Recommendation to direct City Manager to work with the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department Office of Youth Development to establish the Long Beach Youth Fund, utilizing Measure US revenue and additional revenue sources.
Thank you. Next up is item 18. Item 18 Communication from Vice Mayor Richardson. Councilwoman Sarah. Council Member Oranga. Recommendation to direct City Manager to establish the Long Beach Youth Fund. Utilizing Measure US revenue and additional revenue sources. Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I was a few years back that city council received a fail to invest in youth report on youth. Youth leaders across the city advocated for Youth Fund. And we explored city council, explored a number of options to create this youth fund. The case was made that, you know, a number of major cities in America have made this commitment to have an ongoing fund, to support youth development ongoing and and certain steps have been taken. The mayor allocated $200,000 in his 2018 budget to to begin the process of developing a fund. And the youth group said we'd rather work on the youth strategic plan and in the hopes of coming to a fund later after exploring of those opportunities. Well, since then, a lot has happened. Last week we heard about the strategic plan. We know that the Framework for reconciliation invested in creating a new Office of Youth Development. And we also went to the ballot to find ways to fund investing in equity through youth and as the US was adopted. And now it's time that we make these youth whole and we move forward with directing staff to begin making taking the steps to create a youth fund, create a program website, engage with how to rules and how to work and all those things to have it ready for the next fiscal year. So if we start now, February, we have a lot of time to make sure we've designed this the right way where it makes sense, and we begin the next fiscal year with the youth fund in place with the rules and the parameters, with equity in consideration and all of the things that we need to do to make sure that we are making a real commitment to investing. Now, I mentioned measure us, but I also say don't stop there. I think once we have this established, let's see what the Port of Long Beach has to say to Mendes. L.A. County again is going through the conversation on Measure J. Again, that's not ready today, but we can get to the table and begin seeing it. Can we leverage some of these, measure U.S. dollars to draw down county resources and others to expand this youth fund? So we take incredible steps. I think we're in a really good place to make a strong commitment, a strong statement here by beginning the process of shaping this youth plan. I want to thank particularly my girls in action and all the youth that have advocated Invest in Youth Coalition have advocated for Youth Fund for many years. And I want to thank you for staying on it. And I think this is what the City Council should do in its moment. So that's my motion. The motion has written and I urge city council support. Thank you. Council member Ringo. Thank you, Aaron. I want to thank Vice Mayor Richardson for bringing forward more and more importantly, I want to thank the voters of Long Beach for a fascinating review. It's going to speak it speaks volumes for how the city feels about our view. And then also it's a statement about how we need to address not only terms of bringing our youth to get better services, but to also provide them with all the resources they need to be successful. So I very strongly support this measure, and thank you to all my colleagues for supporting this. Thank you. Our twins are a. Thank you, Mayor. I want to thank Vice Mayor for bringing this item forward. And, you know, as somebody who I've shared, when we had the strategic plan presented before us, sure. That I was the former executive director, Michael was in action. And, you know, I'm proud of their leadership on this, bringing this item forward to council as well, working with everybody and coordinating the effort. And I think that, you know, our young people have worked really hard in so many different ways to bring this strategic plan forward. And I think as adults, we need to demonstrate that we support them through investments to follow through with their plan. To really support them is to see their Plan B come alive. And the way we can only do that is to ensure that there is an investment in the form of funds. I'd also like to see if we can draw that up from state and federal dollars as well. As far as supporting this plan and so and so, yes, I'm proud to support this item. Thank you. Council member, Austin. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Certainly, I support this, the direction that this item is going in. But I think as a council, didn't we already do this last year? We supported putting measure us on the ballot and identified that that a good percentage of those dollars would be going toward supporting youth. And won't this be coming to us? And I expect this to be coming to us as a budget proposal anyway as a result of our action last year. Leicester City Manager Can you comment on that? Yes. So we see. This as giving us direction to start with the concept of creating this fund and then it would be incorporated into your f y 22 budget process. One of the primary funding sources that we would look at would be measure us and measure us starts actually generating money in October. So that would be a part of the city manager's proposed budget and to lay out the uses of the first year, measure US funding. Okay. Thank you. I just wanted to get some clarification on this because it does seem like déja vu. We already, you know, committed to to supporting our youth through to a fund by putting a ballot initiative on. And in that ballot initiative, we identified that this was one of the areas that we wanted to target our resources . You know, I I'm really interested in, you know, getting engaged in the budget process. And I know this year we will have a different type of process which will engage more the community, more of the Council through our strategic priority budget process, but which is a take up a zero based budgeting which was also directed by the Council. Yes, investing in our youth is certainly the priority. I'm happy to support this. But I just wanted to get clarification because again, I think we we as a council have already committed to doing this. And I'm happy to