Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Long Beach public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues
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.
Pacific Avenue street improvements
Two big contracts — a protected cycle track and broader corridor upgrades along Pacific Avenue — totaling over $30 million, largely paid by state and federal grants. Expect construction activity and, ultimately, safer and smoother streets in District 1 and 6 neighborhoods.
Medical debt data collection ordinance
A proposed ordinance would require Long Beach hospitals to report debt collection and financial assistance data, with LA County Public Health enforcing it. Supporters say it protects patients from surprise medical bills; hospitals face new reporting duties. First reading is scheduled, with a final vote later.
Long Beach Values Act support
The Council will consider directing the City Manager to report back within 60 days on federal immigration enforcement cooperation, SB 54 compliance, complaint processes, and the October 17 incident. This is a key accountability item for immigrant residents.
Zaferia business district assessment renewal
Businesses in the Zaferia district along East Anaheim Street would keep paying their annual assessment for cleaning, promotion, and parking services for another year. A public hearing gives property owners a chance to protest.
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.
Long Beach Airport hangar and office expansion
A previously approved airport project wants to nearly double Hangar 1's size and build a bigger two-story office, cutting parking from 117 to 84 stalls but adding bike parking. The commission will decide whether it fits within the environmental review already done for the Globemaster Corridor area.
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.
$60 Million Street Repair Contract
The commission will consider adding $11.7 million to the All American Asphalt street repair contract, for a total of $18.6 million. This funds pothole and street repair work across Long Beach.
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.
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.
Historic El Niño and community storm preparedness
Forecasters expect a historic El Niño, with king tides falling on Thanksgiving and Christmas week. The city is running pre-season sandbag giveaways, pushing Alert Long Beach sign-ups, and teaching residents to build go bags and stay kits before storms hit.
Planning Commission's new code appeals role
The commission is inheriting building and code appeals hearings that used to go to the Board of Examiners, Appeals and Condemnation. Property owners and builders will now bring these disputes to the commission instead.
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.
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.
CalKids college savings accounts
A resident urged the city to promote CalKids, a state program giving every California newborn a college savings account — only about 20% have been claimed. Kids with accounts are far more likely to attend college.
El Niño Emergency Preparedness
Long Beach is bracing for what could be a historically strong El Niño winter, with risks of flooding, downed trees and power lines citywide. The emergency declaration lets the city line up state resources, speed up contracts, and move staff quickly — and officials are asking residents to prepare their own homes now.
Sewage Spill Beach Closure
A sewage spill has closed Long Beach beaches to swimming, and health officials say stay out of the water until they clear it. If you were planning a beach day, pick another spot for now.
Mentorship and empowerment program directory
The commission created the first centralized list of mentorship programs for women and girls in Long Beach, to be posted on the Office of Equity website and updated twice a year. Commissioners hope it becomes a go-to resource for families.
Timeliness of disciplinary appeals and the ten-day filing deadline
A city worker fired after his commercial driver's license was suspended missed the 10-day window to appeal and asked the commission to hear the case anyway. The commission denied the request, saying excusing one late appeal would effectively erase the deadline for everyone, but signaled openness to future rehire consideration.
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.
Digital inclusion and skills training expansion
Long Beach's digital skills programs graduated 104 residents in October, giving participants certificates and free computers. The city plans to expand to roughly 400 participants over the next six months, adding youth programs and a YMCA partnership.
New Technology and Innovation Director appointment
After an extended acting period, the city has appointed TJ Mal as Director of Technology and Innovation, effective November 16. He brings 25 years of public-sector tech leadership, most recently as CIO at Pasadena City College.
Human trafficking in Long Beach
A new task force report shows nearly 1,400 survivors served in the past year, with housing the biggest unmet need. A city human trafficking coordinator position has been funded, and work is underway with Compton and Lynwood on shared strategies ahead of LA 28.
Procurement transparency and local business access
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.
