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May is a festive time in Long Beach as residents celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Older Americans Month, Mother's Day, Teacher Appreciation Day, Memorial Day, and prepare for summer activities. But did you know it's also National Bike Month?
I am excited to share our city's numerous initiatives and opportunities to encourage bicycling, active transportation, and a more sustainable and healthy way of life.
Long Beach is dedicated to becoming a "Bicycle Friendly Community," recognizing the importance of having multiple modes of transportation for our residents. By offering various means of travel, we can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, promote physical activity, and create a more vibrant, connected community.
To help you explore our beautiful city on two wheels, Long Beach has an interactive bike map that shows established bike routes throughout the city to plan your next bike adventure. Our city also offers a convenient Bike Share program, allowing you to rent and use bikes across Long Beach through a user-friendly app. Just this week we launched the Bike Share For All (BSFA) Program, which provides Long Beach Bike Share memberships to eligible applicants for an affordable $5 annual fee.
Additionally, we're excited to announce the Bike Month Challenge! This challenge encourages residents to ride their bikes to more places throughout the city, fostering a sense of discovery and appreciation for our diverse neighborhoods. Join the challenge and share your biking experiences on social media by tagging @goactivelb and using the hashtag #LBBikeMonth.
Long Beach is proud of our Go Active LB initiative, which promotes active transportation through infrastructure projects, programs, and events. Whether you choose to bike, walk, skateboard, rollerblade, or scooter, Go Active LB embraces all non-motorized transportation as we strive to provide more sustainable and healthy alternatives for our community.
In 2017, we created the Bicycle Master Plan, which expands upon the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan. This comprehensive document provides detailed information on bicycle planning and design and recommendations for projects and programs for the future. By following the Bicycle Master Plan, we aim to create a more connected, accessible, and bicycle-friendly city for everyone to enjoy.
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Events during Bike Month include the Recycle your Bicycle Event this weekend, the Bicycle Community Forum, Beach Streets Downtown, and the popular "Tour of Long Beach" Community Bike Ride. If your family has not participated in Kidical Mass in Bixby Knolls, this is a great month for your inaugural ride with this group! They celebrate their 11th year on May 21st. Scroll down for details!
I encourage all Long Beach residents to join us in celebrating National Bike Month by embracing active transportation and exploring our city on their bikes. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable, healthy, and connected community.
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I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community soon.
Let's get to work,
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Councilwoman Megan Kerr
Long Beach District 5
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Police & Fire Memorial Ceremony
On Tuesday, our City continued an annual tradition of reflecting and honoring the Long Beach Police and Fire Department colleagues who made the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives in the line of duty.
The annual memorial ceremony included the posting of the colors, flag presentation, “Last Alarm” tribute and 21-gun salute, consisting of three ceremonial shotgun volleys by the Long Beach Police and Fire Honor Guards.
View the Ceremony
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Upcoming Events &
Community Meetings
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Temporary Runway Closures
A friendly reminder that this is the third of six weeks of runway closures during daytime hours at the Long Beach Airport. Major electrical upgrades designed to improve the safety of the primary runway at Long Beach Airport are underway to bring the Airport’s largest runway in line with the latest FAA standards and add to the Airport’s sustainability efforts. The Rehabilitate Runway 12-30 project necessitates temporary daytime Runway 12-30 closures, and persons living near Long Beach Airport may see a temporary change in aircraft activity due to the upgrades. As a result, Runway 12-30 will close daily, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from April 18 to May 24. Exact dates are subject to change, and details are available on the Airport’s Current Noise Advisories webpage.
Are you wondering how you can stay informed about scheduled noise advisories?
In addition to following the Airport’s social media accounts (@LGBAirport) and lgb.org for updates, residents may sign up for LinkLB notifications and select to receive Airport news.
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Long Beach Police Department
News & Events
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Free Catalytic Converter Etching Event
This free event is open to any Long Beach Resident to have their vehicle's VIN or license plate number etched onto the catalytic converter of their vehicle. This process can assist LBPD investigations if your catalytic converter is stolen and may also discourage criminals from stealing it. Please direct any questions to the LBPD Media Relations Detail at 562-570-5273 or email LBPDMediaRelations@longbeach.gov
Reservations Required
May 6, from 8 am to 1 pm
North Patrol Division
E-Commerce Exchange Zones
Long Beach Police Department offers three e-commerce exchange zones where you can safely conduct in-person transactions. At our North, West, and East stations, we have designated spaces with 24/7 video surveillance so that you can reduce the risk of theft and have a peaceful transaction.
Gun Buy Back Event
In partnership with Supervisor Janice Hahn's office, LBPD encourages community members to turn in their firearms to receive a gift card at the Gun Buy Back event in June at MacArthur Park.
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Homelessness Emergency Declaration
Last week, the City released the 2023 Homeless Point in Time Count numbers. As a participant in this year's count, I saw first hand the impact homelessness is having in the Fifth District area I was assigned. The count identified 3,447 people experiencing homelessness in January 2023, compared with 3,296 people one year prior.
My office often receives calls and emails from residents wondering who they should contact if they see a nearby encampment. You can report encampments through HomeslessServices@LongBeach.gov or by calling 562-570-4MSC (4672).
The City's Mobile Access Center will continue Homeless Service Outreach throughout May. We've also opened a temporary shelter at 702 W. Anaheim St. and will operate through the end of July.
Information detailing the city's homelessness response efforts is now available on the Homelessness Digital Dashboard.
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May is Older Americans Month!
Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine will celebrate Older American’s Month, recognized nationally each May, by offering a wide variety of free activities throughout the city for adults ages 50 and above. Adults ages 50+ can enjoy art activities, a beach day, gardening, enrichment activities, nature hikes, physical fitness activities and more at facilities throughout Long Beach.
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ART WORKSHOP IN FIFTH DISTRICT
Tuesday, May 23
Expo Arts Center
4321 Atlantic Ave.
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Pre-Registration is required by calling 562-270-1618
| For more information about the Expo Arts Center Senior Program, please call 562-570-1618 or view the Event Calendar. | | | |
Leadership ARTS Mentoring Program (LAMP)
Youth Internship Opportunity
Long Beach Community Action Partnership youth services department operates the Leadership ARTS Mentoring Program (LAMP) and is currently accepting applications!
This income-qualifying paid summer internship offers leadership skill development in combination with digital media arts education for youth 14-24 years old in the following art disciplines taught by experts at their facility in North Long Beach: Film/TV Production, Graphic Design, Music Production, and Photography.
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Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Programs this Summer
Parks, Recreation and Marine is once again partnering with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation to provide youth T-ball, baseball and fastpitch softball programs this summer through Dodgers Dreamteam, a sports-based youth development program that uses the power of sport to provide critical resources and services.
Programs will run from June through August. Space is limited and practice days and times will vary for all programs.
LEARN MORE...
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Healing through Community Resource Fair
Long Beach invites Long Beach families and community members to the Healing Through Community Resource Fair on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at MacArthur Park.
The resource fair, part of the City’s Mental Health Matters Awareness Campaign, will be a joint celebration for Mental Health Awareness Month and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
LEARN MORE...
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Long Beach Small Business Week
Celebrated since 1963, Small Business Week is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of small business owners to our city and community. This year, the City will host a Small Business Resource Fair and Small Business Workshops to support entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.
Activities take place through May 6.
LEARN MORE...
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Grants to Support Housing
Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services will receive $5.2 million in grants over a three-year period from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), according to an announcement made by HUD on April 17. Funding will be utilized to support the City’s rapid rehousing and permanent housing efforts for people experiencing homelessness.
LEARN MORE...
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Summer Classes and Camp Registration
Registration for a variety of new and existing recreation classes and camps offered by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) begins Monday, May 1.
More than 700 activities in art, music, nature, fitness, special interest subjects, adult sports leagues and aquatics will begin in June and continue throughout the summer months.
LEARN MORE...
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AAPI Month at Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library invites you to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture through a diverse array of free, public programs and events for all ages.
For the second year in a row, the celebration’s flagship event, the Festival of AAPI Books Long Beach, is set to return Saturday, May 13, at the Billie Jean King Main Library.
LEARN MORE...
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Two New Digital Resouces at Library
Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) cardholders can now access two new digital resources through the Digital Library, Gale Presents: Miss Humblebee’s Academy and hoopla Digital Comics, Movies, TV Shows and Music. Miss Humblebee’s Academy is an award-winning resource that prepares children ages 3 to 6 for kindergarten success with hundreds of guided lessons using videos, music, eBooks, teacher-led tutorials and more.
LEARN MORE...
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AAPI Month at Long Beach Public Library
Long Beach Public Library invites you to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture through a diverse array of free, public programs and events for all ages.
For the second year in a row, the celebration’s flagship event, the Festival of AAPI Books Long Beach, is set to return Saturday, May 13, at the Billie Jean King Main Library.
LEARN MORE...
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Upcoming
City Council Agenda
Tues. May 9th, 2023, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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Items of Interest
Item 10 Recommendation to amend Contract with Elite Line Services, Inc., for maintenance services of the Baggage Handling System at the Long Beach Airport. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 16 Recommendation to file a report prepared by Lisa Wise Consulting, Inc., and the Public Outreach report prepared by City of Long Beach staff regarding the City’s existing sidewalk vending regulations; and to prepare ordinance based on the recommendations outlined herein to comply with the most recently enacted State legislation regarding sidewalk vending. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 17 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on the City of Long Beach Proposed Cambodian American Cultural Center Vision and Feasibility Plan; and, provide direction to City Manager on the Proposed Plan and/or adopt the Proposed Plan. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 19 Recommendation to execute all documents with the Federal Aviation Administration, to accept an Airport Improvement Program Grant award for federal Fiscal Year 2023 funding, for capital improvements to the Airport’s Taxilane K Reconstruction and the Construct Taxilane U Projects. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 21 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 2.69.060 relating to the City Council review period for continuing a local emergency; read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 22 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 2.03.065, relating to the confirmation procedure for Charter Commission appointments, read and adopted as read. (Item Details) (eComment)
Item 23 Recommendation to adopt ordinance amending Title 22 of the Long Beach Municipal Code to establish a new Mixed Use 1-B (MU-1-B) Zone to implement the 2019 Long Beach General Plan Land Use Element Update and establish additional incentives for essential retail, read and adopted as read. (Item Details) (eComment)
Members of the public have the option to use eComment to provide comments on agenda items. Written Comments may also be submitted by email to CityClerk@longbeach.gov.
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