There were grumblings in the City Council's chamber Tuesday, as the wetlands land-swap deal was being debated.
Most of the slings and arrows were aimed at Councilmen Gary DeLong and Patrick O'Donnell -- both who embraced the controversial deal that wetlands owner Tom Dean wanted.
The 5-4 vote apparently was not the end of the wetlands action.
On Tuesday, the council will consider giving them voting power on Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority:
The following is the staff report to the council:
"The Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority (LCWA) is a joint powers agency created to administer the acquisition and subsequent preservation and maintenance of the Los Cerritos Wetlands area . This entity is governed by a board of four voting members appointed respectively by the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy (RMC), the City of Long Beach, the City of Seal Beach, and the State Coastal Conservancy (SCC) . Currently the LCWA Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JPA Agreement) stipulates that the voting members of the Governing Board appointed by the RMC and SCC may not be an elected official, appointed official, or employee of the City of Long Beach or the City of Seal Beach .
"The Rivers and Mountains Conservancy recently approved a resolution to amend the JPA Agreement to delete the exception of the appointment of an elected official from either the City of Long Beach or the City of Seal Beach to the LWCA governing board by either the RMC or the SCC . The RMC believes that over the last several years that the local elected officials of the member cities have exhibited both the interest and experience critical to the success of the LCWA, and do not believe that this restriction is warranted .
This change would allow the Long Beach City representative to the RMC Board, or an official of the City of Seal Beach, to serve on the LCWA . It appears that all four agencies that comprise the LCWA are supportive of this change .
In order for this to become effective, Long Beach would also have to authorize an amendment to the JPA Agreement . Therefore, I am recommending that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the JPA Agreement to delete the prohibition of appointment of an elected official from either the City of Long Beach or the City of Seal Beach by the RMC or SCC .
Recommended Action : Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement to delete the prohibition of appointment'of an elected official, appointed official or employee from either the City of Long Beach or the City of Seal Beach by the RMC or SCC.
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Joe Segura, a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper, has covered Gotham City, er Long Beach, for 34 years. During his very, very long -- endless -- tenure, he's covered almost every beat, and he was the main writer for BeachWeek, which focused on life and lifestyles of the shoreline communities from downtown Long Beach to the Huntington Beach pier.
Many feel that DeLong and O'Donnell have mishandled this Wetlands exchange, and that Staff made many mistakes. Sources expect this matter to escalate during the Escrow period.
Many concerned entities and individuals worked hard to set the stage for the formation of this JPA, and the present members had little to do with the decades of advocacy in this area.
Basically, they foisted a very bad deal for the Environment on us, but a sweet deal for Mr Campaign funds for us.
This deal was way too Political, and this JPA has the deck stacked against the true Stakeholders.
If we were being fair, we would make sure that 1 or 2 highly placed members of the Coastal Preservation community sat on this Board. Maybe a Mel Nutter, or Ann Cantrell, maybe an Ann Denison or Thomas Marchese, how about former Coastal Commissioner Pat Towner or Audoban's Mary Parsell? Heck, Joe Segura !! He'd be great !
DeLong and O'Donnell have several conflicts of interest being so close to Wetlands Seller's Dean/Berger. We will refrain from explaining the Evidence for now. Suffice is to say DeLong accepted almost 11,000$ from Den/Berger, friends, employees and friends. O'Donnell apparently talks to the Seller's way too much and was doing some interesting things during this matter.
At least one should not be reappointed due to the controversial manner which this first Wetlands Exchange 'attempt' was handled.
This matter remains problematic and seating at least one new, independent. preservation centered Boardmember might be a step in the right direction. It would restore much needed balance to the panel.
Many feel that DeLong and O'Donnell have mishandled this Wetlands exchange, and that Staff made many mistakes. Sources expect this matter to escalate during the Escrow period.
Many concerned entities and individuals worked hard to set the stage for the formation of this JPA, and the present members had little to do with the decades of advocacy in this area.
Basically, they foisted a very bad deal for the Environment on us, but a sweet deal for Mr Campaign funds for us.
This deal was way too Political, and this JPA has the deck stacked against the true Stakeholders.
If we were being fair, we would make sure that 1 or 2 highly placed members of the Coastal Preservation community sat on this Board. Maybe a Mel Nutter, or Ann Cantrell, maybe an Ann Denison or Thomas Marchese, how about former Coastal Commissioner Pat Towner or Audoban's Mary Parsell? Heck, Joe Segura !! He'd be great !
DeLong and O'Donnell have several conflicts of interest being so close to Wetlands Seller's Dean/Berger. We will refrain from explaining the Evidence for now. Suffice is to say DeLong accepted almost 11,000$ from Den/Berger, friends, employees and friends. O'Donnell apparently talks to the Seller's way too much and was doing some interesting things during this matter.
At least one should not be reappointed due to the controversial manner which this first Wetlands Exchange 'attempt' was handled.
This matter remains problematic and seating at least one new, independent. preservation centered Boardmember might be a step in the right direction. It would restore much needed balance to the panel.