Why Agenda Item on Using Outside Experts to Analyze City Payroll Systems

Since joining City Council in 2006, I have pushed consistently for City Management to procure an automated time keeping system: A system that makes city employees check in every day when they come and when they leave. Most major organizations that employ close to 5,000 have a system. The City of Long Beach does not.

Such a system gives an employer important information -- such as who is at work and who isn't; who works their full shift and who doesn't. It also protects the employer because it documents when lunches are taken -- failure to do so puts the company at risk for a law suit from many employees who contend they never received their lunch break. (see below under related articles).

This automated system also gives the employer the ability to make schedules and assignments.; to track vacation and sick leave, etc. Employees are given a card to swipe or a code to use on the telephone. The system tracks work and ensures the employees are actually there at work doing their jobs for the number of hours they claims.

The City of Long Beach does not have such a system. Time keeping is done on green sheets of paper each week that are hand-written and given to staff whose job it is to put the information into a computer program.
The information is then sent to a payroll company that processes paychecks.

If we were to have an earthquake tomorrow. No one could tell how many city employees were actually at work.

That is insane in this day and age of technology.

Finally a year or so ago, City management put out a request for proposals for a human resources system. What they got back were program after program that offered numerous bells and whistles. Sadly, the City had not clearly indicated what it actually was seeking and so it received proposals that were all over the place. Consequently, the City pulled the RFP and nothing was selected and the manual costly system stayed in place.

ADP Government Services were one of the responders to the RFP and contact my council office saying that I should know what happened in the process and why there were serious problems. I met in my council office with two ADP representatives who explained that it was clear to them the the City did not have the expertise to clearly specify what kind of system was needed and that moreover, the City could not tell how much current systems used by the City cost. The reps felt (and I agreed) it was important that the City know what our current system costs to determine how to select and new one that should save the city money. However, it you don't have a benchmark, you can't set a goal.

ADP Government Services reps indicated that they contract with another company who can do a study to determine the "total cost of ownership" of current systems. In other words, they can determine how much per employee it is costing the city per month to track employees' work, to manually input time sheets and then to get a paycheck processed.

I sent this information to the City Manager and I did not hear back. So I met with Councilman Gary DeLong and told him of the possibility for the City to get an analysis done so we could determine a benchmark as we go out for a new system. Councilman DeLong and I met again with ADP Government Services and city staff from Financial Management, Information Technology and the City Manager's office. It was understood from that meeting that City staff would work with ADP to  have the no cost analysis done.

Several weeks later, I chaired a meeting of the Civil Service and Personnel Committee and asked for an update. I was told that our Financial Management Department had indicated it would not participate in this analysis.

Councilmember Gary DeLong and I decided to place the issue on the Council agenda so that the entire City Council could decide should the city avail itself of a no cost analysis of the costs of our current systems.
City management thereupon (that's a big legal transition word) went to the City Attorney and prevailed on him to write a memo in opposition of the proposed analysis on the basis that it would supposedly give ADP an advantage on future RFPs.

Really? This is very interesting in light of City Management's recent actions: 1) without an RFP it used Management Partners to identify efficiencies needed and then asked for $500,000 for Management Partners to do a more thorough study -- all without ever asking for other companies to bid on this effort; 2) without an RFP it spent $80,000 for a "feasibility study" of a tunnel between the new courthouse and the jail. It gave that work to AECOM which had already examined this issue some time ago and then the City Manager gave AECOM another $986,000 to design the tunnel (that would not be built) that AECOM had studied and found "feasible." There wasn't an RFP or any other company given a chance to bid on the design.

So let's be clear on what Mr. DeLong and I are proposing:

1. The City needs an analysis by experts in the field of human resources systems to determine what it is costing the city currently to process time keeping, payroll, leaves, vacations, etc.
2. ADP Government services will contract with a third party to conduct the analysis. All the information obtained will be public and available to the City as well as other companies who bid to provide the actual new systems that will be needed.
3. The City is under no obligation to select ADP for any system purchase.

Also full disclosure:

1. I have no financial interest in ADP Government Services.
2. I have never received nor would accept any political contribution from anyone associated with ADP.
3. All my meetings with ADP representatives have been posted on my calendar and held in City Hall.
4. I don't really care which outside experts conduct an analysis of our current systems and how much they are costing the taxpayer. I just want it done so we can start implementing costs savings and efficiencies into City Hall that should have been done years ago. 

P.S. No one inside City Hall can tell me how much it costs the city/taxpayers to keep track of employees' time and to process paychecks.

Related articles

• Dollar Tree employees sue over "off the clock" work
• Hyundai Sued Over Hourly Workers' Lunch Breaks, Overtime - Bloomberg
• The Benefits of Automating Time & Attendance Management

Here's How the Voting for Best Elected Local Official Went...

The Beachcomber news asked its readers to vote for the "Best" in many categories. I have just learned that with 4,000 votes cast, I was selected. Thanks to all who voted for me. This is a special honor.

The real reason Long Beach has a surplus

Do You Believe in Magic (album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Don't want to burst the bubble and take the magic away. But the real reason we are experiencing a surplus in 2014 is because we received a $26 million dollar jump in property taxes because they had been swept away and sent to redevelopment all these years.

Take a look at when Long Beach started to have economic problems and you will see they weren't caused by public employee pensions. Because if they were the cause, when the City Council negotiated pension reform, the City would have realized a surplus. Right? Wrong.

When the City put 42% of the entire city into redevelopment it swept that tax increment into what was largely a debt servicing agency. Don't believe it? Go on line as I have and read all the redevelopment reports that the City of Long Beach filed with the State Controller John Chiang. 98% of the funds/taxes collected by Long Beach redevelopment went into Administrative costs, salaries and debt services. By its own reporting, the City created few jobs because of redevelopment. Gradually as property appreciated more and more money went into redevelopment instead of the general fund. That meant all of those property taxes did not go into the general fund to be used across the entire city.

Some on the City council railed against the Governor and State Legislature for abolishing redevelopment and redirecting property taxes to government and not local development. Not I. As the representative of an area that has only a sliver of redevelopment area -- it surrounds Schroeder Army Hall -- the eastside had to rely upon general fund moneys only for city services and improvements. Redevelopment areas in the rest of the city received both redevelopment funds and general funds. Most significantly, tax increment was not available for the entire city.

There are spots of success in Long Beach directly linked to redevelopment. Come on. Let's be open and transparent. Before we all go slapping each other on the back and saying what a great job we did creating the surplus, we need to admit that had redevelopment not been abolished last year and property taxes not returned, we would be singing a different tune and there would be no surplus. Residents deserve our honesty so they can weigh in when we make decisions that impact them. They had no say when Long Beach diverted property taxes into redevelopment and it is time we told them what problems that created with our budget.

Knowing that, we should pause and say, never, never again should a council get involved in a scheme that takes away property taxes from the general fund.

Help Us Catch These Thieves

English: A car that has been burglarized. Bad for me, good for Wikipedia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The LB Police have released a video of thieves getting access to residents' cars with some type of device. This was filmed in El Dorado Park Estates by a security camera on a house.

Take a look at the video and let the police know if you know them.

Here's the release and the video. By the way -- a good dog that barks would have scared these creeps away.

Press Release from the Long Beach Police Department - April 3, 2013

UNIDENTIFIABLE AUTO BURGLARY TECHNOLOGY EMERGES

 

View Video Here

The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying three suspects wanted in connection with a series of auto burglaries, where unknown technology was used to gain keyless entry into several vehicles.

During the early morning hours of February 26, 2013, three suspects were caught on surveillance camera in an East Long Beach neighborhood utilizing small handheld devices to unlock vehicles before burglarizing them.  In the video, two suspects are seen walking up to four different vehicles, two parked on the street, and two parked in the same driveway.  Although they are not able to gain access to the vehicles in the street, they are able to access the two vehicles parked in the driveway after a handheld device is manipulated causing the vehicle's dome light to come on and doors to unlock.  While this is taking place, a third suspect is seen walking on the opposite side of the street.  On this particular night, seven vehicles in this neighborhood were accessed and burglarized.

