE NEED THEM TO STAY THEIR GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM AND THAT CONTINUITY IS ESSENTIAL. KEEPING THE NAME NLP WHILE REVAMPING THE STRUCTURE WOULD BE A HEARTBREAKING DISSERVICE. N-L-P-N-L-P, THE CITY HAS CAPTURED LIGHTNING IN A BOTTLE, SOMETHING UNEQUIVOCALLY POSITIVE. SO I ASK YOU, WILL YOU ENSURE IT CONTINUES AND FIND THE FUNDING IN TACT AND UNCOMPROMISED? AND I THANK YOU ALL WHO'VE MET WITH US OR TALK TO OUR GROUP BEFORE ABOUT FINDING THE FUNDING AND GATHERING RESOURCES. WE WILL TALK TO YOU FURTHER. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE. MY NAME'S ELLIOT LEWIS. I'M THE CEO OF [00:35:01] CATALYST CANNABIS CO. JUST WANTED TO TALK ON THE, UH, CANNABIS TAX ISSUE. I'M GONNA TRY TO KEEP THIS AS PRODUCTIVE AND DISPASSIONATE AS POSSIBLE. SO THERE WAS A TAX CREDIT THAT'S BEEN IN THE ETHER FOR LIKE TWO YEARS, RIGHT? AND IN SO MUCH AS THAT WE SHOULD QUALIFY, WE DO QUALIFY. WE CLEARLY QUALIFY. UM, THEY KEEP COMING UP WITH FAKE BECAUSES ON WHY WE DON'T QUALIFY, WHICH, YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY NEED TO GUESS WHAT HAPPENED. THEY PUT IN THE POST THAT THE MONEY WAS USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WE EMPLOY 150 PEOPLE HERE IN THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AT CATALYST. THROW. ANNAS IN THERE. WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO 200. THERE'S ABOUT A HUNDRED STORE LEVEL EMPLOYEES. 90 OF THOSE EMPLOYEES ARE FRONTLINE WORKERS. SO, UH, JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE HISTORY, WHEN THEY ADDED THE EQUITY WORKER POOL, ALL OF OUR STORES WERE ALREADY OPEN AND THE JOB WAS JUST TO KEEP GOING TO THAT POOL AND SEE IF YOU COULD ADD PEOPLE AS THEY CAME. AND WE WERE EXEMPT, RIGHT? IN ADDITION TO THAT, THAT POOL WAS ENTIRELY CLOSED DOWN FROM 2023 TO 2025, RIGHT? SO WE'VE BEEN HITTING THEM UP AND WE'VE BEEN GHOSTED FOR THREE COMPLETE YEARS. NOW WE'RE HAVING SOME, UH, CONVERSATIONS AND THEY'RE THROWING NEW FAKE BECAUSE AT US IN SO MUCH AS THIS TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WAS TO CREATE UPWARD MOBILITY, ENTRY LEVEL JOBS WITH GOOD SALARIES, UH, HEALTHCARE FOR OUR WORKERS. YOU KNOW, UH, I'M SUPER PROUD OF THE FACT THIS IS GONNA SOUND LIKE IT'S NOT A TRUE STATEMENT. WE HAVE 12,000 JOB APPLICATIONS FOR CATALYSTS IN THE QUEUE. I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT FACT, RIGHT? WE HAVE GREAT RETENTION. SOME OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN THERE FOR NINE OR 10 YEARS. SO WHAT THE CITY IS ESSENTIALLY SAYING IS, YOU KNOW WHAT, FIRE 36 PEOPLE AND WE'LL GIVE YOU THE $800,000 TAX CREDIT, RIGHT? I JUST WALKED BY A FENCE ON MY WAY DOWN HERE THAT WE SPENT $800,000 ON. I'M NOT GOING TO LIKE GET INTO IT. I COULD HAVE MADE THE FENCE FOR 50 GRAND. THE BUMS AND THE ZOMBIES JUST MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION. IT'S A LITTLE BIT CRAZY, RIGHT? BET ON CATALYST, BET ON ANIS. WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO THIS CITY? NOT ONLY ARE WE THE ONE, THE ONE OF THE HIGHEST TAX PAYERS, WE REDEVELOPED THE ENTIRE 400 BLOCK OF PINE. WE OPENED UP ANNA'S, WE OPENED UP ANNA'S MARKET, WE OPENED UP ANNA'S IN BELMONT SHORE. WE WANNA OPEN UP A CLOTHING STORE AND CONTINUE TO DEVELOP. AND GUESS WHAT? IT COST THE CITY NOTHING. AND ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS A TAX CREDIT THAT WE'RE ENTITLED TO. NOW, OF COURSE, WE COULD HAVE OUR OWN EMPLOYEES SIGN UP. ABOUT 70% OF THEM ARE FROM LONG BEACH. SOME OF THEM ARE SCARED 'CAUSE THEY HAVE PARENTS THAT ARE BEING HUNTED BY ICE. THE INFORMATION IS PUBLIC AND THEY FEEL LIKE IT'S A PUBLIC SHAMING BY THE CITY. FOR THEM TO SIGN UP PUBLICLY AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M NOT DOING THAT WELL. SO MY ALTERNATIVES ARE TO JUST EITHER LITIGATE, WHICH I REALLY DON'T LIKE FIGHTING THE CITY 'CAUSE I KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO THAT. BUT WE ARE ENTITLED TO THIS TAX CREDIT. AND I'M HERE TO SAY THAT WHATEVER THE REASONING IS, WHY YOU PUT IT IN PLACE, WE CHECK YOUR TIME HAS HAS TO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. UM, PARTIAL COUNSEL AND NOT REX. UM, I CAN TELL IT'S A THINLY ATTENDED MEETING TONIGHT AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS ARE HERE. UM, MY NAME IS MICHAEL. I'M A, UM, DISTRICT FIVE RESIDENT. AND THE LAST MEETING I WAS AT THE, WHAT CALLS ME TO BE HERE TODAY IS THE DISCUSSION OF, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN, YOUR RESOLUTION OF, UH, CORE, UH, WHICH WAS TO CHANGE SOME OF THE, USING SOME OF THE MORE RECENT, UM, CHANGES LEGISLATIVELY TO LOOSEN UP HOW MUCH WE USE ENFORCEMENT WITH OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE IN MENTAL CRISIS. AND IT WAS AFTER THAT THAT I JUST RECENTLY LEARNED ABOUT A STORY INVOLVING A STUDENT, A A PERSON THAT WAS HAVING A MENTAL CRISIS, UH, KAIZEN, ADRIANO GUERRERO, MM-HMM . AND WHEN I HEARD THE PRESENTATION LAST TIME ABOUT NEEDING TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT OF, UH, AND PUTTING PEOPLE AND USING BADGES AND GUNS TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE IN MENTAL CRISIS MORE SO THAN THEY WERE, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR TO ME AS A RESIDENT THAT WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO BE BEEFED UP IN OUR CITY IS OUR RESPONSE, UH, WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE A BADGE AND A GUN. AND A PERFECT CASE IS THIS, UH, JUSTICE FOR KAIZEN. HE WAS IN MENTAL CRISIS. HE WAS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF A TREATMENT FACILITY. HE WAS, WHAT IS IT CALLED? ODR. HE WAS IN A PROGRAM, UH, IN THE OFFICE OF DIVERSION AND REENTRY, TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE GET ON THEIR FEET. HE WAS IN MENTAL CRISIS. THE POLICE CAME, THE MET OR THE, UH, MENTAL HEALTH [00:40:01] EVALUATION TEAM WAS NOT THERE. THE STAFF CAME OUT AND OFFERED AND SAID, HE'S, UH, MENTALLY ILL AND NEEDS HIS MEDICATION. AND THE POLICE REFUSE TO LET THE CLINICIAN GIVE THE MEDICINE TO THE PERSON THAT WAS IN DISTRESS. AND IT'S JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF HOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DOING MORE ENFORCEMENT ON OUR MOST VULNERABLE AND MOST NEEDY PEOPLE, UH, WHEN WE'RE NOT EVEN HANDLING THOSE VARIOUS EXTREME CASES WITH ALL OF THE, THE FANFARE THAT WE HAD IN 2023 ABOUT HAVING A, YOU KNOW, MORE ROBUST RESPONSE TO THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. AND IT, YOU KNOW, IT JUST FEELS REALLY LIKE OUR CITY HAS A LOT OF, UM, TALKING POINTS ABOUT HOW WE'RE DOING THINGS TO HELP WITH OUR, WHETHER IT'S UNHOUSED POPULATION OR PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS. AND WHAT I SEE IS A COUNCIL IN A CITY THAT CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK TO DOING EVEN MORE PUNITIVE ENFORCEMENT. AND SHAME ON YOU GUYS FOR PASSING THAT LAST TIME. AND WE SHOULD BE HAVING MORE THAN FIVE PEOPLE ON THE MET TEAM EVERY DAY, NOT JUST TOTAL AND, UM, BETTER. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED DO BETTER. THANK YOU. THANKS SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING. UH, MY NAME IS NA. I LIVE IN YOUR DISTRICT, CHRISTINA, I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AND YOUR KID. UM, SO EVERY DAY MY CHILDREN AND I, AND I'VE GOT THREE OF 'EM, WE CROSS ZINO IN BETWEEN FOURTH STREET AND SEVENTH STREET. AND EVERY DAY CARS DO NOT STOP. EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE TWO CROSSINGS, OFFICIAL CROSSINGS THERE, CARS SCREAM DOWN THAT HILL AND THEY CAN'T STOP. BY THE TIME THEY SEE US, THEY CAN'T STOP OR DON'T WANNA STOP. AND SO I AM HERE TO ASK FOR A PROPER BUMP SYSTEM THAT SLOWS DOWN THESE CARS. UH, A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMMUTING TO BELMONT SHORE AND BACK, I HAVE ONLY TWO ARTERIES. UM, ZUNO PARK ON THAT SIDE OF TOWN, OR ALL THE WAY ON SECOND STREET, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE LAGOON IS NOW CLOSED, STILL AFTER, I DON'T KNOW, FOUR YEARS, FIVE YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION. SO THAT'S THE FIRST TOPIC I'M HERE FOR. I'M ASKING FOR A BUMP SYSTEM. EVEN IF WE DO USE THE LIGHT FLASHING SYSTEM, IT'S STILL NOT GONNA WORK. 'CAUSE THEY'RE NOT GONNA STOP IN TIME. THEY SEE ME, I STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD SOMETIMES AND THEY BARELY SEE ME. MY LITTLE ONE HAS ALMOST BEEN HIT. SO THAT'S THE FIRST MOST IMPORTANT TOPIC. SECOND IMPORTANT TOPIC I WANNA TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS WHAT MY SHIRT IS ABOUT. SO THE FUTURE IS DIVESTMENT AWAY FROM ZIONISM. IF YOU WANT PROOF, LOOK AT NEW YORK AND LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW YORK AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. IF YOU QUESTION THE GENOCIDE, LISTEN TO ALL THE GENOCIDE SCHOLARS WORLDWIDE. THEY WILL PROVE TO YOU THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING IS A GENOCIDE. EVEN THE ISRAELI GENOCIDE SCHOLARS RECOGNIZE IT AS A GENOCIDE. SO WHY AM I HERE? I'M NOT HERE TO APPEAL YOUR SENSE OF TO, TO YOUR SENSE OF MORALITY OR WHATEVER IT IS, OR HUMANITY. I'M HERE TO APPEAL YOUR SENSE OF BELONGING AND YOUR WALLETS. I'M NOT HERE TO APPEAL TO ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE IS GONNA BE. THINK SERIOUS AND HARD. YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE CHANGED THEIR MIND AND YOU'RE GONNA GET A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE ME COMING UP HERE AND ASKING YOU TO DO THIS. OKAY? SO IT'S TIME TO ACT. DO WHAT THIS INFORMATION, WHAT YOU WANT, BUT REMEMBER THAT YEARS FROM NOW, YOU'RE GONNA BE STRUNG UP AND DRY BY THE SAME ENTITY THAT PROPPED YOU UP, WHICH IS ZIONISTS AND THEIR GENOCIDAL INTENTIONS IN PALESTINE. SO IF YOU WANNA LOOK AT EXAMPLES OF THIS, YOU HAVE THE USS LIBERTY IN 1967. YOU'VE GOT OUR SERVICE MEMBERS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE FIGHTING SOMEBODY ELSE'S WAR, AND MORE AND MORE AND MORE OTHER AND OTHER REASONS AND EXCUSES. THANK YOU. HAVE A GREAT DAY. FREE PASS NINE. THANK YOU. UH, FINAL SPEAKER. I WANTED TO TALK BRIEFLY ABOUT A, AN EVENT THAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEK AND THERE WAS A GREAT, UM, IT WAS ABOUT THE VIOLENCE ON SECOND STREET. UH, ONE, UM, PERSON HAD A GREAT SUGGESTION. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO CONVERT A VACANT STORE ON SECOND STREET INTO A SATELLITE POLICE STATION THAT COULD BE FINANCIALLY FUNDED BY THE BELMONT SHO LONG BEACH ASSOCIATION. AND, UM, SUPPORTED BY COUNCILWOMAN CHRISTINA DUGAN. [00:45:01] AND THEN NEXT, IT'S A GREAT SEGUE TO POLICE BRUTALITY. SO THERE'S A VIDEO THAT HAS GONE VIRAL WITH, UM, THE EL PASO POLICE DEPARTMENT. AND IN SUCH VIDEO THE OFFICER WAS SEEN, UH, HE'S COMPLETELY ON TOP OF THIS WOMAN. THIS WOMAN IS FACE DOWN AND SHE'S ASKING FOR HIS BADGE NUMBER AND SHE'S CUFFED FACE DOWN, AND HE LITERALLY JUST PUNCHES HER RIGHT IN THE HEAD. AND I MEAN HARD. THIS, THIS WOMAN IS AUTISTIC. UM, NOW SO PROACTIVELY AS A CITY, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE, ACTUALLY, THIS IS NOT WHAT I'D LIKE TO SEE. THIS IS GONNA BE WHAT I'M GONNA PUSH TO REFORM. SO ONE OF THE THINGS, IF, IF SUCH INCIDENT HAPPENS IN LONG BEACH, THE OFFICER WILL LOSE THEIR FIREARM LICENSE. THEY WILL BE REMOVED FROM SERVICE AND WILL BE TERMINATED, NOT PUT ON SUSPENSION, BUT TERMINATED. AND THEN WITH THE SUSPEND, WITH THE INVESTIGATION PENDING, UM, THEN THAT OFFICER WILL BE PUT ON A NATIONAL DATABASE OF TERMINATED POLICE OFFICERS FOR SUCH PR POLICE BRUTALITY SO THAT OTHER AGENCIES OR JURISDICTIONS CAN IDENTIFY SUCH, AND THAT WILL BE AND WILL NOT BE HIRED. ALSO, A LIEN WILL BE PLACED ON THE POLICE OFFICER'S HOME IF THEY LIVE WITHIN THE LONG BEACH BOUNDARIES. AND THAT'S TO PREVENT THE SALE OR TRANSFER OF PROPERTY. THEN THE ACCOUNTS OF THE POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE LEVIED. THE SPECIFIC ACCOUNTS THAT WILL BE LEVIED WILL BE THE CO CITY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR PENSION PLANS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED RETIREMENT PLANS. SO ALL CONTRIBUTIONS WILL BE, WILL BE RE, WILL BE, UH, TAKEN BACK. AND THEN ALSO HAVE THE, UM, POLICE OFFICERS UNION KNOWN AS THE POA, UH, PAY FOR THE LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE VICTIM OR THE VICTIM'S FAMILY, AND THEN LAUNCH A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATION, UH, INTO THE POLICE BRUTALITY INCIDENT TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY FOR THE VICTIM AND THE VICTIM'S FAMILY AND THE PUBLIC. LASTLY, HOLD THE ACTING POLICE CHIEF ACCOUNTABLE BY SUSPENDING THE CHIEF AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOD BLESS EVERYONE FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU. THAT COMPLETES SOME UPON COMMENT. NOW WE'RE GOING TO THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEM BY 18, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FROM COUNCILWOMAN KERR. COUNCILWOMAN TH TOOK RECOMMENDATION [18. 26-54777 Recommendation to request City Manager to work with relevant departments to begin the process in amending and updating the Long Beach Municipal Code, Chapter 5.81 “Tobacco Retail Permit” to include required distances, or “buffer zones,” between smoke shops, tobacco retailers, and/or smoking lounges and youth-oriented areas (i.e. schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, libraries, parks, recreation facilities, youth programming events that occur at parks, etc.) and elder care facilities (nursing homes, convalescent homes, etc.), and report back to council within 120 days.       