Recommendation to receive and file a report on the Latino Cultural Center Community Engagement and Business Plan.  (Citywide)
Thank you. And with that, we're going to go and move on to the first presentation and then we'll do the consent calendar. So I know I think we have majority of people here for item 18. So let's go ahead and do item 18, please on record. Report from City Manager Recommendation to receive and file a report on a Latino Cultural Center. Community Engagement and Business Plan Citywide. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Members of the Council. I will. We do have a presentation. This is a pretty exciting item that we're in front of. This is an investment of the council made and it's been really important to the community. I'd like to turn it over to Tracy Conger, who will start off our presentation. Honorable Mayor and City Council. We are so excited and pleased to provide you with an update on the Latino Cultural Center. Next slide, please. Back in September of 2019. Council you all authorized $50,000 to support outreach efforts for Latino Cultural Center. And then back last November, we invited 50 prominent Latino leaders to serve on the steering committee. And many of those leaders are here in the audience today. And we want to thank them for their countless hours of advising and guiding us into this process. Also, we want to thank the Departments of Economic Development, Parks, Recreation, Marine and Public Works. Brant, Dennis, Eric Lopez, John Keisler and Sergio Ramirez have been huge partners in lifting this effort over the last year. Central CHA led a very robust community engagement process, which you'll see in just a moment. And Laud Cultural Resources has developed a draft business plan for your review this evening. Oh. Next slide, please. Yeah. Thank you. The steering committee has been working diligently over the last ten months to produce the report this evening. We had a big kick off last December. We were excited and the mayor welcomed everyone to the steering committee. We looked at the history and data about Latinos in Long Beach. We saw a market overview of models and trends and a case study review of other Latino cultural centers across the country. In addition, as I mentioned, Central Cha led a five month, very robust community engagement process. We reviewed the community engagement report and provided feedback. And then from all a culmination of all this information, Lord Cultural Resources developed the draft business plan for your review this evening. Next slide, please. Now I would like to call up Joseph Quintana, executive director of Central Cha and Megan and Nya. They're going to provide an overview of the community engagement process. Me. Can everybody hear me? Yeah. Perfect. Thank you so much. Tracy and Jessica will join us in just a few moments. But I will begin today's presentation. By giving you. An introduction into how our community engagement went. So next slide, please. Now this is going to be the quickest version of the history snapshot that we gave at the beginning of every community engagement session we had. And this is for the purpose of giving some community education, but also some cultural context into the issue and why it's needed. So just to begin after the 1848 US-Mexico war. Mexico lost about 55% of its territory to the US. This left over 100,000 Mexicanos north of the border. But following that. Event. Mexicans were largely decimated for decades to come. So between the 1850s to the 1940, the Latino population largely decreased. Now, following the establishment of the Willmar City, which eventually became Long Beach, this area was in an area that was largely derived from the last MI Atoll Brother Territory acquisition. And this comprised of Los Alamitos, Fritos and this. So this area was largely connected to the Latino roots. However, by the 1960 census, we saw that the Latino population had decreased to nearly 7500. But at that time, the Latino population started to revive and grow again because their labor force was largely looked for. For the current workforce development as well as for for the economics in the city. And so by 2019, we see that the Latino population grew from merely 7500 to over 1009, 190,000. That's an increase of over 191,000 or a factor of 2,652%. Now, that might not seem that big of a change, but if you take a look at the entire city's population, it increased by only 118,460 during the same time period. That's a factor of 74%. But the Latino population has grown to be the largest ethnic population in the city. Now I'm going to give you an introduction into what the city's current demographics look like. And this was just to give you context as to how the city has grown and how the demographics have changed over time. Next slide. Thank you. So we see that presently, according to the 2020 census, Lumbee Latinos represent 43% of the entire city's population of that. We take a look at family households in the city and we see that 31.9% of all family households identify as Latinos. Now, to take a further dove into what our our Latinos look like here in Long Beach, we see that 81.2% of all Latinos are of Mexican heritage. But we also have residents from Central America, South America, Peru, Peru. We also have them from Puerto Rico, Cuba and even the Dominican Republic. So we have a broad range of Latinos presented are represented here in Long Beach. And so if we take a look now not only at the composition of their origin, but we take a look at their age composition. We see that 30.4% of the Latinos living in Long Beach are under the age of 18. Those are youth populations. And then when we take a look at the Latinos who are of working age, that represents 65% of all Latinos here in Long Beach. Which is not surprising when we take a look at the workforce and we see that 42% of Long Beach's residential workforce are Latino. And this is important when we start to understand what kind of means, what can I give services and what is our population going to request from a cultural center? Now, I also must direct your attention to some of the opportunity gaps and the economic challenges that our community faces. Before we look at what the community requested, because in much of what the community requested, it's reflected in many of these opportunity gaps, including educational attainment. Income gaps, health access. As well as our digital divide, immigration issues, language barriers, and even some of our household challenges. Next slide, please. So of course, our community engagement was rich and robust. And as much as I would enjoy providing you with all of the details we don't have all night, so I'm going to give you just a glimpse of the outreach and findings that we had from our our our from our community engagement. So there was an overwhelming vocalized need for a cultural center that goes beyond the traditional museum or cultural center. And they were speaking our communities really seeking not only cultural recognition or arts, but they're looking for support through wellness, equity, social justice, economic opportunities, historical connections. They're looking for education, healing services and really opportunities for recovery. And so when we take a look at the tree presented, this is just a word tree that captures some of the dialog that our community brought up time and time again. And we see empowerment, we see recognition, we see acceptance. And so what we gain from this is that Latinos struggle not only with a sense of belonging or a sense of acceptance, but they're also struggling with trauma, financial burdens. They're struggling with job insecurity. Disparate health impacts, educational attainment gaps, family struggles, language barriers, immigration issues, and even a digital divide, as I mentioned before. Next slide, please. So Center Cha really did do our best to implement a outreach plan that was broad and robust to make sure that we didn't cherry pick our participants. But instead, we cast a broad net to make sure that our true Latino voice here in the city was captured. And through this effort, we hosted 19 focus groups, which encompassed 263 individuals. And it also gained participation from 25 local organizations. We held these sessions in both English and Spanish to make sure that it was language inclusive for all of our participants. Additionally, we collected 77 survey responses which were collected from students, youth as well as residents over the age of 18. We also connected with many of our city leaders and experts and hosted 15 key informant interviews to see what they had to say, what their input was on the center. And finally, we hosted a see if you will be MBA Student Research Study, which included 12 MBA program students, three professors, as well as one well-known urban planner . Next slide, please. So from all of these outreach, from all of this outreach, what we found can be summarized into four main categories. We see. That. Space and facilities. Was a big. Theme to our community. Programs, services and. Exhibits spoke. Directly to our community, community arts, health and wellness as well as education. Overall was a big theme, and economic and community development was very big to our community. But these are sort of umbrella categories. So to take a look at the more specific concepts that were identified by our community, you can see at the broad array of descriptions below with pictures and what our community really wants to see. And of course there's more, but these are just the most popular ideas and we have to phase in some of the ideas that our community is seeking. And historic exhibits was one of the first ones. Our community is really seeking acceptance and connections to the roots here. So