Speaker 0: Thank you. Okay. Can we please get a staff report and item to increase?
Speaker 1: Item 28 is a report from economic development. Recommendation to submit a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration for improvements to city owned property at 1850186. We would like Avenue Grant if awarded in an amount up to 3 million for creation of the Central Workforce Development Center District six.
Speaker 5: Thank you, Vice Mayor, members of the council. We're here tonight very excited to give this presentation. This has been a project we've been working on for a long time with a great community partner. There's a city building that is under lease and with an option to purchase, and this would be additional money to be able to expand and do some pretty great programing in the community through Central Shore. So I will turn it over to Sergio Ramirez, who will walk us through what this is and then answer questions. Thank you, Tom. Good evening. City Council Members. The item before us is a request for the city to be a CO applicant with Central Cha, Central Cha, Community Partners, Free EDA Economic Development Administration Grant for the property at 1850 Atlantic Avenue in District six. Just by way of background.
Speaker 0: The subject property.
Speaker 5: Is located at 1850 Atlantic Avenue. It has about a 4800 square foot 4800 square foot building. The property is city owned. And as Tom mentioned earlier this year, city council approved a lease with an option of purchase to Central Cha for their new home, where they will provide job training, workforce training and community services for the community
Speaker 0: . Just a brief summary.
Speaker 5: Of the lease. Kind of the selling point of the lease. The lease is a ten year lease with several options for renewal. It based rent is approximately just under 14,000.
Speaker 0: Per quarter or 55,000.
Speaker 5: A little over $55,000 per year. An important point of the lease is that the rent is offset by below market community services that Central CHA provides to the community. And of course, the option to to purchase, which in the first ten years Central Cha has the option to purchase the property for about $800,000. If the decide in Central CHA has already provided indication that they are interested in in purchasing the property. In regards to the EDA grant.
Speaker 0: The program that would be we.
Speaker 5: Would be going after for funding would be the Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program. It would provide approximately up to $3 million in federal matching funds to facilitate improvements at the subject property since the city is Fiona Center. So I'm sorry EDA is requiring for the city to be a CO applicant. Central China City.
Speaker 0: Will have to execute a.
Speaker 5: Menu or a memorandum of understanding that outlines the responsible parties for and responsibilities under grant administration. It should be noted that Central Cha has been able to secure a $1.1 million loan with L.A. County Development Authority for the purchase and initial capital improvements of the subject property. In regards to the EDA grant, the central trial will bear all costs in connection with administration of the grant. The city will need to acknowledge that the EDA will maintain security interest in the subject property which could be subject to foreclosure if there's a noncompliance issue.
Speaker 0: So Central Cha will indemnify the city.
Speaker 5: One important provision that we do.
Speaker 3: Need to highlight, city attorney's.
Speaker 5: Office has to highlight, is that there is a federal match repayment provision. So in addition to potential property, foreclosure, subject to noncompliance may result in the city being liable for repayment.
Speaker 0: Of federal match.
Speaker 5: Funding. So since you're paying the three or $4 million in in in in grant funding, if there were if there was an event of default, however, city staff recommends approval of the grant application and recommends that the City Council authorize the city manager to execute all necessary documents to submit the grant application and authorize as the manager designee to execute a memorandum of understanding with Central CHA for the subject grant. That concludes our presentation. John Kaiser, myself are available for answering questions.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. I do have an important comment on this item.
Speaker 4: Yes. Our first speaker is Angel Hernandez. Your time starts now.
