I am happy to introduce you to Nicholas West, my newest staff member.  Nick began working for my office as an intern approximately two years ago to help with constituent servicing projects and facilitating community events and programs. In his current role as a policy advisor, Nick helps me research and analyze various policy considerations that appear on the Council agenda.  Nick is a 3rd District resident, a senior at Millikan High School and a varsity rower with Long Beach Junior Crew.  He is also part of the Youth Leadership Long Beach class of 2017, where he seeks to make a positive difference in the Long Beach Community.  Nick carries himself with confidence and has the work ethic and intelligence to back it up.  We are so excited to have him on our team.  

Percent for the Arts

 

Last month an item that is very near to my heart came before the City Council. The 1% for the Arts program creates a new ongoing funding source for public art, grants for local artists, and support for our established art institutions and groups like the Long Beach Symphony, Musical Theatre West, the Museum of Latin American Art, the International City Theater, and the Long Beach Opera. 

 

These funds are created through an additional 1% added to new public capital construction projects built in Long Beach, and provide an opportunity for new development to further help reinforce a sense of community and inspire residents to take greater ownership over their neighborhoods. 

We know that art helps improve entire communities by activating under-used space, and bringing residents together. This occurs because public art is uniquely inclusive allowing all people to experience it and enrich their life. Yes, science and technology are important and they help us live, but art inspires us and gives reason to live. A life without art would lack creativity, and provide less opportunity to share public experiences with neighbors.  

This program stands to have an amazing impact on Long Beach as we join with many other cities across the country that have dedicated programs like it. This will serve to ensure that public art will continue to be nurtured in our city giving way to vibrant cultural events and future generations who find inspiration in sculpture, music, dance, drama, and all other forms of art that serve to reaffirm our humanity. 

Airport Feasibility Study on Customs Facility at LGB 

Coral Trees Dying, Must Be Removed to Ensure Public Safety

 

Five coral trees on Ocean Boulevard and Cherry Avenue are dying, with significant trunk and root decay, and are at risk of falling. These trees experienced limb failure over the summer at an increasing rate, and members of the public are often within the fall zone. To ensure public safety at the popular Bixby Annex location, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) must remove these trees.

 

"We are always saddened to see any of our beloved trees removed, but as these specific trees die and pose a significant safety risk, our priority is to ensure that our parks are safe and the rest of our trees are as healthy as possible," said Marie Knight, Director of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine.

 

Health and safety risk assessments from two arborists concluded that the risk categorization for the five trees is "probable" failure with "severe" consequences, and recommended removing the trees. These five trees have multiple problems that cannot be mitigated through the pruning process.

 

Twelve other trees in the area will be structurally pruned, as recommended by arborists, in an effort to prolong their lifespan.

 

The work will begin in early January 2017, and signage has been posted to inform the community.

 

Twenty-two coral trees in the area range in height from 20 to 60 feet, and have canopies spreading the same distance. All had increased limb failure over the summer. These soft wood trees are naturally brittle, multi-trunked and prone to decay, causing them to split apart or drop limbs during periods of extreme heat and drought.

 

The City is dedicated to ensuring that all trees enjoy a long and healthy life, and will continue to monitor their conditions. A replacement plan for the trees, utilizing best practices, will be developed as the ongoing drought conditions continue.

For more information about Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine tree trimming activity, please visit www.lbparks.org.

 

The above photos were taken by the skate park in Bixby Park.  This tree fell at about 10AM on January 4th.  Luckily, no one was around the tree.   This is an example of safety concerns surrounding the Corral Trees off of Ocean Blvd.