Potentially, there could be numerous residents who were unknowingly victimized, or believed they may have left their vehicles unlocked and a suspect took advantage of the opportunity, but there is no way to know for sure.  Investigators are uncertain whether any particular make or model of vehicle is more vulnerable than any another. The LBPD's Auto Theft Detail has been working with law enforcement agencies throughout the nation and internationally, as well as vehicle manufacturers, attempting to identify the type of technology that is being used.

The LBPD is strongly reminding residents to call 9-1-1 immediately if they see suspicious persons in their neighborhood at any time of the day or night, and to note a physical description of the suspect(s) and any vehicle, including make, model, color and license plate if possible.  

"This is a situation where technology is working against us, making our job much more challenging at a time where resources are already strained.  Just as law enforcement tactics evolve, so does the criminal element's and we need the community's involvement more so than ever," stated Long Beach Police Chief Jim McDonnell.  

The LBPD is also encouraging the community to practice the following safety tips, which may prevent you from becoming a victim, or minimize the loss experienced in an auto burglary:

- install motion sensor lighting around your home

- remove all valuables from vehicles, including trunks

- if your vehicle was issued a valet key, locate that key and ensure it isn't left in your vehicle

- consider installing surveillance cameras around your home, which could lead to suspect identification

Anyone with information regarding the identity of the suspects depicted in the video or the burglaries is urged to contact LBPD Auto Theft Detective Joseph Starbird at (562) 570-7362.  Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visitingwww.lacrimestoppers.org.

View Video Here

Time to Ban Contributions from Contractors and Disclose Texts and Communications

California Watch (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long Beach Needs to Ban Contributions From Lobbyists and Contractors, Make Elected Officials Disclose Conversations Before Vote Including Texts and Emails During Council and Disclose Private Text Messages or Other Electronic Communications About City Business

by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

As part of “Open Up Long Beach” – a project to make the City of Long Beach more open and transparent, I monitor the efforts of organizations that are working on transparency in government, such as the Sunlight Foundation. Recently, that organization announced that the District Court in the District of Columbia upheld the long time ban on political contributions from any person negotiating or performing a federal government contract stating:

The ban on such contributions guards against “pay-to-play” arrangements, in which people seeking federal contracts provide financial support to political candidates in return for their help securing government business. It also protects such contractors from pressure to contribute or risk losing their work.  

The Court further stated that it was not the “courts’ practice to “‘second-guess a … [legislative] determination as to the need for prophylactic measures where corruption is the evil feared’.”

It seems then it might be time for the City of Long Beach to enact a similar contribution ban. Conceivably, that ban could be applied to those who seek approval for a development, an entertainment permit or those who are lobbying for a specific ordinance. Some would argue that it should extend to employee unions who are under contract with the City.

I was particularly taken back when year ago on February 14, the City Council voted on whether or not to ban operation of medical marijuana collectives.

Why? Because in excess of $8,000 had poured into the campaign and officeholder accounts of several council members from businesses and lobbyists representing the medical marijuana industry. Now that may not sound like a lot of money. But considering that contributions are limited to $350 for a campaign and $500 for an officeholder account, this is a considerable sum.

City Attorney Robert Shannon told the City Council over the past several months that we needed to ban the operation of medical marijuana collectives because the court ruled on a case specifically involving the City of Long Beach’s regulation of medical marijuana collectives. The court held that the City cannot regulate that which is illegal. Marijuana is still illegal under federal law. A ban not only impacts access to medical marijuana by residents but stops an extremely lucrative revenue stream for those who operate the collectives. Some of these lobbyists who gave contributions also sent Council members language they wanted inserted into the City’s ordinance – a fact never disclosed during the discussion or the vote.

Long Beach should handle this situation in one of two ways: Either ban the contributions from anyone who is negotiating with the City or doing work for the City and/or require the elected official to disclose before voting at City Council if he or she has received a contribution and a statement that he or she does not believe there is a conflict of interest. Plain and simple.

Several cities have enacted laws which disqualify a council member from participating in decisions affecting his or her campaign contributors. These laws disqualify the council member from participating in certain proceedings if the official has received campaign contributions from a party, participant or their agents within the 12 months preceding the decision. They also require disclosure on the record of the proceeding of all campaign contributions received from these persons during that period. In addition, these laws prohibit solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions during such proceedings, and for three months after the decision, from parties, participants or their agents.

