Schipske to Ask Council to Dedicate Special Olympics Leased Building in Honor of Eunice Kenney Shriver

NEWS RELEASE

            CONTACT: Tiffany Andrews, 570-6932

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Pursues Approval to Dedicate Building to 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Building on Carson St. currently houses Special Olympics Southern California Headquarters

Long Beach, Calif., Sept. 27, 2010 – Friday, September 24,  communities throughout the world celebrated the first annual Global Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day.  This worldwide day of remembrance is in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics movement, long-time supporter of Best Buddies International, and leading international advocate for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities[1].  In 2008, awarding her the first “Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award,” Sports Illustrated called her “…one of those revolutionaries who saw opportunity where others saw barriers, someone who started a movement and changed a world.”

To celebrate Shriver’s legacy and underscore support for Special Olympics Southern California (SOSC), Long Beach City Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is requesting that the SOSC headquarters building at 6730 E. Carson St. be renamed the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building. “For more than half a century, until her passing in 2009, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was an indomitable champion for those among us who have been neglected and ignored for too long. Her love for all people, her belief in justice and her relentlessly energetic pursuit of a better life for people with intellectual disabilities serves as an example for all of us. For that reason, I will ask that the City Council approve the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Building at its meeting in October.”

Schipske’s announcement coincides with the global initiative to commemorate Shriver’s achievements. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim supported EKS Day during a ceremony at its 6:05 p.m. game. SOSC Sports Ambassador and Pitcher Jered Weaver is among those presented a $75,000 check to Special Olympics, represented by SOSC President & CEO, Bill Shumard; Chairman of the Board, Patrick McClenahan; and Special Olympics athletes and coaches. For more information, about Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day visit www.eksday.org.

---

[1] Intellectual disability is the current terminology that replaced “mental retardation” and in some countries includes additional or other terminology – for example, developmental disabilities, learning disability.

Hundreds attend Good Neighbor Festival

Wow it was hot on the eastside today. But what a great Good Neighbor Festival and Picnic. Hundreds of people braved the hot sun to listen to Elm Street Band and to line up to eat hot dogs prepared by our Firefighters, hamburgers prepared by our Police, consume water and soda brought by our lifeguards.

The Port of Long Beach provided snowcones and sunscreen (not together) and dozen of community organizations came and set up informational booths.

The highlight was certainly Tim Patton, Assistant to Assemblywoman Bonnie Lowenthal, narrating our burrito and pie eating contests. Yes, Baja Sonora --- my favorite mexican restaurant in the 5th -- brought 2 lb burritos and that were consumed in 10 minutes. Later we had the pie eating contest with pumpkin and whipped cream provided by East Spring Street Business Association.

A big thank you to City Manager Pat West, Airport Director Mario Rodriguez, Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Fire Chief Alan Patalano and 4th District Councilmember Pat O'Donnell for attending. And much gratitude to my 5th District staff and Parks, Recreation and Marine staff who always do more than their fair share of work to make this event successful. Thank you!

Good Neighbor Festival Saturday, September 25th -- Food, Music, Fun

Calling All Rosie the Riveter's

If you worked in the aircraft plant or the shipyard or any where else that helped the United States win World War II -- then we are honoring you at the upcoming Long Beach Veteran's Parade on November 6th.

That's right. We are calling all "Rosie the Riveters" to be honored this Veteran's Day in Long Beach. Rosie the Riveter has been named as Grand Marshall of the parade.

Please contact my office at: 562 570-6932 if you would like to ride in the parade.

PS. "Rosie the Riveter" is the affectionate and collective name given to women who worked in the aircraft plants, factories and shipyards during World War II. It was popularized by the 1942 song performed by the African American group, The Vagabonds, called "Rosie the Riveter."

Long Beach is developing the Rosie the Riveter Park and Interpretive Center at the corners of Clark and Conant just steps from where thousands of women assembled thousands of military aircraft at Douglas Aircraft plant.

Everything You Wanted to Know About the City of Long Beach's Finances

Overview of City of Long Beach's Finances

Scholarship Available from Port of Long Beach

Port Scholarships

How Much Do City Managers Earn in California?

City Manager Salaries in California

Friday Newsletter Final

Where Have Medical Marijuana Collectives Applied to Do Business in Long Beach?

The following is a document given to the Press Telegram today by the City concerning where medical marijuana collectives have applied to do business. Please note that because of the school buffer zone which I strongly pushed for adoption, the 5th Council District has only 3 commercial areas in which a collective can apply. I am also working with my colleagues to re-instate a buffer for parks which was removed by a majority of the council:

10-02380 Response w Business Addresses w CC Districts for Press Alert ONLY

LB Junior Concert Band To Do Free Concerts on Labor Day

Thanks to LBReport which is allowing me to copy the breaking story....

LB residents can hear the award winning all-volunteer Jr. Concert Band, comprised of talented musicians ages 13-21, in their neighborhood parks listed below.
Executive Board President Jim Mitchell says that after the LB Jr. Concert Band marches on Monday morning (Sept. 6) in the Wilmington Labor Day Parade, they'll make a bus tour with concert stops scheduled in all nine LB Council districts. "We have to do it within five hours; we've rented the bus from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and they'll charge us more if we go beyond that," he notes. 

Here's the Jr. Concert Band's Labor Day Monday blitz concert tour. Note: times approximate (suggest you arrive early). Each concert estimated to be roughly 20-30 mins (may be adjusted to reach all nine stops within time frame). All concerts are free.

• Houghton Park (starts approx 2.00 p.m.)
• Scherer Park at 46th Street
• Cherry Park 1901 E. 45th St.
• Vets Park 101 E. 28th St. (est. approx 3:30 p.m.)
• Drake Park, 951 Maine Ave.
• Bixby Park 130 Cherry Ave.
• Rec Park, 4900 E. 7th St. (est. approx. 5:00 p.m.)
• El Dorado Park West (by golf course entrance)
• Stearns Park

The LB Junior Concert Band -- a local institution with nearly sixty years of history -- is open to young people from 12-21 and has deep roots here. At a recent City Council Budget Oversight Committee hearing, multiple parents and former band members testified to the Band's demonstrated successes in taking children off the street and channeling their energies and talents into a constructive, disciplined endeabor.
The LB Jr. Concert Band drew cheers in the Hollywood Christmas Parade and Belmont Shore's Christmas Parade (as Band Director Marvin Marker marched alongside, Dec. 5, 2009, one day before his sudden death).
Organized by Mr. Marker in 1952, the LB Jr. Concert Band is the "Official Host Youth Band" for the City of Long Beach. The band's website states in pertinent part:

The City Manager's Recent Newsletter

Friday Newsletter Final

Come On A Free Cruise

You are cordially invited to join Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske for a free cruise of the

Port of Long Beach on:

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Boarding Location: Departs from Dock 2 at Rainbow Harbor, adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific

Guest Arrival: No later than 5:30 p.m. - Boat departs promptly at 6:00 p.m.

Food and beverages provided

Attire: Casual - rubber soled shoes - light jacket

Parking: Aquarium of the Pacific Parking Structure

{$8.00 for Parking}

Come join your friends and neighbors on a cruise of the Port of Long Beach and learn about how this major seaport provides a tremendous economic engine for Southern California. You will be amazed at what goes on right here in Long Beach. For our guests with disabilities, please inform us if you require a reasonable accommodation.

Please RSVP by calling 562-570-6932 or emailing district5@longbeach.gov.

Contact Us and Let Us Know Who Will Be Attending this Fun Event!

Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

phone: 562 570-6932 or email: district5@longbeach.gov

And a clarification from City Manager on City Salaries

After the first memo and LBBJ article appeared on City salaries, the City Manager sent a clarification on their prior memorandum:

Clarification on 100 Club

City Mangement Response to Article on Employee Salaries

Annually, the Long Beach Business Journal runs an article listing all the salaried employees in the City who make $100,000 or more and those who are approaching the $100,000 figure. Here's the link to that article. Below is an explanation by City Management:

City Salaries in Long Beach

Dog and Cat Licensing -- An Explanation

Many of you have asked why the City of Long Beach is now going door to door on the issue of dog and cat licensing. Below is a memo from the City Manager explaining:

Dog  and Cat Licensing

Good News --You Can Help Save the LB Municipal Band Now.

