Huntington Beach City Council & Public Financing Authority Meeting Summary - March 3, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council and Public Financing Authority met on March 3, 2026, at 11:45 AM. The meeting included public comments, discussion and votes on a mid-year budget adjustment, a license agreement to relocate the International Surfing Museum to the Main Street Branch Library, approval of the Edison Park Reconfiguration Conceptual Plan (Option Two with community conditions), introduction of an ordinance on cross-connection control, and a resolution declaring February 22nd as USA Hockey Day in the city. All votes were 6-0-1 (Councilman Burns absent).

Consent Calendar

• Items 14 through 18 were approved unanimously. Item 19 (mid-year budget adjustments and second quarter forecast) was pulled for discussion and subsequently passed 6-0-1.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Edison Park Reconfiguration: Multiple speakers supported Option Two with conditions (e.g., irrigation upgrades, tree preservation, sound mitigation). Nancy Bucos requested preserving larger shade trees and a modern irrigation system. Robert Trazzo presented 674 signatures in favor of moving pickleball courts southeast. Richard Harden advocated for starting with Phase B (parking lot and basketball courts). Betty Flynn supported Option Two but opposed pickleball placement behind the fire station. Ding Joe Curry and Mark Curry (Edison Park Community Group) requested approval of Option Two with 14 specific conditions.
• Surf Museum License Agreement: Speakers expressed mixed views. Some opposed, citing missing exhibits, low rent ($500/month), and concerns about library impact. Others supported, noting synergies and cultural benefits. Elaine Keely (Friends of the Library) urged acceptance with standard business terms. Amory Hanson supported the move. Chris Cluey opposed, arguing the museum should have its own space.
• Other Topics: Speakers addressed housing element compliance, voter ID, library privatization, and city litigation costs. One speaker supported the small business digital grant program. Another thanked the city for Read Across America.

Discussion Items

• Mid-Year Budget and Forecast (Item 19): Acting CFO Robert presented a second quarter forecast showing a projected surplus of $9.5 million due to stronger revenues and managed hiring. The $1.47 million mid-year requests are one-time costs funded from existing balances. Council discussed the surplus, litigation wins (e.g., $38 million waterfront settlement), and the importance of transparent financial reporting. The motion passed 6-0-1.
• Surf Museum License Agreement (Item 20): Staff presented a proposal for the International Surfing Museum to occupy ~1,200 square feet at the Main Street Library for $500/month with utilities included. The museum would gain 20-foot-high display walls for surfboards. Council members supported the move as a temporary collaboration, citing Surf City identity, increased library traffic, and a 60-day termination clause. The motion passed 6-0-1.
• Edison Park Reconfiguration Conceptual Plan (Item 21): After five years of community outreach, staff presented two options. Option Two moves pickleball courts west of the fire station, adds bocce courts, and preserves open space. Councilmember Williams moved to approve Option Two with 14 conditions from the Edison Park Community Group (e.g., modern irrigation, larger replacement trees, shade structures, pit widening, sound mitigation). Council discussed each condition; most were already part of the plan. The motion passed 6-0-1.
• Cross-Connection Control Ordinance (Item 22): Staff introduced Ordinance No. 4347 to update municipal code for compliance with state drinking water regulations. The motion passed 6-0-1.
• USA Hockey Day Resolution (Item 23): Mayor McKeon proposed declaring February 22nd annually as USA Hockey Day to honor the U.S. men's and women's gold medal wins at the 2026 Olympics. The resolution passed 6-0-1.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Mid-year budget adjustments and second quarter forecast (6-0-1).
• Approved: License agreement with Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum for Main Street Library space (6-0-1).
• Approved: Edison Park Reconfiguration Conceptual Plan – Option Two, with 14 community conditions (6-0-1). Staff directed to proceed with phased design and construction.
• Approved (First Reading): Ordinance 4347 – cross-connection control program (6-0-1).
• Approved: Resolution declaring February 22nd as USA Hockey Day (6-0-1).
• Directive: City manager to explore a financial dashboard for public transparency and a tree memorialization program at Edison Park.