The voters of the City of Los Angeles enacted changes to their charter in 2011 that create new campaign contribution restrictions on contractors bidding on contracts with the City. They have prohibited making campaign contributions to any elected City office, candidate for elected City office, or City committee controlled by an elected City official or candidate if the contract requires approval of the Council and the contract requires approval by the elected City office that is held or sought by the person to whom the contribution would be given. (In LA, the ban starts with contracts worth $100,000 or more.)

It is time that Long Beach strengthened our campaign finance laws by either prohibiting campaign contributions from those trying to do or actively doing business with the City and by requiring elected officials to publicly disclose before they take a vote whether or not they have received any contributions from anyone benefiting from a council vote.

Additionally, just this week the City Council of San Jose unanimously passed an ordinance requiring themselves to disclose if a lobbyist contacts a councilmember by text, email or handwritten note during a public meeting and to announce the identity of the lobbyist and the subject of the communication before it comes to a vote.

Another major development regarding texts and emails came last week with a court ruling that San Jose City Councilmembers’ private text messages, emails and other electronic communications about city affairs must be made public.

The City Council can pass these legislative items to increase openness and transparency or the voters can gather signatures to place a package of reforms on the ballot in the next general election. In either case, Long Beach needs to move forward on this issue.

Related articles

• Judge Rules That San Jose Officials' Private Texts About City Affairs Be Made Public
• Judge: Public-records law covers private devices

Chickens, goats and bees in your backyard???

Chicken and egg (Photo credit: La.Catholique)

I know Easter is tomorrow. But is a proposal to allow chickens, goats and bees in backyards the most important thing our City Council can discuss?

The proposal is coming to City Council this month to allow 20 chickens, two goats and two bee hives in your backyard and the backyard of all of your neighbors.
(See Press Telegram article on the proposals: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_22832442/rules-chickens-goats-and-bees-go-lb-council)

Proponents want the current city zoning changed to allow these animals and insects throughout Long Beach. They would be allowed in a backyard if there is an appropriate set back from the adjacent house. What is not getting much discussion by proponents is that the chickens and goats would not be allowed to roam free in the backyard -- they would have to be caged and/or penned up.

I don't support the proposal for a number of reasons: this would change the character of many neighborhoods without the full consent of all residents; enforcement of the regulations would be cumbersome; and  the goats and chickens would attract coyote; concerned that the chickens can present a health problem regarding salmonella; there are people who are allergic to bee stings.

When it is placed on the council agenda, I will let you know.

Related articles

• Backyard chickens and bees considered for Savannah
• Eugene council vote encourages farming by city residents
• Backyard Chickens and Salmonella
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You Should be In Movies Made in Long Beach -- But First Move Your Car

Bad Teacher (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Head's Up: Movie and TV Filming Scheduled in Following Neighborhoods -- Will Impact Parking

Brenda Forever TV

PREP: Monday, April 1, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

STRIKE: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

Filming will take place at 2800 Snowden Ave., Millikan High School. Filming will consist of interior dialogue with one exterior shot of picture bus pull up on Snowden in front of school. Production to have steadi camera in street. Production to have 30 extras.  

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 

PREP: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Location #1 - 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

Filming will take place at 7519 Carson St., Long Beach Town Center, G-Stage Store. Filming will consist of interior dialogue with establishing shots.

 No Parking Signs / Traffic Affected

Monday, April 1, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Wednesday, April 3, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

E/S of Snowden Ave. from Benmore St. going south for 100 feet (in front of school)

Tuesday, April 2, 2013 - 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

E/S of Snowden Ave. from Belen St. to Vuelta Grande Ave.

Bad Teacher TV

 Wednesday, March 20, 2013 - 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

Thursday, March 21, 2013 - 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM 

Friday, March 22, 2013 - 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM 

Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, (Location #1) 

Thursday, March 28, 2013 - 9:00 AM to Friday, March 29, 2013 - 1:00 AM 

Filming will take place at 5870 E. Wardlow Rd., Marshall Middle School.

No Parking Signs / Traffic Affected

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - 7:00 AM to Saturday, March 30, 2013 - 7:00 PM 

N/S of E. Kildee St for 300' behind the gym west from Woodruff Ave. 

