Monday, February 10, 2014
Friday, February 7, 2014
Schipske Proposes Two Economic Development Proposals
Schipske Outlines Two
Steps City Can Take To Move Economic Development – Apply With LAEDC for Federal
Designation as Manufacturing Community and Assist Local Businesses and
Developers in Applying for CALPERS Pension Investment
February 7,
2014 – With an unemployment rate still hovering in the double digit range,
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske says it is time Long Beach became more aggressive
in tracking down opportunities for economic development.
“I sit on the LA Jobs Defense
Council which is a part of the Los Angeles County Economic Development
Corporation because I wanted to find out what Long Beach can do to attract
business and jobs,” says Schipske. “LAEDC is aggressively seeking opportunities
and just announced that it will apply to become one of 12 communities federally
designated as a manufacturing community. Long Beach needs to a part of the
application.”
The
designation is funded through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities
Partnership (IMCP), a new government-wide initiative that will help communities
cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing
jobs in regions across the country and thereby accelerate the resurgence of
manufacturing. The IMCP is designed to reward communities that demonstrate best
practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing by bringing together key
local stakeholders and using long-term planning that integrates targeted
investments across a community's industrial ecosystem to create broad-based
prosperity. The IMCP is a critical component of the Department of
Commerce’s “Open for Business Agenda,” which prioritizes trade and investment.
Up to
12 communities will be designated and the designation gives them elevated
consideration for $1.3 billion in federal dollars and assistance from 10 cabinet
departments/agencies. These communities would also potentially receive
additional catalytic federal investments to support their economic development
strategies. Proposals for designation as a Manufacturing Community must be
submitted on behalf of the region by a consortium – which in this case is
the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.
“I am
agendizing an item for Council requesting the City Manager to work with LAEDC
in submitting the information necessary for Long Beach to be considered in this
federal stimulus program,” explains Schipske. “The application must be
submitted by March 14.”
Schipske
also notes that the CALPERS system which manages $3.05 billion of assets contributed
by Long Beach for its employees’ pensions, invests these funds in businesses
and developments. “Long Beach is the largest city contributor in CALPERS and
some of these funds need to come back to the City through investments,” says
Schipske.
CALPERS
accepts proposals for investments in the following categories: Private Equity, Real Estate,
Forestland, Infrastructure, Commodities, Global Fixed Income, Global Equities
or Hedge Funds. (see https://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/about/pubs/financial-performance.pdf)
In
2001, CALPERS approved a $1 billion dollar investment in 445 communities that
were classified as traditionally underserved. Schipske notes that with the
City’s “high rates of unemployment and poverty” should qualify Long Beach for
CALPERS investment.
“I am
also agendizing an item requesting the City Manager to schedule a presentation
at Council from CALPERS on how Long Beach businesses and developers can apply
to be considered for CALPERS investment. Both of these proposals can assist
greatly in the economic development of Long Beach.” #30
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Good and Bad Night for Taxpayers
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MWD to do Major Pipe Repair in 5th Council District
Dear 5th District Residents,
If you live near Conant Street and Clark Avenue you will be receiving a notice from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) that their crew will be digging up and repairing major pipeline segments that are in danger of leakage.
I am attaching their letter and a powerpoint presentation which shows the kind of work they will be doing for 14 days, round the clock. Click here to seeThey have assured me that they are 1,400 feet from homes and other than the flashing of welding, homeowners should not hear nor see and major construction work during this time period.
They want to prevent a major leakage which would cause a sink hole.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Gerrie
Gerrie Schipske
Friday, January 24, 2014
SCHIPSKE PROPOSES FULL USE OF MILLS TAX EXEMPTION FOR LONG BEACH HOMEOWNERS
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| Bembridge House in Long Beach |
January 24, 2014 – Hoping to bring a tax savings in Long
Beach to those who own historical properties, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is
asking City management for an update on how Long Beach can offer the “Mills Act
Historical
Property Contract Program” that allows qualifying owners to receive a potential property
tax reduction and use the savings to help rehabilitate, restore and maintain
their buildings. The Mills Act is the single most important economic incentive
program in California for the restoration and preservation of historic
buildings by private property owners. Enacted in 1972, the Mills Act
legislation grants participating local governments (cities and counties)
authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties
who actively participate in the restoration and maintenance of their properties
to receive property tax relief.
