ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
411 W. OCEAN BOULEVARD
CIVIC CHAMBERS, 3:00 PM
Dr. Suely Saro, Chair
Cindy Allen, Vice Chair
Mary Zendejas, Member
FINISHED AGENDA & DRAFT MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER
At 3:04 PM, Chair Saro called the meeting to order.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present: Zendejas, Saro
Councilmembers Absent: Allen
Also present: Bo Martinez, Director of Economic Development and Opportunity, Atoy Wilson, Deputy City Attorney, Jonathan Nagayama, City Clerk Analyst.
REGULAR AGENDA
1. 26-54864 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Economic Development and Opportunity Committee meeting of Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
A motion was made by Chair Saro, seconded by Member Zendejas, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 2 Zendejas, Saro
No: 0 None
Recused: 0 None
Absent: 1 Allen
2. 26-54865 Recommendation to receive and file an update on Business Outreach and Education including Business Walks, Know Your Rights, and Economic Impacts.
A motion was made by Member Zendejas, seconded by Chair Saro, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 2 Zendejas, Saro
No: 0 None
Recused: 0 None
Absent: 1 Allen
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
411 W. OCEAN BOULEVARD
CIVIC CHAMBERS, 3:00 PM
Bo Martinez, Director of Economic Development and Opportunity, spoke.
Chair Saro spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Chair Saro and Bo Martinez, Director of Economic Development and Opportunity.
Julian Cernuda, Business Development Bureau Manager, Economic Development and Opportunity, spoke.
Councilwoman Zendejas spoke.
3. 26-54866 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on the Long Beach Economic Partnership.
A motion was made by Chair Saro, seconded by Member Zendejas, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote:
Yes: 2 Zendejas, Saro
No: 0 None
Recused: 0 None
Absent: 1 Allen
Chair Saro spoke.
Bo Martinez, Director of Economic Development and Opportunity, spoke.
Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership, spoke; and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Chair Saro spoke.
Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership, spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Chair Saro and Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership.
Councilwoman Zendejas spoke.
Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership, spoke.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND OPPORTUNITY
COMMITTEE MINUTES
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
411 W. OCEAN BOULEVARD
CIVIC CHAMBERS, 3:00 PM
Bo Martinez, Director of Economic Development and Opportunity, spoke.
Councilwoman Zendejas spoke.
Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership, spoke.
Chair Saro spoke.
Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership, spoke.
A dialogue ensued between Chair Saro and Courtney Russell, Chief Executive Officer, Long Beach Economic Partnership.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT
At 3:53 PM, there being no objection, Chair Saro declared the meeting adjourned.