Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/04/2026 09:47 PM: ( No Vote )
Where is the effort to create a concrete proposal to support the mayor's recommendation to restore 1.2million in structural library funding?
Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/07/2026 02:48 AM: ( No Vote )
I’m asking Council to restore the eight Community Services Assistant positions proposed for elimination.
In 2023, CSAs handled more than 3,000 calls, and LBPD called them an “incredible addition.” The City expanded the program in FY25 and again in FY26 because these workers can handle lower-priority calls that don't require a sworn officer.
Now just one year after, the City is proposing to cut these eight positions. At the same time, the proposed FY27 budget moves some computer-forensics work from sworn officers to civilian analysts.
That same logic should apply here. Why cut a cheaper civilian program that was working and recently expanded, instead of continuing to move work that does not need a police officer to trained civilian staff? Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/08/2026 11:21 AM: ( No Vote )
City Representatives continue to show that the City neither values nor understands the work being performed by IAM . City representatives appear clueless on how operations are run at several City departments especially Enterprise funded departments. We continue to battle the same issues from our last contract despite the Mayor proclaiming that the IAM received one of the best contracts ever. Now in 2026 services provided by IAM members are being cut and employees are facing layoffs. Port of Long Beach employees are not seeing the benefits of its partnership with the City of Long Beach. The Mayor has even thanked the Port for financially partnering with them, yet we, the worker, are not seeing the benefits of this partnership in our compensation. The City continues to deny grade parity for Administrative Analysts at the Port even though are duties and minimum qualifications are the same. We are blocked from using Administrative Analyst IV and other similar classifications such as Personnel Analyst that compensate more properly. There are classifications shared by multiple unions, yet those represented by IAM are making less. Where is the equity? Port salaries aren’t even paid out from the City Budget or tax dollars. I urge the City Manager to correct these inequities, increase the financial authority to the Labor Relations team and not continue to allow them to bargain for the cheapest labor possible. Don’t try to fix this budget deficient off the backs of IAM members.
Name:
Susan Vu
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/05/2026 02:04 PM: ( For )
BUDGET HEARING
19. Recommendation to receive supporting documentation into the record, conclude the public hearing, and take the actions necessary to adopt the Fiscal Year 2027 budget as listed in Attachment A. (Citywide)
19.1 Recommendation to adopt the Mayor’s proposed budget recommendations, as amended, to the Proposed FY 27 Budget. (A-1)
I wanted to take a moment to share why the library staffing, hours, and programs matter to us. The library provides a place for our kids to access books and other media and read stories and non-fiction, and practice speaking with and researching with a librarian—these things are of most importance during these times where our kids are distracted by tablets and instant gratification and “social” media. In a single income family, having the resources provided by the libraries and staff help us tremendously each week and each school year. We save money and have a safe place to spend some of our time during the week. Please continue to consider other budget items over cutting our important library resources. Thank you.
Name:
Veronica Garcia
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/05/2026 02:30 PM: ( For )
As a resident, I 100% support the Mayor’s FY27 budget framework as it relates to preserving library services. This is not a nice to have, but a core service that needs this to support our community. We are doing the bare minimum when it comes to hours and staffing our libraries, and this protects us from going forward, not backwards. I respectfully ask the City Council to approve the Mayor’s recommendations.
Name:
Stacey Smith-Clark
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/05/2026 02:55 PM: ( For )
Libraries are important to me because they are welcoming, accessible places where everyone in our community can learn, connect, and access the resources they need. They provide so much more than books—they offer educational opportunities, technology, community programs, and a safe place for people of all ages.
I respectfully ask the Council to approve the Mayor’s recommendations and prioritize keeping our libraries open and accessible. Our community depends on these vital resources, and maintaining strong library services is an investment in the people and future of Long Beach.
Name:
Finn Adams
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/05/2026 03:50 PM: ( For )
As a child, I spent countless hours in the library for various reasons.
I would attend story time, play interactive educational games on the computer, and even find my own books to read that I'd seen on one of my favorite TV shows Reading rainbow.
As a teenager, I spent countless days of my after school and summer at the library reading about my latest fixations and finding old classics.
It was my safe space as I came from a very dysfunctional home, books were my haven the library was a quiet place I felt safe.
As a young adult, I spent all of my summer days reading manga, and finding books on sciences, world histories, and cook books.
The Library was a safe space for me throughout my entire life, in a way they saved me and taught me what I couldn't ordinarily learn from my family.
The Library is still somewhere I feel safe.
