#GoLongBeach Newsletter: We Unveiled the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget & Have Important Information on Monkeypox

Welcome to our City Newsletter!

Greetings!

We have a lot of important information to share in this issue. Starting off with the unveiling of the $3.2 billion 'Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget,' that includes a presentation on a $522 million five-year Measure A Infrastructure Investment Plan. The new investments made in the proposed budget take into consideration priorities from the Long Beach City Council as well as community feedback from residents received during the budget development process earlier this year.

Key priorities include; addressing homelessness, community safety, equity, inclusion, health and quality of life support, business attraction, support and economic development, arts, culture and tourism, infrastructure, maintenance and critical needs investments, climate change and environmental sustainability, recruitment, retention and strengthening internal administrative services, unfunded operational needs and major liabilities improvements, Measure A infrastructure investment plan and the Long Beach Recovery Act.

We still need your feedback! Please participate in one of our virtual meetings or provide input on the proposed budget by completing the Digital Budget Comment Card, available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, and at our a Long Beach Public Library locations with open computer labs.

This week our Department of Health and Human Services made two very important announcements, it confirmed the first pediatric case of monkeypox in Long Beach, and proclaimed a local emergency to strengthen the City’s preparedness and ability to respond to monkeypox. We are urging the community to stay vigilant by knowing the symptoms of this illness that can affect anyone.

Scroll down to learn about the latest news, resources, events and more!

City of Long Beach Unveils Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget

On Tuesday, August 2, we unveiled the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, with a presentation on a five-year Measure A Infrastructure Investment Plan. The Proposed FY 23 Budget is $3.2 billion and it continues prioritizing significant pandemic recovery support for residents and business; implements new forward-thinking initiatives that promote safety, health and quality of life; and makes strong investments in the City’s infrastructure.

City of Long Beach Proclaims Local Emergency and Expands Vaccine Eligibility in Response to Monkeypox

On Tuesday, August 2, Long Beach City Manager proclaimed a local emergency to strengthen the City’s preparedness and ability to respond to monkeypox. This proclamation must be ratified within seven days by the Long Beach City Council. In an effort to stop the spread of monkeypox and make the vaccine more readily accessible to those at highest risk, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is also expanding the eligibility criteria for the vaccine, effective immediately.

City of Long Beach Proclaims Local Emergency and Expands Vaccine Eligibility in Response to Monkeypox

The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a presumptive case of monkeypox infection in a pediatric resident of Long Beach. The Health Department is conducting an extensive contact investigation and offering vaccine to people who may have been exposed in order to prevent additional cases.

Main Health Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic to Relocate Operations to Cabrillo High School

As of Friday, August 5, the Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 vaccine clinic for children ages 6 months to 5 years old, currently located at the Main Health Facility, will relocate all operations to Cabrillo High School. Since the pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Main Health first opened on June 24, nearly 1,000 vaccines for children between 6 months and 5 years old have been administered.

Click here

City of Long Beach Begins Offering Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine

As of August 1, the Department of Health and Human Services began offering the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in effort to increase options and access to COVID-19 vaccines. The Novavax vaccine, approved by the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use authorization, can be administered to adults ages 18 and older, as a two-dose primary series three to eight weeks apart. Novavax is a protein-based vaccine designed and manufactured differently than the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna.

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City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department Aligns with California Department of Public Health on Masking

Despite rising cases, hospitalizations among Long Beach residents remain stable, area hospitals have adequate capacity and fatalities remain low. Therefore, regarding masking, the City of Long Beach will continue to align with the California Department of Public Health, which strongly urges, but does not require, masking in most circumstances.

The Health Department Will Distribute Formula Throughout August, While Supplies Last

Infant formula is now available at four locations in Long Beach to support families with children up to 9 months of age who participate in a federal assistance program and have a need for food in the household.

Distributions for families are available at the following sites:

St. Mary’s Woman, Infants and Children (WIC) Office (1043 Elm Ave., #401) Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Ron Arias Health Equity Center (6335 Myrtle Ave.) Thursdays, 1 to 4 p.m.

Silverado Park (1545 W 31st St.) Fridays, 3 to 5 p.m.

Main Health Office (2525 Grand Ave.) Saturdays, 9 a.m. to noon

Long Beach Public Library Showcases Author Talks Series for the Month of August

Our Long Beach Public Library is showcasing its Author Talks series for the month of August. Author Talks offers residents a chance to interact with select authors of New York Times Bestselling books through a series of virtual, real-time discussions. This monthly series features a diverse set of two to four talks, offering a mix of perspectives from literary authors to career advancement. Each talk lasts about one hour and concludes with a live Q&A with the author.

Parks, Recreation and Marine to Induct Three New Members into Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame

The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame will induct three new members – Torey Edwards, Jim Gonzales and Travis Johnson – on Sunday, August 7. The Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame was created by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) in 1996 to recognize those who left a mark on golf in Long Beach.

City Celebrates Groundbreaking for Market Street Corridor Improvements

We celebrated the launch of the Market Street Corridor Improvements with a groundbreaking ceremony featuring Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin II and the Department of Public Works. The Market Street Pedestrian and Streetscape project implements 2.2-miles of improvements along the Market Street Corridor between the Los Angeles River and Cherry Avenue. Originally identified in the North Long Beach Street Enhancement Master Plan the project also includes proposed recommendations from the North LB Walkability Plan which seeks to improve the overall mobility, safety and built environment for the North Long Beach community.

Director of Development Services Oscar Orci Announces Retirement

The City of Long Beach recently announced the upcoming retirement of Department of Development Services Director Oscar Orci. Mr. Orci has served for the past two years as Director of the Department that provides planning, permitting, code enforcement and housing services for the City. Prior to that, he had served as the Department’s Deputy Director for four years. Altogether, Mr. Orci served for more than 30 years in community development work for cities across Southern California. His last day with the City is August 12, 2022. Read more

Long Beach City Council to Consider Four Ballot Measures for Placement on the November 2022 Election Ballot

On Tuesday, August 9, the Long Beach City Council will consider placing four potential City Charter amendments on the November 8, 2022, ballot for consideration by Long Beach voters. The four proposed Charter amendments relate to the consolidation of the City’s existing water, sewer and gas utilities into a single publicly-owned utility; establishment of a Police Oversight Commission; realignment of City election dates with the State; and realignment of Long Beach Board of Education election dates with the State. After the City Charter amendments are selected for ballot placement August 9, the City will call for argument writers interested in writing arguments both for or against the approved measures.

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Take a Look at Our New Long Beach Recovery Data Dashboard

We have soft launched the Recovery Data Dashboard a new tool for Long Beach community members to track spending and key performance metrics related to the Long Beach Recovery Act. The Recovery Data Dashboard is part of the City’s efforts in enhancing transparency in the Long Beach Recovery Act to ensure a results-driven, equitable, and transparent approach in Recovery funding. Click here

Long Beach Libraries to Offer Expanded Programming for Teens

The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) has expanded its programming for teens at several branch locations. The summer and after-school programs will add a variety of enrichment activities for youth ages 12 and older with a strong focus on wellbeing, creativity, STEAM learning and collaborative interaction. Library branches that will feature expanded teen programming starting this summer include Billie Jean King Main Library, Burnett, Harte, Los Altos, Mark Twain and Michelle Obama. The new programs include the following: