Smart City Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions: Staff

• What types of challenge ideas can I submit?

  We welcome any and all ideas, but the best ideas will focus on a clear community-based problem based on data or an observation. Think about how members of the public experience Long Beach and what City services we provide that affect the public.

  Example topics and challenge ideas could include:

  • Recycling – Residents don’t consistently sort their items

  • Public safety as a service – Neighborhood residents don’t feel safe, even with additional safety ambassadors

  • Vacant Parcels – How could we activate vacant land to support community cohesion

  • Walkability – Business owners in neighborhood don’t get much foot traffic, which is impacting their sales

• What is the time commitment for participating in the program and will this take staff away from their regular duties?

  At this stage, TID is simply seeking challenge ideas from staff and there is no commitment required from staff to participate in the program. Our goal is to generate as many challenge ideas as possible. 

  In March, our team will reach out to staff who submitted ideas to learn more about the expected LB Co-Lab program commitments and selection process - at that point, staff may be invited to resubmit their ideas and may work with their supervisor to understand whether they have approval to proceed and potentially participate in the program for its entirety if selected for funding.

• What is the expected time commitment for this program?

  This depends on the role of the staff person.
  • The Project Manager is the primary point-of-contact for all stakeholders affiliated with the pilot. Responsibilities may include conducting regular meetings, providing feedback on deliverables, communicating with other project stakeholders, consulting with the executive sponsor, and more. The time commitment for the role is anywhere from zero (0) to eight (8) hours per week for the duration of the LB Co-Lab program, slated to run from Spring 2025 through Spring 2027.
    
    
  • The Executive Sponsor is typically a Department Director or Bureau Manager. Responsibilities include providing guidance to the Project Manager, being a continual champion for the pilot, and acting as a decision maker for issues beyond the authority of the Project Manager. The time commitment for the role is anywhere from zero (0) to two (2) hours per month for the duration of the LB Co-Lab program.
    
    
    

• If my idea is selected to move forward in the LB Co-Lab Program, how much will I be awarded?

  Staff will not receive monetary compensation, but projects selected to participate in LB Co-Lab will be awarded at least $75k from TID for the design and deployment of a 12-month pilot solution. In addition, TID will provide funding for community engagement, materials, and user research. Departments are not expected to contribute additional funds, other than staff time.

• Other than project funding, what will TID provide me for participating in LB Co-Lab?

  TID will provide you with an innovative program framework and expert coaches to guide you through the process of defining your challenge and delivering the solution. In addition, you will receive:

  • Professional Development Opportunities: Staff will participate in workshops to learn about service design (creating better services), user experience (improving interactions), human-centered design (designing with people’s needs in mind), civic engagement, technology development, leadership, and project delivery, ideally building valuable technical skills valuable for career growth.

  • Recognition and Visibility: Staff will be recognized as innovators in internal City newsletters, team meetings, and social media posts. Staff will earn a certificate for completing LB Co-Lab, which can be added to professional profiles such as LinkedIn.

  • Networking and Collaboration: Program provides staff with the opportunity to work with colleagues across departments, building stronger professional relationships. Employees will also have the opportunity to interact with community leaders and residents, enhancing their sense of purpose and impact. You will practice working with community members and implementing community-driven projects, through interactive workshops and activities. A network of peer changemakers and learning resources will help you deliver successful neighborhood improvement solutions that address community needs.

  • Meaningful Impact: This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in Long Beach neighborhoods by solving real-world challenges. You will contribute to the city’s future, leaving a lasting mark on the community.

  • Increased Funding: Projects selected to participate in LB Co-Lab will be awarded at least $75k from TID for the design and deployment of a 12-month pilot solution. In addition, TID will provide funding for community engagement, materials, and user research.  

• I submitted my challenge idea – Now what?

  Challenge ideas will be evaluated by a panel of City staff from TID and the City Manager’s Office. You should expect to hear back on next steps by March 2025.

• How will my challenge idea be evaluated?

  Challenge ideas will be evaluated by a panel of City staff reviewers. We are seeking bold, human-centered challenge ideas that will be solved through LB Co-Lab's community-led design model. Together, City staff and community residents will design and develop solutions to these challenges that can enhance city services and help prepare Long Beach for the 2028 Olympics.

• What if I don’t know who the project manager or executive sponsor is? What if I’m not sure about funding after the pilot is over? Is that okay?

  Yes, that is totally fine! At this stage, there is no commitment, and we are simply seeking your challenge ideas.

• Hmm, this seems a little different from last year’s LB Co-Lab program? What’s up with that?

