Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Nov. 17. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Want this in your inbox each week? Sign up at LBPost.com/newsletters.
City meetings
It’s a busy week at City Hall, with a motley list of important matters coming before you. Here’s a round-up of some to keep in mind as you start your day:
The Long Beach Justice Fund, which pays for legal services to immigrant families, is finally getting a provider. A contract will go before the city council Tuesday to retain L.A.-based Public Counsel. The one-year agreement is expected to cost $919,000, with the option to extend by an additional year twice.
Once contracted, the firm will represent mixed-status or undocumented residents who are facing removal proceedings and protect against any unlawful deportations. Attorneys will also have discretion to reopen or appeal cases that ended in deportation orders. The city previously retained legal defense offered through Western State College of Law and Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project.
The Justice Fund in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 paid for a dozen workshops, represented 16 people in removal defense proceedings and gave legal help to 36 people looking to obtain legal status or benefits, but it’s been without a full-time legal provider since 2023.
Street racing in North Long Beach is another issue that will be taken up Tuesday. Following some downtime, the city attorney’s office has prepared an ordinance that will ban any online promotion of street races and sideshows, making it a fineable offense.
The city’s northernmost 9th City Council District, where the proposal originated, continues to claim the majority of reported street races across Long Beach, with more races reported there than other parts of the city combined.
At the request of three council members, Long Beach will be asked to review the effectiveness of various homeless programs, including CARE Court, actions taken against encampments following the Supreme Court’s ruling on Grants Pass v. Johnson in June, and study the feasibility of setting aside more money for increased patrols and quality-of-life officers in business and entertainment corridors.
This comes as business owners and lobbyists continue to report unchecked acts of vandalism, theft and nuisances, despite city police saying that crime rates have steadily declined.
A second round of state funding is set to hit the account of the city prosecutor’s office as part of the ongoing Wage Theft Grant Program. The $250,000 grant will cover staff expenses as they “develop and implement” policies meant to combat wage theft.
Council members will also look to approve the $1.8 million purchase of a fire truck, as well as a lease agreement for office space at 301 E. Ocean Blvd. for the newly formed Energy and Environmental Services Department. Final materials will come before the dais that, if approved, will move forward plans to convert an office building near Recreation Park into student housing.
The Long Beach Community Investment Company on Wednesday will accept a $4.8 million state grant to put toward a loan program for those wishing to build accessory dwelling units on their property.
At an advisory committee meeting for the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area on Thursday, commissioners will discuss noise and safety issues at the city parking lots along the neighborhood’s main strip.
Business events and information
- Long Beach Airport on Tuesday reported a 56% decline in greenhouse gas emissions since 2016, surpassing its original goals of a 20% cut by 2025 and 40% by 2030. The cuts, according to a release, earned the airport honors with the Airports Council International. It’s one of 75 airports nationwide to receive such an accolade.
- The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is having its monthly afternoon luncheon on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Parkers’ Lighthouse (435 Shoreline Dr.). The luncheon will feature guest speaker Reina Oliver, director of contract programs at Independence at Home. Tickets start at $30 for members; $45 for non-members. Visit this link for more information.
- The Nonprofit Partnership is hosting a 90-minute “Lunch & Learn” session meant to educate nonprofit organizations on how, simply put, to plan and build strategies. Tickets start at $35 for members; buy one ticket and the second is free. Click here for additional information.
ICYMI — California and national news
- Long Beach State’s Walter Pyramid set to be renamed in $8.5 million deal (Long Beach Post)
- Waymo taxis are coming to Los Angeles and Bay Area freeways (Los Angeles Times)
- Long Beach adds first new ambulance team in decades (Long Beach Post)
- Culver City is latest to consider public drinking area for its downtown (LAist)