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(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov | |
Weekly Updates & Community Events | |
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Happy Friday, District 5! I hope you’re all staying cool throughout these warm summer days. If you’re looking for more reasons to get out and enjoy the sunshine, keep reading for upcoming community events and activities!
Earlier this week, we raised the Disability Pride Flag in the Civic Center Plaza in celebration of July as Disability Pride Month. The flag will continue to fly through the end of the month to show our recognition of challenges faced, as well as our pride for and acceptance of the unique contributions our disabled communities bring to the diverse fabric of our city. Thank you to First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, Long Beach’s first woman with a visible disability to serve on the City Council, for bringing this month of recognition and inaugural flag raising to Long Beach!
This week, I also met with the recently appointed leader to LBPD’s East Division, Commander Benson. I hope some of you were able to attend her first community meeting on Tuesday, but for those who have yet to meet her, see below for a brief bio, and stay tuned for future meetings! National Night Out (NNO), the annual campaign designed to connect police officers and neighbors through community events, is coming up on August 6th. If you’re interested in participating, there’s still time to register an event with the LBPD! See below for more information.
Want to get involved with your CD5 community this weekend? To start, you can bring the kiddos to the Dana Library on Saturday, July 13th, at 12pm for a Party Puppet Show as part of the LBPL's Adventures at the Library summer reading series. Or, you can head over to Parkview Village’s monthly Second Saturdays Block Party as they celebrate “Christmas in July” on the 13th from 11am – 3pm. You can also cruise over to LBX for this week’s popup market, happening on both Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14 from 11am – 7pm. Into next week, you can continue those library adventures with an Instrument Petting Zoo at Dana Library on Tuesday, July 16th, or at Bach Library on Thursday, July 18th. See the flyers below for more information and other events throughout the city.
We are looking forward to the District 5 Community Day on the Queen Mary this Monday, July 15th! We are excited for all who have signed up to come aboard with us and find out what the iconic Long Beach landmark has to offer. There are still a limited number of tickets remaining; secure your tickets here or through the flyer below!
Towards the end of the month, save the dates for a few exciting community events right here in District 5! On July 27th from 10am – 3pm, all are invited to a free open house at Long Beach Airport to celebrate the reopening of LGB’s Historic Terminal. Also on July 27th, don’t forget to grab your tickets for LBCC’s Summerfest & Drone Show from 4pm – 9pm at Vet’s Stadium. See below for more details.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 16th at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. 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.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
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Upcoming Council Items
July 16th Council Meeting
This upcoming Tuesday, July 16th, is the only Council meeting this month due to summer recess. There are 60 items on the upcoming agenda, but below are a few items to look out for:
The Mayor will be presenting Keys to the City to two Long Beach couples who care for and have made valuable contributions to the betterment of our communities. Nationally renowned lawyer Samuel “Skip” Keesal and his wife Beth have dedicated themselves to the local and national communities by supporting numerous charitable and civic projects and have served on numerous Boards of charitable organizations for many years and continue to do so with pride. Rev. Dr. Leon Wood is a minister, educator, activist, who, along with his wife, Paula, runs a nonprofit social service agency that serves the greater Long Beach community, where they work together to bring positive change to the lives of others. Read more about the Key recipients in the recent press release.
Item 49: Mayor Richardson is reappointing and appointing new commissioners to non-charter commissions. List
Item 50: We will discuss a potential market pay adjustment for Airport and Convention Center concession workers, to model after and align with the support given to hotel workers through Measure RW.
Item 51: We will discuss updating the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and Union Pacific Railway, to help improve upon the ways we can combat and resolve current health and safety challenges we face in regards to the railroad tracks that run through Districts 7, 8, and 5.
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Community Development Department
1131 E Wardlow Latest Updates
Permits for the demolition of the existing building on the Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC)-owned property at 1131 E Wardlow Rd. have been approved, and activation of the site is set to begin soon. Beginning the week of 07/15/24, we can expect to see the installation of a pedestrian canopy and fencing, followed by abatement processes, with demolition planned to begin on 07/29. For more information, review this letter from the LBCIC and FAQ sheet from the contractor.
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District 5 Office
Conversations with the Councilwoman
Join Councilwoman Kerr for a one-on-one chat at one of District 5's local businesses. Click your location of choice below to select an available time. Please note, the time slots are for 15-minute meetings. We ask that you please be prompt and respectful of everyone's time! These meetings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please sign up for only one meeting in order to keep the opportunity available for as many interested neighbors as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding with our first attempt at this form of community outreach.
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Long Beach Airport
Historic Terminal Open House | July 27th
Later this month, the Long Beach Airport (LGB) will celebrate the reopening of its Historic Terminal building, which has been closed since February 2023 to undergo extensive renovations and restoration.
On July 27th, from 10am to 3pm, LGB is hosting a public open house to showcase the Historic Terminal’s return to its former glory.
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Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy history tours, music, children’s activities, giveaways, and light refreshments. Up to three hours of free parking will be available in Parking Structure B. To learn more about the renovations and restoration work, visit longbeach.gov/lgb. | | | |
Long Beach Police Department
Welcome, East Division Commander Benson!
