Weekly Updates | October 31, 2025 | | |
Happy Halloween, District 5! I hope all who plan to celebrate have a safe and enjoyable evening, whether staying in or going out in costume. To any on the road, be aware of increased pedestrian traffic; keep speeds slow and watch for children! For those planning to trick-or-treat, I encourage you to check out the city’s reminders and tips to “scare safely” as you plan your outing. I would also like to wish a warm and meaningful Día de Muertos to all who observe, as you honor and remember family history and loved ones lost.
As we enter into the weekend, I acknowledge the concerns many are feeling over the continued federal government shutdown and its impacts, particularly for those experiencing food insecurity. Learn more and find resources to help in the info block below, and keep reading for this week’s updates regarding voting centers, pet adoptions, the Dana Branch Library, city commission vacancies, and more.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025, is Election Day, as California voters will take to the polls for the Statewide special election. See the information block below for details on voting centers near you (some of which are already open for early voting) or find a drop box to submit your ballot any time before 8pm on Nov. 4th. As a reminder, Election Day is a City-observed holiday, thus a number of city services and facilities will be closed, including our CD5 office. Street sweeping will not occur on Tuesday but will resume its regular schedule on Wednesday, Nov. 5th; refuse collection should occur as normal; and be sure to check if parking meters are “Exempt on Holidays.”
This weekend, you can finish Arts Month strong by supporting LBCC’s student performing artists at the Fall Dance Ensemble in Concert, at one of four performances between tonight, Oct. 31st, and Sunday, Nov. 2nd. This weekend you can also get the jump on some holiday shopping at the Alternative Christmas Market hosted by Cal Heights United Methodist Church. From 10am – 2pm, you can shop fairtrade goods and contribute to charitable organizations that support the local and greater community. You can support local business and community next weekend as well, as Nov. 7th and 8th are First Friday and Second Saturday, respectively; see the flyers 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, Nov. 11, 2025, at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. The full agenda and a list of items of interest will be included in a future 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 | Nov 20
Save the date for next month’s CD5 Community Meeting, being held on Thursday, Nov. 20, at 6pm at the Wardlow Park Community Center. Keep an eye out for additional details as the date approaches.
While not required, we ask that those who plan attend please RSVP to help us prepare adequate seating. We hope to see you there!
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Federal Government Shutdown
Impacts to CalFresh Food Assitance Program
Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, more than 93,000 children and adults in Long Beach will experience delays in receiving November’s CalFresh benefits, CA’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Households experiencing food insecurity rely on this critical program to help pay for groceries. CalFresh is administered by the State and managed locally by LA County, not the City of Long Beach; however, the City is committed to keeping the community informed and sharing available resources to those in need.
At the time of this writing, it has been confirmed that no new CalFresh benefits will be issued on Nov. 1st, however benefits issued prior to this date will remain active. State-issued notices of the temporary delays do not indicate loss of eligibility or termination of benefits; those enrolled should continue to submit required forms and renewal paperwork to prevent further delays once benefits resume.
Residents in need of immediate food assistance are encouraged to explore the following local and regional resources:
Admiral Kidd Park, (2125 Santa Fe Ave., 90810)
9am on Saturdays, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15 and Nov. 22.
Those who are able may wish to support local food banks to help neighbors in this time of need. Learn more in the recent city press release or by reviewing the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS)’s Frequently Asked Questions.
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Office of City Clerk
Voting Info for Statewide Special Election on Nov. 4
Cast your vote on or before Election Day, November 4, 2025, to participate in the Statewide Special Election! A handful of early in-person voting centers have been open since Oct. 25th, including at Heartwell Park in CD5, and more will open across the city beginning Saturday, Nov. 1st. All early voting centers are open from 10am – 7pm prior to Election Day; on Nov. 4th, voting centers will be open from 7am – 8pm.
Alternatively, you can turn in your ballot at any of the Vote By Mail Drop Boxes anytime before 8pm on Nov. 4th. CD5 Drop Box locations include Heartwell Park, Wardlow Park, and the Dana Branch Library. Check out the flyer or visit the City Clerk’s website to find a voting location near you.
