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(562) 570 5555 | district5@longbeach.gov | |
Weekly Updates: Budget, Parks, & Concerts | |
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Happy Friday, District 5! As summer is beginning to wind down, the weather certainly is not! I hope you’re all staying cool and hydrated as we continue through these warm weeks of August. Though the weeks are passing fast, there are still several upcoming opportunities to get out and enjoy the summertime before school is back in session. More on that below, but first, a brief note of business.
On Tuesday, August 6th, the Mayor and City Manager presented the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget and Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to Council. See below for more information on the presentation and ways to engage in the City's budget process.
Earlier this week, Congressman Robert Garcia presented the City with federal earmarks to support our local parks. We are grateful that he helped secure $850,000 in federal earmarks to support improvements to Heartwell Park! These dollars are part of the $2.2 million in federal funding to improve three of our city’s parks. We look forward to seeing the improvements and upgrades at Heartwell, as we know that, while it’s in the center of District 5, this park is an important space for children, families, and athletes of all kinds all over the city. Thank you again, Congressman Garcia, for advocating for our City!
If you’re looking for ways to get involved with the CD5 community this weekend, you can start tomorrow, August 10th, by joining the Bixby Highlands Clean Streets Teams for their neighborhood cleanup, which takes place every second Saturday of the month at 8:30am. Then, you can keep the “Second Saturday” energy going at Parkview Village’s monthly block party. Join their “Summer Fest” celebration and support local small businesses on August 10th from 11am – 3pm. That same day, you can also stop by the Hangar at LBX from 11am – 7pm for a “Back to School Carnival,” complete with a petting zoo, face painting, carnival games, and more! See the flyers below for more information.
As you may know, today marks the beginning of Long Beach Food Scene Week! From August 9th to August 18th, celebrate our city’s diverse and dynamic culinary landscape. See below for a list of participating local businesses right here in CD5 and be sure to stop by to show them your support this week!
Looking ahead, I hope you’re all planning to attend our second annual Discover LBCC Community Concert next Friday, August 16th. My office is hosting this free concert in partnership with LBCC to connect neighbors with one another, with citywide resources, and with all the opportunities that LBCC has to offer, right here in the heart of District 5. The show will begin at 5pm, and have a feature performance by our local favorite, Knight Ryder, and will conclude at 8pm. Parking is available in Parking Structure 1, which you can enter from Clark Ave or Lew Davis St, then cross Carson St to the Liberal Arts Front Lawn for the event. Remember to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket; we hope to see you there!
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, August 13th 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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City of Long Beach
Fiscal Year '25 (FY25) Budget
On Tuesday, August 6th, the Mayor and City Manager presented the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Budget and FY25 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to Council. As presented, the FY25 budget is defined by “a series of strategic and intentional investments designed to grow our economy in new and more sustainable directions, reduce our reliance on oil revenues, improve city services, and build a stronger financial future for our city.” The Mayor outlined the “C.O.R.E four” priorities for building a prosperous future for Long Beach.
- C - City Services
- O - Optimizing Growth
- R - Reconnecting Residents to Opportunity
- E - Environmental Stewardship
For more information on these priorities, and the budget as a whole, review the full presentation from Tuesday's meeting, or visit longbeach.gov/FY25.
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There, you can review a “budget breakdown” video, submit your feedback on the proposed budget with a digital comment card, or RSVP for one of the upcoming citywide budget meetings. We hope you’ll take advantage of one or more of these opportunities to participate in the budget conversation. | | | |
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City of Long Beach
Upcoming Council Item: Willow Springs Park Dedication
At next Tuesday’s meeting, August 13th, my fellow Councilmembers and I will be discussing Item 31, the dedication of Willow Springs as park space in perpetuity. This dedication has been long sought after, by community members and my predecessors on Council alike. Further, the proposed FY25 budget directs $1 million for the Willow Springs Trailhead Project, in line with the city’s commitment to develop new open space, improve stormwater capture, and reduce the urban heat island effect.
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With this dedication and plan for funding, I look forward to the continued maintenance, revitalization, and further development of Willow Springs Park as one of our city’s most natural spaces. | | | |
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Long Beach Police Department
National Night Out Recap
Tuesday, August 6th, we celebrated this year’s National Night Out, a community-building event that promotes connected neighborhoods and positive relationships with local police officers.
Due to the conflict of timing with this week’s Council meeting, I was regrettably unable to attend any of our neighbors’ events personally.
However, my team was dispersed across our wide district, where they witnessed an overall positive experience while connecting with residents and our local PD officers.
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Thank you LBPD for your partnership, and thank you to our CD5 hosts—Leslie Garretson, Jo Ashworth & Shirley Arceo, Jeanne Williams, Stacey Morrison, Lori Prince & Brad Duerre, Danny & Monica Salmon, and Sharon Diggs-Jackson—for your hard work and contributions to bringing us towards closer, safer, more well-connected communities. Looking forward to next year! | | | |
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Long Beach Food Scene Week
August 9th - August 18th
Long Beach Food Scene Week (LBFSW) is a ten-day, joyful celebration of our city’s rich and diverse culinary scene. Running from August 9th to August 18th, LBFSW honors the resilience and creativity of the hospitality industry. Show your support for local businesses and check out the participating restaurants in CD5!
4137 Norse Way
3860 Worsham Ave
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4150 McGowan St
4140 Atlantic Ave
3722 Atlantic Ave
4020 Atlantic Ave
3819 Atlantic Ave
4501 E Carson St
4262 Atlantic Ave
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Parks, Recreation & Marine
Variety of New Rec Classes for this Fall
Registration for new and existing recreation classes offered by the Parks, Recreation, & Marine (PRM) Department opened on August 5th. Fall is right around the corner and PRM is offering over 700 activities catering to all ages and taking place throughout Long Beach. Enjoy special interest subjects as well as classes in arts, music, nature, fitness, sports leagues and more, available to residents ranging from preschool to older adults.
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Residents can register for classes by visiting lbparks.org and clicking on “Online Registration” under “LB RecConnect,” by calling 562.570.3111, or by visiting the Registration Reservations Office (2760 Studebaker Rd), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.
Classes will start in September and extend through November. Check out all of this season’s activities in the latest issue of the Recreation Connection, PRM’s programs catalog, available at lbparks.org or at Long Beach Park Community Centers and Long Beach Public Libraries.
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City of Long Beach
Upcoming Ballot Measures
On Tuesday, August 6th, my fellow Councilmembers and I voted to add three ballot measures to come before voters on November 5th.
Item 33 outlined a Revenue Measure amending the Long Beach Municipal Code to repeal the exemption from the Gas Utility Users Tax (UUT) for charges made for gas to be used in the generation of electrical energy by an electrical corporation or governmental agency. As the Muni Code stands, two power plants sited within Long Beach City limits are exempt from paying the City’s Gas UUT that resident, businesses, and other organizations in Long Beach pay. The measure would provide voters the opportunity to consider removing the exemption from the Gas UTT for power plants, which could result in an estimated $15 million in revenue for the City. Review the full item for more details and the City’s assessment of how this may financially impact voters.
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Item 34 outlined a proposed Charter amendment that would consolidate the Civil Service and Human Resources Departments into one unified hiring department, establishing an independent Civil Service Employee Rights and Appeals Commission, and implementing classified hiring preferences. The proposal aims to improve efficiency, equity, and inclusivity in our City’s hiring practices, eliminate redundancies across departments, form integrated practices covering the entire spectrum of employee-related issues. Review the full item for more details.
Item 36 outlined a proposed Charter amendment to modify the length of terms for Harbor and Public Utilities Commissioners to three terms of four years (as opposed to the current limit at two terms of six years), to transfer authority over Harbor Department employment (excluding a Board-appointed Chief Operating Officer, Executive Officer to the Board, and Board staff) from the Harbor Commission to the Chief Executive Officer (who the Board will continue to employ and appoint), and to formally align the Harbor Dept’s annual budget timeline to the City’s fiscal year (Oct 1 – Sept 30). The proposal aims to promote consistency across city commissions, in the annual budgeting process, and in standardized hiring expectations and processes across city departments. Review the full item to learn more.
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Community Development Department
Housing Policy Forums
The City of Long Beach Community Development Department is hosting a series of Housing Policy Forums to gather your valuable input on critical housing initiatives. These initiatives aim to boost housing production, enhance affordability, reduce displacement, attract innovative developments, and address fair housing objectives. These forums are your opportunity to learn more about the proposed policies and share your thoughts and feedback. Your input will play a crucial role in shaping the future of housing policy in Long Beach.
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10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Houghton Park Community Center, 6301 Myrtle Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805
RVSP here!
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Long Beach Energy Resources Auditorium, 2400 Spring St., 90806
RSVP here!
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: McBride Park Community Center, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, 90813
RSVP here!
Please note all forums will be open house style and will cover the same content. Learn more at longbeach.gov/housingpolicies.
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Health & Human Services
August 2024 MAC Schedule
The Mobile Access Center (MAC) vehicle is a form of street outreach that allows staff to begin the intake process on the street with people experiencing homelessness beyond the City's Multi-Service Center (MSC). The MAC serves as an extension of the Homeless Services Bureau, including REACH, Homeless Outreach Services and the MSC.
