Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Development Impact Fee Nexus Study
The city wants to update the fees developers pay for parks, police, fire, and transportation improvements citywide. This shapes how new growth pays for the services it demands — and can affect housing costs. A public hearing is scheduled for residents to weigh in.
Marina Fund fiscal year 2026 financial performance
How the city's water, gas, and sewer funds are tracking financially this fiscal year. These funds pay for utility operations and can influence future rates customers pay.
Measure A FY 27 spending plan
Measure A sales tax dollars fund city services, and this committee provides citizen oversight. The update shows how the plan the City Council adopted in the FY 27 budget is being put into action.
Vendor data ownership and procurement reform
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.
2026 Lease Revenue Bond issuance
The Authority considered authorizing Lease Revenue Bonds, Series 2026, to pay for a broad slate of city projects — Fire Station 9, police crime lab and academy facilities, EV charging stations, the Belmont Pool, Convention Center improvements, and infrastructure citywide. The bonds would be repaid through leases of city-owned buildings.
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. This is the financing mechanism behind a big chunk of the city's capital improvement budget.
Update requested on city layoff actions
Commissioner Owens asked that HR come back with the final outcome of the potential city layoffs the commission examined at a special September hearing, since the October 1 date has passed.
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.
2026 Lease Revenue Bonds for city capital projects
The Authority authorized bonds that will pay for a long list of city projects: Fire Station 9, police crime lab and DNA lab upgrades, EV charging stations, the Belmont Pool, Convention Center roof work and more. The debt is repaid through leases on city buildings.
Mills Act Program modifications
Long Beach is considering changes to the Mills Act, which gives historic property owners property tax reductions in exchange for preservation work. Proposed changes include new priority criteria for cultural heritage, public benefit, and affordability; a biennial application cycle; and 20-year limits on new contracts. The program costs the general fund about $400,000 a year in property tax revenue but incentivizes restoration of historic homes and buildings.
Financing and education to improve rental housing
Committee members and the apartment association found common ground on exploring low-cost city loans for seismic and habitability upgrades, a tenant/landlord education hotline, and better data collection on substantial remodel outcomes.
Restoration of Public Health Professional III position in Office of Veterans Support
The Office of Veterans Support coordinator's position has been cut to part-time, limiting what the commission can do — including cancelling the Veterans Day recognition ceremony. The commission is organizing a letter and outreach campaign to get the position restored in the FY 2027 budget.
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.
Large technology contracts approved on consent
The utilities department can now buy IT hardware, software, licensing, and consulting through CaliforniaGovConnection under a cooperative contract, avoiding repeated bidding. Includes needed laptop upgrades and supports the department's phone and WebEx systems.
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) with LA County
The city is exploring an EIFD that would capture a portion of future property tax growth from new development in five areas — downtown, the airport, Anaheim/Esther corridors, North Long Beach, and the Santa Fe corridor — and spend it on infrastructure and affordable housing. The county could match the city's contribution, potentially yielding about $385 million over 50 years. No new tax is involved, and formation would require multiple public hearings and a protest opportunity for residents and property owners in the district.
Labor negotiations with city employee unions
The city is negotiating contracts with nearly all of its employee bargaining groups, from SEIU Local 721 to engineers and city attorneys. Any deal on pay and benefits will eventually come back to the council — and affect the city budget — in public.
General aviation landing fees at Long Beach Airport
Residents and some commissioners want the airport to charge general aviation landing fees, arguing airlines pay about $744 per landing while GA pays nothing despite flying 91% of operations. Staff says the current structure is federally compliant, fees can't target noise, and a study would take 6-12 months. An ad hoc committee may be formed next month.
Settlement of Lim tort claim
The board settled a pending liability claim with Mercury Insurance/CAIC for $933,311.06 in closed session.
Commission's future and $1.7M parking fund
State-recommended options include dissolving or consolidating this commission, which keeps 100% of its parking revenue — about $1.7 million. Critics call the fund unaccountable 'hoarding'; commissioners argue the money keeps Second Street clean and safe and would vanish into the general fund.