they want to hear stories, pictures and really have that connection solidified between us and why and our history here in the region. Now, a trusted safe space was the next thing that came up. Very often. Our community wants to make sure that this cultural center is not only a space where they can get resources, but they want to make sure it's a safe space where they feel comfortable to access these resources and that it's safe for people of all ages, all backgrounds, and that everyone feels comfortable in the city to go. Additionally, making sure that we create a community resource hub as sort. Of a pipeline to. Give information as well as to provide information or other resources on some of the issues that our community may be facing, some of the challenges they are seeking help for now. Additionally, there was a very high outcry for services and programs regarding workforce development, entrepreneurial development, as well as business development. Now our community, of course, don't want to see cultural arts, education, language programs, language services, even assistance in tech services and so forth. And that all falls under cultural, education and arts. And then another interesting thing was that the community wanted to see architecture, decor, esthetics and displays that really reflected the diverse Latino community. Because one thing they mentioned was that when they look at downtown, it doesn't reflect the Latino people. There's not one thing that really reflects their culture. And so that's really missing to the connectedness in the community. Of course, Student Support Services was another large thing. But one thing that was interesting that I may mention is that the community really fell in love with the concept of including an elementary school, a traditional Latino marketplace that can serve in the historical cornerstone of the city. But it can be a comprehensive economic development and a mixed use project that's not only going to highlight and showcase the city's Latino population and their vitality, but it's also going to support as a support the center overall, as an economic generator, because this can pull in new businesses, this can support local businesses. And this could also be a place for tourist, for visitors and for even the city overall. So, of course, this is the overall view of the community engagement and a snapshot. If anyone is introduced, interested in the detailed information, I will be proud to provide that to you. But I'm going to keep the show going and I'm going to pass it on to Jeff cooking dinner. Okay. Thank you, Megan, so very much. For those who may not know, Megan just graduated with her. Masters in Economics. So she is one of the youngest economists here in the city of Long Beach and has already doing great work, as you can see. So we're so very proud to have her. So on behalf of Sensor Tower and our advisory committee and our Latino community and just want to give a big thank you to the city council members. To our mayor. To city manager Tom Modica, to John Keiser Brant, Dennis, to Eric Lopez, Tracy Colonia for all their support in this. Initiative, because without your investment, we would have never been able to do this feasibility study that's so much needed in our community. I'm not going to go over the demographics that's already been presented, but what I would just like to say thank you on behalf of the organization. And we look forward to the next steps, the next steps of conducting a feasibility study for the El Mercado de Long Beach and a Latino cultural district. So we're excited for that. I know. That's next. And we look forward to. Working with Mr. Kiser and our city manager to making that. Happen and our hardworking committee members and some of them are here today. So if some of our committee members could just stand up, I know we have a lot more who couldn't be here, and some of them are elders, but our committee advisors who are part of the cultural center just to stand up and. To be recognized or give a giveaways. One. Thank you for your time and service. As you can imagine, we have 40 members. But some folks. Cannot be here in person and they're watching. So thank you so much. For your time and service. And so I also just want to thank our community members who came out today. So this is why you won't hear a long speech from me today, because our community has so much to say. So thank you, our community, for coming out. Give yourselves a round of applause. And we're there in support. And we have a lot of. Watchers watching. At home, and. We are in full support of this project. So thank you. On behalf of Senator to. Thank you, Jessica, so much. And Mr. Motorcade, did staff have additional comments or. Yes, we would like to present the business plan by Lord Consulting. Great. Great. And we will go quickly through this, mayor. I would like to present Veronica Gonzalez and hub here, Jimenez from Lord Cultural Resources. Veronica's here in person and her colleague, whoever is in remote via WebEx. Honorable man, city council members, it's a pleasure to join you this evening. I'm from lower cultural resources and we have just celebrated our 40 year anniversary. Laura Cultural Resources was founded in 1981 in response to an emerging need for specialized planning services in the cultural and heritage sector. We are now the world's largest cultural professional practice, with completion of over 2500 projects in 57 countries across the world. Lord has earned an international reputation for sector leadership, innovation and excellence. It has been a true honor to have worked with your very esteemed steering committee, the city's amazing staff Tracy Brandt, Sergio and now Eric. And to have a very important partnership with Centro Cha on the planning of the Latino Cultural Center. Jessica, David and Megan, thank you all for the opportunity to work together. We join you in your enthusiasm, engagement and leadership in moving this very important project forward in a way that continues to be transparent, equitable, inclusive, with a focus on access of resources on behalf of your very substantial and growing Hispanic constituencies. We look forward to the Council deliberations and consideration of our plan. I now want to introduce my colleague, Javier Hermanas. Javier is our director of organization and strategy. He has a high level of expertize and many years of experience in leading a wide range of projects with museums, cultural organizations and municipalities. Of course, we will be here following our presentation to answer any questions you may have. Thank you so much. Thank you, Veronica. This is Vince Carter speaking. I hope you can hear me all right. We can hear you. Great. Great. So. So I'm going to be presenting just, just five slide slides, a snapshot of the of the business. And I just wanted to add in my my gratitude again for the process has been very enriching. You can see that the process followed as we faced the approach we we tried to build on your work with other other partners along the process. Very important the contributions from some of the community engagement and process sense which are led and part of our reform was to be, you know, quantifying the implications of this initiative, trying to come up with operations on the use of capital cost estimates for for this project moving forward. We can go to the next slide. Thank you. So what? What? The business plan includes the full document. Is this a process overview of the origins? Then the context. We look outside the controlled market realities and risk practices where we we we developed a long list of cultural centers of similar scope and also did a shortlist of a more detailed analysis of more and more relevant institutions. Alongside, we also conferred with local institutions in Long Beach to try and investigate attendance levels and other variables. We we then developed operating assumptions across a number of categories. And I have to say here that the business plan is built on these assumptions and the assumptions may change, and that is hope to be right. Because at this point in time, there are there there are things that need to be determined determinants like, for example, the scale of the building and some of these assumptions will have an impact on the final numbers. So for now, we are working with the assumptions that we that we have been able to build through to the process of consultation starts with the advice also from from the steering committee of the different stakeholders. And we believe that the assumptions that we have in place are solid enough. But as I say, we are we are realistic in the sense that this may all as the planning moves forward and the ultimate result is to produce the attendance and financial projections, projections for operations, meaning after opening day, so we can estimate how much it will cost to run during the first five years of operations and also a capital cost estimate that I would show you coming. And move on to the next one, please. Thank you. So. So typing right into the the summary of the operational revenues are expensive. We are we are focusing on EUR five operations after opening just because we experienced. The first the first couple of years are two years are years when when two issues may occur due to a novelty factor or due to inexperience cropped up of different programs. And by year four and or year five, we can start to to assess an institution in a more space. So these numbers are going to be present in our four, four year five after opening. And the budget that we have calculated is around $1.6 million per year. This would be non inflated and that would be the operating operational expense of the institution. The we have been analyzed revenue being different