This approach increases access to services and resources for people experiencing homelessness, including case management, homeless prevention, connection to mental health services, mail services, connections to housing and more. Staffed by members of the Homeless Services Bureau and a public health nurse, the vehicle allows clients to receive direct services including routine health checkups.
With this updated schedule, note that The Shower of Hope has been joining the MAC on Wednesday mornings at Chittick Field.
Want to be part of the solution? If you encounter someone who is experiencing homelessness, and aren’t sure what you can do, please review the Health & Human Services FAQ sheet for information on available resources. If you’re able, sharing or dispersing this pocket guide or the most up-to-date MAC schedule could greatly assist a person experiencing homelessness connect with City services and facilities.
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Parks, Recreation and Marine’s Free After School Programs for Youth Resume August 26 | |  |
Parks, Recreation and Marine’s Homeland Cultural Center Presents DanceFest at Cesar Chavez Park Amphitheater on August 9 | | |
City to Celebrate Grand Reopening of the Scherer Park Community Center | | |
Long Beach Explores Opportunity to House Students Experiencing Homelessness Through Tiny Homes | | |
City Seeks Proposals for Operator of Outdoor Amphitheater | | |
Long Beach Advises Residents to Take Precautions Against Summer Heat | | |
Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. August 13, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Item 1 Recommendation to provide contributions to:
Partners of Parks in support of their El Dorado Golf Tournament; Ranchos Los Cerritos Foundation in support of their Ranchos Walk; Long Beach City College Foundation in support of their LBCC Hall of Fame; Urban Reset Foundation in support of their Back To School Drive. (Item Details)
Item 13 Recommendation to approve the Fiscal Year 2024 designation of one-time District Priority Funds for City Council District infrastructure projects and existing programs; and Approve related budget appropriation adjustments for Fiscal Year 2024 in accordance with existing City Council policy. (Item Details)
Item 17 Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP HE-23-329 and award a contract to Altitude Media, of San Antonio, TX, to implement the Black Infant Health Public Awareness Campaign Videographer and Editing Statewide Project engaging the Black community. (Item Details)
Item 20 Recommendation to designate the City of Long Beach, Health and Human Services Department, Ronald R. Arias Health Equity Center located at 6335 Myrtle Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90805 as a participant of the Los Angeles County Safe Youth Zone program. (Item Details)
Item 21 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 25 Recommendation to execute all documents, including any necessary amendments, with the Federal Aviation Administration, to accept the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Zero Emissions Vehicle and Infrastructure Pilot Program grant funds for federal Fiscal Year 2024 funding, for the acquisition of six electric airside operations vehicles and two solar-tree chargers, in an amount not to exceed $782,980. (Item Details)
Item 29 Recommendation to conduct a Budget Hearing to receive and discuss an overview of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget for the departments of Police and Fire. (Item Details)
Item 31 Recommendation to request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending Table 35-2 (Park Dedications/Designations) of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) (ZCA20-016) to include Willow Springs Park – Parcel A at 2745 Orange Avenue;
Request City Attorney to prepare ordinance setting aside and approving for dedication in perpetuity, Willow Springs Park – Parcel A, located at 2745 Orange Avenue for public park purposes and uses;
Request City Attorney to prepare ordinance amending the Use District Map (Zoning Map) to change the zoning district (ZCHG 20-008) of that portion of Parcel A adjacent to Orange Avenue zoned Medium Industrial (IM) to Park (P) for consistency with the General Plan Land Use PlaceType;
Request City Attorney and City staff to establish a mechanism for banking of future park space to implement the City’s Parks in Perpetuity requirements; and Request City Attorney to prepare resolution recommending the future dedication of Parcel B as Willow Springs Park located at 1040 Spring Street once a land bank is established and implemented in connection with park replacement requirements for three Downtown Projects. (Item Details)
Item 34 Recommendation to execute an agreement with the California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS, to accept and expend funding of the annual allocation for the provision of HIV/AIDS health care services, for the period of April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2029. (Item Details)
Item 35 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amending the terms, or changing the amount of the award with the California Department of Public Health, to accept and expend State General Fund Black Infant Health grant funds which will be allocated towards administration of the Black Infant Health Base Program and towards the Black Infant Health Media Campaign for a one-year period beginning on July 1, 2024. (Item Details)
Item 37 Recommendation to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Community College District, to provide law enforcement and security services and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and all necessary documents including subsequent amendments, with the Long Beach Community College District, to provide law enforcement and security services. (Item Details)
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