Dear Neighbor,

Join us for an important community conversation about the future of Martin Luther King Jr. Park. The Long Beach Public Works Department is hosting a Community Meeting to go over the next steps for the MLK Jr Park Vision Plan and share updates on upcoming park improvement projects.

The meeting will take place at the MLK Jr. Park Community Center, located at 1950 Lemon Avenue, on May 18th from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. This is an opportunity for residents to learn more about what’s ahead, ask questions, and provide additional input to the MLK Jr. Park improvement.

Additionally, thank you all for your continued support for the renaming of the facilities center at MLK Jr. Park. The final approval vote for the Dale E. Clinton Resource Center renaming will be at the May 5th Council meeting. It is Item 30, here is the agenda: Meeting. After this meeting, the name will officially be changed!

You are invited to join the Fifth Annual Long Beach Vesak Day on Saturday, May 2nd, from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm for Buddha Puja at the Long Beach City Hall Terrace on 411 W. Ocean Blvd.

The City of Long Beach alone has more than a dozen Buddhist temples within its city limits, including many built after 1975. Vesak is a celebration commemorating the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, death, and his passing into nirvana. Vesak, the Day of the Full Moon in the month of May, is the most sacred day to millions of Buddhists around the world.

The General Assembly of the United Nations, by its resolution 54/115 of 1999, recognized internationally the Day of Vesak to acknowledge the contribution that Buddhism, one of the oldest religions in the world, has made for over two and a half millennia and continues to make to the spirituality of humanity. This day is commemorated annually at the UN Headquarters and other UN offices. In the United States, it has become the occasion for a common celebration that unites different Buddhist traditions and schools, Asian and non-Asian, immigrants and converts.

The City of Long Beach has launched the new Long Beach Renter Aid Program to help residents stay housed and avoid eviction. With approximately $1.7 million in available rental support, payments are made directly to landlords or utility companies to ensure fast, reliable relief. Participants may also be connected to essential services like food assistance, healthcare and other basic needs, offering support beyond just rent. It is part of Upstream LB, a broader city effort focused on preventing housing instability, reducing homelessness, and helping residents remain safely housed, with an emphasis on supporting youth, seniors, and families.

The Long Beach Renter Aid Program is open to households that meet all of the following criteria: 

• Live in rental housing in Long Beach, including people temporarily staying in another housing arrangement 
• Have a household income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) 
• Have experienced an emergency or unexpected event within the past 12 months that places them at risk of losing housing, which cannot be resolved without financial assistance 

Priority will be given to households that meet one or more of the following conditions: 

• Include adults age 55 and older 
• Are at immediate or imminent risk of eviction or homelessness (e.g., having received an eviction notice, three-day notice or pay-or-quit notice)
• Are experiencing a housing emergency due to loss of federal benefits, loss of a federal housing program, federal policy changes or immigration enforcement actions. 

Applications are available in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog. Residents interested in learning more or applying can visit the program website:https://longbeach.gov/homelessness/homeless-services/RenterAid/

Continue reading to also learn more about upcoming events and City Council Meetings!

Thank you to all of our residents that reached out about council items, requests and concerns, and vision for our district. My office is ready to listen and help. You can reach us by emailing district6@longbeach.gov or calling (562) 570-6816. 

Together, we will Forward the Sixth!

Dr. Suely Saro

Councilwoman, Sixth District

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for May 5th, 2026. There will be a presentation on Small Business Week Legacy and Green Business Recognition.

Here is the full agenda: https://longbeach.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=35574

Regular Agenda The City of Long Beach has resumed in-person City Council meetings at the Bob Foster Civic Chambers, located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. City Council meetings occur every Tuesday except for the last Tuesday of the month.



City Council meetings are streamed online on Long Beach Television’s (LBTV’s) website, cable channels, and YouTube Channel.

For more information about Long Beach legislative meetings, visit www.longbeach.gov/cityclerk. Media inquiries may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at cityclerk@longbeach.gov.

For all public meeting live-streams and video archives: https://longbeach.primegov.com/public/portal

For public access on LBTV

Live: www.LBTV3.com or LBTV YouTube channel

The District 6 office is also here to help! If you have any questions regarding anything you want to see in your neighborhood make sure to reach out via email at District6@LongBeach.gov or by phone at (562) 570-6816.

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM), in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Marine Safety Division, will host Water Safety Day on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from noon to 2 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool (1910 Lemon Ave.). This free community event will educate people of all ages and swimming levels, including children and families, on how to stay safe in and around the water by learning essential skills for the upcoming summer season.  

