5th Council District Resident Takes on Reconstruction of Belmont Pool

Opera Entrance (Photo credit: Keturah Stickann)

The Belmont Plaza pool is closed because of an assessment it is unsafe should an earthquake happen. The pool is not just an asset of the 3rd Council District, it is a city wide, regional asset that needs to be fixed so that Long Beach can continue to claim being the "Aquatic Capital of the World."

A 5th District resident, Lucy Johnson, has taken on this issue and has sent the City Council and the Grunion Gazette her thoughts, which I am sharing below. Join Lucy and others in getting Belmont Pool rebuilt correctly by logging on to www.facebook.com/RebuildBelmontPlazaOlympicPool:

Dear Mr. DeLong:

Thank you for your comments. I believe we are all in agreement on the need to move quickly on what Suzanne Fricke described as the "short-term solution" of constructing a temporary pool in the parking lot area. Where we disagree is over the long-term solution. You were not in attendance at the meeting Jan. 10 where Pat West, Ms. Fricke, and Eric Lopez presented their long-term solution, of building 2 pools, one indoor and one outdoor. So far so good.

However, all of the aquatics people in the room were stunned when City staff said the outdoor pool will be the competition pool, and the indoor pool will be a recreational pool. There are any number of reasons why the aquatics community does not accept that concept. One, the various major competitions in swimming and water polo that have been held at Belmont for many years primarily take place from November through May. These competitive events utilize Belmont specifically because not only is it a fast short course pool, but it is indoors, a major plus for events held during the colder months in Southern California.

We were further shocked when one member of the landscape design firm hired by the City stated that, "Our design meets all but national and international standards." What? Does City staff not understand the facility was built in the first place to host the 1968 Men's Swimming Olympic Trials? And that is has since been the venue for the 1976 Men's and Women's Swimming Olympic Trials, the 1974 and 1978 Men's NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships, and numerous Men's NCAA Water Polo National Championships, CIF championships, Southern California Swimming's Junior Nationals and Junior Olympics and many other events? These events not only showcase the many of best aquatic athletes in the world but also result in additional revenue to the City of Long Beach from the many, many hotel rooms booked and restaurant meals eaten by attendees at these events. How can the design for a new indoor pool NOT meet national and international standards?

As it is, many of these events no longer come to Belmont because of the deterioration of the facility over the years. I understand that CIF will not return. A popular swimming news web site based in Austin, TX, run by an Olympic gold medalist, (www.swimswam.com) posted four articles about the Pac12, PCSC, MPSF and SCIAC meets having to move out of Belmont for the second year in a row (http://swimswam.com/belmont-pool-closed-mens-pac-12-championships-likely-to-move-again/,  http://swimswam.com/pcsc-moving-championships-as-well-invites-simon-fraser-to-the-party/, http://swimswam.com/sciac-moving-to-la-mirada-completes-clearing-out-of-belmont-schedule/, http://swimswam.com/d-1-mountain-pacific-sports-fed-moving-conference-meet-from-belmont/). Several of the comments in response to those articles are not flattering to the City of Long Beach.

As to your comment, "...(and perhaps other members of the aquatic community)...", I have spoken to and corresponded with numerous people in the aquatics community over the past two weeks, and have yet to find anyone who agrees with City staff or disagrees with me on the need for a new world-class competitive aquatics facility to replace Belmont, in the same location. We all fully support the need for a second pool to serve the recreational and teaching needs of the City, but fervently wish to see Long Beach return to the top ranks of aquatic opportunities in the U.S., as we once were, and truly be the Aquatic Capital of America.

When this issue comes up for discussion at the City Council, which I have been told will be on February 19, I would like to see that the short-term solution is approved by the Council, and that the necessary funds are appropriated to accomplish the task. As to the long-term solution, we would like to see the Council agree to the concept of constructing an indoor and an outdoor aquatics facility so that design work can continue, but that it is premature to approve any specific design concept or approve any funding for the project on that date while there is such a disparity between the City and the aquatics community over the form and function of the facilities.

