After several weeks in the first half of March battling sexual predators, the Long Beach City Council starts April off with a safer topic—battling L.A. river pollution. 

 

In an agenda item placed by Councilmembers Gary DeLong, Suja Lowenthal, and Bonnie Lowethal, requests the City Manager to “identify federal resources to study and implement solutions to reduce trash debris and pollution associated with the Los Angeles River, including the possibility of including the Los Angeles River as a project in the Water Resources Development Act”.

 

Meaning: Help us clean up Los Angeles trash.

 

All three Councilmembers’ districts include the ocean in some way, and the largest source of pollution into Long Beach shores is from the L.A. River. 

 

The Water Resources Development Act was a bill passed by large numbers of Republicans and Democrats last year, vetoed by President Bush, and then overridden by a similar, bipartisan margin.  The law would allocate funds and permit the Army Corps of Engineers to begin improvements on the nation’s rivers, harbors, and other water ways. 

 

This agenda item seeks to request funds under the umbrella of this federal project.

 

Stricter Dog Laws

 

In another item that is likely to pinch nerves and draw people down to City Hall, Councilmember Gerrie Schipskie, through the Public Safety Committee chaired by Val Lerch, seeks a new law that would tighten restrictions on unleashed and/or dangerous dogs. 

 

· Require microchipping of animals impounded by the Animal Control Division prior to owner redemption;

· Strengthen the leash law (LBMC 6.16.100);

· Create a linkage between education and fines that would require mandatory education regarding responsible pet ownership; and

· Possibly require microchipping of all licensed dogs and/or microchipping dogs prior to adoption.

 

Councilmember Schipskie’s Council actions usually stem from some complaint in the district, from RV & Limo parking to backyard canopies, and this one is no different. 

 

According to Schipskie’s Chief of Staff Josh Butler, several low profile calls came in to their office regarding stray dogs that had been a nuisance in the neighborhoods, and even in some cases becoming a dangerous menace.  This led to a public neighborhood meeting last November on the issue, drawing many people from outside of the district with the some complaints about stray dogs.

 

As Long Beach is the controversial center of the world on all dog related issues, expect this one to draw a sizable crowd, and look for which side of the fence the usual dog lovers fall on this issue.

 

The City Council meeting is on Tuesday, 5 p.m. at Long Beach City Hall.