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The long beach city council roll call.

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in the moment of silence and the pledge of allegiance.

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Thank you.

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Please join us as we observe a moment of silence.

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Thank you.

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Please rise if you're able.

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As we do the pledge of allegiance.

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Ready?

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Begin.

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I pledge allegiance.

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All right.

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Well, thank you, Councilman.

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And welcome everyone to the August 4th meeting of the city council.

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We have a report out from closed session.

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Thank you, Mayor.

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We have no report from closed session.

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All right. Thank you so much. And we have no presentations so we get to jump right into the meeting.

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We're going to start off with our budget hearing. Let's read item number 18, please.

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Report from financial management recommendation to conduct a budget hearing to receive and discuss an

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overview of the city manager proposed FY27 budget and human resources department, citywide.

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All right. Thank you. Thanks everyone for joining us for the budget hearing today.

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We have a significant number of public comment today, so we're going to jump right into the presentation.

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Then we're going to go to public comment before Council deliberation.

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So I'll just open up with some remarks.

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We introduced the budget last week here in the Civic Chambers.

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This is the Bob Foster Civic Chambers.

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And it's important that we recognize that.

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Because when Mayor Foster was here, we went through some significant structural deficits in

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years and it forced our community through some difficult trade-offs. The deficits were

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consecutive. I remember when it was a three-year plan to solve the deficit that

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turned into a four-year and a five-year plan to solve the deficit. And it was a very

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difficult time but we made it through and we focused on fiscal responsibility and

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making some hard choices. But also our circumstances is very different than the

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recession. Sure we're facing some financial, some difficult financial headwinds and saw every major

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budget public agency in California. Of the top 10 by population, eight of the top 10 cities in

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California by population are facing the same headwinds facing uncertainty, uncertain federal landscape,

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funding landscape, this impacting cities like Long Beach, this very unique in that we have a health

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department, one of only three cities in the whole state, but we are in a position also to

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address not through a three-year plan or a five-year plan to address our deficit in about

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one, one-to-two-year span, to be able to give the kind of fiscal stability that our workers

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deserve, that our residents deserve, that is consistent. And if we follow through with the plan

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as outlined, we'll deliver the first sustained structural surplus, meaning sustained like

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over multiple year surplus that we'll have that we haven't seen

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more than a decade here in our city.

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So we want to remind ourselves just a little bit of that history,

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but also we know that a budget is a statement of values

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and what we choose to save and what we've just used to cut

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all reflect the values of the current moment.

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So you'll see some of that reflected in the budget proposal,

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the mayor's recommendations, and the ongoing deliberation

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as we begin this process.

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So that said, our challenge, we have to solve, we have to solve, I think it's 58 million dollar

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structural surplus in this budget, is what we need to solve.

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The student deficit, wish it was a surplus.

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Structural deficit is what needs to be solved.

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The majority of the rest of our funds are actually in pretty good shape, tightlands, this

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year is in pretty good shape, port, our other enterprises, our in pretty good shape is really

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general fund or 80% of our workforce is funded and that's why you'll see a lot of conversations

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around the workforce in this budget. So that said, I want to thank our city manager and

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our financial management team for the work that they've done to help get us here and everyone

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who's been involved and let's go ahead and kick off our budget presentation. Thank you, Mr. Mayor,

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for that good introduction. So I'm going to go through a presentation. This is designed to be a summary

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kind of how we're addressing the budget. We're actually going to talk a lot about what's happened

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over the last, you know, year or two years. We're also going to go through a number of things

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that we hear out there that are actually not correct and try to provide some facts. And then we'll

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go through kind of our approach to addressing this structural deficit. You know, these are some

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difficult times, but we do have a plan and we are going to recommend fully solving that deficit this

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year and also rebuilding our reserves at the same time.

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So first, budgets about results.

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So when we pass the financial document, you're laying out resources for your city team to

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accomplish things on your behalf.

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And so we will talk a little bit about last year's results as a reminder.

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One, in public safety, and these are going to be the four categories that the Council

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has put at the very top of their list.

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Public safety is one of those.

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We have a 34% reduction in murder, zero over year, and a 35% reduction in shootings.

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Our overall crime rate reduction last year was 17.4% reduction, one of the largest that we've seen.

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We maintain police emergency response times at or near the at or faster than national average.

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We also launch new tools for residents to see what is going on in their neighborhoods in almost real time

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access instead of waiting for quarterly or monthly or even yearly crime data.

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We have our fire department.

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We enhance emergency medical services last year, resulting in ambulance availability, being

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increased and also in response times in some areas as much as 30 seconds.

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In the next category of homelessness housing and neighborhood programs, we continue to open

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more shelter beds.

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We've been opening shelter beds basically year after year over the last four years.

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It was a 12% increase in shelter beds last year with 78 new housing units.

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We secured $11 million.

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The largest so far from the state to address housing along the LA River. We launched our youth functional zero strategic plan. Our clean team is responded to over 160,000 legally dumped items and collected 1100 tons of litter. We awarded 25 grants through our neighborhood mini grant program and we advanced the west side promise.

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In the area of economic development, we've elevated the city's profile by launching the

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Vide City brand, the F&M Bank amphitheater opened and our Long Beach Coast Pro Baseball

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team arrived in Long Beach. Tourism continues to be a strong sector for us. We're

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outpacing most of our regional neighbors San Diego, Phoenix, Anaheim, LA and San

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Francisco with over $2 billion in impact. And we space beach is raging. We have

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jobs, thousands and thousands of jobs were able to announce that are coming into Long Beach

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and that's 6,500 new jobs in space and advanced manufacturing. And we continue to work

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with our local businesses as well and grow them and also do business with the city. So we added

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91 new local vendors in Long Beach buys and 35 new contracts with local businesses.

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And in the fourth area of infrastructure, we've completed now the fourth year of our five-year

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We announced the largest jump in our pavement condition index, the status of our roads in our history was a 9% jump from an average of 56 to 61 and our goal was 60 and we surpassed that.

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We began construction of the Stutabaker Road Transformation Project, our largest corridor project to date and completed our Teja Great Boulevard and broke ground on the Belmont pool in May of 2026.

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So, let's do a little bit of budget grounding about where the dollars come from, and kind of the complexity of local government.

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We have a $4 billion budget of all of our different enterprise funds and units, but the fun that most people think of as government services fall in the general fund.

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And that's only 18% of that 4 billion.

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We're to the revenues come from in California and especially in Long Beach, they're very diversified.

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You'll see that that pie has many different slices.

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If you were an East Coast city, for example, 90% of that pie would be property tax.

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That's really how it's funded on the East Coast.

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On the West Coast we have to diversify and we look at everything from hotel taxes to sales taxes to utility taxes and property tax.

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Our largest sources are property tax, sales tax, and utility tax, all three of which are being impacted in the very uncertain economy that we are in today.

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And so where do the dollars go? Our biggest expense are people. So we provide services to our community with our people, with our employees. And so 79% of our expenditures are in the general funder of personnel.

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And what's the breakdown of where we spend the vast majority of our resources?

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Public safety is by far the greatest investment at 66% public works and community services and

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legislative and general government are all kind of equal slices after that.

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Sorry, this is not moving ahead.

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There it goes.

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All right.

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So what is a structural deficit, basically speaking, it's when you're on going revenues and

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ongoing expenses are not matching that there's an imbalance. And so you must either increase

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your revenues, which is pretty difficult to do in California, or you reduce your expenditures,

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or you do both. So what's been happening? What are the deficit drivers? Well, one is the increase

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cost of existing services. And I'm going to show you some examples of that. This isn't that a whole

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bunch of new services were added, but that the services that we rely on as a community are costing

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more every year, especially as we bring on additional police and bring on additional fire and

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those vacant positions and do that hiring, that cost of that service has gone up.

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We're also experiencing a pretty large revenue loss from the very turbulent economic

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climate that has been created, the federal level and spills down to the state and spills

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down to the local level. And then things like our health department, which used to be pretty

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self-sustaining, has lost a lot of resources or has not grown at the rate that we need to

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grow to pay for the services that we rely on, and so there is support that needs to come from the general fund to support that.

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So, let's look at some examples of services of rising cost, graffiti abatement.

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We continue to do great graffiti abatement.

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We basically get over 90% in 24 hours or less.

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Four years ago, that was a million dollars.

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It is now 20% higher, 1.2 million.

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Grounds maintenance was about 3.9 million.

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We didn't add any new services, but that's same amount of service, now cost 5 million.

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And our street lights, we didn't add new straight lights, we didn't have a massive new program to put new street lights in,

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but the cost of the existing program went from about a million one to two million dollars to provide that same level of service.

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Same thing in our area of public safety, so for the fully loaded cost of a police officer for all the things it takes to bring that police officer on.

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That was in 2022, about 211,000, and today it's about 270, same thing on our firefighters from 202 to 269.

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A lot of cities have the same types of revenue, most of them are similar, but it doesn't mean all cities generate the same amount of revenue from those sources.

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Tax bases can be very, very different, geography plays a big role.

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And so Long Beach is not a wealthy city, we're a city of many different neighborhoods, we have, you know, wealthier neighborhoods, we also have a lot of poverty, and we have a lot of renters, and so our mix of how we generate revenue is different.

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And if you look at this slide, you'll see cities like San Diego, Long Beach, and Torrance, and San Jose are generating per capita significantly less than a Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Signal Hill, Pasadena.

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As Mayor mentioned, we're not the only one facing this about eight of the 10 largest cities

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in last 12 months.

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I have experienced a deficit, including LA San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento,

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and Oakland.

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We get asked often times, what about Measure A?

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Wasn't that supposed to solve all financial difficulties?

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What did Measure A do?

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Did exactly what we promised voters it would do?

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The first thing that Measure A was going to do was stop public safety cuts.

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Back in 2014, we were looking at major major public safety cuts.

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Measure A has saved 155 sworn positions.

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Then after we stopped those cuts, we were able to invest.

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And so there are about 48 new positions that were added over the years for sworn and five non sworn.

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And then it created a dedicated infrastructure funding source,

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404 million the largest in our generation.

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And so Measure A, this is something that the auditor helped publish for us.

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It's basically shows where all of that goes.

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We encourage you to come look at that, measure A,

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and spend about 60% on public safety

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and about 40% on public infrastructure.

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So before we get to the reductions,

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I want to talk a little bit about some of the myth busters

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that we hear in the community.

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We often hear like, you know,

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why do you continue to build infrastructure projects

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if you have a deficit?

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Again, we have all these varied funding sources,

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many of which are restricted and cannot be used

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for ongoing expenses.

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And infrastructure and project, you build once,

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paying for somebody's salary, for example, you have to pay for every single year.

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And so those are different funding sources.

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I hear this sometimes. Why do we build bike lanes instead of giving that money to police and fire?

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Again, those are restricted funds that can only be spent on transportation mobility.

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If you don't use it for that, you cannot use it for anything else.

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We get asked, why can't we use refuse money, or the money at the port, or the money at the airport,

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for, you know, those general fund services, same thing. All three of those are restricted sources

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can only be used for those purposes, not for general fund services. We often get asked

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what, why did you build an amphitheater in the last 12 months if we had a deficit? It's because,

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again, it is a funding that can only be used on the beach. And it's also a part of an economic

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development strategy where if we can bring people down to the beach with money that can only

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used at the beach. It can generate sales in our restaurants, in our businesses, in our hotels,

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and those actually can be used to support general fund services. We get asked a lot. Why did

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we switch out the green cards and switched how to our purple cards and didn't that save a

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cost you a lot of money? That was all a state mandate and again has nothing to do with the general

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fund. So that didn't impact police or fire or sidewalk or street repairs, but it was something

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that we were required to do.

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The deficit is not due to overspending.

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This is not a whole bunch of new programs

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we're at in the last four years.

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This was about a sharp downturn in revenue

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and the increased cost of providing those core services.

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We didn't have surpluses that got spent on other things.

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Again, those were some one-time dollars

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that came primarily from the federal government

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as we were coming out of COVID.

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And we did not use additional surpluses.

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We get asked, isn't this the worst deficit?

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It's ever been, actually know, the Great Recession

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had year after year of major reductions,

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and right now we're projecting about one to two years of deficits.

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We hear this all the time,

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doesn't Long Beach have the highest sales tax in the nation.

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And shouldn't that have covered everything?

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In fact, only 34 of the 88 cities in California

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have a lower sales tax in Long Beach.

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And there are a number that are actually higher

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than us, including Lancaster, Palmdale, Azusa, Glendora,

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Orwindale, and South Amante.

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And then finally, why aren't there other revenues or efforts to grow revenue?

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There are.

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There's a number of economic development opportunities underway.

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We've got grow long beach, space beach, all designed in the long-term, bring in more

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revenue.

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So we look back in history, a lot of these things come in cycles.

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The economy goes up and down, and so going all the way back to 2004, we were seeing some major

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reductions that led into the Great Recession.

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Then during 2014 to 2018, that's where Measure A kicked in.

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we didn't have any major reductions there.

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Then COVID hit, and we all know what happened there,

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and then for the last four to five years,

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we basically had no reduction scenarios,

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the longest in our history, and now with the downturn

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in the economy, we are seeing those reductions.

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So let's start to get into some numbers.

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So the deficit has improved a little bit.

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If you remember earlier this year,

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we said it was in the $60 to $80 million range,

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then we refined that down to about $61.3 million,

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And now, a couple months later, it's 58.2 million.

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Again, one of those drivers, the revenue impacts we talked about, the rising costs, federal funding loss.

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We've lost about $300 million in the grants or support or other things that have happened from the federal government.

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We've gone five years without any reductions.

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We've talked about how it's dropped to 58.2 million, and then we do need to take an action to bring it back into balance.

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One of the areas that we've been successful in growing has been in hiring public safety.

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So over the last four years we've continued to do academies and we have had graduates,

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235 graduates of our academies over the last four years for a police and fire,

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including our largest in our history last year at 85.

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I'm sorry in police and then in fire it's 87 over the last three years.

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And so we've invested in trying to bring in more employees in that area, and it's been successful.

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Police has moved from a 26% vacancy rate down to a 13% vacancy rate cut in half.

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Not all of those are deployable. Some of those just came out of the academy, but that is a notable shift.

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And in the area of fire, it's a 3.2% vacancy rate, and we were able to add some resources to help, especially in the area of paramedic response.

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But those also are costs, those are costs that come out of the general fund.

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That's about a $38 million three-year agreement that is generating some of those costs.

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And that federal funding loss, we've lost about 300 million as I mentioned.

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Here are some of the areas, disaster prep, health and human services, airport, and a lot of it in our public works projects.

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And so as we look at our priorities, we've got to leverage the strength of all of our different funding sources

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to continue to do the things that residents want while also balancing the budget.

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We've got to navigate those challenges and we've got a shape of budget that reflects our values.

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So our approach is multi-fold. It's to, you're going to have to look at reductions across

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the organization, including what we call related funds, things that help support the general fund.

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It's important that all departments participate in this strategy that we focus on priority-based

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approach to protect those core services that we look at alternative service models,

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the value weight subsidies and also to both protect and also increase our reserves.

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And so essentially the budget I'm proposing is balanced.

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It has about $56 million worth of budget balancing solutions and ends in balance completely

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balanced.

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What does it look like going forward?

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If we balance this year, then we have one more year that's difficult and FY28, that's

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$27 million but then you can see we're actually back into into the black and so this

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has some assumptions in it and it's harder to predict as you go out but this is different

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than what we've seen in the past where it's 3, 4, 5 years of deficits.

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But during next year, the 28 we actually get some additional resources so measure A will

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be coming in, voters have already approved that and so the council will have some decisions

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to make.

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Whether we invest that in public safety or infrastructure or those are the two areas we can

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that. If you were using that money to avoid additional public safety impacts, for example,

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then the next four or five years are essentially balanced. So just something to look at for

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next year. For our strategic vision, we always look back to that and we take community input.

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We did a lot of community input in January and so the top three themes that we heard. We're public

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safety, housing, and homelessness, and education in the January and February meetings.

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So now let's get to how are we going to solve this?

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So there's an eight point strategy to address the deficit.

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Number one is first look at reduction of management and supervision.

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We're going to look at shifting cost to other funding sources.

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We're going to look at internal reductions in loss of admin capacity.

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Then we look at enhancing certain areas.

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We're going to look at investments in our police department facilities, technology and administration,

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and some contracting out opportunities.

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And after all those first six get done, then there's still about half way to go and that's

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where then we have to look at some targeted services reductions and then plan to replenish our reserves.

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So I want to go briefly through these categories. There are hundreds of items that make up these categories.

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And so what I'm going to be mentioning are just some examples to give you a sense of the strategy.

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And then over the next two months or so a month and a half we're going to be going deeper into our budget hearings.

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Thanks for watching, see you in the next one, see you in the next one, see you in the next one.

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First is in reduction of management and supervision. That's this saves about seven million dollars and reduces 17 full-time equivalents or FTEs. For example, public works had to consolidate functions in its business operations bureau, eliminating the people in culture, bureau, or division into a person out of vision. In parks, we're eliminating a management position and recreation superintendent, health is merging two bureaus and lining him into a community health bureau.

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Tech and innovation has merged two bureaus and police and fire have eliminated Captain Battalion Chief and Lieutenant level positions all high level supervisors

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Then we looked to shift and cost other funding sources, so this saves up to $14 million in the general fund and about

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16 17 positions get shifted out

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For example engine 17 the promise was that when the federal grants run out for engine 17

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We've been planning to move that to measure a and so that's happening this year

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We also have some emergency dispatchers and jail transport positions that would have been lost.

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Had we not been able to transfer those to Measure A.

304
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And we are going to be proposing funding the new police at Recruit Academy.

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That's a $7 million investment that Measure A will help with as well as this funding some real-time crime analysts.

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We also have some ability to shift some of our infrastructure work to our CIP plan and infrastructure funds.

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The port is really helping out by getting us to full cost recovery.

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and you'll hear more about that as they offset the full cost of what it takes to run

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fire services over in the port.

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We are going to have to look at some environmental health fees to increase to support our

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health department for full cost recovery as well as some shifting some cost to park maintenance

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money.

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And we're getting a new crew that can help replace traffic sign replacements throughout our

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city.

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It's about a $78 million investment and that comes from cow trance.

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The next category you looked at before we get to service reductions is cutting our own

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internal support and loss of administrative capacity.

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It doesn't mean these aren't very important services.

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They're the ones who answer a lot of the phones.

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They're the ones who do a lot of the planning and oversight and analysis.

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But that is an area that we look at before we start looking at service reductions.

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And so the police department had to cut back a number of their overtime.

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Citywide savings are realized by reductions in fleet and are cost to run our own technology.

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We have the Cannabis Tax Credit Program that the Council put forward as a way to help with cannabis tax rebates but we've only had one person actually qualified for that one business and so they would be grandfathered in and we would recommend sunset in the program.

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And then every department took reductions from the mayor and city council and their offices to city managers office to auditor and prosecutor and city attorney is was all the other departments you see here are all cutting admin positions.

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that together save about $22 million and $74 or $73 FTE.

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Then we do look at some areas that are in need of some additional resources.

