Thank You USS Dewey and Friends

The 5th District received a gift of green as 50 crew members of the USS Dewey joined 70 others from the neighborhood, El Dorado Park South Association, Neighborhood Services and my staff in planting 45 trees in El Dorado Park South last Wednesday.

It is a Navy tradition that with a commissioning of a ship, the crew does a project in adjoining areas. They picked Long Beach -- specifically the 5th District -- and through a grant obtained by the El Dorado Park South Association they were able to plant the trees.

This is great. I am working with Walmart to get some work done on our duck pond area.
Our next Lakes, Ponds and Wetlands clean up with tackle a restroom and picnic benches.

Spring Street Being Spruced Up With Federal Stimulus Funds

I have been receiving emails from residents who: a) are concerned about where the city got the money or b) think that the repair along Spring Street from the westside of Long Beach to Orange County is unnecessary or c) think that the street needed to be fixed but not the curbs and gutters and storm drains.

So to clarify:

• Spring Street needs a structural repair -- the street, the curbs, the gutters and the storm drains. Water pools in several part after rains.
• The repairs are being totally funded out of federal stimulus funds.
• Spring Street is a major street in Long Beach -- going from the westside to Orange County. It is heavily traveled.
  
• Long Beach had the project on the drawing board for many years so it was ready or as they say "shovel ready."

Other issues:

• Yes, there are other streets in Long Beach that need repair too and we are applying for funds for all of them.
• No, the federal stimulus funds weren't available for residential streets -- only streets that are non-residential and have higher useage.
  

TED-X Long Beach

Last night the Council approved my agenda item calling for the City of Long Beach to obtain a license (free of charge) for a Long Beach TED-X conference.

For the past two years, the Long Beach Convention Center has been the venue for TED.

According to its website: "TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design.

"Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with the annual TED Conference in Long Beach, California, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK, TED includes the award winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Program, the new TEDx community program, this year's TEDlndia Conference and the annual TED Prize.

"TEDx was created in the spirit of TED's mission, 'ideas worth spreading.' The program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level.

"At TEDx events, unique talks given by live speakers combine with TEDTalks videos to spark deep conversation and connections. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis."

A TEDx event is being planned and hosted by numerous cities (such as Manhattan Beach, Monterey, Boston, San Francisco and New York) as a way on a local level to:
1. Educate and inspire
2. Bring together innovators and explorers
3. Encourage the responsible use of resources and talents
4. Foster an environment of sharing and embracing passions.

A TEDxLong Beach would give the residents of the City of Long Beach the opportunity to experience and to participate in this innovative way to build a stronger and better community.

FAQ:

• The annual TED conference in Long Beach charges $6,000 a person to attend and limits who can attend.
• There is no charge for a community to receive a license from TED to organize a TEDx event.
• More and more cities across the U.S. and around the world are holding TEDx events in their communities.
• TEDx events are usually free of charge to attendees.
• TED provides a step by step video and website outlining how to organize and conduct a TEDx event in our community at http://www.ted.com/pages/view?id=343
• In every community that hosts a TEDx, the event is "sold out" within days of announcement and sparks on-going community discussions beyond the event.

Business license tax exemptions for artists

I raised some questions last night at council as to why we would waive business licenses for artists while so many small businesses are struggling in the city.

• The home business license is $198 a year.
• We don't have a definition of "artist."
• We don't know how many home businesses or artist businesses this waiver would cover.
• We still would need businesses to register with the city so that we don't have a proliferation of businesses operating without licenses.

I have a home business license because I am a writer and when I sell my books I have to be licensed as a business and I have to pay sales tax. The 5th Council district has a large number of home based businesses --because quite frankly it is the small business that is creating employment right now.

The arts are important to a community. But so is business and I don't want the city encouraging one type of business over another. Either give all small businesses a break on business licenses for a year or don't single out one type of business.

Agenda Item on City Manager Precludes Doing Anything More than an Evaluation: Brown Act Requires Public Disclosure of Votes Taken in Closed Session

It's unfortunate that as the press runs stories about the Council going into closed session next Tuesday to evaluate the City Manager (which is required in his contract), the press fails to remind readers the basics of the Brown Act which requires that items to be taken action on need to be specifically stated and that pursuant to the Brown Act any vote taken in closed session must be announced by the City Attorney when the Council returns to open session.

Why are employee evaluations allowed to be conducted in closed session? The court has stated:

[T]he underlying purposes of the 'personnel exception' are to protect the
employee from public embarrassment and to permit free and candid
discussions of personnel matters by a local governmental body."

If the Council agenda sent to the public states: "Pursuant to Section 54957 of the California Government Code regarding Public Employee Evaluation: City Manager" then all the City Council can do is an evaluation. To go beyond an evaluation the agenda item would have to state: "Public employee discipline/dismissal/release."

Evaluation of City Manager Should Be Done Properly

The local press is running articles on the upcoming evaluation of the City Manager, Pat West and the revelation that the President of the Long Beach Police Officers Association thinks the City Manager should be fired and that the Long Beach Firefighters Association thinks he shouldn't be fired.

Residents, employees and their representatives are certainly entitled to their opinions. But under the City Charter of Long Beach, the decision to hire and fire the City Manager is vested solely in the City Council.

It is also the responsibility of the City Council to evaluate the City Manager on a regular basis so both he and the council can measure if the City Manager is doing the job he was hired to do. The International City Management Association (ICMA) has identified the three major roles of a City Manager as managerial (supervising City activities and employees), policy making (making policy decisions and policy recommendations to City Council) and political (advocating and winning support for various policies, coalition building, and public relations—but not supporting candidates or parties).

The Long Beach City Charter outlines the powers of the City Manager and gives him wide discretion on how he focuses his efforts. So unless the City Council has established specific goals and objectives it is impossible to measure performance objectively.

I spent several years teaching students at CSULB Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration on how to become city managers -- so I am more than familiar with the process by which city managers should be evaluated as recommended by the ICMA:

• The evaluation process will be enhanced if both the entire Council and the Manager are involved from the start in developing the criteria and agreeing on them.
• It is essential that the City Council clearly define goals and objectives for the City Manager.
• The City Council, the City Manager and department heads should provide evaluations.
  
• Before the Council makes a final decision about any action as a result of the evaluation, or make any final statement as a Council about the Manager’s performance, it is important to discuss the results of the evaluation with the Manager first.
• A Council that is serious about evaluation should understand that its performance often affects the Manager’s performance.
  
• The Council should ask the Manager about how the Council’s performance has enhanced or hindered the Manager's performance.

There are some serious problems with the City Council going forward on an evaluation of the City Manager: while we have evaluated City Manager West before, we have not clearly defined goals and objectives we want him to accomplish, nor have we ever asked for feedback from his department heads, nor have we asked him about how our performance has enhanced or hindered his performance.

The Council can fix the evaluation process by setting goals and objectives, getting feedback from department heads and analyzing whether or not it is the council's responsibility if the City Manager has failed or succeeded.

No. I won't discuss the City Manager's evaluation in the press.

A reporter from the Press Telegram left me a voice mail yesterday asking me to comment on a rumor that several councilmembers were planning on voting to fire City Manager Pat West next week when we review his annual evaluation.

I didn't return the call because I don't think it is appropriate for employers (the City Council) to discuss a personnel matter with the press. Since I have not read the evaluations from other Councilmembers, I have no idea what they feel about extending the City Manager's contract. I'll find out in closed session and if the Council takes any action, it will be announced to the public by the City Attorney.

