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Weekly Updates | May 1, 2026
Happy Friday, District 5! I hope you’re as eager as I am to kick off the month of May and all it holds, from spending time and showing care for our mothers and mother-figures, to getting active and staying healthy with month-long celebrations like Bike Month and Older Americans Month. Keep reading for more info on community events this month, as well as this week’s updates regarding Election Day, the Port’s Sponsorship program, LBWIN’s Public Service Fellowship, and more.
Thank you to everyone who joined my team and I on Wednesday for our annual free Aquarium night! It was an incredible turnout and a wonderful opportunity to connect with neighbors while enjoying one of our city’s great educational and entertaining attractions.
For those looking for local activities this weekend, you can celebrate the start of May with friends and neighbors beginning tonight, May 1st, at the BKBIA’s Arte de Mayo–themed First Fridays Art Walk. Tomorrow, May 2nd, you can help support Bike Month and sustainable reuse by donating gently used bicycles that may be taking up space in your home or garage at any one of four locations across the city from 9am to noon during the Recycle Your Bicycle Event. Both today and tomorrow, you can also peruse deals in the South of Conant Neighborhood at the annual Neighborhood Yard Sale taking place on May 1st & 2nd between Clark to Charlemagne and Spring to Wardlow. Lastly, I encourage neighbors to support local performing arts students at LBCC by attending the Spring Dance Ensemble in Concert, showing tonight at 7pm or tomorrow at both 1pm and 7pm.
As we plan for next week, I encourage any history buffs or park enthusiasts to join the BKBIA at Bixby Knolls National Park on Thursday, May 7th at 10am, for a celebration honoring the anniversary of President Teddy Roosevelt’s first visit to California in 1903, often said to have inspired his creation of the US National Park Service. The celebration at the pocket park (fittingly located on the corner of Roosevelt Rd. & Long Beach Blvd.) will be attended by special guests including a Roosevelt impersonator and Chris Epting, author of Theodore Roosevelt in California: The Presidential Adventure That Saved the Wilderness. We hope to see you there!
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. 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.
Continuing the work,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Office of the City Clerk
Vote by Mail Ballots & Drop Box Info for June 2 Election Day
The LA Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk began the distribution of mailing Vote by Mail ballots on April 30th for the June 2nd Primary Nominating Election. All registered voters in LA County will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot which may be returned at any Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box, in person at any Vote Center in LA County, or by mail (no postage required).
As you may know, I am running for reelection to continue serving as your 5th District Councilwoman. It is an honor and a privilege to serve this community. I am proud of the work my team and I have been able to accomplish, from expanding green space, promoting widespread access to information and Library resources, finding ways to support small business growth, and ensuring our public safety departments have the resources they need. There is still much to do as the economic landscape continues to shift. There are many important issues facing our country, state, and at the local level and we encourage everyone to vote.
Long Beach voters have 24-hour access to drop boxes at more than 400 participating locations across Los Angeles County, including 20 drop box locations throughout Long Beach, five of which are located within District 5 or nearby in neighboring Districts:
Within CD5:
- Dana Neighborhood Library (3680 Atlantic Ave.)
- Heartwell Park Community Center (5801 Parkcrest St.)
- Wardlow Park (3457 Stanbridge Ave.)
Nearby in Neighboring Districts:
- El Dorado Park West Community Center (2800 N. Studebaker Rd.)
- Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd.)
Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Boxes will remain open until 8pm on Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. All voters may track their ballots at california.ballottrax.net/voter. Find more information (including a list of all LA County 24-hr Ballot Drop Boxes), request a ballot in a different language, or check your registration status at lavote.gov. As a reminder, you can still register to vote or update your information until May 18. In person voting centers will open as early as May 23.
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine Dept.
Tree Trimming at Rosie the Riveter Park | May 4
This week the Parks, Recreation, and Marine (PRM) Dept. informed us that tree trimming is scheduled for Rosie the Riveter Park on Monday, May 4th. A nesting survey will be conducted prior to any work taking place, and a banner has been posted at the site. Please be mindful of ongoing work if you visit the park or the area!
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District 5 Office
Next CD5 Meeting | March 28
Save the date! Our next District 5 Community Meeting is being held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 6pm at St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (5633 Wardlow Rd, 90808). Please note the change in meeting location, as the Wardlow Park Community Center will be used as a Voting Center for the upcoming elections on June 2nd. Keep an eye out for more information on guest speakers and discussion topics in future newsletters as the date approaches.
While not required, we ask that you please RSVP to help us prepare adequate seating. We hope to see you there!
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City of Long Beach
Gear Up for Bike Month in Long Beach!
The City of Long Beach is celebrating National Bike Month this May with bike-friendly events for all ages. As more riders hit the road—from e-bikes to pedal bikes—the City encourages everyone to be seen, be safe, and bike on by learning the rules of the road.
A highlight of this year’s celebration is E-bike Demo Day on Saturday, May 30, from 10am to 1pm at the La Verne Parking Lot (5200 E. Ocean Blvd). Attendees can test-ride e-bikes, get helmet fittings, and practice loading bikes onto a Long Beach Transit bus rack. Booths hosted by the Public Works, Health and Human Services and Police Departments and partner organizations will be on-site, along with free bike valet, onsite-bike safety checks and fun giveaways. Riders of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend. Visit longbeach.gov/bikemonth for the full schedule and to join the fun!
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine Dept.
May is Older Americans Month
The Parks, Recreation, and Marine (PRM) Department is celebrating Older Americans Month this May with a variety of free programming and events for adults aged 50 and over, to celebrate the contributions of older adults and reaffirm our commitment to uplifting these communities through inclusive and impactful programs and services.
