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(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov | |
Weekly Updates | Feb. 28, 2025 | |
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Happy Friday, District 5! As February closes, spring is right around the corner! I look forward to the longer, warmer days to come, and the feeling of newness that the season brings. In this week’s updates, keep an eye out for the latest news from LBPD, Animal Care Services, the Friends of Willow Springs Park, and more.
Earlier this week, my team and I held the first of our new series of bi-monthly community meetings, this time focused on the topics of Public Safety & Civic Engagement featuring guest speakers from LBPD. Thanks to all who were in attendance; we appreciate your active involvement with our office, and we hope you found the meeting to be interesting and informative. Thank you as well to all who attended the Community Development Department’s community meeting regarding the proposed affordable housing community at Wardlow & Cerritos. In case you missed either meeting, check out our information blocks below for more information.
This weekend, you can lean into the spirit of the coming season at LBX on Saturday, March 1st for their “Spring Fling Market” from noon to 6pm. Enjoy shopping from dozens of local vendors, dining from the Hangar food hall, and free kid-friendly activities. For those interested in supporting the arts, this weekend is also your last chance to catch the Long Beach Shakespeare Company’s performance of The Wizard of Oz Radio Show at the Helen Borges Theatre! Visit lbshakespeare.org for showtimes and tickets.
Looking ahead, next weekend will be jam-packed with CD5 activities, including our District 5 Day at Rancho Los Cerritos (RLC) on Sunday, March 9th! RLC will open at 11:30am for CD5 residents to enjoy free entry to tour and explore the historic grounds before public hours open at 1pm. If you plan to join us, you must RSVP! That same weekend, once again Bixby Knolls’ First Fridays on March 7th from 6 – 9pm, will be followed the next day by Parkview Village’s Second Saturdays Block Party on March 8th from 12 – 3pm. I hope you’ll take the time to enjoy these community-led activations of our small business corridors! Additionally, the second Saturday of the month means all are welcome to volunteer with the Bixby Highlands/Ridgewood Triangle Clean Streets Teams from 8:30 – 9:30am to help keep our streets and storm drains free of trash and debris. See below for more information on these and other upcoming events.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 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.
Working together,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Long Beach Police Department
DUI Checkpoint Tonight | Feb. 28
On Feb. 28, 2025, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) will conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI)/Driver License (CDL) Checkpoint from 6:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. in the North Division area.
DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI/CDL checkpoints are to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road. Learn more in the recent press release.
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Upcoming Council Item
Item 30: Raising Fines for Violators of Noise Ordinance
On Tuesday, March 4th, Councilwoman Kerr will be bringing forth Item 30, a request for the City Attorney to draft an ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code to increase the fines for violations of the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance and to update outdated references.
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This request follows one of the seven recommendations made by Airport staff in the 10/31/25 General Aviation Report and its subsequent updates. As stated in the GA Report’s 12/20/24 update, the City Attorney submitted an inquiry to the FAA Office of Chief Counsel and received the opinion that increasing the fines to adjust for inflation as well as making revisions of language to reflect current airport operations would not trigger compliance issues with the Airport Noise & Capacity Act (ANCA), meaning the City would be able to make these amendments and still maintain the Ordinance’s grandfathered status under ANCA. For more information, review the item details. | | | |
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CD5 Community Meeting
Public Safety & Civic Engagement
Thank you to the neighbors who joined us for our bi-monthly community meeting! We had great conversations with our Long Beach Police North and East Division Patrol Resource Officers, Senior Police Partners, and Police Explorers about community safety, crime prevention, and ways residents can get involved. The questions and feedback from our community were invaluable!
A few attendees had questions regarding the Studebaker Corridor Complete Streets project, which has recently been approved by Caltrans and will now undergo the “bidding” process to find a contractor, which can last 6 – 8 weeks. To learn more about the project and to sign up for updates, visit longbeach.gov/studebakerccsp.
Additionally, questions were raised about the ongoing Utilities work on Long Beach Blvd from Wardlow to 36th, and along Wardlow from Cedar to Long Beach Blvd. As mentioned in our 1/17/25 newsletter, this work is part of a Long Beach Utilities Capital Improvement Project, an ongoing maintenance and replacement program to improve Utilities infrastructure. Work is currently anticipated to be completed this June.
Missed the recent meeting? Stay tuned for details on our next meeting on April 24, 2025, at 6pm at the Wardlow Park Community Center!
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Community Development Department
3401 Cerritos/1131 Wardlow Open House & Town Hall Recap
On Wednesday, Feb. 26th, the Community Development (CD) Department hosted an Open House & Town Hall to discuss the current status and design considerations for the proposed affordable housing development at Wardlow & Cerritos.