Office or Department: Megan Kerr, Councilwoman, Fifth District; Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Councilwoman, Eighth District         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO REQUEST CITY MANAGER TO RE TO WORK WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO BEGIN THE PROCESS IN AMENDING AND UPDATING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE, CHAPTER 5.81 TOBACCO RETAIL PERMIT TO INCLUDE BUFFER ZONES BETWEEN SMOKE SHOPS, TOBACCO RETAILERS, AND OR SMOKING LOUNGES AND YOUTH ORIENTED AREAS AND ELDER CARE FACILITIES AND REPORT BACK TO COUNCIL WITHIN 120 DAYS. THANK YOU. WE HAVE MOTION AND A SECOND, UH, MAYOR, THE MOTION . THANK YOU MR. VICE MAYOR. I'D LIKE TO THANK COUNCILMAN THRASH FOR JOINING ME IN SUPPORT AND ADD ON TO THE RECORD DR. RICKS ODI AS A CO-SIGNER. AS WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN MY DISTRICT WHO SHARE OUR CONCERN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND ENCOURAGED OUR FURTHER RESEARCH IN NEEDS, UH, AND NEEDS CHANGES TO OUR POLICY. TO PROVIDE A BIT OF CONTEXT, A NEW TOBACCO RETAIL BUSINESS RECENTLY OPENED IN MY DISTRICT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM A HIGH SCHOOL. A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS REACHED OUT WITH THEIR CONCERNS AND ASKED ABOUT EXISTING BUFFER ZONES THAT SHOULD LIMIT THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY WHERE YOUTH ARE PRESENT. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, MY TEAM AND I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE NO SUCH BUFFER ZONES IN OUR LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE THAT CREATE SPACE BETWEEN YOUTH SERVING LOCATIONS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, PARKS, OR DAYCARES AND TOBACCO RETAILERS IN OUR CITY. EXPOSURE AND ACCESS TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS CAN BE A KEY FACTOR IN WHETHER OR NOT A CHILD OR HIGH SCHOOL AGE STUDENT PICKS UP UNHEALTHY HABITS OF SMOKING AND VAPING. NOT ONLY DOES PROXIMITY MAKE THE PRODUCTS EASY TO ATTAIN, BUT THE REGULAR VISIBILITY NORMALIZES AND PROMOTES THE USE OF SUCH PRODUCTS AS COMMONPLACE IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. NORMALIZATION CAN POTENTIALLY UNDERMINE THE WORK BEING DONE WITHIN SCHOOLS, AS WELL AS ANTI-SMOKING EDUCATION'S CAMPAIGN MAY BE LESS EFFECTIVE OR IMPACTFUL WHEN THE STUDENT CAN, STUDENTS CAN TURN AROUND TO FIND, FIND REAL WORLD ADULTS BUYING AND USING THESE PROJECTS REGULARLY AS THEY STEP OFF CAMPUS. WE DO ALREADY RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT OF LOCATION AND ACCESS WITH OUR INCLUSION OF BUFFER ZONES IN OUR ORDINANCES RELATED TO CANNABIS DISPENSARIES. BUT WE DO NOT HAVE SIMILAR STANDARDS FOR TOBACCO RETAILERS. CANNABIS RETAILERS EVEN HAVE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARDS, SECURITY ID BEFORE ENTRY TO ENSURE ONLY ADULTS ARE ENGAGING WITH THEIR PRODUCTS, YET THEY'RE STILL SUBJECT TO LOCATION-BASED RESTRICTIONS TO MINIMIZE VISIBILITY AND IMPACT ON YOUTH. WE ALSO ALREADY RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT THAT ACTIVE SMOKING HAS ON [00:50:01] THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AS WE IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON THE NUMBER OF SMOKING LOUNGES THAT EXIST WITHIN THE CITY, BUT STILL NO LOCATION-BASED RESTRICTIONS THAT CURRENTLY DISALLOW THEIR PROXIMITY TO OTHER LAND USE TYPES. THE PROXIMITY OF JUST THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS INCREASES THE PROXIMITY OF SMOKE ITSELF, THUS CREATING FURTHER HARM TOWARDS SENSITIVE GROUPS LIKE CHILDREN AND OLDER ADULTS. WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING THIS IMPACT WHEN WE ALLOW THESE SALES TO OCCUR. SEVERAL OTHER CALIFORNIA CITIES HAVE ADOPTED ZONING OR BUFFER REQUIREMENTS FOR SMOKE SHOPS AND TOBACCO RETAILERS AND SIMILAR RESTRICTIONS ARE BEING EXPLORED AT THE STATE LEVEL, BUT NO REGULATORY MEASURES ARE CURRENTLY IN PLACE. RATHER THAN WAITING FOR STATE REGULATIONS TO CATCH UP WITH THIS ITEM, I REQUEST THAT WE BEGIN A REEVALUATION OF OUR CURRENT PERMITTING AND ZONING STANDARDS FOR SMOKE SHOPS, ASSESS COMPARISONS AND LESSONS LEARNED FROM CITIES WHO HAVE ALREADY TAKEN SUCH ACTIONS WITH SUCCESS AND BRING FORWARD A REVISED ORDINANCE THAT MORE ADEQUATELY PROTECTS OUR YOUTH AND OTHER SENSITIVE GROUPS FROM THE HARMS OF EXPOSURE TO TOBACCO PRODUCTS. AS THE STAFF PREPARES A REPORT, I ASK WHAT REGULATORY OPTIONS WE ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT. AND THE ONLY QUESTION I ASK THAT WE CONSIDER IS WE KNOW THAT THESE SHOPS ARE CURRENTLY ZONED AS GENERAL MERCHANDISE SHOPS. AND IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER SUBCATEGORIZE THESE SHOPS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT NEAR SENSITIVE RECEPTORS. AGAIN, I THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR SIGNING ONTO THIS ITEM AND I ASK MY COLLEAGUES SUPPORT. THANK YOU. UH, THANK COUNCIL MEMBER. UH, THE SECOND THE MOTION, UH, COUNCIL, THANK YOU SO MUCH. VICE MAYOR. UM, SMOKE SHOPS AND TOBACCO RETAILERS HAVE A REAL AND TANGIBLE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. UH, I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING COUNCILWOMAN KERR FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS THOUGHTFUL AND FORWARD, FORWARD-LOOKING POLICY AND TO COUNCIL MEMBER RICKS OTI FOR JOINING US, UH, WITH YOUR LEVEL OF EXPERTISE ON THIS PARTICULAR SUBJECT. THIS PARTICULAR POLICY RESPONDS TO LOCAL CONCERNS AS WAS DESCRIBED, AND ALIGN ALIGNS WITH WHERE THE STATE IS HEADED ON THIS ISSUE. WHILE THESE BUSINESSES ARE REGULATED AND CANNOT LEGALLY SELL TO MINORS, ACCESS IS NOT JUST ABOUT LEGALITY, IT IS ALSO ABOUT PROXIMITY AND ENVIRONMENT. WHEN THESE RETAILERS ARE LOCATED NEAR PLACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE GATHER, IT INCREASES EXPOSURE AND MAKES ACCESS THAT MUCH EASIER. PUBLIC HEALTH DATA CONTINUES TO SHOW THAT YOUTH VAPING AND TOBACCO USE REMAIN ONGOING CONCERNS. AND MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO REPORT USING THESE PRODUCTS SAY THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO OBTAIN THEM FROM A STORE. THAT TELLS US THAT THE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE. WE HAVE SEEN THIS PATTERN BEFORE IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. IT TOOK SIGNIFICANT AND COORDINATED EFFORT TO REDUCE CIGARETTE USE AND ITS LIMITS, ITS IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH. TODAY WE'RE FACING A NEW GENERATION OF NICOTINE PRODUCTS AND IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO USE THOSE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO PREVENT HISTORY FROM REPEATING ITSELF. THAT IS WHY THIS CONVERSATION AROUND BUFFER ZONES IS SO IMPORTANT. ESTABLISHING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN SMOKE SHOPS AND SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS SCHOOLS, PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMMING, IS A PROACTIVE STEP TO REDUCE EXPOSURE AND ACCESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. AT THE SAME TIME, THIS POLICY EXPANDS THE CONVERSATION TO INCLUDE PROTECTING OLDER ADULTS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LOOK AT THE MODELS LIKE THAT IN THE CITY OF ORANGE, WHICH INCLUDES ELDER CARE FACILITIES AS SENSITIVE AREAS. MANY SENIORS ARE MANAGING CHRONIC RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS SUCH AS ASTHMA OR COPD, WHICH MAKES THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO THE EFFECTS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE. ENSURING THAT SMOKE'S NOT SHOPS ARE NOT CONCENTRATED IN NEAR THESE FACILITIES IS A PUBLIC HEALTH MATTER AND COMMUNITY CARE, ULTIMATELY IT'S ABOUT BALANCE. IT IS ABOUT ALLOWING BUSINESSES TO OPERATE WHILE MAKING SURE OUR LAND POLICIES REFLECT OUR VALUES AND PROTECT THE MOST V VULNERABLE RESIDENTS, BOTH THE YOUNGEST AND THE OLDEST IN OUR COMMUNITY. I'M QUITE PROUD TO SPONSOR THIS ITEM WITH BOTH COUNCILWOMAN KERR AND COUNCILWOMAN BRICKS OTI. AND I RESPECTFULLY ASK MY COLLEAGUES IF WE COULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS IMPORTANT WORK. I WILL, UH, STOP FOR A MOMENT, BUT WE'LL QUEUE BACK UP. UM, I'D LIKE TO, UM, ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOURS OF OPERATION, UM, THAT I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS ON THE DIOCESE. THANK YOU MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBER. COUNCIL MEMBER. UH, THANK YOU VICE MAYOR ORANGA. UM, GOOD EVENING COLLEAGUES, UH, AND, UH, ALL THE FOLKS THAT HAVE JOINED US HERE TONIGHT. UH, I WANNA THANK COUNCILWOMAN KERR AND COUNCILWOMAN, UH, COUNCILWOMAN THRES TOOK FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM AND ADDING ME TO THE ITEM. UM, I WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO SHARE WHY THIS PROPOSAL IS IMPORTANT TO ME. UH, THE ITEM TO BE AS SIMPLE. WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT THE HEALTH OF SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS, OUR YOUTH AND OUR SENIORS. RIGHT NOW, OUR CITY REGULATES TO TOBACCO RETAILERS THROUGH PERMITTING PROCESSES, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT WHERE THESE PRO THESE BUSINESSES ARE LOCATED. THIS ISN'T ABOUT BANNING A SPECIFIC BUSINESS, IT'S ABOUT INTRODUCING COMMON SENSE EVIDENCE-BASED [00:55:01] STANDARDS TO REGULATE OUR TOBACCO RETAILERS THROUGH NEW BUFFER ZONES. AS I PUT ON MY EPIDEMIOLOGISTS HAT FOR A SECOND, AND AS A LONG TIME ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, I KNOW THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR AND I DON'T JUST SPEAK ABOUT EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH THAT I'VE JUST READ ABOUT, BUT THE WORK I'VE PERSONALLY DONE IN 2023, I WAS A CO-AUTHOR ON A PUBLISHED PAPER TITLED ADOLESCENT USE AND COUSE OF TOBACCO AND CANNABIS IN CALIFORNIA, THE ROLES OF LOCAL POLICY AND DENSITY OF TOBACCO VAPE AND CANNABIS RETAILERS AROUND SCHOOLS. IN THAT PAPER, WE EXAMINED HOW CALIFORNIA JURISDICTIONS HAVE CHOSEN TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES INTENDED TO REDUCE YOUTH ACCESS TO THESE PRODUCTS. OUR RESEARCH SHOWED THAT THE LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT OF TOBACCO RETAILERS DIRECTLY IMPACTED THE LEVEL OF TOBACCO USE FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. STUDIES, INCLUDING THE ONE I AUTHORED, HAVE FOUND A CLEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LOCAL POLICIES, DENSITY OF TOBACCO RETAILERS AND YOUTH SMOKING BEHAVIORS. WITH MORE TOBACCO OUT, WITH MORE TOBACCO OUTLETS COMING COMES HIGHER RATES OF USE, INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY AND EASIER ACCESS FOR MINORS. STRICTER RE RETAIL ENVIRONMENT POLICIES WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF TOBACCO. SO AS WE TALK ABOUT BUFFER ZONES, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS REDUCING EXPOSURE, REDUCING THE TARGETED ADS TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO, AND ULTIMATELY REDUCING THE USE OF THESE PRODUCTS. AS A NORTH LONG BEACH RESIDENT, I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT FOR A LONG TIME AND WE KNOW THAT THIS ISSUE IS ALSO ABOUT FAIRNESS. TOBACCO RETAILERS ARE NOT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE CITY. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THESE BUSINESSES TYPES HAVE A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF BEING PLACED IN LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR. ULTIMATELY, I WANNA EMPHASIZE THAT THIS IS IMPORTANT AND THOUGHTFUL. FIRST STEP. WE ARE ASKING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THIS ISSUE AND ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PROPOSED SOLUTIONS. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS A SIMPLE QUESTION, DO WE WANNA BE PROACTIVE IN PROTECTING OUR RESIDENTS HEALTH? THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR, THE ITEM WILL HELP. THIS ITEM WILL HELP US TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES STRAIGHT ON WITH NEW POLICY TOOLS AT OUR DISPOSAL. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE REPORT BACK. UH, THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER. COUNCIL MEMBER MEMBER DUNGAN, UH, THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS KER THRASH AND TOOK, AND RICK OTI FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. UM, WE REALLY DO NEED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT TOBACCO AND SMOKE SHOPS LOCATED NEAR THESE SENSITIVE AREAS. WE KNOW THAT VAPING IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND THAT MANY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW AND ALSO DEALING WITH THE REPERCUSSIONS OF VAPING RIGHT NOW. WHEN THESE PRODUCTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE, NEAR PARKS, RECREATION SPACES, YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND ESPECIALLY LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, IT CAN LEAD TO EASIER ACCESS AND INCREASED USE. I'D LIKE TO OFFER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE NITROUS OXIDE IN THIS DISCUSSION. WHILE NAS HAS ITS LEGITIMATE USES, USUALLY IN THE MEDICAL FIELD, UM, WE'RE INCREASINGLY SEEING IT SOLD IN SMOKE SHOPS AND THEY ARE CLEARLY GEARING IT TOWARDS RECREATIONAL USE. THE FLAVORS ARE LIKE VAPE. IT IS, UM, THE MARKETING, IT DRAWS KIDS IN AND IT REALLY DOES APPEAL TO YOUNG PEOPLE. SOME OF THE FLAVORS, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WATERMELON, BUBBLEGUM, UM, AND BLUEBERRY SOMETHING. WE'RE FINDING THESE CANISTERS IN OUR PARKS AND ON OUR BEACHES. WE KNOW THIS IS HAPPENING AND THE MISUSE HAS SERIOUS IMPACTS. SO I WOULD ASK THE MAKER OF THE MOTION IF WE COULD INCLUDE EVALUATING OPTIONS TO PROHIBIT THE SALE OF NITROUS OXIDE AT TOBACCO RETAILERS AND SMOKE SHOPS WHERE THERE IS NOT A CLEAR LEGITIMATE USE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OKAY. UH, YOU THERE A SECOND? IS THAT AN AMENDMENT? YOU SEE? UH, A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT? YEAH. UH, MAKER THE MOTION, OH, MY MICRO IS IT ON? OKAY. UM, SO I'M TRYING TO JUST WORK THROUGH WHAT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS, WHICH IS, IF IT IS ALREADY SOLD ITS SMOKE SHOPS, THE BUFFER ZONE IS THAT, I THINK BANNING SOMETHING THAT CAN BE SOLD WITHIN THAT ESTABLISHMENT MIGHT BE A DIFFERENT PROCESS AND MAYBE WE CAN GET A REPORT BACK ON IF THAT WOULD BE SEPARATE, BUT CERTAINLY IF IT'S INCLUDED AS SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY SOLD AT WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO FROM A LAND USE PERSPECTIVE THAT MAKES SENSE. AND I, I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO HAVE A FURTHER CONVERSATION. UM, IF, IF THE LIMITING OF BEING ABLE TO SELL THAT IN A RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT MIGHT HAVE TO COME THROUGH A DIFFERENT ITEM, BUT I'M CERTAINLY OPEN TO THE CONVERSATION. BUT IF IT'S BEING CURRENTLY SOLD, I THINK WHAT OUR ITEM HERE TONIGHT IS AROUND THAT LAND USE AND, AND RULES AROUND, UH, WHERE THEY CAN EXIST WITH WHAT THEY CURRENTLY SELL. AGREED. I I JUST THINK THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAYBE EXPAND IT. SO IF WE CAN GET SOME SORT OF REPORT BACK, YOU'RE RIGHT. WHETHER IT'S SOLD IN A SHOP VERSUS IN INCLUDING IT IN A BUFFER [01:00:01] ZONE. I, I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE CAN TAKE THAT, BUT I'D LIKE TO FIND OUT IF WE CAN INCLUDE THIS. UM, AND OR IF WE HAVE TO COME BACK, UM, I'M OPEN TO ASKING FOR, UM, STAFF TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON WHAT PARTS SHOULD BE INCLUDED OR NOT. SO WHEN WE GET THE REPORT BACK, IF THEY SAY IF IT'S ALREADY SOLD THERE, THAT'S INCLUDED, OR IF THEY NEED A SEPARATE ITEM TO DO WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING OF, ABSOLUTELY OPEN TO HAVING THEM REPORT BACK ON WHAT THE BEST PATH FORWARD IS. GREAT. THANK YOU. MM-HMM . SO SECONDER SECONDER THE MOTION. OH, SORRY. I COULDN'T HEAR YOU BOTH. OH, I WAS ASKING IF THE SECONDER OH, AGREES WITH THE FRIENDLY. THANK YOU. OKAY. MAYORS, IS THAT, UH, CLEAR TO YOU GUYS? GOT IT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. OKAY. UH, I THINK TH I SHOULD TOOK SOME MORE COMMENTS. I DID. THANK YOU SO MUCH, VICE MAYOR. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO, UM, BRING BACK THE DISCUSSION, UH, THAT WE HAD, UM, UH, LAST NOVEMBER SPECIFICALLY AROUND, UM, LOOKING AT NIGHTLIFE SAFETY, UH, IN THE BELMONT SHORE AREA AND CITYWIDE. UM, YOU MAY RECALL DURING THAT TIME I ASKED THAT SMOKE SHOPS BE IN LIQUOR STORES, BE PART OF THAT ANALYSIS THAT WE DO. UM, AND THAT REPORT BACK, UH, WE HAVE RECEIVED AS OF APRIL 2ND AND IT LOOKS AT CRIME STR CRIME TRENDS. THAT WAS THE MAIN, UM, REQUEST FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITEM. UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I AM LOOKING AT WITH OUR SMOKE SHOPS, SINCE WE HAVE SMOKE SHOPS ON THE TABLE, UM, FOR THIS REPORT BACK ITEM, I'D LIKE FOR THE STAFF TO EXPLORE, UM, ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY, SPECIFICALLY REDUCING, UH, NUISANCE AND IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES BY LOOKING AT THE HOURS OF OPERATION, UH, CLEARLY ESTABLISHING CLEANLINESS AND MAINTENANCE, UH, OF THESE SHOPS, UH, ADDRESSING LOITERING CONCERNS AROUND THESE BUSINESSES. UM, SO WHILE WE ARE FOCUSED ON LAND USE, UM, AND SENSITIVE LOCATIONS, I THINK THAT THIS COULD BE A VEHICLE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT HOW WE APPROACH, UM, THIS PARTICULAR BUSINESS TYPE AS IT OPERATES INSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS. THANK YOU. OKAY, WELL, GOING FOR THE COMMENT, UH, WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS, KAREN RE SIDE AND, UH, KAREN ALEXIS, PLEASE LIGHT UP. OKAY. KAREN RE SIDE, UM, I AGREE WITH THE LOITERING. THE LONG BEACH SENIOR CENTER WHERE THERE'S OVER 200 SENIORS PER DAY IS RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO ONE OF THESE SMOKE SHOPS. ON MY WAY HERE, I HAD TO GO THROUGH A GROUP OF SIX MEN, WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET RID OF THE PLANTER WHERE THEY WERE GATHERING, SO NOW THEY'RE GATHERING NEXT TO THE SMOKE SHOP. AND THEN I'VE SEEN THIS IN OTHER PLACES IN THE CITIES, AND THEN THEY DEAL DRUGS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE SMOKING, IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE CIGARETTES, AND THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. I HAD TO ASK THEM TO MOVE THREE TIMES. UM, THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A LIMIT. UM, THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH SENIOR BUILDINGS, WITH PEAK PEOPLE SMOKING AROUND SENIOR BUILDINGS. I HAVEN'T SEEN MANY STORES, BUT I COULD SEE SPACES BECOMING AVAILABLE AND PEOPLE DOING THAT. THE SENIOR BUILDINGS ARE ALL SUPPOSED TO BE NO SMOKING FACILITY. HOW DOESN'T ALLOW SMOKING IN SENIOR FACILITIES. I WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE ATTENDED TO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. UM, GOOD EVENING. UM, CAROLYN ESSEX HERE. UM, I AM A SERIOUS CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY AND A PROUD DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH RESIDENT. UM, YOU'LL PROBABLY SEEING BE SEEING A LOT OF ME TONIGHT. THERE'S, UM, SEVERAL ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, AND I WANNA COMMEND THE COUNCILWOMAN MEGAN KERR AND TO THRASH INTU AND DR. JONI RICKS OIE FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS RECOMMENDATION TO ESTABLISH BUFFER ZONES BETWEEN TOBACCO RETAILERS AND YOUTH CENTERED, UM, UH, ELDER CARE SPACES. ALSO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND AMENDMENT PROPOSALS. MEMBER DUGAN, I, I DON'T EVEN SMOKE VAPE, BUT I, I AM EVEN ATTEMPT TEMPTED TO BECAUSE OF THE FLAVORS LIKE VANILLA COOKIE CAKE AND THEY SMELL REALLY GOOD. ANYWAY, THIS IS A STRONG PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURE. THIS SHOWS CARE FOR QUALITY OF LIFE. THIS IS A HUMAN-CENTERED POLICY POLICIES THAT I LOVE. WE KNOW THAT TOBACCO RETAILERS ARE OFTEN CONCENTRATED IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, PLACING DISPROPORTIONATE EXPOSURE ON YOUNG [01:05:01] PEOPLE AND, UM, SENIORS, UM, LIKE OUR FAVORITE SENIOR KAREN JUST MENTIONED. UM, SO THIS POLICY IS NOT JUST ABOUT REGULATION, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTION. ANOTHER THING I'M VERY BIG ON IS PROTECTING PEOPLE. UM, UH, PROTECTION OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, PROTECTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH, AND LONG-TERM OUTCOMES. AS THIS POLICY MOVES FORWARD, I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO GROUND IT IN DATA WHERE OUR, WHERE ARE TOBACCO RETAILERS CURRENTLY CONCENTRATED, WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS ARE MOST IMPACTED? AND JUST AS IMPORTANT, HOW WILL THIS BE ENFORCED POLICY WITHOUT ENFORCEMENT, YOU KNOW, RISKS BECOMING SYMBOLIC. I ALSO ENCOURAGE ONGOING REPORTING TO ENSURE THAT THIS POLICY IS ACTUALLY REDUCING EXPOSURE AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES OVER TIME. THIS IS HOW WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE FROM GOOD INTENTIONS TO IMPACT. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. I SEE THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE, UM, IN THIS POLICY AND I DO APPROVE IT AS A RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. SEE NO FURTHER. UH, PEOPLE SPEAK AND THINK ABOUT MOTION IS CARRIED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UH, I SEE THE MAYOR IS BACK. WELCOME BACK. I'M BACK AND I RELINQUISH MY SEAT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. THANKS VICE MAYOR FOR HOLDING IT DOWN. UH, WE'RE GONNA GO TO ITEM 17, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FROM MAYOR RICHARDSON. [17. 26-54774 Recommendation to request City Manager to take formal steps to establish Long Beach as a major destination and participant in the Pier-to-Pier Coastal Ferry Program, working with all appropriate departments including Parks, Recreation and Marine and Public Works, and engaging with regional partners including LA Metro and the Board of Supervisors to leverage the Belmont Pier, the Queen Mary, the City’s downtown waterfront, and other coastal assets to support the development of innovative regional transportation systems to better connect Long Beach to cities across the region in preparation for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] RECOMMENDATION TO REQUEST CITY MANAGER TO TAKE FORMAL STEPS TO ESTABLISH LONG BEACH AS A MAJOR DESTINATION AND PARTICIPANT IN THE PEER-TO-PEER COASTAL FERRY PROGRAM TO LEVERAGE THE BELMONT PIERRE, THE QUEEN MARY, THE CITY'S DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT, AND OTHER COASTAL ASSETS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS TO BETTER CONNECT LONG BEACH TO CITIES ACROSS THE REGION IN PREPARATION FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS, IMPERIAL OLYMPIC GAMES GAMES. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WE HAVE A PROPOSAL BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TONIGHT, UH, FOR US TO EMBRACE MULTIMODALITY AND, UM, BE A PART OF A REGIONAL NETWORK THAT CAN CONNECT COASTAL CITIES BY FERRY. THIS IS CALLED PEER-TO-PEER COASTAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. BY LEVERAGING ASSETS WE ALREADY HAVE HERE IN THE CITY, LIKE OUR DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT, BELMONT PIER, UH, THE QUEEN MARY. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND WATER-BASED TAXIS, NOT JUST FROM OUR LOCAL DESTINATIONS, BUT ACROSS, UH, THE REGION TO BETTER CONNECT CITIES LIKE LONG BEACH, SAN PEDRO, MARINA DEL REY, SANTA MONICA, AND EVEN POTENTIALLY MALIBU. SO AT A TIME WHEN WE KNOW THAT ROADS BECOME MORE AND MORE CONGESTED, YOU KNOW, I'D LOVE TO RATHER THAN JUMP ON THE 4 0 5 OR SEPULVEDA, JUMP ON A WATER TAXI AND, YOU KNOW, HEAD UP TO WHATEVER I HAVE TO DO, YOU KNOW, SANTA MONICA PIER OR TAKE THE KIDS OR WHATEVER. I THINK LONG BEACH BELONGS IN BELONGS, UH, LONG BEACH SHOULD HAVE A A A A, UH, MAJOR PART OF THIS BE A MAJOR PART OF THIS DISCUSSION, PARTICULARLY AS WE THINK OF PUTTING SYSTEMS IN PLACE NOW BETWEEN NOW AND 2028 THAT CAN REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE WELL BEYOND THE OLYMPICS. SO THIS IS GONNA REQUIRE PARTNERSHIP. WE'RE ASKING CITY OF LONG BEACH, BE A PARTNER AND HELP FIGURE THIS OUT. UH, PARTNERS LIKE METRO PARTNERS LIKE THE CI, ADDITIONAL CITIES IN THIS NETWORK, UH, LABOR REGIONAL STAKEHOLDERS, UH, THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES. SO WE CAN EXPLORE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LONG BEACH TO PLAY A BIG ROLE, UH, IN THIS, UH, EFFORT. ULTIMATELY, THIS IS ABOUT BUILDING A MORE CONNECTED, MORE SUSTAINABLE, MORE RESILIENT, AND MORE ACCESSIBLE COASTLINE FOR LONG BEACH AND ACROSS THE ENTIRE REGION. UH, I WANNA INVITE UP, UH, PATRICIA, UH, WHO HAS A FEW SLIDES. . SO PATRICIA, WELCOME. THANK YOU. UH, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PEER-TO-PEER. GOOD EVENING MAYOR RICHARDSON AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM PATRICIA KINI MAHAW, CHAIRWOMAN OF PEER-TO-PEER. I'M A NATIVE OF LA AND A 20 YEAR RESIDENT OF MALIBU. PEER-TO-PEER REALLY BEGAN WITH THE IDEA THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS BEAUTIFUL BLUE HIGHWAY, BUT WE'RE NOT USING IT. WE'RE SITTING IN CONGESTION AFTER THE PALISADES FIRE. IT WAS THE OPPORTUNE TIME AS WE WATCHED LA EVACUATE. WE SHOULD NEVER EXPERIENCE THAT AGAIN. AND WITH THE BOOK ENDING OF THESE MAJOR EVENTS COMING [01:10:01] FIFA THIS SUMMER, SUPER BOWL 27 LA 28, THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CREATE A PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP TO PUT FERRIES ON THE WATER. SO THAT GIVES YOU A BIT OF OUR STORY. UH, WE CAN SORT OF, WE REALLY HAVE GONE THROUGH AND TRIED TO, UH, CREATE, GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE OBSTACLES SO WE COULD BE IN PARTNERSHIP TODAY. AND HOW THIS STARTED WAS REALLY A WEST SIDE FERRY CONNECTING MALIBU, SANTA MONICA MARINA DELREY. AND WE WERE WORKING WITH THE NEW YORK STATE FERRY OPERATOR AS OUR VESSEL OPERATOR. AND WE WERE ABLE TO CREATE A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOUR HARBOR BURIES, WHO HAS OPERATED FOR 30 YEARS IN SAN PEDRO AND LONG BEACH. AND BECAUSE OF THAT PARTNERSHIP, WE ARE ABLE NOW ABLE TO CONNECT THE WEST SIDE TO LONG BEACH. AND THAT IS