Bits 'n' Pieces

Recommendations Help Improve City Operations

Long Beach City Auditor Laura Doud recently released her second Report on Results. The city auditor’s office conducts independent audits and fraud investigations that offer recommendations to assure city funds are spent as intended, promote transparency of city operations and prevent fraud, waste and abuse of city resources.

In turn, city departments are responsible for implementing these recommendations. This report summarizes the status of 297 recommendations issued to 17 departments in 43 reports from 2010 to 2017 covering 94 city contracts worth $48 million, $131 million in city expenses and $47 million in revenue.

The report shows that city departments fully implemented a majority (66%) of the city auditor’s recommendations. The report found higher implementation levels in the areas of contract procurement and management, revenue and cash controls and personnel management. However, departments can improve implementation of recommendations pertaining to data integrity, asset security and performance tracking.

Most recommendations related to contract procurement and management were fully implemented (69%). These recommendations were made to ensure city contracts with vendors are updated, conflicts of interest are identified and payments to vendors for goods and services are accurate. For example, the Emergency Board-Up Services Audit resulted in improved contract oversight, as the city now directly contracts with the vendor, previously a sub-contractor, to ensure costs for services, which are passed on to the property owners, are accurate and fair.

Departments fully implemented 65% of revenue and cash control recommendations to safeguard, verify and maximize city revenue. These include recommendations related to reporting payments and handling cash to prevent theft. As seen in the Health Revenue Collection Audit, implemented recommendations have helped better secure revenue at city clinics associated with important services such as immunizations and public education.

In addition, departments fully implemented 77% of personnel management recommendations to improve city staff deployment and training, so employees can competently fulfill their job duties. For instance, since the Job Order Contract Audit, implemented recommendations resulted in new legislation and guiding policies that project managers use to ensure that the city receives quality construction projects at a fair price.

The report also highlights that partially and not implemented recommendations can expose the city to ongoing risk. A significant number of recommendations related to data integrity, asset security and performance tracking were partially or not implemented. Forty-eight percent (48%) of data integrity recommendations to prevent fraud and protect user access to sensitive customer records were not fully implemented. Additionally, 50% of asset security recommendations, including those dealing with inventory management, were not fully implemented, exposing the city to potential loss, theft and waste of equipment and supplies. Thirty percent (30%) of performance tracking recommendations were not implemented. As seen in the Park Maintenance Audit, when these types of recommendations are implemented, they enable the City to track progress towards service needs and goals.

“By not taking corrective action, the city is at risk for fraud and waste,” said Doud. “We will continue to identify issues and make comprehensive recommendations, especially in the areas of high risk, so the departments can continue to build on progress made.”

The complete City Auditor’s Second Report on Results can be requested by e-mail Auditor@longbeach.gov or by phone (562) 570-6751.

New LBPD Commanders

Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna has selected Lieutenant Michael Pennino, a 24-year veteran of the Police Department, Lieutenant Anthony Lopez, a 28-year veteran of the Police Department and Lieutenant Gerardo Prieto, a 25-year veteran of the Police Department for promotion to the rank of commander.

Lieutenant Michael Pennino began his career with the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) as a police officer in 1995. He was promoted to sergeant in 2003 and to Lieutenant in 2010. Lieutenant Pennino has served in various assignments throughout his career including Burglary Detail, A.T.F. Task Force, Sex Crimes Detail, Identity Theft Detail, Night Auto Theft Detail, Investigations Bureau Office, Watch Commander, Drug Investigations Section and the Police Department’s Information Technology Section.

Lieutenant Pennino has played a major role in the planning and implementation of the department’s body-worn camera program. He was also responsible for overseeing the configuration, training and deployment of the Department’s new handheld radios in 2019.

He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from the University of Southern California and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute and holds a Peace Officer’s Standards and Training management certificate.

Lieutenant Anthony Lopez began his career with the LBPD in 1991. He has worked all four patrol divisions, was a Field Training Officer and was later assigned to the Community Policing Team. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2001 and to Lieutenant in 2018.

