Whoops…. Seems like something happened “on the way to the church” with Bay City/Seal Beach deal?

We were a little  premature in our congratulations to the City and the partners (owners) on the settlement of the DWP land adjoining First street.

We forgot the old adage”…if it sounds too good to be true….It probably is!”

When we heard this ever festering civic problem was finally solved…it was a little disappointing that the city had given in to the demands of Bay City Partners, but  understood that sometimes its best to bite the bullet when you are in litigation and settle.  Especially in times like these when the city is ill equipped for lengthy litigation with some well heeled millionaires.

It was disappointing because we believed that Bay City had known what the parameters surrounding the future development of the project would be when they bought it “way back when?” and assumed that would work to the benefit of Seal Beach.

It was also disappointing to find out that instead of being a 70/30 division; 70% open space and 30% housing is was going to be 60/40.

Well folks…it looks like its going to be a lot worse than that….. if it ever gets done.

Last week we saw the ‘Settlement Papers’ and here’s what the settlement shows:

1-Instead of a small boutique hotel on 30% of the land…we’re going to get large homes on 50% of the land. That’s right …not the 70% / 30% we were promised by 50%!

2-We’re going to pay Bay City a NON-REFUNDABLE $900,000 . . .whether or not the project is approved by the City OR THE COASTAL COMMISSION!  That $900,000 is to be considered a four year lease for the Driveway Parcel and Bike Trail at 1^st and Ocean.

3-The City staff “shall use each of his or her best efforts to secure consideration of the proposed project”  (No public input. No Rezoning input!) Further the staff should recommend ‘IN GOOD FAITH ..”  that they approved the plan.  (At least that’s how we read it.  However you can get a copy and read it for yourselves and tell us if we’re wrong.) Our staff HAS to testify that they are happy with the deal!

4-Additionally the city agreed that Bay City Partners would not have to pay any Park Fees, any Park Improvement Obligations or furnish an Affordable Housing requirements (either in lieu fees or on-site improvements.  They pay none of these fees.  Who does?  (One would guess we, the citizens do.)

5-It gets better …or worse depending on your viewpoint.  The City agreed to reduce our overhead charges on the  project from 17.5% to 8%. We would also waive Transportation Facilities Fees . That  means they could be getting  a 50% reduction in normal charges.

6-And the council agreed to testify for them…..before the Coastal Commission!   We don’t even know if the agreement is legal and our City Council is  promising to testify on behalf of the project!

7-The city agreed to pay $1,100,000 for a piece of the land….and that’s AFTER the land was changed from a 70/30 split to a 50/50 split.

8-THINK THAT’S ALL –no it isn’t. The city agreed that Bay City can take a “Donation Tax Credit” of $2,000,000. (That won’t make the tax man very happy!)

9-The city agreed to give them 7,000 feet of city owned property that will mean another four lots for Bay City Partners.  Since they are planning on a sales price of $900,000 per lot that almost another $4million.

We hear all the time about the consuming  greed of some rich Americans ….. usually its pro-athletes or movie stars.  Well it looks like Seal Beach has some of its own.

So what can we do now?

Well, I’m not a lawyer but it seems like the whole deal is now in the hands of the Coastal Commission. (Except my guess is we’ve lost the $900,000.  We’re probably stuck to pay that off.)

Tonight, Monday, go to the council meeting at 7 p.m.  Tell the City Council what you think.  Tell them what you want them to do.   If they don’t do it….then you’ll have to wait until the next election BUT and this is an important “BUT”..we can still go to the Coastal Commission and fight this miscarriage of what those Council members and City employees gave away.

Remember good old Thomas Jefferson. He did his best to make sure that the country was always going to be in the hands of the people.  He felt if it was – it would always be around; and if it wasn’t then – it wouldn’t.

So what we’re asking the citizens of Seal Beach what do you want to do?

Let us know if you want to fight….or lay down!  We’ve got your back!

Email <whatsupinsealbeach.com> Write to: WUSB, Box 90279, Long Beach,CA 90809

Save the Beach AND the Laker Girls!

If you’re looking for something fun to do today – noon to 5 p.m. (on Good Friday)  come join us at the Earth Day Fair by ESPN & LA Live !