S/S of E. Kildee St 50' across from driveway for truck access to lot.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - 7:00 AM to Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 8:00 PM 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 5:00 AM to Friday, March 29, 2013 - 1:00 AM 

N/S of E.Wardlow Rd from Ocana Ave going east for 150 feet towards Woodruff 

S/S of E. Wardlow Rd. from Ocana Ave. to Woodruff (except for school pick ups and drop offs)

Wednesday, March 20, 2013 - 5:00 AM to Saturday, March 23, 2013 - 8:00 PM 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 5:00 AM to Friday, March 29, 2013 - 1:00 AM 

E/S of N. Ocana Ave. from E. Wardlow Rd. going 300 feet south (catering truck and misc. equipment) 

Councilwoman Schipske Announces Small Business Seminar

If you own a small business or are thinking of starting one, you are invited to attend a free seminar sponsored by State Board of Equalization Chairman, Jerome Horton, State Senator Ricardo Lara, the California Chamber of Commerce and me on Thursday, April 4 at 9 am - 4 pm at Long Beach City College.

This is an important workshop on "success strategies" that every business owner should know about.

To register for the workshop, go to: www. boe.ca.gov/sutax/sbf.htm. Look forward to seeing you there.

Small Business Invite

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Two good resources for pet owners to prepare for an earthquake

Pet Disaster Safety Checklist

Let people know your pet is inside

Schipske Responds to Comment on LBBJ About How Sidewalks Are Fixed

The following is my response to a comment made online on the Long Beach Business Journal website regarding dissatisfaction on sidewalk repair in a particular area of my district:
http://www.lbbusinessjournal.com/read-it-now/1384-long-beach-councilwomn-gerrie-schipske-running-for-mayor.html


Mr. Pond -- immediately upon reading your remarks I checked my computer system and found no prior contacts from you. I searched the homeowners list for 5th District and you are not there. I also checked the voter file and you are not there. 

That being said, I contacted the editor of LBBJ and he indicated he would email you with my office number so you can finally contact me on your concerns.

I also invited Mr. Economides to come out to the 5th Council District so I can show him the tremendous progress I have made since 2006 on getting a fair share of funding for the 5th to fix sidewalks, trees and streets. You also can come out and walk with me -- something I have been doing for several years so we have an inventory of needed repairs as the City does not have an up to date listing.

What I instituted has saved the city 30% in the cost of fixing sidewalks. Instead of responding on a political basis -- such as when someone writes the newspaper -- I have worked with Public Works to bunch repairs by neighborhood so that the entire neighborhood gets fixes not just the person who has complained. I also brought saw cutting to the city -- which was piloted in the 5th Council District and then take city wide. This allows the repair of a raised sidewalk by smoothing with a diamond saw. The cost is @ 30 dollars a sidewalk instead of the usual $100 or more.

If you live in the area, you might drive north of Spring between Clark and the flood control where work is occurring. Also check out south of Spring between Studebaker and Palo Verde.

I can provide you with a Public Works map that shows what has been done and where we are going in the next budget cycle which is Straford Square -- so you either had access to the Public Works planning document or great minds think alike.

As to slurry seal. All councilmembers are awaiting the Public Works department's report on which streets they are recommending be slurried -- as all streets are not candidates. We have set aside funding that will be used once the list is approved.

I recently brought another potential cost savings on streets to Public Works. A company uses a newer system that grinds up existing asphalt and mixes with an emulsion and then repaves in the same setting --saving time, money and materials. We will test it during this spring.

Finally, I too am an attorney and have aggressively advocated for infrastructure repair from the day I took office. Not only because of liability concerns, but because we need to improve how neighborhoods look.

So contact me. I have lots of documents to share with you. Please keep in mind the 5th Council District is 11.5 square miles -- the largest district in the city and it has the most sidewalks, streets and trees. Prior to my taking office, the 5th received the same funding as all other 8 districts. I pushed to change that and now the 5th receives a base funding and a proportional funding.

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, 5th District

We Can Do Better on City Contracting Process

Cover of Purchasing magazine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The City's current system about disclosure of the bidding process and who is contracting with the City needs improving. This is especially important as the City Council approved the City Manager's contracting authority up to $250,000.

If you click on the following you can view for what the City is currently requesting bids. http://planetbids.com/portal/portal.cfm?CompanyID=15810#

To get there you need to wade through the City website and find Department of Financial Management and then to Purchasing. It's not easy.

We need to make this process more transparent and accessible. 

We also need to give a preference to Long Beach based businesses who provide professional services. A preference is available for businesses that provide materials, but for advertising agencies and other professional services many, if not all contracts go outside Long Beach.

Finally, once a contract is awarded, we should list them on line so everyone can see. 

Our current system is again not open and transparent. You need to 1) know where to find it (Not in Financial Managerment -- but the City Clerk for this one)
(http://citydocs.longbeach.gov/CityContracts/CustomSearch.aspx?SearchName=CityContracts) and 2) you can find a contract but you need to know specific information.

We need a visible listing by subject matter on the City website so that residents can quickly review all the contracts without having to play a hunting game.

Schipske Declares Candidacy for Long Beach Mayor

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Long Beach. I have set up a campaign website at: www.schipskeformayor.com. 

The 2014 election is an important chance for residents to help Long Beach become the best city it deserves to be. 

I welcome your support and questions and feed back. I am also asking that you share with me your ideas on how to make Long Beach better. Check out the website: www.schipskeformayor.com and let me know.

Schipske for Mayor - Press Release - Announcement - 03.21.13 (2)

Schipske's Efforts on Open Up Long Beach Receive Statewide Notice

 California Forward, a nonpartisan, non profit organization whose mission is to bring government closer to the people has highlighted the efforts of Long Beach Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske in its “State of Transparency in California: 2013” report.

The report, which is an analysis that explores the core issues of governmental accountability and transparency in California, was released this week to coincide with Sunshine Week, which is an initiative promoting dialogue about the importance of having an open government and being able to access public information. Three cities are highlighted as “City Hall Success Stories in Public Engagement” in the report. The first story discusses the efforts of Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske to make Long Beach more open, transparent and accountable:

Long Beach Launches “Open Up Long Beach” In January of 2012 Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske of the City of Long Beach took public education and transparency efforts one step further. Her initiative “Open Up Long Beach” provides residents with increased access to the city’s every day affairs and includes opportunities to learn about what individual council members are working on, what committees they sit on and what projects they spearhead. The project combines an online resource with “Open Up Long Beach” community meetings.

“I am very honored that California Forward has acknowledged ‘Open Up Long Beach’,” says Schipske. “I agree that with so many difficult decisions facing local government that the demand and need for transparency is great. I am doing what I can to make certain that Long Beach is open, transparent and accountable.”

Schipske frequently writes on her two blogs (www.openuplongbeach.com and www.gerrieschipske.com) , Facebook and Belmont Shore Patch on the issues before city council  and posts city documents that provide readers with background information on the issues. She also sends email alerts on events and issues and has launched a “behind the scenes” tour of city operations to give residents a closer look at how their government and its agencies operate. To date, Open Up Long Beach has visited: the oil islands, SERRF waste to energy plant, the Emergency Operations Center, the Long Beach Health and Human Services department and laboratories, and the inter workings of the Aquarium of the Pacific. Schipske was the first councilmember to post her schedule on line and to provide a 24/7 problem/complaint system on the city website.

The complete “State of Transparency in California:2013” report can be downloaded by clicking http://www.cafwd.org/reporting/entry/the-state-of-transparency-in-california-2013

Sunshine in Government is Crucial

Government transparency is the cornerstone of democracy.  As such, it is our collective responsibility to protect our right to a government that is open, and whose business is the business of the people it serves.  Similarly, it is the responsibility of state and local elected officials to work to actively increase the public’s access to public information, to provide opportunities for citizen participation in key decision-making processes and report the results of those decisions back out to constituents.

Governments that create pathways for citizens’ effective engagement and participation typically learn that doing so, enables them to enhance their own performance; by using public feedback to guide their decisions, government leaders can fund and implement programs and services that are reflective of the public’s interest and that are highly impactful at improving their overall quality of life.

I am writing today because this week is International Sunshine Week—an initiative dedicated to educating the public about the importance of open government. As such, I would like to reassert my commitment to fostering a transparent government.

