13 September 8, 2026
Honorable Mayor and City Council
City of Long Beach
California
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation to authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute an amendment and all necessary documents and any subsequent amendments, including amendments to the award amount or terms, with the California Office of Traffic Safety to accept and expend grant funding in the amount of $250,000, for Distracted Driving Education, to reduce and mitigate the impacts of distracted driving in Long Beach for a one-year period estimated to begin October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, at the discretion of the City Manager; and,
Increase appropriations in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department in the amount of $250,000 offset by grant revenues. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested to enter into an agreement with the California Office of Traffic Safety (CA OTS) to accept and expend funding to support the continued implementation of the Health and Human Services Department's (Health Department) distracted driving prevention efforts led by the Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention's Greenlight Long Beach program.
The Health Department will use CA OTS funding to reduce preventable distracted driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities through education, community engagement, and local data collection. The program will prioritize youth and young adults, who are disproportionately impacted by distracted driving, through on-campus education, youth ambassador programs, and community workshops that increase awareness of the risks and consequences of distracted driving. Funding will also support local data collection to better understand driving behaviors, inform prevention strategies, and identify disparities. In addition, the program will strengthen community capacity building through the Traffic Equity Alliance, a network of residents and organizations working together to improve traffic safety, promote safer driving behaviors, and help create safer streets for all who live, work, and travel in Long Beach.
This initiative directly supports the Vision Zero action items and is in direct alignment with the 2030 Strategic Vision to strengthen prevention programs to develop and implement a citywide distracted driving prevention program, to change the behaviors of drivers through public awareness, education, and informed decision-making (21.1.b), and to expand activities during Safe Streets Awareness Week to educate drivers on how to safely share the streets with Health and Human Services
2525 Grand Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-6711
Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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pedestrians and bicyclists and (21.1.a).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Nicholas Masero on August 18, 2026, and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 17, 2026.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 8, 2026, to meet the CA OTS deadline to accept the funding and begin implementation of the approved scope of work.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City will receive funding in the amount of $250,000 for a one-year period estimated to begin on October 1, 2026. An appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $250,000 in the Health Fund Group in the Health and Human Services Department, offset by grant revenue. Acceptance of this grant will result in a net positive impact to the Health Operating Fund by approximately $32,609 due to grant reimbursable Indirect Costs. There is no City match or in-kind service required. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Alison King
Director
Health and Human Services
APPROVED:
_______________________
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER