Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Homelessness and health grant funding
Multiple grants are up for acceptance — $11 million for Continuum of Care homeless services, $7.3 million for Black Infant Health, plus youth homelessness and other health program funding. Mostly state and federal money flowing into local services.
Groundwater Treatment Plant valve rehabilitation
A $3.6 million construction contract and a $782,684 construction management contract support Phase 2 of valve rehabilitation at the Groundwater Treatment Plant, which treats a key share of the city's drinking water.
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.
Port of Long Beach Water System Transfer
An amended agreement between the Harbor and Utilities boards would move portions of the Port's water distribution system to the utilities side. It's a behind-the-scenes asset shuffle that affects who runs which water pipes.
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 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.
State water conservation mandates
The state's 'Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life' framework kicks in for compliance in 2027, and Long Beach utilities will need to hit multiple milestones on indoor, outdoor, and water-loss standards.
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.
FY 2026 water and sewer capital program
A $1.6 million contract keeps the ongoing sewer rehabilitation and replacement program moving, reducing the risk of spills and failures in aging pipes.
Haynes pipeline delay and Seal Beach franchise dispute
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.
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.
FY 2026-27 water and sewer rate increases
Long Beach is proposing a 6% water increase and 8% sewer increase, adding about $5.74 a month to a typical single-family bill starting October 1. The commission cleared the Prop 218 hurdle Thursday, and the City Council makes the final call September 8. Residents pushed back, citing fixed incomes and rising costs.