(May 26, 2015) -- A resolution that would put the City of Long Beach on record as supporting "Meatless Mondays" returns to the City Council for an enacting vote on June 2.

To view the resolution text, click here.

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As previously reported by LBREPORT.com, on May 19 the City Council voted 7-2 (Mungo, Supernaw dissenting) to support an item agendized by Councilman Austin (joined by Councilmembers Gonzalez and Price) that directed the City Attorney to prepare the resolution. (Agenda item text in LBREPORT.com previous coverage here.)

The item sparked a large amount of public comment on social networks, emails and in an instant survey on LBREPORT.com, primarily on grounds that a person's food choice isn't City Hall's business, and the Council has more important issues to address. (LBREPORT.com instant survey results here.)

In their May 19 session, Councilmembers made no nearly acknowledgment publicly of the criticism. To hear the Council's May 19 discussion of the item, click here (unedited, 26.5 minutes),

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Councilman Austin said he agendized the item as a way to "raise awareness and add to the dialogue" on the issue and said it is important to Long Beach, which has the highest rate of childhood obesity in California, and childhood obesity has lifelong health impacts including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and some types of cancer. Councilman Austin noted that other city governments (including Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco) had adopted similar resolutions. "If even for one day a week, people think a little bit more about what they are eating, and consider trying new healthier menu options, then this resolution will have accomplished its purpose," Councilman Austin said, and credited constituent Drew Alexis [identified more fully below] for bringing the Meatless Monday campaign to his attention.

Co-author Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez said she knows "it's been a hot topic lately" but signed onto it "because having a different perspective in my opinion on eating habits is extremely important." Councilwoman Gonzalez, whose 1st district borders on the Port of Long Beach and straddles the 710 freeway, cited obesity and a UN Food and Agriculture Organization claim that the "the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change" and "totals more than the emissions from transportation alone." She also cited an unattributed statistic contending that an estimated 1,850-2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef, whereas alternatives such a tofu only take 220 gallons of water per pound. "So in addition to being healthy and making this merely a recommendation it's also a global idea of ensuring we're being sustainable and that we're being more environmentally conscious and friendly," Councilwoman Gonzalez said.

Co-author Councilwoman Suzie Price said, "Studies have led to lots of policies and initiatives over the years that are embraced by local government. Smoking laws and prohibitions, restrictions, snack offerings at schools promoting healthy snack options for children. This is just another opportunity to raise awareness within our city and to encourage our residents to think about their lifestyles, their welfare, their future health, and really to take it as an opportunity to choose, if they want, to try something different on Mondays. Why not give it a shot? Thank you Councilman Austin for bringing this forward."

Councilman Uranga commended his colleagues for bringing the item forward and said, "It's obvious that many studies show that meat can be very harmful to one's health and having one day out of the week to stay away from eating meat products is I think commendable."

Councilwoman Stacy Mungo indicated that she favored taking a more positive position, such as offering alternatives ("pro-veggie Monday" or "care about what you eat Monday" or "sugar free Monday") and said she "had calls from some businesses, specifically that serve meat and steak and things like that and it really contributes to the health of their business." She said the city "could encourage restaurants and eateries to expand their selections" but "I just don't think that city government really should be in the business of telling people and making proclamations based on preferences."

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Public speakers followed, opening with measure proponent Alexis who indicated he was aware of at least some of the supportive speakers who would speak after him.

[Update, May 20, 11:35 a.m.] Unmentioned by Councilman Austin, Mr. Alexis is listed as General Counsel and Chief People Officer for "Farm Sancturary," whose whose website describes him as "involved in various local and national animal protection organizations as a volunteer, donor, and supporter [and is] delighted now to be devoting his full-time career to animal protection..." Farm Sanctuary's website describes its mission as "To protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassionate vegan living." [end update]

Mr. Alexis told the Council: "Some may fear that a proclamation is government intrusion into one's personal choices...The campaign is really designed to do nothing more than provide information concerning the impact of our food choices on our health and the environment and simply to encourage us to make healthy decisions," he said, then recited a number of grounds paralleling those listed on the Meatless Monday advocacy website and added, "Given the staggering rate of obesity in Long Beach, can we afford not to take reasonable steps to influence our residents to enjoy meatless meals at least one full day a week."

Among the speakers who followed was a woman who said she is a 30 year vegetarian and 10 year vegan [excludes eggs and dairy products and any animal derived ingredients] and stated that food choices are not a personal preference because they cause top soil erosion and Amazon River destruction and thus people's meat habits affect everyone. Another woman, who said she manages a business in LB's East Village arts district, said the measure could benefit restaurants whose business is traditionally slow on Mondays because it encourages offering new food choices; she added that she's proud to live in a city marked by progressive, forward thinking compassion for all living beings, and the measure seems like a logical evolution for the city. And a woman who said she's a dietician and works in dialysis, said she sees obesity, diabetes and hypertension regularly, which puts a billion dollar annual strain on Medicare.

Also speaking in support were two children, including one aged 8 who attends ELB's Mini Gant school and testified in rapid fire, articulate terms from written remarks. She said told the Council that she's a vegan child; eating meat damages the Earth; raising and killing cattle takes a toll on the planet; 80% of greenhouse gasses are from animal agriculture; and it takes 2,500 gallons of water to make a pound of meat.

No members of the public came to the City Council meeting to speak in opposition. The LB Area Chamber of Commerce sent no representative to speak on the matter.

The Council's June 2 agenda item includes the opportunity for additional public comment, pro and con.

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