Volume 222 | October 9, 2025 | | |
There will be a Special Election on November 4, 2025, where you will be able to vote on Proposition 50:
AUTHORIZES TEMPORARY CHANGES TO CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAPS IN RESPONSE TO TEXAS’ PARTISAN REDISTRICTING. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
Requires temporary use of new congressional district maps through 2030. Directs independent Citizens Redistricting Commission to resume enacting congressional district maps in 2031. Establishes policy supporting nonpartisan redistricting commissions nationwide. Fiscal Impact: One-time costs to counties of up to a few million dollars statewide to update election materials to reflect new congressional district maps.
To find more information, Click Here
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Tuesday evening at the Civic Center Plaza was a beautiful celebration of Filipino American History Month, and I was proud to be one of its sponsors.
Thank you to Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, Councilwoman Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie, Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Councilwoman Megan Kerr, and Councilwoman Kristina Duggan for sponsoring and supporting this wonderful event.
A special thank you to the Long Beach Filipinx Action Network for creating such a joyful and meaningful evening. Your hard work in organizing the program, coordinating performances and guest speakers, and sharing delicious food from Gemmae Bake Shop made the celebration truly special.
Your work, your culture, and your stories enrich our entire community. Long Beach is stronger because of the Filipino community’s vibrant presence. With more than 20,000 residents of Filipino descent, and nearly one in five West Long Beach residents identifying as Filipino, this community continues to shape our city’s culture, history, and future through generations of dedication, family, and pride.
| | This year, Indigenous Peoples Day is on October 13. It is a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities. Let us take this day to reflect, learn, and celebrate the strength and resilience of Native peoples who continue to shape and enrich our shared community. | | |
Join us for District 6 Aquarium Night on Tuesday, October 28, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Enjoy an evening of fun, learning, and community as we explore the wonders of the ocean together.
RSVP is required at http://tiny.cc/CD6AquariumNight.
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Continue reading to 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
| | ICYMI: FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN | | |
On Sept. 30, 2025, the Federal government failed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded. As such, a federal government shutdown is in effect.
However, the City of Long Beach wants to assure our community that basic municipal services will continue without interruption.
Impacts on Day-to-Day City Services
At this time, the Federal shutdown does not affect the day-to-day services that our residents rely on. City government remains open and operational. City operations continue, including, but not limited to:
- Police, fire and emergency response services.
- Public health.
- Refuse and recycling pickup.
- Street sweeping and road maintenance.
- Public library services.
- Permitting, licensing and inspections.
- Parks and recreation programming.
For more information, click here
| | Community Engagement Regarding Motel 6 Lease | | Residential Organics Collection Starts for D6 | | |
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.
Service is set to begin in October 9 - 10 for District 6!
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.
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.
· Monday service: Started June 2025
· Tuesday & Wednesday service: Starts August 12–13, 2025
· Thursday & Friday service: Starts October 9–10, 2025
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The next City Council meeting will be on October 14th. There will be presentations on Veterans Day Celebration, Ageism Awareness Day, 29th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour.
One Item I want to bring to your attention is:
Item #19:Recommendation to adopt resolution to apply for, accept, and expend grant funding from the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 2, in an amount not to exceed $40,000,000; and Authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amendments to the terms or award amount, with DHCS relating to the grant application and award to the Long Beach Health and Human Services Department, for the development of behavioral health facilities providing services for people experiencing homelessness.
For the full agenda, Click Here.
On October 7th, City Council met and the evening began with special presentations recognizing Banned Books Week (October 5–11), Filipino American History Month, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Each presentation highlighted the importance of community awareness, education, and celebration of diversity in Long Beach.
One notable item discussed during the meeting was Item 25, which proposed requesting the City Attorney to draft an ordinance regulating the sale and use of California State Fire Marshal–approved ground-based sparkling devices. The proposed ordinance would have included a 7 percent fee on sales to fund community education and enforcement against dangerous fireworks, as well as a provision to allocate 4 percent of post-cost revenue to the Nonprofit Partnership for community grants. It also outlined a process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for permits to operate up to 10 stands across the city (excluding the coastal zone), with a lottery system in place if more than 10 qualified applications were received.