SOMETHING, AS YOU KNOW, SINCE PALISADES FIRES, THERE WAS RECENTLY AN LA TIMES ARTICLE THAT LA HAS SHIFTED SOUTH AND IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT WE REALLY CONNECT OUR CITY IN A WAY WE'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE. SO WE CAN GO ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE HERE. UM, THIS IS REALLY ABOUT ADVANCING TRANSPORTATION IN A CLEAN, ENVIRONMENTAL WAY. I'M SOMEONE, I'M ON THE WATER DAILY, I COMMUTE BY PADDLEBOARD AND THAT'S OUR MOST IMPORTANT PIECE TO THIS. UM, THAT WE REALLY ADD THIS AS PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION THAT CONNECTS OUR CITY IN A WAY THAT WE'RE ABLE TO REALLY HAVE MARINE EDUCATION WHILE WE'RE OUT THERE AND NOT JUST SITTING IN OUR, OUR CARS TONIGHT. I'LL TELL YOU, FOR EXAMPLE, IT TOOK ME TWO AND A HALF HOURS FROM MALIBU AS, UH, MAYOR RICHARDSON SAID I WOULD'VE MUCH PREFERRED TO BE ON THE WATER. I'M ONE OF CAPTAIN DANNY'S CATAMARANS. SO LET'S GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE HERE. UH, SO THE BLUE HIGHWAY ROUTE IS MALIBU, SANTA MONICA, MARINA DEL REY. I MIGHT NOTE WE'RE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH LA COUNTY, TRACY PARKS AND SEVERAL OTHERS TO ADD A STOP AT THE VENICE PIER, SO IT'LL BE READY FOR THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE THERE IN FOR LA 28. BUT FOR, BUT FOR NOW, WE'LL BE PULLING INTO MARINA DEL REY. WE THEN GO TO REDONDO BEACH HARBOR, THEN TO SAN PEDRO, AND THEN IN LONG BEACH WE'LL BE HOPING TO BE AT BOTH RAINBOW HARBOR AS WELL AS BELMONT PIERRE. NOW WHAT WE'VE WORKED MOST WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES IS CONNECTING IT SEAMLESSLY TO PARKING AND TO PUBLIC TRANSIT. WE DO NOT WANNA CAUSE CONGESTIONS WITH WAYMO'S AND UBERS. AND SO WE'VE WORKED VERY DELICATELY WITH EACH CITY. WE'RE ON THE AGENDA FOR, UH, ACTUALLY A PARKING LOT IN MALIBU, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT. UM, OBVIOUSLY IN SANTA MONICA IT CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO THEIR METRO MARINA DEL REY. WE WILL HAVE A SHUTTLE TO LAX. UM, AND THEN AS YOU OF SAN PEDRO MAKES ALL THE SENSE AS WELL AS LONG BEACH WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH CRUISE PASSENGERS. AND AT LONG BEACH, AGAIN, IT'S BELMONT PIER RAINBOW HARBOR AND IT'LL CONNECT TO ALL YOUR AQUA BUS, AQUALINK, PASSPORT BUS, AS WELL AS METRO. NEXT SLIDE. SO, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, HARBOR BREEZE IS OUR VESSEL OPERATING PARTNER, UH, HAS A LONG HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY RECORD. UM, WE WANT TO BEGIN WEEKEND EVENT ROUTES, AND WE ARE TALKING TO MAYOR AND THEIR STAFF AS WELL. UH, ABOUT AN EVENT IN 2026 FROM LONG BEACH, UM, FOR THE US CONFERENCE OF MAYORS. AND THEN WE HAVE MANY OTHER EVENTS WE'RE LOOKING AT FOR FIFA FUN ZONES DOWN TO WEST HARBOR. UM, BUT WE REALLY ARE HOPING THAT THE ACTUAL FERRY ROUTE WILL BE, UH, IN OPERATION LATE THIS SUMMER. CITY OF SANTA MONICA HAS APPROVED OUR RISING TIDE GANGWAY THAT WE ARE ADDING TO THE SANTA MONICA PIERRE. THE LOCATION HAS BEEN APPROVED, UM, AND THAT ENGINEERING WILL BEGIN AS WE GO THROUGH THOSE EFFORTS. UH, MALIBU, WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH STATE PARKS. WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AS THEY GO THROUGH SOME CONSTRUCTION ON A WEIGHT TRANSFERRING WHILE WE BOARD AND EMBARK. UM, BUT THAT ALSO IS POSSIBLE THAT WE CAN HAVE THIS IN OPERATION BY 2026. AND JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO USE HARBOR BARISTA'S, BEAUTIFUL CATAMARANS, WE CAN RUN UP TO 26 KNOTS, WHICH REALLY BEATS DRIVE TIME. UM, THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL, 149 PASSENGER CATAMARANS ALL CARB COMPLIANT TO 2026 REGULATIONS, WHICH IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO DO. NOT ALL OPERATORS IN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HAVE THAT ABILITY. UM, AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL FROM MALIBU TO SANTA MONICA LESS THAN 30 MINUTES, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE RIGHT NOW ON PCH. AND YOU CAN BE IN MARDEL RIGHT AT LONG BEACH AT LESS THAN AN HOUR. UM, WE ALSO HAVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CABRILLO MARINA AQUARIUM, AND I KNOW SANTA MONICA AND LONG BEACH ARE GONNA ASK WHY WE'RE NOT WORKING WITH YOUR AQUARIUMS, BUT THEY HAVE BE, THEY HAVE QUITE A FEW VOLUNTEERS THAT THEY WILL BE OFFERING TWO VOLUNTEERS PER FERRY ROUTE THAT WILL BE DOING MARINE EDUCATION WHILE YOU'RE ON THE BOAT. SO, NEXT SLIDE. UM, AS MENTIONED, WE HAVE WORKED AT ALL LEVELS OF [01:15:01] LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL. UM, THE GREAT US CONGRESSWOMAN AND AT BARRAGAN IS INVOLVED TO BEN ALLEN, TO JANICE HAHN, UH, MANY, MANY OTHERS, UH, AS WELL AS YOUR GREAT MAYOR, UM, AND MANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LOCAL BUSINESSES AND, UH, UNIVERSITIES. ONE OF THE KEYS TO KEEPING OUR FAIR BOX LOW IS THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME ANCHOR TENANTS LIKE PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY SNAP, AND A FEW GOOGLE AND A FEW OTHER COMPANIES. BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, WE ARE WORKING WITH CAL OES TO BE A PART OF THE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN. UM, COASTAL COMMISSION, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IS A WONDERFUL PARTNER I HAVE IN WRITING THAT THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROJECT AND THEY'RE WORKING WITH US ON EXEMPTIONS ON OUR P BECAUSE WE MEET THEIR MISSION OF EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THE WATER. UM, CALTRAN LA COUNTY, YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE A BRAND NEW BOARD MEMBER, TIM SULLIVAN, WHO'S JUST, UH, 35 YEARS RAN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE US COAST GUARD. SO WE REALLY HAVE SORT OF MET ALL OF THESE LEVELS AS WELL AS WORKING ON THAT. WE'VE GOT MANY FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND WORKING WITH NOAH METRO AND RAND ON ALL OF OUR DATA. UH, NEXT SLIDE. WE'LL WRAP IT UP HERE SOON. UM, AS YOU CAN SEE, PEER-TO-PEER WE'RE THE MANAGING EDITING PIECE. WE'RE DEALING WITH FINANCING, SO WE HAVE PRIVATE FINANCING TO GET THIS MOVING. UM, WE'D LIKE OUR PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP TO BE THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UM, BUT WE'RE MANAGING AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIPS, REGULATIONS AS, AND THEN WE'RE LEAVING REALLY THOSE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS TO OUR VESSEL OPERATOR. AND RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A, A WONDERFUL TEAM OF INVESTORS THAT WILL LEAD US THAT IN THAT WE'LL ENGAGE IN SOME FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS AS WELL, UH, FOR SOME OF THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE THE SANTA MONICA BREAKWATER. NEXT SLIDE. SO WE, WE LIKE TO SAY WE SORT HAVE FIVE LEGS TO OUR STOOL, THE ONE BEING THE FERRY. RIGHT NOW WE'RE MALIBU TO LONG BEACH. WE WANT TO EXTEND THAT TO CITY OF VENTURA, DOWN TO NEWPORT BEACH EVENTUALLY. UM, THE WATER EVACUATION SYSTEM FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS A BIG PIECE OF THIS. AGAIN, I'VE MENTIONED THAT WHO WE'RE WORKING WITH TO DO THAT. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME UP IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH WETA ON HOW THEY'RE OPERATING. WE WANNA HAVE THAT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ANOTHER PIECE IS WE'RE WORKING WITH LA COUNTY ON THE REBUILD EFFORT. WE WOULD BE ABLE TO, ON OBVIOUSLY A SEPARATE SHIP, BE ABLE TO MOVE WORKERS AND SUPPLY FROM THE PORT TO THAT PALISADES MALIBU AREA AND, AND TAKE ALL OF THAT BURDEN OFF OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. THEN WE COME TO THE WATER TAXI, AS YOU KNOW, IS DEAR TO THE HEARTS OF THOSE IN LONG BEACH. WE WANT THAT WATER TAXI RUNNING THAT IS ON, ON DIFFERENT ELECTRIC, UM, 300 PASSENGER VESSELS THAT HARBOR BREEZE OPERATES FROM SAN PEDRO TO LONG BEACH. AND I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD FROM JANIS HA AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ON THIS ABOUT HAVING THIS READY FOR LA 28, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE READY FOR THE VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION. AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOU AND CALTRANS TO GET THAT MOVING. UM, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY TO BE A PART OF SPECIAL EVENTS AND TOURISM FOR THESE, UM, MAJOR EVENTS THAT ARE COMING. NEXT SLIDE. TOURISM. THIS IS KEY FOR CALIFORNIA. HOW MANY TIMES YOU'VE SEEN PEOPLE COME OFF FROM CRUISE SHIPS AND THEY DON'T REALIZE HOW FAR LA IS AND HOW SPREAD WE ARE. THIS IS A WAY TO REALLY PUT LONG BEACH, UM, CONNECTING TO THE WEST SIDE IN A WAY WE'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO CO CONNECT BEFORE FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT BUSINESSES. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE REASON WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET PRIVATE INVESTORS INVOLVED IS THIS IS VALUE CAPTURING FOR OUR COASTAL REAL ESTATE. YOU LOOK AT REDONDO HARBOR, YOU LOOK AT MARINA DELRAY, SOME OF THESE HAVE NOT BUILT UP THE WAY CITY OF LONG BEACH HAS. AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY CAPTURE THAT VALUE AND MOVE TOURISTS AND COMMUTERS AROUND. UH, NEXT SLIDE. THIS JUST GOES INTO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT COMMITMENT AND HOW WE WILL BE DEALING AND, UM, VERY CAREFULLY ZERO IMPACT DOCKING ON OUR HISTORIC HERITAGE. UM, AND I'LL JUST WRAP THIS UP, I BELIEVE WITH OUR LAST SLIDE. UM, WE CAN GO ON THAT JUST TALKS ABOUT THAT ALREADY IN CALIFORNIA, 14 MILLION CALIFORNIANS RIDE FERRIES, BUT THEY'RE MAINLY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND WE'RE THE ONLY CITY WITHOUT A FERRY. WE'VE DONE THE SURVEYS, WE'VE DONE THE FEASIBILITIES AND 90% SAY THEIR RIGHTS. WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PRESS ON THIS. PLEASE CHECK US OUT ON PEER-TO-PEER DOT ORG AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. CITY OF LONG BEACH. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, WELL THANK YOU PATRICIA, FOR COMING DOWN AND TALKING WITH US. SO THIS IS, SO, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD IDEA AND I WANTED YOU ALL KNOW ABOUT IT. UM, AND I THINK THE ACTION TODAY, IT, IT'S MORE, YOU KNOW, GIVING STAFF DIRECTION TO MORE FORMALLY ENGAGE WITH THEM, VET OUT THE DETAILS AND SEE WHAT IT TAKES FOR US TO, UM, PARTICIPATE. I THINK, UM, THERE'S, YOU KNOW, POTENTIALLY SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE AN OUTSIDE PARTNER HELP ADVOCATE [01:20:01] FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE BELMONT PEER AND SOME OF OUR, OUR, OUR PEERS. AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT AS WELL, BECAUSE IF IT BECOMES REGIONALLY SIGNIFICANT, WE'RE NOT THE ONLY PLAYERS WHO HAVE TO REDEVELOP OUR PEER. THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE, UH, WE THINK ABOUT THESE REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. ALRIGHT, SO, UH, WE'RE NOW GONNA GO TO THE COUNCIL, STARTING WITH COUNCIL MEMBER THRASHING TOOK. YES, THANK YOU. UM, I REALLY ENJOYED THE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU. THIS IS QUITE EXCITING AND A CREATIVE WAY, I DO BELIEVE TO USE OUR WATERFRONT. UM, THANK YOU MAYOR RICHARDSON FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD. UM, IT AIMS TO EXPAND HOW WE MOVE PEOPLE ALONG THE COAST AND AROUND THE REGION. UH, WITH LONG REACH ALREADY BEING HOME TO AN INCREDIBLE BEACHFRONT ASSET, THIS PRESENTS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER CONNECT THOSE SPACES IN A WAY THAT'S BOTH FUNCTIONAL AND INVITING. AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT 26, 27 AS WELL, OTHER ACTIVITIES, UM, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET ENGAGED IN REGIONAL EFFORTS TO MOVE PEOPLE AROUND THIS POSITIONS LONG BEACH AS NOT JUST A DESTINATION, BUT AN ESSENTIAL HUB IN A BROADER COASTAL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK. I APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS ON REGIONAL COLLABORATION AS EFFORTS LIKE THIS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK BEYOND OUR CITY BOUNDARIES AND ENGAGE WITH PARTNERS WHO ARE ADVANCING INNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS. SO IN THAT SPIRIT, I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT AN ORGANIZATION THAT I WORK CLOSELY WITH CALLED MOVE LA. IT'S A NONPROFIT FOCUSED ON IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSIT AND PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE METHODS ACROSS LA COUNTY. AND THEIR WORK, UH, EXPANDS, RIDERSHIP, ADVANCES SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION, AND ALIGNS CLOSELY WITH THE ITEMS, UH, ALIGNS CLOSELY WITH THIS ITEM THAT WE HAVE BEFORE US. I'M PROUD TO SHARE THAT I WILL BE SERVING AS THE HONORARY CHAIR OF THE MOVE LA CONFERENCE AND IT'LL BE HOSTED IN LONG BEACH THIS SUMMER AT OUR CONVENTION CENTER ON JUNE 24TH. AND I THINK THAT THIS REPRESENTS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PEER TO PEER AND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN WATERWAYS, UH, TO CONNECT WITH MOVE LA SO THAT WE CAN EXCHANGE IDEAS AND EXPLORE, EXPLORE HOW THESE STRATEGIES CAN HELP IN THIS EFFORT. SO OVERALL, I THINK THAT THIS IS A STRONG AND THOUGHTFUL STEP TOWARD CREATING A MORE CONNECTED, SUSTAINABLE COASTLINE, AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO SEE HOW THIS VISION SHAPES UP. