Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2026 Visibility Plan and commission ad hoc structure
The commission finalized its Visibility Plan for Council transmittal and debated how commissioners can participate in interest areas without overloading ad hoc committees.
National Community Planning Month and department initiatives
October is National Community Planning Month, and the city's planning department used the occasion to highlight its work: rezoning efforts, housing element implementation, the downtown waterfront plan, and an internship program for students. Residents can join a community planning day with pizza at the next commission meeting.
Utility box artwork repair and beautification
Graffiti and weather have damaged the utility box murals on Second Street; repairs with the original artists will run about $1,800 and appear in the October budget. With new revenue headroom, commissioners want to explore more beautification projects.
Beverly O'Neill Way street renaming
East Lew Davis Street near Long Beach City College will be renamed for former Mayor Beverly O'Neill, a 30-year LBCC leader and mayor from 1994 to 2006, who just turned 96. A legacy event is planned at LBCC on October 1.
Disability Advocates of the Year Awards
The commission set up an interim process for this year's advocacy awards after 2026 leadership changes disrupted the usual cycle. Nominations are due within a week, with honorees selected next month by a three-member panel.
Aging bathrooms at Recreation Park 18
A resident asked the city to upgrade the decades-old on-course bathrooms at Recreation Park 18. About $40,000-$50,000 is already earmarked, and American Golf plans to bid all the bathroom projects together.
VIP Records sign community workshop
Public Works is hosting an August 13 workshop at the MLK Jr. Community Center to gather community input on a new public space honoring the historic VIP Records sign at MLK Jr. Avenue and PCH.
Commission tabling at Long Beach Jazz Festival
The commission hopes to have a booth at the August 1 Jazz Festival at Houghton Park but is on the wait list. Commissioners divided setup, midday, and closing shifts and agreed to hold off buying materials until participation is confirmed.
Waves of Ability event participation
The commission will staff a resource table at the second annual Waves of Ability event at Marine Stadium on September 26, 2026, to raise awareness of its work and recruit public participation.
Naples Sperrato Trail public walkway restoration
Design work is done for the first segment of the restored public walkway, with community outreach planned for late summer. A commissioner asked that outreach extend beyond the immediate Naples neighborhood.
Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame class of 2026
Three new inductees — Joey Cerule, Bill McCormick, and Mike Ortega — will be honored August 9 following the Long Beach Open.
Community partnerships for park stewardship
Two similarly named parks in District 4 have caused real problems — police dispatched to the wrong park, maintenance crews at the wrong site, and confused residents. The rename would tie the small plaza park to the Park Estates neighborhood it serves.
New Alamitos Beach volleyball courts
Eight new volleyball courts are open at Alamitos Beach — two for drop-in public use, six reservable for permitted events — potentially enough to host tournaments like the Manhattan Beach Open.
Youth rowing program with Long Beach Rowing Association
A new city-run rowing program will offer weekend classes at the Peter Rowing Center this summer, with eight full scholarships per session. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with Long Beach Junior Crew to avoid confusion.