09082026-Budget Hearing-19-PC — Long Beach City Council, September 8, 2026

1 From: Janet Dykstra-Hagen <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 1:14 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Please find alternative funding to keep Engine 14 fully operational -EXTERNAL-

Hi,
I was born in Long Beach and raised in Alamitos Heights, I went away for a few years and then came back and raised my own family here in Alamitos Heights. I am 71 years old so have seen the many changes that have taken place over the years. I remember when
the Marina Vista Park was just on open area with some oil wells, I remember the marine stadium before they filled in the end that used to be right where or close to where Engine 14 now is, I remember when Colorado Street went all the way through to PCH, and I remember when they built the fire station that is Engine 14. I don’t know if my personal history is important but I just wanted to let you know how well I know this area. I have felt so comfortable knowing that we have Engine 14 so close in case of an emergency. Engine 14 helped my parents back in 1998 when a tornado went through parts of Long Beach and happened to tear off part of their roof, Engine 14 was there in the middle of the night to put tarps on the roof to keep the rain from pouring in. My dad passed
away in 1999 and after that we had my mom move in with us in our house a couple of blocks away, Engine 14 responded when we had a medical emergency with my mom and thank goodness they were able to get to us so quickly, stabilize her, and rush her to the hospital. Now that my husband and I are older it has been very comforting knowing we have help so close by if needed.

We attended the rally at the Fire Station last weekend and are really hoping that you will be able to save Engine 14, please let us know if there is something else we can do to help.

Thank you,
Janet & Rick Hagen

1 From: Karen Pruett <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 3:31 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Long Beach Public Libraries
-EXTERNAL-

Keep funding to the public libraries. Do not cut funding.

Sent from my iPhone
1 From: Rosemary Booth <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 5:19 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: Mayor; CityClerk; Council District 3
Subject: Oppose Elimination of Fire Engine 14 Belmont Shore -EXTERNAL-

Congressman Garcia, It boggles me that we can tout all the achievements community investments and results delivered as detailed in your latest mailing campaign while the City is in a $90 million dollar deficit! What makes it even worse is that Mayor Richardson’s administration is proposing the Elimination of Engine 14 in Belmont Shore (Please see my opposition letter below).

If this Proposal is not approved in the near future, I’m sure it will be on the November ballot for yet another tax increase measure, which seems totally disingenuous and disrespectful to citizens whose lives and property depend on the experience of these first responders.

Also, please note that I never vote for propositions where funds can be diverted to other projects.

Citizens want to see clean proposals, propositions and bills where accountability can be identified and monitored.

I am opposed to the Proposed Elimination of Fire Engine 14 for the following reasons:
1) The Southeast area is growing - As per the Southeast Long Beach Specific Plan, the Plan proposed the development of a number of large, new mixed-use units that would increase the population by at least 1,200 new residents. This does not include additional employees and visitors new to the area. The influx of new residents will add to traffic conditions in and around District 3, moreover 2nd & PCH which also affects the 2nd Street corridor, especially during commute hours or when special events are in progress. These conditions will no doubt affect response times from both Fire Engine 14 and 8 to citizens in dire need of emergency fire services. Decreasing response times of critical services, like fire, undermines the general safety of our residents and property. We need the Fire Engine 14 personnel and resources that are keenly aware of our area specific neighborhoods, narrow or one-way only streets and utility infrastructure.
2) Topography and Natural Disasters - As parts of our area are at sea level and extreme global warming weather is expected to impact vulnerable neighborhoods in and around Station 14. Two years ago heavy rains overwhelmed 2nd Streetand many of its side streets caused traffic delays and posed safety hazards for those who live, work and shop in the area. We need greater degrees of leadership, and service that Engine 14 is already efficiently providing. It behoves the City to maintain and support the highly trained personnel and equipment at this location for the safe of Southeast Long Beach residents.

The Southeast Area Specific Plan (SEASP) and Placeworks - Police/Fire Support As outlined in the SEASP, and subsequent reports, key pillar elements of the Plan included Mobility, Environment, Design &
Amenities. In reading the original SEASP I could not find information on Police and 2 Fire as it corresponds to the proposed increased population density and how it will impact current residents. In addition, this area is experiencing growth with the addition of a new swimming pool complex and increased use of other water-sport venues such as the Marine Stadium, Alamitos Bay and expansion of the Colorado Lagoon/Nature Habitat areas. Southeast Long Beach residents need long term planning. Not acknowledging the complexity of this area is not only shortsighted but creates an added liability for the City.

