Bits 'n' Pieces

City to Begin Organics Collection Program

The City of Long Beach Department of Public Works is taking significant steps towards a greener future by launching a phased rollout of its Residential Organics Collection Program beginning this October. Pursuant to Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383), which sets a statewide target to reduce organic material from landfills by 75% and therefore reducing methane emissions from landfills, the city’s Organics Collection Program aligns with state requirements and uplifts local sustainability efforts to reduce waste and improve recycling in Long Beach.

The city has been working diligently for several years towards full implementation of the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants Organic Waste Methane Emissions Reductions bill, SB 1383. In 2021, the city began diverting organic material from city-serviced commercial accounts and completed that roll out in 2023. In October 2024, the city will launch the first phase of the residential organics collection program and anticipates full implementation by the end of 2025.

Residents located in phase one service areas will receive a brand-new green cart during the week of Oct. 14, specifically for collecting yard trimmings and food scraps. Additionally, new blue carts will be introduced for recycling, while purple carts will be retired from service and properly recycled. These changes are part of the city’s effort to comply with SB 1383’s requirement for standardized cart colors across the state.

The delivery of the new carts may happen before or after the existing carts are serviced and first phase residents are encouraged to keep their carts out until exchanged. Green carts will remain in service and be collected on the same day and in the same location as the current operation.

The first phase includes approximately 8,000 single family and multifamily homes across the city. Service areas identified in the first phase were determined based on various factors including current service date, volume of yard trimmings generated and collection locations, among other factors. The first phase will test various operational scenarios that will guide future phases of the program.

To ensure the success of this program, the city is launching a robust education and outreach campaign. All first-phase residents will receive direct mailers, printed in English and Spanish, detailing the program. Materials in Khmer and Tagalog will also be available upon request and online.

Beyond direct mail, the city is testing additional outreach methods, including door-to-door visits and a “neighborhood champion” initiative, offering resources for residents to help spread the word within their communities to determine which methods are most effective at achieving the highest participation and reduce contamination rates. Contamination not only minimizes diversion rates but can also lead to additional work, tip fees and overall costs of the program and should be minimized to the extent possible.

In conjunction with the first phase, city staff will be routinely sampling carts to determine if there is contamination and providing educational materials to maximize the proper use of each cart.

In 2022, the city conducted an eight-week community survey to gather feedback on the state-mandated food scraps and yard trimmings collection program. With 10,702 responses, the city used this invaluable input to develop detailed outreach materials and enhance the program’s webpage, which was identified as the preferred information source.

Now available at longbeach.gov/lbrecycles is a new interactive map that allows residents to search their address and see if they are in the first phase of the program as well as a list of Frequently Asked Questions and access to additional program resources.

For more details on the program and other waste reduction efforts, visit longbeach.gov/lbrecycles.

Input Sought on Permitting Cannabis at Events

The City of Long Beach Office of Cannabis Oversight is conducting a feasibility study on permitting temporary cannabis special events in the city. A comprehensive report will be presented to the Long Beach City Council with the feasibility study findings and proposed policy recommendations for permitting temporary cannabis special events.

During the Aug. 6, meeting, the City Council requested the city manager to work with the Office of Cannabis Oversight and all relevant departments to conduct a feasibility study on hosting temporary cannabis special events within city limits, including types of appropriate venues and report back with a City Council presentation in 60 days. The recommendation to conduct a feasibility study was brought forward by Eighth District Councilmember Al Austin II and co-sponsored by First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas.

Community members are invited to complete an online survey, available now through Wednesday, Sept. 25, to share their input on the potential types of cannabis special events and potential policy considerations, as well as any concerns. The survey is currently available in English and will also be available in Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog at a later date on the program webpage. Those with limited access to a computer or smart phone may visit an open public computer lab available at any open Long Beach Public Library location to access the survey.

Additional information about the feasibility study is available on the program webpage. Questions about the feasibility study may be emailed to cannabisoversight@longbeach.gov.