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Our median program is woefully underfunded and the cost keeping increasing there, and so

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public works took some pretty significant internal admin reductions in order to shift some

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money into the median program, as well as some supplemented revenues coming from new parking

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So, both increase in the rate of parking meters to $3 and also adding parking meters in

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some areas where they don't exist.

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Those funds will also help us with our street light program.

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This council has made that a big priority.

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We need new crews to help keep the street lights maintained.

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We are also funding our park homeless encampment cleanup services that have been funded with

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1 times.

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How do we not done this?

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We would have lost about 600 clean-ups a year in our parks.

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We will have a new traffic safety division coming from the automated speed enforcement cameras

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Money and we'll talk about that in a little bit.

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And we're also shifting our noise ordinance from the health department over into community development.

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You'll see in a little bit we're going to have to make some reductions in our police department.

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And so it's important if we're making those reductions for crime that we continue to invest in things like their facilities,

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their technology and continuing our hiring in our police department.

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And so the next police academy will move forward.

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They will be able to replace their helicopter, which is 23 years old with grant funding.

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The real-time crime center and the department's digital forensics capabilities are being expanded.

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The high crime focus team, which has been really impactful in reducing our violent crime rate.

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In particular, we'll become permanent as they shift officers into that.

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And these are all primarily funded through either measure A grant or other sources rather than general fund, and that's $14 million.

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Now we're at the section about contracting out to see in a couple of areas.

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Can the private sector do the service that we're providing at a lower cost?

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And so there's three that we're recommending.

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One is parking services and collection and billing.

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We would actually move our team that does that currently over to help with our automated traffic camera

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So they wouldn't lose their job, but they would do a different function and have the contractor vendor data ticket take over

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Both the issuance of tickets and the collection and billing

359
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we would

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Look to contract our re-prographic office. We do that in-house. We have an in-house printing shop

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We're about 40% of that work is currently contracted out and 60% is in-house

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And then crossing guard services, we do that in house, but we have a lot, it's a very hard part for us to hire and to maintain people in our service doing that.

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This would allow us to have more flexibility and draw from a very large kind of services that provide these similar cities.

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And each one of these needs to go through a propel analysis and a meeting confer.

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So, after all those actions that we took, now we still have about $33 million to go in the area of service reductions.

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And so I will summarize some of the bigger ones.

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This is an area where we would save $33 million and it would affect about $200 FTE.

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Fire station 14 is proposed for elimination while the station would remain open.

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And so it is a station that currently has about 2,000 calls a year where some of our other stations in other areas of the city serve about 6,000 calls a year.

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87% of their calls are medical and so the idea would be that the engine would no longer be there, but we would put both a rescue and a BLS ambulance in that area and the fire units would come from the surroundings resources.

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In my proposal, we would have to close another engine on a rotating basis.

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You're going to hear about that.

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It's going to be one of the recommendations the mayor is finding some resources to restore.

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We would convert one engine from permanent staff into overtime.

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That would have no impact on service levels, but it would have employees doing that

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on overtime rather than as their regular job.

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We'd have to eliminate vacant patrol officer positions.

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We would not eliminate the beats, but we would have about 17 positions that would be eliminated and some of this would be restored in the mayor's recommendations.

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We'd be scaling back or quality of life and motor detail officers.

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You'll hear about that a little later too.

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00:52:12,670 --> 00:52:18,890
We would need to consolidate some of our financial crime investigations and reduce about 18 FTEs and investigations

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00:52:19,450 --> 00:52:25,130
and eliminate those vacant positions and also reduce our structural police over time funding by 2.7 million.

383
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In the area of libraries, we had an enhancement over the last couple of years in libraries where we went for five libraries up to six days of service.

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Now, we would go back instead of closing any regional libraries, we would all all neighbourhood libraries would be at at five days of service saving 1.3 million.

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00:52:45,730 --> 00:52:53,410
Parks and Rec had to make some very difficult choices between animal care, maintenance in their parks, or recreational programming.

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and so they're reducing in both maintenance a little bit but also in the recreation side

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so that they can maintain really good clean safe parks but with some less programming.

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Be safe sites would go from three hours to two hours and we save about $1.091,000 and you'll hear

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more about that from the mayor. Chavez Park is proposed for elimination that is also

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you hear about that. Homeland Cultural Center, same thing. Lincoln Park would go down.

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of Nature Center would close on Tuesdays, summer swim,

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00:53:24,830 --> 00:53:26,690
would be reduced, and then the RAP program

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would be continued by other providers.

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This would have no impact on the kids,

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but we would not provide that service anymore.

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And then some reduced maintenance,

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or Rancho Los Alamedos, and low-series.

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In the area of neighborhood services,

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we'd lose some neighborhood service specialist positions,

400
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and we would reduce two code enforcement officers

401
00:53:45,870 --> 00:53:47,410
that eliminate three FTE.

402
00:53:47,970 --> 00:53:50,470
In the city manager's office, we would eliminate a position

403
00:53:50,470 --> 00:53:57,790
that does in the Office of Equity, that includes structural support for the Justice Fund, the Equity Commission and Language Access.

404
00:53:58,530 --> 00:54:01,350
In the Health Fund, we would eliminate a number of vacant positions

405
00:54:01,350 --> 00:54:04,050
about 4.2 million and 47 FTE.

406
00:54:04,450 --> 00:54:07,010
We'd reduce capacity in the Office of Veterans Affairs.

407
00:54:07,470 --> 00:54:10,750
We would reduce capacity for a homeless outreach team,

408
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as well as maternal child and adolescent youth support

409
00:54:14,090 --> 00:54:16,490
and childhood lead poisoning prevention programs.

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And then finally, as a part of this plan, I am recommending that we create a plan over the next several years starting with this year to replenish our reserves.

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We've had to hit some of our reserves. That's what they're there for.

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And it is part of our fiscal policy to be able to use those reserves, but then you need to have a plan to replace it.

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So I have put forward a plan of $9.8 million to put back into our city reserves.

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And so this is getting close to the end of summing all this up, but we do have some loss of

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grant funding as well and the area of homelessness.

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We've lost a lot in the county measure A about a 32% drop with another 43% coming in the

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00:54:58,510 --> 00:55:03,990
next year and a state funding has been not very clear.

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It looked like it was going to be cut then it was restored and we're looking at some major

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cuts on the federal level.

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And so we're looking roughly from all those sources together,

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probably losing about $11 million over the next 12 months.

422
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And had we not take an action that would have meant hundreds of beds would have had to close.

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And so we created a plan so that those beds are not closing,

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but it is going to impact some of our staffing.

425
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So our outreach will go from two shuttle services, two vehicles to one.

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Most outreach would be eliminated.

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Mobile access centers would go from two to one.

428
00:55:36,210 --> 00:55:40,650
We would lose some of our prevention program dollars and our employment and workforce funding.

429
00:55:41,210 --> 00:55:43,670
Our motel vouchers would be cut from 40 to 15.

430
00:55:44,130 --> 00:55:49,950
We'd have fewer rapid rehousing assistance and all and all we'd lose about eight positions at a homeless services.

431
00:55:51,770 --> 00:55:55,170
There is some good news in some areas of the budget.

432
00:55:55,450 --> 00:56:00,710
Again, there are restricted funds that cannot help the general fund, but they are still nonetheless important.

433
00:56:01,310 --> 00:56:04,830
We do have a plan for tidelines for about a $12 million investment.

434
00:56:04,830 --> 00:56:11,450
And so that would be in the area of transportation and mobility, public safety and operational enhancements and infrastructure.

435
00:56:12,230 --> 00:56:23,950
And additionally, of those police officers we're losing, we're able to move five officers to Thailand to have a dedicated patrol calls for response in our beach areas, which is going to help the entire city.

436
00:56:24,130 --> 00:56:29,390
So if we have officers responding there, other officers can be responding to other areas of the city.

437
00:56:30,690 --> 00:56:48,310
We're also in with a new revenue coming in that's dedicated for traffic going to be expanding our traffic operations by seven positions and then five additional customer service support rolls and really respond to the ability to get quicker neighborhood traffic calming quick build improvements.

438
00:56:49,850 --> 00:56:52,530
You'll hear later in our presentation in a couple of weeks.

439
00:56:52,530 --> 00:56:57,570
We're going to talk about our infrastructure and so our infrastructure plan is about 1.24 billion dollars now,

440
00:56:57,750 --> 00:57:00,610
180 projects against these eight funding categories.

441
00:57:01,810 --> 00:57:04,770
And we've released new maps for the next five years for our streets.

442
00:57:04,930 --> 00:57:08,030
Those just came out and you can see them on our website.

443
00:57:08,890 --> 00:57:12,750
And it's about a $250 million investment in streets.

444
00:57:13,130 --> 00:57:15,870
This is what it would look like for the next five years.

445
00:57:16,270 --> 00:57:18,790
And when you overlay it over the past five years,

446
00:57:18,790 --> 00:57:23,390
these are all the streets that have been done and you can go and check out this map and

447
00:57:23,390 --> 00:57:28,990
drill down to each individual level. So as I wrap up and turn into the mayor, I do want us to

448
00:57:28,990 --> 00:57:34,750
all be cognizant of the human impact of all these reductions we talk about FTEs and positions,

449
00:57:35,550 --> 00:57:41,030
but ultimately these are people. We provide human, we provide support to our community with our

450
00:57:41,030 --> 00:57:47,010
employees. They are by definition our greatest asset and it's been a very tough day. It was a very

451
00:57:47,010 --> 00:57:53,550
week last week as we communicated this to our workforce. Ultimately, I am recommending 483

452
00:57:53,550 --> 00:58:01,250
positions be eliminated and 263 of those are filled. You're going to hear from the mayor. He has

453
00:58:01,250 --> 00:58:06,490
certain recommendations that would restore about 70 of those positions. And so the net total would

454
00:58:06,490 --> 00:58:14,210
be about 413 and about 237 of those are filled. And so I want us to all bear in mind the human

455
00:58:14,210 --> 00:58:19,990
impact that budget reductions take. These are people that rely on their employment to put food on

456
00:58:19,990 --> 00:58:24,250
the table to support their families and we're going to do everything we can to help support them

457
00:58:24,250 --> 00:58:29,310
and move them to vacant positions wherever we can as allowed by the Civil Service rules.

458
00:58:31,370 --> 00:58:37,630
And so next steps we do need to stay the financial course. This is a responsible budget even though

459
00:58:37,630 --> 00:58:43,650
it is in certain areas very difficult. We are going to take this out in the community and do a number

460
00:58:43,650 --> 00:58:47,970
of different meetings throughout the city where we take input and answer questions and ask

461
00:58:47,970 --> 00:58:51,970
people to fill out some information to get to the council by a Friday October 4th August

462
00:58:51,970 --> 00:58:55,850
14th and then we're going to hold very in-depth discussions with the City Council over the next

463
00:58:55,850 --> 00:59:02,290
six weeks. And so these are all the areas you can get involved. We have all this on our website

464
00:59:02,290 --> 00:59:07,470
Long Beach.gov backslash budget for you to get involved and we have digital comment cards that

465
00:59:07,470 --> 00:59:11,510
everyone can fill out and all of those will go straight to the City Council and management as well

466
00:59:11,510 --> 00:59:17,570
to read. And so find out more, there's lots of documents where you can search and find the

467
00:59:17,570 --> 00:59:23,990
program that you are most concerned about under Long Beach.gov.gov. And with that, I will

468
00:59:23,990 --> 00:59:26,570
turn it over to the mayor to go through his recommendations.

469
00:59:27,350 --> 00:59:34,130
All right. Thank you Tom. So before I outline these recommendations, I want to acknowledge a few

470
00:59:34,130 --> 00:59:44,190
So one, this is the process, the manager puts forward a budget that is balanced as required by the charter.

471
00:59:44,670 --> 00:59:49,670
It has either rebalanced by cuts, or if you have reserves you can draw a fund, you can do that,

472
00:59:49,790 --> 00:59:53,370
but you have to adopt the balanced budget per charter every year.

473
00:59:54,550 --> 00:59:59,790
The city manager goes through that budget development process from January through May.

474
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:08,020
And then that proposal is submitted to the mayor. To review, to talk through, it's a collaborative process.

475
01:00:09,400 --> 01:00:13,080
And sometimes there are new resources that become available. They're not available in January.

476
01:00:13,260 --> 01:00:18,280
February when the budget was being developed. That sometimes can be used on restorations.

477
01:00:18,760 --> 01:00:24,560
So as my responsibility in a charter to go through and give my pass and give my recommendations, both are submitted to the city council.

478
01:00:24,600 --> 01:00:28,120
They go through their budget process, which is largely driven by these hearings.

479
01:00:28,120 --> 01:00:30,100
and the budget oversight committee meeting.

480
01:00:30,520 --> 01:00:32,820
You don't have to solve everything in this budget meeting tonight.

481
01:00:33,360 --> 01:00:35,600
Each of these major departments will have a night

482
01:00:35,600 --> 01:00:38,500
where we can take a deeper dive into impacts

483
01:00:38,500 --> 01:00:40,160
and all of that through that process.

484
01:00:41,120 --> 01:00:42,380
Also, the budget oversight committee

485
01:00:42,380 --> 01:00:43,860
will come with a set of recommendations

486
01:00:43,860 --> 01:00:45,300
as they do every single year,

487
01:00:45,660 --> 01:00:47,380
which also are adopted by the full council.

488
01:00:48,380 --> 01:00:49,780
So, let's get into my recommendations.

489
01:00:49,960 --> 01:00:52,220
I want to start by explaining how I'm paying for

490
01:00:52,220 --> 01:00:54,260
these recommendations, these recommendations

491
01:00:54,260 --> 01:00:57,160
have a number of restorations and enhancements.

492
01:00:57,160 --> 01:01:07,220
Every one of these recommendations is structurally funded and sustainable without expanding our deficit is incredibly important to note.

493
01:01:07,520 --> 01:01:17,780
They're funded by redirecting one-time savings, improving cost recovery, or maximizing outside funding so we can protect services without placing additional structural pressure.

494
01:01:17,780 --> 01:01:31,780
So, here are four of the main categories, first, because the citywide elected officials and the Long Beach City Council closed out their election in June, there is no election for our city clerk to administer.

495
01:01:32,180 --> 01:01:37,400
We normally set aside about one and a half million dollars to run an election. There's no election in November.

496
01:01:37,940 --> 01:01:46,980
So, I'm recommending that we take those dollars that have been set aside for a possible election and redirect those to one-time savings on important,

497
01:01:46,980 --> 01:01:50,700
one-time community priorities and one-time service restorations.

498
01:01:51,280 --> 01:01:55,920
Secondly, this was alluded to in the City Manager's proposal that the Longleash Fire Department

499
01:01:55,920 --> 01:02:01,000
provides significant protection services that support port operations.

500
01:02:01,500 --> 01:02:05,760
They've been subsidized for the general fund, so the general fund has supported those services.

501
01:02:06,360 --> 01:02:10,080
That MOU had not been updated many years, so we've gone to the Harvard Commission

502
01:02:10,080 --> 01:02:14,340
and the Port Department to update their MOU for full cost recovery.

503
01:02:14,340 --> 01:02:20,540
that has generated about 5.9 million in ongoing general-front structural support.

504
01:02:20,940 --> 01:02:24,660
That can be used to restore essential services, so I want to thank the Board of

505
01:02:24,660 --> 01:02:30,660
Harbor Commissioners and Port CEO, Nora Pasagabba for their partnership on this

506
01:02:30,660 --> 01:02:32,140
timely update.

507
01:02:32,820 --> 01:02:39,560
Next, we've been engaged regionally and nationally and statewide because we knew this

508
01:02:39,560 --> 01:02:40,300
moment was coming.

509
01:02:40,300 --> 01:02:45,240
we project out five years out, we've seen that there have been cuts to public health and other things

510
01:02:45,240 --> 01:02:45,900
regionally.

511
01:02:46,080 --> 01:02:51,020
So we got involved regionally to identify new funding sources to support us in this moment.

512
01:02:51,480 --> 01:02:56,940
So the first is through advocacy with the California Big City Mayor's Coalition, the state

513
01:02:56,940 --> 01:03:02,260
restored a portion, significant portion of the homeless housing assistance and prevention program

514
01:03:02,260 --> 01:03:03,000
called HAP.

515
01:03:03,340 --> 01:03:08,180
It was cut statewide from a billion to 500 million recently in a state budget.

516
01:03:08,180 --> 01:03:13,260
thanks to the advocacy it was restored up to 900 million so almost fully restored that helps us

517
01:03:13,900 --> 01:03:19,500
with some of the impacts to our homeless outreach and our engagement here in the city. The second piece

518
01:03:19,500 --> 01:03:25,220
through our budget conversations throughout the years typically community requests have been more focused on

519
01:03:25,220 --> 01:03:31,180
how do we support renters and tenants and that placed additional pressure on the general fund of the past two years

520
01:03:31,180 --> 01:03:35,500
through our work and our partnership with LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency

521
01:03:36,160 --> 01:03:43,740
We now have dedicated funds for things like tenant assistance, rental assistance, they don't put pressure on the general fund anymore.

522
01:03:43,920 --> 01:03:45,020
It is a separate fund.

523
01:03:45,380 --> 01:03:52,880
So we receive about 10.7 million in this upcoming fiscal year to support those services so it does not place additional pressure.

524
01:03:53,500 --> 01:03:55,660
One time or structural on our general fund.

525
01:03:56,160 --> 01:04:01,160
And so that will help us preserve rental subsidies, housing navigation and housing location services.

526
01:04:01,160 --> 01:04:11,060
And then finally, probably the biggest impact that biggest addition that we did not have before was LA County Measure ER.

527
01:04:11,500 --> 01:04:14,180
I want to thank the City Council for supporting me, Measure ER.

528
01:04:14,400 --> 01:04:21,060
Our labor partners for supporting Measure ER and the voters for ultimately adopting Measure ER on the ballot county.

529
01:04:21,060 --> 01:04:35,360
This is a temporary measure that supports public health and our clinics for the next five years due to the uncertain federal landscape and the cuts coming from the federal government that are impacting state

530
01:04:35,360 --> 01:04:45,600
County and local and so as a result of that 1% of that measure county wide is going to support the two jurisdictions that have public public public public

531
01:04:45,600 --> 01:04:47,780
health departments that is long beach in Pasadena.

532
01:04:48,240 --> 01:04:50,820
So we have new dollars about seven to eight million

533
01:04:50,820 --> 01:04:52,920
and structural dollars over the next five years

534
01:04:52,920 --> 01:04:54,780
to go directly into our health department.

535
01:04:55,720 --> 01:04:57,500
So that's our pan for these recommendations.

536
01:04:57,680 --> 01:04:58,760
So let's jump right in.

537
01:04:58,920 --> 01:05:00,760
They're organized into four categories.

538
01:05:00,980 --> 01:05:03,680
The first is protecting jobs and essential public safety

539
01:05:03,680 --> 01:05:04,100
services.

540
01:05:04,600 --> 01:05:06,680
The second is preserving public health

541
01:05:06,680 --> 01:05:07,940
in the face of federal cuts.

542
01:05:08,420 --> 01:05:10,840
After that, it's advanced in mobility and safety

543
01:05:11,350 --> 01:05:13,980
for all road users and then continuing to invest

544
01:05:13,980 --> 01:05:15,580
and our thriving neighborhoods.

545
01:05:16,100 --> 01:05:17,300
So to start with public safety,

546
01:05:18,200 --> 01:05:21,360
this budget already continues our focus on hiring.

547
01:05:21,880 --> 01:05:23,940
We know that we've done consecutive academies.

548
01:05:24,180 --> 01:05:26,520
We've cut our vacancy rate and have

549
01:05:26,520 --> 01:05:28,800
in our police department coming out of COVID.

550
01:05:29,200 --> 01:05:31,280
We saw vacancies across all of our departments.

551
01:05:32,040 --> 01:05:35,540
One tough budget year should not stop our progress

552
01:05:35,540 --> 01:05:37,420
toward that strategic goal of hiring.

553
01:05:37,820 --> 01:05:38,520
So we're continuing.

554
01:05:38,780 --> 01:05:41,900
We will have a cadmium class 101 that is there.

555
01:05:41,900 --> 01:05:46,300
We also know that high crime focused teams played a big role.

556
01:05:46,720 --> 01:05:50,440
We've seen five years consecutive reductions in shootings,

557
01:05:50,840 --> 01:05:52,500
in violent crime and homicides in our city.

558
01:05:52,820 --> 01:05:54,040
So that's now structurally funded.

559
01:05:54,640 --> 01:05:56,680
But there are some recommendations to restore some of the cuts

560
01:05:56,680 --> 01:05:58,700
that have been impacted in this budget.

561
01:05:59,120 --> 01:06:03,580
First, there was originally a plan to eliminate engine,

562
01:06:04,020 --> 01:06:06,820
14, and a rotating engine closure.

563
01:06:07,100 --> 01:06:09,760
So every two weeks, a different fire station

564
01:06:09,760 --> 01:06:16,480
have to take an engine out of service. It's incredibly impactful and disruptive cut.

565
01:06:17,020 --> 01:06:23,120
And so we are leveraging the port dollars to eliminate the rotating engine closure by restoring

566
01:06:23,120 --> 01:06:28,840
12 FTEs in the fire department, ensuring emergency medical and fire suppression capacity

567
01:06:28,840 --> 01:06:34,240
remains strong. The other part, this budget, over the last few years, we've placed an emphasis

568
01:06:34,240 --> 01:06:37,260
on shifting to meet the evolving needs.

569
01:06:37,500 --> 01:06:41,620
We know that medical calls are the emerging and majority of calls.

570
01:06:42,040 --> 01:06:45,020
So we've added additional rescues and previous budgets.

571
01:06:45,360 --> 01:06:47,400
None of the paramedic rescues are being cut.

572
01:06:47,560 --> 01:06:49,120
They're being maintained in this budget.

573
01:06:49,680 --> 01:06:51,820
That is important that we continue that focus

574
01:06:51,820 --> 01:06:55,040
because the most recent report showed that we are meeting

575
01:06:55,040 --> 01:06:58,160
emergencies the response time is declining

576
01:06:58,160 --> 01:07:01,460
and we want to continue to see the response time continue to decline.

577
01:07:01,460 --> 01:07:10,180
In terms of the police department, there are, I'm recommending four FTEs be restored across

578
01:07:10,180 --> 01:07:15,540
east, north, south and west patrol divisions, so four additional patrol restaurants.

579
01:07:16,540 --> 01:07:21,200
I'm recommending two additional quality life officers to bring the total of quality life

580
01:07:21,200 --> 01:07:26,840
to four, one in each division, LA River Cleanups.

581
01:07:26,840 --> 01:07:34,280
we're recommending funding to provide overtime to support weekly clean up operations in our rivers.

582
01:07:34,560 --> 01:07:39,440
We also recommending overtime funding for the Police Department's High Crime Task Force

583
01:07:39,440 --> 01:07:45,140
and increase traffic enforcement support as a part of our comprehensive effort to address some

584
01:07:45,140 --> 01:07:54,580
of the challenges with pedestrian and vehicle incidents in our city. Next, community safety can't be

585
01:07:54,580 --> 01:08:10,300
It's not the fine only by what happens when someone calls 9, when one we have to continue our focus on upstream and making sure that people know and understand and believe and trust that we can prevent crime and make sure that all our communities feel safe.

586
01:08:10,840 --> 01:08:23,460
We know that over the past year and a half, two years we've seen significantly impact significant impacts to our undocumented community and Long Beach and it's fortunate that we have a Long Beach Justice Fund.

587
01:08:23,460 --> 01:08:30,300
There is some structural funding for the justice fund, but it's not enough to get through when you look at the average spend over the past two years.

588
01:08:30,540 --> 01:08:32,060
It's not enough to make it through this next year.

589
01:08:32,460 --> 01:08:36,000
Our hope is that the administration stops this attack, but it is unlikely.

590
01:08:36,820 --> 01:08:38,060
So we need to be prepared.

591
01:08:38,500 --> 01:08:44,820
So I'm recommending that one, we restore the one FTE in the Office of Equity and Sure.

592
01:08:45,160 --> 01:08:49,700
Structural funding is dedicated to the Long Beach Justice Fund, so that position was cut.

593
01:08:49,700 --> 01:08:51,400
I'm recommending we restore that.

594
01:08:51,620 --> 01:08:57,120
Furthermore, I'm recommending adding structural one-time general fund dollars to match the current

595
01:08:57,120 --> 01:09:01,260
budget allocation to bring the total for the Justice Fund in this year to $1 million.

596
01:09:01,740 --> 01:09:05,920
That is the average between last year's spend and this year's spend to ensure community has

597
01:09:05,920 --> 01:09:08,800
access to those protections over the course of the next year.

598
01:09:09,360 --> 01:09:15,760
Secondly, be safe summer program was proposed to be cut to reduce from three hours to two hours

599
01:09:15,760 --> 01:09:18,140
In the summer, this is an incredibly important program.

600
01:09:18,340 --> 01:09:21,680
So I'm recommending we restore 5.72 FTEs

601
01:09:21,680 --> 01:09:23,900
and part some recreation marine to preserve programming

602
01:09:23,900 --> 01:09:25,420
at the three hour level.

603
01:09:25,840 --> 01:09:28,040
Next, we're continuing to invest in youth opportunity,

604
01:09:28,120 --> 01:09:30,000
and supportive community services.

605
01:09:30,620 --> 01:09:32,580
We know that we're still continuing

606
01:09:32,580 --> 01:09:34,660
with our just with our youth fund

607
01:09:34,660 --> 01:09:36,860
and the office of youth development, a lot of that work,

608
01:09:37,700 --> 01:09:40,080
but we're going to restore some cuts here.

609
01:09:40,400 --> 01:09:41,680
So the office of Veterans Affairs,

610
01:09:41,780 --> 01:09:43,020
we want to continue to commission.

611
01:09:43,020 --> 01:09:49,040
So, restoring a half-time FTE and the Health and Human Services Department for a public health

612
01:09:49,040 --> 01:09:53,040
professional 3 and Office of Veterans Affairs, the Commission was run at half-time for many

613
01:09:53,040 --> 01:09:53,500
years.

614
01:09:53,780 --> 01:09:54,920
Then it went up to full-time.

615
01:09:55,000 --> 01:09:58,640
It's going to scale back to the way it operated for a number of years.

616
01:09:59,220 --> 01:10:02,740
Homeland Cultural Center, Programming with Schedule to Be Cut, we're restoring that with

617
01:10:02,740 --> 01:10:13,000
25,000 Chavez Park Team Programming, we're restoring 1.5,5,5,4 FTE's and

618
01:10:13,540 --> 01:10:16,620
So we want to make sure that those resources are there.

619
01:10:17,140 --> 01:10:19,420
Next, let's focus on now the health department.

620
01:10:20,140 --> 01:10:22,760
So again, we're one of the few cities of the public health department

621
01:10:22,760 --> 01:10:25,020
and there's facing impacts on all sides.

622
01:10:25,640 --> 01:10:29,020
It's been a focus of ours to shift to more structural funding

623
01:10:29,020 --> 01:10:31,380
for our health department in the past and to invest

624
01:10:32,000 --> 01:10:33,820
in the administrative work that it requires

625
01:10:33,820 --> 01:10:36,680
in order to keep up with grants and go after more grants

626
01:10:36,680 --> 01:10:37,800
and things like that.

627
01:10:38,060 --> 01:10:40,340
Right now it's being impacted, but thanks to measure ER,

628
01:10:40,340 --> 01:10:44,740
we do have a unique opportunity to focus on three priorities.

629
01:10:45,600 --> 01:10:48,520
One, restoring a set number of proposed reductions,

630
01:10:48,740 --> 01:10:52,180
a 1.7 million to restore 12 FTEs.

631
01:10:52,180 --> 01:10:55,360
This is foundational health and human services positions.

632
01:10:55,700 --> 01:10:57,340
They help support everything that happens.

633
01:10:57,860 --> 01:11:00,660
Secondly, sustain existing services that expect

634
01:11:00,660 --> 01:11:01,260
to lose funding.

635
01:11:01,680 --> 01:11:04,920
As mentioned, there's about $300 million across the city

636
01:11:04,920 --> 01:11:07,280
that's potentially at risk from federal government.

637
01:11:07,740 --> 01:11:09,380
We want to sustain existing services

638
01:11:09,380 --> 01:11:13,400
that we want me to expect to lose funding and their cuts from the county as well.

639
01:11:13,620 --> 01:11:19,820
So that's 3.2 million and 14 FTEs to protect successful programs that are losing temporary

640
01:11:19,820 --> 01:11:21,280
state or federal grant funding.

641
01:11:21,760 --> 01:11:26,920
And then three new positions in program enhancements about 2 million and that's 12 FTEs expand

642
01:11:26,920 --> 01:11:31,600
our capacity and communicable disease prevention, lab work, and community outreach.

643
01:11:31,780 --> 01:11:37,680
So in total, this restores 12 positions as about 26 positions to ensure that our public health

644
01:11:37,680 --> 01:11:42,940
Department can continue to meet its mission and be responsible about the limited revenues that we do have.

645
01:11:43,580 --> 01:11:46,740
Next, advanced mobility and traffic safety for all road users.

646
01:11:47,340 --> 01:11:54,180
We know that traffic safety and our ability to move around our city, take people to school, go to a park, drop your kids off,

647
01:11:54,320 --> 01:11:56,100
all of that is incredibly important in our community.

648
01:11:56,280 --> 01:12:02,440
We also know that post COVID, we've seen a significant rise in incidents of pedestrian safety,

649
01:12:02,580 --> 01:12:04,020
accidents in our community.

650
01:12:04,500 --> 01:12:09,680
And we know that over the next two years, this isn't, we need to place a big focus on that.

651
01:12:10,140 --> 01:12:16,820
Not for the two, you know, the millions of people who will come here for the Olympics, but to leave a better system in place for our residents who will continue to live here.

652
01:12:17,260 --> 01:12:22,780
So we support the creation of the new traffic safety division in public works.

653
01:12:23,060 --> 01:12:27,000
We support that with the 12 new positions and focus on vision zero implementation,

654
01:12:27,000 --> 01:12:32,200
say for street design, follow up on the, you know, the stop sign studies and all the different

655
01:12:32,200 --> 01:12:36,400
studies that have a backlog and focus on collision reductions. But we have an opportunity

656
01:12:36,400 --> 01:12:41,200
to go further in the mayor's recommendations. I was recently elected to the Metro

657
01:12:41,200 --> 01:12:45,300
Board, so I'm leaving my focus on La Casa. It's brought a lot of real dollars,

658
01:12:45,380 --> 01:12:50,440
$10.5 million dollars for housing. Now we're going to shift to pedestrian safety and

659
01:12:50,440 --> 01:12:58,160
ability. Two pieces. One Metro is now supporting a position in the mayor's office to focus on

660
01:12:58,160 --> 01:13:04,220
a stronger transit investment, safer streets, meaningful infrastructure upgrades. And so we will

661
01:13:04,220 --> 01:13:09,260
have a new role dedicated to the mayor's office to go after outside transportation dollars.

662
01:13:09,580 --> 01:13:14,620
Leverage what we have to create a bigger impact and advocate for regional or local priorities.

663
01:13:15,280 --> 01:13:20,080
And secondly, Long Beach has not been a part of a broader conversation around Metro Lincoln

664
01:13:20,080 --> 01:13:27,080
high-speed rail in this upcoming year, this team will also focus on beginning to formally evaluate

665
01:13:27,080 --> 01:13:28,620
a metro link connection in Long Beach.

666
01:13:29,060 --> 01:13:35,140
Not light rail, a line, but be able to buy a ticket in Long Beach and get on a real train

667
01:13:35,140 --> 01:13:40,000
with, you know, with luggage and end up in Sacramento through high-speed rail or Las Vegas.

668
01:13:40,020 --> 01:13:43,880
It doesn't connect to Long Beach and so we have to begin this discussion over the next decade

669
01:13:43,880 --> 01:13:46,580
if we're going to be tapped into this broader regional economy.

670
01:13:47,300 --> 01:13:49,300
Next, our neighborhoods.

671
01:13:50,180 --> 01:13:55,520
So there are a lot of things that City Manager put forward from improving our meetings and addressing

672
01:13:55,520 --> 01:13:58,320
street light challenges despite the budget circumstance.

673
01:13:58,860 --> 01:14:01,080
But there are impacts in the budget that we do need to address.

674
01:14:01,720 --> 01:14:06,380
So in talking with libraries, we went to a six day schedule back in 2022.

675
01:14:06,820 --> 01:14:08,880
There was no structural funding for it in the past.

676
01:14:09,200 --> 01:14:10,280
That had to be fixed.

677
01:14:10,680 --> 01:14:15,220
Well now we're in a moment where we have to address that there was not restored in a way

678
01:14:15,220 --> 01:14:16,940
that it had the structural funding.

679
01:14:17,120 --> 01:14:18,520
We're returning back to five days,

680
01:14:19,060 --> 01:14:21,340
but in talking with some of the leadership

681
01:14:21,340 --> 01:14:22,260
and library services,

682
01:14:22,660 --> 01:14:23,860
what they've asked for is more flexible

683
01:14:23,860 --> 01:14:24,940
dollars for programming.

684
01:14:25,640 --> 01:14:27,120
So make sure they have the resources to do

685
01:14:27,120 --> 01:14:28,840
what they need to do with our youth

686
01:14:28,840 --> 01:14:30,100
and our community while they're there.

687
01:14:30,400 --> 01:14:32,220
So we're adding additional support

688
01:14:32,220 --> 01:14:33,460
for programming libraries.

689
01:14:34,040 --> 01:14:36,040
Secondly, there's a proposed cut to funding

690
01:14:36,040 --> 01:14:39,580
for both ranchos, both of our ranchos,

691
01:14:40,020 --> 01:14:41,120
and El Dorado Nature Center.

692
01:14:41,960 --> 01:14:44,820
I'm recommending we preserve funding

693
01:14:44,820 --> 01:14:48,480
and both of those in a way that does not impact our general fund.

694
01:14:48,820 --> 01:14:51,460
And so we're going to be part of the part of the parks on El Dorado,

695
01:14:51,740 --> 01:14:53,380
nature centered on the red shirt, ranchos,

696
01:14:53,620 --> 01:14:55,580
we're going to be leveraging measure B,

697
01:14:55,840 --> 01:14:56,980
which is for arts and culture.

698
01:14:57,880 --> 01:14:59,980
Nature, let's see, west side promise.

699
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:05,220
We're continuing to recommend funding to continue, rest-side promise focus on, you know, we know that the

700
01:15:05,220 --> 01:15:11,520
west side, this is a dedicated strategy to deliver infrastructure, economic opportunity, environmental

701
01:15:11,520 --> 01:15:16,640
improvements over a long term. So a short but a difficult budget year should not change your long-term

702
01:15:16,640 --> 01:15:23,340
focus. Your 10-year focus on improving the west side. And then the other thing we'll note here is that in

703
01:15:23,340 --> 01:15:28,000
terms of small business and business improvement districts and business corridors, we funded this last year.

704
01:15:28,000 --> 01:15:34,500
So the $8.7 million back to business plan was a two-year plan because we anticipated that this will be a difficult year.

705
01:15:35,020 --> 01:15:41,040
So the support for the business improvement districts, the support to do rapid response and a lot of the activity in our business corridors have been helpful.

706
01:15:41,620 --> 01:15:46,180
We funded that last year, so we want to remind folks those resources are available for this year.

707
01:15:46,500 --> 01:15:56,400
So now looking ahead, this budget is addressing a structural deficit and we project out and do five-year forecasts.

708
01:15:56,400 --> 01:16:01,420
We see that our deficit narrows if we follow this plan over the next two years.

709
01:16:01,780 --> 01:16:05,800
With next year, there's new resources, local measure $8 coming in.

710
01:16:06,000 --> 01:16:12,140
If the council chooses, that could cover significantly the most, if not all of the deficit

711
01:16:12,140 --> 01:16:12,860
for next year.

712
01:16:13,340 --> 01:16:17,320
Which means this year is really the year to think about the structural deficit.

713
01:16:17,600 --> 01:16:21,160
If we solve this year, we will leave balance.

714
01:16:21,160 --> 01:16:26,980
The balance that our employees deserve, the stability that our employees deserve and the stability that our residents deserve,

715
01:16:27,300 --> 01:16:31,540
the first time that we've had since pre-COVID, because it's been uncertain since the COVID era.

716
01:16:32,280 --> 01:16:39,580
So, I'm recommending the number of things that we do to continue to focus on a long-term stability and address critical priorities.

717
01:16:40,100 --> 01:16:42,400
So, one, reserve replenishment, replenishment.

718
01:16:42,520 --> 01:16:49,100
I'm recommending $200,000 in addition to the City Manager's recommendations to bring reserve replenishment to $10 million in this budget.

719
01:16:49,100 --> 01:16:55,800
And additionally, look forward to where each year we have a year in performance that produces a general fund surplus,

720
01:16:56,420 --> 01:16:57,500
continue to act to the reserves.

721
01:16:57,880 --> 01:17:00,860
This is what we need to do to make sure we have that stability moving forward.

722
01:17:01,880 --> 01:17:08,920
We also have passed on to the council for $303,000 in one time dollars for utilization of the budget oversight,

723
01:17:09,100 --> 01:17:14,000
committing the city council to explore further community priorities on a one time basis.

724
01:17:14,620 --> 01:17:16,480
So that is also a mayor's recommendation.

725
01:17:17,160 --> 01:17:22,520
Additionally, we have to continue our focus on growth and accelerate our growth in the next few years.

726
01:17:22,840 --> 01:17:26,720
So we can have a more stable budget in the future, really two things.

727
01:17:27,280 --> 01:17:29,800
One, there are a number of things that need to be delivered by 2028.

728
01:17:29,880 --> 01:17:32,140
And it's going to require a lot of focus from our city manager.

729
01:17:32,920 --> 01:17:35,080
Infrastructure projects, economic development projects.

730
01:17:35,220 --> 01:17:45,820
So we're asked in our city manager to launch an accelerate 2018 and accelerate the planning for those projects to make sure we can leverage the 2020 opportunity to create as much.