In closing, I oppose the Elimination of Fire Engine 14, because District 3 needs to maintain current levels of service and also increase service exponentially along with land development within District 3.

Residents,
employees, shoppers and visitors should be able to depend upon the City to provide a measure of confidence that life and property saving resources will be available when they need them.

I respectfully ask our City representatives not to eliminate Fire Engine 14. Lives and property literally depend on the valuable resources of equipment, highly trained personnel and leadership in time of crisis that Fire Engine 14 provides.

Sent from my iPhone
1 From: Anna Jorda <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 7:49 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Item 19.1 – Support Mayor's FY27 Budget Recommendations and Long Beach Libraries" -EXTERNAL-

I support the Mayor’s budget that protects library hours and staffing. My husband and I are retired and on a limited budget. The library provides us with books that we would , otherwise, be unable to purchase. The convenience of having a neighborhood library to go to is of utmost importance to us. Please consider funding Long Beach Libraries! Anna and Tony
Sent from my iPhone
1 From: Douglas Sprague <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 5, 2026 8:53 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Fire Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

Council Members:

We have lived in Naples since the early 1980's; We have always counted on Engine 14 for help in time of need;
It is vitial to all of us that it serves;
Please save Engine 14;
Doug & Judy Sprague
1 Alma Valenzuela
From: Will Ruehle <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 4:21 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Item 19.1 – Support Mayor’s FY27 Budget Recommendations and Long Beach Libraries -EXTERNAL-

Hello,

Please accept this public comment to be read into the Sept 8th meeting:

The outpouring of public dissent toward library budget cuts should be all that is required for the council to completely restore previous library funding. Funding should also not be cut from woefully underrealized efforts to prevent homelessness. Instead, Long Beach must reduce funding to less deserving causes, such as throwing tens and tens of millions more at a broken, inherently racist, and violently militarized police apparatus.

Best,
Will Ruehle
1 Alma Valenzuela
From: Kim Garvey <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 6, 2026 5:52 PM
To: City Manager; Mayor; CityClerk
Cc: Council District 3
Subject: Engine 14 Funding
-EXTERNAL-

To City Manager Modica and Mayor Richardson,

Please please do not eliminate FY27 funding for Fire Engine 14. I understand the City’s budget crisis but also know firsthand the importance of Fire Engine 14. I live in Alamitos Heights and several years ago, the house and large trees next to me caught fire in the middle of the night. The fire grew rapidly in the trees adjacent to my home. Fortunately, I awoke somehow and called 911. The firefighters at Station 14 arrived within minutes and, although the house on fire could not be saved, the Station 14 firefighters protected my house and the other neighbors’ houses. My home, family and pets were not harmed and I am very thankful for that.

The City’s own performance data shows structure fire responses within 6 minutes and 20 seconds only 73% of the time in FY24 (below/worse than the NFPA standard). Without Engine 14 nearby, response times will only get worse for my neighborhood (as was proven by statistics when Engine 17 was removed) . With the longer response time, my home or others’ homes may not be saved the next time. And, this risk is coupled with growing development in my area, further adding to the demand of fire stations.

Do not compromise the safety of my neighborhood for a small percentage of the City’s overall budget and which could be funded by Measure B and/or Measure LB.

I am the daughter of a retired (and now deceased) City of Long Beach fireman and I know he would agree with the importance of Engine 14.

Thank you,
Kim Garvey

1 From: barbara hubbs <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 9:33 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: library funding
-EXTERNAL-

Perhaps you have forgotten how important libraries are to the wealth of a community. I find comfort in knowing we have a full service library open to all as many hours

1 From: Lauren Sylwanowicz <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 4:20 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

Dear City Clerk,
I am writing to you as a Belmont Heights resident, homeowner, and parent, but also as an emergency medicine physician at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, where I serve as Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine and Base Station Medical Director.