I hope this email will assist you with your further analysis.

Sincerely,

Lucy Johnson
2402 Petaluma Avenue
Long Beach 90815
562-431-0052
lucyjohnson1@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/RebuildBelmontPlazaOlympicPool

Catching Up

I has been a while since I blogged. That's because I have been down with bronchitis for more than 4 weeks. Yikes. It has taken its toll. Coughing and being tired have been my life. Most of the time I have had to sleep sitting up so I didn't break out in a vigorous cough. That being said...

I am back teaching at CSULB. I teach 3 sections in Health Care Administration -- Human Resources Management and Legal Aspects of Health Care Administration. I am preparing my students to either work in HR or to get the best job available because they know how to write a job description, job ad, resume, cover letter, interview questions. Right now I am having them practice their "elevator speech" so they can land a good paying job.

In the legal aspects class I am teaching among other laws, the Patient Protection Act and Affordable Care Act.  These two laws are the most significant changes in our health care system since Medicare. So these students will know the law which will give them an advantage in health care administration.

The reviewing box.

My partner, Flo Pickett, standing in front of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The press box on Pennsylvania Avenue.

Congressman Alan Lowenthal speaking at his Long Beach swearing in ceremony yesterday.

My council staff kept the office running while I was out ill and in Washington, DC for the inauguration. Despite being ill, it was awesome to see the inauguration and to be there that week. The preparations were amazing.

People were so friendly and positive during the inauguration. I can't begin to tell you how helpful the staff of the Metro were to everyone who asked a question, including me who put my ticket in the wrong slot and needed their help to retrieve it.

This past week my staff and worked on plans for a variety of efforts aimed to improve our infrastructure and support our libraries. I will be sending out details shortly. A big event is coming in March -- Ready Long Beach -- which is a full day workshop on how you can get prepared to survive a major earthquakes. Details coming soon.

Last night I attended the local swearing in of Congressman Alan Lowenthal. Alan's brief speech was very touching as he recounted how awesome it is to serve in the US Congress. He has taken over the congressional offices on Broadway that were occupied by former Congresswoman Laura Richardson. Some of the nicest offices I have ever seen!

Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell speaking at the Independent Cities Association
Conference focusing upon public safety.

Today I am in Santa Barbara at the Independent Cities Conference which is focusing upon public safety. Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell is one of the speakers. My 4th District colleague, Patrick O'Donnell is here as well and we enjoyed lunch together.

Am still taking it slow until the cough stops completely. I can't tell you how many people I have run into who a) either have had the same cough for up to 6 weeks or b) has someone in their family who has this virus.

While I enjoyed being in Washington, DC, I am so glad to be home in Southern California.

City filling up with thousands of supporters

Homeland Security equipment placed everywhere in city.

In line for free concert at Kennedy Center

Up close look at Presidential review stand that will be used during parade on Monday.

Catering truck parked in front of White House. Guess you have to pull strings to get this one.

Bike share in DC. Across from Washington Monument bikes are lined up for rental. Even with traffic and crowds of people walking, people were lining up to rent bikes.

What a difference a day makes. The city is starting to fill up. As we walk around the National Mall and over to the White House thousands of people are walking around. Impossible to take a cab anywhere because traffic is bumper to bumper. It's a festive mood. People are inspecting all the preparations in place for the parade after the swearing in.

The weather improved today but it is still very cold.

Because I know the city so well having lived here twice in my life, we were able to get around easily but nonetheless slowly because of the crowds. Was amazed how quickly the vendors had photos and tshirts showing the First Lady's new hair cut out on the street.

Thousands of young people here because of the 65 High School ands going to play in the parade. Many of them were at the Kennedy Center tonite as Flo and I attended a free quartet concert by the National Symphony.

