Thoughts on Urban Agriculture

backyard goat (Photo credit: eschipul)

Dear 5^th District Resident,

I will be absent from City Council on July 16, 2013 as I had scheduled a short vacation in conjunction with a required meeting in Sacramento at the Medical Board on California on which I serve as a public representative.

On July 16, 2013, the Council is being presented with initial recommendations on the issue of urban agriculture regarding the expansion of the areas where chickens, goats and bees may be allowed. Should the Council support allowing these animals and bees, the City Attorney will be instructed to draft an ordinance that will then be brought back to City council on two separate times for votes.

I am hopeful the Council can strike a balance between allowing residents to utilize their back yards for self-sufficiency, sustainability and an appreciation of nature and growing things, and a concern for the impact upon those residents who do not want residential areas used for such purposes.

I would urge my colleagues to consider adopting similar rules as did the City of Portland, Oregon which require that in order to keep goats, chickens and bees, all property owners and residents within 150 feet of a proposed location for these animals MUST be notified. This prevents conflict from surprised neighbors, allows problem-solving to occur early in the process and reduces complaints. Additionally, Portland has the following requirements related to the animal facilities that must be maintained to house these animals so that the animals can be properly cared for kept in yards (minimizing wild goose chases around the neighborhood).

A planned facility in Portland: is in good repair; won't disturb neighbors; has absorbent ground cover (that can be replaced as often as necessary to suppress odor); has a secure enclosure; provides animals with adequate lighting and ventilation; is 15 feet from residential buildings (not including your own); and uses feeding practices that won't attract unwanted rodents and predators.

A minimum of 2 square feet of floor space (per bird) in the roosting shelter is recommended. Outside, a minimum of 10 square feet of enclosed area per bird is recommended. In addition, a thick replaceable ground cover such as straw or wood shavings must be used.

Animal owners also need a plan for disposing of excrement in a safe manner.

Finally, in those cities that already allow urban livestock, they are experiencing an additional problem that needs to be addressed upfront: the abandonment of chickens and goats after residents tire of them or are unable to care for them.  As an article in E-Environmental Magazine stated: For many urban agrarians, chickens and goats are the perfect addition to a backyard farm, providing eggs and milk to complement bumper crops of tomatoes and peas. But when the novelty of having a chirping chick wears off or adorable kids turn into grownup goats that eat the landscaping, the animals are often surrendered to rescue groups or abandoned. - See more at: http://www.emagazine.com/magazine/urban-homesteadings-dark-side#sthash.qicjkpLY.dpuf

The article also points out that “urban animal shelters are not designed to house livestock” and neither is the City of Long Beach’s Animal Services Shelter.

These issues need to be addressed before any changes are made in the City’s code so that urban agriculture can be supported in a responsible, neighborhood friendly manner.

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Does Long Beach Need a Bicycle Safety Traffic School?

Bicycle rush hour in Copenhagen, where 37% of the population ride their bikes each day. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dear Reader,

As Long Beach becomes more "bicycle friendly" many of you have asked if there is a "Bicycle Safety Traffic School" available for those who receive citations for minor traffic violations.

The City Manager of Long Beach has sent council members a memo detailing how such a school would operate in Long Beach. I am attaching it for your review and comment.

Click here to read memo on bike safety traffic school

Thanks for taking time to be involved in City issues.

Marin MTB (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sincerely, 

Gerrie

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

P.S. I think I might just stick with riding a surrey bike. Safer. 

Sexual Harassment by Public Officials Is So Wrong

Mayor of San Diego

Dear Reader,

Don't know about you, but I am getting sick and tired of reading in the newspaper about elected officials who sexually harass. (And don't get me started about those elected officials who cheat on their wives or send out social media messages that are sexually explicit!!) 

As I teach my students at CSULB, sexual harassment is not about sex. It is about abuse of power and no matter what political party one is in -- it should be loudly denounced.

The current scandal in San Diego with its newly elected Mayor admitting that "he has a problem" is outrageous. Resign and go work out your problem somewhere else.

The City of Long Beach takes a "zero tolerance" stance and disseminates the following document to each of its employees. 

Thanks for taking time to be involved in City issues.

