TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to work with the Public Works and Development Services Departments, California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and Los Angeles County, to prepare a report on the status of neighborhood clean-up programs and right-of-way maintenance as impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; and
Request City Manager to work with the City Health Officer and various Departments to present recommendations on how to safely restart the Long Beach Neighborhood Clean-Up Assistance Programs and other neighborhood improvement programs that have been discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
DISCUSSION
It has been 6 months since the City of Long Beach declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The State of California and many local jurisdictions have since issued “Stay at Home Orders,” limiting the operations of businesses and various services to ensure physical distancing and furthermore, reduce the spread of the virus.
The result has been an economic crisis that goes along with the current public health crisis caused by this virus, with the lack of economic activity further exasperating cuts to city services. The lack of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an estimated budget short fall of at least $25 million in the 2020 fiscal year for the city of Long Beach. Many of these impacts will be felt in future budgets as well. The immediate impact of this crisis has been compounded by retractions in services at other levels of government, including the suspension of “Right of Way” clean ups by the California Department of Transportation during the pandemic.
With budget shortfalls, it is more important than ever that we find ways to keep our neighborhoods clean, even with limited resources. By reauthorizing programs such as the Long Beach Neighborhood Clean Up program, which provides material and supplies to community and volunteer groups looking to improve the appearance of their neighborhoods, we are ...
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