LBPD Arrest Suspect in Slaying -- Victim Dumped in 5th District

The Long Beach Police Department have arrested a 17 year suspect in the slaying of a male whose body was found near Vuelta Grande and Los Arcos.

It has not been disclosed how the body of the victim (not from Long Beach) wound up in East Long Beach.

The fast arrest is one more reminder of why it was important to restore funding for detectives.

Cell Phone Tower at Studebaker and Wardlow

A meeting of neighbors adjacent to the church site at Studebaker and Wardlow where a cell phone tower was proposed to be cited, was well attended for a Saturday morning -- @ 45 people.

Residents are concerned about the potential emissions from cell phone towers and the fact that they are concerned that it might lower property values because there are many people who do not want to live near these towers. Several families spoke about their children already having health problems and they did not want to bring in something that there is debate about whether or not it is safe. A firefighter spoke on how he had measured the emissions on these types of towers and that there were several schools within 1500 feet (which is the recommended distance from a cell tower and a school).

The representative of the company which installs the towers was very informative but the consensus of those in attendance was that the neighborhood doesn't want it adjacent to their homes.

The cell tower is being proposed to expand coverage for T-Mobile. Other carriers could pay to attach their equipment. The church would be paid @$1,000 a month for the cell tower to use space on its property.

Several cities are placing a moratorium on placing cell towers because of the growing concerns of residents about the potential impact.

Update of AYSO proposal to put lights on soccer field

I have been walking the area directly across from where AYSO is proposing installing field lights so their team members can practice after dark.

Several neighbors are circulating a flyer alerting neighbors about the proposal which has generated many, many emails to me in opposition. I also have been circulating a smaller flyer about the AYSO proposal asking that residents contact me with their opinion.

I want to clarify this proposal again: (also see right hand column for AYSO slides)

1. This is AYSO's proposal and not the City's. The City doesn't have money to install lights on any field.
2. AYSO claims that the lights are needed so their team members (up to age 19) can practice after dark.
3. They propose to place them at Willow and Studebaker where they practice and play currently.
   
4. AYSO is proposing to pay for the lights if the city waives field fees and electricity charges.
5. A city staff report on the impact of these lights and costs to the city has not been completed.
6. Residents who have contacted me in favor of the lights cite that the lights will enable their children to have more soccer practices after school. (Conversely, several soccer parents are opposed to the lights because they don't want their children practicing until 9 or 9:45 pm.)
   
7. Residents who have contacted me in opposition to the lights cite that the lights will change the character of the park and will bring increased traffic and noise to the neighborhood after dark and will negatively impact the birds and wildlife. (Conversely, some residents feel that the use of the park at night by young people is a good thing if it keeps them busy.)
8. I am concerned that without a recreation "master plan" in place we will be spot developing parks all over the city.
   
9. Because of the increasing impact of team sports at local parks and the neighborhoods that surround them, I have asked city staff to find park space away from the neighborhoods where soccer fields and lights could be placed.

Some have suggested doing what other cities such as Riverside have done: have portable lights on the field one night a week to enable a night practice or game. The lights can be rented and it prevents the park from being turned into a full week of night activities.

Other point out that the wattage and intensity of lights used strictly for practice and not games is much lower and less invasive.

Other suggestions: use Milikan High School (am looking into that); Vets Stadium (also inquiring)....

Note: No decision on the lights will be made unless and until there is a full public hearing at which all concerned parties on both sides will be invited to attend.

Meeting today on cell tower placement

Despite my stated concerns against placing a cell tower on a church lot in the 5th District at Wardlow and Studebaker, the cell phone company thinks it can convince the neighborhood.

I don't think so. I was at a Neighborhood Watch in that neighborhood on Thrs. night and no one there wanted the cell tower.

Today is also the 90th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters. They are celebrating at Los Altos Library at 10 am.

Voted Against Gas Rate Increase

Yep. Last night voted against a 2.9% increase in natural gas rates for residents. Was the only one to do so. With residents hurting from this economy, it makes no sense to increase rates just because SoCal Gas did so.

The City charter clearly spells out that the City utility has to have comparable rates with surrounding utilities -- the intent was to make sure residents don't pay more than other customers of gas utilities. So increasing our rates because SoCal Gas did isn't logical.

Especially, when on the same council agenda the council voted to give back 50% of sales tax to a local toyota dealer because of the harsh economic realities that car dealers are hurting for business.

Our residents are hurting too, specifically our seniors who are on fixed incomes. A 2.9% increase wasn't warranted.

Virginia and Snow and 39 Years Ago and the CIA

The Answer: Virginia, snow, 39 years ago and the CIA.
The Question: Where was I in Feb 1971?

I watched the weather channel and saw the snow come down in the east coast -- especially on the Washington, DC area. It brought back memories of 39 years ago this week when I left California to take a job with the Central Intelligence Agency in McLean, VA. Not knowing anything but a little fog and temperatures not below 50, I foolishly packed my bags with polyester pant suits and promptly froze when I landed at Dulles Airport.

It took two months to get my first pay check from the CIA -- because I had to undergo an intense security clearance -- so I had to wait to get warmer clothes and by then the snow turned to icy rain.

I was just 21 and it was quite an adventure. I wound up working in the North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodian section proofreading intelligence reports sent from those countries on the war we were waging. I lived in a duplex with 4 other people for $50 a month who also worked at the CIA. We were all clerk typists and I was the only one from California. The other applicants from California were promptly dismissed when it came out that they used drugs.
That duplex was a pit. The owner's idea of cleaning it was to put new varnish on the furniture which captured a couple of cockroaches in the process.

After several months of going to work at 5:30 in the morning so I could catch the appropriate public buses, I saved some money and bought an MG midget. That was great fun to drive -- especially on the New Jersey Toll Pike on my way to the Army Navy game in Philadelphia. All that on $3900 a year.

I left the CIA and came back to the warm weather of California to finish college. Went off to Peru to do research and write a paper. Graduated in 9 months with honors and promptly drove back in the summer in my VW to DC and stayed back there through rain, snow, humidity and low wages as I completed my graduate degree and worked in the US Congress for several years.

The City Manager of Long Beach recruited me to come back to Long Beach in 1977 to become the City's first Public information officer and the rest they say is history.

I don't miss the snow or the humidity. Sure do miss my MG Midget and the view of the US Capitol lit at night.

Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission Meeting Agenda -- No Action on Soccer Lights

Although it was originally on the agenda for the upcoming meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission that it would reconsider the proposal for installing lights on the field adjacent to Willow and Studebaker, the item was withdrawn so that the City can properly notice all parties of the meeting.

That being said, I received over 200 emails over the past few weeks on the proposal -- divided among the following lines: people who live near by don't want the lights; parents of soccer team players want them.

The process needs fixing so that all parties can participate in this decision.

Lake Clean Up Done...More to Come

Thanks to the 39 people (adults and students) who came out today to help clean up the area in El Dorado Park near the back lakes. On top of being a successful event, we were treated to the sights of goregous birds on and near the lakes.

Our next "clean up" will be after Easter and will focus on painting and cleaning the benches, tables and the awful restroom in the back area. All are welcome to help.

My voting record.

The Press Telegram just ran a story on the voting records of the incumbent and candidates running in the 9th District. To save them the effort, here's my voting record from the records of the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters since 1992 (I was registered since 1971 --back in the days you had to be 21 to vote; but the records only show from 1992 onward. And I also voted in April 1992 --that's when I was elected to the Long Beach Community College Board of Trustees):

Polls	05/19/2009
Polls	11/04/2008
Polls	06/03/2008
Polls	02/05/2008
Requested Democrat Ballot	02/05/2008
Polls	05/01/2007
Polls	11/07/2006
Polls	06/06/2006
Polls	06/06/2006
Requested Democrat Ballot	06/06/2006
Polls	04/11/2006
Polls	11/08/2005
Absentee	11/02/2004
Polls	03/02/2004
Polls	10/07/2003
Polls	11/05/2002
Polls	06/04/2002
Polls	04/09/2002
Polls	03/05/2002
Polls	11/07/2000
Polls	03/07/2000
Polls	03/30/1999
Polls	11/03/1998
Polls	06/02/1998
Polls	04/14/1998
Polls	11/05/1996
Polls	03/26/1996
Polls	11/08/1994
Polls	06/07/1994
Polls	04/12/1994
Polls	11/02/1993
Polls	11/03/1992
Polls	06/05/1992

In the pocket of the people.

The fun phrases being thrown around: "union lackey, in the pocket of the unions, union slave..." That's how some people are describing the Mayor and City Council.

I understand that these same people don't like the Mayor and Council's support of collective bargaining or the pension levels that the city is currently obligated to pay (and which need to be addressed by both state and local levels). But name calling doesn't elevate the discussion.

Now the latest I have heard is that the only reason I support using Schroeder Army Hall for a police substation is because the police union wants it.(They omitted the 7 other council members who voted for it as well.)

Really? My understanding is that when this issue was first raised, the Councilman from the 4th District stated that the POA didn't want the east station to move out of the 4th Council district and that they wanted a substation in the 4th and not in the 5th (which is just actually blocks away).

At no time have I ever talked with the police union about Schroeder Hall. Ever.

The proposal to use that surplus army property as a police substation was made by a citizen's committee which approved the city's application for that use. (The committee approved that use instead of the other applications which also included transitional housing units.)

That property -- which is in great condition -- will save the City of Long Beach millions of dollars because of the value of the land and the fact that the buildings do not need to be demolished. The current police substation next to Krispy Kreme is bursting at the seams and is costing the city thousands in rent.

And yes, the 800 pound gorilla is still in the room -- accepting the property from the army requires that the city accommodate the homeless -- which the city is still working on in order to minimize impacts on the surrounding community.

I don't know if people notice my votes on the council. But I am in no one's pocket except the people who elected me.

State of the 5th -- 2010

I presented my 4th annual State of the 5th to a full house at the LB Water Treatment Plant on Spring and Redondo which is posted for your reading to the right of the blog.

Folks got a chance to meet and to hear our new Police Chief Jim McDonnell. The City Manager, Pat West and Eastside Commander Cynthia Renaud also spoke.

Crime is down and low in the 5th. Code Enforcement is up and active as more and more constituents call to have problems taken care of in their neighborhoods.

Fire Services continue to be mostly for medical transport and rescue.

Bach and El Dorado continue to be the most used branches in our library system.

Streets, sidewalks and trees can't be fixed fast enough but we are making good progress in consolidating the areas and getting more done with the monies we have. This year the 5th will received over $600,000 (instead of the usual $300,000) for sidewalk repairs.

I talked about how the biggest challenge to the City is pension reform and creating non-governmental, diverse jobs if we are to get our tax base healthy again.

We had a brief update on our improvements to the Airport and what is going on over on the Douglas Park project.

Oh to be a developer in Long Beach.

Last night's council discussion on why the city had to give a piece of land on Terminal Island for $400,000 less than the city appraisal and on top of it to credit any improvements against the rent so that the lessee will not pay rent for 8-10 years is exactly why taxpayers are fed up.

On one hand the council raises fees for its services -- including charging residents $1200 for a traffic study to document that the traffic the city brought to their neighborhood because of sports teams in the parks is causing a parking problem -- and then says because the city is cash strapped can't possibly waive them. But when it comes to developers. Lordy, lordy does it ever bend over backwards to waive, reduce and say goodbye to revenue when it comes to developers.

"We couldn't possibly clean up the mess on the property so we'll let the lessee do it and that's why we won't charge rent." Hello. We are a city, a governmental agency giving away assets.

What was amazing to listen to and watch was the councilmember of the 3rd district rally to support the councilwoman of the 7th district on this deal. That is what I call effective lobbying.

Lobbyists Will Register. All Gifts are Prohibited. More Changes to Come.

The City Council on a 9-0 vote passed the city's first ordinance to register lobbyists. What a difference year and several months makes. Why it was just November 2008 when the existing council (sans Garcia) voted 7-1 (the one being me) AGAINST virtually the same ordinance.

Well, let's not complain. We need to move forward. So the vote yesterday now means Long Beach joined the big boys (those other cities who already register lobbyists).

A very significant change is the "no gifts" provision by any elected or city official (key staff). I have used this rule since my election in 2006 and have pushed for its adoption for a long time.

Have also pushed for disclosure of meetings and discussions out of the public view --ex parte. My colleagues are still reluctant on that one but I will still push.

I am also bringing forward an ordinance to increase the time between leaving elected office or a high level city job and returning as a lobbyist. The revolving door is wrong and needs to be stopped.

The problem is not Murchison. It's always the council's fault.

Today's Press Telegram spends considerable ink profiling local lobbyist, Mike Murchison, and painting him as someone who lives to influence the Mayor, City Council and city staff.

They are correct. Murchison does specialize in influence. That is his job. That's what makes him effective to his clients who are attempting to do business in Long Beach. So does that make him "the bad guy?" Nope. He is effective (on most council people and seemingly the Mayor and his staff) at doing his job. He gets his clients through to the winning line.

(I have to add here that I am amazed why anyone hires a lobbyist to do business in Long Beach...a point I bring up whenever a lobbyist brings in a client to my office. I tell the client -- "you don't need to pay someone to get an appointment with my office. You just need to pick up the phone and call me. I will talk to anyone who requests a meeting. That's my job.")

If Murchison is effective at influencing decision makers it is the decision makers who need to be held accountable. And the council to date has refused to be accountable on the issue of lobbyists. Not one council member sitting on the current council, except me, voted for a lobbyist ordinance in 2008 and voted to prohibit all gifts from lobbyists. Therein lies the fault.

Last time as the council took up the lobbyist ordinance, several council members waxed sadly about how accepting gifts from lobbyists was how you did business and that to refuse the gifts was insulting.

With poetry like that, how did we ever expect city staff to refuse hotels and trips or offers for tickets to hockey games or baseball games? When your boss says its okay to accept gifts from influence peddlers, then it's hard to turn them down when they are offered to you.

From the time I ran for council (you can check out that website to verify) I called for disclosure by electeds before they vote on whether or not they have received anything from anyone connected to the issue. The response I have received to that -- "people can look up campaign reports." Really. How about the electeds taking responsibility for disclosure? I have also called for disclosure of ex parte discussions so that the public gets the benefit of knowing what was discussed on city business behind closed doors.

So this Tuesday, thanks to Councilman Robert Garcia who joined me in calling for a lobbyist ordinance, we will have yet another vote and I will again make a call for no gifts of any amount from lobbyists or anyone doing business before the City Council. I will also support disclosure of ex parte discussions.

Let's stop demonizing those who have taken advantage of a broken system and fix the system.

Meet Our New Police Chief Jim McDonnell

I met with newly selected Chief of Police for Long Beach, Jim McDonnell two hours after the announcement of his selection. He and City Manager Pat West came to my neighborhood office and we discussed what I hope will be the Chief's priorities: honesty with the City Council about policing levels; developing a first class police academy that can become a regional center and training facility for other police agencies which will enhance the image of the Long Beach Police Department and produce revenue; upgrading our technology capabilities and continuing the high level of service currently provided by our police. I also stressed that the City needs pro-active management so that we never again have a "lobstergate" or "donning and duffing" law suit. When a problem is raised it needs to be dealt with appropriately and not ignored until it becomes an expensive lawsuit.

The Chief agreed to speak at the upcoming State of the 5th District to be held Feb 11 at 7 pm at the LB Water Treatment Plant at Spring and Redondo.

Posted below is the Chief's photo and background provided by the Los Angeles Police Department where he served as the Number 2.
First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell was appointed Assistant Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in October 2002 and serves as the second in command to Chief William J. Bratton. The LAPD is the third largest police department in the United States, with almost 10,000 sworn officers and 3,200 civilian employees and an annual budget of over one billion dollars.

After undertaking a major re-engineering and reform effort, the LAPD is now focused on initiatives aimed at using real-time information to further reduce crime, target gang violence, and address the threat presented by terrorism. In the past seven years, crime in Los Angeles is at historically low levels, with Part I crimes down 33.2% and homicides down 41.2%.

Chief McDonnell has served as Chief of Staff for the last five years, after having had citywide command of the Operations and Human Resources functions for the LAPD. He has served with the LAPD for 28 years and has held a wide variety of positions throughout the department. He has received numerous community and department awards, including the LAPD’s highest award for bravery, the Medal of Valor.

Chief McDonnell serves on numerous Boards of Directors that focus on furthering the interests of local youth, leadership and in the policing profession on both a local and statewide level. He is an active member of several more organizations, such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police; California Peace Officers’ Association; California Police Chiefs’ Association; Peace Officer's Association of Los Angeles County, and the Southern California Leadership Network.

Chief McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the FBI’s prestigious National Executive Institute, the Senior Management Institute for Police and has completed Executive Education programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

He regularly lectures at a number of Department schools and has trained criminal justice professionals on a variety of topics, such as leadership, ethics, community policing, handling line of duty deaths, and the recruitment and retention of valuable employees. Chief McDonnell is recognized as an expert on policing issues and has lectured on these topics around the world. He currently teaches public policy issues at the University of California, Los Angeles.

First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell has a great appreciation for the cultural diversity of the City of Los Angeles and values the contributions that all the various cultures make to the City. Chief McDonnell also clearly understands the value of diversity within the ranks of the LAPD and has worked closely with all communities in Los Angeles to understand their specific needs and concerns and to strengthen the relationship between the LAPD and all of the communities that are served.

Council Vote on Locations of Medical Marijuana Collectives May Violate Federal Law

Council vote on locations of medical marijuana collectives may violate federal law – says Schipske. Federal Safe and Drug Free Communities Requires 1,000 foot Buffer and Includes Playgrounds and Youth Centers

February 3, 2010

Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today expressed her concerns that the City Council’s vote to allow medical marijuana collectives within 500 feet of elementary and middle schools may violate the federal Safe and Drug Free Communities Act.

“Federal law still considers marijuana a controlled substance and as such the Federal Safe and Drug Free Communities Act prohibits anyone from distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, or manufacturing a controlled substance in or on, or within one thousand feet of, the real property comprising a public or private elementary, vocational, or secondary school or a public or private college, junior college, or university, or a playground, or housing facility owned by a public housing authority, or within 100 feet of a public or private youth center, public swimming pool, or video arcade facility,” explains Schipske.

Schipske adds that not only did the Council ignore the federal buffer zone of 1,000 feet but also the request of the Long Beach Unified School District “that medical marijuana collectives not be allowed closer than 1,500 feet from all schools in the City.”

“The City Council voted 6-3 last night to allow these collectives within 500 feet of elementary and middle schools and 1,500 feet from high schools,” says Schipske who was one of the three Council members in opposition. “Additionally, the Council voted to allow these collectives near playgrounds and youth centers.”

“Unless and until the federal government removes marijuana as a controlled substance, the City has no business changing the ‘drug-free’ buffer zones for schools, playgrounds and youth centers.”

Long Beach Designated Olympic Gateway Airport

The Long Beach Airport has been designated by the federal government as one of the sixteen gateway airports for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the only gateway airport in California.

Beginning January 29m 2010, private aircraft heading to Vancouver from the U.S. must be cleared by the TSA at one of the gateway airports before going on to Vancouver. Long Beach's Airport's central location, general aviation facilities, and infrastructure made it a logical choice for the southwestern U.S.

Airport staff is working closely with federal agencies, Airport businesses and users to ensure that aircraft traffic during this time is handled efficiently.

AYSO Proposal to Put Lights in Soccer Field at Willow Street and Studebaker Road

Posted to the right on this page is the proposal presented by AYSO Soccer to place lights on the soccer field at Willow Street and Studebaker Road.

I do not have a staff report to post at this time and am asking that one be done to document the impact of these lights and any alternatives explored.

I have held two community meetings on this issue and asked that the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission hold an informational meeting to obtain neighborhood in-put. I understand that the notice to these residents was defective and that another meeting is scheduled for this purposed.

In the meanwhile, please email me at: district5@longbeach.gov with your opinion.

Haiti Relief and Redevelopment

Don't forget that today is the fundraiser in Good Neighbor Park for relief in Haiti. It is commendable that residents organized this event. I will be there later to make some remarks. Stop by and hear the Elm Street Band.

Have been up in Pasadena because of the birth of my granddaughter. Spent some time in Old Town Pasadena. Wow. What a nice place. Lots of restaurants, shops and people of all kinds walking around and enjoying an evening out. I didn't see a trolley anywhere but a lot of public buses. Whatever Pasadena did to develop its downtown we might want to look at and use it.

Neighbors Not Properly Noticed

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske today expressed her concern upon learning that the company used by the City of Long Beach to send out the notice of the meeting concerning placement of lights in the soccer field at Willow and Studebaker did not in fact notice all the residents of the impacted neighborhood. "It is vital that when the City or an organization proposes to make changes in a park, that the impacted neighborhoods be given full and proper notice," says Schipske, who had held two community meetings on the issue.

"I have also asked the City Attorney to determine whether or not an environmental impact statement will be required because the lights substantially change the use of the park after dark as well as increase traffic, parking and noise problems."

As a result of the failure to properly notice residents, the Parks, Recreation and Marine Commission will have to hold another meeting before making a determination whether or not to approve AYSO's proposal to fund and place field lights.

Walking and talking

Was precinct walking today. Now that the rain has stopped for a while I am back out there walking and talking to residents.

It's funny. I have been doing this for so long that I can now assess in 5 seconds if someone is home. There are also sounds and smells that tell you what's going on at the house. Drying clothes has a distinct sound and smell and usually means someone is home. Newly watered garden tells you the homeowner is probably there or in the back yard. Barking dogs are a bit of a scare...especially those that charge a window.

