Volume 241 | April 3, 2026 | | |
Celebrate the New Year right here in Long Beach with a full weekend of culture, community, and celebration at Long Beach City College’s TTC Campus.
On Saturday, April 4, join the Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival beginning at 9:00 AM, with the parade starting at Anaheim Street and Orange Avenue and continuing to LBCC. Enjoy a full day of live performances, food, and festivities centered on this year’s theme, “Peace Through Culture: Celebrating Unity in Diversity.”
On Sunday, April 5, continue the celebration with Sankranta, beginning with a Buddhist ceremony at 8:30 AM, followed by cultural performances, showcases, and food from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
I am proud to support these incredible events that bring our community together in celebration of culture, unity, and tradition. I hope to see you there.
| | Wishing you a bright and joyful Easter filled with fresh beginnings, sweet moments, and a little extra sunshine. However you’re celebrating, we hope it brings a sense of renewal and happiness to your day. | | |
Continue reading to also learn more about upcoming events and City Council Meetings!
Thank you to all of our residents that reached out about council items, requests and concerns, and vision for our district. My office is ready to listen and help. You can reach us by emailing district6@longbeach.gov or calling (562) 570-6816.
Together, we will Forward the Sixth!
Dr. Suely Saro
Councilwoman, Sixth District
| | The next City Council meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2026. | | |
Regular Agenda The City of Long Beach has resumed in-person City Council meetings at the Bob Foster Civic Chambers, located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. City Council meetings occur every Tuesday except for the last Tuesday of the month.
City Council meetings are streamed online on Long Beach Television’s (LBTV’s) website, cable channels, and YouTube Channel.
For more information about Long Beach legislative meetings, visit www.longbeach.gov/cityclerk. Media inquiries may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk at cityclerk@longbeach.gov.
| | View the Council Meeting Live Stream | | | |
Issues such as graffiti, potholes, and dumped items can be submitted for service requests at any time of day using the Go Long Beach app. You can track the status of any request receive communications from City staff about requests. The app is also fully available in Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.
| | The District 6 office is also here to help! If you have any questions regarding anything you want to see in your neighborhood make sure to reach out via email at District6@LongBeach.gov or by phone at (562) 570-6816. | | City of Long Beach Values Act | | The Long Beach Values Act is a local ordinance that protects the rights and privacy of all residents, regardless of immigration status. It limits how city departments collect and share personal information, restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and supports immigrant communities through funding for legal defense and public education. | | Energy & Environmental Services Department | | |
Recycling Cart Exchange: SB State Law 1383
In compliance with SB state law 1383, the City will be exchanging the remaining purple recycling carts for blue recycling carts. There will be no change in service beyond the color of the cart. There is no additional cost to residents, no change in service levels, and no change in what is accepted in the recycling bin. Residents will receive the same size and number of recycling carts they currently have, just in blue.
The recycling cart exchange began Monday, February 2 and will take approximately six to eight months to complete. District 6 is scheduled to begin on Thursdays and Fridays.
Two teams will be deployed. One team will deliver blue recycling carts to all addresses on existing recycling routes, matching each household’s current cart size and quantity on their regular service day. A second team will collect the purple recycling carts, visiting each area at least twice on the delivery day and again the following week’s service day to ensure all purple carts are picked up.
Contact Info: 562-570-2876
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Organics collection
The City of Long Beach is rolling out residential organics collection for City-serviced accounts as part of the State of California’s mandatory Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (SB 1383) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote waste reduction. SB 1383 aims to keep organic material out of landfills by diverting yard trimmings and food scraps into dedicated green carts.
Organics Collection Rollout Schedule
The City is rolling out the program in phases based on regular collection service days. For addresses with multiple service days, the schedule may be adjusted based on service needs.
Residents will receive a mailer with a start date and a new green cart before service is set to begin.
Service is set to begin in October 2025 for District 6!
Cart) Collection Program this month. City-serviced households will receive a new green cart up to 2.5 weeks before service begins.
