Huntington Beach City Council

Eron Ben-Yehuda

Issue: EMINENT DOMAIN

Vote: 4-3, with Council members Ralph Bauer, Pam Julien and Dave Garofalo

recusing themselves because of possible conflicts of interest.

SUMMARY: Because the initial reading on Sept. 6 did not include an

exhibit as required by law, the council had to re-approve the first

reading of an ordinance that would restore its power to purchase by force

residential property in the Downtown area, particularly along the 400 and

500 blocks of Pacific Coast Highway, where a multimillion dollar hotel,

restaurant and retail complex is planned.

The second reading will take place Oct. 18, at which time the ordinance

may be officially adopted.

Issue: TWO-YEAR BUDGET

Vote: 7-0

Summary: The council formally adopted the city’s proposed two-year

budget.

The budget projected for next year totals more than $240 million, a boost

of $7 million over this year. Despite plans to spend more money on city

services through 2001, city staff estimates that residents will not be

forced to pay more taxes or fees. But the budget does not take into

account the $600 million anticipated shortfall for $1.2 billion in

infrastructure needs over the next 20 years.

Issue: SEWER REHABILITATION

Vote: 7-0

Summary: The city awarded more than $3 million to Huntington Beach-based

Sancon Engineering II for multiple contracts to rehabilitate Downtown

sewers, according to city memos dated Monday. The work will include slip

lining about 32,000 feet of sewer pipes.

Issue: CONFERENCE AND VISITORS BUREAU

Vote: 7-0.

Summary: The council approved an agreement to pay the Huntington Beach

Conference & Visitors Bureau $470,000 over the next two years. Of this,

$111,000 will be spent annually on salaries and $24,000 a year on rent,

electricity and janitorial service, a city memo dated Monday shows. The

bureau produces an annual Huntington Beach Visitor’s Guide, a Meeting

Planners’ kit and a four-color rack brochure in five languages, among

other things.

Issue: RAIL STUDY

Vote: 7-0.

Summary: The council approved sending requests for proposals to conduct a

study of the feasibility of a light rail system running through West

Orange County cities, including Huntington Beach, according to a city

memo dated Monday. The city’s share for the cost of the study will be

about $30,000.

Issue: CLOSING MAIN STREET FOR HALLOWEEN

Vote: 7-0.

Summary: The council agreed to close the first three blocks of Main

Street from Pacific Coast Highway between 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Halloween,

Oct. 31. Each year, Downtown businesses make use of the first two blocks

of Main Street to provide family activities.

Issue: COMMERCIAL VENTURE WITH COLLEGE

Vote: 6-0, with Councilwoman Pam Julien absent.

Summary: The council authorized Mayor Peter Green to write a letter

proposing that the city and Coast Community College enter into

discussions to possibly develop an unspecified “commercial venture” on

the northeast corner of Goldenwest Street and Edinger Avenue, where a

weekend swap meet is currently held.