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Long Beach Public Library
Dana Branch Roof Repairs Underway
Roof repairs are underway as construction work began at the Dana Branch Library earlier this week. This project is estimated to take 6 weeks, and the library will remain open with all regular services available. However, please note that there may be slight construction noise during this time. If you are looking for a quieter LBPL location, consider dropping by the Bach Neighborhood Library at Heartwell Park, or any of the other local libraries in neighboring districts.
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Animal Care Services
Howls & Meows Adoption Special through Nov. 2
Through this weekend, adopt a shelter pet from Long Beach Animal Care Services (ACS) at a discounted rate! In honor of spooky season, cat adoption fees are only $13 and dog adoption fees are only $31 through this Sunday, Nov. 2.
Visit the ACS website to learn more and to see the pets available for adoption!
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Parks, Recreation, & Marine
Hiring Fair for Summer Positions | Nov. 8
The Parks, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) Department’s Community Recreation Services Bureau is seeking amazing Recreation Program Leaders to assist with a wide range of programs throughout the city’s many beautiful parks. The PRM team will host 3 upcoming job fairs to share information on a wide range of PRM programs that are currently hiring (or will be hiring soon), including Day Camps, Youth Sports, Older Adults, Teens, Mobile Recreation, Virtual Recreation, and Aquatics. Those interested in job opportunities are encouraged to come by, meet PRM supervisors and staff, and learn what a day in the life of a Long Beach Recreation Leaders is like. See the details below for the upcoming job fairs, the first of which is next weekend!
- Saturday, Nov. 8 | 11am – 1pm | Orizaba Park (1435 Orizaba Ave.)
- Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 6 – 8pm | Whaley Park (5620 E Atherton St.)
- Saturday, Jan. 24 | 9am – 3pm | Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave.)
Learn more about available opportunities at PRM’s Job Opportunities webpage.
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Public Works Dept.
Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems Pilot Program | Submit Comments by Nov. 7
Long Beach is taking the next steps towards implementing the Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) Systems Pilot Program as allowed by the passage of AB645. The program’s prerequisite reports, the Speed Safety System Use Policy and the Speed Safety System Impact Report, have been drafted and are available for public review on the program’s dedicated webpage, along with details of the program’s requirements, a map of the proposed ASE system locations, and more.
Community members are invited to provide feedback on this important safety program. The 30-day public comment period is open until 5pm on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Any revisions will be incorporated into final versions of the reports, which will be presented to Council for adoption later this year.
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Office of Climate Action & Sustainability
Urban Forest Plan | Survey Extended to Nov. 9
The City of Long Beach is developing an Urban Forest Plan (UFP), a roadmap to grow, maintain, and protect the trees and green spaces that make Long Beach more livable, sustainable, and resilient. Share your ideas, priorities, and experiences, and help shape a community-driven vision for a more livable and sustainable future through the online UFP Survey. The deadline to submit has been extended until Nov. 9th; provide your input today to ensure the plan reflects the community’s ideas, priorities, and values for trees!
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Mayor Rex Richardson
Call for Commissioner Applications
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson is calling on the “Best and Brightest” across the city to apply to serve on City Commissions. Mayor Richardson has made access to these opportunities a priority and is seeking applicants from across the city to help ensure that our Commissions best reflect the communities they serve. Below are the available Commission vacancies for the next round of appointments. If you are interested, please submit your application to the Mayor’s Commissions, Boards, & Committees website. Note, some positions have prerequisite qualifications (identified in parentheses); all other positions are considered “at large.”
- Advisory Commission on Aging (Over the age of 50)
- Airport Advisory Commission
- Belmont Shore Parking Commission (Property Owner)
- Board of Health & Human Services (State Licensed Veterinarian; State Licensed Pharmacist)
- Commission for Women & Girls
- Commission on Youth & Families (Under the age of 19)
- Economic Development Commission (Education representative; Workforce representative)
- Equity & Human Relations Commission
- Homeless Services Advisory Commission
- Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network (Business representatives (Healthcare, Jobs, Small Business, and general); Labor representatives)
- Marine Advisory Commission
- Technology & Innovation Commission (Experience in Technology & Education)
- Transactions & Use Tax Citizens’ Advisory Committee
- Veterans Affairs Commission (District 5, 4, and 2 representatives)
| | | | Upcoming Meetings & Events | | |
Memos to the Mayor & Council
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. November 11, 2025, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
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