I am deeply concerned about the proposed elimination of Fire Engine 14 and the potential impact this could have on the safety and emergency medical response for our community.

My family lives in Belmont Heights, and my children attend preschool at the Colorado Lagoon. We spend a great deal of time at the Colorado Lagoon, Marina Vista Park, and the beaches and parks surrounding this area. As a parent, I have always taken comfort in knowing that Fire Engine 14 provides a nearby paramedic response resource to these areas where children are swimming, playing, attending school, and participating in water activities. These are environments where serious emergencies can occur with very little warning, including drowning, traumatic injuries, cardiac emergencies, and other life- threatening events where every minute matters.

I am also concerned about the impact on our aging population. As an emergency physician, I see firsthand how quickly a seemingly routine medical emergency can become life-threatening, particularly in older adults. Rapid access to advanced prehospital care can make an enormous difference for patients experiencing cardiac arrest, stroke, respiratory failure, major trauma, and other time-sensitive conditions.

My concern is not simply about having an emergency vehicle nearby. Fire Engine 14 is a critical component of the response team. In many emergencies, those first critical minutes can directly affect a patient’s outcome and with the statistics you provided a one minute delay may not seem serious to the general public, but it my line of work it can mean life or death.

I am particularly concerned about the implications for trauma care. Long Beach has two trauma centers, including St. Mary Medical Center, where I practice, but both are located on the opposite side of the city for many residents in this part of Long Beach. Once a critically injured patient is identified, transport to a trauma center can already involve significant travel time. Eliminating Fire Engine 14 would directly have downstream effects by increasing response time before advanced care even begins, followed by the significant transport time required to reach definitive trauma care.

From my perspective as an emergency physician and Base Station Medical Director, that additional delay is very concerning. In emergency medicine, we know that certain conditions are extraordinarily 2 time-sensitive. When someone is drowning, in cardiac arrest, suffering a major traumatic injury, or experiencing another critical illness, minutes can mean the difference between life and death or between meaningful recovery and permanent disability.

I understand that the City is facing difficult decisions regarding resources and that these decisions must balance many competing priorities. However, I believe the location of Fire Engine 14 is uniquely important from a public safety and emergency medical standpoint. Its proximity to schools, the Colorado Lagoon, parks, beaches, water activities, and a large residential population—including many older adults—makes maintaining rapid access to paramedic-level emergency response particularly important.

I respectfully ask that you consider the potential clinical consequences of eliminating Fire Engine 14 and the additional response and treatment time that could result. I strongly encourage the City to consider alternatives that preserve this critical emergency response resource in our community.

Thank you for your service to our community and for considering this important public safety concern. I hope we can work together to ensure that our neighborhoods, schools, children, families, and older residents continue to have timely access to the emergency medical care they need.

Lauren Sylwanowicz MD
Cell phone:

1 From: deanny lungu <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 4:25 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: SAVE ENGINE 14
-EXTERNAL-

Deanny
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE WARNING:

The information contained in this message (inclusive of attachments) is attorney privileged and confidential information intended ONLY for the use of the individual/s and/or entity named above. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended
recipient, I do not intend to waive and do not waive any privileges or the confidentiality of the message/s and attachment/s, and you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you receive this communication in error, please notify me immediately at [email protected] or at 562-725-7125 and delete the message and attachments from all your records. Thank you for your cooperation. 1 From: Belmont Heights Community Association <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 4:27 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Protect Fire Engine 14 and Emergency Response in Belmont Heights -EXTERNAL-

As President of the Belmont Heights Community Association (BHCA), I am writing on behalf of our members and neighbors to share our profound concern regarding the proposed elimination of Fire Engine 14 as part of the City’s FY27 budget reductions.

Fire Engine 14 is a lifeline for Belmont Heights. Its timely response in emergencies often means the difference between life and death. We recognize that the City faces difficult budgetary decisions.

However, public safety, especially the capacity to respond rapidly to medical emergencies, fires, and other life-threatening situations, must always remain paramount.

We are particularly concerned that relocating Rescue 4 to Station 14 while eliminating Engine 14 could leave our community without the same level of fire response capacity that residents currently rely upon and need.

