Bits 'n' Pieces

City Council Approves Olympic Games Agreement

The Long Beach City Council approved with a 7 to 0 vote the Games Agreement with the Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games (LA28). As a Venue City, Long Beach will support the delivery of events during the LA28 Games and will host several sporting events in areas throughout the city. Long Beach is the second Venue City to finalize its Games Agreement with LA28. The LA28 Games are scheduled to take place July 14 through Aug. 27, 2028.

The City of Los Angeles is the host city for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games with select competitions and events located in other Southern California venue cities. As the venue city set to host the largest number of events other than the City of Los Angeles, Long Beach will play a pivotal role during the LA28 Games.

The Games Agreement serves to establish governing principles and commitments for the city’s participation as a venue city while also providing a critical framework for how the city and LA28 will work together to coordinate and deliver a successful LA28 Games. Key elements include outlining the city’s role, such as the process for delivery of standard and enhanced public services and arranging for the reimbursement of city expenses through supplemental agreements currently in development between staff and LA28.

Staff are in discussions with LA28 on a Venue Guarantee and plan to bring these to the City Council in June. These agreements will address specific geographic areas within Long Beach to support the LA28 Games Plan. Final decisions for what venues and sports will be held in Long Beach will be announced in the months ahead.

During the LA28 Games, Long Beach will transform areas of the city into an exciting atmosphere designed to offer a vibrant and lively experience for athletes, families and spectators.

In addition to the immediate excitement and global attention the LA28 Games will bring to Long Beach, staff are committed to forging a lasting legacy far beyond the close of the 2028 Games. Over the next year, staff will work with KPMG, its LA28 Games consultant, to develop a strategic plan focusing on the immediate and legacy impacts on arts, culture, tourism, small businesses and youth engagement. This plan will include opportunities for community input, enabling residents to help shape the Games’ legacy. Details regarding these opportunities will be shared over the next year and into the next several years as the work continues and the games approach.

Additionally, the city’s Elevate ‘28 Infrastructure Investment Plan, totaling $758 million and including over $187 million dedicated to 2028 Olympic Legacy projects, will create and enhance public spaces for recreation, arts and culture while fostering environments that promote sports, health and wellness. This multifaceted approach supports equitable access to legacy benefits across all communities and aligns with the city’s 2030 Strategic Vision goal of improving the quality of life for all residents.

Over the past year, the city and LA28 have met regularly and worked collaboratively to complete negotiations on the Games Agreement. The terms secured not only align with the city’s strategic vision but also demonstrate the dedication to advocating for the interests of residents. Staff are confident that the Games Agreement represents the best possible outcome for the city, reflecting a legacy-building partnership that prioritizes innovation and community-centered focus in the planning and implementation of the Games.

LA County Property Values More Than $2 Trillion

Los Angeles County Assessor Jeff Prang reported to the Board of Supervisors on May 15 that taxable property values are anticipated to increase about 4.75% over 2023, marking 14 years of continuous growth, as well as for the first time in history breaking the $2 trillion ceiling for net total value.

The May forecast projects the anticipated growth rate for the annual Assessment Roll, which closes in early July. The forecast is an important tool for local governments as they prepare their annual budgets in anticipation of property tax revenues. The annual Assessment Roll is the inventory for all taxable property in the County and can provide insight into the state of the real estate market and the local economy.

To access the 2024 forecast, go to https://assessor.lacounty.gov/news-information/assessmentroll.

“It has been a challenging few years as the local and national economies respond to a variety of factors, whether it be residential or commercial,” Assessor Prang said. “Our analysis indicates that property values are going to grow for the 14th consecutive year, which is good news for property owners and for local government because they rely on property taxes to pay for vital public services. However, sales volume declined significantly in 2023 and commercial properties, especially downtown Los Angeles, have actually experienced huge declines in value.”

Although the housing market has been sluggish on the sales front, home median sales prices (MSP) remained strong, reaching a high of $900,000.  Property transfers are anticipated to be the largest contributor to the 2024 Assessment Roll, adding more than $51 billion.

The inflation adjustment mandated under Proposition 13 is the second most significant factor contributing to the Roll, adding the maximum 2% allowable under law and resulting in an estimated $39 billion increase to the 2024 Assessment Roll. The Assessor also expects a moderate increase of $6 billion in new construction, while decline-in-value reductions will remove more than $2 billion from the Assessment Roll.

The $2.09 trillion estimated total net value translates into more than $20 billion in property tax dollars statewide for vital public services such as public education, first responders and healthcare workers, as well as County services. Assessments are based on the value of property on January 1, 2024.

