* 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. [00:05:28] UH, [00:05:28] CLERK DO YOU HAVE FIVE 30. ALL RIGHT. UM, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING OF THE, UH, BUDGETS OVER OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING TO ORDER FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 17TH, 2026. UH, WE CAN TAKE THE ROLL CALL. COUNCILWOMAN ALLEN, VICE CHAIR URANGA, PRESIDENT CHAIR, RICK SODI. UH, HERE WE HAVE A QUORUM. WONDERFUL. UH, FOR THE RECORD, UM, MEMBER ALLEN WILL NOT BE PRESENT FOR TODAY'S MEETING, BUT YOU GET, UH, LOVELY VICE MAYOR AND MYSELF. UH, SO LET'S HAVE SOME FUN. UM, PLEASE READ THE FIRST ITEM. ITEM ONE IS THE [CALL TO ORDER] RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE FY 27 PROPOSED BUDGET. [ROLL CALL] I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A FIRST AND THE SECOND. AND THEN CLERK, ARE YOU GONNA DIRECT THE, THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS? YEAH, I CAN CALL. OKAY, WONDERFUL. SO AT THIS TIME, UM, ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM SO WE CAN COUNT THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS. AND ONCE THIS NUMBER IS ESTABLISHED, NO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS WILL BE HEARD. SO IF EVERYONE COULD [1. 26-55843 Recommendation to receive and file public comments on the FY 27 Proposed Budget.       Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ] START LINING UP AT THE PODIUM, AND THEN WE'LL COUNT OUT HOW MANY MEMBERS AND THEN ANNOUNCE THE TIME. IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE AROUND 16 RIGHT NOW. ANYONE ELSE WANNA LINE UP? OH, I GOT A COUPLE MORE. I THINK WE'RE AT 19 WITH THE, THOSE THREE WHO WALKED IN. FOR THOSE WHO JUST WALKED IN, UH, WE'RE LINING UP TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, SO IF YOU'RE PLANNING TO SPEAK DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, PLEASE LINE UP SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE GET AN ACCURATE COUNT. LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE 22. OKAY. AND WITH THAT, I THINK WE'RE GONNA GO TO 90 SECONDS CHAIR, IS THAT CORRECT? CORRECT. WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE ABLE TO GET EVERY, ACCOMMODATE EVERYBODY. ALRIGHT, AND WE'LL GET THE TIMER UP AND GET STARTED. YOU CAN BEGIN. OH, SIR, SIR, WE ARE, WE ARE, WE ARE ALL READY FOR YOU. THANK YOU. UM, IT, IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU. UM, TONIGHT I'M COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'M REVEREND DR. JONATHAN MITCHELL. I'M ON THE MINISTRY TEAM OF ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HERE IN, IN IN LONG BEACH. AND, UM, I'M ALSO HERE REPRESENTING CLERGY AND LAIE UNITED FOR ECONOMIC JUSTICE. UM, PRETTY MUCH EVERY SATURDAY, UM, I'M AT, UH, WHAT WE CALL OUR SHOWER PROGRAM AT, AT ST. LUKE'S, WHERE WE ARE OFFERING SHOWERS AS OUR NAME SUGGESTS, BUT ALSO MEALS, CLOTHES, FOOT CARE, A NUMBER OF SERVICES, UM, TO OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS. AND I GET TO EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND HOW DAMAGING IT IS TO PEOPLE'S PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH TO END UP ON THE STREET. IT IS TRULY A DEHUMANIZING E EXPERIENCE. AND, UM, I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO, UM, CONSIDER TO, UM, PASS THE ITEMS IN YOUR BUDGET THAT WOULD HELP PREVENT PEOPLE FROM ENDING UP ON THE, THE STREET, ESPECIALLY, UM, THE TENANTS, RIGHT, THE COUNCIL AND, UM, THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. I, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THE SLIDE INTO HOMELESSNESS AND ULTIMATELY TO LIFE ON THE STREET, IT WOULD BE A, A BLESSING AND, AND A BENEFIT TO A COMMUNITY AND, AND THE MORALLY AND SPIRITUALLY RIGHT THING TO DO. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO. HOPE YOU GUYS ARE ALL DOING WELL. MY NAME IS MARQUEZ BELLING. UM, I AM A RESIDENT IN SIGNAL HILL AND A RECENT PHD RECIPIENT FROM UC, IRVINE. UM, I'M HERE TO REALLY JUST SPEAK ON WHAT I BELIEVE IS A MUCH MORE HOLISTIC STRUCTURAL BALANCE AND WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED BY THE CITY [00:10:01] COUNCIL. ONE OF THE POINTS THAT THEY MENTIONED IS THAT THEY WANT TO ALLOCATE AN ADDITIONAL $14 MILLION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BUT YOU KNOW, THEY THINK IT'S ALSO RESPONSIBLE TO ALLOW OUR HOMELESS POPULATION, OUR YOUTH, AND ALSO PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH KEEPING THEIR HOMES TO KIND OF FEND FOR THEMSELVES, WHICH I DON'T THINK IS FAIR, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE LIBRARY BRANCHES ARE FACING ALMOST $1.4 MILLION IN PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS, WHICH GREATLY IMPROVES, YOU KNOW, JUST THE OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE WHO NEED THOSE SERVICES, ESPECIALLY OUR HOMELESS POPULATION. UM, SO I REALLY JUST WANT TO URGE CITY COUNCIL TO REALLOCATE THEIR PROPOSED $14 MILLION FOR INCREASING POLICE BUDGET TOWARDS, AND RATHER MOVE THAT MONEY TOWARDS SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT PROVIDE DIRECT AND REAL IMPROVEMENT TO THE PEOPLE OF LONG BEACH, UM, SUCH AS THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST TENANT RIGHT TO COUNCIL, AND ALSO PROTECTING THE IMPACTED LIBRARY BRANCHES. I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MONEY LEFT OVER AFTERWARDS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO, I'M HERE AS A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE AND I'VE HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SERVING THE EL DORADO COMMUNITY AS A LIBRARY ASSISTANT FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS. THIS BRANCH IS A VIBRANT, HIGHLY ENGAGED COMMUNITY, AND WITH THIS PROPOSED BUDGET, STAFF WOULD BE CUT BY ABOUT 50%. WE ASK THAT YOU PREVENT LAYOFFS OR THE ELIMINATION OF FILLED LIBRARY POSITIONS. EL DORADO IS THE HIGHEST CIRCULATING LOCATION IN THE SYSTEM, BUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS ARE CIRCULATION STAFF FROM FOUR TO TWO PEOPLE. THE TWO PROGRAMMING STAFF THAT BE CUT LED 186 OUT OF 204 TOTAL COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS PAST YEAR, WHICH RECEIVED REGULAR HIGH ATTENDANCE WITH WEEKLY STORY TIME. FOR EXAMPLE, BRINGING IN 60 PLUS PEOPLE ON AVERAGE, THESE BUDGET CUTS DO NOT OCCUR IN A VACUUM. PARENTS HAVE SAID THEY FOUND AN EQUIVALENT PROGRAM AS OUR BABY IN ME CIRCLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, BUT WE'RE EXPECTED TO PAY $400 PER MONTH BY GIVING ACCESS TO MATERIALS. THE SYSTEM HAS SAVED PEOPLE $26,030,000 IN THE LAST YEAR THAT IS UPLIFTING PEOPLE WHEN FAMILIES ARE ALREADY SO FINANCIALLY STRAINED. LIBRARIES ARE COOLING CENTERS. WE ASK THAT YOU PREVENT ANY FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRANCH OPERATING HOURS FROM SIX TO FIVE DAY SERVICE. AS A MATTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, LIBRARY STAFF ARE AT THE FRONT LINES OF MANY EMERGENCIES RESIDENTS ARE FACING, AND LIBRARIES CAN HELP PEOPLE SHOULDER THAT BURDEN. BURDEN CUTTING LIBRARY FUNDING AFFECTS THE KIDS TWICE AS HARD AT A TIME THAT WE SHOULD BE THERE FOR THEM BECAUSE BEGINNING THIS FALL, L-B-O-S-D LIBRARY STAFF HAS BEEN CUT BY MORE THAN HALF NOW SHARING 23 STAFF ACROSS 84 SCHOOLS, LEAVING MANY SCHOOL LIBRARIES CLOSED FOR 80% OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. DEFEND