Weekly Updates | December 5, 2025 | | |
Happy Friday, District 5! With the start of December, we are barreling towards the end of the year and all of the holidays and festivities therein. Earlier this week, the citywide community came together to kick off the holiday season at the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Terrace Theater in Downtown Long Beach. Last night, the Cal Heights community also held their 3rd annual neighborhood Tree Lighting event for a night of friends, food, and festive fun. Thanks to all who came out to make these community events so warm and lively! If you missed them, don’t worry; there are a number of ways to get into the holiday spirit while connecting with community all month long. Find more on that below, as well as updates from Public Works, PRM, the Port, and more.
With Item 21 at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, my colleagues and I discussed the importance of improving safety and quality of life along business corridors and their surrounding neighborhoods citywide. See below for more information.
Looking for local activities this weekend? You can start your weekend strong with neighbors in Bixby Knolls at the First Fridays Holiday Village tonight, Dec. 5th, starting at 6:30pm all along the Atlantic Ave corridor, complete with live music, art, and great opportunity to support local restaurants and businesses. Tomorrow, Dec. 6th, consider welcoming a new pet into your family by attending the “Home for the Pawlidays” Pet Fair & Adoption Event from 10am – 4pm at LBX. Along with pet-themed vendors and entertainment, local animal rescues and nonprofits (including the Cat Cove and Little Lion Foundation) will be in attendance with more than 200 adoptable animals so you can help a furry friend find their forever home this holiday season! This weekend, you can also support local performing artists at one (or both!) of two performances at LBCC. On Saturday, Dec. 6th, hear from a variety of student singing groups and additional guests at the “Singing Generations of Peace & Joy” at 7pm, and on Sunday, Dec. 7th, enjoy the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “Eggnog: A Holiday Mystery” at 2pm.
Other upcoming community events include Rancho Los Cerritos’ Holiday Open House, a Festive Forest at Campfire Long Beach (both on Fri. Dec. 12th), Parkview Village's Second Saturday Holiday Fest on Saturday, Dec. 13th, and the BKBIA’s Santa Con on Sunday, Dec. 14th, to name a few! See the flyers below for more info on these and other things to do in and around CD5.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. The link to 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.
Working together,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Recent Council Item
Item 21: Strengthening Public Safety in Business & Entertainment Corridors
At the Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, I worked with cosigners Councilwoman Allen and Councilwoman Zendejas to request city staff prepare a report regarding safety and quality of life concerns along our city’s business corridors and the neighborhoods that surround them. While data and statistics report an overall reduction in crime, we know this does not reflect the lived experience of local business owners who have been vandalized or broken into, or local residents who feel unsafe in their communities. I look forward to a report that will provide updates on our existing strategies around homelessness and crime prevention as well as potential new approaches to address these concerns being faced citywide. To learn more, I encourage you to review the item details or watch the recorded discussion.
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Public Works, Parks, & Port
New Departmental Leadership Announced
This week, city departmental leadership vacancies have officially been filled, as the City of Long Beach announced the appointment of the new Directors of the Public Works (PW) and Parks, Recreation, and Marine (PRM) Departments, and next week, the Harbor Commission will vote on the appointment of the next CEO to lead the Port of Long Beach.
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Joshua Hickman has been named the new Director of Public Works. Mr. Hickman brings nearly 20 years of experience managing complex projects, and has worked with in Long Beach’s PW Department since 2017. He has overseen many key initiatives and led both the Public Service Bureau and Environmental Services Bureau through major transitional periods, stabilizing operations, filling critical workforce and management vacancies, and realigning teams to improve service delivery. As PW Director, he will lead, manage, and further strengthen the city’s ongoing and future infrastructure investment projects and the department’s essential services that support a healthy and sustainable city environment. Learn more in the recent press release.
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Stephen Scott has been named the new Director of the Parks, Recreation, & Marine Department. Mr. Scott has served the city in a variety of roles since 1999, bringing 27 years of Long Beach-specific experience to this role. He’s been with PRM since 2013, and has served as Deputy Director of the department since 2016, during which time he was instrumental in numerous PRM initiatives including Animal Care Services’ Compassion Saves service model, the Park Ambassador Program, and more. As PRM Director, Mr. Scott will oversee a complex department that combines traditional parks and rec services with marine/coastal operations and animal care services, managing the programming and upkeep throughout our city’s numerous parks and open spaces. Learn more in the recent press release.