Our libraries are not only safe spaces for people like me, but also our youth, our local unhoused communities, and our abundant LGBTQTA+ community, they offer not only a space to find haven from the California conditions, some even offer food drives, interactive classes that are usually inaccessible to youth, story time for children in a time where the future of our literature is at threat.
I implore you as the child from my heart, please save our libraries, so we may play a part of saving the future of our literature, our community and our youth.
Name:
Carol Wetterhahn
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/05/2026 05:11 PM: ( For )
I support the Mayor’s proposed budget recommendations regarding the libraries. Long Beach public libraries have always been a godsend for me.
Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/05/2026 10:14 PM: ( For )
Please adopt the Mayor’s budget recommendations to protect our public library funding, staffing, and hours. The summer reading program and teen reader activities were foundational in building my love of reading and contributing to my academic success, as well as making lifelong friends through events like the Animanga Club.
Access to learning, books, and community is becoming increasingly difficult. They are now often behind subscription paywalls or poorly filtered through Ai. Maintaining this refuge of learning and community is vital. For the libraries to be most effective, we need the support of a full staff to assist visitors and manage events and clubs, as well as the restoration regular hours of operation to include Mondays. Thank you for supporting our libraries and community.
Name:
Tim Balen
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 07:39 AM: ( No Vote )
Thank you Mayor Richardson for hearing your community members. Funding libraries to current levels of the past few years, including maintaining open hours on Mondays, is an essential lifeline to the city of Long Beach that reaps benefits into our communities and neighborhoods.
At a time when even safe access to a free building is hard to find, families rely on not only the books in our branches, but use the Internet, computers and tables to work on schoolwork or find a job.
In particular, the El Dorado Neighborhood Library shines to the community now, and reducing or shifting staffing levels and closing on Mondays will dampen the mission of our city to support the community’s literacy needs.
Thank you and there is still work to do to make sure our libraries continue to be funded and supported.
Name:
David Alpern
EmailAddress:
InternetOMG.com
Comment - 09/06/2026 09:13 AM: ( For )
Libraries matter tremendously and that is why I urge you NOT TO TRIM library hours, staffing, and service. In fact, the default should be status quo or EXPANSION.
Few things enhance a community over the long term more than education, and libraries are a key part of our communal educational investment in our present... and our future. I support the Mayor's FY 27 budget framework in general, yet urge that it be recognized that libraries make a difference, and as such should be exempt from budget trimming.
Name:
Marya Long
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 02:29 PM: ( For )
I am asking the city council to please adopt the recommendation of Mayor Richardson to restore library funding. Please keep the Obama, Harte, Bay Shore, Burnett, and El Dorado branches open on Mondays, and do not cut library jobs! I am also asking that the council and manager explore and approve permanent structural
funding for the Long Beach Public Library so that these services are no longer in danger.
Name:
Jessica Scott
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 03:43 PM: ( For )
I would like to support the Mayor’s FY27 budgetary framework, because I want to protect my local library! I grew up living in my public library every summer and I have strived to give my children the same love of the library. We love to go and find them new books to read, and they check them out by the dozens (on their own library cards).
It gives them access to more content than I could purchase and store in our home. We love our experience at the library, and the wonderful, helpful staff members who make it possible. Please don’t cut library services any more than they already are. Sometimes we can’t even make it to the library because their hours don’t line up with our free time, and I couldn’t imagine it being even more restricted. Thank you for supporting our public libraries! Name:
Shewit Zerai
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 03:45 PM: ( For )
Hello, my name is Shewit Zerai and I’m a Long Beach resident living in District 1. My local libraries are Mark Twain Library and Billie Jean King Library; I especially spend a lot of time at The Studio in Billie Jean King. Not only should we be keeping library hours, staffing and services, we should in fact be allocating even more of our budget towards extending the hours, hiring additional staff and offering more services to the community. Libraries are necessary hubs in our neighborhood for EVERYONE – every single person in Long Beach benefits from having a library whether it be accessing essential life-sustaining services, educational programs for children and teens, free art classes for the community or just having a safe place to be during the middle of a heat wave.
The library is important to me personally as a place to be and community to be with as a person who is disabled and only able to work part time. The library offers a place where I can come and make art and spend time with my lovely neighbors. It’s a place where I can access the internet and print important documents. The library has made a huge difference in my life these past six months as I’ve transitioned to working part-time and needed to find something to fill my days.
