Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Cost of services study for Long Beach gas services
A study examining what it costs to provide gas service in Long Beach. Results could shape how gas service costs are allocated to customers in future rate discussions.
Gas pipeline maintenance services
Resolution UT-1570 would lock in a contractor for emergency gas pipeline tapping and stopping services, up to $2 million over five years. This is the behind-the-scenes work that keeps gas repairs safe and fast.
Natural gas price hedging
The city buys gas daily, uses storage to dodge price spikes (like the 2023 pipeline explosion spike), and is negotiating a backup supply deal with the oil island operator (Thums) for the 2028 Olympics. Storage keeps customer bills lower when prices surge.
Warehouse inventory modernization
The Utilities Department's warehouses stock everything from pipes to safety gear, but current tracking systems are clunky and there's no easy way for staff to see what's in stock. Modernization plans include standardized procedures, an in-house inventory dashboard, and better data analytics — with a long-term goal of possibly consolidating two warehouses into one.
Natural gas supply, storage, and price protection
The city buys gas daily, uses storage to dodge price spikes (like the 2023 pipeline explosion spike), and is negotiating a backup supply deal with the oil island operator (Thums) for the 2028 Olympics. Storage keeps customer bills lower when prices surge.
Natural gas procurement and affordability
Staff walked the board through how the city buys gas daily, uses storage to dodge price spikes, and manages pipeline capacity. Storage and smart purchasing help keep customer bills lower when markets get volatile.
Natural gas supply reliability and price volatility
Long Beach depends on a handful of pipelines feeding California — when one went down in Arizona in 2023, prices spiked. The city manages risk through storage, multiple suppliers, and daily balancing, and is exploring an emergency supply deal with local producers for the 2028 Olympics.
Alley water main replacement, Pacific Avenue and Spring Street
Water mains installed in 1927 and 1931 that have burst 19 and 4 times respectively are being moved out of alleys into streets along Pacific Avenue and Spring Street, meaning fewer outages for residents and businesses.
Transit bus pass program for Belmont Shore workers
The free employee bus pass program hit record ridership (up 8%), freeing parking spots and cutting car trips. Public Works pays via Prop A funds (about $5-6K/month) and plans to extend the contract past December — commissioners want to know when Prop A money runs out.
Sewer lift station rehabilitation before 2028 Olympics
Three aging sewer lift stations near the Queen Mary, Marina, and Queensway Bridge are getting a $4.4 million rehab, with work scheduled to finish by the end of 2027 ahead of the Olympic construction moratorium.
Refuse Department staffing and workplace conditions
Sanitation workers described broken trucks, no training, tripled trash rates without visible service improvement, and a toxic workplace culture they've raised for four years.
Battery energy storage at the treatment plant
The board extended the battery system agreement with HEBT through 2034, raising guaranteed annual savings from $55,000 to $70,000 with no fee increase. The battery shaves peak electricity demand at the treatment plant, which spends over $5 million a year on power.
Utility bill printing modernization
The city is outsourcing printing and mailing of about 185,000 utility bills a month to InfoSend, replacing an aging in-house print operation blamed for recent billing incidents. No city employees lose jobs, and roughly $354,000 in staff time shifts to higher-value technology work with no net fiscal impact.
Haynes power plant recycled water project
Construction began in May to supply recycled water to LADWP's Haynes Generating Station, which must stop using ocean water for cooling by 2029. The plant could use up to a third of the city's recycled water, prompting exploration of additional supply from the Los Coyotes reclamation plant.
Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility utility relocations
The Port's rail yard expansion requires moving water, sewer, and gas lines in the North Harbor area. The port covers all costs, and gas relocation work should wrap up by fall 2030.
Alamitos Tanks No. 11 & 13 rehabilitation
Two aging water tanks at Redondo and PCH — one from the 1930s — are getting a $5.3 million rehab to extend their life and keep the tank farm reliable.
Colorado River negotiations
The General Manager's report covered the lower basin states' proposal to manage Colorado River flows and extend negotiations to 2028, with Commissioner Cordero noting a seven-state agreement appears unlikely and shortages are expected.
New drinking water wells and Lakewood Interconnect power
A $7.27 million contract will equip two new wells drilled in 2024 in El Dorado Park and replace vandalized temporary solar/battery power at the Lakewood Interconnect with permanent Edison service, improving water supply reliability.
WRD advisory committee restructuring and groundwater rates
The Values Act ad hoc committee wrapped up its work and was dissolved. Commissioner LaViolette was removed from the Human Trafficking committee, and the ranked choice voting committee may soon bring a letter of its own to the commission.
Deferred capital projects and budget timing
Several water and sewer projects were pushed to next fiscal year due to material delays and the Big Speed Nolls leak, deferring about $5.5 million in borrowing. Commissioner Parkin questioned whether deferrals just push costs later.
Fleet and equipment procurement for water, sewer, and gas operations
The commission approved several contracts keeping the utility fleet running: heavy-duty truck parts and repairs, a CNG dump truck, a backup generator for the Spring Campus, and sole-source parts for sewer inspection and cleaning equipment.
Natural gas storage renewal with SoCal Gas
The city renews underground gas storage rights that act as a hedge against price spikes — storage withdrawals saved customers about $4.5 million in one month in January 2023.
Bay-Delta water supply resiliency
A presentation on risks to the Delta water supply — levee failures, sea level rise, subsidence — and Metropolitan's efforts including levee upgrades, delta smelt production, and potential carbon storage revenue on its islands.
Water Well Annex 26 demolition for stormwater project
An old inactive well near Fire Station 19 is being demolished so Public Works can build its Skylink stormwater capture and filtration facility. The utility will drill two replacement wells in the area later, on its own schedule.
Sewer jetter truck fleet replacement
Four new sewer-cleaning trucks will replace aging 2013-2016 vehicles that are breaking down more often, keeping the crews that clean 300 miles of sewer lines a week on the road and preventing sewer spills.
Citywide communications infrastructure
Commissioners flagged gaps in the city's cell and Wi-Fi capacity — like texts failing during the Vans Warped Tour — as a topic that may deserve its own attention ahead of the 2028 Olympics and growing event calendar.
Utilities community engagement and public trust
The Utilities Department is working to build year-round public trust through 85 community events, town halls, and education campaigns on water quality, gas safety, and sewer issues. Committee members noted the department is often 'low on the radar' until an emergency like a water main break or boil water notice hits.
Utility phone system future: merge with city or stay independent
The utility's cloud phone contract got a one-year extension while the city lacks capacity to absorb the utility's system. Staff will run an RFP, and newer technology may let the utility stay independent while still syncing directories with the city.