Additional info, such as entry fee, swim classes, and pool hours at MLK Jr. Park Pool can be found here: Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool

The Long Beach Values Act is a local ordinance that protects the rights and privacy of all residents, regardless of immigration status. It limits how city departments collect and share personal information, restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and supports immigrant communities through funding for legal defense and public education.

Recycling Cart Exchange: SB State Law 1383

In compliance with SB state law 1383, the City will be exchanging the remaining purple recycling carts for blue recycling carts. There will be no change in service beyond the color of the cart. There is no additional cost to residents, no change in service levels, and no change in what is accepted in the recycling bin. Residents will receive the same size and number of recycling carts they currently have, just in blue.

The recycling cart exchange began Monday, February 2 and will take approximately six to eight months to complete. District 6 is scheduled to begin on Thursdays and Fridays.

Two teams will be deployed. One team will deliver blue recycling carts to all addresses on existing recycling routes, matching each household’s current cart size and quantity on their regular service day. A second team will collect the purple recycling carts, visiting each area at least twice on the delivery day and again the following week’s service day to ensure all purple carts are picked up.

Contact Info: 562-570-2876

Organics collection

The City of Long Beach is rolling out residential organics collection for City-serviced accounts as part of the State of California’s mandatory Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote waste reduction. SB 1383 aims to keep organic material out of landfills by diverting yard trimmings and food scraps into dedicated green carts.

Organics Collection Rollout Schedule

The City is rolling out the program in phases based on regular collection service days. For addresses with multiple service days, the schedule may be adjusted based on service needs.

Residents will receive a mailer with a start date and a new green cart before service is set to begin.

Service is set to begin in October 2025 for District 6!

Cart) Collection Program this month. City-serviced households will receive a new green cart up to 2.5 weeks before service begins.

While your cart may arrive early, collection will not begin until the service start dates listed below. Additional details, including collection tips and accepted materials, will be mailed directly to households ahead of their start date.

• Animal Care Services: (562) 570-7387
• Broken/Inoperable Traffic Light and Signs: (562) 570-3264
• Burnett Library: (562) 570-1041
• Code Enforcement: (562) 570-2633
• Damaged Trees: (562) 570-2700-Ext. 4
• Graffiti Abatement: (562) 570-2773
• Gas Emergency: (562) 570-2140
• To request special collection, call the hotline at (562) 570-2876
• Illegal Dumping: (562) 570-3867
• Mark Twain Library: (562) 570-1046

• Noise Abatement: (562) 570-4126
• Neighborhood Services Bureau: (562) 570-6866
• Overflowing Sidewalk Trash Can: (562) 570-2876
• Parking Enforcement: (562) 570-2866
• Police, Non-Emergency: (562) 435-6711
• Pothole: (562) 570-3259
• Public Works: (562) 570-5000
• Shoes hanging on Power/Utility Lines: (562) 570-2700-Ext. 8
• Trash in Street: (562) 570-2876
• Long Beach Utilities: (562) 570-5700

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is calling on the "Best and Brightest" across the city to apply to serve on City Commissions. Mayor Richardson has made access to these opportunities a priority and is seeking applicants from across the city to help ensure that our Commissions best reflect the communities they serve.

Below are the available Commission vacancies for the next round of appointments later this Spring. If you are interested, please submit your application on the Mayor's website at:

MAYOR'S COMMISSIONS PAGE: Commissions Boards Committees

Doing Business with the City Webinar

Port of Long Beach's ADA Assesment Survey

Mayday March and Rally

Friday, May 1st

Pickleball For Parks

May 2nd & 3rd, 2026

Chittick field CLOSED until further notice

Due to a significant weather system, Chittick Field is CLOSED until further notice.

City Accepting Applications for Fourth Cohort of Long Beach Public Service Corp

Community members ages 18 to 30 are encouraged to apply through June 9

The City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) is now accepting applications for the fourth cohort of the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program (LBPSC), a civic service initiative designed to build a pipeline of diverse, local talent committed to serving their communities. Through immersive placements in City departments, fellows contribute to real projects that advance Long Beach’s priorities while gaining meaningful experience in public service. Applications are available online through Tuesday, June 9, 2026.

“The Long Beach Public Service Corps is about service, leadership and opportunity,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We are creating pathways for young people to serve their community, contribute to meaningful work in City government, and build long-term careers in public service. This program is helping shape the next generation of civic leaders in Long Beach.”

