Deliberation and discussion continued about the future of Long Beach’s Main Library Tuesday, in a special City Council study session. The Council heard presentations from City Manager Pat West, Assistant City Manager Suzanne Frick and Director of Library Services Eleanor Schmidt. The verdict?
Complete the plan and come back to us in three months.
With yet another crowd full of passionate residents holding “Save Our Library” signs, the overwhelming response was that the presented plan was not sufficient and had no definite direction. Several possible temporary replacement sites were presented, with no front-runner and little if any discussion between the city and the proposed sites.
Councilwoman Rae Gabelich asked how long it would take to make a new site operational, once one is selected – and also providing that the infrastructure parcel tax is passed by voters to allow for the move. “Definitely several months,” said City Manager West.
“If everything were perfect, it still wouldn’t open until May,” Gabelich said. She proposed that the topic be removed from Council discussion until “a real presentation can be presented.” Other Councilmembers were quick to follow suit.
Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga called it “ill-advised to throw an idea out there and hope that everyone will jump on the bandwagon.” Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske called the process the main problem. “Quite frankly, it stinks,” she said. “We’re losing the public trust on this issue. This is not a well thought-out plan.”
Councilman Gary DeLong gave sympathy, if not support, to West’s efforts.
“Had you crossed every “T” and dotted every “i,” you would’ve been criticized for not involving enough public outreach,” DeLong told West. “What is the Council interested in seeing these cuts do? Thank you for at least beginning to stir the pot.”
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor