Mayor Calls for Increasing City Reserves to $75 Million

Mayor Garcia delivered his fifth State of the City address, and the first of his second term, at the Terrace Theater Tuesday night in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 people.

Mayor Garcia called on the City Council to increase city reserves to $75 million saying, “It will ensure we are well prepared to meet the challenges of the future.”

Mayor Garcia also announced the city has reached an agreement to purchase a site for a 125-bed, year-round shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Details about the site and agreement will be announced in February.

The mayor once again identified housing affordability and homelessness as the key challenges facing Long Beach. He set a new goal of 8,000 for new home production; doubling the goal he set in 2014 and calling for the creation of an inclusionary housing policy. “We must build more quality housing – especially affordable housing so our low-income neighbors, seniors, students, and those experiencing homelessness have the ability to live in our city,” said Mayor Garcia.

With Long Beach getting stronger, Mayor Garcia said he wants to “think big and plan for the future.” He asked the City Council to begin work on a 2030 Plan for Long Beach. It has been more than 20 years since Long Beach last adopted a strategic plan. “As we reach this new decade, we need to engage the community to create a comprehensive plan for 2030 that addresses major challenges such as climate change, housing, safety, infrastructure, and transportation,” said Garcia.

The mayor began with an overview of the last four years in Long Beach and recounting key achievements including:

• In 2014, the unemployment rate was at 9.8 percent. In 2018, we hit the lowest unemployment rate in city’s history at 4.1 percent.
• In 2014, he set a goal of building 4,000 new homes in 10 years and we have now exceeded that goal.
• In the last four years, we have launched the largest public infrastructure investment in a generation – fixing and paving hundreds of streets and sidewalks, and dozens of critical public buildings and parks.
• The largest cargo volume ever at the Port of Long Beach.
• Crime continuing to hit all-time lows.

Garcia then spoke at length about the eight measures he introduced that were placed on the ballot and passed by local voters. Those include Measure A, which has already generated more than $140 million in new revenue. It has funded 41 new fire and police positions, six new playgrounds, improvements to more than 60 parks and repair and replacement of 206 miles of residential streets.

Mayor Garcia then detailed the city’s progress in sustainability. Garcia cited the Clean Air Action and Adaptation Plan, which was started last year, to ensure we are protected from the effects of climate change. In 2018, the city banned Styrofoam, added 16 miles of bikeway and expanded our Clean Teams. The mayor asked Long Beach Transit to work with the City Council to launch an aggressive program to repair and light bus stops. The Long Beach Airport has also adopted a plan to become the most sustainable airport in the nation.

Mayor Garcia detailed an impressive list of accomplishments in economic development and new business and residential developments throughout Long Beach, including the construction of what will be the tallest building in Long Beach. He also announced the Long Beach Public Library Foundation has raised more than $2 million and is launching a “New Main Library Campaign” to raise the remaining amount of its $3 million goal.

The mayor again stressed the importance of education in Long Beach, the accomplishments of he Long Beach College Promise and early childhood education across the city. He stated that while LBUSD has served hundreds of additional pre-school students, we still have more work to do to get to universal pre-school throughout Long Beach.

The mayor closed his address by reflecting on the issues happening in Washington DC and pledging to stand up for Long Beach and its values, saying: “We should not be a nation that builds walls, dehumanizes our neighbors, attacks refugees and immigrants, or devalues women. I am so proud Long Beach remains a city that welcomes everyone and embraces our diversity.”

Submitted by City of Long Beach