Long Beach · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Appeal on case 23-D-2223
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.
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.
2026 Visibility Plan and commission ad hoc structure
The commission finalized its Visibility Plan for Council transmittal and debated how commissioners can participate in interest areas without overloading ad hoc committees.
Homeless Services Bureau quarterly operations report
The Health Department's quarterly data on homeless services operations was scheduled to be received and filed. The cancelled meeting delays the committee's review of how city homeless services are performing.
Development Impact Fee Nexus Study
The council received a status update on the study that will set developer fees funding infrastructure tied to new growth.
635 South Street property purchase negotiation
The city is negotiating to purchase a property at 635 South Street from Muzmel, Inc. What the city plans to do with the site hasn't been made public.
BEAC Dissolution
The council adopted an ordinance dissolving the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation and moving its duties to the Planning Commission.
2027 Employee Benefits Package
The council approved next year's health, dental, vision and life insurance rates for city employees and retirees.
National Community Planning Month and department initiatives
October is National Community Planning Month, and the city's planning department used the occasion to highlight its work: rezoning efforts, housing element implementation, the downtown waterfront plan, and an internship program for students. Residents can join a community planning day with pizza at the next commission meeting.
Resident's long-running parking and code complaint near Willmore/Bluff Park
James Richardson told the commission his historic home sits next to an eight-unit building with unpermitted attic units and cars parking two- and three-deep in a side yard with no driveway, creating safety problems. He's complained for years and threatened to seek removal from the historic district. The chair directed him to his council office and staff promised follow-up.
Utilities logo trademark protection
The unified Long Beach Utilities logo — on trucks, uniforms, and event materials — is now protected via a federal trademark application. This guards against counterfeit use and fraud as the merged water, gas, and sewer department builds a single public identity.
Utility box artwork repair and beautification
Graffiti and weather have damaged the utility box murals on Second Street; repairs with the original artists will run about $1,800 and appear in the October budget. With new revenue headroom, commissioners want to explore more beautification projects.
Beverly O'Neill Way street renaming
East Lew Davis Street near Long Beach City College will be renamed for former Mayor Beverly O'Neill, a 30-year LBCC leader and mayor from 1994 to 2006, who just turned 96. A legacy event is planned at LBCC on October 1.
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.
Disability Advocates of the Year Awards
The commission set up an interim process for this year's advocacy awards after 2026 leadership changes disrupted the usual cycle. Nominations are due within a week, with honorees selected next month by a three-member panel.
Aging bathrooms at Recreation Park 18
A resident asked the city to upgrade the decades-old on-course bathrooms at Recreation Park 18. About $40,000-$50,000 is already earmarked, and American Golf plans to bid all the bathroom projects together.
NACW 2027 conference bid
A new ad hoc committee will prepare a proposal, due October 15, to host the National Association of Commissions for Women conference in Long Beach in 2027, bringing visitors and visibility to the city.
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.
Class 3 e-bikes on sidewalks
A new ordinance would ban Class 3 e-bikes from all sidewalks and update outdated bicycle rules — first reading passed, final vote next meeting.
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.
2028 Olympics marine update
The committee wants an Olympics update for the public around January 2028 planning, though security details remain tightly held by Secret Service and other agencies.
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.
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.
Jail worker wages and hazardous conditions
A jail special services officer described over 100 biohazard incidents in 2025 and asked that union contract negotiations reflect the hazards of the job with appropriate wages.
VIP Records sign community workshop
Public Works is hosting an August 13 workshop at the MLK Jr. Community Center to gather community input on a new public space honoring the historic VIP Records sign at MLK Jr. Avenue and PCH.
Brown Act compliance refresher
Deputy City Attorney Millicent Usoro reminded commissioners that majorities can't discuss commission business privately — including through email chains, social media likes, or staff intermediaries — and that violations carry civil and criminal penalties.
Brown Act compliance training
The commission received training on California's open-meeting law, covering what commissioners can and can't discuss outside public meetings — relevant to anyone following how local government decisions get made.
