City Council - Revised - 2026-03-10
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Long Beach City Council meeting on March 10, 2026 focused primarily on the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MECO) ordinance, which was continued to April 14 after community advocates and council members raised concerns about a proposed landlord authorization requirement that could create barriers for renters. The council approved multiple homeless shelter operations contracts totaling over $17 million with PATH and First to Serve, and adopted an ordinance prohibiting spectators at street races and sideshows. A comprehensive street lighting infrastructure report was requested to address citywide public safety concerns.
Key Decisions (11)
MECO Ordinance - Title 5 Amendment
Ordinance to establish microenterprise home kitchen operations program allowing home-based food businesses with limits of 30 meals/day, 90 meals/week, and $100,000 annual gross sales. Council directed staff to remove landlord authorization requirement from ordinance and address it in program/permit elements instead.
MECO Zoning Code Amendment and Local Coastal Program Amendment
Hearing on zoning code amendment and local coastal program amendment to allow MECOs as home occupation business, continued to align with MECO ordinance timeline.
Consent Calendar Including LexisNexis Contract
Consent calendar approved including item 11, a contract with LexisNexis for data services. Multiple public speakers objected to the LexisNexis contract citing the company's $16.8 million contract with ICE for mass surveillance purposes.
Street Lighting Infrastructure Report Request
Request for comprehensive 90-day report on city street lighting infrastructure including inventory of fixtures, mapping of coverage, identification of poorly lit areas, maintenance practices, vandalism data, and proposed standardized lighting guidelines.
Los Altos Plaza Park Name Change Referral
Referral to Parks and Recreation Commission to consider renaming Los Altos Plaza Park to Park Estates Community Park to distinguish it from Los Altos Park in a different neighborhood.
Harbor Department Salary Resolution Amendment
Approval of Harbor Department amended salary resolution for fiscal year 2026.
Street Racing Spectator Prohibition Ordinance
Ordinance amending title 10 of Long Beach Municipal Code prohibiting spectators at street races, sideshows, and reckless driving exhibitions adopted as read.
HUD Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Grant
Agreement with US Department of Housing and Urban Development to accept $6,055,518 for lead-based paint hazard reduction program targeting areas with high percentage of children with elevated blood lead levels.
PATH Project Homekey Operations Contract
Contract with PATH for Project Homekey program site operations and support services at 99-unit facility, not to exceed $5,168,400 annually.
First to Serve Shelter Operations Contract
Contract with First to Serve for operation and supportive services of year-round shelter programs, not to exceed $6,315,960.
PATH Year-Round Shelter Operations Contract
Contract with PATH for operations and supportive services of year-round shelter programs, not to exceed $6,015,200 annually.
Zoning Changes (1)
Citywide - residential properties
City of Long Beach
Development Activity (1)
Project Homekey 99-Unit Facility
99-unit permanent supportive housing facility for homeless individuals, with annual operations budget of $5,168,400
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Over 60% of Long Beach residents are renters, creating significant demand for policies that support renter entrepreneurship without requiring landlord approval.
Commercial Demand
Strong interest in microenterprise home kitchen operations with 74% community survey support, indicating demand for low-cost culinary business entry points.
Infrastructure
Citywide street lighting infrastructure experiencing significant maintenance backlogs with 60-90 day standard repair timelines, copper theft vandalism, and aging systems requiring comprehensive assessment.
Sentiment
Community advocates expressing strong opposition to city contracts with companies connected to ICE/DHS, requesting civil and human rights investment screening policies.
Housing Demand
City investing over $17 million in homeless shelter operations contracts, indicating continued high demand for supportive housing and shelter services.