categories and we started with bad revenue, meaning that the revenue that the new student inside the control center can generate by itself by selling activities, for example, through admissions, through rentals, through programs, performing arts and other things that other services that may be on offer. And this amounts to 23% of operating cost being covered by it. It is a good performance in the cultural sector and we've seen anything between ten and 20, 25% in the comparables, very rarely anything above 30%. So so we we we believe this is, you know, it's a good target to achieve. But it does it does it does point to the fact that other other revenues are still required on our revenue. And we have to be very transparent if we want this institution to be sustainable in the long term in being aware that it's a very mission driven institution and the model reflects that it's not a market oriented performance, meaning that, for example, ticketing program, some of the services programs that center which have already shared some of those programs, will not be trying to make a profit in the price points. Right. So so what that means is that at some some kind of subsidy or some kind of alternative funding is required. So that's what we estimate, that around nine in-house full time positions would be created in the center, supplemented by approximately another 9.5 points. So we're looking in total 18 positions. This will be new jobs in that open economy. And in terms of attendance, we projected around 18,400 per year. It could be more than this. We would be conservative here. But also, you know, because we believe that the programs are going to be of high quality and attention to detail, attention to that, because we don't want to look as much in maximizing quantity, but making sure that the quality is there and programs that are. So the range of 18000 to 20000 seems reasonable. With that in mind, and I'm not finished with the point about other other sources of revenue and and that would be the need would be for around 1.3 million to come from other sources beyond programing on what other sources. That those would be good. That would be the Mercado and which which is going to be a study is going to be developed soon on the visibility of that specific initiative. Also, public public private partnerships and government contributions to different levels, including federal, state and local or post all types of of government funding. Also corporate contributions and donations. Sponsorships. And we are recommending unemployment for operations to be put in place as well as as the capital campaign is is called for giving you advice to create another another company, a company for the adult and entrepreneurs so we can move on to the next one time. One important assumption we had to make and which, as I said, may change, is the size of the building. A person we are working with with an assumption of 15,000 square feet of enough space. And you can see how we we you know, we recommended a breakdown of those spaces between exhibition spaces, public events and amenities, also education and meditation spaces or more specific workshops and classrooms, things like that. And then Michael and offices are 50% of the total excuse me, there was a big a big request from the community to also provide outdoor spaces. So we are also forecasting that in the end, the total in the total construction. So the total program space is actually 21,300, including indoor and outdoor. This, as I said, is is based on on our knowledge at this time. It might be a renovation of an existing building, potentially an optional or existing stretch of a park. But we don't know if it might also be a new buildings. So those are things that we express as the project moves forward. Move on to the next one. Thank you. Yeah. This is just a quick run up of operating expenses. These are revenue. And basically what this shows is pick up right between the 1.6 operating budget of the institution and the 383 180,000 end revenue that we forecast the tax to produce. And the next slide that we are moving to now. Thank you. I'll show you the other source of revenue that will cover the cost and what are the amounts that we have planned. And I just focus on the top three, starting with the largest, which is the last one that would be forming a private partnership and all or level of public funding. What we have learned from our research of control centers of this type is that they don't rely on some sort of public funding. And this also goes back to the reasoning that many of these institutions or all of our missions within institutions, they are put in place to to serve a community need and a subsidy to develop the involvement of the public sector. Is is is critical from the beginning at the moment that the public sector has been very important in all levels. And we hope that will continue. The second largest item that we have that we have forecasted here is some dominance. And this would, of course, depend on whether the campaign can afford or whether it's realistic to to put on a party something for a moment. But we believe that if 10 million to possibly 10 million fund was raised or dominant for operations, then that would yield approximately 270,000 per year, which would be, you know, if it were to be a great cash cushion for for sustainability long term. So we we already have to pay for this. And then the third item is the recall that medical there are 181,000. This is our very preliminary estimate of what the recoverable generate as a net revenue. But as I said, an analysis and there's another study doing this in more data that we offer whether these numbers at this level or be notable. And we can move on to the next slide. Thank you. And this is my last my last night. This is now talking about. We were talking about OpEx, operational revenue and cost. And we're just focusing on this line on capital estimation. We have we have run different ranges depending on and different scenarios, depending on whether the the control center is released on or it's a new project and whether, you know, that there's always a range between different costs and there are always some some unexpected costs that could originate. So far, renovations, for example, are in high level. We believe that the project would be achieved with between 26 or 26.9 million and 30 million. And this is this includes the three bullet points at the bottom. This includes construction costs. So hard costs at 20 to 40 million. It also would include costs. So all the architecture of these project licenses and around 5 to 6 million total, and then we are doing 8 to 10 million for the development fund for operations that I mentioned at the beginning. So for example, the development fund was was decided to not be pursued. Then we will decrease these capital campaign needs by 10 million. So actually the building just requires around €20 million, up to 31 winning to Fund Corporation. And this is this is it for me for now. I'm happy to answer any questions that anyone may have. Thank you very much. Thank you. We're going back to staff now, Mr. Marco. Yes. Thank you, Javier and Veronica, for your hard work on the business plan. In terms of next steps and to wrap up this report, central China has been identified as the nonprofit who will lead the Latino Cultural Center. They'll need to finalize the draft business plan and develop a work plan and fundraising efforts, as well as initiate the formal planning entitlement phase. And lastly, identify a permanent location for the Latino Cultural Center. Last slide, please. City staff are here to answer any questions you may have, and that concludes our report. Thank you. Thank you very much. There is a there is a motion. And the second I'm going to ask the maker of the motion if we can do public comment first unless there's and then we'll come back. So I do have a significant amount of public comment. So I'm going to when I read your name, please line up in that order and then we'll get to the public comment and then come back to the council. So I'll just read up what I have. If the first five speakers could please line up in this order. Armando Vazquez Ramos, David Salazar, Phyllis Arias, Ron Arias HURTADO. Are safe and eligible to vote for six could please come forward in that order that Amanda Vasquez Ramos. David Salazar. Nicholas Arias Ron Arias parasail and Olivia Ortega. What the fuck is wrong? Thank you. I would like to start with a prayer. Lord made the Dodgers make it tonight. I know. I said everybody's mine. Okay? And I wanted to share a little levity, but to celebrate with you and thank all the cooperation from city fathers and in the administration that has been so supportive and it's so wonderful that we're at this at this point in time because it's a night and day difference from 50 years ago. So when you know that I go back to the late sixties and certainly that what we have in this city today is capacity, the capacity to be able to go through this process, to create a vision and to implement the project. And certainly that the future of Long Beach is strong. This project will certainly create the viable opportunity to develop a long term project in perpetuity. And now with the cooperation with the cities development of the downtown of Long Beach, connecting Drake Park with Cesar Chavez, the ailing river expansion, and certainly I have already introduced or provided a letter of support that outlines what I wanted to express. I just want to say a huge thank you. And of course. We look. Forward to this journey together. Thank you so much, city manager. Thank you so much. City Council and of course, the mayor of L.A. And then I have to thank you, Dr. Ramos. Speaker, please. Mayor Garcia and members of the