“The City of Long Beach stopped offering contracts to property
owners in 2006 because of the economy and the loss of property tax revenues,”
explains Schipske. “It is time to reinstate this program as a way of
encouraging the rehabilitation and maintenance of the historical and
architectural character of many of our neighborhoods throughout the city.”
A formal
agreement, generally known as a Mills Act or Historical Property Contract, is
executed between cities and the property owner for a revolving ten-year term.
Contracts are automatically renewed each year so that the term of the contract
always extends for ten years. Property owners agree to restore, maintain, and
protect the property in accordance with specific historic preservation
standards and conditions identified in the contract. Mills Act
participants may realize substantial property tax savings each year for
recently improved or purchased older properties.
Schipske’s agenda item will be considered by the City
Council at its February 4th meeting. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is the author of three books on the history of Long Beach and believes that the city needs to do what it can to help preserve the historical and architectural character of the city. She also supports reinstating the vacant city-funded position of Historic Preservation Officer.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Thinking Big in Long Beach
NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association sponsored its 16th USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge. Top graduate student teams from the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA's Anderson School of Business and the Lusk Center at USC's Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy met to match creativity and real estate knowledge on a unique real estate site.
The 2013 subject site is the 11 acre location at the corner of PCH and 2nd that has the potential to be one of the greatest development opportunities in the City of Long Beach. It is located at one of the busiest and more visible intersections in Long Beach. The site is the current SeaPort Marina Hotel.
The winning group produced "Belmont Yards" -- an 11 acre multi-use development poised to become the next iconic waterfront neighborhood, exemplifying the health, sustainable, coastal life style sought out by visitors, residents and government alike. The plan recognizes the constraints and the sensitivities of SEADIP and addresses this on a dual track approval process.Click here to see complete plan.
I placed an item on the council agenda calling for a public presentation of this creative use of 2nd and PCH and the Council approved scheduling a presentation for the public to see what could be there.
This is exciting and a great example of what creative thinking could do to move our city forward. I will let you know when it is scheduled for presentation.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Long Beach Has DNA to Be a Great City
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| English: "Rosie's Dog Beach" is the 3-acre, off-leash dog beach in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, California. The only dog beach in all of LA County (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: Cranes at the Hanjin Shipping terminal at the Port of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
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| English: Larger version with slight color adjustments. Category:Images of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Long Beach has the DNA to be a great city. I should know. I
was born here and have written three books on its history.
From the very beginning, Long Beach used its location,
natural resources and labor to build an economy and eventually grow into the 6th
largest city in the state.
Its pragmatic approach resulted in many successes. It wanted
people to visit, so it became the terminus for the railroads and trolleys and
opened a pier and an amusement center, it developed parks and farmers markets. It
wanted a port - it built one right next to the LA Port. When it needed a
library it asked Andrew Carnegie to fund it. It discovered oil – then used the
proceeds to establish an airport which caught the Army’s interest as a location
for the Douglas Aircraft Plant. It used its safe harbor to lure the Navy to
anchor.
When the Navy left Long Beach, former Mayor Beverly
O’Neill was extremely pragmatic when she announced that the City needed to
focus on “3 Ts: trade, tourism and technology.” While some criticized her for
then casting off anything related to Long Beach’s long history with the US
Navy, she got it right.
Because for too
long, Long Beach had lost site of who it was and it let others define who we were.
It would well serve any future Mayor or Council to filter
its decisions through the “3 T” exercise. Is what we are doing helping or
hurting trade, tourism and technology? If it hurts, then don’t do it. If it
helps, then by all means do it and more.
Let’s talk about trade. The Port of Long Beach is the
economic engine in this region. It generates 30,000 jobs (about one in eight)
in Long Beach and 316,000 jobs (or one in 22) in the five-county Southern
California region. It needs a stable Board of Harbor Commissioners and strong
management that is free from political interference.
Most importantly, the Mayor’s office needs to leverage
its leadership role to promote global business opportunities. There are so many
opportunities to expand the exporting of goods and services to our Asian
partners. I recently met with a group of Chinese businessmen who are eager to
import California wine and another group that is seeking professional services
for establishing and operating long-term care facilities to deal with the lack
of family caretakers for its elderly that resulted from the single child
policy. Helping identify local businesses that could become involved in
exporting would boost our economy.
