VERIZON HIGH-SPEED INTERNET The council narrowly saved...

VERIZON HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

The council narrowly saved a $10-million deal with Verizon

Wireless that would bring a new fiber-optic Internet service to Surf

City.

Huntington Beach was to be one of three cities in the United

States to test-market the technology, which is being promoted as 10

times faster than cable modems.

The installation hit a speed bump when the city’s Design Review

Board rejected the project, arguing that the 300 above-ground metal

cabinets needed for the installation were a blight and should be more

aesthetically appealing.

Mayor Cathy Green made an 11th-hour appeal to bring the cabinets

before the Planning Commission, and then to the City Council, where

after lengthy debate, the project was approved and the Design Review

Board’s ruling was thrown out.

Council members Debbie Cook and Connie Boardman voted against

Green’s appeal.

WHAT IT MEANS

The project can now move forward and Huntington Beach can expect

to see about 300 of the filing cabinet-style boxes being erected

throughout the city.

Verizon official John Davies said the high-speed Internet service

should be available by the end of the year.

PAM HOUCHEN REPLACEMENT

After several delays, the council agreed to take applications to

fill a vacancy left by recently resigned councilwoman Pam Houchen.

The Huntington Beach City Charter requires that Houchen’s position be

filled by either appointment or a special election. Because a special

election would be costly and a ballot is already scheduled for Nov.

2, the council opted to hold interviews at its Oct. 18 meeting and

appoint a new council member to serve out the remaining term.

Councilwoman Debbie Cook voted against the initiative and said the

council should automatically appoint Grace Winchell.

WHAT IT MEANS

Applications for to fill the City Council vacancy are available in

the City Clerk’s office and are due on Wednesday by noon. The only

requirement is that applicants must have served on the City Council

in the past.

As of Tuesday afternoon, former Huntington Beach Mayor Ralph Bauer

was the only person to apply for the position.