10:00am | The Mayor and Long Beach City Council will discuss a variety of financial issues today in a series of meetings concerning pension reform, Tidelands funds, the Fiscal Year 2011 budget and the decision to elect a new Vice Mayor.
The fun begins at 3:00pm today when the Charter Amendment Committee will meet in Council Chambers to discuss the possibility of changing the system in which the Harbor Department makes its annual transfer to the Tidelands Fund, which is used to fund ocean or beachfront costs and developments. The charter amendment would need to be approved by voters before implementation.
At 4:45pm, the Mayor and Council will convene to select a new Vice Mayor. By now, you probably know the skinny: Councilmembers Suja Lowenthal (2nd District) and Patrick O’Donnell (4th District) are both interested in the job and a spirited competition has blossomed, with their fellow Councilmembers aligning themselves on one side or the other. Some argue that the position traditionally goes to the person with more experience (O’Donnell) while others argue that it isn’t always the case. We said the position was not all that important, then reported on the Council deadlocking the vote, then said that, actually, it is pretty important. What fun awaits? Stay tuned.
The big one begins at 5:00pm. This is the special meeting to review and discuss the proposed Fiscal Year 2011 Budget that City Manager Pat West unveiled last week. Mayor Bob Foster added a few recommendations to that proposal and the Council will have the opportunity to comment on it tonight. Chief among the issues are proposed cuts to public safety in order to accommodate an $18.5 million deficit, as well as proposed pension reform for City employees that could create major tension, but most agree is vital to the long-term financial stability of the city.
West wrote in his proposal that a failure to sufficiently reform pensions would force the City to fire 44 Police officers and eliminate a Fire Department ambulance, as well as cut hours at libraries, parks and teen centers. Essentially, it was a major warning that generous pensions need to be reduced or the City will lose vital services.
The City Council must adopt a balanced City Budget by September 15 and the Fiscal Year begins on October 1.
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