Huntington Beach City Council Public Financing Authority Meeting - February 17, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council met on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Civic Center Council Chambers. The meeting included council member comments celebrating the city's 117th birthday, an adoptable pet presentation, business highlights, community event announcements, public comments, a treasurer's report, a city clerk's report on the 2026 Safe and Sane Fireworks Lottery, a discussion on a water testing contract extension, and introduction of an ordinance adjusting city treasurer duties. Votes were 6-0-1 on most items, with Councilman Gruell absent with permission.

Council Member Comments

• Mayor Casey McKeon, Mayor Pro Tem Twine, Councilman Kennedy, Councilman Williams, Councilman Burns, and Councilwoman Vandermark offered remarks celebrating Huntington Beach's 117th anniversary. Councilman Williams shared a personal story about the Fourth of July parade. Councilman Kennedy praised the Huntington Beach Board Riders for placing in the semifinals of a worldwide competition in Australia, with Bailey Turner scoring a 9.37. Councilman Burns thanked outgoing Finance Commissioner Billy Hamilton for his service.

Adoptable Pet of the Month

• Jonathan Volski from OC Animal Care introduced two dogs: Leona (4-year-old Australian cattle dog mix) and Ozzy (5-year-old husky). He noted that two previously featured dogs were adopted before the meeting. The adoption process includes Foster to Adopt and direct adoption options.

Business Highlights

• Mayor McKeon recognized winners of the Chamber of Commerce "Best of Huntington Beach 2025" awards: Assistance League of Huntington Beach (Community/Non-Profit of the Year), Love and Bloom Flower Shop (Small Business), Rip Beer Company (Best Sips), HP Credit Union (Medium Business), HP Quarter Market (Trailblazing Women and Minority Leaders), Capone's Italian Cucina (Best Bites), Simple Green (Large Business), and John Etheridge (Heart of HB).
• Two "Minute with the Mayor" videos highlighted Precision Stitches (custom embroidery and engraving) and We Vitalize (wellness services including infrared saunas, IVs, and compression therapy).

Community Events Announcements

• Pam Smart (Huntington Harbor Art Association) announced a fiber art exhibition at the Huntington Beach Art Center from February 24 to May 9, 2026, in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary, including a "yarn bombing" installation at the Art Center and Triangle Park. The opening reception is February 24 at 5:00 PM.
• Jason Schmidt (City Financial Literacy Program) promoted upcoming workshops: a romance scams class on February 18 at 6:00 PM at Central Library, free tax prep on February 21 from 1-6 PM, and a Chamber of Commerce breakfast on February 20 with the Orange County Treasurer on business taxes. He noted over 60 sign-ups for tax prep and urged turnout to help secure a permanent free tax prep location.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nick Torres (candidate for Assembly District 72) identified himself as a "MAGA candidate," criticized Councilwoman Vandermark and Assemblymember Diane Dixon on immigration and voting records, and invited attendees to his March 9 town hall. He expressed support for ICE and opposition to "Zionist rhinos."
• Cindy Tracy (President, LA and SoCal Chapter of Promise to Live) requested a $10,000 startup investment to establish a Huntington Beach suicide prevention chapter. She noted that over 300 lives are lost annually in Orange County to suicide and argued that prevention costs less than tragedy.
• Amory Hansen expressed support for the 2026 legislative platform (Item 17), specifically endorsing local control, infrastructure and mobility improvements, public safety, and e-bike safety legislation.
• Russ Neal delivered a patriotic speech urging self-government under God and condemning lawless behavior, including misuse of public comment time.
• Brother Steven Gerard Sidlovsky promoted a California pre-born personhood advisory petition and requested that the council agendize a pre-born personhood resolution before Mother's Day. He listed 15 residents who signed the petition.
• Tim Geddes accused the council of lacking transparency on board and commission cuts, the pride flag decision, library changes, and voter ID. He claimed the council suffers from "transparency derangement syndrome." The mayor responded that the flag and voter ID policies were approved by voters.
• An unidentified speaker accused the council of voter suppression, citing a January 2025 Orange County grand jury report that elections are secure and District Attorney Todd Spitzer's statement that few voter fraud cases are referred. He questioned the cost of voter ID litigation.
• An unidentified speaker criticized the council for pursuing voter ID lawsuits without evidence of fraud and for placing the annual audit report on the consent calendar without discussion. He requested a study session on the city's financial report.
• Roger Noor raised concerns about Flock Safety surveillance cameras, asserting they collect license plate and pedestrian data without court orders and share data with Ring. He criticized the contract with Flock and urged the city to stop using the technology.

Reports

• Treasurer's Report (Jason) : Presented strong Q2 FY26 results: 3.63% portfolio return, $7.5 million in investment income for the first six months (up $1.7 million year-over-year), and a projected $15 million record for FY26. The portfolio is fully compliant with safety, liquidity, and yield priorities. New broker dealers were onboarded, a three-bid requirement was instituted, and a predictive AI system is auditing short-term rentals and hotel TOT payments. Council members commended the treasurer's performance.
• City Clerk's Report: Outlined the 2026 Safe and Sane Fireworks Lottery process: 16 permits divided among civic organizations (excluding schools and sports), youth sports, high schools (4 public + 1 private), and a city partnership organization. The application window is March 1-31, with in-person submission required. The lottery drawing will occur at the April 21 council meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Items 16 through 18 were approved 6-0-1 (Councilman Gruell absent). Item 19 was pulled for discussion.

Discussion Items

• Item 19 – Water Testing Contract Extension: Councilman Kennedy pulled the item, noting the three-year contract with Sierra Water (the sole bidder) had expired. He and Councilman Williams expressed concern that staff did not begin an RFP process earlier, leaving the city with no competitive options. Councilman Kennedy made a substitute motion to approve a six-month extension at $60,000 (reduced from the requested $120,000) and to begin an RFP immediately, with the option for staff to return if more funds are needed. He also suggested staff proactively identify and solicit vendors for future RFPs. Councilman Twine supported the motion, noting many qualified water testing labs exist. The city manager confirmed staff already use a hybrid approach (in-house sampling). The substitute motion passed 6-0-1.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Calendar Votes: Items 16-18 passed 6-0-1.
• Item 19 Vote: Substitute motion (approve six-month extension up to $60,000, start RFP, and improve future procurement processes) passed 6-0-1.
• Ordinance Introduction: Ordinance 4346, amending the municipal code to centralize administration of business license taxes, oil well taxes, and municipal services fees under the city treasurer (reverting duties to pre-2006 structure), was introduced. Councilman Kennedy noted 58 typos in the draft and requested corrections. The motion to adopt the ordinance with those corrections passed 6-0-1. The ordinance title was read for the record.
• Council Committee Appointments: Councilman Kennedy appointed John Boom Garden to Finance; Councilwoman Vandermark appointed Tracy Palman to Finance; Councilman Williams appointed Jignesh Padier to Public Works and David Clifford to the Planning Commission.
• Next Meeting: The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 PM.