Dear Neighbor,

City Council will be coming off of summer recess on July 21st, 2026.

The City of Long Beach has expanded opportunities for public participation through new state requirements under SB 707. Residents can now participate in City Council meetings in person, by phone, or virtually through Zoom, making it easier than ever to stay engaged with the decisions that impact our community.

If you'd like to provide public comment virtually, simply join the Zoom meeting using the link included in the City Council agenda or on the City Clerk's webpage, then use the "Raise Hand" feature when it's time for public comment. If you're joining by phone, press *9 to request to speak.

This new hybrid meeting format also includes real-time closed captions through Zoom, helping make City Council meetings more accessible for everyone.

I encourage every resident to stay informed. For more information on how to join a meeting or provide public comment, please review the attached guide or visit the City Clerk's webpage. https://www.longbeach.gov/cityclerk/

Your voice matters, and we want to hear from you.

Budget season is here, and this is your opportunity to help shape the City's priorities for the coming year. Whether it's improving our parks, investing in safer streets, supporting local businesses, addressing homelessness, or expanding community programs, your input helps guide the decisions we make. Join one of the Budget conversation community meetings

I also encourage all District 6 residents to attend the upcoming budget oversight committee meetings, share your ideas, and make your voice heard. Together, we can build a budget that reflects the needs and priorities of our community.

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 will take place on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. I want to bring one item to your attention:

Item #34: Recommendation to receive and file the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 26) Mid-Year Budget

Performance Report providing an update on the City of Long Beach’s FY 26 financial

status and projections.

Please find the agenda here:https://longbeach.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=36324

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.

For all public meeting live-streams and video archives: https://longbeach.primegov.com/public/portal

For public access on LBTV

Live: www.LBTV3.com or LBTV YouTube channel

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.

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.

We love our pets in central Long Beach. However, our office has reported an increase in calls concerning pet defecation and other concerns. Please be aware that the dog owner can be issued a citation if this is witnessed by an Animal Control Officer. Residents are also able to submit photos or videos depicting this or any other violation to Long Beach Animal Care Services. If they also provide the address of where the owner lives, they can be issued a warning and possibly a citation.

Please email AnimalControl.Dispatch@longbeach.gov for more information or to report concerns.

CLIMB Central LB applications are now open for the Common Ground Summer Youth Leadership Program

Free summer program is for Long Beach youth ages 12–17 and focuses on leadership, community, creativity, wellness, and personal growth.

Spots are limited. Sign up today 

https://tinyurl.com/4mk5rz3z

Participants will take part in:

• Leadership workshops
• Art & healing activities
• Financial literacy
• Cooking & healthy meals
• Sports & recreation
• Community engagement

MacArthur Park, Long Beach

June 16 – August 20, 2026

Weekday evening sessions | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

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

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.

• 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

• 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

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

California Climate Action Corp Now Recruiting

California Climate Action Corps is now accepting applications for an 11-month fellowship starting in September! Fellows will serve with public agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and schools across California to engage communities in climate action and education.

As part of both the California Service Corps and AmeriCorps, selected fellows will serve 1700+ hours and gain hands-on experience in climate solutions while being part of a statewide network of emerging leaders. Projects focus on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, wildfire resiliency, and more!

California Climate Action Corps fellows can earn up to $45,550 in living stipends, training support, and money for school to pay educational expenses or repay qualified student loans.

Applications will open on May 1, 2026, and be accepted until July 31, 2026.

Doing Business with the City Webinar

Port of Long Beach's ADA Assesment Survey

Registration for Long Beach’s Summer Recreation Classes Begins May 4

This summer, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer over 700 classes, activities, sports and leagues for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Registration for new and existing recreation classes begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, available online, in person and by mail. 

Beginning May 4 at 8 a.m., community members can register for classes online by visiting LBParks.org and clicking on Online Registration under the LB RecConnect side menu button. Registration is also available in person at the Registration Reservations Office (2760 Studebaker Rd.), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Thursday, 1 to 5 p.m.; or by mail (2760 Studebaker Rd., Long Beach, CA 90815). Popular classes may fill up quickly, so residents are encouraged to register early.