Facilitated by EDO’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (LBWIN) Youth Career Services Center, LBPSC provides local college students and recent graduates ages 18 to 30 with hands-on experience working in City government and the opportunity to explore careers in public service. The program fosters economic inclusion and expands opportunities for young people to develop successful career paths. Fellows will engage in training and workshops focused on public service sectors, such as budgeting, community engagement, policy development, sustainability and government operations. Additionally, fellows will gain exposure to City Council and commission meetings, career development activities and opportunities to connect with peers across departments, strengthening their identity as a unified cohort serving Long Beach.

The fourth cohort will include approximately 30 fellows selected through a competitive process. Priority will be given to senior-level students at California State University, Long Beach or California State University, Dominguez Hills, particularly those facing barriers to employment. Additional information regarding eligibility and requirements is available on the LBPSC webpage.

Upcoming Events

Community Building Training

May 7th-8th, 2026

Coffee With a Cop

May 7th, 2026

Young Adult Impaired Driving Prevention Workshop

May 9th, 2026

Coffee with a Cop

May 19, 2026

Shred Events

June 13, 2026 & September 12, 2026

Neighborhood Clean-ups

Long Beach Animal Care Services Events

Coyote Safety

Long Beach and surrounding jurisdictions are home to a healthy population of urban coyotes, and while they are a permanent and important part of our local ecosystem, keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility.

Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) follows a science-based Coyote Management Plan that focuses on coexistence with our native wildlife neighbors. This guiding principle for managing coyotes is based on balancing respect for, and protection of wildlife and their habitats, while prioritizing public safety for people and pets.

As springtime approaches, residents should expect to see an increase in activity during the coming months, as this is pup-rearing season and coyotes are more active while hunting for their litters.

Report bold or aggressive behavior via the Go Long Beach online portal or app or via the Coyote Incident online form. LBACS tracks these reports and coordinates directly with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize public safety and address any aggressive activity. Additional information and resources is available on the LBACS Wildlife Program webpage.

Disability Data & Community Survey

Second round of Love Your Block mini-grant applications now available!

Did you miss the first round of the Love Your Block mini-grants program? Good news. The City of Long Beach is accepting another round of applicants to help enhance the Westside Long Beach community (90810). If selected, recipients will receive up to $2,500 to support projects that improve air quality, transportation, and address community needs. 

Applications for Love Your Block will be accepted until March 31, so apply as soon as you can!  

To apply, go to: lbcity.info/LYB-MiniGrantApp 

For more information about the program, visit: longbeach.gov/loveyourblock. 

Or contact Jonatham Williams-Kinsel, Chief Innovation Officer at jonathan.williams-kinsel@longbeach.gov

Long Beach Sidewalk to Success

Drop-In Office Hours

Calling all sidewalk vendors and mobile food operators!

The Long Beach Health Department is offering one-on-one open office hours to help you with:

• Food permitting
• Plan check requirements
• Food safety and more!

Meet us in person at:

Long Beach Health Department (2525 Grand Ave.)

Every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Whether you're new to sidewalk vending or a seasoned pro, our team is here to help you navigate local and state regulations and keep your business on track.

Get support with one-on-one guidance and get your questions answered!

Long Beach Technology and Innovation

The City of Long Beach has launched its AI Strategy

Our roadmap ensures we use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and transparently—building public trust, minimizing risks, and safeguarding City data. We’re empowering staff, boosting efficiency, and supporting our entire LB community in learning about and safely using AI. 

Learn more about our AI Strategy and see how we’re shaping the future of Long Beach together

Long Beach Economic Development & Opportunity Department

Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program

The Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program, led by the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, is designed to promote the revitalization of the City of Long Beach’s key corridors through art window installations to a select number of vacant storefront/commercial buildings as an effort to attract new tenants and improve curbside appearance.

Selected locations will benefit from pre-approved, free-of-cost storefront vinyl window wraparound installations, designed by local artists, with the aims to:

Attract new tenants to untapped business corridors and dormant commercial spaces

Improve curbside appearance and deter vandalism

Fuel visitation and sales at local businesses

Improve pedestrian comfort and enhance community spaces

Encourage community engagement through the creative economy

Eligible vacant storefront/commercial buildings for the Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program must meet basic eligibility requirements, demonstrate proof of ownership, extent of vacancy and undergo a competitive review, evaluation and selection process that requires additional documentation to determine the following measures:   

Impact on Location and Surrounding Area

Level of Need for Program’s Implementation 

Feasibility of Project  

If there is need for language translation of application, please contact our BizCare Team at 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

For assistance with this application, please contact BizCare at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or BizCare@longbeach.gov. 

