Civic Center Construction Ahead Of Schedule

Last week, city leaders gathered to celebrate the topping off of the final floor of the new city hall building. According to Craig Beck, director of public works, construction on the civic center – which also includes a new Main Library and Port of Long Beach headquarters – is ahead of the schedule and may be complete prior to June 2019. “With minimal rain thus far this winter, I anticipate the schedule will continue to progress without delay,” he stated via e-mail.

 

John Molina Resigns From Molina Healthcare Board

John Molina, former CFO of Molina Healthcare, has resigned from the company’s board of directors. Molina Healthcare, which was founded by Molina’s father, announced the resignation today. Molina is currently a founding partner of Pacific6, a locally-based investment and development partnership that recently purchased the historic Breakers building in Long Beach and has plans to convert it to a boutique hotel.

 

Next Round Of NAFTA Negotiations Started Today

The seventh round of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement began today between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Renegotiating the agreement, which was made 25 years ago, has been one of the priorities of the Trump administration. Talks will continue until March 6, according to the California Chamber of Commerce (CalChamber). As outlined in a blog post today, CalChamber’s position is that while U.S. opportunities should be improved under NAFTA, any renegotiation of the agreement “must recognize the gains achieved and ensure that U.S. trade with Canada and Mexico remains strong and without interruption.”

 

Shipping Companies Honored For Clean Air, Whale Protection Efforts

An awards ceremony recognizing 11 shipping companies that reduced ship speeds as part of the “Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies” program, is taking place March 1, 1-3:30 p.m., Bannings Landing Community Center, 100 E. Water St., Wilmington. The companies to receive honors are: The CMA CGM Group, Evergreen Shipping Agency Corp., Hamburg Süd Group, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Maersk Line, “K” Line, Matson, Mediterranean Shipping Company, Nippon Yusen Kaisha Line Ro-Ro Division and YangMing Marine Transport Corporation. These shipping companies reduced speeds to 12 knots or less, protecting whales and helping air quality.

 

2018 State Of Trade And Transportation

The Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting the 2018 State of Trade and Transportation this Wednesday, February 28. LaFonda Sutton-Burke, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s port director for the San Pedro Bay Ports, is the keynote speaker. 11:30 a.m., The Westin Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd. RSVP at lbchamber.com/SOTT.

 

Professor To Give Lecture On Ecology And Water Resources

Peter Moyle, the associate director of the Center for Watershed Sciences at the University of California, Davis, is giving a lecture on the topic of “Reconciling California’s Delta: Water for Fish and People,” tomorrow, February 27, 7 p.m., in the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Ocean Theater, 100 Aquarium Way. Moyle will discuss the competition between people and fish for the scarce water resources from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Click here for more information.