TITLE
Recommendation to support reinstatement of citywide street cleaning program, including enforcement on May 4, 2020, consistent with the temporary modification plan, initiated on March 17, 2020, to suspend operations while an alternative neighborhood parking program was put in place; or
Adopt a policy directing staff to defer full reinstatement of the citywide street cleaning program by continuing to suspend enforcement until the City’s Safer-at-Home Order is lifted; or
Direct City Manager to work with City Attorney to develop an implementation plan for a new citywide street cleaning program that would provide services twice a month (e.g., first and third Wednesday each month); conduct all necessary meet and confer requirements for any impacted employees; and, work to place all impacted employees into other vacant positions within the City. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Cleaning City of Long Beach (City) streets is a critical public health and safety function managed by the Public Works Department. This service is supported by a staff of 51 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions and a fleet of 52 street sweepers and parking control vehicles. The street sweeping operation provides weekly service to Long Beach residents and businesses, including sweeping of City streets, alleys, medians, beach lots, bike lanes, and special events, through both scheduled and emergency response. Each year street sweepers cover over 140,000 miles and collect 11,000 tons of debris. Keeping streets clean is one of the City’s most important tools in complying with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. To maintain that compliance, the City cannot exceed specific limits on the amount of debris entering the surrounding waterways as mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Los Angeles Water Quality Control Board. Street sweeping serves as a source control mechanism by removing litter and waste that would otherwise make its way into the stor...
Click here for full text