We respectfully ask the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Budget Oversight Committee to reconsider this proposed reduction and identify other areas where savings can be achieved without diminishing the City's ability to protect the lives and safety of its residents.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community. --
_______________________________________
Derrick Muska, President
Belmont Heights Community Association
Join Us! | MyBelmontHeights.org
375 Redondo Ave. #332, Long Beach, CA 90814
1 From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 5:30 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Raquel LK
Subject: Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

Dear City Clerk:

RE: Keep Engine 14 in City 26-27 Budget
Please forward to members of the City Council and Mayor Richardson.

My family has resided in Long Beach for over 35 years. Public safety should be a top priority for the City along with providing and maintaining
public infrastructure. Eliminating Engine 14 will compromise public safety, not just in the immediate neighborhood around Station 14, but also nearby neighborhoods such as ours (Belmont Heights) as it would stretch resources thin and response times increase. Our neighborhoods are already experiencing travel delays and increased travel times due to ongoing construction at the Colorado Lagoon/Marine Stadium site, affecting public safety response times as well.

Please keep Engine 14 in the City's 26-26 budget, a core public safety need for the City and its neighborhoods.

Thank you,
Sincerely,
Robert Kleinhenz

Long Beach, CA 90814

1 From: Chris Yates <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 5:43 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Taxpayer for Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

The city council should NOT eliminate Engine 14. There are so many other places to reduce spending, not decreases our saftey, lives depend on this.

Chris Yates

Long Beach, CA 90803

1 From: Claire Nelson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 6:03 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Engine 14 must stay
-EXTERNAL-

Aside from the service delays, as projected by the City staff, hundreds of new units are actively being constructed on south PCH, with more in the planning stage. I acknowledge the budget deficit. Yet there are numerous lower priorities not on the chopping block. Taking Engine 14 and staff offline will literally impact safety (lives and structures) across a significant segment of SE Long Beach.

This isn’t “vibing” and yes, the “ are intentional.

Thank you,
Claire Nelson
90814
1 From: lisa marie <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 6:21 PM
To: CityClerk
Cc: Council District 3; Mayor; Wally Hebeish
Subject: FD Station 14
-EXTERNAL-

We moved here in 1991 to Belmont Heights.

During an emergency like a holiday Christmas Tree ﬁre, kitchen ﬁre, furnace ﬁre all of which we witnessed while in BH, staƟon 14 responded immediately to the families aﬀected and Ɵme was saved. Lives were saved.

Find other cuts for the budget. NOT LBFD staƟon engine 14. It’s too complicated on all those streets for other FD response teams to act quickly enough.

Save engine 14 for the impacted neighbors it protects.

LM Harris
1 Alma Valenzuela
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:08 PM
To: City Manager; CityClerk; Mayor
Subject: URGENT REQUEST for Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

Dear City Leaders,

Keeping Engine 14 fully operational is not wasteful spending. Currently (before the additional housing at 2nd and PCH is completed),
14 gets 2,200 call per year. That is183 per month. Because most of those calls are medical emergencies, how many of those 183 calls are life threatening? How many life threating calls will a person need that extra minute, just 60 seconds to save their life?
Let’s just say it is only one, that is 12 people die every year. Just with Engine 14. That does not put into account the other surrounding Engines that will be aƯected by closing 14.

The opposition you have received is just a portion of people who oppose it. Life is busy, and many people do not go to city hall, compose an email, or go to a Saturday rally. They will however on voting day simple not vote for you.

I urge you to do the right thing and keep Engine 14 fully functional.

Kind Regards,
Susan Corey

This is personal to me. My husband in December of 2021 is alive today because an oƯ-duty LB paramedic who started CPR in Alamitos Heights before emergency arrived. He conveyed what happened to the crew saving 60 seconds. My husband had to be paddled twice on his way to St Mary. He went without oxygen for 4 minutes. One more minute, just one minute he would have either died or been extremely disabled.
1 From: Christina Moldovan <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 7:26 PM
To: CityClerk; Council District 3
Subject: Long Beach Fire Station 14
-EXTERNAL-

Dear Ms. Duggan and City Clerk,
Thank you for your service and efforts to keep our city running smoothly.

I understand that there may be some budget cuts, including proposed elimination of Fire Engine 14. I am writing to strongly oppose the proposed elimination of this fire station.

