[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6655376,"mediaKeyId","5401917-960cc5767817a1f06ba887417498b662","parentId",5401917,"title","Residents press Long Beach council on storm warnings, sirens and NOAA cuts; county and state systems cited as backups","audioSeconds",230,"startMs",1360000,"endMs",1590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401917-960cc5767817a1f06ba887417498b662&start=1360&end=1590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401917-960cc5767817a1f06ba887417498b662/thumbnail_1360000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6655376/Long-Beach/Nassau-County/New-York/Residents-press-Long-Beach-council-on-storm-warnings-sirens-and-NOAA-cuts-county-and-state-systems-cited-as-backups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655376-d0a3ef5f4138a7c32e7b90d10b73cc84/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114401&Signature=kBj0mEELbgSR0Xifsu3rVZ3VpAQS7NzivF4n1VMwyV1KVoxN0Ei3ddBgaxyOKMXpdaZvZAKVHGPhYtqHqyWq3fT26Hmxc75BgfHQ7ED-b3w73ke2STFbS2adpZhFSXcxfBkBHHUKsGQO2ToBgAs7U2oElRt2GvPzVVelXaPOvgqTc~V-upGmPl6pM4jitC7uLanHaEKw8SIwo-lV10hGvtO1kBBNvWRkhAN5u7~Dwiv~tYiSAXcPIwZXuY~OhPXVdKz7CZvvfL5hjKl9snhEz-8qcwmFvhCABwVbzIp-cSy4nxqXBtqHAR03AaP3i6nZS4y~VZtee2iUxLAtZCAoHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Long Beach, NY","date","2025-07-16T11:57:22Z","article","Several Long Beach residents used public comment at the July 15 City Council meeting to press city officials about the city’s readiness for severe weather and methods for alerting residents, expressing concern about reported staffing and budget cuts at the National Weather Service and the possibility of losing federal support.

Resident Eileen Hesch asked whether Long Beach would be affected if the National Weather Service reduced operations and whether FEMA remained in place; the council directed the question to the city’s emergency-management staff. Scott Kemmons, the official identified at the meeting as the likely contact on these matters, said Long Beach relies on a chain of notifications through Nassau County and the New York State Office of Emergency Management, and those offices have independent monitoring systems and can provide weather information to the city. “There are other avenues in place for us to get information,” Kemmons said, adding that the county and state regularly provide reports and situational updates.

James Hodge, a resident who said he had been part of prior emergency response efforts, challenged the council to detail evacuation and community-engagement plans for vulnerable populations. Council staff and emergency personnel said the city has a hurricane-evacuation plan, an email-alert system and robocall notifications and that the police department conducts drive-through neighborhood checks using public-address systems during emergencies. Officials said the city can publish a fuller emergency-preparedness report on request.

Several speakers raised the absence of a community-wide siren system. Emergency staff said Long Beach does not currently employ a town-wide siren network; instead, emergency messages are distributed via wireless emergency alerts (which are delivered to mobile phones unless the device is off), the county/state notification channels, police drive-through PA announcements and lifeguard or field-unit checks in areas like the beach.

Council members and staff responded that Nassau County and the state maintain weather-monitoring capabilities, and that the city receives National Weather Service products daily while also receiving county-consolidated information. Scott Kemmons said he could research specific changes to National Weather Service capabilities and report back to the council. Council President Finn and others said they would request a formal city report on emergency notifications and outreach to faith and community leaders to improve communication to vulnerable populations.

What residents asked for and what staff said they would do

- Residents asked whether Long Beach would lose critical storm-warning information if federal weather services were reduced; county and state offices were identified as alternate sources for weather monitoring and alerts.
- Residents requested better community engagement and distribution channels for vulnerable populations; staff said the city will prepare a report describing notification systems and distribute it to the public.
- Residents asked about sirens and nighttime notification; staff said wireless emergency alerts reach phones (unless turned off), and that police and other city units perform in-person or PA-based neighborhood notifications when needed.

Ending

City officials committed to preparing and publishing a report outlining emergency-notification systems and outreach steps. They also noted established plans for hurricane evacuation and existing notification tools while acknowledging that federal capabilities and staffing changes at the National Weather Service could affect the information flow and merit further monitoring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - 7/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","At public comment during the July 15 meeting residents urged the city to explain evacuation and notification systems after reported federal weather-agency cuts. City emergency staff said Nassau County and New York State systems provide alternate weather information and that the city uses email alerts, robocalls and police public-address checks.","taxTitle","Long Beach, Nassau County, New York","taxId",54385,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6655383,"Long Beach council approves series of purchase agreements, settlement and schedules capital-financing hearing",644,592000,1236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5401917-960cc5767817a1f06ba887417498b662&start=592&end=1236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5401917-960cc5767817a1f06ba887417498b662/thumbnail_592000.jpg","/articles/6655383/Long-Beach/Nassau-County/New-York/Long-Beach-council-approves-series-of-purchase-agreements-settlement-and-schedules-capital-financing-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6655383-d0926d057a7f624eb913552f9b8ede15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114401&Signature=KFR2mqOckZggoGJ~Kh3WN0WFp~JaSxCRoJEJ0O5uo~kqnEF7EnTZBUn2UR-xlX1XFtn394X343XkzGPtjRly5bVb3Pd~H1u8THmwskC-0iB1GOYjFIK92TIvLWG1dwmlVaBKSYZcEEkd7~2t8kMteaFJQLy5NMUKHkDN7ZWI9Bj9yahtFatT46zcp29pCIO0TzlAKgsULV0NPFj~6mHgl1j1u94Ct4HukdbJ00WV4M3u4uGxd7DbauYnEWw6F5psIkBkPbK-~fpBX60rudvLHE-TBO-ZIHvIIdR12MfTkYPMr5XZMex5a3De1WEsxbEj7bH0ddCu8vpY9WTtygXo-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Long Beach City Council on July 15 approved a block of agenda items that included contracting authorizations for routine supplies and services, a settlement of pending litigation and publication of a notice for a capital-projects financing hearing.

