Weekly Update & Happy President's Day | |
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Happy Friday, District 5, and leading into the long weekend, happy President's Day! The holiday falls annually on the third Monday of February, and the observance honors the nearby birthdays of Presidents George Washington (on February 22nd) and Abraham Lincoln (on February 12th). For many, it has since expanded to stand as a general day of appreciation for our country’s notable leaders throughout history.
With the observance of President's Day on February 19th, many city services and facilities will be closed, including our CD5 office. Refuse and recycling will be collected as regularly scheduled, but there will be no street sweeping or associated parking enforcement on Monday. Click here for a full list of affected facilities and services.
This weekend, there are a number of special events and activities within CD5. Start Saturday off with your morning coffee at the grand opening of Coffee Drunk in Bixby Knolls! Help us welcome their new location into the neighborhood by stopping by 4347 Atlantic Ave to show your support. Afterwards, from 11am – 2pm, just across the street, stop by the Expo Arts Center for “Legacy of Resilience,” a Black History Month Luncheon Celebration. The event is free, but seats are limited; be sure to RSVP! Then, you can head over to LBX for a “Paw-lentine’s Party” on the Hangar Lawn from 12pm – 5pm. Bring your furry friend along to shop from pet-friendly vendors and participate in a pet parade! On Sunday, you can cruise through Bixby Knolls with neighbors of all ages at this month’s KIDical Mass Neighborhood Bike Ride, starting at 11am behind Pixie Toys. Don’t forget your helmet! As you make plans for next week, mark your calendars for a Community Event at Relativity Space on Saturday, February 24th. See flyers below for more information about these and other great events.
In the weeks to come, continue to find even more Black History Month programs and events all over Long Beach! Celebrate and learn at the public libraries, the Aquarium, LBCC, and more. Coming up on Tuesday, February 20th, you can groove to classic jazz tunes and learn about important figures of Black history at Jazz & Bingo at the Dana Branch Library. Bring the learning home from the library, too, with printable pdfs of bingo cards, quilt patterns, and coloring pages, or by checking out books from the BHM 2024 reading list.
While it seems there are always reasons to celebrate, we remember that there are reasons to pause and reflect on loss as well. Next Saturday, February 24th, the New Hope Grief Support Community is holding their second annual “Rhythms of Grief” community event, where anyone who has experienced the death of a loved one can come together to discover the healing power of art and music. Join in healing with the community as the all-ages interactive session will allow you to connect with others in a supportive environment and pay tribute and honor to lost loved ones. See the flyer below for more details.
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, February 20th at 5pm. The maintenance is complete, and we will be back in the City Hall Chambers. A list of items of interest can be found at the bottom of this newsletter. I encourage you to attend or watch online.
As always, I am grateful for your continued engagement with me and my office, and I look forward to seeing you out in the community.
The work continues,
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Megan Kerr, Councilwoman
Long Beach, District 5
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Upcoming Events &
Community Meetings
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Economic Development
News & Events
Space Beach Job Fair - February 23, 2024
In collaboration with Mayor Richardson’s office, the City of Long Beach Economic Development Department and its Workforce Development Bureau (Pacific Gateway) are proud to announce a special hiring event for those affected by the recent layoffs at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
The Space Beach Job Fair will take place on Friday, February 23rd, from 9 am to 4 pm at the City of Long Beach’s WorkPlace facility located at 4811 Airport Plaza Dr.
This job fair is open to space and aerospace professionals who have been displaced by NASA JPL layoffs and any Long Beach residents who have matching skill sets. It is imperative for the success of the regional space and aerospace sector to retain as much talent in Southern California as possible. Within Space Beach, there are endless opportunities for those impacted at NASA JPL to join the ranks of companies building satellites, spacecraft, space stations and rockets right here within our city limits.
Impacted NASA JPL employees/contractors must register here.
For more information, please contact the Pacific Gateway at (562) 570-3700.
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The Wardlow Project
Current Info on Project at 1131 E Wardlow
Many of our neighbors have reached out to my office with concerns over the plans for a new affordable housing project at 1131 E Wardlow Rd. We want to take a moment to assure you that we hear your concerns, and we wish to provide you with what our office knows.
On January 17, 2024, the Long Beach Community Investment Company Board of Directors voted unanimously to purchase and convert a vacant commercial building at Cerritos Avenue and Wardlow Road into affordable housing.