Beginning the week of April 27, the summer issue of Recreation Connection, PRM’s recreation catalog, will be available online at LBParks.org. Hard copies will soon be available at Long Beach parks community centers and Long Beach Public Library locations.

More information about PRM and its wide variety of programs and services across Long Beach parks, beaches and marinas is available at LBParks.org.

Long Beach Parks to Offer Free Summer Food Service Program for Local Youth

The City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Food Service Program to provide free, nutritious meals to Long Beach youth ages 1 to 18 over the summer months.

Weekdays beginning June 15 through Aug. 21, 2026, PRM will offer the Summer Food Service Program at 23 park and library locations throughout Long Beach and Signal Hill, ensuring youth from all areas of the city have access to this valuable service. Service times vary at each site, with operating dates varying at select locations.



To participate, youth can simply arrive at a participating location during the designated time, no registration required. Lunches will consist of well-balanced and nutritious meal options, including cold components like milk, juice, fruits and vegetables. Lunches must be eaten onsite at the designated eating areas. Lunches will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information about this year’s Summer Food Service Program, including the complete list of locations and their operating hours, is available at lbcity.info/summerfoodprogram or by calling 562.570.3524.

Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine Issues Updated Operating Hours for  

Parks Reservation and Registration Office 

Office frequently used by community for in-person services and assistance 

Beginning Thursday, May 7, 2026, the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) Reservation and Registration Office, located at the PRM Administration Office (2760 N. Studebaker Rd.), will update its operating hours for in-person services and assistance. This change will help staff complete internal operations earlier in the day, improving overall service efficiency and ensuring greater support during peak community demand. 

PRM’s Reservation and Registration Office is used frequently by community members for in-person recreation class registration and assistance, submitting facility reservation forms and permits, payment processing and other customer services. Currently the office is open to the public on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting May 7 and until further notice, the PRM Reservation and Registration Office will be open for in-person services:   

·         Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

·         Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m.  

Information about PRM’s full lineup of parks, facilities, programs and services is available at LBParks.org.  

Media inquiries may be directed to Jennifer De Prez, Community Information Officer, Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, at Jennifer.DePrez@longbeach.gov. 

Upcoming Events

CLIMB Neighborhood Action Day

July 18, 2026

Summers in Wrigley Pop-Up

July 18, 2026

East Anaheim Career Fair

July 18, 2026

Everyone's Coast Open House

July 25, 2026

9 am - 1 pm

⏰ When: Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

📍 Where: MacArthur Park Community Center (1321 East Anaheim St.)

🗣 Interpretation services will be available in Khmer and Spanish

🥟 Free snacks and giveaways will be offered

🌐 Details: longbeach.gov/everyonescoast

Everyone’s Coast will help support improved beach access for Central Long Beach through transportation improvements and recommendations, along with equitable and affordable housing in Long Beach’s coastal areas.

Join us to learn and share your ideas about transportation and mobility improvements that can make it easier, safer and more comfortable to travel between Central Long Beach neighborhoods and the beaches. This grant-funded project builds upon previous efforts such as Zone In: City Core by centering community voices and priorities for their neighborhoods. We hope you can come to learn about the project, review ideas, ask questions and share your feedback. We look forward to seeing you there!

All-Ages Educational Resource Fair

July 25, 2026

Tech Girls Workshop

July 27, 2026

Summer Rowing Camps

June 13-28 & July 11-26

Summer Essay Contest

June 13, 2026 - August 8, 2026

Shred Event

September 12, 202

Neighborhood Clean-ups

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

Long Beach Sidewalk to Success

Drop-In Office Hours

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

Long Beach Economic Development & Opportunity Department

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. 

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 

Long Beach Police Department (LBPD)

Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Long Beach Public Works & EES

City of Long Beach

 Digital Inclusion Initiative

Long Beach Office of Climate Action and Sustainability

Community Development

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.

❄️ 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.

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

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/