While I am walking I am also doing an inventory on sidewalks, trees and streets.

Was finishing up my 5th street of the day when I got the call from my daughter that she might be having her baby today. Turns out it might be tomorrow or this weekend.

Solar Grand Prix Orientation A Huge Success

What do you call over 300 students and parents coming out on a Saturday morning? A huge success.

That's what's happened yesterday at the El Dorado Community Center.

I launched the orientation meeting for the First Solar Grand Prix at 10 am to a standing room only audience of students, teachers and parents who came to listen to the basics of solar energy and how to build a solar car.

Thanks to the participation of the 5th District Solar and Sustainability Task Force and volunteers from the Parks, Recretation and Marine Department, we were able to host a very organized and productive orientation.

Our speakers included:

• Pat Vogel -- artist and the maker of the first solar car at CSULB
• Pat Redgate -- owner and operator of Ameco Solar
• Ryan Gardner -- CSULB Engineering student
• Matthew McHale -- 5th District Neighborhood Liaison and Solar Grand Prix coordinator

At the conclusion of the orientation, adult coaches (parents and teachers) were given a basic solar car kit (solar panel and motor) for their team of students.

Student teams were also given hand-outs and links (www.lbdistrict5.com and then click on Solar Grand Prix tab) to videos and other materials.

The teams will race their creations on April 10 at the First Annual 5th District Solar Grand Prix.

Storm Update for Thrs. Jan 21

The following was just sent by City Manager Pat West:
Overall the City of Long Beach fared considerably well during the last two days of intense rainfall, and we’re preparing for more rain today. The Emergency Communications and Operations Center (ECOC) was again activated this morning at 8:00 am to manage the City’s response.

We experienced over 5 inches of rain in the last three days. Yesterday over 1.5 inches fell within a one-hour period, and on Tuesday, nearly one inch in a half-hour period. Our systems are designed to handle one inch of rain an hour. Any more than one inch in an hour overwhelms the flow of runoff from the streets into the LA River and San Gabriel River.

We expect today’s rainfall to be constant for several hours this afternoon, but not as intense as the powerful rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday that caused much of our problems. Yesterday, the City of Long Beach appeared to bear the brunt of the storm, receiving more rainfall than most other areas in the region.

Here’s a brief rundown of the City’s activities:

• Handed out more than 500 tons of sand, and expect to have given out more than 80,000 sandbags in a 3-4 day period.
• Public Works crews responded to 240 flooded location on Wednesday.
• Fire crews responded to 36 water-related calls between 3:00 and 5:00 pm on Wednesday, including six submerged vehicles and one vessel assist.
• Beach Maintenance crews have removed 5,000 tons of debris.
• Beach Maintenance crews attending to berms at Juniper and the Peninsula.
• The City of Long Beach provided sand and bags to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Air Operations at Long Beach Airport.

Sand and Sandbags continue to be available to the public at five fire stations, and residents are encouraged to call 562.570.2726 to report weather-related issues such as flooded streets, clogged storm drains, downed trees, etc.

Here’s a brief status update:

The Main Library is closed today, due to flooding from the storm. Staff will be given the choice to take vacation, personal leave or be redeployed. Library staff will post signs, update the library's website and notify branch libraries.

The Nature Center is closed today, due to the poor condition of the trails, which are extremely muddy with a lot of standing water. School tours have been cancelled for the remainder of the week.


3 ^rd District – 8 ^th and Bennet and the Roswell area are fine. Three Dumpsters have been provided to each of these areas.
University Park Estates (back of 6 ^th St.) Opened flap gate. Waters flowed better.

4 ^th District - Termino (10th to Anaheim) Remains closed.

5 ^th District - Spring Street Tunnel (Lakewood to Kilroy) has been reopened.
Lakewood @ 405 has been reopened.

Investigating report of a downed electrical wire at E Monlaco Rd & N Charlemagne Ave. SCE notified.

6 ^th District – 25 ^th and Pine is closed, but we are reviewing the need to keep closed.

^7th District - WB Willow @ TI Freeway, Intersection closed but stormdrain clear.

Arlington Ave. area is doing fine.
Santa Fe and the 405 is open.

Campaign Spending on Steroids

Well, they went and did it. The US Supreme Court today ruled that corporations have first amendment rights (even though they really aren't people) and therefore their spending on political campaigns cannot be prohibited: corporations may spend as freely as they like to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress.

The Court in a 5-4 ruling overturned a 20 year law that restricted corporations from spending monies to support or oppose federal candidates. Several states have the same restrictions on spending in state campaigns.

As part of the 5-4 minority: Justice Stevens, who read part of his harsh dissent from the bench, said, "The court's opinion is thus a rejection of the common sense of the American people, who have recognized a need to prevent corporations from undermining self-government since the founding."

This will in the opinion of a political insider in Washington, DC, put "campaign spending on steroids."

Finding a New Purpose Over Age 60

For those of you who subscribe to the theory that today's age 60 is actually how we use to refer to those at age 40, you might be encouraged to know that there is a non-profit that awards "purpose prizes" to people 60 and over who have embarked on "encore" careers helping others.

You can see their link at: http://www.encore.org/prize and see what these energetic folks are doing now that they have hit that magic mark of age 60.

Obviously to some, the 60's is not a time to retire.

Flooding and Street Closure Report -- 5:45 pm 1/20/10

The following was sent to all City Council members just minutes ago from City Manager Pat West:

Multiple streets and intersections are flooded and/or are being closed.

Closures include:

• Spring St. Tunnel between Kilroy and Lakewood (5 ^th District)
• Terminal Island Freeway at Willow (7 ^th District)
• WB Willow onramp to Terminal Island Freeway at Willow (7 ^th District)
• San Diego (405) Freeway at Santa Fe (7 ^th /8 ^th Districts)
• Temple Bridge over the 405 Freeway
• Redondo between Anaheim and 11th (4th District)
• Junipero between 14 ^th and 17 ^th
• Southbound 405 exit at Lakewood closed by CHP
• The entrance to Long Beach Airport was closed, but quickly reopened when the flooding subsided

Flooded intersections include:

• Atherton and Park (4 ^th District)
• Long Beach Blvd. and Willow (6 ^th District)
• Arlington Ave. – water up to hubcaps
• 1900 block of Atlantic – Street flooded up to front of store
• University Park Estates – back of 6 ^th Street
• Ocean Blvd. and 7 ^th Place – mud flow
• Spring St. west of Studebaker
• 3600 block of Ocean Blvd.
• Pasadena and 23 ^rd – manhole covers popping up
• 600 block of East PCH – manhole covers popping up (1 ^st /6 ^th Districts)
• 7 ^th and Pacific

Trees down
PCH
Palos Verde and Willow

Main Library

• Flooding and leaking ceiling in several areas
• Drainage on the Plaza has improved significantly today. Sandbags have been placed at the Library front doors and no rain incursion has occurred into the Library lobby so far. Buckets have been deployed throughout the building

Alamitos : No new problems with leaking
Bach : Sandbags used for water incursion from the Carson/Bellflower intersection
Bay Shore : 3 small leaks in Meeting room from vents (usual leaks)
Brewitt : Sandbags used for water incursion from Anaheim street. Carpets wet from yesterday
Burnett : Hill Street was flooded over the sidewalk in front of the library; the water was up to the beginning of the steps.
Dana : No leaks in public area
El Dorado : Small leak in community room, same as yesterday
Bret Harte : Several significant leaks in public area
Los Altos : Leak in Magazine corner, and new carpet tiles are wet
Mark Twain : Water coming into community room through outside patio door
North : Leak along the south facing interior wall. Ceiling tiles are soaked as well

Crews today are bringing in an additional 400 tons of sand for residents, who picked up 150 tons of sand yesterday at Fire Stations. We are closing in on 50,000 sandbags distributed by now.

Why I Voted Against the Marijuana Ordinance

Tonight I cast the lone vote against a proposal to allow marijuana collectives to operate in the City of Long Beach.

I was the lone vote against the proposal because my colleagues diluted the request of the Long Beach Unified School District that a 1,500 foot buffer be required between schools and these marijuana collectives. Instead of heeding the request, my colleagues voted to reduce the buffer to 1,500 for only high schools and 500 feet for other schools. They also deleted any buffer for child care, libraries and parks.

First of all, our schools have in place a Drug Free Zone of 1,000 feet which prohibits the possession and use of drugs within 1,000 feet of schools. Despite whatever argument raised -- marijuana is still a drug -- so hopefully the City Attorney will come back and tell the rest of the council that they need to at least use that buffer. I still prefer a 1,500 foot buffer.

Someone overhearing my discussion with other colleagues about my concern that the buffer zone should not be reduced yelled out "you don't care about the patients." Of course I do. But I am also concerned about what gets placed near our schools. Marijuana collectives do not belong there.

Public Meeting On Installing Lights for Soccer Field at Willow

Date: January 19, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Creating Community Through People, Places, Programs and Partnerships”

Public Meeting Scheduled to Gain Input
for El Dorado Park West Field Lights Proposal

Event date: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – 6 p.m.
The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) 177 has made a proposal to the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to purchase and install lights at the El Dorado Park West soccer field #2, located south of Willow Street on Studebaker Road.

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 27 at 6 p.m. in the El Dorado Community Center Bridge Room, 2800 Studebaker Road.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is holding this meeting to hear information about the proposal and gather feedback to make a decision.

For more information about the meeting, please call Robin Black at (562) 570-3170.
For information on other Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine programs, call (562) 570-3100 or visit www.LBParks.org, sign up for E-notify and we’ll e-mail you the latest information!

# # #

Contact: Tina Burton at christina.burton@longbeach.gov

Trying to get sand for sandbags

The 5th district is experiencing flooding and I am trying to get sand for the sandbags that can be picked up at Fire Stations 18 and 19. I will keep you alerted about the storm and city resources.

Please do not drive through water in the street because you don't know how deep it is or what is underneath.

Our Public Works crews are hard at work and so are the firefighters and police.

Birthdays Past

Thanks to all who have sent their greetings (electronic and otherwise). 60 is a big number no matter how you look at it. But I am so grateful for my life and my family and can hardly wait for my granddaughter to be born. Life is good.

Storm(s) Advisory from USGS

The following was sent to me by a constituent, Ron Beeler that outlines what it expected in the next two weeks concerning storms...

Currently, a strong El Nino is reaching its peak in the Eastern Pacific, and now finally appears to be exerting an influence on our weather. The strong jet has been apparent for quite some time out over the open water, but the persistent block had prevented it from reaching the coast. Now that the block has dissolved completely, a 200+ kt jet is barreling towards us. Multiple large and powerful storm systems are expected to slam into CA from the west and northwest over the coming two weeks, all riding this extremely powerful jet stream directly into the state. The jet will itself provide tremendous dynamic lift, in addition to directing numerous disturbances right at the state and supplying them with an ample oceanic moisture source. The jet will be at quite a low latitude over much of the Pacific, so these storms will be quite cold, at least initially. Very heavy rainfall and strong to potentially very strong winds will impact the lower elevations beginning late Sunday and continuing through at least the following Sunday. This will be the case for the entire state, from (and south of) the Mexican border all the way up to Oregon . Above 3000-4000 feet, precipitation will be all snow, and since temperatures will be unusually cold for a precipitation event of this magnitude, a truly prodigious amount of snowfall is likely to occur in the mountains, possibly measured in the tens of feet in the Sierra after it's all said and done. But there's a big and rather threatening caveat to that (discussed below). Individual storm events are going to be hard to time for at least few more days, since this jet is just about as powerful as they come (on this planet, anyway). Between this Sunday and the following Sunday, expect categorical statewide rainfall totals in excess of 3-4 inches. That is likely to be a huge underestimate for most areas. Much of NorCal is likely to see 5-10 inches in the lowlands, with 10-20 inches in orographically-favored areas. Most of SoCal will see 3-6 inches at lower elevations, with perhaps triple that amount in favored areas.

This is where things get even more interesting, though. The models are virtually unanimous in "reloading" the powerful jet stream and forming an additional persistent kink 2000-3000 miles to our southwest after next Sunday. This is a truly ominous pattern, because it implies the potential for a strong Pineapple-type connection to develop. Indeed, the 12z GFS now shows copious warm rains falling between days 12 and 16 across the entire state. Normally, such as scenario out beyond day seven would be dubious at best. Since the models are in such truly remarkable agreement, however, and because of the extremely high potential impact of such an event, it's worth mentioning now. Since there will be a massive volume of freshly-fallen snow (even at relatively low elevations between 3000-5000 feet), even a moderately warm storm event would cause very serious flooding. This situation will have to be monitored closely. Even if the tropical connection does not develop, expected rains in the coming 7-10 days will likely be sufficient to cause flooding in and of themselves (even in spite of dry antecedent conditions).

In addition to very heavy precipitation, powerful winds may result from very steep pressure gradients associated with the large and deep low pressure centers expected to begin approaching the coast by early next week. Though it's not clear at the moment just how powerful these winds may be, there is certainly the potential for a widespread damaging wind event at some point, and the high Sierra peaks are likely to see gusts in the 100-200 mph range (since the 200kt jet at 200-300 mb will essentially run directly into the mountains at some point). The details of this will have to be hashed out as the event(s) draw closer.

Western Coastal and Marine Geology
U.S. Geological Survey
Pacific Science Center

260 Students Sign Up for First Annual Solar Grand Prix -- Will Attend Jan. 23 Orientation

For Immediate Release
Contact: Josh Butler: 562.570.6932

Media Advisory: 260 Students to Attend Solar Grand Prix Orientation –
Teams To Receive Information and Solar Car Kit

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010
Time: 10 am until 12 noon
Location: El Dorado Community Center, 2800 N. Studebaker, Long Beach, CA

More than 260 students and their coaches are expected to attend the orientation workshop on how to participate in the first annual Long Beach Solar Grand Prix today announced Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.

Schipske and her 5th District Solar and Sustainability Task Force are sponsoring the Solar Grand Prix on April 10, 2010 which provides students, grades 6-12, a chance to design and build a solar-powered model car and then complete a race in the shortest possible time using the available solar power. The Long Beach Solar Grand Prix will be held at Good Neighbor Park, 2800 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach.