LIBRARIES AGAINST CUTS TO CRUCIAL RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING CHAIR RICK ODI AND VICE CHAIR RANGA. I AM A PROUD RESIDENT OF LONG BEACH AND A MOTHER, AND TODAY I SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THE CITY'S PROPOSED BUDGET REDUCTIONS TO THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM. BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT WE'LL HAVE TO THE CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S LIBRARY CARD, AND THESE ARE THE BUTTONS AND THE STAMPS SHE COLLECTED FROM VISITING EACH OF THE 12 LIBRARIES IN OUR SYSTEM. AND THE LIBRARY CARD TRULY IS A PASSPORT TO A BETTER LIFE AND IMAGINATION AND SAFETY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY. IT CAN TRANSPORT A SCHOOL-AGED CHILD, TORTURED BY THE CLASS BULLY TO THE MAGICAL WORLD OF DRAGONS AND WIZARDS. IT CAN SUPPORT A GAY OR NON-BINARY TEENAGER'S IDENTITY WITH SAFE AND AFFIRMING SPACE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES AND FIND COMMUNITY. IT CAN CONNECT A FRAZZLED NEW MOTHER OF TODDLERS WITH POTTY TRAINING, TIPS AND COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS, AND IT CAN OFFER SENIORS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND PURPOSE WITH BOOK CLUBS, CRAFTING, CRAFTING CIRCLES AND TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOPS. I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS VALUE LIBRARIES AND VALUE AND LIBRARY PROGRAMMING BECAUSE I SEE THE EVENTS LISTED ON YOUR OFFICIAL CITY WEBSITES, BUT IF YOU VOTE TO APPROVE THESE PROPOSED BUDGET REDUCTIONS, THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM, WHO WILL BE LEFT TO RUN THESE PROGRAMS IF YOU CUT JUST 11 FTE WITH THE LEAST SENIORITY? DID YOU KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE LIBRARY PROGRAMS AT OUR LIBRARIANS ARE THE LEAST SENIOR? THEY PROVIDE VALUABLE RESOURCES, THEY HELP OUR CHILDREN DREAM OF BETTER LIVES AND GIVE THEM THE TOOLS TO ACHIEVE THESE DREAMS AND MAKE THEM BECOME A REALITY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. UM, FYII THINK I SEE A FEW. OH NO, YOU'RE GOOD. I THINK I SEE A FEW PEOPLE ADDING THEMSELVES TO THE LINE. I'M NOT SURE WHO THE END OF THE LINE WAS, BUT JUST KNOW THAT WE HAD TO CLOSE THE, THE, THE LINE. SO WHOEVER'S THE LAST, NOW YOU CAN STILL BE THE LAST PERSON, BUT IF THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WHO COME IN, UH, WELL, THEY CAN SPEAK DURING PUBLIC, UH, THE GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT WE HAVE TO LIMIT THE LINE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET EVERYBODY THROUGH AND HEAR EVERYONE'S PUBLIC COMMENT. THANK YOU. NEXT PERSON. ALL RIGHT. HI, BUDGET COUNCIL MEMBERS AND LONG BEACH RESIDENTS. MY NAME IS ALIN AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT THE $58 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT IS AN AWAKENING MOMENT FOR SO MANY LONG BEACH RESIDENTS. YOU COULD FEEL THE ANGER AND CONFUSION IN THE STREETS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA WHEREVER YOU LOOK. THE PEOPLE DEMAND TO KNOW WHY THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF CUTS HAPPENING TO OUR LIBRARIES, [00:15:01] PARK SERVICING AND HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS. HOW DID WE GET HERE? THE BUDGET CUTS SHOULD BE AIMED AT DEFUNDING OUR BLOATED POLICE BUDGET. WHY DOES 40% OF OUR CURRENT BUDGET GO TOWARDS THE POLICE THAT PATROL SURVEIL AND BRING FEAR AND OFTENTIMES VIOLENCE INTO OUR COMMUNITIES? OUR LIBRARIAN CLERKS DO NOT USE FALL CAMERAS TO SPY ON CIVILIANS. OUR PARKS PROVIDE A SPACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER. LONG BEACH HAS A GROWING HOMELESSNESS CRISIS THAT'S ONLY INCREASED IN THE LAST YEAR, AND NOW IT'S BEING PROPOSED THAT THIS IS WHERE WE ARE CUTTING SERVICES. YOU'RE WANTING TO LAY OFF PUBLIC SERVANTS THAT PROVIDE A POSITIVE ROLE IN OUR CITY RATHER THAN DEFUNDING THE POLICE FORCE THAT PROTECTS ICE AGENTS RATHER THAN THE RESIDENTS ON OUR STREETS. AS A LONG BEACH RESIDENT, I HATE THE IDEA OF SPACE SPEECH, THE FACT THAT ANDRO IS BUILDING A CAMPUS NEAR THE AIRPORT AND THIS AI WEAPONS COMPANY HAS ALREADY BEEN PREYING ON OUR STUDENTS AT LBCC AND CAL STATE LONG BEACH CAMPUSES. I'M DISGUSTED AND I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE IN FEELING THAT WAY. IF THIS EXPANSION OF SPACE SPEECH IS INEVITABLE, THESE MULTIMILLION AND BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES, MILLION BETTER PAY MASSIVE TAXES TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SERVICES THAT WE NEED AND RELY ON. THANKS. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO, MY NAME IS HEIDI RAMIREZ AND I AM, I CURRENTLY LIVE IN LONG BEACH AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS AND JUST REALLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE HERE IN LONG BEACH. AS A KID, I FOUND REFUGE AT THE LIBRARY. IT BECAME A SANCTUARY WHEN LIFE WAS REALLY DIFFICULT, SO IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY LONG BEACH WOULD WANT TO CUT HOURS WITH THE LIBRARY. IT PROVIDES A LOT OF HELP FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE. IT PROVIDES A LOT OF TEACHING FOR ADULTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE. THERE'S A LITERACY CRISIS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AND IT JUST SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE TO CUT ONE OF THE FEW PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THAT FOR PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE PRIVATE TUTORING, IT'S DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE LONG BEACH PD HAS GOTTEN A $40 MILLION BUDGET INCREASE SINCE 2023. WHEN WE'RE FACING ALL THESE CUTS TO HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS, WE'RE THINKING ABOUT FUNDING, UH, WHAT DO YOU CALL IT, UM, THE OLYMPICS HERE. I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE PRIORITIZING, AND I THINK WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE OUR CITIZENS BEFORE WE START COMING UP WITH AN A PLACE TO PLAY MUSIC DOWN BY THE QUEEN MARY OR THE OLYMPICS. LET'S PRIORITIZE OUR PEOPLE. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI, I'M NATE KNIT, REPRESENTING THE LONG BEACH AREA PEACE NETWORK. UM, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE SCREEN, THE CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTMENT SCREENING POLICY, UM, FOR THE, FOR LE BOIN. UM, I WAS SOMEWHAT THROWN BY THE FACT THAT AT THE LAST BUDGET MEETING, THE STAFF REPORT WAS ON THE ORIGINAL PROVISIONS THAT HAD BEEN SUBMITTED AND IGNORED THE FACT THAT WE HAD BEEN WORKING WITH STAFF TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS. AND WHAT I'M ASKING, IT'S A SIMPLE ASK, IS FOR YOU TO ASK FOR A STAFF REPORT ON THE REVISED UH, SCREENING POLICY FOR THE AUGUST 25TH MEETING. SO THANK YOU. THANKS, NATA. NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO, UH, MY NAME IS DENISE. I AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO, UM, AT A TIME WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ATTACKING OUR COMMUNITIES FROM SO MANY DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. UM, CUTTING BACK ON CITY SUPPORT FOR ITS RESIDENTS IS NOT THE ANSWER. I URGE THIS COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PROGRAMS LIKE THE JUSTICE FUND RIGHT TO COUNCIL, COMMUNITY LAND TRUST LIBRARY SERVICES, AND SO MANY OTHER SERVICES THAT MY NEIGHBORS HAVE BEEN MENTIONING THIS BUDGET SEASON. CONSIDER THEM ALL ESSENTIAL TO THE WELLBEING AND SURVIVAL OF LONG BEACH RESIDENTS. THESE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE HARD. THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO FACE ATTACKS, TENANTS CONTINUE TO FACE RISING COSTS, AND MANY WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS, WHICH MEANS MORE FOLKS MAY DEPEND ON THESE PROGRAMS THAT WE ARE CUTTING. I ASKED YOU TO FUND 3 MILLION FOR THE JUSTICE FUND, 2.2 FOR THE TENANT'S RIGHT TO COUNSEL AND 200,000 FOR THE COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. UM, I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK FOR NO CUTS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT IS ALSO DEPARTMENT THAT, UM, THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND MANY COMMUNITIES REALLY DEPEND ON. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M BARBARA SOSA AND I REPRESENT THE FRIENDS OF THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY. HI YOU GUYS. UM, I'D LIKE TO LEAVE WITH YOU A DOCUMENT THAT WAS PART OF THE 24 25 FISCAL YEAR LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORTS. THIS DOCUMENT IS A SNAPSHOT OF EXACTLY WHAT THE LIBRARY DOES. AS YOU CAN WE'LL [00:20:01] SEE, OUR LIBRARY HANDLED MORE THAN 1 MILLION PERSONAL INTERACTIVE PATRONS FROM, UM, CHECKING BOOKS OUT TO COMPUTER SESSIONS TO ANSWERING REFERENCE QUESTIONS. AND THAT WAS AN INCREASE OF 21 20% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR, AND THIS WAS DONE IN ALL 12 LIBRARIES WITH A STAFF OF LESS THAN 200 PEOPLE. OBVIOUSLY, I'M SEARCHING, I AM PREACHING TO THE CHOIR BECAUSE I KNOW YOU DON'T WANT TO CUT LIBRARY FUNDS EITHER AND WE DON'T WANT THEM, BUT IF CUTS HAVE TO BE MADE, LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE ASK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE MOST RESPONSIBLE AND EDUCATED PEOPLE TO MAKE THOSE CUTS WITH THE BEST INTENTIONS FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. AND THAT WOULD BE THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND HER STAFF. THEY WOULD BE THE ONES TO, TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF CUTS WOULD BE MADE, AND I KNOW THAT'S A HEART WRENCHING DECISION FOR THEM. UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONSIDER THE MAYOR'S PROPOSAL, UH, WHICH INCREASES THE BUDGET BY $50,000. AND THE, AND THE BUDGET PROPOSAL THAT'S ON THE PLATE FOR TOMORROW FROM ME, MEGAN KERR'S OFFICE, THAT WOULD HELP US. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LILI PIERA. I AM A DISTRICT ONE RESIDENT AND, UM, OUTREACH AND ORGANIZING DIRECTOR WITH LONG BEACH RESIDENTS EMPOWERED, UM, HERE IN SOLIDARITY ALSO WITH THE JUSTICE FUND, BUT WANT TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS ABOUT THE HOUSING ALLOCATIONS IN THE BUDGET THIS YEAR. UM, WE ARE GRATEFUL TO SEE 1.6, UH, BEING MILLION BEING RECOMMENDED FOR TENANT RIGHT TO COUNCIL IN THE MAYOR'S BUDGET, BUT WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE SETTLEMENT FUNDS, AND SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT ALLOCATION INCREASE TO 2.2 MILLION. UM, WE ALSO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE, UM, COUNTY MEASURE A ALLOCATIONS BEING SENT OUT FOR APPROVAL TO LA CASA AND BEING, UM, THAT PROCESS CUTTING OUT COMMUNITY INPUT AND STAKEHOLDER INPUT. AND SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE CAN KEEP THIS A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY VOICES ARE ALSO PART OF THE CONVERSATION. UH, WITH THE CURRENT FUNDING THAT WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING, UM, THIS PROGRAM CAN HELP WITH 9% OF ALL UNLAWFUL DETAINER CASES. THAT MEANS THAT MOST UNLAWFUL DETAINERS ARE STILL GOING WITHOUT SUPPORT AND REPRESENTATION, AND SO WE ASK THE CITY TO HELP US GROW THIS PROGRAM SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE MORE LONG BEACH TENANTS CAN STAY HOUSED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. MY NAME'S LISA DE SMIT AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ARTS COUNCIL FOR LONG BEACH. I HAVE A COUPLE OF BOARD MEMBERS WITH ME, JENNIFER JULE AND SAMANTHA AS WELL. UM, FIRST WE WANNA THANK, UH, CITY MANAGER TOM MOCA, MAYOR REZ RE RICHARDSON, AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL FOR REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS COUNCIL IN THE PROPOSED FY 27 BUDGET. WE RECOGNIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES FACING LONG BEACH, AND WE DON'T TAKE THIS PRESERVATION OF OUR FUNDS FOR GRANTED. THE CITY'S INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS COUNCIL REACHES BEYOND OUR ORGANIZATION. WE USE LIMITED RESOURCES TO SUPPORT ARTISTS, PROVIDE GRANTS FOR LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND CONNECT STUDENTS WITH ARTS, EDUCATION, ADVANCE PUBLIC ART PROJECTS, MAINTAIN RESOURCES SUCH AS THE ARTIST REGISTRY, PUBLIC ART MAP, AND ADVOCATE FOR LONG BEACH'S CREATIVE COMMUNITY AT THE COUNTY, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS. WE'RE ALSO A TRUSTED PARTNER IN THE CITY AND MOVE, UM, AN ARTS INITIATIVE FROM AN IDEA TO SOMETHING RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE. WE BRING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ARTISTS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, KNOWLEDGE OF NEIGHBORHOODS, AND THE ABILITY TO HELP PROJECTS MOVE EFFICIENTLY AND INCLUSIVELY. THAT ROLE HAS BECOME EVEN MORE IMPORTANT AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 2028, UM, OLYMPICS AND PARALYMPICS THROUGH PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS, EXPAND LIVE MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES AND LOOK FOR NEW WAYS TO ACTIVATE NEIGHBORHOODS AND PUBLIC SPACES. WE KNOW THE COMING BUDGET YEAR WILL REQUIRE CREATIVITY, COLLABORATION, AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS. THE ARTS COUNCIL'S READY TO BE A PART OF THAT WORK, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CITY IN NEW WAYS, FINDING OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE OUTSIDE RESOURCES AND CONTINUING TO MAKE THE PUBLIC DOLLAR. THANK YOU AND TRUSTED YOUR TIME IS CO CONCLUDED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS MARIVILLE. I'M THE INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR . I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO SHARE WITH YOU THE GREAT IMPORTANCE IT IS TO FUND CRITICAL PROGRAMS IN OUR CITY. LAST SUMMER, WE SAW PEOPLE GETTING KIDNAPPED FROM THE STREETS. FOR US AS COMMUNITY CONNECTORS FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND, WE SAW A DRASTIC NEED BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE SCARED AND THEY [00:25:01] NEEDED LEGAL, EXCUSE ME, THEY NEEDED LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO GET THEIR FAMILIES OUT OF DETENTION. THE JUSTICE FUND COULDN'T HELP EVERYONE, BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE ABLE TO GET REPRESENTATION, IT TRIPLED THEIR CHANCES OF RELEASE. EVEN THOUGH WE AREN'T SEEING TRAUMATIC VIDEOS ONLINE OR IN THE NEWS AS OFTEN AS LAST SUMMER, OUR NEIGHBORS ARE BEING TAKEN, BUT IN MORE QUIET WAYS, THIS MEANS THAT WE WILL NEED MORE SUPPORT FOR THE JUSTICE FUND AND THAT'S WHY WE ASK THE CITY TO INVEST 3 MILLION IN THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND TO ENSURE FAMILIES HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL SUPPORT AND CAN REMAIN TOGETHER. ADDITIONALLY, WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH COMMUNITY BY, WITH THE COMMUNITY BY ASKING THAT THE CITY ALLOCATE 2.2 MILLION IN COUNTY A MEASURES TO EXPAND THE TENANT RIGHTS TO COUNCIL PROGRAM AND TO ALLOCATE 200,000 IN COUNTY A FUNDS, UH, FOR THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. ADDITIONALLY, WE SHARE OUR SUPPORT FOR THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND TO, AND ANY CUTS FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS KI SANCHEZ AND I'M THE HEALTH JUSTICE MANAGER AT . UM, I'M HERE TO DEMAND THE CITY RAISE STRUCTURAL FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND TO $3 MILLION FOR NEW CITY DOLLARS. UH, THIS FUND HAS HELPED STOP THE DEPORTATION OF LOVED ONES AND KEPT FAMILIES TOGETHER. UM, I DON'T THINK I NEED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU ALL THE IMPACT FEDERAL POLICIES, UM, HAVE AND THE VIOLENT KIDNAPPINGS THAT ARE TARGETING IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES HAVE HAD ON THE CITY. UM, IF YOU GET TO UNDERSTAND THE SEVERITY OF THESE ATTACKS AND FEARS ON OUR COMMUNITIES, UH, THE FEAR THAT OUR COMMUNITY LIVES WITH EVERY DAY, THEN HOW CAN WE TRUST, UM, THAT THE CITY WILL IMPLEMENT A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES? OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MADE NO HESITATION IMPLEMENTING ITS ATTACKS ON OUR COMMUNITY. AND THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, UM, HAS TAKEN MINIMAL STEPS TO ENSURE ITS RESIDENTS ARE PROTECTED AND THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. UH, ONCE AGAIN, I'M HERE TO DEMAND YOU ALLOCATE 3 MILLION INSTRUCTURAL FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. ADDITIONALLY, I'M HERE TO DEMAND THAT NO CUTS ARE MADE TO THE LONG BEACH HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WHICH PROVIDES CRUCIAL SAFETY NET ENROLLMENT SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT. UH, THESE SERVICES ARE CRUCIAL TO THE WELL BRINGING OF OUR IMMIGRANT, UH, IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANNA MENDEZ. I AM THE OPERATION SPECIALIST AT ORLE. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I'M HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ASK FOR $3 MILLION OF CITY FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. THE $3 MILLION IS A NECESSARY BUDGET ASK IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT IS ABLE TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE BEING TARGETED AND SEPARATED FROM THEIR LOVED ONES. FAMILIES IMPACTED BY A DETAINED FAMILY MEMBER ARE OFTEN LEFT TO FIGURE IT OUT ON THEIR OWN AND MUST DEAL WITH THE CONSTANT FRUSTRATIONS OF NAVIGATING THE FLAWED IMMIGRATION LEGAL SYSTEM. PRESIDENTS OF LONG BEACH DESERVE TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE UNJUSTLY XENOPHOBIC FEDERAL POLICIES. I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW GUT WRENCHING IT CAN BE TO HAVE A LOVED ONE BE IN THREAT OF BEING DETAINED. I KNOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY TO BARELY PAY THEIR RENT AND GROCERIES. WE CAN'T LOSE IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. NO CUTS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OTHER VERY CRUCIAL AREAS LIKE THE LIBRARY. I LOVE THE WORK THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE LIBRE COMMUNITY, LAND TRUST AND ORLE ARE DOING TO VOICE THE CONSTANT STRUGGLES OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT WE WORK CLOSELY WITH. WE ARE DOING THE WORK. WE ARE HERE VOICING OUR CONCERNS, HEAR US, THE PEOPLE WHO DAILY DO THE WORK, AND WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SUCH HORRIFYING IMPACTS. WE WANT NEW CITY DOLLARS ALLOCATED TO THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. THANK YOU. YOUR TIME HAS LAPSED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ANGELA ANDRE AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT THREE. I WORK WITH THE, UH, ORGANIZATION. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THEM, AND I'M HERE TO REQUEST $3 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF THIS ORGANIZATION LONG BEACH. SINCE THEY ARE STILL SEPARATING FAMILIES WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, THE JUSTICE FUNDS, UH, HELPS FAMILIES, UH, [00:30:01] TO BE SO THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO DEFEND THEIR CASES. HOPEFULLY WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THAT FUND YEAR AFTER YEAR BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE A GREAT I POSITIVE IMPACT TO ALL THE LIFE OF ALL OF THE RESIDENTS. WE ARE ALSO REQUESTING SUPPORT TO THE, UH, PROGRAM FOR RESIDENTS FOR $2.2 MILLION. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. OKAY. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS MAGALIA PEDA AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT NINE OF LONG BEACH. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST SO THAT WE CAN ALL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS ORGANIZATIONS AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE, UH, LOW INCOME HOUSING THAT IS PERMANENT AND ACCESSIBLE. I REQUEST THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE THE PROMISE OF $200,000 IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THE WORK AND BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE IN NEED. I'M ALSO REQUESTING SUPPORT FOR $2 MILLION FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE, UH, RENTERS AND SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DEFEND OURSELVES AND ALSO 3 MILLION FOR THE JUSTICE FUND. THANK YOU. I HOPE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DIANA. I RECITE IN COUNCIL DISTRICT TWO AND I'M THE MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR AT THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. I'M HERE TODAY IN STRONG SUPPORT OF CONTINUING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT AT 200,000 FOR CAPACITY BUILDING FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH CCLT THROUGH COUNTY ME MEASURE A. BECAUSE THIS FUNDING COMES FROM A DEDICATED SOURCE AND IS COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND, IT OFFERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE CITY'S ONGOING INVESTMENT IN HOUSING STABILITY WITHOUT TAPPING INTO GENERAL FUND RESOURCES. THE PROMISE OF PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY OWNED HOUSING IS A PROMISE TO MY COMMUNITY, MY NEIGHBORS, AND TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT WE BELONG AND WILL HAVE A PLACE IN THE CITY. IT'S A PROMISE FOR A LIFE OF DIGNITY AND A HOME WITHOUT QUESTION IN A TIME OF CRISIS. AND INCREASING GR AND INCREASING GRE AN INCREASING THREATS OF DISPLACEMENT AND HOMELESSNESS. THIS IS WHY IT'S CRUCIAL THAT THE CITY PROTECT THE INVESTMENTS IT HAS ALREADY MADE IN HOUSING STABILITY. THROUGH THE LONG BEACH CLT, WE ARE ASKING THE CITY TO PROTECT THIS EXISTING FUNDING STREAM SO THIS IMPORTANT WORK CAN CONTINUE. THE CITY NOW HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STABILIZE EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS LIKE THE LONG BEACH CLT, PROTECT EXISTING INVESTMENTS AND SUPPORT THEM IN CONTINUING TO GROW THEIR IMPACT. WE ARE THANKFUL