Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting – September 2, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council met on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, starting with a closed session at 4:00 PM and reconvening for the regular meeting at 6:00 PM. The agenda included public hearings on the Pacific Airshow Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Event Agreement, an appeal for alcohol sales at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex, a Kratom ban ordinance, voter identification requirements, and council member items on parking fine allocation and a resolution opposing the Governor's redistricting special election. The meeting was extended past 11:00 PM to complete the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8, 9, 10, 13, 14: Approved 7-0 (Minutes, legislative advocacy contracts, council liaison list update, Downtown BID annual report, and HBPD aerial flashbangs/inert blast balls for critical incident response).
• Item 11: Withdrawn.
• Item 12: (Five Points Senior Villas affordable housing covenant extension) Pulled by Councilman Kennedy; passed 6-0-1 after extending affordability covenants by three years.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over 45 members of the public signed up to speak, with time reduced to one minute per speaker due to volume. Key themes:

• Alcohol at Sports Complex: Dozens of speakers opposed the sale of beer and wine at the Huntington Beach Sports Complex, citing public safety risks, inconsistency with the facility's youth-focused origins, increased liability, and the message it sends to children. A few supporters (including the applicant and a planning commissioner) argued it would allow better control of existing alcohol use and improve the experience for adult leagues.
• Pacific Airshow: Speakers were divided. Supporters highlighted economic benefits ($120 million regional impact, $4 million annual contribution to the general fund) and patriotism. Opponents criticized the settlement terms, waived fees, environmental costs, and questioned the economic data, calling the deal a giveaway to the promoter.
• Patriot Academy / Constitutional Course: Several speakers expressed concern that the city was allowing a faith-based, Texas-based organization to use the library rent-free, violating separation of church and state and using taxpayer resources to promote a single political viewpoint.
• Voter ID: A speaker expressed strong support for implementing voter ID as passed by Measure A.
• Other: Comments on parking fines, flashbangs, the city's deficit, and general criticism of council decisions.

Discussion Items

• Surfside–Sunset Sand Replenishment Project: Staff presented the need for Stage 14 of the federally authorized project, noting 17 miles of coastline benefit, 1.8 million cubic yards of sand on average per stage, and a current cost estimate of $68 million (2/3 federal). The timeline is tight; permits take years, and funding is uncertain. The project helps prevent erosion and protects PCH from winter storm damage. Council emphasized the need for continued federal lobbying.
• BreatheSafe HB – Community Opioid Response Initiative: Fire department and medical officer introduced a three-pillar program (education, Narcan accessibility, advanced treatment) funded through opioid settlement funds. In 2025, the fire department administered Narcan 100 times (about 15-18 times per month). The program provides free Narcan kits and training. Council members expressed full support.
• Kratom Ordinance (Item 18, taken out of order): Ordinance No. 4339 prohibiting the sale, distribution, and possession of synthetic kratom (7-hydroxy mitragynine) was introduced and passed 7-0. Police noted kratom is linked to psychotic episodes and deaths, is sold at gas stations, and is not federally regulated. The ordinance makes it a misdemeanor.
• Pacific Airshow EIR and Event Agreement (Public Hearing): The council certified the EIR (with revised findings and a statement of overriding considerations for significant unavoidable impacts: air quality, noise, hazardous materials) and approved the 10-year event agreement (with three 5-year renewals, up to 25 years total). The city will cover about $253,000 in personnel and waived fees; parking revenue goes to the promoter for the first five years, then the city receives $10/space with CPI increases. Councilman Williams made a substitute motion to postpone for an audit, but it failed for lack of second; he then proposed a 25-year term with year-one deal points only, but that failed 2-5. The main motion passed 6-1 (Williams dissenting). Supporters emphasized $120 million regional impact, international recognition, and 260% ROI on city costs.
• Appeal of Planning Commission’s Approval for Alcohol at Sports Complex (Public Hearing): The council considered an appeal of the CUP for beer and wine sales at two locations in the Sports Complex. After extensive testimony and debate (with council members citing Measure C, Measure L, voter intent, parental rights, and safety), a motion to deny the CUPs failed for lack of second. A motion to approve as recommended (with conditions including full table service) passed 5-2 (Gruel and Williams dissenting). The facility must be a full table service restaurant before alcohol service begins, and security measures will be enforced.
• Voter Identification and Requirements (Item 17): Council directed the city manager to work with staff to obtain cost estimates for implementing voter ID (as approved by Measure A in 2024) for the 2026 municipal elections. Motion passed 7-0.
• Oversized Vehicle Parking Regulations (Item 19): Ordinance No. 4338 was introduced, simplifying the oversize vehicle definition to 22 feet long or 84 inches wide. It passed 7-0.
• Council Member Item 20 – Parking Fine Revenue to Public Safety: Councilman Williams proposed allocating all revenue from the 2025 bail schedule update (estimated $1 million/year) 70% to police and 30% to fire for specific needs. After debate, the council voted 6-0-1 (Williams abstaining) on a substitute motion: the money goes to the general fund, and the city manager is directed to find funding for the second administrative fire captain position and to bring back cost estimates for police forensic/tech labs for future consideration.
• Council Member Item 21 – Resolution Opposing Redistricting Special Election: Councilwoman Van Der Mark’s resolution opposing Governor Newsom’s special election on redistricting (estimated $250 million cost) was passed 7-0, with direction to draft a resolution for the next meeting and explore legal action.

Key Outcomes

• Kratom Ban (Ord. 4339): Introduced and passed 7-0.
• Pacific Airshow: EIR certified and event agreement approved 6-1. The city will pay about $253,000 annually in services, plus $250,000 for EIR costs; promoter collects parking revenue for first five years.
• Sports Complex Alcohol: CUP approved 5-2. Alcohol service limited to full table service restaurant areas, with strict conditions and enforcement.
• Voter ID: Staff directed to report on implementation costs (7-0).
• Oversized Vehicle Parking: Ordinance introduced (7-0).
• Parking Fine Revenue: Revenue goes to general fund; city manager directed to fund fire captain position and prepare PD lab proposals. Motion passed 6-0-1.
• Redistricting Resolution: Council approved a resolution in opposition and will consider legal action (7-0).