Public Works Department

Orange Ave Backbone Bikeway Project

Yesterday, Feb. 13th, the Public Works Department held a community meeting to discuss the proposed designs for the Orange Ave Backbone Bikeway project. Thank you to everyone who attended to share your thoughts, concerns, and the real impacts you may experience depending on the final design. Your feedback provides useful insight for the Traffic Engineering team as they continue to make considerations for final design decisions. We will keep you informed of any next steps as we hear from the project team. In the meantime, materials related to the project, including last night’s presentation, as well as a contact form for continued questions or feedback, can be found at longbeach.gov/orangeave. 

Long Beach Public Library

Presidents Day Closures

In observance of Presidents Day, all LBPL locations and services will be closed Sat., Feb. 15 through Mon., Feb. 17. Libraries will reopen under normal operating hours on Tue., Feb. 18.

For more info on specific library hours, check out LBPL Hours + Holidays.

CD5 Community Information Meetings

Feb. 27 | Public Safety & Civic Engagement

Join Councilwoman Kerr for a series of bi-monthly Community Meetings throughout 2025 to come together and learn about a variety of topics pertaining to CD5 and our city as whole.

On Thurs. Feb. 27th at the Wardlow Park Community Center, join to discuss Public Safety & Civic Engagement, featuring our LBPD East & LBPD North Patrol Resource Officers, the Senior Police Partners, and the LBPD Explorers. While not required, we ask that you please RSVP to help us adequately prepare the meeting space. We hope to see you there!

Community Development

Feb. 26 | 3401 Cerritos/1131 Wardlow Community Meeting

On February 26th at 6pm, the Community Development team will be hosting a project design review meeting at the Expo Arts Center as a next step in the process for the proposed affordable housing development at Wardlow & Cerritos. If you plan to attend, they ask that you please RSVP.

In the meantime, please feel free to review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and other project and review process information all found on the Community Development Department’s Environmental Reports page.

Public Works Department

Proposed Refuse Rate Increases

On Jan. 24, 2025, the Public Works Department posted a memo outlining the background and details of the proposed refuse service rate increases as Long Beach begins to implement state-mandated organics collections. 

With the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 1383 (Chapter 395, Statues of 2016), the State has mandated that all municipalities provide organics collection services to all residential accounts. To comply with this unfunded State mandate, the City must implement an organics collection program and implement rates that cover the cost of the service. The proposed residential organics collection rate implementation includes the costs associated with providing residential organics collection, administration, enforcement, and education of that unfunded State-mandated service. Billing for residential organics collection service will only apply to residential accounts when they begin to receive service.

Property owners affected by the rate increase reserve the right to submit written protest to the proposed rate change in advance of the public hearing on March 11, 2025, where the City Council will hear and consider all materials and testimony as well as all written protests submitted against the proposed rate increases. . All property owners of record and members of the public are invited to attend the public hearing and make comments, regardless of whether they choose to submit a written protest or own property that would be subject to the proposed rate increases.

All protests must be in writing and include an original signature and must be submitted as set forth below. Protests submitted by e-mail, as well as verbal protests, will not be counted toward a “majority protest.” You may file a written protest in one of three ways:

1. Written Protests by Mail. If you wish to submit your written protest by mail, it must be received by the City Clerk (not postmarked) by 2:30 pm on March 11, 2025. Send to: City Clerk; City of Long Beach; 411 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802.
2. Electronic Protests. If you wish to submit your protest electronically, it must be received by the City Clerk by 2:30 pm on March 11, 2025. Go to lbcity.info/prop218 to submit your protest electronically.
3. Written Protest in Person at the Public Hearing. If you wish to hand-deliver your written protest in person, it must be received by the City Clerk prior to the close of the public hearing.

You must sign the written protest and include: (1) your name, (2) your street address, (3) your solid waste service account number, and (4) whether you are a residential and/or commercial customer. Please identify on the front of the envelope that the enclosed letter is for the “2025 Solid Waste Rate Adjustment Public Hearing.” Only one written protest will be counted per identified parcel. The same information must be included with any electronic protests. 

For more information, review the recent memo. If you have any questions about the proposed rate increase, please contact the Environmental Services Bureau Call Center at 562-570-2876.

Economic Development

Level Up LB Applications Open!

Looking to take your business to the next level? The Econ Development Dept is now accepting applications for the Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover & Grant Program (Level Up LB), a program designed to support entrepreneurs and propel small businesses toward success and sustainability. The program will assist 20 small businesses with support services, workshops, and $10,000 in grant funding! Applications are available through 5pm on Thurs. March 20th.

For more information about program details, eligibility requirements, and to complete an application, go to longbeach.gov/levelup. For assistance, call the City’s BizCare Hotline at (562) 570 4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov. 

Public Works

Free Shred Event | March 8

The City of Long Beach Public Works Department is hosting a free shred event to help residents securely dispose of confidential documents.

Saturday, March 8 Veterans Memorial Stadium

4901 E. Conant St. (enter on Conant)

Visit lbcity.info/shredevent for more details about what to bring. For questions, please contact lbrecycles@longbeach.gov.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

"A Taste of OLLI" Open House | March 8

For 29 years the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University, Long Beach has been dedicated to enriching the lives of older adults throughout Greater Long Beach and Orange County by providing educational opportunities and social engagement.

On March 8, 2025, from 10am to 12pm, OLLI will host “A Taste of OLLI” open house for the community.  This free event will be held on the CSULB campus in the Duncan Anderson Gallery, 6351 E. State University Dr. (near Palo Verde Ave.).

Attendees will experience an informative and fun-filled morning where they will find out about the vast array of classes and social activities offered by OLLI for adults 50+. The program will provide opportunities to meet passionate instructors, lifelong learners and OLLI leaders.

Rancho Los Cerritos

Save the Date! District 5 Day at Rancho Los Cerritos | March 9

Join us for District 5 Day at Rancho Los Cerritos on Sunday, March 9th!

In partnership with RLC, our office is organizing a local community event to encourage residents to visit the beautiful and historic Rancho grounds right here in CD5. Keep an eye out in future newsletters for more details. We hope you’ll join us for the opportunity to learn more about and explore one of CD5’s iconic locations!

CD5 Community Shout Out

BKBIA & Norse Way Businesses Take Action to Support Victims of the LA Fires

As  many in our region are continuing to deal with the devastating effects of this year’s wildfires throughout LA County, I want to take a moment to recognize some local community members of Long Beach’s 5th District who, without any direction, mobilized in support of those affected by the wildfires.

Small business owners of the Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association and Norse Way Village took it upon themselves to organize donation drives and delivery efforts to bring clothes, supplies, and more to fire victims in our neighboring cities. These efforts gave residents an outlet and space to donate and participate in a small but impactful way.

We are all incredibly proud and grateful for the way our community came together and took action for the good of others! Shout out to the BKBIA, Alley Cat Deliveries, Care Closet LB, Long Beach Clothing, Lola's Mexican Cuisine, Norse Way Businesses, Time & Space, Wolf's Brew, BoomBoxx Entertainment, Gardens & Seeds, and everyone who participated in the donation and distribution efforts! Thank you; you are what makes Long Beach special!