Sincerely, 

Gerrie

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

P.S. Sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behavior by public officials seems to be bi-partisan. It is wrong no matter who the official is or what political party they claim.

Sexual Harrassment Policy in LB_00000 by Gerrie Schipske

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Sares-Regis Gets Mercedes Benz USA to Locate in Long Beach at Douglas Park

I am happy to announce that the Sares-Regis Group, the developer which purchased a great deal of the Boeing property in the 5th Council District at Lakewood and Carson has signed an agreement with Mercedes Benz USA to occupy more than one million square feet at the former 717 Boeing site.

This is significant for Long Beach as it will bring needed jobs and property tax revenue. This transaction speaks to the excellence of the Sares-Regis Group as a developer and the fact that they are marketing the convenience and quality of Long Beach to potential businesses.

The City of Long Beach owes a big thanks to the leadership at Sares-Regis Group for their efforts.

As more details become available about how the site will be utilized by Mercedes Benz USA, I will send them along.

Please also note that a brand new Marriott has also opened on Lakewood Blvd.

City staff in Development Services assures me that the historic Fly DC Jets sign on the buildings will remain as part of an agreement with Boeing and Sares-Regis.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CBRE Arranges Largest Single Infill Industrial Lease

in Los Angeles County in a Quarter Century

Mercedes-Benz USA to occupy more than one million square feet at former

Boeing manufacturing plant in Long Beach

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (July 8, 2013) – CBRE announced today that it has arranged the largest infill industrial lease in more than a quarter century in the Los Angeles area infill market.Mercedes-Benz USA has leased 1,091,754 square feet at the former Boeing 717 aircraft manufacturing facility in Long Beach in a long-term lease with landlord SARES-REGIS Group and Institutional Partner. The deal marks a significant milestone for the City of Long Beach, as the backfilling of the massive facility, which was vacated by Boeing in 2006, signifies a new era for the 52.2-acre site.  The building is located at 4501 East Conant Street in Long Beach, immediately across the street from the Long Beach Airport and the 260-acre mixed-use development known as Pacific Pointe at Douglas Park.

CBRE’s John Schumacher and Brian DeRevere represented the landlord in the transaction.

“This is the largest infill industrial lease in the Los Angeles area in more than 25 years – to be able to replicate this kind of opportunity would be virtually impossible.  There simply is no way to aggregate a +/- 50-acre site within the infill area of Los Angeles, let alone in such close proximity to the port of Long Beach,” said Mr. Schumacher. “It’s unlikely that we’ll see another opportunity for a contiguous parcel with these kinds of improvements within a 20-mile radius of the ports in the foreseeable future.”

The building is situated across the street from the 260 -acre mixed-use development known as Pacific Pointe at Douglas Park, which was acquired by SARES-REGIS Group and an Institutional Partner in several phases, including the most recent acquisition of 160 acres, completed in October 2012.  The development includes plans for a future 26-acre retail project, a 50-acre office development and +/- 750,000 square feet of high end industrial development.  In addition, a Marriott Courtyard hotel recently opened on Lakewood Boulevard. 

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2012 revenue).  The Company has approximately 37,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 300 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.

Why It Should Matter How Your Next City Attorney Is Selected

After 39 years of service to the City of Long Beach, City Attorney Robert Shannon has retired. The City Attorney is elected by the voters every four years (without term limits) which is unique in California as most City Attorneys are appointed. (City councils directly appoint the city attorney in 464 of California’s 478 incorporated cities. 

Of those, approximately two-thirds are contract city attorneys from outside firms; the remaining one-third are hired as in-house city attorneys. Voters directly elect their city attorney in eleven charter cities and city managers appoint the city attorney in three charter cities.)

The City Attorney's Office consists of 68 employees, including 21 attorneys. Their duties are set forth in the City's Charter, which provides that the City Attorney shall be the sole and exclusive legal advisor of the City, City Council and all City commissions, committees, officers and employees. He/she is charged with municipal legal responsibilities as complex as any in the state. 

The City Attorney must be a resident of Long Beach.

When a City Attorney leaves office before the completion of his or her term of office (Shannon’s term ends in 2014), the City Charter and Municipal Code provide that the City Council shall designate an Assistant City Attorney or Deputy City Attorney, who shall become the Acting City Attorney and shall serve in that position until the City Council appoints a successor for the unexpired balance of the term. Any person serving as Acting City Attorney must possess the qualifications prescribed for the City Attorney.

