(April 30, 2019, 10:30 a.m.) -- An item agendized for the The May 7 Council item seeks Council approval to accept the $200k Metro grant; the Council already voted to approve the $50k City cost item as part of the Council's FY19 budget votes. City staff's agendizing memo (here) seeks Council approval to accept the $200,000 grant from Metro (among a number of Metro-supported "open streets" events in various cities) while acknowledging the City will spend roughly $50,000 to cover the remaining costs using City Hall's "Special Advertising and Promotions Fund" (comprised mainly of money collected from LB hotel room taxes ("transient occupancy tax.") [LBREPORT.com reported $50,000 "beach streets" cost item among spending included in the FY19 city management/Mayor recommended FY19 budget, approved by the Council in September 2018.] [Scroll down for further.] |
In the May 7, 2019 agendizing memo, Public Works Dir. Craig Beck writes in pertinent part: In 2009, the City of Long Beach (City) announced its goal of becoming the most Bicycle Friendly City in America. Since then, bicycling and walking in the City have increased in popularity, with the number of people riding bikes nearly doubling over that period. Beach Streets, the City's signature Open Streets event, celebrates sustainable and active transportation, local businesses, and communities in a comfortable, family-oriented environment. In addition, Beach Street events promote first and last mile connections since many people arrive at these events using public transit service, such as Long Beach Transit and Metro Blue Line.
Public records show that a November 2016 "Beach Streets" Midtown event (Anaheim Street, from Orange Avenue to PCH) cost $254,478, of which Metro paid $190,000 with the Council voting to spend $64,478 to cover the remainder from LB's "Special Advertising and Promotions Fund." On December 23, 2018, the Council voted [Image source: Internal city staff communications obtained under Public Records Act request by LBREPORT.com.] LB Muni Code section 3.64.100 (adopted by a previous Council) specifies that City Hall's "Special Advertising and Promotion Fund" may only be expended for purposes that include "advertising, promotional, and public relations projects calling attention to the City, its natural advantages, resources, enterprises, attractions, climate, and facilities." A Council majority could remove this restriction and use the "Special Advertising & Promotion Fund" revenue for general fund purposes (such as streets, sidewalks, police and firefighter services) but this would require a formal ordinance change with at least two (usually three) Council voted actions.
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