Speaker 3: Good evening. Honorable, honorable mayor and City Council. My name is Angel Hernandez. I'm a resident of the eighth District. I am formerly a youth community organizer, leader and advocate for Central Cha. I was first involved in the organization WEAA Youth Academy Job Training, which provided job training and caregiving and also in solar paneling, which benefited my life greatly back in 2012. I continued to stay connected to the organization and was involved in several local, regional and statewide initiatives, including the Boys and Men of Color Allegiance and the Long Beach, My Brother's Keeper program. I organized and advocated along with other youth and engaged in dialogs with local leaders and elected officials to change policies and improve systems to reduce the school to prison pipeline. Currently, I work as a student at a Teen Chance Ministry Institute of Southern California, which is a Christian faith based nonprofit organization providing residential living for young adults and teens struggling with life and joint issues. Since the trial has greatly impacted my life, giving me the skills to overcome life's challenges and understanding the importance of giving back to my community center truly gave me the good skills to take it to life. And I believe it's very beneficial to the youth and also to those in the community of Long Beach. I urge council to please vote yes and to support the agenda item 28. Thank you very much.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Lisa Gonzalez. Your time starts now.
Speaker 2: Good evening, Vice Mayor and members of the City Council. My name is Brissette Gonzalez, and I live in the eighth district. I have came a long way. I have come a long way from once being a young teen enrolled at the Central to Job Training and Leadership Program back in 2008. There I was connected to job trainings and provided a paid internship where I gained hands on work experience and I was able to learn professional skills in the workplace. And knowing me at that time, I would also meet my lifelong partner and husband who also receive training assistance through the program. Today. Today we are married and we have three children. I own and operate an insurance and tax agency. Two office locations, one located in the seventh district. And everything opened a second location in the sixth district. I also recently am a new homeowner residing in the Bixby North neighborhood. I continue to stay connected to the Central Time, donating children's toys during the holiday holidays and volunteering and special events to benefit the local Latino community. Had it not been for Central Time, I would have not been connected to the programs and resources that have helped me to shape me as a businesswoman and mother I am today . I ask that you vote yes for agenda item number 28, and thank you for your time.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speakers, Eddie Ramirez. Your time starts now.
Speaker 3: Hi. City council. It's like the time I was a youth in 2001 when a small child. When the insurance Pacific. I'm sorry. During Anaheim and they're back in the days I'm a I grew up with and so it really helped save my life there really helped me to give back to my community helped me to care for others. So it empathy there. They pushed me to to be a better person and to give back to my community. As a result, I worked for the Health Department in Long Beach. I, I also got my master's degree in social work. I got a part time with small child when I was earning my bachelor's degree and I worked on my brother's initiative, and I got the opportunity to be on the call with President Barack Obama. I worked on a young man of color advocacy to address the disparities and also to correct those disparities. So it's been a great impact. And what they've done for me, they've done for so many youth. And I just want city council to know that and support them with this, because every time that simple child, since I've known them, they've been displaced and relocated seven or eight times. And every time that they've been relocated, that's a missed opportunity to open up another youth and this opportunity to save another life. So I please implore city council support them with this. So central chalk it up from home in a lot of these community as they deserve. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Your next speaker is Jessica Quintana. Jessica.
Speaker 3: Okay.
Speaker 2: So good evening, Vice Mayor, members of the City Council. City Manager Tom Modica. On behalf of the Board of Directors and thousands of community residents that we serve, we are pleased and honored for the continued partnership and opportunity to Anchor Center in the central area of Long Beach. Senator Chuck Dance in support of Item 28 and the CO Application Partnership to bring $3 million to support the economic recovery of Latinos and other vulnerable working families most impacted by COVID 19. The Economic Crisis Center charts a rooted organization for over 28 years, successfully bringing over 20 million of state, federal and foundation dollars to support immigration , legal services, youth and adult reentry, economic development, training programs, violence and wellness and Prevention Intervention Services, and most recently fundraised over 200,000 for COVID Rapid Response Services to address the the issues of rent and small businesses for emergency groceries, personal protection equipment. We are excited for the opportunity today and we look forward to this item being passed. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is Jorge Morales. Your time, sir.
Speaker 3: Hello.
Speaker 4: Your time starts now.
