Weekly Updates | October 10, 2025 | | |
Happy Friday, District 5! It’s always a good idea to plan and prepare for any emergency that may arise. This Sunday, Oct. 12th, is the perfect opportunity as we welcome the return of the biennial READY Long Beach. This is a free community preparedness expo taking place from 9am – 2pm at LBCC’s Vets Stadium. Keep reading for more information, as well as updates regarding the Automated Speed Enforcement pilot, voting centers and ballot drop boxes, ongoing Utility work, the Long Beach Baseball Club, and more!
On Tuesday afternoon, my colleagues and I on the Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee heard a presentation from Public Works’ Traffic Engineering team regarding the draft Use Policy and draft Impact Report of the automated speed safety systems pilot program. See below for more information.
This weekend, Arts Month continues strong with tons of ways to celebrate in CD5! Tonight, Oct. 10th, you have two performing arts options to choose from: you can support the Long Beach Shakespeare Company on opening night of their unique radio-style stage production of “Arsenic & Old Lace,” starting at 7pm; or you can support student musicians as LBCC’s Wind Ensemble, Big Band, and Symphony Orchestra come together to perform “Revenge of Jabandestra!” at 7pm at the Liberal Arts Campus. Tomorrow, Oct. 11th, you can flex your own creative muscles by joining in family-friendly activities at the Parkview Village Second Saturdays Halloween Block Party, complete with a costume contest, spooky karaoke, and opportunities to support local business. Then on Sunday, Oct. 12th, you have another chance to support local performing arts students, as LBCC’s Viking Singers and Viking Chorale will perform The Voices of Rock: A Choral Rock Concert at 2pm in the Bob & Barbara Ellis Auditorium at 2pm. That same afternoon, you can also choose to experience art in nature with the next Willow Springs Park Experience, “Violins in the Park,” beginning at 3pm.
Find more events and opportunities for engagement in the coming weeks, such as my office’s next CD5 Community Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23rd at the Expo Arts Center. This time we will be joined by members of the LBPD and the 9-1-1 Dispatch team, as they will share about their work and answer community questions. Other notable events this month include the annual Historical Cemetery Tour at the Sunnyside & Municipal Cemeteries and LGB’s Festival of Flight, both on Saturday, Oct. 25th; and the CROP Hunger Walk on Sunday, Oct. 26th. Check out the flyers and info blocks below to learn more!
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, 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.
Working together,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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District 5 Office
CD5 Community Meeting | Oct 23
Join us at the next CD5 Community Meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23rd, at 6pm at the Expo Arts Center (4321 Atlantic Ave). We will be joined by members of the LBPD and the 9-1-1 Dispatch team!
While not required, we ask that those who plan to attend please RSVP to help us prepare adequate seating. We hope to see you there!
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Dept of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Communications
READY Long Beach | Oct 12
On Sunday, Oct. 12, the Long Beach Fire Department, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and the Department of Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Communications will host the READY Long Beach Community Preparedness Expo from 9am – 2pm at Vets Stadium. Community members are invited to attend this free event to learn about how to prepare for natural disasters or other emergencies.
More than a dozen City departments and various disaster response agencies will participate in the event featuring information booths, emergency prep demonstrations, emergency food and supplies for purchase, emergency response vehicles, and a kids’ fun zone. Join to learn valuable info about gathering and storing emergency supplies and essential survival tools; taking action to increase preparedness; building a family evacuation and response plan; engaging neighbors in disaster planning; recognizing and minimizing hazards at home, work, and school; accessing training and volunteer opportunities; and more! Learn more in the recent press release.
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Mobility, Ports, & Infrastructure Committee
Speed Safety Systems Pilot Program | Submit Comments by Nov. 7
On Tuesday, Oct. 7th, my colleagues and I on the MPI Committee heard a presentation from Public Works regarding the City’s next steps towards implementing the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems Pilot Program in Long Beach. As required by AB645, the draft Speed Safety System Use Policy and the draft Speed Safety System Impact Report have been developed are available for public review. Outlined within these reports are details regarding the programs policies and rules, the way systems will capture and retain data related to issuing citations, the factors weighed in deciding the recommended locations, and more.
Community members are invited to provide feedback on this important safety program. The 30-day public comment period opened on the day of the MPI Meeting, and will remain open until 5pm on Friday, November 7, 2025. Revisions, if any, will be incorporated into final versions of the reports, which will be presented to the Council for adoption by the end of the year.
Learn more about the program and the ongoing plans for implementation at the dedicated webpage, where you can find the draft reports along with additional background, a map of proposed locations, FAQs, and a submission form to provide public comment.
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Long Beach Utilities Department
Ongoing Work at Carson & Orange
As those living and driving in the area may have noticed, Utility work is underway at the intersection of Carson St & Orange Ave. The Long Beach Utility Department (LBUD) and contracted crews are working to replace large valve equipment which will help improve the flow of water distribution and to improve the Utilities underground pipeline infrastructure.
