Tripling Officeholder Accounts Violates Prop M Passed by Voters

The move by the City Council to triple the amount that can be raised annually for "officeholder accounts" may in fact violate the intent of Proposition M which was approved by the voters of Long Beach in 1994 as a way to curb the influence of money in local politics.

Prop M (among other things) limits campaign fundraising amounts for each elected office and limits fundraising to just the year before and during an election. The intent was to make sure elected officials were focusing on their work and not fundraising.

"Officeholder accounts" were added by the City Council in 1995 and under state government code can only be used for "non political" expenditures.

Now along comes a new city council which doesn't seem too concerned about political reform and is pushing through legislation that would triple the amount that can be raised year round for "officeholder accounts" from $10,000 to $30,000 -- thereby opening the flood gates for donors to give money even when a campaign for office is not scheduled. 

Not all cities have "officeholder accounts." Some cities allow an officeholder account only with extra money raised during campaign season.

So three council members opposed tripling the allowable amounts -- they only wanted to double them.

The ethical thing to do now would be to propose (as many other cities have) to put into place a companion piece of legislation: make it illegal for council members to vote on any issue if he or she has received more than $250 in the past 12 months from someone connected with the issue -- usually a contractor or developer. (Can also be extended to a union organization.) 

Come on City Council show the voters what you're really made of. 

Related articles

• Council on 8-0 Boosts Available Fundraising for Officeholder Accounts

City Staff Effort to Kill Prior Efforts for Transparency -- Stopped by Planning Commission

The Press Telegram announced at the beginning of the year that it would take on "transparency"as a major issue in the City of Long Beach...okay...so where is the editorial criticizing the Mayor-appointed Planning Commission's agenda item that would eliminate the requirements of public notice within 750 feet of a proposed development to 300 feet and completely eliminate notification of tenants and instead require the erection of a large sign?

In 2009, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske authored legislation that expanded the requirements to notify residents of proposed development from 300 to 750 feet and to make certain renters as well as property owners received notice.

This week, the Planning Commission took up a staff recommendation to reduce the notification requirements but rebuffed the idea on a 4-0 vote.

You can thank the members of the Planning Commission for their votes (click here to see who they are) and make sure to contact your Councilmember and insist this issue not be taken up by the Council, especially since the City is getting ready to start approving a long list of developments.

Here is what the Planning Commission staff recommended. Notice the complaint that the City has "bad addresses." (No one could get the list cleaned up??)

Public Noticing Requirements Staff Report

Related articles

• Open Government Partnership and Fiscal Transparency
• Open Data at Berkeley
• Civic Awesome: Open Data New For The Week Of January 9, 2015

Council on 8-0 Boosts Available Fundraising for Officeholder Accounts

Opening the door to continuous fundraising, the City Council on an 8-0 vote agreed to increase the amounts allowed to raise for officeholder accounts and for the individual amounts allowed to be asked for these accounts.

Under the latest proposal, the Council will be able to raise $30,000 a year in $750 increments to fill their coffers. The funds cannot not be currently used for campaign and political reasons (but there is speculation from the City Attorney the courts may rule otherwise).

This action bumps up limits from $10,000 and $500 per individual which in turn makes fundraising for office accounts more lucrative since campaign accounts are limited to $350 per individual.

For City-wide offices such as mayor, auditor, prosecutor and attorney, the limits are bumped up to $75,000 and individuals may give $1,000 annually.

Long Beach voters approved campaign finance reform in 1994 because of concern over the corruption money can bring to politics. Fundraising was limited to only one year before an election so that elected officials would not be tempted to engage in "pay to play."

By increasing the amounts for officeholder accounts, the lines are now being blurred about perpetual fundraising. More seriously, now a contributor can give $3000 to a council member over a 4 year period of time versus the maximum of $350 in a primary election and $350 in the run off.

The Council cannot vote to increase campaign limits (because these were set by voters in Prop M). So the next best thing was to jack up the officeholder account limits to open up the door for a flood of new money.

Long Beach Inside will report as the money is given, provide the Council now insists on stringent, open and public reporting.

Related articles

• Long Beach City Council To Boost Officeholder Accounts

City Posts Vacancies for Committees, Commissions and Boards

The City Clerk has posted a listing of current vacancies for city committees, commissions and boards. While none of the heavy-weight (Charter) commissions have openings, there are quite a few others still needing the volunteer services of residents. Take a look below or by clicking here:

If you are interested in applying for any of these, click here to complete an application.