Long Beach Municipal Band 1925

I have several pieces of good news concerning the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

As you know, many of you contacted me about saving the Long Beach Municipal Band from the financial cuts proposed in the budget presented to the City Council.

I immediately set out to try and find a corporate sponsor by sending out a number of letters to key business contacts. I also encouraged residents to do the same.

I was contacted by a member of the Harbor Commission about engaging the Port of Long Beach in helping to fund. It appears we may be able to secure $50,000.

The law firm of Keesal, Young and Logan have agreed to provide pro-bono legal work to form a non-profit "Friends of the LB Municipal Band" which will allow tax deductible contributions to be made that will go directly to maintaining the LB Municipal Band.

In the interim, I have asked city staff to arrange with Partners of Parks, which is a non profit organization that can accept tax deductible donations, to waive their 10% administrative fee and accept donations right now for the Long Beach Municipal Band.

You may now send your tax deductible donation to help save the Long Beach Municipal Band to:

Partners of Parks
2760 N Studebaker Road
Long Beach, CA 90815-1697

Mark your donation: Long Beach Municipal Band.

The fight is not over. We need to make certain the band receives a steady source of funding from the City of Long Beach. As we look at other programs funded from the same source of monies, we need to make certain the LB Municipal Band receives it fair share.

Community Budget Meeting for 5th Council District Saturday August 21st

The public is invited to attend a Community Budget Meeting on Saturday, August 21 at 10 am. The meeting will feature Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and key city management who will discuss the Mayor and City Manager's proposed budget for the coming Fiscal Year.

The meeting will be held at Emerson Parkside Academy at Josie and Willow.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

The most recent City Manager's weekly newsletter:

Friday Newsletter 0813102

City Council Compensation

 The following was given to the LA Times regarding the compensation given to City Council members and the Mayor:    Council Compensation 8-13-10

Schipske Asks Press Telegram to Help Sponsor LB Municipal Band

Dear Press Telegram:

Hope you will join in my calling for a corporate sponsor to help fund the Long Beach Municipal Band. I have posted names and addresses of businesses in Long Beach who might want to step up and help. Unfortunately, I forgot to add the Press Telegram to that list. How much can we count on from you?

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske
5th District

P.S. Readers can send an email to the Press Telegram at: speakout@presstelegram.com

Update of Municipal Band -- Mayor Resolved to Find a Solution

Last night in City Council, Mayor Bob Foster stated that he is committed to finding a solution to the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band.

In the meantime, here is a copy of the letter I am sending to Long Beach businesses in hopes they will step up and provide sponsorships:

Because your company operates in the City of Long Beach you understand how important it is to have programs which celebrate the history of this great city and which also enrich the quality of life for our residents.

That's why I am contacting you today. One of the last remaining historical icons in our city -- the Long Beach Municipal Band -- is facing economic problems which seriously threaten  its future.

This is no ordinary band. Every summer thousands of people gather on a weekly basis throughout parks in the City of Long Beach to listen to the finest Municipal Bands in the nation.  For the last 101 years, the Long Beach Municipal Band has brought enjoyment to community members of all ages. This wonderful ensemble include the best of the Southern California's symphony, studio recording and jazz performers. This diversity of talent provides Long Beach audiences with impressive concerts of jazz, movie, musical and light classical literature.

However, after 101 years of music, the future of the Long Beach Municipal Band is in jeopardy.  Historically the band has been funded at taxpayer expense.  Unfortunately, these difficult economic times have resulted in the City Manager recommending that the current level of funding for the Municipal Band not be sustained. 

We need a corporate partner or several corporate partners to help us maintain this rich tradition of music and culture.  Rescuing the Long Beach Municipal Band would bring a great deal of notoriety to your company and help continue the tradition of music, family and the great out doors.