Here in Long Beach, I have been working to identify solutions for increasing government transparency and exploring opportunities that will encourage collaboration and innovation. In January of last year, I led the launch of “Open Up Long Beach,” a government transparency website that aims to provide residents with access to important information, including city budget documents, council agenda items, City departments, and other important resources. 

My council colleagues and I have also initiated several online applications that serve as dynamic two-way communication channels between residents and city staff and implemented new open government policies, requiring that all city contracts be posted online.

California Forward, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, is just one of the many groups throughout the state that are working to bring government closer to the people. This week, they are launching their “Government Transparency Portal,” an online tool that residents can use to access information about the inner workings of their local government as well as others throughout the state.

With the increased use of technology and the internet as well as of dozens of other online innovations, there’s no reason not to be more open and transparent, especially now in the digital age. I support open, transparent local government, and I encourage you to do the same.

March 17th Event for People Who Love Dogs and Books

Documents You Need to Read...Today

In my on going attempt to make Long Beach city government as open and transparent as possible I would like to share with you three important documents just received on my desk (with links to the full documents):

1) The City of Long Beach is projecting a $3.6 million surplus for the coming budget year. This means we need to restore funding to the police and fire services and staffing that were drastically cut for the past several years and have left both departments scrambling to respond to calls for services. The projected budget surplus comes from a combination of pension reforms we enacted through negotiations and the fact that once redevelopment was dissolved by the state, 42% of Long Beach's property tax increment was restored -- resulting in $11 million in revenues.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/130201964/Fy14-16-Fiscal-Outlook
2) You might soon receive a notice of a water increase. Well it isn't coming from the City Water Department. It is coming from the WRD. Never heard of WRD? Most people haven't. This agency provides groundwater and groundwater replenishment and the City Water Department pumps 60 percent of its water from their sources -- which are charged. WRD is increasing their charges which get passed along to you.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/130201966/Why-Long-Beach-residents-are-getting-water-rate-increase-notices 
3) The state dissolution of redevelopment is a complex story. Basically the city placed 42 percent of the city into a redevelopment area which then locked up the tax increment that could only be used for redevelopment. The state legislature abolished redevelopment last year so that the state could realize more property tax revenue. Well, the side story is that the dissolution produced a restoration of $11 million dollars in property taxes for Long Beach! http://www.scribd.com/doc/130201969/Redevelopment-Agency-Dissolution-and-Impact

Thanks for reading these documents.

Please free to send me your comments at district5@longbeach.gov.

Gerrie

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske

Lot of shaking on last Saturday

Long Beach earthquake, 1933 (Photo credit: California Watch)

It was the day before the 80th anniversary of the 1933 Long Beach earthquake but there was still a lot of shaking going on at the El Dorado Community Center. It was a packed house that attended the Get Ready Workshop hosted by my office.

Everyone saw these videos which should be passed along to everyone living in Southern California:



KCET anchor Val Zavala did a wonderful job as our "MC" as she moved the day along so that the crowd (more than 100) could listen to experts from USGS (earthquake specialists), FEMA, CAEMA, American Red Cross, CERT, Long Beach Fire Department and the EMS and Disaster Coordinator for our local hospitals.

Each attendee received a copy of the KCET program: Bracing for a Quake and numerous hand outs. The afternoon included a session with the American Red Cross discussing how to get your neighborhood ready.

Throughout the day, Southern California experienced over 33 quakes of different magnitudes.

I hope to continue this effort for the next year so that Long Beach can get prepared for the next big one that is coming. It is just a matter of time.

If you want to sign up for earthquake notifications from the USGS click here.

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The Streetlight of the Future Will Do So Much More Than Light Your Street

Check out this exciting article about streetlights that can aid public safety. The City of the city of Chattanooga had a serious crime problem and turned to a company that makes street lights to lower its crime. But they are not just ordinary lights. These light can be controlled inside a police patrol car to flash in an emergency, become a spot light and dim and get brighter as needed.

Additionally, the lights can provide WIFI and be connected to cameras and air quality detectors which can detect if certain drugs are being used in the area.


The Streetlight of the Future Will Do So Much More Than Light Your Street

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