Council approves recommendation and adopt Resolution No. FALB-04-2026

approve recommendation and adopt Resolution No. FALB-04-2026

0 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain

Tom Modica (abstain)

Approval of September 23, 2026 meeting minutes

6 yes, 0 no

Receive and file Director's Report

6 yes, 0 no

Receive and file update on Digital Inclusion Week and Cybersecurity Awareness Month campaigns

6 yes, 0 no

Study session on potential 2027 commission topics

6 yes, 0 no

Establish Ad Hoc Committee on 2027 Workplan

6 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes for October 14, 2026 meeting

2 yes, 0 no

Adoption of Resolution FALB-04-2026 — Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2026

2 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes for August 26, 2026 meeting

0 yes, 0 no

Receive and file Human Trafficking Task Force presentation

0 yes, 0 no

Receive and file Statewide Commission on Women and Girls report

0 yes, 0 no

Approval of Long Beach Area Mentorship and Empowerment Programs letter and list

0 yes, 0 no

Ad Hoc Committees report and dissolution of NACW Conference Ad Hoc

0 yes, 0 no

Approval of minutes for the September 30, 2026 meeting

5 yes, 0 no

Ondra Lucas's request for the Commission to hear his disciplinary appeal

0 yes, 5 no

Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Civil Service Employee Rights and Appeals Commission meeting of Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

5 yes, 0 no

Late-filed disciplinary appeal of terminated refuse operator

A six-year city employee lost his job after his commercial driver's license was suspended, then missed the 10-day window to appeal. The commission's decision turns on whether strict deadlines apply even when the employee claims he didn't read the notice.

What it means: The decision preserves consistent application of appeal deadlines for all city employees.

$50 million revolving credit facility for city capital projects

The Finance Authority signed off on lease revenue bonds that pay for Fire Station 9, the police crime lab and DNA lab, the Police Academy, EV charging stations, Belmont Pool and Convention Center improvements, plus infrastructure across the city. The deal also refinances 2019B open-space bonds.

What it means: Residents get funded police, fire, park and infrastructure upgrades across the city.

Mentorship and empowerment programs for women and girls

The Mentorship and Education Ad Hoc Committee drafted a letter and list of local mentorship and empowerment programs. The commission was to approve it and set a process for keeping the list current.

What it means: Women and girls in Long Beach seeking mentorship and educational opportunities.

Alleged bias and retaliation in Communication Specialist VI recruitment

Employee Andrew Garcia says the interview panel for a promotion included people with documented conflicts with him, and that he has been passed over four times in retaliation for complaints. The commission agreed to bring HR in to discuss the recruitment process.

What it means: If investigated, all city employees seeking promotion could get a fairer recruitment process.

Procurement transparency and local business access

Commissioners want vendors who collect data on Long Beach residents to disclose what they collect, store it on city infrastructure, and delete it when contracts end — lessons drawn from a smart sensor pilot. Procurement due diligence emerged as a possible 2027 workplan item.

What it means: Residents whose personal data — from license plates to facial recognition — stays under city control rather than being sold or retained by vendors.

Human trafficking research partnership

A new Cal State Long Beach study found nearly 4,800 survivors served over five years, with housing shortages and limited flexible funding as the biggest gaps. The city has funded its first dedicated human trafficking coordinator, and the task force is preparing awareness campaigns ahead of LA 28.

What it means: Trafficking survivors and at-risk women and girls across Long Beach, especially along the Long Beach Boulevard corridor.

Mentorship and empowerment program directory

The commission created the first centralized list of mentorship programs for women and girls in Long Beach, to be posted on the Office of Equity website and updated twice a year. Commissioners hope it becomes a go-to resource for families.

What it means: Women and girls in Long Beach looking for mentorship programs, and the local organizations that provide them.

Statewide women's policy initiatives

The state commission shared legislative wins including the child marriage ban (AB 1267) and college health center funding, plus a first-ever Advocacy Day in Sacramento on March 17, 2027. Child care affordability is a top 2027 priority.

What it means: State research suggests universal child care could add roughly $23 billion annually to California's economy.

Cybersecurity awareness and deepfake threats

The city ran a month-long cybersecurity campaign with staff trainings, posters, and tips on phishing, AI deepfakes, and voice-cloning scams. Staff plan to make lunch-and-learn sessions quarterly and are training directors to verify unusual requests — a real defense against AI-powered fraud.

What it means: City staff and residents who learn to spot phishing, deepfakes, and voice-cloning scams before falling victim.

AI Learn and Earn digital skills program

Long Beach's digital skills programs graduated 104 residents in October, giving participants certificates and free computers. The city plans to expand to roughly 400 participants over the next six months, adding youth programs and a YMCA partnership.

What it means: Residents without reliable digital skills or home computers — including seniors, small business owners, and youth — gain free training and devices.

New Technology and Innovation Director appointment

After an extended acting period, the city has appointed TJ Mal as Director of Technology and Innovation, effective November 16. He brings 25 years of public-sector tech leadership, most recently as CIO at Pasadena City College.

What it means: The commission and city tech programs gain stable, experienced leadership after a period of acting oversight.

2027 commission workplan priorities

Commissioners brainstormed what the Technology and Innovation Commission should tackle in 2027, with AI governance, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, vendor data requirements, and public GIS dashboards emerging as leading themes. A new ad hoc committee will turn these ideas into a formal workplan by December.

What it means: Residents get a commission focused on the tech issues that matter — from AI safety to better public data tools.

Series 2026 bond financing for city capital projects

The Finance Authority signed off on lease revenue bonds that pay for Fire Station 9, the police crime lab and DNA lab, the Police Academy, EV charging stations, Belmont Pool and Convention Center improvements, plus infrastructure across the city. The deal also refinances 2019B open-space bonds.

What it means: Residents get funded police, fire, park and infrastructure upgrades across the city.