R-33 Correspondence – Corliss Lee
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 4:04 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>; Council District 1 <[email protected]>; Council District 2 <[email protected]>; Council District 3 <[email protected]>; Council District 4 <[email protected]>; Council District 5 <[email protected]>; Council District 6 <[email protected]>; Council District 7 <[email protected]>; Council District 8 <[email protected]>; Council District 9 <[email protected]>; Mayor Garcia <[email protected]>
Subject: agenda item Agenda item 33 22-1153 10/4/22 2022 De Los Muertos celebration funding
-EXTERNAL-
City Clerk,
Please include the attached with agenda item 33. I oppose spending $95k on a one day party.
Respectfully,
Corliss Lee
FROM: Corliss Lee 10/4/22
TO: The City Clerk and City Council Members
RE: agenda item Agenda item 33 22‐1153 10/4/22 2022 De Los Muertos celebration funding Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $95,000 offset by First Council District One‐Time District Priority Funds transferred from the Citywide Activities Department to support the 2022 Día De Los Muertos celebration; and Decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department by $95,000 to offset a transfer to the City Manager Department. 33. 22‐1153 COUNCILWOMAN MARY ZENDEJAS, FIRST DISTRICT.
While the De Los Muertos celebration is worthy of City support, the $95K funding is exorbitant. In years past, the donation has been about 1/3rd of that amount.
I have been to the 1st district and it has a lot of problems that could use that money. Some streets (e.g.
Long Beach Blvd) are generally lined with garbage and trash year round. Potholes abound. There are safety concerns (e.g. Washington neighborhood pedestrian problems). Shouldn’t we be focused on solving those issues with funding?
What is the point of so much money being spent on a one day party to bring in outsiders. I’m told donations are also forthcoming from Lena Gonzalez and Janice Hahn and could be a total of $200K before done. What is the return on investment? Businesses can’t stay alive on a one day event.
I have a hard time understanding this expenditure in light of the many needs of the community.
Regards,
Corliss Lee
(714) 401 7063