731
01:17:45,820 --> 01:17:52,040
economic value, long term economic value is possible, and to also accelerate the timing for

732
01:17:52,040 --> 01:17:57,160
a public solicitation for the future development of peer age, shoreline drive, make sure

733
01:17:57,160 --> 01:17:59,580
that we have all that figured out in the next two years.

734
01:17:59,900 --> 01:18:05,480
The last thing I'll mention here is I'm recommending adding $150,000 structurally to the

735
01:18:05,480 --> 01:18:10,180
general fund group to support city clerk department to further support SB 707 implementation.

736
01:18:10,680 --> 01:18:14,280
This was not originally in the city manager's budget because the council was going through

737
01:18:14,280 --> 01:18:17,260
process to make the council meetings run more efficiently.

738
01:18:17,800 --> 01:18:22,300
The city council made a decision to go a different direction until we figure out how to achieve that.

739
01:18:22,380 --> 01:18:28,360
We have to pay for additional staff to stay through the end of council meetings, which is fine, but we have to make sure we pay for it.

740
01:18:28,540 --> 01:18:32,160
That can be freed up for additional job restorations or service restorations.

741
01:18:32,420 --> 01:18:40,280
If the city council figures out a compromise or figures out how to address SB 707 in a way that is less costly and

742
01:18:40,280 --> 01:18:44,640
in less costly and can prioritize service and enhancements

743
01:18:44,640 --> 01:18:46,060
or service restorations and said.

744
01:18:46,760 --> 01:18:48,540
So these recommendations in total,

745
01:18:48,940 --> 01:18:50,720
they restore about 70 critical positions

746
01:18:50,720 --> 01:18:53,200
and at 38 roles within our health department.

747
01:18:54,000 --> 01:18:55,240
So this is the hardest part of the plan

748
01:18:55,240 --> 01:18:56,460
is the workforce impacts.

749
01:18:57,000 --> 01:18:58,760
This eliminates of the fill positions

750
01:18:58,760 --> 01:19:01,680
about 180 to 200 fill positions.

751
01:19:01,800 --> 01:19:04,080
The number is still being sorted out,

752
01:19:04,280 --> 01:19:05,880
but there are impacts in this budget.

753
01:19:05,980 --> 01:19:07,800
And we know that these are colleagues,

754
01:19:08,000 --> 01:19:10,120
these are neighbors, we know some of these

755
01:19:10,120 --> 01:19:15,780
Folks, we know that they are dedicated public servants, them and their families have dedicated

756
01:19:15,780 --> 01:19:17,980
their careers to serving the city of Long Beach.

757
01:19:18,500 --> 01:19:22,940
So we do not take this lightly, but that is even more reason why we have to think about

758
01:19:22,940 --> 01:19:28,280
the long-term structural stability of our budget for the 6,000 employees who are here.

759
01:19:28,580 --> 01:19:32,860
We don't want them to look over their shoulders every single budget to find out if we're

760
01:19:32,860 --> 01:19:34,020
being cut or not.

761
01:19:34,160 --> 01:19:35,580
Taking cuts is very significant.

762
01:19:35,860 --> 01:19:38,560
We haven't had to do this since pandemic era.

763
01:19:38,560 --> 01:19:42,860
this is not something that we want to do, which is why it's important that we stay the course.

764
01:19:43,760 --> 01:19:47,660
If we make us make a restoration, it needs to be supported through structural funding.

765
01:19:48,000 --> 01:19:52,380
If it's a one-time enhancement, pay for it one-time funding, this is more than a budgeting

766
01:19:52,380 --> 01:19:57,480
philosophy. This is how we provide that long-term stability and an environment where the federal

767
01:19:57,480 --> 01:20:01,600
government is not stable and the economy is not stable. But if we stick to this strategy, we can

768
01:20:01,600 --> 01:20:07,920
deliver that long-term stability that is needed. So that said, we submit this now back to the city council

769
01:20:07,920 --> 01:20:11,180
and the Budget Oversight Committee for deliberation.

770
01:20:11,820 --> 01:20:14,640
Again, every meeting will have a deeper dive in each department,

771
01:20:14,780 --> 01:20:16,360
so you don't have to get everything out now,

772
01:20:16,940 --> 01:20:18,560
but this is the beginning of that discussion.

773
01:20:19,480 --> 01:20:22,140
So now, that is the budget presentation.

774
01:20:22,560 --> 01:20:24,900
We're now going to go to the public and begin our public comment

775
01:20:24,900 --> 01:20:25,300
process.

776
01:20:25,480 --> 01:20:28,700
And again, under SB 707 rules, the Clerk will

777
01:20:28,700 --> 01:20:29,680
administer public comment.

778
01:20:29,700 --> 01:20:32,060
We'll have in-person and we'll have online.

779
01:20:32,220 --> 01:20:35,880
And because they're more than 10, this is 90 seconds on each speaker.

780
01:20:35,880 --> 01:20:38,220
So, clerk, please facilitate public comment.

781
01:20:39,940 --> 01:20:42,040
There are 12 members of the public sign-up to speak.

782
01:20:42,220 --> 01:20:44,100
The speaking time will be 90 seconds.

783
01:20:44,300 --> 01:20:47,580
When your name is called, please come forward and line up at the podium.

784
01:20:48,540 --> 01:20:54,880
Ashley Gunkel, Netties Schuster, Brandon Nottingham, Nate Kim,

785
01:20:56,040 --> 01:20:57,040
Kat Kay,

786
01:20:59,990 --> 01:21:07,330
Ken Osborn, Emily Quest, Gus Orozco, Elizabeth Spulglio, Denise Sapia,

787
01:21:07,330 --> 01:21:10,910
Cat, May, Diego, Mayan.

788
01:21:14,880 --> 01:21:16,300
Hello, Mayor and Council members.

789
01:21:16,520 --> 01:21:17,400
My name is Ashley Gunkle

790
01:21:17,400 --> 01:21:18,900
and the International Representative

791
01:21:18,900 --> 01:21:21,060
and Chief Negotiator for the IM Union.

792
01:21:21,200 --> 01:21:23,680
We represent about 3,500 members here

793
01:21:23,680 --> 01:21:24,800
in the city of Long Beach

794
01:21:25,360 --> 01:21:28,860
and about 45% of our members actually live here

795
01:21:28,860 --> 01:21:30,720
in this great city as well.

796
01:21:31,180 --> 01:21:33,300
The IM represents workers and many industries,

797
01:21:33,680 --> 01:21:35,240
but tonight I wanna share some wisdom

798
01:21:35,240 --> 01:21:36,220
from a carpenter.

799
01:21:36,960 --> 01:21:38,740
Measure twice, cut once.

800
01:21:39,280 --> 01:21:50,380
A carpenter knows that once you make the cut, you don't get that piece of wood back, and when you're deciding what to cut, the question isn't just what you can remove, it's what you're destroying in the process.

801
01:21:51,280 --> 01:21:57,260
Our members understand the city is facing difficult financial circumstances, but these aren't just physicians on a spreadsheet.

802
01:21:57,260 --> 01:22:03,740
They're people, their families, their neighbors, and they're the people who provide the services

803
01:22:03,740 --> 01:22:07,380
to your residents and the residents depend on.

804
01:22:07,580 --> 01:22:12,360
Cut one city employee and you may cut an entire household income in half.

805
01:22:12,880 --> 01:22:17,040
Cut both employees in a household and you may take away that family's ability to stay in

806
01:22:17,040 --> 01:22:18,440
the community that they serve.

807
01:22:19,220 --> 01:22:23,220
You can move the pieces of a puzzle around but eventually you have to ask, are you still

808
01:22:23,220 --> 01:22:26,020
creating a picture, or are you creating a mess with the pieces

809
01:22:26,020 --> 01:22:27,500
that you can ever put back?

810
01:22:28,320 --> 01:22:31,100
A fence can't answer a resident who needs help.

811
01:22:31,420 --> 01:22:33,500
A new vehicle can't replace the employee

812
01:22:33,500 --> 01:22:35,760
who knows that resident by name.

813
01:22:36,320 --> 01:22:38,000
So before you make these cuts,

814
01:22:38,480 --> 01:22:41,600
measured twice cut once, because once these people

815
01:22:41,600 --> 01:22:43,860
and their experience are gone, you may find

816
01:22:43,860 --> 01:22:45,840
that what you cut was far more valuable

817
01:22:45,840 --> 01:22:47,000
than the time they concluded.

818
01:22:55,640 --> 01:22:56,220
Good afternoon.

819
01:22:56,300 --> 01:22:58,940
My name is the Dischoster, and I work at the Housing Authority.

820
01:22:59,840 --> 01:23:02,300
And I'm a proud I am member and shop steward.

821
01:23:03,160 --> 01:23:06,860
Every budget is a statement of city's values that is how the mayor described this year's

822
01:23:06,860 --> 01:23:09,140
budget in the recent FAFSA post.

823
01:23:09,700 --> 01:23:13,780
He said it reflects years of preparation and fiscal responsibility, respectfully disagree.

824
01:23:14,760 --> 01:23:18,580
For years the city has depended on federal grounds to fund our health department grants that

825
01:23:18,580 --> 01:23:19,560
are never guaranteed.

826
01:23:20,240 --> 01:23:24,820
Yet the city failed to build a sustainable plan year after year, Long Beach is one of only

827
01:23:24,820 --> 01:23:26,860
three California cities with its own health department.

828
01:23:26,860 --> 01:23:29,840
During the pandemic, it became a national model for testing and

829
01:23:29,840 --> 01:23:30,820
best vaccinations.

830
01:23:31,080 --> 01:23:34,520
Today, the same department is being dismantled one program at a time.

831
01:23:35,040 --> 01:23:36,460
This is not the result of preparation.

832
01:23:36,860 --> 01:23:38,980
It's the result of years of under-investment.

833
01:23:39,820 --> 01:23:42,360
This budget reflects our values, let's examine those values.

834
01:23:42,660 --> 01:23:46,520
In June, $800,000 was approved by the City Council for World Cup Watch parties,

835
01:23:46,720 --> 01:23:50,000
well employees, face layoffs, and programs utilized by the public.

836
01:23:50,400 --> 01:23:52,600
Work at City Leaders, City Leaders,

837
01:23:53,440 --> 01:23:56,580
spent millions on a temporary amphitheater, not a permanent one.

838
01:23:56,580 --> 01:24:00,920
Yes, Thailand funds were used, as opposed to general funds, but it still taxpayer money being

839
01:24:00,920 --> 01:24:01,580
mismanaged.

840
01:24:02,020 --> 01:24:07,900
Homeless services bureau managers remain employed, despite document management by a city manager,

841
01:24:08,100 --> 01:24:10,400
while frontline staff and public health nurses have been laid off.

842
01:24:10,580 --> 01:24:15,160
The city manager continues to receive compensation exceeds 400,000 during a budget crisis

843
01:24:15,160 --> 01:24:16,880
as well as receiving a pay rate this year.

844
01:24:17,180 --> 01:24:18,960
But he donated his raise, so I guess that's cool.

845
01:24:20,260 --> 01:24:23,040
So those aren't just difficult choices, their choices about priorities.

846
01:24:23,820 --> 01:24:27,300
City employees and the residents of Long Beach deserve and the mayor and the mayor.

847
01:24:35,220 --> 01:24:39,720
Good afternoon Mayor. Council members, my name is Brandon Nottingham, Vice President of the Association of

848
01:24:39,720 --> 01:24:42,940
Confidential Employees or AES for short. Thank you for the stop to speak today.

849
01:24:43,480 --> 01:24:47,840
As you consider the upcoming order lay off, I want to highlight the essential work performed by the members of AES,

850
01:24:47,900 --> 01:24:51,620
bargaining unit and the very real consequences that the city will face if these positions are lost.

851
01:24:52,300 --> 01:24:55,080
AES is often viewed as a human resource center group,

852
01:24:55,080 --> 01:25:00,280
But we are, our members support and stabilize operations across economic development, financial management,

853
01:25:00,640 --> 01:25:04,940
police, public works and TID, where the professionals that administer benefits programs

854
01:25:04,940 --> 01:25:09,640
from more than 6,000 employees, conductsensitive workplace investigations, carry out the recruitment

855
01:25:09,640 --> 01:25:14,120
outreach and labor relations, and also maintain countless functions that keep the organization functioning

856
01:25:14,120 --> 01:25:15,980
safely, legally and efficiently.

857
01:25:16,720 --> 01:25:21,260
Now, despite this breadth of responsibility, Acerus means small and in many areas severely

858
01:25:21,260 --> 01:25:21,740
we understand.

859
01:25:22,420 --> 01:25:24,380
Consider a few of the examples of our reality.

860
01:25:24,600 --> 01:25:28,440
We have three professionals that manage all the complaints from employees, contractors,

861
01:25:29,040 --> 01:25:32,480
and members of the public, three analysts maintaining the classification and compensation

862
01:25:32,480 --> 01:25:36,440
system that spans over 300 classified titles and over 800 titles, Citywide.

863
01:25:36,900 --> 01:25:41,960
Two professionals in the return to work program that cover non-occupational and occupational

864
01:25:41,960 --> 01:25:44,440
leaves, ADA accommodations, and much more.

865
01:25:45,000 --> 01:25:47,320
These functions cannot be automated outsourced or siloed.

866
01:25:47,320 --> 01:25:52,700
They require collaboration, specialized expertise, and deep understanding and complex city systems.

867
01:25:53,040 --> 01:25:56,520
And when AVD's positions are vacant, or eliminated, the impact reverberates across every

868
01:25:56,520 --> 01:26:01,760
department, employee, and every city resident who depends on timely, lawful, efficient city

869
01:26:01,760 --> 01:26:02,220
services.

870
01:26:03,620 --> 01:26:04,820
We support...

871
01:26:05,340 --> 01:26:06,420
Your time has concluded.

872
01:26:07,000 --> 01:26:07,660
Thank you.

873
01:26:10,800 --> 01:26:11,760
Nade Kim?

874
01:26:12,960 --> 01:26:14,040
Nade Kim?

875
01:26:20,260 --> 01:26:21,380
My name is Nade Kim.

876
01:26:21,500 --> 01:26:25,140
I'm a district resident and nurse with the city's health department.

877
01:26:25,140 --> 01:26:29,000
I am also an IAM student and a member of our current negotiations team.

878
01:26:29,560 --> 01:26:34,340
I am fortunate to grant that funds my position has been renewed, but many of my colleagues have not been as fortunate.

879
01:26:34,920 --> 01:26:36,240
Many have been laid off already.

880
01:26:36,640 --> 01:26:42,080
Now we are faced with the proposed budget that seeks to eliminate even more of my colleagues, not only in health but citywide.

881
01:26:42,500 --> 01:26:46,920
We as the city stand to lose many vital positions, including nurses in our immunization clinic.

882
01:26:47,400 --> 01:26:53,360
In the proposed budget, there are conversations around the millions of investments in city plans and has already spent in business expenditures.

883
01:26:53,360 --> 01:26:58,100
I recognize different funding has different requirements, but I'd be remiss not to recognize

884
01:26:58,100 --> 01:27:01,100
the city lacks the same willingness to invest in its greatest asset.

885
01:27:01,420 --> 01:27:02,000
It's employees.

886
01:27:02,820 --> 01:27:07,560
Last contract I am was able to negotiate one of the most economically robust contracts for

887
01:27:07,560 --> 01:27:08,100
its members.

888
01:27:08,700 --> 01:27:13,440
The new one to this is decades of low wages, low vacancies, high vacancies, high vacancies and

889
01:27:13,440 --> 01:27:13,940
high turnover.

890
01:27:14,640 --> 01:27:18,740
In reality, these were changes that needed to happen for long beach to finally be a competitive

891
01:27:18,740 --> 01:27:19,380
employer.

892
01:27:19,920 --> 01:27:23,340
Now we're in negotiating our contract again and we have already been warned that

893
01:27:23,340 --> 01:27:26,420
the budget will have a negative impact on our demands.

894
01:27:27,000 --> 01:27:29,360
Still, the city insisted there will be prosperity soon.

895
01:27:29,680 --> 01:27:32,000
It's expected that the economic outlook may improve

896
01:27:32,000 --> 01:27:33,420
in as little as six months.

897
01:27:34,060 --> 01:27:35,840
Yet, the city wants to cut jobs now.

898
01:27:36,100 --> 01:27:40,300
40% of IMC employees are city residents.

899
01:27:40,800 --> 01:27:42,240
That can mean hundreds of city residents

900
01:27:42,240 --> 01:27:43,020
with no livelihood.

901
01:27:43,700 --> 01:27:45,900
We want a city that wants to invest in its employees

902
01:27:45,900 --> 01:27:47,300
and protect all its assets.

903
01:27:47,540 --> 01:27:50,100
We want to fair contract, protect IM jobs.

904
01:27:50,420 --> 01:27:50,960
Thank you.

905
01:27:58,060 --> 01:28:24,740
Hello, Mayor and Council members. My name is Cataclyce and I work in disaster preparedness as a public safety dispatcher for fire department. I urge you to reject these proposed budget cuts of my office. A budget reflects priorities and this proposal tells the people along the edge of the essential services and the employees who provide them are not in public safety priority cutting vital public safety resources such as police and fire services.

906
01:28:24,740 --> 01:28:31,260
We'll not only impact the safety and well-being of our residents, but also place a greater burden on the employees who remain.

907
01:28:33,040 --> 01:28:39,500
It also means 91 dispatchers will spend more time on emergency calls while waiting for police officers and firefighters.

908
01:28:40,780 --> 01:28:41,160
Sorry.

909
01:28:42,280 --> 01:28:46,600
From farther away, delaying our ability to answer the next person calling for help.

910
01:28:46,600 --> 01:28:52,240
At the same time, we've seen hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on unnecessary items

911
01:28:52,240 --> 01:29:00,120
and the city is continuing to fund those items while essential services are asked to be

912
01:29:00,120 --> 01:29:00,500
cut.

913
01:29:01,260 --> 01:29:05,980
Long Beach deserves leadership that puts public safety, essential city services, and the employees

914
01:29:05,980 --> 01:29:07,320
provide them first.

915
01:29:07,340 --> 01:29:13,020
I ask you to reconsider this budget, provide frontline services, protect frontline services,

916
01:29:13,020 --> 01:29:16,020
and invest in what matters the most, the safety of residents.

917
01:29:16,800 --> 01:29:17,320
Thank you.

918
01:29:19,180 --> 01:29:20,100
Can I ask, Warren?

919
01:29:23,870 --> 01:29:25,190
Good evening, my name's Ken Osborne.

920
01:29:25,610 --> 01:29:28,770
I'm a veterans commissioner, but I am here as a private

921
01:29:28,770 --> 01:29:29,810
citizen today.

922
01:29:31,630 --> 01:29:33,290
Today I'm advocating for the full restoration

923
01:29:33,290 --> 01:29:34,790
of the Office of Veterans Affairs.

924
01:29:35,590 --> 01:29:37,870
We are last year we supported the Memorial Day event

925
01:29:37,870 --> 01:29:39,490
with the Frankie Evans Organization,

926
01:29:40,330 --> 01:29:41,910
managed the veterans' better program,

927
01:29:42,090 --> 01:29:44,370
including recruiting applicants, choosing memories,

928
01:29:45,110 --> 01:29:46,150
better design and installation.