This year’s signature events include the return of the Older Americans Blooming Talent Show, where adults can showcase their unique talents and shine onstage; the Silverado Senior Carnival Extravaganza featuring carnival games, a live DJ and magic show, line dancing, and delicious food; and a brand new field trip excursion to the Los Angeles County Fair. Additional activities include a sound bath and nature walk, the Sustainable Independence Resource Fair, pickleball tournament, movie night and more.
Details for the complete list of events are available on the Older Adults Program webpage at lbcity.info/seniorprograms. While events are for adults ages 50 and above, community members may attend the pickleball tournament and talent show.
Additionally, older adults are always welcome to join regular programming at our local senior centers, including at the Expo Arts Center here in the Fifth District! Call (562) 570-1618 for a copy of the monthly calendar.
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Port of Long Beach
Sponsorship Call | Open May 1 - May 29
The Port of Long Beach invites local nonprofit organizations to apply for their Community Sponsorship Program, which funds community events and activities that help inform residents about the Port and are centered around the arts, environment, education, social justice, and/or historic preservation. The Port accepts sponsorship applications three times a year, in January, May, and September. For the previous call in January, Harbor Commissioners awarded a record 364 community sponsorships totaling in $1,174,900.
Community groups may submit sponsorship applications online from Friday, May 1st through 5pm on Friday, May 29th. Note, events in this sponsorship call must take place after Aug. 1st. For more information on the Community Sponsorship Program and how to apply, visit polb.com/sponsorships.
The Port will also be offering drop-in office hours for community nonprofit organizations during the month of May. These informal sessions offer an opportunity to connect one-on-one with Port staff and get answers to your questions about the Sponsorship Program while the May call is open. Drop in for office hours from 8am - 4pm on Wednesdays May 6th, May 13th, or May 20th. All office hours will take place in the Port of Long Beach Administration Building Lobby (415 W. Ocean Blvd, 90802), and parking is available at the Civic Center Parking Garage (332 W Broadway).
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Health & Human Services
Veterans Banner Program | Nominations Close May 15
The City is once again collecting nominations for the third year of the Veterans Banner Program, where we veterans are honored with individual banners displayed at locations across Long Beach. This year, up to 65 veterans will be selected. The Health Dept’s Office of Veterans Support, in partnership with the Long Beach Veterans Commission, will oversee the selection of banners to be displayed throughout the city for one year, beginning in Summer 2026.
To nominate a veteran, use the Veterans Banner Program Nomination Form. The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026. Learn more in the recent press release or on the program webpage.
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Economic Development & Opportunity Dept.
Accepting Applications for Public Service Fellowship 4th Cohort Now - June 9
The Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) Dept. invites community members aged 18 – 30 to apply for the fourth cohort of the Long Beach Public Service Corps Program (LBPSC), a civic service initiative designed to build a pipeline of diverse, local talent committed to serving their communities. Through immersive placements in City departments (including legislative teams like our CD5 Office!), fellows contribute to real projects that advance Long Beach’s priorities while gaining meaningful experience in public service. Applications are available online now through Tuesday, June 9, 2026. Learn more about the program in the recent press release or at longbeach.gov/psc.
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Denim Day 2026
Thanks to YWCA, LBPD, CD8, and Partners for the Inaugural Denim Day Rally!
Earlier this week, we hosted Long Beach’s inaugural Denim Day Rally in partnership with Councilwoman Thrash-Ntuk and the YWCA, whose new Survivor Empowerment Services office is located here in District 5. It is incredibly important for us to continue to raise awareness of the value of consent and healthy relationships, to dispel misconceptions around sexual violence, and to show survivors we believe and support them. Thanks to all who helped make this inaugural event possible, and for the ongoing work being done by organizations across our city to support survivors and bring an end to all forms of sexual violence.
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Community Shout Out
Congrats to 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year, Brian Kim!
Earlier this week, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce recognized the 2026 City National Bank Entrepreneur of the Year. Join me in congratulating winner Brian Kim, Chief Engineer & CEO of Turbo Air, located here in District 5! Turbo Air started out in 1977 as an “underdog” in the commercial refrigeration and food storage scene and has since risen to become a top player in the industry with high profile clients across the world. This year, Brian Kim is recognized for his community-based approach in bringing his “Success for Service” philosophy to life through academic scholarship programs, community grants to support local events and families in crisis, and a service award program that honors and supports others who make it their mission to help the marginalized or in need. Congratulations to Mr. Kim and the entire Turbo Air team! We are proud to have you in District 5. Keep up the great work!
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| Long Beach Pride Parade 2026 | We have Pride in District 5! My team and I are gearing up for another great year celebrating our diverse LGBTQ+ community at the 2026 Long Beach Pride Parade! We have plenty of room for friends and neighbors to celebrate with us on or alongside our float. Would you like to join us? | | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. May 5, 2026, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
FULL AGENDA
Presentation: Small Business Week - Legacy and Green Business Recognition (Details)
Item 15 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the Annual Report for October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, for the Long Beach Tourism Business Improvement Area, declaring its intention to levy the annual assessment, and setting the date of hearing for May 19, 2026. (Item Details)
Item 16 Recommendation to authorize City Manager to deposit an additional $405,500, in proceeds from sales of former-Redevelopment Agency properties into the Grow America Fund, Inc., enabling the City to continue to make SBA 7(a) loans to eligible businesses. (Item Details)
Item 24 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $50,430, for the 2026 Dodgers Dreamteam Program, including the acceptance of funding for park maintenance, umpire fees, in-kind contributions, and one Dodgers Dreamteam Coordinator for youth baseball and softball for the 2026 summer season; and Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department by $50,430, offset by grant revenue. (Item Details)
Item 29 Recommendation to request City Council take an official position in support of Measure ER, the Essential Healthcare Restoration Act for Los Angeles County. (Item Details)
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