Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Medical debt data collection ordinance
A proposed ordinance would require Long Beach hospitals to report debt collection and financial assistance data, with LA County Public Health enforcing it. Supporters say it protects patients from surprise medical bills; hospitals face new reporting duties. First reading is scheduled, with a final vote later.
Planning Commission's new code appeals role
The commission is inheriting building and code appeals hearings that used to go to the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation. Property owners and builders will now bring these disputes to the commission instead.
Appeal Case 01-DR-2526
The commission took up a recommendation to hear an appeal on case 23-D-2223, but simply received and filed the item without acting on it. Anyone following this case should watch for it to reappear on a future agenda.
Community connector outreach program
The city is trying a new way to reach residents who don't attend traditional meetings: a cohort of resident "community connectors" from disadvantaged areas who help run outreach and shape engagement activities. A connector from West Side Long Beach told the board the program got her civically involved, though its future depends on continued funding.
Pending litigation against the city
The city is facing six lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court, and the council met privately with its lawyers to discuss them. Outcomes could affect city finances through settlements or judgments.
Airport noise violations and complaints
There were 13 noise violations in August — all first-time general aviation offenders, so no fines — and over 22,700 noise concerns logged, up a couple thousand from July. Staff explained the escalating penalty structure, including a unique criminal misdemeanor provision.
Community outreach to neighborhood associations
The commission finalized (with one more revision) a plain-language presentation about what the Ethics Commission does, and authorized commissioners to start booking neighborhood association talks beginning in January 2027.
Nitrous oxide retail sales ban
Council directed staff to bring a local ordinance within 60 days codifying the state's new ban on retail nitrous oxide sales, with a 120-day plan for tougher local rules. Emergency visits tied to the drug jumped 246% between 2018 and 2023.
Emergency Management
Most Long Beach evacuation advisories are finally lifted, but some homeowners are still dealing with red-tagged properties after a local emergency. Residents should know that while the worst is over, getting back into damaged homes will take time.
Board of Health Focus Areas
The Board's standing focus areas were scheduled for discussion and receipt and filing. The cancellation means no updated direction on health priorities was recorded this month.
Marine Patrol staffing and enforcement
Police and Marine Patrol reported tripling fishing and trespassing citations over the summer, impounding illegal jet ski rentals, and coordinating with the Coast Guard and business licensing on unpermitted charters. Commissioners raised illegal e-bike enforcement as well.
Filippo Ruffino v. City of Long Beach litigation
The council discussed two potential lawsuits the city might file and one threatened or anticipated legal claim against it. Details remain confidential until the city chooses to disclose any action.
Disciplinary appeal case 09-D-2425
A disciplinary appeal the commission was set to hear was pushed to a later date because the employee's attorney fell ill. Staff will coordinate new dates with both sides.
CSI Patrol security contract accountability
The district pays CSI Patrol $275,000/year, but residents say they rarely see officers on foot. A new reporting tool is in the works, and the commission will decide in November whether to extend the six-month contract past December 31 or rely on the cameras instead.
Gas atmospheric corrosion survey outreach
The city awarded a supply contract to keep cathodic protection running on 900+ miles of gas pipeline, over half of it more than 50 years old.
Alcohol in parks policy concerns
Repeated public testimony opposed serving alcohol at park events, questioning the precedent as more special events with beer and wine come before the Commission.
Workforce seat on the Continuum of Care Board
The regional homelessness board wants a workforce representative from this network to link housing stability with employment services. No decision was made; staff will bring an action item to a future meeting.
Block by Block clean team performance and grease problem
The new clean team gets praise for cleaning and pressure washing, but restaurants leaving grease bags on sidewalks remain a problem. Commissioners may agendize a letter to Council Member Duggan, since enforcement is a business-license/health-department matter outside the commission's authority.
Park vandalism and theft
August losses were about $11,300, mostly stolen copper wire affecting sports field lighting, plus vandalized restroom locks across the city. Commissioners asked about motives and whether police reports could shed light.
Accessible parking and sidewalk obstruction enforcement
Commissioners raised that vehicles blocking bus stops and sidewalks create barriers for wheelchair and walker users, and that parking enforcement now sits with Public Works, not police. The commission discussed education and reporting options including the Go Long Beach app.
Senior Police Partners volunteer shortage
The LBPD Senior Police Partners program — volunteers who do welfare checks, scam-prevention talks, and disabled-parking enforcement — is down to 12 volunteers from a goal of 50. Commissioners offered to help recruit through senior centers and community events.
Community outreach on the Ethics Commission's role
The commission is building a short presentation to bring to neighborhood associations explaining what the Office of Ethics and Transparency and the commission do — and just as importantly, what they can't do. Commissioners pushed to make it more resident-focused, explaining why the work matters and how the public can participate.
Performance evaluation compliance across city departments
Commissioner Ablard flagged cases where employees had no performance evaluations and asked HR for a report on who is getting evaluations, by department, by January.
Advocacy ad hoc committee and commission bylaws
The commission's bylaws date to 2014 and staff suggested updating them, possibly via an ad hoc committee. Commissioners also aired frustrations about how hard it is to get items onto agendas in time.
Investigative protocol development
The commission is developing an investigative protocol, with a report expected in October. The City Attorney has expressed interest in how the protocol addresses a range of disciplinary actions that may differ across city departments.
