Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Commission letter procedures and transparency
The commission's budget letter got bounced back because it went out looking like a staff report with City Manager and budget-office signatures. Commissioners asked for a written guide so commissions don't repeat the mistake.
Settlement of Lim tort claim
The board settled a pending liability claim with Mercury Insurance/CAIC for $933,311.06 in closed session.
Fall 2026 Finance Authority meeting schedule
The Authority locked in its regular meeting dates for late October and mid-November. These are the sessions where bond financing and other fiscal actions for the city typically come before the board.
2027 Employee Benefits Package
The council approved next year's health, dental, vision and life insurance rates for city employees and retirees.
Workers' compensation claims against the city
The committee met privately with legal counsel over two existing workers' compensation claims. These cases can carry financial and liability implications for the city, but the discussion and any conclusions remain confidential.
PEG Cable Fee Split Continued
The council held off on splitting public, education, and government cable money equally three ways, asking staff to study each agency's needs and fund balances first.
Consolidating monthly Marine Bureau reports
The chair proposed combining the beach maintenance, marine maintenance and marine operations monthly reports into one report every two months to save staff time — staff noted their support is already budgeted but welcomed the flexibility.
Contracted Towing Services (Proposition L Ordinance)
The council moved forward on keeping towing contracted out — private firms cost about $294,000 a year versus $1.86 million if city employees did it, saving $1.56 million annually. Contracts were bumped up $150,000 to handle peak demand.
Commission quorum and membership challenges
The commission has struggled to keep all 11 seats filled and has cancelled at least one meeting every year in recent years for lack of quorum. A recent resignation in District 5 leaves a vacancy the mayor's office will fill.
Workers' compensation claims in closed session
The committee met privately with the city attorney about two workers' compensation claims involving city employees — one existing claim with five case numbers and one anticipated claim. These cases can carry costs for the city and affect how workplace injury claims are handled.
Transparency on 2025 Marina Bond revenues
A boat owners' association leader asked how much money from the new 2025 marina bond has flowed through to the broader tidelands fund and what it covers, calling for more transparency.
Tort claim settlements in closed session
The board settled two lawsuits behind closed doors for a combined $455,731 — one with the Triff family trust and one with USAA — both approved 5-0.
Budget development process and committee input timing
The committee learned the annual budget calendar and noted it missed the window to submit input last year — it needs to act by early summer if it wants a say in the FY 27 budget.
Boat owners' personal possessory interest tax questions
The Boat Owners Association is working with the LA County assessor on a presentation about the 'mud tax' — the tax boaters pay on the land and water beneath their slips — a long-standing point of contention.
At-large commission composition resolution
The commission's earlier resolution to shift from council-district to at-large appointments — meant to fix chronic quorum problems — stalled after going to the City Manager. Chair Osborn said an at-large measure may reach the council in the summer.
2026 Municipal Elections
The council officially called the June 2 primary and November 3 general elections for five council seats, four city offices and three school district offices.
Area Agency on Aging for Long Beach
A public commenter wants the commission to advocate for Long Beach establishing an area agency on aging, which would bring federal dollars to serve the city's older population without extra city cost.
Measure A sales tax administration ordinance repeal
The council repealed a prior ordinance so the city's Measure A sales tax administration aligns with Los Angeles County Measure A, following a legal dispute with the state tax agency.
Tideland revenue ideas: offshore wind and electronic signage
Members floated directing a portion of offshore wind energy revenue to Tideland/Marine Bureau funds, and noted revenue-generating electronic signage in Tidelands areas on Tuesday's council agenda.