929
01:29:46,630 --> 01:29:53,270
We also managed the programming of the Veterans Day event, none of this was listed by the health department in their accomplishments.

930
01:29:54,070 --> 01:29:59,830
We are more active that we were in early years, so only having a part-time person doesn't allow us to do this.

931
01:30:00,980 --> 01:30:29,700
The first budget commission, we were the first, we were the only person that I saw on the budget page 70 to be caught in the original budget. It said, sunset, it did not continue. So that's where I was, that hit me pretty hard. And I appreciate the mayor's bringing us back as a part-time position. But I think we do need the full-time position to support all that we're doing. We're doing a lot more than we used to, and we've got a lot more than we could be doing, incordinating with the VA, instead of us doing events on our cells.

932
01:30:30,000 --> 01:30:32,160
Maybe we work more with the VA partner.

933
01:30:32,880 --> 01:30:34,900
Also, the Vanners program, if you look around other studies,

934
01:30:34,960 --> 01:30:37,300
they have that same program that's been by sponsorship.

935
01:30:37,820 --> 01:30:40,520
Maybe we could look at doing it as sponsorship rather than just

936
01:30:40,520 --> 01:30:41,320
delimiting it.

937
01:30:41,980 --> 01:30:46,580
So my ask is that we restore that position to full time so we can continue

938
01:30:46,580 --> 01:30:49,840
to do good work for our veterans in the city of Long Beach.

939
01:30:50,040 --> 01:30:50,840
Thank you.

940
01:30:52,630 --> 01:30:53,530
Emily Quest.

941
01:30:59,220 --> 01:31:02,400
Hey everybody, this is a tough one.

942
01:31:03,620 --> 01:31:11,200
I work at, I go to the studio at in the library and I'm just asking, can you please

943
01:31:11,200 --> 01:31:14,740
don't cut our hours and don't cut our employees?

944
01:31:15,880 --> 01:31:24,040
My friend is gay and autistic and he was beaten on the metro and he came in and he was

945
01:31:24,040 --> 01:31:30,780
able to sit with us in our son group and we all supported him and he doesn't have a lot

946
01:31:30,780 --> 01:31:39,120
people to talk to and I can't understand that this is going to happen. I know I know I have

947
01:31:39,120 --> 01:31:48,000
to happen. I'm calling on the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach, the Arts Council of Long Beach, stand

948
01:31:48,000 --> 01:31:58,440
up for us. Stand up for our safe spaces. I don't need as much art to the city for free, not

949
01:31:58,440 --> 01:32:07,980
can anything. I work on this paper that they give me and I'm making a quilt plan and I draw

950
01:32:07,980 --> 01:32:15,700
the drawings up and I use donated fabric that they give us the 30s, 40 years old from

951
01:32:15,700 --> 01:32:23,120
people that had died. We're not asking for a lot. Please leave that space for me to be the

952
01:32:23,120 --> 01:32:25,840
for the community.

953
01:32:27,140 --> 01:32:27,580
Thank

954
01:32:30,620 --> 01:32:31,060
you.

955
01:32:31,140 --> 01:32:32,360
That's a lot of fun.

956
01:32:34,560 --> 01:32:35,620
Good afternoon, Mr. Mayor.

957
01:32:35,840 --> 01:32:37,740
Members of City Council, City Manager, staff.

958
01:32:38,060 --> 01:32:40,340
Thank you for the opportunity for me to speak today.

959
01:32:40,400 --> 01:32:41,840
My name is Gus and I am here

960
01:32:41,840 --> 01:32:44,140
as a proud residents of Council District 9

961
01:32:44,140 --> 01:32:46,220
and an Army Combat Veteran grateful to call

962
01:32:46,220 --> 01:32:47,520
the City of Long Beach, my home.

963
01:32:47,980 --> 01:32:50,260
Our community has long demonstrated its commitment

964
01:32:50,260 --> 01:32:51,780
to those who have served onation.

965
01:32:52,200 --> 01:32:53,800
Veterans like me have returned to Long Beach

966
01:32:53,800 --> 01:32:56,080
with valuable experience commitment to duty

967
01:32:56,080 --> 01:33:02,340
a desire to continue serving. Many also face challenges navigating benefits, accessing resources

968
01:33:02,340 --> 01:33:07,780
and transitioning to civilian life. The Office of Veterans Services was established several

969
01:33:07,780 --> 01:33:12,880
years ago, a few years ago, to play an important role in connecting veterans and their

970
01:33:12,880 --> 01:33:17,660
families to the assistance that they deserve. Likewise, the City's Veterans Commission provides

971
01:33:17,660 --> 01:33:23,460
an important forum for community, for communication between veterans, our community organizations,

972
01:33:23,460 --> 01:33:24,780
in our local government.

973
01:33:25,980 --> 01:33:30,200
It has helped ensure that our perspectives are heard, it encourages civic engagement, and

974
01:33:30,200 --> 01:33:35,200
it supports events and initiatives that honor military service and our veterans.

975
01:33:36,040 --> 01:33:41,180
The city of Long Beach continues to honor veterans and service members through amazing events

976
01:33:41,180 --> 01:33:47,680
and spaces like the Long Beach Veterans Day celebration, which is my personal favorite, but

977
01:33:47,680 --> 01:33:58,160
Also the Long Beach Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony in Council District 1, the Veterans Peer in Council District 3, and Veterans Park in Council District 7.

978
01:33:59,780 --> 01:34:06,040
As our city looks to the future, I encourage our continued investment in programs that strengthen support in veterans.

979
01:34:06,200 --> 01:34:07,460
Thank you very much.

980
01:34:07,560 --> 01:34:08,140
Thank you so much.

981
01:34:10,220 --> 01:34:11,640
I live the best.

982
01:34:16,390 --> 01:34:18,590
Good evening, Mayor and members of the City Council.

983
01:34:19,030 --> 01:34:23,230
My name is Elizabeth Sospiglio and I have proudly served the City of Long Beach for more than 10 years.

984
01:34:23,230 --> 01:34:26,590
as a librarian and a proud I am shop steward.

985
01:34:27,430 --> 01:34:30,230
I have dedicated my career to public service because I believe

986
01:34:30,230 --> 01:34:33,130
our residents deserve strong, accessible public services.

987
01:34:33,810 --> 01:34:35,610
Today this budget is deeply personal.

988
01:34:36,130 --> 01:34:38,450
My partner and I both live and work for the city

989
01:34:38,450 --> 01:34:41,350
and under the proposed budgets are jobs are at stake.

990
01:34:41,970 --> 01:34:43,830
We aren't the only ones facing this uncertainty.

991
01:34:44,390 --> 01:34:47,230
The proposed budget looks to cut over 200 union jobs.

992
01:34:47,690 --> 01:34:50,410
Behind every one of those positions is a person, a family,

993
01:34:50,410 --> 01:34:55,550
years of experience serving the people of Long Beach. But this isn't just about city employees,

994
01:34:56,090 --> 01:35:00,870
it's about our community. I can only speak to my own experiences, but every day I see children,

995
01:35:01,170 --> 01:35:07,270
teens, seniors, job seekers, and families who depend on our libraries. Libraries provide safe spaces

996
01:35:07,270 --> 01:35:12,570
as we just heard. Internet access, literacy programs, educational opportunities, and connections

997
01:35:12,570 --> 01:35:17,710
to critical resources. When you eliminate library positions, reduce hours or cut services,

998
01:35:17,710 --> 01:35:21,630
those residents lose access to opportunities they cannot always find elsewhere.

999
01:35:22,530 --> 01:35:25,930
We still have never been fully restored from the 2012 layoffs.

1000
01:35:26,230 --> 01:35:29,370
Removing one day a week removes more than just those open hours.

1001
01:35:29,830 --> 01:35:33,630
It removes positions that help keep staff and the public safe.

1002
01:35:34,190 --> 01:35:38,950
Part of their proposal is a removal of our only team mental health advocate in the city.

1003
01:35:39,750 --> 01:35:43,110
And we know that Elinkin Park in downtown has seen a continued rise in violence,

1004
01:35:43,110 --> 01:35:47,090
trafficking and drug use amongst teens taking that position away only demonstrates that

1005
01:35:47,090 --> 01:35:49,470
staff. Thank you. Your time has concluded.

1006
01:35:52,420 --> 01:35:52,560
Dany.

1007
01:35:56,120 --> 01:35:56,420
Dany.

1008
01:36:00,140 --> 01:36:04,700
Hello. My name is Denise. I am a community organizer with OdaLay live in District 2.

1009
01:36:05,600 --> 01:36:09,600
I come here today to advocate for the Long Beach Justice Fund. I want to thank the mayor

1010
01:36:09,600 --> 01:36:14,280
for including the Justice Fund and your recommendations and your recommendation to restore

1011
01:36:14,280 --> 01:36:20,100
the LBJ of position in the equity department. Even so I still want to share what

1012
01:36:20,100 --> 01:36:23,240
We're advocating for, which is $3 million for the Justice Fund.

1013
01:36:23,820 --> 01:36:27,920
This is not taking into account the fiscal hardships that the city is going through, but I want

1014
01:36:27,920 --> 01:36:33,740
to share this number because despite what's happening, our community is still facing threat

1015
01:36:33,740 --> 01:36:34,700
from ICE.

1016
01:36:34,940 --> 01:36:38,980
And we're also facing a 64 billion budget going to DHS.

1017
01:36:39,140 --> 01:36:42,900
That's what we're prepping for, or it is prepping for our communities prepping for.

1018
01:36:43,440 --> 01:36:48,060
So it's really important that I share that $3 million, and I hope that we can get as close

1019
01:36:48,060 --> 01:36:53,200
as we can because this is a fund that is really essential for folks. It's really helped people

1020
01:36:54,060 --> 01:37:01,620
be able to navigate this system. I know Y'all have heard about our community member who spent

1021
01:37:01,620 --> 01:37:07,140
six months in the Adalanto Center and was able to come home through the Justice Fund. So these are

1022
01:37:07,140 --> 01:37:11,860
real lives real impact. We know that people are dying in these detention centers. So this is truly

1023
01:37:11,860 --> 01:37:18,860
life or death. And so I really want to encourage y'all to continue advocating for funds to go to

1024
01:37:18,860 --> 01:37:22,400
this Justice Fund because it truly is really important. Thank you so much for your time.

1025
01:37:25,060 --> 01:37:26,640
Thank you. Pat Mays?

1026
01:37:30,830 --> 01:37:35,490
Hi, guess what you need I'm with. I'm going to tell you a couple of things.

1027
01:37:35,670 --> 01:37:41,070
The first time I'm sure you're aware of nobody works for the city of Long Beach because we plan on being rich. None of us.

1028
01:37:41,510 --> 01:37:43,950
We work for the city because we love it.

1029
01:37:47,440 --> 01:37:49,800
I'm also going to tell you what I told Mr. Hickman on September

1030
01:37:50,700 --> 01:37:54,800
25th. The Long Beach City has had a long reputation for at least a decade now of being

1031
01:37:54,800 --> 01:37:58,520
the kind of city where it's easy to get hired and it's easy to get trained from the

1032
01:37:58,520 --> 01:38:03,200
ground up, which is amazing. But it will overwork you and underpay you. And so when I first

1033
01:38:03,200 --> 01:38:07,780
got here eight years ago, I was told, get your training, go through the step increases, and then

1034
01:38:07,780 --> 01:38:14,240
go to any other city that will pay you at least 15% more for 20% less work. And I will tell you right

1035
01:38:14,240 --> 01:38:18,740
now, our members, the people who are on the ground doing 80% of the work that actually goes

1036
01:38:18,740 --> 01:38:27,820
in the city. They are overworked and overwhelmed, underpaid, under-supported, underfunded, under-equipped,

1037
01:38:28,100 --> 01:38:33,980
under-supplied. And did I emphasize overwhelmed? Like, I can't tell you how frustrating it is.

1038
01:38:34,300 --> 01:38:39,380
I work for the traffic operations division. We have one tech for street lights for every 20,000 street lights.

1039
01:38:39,860 --> 01:38:44,900
Los Angeles has one for every 2,000. They're asked on a daily basis to do the work of 10 people.

1040
01:38:45,520 --> 01:38:51,560
So I just want to point out to you that we're here because we love the city, not because we plan on being rich.

1041
01:38:52,300 --> 01:38:58,680
And to have our love and devotion possibly rewarded with being laid off is a huge slap in the face.

1042
01:38:59,040 --> 01:39:00,820
Thank you.

1043
01:39:00,940 --> 01:39:01,760
Thank you.

1044
01:39:03,460 --> 01:39:05,120
Diego is the last speaker.

1045
01:39:09,330 --> 01:39:12,630
Hello everyone. My name is Diego. I'm the Rapid Response Organizer with Orale.

1046
01:39:12,630 --> 01:39:17,870
I want to start off by thinking the mayor and city council for all your efforts with the budget.

1047
01:39:18,270 --> 01:39:21,130
But as you've heard from today, there's still some things that need to be improved.

1048
01:39:21,570 --> 01:39:23,730
One of them being the Lombie Justice Fund,

1049
01:39:23,850 --> 01:39:27,710
like I mentioned and my partner and co-worker had mentioned previously,

1050
01:39:28,490 --> 01:39:31,970
coming up here we wanted to ask for an increase to up to $3 million.

1051
01:39:32,130 --> 01:39:36,710
There's close to weekend to get to that number just because you mentioned at the beginning.

1052
01:39:36,710 --> 01:39:42,410
we know we are still seeing a big attack in like onslaught from the federal government on

1053
01:39:42,410 --> 01:39:46,690
to not only Long Beach communities, we're also surrounding L.A. communities and in terms of

1054
01:39:46,690 --> 01:39:52,610
the justice fund for the organization that I work with, I am the one that is responsible for

1055
01:39:52,610 --> 01:39:58,810
doing the referrals of the justice fund. So for some context we've referred over to 130 people

1056
01:39:58,810 --> 01:40:03,490
to the justice fund so that includes Long Beach residents and people who have some connection to Long Beach

1057
01:40:03,490 --> 01:40:06,710
who have either been detained by ICE,

1058
01:40:07,470 --> 01:40:09,790
are scared of being targeted by ICE,

1059
01:40:10,170 --> 01:40:14,090
have had some sort of run-in with the legal and immigration system,

1060
01:40:14,390 --> 01:40:17,630
and the Lumbish Justice Vanessa just such an amazing tool

1061
01:40:17,630 --> 01:40:20,810
for residents of Lumbish to be able to get at least a starting point.

1062
01:40:21,150 --> 01:40:23,470
And also get vetted legal help,

1063
01:40:23,470 --> 01:40:26,550
because as right now, I've heard a lot of families have been getting scammed,

1064
01:40:26,730 --> 01:40:29,390
upwards between like 10,000 to 30,000,

1065
01:40:29,430 --> 01:40:32,910
just for some legal fees or just for a lawyer to even look at their case.

1066
01:40:32,910 --> 01:40:40,210
And a lot of the times is people end up not even being lawyers, so the Justice Fund also helps as a resource for that, to help people not.

1067
01:40:40,550 --> 01:40:42,510
Your time has concluded, thank you.

1068
01:40:50,310 --> 01:40:50,810
Thank you.

1069
01:40:51,410 --> 01:40:55,910
Well, we want to thank everyone for participating in this first hearing.

1070
01:40:56,050 --> 01:40:58,130
Again, this is the beginning of the process, not the end.

1071
01:40:58,250 --> 01:41:03,270
There will be a number of times to continue engaged, including our community budget process.

1072
01:41:05,170 --> 01:41:07,550
We now will take it back to the council.

1073
01:41:07,550 --> 01:41:12,330
again this is this is just the opening volley we'll have time for deeper questions we'll have the

1074
01:41:12,330 --> 01:41:17,330
departments there to answer more specifics but we just have two council members council member

1075
01:41:17,330 --> 01:41:23,910
Thresh into anything I just want to take the time to thank the city staff the city manager you

1076
01:41:23,910 --> 01:41:29,190
mayor as well as our finance department Rebecca was there with you last week as we presented

1077
01:41:29,790 --> 01:41:37,210
this proposal to the public this we've already seen what a difficult time we're having even

1078
01:41:37,210 --> 01:41:43,510
this month, looking at the impacts on so many of our workers and public servants, as we try

1079
01:41:43,510 --> 01:41:48,410
to attempt to ensure that we have a level of service. I really appreciate the thoughtfulness

1080
01:41:48,410 --> 01:41:55,070
around what the plans have been so far to make sure that we are solving our deficit, replenishing

1081
01:41:55,070 --> 01:42:00,230
our reserves, and continue to make progress to make sure that we're able to attract top

1082
01:42:00,230 --> 01:42:06,250
talent. As far as as a council member, I'm concerned, I appreciate the public for being

1083
01:42:06,250 --> 01:42:10,870
here this evening. I think it's important that we had a chance to hear from you, but understand

1084
01:42:10,870 --> 01:42:16,390
that this is just the first step. We have a series of budget hearings as well as at least six

1085
01:42:16,390 --> 01:42:22,390
opportunities for the community to share perspectives. And I know I'll be at those events to be able

1086
01:42:22,390 --> 01:42:31,030
to hear how we might address this budget accordingly. So with that, I am pleased to have so many people

1087
01:42:31,030 --> 01:42:35,030
out today to be able to hear from the public and look forward to future conversations.

1088
01:42:37,190 --> 01:42:38,350
Thank you, Councilmember Allen.

1089
01:42:39,430 --> 01:42:45,090
Yes, I'm thank you for the presentation and I appreciate the look back over the fiscal

1090
01:42:45,090 --> 01:42:52,590
years because I think it clearly highlights how we reached our current financial position

1091
01:42:52,590 --> 01:42:56,630
and just the challenges that we face ahead.

1092
01:42:57,310 --> 01:43:11,510
Yeah, this was a really tough week and a lot of employees had to be reassigned or lost their job and that's heavy 237 people, highly effective.

1093
01:43:12,250 --> 01:43:19,450
So our workforce impacts were huge and like the mayor said, none of us take that lightly.

1094
01:43:20,830 --> 01:43:30,550
I think it's important that we also protect our reserves, as you discuss the multi-year replenishment plan to restore the emergency and operating reserves or huge.

1095
01:43:33,230 --> 01:43:38,350
I'm glad to hear that none of our rescues are mayor and you're taking out.

1096
01:43:38,410 --> 01:43:41,430
I mean, the community was very loud and clear and how important that was.

1097
01:43:41,430 --> 01:43:47,650
So that's good, also using your one-time and outside funds like measure A and measure

1098
01:43:47,650 --> 01:43:53,630
ER and the county and state grants could help we start some of those services without

1099
01:43:53,630 --> 01:43:58,690
putting that structural pressure on our general fund.

1100
01:43:59,970 --> 01:44:04,370
Just want to note, I know that the LBPD's fourth annual year in review and accountability

1101
01:44:04,370 --> 01:44:10,310
report shared that the officer has responded to more than 187,000 calls for service with an

1102
01:44:10,310 --> 01:44:16,070
priority one response of 5.5 minutes. So I think we've made really good progress over the

1103
01:44:16,070 --> 01:44:22,510
last four years. I had 235 new police graduates and our police vacancy did fall.