While your cart may arrive early, collection will not begin until the service start dates listed below. Additional details, including collection tips and accepted materials, will be mailed directly to households ahead of their start date.
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- Animal Care Services: (562) 570-7387
- Broken/Inoperable Traffic Light and Signs: (562) 570-3264
- Burnett Library: (562) 570-1041
- Code Enforcement: (562) 570-2633
- Damaged Trees: (562) 570-2700-Ext. 4
- Graffiti Abatement: (562) 570-2773
- Gas Emergency: (562) 570-2140
- To request special collection, call the hotline at (562) 570-2876
- Illegal Dumping: (562) 570-3867
- Mark Twain Library: (562) 570-1046
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- Noise Abatement: (562) 570-4126
- Neighborhood Services Bureau: (562) 570-6866
- Overflowing Sidewalk Trash Can: (562) 570-2876
- Parking Enforcement: (562) 570-2866
- Police, Non-Emergency: (562) 435-6711
- Pothole: (562) 570-3259
- Public Works: (562) 570-5000
- Shoes hanging on Power/Utility Lines: (562) 570-2700-Ext. 8
- Trash in Street: (562) 570-2876
- Long Beach Utilities: (562) 570-5700
| | 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 later this Spring. If you are interested, please submit your application on the Mayor's website at:
MAYOR'S COMMISSIONS PAGE: Commissions Boards Committees
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Spring Egg Hunt
April 4, 2026
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Mark Bixby Memorial Easter Egg Hunt and Free Book Fair
April 4, 2026
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Baskets and Pancakes
April 4, 2026
| | | Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine to Update Operating Hours and Programming at City Gyms | |
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is modifying its open gym hours of operation for its four public gymnasiums. Open gym hours allow community members to utilize City gyms for self-led recreation activities, free of charge. This operational update is being implemented in an effort to enhance PRM’s fiscal responsibility by maximizing its use of internal resources.
Effective Monday, March 23, 2026, the open gym hours will change from the current schedule of Monday through Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m., to Monday through Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m., and Friday, 4 to 8 p.m. The new schedule preserves the weekly 12 hours of open gym time for the community and includes one additional day of open gym access.
| City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program | The City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), an award-winning program designed to support entrepreneurs and help advance small businesses toward success and sustainability. Level Up LB will assist 20 small business owners with supportive services, workshops and $10,000 in grant funding to help take their small business to the next level. | | |
Alert Long Beach Emergency Notification System Restored on New Secure Platform
Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts
| The City of Long Beach’s Alert Long Beach emergency notification system has been restored on a new, enhanced and secure platform, following a nationwide cybersecurity incident affecting the vendor’s legacy system last year. Residents and businesses can once again sign up to receive emergency alerts via text messages and/or voice messages to their cell number and/or email address. | City of Long Beach Opens Applications for Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program | The City of Long Beach Department of Economic Development & Opportunity (EDO) announced the opening of applications for the third cohort of its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program (Level Up LB), an award-winning program designed to support entrepreneurs and help advance small businesses toward success and sustainability. Level Up LB will assist 20 small business owners with supportive services, workshops and $10,000 in grant funding to help take their small business to the next level. | | |
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine to Offer Spring Fun Days
April 6-10
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The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer its free youth recreation program, Spring Fun Days, at various parks throughout Long Beach during the upcoming school spring break.
Spring Fun Days engage children ages 5 to 12 in fun activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts and special events. This is a free drop-in program where registered participants may come and go as they please. The program will run Monday through Friday, April 6-10, from noon to 5 p.m. each day at parks throughout Long Beach.
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City of Long Beach Launches Second Round of Love Your Block Mini-Grants
Applications for resident-led projects supporting the Westside Promise are open now through March 31
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The City of Long Beach is now accepting applications for the second round of mini-grants through the Love Your Block program, a community driven initiative that empowers residents to improve their neighborhoods. This round of mini-grants will continue to support the City’s Westside Promise Initiative, a 10-year community investment plan to address current and historic challenges facing West Long Beach.
