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(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov | |
Weekly Updates & Wintertime Events | |
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Happy Friday the 13th, District 5! Don’t let superstitions get you down; I hope your spirits remain high as we continue to inch ever closer to the end of the year and the various holidays that are just around the corner. In the meantime, keep reading for updates from city partners and departments including Public Works, Utilities, and Long Beach Transit.
At the Dec. 10th City Council meeting, my colleagues and I had the pleasure of approving the final reading of the dedication of the entirety of Willow Springs Park as park space in perpetuity! Thanks to all who have played a role in this longstanding effort. I look forward to the progress we will continue to make to expand the existing park and open space across all 48 acres of the site, and the legacy we are creating for future generations. You can help celebrate this momentous milestone by visiting Willow Springs for a Winter Solstice event on Saturday, Dec. 21st; see the flyer below for details.
Tuesday’s meeting also included the presentation of the Long Beach Utilities After-Action Report regarding the October 9th water main break on Orange and the subsequent Boil Water Notice. See the information block below to learn more.
At next week’s meeting, on Dec. 17th, we will be officially swearing in our re-elected Councilmembers in Districts 2, 4, and 6, as well as welcoming the newly elected Tunua Thrash-Ntuk for District 8. I am looking forward to the future of this entire Council as we continue to work together for the betterment of our communities and Long Beach as a whole.
If you’re looking for things to do in the district this weekend, you can start tonight, Dec. 13th, by supporting one of CD5’s newest small businesses, Dilly’s Sandwiches, for “Sandwiches with Santa” from 6 – 8pm. Then on Saturday, Dec. 14th, you can start the morning by joining the Bixby Highlands Clean Team for a neighborhood clean-up from one of two locations starting at 8:30am. That afternoon, you can continue to check holiday gifts off your lists at Parkview Village’s Holiday Fest from 11am – 3pm, or at LBX’s “Santa’s Holiday Market” from 11am – 7pm. If your weekend isn’t looking festive enough, be sure to get your tickets for Bixby Knolls’ Santa Con, a holiday-themed pub crawl (along with deals at local shops and restaurants) on Sunday, Dec. 15th from 1pm – 5pm. Lastly, you can finish out this weekend’s local festivities at Rancho Los Cerritos for their Holiday Open House from 5 – 8pm. See the flyers below to learn more about these and other upcoming events and opportunities.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 17th at 5pm in the City Hall Chambers. 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.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Meetings & Events | |
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Public Works Department
Traffic Circle Updates
Earlier this week our office was updated by the Traffic Engineering team of the Public Works Dept that two of the City's traffic circles (at Bixby Rd/Weston Pl and Daisy Ave/25th St) are scheduled for retrofits to adjust their shape from an elongated ellipse to a truer circle. The modified designs will result in slower speeds for through traffic and simpler turning maneuvers for vehicles.
To improve visibility of pedestrians and enforce reduced vehicle speeds, red paint will be extended by one parking space on each corner and new mountable medians will be added next to the bike lanes in those areas.
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The new design is expected to limit vehicle encroachments into crosswalk areas and result in more intuitive paths for vehicles. Additional reflective elements like flex posts and signs will also be added, addressing concerns about impaired drivers striking the circles. The work will preserve established plantings to the extent possible.
We will continue to share updates, including the work's timeline, as they become available.
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Long Beach Utilities
After-Action Report
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, Long Beach Utilities provided City Council with a presentation of the After-Action Report regarding the Oct. 9 water main break and subsequent Boil Water Notice. This report and presentation now stand in the public record as valuable resources for understanding the Utilities department as a whole, as well as the facts about the recent incident itself. I want to thank the Utilities staff for their thorough and professional approach to this report and presentation, in which they clearly lay out the details of what happened, what went well, what can be improved upon, and recommendations to implement those improvements. Although we can never know when the next emergency may strike, it is comforting to know that we are continuing to improve upon our emergency systems and processes for keeping the public safe, healthy, and informed. To learn more, I encourage those interested to review the report, the presentation to Council, and/or the meeting video.
As a reminder, signing up for Alert Long Beach can help you stay informed in the event of an emergency! We encourage you to opt in for these alerts and spread the word to neighbors who may not be aware of this system!
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Direct Install Appliances Program
Long Beach Utilities aims to increase water and natural gas conservation through a no cost water and gas efficiency direct installation program. This program is designed to meet the needs of residents by decreasing monthly utility costs, conserving water & gas resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To be eligible for this program, an applicant must be a Long Beach Utilities service area customer.Participants could get FREE:
- Toilets
- Shower heads
- Faucet aerator
- Water heater pipe insulation
- And so much MORE!
This direct installation program is completely free for Long Beach Utilities customers! Sign up now to save money and conserve.
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Long Beach Transit
Upcoming Holiday Schedules
As you prepare for the upcoming holidays, keep in mind that Long Beach Transit will be operating on modified schedules with reduced service span on Christmas Day (Wed. Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Wed. Jan 1); be sure to check the holiday routes and schedules!
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LBT’s Call Center and Transit & Visitor Information Center will operate for reduced hours (from 8am – 5pm) on Christmas Eve (Tues. Dec. 24) and New Year’s Eve (Tues. Dec 31), and will be closed all day on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
To help you celebrate safely, on Tuesday, Dec. 31st, LBT will be offering complimentary service on all bus routes after 5pm.
For more information on holiday hours and to view bus schedules, visit LBT’s routes and services page.
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Long Beach Police Department
East Division Commander's Forum | Dec 28
LBPD East Division’s Commander Benson will be holding her final Commander’s Forum of the year on Saturday, Dec. 28th at the East Division Station. Following the forum, East Division will host an open house, offering a wonderful opportunity to tour the station and connect with LBPD’s amazing officers. Families are encouraged to bring their children to both the forum and the open house, where Explorers and Cadets will provide engaging activities, distribute stickers, and offer light refreshments. See the flyer for more info.
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Technology & Innovation Dept
Join LB Co-Lab! Become an Innovator in Residence
The City of Long Beach is seeking Innovators in Residence (IIRs) to join the Long Beach Collaboratory (LB Co-Lab) for a unique, two-year long program where you’ll work alongside Long Beach City staff to co-design and implement technology-driven solutions to address real neighborhood challenges. Participants will be compensated $4,000 in total over the course of their 24-month commitment to the program.
If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to transform your community through a participatory and democratic process, this is your chance! LB Co-Lab aims to create sustainable and scalable improvements in Long Beach neighborhoods, especially as the City prepares for the 2028 Olympics.
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Technology, with the community at the center of decision-making, has the potential to bring lasting positive change. As an Innovator in Residence, you’ll be part of the design team and will make the key decisions to bring the chosen solution to life.
Take the leap and apply to LB Co-Lab, opportunity awaits! For more information, visit our website or view the IIR Job Description. If you have any questions, please contact Ryan Welch at Ryan.Welch@longbeach.gov.
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Be Storm Smart
New Storm Safety Educational Campaign
With the wet weather storm season approaching, the City of Long Beach is launching a storm safety and preparedness campaign to promote community preparedness.
The Be Storm Smart campaign will provide education on to how to effectively prepare for storms and other severe wet weather events and provide insight on the many ways the City prepares for storms to safeguard life and property and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community.
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As part of the campaign, the City will share relevant information on longbeach.gov/LBRain which serves as a central news and resource hub and one-stop shop for up-to-date storm safety and preparedness information. The webpage now features an interactive map where residents can locate the nearest Long Beach Fire Department Station to pick up sandbags, available at stations year-round, and sand ahead of a significant weather system and how to sign up for Alert Long Beach, the City’s emergency notification system. The webpage will be updated regularly with operational announcements ahead of any major storm.
Resources will be shared on longbeach.gov/LBRain and on the City social media pages at @LongBeachCity by following #LBRain & #BeStormSmart.
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Long Beach Area Veterans Collaborative
Veterans Donation Drive
In celebration of Veterans Day and as we enter into the holiday season, our CD5 office is partnering with the Long Beach Area Veterans Collaborative to hold a Veterans Donation Drive! Find locations across CD5 from Monday, Nov. 11 - Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, and help us in giving back to local veterans in need.
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Review the flyer below or our webpage for more information on what to donate and where to find donation bins. Alternatively, you can support by buying an item from the drive's Amazon Wish List, which will send your donation directly to our office, or by making a monetary donation at lbavcoll.org.
Thanks to all Veterans for your brave and dedicated service, and thanks to all who can participate in our drive this holiday season!
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Community Invited to Provide Input on Economic Development Workforce Local Plan | |  |
LB Public Library Launches 2025 SEED Creativity Lab, an Arts-Integrated Workshop Series for Middle School Students | | |
Long Beach Health Department Hosts Third Annual Kwanzaa Experience Event | | |
Long Beach to Host Whoville Winter Village Event at Silverado Park | | |
Long Beach Awards $250,000 in Grants to Local Business Improvement Districts | | |
Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. December 17, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
CEREMONIALS AND PRESENTATIONS: REMARKS FOR CITY OF LONG BEACH ELECTED OFFICIALS, ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR
Item 1. Recommendation to provide contributions to The Fix Project in support of their ongoing efforts; to The African American Cultural Center in support of their Kwanzaa Celebration. (Item Details)
Item 8. Recommendation to receive and file annual reports on Community Facilities Districts to comply with the Local Agency Special Tax Bond and Accountability Act. (Districts 2, 3, 5) (Item Details)
Item 12. Recommendation to continue the local emergency regarding an outbreak of Tuberculosis (TB) pursuant to Section 2.69.060 of the Long Beach Municipal Code. (Item Details)
Item 17. Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all documents necessary, including any amendments, for an Other Transaction Agreement with the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration, for the continued participation in the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program at the Long Beach Airport for a period of two years. (Item Details)
Item 23. Recommendation to declare ordinance setting aside and dedicating in perpetuity Parcel A in Willow Springs Park, located at 2745 Orange Avenue, for public park purposes and uses, read and adopted as read. (Item Details)
Item 24. Recommendation to declare ordinance amending Table 35-2 (Park Dedication/Designations) of the Long Beach Municipal Code (ZCA20-016), to include the entirety of Parcel A of Willow Springs Park, thereby approving its dedication, read and adopted as read. (Item Details)
Item 25. Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Use District Map (Zoning Map) to change the Zoning District (ZCHG20-008) for that portion of Parcel A in Willow Springs Park that is zoned Medium Industrial (IM) to Park (P) Zone, read and adopted as read. (Item Details)
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