FOR THE IN THE INVESTMENTS IN THE CLT SO FAR, AND ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE THE SUPPORT AS WE BUILD ON THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE TOGETHER. WE ALSO SUPPORT 2.2 MILLION IN COUNTY MEASURE A FUNDING FOR TENANT RIGHT TO CANCEL, WHICH CONNECTS TENANTS TO FREE EVICTION, EVICTION DEFENSE, AND 3 MILLION FOR THE JUSTICE FUND TO PROTECT LONG BEACH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND CONNECT THEM TO LEGAL SUPPORT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. SORRY, . GOOD EVENING, MEMBERS OF THE BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS A KING. UM, I'M THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST HOUSING STEWARDSHIP, UH, COORDINATOR. I RESIDE IN DISTRICT NINE OF LONG BEACH AND I'M ALSO A COMMUNITY WORKER WITH THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN OUR CITY. AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS A PRIORITY. WE HAVE A HUGE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS SUFFERING FROM HOUSING INSTABILITY, INCREASING RENTS, STRUGGLES PAYING IN THEIR BILLS, AND SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN FACING EVICTION AND HOMELESSNESS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST MEMBERS AND OUR COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM THE [00:35:01] CITY AROUND OUR COMMUNITY PRIORITY TO BEING HELP TO THOSE IN NEED. THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST IMPACT IS GROWING AS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES MOVE FORWARD. WE ALSO GROWING OUR COMMUNITY WITH OVER 130 MEMBERS WHILE WORKING DEEPLY WITH LONG BEACH RESIDENTS, BUILDING LONG-TERM AND MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, AND SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES TO STAY ROOTED IN PLACE AND THRIVE. MAINTAINING THIS FOUNDING IS ESSENTIAL TO SUSTAINING THE PROGRESS WE'VE ALREADY MADE. THEREFORE, I'M HERE SPEAKING TODAY IN SUPPORT OF CONTINUING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT OF $200,000 FOR CAPACITY BUILDING FOUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST THROUGH COUNTY MEASURE A, WHICH IS SEPARATE FROM THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND. CONTINUING WITH THIS FUNDS WILL ALLOW US TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRESS WE'VE MADE IN ADVANCING PERMANENTLY AFFORDABLE COMMUNITY OWNED HOUSING IN LONG BEACH. WE'RE HERE TO ALSO SUPPORT THE 2.2 MILLIONS IN COUNTY MEASURE. SORRY, YOUR TIME IS UP. RIGHTS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. HELLO, MY NAME IS M AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT NINE. I'M HERE TO REQUEST, UH, SUPPORT FOR THE ASSIGNATION OF $3 MILLION FOR THE STRUCTURAL FUND. A UH, ALF, UH, AND FOR THE JUSTICE FUND OF LONG BEACH, ALTHOUGH NOW THEY DO IT LESS ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN LONG BEACH, BEACH, DHS AND ICE CONTINUE TO SEPARATE FAMILIES IN LONG BEACH. ES. THIS FUND GIVES, UH, FAMILIES FUNDAMENTAL, UH, HELP SO THAT THEY ARE ABLE, OH, SO THEY ARE ABLE TO LEAVE DETENTION AND IT ALSO HELPS THEM, UH, DEFEND THEIR CASES BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE A HIGHER PROBABILITY TO OF RECEIVING AN EXPULSION. THIS WOULD HAPPEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION. HOWEVER, LEGAL REPRESENTATION CAN BE LIFE CHANGING. LONG BEACH. LONG BEACH HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE INCREASING THIS FUND YEAR AFTER YEAR, CONTINUING TO BRING POSITIVE IMPACT TO THEIR RESIDENTS. YES, IMPORTANT. THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO REQUEST $3 MILLION FOR THE JUSTICE FUND. THE HARM THAT THEY'RE CAUSING BY SEPARATING THEM FROM SEPARATING US FROM OUR LOVED ONES. GRANDE IS GREATER THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE. WHAT IMMIGRANTS ARE LIVING INSIDE DETENTION CENTERS IS UNFAIR. AND WHAT THEY ARE ALSO DOING WITH THOSE CHILDREN OF THOSE FAMILIES, IT'S ONLY FAIR THAT WE HELP THEM AND THAT YOU SUPPORT US, AND THAT YOU ALSO HELP THEM WITH THE $3 MILLION TO REMOVE THEM FROM THAT SITUATION. THANK YOU. TIME IS LAPSED. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. OKAY. HELLO, MY NAME IS GUADALUPE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT SIX, [00:40:10] THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY. I AM HERE TO REQUEST SUPPORT FOR THAT THE CITY CONTINUE TO UPHOLD ITS PROMISE OF $200,000 FOR THE FINANCING AND THE, UH, STRENGTHENING OF THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST, UH, WITH THROUGH, THROUGH MEASURE A, WHICH IS INDEPENDENT OF THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND. CONTINUING THIS INVESTMENT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AC ACHIEVE UP UNTIL NOW IN LONG BEACH. WITH REGARDS TO ACCESSIBLE HOUSING WITHIN THE, UH, COMMUNITY PROPERTIES OF LONG BEACH, THE HIGH COST OF HOUSING AND HOW UNAFFORDABLE IT IS, IS WHAT CAUSED ME TO BE HERE TODAY. IMPORTANT FOR ME, IT IS QUITE IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE INVESTMENT THAT THE CITY HAS ALREADY, UH, DONE WITH ESTABLISHING HOUSING THROUGHOUT LONG BEACH CLT. WE REQUEST, WE ARE HERE TO REQUEST THAT THE CITY MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF FINANCING THAT THEY HAVE HAD UP UNTIL NOW SO THAT CLT CAN CONTINUE. THE IMPACT OF LONG BEACH CLT IS GROWING. UH, UH, WHILST THE OPPORTUNITIES OF OF, UH, ACCESSIBLE HOUSING CONTINUES, WE ARE ALSO GROWING OUR COMMUNITY OF 130 MEMBERS AND GROWING WHILE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS, ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND GROWING OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT EVERYBODY CAN PROSPER. THANK YOU. CONTINUING THE FINANCING WITH ESSENTIAL TO BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE GAINED. LONG. CLT, THE CITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH PROGRAMS THAT ARE EFFECTIVE LIKE LONG BEACH CLT. OKAY. NEXT SPEAKER, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT. UH, HI. MY NAME IS CARLOS. I AM COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER WITH AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT EIGHT. I'M HERE TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR THE ALLOCATION OF, UH, $3 MILLION IN STRUCTURAL FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. AMERICAN FAMILIES CONTINUE TO BE UNDER ATTACK. THEY HAVE BEEN FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW, AND WITH THE INCREASE IN ISS BUDGET, WE ANTICIPATE THAT THIS IS ONLY GONNA CONTINUE. IN FACT, IT ALREADY HAS BEEN CONTINUING, UH, THROUGHOUT THIS YEAR AS WELL. THERE'S A FASCINATING IN OUR COMMUNITIES FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION, WHICH MAKES A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTCOMES OF LOCAL FAMILIES CASES. UH, UNFORTUNATELY, AFFORDABLE AND CREDIBLE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS HARD TO COME BY FOR A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT WE WORK WITH THAT CALL OUR CITY HOME. UH, LACK OF REPRESENTATION MEANS AN INCREASED CHANCE OF CONTINUED VIOLENCE. IT MEANS MORE FAMILY SEPARATION, IT MEANS MORE LIFE ALTERING TRAUMA THAT'S GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO BE INFLICTED ON LOCAL FAMILIES, OUR NEIGHBORS, UH, WITH LESS RESOURCES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES