Starting this weekend, e-scooter companies are allowed to operate on the beach bike path as part of a pilot program. Your feedback will help shape the future of this program, so I encourage you to share your thoughts. For parking issues, please use the Go Long Beach app or website. For all other reports, comments, or concerns, please email GoActiveLB@longbeach.gov.

Join me at the next District 3 Townhall on May 28, at the Recreation Park Community Center. Representatives from the City Manager's Office will share updates on the 2028 Olympics, and the Environmental Services Bureau will provide information about the new organic waste bins. Before the meeting begins, there will be time to connect with various City departments to learn more about the services they provide, and we have seven neighborhoods groups joining us to share information to those who may be interested in joining.

Jefferson and Rogers Middle School held their Open House this week. It was great to connect with students, families, and staff. A big thank you to our Neighborhood Safety Bike Patrol officers for joining us and sharing valuable safety resources. Your presence helped make the Open House even more engaging and informative!

Major activities for April, May and beyond focus on utility construction along Colorado Street. The contractor began deep excavations using a slide-and-rail system and began the sewer siphon installation. Crews will be assembling slide-and-rail boxes to perform this complex excavation work (20 plus ft below current depths). The sewer siphon will be constructed several feet below the deepest portions of the RCB bridge to avoid conflicts with the City’s infrastructure and will gradually get shallower as it moves away from the bridge. Upon the creation of a deep trench, the contractor will lower equipment that will help perform horizontal augering to install the new lines. The City’s contractor is implementing a sewer siphon design approved by the Los Angeles County Sanitation District to ensure the construction of an effective siphon system that is effective and robust. These activities will continue into the summer, prior to bridge construction completion.

Other activities that have already taken place on site includes installation of various storm drain lines across the work areas, continuing installation of irrigation lines at Marina Vista Park, installation of the infield lines for the new ballfield, and rough grading. Remaining activities for Marina Vista Park include amending soils to help reduce the concentration of salt in the final surfaces. In combination with an upgraded and more modern irrigation system, this salt leeching process will help the future grass establish and grow successfully,

Concurrently, work in and around the open channel footprint continues. While the east trail has been established, grading and paving have begun to establish the west trail including establishing retaining walls and look out points for the future open channel. The channel has been mostly dewatered to allow for final grading to take place. Finally, Eliot street has been repaved with asphalt with the final one-inch lift to be done concurrently with Colorado Street paving.

Requested by Councilmember Duggan, the project team explored reopening Eliot Street early, but determined it is not feasible due to sewer installation constraints. The clay sewer siphon must be installed from the deepest point in one direction, and its joints require stable, continuous construction. Industry standards from LACSD and the National Clay Pipe Institute prohibit the type of seams that would be needed to reopen the Colorado and Eliot Street intersection early.

Eliot Street and Colorado Street are still anticipated to reopen in late 2025 or early 2026.

This week is National Public Works Week. I had the pleasure of joining Long Beach Public Works to celebrate and recognize all the incredible work they do for our city. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.

This week, I attended the 2025 Annual Aquatic Capital of America Awards Ceremony, a celebration of Long Beach’s aquatic community and the exemplary individuals dedicated to making our community thrive.

Good luck to our 2025 USA Outrigger National Champions (Women's Masters 40+ Division), Kahakai Outrigger Canoe Club, headed to Brazil to compete in the World Championship this summer! Also pictured is our own Long Beach Lifeguard, Ryan Spalding, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award for recognition in receiving the 2024 US Lifeguard Association Ben Carlson Lifeguard of the Year Award.

Aquatic Capital of America is a non-profit with two initiatives: Waterproof our Youth and Grants for Gear.

Join Live at the Shell at Recreation Park for free concerts and performances starting today at 4:00 pm!

Resurfacing work at the Recreation Bandshell was completed in time for this season’s events. You can find details about upcoming performances in the Calendar section below.

This week, I had the opportunity to attend the Rancho Los Alamitos 13th Annual Cottonwood Awards. Dr. Geraldine Knatz and Roxanne Patmor were honored for their dedication, hard work, and lasting impact on our community.

Last weekend, I joined the Long Beach Casting Club to celebrate their incredible 100-Year Anniversary. With over 500 members, the club is dedicated to teaching the many different aspects of fly casting and fly fishing free of charge. Congratulations to Bob Mayfield and the Long Beach Casting Club.

Last weekend, Maria Delgado, my Field Deputy, attended the Long Beach Adaptive Sports Fair, hosted by Playmakers. Athletes of all abilities came together to compete, connect, and celebrate inclusion. From field hockey to wheelchair basketball, the event showcased a wide range of adaptive sports and highlighted the importance of creating opportunities where everyone can thrive.

Zedler Marsh Trails are open to the public every Friday and Saturday 9:00 am-2:00 pm. This is one of the only places in Long Beach where the public can explore an ecologically sensitive area without a docent-led hike.

Trail Keepers are available to answer any questions as the public explores. Community members are encouraged to bike to Zedler Marsh where this opportunity is held. Access to the trails is located at a special gate on the San Gabriel River Bike Trail between 2nd Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.

Park your bike and enjoy!

The Pride Parade last weekend was great! Seeing everyone come together to celebrate equality and love truly showed the spirit of our community. A special thank you to Ras and Mychel Ann for letting me ride in their beautiful classic car.

The City has released multilingual FAQs about the network security incident to help residents stay informed and protected. Learn more at longbeach.gov/networksecurityincident or call 888-802-9667 for assistance.

Congratulations to the Belmont Shore Rugby Football Club for winning the USA Rugby Division 1 National Title this weekend in Indianapolis, proudly bringing the trophy back home to Long Beach. Their Under-18 Girls team also claimed a national title, and the Under-18 Boys are set to compete this weekend in hopes of making Long Beach #1 in all three categories.