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Record of Proceedings

Huntington Beach City Council Meeting - January 21, 2025: Non-Sanctuary City Declaration, Library Petitions, and Infrastructure Report Card

City Council — Tuesday, January 21, 2025
BodyHuntington Beach, California
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 21, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:00

Okay, here we go.

1:00

The meeting of the city council public financing authority to order.

1:04

City Clerk may have the roll call, please.

1:09

Councilmember McKeon.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Mayor Pat Burns.

1:13

Here.

1:14

Councilmember Vandermark.

1:15

Here.

1:16

Councilmember Williams.

1:17

Here.

1:18

And I'd like to just note that but uh Butch might be late.

1:22

He's coming back from the inauguration.

1:24

Tony's got an excused absence.

1:26

Do you have that?

1:27

Correct.

1:27

I'd like to announce that pursuant to resolution two thousand and one-fifty-four.

1:32

Councilmember Strickland has requested the permission to be absent.

1:35

And if there are no objections, it will be reflected in the minutes.

1:42

Okay.

1:43

Don Kennedy is walking in right now.

1:46

Do you want to get the insurance?

1:50

Uh City Clerk, do we have any supplemental communications?

1:55

No, we do not have any supplemental communications.

1:58

All right, City Clerk, do we have anyone signed up to speak?

2:01

No, Mayor, we have no one signed up to speak at this time.

2:05

Okay.

2:06

Then we'll go into closed session announcement.

2:12

Uh conference with lay labor negotiators.

2:18

Government code section five four nine five seven point six.

2:22

Agency designated representatives, Travis Hopkins, uh Acting City Manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael E.

2:31

Gates, City Attorney David Kane, interim chief financial officer employee organization, Huntington Beach, municipal teamsters, HBMT.

2:41

Also, conference with labor negotiators, uh, agency designated representatives, Travic Os Travis Hopkins, Acting City Manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael E.

2:54

Gates, City Attorney, and David Kane, interim chief financial officer, uh employee organization is the management employees organization MEO.

3:05

Also, conference with labor negotiators, uh, agency designated representatives, Travis Hopkins, acting city manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael Gates, City Attorney and David Kane, interim chief financial officer, employee organizations, Marine Safety Management Association, MSMA.

3:28

Um see, public employee uh appointment.

3:34

We're gonna talk about the city manager's position, and uh city council do I have a motion and a second to recess to close session.

3:42

Motion second.

3:44

All right.

3:46

Close session.

5:10

Perfect.

5:11

Now to public comments.

5:13

City clerk, do we have anyone signed up to speak for this portion of the meeting?

5:17

Yes.

5:18

Okay.

5:19

Uh proper decorum at city council meetings is imperative in order for the public to remain informed about issues pertaining to the city's business.

5:26

The public comments portion of the meeting is an opportunity for the public to be heard and address those issues in a public forum.

5:32

Disruptive behavior, impeding or delaying our ability to conduct the council's business will not be tolerated.

5:38

California PIL Code Section 403 prohibits disrupting this meeting and enforcement action will be taken for violations of this law.

5:45

At this time, the city council will receive comments from members of the public regarding any topic, including items on the study session agenda.

5:52

Individuals wishing to provide a comment on items may do so in person by filling out a request to speak form delivered by to the city clerk.

5:59

All speakers are encouraged but not required to identify themselves by name.

6:03

Each speaker may have up to three minutes unless the volume of speakers warrants reducing the time allowance.

6:07

Please note that the Brown Act does not allow discussion or action on topics that are not on the agenda.

6:12

Members of the public who would like to speak directly with the council member on an item not on the agenda may consider scheduling an appointment by contacting the city council's administrative assistant at 714-536-5553, or emailing the entire city council at city.council at serve city-hb dot org.

6:33

May we hit please have the first speaker come up to the mic.

6:38

Mr.

6:38

Amory Hansen, please come to the microphone.

7:20

Thank you, Mr.

