TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $6,750 offset by Second Council District One-Time District Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department, to provide contributions of:
• $2,700 to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation to support
their Grape Expectations event on October 1, 2023;
• $2,000 to International City Theatre to support their Encore 2023
event on September 20, 2023;
• $900 to the Camarata Singers to support their Annual Gala on
September 21, 2023;
• $500 to MOLAA to support their 2023 Gala on September 23,
2023;
• $350 to the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach for the Long Beach Q
Film Festival; from September 16 to 17, 2023;
• $300 to Long Beach Forward to support the Back-to-School
Celebration on August 30, 2023; and
Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $6,750 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department.
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Public Library Foundation provides support to enhance the Long Beach Public Library system and encourages literacy and education for all members of the community. Since 1996, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation has advocated for equal access to literacy, education, technology, and essential community resources through the Long Beach Public Library. The Long Beach Public Library Foundation will be hosting their annual fundraising event, Grape Expectations, at the Billie Jean King Main Library on October 1, 2023.
The International City Theatre is a long-cherished arts institution in the City of Long Beach and contributes to the vibrancy of our arts and culture in downtown and across the city. Bringing back attractions and events to Downtown Long Beach assists in activating our downtown core, supporting local hotels and restaurants, and stimulating a major engine of our local economy. To support our performing artists and arts organizations, it is appropriate to provide a $2,000 contribution to their Encore fundraising event.
The Long Beach Camerata Singers is a vocal arts ensemble dedicated to excellence in choral music. They enrich the lives of communities and performers through a broad spectrum of repertoire, innovative programming and arts education. On Thursday, September 21, 2023, the Long Beach Camerata Singers will present an Opening Night Gala called Share the Magic, to celebrate the opening of their 58th season. The gala will take place at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency from 6PM to 9PM and will recognize honorees Alfredo Velasco, CEO of Long Beach YMCA and Marcelle Epley, CEO of Long Beach Community Foundation and Rancho Los Cerritos.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) was founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California and serves the greater Los Angeles area. MOLAA is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Since its inception, MOLAA has doubled its size and added a 15,000 sq. ft. sculpture garden. Its permanent collection now numbers over 1,300 works of art. The mission of MOLAA is to expand knowledge and appreciation of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art through its Collection, ground-breaking Exhibitions, stimulating Educational Programs, and engaging Cultural Events. On September 23, 2023, MOLAA is hosting their 2023 gala on the museum property, and it is appropriate to support events promoting contemporary Latin American and Latino art in Long Beach.
The LGBTQ Center Long Beach advances equity for LGBTQ people through culturally responsive advocacy, education, programs, and services. The Center envisions fully affirming communities where all LGBTQ people live in health, wellness, safety, and prosperity. The LGBTQ Center provides services centered in the lived experiences of LGBTQ people, and approaches their work with a mission-driven, culturally-inclusive focus and interactions with clients, community members, volunteers, and staff that are trauma-informed, intersectional and client-centered. On September 16 and 17, 2023, the Center is hosting Q Film Festival at the Art Theater on 4th Street. Q Film Festival is the oldest film festival in Long Beach and the only festival dedicated to screening films which showcase the magnificent diversity of the LGBTQ community. This year marks 30 years of the festival, and it is appropriate to support this event and uplift LGBTQ voices.
Long Beach Forward is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to working with Long Beach residents and partners to tackle institutional issues stemming from racial and income inequity. Their mission is to create a healthy Long Beach with low-income communities of color by building community knowledge, leadership, and power. On August 30, 2023, they hosted “back to school” events in partnership with AOC7 and DAYS LB to help children have a celebratory first day at a number of schools throughout the City. The $300 contribution helped fund and coordinate the event at Franklin Middle School.
This matter has been reviewed by Budget Analyst Joe R. Guerrero on September 14, 2023.
EQUITY LENS STATEMENT:
Staff will consider issues of equity and access with any program proposals brought forward to ensure the City’s commitment for everyone reaching their highest level of health and potential for a successful life, regardless of background, neighborhood, or identity.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
This item is being submitted through supplemental agenda to allow for timely processing of funds.
FISCAL IMPACT
This recommendation requests the City Manager to provide contributions to the Long Beach Public Library Foundation to support their Grape Expectations event, International City Theatre to support their Encore 2023 event, the Camarata Singers to support their Annual Gala, MOLAA to support their 2023 Gala, the LGBTQ Center of Long Beach for the Long Beach Q Film Festival, and Long Beach Forward to support their Back-to-School Celebration. The total appropriation increase of $6,750 in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department will be offset by a decrease of appropriation of Second Council District One-time District Priority Funds in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department. The requested action is anticipated to require a minimal level of staff hours beyond the budgeted scope of duties and have a minimal impact on meeting other City Council priorities.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CINDY ALLEN VICE MAYOR,
SECOND DISTRICT