THROUGH THESE CRISES. PLEASE STAND WITH IMMIGRANT FAMILIES FUND THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND WITH, UH, $3 MILLION IN STRUCTURAL FUNDING TO MEET THE GREAT NEED THAT EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. UH, ADDITIONALLY, AS I'D LIKE TO ASK Y'ALL TO SUPPORT THE, UH, HOUSING DEMANDS OF MEASURE A FUNDING AND THE AMOUNT OF 2.2 MILLION FOR TENANT RIGHT TO COUNCIL AND 200,000 FOR THE CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE LONG BEACH COMMUNITY LAND TRUST. UH, AND I'D LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING CUTS TO LIBRARY AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT POSITIONS AND, AND PROGRAMMING. UH, THEIR PROGRAMMING IS CRITICAL TO THE WELLBEING OF SO MANY YOUTH IMMIGRANT LGBTQ PLUS AND HOMELESS FOLKS IN OUR CITY. AND HAVING CRITICAL, EVEN FOR SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF TO BE HERE [00:45:01] WITH Y'ALL TODAY, OUR COMMUNITIES WILL SUFFER WITHOUT ALL OF THESE CRITICAL PROGRAMS AND TEAMS. PLEASE, UH, HELP THEM KEEP GOING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING, CHAIR RICKS OTI AND VICE MAYOR ORANGA. MY NAME IS ALYSSA GUTIERREZ AND I'M A SECOND DISTRICT RENTER AND MA FOUR. IN THE CONTEXT OF BUDGET, OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT AND IMPOSSIBLE BUDGET DECISIONS, I ASK YOU TO PRIORITIZE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT KEEP PEOPLE SAFE, HEALTHY, HOUSED, AND ABLE TO THRIVE. THAT MEANS PROTECTING OUR LIBRARIES, PARKS, YOUTH PROGRAMMING, AND, UM, AND INCLUDES, UH, $3 MILLION FOR THE JUSTICE FUND. THESE ARE THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE. SO AS YOU CONSIDER THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, I URGE THE COMMITTEE TO RESIST IDEAS THAT ONLY, UH, THAT THE ONLY RESPONSIBLE RESPONSE TO A DEFICIT IS TO CUT THE PROGRAMS THAT SUSTAIN OUR COMMUNITIES. ADDITIONALLY, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTMENT POLICY WITH THREE KEY AMENDMENTS. ONE, EXPAND THE POLICY TO ADDRESS INVESTMENTS CONNECTED TO IMMIGRATION DETENTION. TWO, REPLACE THE PRESUMPTION OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLIANCE STANDARD. AND THREE, ALIGN REPORTING EXISTING CITY IN INVESTMENT RE ALIGN THE, UH, POLICY WITH THE EXISTING CITY INVESTMENT REPORTING PROCESSES. THESE LAST TWO RECOMMENDATIONS WILL ADDRESS THE CONCERNS THAT OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR SHARED AT THE AUGUST 4TH BUDGET OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING THAT SHARED SOME, UM, PRETTY, UH, HIGH COST, UH, TO ACTUALLY IMPLEMENTING THE, THE, UM, INVESTMENT POLICY. WE BELIEVE THAT THESE, UM, AMENDMENTS WILL, UM, UH, ALLOW YOU ALL TO IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY WHILE BEING, UH, FEASIBLY RESPONSIBLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI, COUNCIL MEMBERS. UM, THANK YOU FOR, UH, LISTENING TO US. UH, MY NAME IS MICHAEL EMON, DISTRICT TWO. UM, SEEMS LIKE MY COUNCIL MEMBER IS NEVER HERE AT ANY OF THESE MEETINGS, WHICH IS REALLY DISAPPOINTING. UM, AND THIS IS ALSO A COUNCIL MEMBER WHO HAS SUGGESTED THAT IT'S NOT HER RESPONSIBILITY TO TELL THE CITY HOW TO MAKE ITS INVESTMENT. SO I'M HERE PRIMARILY TO SUPPORT THE CIVIL, UM, AND HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTMENT POLICY, UH, AS WELL AS THE AMENDMENTS TO THAT POLICY. UM, BUT STANDING HERE AND LISTENING TO, YOU KNOW, THE WAY THAT ORLE HAS WORKED TO SUPPORT THE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITY AND HOW THEIR, THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE ARE BEING DECIMATED AND IMPACTED ADVERSELY BY ICE DHS, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALL REALLY CON CONNECTED. IT'S, IT'S, IT'S INCREDIBLY CONNECTED. HOW, UM, YOU KNOW, IF WE SUPPORT INVESTMENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY, UH, BREAKING OUR COMMUNITIES APART, THEN, YOU KNOW, WHAT'S THE POINT OF, UH, APPROVING BUDGETS TO SUPPORT THESE ORGANIZATIONS. YOU KNOW, SO YOU KIND OF, KIND OF HAVE TO WALK THE WALK AND TALK THE TALK. SO, UM, I, I ALSO SUPPORT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY, UM, WHICH GIVES A SAFE SPACE TO PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTS THE YOUTH POET LAUREATE PROGRAM AMONG MANY OTHERS AS WELL AS THE ARTS COUNCIL. UM, YOU KNOW, SO WE CAN TALK ALL ALL WE WANT ABOUT ICE AND OUR RIGHTS AND HANG BANNERS ON CITY HALL, BUT, UM, IF WE'RE SUPPORTING COMPANIES THAT LINE THEIR POCKETS, UM, WITH THE HARM TO THESE COMMUNITIES, THEN WE'RE REALLY NOT DOING ANYTHING, UM, GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY OF LONG BEACH, AND THAT'S WHY WE LIVE HERE. UM, THANK YOU. WE'RE PIONEER CITIES THAT SUPPORTED US, CEASEFIRE PROCLAMATION, AND, UM, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE SUPPORTING THAT ALSO SUPPORT, UM, KIND OF BEING IN ALIGNMENT WITH, UH, SPENDING OUR DOLLARS IN, IN, IN THAT DIRECTION. UM, ONES THAT DON'T SUPPORT HARM AND, UH, DETRIMENT TO OUR COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER LOPEZ. GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, MY NAME IS ANDREA LOPEZ AND I'M A PARTICIPANT WITH ORAL, OR I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR THE MIGRANT FAMILIES AND THE HARDWORKING FAMILIES. I AM HERE TO REQUEST THAT YOU TOUCH YOUR HEARTS AND, UH, SUPPORT THE IGNATION OF $3 MILLION TO THE JUSTICE, UH, FUND FOR THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. WE KNOW THE, THAT THE NATIONAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO SEPARATE FAMILIES, AND THAT MY FELLOW, UH, VENDORS ARE HARDWORKING FAMILIES THAT LIVE HERE AND ARE ALSO VERY EFFECTIVE, NOT ONLY ECONOMICALLY, BUT ALSO PSYCHOLOGICALLY. THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF LEAVING LIVING DAILY WITH THE PRESENCE OF [00:50:01] ICE IN FRONT OF THEIR, UH, VENDOR STANDS, AND WHICH IS WORSE IN FRONT OF THEIR CHILDREN. THIS FUND, UH, HELPS FUND FOR, GIVES FUNDING FOR THEM SO THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO LEAVE DETENTION AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO DEFEND THEIR CASE. PEOPLE HAVE A HIGHER PROBABILITY OF RECEIVING AN, UH, ORDER OF EXPULSION. IF THEY DON'T HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION, THE LEGAL RE REPRESENTATION CAN CHANGE THEIR LIFE, AND SO WILL YOUR VOTE. LONG BEACH HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE INCREASING THIS FUND YEAR AFTER YEAR, AND WITH, IN THIS END, BY END WITH THIS IMPACT PO GIVE POSITIVE IMPACT TO THE LIFE OF ALL THESE HARDWORKING PEOPLE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR. UM, MY NAME IS CAROLYN. I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE. I'M HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE'S A NEED FOR SOME GUIDING LANGUAGE SUCH AS PRESERVATION, TRANSPARENCY, AND INCREASED STEWARDSHIP. A WORD OUR, UM, ELDERS LOVE TO USE. UM, , I AM, I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE. FROM WHAT WE'RE, WE'RE ALL HEARING SO FAR, I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS BUDGET PROCESS, AND NOW I WANNA APPLY THAT SAME WORK ON A BASIC QUESTION. UH, UM, AND I KNOW YOU, YOU CAN'T ANSWER, BUT JUST TO PUT IT OUT THERE, KNOWING WHAT WE KNEW IN FY 25, WHAT FEASIBLE PROTECTIVE DECISIONS CAN WE MAKE TODAY TO BETTER PROTECT ESSENTIAL SERVICES TOMORROW? UM, DURING COVI, THE