“As Long Beach continues to invest in resident-driven solutions, Love Your Block plays a vital role in fostering collaboration between local government and community members,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By providing mini-grants and hands-on support, the program helps residents transform public spaces, strengthen neighborhood connections and build pride in their communities. Thank you to the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University for making this initiative possible.”
The Love Your Block program will provide mini-grants of up to $2,500, empowering community members to act and create lasting positive change in their neighborhoods. These mini-grants will support resident-led projects in West Long Beach that reduce exposure to poor indoor and outdoor air quality; promote clean air education, behavior, and tools; enhance pedestrian, bicycle, and rolling safety; and build community capacity to advocate for street and environmental improvements.
| | Explore Long Beach Parks with Virtual Reality Missions from Agents of Discovery | |
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) is encouraging the community to explore the outdoors, get active and learn about local parks by participating in one of several missions available through Agents of Discovery, a free educational mobile gaming platform.
“This innovative app encourages residents, especially youth, to explore our parks in an interactive and innovative way,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “It combines movement with technology while also fostering knowledge of our city and strengthening connection to our community and parks.”
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City of Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability to Host Fifth Annual Family Days in Nature Spring Event Series
Residents of all ages invited to participate in Monarch Day of Action and City Nature Challenge
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The City of Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability will host its Fifth Annual Family Days in Nature spring event series. These free events, which will take place at Willow Springs Park (2745 Orange Ave.), will increase engagement and curiosity around native habitat preservation through nature activities and community education. The spring event series will include the Monarch Day of Action, taking place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 14, and City Nature Challenge, taking place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 25.
“These events have been a unique and engaging way for community members to participate hands-on in taking care of our local flora and fauna,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “People will also have the opportunity to learn about other ways they can get involved with local Long Beach organizations that are preserving and protecting our native ecosystems.”
| | Long Beach Health Department Expands Fentanyl Test Kit Program to Include Mail-Based Delivery | | |
The City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has expanded its Harm Reduction Program to include a mail-based delivery option for Long Beach residents seeking harm reduction supplies like fentanyl test kits, naloxone and educational materials at no cost.
“Overdose prevention is about protecting lives and meeting people where they are,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Long Beach remains committed to making public health programs accessible, equitable and responsive to the needs of our community, especially those most impacted by the opioid crisis.”
The Health Department’s Harm Reduction Program provides resources and education focused on substance use dependency, particularly opioid use, which is linked to misuse and accidental overdose. The expanded program allows residents with a Long Beach mailing address to request a free Harm Reduction Response Kit online and have it delivered discreetly to their home. Each mail order kit includes:
- Fentanyl and xylazine test strips
- Instructional and educational materials
- Two doses of naloxone, the nasal spray medication used to reverse opioid overdoses
Fentanyl detection kits are single-use tools that enable people to identify the presence of fentanyl in medications or substances before use, helping reduce the risk of accidental opioid overdose.
Residents interested in requesting a kit may visit longbeach.gov/harmreduction to complete an online request form. Orders are typically processed within 48 hours, with discreet shipping that generally arrives within three business days. The Health Department also offers no-cost community workshops and provider training on opioid overdose prevention and naloxone administration. Information on requesting training and viewing the workshop calendar is available online.
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Brooms Across West Long Beach
April 11, 2026
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Silverado Spring Cleaning
April 11, 2026
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Become a Grand Prix Volunteer
April 18 & 19, 2026
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Shred Events
June 13, 2026 & September 12, 2026
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Long Beach Animal Care Services Events
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Coyote Safety
Long Beach and surrounding jurisdictions are home to a healthy population of urban coyotes, and while they are a permanent and important part of our local ecosystem, keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility.
Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) follows a science-based Coyote Management Plan that focuses on coexistence with our native wildlife neighbors. This guiding principle for managing coyotes is based on balancing respect for, and protection of wildlife and their habitats, while prioritizing public safety for people and pets.
