CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council voted to study the possible benefits of closing some portions

of Main Street on Downtown merchants and the city.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Staff will now focus its study on designing a plan for the closure of

the second block of Main Street and evaluate the possible closure of the

first and third blocks of Main Street on either a temporary or permanent

basis. Staff has also been instructed to study Downtown businesses to see

if they would be willing to participate in a Business Development

District. The district would be made up of merchants contributing funds

for increased levels of maintenance, security and programming that would

be needed for the increased pedestrians and outdoor dining taking place

along Main Street if portions of the street were to close.

Before any closures take place, staff must analyze the effects on

parking, traffic, enhanced landscaping, temporary versus permanent

closure scenarios, public utility access and emergency vehicle access in

addition to returning to council with cost estimates for these items.

Councilman Ralph Bauer voiced his concern about the potential losses

in parking spaces and the increased traffic in surrounding neighborhoods.

Fifty-eight parking spots will be lost if all three blocks of Main

Street are closed as compared to only 20 if just the second block was

closed.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“It’s an opportunity to look at what Downtown could be,” said Council

man Dave Garofalo.

Vote: 6-1

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council voted to allow the Huntington Beach Police Department to

purchase a new police helicopter for $1.1 million.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The new helicopter is a 1985 McDonnell Douglas 500 E Model with 16,000

hours of flight time, brings the number of police helicopters to three.

Funds have already been earmarked for the $1.1-million cost of the

helicopter.

Police helicopters respond to pursuits, robberies, homicides,

prowlers, reports of missing children, and act as surveillance, traffic

control and provide officer backup.Huntington Beach Mayor Pam Julien

Houchen noted the importance of an air helicopter to the city’s safety,

but was concerned about spending the $1.1 million in light of the city’s

already reduced budget.

Houchen asked Huntington Beach Police Chief Ronald Lowenberg if the

department could maintain the same service using only two helicopters and

Lowenberg said it could, at an increased cost of and extra

$100,000-per-year minimum to service two helicopters for the increased

flying time of both.

The Huntington Beach Police Department operates a seven-day a week

aeronautic program. The unit has made more than 13,500 arrests and issued

more than 12,600 citations during its 33 years serving the city.

Vote: 5-2

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council voted to amend the city’s municipal code regarding

loud noises.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The amendment to the city’s loud noise ordinance takes effect in 27

days and makes it illegal for any noise audible for more than 50 feet

from its source to last more than five minutes from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. The

new amendment to the city’s ordinance also makes it illegal to operate a

radio, television, musical instrument, phonograph, compact disc, DVD,

tape player, juke box, or any other machine that produces sound in “such

a manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of other persons.”

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

City Council voted to allow the California Statewide Communities

Development Authority to issue revenue bonds for the Wycliffe Gardens

Senior Apartments, a 14-story, 185-unit apartment building at 18765

Florida St. in Huntington Beach. The bonds will help to preserve and

rehabilitate the 185 units as part of the city’s stock of affordable

housing.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The development authority will issue $16 million in bond amounts for

the acquisition and rehabilitation of the the complex.

All 185 apartments will be available to very low and low-income

seniors.

The Living Opportunities Management Company has managed the property

for 30 years and will now own the property.

No financial assistance is requested from the city.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council gave approval to the Orange County Public Facilities &

Resources Department to begin construction of three urban runoff

diversion projects within Huntington Beach.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The projects will divert urban runoff to the Orange County Sanitation

District for treatment. The first project is at the Huntington Beach

Channel near Beach Boulevard and Adams Avenue. The second project is at

the Talbert Channel just north of Yorktown Avenue, and the third is at

the Greenville-Banning Channel just north of Atlanta Avenue.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“The principal purpose of government is public safety,” said

Councilman Dave Garofalo, who made the motion for the council to approve

the police department’s purchase of a new patrol helicopter.

NEXT MEETING

When: Monday, Nov. 19, 5 p.m.

Where: Council Chambers, 2000 Main St.