by: Chris MacDonald
Posted: November 12, 2018
HUNTINGTON BEACH...Congratulations to The Winners of The Huntington Beach City Council Race. They are Mike Posey, Barbara Delgleize, Erik Peterson and newcomer Kimberly Carr. Also City Attorney Michael Gates was re elected.
A Very Happy Birthday to the following people. They are: Huntington Beach Nurse Practitioner Erin Finston, Huntington Beach Activist Ed Mountford, Newport Beach City Council Member Diane Dixon, Huntington Beach First Team Realtor Danny Murphy, Huntington Beach Surf City Store Employee Dylan Wescott and Huntington Beach Stanfield Group Pacific Sotheby's Realtor Renie Muratore.
Huntington Beach Police Department Chief Robert Handy's Executive Assistant Ingrid Ono Said: The redesign of the Huntington Beach Police Department front lobby created an opportunity for us to update the HBPD employee Veteran Recognition Wall. A committee of HBPD employees, who are current or former military service members, convened to design a new, more permanent wall, to recognize the military service of past and current HBPD employees. This includes sworn, professional staff, and volunteers. Through research, we were able to add over 20 people who were previously not on the wall, some dating back to World War II. This addition to our Department will be a daily reminder of the dedication and sacrifice of the men and women who serve our country. We would like to thank the committee members who worked tirelessly to make this project happen. Remember to keep all veterans in your thoughts as we remember them this weekend.
Huntington Beach Mayor Mike Posey Said: The Huntington Beach City Council election is now behind us. Of the four Councilmembers up for re-election, three were chose by the voters to serve another term. Mayor Mike Posey received the most votes with 21,893. Councilwoman Barbara Delgleize earned 18,854 and Mayor Pro Tem Erik Peterson retained his seat with 16,773 votes. Newcomer and first time candidate, Kimberly Carr earned an impressive 17,038 votes.
Kimberly Carr presently serves as Councilwoman Jill Hardy’s Public Works Commissioner. It looks like Councilwoman Hardy will need to select a new Commissioner while Councilwoman Elect Carr will be working on empaneling all of her own Commissioners.
Mayor Mike Posey had this to say about the election, “Congratulations to Barbara Delgleize, Kimberly Carr and Erik Peterson on your election and re-election to the Huntington Beach City Council. Thank you, Huntington Beach voters for re-electing me. I am honored, humbled and grateful that you have the confidence in me by allowing me to serve you for another term. Huge thank you to my army of volunteers, supporters, endorsers and my wife, Jeannie. For without any of you, this would not have been possible.”
Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Erik Peterson Said: Thank you Huntington Beach for re-electing me to another term. It has been my honor representative the city I grew up in. For all of the countless hours put in by my team and volunteers, I can’t express how grateful I am. I could not have done it without you. Thanks to all the candidates for putting your foot out there in the public arena. Elections are tough and sometimes unforgiving, but your participation in the process is a cornerstone of our republic.
Huntington Beach City Council Member Barbara Delgleize Said: Bolsa Chica/Valley View bridge for approximately the next 12 months some lanes have been removed while OCTA works to rebuild the bridge and not close it completely. Please slow down and drive carefully through this area due to the narrowness of the lanes.
From Huntington Beach City Councilman Patrick Brenden...
CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECAP 1. During a Study Session, Council heard a proposal from the Police Department concerning the ongoing issue of false alarms at residences and businesses within the City. The HBPD is proposing to establish the False Alarm Reduction Program (FARP). Presently, less than 1% of all alarms that the police respond to are legitimate. The rest are false alarms. In the overall City, it is estimated that there are about 20,000 residential alarm systems and 2,800 commercial. At present, the City requires a $41/year permit for all alarm systems but compliance stands at only 30%. Presently, there is no charge to the resident/business on the first 2 false alarms in a calendar year. Going forward, for systems that hold a valid permit (no change to $41 fee), the proposal seeks to impose a fine of $25 for 1st false alarm and $50 for 2nd. A 3rd false alarm would result in a $75 fine (up from $50). Beyond 3rd false alarms, the fine schedule remains as it is today for permitted systems. For systems that have not been registered with a permit, the 1st false alarm will result in a fine of $250 but this can be waived if the alarm owner files a permit within 10 days. Without a permit, the 2nd false alarm would also result in a $250 fine and a 3rd false would incur a fine of $500. At the 4th false alarm, there would be a $1,000 fine and no PD response. These changes could possibly raise over $300,000 in new revenues for the City.