California's fire threat has become increasingly volatile and capable of producing large, rapidly spreading fires, while emergency departments are also responding to a wide range of other calls.

Reducing fire-engine capacity at a time when rapid response is critical creates additional risk for the community.

I urge you to reject the elimination of Fire Engine 14 and prioritize the safety and well-being of Long Beach residents.

Thank you for your consideration.

Kindly,
Christina Moldovan, Ph.D. (she/her)
Belmont Heights Resident
1 From: Lynda <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 8:34 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Fire Station 14
-EXTERNAL-

To Whom It May Concern:

I am very concerned about the City of Long Beach’s proposed FY27 budget and its potential impact on Fire Station 14. My family lives on Paoli Way in Marine Stadium. We understand that this FY27 budget proposal could cause delayed emergency responses from Station 14. We do not support that type of impact.

Thank you for your consideration of our opinion.

Sincerely,
Lynda and Robert Muenzer
1 From: Seward Khem <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 9:16 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Save Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

To the City Manager and Mayor,
It is unacceptable to close Engine 14! Why would there be a huge renovation to update Station 14, just to shut down the Stations primary resource? It does not make sense. It does not make sense to eliminate a resource, when call volume is increasing. It does not make sense that with an increase in Measure A funding, we are still eliminating a resource! That resource, Engine 14 was first due to put out two major fires at Stoney Brook apartments that saved millions of dollars and countless lives! A victim was rescued by Engine 14's Captain that day, who is also a Long Beach Native! If Engine 14 was not in service that day, that person is not living today! It does not make sense that the Long Beach Firefighters Association carried Measure LB on their backs to bring additional revenue to the city, just to eliminate resources! Do not balance the budget on Life Safety! Please find a way to keep Engine 14 and Long Beach Emergency resources intact. Front line resources are the ones saving life and property, eliminate a piece of the building blocks and the rest will crumble!
P.S.

Engine 14 has been critical in aiding the disaster at the Peninsula! One can only imagine what will happen with the influx of people for events, such as a Marathon or Olympics! Concerned Resident,
Seward Khem
Long Beach, CA 90815
Get Outlook for iOS

1 From: Laura Scully <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 7, 2026 11:09 PM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Fire station 14
-EXTERNAL-

With 11 Olympic sports being hosted in Long Beach, including Marine Stadium, it seems short sighted to reduce fire station support.

Also, with new construction of residences at PCH and 2nd, we will have more need of emergency services, not less.

Lives hang in the balance.

I urge the council to find another way to save money.

Sincerely,
Laura Scully
Belmont Heights
1 From: Maria LaDuca <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 7:37 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: fire station 14
-EXTERNAL-

WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU FUCKING IDIOTS?

YOU WOULD RATHER FUND THE FUCKING ILLEGALS DEFENSE, THEN TAKE CARE OF A FIRE STATION THAT

THE WHOLE
CITY OF LONG BEACH NEEDS TO PROTECT US FROM FIRES THAT THE HOMELESS ARE CAUSING.

WAKE UP YOU ASS HOLES
1 From: Monica Tabrizi <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 7:51 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Protect Fire Engine 14 and Emergency Response in Belmont Heights -EXTERNAL-

As Vice President of the Belmont Heights Community Association (BHCA), I am writing on behalf of our members and neighbors to share our profound concern regarding the proposed elimination of Fire Engine 14 as part of the City’s FY27 budget reductions.

Fire Engine 14 is a lifeline for Belmont Heights. Its timely response in emergencies often means the difference between life and death. We recognize that the City faces difficult budgetary decisions.

However, public safety, especially the capacity to respond rapidly to medical emergencies, fires, and other life-threatening situations, must always remain paramount.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community.

Regards,
Monica Tabrizi
Sent from my iPhone
1 From: Austin Metoyer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 7:59 AM
To: CityClerk; Mary Zendejas; Rex Richardson; Joni Ricks-Oddie Cc: James Ahumada; Lynn Ward
Subject: DTLB Alliance Support Letter – City Place Parking Garage Rates Attachments: CC_DTLB Parking Structure Support Letter.pdf -EXTERNAL-

Hi City Clerk Team,
Attached is a letter from the Downtown Long Beach Alliance in support of the proposed 90-minute complimentary parking option for City Place Lots A, B, and C.