1104
01:44:24,570 --> 01:44:25,130
Now in this

1105
01:44:25,130 --> 01:44:33,830
proposed budget will any any patrol officers be reduced city manager? Yes, so one of the proposals

1106
01:44:33,830 --> 01:44:37,530
and you're going to hear more about this from the police chief next week when we do public safety,

1107
01:44:38,570 --> 01:44:42,270
but 17 of the vacant patrol officers will be reduced.

1108
01:44:42,810 --> 01:44:43,790
We're not reducing the beats.

1109
01:44:43,930 --> 01:44:45,930
We're not changing how we're structured in response,

1110
01:44:46,150 --> 01:44:49,570
but we will have fewer positions that will be able to provide some of that coverage.

1111
01:44:50,210 --> 01:44:52,090
And he'll be able to talk more about that next week.

1112
01:44:52,550 --> 01:44:54,610
Okay, and I just have a couple of questions that I'm going to make this quick,

1113
01:44:54,750 --> 01:44:57,150
because I know we're going to dive into this, and I'm also one budget.

1114
01:44:58,010 --> 01:44:59,970
So, but I do have a question with regard...

1115
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:09,520
Members to the vacancy for the Police Department budget. Well, that effect any of our planning or preparation for the Olympics with any of those eliminating any of those vacancy positions.

1116
01:45:10,780 --> 01:45:15,980
Well, I didn't tell you we're due to a position. You don't have that available tire, but you'll hear from the chief next week.

1117
01:45:16,580 --> 01:45:25,640
So our plan is, while we have to reduce some of those vacancies, those vacancies have been with us for several years, and so we have not been able to keep them filled, even though we've been hiring.

1118
01:45:25,640 --> 01:45:29,900
We will, at the same time, reduce some of those vacancies, but we're also going to immediately

1119
01:45:29,900 --> 01:45:35,200
be bringing on another academy that will bring on 70 additional police officers that's

1120
01:45:35,200 --> 01:45:39,800
what's estimated right now, and with the combination of those two, by the time we reach

1121
01:45:39,800 --> 01:45:44,160
the Olympics, we should be fully staffed, which we haven't been for several years.

1122
01:45:44,980 --> 01:45:45,780
All right, just a couple more comments.

1123
01:45:45,980 --> 01:45:51,340
I also want to say I'm excited to hear about the traffic safety division.

1124
01:45:51,340 --> 01:45:52,640
I think that's a huge one.

1125
01:45:53,120 --> 01:45:56,960
We've heard, that's one of our biggest issues

1126
01:45:56,960 --> 01:46:00,060
that I continue to hear is traffic safety

1127
01:46:00,060 --> 01:46:03,740
and are making sure that we can meet our vision zero goals.

1128
01:46:04,860 --> 01:46:05,540
So that's huge.

1129
01:46:05,920 --> 01:46:08,000
And then also I want to congratulate the mayor

1130
01:46:08,000 --> 01:46:10,900
on his representation on the metro board

1131
01:46:11,700 --> 01:46:13,820
and the additional transportation opportunities

1132
01:46:13,820 --> 01:46:15,380
that this can create for Long Beach.

1133
01:46:15,420 --> 01:46:18,160
So congratulations, mayor.

1134
01:46:18,160 --> 01:46:34,040
And also just everyone check out those maps that we're showing your presentation, I think, so that everyone can see what the infrastructure that's happening in the city and then also don't forget to participate in the budget process.

1135
01:46:34,920 --> 01:46:44,240
We have budget hearings before council meetings on Tuesdays and there's a lot of ways that you can leave your comments on survey.

1136
01:46:44,240 --> 01:46:50,300
So just make sure you participate in these processes so we can hear what's important to you. Thank you.

1137
01:46:50,300 --> 01:46:51,700
Thank you.

1138
01:46:52,380 --> 01:46:57,720
Respectfully, this is not public comment. We're not going to tolerate disruptions from the public in this hearing.

1139
01:46:57,840 --> 01:47:01,500
We're going to get through this budget hearing in a timely and orderly fashion.

1140
01:47:01,840 --> 01:47:04,500
You will have your opportunity to do public comment every single meeting.

1141
01:47:05,060 --> 01:47:06,420
Thank you. Next is Councilmember Dougan.

1142
01:47:08,140 --> 01:47:12,580
All right. Thank you for the presentation and the work that went into developing this budget.

1143
01:47:12,580 --> 01:47:18,380
Having run businesses throughout my life understand that every position eliminated represents

1144
01:47:18,380 --> 01:47:20,860
a person whose life is being changed.

1145
01:47:22,120 --> 01:47:27,500
These reductions affect the employees, their families, and the services that they provide,

1146
01:47:27,740 --> 01:47:33,540
so I feel for the hundreds of employees who are being their lives are being impacted.

1147
01:47:34,480 --> 01:47:41,120
At the same time, we are responsible for carefully and effectively managing the public's

1148
01:47:41,120 --> 01:47:41,440
money.

1149
01:47:41,440 --> 01:47:44,820
And my greatest concern is the proposed

1150
01:47:44,820 --> 01:47:48,440
proposed reduction in public services at a time

1151
01:47:48,440 --> 01:47:51,660
when many of those services are already declining.

1152
01:47:52,700 --> 01:47:54,420
Police response to emergency calls

1153
01:47:54,420 --> 01:47:57,760
is more than a minute slower than it was five years ago.

1154
01:47:58,900 --> 01:48:02,460
Fire department response times have also increased

1155
01:48:02,460 --> 01:48:05,180
with our firefighters getting to emergencies

1156
01:48:05,180 --> 01:48:09,300
within six minutes, just 25% of the time.

1157
01:48:09,300 --> 01:48:15,660
trees are being trimmed less frequently. Residents are waiting longer for repairs to

1158
01:48:15,660 --> 01:48:21,880
their sidewalks, curbs, streets and the pot holes in our streets. These are the

1159
01:48:21,880 --> 01:48:28,040
core responsibilities of our city and they were consistently identified as

1160
01:48:28,040 --> 01:48:34,480
priorities through the city's community budget process. I do understand that we

1161
01:48:34,480 --> 01:48:42,320
have to close a $58.2 million structural deficit and that difficult decision, difficult decisions

1162
01:48:42,320 --> 01:48:48,180
have to be made. However, I'm also concerned that we're continuing to reduce investment

1163
01:48:48,180 --> 01:48:55,160
in the basic services residents rely on every single day. So I want to begin at a high level

1164
01:48:55,160 --> 01:49:02,780
and then I'll move to several specific areas. Can you walk me through how the city determine the

1165
01:49:02,780 --> 01:49:09,780
as a sign to each department was every department expected to meet the same percentage reductions

1166
01:49:09,780 --> 01:49:17,540
or were the reductions based on the city's priorities and the consequences for service delivery.

1167
01:49:19,260 --> 01:49:21,560
Yes, so we took a multi step approach.

1168
01:49:22,060 --> 01:49:27,040
So we had a large deficit to reduce and so we asked everyone to generate ideas.

1169
01:49:27,640 --> 01:49:30,540
So those ideas get generated and we asked all departments to contribute.

1170
01:49:30,540 --> 01:49:36,900
and then every single one goes through a review process, about what is the impact we listen to,

1171
01:49:36,900 --> 01:49:41,860
you know, the input that we get back in January from the community, we look at the response profile,

1172
01:49:42,260 --> 01:49:47,220
and so at the end of the day, departments don't all have the cross-the-board cuts, they're not exactly the same.

1173
01:49:47,480 --> 01:49:52,320
Some are going to be higher, some are going to be lower, some are able to shift to different funding sources within the department.

1174
01:49:53,060 --> 01:49:58,660
Some are maybe able to be eligible, like police and fire to go to measure A while others are not.

1175
01:49:58,660 --> 01:50:10,820
And so it is a deliberate approach that we look at, we were not able given the size of the deficit to just say police and fires shouldn't be on the table if we had done that then the cuts to everybody else would have tripled.

1176
01:50:11,380 --> 01:50:26,280
And so we are at that level where we needed to look at everything. If you look at the way that we laid it out of the $58 million, about half were taken more in other non-service reduction reductions.

1177
01:50:26,280 --> 01:50:30,560
And then about half of them, about $33 million of the $58 million

1178
01:50:30,560 --> 01:50:32,080
are service level reductions.

1179
01:50:38,530 --> 01:50:39,670
That's my time.

1180
01:50:42,280 --> 01:50:43,260
I'll keep going here.

1181
01:50:44,040 --> 01:50:48,180
As chair of the GOE, the government operations and efficiencies committee,

1182
01:50:48,940 --> 01:50:52,620
I see how much the city pays each year for property damage and injuries

1183
01:50:52,620 --> 01:50:56,360
caused by maintenance issues, including fallen trees and branches.

1184
01:50:57,260 --> 01:51:01,260
Investing in preventative maintenance can reduce the city's liability costs

1185
01:51:01,260 --> 01:51:08,840
us on the back end and that same principle applies to pot holes, sidewalks and curbs.

1186
01:51:09,700 --> 01:51:17,100
The approximate $17 million the city paid in one pot hole related case could have funded

1187
01:51:17,100 --> 01:51:24,360
an additional pot hole in crew for a decade and repaired a hundred and twenty thousand

1188
01:51:24,360 --> 01:51:31,500
pot holes. Reducing maintenance may create savings in this year's budget when we have a problem,

1189
01:51:31,960 --> 01:51:39,720
but it can also create much longer term costs in future years. So I would like staff to provide

1190
01:51:39,720 --> 01:51:46,440
through the written budget response process. The past five years of budgeted funding for street

1191
01:51:46,440 --> 01:51:53,860
tree and park tree trimming, stump removal, park maintenance, and landscaping maintenance within

1192
01:51:53,860 --> 01:51:57,200
parks recreation and marine, as well as public works.

1193
01:51:58,020 --> 01:52:04,220
And please also include the funding for curb and sidewalk repairs, excluding the expenditures

1194
01:52:04,220 --> 01:52:11,320
for the ADA settlement, the Ochoa settlement, along with any other major maintenance-related

1195
01:52:11,320 --> 01:52:15,900
budget categories. With that, I've hit my five minutes, shall I queue up again?

1196
01:52:18,200 --> 01:52:18,640
No.

1197
01:52:20,760 --> 01:52:22,480
We're going to go to Council Member Kirk.

1198
01:52:24,540 --> 01:52:30,280
Thank you. I want to thank the team and the departments for being so thoughtful in this process,

1199
01:52:30,520 --> 01:52:37,380
and a hard process, and a painful process for all of us, and some, especially more than others, over the last several months.

1200
01:52:37,380 --> 01:52:42,680
I want to thank the mayor for looking at ways to provide restorations that also don't increase

1201
01:52:42,680 --> 01:52:46,700
the deficit and pull on other funding that we can find from other sources.

1202
01:52:47,460 --> 01:52:48,820
Thank you for the presentation.

1203
01:52:49,180 --> 01:52:53,500
I have specific, I made my notes about specific departments and things that were brought

1204
01:52:53,500 --> 01:52:56,520
up that I will bring during the specific hearings of those departments.

1205
01:52:59,040 --> 01:53:05,120
But I just want to remember that when we talk about library cuts or park programming cuts

1206
01:53:05,120 --> 01:53:07,960
or homeless services or mental health cuts,

1207
01:53:08,700 --> 01:53:12,000
that many jobs overlap multiple disciplines.

1208
01:53:14,580 --> 01:53:17,180
And so, Park, someone who works in a park,

1209
01:53:17,460 --> 01:53:19,060
especially our library staff,

1210
01:53:19,360 --> 01:53:21,240
are providing elements of public safety

1211
01:53:21,240 --> 01:53:23,400
and mental health and homeless services.

1212
01:53:24,020 --> 01:53:27,600
And that as we look at the cumulative impact

1213
01:53:27,600 --> 01:53:29,920
of the reductions that need to be made,

1214
01:53:30,380 --> 01:53:33,760
that we keep in mind the unintended, unintended,

1215
01:53:33,760 --> 01:53:40,920
potential impacts from one position possibly more than others because of the multiple roles

1216
01:53:40,920 --> 01:53:50,760
they may play in addressing the needs of our resident. So again I will I have a rolling list

1217
01:53:50,760 --> 01:53:55,320
of questions to talk to our departments about over the next couple of weeks. I want to thank the

1218
01:53:55,320 --> 01:54:00,460
public for coming out tonight for those who have already contacted our office to share encouraging

1219
01:54:00,460 --> 01:54:05,260
people to be part of the formal budget process, but also sharing those with our office as well.

1220
01:54:05,820 --> 01:54:10,420
So we can ask those questions that are most pressing for all of you over the next several weeks

1221
01:54:10,420 --> 01:54:14,240
and pose them to the Budget Oversight Committee if that is the appropriate place. Thank you.

1222
01:54:15,960 --> 01:54:21,520
All right. Thank you, Councilmember Supno. Thank you, Mayor. I'll be way into the weeds here,

1223
01:54:21,660 --> 01:54:26,020
instead of general statements. Our into the water, as the case may be. So the Mayor referenced

1224
01:54:26,020 --> 01:54:31,300
the Los Angeles River and all the challenges there. I just wanted to put on the record that

1225
01:54:31,300 --> 01:54:37,760
the fourth council of district has four waterways that are under county jurisdiction saying

1226
01:54:37,760 --> 01:54:44,700
gave real river. I already creek. The Los, yeah, three does channel and bouton Creek. So I want

1227
01:54:44,700 --> 01:54:50,240
to make sure we acknowledge those and that they need some love to. If I could just respond to it

1228
01:54:50,240 --> 01:54:55,320
quickly, when I said the Los Angeles rivers, I mean, the rivers under the control of LA County,

1229
01:54:55,320 --> 01:54:57,800
just so we're clear, not just the LA River.

1230
01:54:58,080 --> 01:54:59,340
Mr. Mayor, we're on the same page.

1231
01:55:00,700 --> 01:55:00,880
All right.

1232
01:55:01,880 --> 01:55:05,680
All right, before we go back, okay.

1233
01:55:06,420 --> 01:55:10,020
So before we go back to Councilmember Doug and I want you

1234
01:55:10,020 --> 01:55:13,440
time to be able to address, there were some claims out there.

1235
01:55:13,760 --> 01:55:17,280
I think you need to opportunity to address the claim,

1236
01:55:17,480 --> 01:55:19,800
the one that stood out to me was about like,

1237
01:55:21,280 --> 01:55:24,040
lawsuits, pervignorability, or the equivalent to how many

1238
01:55:24,040 --> 01:55:28,800
we could have filled. I personally know that that's not how our fund for

1239
01:55:28,800 --> 01:55:32,500
settlement works, but I would like for you to address that before it becomes

1240
01:55:32,500 --> 01:55:33,240
a narrative.

1241
01:55:35,280 --> 01:55:39,740
Yes, so as a large organization we get hit with lots of lawsuits

1242
01:55:39,740 --> 01:55:43,660
all the time. There are a lot that are dismissed. There are some that we choose to

1243
01:55:43,660 --> 01:55:49,060
settle and there is some that we end up being liable for through through court cases

1244
01:55:49,060 --> 01:55:54,020
and our city attorney can speak to that work. There are some things that we have to

1245
01:55:54,020 --> 01:55:59,240
of not had an issue, but it's a business decision about how do you continue to pay money

1246
01:55:59,240 --> 01:56:02,120
for lawyers, or do you continue to eliminate that liability?

1247
01:56:02,720 --> 01:56:06,620
In the idea, and we would all love to have less of those lawsuits, we'd love to have less

1248
01:56:06,620 --> 01:56:09,040
of people with claims against pot holes.

1249
01:56:09,480 --> 01:56:13,560
It's one of the reasons we did not cut a pot hole crew, those were some of the early suggestions

1250
01:56:13,560 --> 01:56:14,160
early on.

1251
01:56:14,260 --> 01:56:18,300
When public works had to look at this, we said, no, we can't really cut back on pot holes.

1252
01:56:19,280 --> 01:56:23,600
They instead took some pretty deep productions on their administrative and support staff,

1253
01:56:23,600 --> 01:56:25,900
because those funding need to come from somewhere.

1254
01:56:27,360 --> 01:56:29,880
The real issue is not really filling the pot holes.

1255
01:56:30,120 --> 01:56:33,600
It's fixing all of the streets and all of the sidewalks.

1256
01:56:34,440 --> 01:56:37,660
So the amount that we pay in claims is fair amount.

1257
01:56:38,280 --> 01:56:43,380
But in order to actually repair the PMP or repair all the streets,

1258
01:56:44,080 --> 01:56:48,600
it's about $150 million a year just to stay even.

1259
01:56:49,400 --> 01:56:52,100
And then if we were looking to get all of our streets done

1260
01:56:52,100 --> 01:56:54,600
where we don't have those issues, it's about a billion dollars.

1261
01:56:54,840 --> 01:56:57,200
And so these aren't small amounts, you can't really

1262
01:56:57,200 --> 01:56:59,280
equate it to just taking 2 million of this lawsuit

1263
01:56:59,280 --> 01:57:00,660
and 3 million of that lawsuit.

1264
01:57:01,240 --> 01:57:04,680
The issue is funding our infrastructure, you know,

1265
01:57:04,720 --> 01:57:07,020
it wholly over the next five, 10, 15 years.

1266
01:57:07,380 --> 01:57:09,800
That is what would help produce some of our liabilities.

1267
01:57:11,640 --> 01:57:12,860
All right, thank you, Councilmember Dougan.

1268
01:57:17,920 --> 01:57:19,720
I appreciate your explanation, Tom.

1269
01:57:19,860 --> 01:57:23,420
I do see all of the cases that come through

1270
01:57:23,420 --> 01:57:31,460
And basic services are what our residents expect us to provide.

1271
01:57:31,700 --> 01:57:34,940
That is why I'm bringing things up like this.

1272
01:57:35,040 --> 01:57:38,440
That is so important for our budget.

1273
01:57:40,320 --> 01:57:40,700
All right.

1274
01:57:42,540 --> 01:57:46,600
Moving on, I do appreciate several important investments

1275
01:57:47,100 --> 01:57:50,160
in the proposed budget, including funding for the police

1276
01:57:50,160 --> 01:57:50,580
academy.

1277
01:57:50,940 --> 01:57:52,740
So important for our city.

1278
01:57:52,740 --> 01:57:58,120
but I do believe that communities will feel the effects of the public safety cuts.

1279
01:57:59,180 --> 01:58:03,580
Vacant patrol positions are currently being filled through over time.

1280
01:58:04,680 --> 01:58:13,440
If those positions are eliminated and over time capacity is reduced, fewer officers will be able to respond to emergency calls.

1281
01:58:14,300 --> 01:58:19,100
I would like an analysis of how the proposed reductions to patrol and investigations.

1282
01:58:19,100 --> 01:58:28,440
Patrol and investigations are expected to affect priority one priority two and priority three response times as well as

1283
01:58:28,440 --> 01:58:33,680
how it is going to affect the departments capacity to investigate crimes.

1284
01:58:34,520 --> 01:58:39,720
That analysis, again, can be provided as part of the written budget response.

1285
01:58:39,720 --> 01:58:49,680
And finally I wouldn't like the AB691C level rise assessment to be included in the budget as an unfunded liability.

1286
01:58:50,460 --> 01:58:59,580
The city submitted a report in 2019 to the state showing that we have hundreds of millions of dollars of city infrastructure at risk over the next 20 years,

1287
01:58:59,780 --> 01:59:03,700
but it isn't reflected in any of the city's budgeting documents.

1288
01:59:04,300 --> 01:59:08,800
And I think we need to start recognizing these types of liabilities.

1289
01:59:08,800 --> 01:59:14,160
Now, turning to the fire department, emergency response has slowed over the past five years,

1290
01:59:14,700 --> 01:59:21,020
and eliminating engine 14 would reduce the response capacity, city wide.

1291
01:59:21,620 --> 01:59:28,500
City wide not just on the east side, but at the same time, the need for emergency response

1292
01:59:28,500 --> 01:59:33,580
capacity in Southeast Long Beach is still growing.

1293
01:59:33,580 --> 01:59:40,820
AES is expanding their battery storage facility next to its natural gas powered plant.

1294
01:59:41,720 --> 01:59:49,180
1,200 units, the equivalent of maybe 5,000 people, are these units are under construction

1295
01:59:49,180 --> 01:59:53,640
and expected to begin opening by the end of 2027.

1296
01:59:54,440 --> 01:59:59,560
An additional industrial facility is also moving through the planning process.

1297
02:00:00,000 --> 02:00:12,700
In District 3, nearest station 14, and the elimination of engine 14 is going to affect this. Again, citywide, it's going to affect our response times.

1298
02:00:13,280 --> 02:00:20,880
So I understand that we need to balance the budget, but the safety of our communities must come first.

1299
02:00:20,880 --> 02:00:30,860
Fire response has consistently been the top priority identified through the city's community budget engagement since I took office.

1300
02:00:31,420 --> 02:00:36,100
When someone calls 911, the city needs to be able to respond in a timely manner.

1301
02:00:36,700 --> 02:00:43,000
That's one of the most fundamental services residents pay the city to provide.

1302
02:00:43,000 --> 02:00:49,000
I would ask the City Manager to return with an alternative funding strategy that would keep

1303
02:00:49,000 --> 02:00:50,620
engine-14 operating.

1304
02:00:51,620 --> 02:00:57,860
I think our communities deserve to weigh the cuts and offsets before we reduce our

1305
02:00:57,860 --> 02:01:03,700
city-wide emergency response to potentially life-threatening incidents.

1306
02:01:04,660 --> 02:01:12,400
Finally, I am concerned about the increasingly creative ways we are proposing to use the restricted

1307
02:01:12,400 --> 02:01:13,640
Thailand's fund.

1308
02:01:15,660 --> 02:01:19,600
We should be clear that these proposals carry risk. Our budget

1309
02:01:19,600 --> 02:01:25,280
proposals using Thailand's funding to repave ocean boulevard, while also

1310
02:01:25,280 --> 02:01:31,400
installing parking meters whose revenue will go to the general fund. With the

1311
02:01:31,400 --> 02:01:35,720
economic development department the proposals shifts funding away from a

1312
02:01:35,720 --> 02:01:40,500
position dedicated to Thailand's work and spreads the Thailand's allocation

1313
02:01:40,500 --> 02:01:46,880
across several administrative positions, including portions of the director, deputy director,

1314
02:01:47,340 --> 02:01:54,240
and support staff. I'd like to see the methodology used to determine what portion of each of

1315
02:01:54,240 --> 02:02:00,140
these employees' salaries and benefits can appropriately be charged to the Tideland's Fund.

1316
02:02:01,040 --> 02:02:10,180
I think it's important we understand the risk we are taking on what when we're using restricted funds

1317
02:02:10,500 --> 02:02:17,120
in these ways. I'd also like additional detail on how the police department intends to implement the proposed

1318
02:02:17,120 --> 02:02:25,220
Thailand's patrol for officers one sergeant. I participated in right alongs and members of my

1319
02:02:25,220 --> 02:02:33,080
team have also joined officers in the field in right alongs. An officer may be assigned to

1320
02:02:33,080 --> 02:02:40,440
park and spend a significant portion of their time responding to calls near the pyramid

1321
02:02:40,440 --> 02:02:48,080
nowhere near Bluff Park. They're doing that as backup. So if a position is structurally funded

1322
02:02:48,080 --> 02:02:54,420
by the Titans Fund but the officers' actual work is not tracked and reconciled, we risk

1323
02:02:54,420 --> 02:03:00,080
blurring the line between restricted Titans expenditures and general fund responsibilities.

1324
02:03:00,080 --> 02:03:06,200
I think it's important for this council, all of us to understand the risk we are taking with

1325
02:03:06,200 --> 02:03:12,580
these proposals before we approve a budget that includes those options.

1326
02:03:13,500 --> 02:03:20,540
So to summarize, I'm requesting that staff return through the written budget response process with the following.

1327
02:03:21,360 --> 02:03:32,400
Five years of budgeted funding for street tree and park tree trimmings, stump removal, park maintenance and landscaping maintenance within parks recreation and marine and public works.

1328
02:03:33,360 --> 02:03:45,680
Five works of funding for curve and sidewalk repairs, excluding expenditures required under the ADA Ochoa settlement, along with other right-of-way maintenance related budget categories.

1329
02:03:45,680 --> 02:04:02,080
An analysis of how the proposed reductions to police patrol and investigations are expected to affect priority 1, priority 2, and priority 3 response times and the department's ability to investigate crimes.

1330
02:04:02,080 --> 02:04:15,540
of funding strategy to keep engine-14 operating so the council can evaluate an alternative to completely eliminating that engine that would increase city-wide response times.

1331
02:04:16,380 --> 02:04:26,520
I'd like to see the methodology used to determine what portions of economic development positions may appropriately be charged to the Titans Fund.

1332
02:04:27,540 --> 02:04:32,180
And the police departments implementation plan for the proposed

1333
02:04:32,180 --> 02:04:38,680
tidelines patrol to make sure we aren't blurring lines of municipal work and tidelines work.

1334
02:04:40,340 --> 02:04:40,660
Thank you.

1335
02:04:42,900 --> 02:04:46,720
All right, that concludes City Council comment and public comment.

1336
02:04:46,780 --> 02:04:47,780
Thank you so much.

1337
02:04:48,280 --> 02:04:49,880
We'll continue this hearing.

1338
02:04:50,440 --> 02:04:50,920
Members, please.

1339
02:04:51,440 --> 02:04:55,760
And Mayor, if I may, we did have human resources originally scheduled for today, but it is getting

1340
02:04:55,760 --> 02:04:58,860
kind of close to the five o'clock. If we would like to move that maybe

1341
02:04:58,860 --> 02:05:03,020
weeks. So next week we're really going to focus on police and

1342
02:05:03,020 --> 02:05:07,200
fire and dispatch and then we would recommend doing HR at the same time with

1343
02:05:07,200 --> 02:05:08,900
the I think

1344
02:05:13,990 --> 02:05:16,190
helping community development. So what do you help HR

1345
02:05:16,190 --> 02:05:19,910
and community development in two weeks? Great. Sounds good to me.

1346
02:05:20,110 --> 02:05:21,410
Members please cash your vote.

1347
02:05:28,450 --> 02:05:29,130
Motion is carried.

1348
02:05:29,710 --> 02:05:31,570
All right. Now we'll take the consent calendar.

1349
02:05:38,850 --> 02:05:40,030
Let's do public comment on

1350
02:06:19,500 --> 02:06:32,380
Okay, so I'm basically going to talk about number 10 and not number 9, okay, so the landfield gas and methane is

1351
02:06:32,380 --> 02:06:39,520
primarily in the explosion, fire, and oxygen displacement hazard when it accumulates in enclosed

1352
02:06:39,520 --> 02:06:40,540
spaces.

1353
02:06:41,060 --> 02:06:43,300
That's the definition that I got.

1354
02:06:43,740 --> 02:06:50,940
Then the landfill gas can also contain smaller quantities of volatile organic compounds

1355
02:06:50,940 --> 02:07:00,560
in hydrogen sulfide, which may contribute to odors, headaches, nausea, eye or throat irritation

1356
02:07:00,560 --> 02:07:08,460
and respiratory symptoms, depending on concentration and duration of exposure and so the reason

1357
02:07:08,460 --> 02:07:18,060
why I bring this up is because many of my neighbors and around Long Beach were suffering from

1358
02:07:18,060 --> 02:07:25,860
respiratory issues that we don't know where these are coming from. Myself and in the last few

1359
02:07:25,860 --> 02:07:34,400
years have suffered from respiratory issues, pneumonia that won't go away, probably walking

1360
02:07:34,400 --> 02:07:36,540
around with a little bit of it right now.

1361
02:07:37,460 --> 02:07:41,900
So the sensitive populations are children, seniors, people with asthma, and people with

1362
02:07:41,900 --> 02:07:49,140
existing heart or lung disease can be more susceptible to air pollution related respiratory

1363
02:07:49,140 --> 02:07:52,960
distress, the South Coast ACOMD identifies

1364
02:07:54,280 --> 02:07:59,200
particular matter and nitrogen dioxide as pollutants.

1365
02:08:00,260 --> 02:08:06,180
So I just want to make sure that the

1366
02:08:06,180 --> 02:08:16,960
community has information on the health risk that are happening in our communities.

1367
02:08:16,960 --> 02:08:45,460
Where we're supposed to get that information from, it's just really difficult for the general public to find these things and so that's why I come up here because I really would like to know and I really like to help others understand what is being done by the city to keep us safe and not have a public health issue that is swept under the rug.

1368
02:08:45,460 --> 02:08:56,020
We have people automatically getting CLPD and wondering where that comes from, adult, asthma,

1369
02:08:56,420 --> 02:09:00,620
wondering where that comes from, pneumonia that won't go away.

1370
02:09:01,180 --> 02:09:02,300
So that's my whole issue.

1371
02:09:02,980 --> 02:09:06,140
Thank you, and that's all I really wanted to talk about.

1372
02:09:06,620 --> 02:09:07,340
Thank you.

1373
02:09:08,100 --> 02:09:11,260
All right, that concludes consent calendar.

1374
02:09:11,420 --> 02:09:12,660
Members, please cast your vote.

1375
02:09:22,080 --> 02:09:25,680
Councilwoman Dagan, Councilman Sabrina, make it a vote.

1376
02:09:28,820 --> 02:09:29,600
Motion is carried.

1377
02:09:30,260 --> 02:09:30,540
All right.

1378
02:09:30,740 --> 02:09:31,400
Thank you.

1379
02:09:31,600 --> 02:09:33,600
Next, we'll go to general public comment.

1380
02:09:33,780 --> 02:09:35,180
Please administer public comment, please.

1381
02:09:44,260 --> 02:09:48,840
We have four speakers signed up to speak for first-not-a-gener public comment.

1382
02:09:49,200 --> 02:09:54,480
Kenneth Williams, Derek, Eddie, A. Holmes, please line up at the podium.

1383
02:10:04,180 --> 02:10:04,860
Kenneth Williams.

1384
02:10:09,370 --> 02:10:10,470
Good afternoon, everyone.

1385
02:10:12,250 --> 02:10:20,870
Refuse Operator, SCIU-721 member, and the famous words of Eruqa Franklin, of Eruqa Franklin,

1386
02:10:21,650 --> 02:10:22,950
all we need is a little respect.

1387
02:10:30,730 --> 02:10:33,950
We deserve it. Respect is in just something you say.

1388
02:10:34,450 --> 02:10:41,510
Respect means recognizing the essential work we perform every day. Respect means listening to the people

1389
02:10:41,510 --> 02:10:50,990
doing the job. Respects me providing safe, working conditions, competitive pay and the resources we need to serve the city.

1390
02:10:51,890 --> 02:10:55,830
We're proud to wear the city of Long Beach logo.

1391
02:10:56,370 --> 02:11:02,830
We simply want the city to show that they value the people behind the logo.

1392
02:11:03,350 --> 02:11:04,410
Thank you.

1393
02:11:05,250 --> 02:11:06,230
Thank you.

1394
02:11:08,670 --> 02:11:09,190
Good

1395
02:11:13,060 --> 02:11:17,680
evening, my name is Derek Bevinz and I'm a refuse operator for the City of On Beach.

1396
02:11:19,160 --> 02:11:22,380
Most people think about trash collection on pickup day.

1397
02:11:22,660 --> 02:11:24,000
For most of us it's everyday.

1398
02:11:24,720 --> 02:11:29,820
We help prevent disease, keep neighborhoods clean, protect the environment and provide

1399
02:11:29,820 --> 02:11:32,880
one of the most essential public service the city offers.

1400
02:11:32,880 --> 02:11:38,960
When disasters happen, illegal dumping increases, our neighborhoods need us where they're.

1401
02:11:40,360 --> 02:11:41,740
We are proud of what we do.

1402
02:11:42,180 --> 02:11:46,060
We simply want to contract and recognize our value, respect this, protect this.

1403
02:11:48,200 --> 02:11:50,780
Every day, we show up to where it brings new risk.

1404
02:11:51,220 --> 02:11:57,320
We work around hazardous waste, by all hazards, overflowing trash, homeless and contaminants,

1405
02:11:57,420 --> 02:12:00,560
and materials that can expose us to serious illness.

1406
02:12:00,560 --> 02:12:06,880
Many people don't realize what gets thrown away and the trash doesn't disappear, it becomes our responsibility.

1407
02:12:08,000 --> 02:12:20,400
We willingly do this work because our community depends on us, but those risk deserves to be recognized in stronger safety protections and contracts that reflects the reality of our job.

1408
02:12:21,160 --> 02:12:22,560
Thank you.

1409
02:12:23,320 --> 02:12:24,260
Thank you.

1410
02:12:24,280 --> 02:12:25,280
Peter please.

1411
02:12:30,070 --> 02:12:32,650
Oh, Eddie Carbohon here.

1412
02:12:33,410 --> 02:12:35,730
Lumiche has talents and reviews operator.

1413
02:12:36,190 --> 02:12:40,690
The ranges from Yon to Senior Ages, with pool of multiple skills.

1414
02:12:41,570 --> 02:12:45,570
Some skills are formed over time and some of the born naturally in there.

1415
02:12:46,370 --> 02:12:52,130
But when nearby CDs offer better wages and benefits, experience and employees leave.

1416
02:12:52,930 --> 02:12:56,870
Every time they happen, the CD losses valuable knowledge and experience.

1417
02:12:56,870 --> 02:13:04,170
I have to that, the city losses valuable investment pour into employees. Recruiting and retaining

1418
02:13:04,170 --> 02:13:11,510
a skilled workers should be a priority because a stable workforce means better service

1419
02:13:11,510 --> 02:13:16,710
for a Long Beach residence. Investment in employees is an investment in the community.

1420
02:13:19,370 --> 02:13:21,010
Thank you, A. Home.

1421
02:13:29,190 --> 02:13:33,650
We've been negotiating for five months. The negotiation is not going anywhere.

1422
02:13:33,650 --> 02:13:35,330
That's why we hear tonight.

1423
02:13:36,630 --> 02:13:40,590
Every one of us shows this profession because we believe in serving our community.

1424
02:13:41,290 --> 02:13:45,310
We don't expect our jobs to be easy, but we do expect to be treated fairly.

1425
02:13:46,230 --> 02:13:51,910
Tonight we're asking our management in the city leadership to stand with us, the workers who

1426
02:13:51,910 --> 02:13:56,570
keep low on these clean, protect public health and serve this community every day.

1427
02:13:56,570 --> 02:14:06,070
our message is simple and clear. Respect us, protect us, and pay us. You have a blessed day.

1428
02:14:08,220 --> 02:14:09,880
Thank you. Second please, public comment.

1429
02:14:10,960 --> 02:14:14,480
All right. Well, thanks for coming down and sharing and you know,

1430
02:14:14,480 --> 02:14:17,940
encourage us to stay at the table and figure it out. Thanks a lot.

1431
02:14:18,820 --> 02:14:23,300
All right. Okay. So that concludes general public comment.

1432
02:14:23,360 --> 02:14:26,640
We're now going to go to item 19 in ordinances.

1433
02:14:26,640 --> 02:14:33,780
Report from financial management. Recommendation to execute all documents necessary to amend

1434
02:14:33,780 --> 02:14:40,140
units contracts with various contractors for providing as needed light and medium duty

1435
02:14:40,140 --> 02:14:46,380
vehicle towing services for a revised total annual aggregated contract amount not to exceed

1436
02:14:46,380 --> 02:14:54,100
$350,000 and declare proposition out ordinance read the first time and laid over to the next

1437
02:14:54,100 --> 02:14:58,300
regular meeting of the City Council for final reading, City White.

1438
02:15:00,000 --> 02:15:03,660
Thank you. Is there any public comment here?

1439
02:15:04,160 --> 02:15:06,340
There's no public comment, please cast your vote.

1440
02:15:10,890 --> 02:15:11,610
Motion is carry.

1441
02:15:12,290 --> 02:15:13,510
Thank you, item 20, please.

1442
02:15:15,550 --> 02:15:24,630
Communication from Councilwoman Sorrow, recommendation to increase appropriations in the general fund group in the city manager department by 1,550.

1443
02:15:25,130 --> 02:15:34,670
Offset by the six council district, one-time district priority funds, transfer from the city-wide activities department to provide contributions of

1444
02:15:34,670 --> 02:15:40,590
$300 to public corporation for the arts for the city of Long Beach in support of Arts Council

1445
02:15:40,590 --> 02:15:44,670
for Long Beach State of the Arts 50th Anniversary Gala.

1446
02:15:45,250 --> 02:15:48,690
$500 to peer education community center to support

1447
02:15:48,690 --> 02:15:50,790
Sunny Central's National Night Out.

1448
02:15:51,270 --> 02:15:54,930
$250 to one in Long Beach Incorporated and support

1449
02:15:54,930 --> 02:16:00,390
of the LGBTQ Center for Long Beach's 33rd Annual Cue Film Festival.

1450
02:16:00,390 --> 02:16:06,230
and $500 to what I let in support of their 5K Liberation Walk.

1451
02:16:08,340 --> 02:16:09,700
All right, thank you, is there any public comment?

1452
02:16:10,600 --> 02:16:11,880
No, public. No public.

1453
02:16:12,280 --> 02:16:13,720
Members, please cast your vote.

1454
02:16:19,420 --> 02:16:21,360
Council member Daniel, I'm not sure it's not here.

1455
02:16:21,700 --> 02:16:22,380
Motion is carried.

1456
02:16:22,800 --> 02:16:25,440
Thank you. We'll now move to our closing public comment, please.

1457
02:16:30,230 --> 02:16:31,490
We have six speakers.

1458
02:16:32,950 --> 02:16:37,170
Tony on Zoom, Dave Schouplea on Zoom, Dave Mael,

1459
02:16:37,170 --> 02:16:41,730
to Mara, Cornelius, FB,

1460
02:16:48,360 --> 02:16:53,280
and Lyle T. Peterson. So Tony, if you can unmute yourself?

1461
02:16:54,520 --> 02:16:58,980
We have Tony on Zoom. Please unmute yourself. Your time starts now.

1462
02:17:01,530 --> 02:17:07,190
Hi, I'm here to address an issue that I'm seeing.

