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Happy New Year, District 5! I hope you all enjoyed last week’s long weekend and are rested, refreshed, and ready for all that is to come in 2024.
The New Year is often a time of reflection on the past as it relates to the present. You can experience how the beauty of art can share moments of history with Rancho Los Cerritos’ current exhibition, “Then and Now” and its accompanying Artist Workshops led by the artists featured in this exhibit. The first one will be held this Saturday, January 6th from 10am – 12pm, where artist Leopoldo Peña will teach about “Playing with Lines” in photography; participants are encouraged to bring a camera! Click here or the flyer for registration and more information.
To keep the historical celebration going, I invite you all to attend the 36th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade & Celebration. The free, citywide event serves to honor the life and values of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the diversity of Long Beach. The parade will kick off next Saturday, January 13th at 10am at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Anaheim Street. See below for the parade route, which will end at MLK Jr. Park (1950 Lemon Ave) for a celebration from noon to 5pm. Join in the fun for performances, food and merchandise vendors, information booths, and more. I hope to see you there!
If beginning a new year inspires a need to clean, you can recycle your old mattress for free this Saturday, January 6th or on February 3rd, and drop your Christmas tree off at one of the City’s Treecycling locations through January 12th. (Reminder if you can’t drop it off, you can leave your tree where your recycling is normally collected by 7am on January 13th for free pickup.) See below for more information on both. You can also bring that “fresh start” feeling outside of your home to volunteer at the Surfrider Foundation’s Beach Clean-Up this Saturday, January 6th from 10am – 12pm starting at the Belmont Pier. For any questions or to let them know you’ll be joining, email beachcleanup@longbeach.surfrider.org. Then, keep it rolling and join neighbors at a local Clean Streets Team next Saturday, January 13th from 8:30am – 9:30am. Choose to meet at either Orange and San Antonio or Catalano’s Pizza, and help keep our neighborhoods clean!
Next weekend, keep celebrating the new year and support your local businesses at “Parkview Village’s Second Saturdays Block Party”! The free event will be held at 5423 E Village Rd on Saturday, January 13th from 11am – 3pm, with a DJ, family-friendly games, and over 40 food and merchant vendors. You can also stop by the “New Year New Me Makers Market” at LBX on January 13th from 11am – 5pm, where you can try out new fitness routines with workouts from Orange Theory, Ra Yoga, and Grit Cycle.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 9th at 3pm for consent items only. The agenda can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. Shortly after, Mayor Rex Richardson will be delivering the State of the City address on Tuesday, January 9th at 5:30pm in the Terrace Theatre (300 E Ocean Blvd). I encourage you to attend (RSVP required) or watch online via the City’s social pages or LBTV.
As always, I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Events &
Community Meetings
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Long Beach Recycles
News & Reminders
Free Holiday Treecycling
Long Beach Recycles reminds us after the holidays to keep the memories, but recycle the tree! From December 26th through January 12th, recycle your tree at one of the 12 Treecycling Drop-Off locations throughout the city! The location within CD5 is at Wardlow Park (Monlaco Rd at Rutgers Ave). Click here or see the flyer for the full list of drop-off locations.
If you are unable to drop your tree off, free holiday tree pickup will be available for City refuse and recycling customers on Saturday, January 13th. Please place the tree where your recycling is normally collected by 7:00am. Remember:
- All decorations and stands must be removed
- Trees over 12' should be cut in half
- Flocked trees will be accepted
Have questions or need more information? Visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles or call (562) 570 2689.
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Long Beach Community Development News
Neighborhood Leadership Program
The Community Development Department is pleased to announce that applications are available for the Neighborhood Leadership Program (NLP) Class of 2024. This unique free program is offered by the City of Long Beach Housing and Neighborhood Services Bureau. The program design and curriculum provide an opportunity for participants to strengthen their linkages with the city, schools, businesses, parents, families, neighborhoods, and community. Since participants are selected from Long Beach neighborhoods, the NLP brings together a diverse group of dedicated neighborhood residents to participate in a five-month experience that facilitates the enhancement of communication skills, conflict resolution, leadership and human relations skills. Additionally, NLP participants enhance their knowledge about our community and the network of available services.
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend the following information session:
Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 6 pm – 7 pm
Energy Resources Department, 2400 E Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90806
Applications are due Monday, January 29, 2024, at 4:30pm. Visit longbeach.gov/lbcd/hn/leadership for more information and application materials. If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please feel free to call Francisco Rodriguez at (562) 570 1010 or email Francisco.Rodriguez@longbeach.gov.
