City Hall-Selected "Economic Development Comm'n" Wants Airport's "Economic Benefits" Included In Guiding Principles

"Economic Impact: Establish airport terminal improvements and modernization plans to sustain and foster the fiscal and economic benefit of the Long Beach Airport and related business opportunities to the City of Long Beach, its residents and businesses. The terminal improvements and modernization and future airport usage should be consistent with the City's 2010 Strategic Plan objectives to expand Long Beach Airport business opportunities within existing noise ordinances."

"Land Use: As set forth in the City's 2010 Strategic Plan, develop a strategy for land use at the airport that maximizes the economic return to the community."

A recommendation committee made up of the Commission chair, Commission vice chair and a Commission member chosen by the Commission chair, will forward to the Mayor a list of names and/or desired backgrounds of potential commissioners for the Mayor's consideration. The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to the confirmation of the City Council. The Mayor shall make nine of said appointments from a list of persons nominated by the governing bodies or Chief Executive Officer of the following organizations or representing the following public-private segments:

A. Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (Business);

B. International Business Association or World Trade Center Association (International Business/Trade);

C. Long Beach Unified School District or Long Beach City College or California State University, Long Beach (Education);

D. A representative from real estate or financial services industries in Long Beach (Real Estate/Financial Services);

E. A representative from a Long Beach area workforce organization (Workforce);

F. A representative from the insurance, legal, accounting or architecture professions in Long Beach (Professional Services);

G. Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tourism);

H. City of Long Beach recognized business association representative (Business Associations);

I. A representative from an airport-related business (Airport Business).

The remaining eight commissioners shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City subject to City Council confirmation, representing business or a business-related civic interest in Long Beach. All seventeen members of the Commission shall have full and equal powers and responsibilities.

[T]o advise and recommend to the City Council and the City Manager on matters pertaining to activities affecting economic development within the City, in the creation of private-sector employment opportunities and business ventures, on methods of coordinating economic efforts, and more specifically to advise and recommend to the City Council concerning the following:

A. The evaluation of research concerning economic growth patterns of the community;

B. The identification of economic development needs and opportunities in the community and the recommendation of program strategies for implementation by City staff;

C. The evaluation and recommendation of marketing plans for economic development programs;

D. The review and reporting to City Council regarding availability of surplus City-owned property and recommendation of interim and long term uses consistent with the community's economic development needs;

E. The recommendation to City Council of the appointment of citizen business task forces to review and study specific development problems and opportunities;

F. The formulation and recommendation of policies for loan programs administered by the Economic Development Division;

G. The cooperation with the Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority regarding those development programs which are of common concern to the respective agencies;

H. The evaluation of the availability of Federal and State grant programs and recommendation of application for those grants deemed appropriate for the economic development needs of the community;

I. The establishment and management of a land program to stimulate industrial and commercial development within the City;

J. Evaluation and recommendations related to the City's international trade promotion efforts including coordination with the Long Beach International Trade Office.