Good morning, Long Beach. It’s Monday, Sept. 8, also known as 908 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

At Thursday’s meeting for the Marine Advisory Commission, officials will share the contents of a letter to Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson and the City Council regarding an escalation of runoff into Long Beach’s coastline from the L.A. River, which officials say has reached “ a critical juncture that demands immediate attention.”

According to public works, the city has collected more than 12,500 tons of trash from 2020 to 2024, which cost a staggering $12.3 million. The amount of trash is also growing, with spikes in 2023 and 2024. The letter recommends the city strike an agreement with the county to help cover collection costs and be open to improving the existing system, saying the current trash interception operation “appears insufficient,” and the toll on Long Beach is “fundamentally inequitable.” 

Monty’s Dog Beach and Bar will also share design concepts for its proposed expansion at several locations along the shoreline, including a new restaurant at the end of the Belmont Pier. At the same meeting, public works officials will also give an update on the city’s pilot program for e-scooters on the beach bike path. 

After months of deliberations, the Long Beach City Council is expected to adopt the 2026 budget on Tuesday. There will be 15 votes in total, as separate approvals are needed for auxiliary groups like the Harbor and Utilities departments, as well as for proposals made through the mayor’s office and the Budget Oversight Committee. 

In their consent agenda, the City Council will approve amending language to a purchase agreement with Linc Armory to build an affordable senior living center at 854 East 7th St. 

At their Tuesday meeting, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will explore legal options for expected federal cuts to food stamp benefits and rehash discussions on curtailing street racing. 

Business events and information

  • The next networking luncheon by the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce is this Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. The 90-minute program will have keynote addresses from Michelle Byerly, executive director of The Nonprofit Partnership and Carrie Eldridge, campaign manager of Long Beach Gives. Tickets are $30 for members; $40 for non-members. For more information, visit here. 
  • The city last week awarded grants to two dozen businesses through its Level Up LB: Extreme Small Business Makeover and Grant Program. It’s the second iteration of the giveaway, which chose from 229 applicants who were scored based on their need and readiness to participate. Chosen businesses — a mix of restaurants, retail shops and health and wellness facilities — received $5,000 to $10,000 in grant funding, with some also being provided free counseling and a membership to the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Thursday is the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. Starting at 9:11 a.m., the city will hold a Last Alarm tribute for those lost, followed by a moment of silence. It will be livestreamed here.

ICYMI — California and national news

  • A fight over dredging on the Long Beach coastline spawns multi-million dollar lawsuit (Long Beach Post)
  • Trump’s military deployment to quell immigration protests in LA cost $120 million, Newsom says (LAist)
  • Breakthrough on California housing could put taller buildings in single-family neighborhoods (CalMatters)
  • First they came for Netflix passwords. Now, some free Amazon deliveries are ending (Los Angeles Times)