Policy

In July 2016, Councilmember Richardson championed the creation of the Long Beach Office of Equity to elevate conversations around equity and social justice, better align and coordinate existing equity-focused programs, and build racial and health equity capacity across city government. Since formally established, the office has been overseeing various programs including My Brother’s Keeper (MBK), and the Language Access Program, as well as working on a number of initiatives that advance equity such as the National League of Cities REAL Initiative, Sanctuary Cities policy, and participation in the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE). Because of the City’s comprehensive approach to supporting diverse communities citywide, the Office of Equity was honored with the League of CA Cities Award for the Advancement of Diverse Communities in 2016.

In Long Beach, 45.5% of residents speak a language other than English. With nearly half of the city’s population speaking a language other than English, it was imperative that the City make city communication accessible to all residents. Since its adoption in August 2013, the City’s Language Access Policy (LAP) has ensured equitable language interpretation at public meetings, translation of vital documents, City phone lines, phone trees and voicemail boxes, translation of the most commonly used City webpages, training for City Staff on how to work with interpreters and limited English proficiency residents, and limits on the use of children and minors as interpreters.

In May 2016, Councilmember Richardson led the creation of the Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone (UAIZ) Program. This program allows vacant lot owners to receive a property tax reduction if they commit their lot to urban agriculture for five years. To learn more about the UAIZ Program, contact sustainability@longbeach.gov, call (562) 570-6396 or check out the website here.

In District 9, we have placed a large focus on urban agriculture by launching initiatives to expand access to local fresh food including: the establishment of the District 9 Urban Agriculture Council, the creation of the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library Learning Garden, the development of the NLB Victory Garden at the District 9 Field Office, the creation the monthly North Long Beach Crop Swappers‘ event, and the launch of the NLB Farmers Market.

The Alcohol Nuisance Abatement Ordinance (ANAO) aims to improve the health and safety of the community by implementing new performance standards addressing nuisances and criminal activities related to liquor stores. Approved by the City Council in 2013, ANAO is regulating legal nonconforming businesses and making strides in ensuring that store premises are properly maintained so that its operating characteristics are compatible with, and contribute to, the overall livability of surrounding neighborhoods. The second phase of ANAO began in May 2015, and has resulted in tangible improvements to many liquor stores. In 2016, the Alcohol Nuisance Abatement Ordinance received the American Planning Association Statewide Award of Excellence.

In 2014, we embarked on the “Roadmap to the Renaissance,” a plan to set our community on course to empower our neighborhoods, invest in our infrastructure, and set a new standard for the quality of life of North Long Beach. Since then, we’ve come a long way. The District 9 Social Impact Report highlights our progress as a community and provides a summary of some of our most impactful work.

Read the report here.