Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Regular Meeting – December 17, 2024

The City Council met on December 17, 2024, at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting included a closed session at 4:30 PM, public comments, approval of a consent calendar (with one item pulled), a development impact fee report, and two council member items on high-density housing criteria and forming an ad-hoc committee for a senior care project. Fire Chief Jeff Haverly was recognized for his retirement after five years of service.

Consent Calendar

• Items 9–22 were approved unanimously (7-0) with one exception: Item 15 (Symphony of Flowers license agreement) was pulled by the applicant before the vote. Approved items included: meeting minutes (Nov 19 and Dec 3), monthly activity updates, 2025 liaison list, Maddy Act list, Accela software license, Verizon cell site at Talbert Park, Symphony of Flowers (pulled), minimum wage adjustment, City Clerk compensation, Admiralty Drive Bridge Rehabilitation grant ($1,916,490), OCTA Complete Streets grants ($8,971,000), I-405 Improvement Project amendment, Residential Zone 2 Curb Ramp contract ($197,400), and application for a boat launch facilities grant.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Twenty-four speakers addressed the council, with time limited to two minutes each. The majority opposed Item 15 (Symphony of Flowers) citing concerns about wildlife disruption (owls, geese, monarch butterflies), noise, lighting, parking shortfalls, lack of public transparency, and violation of Measure C (public vote on park uses). Several speakers demanded the item be moved to regular business or rejected.
• Barbara Richardson, Diane Bentley, Susan Arnold, Michael Rogers, Michelle Rogers, Chris Renee, Ann Palmer, Vic Leipzig (on behalf of Audubon Society), and Amanda Herring all spoke against the Symphony of Flowers location in Central Park, emphasizing environmental impacts and insufficient community input.
• Phil Bertis (representing 42 homes near Slater lot) requested resident-only parking permits during events due to short driveways in the neighborhood.
• Steve Parsons supported Item 22 (boat launch grant), noting the public dock at Huntington Harbor Yacht Club is in poor condition.
• Mr. Amory Hanson supported Item 24 (health & safety criteria for high-density development), citing traffic and overcrowding concerns.
• Pat Goodman expressed curiosity about existing codes and supported affordable housing, opposing overly restrictive criteria.
• Adam Wood (Building Industry Association) strongly opposed Item 24, arguing it conflates density with overcrowding and is unnecessary.
• Brian Thenis, Jonathan Bonwitt, Tom Dillman supported Item 25 (ad-hoc committee for Bolsa Chica Senior Care), claiming the developer misled by stating 159 beds while residents could bring extra beds, doubling density. They advocated for reduced height and more parking.
• David Reinerson criticized lack of transparency on both Item 15 and the failure to place the citizens’ book review repeal petition on the agenda.
• Several speakers made general comments on financial stability, air show settlement, library book policies, and congratulated new council members.

Discussion Items

• Item 23 – Development Impact Fee (DIF) Report FY 2023-24: Interim CFO David Cain presented the annual report, noting $2.3 million in revenue and $4.4 million in expenditures across eight fee funds. All funds meet five-year expenditure requirements. Council adopted Resolution 2024-61 unanimously (7-0).
• Item 24 – High Density Residential Development Health & Safety Criteria: Mayor Pro Tem McKeon introduced the item, directing staff to develop criteria addressing overcrowding, open space, park access, and transit to mitigate health and safety impacts. Councilmember Strickland clarified the intent is not to ban high density but to ensure quality. Motion passed 7-0.
• Item 25 – Bolsa Chica Senior Care Community Project Review: Mayor Burns recommended forming an ad-hoc committee of three council members, supported by staff and City Attorney, to review the process and information for the project approved October 15, 2024. Councilmember Twining seconded. Motion passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 9–22): Approved 7-0, except Item 15 was withdrawn by applicant.
• Item 23 (DIF Report): Resolution 2024-61 adopted 7-0.
• Item 24 (Health & Safety Criteria): Motion carried 7-0; staff directed to develop criteria.
• Item 25 (Bolsa Chica Ad-Hoc Committee): Motion carried 7-0; committee to be formed with three council members.
• Next Meeting: The regular meeting of January 7, 2025, is canceled. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
• Fire Chief Retirement: Chief Jeff Haverly was honored for 36 years of service (five with Huntington Beach). Council members praised his leadership, calm demeanor, and revenue-generating initiatives.