Please contact my office to discuss how we can arrange your sponsorship. My Chief of Staff, Josh Butler, can be reached at: 562-570-6932.  I want to thank you in advance for your consideration of this special sponsorship opportunity.

  Regards,


  Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

P.S. To the people who are circulating comments that "Schipske's facts are not accurate" about the Municipal Band costs -- I would kindly remind you that they aren't my figures or facts. They come from the City Manager. So if anyone out there can provide different amounts that it costs to hold the band series each summer, please let me, the Mayor and the other members of the City Council know.

Help Find Sponsors to Save the Long Beach Municipal Band

In order to maintain the funding of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the City needs to find corporate sponsors. Each summer the City spends $432,000 or $16,000 each concert for this 101 year tradition.

I previously posted a detailed memo prepared by City Manager Pat West that outlines the costs that I urge readers to review.

Also, help me contact the following Long Beach businesses and ask for their support of the Long Beach Municipal Band.



Southern California Edison
Larry Labrado
2800 East Willow St
Long Beach, CA 90806

WalMart
Merriah Dotson
7250 Carson Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90808


Barnes and Noble
Jeanne Ferrara
7881 Edinger Avenue #110
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


Costco
Gabriela Arteaga
2200 E. Willow St.
Signal Hill, CA 90755


Molina Health Care
Javier M. Mendoza
One Golden Shore
Long Beach, CA 90802


Memorial Medical Center
Peter J. Mackler
7677 Center Ave., Ste. 403
Huntington Beach, CA 92647


St Mary Medical Center
Chris Dicicco
1050 Linden Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90813


Cal Worthington Ford
Cal Worthington
2950 N. Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815


BP
Cindy Wymore
6 Centerpointe Drive
La Palma, CA 90623


Verizon
Mike Murray
One World Trade Center, Ste 206
Long Beach, CA 90831


Jet Blue
Bob Land
P.O. Box 1927
Rockvile, MD 20849



Kaiser Permanente
Diana Bonta
393 East Walnut St
Public Affairs, 2nd Floor
Pasadena, CA 91188


Boeing Company
Mitra Novin
2201 Seal Beach Blvd. MC SC-01
Seal Beach, CA 90740


Charter Communications
Del J. Heintz
4781 Irwindale Avenue
Irwindale, CA 91708

Everything you need to know about why it costs the City of Long Beach $432,419 for a summer municipal band

2010 Summer Concert Series

Schipske Blasts KFI-640 Talk Host for Comments About Long Beach

Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today blasted KFI-640 talk host, Tim Conway, Jr., for comments he made during his show on Saturday concerning the City of Long Beach.

"Conway was doing a review of City Manager salaries in Los Angeles County and giving each city a rating regarding whether or not the condition of the city was reflected in the salary of the city manager," explains Schipske. "When he got to Long Beach he said 'Patrick H. West is worth every dime he makes because Long Beach is diverse, has lots of food and shopping opportunities.' Conway then ended his segment by saying 'of course, if you don't live near the ocean in Long Beach you're going to get killed.'"


"I don't find his comments 'funny' or even accurate for that matter," responds Schipske. "In his review of other cities and their managers' salaries, he didn't make any comments about whether or not those cities are safe to live in. The crime rate in Long Beach is low, particularly in the east side which is miles away from the ocean."


Schipske sent an email to Conway asking that he retract his comments about Long Beach.

Weekly City Manager Newsletter

City Manager Newsletter

The Long Beach Municipal Band

I have received dozens of emails asking that the Long Beach Municipal Band not be reduced or eliminated out of the city budget.

First, please know I live across the street from where the El Dorado park concerts are held on Fridays and have attended these concerts long before I was elected to City Council.

Secondly, the city faces a $18 million dollar deficit. The concerts performed by the musicians cost the city $450,000 for 6 week -- 2 hour venues. The same amount funds 4 police officers or 4 firefighters for an entire year.

Thirdly, Long Beach long ago abandoned employing a Long Beach Municipal Band. Instead, they would contract each summer for a conductor who would put the call out in Southern California for band players. They would come together and play each summer. The next summer different players would sign on.