recommit tonight to supporting our youth. Thanks. Thank you, Councilwoman Mongo. Thank you. I actually have had a couple of agenda items tonight that are already things that we as a council have discussed. And I thought we're coming back to a certain committee, whether it's budget or. I mean, I think that this sounds a little bit more like not just making funds available through the budget process, but it's really a program. And I think the confusion comes with the naming of the fund. It sounds like a youth program that establishes criteria by which when the council. Authorizes funding. Whether it's restricted or non restricted or how that works, that there there would be a process. At least that's what it sounded like when hearing from Councilmember Richardson. So I'm happy to support the item tonight. It does seem like there are a lot of different components of what we're working on for youth, and I just want to be sure that it all comes together. We have the youth strategic plan, we have the violence prevention, and we have many, many other programs that we've approved over the last six years, including and you did mention this one, Mr. Austin, but some of our parks after dark programs and then our summer reimagined or after school reimagined, we hear a lot from the community that they want to know how much we're investing in our youth. And I think that a component of this that's really going to be important is being able to bring all of that together so we know where all those investments are being made so that we're able to see the return on that investment and the outcomes and what things what levers you invest in have the highest return in lifting up our youth and preparing them for prosperity, especially as we go into some of the the listening that I've done related to financial literacy that is not taught in our schools and other components. So I'm happy to support the item tonight, and I look forward to the city staff ensuring that all the components of what we're working on at the council are included. Thank you. Thank you. Vice Mayor Richardson. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. And just just to clarify, we pass as we move forward, measure us. We established a resolution. It didn't establish a funding that youth as a priority for investment, wealth, climate. But it didn't call out a fund. And what I don't want is for the fund itself to be lost in translation, because councilmember among those. Right. There's been a lot of things that sound like they're very similar. This is a very specific request, reflective of a community ask that honors the community's work. And so this is an important win to those youth to have fun. You know, the program, the website, you all know what I'm saying and where we can point to. And this was the communities when they fought for this, they set us on this course to get there. Now, in terms of the presentation last week, if you notice, the youth fund wasn't was it highlighted as an element? It is called out in the reconciliation plan. It is referenced in the strategic plan. I spend a lot of I read both those plans, spend a lot of time folks and those things. This is ties it together I think, and aligns it really well. And I think the things that I'll be looking for is a similar what Councilmember Mongeau said. I want to see some transparency. I want to see investments and things like, you know, I've got a lot of youth sports in North Economy, Pop Warner and, you know , Uptown Little League and a lot of a lot of folks who are a little just a small investment goes a long way. A $5,000 grant here, there, you know, goes a long way. Let's create a process to actually hear from these folks where we stand it up and we begin collecting youth. Measure us. We're ready to go on day one that that takes a motion from this council to staff to say, we want to do it. We kind of want to go about it this way, begin that process now. So that's the intent. Thank you to the City Council for your support and read about. Thank you, Councilman Zoro. Yeah. I just want to just follow up on one point around making sure we have an allocated, you know, my experience and having done, you know, fundraising went from private foundations to public and state is that the pool of resources are together. And then when it comes down to then making a decision on how much is allocate for young people, it's a very, very small percentage. And I think I want to lift up what Councilmember Mungo said is it's it's to make sure that we know how much is needed and to fully invest in young people and how much is really spent. And I think that the only way we can tell is having a specific fund. So we know really how much it really takes to develop and support young people to be successful and to implementing a plan. So that's just what I just want to make sure to add to it from my experience and that at times young people get the kind of the very kind of leftover funds. And so I just want to make sure we prioritize it by having their own fund. And that's why I think you. Thank you. Is your public comment on this or did we do public comment already? Yes, we did. Right. Well, we still have public comment. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You're right. Go ahead. Our first speakers, Jillian Moore. Hello and thank you for having me. My name is Jillian Moore. I'm a resident of North Long Beach and a youth and family commissioner representing the ninth District. My recommendation is to the city to use the funds for measure us to establish the Long Beach Youth Fund. Programs in Long Beach that uplift youth are long term investments in the future of Long Beach as a whole, and with help from Measure U as the fund would truly thrive, programs that create spaces for youth to grow individually and together with their community to target the problems plaguing our city at their core. Programs that bring youth together, such as arts programs and sports programs, allow youth a place for mentorship, friendship and deeper education. These programs preemptively lower crime and will greatly improve the well-being of Long Beach youth. Because of COVID, we have all learned firsthand the importance of having local communities to build one another at. As it currently stands. There is a lack of program in Long Beach for youth that served its purpose as a youth in Long Beach. I see a. I see a great need. As a youth in Long Beach, I see a great need for community spaces, specifically for youth, and would benefit from them