FAIR Act return to City Council
Ethics Officer Heather Van Wijk said the FAIR Act is expected back before the City Council in the first half of October, depending on scheduling by Deputy City Manager Tyler Bonanno-Curley.
Quality of Life police staffing restoration
The committee recommends restoring $932,000 to keep a Quality of Life police sergeant and two officers, bringing the total restored section to six officers and two sergeants.
Unpermitted sidewalk food vendor enforcement
The package structurally funds a Complaint Response Unit ($272,234) to enforce regulations against unpermitted sidewalk food vendors, including education, food disposal, and equipment confiscation.
Public comment procedure changes
The budget includes $150,632 for SB 707 implementation and the council directed an ordinance consolidating public comment into a single period — a change residents loudly opposed as infringing on First Amendment rights.
CERT volunteer program staffing cuts
Vice Chair Schultz reported the Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team staffing was cut 66%, leaving one staffer to manage hundreds of trained disaster volunteers. He asked the commission to consider a letter urging restored staffing within the existing budget.
ADA web accessibility compliance
A new state law requires all city web content to be accessible to people with disabilities by 2027. All 24 city departments plus agencies like the Port have to comply — a big technical lift the department is tackling with a steering committee, trainings, and a dedicated fellow.
Live-aboard enforcement at city marinas
The city terminated a boater's permit after documenting he was living on his vessel in violation of marina rules, including a false address on file. Appeals like this are rare — only six in seven years — and the Bureau says it tries to work with permittees first.
Crisis pregnancy center deceptive advertising ordinance
The council moved forward on an ordinance barring pregnancy services centers from false or misleading advertising about their services, aimed at centers that delay women's access to timely care.
False advertising by pregnancy services centers
The council directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance banning false or misleading advertising by pregnancy services centers, amended to drop city-run civil enforcement. Supporters said vulnerable women are being deceived and delayed from time-sensitive care.
911 dispatch modernization and CAD replacement
The 911 center's computer-aided dispatch system is over 30 years old; replacement will cost $6-8 million and take 24-36 months, but is not yet funded.
Cybersecurity of water treatment systems
Following national news of cyberattacks on water utilities in other states, staff assured the commission that Long Beach's systems are safe and don't share the reported vulnerabilities. A detailed briefing comes in September, with a press release planned.
Recovery-Oriented Housing Policy adoption
A new HUD-required policy that earns up to 10 bonus points. It doesn't force sobriety on existing programs but allows recovery-oriented housing and prohibits safe consumption sites on CoC-funded properties.
Temporary relocation of 7th Street shelter during construction
The 7th Street shelter will close during construction, with a temporary location likely in District 5. Staff anticipate a public meeting where community support could make a difference.
Public understanding and support for homeless services
Members want to counter the myth that people choose homelessness by showing up at neighborhood meetings with facts — like the five-month shelter wait — and stories from people with lived experience, to build support before contentious shelter siting meetings.
Ad hoc committee structure and staff capacity
The Office of Equity, with only about three staff supporting multiple commissions, says it can handle three ad hoc committees per commission. The safety committee was sunsetted over a two-day retreat that was too big a lift; commissioners discussed a lighter, district-by-district outreach model starting in January, possibly with nonprofit partners.
Police and fire response times
Residents described 3-6 hour police response times to break-ins, fireworks complaints ignored despite evidence, and a chaotic mental-health call response where a resident was confronted at gunpoint. They urged the commission to hold the department accountable.
Brown Act limits on commission conference attendance
The city attorney explained that if a majority of the eight-member commission attends the same conference and discusses women-and-girls topics, that can violate the Brown Act. Commissioners debated whether the rule chills participation before settling on designating just two attendees.
Council Member Kerr noise information request
Staff said they're still working on the response to Council Member Megan Kerr's request for noise information and will bring a full report back to the commission.
Cambodian community health equity
The city's first Cambodian Community Health Needs Assessment found major barriers in healthcare cost and access, mental health, housing and food security, and safety — with one in four reporting anti-Asian hate experiences.
Police evidence facility purchase at 1827 Spring Street
The city is buying a Spring Street warehouse for $9.9 million (plus ~$4.35 million in improvements) to consolidate police evidence and crime-lab storage it currently rents. Annual debt service roughly matches current rent, so it saves money over time — though one commenter called the tenant-improvement tab a bad deal.
Restroom accessibility in public facilities
The same resident asked the city to either fix or remove restroom signage claiming accessibility when there is no way to change an adult son with dignity.
Youth and disabled voice in commission proceedings
Commissioner Helena Donato-Sapp, 16, the commission's only youth member, said fast-paced discussion and dismissiveness leave her feeling silenced, citing her non-apparent learning disabilities. She asked commissioners to accommodate different paces and treat youth input as equal.
Lifeguard tower replacement accelerating
Six of 19 new lifeguard towers are installed, with the manufacturer now promising all deliveries by the end of 2026 — a year earlier than originally planned.
Primary nominating election candidate filings
The commission created a new ad hoc to review campaign filing reports from 2026 primary candidates, checking compliance with filing rules in coordination with the City Clerk's office. One filing is due January 31.
Estate of Cesar Rodriguez v. City of Long Beach
The city faces an ongoing lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court filed by the estate of Cesar Rodriguez. The council met privately with its lawyers to discuss the case, which could carry financial and legal consequences for the city.