The Long Beach City Council is regularly available to hear concerns and publicly discuss many community issues, programs and policies before they are enacted. Residents are welcome to attend twice-monthly meetings held in City Hall. More information, including each session’s proposed agenda, can be found at longbeachny.gov/councilmeetings. Meetings occur on the first and third Tuesday of each month, barring unexpected scheduling conflicts. The next meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 4.
Dogs on the beach? Maybe
The pews at the city council meeting were nearly filled with residents attending the public hearing to discuss a potential pilot program that would allow dogs on Ocean Beach Park during the offseason. City Manager Dan Creighton said the city had received a petition with more than 1,600 signatures requesting the program.
Residents were offered a chance to voice their opinion directly to the council, with nearly 20 attendees speaking in favor of the program. Many suggested dog-specific permits allowing beach access at limited times. A single speaker was decidedly against permitting dogs on the beach, citing potential health risks of dog waste left by irresponsible owners. The council kept the forum open until potential speakers ceased before adjourning the vote to the next meeting on Nov. 4.
Potential parking meters
The council announced an upcoming public hearing regarding a range of vehicle and parking ordinances affecting the city. The items related to parking fields along West Beech Street and West Broadway, as well as in-season parking regulations from May 1 to Oct. 31 and offseason regulations from Nov. 1 to April 30. The ordinances would modify certain existing regulations and introduce new policies.
City Council President Brendan Finn made a motion to publish a revised version of the updated ordinances, which is nowavailable for review on the city’s website. The updated ordinances clarify the location, dates and times of metered parking regulations. The public hearing to discuss the ordinances will take place at the next city council meeting on Nov. 4.
Good and welfare comments
Each meeting concludes with a “good and welfare” session, allowing any resident to sign-up for an opportunity to speak for three minutes regarding any topic that pertains to the city. At this week’s meeting, 10 residents spoke about a range of issues. Among them, Eileen Hession reiterated concerns about the ongoing redevelopment of the former Hebrew Academy of Long Beach and the variances being requested, noting a letter of opposition and public petition against overdevelopment.
Wendy Frischer discussed her experience with potentially dangerous e-bikes, asking for stricter enforcement of the council’s recent law, passed in June, prohibiting e-bikes on sidewalks. Frischer said she has been passed by “between 15 and 20 e-bikes” during her daily walks on Park Avenue.