Upon Shannon’s retirement, the City Council selected Assistant City Attorney Charles Parkin as Acting City Attorney. Mr. Parkin is a resident of Long Beach and has been serving in the City Attorney’s office since 1995 and as Assistant City Attorney since 2012.

There are 12 months remaining for the balance of the term for the City Attorney and there are some on the City Council who are advocating to solicit resumes and to have the City Clerk and the Human Resources Director review the resumes and recommend 5 candidates to the City Council for interview. The interview process would take place in closed session out of the view of the public. (see link to League of California Cities suggested ways to recruit and select a contract City Attorney. 

http://www.cacities.org/UploadedFiles/LeagueInternet/22/22e75f5b-f683-49dc-9653-6f7222814bbb.pdf)

This process would make sense to replace a City Manager who is employed directly by the City Council, but not for a City Attorney. Selecting a successor City Attorney who is not currently employed in the Long Beach City Attorney’s office is asking for trouble, especially when you see the list of pending litigation and other legal matters currently being handled by the Office of City Attorney.

Some argue that whomever the City Council selects will have an advantage in the 2014 election for City Attorney. This may be unavoidable but the City Council should not make this situation any more political by soliciting resumes from potential candidates. (Applicants cannot be prohibited from seeking public office if chosen because of First Amendment rights.) 

What is more important is that the Office of City Attorney continue to work on the issues pending. For this reason, I agree with outgoing City Attorney Robert Shannon (see link to his memo http://www.scribd.com/doc/151986665/Memo-From-City-Attorney-on-Replacement-00000  ) that the City Council should leave in place the current Assistant City Attorney, Charles Parkin, until the voters elect a new City Attorney.

City Council Directs Mayor to Issue Letter in Support of Fed Law To Clear Up Problems Between State and Fed Medical Marijuana Laws

English: Discount Medical Marijuana cannabis shop at 970 Lincoln Street, Denver, Colorado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The City of Long Beach attempted to responsibly and reasonably regulate allowing medical marijuana in our boundaries but was ordered by the court to stop because one of the collectives sued the City on the theory that federal law pre-empted the City from regulating medical marijuana. Not sure why the collective did that because they got the answer that they didn't want -- yes, you are right federal law pre-empts state and local law and federal law says marijuana is illegal.

Most recently, federal law enforcement agents came to Long Beach and directed 28 of the collectives to stop operating because federal law considers marijuana to be an illegal drug.

Something needs to be done at the federal level to sort out the mess that has been created by the conflicts between state and federal law on this issue. Below is a memo the City Council directed the Mayor to send in support of federal legislation that would clear up the conflict.

Medical Marijuana 00000

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Public Meeting Raises Many Questions About City Pushing Teardown of City Hall and Main Library

Consensus at Packed Meeting on City RFQ for New Civic Center and Main Library: Taxpayers are angry they have been left out of process. Civic Center area is embarrassment to taxpayers – not because of design but because it is filthy and unsafe. Many asked who decided on possible size of a new Main Library and where is the new earthquake assessment?

Long Beach, CA, June 30, 2013 – A standing room only crowd at El Dorado Library Community Room this weekend made their opinions very clear about the City management’s call for firms to propose tearing down and rebuilding the City Hall and Main Library.

“The attendees were astonished and angry to find out that the City had not involved residents about what should be done with City Hall and the Main Library and that it was soliciting firms to do what had not yet even been approved or discussed publicly,” remarked Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske who called the meeting after several residents had asked when the public would be involved. 

“They were especially upset that the Request for Qualifications did not contain solicitation of firms to repurpose, rehab or retrofit the current buildings or that an updated seismic assessment hasn’t been made to justify a rebuild.”

A Request for Qualifications was released with the title: “A Public Private Partnership for a New Civic Center” and asks for firms who have experience in financing, designing, building and operating major construction projects to respond by July 26. The RFQ document mentions the possibility of moving the Main Library from its current location and downsizing it from 136,000 square feet to 50,000. The announced schedule for a completed project does not include public comment in any form.

Schipske noted that many asked in this meeting who decided that the Main Library should be relocated or downsized to 1/3 of its current size. “This was a particular sore point since many in the room are members of local organizations that raise funds to assist the public libraries and learned that neither library staff nor the public were consulted before the RFQ was sent.”

Some participants questioned how the City could propose to build a new complex when it doesn’t even take care of the one it has – allowing Civic Center to “become dirty and unsafe.”  “Many participants expressed concern that there has been a purposeful neglect of the Civic Center to bolster the argument to tear it down,” said Schipske.

 “The tiles and sidewalks are filthy, the paint is chipped on all of the railings, all of the plants and grass are dead around complex. The flags are faded. Lincoln Park is a homeless encampment with belongings strewn all over. Visitors to the area are accosted by aggressive panhandlers. The area is an embarrassment and there is no reason why this has been allowed to deteriorate.” 

Schipske finds it ironic that the City voted to expand the downtown property based improvement district (PBID) assessment on homeowners but fails to keep up its own properties which directly impact the downtown area.

Participants at the Saturday “visioning meeting” had a number of other suggestions for improving the Civic Center and Main Library such as using some of space for an outdoor café and providing at least one hour of free parking for library visits. “They also pledged to continue pushing for public input on this important issue.”

#30

West Nile Virus Detected in Long Beach; City Health Officer Encourages Residents to Take Precautions

Crows feeding (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

West Nile Virus Detected in 

Long Beach;
 City Health Officer Encourages Residents to Take Precautions

West Nile Virus (WNV) has been detected in two American Crows in East Long Beach, near El Dorado Park.  The birds were tested by the State Department of Public Health’s WNV Surveillance System, which monitors the disease in humans, horses, chickens, mosquitoes and dead birds.  This year (2013), WNV activity has been detected in 20 counties in California, including WNV positive birds and mosquitoes in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. 

No human cases of WNV have been detected in Los Angeles or Orange Counties; however, one human WNV case was detected in Sacramento earlier this year. In 2012, 479 human WNV cases, including 20 deaths, were reported in California.  Long Beach had no WNV deaths in 2012, and only one human WNV case reported.   

WNV is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.  Signs and symptoms of WNV may include fever, body aches, rash, nausea, vomiting and headache.  Most people infected have no symptoms; approximately one in 150 may develop more serious disease, such as brain inflammation or paralysis.  Persons with these symptoms should seek immediate medical care.  

The WNV infected birds were found in the section of the City served by the Greater Los Angeles Vector Control District (GLAVCD).  The Long Beach Health Department has confirmed that GLAVCD will be increasing surveillance and treatment of active mosquito breeding areas.  The Long Beach Health Department Vector Control Program, which serves the western portion of the City, will also be increasing surveillance and treatment services in response to this information. 

Long Beach residents can assist by taking precautions to protect themselves and neighbors from the virus. Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Mitchell Kushner, encourages all residents to protect themselves and others by taking the following precautions: 

· Avoid mosquito-infested areas, especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
· Mosquitoes breed in standing water. Eliminate standing water on your property by dumping or draining water in neglected ponds, birdbaths, fountains, buckets, old tires or anything that can hold water. Dumping or draining water interrupts the mosquito life cycle.
· Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants if you plan to be outdoors at dawn or dusk.
· Use mosquito repellant containing DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Residents should follow instructions on the label. Consult with your child’s pediatrician for appropriate concentrations of DEET to be used on children under the age of 2.
· Keep tight-fitting screens on doors and windows to prevent mosquitoes from entering homes and check to make sure your window screens are in good condition.
· Clean and chlorinate swimming pools and drain water from pool covers.
· Limit the watering of lawns and outdoor plants to twice a week to prevent run off to gutters and around sprinklers.

Report dead birds and dead tree squirrels to the California Department of Public Health by calling 1-877-WNV-Bird or online at www.westnile.ca.gov. For further information, contact the City of Long Beach Health Department, Vector Control Program, at 562.570.4132 or online atwww.longbeach.gov/health and click on “West Nile Virus.”  Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lbwnv. Further information about WNV may also be obtained at the California Department of Public Health website at www.westnile.ca.gov, or at the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile.

