Not the update we wanted...
I'm not going to sugar-coat the outcome from last night's Council meeting. It's hard to find a word that expresses the immense disappointment. Despite an outpouring of public comments from Long Beach residents and hundreds of petition signatures, the Long Beach City Council approved Item 29 by a vote of 6 - 3, thus passing the first reading of an Ordinance to consolidate public comments into one period at the beginning of Council meetings (among other disagreeable changes). Very red Redlined Ordinance 10062026-Item29
I attended the meeting and presented the petition and signatures for public record. When I stood at the podium, I glanced at my phone to check the latest number of signatures and proudly stated that I represented 732 people that signed the petition "Stop Long Beach City Council from Suppressing Public Comments!" The people of Long Beach that packed the council chambers actually cheered! We accomplished something. We came together in large numbers to save free speech and participation in local government.
Our efforts were recognized by at least one Council person, Cindy Allen, who stated that over 700 signatures on a petition is significant. She and two other Council members - Kristina Duggan and Megan Kerr - voted in our favor after giving their opinions. If you're so inclined, you can view the meeting here: Oct. 6, 2026 LB Council Meeting video
(Fortunately, the mayor called forth Item 29 early in the meeting so you won't have to fast forward for too long. If you pass all the people lined up at the podium, you've gone too far. Caution: public response was deemed "raucous" by a local journalist.)
I'd also like to report some numbers. On top of our reported 732 signatures, 99 written public comments were sent in by Long Beach residents, all in opposition. Around 40 members of the public showed up to address the Council in-person and several others made comments remotely, their voices united against the proposed changes. That's the kind of public engagement we're trying to save. (To be fair, I should say that approximately 9 members of the public spoke in support of sequestering comments at the start of meetings.)
Among the many insightful comments made at the meeting, there was one that was particularly poignant. It came from a woman who introduced herself as a 93-year resident of Long Beach. She offered her sage advice to Council and added that she was ashamed of her home town. That feeling was shared by the residents assembled; impossible to ignore when they chanted "SHAME ON YOU" after the votes were called.
The simple truth is 6 Council members chose to IGNORE the overwhelming public response to an action that restricts public participation in local democracy. For the record, those Council members are: Joni Ricks-Oddie, Suely Saro, Daryl Supernaw, Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Roberto Uranga, and Mary Zendejas.
It's notable that those Council members also ignored formal written opposition from local organizations, including Wrigley Association, Bluff Park Neighborhood Association, Citizens About Responsible Planning, Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, Long Beach Reform Coalition, and League of Women Voters-Long Beach Area. These organizations provided suggestions on ways to streamline meetings without sacrificing public comments. The majority of the Council did not listen to their thoughtful, reasonable, intelligent input.
What's next:
The petition remains open for signatures. It will until there is a final resolution on the public comments issue. Long Beach ordinances require two readings. The item returns next week, Oct. 13, for a final vote.
We're now at 800 signatures! I'm incredibly grateful and impressed by the number of us that raised our voices to right a wrong.
The fight continues!
THANK YOU!
L. Goldman