Then back to Georgetown for dinner with a long time friends who is a political consultant. Fun to catch up.
Took lots of photos some of which I am posting to show the preparations in front of the White House.

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On the road to the inauguration

Despite not being able to fly on my favorate airline -- JetBlue -- I made it to Dulles airport last night without a hitch.

I am not a fan of flying. I know. I know. I write about aviation history but I still wonder at how such a large machine can getup in the air, stay there and then land.

It is so cold back here. Wait. It was so cold back there. Now snow is predicted. And colder weather.
I love DC. Lived here two separate times -- once working for the CIA and once working for a public relations company and the US House of Representatives.

I know my way around so even though I am really under the weather with a cold or the flu or whatever, my partner Flo and I managed to get around today up to Capitol Hill for a visit with Congressman Alan Lowenthal and to pick up our tickets for the swearing in ceremony this coming Monday.

Congressman Lowenthal looks right at home in his office on the 5th Floor of the Cannon Building. That is the building that has the tunnel to the Capitol which is really handy in this cold.

All around us preparations are being made for Monday's events. Was surprised to see Capitol Police holding submachine guns. So sad that much of the access to the people's building has been cut off since 911.

Tomorrow I get to play tour guide and go to a couple of museums. Bus drivers and taxi drivers told us today that big crowds are expected starting tomorrow.


Taking lots of Vitamin C and fluids and actually getting rest.

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US Dept of Energy Showcases SERRF Plant in Long Beach

Having just gone behind the scenes with Long Beach residents at the Southeast Resource Recovery Facility (SERRF), a recycling and solid waste-to-energy plant, I was pleased to see that when one “googles” SERRF that you find a case study on the US Dept of Energy’s website about the project.

SERRF took ten years to come on line in 1988 and is similar to plants in Germany and Japan that take waste (garbage) and burn it, clean up the gases produced and recycle the ash produced and convert the steam generated into electricity which is sold to Southern California Edison.

Our tour was amazing. It began with a detailed briefing of how the plant works, its funding, its future. SERRF processes approximately 1,290 tons of municipal solid waste each day, generating up to 38 MW of electricity. It also serves as the site where law enforcement can dispose of narcotics.

SERRF is owned by a Joint Powers Authority formed by the City of Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 2.

SERRF allows a reduction in garbage being placed in landfills (Puente Hills and in Orange County) which in turn keeps charges to consumers lower than if landfills were used.

Garbage trucks dump their loads and then e-waste or what is called white goods – refrigerators and washing machines are sorted out and the scrap is sold. The remaining waste is incinerated and the toxic gases and residue are scrubbed. (I saw the furnace and it probably is the closest thing on earth to what hell might look like.) The resulting ash is hauled to the landfills and used as pavement for the roads that go into the landfill. In other countries, the ash is used to pave all streets.

The steam generates electricity which is sold to Southern California Edison. Unfortunately, SERRF does not yet qualify for a non polluting source of electricity which would then qualify the plant to receive carbon credits.

SERRF processes garbage. Recycled goods are picked up at the curbside by a private contractor in Long Beach – Waste Management—and taken to another site where they are sorted and sold to recycling companies.

It was a very interesting tour and briefing. I appreciate the residents who took time to learn the behind the scenes of this important City program. More to come in the months ahead with Open Up Long Beach. (see www.openuplongbeach.com )

What I actually do...

Funny Pictures

Clean Water Parcel Tax Process "Under handed" Says LA County Supervisor

Tonight I voted against a proposal for the City Council to support a LA County proposed parcel tax on every property in the City because the process is wrong. As LA County Supervisor Don Knabe describes it as "under handed" -- 1.1 million property owners are being forced to mail in protests if they don't want the tax. Normally on a tax it is required a 2/3 for approval not a 50+1 which is being proposed.

Also our own City staff just pointed out in a memo on December 27th that the specifics of how the tax money will be spent has not been detailed. Which means we aren't even certain how this money will be spent if the taxpayers  are burdened with the parcel tax. And, there are no limits on how long this tax will be in place.