Work is anticipated to continue through October 30th, barring inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. At least one lane of traffic in each direction on both Orange and Carson will remain open at all ties, and additional lanes may be provided in one or more directions as conditions allow. Please observe all posted signage, plan your routes accordingly, and as always, use caution when driving in active construction zones. For more information on LBUD’s planned infrastructure improvements, visit LBUtiilies.org.
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Long Beach Public Library
Dana Branch Roof Repair Starting Soon
Critical roof repair at the Dana Branch Library is expected to begin at the end of this month. Last year, the library closed due to the leaky roof during the rainy season, and my office helped push to find the funds necessary to repair the roof and keep our local branch open.
Throughout construction, the library plans to maintain normal operating hours, and signage will be posted to alert community members of the construction. Barring any weather delays, the work is anticipated to be complete by the end of the year.
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Public Works Department
Clark Complete Streets - Phase 1
Those living and driving near Clark Ave may have noticed ongoing construction activity as the Clark Ave Complete Streets project: Phase 1 continues. Currently, crews are working to repair curbs and remove damaging tree roots. Be aware of lane closures and as always, use caution when driving around active construction zones.
Learn more about the project and the improvements coming to the entire Clark corridor at lbcity.info/clarkaveproject1.
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Long Beach Airport
T-38 Military Aircraft Operations Oct 10 - 11
The Long Beach Airport informed us this afternoon of upcoming T-38 military operations. There will be a total of 10 aircraft performing operations, arriving, staggered, in the evening/early night of Friday, Oct. 10,. 2025. All aircraft are expected to leave in the morning of Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Times are approximate and subject to change. As a reminder, military aircraft are exempt from Long Beach's Noise Compatibility Ordinance; however, the military has demonstrated a desire to assist LGB in being a good neighbor and has been responsive to community concerns. The aircraft will use noise abatement procedures including modified arrival and departure profiles and minimum use of afterburners when operating in the vicinity of Long Beach.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Airport Noise and Capacity Management Office at 562-570-2635 or LGBNoise@longbeach.gov. Visit the Noise Office webpage to sign up for direct alerts from LGB.
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Office of City Clerk
Voting Centers & Ballot Drop Boxes for Statewide Special Election
This week official locations and timelines were posted regarding local voting centers and ballot drop box locations for the Statewide Special Election occurring on November 4, 2025. Learn more in the graphics or on our City Clerk’s webpage.
Highlighted below are locations in District 5:
Vote Centers Open 11 Days
OCT 25 – NOV 3: 10am – 7pm
NOV 4: 7am – 8pm
- Heartwell Park Community Center Activity Room | 5801 Parkcrest St, 90808
Vote By Mail Drop Boxes
OCT 2: Voting Begins
NOV 4: Ballots must be received by 8pm
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Dana Neighborhood Library | 3680 Atlantic Ave, 90807
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Heartwell Park Community Center | 5801 Parkcrest St, 90808
- Wardlow Park Community Center | 3457 Stanbridge Ave, 90808
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Historical Society of Long Beach
29th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour | FREE TICKETS
The return of the annual Historical Cemetery Tour is almost here! On Saturday, Oct. 25th, join the Historical Society of Long Beach at the annual all-ages event featuring graveside performances portraying the lives of those at rest in our local Sunnyside & Municipal Cemeteries. Learn about figures who shaped our city’s past, or see a snapshot into everyday life in a simpler time; everyone has a story to share.
My office has a limited number of FREE tickets to this year’s tour! Send us an email with your interest and party size (no more than 4 per party) to get your tickets while supplies last!
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Public Works
Organics Collection Reminders & Tips
Public Works thanks you for your continued patience throughout the implementation of the new Residential Organics Collection service. Change never comes without challenges, but Public Works is working diligently to onboard more trucks, drivers, and call center staff to better serve our neighborhoods. In the meantime, please keep the following in mind:
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Bin Exchanges: While residents cannot “opt out” of this State-mandated service, the City is offering bins in 3 sizes (95-gallon, 65-gallon, or 35-gallon) to help residents find the right size for their household, which can help reduce spills, contaminations, and costs. For more details on how to request a different bin size, in addition to guidelines and tips on separating your organics, visit longbeach.gov/LBOrganics or call 562-570-2876.
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Note: The City is currently experiencing shortages of 35-gallon trash and all organics carts due to high demand. Cart exchanges are scheduled to resume the week of November 3rd. Learn more on the Organics FAQ page.
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New Routes & Pickup Times: Truck routes are being optimized and pickup windows may vary from what you are used to. Please set your bins out by 6am on your collection day to avoid service interruptions.
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Missed Pickups: Please allow the full day (6am-6pm) for collection to occur; the crew may still be on the way. If your bins have still not been serviced after 6pm on your collection day, please complete the form online. Leave the bin in its service area (curb or alley) and collection should occur the following day.
