Traffic issues and infrastructure needs in the 5th District  -- Wednesday, June 20th at 6:30 pm.

The City Traffic Engineer Dave Roseman will discuss traffic issues impacting the following areas of the 5th Council District: Spring Street from Studebaker to Norwalk Blvd; Karen Avenue (off Spring in the Ranchos); Stevely Avenue from Parkcrest to Spring; the Keller Elementary school area; the Newcomb Academy Area; Wardlow Avenue from El Dorado Park to Studebaker; the DeMille/McBride school area. If you have an additional area you want discussed please contact my office at 562 570-6932 so that we can give Mr. Roseman time to prepare information.

Following the traffic issues discussion, we will discuss infrastructure issues throughout the 5th Council District.

You can help make history in Long Beach.

I launched "Open Up Long Beach" because I believe in order to fully engage our residents at the local level, we need to be open, transparent and accountable. So that is what I am doing by inviting you to participate in one of the first "participatory budgeting process" ever used in the City of Long Beach.  

Participatory budgeting is a process by which citizens and
communities work with their local budget holders to decide
priorities, identify resources and assets (financial, in-kind
etc.) and allocate these resources to the priorities.

As you know, revenues are tight in the City so much so that only core services such as public safety have been adequately funded (even though at lower levels than necessary).

The repair and replacement of infrastructure has not kept up with the needs of the council districts. Quite simply, the 5th Council District is the largest geographically because we are more spread out than the others who are heavily populated with apartments. This means, we have the most streets, sidewalks, trees and curbs and gutters than any other council district. We have the most infrastructure needs.

Since coming to office in 2006, my top priority has been infrastructure and how best to use the limited funds I receive to make the necessary repairs and replacements. As a result, I pioneered the saw cutting program which reduced sidewalk repairs significantly throughout the city. I also pioneered the 50-50 program that allows a homeowner to repair a sidewalk off schedule and have the city share in the cost. Most importantly, I have coordinated repairs of sidewalks and streets with the appropriate departments so that more work can be done by neighborhood than the single location approach. Because of my efforts, the Department of Public Works has stated that I have saved over 30% in costs -- which means we can get more done for less.

Tracking Infrastructure Needs in the 5th District

I can proudly say that since taking office in 2006, my office has done a tremendous job working with the Department of Public Works and constituents, in pinpointing the infrastructure that needs to be fixed.

In addition to city inventories (that are rather outdated), my staff and I continue to walk with constituents on our "Shaping Up the 5th" effort -- identifying things that need to be fixed. We also track complaints that are sent to our office regarding infrastructure and a staff person is assigned to inspect and photograph the site and send it along to Public Works.

I will email you a list of streets and sidwalks that have been repaired or replaced since 2006 and a list of those large infrastructure projects that need to be prioritized for future funding.

Projects that Never Get Funded

This budget year, a surplus of revenue from the Uplands Oil area was announced and each council district was appropriated $500,000 to use on infrastructure. Due to additional cost savings, I have some additional funds available for infrastructure projects. These funds are being used to repair and replace curbs and gutters, streets and sidewalks that we have not been able to fund under the regular appropriations.

I want to discuss with you in person what projects are being done this budget year and for you to help prioritize what should be done in the coming budget years.

So you are being invited to the meeting on Wednesday, June 20th at 6:30 pm at the El Dorado Community Center, 2800 N. Studebaker Road. We will discuss in detail the projects -- their costs and the scope of repair needed.

Sincerely,

Gerrie

Gerrie Schipske

Councilwoman, 5th District