Dear Neighbors,

I had the honor of recently touring one of Long Beach's most vital infrastructures, Storm Drain and Pump Station #13, alongside the dedicated team from the Long Beach Public Works department. This insightful experience allowed us to explore a range of water-related topics, from the critical task of maintaining water cleanliness to the imperative of holding neighboring cities accountable for their role in addressing the water pollution crisis.

Our discussions underscored the multifaceted approach required to safeguard our waterways from pollutants and prevent flooding in our communities. Storm drains, for instance, play a pivotal role in averting floods by efficiently channeling rainwater from roads, parking lots, and sidewalks through a network of grated inlets. This proactive measure not only protects our streets and homes but also contributes to the preservation of our environment.

Moreover, I was particularly intrigued by our city's real-time surveillance of flood control systems, a testament to our commitment to staying ahead of potential challenges and ensuring the safety of our residents.

It's crucial to clarify the distinction between sewer lines and storm drains, as they serve distinct functions within our Flood Control System. Pump Stations, like the one we visited, are integral components of this system, functioning tirelessly to mitigate flood risks and maintain the integrity of our infrastructure.

As your Vice Mayor, I am dedicated to fostering greater understanding and awareness of these critical issues. In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing more insights and information to deepen our collective knowledge and engagement in safeguarding our community's well-being.

Together, let's continue working towards a cleaner ocean and a more resilient Long Beach.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please email my team at [email protected] or call us at (562) 570-2222.



Sincerely,

In observance of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024, the City of Long Beach facilities and services listed below will adhere to the following schedules.

Open on Monday, Feb. 19:

• All City parks and trails (excluding El Dorado Nature Center)
• El Dorado Regional Park
• Fire Stations and Lifeguard Stations
• Long Beach Airport
• Main Police Station Front Desk
• Marina offices (Alamitos Bay Marina, Shoreline Marina) 
• Gas Services Dispatch (562.570.2140) open 24/7 for emergency calls
• Water/Sewer Dispatch (562.570.2390) open 24/7 for emergency calls

Street Sweeping

There will be no scheduled street sweeping or enforcement of street sweeping violations on Monday, Feb. 19. Street sweeping will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 20.

Parking Enforcement

Read your parking meter: Citywide parking violations, including parking meters, will be enforced on Monday, Feb. 19, unless the meter states “Exempt on Holidays.” The days and hours of enforcement are displayed inside the meters.



Refuse/Recycling

Refuse and recycling will be collected as scheduled on Monday, Feb. 19.

For list of closures click here.

Residents Encouraged to Report Damages to Homes and Businesses Caused by Recent Storms

The recent winter storm systems experienced over the past week brought an unprecedented amount of rain to Long Beach and the region. Los Angeles County is in the process of assessing damage to infrastructure and private properties countywide, as well as supporting residents with their individual recovery efforts.

To help determine the impacts of the storms, Los Angeles County has established a dedicated Winter Storm Recovery webpage and survey, available at recovery.lacounty.gov, to gather basic damage information from residents and businesses.  

Long Beach residents and businesses that experienced damage as a result of the recent winter storms are encouraged to complete the County’s Damage Assessment Survey, available online in English and Spanish. The survey is intended for information gathering purposes and will be used to determine eligibility based on the total amount of damages countywide. The survey collects basic damage information and is not an application for assistance. 



The damage assessment survey is made available to residents and businesses due to the recent storm series rising to a certain level that Governor Newsom proclaimed a State of Emergency on February 4, 2024, for eight counties, including Los Angeles. The County of Los Angeles also proclaimed a State of Emergency on behalf of the region.

Additional information about the City of Long Beach's Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Communications is available at longbeach.gov/disasterpreparedness.

The Mobile Access Center (MAC) vehicle is a new 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.

Where is the MAC in District 2?

• Bixby Park Fridays 9am - Noon

Click here for more information.

If you are trying to help someone experiencing homelessness through outreach, please contact (562) 570-4MSC (4672) or email [email protected].  

Join us in celebrating Black History Month by supporting local Black-owned businesses in Long Beach via the Shop Long Beach program! 