I’m asking council to approve the Mayor's recommendations and continue to keep our libraries open to all. Thank you for your time.
warmly,
Shewit Zerai
Name:
David Ochoa
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 06:32 PM: ( For )
I am writing in support of the proposed funding recommendations and framework for our city’s libraries. When I was young, my mom would take my sister and I almost every day after school to our local library to find books to check out as a treat. It was there I found books that helped me develop a passion for reading, and it was there I found a book that changed my life. I wouldn’t be here in Long Beach, and I wouldn’t be in my current career if it wasn’t for that book. I thank my mom every day for doing that for us. I think of all the kids just like me who need our libraries, who want to learn, who want to explore, who may lose out if we continue reducing hours and programming at our libraries. Ideally, our libraries should be open 8 hours a day, 7 days a week. But preserving the status quo despite the city’s budget issues is a good start toward that goal. Preserve library funding for the countless kids like me who needed a trip to the library at an important time in their lives.
Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/06/2026 08:33 PM: ( No Vote )
It is more important than ever that our libraries be open M-Sat, especially for students after school. LBUSD drastically cut library access at local schools this year, eliminating many teaching librarians and library media assistants. Some elementary students will only get to go into their school libraries once a month. And now the city wants to further cut access to books, as well! It is a shame that libraries are not a not a bigger priority. Does the city of Long Beach no longer value literacy? With the cost of everything going up from food, to housing, to gasoline, being able to visit the library for a program or to check out books is entertainment and education that is accessible for everyone still. Please fully fund the libraries so they do not have their hours cut and do not cut library staff. Libraries are one of the better parts of the city. Thank you.
Name:
James Gowin
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/06/2026 10:01 PM: ( For )
Libraries are hands down one of the most invaluable resources we have in the city of Long Beach. I have been borrowing books since I was a child, and I continue to as an adult. If I am interested in learning something new, I will start at the library because it is free to browse and borrow. How can it get much better than that? When I am interested in finding events or programs in my neighborhood, I know that the library is a hub of community information and I start there.
Libraries are a safe space to learn and dare to wonder about the world around us. It cannot be overstated how integral libraries have been for me in my life. I have been able to find books that have helped me through very tough times in my life. I respectfully ask the council to approve the Mayor’s recommendations. We cannot cut funding to our libraries.
Name:
Maria Angeles
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/06/2026 10:33 PM: ( For )
Libraries offer invaluable services for many students across resources they may not have available at home. It is a refuge for kids hungry for knowledge, a safe cool place to do homework and even hang out. Do not cut away funding to keep knowledgeable staffing, hours and services. I cannot count the times I dragged my parents to the public library for a book or 5 to read, movies to rent, a computer to print things until we could finally afford a computer and printer at home – something not all families may be able to do as cost of living only gets more expensive.
I support the Mayor's FY 27 budget framework as it relates to libraries. Kindly approve the Mayor’s recommendations.
Name:
Sarah P.
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/06/2026 11:28 PM: ( No Vote )
A love of our libraries is one of the few things that the very diverse populations of this city share. They are safe spaces – cool in the summer, warm in the winter – and are always peaceful. They open worlds for people of all ages. Librarians offer guidance and resources beyond books. In a chaotic world of immense change, where facts themselves are often in question, these beloved spaces hold the knowledge of those that came before us, offered freely to all. These cornerstones of our community deserve our complete support.
Please continue to fund our
libraries.
Thank you.
Name:
Gina
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/07/2026 03:44 AM: ( No Vote )
The libraries are important to our family because they offer free story time classes for infants and toddlers. This is at risk of being dropped if library hours are cut.
Story time is a way for me to meet other neighbors. It also helps my daughter learn about classroom etiquette. It's been a bright a spot in our week, that would be very sad to lose. Please don't pull one of the only free class/activity for infants and toddlers that the city offers.
Name:
Allen Simmons
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/07/2026 09:33 AM: ( Against )
Our city’s libraries are still vitally important, not only as resources of information, but also as sanctuaries for solitude and study. When I was in College, I found my local library the only place away from school, home, and work where I could truly study unencumbered by the all the distractions of life. Please keep our libraries open.
Name:
Emily
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/07/2026 10:30 AM: ( No Vote )
I’m really frustrated to see that Mayor Rex Richardson has only agreed to add about $50,000 to the general funds for the Library, Arts, and Culture Department because it clearly deserves way more support. In a time filled with political unrest, it feels insulting to see what little funding Libraries and Education receive compared to the astronomical budgets given to the police. Isn’t it ironic that Libraries and Education are essential tools for preventing oppression, yet they are among the most underfunded areas? Our city has been plagued with ICE agents capturing innocent people from the streets, and the LBPD hasn’t done anything but stand by and watch.
