COUNCIL WRAP-UP

Some of the items the council considered at its meeting Monday:

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ANIMAL ADVERTISING RULES

The City Council voted 4-2 to introduce an ordinance requiring anyone advertising the sale or adoption of dogs or cats in Huntington Beach to show their license number in the advertisement. Self-described hobby breeders and pet owners’ groups said the rule would put too many regulations on amateurs or families selling off extra puppies. Councilmen Joe Carchio and Don Hansen voted no, while Councilwoman Cathy Green was absent for the meeting.

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WHAT IT MEANS

The council still has to vote one more time on the ordinance for it to become law. City Atty. Jennifer McGrath said the law wouldn’t change who had to have a business license — anyone selling animals for profit already should have one — but sellers would be required to prove it in advertisements. Media affected include newspaper ads, Internet listings and all other forms of advertisement, she said.

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ROSE PARADE FLOAT

The City Council voted 6-0 to set aside $200,000 for a Rose Parade float in 2009, the city’s centennial. Council members and city staff said the city wasn’t actually planning to spend all that money, but they had to prove to the Rose Parade Committee they were serious about a float.

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WHAT IT MEANS

The city will push for a float in the 2009 Tournament of Roses Parade. Floats cost between $150,000 and $250,000, according to city staff, but the city’s Centennial Committee is planning on sponsorships and fundraisers so that the city spends much less, if any, of the money set aside.

“By itself, even if we do end up contributing on some level, I think the exposure we get out of that very unique event will pay for itself,” Hansen said. He then quipped, “But let’s do our best to have a few good bake sales.”

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LOWER PLANNING DEPARTMENT FEES

The City Council voted 6-0 to cut some city planning department fees in half, including minor conditional use permits, environmental assessments for a historic building, and amendments to the zoning map when they’re submitted along with a change to the city general plan. It also deleted the $865 fee to open a medical marijuana dispensary, as the council has voted to cut all references to dispensaries from its zoning rules.

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WHAT IT MEANS

The council heard from city staff last year about ways to cut down on fees for builders. The planning department has found ways to cut costs and become more efficient, according to a staff report. The new fees allow the city to roughly break even on each permit.