San Diego has set out with an aggressive program to lure corporate America to pay up to be the “official” something of the City of San Diego. And it is working big time.
San Diego got $1.25 million for its general fund from designating Verizon the “Official Wireless Partner” of the City.
San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union is paying San Diego $100,000 annually designated “Official Credit Union Partner” of the City of San Diego.
Pepsi forked over a $1.5 million signing fee and a minimum of $250,000 each of five years, as well as thousands of dollars in donated products and marketing and advertising, as the “Proud Sponsor of the City of San Diego.”
San Diego partnered with General Motors to provide 29 vehicles for the city’s lifeguards and five vehicles for the city’s police and fire departments free of charge. In return, small graphic signs on the vehicles are placed advertising GM as the official sponsor.
The city to our south also developed partnerships to receive emergency equipment from Cardiac Science.
Again, the partnerships have resulted in cash for the city and discreet emblems on the vehicles.
New York landed a $33 million contract with Snapple in return for the drinks being sold exclusively at city facilities. New York also received $19.5 million to establish a NY City Official History Center that is owned and operated by the City but funded by the History Channel.
Costa Mesa partnered with a local skateboard apparel manufacturer to sponsor the operation and maintenance of a skateboard park in the city – paying the city $30, 000 each year for naming rights, the right to hold events and a link on the City web site.
During our budget discussions I will bring this concept back to the council. We need to look at sources of revenue that do not include taxing our residents.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Message from City Manager to City Employees Regarding the Budget
Dear Employees:
Today I released our Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, and Mayor Foster released his Budget Recommendations. To address our $18.5 million structural deficit in these very challenging financial times, I have proposed the following five-pronged approach:
1. Department reductions: Asking all departments to make further reductions
2. Potential new revenue : Continuing to explore new revenue to reduce the deficit
3. Government reform: Consolidating departments and improving efficiency
4. Employee contributions: Negotiating to reduce employee costs
5. Pension reform: Negotiating to reduce current and future pension costs
I encourage you to read more about this at www.longbeach.gov . Online you will find the two-page Budget Snapshot, and a larger 24-page document that details the budget solutions. Department Directors will be talking to employees in each affected area to keep everyone apprised of the potential impacts. While I regret that these recommendations will have an impact on our organization and on some of our employees, as a City we must take these actions in order to solve the budget deficit. Additionally, I am hopeful that, through negotiations, our employee organizations will once again choose to be a part of the solution. Without additional assistance from our employees this year, an additional 85 positions will need to be eliminated, causing significant service reductions to core services.
Despite our budget challenges, as a City family we have accomplished a great deal over this past year. Part of the Budget presentation today was to highlight all the great work our employees have done, from keeping our City clean and safe, to creating new parks, to repairing the most amount of streetwork in a decade, and many other successes. This budget will be difficult on us all, but I am confident that Long Beach will continue to be a leader in California in providing quality services to our community.
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER
Today I released our Proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget, and Mayor Foster released his Budget Recommendations. To address our $18.5 million structural deficit in these very challenging financial times, I have proposed the following five-pronged approach:
1. Department reductions: Asking all departments to make further reductions
2. Potential new revenue : Continuing to explore new revenue to reduce the deficit
3. Government reform: Consolidating departments and improving efficiency
4. Employee contributions: Negotiating to reduce employee costs
5. Pension reform: Negotiating to reduce current and future pension costs
I encourage you to read more about this at www.longbeach.gov . Online you will find the two-page Budget Snapshot, and a larger 24-page document that details the budget solutions. Department Directors will be talking to employees in each affected area to keep everyone apprised of the potential impacts. While I regret that these recommendations will have an impact on our organization and on some of our employees, as a City we must take these actions in order to solve the budget deficit. Additionally, I am hopeful that, through negotiations, our employee organizations will once again choose to be a part of the solution. Without additional assistance from our employees this year, an additional 85 positions will need to be eliminated, causing significant service reductions to core services.
Despite our budget challenges, as a City family we have accomplished a great deal over this past year. Part of the Budget presentation today was to highlight all the great work our employees have done, from keeping our City clean and safe, to creating new parks, to repairing the most amount of streetwork in a decade, and many other successes. This budget will be difficult on us all, but I am confident that Long Beach will continue to be a leader in California in providing quality services to our community.