The LA County Board of Supervisors is holding a  hearing on January 15th to hear protests. The City of Long Beach needs to wait before we jump to support a parcel tax at this point. Let's insist any tax go on a ballot with specific guidelines how the money will be spent.

Poll Says Readers Overwhelmingly Opposed to LB Council Supporting Parcel Tax

I just polled my email readers and asked: Do you think the City Council should vote to support a parcel tax that would assess residential and commercial properties an annual fee that would be used to fund (among other items) storm water run off projects?

Results:
91% NO
4% YES
6% Unsure.

The Long Beach Unified School District opposes it. Supervisor Don Knabe opposes it.

Not enough information has been given about the tax with specific dollar amounts of where it will be spent. Let's wait for the public hearing on Jan 15th before the LA County Board of Supervisors before the City Council jumps in on this.

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• Council members Lowenthal and Neal are asking the Council to support new parcel tax: What do you think?

You are invited to hear what we've accomplished these past 6 years

Mark your calendar to come hear the 7th Annual State of the 5th Council District as I discuss the major projects and efforts undertaken over the past six years to make the 5th Council district the best in the City.

Thursday, Jan 10th at 6:00 pm
Long Beach Water Treatment Facility
Redondo Avenue and Spring Street

For more information, call my office: 562 570-6932.

Look forward to seeing you there.

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• Council members Lowenthal and Neal are asking the Council to support new parcel tax: What do you think?

Council members Lowenthal and Neal Propose Support of Parcel Tax by Full Council: What do you think?

Council members Suja Lowenthal and Steven Neal have placed an item on next Council meeting's agenda calling for the entire City Council to support a parcel tax being proposed by Los Angeles County staff. The parcel tax would be assessed on every property in LA County and would fund and establish an annual clean water fee to fund the Clean Water, Clean Beaches Program (www.lacountycleanwater.org).  

Funds will be used by cities and the County in the same cities and watersheds where they are collected. The City public property is estimated to be assessed $1.6 million with this tax and the City is estimated to receive $5.1 million from the tax.

You need to know that the proposed tax has not been examined in detail by the City Council. We have not been given details why the amounts to be assessed were set at those levels and what other measures could be taken by LA County to clean up the storm water.

No one is against clean water. What I find objectionable is that without examination of this tax and discussion about what other measures could be taken to clean up the storm water problem without taxing residents and businesses and government, the City Council is being encouraged to jump on board a proposal "as is."

Additionally, what was not disclosed in this council agenda item is the fact that our own LA County Supervisor Don Knabe and the Long Beach Unified School District are opposed to the measure.  

I say wait until the LA County Board of Supervisors holds its public meeting on this issue on January 15th before the Council votes. We need to hear the input of our residents. We also need to find out what the final version of this proposal actually will be if placed before the voters. We really need to know what we are doing before we jump on this bandwagon. 

Before you answer my poll on this item, you need to read several documents that explain what is being proposed by LA County and being asked for support by two council members.  

Click here to read these important documents. Council agenda item, FAQ about proposal, Notice of proposed tax.

Let me know what do you think about paying for a parcel tax by clicking here.     

 

Sincerely,

Gerrie 

Gerrie Schipske   

  

P.S. LA County Board of Supervisors will hold a public meeting to listen to residents about this proposed tax at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room, Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 

A Notice of Public Hearing has been mailed to all property owners within the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. At the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors will receive oral and written testimony about the proposed clean water fee. Any property owner may testify or file a written protest with the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors at any time before the end of the public hearing. A written protest must identify the parcel address and assessor's parcel number, and must be signed by the property owner or an authorized representative. 

Letters may be addressed to:
Executive Officer
Board of Supervisors
P.O. Box 866006
Los Angeles, CA 90086 

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• L.A. County property owners to consider stormwater cleanup fee

Damn it. Long Beach is Better than Santa Monica. We Should Have Been a Finalist.