2. Council voted to approve the Franklin Park Conceptual Master Plan located at the former Franklin School site . This project has previously been approved by the Planning Commission.
3. Council considered staff recommendations for increased fees, fines and parking meter rates but voted to direct Staff to return to Council in a Study Session in December to delve deeper into the proposed increases. Councilman Brenden expressed serious reservations about the amount proposed on many of the increases.
4. Council approved new labor agreements with three of the City’s labor groups; the Huntington Beach Municipal Employees' Association (MEA) (effective October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019; the Huntington Beach Management Employees' Organization (MEO) (effective November 1, 2017 through October 31, 2019; and the Huntington Beach Firefighters' Association (HBFA) (effective July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021). These Agreements have no wage increases or any other benefit that would add to the City’s pension obligations.
5. Council voted not to approve creation of a new position of Senior Deputy Attorney, which would have required an appropriation increase beyond current budget of $222,800. The Council also voted not to approve another appropriation increase of $90,000 to fund a subject matter expert and an investigator to work on investigation and enforcement of illegal in-home businesses. Council preferred that the City Attorney’s office utilize existing payroll savings to pay for the short-term needs of investigation and enforcement and that the consideration of any new Senior Deputy Attorney position be undertaken as part of the annual budget process. The City Attorney confirmed that his office will be able to continue its current efforts to deal with illegal in-home businesses.
6. Council voted not to approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4169, “An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending Sections 3.03.020 and 3.03.080 of Chapter 3.03 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Professional Services Contracts” excluding legal service contracts from bidding requirements. The Council consensus confirmed the importance of maintaining total transparency in all City bidding, including legal service contracts.
7. City Council approved for introduction Ordinance No. 4167, "An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by Amending Section 2.76.010 Thereof Related to Exclusions From the Competitive Service" by adding the Classification of Assistant Chief of Police. This is the first step in creating a new position, Assistant Chief of Police. Further Council action will be required in the coming weeks.
8. City Council voted to adopt Ordinance No.4165, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Chapter 12.40 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Making Shared Mobility Devices or Businesses Unlawful." This Ordinance is the outcome of Councilman Brenden’s agenda item approved by Council earlier in the year.
9. City Council approved for Introduction Ordinance No. 4168, "An Ordinance of the City of Huntington Beach Amending the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by Adding Chapter 2.104 Entitled 'Jet Noise Commission.'" This new commission is the result of the work of the Air Traffic Noise Working Group which was created by Council action in January 2018 in response to a proposal from Councilmembers Brenden and Delgleize.
10. In an item brought forward by Councilmembers Brenden and Semeta, Council voted to direct the City Manager to return to City Council with a plan to withdraw from the Public Cable Television Authority (PCTA) and transition to a municipal run cable channel. Presently, HB cable subscribers account for 67% of the PCTA funding but PCTA provides programming and support to four cities, including Fountain Valley, Stanton and Westminster. Per the Joint Powers Agreement that governs the PCTA, a Member city is required to give six months notice of intent to withdraw. Should we move forward with withdrawal, it is expected that there will be a positive contribution to the City’s budget, without any reduction in services and programming provided.
Also, from Councilman Brenden, congratulations to my colleagues who were reelected and to our newest addition to City Council, Kim Carr. Having worked alongside Ms. Carr on the Public Works Commission, I know that she will do a great job on Council.
Be sure to come to The Surf City Store Christmas Sale at The Lobby of Huntington Beach City Hall - 2000 Main Street on Wednesday November 28th & Thursday November 29th from 9am to 5pm. Questions: (714) 374-0277.