Schipske Congratulates Mungo -- Promises Smooth Transition

Schipske Congratulates Stacy Mungo on Winning 5^th District Seat – Says Looks Forward to

Smooth, Positive Transition

Long Beach, CA – June 4, 2014 – Two term 5^th District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today issued the following statement after results confirmed Stacy Mungo winning the June 3^rd run off

election for the 5^th District:

“Congratulations to Stacy Mungo on her winning the election for the 5^th district council seat. I believe that Stacy is committed to the high level of constituent service that the residents expect and deserve. My staff and I stand ready for a smooth, positive transition.

To prepare for the transition, my staff and I are organizing files, notebooks, equipment and supply inventories, infrastructure project maps and details of completed and planned projects, event planners and computer records of 44,000 constituents which document the work we have undertaken these past eight years. 

We are planning on meeting later this week and will be available for any questions Councilwoman-elect Mungo may have until she assumes office in mid-July. 

I am hopeful that Ms. Mungo will keep the 5th District staff that are in place as they are the reason residents feel so positive towards our office. ”

Related articles

• Schipske Asks City Attorney to Halt Destruction of Elected Officials' Records

LA Mayor Announces Federal Designation ... Why is Our Mayor Silent?

City council passed my agenda item in February directing the City Manager to apply for federal designation as a potential manufacturing area through the LA County Economic Development Corporation.

If the City Manager did what the Council directed him to do, then why did the Mayor of Los Angeles make a major announcement about Southern California being selected but our Mayor (and Vice Mayor) is still silent as to whether or not Long Beach even bothered to file a letter of intent to participate? 

This is a major award from the federal government as it will give those non profits, organizations and government entities priority for $1.3 billion in federal grants to help stimulate manufacturing particularly related to our ports.

I know staff from the Port of Long Beach were involved with LAEDC, but the story I am getting is that the City sent in some paperwork but it never was finalized: " (the City) was not included in the application because a commitment letter could not be provided that defined the City's level of participation."

The City Council was never informed that a commitment letter was not provided nor the reasons the City Manager failed to file it.

Thank god the election is next Tuesday.

Related articles

• Southland gets a leg up on aerospace, advanced manufacturing grants

Council to Mark Success of Vial of LIFE Program -- New Count Indicates 20,000 Distributed

 March 25, 2014 – It’s been only two years since the Vial of LIFE (LIFE is the abbreviation for Lifesaving Information for Emergencies) program was launched but to date more than 20,000 kits have been assembled and distributed says Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske who brought the program to Long Beach in 2012.

Vial of LIFE is a simple, yet powerful way to get life saving information for emergencies into the hands of Emergency Medical Services personnel. Schipske, a former EMT and currently a Registered Nurse Practitioner, brought the program to Long Beach because of her concern that many senior residents were unable to give information about their prescriptions to paramedics.

 “The kits eliminate using precious time in assessing and treating a patient,” notes Schipske, pointing out that she completed her EMT training years ago by riding with LB Fire Department Paramedics at Station 1. Vial of LIFE allows individuals to record vital life saving information for emergencies and store it in a uniform location in their home for the reference of the Long Beach Fire Department EMS personnel, family or friends in the event that the individual is incapacitated in a medical emergency.

The Vial of Life program has become an important tool for the Long Beach Fire Department EMS personnel to use in gaining vital lifesaving information that allows them to give appropriate treatment to patients who are unable to answer basic questions about their medical history, allergies to medications, or the identity of their doctor.

 Thanks to the generosity of several community organizations businesses, Schipske was able to have volunteers put together and distribute more than 15,000 kits. Each vial contains instruction and medical information sheets and a magnet that goes on the refrigerator to let paramedics know to look inside for the vial for the stored information.

 “I want to thank St. Mary Medical Center, Long Beach Cares, and Walmart for stepping up and donating the materials for the kits. I also want to thank Chief Duree and the Long Beach Fire Department for producing a public service announcement video that explains the Vial of LIFE.” Schipske adds that numerous church groups and social service agencies contact her office requesting Vial of LIFE for their members.