Schipske is requiring registered participants to attend a brief orientation (January 23, 2010) to hear information on the basics of solar cells and car design. Teams had to pre-register with her office in December. Teams will receive a solar car kit, which includes a solar panel and an electric motor. Competitors will design and build a model solar-powered vehicle that will race on a 65-foot race course. The winner of the competition will be the team whose vehicle is the top finisher in a series of head to head elimination rounds.

The Solar Grand Prix challenges students to use scientific know-how, creative thinking, experimentation, and teamwork to design and build high-performance model solar vehicles. To assist students and teachers, Councilwoman Schipske has provided links to educational and curriculum materials that can be used by teachers at: www.longbeach.gov/district5/solargrandprix.asp.

Orientation Details – January 23, 2010 – 10:00 am – 11:30 am

• Opening remarks from Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and Patrick Vogel. Councilwoman Schipske represents the Fifth Council District. She started a local Solar and Sustainability Taskforce to focus on alternative energy issues.
• Pat Vogel completed the mechanical engineering program at California State University, Long Beach and designed and built the first solar car on the campus. Currently, he is creating lasting public art in the City of Long Beach. His most notable work in Long Beach is the Penny Farthing bicycle sculpture seen around the city.
• Patrick Redgate will provide the basic information on solar cells and how they store and provide power. Redgate is the founder of Ameco Solar and a licensed solar energy contractor operating principally in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Ameco designs, installs and repairs solar energy systems for homes and businesses in Southern California.
• Matthew McHale will give an overview of the Long Beach Solar Grand Prix and show a video showing a solar car race held in Colorado. Mr. McHale is a Neighbor Liaison in the Office of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske and also serves as the staff representative for the Solar and Sustainability Taskforce.
• CSULB Mechanical Engineering students, Adam Rowe and Ryan Gardner, will explain to students about vehicle construction and design. After he graduates, Mr. Rowe hopes to work with and design electric vehicles. Mr. Rowe and Mr. Gardner will also be working with students who request assistance and serving as race day inspectors.

Solar Grand Prix Competition Details – April 10, 2010 – 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

• Each team will receive a Solar car kit on January 23, 2010.
• The motor and solar panel contained in the kit must be used without modification. The remainder of the vehicle must be the students' own design and can be made from any other materials.
• Sunlight will be the only power source for the vehicle. No batteries or energy storage devices are permitted.
• The vehicle must fit within the following dimensions: 1 foot (ft) x 2 ft x 1 ft.
• The car must have a chassis that is three-dimensional. Teams will NOT be allowed to bolt the axles and wheels of the car directly to the solar module. The solar module cannot be used as the chassis of the car.
• Teams are comprised of 2 – 4 members.
• Each team will have a coach (teacher, parent, or other volunteer) who can assist the students.
• Race participants must be in 6 – 12 grades, and must be a resident of Long Beach, or attend an LBUSD school or a Long Beach private school.
• Awards will be given to the middle school team and high school team with the fastest vehicle, and for creative design.

Contacts:

• Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske: 562.570.6932

• 5th Council District Solar and Sustainability Task Force members contacts: Michelle Bills: 562.400.3594; Jaime Guoz: 562.773-8158

How Should City Manager Select New Police Chief

The City Charter of Long Beach (our constitution) gives full authority to the City Manager (not the Mayor and not the City Council) to select all department heads, including the Chief of Police and the Fire Chief.

City Manager Pat West is in the middle of a process to select a new Police Chief to replace Anthony Batts who is now the Police Chief in Oakland.

You can weigh in on a city survey and tell the City Manager what you want as qualities in the next Chief of Police for Long Beach.

Click here and answer the survey.

City to pay penalites for leaky underground tanks while oil companies get bail out

In response to the last Council meeting, the headlines on www.lbreport.com proclaim: Previous City Hall Non-Responsive Response To State Agency On Underground Storage Tanks = $1.7 Million Fine (And More) For City Taxpayers...So What Happened?

Publisher Bill Pearl goes on in the article to state:This isn't about storage tanks. It's about a lack of Council oversight and managerial accountability with public money.

Well folks, the council had nothing to do with the leaky tanks. I first learned of them when I came into council and was told in a closed session that we had a problem and were facing millions of dollars in fines. I dare say most councilmembers were shocked to learn that we had the tanks. From what management told us -- the persons who should have been responsible for monitoring and repairing the tanks are no longer with the city.

Was this a lack of Council oversight? I don't think so. We are part-time and short of us and our staff going out to each department of the city and checking what they do or don't do, there are some things we aren't going to know until it becomes a problem. I can just hear the screaming about micro-managing if we did that.

But the bigger story out there that hasn't been covered is the fact the city of Long Beach has to pay to clean up those leaky tanks (in which they stored fuel for City vehicles) and the oil companies who own gas stations receive a bail out from the taxes we pay when we buy gasoline to clean up when their underground leak.

Here's how it works -- you and I pay 14 cents at the pump for each 10 gallons we pump -- which goes into a fund to be used to clean up leaky underground storage tanks. The oil companies have collected $490 million from the fund to clean up their leaky storage tanks.

Senator Alan Lowenthal carried legislation last year that Gov. Schwarzenegger signed that extended this largess to the oil companies. (The fund was originally set up to help small mom and pop gas stations, especially in rural areas.)

Meanwhile, back in Long Beach, we have to pay a fine for not having cleaned the tanks up sooner.

The oil companies contributed millions in campaign contributions to get this special treatment by Sacramento. Hard to compete with that, taxpayers.

Do You See What I See?

I thought I would share with readers some of the memos I receive on a weekly basis on pending city issues.

The memos are posted to the right through a great free service Scribd which takes pdf documents and uploads them into code that can then be placed on a website or blog.

The first item for your reading pleasure:

• Why the City of Long Beach is not applying for federal money to hire firefighters

Also posted:

• Responses to Questions from the Tidelands Charter Reform Study Session
• Reasons Why City Council Calendars Should Not be posted on the web
• Updates on Phased Repair of the Main Library roof

Read on. Gives you some insight to what council receives.

Literate Zingers

Wonderful, literate zingers sent to me by a wonderful, literate friend:

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words....

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor: She said, "If you were my husband, I'd give you poisoned tea." He answered, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

A member of Parliament to Prime Minister Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease." "That depends, Sir", said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy" - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

"He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend... if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one."- Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you, it's almost like having you here." -Comedian Kip Adota

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." -Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others."Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand

"He loves nature in spite of what it did to him." - Forrest Tucker

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go." - Oscar Wilde

"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts...for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

85 Reasons to Be Thankful for Librarians

Saw this item on Facebook and it bears repeating:
http://www.zencollegelife.com/2009/12/29/85-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-librarians/