MemorialCare Named Sponsor of 49er Athletics

MemorialCare has been named the official health care sponsor of Long Beach State Athletics. This five-year partnership, extending through June 30, 2029, will increase the awareness of important health care initiatives throughout Long Beach State Athletics’ season.

MemorialCare and Long Beach State have a strong organic connection as they both operate in the city of Long Beach. MemorialCare is one of the largest health care providers in the area, while Long Beach State is a prominent California State University located in the same city. In fact, more than 800 current MemorialCare employees throughout Los Angeles and Orange County are Long Beach State alumni.

Two years ago, MemorialCare and Long Beach State announced they were teaming up to create a new clinic on the university campus that will combine clinical education with clinical practice – a partnership unique to the state of California. The partnership aims to transform health care education, increase the number of allied health practitioners entering the workforce and promote health equity in the community.

Throughout Long Beach State Athletics’ season, MemorialCare will be the game sponsor for multiple sports, including men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s water polo. MemorialCare will support health education messaging and awareness throughout various games. The partnership with MemorialCare was created with Long Beach Athletics in conjunction with Learfield’s Beach Sports.

“As a leading health care provider in Southern California and pillar in the city of Long Beach, we are excited to partner with MemorialCare to highlight the very best of their services and resources through Long Beach State Athletics,” says Bobby Smitheran, executive director of athletics, Long Beach State Athletics. “Healthy living is a core belief we share with MemorialCare and this partnership will unite our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the Long Beach community in that shared mission.”

In addition to being game sponsors, MemorialCare will partner with select student athletes to shadow nurses at Long Beach Medical Center and participate in special visits with pediatric patients at Miller Children’s & Women’s.

This collaboration reflects MemorialCare’s ongoing dedication to enhancing community health and supporting the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Beach Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college sports – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Long Beach State Athletics and handles all sponsorships, in-venue signage and advertising on behalf of Long Beach State.

New SMMC Chief Medical Officer Appointed

Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC) announced the appointment of Dr. James Keany, MD, MBA, FACEP, as its new chief medical officer (CMO). In this role, Keany will oversee clinical operations, contribute to strategic planning and provide leadership and support to the medical staff.

“Dr. Keany’s extensive knowledge in healthcare governance and quality improvement, combined with his passion for innovation, will be crucial in advancing our clinical operations,” said Carolyn Caldwell, hospital president. “His dedication to enhancing patient care aligns perfectly with our mission and we are thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

With over three decades of clinical and leadership experience, Keany has a demonstrated history of achieving operational excellence and enhancing patient safety. Most recently, he served as the west region vice president for US Acute Care Solutions, where he was instrumental in patient-centered strategic planning and process optimization. He has also held key leadership positions at Providence Mission Hospital, including chief of staff and chair of the Quality Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Keany holds a Doctor of Medicine from the David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles; a Post-Graduate Certification in safety, quality, informatics and leadership from Harvard Medical School; and a Master of Business Administration from American Military University.

City Launches Neighbor-to-Neighbor Program

The City of Long Beach, in partnership with California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, has announced the launch of its Neighbor-to-Neighbor program. Facilitated by the city’s Office of Climate Action and Sustainability, the program’s mission is to foster connection and build communities that come together and address local needs such as climate action and support underserved populations.

The Neighbor-to-Neighbor program will leverage a network of volunteers and community organizations to address local challenges, focusing on mitigating community isolation, increasing volunteer participation and improving social connectedness in neighborhoods, specifically engaging neighborhoods across West and Central Long Beach.

Through the program, the city will host networking and community engagement events, including movies in the park and block parties and climate action activities such as neighborhood tree plantings and community science events. Additionally, the city will facilitate neighborhood surveys and workshops to set priorities and plan projects within the program’s scope.

To learn more about the City’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor program and to stay updated on upcoming projects and events, visit lbcity.info/n2n.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor is a California Volunteers network designed to help strengthen communities by bringing neighbors together to engage locally. Partnering agencies like Long Beach will work to build connections and increase feelings of belonging to address the epidemic of loneliness public health crisis declared by U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

To learn more about the California Volunteers’ Neighbor-to-Neighbor network, explore statewide events and access resources, visit CANeighbors.com.