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South Coast Air Quality
Management District (AQMD)
Check Before You Burn: A Message from South Coast AQMD
November marked the start of the South Coast AQMD’s annual Check Before You Burn season. From November through the end of February, residents are asked to check whether a No-Burn Day has been declared before burning wood fireplaces to limit emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
A No-Burn Day is a 24-hour ban on wood-burning in residential fireplaces, stoves, or outdoor fire pits in the South Coast Air Basin. South Coast AQMD forecasters call for residential No-Burn Days when PM2.5 is expected to reach Unhealthy levels due to air emissions and stagnant weather conditions.
Click here to learn more and to access public resources for daily forecast information.
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Long Beach Utilities
News & Updates
Questions About Utilities?
Due to the cybersecurity incident towards the end of the year, utility services were taken offline out of an abundance of caution, resulting in some delay in billing. Online services have been restored, but some customers may see the effects of this delay on their most recent bill. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your utilities bill, please call the Utilities Services office at (562) 570 5700.
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Homelessness Emergency Declaration
As we experience cold and wet weather, people who are sleeping out in the open are more likely to seek shelter. Building overhangs and stoops provide protection from the elements for those who have chosen not to come into our city’s winter and inclement weather shelters. People become homeless for a wide variety of different reasons and situations, and it often takes several outreach attempts before services are accepted. If you would like to request outreach to be dispatched to a specific area, please call the Multi-Service Center at (562) 570 4672.
Long Beach Inclement Weather Shelter Program
The City of Long Beach will utilize its Multi-Service Center (MSC) to serve as an overnight Inclement Weather Shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the winter months. The City will activate the emergency shelter site during extreme weather conditions to provide temporary, low-barrier, safe, and supportive emergency shelter to protect individuals experiencing homelessness from severe cold and wet weather conditions.
Community members interested in supporting the Inclement Weather Shelter can donate items for hygiene kits and/or cold-weather items like blankets, coats, socks, sweaters, beanies, gloves, and handwarmers.
The facility will be activated as needed now through March 2024. Read these FAQs or visit longbeach.gov/homelessness for more information.
Long Beach Winter Shelter Program
The Long Beach Winter Shelter is open! Beds were made available as of Tuesday, November 14th. Open now through March 31st, we are able to support over 120 beds this winter at our permanent location, 702 E Anaheim. Inclement weather dictating, the shelter may remain open later into spring as well.
City Increases Homeless Service Outreach with Mobile Access Centers
The MAC significantly lowers barriers to providing case management services and other resources for people experiencing homelessness. The schedule below reflects the current schedule as of January 3, 2024, inclusive of both MAC vehicles.
The Flu vaccine will be made available on January 11th at NAACP Freedom Park’s MAC service location.
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Port of Long Beach
News & Events
PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR PIER WIND PROJECT AT PORT
The Port of Long Beach is hosting events to provide information about and gather input for the upcoming environmental review for Pier Wind, a proposed 400-acre terminal designed to facilitate the assembly and deployment of offshore wind turbines.
On Wednesday, Jan. 10, the open house starts at 5 p.m. at the Port of Long Beach Administration Building’s 1st Floor Multipurpose Room, 415 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 90802. At 6 p.m., the scoping meeting will be held at the adjacent Bob Foster Civic Chambers in the Long Beach Civic Center, 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 90802.
Comments will be gathered for input about the scope and content of the proposed project’s upcoming Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Impact Statement. The Notice for Preparation and Initial Study for the project is available at www.polb.com/ceqa. The public has 45 days to submit comments before the close of the comment period at 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19.
LEARN MORE...
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City of Long Beach
Disaster Preparedness Reminders
Earthquake Safety: Stay Prepared!
This week's small tremors felt throughout our region remind us that preparedness is key when it comes to Earthquake Safety. You can sign up for Alert Long Beach to stay informed and prepare your home with an emergency supply kit! It's recommended to have an emergency kit readily available with supplies to ensure you and/or your family can be self-sustaining for at least five days. Click here for more tips and information on earthquake safety and preparedness.
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Long Beach Shares Event Details for 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration
The City of Long Beach shared details for its 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration taking place Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. The annual event serves to honor and keep alive the many values of Dr. King through arts, remembrance and meaningful perspectives, which has become a longstanding tradition that also celebrates the diverse community of Central Long Beach.
The 2024 festivities will begin with the parade kickoff at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Anaheim Street.
LEARN MORE...
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Some Beaches Temporarily Closed Due to Sewage Spill into Los Angeles River
Long Beach City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, ordered swimming areas west of Belmont Shore temporarily closed for water contact due to a sewage spill. State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations, out of an abundance of caution, until the water quality meets State requirements.
