The City Council decided on Tuesday that Long Beach voters will vote on three local measures this November regarding utility taxes, City departments and commissions.
The items have gone through months of public meetings and modifications, though the City Council hearing proved residents remain divided on the issues. City councilmembers unanimously approved each measure to be entered into the ballot for the general election on Nov. 5.
California residents have until Oct. 21 to register to vote, and can do so online.
The council added three local measures:
- Whether Long Beach will remove a 5% tax exemption for two local power plants
- Whether the City will combine the Civic Service and Human Resources Departments into one hiring department
- To reduce terms for the Harbor Commission and Public Utilities Commission to a maximum of three terms of four years each
This article breaks down the ballot measure regarding the Harbor and Public Utilities Commission terms and proceedings within the Harbor Department.
Harbor Department and Commission Changes
Long Beach’s Harbor Department is responsible for managing, promoting and developing the Port of Long Beach, which employs over 50,000 Long Beach residents and generates more than $126.8 billion in wages, according to the Port’s website.
The Harbor Department acts under the direction of Long Beach’s Board of Harbor Commissioners. The five-member commission board is appointed by the mayor and approved by the City Council. They are responsible for setting policy, appointing the Port’s executive director and electing board officers to one-year terms.
This measure aims to shift the responsibility of hiring within the department from the Harbor Commission to the chief executive officer. Mario Cordero was appointed chief executive officer of the Port of Long Beach by the Harbor Commission and has held the position since 2017.
The Harbor Commission will continue to appoint a chief operating officer, executive officer to the board and the board staff.
If passed, the terms of the Harbor Commission and Public Utilities Commission would change from a maximum of two six-year terms to three four-year terms, resulting in shorter terms. Those currently serving on either board can receive “certain exceptions,” according to City documents.
The measure would also move the timeframe of the Harbor Department’s annual budget to align with Long Beach’s fiscal year, which is from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The item includes an increase in penalties for violating Harbor Commission ordinances, from $500 to $1,000 or up to six months in prison.
Why is this Item Being Introduced?
Similar to the City hiring process measure that will also be on the ballot, this measure is meant to speed up the Harbor Department’s hiring practices. By removing the need for Harbor Commission approval, hiring within the Harbor Department will more closely align with the rest of the city’s process.
City staff predict it will speed up the hiring timeline by 30 days.
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