Long Beach May Get Two Grants from Knight Foundation

The Knight Foundation has announced that 126 finalists in the first ever Knight Cities Challenge includes two from Long Beach:

Long Beach, Calif.

• Give and You Shall Receive (Submitted by Rachel Ng): Creating a neighborhood-based skills exchange where residents can offer their talent or post their needs.
• Living Walls by Nostrum Inc. (Submitted by Susan Collida): Enlivening blank neighborhood walls by mobilizing residents to collaborate and create community assets around the walls,  such as vertical gardens, rock climbing, film screens or visual art.

Over 7,000 entries were received in the Challenge for “new ideas to build more successful cities across the United States.” The Challenge is providing grants of all sizes from a pool of $5 million dollars.

The 126 finalists have three weeks to submit a final application with additional information about their ideas. Winners will be announced this spring.

Related articles

• Here Are the Knight Cities Challenge Finalists

City Hall Survey on "New" Civic Center Misses Important Question for Taxpayers: Do You Want the City To Obligate Money for a New Structure?

The train has left the station about what would be included in the design and build of a "new civic" center. But no doubt insiders at City Hall are touting the on-line survey posted at http://lbciviccenter.com/ which asks a series of questions about the potential  "New Civic Center" as "public engagement."

Admittedly, there are questions asking for input on this project which is estimated to cost between $380 million to $463 million dollars. 

But the first three questions are "softballs" -- intended to make it seem this is providing real input. The subjects of the remaining questions (4-9) are ALREADY INCLUDED in the proposal picked by the City Council as elements offered by the developer. 

The rest of the questions are included perhaps to make the case that the City Hall and City Library are not utilized very much and therefore are an afterthought in what the real intention of developing this parcel of land is really about.

But check the questions out and find what wasn't asked:

 Where are the questions about whether or not taxpayers want the City to obligate taxpayers in any financing scheme let alone one which will obligate taxpayers for many years? With dire predictions about pension costs and low oil revenues, is this the most prudent use of tax dollars?

Also missing, are questions as to whether or not taxpayers would prefer that the City Hall be retrofitted. You have to ask yourselves if the structure is so unsafe (which staff has claimed since 2007) then why is it still occupied and why will it continue to be occupied until a new building is completed in 2018?

A hidden fact is that the RFQ included a statement that the developer would be given the Lincoln Parking Garage (which generates a great deal of revenue for the City). When is the public going to be asked about that transaction?

Long Beach Inside will keep looking at this project.

Related articles

• Expert calls for more awareness on PPP projects
• Is Two Better Than One? The Public-Private Partnership- Chuck Brooks
• What Makes Public-Private Partnerships Work? An Economic Analysis

City Has Guide to Neighborhood Groups

The City Neighborhood Resource Center, which is funded through the City of Long Beach Development Services Department, has an updated "List of Neighborhood Groups" that provides a handy resource for finding out how residents can become involved in their neighborhood or community wide. (Click here for List)

The directory includes: 

• 75 Neighborhood Associations
• 42 Homeowner Associations
• 59 City wide Community Organizations
• 13 Business Associations

If you are looking for a way to become involved in your neighborhood and you don't see a group on this map to join that fits what what you want to do -- then start your own. 

Community service and involvement is the "glue" that keeps neighborhoods strong and vibrant.

Need an idea of where to start? Click here for toolkits provided on Serve.com.  

NOTE: The Neighborhood Services Bureau is located at 425 Atlantic Avenue and is committed to providing innovative programs and services designed to improve Long Beach neighborhoods. With support from the Community Development Advisory Commission, and using approximately $6,000,000 annually in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, the Bureau offers a variety of tools you and your neighbors can use to improve your homes and neighborhoods. It also provides family safety, leadership skills and other important programs. For more information call at (562) 570-570-1010.

Long Beach Community College Board Wrestles With Transparency

College Board Trustee, Sunny Zia, put a " bee in the bonnet" of her other four colleagues when she began insisting last October, that the Board agenda and materials include details for expenditures -- all expenditures -- so that the Board and the public could determine if the expenditures were warranted.