City Council. My name is David Salazar and I'm a secretary, a board member, as well as a resident of the fifth District. We're pleased to be before you tonight to present our report for the Community Engagement and Business Plan for the Latino Cultural Center and Mercado. The creation of the center and the Mercado has been discussed for many years in the city, and we feel now that time has come. Currently, Long Beach Latinos do not have a cultural home where the community can celebrate their history, identity and culture in a place they can call their home their hub. They also do not have a cultural and relevant retail and commercial space that serves the needs, serves their needs, and promotes entrepreneurial ship, small business development and economic self-determination. We believe that the cultural center and the Mercado addresses multiple objectives and speak to the long standing social and economic inequalities in the city. The combination of the two projects are in perfect alignment with the city's racial and equity equitable equity I'm sorry, Equity Reconciliation Initiative, as well as the up and coming 2.0 economic development plan. In summary, the creation of space and the development of the Latino Cultural Center, McCollam will not only showcase the vitality and the spirit of the city's Mexican-American and Latino community, but also establishes a much needed cultural home that will provide a place of belonging, pride and economic opportunities for generations to come. Thank you so much. Thank you very much. Next propose. Good ending. My name is Phyllis Aria, and I've been a resident of Long Beach for exactly 50 years. In my 50 years in Long Beach. I've seen the city's community of. Latinos grow from. About 7% in 1971 when I arrived to about 45%. Today, which is remarkable. But in my years. As an instructor, as a teacher, as an educator, I was always struck by how much our Latino community doesn't know about its own history. And I think that the Latino Cultural Center is the perfect opportunity for us to make sure that we all know that the entire community knows the history of Latinos in Long Beach, the history of Latinos in California, the history. Of Latinos in the. Entire country. And so I fully support the Latino Cultural Center, and I thank the city and its staff for its support. Good evening, Mayor. Members of the City Council. My name is Ron Audios, and I'm here to completely and totally support the concept of a Latino community cultural center. As Armando mentioned, I am also one of the old guys that have been around for 50 years. For those of you that remember the original Centro on Anaheim and Holy Pedro, that's where I got my first job. And so the idea for a permanent home for the Latino, Hispanic, Latino community has been around for many, many years as communities across the nation struggle with diversity, inclusion and equity and access issues as a result of our social change and all that is going on in the country, in the world. This is a great project. It brings us together. It allows us to celebrate who we are. And ultimately, we are much more alike than we are different. This is an investment and I thank the Council for supporting this concept. The staff members John Kyser, Tracy Brant, Eric Sergio they have been absolutely wonderful and we wouldn't be here without them. So I just want to completely and totally support this project. Thank you very much. Good evening, Mayor Garcia, City Council members. My name is Harold La Salle. I am the community affairs director at Interval House. We are very proud to support the proposed Latino Cultural Center at Mercado there, Long Beach. We have no doubt that it will become an important and successful cultural, educational and economic hub for the city, especially because of the involvement of Central Cha and Jessica Quintana. Without question, there is no other organization that could better lead the development of this district center, which has been our community's premiere cutting edge program that has advocated for the protection and advancement of not only Latinos, but our culturally underserved and disenfranchized communities in our city. We know that they will continue to be forward thinking and inclusive in their efforts. So on behalf of everyone at Interval House, of which only a few of us are here tonight, we enthusiastically support this incredibly important development. Thank you. Good evening, honorable mayors and members of the City Council. My name is Sylvia, although. I am the legal and Latino program director at Interval House. We have provided housing and support services for victims of domestic violence in our community since 1979. I am also the. President of the ROMANA, the largest support group for Latina domestic violence survivors. For residents of Long Beach or over 45 years, I am so hopeful to see. The creation of a Latino cultural center in Kabul the longest. It could be such a great development for our city, and we would create a sense of pride for Latinos living in Long Beach to have a dedicated. Area that highlights our. Culture. Um. Also, it would. Be great for tourism to create a. Fun and a great place for people to come and enjoy and appreciate the diverse and. And College for Latino culture and music and modern art. This would be a great this would be a dream for our community. So thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Gracias. Good to see you. Nice to see. You. And next our next speakers are going to be Adrianna Guerrero, Joshua Sneed, Priscilla Suarez, Diego Zamora. Hear me get here. Mina Cruz. I think it says Marta Cota and Yvonne Garcia. So repeat those, please line up in that order. Adriana Guerrero. Joshua Sneed. Griselda Suarez. Diego Zamora. Filomena Cruz, Marta Cota and Yvonne Garcia. Good evening, Mr. Mayor, and members of the City Council. My name is Guerrero and I'm the Administrative and client services director at Interval House. As a lifelong Long Beach resident and director at Interval House, which has been serving Long Beach and the Latino community for over 40 years, we couldn't be more enthusiastic. About this. Important development for our community. It will not. Only be exhilarating and exciting in terms of culture, tourism and entertainment, but it will also be of serious importance in terms of helping our. Community access. Critical resources for support. From health. And education to economic and housing support, and much more. It's poised to be a central hub for our community, and we thank you for making this a reality for our city. Thank you. Good evening. Members of the Long Beach City Council, fellow residents of Long Beach. Anyone else I have the honor of addressing tonight? My name is Joshua Sneed. I'm a Long Beach resident in the seventh District. And I'm a local nonprofit executive and L.A. County commissioner. I'm currently enrolled in classes at California State University, Long Beach. I'm addressing that tonight because I recently attended a presentation about the proposed Latino Cultural Center here in Long Beach. And I want to share my impressions about this project. One thing the presenters did especially well was to help me see why our fine city deserves to have a place like the proposed Latino Cultural Center, a place that feels like home, where important celebrations can be held and remembered for decades. Where events and exhibits add life and meaning to the history taught in our schools. This idea will eventually become reality. It's inevitable. It's overdue. We should throw our full support behind making this happen. Now I ask our city council if you have an opportunity to provide material support to this idea, please consider how a space like the proposed Latino Cultural Center can make our city a more complete. This great idea is worth our investment of time, attention, and the funds needed to make it a reality. Thank you. All right. When I have no chance, I'm going to tell that Suarez, the executive director of the Arts Council for Long Beach. I just want to take a moment to also be told I can take a psychic stand or check on a sore throat. You think it is the studio you have to go through though? Umberto Liberal Bavaria's Bertone, endemic to the love camp, is a long beach the in central the middle. Yesterday wasn't really bad. Thank you very much, mayor and council for voting to have this study and to have a steering committee. This, along with the work of the African-American Cultural Center and the Cambodian Cultural Center, is an important part of Lumbee Fabric as Arts Council. It's been a pleasure to be on the steering committee and as a beacon. Actually, Ghana to be on the steering committee has made a world of difference, to know that you are invested in the Latino community here in Long Beach. This is just one intersection of how the cultural center can uplift voices in economy, in arts and culture, in education. It is an intersection, and this Latino cultural center is just one example of many actions. There is deep, rich history not only in Long Beach but in the greater Long Beach area. And I think this will be a destination for many families and many residents around the area. So thank you again. And what I actually. Good evening. My name is Diego Zamora. I am born and raised from Long Beach. I reside in the district. I support Santa Clara, Latino and vision of America here in Long Beach because I consider myself to be two sides of one coin. One side being born in Long Beach and the other one is having a mexican background. With that being said, growing up, it's always been needed in media, which means to say not from here, but from over there into this cultural center, which would be from the bottle, is just kind of bringing both of those two together and creating an area where I can relate to something where a lot of people that are just like me can go and be who they are. Thank you. One of my kids at. They ran through the serial number if you get through. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. And council members. My name is De La Cruz. So Miembro de la Paz inaction people in the street to say. I am member of Latinas in Action and I'm a member of the Protect. Your Boy Centro Cultural Latino concept then gathered in Long Beach Parliament and in La Boulet Latina. I support the Latino Cultural Center and the concept of Mercado in order to support the Latino culture. But love Comunidad Latina in Centro Cultural Latino. But I represent them. Well Melanie that ended in a strike only that. So for the Latino community. This center is going to represent our unity and in our community. Them being back there on the ground in nosotros Podemos convivial communities familiar with Yami studies and the world championship up. Their love will do that as they did that Latina a company that is. And this place is going to allow families and friends to share a good time together and also to show the Latino identity to other cultures. It's important that. But I'm mi mi familia Martinez. I don't do that. And if I see that kind of joke and I said, But I left Proximus candidacy on this. It is important for me and my family to keep our identity for the next and future generations to see that we are growth in this city. It was for you in the city. So thanks for your support in this initiative. It with. Well. When I notice that I see you. Well. Good evening. May I rather see? It's a pleasure to see you. Now, you have told me a lot. I can see. Another council member. It is a pleasure to see you. If you look by the four yellow butterfly. Yes, they are Latino. I am here to support the Latino Cultural Center. You see a little bit gurgle, but the native language. And also the vision of the America that you have here in the city of long. Sorry. I'm also bothered by Latino I've got the name of and I thought that. We know that we have a big percentage of Latino neighbors living in this city. But all of us are more European. So Korea and the U.S. is intercultural. But the most beautiful thing that I believe there, by creating this cultural center and this mercado. The entire parastatal, then, of course, basis. Is to be able to bring a little piece of our own country. People that connect are nothing of a penal spoiler. They look well made the form of way of life. And to be able to connect that don't feel like outsiders outside our country. Has a wonderful circuit and we'll see on that. If I were killed, that's cool. Buda Nordstrom made a terrible noise, I thought is the only noise. Celebration and other thing that makes me really very emotional. I it's really exciting to know that other cultures are going to be able to experience and to see our identity, our culture, our tradition. The have in my if I project forward in their own opportunity that if the sense would be so if I look at people before I lose you got to sit up economy are going to suck on Maria Latina. And also because this project is going to offer education opportunities is going to also offer health opportunity and economic growth for the entire community. That is going to do away with my problem of voces intercultural though they're almost like a totally stone age economic and it's like a little legacy, but I can say about the same moment. So I envision that moment when they're in the cultural center. Another, more color. There we go. And cut the ribbon. And the mayor and the council members are there celebrating that moment. That is to come. We support the Latin American. Granted. That's a. Greetings, Mayor and council members. My name is Ivan Garcia. I live in District one and I'm with Latinos in Action. And today I am speaking in support of the Cultural Latino Cultural Center and the Mercado the marketplace in Long Beach. The reason I speak in favor is because the Latinos make a very significant chunk of the population here in Long Beach, and it only it's only fair that their significance is celebrated in the city. And this marketplace, this cultural hub, is a very good be a very good way to do so. In addition to that, it can also bring about many economic benefits. Small business, Latino owned small businesses could benefit highly from this hub, this marketplace. And it's also a way to ensure that, as others have mentioned, that immigrants and Latino communities of all types are able to be celebrated and in this in the city. And it only makes sense because tourists, people from outside come to visit this highly diverse place. And when they see a Latino hub, they're able to have greater exposure to the diversity, to the very, very diverse nature of the city. And that only benefits us as a city. As you know, we have an image of being very diverse, of being a highly place with a lot of high number of Latinos and a high Latino influence. And so to me, it only makes sense that we have a cultural hub that celebrates and encourages Latino entrepreneurship and economic development . And that's those are those are the main reasons. Those are the reasons I am in support of the Cultural Center for Latinos and a Mercado in the city of Miami. Thank you for your time and thank you for your support. Thank you very much. An excellent speakers we have Arianna, Segun, Rana. I think it says. Seven relievers Zambrano, Perez, Jennifer Aguiar, Aguiar, Kenny Green and Maricela Rivera, Ariana Shogun, Rodrigo Zambrano, Edith Perez. Jennifer Aguiar. Avila, Kenny Green and Maricela de Rivera. Hello. Good evening. My name is Ariana Fagen. I am from District four. I was born and raised. In the city of Long Beach and I'm for support of the Central Coast to a Latino and the vision of America in Long Beach. Growing up as a first. Generation Mexican-American, I hold significant value to my Latina identity. I understand the importance. Of creating and cleaning space. To feel a sense of belonging. That sense of belonging will be created with a sense of cultural, Latino and the vision of a mercado in the city of Miami. To me, this piece represents the Latino community to flourish and prosper through the creation of economic, educational, social. And health opportunities. This space for the. Latino community in Long Beach to. Claim their identity and express their diverse culture, tradition and values through music, art and performance. I am excited for the opportunity to embrace and preserve the Latino culture in the city of Long Beach. Thank you. But whatever your color, the name of the closet you wouldn't in, Mr. Mayor and members of the city council. We know from what I know, they want to get rid of Roger. My name is Rodrigo Zamorano and I live in Detroit. If I remember it, I believe in action. And I am a member of Latinas in Action. Bangura player in central control of the Union. I'm here to support the Latino Cultural Center, LA Vision, the image of Carol, the numbers for the second year and also the vision of El Mercato in Long Beach in order to support our diverse community. Look on the map, the ever present federal policy in Long Beach. So the Latino community represents a big part of the population here in Long Beach. In Congress, after what happened in the Dallas policy, all of this. But it's elements that are contrary tradition. So this is going to bring the opportunity to express in this space our culture and traditions and policies that are really happening there. It is part of that tradition. Yes. And this space is going to offer an opportunity to express those cultures and traditions that we have, again, brought in there . And it's possible that instead of an associate of Patria, for example, to have a space to celebrate our patriotic celebration of culture with our music occurring, present a human Latino view to hear our music with a live presentation of the shows of Latino show, by our continued tradition of preserving, trying to be able to dance our dances and also express our culture through the visual arts. That's certainly more than the parliament for their own party to preserve the present language. So it is very important for us to have a little piece of our Latino countries here in the city of beach. Where are. I have an issue there. That's why I supported this initiative. Good evening, Mayor, and members of the city council. First and foremost, I want to thank you for your dedication to serve our city and the implementation of this new policy. My name is Edith, for I am first generation Mexican-American, born and raised in the city of Long Beach. I reside on the seventh District in a Senate district with my family. I fully support the Latino Cultural Center Business District and the vision of Ella mercado, the Lumbee, because of their opportunities to our community and the economic growth of our city. Most importantly, I support the implementation of the ultimate goal, the Long Beach, because it will value our traditions of Latinos and my language will represent our history, our identity, our bond to the past, to our present and the future. Thank you. Good afternoon. Mayor. Mayor and members of City Council. My name is Jennifer Geary and I'm a promoter of community health and education worker. For Central Chair. I am also a first generation. Mexican-American, born and raised in the city of Long Beach. I am a resident and registered voter in the seventh District. My father also owns a small furniture and upholstery business in the fourth District. I am also. Here to support the Latino. Cultural Center and Business District and our vision of the Long Beach that it will help to grow Latino and Hispanic entrepreneurship and support local Hispanic business owners who. Have