Huntington Beach City Council Meeting – November 7, 2023

The City Council met on November 7, 2023, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers after a closed session that began at 4:00 PM. The meeting included councilmember comments, public testimony, a consent calendar with several items pulled for discussion, and action on multiple agenda items. Key decisions included approving the CalOptima Health Street Medicine Program (Item 11), a $16.2 million general fund surplus allocation to unfunded liabilities (Item 14), a $2.28 million DHCS agreement for EMS reimbursement (Item 17), and the Edinger Avenue Sewer Replacement Project (Item 20). The Bolsa Chica Senior Living Community public hearing (Item 26) was continued indefinitely, and the appeal of the Legacy Living Sober Living facility (Item 27) was continued to November 21, 2023. The ordinance on parking time limits for recreational vehicles (Item 28) was withdrawn.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8, 9, 12, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, and 25 were approved unanimously (7-0). Item 8 (minutes) was amended per a clerk's memo.
• Items pulled for separate discussion: 10, 11, 13, 14, 17, 20, 24.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Approximately 30 speakers addressed the council. A majority spoke in opposition to the Bolsa Chica Senior Living Project (Item 26), citing excessive density (70 units/acre vs. surrounding 7-15 units/acre), building height (65-72 feet), traffic, parking deficiencies, and shadow impacts. Several speakers urged the council to honor campaign promises against high-density development.
• Multiple speakers supported Item 11 (Street Medicine Program), noting it provides preventive health care to homeless individuals at no cost to the city.
• Several speakers expressed concerns about Item 13 (MOU with Chamber of Commerce), arguing it gives preferential treatment and may be a poor use of city funds given a projected deficit.
• A few speakers supported the emergency operations plan (Item 15) and the CalOptima agreement (Item 17).
• One speaker criticized the proposed voter ID charter amendment, estimating it could cost up to $5 million and disenfranchise voters.
• Several speakers voiced opposition to the library book relocation policy, calling it book banning and unconstitutional.
• A speaker provided a detailed analysis of the city's unfunded liabilities ($198.3 million after transfers) and recommended quarterly financial reports.
• A Planning Commissioner apologized for his earlier vote supporting the Bolsa Chica project, stating he was wrong and had listened to constituents.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – Council Liaison List: Councilmember Kalmick expressed frustration over lack of representation on certain boards and noted that some liaisons had poor attendance. Moser reported being elected to the OC Human Relations Commission. The item passed 7-0.
• Item 11 – CalOptima Street Medicine Program: Councilmember Moser explained the program provides preventive care, urgent care, and social services to homeless individuals, with a minimum patient encounter every 45 days. The city will not incur direct costs. Approved 7-0.
• Item 13 – MOU with Chamber of Commerce: Councilmember Bolton moved to continue indefinitely for further study, citing public confusion. The chamber would receive waiver of facility fees for up to 7 events (valued at ~$2,750/year) in exchange for $2,500 membership and recognition. Continued to a date uncertain (7-0).
• Item 14 – Budget Adjustment for Unfunded Liabilities: Finance Director Sonny Han presented that FY 2022-23 ended with a $16.2 million general fund surplus, driven by one-time spikes in utility taxes and TOT. The council approved transferring $1.5 million to workers' compensation (raising funded status to 48%), $4.5 million to general liability (87% funded), $4.62 million to retiree supplemental plan (94.3% funded), and $2 million for library transformer replacement. Total unfunded liabilities as of June 30, 2023: $208.7 million. Councilmember McKeon noted the city's projected surplus of $577,000 for FY 2024-25, not the $7 million deficit cited by some. Approved 7-0.
• Item 17 – DHCS Agreement for EMS Reimbursement: Division Chief Lopez explained the city will appropriate $2,282,450 to unlock federal matching funds, with a 142% return of $5,525,810 within about 44 days. The city will participate as the sixth entity in an 11-year program. Approved 7-0.
• Item 20 – Edinger Avenue Sewer Replacement: Public Works staff detailed a 10-month project to replace 8- and 12-inch sewer lines with 8- to 15-inch lines from Gothard to Beach Boulevard. Night work (9 PM to 3 AM) will occur in commercial sections. A community meeting is scheduled for December 1. The project will reduce sanitary sewer overflows and grease buildup. Budget: $3,970,850, with a $1.34 million transfer from the PCH restroom sewer lift station project. Approved 7-0.
• Item 24 – Shipley Nature Center Trail Grant: Councilmember Burns expressed concern over the cost ($786/foot for a 1,000-foot path). Public Works Director Chow noted the soil is too soft for heavy equipment, requiring fill and grading. The resolution authorizes the grant application; the city will decide later whether to accept the matching funds. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Continuances: Item 26 (Bolsa Chica Senior Living) continued indefinitely for further public outreach. Item 27 (Legacy Living Sober Living appeal) continued to November 21, 2023. Item 28 (parking ordinance) withdrawn by staff.
• All votes on consent calendar and pulled items passed 7-0, except where noted as unanimous.
• The council received a closed session report with no action taken.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for November 21, 2023.