greatly. These programs would also open up opportunities to connect youth to job opportunities and college funding sources. Youth young people need resources that will help them bounce back from the devastating effects of the COVID 19 pandemic. Reopening schools will not alone solve the problem. The corona virus only revealed the problems that were already present and showed us that we cannot go back to the way things were before, especially not for our youth. If we do not address the mental health crisis among youth now, it will continue to get exponentially worse. Now is a perfect time to make the change. Youth have needed access to resources. And we. And. Ray offered. I'm sorry. The major roadblock for community development is always money. And now because of us, we no longer have this roadblock. You see the problem in their communities. They know them in and out, and they're the ones with the knowledge to fix them. By utilizing the youth funds, they will be able to carry out the change they want to see. Thank you to the city manager and the city council. I hope you'll consider my words and choose to establish this fund. Thank you. Thank your next speakers, Jennifer Hing. Jennifer. Hi. Can you hear me? Yes. Please begin. Great. Thank you. Hi. Dear me, are Garcia in Long Beach. Councilmember is my name is Jen lead organizer with Kline Girls in Action on behalf of the Investing Youth Campaign. We thank you all for the passing of the Youth Strategic Plan last week. Tonight, we want to especially thank Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, Councilmember Dr. Sally Sara and reporter Aranda for sponsoring Agenda Item 18 and for leading by bringing young people, vision and leadership to the table. Tonight, we are hopeful for all councilmembers to continue to show your support by voting yes on establishing the first ever Lyme Disease Fund with dedicated funding revenue. Young people deserve support and resources, especially in challenging times like these. I speak tonight because youth leaders and community residents envision a more equitable world where young people are valued and included in our city's budget. And with the implementation of the U.S. treatment plan, young people are eager to continue their leadership in shaping decisions that impact their lives. Youth are facing barriers today, but continue to be civically engaged regardless of they are eligible to vote. For example, council meetings are not always accessible for young people to speak, so your decisions and your vote tonight can show you that your efforts are seen, valued and prioritized. Are Youth Fund dedicated funding from the local passage of measure US as well as the county passage of Measure J ensures an equitable infrastructure that supports positive youth development and centers racial equity. We urge the Council to leverage these funds to ensure young people are prioritized no matter the economic climate. We also have submitted a letter of support to your offices from partners and organizations from the investing campaign, which include the Advancement Project, Building Healthy Communities, Long Beach, California Conference for Equality and Justice. The Long Beach Chapter of the California Faculty Association. California for Justice Educated Men with Meaningful Messages, Genders and Sexualities. Alliance Network. Long Beach, Forward Filipino Migrant Center, I Girls in Action Voice Waves as well as the Youth Leadership Institute. So since 2017, young people have been helping to lead an equitable budget process in our city and have looked forward to the day they can say they were part of establishing the first ever youth one in the region. We have an opportunity to support long term COVID recovery and intergenerational healing. And we hope you can show you still love tonight by voting. Yes. Thank you so much. Thank you. That concludes public comment for this item. Thank you, Councilman. Mongo. I'm sorry. Thank you. Yes, that's right. Thank you. So I just want to thank all the speakers, particularly the first speaker you talk about, because considering your words. Youth leadership in this city has been a dominant force that has gone unanswered since the nineties. And I served on the Long Beach Press Telegram's Youth Coalition in the nineties to talk about violence in our communities and the things we needed to do. When I was elected, we proposed lots of special funds and city management pushed back and said there were all sorts of barriers to getting there. So I appreciate. Vice Mayor Richardson's comments that this is brought forward by the community. Funds, which become available in October. Councilwoman, we lost you for, like, the last maybe 20 seconds or so. Councilman, mango. Challenges and or restrictions and how we work together. We just so you know, we you cut in and out. So we haven't really been able to hear anything you said. Okay. You know, the last like minute or so. Okay. So when we talk about a special fund and we're talking about our reporting requirements on our annual CAF and all of those things, Mr. Groves has consistently pushed back that special funds are not really possible. My office has proposed multiple special funds in the last six years, all of which were brought forward by community members with a special intent or need, including youth sports, which we talked about, and depending on some different considerations. And so I don't know if we need a report back from the city manager's office on how he plans to do this now when in the past it's been rejected. I can understand the side of it where we talk about a program that every year the council allocates a fund or two funding to. That has a roll over mechanism. I guess I'm just interested in the city management and maybe it's it's just something that you provide to us in a to from for annotating why a special fund would work this time when it hasn't in the past or if it is possible now. And some laws have changed that all the other special funds that have been rejected in the last six years would come back to the Council for reconsideration because they were rejected at the staff level before you even made it to council , even though community groups are the ones bringing them forward. So I am passionate about a youth fund. I am passionate about stopping and stopping issues in our community and empowering youth to find those solutions. But I also want to do it in a way that doesn't create a false sense of hope or a false a tool that's not available. So if there's