been impacted by the pandemic. Thank you for your time. We look for your support on this initiative. Good evening, honorable mayor and the rest of the elected officials, leaders of Long Beach. My name is Kenny Green and I am part of the Workforce Development or Social Charter. We talked about history throughout this presentation and you know that we are writing history where people are going to look back 100 years and study what was done to say you guys have you guys could make history right now with the Latino Cultural Center and why this is important, because people 50 years, 100 years could look back because of the center and the history. The Latino journey could be memorialized so it won't be lost every time one of our seniors passed away. It also will give opportunity for our youth to create the history that's that's going to be here for generations. We talk about the American dream. This would give, you know, opportunities for folks to live the American dream by having their own businesses and also ensure that youth and young adults can create a career pathways. Very important because right now you guys could make history where people could look back 100 years from now and look at the Latino Center and study what we've done and where we're going. Okay. Good evening, Mayor Garcia. Council and community. My name is Maricela Rivera. I am the proud mother of these two. The three of us are proud members of the ninth district in North Language. This is. The first time we have attended in. Person since. COVID. And I hope that that stresses to you how important this is to us. We are here to stress our. Support. For the Latino Cultural Center Center, also senators but. Center and. Irma mercado. And I am going to relinquish the rest of my time to the staff because that I should still get a card for her. We must remind ourselves. That with no. Culture, there are no jobs. With no jobs, there's no economy, no economy. There is no Long Beach. With no Long Beach. There is no diversity. There is. No. Democracy. But I said otherwise. Thank you. That was that was so great. And I have our final three speakers, which are Shane Weaver, Britta Cortina and Abigail me here. Good evening, honorable mayor and members of the City Council. I'm Shane Weaver, field representative for Assembly Member Patrick O'Donnell. Happy to be here tonight in support of Agenda Item 18 and just to read aloud a letter from the Assembly member. I am pleased to support the Long Beach Latino Cultural Center Feasibility Report in collaboration with Central Shore and the City of Long Beach. The feasibility report includes a community engagement study and a proposed business plan exploring support and financing options to create a Latino cultural center district and a mixed use small business economic development hub. As Assembly member representing the city of Long Beach. I commend such try and the City of Long Beach for championing the Latino Cultural Center Feasibility Plan and business plan. Currently there is no established commercial area representing Long Beach Latinos, which roughly is 43% of the city's population. The Latino Cultural Center will not only serve as a source of inclusion and innovation, but will also help revitalize neighborhoods by becoming a regional economic generator offering visitors and tourists an authentic cultural experience. The Latino Cultural Center feasibility report captured the huge impact through direct engagement and explored financing options to develop the Latino Cultural Center District and a mixed use small business economic development. I urge a favorable consideration of the Latino Cultural Center, Community Engagement and Business Plan. Thank you for your time. Thank you so much. Good evening. Mayor and. Council Members. My name is Marissa Cortina. I reside in the seventh district. Um. I am supporting the. Latino Culture. Center and Mercado. As a resident business owner, Latina woman, business owner. I have two locations in the sixth District and also in the seventh District. I plan on contributing to the resources and financial literacy. Because I am a tax preparer and because we see that this has been a project that has been much needed in our community . I growing up, I was in the Central Chop program and which introduced me to entrepreneurship using my skills. I'm creating jobs now that I am. Um, so I support and I think this is a great idea and this is something that's much needed in our community, and I hope that we can make this possible together. Thank you. Good evening, everyone. My name's Abigail, and I'm district director for. State Senator Lena Gonzalez, and. I have a letter. On behalf of the senator to share. State Senator representing California's 33rd District and a member of the Latino Cultural Steering Committee. I write to support the Latino Cultural Center Community. Engagement Business Plan. The City of Miami should prioritize equity, inclusion and celebrating. Of its diversity. And its commitment to ensuring that all. Residents have an equal opportunity to thrive. The Latino Cultural Center will serve as a focal point to blend the city's unique cultural identity and embrace its historical significance. These efforts can help revitalize the neighborhoods and increase the quality of life of residents, creating community pride, belonging, identity, and reconnecting Latinos. 43 I support the Latino Culture Center's visibility and business plan. Thank you, everyone. Well, thank you. And I want to just thank everyone for speaking to. We do have a motion to set and I'm going to turn it over to customers. And in just a minute, I'm going to say just a few things. Let me let me start. But it is mademoiselle. Mademoiselle Cleo, instead of those who stress our story, ask on this experience. Yes. It's okay to say that it's a memento. A memento, comma, something important. None of us such a little bit better in la la. A study of Latinos in this economy that one grande applause so in which are more a simple chart Latinas index your total operating history on a scale you about how the mucho para you got the momentum. Como también como como latino rhythm with your concern document them their own will mercado oligarchy giving you know none of us in Mexico battle for Latin America men amateur who eat at the man may see talk tomorrow the bassoon devil but the madness of commedia e but there is an article. Is being. Presented. It's also the practice and mundo. A eukaryote is being important in this one, too. Just briefly to say also that in the cap, but it is giving a lot of pride to see all of you. You've worked so hard for this moment. Everyone in this audience, all of our Latino elders, the leaders, Central China, Latinos in action. And I'm especially excited about the Mercado. I know, Jessica, you've been talking about the Mercado forever to me. And I just think it's going to be a great place to share our culture. I think you all know also that I'm you know, my other half is Mexican. And so I have the great fortune of eating a lot of Mexican food, which is almost as good as Peruvian food. Just almost are my two favorite foods. And so I look forward to all the all the tamales. And that was first class and, you know, all the great food we're going to have at the ultimate travel together. I will also say the one thing that makes me proud of this moment and I've shared this with a lot of you at a lot of meetings is. As Latinos have grown. Our share of our responsibility in leadership is also growing. And that means that with additional power or influence or ability to reach people, that not that also brings additional responsibility as a community. So I think it's important for us to recognize and for everyone here to recognize that the growth and population should equal a stronger desire. Any stronger sense of responsibility to the city and to the community. And so I know that that's something that's really important and that I hope that's part of the center, part of its education core is about that responsibility to serve community and the country that has welcomed us and given us and our families so much. I know that's going to be a big part of what the center is all about and that experience that we've all had in being a part of this country. So I just want to thank you all all for that great power comes great responsibility. My favorite my favorite Spider-Man quote. And I want to also just think I'm going to turn it over to the council. So I'm very happy about this. And I'm, you know, I'm super supportive. So I do plan on being there the day that we cut the ribbon in whatever capacity, you know, maybe a teacher at Chelsea Long Beach again to with Dr. Vazquez Ramos. And and I look forward to to sharing that moment. I want to thank our staff have done a fantastic job. I know the tricycle longa you worked so hard on this project. I just want to thank you so much for your commitment to the project. All of the staff have worked a lot, but tracy is like really gone to bat, I think, at the city. So I want to thank you, Christopher, for that. And and I do want to also especially thank the two council champions that have really been also pushing me not just on this issue, but on a lot of issues. The council is and they have some customary ranga who I know have been talking about Latino issues in general for a very long time. I just want to thank them. I want to particularly also I know Councilman Mongo also discussed this issue at the Economic Development Committee. I know that Councilman Allen also was a strong advocate at the committee as well with a lot of advocates here at the council. I think everyone here is supportive of this of this project. And so congratulations. Very, very, very proud day for the community. Historic day for the