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER
Budget and Bronchitis
Council was given notice late Thursday that the release of the Mayor/City Manager Budget would be at a Friday press conference. Nothing new. Has happened every year I have served on City Council. So much for working together. I understand only two council people showed.
I am home with a copy of the very large budget. Once my medicine kicks in and I stop coughing, I will start looking at the proposals. My doc says I have bronchitis. Worse news is that I need to stay away from my 6 month old grand daughter until I have enough antibiotics on board to protect her.
I am home with a copy of the very large budget. Once my medicine kicks in and I stop coughing, I will start looking at the proposals. My doc says I have bronchitis. Worse news is that I need to stay away from my 6 month old grand daughter until I have enough antibiotics on board to protect her.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Swearing In and Other Fun
I was sworn back into office yesterday by my partner of 30 years, Flo Pickett. My dear friends, Bob and Lela Nelson, drove down from Stockton for the ceremonies. My kids watched on TV and friends were in the chamber as well as over at the El Dorado Golf Restaurant.
The ceremonies were brief. Different this time around was the lack of hand-shaking and hugging by other councilmembers.
I again liken this city council to a group foster home (no pun intended). We are put together and need to learn how to get along.
Sadly, what was a routine selection of the most senior councilmember for vice mayor has now become a political game. Unbeknownst to me, several council members agreed prior to the election to support a junior council member after they received her endorsement for their campaigns.
I nominated Councilman Patrick O'Donnell because he and Councilwoman Rae Gabelich are the senior members of the council -- and Rae declined being considered for Vice Mayor. Patrick received 4 votes -- and other 4 held out for Councilman DeLong to return from the Bahamas so they can have their 5th vote. However, with Councilman James Johnson absent at our next meeting -- it maybe back to 4 to 4.
What would stop the game and make it more equitable is if the Council were able to rotate the Vice Mayor every year instead of every two years. That my friends, would take a charter change and a vote by the residents.
The ceremonies were brief. Different this time around was the lack of hand-shaking and hugging by other councilmembers.
I again liken this city council to a group foster home (no pun intended). We are put together and need to learn how to get along.
Sadly, what was a routine selection of the most senior councilmember for vice mayor has now become a political game. Unbeknownst to me, several council members agreed prior to the election to support a junior council member after they received her endorsement for their campaigns.
I nominated Councilman Patrick O'Donnell because he and Councilwoman Rae Gabelich are the senior members of the council -- and Rae declined being considered for Vice Mayor. Patrick received 4 votes -- and other 4 held out for Councilman DeLong to return from the Bahamas so they can have their 5th vote. However, with Councilman James Johnson absent at our next meeting -- it maybe back to 4 to 4.
What would stop the game and make it more equitable is if the Council were able to rotate the Vice Mayor every year instead of every two years. That my friends, would take a charter change and a vote by the residents.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Thank you.
Would like to thank the resident who sent this letter to the editor:
A big thank goes to the Public Works staff who actually oversees the repair of our sidewalks.
Taking care of business
The citizens of the 5th District in Long Beach are fortunate to have a councilperson of such professional ability to represent us downtown.
As further evidence, my street just had the sidewalks repaired on both sides of the block and the work was accomplished in a few days with a minimum of inconvenience and was very expertly engineered to be better than what it replaced.
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske keeps us advised, via the web, of any problems that may arise, of any matters which affect us as property owners, and of any news that we should be aware of that may affect us.
In other words, she is hands-on for all of us.
Ted Conlin
A big thank goes to the Public Works staff who actually oversees the repair of our sidewalks.
Reasonably Available Is Standard Used by Other Legislative Bodies
Look at the LA Times today and you can read the latest polling on just how low elected officials are held. The feeling many Americans have is that elected officials consider themselves "better" than the average resident.
Then consider a Long Beach City Council that tolerates one of its members phoning in a vote from the Ritz Carlton in the Bahamas.
I've done a little checking on how other legislative bodies in California handle the Brown Act requirements for teleconferencing and most apply the standard:
Then consider a Long Beach City Council that tolerates one of its members phoning in a vote from the Ritz Carlton in the Bahamas.