could just be some outline or information about that, because I know I even asked some of these questions at our briefing and it seemed as though we were going down a path of a program. But I hear something very different from the vice mayor. And so I just want to make sure that we're all on the same page and that previously rejected requests are not now overlooked, because. I. Would like to know the reasoning that there would be a variance. So thank you. Okay. Thank you, Councilman de. Thank you, Major. I just wanted to thank Councilwoman Richard, Vice Mayor Richardson for bringing this item forward and for those who cosigned on this. I was very, very impressed last week with our discussion on our strategic plan and all the work that that went into the plan and especially the work coming from all of the organizations that have been involved, all the youth organizations. May I add, that have been involved in in the youth strategy. So I'm so happy to be able to support this item going forward and making sure that we achieve the goals that we set and that we're able to follow up on this, this just to make sure that we bring this fun into fruition for our youth within their strategic plan, because that was something that was the big ask was a youth plan. And as we all know, and especially in my district, I think that investing in our youth is definitely a game changer from providing a good quality of life for their future. And I'm very happy to be able to support them like this. So thank you again. Thank you very much, Vice Mayor. It's a. Thanks, Mr. Mayor. Just to sum up a couple of things, though. First, this is within the general fund. It's not a special fund. And we've done this a number of times, legal defense fund, other things that we've done. The city manager we talked about this at length for many, many years is not a new idea. In fact, we discussed when we talked about the resolution that these are general fund dollar measure, U.S. general fund dollars. They all have to go through the budget appropriation process. And, you know, within the whole conversation about this, you know, I don't want it to be lost that by establishing a fund, this empowers the youth to help set the rules on the fund, talk about the allocations, talk about what the needs are and and and make our strategic plan live. And because a major U.S. structural fund can be structural. So so we're really talking about semantics here. I think staff knows exactly what what it is they want to do. What I don't want to do is give the false hopes to folks that this is a one time thing. We had that discussion, that council councilmember Mongo, if you remember, you offered $1,000,000 to take the measure off the table and walk away. And we said, no, we want to go to the voters because we want the structural. And that's what the voters voted on. This was not one time. This is something we're going to we want to commit to now. Could it change? Sure. A council could could change and make other priorities. But, you know, the idea here is we want to stand up to flag down and say that we really, truly believe in this. And that's what we're we're voting on. We're voting to move forward with establishing a fund, transparent and open. And I think. Yes. The city manager should provide regular reports to the city council. I think he already does that and so we will be informed on what that process looks like. But I hope that it's really youth, youth and youth serving organizations really have a strong voice and how its how its shape. So thank you and we can move on. Thank you, Councilman Mongo. Thank you. I appreciate that. You said that it's part of general fund. I think that it's important to note that the legal defense fund is an annual allocation by the city council. And so, yes, like you acknowledged each year, the council would have to acknowledge. The reauthorization or authorization of funding towards that. If we wanted to do a resolution of some sort about how much or of what percentage of this council feels is appropriate. Even still, two years from now. Five of the current council members could be gone and that new majority could decide something different. And so the difference in what I thought you were trying to suggest, which I would be supportive of if the city staff would give me a methodology to make it happen, is setting money into a fund like the Legal Defense Fund? When we did that, we took that money and we contracted it out to the vendor and it was set. It's not like it was just like any other general fund. At the end of the year, what's not used can be swept, but the council can make it a priority otherwise and so. I understand the methodology and I look forward to reading the report back because making it a priority is one thing. Setting aside $1,000,000 is another thing, but measure us is a general fund and in any given year those challenges do come up. And so the city financial management staff has parameters that are in place that I was just questioning Mr. Modica earlier today at our briefing to find out if parameters that were set before are no longer in place because we do have strong fiscal policies for a reason. And it's important to be honest and transparent with the youth about what those are, so that they're clear on how to continue to advocate for themselves and the fund, because that is the part of the process and they are capable of that. And so if we can change a law that makes it possible to set it aside in a special fund like tobacco tax or any of those other things, or a refuse fund, that would be great, but. Calling the fund. The fund without those legal restrictions is something that we just want to be very transparent about. So I'm happy to support the item and happy to continue to support youth. And I'm also happy to sit down and have a real conversation with the community and or the youth and or they can have that with the Budget Chair about what we've tried to do in the past and what legal measures may be appropriate to protect funding on a long term basis. Thank you. Thank you. That concludes everything. We will go ahead and go to a roll call vote. I don't think there's any more common sense. Councilwoman Zendaya's. Right. Councilwoman Ellen. I can Silverman Price. I can swim in Sabina. I can swim in Mango. Times. Woman Mango. Councilwoman. Sorry. I. Councilwoman Zahra. I. Council member Oranga. Hi. Councilman Alston. Councilman Austin. Vice Mayor Richardson. Enthusiastic, I. Russian case. Thank you. Next up is I am 20.