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.

City meetings

To the frustration of some businesses and shops, Long Beach can be quite slow in its permitting process. Officials hope to soon alleviate at least a part of this. 

The Long Beach City Council on Tuesday is expected to recommend to the city manager to develop a streamlined process for Business Improvement Districts and Associations to obtain event permits. 

From First Fridays to farmers markets, these districts and associations put on events that play a pivotal role in helping businesses gain new customers that likely wouldn’t come by otherwise. Yet these organizations face many of the same difficulties in obtaining permits for events that invite buyers into their area. 

“Simplifying and expediting the permitting process will enable BIDs and BIAs to be more effective in their mission and contribute to the economic growth of our city and neighborhoods,” according to a proposal from Councilmembers Megan Kerr, Kristina Duggan and Joni Ricks-Oddie. 

Later on in the meeting, council members will consider approval of an additional $3 million for an existing contract with the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership to provide anti-crime youth programs through 2028.

The council will also meet in closed session to talk about the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles’ lawsuit trying to block its eviction from the city animal shelter.

At their Tuesday afternoon meeting, the Long Beach Continuum of Care will hear a presentation on policy changes and staffing with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Business events and information

  • Expect street closures starting this week for the commencement of the 2025 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Starting Wednesday at 4 a.m. through 5 p.m. Monday, streets near the Downtown circuit — including parts of Shoreline Drive and Queensway Bridge off/on ramps — will be closed to all traffic to accommodate the cars and large crowds. Separately, the Aquarium of the Pacific will remain open to the public during the Grand Prix weekend. For a full list of closures, click here. 
  • The Long Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Membership Mixer this Tuesday, April 8, at K.C. Branaghan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant (5734 E. Second St.). The event is a good opportunity for Chamber members — and budding business professionals — to mingle and expand their network. Entry is free for members; $20 for non-members. For more information, click here.
  • Irish pubs not your speed? The Small Business Council will host its next “Lunch and Learn” workshop on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. The 90-minute event is part of the council’s Small Business Resiliency Series, and its keynote speaker, Michelle Manire, will speak to just that: facing adversity and overcoming challenges as a leader. The event will take place at the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (1 World Trace Center #101) starting at 10:30 a.m. with a 30-minute networking session. Tickets are $20 for members; $30 for non-members. For more information, click here.

ICYMI — California and national news

  • An AI ‘gold rush.’ What to know about OpenAI’s record $40-billion funding round (LA Times)
  • Meet the investigators hunting oil well pollution in LA neighborhoods (LAist)