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At their meeting on Dec. 8th, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners will consider the appointment Dr. Noel Hacegaba as the next Port of Long Beach CEO, succeeding Mario Cordero, who will step down for retirement at the end of this year. Dr. Hacegaba has served in senior management roles at the Port for 15 years, including his current role as the Port’s Chief Operating Officer, where he oversees daily operations including commercial services, engineering, finance and administration, planning and environmental affairs, and strategic advocacy. He looks forward to bringing this experience to his new role and guiding the Port in its next chapter by delivering world-class infrastructure and customer service, as well as industry-leading sustainability programs. Learn more in the recent press release.
| Join me in congratulating Mr. Hickman, Mr. Scott, and Dr. Hacegaba as they take on their new roles! I look forward to seeing each of these departments continue to thrive and flourish under these new, well-qualified leaders, as we continue to work together for the betterment of our communities. | | | |
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSULB
Winter Class Schedule | Registration Opens Dec. 9
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSULB is excited to share their Winter 2026 Schedule, offering more than 90 classes designed for adults 50 and over—with no tests, grades, or homework! There’s something for everyone classes both in person and online, covering topics from computer and tech skills, art and crafting, music, fitness and wellness, and much more. Visit csulb.edu/olli to learn more and review the class schedule. Registration opens Tuesday, Dec. 9, and classes begin on Monday, Jan. 5.
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Fair Housing Foundation
Free Monthly Virtual Landlord/Tenant Clinic in Long Beach
The Fair Housing Foundation invites you to our free monthly virtual Landlord/ Tenant Walk-in Clinics in Long Beach!
Meet one-on-one with a Housing Counselor for a FREE 20-minute session to discuss any rental housing issue including:
- Landlord/Tenant Disputes
- Lease Agreements
- Illegal Housing Discrimination
- Repairs & Evictions
- Security Deposits
- Disability: Accommodations & Modification Requests
- Rent Increases, Occupancy Issues and much more!
These workshops are held the second Thursday of every month from 9:00am-10:00am via Microsoft Teams. The next upcoming Clinic is December 11, 2025, and note registration is mandatory. For more information please call the assistance hotline at 1-800-446-3247, register here, or contact Martha Torres at mtorres@fhfca.org to register.
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine
Winter Fun Days | Dec. 22 - Jan. 2
It’s almost time for PRM’s annual Winter Fun Days, a drop-in program for children 5-12 years of age from noon to 5pm on Mondays – Fridays from Dec. 22 – Jan 2 (excluding Christmas Day and New Years Day). PRM staff will be onsite to lead recreational activities, and children may come and go at their discretion, but onsite registration is required. Call or visit the park near you (see the full list here) to learn more and register!
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Locations in CD5 include:
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Pan American Park
5157 E Centralia St., 90808
(562) 570 3297
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Somerset Park
1500 E Carson St., 90807
(562) 570 1686
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Wardlow Park
3457 Stanbridge Ave, 90808
(562) 570 1705
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Health & Human Services
Seeking Volunteers for 2026 Homeless Point in Time Count
The Health & Human Services Department is calling on 350 community members to volunteer for the 2026 Point in Time Count, an annual street and shelter count of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, taking place on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.
The Point in Time Count is more than a data collection effort—it is a communitywide initiative inviting residents and businesses to connect with neighbors experiencing homelessness, learn about available resources and actively support the City’s response to homelessness. Information gathered during the Count plays a critical role in understanding the scope of homelessness in Long Beach, shaping services and identifying gaps in resources.
Volunteer registration is now open and will remain available until all slots are filled. If more than 350 people register, additional participants will be placed on a waitlist.
Learn more in the recent press release or at longbeach.gov/homelesscount.
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Public Works Department
Holiday Treecycling | Dec. 26 - Jan 9
As many families are in the process of decorating for the holidays, rest assured that the City of Long Beach will once again offer free Holiday Treecycling, providing an accessible and responsible way to recycle live trees for residents. From Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, residents can drop off their used trees at 13 locations throughout Long Beach, at no charge.
Holiday trees are NOT accepted in organics carts as they are too heavy and bulky. To ensure the trees are diverted from landfills, residents are encourage to drop of their trees at any of the 13 locations listed on the flyer. Locations in and near CD5 include:
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Wardlow Park – Monlaco Rd. at Rutgers Ave., 90808
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Scherer Park – 49th St. at Del Amo Blvd., 90807
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El Dorado Park – 2760 N Studebaker Rd. (at South parking lot, behind admin building), 90815
Residents are asked to remove all decorations and stands, and cut any trees over 12’ tall in half. For those who aren’t able to drop trees off, a one-time special collection will occur on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Residents with refuse, recycling, and organics collection service must place trees at their regular collection location by 7am on Jan 10 to have their live tree collected. Learn more in recent press release.
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Sort Smart This Holiday Season
The LB Recycles team reminds us all to sort smart this holiday season! Placing items in the correct collection carts improves efficiency in the collection and processing of waste. This ensures recyclable items actually end up being recycled! Keep the graphic handy or see the list below for reminders of where to sort your holiday waste.