Speaker 3: Hello. Good evening. My members of city council. My name's Walker Morales. I live in the seventh district. I am a former central program participant from 2012. And through the organization, I was connected to job training, leadership mentoring and received supportive services. It helped me gain work skills and employment and developed a sense of pride within myself. I currently live with my parents in quarantine. My family and I work hard every day to support each other and our family food, branding and catering business in which we have operated for the past 20 years. However, recent restrictions and closures due to COVID 19 have made it difficult to sustain our business. Thankfully with assistance from Central Asia. My family and I were able to receive rental assistance and food gift cards. I'm currently and growing in the progress of applying for a small business micro grant to help sustain business operations. Had it not been for Central China, I would have not been connected to resources that not only benefited me, but my entire family. Please vote yes on agenda item 28. Thank you.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our next speaker is me, Megan Anaya. Your time starts now.
Speaker 2: Hello. My name is making an air and I'm a resident of the eighth Council District. I'm also a graduate student at Cal State. Long Beach and Central Trail gave me my first opportunity to work as an economic data analyst, helping to create the first ever Long Beach Latinos and Amick report. And my experience with Central Job gives me a deep connection to the city and its people. As you guys know, Center Shore serves more than 5000 families in you from underserved, low income Hispanic neighborhoods, and they provide these hours neighborhoods with resources the community depends on. And there's no other organization in Long Beach serving the Latino community at this capacity. And so I want you to understand what Latino means to Long Beach. In 2018, Latinos accounted for more than 43% of the city's population. More than 41% of the residents working in Long Beach were Latino. And overall, this workforce generated more than $34 billion in annual economic impacts, which was about 38% of the city's total annual economic impact to the greater economy. Additionally, in 2018, Latino households also contributed 36% of all federal, state and local tax revenues generated by Long Beach households. Since our child grown with Long Beach and they've been part of the community helping the Latino community since 1992 in Long Beach, we now need they now need our support in supporting Agenda Item 28 to continue to allow them to provide to provide these valuable resources to the community. I support them.
Speaker 4: Thank you. Our last speaker is Dave Shukla. Your time starts now.
Speaker 3: Hi there, Shukla. Yeah. Okay. I'm not here calling Central China. I'm not here calling them out. I'm here speaking for my city count center, which sounds like a wonderful group. The actions of the director over the past week and a half are pretty disgusting. But those tactics are disgusting. And I have no reason but no reason to hope that you will care about afro-latinx people in town. Now. My main concern, though, is with this city and how it isn't city owned land sitting on property that the. Given out. We've got to have a better. We've got to have a better system than looking like it's only for a certain group. For that relationship and for you know, since I have a relationship, frankly, with the mayor and the police department, there are a lot of communities in the district there at that site that could be served by a much grander vision. But whether or not that that matters, the more important point is we need to start thinking more deliberately about the useful life cycle of this building, what we're actually promoting and whether we're going to get to a third century. I cannot stress that enough with four or five years of critical it. Ladies and gentlemen, keep wasting my time. I know you can. You can sort that out yourselves and have the rest of the world, you know, really start telling you what you are.
Speaker 4: Thank you. And that concludes public comment for this item.
Speaker 0: Thank you for. You know, we have a few members on our council queued up to speak. But first, I'd like to start by saying, you know, I'm so happy that this grand application is coming forward. For us to vote on tonight seems to charge us amazing work and community and it is time that they find a permanent home. And what would it be a better place in the sixties where they already have proven and a proven track record of accomplishment. Work with the Latino community and I'm to make the motion to support this item and I would invite my colleagues to join me in supporting this item we have or speak as the first is Councilwoman Pierce.
Speaker 2: Thank you. Sorry about that. I didn't expect to be first. I appreciate the staff presentation. I've had the. A privilege of working with Jessica Quintana and Central Char since 2007, when I first started doing organizing a community work in the city. So I know their work. I know they serve a diverse population and a critical organization to ensure that we have Latino support. I know that our Latino population is growing and so are recognizing the efforts that they've done not only around immigration, but their job training program and their partnership with with many organizations. I always like to see more partnership and engagement. And so I hope that.
Speaker 1: A permanent.
