Schipske Proposes Two Economic Development Proposals

Schipske Outlines Two Steps City Can Take To Move Economic Development – Apply With LAEDC for Federal Designation as Manufacturing Community and Assist Local Businesses and Developers in Applying for CALPERS Pension Investment

February 7, 2014 – With an unemployment rate still hovering in the double digit range, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske says it is time Long Beach became more aggressive in tracking down opportunities for economic development.

“I sit on the LA Jobs Defense Council which is a part of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation because I wanted to find out what Long Beach can do to attract business and jobs,” says Schipske. “LAEDC is aggressively seeking opportunities and just announced that it will apply to become one of 12 communities federally designated as a manufacturing community. Long Beach needs to a part of the application.”

The designation is funded through the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), a new government-wide initiative that will help communities cultivate an environment for businesses to create well-paying manufacturing jobs in regions across the country and thereby accelerate the resurgence of manufacturing. The IMCP is designed to reward communities that demonstrate best practices in attracting and expanding manufacturing by bringing together key local stakeholders and using long-term planning that integrates targeted investments across a community's industrial ecosystem to create broad-based prosperity. The IMCP is a critical component of the Department of Commerce’s “Open for Business Agenda,” which prioritizes trade and investment.

Up to 12 communities will be designated and the designation gives them elevated consideration for $1.3 billion in federal dollars and assistance from 10 cabinet departments/agencies. These communities would also potentially receive additional catalytic federal investments to support their economic development strategies. Proposals for designation as a Manufacturing Community must be submitted on behalf of the region by a consortium – which in this case is the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.

“I am agendizing an item for Council requesting the City Manager to work with LAEDC in submitting the information necessary for Long Beach to be considered in this federal stimulus program,” explains Schipske. “The application must be submitted by March 14.”

Schipske also notes that the CALPERS system which manages $3.05 billion of assets contributed by Long Beach for its employees’ pensions, invests these funds in businesses and developments. “Long Beach is the largest city contributor in CALPERS and some of these funds need to come back to the City through investments,” says Schipske.

CALPERS accepts proposals for investments in the following  categories: Private Equity, Real Estate, Forestland, Infrastructure, Commodities, Global Fixed Income, Global Equities or Hedge Funds. (see https://www.calpers.ca.gov/eip-docs/about/pubs/financial-performance.pdf)    

In 2001, CALPERS approved a $1 billion dollar investment in 445 communities that were classified as traditionally underserved. Schipske notes that with the City’s “high rates of unemployment and poverty” should qualify Long Beach for CALPERS investment.

“I am also agendizing an item requesting the City Manager to schedule a presentation at Council from CALPERS on how Long Beach businesses and developers can apply to be considered for CALPERS investment. Both of these proposals can assist greatly in the economic development of Long Beach.” #30

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Good and Bad Night for Taxpayers

Several Schipske Proposals Approved.

Dear Resident,   Tonight was a big win for taxpayers. Several of my proposals were approved by the Council and one proposal lost by just one vote. Here's a recap:   1. Council approves funding for modern Human Resource Management system that includes for the first time an automated time keeping system. I have advocated for this since joining City Council in 2006. I teach Human Resources Management and it is beyond belief that a City our size or a business with as many employees -- 4,300 -- would operate with a manual time keeping system. This system allows employees to fill out their own time cards every two weeks. The time sheets are then manually input. On any given day, the City does not know how many employees have reported to work except by going department to department. This needed system will help the city track employees and use of sick and vacation leave.         2. Council approves re-instating the Mills Act which provides tax relief to homeowners who rehab historical properties. Started in 1972 by state law, the City of Long Beach has only contracted with 30 homeowners to allow them to take up to a 60% reduction in property taxes if they rehab and maintain properties given a historic designation. The City stopped this program in 2006. Council approved my motion to reinstate the program and directed the City Manager to come back in 30 days with plans on how to do just that. This program will give the needed incentives to fix up and restore our historic properties which will bring added property taxes because of the increased values.     Council Doesn't Approve Opening the Collective Bargaining Process to Make It Transparent   Unfortunately, the Council by a 5-3 vote killed my proposal to have the City Attorney determine how the City could make the collective bargaining process more open and transparent to the public. The City of Costa Mesa has enacted such an ordinance and school districts are required to do it. Apparently there are council members who don't even want to discuss  current system and ways to make it more transparent. That's sad for taxpayers.   What do you think? Let me know by emailing: district5@longbeach.gov. As always, I will answer.   Gerrie

