HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER (Orange County Tribune photo).
The conservative majority on the Huntington Beach City Council continued to place its stamp on Surf City with a torrent of actions as its meeting stretched until the early morning hours of Wednesday.
On votes that were typically 4-3 (Mayor Tony Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Gracey Van Der Mark and Councilmembers Pat Burns and Casey McKeon prevailing over opposition from Councilmembers Natalie Moser, Dan Kalmick and Rhonda Bolton) the council not only voted to dissolve the Human Relations Committee and Mobile Home Advisory Board – as reported here earlier – but also the Jet Noise Commission and the Smart Cities and Technology Council Committee and Environmental and Sustainability Board.
The same majority voted to place 12 city charter amendments on the March 4, 2024 primary election ballot.
They included:
- Changing the election cycle for city clerk and treasurer from presidential election years (2024, 2028) to gubernatorial years (2026, 2030);
- Eliminating some qualifications to be eligible to serve as city clerk;
- Taking over control of city elections from the County of Orange;
- Allowing the Olympic flag to be flown on city property.
In each case, the council Ad Hoc committee that recommended those charter amendments was composed of members of the majority.
The council adjourned at 1:16 a.m. Wednesday. The next council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 5.
Categories: Huntington Beach
Heads up voters (at least, for now) of Huntington Beach. Pay attention to what your City Council is doing. Look into their backstory. The “Big Four” (at least, for now) is making moves to wrest control of voting from the county to the city AND reduce requirements of the city Clerk position which, among other duties, is responsible for “administering open and free elections in accordance with statutory requirements”. This is per the City of HB website. Why take control of elections from OC County and why reduce requirements for the position of City Clerk in HB? Read the article written on Wednesday, 8/2/2023, regarding the city council meeting and what the current city clerk had to say. Oh, yes, and what the city’s attorney had to say. BTW, his wife is interested in running for City Clerk. Does she meet the current requirements?
This City Council is the Worst! All about lining their pockets with money! $168.00 a month increase in rent is not ok!!!
How disturbing! Minimum education requirements and experience no longer apply. It’s so Low Country.
Finally!!! New Council has Huntington Beach reverting to the standards that enticed. People to move to Huntington Beach.! I am very pleased with the commitment they made when we voted for them! ..Stand by..looks like they are just getting started to clean the swamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thank YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow all so disturbing. Also disturbing is allowing the “Olympic” flag to be flown on city property. That sounds very close to the 13 star flag currently embraced by Nazi and white supremacist groups.