Long Beach : 21-Member Advisory Panel Proposed for Disney Deal

Faced with residents who are demanding a say in the proposed Port Disney, the Long Beach City Council this week took the first step toward creating a 21-member community advisory committee that would provide “thoughtful citizen input” on the $2-billion project.

The committee would be made up of nine residents--one appointed by each of the nine councilmen--10 residents nominated by recognized community groups and two residents appointed by Mayor Ernie Kell.

The proposal by Councilman Tom Clark is a far cry from an earlier idea raised by some community leaders that the city hire a resident to represent the citizenry on the negotiating team attempting to hammer out an agreement between the Walt Disney Co. and City Hall. Clark made it clear that the advisory committee would be a voice for the community, which stands to be “significantly impacted” by any Disney development, on matters such as transportation and traffic. But the financial negotiations would be left to City Manager James C. Hankla, Clark said.

The idea was sent to the city’s Harbor Liaison Committee for further discussion.

Disney has proposed building a mammoth ocean resort and theme park in Long Beach Harbor. However, the company has yet to decide whether to go forward with the Long Beach plan or to build its next West Coast theme park in Anaheim.