Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting – December 19, 2023

The Huntington Beach City Council met on December 19, 2023, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included consent calendar approvals, a public hearing that was continued, approval of firefighter labor agreements, an ordinance on parking time limits, and a controversial vote to establish a monthly heritage program. Public comment addressed numerous topics including charter amendments, the Bolsa Chica Senior Living Community project, and an OC Sanitation easement dispute.

Consent Calendar

• Approved consent items 6, 8–19 (7-0) after pulling items 7 and 20.
• Item 7 (November update of activities for citizen boards/commissions) was pulled by Councilmember Bolton to note that reports now only provide a link to minutes, lacking context. Motion to receive and file passed 7-0.
• Item 20 (two-year downtown shuttle service agreement with Circuit Transit, Inc., not to exceed $1,535,426) was pulled by Councilmember McKeon for questions on funding and scope. After clarification, the item passed 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

Thirty-six speakers addressed the council. Key positions included:

• Charter amendments (Ballot Measures A, B, and a third): Many speakers urged voters to vote no, citing increased costs (e.g., city-run elections could cost “millions”), potential lawsuits, and concerns about voter suppression. A few speakers supported the measures, arguing for election integrity.
• Bolsa Chica Senior Living Community (Item 21): The majority of speakers opposed the project, calling it “too big,” “high density,” and not fitting the neighborhood (e.g., “monster project,” “does not comply with zoning”). Some supporters cited the need for senior housing and noted the developer’s recent revisions (reducing height by 13 feet, eliminating 24 independent living units). The applicant requested a continuance.
• Heritage Program (Item 25): Multiple speakers opposed the proposal, arguing it would eliminate existing recognitions like Black History Month and Pride Month, and that it bypassed the Historic Resources Board. One speaker (Kathy Shea, Historic Resources Board member) announced her resignation, stating the council “doesn’t know what we do.” Supporters called the program a “fun exercise” to celebrate shared history.
• OC Sanitation easement (Rhone Lane residents): Several residents from Rhone Lane described receiving letters from OC Sanitation requiring removal of improvements (pools, fences) from a 30-foot easement, with some facing loss of backyard use. They requested council assistance, particularly from Mayor Pro Tem Burns (OC Sanitation board member).
• Other comments: fiscal concerns ($198.2 million unfunded liabilities, projected $23.9 million deficit by 2028), the Orange County Power Authority, police chief/city manager dual role, and election integrity.

Discussion Items

• Bolsa Chica Senior Living Community (Item 21): Staff introduced the item. The applicant requested a continuance to revise the project. The council voted 7-0 to continue to a date uncertain without opening the public hearing, ensuring proper procedure for potential project modifications.
• Memoranda of Understanding (Items 22 & 23): Staff presented three-year MOUs with the Huntington Beach Firefighters Association (HBFA) and Fire Management Association (FMA) for Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2026. Both include base salary increases, longevity pay adjustments, elimination of performance bonus, and increased medical contributions. The council approved both introductions 7-0.
• Ordinance 4303 (Item 24): Introduction of an ordinance allowing the Chief of Police to grant permanent parking time limit exceptions for applicants with a licensed doctor’s statement of a permanent condition. Approved 7-0.
• Monthly Heritage Program (Item 25): Submitted by Mayor Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro Tem Burns, and Councilmember McKeon. The proposal establishes a 12-month program honoring U.S., California, and Huntington Beach history, replacing existing monthly themes. A committee of 7-9 residents would develop future calendars. After debate, Councilmember McKeon moved to adopt with amendments (swapping February and August themes, adding Holocaust Remembrance in January, and clarifying that pre-existing individual day/week programs are not affected). A substitute motion failed. The main motion passed 4-3 (Burns, Van Der Mark, Strickland, McKeon in favor; Moser, Bolton, Kalmick opposed).

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar (items 6, 8-19) approved 7-0.
• Item 7 received and filed 7-0.
• Item 20 (Circuit Transit shuttle contract) approved 7-0.
• Item 21 (Bolsa Chica Senior Living) continued to a date uncertain 7-0.
• Item 22 (HBFA MOU introduction) approved 7-0.
• Item 23 (FMA MOU introduction) approved 7-0.
• Item 24 (Ordinance 4303 introduction) approved 7-0.
• Item 25 (Monthly Heritage Program) approved 4-3.
• Adjourned at approximately 9:30 PM. The next regular meeting is January 16, 2024; the January 3, 2024 meeting was canceled.