PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
9/30/2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 093020
Subject:
City of Long Beach Staff Furloughs Begin October 2, 2020
Contact:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
jic@longbeach.gov
562.570.NEWS
jic@longbeach.gov
562.570.NEWS
Long Beach, CA - As part of the City’s multi-step approach to resolving its $30 million shortfall in Fiscal Year 2021, the majority of City of Long Beach employees will be furloughed for 26 days from October 2020 through September 2021. This action will save $11 million in the General Fund and provide $30 million in savings for all funds. The furloughs were negotiated with the City’s various employee associations through multi-year agreements as a way to generate cost savings, avoid permanent service reductions to the public and prevent additional layoffs.
Wherever possible, schedules were modified to keep critical services open to the community. Emergency public response such as police, fire, animal care, and public works and utility emergency response remain unaffected by furloughs.
“We understand that this will have a direct effect on our opening hours and service to the community, but furloughs are a necessary step to address the City’s financial situation and impacts of the pandemic,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “I am incredibly grateful to our employees for their sacrifice during these extraordinary times to stave off further reductions to City services. We are asking for our community’s patience and understanding as we implement the furloughs.”
The following facilities and services will remain open during regular business hours, including furlough Fridays:
The City facilities and services listed below will be closed or unavailable on Friday, Oct. 2, and every other Friday thereafter until the furlough period ends on Sept. 30, 2021:
The City encourages all residents to continue to use City resources that are available online at www.longbeach.gov during furlough days. City Hall closed public access on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain closed until further notice. However, City services are available by phone or online during regular business hours.
Wherever possible, schedules were modified to keep critical services open to the community. Emergency public response such as police, fire, animal care, and public works and utility emergency response remain unaffected by furloughs.
“We understand that this will have a direct effect on our opening hours and service to the community, but furloughs are a necessary step to address the City’s financial situation and impacts of the pandemic,” said City Manager Tom Modica. “I am incredibly grateful to our employees for their sacrifice during these extraordinary times to stave off further reductions to City services. We are asking for our community’s patience and understanding as we implement the furloughs.”
The following facilities and services will remain open during regular business hours, including furlough Fridays:
- City-run COVID-19 test sites and the Rapid Assessment Clinic
- The COVID-19 information line for residents (562.570.INFO)
- Fire stations
- Main Police Station front desk
- All City parks and trails
- El Dorado Nature Center Museum*
- Community park facilities (for after school programs and senior meals only)
- Belmont Plaza Pool
- Indoor swimming pools (King and Silverado)*
- Lifeguard stations
- Animal Care Services
- Long Beach Airport
- Multi-Service Center for people experiencing homelessness
- Marina offices (Alamitos Bay Marina, Shoreline Marina)
- The WorkPlace, Youth Opportunity Center & Pacific Gateway Administrative Office
- Refuse and recycling collection
- Graffiti hotline (562.570.2773)
- Street sweeping
- Parking enforcement
- Clean team (562.570.2850) and street maintenance
- City Prosecutor’s office
- COVID-19 Venue Task Force & Code Enforcement health and life safety inspections (562.570.2633)
- Energy Resources field work
- Gas Services Dispatch (562.570.2410) open 24/7 for emergency calls.
- Water/Sewer Dispatch (562.570.2390) open 24/7 for emergency calls
- Public safety services will continue to be available every day of the year.
The City facilities and services listed below will be closed or unavailable on Friday, Oct. 2, and every other Friday thereafter until the furlough period ends on Sept. 30, 2021:
- City Hall
- Billie Jean King Main Library, all branch libraries, including pickup services and Library offices (digital resources available 24/7)
- Health Department offices
- Energy Resources offices
- Water Department offices
- Park administration offices
- Park offices and community park facilities**
- Long Beach Airport Administrative Offices
- Fire Department administrative office, fire prevention operations
- Marine Safety offices
- Housing Authority
- Building and Safety Services, including inspections and permits
- Citizen Police Complaint Commission
- Special Events and Filming
- Neighborhood Resource Center
- COVID-19 Joint Information Center (562.570.NEWS)
- Gas, Water and Refuse Call Centers
- COVID-19 Business Hotline (562.570.INFO)
- Towing and Lien Sales (Vehicles and property are available for release outside of the hours listed above for an additional fee. More information can be found online.
The City encourages all residents to continue to use City resources that are available online at www.longbeach.gov during furlough days. City Hall closed public access on March 18 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain closed until further notice. However, City services are available by phone or online during regular business hours.
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