Price of Crude Way Above $70 a Barrel -- City Needs to Recompute Revenues

If you read this chart for the price of Crude Oil -- and factor in that crude oil taken from Long Beach commands a slightly higher price than the posted WTI Crude -- you will see that the price remained way above the $70 now booked in the City Budget.

What does that mean? More revenue for the City.

Lots of City Documents for You to Read.. Important Answers on Property Tax

Please see below the links to documents written by City management (and the Port of Long Beach) in answer to my questions raised during budget meetings. Also information on Port of Long Beach air emissions and the City Manager's latest news letter.

I asked a number of questions during the budget presentations and also requested a breakdown of property taxes by zip code -- as we decide where services go in this city it is helpful to know where property taxes are the highest.

As always, feel free to contact me on any of this.

• Air Emissions from Port

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104642656/polb001

• Recent Actions by the Port of Long Beach

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104642635/polb001-1

• City Manager Proposals to Reverse Partial Budget Cuts

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104642594/new001

• Property Tax Paid by Zip Code and Other Answers to Budget Questions from Councilwoman Schipske

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104642553/Council-001

• City Manager’s Newsletter

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104642523/Friday-Newsletter-083112

• More Responses to Questions Posed by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

http://www.scribd.com/doc/104640675/responses001-3

• Suggestions by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske on Budget Cuts

http://www.scribd.com/doc/103778224/2013-Cuts-Restoration-Recommendation
 

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How California's Carbon Market Will Work

 Check out how California's Carbon market will work. This is why Long Beach needs to explore how to use its urban forest for these credits.

How California's Carbon Market Will Work

How California's Carbon Market Will Work

 Check out how California's Carbon market will work. This is why Long Beach needs to explore how to use its urban forest for these credits.

How California's Carbon Market Will Work

Rediscovering Sister Corita Kent

Now that classes are back in session at CSULB and I am teaching 9 units (3 classes) I went in search of one of my favorite artists, Sister Corita Kent. Sister Kent was a member of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart and brought a sense of social justice to her very colorful art.

She also had a wonderful set of rules for her art classes that I think are appropriate for every classroom and for life in general:

• Rule 1: FIND A PLACE YOU TRUST AND THEN TRY TRUSTING IT FOR A WHILE.
• Rule 2: GENERAL DUTIES OF A STUDENT:
• PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR TEACHER.
• PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS.
• Rule 3: GENERAL DUTIES OF A TEACHER:
• PULL EVERYTHING OUT OF YOUR STUDENTS.
• Rule 4: CONSIDER EVERYTHING AN EXPERIMENT.
• Rule 5: BE SELF DISCIPLINED. THIS MEANS FINDING SOMEONE WISE OR SMART AND CHOOSING TO FOLLOW THEM.
• TO BE DISCIPLINED IS TO FOLLOW IN A GOOD WAY.
• TO BE SELF DISCIPLINED IS TO FOLLOW IN A BETTER WAY.
• Rule 6: NOTHING IS A MISTAKE. THERE’S NO WIN AND NO FAIL. THERE’S ONLY MAKE.
• Rule 7:  The only rule is WORK.
• IF YOU WORK IT WILL LEAD TO SOMETHING.
• IT’S THE PEOPLE WHO DO ALL OF THE WORK ALL THE TIME WHO EVENTUALLY CATCH ON TO THINGS.
• Rule 8: DON’T TRY TO CREATE AND ANALYZE AT THE SAME TIME. THEY’RE DIFFERENT PROCESSES.
• Rule 9: BE HAPPY WHENEVER YOU CAN MANAGE IT. ENJOY YOURSELF. IT’S LIGHTER THAN YOU THINK.
• Rule 10: "WE’RE BREAKING ALL OF THE RULES. EVEN OUR OWN RULES. AND HOW DO WE DO THAT?
• BY LEAVING PLENTY OF ROOM FOR X QUANTITIES." JOHN CAGE
• HELPFUL HINTS: ALWAYS BE AROUND. COME OR GO TO EVERYTHING. ALWAYS GO TO CLASSES. READ ANYTHING YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON. LOOK AT MOVIES CAREFULLY, OFTEN. SAVE EVERYTHING, IT MIGHT COME IN HANDY LATER. THERE SHOULD BE NEW RULES NEXT WEEK.

Why You Shouldn't Let Your Dog Pee on Trees

 With Long Beach being a "Tree City" it is important we know how to take care of this wonderful asset.


Why You Shouldn't Let Your Dog Pee on Trees

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Almost there...budget cuts on the mend

Thanks to all residents who attended my community budget meeting, went on line and made their opinions known, circulated petitions and came to City Council -- you did it. We are almost there in restoring the severe cuts to the City budget that you demanded be restored.

Tonight, the City Manager provided City Council with a listing of proposed restoration of cuts particularly to Parks and Recreation and Libraries. Apparently somebody is agreeing with my assessment that the amount of revenue from Uplands Oil will be much higher than projected and it can be used to restore some of the cuts. Other funds were found by shifting revenues.

