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A lot has happened in the last week. As most of you know, the City was able to join LA County in the request for attestation from the governor's COVID closure orders. This means that our retailers and restaurants can once again open their doors, under strict guidelines. This was a major event for the city and my team and I worked closely with business leaders to guide them through this transition throughout the week. I think I had over 200 emails every day and countless text messages and phone calls as the process unfolded.
Nationally, we also saw the devastating misuse of power
by a
Minneapolis police officer against a
man named George Floyd. The impacts of that officer's actions were of course, devastating and unconscionable for the Floyd family, but the impact has been much broader.
I've taken some time to reflect on the tragic events that have led to so much focus and protest throughout the country. As a policy maker, I am deeply saddened by the police officer related tragedy that resulted in George Floyd's death in Minnesota. As a prosecutor, I have spent over twenty years working with police officers as well as victims and their families, dedicating my career to justice and ensuring families get the closure they deserve when they are the victim of a serious crime. My life is devoted to the pursuit of justice, and when we see real acts of injustice perpetrated by those meant to serve and protect, it shines a further light on the vast divides we see throughout America today.
I think most Americans can understand the frustration and sense of anger felt by many protesters as they pursue this nation's goal of a more perfect union. I cannot support riots, vandalism, or burglaries at any level while local small businesses are struggling during a pandemic. But, I understand the deep feelings of fatigue and frustration in protesters throughout this country that have not seen the prosperity promised to them in the American dream and instead feel a sense of ongoing injustice.
 As a city, Long Beach depends on the trust and faith in our police officers and their commitment to working with the community every day to keep us safe. And as a Councilmember I am committed to help our city every day with justice as my guiding principle. As the chair of the Public Safety Committee, I will continue to shine a light on these issues and in addition to pushing for Body Worn Cameras and other tools to bring about transparency, which our committee has done consistently for 6 years. We will discuss training opportunities and enhanced protocols for our police officers to ensure that the injustices we have seen around the nation never become a part of our culture.
I am grateful to our police chief, Robert Luna, and the men and women of the Long Beach Police Department, who are committed to a culture of open communication, respect, and justice. Let's keep talking and lessen the divide we feel today.
Suzie Price, 3rd District Councilwoman
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3RD DISTRICT COMMUNITY EVENTS & NEWS
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OPEN NOW: Restaurants, Barber Shops, and Salons
Late last week the County of Los Angeles received approval from the state for its plan to move into the next phase of reopening. As a result Long Beach is now able to allow indoor dining at restaurants and barbershops and salons can reopen, all with additional health measures for patrons and employees.
Hair Salons and Barbershops must:
- Physical distancing measures will be in place.
- Everyone, including clients, must wear cloth face coverings while in the salon or barbershop.
- Clients are encouraged to use credit cards and contactless payment systems.
- Stylists may only serve one client at a time.
- Other personal grooming businesses, such as nail salons and spa services, including massages, facials, and waxing are still prohibited.
Restaurants must have reduced capacity for in-person dining and:
- Physical distancing measures will be in place.
- Outdoor seating and curbside pickup are prioritized.
- Reservations will be encouraged.
- Customers will be asked to wait for their table in their cars or outside the restaurant to prevent crowds from gathering.
- Diners must wear cloth face coverings when not eating.
- Servers must wear both a face covering and a face shield.
- Bar areas will be closed.
- Indoor and outdoor in-person dining capacity will be limited to 60%
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Now Open: In-Store Retail
All in-store retail operations and office-based businesses must:
- Maintain physical distancing to the maximum extent possible, including:
- Retail can only open up to 50% of maximum capacity.
- Office-based businesses are strongly encouraged to still prioritize telework.
- Enact cleaning and disinfecting protocols, including frequent hand washing.
- Require face coverings when in close contact with other people.
- Maintain processes to identify cases of illness and intervene quickly.
- Make worksite-specific plans for operating during this public health emergency, and train employees on these plans.
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Free Testing for People Without Symptoms
As of May 30, 2020, all Long Beach residents, regardless of symptoms, can receive COVID-19 testing at Cabrillo High School's testing location (2001 Santa Fe Ave.)
At this site COVID-19 testing will be available to any resident who wants to be tested, whether they are exhibiting symptoms or not. Previously, only essential workers who were asymptomatic could be tested at City testing locations. The expanded testing is intended to provide testing availability for those who suspect or are concerned they have COVID-19.
 The Cabrillo High School testing site is open from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., seven days a week. Appointments are required and can be made online or by calling 562.570.INFO (4636). Appointment availability will continue to be prioritized for those exhibiting symptoms and individuals who are over 65 years of age or have underlying chronic health conditions.
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May Video Discussions on Mental Health
Those of you who know me well know that I am a big proponent of making sure we are vigilant about taking care of our mental health, especially during these very challenging and unprecedented times. People are operating with more stress and anxiety and having a place to listen and talk about these emotions is, in my opinion, very valuable.
