Good morning and welcome to Monday Morning Coffee! Grab your cup and let’s get to your weekly briefing of what’s on the agenda for local government and business leaders. Get this in your inbox every Monday by signing up at lbpost.com/newsletters.
Correction: An earlier version of this newsletter inaccurately said Long Beach is getting at least 14 Olympic events. It should have said at least 11.
City meetings
The Long Beach City Council is having a retreat this week. It’s a meeting where council members can have more informal discussions about the city’s priorities, plans to address challenges and norms for working together. But like all regular City Council meetings, it’s still open to the public, and you can weigh in with your opinions as well. It starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Shoreline Yacht Club (386 E. Shoreline Dr.)
Expect an opening statement from Mayor Rex Richardson on the challenges facing Long Beach — from the homelessness crisis to dwindling oil revenues — as well as the external forces that threaten the city’s general standing: rising gas prices, cybersecurity attacks, unprecedented rainfall and wildfires, and the the encroaching impacts of the Trump Administration — which has attempted to freeze many forms of federal aid. But it’s not all bad, with accomplishments including a fast-growing aerospace sector, record cargo at the Port and a housing production rate unmatched in recent years. The city also touts that it has significantly reduced its structural deficit and is on schedule for infrastructure projects ahead of the 2028 LA Olympics, which will now bring at least 11 events to the city.
Following comments by city manager Tom Modica, the council members will also discuss plans ahead and swap goals among districts. They’ll also spend time talking about the council’s adopted norms for working together as a body — for instance, trying to “avoid surprises,” “keep confidential things confidential,” and “disagree agreeably and professionally.” You can see a presentation laying out their plan for the day here.
On Thursday at 5 p.m., the Long Beach Planning Commission will look to approve a 60-foot, 560,000-square-foot warehouse on a 26.5-acre site at 4000 Via Oro Avenue in West Long Beach.
The project, for Intex Corporation, will bring 570 parking stalls, 66 truck docks and 174 trailer stalls, where drivers exiting the nearby 710 Highway will offload goods.
On Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is expected to approve an urgency ordinance to allow faster permitting for the abatement of debris left by the January 2025 wildfires from uncleared properties. Supervisors at the meeting will also be given the recommendation to approve a massive settlement that’s been in the works for a while. If approved, the county would pay out $4 billion to dispose of nearly 7,000 sexual abuse claims in its juvenile or foster care facilities dating back to the 1960s. You can read the details in our previous story about the settlement here.
Business events and information
- It’s that time of year again, Long Beach. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Marine Department is opening its registration for more than 700 classes and camps this summer. Classes range from Hip Hop Tots Dance to Zumba for seniors, and span the respective disciplines of music, nature, fitness and more. Registration opens online on May 5; for more information, click here.
- The Women’s Business Council, in partnership with the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, is hosting its Mixed Miracle Arts Mixer on Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. The event features demonstrations and tips on self-defense. It’s a new spin on networking, at $25 for members and $35 for non-members. For more information, click here.
- Then on Wednesday, the Long Beach Young Professionals will have its spring mixer, also at 5:30 p.m. Held at Digital Installers Showroom (1530 E. Wardlow Road), the two-hour event will allow attendees a chance to network between rounds of virtual golf. Tickets are $15 for members and $35 for non-members. For more information, click here.
ICYMI — California and national news
- San Diego-based fast food chain Jack in the Box to close more than 150 locations (LA Times)
- They trusted her to help birth their babies; instead, they say, she disappeared with their money (Long Beach Post)
- Long Beach Pride is back on May 17 and 18. Here’s what to expect (Long Beach Post)