Councilwoman Mungo Mum In Her Monthly "Neighborly News" Email, Doesn't Mention Her Motion Authorizing Mgm't To Do Work To Determine "Feasibility" Of Int'l Flights at LB Airport

' Councilwoman Mungo Mum In Her Monthly "Neighborly News" Email, Doesn't Mention Her Motion Authorizing Mgm't To Do Work To Determine "Feasibility" Of Int'l Flights at LB Airport

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Councilwoman Mungo Mum In Her Monthly "Neighborly News" Email Re Her Motion That Authorizes Mgm't To Do Work To Determine "Feasibility" Of Int'l Flights at LB Airport

Her digital newsletter does cite her vote opposing Council resolution declaring "meatless Mondays"

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(July 19, 2015) -- Fifth district Councilwoman Stacy Mungo's monthly Neighborly News email newsletter, received by a number of her constituents on Friday July 17, doesn't mention a major matter: her July 7 prevailing Council motion to authorize Airport and city management to do whatever work they deem necessary to determine the "feasibility," financial and otherwise, of allowing a federal inspection (customs) facility at Long Beach Airport (that couldn't be restricted to a single passenger or cargo user.)

Also unmentioned: the brouhaha that followed her extemporaneous Council statement at the time in response to testimony by a number of homeowners who variously cited the importance of their family home values. After public comment was closed, Councilwoman Mungo stated: "I want all of you to stay in the homes you're in, but quite frankly if you moved, the city would actually increase its property tax revenue. Because of Prop 13 and your protections, we are not making a decision to get rid of you or move you and..."

Councilwoman Mungo's words triggered audible audience displeasure, to which Mungo replied, "As a budget director [works for L.A. County] I just have to tell you the facts" and as the audience displeasure increased, Mayor Garcia intervened and effectively invited Mungo not to say any more: "You're all done, Councilwoman?" the Mayor said, to which Councilwoman Mungo quietly replied "sure." To hear an audio clip of this exchange, click here.

Councilwoman Mungo played a prominent role in the international airport agenda item, not only on her prevailing motion but earlier in the proceeding when she seconded (before hearing public testimony) an initial motion by Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal to proceed with the feasibility report.

For quick-launch on-demand AUDIO of the entire Council item, click the following:

(1) City Mgr. opening plus public testimony in full, pro/con (1 hr, 36 mins).

(2) Council statements in full to voted conclusion (53 minutes).

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Councilwoman Mungo's substitute-substitute motion enabling management's feasibility report process also requires holding at least two "community meetings" in areas impacted, although it's unclear to what effect; a Council majority voted to proceed with the feasibility work despite public testimony over two-to-one opposed (with half the speakers in support were from JetBlue Airways.)

If the City were to allow such a federal inspection facility at the Airport, it couldn't be limited to JetBlue, effectively opening up the Airport to an entire category of international operators -- cargo and passenger -- that might seek flight slots not currently available (most taken by JetBlue) under LB's Airport ordinance. JetBlue has repeatedly stated that it seeks to operate within the terms of the Airport ordinance. The ordinance protects Long Beach from unlimited daily flights at all hours of the day and night on all runways...and if the City were to risk and lose the ordinance's protections, the 5th Council district could be among the biggest losers.

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City management's agendizing memo recommended, and Mungo's motion was broad enough to allow, retaining "industry experts" [management's agendizing memo term] to perform the work. Councilwoman Mungo declined to allow a friendly amendment by Councilman Austin that would have brought management's proposed firms back to the Council for voted approval...meaning management now has a free hand to hire whomever it wishes. (Mungo accepted four of five other additions offered by Austin which came from some of his constituents who assumed the item would pass; Austin himself remained opposed.)

In contrast to its silence on the Airport matter, Councilwoman Mungo's July 17 Neighborly News did contain follow-up to her May vote opposing a Council resolution declaring "meatless Mondays..

[Mungo "Neighborly News" text] On June 29, less than one month after the City Council considered the "Meatless Mondays Campaign" resolution, the Gaslamp Restaurant held a "Meatless Monday" event where I was the only councilmember in attendance. My vote against the resolution drew much support and criticism, and was even featured on various local news stations. I stand by my vote in that I feel we, as a Council, should be spending our time at meetings and in the community on public safety, infrastructure, and park matters. Although I did not support the agenda item, I did and will continue to support our local businesses who celebrate "Meatless Monday" as a way to draw in customers.

[For the record: the Council considered and voted on May 19 (7-2 margin) to direct the City Attorney to prepare the Meatless Monday resolution; a follow-up Council vote adopting the resolution took place on June 2.]

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