Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority Regular Meeting – October 20, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council met on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. for Closed Session and reconvening at 6:00 p.m. for the Regular Meeting. The meeting included a lifesaving recognition, public comments dominated by election endorsements and criticism of the current council, a public hearing on an ADU project, staff reports on flood preparedness and a new ADA grant program, and administrative items regarding a time capsule and the Independence Day celebration contract. Key votes included approval of the ADU coastal permit (6-1), approval of the Police Management Association MOU (4-3), and tabling of the Independence Day RFP item to the next meeting.

Consent Calendar

• Items 10–12, 14–15 were approved unanimously (7-0) after Item 13 was pulled for separate discussion. Approved items included: adoption of minutes; the Surf City ADA Improvement Grant Program (authorizing $500,000 from the Disability Access Fund for grants up to $10,000 per eligible small business); an amendment to the Senior Mobility Program cooperative agreement with OCTA; acceptance of a $561,300 California Office of Traffic Safety STEP Grant (FY 2026/27); and a sole source justification for police helicopter parts from Heli-Mart, Inc. (up to $175,000 per year for five years).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Election-related comments: Approximately 30 public speakers addressed the council, with many expressing support for current council members Casey McKeon, Pat Burns, Andrew Gruel, and candidate Brian Thenis, citing reductions in crime (over 27%) and homelessness, balanced budgets, and opposition to high-density development. Others criticized the council for lawsuits, loss of court cases, the air show settlement, and lack of transparency, endorsing challengers Taryn Palumbo, Aaron Spivey, Ben Davis, and Brenda Gumm.
• Firefighters Association: Multiple representatives stated that the Huntington Beach Firefighters Association did not authorize or approve the use of its logo in campaign mailers supporting candidate Brian Burley, and clarified that the HBFA endorses Andrew Gruel and Brian Thenis only.
• ADU project comments: Several speakers, including a 17-year-old high school student and the property owner, urged the council to approve the coastal development permit for two accessory dwelling units at 205 Pecan Avenue, arguing the project complies with state law and provides needed housing. One speaker noted it would take 15–25 years to recoup the investment.
• Other topics: A speaker raised safety concerns about palm trees obstructing visibility at a Walmart exit on Beach Boulevard; another urged against offshore oil drilling; and several speakers supported the time capsule proposal or provided community event announcements.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Appeal of Planning Commission’s Action on Coastal Development Permit No. 26-006 (205 Pecan ADUs): The council considered an appeal of the Planning Commission’s 4-2 denial of two detached ADUs (approx. 420 and 480 sq. ft., two stories, 18 ft. high) on an existing triplex site. Staff recommended approval, stating the project meets state ADU law (Gov. Code §66323) and coastal program requirements. The applicant and architect spoke in support. After brief discussion, the council voted 6-1 to approve the permit, overturning the Planning Commission’s denial. (Mayor McKeon initially announced recusal but later participated in the vote.)
• Item 13 – Police Management Association MOU (Pulled from Consent): The council debated the proposed MOU for FY 2026-29, which would appropriate $270,000 from General Fund reserves (total contract cost approx. $971,000, about 0.279% of the city budget). Councilmember Gruel expressed concerns about fiscal sustainability; Councilmember Kennedy opposed it due to potential precedent for other bargaining units. The motion to approve passed 4-3 (Gruel, Kennedy, McKeon, Burns opposed; Twining, Van Der Mark, Williams in favor).
• Item 16 – America 250 Time Capsule and Plaque at Patriot Park: The City Celebration Committee proposed installing a time capsule with various commemorative items and a bronze plaque (cost ~$700). A substitute motion to send the proposal back to the Historical Resources Board and Community and Library Services for further input, with a planting date of December 2, 2026, failed 2-5. The original motion to approve the time capsule and plaque as recommended passed 5-2 (Gruel and Williams opposed).
• Item 17 – Independence Day Celebration RFP Review and Development: Staff and the Finance Commission presented options for revenue goals (status quo, break even, or profit) and scope options for the July 4th event contract. Councilmember Kennedy objected that the commission exceeded the scope of the original motion, which he stated was limited to reviewing five specific items from a 2017 audit and the professional services agreement. After heated exchange, a motion to table the item to the next regular meeting (November 3, 2026) passed 5-2 (Williams opposed, Gruel opposed? Actual tally: Gruel no, Kennedy yes, Twining yes, McKeon yes, Burns yes, Van Der Mark yes, Williams no).

Key Outcomes

• Coastal Development Permit Approved (6-1): The council overturned the Planning Commission’s denial and approved two ADUs at 205 Pecan Avenue, finding the project compliant with state law and coastal policies.
• Police Management Association MOU Approved (4-3): The council adopted the three-year MOU and appropriated $270,000 from reserves for FY 2026/27 costs.
• Time Capsule Approved (5-2): The America 250 time capsule and plaque will be installed at Patriot Park, with a dedication ceremony planned for late 2026.
• Independence Day RFP Item Tabled (5-2) to November 3, 2026, due to procedural disagreements over the scope of the Finance Commission’s review.
• **Consent Calendar Items Approved (7-0), including the Surf City ADA Improvement Grant Program ($500,000) and the $561,300 traffic safety grant.
• **City Manager Reported on flood preparedness efforts, including deployment of 1,950 door hangers and 900 informational bulletins in Sunset Beach and Huntington Harbor, and a community meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at Warner Fire Station.
• **The next regular City Council meeting is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.