Construction Begins on Port Truck Charging Depot

A new charging depot that will be operated by Forum Mobility broke ground recently, aimed at meeting the accelerating demand for heavy-duty electric trucks serving the Port of Long Beach.

The facility, scheduled to go online in fall, moves the Port closer toward achieving a goal of zero-emissions operations for drayage trucks by 2035.

“As an industry leader in the sustainable goods movement, we are proud to start construction on another project that will help us make dramatic reductions in air emissions and put us on the path toward becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. “Forum Mobility’s new charging depot is another way we are helping truck drivers make the switch from diesel-fueled vehicles to electric vehicles.”

“This new charging depot will help deliver the infrastructure needed for heavy-duty trucking to shift from diesel fuel to zero-emissions, and achieve our Clean Air Action Plan goal of 100% zero-emissions drayage operations by 2035,” said Long Beach Harbor Commission President Bobby Olvera Jr. “Forum Mobility is helping us meet our commitment to enhance air quality for our surrounding communities, to decarbonize the supply chain to fight climate change, and to assist our local truck drivers with cost-effective solutions to operate more sustainably.”

Forum Mobility’s facility, located just north of the Long Beach International Gateway Bridge at 260 Pico Ave., will be equipped with 19 dual-port chargers and six single-dispenser chargers capable of powering up 44 heavy-duty electric trucks simultaneously in about 90 minutes – depending on battery size.

In addition to the Port of Long Beach, Forum Mobility has eight additional stations scheduled to open within the next two years along critical freight corridors throughout California, including locations in Compton, the Inland Empire, Oakland and Stockton.

The Port of Long Beach is assisting truck drivers by partnering with the Port of Los Angeles, the California Air Resources Board and CALSTART to make $60 million in Clean Truck Fund Rate funding available for vouchers toward the purchase of zero-emission, Class 8 drayage trucks operating within the San Pedro Bay ports complex.

Small trucking fleets (20 trucks and fewer) can receive up to $436,000 for a battery-electric truck, and up to $676,000 for a hydrogen fuel cell truck in incentives. Funds are available through the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP); funding information can be found at https://californiahvip.org/.

Maguire Is Leadership Award Recipient

Gina Rushing Maguire was selected among her peers to receive the highest honor in the JLLB. The prestigious annual award was established in 1995 to honor Helen D. Newcomb, the JLLB’s first President.  It recognizes members who embody the organization’s mission and act as a role model for others.

As a JLLB member, year after year, Gina was drawn to community projects which matched her skills and interests. She served was a trainer, facilitator, educator and advocate, serving on the Training Committee, Facilitator Core, and Alcohol Awareness For Youth Project, chairing the Recovery Home For Youth Project, Woman To Woman Project and Leadership Development Task Force, Community Vice President on Executive Committee, and ultimately League President in 1989-90.

One of Gina’s fondest JLLB experiences was being nominated as co-chair along with Jane Roeder Wallace of the new Woman to Woman Project, an Association of Junior Leagues International model project, from 1986-88. This new project focused on alcohol awareness and women’s health, ultimately leading to the founding of a new substance abuse outpatient treatment center in Long Beach that offered on site childcare, the first of its kind in the United States. Former First Lady Betty Ford responded to Gina’s letter inviting her to speak at the JLLB’s press conference launching the new Woman To Woman Recovery Center.

While active with the Junior League, in 1988 Gina was asked to join with other visionary community leaders to design and create Leadership Long Beach, a new nonprofit organization focused on leadership development within the City of Long Beach. Her team built the core curriculum for the new ten-month annual leadership development program. Today, Leadership Long Beach has successfully empowered thousands of leaders over the last 36 years. Its impact on Long Beach and its people is immeasurable. Today, Gina continues to serve as a member of Leadership Long Beach’s Honorary Board of Governors, providing training annually to new classes.

Gina has long been involved in various Long Beach community initiatives.  In 2001, she took on the challenge of President of St. Anthony’s.  For 81 years, St. Anthony’s High School was the only Catholic High School in Long Beach but on the verge of closure due to declining enrollment and increasing debt.  The role combined all of Gina’s professional and volunteer experience with her passion for education, health, and welfare of children into one single, all-consuming focus area. 

Her decades of commitment to Long Beach and the JLLB shine brightly through her visionary leadership.