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Recycling
- Flattened cardboard boxes
- Paper tubes
- Uncoated paper
- Paper bags
- Plastic jugs, tubs, and bottles
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminum pie tins
Organics
- Vegetable and fruit scraps
- Expired or uneaten leftovers
- Yard trimmings, leaves, and grass clippings
- Meat, dairy, and bones
- Food-soiled napkins and paper towels
- Greasy pizza boxes
Trash
- Shiny gift bags
- Tissue paper
- Ribbons and bows
- Foam packaging
- Plastic cups and plastic-lined food containers
- Items labeled 'compostable' or 'biodegradable'
- Shiny wrapping paper
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Electric Lawn & Garden Programs
Interested in replacing lawn and garden equipment this holiday season? You may be eligible for rebates and vouchers for Commercial and Residential Zero-Emission Lawn Equipment!
South Coast AQMD has two programs that help clean the air through the replacement of gasoline-powered residential lawn mowers and commercial lawn and garden equipment available to all eligible participants who work or reside within the South Coast AQMD's four-county jurisdiction:
The Residential Electric Lawn & Garden Rebate Program is available for eligible residents to receive a maximum of 3 rebates of up to $250 each with the purchases of cordless, battery-electric lawn & garden equipment. Eligible equipment are lawn mowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, and chain saws. An operable, gasoline powered equivalent equipment must be scrapped in order to be eligible for the rebate.
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The Commercial Electric Lawn and Garden Equipment Incentive & Exchange Program is available for commercial landscapers and gardeners operating within the South Coast AQMD's region providing from 50 to 85% commercial lawn and garden equipment. This program is also open to local governments, school districts, colleges and non-profits. Commercial lawn and garden equipment will be made available at a discounted price through pre-authorized dealerships. Equipment available through this program includes handheld trimmers, chainsaws, pruners, backpack and handheld blowers and ride-on, stand-on, walk-behind and robotic lawn mowers. An equivalent operable gasoline or diesel powered piece of lawn or garden equipment must be scrapped when the new battery-electric equipment is purchased.
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Food Assistance Resources
There continue to be impacts for those affected by a loss of CalFresh benefits during the past federal government shutdown, and the City of Long Beach remains committed to keeping the community informed and sharing available resources to those in need. Residents in need of immediate food assistance are encouraged to explore the resources listed below. Those who are able may wish to support local food banks to help neighbors in this time of need.
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Local & Regional Resources
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CSULB: Support for Students
On Campus Resources:
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Laurén Chalmers '83 Beach Pantry - The Laurén Chalmers '83 Beach Pantry operates as the official food pantry for Long Beach State University (LBSU) students. The pantry provides food items and other essentials such as toiletries and school supplies for students in need. Located at the Student Health Services, entrance is at the back of the building on the ground floor.
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CSULB Basic Needs Department - CalFresh recipients whose benefits are delayed can receive meal swipes. Documentation of receiving CalFresh benefits required.
Office Located in Petersen Hall 127 | Open Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm
562-985-2038
Additional resources:
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Long Beach Community Table - ANYONE may come to pick up food without an application, ID, or appointment. They also have popup locations on the weekends, listed on their website. Deliveries are possible, too, for those who qualify.
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Help Me Help You - You do not have to show ID or proof of income! Upon arrival, sign-in, answer a few questions, and receive free food! Two local locations:
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The Museum of Latin American Art (628 Alamitos Avenue, 90802)
Entrance on 6th Street, walk-up and drive-thru
Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month | 4pm to 5pm
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Revive Church (668 Obispo Ave, 90814), walk-up and drive-thru
Every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month | 1pm to 2pm
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Immigration Resources - Know Your Rights
With the US Immigrations & Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity occurring throughout our region, it’s increasingly important for everyone, including our immigrant communities, to know their rights and have access to resources. While immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, we understand that the current actions are continuing to escalate tensions and can undermine trust within our neighborhoods. All residents of Southern California and Long Beach deserve to live in peace and with a sense of security, regardless of their background.
I and the City of Long Beach remain committed to upholding the dignity and rights of every person. As evidenced by our Council-supported Long Beach Values Act, we remain committed to work alongside community organizations to ensure that all who call Long Beach home feel safe, supported, and valued.
For more information on the Long Beach Values act, visit: longbeach.gov/valuesact. For information and resources on a local community organization who is doing supportive work in Long Beach, visit orale.org. Additionally, The LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs regularly holds “Know Your Rights” Workshops that you can join; review their full calendar and learn more at oia.lacounty.gov.
| | | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. December 9, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
LINK TO FULL AGENDA
Item 3 Recommendation to provide contributions to the following organizations: the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach in support of their annual Kwanzaa Celebration; the New Image Emergency Shelter, in support of their annual Children’s Christmas Store; Kubo Organizing Project in support of their annual Long Beach Parol Lantern Festival; Sister Cities of Long Beach, Inc. in support of their annual International Cultural Fest. (Item Details)
Item 17 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the Annual Report for October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, for the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area, declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, and setting the date of hearing for January 6, 2026. (Item Details)
Declare ordinance amending Ordinance No. C-6646, modifying the assessments to be levied with the Bixby Knolls Parking and Business Improvement Area, read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting for final reading. (Item Details)
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