It’s free and going to be a ton of fun including live performances by “Coco Jones” as well as “Jacob Latimore” at Nokia Plaza in LA with the following booths showing off their goods:

Laker Girls Silent Auction
ESPN Collection Area
Aquarium of the Pacific
Long Beach Depot for Creative ReUse
Green Youth Movement
Waste Management
Coalition For Clean Air
City of LA Sanitation
LA Conservation Corps
Seafood of the Future
LA Galaxy
Inner City Arts
Habitat for Humanity
Santa Monica Bay Keeper
Tree People
Bike Nation
People for the Parks

Heal The Bay

Inside the Outdoors
Save the Beach

And  Save Our Beach will be there with our brand new gorgeous dispay and Kim will be demonstrating how she’s crocheting grocery bags into bedrolls for the homeless and it won’t hurt that we’ll be right next to the Laker Girls (don’t know how we managed that but we love it!)

See you there, I hope – Kim Masoner
Save Our Beach –  www.saveourbeach,org

Ken Applegate was 80 years old yesterday…. Wow!

Ken, of course, waas once a famous guy in his own right.  Now he is known as Libby Applegate ‘s husband.   Libby is one of the origninators of Seal Beach Founder’s Day  celebration last year.  Go to  http://sbfoundersday.wordpress.com/author/sbfoundersday/ or http://sbfoundersday.wordpress.com/

I remember when I first met Kenny.  In the late 50’s. I bought my first MG TC from his pal Don McNab.  I dropped Don off at a local Naples watering hole called “The Sail Inn.” (Now known as the Naples Rib Company- where Libby and Ken went for his Birthday Dinner last night.)

They returned home to find 20 friends waiting for them.  A little surprise for Mr. Applegate.

Ken had a summer job behind the bar. I was so happy with that TC …. And knew next to nothing about MG’s.  Ken looked at McNab and said,  “So you finally found someone to take it off your hands..”   He looked at me and said “Here you go pal,  I’ll give you a beer so it won’t be a total loss!”

Ken was my introduction to what turned out to be a wonderful group of guys in Belmont Shore and Seal Beach.  Mike Murray, Bob ‘Ole’ Olson, Ken Able, Russ Jordan, Chi Kredell, Joe Riddick,  Del Smith, Steeve Tucker , Mickey Munoz and , of course, his brother Robin.

Ken was a great beach volleyball player.  Russ Jordan would set and Applegate would disprove the old adage that ‘white men can’t jump.’  He was a gazelle.  Also a pretty good ping-pong player.  He and Able both beat me playing with a pie tin….and I had a paddle.

Now he’s entered the beginning of the Golden Years…the 80’s along with his buddies, Able and Ole. Ole still surfs the reef in Maui EVERY DAY and Able can still beat me in ping pong with a pie tin!

Is this a great life  we live in Seal Beach or what?

Happy Birthday Kenny!

The 2011 Yacht Race to Ensenada is off and running

Dennis Connor,  formerly  the captain of the Stars and Stripes (America’s Cup winner)  is on that boat for the Ensendada race.  Also in with the big boats was Taxi Dancer…who won the race in 2010.

The starting breeze was not strong but it is expected to pick up later in the day.Entries have dropped from a high of over 650 but that’s to be expected with the criminal threats going on in Baja California.

The early boats should reach Ensenada…..and Hussong’s before midnight.

For  the complete story go to: http://www.ocregister.com/news/race-296576-ensenada-newport.html

A “green plan” that sounds pretty good?

Here’s a plan that should satisfy both proponents and opponents of environmental causes.

In Kake, Alaska there’s a small town that has an unemployment rate of 80%.  The federal government had a plan to build 26 miles of road into the forest at a cost of $6 million and harvest 70 million board feet of old growth trees.  Because of the scope of the project it wasn’t expected to provide much employment for the 500 people trying  to eke out a living in the community.

In an unusual decision the Forest Service decided to have a meeting with the locals and find out what they thought should be done.

They said ‘give us less.’   One small road, less than 2 miles, into the forest will be enough for our small mills.  It will be enough work for our isolated community to survive and it will help our black tail deer flourish and  the reduced cutting will protect our watershed, etc.

The Forest Service smiled and more or less said, “you got a deal!”

For the entire story please go to the L A Times article at:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-tongass-logging

Some common sense by a govt. body

It seems like the public is  constantly bombarded with news stories about government inefficiencies and stubborn attitudes by our leading political parties that refuse to moderate their positions.   With that thought in mind we are happy to report that the City Council of Seal Beach and the land owners of the DMV property have come to a meeting of the minds that would seem to satisfy everyone……or not satisfy everyone…… which is pretty much the same thing.