Sangmeister Is New Scouting President

Kicking off the 105th year in Long Beach, Boy Scouts Council installed Sarah Tong Sangmeister in January 2024. Sarah Sangmeister is the first woman to serve as Council President since 1919. She leads a 30-member all volunteer board responsible for bylaws, financial oversight, strategic planning, strength of program and legal integrity during her 2-year term.

Sarah’s initiatives for her board include increasing membership for families with boys and girls wishing to find adventure and leadership opportunities in our community and provide exceptional and unique programming that focus on developing the potential of our youth. Outgoing Boy Scout Council President, Albert Guerra, said “Sarah is the best person at the right time to lead us forward. I know she will take the Council and Scouting to the next level”. Sarah added, “I am passionate about Scouting and the opportunities the program provides to families. I am honored to lead this board and I look forward to growing Scouting in the greater Long Beach community.”

Long Beach Area Council Scouting serves over 1,300 boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 20 in the greater Long Beach area. The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation’s foremost youth programs of character development, outdoor adventures and community service. The Long Beach Area council was founded in Long Beach over 105 years ago. Programs include Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts, Exploring and ScoutReach. ScoutReach is specifically designed for low-income families, and it is one of our largest growing programs in recent years.

Sarah Tong Sangmeister is a founding and managing partner of Peacock Piper Tong + Voss, LLP. Sarah has practiced law for more than 23 years. She has acted as outside general counsel for clients in many industries, which has given her experience in a wide range of transactional and litigation matters. By developing an understanding of her clients’ business needs, Sarah offers more efficient solutions, suited to clients commercial requirements. Sarah has had the pleasure of representing a broad range of middle market and larger companies, as well as smaller start-up companies.

St. Anthony Announces Soccer Partnership

St. Anthony High School and FC Premier Women’s Soccer announced an unprecedented partnership aimed at fostering the growth and development of female athletes in Long Beach and beyond. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the advancement of women’s sports and underscores the commitment of both organizations to support young talent on and off the field.

As part of this partnership, St. Anthony High School will gain access to resources, mentorship, and internship opportunities provided by FC Premier Women’s Soccer. This includes clinics, player development programs, and educational initiatives designed to empower female student-athletes and promote leadership skills on and off the soccer field.

“We are incredibly excited to join forces with FC Premier Women’s Soccer to create new opportunities for our female student-athletes,” said Christine Tucker, St. Anthony High School president. “This partnership represents a major step forward in our commitment to supporting community programs that foster an inclusive and supportive environment where young women can thrive athletically, academically, and personally.”

FC Premier Women’s Soccer shares in this enthusiasm for the partnership’s potential to make a lasting impact on the local community and the broader landscape of women’s sports.

“At FC Premier Women’s Soccer, we are dedicated to advancing the visibility and opportunities available to female athletes at all levels,” said Aaron Rodriguez, team spokesperson. “Teaming up with St. Anthony High School allows us to extend our reach and support aspiring soccer players as they pursue their dreams both on and off the field. We are excited to work together to inspire the next generation of female leaders and champions.”

This partnership exemplifies the shared values of St. Anthony High School and FC Premier Women’s Soccer in promoting access and excellence in sports. By collaborating to provide enhanced resources and opportunities for female athletes, both organizations are contributing to the continued growth and success of women’s soccer. This season’s FC Premier Women’s Soccer home field will be at the newly renovated St. Anthony High School Athletic Complex located at Clark Avenue & Del Amo Boulevard in Long Beach, California. The first game was on May 24, 2024.

New St. Anthony High School Football Coach

St. Anthony High School announced the appointment of its new Head Football Coach, Jeff Magdaleno. He joins St. Anthony with over 18 years coaching experience at the high school and collegiate levels, and has over 15 years of playing experience.

During his professional career, he has coached at University of Nevada, University of Southern California, University of La Verne, Villa Park High School, and Cerritos High School. Jeff will be joining the football program immediately, and ensure a smooth transition with Coach Richard Gonzalez.

“Our Saints community is excited that Coach Magdaleno will continue to build upon the legacy of our successful football program and the development of our student-athletes. Coach Magdaleno encompasses our mission, and will be an exemplary model to our school community.” said Dr. Adan Jaramillo, principal

Magdaleno comes from a long lineage of Saints alumni and has a solid foundational connection to St. Anthony High School. With his wealth of experience, knowledge of football operations, and dynamic team management, Mr. Magdaleno is committed to developing the full potential of each student-athlete both on the field and in the classroom. We look forward to Mr. Magdaleno’s contributions as both a member of our faculty and our expansive athletic program.