Commander Shaleana Benson has been with the LBPD since 1991, when she started as a Reserve Police Officer. She then worked her way up on the Communications team, before starting as a Police Recruit in 2004, and again working her way up the ranks to sargeant in 2013, lieutenant in 2020, and Commander in 2023.
Throughout Commander Benson’s career in the LBPD, she has worked in a variety of roles and assignments, notably as the department’s Drug Recognition Expert instructor and the lead DUI education instructor, to name a few. Most recently, Commander Benson created a department-wide response to Street Racing and Street Takeovers, and facilitated the LBPD’s participation in the LA County Street Racing Task Force.
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We are grateful to have Commander Benson now at the helm of the East Division Patrol as she continues to draw on her experience and further her career of dedicated service to the safety of our community! | | | |
Long Beach Police Department
National Night Out | August 6th
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work. The goal is to send a message to criminals that neighbors are unified, looking out for one another, and working with police to keep crime out of their neighborhoods.
Several community groups across the city, including the Los Cerritos and Cal Heights Neighborhood Associations, have already planned events. More details will follow as the events approach.
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For more information about NNO and to find out how you can request a police representative to attend your event, read more here. | | | |
Parks, Recreation & Marine
Long Beach Municipal Band Free Concerts in the Park
This summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band celebrates their 115th season of free outdoor summer concerts in Long Beach parks. All concerts begin at 6:30pm.
District 5:
Wednesday, July 17
Wednesday, July 24
Wednesday, July 31
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Other Districts:
Tuesday, July 16
Tuesday, July 23
Tuesday, July 30
Thursday, July 18
Thursday, July 25
Thursday, August 1
Friday, July 12
Friday, July 19
Friday, July 26
Friday, August 2
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Long Beach Recycles
Take On the Challenge: Plastic-Free July
A lot of single-use plastics are not recyclable, which is why it's important to choose to reuse whenever we can.
Commit to the #PlasticFreeJuly challenge by choosing up to four habits to establish and reduce single-use plastics in an area of your life!
Challenge #1: Bring reusables on the go
- Going to a coffee shop? Bring a reusable cup or even a repurposed pasta sauce jar to avoid single-use cups.
- Dining out? Bring a set of reusable utensils and a container to bring home leftovers
Find reuse-friendly restaurants using the LB Reuses interactive map!
Challenge #2: Pack a plastic-free lunch
- Pack in reusable containers instead of single-use sandwich bags
- Bring a reusable water bottle
- Pack reusable utensils
- Choose loosely sold snacks
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Challenge #3: Limit plastic while grocery shopping
- Store reusable grocery and produce bags in your car or by the front door to bring with you to the store
- Choose unpackaged vegetables and fruits
- Choose products packaged in recyclable material such as glass, paper or aluminum
- Shop at a refill or bulk store
Challenge #4: Plastic-free personal care
- Choose bar soap and shampoo/conditioner bars
- Use a bamboo toothbrush
- Use a metal razor
- Choose personal care items that can be refilled or are packaged in recyclable material
Tag @lbrecycles on Instagram or Facebook in a photo or video of you taking on the challenge and they'll highlight you on their stories and you'll be entered for a chance to win an LB Recycles Reusable Starter Kit! You can also email in your photo/video to lbrecycles@longbeach.gov. Winners will be announced July 31st.
Want more recycling/waste reduction tips? Visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles!
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Fourth of July Public Safety Statistics | |  |
City Advises Residents to Take Precautions Against Summer Heat | | |
LA28 Confirms Seven Sporting Events, Venues to be Held in Long Beach for the 2028 Olympic Games | | |
Long Beach’s Multi-Service Center Selected as Site for Pet Food Pantry | | |
Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. July 16, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Item 8 Recommendation to increase appropriations to provide contributions to Friends of the Long Beach Public Library in support of their Celebrate Our Librarians event; the Wild West Women in support of their annual Women’s Fair; the Long Beach Camerata Singers in support to the organization for their ongoing efforts. (Item Details)
Item 29 Recommendation to continue the local emergency regarding an outbreak of Tuberculosis (TB) pursuant to Section 2.69.060 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. (Item Details)
Item 31 Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP AP-23-319 and award contracts to Avis Budget Car Rental, LLC, of Parsippany, NJ, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Company of Los Angeles, LLC, of Orange, CA, and The Hertz Corporation, of Estero, FL, for on-airport rental car operations at the Long Beach Airport. (Item Details)
Item 32 Recommendation to execute any and all documents necessary for an Other Transaction Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, for use of the security checkpoint and baggage screening areas at the Long Beach Airport. (Item Details)
Item 37 Recommendation to receive and file the application of Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated, dba Chipotle Mexican Grill Store #5012, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License, at 3700 Atlantic Avenue. (Item Details)
Item 38 Recommendation to receive and file the application of YL Enterprises, Incorporated, dba Hokkiado Seafood Buffet, for an original application of an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License, at 3030 Cherry Avenue. (Item Details)
Item 53 Recommendation to receive and file City Auditor’s report and presentation on the Climate Transition Impact Review to Prepare for Long Beach’s Transition from Fossil Fuel Production and Preserve Critical Infrastructure and City Services. (Item Details)
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