After discussion, the Council voted to withhold a final vote on the item until receiving a report back from all relevant departments detailing the potential costs and impacts of the proposed ordinance.
Mobility, Ports, and Infrastructure Committee Recap
The Mobility, Ports, and Infrastructure Committee also met on Tuesday, October 7th. We heard a presentation on the California pilot program for Automated Speed Safety Systems, an effort to reduce speeding collisions and traffic fatalities across Long Beach.
Under this new state-authorized pilot, cameras will be placed along high injury corridors and school zones to help make our streets safer for everyone. The system focuses on education and fairness, with an initial warning period and equity protections to ensure citations do not disproportionately impact low-income residents.
Here in District 6, proposed camera locations include:
• Anaheim St: Atlantic Ave to Walnut Ave
• Willow St: Pacific Ave to Atlantic Ave
• Pacific Ave: Willow St to Pacific Coast Hwy
My colleagues and I asked important questions to make sure this pilot aligns with our strengthened Long Beach Values Act, ensuring transparency, data privacy, and equitable implementation for all communities. In December, Council will vote on the program and its locations.
Keeping our streets safe and equitable remains a top priority.
Watch the full presentation here: Oct 07, 2025 Mobility, Ports, and Infrastructure Committee - Long Beach, CA
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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.
| | View the Council Meeting Live Stream | | | |
Issues such as graffiti, potholes, and dumped items can be submitted for service requests at any time of day using the Go Long Beach app. You can track the status of any request receive communications from City staff about requests. The app is also fully available in Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.
| | 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. | |
- 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
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- 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) 570-2390
| | City of Long Beach Values Act | | 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. | | Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors | | |
As an immigrant, I stand firmly with my immigrant brothers and sisters. We, as your representatives, launched the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund—a new way to provide direct assistance to families impacted by immigration enforcement actions. These funds will go directly to frontline organizations, who will help families meet basic needs. We've set an initial goal of $250,000, and thanks to the California Community Foundation, we are off to a strong start with their contribution of $100,000. We will meet this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and unity that defines our city.
This starts with you. You can do something today.
Please consider making a contribution to the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund by visiting pledge.to/lbneighbors or texting LBNEIGHBORS to 707070.
| | LBUSD Mary Butler Transition Information | | Save The Date Dr MLK Parade & Celebration | | |
The 38th Annual Dr.Martin Luther King Jr Parade & Celebration will be on January 17th, 2026
MLK Park, 1950 Lemon Ave, Long Beach, CA
More Information, Coming Soon!
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Long Beach Fixit Clinic October 11, 2025
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Family Health Festival
October 11, 2025
| | City Shares Information on Upcoming Street Closures for Long Beach Marathon | |
The Long Beach Marathon is returning for its 41st year on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, with a weekend of events beginning Friday, Oct. 3. People traveling through Long Beach should plan to avoid street closures, map out access routes and should allow extra time for travel due to road closures and traffic delays.
Most road closures and detours will be in place at various times on a rolling basis between 4:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, unless otherwise noted. The closures generally include both sides of the street, unless otherwise noted.