“We can’t assemble them fast enough to meet the demand.” Schipske is asking that the Vial of LIFE and its donors be acknowledged at the April 2 Council meeting. “They need to be thanked for helping the citizens of Long Beach become safer and better prepared for medical emergencies that may arise.”

 For more information on Vial of LIFE, log onto: www.lbvialoflife.com.

Schipske to Ask LBCC Board of Trustees to Help Solve Neighborhood Parking Problem

Schipske to Address LBCC Board  Regarding Continuing Problems of Student Parking in Neighborhoods – Feels LBCC Should Pay for Residents’ Permits

March 17, 2014 –Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today issued the following statement concerning her announcement that she will address the Long Beach Community College District Board of Trustees on Tuesday, March 25 at 5 pm:

 “I will once again ask the Trustees to step up and help solve a continuing conflict between LBCC students and the residents of the adjoining neighborhoods who are being forced to pay to park on their own streets because of the impact students parking there.

“Several years ago I asked the Board of Trustees to assist in paying for preferential parking permits as does CSULB. To date, the Trustees have refused indicating that there is sufficient parking on campus for students and that they cannot control student parking off campus.

“ With the construction of new buildings on the south side of Carson, students have increasingly moved into the residential streets on that side. Residents have attended several community meetings complaining about the parking problems as well as speeding and littering.

“I urge residents to join me at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, March 25 at 5 pm. It will be held at the Liberal Arts Campus (LAC) Building T, Room 1100. We will ask the Board to be ‘good neighbors’ by helping resolve a problem that is caused by their students.”

#30

Schipske Asks City to Pursue Investment of Pension Funds Back Into Long Beach

Says Pension System Making Billions of Investments in Other Cities and Countries to Create Jobs and Housing

Long Beach, CA – March 11, 2014 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske thinks the expression that “charity should being at home” might also apply to taxpayer funded pensions are invested and called on the City Council to assist Long Beach businesses in pursuing investment of City pension funds back into Long Beach.

“Ninety percent of the funds contributed by taxpayers through their cities to CalPERS that are invested by CalPERS are invested outside of California and overseas,” says Schipske, “In essence public pension funds are being used to create jobs and opportunities outside of the communities whose taxpayers are being asked to foot the bill.”

The California Public Employee Retirement System – CalPERS – administers the largest pension fund in the country. The CalPERS fund is managed by a 13-member Board of Administration, given authority over the retirement system by the state constitution.
It manages a portfolio exceed $200 billion in assets that provides retirement benefits for more than 1.1 million active and inactive public employees and around half a million retirees and beneficiaries.

CalPERS controls assets that are worth $236.6 billion as of February 23, 2012. Its investment and other income in fiscal year 2010-2011 was $43.9 billion. Employer contributions that year topped $7.46 billion and members paid $3.6 billion into the fund.

The City of Long Beach pays approximately $94 million annually to CalPERS. This includes both the total employer contribution and the contributions made by employees. The City has CalPERS assets of $3.05 billion. Long Beach is ranked 1st in terms of value of assets for all cities and 3rd for all entities. (The County of Santa Clara is ranked first.)

“It seems to me that Long Beach should be able to exert some clout to get funds invested back into our City to create private sector job growth and development of housing,” Schipske says, pointing out that CalPERS boasts of investing $20.7 billion in assets annually, some of which have been invested in private markets in areas of low income, high unemployment and high minority populations. According to the CalPERS investment report: “Access to capital is an important factor in business and productivity growth, job and wealth creation, innovation, and sustainable community and economic development. The benefits of access to capital accrue to the direct recipients of investments, and to the areas in which they are located.”

Schipske notes that the City could assist local businesses and developers in submitting proposals to CalPERS to be considered for investment. CalPERS accepts proposals in eight areas: Private Equity, Real Estate, Forestland, Infrastructure, Commodities, Global Fixed Income, Global Equities or Hedge Funds. Click here to see how to submit a proposal for investment.
Watch video to find out more about CALPERS targeted investments.

“The City Council should establish an economic development task force comprised of residents who are experts in investments to assist our local businesses and developers in getting CalPERS to invest taxpayer money back into Long Beach. We ask the Long Beach taxpayer to fund pensions and then watch as these funds are invested outside our City. We need to do whatever we can to get some of those funds back into our local economy.” 
Schipske has placed an item on the March 18th City Council asking that the City Manager report back to the City Council on how our local businesses and developers can connect with the CalPERS investment staff and what assistance the City can give to encourage CalPERS investment in Long Beach.

For all the wives who helped make their husbands successful...

Schipske Calls for Inclusion of Josephine Gumbiner in Renaming of Armory Park – Says She Contributed Greatly to the Success of Her Husband – Dr. Robert Gumbiner – and Long Beach

March 11, 2014 –Noting that March is Women’s History Month and that women are often left out in the writing of history, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today called on the City Parks and Recreation Commission to include Josephine Gumbiner in the naming of a newly planned park in the 1^st Council District.

Schipske made her remarks after Councilman Robert Garcia proposed that the new park be named in honor of only Dr. Robert Gumbiner because it is located adjacent to the Museum of Latin American Art on 7^th and Alamitos which Gumbiner founded.

“Anyone who knew the Gumbiners understand why it is important that both Robert and Josephine be honored in the naming of a park. As his wife, Josephine supported him through medical school. She worked as a licensed clinical therapist while raising their four children and was tireless in a number of charitable volunteer activities.”

Schipske notes that even after Josephine suffered a major stroke she continued to serve Long Beach by establishing a charitable foundation for the benefit of women and children in the Long Beach area. The Josephine Gumbiner Foundation continues providing financial support for a number of organizations as: Centro Shalom, Boys and Girls Club, Long Beach Day Nursery, Khmer Girls in Action, Meals on Wheels.

“I am not certain why Mr. Garcia chose to exclude the wife of Dr. Gumbiner in the suggested naming of this park, but I do hope the Parks and Recreation Commission will correct this oversight. With the exception of Rosie the Riveter Park and Grace Park, the city has no major park named in honor of a woman. Josephine Gumbiner certainly deserves the recognition and thanks for her contributions.”

Did you see it tonight?

USC Graduate Students Present Winning Design for 2nd and PCH in Long Beach 

A couple of weeks ago I placed an item on the council agenda which was approved unanimously, to invite the winners of the 2013 National Association for Industrial and Office Parks Southern California Real Estate Challenge for the Seaport Marina Hotel site at 2nd and PCH. 

The USC students made their presentation tonight and it was outstanding. Creative. Out of the box thinking that we need in Long Beach to bring business and tax revenue here to the City. 

The students explained that the 11 acre property on which Seaport Marina sits is possibly the most exciting waterfront parcel in Southern California. They named their proposal Belmont Yards and suggested a mixed-use project for the site, including a hotel, residential apartments and retail and restaurant uses. 

The USC team consisted of Stephen Anderson, Daniel Bertao, Nickolas D'Argenzio, Matthew Keipper and Christian Santos. What is outstanding about their design is the connection with the waterfront, creating a vibrant pedestrian district. 

The plan recognizes the constraints and the sensitivities of SEADIP and addresses this by proposing a dual track approval process. The Belmont Yards includes: Ample active outdoor space. Street improvements and traffic mitigation. A culinary driven marina. A multifamily development. A waterside boutique hotel experience. An attempt to fill the retail void in the city. A Long Beach Gateway at the entrance. 

I appreciate being given time at City Council to present the students and the proposal and look forward to this or something as equally exciting and innovative for the land at 2nd and PCH.

Come to the Mayoral Debates

Schipske Proposes Two Economic Development Proposals

Schipske Outlines Two Steps City Can Take To Move Economic Development – Apply With LAEDC for Federal Designation as Manufacturing Community and Assist Local Businesses and Developers in Applying for CALPERS Pension Investment

February 7, 2014 – With an unemployment rate still hovering in the double digit range, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske says it is time Long Beach became more aggressive in tracking down opportunities for economic development.

“I sit on the LA Jobs Defense Council which is a part of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation because I wanted to find out what Long Beach can do to attract business and jobs,” says Schipske. “LAEDC is aggressively seeking opportunities and just announced that it will apply to become one of 12 communities federally designated as a manufacturing community. Long Beach needs to a part of the application.”

The designation is funded through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), a new government-wide initiative that will help communities cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in regions across the country and thereby accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing. The IMCP is designed to reward communities that demonstrate best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing by bringing together key local stakeholders and using long-term planning that integrates targeted investments across a community's industrial ecosystem to create broad-based prosperity. The IMCP is a critical component of the Department of Commerce’s “Open for Business Agenda,” which prioritizes trade and investment.

Up to 12 communities will be designated and the designation gives them elevated consideration for $1.3 billion in federal dollars and assistance from 10 cabinet departments/agencies. These communities would also potentially receive additional catalytic federal investments to support their economic development strategies. Proposals for designation as a Manufacturing Community must be submitted on behalf of the region by a consortium – which in this case is the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

“I am agendizing an item for Council requesting the City Manager to work with LAEDC in submitting the information necessary for Long Beach to be considered in this federal stimulus program,” explains Schipske. “The application must be submitted by March 14.”

Schipske also notes that the CALPERS system which manages $3.05 billion of assets contributed by Long Beach for its employees’ pensions, invests these funds in businesses and developments. “Long Beach is the largest city contributor in CALPERS and some of these funds need to come back to the City through investments,” says Schipske.

CALPERS accepts proposals for investments in the following  categories: Private Equity, Real Estate, Forestland, Infrastructure, Commodities, Global Fixed Income, Global Equities or Hedge Funds. (see https://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/about/pubs/financial-performance.pdf)    

In 2001, CALPERS approved a $1 billion dollar investment in 445 communities that were classified as traditionally underserved. Schipske notes that with the City’s “high rates of unemployment and poverty” should qualify Long Beach for CALPERS investment.

“I am also agendizing an item requesting the City Manager to schedule a presentation at Council from CALPERS on how Long Beach businesses and developers can apply to be considered for CALPERS investment. Both of these proposals can assist greatly in the economic development of Long Beach.” #30

Related articles

• GPEC, ASU Win U.S. Department of Commerce Grant for Advanced Manufacturing
• Virginia organizations get federal grants to boost manufacturing
• U. receives $200K grant for helping Utah stay globally competitive
• Open for Business: Reinventing U.S. Economic Development
• Long Beach pushes for Boeing to bring 777X jetliner assembly to town

Good and Bad Night for Taxpayers

Several Schipske Proposals Approved.

Dear Resident,   Tonight was a big win for taxpayers. Several of my proposals were approved by the Council and one proposal lost by just one vote. Here's a recap:   1. Council approves funding for modern Human Resource Management system that includes for the first time an automated time keeping system. I have advocated for this since joining City Council in 2006. I teach Human Resources Management and it is beyond belief that a City our size or a business with as many employees -- 4,300 -- would operate with a manual time keeping system. This system allows employees to fill out their own time cards every two weeks. The time sheets are then manually input. On any given day, the City does not know how many employees have reported to work except by going department to department. This needed system will help the city track employees and use of sick and vacation leave.         2. Council approves re-instating the Mills Act which provides tax relief to homeowners who rehab historical properties. Started in 1972 by state law, the City of Long Beach has only contracted with 30 homeowners to allow them to take up to a 60% reduction in property taxes if they rehab and maintain properties given a historic designation. The City stopped this program in 2006. Council approved my motion to reinstate the program and directed the City Manager to come back in 30 days with plans on how to do just that. This program will give the needed incentives to fix up and restore our historic properties which will bring added property taxes because of the increased values.     Council Doesn't Approve Opening the Collective Bargaining Process to Make It Transparent   Unfortunately, the Council by a 5-3 vote killed my proposal to have the City Attorney determine how the City could make the collective bargaining process more open and transparent to the public. The City of Costa Mesa has enacted such an ordinance and school districts are required to do it. Apparently there are council members who don't even want to discuss  current system and ways to make it more transparent. That's sad for taxpayers.   What do you think? Let me know by emailing: district5@longbeach.gov. As always, I will answer.   Gerrie

MWD to do Major Pipe Repair in 5th Council District

Dear 5th District Residents,

 If you live near Conant Street and Clark Avenue you will be receiving a notice from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) that their crew will be digging up and repairing major pipeline segments that are in danger of leakage.

I am attaching their letter and a powerpoint presentation which shows the kind of work they will be doing for 14 days, round the clock.  Click here to seeThey have assured me that they are 1,400 feet from homes and other than the flashing of welding, homeowners should not hear nor see and major construction work during this time period.

  

They want to prevent a major leakage which would cause a sink hole.

 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Gerrie

Gerrie Schipske

SCHIPSKE PROPOSES FULL USE OF MILLS TAX EXEMPTION FOR LONG BEACH HOMEOWNERS

Bembridge House in Long Beach

January 24, 2014 – Hoping to bring a tax savings in Long Beach to those who own historical properties, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is asking City management for an update on how Long Beach can offer the “Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program” that allows qualifying owners to receive a potential property tax reduction and use the savings to help rehabilitate, restore and maintain their buildings. The Mills Act is the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings by private property owners. Enacted in 1972, the Mills Act legislation grants participating local governments (cities and counties) authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the restoration and maintenance of their properties to receive property tax relief. 

“The City of Long Beach stopped offering contracts to property owners in 2006 because of the economy and the loss of property tax revenues,” explains Schipske. “It is time to reinstate this program as a way of encouraging the rehabilitation and maintenance of the historical and architectural character of many of our neighborhoods throughout the city.”

 A formal agreement, generally known as a Mills Act or Historical Property Contract, is executed between cities and the property owner for a revolving ten-year term. Contracts are automatically renewed each year so that the term of the contract always extends for ten years. Property owners agree to restore, maintain, and protect the property in accordance with specific historic preservation standards and conditions identified in the contract. Mills Act participants may realize substantial property tax savings each year for recently improved or purchased older properties.

Schipske’s agenda item will be considered by the City Council at its February 4th meeting. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is the author of three books on the history of Long Beach and believes that the city needs to do what it can to help preserve the historical and architectural character of the city. She also supports reinstating the vacant city-funded position of Historic Preservation Officer.

Thinking Big in Long Beach

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association sponsored its 16th USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge. Top graduate student teams from the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA's Anderson School of Business and the Lusk Center at USC's Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy met to match creativity and real estate knowledge on a unique real estate site.

The 2013 subject site is the 11 acre location at the corner of PCH and 2nd that has the potential to be one of the greatest development opportunities in the City of Long Beach. It is located at one of the busiest and more visible intersections in Long Beach. The site is the current SeaPort Marina Hotel.

The winning group produced "Belmont Yards" -- an 11 acre multi-use development poised to become the next iconic waterfront neighborhood, exemplifying the health, sustainable, coastal life style sought out by visitors, residents and government alike. The plan recognizes the constraints and the sensitivities of SEADIP and addresses this on a dual track approval process.

Click here to see complete plan.

I placed an item on the council agenda calling for a public presentation of this creative use of 2nd and PCH and the Council approved scheduling a presentation for the public to see what could be there.

This is exciting and a great example of what creative thinking could do to move our city forward. I will let you know when it is scheduled for presentation.