###

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City Health Officer Reminds Residents to Keep Cool this Weekend

The City Health Officer for the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department), Dr. Mitchell Kushner, is advising residents to take precautions against the heat. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the low to mid-90’s beginning today through the weekend in Long Beach, and even higher temperatures in other parts of Southern California.

“It’s important for people to be familiar with and practice heat precautions to protect themselves from heat-related illness and injury, especially while participating in outdoor activities,” said Dr. Kushner. 

The elderly, those with chronic illnesses, infants and young children are at greater risk for heat-related conditions.  However, everyone should take precautions to reduce the risk of heat related illness and injury:

· Remain hydrated by drinking water before, during, and after outdoor activities;
· Take frequent breaks while working or playing outdoors;
· Wear loose-fitting, light clothing; wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the face, ears and neck if you’ll be outside;
· Apply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) 15 minutes before going outdoors and re-apply at least every two hours – sunscreen prevents skin cancer.
· Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that have caffeine or alcohol;
· Plan strenuous outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day; limit time outside during peak heat;
· Pace physical activities, starting slowly and picking up the pace gradually;
· Wear sunglasses that provide 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Chronic exposure to the sun can cause cataracts.
· Seek air-conditioned environments during peak heat at stores, malls, theaters, etc. – a list of the city’s cooling centers and schedules can be found at www.longbeach.gov/park/coolingcenters/;
· Check on frail elderly or home-bound individuals to make sure they are not affected by the heat;
· Move to a cooler location at first sign of heat illness (dizziness, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps); rest and slowly drink a cool liquid;
· Never leave a child or pet in a parked car or asleep in the direct sunlight;
· Make sure pets have plenty of shade and water to drink.
· Prevent children from drowning by providing adult supervision at all times and having an entry-proof barrier that surrounds the pool or spa.

For more information on how to stay healthy during hot weather, please visit the Health Department’s website at www.longbeach.gov/health. 

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Why There Are No Fireworks at Vets Stadium Since 2011

Why There Are No Fireworks 

at Vets Stadium

Long Beach Firefighters Memorial Association

 Cancelled Show in 2011

 

Just a reminder, there will be no fireworks at Vet's Stadium again this year. The LB Firefighters Memorial Association -- which for 54 years presented July 4th fireworks at ELB's Veterans Stadium (Clark Ave. @ Conant St.) cancelled the show in 2011 because they fell short of fundraising goals which was caused by a combination of the economic downturn and many people choosing to watch from neighborhoods instead of paying.

They have moved their fireworks show to Alamitos Bay Yacht Club. See http://lbfdmemorialassociation.org/Fireworks_Show.html

The cost for adults for dinner is $30 and $10 for children.

The City of Long Beach does not fund fireworks shows. On the eastside, you can see fireworks from Lakewood. If downtown you can see fireworks off the Queen Mary and probably still have a view of the Alamitos Bay fireworks.

Maybe next year, the public can help raise money to restore a fireworks show at Vets Stadium.

Join me for the kickoff of Summer Reading Club...Oh the places you will go.

Write text here...

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Public Meeting on Visioning Future of Main Library

JAG (Photo credit: L.A. Filming Location Expert)

Schipske To Hold Community Meeting on

 “Visioning the Future for the Main Library”

Meeting Set for Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 12:30 pm in

El Dorado Library Community Room

Long Beach, CA – June 20, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is inviting residents to attend a public discussion on “visioning the future of the Main Library” on Saturday, June 29 at 12:30 pm, in the community room at El Dorado Library.

Schipske called the meeting after several residents expressed concern that the public had not be given the opportunity early in the process of discussing what they want done about the Main Library and that the process and decision would be developer driven.

“Since its beginning, the City of Long Beach has had a main library either in or adjacent to its downtown City Hall,” reminds Schipske. “Recently, the City sent a Request for Qualifications (http://www.uli.org/wp-content/uploads/ULI-Documents/Long-Beach-Development-Services.pdf)  to interested parties for the possible construction of a new main library at the current site or the relocation of the Main Library to another part of the city as part of an overall new Civic Center. The public has not been asked what they vision for our Main Library. This meeting can be the start of that discussion.”

The RFQ states about the Main Library: “Rebuild or relocate within the Downtown area the existing Main Library with a modern facility that meets current user needs and use patterns, giving it a more prominent identity and enhancing efficiencies.”

