Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske: "While the City Council has yet to see the details on the proposed land deal that will result in the purchase of wetlands property, I do feel if done correctly it could be the most significant step this city has taken to preserve our environment...Residents from all over the city have been working on my taskforce to address the impact of the lack of wetlands in our area. Specifically, the task force has focused on the fact that because Long Beach lacks wetlands our area ponds and lakes are inundated with waterfowl. The overcrowding and the pushing these birds into urban areas has had disastrous effects on our waterfowl. A restored wetlands would help greatly." [Release text: Schipske expressed cautious optimism about the deal while indicating her concern that several issues be addressed before the deal is finalized by City Council: determining the market value for both the wetlands area and the properties owned by the city to make certain they are of equal value; a market appraisal of the oil rights underneath the wetlands area as part of the value for the property; preservation of the city's rights to oil and minerals underneath any property currently owned by the city; and determination of the cost of cleaning up the wetlands property and which entity will be responsible for the clean-up. "If we can get pass those hurdles then it will be a win-win for everyone."]
Councilwoman Tonia Reyes Uranga: It is said that anything worth having does not come without some struggle. Wednesday the City announced a plan that advances a worthy goal of increasing open space and wetlands, but it is a deal that leaves many struggling to cope with the lose of a much needed sports park that had been promised by city leaders for nearly 20 years. It is true that all great deals comes at great cost, and cost of this deal is borne by the residents who unfortunately are all too familiar with bearing the burden for this great city - the West Side of Long Beach.
We see what can take place when city leaders unite for a common purpose and target their energies for a greater good. After extensive many community meetings, hours of public testimony, hundred of thousands of dollars spent on staff and consultant hours, the struggle for an equal access to recreational opportunities seemed to be within reach for residents of West Long Beach. However, that long established goal of the city was abandoned when the Sports Park was bartered away in a complex land swap to acquire Wetlands.
"Hilltop property" plan now proposed by city management. Image source: City of LB
The City of Long Beach established a goal of 8 acres of parkland and open space per 1,000 residents and our residents in East Long Beach enjoy over 16 acres per 1,000 while West Long Beach residents are left with 1 acre per 1,000 !! [Source: City of Long Beach Parks & Recreation Strategic Plan 2003]
While we wholeheartedly support the purchase and development of wetlands, the gap between East and West is increasing to an insurmountable geographic divide. The Sports Park was a significant piece of the puzzle to add active recreational space to an underserved community.
In fact, the City of Long Beach would not have a Sports Park to trade if it wasn't for the combined efforts of the West Long Beach residents. West Long Beach Youth Foundation spoke out at the Planning Commission meeting and Council meeting in support of the Sports Park in anticipation of relief from the overcrowding in the parks in central, north but most dramatically those parks west of the I-710. Many families, youth sports coaches and open space advocates worked collaborative to revive a project that was rejected when proposed at El Dorado park.
The Sports Park provided a promised location for adult leagues to play, thus freeing up space for our neighborhood youth. This was a promise not kept. Active park space must be developed in the geographically isolated area west of the I-710 freeway. A possible site has been identified west of the I-710 and north of the 405. The feasibility of "active" playing fields (soccer primarily but also baseball and football) on the remaining city owned 18 acre plot of the Sports Park must also be explored. And the feasibility of "active" playing fields on the Wrigley Heights area should be considered with the input from the neighborhood.
In addition, park and recreation improvements in the West Long Beach area cannot wait and must be accelerated in order ease the over crowding. This must be done before the wetlands deal is finalized. The West Long Beach Youth Foundation and the West Long Beach Association should be kept advised of all area improvements.
We cannot afford to have a tale of two cities, a tale of the haves and the have not's. West side homes may be taken to expand the I-710, our health is at risk as we bear the burden of the expanded port and their intermodal facilities, and now we are asked to give up our children's playing fields and park space. We cannot continue to have one area of the city bear the costs at the expense of the rest.
Let's celebrate this potential wetlands deal, but also focus on the real area of need, the "Other Long Beach", the one our city leaders forget, our West Long Beach.
Mayor Bob Foster: Once completed, this will place the largest privately owned coastal marsh into the public trust. Los Cerritos is the final piece needed to complete more than a decade long effort to restore Southern California's vanishing coastal wetlands." [first released Nov. 11]
[background] On Oct. 7, the City Council held a closed session agendized as follows:
On Oct. 7, the following agendized item appeared:
Pursuant to Section 54956.8 of the California Government Code regarding a conference with the City's real property negotiator:
1. Property: 2801 Orange Avenue
Regarding a conference with the City's real property negotiator: 1. Property: 2801 Orange Avenue, Long Beach, CA
City's Negotiator: Patrick H. West, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: City of Long Beach and Amerigas Propane, L.P.
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
2. Property: A portion of the property bounded to the west by Pacific Coast Highway and Shopkeeper Road, to the south by the San Gabriel River, to the east by Studebaker Road and the southerly prolongation thereof to the San Gabriel
River, and to the north by the Los Cerritos Channel, Long Beach, CA
Assessor's Parcel No. 7237-017-010 through -014
Assessor's Parcel No. 7237-017-019
Assessor's Parcel No. 7237-017-025 through -027
Assessor's Parcel No. 7237-020-021
City's Negotiator: Patrick H. West, City Manager
Negotiating Parties: City of Long Beach and LCW Partners LLC
Under Negotiation: Price & Terms of Payment
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