A rain advisory, issued by Dr. Davis is already in place. The advisory recommends that people avoid swimming in the water for three days following any significant rain.
LEARN MORE...
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City Seeks Community Input for Creative Economy Grants’ Public Mural Program
The City of Long Beach launched a community survey for its Public Mural Program, an entity of the City's Creative Grants Program that is funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act and administered by the Arts Council of Long Beach (ArtsLB).
Now through Feb. 2, 2024, members of the community are invited to submit a community survey, available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog, to provide their input on the Public Mural Program
LEARN MORE...
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Long Beach Airport Roadway Loop Improvements Begin January 8, 2024
The new year will ring in infrastructure improvements at Long Beach Airport (LGB) as the Terminal Roadway Improvements Project begins the evening of Jan. 8, 2024. The finished project will result in improved vehicular and passenger flow and additional enhancements for those with mobility challenges.
The project will supplement existing Americans with Disability Act (ADA) features such as curb access ramps, signage and handrails at drop-off and pick-up areas, and will provide a clear ADA path of travel to public transportation and public parking facilities. In addition, the project will include audible warning detection systems at pedestrian crossings.
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LB Expands First Time Homebuyer Assistance
The City of Long Beach is announcing an expansion of the City’s First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program (Program) that now enables income-eligible residents citywide to apply and increases the grant amount from $20,000 up to $25,000.
The expansion of the Program, which is for first-time, first-generation homebuyers, is intended to enable more Long Beach residents to qualify and receive assistance to purchase their first home in the city.
LEARN MORE...
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City Offers Financial Incentives for Historic Property Preservation
The Long Beach Community Development Department (Department) is opening the 2024 application cycle for its Mills Act Property Tax Abatement Program (Mills Act), an economic incentive program for designated historic properties in the city. The Mills Act application and guide is available to the public on the Department website now through Friday, March 1, 2024.
LEARN MORE...
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. January 9, 2023, 3:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
FULL AGENDA
Item 1 Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to submit Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay $130,282.50 with a life pension thereafter of $85.04 per week subject to COLA increases in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Craig Carley. (Item Details)
Item 2 Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to submit three Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay 1) $58,290, 2) separate authority to pay $40,020, and 3) separate authority to pay $3,480 in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Heather Cohen. (Item Details)
Item 3 Recommendation to authorize City Attorney to submit two Stipulations with Request for Award for approval by the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, and if so approved, authority to pay 1) $118,102.50 and also 2) separate authority to pay $30,957.50 in compliance with the Appeals Board Order for Diana Hohman-Aguiar. (Item Details)
Item 4 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the City Council meetings of Tuesday, December 12, and December 19, 2023. (Item Details)
Item 5 Recommendation to refer to City Attorney damage claims received between December 11, 2023 and December 29, 2023. (Item Details)
Item 6 Recommendation to adopt resolution designating the ballot listing of the candidates which have been duly nominated for the City’s Primary Nominating Election on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (District 2, 4, 6, 8) (Item Details)
Item 7 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the Annual Report for October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, for the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area, declaring its intention to levy the annual business assessment, and setting the date of hearing for February 13, 2024. (District 3) (Item Details)
Item 8 Recommendation to adopt an updated Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and Policy Statement in accordance with Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 26, for projects funded by the United States Department of Transportation – Federal Aviation Administration. (Districts 4, 5) (Item Details)
Item 9 Recommendation to enter into a Reimbursement Agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Grants and Local Services through its Outdoor Equity program, to reimburse the City of Long Beach $175,000 in costs to provide an Adventures in Outdoor Education and Exploration Program, for the period of January 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027. (District 6) (Item Details)
Item 10 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to accept a non-monetary donation of planning, labor, and materials for landscape and lighting improvements to the street medians at East 2nd Street and East Naples Plaza; and, execute a Right-of-Entry Permit, and any related documents, with Naples Island Garden Club, a nonprofit organization, for landscaping improvements, for a term of five years, from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028. (District 3) (Item Details)
Item 11 Recommendation to receive and file the application of SF Markets, LLC, dba Sprouts Farmers Markets #487, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License, at 4600 East Pacific Coast Highway; determine that the application serves the Public Convenience and Necessity, submit a Public Notice of Protest to ABC; and direct City Manager to withdraw the protest if a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) is granted. (District 3) (Item Details)
Item 12 Recommendation to receive and file the application of Target Corporation, dba T2424, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License, at 6750 Cherry Avenue; determine that the application serves the Public Convenience and Necessity, submit a Public Notice of Protest to ABC; and direct City Manager to withdraw the protest if a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) modification is granted. (District 9) (Item Details)
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