A PILOT program to increase outdoor dining by closing one block of Main Street to car traffic will be considered by the Huntington Beach City Council on Monday (Chouras image).

Adoption of a budget for 2020-21 and consideration of a plan to close to motor traffic the second block of Main Street to provide more outdoor dining are on the agenda for Monday’s meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council.

The council will hold a public hearing on the spending plan totaling $358,975,051, including $216,908,281 in general fund expenditures. The budget is available for viewing at www.huntingtonbeachca.gov .

An agreement with Choura Events to create a pilot program to boost outdoor commerce, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be considered. What’s proposed is to pay Choura up to $175,000 (with a 20 percent contingency) to use the closed block as a venue for a collection of “parklets” with umbrellas, bistro lights, planter boxes, and seating for 20 each.

Seven such parklets would be brought onto the block between Olive Street and Walnut Avenue, with a 24-foot fire lane and pedestrian walkway on one side.

The meeting will be recorded live from the council chambers at 2000 Main St. The council chambers will be open for public attendance to provide public comments.

A closed session will start at 5 p.m., with the regular session at 6 p.m.

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