Huntington Beach City Council Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, addressing a wide range of topics including trash rate increases, a proposed brand strategy RFP, e-bike safety, a city-sponsored flag program, and the city budget. The meeting included a public hearing on residential trash rate adjustments, a study session on the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, and several council member initiatives.

Consent Calendar

• Items 12 (consent calendar balance) approved 7-0.
• Item 13 (playground equipment contract, single-source vendor) was pulled for discussion. Councilmember Burns questioned the $250,000 not-to-exceed amount versus the $50,000 annual budget. Staff explained the higher ceiling covers unforeseen repairs over the three-year term, but spending cannot exceed annual budget without further approval. The item passed 7-0.
• Item 14 (RMRA road maintenance allocation of $5.6 million) was pulled by Councilmember Kennedy to show the list of streets to be paved. Passed 7-0.
• Item 15 (flooring replacement at the aquatics center) was pulled. Discussion revealed the existing luxury vinyl plank flooring, installed in 2023, was slippery when wet. The proposed replacement with non-slip porcelain tile raised questions about material warranties and cost. The item was tabled to the next meeting to obtain more information, voted 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Over 30 speakers addressed the council. Key themes included:
  • Budget and financial integrity: Several residents criticized the city’s spending on lawsuits (affordable housing, library censorship) and alleged cronyism (CDBG funds redirected to a veterans group in Temecula, no-bid RFP with mayor's friend). Speakers urged focusing on infrastructure and services rather than political battles.
  • Redondo Circle Project (7600 Redondo): Multiple residents from the Terry Park community opposed the proposed 40-foot-tall warehouse operating 24/7 near senior homes and residential areas. They requested smaller scale, taller walls, limited hours, and proper noise and traffic studies. They asked council members to meet with them.
  • Friends of the Library: Several speakers urged the council to accept an $825,000 donation from the Friends for library materials, noting the funds are contingent on the city not imposing censorship restrictions (in line with the California Freedom to Read Act) and continued use of facilities. Speakers emphasized the donation would benefit the community and help the budget.
  • Pro-life advocacy: Two speakers supported a resolution declaring Huntington Beach a “pre-born personhood city,” citing religious and moral reasons.
  • General praise: One resident thanked the council for making the city safer and cleaner.
  • Criticism of police chief: One speaker attacked Police Chief Eric McCoy’s record, claiming mismanagement of jail gangs in Los Angeles and excessive compensation.

Discussion Items

• Trash Collection Services and Rate Increase (Item 10): Staff presented a proposal to adopt a 10-year landfill agreement (WISE) with the County of Orange, amend the franchise agreement with Republic Services, and increase residential trash rates by $7.58 per month phased in over three years due to SB 1383 organic waste mandates. The state mandate requires food waste recycling and contamination enforcement. Residents will receive a small kitchen pail for food scraps, which will go in the green bin. A public hearing was held; 326 valid protest letters were received (less than 1% of affected properties). Council debated the unfunded mandate, senior discounts (50% off for ages 62+), and enforcement. Approved actions A and B (WISE agreement and ordinance introduction) 4-2-1 (Gruel and Vandermark abstained, Williams no). Then the residential rate resolution (C) passed 4-3 (Gruel, Burns, Williams opposed; Kennedy reluctantly voted yes to avoid a $3.6 million general fund subsidy).
• City Manager’s Report:
  • Homelessness Reduction: The city saw a 17% decrease in unsheltered homelessness from 2024 to 2026 (from 173 to 143), and a 24% drop since 2022. 214 individuals have moved to permanent housing with a 99% retention rate. The city and Newport Beach are the only two cities in the central service area with consistent reductions. Council praised the effort.
  • E-bike Safety Update: Sergeant Mike Thomas reported a 47% increase in e-bike crashes over three years. The police department has conducted 19 training sessions (750+ riders/parents), 17 directed enforcement ops, issued 232 citations, and impounded 18 e-motorcycles. A symposium held May 13 attracted ~250 participants, including state legislators and safety officials. The department is considered a state leader. Council members thanked the sergeant and noted the need for further action.
• Budget Study Session (Item 11): The proposed FY 2026-27 budget of $590 million (all funds) was presented, with a $327 million general fund. Key points: structural deficit due to rising pension costs (70% of deficit), reserves at 3.64 months (above 2-month recommendation), 85 vacant funded positions (55 outside police/fire), and a proposed change to the fund balance policy to allow temporary use of unassigned fund balance during structural imbalances. Staff presented the Capital Improvement Program (46 projects, $46 million). Council discussed batting cages at the sports complex (operators planning a larger indoor facility), prioritizing funds, and the Finance Commission’s recommendation to review maintenance of the yacht club docks. The council set June 16, 2026 as the adoption date (7-0).
• RFP for Creative Strategy, Branding, etc. (Item 16): The ad hoc committee (Mayor McKeon, Councilmembers Kennedy and Twine) recommended ending the RFP process and not awarding a contract. Councilmembers explained the RFP became politicized, and they believed many ideas could be implemented internally and through existing partners. The mayor detailed the original proposal’s goals (brand ecosystem, film commission, merchandise licensing) and defended the contractor, Tyler Wolf, against personal attacks. The recommendation to end the process passed 7-0.
• City-Sponsored Flag Program (Item 17): Mayor McKeon introduced a referral to direct staff to develop a policy allowing residents and community groups to display the U.S. flag on select city-owned street light poles on a temporary basis (e.g., holidays). A resident who had flown a flag for 35 years received a code enforcement complaint. The referral aims to establish permitted hardware and guidelines. Passed 7-0.
• Ad Hoc Committee on Juvenile E-bike Safety and Enforcement (Item 18): Councilmembers Williams, Gruel, and Twine proposed forming a three-member ad hoc committee to review the municipal code, consult with police and city attorney, and recommend amendments (e.g., mandatory parent education) to address reckless e-bike groups (“mobs”). The committee will report back within 90 days. Passed 7-0.

Key Outcomes

• Trash Rate Increase: Adopted WISE landfill agreement and franchise amendment (4-2-1). Approved residential rate resolution with $7.58/month phased increase (4-3).
• Budget: Set June 16, 2026 as adoption date; received proposed budget.
• RFP for Branding: Ended the RFP process; no contract awarded.
• Flag Program: Directed staff to develop a city-sponsored flag display policy.
• E-bike Ad Hoc Committee: Established with Councilmembers Williams, Gruel, and Twine; report due within 90 days.
• Consent Items: Items 12, 13, 14 approved; Item 15 tabled to next meeting.