  At its core, LB Co-Lab is rooted in community members and staff working together to solve civic challenges, however based on the success of last year’s LB Co-Lab program, TID has proposed a few key updates, including:

  • This time, we are seeking challenge ideas from you - City staff; then we will pair each selected staff challenge idea with a dedicated group of community participants to form a project team which you will work hand-in hand with.Increased funding for each project.

    • Last year, LB Co-Lab ideas were sourced directly from community participants, and TID brought City staff in once the project was already underway.
    • This change means that we are investing in ideas that we know City staff can get behind!

  • We’d like all LB Co-Lab projects to connect to the 2028 Olympics strategic priority areas to build City pride and enhance local participation in the Games

• What is the deadline to submit a challenge idea?

  February 28, 2025.

• Does the pilot solution I implement need to be technology-based?

  No, LB Co-Lab is open to solutions that are technology-based or non-technology based. LB Co-Lab allows you to spend more time defining the problem and remaining open to various types of solutions you may not have at first considered. Examples of non-technology-based solutions may include physical infrastructure, communications campaigns, art or cultural installations, or programming. 

Residents

• How much will I get compensated for participation?

  Participants will receive $4,000 stipend in installments, and as-needed expenses in order to fully participate in the program (transportation, childcare, technology).

• What is the time commitment for this program?

  1 to 3 hours per week for 24 months (Spring 2025 - Spring 2027). We expect a larger commitment of up to 3 hours per week during the first 12 months of the program. We expect a smaller commitment of up to 1 hour per week during the final 12 months of the program.

• Do I have to currently reside in the City of Long Beach to participate?

  Yes, you must be a City of Long Beach resident.

• Is there a minimum age requirement for program participants?

  Yes, 18 years or older.

• I submitted my IIR application. Now what?

  Applications will be evaluated by a panel of City staff reviewers based on the quality and alignment of your responses with program goals and intended impact. You should expect to hear if your idea was selected by March 2025.

• How will my application be evaluated? 

  Applications will be evaluated by a panel of City staff reviewers, using a standardized Applicant Rating scale. Applicant reviewers will evaluate the applicant’s demonstrated level of interest in technology and level of need for skill-building.

• How many IIRs will be selected?

  We anticipate selecting 9 IIRs and 4 alternates. However, even individuals not selected will have ample opportunities to participate throughout the LB Co-Lab program and make an impact.

• I want to improve my own neighborhood. Where will the projects ultimately be implemented?

  Neighborhoods where LB Co-Lab projects will be implemented are to be determined based on evidence, and there is no guarantee an applicant will be assigned to address an issue in their neighborhood.

• I’m still not sure I can commit to participating. Is that okay?

  Yes, that is okay, but participants will need to decide before the program begins in Spring 2025.

• What exactly do I get by participating in LB Co-Lab?

  In addition to the stipend for participation, participants will receive the following benefits:
  • Professional Development: You will gain invaluable, hands-on skills in the following areas:An Innovative Co-Design Methodology: Receive coaching and mentorship from city technology leaders through the LB Co-Lab program phases.
    • Project management
    • Community engagement
    • Service design (creating better services)
    • User experience / UX (improving interactions)
    • Human-centered design (designing with people’s needs in mind)
    • Government partnerships
    • Storytelling
  • Experience: You will get to explore, design, and develop a real-world project working hand-in-hand with the City of Long Beach.
    
    
  • Networking and Collaboration: You’ll have the opportunity to interact with City staff and other Long Beach residents to implement community-driven projects, through interactive workshops and activities. You’ll build a network of peer changemakers and an inventory of learning resources that will help you deliver successful neighborhood improvement solutions that address community needs.
    
    
  • Meaningful Impact: This is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in Long Beach neighborhoods by solving real-world challenges. You will contribute to the city’s future, leaving a lasting mark on the community.
    
    
    

• Hmm, this seems a little different from last year’s LB Co-Lab program? What’s up with that?

  At its core, LB Co-Lab is rooted in community members and staff working together to solve civic challenges, however based on the success of last year’s LB Co-Lab program, TID has proposed a few key updates, including:

  • This time, we are first seeking challenge ideas City staff; then we will pair each selected idea with Innovators in Residence (IIRs) to form a project team so you can work hand-in-hand with City staff.
  • Increased funding for each project.
  • All LB Co-Lab projects will connect to the 2028 Olympics strategic priority areas to build City pride and enhance local participation in the Games.
  • IIRs will learn about civic journalism, social media, and neighborhood news outlets to improve access to civic information.
  • Expanded opportunities for the broader Long Beach community to participate in solution co-design.
    
    
    

• What is the deadline to submit the application?

  February 28, 2025.