CITY AND STATE UNDERSTOOD THAT ESSENTIAL SERVICES HAD TO CONTINUE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE. AND SO, I KNOW WE HAVE NOT REACHED THAT LEVEL, BUT I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME DISCIPLINE NOW. AND I BELIEVE MOST OF US ARE ASKING, UM, IN THE COMMUNITY FOR AN EXHAUSTIVE FINANCIAL REVIEW. AND NOT SIMPLY A MENU OF CUTS, BUT, UM, ALSO REAL IMPORTANT MAXIMUM STEWARDSHIP OF AN EXHAUSTIVE FINANCIAL ANALYSIS. UM, SO I, I'M HERE TODAY ASKING, UM, UH, FOR RE FOR BEFORE REDUCING BASIC SERVICES, EXAMINE EVERY REASONABLE AND LAWFUL ALTERNATIVE, AND THAT INCLUDES CITY ASSETS, LEASING OPPORTUNITIES, AND REOCCURRING REVENUE STRATEGIES. SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO CAME OUT TO DO, UH, PUBLIC COMMENT. WE DO THIS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT OUR BOC MEETINGS, UM, DURING THE WEEK ARE EARLY IN THE DAY, WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR WORKING FOLKS, UH, TO COME OUT AND MAKE THEIR, THEIR VOICE HEARD. UM, WE KNOW THAT THE BUDGET WE ARE PUTTING BEFORE YOU IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY. BUT WE DO PRIORITIZE MAKING SURE THAT YOU ALL, AT THE VERY LEAST, FEEL HEARD, UH, AND FEEL THAT MEMBERS OF YOUR CITY COUNCIL ARE LISTENING TO YOU, UM, AND LISTENING TO YOUR PRIORITIES AND TAKING THOSE INTO CONSIDERATION. UM, WITH THAT, UH, VICE MAYOR, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO SAY? I WANNA EXPRESS ALSO THANK YOU TO ALL, ALL OF YOU WHO CAME HERE THIS EVENING. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HEAR YOUR CONCERNS. WE HAVE BEEN TAKING NOTES AND WE WILL BE ATTENTIVE TO YOUR, TO YOUR CONCERNS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, AND WITH THAT WE WILL, OH, I MEAN, YOU CAN CLAP IF YOU'D LIKE, BUT , UM, THAT WE CAN TAKE A VOTE. MOTION CARRIES. UM, AND NOW I KNOW THAT, UH, THIS MEETING IS ALL, UH, DIRECTED TOWARD OUR PUBLIC COMMENT, UM, BUT WE STILL HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD, UH, UH, THAT WE WILL DO IS DO, WHICH IS GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. SO, UM, IF THERE'S ANYONE HERE WHO HAD ANYTHING ELSE THAT THEY FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T GET OFF THEIR CHEST, THEY WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH US, UM, FEEL FREE TO COME OUT, UM, TO COME UP. UM, AND WE'RE GONNA OPEN IT UP FOR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE CLOSE THE MEETING. SO DON'T BE SHY AT THIS TIME. UM, IF ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR NON-AG AGENDA, PUBLIC COMMENT, PLEASE LINE UP AT THE PODIUM SO WE CAN COUNT [PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Budget Oversight Committee on non-agenda items. Each speaker is limited to three minutes to make their comments unless extended by the Chair.] THE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS. [00:55:02] ZOOM? NO. ALRIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS HERE. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. COUNCIL MEMBER RICK TI AND COUNCIL MEMBER RKA. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT. MY NAME IS JACKIE VILE AND I AM A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH DISTRICT THREE, AND I'M ALSO AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH. I WORK FOR THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY. UM, I AM THE CO-COORDINATOR, CO-COORDINATOR OF THE CREATIVITY LAB, WHICH IS AN ARTS INTEGRATED STEM PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS. UM, IT WILL BE ENDING AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, NOT BECAUSE OF THIS BUDGET, BUT BECAUSE IT WAS GRANT FUNDED AND NOW THERE'S NO MORE MONEY FOR THOSE GRANTS AND THERE'S NO MORE MONEY TO PICK UP THE SLACK FOR THOSE GRANTS IN THE CITY BUDGET. BUT NEVERTHELESS, I WANNA SAY NERVOUS. NOW I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO WORK AT THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY AS A SECOND CAREER, AND IT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING WORK OF MY LIFE ALONGSIDE TEACHING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES IN THE NINETIES. BUT I'M NOT SPEAKING UP FOR MY JOB HERE. I'M SPEAKING UP FOR THE ENTIRE LIBRARY SYSTEM, THE SERVICES AND CONNECTIONS, THE INFORMATION, THE HELP, THE CARING AND SAFE HAVEN THAT PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROVIDE EVERYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY OTHER COUNTRIES DO NOT HAVE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARIES? WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT THIS INSTITUTION WAS ESTABLISHED BY BEN FRANKLIN IN THE LATE 17 HUNDREDS AND ABOUT A HUNDRED YEARS LATER, WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT ANDREW CARNEGIE SAW THE VALUE OF LIBRARIES AND USED HIS WEALTH TO ESTABLISH THEM AROUND THE WORLD. AND THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY ARE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CARNEGIE LIBRARIES, AND THE PLAQUE CAN STILL BE SEEN ON THE FRONT OF THE BILLIE JEAN KING MAIN LIBRARY. THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY OF LIBRARIES AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGHOUT HUMAN HISTORY. UM, FROM THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA TO THE MONASTERIES OF THE MIDDLE AGES TO MODERN ARCHIVES, LIBRARIES HELP US TO KNOW OURSELVES AS SOCIETIES. ARE THERE, ARE WE SO READY TO ABANDON FULLY FUNDING THIS HUMAN TRADITION OF COLLECTING AND SHARING INFORMATION AND KNOWLEDGE? I FIND THAT DEFUNDING OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN GENERAL REPREHENSIBLE, IT IS THE STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION FOR OUR SOCIETY. UH, ARE WE GOING TO REPEAT HISTORY AND ALLOW THE DESTRUCTION OF LIBRARIES AS THE ROMANS DID TO THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA? I CHALLENGED THE LONG BEACH CITY COUNCIL AND THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, HONOR OUR HISTORY, SERVE LONG BEACH RESIDENTS, AND FULLY FUND THE LONG BEACH PUBLIC LIBRARY AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT EVERYBODY SAID HERE. 'CAUSE THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR, AND WE SHOULD DO THOSE THINGS AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT SOME OTHER THINGS TO CUT, I THINK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. HI, GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS FRANCESCA SHAYA. UM, AND I STAND HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE SERVICES AND THE PROGRAMS THAT MANY OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS VOICE HERE TODAY. UM, AND IT IS FOR THAT VERY REASON THAT I ALSO STAND IN HERE, SUPPORT OF THE CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTMENT SCREENING POLICY. UM, I ALSO ASK THAT THE COMMITTEE CONSIDER THE THREE CRUCIAL AMENDMENTS TO THIS POLICY THAT WERE NOT PRE PRESENTED AT THE PREVIOUS MEETING ON AUGUST 4TH. UM, AND WITHIN THESE AMENDMENTS, UH, IT EXTENDS A CHANGE TOWARDS USING EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLIANCE OR INNOCENT UNTIL, UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE ONE OF THE MAJOR QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP IN THE PRESENTATION. UH, WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THESE PRACTICES, UM, COULD BE ALIGNED