As springtime approaches, residents should expect to see an increase in activity during the coming months, as this is pup-rearing season and coyotes are more active while hunting for their litters.
| | Report bold or aggressive behavior via the Go Long Beach online portal or app or via the Coyote Incident online form. LBACS tracks these reports and coordinates directly with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to prioritize public safety and address any aggressive activity. Additional information and resources is available on the LBACS Wildlife Program webpage. | | Disability Data & Community Survey | | |
Second round of Love Your Block mini-grant applications now available!
Did you miss the first round of the Love Your Block mini-grants program? Good news. The City of Long Beach is accepting another round of applicants to help enhance the Westside Long Beach community (90810). If selected, recipients will receive up to $2,500 to support projects that improve air quality, transportation, and address community needs.
Applications for Love Your Block will be accepted until March 31, so apply as soon as you can!
To apply, go to: lbcity.info/LYB-MiniGrantApp
For more information about the program, visit: longbeach.gov/loveyourblock.
Or contact Jonatham Williams-Kinsel, Chief Innovation Officer at jonathan.williams-kinsel@longbeach.gov
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Long Beach Sidewalk to Success
Drop-In Office Hours
| Doing Business with the City Webinar | |
Calling all sidewalk vendors and mobile food operators!
The Long Beach Health Department is offering one-on-one open office hours to help you with:
- Food permitting
- Plan check requirements
- Food safety and more!
Meet us in person at:
Long Beach Health Department (2525 Grand Ave.)
Every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Whether you're new to sidewalk vending or a seasoned pro, our team is here to help you navigate local and state regulations and keep your business on track.
Get support with one-on-one guidance and get your questions answered!
| | Long Beach Technology and Innovation | | |
The City of Long Beach has launched its AI Strategy
Our roadmap ensures we use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and transparently—building public trust, minimizing risks, and safeguarding City data. We’re empowering staff, boosting efficiency, and supporting our entire LB community in learning about and safely using AI.
Learn more about our AI Strategy and see how we’re shaping the future of Long Beach together
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Long Beach Economic Development & Opportunity Department
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Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program
The Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program, led by the Department of Economic Development & Opportunity, is designed to promote the revitalization of the City of Long Beach’s key corridors through art window installations to a select number of vacant storefront/commercial buildings as an effort to attract new tenants and improve curbside appearance.
Selected locations will benefit from pre-approved, free-of-cost storefront vinyl window wraparound installations, designed by local artists, with the aims to:
Attract new tenants to untapped business corridors and dormant commercial spaces
Improve curbside appearance and deter vandalism
Fuel visitation and sales at local businesses
Improve pedestrian comfort and enhance community spaces
Encourage community engagement through the creative economy
Eligible vacant storefront/commercial buildings for the Vacancy to Vibrancy Storefront Program must meet basic eligibility requirements, demonstrate proof of ownership, extent of vacancy and undergo a competitive review, evaluation and selection process that requires additional documentation to determine the following measures:
Impact on Location and Surrounding Area
Level of Need for Program’s Implementation
Feasibility of Project
If there is need for language translation of application, please contact our BizCare Team at 4Biz@longbeach.gov.
For assistance with this application, please contact BizCare at 562.570.4BIZ (4249) or BizCare@longbeach.gov.
| | Los Angeles County Emergency Rent Relief Program | | LAERRP provides financial assistance to help eligible tenants and landlords cover past-due rent and related housing costs due to emergency financial hardship. Tenants and landlords are encouraged to review eligibility requirements and apply beginning Monday, February 9 by visiting lacountyrentrelief.com. Free in-language application assistance will be available by phone through approved program partners listed on the website. Tenants can also apply by phone through approved program partners. This change improves access for households experiencing housing instability by allowing tenants to initiate the process themselves, rather than relying solely on landlord-initiated applications. | | City of Long Beach Updates | | |
Exciting News, Long Beach Utilities customers! You can now pay your bill, schedule services, and view your bill usage all in one place! Utilities customers can register on longbeach.gov/myutilityportal
Key features of MyUtilityPortal include:
- 24/7 account access to view water, sewer, gas, and refuse billing and usage
- Projected bill estimates based on real-time usage patterns
- Online service scheduling, reducing the need to call for appointments
- Customizable alerts and notifications to stay on top of account activity and service updates
| | City of Long Beach Resources | | |
Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)
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Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD)
| | | Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) | | | |
City of Long Beach
Digital Inclusion Initiative
| | | Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability | | | |
Don’t Miss Out – Go Solar in 2025!
