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| March 18, 2022 | Issue No. 359 | | | |
Thank you for taking the time to read our weekly newsletter. Every Friday afternoon at 1:30 pm, we distribute this publication to provide updates on past and future events throughout our council district. Please encourage your neighbors to sign up for the Go Fourth! Friday newsletter by filling out the form at this link.
- Councilman Daryl Supernaw
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City Council Approves CARE Court Framework
At Tuesday’s meeting, City Council unanimously approved my motion to support the CARE Court framework that will create a new State policy for mental health and substance abuse services. The new program was introduced by Governor Newsom on Thursday, March 3rd, and we submitted the agenda item on Monday, March 7th. While the framework must be approved by the State Legislature, I wanted to get the City’s support early on in the process for one particular reason: I firmly believe in this because it represents a paradigm shift in the way we’re dealing with the homeless crisis, and that’s exactly what our constituents have been asking for. You can read the Press Telegram’s coverage at this link and the LBPost’s coverage here.
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Improved Budget Forecast for FY 2023
The Financial Management Department has identified positive trends that have significantly improved the City's General Fund forecast. The shortfall has been reduced from $36 million to $12 million. As a result of the positive projections, no major public service impacts are anticipated for the coming year and no reduction targets will be issued to City departments during the development of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 City budget! Additional information is available in the March 8, 2022 press release at this link.
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Citywide Strategic Plan on Veterans
On Tuesday, the City Council received a presentation on the Citywide Strategic Plan on Veterans. The Veterans Affairs Commission carried out extensive research on the challenges and opportunities Veterans face and reviewed and analyzed demographic data on the City's Veteran population. The Commission's plan is available at this link.
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Hawaiian Airlines Maintenance Base at LGB
Hawaiian Airlines is further investing in its operations at Long Beach Airport with the establishment of a new Hawaiian Airlines Line Maintenance Base. The base opened this past Tuesday, March 15. The roughly 3,000-square-foot facility, which was previously occupied by another tenant, is the fourth Hawaiian Airlines maintenance and supply base in North America. It will include one of the airline’s largest supply stocking warehouses, all located within hangar and office space northeast of LGB’s historic terminal on Donald Douglas Drive. More information is available at this link.
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Applications Open for Recovery Act Grants
The City is now accepting applications for the recently announced Long Beach Recovery Act Small Business and Nonprofit Relief grants, a new recovery program to help small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There is over $8 million in grants available for our businesses, including restaurants and bars, fitness and personal care, other small businesses and nonprofits. More information is in the press release at this link or visit the website here.
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LBPD Launches New Blotter
Yesterday, the Long Beach Police Department debuted a new tool for the community to access information about police activity and investigations. The Department will begin posting information about recent police activity, ongoing investigations, and other LBPD updates to their website. Community members will be able to read preliminary information about incidents that may have occurred the previous evening. You can read more information in the press release here or go directly to the site here.
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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSULB
Register now for the Spring Session beginning April 4th
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at CSULB is celebrating its 25th year of providing classes for community members aged 50 and over. The Spring Session begins April 4th, and classes will be held at CSULB, satellite locations and via Zoom. Register online and search for available classes for the current session. For help, call the OLLI office (562) 985.8237 or the support line (562) 985.2398 from 12:00 - 4:00 pm. The OLLI membership fee ($40 annual or $20 from March to August), and class fees are $15 for any length class. Please check the website for more information at this link.
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FREE Tax Preparation from CSULB
Through April 9th | M-Th: 10am to 8pm; Fri: 9am to 3pm
The CSULB College of Business is offering FREE income tax preparation online now through April 9, 2022. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) IRS program provides virtual appointments to individuals who qualify as low-income ($58,000 annually), students, the elderly, non-residents and limited English proficiency. The VITA IRS-certified tax preparers can assist you in preparing both federal and state tax returns. Schedule a virtual appointment or get more information on the CSU Long Beach VITA site at this link.
