Councilman Dan Baker: I am very pleased with the two recommendations that are before the Committee today. I've had the opportunity to meet with both of the gentlemen, and I believe we are ready to appoint two folks who understand the delicate balance between the growth at the Port and the importance for the economic engine to our city that it is, and the neighborhoods and the residents who are directly adjacent to the Port...We need the revenue and the tax base and the jobs that the Port brings to us, but we also need the support and the buy-in of the residents who are impacted by the diesel exhaust, the coke dust and the truck traffic...And I know by watching these two, and their business interactions, that they're coming onto the [Harbor] Commission with that knowledge and that background and a true commitment to the residents of Long Beach and I'm very pleased with the recommendations...

Councilwoman Tonia Reyes-Uranga: ...We do have some particular challenges when it comes to the Harbor Commission, especially after the frenzy over the 710 and the heartache that it caused...We're particularly concerned because a lot of the reasons why the 710 expansion had to occur, needs to occur, is because of Port growth...There are some major, major challenges that I know that you're very aware of that we're concerned about, not only the 710, the year round operations of the Port and really looking at the environmental effects, and the cumulative effects that the Port [and] Port related business have on this community...I will just say congratulations, and you will be hearing not only from [Councilman] Val [Lerch] but myself on a regular basis as we ensure that our residents are given the same considerations as those on the eastside and downtown area.

Councilwoman Laura Richardson (chair): ...I'd like to build on what both Councilmembers Uranga and Baker mentioned, and I would say one of my number one concerns is a greater open door between these two oceans over here, and I'd like to see instead of the bridge supporting us, that there would not be a bridge and that we would work more together proactively on the issues that concern both of us. So I think communication, engaging in key issues, when we talk about Port expansion, there should also be a discussion about how that impacts the city and not just Port expansion for the sake of business...We're going to need to work together, and so we're looking forward to doing that...