Digital Inclusion Week and Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October's "Become a Digital Detective" campaign reached residents and staff, with a lunch-and-learn drawing nearly 80 participants. The city will move to quarterly sessions and mandatory cybersecurity and data privacy training is due November 30.
AI Learn and Earn digital skills program
Long Beach's digital skills programs graduated 104 residents in October, giving participants certificates and free computers. The city plans to expand to roughly 400 participants over the next six months, adding youth programs and a YMCA partnership.
Alleged bias and retaliation in Communication Specialist VI recruitment
Employee Andrew Garcia says the interview panel for a promotion included people with documented conflicts with him, and that he has been passed over four times in retaliation for complaints. The commission agreed to bring HR in to discuss the recruitment process.
$50 Million Revolving Credit Facility 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.
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.
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.
Mentorship and empowerment programs for women and girls
The commission approved a first-of-its-kind public list of mentorship and empowerment programs in Long Beach, which had no existing online repository. It will be posted on the Office of Equity website and updated twice a year.
Cybersecurity awareness and deepfake threats
The city ran a month-long cybersecurity campaign with staff trainings, posters, and tips on phishing, AI deepfakes, and voice-cloning scams. Staff plan to make lunch-and-learn sessions quarterly and are training directors to verify unusual requests — a real defense against AI-powered fraud.
Late-filed disciplinary appeal of terminated refuse operator
A six-year city employee lost his job after his commercial driver's license was suspended, then missed the 10-day window to appeal. The commission's decision turns on whether strict deadlines apply even when the employee claims he didn't read the notice.
Statewide women's policy initiatives
The Statewide Commission chair highlighted legislative wins including a child marriage ban and campus health funding, plus 2027 priorities around affordable child care — which research says could add $23 billion to the state economy.
2027 Commission Workplan Priorities
Commissioners brainstormed what the Technology and Innovation Commission should tackle in 2027, with AI governance, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, vendor data requirements, and public GIS dashboards emerging as leading themes. A new ad hoc committee will turn these ideas into a formal workplan by December.
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.
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.
100% Condo Participation Requirement
Owners in historic condo buildings like the Cooper Arms say the requirement that every single unit owner join a Mills Act contract lets one holdout block an entire building. Staff recommends keeping the rule, citing legal concerns and older contracts with sub-100% participation, but commissioners asked for further study of alternatives like supermajority HOA approval.
Substantial remodel loophole and aging housing stock
Advocates say landlords abuse the substantial remodel eviction ground — about 170 notices filed since April 2023, with many more unreported — while the apartment association argues it's a lawful, necessary tool for upgrading housing where 82% of stock predates 1980. Both sides agreed clearer definitions are needed.
Appeal Case 01-DR-2526
The commission took up a recommendation to hear an appeal on case 23-D-2223, but simply received and filed the item without acting on it. Anyone following this case should watch for it to reappear on a future agenda.
Strengthening Long Beach's just-cause eviction ordinance
Tenant advocates want the city to eliminate substantial remodel as an eviction ground, set a two-month non-payment threshold, raise relocation assistance to LA County levels, and cover all renters including those in single-family homes. The current ordinance meets only the state minimum and sunsets in 2030. The committee will develop recommendations for the full council.
Appeal on case 23-D-2223
The commission took up a recommendation to hear an appeal on case 23-D-2223, but simply received and filed the item without acting on it. Anyone following this case should watch for it to reappear on a future agenda.
Flood Cleanup
City crews in Long Beach are rushing to clean up flood damage before high tides hit again. If you live near the coast, expect some street closures.
Election Guide
Election season is here, and it's time to pick the folks running the Long Beach City College board of trustees. They make major calls on campus construction and local education, so your vote really helps shape our community schools.
Police Chief Retirement
Long Beach's police chief is retiring, forcing city hall to launch a high-stakes search for a new top cop. This leadership change gives residents a rare chance to see how future policing priorities will take shape in our neighborhoods.
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.