The Long Beach City Council voted last night 5-4 in support of forgiving nearly $35 million in Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Convention Center debts. Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal, Robert Garcia, Gary DeLong, Patrick O’Donnell and Dee Andrews voted in favor. Councilmembers Gerrie Schipske, Tonia Reyes Uranga, Rae Gabelich and Val Lerch voted against the deal.

The Press Telegram reported this morning: “The deal calls for the Port of Long Beach to pay off the aquarium and Convention Center debt and to be repaid by the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency with funds from future revenue generated from harbor projects. The aquarium deal unburdens the city of about $2 million of debt in the current fiscal year and $4 million in the coming fiscal year, when the city faces a $38.3 million budget shortfall. Another $2 million would be freed up for police, firefighting and maintenance services on the city’s waterfront next year.”

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