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Weekly Updates | April 24, 2026
Happy Friday, District 5! Spring is in full swing as we celebrated Earth Day earlier this week, and this morning with a freeway cleanup. Thanks to all the volunteers who joined us as we collected trash and debris on the Atlantic Ave on/off-ramps! Keep reading to find more ways to get outdoors and involved in the community, as well as this week’s updates regarding the city’s budget, local street work, and more.
At Council this week, my colleagues and I heard a presentation updating us on citywide public safety efforts. This provided an overview of multiple related reports as requested by Council in recent months, allowing for broader, citywide discussion of public safety and quality of life strategies. Review the item details and attachments to learn more. Last night, my team and I also hosted this month’s CD5 Community meeting at the Expo Arts Center with City Manager Tom Modica as guest speaker. If you missed it, find info on topics discussed in the block below.
If you’re still hoping to celebrate and care for our planet this weekend, you can do so by joining the annual City Nature Challenge at Willow Springs Park, tomorrow, April 25th from 9am – 12pm. There, you can take a guided tour of the park, enjoy crafts and activities, and help document the flora and fauna here in our urban environment. Additionally, tomorrow from 9am – 3:30pm, the Junior League of Long Beach invites high school-aged young women to join them at LBCC for a Young Leaders Summit, with speakers, workshops, and activities designed to empower young women to shape their future. This Saturday the 25th you can also visit the Hangar at LBX from 10am - 5pm for their 4th Annual Pet Fair in partnership with local nonprofit Cat Cove, complete with adoptable pets, local vendors, and family-friendly activities. Then, you can round out your evening at the Ambitious Record Fair on April 25th from 4pm – 9pm, to enjoy music, community, and local brews. Lastly, I’ll remind you all that this Sunday, April 26th, is the last day to enter your pet into Partners of Parks’ inaugural Long Beach’s Favorite Pet Contest!
Looking ahead, I invite you all to the Civic Center Plaza next Wednesday, April 29th, from 11am – 1pm for a Denim Day Rally to learn about what local resources are available for victims of sexual violence, and to stand in solidarity with survivors. Then on Thursday, April 30th, from 10am – 12pm, you can join North Division Police Officers at Starbucks (5353 Atlantic Ave) for Coffee with a Cop to discuss local issues and get to know one another. That same evening from 6:30 – 8pm, you can also join Whistlemania! LBC’s Virtual Good Neighbor Training, to learn how to support fellow community members through unjust immigration enforcement activities. As we transition into May, celebrations will begin for both Bike Month and Older Americans Month; learn more about these and other upcoming activities and events below.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. The full agenda and a list of items of interest will be included in a future 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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Public Works Department
Studebaker Rd. Latest Updates
Work continues on the Studebaker Rd Transformation Project! As crews will continue to work on Phase 1 (from the 405 to Wardlow Rd.) through late 2026, Phase 2 (from 2nd St. to south of Loynes Dr.) is planned to begin around the first week of May, with scheduled completion of this segment, barring weather or unforeseen delays, expected in early 2027. Check out the project website for more details and to sign up for project updates. For those traveling along this corridor, please be mindful of traffic impacts as the project continues.
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District 5 Office
CD5 Meeting Recap
Thank you again to everyone who joined us last night’s Community Meeting at the Expo Arts Center, and a huge thank you to City Manager Tom Modica for speaking and answering community questions. In case you missed it, or if you’d like a closer look, check out the powerpoint presentation, featuring some helpful insights and information related to the city’s budget and projected challenges over the next fiscal year. More details on the budget can be found in the recent memo to the Mayor & Council. City Manager Modica also shared information regarding the ongoing streetlighting outages many are experiencing, and answered questions related to the homeless services audit recommendations, last year’s streets audit, public safety personnel, and more.
Next month, our May 28th community meeting will be in a different location on the eastern side of the district, as the Wardlow Park Community Center will be set up as a voting center for the June 2nd elections. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for more info on our next meeting!
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Denim Day Rally & Resource Fair | April 29
This year, we are partnering with LBPD, YWCA, and the 8th District Office to bring you a Denim Day Rally & Resource Fair at the Civic Center Plaza on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 11am – 1pm.