The council voted unanimously by those present — Council members Lester and Reinhart, Vice President Fiamara and President Finn — to move and adopt the remaining items on the consent/regular calendar. Council member John Bendo was recorded absent. The block vote covered a one-year agreement for fire-department dispatch infrastructure, supply contracts for concrete and aluminum sulfate, an agreement for mandated firefighter physicals, settlement of a city lawsuit and the publication of a financing ordinance notice with a public hearing set for Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.

City staff said the agreement for fire dispatch and paging network infrastructure will be with Island Tech Services under an existing state contract; staff said the vendor has worked with the city for many years and that the contract will cost $900 less than last year. The council packet described this as a service the city lacks the internal capacity to run.

Public Works staff presented a single-year purchase order for supply, transport and delivery of concrete. Bids were solicited from 112 vendors; two bids were received and Universal Ready Mix was the low, responsible bidder. Staff said the contract will cover various mixes used by the city; the packet and staff remarks noted a modest increase in prices and a roughly $15 premium for winter concrete due to an additive that improves cold-weather curing.

A separate resolution authorized the city manager to enter into an agreement with Island Occupational Medical Resources (IOMR) of Amityville to provide OSHA- and PESH-mandated annual physical examinations for fire department personnel, including interior and exterior firefighters and EMS personnel. Staff told the council the total contract amount is based on an updated count and average exam cost; the request cited roughly $45,000 to cover approximately 45 members, with the per-exam average presented in discussion at about $250 (higher for members over 40 who receive additional screening). Staff emphasized the exams are required and that earlier screenings had identified medical conditions in members.

The council also authorized the purchase of aluminum sulfate for the municipal water purification plant. Public Works reported Chemtrade Chemical was the low bidder, the same supplier used last year. Staff said the price rose by about $0.16 per gallon and that the city uses roughly 48,000 gallons of the product annually, which staff estimated would increase annual expense by about $7,700 compared with last year.

Corporation Counsel briefed the council on a negotiated settlement with Impressive Auto Body Inc.; the proposed resolution authorizes a $50,000 payment to the city to resolve active litigation. Counsel reminded the council that the matter is active litigation and discussion is limited without an executive session.

Finally, the council authorized publication for hearing of an ordinance to finance various city capital projects with an estimated total cost of $25,993,400; the hearing was set for Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. The item was published for notice only at this meeting.

No individual roll-call record for each separate item was read aloud during the meeting; the motion to block-vote and adoption was recorded by voice responses from the four members present who voted yes. The council took no additional substantive amendments to these items during public discussion.

Votes at a glance

- Item 1 — IT services for fire dispatch/paging (Island Tech Services): approved (state contract; staff said $900 less than last year).
- Item 3 — Supply, transport and delivery of concrete (Universal Ready Mix): approved (two bids received; winter mix carries an additive premium of about $15 per unit).
- Item 4 — Annual firefighter physicals (Island Occupational Medical Resources): approved (staff said updated count requires approximately $45,000 to cover interior/exterior/EMS personnel; per-exam average ~ $250).
- Item 5 — Aluminum sulfate for water purification (Chemtrade Chemical): approved (price up ~$0.16/gal; estimated additional cost ~$7,700 annually; city uses ~48,000 gallons).
- Item 6 — Settlement of litigation with Impressive Auto Body Inc.: approved ($50,000 payment to city; item noted as active litigation).
- Item 7 — Publication for hearing of ordinance to finance capital projects (estimated $25,993,400): approved for publication; public hearing scheduled Aug. 5 at 7 p.m.

What happened next

The council proceeded to close the meeting for personnel matters and to continue the agenda. Staff did not request further public hearings for these individual procurement items beyond the published capital-financing hearing date.

Details and context

Staff noted that several of the procurement items used state contracts or had long-standing vendor relationships. For the water-plant chemical purchase, staff confirmed the city treats water with three chemicals (chlorine, lime and aluminum sulfate) and explained aluminum sulfate helps coagulate particles so sand filters capture them more effectively. For firefighter physicals, staff said examinations helped identify health issues in members and that both career and volunteer personnel are covered under the program.

The meeting record shows no separate amendments to the resolutions and no votes recorded contrary to the block vote; a single consolidated adoption was recorded by voice votes of members present.

Ending

City staff will implement the contracts and report back as required by city purchasing rules. The council will hold a public hearing on the capital-projects financing ordinance at 7 p.m. on Aug. 5. Several items noted cost increases tied to market prices or fuller accounting of eligible personnel.","At its July 15 meeting the Long Beach City Council approved a block vote that authorized a one-year IT services agreement for the fire department, annual purchases of concrete and aluminum sulfate, a contract for annual firefighter physicals, a $50,000 litigation settlement and publication of a capital-financing ordinance hearing.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press Long Beach council on storm warnings, sirens and NOAA cuts; county and state systems cited as backups

Long Beach council approves series of purchase agreements, settlement and schedules capital-financing hearing