MWD to do Major Pipe Repair in 5th Council District

Dear 5th District Residents,

 If you live near Conant Street and Clark Avenue you will be receiving a notice from the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) that their crew will be digging up and repairing major pipeline segments that are in danger of leakage.

I am attaching their letter and a powerpoint presentation which shows the kind of work they will be doing for 14 days, round the clock.  Click here to seeThey have assured me that they are 1,400 feet from homes and other than the flashing of welding, homeowners should not hear nor see and major construction work during this time period.

  

They want to prevent a major leakage which would cause a sink hole.

 

Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Gerrie

Gerrie Schipske

SCHIPSKE PROPOSES FULL USE OF MILLS TAX EXEMPTION FOR LONG BEACH HOMEOWNERS

Bembridge House in Long Beach

January 24, 2014 – Hoping to bring a tax savings in Long Beach to those who own historical properties, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is asking City management for an update on how Long Beach can offer the “Mills Act Historical Property Contract Program” that allows qualifying owners to receive a potential property tax reduction and use the savings to help rehabilitate, restore and maintain their buildings. The Mills Act is the single most important economic incentive program in California for the restoration and preservation of historic buildings by private property owners. Enacted in 1972, the Mills Act legislation grants participating local governments (cities and counties) authority to enter into contracts with owners of qualified historic properties who actively participate in the restoration and maintenance of their properties to receive property tax relief. 

“The City of Long Beach stopped offering contracts to property owners in 2006 because of the economy and the loss of property tax revenues,” explains Schipske. “It is time to reinstate this program as a way of encouraging the rehabilitation and maintenance of the historical and architectural character of many of our neighborhoods throughout the city.”

 A formal agreement, generally known as a Mills Act or Historical Property Contract, is executed between cities and the property owner for a revolving ten-year term. Contracts are automatically renewed each year so that the term of the contract always extends for ten years. Property owners agree to restore, maintain, and protect the property in accordance with specific historic preservation standards and conditions identified in the contract. Mills Act participants may realize substantial property tax savings each year for recently improved or purchased older properties.

Schipske’s agenda item will be considered by the City Council at its February 4th meeting. Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske is the author of three books on the history of Long Beach and believes that the city needs to do what it can to help preserve the historical and architectural character of the city. She also supports reinstating the vacant city-funded position of Historic Preservation Officer.

Thinking Big in Long Beach

NAIOP, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association sponsored its 16th USC vs. UCLA Real Estate Challenge. Top graduate student teams from the Ziman Center for Real Estate at UCLA's Anderson School of Business and the Lusk Center at USC's Marshall School of Business and Price School of Public Policy met to match creativity and real estate knowledge on a unique real estate site.

The 2013 subject site is the 11 acre location at the corner of PCH and 2nd that has the potential to be one of the greatest development opportunities in the City of Long Beach. It is located at one of the busiest and more visible intersections in Long Beach. The site is the current SeaPort Marina Hotel.

The winning group produced "Belmont Yards" -- an 11 acre multi-use development poised to become the next iconic waterfront neighborhood, exemplifying the health, sustainable, coastal life style sought out by visitors, residents and government alike. The plan recognizes the constraints and the sensitivities of SEADIP and addresses this on a dual track approval process.

Click here to see complete plan.

I placed an item on the council agenda calling for a public presentation of this creative use of 2nd and PCH and the Council approved scheduling a presentation for the public to see what could be there.