Please include our letter as public correspondence for tonight’s City Council budget hearing and adoption item related to the City Place parking garage rate changes.

If possible, please confirm receipt and that the letter will be included in the public record for the item.

Thank you for your assistance.

AUSTIN METOYER // he/him/his
President & CEO
Main Office: 562.436.4259
Direct Cell: 562.522.0523
DowntownLongBeach.org

EVENT SPOTLIGHT
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September 8, 2026

Long Beach City Council
Civic Center Plaza
411 W. Ocean Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90802

RE: SUPPORT – City Place Parking Garage Rate Changes / 90 -Minute Complimentary Parking

Dear Mayor Richardson and Members of the Long Beach City Council On behalf of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance), I write in support of Councilwoman Mary Zendejas' recommendation to amend the previously adopted City Place Parking Garage rate adjustment to provide 90 minutes of complimentary parking, followed by a rate of $2.00 per 30 minutes, with a $12 daily maximum.

The City Place garages are a critical component of Downtown Long Beach's parking infrastructure, providing convenient and affordable access for customers, employees, residents, and visitors. In particular, these facilities support a significant concentration of restaurants, retailers, personal services, entertainment venues, and other businesses that depend on accessible short-term parking.

DTLB Alliance recognizes the City's need to address increasing costs associated with operating and maintaining these aging facilities. The City's August 28 memorandum identifies ongoing needs including concrete repairs, lighting, security, power washing, equipment maintenance, and other operational and capital improvements. We believe the 90 -minute proposal offers a reasonable balance between generating additional resources for these needs and maintaining a customer-friendly parking environment that supports Downtown's economic vitality.

Under the City's analysis, the 90-minute option is projected to generate approximately $250,000 in additional annual parking revenue across the three City Place garages, while maintaining the existing $12 daily maximum and monthly and event parking rates.

At the same time, Downtown businesses and stakeholders have expressed concerns about reducing the current two-hour complimentary parking period to only one hour.

For many Downtown customers, one hour provides a limited window to park, walk to their destination, complete a meal, appointment, shopping trip, or other activity, and return to their vehicle. This is particularly relevant for restaurants and service-oriented businesses whose typical customer visit may reasonably extend beyond 60 minutes.

Moving to 90 minutes of complimentary parking provides a more balanced transition from the existing two-hour model. It preserves a meaningful incentive for customers to visit Downtown while recognizing the City's need to generate additional revenue to maintain these important public assets.

Accessible and affordable parking remains an important component of Downtown's continued economic recovery and our collective efforts to increase visitation, support small businesses, and strengthen activity throughout the urban core. The City's own analysis demonstrates that City Place remains competitively priced compared with other Downtown and Southern California parking facilities. Maintaining that competitive advantage should remain an important consideration as the City updates its parking policies.

For these reasons, the Downtown Long Beach Alliance respectfully requests that, as part of the FY 2027 budget hearings and adoption, the City Council amend the previously approved City Place parking rate adjustment to provide 90 minutes of complimentary parking, followed by $2.00 per 30 minutes, with a $12 daily maximum.

We appreciate Councilwoman Zendejas' leadership in advancing a compromise responsive to the City's operational needs and the concerns of Downtown businesses and stakeholders. We respectfully urge the Mayor and City Council to support this amendment as part of the FY 2027 budget adoption.

Sincerely,

Austin Metoyer, President & CEO
DTLB Alliance Board of Directors
Mayor Rex Richardson, Office of Mayor Rex Richardson, City of Long Beach BOC Chair & Councilwoman Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie, Nineth District, City of Long Beach
Vice-Mayor Roberto Uranga, Seventh District, City of Long Beach Councilwoman Cindy Allen, Second District, City of Long beach Councilwoman Mary Zendejas, First District, City of Long Beach

1 From: tracey jacobsen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 8:08 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Save engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

As a resident in staƟon 22’s district and a mother of a son who works on engine 14, I am very aware of the impact closing down engine 14 will have on the city. This closure would take resources away from my neighborhood that greatly relies on engine 22 to be available when one of our neighbors has an emergency, when a college student gets in a car crash or when one of our local businesses catches ﬁre. Now that the Peninsula is under threat and uƟlizing many of our ciƟes resources, this should give the city council, mayor, manager and clerk some reﬂecƟon on what our city will face in the near future when El Niño is full force. These closures will further aﬀect the rest of the city. It is going to be a wild winter, so it is not a good Ɵme to cut resources. You should also consider all the lawsuits the city has already paid out for ADA issues and adding tragedies for slower response Ɵmes by our ﬁre department that could have been prevented will only bring on more lawsuits our city cannot aﬀord.

