Kevin and Emma discuss two reports the council received on expanding the city's Cannabis Equity Program. Plus, the contractor that was supposed to build the new Alamitos Beach concession stand has been dropped from the project for missing deadlines -- find out what's next. And, the council is eyeing increased incentives to encourage more housing production.
Kevin and Emma dive into a proposal to ban protests targeting individual residence -- aka councilmembers don't want protests outside their homes anymore. Plus, the council took initial steps toward transferring control of the Queen Mary to the Harbor Commission and Councilmember Al Austin may have walked into a possible Brown Act violation. Oh, and Kid Zones!
Kevin and Emma discuss the important points of the newly adopted FY 22 budget, including the police budget. Also on this episode: The city is scrambling to comply with Senate Bill 1383, which requires organic waster to be separated, and the council votes to study the feasibility of creating a public pool in North Long Beach.
Lots of changes to the show! We're now monthly instead of weekly and Kevin is joined by new co-host Emma DiMaggio, managing editor at the Signal Tribune. On this month's show we discuss the Belmont Aquatic Center, the latest on the Queen Mary saga, and Long Beach's newest tenant protection. Plus, it's budget season once again—and we've got all the details on the first draft of the fiscal year 2022 budget.
The council this week approved a zoning change that will allow adult-use marijuana dispensaries in the downtown area. Also on this week's episode, the council inked an agreement with Caltrans that will allow city employees to access state land near freeway onramps and offramps to clean up homeless encampments, plus a plan to expedite COVID-19 rent relief to tenants facing eviction.