7:21

Mayor.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety██████████████████18%
Public Comments███████████████15%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Works████████████12%
Budget Policy███████████11%
Infrastructure And Capital Improvement██████6%
Immigration Policy██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Pending Litigation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting – January 21, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council held a special meeting on January 21, 2025, beginning with a 3:30 PM closed session for labor negotiations and city manager appointment, followed by a study session at 4:45 PM and the regular meeting at 6:00 PM. Key actions included adopting a resolution declaring the city a non-sanctuary city for illegal immigrants, accepting certification of two library-related citizen initiatives and ordering reports on their effects, approving the Successor Agency’s Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) for 2025-26, and receiving updates on the city’s infrastructure report card, strategic plan, and LA fire relief efforts. The council also directed a letter to the proponents of the Bolsa Chica Senior Project to further evaluate information presented at a prior hearing. All votes were unanimous except where noted.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 11–15: Approved unanimously (6-0, Councilmember Strickland absent). Included:
    • Annual review of the City Code of Ethics.
    • Approval of minutes from December 17, 2024.
    • Amendment No. 2 with Excalibur Well Services Corp. for Civic Center Oil Well Abandonment ($498,500 in HB Recovery Funds).
    • Year-End Audit Results for FY 2023/24 and approval of budget adjustments.
    • Acceptance of a $327,947 State Water Resources Control Board grant for the Old Pirate Lane water system consolidation project.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • 23 speakers addressed the council (each limited to 2 minutes). Topics included:
    • Library Petitions (Items 18 & 19): Multiple speakers urged the council to accept the petitions as written, arguing they reflect the will of the people and would save the city money. A few speakers expressed concerns that signatures were obtained under false pretenses (e.g., claims the city planned to sell the library).
    • Non-Sanctuary City Resolution (Item 20): Strong support from many residents who cited public safety, the rule of law, and cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Opposition speakers argued the resolution is based on fear, lacks evidence of a crime problem linked to immigrants, and would harm community trust and the local economy.
    • Infrastructure Report Card: A resident spoke in support of the report card as a tool for prioritizing improvements.
    • Bolsa Chica Senior Project (Item 21): A speaker supported further evaluation of the project, citing concerns about high density and accuracy of information.
    • Other: A resident raised concerns about the concentration of recovery homes in the downtown area and requested city action.

Study Session

Infrastructure Report Card (Item 25-0087)

  • Staff presented an evaluation of 11 infrastructure categories using ASCE methodology, based on assessments by engineers, a 100-person citizens committee, and over 1,300 survey respondents. Grades:
    • B: Bridges, Roads & Mobility
    • D: Non-Road Pavement (alleys, parking lots), Stormwater, Facilities, Harbor
    • C: Wastewater, Drinking Water, Coastal Shoreline, Parks & Landscape
    • D: Information Services (security, network)
  • Total estimated needs exceed $1 billion. The general fund currently allocates about $10 million annually for infrastructure, but the city lacks dedicated funding for several D-rated categories (e.g., alleys, facilities). Staff are exploring public-private partnerships, grants, and other revenue sources. A facilities assessment study is underway and expected in five months.
  • Council discussion emphasized prioritization of D-rated assets, grant writing effectiveness (about 50% success rate), and the need for innovative funding solutions.

Marisol Senior Living Project Financing (Item 24-9178)

  • The Bloom Family Foundation presented a 214-unit senior living project (fully entitled, construction-ready) at Main and Yorktown. To secure financing, the project sponsor intends to issue tax-exempt bonds through the California Public Finance Authority (CPFA), requiring council approval (TEFRA hearing scheduled for February 4, 2025).
  • Key points:
    • The city has no liability on the bonds; the bonds are repaid solely by project revenues.
    • A Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement ensures the city receives the same property tax revenue as if the project were for-profit (currently $22,000/year; projected ~$240,000/year at stabilization). The project owner also agrees to comply with all city ordinances, forgoing any nonprofit exemptions.
    • The city has hired independent bond counsel (Cyrus Tarabi, QTAC Rock) to review documents.
  • Council members expressed caution due to past negative experiences with JPAs, but noted the PILOT agreement and no-liability structure address their concerns. The project sponsor confirmed the PILOT is recorded on title and would survive default.

Regular Meeting Discussion Items

FY 2023-2027 Strategic Plan – Biannual Progress Update #3 (Item 16)

  • Staff reported 53% of the plan’s 98 tasks are complete, a 21% increase since July 2024. Key accomplishments: economic development strategy adopted, $20.8 million in grants received, streamlined SurfCity online permitting platform launched, 76 homeless clients housed in 2024 (up from 56 in 2023). A public data dashboard is now live on the city website. The item was received and filed unanimously (6-0, Strickland absent).

Successor Agency ROPS and Administrative Budget (Item 17)

  • The council adopted resolutions approving the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule (ROPS) for July 2025–June 2026 ($10.8 million requested) and the administrative budget ($250,000). The funds are part of $38 million the city won in litigation against the state for wrongfully withheld redevelopment agency loan reimbursements (Emerald Cove and Waterfront loans). The vote was 6-0 (Strickland absent).