The meeting began with the Open House portion, during which time attendees had the opportunity to review project information and provide direct feedback on design elements while CD staff were on hand to answer questions. This was followed by the Town Hall portion, which was audio-recorded by LBTV, during which CD leadership gave a brief presentation and overview of the proposed development thus far, before opening the floor to attendees to voice their thoughts and questions in a public forum.
Thank you to all who were in attendance, and especially those who took the opportunity to speak. A number of design elements have already been modified from the original drawings, including reducing the height of the building, and CD staff and leadership made clear that they are continuing to consider all feedback received as the proposed plans continue to evolve.
Our office is expecting the materials presented at the meeting to be made available online next week. The audio recording will be released as well, however per Community Development and LBTV this may take up to a month. Again, we will keep you informed via our newsletters as we receive updates. In the meantime, additional questions about the proposed development can be directed to the Planning Bureau at 562-570-6194.
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Rancho Los Cerritos
Join Us for 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. RLC will be opening early, at 11:30am, for CD5 residents to enjoy the grounds before they open for regular hours at 1pm. We hope you'll join us for a day of rich history, vibrant culture, and immersive scenery. RSVP today!
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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.
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Long Beach Animal Care Services
Operational updates to Enhance Long Beach Animal Care Services
This week, the City of Long Beach announced upcoming changes to Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) that will enhance the future operations of the campus and create long-term benefits for the animals that come under the City’s care. After careful consideration, the City has terminated its contract with spcaLA, due to several violations of their working agreement, including inequitable usage and management of the LBACS campus and its shared space. This termination ends a 26-year partnership during which spcaLA has been responsible for overseeing operations of the animal adoption center located on the LBACS campus while the City focused on critical animal control issues, stray animal intakes, and care services for the community. As a result of the contract violations, the City has determined that spcaLA no longer aligns with the City’s vision nor uplifts LBACS efforts.
In a good-faith effort, the City is allowing spcaLA up to 30 days to relocate its operation, instead of the legal standard of three days, out of compassion and safety considerations for the animals under spcaLA’s care. During this transition, all animals will be cared for and all operations at the Long Beach Animal Care Services will continue as normal. LBACS looks forward to achieving future goals and possibilities as a result of this exciting time of transition and opportunity.
To learn more, review the recent press release, the FAQ sheet, or email LBACSCommunications@longbeach.gov with any questions.
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Friends of Willow Springs Park
Seeking Proposals for 2025 Willow Springs Experiences
The Friends of Willow Springs Park are looking for workshops and/or events for our 2025 Willow Springs Experiences (WSEs). We want to schedule a varied and interesting calendar of events/experiences where participants will enjoy the wonderful setting of Willow Springs Park as they engage with you and your activity ideas!
If you would like to present a free public experience that would fit within the setting of Willow Springs Park and fulfill the Friends of Willow Springs Park's Mission—to promote awareness about the park's ecological and cultural significance, and introduce the space to the larger community, while helping inspire others to care for and restore the land—we want to hear from you.
Samples of previous WSEs have included: Music, Drawing, Photography, Healing, Words, and History. To learn more about previous WSEs please look through our Instagram, Facebook, or the event page on our website.
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The 2025 Willow Springs Experiences will take place in the Spring (May 18, 25, June 1, and 8) and Fall (September 28, October 5, 12, and 19).
Please find more information and download the proposal form here: bit.ly/3X6S57v, fill it out and email it back to WSPExperiences@gmail.com by March 15, 2025.
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Long Beach Fire Department
Hybrid CERT Training | March 22
Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? Get trained to support our communities during an emergency with the Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)! LBFD is offering a Hybrid CERT Training on Saturday, March 22nd. Before you enroll, you must complete the Self-Paced Online Course to be eligible for the Hybrid CERT Class’s One-Day Skills Training rather than the full Three-Day class to put into practice what you have learned. LBFD reminds those interested that it is crucial to take your time to ensure full understanding of the online material. Once completed, print and/or save your certificate of completion as a PDF and send a copy to CERT@longbeach.gov to secure your spot!
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City of Long Beach
Long Beach Launches "Love Your Block" Program
The City of Long Beach, in partnership with Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, recently launched Love Your Block, a community-driven initiative that empowers residents to take action and enhance their neighborhoods. With this partnership, Long Beach joins a national network of cities committed to supporting resident-led efforts to create lasting, positive change.
Through a community-led Civic Deliberation Team, residents will come together to address local challenges and drive meaningful change in West Long Beach. The Civic Deliberation Team will identify a key priority, develop an action plan and create challenge statements to guide residents in submitting grant proposals. Through a series of workshops, team members will ensure that funding is directed toward impactful, community-driven projects that align with local needs.
As part of this effort, the Love Your Block program will provide mini-grants of up to $2,500 for resident-led projects, empowering community members to take action and create lasting positive change in their neighborhoods.