As we have been briefed by the Community Development Department, this is an ongoing process that can take well over a year. No plans for development have been approved at this time. The proposed development is not set in stone and will be required to follow the standard planning review process. The city is actively engaging with a developer to ensure the best possible outcome for the site.
The units at this site will be available to families with household incomes between 30% and 80% of the area median income. Many of the households who will be living there are making $26,000 - $90,000, and work in the surrounding community. This commitment to affordability is central to our vision of a diverse and inclusive city.
We recognize the concerns being raised by our community. The city and this office are dedicated to ensuring that future development on this site, which is not within but adjacent to the Historic District, respects and honors the unique history of Cal Heights. The Community Development Department plans to hold a community meeting to address queries and concerns about this project in the near future. We will share the date of the meeting once it has been confirmed.
For your reference, below are links to relevant information regarding this project.
This project is a proactive step toward creating a more equitable Long Beach. By providing homes for families with a range of incomes we continue to add to the vitality of our diverse community. As the development of this site continues and we find out more information, we will keep you updated via our newsletters.
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Public Works Department
News & Events
Community Meeting: Studebaker Rd Improvements
The City of Long Beach is hosting an in-person community meeting to provide an overview of the Studebaker Road Complete Streets Project. The meeting will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 11 am to 1 pm at the El Dorado Park West Community Center (2800 Studebaker Rd.).
The project will implement major street improvements along the approximate 5-mile corridor between 2nd Street and Carson Street. Improvements include multi-modal enhancements such as upgraded traffic signals, fiber optic communication, pavement resurfacing and repair, ADA compliant paths of travel, protected intersection treatments, curb-protected bikeways, street beautification and new landscaping elements.
For more information about the project, visit the project webpage at longbeach.gov/studebakerccsp or email contactLBPW@longbeach.gov with the subject line “Studebaker Corridor Project."
LEARN MORE...
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Celebrate Black History Month With Shop Long Beach
Earn Extra Rewards by Shopping at Black-owned Businesses in February
Celebrate Black History Month and support local Black-owned businesses through the Shop Long Beach program! Use the Shop Long Beach Rewards Program powered by the Localight App to spend and earn rewards at participating Black-owned businesses during the month of February, and earn an additional 10% back. Below are the participating businesses within CD5!
*These are the Shop Long Beach Spotlight Businesses where you can spend earned Shop Long Beach reward money.
Let’s invest in Black-owned businesses, to help provide financial support to entrepreneurs looking to grow their ventures, and 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 at shoplb.org.
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Parks, Recreation & Marine
Spring 2024 RecConnect Classes for All Ages
Registration opened February 5th for Parks, Recreation & Marine's Recreation Connection classes offered from March through May 2024.
Classes will be offered for ages preschool to 50 years and older, and include a variety of physical, intellectual, and fun interests. From cooking to dance classes to sports leagues and more, there's something for everyone! Click here to view the class catalog or visit lbparks.org to learn more.
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City of Long Beach
News & Updates
Ballot Drop Boxes Now Open, Two in CD5
Vote by Mail ballot distribution for the March 5, 2024 Primary Nominating Election has begun! All registered voters in LA County, which includes Long Beach, will be mailed a Vote by Mail ballot. Ballots may be returned by mail (no postage required), in person at any Vote Center in LA County, or at any Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Box.
There are over 400 participating locations in LA County with 24-hour drop boxes, including 17 in Long Beach. Below are the two located within CD5:
Vote by Mail Drop Boxes are now open and will remain open until 8:00pm on Election Day, Tuesday, March 5, 2024. All voters may track their ballots here. More information, including a current list of all LA County 24-hour Vote by Mail Ballot Drop Boxes, or to check registration information or request a ballot in a different language, is available at lavote.gov.
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Long Beach Recycles
News & Updates
Become a Recycling Ambassador
If you are a Long Beach resident 18 years or older, apply to join our Compost and Recycling Ambassador Program! Registration for the program opened on 2/12/24. Offered at no cost, you’ll learn about waste reduction, recycling, and composting through lectures and hands-on experiences over the course of 8 weeks.
The Spring session begins 03/21 from 9 am-12 pm and meets weekly every Thursday for 8 weeks, until 5/1. The course takes place in-person at the Environmental Services Bureau located at 2929 E Willow St. Long Beach, CA 90806.
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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.
