Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the appointment and terms of compensation for the City Clerk.
Okay? We're going to go ahead. And first, we do have a hearing, but we're going to take item 16/1 to the top of the agenda so we can have an official city clerk here as we move forward tonight. So I'm going to please have the clerk read item 16. Communication from Mayor Garcia. A recommendation to adopt a resolution approving the appointment and terms of compensation for the city clerk. Move it and get it. Thank you. And I'm going to turn this actually over to the city attorney for an update on this. Thank you, Mayor. This item comes tonight before you for the recommendation for the appointment of the city clerk and pursuant to government code 54 953, it requires an oral presentation at the direction of the city council. The city has reached an agreement regarding the compensation of the city clerk. The proposed compensation must be approved tonight in open session. The proposed compensation is $69 and 0.473 per hour, or 145,000 on an annualized basis, plus a monthly car allowance of $450,000. Thank you for 5400 $50. 1000. Okay. Thank you. She's getting a new she's got a new car to look. You like. That? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. City Attorney. And we have we have we have a motion in a second. I'm going to just make a couple brief comments and turn this over to Councilwoman Price. I want to think and think. Think, really just with a lot of of support and love and welcome our new city clerk, which we're about to vote on tonight, someone with an incredible amount of experience here at the city of Long Beach and in the clerk's office. And we just know you're going to be a great addition as you in this role, but you are obviously already part of the team and we all know you very well. So thank you for for stepping up. And we appreciate your service to the city of Long Beach. Councilman Price. Thank you. Congratulations, Monique. For those who don't know, our new city clerk has dedicated much of her career, most of her career to the residents of the city of Long Beach. And she has been a vital part of making the office what it is today in terms of its efficiency, its technology, and her consistency with the department , credibility with her colleagues, and commitment to the city. In times of uncertainty and the fact that she has stayed committed to the city is is going to prove to be very successful for her and the office in general. I think that your arrival in this new position is going to be of great benefit to the city and of course, make the department stronger and and restore the integrity and the credibility that the department has always had and worked hard to have. So thank you and congratulations. Thank you, Councilwoman Gonzalez. Yes, Madam Clerk, congratulations. Very happy for you. And I know that you've worked very hard for our city. And I just want to thank you for all the years ahead that you'll be working for us. And your team is incredible as well. I sit next to them every council meeting and I see them just kind of clicking clacking away. But they're working very, very hard on the back and on so many different services that many other cities don't even offer. So thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor Richardson. Thank you. I got to sit next to him every day. So how long you've been with how long have you been with the city? Monique 16 years. I think it's I think I want to just say congratulations. But I also want to say this is a great message and a great example to send to our staff and the department and the people, you know, that work for our city, that if you work hard, you put your head down to do good work. People recognize that and you can be very successful in this city. So congratulations to you. Look forward to many years of working together. Thank you. But Councilmember Pearce. I yes, I want to congratulate you, but first, I want to make sure we think Poonam Davis, for her tremendous work as our interim city clerk, she stepped in at a critical time. But I think it was the right amount of time for us to highlight and recognize all of your work that you've done in your leadership over your 16 years in the city. And, you know, Long Beach is one of those cities that also runs our own local elections. And city clerk in our city is not necessarily an easy job. So I know that it's in the right hands with you. And so congratulations. We're proud. Thank you, Councilman Andrews. Yes, Monique. Patience is a virtue. And I see why you stick around. Because $450 and what that's like. We appear in the diocese and our car. Who? Who could ask for more than that? Congratulations, young lady councilmember. Super. Now. Thank you. I'll apologize again for losing my voice. But first, I'd like to state that I enthusiastically support this item. City Council doesn't get many opportunities for a do over, but we did get a second chance to select a city clerk. I believe we've made an excellent choice. It's important to note, however, that this would not have happened had our candidate not stepped up to the plate. So I'd like to commend Monique for having the confidence in her own abilities and the strength of character to reapply for the position. For that reason, while I thought she was a perfect fit two years ago, I'm even more impressed with her today. Finally, this outcome is not an endorsement of our process. Over the past two years. I believe City Council will need to examine some of the systemic challenges in the very near future. However, the final outcome has restored my faith in a concept judged, learned hand referred to as the eventual supremacy of reason. Thank you and congratulations. Money. Thank you, Councilmember Councilman Austin. Well said, councilman. Or soup or not, it's. It's your time. And congratulations. I know you're going to do a great job because you've been doing a great job for for many years behind the scenes as of the deputy city clerk. It is your time to shine. And I know that you have the full support of this council and your staff. So congratulations again. Is Israeli public comment on this item. Okay. Seeing no public comment, members. Members, please go to cast your votes. Motion carries. Great. And let's give Monique a big round of applause. Our new city class. And I'm going to I'm going to ask and give her an opportunity to say a few words in official capacity as the city clerk of Long Beach. Madam Clerk. Thank you. I'd like to thank the mayor and the city council. As someone who was born and raised in Long Beach, it truly is an honor to be serving this community and also like to thank Larry Herrera and Poonam Davis for their unending support and friendship and my city clerk family both past and present. You guys are fantastic. I'm honored to contribute to the legacy of excellence in the City Clerk Department and to commit my experience and enthusiasm to this city clerk and the City of Long Beach team. I look forward to working with all of you, all the departments, and most importantly, all the residents of Long Beach. Thank you. Congratulations and excellent. We're going to go back to the regular agenda now and we have a hearing. So, Madam Court, if we can please read not hearing item number one.