This is exciting and a great example of what creative thinking could do to move our city forward. I will let you know when it is scheduled for presentation.

Long Beach Has DNA to Be a Great City

English: "Rosie's Dog Beach" is the 3-acre, off-leash dog beach in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach, California. The only dog beach in all of LA County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Cranes at the Hanjin Shipping terminal at the Port of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Larger version with slight color adjustments. Category:Images of Long Beach (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long Beach has the DNA to be a great city. I should know. I was born here and have written three books on its history.

From the very beginning, Long Beach used its location, natural resources and labor to build an economy and eventually grow into the 6^th largest city in the state.

Its pragmatic approach resulted in many successes. It wanted people to visit, so it became the terminus for the railroads and trolleys and opened a pier and an amusement center, it developed parks and farmers markets. It wanted a port - it built one right next to the LA Port. When it needed a library it asked Andrew Carnegie to fund it. It discovered oil – then used the proceeds to establish an airport which caught the Army’s interest as a location for the Douglas Aircraft Plant. It used its safe harbor to lure the Navy to anchor.

When the Navy left Long Beach, former Mayor Beverly O’Neill was extremely pragmatic when she announced that the City needed to focus on “3 Ts: trade, tourism and technology.” While some criticized her for then casting off anything related to Long Beach’s long history with the US Navy, she got it right.

 Because for too long, Long Beach had lost site of who it was and it let others define who we were.

It would well serve any future Mayor or Council to filter its decisions through the “3 T” exercise. Is what we are doing helping or hurting trade, tourism and technology? If it hurts, then don’t do it. If it helps, then by all means do it and more.

Let’s talk about trade. The Port of Long Beach is the economic engine in this region. It generates 30,000 jobs (about one in eight) in Long Beach and 316,000 jobs (or one in 22) in the five-county Southern California region. It needs a stable Board of Harbor Commissioners and strong management that is free from political interference.

Most importantly, the Mayor’s office needs to leverage its leadership role to promote global business opportunities. There are so many opportunities to expand the exporting of goods and services to our Asian partners. I recently met with a group of Chinese businessmen who are eager to import California wine and another group that is seeking professional services for establishing and operating long-term care facilities to deal with the lack of family caretakers for its elderly that resulted from the single child policy. Helping identify local businesses that could become involved in exporting would boost our economy.

Tourism has been helped tremendously by the improvements at the Long Beach Municipal Airport and the Arena. One of the most convenient and attractive airports in the region, Long Beach is also the least expensive from which to fly.  The enhancements at the Arena have transformed the space into a modern, flexible space that can host numerous events at the same time and will bring in more conventions.

However, the gateway to the Belmont Shore area at 2^nd and Pacific Coast Highway remains an eyesore – mostly due to the owner’s neglect. Just recently the brightest from UCLA and USC competed in the NAIOP Annual Contest to present development proposals for the best use of this very piece of property. The winning plan (Belmont Yards) is stunning, works with the existing SEADIP plan and shows us just exactly what thinking big can do for Long Beach.

Years ago, a local columnist described Long Beach as an “elegantly dressed woman with a piece of toilet paper stuck to her shoe.” And without a doubt that would describe some of our shoreline problems. The beautiful scenery is spoiled by trash that flows out of the mouth of the LA River and a poorly circulated area behind the breakwater that prevents waves and makes for dirty water. Dealing with these two problems must be a priority of a city who took its name from its greatest asset -- a long beach.

The Clean Tech Revolution (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When I introduced legislation to explore establishing a “Clean Technology Zone” in Long Beach as has been done in Los Angeles, it was with the thought that we have just as much to offer.  It doesn’t make sense that this city has 4 major hospitals, a major healthcare system, a university and a community college, yet we can’t figure out how to attract and grow incubate technology. With Boeing’s announcement that it is closing operations in 2015, Long Beach needs to focus on replacing these lost good paying jobs.