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Long Beach Challenge
Long Beach locals, Mike and Tracy Murchison are partnering with Meals on Wheels Long Beach and the Long Beach Education Foundation to bring the "Long Beach Challenge," to people in need during the Coronavirus pandemic. The "Long Beach Challenge" is a campaign to raise up to $100,000 by featuring an auction of donated items with 100% of all proceeds to go to Meals on Wheels and the Education Foundation. The window to accept donations ends on July 1 and bidding starts on June 1 to July 15.
-Lisa West
3rd District Director of Business Relations,
Programming, and
Outreach
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Flashing New Crosswalk at Appian Way and Monrovia
Public Safety involves many ways to make an impact in our community. Neighbors help one another with neighborhood watch programs. Our first responders are the ones we call when we need immediate assistance. And, our traffic engineers keep busy evaluating traffic patterns and improving our traffic safety.
A flashing crosswalk at Appian Way and Monrovia was something requested by Belmont Park residents or Roger's Middle School parents. As a result of these requests Councilwoman Price directed our Traffic Engineers to look at this location and see if a flashing beacon was possible based on California vehicular code, and based on their evaluation we were glad to see this one installed! As a result many have crossed this street with their children to school and many children commuting after school. Evening walks to the Farmer's Market on Wednesday at Marine Stadium is also when this is especially useful. This can be a very busy area for pedestrians and it's exciting when positive progress like this can be made.
-Gabriela Yates
3rd District Field Deputy
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Open Streets to Support Long Beach Economy
Last week we began seeing the first installations of parklets in Belmont Shore and throughout the City for restaurants to accommodate social distancing for
dining.
The City Council has introduced an Open Streets Initiative to help our local
restaurants bounce back faster from this economic crisis.
Open Streets is a TEMPORARY program the City will be piloting to get our restaurants back to business in the new world of social distancing and limited capacity.
This program seeks to make more efficient use of our public streets and sidewalks in order to allow for these public spaces to be used to help stimulate our local economic recovery. 
These steps are meant to take into account the difficult reality we find ourselves in today as we seek to manage significant impacts to public health, and work to repair our economy with practical and efficient solutions.
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Reopening of Churches and Places of Worship
As religion and faith represent a significant source of guidance and strength for so many during even the most difficult times, it is great to see new information coming from the state on how places of worship and religious services can begin moving to reopen once again.
Late last month
California State Health Officials released guidelines including rules and regulations on the reopening of places of worship, and religious services.
All places of worship are required to:
- Limit attendance to 25% of building capacity or a maximum of 100 attendees (whichever is lower).
- Discontinue self-service food and beverages.
- Discontinue holding potlucks or family-style eating and drinking events. They are not allowed.
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Now Open and What You Need to Know About Masks
NOW OPEN:
Beach Bike Path and Beach Pedestrian Path
- Maintain social distancing of at least six feet from others who are not members of your household at all times.
- Beaches and beach parking lots remain closed.
NOW OPEN: Tennis Centers
- Pro shop is allowed for curbside pickup only.
- Restaurants and concessions are for takeout only.
NOW OPEN: Public Parks and Trails
- Park parking lots are open
- Public parks are open for passive activities only, including walking, running and biking.
- Social gatherings and picnicking are not allowed in the parks or park parking lots.
- Face coverings are not required in public while engaging in any physically-distanced exercise.
The Health Department encourages masks if (1) you are going to be closer than 6 feet to another person and (2) if you are going be closer than 6 feet to another person for longer than 10 minutes. They are not, however, required through a health department order.
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LBUSD Update Regarding Graduation, Summer School, and Next Year
As the COVID-19 emergency continues, I want to make sure that residents are all well informed on everything that is going on and that affects them. In many cases this includes updates that are actually not related to the Long Beach City Council, but certainly impact Long Beach residents. That is why I am updating you on one of the City's close partners during this emergency, the Long Beach Unified School District. As a mother with two school aged sons I know how important updates from the school district can be. Especially on topics like graduation, summer school, and the next school year.
Child Care Resources
While schools are closed I know many parents who are essential workers struggle to manage their job responsibilities along with their responsibilities as parents. Making sure kids are well taken care of while their parents continue to work can absolutely be a source of stress. This is why here in Long Beach there are resources available for parents as well as for childcare workers during the COVID-19 emergency.
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Councilwoman Price Advocating for Parent Involvement in Reopening Schools
Last month I sent the below letter to the Long Beach Unified School District encouraging them to make every effort to work with parents of LBUSD students and find ways we can safely reintegrate these kids into the on-site school environment. Students are experiencing significant learning losses as well as missed activities. These missed learning and growth opportunities also include essential socialization and exposure to Long Beach's diversity of cultures, view points, and experiences. Our students depend on the school environment and their skilled caring teachers.
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Donate to Long Beach Emergency Relief Fund
Long Beach is experiencing an unprecedented challenge as we face the Covid-19 health crisis. This fund will support the most vulnerable in our community.
The Long Beach Coronavirus Relief Fund will support community-based organizations at the frontlines of the coronavirus response in the Long Beach area. Grants will be made to support approved 501(C)3 nonprofit, educational, and governmental organizations working on these efforts.
Funds donated to this Long Beach Relief Fund through June 5, 2020 will be used exclusively for assistance to Long Beach residents impacted by Coronavirus.
