With a deadline looming, the city has decided to put a rush on its redevelopment spending, hoping that by approving the money and projects now, they will be considered outstanding obligations if the July 1 elimination of Redevelopment Agencies comes to fruition.
The only worry is that by hurrying $1.2 billion in new spending, some of the smaller details may be glossed over. But, desperate times call for desperate measures.
From the Long Beach Press Telegram:
Gov. Jerry Brown may have fired the first shot, but the battle for Long Beach’s Redevelopment Agency truly begins today.
The City Council will vote today on committing $1.2 billion in current and future Redevelopment Agency money to local projects in order to keep the funding out of the state’s hands.
City Manager Pat West’s office scheduled the 7 p.m. special meeting Monday in direct response to Brown’s announcement last week that he wants to eliminate redevelopment agencies statewide as part of his budget-balancing plan. The meeting will take place after – or may interrupt – the regular 5 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd.
Read the full article here.