Speaker 2: Location and a space like this will give them the opportunity to continue to grow those partnerships. I had a couple of questions for staff before I support this item. One of the questions was in regards to the grants recognized that we are signing on to the application with them. I know there's been conversation about different properties that have been. Worked with with other nonprofits. And I was hoping that John from Economic Development could share with us a little bit about this property, just briefly and then the specifics to this property and why it's needed to go this route in applying for this grant.
Speaker 6: Yeah. Good evening, Councilmember, and I'm happy to talk a little bit about our process. So as as you know, the city has a number of in fact, dozens of agreements with nonprofit organizations throughout our history. We've executed agreements for the use of community centers co-located, in some cases, programing provided by nonprofit agencies. And in some cases, the entity that we enter into these leases will provide rent, a fair market value rent. Sometimes they'll provide capital improvements, so improvements to the facilities, construction, etc., or in-kind public benefit services equal to the amount of fair market value. And so we have a number of these agreements throughout the city, but it's always a matter of making sure that we are able to capture a fair market value on behalf of the public for the use of public space in either cash, capital or in-kind investment. In this case, the property is actually owned by the Refuge Fund. It was purchased by our Refuge Fund. So it's actually the property or the or the the asset of of rate payers who pay into the refuge fund for services. And therefore we actually have to compensate the rate payers, the refuge fund itself for the fair market value of the property. We can't just give it away or even provide it in exchange for services unless those services of course are consistent with the refuge fund and the rate payers purpose. So a little bit about that property, but I'm happy to answer more specific questions if needed.
Speaker 2: Thank you, John. I appreciate that. So if this organization were to provide services that were consistent with rate payers goals or alignment, whether it was a jobs program around waste and recycling, I know it was brought up in public comment a couple of times about our plant, which I have unsuccessfully managed to get any additional information out in the four years I've been here. But if we did a program around waste and recycling and it was a jobs program, the central terminal had a pardon. Could they come back to the city at that time and have a conversation with the city and renegotiate their lease agreement?
Speaker 6: Councilmember. Yeah. In short, without knowing the details of that, that particular proposal. The short answer is yes, that we always are open to looking at opportunities to provide services to the public and partner with private sector nonprofit organizations to do that. So the short answer is yes. At any time in the given, the current lease is for ten years with the option to purchase. If during that time there was an opportunity like this with the grant that we have before you tonight or another program that could provide some some important services, we would bring that proposal back to city council. And we may ask for amended terms or even a new agreement for city council consideration.
Speaker 2: Wonderful. Thank you. And I ask that just because I know that they've been doing, you know, some jobs program partnering with the city. And I know that the mayor and our city manager and I have talked almost, you know, on repeat for the last two months about the climate adaptation action plan, jobs programs that might be tied to that, and looking for community partners to act as that front organization to allow us to have a good filter for jobs. Should we go that route? Well, we haven't voted on anything yet. I'm just looking to the future and wanted to make sure that we had on record that if there were programs that were aligned with the ratepayers, that that would provide a different opportunity. I know that sense, which has been a great partner with the city for a long time, you know, and we've had a lot of conversations in the framework around our African-American organizations and job opportunities there. And I think recognizing that that both of these communities are the future of the city. And as much as we can partner with them, we need to. So with that, I definitely support this item and I think everyone's efforts to bring it to this place. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you, Councilman Mongo.
Speaker 2: Thank you. I just wanted to appreciate Jessica Quintana and her work and the there's a lot of story behind what has gone on in this organization in the last four months and how they have been able to step up and bring in money to the city from outside nonprofits to provide rental rental assistance to our community, food assistance to our community, and so many other things. They have a large reach that is not just in the area, directly around the property that they occupy, but it is citywide and we're very appreciative of them and I'm very supportive of this item. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Jason. But.
