Candidates were asked questions on top issues including climate change, housing affordability, a living wage, the city’s homeless crisis and whether they would support a permanent extensions to the city’s Measure A sales tax.
The man at the center of the conflict of interest investigation into Councilwoman Jeannine Pearce also speaks out, saying he implored Pearce to check to ensure there were no conflicts associated with her consulting work for him.
Some critics, however, say the new rules will come at the expense of the public’s ability to participate in city discussions.
The city must adopt its budget by Sept. 15 for the new fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Tuesday’s decision comes following several weeks of budget hearings that were open to the public.
The fire department has estimated that restoring Engine 17 could improve response times by up to a minute and a half in its service area, and by up to 30 seconds throughout the city.
Plans for automation have been met with pushback from local unions concerned about the impact to jobs in the region.
The idea to streamline council came last year after the City Council had seven meetings last over seven hours.
Long Beach’s total population for the 2010 census was 462,257. Mayor Robert Garcia say that number should have been much higher.
Councilman Rex Richardson is aiming for a November 2020 ballot measure that could include a possible tax increase or bond measure to help fund affordable housing.
Early campaign finance reports show challengers in two of the races are outpacing incumbents in terms of fundraising.