Weekly Updates | July 25, 2025 | | |
Happy Friday, District 5! As the summer continues to fly by, I hope you're making time for all the great community events our city and our district have to offer! In this week's news, the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Cycle has officially kicked off, as Mayor Richardson and City Manager Modica unveiled the proposed FY26 Budget at a press conference yesterday morning. Additionally, Public Works informed us that two major infrastructure projects are scheduled to begin construction in CD5 this September: Carson St, from Orange Ave to the city limit east of Cherry Ave, and Clark Ave. from Spring St to Conant St. Keep reading to learn more about these and other citywide and CD5 updates.
As you may have heard, Vans Warped Tour is back in Long Beach for its 30th anniversary! The two-day festival will take place on Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at the Marina Green on Shoreline Dr.; be sure to plan accordingly for potential traffic and parking impacts if you are planning to head downtown or to our local waterfront this weekend. The festival weekend also brings an opportunity to give back by volunteering to assist with the Vans Warped Tour Food Drive. Learn more about how you can get involved below.
If you’re looking to stick around in CD5 this weekend, consider attending local events, such as any one of three pop-up markets at LBX: you can start at the 4th Fridays Night Market from 5 - 9pm tonight, July 25th; head back out tomorrow, July 26th, from 12 - 6pm for the "Back to the 2000s" themed market; and finish off the weekend on Sunday the 27th for the "Summer Safari" from 11am - 7pm. Each day will feature vendors, family-friendly activities, photo ops, and more. Additionally, on Saturday, July 26th from 4 – 9pm, you can spend time at the next Ambitious Records Fair to shop for records, enjoy live vinyl DJ sets, and support local business. Learn more in the flyers below.
As we near the end of July, I’d like to remind you that next week is the final week of the Long Beach Municipal Band’s 2025 Summer Concert Series. But don’t fret, there are still plenty of additional free community events throughout the month of August, including the Long Beach Community Band’s performances prior to PRM’s Movies in the Parks on August 1st at Cherry Park & August 15th at Wardlow Park; the next BKBIA Concert in the Park(ing Lot) in combination with First Fridays on Friday, August 1st; the Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association’s community concerts at Los Cerritos Park on August 6th & 13th; the Discover LBCC Concert hosted in partnership with my office on August 15th; and the Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association’s community concert at Pan Am Park on August 23rd. Other notable August events include the District 5 Community Day on the Queen Mary on Monday, August 4th, and our next CD5 Community Meeting, featuring Long Beach Utilities, at Wardlow Park on Thursday, August 21st.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the first FY26 Budget Oversight Committee meeting will be held next Tuesday, July 29, 2025—visit longbeach.gov/budget or see below to learn more. The next City Council meeting will be held the following week, Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The agenda and a list of items of interest will be included in a future newsletter.
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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Public Works Department
Carson St Complete Street Project
The City is moving forward with the Carson St. Complete Street Project, an initiative to modernize infrastructure and improve safety from Orange Avenue to the eastern city boundary with Lakewood, making Carson Street safer, smoother, and more accessible for people walking, biking, driving, and riding transit.
Guided by the City’s Safe Streets Long Beach initiative and Pavement Management Plan, and shaped by the Complete Streets model, the project will deliver key upgrades including street resurfacing, new Class II Striped Bikeways, ADA-compliant sidewalk and curb ramp improvements, and upgraded bus stops, and additional safety features, such as new high-visibility crosswalks and refuge islands. Construction is planned to begin September 2025 with expected completion in early 2026.
Visit the project webpage at lbcity.info/carsonstreetproject to learn more.
Clark Ave Complete Street Project: Phase I
The City is launching the Clark Ave. Complete Street Project: Phase I, a major step in transforming Clark Ave into a safer, more accessible, and connected north-south corridor. This first phase, from Spring St. to Conant St., will modernize infrastructure, improve safety, and enhance access for everyone traveling by foot, bike, car, or transit.
Guided by the City’s Safe Streets Long Beach initiative and Pavement Management Plan, Phase I will include full roadway resurfacing, new Class IV protected bike lanes, ADA-compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, high-visibility crosswalks and signage, and upgraded transit amenities. This phase of construction is expected to begin in September 2025 with expected completion by early 2026. Future phases will extend these upgrades north to the city boundary (Del Amo. Blvd.) and south to Anaheim St.
Visit the project webpage at lbcity.info/clarkaveproject1 to learn more.
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Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Cycle
FY26 Budget Cycle - Schedule of Hearings/Meetings
Yesterday, July 24, 2025, Mayor Richardson released the Proposed FY26 Budget, which will be formally presented to the City Council by the City Manager at a budget hearing on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at or after 3pm, along with a presentation of the FY26 Capital Improvement Plan.
The first Budget Oversight Committee meeting will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and committee meetings and hearings will continue throughout the month of August until the Budget Adoption Hearing on Sept. 9, 2025, at 5pm.
