Huntington Beach City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
Huntington Beach City Council Regular Meeting - April 7, 2026
The Huntington Beach City Council met on April 7, 2026, for a regular meeting. The meeting included an invocation, pledge of allegiance, closed session report, councilmember comments, mayor's spotlight, business highlights, community events, public comments, and action on consent calendar and other agenda items. Notably, agenda item 22 (professional services contract with Wolfhouse) was pulled from the agenda by the mayor and will proceed through an RFP process after public concern and council discussion. The council also approved other items and authorized settlement discussions in a lawsuit.
Consent Calendar
- Items 16-21 were approved unanimously (5-0-2, with Twining and Vandermark absent) after Councilmember Gruell pulled item 19 for explanation. Item 19 involved a $700,000 contract for on-call CEQA and environmental consultants, which is reimbursed by developers and aimed at streamlining the development process. The item passed 5-0-2.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Over 40 speakers addressed the council on various topics. Many spoke about item 22, the Wolfhouse contract. Some criticized the contract as vague, lacking transparency, and potential cronyism, noting that Wolfhouse had no business license, no website, and a phone number that redirected to a sex line. Others supported the mayor's vision for a brand ecosystem and revenue generation. Several speakers defended the Surf City Store owners against misrepresentations in Wolfhouse's audit.
- Speakers also commented on code enforcement fairness, the state audit of the Pacific Airshow settlement, the need for an RFP process, the city's reputation due to culture wars and lawsuits, and support for autism acceptance. A few speakers raised concerns about the invocation and religious remarks.
- Specific speakers: Dom McGee questioned Wolfhouse's credentials; Sally Westcott and Tina Vere (Surf City Store owners) corrected misrepresentations about their business; Stephanie Dufour advised on conflicts of interest and missing business license; Ann Palmer supported the need for a brand agency; others like Ben Davis and Kayleigh McHugh criticized the council's policies.
Discussion Items
- Item 22 (Professional Services Contract with Wolfhouse): The mayor announced the item would be pulled from the agenda and go through an RFP process, stating that Wolfhouse is confident in their abilities and that the city deserves transparency. Councilmember Kennedy noted that an RFP does not guarantee success. The mayor outlined the scope of services needed.
- Item 19 (On-Call CEQA Consultants): Councilmember Gruell explained the $700,000 contract is not an upfront allocation but a framework to hire specialized environmental consultants, with costs reimbursed by developers. The item passed.
- Item 23 (State Audit Discussion): Councilmember Gruell moved to authorize legal counsel to enter into settlement discussions with the state auditor regarding the Grant Parks case, aiming to end legal fees. The motion passed 5-0-2.
- Closed Session Report: The city attorney reported that the council voted 5-0 (Twining and Vandermark absent) to authorize entering into settlement discussions in Grant Parks v. City of Huntington Beach.
Key Outcomes
- Item 22 pulled and will be subject to a public RFP process; no further action taken.
- Consent calendar items 16-21 approved (5-0-2).
- Item 23 passed authorizing settlement discussions with the state auditor for the Grant Parks lawsuit.
- Councilmember Comments included a religious discourse by Councilman Williams and an update on landscape maintenance.
Note: The mayor clarified that Visit Huntington Beach is funded by hotels, not the city, and corrected a misconception about a $50,000 monthly fine for housing element non-compliance.
Meeting Transcript
I don't want to get a job because work is just a waste of time. I'm gonna be a fan of person for the rest of my life. But if she catches me at home, she's gonna bring me all about the head. And if you come in shouting, you better get yourself to bed. Come on, please let me stay at home girl. I said come on. You can give your love every day. Every day when you smile at me, I can see your giving all the love that we share, and it's all I'm living for every day. Every day every day's a name written on my door, and it's mine could be yours if you really want to learn more. Don't you see? You can lay all your troubles on me. Let them go fly. So your troubles away. Let them go fly. Looking like a fishman. I'm dropping a line in the sea. Good evening. I'd like to reconvene the regular meeting of the City Council Public Finance and Authority. Madam Clerk and May have the roll call, please. Councilman Gruel. Here. Councilman Kennedy. Here. Mayor McKeon. Here. Councilman Burns. Present. Councilman Williams. Here. Pursuant to resolution number two zero zero one dash five four. Councilwoman Vandermark and Mayor Pro Tem Twine have requested permission to be absent from this meeting. If there are no objections, it will be reflected in the minutes. A quadruple bypass. What a legend, quadruple bypass. On a Thursday quadruple bypass, he's here on Tuesday. Amen. So with that, let's give the invocation. Tonight's invocation will be given by Huntington Beach Police Fire Chaplain Bob Ewing. Gracious God, we pause at the start of this meeting to give thanks. We are grateful for each member of this council for their time, service, and willingness to carry the responsibility of leadership on behalf of this community. I especially am thankful that Councilman Twining is here briefly. I pray that you would continue to watch over him and bring healing to his body. We also give thanks for the many residents and community members present, those who are engaged, attentive and invested in the well-being and future of Huntington Beach. Father, in this season of spring, as the days grow longer and new life begins to emerge, we are reminded of renewal, hope, and fresh beginnings. For me, this season is also marked by Easter, a time that speaks of restoration, grace, and the promise of new life. May these themes inspire us as we gather, encouraging us to approach one another with patience, humility, and a spirit of cooperation. We lift up in gratitude and prayer our first responders who serve this city with courage and dedication each day. We especially remember Chiefs Parr in McCoy, asking for wisdom in their leadership, strengthen their service, and protection over them and those they lead. As we move forward in this meeting, may our words be thoughtful, our actions respectful, and our decisions guided by a genuine concern for the good of all. Help us to listen carefully, to speak kindly, and to seek understanding, even when perspectives differ.
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