Weekly Updates & Springtime Events | |
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Happy Friday, District 5! April is here, and with it, the proverbial showers that will hopefully begin to clear as we continue through the next few weeks of spring. Rain or shine, there are a number of ways to get out and engage with our community! More on that below, but first a few brief notes of business.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, my colleagues and I discussed City staff recommendations regarding amending the ordinance that regulates Short-Term Rentals in Long Beach. See below for more information and links to the item and discussion. In other news, earlier this week, LBPD Detectives successfully arrested a suspect connected to a series of residential robberies throughout the eastern portion of District 5. See below for more details regarding the investigation and arrest.
This weekend in CD5, there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy. I hope to see you tonight at First Fridays in Bixby Knolls for the annual County Fair! Then, tomorrow, April 6th, return to the Expo Arts Center for the free “Art Is Education” Festival put on by Agape Children’s Museum from 11am – 3pm. You can also choose to support local vendors and makers at LBX with the “Zillennial Maker Market” on April 6th, or the “Groovin’ Into Spring” market on April 7th, both from 12pm – 5pm on the Hangar Lawn.
Sunday, April 7th, all who are able are invited to attend a pancake breakfast at St. Cyprian Church hosted by the scouts of Troop 67. Your $10 entry will help support sending the scouts to summer camp! Later in the afternoon, you can head over to the Scottish Rite Cathedral to hear a free concert from the Long Beach Community Band, celebrating American composers. See the flyers below for more details on these events and more!
If you’re like me, you’re looking forward to this Monday’s solar eclipse! Though it will only be a partial eclipse from Long Beach, it will be the only total solar eclipse visible in the US until 2044, so let’s make the most of this special celestial event! To prepare, you can join community members at the Michelle Obama Library from 1pm – 2pm on Saturday, April 6th to learn about safe viewing practices and eclipse activities. Then on Eclipse Day itself, April 8th, stop by Tuttle Cameras from 10:00am – 11:30am for a viewing party on their patio. They’ll have cameras set up for snapping photos of the iconic moment, just bring your own SD card. Wherever you are, make sure you’re prepared to view the eclipse safely—stop by your local library this weekend to pick up a free pair of solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last).
For a city-wide cultural celebration, this Saturday, April 6th, join the Cambodian American Cultural Center in celebrating Saṅkrānta 2024! Saṅkrānta (pronounced “san-kran”) is a New Year celebration that is observed in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and some parts of India. Stop by the all-day event at LBCC’s Pacific Coast Campus to enjoy music, dancing, food, and community. The following the day, April 7th, you can join in celebrating Cambodian New Year at the annual Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival at MacArthur Park. Click the link to learn more!
Looking ahead to next weekend, save the date for Saturday April 13th’s Adaptive Sports Fair at LBCC. From 10am – 2pm, join Playmakers Long Beach and SoCal Adaptive Sports to explore a diverse range of sports and recreational activities! The event is free and open to everyone, of all ages and abilities. More events that day include Parkview Village’s Second Saturdays Block Party, and Clean Streets’ monthly Saturday cleanup at three locations—see the flyers below for more information!
Finally, I’d like to remind you that the next City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, April 9th at 5pm 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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Long Beach Police Department
News & Updates
Suspect Arrested for Multiple Residential Robberies
Earlier this week, LBPD released a press release announcing the arrest of an individual suspected of committing multiple residential robberies throughout the East Division area of Council District 5. Per the release, “Detectives have been investigating a series of incidents, which they have determined follow similar circumstances and have similar suspect descriptions. In each of the burglaries, the suspect posed as a salesman and/or service worker and knocked on victim’s door. When the victim(s) did not appear to be home, the suspect entered the victim’s home and stole jewelry, collectible coins, heirlooms, jewelry boxes, and money.” Through an extensive investigation, detectives were able to identify the suspect, serve a warrant to search his residence, and ultimately arrest the suspect.
We are grateful to our LBPD Detectives for their hard work in breaking the case and catching this criminal! We are also grateful to the local Community Watch led by Jerry Schulz for their assistance in reporting the suspicious activity. It’s important to always stay vigilant. Remember, if you see something, say something!
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Community Development
News & Updates
Short-Term Rental Ordinance Review
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, City staff brought forward recommendations to amend the ordinance that regulates Short-Term Rentals in Long Beach. My colleagues and I voted to move forward with the recommendations around tightening the violation structure and increasing communication efficiencies for reporting violations. Some recommendations were noted as needing further consideration as part of the budget process and will continue to be discussed. My colleagues and I shared concerns over raising the fees for petitions against STRs within a census tract block, and we will continue to advocate for a reasonable structure as amendments to the ordinance are suggested. A hearing to review the changes will come before Council in the near future. I encourage those interested to review the recent item and Council discussion.
