TITLE
Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the hearing, and adopt the hearing officer’s recommendation to revoke business license number BU21903666 issued to SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC, located at 214-216 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach.
(District 1)
DISCUSSION
Attached is Hearing Officer Ashleigh N. Stone, Esq.’s written report regarding the appeal of the business license revocation for SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC. Hearing Officer Stone recommends the revocation of business license BU21903666 that was issued to SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC, located at 214-216 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach, for commercial/industrial space rental.
Below is the chronological order of events leading up to the hearing officer’s decision:
• On August 18, 2021, a business license revocation hearing was conducted in compliance with Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Section 3.80.429.1.
• On September 15, 2021, the hearing officer recommended the Director of Financial Management revoke business license number BU21903666 (Attachment A).
• On October 6, 2021, the Department of Financial Management revoked the commercial/industrial space rental business license issued to SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC, located at 214-216 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach (Attachment B), due to failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations pursuant to LBMC Sections 5.90.030, 5.92.210, and 5.92.1420.
• On October 14, 2021, the licensee submitted its written request for an appeal (Attachment C). Pursuant to LBMC Section 3.80.429.5, a licensee can appeal the revocation of a business license to the City Council.
• On December 7, 2021, the City Council referred the appeal of the business license revocation for SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC, to a hearing officer.
• On February 9, 2022, the revocation appeal hearing was held. The hearing officer that was assigned by the City Clerk’s Office to hear the matter was Ashleigh N. Stone, Esq.
• On February 28, 2022, the hearing officer recommended that the business license issued to SOCAL Equity Holdings, LLC, should be revoked due to violations of LBMC Section 5.92.210 (Attachment D).
LBMC Section 2.93.050(A) requires that the City Council set a time for a hearing to review and consider the hearing officer’s report and recommendation. After review of the hearing officer’s report, the City Council may adopt, reject, or modify the recommended decision.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on March 10, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
The hearing date of April 5, 2022, has been posted at the business location, and the property owner has been notified by mail.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal or local job impact associated with this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
KEVIN RIPER
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER