Long Beach City Council approves funding for three park projects
The grants provide up to $5,786,460 for a green belt, community center planning and an educational trailhead.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — accept and appropriate la county regional, ordinance, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
A community center supporter asked for concrete planning milestones and advance notice of meetings so neighbors can take part.
Three county grants put park plans on the city’s calendar. The Long Beach City Council accepted and appropriated competitive park funding of up to $5,786,460 for three projects. The awards will support a green belt on a former rail right-of-way, early planning for a potential community center, and an educational trailhead. The council approved the funding after staff described the work ahead and residents spoke in support.
The largest award, approximately $4 million, will help turn a former train depot site into a trailhead demonstration site for sustainability education, with a shaded plaza and gathering area. Approximately $1.5 million will improve about 2.3 acres of former rail right-of-way with drought-tolerant landscaping and an expanded tree canopy, including approximately 40 trees. A third award, approximately $290,000, will pay for site feasibility work and community engagement around a potential neighborhood community center.
The projects are still in design. Staff described community engagement continuing through 2026 and said more outreach and conceptual design work would return to residents later in the winter. One supporter of the trailhead said the group had waited at least 10 years to participate in its design. A community center supporter asked for concrete milestones and advance notice of meetings; another commenter asked how staffing and programming would be supported.
Ordinance: Dissolution of Board of Examiners of Appeals and Condemnation and Assignment of Duties to Planning Commission
The Long Beach City Council adopted an ordinance dissolving the Board of Examiners of Appeals and Condemnation and assigning its duties to the Planning Commission. The change amends the municipal code, shifting the former body’s responsibilities rather than leaving them unassigned. The City Attorney brought the ordinance to the council for a vote.
The mayor described the change as part of governance reform and thanked the Board of Examiners of Appeals and Condemnation for its service. The action consolidates duties that had belonged to the separate body under the Planning Commission. The presentation did not describe additional changes to those duties.
No one offered public comment on the ordinance. The Long Beach City Council voted to adopt it, and the mayor said the motion carried. The meeting account does not specify whether the vote followed a first or final reading, so the reported action is the council’s adoption of the ordinance and reassignment of duties.
Long Beach City Council awards roadway contracts
The Long Beach City Council awarded a construction contract of up to $50,722,791 and a construction management contract of up to $3,735,659 for a shoreline roadway realignment. The project would shift traffic lanes, remove a bridge and add shared-use paths and park space; its funding includes a $30 million federal grant.
The realignment could connect park space while changing how people travel near the downtown waterfront.
Long Beach City Council reviews development fees
The Long Beach City Council received a presentation on proposed development impact fees but did not adopt new rates. Staff recommended a midpoint residential fee of $14.48 per square foot, with increases phased by area, and projected annual revenue of $7.79 million by FY33 if the approach is adopted.
Future fee decisions could change what builders pay toward infrastructure when they receive permits.
Long Beach City Council approves electrical workers agreement
The Long Beach City Council approved a 2026–2029 labor agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Staff said the ratified agreement fits within the city’s structural budget capacity and would help hire and retain employees who provide public services, including utility work.
The agreement sets employment terms for workers who help maintain city services and infrastructure.
Long Beach City Council approves employee benefits
The Long Beach City Council approved 2027 benefits package rates, employee contributions and plan updates for active employees and retirees. The action covers health insurance plans offered through various operators; the meeting summary did not provide individual rates or describe how contributions will change.
The approved package determines health coverage terms and contribution amounts for city workers and retirees next year.
- Long Beach City Council. In the closing general public comment period, speakers criticized the newly adopted public comment ordinance and meeting management, raised concerns about homelessness and domestic violence impacts, opposed a proposed city winter closure policy affecting employee leave, and discussed broader political concerns. The Mayor then moved to closing remarks and adjournment.
- Long Beach City Council. During the first general public comment period after the bike share votes, speakers raised concerns about coastal protection planning and interim flood barriers, treatment of blind riders on public transit, and broader criticism of Council decisions including Item 29 and surveillance-related issues. Comments included requests for better accessibility and dignity in services and objections to Council priorities.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
LONG BEACH had 11 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEClosed Session Report: Settlement Approval. The City Attorney reported that the City Council settled the matter of Filippo Rafino versus City of Long Beach for $400,000, approved by a 7-0 vote.
- GOVERNANCEGeneral Public Comment (Post-Items 20–21): Accessibility, Coastal Protection, Transit Treatment of Blind Riders, and Criticism of Council Actions. During the first general public comment period after the bike share votes, speakers raised concerns about coastal protection planning and interim flood barriers, treatment of blind riders on public transit, and broader criticism of Council decisions including Item 29 and surveillance-related issues. Comments included requests for better accessibility and dignity in services and objections to Council priorities.
- GOVERNANCEAmend Contract with Utility Solutions Partners for Utilities Information Systems Managed Services. Council approved amending the contract with Utility Solutions Partners for managed services providing maintenance and integration support for the City’s utilities information systems, with a revised annual contract amount not to exceed,84. Two public commenters criticized reliance on contractors and questioned urgency claims from prior weeks. The item passed.
- GOVERNANCEApproval of Consent Calendar. Council approved the consent calendar after a motion and second. One public commenter criticized the consent process and raised concerns about appropriations and public scrutiny. The consent calendar was approved by voice vote.
- GOVERNANCEContinue Local Emergency Proclamation for Hurricane Marie / 2026–2027 El Niño Winter Storm Season Impacts. Council continued a local emergency proclamation related to impacts from Hurricane Marie and the imminent threat to safety and property associated with the developing 2026–2027 El Niño winter storm season. Public commenters criticized reliance on repeated emergency declarations and urged long-term climate and public health planning. Staff and the Mayor emphasized citywide storm preparedness and operational flexibility. The item passed.
- GOVERNANCERemote Participation Announcement Under Government Code 54953.83(c)(1). The Mayor announced that a councilmember was participating remotely due to qualifying circumstances under Government Code section 54953.83(c)(1), described as a caregiving need for a child under 18.
- GOVERNANCEGeneral Public Comment (Closing): Public Comment Rule Change, Homelessness/Domestic Violence Concerns, Employee Winter Closure Policy Concerns, and Political/Election Concerns. In the closing general public comment period, speakers criticized the newly adopted public comment ordinance and meeting management, raised concerns about homelessness and domestic violence impacts, opposed a proposed city winter closure policy affecting employee leave, and discussed broader political concerns. The Mayor then moved to closing remarks and adjournment.
- GOVERNANCECouncil Approves New Bike Share Contract and Interim Operations. Council awarded Drop Mobility a contract of up to $25,681,170 to operate, maintain, and modernize the city bike share program, and amended Pedal Movement’s interim operations contract to a maximum of $8,261,369. Public commenters raised concerns about cost, timing, local jobs, and the transition between operators; both actions passed.
- GOVERNANCECouncil Advances Changes to Public Comment and Meeting Rules. Council approved the first reading of an ordinance changing City Council meeting rules, including consolidating public comment into a 90-minute period and allowing the presiding officer to reduce speaker time. A substitute motion to keep current public comment procedures failed before the ordinance passed on first reading.
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