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK OTI. UH, I WAS JUST GONNA SIMPLY SAY, UM, I'M VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW THIS, UH, TURNS OUT. I THINK THIS IS VERY INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE WAY OF TRYING TO MOVE PEOPLE, UM, UP AND DOWN THE COAST. UM, AS SOMEONE WHO USED TO, UH, TO TRAVEL UP TO UCLA, UH, EVERY SINGLE DAY, UH, THE IDEA THAT I COULD HAVE AVOIDED THAT, UH, WITH A WATER TAXI WOULD'VE BEEN FANTASTIC. WISH HAD COME UP WITH THIS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO, BUT I DIGRESS. UM, AGAIN, UH, IN FULL SUPPORT. UH, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. WELL, THANK YOU MAYOR, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. THIS IS REALLY AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. UM, AND THANK YOU TO PATRICIA FOR THE PRESENTATION. IT WAS GREAT. THIS IS SOMETHING I MET WITH, UH, HARBOR BREEZE EARLIER THIS YEAR ABOUT, AND, UM, WE HAVE THAT INTEREST IN IN BRINGING THIS, OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE DOING THIS, DOING THIS WORK, IT'S GREAT. I'D LIKE TO EXPAND TO ALAMITOS BAY. I MEAN, LET'S CONSIDER ALAMITOS BAY WHERE LONG BEACH TRANSIT ALREADY STARTS AND WE CAN CONNECT PLACES LIKE ALAMEDOS BAY TO THE PIER, THEN TO ALAMITOS LANDING TO THE QUEEN MARY, THE AMPHITHEATER AND OUR DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT THAT THEN EXPANDS UP THE COAST. I DO APPRECIATE THE FOCUS THOUGH ON THE BELMONT PIER IN DISTRICT THREE. WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING TO REVITALIZE THE PIER, AND PART OF THIS IS RESTORING ACTIVITY AND ACCESS, SO IT CAN BE A REGIONAL ASSET. AGAIN, THERE ARE SEVERAL GROUPS WHO WANT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AND I'VE HAD THESE MULTIPLE GROUPS HAVE COME FROM DIFFERENT SIDES AND SAID, LET'S DO THIS, LET'S DO THIS. SO I'M BRINGING THESE GROUPS TOGETHER IN THE NEXT MONTH SO WE'RE ALL MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE PIER AND THIS IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING UPDATE. WE ALL KNOW THIS TAKES HUGE INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT TO REPAIR AND UPGRADE THE DOCK AT BELMONT PIER WITH THE STATE PHASING OUT LOCAL OIL, OIL PRODUCTION AND RELYING ON CURRENT REVENUES TO BALANCE THEIR BUDGET. WE KNOW WE NEED TO START LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE FUNDING SOURCES. I LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU'RE, YOU ALREADY HAVE THOSE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS GOING [01:25:01] BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S THE WAY WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN. AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDING IS A STRONG PATHWAY TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS HAPPEN MORE BROADLY. I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT OUR WATERWAYS AS REAL TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS, AS HAS BEEN STATED HERE, UM, WITH MY COLLEAGUES, ESPECIALLY WITH DESTINATIONS LIKE THE QUEEN MARY AND THE AMPHITHEATER. OTHER CITIES ARE ALREADY DOING THIS SUCCESSFULLY, AS WE'VE HEARD, AND I THINK LONG BEACH CAN WORK WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS TO LEAD THIS IN THIS AREA IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF MOVING THIS FORWARD AND WANNA OFFER MY HELP IN ADVANCE OF THIS EFFORT. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, GOOD STUFF. SO IN TERMS OF THE LOCAL CONNECTION, SO LONG BEACH TRANSIT IS TAKING ON, UM, THE EXPANSION OF OUR WATER TAXIS TO OUR LOCAL DESTINATIONS, THE QUEEN MARY, THE AMPHITHEATER. SO THEY'RE GONNA STEP UP IN A BIG WAY. AND I THINK THIS, THE FACT THAT WE'RE RAMPING UP THOSE MULTIMODAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TO THE AMPHITHEATER BY THIS SUMMER ACTUALLY TIES IN WITH THIS QUITE WELL BECAUSE THINK OF IT AS YOU COME DOWN, YOU HAVE A STOP OR TWO IN LONG BEACH, BUT THEN YOU CAN FROM THAT VERY SAME PLACE, JUMP ON THE LOCAL FERRY THAT TAKES YOU TO THE AMPHITHEATER FOR YOUR CONCERT, RIGHT? SO WE, WE CAN THINK ABOUT THIS AS LIKE SORT OF YOUR LOCAL SYSTEM AND THEN YOUR REGIONAL SYSTEM, BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA. WE'RE GONNA GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. UH, DAVE SHUKLA, KEVIN LORTON. CAROLYN ESSEX AND DANNY SALAS. DAVE, YOU'RE UP. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, THIS IS AN INTERESTING ITEM. UH, PLEASE, UH, QUESTION FOR THE AUDIENCE. PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU TOOK PUBLIC TRANSIT HERE TODAY. ALL RIGHT, WE GOT FOUR. UM, THIS IS AN INTERESTING ITEM. I APPRECIATED THE PITCH FROM, UH, PEER TO PEER AND FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. UH, I'D LIKE TO STATE FOR THE RECORD MY CONCERNS, UH, OVER QUOTE, STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS IN THE BELMONT PIER OR AROUND THE QUEEN MARY. UH, MY CONCERNS COME FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES THAT OF A RESIDENT AND THAT OF A VISITOR TO THE CITY. NOW, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A RESIDENT, I JUST DON'T KNOW IF, UH, THE MARKET IS THERE. UH, I MEAN, IS THIS FERRY REALLY GOING TO RELIEVE CON CONGESTION ON THE 4 0 5 MONEY? I MEAN, HOW CAN YOU TAKE A WATER TAXI FROM LONG BEACH TO UCLA? I COULD HAVE USED THAT 10 YEARS AGO, BUT I WOULD'VE HAPPILY TAKEN IT. I LIVE RIGHT BY THE MARINA. I DON'T KNOW, UH, FRANKLY, UH, TO QUOTE, IF, UH, POTENTIAL PUBLIC INVESTMENTS INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES, PASSENGER AMENITIES, AND DOCKING CAPACITY WON'T JUST ENTRENCH WHAT DAN WALTERS HAS FAMOUSLY DESCRIBED AS A TWO-TIER ECONOMY DEVELOPING IN CALIFORNIA, RACIALIZED HERE, MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE EAST SIDE, WE GET THE TITLE AND DOLLARS, WE GET THE AMENITIES. REST OF THE CITY DOES NOT. I MEAN, REX, HONESTLY, ARE YOU PITCHING THIS WITHOUT AN EQUITY LENS? SHAME? NO, NO, DON'T SHAME HIM. NO, NO, NO. IT'S A QUESTION. SHAME. NO, NO, NO, NO. I'M NOT TRYING TO SHAME HIM. I'M, I'M ASKING QUESTION. YOU KNOW, ITS NOT A BACK AND I KNOW, I KNOW THERE'S NO BACK AND FORTH, BUT YOU CAN CALL ME, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT. NO, NO. I KNOW I CAN DO, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO STATE FOR THE RECORD, BECAUSE THIS SHOULD HAVE AN EQUITY LENS. IT SHOULD CONNECT TO PUBLIC TRANSIT. YES. NOW, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A VISITOR TO LONG BEACH, ESPECIALLY INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS THAT HAVE WATCHED THIS COUNTRY AND INVADE TWO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN TWO STRAIGHT MONTHS, SOMETHING THAT ONLY HITLER DID IN THE PAST A HUNDRED YEARS, UM, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN INFORMED VISITOR WATCHING THIS COUNTRY DECIDE VOLUNTARILY TO RAISE PRICES WORLDWIDE OVER THE PAST MONTH TO FIGHT A HOLY WAR IN IRAN WHILE THIS CITY AND THIS COUNTY, THIS REGION IS PINNING ITS HOPES ON THESE TOURIST DOLLARS FOR THESE MAJOR EVENTS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WHY WOULD THEY COME? WE ARE TELEGRAPHING TO THEM WHAT THEIR LE LEVERAGE IS. YEP. THE BEST WAY FOR THEM TO SHOW THEIR DISPLEASURE WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING AROUND THE WORLD IS TO MAKE LA SUFFER. NOW, I DON'T WANNA SEE THAT. I DON'T WANNA SEE LONG BEACH SUFFER. I, I'D LIKE TO SEE ALL THESE EVENTS GO OFF WITHOUT A HITCH, BUT WHAT ARE WE ACTUALLY TELLING THEM? WE CAN BOMB YOUR COUNTRY. WE CAN COMMIT WAR CRIMES. WE CAN THREATEN TO DO MORE, BUT WE WANT YOU TO COME HERE AND BEND THE KNEE FOR OUR SPORTS AND OUR TOURISM. WHY SHOULD THEY COME? WHY WOULD THEY COME? IT'S THE BEST WAY TO, TO LET THIS COUNTRY KNOW WHAT THEY REALLY THINK OF US. AND ALL OF THESE INVESTMENTS ARE A WHOLE ECONOMIC STRUCTURE THAT WE, REGIONAL E ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS, YOU KNOW, THE LA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAS HAD THREE STRAIGHT FIVE YEAR PLANS HOPING FOR THESE EVENTS. WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY ALL GO UP? THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU KEVIN. HONORABLE MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS. IT'S A GREAT YOUTH THIS EVENING. UM, I JUST WANNA THANK PATRICIA FOR HER, UH, PRESENTATION AND OFFER ON BEHALF OF HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES. MY NAME IS KEVIN LORTON, I'M THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, AND I'VE BEEN IN [01:30:01] THE MARITIME SPACE FOR A LITTLE OVER 30 YEARS. SO I AM THRILLED THAT, UH, HARBOR BREEZE IS ABLE TO PARTNER WITH PATRICIA ON THIS INITIATIVE, BOTH LOCALLY AND THEN UP AND DOWN THE COAST. AND I WILL JUST KEEP IT VERY, VERY BRIEF. BUT I WILL SAY ALSO AS A 30 YEAR COMMUTER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, I SHARE THE SENTIMENTS OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKER AS WELL AS SOME OTHERS THAT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SPEND TWO AND A HALF HOURS OR THREE HOURS ON A ROAD TO GO FROM POINT A TO POINT B. AND I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT REALITY DOES IMP IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES IN TERMS OF BOTH VISITATION AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY COME TO OUR DESTINATION. SO AGAIN, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND HARBOR BREEZE, WE ARE FULLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, LET'S NOT INTERRUPT THE MEETING. UM, CAROLYN AND THEN DANNY, UM, CAROLYN ESSEX HERE AGAIN, UM, UH, CANADA FOR STATE ASSEMBLY IN ALL OF LONG BEACH AND SIGNAL HILL. AND WELCOME BACK TODAY, MAYOR RICHARDSON. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU AND, UH, A LOT OF THE, UH, COMMUNITY LEADERS AT CAMBODIA TOWN FESTIVAL. UM, I IMMERSED MYSELF IN THAT CULTURE ON SATURDAY. I HAD A GREAT TIME. THANK YOU. UM, PEER TO PEER, I WANNA SPEAK IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE COASTAL FERRY INITIATIVE. THIS IS A FORWARD THINKING INVESTMENT THAT POSITIONS LONG BEACH AS A REGIONAL HUB, ESPECIALLY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 2028 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES. BUT TO FULLY REALIZE ITS POTENTIAL, WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL. UM, UH, THIS IS NOT JUST A TRANSPORTATION PROJECT, THIS IS AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO INCREASE TOURISM, CREATE JOBS, ACTIVATE OUR WATERFRONT, AND CONNECT LONG BEACH TO THE BROADER REGION. AND I LOVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PLEDGE. SO THE QUESTION BECOMES WHO BENEFITS? UM, I ENCOURAGE THE CITY TO ENSURE LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE PRIORITIZED FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES, ESPECIALLY OUR, UH, FREEDMAN FAMILIES AND DESCENDANTS OF CHILD SLAVERY, UM, WHO HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED, UM, TO, UH, EXCLUSION, UH, LONG TERM. UM, SMALL BUSINESSES ALONG THE WATERFRONT ARE INTEGRATED INTO THE E ECONOMIC, UM, ECOSYSTEM AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINES ARE ESTABLISHED EARLY. WE SHOULD ALSO BE THINKING ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY, MAKING SURE THIS SYSTEM SERVES NOT JUST VISITORS, BUT RESIDENTS WHO RELY, UH, RESIDENTS LIKE MYSELF WHO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. IF DONE RIGHT, THIS PROJECT CAN GENERATE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH AND POSITION LONG BEACH AS A LEADER IN REGIONAL, UH, UH, CONNECTIVITY. SO LET'S, LET'S BUILD IT WITH INTENTION AND INCLUDE EVERY SINGLE BODY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. AND DANNY. ALRIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL. SORRY ABOUT MY ATTIRE. I JUST, I HAD TO JUST ROLLED IN HERE AND JUST BARELY MADE IT. SO THANK YOU. AS THE FOUNDER OF HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES, I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE START MY COMPANY HERE. OVER 30 YEARS AGO, I STARTED WITH ONE SMALL BOAT AND GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY HERE IN LONG BEACH, WE HAVE GROWN OUR COMPANY SIGNIFICANTLY. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE WITH NOT ONLY NEW VESSELS BY THE OLYMPICS, BUT ELECTRIC VESSELS WITH ZERO POLLUTION. THAT'S OUR PGE PLEDGE, OUR BRAND NEW BOAT, A 350 PASSENGER BOAT IS COM IS STARTING. ITS HIGH SPEED TESTING THIS WEEK WHERE WE'RE GONNA BE RUNNING THE ELECTRIC MOTORS AT FULL CAPACITY. WE'VE GOT PEOPLE, JOBS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, WE'VE PROVIDED FROM THE CZECH REPUBLIC, GERMANY, ALL THROUGH THE, YOU KNOW, UNITED, UH, LET'S NOT INTERRUPT. ALRIGHT, HERE WE GO. MY NAME'S CAPTAIN DAN SALAS. I FOUNDED HARBOR BREEZE CRUISES. MY FIRST EMPLOYEE WAS A SINGLE MOM WITH A, WITH A CHILD. SHE'S 17 YEARS AGO, SHE WAS 17 AND DIDN'T FINISH HIGH SCHOOL. SHE'S NOW MY GENERAL MANAGER, MY COMPANY. WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA FOCUS ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR THE CHILDREN AND THE PEOPLE COMING UP THAT WOULDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OTHERWISE. WE'RE GONNA TEACH 'EM THAT HIGH TECH, WE'RE GONNA BUILD THEM IN. THAT'S WHERE WE GREW OUR BUSINESS. YOU GUYS KNOW ME FOR A LOT OF YEARS. I PUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO WORK WHERE I'M READY TO GIVE BACK. NOW I'VE COME A LONG WAY. I'M PROUD TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY, AND I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE CITY THAT HELPED PUT MY KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE, THROUGH HARD WORK, CHARGING OUR CUSTOMERS A FAIR PRICE. I KEPT MY PRICE AT [01:35:01] $10 A TICKET FOR A HARBOR CRUISE AROUND THIS CITY. WENT UP FOR 15 YEARS. I NEVER RAISED THE PRICE, NO MATTER FUEL PRICES WENT UP. WE'RE HERE FIRST AND FOREMOST FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AND THE PEOPLE, WE'RE NOT HERE FOR A MONEY GRAB. WE'RE HERE TO DO THE RIGHT THING. YOU KNOW, I'M GETTING UP IN MY, IN MY CAREER AND NOW IT'S TIME TO GIVE BACK. THE CITY OF LONG BEACH HAS BEEN STRONG, SUPPORTIVE, AND WE'RE HERE TO GIVE IT BACK. SO, ON BEHALF OF WHATEVER WE CAN DO FOR THIS CITY, WE'RE HERE TO DO IT AND WE WANNA DO THE RIGHT THING. SO WE'RE HERE, WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE, AND WE'RE GONNA START CONSTRUCTION OF TWO BRAND NEW BOATS TO HAVE HERE WITH OUR ELECTRIC FOR THE OLYMPICS. WE'LL BE DELIVERED IN JANUARY OF 2028. TWO BRAND NEW KEN BRANDS. THANK YOU FOR THANK YOU EVERYONE, AND WE'RE GONNA DO THIS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. UM, UH, YOU KNOW, JUST A COUPLE MORE THOUGHTS HERE. AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA TO THE COMMENTS ON THE EQUITY LENS. WHENEVER WE, ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS WITH THE COASTAL COMMISSION, THERE'S A EQUITY LENS BUILT INTO THAT, THAT'S SORT OF THE FOCUS OF THE COASTAL COMMISSION SO THAT THOSE BOXES WILL BE CHECKED. AND THEN, UM, WE, BY TYING INTO OUR LOCAL SYSTEMS, LONG BEACH TRANSIT AND OTHERS, THAT'S HOW WE CAN BEST SERVE OUR RESIDENTS. AND SO WE'RE CERTAINLY GONNA MAKE SURE THE E EQUITY HELPS DRIVE WHATEVER ENGAGEMENT THE CITY PLAYS, BUT IT IS NOT ANTICIPATED. THIS WILL BE A CITY RUN, UH, FERRY. THIS IS, THIS IS A, A EXTERNAL PARTNER, UH, THAT WE'RE EXPLORING, UH, A RELATIONSHIP WITH. SO, UH, THANKS SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S, UH, WE LIKE WATER TAXIS. UM, ALRIGHT, UH, NEXT WE'RE GONNA DO ITEM 19, REPORT FROM HUMAN RESOURCES RECOMMENDATION [19. 26-54718 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving an exception to the 180-day waiting period for Public Agencies pursuant to Government Code 7522.56 and 21224, to hire Julie Bedard for a limited duration to work in the Police Department. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Human Resources         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO ADOPT RESOLUTION APPROVING AN EXCEPTION TO THE 180 DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR PUBLIC AGENCIES TO HIRE JULIE BEDARD FOR A LIMITED DURATION TO WORK IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT CITYWIDE. WELL, IT'S NEWS TO ME. I DIDN'T KNOW JULIE WASN'T WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. YES, YOU DID. ALRIGHT, THANKS A LOT. WE HAVE A MOTION, A SECOND. WE HAVE, THERE'S NOBODY YOU WANNA SAY ANYTHING ABOUT JULIE? YES. WE HAVE AN UPDATE FROM, UH, CHIEF OF POLICE WHILE HE OKAY. THANK YOU. APRIL. THANK YOU. UH, GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS. DON'T LET HIM GET AWAY. YES, NO, JULIE IS RETIRED, BUT I AM HERE TONIGHT, UH, REQUESTING, UH, YOUR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION, AUTHORIZE AND EXCEPTION TO THE 100 AND DAY, 180 DAY WAITING PERIOD UNDER EXISTING GOVERNMENT CODE SECTIONS TO ALLOW THE TEMPORARY REEMPLOYMENT OF MS. BEDARD. UH, THIS REQUEST IS BASED ON A CRITICAL OPERATIONAL NEED WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE. DURING A LEADERSHIP TRANSITION, MS. BEDARD RECENTLY RETIRED, FOLLOWING A DISTINGUISHED 30 YEAR CAREER, DURING WHICH SHE SERVED AS MY ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS OFFICER AND PREVIOUSLY AS AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO THE PAST SEVEN CHIEFS OF POLICE. HER ROLE WAS CENTRAL TO THE DAY-TO-DAY FUNCTIONING OF THE CHIEF'S OFFICE, INCLUDING CITY COUNCIL COORDINATION, EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, AND DEPARTMENT-WIDE ALIGNMENT. THE DEPARTMENT IS ACTIVELY RECRUITING HER SUCCESSOR, HOWEVER, THIS IS A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED ROLE REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, POLITICAL AWARENESS, AND OPERATIONAL EXPERTISE TO ENSURE CONTINUITY. WE'VE DEVELOPED A STRUCTURED 12 MONTH TRANSITION PLAN FOCUSED ON PROTECTING THE CHIEF'S EXECUTIVE CAPACITY, TRANSFERRING INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE, MAINTAINING OPERATIONAL STABILITY, PRESERVING STAKEHOLDER HOLDER CONFIDENCE. MS. BEARD'S TEMPORARY RETURN WILL ALLOW FOR STRUCTURED ONBOARDING AND MENTORING OF THE NEW HIRE, CONTINUITY OF CRITICAL EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS, ACCURACY AND TIMELINESS OF CITY COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS, REDUCED OPERATIONAL AND REPUTATIONAL RISK DURING TRANSITION. WITHOUT THE SUPPORT, THERE'S A HEIGHTENED RISK OF DISRUPTION AT EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS, INTER INTERDEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION AND TIME SENSITIVE COUNSEL AND COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS. THIS APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED IN DURATION PART-TIME, AND WILL NOT EXCEED 960 HOURS IN THE FISCAL YEAR. THE TOTAL COST APPROXIMATELY $66,000 IS FULLY SUPPORTED WITHIN EXISTING POLICE DEPARTMENT APPROPRIATIONS AND HAS NO ADDITIONAL BUDGET OR STAFFING IMPACT. THIS RES. THIS REQUEST COMPLIES WITH STATE LAW, WHICH ALLOWS AN EXCEPTION WHEN A GOVERNING BODY DETERMINES THE POSITION IS CRITICALLY NEEDED AND APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT. AND A PUBLIC MEETING APPROVING THIS ITEM ENSURES A RESPONSIBLE, STABLE, AND ACCOUNTABLE TRANSITION IN ONE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S MOST CRITICAL EXECUTIVE SUPPORT ROLES. THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TONIGHT, AND I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. PERFECT, JULIE. LOVE IT. JULIE'S GOOD. SHOULDN'T HAVE LET HER RETIRE. [01:40:01] I, I TRIED. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GONNA CLEAN UP. SHE WOULDN'T LISTEN THIS TIME. CHIEF? NO. UH, ALL I KNOW, BUT RESPECTFULLY, WE'RE GR WE'RE GLAD SHE HAS SUCH A, SUCH INCREDIBLE CAREER AND IT TELLS YOU A LOT WHEN SOMEONE RETIRES AND YOU STILL, I MEAN, AND, AND YOU STILL HAVE VERY SPECIFIC NEEDS FOR THEM. SO, CONGRATULATIONS, JULIE. UM, OKAY. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTIONS CARRIED. NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT HERE. ALL RIGHT. WE'RE NOW GONNA GO TO ITEM 20, REPORT FROM HUMAN RESOURCES RECOMMENDATION TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH EVOLUTION RISK FOR HEALTHCARE [20. 26-54719 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement with Evolution Risk, for healthcare specific stop-loss reinsurance coverage with a $500,000, deductible level, at an estimated cost of $3,193,000, for a twelve-month period retroactively effective January 1, 2026; and execute any subsequent amendments necessary to maintain current benefit levels and remain in compliance with state and federal laws. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Human Resources         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] SPECIFIC STOP LOSS REINSURANCE COVERAGE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,193,000. AND THEN, AND EXECUTE ANY AMENDMENTS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN CURRENT BENEFIT LEVELS AND REMAIN IN COMPLIANT WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS CITYWIDE. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED. IS ANY PUBLIC COMMENT HERE? NO PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL RIGHT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. UH, 21 REPORT FROM PUBLIC WORKS RECOMMENDATION [21. 26-54720 Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. R-7261 and award a contract to All American Asphalt, of Corona, CA, for as-needed local street improvements, in amount not to exceed $60,000,000, for a period of two years, with the option to renew for three additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and, authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into contracts, including any necessary amendments. (Citywide)       Office or Department: Public Works         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO ADOPT SPECIFICATIONS AND AWARD A CONTRACT TO ALL AMERICAN ASPHALT FOR AS NEEDED LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $60 MILLION AND EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS, INCLUDING ANY, ANY NECESSARY AMENDMENTS CITYWIDE. ALRIGHT. UH, I SEE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED WITH SPEAK. CAROLYN ESSEX. IS CAROLYN HERE? ALRIGHT, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 22 REPORT FROM CITY MANAGER, CITY ATTORNEY RECOMMENDATION [22. 26-54597 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Section 5.92.030, Section 8.68.160, Section 8.68.170 and adding Division XIII to Chapter 5.92 (Adult Use Cannabis Business and Activities); all relating to the regulation of cannabis special events, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)       Office or Department: City Manager; City Attorney         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] TO DECLARE ORDINANCE AMENDING LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE AND ADDING DIVISION 13 TO CHAPTER 5.92 ALL RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF CANNABIS SPECIAL EVENTS, READ AND ADOPTED AS READ CITYWIDE. I SEE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. KAREN REZA. OKAY. PASS. OKAY, WE'RE GONNA GO TO THE COUNCIL. COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH TOOK I SUPPORT, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER RICK SODI. UH, I ALSO SUPPORT COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YEAH, I, I SUPPORT THE PUBLIC USE PORTION OF THIS AND I JUST CAUTION STAFF THAT AS WE LOOK AT, UH, PRIVATE PROPERTY, THAT UH, WE CONTINUE TO CLOSE EYE, KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THAT AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT WAYS FOR IMPROVEMENT IF THE NEED ARISES ON THE PRIVATE PROPERTY PIECE. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. UM, MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. 23. PLEASE REPORT FROM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION TO DECLARE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING [23. 26-54600 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Title 5 of the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending and restating Chapter 5.80, all relating to the implementation of a permanent Taxicab Program, read and adopted as read. (Citywide) Levine Act: Yes       Office or Department: Financial Management         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] AND RESTATING CHAPTER 5.80 ALL RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PERMANENT TAXI CAB PROGRAM, READ AND ADOPTED AS RED CITYWIDE. WE HAVE ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. DAVE. THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, EXCUSE ME. SORRY, DAVE, DON'T WANNA INTERRUPT YOU. I THINK WE HAVE SOME RECUSALS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN. CUSAL. OKAY. WE'LL CALL FOR RECUSALS. ARE THERE RECUSALS OR YOU ARE ONE OF THE MAYOR? I DON'T HAVE IT IN MY NOTES. OKAY. WELL, OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, I'M GONNA RECUSE MYSELF. UM, SO THIS IS THE PASS, UH, THIS IS THE YELLOW CAB ITEM THAT WE HAD THE LAST MEETING. OH, THIS CONTINU. SO THIS IS THE LEVINE ACT. GOT IT. THIS IS A CONTINUATION, SO YOU HAVE TO, SO HANG ON, WE'RE GONNA, YOU HAVE TO MAKE THE LEVINE ACT STATEMENTS BEFORE YOU GO. RIGHT. GREAT. SO, UM, DUE TO THE LEVINE ACT AND ABUNDANCE OF OF CAUTION, UH, I'M GONNA RECUSE MYSELF ON THIS ITEM, UH, DI . SO WHO'S CHAIRING THE MEETING? OKAY. OKAY. I, UH, I, UM, RECUSE MYSELF AND I RECEIVE MORE THAN $50 OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS OVER MORE THAN 500. 500. THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU. THE CITY ATTORNEY. UM, I GUESS I TAKE OVER THE MEETING AT THIS POINT, SO WE'LL RETURN TO PUBLIC COMMENT. YES. SORRY, DAVE. THANK YOU. CHAIR, UH, SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL, UH, TAXI CAB CO-OP. UH, IT'S A GOOD SERVICE. AND, UH, LATE AT NIGHT, UH, CALLING 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE AND THAT OF OTHERS. THANK YOU. OKAY. THAT, THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. THAT CONCLUDES PUBLIC COMMENT. OKAY. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE MAKER OF THE MOTION? SECONDER. [01:45:01] OKAY, WE'RE GOOD. LET'S GO TO A VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. OKAY. WE'LL WAIT FOR THE, UM, MEMBERS TO RETURN FOR THE NEXT ITEM. ALL RIGHT, THANKS, COUNCIL MEMBER. SUPER NA. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE NOW GONNA GO TO ITEM 16, PLEASE. COMMUNICATION FOR MAYOR RICHARDSON. RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE A 7% MERIT COMPENSATION [16. 26-54768 Recommendation to authorize a seven percent (7%) merit compensation increase to the annual base salary of Francine Kerridge, Director of Police Oversight, at an amount equal to $245,093.191, effective October 4, 2025, issue a $3,000 one-time performance incentive to Francine Kerridge, Director of Police Oversight, and amend the City Salary Schedules effective October 4, 2025, October 18, 2025, November 15, 2025, November 29, 2025, December 27, 2025, January 24, 2026, and March 7, 2026 to reflect the 7% increase to the annual base salary of the Director of Police Oversight classification.       Office or Department: Rex Richardson, Mayor         Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] INCREASE TO THE ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF FRANCINE CARRIAGE, DIRECTOR OF POLICE OVERSIGHT AND AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO $245,093 AND 19 CENTS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 4TH, 2025 ISSUE A $3,000 BONUS, ONE TIME PERFORMANCE IN SAN, EXCUSE ME, AND AMEND THE CITY'S SALARY SCHEDULES TO REFLECT THE 7% INCREASE TO THE ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE OVERSIGHT CLASSIFICATION. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. UH, WE HAVE, UH, A MOTION COUNCIL MEMBER SODI, UH, UH, AND FULL SUPPORT. UM, I'M THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT, UM, FRANCINE CARRIAGE HAS DONE, UH, STANDING UP OUR OFFICE OF POLICE OVERSIGHT, UM, AND THE PROFESSIONALISM AND CARE THAT SHE HAS BROUGHT TO THE WORK. UM, AND I'M IN FULL SUPPORT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER DUGGAN. I'M ALSO IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS. SHE'S DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB OF STANDING UP THE OFFICE. THANK YOU. I OFFER MY COMMENTS HERE. I DITTO WHAT THE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SAID. FRANCINE HAS BEEN GREAT. UH, IF YOU REMEMBER, UH, I THINK WE'VE, WE DIDN'T DO RAISES LAST YEAR, AND SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE SHE BEGAN THE, THE DEPARTMENT TWO YEARS AGO. AND SO I THINK IT'S, UH, CER CERTAINLY WELL DESERVED. WE'RE GONNA GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. WE HAVE TWO. I HAVE ONE SEY MORE JUSTICE, JUSTICE AND OH, COUNCIL MEMBER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, MAYOR. UH, I TOO WANNA SAY THAT, UH, I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT LONG BEACH IS LUCKY, UH, TO HAVE, UH, A POLICE OVERSIGHT, UH, OFFICE AND TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE FRANCINE LEADING IT. THANK YOU. CERTAINLY TWO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, UH, SEE MORE AND NAAR. GOOD EVENING AGAIN, COUNSEL, AND, UH, GOOD TO SEE YOU, MAYOR REX. UM, YOU KNOW, I, I SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT POLICING IN OUR CITY, AND I, I WANT TO SAY THAT ANY OF MY COMMENTS ARE NOT DIRECTED AT THE WORK OF FRANCINE KE CARRIAGE. I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW THAT EMPLOYEE OF LONG BEACH, UM, BUT I DO KNOW WHAT THE DIRECTOR OF POLICE OVERSIGHT IS SUPPOSED TO DO. SO SEEING THAT THIS RAISE, I I'M A UNION MEMBER. I'M ALL ABOUT FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS AND WAGES AND INCREASES, BUT WHAT I SAW HERE IS IT'S A MERIT COMPENSATION. SO 7% MERIT, AND THEN ALSO A $3,000, UH, ONE-TIME BONUS. AND I DON'T, LIKE I SAID, I DON'T KNOW MISCARRIAGE, BUT I DO KNOW THAT DURING HER TIME AS POLICE OVERSIGHT, BRANDON BOYD WAS MURDERED BY LBPD IN, YOU KNOW, FRONT OF HIS CHURCH. AND I'M WONDERING IS THE MERIT, BECAUSE THE BODY GAMS, SHE GOT THOSE RELEASED, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE. YOU HAVE A REALLY REDACTED 17 MINUTES THAT MAKE YOU GUYS LOOK REALLY BAD AS A CITY. UH, LBPD. COULD IT BE BECAUSE SHE HELPED GET CHARGES DROPPED ON THE FAMILY WHO WERE THERE THE NIGHT AND WATCHED THEIR KID AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBER GET MURDERED BY LONG BEACH POLICE? I DON'T THINK SO. I DON'T THINK THOSE CHARGES HAVE BEEN DROPPED. UH, IS IT BECAUSE SHE DID A REALLY GOOD JOB MAKING SURE THE, UM, PEOPLE WHO THREW FLASH BANG GRENADES AND PRECIPITATED THE MURDER OF BRANDON BOYD WERE INVESTIGATED? OKAY. I DON'T THINK SO BECAUSE REX, YOU THANKED THEM AND TREATED THEM LIKE HEROES THE DAY AFTER THEY MURDERED HIM. SHAME. AND YOU CALLED BRANDON BOYD, A SUSPECT DISGUSTING, WHO WAS IN MENTAL CRISIS AND CALLED FOR HELP. SO, YOU KNOW, YEAH, MAYBE I'M JUST USING CARRIAGES RAISE HERE TO BRING UP AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT THE CITY DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT MORE BADGES AND GUNS TO SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS AS WE DID LAST TIME. WE'RE GIVING RAISES TO THE POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION PERSON, BUT WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH ANY OF THE THINGS THAT POLICE REALLY NEED OVERSIGHT ABOUT. AND I'LL BRING UP AGAIN, KAIZEN, UM, ADRIANA GUERRERO MISHANDLED ANOTHER ACUTE MEDICAL NECESSITY. THE COPS WERE INVOLVED INSTEAD OF THE MET TEAM. AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW NOW? HE'S IN JAIL BEING SENT ALL AROUND THE [01:50:01] CITY, ALL OVER THE COUNTY. HE'S A SCHIZOPHRENIC GUY THAT NEEDS HELP. AND WE, KAI, WE, WE JUST SENT HIM OFF INTO THE SYSTEM, SO I'M SORRY, MISCARRIAGE. IT'S NOT ABOUT YOUR RAISE, BUT LONG BEACH DO BETTER. LIKE THE FACT THAT THIS IS ON HERE AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT LIKE FERRIES BRINGING PEOPLE, VISITORS FROM THE OLYMPICS, AND NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE FACT THAT OUR COPS ARE KILLING OUR OWN MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY AND PUTTING 'EM AWAY WHEN THEY NEED HELP IS UNACCEPTABLE. DO BETTER WHILE YOUR TIME HAS CONCLUDED. THANK YOU. THE SARS NEXT. GOOD AFTERNOON. HOW'S IT GOING? ARE YOU GONNA SIT DOWN? DARRELL, ARE YOU GONNA STAND? OKAY? YEAH, MY BACK HURTS TOO. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO STAND. I'M STANDING DESK. UM, ABSOLUTELY NOT . WE'VE GOT BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH THE MONEY THAT'S COMING FROM THE CITY. UM, WE'VE GOT PUBLIC WORKS THAT NEED IT, POTHOLES THAT ARE EVERYWHERE, . UM, ALSO, UM, SO MANY MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WERE PICKED UP BY ICE AND THE POLICE IN LONG BEACH DID ABSOLUTELY JACK NOTHING. , UH, I COME, I'M A FIRST GENERATION AMERICAN OF PALESTINIAN DESCENT, FOR EXAMPLE. WE CAME FROM REFUGEES. UM, AND I KNOW PEOPLE THAT COME HERE IN ORDER TO WORK REALLY HARD AND I'VE SEEN SO MANY OF THEM GET PICKED UP FROM THE HOME DEPOT. WHAT DID POLICE DO? NOTHING LONG BEACH POLICE DID NOTHING. . UM, I SAW THE BIG GIANT BANNER THAT YOU HAD ON THE SIDE OF THIS BUILDING RIGHT HERE. RIGHT? AND, UH, IT SAID ICE OUT OF LONG BEACH, RIGHT? REX, WHAT DID THE POLICE DO? NOTHING. WE USED TO GO OUT AND SEE THEM AND WE KNOW WHICH HOTELS THEY WERE STAYING AT. WHAT DID THE POLICE DO? NOTHING. NOTHING ARRESTED US. YEAH. UM, I HAD SOMETHING STOLEN FROM MY CAR LAST SUNDAY. NOT THIS PAST SUNDAY. THE SUNDAY BEFORE I FILED A POLICE REPORT. I DID ALL THE LEGWORK FOR THE POLICE. I HAVE VIDEOS. I'VE SEEN THE CAR, THE PERSON POSTED IT UNCLASSIFIED. I SENT IT AND I HAVE THE POLICE REPORT. AND WHAT DID THE POLICE DO? ? NOTHING. I COULD SHOW UP TO THAT GUY'S DOORSTEP AND BUY THE THING THAT HE STOLE FROM ME. WHAT DID POLICE DO? NOTHING. WE DID ALL THE LEGWORK FOR THEM. SO ABSOLUTELY NOT . WE'VE GOT BETTER THINGS TO DO WITH OUR TIME AND OUR MONEY AND OUR RESOURCES. WE'VE GOT KIDS THAT COULD BE RUN OVER BY CARS IN DIFFERENT STREETS. UM, WE'VE GOT POTHOLES THAT NEED TO BE FIXED. WE'VE GOT LIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE PUT UP TO HELP THE PEOPLE GO THROUGH. WE HAVE, WE HAVE A LOT MORE PRESSING ISSUES HERE IN LONG BEACH THAT NEED ADDRESSING. NOT A 7% RAISE. AND I'M A WORKING PROFESSIONAL. I HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN SOMETHING AND A BACHELOR'S IN SOMETHING ELSE, BUT IT'S IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND I DO AUDITS ALL THE TIME. YOU WOULDN'T PASS ANY OF MY AUDITS. YOU GUYS ARE VERY INEFFICIENT, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SEND THAT MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE WHERE IT'S NEEDED. ALRIGHT, THANKS FOR THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I THINK POLICE OVERSIGHT AND DEPART AND FUNCTION, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE IT IN OUR CITY. IT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE INDEPENDENT POLICE OVERSIGHT AND SO WE'RE GONNA, WE'RE GONNA SUPPORT IT. AND, UM, AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT TONIGHT. MEMBERS, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE. MOTION IS CARRIED. ALRIGHT, THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. ITEM 17, PLEASE. NOPE, WE ALREADY DID. 17. WE'RE ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS IT. WE'RE GOING TO GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT. SO WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF [ 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. ] PUBLIC SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. WATSON COMMUNITY ALLIANCE GRAY, AND DAVE SHUKLA IS WATSON COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. HERE. THANK YOU. DO WE START YOU? YEP. OH, UM, GOOD EVENING. WE ARE THE WATSON COMMUNITY ALLIANCE. MY NAME IS TR HAMMA. MY COLLEAGUES ARE LUIS SIA, ALAN GOLDEN. WE ARE MSW GRADUATE STUDENTS AT CAL STATE LONG BEACH. UM, WHAT I, WHAT STARTED OFF AS A GRADUATE STUDENT PROJECT HAS ACTUALLY TURNED INTO, UM, A PASSION PROJECT AND OUR LOVE FOR THE WEST SIDE SEVENTH DISTRICT. UM, WE WANTED TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO, UM, COME HERE TO PERSONALLY THANK THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, UM, AND [01:55:01] VICE MAYOR ROBERT ORANGA DISTRICT, UH, 17 FOR HELPING TO FUND OUR, UM, GRADUATE SCHOOL PROJECT. AND HERE'S A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT OUR PROJECT WAS ABOUT. SO WE WERE ABLE TO EDUCATE 32 TOTAL SENIOR ATTENDEES, UM, ON HEALTHY EATING HOUSING RESOURCES IN LONG BEACH, ELECTRONIC BANKING, ADVANCED DIRECTIVES IN HEALTHCARE AND EXERCISE. UH, THERE'S ALSO BEEN, THERE WAS ALSO FRUITFUL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE VALUE OF COMMUNITY, UM, IN WEST SIDE LONG BEACH. AND DURING OUR LAST WORKSHOP, WE WERE ABLE TO RAFFLE OFF A VISA GROCERY AND GAS, GAS GIFT CARDS. AS A THANK YOU TO OUR ATTENDEES, UH, WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT WE PROVI WE WERE PROVIDED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AS WELL. UH, WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WEST SIDE PROMISE AND HOPE WE'VE ADDED POSITIVE IMPACT AND EFFORTS TO SUCH A GEM OF AN AREA, UM, IN LONG BEACH. AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND SUPPORT. HI, I AM THIS SHOUT OUT GUY. IT'S REALLY COOL BEING UP HERE. I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A CITY COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE . UH, SO OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HEART NEIGHBORHOOD LIBRARY WAS A PERFECT FIT. UH, I WANNA SHOUT OUT THE LIBRARIANS THERE. THAT IS ERIN CASTILLO IKA AND COURTNEY LABON. THEY WERE AMAZING. UM, ALSO, I WANNA SHOUT OUT SILVERADO PARK AND THEIR MANAGER, SONNY SANG, HE REALLY OFFERED US, OFFERED US A SPACE TO ADVERTISE OUR WORKSHOPS AND RECRUIT WITH THE SENIORS IN ATTENDANCE THERE. AND THEN LASTLY, I WANT TO SHOUT OUT YOU GUYS AS STEPHANIE SCHMICK AND ASHLEY GT FOR SUPPORTING US WITH 250 BUS VOUCHERS, WHICH WERE NOT ACTUALLY USED, BUT THEY WILL BE REPURPOSED WITH THE LIBRARY. THANK YOU. ALRIGHT. ALL RIGHT. WELL, I I LOVE THE MSW PROGRAM AT LONG BEACH STATE. UH, THEY ALWAYS ASSIGN, YOU KNOW, FOR THEIR INTERN, THE GRADUATE INTERNSHIPS, THE, YOU KNOW, THE BEST STUDENTS COME DO PROJECTS IN LONG BEACH, AND WE RECOGNIZE 'EM. SO GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR PROGRAM. AND WE DO HAVE, UH, A FELLOWSHIP AT CITY HALL. YOU CAN DO YOUR, YOUR, UM, YOUR ACTUAL, UH, GRAD ASSISTANT, YOUR GRAD REQUIREMENTS AT CITY HALL. SO WE HAVE A NUMBER OF THEM EVERY YEAR, SO MAYBE SPREAD THE WORD. UH, NEXT IS GRAY, BY THE WAY. IT'S A DISTRICT SEVEN, NOT 17. I MEAN, FIRST OF ALL, I JUST WANNA SAY IT, UH, SUCKS THAT WE'RE KEEPING UP WITH THE TREND OF GIVING POLICE MORE AND MORE MONEY EVEN WHEN, WHEN THEY DON'T PRODUCE, UH, DESIRABLE RESULTS. AND I'M JUST WANNA REMIND THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE WANT YOU TO ADOPT THE CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS SCREENING POLICY. WE WANNA ENSURE THAT OUR TAXPAYER MONEY ISN'T BEING USED TO SUPPORT COMPANIES INVOLVED IN HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS. SOME PERTINENT EXAMPLES WOULD BE MASS SURVEILLANCE AND MANUFACTURE AND OR EXPORT OF WEAPONS THAT ARE BEING SENT TO ISRAEL. YEP. YEP. THIS COUNCIL VOTED TO ALLOW CONTRACTS TO BE MADE WITH AT LEAST TWO COMPANIES THAT ARE INVOLVED WITH ICE AND DHS, WHICH