Happy Indigenous Peoples' Day! | |
September 29 - October 12, 2024 | |
2024 Municipal Election Information | |
Measure GG
Election Day is November 5, 2024.
Measure GG is on the Seal Beach November 5, 2024 ballot for Seal Beach voters. Measure GG is a local, ½ cent sales tax measure on your Municipal Election ballot. The Seal Beach City Council unanimously placed Measure GG on the November 5, 2024 ballot to allow voters to consider generating additional funds for general city services, including priorities identified by residents, such as medical emergency response, public safety, and keeping beaches and other public areas clean and safe.
There are other federal, state, and county measures on the ballot as well. Seal Beach voters will also see the following local offices on their ballots:
- Seal Beach City Council District 2
- Seal Beach City Council District 4
Did you know you can cast your vote at a Seal Beach Vote Center? These locations will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning November 2nd. On Election Day these centers will be open from 7 a.m. - 8.p.m.
City of Seal Beach Fire Station 48
3131 N Gate Rd
NW Corner of Seal Beach Blvd
Seal Beach Senior Center
707 Electric Ave
Between 6th St & Main St
Ballot Drop Boxes in Seal Beach
- Mary Wilson Library (Walk-up)
- Leisure World (Walk-up & Drive-up)
Drop box locations and other election information are subject to change by the County Registrar of voters. For the most up-to-date information about voting visit www.ocvote.gov/voting.
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Congratulations, Sergeant Gray!
Sergeant Brian Gray recently graduated from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SBSLI). The program enhances leadership and decision-making skills, benefiting both the department and the community through improved supervisory capabilities.
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Republic Services Launches Circularity Index to Help Businesses Improve Sustainable Practices
Circularity, the concept of maintaining the value and use of materials as long as possible to minimize waste and resource consumption, is critical for businesses to reduce their environmental impact and achieve sustainability goals. Republic Services, Inc. launched the Circularity Index, a no-cost online tool to help businesses understand and optimize their circularity journey to positively impact the environment and their bottom lines.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 300 million tons of waste is generated each year in the U.S., and over 60% of it is either landfilled or incinerated. Companies can mitigate increasing environmental and consumer concerns by shifting from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a circular approach, optimizing resource use and diversion opportunities to minimize waste generation and advance sustainability.
“Companies have set ambitious sustainability goals, but many need additional knowledge or tools to effectively achieve them,” said Amanda Hodges, chief commercial officer at Republic Services. “We developed the Circularity Index to help companies assess their circularity initiatives and provide a roadmap to help them achieve their goals.”
Republic Services, in partnership with The Harris Poll, asked 1,200 sustainability leaders at companies across 10 U.S. industries to rate their organization on 21 aspects of circularity. The research showed that 87% of companies plan to invest more in circular initiatives over the next two years, but most lack the needed expertise, tools and prioritization. Republic Services developed the Circularity Index to benchmark companies by industry on their circularity journey and help them accelerate their efforts.
The Circularity Index places companies on a five-point maturity curve, from Novice to Expert, to help them understand the maturity of their circular initiatives relative to peers across three categories:
- Commitment: to what extent are leadership, resources, goals and budget aligned with circularity-related initiatives
- Execution: how well an organization plans, implements and measures progress to achieve its circularity goals
- Recovery: the degree to which circularity programs are achieving waste minimization and diversion, and increasing material reuse and recycling
The research shows that many companies are still in the early phases of their circularity approach and initiatives: 45% of all companies fall into the lower Novice and Emerging categories. On the high end, only 12% of companies have achieved Expert status. Industries that are more advanced in their circularity efforts include consumer packaged goods, manufacturing and energy/utilities/environmental services, while government has the most opportunity to drive circular initiatives.
Other findings include:
- 65% agree that everyone wants to advance sustainability, but few know how:
- 75% lack the necessary tools.
- 83% want senior leadership to grant more room to prioritize initiatives.
“Most companies acknowledge the need to take action to improve circularity, but many do not know where to start or how to advance their initiatives in a way that provides both environmental and economic benefit,” added Hodges. “We are committed to helping companies further their circularity journey.”
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Avoid Any Tricks This Spooky Season - Only Flush the 3 P's
Don’t be tricked this Halloween! Disposable wipes – like baby wipes, cleaning wipes, or cosmetic wipes – can cause clogs in your home and wreak havoc in OC San’s collection and treatment system. Unlike toilet paper, wipes don’t break down in water and, instead, remain intact as they move throughout the sewer system. This can lead to damaging clogs in your home, or bigger issues for OC San’s regional sewer line and treatment plant.