Proposed Affordable Housing Community
On Tuesday, March 26th, the Community Development Department, in partnership with our office and the West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation (WHCHC), hosted a community meeting to discuss the context and details around the proposed affordable housing community on Wardlow Rd, to answer community questions, and to solicit feedback from community members. It is our understanding that the details of the development are still in flux, and as such, our office continues to listen and learn from City staff, WHCHC, and our neighbors about potential plans and concerns for the site.
For your reference, linked below are the presentations from the community meeting. We expect more community meetings regarding this location in the future, and we will keep you informed of those opportunities for engagement as they arise. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to submit feedback via our online form, and share it with any interested neighbors. Our office will be compiling all feedback provided by the online form and sharing with the Community Development team in the near future. Please note, there is no deadline to submit feedback and the form will remain active. Your feedback will be shared with City Staff and West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation as the proposal continues to come together.
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Health & Human Services
News & Updates
Mobile Access Center - Schedule for April
The Mobile Access Center (MAC) vehicle is a form of street outreach that allows staff to begin the intake process on the street with people experiencing homelessness beyond the City's Multi-Service Center (MSC). The MAC serves as an extension of the Homeless Services Bureau, including REACH, Homeless Outreach Services and the MSC. This approach increases access to services and resources for people experiencing homelessness, including case management, homeless prevention, connection to mental health services, mail services, connections to housing and more. Staffed by members of the Homeless Services Bureau and a public health nurse, the vehicle allows clients to receive direct services including routine health checkups. See below for their current schedule of locations.
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Community Development
News & Updates
Long Beach Community Development Week
Join the City of Long Beach for a series of events as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program during Community Development Week happening April 1st - 6th! Finish out the week and join tomorrow's final workshop:
Fiscal Year 2024-25 Action Plan Community Workshop (In Person)
Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 10am - noon
Admiral Kidd Park Community Center| 2125 Santa Fe Ave
The CDBG Program is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It provides Long Beach and more than 1,200 local governments nationwide with funding to improve the physical, economic and social conditions of communities. Long Beach has used its CDBG funding to support land acquisition for affordable housing, single-family housing rehabilitation programs, public infrastructure projects, small business assistance, rental housing assistance and a broad range of public service programming for low- and moderate-income residents. For the 2023-24 fiscal year, the City received a total of $5.2 million for various activities.
To learn more, visit longbeach.gov/hudgrants.
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City of Long Beach
News & Updates
E-Bike Lending Library Pilot Program
Long Beach is pleased to introduce the E-Bike Lending Library Program. With funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act (LBRA), this program will provide 35 electric bicycles (E-bikes) for a rental period of up to 3 months, at no cost for selected applicants. At least 24 of the E-bikes will be reserved for residents who can show proof of enrollment in any of the qualifying federal or state assistance programs. Through this program, community members will have the opportunity to experience the advantages of active transportation to the community while promoting E-bikes as a reliable option.
Selected participants will receive the required program information, such as a participant guidebook, an E-bike training manual, GPS information, storage instructions, and safety guidelines. Visit the website for more information including program requirements and answers to FAQs.
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California Department of
Food & Agriculture
Safely Donate Your Backyard Citrus
With rising food costs, food banks are struggling to meet demand, particularly for nutritious, fresh produce such as citrus. While donations from backyard citrus trees provide a unique solution, residents are being encouraged to follow best practices to ensure they’re not donating produce that may spread harmful pests or diseases that can threaten your community’s backyard fruit.
The Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP), administered by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, developed the following guidelines on how to safely donate fruit to help limit the movement of the dangerous pest called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), which can spread the deadly citrus tree disease, Huanglongbing (HLB), and other pests and diseases.
ACP and HLB, as well as several species of invasive fruit flies, have been found in the state of California and residential citrus tree owners should be on alert. While not harmful to humans or animals, there is no cure for HLB, and infected trees will die. As of today, HLB has been found in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties. Although HLB hasn’t been found in a commercial citrus grove, more than 7,400 residential citrus trees in California have been infected with HLB and removed to limit the spread of the disease.
Learn more about the steps you can take to safely donate fresh homegrown produce in the CPDPP's blog post or with this Fruit Donation Guide.
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Fair Housing Foundation News & Events
2024 Youth Poster Contest: "A Place to Call Home"
The Fair Housing Foundation is now accepting submissions for their annual Fair Housing Poster Contest, open to students in 4th to 8th grade. Students must create a poster on any size paper with this year’s theme, “Fair Housing: A Place to Call Home,” and submit the entry via email for a chance to win up to $125! See the flyer below or visit fhfca.org for more details.
