Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Aug. 25. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Get this in your inbox every week by signing up at LBPost.com/newsletters.

City meetings

The Long Beach City Council will not meet this week. However, some important presentations will come before the council’s budget oversight committee at 1 p.m. Tuesday. 

These include presentations on the Long Beach Justice Fund and the Tenant Right to Counsel. Together, these support a number of city programs that pay for free legal assistance to those facing eviction, as well as those with mixed or undocumented status, including locals who face deportation. 

Since January 2021, the Right to Counsel program has taken over more than 1,600 cases, including 361 full scope — 90% of which the city says end with a positive outcome. 

Meanwhile, the Justice Fund in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 paid for a dozen workshops, represented 16 people in removal defense proceedings and provided legal help to 36 people looking to obtain legal status or benefits. 

Updates on an urban stormwater project near the L.A. River, as well as a discussion on extreme heat and air quality, will come before the Climate Resilient and Sustainable City Commission on Thursday at 4 p.m. inside the Civic Chambers. 

A Prop 218 hearing is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. over the newly proposed water and sewer rates for 2025 and 2026. New rates — 12% increase for water and sewer — were adopted by the city Utilities Commission on June 17, as part of their 2026 budget. While the deadline for written protest has closed, residents can submit a verbal protest if they arrive at the utilities building (1800 East Wardlow Road) before 7 p.m. Wednesday and sign up. 

And the Transactions and Use Tax Citizens’ Advisory Committee will hear presentations on Measure A expenditures and revenues, to include a recent audit on the city sales tax. 

Business events and information

  • The Long Beach Young Professionals will have an evening mixer on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at The Wicked Wolf Cocktail Bar. (2332 Pacific Ave.) Tickets start at $15 for members; $35 for non-members. For more information, click here.
  • Have thoughts on water and how to save it? The city wants your input. Long Beach Utilities is hosting an online survey on its long-term water storage plans, including how it hopes to handle times of drought or disruption. The online survey is available through Sept 1, in English, Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog.
  • Our latest print edition is out. Pick it up at any of these locations, or read the e-edition here.

ICYMI — California and national news

  • Meet the Long Beach company preparing for the next arms race… in space (Long Beach Post)
  • Powerful union demands ‘New Deal’ for the 2028 LA Olympic Games, threatens to strike (LAist)