Weekly Updates | April 25, 2025 | | |
Happy Friday, District 5! Earth Day was this Tuesday, and as April comes to a close, we near the end of Earth Month – but there’s still time to celebrate our natural spaces here in Long Beach this weekend! More on that below, as well as updates from Community Development, Parks, Rec, & Marine, and other city departments and partners.
At Council this week, my colleagues and I passed Item 10, a request for our Long Beach Library staff to research the feasibility of expanding our local Libby services to young readers outside of California. We also passed the second hearing of Item 15, which updated some outdated language in our Airport Noise Ordinance to increase the fines for those in violation. See the info block below to learn more.
I’d like to thank everyone who attended my office’s second bi-monthly Community Meeting at Wardlow Park yesterday evening. It was an informative and interesting conversation as we heard a lot of great information about disaster preparedness from the Fire Department, as well as an overview of the Community Development Department and all they do to support our city! I hope even more of you will join us for the next one, scheduled for Thursday, June 26th; guest speakers and topics will be announced as the date approaches.
As noted above, this weekend is the perfect time to celebrate our planet and enjoy our local natural spaces. On Saturday, April 26th, from 9am to noon, you can join the neighbors and friends at Willow Springs Park to participate in the City Nature Challenge! This global event encourages all residents to become volunteer scientists by helping observe and document local plants and wildlife. In CD5, we’re lucky to have a variety of open spaces—you can also participate in the City Nature Challenge at Rancho Los Cerritos, anytime from 10am – 5pm, today through Monday, April 28th. This weekend, you can also spend some time supporting local small businesses with activities like LBX’s Night Market tonight, the 25th, or their Sunday Funday Market on the 27th. And tomorrow, you can spend the afternoon with at Ambitious Ales’ Ambitious Records Fair! See the flyers below to learn more.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers; the agenda and a list of items of interest will be included in a future newsletter. However, please note that next Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the City Council will meet for their annual Council Prioritization meeting at the City Hall Chambers at 9am.
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.
Working together,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Recent Council Items - 4/22/25
Item 10 - Feasibility of Expanding Libby Services
With censorship and book banning attempts on the rise throughout the country, many students and young readers are losing access to “controversial” literature and resources in their local and school libraries. To combat this concerning trend, Long Beach and our Long Beach Public Libraries hope to stand in defense of the freedom to read by expanding access to our online library of more than 40,000 titles (brought to us by Libby) to young readers outside of California. We hope to be a bridge and a tool for young minds to freely explore a diverse collection of books, experiences, and ideas, no matter where they live. We expect a report back in the coming months as Library staff work to identify what a program like this could look like in Long Beach. To learn more, review the item or watch the meeting video.
Item 15 - Update Noise Ordinance to Increase Violation Fees
As the next small step in the ways the City of Long Beach is working to address concerns regarding local general aviation activity, City Council passed an update to our Airport’s Noise Ordinance—upon receiving authority from the FAA—to increase the fees for violators of the ordinance. The updates nearly double the original fine amounts to account for modern inflation, and includes language such that the fees automatically adjust for inflation in the future, to align with the value of the intended financial deterrent. Some additional updates were included to reflect modern airport operations, such as removing gender-specific pronouns, correcting outdated runway names, and including an “email” option for notifying violators. To learn more, review the item and its attachment or watch the meeting video.
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Long Beach Public Library
National Library Month 2025
Celebrate National Library Month with Long Beach Public Libraries! With reading challenges, digital resources, community programs, and more, there’s something for everyone at the library. Head out to your local branch for access to all that LBPL has to offer! CD5 Branches:
o Bach Neighborhood Library – 4055 N Bellflower Blvd, 90808
o Dana Neighborhood Library – 3680 Atlantic Ave, 90807
All April long, visit any one of the 12 LBPL locations to receive a stamp passport card and LBPL lanyard, and receive a unique button for every branch that you visit. Participants who receive all 12 stamps by Wednesday, April 30th, will be entered into an opportunity drawing!
Additionally, check out the recent presentation at the 4/8/25 Council Meeting for more info on our Long Beach Public Libraries in honor of National Library Week & Month!
