Are city charter revisions due?

Does Huntington Beach’s charter need a facelift?

At Tuesday’s meeting of the city council, one of the items on the agenda will be a request from Councilmember Pat Burns to form a charter review ad hoc committee to recommend proposed charter amendments.

What’s recommended is that Mayor Tony Strickland lead the committee of himself and two other council members of his choice to work with the city attorney’s office. The committee would return to the full city council  in July with recommendations.

Several proposed charter amendments on the November 2022 ballot – some aimed at curbing the authority of the city attorney’s office – failed, but Burns stated, “There are areas in the charter that could use meaningful updates.”

Also on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting are:

• an update from City Attorney Michael Gates on the lawsuit between the city and the State Department of Finance;
• adoption of a budget for 2023-2024;
• consideration of a proposed memorandum of understanding between the city and the Huntington Beach Police Officers Association for July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025.

A special meeting of the council will be held on Thursday, June 8 in the Central Library (Talbert Avenue at Goldenwest Street) at 9 a.m. in rooms C&D.

Tuesday’s meeting will be held in the council chambers, 2000 Main St. with a study session/closed session at 2 p.m. and the regular business meeting at 6 p.m.