Library Petitions (Items 18 & 19)

  • Item 18: Petition to repeal the Community Parent Guardian Review Board and adopt a new library materials selection policy. The Orange County Registrar of Voters certified 13,257 valid signatures (required 13,247). The council accepted the certification and ordered a report on the effect of the proposed initiative (30-day study). Vote: 6-0 (Strickland absent).
  • Item 19: Petition to require public operation of library services (i.e., prohibit outsourcing). The registrar certified 13,257 valid signatures. The council similarly accepted the certification and ordered a report. Vote: 6-0 (Strickland absent).
  • Council members noted that some residents claimed they were misled into signing the petitions, but the legal process requires moving forward with the certification and study.

Non-Sanctuary City Resolution (Item 20)

  • Mayor Pat Burns introduced Resolution 2025-01, declaring Huntington Beach a non-sanctuary city for illegal immigrants “for the prevention of crime.” The resolution asserts that California’s sanctuary law (SB 54) conflicts with federal immigration law and impedes local law enforcement cooperation with federal authorities.
  • Council members and the city attorney argued that the sanctuary state law forces local officials to violate federal statutes (e.g., harboring, encouraging illegal immigration) and exposes police officers to legal liability. The resolution directs the city to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
  • The vote was 7-0 (all members present, including Councilmember Strickland who returned from the inauguration).

Bolsa Chica Senior Project Ad Hoc Committee Notification (Item 21)

  • The council approved sending a letter to the project proponents notifying them of the Ad Hoc Committee’s intent to further evaluate information presented at the October 15, 2024, public hearing. The committee will review data and analysis used to support the approval of the specific plan, and may recommend amendments, repeal, or revocation if inaccuracies are found. Vote: 7-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted Resolution 2025-01 (Non-Sanctuary City): 7-0 vote.
  • Accepted library petition certifications and ordered reports: 6-0 on each (Strickland absent).
  • Approved Successor Agency ROPS and Admin Budget: 6-0.
  • Received and filed Strategic Plan update: 6-0.
  • Approved Marisol Senior Living TEFRA hearing (scheduled Feb 4): council expressed support contingent on independent bond counsel review.
  • Directed letter to Bolsa Chica Senior Project proponents regarding further evaluation: 7-0.
  • Adjourned in honor of Pascal and Kelly Reid, residents who died in a recent plane crash.
  • Next regular meeting: February 4, 2025.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, here we go. The meeting of the city council public financing authority to order. City Clerk may have the roll call, please. Councilmember McKeon. Here. Mayor Pat Burns. Here. Councilmember Vandermark. Here. Councilmember Williams. Here. And I'd like to just note that but uh Butch might be late. He's coming back from the inauguration. Tony's got an excused absence. Do you have that? Correct. I'd like to announce that pursuant to resolution two thousand and one-fifty-four. Councilmember Strickland has requested the permission to be absent. And if there are no objections, it will be reflected in the minutes. Okay. Don Kennedy is walking in right now. Do you want to get the insurance? Uh City Clerk, do we have any supplemental communications? No, we do not have any supplemental communications. All right, City Clerk, do we have anyone signed up to speak? No, Mayor, we have no one signed up to speak at this time. Okay. Then we'll go into closed session announcement. Uh conference with lay labor negotiators. Government code section five four nine five seven point six. Agency designated representatives, Travis Hopkins, uh Acting City Manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael E. Gates, City Attorney David Kane, interim chief financial officer employee organization, Huntington Beach, municipal teamsters, HBMT. Also, conference with labor negotiators, uh, agency designated representatives, Travic Os Travis Hopkins, Acting City Manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael E. Gates, City Attorney, and David Kane, interim chief financial officer, uh employee organization is the management employees organization MEO. Also, conference with labor negotiators, uh, agency designated representatives, Travis Hopkins, acting city manager, also in attendance, Marissa Sir, Director of Human Resources, Michael Gates, City Attorney and David Kane, interim chief financial officer, employee organizations, Marine Safety Management Association, MSMA. Um see, public employee uh appointment. We're gonna talk about the city manager's position, and uh city council do I have a motion and a second to recess to close session. Motion second. All right. Close session. Perfect. Now to public comments. City clerk, do we have anyone signed up to speak for this portion of the meeting? Yes. Okay. Uh proper decorum at city council meetings is imperative in order for the public to remain informed about issues pertaining to the city's business. The public comments portion of the meeting is an opportunity for the public to be heard and address those issues in a public forum. Disruptive behavior, impeding or delaying our ability to conduct the council's business will not be tolerated. California PIL Code Section 403 prohibits disrupting this meeting and enforcement action will be taken for violations of this law. At this time, the city council will receive comments from members of the public regarding any topic, including items on the study session agenda.

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