Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Aug. 11. 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

Several important building and safety ordinances will come before the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday. Here’s what we know so far:

The city is expected to hold its first reading of a new rule that will require permanent enclosures around private swimming pools and spas. A second rule will raise the minimum height for newly constructed buildings in coastal flood zones. And thirdly, the city is expected to complete its first reading of a new ordinance that amends “requirements for subgrade electrical work” in areas with potential methane gas. 

Officials say these rules were brought up given “increasing trends” and to “prevent tragedies,” saying that drowning remains a leading cause of death for children in Long Beach, more shoreline homes and businesses are at risk of flooding due to sea-level rise, and construction that encroaches toward the city’s naturally occurring methane deposits. 

Council members are also expected to vote in strengthened language around the city’s sanctuary laws, titled the Long Beach Values Act, including rules that restrict federal authorities’ access to city-owned property without a warrant, establish penalties for city employees and contractors that don’t follow the Values Act — to include creating an online complaint portal — and creation of a “Safe Place” certificate for businesses that complete “Know Your Rights” trainings with locally accredited nonprofits. 

The Marine Advisory Commission on Thursday will hear a presentation on the city’s plan to place ads on lifeguard towers, as well as a recommendation in the upcoming budget to increase slip fees. 

The city’s Veterans Affairs Commission on Wednesday will discuss ways in which the city can subsidize VA funding and keep local jobs intact, in reference to recent federal cuts to the department. There will also be a roundtable on the proposed housing project for veterans at 1400 Cherry Avenue. 

And for those still obsessed with all things fiscal, the city will conduct a budget hearing for the Long Beach Police and Fire departments. 

To review some of our coverage on the 2026 budget, including the mayor’s proposal for immigrant aid and our newsletter’s items to follow, visit the links provided. 

For a full schedule of this year’s budget meetings and hearings, visit here. 

Business events and information

  • Long Beach announced Friday it will host free community workshops centered on opioid awareness, with training on how to use Narcan to prevent an overdose. Workshops will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the city’s Main Health Facility (2525 Grand Ave.) on Saturdays, Aug. 16, Sept. 13 and Oct. 11. Residents are encouraged to register online, though registration is not required to attend.
  • 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.

ICYMI — California and national news

  • Long Beach puts tiny homes up for sale after failing to find site for planned shelter (Long Beach Post)
  • We get asked about tariffs all the time. Here’s what we say (NPR)