Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Meeting - November 18, 2025

The Huntington Beach City Council and Public Financing Authority met on November 18, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. The meeting included a study session on election security with Orange County Registrar of Voters Bob Page, a treasurer’s report, public comments, and multiple action items. Key topics included the potential closed-session discussion of Michael Gates’ appointment, voter ID, Edison Park redevelopment, and an energy conservation performance contract.

Consent Calendar

• Items 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 were approved unanimously (7-0).
• Item 13 (Parks and Recreation Master Plan update) was pulled by Councilmember Williams for discussion. A motion to exclude the Edison Park portion from the master plan failed (1-6, Williams dissenting), and the item was approved as recommended (6-1, Williams dissenting).
• Item 16 (budget reconciliation report) was pulled by Councilmember Kennedy for a brief presentation; it passed unanimously (7-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Monica Asbury (HB resident) announced a toy drive on December 13, 2025, at Central Park with HBPD and Marines.
• Andrew Salazar requested assistance regarding a disc golf course lease stuck with the city attorney; council advised him to fill out a blue card.
• Andy Einhorn (40-year resident) criticized the council for wasting taxpayer dollars on lawsuits, book banning, voter ID, housing, and the air show settlement, urging balance rather than extremism.
• Don Thomas and others spoke in favor of voter ID and hand-counted paper ballots, citing distrust in mail-in voting and citing a dog-voting incident.
• Multiple speakers expressed support for voter ID and criticized the current system (e.g., Pat Goodman, Mark Tonkovich, Ken Inouye, Tim Geddes, Kathy Carrick).
• Kenny Noway (50-year resident) asked the council to apply Mayor Burns’ request for Congressman Garcia to “not put agenda before people” to their own actions.
• Calvin, Ernst, and others expressed concerns about voter roll maintenance and the complexity of the system, urging community-based elections.
• Chris Cloey and Harry McLaughlin thanked the council for inviting Bob Page and defended the integrity of Orange County’s elections, accusing the council of eroding trust.
• Several speakers urged the council not to hire Michael Gates as chief assistant city attorney, citing prior costly litigation and a hostile work environment (e.g., Jan Midnick, Paula Schaefer, Beth Culver, Patricia Pappas).
• John Ridelli and Robert Tarazo (and others) presented an alternative plan for Edison Park (Option Three) with 506 signatures, calling for moving pickleball courts away from residences and keeping more existing amenities.
• Sarah Cassius (PFLAG Huntington Beach) urged the council to honor the library election result by restoring the teen section and reconsider Michael Gates’ appointment.
• Tammy shared a personal story about a 5150 hold and seizure of firearms by HBPD, alleging deception; council directed her to fill out a blue card.
• Butch and Roger Noah also spoke on the same incident, criticizing police conduct.
• Other speakers addressed the need for transparent elections, ballot drop box monitoring, and expressed support for voter ID.

Discussion Items

Closed Session Discussion (Procedural Dispute)

• Councilmember Williams made a motion to go into closed session to discuss an “emergency matter” concerning Michael Gates’ employment and potential litigation, citing a letter from Gates’ attorney received that day at 2:33 p.m.
• City Attorney argued that the item was not on the agenda and that the Brown Act requires immediate need for action to depart from 72-hour notice. He stated that no facts justified immediate action and that a special meeting could be called. He cited Government Code §54956.9.
• Councilmember Williams read a portion of the Brown Act regarding potential litigation, but the City Attorney maintained that immediate action was not required.
• Councilmember Gruel offered a substitute motion for a special meeting on Friday, November 21, at noon instead of closed session that evening. The substitute motion passed 7-0.