I've done a little checking on how other legislative bodies in California handle the Brown Act requirements for teleconferencing and most apply the standard:
Don't know about you, but last time I checked, the Bahamas is a foreign country, not readily accessible to the public. And because a passport is required to go there, "any member of the public" can't participate without paying to get a passport and a ticket. Ah, noblesse oblige.Commissioner confirmed that his location was reasonably accessible to the public, such that any member of the public could participate in the teleconference from his location if he or she wished to do so.
Friday, July 16, 2010
We don't need no stinkin meetings...we can phone it in.
Hot off the press: Councilman Gary DeLong is off on vacation and will not be at Council this coming Tuesday as the Mayor and several councilmembers are sworn in to office. Mr. DeLong arranged to get sworn in before he flew out of the country.
And to prove just how wonderful technology is and to assure that his choice for Vice Mayor of the City Council (Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal) wins -- Councilman DeLong has graciously arranged to call in his vote from the Bahamas.
All perfectly legal.
Just a note to any of you who would like to exercise your rights to have government meetings open -- you might want to fly down to the Bahamas and find Mr. DeLong. Join him for drinks as he phones his friends back at City Hall.
So now we understand why he only wants to hold council meetings twice a month. Why meet when you can phone it in? All Long Beach residents who have jobs that allow them to do the same raise your hands!
And to prove just how wonderful technology is and to assure that his choice for Vice Mayor of the City Council (Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal) wins -- Councilman DeLong has graciously arranged to call in his vote from the Bahamas.
All perfectly legal.
Just a note to any of you who would like to exercise your rights to have government meetings open -- you might want to fly down to the Bahamas and find Mr. DeLong. Join him for drinks as he phones his friends back at City Hall.
So now we understand why he only wants to hold council meetings twice a month. Why meet when you can phone it in? All Long Beach residents who have jobs that allow them to do the same raise your hands!
Schipske Launching Summer Youth Program to Clean Up Alleys
For the second summer, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske has brought on board to the 5th District team a group of 8 youth who will help clean up the 44 alleys in the 5th Council District.
The youth have been made available through the Pacific Gateway Workforce Development with funding from the federal government.
The youth work 5 hours a day and are supervised by Councilwoman Schipske's neighborhood liaison. The youth will be weeding, picking up trash and coordinating with Public Works for the pick up of items dumped into the alleys. Public Works will also fill potholes in the alleys.
Schipske is the only councilmember to utilize the summer youth program. Last year, youths cleaned up, landscaped and painted facilities in 4 parks in the 5th Council District.
The youth have been made available through the Pacific Gateway Workforce Development with funding from the federal government.
The youth work 5 hours a day and are supervised by Councilwoman Schipske's neighborhood liaison. The youth will be weeding, picking up trash and coordinating with Public Works for the pick up of items dumped into the alleys. Public Works will also fill potholes in the alleys.
Schipske is the only councilmember to utilize the summer youth program. Last year, youths cleaned up, landscaped and painted facilities in 4 parks in the 5th Council District.
Cong. Barney Frank to be Featured Speaker at Democratic Party of Orange County Truman Awards Dinner
Congressman Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and author of the just passed financial consumer protection law, will be the Special Keynote Speaker at the Democratic Party of Orange County's 16th Annual Harry S. Truman Awards Dinner.
A reception and dinner will be held at the UFCW Local 324 Banquet Hall on Saturday, August 28. Tickets are available on line at www.ocdemocrats.org.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
First it was cutting back on the number of council meetings...now it is changing how the Council selects a Vice Mayor
Hot off the City Council Agenda -- the item proposing reducing the number of council meetings to two a month has been withdrawn.... now the next story circulating around the 14th Floor of City Hall where the air is rarified...is that a move is a foot to round up votes to select a Vice Mayor based not on seniority but on who endorsed whom in the past City Council election.
Doing this throws out a long held tradition of selecting the person with most seniority as evidenced in the following document prepared by the City Clerk.
Vice Mayor Appointment History 07132010
This move sends a disturbing message that politics trumps what is best for the City. A city that is reeling from financial problems and the highest unemployment in the state. It also again puts Long Beach out of step with other city councils that rotate the Vice Mayor position based upon seniority.
The two members of the City Council that are in line to become Vice Mayor are 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich and 4th District Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell --both of whom have served 6 years on the City Council. Both of them should be considered for the Vice Mayor role for the next two years.