If these pesky wipes can cause trouble for OC San’s large-diameter sewer pipes, imagine what they could do to your home’s smaller ones! Not only can flushing wipes lead to a costly mess, but it can also pose health risks should an overflow happen inside your home. If a wipe happens to make it through your sewer lateral, it can lead to bigger problems in the local or regional sewer system. Wipes in the sewer system can mix with fats, oil, and grease (which also don’t belong down the drain), to create rock-like masses that lead to clogs and cost millions of dollars to fix. This also has the potential to lead to overflows in the street, harming the environment by polluting local waterways and putting public health at risk.
So remember, when it comes to your toilet, the only thing that should be flushed are the 3 P’s: pee, poop, and (toilet) paper. Everything else – wipes, sanitary products, floss, medications – belongs in the trash. Let’s keep the sewer system happy and healthy this Halloween. Don’t let a clogged toilet haunt you – only flush the 3 P’s!
Visit ocsan.gov for more information on what should and should not go down the drain.
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Free Vital Document Scanning for Leisure World Residents
The Leisure World Emergency Information Council will hold its fourth free vital document scanning event on Monday October 21st, from 1-3 p.m. in Clubhouse 3 Room 7. Leisure World residents can bring their wills, stock and membership certificates, Medical Power of Attorney documents and other important papers to be scanned onto a free thumb drive. Driver’s license and credit cards will be copied and then scanned as well. The documents will be converted into a convenient form to easily fit in emergency go bags.
On hand, for a donation, will be a waterproof canister to store the drive and a fireproof bag to keep original documents safe. Residents who have previously had documents scanned onto a drive can bring additional documents to be scanned onto their drive for free. More about the Emergency Information Council and upcoming events is available at www.eiclwsb.org.
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Senior Lunch Cafe'
Senior Lunch Café - The Seal Beach Lunch Program is provided by Meals on Wheels Orange County (OC), which is temporarily being held at the Fire Station 48 Community Room at 3131 N. Gate Road. The Dine-In Lunch Café takes place Monday - Friday from 11:00am- 12:00pm. The Dine-In Lunch Program is open to adults ages 60 years and older. A suggested donation for lunch is $3.00. For any additional questions, please contact Nathan Caukin at (562) 431-2527 ext. 1307 or visit www.sealbeachca.gov/city-services/senior-services.
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Fall 2024 Shoreline Brochure
The Fall 2024 Shoreline Brochure is available for viewing. Information for recreation classes, surf lessons, and aquatic programs that occur between September to December are all included in the Fall Shoreline. The brochure can be found on our City website at: https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Departments/Community-Services-Recreation/Recreation-Guide-Class-Info. Viewers can click directly on the classes listed in the brochure and be taken to our online registration website. Registration can also take place in person at City Hall or by mail with check payable to the City of Seal Beach.
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Department Highlights
There are currently 1,806 users registered for the Senior Transportation Program. The program is available for Seal Beach residents ages 60 years and older and consists of a pre-fixed shuttle route and Yellow Cab Taxi service. To register for the program, please visit www.sealbeachca.gov or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 431-2527 X 1307.
There are currently 399 pickleball members and 85 tennis members at the Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center. To sign up for a membership, please contact staff at the Center, or call (562) 598-8624 for more information.
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McGaugh Gym Improvements
The McGaugh Gym is currently under construction focusing on replacing outdated windows and roof repairs in anticipation for the upcoming rainy season. The Los Alamitos Unified School District is leading this improvement project.
Adult Sports Leagues
Our Man-to-Man Men’s Basketball Fall League opening night tipped off on Monday, October 7th for another round of intense competition.
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North Seal Beach Center Improvements
On Monday, September 16th the remodeling project began at the North Seal Beach Community Center. The senior meals that meet in the building Monday through Friday have been relocated to the community room at Fire Station 48 on North Gate Road. Staff has worked closely with Meals on Wheels OC to make all arrangements necessary for this change and have posted the building with signs, handed out flyers and met with users directly. Additionally, recreation classes and community events taking place in the building have been relocated to the Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center and the Marina Community Center. Staff has also adjusted the senior transportation shuttle to drop seniors off at the fire station for the duration of relocation.
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Staff Engagement Team (SET) | |
Staff Pumpkin Decorating Contest
City Staff is competing in a pumpkin decorating contest between all of the City departments, and all of the pumpkins are currently on display by the City Clerk’s office at City Hall. The pumpkins will be on display until Halloween, and visitors at City Hall can view and vote for their favorite pumpkin.