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Los Altos Library Online Student Career Fair
March 19 & 26 | 12 pm - 2 pm | Register Online
The Los Altos Neighborhood Library presents a Student Career Fair for ages 13-18. The program is scheduled on Saturday, March 19 & 26. Presentations will include employers discussing possible career paths for teens who are in attendance. Participants will meet with a presenter of their interest to acquire further information about their career path and the steps it took them to get to where they are. Students will also have a chance to ask questions regarding volunteer, internship, or job opportunities that can help further their experience. A librarian will email participants additional resources connected to each presenter after the event. For more information and registration please visit this link.
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LBFD Training Center: Live Burn Schedule
March 22nd & 24th | 2249 Argonne Ave.
The Long Beach Fire Department Training Center is conducting training for their new Recruit Firefighters. Next week the exercises will take place on the following days:
- Tuesday, March 22nd
- Thursday, March 24th
Live fire training is an essential part of development for the Recruit Firefighters. It allows the training staff to teach skills needed for survival in potentially life threatening situations and the protection of life and property for the residents of Long Beach. The live burns may cause smoke and loud noises.
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Next on the City Council Agenda
March 22nd | 5:00 pm | 411 W. Ocean Blvd.
The City Council meeting will start at 5 pm in the Bob Foster Civic Chambers on the ground floor of City Hall, located at 411 W. Ocean Blvd. City council meetings are broadcast live online and are also available on Channel 3 for Charter cable subscribers and Channel 21 for FIOS subscribers. Here are some topics that appear on next Tuesday's agenda:
- R10: Recommendation to approve the Fiscal Year 2022 designation of one-time District Priority Funds for City Council District infrastructure projects and existing programs; and Approve related budget appropriation adjustments for Fiscal Year 2022 in accordance with existing City Council policy
- R17: Recommendation to direct City Attorney to draft resolution to have the City’s legislative advocates in Sacramento, in collaboration with the City Manager and all relevant City departments, to support legislation to enact changes to the California Retail Food Code that will make it more sensitive to the context of sidewalk food vending while ensuring food safety.
- R19: Recommendation to request City Manager to work with Development Services Department as well as our legislative delegations in Washington and Sacramento to report back to the City Council on the status of tenant rental assistance payments, and the feasibility of opportunities to expedite payments, and advocate to expand those eligible to receive rental assistance.
The entire agenda can be found here. To see the schedule and agenda for all upcoming city meetings, click here.
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Adaptive Recreation at Stearns Park
Registration begins March 23rd by appointment | (562) 570-2867
Parks and Recreation will offer in-person adaptive recreation programs for middle and high school youth and adults providing fun and enriching experiences such as art, games and fitness activities designed for people with disabilities. The Adaptive Recreation Programs will take place at Stearns Park, located at 4520 E. 23rd St. in the Fourth District. Programs will run April 30 through June 11, and registration, by appointment, begins on Wed., March 23rd at 2:30 pm. More information is available at this link.
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PRM Spring Break In-Person Day Camps
Registration begins March 23rd | Register Online
Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will offer in-person day camps during the upcoming LBUSD spring break from April 18th through 22nd. Youth ages 5 to 12 will enjoy crafts, physical fitness, enrichment activities, cultural celebrations and more. Online registration begins at 10 am on Wednesday, March 23rd. You can read additional information in the press release at this link.
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LGB “Plane to See” Art Contest Takes Flight
Submissions: now through March 31st | Online
The Long Beach Airport (LGB) is calling on local artists to take part in a “Plane to See” aviation-themed design contest, where 10 selected winners’ drawings will earn $500 honorariums and be used to create coloring sheets for travelers of all ages. Selected drawings will be printed and distributed at community events and to LGB travelers with a designated exhibition space and coloring area. The images also will be available to download online. The contest is open to local artists of all ages and skill levels. Read the press release at this link.
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LBFD Recruits Feel the Heat!
This week, the Long Beach Fire Department Recruit Class 2022A participated in their first live fire training drill. Live fire training is a critical part of the instruction and certification process for recruit firefighters, and it will continue next week. This morning, LBFD posted a video of a live fire training drill on Facebook that you can check out at this link. The video reminded me of a Verizon commercial (below) shot at our training center in 2013. What looks like Hollywood special effects in the Verizon video is actually what our fire recruits experience in training. They must effectively use their training to solve the unique problems encountered during a fire while maintaining their own safety as well as that of their fellow firefighters and civilians involved in the incident.
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