1. Librarians take care of libraries, which are still invaluable today.
2. Not all information is on the internet.
3. Older books still hold great cultural significance.
4. Libraries are still repositories for some of the most valuable works of literature in the world.
5. Even with the internet, the library is still the best place to do research.
6. Girls with glasses can still rock the “sexy librarian” look.
7. “Sexy Librarian” is still a popular costume at Halloween.
8. You can’t exactly find periodicals like The New England Journal of Medicine in Barnes and Noble.
9. For that matter, looking at turn-of-the-century National Geographics is still pretty entertaining.
10. Colleges need something to remodel every so often.
11. The library is still the best meeting spot for college students working on group projects.
12. Libraries are where most colleges store some of their history (choir CDs, videos of athletic matches, etc.).
13. A library is one of the few places people can have free internet access.
14. This means some libraries even hold LAN parties during later hours.
15. Somebody has to help lazy people find what they want.
16. Even online collections of books usually connect directly to a library.
17. “Librarian” is still a better career choice for spinsters over “School Lunch Lady.”
18. Studies have shown libraries and librarians improve student test scores.
19. They also have been shown to improve students’ individual learning skills.
20. With their training in instructional design, librarians can help teachers find resources for their curriculum.
21. Librarians also help teachers to use a variety of media in the classroom.
22. Many libraries today offer enough DVDs to serve as a poor man’s Netflix or Blockbuster.
23. Librarians often put together special programs to get children to read early on.
24. While teaching children to use the library, librarians end up teaching them valuable problem solving skills.
25. They also teach children to use multiple resources to form their own original works.
26. If librarians were no longer around, kids wouldn’t understand the opening scene from Ghostbusters.
27. Librarians know a lot about proper citation skills, as well as ethical uses of information, in order to avoid plagiarism issues.
28. Libraries are still a cheaper place to make photocopies than FedEx Kinko’s.
29. Despite the advances in computer technology, a human will still find information better than a search engine.
30. Librarians can also find information better suited to the person who needs it.
31. A library is much MUCH more well cataloged and organized than the internet.
32. Libraries have much better quality control than the vast majority of websites.
33. Who else is going to learn the Dewey Decimal System? You?
34. Seriously though, no one wants to learn the Dewey Decimal System.
35. For that matter, who else is going to show you how to use that microfiche machine?
36. Experienced librarians often know exactly what resources students need for particular courses.
37. Many libraries collaborate and offer book exchange programs, offering users an almost limitless supply of books and media.
38. Librarians can help relieve some of the workload from teachers by helping students to understand information better.
39. Some engineering teams have already explored the idea of a fully digital library…and ended up designing a traditional library with some advanced technology.
40. The copyright costs for digitizing all literature would be astronomical without even factoring in distribution and storage.
41. Even without the costs, digitizing all books in existence would take hundreds of years at the current rate.
42. The internet still mostly only holds information from the past 15 or so years, compared with the hundreds of years of knowledge found in a library.
43. Even though libraries themselves may be losing attendance, their online archives and websites are still receiving plenty of visitors.
44. Despite the rising popularity of e-books, 80% of people surveyed say they still prefer paper books.
45. The experience of reading an actual book is being preserved by libraries.
46. Libraries provide one of the few places for anyone to find quiet area to just read or study.
47. Sometimes, but not always, libraries have free coffee.
48. Sometimes there are even free snacks.
49. Unlike the internet, libraries are careful that the information they contain is checked for usefulness before being included.
50. Also unlike the internet, libraries are much less influenced by corporate interests.
51. They are also less likely to be manipulated by individuals, like search engine optimizers.
52. Information on more specific topics can be much easier to find in libraries.
53. Digital or not, a library still needs a human staff to run it.
54. The resources of a library are well indexed and will always deliver reliable results (I.e. no “broken links”).
55. Many popular news publications still require subscriptions to view their content online, but are still available for free at the library.
56. Libraries provide free and abundant knowledge to everyone (a privilege people didn’t always have).
57. Not everyone can afford books, but everyone has access to the library.
58. Someone has to buy all those books that college professors write.
59. Public bathrooms in libraries are usually cleaner than most places.
60. A library can mold itself for the specific community it’s in, whereas websites usually try to bring in everyone.
61. At libraries, you can take practice qualifying tests for almost any profession.
62. You can always make suggestions to librarians for specific books you’d like to see.
63. Many libraries also display original works of art or even have separate galleries.
64. Some libraries also hold a limited number of free museum passes that anyone can use.
65. If you don’t have a computer, you can always use the ones in the library.
66. The same goes for certain premium software and special databases.
67. If your library offers wi-fi, it’s probably free.
68. Several libraries also offer programs that cater to senior citizens.
69. Believe it or not, studies show that libraries are good for their local economy, since they make their community for attractive to potential businesses and individuals.
70. Libraries are still a cornerstone for free speech and open access to information.
71. When dictators like Hitler and Mao Zedong set out to eliminate a country’s culture or history, they started by shutting down the public libraries.
72. A library still provides a neutral environment for the free exchange of ideas.
73. Public libraries are surprisingly cheap to maintain, but benefit everyone in the community.
74. If you’re a comic book lover, you can probably find plenty at your local library.
75. They might even have some of those expensive indie graphic novels available.
76. We’re still an incredibly long ways away from a paperless world.
77. You might as well use the library, since you’re already paying for it through taxes or tuition.
78. There’s less risk of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from reading books.
79. A library is a great excuse to get out of the house (seriously, why would anyone argue with you about it?).
80. Books are very portable and never need recharging.
81. With the economy these days, going to the library is a great source of free entertainment.
82. You can “try before you buy” any number of books without spending a dime.
83. Some libraries even have bookmobiles or mailing programs that deliver books right to you.
84. Studies have repeatedly shown that reading improves your basic vocabulary and just generally makes you smarter.
85. Regardless of what form a library takes, a librarian will always be ready to guide you to the information you need.

Saving Trees and Saving Dollars

Today on the City Council agenda I have an item asking that the City attorney be able to review on a case by case basis whether or not a City tree can be removed when it is determined that tree has caused property damage either to city infrastructure or private property.

Ok. Let's get this out of the way: I work very hard to preserve the environment. I have involved my Youth Council in helping with a tree inventory. I have helped plant new trees and am pressing the City Manager to help my district get more trees. But I also receive complaints from constituents whose property (sewer and plumbing lines) have been severely damaged by city tree roots --and they are unable to get those trees removed because of city policy.

I understand from the City Attorney's office that the city receives more claims against the city for tree caused damages than other issues.

The City has a tree policy that requires the arborist to determine the health of the tree. If the resident wants the tree removed and the arborist says no --then it can be appealed to the tree committee which then determines whether or not it can be removed. If the Tree Committee says nay --then the tree usually is not removed unless city staff overrides the decision -- which is unusual.

The problem is that a perfectly health tree -- such as a ficus -- can destroy public and private property and while the damages get repaired the tree continues to destroy the public and private property and the city and residents continue to have to pay for the damage.

Take Los Altos Methodist Church at Willow and Woodruff. Over the past several years the ficus trees have caused the church to pay $32,000 in sewer and plumbing bills. The trees have also seriously lifted the sidewalks surrounding the church which cause considerable trip and fall hazards. The trees are perfectly healthy and as arborists know (now)-- should never have been used as city trees because of their root systems. So we are about to repair the sidewalks but within 3 years the city will get complaints that the sidewalks are lifting again.

In other parts of the district I have stone pines that have broken off and smashed cars and homes -- and raise the streets over 3 feet preventing street sweeping and making it very dangerous to drive at night it you don't know the bumps are there.

So what I am proposing is that the City Attorney can weigh in on a case by case basis if a resident requests a removal of a tree because of the damage the tree is causing. No, I don't want Bob Shannon at the tree committee meetings, but folks let's get real here. The costs to the taxpayers are mounting up. And we are not talking about removing trees because people don't like the purple flowers or the seed pods that fall each year. We are talking about having some common sense that says if and when a tree presents a liability to the homeowner or the city that in some cases the tree can be removed.

Bottom line: let's get some risk management considerations put into some of our city policies... as in preventing risk -- not paying out claims.