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Trunk or Treat on Main Street
The City’s annual Trunk or Treat event will be held on Thursday, October 31st, from 11:00am-4:00pm. This event is located at the municipal lot on Electric Avenue and Main Street in front of Athens West, and coincides with the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Trick or Treat on Main Street, which is on the same day from 11am-4pm. Come and visit all of the trunks from different City departments, agencies, local businesses and community groups. The City is also giving an opportunity for non-brick and mortar businesses or organizations to have space for the Trunk or Treat event! It will be in the lot next to Bistro St. Germain. Space is limited so reach out to Tim Kelsey at tkelsey@sealbeachca.gov to reserve your spot! Each trunk is required to provide their own candy and decorations!! Have fun and decorate your car for the contest!! The Chamber is participating so come out and join in on the fun!
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NEW: Permit Online System Portal
The City’s new permitting system is LIVE! This new system will be used for ALL Public Works and Community Development permit requests, whether a requests is from a contractor or a resident. Access the new portal by scanning the QR Code below or go to https://sealbeachca-energovpub.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home.
Please use the link below to download the step-by-step Public Works instructional pamphlet.
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New Work Order Request App Now Available
MySealBeach: Your City in the Palm of Your Hand. We now have an easier way to report a work request. The app allows you to report the issue directly to our utilities and maintenance teams. Scan the QR Code below and be part of ensuring that Seal Beach remains a great place to live.
Easy 6 Step Process:
Note: If the app does not register the intersection, you can place an address close to the intersection and add the exact location in the notes section.
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Winter Sand Berm Construction
The City of Seal Beach is set to kick off its annual Winter Sand Berm project, with construction scheduled to start on Monday, October 21st, and continue through mid-November. The berm will be installed along the beach, extending from the pier to approximately Dolphin Avenue. The project will be carried out by Post Bros., Inc.
To facilitate the work, the contractor will set up equipment in the 10th Street beach parking lot, which will be partially closed off starting Friday, October 18th.
For any questions or further information regarding the project, please reach out to David Spitz, Associate Engineer, at 562-431-2527 ext. 1331 or via email at dspitz@sealbeachca.gov.
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New Bench at Almond Park
Staff installed a new bench at Almond Park. Go and check it out, whether you’re participating in a friendly game of basketball, a spectator, or just need a place to relax. A big thank you to Mayor Sustarsic for utilizing her discretionary funds to make Almond Park a more visitor-friendly place.
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Tennis and Pickleball Center Maintenance
The renovations for the Tennis & Pickleball Center have been completed and last week our maintenance crews stepped in to power wash the sidewalks around the center and replace a section of lifted sidewalk. This week, City staff members removed dead and unsightly shrubs and added mulch to the planters to give the area a more welcoming feel.
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Tree Maintenance
Staff continues to beautify Seal Beach by completing scheduled and requested tasks around the city, including removing a dead tree on the Hill. Staff removed the tree and performed stump grinding to prepare the area for a new tree to be planted in the future.
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Zoeter Dog Park
Who doesn’t love a new sign? Public Works staff members have installed a fresh one to help keep the park clean and organized, while also ensuring that all our furry friends have fun toys to enjoy during their visit!
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Vote-by-Mail Ballots
Vote-by-mail ballots were mailed to all Orange County voters starting October 7th, which marks the start of the voting period. On that same day, 123 ballot drop boxes opened throughout Orange County and will remain open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Be sure to check your voter registration status by visiting www.ocvote.gov/registration to make any necessary updates on or before October 21, 2024.
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Seal Beach Police Department | |
The Briefing Room
Hosted the SBPD VIPS monthly meeting:
The monthly meeting for Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) was led to provide important updates on Police Department operations, share upcoming events, and recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteers. These meetings help keep volunteers informed and engaged with the department’s mission.
Hosted Coffee with a Cop with Mayor Pro Tem Landau:
A "Coffee with a Cop" event was organized and hosted alongside Mayor Pro Tem Landau, offering residents an informal setting to engage with local law enforcement and the Mayor. This event fostered open communication, strengthened community relationships, and provided a platform for discussing local concerns.
Participated in Walk/Bike to School Day at McGaugh:
Participation in McGaugh Elementary’s Walk/Bike to School Day promoted safe routes to school, walking alongside students, staff, and parents. The event reinforced traffic safety measures while maintaining a positive police presence within the community.
Command Staff attended Contractual Risk Transfer Insurance training with JPIA:
The Command Staff attended specialized training provided by the Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) focused on Contractual Risk Transfer. The training covered best practices for managing liability, especially in vendor agreements and insurance policies, ensuring preparedness in handling risk management issues.
Attended the McGaugh PTA Meeting:
Represented the Police Department at the McGaugh Elementary School PTA meeting to discuss school safety concerns and provide updates on the department's involvement in traffic safety during drop-off and pick-up times. This engagement highlighted the Police Department’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with the school community.
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