Speaker 0: But a little choppy. I couldn't. Did you call on council? Yes, I did. All right. Well, I just want the time is share of economic development. I've followed this project several jobs and a great job at keeping me abreast on the prospects of this site. I think it's consistent with some of the strategies outlined in our blueprint, as well as our one end strategy about having really micro targeted programs and partnerships with community based organizations to achieve community level economic development outcomes. That's what I see that this grant can achieve. I think it sets a framework for it sets the groundwork, rather, for a bigger commitment to the central area, to the community and the Latino community. I want to thank Central and everyone involved for bringing this forward A to support it. I offer my support to this project and I'm going to watch it. And I look forward to this being a real example that we can hold up in our region of strategic partnerships between cities and nonprofit organizations to make a make a real, measurable difference in the lives of our population. So thanks to everyone involved in this project has my support. Thank you, Congressman Richardson. Tom Foreman is in Dallas.
Speaker 2: Thank you, Vice Mayor. I don't know if there has been a second yet. If there has. That's a yes.
Speaker 0: Yes, we do have one. Thank you.
Speaker 2: Okay. Thank you. First of all, I just wanted to say how glad I am that we're taking this step as a city tonight. Central charge, very dear to my heart. And although I will be missing them and they will be leaving the first district, I know that they will be in good hands in the sixth District. So I'm really excited for that. I'm so excited for this new facility for them to be able to continue their great work that they do in the community. You know, since the child has been here for decades and and has touched almost all the females in the in the city of Long Beach in one way or another . And that's something for us to be very proud of. I just wanted to also give thanks to all of the speakers today that really highlighted the difference that Central Asia is making and continues to me. I especially want to give a big thanks to John and Sergio Ramirez for working really hard with Centro Chad to really bring forward a really good plan to be able to find them a permanent home. I think that now Center Child is going to feel very, very rooted in the community and cared for by giving them an opportunity to have this facility. So I'm definitely very supportive of this of this item. And I just want to say a big thank you to Central Chair who who's been very patient and has been dedicating years and years to not only the betterment of the Latino community, but who has really strived to be inclusive of all communities and would never turn away anyone if they needed help. So I'm very proud of that, and I'm very proud of our Jessica Ken Banner, who is the executive director for all her tireless, tireless hours of work and the Board of Central Asia that is very committed to to this organization. And I just couldn't be more prouder of this partnership. And I look forward to just seeing that develop and very supportive of this item. Thank you.
Speaker 0: London Councilwoman Yolanda.
Speaker 3: Thank you, Mary Andrews. I try to second the emotion would be to get this second or no.
Speaker 0: Which is the second.
Speaker 3: Okay. Okay. Sorry about that.
Speaker 2: I don't smoke. I didn't second. I just happened to queue up first.
Speaker 0: Okay. Well.
Speaker 2: She could get first.
Speaker 0: So when you want to second it.
Speaker 3: I thought I had. Yes.
Speaker 0: Okay, fine. Excuse me. All right, a second.
Speaker 3: Okay. Well, first of all, I mean, I. I have a long, very long history at the center of almost since the very beginning when when there was another director there. And it's true that they've been in search in a quest, if you will, to find an establishment or a place for them to call home. It's been a long, long journey for a child. Very happy that this is coming and happening here. It's in the sixth District of Missouri. And thank you, Vice Mayor Andrews, for helping as well in facilitating this happening here. So this really shows that there is some unity and there is an ability to work together to make good things happen in the city. And I really congratulate you on that. One of the things that was always at the forefront of Charles journey was the inability of their able to order, of their finding a place to call . And there have been there have been several efforts to do that. They weren't successful. But I think that through the perseverance and hard work and tenacity of Jessica Kubota and their board of directors, this can become a reality. And I'm really looking forward to having that building become active and becoming a very important part of that success and in the services that it provides to the community in that area. And one thing that that I wanted to bring forward was that while this is a grant and there are other grants that GI is available to get, they still pay rent and they are not the owners of that building yet. I was going to ask question in regards to the end game that we want here is for central Chad to be independent and be its owner of its own building. Would there be that possibility happening in the future? And I know Councilmember Pierce sort of touched on it in terms of reworking the lease, but I'm talking about reworking everything so that they can get sole ownership and really get into the whole phase of economic development for that organization. I think that's a great work. I'm guessing that we can work it out to where maybe there's some benchmarks or special grants that the organization can make that will provide an opportunity for them to purchase it without having. The the. Cost that it would take for them. In other words, it's 800,000. They buy it. Could they get reimbursed 800,000? That would go towards more programs. And that's basically what I'm talking about in terms of like a forgiveness program that they could get or be eligible for if they, again, meet certain requirements and benchmarks or. Mr. Walker.
