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As many of you recently read, the Long Beach City Council officially approved ending the City's local COVID-19 emergency proclamation. Shortly after, California terminated the COVID-19 State of Emergency. I want to thank the employees and health care professionals that dedicated their time, services, facilities, and equipment to responding to this public health crisis. Since 2020, our city staff has:

  • Conducted more than one million COVID-19 tests
  • Helped administer over 350,000 vaccines
  • Provided nearly five million pieces of personal protective equipment citywide
  • Established emergency shelters and isolation and quarantine sites.


The city lifted the emergency declaration, but the tools and resources remain to protect ourselves from COVID-19, which remains a public health risk. The City will continue to operate Testing and Vaccine Clinics and maintain the COVID-19 Digital Dashboard.


Our Homelessness Emergency Declaration continues, and I appreciate the communication from many of you to our office to identify encampments and areas to direct staff. We continue to work with the multi-jurisdictional team to connect people with services and address encampment concerns. District 5 touches both rivers and includes many flood control channels. With LA County dealing with 50+ miles of riverbed and even more flood control areas, the ongoing cooperation between our city staff and LA County is critical in the efficiently coordinating cleanups. Our city team has shared they have enhanced street outreach with the Mobile Access Center (MAC), engaging with more than 400 people experiencing homelessness, with over 200 people accepting services.


Another ongoing issue around the district is the state of our city trees, both in medians and parkways. I share your concerns and appreciate those who have contacted my office. I have voiced my concerns to Public Works, who continue to inspect and remove trees as needed. In addition to communicating with our office, please report public tree issues by calling 562-570-2700 (option 4) or using the Go Long Beach app or webpage to report issues.


I hope to see many of you out supporting local businesses this weekend at the Almost St. Patrick's Day event!


Let's get to work,


Councilwoman Megan Kerr

Long Beach District 5

Upcoming Events:

Starting tonight, Monday, March 6, our primary runway, Runway 12/30, will be closed nightly Monday through Thursday, March 9 from 10:00 p.m. until each following morning at 6:15 a.m. due to construction activities being conducted in the runway safety area of Runway 12/30. During these times, Runway 08L/26R will be in use. Nighttime operations will resume on Runway 12/30 on Friday, March 10.

Message From LBPD Burglary Task Force On Recent Commercial Burglaries


LBPD Burglary detectives have investigated 23 commercial burglaries with similar circumstances over the past few months. In response, patrols increased in affected areas and officers made several arrests over the past few weeks.

 

For more details, read the LBPD press release.

 

For more information on how to protect your local business, please review the Safety Tips for Businesses

Looking for a great place for Date Night in the Fifth? Check out these submittals for Fifth's Favorite Date Night spots:

 

Wilmore Wine Bar – Submitted by Randy S.

 

Wood & Salt – Submitted by Sasha S.

 

Vino e Cucina – Submitted by Bryan P.

 

Exhibition Room – Submitted by Mike B.

 

For the next newsletter, let us know your favorite Fifth District Salon or Barber Shop!


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Long Beach Airport Temporarily Closes Historic Terminal for Major Renovation


Starting this week, Long Beach Airport (LGB)’s Historic Terminal will temporarily close for a year-long renovation that will include a seismic retrofit and restoration of many of its classic 1941 design elements. LGB will remain fully open and operational throughout the project.


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City of Long Beach Awards Negotiating Rights for New Affordable Housing Development


The City of Long Beach, through its nonprofit affiliate The Long Beach Community Investment Company (LBCIC), on Feb. 15 awarded exclusive negotiating rights to a local developer for the construction of new townhomes in the Washington Neighborhood.


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City Launches Applications for Visual Improvement Program Grant


Today the City of Long Beach released the application for the Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant, which will support local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism on or after October 1, 2022. Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurance deductibles and business operating expenses.


The City previously announced the VIP Grant as part of the City’s effort to ease the burden of property crimes and vandalism for small businesses throughout the city.


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Long Beach Continues Enhanced Homeless Services Outreach, Continues to Deploy Mobile Access Center Through March


The City of Long Beach will continue to deploy its Mobile Access Center (MAC) through March, this month focusing on service areas throughout Long Beach. This outreach will continue to allow Homeless Services Bureau staff to conduct meaningful engagement and continue to build relationships, an essential component in increasing access to resources and services.




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City of Long Beach to Conduct Enhanced Engagement with Housing Providers to Boost Participation in

Housing Voucher Programs


As part of the City of Long Beach’s mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness by increasing housing opportunities, enhancing current initiatives and addressing and improving overall public safety for the entire community, the City’s Housing Authority will conduct enhanced focused outreach to local housing providers to encourage participation in the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) and Housing Choice Voucher programs.


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Long Beach Launches Donation Drive to Support People Experiencing Homelessness


As part of the City of Long Beach’s mission to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach, the City has launched a donation drive to collect a variety of essential physical items to provide to residents who are unhoused. Community members are encouraged to join the effort by donating items in need.


“We have gone ‘all in’ as a City, and now we are encouraging our community to do the same,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “A little bit of kindness goes a long way and this donation drive will provide essential everyday items to residents who are unhoused. I encourage those who are able to contribute to do so.”


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Port of Long Beach Scholarship Deadline Extended to March 15


Scholarships are open to high school seniors attending Long Beach Unified School District service area high schools and pursuing careers in international trade and business, logistics, engineering, environmental planning, and other port-related fields.


Program details, eligibility information, and the application can be found on the Port's website.


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Port of Long Beach Sponsorships Available for Community Nonprofits.


Community groups may submit sponsorship applications online starting March 1, through 5pm Friday, March 31.


For information on the Port's sponsorship program and how to apply, visit the Port's website.


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Upcoming

City Council Agenda


Tues. March 7th, 2023, 5:00pm

411 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

Full Agenda


Items of Interest

Item 12 Recommendation to receive and file application from Cassidy's Corner LBX for Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) License at 4150 McGowan Unit 7. (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 18 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving City of Long Beach execution of the Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement relating to membership in the Gateway Cities Affordable Housing Trust). (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 21 Recommendation to approve the Fiscal Year 2023 first departmental and fund budget appropriation adjustments in accordance with existing City Council policy. (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 22 Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to amend Contract No. 36153 with Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. for construction work on the El Dorado Duck Pond Rehabilitation Project, to increase the contract amount by $1,097,384, for a revised contract amount not to exceed $6,584,302. (District 4) (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 23 Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. 3004020020-Rebid and award a contract to Bitech Construction Company, Inc. for construction of the Davenport Park Phase II - Park Expansion Project, and Increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund Group in the Public Works Department by $3,500,000 to be made available through the Measure A bond program in Fiscal Year 2023. (District 8)  (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 29 Recommendation to receive and file a presentation on Women’s History Month and receive an update on the Commission on Women and Girls.  (Item Details) (eComment)


Item 31 Recommendation to continue the local emergency caused by conditions or threatened conditions of homelessness and receive and file an update on the emergency declaration  (Item Details) (eComment)


Members of the public have the option to use eComment to provide comments on agenda items. Written Comments may also be submitted by email to CityClerk@longbeach.gov.

Public eComment

District 5 Field Office

Wardlow Park

3457 Stanbridge Ave.

Long Beach, CA 90808

Tue/Wed/Thur, 1:00-4:00pm

City Hall Office

411 West Ocean Blvd. 11th Floor

Long Beach, CA 90802

Phone: (562) 570-5555

Email: district5@longbeach.gov

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