Long Beach on any day is better than the City of Santa Monica. So why is it that we are not one of the 20 finalists in the Mayor's Challenge sponsored by the Bloomberg Philanthropies?  Did we ever apply? What did we submit and when did we engage the residents (or even the City Council) on our idea?

Cities were selected, according to the Bloomberg foundation: "The 20 finalist ideas were rated on four key criteria: vision/creativity, ability to implement, potential for impact, and potential for replication." Here are the finalists that are now lined up to receive between $1 and $5 million.

• Boston
• Chicago
• Santa Monica
• Lexington
• Cincinnati
• Durham
• Highpoint
• Hillsboro
• Houston
• Indiannopolis
• Knoxville
• Lafayette
• Milwaukee
• Philadelphia
• Phoenix
• Providence
• St. Paul
• San Francisco
• Springfield
• Syracuse

http://mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org/index.cfm?objectid=84F82440-9EA6-11E1-823A000C29C7CA2F

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Arcadia Signs Schipske for 4th Book on Long Beach History

Arcadia Publishing has signed Gerrie Schipske to write a 4th book for their history series. The book -- Legendary Locals of Long Beach -- will be published this summer. 

If you know a legendary local of Long Beach -- past or present --  send your information and photograph for possible inclusion in the book to egschipske@gmail.com. 
 
Gerrie will be joined by her daughter, Kate Schipske, in writing this photo essay about those who have had a lasting impact on our city.

Before You Yell at the Bicyclists on Second Street -- Be Concerned About Their Health

English: Long Beach Transit (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A recent story published in Atlantic Cities (my favorite source of up to date info on cities and trends), research is indicating that people trying to reduce air pollution by bicycling places may in fact be inhaling even more pollution.

That's right. Before you shake your fists at the bicyclists sharing the road, you might show a little concern for them. They are inhaling bus fumes and the fumes from your car (as you whiz by) and it's all very unhealthy. The obvious suggestion of the article is to stay away from the back of the bus.

Considering Long Beach Transit was the first to put filters/traps on their exhaust to trap danger particles from diesel, burning low sulphur fuel since 2002 and adding 46 hybrid buses to their fleet, it may not be as dangerous to bike in Long Beach as the article points out it could be in San Diego.


People Trying to Reduce Air Pollution Might Be Inhaling Even More Pollution

P.S. No. The rail on the front of the bus is not a "bike catcher" (on trains they call it "cow catcher"). It is a rack so those who want to take their bikes along for a ride on the bus can do so.

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Long Beach Unveils Plan to Make “Most Bike Friendly City” the Safest Too

Long Beach Unveils Plan to Make “Most Bike Friendly City” the Safest Too

Check out the programs Long Beach is launching to improve bike safety in the city.

I remember getting my first bike -- a blue one -- at age 6. Then I got a red one at age 9. I lived on my bike. Rode it everywhere -- as long as I was back home by the time the street lights came on.

LA Times article indicates rate of homelessness down in LA County -- LB Needs to Make Issue with HUD

Current Seal of the County of Los Angeles, California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A current article in the LA Times (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/12/homeless-veterans-count.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+%28L.A.+Now%29) indicates that the number of homeless has decreased in Los Angeles County due in large part to aggressive programs that have helped them find permanent housing.

When Long Beach applied for the surplus Army property at Willow and Grand, HUD required that the City accommodate homeless services because of the number of homeless in our area and county. That was 6 years ago.

I have asked city management to call HUD and argue that since homelessness has decreased, so has the need for programs and therefore the City should be able to use Schroeder Army Hall for its east side police substation without having to accommodate a homeless program as a requirement.

Let's see what happens.