community. And with that, I'm going to turn over to the mic of the motion, compliments of the house. Thank you, Mayor. I am such a proud Latina today. Today, being a famous historian again, I feel that the long reads of what is so good that most of us will not blossom when we played the profound. I want to thank everybody who came up to speak today and shared their story and their support for this amazing Latino cultural center slash, Edmund Cardon, especially Rosita, of course, and her her companion, Bijan. So thank you. Thank you very much. Another big thanks to our amazing staff like mayor, said Tracy. I'm always going to want you on my side to bat for me. Thank you. Thank you so much. I also want to acknowledge on the work that has already been done towards this vision. For many decades, this just didn't happen. So I really want to say thank you to all of those who kept pushing and kept pushing and kept pushing to bring us here to this day. Today, I am honored to have been part of the Latino Cultural Center Steering Committee. Thank you for that opportunity. I am super excited and supportive of the cities of Long Beach's vision for creation of the Latino Cultural Center. I would like to begin by acknowledging and thanking the work of the Latino Cultural Center Committee, who was composed of some very, very impressive members. I also would like to thank the leadership and collaboration efforts with Centro CHA and our consultant team, the Lord Cultural Resources, the points, components of the community engagement, visioning workshops, best practice research , marketing analysis and the development of concepts and business plan. All this all of this that was considered for the Latino Cultural Center have been a main theme at this point in this process. No formal specific sites have been identified, although, as we heard tonight, we have a very, very strong community interest in the location in the areas of the Drake Chavez masterplan. I also want to acknowledge that there's much more work to do in this effort and a lot more details to the vision for the center and as well as the concepts and plans and detailed marketing analysis and fundraising strategies that must be fully developed by the nonprofit central to that's leading this effort as it moves forward. I'd like to make a motion that the city continue to be engaged in the steering committee's efforts that at the appropriate time, as potential locations are explored, that both public and private are explored, and that the public sites that are that meet the need for our Latino cultural centers objective be including and not limited but included in the Drake Chavez Park. May may it be may be considered as well. If you need me to be a little more clear, staff, please let me know. They've got that loud and clear. So that makes a lot of sense. We'll add that into motion. Thank you. Thank you. The reasoning for my motion is that it the possible inclusion of the Latino Cultural Center in the Mercado Project and the fact that Chavis Master Plan, which is something we're all advocating for it it would be have a historic cornerstone area in the city's Mexican-American and Latino community. Complementing are open space and parks that we have in in the surrounding community. This location also would enhance the use and programing of its existing general base at Community Center and Art Park. Furthermore, the development of the Latino Cultural Center and Mercado around the around or on the site, Chavez Park, is consistent with the goals of the city's Racial Equality, Equity and Reconciliation Initiative Report The Blueprint for Economic Development and the economic profile for the Latino Community Report. Given that it is addressing long standing social, economic, social and environmental and equities affecting the city's business community and promotes community empowerment, cultural recognition, interpersonal ship and self-determination in the city of Long Beach. As we know presently, there is no established cultural and retail project representing the city's growing Latino community, which stands at 43.3 of the adult population in the city, along with the Latino Cultural Center and Met Project, will provide identity and recognition for this population and can be integrated into the city's downtown core and and waterfront. This creation of place at Cesar Chavez Park hopefully will not only showcase the vitality and spirit of the long before female community, but also will become a regional economic generator and offering visitors and tourist and authentic cultural experience. And that makes me super happy. Thank you. Thank you very much. And I want to turn it over the customary ringer, if you and I very happily second that motion cast members and then as to what a promotion. Today we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. Out in the foyer, out here in front of City Hall. It's the seventh annual celebration that we had here when I first was elected in 2014. We didn't have that celebration. We sort of like went dormant after many years of having celebrations in the theater lobby Chelsea, Long Beach, Bixby Park. I'm with Ron and Phyllis in Nevada, a little bit here, 50 years. And, you know, we've been through a lot and we've had a couple of false starts in trying to get a central established here. We're starting with Central La Raza, the Accademia, and then and here we are tonight making history. This is this is one of those efforts that I think is going to be successful. And I think it's because of the people that are involved. Phyllis, Ron, Armando And of course, can't do it without Central Chad and the leadership of Jessica Quintana, who has basically been at the forefront of making this happen and making it a reality. And, of course, the support of staff. Tracy, you've been wonderful. And of course, our city manager has been very supportive of this cultural center right from the start. And it's a very proud moment that we had here tonight because of the efforts of the community and, of course, all of you who came here to speak in support of this project, because without without the support of community, there is no project. It works because you make it work. You make it happen. And it's not that's not us here at the city council that make it happen. It's you. We basically advocate for you. That's our that's our role. We're advocates. And you let us know what you want. And we try to make it happen. And we try to make it happen in a way that is going to be conducive to being moving forward the agenda for our people. The the night tonight is that I am a Chicano. I always call myself a Chicano and I've always been and will be. And a Latino or Hispanic Heritage Cultural Center is is something that will be very proud for. One thing I would like to see that I did not see presented here is also the fact that, you know, we as Latino leaders who are up here, we get old. No, we're not as young as we used to be. So we need new leadership. We need those individuals who are in the third, fourth or fifth grade now, or those who are just graduated from high school to take leadership role in leadership positions in the near future, because we're not going to be here that long. We need we're going to move on. We have to make room for the new leadership is coming. So I hope that this culture center also presents leadership opportunities to advance the the leadership that we need here in this city as it diversifies and becomes even more so than the period of three years now. So we know what the statistics are showing. We know what the data is saying. You know, we're becoming more diverse. And with that diversity comes responsibility. And with that responsibility comes leadership. And I hope that the Culture Center will also include some classes or some opportunities for our youth to advance their leadership skills and the opportunity to eventually take positions of leadership locally, state and nationally. I want to thank you all for being here. I want to thank. Of course, that which Mary said there has the mayor who who had been always supportive was. By the way, one thing he didn't mention. I hope he won't get a lot of Mexican food. Today we get Peruvian food and back at the city council. That delicious. Very good. So, again, thank you very much. And I very happily and proudly support this motion. This motion. Thank you. Thank you, Catherine. And we thank those those behind the diocese getting getting very old. I think he's excluding Mary. And I hope that Councilman Austin. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And I'd like to just weigh in and express my full support for this item. I stand with my colleagues, as well as the community in the call for cultural center for Latinos in Long Beach, in support of this whole community engagement and business plan. You know, I just want to commend the report, the work that went into, you know. Presenting this. You know, I'm always impressed with the young lady, Megan and I. And her data, I think, illustrates our Latino community so, so clearly and and the importance of what we're doing here today. Obviously, our staff report and forward community law, cultural services are they they are amazing to work with. And I think they're going to be an amazing partner not only for this cultural center, but we've also been working with them on the African-American Cultural Center. And I expect they'll be involved in other cultural activities as we as a city strive to be more inclusive. And this work is really all about inclusion and recognizing and bringing people together, helping us understand who we are as neighbors, as a community. And I'm really proud to support this this evening. I want to hear you say that many of the concepts expressed in the visiting plan here are very similar to to the concepts that were expressed in the African-American cultural center process and to the community involved here today. Those of you who came out and spoke this is an amazing, historic moment for you to get involved, to be a part of something, be a part of something that's going to really require a great deal of collaboration as a community, as a city . And there's a space and a place. There's an opportunity, I would hope, for each and every one of you who want to be involved, to be involved in this. And I would just say that this is a vision. The vision is shared by many people, but the work is just beginning and it's going to be a heavy lift. And so it's going to take a lot of work to get there. I'm here to support and hope we get across that finish line very soon. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman. Councilwoman Price. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you to everyone who came out and spoke in favor of the item tonight. And for all of you who have been working really hard behind the scenes to make this. Project a reality. I'm really impressed with the presentation that we heard tonight, and I. Appreciate the education. Regarding some of the history and the importance of a city asset like this. I could not be more supportive. I love the city of Long Beach because of its diversity. And I. Mean, it's just it's just. One example of how we celebrate one another's culture. But the mayor highlighted food. And I will say I think he secretly thinks Persian food is the best, but he probably won't admit that tonight. But he does often talk to me about how much he appreciates that. But, I mean, you just look at the people behind the diets and what amazing diversity we have in our city. So I think anything we can do to to. Further support our. Cultural differences and educate one another. On the beauty and the history of our cultures is a positive for the city. And I will always support efforts to do that. All day long. I will say the staff first of all. Tracy, you're amazing. You're just amazing. I love. Having you on the city. Team. And I. Just it's just it's really it's really. Hard not to get behind something that that woman works hard. On because she's very thorough. And so I appreciate that. But I will say to the city team, I think the. Challenge is pretty clear for the city team idea that everyone loves. How do we get that shovel ready so that all of these wonderful elected officials who. Sent their representatives to speak to us tonight can be ready when there is funding available for either a matching funds grant or some sort of grant to allow the city to expand on our. Cultural diversity. And our cultural. Assets. So I think that the idea for us, the challenge is going to be projects like this are really. Great, but a lot of times. They don't become a reality because we're not perfectly situated at the right time to make it happen. So hopefully we can get to a place where this is shovel. Ready when those funds become available and we don't miss that opportunity. But with that, I want to thank my colleagues. Councilman and de Haas and Councilmember Ranga for championing this project and allowing us all to be a part of it. I fully support it. Thank you. Thank you, Councilman. So thank you, Mayor. First, I want to just congratulate you all for coming to this kind of milestone and finishing at least this portion of the plan and the business plan. You know, I think that what what I want to lift up is the process it takes to bring everyone together, young generation and our elders, but also just the diverse Latino community. I think just that some people don't realize the vast number of their various culture and mentioned and food as well. Right. And how important it is to educate everybody in Long Beach and just the broader community diversity of the Latino community and just want to share that. It's an inspiration in what you're all doing. I think the African-American Cultural Center kind of said that they started with theirs and have come to milestone themselves as well as you. And I think the Cambodian American Cultural Center will be on its way so that we're all able to come together at some point and share with each other across culture. Meanwhile, as as education is done within the culture of these centers. And so I just want to reiterate my thanks to staff as well as the leadership of Councilmember Sunday House and Urunga for bringing the item forward with a central cause leadership, Latinos in action and many of you all. So and I just want to share that and I think as we had one speaker earlier with her, Maricela with her children, and that it is really for our next generation to making sure that we lift up the culture and the pride of our diverse community. And I'm just really proud that we as a city highlight that and celebrate it. Thank you. Thank you. I'm cute. Next. So I'll take a plate, a personal privilege, and say it's my turn. And thank you all for coming. This has been a long time going. I remember the first time I met with David Salazar. In addition to hearing this amazing idea and talking through his vision and what the board had come up with and all the work all of you had done, I also encouraged him to run for city council. His wife said, No, I strongly encourage you to continue to encourage him all through January of 2022. He still can get in on it. You guys have brought forward some amazing ideas and it takes strong leaders like David and Jessica and Ron to really continue to be resilient to the ups and downs of the city and the ups and downs of the economy and the ups and downs of the priorities of different council leaders who rotate in and out of this dais. But through those years, this group of people and most of you in this room have been constant in your your continued pursuit of what you know to be an amazing vision. And I see that vision, and I'm so blessed to be able to be here to be a part of it. I look forward to finding a way to get this over the finish line. I would love to again meet with some of the community members. We have an amazing nonprofit organization and economic development partner. And many of, you know, I do a lot of grants and over the last 24 months. Hundreds of millions of dollars in this country have been set aside over the next five years for diversity and inclusion. And I think that this project is primed to receive one of those grants. I was on a call with one of the members of that community, a nonprofit group that connected with our city. I'm talking specifically with banks that have specific funds available for projects like this that will lift people out of poverty and give them the opportunity to have their own business in a cultural district that they're passionate about, to have a job where when you show up every day, it's not a job because you're actually just doing something you love. And the funds are there. We just need to work together to find a way to put them into an organization that can accept them in a meaningful way and implement them. And I'm here to do whatever it takes to get us there. But thank you each and every one of you, because as we move through that process, your voices will continue to be needed for continual input and continual support to get over the finish line. And I will be there when the ribbon is cut. Thank you. Thank you, Councilwoman Allen. Yes. Thank you for the presentation and congratulations to Central Char and the future of Long Beach is definitely stronger. So I also want to thank Jessica and Tracy for your leadership. And I stand with my colleagues when we say that we wholeheartedly support this. I'm just so excited and I just think it's really important that we highlight the heritage and the ongoing contributions of our Latino communities. As many of the speakers mentioned today. I know that our community looks forward to a place where they can go and embrace the cultural significance of Latinos and their history and our community. So thank you so much to all the people that made this happen, to all the people that came out today and spoke. You really touched me. I love everything about this project. And like my colleagues, I can't wait to be there at this ribbon cutting. Congratulations. Thank you. And Customer Supernova. Thank you. I, too, would like to thank all the speakers here tonight. I really appreciate you being here. It's it's just an absolute honor to sit on the dais tonight to support this item. But I want to bring the conversation back to food and rather specifically. And I'm looking at Ron and Phyllis here. I mean, listen, listen. It's Pancho's in the fourth District, is it not? There you go. Thumbs up. Okay. But I just like to give a special congratulations to Jessica Quintana, and you should be very proud tonight. And what I'm most impressed about is tonight is a big picture item. It's a global issue for the community. And Jessica has the talent to lead that effort. And yet no detail is too small for her to keep an eye on. The most minor detail on a vaccination clinic. It always have a park. She's on it. And that's that's a real tight end. And our our district has been the beneficiary of that. So I say thank you for that. Well, thank thank you. And that concludes everyone here on the on the council. Dove, congratulations again to everybody. We have a motion and a second by council member and they have some contemporary ranga on the floor. So members, please go out and cast your vote. Motion is carried. Grip graduations, everyone. Thank you. We're going to we're going to move on to that consent calendar item two through 14. Yes. Thank you, guys. Thank you. I get emotional. A second person sent calendar. I have and I can find Dave and there's a I believe here.