Many cities are re-branding themselves in an attempt to lure high tech jobs. Wouldn’t it be great if Long Beach could become known as the city where you can “Come Start Something?”

Yes, Long Beach is a great city and can be even greater, if we’d only just focus.

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LBPD Nab Cell Phone Thiefs

Long Beach Police Department (California) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

12/12/2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE #2012

Subject :	LONG BEACH POLICE ANNOUNCE ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT CELL PHONE THEFTS AND ENCOURAGE PUBLIC TO REMAIN VIGILANT
Contact :	Media Relations Detail    (562) 570-5273

Long Beach Police arrested a total of five suspects in connection with one attempt robbery and three robberies, which occurred in the East and West Divisions. Robbery detectives recognized an increase of incidents over the past few weeks and developed a strategy with the East Patrol, West Patrol, and the Gang and Violent Crimes Divisions.  Residents were encouraged to report suspicious persons and activity, while police focused saturation patrol efforts throughout the area. On December 11, 2013, around 7:30 p.m., police responded to the 1700 block of East Second Street regarding an attempted armed robbery. One suspect approached the victim, demanded his cell phone, and fled on foot.  At approximately 8:00 p.m., another robbery occurred in the area of 4th Street and Rose Avenue.  The armed suspect approached two victims and demanded their cell phones and cash.  During the course of the investigation, two suspects were arrested and the investigation is ongoing.  At this time, the suspects are only being described as an adult male resident of Los Angeles and an adult male resident of Bellflower. On the morning of December 12, 2013, Long Beach Gang Enforcement detectives arrested three juveniles for robberies that occurred in the 3900 block of East Broadway on November 23, 2013, and a robbery that occurred on November 22, 2013, in the area of Division and La Verne.  Pursuant to the arrests, detectives executed four search warrants and recovered jewelry, cell phones, and additional evidence. Robbery detectives are in the process of determining if those arrested may be responsible for other incidents that occurred in the area south of 5th Street and east of Alamitos Avenue during the past few weeks.  Those robberies were crimes of opportunity where the suspect spotted a potential victim who was distracted, approached the victim, displayed a handgun, snatched the victim’s cell phone, and then fled.  The suspect(s) have been described as male African American(s), ranging in age from teens to mid-twenties, and armed with a handgun, which may be a real or replica firearm. The Long Beach Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual(s) responsible and encourages community members to increase their awareness and to diligently practice the following safety tips: ·    Always be alert and aware of your surroundings and the people around you ·    Whenever possible, avoid using your IPOD, cell phone, or portable game system while walking in public areas ·    Don’t “advertise” that you have valuables in public view (money, jewelry, electronic devices, etc.) ·    Be aware of locations and situations, which make you vulnerable to crime, such as dark parking lots, walkways, ATM machines, and alleys ·    Whenever possible, travel with a friend - there is safety in numbers ·    Stay in well-lighted areas as much as possible ·    Walk close to the curb and avoid doorways, bushes, and alleys where someone could hide ·    If you feel you are being followed or targeted, move to a well-populated and well-lighted area ·    Report suspicious persons or activity by calling 9-1-1 ·    If you are the victim of a robbery, call 9-1-1 immediately to provide a good description of the suspect(s), the mode of transportation, and direction of travel. Anyone with information regarding recent robberies is urged to call the Long Beach Police Department Robbery Detail at (562) 570-7464.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or text TIPLA plus your tip to 274637 (CRIMES), or visitwww.LACrimeStoppers.org.

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10 Breath Taking Reasons Why Only One Member of Council Stood Up for Taxpayers And Voted Against Spending Yet Another Million Dollars on Yet Another Consultant

On Tuesday, December 3, the Long Beach City Council on a 7-1 vote (Schipske voting “no”) approved spending over $1 million to hire a consultant to put together a “Request for Proposal” that will be sent to developers for the demolition and rebuild of the City Hall and Main Library that were built in 1976. The demolition and rebuild are projected to cost at least $435 million. ($12.8 million x 34 years). City staff has already told prospective developers that the project could be financed with “either taxable financing, tax-exempt financing or any combination.” The current City Hall is valued at $86 million.