I believe in the Golden Rule even in politics -- Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. There are some who want to rewrite the Golden Rule to read: Them that has the gold makes the rules.
Doing this throws out a long held tradition of selecting the person with most seniority as evidenced in the following document prepared by the City Clerk.
Vice Mayor Appointment History 07132010
This move sends a disturbing message that politics trumps what is best for the City. A city that is reeling from financial problems and the highest unemployment in the state. It also again puts Long Beach out of step with other city councils that rotate the Vice Mayor position based upon seniority.
The two members of the City Council that are in line to become Vice Mayor are 8th District Councilmember Rae Gabelich and 4th District Councilmember Patrick O'Donnell --both of whom have served 6 years on the City Council. Both of them should be considered for the Vice Mayor role for the next two years.
I believe in the Golden Rule even in politics -- Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. There are some who want to rewrite the Golden Rule to read: Them that has the gold makes the rules.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Things Candidates Did not Tell the Voters
Several of my colleagues who also faced re-election in April are supporting a proposal to reduce the number of council meetings to two a month.Funny, they didn't bother to campaign on this issue. They didn't bother to tell voters: re-elect me and I will vote to cut the number of times I have to report to work for you.
The argument that it will save $3500 a month is ridiculous. If that is so, then reduce the Mayor and Council's office budgets to pay for the public meetings. Have each council person chip in $375 to hold the meeting.
The argument that it will allow council people to hold community meetings on Tuesday with their constituents is also nonsense. Hold your community meetings 6 other days in the week if you aren't having enough meeting with your constituents. A public council meeting is the only time the public can watch and participate as we openly deliberate on issues. But maybe that is why my colleagues want to limit those opportunities -- less public discussion, less pesky constituents seeing what is being done.
Okay. So you want to cut the number of times you need to show up for city council meetings to twice a month? Then I urge you to support my charter amendment which would cut our salary 50%. (That's because our salaries were set by charter in 1988 when council met 4 times a month. In 2004, the council cut out a meeting and now some want to cut out yet another meeting.)
Put it on the ballot in November and let the people tell us what they really think of a council that doesn't want to do the job they were elected to do.
The argument that it will save $3500 a month is ridiculous. If that is so, then reduce the Mayor and Council's office budgets to pay for the public meetings. Have each council person chip in $375 to hold the meeting.
The argument that it will allow council people to hold community meetings on Tuesday with their constituents is also nonsense. Hold your community meetings 6 other days in the week if you aren't having enough meeting with your constituents. A public council meeting is the only time the public can watch and participate as we openly deliberate on issues. But maybe that is why my colleagues want to limit those opportunities -- less public discussion, less pesky constituents seeing what is being done.
Okay. So you want to cut the number of times you need to show up for city council meetings to twice a month? Then I urge you to support my charter amendment which would cut our salary 50%. (That's because our salaries were set by charter in 1988 when council met 4 times a month. In 2004, the council cut out a meeting and now some want to cut out yet another meeting.)
Put it on the ballot in November and let the people tell us what they really think of a council that doesn't want to do the job they were elected to do.
Retrofitting Suburbia
Every time I have attended a conference on municipal issues, I learn lots. I am in Rancho Bernardo at the Independent Cities Conference and today heard a very informative report on how some communities are moving to Smart Code. Basically, Smart Code is
Additionally, Smart Code takes into account the need to address climate change and public health issues such as the growing obesity rate among young people who do not walk their neighborhoods.
Here is a link you might want to check out on this growing concept: http://www.smartcodecentral.org/index.html
This is exactly what Long Beach needs. We need a sense of what we want Long Beach to look like instead of allowing continual development that has resulted in Long Beach looking like a patchwork. Development in Long Beach is a crapshoot for both the residents and the developer. Residents don't really know what a development is going to look like or if it will fit into an area. Developers don't know exactly what city planners are going to allow them to do and not do. Smart Code takes all that away because both parties know exactly what is desired in a development.
an integrated land development ordinance. It folds zoning, subdivision regulations, urban design, public works standards and basic architectural controls into one compact document. It is also a unified ordinance, spanning scales from the region to the community to the building.
Additionally, Smart Code takes into account the need to address climate change and public health issues such as the growing obesity rate among young people who do not walk their neighborhoods.
Here is a link you might want to check out on this growing concept: http://www.smartcodecentral.org/index.html
Monday, July 5, 2010
Charter Agenda Items -- Reducing Mayor and Council Salaries and Moving Elections to November
I am proposing two charter amendments that will address problems that have been raised recently:
Voter turnout in April primaries in Long Beach is dismal. The elections are costly because the city conducts them. Study after study shows that timing of an election is everything for turnout and it reduces costs to cities, which is why 40% of cities have moved their elections to be concurrent with statewide elections.
Turnout
I am proposing to move our elections to a November winner-take all. This would increase voter turnout because voters already vote in state and federal elections. It would also reduce costs for the City which can consolidate the election with the county. And, it would reduce campaign spending. A candidate would only have to raise and spend for one election.
We need to remember that Long Beach once elected council members by having candidates run from an area in a primary and then the top two had to be run for city wide vote. We don't do that any longer.
Let me know how you feel about these issues.
- Proposal to reduce the number of City Council meetings to only two times a month.
- Reduced voter turn-out for city council elections.
Voter turnout in April primaries in Long Beach is dismal. The elections are costly because the city conducts them. Study after study shows that timing of an election is everything for turnout and it reduces costs to cities, which is why 40% of cities have moved their elections to be concurrent with statewide elections.
Turnout
I am proposing to move our elections to a November winner-take all. This would increase voter turnout because voters already vote in state and federal elections. It would also reduce costs for the City which can consolidate the election with the county. And, it would reduce campaign spending. A candidate would only have to raise and spend for one election.
We need to remember that Long Beach once elected council members by having candidates run from an area in a primary and then the top two had to be run for city wide vote. We don't do that any longer.
Let me know how you feel about these issues.
Pretty Quiet 4th
It was fairly quiet this 4th of July and there didn't seem to be as many people in the parks as were last year.
Even though fireworks are illegal, there were pockets of streets with sparklers and small fireworks going off. The police had their hands full with responding to these.
I want to thank the LB Police Department and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department who met earlier to discuss the park permit process.
Even though fireworks are illegal, there were pockets of streets with sparklers and small fireworks going off. The police had their hands full with responding to these.
I want to thank the LB Police Department and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department who met earlier to discuss the park permit process.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Taxing an Illegal Drug Is Hypocritical
There is a proposal for this coming City Council meeting to tax the sale of marijuana at medical marijuana clinics.
Please follow along on how hypocritical this is:
First dismiss the fact that some "other cities do it." Some other cities do a lot of things that we don't do -- which is why we answer when kids plea -- everybody does it -- "we're not everybody."
Ok so here's the deal. It is illegal to sell and transport and possess marijuana. But because in California we recognize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, non profit collectives are allowed to grow and distribute (not sell) marijuana for medical purposes.
A. How can a city tax an illegal transaction? If it is illegal to sell marijuana and only non profits -- which are exempt from taxes -- can distribute medical marijuana, how is it again that we would taxing this?
B. Here's the part that really gets me. If marijuana distributed at a collective is considered "medicine" how could we tax it? California does not tax pharmaceuticals -- so how then is it okay to tax this medicine?
Either marijuana is an illegal drug and last time I checked we don't tax drug dealers -- or it is medicine -- and we don't tax medicine. Which is it? Because if it isn't medicine, then folks we have no business allowing it to be dispensed in Long Beach. And if it is medicine, why don't we tax all medicine sold in the City?
Please follow along on how hypocritical this is:
First dismiss the fact that some "other cities do it." Some other cities do a lot of things that we don't do -- which is why we answer when kids plea -- everybody does it -- "we're not everybody."
Ok so here's the deal. It is illegal to sell and transport and possess marijuana. But because in California we recognize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes, non profit collectives are allowed to grow and distribute (not sell) marijuana for medical purposes.
A. How can a city tax an illegal transaction? If it is illegal to sell marijuana and only non profits -- which are exempt from taxes -- can distribute medical marijuana, how is it again that we would taxing this?
B. Here's the part that really gets me. If marijuana distributed at a collective is considered "medicine" how could we tax it? California does not tax pharmaceuticals -- so how then is it okay to tax this medicine?
Either marijuana is an illegal drug and last time I checked we don't tax drug dealers -- or it is medicine -- and we don't tax medicine. Which is it? Because if it isn't medicine, then folks we have no business allowing it to be dispensed in Long Beach. And if it is medicine, why don't we tax all medicine sold in the City?