ARE LEXUS NEXUS AND GENERAL DYNAMICS. IT FEELS AS THOUGH BY THE TIME A CONTRACT ENDS UP ON THESE AGENDA ITEMS, A DECISION HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. YES, IT HAS. AND ANY DISSENTING VOICES FROM THE PUBLIC WILL BE LISTENED TO BUT NOT HEARD WITH THE VOTES. FOR THIS REASON, WE FEEL THAT AN ETHICAL SCREENING POLICY IS DESPERATELY NEEDED. THANK YOU, MR. MAYOR. COUNCIL MEMBERS. GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. UH, HAPPY EASTER FROM ONE HINDU TO ANOTHER. UM, ON SUNDAY EASTER MORNING, UH, FROM THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN, UH, STANDING NEXT TO A A QUITE FRETFUL MAN IN A EASTER BUNNY COSTUME, UH, DONALD TRUMP THREATENED, UH, THE PEOPLE OF A WAR OF IRAN WITH WAR CRIMES. HE THREATENED TO ATTACK, UH, CIVILIAN INFRASTRUCTURE, POWER PLANTS AND BRIDGES AND TO, UH, WIPE OUT AN ENTIRE CIVILIZATION IF THE STRAI OF HORROR MOVES WAS NOT FULLY REOPENED BY 5:00 PM TONIGHT PACIFIC TIME. UH, THE IRANIANS ACTUALLY HAVE KEPT BOMBING THINGS IF YOU'VE BEEN CHECKING THE NEWS IN THE PAST FEW HOURS. UH, BUT THEY HAVE, UH, GOTTEN, UH, THE US UH, IN FACT, UH, THEY, THEY GAVE IT TO TRUMP IN TIME FOR HIM TO HAVE THE APPEARANCE OF A WIN IN TIME TO GIN UP THE OIL MARKETS THREE HOURS AGO. [02:00:01] UH, THEY GAVE HIM A 10 POINT PLAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO AEDE TO. UM, HAVE YOU NOTICED THAT WE'VE LOST THE IRAN WAR BY EVERY OBJECTIVE MEASURE? BY EVERY OBJECTIVE MEASURE FROM WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO, TO HOW IT CHANGED TO WHAT WE'RE HOPING TO GET OUT OF IT ON, ON OUR, WITH OUR TAIL TUCKED BETWEEN OUR LEGS ON OUR WAY OUT. UM, THE DAYS OF $3 DOLLARS A GALLON GAS ARE OVER. UH, THE DAYS OF IRAN NOT COMPLETELY DICTATING TERMS THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORUS ARE OVER REGIONALLY. THEY ARE A WORSE REGIME THAN THEY WERE, YOU KNOW, UH, 39 DAYS AGO. AND, UH, WE HAVE SPENT, UH, YOU KNOW, BY THE NUMBERS, IT'S DAY 38 OF THE ISRAELI US ATTACK ON IRAN, UH, AT A COST OF 12 TO $15 BILLION PER DAY. WE'VE KILLED 2000 CIVILIANS, UH, INCLUDING A HUNDRED SCHOOL GIRLS IN MANA. UH, A COUPLE OF HOURS AGO WE KILLED SOME MORE. UH, WE'VE CONTINUED DOING WAR CRIMES. I MENTIONED THIS IN A PREVIOUS COMMENT ABOUT, UH, WATER TAXIS. BUT MORE GENERALLY, WHY WOULD THE WORLD COME HERE AND BEND THE KNEE FOR THE SAKE OF DONALD TRUMP? MM-HMM . MM-HMM . THEY JUST SAW HIM AT THE MILAN CORTINA OLYMPICS WITH THE ICE, HIS OWN PRIVATE ARMY SHOW UP LIKE IT WAS HITLER IN 36. WHY WOULD THEY COME HERE? THERE IS NO BETTER WAY FOR THE COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD, ESPECIALLY COUNTRIES THAT DON'T HAVE ENERGY RESERVES THAT ARE THE FIRST ONES HIT BY THE SPIKE IN OIL PRICES OVER THE PAST MONTH. THERE'S NO REASON FOR THEM TO SEND THE THEIR ATHLETES HERE FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT. YEP. THERE WOULD BE NO STRONGER WAY FOR THEM TO LEVERAGE THEIR POWER AND LET THE EMPIRE KNOW THAT THEY DON'T AGREE THAN TO NOT COME HERE FOR OUR AMUSEMENT. BOYCOTTING THE OLYMPICS COULD BE A REAL, REAL SIGNIFICANT POSSIBILITY, AND IT HAS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I HOPE YOU'RE TAKING SERIOUSLY BECAUSE OTHER COUNTRIES ARE, AND IF YOU CAN JUST THINK FOR A PERSPECTIVE FROM PERSPECTIVE OF OTHER COUNTRIES THAT CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AROUND WORLD TIME HAS CONCLUDED. THANK, THANK YOU. SO THANK YOU ALL. WELL, THAT CONCLUDES, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT. WE'LL NOW GO TO CLOSING ANNOUNCEMENTS. OKAY. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. [ANNOUNCEMENTS] UH, YES. THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. COLLEAGUES, AS WE ADJOURN THIS EVENING, I'D LIKE, I'D ASK THAT WE ADJOURN OUR MEETING IN MEMORY OF ELEANOR SCHMIDT. LONG BEACH'S, FORMER DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND RESIDENT OF BIXBY KNOWLES, WHO PASSED AWAY JUST LAST NIGHT. AFTER A YEAR'S LONG BATTLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE, ELEANOR SCHMIDT BEGAN HER CAREER AS A LIBRARIAN IN LOS ANGELES. BEFORE JOINING THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AS MANAGER OF THE MAIN LIBRARY IN 1989, SHE BECAME LONG BEACH'S DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN 1998, A ROLE SHE HELD UNTIL HER RETIREMENT IN 2008. DURING HER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR CITY AND HER 30 YEAR LIBRARY CAREER, ELEANOR REMAINED A STEADFAST ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS AND IMPROVEMENT TO LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES. SHE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING BRING ABOUT THE OPENING OF THE MARK TWAIN LIBRARY, WHICH AT THE TIME WAS THE CITY'S FIRST NEW LIBRARY. IN 35 YEARS AS DIRECTOR, SHE LED THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT THROUGH UNCERTAIN FINANCIAL TIMES THAT SHORTENED OPERATING HOURS. AND SHE ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR FUNDING TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LIBRARIES AND KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN. NOTABLY, IN THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO HER RETIREMENT, SHE LED THE CHARGE TO RALLY HUNDREDS OF SUPPORTERS AND IDENTIFY OTHER MONEY SAVINGS AVENUES IN ORDER TO KEEP THE OLD MAIN LIBRARY OPEN. IN 2008, WHEN FINANCIAL CHALLENGES THREATENED TO SHUT IT DOWN, AS QUOTED BY A COLLEAGUE IN THE PRESS TELEGRAM ARTICLE THAT ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT, ELEANOR SCHMIDT WAS THE KIND OF LIBRARIAN THAT GOT PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT SUPPORTING THEIR LIBRARY. SHE WAS A TRUE ADVOCATE FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING AND DISCOVERY THAT LIBRARIES CAN PROVIDE. AFTER SHE RETIRED ELEANOR STATE, ACTIVE MEMBER OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY, BRINGING POSITIVITY WHEREVER SHE WENT, SHE WALKED FROM HER HOME ON OLIVE AVENUE TO TRADER JOE'S EVERY DAY, EVEN AFTER IT MOVED TO LONG BEACH BOULEVARD. EVERYONE THERE KNEW HER AND LOVED TO TRY, AND SHE TR LOVED TO TRY ALL THE SAMPLES. SHE LOVED THE JACARANDA TREES ON OUR STREET, AND SHE KNEW AND FED THE CATS ALL ALONG THE WAY THROUGH RETIREMENT, SHE REMAINED INVOLVED WITH THE FRIENDS OF THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION IN THEIR ONGOING MISSIONS TO SERVE AND SUPPORT OUR LOCAL LIBRARY SYSTEM. SHE SERVED AS A MENTOR AND DEAR FRIEND TO MANY OF THE FRIENDS MEMBERS, AND WAS A HUGE ADVOCATE AND FAN OF THE FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS, AND WAS KNOWN TO SHARE THAT PASSION BY BRINGING NEW MEMBERS THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME. THROUGH HER KINDNESS, HARD WORK, AND PASSIONATE ADVOCACY, ELEANOR HAS LEFT A LASTING MARK ON OUR CITY AND SHE WILL BE DEARLY MISSED. MAY WE TAKE THIS MOMENT TO HONOR AND REMEMBER ELEANOR SCHMIDT AND EXTEND OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS, MENTEES, AND LOVED ONES SHE LEFT BEHIND. MAY HER MEMORY AND LEGACY CONTINUE TO LIVE ON AND INSPIRE LIBRARIANS, LIBRARY GOERS, AND PASSIONATE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK [02:05:01] YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER THRASH INTU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT COUNCILWOMAN KERR. WELL, I HOPE EVERYONE HAD A WONDERFUL EASTER WEEKEND. I HAD THE CHANCE TO KICK OFF CELEBRATIONS LAST FRIDAY AT THE CARLITOS AT OUR INAUGURAL EASTER EGG HUNT FOR THE COMMUNITY. CHECK OUT LBTV FOR MORE DETAILS ON ALL OF THE FUN. IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT, HAVE SOME FUN, AND ENJOY GREAT FOOD AND SWEETS TOGETHER. I WANNA THANK THE DEDICATED STAFF OF THE CARLITOS DEVELOPMENT FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND HELPING TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. AND I WANNA THANK SEVERAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WORKED ALONGSIDE US, INCLUDING THE LONG BEACH ARTS COUNCIL AND DESTINY PRAISE CENTER FOR MAKING THE EVENT SO MEMORABLE FOR OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES. LOOKING AHEAD AT THIS WEEKEND, THERE'LL BE A WELLNESS CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11TH FROM 10 TO 1230. THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH RESOURCE FAIR IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ATTENDEES TO LEARN ABOUT POSTPARTUM AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND CONNECT WITH WELLNESS WORKSHOPS. THERE'LL BE FREE, UH, DIAPERS AND BABY CLOTHES. PLEASE CHECK THAT OUT AT THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER AT 5 5 9 9 ATLANTIC AVENUE. ON THAT SAME MORNING, OUR RIDGEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOSTING A CLEAN STREETS CLEANUP, 8:30 AM BRIGHT AND EARLY. THEY WILL MEET ON THE CORNER OF ORANGE AVENUE AND SAN ANTONIO. I ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME OUT AND VOLUNTEER TO KEEP OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. THANK YOU. COUNCILMAN BRICKS. OTI, UH, THANK YOU MAYOR. UM, SO I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THIS WEEKEND. WE HAD A LOT OF FUN AS WELL FOR EASTER WEEKEND. I HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING THE COLLEGE CORE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA THIS WEEKEND. THAT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT FOR FAMILIES, LOTS OF ENERGY AND A GREAT REMINDER OF HOW STRONG AND CONNECTED OUR COMMUNITY IS. I APPRECIATED THE CHANCE TO TALK TO RESIDENTS IN A FAMILY FRIENDLY SETTING. UM, WE ALSO HELD OUR REGULAR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP MEETING LAST TUESDAY, AND I'M PROUD TO SHARE THAT WE HAD THE REPRESENTATION FROM EACH OF OUR 10 NEIGHBORHOODS. IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION FULL OF COLLABORATION AND SHARED PRIORITY SETTING. I WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERS FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO DISTRICT NINE UPCOMING EVENTS. AS WE LOOK AHEAD, WE HAVE THE HAMILTON NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING APRIL 8TH AT 7:00 PM AT 67 40 LONG BEACH BOULEVARD, AND UPCOMING ON SATURDAY APRIL 18TH FROM 11:00 AM TO 3:00 PM THE DEFOREST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOSTING THEIR EARTH DAY AND WETLANDS CLEANUP IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR OFFICE AT THE AT DEFOREST PARK AT 6 2 5 5 DEFOREST AVENUE. THERE'S, THIS IS ALWAYS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, TAKE CARE OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, AND SHOW PRIDE IN OUR COMMUNITY. I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO JOIN US IF THEY CAN. PLEASE CONTACT MY OFFICE AT DISTRICT9@LONGBEACH.GOV IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS GREAT EVENT. GREAT. THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER KERR. YES. THANK YOU MR. MAYOR. UH, FIRSTLY, RENTAL LOS CERRITOS IS HOSTING THEIR MONTHLY BIRDWALK THIS THURSDAY AT 9:00 AM AT APRIL 9TH, SORRY, FROM 8:00 AM TO NINE 30. ENJOY A GUIDED 90 MINUTE STROLL THROUGHOUT THE BEAUTIFUL HISTORIC SITE WITH STAFF AVAILABLE FOR ANY BIRD AND NATURE RELATED QUESTIONS. NOVICE BIRDERS ARE WELCOME. BRING BINOCULARS IF YOU HAVE THEM. THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL HOWEVER RSVPS ARE REQUIRED. AND YOU CAN DO THAT@RANCHOLOSCERRITOS.ORG. NEXT, I'D LIKE TO INVITE ALL OF YOU TO RESTORATION FRIDAYS HAPPENING AT WILLOW SPRINGS PARK ON FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH FROM TWO TO 3:00 PM ENJOY CONNECTION WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR LOCAL ECOSYSTEM. YOU CAN HELP WITH VARIOUS TASKS SUCH AS WATERING, TENDING TO NATIVE PLANTS, PICKING UP LITTER, MULCHING, TRAIL MAINTENANCE, AND STEWARDING. THE PARK PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT 27 45 ORANGE. PLEASE CONSIDER BRINGING COMFORTABLE SHOES, A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE. AND DON'T FORGET YOUR SUNSCREEN. CONSIDER PAYING A VISIT TO THE LONG BEACH SHAKESPEARE COMPANY AND THEIR PERFORMANCE OF CHARLOTTE'S WEB. THE FIRST SHOWING IS THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH AT 8:00 PM AT THE HELEN BS THEATER. LOCATED AT 42 50 ATLANTIC. THE PERFORMANCES ARE ONLY FOR THIS WEEKEND, APRIL 10TH THROUGH 12TH, AND NEXT WEEKEND APRIL 17TH THROUGH 19TH. SO DON'T WAIT PURCHASE. YOU CAN PURCHASE TICKETS@LBSHAKESPEARE.ORG. LASTLY, I INVITE YOU TO HEAD OVER TO PARKVIEW VILLAGE FOR THEIR SPRING FLINK THEMED SECOND SATURDAYS ON SATURDAY, APRIL 11TH FROM 11 TO THREE. ENJOY A FESTIVE FAMILY FRIENDLY BLOCK PARTY WITH GAMES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, TIKI PUNCH AND LIVE MUSIC. YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES WITH 40 ARTISAN VENDORS THAT WOULD BE PRESENT AT THE EVENT. THERE IS NO ENTRY V OR RSVP REQUIRED. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. ALRIGHT, WELL THANKS EVERYONE. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE OUT ON SPRING BREAK WITH YOUR KIDS, WE WISH YOU, UH, WE WISH, UM, VERY MEMORABLE SPRING BREAK EXPERIENCE FOR THOSE OF YOU, UH, WITH THE LITTLE ONES. UM, AND, UH, I KNOW THAT IT CAN, UH, SOMETIMES BE, BE, BE TOUGH AS WELL. SO HANG IN THERE. SPRING BREAK IS ALMOST OVER. THANKS A LOT. THIS MEETING'S NOW ADJOURNED. * 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.