Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Regular Meeting – April 15, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council met on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, starting at 5:00 PM with a Closed Session on labor negotiations and litigation, followed by the Regular Meeting at 6:00 PM at the Central Library. The meeting covered department budget overviews, the annual Safe and Sane Fireworks Stand Lottery, a zoning text amendment for tobacco shops, a contract amendment for oil well abandonment, and two council member items on volunteer group oversight and charter city collaboration. Public comment was extensive, focusing primarily on upcoming ballot Measures A and B concerning library book review and privatization.

Consent Calendar

• Items 11-12 and 15-17 were approved unanimously (7-0). Item 11 approved minutes from April 1, 2025. Item 12 updated the 2025 Council Liaison List. Item 15 authorized lease amendments for a new restaurant at the pier. Item 16 adopted a resolution amending fee schedules for facility rentals and parking. Item 17 approved license and landscape maintenance agreements for a G&M Oil convenience store project.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Library Measures A and B (June 10 election): A large majority of the 28 speakers addressed these measures. Supporters of Yes on A and B argued that the measures would abolish a politically appointed book review committee (Measure A) and require voter approval before outsourcing library management (Measure B), protecting librarian expertise and public control. Opponents (No on A and B) contended that sexually explicit books are being made available to children and that the council is not privatizing the library but seeking efficiencies. Several speakers shared personal experiences, including a victim of childhood sexual abuse who linked the books to harm.
• Item 18 (Ad Hoc Committee on Volunteer Groups): Several speakers expressed concern that the initiative is a power grab intended to intimidate or retaliate against volunteer groups such as Friends of the Library, Shipley Nature Center, and the American Legion, arguing it would increase government overreach.
• Item 19 (Charter Cities Collaborative): Speakers supported the idea, noting that a league of charter cities could provide economies of scale, shared legal resources, and stronger defense against state overreach.
• Other topics: A resident raised ongoing noise issues from Walmart rooftop units. Another speaker requested completion of the Glen Mar Tract beautification wall. One speaker highlighted the Wetlands & Wildlife Care Center's response to a domoic acid crisis affecting seabirds (151 patients since March 17). Others criticized the council for budget deficits, loss of Olympic surfing/volleyball events, and urged approval of the housing element.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Civic Center Oil Well Abandonment Contract Amendment: Councilmember Kennedy pulled this item to voice opposition to a third amendment increasing the not-to-exceed amount by $1.15 million to a total of over $4 million. He argued the vendor had not performed to the original $1.1 million contract and that litigation should be considered. Mayor Pro Tem McKeon defended the amendment, noting the alternative of $900,000 owed plus potential litigation costs, and that lessons learned would improve future contracts. The motion passed 6-0-1 (Kennedy opposed).
• Item 14 – Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-001 (Smoke/Tobacco Shop Regulations): Councilmember Williams commended the Planning Commission for creating a 1,000-foot buffer zone to protect youth from tobacco marketing. The item was approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 18 – Ad Hoc Committee to Evaluate Collaboration Between City and Support Groups: Councilmember McKeon motioned to create a three-member ad hoc committee (himself, Mayor Burns, and Councilwoman Van Der Mark) to identify all groups acting on behalf of the city, define roles and responsibilities, and report back within six months. Discussion emphasized liability protection and streamlining communications. Approved 7-0.
• Item 19 – Establishment of Collaborative Program with Charter Cities: Mayor Burns motioned to direct the City Manager to implement steps for Huntington Beach to participate in a collaborative program with other charter cities. Council members noted the power of numbers to defend charter city rights against state overreach. Approved 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (7-0): Consent Calendar items 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 (with items 13 and 14 pulled for separate votes).
• Approved (6-0-1): Amendment No. 3 with Excalibur Well Services for Civic Center oil well abandonment at a not-to-exceed $1.15 million (Kennedy opposed).
• Approved (7-0): Zoning Text Amendment No. 25-001 (tobacco shop regulations) – adoption of Ordinances 4331-4334.
• Approved (7-0): Establishment of an ad hoc committee to evaluate formal agreements with volunteer/support groups (McKeon, Burns, Van Der Mark).
• Approved (7-0): Directive to City Manager to pursue a collaborative program with charter cities.
• Fireworks Stand Lottery Results: Winners drawn for 16 permits across youth sports, high school, civic, and partnership categories. Notable winners: Vanguard Aquatics, Beach Elite, Shore Life Church, Resurrection Lutheran Church, etc.
• Department Budget Overviews: City Attorney Mike Vigliotta reported the office accounts for 1.4% of the city budget, with 90 active cases and 1,300 criminal referrals in 12 months. He proposed eliminating 1.5 positions to cut costs. Fire Chief Eric McCoy reported a 120% revenue growth over 10 years (to $24M), a call volume doubling to 22,290 in 2024, and initiatives to expand FireMed subscriptions and lifeguard tower advertising to generate additional revenue.
• Next meeting: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Central Library.