It’s baffling how the police are considered part of “public safety” when they choose to remain passive while masked kidnappers violently arrest innocent individuals, tearing families apart. I’m not satisfied with the addition of such a minuscule amount to the library fund. We can and should be doing better. At least I’m thankful that those services won’t be cut, but it’s just not enough.
Name:
Mai Phan
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/07/2026 10:49 AM: ( For )
The Billie Jean King Library has served as a third space for me and my community. The staffs make sure the library’s services run smoothly for everyone to keep themselves informed and educated. The operating hours have allowed me to study and complete homework after school. I support the Mayor’s FY27 budget framework as it relates to libraries, and I respectfully ask the Council to approve the Mayor’s recommendations.
Name:
Elizabeth F
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/07/2026 03:49 PM: ( For )
Dear Council Members,
As a young person in Long Beach working hard to make ends meet, I am a frequent visitor of my local library. I fully support the Mayor’s FY 27 budgetary framework and respectfully ask the Council for their votes in favor of this impactful part of the budget.
I love getting lost in a good novel, revisiting an old classic, or getting inspired by an interesting cookbook. I love
using new and fun children’s books in my work as a behavior specialist. My husband and I love checking out CDs, utilizing digital resources, and spending time inside our local branch, the beautiful Alamitos Neighborhood Library.
The library is a refreshing, welcoming space that I am so grateful to have, and I know I'm not alone. It’s a vital resource for all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. It's a space where all are united by a shared desire to learn.
The world as we know it is rapidly changing, and I feel called to speak out about what I believe is true and important. This is why I write this comment to you, and why I ask you to consider supporting this recommendation.
I believe it would be directly beneficial for not only me, but also my neighborhood of Alamitos Beach, and the entire Long Beach community.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth F
Name:
Nate Dotti
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/08/2026 08:33 AM: ( For )
I am writing to express my support for the City’s proposed budget, particularly its continued investment in our public libraries.
Libraries are an essential public service and an important investment in the well-being of our community. Beyond providing access to books and educational materials, our libraries offer technology, literacy programs, educational opportunities, safe and welcoming public spaces, and valuable resources for residents of all ages and backgrounds.
The Los Altos branch has played a continuous role in my kid’s life. We’ve attended many events and activities, on top of borrowing books, comics, audiotapes and movies. It has enhanced their lives, from the information they learned to the connections they’ve made.
They’re also familiar with the Ruth Bach and Billie Jean King branches, and have also enjoyed programs there throughout the years.
I appreciate the City’s recognition of the important role our libraries play and encourage the City Council to preserve the proposed library funding as it considers adoption of the budget. Continued investment in our libraries is an investment in education, opportunity, and the strength of our community.
Thank you for your consideration and for supporting our public libraries.
Name:
Lauren Gaytan
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/08/2026 08:55 AM: ( For )
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
Can you remember a time where it was really easy to go numb? To scroll instead of think, to stay in bed a couple hours too long while the world outside seems to rush on without you? Libraries are one of the few places we have left to push back on that. They're built for curiosity. For joy. For creating and recreating yourself, no explanation needed. For the kind of quiet that lets your brain actually breathe. And none of that costs residents a dime once they walk through the door, which feels almost “magical” these days.
I feel all of this every time I go to the library. I've used the state park pass from Bay Shore to get outside more than I probably would have sans-library. I've sat in on talks in the Miller Room that introduced me to ideas (and neighbors) I never would've met otherwise. To see the children’s activities at my local library makes me feel a little better for all parents are up against. And honestly, picking up my holds is one of my favorite small joys, because the librarians are so genuinely kind. It doesn't feel transactional. It feels like showing up somewhere that knows you.
None of that happens without real funding behind it. Please support Item 19.1 so every library in Long Beach can keep being what they are: places of curiosity, rest, and reinvention for anyone who walks in.
Thank you for reading this and for considering us.
With gratitude,
Lauren Gaytan
Name:
Ashley Nichols-Lampkin
EmailAddress:
[email protected]
Comment - 09/08/2026 10:59 AM: ( For )
As a resident of the 8th District and a parent of a child in Long Beach Unified, I strongly urge the City Council to follow the Mayor’s recommendation and not reduce public library hours.
Our children are already facing significant reductions in access to Long Beach Unified’s school libraries. With school library hours reduced by more than half, students have fewer opportunities to access books, literacy support, research assistance, and information literacy instruction. As a parent, I anticipate relying on our public library more than ever to help fill that gap and ensure my child continues to have access to the resources they need to learn and succeed.