Ethics and transparency training for commissioners
The annual ethics update covered the upcoming FAIR Act ordinance consolidating city ethics rules, required trainings, and reminders that only authorized commissioners can speak officially for the commission.
Commission tabling at Long Beach Jazz Festival
The commission hopes to have a booth at the August 1 Jazz Festival at Houghton Park but is on the wait list. Commissioners divided setup, midday, and closing shifts and agreed to hold off buying materials until participation is confirmed.
Southern California Edison THUMS Islands facilities dispute
The city is in litigation with Southern California Edison over a PUC application that would require a customer-financed agreement for replacement electrical facilities serving the THUMS Islands. Who bears those costs is the core question.
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.
Waves of Ability event participation
The commission will staff a resource table at the second annual Waves of Ability event at Marine Stadium on September 26, 2026, to raise awareness of its work and recruit public participation.
Commission leadership transition
The commission's founding chair, Samantha Mehlinger, passed the gavel after two years, with Gonzalez, Mosqueda, and Anckle forming the new executive team for the coming term.
Gender-inclusive facilities in Fire Department facilities
The Fire Department's update on gender-inclusive facilities at its Regional Training Center was pulled from the agenda because the department wasn't ready to present; it's expected back at a future meeting.
Citywide digital timekeeping rollout
The city has launched phase one of the Upland digital time-entry system, replacing green paper time cards for thousands of employees, with more departments coming in the next few months.
Naples Sperrato Trail public walkway restoration
Design work is done for the first segment of the restored public walkway, with community outreach planned for late summer. A commissioner asked that outreach extend beyond the immediate Naples neighborhood.
Commission officer elections and departing member recognition
Two commissioners are leaving, and the committee discussed timing of officer elections so current members — not yet-seated newcomers — choose the next leadership. They also plan a recognition moment and possibly a Marina Reader blurb honoring the outgoing members' service.
Commendation for Michelle Howard's kayak cleanups
A local resident who survived a major stroke cleans plastics and debris from the Alamitos Bay Channel weekly with her father. The commission plans to honor her at the June 11 meeting, with the Aquarium of the Pacific's annual kayak cleanup following June 12.
Long Beach Golf Hall of Fame class of 2026
Three new inductees — Joey Cerule, Bill McCormick, and Mike Ortega — will be honored August 9 following the Long Beach Open.
Smoking ordinance at golf courses
The smoking ordinance focused on driving ranges is still pending with the city attorney; staff want to map authorized smoking areas as public inquiries increase.
Community partnerships for park stewardship
Two similarly named parks in District 4 have caused real problems — police dispatched to the wrong park, maintenance crews at the wrong site, and confused residents. The rename would tie the small plaza park to the Park Estates neighborhood it serves.
Youth rowing program with Long Beach Rowing Association
A new city-run rowing program will offer weekend classes at the Peter Rowing Center this summer, with eight full scholarships per session. Commissioners asked staff to coordinate with Long Beach Junior Crew to avoid confusion.
New Alamitos Beach volleyball courts
Eight new volleyball courts are open at Alamitos Beach — two for drop-in public use, six reservable for permitted events — potentially enough to host tournaments like the Manhattan Beach Open.
Dissolution of Ad Hoc Committee on Policies Review
The commission dissolved its policies review ad hoc because the FAIR Act will likely override any policy recommendations the group could make, and departments haven't sent it new policies to review. It could be revived once the FAIR Act is closer to adoption.
Men's Room Bar Entertainment Permit
A historic Broadway-corridor gay bar won its entertainment permit with conditions limiting hours and banning outdoor amplified music. Supporters called it a vital LGBTQ safe space; a neighbor raised ongoing noise complaints.
Hoff's Hut full liquor license upgrade
A 70-year-old family restaurant on Bellflower Boulevard can now serve cocktails, matching its Torrance and Seal Beach locations. The area already has more on-sale liquor licenses than the state recommends, but this upgrade doesn't add a net new license.
Anti-bullying in schools
A public speaker running for office urged an anti-bullying program for all California schools, describing her son's experience with racial bullying in Long Beach Unified schools.