Fourth District City Councilman Patrick O’Donnell interrupted his partying at the Surfrider Foundation’s Breakwater Bash on Thursday night just long enough to announce his own breakwater event.

The Breakwater Forum—probably a little less fun but a lot more informational—will be held Saturday, Dec. 1 at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Honda Theater. It’s free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

“It will be an effort to bring a collection of voices together to inform and discuss the reconnaissance procedure,” said O’Donnell, referring to the $100,00 study designed to determine the cost-effectiveness of reconfiguring the breakwater. “The idea is to eventually return clean water and recreation to the shores of Long Beach.”

O’Donnell stressed the forum’s neutrality on the issue and its informational focus.

Tom Modica, manager of government affairs for the City Manager’s office, will de-pickle the recon process in a simplified visual presentation and update the public on any new developments.

A representative from the California Coastal Coalition (CalCoast) may speak after Modica’s lecture, but has yet to be confirmed.

During the public comment and questioning segment at the second half of the forum, reconnaissance study expert and Surfrider member Chris Manthey will also contribute. According to O’Donnell’s Chief of Staff Bridget Sramek, however, Manthey will not be an agendized speaker in the interest of neutrality.

Tags: breakwater, Breakwater Breakdown, Long Beach, patrick o'donnell, recon study, waves