Join us to learn about the ongoing work being dine throughout our city by the LBPD, the YWCA’s Survivor Empowerment Services, and the Human Trafficking Task Force, as they support and service survivors of sexual violence or sexual assault. Following a press conference, the resource fair will include info from other community-based organizations tied to this work, as well as a self-defense demo! We hope you will join us in your favorite denim to show support and stand in solidarity with survivors!
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City of Long Beach
Gear Up for Bike Month in Long Beach!
The City of Long Beach is celebrating National Bike Month this May with bike-friendly events for all ages. As more riders hit the road—from e-bikes to pedal bikes—the City encourages everyone to be seen, be safe, and bike on by learning the rules of the road.
A highlight of this year’s celebration is E-bike Demo Day on Saturday, May 30, from 10am to 1pm at the La Verne Parking Lot (5200 E. Ocean Blvd). Attendees can test-ride e-bikes, get helmet fittings, and practice loading bikes onto a Long Beach Transit bus rack. Booths hosted by the Public Works, Health and Human Services and Police Departments and partner organizations will be on-site, along with free bike valet, onsite-bike safety checks and fun giveaways. Riders of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Visit longbeach.gov/bikemonth for the full schedule and to join the fun!
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine Dept.
May is Older Americans Month
The Parks, Recreation, and Marine (PRM) Department is celebrating Older Americans Month this May with a variety of free programming and events for adults aged 50 and over, to celebrate the contributions of older adults and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting these communities through inclusive and impactful programs and services.
This year’s signature events include the return of the Older Americans Blooming Talent Show, where adults can showcase their unique talents and shine onstage; the Silverado Senior Carnival Extravaganza featuring carnival games, a live DJ and magic show, line dancing, and delicious food; and a brand new field trip excursion to the Los Angeles County Fair. Additional activities include a sound bath and nature walk, the Sustainable Independence Resource Fair, pickleball tournament, movie night and more.
Details for the complete list of events are available on the Older Adults Program webpage at lbcity.info/seniorprograms. While events are for adults ages 50 and above, community members may attend the pickleball tournament and talent show.
Additionally, older adults are always welcome to join regular programming at our local senior centers, including at the Expo Arts Center here in the Fifth District! Call (562) 570-1618 for a copy of the monthly calendar.
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Health & Human Services
Veterans Banner Program | Nominations Close May 15
The City is once again collecting nominations for the third year of the Veterans Banner Program, where we veterans are honored with individual banners displayed at locations across Long Beach. This year, up to 65 veterans will be selected. The Health Dept’s Office of Veterans Support, in partnership with the Long Beach Veterans Commission, will oversee the selection of banners to be displayed throughout the city for one year, beginning in Summer 2026.
To nominate a veteran, use the Veterans Banner Program Nomination Form. The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026. Learn more in the recent press release or on the program webpage.
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Economic Development & Opportunity Dept.
Accepting Applications for Public Service Fellowship 4th Cohort Now - June 9
The Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) Dept. invites community members aged 18 – 30 to apply for the fourth cohort of the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program (LBPSC), a civic service initiative designed to build a pipeline of diverse, local talent committed to serving their communities. Through immersive placements in City departments (including legislative teams like our CD5 Office!), fellows contribute to real projects that advance Long Beach’s priorities while gaining meaningful experience in public service. Applications are available online now through Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Learn more about the program in the recent press release or at longbeach.gov/psc.
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Long Beach Indivisible
Whistlemania! LBC Good Neighbor Training | April 30
Whistlemania! LBC has been working hard to create informational packets and share whistles to help stand against the unjust actions of federal immigration enforcement agents across our city and our region. The next step for Whistlemania! LBC is to make sure you know how to use your community alert whistle and report an ICE detention. To learn, join the Good Neighbor Training being held via Zoom on Thursday, April 30th, from 6:30-8pm. Learn more and RSVP at the event webpage.
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Community Shout Out
Thank You Caltrans & Volunteers!
This morning, along with local volunteers and representatives from the offices of Senator Lena Gonzales and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, we joined Caltrans for an Earth Day Cleanup of the 405 Freeway! Today marked Caltrans’ 11th Annual Earth Day Cleanup, and we are grateful for their partnership in keeping our local freeways clean. Thank you to the Caltrans maintenance crews who work along the freeways every day, and thank you to all the volunteers who helped out this morning! We are looking forward to future collaborations to continue to keep our city clean and safe.
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Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. May 5, 2026, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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