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Sister Cities of Long Beach
News & Events
2024 Young Artists and Authors Showcase
Sister Cities International’s annual global competition, the Young Artists and Authors Showcase (YAAS), has set this year’s theme — “ClimateScape: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow’s Climate” — with Sister Cities of Long Beach offering first-round cash prizes up to $250 and Sister Cities International up to $1,000 for the final grand prize winners. The competition invites young artists to express the values of international friendship and cultural exchange through classic art, digital art, literature, poetry, music and photography.
The 2024 YAAS competition theme centers on the pressing challenges of climate change and its impact on cities. It encourages students to unleash their creativity and showcase the transformative power of resilient cities to adapt and flourish in the face of a changing climate.
The deadline to apply for the local competition is April 17, 2024. Eligible ages: 13 to 18. Click here to learn more.
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City Issues Traffic Impacts in Downtown Long Beach for 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
In preparation for the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, taking place Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21, there will be several street closures impacting the Downtown Long Beach area beginning Wednesday, April 17 and lasting until 5 p.m. on Monday, April 22. Below is a listing of street closures and alternative access points, when applicable, by date. Times are approximate and subject to change.
LEARN MORE...
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City of Long Beach Requests Information from Food Vending Cart Manufacturers
The City of Long Beach is releasing a Request for Information (RFI) to better understand the market landscape for mobile food vending carts, including types of carts, pricing and fulfillment timelines. The information gathered will help the City prepare for the second phase of its sidewalk vending support program, Sidewalk to Success, which supports sidewalk vending entrepreneurs to align with the City’s recently approved Sidewalk Vending Ordinance.
Food cart manufacturers and vendors are encouraged to provide their information by following the instructions on the City’s vendor portal, Long Beach Buys, by April 19, 2024, at 1 p.m. Specific details related to submission instructions are available on the Long Beach Buys website.
LEARN MORE...
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City Celebrates Earth Month with Events and Educational Campaigns Throughout April
The City of Long Beach is celebrating Earth Month by hosting a series of fun, free and family-friendly events, workshops and volunteer opportunities for residents throughout April. Festivities will highlight a range of sustainable topics such as supporting local wildlife, reducing waste and stewarding community spaces. Earth Day began in 1970 to bring attention to environmental issues and has since spread to monthlong events and celebrations around the world every April. This year’s Earth Month activities and events are organized around the 2024 theme, Planet vs. Plastics.
To commemorate Earth Month 2024, the City has created an Earth Month events calendar, available on the City’s Office of Climate Action and Sustainability webpage at longbeach.gov/sustainability
LEARN MORE...
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Upcoming
City Council Meeting
Tues. April 9, 2024, 5:00pm
411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802
FULL AGENDA
Item 8 Recommendation to adopt resolution declaring the results of the Primary Nominating Election held in the City of Long Beach, California, on Tuesday March 5, 2024 for the purpose of nominating and/or electing candidates for the following City Offices: four (4) offices on the City Council from District Numbers 2, 4, 6, and 8; and nominating and/or electing candidates for one (1) Long Beach Unified School District Governing Board of Education Office, District Number 2; direct City Clerk to place on ballots to be used at the General Municipal Election to be held on the 5th day of November 2024, the names of the candidates declared to have been nominated in the Primary Nominating Election; direct City Clerk to issue a Certificate of Election to the candidate declared to have been elected at the Primary Nominating Election; (Item Details)
Adopt resolution declaring the results of the Primary Municipal Election held in the City of Long Beach, California, on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, for the one (1) ballot measure which had been submitted to a vote of the qualified electors of the City known as “Measure RW” (Item Details);
Adopt resolution ordering, proclaiming, calling, giving notice of and providing for the holding of a General Municipal Election to be held in the City of Long Beach, California, on Tuesday, the 5th day of November, 2024, for the purpose of nominating and/or electing candidates for one (1) office on the City Council from District Number 4, for a full term of four (4) years commencing with the third Tuesday of December, 2024; and adopt provisions relating to translations of and the charges for costs of candidate statements. (Item Details)
Item 23 Recommendation to adopt Specifications No. RFP CM-23-318 and award a contract to ORALE of Long Beach, CA; United Cambodian Community of Long Beach, CA; Filipino Migrant Center of Long Beach, CA; and Al Otro Lado, of Los Angeles, CA, to implement the Long Beach Justice Fund (LBJF) Program and provide legal services, outreach, education, and make program referrals, in an annual aggregate amount not to exceed $800,000, for a period of one year, with the option to renew for two additional one-year periods, at the discretion of the City Manager; and authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into the contracts, including any necessary subsequent amendments. (Item Details)
Item 28 Recommendation to approve ordinance amendment to Section 3.80.261 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) to reduce the cannabis cultivation tax rate and adult-use retail tax rate and add provisions for the Pilot Tax Credit Program, read for the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading. (Item Details)
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