AND INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING AND ESTABLISHED REPORTING PROCESSES, WHICH WOULD BE REASONABLE TO STILL MAINTAIN TRANSPARENCY WHILE REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS. UM, ALSO WE HAVE HEARD, SINCE WE PRE INITIALLY PRESENTED THIS POLICY TO THE EQUITY AND HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2025, UH, WE TALKED WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ALSO SHOWED AN INTEREST IN EXTENDING THE POLICY TO INCLUDE A, UM, A SCREENING AND TO PROHIBIT ANY ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS CONNECTED, CONNECTED TO IMMIGRATION DETENTION AND BORDER SURVEILLANCE. AND SO WE ASK THAT THAT ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE POLICY. UM, AS WE SEE HERE TODAY, THERE'S AN INCREASING INTEREST IN HOW OUR FUNDS ARE BEING USED AND HOW THEY ALIGN WITH OUR VALUES AND COMMITMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE INVEST IN COMPANIES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO ENVIRONMENTAL HARM BUT REMAIN COMMITTED TO COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE, IT'S CONTRADICTORY IF WE DENY, IF WE DENOUNCE THE VIOLENCE AND HARM ON OUR COMMUNITIES INFLICTED BY DHS OR ICE, BUT INVEST IN IMMIGRATION DETENTION OR BORDER SURVEILLANCE IS CONTRADICTORY AND HYPOCRITICAL. THIS POLICY ALIGNS WITH OUR EXISTING COMMITMENTS, VALUES, AND WHAT OUR CITY STANDS FOR. AND LIKE I SAID, WE CONTINUE TO SEE HOW MUCH OUR COMMUNITY IS INVESTED SHOWS UP FOR THESE TYPES OF MIDI FOR THESE TYPES OF MEETINGS. SO IT DEMONSTRATES THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS ASKING FOR THESE TYPES OF CHANGES AND POLICIES. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER AND CHAIR. OH, EXCUSE ME, CHAIR. UM, WE HAD A FEW MORE PEOPLE LINE UP. ARE YOU OKAY WITH THEM? THIS SPEAKER? YEAH, I'M OKAY WITH THAT. OKAY. UH, AND WE'LL GO AHEAD, UH, AND CLOSE THE, THE, UH, THE [01:00:01] SPEAKER LINE NOW. OKAY. PLEASE MOVE FORWARD. GOOD EVENING. UH, COUNCIL MEMBERS, UH, DR. JOHNNY RTI AND ROBERTO RANGA. MY NAME IS SOPHIA BARNA FROM DISTRICT SIX. I AM A MEMBER OF OR N-C-L-T-I ASKING YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE JUSTICE FUNDS, UH, FOR 3,002,000. DO, UH, $2,000 FOR THE CLT TWO MILLIONS FOR THE TENANTS RIGHTS, FOR SOCIAL, UH, FOR RIGHT TO COUNSEL. RIGHT NOW, I AND ITHS ARE STILL SEPARATING FAMILIES HERE IN OUR CITY. THIS FUND WILL HELP FAMILIES GET, UH, OUT OF DETENTION CENTERS OR DEFENDER IMMIGRATION CASES, WHICH CAN MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAYING TOGETHER OR BE TORN APART. I HAVE LIVED IN LONG BEACH FOR OVER 30 YEARS. MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HERE OWN HOMES AND BUSINESSES. WE HAVE WORKED HARD AND PUT EVERYTHING INTO THIS COMMUNITY. WE'RE WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR A FREE PASS, WE'RE ASKING FOR A FAIR CHANCE. WHEN A PAR PARENT IS DEPORTED, THE CITY LOSES TO A WORKER, A BUSINESS, A HOME SEATING EMPTY. PLEASE SUPPORT THE JUSTICE FUNDS FOR $3,002,000 FOR THE CLT AND 2 MILLION FOR THE TENANT'S RIGHT TO COUNSEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME'S AMANDA RUDA AND I SERVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE ARTS COUNCIL FOR LONG BEACH. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGEMENT AND THE CITY COUNCIL FOR PRESERVING THE ARTS COUNCIL'S BASE FUNDING DURING AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR. THIS INVESTMENT DOESN'T STOP AT THE ARTS COUNCIL'S DOORS. IT FLOWS BACK INTO OUR NEIGHBORS AND HELPS LOCAL ARTISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS SERVING RESIDENTS ACROSS THE CITY. AS THE CITY NAVIGATES THESE CHALLENGING FINANCIAL TIMES, WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING A CREATIVE AND EFFICIENT PARTNER IN HELPING STRETCH LIMITED RESOURCES, ATTRACT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT AND DELIVER PROJECTS THAT RESIDENTS CAN SEE AND EXPERIENCE. WHILE I THANK YOU FOR REAFFIRMING THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS COUNCIL AND LONG BEACH'S CREATIVE COMMUNITY, I FEEL IT'S ALSO NECESSARY TO VOICE MY SUPPORT FOR OUR LIBRARY BROTHERS AND SISTERS. UH, THE ARTS COUNCIL NOW IS HOUSED UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF, UM, LIBRARY ARTS AND CULTURE AND THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY, UM, RISKS LOSING REALLY IMPORTANT ACCESS WITH THE CUTS THAT ARE PROPOSED FOR THE MAKER SPACE. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SPACE TO UPLIFT COMMUNITY AND LIBRARIES ARE ALSO THE PRESERVER OF OUR ARTS AND CULTURE AND KNOWLEDGE AS A SOCIETY, AND THEY ALSO DESERVE IMPORTANT FUNDING. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER. GOOD AFTERNOON. UH, MY NAME IS IMA FERREIRA AND I'VE BEEN LIVING IN DISTRICT ONE FOR, UH, OVER 20 YEARS. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT MY COMMUNITY, UH, IN REGARDS OF THE JUSTICE FUND. SO IN HOPES THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS FUND, WE NEED THE $3 MILLION SO THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN BE BENEFITED WITH THIS HELP. 20 YEARS AGO, MY SON WAS A VICTIM OF A CRIME, AND AS A SINGLE MOTHER, I WAS UNABLE TO COVER, UH, THE EXPENSE OF A LAWYER SO THAT MY, UH, SON COULD BE MORE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS COUNTRY THROUGH THE JUSTICE FUND, THANK GOODNESS WE WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY, UH, BE ABLE TO GET, UH, SOME SORT OF STATUS IN THIS COUNTRY. WE WERE BENEFITED. WE, WE WERE, WE BENEFITED FROM THIS FUND. AND I WOULD LIKE PERSONALLY FOR TO SEE OTHER FAMILIES BENEFIT THE SAME WAY. I ALSO WANT TO, UH, SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO, TO THE RIGHT TO COUNSEL. UH, BECAUSE I'M A TENANT FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS, I'VE RECEIVED QUITE A BIT OF HELP FROM THIS FUND, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE ALSO BENEFIT FROM IT. [01:05:01] GRACIA. THANK YOU GRACIA. UH, NEXT SPEAKER. HELLO. GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS GENESIS GONZALEZ. I'M A-L-B-U-S-D STUDENT AND A-L-B-C-C STUDENT AT MCBRIDE HIGH SCHOOL. AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO WITH IMMIGRANT DETENTIONS AND HARASSMENTS ESCALATING SINCE EARLY 2025 AND MASSIVE RAIDS STARTING JUNE OF LAST YEAR. OUR NEIGHBORS ARE LIVING IN FEAR OF PERMANENT FAMILY SEPARATION BECAUSE OF IMMIGRATION PROCESSING. BECAUSE IMMIGRATION PROCESSINGS ARE CIVIL MATTERS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WON'T PROVIDE ATTORNEYS YET. LEGAL REPRESENTATION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STAYING WITH THE LOVED ONES AND FORCED DEPORTATION. THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND ISN'T JUST A PROGRAM, IT'S A LIFELINE KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE DEMAND $3 MILLION IN NEW STRUCTURAL FUNDING FOR THE LONG BEACH JUSTICE FUND. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. AND SEEING NO ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, UM, I WANNA THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME. THANKS STAFF FOR BEING HERE. UM, WE HOPE TO SEE YOU TOMORROW AT CITY COUNCIL FOR THE BUDGET HEARINGS. UM, HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING AND I WILL JOIN THE MEETING. * 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.