C-22 Correspondence – Ian Dunbar-Hall
From: Ian Dunbar-Hall <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 3:50 PM
To: 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]>; Joy Contreras <[email protected]>; Eric Lopez <[email protected]>; CityClerk <[email protected]> Subject: ITEM 22 – Budget FY24 PUBLIC COMMENT
-EXTERNAL-
Ian Dunbar-Hall
District 3
September 4, 2023
Dear City Council Members and City Manager,
I write to you today on behalf of Car-Lite Long Beach, an advocacy group working for Safe Streets and Alternative Transportation. We support a zero-cuts budget for FY24.
Our concerns center around Vision Zero:
· Alarming Rise in Pedestrian and Cyclist Deaths: Since the adoption of the Safe Streets Long Beach plan in 2020, pedestrian and cyclist deaths have increased. This trend is deeply troubling. · Delayed Vision Zero Coordinator: Keystone action item 1.1 in the Safe Streets Long Beach Plan was to create a Vision Zero coordinator position by 2021. However, according to the July update, this position is still nonexistent, leaving a critical gap in our safety efforts. · FY24 Budget and Vision Zero: While we appreciate the $300,000 allocation to LBPD for Vision Zero and the restructuring of Public Works' Transportation and Mobility Bureau, the absence of the Vision Zero coordinator position remains a significant concern.
Why This Matters:
Without a Vision Zero coordinator, our city's safety efforts lack direction. We cannot afford more tragic incidents to prioritize this role. With major events like the 2028 Olympics approaching, and in support of the Elevate 28 Plan from Public Works, Long Beach must showcase world-class infrastructure, mobility and most importantly--safety.
How to Address This Issue:
· Consider reallocating the $62,000 salary difference between the former Mobility and Transportation Bureau manager and the vacant Transportation Project Management Bureau manager position to fund the Vision Zero Coordinator role. · Explore reallocating a portion of the $300,000 allocated to LBPD for Vision Zero to fund the role.
· Investigate repurposing an existing position within Public Works for the Vision Zero coordinator role.
Please prioritize our community's safety by creating and funding the Vision Zero coordinator position. Together, we can make Long Beach safer and truly a world-class city.
Sincerely,
Ian Dunbar-Hall
Car-Lite Long Beach advocate