Residents raise repeated quality‑of‑life concerns: noise, underage‑drinking grant at risk, offshore wind cables, dogs on the beach, local building blight

A series of residents used the public‑comment portion of the Long Beach City Council meeting on Aug. 19 to raise quality‑of‑life and policy concerns.

Noise and enforcement Judy Moran said she and neighbors have endured loud music and extended late‑night loud events. She presented decibel measurements from a recent night and said a police officer who visited agreed the noise was "too loud." Moran asked for tighter limits and better enforcement, citing what she described as long sessions of amplified bass that disrupt sleep. Council members and staff discussed enforcement logistics, including where measurements should be taken (at the property line/border) and instructing police to measure at or near the establishment when complaints are filed.

STOP Act grant for underage‑drinking enforcement Judy Vining said Long Beach receives roughly $60,000 per year from a federal STOP Act grant aimed at limiting underage drinking; she said the grant pays for police overtime (about $28,000 a year) and that the program appears to be at risk of federal cuts for the next fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Vining asked the council to write a letter to federal officials to support continuation of the grant. The council agreed to draft a letter and requested contact information for the appropriate federal offices.

Offshore wind cables and petitions Ron Paganini and Karen Riskin raised concerns about the Empire Wind/Empire Two offshore cables and related infrastructure. Paganini urged the council to contact experts (the Climate Institute and National Grid), local and national media, and state officials to clarify alleged risks such as electrolysis to buried infrastructure. Riskin said she has been collecting petition signatures and reported outreach to federal offices; both urged the council to follow up with state and federal officials and to keep the community informed. Council members said staff would look into the matter and follow up.

Dogs on the beach and service animals Kathleen O'Leary reported multiple incidents of dogs on Magnolia Beach, including one dog off‑leash. Police arrived in one incident within five minutes after a call, she said. City staff (citing guidance) clarified that under the Americans with Disabilities Act enforcement officers may ask two questions when a person claims a service animal: (1) whether the animal is required because of a disability and (2) what task the animal has been trained to perform. Staff noted there is no federal requirement for a service‑animal vest or documentation and that emotional‑support animals generally do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Local building and rodent concerns Linda Giles asked about proposed plans for the Lancer Building and whether a multilevel redevelopment is being pursued; staff said two sets of plans were submitted and that one option is a rehabilitation of the existing building and that zoning‑board approvals may be required. Giles also raised concerns about rodents at the former Long Beach Hospital building and requested that the city check for rodent control measures.

What the council said Council members thanked speakers for raising the issues and said they would follow up. On the STOP Act item, the council agreed to prepare a letter to federal officials. On noise complaints and beach enforcement, officials said they would instruct police on measurement and enforcement practices and review the ordinance if necessary. Staff also asked speakers to provide documentation and follow up with staff for next steps.