Tracey Jacobsen
1 From: Branden Ruiz <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 9:11 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Item 19.1 – Support Mayor's FY27 Budget Recommendations and Long Beach Libraries -EXTERNAL-

Hi,
I am Branden Ruiz, Carson Citizen. I was born and raise in Gardena, I grew up going to the Gardena Library with my family borrowing books, dictionary, and films.

I believe reading is the power of knowledge and it’s what makes us smarter and gather the community together. I mean that by learning knowledge, talking about pop fiction culture, and more wonderful things that what makes the community build stronger together.

I hope the city can decide to fund the Library and their staff with the support the community needs during these times in history.

Branden Ruiz
1 From: Andre Ramirez <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 9:53 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Fire Engine 14
-EXTERNAL-

Hello,
I am writing to voice my concerns and displeasure about the closing of Fire Engine 14. As a resident of Alamitos Heights, I know that I sleep well at night knowing that we have such a capable ﬁre station in our neighborhood. In fact, I know that the proximity of this station saved a house on my block. The owner of this home on Panama Ave has stated this fact on many occasions. Also, as a resident of Alamitos Heights I imagine that collectively we pay more than a fair amount of property taxes. I have always said that I do not mind paying these high tax rates so long as I can see where our money is going. Having nice parks, nice roads to drive on, and certainly keeping public safety units such as police and ﬁre stations fully staƯed seems like
the best use of these funds. You guys keep proposing increasing taxes, increasing parking meters meter rates, and limiting the allotted time the public can speak at city council meetings.

All to cover a budget shortfall. I can’t imagine any other walk of life other than politics that mismanagement of funds and budgets would be tolerated to this extent. Most of us, in the public sector would be ﬁred if we had the track record of the local leadership.

I think this government needs to ﬁnd a way to keep this unit open. You need to ﬁnd the money.

Regards,
Andre Ramirez, CFP® | Wealth Management Advisor
2165 E Spring Street, Long Beach, CA 90806
562.388.7723 office| 424.327.7222 cell | 562.435.5639 fax CA Insurance License #0G06467 | www.brysonfinancial.com Andre Ramirez is a registered representative with and Securities oƯered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advisory services oƯered through Global Retirement Partners, LLC dba DBA Bryson Wealth Management, an SEC registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.

The information contained in this email message is being transmitted to and is intended for the use of only the individual(s) to whom it is addressed. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby advised that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately delete.

1 From: Julie Folcik <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 10:21 AM
To: CityClerk
Subject: Protect Fire Engine 14 and Emergency Response in Belmont Heights -EXTERNAL-

I am a member of the Belmont Heights Community Association (BHCA), a long time resident of our Belmont Heights area, and proudly a Long Beach native. I am writing as a concerned resident regarding the proposed elimination of Fire Engine 14 as part of the City’s FY27 budget reductions.

Fire Engine 14 is a lifeline for Belmont Heights. Its timely response in emergencies often means the difference between life and death. We recognize that the City faces difficult budgetary decisions.

However, public safety, especially the capacity to respond rapidly to medical emergencies, fires, and other life-threatening situations, must always remain paramount.

I am particularly concerned that relocating Rescue 4 to Station 14 while eliminating Engine 14 could leave our community without the same level of fire response capacity that residents currently rely upon and need.

I respectfully ask the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and Budget Oversight Committee to reconsider this proposed reduction and identify other areas where savings can be achieved without diminishing the City's ability to protect the lives and safety of its residents.

Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community.

With Respect and Gratitude,
Julie Folcik
90803

Long Beach City CouncilSeptember 8, 2026

Long Beach City Council
September 8, 2026