by Michael McGill, Contributing Writer
LONG BEACH (GG) — Following appreciation and recognition from Long Beach Mayor George Bass at the recent Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday, December 17, Shelda Jones was unanimously appointed as Election Commissioner to fill the unexpired term of Chelsea Brisolara Handler ending June 30, 2025.
Handler vacated the position due moving outside city limits. Jones, who has already dedicated over a decade of service to the city and played pivotal roles in various community projects, is expected to bring her extensive experience and commitment to this new role.
One of the key agenda items was the discussion on the Zoning Ordinance Amendment. After the discussion, this measure was unanimously carried to table until the next meeting Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Finally, the Friendly City unanimously carried to approve a contract with Overstreet & Associates for a Tennis & Pickleball Facility at the Long Beach Recreational Park on Daugherty Road. The city engineer, David Ball, confirmed the design would accommodate four courts, although the initial contract states two.
This approach allows the city to bid for additional courts later if funds become available, without needing further engineering or design changes. The engineer assured the board that the design was robust, ensuring proper soil compaction and adherence to specifications. The phased approach to building the courts ensures fiscal responsibility while advancing the recreational facilities available to the community.
Since 2025 is a municipal election year, the Long Beach Board of Alderman unanimously approved a quote from Election Systems & Software (ES&S) for Municipal Election Support.