1463
02:17:08,290 --> 02:17:13,570
I appreciate that with the budget that we're putting more funding for the topic engineering department.

1464
02:17:13,570 --> 02:17:21,770
However, looking at issues nearby, I don't think we're having to

1465
02:17:21,770 --> 02:17:26,710
traffic engineering department looking at the traffic control plans of

1466
02:17:26,710 --> 02:17:30,530
different construction agencies as they're doing projects here in

1467
02:17:30,530 --> 02:17:35,250
Long Beach as during the closure of shoreline for the vans of that.

1468
02:17:35,730 --> 02:17:40,270
There was two additional construction closers nearby causing chaos with

1469
02:17:40,270 --> 02:17:43,310
people, we get a few of the work to go, because science

1470
02:17:43,310 --> 02:17:47,250
we're directing them to conflicting detour routes.

1471
02:17:48,070 --> 02:17:52,250
So I would just encourage that we fill those new traffic

1472
02:17:52,250 --> 02:17:55,490
engineering roles as soon as possible, because we definitely

1473
02:17:55,490 --> 02:17:56,930
need some better coordination.

1474
02:17:57,990 --> 02:18:00,330
So we can safely traverse our community.

1475
02:18:00,670 --> 02:18:02,230
Thank you.

1476
02:18:02,490 --> 02:18:03,130
Thank you.

1477
02:18:03,810 --> 02:18:04,630
Dave Schukele.

1478
02:18:09,680 --> 02:18:11,920
Please unmute yourself for your time starts now.

1479
02:18:14,330 --> 02:18:14,490
Hello.

1480
02:18:14,610 --> 02:18:15,350
Can you hear me?

1481
02:18:18,390 --> 02:18:21,730
Thank you, and thank you, Mr. Mayor, City Council.

1482
02:18:23,030 --> 02:18:28,370
I suppose the first thing I should say is to also thank you for implementing SB 707,

1483
02:18:28,930 --> 02:18:34,690
so that I could speak to you today via the online Zoom interface.

1484
02:18:36,130 --> 02:18:41,610
I am very, very sick and couldn't possibly make it to the meeting in person,

1485
02:18:41,610 --> 02:18:47,850
let alone sit through it with a mask on thank you also Mr. Mayor for including

1486
02:18:47,850 --> 02:18:55,610
additional funding to staff the changes associated with SB 707 and this online

1487
02:18:55,610 --> 02:19:03,130
and telephonic interfaces. It wasn't my intention to speak on anything but you

1488
02:19:03,130 --> 02:19:08,250
know budget season being what it is I was struck by how many people and how

1489
02:19:08,250 --> 02:19:15,450
different departments, different divisions, different job titles. We're coming up and saying please don't cut our jobs.

1490
02:19:16,210 --> 02:19:23,210
It's a very, very difficult task that the council and the mayor have before them and you certainly have much sympathy.

1491
02:19:24,370 --> 02:19:29,490
I'd like to speak very briefly on part of the reason why we're in this situation.

1492
02:19:29,490 --> 02:19:52,690
I don't think, I mean, you can quibble about some of the business decisions, some of the industrial policy, but I don't think you can fully understand what has happened with city without understanding the tremendous pressures that have been put on it unfairly by changes made by the current federal regime.

1493
02:19:53,790 --> 02:19:59,910
I'd like to recommend, it's not like reading, it won't make you happy, but I think it's necessary.

1494
02:20:00,250 --> 02:20:04,070
I'd like to recommend an article that came out yesterday in New Yorker.

1495
02:20:04,750 --> 02:20:11,210
The future made in China by Evan Osnos.

1496
02:20:13,470 --> 02:20:21,910
That kind of details how this country has over time betrayed its population and betrayed working people by

1497
02:20:21,910 --> 02:20:28,630
meeting a lot of the new industries that we should have and my generation in specific could

1498
02:20:28,630 --> 02:20:37,350
have been building for our collective benefit, such as batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels,

1499
02:20:37,570 --> 02:20:46,830
clean energy generally, but also because this article mentions how in Beijing think tank at

1500
02:20:46,830 --> 02:20:51,570
renmin University recently published an assessment titled

1501
02:20:51,570 --> 02:20:57,190
Thank Trump, which Riley Hale says efforts to

1502
02:20:57,190 --> 02:21:00,810
hasten the twilight of an empire by and I quote,

1503
02:21:01,110 --> 02:21:03,930
undermining America's alliances, civil servants,

1504
02:21:04,670 --> 02:21:06,850
scientific institutions and democratic credibility.

1505
02:21:08,190 --> 02:21:10,830
In the past two years, the international approval rating of the U.S. has

1506
02:21:10,830 --> 02:21:14,550
dropped nearly 40 points, according to Worldwide Survey.

1507
02:21:14,550 --> 02:21:18,650
your time has concluded. Thank you. Okay.

1508
02:21:21,750 --> 02:21:21,750
David.

1509
02:21:26,570 --> 02:21:27,990
David. Mail.

1510
02:21:33,370 --> 02:21:34,410
You can purchase the podium.

1511
02:21:34,970 --> 02:21:43,780
This is, I didn't realize I could have done this online, but so be it. Mayor and city council.

1512
02:21:44,980 --> 02:21:52,320
I wanted to start by congratulating you on the beach streets event. It was well managed, well

1513
02:21:52,320 --> 02:21:58,560
organized an awful lot of fun and it also encouraged me in what I'm about to say because it showed

1514
02:21:58,560 --> 02:22:06,000
me that the City of Long Beach is in fact capable of complex management and events. What I

1515
02:22:06,000 --> 02:22:12,360
here, I'm here to talk about is actually much, much simpler. It's not only simpler, it's easy to

1516
02:22:12,360 --> 02:22:17,640
implement and it provides a revenue source. So I think that's the sort of thing we can all look

1517
02:22:17,640 --> 02:22:26,200
over to. Unsurprisingly, as a resident of Syndry district, I live in Alameda's Beach, I live

1518
02:22:26,200 --> 02:22:31,680
near the corner of Florida Street and her most street in what is known as a parking

1519
02:22:31,680 --> 02:22:37,300
impact district. And I'm here to talk about parking. So I'll try to make it as brief as

1520
02:22:37,300 --> 02:22:44,260
possible. Essentially, we have a problem that all of my neighbors, not I'm retired, but

1521
02:22:44,260 --> 02:22:47,700
I get to watch this happen every evening at about five,

1522
02:22:47,920 --> 02:22:49,580
cannot find places to park.

1523
02:22:52,360 --> 02:22:55,760
This is not something that cannot be overcome.

1524
02:22:56,460 --> 02:22:58,620
Various policies such as Santa Monica

1525
02:22:58,620 --> 02:23:01,580
and San Francisco, which are not known generally

1526
02:23:01,580 --> 02:23:04,800
as bastions of corporate subservience,

1527
02:23:05,420 --> 02:23:08,380
have managed quite easily to solve this.

1528
02:23:08,520 --> 02:23:10,480
I think you all know what I'm talking about.

1529
02:23:10,840 --> 02:23:13,300
We are talking about street parking.

1530
02:23:13,300 --> 02:23:18,760
We are talking about permit parking, and we are talking about paid permit parking.

1531
02:23:19,260 --> 02:23:23,460
For those of you with economic background, you'll know this is known as the tragedy of

1532
02:23:23,460 --> 02:23:28,860
the comments in our neighborhood, it's known as the tragedy of elite auto repair.

1533
02:23:29,880 --> 02:23:35,240
Because there is no charge for parking, various companies such as elite will put anywhere

1534
02:23:35,240 --> 02:23:39,160
from 12 to 20 cars on the street constantly.

1535
02:23:39,160 --> 02:23:46,160
They have an entire team of people who go out and move those cars on Mondays and Thursdays for street cleaning.

1536
02:23:46,980 --> 02:23:50,740
I don't think that's right, the people who can't find parking don't think that's right.

1537
02:23:51,320 --> 02:23:58,200
And if you lead auto repair and knew that they would have to pay probably $20,000 a year for that,

1538
02:23:58,380 --> 02:24:01,060
I suspect they would find parking elsewhere.

1539
02:24:01,620 --> 02:24:03,900
I know that if I were in their position, I would.

1540
02:24:03,900 --> 02:24:06,900
Again, this is not complicated.

1541
02:24:07,760 --> 02:24:10,560
People who live here get a right to buy a permit.

1542
02:24:11,100 --> 02:24:15,120
They pay for permit parking and they make their accommodations accordingly.

1543
02:24:15,960 --> 02:24:21,580
So I will look forward to seeing something either published here or at one of these meetings

1544
02:24:21,580 --> 02:24:27,820
in which we discuss why is it other places, including Lakewood right up the street, can

1545
02:24:27,820 --> 02:24:30,540
do this and sent and Long Beach cannot.

1546
02:24:31,380 --> 02:24:32,880
I look forward to hearing from all of you.

1547
02:24:32,880 --> 02:24:34,400
Thank you very much.

1548
02:24:35,200 --> 02:24:35,960
Thank you.

1549
02:24:36,240 --> 02:24:37,360
Tamara Carneelius.

1550
02:24:51,320 --> 02:24:53,320
Hello, city officials, Mayor.

1551
02:24:54,120 --> 02:24:55,280
My name is Tamara Carneelius.

1552
02:24:55,540 --> 02:24:57,680
I am with the City of Long Beach Parking Control,

1553
02:24:58,280 --> 02:25:02,920
street sweeping side, but I represent parking enforcement as well.

1554
02:25:03,860 --> 02:25:05,960
I'm here to speak on behalf of Parking Control.

1555
02:25:06,140 --> 02:25:09,860
We're here to say that some of us are the lowest paid,

1556
02:25:10,240 --> 02:25:12,800
and last year we brought in 10 million alone,

1557
02:25:14,300 --> 02:25:15,760
and short staff.

1558
02:25:16,600 --> 02:25:20,400
The city has gotten more dangerous and we feel deeply under value.

1559
02:25:21,400 --> 02:25:22,240
We need to money.

1560
02:25:22,740 --> 02:25:24,000
Things are very expensive.

1561
02:25:24,700 --> 02:25:27,480
We are the boots on the ground, risking our lives,

1562
02:25:27,900 --> 02:25:30,180
and fast food workers make more money than us.

1563
02:25:31,020 --> 02:25:33,080
It's every day we go out there

1564
02:25:33,080 --> 02:25:36,560
and the citizens of this city threaten us.

1565
02:25:36,640 --> 02:25:39,720
We have co-workers that are off because either they're injured

1566
02:25:39,720 --> 02:25:48,040
they got threatened, hit, stuff, slapped, punched. It's not fair and we deserve to get a raise.

1567
02:25:48,320 --> 02:25:56,540
A raise that will let us live survive. Everybody wants to be able to afford what they need to

1568
02:25:56,540 --> 02:26:04,320
basic items that we need and if we don't get this raise, it's just, you're slapping us in a face.

1569
02:26:04,440 --> 02:26:09,700
We're here to serve the community. We're here to serve the city and like I said before,

1570
02:26:09,720 --> 02:26:18,940
we made $10 million short staff and we're still short staff and we deserve that raise please keep us in your

1571
02:26:18,940 --> 02:26:22,500
in consideration for that. Thank you. Thank you.

1572
02:26:24,920 --> 02:26:25,600
FB.

1573
02:26:28,560 --> 02:26:32,980
FB. Okay, moving on. Lyle T. Peterson. That's the last speaker.

1574
02:26:41,300 --> 02:26:48,740
Contact the better business bureau is impossible. It's just impossible. There is more than one manager

1575
02:26:48,740 --> 02:26:57,120
that is adding on the tax for the tip, Christine or Cindy Allen is my representative.

1576
02:26:58,300 --> 02:27:06,860
So I would like to have someone come out here and remedy this problem.

1577
02:27:07,780 --> 02:27:14,220
You know, there is more than one manager that is adding on the tax for the tip.

1578
02:27:15,980 --> 02:27:24,950
So, could I get a representative out here?

1579
02:27:25,670 --> 02:27:28,670
Yes, I'm your district too, and I'll have someone come out and talk to you.

1580
02:27:29,570 --> 02:27:30,550
Thank you.

1581
02:27:33,460 --> 02:27:33,820
Thank you.

1582
02:27:33,960 --> 02:27:35,060
That concludes the public comment.

1583
02:27:35,900 --> 02:27:36,140
All right.

1584
02:27:36,260 --> 02:27:41,840
We'll thank you to all of you both online and in person who participate in the public comment.

1585
02:27:42,720 --> 02:27:43,460
We are now.

1586
02:27:43,900 --> 02:27:44,540
This is it.

1587
02:27:44,580 --> 02:27:45,620
It's National Night Out.

1588
02:27:46,080 --> 02:27:50,620
I know that neighborhood association throughout the police departments out

1589
02:27:50,620 --> 02:27:52,220
and they're doing community building.

1590
02:27:52,900 --> 02:27:54,280
This summer, it's a great program.

1591
02:27:54,560 --> 02:27:56,020
The council meeting in early enough

1592
02:27:56,020 --> 02:27:58,680
for council members to be able to get out

1593
02:27:58,680 --> 02:28:00,920
and meet and greet with their communities.

1594
02:28:01,420 --> 02:28:04,380
And what a great summer it has been so far

1595
02:28:04,380 --> 02:28:06,540
with all the concerts in the park

1596
02:28:06,540 --> 02:28:08,440
and the movies in the park and World Cup soccer

1597
02:28:08,440 --> 02:28:10,680
in the park and movies on the beach

1598
02:28:10,680 --> 02:28:12,300
and baseball and Blair Field

1599
02:28:12,300 --> 02:28:13,840
and all the things that are happening.

1600
02:28:14,480 --> 02:28:18,580
So we wish you a happy and a safe summer night

1601
02:28:18,580 --> 02:28:21,000
national night out and a great summer.

1602
02:28:21,680 --> 02:28:23,720
Are there any closing comments from the council?

1603
02:28:23,960 --> 02:28:24,780
Okay, Councilmember Kirk?

1604
02:28:25,720 --> 02:28:27,180
Yes, thank you, Mr. Mayor.

1605
02:28:28,140 --> 02:28:30,680
This Friday, August 7th is first Friday of the month.

1606
02:28:30,900 --> 02:28:33,460
Meaning, you can join the BKBA for their monthly art walk.

1607
02:28:33,540 --> 02:28:36,660
This time with Summer Block Party theme from 630 to 930.

1608
02:28:36,880 --> 02:28:40,020
Find art music and community at the shops and businesses up and down Atlantic.

1609
02:28:40,560 --> 02:28:44,160
While you're there, I invite you to stop by the Expo Art Center at 432 on Atlantic for

1610
02:28:44,160 --> 02:28:47,580
the opening night of the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach's newest exhibit.

1611
02:28:47,580 --> 02:28:52,560
Black Cowboys, more than a myth, which will run from August 7th to August 24th.

1612
02:28:52,800 --> 02:28:56,600
Then this Saturday is second Saturday of the month, in the fifth district, so that means

1613
02:28:56,600 --> 02:29:03,060
you can volunteer with a local clean streets team from 830-930 at two locations at 4-5-5-5-5-1,

1614
02:29:03,340 --> 02:29:08,200
or 12-40 East Carson Street. You can also spend the afternoon and part of the village for

1615
02:29:08,200 --> 02:29:11,640
their summer-fest themed monthly block party from 11 to 3.

1616
02:29:11,640 --> 02:29:17,820
I also encourage you any performing arts fans to support students at LBCC by attending their

1617
02:29:17,820 --> 02:29:22,200
show of Shakespeare's 12th night running now through Sunday August 9th.

1618
02:29:22,320 --> 02:29:27,340
You can visit lcc.com slash calendar to find showtimes and tickets and lastly if you have

1619
02:29:27,340 --> 02:29:31,840
not had enough music in the park on the beach and all of those places I invite you to attend

1620
02:29:31,840 --> 02:29:34,960
the BKBA's final concert in the parking lot.

1621
02:29:34,960 --> 02:29:42,460
on Monday, August 10th at 6.30 p.m. in the Howard CDM parking lot, which is located across from

1622
02:29:42,460 --> 02:29:47,400
Steelcraft, on Long Beach Boulevard in Bixby. This time featuring the western standard time Scott

1623
02:29:47,400 --> 02:29:49,660
Orchestra. Thank you so much and we'll see you out in the community.

1624
02:29:51,160 --> 02:29:52,580
Thank you, Councilmember, with the Russian food.

1625
02:29:52,940 --> 02:29:58,100
Thank you so much, Mayor. Well, this past weekend, I had a great time and I think several of you did

1626
02:29:58,100 --> 02:29:59,980
too at the Abtown Jazz Festival. I wanted to...

1627
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:05,600
Take a moment to congratulate Councilwoman Joni Rick's Odie for yet another amazing event.

1628
02:30:06,340 --> 02:30:14,740
I was also thrilled today to join the National Capacity. This is the National Asian Pacific Islander Community Development

1629
02:30:14,740 --> 02:30:24,680
Organization as they held their convention here in Long Beach. It's a coalition empowering Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders throughout the nation.

1630
02:30:24,680 --> 02:30:31,800
Following the opening by Councilwoman Suley Sorrow yesterday, I had a chance to welcome the attendees today too.

1631
02:30:31,880 --> 02:30:41,500
And so happy that local partners, like the United Cambodian community and Filipino migrant center, were on hand to make sure that Long Beach was well represented there.

1632
02:30:42,040 --> 02:30:48,280
With the budget process underway, I'd like to invite the public to come out to one of the community budgeting meetings.

1633
02:30:48,280 --> 02:30:55,520
The next one that will be held at least in the north will be August 6 from 6 to 730 p.m. at Lynn bird middle school.

1634
02:30:56,180 --> 02:31:01,940
Your voice is essential and we look forward to hearing how we can build a sustainable financial future together.

1635
02:31:02,900 --> 02:31:12,720
And this Saturday 8 by 8, this Saturday is August 8 and my office will be hosting a district wide cleanup on Saturday August 8 at 8 a.m.

1636
02:31:12,720 --> 02:31:19,120
This will be an opportunity for various neighborhood associations to come together and elevate here on the eighth district.

1637
02:31:19,720 --> 02:31:24,740
And then finally, we're excited about our backpack giveaway that'll be Saturday August 15th.

1638
02:31:24,820 --> 02:31:28,300
That'll be here from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at sheer park.

1639
02:31:28,680 --> 02:31:31,940
We hope you'll come out at 4,600 long beach boulevard,

1640
02:31:32,260 --> 02:31:37,420
making sure that our students are prepared as they go back to school for the fall in 2026.

1641
02:31:37,880 --> 02:31:40,000
I hope to see you there. Have a good night.

1642
02:31:41,280 --> 02:31:59,580
Thank you for those council districts where there is no in person meeting tomorrow night. We have a virtual budget meeting at 6 p.m. to 730 p.m. City Manager can verify this that's long beach.gov f.y.

1643
02:31:59,840 --> 02:32:05,720
27 will let you to the site. That's just go to Long Beach.gov backslash budget made it simple.

1644
02:32:05,720 --> 02:32:13,320
Okay. Thank you. All right. Yes. Go there to follow the budget. Thank you. Have a good night meeting adjourn.