NEWS
18 SIgNAL TrIBuNE LB Cares continued from page 1
channeled through the health department and provided to thousands of school children each year. Marino noted that the health department is also a key player in local disaster planning. She explained that the health, police and fire departments form a triangle of public safety and regularly refine their plans for responding to any natural, biological or terrorist threats. In addition, according to Marino, the health department coordinates the Medical Reserve Corps of volunteers to respond to community disasters. Lewis added that the department’s travel clinic advises people on specific health-related issues they will face while travelling and when they reach a specific destination. “It gives travelers good advice and even offers immunizations to them,” she said. “Over the
SH Council continued from page 1 cil on a case-by-case basis. They must meet at least one of several conditions that would benefit the community, as outlined by the ordinance. These conditions include: blight alleviation; establishment of businesses that will produce at least 300 long-term jobs or preserve a business that will create 150 long-term jobs; creation of ongoing revenues to the City of at least $300,000 per year; or creation of a needed public amenity or a unique private facility that would be “significant to the community character.” In return, the ordinance notes where the City could provide businesses with assistance in various forms that include public-private partnerships, regulatory relief and tax rebate agreements. Several Signal Hill residents challenged the ordinance and asked to continue the public discussion to allow more time to review its implications. Resident and former councilmember Carol Churchill asked several questions at the
years, it has really helped many people have a safe and healthy trip.” Marino also explained that the department’s restaurant inspections, environmental services and health-education programs have succeeded in preventing the outbreak of many diseases in Long Beach for many years. “No one doubts that the health department does a very good job of protecting the health of the people of Long Beach,” Lewis said. “But not everyone realizes the tremendous benefit the health department brings to the local economy.” Lori Brault, former Long Beach Cares president, pointed out that only three California cities– Long Beach, Pasadena and Berkeley– have their own health departments. All other health departments are run by county governments or exist as partnerships between a county and city. “Being independent enables our health department to control the money it receives from grants and
to make sure it is spent in Long Beach,” she said. “If the county took over our health department, only a portion of that grant money would be spent in our city.” Brault stressed that the grant funds not only provide valuable health-related services to the people who live in the city, but they also provide jobs for local residents. “The health department has about 363 employees, and 67 percent of them live in Long Beach,” she said, adding that another 13 percent live in the surrounding cities. “That does not count the professionals that the health department hires as contractors for construction and special programs and services,” Marino said. “And many of the employees and contractors are highly paid professionals.” (The health department spends about $6.5 million per year on services rendered by contractors.) Marino added that a significant portion of those paychecks are spent to purchase cars, furniture, appliances, groceries, cloth-
City Council meeting. Churchill challenged Mayor Tina Hansen when the mayor instructed Churchill to ask all her questions at once. “It’s nice to know we have a new dictator in town,” Churchill said. Churchill inquired about the purpose of an ordinance when the city charter already grants the City the same powers. She also asked whether the ordinance expands the City’s power of eminent domain or imposes taxes on the residents without voter approval. She specifically requested to put the issue on the ballot for the voters, in case there were tax implications. Maria Harris, another Signal Hill resident, also expressed concern about the ordinance language. She wanted more language that recognized that the rights of property owners should be protected. Harris also asked that district boundaries be formed. Her suggestion would effectively limit the scope of the City’s authority.
“A district boundary could be developed instead of applying it to an entire city, leaving us the residents wondering, ‘Okay, where is the mighty arm of government going to fall today?’” Harris concluded. “You have to recognize that government does not have a good reputation, and we out here get very nervous every time we hear about government’s expanding and strengthening their powers.” The city attorney addressed the concerns of the language of the ordinance, indicating that it is already subject to a number of laws, including those at the federal and state levels. He specifically cited Proposition 218. “There’s nothing in this ordinance that would allow the City to impose a tax without complying with [the parts of Proposition] 218 which require a vote of the people,” Aleshire said. “Okay? That’s state law, and we’re subject to that.” The city attorney also explained the state law’s requirements with respect to eminent domain and emphasized that the ordinance doesn’t change the process. He underscored the need for an ordinance that highlights the existing powers of the City under the terms of its charter. He explained that the charter has very broad language in terms of the City’s authority, but the charter gives only a limited description and no specific plan. “The charter in and of itself has some authority,” Aleshire said, “but it doesn’t really give the road map as to how we would do it.” Councilmember Michael Noll emphasized the importance of passing the ordinance soon, noting that there is a “sense of urgency” since state lawmakers are now considering legislation surrounding brownfields, which may offer grants or other funding. Brownfields include real property or redevelopment that may be
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APrIL 6, 2012 ing, other items and services in Long Beach. “When health department employees and contractors make purchases in Long Beach, they support other local jobs and are a source of sales tax revenues for the City of Long Beach,” she stressed. “But the economic benefits of having our own health department even go beyond that,” Brault noted. “Much of the funding the department receives is in the form of specialized grants that can only be spent on specific programs.” She explained that last year the health department paid: $63 million to Long Beach-area landlords for housing subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; $30 million to local retail grocers in the form of food vouchers under the federal Women, Infants and Children program; and $10 million to publicand private-sector organizations that help the homeless population with job training, child care and housing. “Again, these are funds that provide vital assistance to
truly needy people and help the local economy,” she said. A few months ago, Long Beach Cares published a brochure entitled “The Economic Value of Public Health in Long Beach.” The four-page brochure includes text, graphics and photographs that explain how the health department benefits Long Beach. “We distribute the brochure at various community meetings and events,” Brault explained. “It’s really helping educate the public on the importance of Long Beach having its own health department.” “Traditionally, public health agencies have been good about telling the service story,” Lewis said. “We feel it’s important in these economic times to tell the economic story as well.” MORE INFORMATION (562) 570-4141 This is the second of a two-part series.
Librarian Gail Ashbrooke (left) receives a proclamation from Mayor Tina Hansen (right) in recognition of National Library Week at the Signal Hill City Council meeting on April 3. complicated by hazardous materials, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s website. The legislation may offer funding. To have regulations already in place, Noll argued, the City could be among the first to apply for funding. Harris dismissed Noll’s argument for urgency. “Perhaps they felt they needed to move because of the brownfield[s] issue,” Harris said in an interview following Tuesday’s Council meeting, “however as the [city] attorney pointed out and the city manager pointed out, the city charter provides… many of those powers already enumerated in this proposed ordinance. So I don’t think that the issue of urgency really was a legitimate grounds for not allowing the public to participate in it, in the discussion.” The ordinance will be further discussed at the next City Council meeting on Tuesday, April 17. Other City Council highlights New police officers Officers Nicholas Butler and DeAngelo Gossett were sworn into service and introduced at the Council meeting.
City Ventures Mayor Hansen presented the 1st Quarter Sustainability Award to Ben Besley and Natasha Zabaneh of City Ventures National Library Week Hansen presented a proclamation to City Librarian Gail Ashbrooke in recognition of National Library Week April 8-14, 2012. EDCo Transport Services The Council voted to introduce an ordinance to approve a zoning ordinance amendment that reduces the setback areas for specific areas along California Avenue as requested by EDCO Transport Services. League of Women Voters The Council approved a request by the League to use the Council Chambers for forum for judicial candidates later this year. The next Signal Hill City Council meeting is scheduled for April 17 at 7pm in the Council Chambers.
Mayor Tina Hansen (right) presents the 1st Quarter Sustainability Award to Ben Besley (left) and Natasha Zabaneh (center) of City Ventures at the April 3 Signal Hill City Council meeting.