Study Session – Orange County Registrar of Voters Presentation (Bob Page)

• Bob Page presented on election security, covering physical measures (seals, drop boxes), technical measures (encrypted rosters, paper ballots, air-gapped voting systems), and process measures (daily voter file maintenance, signature verification, post-election audits).
• Page stated that Orange County processed 1.9 million voters, with only one-tenth of 1% flagged for missing proof of identity under HAVA. He noted that 1.7% of mail ballots were returned undeliverable in the general election, below state and national averages.
• Page discussed the “dog voting” case in Costa Mesa, where a woman created a fictitious registration for her dog; the ballot was accepted in the 2021 recall (state election) but rejected in the 2022 primary (federal election) due to lack of identity proof. She was charged by the DA.
• Councilmembers questioned Page about voter ID, cost of the Save Act, signature verification challenges, ballot harvesting, and drop box security. Page maintained a neutral policy stance, stating his role is to implement laws, not advocate.
• Councilmember Twining questioned Page on the number of referrals to the DA: 345 in 2024 general and 437 in 2024 primary for suspected double voting, but only two prosecutions since 2022.
• Councilmember Williams expressed concern about potential fraud at scale, particularly with signature verification and ballot harvesting, and emphasized the need for voter ID.
• The presentation lasted approximately 90 minutes.

City Treasurer’s Report (Jason Schmidt)

• First presentation as new treasurer. Reported that city reserves have increased by $150 million over five years to over $400 million, ranking among top five in Orange County. Long-term obligations are about $400 million (75% pension liabilities).
• Investment returns have increased from 1-2% to 3-4%, generating an extra $10 million per year. Portfolio has never experienced a loss.
• Proposed 2026 Investment Policy: Shortened maximum maturities on CDs, limited long-term investments (≥4 years) from 50% to 25% of portfolio for liquidity. Policy benchmarked against seven largest OC/LA cities and reviewed by peer treasurers with positive informal feedback.
• Quarterly performance: 3.6% return (record high), $90 million in buy-sell activity, average maturity ~2 years.
• Councilmembers praised the report and approved the policy unanimously (7-0).

Edison Park Master Plan (Item 13)

• Councilmember Williams sought to exclude the Edison Park portion from the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update to allow residents to present an alternative conceptual plan (Option Three). He argued that approving the master plan would create administrative inertia toward the RGM design, which has faced community pushback.
• Councilmembers McKeon and Kennedy noted that the master plan is a recommendation only, does not commit funding, and that the Edison Park specific plan will come back for separate approval. The EIR is already evaluating both the RGM plan and the alternative. They opposed delaying the master plan.
• Motion to exclude Edison Park failed (1-6, Williams dissenting). Motion to approve the item as recommended passed (6-1, Williams dissenting).

Energy Conservation Performance Contract (Item 25-879)

• Public Works Director presented a $7.36 million project with Alliance Building Solutions (ABS) and Metro Futures, funded through a 15-year tax-exempt lease, budget-neutral via guaranteed energy savings of ~$626,000/year. Includes LED lighting, HVAC replacements, solar panels, and transformer replacements at 20+ sites.
• The contract contains an early payoff option after year eight with no prepayment penalty. Rebates (e.g., $528,000 solar incentive) go to the city. The contractor assumes all performance risk.
• Councilmembers praised the proposal and noted the solar rebate deadline and ability to accelerate capital improvements. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session Motion: Substitute motion passed 7-0 to hold a special meeting on Friday, November 21, at noon to discuss Michael Gates’ employment and potential litigation.
• Study Session: No formal action taken; information received.
• City Treasurer’s Report: Resolution 2025-68 approving the 2026 Investment Policy and quarterly report received and filed; approved unanimously 7-0.
• Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update (Item 13): Approved as recommended 6-1, with Councilmember Williams dissenting. Edison Park plan will return for separate approval.
• Budget Reconciliation (Item 16): Approved unanimously 7-0.
• Energy Performance Contract (Item 25-879): Resolutions 2025-70 and 2025-71 approved unanimously 7-0.
• Strategic Plan Update (Item 8): Tabled to the second meeting in January (motion passed 7-0).
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, December 2, 2025.