January 29, 2024

All it Takes is a Spark of Love


The City of Seal Beach participated in the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Spark of Love Holiday Toy Drive, collecting unwrapped toys at City Hall, the Police Station and the Seal Beach Tennis Center. Pictured above are city staff delivering toys collected at City Hall before the Holidays. OCFA's Spark of Love campaign resulted in over 39,000 donated toys being delivered, putting a sparkle in the eye of thousands of excited children throughout Orange County.

If you are interested in working for the City of Seal Beach, the city is currently hiring. To view current employment opportunities, please visit the city's CalOpps page.

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City Notes


City Council Meetings


Strategic Planning Workshop

Tuesday, January 30th, 9a.m.

Fire Station 48


Monday, February 12th, 7p.m.

Council Chambers


Planning Commission Meetings


Monday, February 5th, 7 p.m.

Council Chambers


Tuesday, February 20th, 7p.m.

Council Chambers


City Council and Planning Commission meetings can be viewed on SBTV-3 and on the City's YouTube Channel. A recording of the meeting will be posted online within 24 hours of adjournment.


Upcoming City Hall Closures


February 19th, 2024

(President's Day)


Upcoming Events


Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce

Sidewalk Sale

February 2nd - 4, 2024

Main Street, Seal Beach


Run Seal Beach

March 16th, 2024

First & Marina, Seal Beach


Department Highlights

Public Works

Jessica Salvador - New Executive Assistant

The City of Seal Beach welcomes Jessica Salvador as the new Public Works Executive Assistant. Jessica joins us from the City of Torrance where she provided a variety of administrative and operational support functions to the supervisors, managers, and director in the Community Services Department. Additionally, before leaving the cold behind to move to California, she worked for the Village of Homewood in Illinois, where she was the Village Manager and Mayor's Administrative Assistant and functioned as the Deputy Village Clerk.  


Jessica will be assisting the Public Works Department with support functions including general correspondence and report writing, social media, contract and project management, issuing permits, and other office support.


WELCOME TO THE TEAM, JESSICA!

Recreation & Community Services

Department Highlights


There are currently 1,529 users registered for the Senior Transportation Program. The program is available for Seal Beach residents ages 60 years and older and consists of a pre-fixed shuttle route and Yellow Cab Taxi service. To register for the program, please visit www.sealbeachca.gov or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 431-2527 X 1307.


There are currently 319 pickleball members and 90 tennis members at the Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center. To sign up for a membership, please contact staff at the Center, or call (562) 598-8624 for more information.

Seal Beach Police Department

Letter to the President


In June 2023, SCSO Dominic Sarabia wrote a letter to President Biden about the 10th Anniversary of our Pink Patch and enclosed two patches for him and Doctor Biden. At the end of December, Dom received a letter from President Biden, who wrote, “Thank you and the entire Seal Beach Police Department for raising awareness about breast cancer and throughout the month of October and for all you do to ensure the safety of the people of Seal Beach each and every day. You and your colleagues represent the very best of who we are as Americans. Keep the Faith.”

Department Updates

Seal Beach Police Department Updates

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  • Chief Henderson recently participated in a meeting with the Chamber of Commerce. This attendance is a part of our ongoing efforts to maintain a strong relationship with local businesses and community leaders. The meeting provided an opportunity for Chief Henderson to discuss public safety issues, collaborate on community initiatives, and stay informed about the concerns and needs of the business community.


  • Captain Nicholas and Lieutenant Clasby took an active role in community engagement by attending the McGaugh PTA meeting. During this meeting, they addressed various questions and concerns raised by parents and staff members. Their presence and participation in this meeting underline our police department's commitment to being accessible and responsive to the needs of our local schools and to fostering a safe educational environment.


  • Captain Nicholas also represented the police department at a meeting of the California Peace Officers Association. This meeting was an important platform for discussing statewide law enforcement trends, sharing best practices, and networking with fellow officers. Participation in such associations ensures that our department stays current with the evolving landscape of law enforcement and benefits from collective wisdom and experiences.


  • Two new police aides have recently joined the police department team. They are currently undergoing an intensive training program focused on various essential aspects of police work. This training includes an in-depth understanding of department procedures, the hierarchy within the department, the chain of command, and other crucial elements vital for their roles as police aides. This comprehensive orientation aims to prepare them thoroughly for their duties and responsibilities in the field.
  • We are in the process of finalizing adjustments to the municipal code and fee structures related to animal control. These adjustments were presented and unanimously approved at the January 22nd City Council meeting. The goal is to ensure that our animal control policies are effective, humane, and reflective of our community's values and needs.


  • The police department is continuously reviewing and updating the training programs for our professional staff members. The aim is to ensure that they are exceptionally well-equipped to handle various incidents in the field. This ongoing training encompasses a wide range of skills and knowledge areas, from crisis management to community relations, ensuring that our staff can respond effectively and professionally in diverse situations.

Yosa's Dog Blog

Gone Fishin'

Recreation and Community Services

Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center


The Seal Beach Tennis & Pickleball Center is running a promotion where players can sign up for a membership in the month of January, and waive the $135 administrative fee. Anyone interested may contact the Center at (562) 598-8624 for more information about the many benefits of a membership. 

Adult Sports Leagues


The Men’s Man-to-Man Monday Basketball League will start up for the Winter 2024 season at McGaugh Gym on January 22nd. The returning 2023 league champs, the Rhoids, look to continue their dominance into 2024.

Staff Training


The Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Division attended a Staff In-Service Training Day at the Marina Community Center on Saturday, January 5th. This training, intended for part time employees, gave staff an overview and mission of the department, trainings on customer service and facility rentals, and a tutorial on how to play the fastest growing sport in the world: Pickleball. 


Senior Services

Free Tax Assistance with AARP


Free Tax Assistance with AARP – The City of Seal Beach in partnership with AARP is offering free tax assistance for taxpayers ages 50 and over. Appointments take place every Monday from February 5th – April 15th from 8:30am – 10:45am at OCFA Fire Station 48 located at 3131 N Gate Road, Seal Beach 90740. Appointments are 45 minutes in length and can be made by contacting the Seal Beach Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 431-2527 X 1307 or 1390.

On Wednesday, January 10th staff attended the suicide prevention workshop put on by the Council on Aging in Leisure World. City staff were at our city booth to provide informational items to seniors who attended.  

Senior Lunch Cafe'


Senior Lunch Café - The Seal Beach Lunch Program is provided by Meals on Wheels Orange County (OC) at the North Seal Beach Center located at 3333 St. Cloud Drive. The Dine-In Lunch Café takes place Monday - Friday from 11:00am- 12:00pm. The Dine-In Lunch Program is open to adults ages 60 years and older. A suggested donation for lunch is $3.00. For any additional questions, please contact Nathan Caukin at (562) 431-2527 ext. 1307 or visit www.sealbeachca.gov/city-services/senior-services.


Seal Beach Senior Services Winter 2023 - 2024 Guide


The Seal Beach Senior Services Winter 2023-24 guide is available online at https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Departments/Community-Services-Recreation/Senior-Services and at our community centers. This guide provides consolidated information for all available programs that the City offers for seniors for this upcoming Winter Season. For any additional questions, please contact Nathan Caukin at (562) 431-2527 ext. 1307.


Public Works

Memorial Bench and Tree Program to be Revitalized


At the next Parks & Recreation meeting on Wednesday, January 24th, Commission members will be presented with an updated draft Memorial Bench and Tree policy. The updated policy will provide structure and clarification for this meaningful program. Once finalized, the ability to donate to the program will be available to the public. 

Water Service Line Replacement


Staff responded to a reported water leak in Old Town. During excavation a pinhole leak was discovered in the resident’s 1” copper service line requiring replacement. 

Post-Flooding Boardwalk Cleanup

Late December’s high surf activity brought substantial flooding to the beach parking lots and boardwalk that required considerable cleanup efforts. Staff utilized City equipment to remove most of the sand and debris throughout the coastal area supplemented by hand shoveling. A small skid steer was rented to assist with sand removal efforts on the boardwalk.

Street Signage Replacement and Road Striping Refresh


Staff has been hard at work replacing weathered and deteriorated street signs and refreshing faded roadway striping throughout the city for better visibility. Most recently, staff has refreshed the crosswalk and traffic striping at Road C between Boeing and Pacific Gateway Plaza as well as the Ocean Avenue crosswalks from 1st Street to 4th Street. New speed limit signs and other street signs have been installed to replace the deteriorated signs along 1st Street, Bolsa Avenue, and Seal Beach Boulevard near Bolsa Avenue. 

Slurry Seal Striping and Markings

Petrochem Materials Innovation (PMI) has now completed the city’s annual slurry seal work for FY 2023-24. Striping and other roadway markings have been added to the recent slurry sealed roads in College Park East and College Park West, including centerlines, stop bars, and legends. 

ADA Beach Mats

ADA beach access mats that stretch from the 8th Street parking lot to the shoreline have been reinstalled following the completion of the winter sand berm construction.

Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center Construction Update


The Seal Beach Tennis and Pickleball Center project is making good progress. A few items to highlight include the demolition of the locker room building, framing for the new folding doors, wood framing on the vaulted ceilings and installation of plumbing, foundation and footings inside the clubhouse.

City Clerk Updates

At the December 11, 2023, City Council meeting, the City Council:


  • was pleased to welcome Oak Middle School Choir who performed Christmas Carols at the beginning of the meeting.


  • recognized Former Deputy City Clerk Dana Engstrom for more than 17 years for service with the City of Seal Beach.


  • approved reorganization of the City Council and selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for 2024. Council Member Sustarsic was selected to serve as Mayor for 2024, and Council Member Lisa Landau was selected to serve as Mayor Pro Tem for 2024.  

West Comm Updates

Communication Center phone calls from the last 7 days:

  • 911 calls:               571
  • Non-Emergency calls:    1,904
  • Total Calls:             2,475


  • Calls for service handled over the last 7 days for all agencies:
  • 1778

Orange County Fire Authority Updates

House Fire in Seal Beach


On January 3rd at 5:30pm, a fire occurred in Seal Beach that injured two residents, one of whom sadly died. Ensuring working smoke alarms is crucial in preventing tragic incidents like fatal fires. These alarms act as early warning systems, providing valuable time for occupants to evacuate safely. Regular maintenance, such as testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries annually, is fundamental. Installing smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and every level of the home is essential. Additionally, interconnected alarms enhance overall effectiveness by triggering all

units when one detects smoke, ensuring a swift response. Residents understanding the importance of responding promptly to alarm signals is key. Conducting fire drills at home reinforces emergency procedures, promoting a calm and efficient evacuation during a fire. Understanding and prioritizing the life-saving role of properly maintained smoke alarms in safeguarding homes and lives is paramount. The aftermath of this devastating fire underscores the critical need for proactive measures, making it imperative for individuals to prioritize smoke alarm safety.


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