Your contribution receives a full tax-deduction and goes directly to the Long Beach Disaster Relief Fund.
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Belmont Heights is Open for Business
Calling all Belmont Heights Businesses! Are you open or offering services even virtually? Let us know so we can share it with the neighborhood. Click the link below and fill out the form so we can share your information with our subscribers!
Thank you,
The Belmont Heights Community Association
-Lisa West
3rd District Director of Business Relations,
Programming, and Outrea
ch
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District 3- Extraordinary People Series
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Christine Barry
 Excellence is not an act, but a habit. Christine Barry was one of our extraordinary person. Even well before this emergency Christine was deeply committed to helping those in need an
d assisting individuals experiencing homelessness to get the resources and assistance to help get them back on their feet. She works tirelessly to help individuals and our community as well as volunteering with
our Long Beach Police Foundation supporting our incredible Quality of Life Officers.
Christine's dedication to working with people in need every day is a great example of the kindness and willingness to give of yourself that this emergency has brought to light throughout Long Beach and in the Third District in particular.
Mollie Beck and Long Beach Rotary Club
Mollie Beck and the Long Beach Rotary Club were also one of our
extraordinary
person and organization. The Rotary Club is committed to making lasting cha
nge in the world and community, and the Long Beach club has been working hard to live up to that mission. Long Beach Rotary members distributed 3,722 face
Shields to four organizations. The medically approved face shields
were
assembled by
Rotarians participating in "Project Shield", to provide front line COVID-19 workers with
much needed personal protection equipment.
This amazing volunteer effort and commitment to
helping support front line
workers is a great example of going above and beyond during this emergency.
Thank you
Rotary Club of Long Beach
for you great work to help others safe and reminding all of us the things we can accomplish by working together!
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David Hennage
 David Hennage is a Bluff Park resident that found his natural movement in the world of being an artist and a teacher. He's had public art in the Hollywood Hills and here in Long Beach at CSULB. David can be found performing or teaching a form of yoga called taiji. There are many forms of media being used, and sculptors are very unique in their trade.
"The purpose of my art has always been to reflect the essence of being human through the form and gesture of the human figure. During the same four decades that I have  been sculpting, I have become more involved in the Eastern movement arts, practicing and teaching yoga, qigong and taiji. I see sculpture and these movement arts are complimentary ways of tapping into the wisdom of the body. The past two years have been an ever-accelerating journey from naturalistic representational art, to abstract art, and on to performance art. The subject matter is taiji, qigong and yoga poses. The goal is to abstract the energy and movement of these forms using my knowledge of the body combined with my knowledge of physics and math. My current focus is to create public art that combines sculpture and actual performance of taiji on campuses and in parks."
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CITY COUNCIL UPDATES
City Council Meetings are held every Tuesday evening, with the exception of the last Tuesday of the month when council is "dark." During the COVID-19 emergency City Council meetings are being held via video conference. Residents can provide public comment prior to the meeting via written electronic comment on any agenda item of interest.
Charter (channel 3) and FIOS Verizon (channel 21) subscribers can view the City Council Meetings on their televisions or you can live stream the video through LBTV.com,
View City Council Meeting.
Agenda items change on a weekly basis so please check the city website for the most current agenda. The City Clerk is required to post the City Council Agenda the Monday, a week prior, to the Tuesday of City Council Meeting.
View agenda items
-Jack Cunningham
3rd District, Chief of Staff
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DID YOU CATCH SUZIE IN MAY?
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Delivering Food to First Responders and Healthcare Workers
Virtual City Council Meeting
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3rd District Neighborhood and Association Meetings
Alamitos Heights Improvement Association - AHIA
Meetings calendared Quarterly. Please visit their website for more information.
Belmont Heights Community Association
2nd Wednesday of each month
7:00 - 8:30 PM
Belmont Heights United Methodist Church
Belmont Shore Residents Association
2nd Thursday of each month
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Bay Shore Library
Bluff Park Community Meeting
Bixby Park Recreation Center
Friends of Belmont Shore
First Thursday of each month, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Bay Shore Community Congregational Church - 5100 The Toledo
Friends of Bixby Park
Please check their website
Greenbelt Heights Neighborhood Association
All neighbors welcome
Regular meeting: 3rd Tuesday at 8pm - 9pm
917 Bennett Ave., LB
2nd Sunday neighborhood clean-up at 9am
NW Belmont Park Community Watch
Approximately every 3 months as determined
Third District Field Office
Peninsula Neighborhood Association
Stoneybrook Villas Association Meeting
3rd Wednesday of each month
7:00 PM - Clubhouse at 500 Bellflower Blvd
Do you have a community or
neighborhood meeting that you
would like to add to the 3rd
District calendar? Email:
District3@longbeach.gov
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Enjoy Concerts From Your Home!
-Gabriela Yates
3rd District, Field Deputy
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Think about the purpose of your email: You want readers to respond in a certain way, so make sure to spell it out for them. Use specific calls-to-action such as
visit our website, shop the sale now, or
sign up for specials.
Call-to-Action Link
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