Volume 235 | January 22, 2026 | | |
This year, our community came together for the 38th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Celebration under the powerful theme “Rise Up, Stand Up for His Dream.” On Saturday, January 17, we did exactly that, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through unity and collective action.
I am grateful to the MLK Advisory Committee, whose countless volunteer hours and behind-the-scenes work truly made this year’s celebration meaningful. I also want to thank Long Beach Special Events for co-hosting the event with me and for their partnership in ensuring a smooth, successful celebration for our city.
Most importantly, thank you to our community. To everyone who marched, volunteered, performed, sponsored, participated, vended, and came out to celebrate. Your presence and energy made this year’s parade and celebration truly special. Our commitment to preserving and uplifting Dr. King’s vision continues to shape this annual tradition in impactful ways.
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On Tuesday, January 20, I had the honor of recognizing this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Peacemaker Honorees and Grand Marshals during a special presentation at the City Council meeting
While our Grand Marshals were celebrated during the parade, we also wanted to recognize them with the Peacemaker Honorees during the city council meeting. Their everyday work shines and keeps Dr. King’s dream alive right here in Long Beach through leadership, service, and community care.
Congratulations to the 2026 Peacemaker Honorees:
Marcus Hobbs, Pat Dixon, Dan Knapp, James Suazo, and Venerable SaoSamkhan Ngim
Congratulations to the 2026 Grand Marshals:
Bruce Brown, The SIX LB, Robbie Butler, Erroll Parker, Kim Benoit, Tito Rodriguez, Darick J. Simpson, Mariko Kahn, Honorable Tonia Reyes-Uranga, and Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga
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I had the opportunity to attend the 2026 State of the Port, where Dr. Noel Hacegaba delivered his first address as CEO of the Port of Long Beach. I was encouraged to hear that the state of our Port is strong and to learn more about its continued leadership, innovation, and economic impact for Long Beach.
I value the City’s strong partnership with the Port and look forward to working together to ensure it continues to benefit our residents, workers, and local economy.
If you missed the State of the Port, you can watch it at polb.com/stateoftheport.
My staff also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Long Beach Amphitheater.
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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
| | Mobility, Ports, and Infrastructure Committee | | |
The Public Works department has launched a new webpage for the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program, making it easier for residents to report neighborhood traffic safety concerns. Residents can now submit traffic calming requests online. Requests are reviewed using a data-driven process that considers speed, traffic volume, and crash history.
The following District 6 street segments have been identified for traffic safety improvements:
- Warren Avenue - Anaheim Street to 14th Street
- 21st Street - Pacific Avenue to Long Beach Boulevard
- Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue - Hill Street to California Avenue
Planned improvements include visibility enhancements, updated striping, and pedestrian safety upgrades such as new crosswalks and rapid flashing beacons.
| | The next City Council meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2026. | | |
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. | | 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. | | |
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.
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- 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
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City of Long Beach Budget Meeting
January 22, 2026
| | City of Long Beach Invites Public to Share Their Priorities for the 2027 City Budget at Upcoming Community Meetings | |
The City of Long Beach is inviting members of the public to participate in the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) budget development process by sharing their service priorities at one of the upcoming community budget meetings or by completing the Long Beach Budget Priority Survey.
The community budget meetings will be held in person at multiple locations throughout Long Beach, and one in a virtual format, on the following days:
- Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Cal Rec Community Center at Ernest McBride Park (1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.)
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Silverado Park Community Center (1545 W. 31st St.)
- Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Recreation Park Community Center (4900 E. 7th St.)
- Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (Virtual Zoom Webinar)
- Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Doris Topsy-Elvord Community Center at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
- Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway)
Interpretation services in Spanish, Khmer, Tagalog and American Sign Language will be provided for all meetings. Advanced registration for the Jan. 29 virtual meeting is required in order to receive the link to the Zoom meeting.
| | Long Beach Health Department Announces Conclusion of Healthy Active Long Beach Program Following Loss of Federal Funding | The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has had to conclude its Healthy Active Long Beach (HALB) program due to the recent passage of H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminated funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), the nation’s largest nutrition education initiative. | | Long Beach Health Department Launches Expanded Fund Initiatives to Support Community Health and Local Nonprofits | The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has launched the newly expanded Health and Human Services Fund (HHS Fund), a community-focused initiative that provides direct support to community members and local nonprofits. The expanded fund now includes a fundraising campaign and a new mini grant program to further support public health services across Long Beach. | | City Achieves Housing Milestone: Over 5,000 New Homes Approved | The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has had to conclude its Healthy Active Long Beach (HALB) program due to the recent passage of H.R. 1, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which eliminated funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed), the nation’s largest nutrition education initiative. | | Long Beach Health Department Reaffirms Commitment to Infant Hepatitis B Protection | |
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) reaffirms its longstanding recommendation that all newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine at birth. This follows the recent decision by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to change federal guidance.
Newborns are especially vulnerable. If infected at birth or in the first year of life, up to 90 percent of babies develop chronic hepatitis B, and one in four of those will die from related liver disease later in life. Because many people with hepatitis B do not know they are infected, the vaccine provides a critical layer of protection. It helps prevent transmission from parents, caregivers or others who may unknowingly carry the virus.
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Pacific Avenue Cleanup
January 24th, 2026
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Parks and Recreation Job Fair
January 24, 2026
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LBCC State of The College
January 29th, 2026
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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 & Opportunity Department
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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.
| | City of Long Beach Updates | | |
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
| | 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.
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.
| | 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
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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.
| | 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/ | | |
Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro
6th District Council Office
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