We have more work to do because the Park Ranger program is slated to be eliminated entirely. Also we need to restore funding to the police and fire departments -- because those cuts are severe and will impact public safety greatly.

Keep the pressure up on City Council by emailing and letting us know what you think. It was a great turn out tonight...they listened but we have more work to do.

Please log onto www.5thdistrictbudgetcuts.idealscale.com to give me your opinions on the proposed budget cuts.


Thank you.

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City's IT Checking Out Possibilities with IBM Smarter Cities -- Millions At Stake

IBM Smarter Cities Report Launch (Photo credit: mastermaq)Image via CrunchBaseA few months ago, I contacted our Director of Technology Services about the possibilities of the City of Long Beach participating in the City Forward project offered by IBM.  I asked Curtis Tani to check it out about how Long Beach could participate and if it was feasible, I would bring forward an agenda item urging our city's involvement. (see link for City Forward  http://cityforward.org/wps/wcm/connect/CityForward_en_US/City+Forward/Home# )

Unfortunately, Curtis responded that he "spoke to the person at IBM responsible for the City Forward initiative.  She indicated that Long Beach is not able to participate in the initiative because they are not adding cities at this time.  Moreover, since they obtain and use data from national sources reported at the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) level, our data is included in "Los Angeles."    

But Curtis did indicate that he would follow up on another potential program that could bring Long Beach a chance to receive several millions in assistance from experts on how to better engage residents and to make cities more effective. It is called Smarter Cities.

Curtis did tell me that he intends to "have further discussions with IBM about its Smarter Cities initiative to find out if there are other potential opportunities for Long Beach.  I will update you should there be opportunities to participate."

The good news is that the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge would be a great opportunity for Long Beach to receive services and technology. The bad news is that we have only until September 7 to apply for 2013. Click the link to read more about Smarter Cities. https://smartercitieschallenge.org/about.html

I will let you know if the IBM contacts works out for the City.

PS Check out what IBM Smarter Cities is doing for Jacksonville. 
 

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Positive Meeting with Environmental Defense Fund Attorney About Potential of Long Beach Urban Forest Carbon Credits

Urban Forest Banner (Photo credit: phil dokas)
Today, I had the pleasure of meeting with Timothy O’Connor, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund. O’Connor also serves as the Director of the California Climate Energy Initiative and is based in San Francisco. He requested the meeting because of the strong interest of EDF and other environmental organizations in the “urban forest carbon offset credits” program I am trying to launch in Long Beach.

According to Mr. O’Connor, our urban forest project presents a host of benefits for our city, the environment and other cities who would use Long Beach as a model.

Trees provide numerous benefits to Long Beach and with the adoption of the “Urban Forest” as an acceptable part of the Air Resource Board’s compliance offset protocols to support the proposed Cap and Trade program under AB 32, our trees (currently planted and new plantings) provide an additional benefit that eventually could result in revenue to the city.

I am scheduling a follow up meeting with the City Manager, the Office of Sustainability, the EDF and an expert on the use of urban forests for carbon offset credits to see if Long Beach can get some free expert advice on how to make this project happen.

I will keep you posted on the outcomes.

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How We Can Restore Cuts to City Services

2013 Cuts Restoration Recommendation

Redondo Avenue Post Office Set to Close

Dear Readers,

Below is the latest information I have received concerning the closure of the US Postal Facility at Redondo Avenue. Bad news.
Post Office Closure

Budget Questions I Have Asked

Need a Breakdown of All Positions to Be Impacted by Proposed Cuts

Presentation at Community Budget Meeting

National and International Press Take Notice of Idea to Use Long Beach's Urban Forest

It was exciting to read all of the national and international news coverage of my proposal to explore how the City of Long Beach can utilize its "urban forest" of 393,000 trees in medians and in parks and market the carbon offset credits these trees produce. I want to thank my two co-sponsors: Councilmembers Garcia and Johnston.

The marketing of these carbon offset credits and the revenues produced could help our city better trim and maintain these trees.

Under AB 32, California's landmark climate regulations, a cap and trade system is established that allows the selling and buying of carbon offset credits. The use of an "urban forest" for these credits is a new one but one being explored in California as evidenced by a recent workshop conducted by the University of California at Davis which you can view at: http://ccuh.ucdavis.edu/events/carbon-offsets-the-urban-forest-1/carbon-offs

Also check out some of the news stories featuring our proposal in Long Beach:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48671231/ns/business-oil_and_energy/t/california-city-eyes-carbon-credit-revenue-its-trees/#.UC1mM6P-t8E

http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/reader/welcome.aspx?linkid=288761

http://www.carbon-future.co.uk/?page_id=33

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-california-carbonbre87e0az-20120815,0,2906616.story

http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_21294645/long-beach-study-possibility-selling-carbon-credits-industry