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City of Long Beach Welcomes Inaugural Class of the Long Beach Public Service Corp
The City of Long Beach and Mayor Rex Richardson have hosted the official kick-off of the Long Beach Public Service Corps, an innovative paid fellowship program that will provide local college students and recent graduates with hands-on experience working in City government and exploring careers in public service.
Over the coming months, fellows will participate in a series of professional development workshops, trainings, and site visits that will help them learn about the many functions of the City, develop essential skills and competencies, and network with City leaders and staff.
LEARN MORE...
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Melanie Wagner Appointed Manager of LB Animal Care Services
Dr. Melanie Wagner has been appointed Bureau Manager for Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS), under the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM).
She brings to the role extensive experience and knowledge about animal care and the LBACS Compassion Saves model and has over 20 years of professional experience. Dr. Wagner began her role as Bureau Manager on Jan. 31, 2024.
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City's Demolition Ceremony for Former North Neighborhood Library
The City of Long Beach joined with its nonprofit affiliate, The Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC) and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA) to commemorate the ceremonial demolition of the former North Neighborhood Library.
The site will be developed into a new townhome community that will provide the opportunity for low-income families to purchase their first home.
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LB Public Library Presents “Our History, Our Future,” a Celebration of Black History and Culture
The Long Beach Public Library is proud to announce the launch of "Our History, Our Future," a month-long celebration dedicated to honoring and showcasing the richness of Black history and culture. These vibrant events will feature a series of thought-provoking and inspiring activities that highlight Black love, self-identity, self-care, art and joy within the Black community.
As the month unfolds with a variety of events for all ages, the celebration will reach its pinnacle with a Black Voices Open Mic event on Saturday, Feb. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Burnett Neighborhood Library (560 E. Hill St. 90806).
LEARN MORE...
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. February 20, 2023, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
Meetings have resumed within the City Hall Council Chambers
FULL AGENDA
Item 1 Recommendation to increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the City Manager Department by $2,000, offset by the Mayor’s Youth One-Time Priority Funds, transferred from the Citywide Activities Department, to provide a contribution to the CSULB National Pan-Hellenic Council in support of the 27th Annual Long Beach Step Show; and decrease appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Citywide Activities Department that were allocated for youth-specific programs by $2,000 to offset transfers to the City Manager Department. (Item Details)
Item 7 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any necessary documents, subcontracts, and subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount or to the agreement term, with Community Partners, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount up to $340,103 as part of the Long Beach Undocumented Entrepreneurship/Microenterprise project, impact-focused collaboration with Organizing Rooted in Abolition, Liberation, and Empowerment (ÓRALE), to uplift Long Beach’s undocumented immigrant community, for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025. (Item Details)
Item 8 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 35936 with Suzanne P. Lawrence, dba Advisor Business Solutions, of Long Beach, CA, for culturally relevant communications and marketing services for the statewide Black Infant Health Public Awareness Campaign, to increase the contract amount by $350,000, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $950,000. (Item Details)
Item 12 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute a Memorandum of Understanding, including subsequent amendments, with the Los Angeles Gateway Region Integrated Regional Water Management Joint Powers Authority, for administration and cost-sharing of the Coordinated Compliance Monitoring and Reporting Plan Implementation for the Dominguez Channel and Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors Waters Toxic Pollutants Total Maximum Daily Loads, in a total cost not-to-exceed $12,730 for a three-year term. (Item Details)
Item 14 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to accept a donation from Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership DBA Verizon Wireless (Verizon) in the amount of $60,000 to bolster the City of Long Beach’s (City) existing Tech-To-Go Program administered by the Long Beach Public Library; and to amend Strategic Joint Development Agreement No. 35310 with Verizon Wireless to replace Smart City Solutions with Digital Inclusion efforts; and Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group in the Library Services Department by $60,000 for the Tech-to-Go Program, offset by a donation from Verizon. (Item Details)
Item 15 Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of the Affordable Connectivity Program to Bridge the Digital Divide. (Item Details)
Item 23 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Section 16.52.2500, relating to the designation of the property located at 3917 Long Beach Boulevard, as a historic landmark, read and adopted as read. (Item Details)
Item 24 Recommendation to declare ordinance finding and determining that a Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF) credit is due for the development project located at 2401 East Wardlow Road in the amount of $555,547; and, authorizing City Manager to execute an agreement with GCC Long Beach, LLC, providing for a TIF credit in the amount of $555,547, read and adopted as read. (Item Details)
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