The City of Long Beach Development Permit Center makes the transition to solar simple and accessible.
The easy online permit process and expert staff are here to guide you every step of the way. Apply early to lock in your savings and join your neighbors in building a cleaner, greener Long Beach. For assistance, please contact us at 562.570.7648 or email Michael.Carrera@longbeach.gov.
Start your solar journey today! For more information, visit longbeach.gov/solarpermit.
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❄️ New Year, Cozy Care: Supporting Your Childcare Needs!
The Long Beach Early Learning Hub helps families connect with childcare, explore tuition assistance, and enroll in care—all through one simple application linking to 140+ local providers. Create your account today to find a program that fits your needs.
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Spring Classes and Programs Open for Registration February 2
Registration for spring recreation classes begins Monday, Feb. 2! This spring, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer over 700 classes, activities, sports and leagues, and more for people of all ages and abilities, from preschool to older adult. Register online, by phone (562.570.3111) or in person (2760 Studebaker Rd.). Browse the Spring Recreation Connection below.
| | The Long Beach Public Library is now accepting applications for our 2026 - 2027 Youth Poet Laureate! If you're between the ages of 13 - 18 and have a love of poetry, we want to hear from you! | | |
Discover Your Long Beach Digital Rights!
Are you interested in understanding how Long Beach’s tech works and the data it collects? We’re excited to announce a new series of short edutainment videos in partnership with 7Sun Media! These videos are designed to provide clear information, explain civic tech, and spark important discussions on technology.
Watch our first video here: lbcity.info/civictech
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Upcoming Increases to Utility Rates
The Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners has approved rate adjustments as part of the upcoming $397.4 million budget for Fiscal Year 2026. Starting October 1, residents will see a 12 percent increase in water and sewer rates. For a typical single-family home, this means an average monthly increase of $8.26 for water and $1.47 for sewer.
In addition, gas rates will rise 15 percent in August, with another 12 percent increase set for April 2026. This results in an estimated monthly increase of $4.67 for the average household.
For more information, visit lbutilities.org.
Long Beach Utilities: Water, Gas, and Sewer Service Programs
Long Beach Utilities (LBUD) offers a range of programs and resources to help residents and businesses conserve water and natural gas while improving sustainability across our city. Learn more at lbutilities.org or call 5625702140.
WaterSmart Portal
Track your daily water use and gain insights into your consumption with the WaterSmart Portal. Staying informed helps you conserve and save.
Direct Install Appliance Program
LBUD offers a no-cost direct installation program for qualified residents, providing water and gas-efficient appliances to help lower utility bills and conserve resources.
Certified Blue Program
This program highlights and supports Long Beach businesses that go above and beyond by installing efficient fixtures and adopting sustainable practices. Businesses that qualify receive official recognition from LB Utilities.
Lawn-to-Garden Program
Get paid to replace your lawn with a climate-appropriate landscape. LBUD offers not only financial incentives but also funding for professional landscape design assistance.
Native Plant Parkway Program
Transform your parkway with native, drought-tolerant plants. LBUD provides the materials and guidance needed to make the switch at no cost.
Conservation Toolkit
LB Utilities also offers a conservation toolkit, courtesy of Joy Contreras, with helpful resources and tips to support residents in saving water and energy every day.
| | CalKIDS is a program from the State of California that funds up to $1,500 in free money for eligible low-income public school students to save for college and career training. Visit CalKIDS.org to claim your account. | | The Long Beach Independent Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a new Council District Map and it went into effect on December 18th, 2021. This map is the new Council District 6 boundaries for the next ten years. For more information go to:https://www.longbeach.gov/redistricting/ | | |
Councilwoman Dr. Suely Saro
6th District Council Office
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