Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting - June 3, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council met on June 3, 2025, at 4:30 PM for Closed Session and 6:00 PM for the Regular Meeting at the Central Library Lower Level Theater. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget, adoption of several labor agreements, a resolution affirming the library will not be sold and books will not be banned, and multiple council member initiatives for public safety technology and forensic capabilities. Over 75 members of the public provided comments, primarily regarding the upcoming special election on Measures A and B (library governance and book access), as well as the budget and opposition to state legislation AB 84.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7–10, 12, 16–20 were approved unanimously (7-0). These included approval of minutes, video production services contracts, opposition to AB 942 (net energy metering), designation of financial transaction signatories, acceptance of a quitclaim deed for the former Navy railroad right-of-way (Item 11), a resolution for Fire Department emergency response terms, a resolution on the Circulation Element and Measure M2 program, a construction contract for arterial rehabilitation, an amendment for marina trash skimmer maintenance, and rejection of bids for the Park Bench Café roofing project.
• Item 11 (quitclaim deed from Spreckels Sugar Company for a former Navy railroad right-of-way) was pulled from the consent calendar and passed 7-0 after discussion. Mayor Burns noted the property was acquired within three weeks through staff and city attorney efforts.
• Items 13, 14, and 15 (MOUs for Management Employees’ Organization, Huntington Beach Municipal Teamsters, and non-represented employees) were pulled by Councilman Kennedy, who expressed concern about the city's financial situation despite praising the staff. The items passed 6-1, with Kennedy voting no.

Public Comments & Testimony

• General Public Comments (75 speakers, 1-minute limit): The majority of speakers addressed Measures A and B, the special election on library governance. Many speakers urged a yes vote, arguing that the measures protect the library from privatization and censorship, and that no pornography exists in the children's section. Others urged a no vote, claiming the measures would remove parental oversight and that the council's resolution affirms the library will not be sold. Several speakers also spoke in support of charter schools and opposition to AB 84, which would cut funding for non-classroom-based charter schools. A few speakers commented on the budget, criticizing the use of reserves and the city's financial direction. One speaker, Dan Jamison, commended the city for acquiring the Navy railroad right-of-way.
• Public Hearing on Item 21 (Vacancies and Recruitment): No speakers signed up.
• Public Hearing on Item 22 (Budget): Five speakers commented. Speakers expressed concerns about the use of reserves to close the deficit, the elimination of the B Well program (mental health services), the sustainability of the budget, and the need for transparency. One speaker, Ken Inoue, criticized the budget for presenting a surplus while having a functional deficit and questioned the retirement property tax.

Discussion Items

• Item 21 – Administrative Public Hearing on Vacancies: HR Director Marissa Sur presented vacancy statistics (92 vacancies as of Jan 1, 2025, a 9.1% vacancy rate, with 40 filled by May 23). The report was received and filed unanimously.
• Item 22 – Budget Adoption for FY 2025/26: Interim CFO Robert Torres presented a balanced budget of $298.99 million in revenues and $289 million in expenditures, with a $1.1 million surplus. The budget closed an $8.8 million deficit through $2.9 million in operating reductions, elimination of six positions, $1.5 million from the Section 115 Trust, $3.3 million from equipment replacement reserves, and other adjustments. City Manager Travis Hopkins added a proposal for two administrative fire captains and upgrading an ambulance from 14-hour to 24-hour operation. After debate, a substitute motion to include both captains failed 2-5 (Councilman Twining, Kennedy, Williams in favor; McKeon, Burns, VanDerMark, Gruel opposed). A motion to include one administrative fire captain (for ambulance operations) and the 24-hour ambulance upgrade passed 6-0-1 (Williams abstained). The remaining budget actions (A through J, including resolutions, fees, and the fire engine purchase) passed 7-0.
• Item 23 – Fire Hazard Severity Zones Ordinance: Fire Chief McCoy presented an uncodified ordinance adopting the state-mandated maps. No public comments were received. The ordinance passed 7-0.
• Item 24 – Downlink Technology: Councilman Twining proposed directing the city manager to report back in 90 days on equipping public safety with downlink technology for live video sharing from aircraft. Passed 7-0.
• Item 25 – DNA and Computer Forensics: Councilman Twining and Gruel proposed a feasibility study for a DNA processing lab and expansion of the computer forensics lab, citing a six-month wait for DNA processing through the Orange County Sheriff's Department. Police Chief Para expressed support. Passed 7-0.
• Item 26 – Affirmation for Public Library and Assets: Councilman Williams introduced Resolution 2025-45 affirming the library will not be sold and books will not be banned. The resolution passed 7-0.
• Item 27 – City Treasurer Position and Selection Process: Mayor Burns proposed an ad hoc committee to review the position and selection process following the treasurer's retirement. Passed 7-0.
• Item 25-463 (New) – Opposition to AB 84: Councilman Burns and VanDerMark proposed a letter of opposition to AB 84, which would cut funding for non-classroom-based charter schools. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Budget Adoption: The FY 2025/26 budget was adopted with one administrative fire captain and a 24-hour ambulance upgrade, along with all accompanying resolutions, fee schedules, and the fire engine purchase. The substitute motion for two captains failed 2-5.
• Labor MOUs: The MEO, HBMT, and non-represented employee agreements were approved 6-1 (Kennedy opposed).
• Quitclaim Deed: The city accepted the former Navy railroad right-of-way from Spreckels Sugar Company (7-0).
• Fire Hazard Zones: Ordinance adopting state fire hazard severity maps was introduced and passed (7-0).
• Council Initiatives: The council directed staff to report back within 90 days on downlink technology (Item 24) and DNA/forensics lab feasibility (Item 25). The library affirmation resolution (Item 26) and opposition to AB 84 (Item 25-463) were adopted. An ad hoc committee was formed to review the city treasurer position (Item 27).
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2025, at the Central Library.