Supporting local Black-owned businesses is a meaningful way to celebrate Black History Month. Spend at the following Black-owned businesses in February and earn an additional 10% back in Shop Long Beach LocalCash. Here are some suggested Shop Long Beach local Black-owned businesses to consider:

Other ways we can engage with Black History Month, beyond patronizing our local Black-owned businesses, is to learn more about the history, culture, and stories of these businesses. Understanding their background can deepen your appreciation for their contributions to our community.

Let’s INVEST in Black-owned businesses, to help provide financial support to entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures.

Let’s SHOP Black-owned businesses that reflect the diverse cultural influences of our vibrant communities in Long Beach. 

Your ongoing support can help sustain these businesses during this Black History Month celebration and create a more inclusive and equitable economic landscape for everyone throughout the year.

Learn more about the Shop Long Beach program and our Black History Month promotion by visiting shoplb.org.

Drivers should plan to use alternate routes from the Port of Long Beach to the northbound 710 Freeway beginning at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, due to closures needed for roadway inspections.

Taking the westbound Long Beach International Gateway Bridge to State Route 47 will allow drivers to reach Anaheim Street and connect to the northbound 710. Drivers heading to downtown Long Beach from Terminal Island or San Pedro should use State Route 47 to Anaheim Street, or the 110 Freeway to the 405 Freeway.

Learn more here.

City of Long Beach is Hiring

-Airport Operations Assistant I-II - Perform field operations duties required to maintain airport area safety, security, and airport noise ordinance standards. Closing 2/16/24

-Marine Safety Officer - Maintain surveillance of the City's beaches, marinas, bays and harbor areas from land and sea! Closing 2/16/24

-Senior Program Manager - Provide guidance and direction to the technical and administrative staff responsible for the Long Beach Utilities Department's Capital Improvement Program. Closing 3/1/24

-Harbor Patrol Officer I-III - Provide support and risk assessment to a various agencies working together to keep the Port of Long Beach secure! Closing 2/16/24

APPLY NOW and become part of a dedicated team of 6000 public servants who keep our iconic city thriving.

www.longbeach.gov/jobs

Explore High School Aged Education Resources from Port of Long Beach

Do you know a high school student interested in a studying global logistics or supply chain related field? We want to help them pay for college! Apply for a #POLB summer high school scholarship or internship today. Applications are due by March 15. 

The Port of Long Beach scholarship is an annual award for Long Beach high school seniors who plan to pursue careers in international trade, goods movement or other port-related industries. It is the Port’s goal to provide financial assistance to deserving students and to support them in their quest to become successful professionals and future leaders.

Scholarship awards range from $500 to $6,000. Distribution of funds will be determined by the Scholarship Selection Committee. Proof of acceptance and enrollment in a trade program, college or university is required prior to scholarship distribution.

More information here.

Presidents Day weekend is one of the most popular times of year for mattress sales. All those new mattresses can unfortunately lead to illegal dumping of old mattresses. While more than 11 million mattresses have been recycled in the State since the program’s inception, many Californians are still unaware there are convenient, no-cost options to recycle their mattresses. 

If you are planning to be one of the many mattress shoppers this Presidents Day weekend, remember that there are some no-cost, easy ways to keep your unwanted one out of the landfill or from becoming illegally dumped in our community. Learn more about retailer take back, recycling ♻️ options and more at ByeByeMattress.com #ByeByeMattress

Si usted está planeando ser uno de los muchos compradores de colchones este fin de semana del Día de los Presidentes, recuerde que hay, algunas sin costo, maneras fáciles de mantener su viejo colchón fuera del vertedero o de tirarse ilegalmente en nuestra comunidad. Más información sobre la recogida en tiendas, opciones de reciclaje ♻️ y mucho más en ByeByeMattress.com. #ByeByeMattress

Learn more at byebyemattress.com

We've entered February, which brings us Black History Month - and we'll be celebrating with a Soul Train style dance party; with an added emphasis on highlighting all Black artists!

This month will also feature a special performance in the street closure by Phoenyx & Co!

Did you know you can use the Go Long Beach app to report issues related to trash, debris, and dumped items? Use the app to report dumped items such as household electrical appliances or mattresses. You can also report issues such as trash and debris on the beach/dock/park area.

Go Long Beach requests can also be submitted online at longbeach.gov/golongbeach.