Lieutenant Lopez has served in various roles throughout his career, including Field Training Program Supervisor, Office of the Chief of Police, Criminal Intelligence Section, F.B.I. Joint Terrorism Task Force, Joint Regional Intelligence Center, Patrol Watch Commander and most recently as the Administrative Lieutenant for the Patrol Bureau.

Lieutenant Lopez holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Education from California State University, Long Beach and has taught at Long Beach City College in the Administration of Justice Program. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Peace Officers Standard and Training Management Course. He is currently attending the Leadership Long Beach Institute, class of 2020.

Lieutenant Gerardo Prieto began his career with the Long Beach Police Department in 1994. He promoted to Sergeant in 2007 and to Lieutenant in 2018.

Lieutenant Prieto has worked a variety of assignments including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective, Community Police Officer, Traffic Motor Officer, DUI Unit, Internal Affairs Division and Airport Security/TSA Explosive Detection K-9. Prior to promoting to Commander, he was assigned as the Field Support Lieutenant where he managed the Mental Evaluation Team, Quality of Life Unit, Event Planning Section and the Reserve Police Officer program.

Lieutenant Prieto attended California State University, Long Beach and is currently enrolled in the POST Management Training Course. He serves as a board member for the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles and is a member of the National Fraternal Order of Police and the Long Beach Police Command Officers Association.

Airport Launches Revamped Website

Long Beach Airport (LGB) has launched a newly revamped website with a modern design, increased functionality and innovative features.

Commonly searched travel information such as flight status, ground transportation, parking rates and shopping and dining options is prominently featured along with community and pilot information. Content is strategically located in a more intuitive interface and a modern, clean layout.

“It is extremely important for the community to have access to real-time airport information,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “Long Beach Airport is proud to unveil our redesigned website, which has many new features that will be extremely useful.”

The new responsive site makes it easier to navigate, including on mobile devices. Users will have the capability to search for arrival and departure information by origin, airline and flight number. A website-specific search engine also allows users to search strictly for content available on LGB’s site.

Other new features include a searchable map showing local hotels, dining options and points of interest in Long Beach and an interactive flight tracker with live tracking maps providing real-time flight status. This live map displays worldwide commercial flights as well as general aviation flights in the United States and Canada, which can be searched by airline, flight number, city or airport. These features are useful for travelers as well as aviation enthusiasts since it also includes photos and details about individual aircraft such as altitude, speed and aircraft type.

The design of the new website brings lgb.org in line with the redesigned City of Long Beach website completed in 2015, including the ability to translate content into Filipino, Khmer and Spanish. The new website is based on the Episerver CMS. City of Long Beach’s Technology and Innovation staff, assisted by area firm Thinklogic, designed and coded the site.

Open Classifications

The Executives Association of Long Beach (EALB) is looking for new members and offering a free quarter from dues payment for those who qualify.

Starting January 2020, all new members whose dues are paid in full and maintain a minimum of 50 percent attendance for the first two quarters will be eligible for the third, free dues quarter worth $365.

Open, priority classifications include: commercial realtor, business attorney, charity, wine or liquor store, optometrist, solar systems, painter, exterminator, massage therapist, physician, chiropractor, day spa, marijuana dispensary, health insurance, home care, graphic design, public relations, restaurant, real estate loans, mortuary and retail businesses.

Visit www.longbeachexecs.com to see a list of all open membership classifications and to learn more about the organization.

Founded in 1922, EALB is an exclusive and highly selective association of businesses represented by the decision maker of each business or professional classification. Members are pledged to the highest business and professional standards and are recommended for their competence, reliability and dependability.

Networking meetings are held Monday at The Grand. A buffet lunch is included in the dues cost. Members remain in good standing if they attend at least 50 percent of the meetings annually.

To apply for membership and for additional details, contact EALB Executive Director Steve n Caudillo at (562) 663-6416 or email longbeachexecs@gmail.com.