Long Beach residents, especially those living in West Long Beach, interested in applying for a mini-grant, joining the For Your Block Civic Deliberation Team, or volunteering for the program are encouraged to complete the Love Your Block Interest Form which is open for the duration of the initiative. Submitting the interest form ensures that residents receive the latest updates, guidance and resources to prepare for the upcoming grant application launch on Earth Day, April 22, 2025. Learn more in the recent press release.
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Port of Long Beach
Pier B Rail Facility Project Update Meeting | March 5
The Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project team will update the public on the status of the Port of Long Beach project during a virtual community meeting at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5. Click here to register. You can join this virtual meeting from a computer, phone and other mobile device. A recording of the meeting will be posted at www.polb.com/PierB for those unable to participate. The planned Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility is the centerpiece of the Port of Long Beach’s rail capital improvement program. It will shift more cargo to “on-dock rail,” where containers are taken to and from marine terminals by trains. Moving cargo by on-dock rail is cleaner and more efficient, as it reduces truck traffic. View the project fact sheet and more information at the project page.
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Public Consultation on Proposed Amended Rules 1111 & 1121 | March 6
The South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) has scheduled a Public Consultation to present and solicit information and suggestions from the public regarding the latest changes to Proposed Amended Rule 1111 - Reduction of NOx Emissions from Natural Gas-Fired Furnaces (PAR 1111) and Proposed Amended Rule 1121 - Reduction of NOx Emissions from Residential Type, Natural Gas-Fired Water Heaters (PAR 1121), which are scheduled for a Public Hearing before the South Coast AQMD Governing Board on May 2, 2025 (subject to change). Staff will present the updated rule concept which establish manufacturer requirements for the sale of space and water heating appliances that meet low-NOx and zero-NOx emission standards, to provide consumers the choice between the types of units. The Public Consultation is scheduled for:
Thursday, March 6, 2025 @ 1:00 PM (PT)
Join Zoom Webinar Meeting - https://scaqmd.zoom.us/j/97271436016
Zoom Webinar ID: 972 7143 6016
Teleconference Dial In: (669) 900-6833
Learn more in the Notice of Public Consultation or at the Space & Water Heating Clearinghouse Webpage.
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CD5 Community Shout Out
CD5 Resident Robin D. Perry, Esq., Awarded Lawyer of the Year!
Yesterday, CD5 resident and local attorney Robin D. Perry, Esq., was honored by the Long Beach Bar Association as the 2024 Lawyer of the Year at the 108th Annual Installation Dinner & Awards Ceremony. With one of the highest honors given by the Long Beach Bar Association, Mr. Perry is recognized for exemplifying leadership, professionalism, and service to the legal profession and the broader community. For more than 25 years, Mr. Perry has been a leader in his field as owner of The Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates, as a past-president of the Long Beach Bar Association as well as the Long Beach Civil Service Commission, in addition to serving other varied roles for non-profits in and around Long Beach. Not only dedicated to his professional career, Mr. Perry is committed to supporting his community wherever he can, such as when his firm simultaneously supported local restaurants and frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic with the “Bixby Together” gift card program. On behalf of CD5, congratulations on this significant achievement, and thank you for all you do!
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
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City of Long Beach Awarded $11 Million from State of California in Encampment Resolution Funding to Address Homelessness | |  |
Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability to Host Fourth Annual Family Days in Nature Event Series | | |
City Now Accepting Nominations for Second Year of Veterans Banner Program | | |
Scott Dixon, Jim Michaelian and Beverly O’Neill to be Inducted into Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. March 4, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
FULL AGENDA
2:30pm - Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee Meeting (Full Agenda)
Item 25. Recommendation to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Los Angeles Police Department to coordinate public safety efforts and maximize cooperation among law enforcement agencies to combat illegal street racing activity, for three two-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Item Details)
Item 26. Recommendation to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35198 with CJ Concrete Construction, Inc., of Santa Fe Springs, CA, and Contract No. 35199 with Bitech Construction Company, Inc., of Buena Park, CA, for providing as-needed concrete repairs and related improvements, to extend the term of the contracts to September 30, 2025. (Item Details)
Item 29. Recommendation to request City Manager, Community Development Department, and Health Department to partner with LACAHSA and LA County in developing a shallow subsidy program for vulnerable seniors and expanding the city’s First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program, include recommendations in the City’s ongoing budget development process to ensure support for these housing first strategies, and refer to the Housing and Public Health Committee for input and discussion. (Item Details)
Item 30. Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC), Chapter 16.43, to increase the fines for violations of the Airport Noise Compatibility Ordinance and to update outdated references. (Item Details)
Item 35. Recommendation to execute all documents necessary to increase appropriations and amend Contract No. 36569 with LAZ Karp Associates, LLC, a Connecticut limited liability company, for airport parking operations and management services. (Item Details)
Hearing Reminder: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 - Hearing for the Refuse, Recycling and Organics Rates under a two-step rate adjustment.
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