Community News

Long Beach Utilities to Host Budget Workshops

The Long Beach Board of Utilities Commissioners will host a series of three community budget workshops starting Thursday, May 1. The budget workshops will include a discussion on proposed water, sewer and gas rates for fiscal year 2026, which ranges from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Utility rates are established annually to fund infrastructure, maintenance and operation services to the greater Long Beach community. New rates are proposed to reflect current economic conditions.

“To maintain excellent customer service and to navigate infrastructure, and water and natural gas resource management challenges ahead, Long Beach Utilities is increasing investment in new infrastructure while engaging in the complex process of maintaining existing assets,” says Board President Gina Maguire. “We look forward to hearing public input at these budget workshops so that we can plan for a climate-resilient future, together.”

Long Beach ratepayers are invited to provide input at three public workshops hosted at the Long Beach Utilities Administration Building, 1800 E. Wardlow Road at 9 a.m.:

• Thursday, May 1
• Thursday, May 15
• Thursday, June 12

The administration building is located near four Long Beach Transit Bus routes: 21, 23, 71 and 131. Free visitor parking is available. To request language interpretation at the budget workshops, please email wa-publicaffairs@lbutilities.org by April 23, 2025.

The department budget, inclusive of rates, is expected to be adopted by the Board of Utilities Commissioners at the final public workshop on Thursday, June 12. Members of the public are encouraged to attend the meetings and share input. Comments can also be sent via email to commission@lbutilities.org.

To learn more about the proposed FY26 budget, please visit lbutilities.org/budget. For more information on gas, water, or sewer services, income assistance programs and helpful tools to estimate your bill, visit LBUtilities.org or call (562) 570-5700.

Cinco de Mayo Celebration in Catalina

The Catalina Museum for Art & History festivities kick off on Monday, May 5, from 5 to 9 p.m. This year’s celebration will feature live music by island favorites Mariachi Las Catrinas and cultural performances by Ballet Folklorico Quetzal and Avalon School grades TK-5th.

Attendees of all ages can enjoy face painting, an engaging art project for kids and delicious Mexican dishes from local food vendors. Margaritas, wine, beer and other refreshments will be available for purchase. Cultural performances will begin at 5 p.m. and food will be served until supplies run out.

More information can be found at catalinamuseum.org/calendar.

Grant Funding to Support Small Businesses

The Long Beach City Council has approved an additional $250,000 in grant funding for the Visual Improvement Program (VIP). Facilitated by the Long Beach Economic Development Department, the VIP provides direct financial assistance to local businesses impacted by crime and vandalism.

Eligible businesses can receive $1,500 to cover storefront repairs, boarding costs, insurance deductibles and business operating expenses. The VIP was first announced in January 2023, with $350,000 in funding from the Long Beach Recovery Act, to help ease the burden of property crimes and vandalism citywide.

The program then received an additional one-time funding of $100,000 as part of the city’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, approved by the City Council in August 2024. To date, the city has provided 295 VIP grants to businesses throughout Long Beach.

“Small businesses are the cornerstone of our community and serve as the foundation for a thriving economy,” said Economic Development Department Director Bo Martinez. “This grant opportunity is one of many that we have offered to support and uplift entrepreneurs and help guide small businesses toward success.”

Businesses and nonprofits should apply if they meet the following criteria:

• Must be able to prove that damages were sustained on or after Oct. 1, 2023.
• Must have a business storefront.
• Must be located and operating within the boundaries of Long Beach, California (address cannot be a P.O. Box or an address that leads to a shipping center as their physical location).
• May be a private for-profit business, including sole proprietorships, or nonprofit organizations.
• Must have a City of Long Beach business license.
• Must be an independently owned and operated business (not publicly traded).
• Must have fewer than 200 employees.
• Must gross no more than $2 million annually.
• Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships must have an active status with the California Secretary of State.

For additional eligibility requirements and to complete an application, those interested can visit longbeach.gov/smallbizgrants. Applications will remain open until funding is exhausted.

For additional information about the VIP or assistance with completing an application, those interested can call the city’s BizCare Hotline at (562) 570-4BIZ (4249) or email 4Biz@longbeach.gov.

Park Offers Tips for Visitors on Easter Sunday

With 388 acres of open space, picnicking areas, playgrounds, bicycle trails and many other amenities, El Dorado East Regional Park (7550 S. Spring St.) is a popular place to enjoy Easter Sunday with family and friends.

In fact, Easter Sunday is the busiest day of the year at El Dorado East Regional Park, therefore the City of Long Beach is sharing the following park rules and tips for Easter Sunday, taking place on April 20, to help visitors prepare and make the most of their day:

• Park hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All visitors must leave the park by closing.
• The holiday parking rate is $9 per car; cashless payment options including debit, credit, prepaid credit cards and smart pay will be accepted (no refunds). Park patrons who do not have access to cashless payment options may purchase day tickets at the park office located next to the Archery Range directly inside the Gate 2 entrance.
• Gate 2 will serve as the main entrance to the park and will be accessible on both the south and north side of Spring Street. Left-hand turn lanes will be closed.
• Gate 4 is a new entrance available only for annual pass holders and patrons using cashless payment options. Gate 4 is located off the north side of Wardlow Street (7575 E. Wardlow Rd.).
• Day tickets and annual passes must be displayed in all vehicles while visiting the park.
• Parking on the grass is prohibited, unless in designated areas; vehicles parked in unauthorized grassy areas will be cited or towed.
• Extra parking and picnic space will be available in Area 3, north of Wardlow Road. Please follow the signs to the overflow lot. Parking may not be near your picnic location.
• Please do not block traffic flow. Drops-offs or unloading are not permitted on Spring Street or Wardlow Road.
• Visitors should plan to arrive early. Park officials may close the gates to vehicles once the lots are at capacity; vehicles exiting the park may not be granted re-entry if the park closes due to capacity.
• Barbecue grills, picnic areas and other amenities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The El Dorado Frontier Theme Park and El Dorado Nature Center will be closed on Sunday, April 20, in observance of the holiday. Long Beach Animal Care Services will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with pet adoption hours available from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information, people can visit the park’s webpage at LBParks.org, call (562) 570-1745 or check the El Dorado Nature Center and Regional Park Facebook page.