Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Sept. 15. Here’s what you need to know to start your day. Here’s what you need to know to start your week. Get this in your inbox every week by signing up at LBPost.com/newsletters.

City meetings

The city’s Planning Commission on Thursday will decide whether to approve the environmental report and site plan review for the conversion of a seven-story office building into student dormitories. 

If approved, the building at 5150 Pacific Coast Highway would be accompanied by 22,523 square feet of open space, more than 360 parking spots and a new pavilion. It would offer 149 suites, capable of accommodating nearly 600 students, with bus stops within walking distance. Due to a dearth in available student housing, the city and Long Beach’s collegiate apparatus are desperately seeking ways to house more people near their respective campuses. 

Following their approval of the $3.7 billion 2026 budget last week, the Long Beach City Council has a relatively light load set for Tuesday. Several contacts will come before them, including a $1.4 million agreement for improvements to the Drake Park Community Center.  

At their Tuesday meeting, the city’s Workforce Innovation Network will discuss ways to find employment for the expected layoffs of about 480 local workers, including those at the city’s health department and MemorialCare Medical Center. 

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will have a presentation Tuesday on their budget and pressures they face by a state deficit and federal policies. At the recommendation of Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, they are expected to implement a rent relief program within 60 days for those at risk of becoming homeless. And the L.A. County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk will likely be asked to report back on Oct. 7 on preparations for the statewide special election on Nov. 4. 

Business events and information

  • The city is hosting free workshops on generative AI, digital skills and data privacy through the month of October. Classes are free, 90-minute segments open to all experience levels. Food and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to register, visit here.
  • The next Mug to Mug morning networking event will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at ToursX (Shoreline Village Drive 419). For more information, click here. 
  • Grab your least favorite shoes and head to the shore this Saturday, as Long Beach is looking for volunteers for its 41st annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. Gloves and garbage bags will be offered, though volunteers are encouraged to bring their buckets, prongs and trash pickers. For those interested in helping, pre-register here. For more information, you may also call the El Dorado Nature Center at 562-570-1745. Beach cleanings will take place Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. at five locations: 
    • Junipero Beach (2100 E. Ocean Blvd.) 
    • Belmont Pier (3998 E. Allin St.) 
    • Peninsula (72nd Place and East Ocean Boulevard) 
    • Mother’s Beach (5839 Appian Way) 
    • Alamitos Bay Marina (205 N. Marina Dr.)

ICYMI — California and national news

  • With over 150 problem vacant lots, Long Beach will run an experiment to address them (Long Beach Post)
  • This beloved Californian theme park is slashing jobs and shortening its season. Here’s why (Los Angeles Times)
  • Why California backed off again from ambitious AI regulation (CalMatters) 
  • No cause determined yet for ‘unprecedented’ container spill in Long Beach Port (Long Beach Post)