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Weekly Updates | April 10, 2026
Happy Friday, District 5! History continues to be made this week as NASA’s Artemis II continues its return from the 10-day mission around the moon and back. Our brave astronauts are expected to splashdown off the coast of San Diego at around 5pm this evening, April 10, 2026. Join me in wishing them continued smooth operations and a safe return home! Learn more about the mission, and where you can watch the live return coverage, at nasa.gov. Otherwise, keep reading for this week’s District 5 updates and upcoming events!
At the Council meeting this week, I brought forward Item 18, directing city staff to assess potential amendments to the Long Beach Municipal Code related to location-based restrictions on tobacco retailers, or “smoke shops,” to create buffer zones that would prevent close proximity to schools, parks, elder-care facilities, or other youth-serving or sensitive locations. I appreciate the support on this item from coauthors Councilwoman Thrash-Ntuk and Councilwoman Ricks-Oddie, as well as the entire Council's unanimous approval. Thank you to all the residents who brought your recent concerns on this matter to my attention, and I look forward to the report that will help us identify the ways we can improve how we protect the health and safety of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Those looking for local activities can kick off your weekend in support of local performing artists, as the Long Beach Shakespeare Company opens their run of “Charlotte’s Web” tonight, April 10th, in their unique radio-style format, with more shows throughout this and next weekends. Then you can help take care of the community this Saturday morning by joining the Bixby Highland/Ridgewood Triangle Second Saturdays Clean Team for their monthly cleanup beginning at 8:30am on April 11th from either of two locations. That same afternoon, you can visit Parkview Village for their “Spring Fling” Second Saturdays Block Party from 11am – 3pm.
As you plan for later in the month, I hope to see you at several upcoming events, including the next CD5 Community Meeting on Thursday, April 23rd; an Earth Day Freeway Cleanup with Caltrans on Friday, April 24th; and our free District 5 Aquarium Night on Wednesday, April 29th. Learn more about these and other upcoming events and activities in the flyers and info blocks below!
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. The full agenda and a list of items of interest can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. I encourage you to attend or watch online.
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.
Continuing the work,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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District 5 Office
CD5 Meeting | April 23
We hope you will save the date for next month's meeting, being held on Thursday, April 23rd at 6pm at the Expo Arts Center, featuring City Manager Tom Modica and his team.
While not required, we ask that you please RSVP to help us prepare adequate seating. We hope to see you there!
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FREE CD5 Aquarium Night | April 29
This spring, we’ve partnered with the Aquarium of the Pacific to bring you a FREE District 5 Aquarium Night on Wednesday, April 29th! Join the 5th District team and neighbors from across the district at this special community night with free Aquarium attendance for residents from 6:30 – 8:30pm.
RSVP here or by using the QR code on the flyer, and select your preferred entry time to reserve your tickets today! *NOTE: Maximum 6 free tickets per family.* We look forward to seeing you there!
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Port of Long Beach
Free Harbor Tours Return this Summer | Register April 13 for May Tours
Beginning in May, the Port of Long Beach will once again host free harbor tours, offering the public a chance to experience the sights and sounds of the nation’s largest seaport complex. Join one of the 90-minute narrated excursions and learn more about howe the Port of Long Beach impacts you and the economy, get close to some of the biggest ships in the world, learn how the Port is building the “Port of the Future,” and take photos of amazing machinery and local marine life.
Registration for May tours is open from 8am – 8pm on Monday, April 13th. The Port uses an online lottery sign-up system for reservations. Reservations are open on the second Monday of the month from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for tours the following month. The online reservation system provides a 12-hour window to register via computer or mobile device for an available tour the next month. A random drawing will select participants for each tour and within seven business days, you will receive confirmation of your reservation or notification that you are on a waiting list. You may reserve up to four seats; for larger groups, consult the FAQs.
Tours generally take place four times a month from May through September, so there will be plenty of opportunities to be selected for a tour! Additionally, my team and I will once again host a free tour for 5th District residents later in the summer; keep an eye out in future newsletters for more details! In the meantime, visit polb.com/porttours for more information and to make reservations on April 13th.
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine
Youth Summer Day Camps | Registration Opens April 11
This summer, the PRM Department will once again offer Summer Day Camps, Aquatics Camps, and Kids Discovery Camps for local youth. Camps will run on weekdays beginning June 15 through August 21, 2026. Registration for all camps begins Saturday, April 11 at 9am online at lbcity.info/DayCamps. Additionally, from 9am – 12pm on April 11, PRM will offer self-enrollment stations at the park locations listed below for families who do not have personal access to a computer or smart phone. Staff will be available to assist with registration questions, but customers will be responsible for completing the self-enrollment.
Self-Enrollment Station Locations (CD5 location is noted in bold):
- Pan American Park (5157 Centralia St.)
- Bixby Park (130 Cherry Ave.)
- Silverado Park (1545 W. 31st St.)
- Veterans Park (101 E. 28th St.)
- Whaley Park (5260 E. Atherton St.)
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to register early as enrollment space is limited. Learn more about enrollment and the offered camps in the recent press release.
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City of Long Beach
Earth Day Calendar
As you may know, Earth Day is celebrated internationally every April, and inspires many opportunities to help keep our planet clean and healthy. This year, the City is celebrating Earth Month, and has compiled an Earth Month Calendar to promote community activities and events throughout the month of April. Find beach cleanups, activities at local libraries, farmers’ markets, and more!
Additionally, I’ll remind you of two upcoming cleanups here in District 5:
Bixby Highlands/Ridgewood Triangle Second Saturday Clean Streets
TOMORROW April 11, 8:30 – 9:30am, choose from either
Catalano’s Pizza (1178 E Carson St) or Orange Park (4555 Orange Ave)
Caltrans District 7 Earth Day Cleanup of 405 Fwy
Friday, April 24, 9am – 12pm, on the Atlantic Ave on-/off-ramps
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Recycle Right this Earth Day
This Earth Day, one simple way to divert waste from landfills is through the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program. This program, whenever possible, collaborates with the existing solid waste infrastructure. For many residents of Long Beach, this means your mattress is being diverted from waste to recycling whether your retailer takes it back as part of your new purchase delivery, your city or a waste hauler picks it up at curbside, or you drop it off at a participating location. Up to 75% of a mattress can be recycled. The steel, foam, and wood are turned into everyday products like recycled steel products, carpet padding, and garden mulch. MRC’s program recycles foam and innerspring mattresses, box springs, and futons. At collection locations, volume limits and residency restrictions may apply. We recommend contacting the location prior to drop-off.
This Earth Day, we hope you’ll visit byebyemattress.com/california to learn how to recycle your mattress or share this information with a friend or family member.
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Health & Human Services
Mosquito Control Tips & Local Resources
During this time of year, mosquitoes can be particularly prevalent, especially if proper steps are not taken to limit potential breeding sites. If you think you may have a mosquito problem, check out these tips for preventing local infestations:
- Change pet water bowl.
- Clean clogged roof gutters once a year.
- Clean or chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used.
- Dispose of tin cans, discarded tires, and plastic containers.
- Drain or fill low spots in the ground.
- Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers to prevent moisture from collecting.
- Eliminate standing water.
For additional assistance or to report mosquito concerns in Long Beach, there are two entities that handle this service depending on where you live. Those in East CD5 (90808) should visit the Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District website to submit a service request; while those in West CD5 (90807) should fill out the Online Mosquito Report Form or call (562) 570 4132, as found on the city’s Mosquito Vector Control Program webpage.
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Mayor's Office
Call for Commission Applications
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is calling on the "Best and Brightest" across the city to apply to serve on City Commissions. Mayor Richardson has made access to these opportunities a priority and is seeking applicants from across the city to help ensure that our Commissions best reflect the communities they serve.
Below are the available Commission vacancies for the next round of appointments later this Spring. If you are interested, please submit your application on the Commissions, Boards, & Committees webpage.
- Advisory Commission on Aging (2)
- Commissioner over age of 50
- Commissioner over age of 50
- Airport Advisory Commission (1)
- At large
- Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission (1)
- Property Owner
- Board of Health & Human Services (2)
- State-licensed veterinarian
- State-licensed pharmacist
- Commission on Women & Girls (1)
- At large
- Commission on Youth & Families (1)
- Commissioner under the age of 19
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- Economic Development Commission (2)
- Education representative
- Workforce representative
- Equity & Human Relations Commission (2)
- At large
- At large
- Homeless Services Advisory Commission (2)
- Council District 8 representative
- At large
- Housing Authority (2)
- Tenant commissioner
- Tenant commissioner
- Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (2)
- Business representative
- Vocational training
- Marine Advisory Commission (4)
- At large
- At large
- At large
- At large
- Planning Commission (2)
- At large
- At large
- Technology and Innovation Commission (1)
- Commissioner with experience in technology and education
- Transit Board of Directors (1)
- Directorship 2
- Veterans Affairs Commission (3)
- Council District 2 representative
- Council District 4 representative
- Council District 5 representative
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Community Shout Out
Historic Preservation Awards
Yesterday evening, Long Beach Heritage honored their 2026 Preservation Award Winners at the 45th Anniversary Gala aboard the Queen Mary. The organization celebrates 45 years of leadership in preserving and protecting Long Beach’s architectural landmarks and historical treasures, and awardees were recognized for their efforts in restoration, rehabilitation, preservation, and stewardship of historic locations across our city. Join me in congratulating Long Beach Heritage on their decades of great work, as well in congratulating three Los Cerritos neighborhood residents honored with the 2026 Rehabilitation Awards!
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Ashley & Brian Scotto for the meticulous restoration of the Wayne Frederick-designed 1957 Atkinson Brick House
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Steph Moore & Emily Bones for the restoration for their 1963 Clifton Jones, Jr.-designed home
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Matt Leaver & Krysta Lin for the preservation of their Ed Killingsworth-designed 1957 Maurice Frank House
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Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. April 14, 2026, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Item 12 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Title 5 of the Long Beach Municipal Code - Regulation of Businesses, Trades, and Professions, amending and restating Chapter 5.35, all relating to Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for a final reading. Approval of this ordinance will create a program that permits home-based food facilities to prepare and sell meals directly to consumers. (Item Details)
Item 16 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending and restating Chapter 5.95 of the Long Beach Municipal Code relating to third-party food delivery service fees, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for a final reading. (Item Details)
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