This regular meeting spanned from 4:00 PM (study session and closed session) to an open session beginning at 6:00 PM. Key topics included a study session on the Mobility Implementation Plan (HB in Motion), the quarterly homeless report, approval of consent calendar items, amendments to the Harbour Commission’s navigation channel recommendation, tabling of the Grand Jury response on animal welfare, and introduction of an e-bike ordinance. Councilmember Pat Burns was absent with prior permission. The meeting saw extensive public comment on charter amendments, library policies, housing element non-compliance, homelessness, and e-bike regulations.
Mobility Implementation Plan – HB in Motion Survey Results (Study Session, 4:00 PM). Staff presented preliminary results from Phase 2 surveys (nearly 600 respondents). Key findings: strong support for separated beach path (similar to Sea Point–11th Street), separated bike lanes, crosswalk improvements, speed feedback signs, and 10 mph zones. About 46% of respondents viewed e-bikes as an issue on roadways, a higher percentage on the beach path. Top areas needing improvement: Westside/downtown and Huntington Harbor. Staff outlined a toolbox of near-term and transformative improvements, including buffered bike lanes, leading pedestrian intervals, median refuge islands, and rumble strips. The plan will leverage grant funding. Councilmembers supported the approach, emphasizing safety, connectivity, school routes, and regional coordination (e.g., with Costa Mesa). A future virtual public meeting is planned for fall 2023. Council requested cost breakdowns and an active transportation committee.
Quarterly Homeless Report (City Manager’s Report). Lieutenant Brian Smith and Social Services Supervisor Jessica Kelly presented the Q2 2023 update. Highlights: 543 homeless task force contacts; 40 navigation center referrals; 135 myHB complaints; calls for service down slightly (11% of total vs. 10.3% in Q1). B Well Mobile Crisis Team now covers 7 days/week, 21 hours/day (6 a.m.–3 a.m.), with 1,287 contacts (93% involved homeless individuals, 91% resolved without police co-response). Navigation center averaging 95% capacity; 5 clients housed in Q2 (4 additional in July). Barriers to housing: landlord reluctance to accept vouchers, credit scores, lack of supportive services. Success stories included housing a veteran, a 73-year-old woman, and a couple via faith-based groups. Staff secured $1.1 million state funding for the navigation center and a SAMHSA grant extension. Council discussed data collection, need for standardized terms, upcoming Jamboree Housing meeting for permanent shelter, and the potential of a street medicine program via CalOptima. Councilmember Moser noted 11% of calls is consistent with historical data and cautioned against dismantling programs prematurely.
Ordinance No. 4302 – Bicycle Regulations (Item 17). Lieutenant Toby Archer presented the ordinance updating Huntington Beach Municipal Code Chapter 10.84. The update adds definitions for e-bike classes (CVC 2015 update) and closes loopholes for vehicles like “Cyron” (electric motorcycles without pedals), which are illegal on city streets. It allows officers to issue civil citations ($125 first offense, $250 second, $500 third) or criminal citations (infraction) for riding in an unsafe manner (examples: no hands, wheelie, wrong-way on sidewalk, excessive speed). It also provides authority to impound e-bikes operated by juveniles and enforce on private property open to public (e.g., shopping centers). Councilmembers expressed support but clarified intent is to target reckless behavior, not casual cyclists. A typo (duplicate subsection) will be corrected. Council requested data collection on e-bike collisions and asked staff to bring back emergency ordinance language for the next meeting to expedite effect. The ordinance was approved for introduction 6-0.
I like to call the regular meeting of the City Council Public Finance Authority to order. Please note that Councilman Burns has submitted a notice of absence for tonight's meeting pursuant to resolution number 2001-54. Clerk, please call the rule. Councilmember Kalmick. Here. Councilmember Mosier. Here. Mayor Pro Tim. Mayor Strickland. Here. Councilmember McKeon. Here. Councilmember Bolton. Here, all present. So three minute comments from council members. Does any council member want to do a three-minute speech? I do. Councilmember. I want to recognize the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed annually according to federal law from September 15th to October 15th of every year. Our national celebration of Hispanic Heritage was originally one week long. The president who authorized making it one month long described the observance as recognition of the Hispanic individuals, families, and communities that enrich our national life. Similar sentiments were more recently echoed. This month we recognize the countless contributions of Hispanic Americans that make up our nation that make our nation a thriving and secure land of opportunity. That first quote was from President Ronald Reagan, and the second one was from President Donald Trump. In Huntington Beach, I've heard increasing instances of people questioning why we have to single out certain people for special treatment. I'm saddened when I hear that type of sentiment. Because this is all part of being an American. I think most people understand why we celebrate Labor Day, to celebrate the American worker. Most people understand why we celebrate Veterans Day. When people celebrate St. Patrick's Day, I do not hear any hostility toward people who identify as Irish American for wanting to have parades or have parties. I have never heard anyone say that we shouldn't recognize that day because recognition of Irish or Catholic people somehow diminishes the non-Irish or non-Catholic people in our society. Instead, there's a saying, everyone is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. Everybody who wants to seems to join in. And it appears to be a great excuse and the only excuse for drinking green beer. A similar thing is happening with Cinco de Mayo and Mardi Gras. Even if people don't actually know what the day commemorates, they it seems to be a great reason for gatherings and fun and just maybe learning a little bit about why the day is celebrated. The same could be true of women's history month, black history month, and pride month. People coming together to understand what these heritages mean to these people that have them and what it means to our melting pot of a country. Thank you. Thank you. Councilman. Thank you very much. So it was a really busy weekend in Huntington Beach. I just wanted to give a shout out and appreciation to the Huntington Beach Council on Aging Board and volunteers, as well as the Senior Center volunteers, as well as the vendors who were there. It was a very well-attended event. And I think it's just great that we're able to provide those resources to our seniors so that they are able to age with dignity in Huntington Beach and really get connected to all of those resources that exist. Actually, kind of just waited until the event was over. Then they celebrated with their drumming afterwards.