 10.    The City Council wasn’t even shown the proposed contract with the consultant so we didn’t get to review what over $1 million was buying in terms of services, number of hours for the services,etc.  It’s just money, right?  We still don’t have a fire engine in Belmont Shores or a rescue unit in North Long Beach. But we’ve got consultants.

9.       The Council has not been given an extensive seismic report, as requested from City Management, that details why the current buildings are: a) unsafe and/or b) cannot be retrofitted. So if the buildings are so unsafe that they need to be torn down, why are they still occupied and will be for the next several years while this project gets put together?

8.       The Cities of San Francisco, Los Angeles and Pasadena have all retrofitted their City Halls instead of tearing them down, even though their buildings were constructed in: 1912 – San Francisco; 1928 – Los Angeles; 1927 – Pasadena. And, the shock of it all, these cities involved their City  Council and their taxpayers.
 

7.        The City Council was told it will not be allowed to read the “Request for Proposal” before it is sent to the developers. Only city staff will get a look at it. Ergo – a consultant will determine what type of financing, what size of the buildings, what other buildings will be on City property, etc. Is this so elected officials can say “gosh we didn’t know" if the project goes bad?

6.        The Council removed a large portion of funding for “public outreach” efforts that would ask the taxpayers for their opinions on this mega project. Seems only fair? If the elected City Council doesn’t get to give input on this project, then why should taxpayers...
 

5.        The developers responding to the “Request for Proposals” will be compensated with up to one-half million dollars each for just responding because it takes a lot of effort to put plans together – even plans that might not be accepted by the City Council. Nice work if you can get it.
   

4.        Part of the proposal that has already been given to developers for a “new main library” calls for a much smaller structure of 50,000 – 70,000 square feet down from its current 135,000 square feet. When City staff was asked where the smaller figure came from, the staff person responded “I made it up.” Amazing. Perhaps the entire reasoning that this project has to go forward was “made up” as well.
 

3.     The City Attorney has indicated that the City might need to ask the State Legislature to pass legislation to allow the City to set up a special financing of this project with a private developer. That’s because there are limits to on-going financial obligations. But heck, just maybe we can get them waived.
 

2.         The City Council would not even discuss a proposal by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske to prohibit campaign contributions from developers, contractors or anyone doing or bidding to do business with the City of Long Beach. So watch the campaign contributions start flowing in on this project that has no direction from City Council, minimal input from the taxpayers and no documentation as to why the buildings can’t be retrofitted instead of torn down and rebuilt. Merry Christmas.
 

1.        Five council members currently serving in office will be out of here, when the final proposal is given to City Council next July 2014. So a brand new Mayor and Council and City Attorney will be handed a project they didn’t review or approve but which already had cost the City several millions of dollars and may cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions more. Now that’s political planning.

A note of gratitude....

Giving Thanks (Photo credit: mRio)

Dear Friend,

I just wanted to say thanks.

As I wrapped up my Council work for this week and started to focus on Thanksgiving, I started thinking about how grateful I am for so many things and what this holiday means for me.

My mother especially loved Thanksgiving.  She made the day special for our family.  Days before she would prepare and bake pumpkin pies. On Thanksgiving day, she would get up at 6 am to prepare the turkey and stuffing. Then over the course of hours she would transform the house with the warmth of smells of a feast that would provide left-overs for a week. To this day, a Thanksgiving isn't complete without her recipes for lima beans, baby onions and candied yams. (I skip the giblet dressing...sorry Mom).

I remember my first Thanksgiving away from home when I worked in Washington, D.C. and the kindness of relatives of a co-worker who took me in to their crowded apartment and shared their meal and the excitement of their young children who decorated the table with brightly colored tracings of their hands which make funny looking turkeys.