Fourthly, people who attend the concerts do donate -- but the amount is small: $50,000 which leaves $400,000 to come out of the budget.

So that being said, we need to find a corporate sponsor to underwrite the costs and/or get a conductor and band that will play for less than $15,000 a concert plus the costs of the sheet music which I understand runs @ $54,000.

We are cutting parks, recreation, libraries, police, fire, etc. That is why the Mayor proposed cutting band concerts. Let's find a solution.

Federal Court Ruling on Prop 8

I released the following statement to the press today following the announcement that the Federal Court has ruled Proposition 8 is unconstitutional:

"The decision by the Federal Court today ruling that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional should be celebrated by everyone -- no matter what a person believes concerning sexual orientation -- because our constitutional rights were affirmed and remain in tact."

My vote last night on taxing marijuana

I voted against declaring a fiscal emergency last night that would be linked to putting a tax on medical marijuana because I have consistently raised questions about how we can tax something that should not be sold. Medical marijuana collectives are supposed to be non-profit and are not supposed to be selling.

Moreoever, how is it that if we consider this to be medicine, we are taxing it? We don't tax other medicine.

I did vote to tax recreational marijuana -- however, I don't believe Prop 19 will pass.

3 Person Fire Trucks Have to Be Negotiated --- Rolling Brownouts is Rolling the Dice on Response Time

The problem with a budget being dropped in the laps of City Council that contains proposals by the Mayor to cut fire and police without any analysis of what the impact would be on service levels, is that everyone thinks they are an expert on fire and police staffing.

Take for example a proposal being shopped around -- reducing the level of staffing on a fire truck from 5 to 3 persons.And the proposal for having a rolling brownout -- closing firestations throughout the city on a rotating cycle.

Let me share with you what just happened when the city council in Reno, NV tried this:
http://www.rgj.com/article/20100715/NEWS/7150353/Reno-council-drops-referendum-on-fire-truck-staffing

Staffing levels are a bargained issue.

Without data showing the council what the impact would be of reducing staffing levels, both in response time and effectiveness, not to mention how reduced staffing exposes firefighters to work hazards, then we have no business putting it out there as an action in this budget cycle. If my colleagues want to get it analyzed and negotiated then go for it, but it can't be done in the current budget cycle because there isn't sufficient time.

Also there is something very wrong with a city council directing staffing patterns for any department. We don't and should not tell the police where and how to staff. We don't tell our Public works department how many people should be on a street repair crew. You get my point.

But don't take my word about why reducing staff on a fire truck or emergency apparatus is dangerous, take a look at NPFA 1710 --

NFPA 1710: Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, 2004 Edition. Click here.

This is published by the National Fire Protection Association which is the expert on fire, electrical and building codes and safety in the U.S.

 The rolling brownout is another dumb idea. Click here and see what is happening in the City of San Diego which is using brownouts to save money -- a kid just died and some are contending it was because of the longer response time needed to bring a paramedic across town when the local station is on closure.

Long Beach City Budget Focuses on Wrong End

Took sometime tonight after a very long day of California Medical Board hearings, to start taking the proposed FY 2010 Budget apart. (Yes, I should be watching some tv..but I couldn't find anything worth watching.)

When I first looked at the budget last week, it didn't seem right somehow. It didn't sit right with me about the proposed cuts. Then I started to look at who was being proposed to be cut -- even with concessions from the unions to pay more of the pension costs.

All the cuts in staff are aimed at lower level, lower paid, lower pensioned staff. Read my lips: no management were harmed in the budget. Nada. An $18 million dollar deficit and not one management level person is getting cut.

We are talking about crossing guards, clerks, secretaries, recreation staff, clerks, customer service reps, being singled out as the sacrifice being offered up in the name of reducing the deficit.

Several on the council asked for government reform. You know. Like consolidating and eliminating departments. What we were presented is a shuffling around of employees from one department to another -- not one person eliminated in the move -- not one dollar saved. But we got "government reform."

I think the public should be particularly offended by any salary increase for elected officials or increasing the number of city employees who make over $100,000. And folks, the increases are in the budget and more employees are now making over $100,000 a year.

I am going to continue to dissect the budget. I implore readers to do the same.

Sacramento Meeting of the California Medical Board

Am up in very hot Sacramento for the quarterly meeting of the California Medical Board. I serve as a public member appointed by the Senate Rules Committee.

The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professionals (not nurses)through the vigorous,objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act. The Board also promotes access to quality medical care through the Board's licensing and regulatory functions.

My appointment requires that I review numerous discipline and licensing cases as well as serve on a number of subcommittees of the Board: Enforcement, Application Review, Supervision of Affiliated Health Care Professionals and Access to Care.

The 15 member Board (13 appointed by the Governor; 1 by the Speaker of the Assembly and 1 (me) by the Senate Rules Committee) has approved holding a quarterly meeting in November in Long Beach. This will be the first time in the history of the Board that the meeting has been held in Long Beach. I have asked Memorial Medical Center to host two day meeting in its new Childrens' Hospital.

By the way, the Board does now require physicians to post notices in their offices informing patients that they are regulated by the Board. The notice must also include the telephone number and website of the California Medical Board so that patients know where to file complaints.

The Rest of the Lobbyists Reporting in Long Beach

The City Clerk has corrected his release of documents relating to lobbyists who have registered under the City's new lobbyist ordinance. See below for the remainder who have filed --you can see who they represent and on what issues:

Supplemental Report 07272010

Who's Is Lobbying Whom? The First Report on Who Is Lobbying in Long Beach

Check out the report below I received from the City Clerk. It is the first filing of local lobbyists -- who they are and who they represent. Interestingly enough is the fact that when Council was considering the lobbyist ordinance, we had a long line of "lobbyists" who didn't want to register. The first report indicates that not many did or they stopped being lobbyists.





Lobbyist Report

CBS Features 5th Council District Youth Work Program

 Click on the link to view the news spot CBS-KCAL ran on the 5th Council District Youth Work Program

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=140118@kcbs.dayport.com

Teens are paid through a federal grant to work for local business or the city. Last year, I utilized 7 youth to clean, landscape and paint 4 parks in the 5th District.

This year a new group is attempting to tackle cleaning up the 44 alleys in the 5th district. One of my council staff supervises their work.

This is a great use of funds and a good work experience for these young people -- all of whom attend Long Beach high schools.

Schipske Tried to Get Council to Do Pension Reform 4 years Ago

Four years ago, in a land not so far away, I proposed several charter amendments that would have dealt with the current financial problems related to pensions.

I ask the press to go back and ask my colleagues who are now beating their chests on this issue (after two major employee contracts were approved while they were on city council)why they were not interested in these reforms then:
10/11/2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE #LD05-110
Subject :

Schipske Proposes Several Charter Amendments to Improve City Services
Suggests Charter Change to Set Police and Fire Staffing Levels

Fifth District Councilwoman , Gerrie Schipske, today proposed that the City Council Charter Amendment Committee consider placing several items on the ballot to improve budgeting for both public safety levels and employee pensions. The Council Charter Committee is currently considering amendments to the City’s Charter which will be placed on a city-wide ballot in Spring 2007.


Among Schipske’s proposals:

* Requiring the City Council establish mandatory minimum staffing levels based upon a ratio of public safety personnel to population. This would require that that public safety be established as a priority in each annual city budget at levels sufficient to provide public safety.
* Requiring that the City Council certify that there are sufficient funds available to pay for any pension system provided by the Council for City employees.
* Making the age of retirement in the Charter for City employees consistent with the state retirement programs. Current language sets retirement at age 65 while CALPERS allows retirement at age 55 for public safety personnel and 57 for other employees.

Swearing In Remarks

Swearing in Remarks

Need to Dust Off Proposal to Find Corporate Partnerships for City Revenue – Let’s Do What San Diego Does

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.

July 23 City Manager Weekly Newsletter

Friday Newsletter 7-23-10

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

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.

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.

Thank you.

Would like to thank the resident who sent this letter to the editor:

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.

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Friday Newsletter Final

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:

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.