Earlier this week, Public Works announced the next steps for the phased rollout of the Organics (Green Cart) Collection program. The City will continue rolling out the program in phases based on your regular collection service days, as follows:

Service Day – Rollout Month:

• Monday – June 2025
• Tuesday & Wednesday – August 2025
• Thursday & Friday – October 2025

Residents will receive a mailer with a start date and a new green cart before service is set to begin. Increased rates to cover the cost of the organics collection will be charged only once service begins, no sooner than Aug. 1, 2025.

For more information, visit longbeach.gov/LBOrganics. There you can use the map tool to double check your service days and start month, find answers to FAQs, and review organics collection guidelines to help prepare for the transition.

Earlier this week, Southern California Edison (SCE) notified my office that they will be performing maintenance on communication cables located on utility poles along Clark between Carson & Conant. Work is currently scheduled for Friday, May 30th from 9:30am – 3:30pm; please be aware of any posted signage, drive carefully through construction zones, and plan your routes accordingly.

At Council this week, we heard updates from the City Manager’s Office and Health Department regarding the Council-requested updates to the City’s response to Grants Pass v. Johnson and the City’s Sidewalk Vending Ordinance, respectively. Note, these presentations and their subsequent discussions are not representative of any policy changes or actions at this time, but rather a report detailing the city’s response and efforts on each of these issues over the last 6 months.

This week I also attended meetings for the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, where we discussed the City’s 2025 legislative agenda and advocacy priorities, and the Arts, Culture, & Tourism Committee, where we discussed the funding for the Arts Council for Long Beach and the City’s Strategic Roadmap for upcoming Olympic Games. Review the included links to learn more.

Council Item 18 – Update to City’s Response to Grants Pass V. Johnson

• Item Details
• Presentation
• Video

Council Item 19 – 2nd Update on Implementation of Sidewalk Vending Ordinance

• Item Details
• Presentation
• Video

Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) Committee (Full Agenda)

• Item 2 – City’s 2025 Legislative Agenda
• Item Details
• Video

Arts, Culture, & Tourism (ACT) Committee (Full Agenda)

• Item 2 – Arts Council LB Funding
• Item Details
• Presentation
• Video
• Item 3 – Updates on Development of Strategic Roadmap for 2028 Olympic & Paralympic Games
• Item Details
• Presentation
• Video

Orange & Carson

• Expected Start Date: May 27, 2025
• Expected End Date: September 2025
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 3:30pm, with some 24/7 work
• Road Closures: North/South traffic on Orange reduced to one-single lane, East/West traffic on Carson reduced to one-single lane; please follow signs for detours 

Orange & San Antonio

• Expected Start Date: June 3, 2025
• Expected End Date: September 2025
• Hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 3:30pm, with some 24/7 work
• Road Closures: North/South traffic on Orange reduced to one-single lane, East/West traffic on San Antonio reduced to one-single lane; please follow signs for detours

Safety Tips - Traffic Collision Scam

As part of their ongoing efforts to prevent crime and keep our communities safe, the Long Beach Police Department is sharing the following information about a traffic collision scam, where suspect(s) stage a traffic accident, get the victim to pull over, and steal miscellaneous items from them.

How the Scam Works:

• The suspect tricks the victim into pulling over by claiming they were part of a traffic accident.
• The suspect’s vehicle cuts off the victim, forcing them to stop.
• The suspect requests the victim exit their vehicle to assess the supposed damage.
• While the victim is distracted, the suspect or an accomplice steals items from the victim’s vehicle, then quickly flees the area with the stolen belongings.

LBPD’s Safety Tips to Reduce Auto Scam:

• Always keep your doors locked while driving, and remove all valuables from sight.
• Remain vigilant and attentive to your surroundings.
• If another motorist requests you to pull over, assess the situation with your safety as a top priority. Consider whether it is safer to pull over to a secure location or to continue driving.
• If you feel threatened, leave the area and contact law enforcement.
• If possible, take note of the suspect vehicle’s description and license plate. If it is safe to do so, try to photograph the suspect.

For more safety tips, visit longbeach.gov/LBPDSafety. Always remember to call Police Dispatch at (562) 435-6711 to report suspicious activity or dial 911 for emergencies. 

Etch & Catch Event | June 7

The LBPD has partnered with the City of Long Beach’s Fleet Services Bureau to host “Etch & Catch – A Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Event.” This free event is open to any Long Beach resident to have their vehicle’s license plate number etched onto the catalytic converter of their vehicle. This process can assist LBPD investigations if your catalytic converter is stolen, and may also discourage criminals from stealing it. The event will be held at the Long Beach Health Dept., 2525 Grand Ave, from 8am – 1pm. Learn more about requirements and registration to participate. Please direct any questions to the LBPD Auto Theft Detail at 562.570.7362 or email LBPDAutoTheft@longbeach.gov. 

To schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code CD5 or click here. To learn more about the American Red Cross RapidPass, click here. 

Last weekend, my team and I had the pleasure of joining volunteers and staff from the Office of Sustainability at their final community tree planting event of the season at District 5’s own Carver Elementary School! The Tree Planting Team takes a pause in the summer months when it is too hot for newly planted trees to flourish. This planting season, which began last September, the Tree Planting Team planted 887 trees citywide! Thanks to all the staff and volunteers who helped make this possible, including the Conservation Corps of Long Beach for committing to help water the trees on public parkways and medians in their early stages of growth.

Since December 2022, nearly 600 trees have been planted in CD5 alone. My office has played a supporting role in some of these efforts, such as with the Tree Planting Survey we included in our newsletters a few months ago. Thanks to the residents and families who chose to participate; we appreciate your willingness to contribute to the city’s urban canopy by assisting with watering newly planted trees on residential parkways in front of your home!

Although the planting pauses for the summer months, the Office of Sustainability still accepts requests for residential parkway trees on a rolling basis as they plan and prepare for resuming planting in the fall. If you’re interested, we encourage you to review the information on the Tree Planting webpage, including the list of approved trees, the City’s policy on tree maintenance, and the Tree Maintenance Agreement Form. For questions, feel free to reach out to our office at district5@longbeach.gov or to the Office of Sustainability team at TreeRequest@longbeach.gov or (562) 570 7483.