Council Expected To Make Community Hospital Decision Tonight; 
Also To Discuss Future Labor Agreement For Convention Center
The Long Beach City Council is meeting in closed session this afternoon at 3:45 p.m., City Hall, to make a decision on a lease agreement with Molina, Wu, Network LLC for the operation of Community Hospital. The regular council meeting begins at 5 p.m., with councilmembers slated to consider requesting that the city manager meet with SMG, the operator of the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, to discuss a possible future memorandum of understanding (MOU) with various trade councils and labor unions for work performed at the center. If approved, the item authored by 2nd District Councilmember Jeannine Pearce would also require such an MOU as part of future contracts with the convention center’s operator. The center’s manager, Charlie Beirne, told the Business Journal he is open to discussions and willing to work with the council.

U.S.-China Trade Negotiations Underway This Week
The White House today began meetings with a delegation from China to discuss an ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. These meetings are taking place as part of an agreement made in December between President Donald Trump and China President Xi Jinping to negotiate “needed structural changes in China that affect trade” between the countries, an action that delayed implementation of 25% tariffs on billions worth of Chinese goods until March 1. In a meeting with reporters today, the president hinted that the March 1 deadline might be flexible. Much of the maritime trade between the two countries passes through the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles.

Ship & Shore Environmental Launches Engineering Mentorship Program
Ship & Shore Environmental, an air pollution abatement company based in Signal Hill, has created an engineering mentorship program for students at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. The program is intended to give students “real world and practical experience” with up-to-date technologies that reduce air pollution, according to the company. It includes tours of the Ship & Shore fabrication facility, engineering courses and internship opportunities. “Students and faculty should consider Ship & Shore a second home, and a place where they can learn from top engineers how we design, engineer, and fabricate the latest pollution abatement technology to help clients reduce their carbon footprint,” Anoosheh Oskouian, CEO of Ship & Shore Environmental, stated.

Overland, Pacific & Cutler Appoints Chief Business Development Officer
Taurean Gordon was recently named Overland, Pacific & Cutler’s (OPC) first chief business development officer. The Long Beach-based company specializes in real estate services related to “affordable housing, transportation and utilities sectors,” according to an OPC statement. In his new role, Gordon oversees the firm’s business development team with the goal of “achieving top-line growth and driving transformative thought leadership.” Prior to joining OPC, Gordon oversaw growth strategies for multiple Southern California charter schools through his work at ExED, a nonprofit that provides business management services to such institutions. He previously served as vice president of Ares Asset Management, a worldwide asset management firm. Gordon holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration.