Recommendation to consider naming the Center Theatre to be renamed the "Beverly O'Neill Theatre" in honor of her contributions to the City of Long Beach.
Thank you. Item 13. Communication from Vice Mayor Lowenthal. Recommendation to approve a deviation from existing policy and procedures for naming of city owned land, buildings and facilities to allow the Center Theater to be renamed the Beverly O'Neill Theater in honor of her contributions to the city of Long Beach. Thank you, Madam Clerk. I'd like to thank the International City Theater for suggesting that the Center Theater be named after former Mayor Beverly O'Neill for her lifelong dedication to the city of Long Beach. With us in the audience, we have several members of the act board, and they may not all be here at this time, but we were expecting Jim Pruitt, the act board vice president. Dr. Minnie Douglas, A.C.T. Board Vice President. Dr. Felton Williams Board Member. Steve Dodge Board Member. Julie Larkins Board Member. Karen Deci Ikt Artistic Director and Producer. Dennis Negros Icon Staff. Amanda Soto I City Staff. And Jan from Camerata Singers. As my colleagues know, Long Beach has an administrative policy that guides the naming of land, buildings and facilities affectionately called 8-7. It is customary for City Council to name parks and other city assets in the honor of individuals no longer with us, but the policy does not allow for exception does allow excuse me for exceptions in cases where council deems it appropriate on the basis of a significant contribution to the nation, state or city of Long Beach. Former Mayor O'Neill certainly fits in this category for all of us. That have benefited from her four years of dedication to education in Long Beach through Long Beach City College and Cal State Long Beach and her leadership as mayor during some of Long Beach, his most difficult years as the city and its economy, struggled with the departure of the Navy and aerospace jobs. As we continue to experience the benefits of her good work in support of nonprofits, arts, culture throughout the city during her lifetime, Beverly O'Neill has exuded a sense of optimism, competence and grace. I've always thought that she put Long Beach on the map at a time when many people did not know if we were Long Beach, California , or Long Beach, New York. And she did this in approaching challenges and inspired our city to believe in itself. And that's something that's palpable. Here is her ability to have inspired our city, to believe in ourselves. So we are indebted for her work as a public servant. Now, the timing of this item is such that if Council and the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee approved the name change, it can actually occur immediately, since there's construction currently taking place on the exterior of the center theater building. So with that, I'd like to make a motion to approve the changing of the Center Theater to Beverly O'Neill Theater and send the recommendation to the Housing and Neighborhoods Committee. There's been a motion and a second councilmember. Your. Thank you, Mayor. I'm proud and honored to second this motion. You said at all in your presentation that there's no question that the Beverly O'Neill has been an icon for Long Beach and it's well-deserved and earned. And I completely support this motion. Thank you, Councilwoman Pryce. Thank you. Thank you, Vice Mayor Lowenthal, for bringing this item forward. I consider Mayor O'Neal to be a mentor, and I am happy that we are honoring her work with the arts community and the city of Long Beach. Mayor O'Neal was instrumental in guiding the city after the Navy left Long Beach by focusing on the three T's tourism, trade and technology. Mayor O'Neal was a visionary leader, and she had shaped our economy today by making important investments in our airport, the port of Long Beach, our convention center, and numerous organizations that she touched during her 12 year tenure as mayor. I am honored to support the renaming of the theater in honor of Mayor O'Neal. She is beloved in our city, and I'm so proud to have her as a resident, to have her as a mentor and to be able to take this step. So I thank you for bringing this forward. Thank you. Councilman Andrews. Yes. Yes, thank you, Vice Mayor. I, too, would like to thank you for bringing this, you know, to the diocese. Beverly O'Neal was one of our city's greatest mayors, you know, to this day. She is still working for Long Beach. And I remember how she led Long Beach through the transformation from a Navy town to a tourist destination, a hub for international trade. She took on the challenge to let our city into a new direction. Mrs. O'Neal will always be the favorite of mine, and she always will be. Polly's Geographic. I'm in favor of this item. Thank you. Councilwoman Gonzales Yes, I am working with the ICC board members Karen and Jim and Dr. Williams. It's been a pleasure and I'm so very glad that we're here at City Council now talking about renaming this after Beverly O'Neil. And I look forward to many years with them, with you all and talking about the wonderful theater. Councilwoman Mongo I too, am here to support renaming the Center Theater for Beverly O'Neil. She has been a mentor and a leader for this city that we should all be very proud of. And in addition to being a holly jackrabbit, let's not remember that she's also a Long Beach City College Viking. Oh, sure. And so it starts. Councilman. Councilman Austin. Thank you very much. I want to also thank you, Vice Mayor Lowenthal, for bringing this forward. I want to thank the act board of directors for having the vision to honor such a I'm such a such a hero, hero in our community. Beverly O'Neal is is arguably the most one of the most respected elected officials ever to serve the city. She served with grace and honor, and she put Long Beach on a national map in a lot of ways. She's my favorite mayor because she appointed me to a commission that got my my my public service career going here in the city of Long Beach. And so I thought support this 100%. Thank you. Thank you, Councilmember Richardson. I also rise in support of this. And I want to acknowledge Vice Mayor Lowenthal for for understanding that our code doesn't allow doesn't stop us from, you know, recognizing people have done who have done really special things in our community. And I think this is very appropriate to do so. So so thank you so much for for really exercising the right that the city council has to do that. Thank you. There's been a motion and a second. Is there any member of the public that wish to come forward and address council on this item? I'm Karen Deci, artistic director and producer of International City Theater. And I appreciate this vice mayor and city council for. This opportunity. And to speak on this subject. Beverly O'Neill has devoted her life to public service, as many of you have stated, and is appreciated for many things on many levels. Her appreciation and support of arts and education, her understanding of what it does for our community, our children and our future are truly noteworthy, especially as it applies to renaming the theater. Theater is art, and theater is about education. Theater supports a more educated and a more harmonious society. As you know, International City Theater's home is at the Center Theater. The board of directors and I hope you will support this change. The center theater name has no significance to the facility or the community. Renaming it the Beverly O'Neill Theater is appropriate and is fitting recognition for a very deserving woman. It is a wonderful way to say thank you to someone. Who has loved and. Cared for this city and its residents for so long. I want to thank you for supporting this on behalf of the board and myself. Thank you so much. Thank you, Karen. Seeing no furthers speakers members, please cast your vote. Motion carries. Thank you.