Affordable housing fund nearly depleted
The legacy affordable housing fund from the old redevelopment agency is down to about $49,000 after years of spending down. The good news: new state and county grants are now funding roughly $27.5 million in projects with over 500 new units.
Pro-Housing Designation renewal
The city's state Pro-Housing Designation — which gives affordable projects extra points in state funding competitions — expires in January 2027, and staff has posted a draft renewal application.
FY 2027 budget cuts to parks programming
The department cut about $2.7 million in programming, staff, and supplies for the new fiscal year, scaling back rather than eliminating programs. Nearly $500,000 in proposed cuts were restored by the mayor's office and budget committee.
Rising cost of affordable housing construction
The $79.6 million price tag for roughly 100 units — about $800,000 per unit — sparked discussion about why new affordable housing costs so much and whether alternatives like ADUs and acquisition-rehab make more sense.
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.
Housing Authority financial and operational performance
The Housing Authority updated who can sign contracts with grantors and vendors, letting its top two executives sign on the City Manager's behalf. This keeps housing programs and grants moving without waiting for full commission sign-off on every agreement. Staff said the underlying policy dates to the 1960s and had no digital copy.
New Budget and Finance Committee for CoC funding oversight
HUD's new funding rules guarantee only 60% of Long Beach's renewal demand, putting roughly $4.9 million of existing homeless services funding at risk in a competitive Tier 2 pool that favors new transitional housing projects. The board approved policies designed to protect permanent supportive housing and position the region to win replacement funding.
FY 2026 federal NOFO litigation
HUD's funding notice has been released, withdrawn, and reopened under court order. Long Beach is choosing the safest path — renewing existing grants as-is — to avoid future federal penalties over housing-first language.
Restructuring of public comment rules
The council adopted an ordinance moving all public comment to one period at the start of meetings, capping speakers and giving the mayor power to cut speaking times. Over 1,200 residents signed a petition against it, and three council members voted no. The rules take effect 31 days after the mayor signs, with a six-month review promised.
Homeless services budget reductions
The bureau is freezing hiring and cutting overtime amid city, state, county, and federal funding pressures. County CoC funding could drop from $8.2 million to a one-time $4.1 million, and state HHAP Round 7 may be halved to $500 million.
Housing Authority contract-signing authority
The Housing Authority updated who can sign contracts with grantors and vendors, letting its top two executives sign on the City Manager's behalf. This keeps housing programs and grants moving without waiting for full commission sign-off on every agreement. Staff said the underlying policy dates to the 1960s and had no digital copy.
Mini Grant Program funding decisions
The board chose four nonprofits to receive HHS Fund mini grants, but not before debating whether public money should pay for staff spa days and retreats. Members agreed the grant guidelines need tightening before the next round — which is being paused anyway due to reduced staffing.
Dissolution of MAC subcommittees
The commission dissolved its Finance, Tidelands Capital Projects, and Marine & Beach Maintenance/Operations subcommittees, moving those topics into regular meetings to save staff time and comply with the mayor's FY 27 budget direction limiting commission meetings. The Executive Committee remains as a meeting-prep body.
Marina Operating Fund financial health
The marina fund is running a healthy surplus this year, with debt coverage already beating the 1.25 goal. Slip rates rise 4% in FY27, and storm-related overtime will add costs across two fiscal years.
Marina district paid parking plan
The council has approved roughly 1,800 paid parking spaces ($2/hour) in the marina area, with revenue earmarked to help operate the Belmont Pool. A parking study is underway and a management plan presentation will come to the full commission in coming months.
Department finances and water use
The department has spent about 84% of its general fund budget through August and expects to finish the fiscal year near 99.8%. Water spending is at 89% of the annual budget, and recent rain helped irrigation but cost some revenue.
2027 Employee Benefits Package
The council approved next year's health, dental, vision and life insurance rates for city employees and retirees.