Tourism has been helped tremendously by the improvements
at the Long Beach Municipal Airport and the Arena. One of the most convenient
and attractive airports in the region, Long Beach is also the least expensive
from which to fly. The enhancements at the
Arena have transformed the space into a modern, flexible space that can host
numerous events at the same time and will bring in more conventions.
However, the gateway to the Belmont Shore area at 2nd
and Pacific Coast Highway remains an eyesore – mostly due to the owner’s
neglect. Just recently the brightest from UCLA and USC competed in the NAIOP
Annual Contest to present development proposals for the best use of this very
piece of property. The winning plan (Belmont Yards) is stunning, works with the
existing SEADIP plan and shows us just exactly what thinking big can do for
Long Beach.
Years ago, a local columnist described Long Beach as an
“elegantly dressed woman with a piece of toilet paper stuck to her shoe.” And
without a doubt that would describe some of our shoreline problems. The
beautiful scenery is spoiled by trash that flows out of the mouth of the LA
River and a poorly circulated area behind the breakwater that prevents waves
and makes for dirty water. Dealing with these two problems must be a priority
of a city who took its name from its greatest asset -- a long beach.
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| The Clean Tech Revolution (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Many cities are re-branding themselves in an attempt to
lure high tech jobs. Wouldn’t it be great if Long Beach could become known as
the city where you can “Come Start Something?”
Yes, Long Beach is a great city and can be even greater,
if we’d only just focus.
Friday, December 13, 2013
LBPD Nab Cell Phone Thiefs
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| Long Beach Police Department (California) (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
12/12/2013
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | PRESS RELEASE #2012 |
| Subject : | LONG BEACH POLICE ANNOUNCE ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT CELL PHONE THEFTS AND ENCOURAGE PUBLIC TO REMAIN VIGILANT |
| Contact : | Media Relations Detail (562) 570-5273 |
Long Beach Police arrested a total of five suspects in connection with one attempt robbery and three robberies, which occurred in the East and West Divisions.
Robbery detectives recognized an increase of incidents over the past few weeks and developed a strategy with the East Patrol, West Patrol, and the Gang and Violent Crimes Divisions. Residents were encouraged to report suspicious persons and activity, while police focused saturation patrol efforts throughout the area.
On December 11, 2013, around 7:30 p.m., police responded to the 1700 block of East Second Street regarding an attempted armed robbery. One suspect approached the victim, demanded his cell phone, and fled on foot. At approximately 8:00 p.m., another robbery occurred in the area of 4th Street and Rose Avenue. The armed suspect approached two victims and demanded their cell phones and cash. During the course of the investigation, two suspects were arrested and the investigation is ongoing. At this time, the suspects are only being described as an adult male resident of Los Angeles and an adult male resident of Bellflower.
On the morning of December 12, 2013, Long Beach Gang Enforcement detectives arrested three juveniles for robberies that occurred in the 3900 block of East Broadway on November 23, 2013, and a robbery that occurred on November 22, 2013, in the area of Division and La Verne. Pursuant to the arrests, detectives executed four search warrants and recovered jewelry, cell phones, and additional evidence.
Robbery detectives are in the process of determining if those arrested may be responsible for other incidents that occurred in the area south of 5th Street and east of Alamitos Avenue during the past few weeks. Those robberies were crimes of opportunity where the suspect spotted a potential victim who was distracted, approached the victim, displayed a handgun, snatched the victim’s cell phone, and then fled. The suspect(s) have been described as male African American(s), ranging in age from teens to mid-twenties, and armed with a handgun, which may be a real or replica firearm.
The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual(s) responsible and encourages community members to increase their awareness and to diligently practice the following safety tips:
· Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people around you
· Whenever possible, avoid using your IPOD, cell phone, or portable game system while walking in public areas
· Don’t “advertise” that you have valuables in public view (money, jewelry, electronic devices, etc.)
· Be aware of locations and situations, which make you vulnerable to crime, such as dark parking lots, walkways, ATM machines, and alleys
· Whenever possible, travel with a friend - there is safety in numbers
· Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible
· Walk close to the curb and avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide
· If you feel you are being followed or targeted, move to a well-populated and well-lighted area
· Report suspicious persons or activity by calling 9-1-1
· If you are the victim of a robbery, call 9-1-1 immediately to provide a good description of the suspect(s), the mode of transportation, and direction of travel.