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=california-city-eyes-carbon-credit

http://www.dailybulletin.com/california/ci_21313900/long-beach-endorses-trees-carbon-idea

http://cmta.net/page/search-results.php

http://www.environment.ucla.edu/research/southwest-climate-alliance.asp

http://www.thenewsworld.info/california-city-eyes-carbon-credit-revenue-from-its-trees.html

http://www.arb.ca.gov/lispub/rss/displaypost.php?pno=6047

http://www.dailyclimate.org/solutions/

http://www.silobreaker.com/california-city-eyes-carbon-credit-revenue-from-its-trees-5_2265907184598515752

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Public Budget Meeting Set for August 20th at 6 pm -- Cuts to Be Discussed

For immediate release

Contact: Tiffany Andrews: 562 570-6932

Schipske To Hold Community Budget Meeting Monday, August 20^th at 6 pm –

Discussion of Impact of Budget Cuts on City

August 16, 2012 – The public is encouraged to attend a meeting to discuss the impact of proposed budget cuts on the City of Long Beach this coming Monday, August 20^th at 6 pm, today announced Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske. The open meeting will be held at the Long Beach Water Treatment Plant, at Redondo Avenue at Spring Street.

“We will present the cuts in services proposed by the Mayor and the City Manager and have staff on hand to answer any questions,” explains Councilwoman Schipske. “It is very important that residents throughout Long Beach come to this meeting and the meetings held in other council districts as well. These proposed cuts threaten the safety, character, and quality of life in this city.” 

Councilwoman Schipske is a forceful advocate for making local government more open and accessible and in addition to the public budget meeting she has implemented an on line way for residents to discuss the proposed budget cuts and to add a few of their own at: http://5thdistrictbudgetchoices.ideascale.com/ 

“IdeaScale is used extensively in other levels of government and in the private sector to really get a sense of what citizens and customers feel and expect,” says Schipske. “What is particularly effective about this tool is that everyone who logs on can see what everyone else feels about a specific question. It’s like talking together while sitting at the kitchen table.”

Schipske also brought to the City Council the on line “budget challenge” provided by Next10. “This organization launched the California Budget Challenge and made it available for cities to set up a budget challenge specific to their finances,” says Schipske.  “So now Long Beach residents can go on line to www.longbeach.gov/budgetchallenge and participate in  a simulation of the tough choices we are faced with in Long Beach.”

#30

Why People Are Attached to Their Community

Check out these videos from the Knight Gallup project "Soul of the Community" which identified those key drivers that make people feel attached to their community.

To keep Long Beach alive, we need to make certain we aren't killing the soul of this community by cutting out important opportunities that help residents feels attached.

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We are hurting the soul of this city

I was struck by a 2010 Knight Foundation story that surveyed the factors that make a resident love their city -- what makes the soul of a city. The story showed in 25 cities -- including Long Beach -- that residents who love their city help make the economy grow. What residents want are places to gather, clean and green spaces and openness -- acceptance by others.

The cuts being proposed go to the soul of Long Beach. Our residents need and depend upon our libraries and our parks and recreation programs. Our families count on after school opportunities and a place for their children to study and to read. Our kids want to play sports and stay busy. Those with disabilities need adaptive recreation and safe swimming pools so they have the chance to interact with their peers. Our seniors want to attend programs that enable them to keep active and out of nursing homes.

We should not be pitting these quality of life services against police and fire for funding. It should not be an either or especially when the city has a surplus.

Response Times for Emergency Medical Services Increased with Budget Cuts

First as background -- let me tell you that before I became a Registered Nurse Practitioner I trained as an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT) and did my ride alongs with Fire Station 1 in downtown Long Beach. So I know a little more than the average elected about paramedics and the national response times that have been set as the standard.

Please see the following documents that were provided in response to my request at City Council that we be given data about the response times for emergency medical services -- paramedics. As you will note, as I was concerned, the data shows that response times have increased with recent budget cuts -- rolling brown outs of fire stations.

This is a serious report because there are now more proposals on the table to reduce fire services even more and possible close Station 18 which is at Palo Verde and Wardlow.

We cannot jeopardize the safety of our residents who call  9-1-1 and expect a response in keeping with national standards.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/102787758/Memo-on-Response-Times-for-Fire-Medical#fullscreen


Complete breakdown of response times by Fire Station:http://www.scribd.com/doc/102787577/ResponseTimeProfilebyStationAreaCY07thruCY11v1#fullscreen

Check out Vial of LIFE for Long Beach

 Check our Public Service Announcement about VIAL of LIFE for Long Beach -- a new program to put critical medical and prescription information in the hands of emergency first responders. After you view the video, click on to the website for more information about this life saving program. Click here.

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Thank You Volunteers for Shaping Up the 5th District and Pan Am Park

Two dozen volunteers from the neighborhood, local Walmart stores and church groups came out on a hot Saturday morning to help paint, landscape, spread mulch and paint some more. Pan Am Park on Centralia looks so good after their efforts.