TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of Senate Bill 974; and request City Manager to communicate the City Council's support of Senate Bill 974.
DISCUSSION
The Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are amongst the nation's most vital economic engines. However, the utilization of rail, trucks and ships to transport cargo has a detrimental effect on air quality in the region, as well as our infrastructure. The City of Long Beach has in the past ardently supported state legislation aimed at curbing the effects of the congestion and pollution in Long Beach and the surrounding region.
In 2005, the Long Beach City Council voted to support Senator Alan Lowenthal's Harbor Area Air Quality Investment Initiative bill package. Amongst the legislation included in the package was a Port container fee bill. The legislation would have imposed a 30-dollar per-container fee on cargo processed through the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. Fees would have been used to address infrastructure issues, environmental mitigation and strengthen port security. Senator Lowenthal reintroduced the container fee bill in 2006. Senate Bill (SB) 927 passed both houses of the State Legislature and was subsequently vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
In February, Senator Lowenthal introduced SB 974, a revised version of the container fee bill. The proposed legislation additionally requires the Port of Oakland to collect fees. Additionally, fees collected on cargo would not be applied to port security, but rather focus on infrastructure needs and air quality improvements. SB 974 could potentially generate over $525 million dollars annually. These fees could be used to fund goods-movement related infrastructure and clean-air programs.
In an effort to protect our communities, we request our colleagues support Senator Lowenthal's SB 974.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
VICE MAYOR BONNIE LOWENTHAL, FIRST DISTRI...
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