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Long Beach Residents Need to Know What Potential Liability Is on Telephone Tax Case

The Sacramento Bee has just disclosed that a case against the City of Long Beach could possibly cost millions if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiff. (see http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2012/12/long-beach-phone-tax-case-tests-taxpayers-rights.html#storylink=misearch)

I asked for this information several months ago when I discovered that the City of Los Angeles had publicly acknowledged in its budget statement that a similar suit had been filed against the City of Los Angeles and that the potential liability could be up to $750 million.

The suit is about the City collecting a telephone users tax despite a federal telephone excise tax being eliminated.

To put this in the proper perspective, $750 million equals 17% of the City of Los Angeles' year’s General Fund.

In both the LA and Long Beach cases, the plaintiffs are suing for refunds for residents claiming that the taxes were illegally collected by the City.

I asked for information on how much at risk the City of Long Beach is because of the suit against us by John McWilliams.

I still believe the residents of Long Beach need to know what potentially is coming our way. Last time I asked for the information it was put into a closed session. I think now that everyone who reads the Sacramento Bee knows about this case, it is time to let residents of Long Beach know what to expect.

Belmont Shore Fire Station 8 to Lose Engine

The Long Beach Fire Department today announced the closure of a fire engine at Belmont Shore Fire Station 8. The engine will be relocated to Station 14 near Marina Vista Park.

A paramedic unit will be sent to Fire Station 8.

Below is the memo sent to the City Council today by Fire Chief Duree:

We Need More Dog Parks...and Some Guidance

We Need More Dog Parks...and Some Guidance 

Tomorrow in City Council is an agenda item I placed to set up an advisory committee for the Parks and Recreation Commission that will help set up some guidelines regarding off leash areas for dogs and dog parks.

We certainly need more spaces but we also need some guidance as to the rules for establishing these areas. Right now it has been up to staff to decide.

I have received several requests from residents who want to use portions of parks in the 5th to run their dogs off leash. Right now it is illegal to do so. And the east side needs a regular dog park.

This agenda item would enhance the efforts of the current dog owners groups to provide meaningful input on this issue -- after all they have an important interest in this issue. It would not take away anything from their current work -- it would just provide a set of rules that everyone could abide by if they want to use our parks for dogs.

Here's the agenda item:

Subject:                Establish An Off Leash Dog Area (Dog Parks) Advisory Committee

Discussion:

The City of Long Beach has six off leash dog areas also known as dog parks. There is interest in opening more in other areas of the City and some residents want to be able to utilize portions of existing parks to let their dogs run off leash. Currently, the City lacks a policy regarding the opening and operating of a dog park and dog owners can be fined if they allow their dog to be off leash in a park.

Most cities allowing dog parks and off leash areas have in place a policy that outlines program structure, funding and project operating costs, basic facility elements or design standards, facility rules and regulations, and general dog owner group requirements to support this effort. These cities have required that all dog exercise areas have a "dog owner group" which is responsible for "policing and maintaining" the dog parks because of governmental funding and staff shortages.

An Off Leash Dog Area (Dog Parks) Advisory Committee would provide needed input to the Parks and Recreation Commission about the many issues facing existing and proposed dog parks in the City. Suggested membership would include:

• Community members representing: veterinary science, dog owners groups, and each council district.
• Ex officio members from the following departments: Animal Care Services, Parks/Recreation/Marine, Health and Human Services and Development Services.

This Advisory Committee would meet monthly, without compensation, and assist the City in drafting policies related to the establishment and operation of off leash dog areas in the City. These policies would be given to the Parks and Recreation Commission which would decide whether or not to approve these policies and recommend to the City Council for adoption.

Fiscal Impact:

Staffing would be required for the Advisory Committee. However, the involvement of the community in this effort would provide much needed clarification and consistency of the policies concerning establishing and maintaining dog parks in Long Beach.

Recommendation:

By motion of the City Council, establish an "Off Leash Dog Area (Dog Parks) Advisory Committee" to advise the Parks and Recreation Commission on the needed policies related to the establishment and operation of off leash dog (dog parks) areas in the City.

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