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
ESPN to Feature LB's Own Bille Jean King on July 3rd.
(Note -- I was fortunate to attend the taping of this show. Long Beach should be very proud of Billie Jean King -- pay particular attention to how King points out several times that if it had not been for Long Beach free tennis program -- she would not have been able to learn how to play!!)
ESPN to Air ‘Homecoming with Rick Reilly’”
Featuring Tennis Legend Billie Jean King On July 3
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who grew up learning how to play tennis in Long Beach, will be featured on ESPN’s “Homecoming with Rick Reilly” on Saturday, July 3, at 4 pm on Long Beach Charter Communications Channel 35. The program will repeat on Friday, July 9, at 4:00 pm on ESPN2, Channel 36.
The “Homecoming” series challenges the old adage “You can't go home again.”
On April 14, Long Beach welcomed tennis legend Billie Jean King back to her hometown for the taping of ESPN’s "Homecoming with Rick Reilly” at the Billie Jean Moffitt King Tennis Center in Recreation Park. Filming also took place at Houghton Park where Ms. King took her first tennis lesson with instructor Clyde Walker. She practiced regularly at the courts now named in her honor, and her brother Randy Moffit played next door at Joe Rodgers Field.
In the program, Ms. King describes how Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs contributed to her success and provided her with opportunities that weren’t available in other communities.
Ms. King’s career highlights include 20 Wimbledon titles – six singles, ten doubles and four mixed. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
For more information about the program, visit www.espn.com/homecoming
ESPN to Air ‘Homecoming with Rick Reilly’”
Featuring Tennis Legend Billie Jean King On July 3
Tennis legend Billie Jean King, who grew up learning how to play tennis in Long Beach, will be featured on ESPN’s “Homecoming with Rick Reilly” on Saturday, July 3, at 4 pm on Long Beach Charter Communications Channel 35. The program will repeat on Friday, July 9, at 4:00 pm on ESPN2, Channel 36.
The “Homecoming” series challenges the old adage “You can't go home again.”
On April 14, Long Beach welcomed tennis legend Billie Jean King back to her hometown for the taping of ESPN’s "Homecoming with Rick Reilly” at the Billie Jean Moffitt King Tennis Center in Recreation Park. Filming also took place at Houghton Park where Ms. King took her first tennis lesson with instructor Clyde Walker. She practiced regularly at the courts now named in her honor, and her brother Randy Moffit played next door at Joe Rodgers Field.
In the program, Ms. King describes how Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs contributed to her success and provided her with opportunities that weren’t available in other communities.
Ms. King’s career highlights include 20 Wimbledon titles – six singles, ten doubles and four mixed. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
For more information about the program, visit www.espn.com/homecoming
Saturday, June 26, 2010
How Often Should City Council Meet?
Heard it through the grapevine...that wonderful conduit of ideas circulating atop City Hall. Someone thinks it is a good idea that after the new council comes in that we start only meeting two times a month, instead of the three times a month we now meet.
Can't figure out the logic in that idea. We are the 6th largest city in California and have tremendous issues facing the city. Reducing the number of times we meet would obviously lessen the Council's authority because more and more decisions would be driven by staff that works full time. We actually need a full time city council.
Don't know what is behind the idea. Although there are some in California that would like to do away with government or limit it so much that it is ineffective -- which then leaves contracts and decisions to the impact of lobbyists. Bet someone will float an argument that it would save the city money. Don't think so. Every staff person there at council is on salary and does not get paid overtime.
Oh, this is an interesting idea just days after Maywood announced it would close all departments and contract out their city to Bell Gardens.
Can't figure out the logic in that idea. We are the 6th largest city in California and have tremendous issues facing the city. Reducing the number of times we meet would obviously lessen the Council's authority because more and more decisions would be driven by staff that works full time. We actually need a full time city council.
Don't know what is behind the idea. Although there are some in California that would like to do away with government or limit it so much that it is ineffective -- which then leaves contracts and decisions to the impact of lobbyists. Bet someone will float an argument that it would save the city money. Don't think so. Every staff person there at council is on salary and does not get paid overtime.
Oh, this is an interesting idea just days after Maywood announced it would close all departments and contract out their city to Bell Gardens.
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