Update on Smart City Initiative

Staff from the Technology and Innovation Department (TID) are currently developing the Smart City Strategic Initiative in collaboration with key stakeholders in other City Departments. Staff has already compiled an inventory of existing City plans, policies, and initiatives related to smart cities, and has conducted external research on best practices from other cities and industry partners. Staff has convened or will convene four groups of stakeholders to collaborate on the development of the initiative: internal City staff, Long Beach community members, the City’s Technology & Innovation Commission, and Long Beach technology industry partners. Engagement began in November 2019 and is scheduled to continue through August 2020. Primary engagement strategies include an online and paper-based Citywide survey, interviews with key stakeholders, conversations with target demographic groups sponsored by trusted community-based organizations, and interactive workshops.

The goal is for TID to submit the full Smart City Strategy document, in addition to Data Privacy Guidelines, to the Mayor and City Council on, or before October 2020.

Impact of COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Long Beach and subsequent guidance on social distancing, TID has postponed several planned smart cities community outreach events indefinitely. TID is focused primarily on COVID-19 response, mitigation, and preparedness during this time, and as a result, the initiative may not be completed by October 2020, as indicated above.