After being personally attacked by two other colleagues that she dare make such a request, the college administration has announced that it was planning all along to "roll out" a computerized agenda that would provide such details.

Administration building on Carson St, Long Beach, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Zia was once again chastised by a colleague in November and reminded that she could always ask staff about these items "before a meeting" obviously not understanding the intent of the Brown Act which requires that discussion of agenda items take place in public. The same colleague suggested a "study session" on Board policies and procedures. Hopefully, the Board's attorney will be on hand to remind all members of the requirements of the Brown Act. Perhaps following the session, Zia will receive an apology.

Zia, just elected last year, is to be commended for insisting that the taxpayers have a right to know where their money is being spent.

NOTE: Long Beach City College is comprised of two campuses: Carson and PCH. Together they form the Long Beach Community College District and are governed by an elected Board of Trustees, who serve without term limits.

Related articles

• Free community college: Excitement, doubts as news of Obama's tuition plan spreads

CNA Lands First Contract with Long Beach Community Hospital

English: Long Beach Community Hospital, 1720 Termino Ave., Long Beach, California, Long Beach Historic Landmark # 16.52.040 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On New Year's Eve, the Registered Nurses represented by the California Nurses Association, approved a hard fought first agreement with Long Beach Community Hospital. LBCH is operated by Memorial Health Care, on property owned by the City of Long Beach.

In its press release, CNA stated:

Yesterday registered nurses voted to approve their first ever collective bargaining agreement at Community Hospital Long Beach.

At a time when many labor contracts are premised on substantial cuts in workplace and living standards for nurses and other workers, the RNs successfully negotiated an agreement that represents improvements in their existing standards. Under the agreement, the nurses will elect a team of bedside RNs to meet with management on a regular basis to address patient care issues, including safe staffing and the introduction of new technology. The agreement also contains provisions that improve support for nurses' pursuit of the continuing education in nursing practice that is required by their license. The agreement also includes the institution of a pay scale that ties pay increases to years of experience not arbitrary management whim, as well as other economic gains, including secure health insurance and retirement benefits. 

Nurses will receive an immediate 3-6% wage increase in January and up to 16% over the three-year course of the contract. The improvements in benefits and the new pay scale system will strengthen the hospital's ability to recruit and retain experienced RNs, nurses say.

“One of our primary goals has been to win a fair wage structure that rewards nurses for service so that we can recruit and retain the experienced nurses our patients deserve," said Sherine Cooper, RN, Heart Center. "With this contract we have laid the foundation for a better future." 

“From the beginning, this has always been about our ability to provide safe patient care," said Jackie McKay, RN, ICU. "Nurses at Community Hospital Long Beach are thrilled to have a contract that gives nurses a voice in staffing and patient care and improves our ability to advocate for our patients." 

"Congratulations to the nurses at Community Hospital Long Beach for standing strong to protect their living and workplace standards for their patients, their colleagues, and their families. We are proud of you," said Zenei Cortez, RN, CNA Co-President. The 150 nurses at CHLB voted in December 2012 to affiliate with the California Nurses Association, and thus, link arms with their CNA-represented colleagues at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, which like Community, is also part of the Memorial Care Health System based in Fountain Valley, Ca. 

CNA is also a founding member of National Nurses United, the nation’s largest organization of nurses, with 190,000 members across the U.S., and also one of the fastest growing unions in the country. Over the past three years, NNU has won representation elections for more than 14,000 RNs at 39 hospitals in 11 states.

Related articles

• California Nurses Association On Strike for Insufficient Ebola Protection
• Health care workers struggle with cost of living in SF

Long Beach City Council To Boost Officeholder Accounts

A vote is scheduled for January 6, 2015 to approve increases in the amounts that can be raised for officeholder accounts to $25,000 annually for City Council members and $75,000 annually for the Mayor, Prosecutor, City Attorney and City Auditor.

The problem with this move is that it institutes perpetual fundraising for elected officials and starts clouding the purpose of the Campaign Finance Reform Act  approved by Long Beach voters which kept fundraising to basically a year before an election.

While prior City Councils and other elected officials have raised funds for "officeholder expenses" the amounts allowed were a fraction of what is being proposed.

The following are links to the agenda item and the documents you need to review: Agenda item with documents

Long Beach Inside will also publish the officeholder account records as they become available from the City Clerk.