What follows is a press release by both parties in the dispute.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ed Selich, Bay City Partners, LLC                                                                         Quinn Barrow, Attorney, City of seal Beach

(949) 723-6383                                                                                                                           (213)626-8484

Bay City Partners, LLC and City of Seal Beach Settle Litigation

Agreement is the first step to preserving significant waterfront open space for public use

Seal Beach, CA – March 29, 2011- Last night the Seal Beach City Council took action to assure continued public access to the beach and San Gabriel River Bike Trail. Bay City Partners, LLC and the City of Seal Beach reached agreement over ongoing litigation filed by both parties in 2009. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to dismiss their respective lawsuits.

If the City and California Coastal Commission approve Bay City’s pending proposal, Bay City will convey the southerly 70% of the DWP property to the City.

Mayor Michael Levitt said “This is a significant achievement for the community. Bay City’s concessions on beach access and the bike trail will enable the City to complete the Rivers End Staging Project on time and on budget. In addition, it is the first step in the process toward preserving over 6 acres of open space for public use.”

“This Settlement Agreement is a major step in ending the long and disruptive saga of the fate of the DWP site,” stated Bay City representative Ed Selich. “For more than 44 years, this land has sat in an unproductive and blighted state. Now it will finally come to life with beautiful open space and a residential project in scale and character with Old Town Seal Beach. Bay City looks forward to the day that we can remove the fence surrounding the property so that the grand vistas to the ocean are opened for all to enjoy.”

After almost 18 months of legal proceedings, the parties reached a settlement which is in the best interests of Seal Beach residents and taxpayers.

Key features are: • Stopping costly litigation, • Receiving a sewer access and maintenance easement, • Leasing the beach parking lot access road and bike trail on the DWP property, • Facilitating the receipt of a $2,000,000 Clean Water Act grant to improve the River’s End parking lot and San Gabriel River bike trail, • Preparing a comprehensive environmental impact report on Bay City’s proposal, • City payment of $900,000, and If the Coastal Commission approves Bay City’s proposal, the City purchases the 70% open space for $1,100,000

Bay City has submitted a proposal for a 48-lot residential project. The City will process the applications through the normal city channels, and conduct a series of public hearings. Our city council is to be commended as is Bay City Partners.

Most of the precious river front property on the left will be utilized as open space for the citizens. The development will be on the right side of the above photo and front 1st street.

An email sent by new Council Member Ellery Deaton last week summarizes the battle: “Tonight the City Council approved a settlement agreement with the DWP owners.  This settlement is the conclusion of the Council’s negotiations with Bay City Partners for last couple years.  As a new Councilmember and an 11th hour participant in the process, I supported the work of the Council and voted to end the costly court battles and put the project before the public for their comments and review.  It was very important to me to fulfill a promise I made to our constituents to reach a settlement to this matter, stop unnecessary litigation costs and retain 70% south of Central Way as open space for public use.  This settlement has accomplished these goals.

While it is unfortunate that under this agreement, the City will have to pay for the easement and open space, it is cheaper and more productive to stop litigating and move ahead with the public review process.  We will be paying $900,000 up front for the sewer easement; the $1.1 million agreed to for the open space will not be paid for nor the land deeded over until the project has received all it’s approvals, including Coastal Commission approval.”

QUAKE UPDATE – Over 500 dead and evacuation of thousands near nuclear plant!

The quake was 1000 times more powerful than the one in New Zealand three weeks ago.

The death toll is unfortunately rising dramatically.  TV photos of the Tsunami in Japan show hundreds of cars being swept to see as well as large trawlers and fishing boats being tossed like cordwood.

the quake was over 400 miles long and lasted over 5 minutes.  Fortunately Tokyo has some of the strictest building codes in the world so downtown Tokyo buildings have withstood much of the damage.  Elsewhere there is a story that an entire passenger train has disappeared.

THE EARTHQUAKE WAS OFF SHORE OF JAPAN AND IT WAS THE LARGEST EVER RECORDED TO HIT JAPAN AN 8.9 MAGNITUDE MONSTER EARTHQUAKE.

JAPANESE LOSS OF LIFE WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED AS 32 DEAD….BUT THAT IS EXPECTED TO RISE DRAMATICALLY.

FOR MORE INFO GO TO
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/11/japan-earthquake-tsunami_n_834380.html

Tsunami Warning for SB TODAY!

THERE IS WARNING THAT BECAUSE OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN ALASKA THIS MORNING SEAL BEACH IS UNDER THREAT OF A TSUNAMI!

AUTHORITIES SAID THAT SEAL BEACH RESIDENTS NEED NOT EVACUATE HOMES AT THIS TIME BUT WE SHOULD STAY OFF THE BEACH, OFF THE JETTYS, AND OFF THE PIER.  THE WARNING IS FOR SEAL BEACH, SUNSET BEACH AND HUNTINGTON BEACH.

ALTHOUGH MOST OLD TOWN RESIDENTS HAVE RECEIVED TELEPHONE CALLS BEGINNING AT 4:45 THIS A.M. WE URGE YOU TO CALL ANY OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS .

Long Beach looks for applicants for 22nd Leadership Class

Oscar Cosby announced that “Leadership Long Beach”, the city’s premier leadership development program, is accepting applications for its 2012 Institute Program. LLB invites community members who have expressed an interest in the future of Long Beach through their community involvement.

Interested individuals should apply online at www.leadershiplb.org or pick up an application at 3939 Atlantic Ave., Suite 201, Long Beach, CA 90807.

With the completion of this year’s program in June, Leadership Long Beach will graduate its 1,000th program participant. Since 1989 more than 700 adults and over 250 youth have completed the LLB program, becoming more knowledgeable about their community and contributing to community improvement through their volunteerism, activism and participation.

“LLB Institute offers the rewarding opportunity to become more involved in our community by immersing class members in all aspects and issues plus introducing them to key players and decision makers,” said LLB Board President Tom Farrand. “Graduates of the program go on to serve in various leadership roles including serving non-profits, boards, and commissions within the City. It is this source of committed and involved principled leaders that really strengthens our community.”

The 10-month Institute program holds sessions every month beginning in October 2011 through June 2012 with an orientation meeting in August 2011 and a weekend retreat in Big Bear in September 2011. Throughout the program participants gain insights about the city of Long Beach and are able to connect and interact with leaders in the community. Each class completes service projects that benefit Long Beach such as Youth Diversity Summit, Bricks by the Sea, and Community Health and Wellness fair.

The LLB Institute program goals include connecting people of diverse backgrounds with demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment for the future of Long Beach; providing an educational experience that encompasses all aspects of the city; and creating a strong network of alumni who can serve as resources for the community. The 2012 Institute graduates will join an alumni community—many of whom serve on city commissions and various non-profit boards, doing volunteer work and making Long Beach a better place for its residents.

The early application deadline is March 31. The program tuition is $3,000 plus a $25 application fee. Partial scholarships are available for individuals, small business owners, and non-profit organizations. The application fee will be waived for those who apply by March 31. For more information, go to www.leadershiplb.org or contact Oscar Cosby at (562) 9979194 or by email at o.cosby@leadershiplb.org.

Farewell Reception for Charles Antos

by Jill Ingram – Asst to City Mgr

On February 14, 2011, Council Member Charles Antos will participate in his final City Council meeting after eight years of dedicated service to the Seal Beach community.  A reception will be held at City Hall on February 14^th for the City Council, City staff, and community members to express their thanks and best wishes to Council Member Antos for his dedication and hard work on behalf of the City.

Council Member Antos was first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 to represent District 1, including Old Town and the Surfside Colony.  He served as Mayor for two one-year terms during his tenure, as well as Mayor Pro Tem and Chairman of the Redevelopment Agency.  Council Member Antos served with a keen interest in planning issues, and was an instrumental supporter of several projects over the years for the betterment of not only District 1 residents that he was elected to represent, but the greater community as well.  Just to name a few….. Marina Drive bridge, Old Town sewer lining project and manhole upgrades, annual concrete repair program, annual slurry seal program, news racks on Main Street, three storm drain projects, pier decking replacement, East Sand Beach replenishment and nourishment project, Eisenhower Park restroom upgrades, Old Town street improvements, McGaugh community pool improvements, development of the Street Tree Master Plan, Police Department remodel, City hall restroom remodel, “In God We Trust” motto in the Council Chambers, Lampson Avenue water well development, North Gate Road and reservoir improvements, and the replacement of Fire Station 48.

Council Member Antos was active with the League of California Cities, League of California Cities – Orange County Division, Los Alamitos Unified School District Standing Committee, Orange County Sanitation District, West Orange County Water Board, Seal Beach Affordable Housing Corporation, Southern California Association of Governments, Santa Ana River Flood Protection Agency, Orange County Library Board, and the Orange County Fire Authority.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the reception.

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