TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Chapter 2.36 relating to the Economic Development Commission, read and adopted as read.
DISCUSSION
On November 11, 2014, the City Council approved a recommendation to "Request the City Attorney to prepare an amendment to the Long Beach Municipal Code Section 2.36.010 regarding the Economic Development Commission." The intent of the proposed changes, as approved by Council, are to bring the Economic Development Commission terms, term limits and operating procedures in line with other non-charter commissions, remove references to programs that are no longer in operation, and update commissioner requirements to reflect current economic and civic interests in Long Beach. The specific changes to the municipal code are outlined below.
Appointment criteria:
Under the current code 2.36.020 the appointment process prescribed for the appointment of commission members is overly restrictive and doesn't reflect current economic conditions. The proposed change will require that no fewer than four members of the commission have experience in the following areaslindustry sectors:
Business associations - chamber of commerce, business improvement districts or business incubator/ start up support organizations.
Education - Long Beach Unified School District, Long Beach City College, California State University Long Beach, a workforce organization, or labor organization.
Professional Services - A representative of the real estate, insurance, legal, accounting, architecture, financial service industry or similar profession in Long Beach.
Tourism - Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, hospitality or other tourism experience.
Aviation - A representative with aerospace or airport-related business experience.
Goods Movement/International Trade - The Port of Long Beach, international trade or global logistics experience.
Medical - A representative with health care, medical, pharmaceutical or related experience.
The remaining members of the commission shall represent an economic or business related interest in Long Beach. The new membership requirements will allow the commission to have the flexibility needed to respond to the changing economic needs of the City.
Terms and Term Limits:
The current language calls for four year terms which is out of line with the majority of non-charter commissions. The proposed change brings this section in line with existing code section 2.18: The Uniform Regulations for Council Established Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees, specifically 2.18.050C regarding terms and term limits.
Operating Procedures:
In order to further align the Economic Development Commission with other non-charter commissions, the language contained in sections 2.36.030 compensation, 2.36.040 organization, and 2.36.050 Absence from meetings will be amended to reflect current requirements in LBMC 2.18: The Uniform Regulations for Council Established Advisory Boards, Commissions and Committees.
Duties of the Commission:
The current language regarding the commission duties 2.36.060 D-J refer to city programs that are no longer in effect. These sections shall be removed and a new subsection will be added allowing the council to refer issues to the commission as needed.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY AMENDING CHAPTER 2.36 RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Respectfully Submitted,
MAYOR ROBERT GARCIA