Upcoming City Council Meeting Highlight
On Tuesday, May 7th, the City Council will hear the following items of interest:
Item #16: Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute the Games Agreement with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, including the authority to negotiate and enter into supplementary agreements related to hosting certain 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games events at the Long Beach Convention Center and Entertainment Center area, adjacent waterfront, and potentially other areas throughout Long Beach, provided City responsibilities under such supplementary agreements do not materially differ from responsibilities under the Games Agreement. Read the Games Agreement here.
Item #19: Recommendation to receive and file a report on key economic development strategies as part of the Grow Long Beach Initiative.
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Summary of Previous City Council Meeting
On Tuesday, May 7th, the City Council will hear the following items of interest:
Item #17: Recommendation to request City Manager to explore and report back with recommendations on the following immediate and longer-term actions to speed up the development of new affordable housing, increase the supply of affordable units, increase incentives for the development of both ownership and affordable rental housing, support the preservation of existing affordable units, and empower the Community Development Department to improve the affordable housing environment in the City of Long Beach:
- Continue Housing Development Acceleration Strategies from the January 10, 2023 Emergency Declaration;
- Implement Inclusionary Zoning Citywide;
- Pursue a Youth Right to Housing Through the Long Beach Housing Promise;
- Increase Homeownership Supports for Long Beach Residents; and
- Explore Innovative Solutions for Inclusive and Sustainable Housing.
This item passed unanimously. Councilmember Duggan clarified that each item proposed wouldn't be implemented without further Council discussion and approval, especially if funding is needed. Councilmember Duggan also asked staff to bring back options within the proposed Inclusionary Housing Ordinance to include a broader range of affordability levels for Council consideration.
Item #19: Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft resolution supporting the Freedom to Marry Ballot Measure. This ballot measure, appearing on the November Ballot, will repeal Prop 8 and amend the definition of marriage in the California Constitution which states: Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. The Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, threatens the precedent used to also decide Obergefell v. Hodges, which established the right to same sex marriage. This precedent is often referred to as our "right to privacy". This measure is being proposed to ensure the California Constitution recognizes same-sex marriage, even if Obergefell v. Hodges were to be overturned. This item passed unanimously.
Item #20: Recommendation to request Mayor to convene Charter Amendment Committee of the City Council to discuss placing an amendment of City Charter Article XI (Civil Service Department) before the voters to combine Civil Service and Human Resources Departments into one unified hiring department to manage all employee recruitment, hiring, and classified employee certifications; and establish an independent Civil Service Employee Rights and Appeals Commission to resolve complaints regarding Civil Service rules, to adjudicate classified employee disciplinary appeal; and to implement classified hiring preferences for Long Beach residents, students from local colleges and universities, current employees, and certain internships/apprenticeships. (Citywide). This item passed unanimously.
All City Council, Committee, and Commission agendas can be found here.
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