But this issue extends far beyond my family. Our public libraries are essential community institutions. They provide children and teens with safe places to learn, families with free educational resources, and residents of all ages with access to books, technology, programs, and knowledgeable staff. For many members of our community, the library is one of the few places where these resources are available without cost.
At a time when our schools are reducing library access, it is especially important that our city protect, not diminish access to public libraries. Reducing library hours would place an additional burden on families and students who are already experiencing fewer educational resources.
I respectfully ask the Council to recognize the critical role our libraries play and to maintain current library hours. Our children, our families, and our entire community need these resources now more than ever.
Thank you for your consideration.
Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/08/2026 10:59 AM: ( No Vote )
Libraries are one of the very few, free places left in society that provide knowledge, shelter and connection. They are a cornerstone of a community's sociological health. City officials' mismanagement of funds alwayd affects the citizens they are tasked with representing, and it is grossly unfair. Keeping the library open as often as possible is one small way to lessen some of the burden Long Beach residents will have to carry in the coming years.
19.2 Recommendation to adopt the Budget Oversight Committee’s proposed funding recommendations, as amended, to the Proposed FY 27 Budget. (A-2)
19.3 Recommendation to adopt the expenditures and revenues as identified in the Proposed FY 27 Budget, as amended. (A-3)
Name:
EmailAddress:
Comment - 09/08/2026 11:21 AM: ( No Vote )
City Representatives continue to show that the City neither values nor understands the work being performed by IAM . City representatives appear clueless on how operations are run at several City departments especially Enterprise funded departments. We continue to battle the same issues from our last contract despite the Mayor proclaiming that the IAM received one of the best contracts ever. Now in 2026 services provided by IAM members are being cut and employees are facing layoffs. Port of Long Beach employees are not seeing the benefits of its partnership with the City of Long Beach. The Mayor has even thanked the Port for financially partnering with them, yet we, the worker, are not seeing the benefits of this partnership in our compensation. The City continues to deny grade parity for Administrative Analysts at the Port even though are duties and minimum qualifications are the same. We are blocked from using Administrative Analyst IV and other similar classifications such as Personnel Analyst that compensate more properly. There are classifications shared by multiple unions, yet those represented by IAM are making less. Where is the equity? Port salaries aren’t even paid out from the City Budget or tax dollars. I urge the City Manager to correct these inequities, increase the financial authority to the Labor Relations team and not continue to allow them to bargain for the cheapest labor possible. Don’t try to fix this budget deficient off the backs of IAM members.
19.4 Recommendation to adopt resolution amending the Master Fees and Charges Schedule for specified City services for Citywide fees and charges for the City of Long Beach. (A-4)
19.5 Recommendation to approve the FY 27 One-Year Capital Improvement Program. (A-5)
19.6 Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Departmental Organization Ordinance read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading. (A-6)
19.7 Recommendation to adopt the amended Salary Resolution for FY 27. (A-7)
19.8 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the FY 27 budget for the Long Beach Harbor Department as adopted by the Board of Harbor Commissioners on June 22, 2026. (A-8)
19.9 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving Resolution No. UT-1561, a resolution of the City of Long Beach Public Utilities Commissioners fixing rates and charges for the gas services to all customers. (A-9)
19.10 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving Resolution No. UT-1562 a resolution of the City of Long Beach Public Utilities Commissioners of the City of Long Beach fixing rates and charges for water and sewer services to all customers. (A-10)
19.11 Recommendation to adopt resolution approving the FY 27 budget of the Long Beach Public Utilities Department as adopted by the Board of Public Utilities Commissioners on June 4, 2026. (A-11)
19.12 Recommendation to adopt a motion approving the FY 27 budget for the Long Beach Community Investment Company in the amount of $7,299,655. (A-12)
19.13 Recommendation to adopt a motion approving the estimated transfer of $28,726,936, from the Harbor Fund Group to the Tidelands Operations Fund Group. (A-13)
19.14 Recommendation to adopt resolution establishing the Gann Appropriations Limit for FY 27 pursuant to Article XIII (B) of the California Constitution. (A-14)
19.15 Recommendation to declare an emergency to exist pursuant to City Charter Section 211 for the Appropriations Ordinance for FY 27, creating and establishing the fund groups of the Municipal Government and appropriating money to and authorizing expenditures from said funds and for said fiscal year. (A-15)
19.16 Recommendation to declare the Appropriations Ordinance for FY 27, creating and establishing the fund groups of the Municipal Government and appropriating money to and authorizing expenditures from said funds and for said fiscal year as an Emergency Ordinance, read, and adopted as read and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading. (A-16)