Members of the community are invited to engage in the budget process by attending a community meeting this August, to learn what is included in the Proposed FY26 Budget, how input from community meetings in January and February was used to inform the Budget, and how the public can continue to participate in the budget process. There will be 5 in-person meetings, one of which will be in CD5, and one virtual meeting (see below); the full schedule and details can be found at longbeach.gov/FY26
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Thursday, August 7 | Virtual/Zoom | 6pm – 7:30pm
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Saturday, August 16 | Wardlow Park Community Center (3457 Stanbridge Ave) | 10am – 11:30am
Additionally, Digital Comment Cards can be submitted online, as another opportunity for community feedback on the proposed budget. All responses are anonymous and will be tabulated and provided to the City Council as a part of the FY 26 Budget process in August. This survey will close at the end of the day on Thurs., August 21.
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Free CD5 Community Day on the Queen Mary
It’s time for the annual District 5 Community Day on the Queen Mary! Thanks to the Economic Development Department, our office has partnered with the Queen Mary to provide free admission aboard the historic vessel for District 5 residents on Monday, August 4th from 5pm – 8pm! Spaces are limited, so be sure to reserve your space through the link or QR code today! Discounted parking will be available with validation, and RSVPs will be handled by the Queen Mary. Check out a brief list of FAQs, or feel free to call or email our office if you have any questions.
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CD5 Community Meeting | August 21
Join us at the next CD5 Community Meeting, being held at the Wardlow Park Community Center on Thursday, August 21 at 6pm.
This time, we will be joined by team members from Long Beach Utilities, to talk about the services, programs, and resources offered by LBU and to answer community questions. We hope to see you there!
If you plan to join us, we encourage you to optionally RSVP to help us prepare the space.
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine Department
PRM Director Brent Dennis Announces Retirement
Earlier this week, the City of Long Beach announced the retirement of our Department of Park, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) Director Brent Dennis, who has served in this role since July 2020. Director Dennis began his 47-year career in public service as an entry-level landscape architect, followed by several decades-long leadership roles in parks and rec and community services spanning multiple cities and states.
In his time as Director, Brent was a champion of park beautification, improvement, and activation. Since we have taken office in Dec. 2022, Director Dennis has helped support District 5 parks with new trees planted at Wardlow, Somerset, Cherry, and Heartwell Parks, while also addressing ongoing concerns at Cherry Park, supporting Little Leagues at Heartwell Park, supporting Willow Springs Park’s official designation as park space in perpetuity, and so much more. Director Dennis and his passion for parks and community will certainly be missed here in Long Beach, but I hope you will join me in congratulating him on his amazing career, and wishing him well in all future endeavors. Thank you and congratulations, Brent!
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Volunteer Center & Vans Warped Tour
Warped Tour Food Drive - Call for Volunteers!
As Vans Warped Tour returns to Long Beach this weekend, the Volunteer Center has been selected as the local charity recipient for the Vans Warped Tour Food Drive, during which festival attendees can donate canned food in exchange for “skip-the-line” wristbands to use throughout the event.
The Volunteer Center is expecting to receive over 60,000 lbs. of food donations after the sold-out event, and they are calling for volunteers to help sort and process food donations at their Lakewood warehouse from July 28 – 31, as well as seeking support for collection shifts during the event on July 26 & 27. Interested in helping out? Sign up for a shift today! Your time and energy will directly assist getting food into the hands of children and families served through the Volunteer Center’s Food for Kids program across Long Beach, Harbor, and Torrance. For questions, contact programs@volcenter.org.
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City of Long Beach
Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors Fund
In a press conference last week, Mayor Richardson announced the launch of a new initiative, Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors, an emergency fund to support Long Beach residents directly impacted by recent immigration enforcement actions. The fund, established in partnership with the California Community Foundation, will provide vital relief including rental assistance, food distribution, income replacement, and legal support for immigrant families facing hardship. The fund is currently nearly hallway to the initial goal of $250,000 – if you’d like to contribute to support neighbors in need, visit pledge.to/lbneighbors or text LBNEIGHBORS to 707070.
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Community Development Department
Zone In Bixby - 30 Day Review Period
Provide your feedback on the Zone In Bixby project! Use this Microsoft Form to share your feedback directly with the Community Development Department’s project team, before the 30-day review period ends on Monday, August 18th. After the review period closes, the final proposed zoning map and ordinance will be scheduled for a Planning Commission hearing this fall, and subsequently a final City Council adoption hearing later in the year. Information and resources including recent community meeting event boards and an interactive webmap outlining the proposed zoning changes and new district boundaries can be found at the Zone In project website.
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Immigration - 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.
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, and our recent decision to join the ACLU lawsuit, we remain committed to working alongside community organizations to ensure 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.