Anyone with information regarding recent robberies is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detail at (562) 570-7464. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visitwww.LACrimeStoppers.org.
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013
10 Breath Taking Reasons Why Only One Member of Council Stood Up for Taxpayers And Voted Against Spending Yet Another Million Dollars on Yet Another Consultant
On Tuesday, December 3, the Long
Beach City Council on a 7-1 vote (Schipske voting “no”) approved spending over
$1 million to hire a consultant to put together a “Request for Proposal” that
will be sent to developers for the demolition and rebuild of the City Hall and
Main Library that were built in 1976. The demolition and rebuild are projected
to cost at least $435 million. ($12.8 million x 34 years). City staff has
already told prospective developers that the project could be financed with “either
taxable financing, tax-exempt financing or any combination.” The current City
Hall is valued at $86 million.
10. The City Council wasn’t even shown the proposed contract with the consultant so we didn’t get to review what over $1 million was buying in terms of services, number of hours for the services,etc. It’s just money, right? We still don’t have a fire engine in Belmont Shores or a rescue unit in North Long Beach. But we’ve got consultants.
9. The Council has not been given an extensive seismic report, as requested from City Management, that details why the current buildings are: a) unsafe and/or b) cannot be retrofitted. So if the buildings are so unsafe that they need to be torn down, why are they still occupied and will be for the next several years while this project gets put together?
8. The
Cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Pasadena have all retrofitted their
City Halls instead of tearing them down,
even though their buildings were constructed in: 1912 – San Francisco; 1928 – Los Angeles; 1927 –
Pasadena. And, the shock of it all, these cities involved their City Council and their taxpayers.
7. The City Council was told it will not be allowed to read the “Request for Proposal” before it is sent to the developers. Only city staff will get a look at it. Ergo – a consultant will determine what type of financing, what size of the buildings, what other buildings will be on City property, etc. Is this so elected officials can say “gosh we didn’t know" if the project goes bad?
6. The
Council removed a large portion of funding for “public outreach” efforts that
would ask the taxpayers for their
opinions on this mega project. Seems only fair? If the elected City Council doesn’t get to give input on this
project, then why should taxpayers...
5. The
developers responding to the “Request for Proposals” will be compensated with up
to one-half million dollars each
for just responding because it takes a lot of effort to put plans together – even plans that might not be accepted by the City Council. Nice work if you can get it.
4. Part
of the proposal that has already been given to developers for a “new main
library” calls for a much smaller
structure of 50,000 – 70,000 square feet down from its current 135,000 square feet. When City staff was asked
where the smaller figure came from, the staff person responded “I made it up.” Amazing. Perhaps the
entire reasoning that this project has to go forward was “made up” as well.
3. The City Attorney has indicated that
the City might need to ask the State Legislature to pass legislation to allow the City to
set up a special financing of this project with a private developer. That’s because there are limits to
on-going financial obligations. But heck, just maybe we can get them waived.
2. The
City Council would not even discuss a proposal by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske
to prohibit campaign
contributions from developers, contractors or anyone doing or bidding to do
business with the City of Long
Beach. So watch the campaign contributions start flowing in on this project that has no direction from City
Council, minimal input from the taxpayers and no documentation as to why the buildings can’t be retrofitted
instead of torn down and rebuilt. Merry Christmas.
1. Five council members currently serving in office will be out of here, when the
final proposal is given to City
Council next July 2014. So a brand new Mayor and Council and City Attorney will
be handed a project they didn’t
review or approve but which already had cost the City several millions of dollars and may cost
the taxpayers hundreds of millions more. Now that’s political planning.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
A note of gratitude....
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| Giving Thanks (Photo credit: mRio) |
Dear Friend,
I just wanted to say thanks.
As I wrapped up my Council work for this week and started to focus on Thanksgiving, I started thinking about how grateful I am for so many things and what this holiday means for me.
My mother especially loved Thanksgiving. She made the day special for our family. Days before she would prepare and bake pumpkin pies. On Thanksgiving day, she would get up at 6 am to prepare the turkey and stuffing. Then over the course of hours she would transform the house with the warmth of smells of a feast that would provide left-overs for a week. To this day, a Thanksgiving isn't complete without her recipes for lima beans, baby onions and candied yams. (I skip the giblet dressing...sorry Mom).
I remember my first Thanksgiving away from home when I worked in Washington, D.C. and the kindness of relatives of a co-worker who took me in to their crowded apartment and shared their meal and the excitement of their young children who decorated the table with brightly colored tracings of their hands which make funny looking turkeys.
But the very best memory is the year I celebrated my first Thanksgiving as a mom. As Flo and I expanded our family to include three children, it just got better and better. More hectic and exhausting but wouldn't trade it for anything else.
There are so many things for which to be thankful. Good friends. Good health. A great opportunity to teach at CSULB. And I'm still thankful I have the ability to play the guitar with friends.
I am especially thankful for the chance to serve on City Council these past seven years and to try and make my neighborhoods safer and cleaner and our local government more open and responsive .
But I didn't do it alone. With the help of outstanding city employees and involved residents we were able to make these changes happen.
I want to extend a special thanks to the many people who call, email or talk to me when they see me out and around Long Beach and who give me advice or their opinions on the issues facing Long Beach. Thank you. Your support, kind words and guidance are much appreciated.
So with much gratitude, I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.
Gerrie Schipske
Monday, November 25, 2013
Schipske Moves Quickly to Consider Replacement for Commissioner Fields
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| English: Long_Beach_CA_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan please provide photographer credit if used outside Wiki projects (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
SCHIPSKE CALLS PERSONNEL COMMITTEE TO FACILITATE QUICK
CONSIDERATION OF MAYOR’S PICK TO REPLACE PORT COMMISSIONER THOMAS FIELDS – Says
important to put politics aside for the good of the City
Long Beach, CA, November 25, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie
Schipske, who chairs the Council Committee on Personnel and Civil Services
today announced that she has scheduled a meeting on December 3rd in
order to review Mayor Bob Foster’s recommendation for a replacement for Thomas
Fields, who was removed by a 6-3 vote.
All City Charter Board and Commission appointments must go
through the Council Committee which in turn makes its recommendation to the
full Council.
Schipske, who voted against Fields’ removal, says she
quickly scheduled a meeting of the Committee to facilitate the Mayor making an
appointment before the end of the year. “It is important that everyone put
politics aside for the good of the City and for the future of our Port,” adding
that she has supported each and every appointment of Mayor Foster.
“While I
strongly disagreed with the removal of Mr. Fields, I support our City Charter which
gives the Mayor the right to make appointments and will continue to do so.”
Schipske says that the Council needs to also move
expeditiously to confirm the commissioner appointment so that the Port can move
forward on numerous important issues, including hiring a new Executive
Director.
#30
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Schipske Invited to Join LA Jobs Defense Council To Fight to Keep Boeing
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Joins LAEDC Jobs Defense Council
Long Beach, CA – November 20, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, in her ongoing effort to advocate for Boeing to continue to keep assembly work in the City of Long Beach, and to fight for good paying jobs in the City, today announced that she was invited to join the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Jobs Defense Council.
Schipske is the only representative from the City of Long Beach to serve on the council and attended today’s meeting which focused on ways to attract aerospace and related industries to stay, expand, or set up operations in the region.
“I feel that it’s extremely important that Long Beach does everything it can to maintain Boeing’s presence in our city and to do everything we can to support the businesses that depend on Boeing for their success,” stated Schipske, whose council district includes the aerospace corporation, “It’s important that someone on Council is participating on this county-wide council to ensure that Long Beach is represented.”
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1981. Its mission is to attract, retain, and grow business and jobs for the regions of Los Angeles County. The L.A. Jobs Defense Council, an LAEDC project, is a group of regional and local electeds, agencies, aerospace related business representatives, and labor leaders.
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske represents the 5th Council District in which The Boeing Company is located. She has launched a Facebook page where readers can indicate their support for this effort: www.facebook.com/keepboeinginlongbeach
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske represents the 5th Council District in which The Boeing Company is located. She has launched a Facebook page where readers can indicate their support for this effort: www.facebook.com/keepboeinginlongbeach
and authored two pieces of legislation at City Council which call for a City Council resolution in support of retaining and expanding Boeing in Long Beach as well as funding an economic impact study that can be given to the Governor of California as evidence of what a loss of Boeing would mean to Long Beach and to the region. Both pieces of legislation passed unanimously last night in City Council.
#30
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