Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting – April 1, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority met on April 1, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Central Library Lower Level Theater. The meeting included a closed session on labor negotiations and litigation, public comments, department budget presentations from Public Works and Community & Library Services, approval of a consent calendar, adoption of zoning text amendments regulating smoke/tobacco shops, and a directive to staff to create a milestone payment policy. All voting items passed unanimously (7-0).

Consent Calendar

• Items 9–14 were approved unanimously (7-0). These included: approving meeting minutes of March 18, 2025; adopting a resolution declaring weeds and rubbish a public nuisance and scheduling a hearing on May 6, 2025; accepting a Cal OES Violence Against Women Act grant ($203,142) and approving a contract with Waymakers ($116,031); approving a three-year street sweeping enforcement contract with Allied Universal Security Services ($1,392,752.79); approving a reinstatement and third amendment to a site access agreement with Chevron Environmental Management Company; authorizing an amendment with Excalibur for oil well abandonment (not to exceed $900,000) – however, the City Manager later pulled this item (25-266) from the agenda to be brought back in the future; and approving a three-year contract with Data Ticket, Inc. for citation processing and parking permit services ($1,950,000). Councilman Twining noted a typographical error in item 12 (the contract amount was transposed as $438,000 instead of $483,000 in the numerical field) but it did not affect the vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Antoinette Delapuro expressed dismay over receiving a parking citation on Veterans Day (November 11, 2024), stating she had called authorities who assured her it was a holiday, and felt the city did not honor veterans.
• Russell Neal praised the invocations given by chaplains, calling them God-centered and exemplary.
• Charlie Jackson thanked the library and staff for making him feel at home after losing his home in a hurricane.
• Amory Hanson spoke in support of item 16 (milestone payment policy), urging a yes vote.
• Chris Reaney opposed the item 25-266 (oil well abandonment funding), calling for a full explanation of the 33% cost increase before approval. He also questioned the need for a milestone payment policy, suggesting it might be unnecessary or for show.
• Chris Renee (noted as possibly same as above) expressed concern about the financial stability of Symphony of Flowers' parent company (Cavalia) and urged financial responsibility.
• Brian Shaver alleged a well-orchestrated scheme in parking citation processing, citing difficulty contesting tickets and costs of $840 for same-day vehicle release.
• Unnamed speaker suggested adding a plaque for Chris Carr at Carr Park and finding a more recent hero.
• Tim Geddes protested the reduction of public comment time to two minutes with only 11 speakers, and criticized council actions as harmful.
• Speaker opposing oil well funding (speaking for Harry McLaughlin) argued the city may not own the oil wells and that Chevron or the state should be responsible; urged tabling the funding request.
• Ken Inouye warned of potential tens of millions in fines if council actions lead to litigation, impacting public safety.
• Adriana Maldonado urged the council to make the city more walkable for safety, health, and economic benefits, citing statistics on child fatalities and household transportation costs.

Discussion Items

• Department Budget Presentations:
  • Public Works (Director Chow Vu): Annual budget of $145 million, with $24 million from the general fund (17%). The department manages 212 full-time and 38 part-time staff, over 100 contracts, and four divisions (Administration, Transportation, Maintenance Operations, Utilities). Revenue sources include grants; recent awards include $9 million for complete streets and $3.6 million for Magnolia Corridor. Efficiency measures include restructuring (e.g., combining Engineering and Transportation) and underfilling positions. Council discussed options to reduce expenditures (e.g., shifting paving cycles, reducing zone maintenance) and increasing revenue via grants and optimizing assets. Councilman Kennedy noted the charter mandates 15% of general fund for infrastructure. City Manager Hopkins said the 15% calculation is evaluated annually.
  • Community & Library Services (Director Ashley Wisaki): General fund budget of $16 million (68.5% personnel, 31.5% operating); revenues projected at $24.9 million, largely from parking/camping ($18.2 million). The department has 63.25 FTEs, 275 part-time employees, and 859 volunteers. Divisions: Facilities & Development, Beach Parking & Camping, Programs & Services, Senior Center, and Library & Cultural Services. Revenue enhancements include a new parking citation team, in-house security for rentals (projected $30,000 additional), and an RFP for theater management. Cost-saving ideas: evaluating contracted park ranger program, developing an adopt-a-park program, and pursuing sponsorships. Councilman McKeon emphasized synchronizing rentals with hotels and optimizing beach assets. Councilman Gruel suggested seasonal beach parking passes and a scholarship program for summer camps (average camp cost $195).
• Public Hearing – Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-001 (Smoke/Tobacco Shop Regulations):
  • Staff presented amendments to four chapters of the zoning code to regulate smoke/tobacco shops, including definitions, separation requirements (1,000 feet from youth‐populated areas, hospitals, and other smoke shops), window/lighting standards (max 20% window coverage), signage prohibiting unaccompanied minors, and non-conforming use provisions. The Planning Commission approved the amendment on February 11, 2025. The public hearing was continued from March 18, 2025. Two speakers signed up; only Amory Hanson spoke in support. Councilman McKeon, the sponsor, noted the amendment addresses proliferation near schools and residential areas. The council approved the ordinance introduction (7-0).
• Item 16 – Milestone Payment Policy:
  • Councilman McKeon and Mayor Burns submitted the item, directing staff to create a policy requiring milestone-based payments in city contracts to reduce financial risk, improve cash flow, and provide progress checkpoints. Councilman McKeon argued it aligns with private sector practices. The council voted 7-0 to direct staff to create the policy.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar (Items 9–14) approved 7-0. Item 25-266 (oil well abandonment funding) was pulled by the City Manager for future consideration.
• Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-001 (Smoke/Tobacco Shop Regulations) approved for introduction of Ordinances 4331, 4332, 4333, and 4334, 7-0. The ordinances will be read again at a future meeting for adoption.
• Milestone Payment Policy directive approved 7-0; staff to return with a draft policy.
• Next Regular Meeting: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6:00 PM at Central Library.