Streets affected include the following:
- Eastbound Shoreline Drive – Shoreline Village Drive to Ocean Boulevard (note: closure begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4)
- Westbound Shoreline Drive – Ocean Boulevard to Shoreline Village Drive (note: closure begins at midnight the night of Saturday, Oct. 4)
- Shoreline Drive, from Shoreline Village to the 710 Freeway
- Pine Avenue, from Shoreline Drive to Seaside Way
- Queensway Bridge, from Shoreline Drive to the 710 Freeway
- Ocean Boulevard, from Livingston Drive to 54th Street
- Livingston Drive, from Termino Avenue to Broadway
- Nieto Avenue, from Appian Way to Broadway
- Appian Way, from Nieto Avenue to East 3rd Street
- East 3rd Street, from Appian Way to Paoli Way
- Marine Stadium from Nieto Avenue to Bayshore Avenue
- East Colorado Street from Orlena Avenue to Appian Way
- Orlena Avenue from East Colorado Street to 4th Street
- 4th Street from Monrovia Avenue to Orlena Avenue
- Monrovia Avenue from 6th Street to 4th Street
- 6th Street from Park Avenue to Monrovia Avenue
- Park Avenue from Anaheim Street to Appian Way
- Anaheim Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Park Avenue
- Clark Avenue, northbound, from Atherton Street to Anaheim Street
- Atherton Street, westbound, from Clark Avenue to Bellflower Boulevard
- Palo Verde Avenue, southbound, from Atherton Street to Anaheim Street
- Atherton Street, from Bellflower Boulevard to Palo Verde Avenue
- Ocean Boulevard, from Livingston Drive to Alamitos Avenue
All roads are expected to be fully reopened by 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
Streets along the racecourse will be marked with “no parking” signs, and vehicles in violation of the posted signs will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense to the tow yard at 3111 E. Willow St.
| | Long Beach Public Library Host Third Biennial Liwanag Literry Festival | |
The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) invites the community to the third biennial Liwanag Literary Festival, a celebration of Filipino American stories, voices and culture. The free festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave.) in North Long Beach.
This year’s festival is presented in collaboration with Bel Canto Books, a beloved Filipina-owned independence bookstore, and will feature storytimes and craft activities for children, along with engaging panel discussions and readings from a diverse lineup of authors. Featured guests include Mae Respicio, author of Isabel in Bloom; Florante Ibanez, author of Filipinos in Carson; Randy Ribay, author of Everything We Never Had; and Shelby Rabara and Harry Shum Jr., co-authors of Martee Dares to Dance.
In addition to author talks, the festival will highlight Filipino food, art and culture through a variety of vendors and community partners. Guests can enjoy traditional baked goods from Gemmae Bakery, browse Filipino komiks from Hot Tropiks, explore language resources with Tayo Na Lending Library and shop handmade jewelry, art and accessories from Native Sol.
For those looking to discover even more Filipino literature, the Bret Harte Neighborhood Library in West Long Beach is home to the newly established Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection. This special collection features all the titles showcased at the festival, as well as many additional works that celebrate the Filipino American experience.
The Library’s Liwanag Literary Festival is generously supported by Long Beach Public Library Foundation, Long Beach Friends of the Library, and Intertrend Communications. The Liwanag Literary Festival, which began as an annual event in 2022, will now be held biennially. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact the library at 562.570.7500 or visit lbpl.org.
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Know Your Rights in the Workplace
October 23, 2025
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Cultivating Compassion
October 23, 2025
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CNAC Special Guest John Malveaux
November 12, 2025
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P.E.A.C.E. In The Park
December 13th, 2025
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Long Beach Sidewalk to Success
Drop-In Office Hours
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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!
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Long Beach Economic Development Department
| | | City of Long Beach Update | | |
The department of Economic Development is excited to announce that they are now accepting applications for the second cohort of our Long Beach Urban Planning and Design Internship Program!
This eight-month paid program enables students ages 18-30 who are currently enrolled in urban planning, architecture or related fields to gain work experience and build connections within the industry. Get hands-on experience with projects, participate in workshops and connect with industry professionals!
Priority will be given to Long Beach residents and students in low-income or underserved communities.
Applications are open through Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025.
Apply today by visiting bit.ly/4pIVd6n.
| | City of Long Beach Resources | | |
Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)
| | Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) | | | |
City of Long Beach
Digital Inclusion Initiative
| | | Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability | | | |
Don’t Miss Out – Go Solar in 2025!
The City of Long Beach Development Permit Center makes the transition to solar simple and accessible. By installing solar panels, you can save on monthly energy costs, increase the value of your home, and take advantage of federal tax incentives before they expire on December 31, 2025.
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.
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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.
| | 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/ | | |
Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro
6th District Council Office
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