Once the City Council receives all the responses to the RFQ and their proposals, the Council will have to decide what to do with the current City Hall, Main Library, and old courthouse.

“While I personally think the City should retrofit and refurbish the Civic Center and Library which would be less costly, I really think it is important that the residents provide input on what they want these facilities to look like and what services they should provide. I invite the public to attend so we can have this discussion.”

El Dorado Library is located at 2900 N. Studebaker Road. 

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Schipske Calls On Mayor Foster to Oppose AB 76 -- Will Damage Domestic Violence Victims and Public's Right to Records

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Urges Mayor Foster To Speak Out About Damage 

Assembly Bill 76 Would Do to Long Beach Domestic Violence Victims,

TB Prevention Efforts and Public Records Access

June 19, 2013 -- Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today called on Mayor Bob Foster to speak out against Assembly Bill 76 which is on the desk of Governor Brown for signature. The bill is a complex collection of acts that amend, add or repeal over 100 laws spread over 14 different California Codes. The act is intended to reduce the number of mandates on local government. Among the provisions included in the bill are serious changes in the mandatory handling of domestic violence crimes, an elimination of funding the City’s Local Health Officer duties in tuberculosis reporting and elimination of the 10 day reporting requirement for Public Records requests.

 “I just read that the District Attorney of Sacramento Jan Scully has identified that buried in the bill are provisions that infringe on the rights of victims and seriously impact the fight against domestic violence,” says Schipske, who has served on the US Attorney General’s Violence Against Women Advisory Council.

 “Specifically, if approved the law would change from mandatory to discretionary the requirement that law enforcement keep complete records of domestic violence restraining orders. It would also change from mandatory to discretionary standards for police officer responses to domestic violence crime and the tracking of domestic violence calls. These changes would abandon the years of work undertaken in Long Beach to protect the rights of victims of domestic violence.”

Schipske also notes that AB 76 suspends current law that requires local government agencies to respond to requests for public records within 10 days, and to give the requestor a response if they need more time or have to reject the request.  “Transparency should not be optional,” says Schipske whose efforts to open up local government have won the praise of California Forward in its “State of Transparency Report.” The bill would also suspend the mandate that local government help members of the public frame their records requests to increase the chances they will obtain what they are seeking. The local government could also now opt to release records on paper rather than electronically. “This is an assault on the public’s right to know and should be opposed.”

Schipske says that what is less clear about AB 76 is whether or not it includes the Governor’s budget proposal to eliminate funding by the state to local public health officers for a LHO Review of Treatment Plans. Health facilities are required to submit treatment plans to local health officers and obtain approval prior to releasing Tuberculosis patients. Long Beach is one of three California cities with its own local health officer and the City has been hit with a high number of TB cases. “Elimination of this funding is short-sighted and should be opposed so that the health of our residents is not compromised.”

Schipske notes that the City Council did not receive any information concerning the serious impact of AB 76. “I had to find it on the internet when I was reading the State Legislative Analyst May 2013 report on ‘Newly Identified Mandates’ and then track down where the changes wound up in legislation. I would hope in the future the Council gets this information so it can take a position in a timely manner on legislation which would impact our residents.”

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Grace Clements Art Once in LB Municipal Airport Hangs in Florida Gallery

WPA artist, Grace Clements, who designed the tile mosaics on the floor of the Long Beach Municipal Airport and murals on the walls of the terminal (which were painted over in 2005), apparently did other pieces of art for the Long Beach Municipal Airport.

I found three of them and they are now owned and displayed at the Florida International University Wolfsonian Gallery.

So how did they leave the Long Beach Municipal Airport and wind up owned by Michael Wolfson? I am trying to find out and to see how they can be brought back to Long Beach where they belong.

Grace Clements was a 28 year old artist who was part of the post surrealist movement. Her art was patterned after German expressionism and cubism. She participated in several public arts works that used murals in different media such as tiles, collage and paint. Her theme in the LB Airport was communication (aviation and navigation). The tile mosaics were assembled in Los Angeles by workers and then installed in the LB Airport. Scheduled to open on December 8, 1941, Clements was reported to be working inside the airport terminal when word arrived that the grand opening would be cancelled because of the attack on Pearl Harbor.