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Contamination & Inaccessible Bins Protocol: When drivers observe contamination or an area is not accessible, they will place a tag on the bin to inform residents of the reason for the missed service. This process is intended to improve communications and prevent future interruptions in service. Crews will still be working to return and service the bins as soon as possible.
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Long Beach Police Department
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month
October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) reminds drivers to always take extra precautions to help protect pedestrians.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares that in 2023, on average, a pedestrian was killed every 72 minutes, and one was injured every 8, in traffic crashes. Vehicle speed impacts people walking, who do not have the same protections as drivers and passengers. Increasing your speed by just 15mph, say from 20 to 35mph, significantly increases the likelihood that a pedestrian would be killed if struck by a vehicle.
To promote the safety of people walking, LBPD will conduct traffic safety operations focused on the most dangerous driving behaviors that put the safety of pedestrians at risk. These violations include speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield, and running stop signs or signals. Please see LBPD’s driving tips to keep everyone safe:
- Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, around schools, and in neighborhoods where children are present.
- Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions.
- Drive sober.
- Always stop for people in crosswalks and avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
- Avoid distractions such as texting or eating while driving. Keep your focus on the road.
Find more safety tips, information, and resources for pedestrians and drivers alike at nhtsa.gov.
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Long Beach Baseball Club
Help Name the Team! First Round of Voting Closes Oct 15
After receiving more than 1300 submissions from across the city and beyond, the Long Beach Baseball Club wants your help in deciding the new professional team’s name! Cast your vote for your favorite of the 6 semi-finalists—Cruisers, Coast, Groove, Grit, Parrots, or Regulators—by Wednesday, October 15th! Community members can vote online or in-person at select Long Beach locations, including CD5’s Steelcraft Long Beach and the Long Beach Airport.
After the voting period closes, the Long Beach Baseball Club will thoroughly review to determine a list of three finalists for another round of community voting later this month, with the official team name announcement anticipated for January 2026.
| | | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. October 14, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
FULL AGENDA
Item 2 Recommendation to provide a contribution to the Historical Society of Long Beach to support their 29th Annual Historical Cemetery Tour; to Bixby Knolls Community Foundation to support the 2025 Cal Heights Tree Lighting event;
to The Office of Special Events and Filming to support the 4th Annual City of Long Beach Filipino American History Month Celebration; to The LGBTQ, Center Long Beach to support their 32nd Annual Long Beach QFilm Festival. (Item Details)
Item 6 Recommendation to amend Contract No. 36689 with California State University, Long Beach Research Foundation, of Long Beach, CA, for providing research and evaluation of the Long Beach Pledge Guaranteed Income Pilot Program to extend the term of the contract to December 31, 2026. (Item Details)
Item 10 Recommendation to execute any and all necessary documents, including agreements and amendments with authorized fuel providers at the Long Beach Airport, to extend the Unleaded Aviation Fuel Subsidy Program for two years through December 31, 2027; and Authorize an extension of the Supplemental Type Certificate Reimbursement Incentive Program at Long Beach Airport for two years through December 31, 2027. (Item Details)
Item 16 Recommendation to request City Manager to engage with the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board during the upcoming rulemaking process for the renewed Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges of Trash from Nonpoint Sources to advance requirements that eliminate trash from entering the Los Angeles River and ultimately Long Beach’s waters; and Request City Manager to deepen multi-jurisdictional collaborations and partnerships, and explore funding opportunities, public education and accountability measures, and legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies to improve the coordination, evaluation, enforcement, and effectiveness of regional watershed debris mitigation efforts along the Los Angeles River to meaningfully reduce impacts on Long Beach. (Item Details)
Item 20 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving a Letter of Agreement to the 2022-2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Police Officers Association (POA) to extend the deadline of the City of Long Beach, Police Department’s Recruitment and Retention Incentives to December 31, 2025. (Item Details)
Item 21 Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFQ AP-25-567 and award contracts to AECOM Technical Services Inc., of Los Angeles, CA; HDR Engineering Inc., of Omaha, NE; PGAL Inc., of Houston, TX; and RS&H California Inc., of San Francisco, CA, for providing as-needed architectural and engineering planning/design services for various projects at Long Beach Airport. (Item Details)
Item 22 Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-7263 and award a contract to PCL Construction Services, Inc., of Denver, CO, for the Passenger Concourse Enhancements Project at the Long Beach Airport. (Item Details)
Item 23 Recommendation to execute any and all documents necessary to amend Amended and Restated Lease No. 37418 with JetZero, Inc., a Delaware corporation, for City-owned property at 4150 Donald Douglas Drive at the Long Beach Airport, to extend the Ground Lease term through March 13, 2059, with one option to renew for an additional five-year period. (Item Details)
Item 25 Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department, offset by Federal Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) Funds and Federal Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending (CPFCDS) Funds from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) (STPL-5108(206)). (Item Details)
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