Speaker 6: Yeah. Council Member So we've obviously we've we've worked this out in the current lease that there are certain milestones that we can meet together and the grant is a good example. So the EDA grant, which is a $3 million of free money, this is money that will come back from the federal government to reimburse central charge for for making an investment in the property. And that's one example of meeting certain milestones and then getting the money to actually pay for the property, using federal funds and getting reimbursed for the construction that they would be able to do for their own homes. So they wouldn't be paying rent. They would actually being paying themselves and repaying the loan from the county. So that's that's one example. In the current lease, there are some opportunities at different times that they can outright buy the property. If one of those grant funds were to be made available, they have the option of executing a purchase and sale agreement and we will continue as the city, as partner now as co applicant in this grant with EDA to help achieve those milestones together. So the first $4.1 million is on the table. I think this is a first step toward that. And getting ownership of the site is a critical milestone as part of the process for securing both the loan funds and the $3 million in reimbursement. So we are working through those milestones and there's nothing that precludes us from establishing additional grant applications, the joint fundraising. And as funds become available, we will work as a partner, as a co applicant and as really a cohabitants of the property until that happens. So I hear you loud and clear and we will build that into our our go forward plan.
Speaker 3: Thank you, John. And again, I want to congratulate you as well for that read after you put it to this. I know it's easy. It took a lot of creative thinking and some research work to make this happen. So I want to thank you as well and as well and the customers and as I probably said it all in terms of everybody that needs to be appreciated for having this and looking forward to several time establishing itself and growing to provide service for all people. Thank you.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Uranium. Uranium. We have a first and second group. Could you please come for the world?
Speaker 3: Hey, wait. Hello. Ha! I can.
Speaker 0: Okay. Well, we didn't see it cutting off. Okay. Would you please. We didn't see it up on the board. Okay. Thank you.
Speaker 3: Go ahead. Okay. Well, I'll be brief. I just want to commend my boy for my support to this item. You know, I agree with everything that has already been said. So I wanted to just just just come in central shore for there there being a constant in our our community for nearly 30 years being a. A source of consistency and service and leadership in the Latino community throughout the city of Long Beach. I see this vote tonight and it looks like we're not on a milestone here, but this is an investment in equity as well for our Latino community, particularly their central area. So congratulations. Mayor Andrews, I know you are proud to have this is located, I think, strategically and perfectly in your district and community where target population can truly be served. And so, again, I want to win my support and congratulate Jessica Quintana for her leadership. But I also want to just just remark on the success stories that we've heard here this evening. Young people, young lives have been impacted and touched and inspired by Central Cha opportunity for us to do that for many others and hundreds of other youth and families for many years to come. So thank you very much. I look forward to support tonight.
Speaker 0: Thank you. Councilman Arthur Clark, could we please come for the vote?
Speaker 1: District one.
Speaker 2: A proud.
Speaker 1: District to. I District three.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District four.
Speaker 0: I.
Speaker 1: District five.
Speaker 2: I.
Speaker 1: District six.
Speaker 0: Right.
Speaker 1: Seven.
Speaker 3: A resounding I District eight.
Speaker 1: District nine, high ocean cares.
Speaker 0: Thank you very much. Now we're going to move to item number 25 out of the Superdome. Would you like to start us? Thank you, Vice Mayor Andrews. Yes, I'm very happy to bring you the Mississippi now. I've got the item.
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents necessary to submit a grant application to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program, for improvements to City-owned property at 1850-1862 Atlantic Avenue, and accept said grant, if awarded, in an amount up to $3 million, for creation of the Centro C.H.A. Workforce Development Center; and 

Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding with Centro C.H.A., Inc., in connection with the grant and the administration thereof.  (District 6)