The Mayor's letter attached an Oct. 15 letter from CVB President/CEO Steve Goodling telling Mayor Garcia that CVB's Board of Directors recognizes and appreciates "the efforts put forth by former Mayor Kell for the expansion of the Long Beach Convention Center. His earlier vision has laid the foundation for a very successful economic development tool and generator for the City of Long Beach.

To honor and recognize his efforts, we support the naming of the Convention Center Exhibit Hall as "Ernie Kell Hall" at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center.

Thanks for the opportunity to help someone that was instrumental in the building of the tourism and convention business in Long Beach.

Mayor Garcia's letter and its attached CVB letter aren't visible with the Nov. 13 Housing and Neighborhoods Committee agendized materials. LBREPORT.com learned about it and Councilman Andrews' Chief of Staff provided it to LBREPORT.com at our request.

The item as agendized is to "consider renaming the El Dorado Neighborhood Library" the "Ernie and Jackie Kell Neighborhood Library," and forward this item to the City Council for approval.

Sponsor

Sponsor

On May 15. 2017, an item for the May 23, 2017 Council meeting agendized by Councilwoman Stacy Mungo became visible online, seeking Council approval to waive a city policy (generally not naming a City facility to honor a deceased person until a year after their passing "unless the City Council determines that there are overriding consideration for deviating from this policy guideline") in seeking Council approval "to consider renaming the El Dorado Neighborhood Library the "Ernie and Jackie Kell Neighborhood Library."

Councilwoman Mungo's agendizing memo sought the action "in honor of the late Ernest Eugene Kell, Jr., City of Long Beach's first elected mayor; approve a deviation from existing policy and procedures for naming of City-owned land, buildings and facilities; refer this item to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee for consideration; request the Library Services Department and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine to conduct further outreach around the renaming of the library; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any necessary agreements and dedication ceremony if approved."

Sponsor

The agendized item triggered opposition from some ELB residents, to which Councilwoman Mungo responded with a May 18, 2017 release saying "Long Beach residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the Kells' legacy and the community they helped to build over the course of their service to the city of Long Beach." The release also noted that the City had taken up similar measures in the past, including renaming its Terrace Theater after former Mayor Beverly O'Neill.

In her May 18, 2017 release, Councilwoman Mungo stated: "The Kells' love for Long Beach was inspiring and their passion for helping others is an example for anyone involved in public service...Together, Mayor Kell and Councilwoman Kell leave a great legacy of leadership that has paved the way for our city to grow and develop into what it is today." And Councilwoman Mungo included a supportive quote from Mayor Robert Garcia: "During his tenure as mayor, Ernie was regarded as a consensus builder that put others first...Naming a library that serves so many of our residents is fitting for this couple that has done so much for the city."

Councilwoman Mungo said the renaming process would include community outreach and opportunities for public feedback on the proposal, and on May 23, 2018, the Council voted 8-0 (Austin absent) to approve Councilwoman Mungo's agenda item, sending the issue to the Council's Housing and Neighborhoods Committee.

Sponsor

Sponsor

Neighborhood opposition continued to percolate on social media, and when the Committee met on July 11, 2017, Committee member Al Austin made a motion to delay action on the issue for a year. Austin's motion carried 2-1, with Supernaw dissenting after offering a substitute motion to hold the item for reconsideration by the Committee in one year. Supernaw said his substitute motion to "receive and file" (take no action on the item) would effectively widen the scope of public facilities beyond the library for consideration in renaming to honor the Kells, stressing this would allow finding the best location.

Committee members Austin and Supernaw both said they regretted the way the matter had been handled, and all three Committee members agreed some public facility in the city should be named to recognize the Kells. Councilwoman Mungo wasn't present and didn't speak at the July 2017 Committee meeting.

Over 15 months later, Mayor Garcia's suggestion surfaced, supported by the CVB, and is likely to be considered by the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee on Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber...although it's not mentioned in the item as agendized.

And this won't be the end of it. A Council Committee (three Councilmembers) will vote, but its vote is only a recommendation to the full Council...meaning the issue will return for full Council voted action at some point.

Support really independent news in Long Beach. No one in LBREPORT.com's ownership, reporting or editorial decision-making has ties to incumbent Long Beach officials, development interests, advocacy groups or other special interests; or is seeking or receiving benefits of City development-related decisions; or holds a City Hall appointive position; or has contributed sums to political campaigns for Long Beach incumbents or challengers. LBREPORT.com isn't part of an out of town corporate cluster and no one its ownership, editorial or publishing decisionmaking has been part of the governing board of any City government body or other entity on whose policies we report. LBREPORT.com is reader and advertiser supported. You can help keep really independent news in LB similar to the way people support NPR and PBS stations. We're not non-profit so it's not tax deductible but $49.95 (less than an annual dollar a week) helps keep us online.