16 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 agreement, and any necessary documents including any amendments, with Platt College Los Angeles, LLC, of Los Angeles, California, to facilitate student internship opportunities with the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, Long Beach Animal Care Services Bureau, at no cost to the City of Long Beach, from December 1, 2026, through November 30, 2031. (District 5)
DISCUSSION
On November 9, 2021, the Long Beach City Council authorized entering into an agreement with Platt College Los Angeles, LLC (Platt), to host student interns, at no charge to the City of Long Beach (City), at the Long Beach Animal Care Services (LBACS) facility. The current agreement will expire on November 30, 2026. Platt and LBACS are requesting to enter into a new five-year agreement.
Platt was founded in 1985 as a private, for-profit career college with four Southern California campuses. Platt provides career-focused education, including an associate degree in Veterinary Technology.
Since clinical training is an integral component of the Veterinary Technology curriculum, the proposed action will enable Platt to place student interns at LBACS to experience hands-on training under the direct supervision of a Registered Veterinary Technician or a licensed Veterinarian. Interns will assist with a wide variety of clinical tasks, including preparing animals for surgery; monitoring anesthesia; helping with physical exams, administering treatments and vaccines; collecting and analyzing laboratory samples; performing shelter rounds; assisting with X-rays; cleaning, walking, and feeding animals; preparing surgical instrument packs; and sanitizing hospital work areas. These skills are essential for students to be successful in their clinical career as veterinary technicians.
LBACS also benefits from the internship program, as interns are an invaluable asset to the medical staff, who consistently manage a large caseload. The interns help to maintain animal health and enhance operational efficiency. Some interns have even become LBACS employees after graduation, reducing training and onboarding costs for new medical hires.
Though shelter medicine is a lesser known field within the veterinary profession, LBACS staff takes pride in exposing students to the high standard of medical care at the shelter, thus sparking Parks, Recreation and Marine
2760 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach, CA 90815
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Honorable Mayor and City Council
September 8, 2026
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interest in the field. Platt students who have completed rotations with LBACS consistently provide positive feedback about their experience. They enjoy the abundant opportunities for hands-on learning and find working with shelter animals rewarding.
LBACS will directly supervise each intern and submit timecards and performance reports to Platt.
Platt will remain responsible for providing all interns with an orientation, placements, and liability and workers' compensation insurance.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Millicent Usoro on July 30, 2026 and by Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on August 11, 2026.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on September 1, 2026, to execute the agreement by December 1, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no associated costs to the City with this recommendation. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. It is anticipated that there may be a temporary positive job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephen P. Scott
Director
Parks, Recreation and Marine