Long Beach Has DNA to Be a Great City

English: "Rosie's Dog Beach" is the 3-acre, off-leash dog beach in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, California. The only dog beach in all of LA County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Cranes at the Hanjin Shipping terminal at the Port of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Larger version with slight color adjustments. Category:Images of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long Beach has the DNA to be a great city. I should know. I was born here and have written three books on its history.

From the very beginning, Long Beach used its location, natural resources and labor to build an economy and eventually grow into the 6^th largest city in the state.

Its pragmatic approach resulted in many successes. It wanted people to visit, so it became the terminus for the railroads and trolleys and opened a pier and an amusement center, it developed parks and farmers markets. It wanted a port - it built one right next to the LA Port. When it needed a library it asked Andrew Carnegie to fund it. It discovered oil – then used the proceeds to establish an airport which caught the Army’s interest as a location for the Douglas Aircraft Plant. It used its safe harbor to lure the Navy to anchor.

When the Navy left Long Beach, former Mayor Beverly O’Neill was extremely pragmatic when she announced that the City needed to focus on “3 Ts: trade, tourism and technology.” While some criticized her for then casting off anything related to Long Beach’s long history with the US Navy, she got it right.

 Because for too long, Long Beach had lost site of who it was and it let others define who we were.

It would well serve any future Mayor or Council to filter its decisions through the “3 T” exercise. Is what we are doing helping or hurting trade, tourism and technology? If it hurts, then don’t do it. If it helps, then by all means do it and more.

Let’s talk about trade. The Port of Long Beach is the economic engine in this region. It generates 30,000 jobs (about one in eight) in Long Beach and 316,000 jobs (or one in 22) in the five-county Southern California region. It needs a stable Board of Harbor Commissioners and strong management that is free from political interference.

Most importantly, the Mayor’s office needs to leverage its leadership role to promote global business opportunities. There are so many opportunities to expand the exporting of goods and services to our Asian partners. I recently met with a group of Chinese businessmen who are eager to import California wine and another group that is seeking professional services for establishing and operating long-term care facilities to deal with the lack of family caretakers for its elderly that resulted from the single child policy. Helping identify local businesses that could become involved in exporting would boost our economy.

Tourism has been helped tremendously by the improvements at the Long Beach Municipal Airport and the Arena. One of the most convenient and attractive airports in the region, Long Beach is also the least expensive from which to fly.  The enhancements at the Arena have transformed the space into a modern, flexible space that can host numerous events at the same time and will bring in more conventions.

However, the gateway to the Belmont Shore area at 2^nd and Pacific Coast Highway remains an eyesore – mostly due to the owner’s neglect. Just recently the brightest from UCLA and USC competed in the NAIOP Annual Contest to present development proposals for the best use of this very piece of property. The winning plan (Belmont Yards) is stunning, works with the existing SEADIP plan and shows us just exactly what thinking big can do for Long Beach.

Years ago, a local columnist described Long Beach as an “elegantly dressed woman with a piece of toilet paper stuck to her shoe.” And without a doubt that would describe some of our shoreline problems. The beautiful scenery is spoiled by trash that flows out of the mouth of the LA River and a poorly circulated area behind the breakwater that prevents waves and makes for dirty water. Dealing with these two problems must be a priority of a city who took its name from its greatest asset -- a long beach.

The Clean Tech Revolution (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I introduced legislation to explore establishing a “Clean Technology Zone” in Long Beach as has been done in Los Angeles, it was with the thought that we have just as much to offer.  It doesn’t make sense that this city has 4 major hospitals, a major healthcare system, a university and a community college, yet we can’t figure out how to attract and grow incubate technology. With Boeing’s announcement that it is closing operations in 2015, Long Beach needs to focus on replacing these lost good paying jobs.

Many cities are re-branding themselves in an attempt to lure high tech jobs. Wouldn’t it be great if Long Beach could become known as the city where you can “Come Start Something?”

Yes, Long Beach is a great city and can be even greater, if we’d only just focus.

Related articles

• Why Long Beach Needs to Post Its Checkbook