OK, I can't confirm that, but certainly Tuesday night's regular council meeting was the shortest in recent years. It was even shorter than last week's 79-minute meeting, which appeared to have the record, though only briefly it turns out.
According to the unofficial minutes of the City Clerk's Office, Tuesday's meeting began at 5:04 p.m. and ended at 6:09 p.m. The agenda was an extremely light and routine one, and the meeting probably would have ended even faster if not for one unexpected speed bump that caused some extra discussion.
With City Hall dark this Friday because of furloughs, the Fourth of July next week (City Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, also), and council members starting to take summer vacations, that may be one reason the meetings have been short lately. But ultimately, these short meetings are the calm before the storm.
Soon, by Aug. 1 to be exact, the city will make public its fiscal year 2010 budget, including measures to cut programs, lay off workers, likely increase fees and other actions to help eliminate a projected $43.3 million budget deficit. Then the council can expect a storm of controversy and contention as everyone from city employee unions to library supporters and other angry residents turn out to give a piece of their minds.
Make no mistake, it's coming. I can see the clouds on the horizon ...
Paul Eakins reports on Long Beach City Hall, and local and regional
politics. A newcomer to the Press-
Kris Hanson reports on the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles,
covering environmental issues, economic triumphs and
pitfalls and trade trends of America’s largest port.
He also writes a weekly column “On The Waterfront”,
appearing Tuesdays, and also produces an occassional video
and column titled “On The Job,” which follows the hard-working
men and women who keep Southern California’s economy humming.
Karen Robes Meeks came to work for the Press-
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