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LBRA "Navigating Immigration Law" Workshop for Businesses
The Long Beach Restaurant Association, with support from other hospitality organizations listed on the flyer, are hosting a workshop for local Long Beach business owners and general managers to help educate businesses on what to do in the event that federal immigration enforcement activities take place at or near their business establishment.
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RFP - Long Beach Justice Fund Legal Services
The City of Long Beach's Office of Equity has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for contract opportunities for legal service providers through the Long Beach Justice Fund. They are seeking proposals from qualified legal service providers to assist low-income immigrant community members with representative and advocacy in navigating removal defense, affirmative applications, and appellate processes, as part of the Long Beach Justice Fund. Interested parties are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, August 12 at 11am. For more information on the bid solicitation process, please contact RFPPurchasing@longbeach.gov.
| | | | Summer 2025 - Free Events in & near CD5 | | |
LBPD Park Activations
This summer, LBPD is organizing a calendar of Park Activations throughout the city! Park Activations are family friendly events hosted at Long Beach Parks designed to strengthen relationships between members of the community and the Long Beach Police Department.
Join LBPD in the Park at one of these upcoming events, where you can meet your local Commander and officers in your neighborhood while enjoying a fun, family-friendly day at the park! Visit longbeach.gov/police/events to find upcoming events with North & East Divisions in and near CD5.
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East Division
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Monday, July 28 - Friday, Aug. 1 @ Pan American Park, 10am - 2pm
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Saturday, Aug. 9 @ El Dorado Park, 8am - 4pm
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Monday, Aug. 11 - Friday, Aug. 15 @ Orizaba Park, 10am - 2pm
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Saturday, Aug. 16 @ Recreation Park, 10am - 2pm
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Saturday, Aug. 23 @ Rose Park, 10am - 2pm
North Division
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Saturday, Aug. 16 @ Houghton Park, 11am - 2pm
Not sure what Division you’re in? Check this map to find out!
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) - Long Beach Municipal Band Concerts in the Parks
This summer, the Long Beach Municipal Band has been celebrating their 116th season of free outdoor concerts in Long Beach parks. Next week is the final week of the 2025 season – be sure to catch a performance if you haven’t already! Concerts begin at 6:30pm.
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Final Wednesday @ Los Cerritos Park - July 30
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Final Friday @ El Dorado Park West - August 1
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PRM - Movies in the Parks & Long Beach Community Band
Sponsored by Signal Hill Petroleum and Partners of Parks, Movies in the Park will offer free, family-friendly movies at various parks throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill through August 22. Movies begin at dusk, Residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic-style dinners, and their family and friends! Check out the full lineup or see below for locations in and near CD5!
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Friday, July 25 @ El Dorado Park West – Sonic 3
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Wednesday, July 30 @ Scherer Park – Snow White (2025)
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Friday, August 1 @ Cherry Park – Snow White (2025)
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Friday, August 8 @ El Dorado Park Archery Range – Minecraft
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Friday, August 15 @ Wardlow Park – Wicked
Be sure to catch the Long Beach Community Band as they perform concerts in the parks before the Movies at Cherry Park on August 1st and Wardlow Park on August 15th!
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BKBIA - Concerts in the Park(ing Lot)
The BKBIA’s Concert in the Park(ing Lot) series is back! Grab takeout from a local restaurant and gather and groove with neighbors at the free, family-friendly community concerts all throughout the summer. Learn more at bixbyknollsinfo.com/concerts.
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Friday, August 1 – Beatles ’65 Tribute by MOVE @ Bixby Joe Lot (4245 Atlantic Ave) – 7:30pm
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Monday, August 11 – Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra @ Howard CDM Lot (3737 Long Beach Blvd) – 6:30pm
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Los Cerritos Neighborhood Association - Concerts in the Park
The tradition continues! The Los Cerrritos Neighborhood Association is once again hosting two free Community Concerts in the Parks this August! Join in to enjoy the summer evenings with family, friends, and neighbors at these community-led events. Concerts start at 6pm at Los Cerritos Park.
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Wednesday, August 6 - featuring "The Emperors" performing Classic Rocks tunes
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Wednesday, August 13 - featuring "Groove Time" playing Motown and R&B Hits
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Discover LBCC - Free Community Concert
For the 3rd year in a row, my office has partnered with Long Beach City College to bring you the free Discover LBCC Summer Concert this August! Spend the evening enjoying the beautiful LBCC campus with neighbors, featuring food trucks, a beer garden, and the musical stylings of Knight Ryder!
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Friday, August 15 @ LBCC Front Lawn (4901 E Carson St) from 5 – 8pm
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Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association Summer Concert
The Lakewood Village Neighborhood Association (LVNA) will once again be holding their annual Summer Concert at Pan American Park! Enjoy the summer evening and music with neighbors in this community-led event!
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Saturday, August 23 @ Pan American Park from 4 – 7pm
| | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. August 5, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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