But the very best memory is the year I celebrated my first Thanksgiving as a mom. As Flo and I expanded our family to include three children, it just got better and better. More hectic and exhausting but wouldn't trade it for anything else.

There are so many things for which to be thankful.  Good friends. Good health. A great opportunity to teach at CSULB.  And I'm still thankful I have the ability to play the guitar with friends.

I am especially thankful for the chance to serve on City Council these past seven years and to try and make my neighborhoods safer and cleaner and our local government more open and responsive . 

But I didn't do it alone. With the help of outstanding city employees and involved residents we were able to make these changes happen.

 I want to extend a special thanks to the many people who call, email or talk to me when they see me out and around Long Beach and who give me advice or their opinions on the issues facing Long Beach. Thank you. Your support, kind words and guidance are much appreciated.

So with much gratitude, I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.

Gerrie Schipske 

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Schipske Moves Quickly to Consider Replacement for Commissioner Fields

English: Long_Beach_CA_Photo_D_Ramey_Logan please provide photographer credit if used outside Wiki projects (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

SCHIPSKE CALLS PERSONNEL COMMITTEE TO FACILITATE QUICK CONSIDERATION OF MAYOR’S PICK TO REPLACE PORT COMMISSIONER THOMAS FIELDS – Says important to put politics aside for the good of the City

Long Beach, CA, November 25, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, who chairs the Council Committee on Personnel and Civil Services today announced that she has scheduled a meeting on December 3^rd in order to review Mayor Bob Foster’s recommendation for a replacement for Thomas Fields, who was removed by a 6-3 vote.

All City Charter Board and Commission appointments must go through the Council Committee which in turn makes its recommendation to the full Council.

Schipske, who voted against Fields’ removal, says she quickly scheduled a meeting of the Committee to facilitate the Mayor making an appointment before the end of the year. “It is important that everyone put politics aside for the good of the City and for the future of our Port,” adding that she has supported each and every appointment of Mayor Foster. 

“While I strongly disagreed with the removal of Mr. Fields, I support our City Charter which gives the Mayor the right to make appointments and will continue to do so.”

Schipske says that the Council needs to also move expeditiously to confirm the commissioner appointment so that the Port can move forward on numerous important issues, including hiring a new Executive Director.

#30

Please join us at this touching holiday tradition at Rosie the Riveter Park "Some Gave All Memorial"

Schipske Invited to Join LA Jobs Defense Council To Fight to Keep Boeing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske Joins LAEDC Jobs Defense Council
Long Beach, CA – November 20, 2013 – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, in her ongoing effort to advocate for Boeing to continue to keep assembly work in the City of Long Beach, and to fight for good paying jobs in the City, today announced that she was invited to join the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) Jobs Defense Council.

Schipske is the only representative from the City of Long Beach to serve on the council and attended today’s meeting which focused on ways to attract aerospace and related industries to stay, expand, or set up operations in the region.

“I feel that it’s extremely important that Long Beach does everything it can to maintain Boeing’s presence in our city and to do everything we can to support the businesses that depend on Boeing for their success,” stated Schipske, whose council district includes the aerospace corporation, “It’s important that someone on Council is participating on this county-wide council to ensure that Long Beach is represented.”

The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), is a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1981. Its mission is to attract, retain, and grow business and jobs for the regions of Los Angeles County. The L.A. Jobs Defense Council, an LAEDC project, is a group of regional and local electeds, agencies, aerospace related business representatives, and labor leaders.

Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske represents the 5^th Council District in which The Boeing Company is located. She has launched a Facebook page where readers can indicate their support for this effort: www.facebook.com/keepboeinginlongbeach 

and authored two pieces of legislation at City Council which call for a City Council resolution in support of retaining and expanding Boeing in Long Beach as well as funding an economic impact study that can be given to the Governor of California as evidence of what a loss of Boeing would mean to Long Beach and to the region. Both pieces of legislation passed unanimously last night in City Council.

#30

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