Amid Public Push-Back On Re-Vote, Council Votes <nobr>7-2</nobr> To Refer Naming NLB Library For Michelle Obama To Council Committee Plus Community Meeting Public Input

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Amid Public Push-Back On Re-Vote, Council Votes 7-2 To Refer Naming NLB Library For Michelle Obama To Council Committee Plus Community Meeting Public Input

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(Jan. 20, 2015, 9:55 a.m.) -- As seen LIVE with an action summary flashed on our front page within minutes, the City Council voted 7-2 (Mungo and Supernaw dissenting) on Jan. 19 to refer a recommendation by Councilman Rex Richardson -- a re-vote from initial Dec. 22 action due to Brown Act issue -- to name the North Long Beach library now under construction the "Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library." referring the name for discussion in and recommendation by a Council committee as well as public input at upcoming community meetings.

The re-vote had been placed on the Council's Jan. 19 "consent calendar" and Councilwoman Mungo moved, Supernaw seconded, pulling the re-vote off the consent calendar for a separately voted action. Prior to doing so, four members of the public spoke in opposition; two urged naming the library for a local individual and suggested former Mayor Eunice Sato; another recommended naming the new facility simply the North Branch Library.

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[Procedural note: In seeking to pull the item, Councilwoman Mungo indicated she'd intended to make a substitute motion before the public spoke but didn't see the electronic option; Mayor Garcia told Mungo (who's been on the Council for a year and a half) that this wasn't the consent calendar procedure; when the consent calendar is called, the Mayor routinely asks aloud if Councilmembers wish to pull any items for discussion and separate voted action, which Mungo didn't do, although Mayor Garcia let her do so on this item.]

On the initial Dec. 22 agendized item, co-agendized by Vice Mayor Lowenthal, Councilmembers Austin and Price, multiple adults and school children spoke, overwhelming testimony from some residents who urged naming the facility for an individual with ties to LB, and others saying it should simply be called the "North Branch" Library. The December 22 recommendation to name the facility for Michelle Obama advanced 5-0 (Yes: Gonzalez, Lowenthal, Uranga, Austin, Richardson) with Councilmembers Supernaw, Mungo, Andrews and Price absent for the entire meeting.)

In response to public push-back on Jan. 19, Councilman Richardson stated (reiterated) that he is continuing to follow the Council's usual naming process. He indicated that he received roughly 150 communications in support and 12 in opposition...and noted that he's scheduled a Jan. 21 event (6:30-8:30 p.m.) at Houghton Park for what he has called a community discussion on the proposal.

Councilwoman Price, a co-agendizer of the initial item but absent on Dec. 22 post surgery, cited a written statement she submitted at the time indicating that [written statement text] "Based on the agenda item as worded, the possibility of naming the library after the First Lady is something that is only in the preliminary phase. The process will involve discussion at the Commission level and with stakeholders such as users, the Library Foundation and residents of Long Beach. I understand and respect Councilman Richardson's reasons for wanting to name the library after the First Lady. I do believe, however, that such a decision would be a departure from our naming policy. This item should serve to initiate a longer, more transparent process which will involve most certainly more public outreach." Price said she considered her Dec. 22 statement neutral in tone.

Councilman Supernaw said he regrets (called it heartbreaking) that the issue had became polarized so quickly and indicated he believes it's because there's been a lack of process thus far.

Councilwoman Mungo acknowledged that Mrs. Obama has been an inspiration but indicated comments she's heard are that the library will be an asset for the City as a whole and discussion should include what it means to name a library for a person with ties to Long Beach.

Councilwoman Gonzalez said Councilman Richardson was, in effect, now having to defend himself for following the Council naming process and said she supported Councilman Richardson's action.

The Council 7-2 vote (Mungo and Supernaw dissenting) followed.

As indicated above, a community meeting is scheduled on Jan. 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.) for discussion of the proposal.