Los Angeles County Emergency Rent Relief Program

LAERRP provides financial assistance to help eligible tenants and landlords cover past-due rent and related housing costs due to emergency financial hardship. Tenants and landlords are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and apply beginning Monday, February 9 by visiting  lacountyrentrelief.com. Free in-language application assistance will be available by phone through approved program partners listed on the website. Tenants can also apply by phone through approved program partners. This change improves access for households experiencing housing instability by allowing tenants to initiate the process themselves, rather than relying solely on landlord-initiated applications.

Exciting News, Long Beach Utilities customers! You can now pay your bill, schedule services, and view your bill usage all in one place! Utilities customers can register on longbeach.gov/myutilityportal  



Key features of MyUtilityPortal include: 

• 24/7 account access to view water, sewer, gas, and refuse billing and usage 
• Projected bill estimates based on real-time usage patterns 
• Online service scheduling, reducing the need to call for appointments 
• Customizable alerts and notifications to stay on top of account activity and service updates 

Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)

Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Long Beach Public Works

City of Long Beach

 Digital Inclusion Initiative

Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability

Community Development

Don’t Miss Out – Go Solar in 2025!

The City of Long Beach Development Permit Center makes the transition to solar simple and accessible.  

The easy online permit process and expert staff are here to guide you every step of the way. Apply early to lock in your savings and join your neighbors in building a cleaner, greener Long Beach. For assistance, please contact us at 562.570.7648 or email Michael.Carrera@longbeach.gov.

Start your solar journey today! For more information, visit longbeach.gov/solarpermit.

❄️ New Year, Cozy Care: Supporting Your Childcare Needs!

The Long Beach Early Learning Hub helps families connect with childcare, explore tuition assistance, and enroll in care—all through one simple application linking to 140+ local providers. Create your account today to find a program that fits your needs.

Spring Classes and Programs Open for Registration February 2

Registration for spring recreation classes begins Monday, Feb. 2! This spring, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer over 700 classes, activities, sports and leagues, and more for people of all ages and abilities, from preschool to older adult. Register online, by phone (562.570.3111) or in person (2760 Studebaker Rd.). Browse the Spring Recreation Connection below.

The Long Beach Public Library is now accepting applications for our 2026 - 2027 Youth Poet Laureate! If you're between the ages of 13 - 18 and have a love of poetry, we want to hear from you!

Discover Your Long Beach Digital Rights!

Are you interested in understanding how Long Beach’s tech works and the data it collects? We’re excited to announce a new series of short edutainment videos in partnership with 7Sun Media! These videos are designed to provide clear information, explain civic tech, and spark important discussions on technology.

Watch our first video here:  lbcity.info/civictech

Upcoming Increases to Utility Rates

The Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners has approved rate adjustments as part of the upcoming $397.4 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Starting October 1, residents will see a 12 percent increase in water and sewer rates. For a typical single-family home, this means an average monthly increase of $8.26 for water and $1.47 for sewer.

In addition, gas rates will rise 15 percent in August, with another 12 percent increase set for April 2026. This results in an estimated monthly increase of $4.67 for the average household.



For more information, visit lbutilities.org.

Long Beach Utilities: Water, Gas, and Sewer Service Programs

Long Beach Utilities (LBUD) offers a range of programs and resources to help residents and businesses conserve water and natural gas while improving sustainability across our city. Learn more at lbutilities.org or call 5625702140.

WaterSmart Portal

Track your daily water use and gain insights into your consumption with the WaterSmart Portal. Staying informed helps you conserve and save.

Direct Install Appliance Program

LBUD offers a no-cost direct installation program for qualified residents, providing water and gas-efficient appliances to help lower utility bills and conserve resources.

Certified Blue Program

This program highlights and supports Long Beach businesses that go above and beyond by installing efficient fixtures and adopting sustainable practices. Businesses that qualify receive official recognition from LB Utilities.

Lawn-to-Garden Program

Get paid to replace your lawn with a climate-appropriate landscape. LBUD offers not only financial incentives but also funding for professional landscape design assistance.

Native Plant Parkway Program

Transform your parkway with native, drought-tolerant plants. LBUD provides the materials and guidance needed to make the switch at no cost.

Conservation Toolkit

LB Utilities also offers a conservation toolkit, courtesy of Joy Contreras, with helpful resources and tips to support residents in saving water and energy every day.

CalKIDS is a program from the State of California that funds up to $1,500 in free money for eligible low-income public school students to save for college and career training. Visit CalKIDS.org to claim your account. 

The Long Beach Independent Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a new Council District Map and it went into effect on December 18th, 2021. This map is the new Council District 6 boundaries for the next ten years. For more information go to:https://www.longbeach.gov/redistricting/