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Office of Sustainability
Earth Month Calendar
The City of Long Beach is celebrating Earth Month this April by hosting a series of fun, free, and family-friendly events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities for residents throughout the month. Festivities will highlight a rand of sustainable topics such as supporting local wildlife, reducing waste, and stewarding community spaces. Check out the new Earth Month Calendar to find local cleanups, workshops, and activities near you, and save the dates for such events as the upcoming City Nature Challenge at Willow Springs Park on Saturday, April 26th from 9am – 12pm. Explore trails, help identify wildlife, and take part in fun activities that celebrate Long Beach’s native habitat at District 5’s recently dedicated park! Review the recent press release or visit lbcity.info/lbem to learn more.
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Community Development Dept.
National Community Development Week
The Community Development Department will host a variety of workshops and community meetings from April 21 - 26, 2025, as part of National Community Development Week to engage and inform residents of the use of federal funding for local housing and community programs.
- 2025 - 2026 Action Plan & Housing Element Mid-Cycle Assessment Community Meeting
Saturday, April 26 | 10am - 12pm | Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave) | An in-person meeting featuring a presentation and opportunity to discuss the City's FY25-26 Action Plan and share input on prioritizing federal funding for affordable housing and community programs, and to discuss the upcoming Housing Element update and assessment of fair housing goals in Long Beach.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to participate in a community survey to help shape the FY25-26 Action Plan. The survey is available at lbcity.info/CDWeekSurvey through Saturday, April 26th. For more information about Community Development Week, visit longbeach.gov/hudgrants.
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May is National Home Improvement Month
Each May, National Home Improvement Month recognizes the essential contributions of design and construction professionals in shaping our communities and promoting affordable, sustainable, and innovative housing solutions. Led by the Community Development Department, this month-long initiative will provide educational opportunities, hands-on workshops, and resources to help residents protect and enhance their most valuable investment—their home.
This year’s theme, “Love Where You Live,” invites everyone in the community—renters, tenants, homeowners, and landlords—to showcase how they have transformed their spaces through renovations, refreshes, or DIY projects. Share your home improvements projects by completing the form at lbcity.info/nihm-spotlights! Additionally, save the date for the signature event of the month, the Home Improvement Expo on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10am – 2pm at Whaley Park. Join the family-friendly Expo featuring booths, food trucks, and giveaways, while showcasing the ways we all can contribute to building a better Long Beach with safer, more vibrant communities! Learn more in the recent memo.
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine Department
May is Older Americans Month!
During the month of May, the Parks, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) department will be celebrating Older American’s Month! From crafting to dancing, sports to hidden talents, as well as informational resources, there’s something for everyone in May, with a host of free events for residents aged 50+. See the flyer for more details, and note, those events marked with stars require advance registration! Read this newsletter or call the park location for each event for more information.
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Youth Invited to Give Input in Survey on Park Programs & Amenities
The PRM and Health Depts have launched a youth community survey to promote and enhance physical and social activity in parks for middle school-aged youth looking for a safe space for recreation, exercise, and connection with peers. This survey is now open through Thursday, May 22nd, and will engage middle school youth ages 11 to 14 with questions about how local parks can support their health and well-being by enhancing resources and programs. Youth who fill out the survey online or in person will be eligible for a chance to win prizes such as t-shirts, hats, or gift cards from local vendors. Learn more in the recent press release or at lbparks.org.
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Long Beach Utilities
Large Valve Replacement Project - Orange/Carson & Orange/San Antonio
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The Long Beach Utilities Department (LBUD) is scheduled to conduct underground utility construction at the intersections of Orange & San Antonio and Orange & Carson, to replace large valve equipment which will help improve the flow of water for distribution and to improve the Utilities’ underground pipeline infrastructure. The work on both of these intersections is expected to begin the week of April 21st and expected to end in late August 2025, barring inclement weather or other unforeseen complications.
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Traffic in all directions (North/Southbound on Orange, East/Westbound on Carson, and East/Westbound on San Antonio) at each of these intersections will be reduced to one-single lane. Please plan your routes accordingly, and keep an eye out for posted Detour and No Parking signs. LBUD does not anticipate any interruptions in water service during this construction.
For more information, visit lbutilities.org/LargeValve.
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Work Near Spring/Bellflower
As part of Long Beach Utilities’ ongoing maintenance and replacement program, construction has been scheduled to renew portions of the buried natural gas piping system in the area of Spring & Bellflower. The system upgrades are anticipated to begin around the week of April 21st, and will continue for approximately 2 months. Project locations will include the intersection of Spring St & Charlemagne Ave, and the alley north of Spring St, between Montair Ave & Bellflower Blvd. Keep an eye out for posted no parking signs in the area. For additional information, please contact the LBU Manager of Gas Construction, Paul DeYoung at (562) 570 2074.
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Upcoming FY26 Budget Workshops
The Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners will host a series of community budget workshops as they prepare for Fiscal Year ’26 (FY26). The workshops will include discussion on proposed water, sewer, and gas rates for FY26, as utility rates are established annually to fund infrastructure, maintenance, and operation services to the greater Long Beach community.
Long Beach rate-payers are invited to share your input at 3 public workshops:
Long Beach Utilities Administration Building
(1800 E Wardlow Rd) at 9am
Thursday, May 1 | Thursday, May 15 | Thursday, June 12
The department budget, inclusive of rates, is expected to be adopted by the Board of Utilities Commissioners at the final public workshop on Thursday, June 12. Members of the public are encouraged to attend; comments can also be submitted via email to commission@lbutilities.org. Learn more about these meetings and the proposed FY26 Utilities Budget at lbutilities.org/budget.
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Marine Mammal Care Center
Continued High Level of Marine Mammal Strandings
The Marine Mammal Care Center continues to see high levels of marine mammal strandings as levels of the algae that produces domoic acid continue to be reported, and has now elevated to a multi-toxin event with two different algae species present. As the unprecedented crisis continues, remember that the toxins affecting these marine mammals can make them especially aggressive. Please see the following reminders for What to Do If You Encounter a Live-Stranded Marine Mammal:
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Stay Back - Keep at least 50 ft away to minimize stress and prevent unintentional harm.
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Call for Help Immediately - Contact the MMCC at 1-800-39-WHALE (94253) or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) at 1-866-767-6114.
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Do NOT Push the Animal Back into the Water - Stranded animals often come ashore due to illness or injury. The best thing to do is reduce the animal's stress and suffering and wait for rescuers to arrive.
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Minimize Noise & Disturbance - Avoid loud sounds, keep dogs and crowds away, and speak in hushed tones.
Learn more about this ongoing event and how you can support response efforts at marinemammalcare.org, or in the NOAA guidelines for marine strandings.
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Arts Council for Long Beach
Call for Grant Panelists
The Arts Council of Long Beach’s annual grant applications are now open, and they’re seeking passionate individuals from the Long Beach community to join as panelists in selecting next year’s grant recipients. If you have a love for the arts and want to make a difference, visit artslb.org to learn more about this rewarding opportunity!
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City of Long Beach
Spring Cleaning is Back!
Spring Cleaning is back in Long Beach! This May, the City is teaming up with residents, neighborhood associations, businesses, and community organizations across the city to roll up our sleeves and make sure Long Beach is in tip-top shape for summer. This year, we’ll be cleaning parks and neighborhoods, filling in potholes, and having tons of fun with our neighbors while doing it. Find an event near you to join, sign up to host your own, and learn more at longbeach.gov/springcleaning.
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District 5 Office
Where We Were This Week
It’s been a busy week for me and my team! From community meetings to events, we stay active across the district—alongside many of you! See below for a brief recap of some of the places and meetings we attended over the last week. Be sure to stop by and say hello next time you see us out in the community!
- 4/22 - Cambodian Genocide Remembrance at City Hall
- 4/23 – Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association Meeting at the Expo Arts Center
- 4/24 - Coffee with a Cop, East Division, at Cassidy’s Corner
- 4/24 – District 5 Community Meeting at Wardlow Park
- 4/24 - City National Bank Entrepreneur of the Year
- Multiple Department Head & City Manager Briefings
| | | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | | Parks, Recreation and Marine to Offer a Variety of Recreation Classes This Summer | | | Youth Invited to Provide Input on Park Programs and Amenities to Increase Park Usage Among Young People | | | City to Host and Fund 2025 Pride Parade, Announces Grand Marshals | | | Long Beach Gears Up to Celebrate National Bike Month 2025 | | | City to Provide Free Gun Storage Safes to Promote Community Safety and Violence Prevention | | | Long Beach Public Library to Host Community Feedback Meeting for Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library Garden | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. May 6, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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