CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members formed and ad-hoc committee to study animal control

services in Huntington Beach.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Mayor Pam Julien Houchen and Councilwomen Connie Boardman and Debbie

Cook will sit on the committee, whose goal is to review a feasibility

study on the city’s ability to provide animal care services.

City officials said Huntington Beach uses a county animal care system

to house and retain strays found on the streets. That system, they added,

may be in jeopardy because county officials have stated an intent to

leave the animal care business.

Last October, the city authorized a feasibility study by consulting

firm Meyer & Allen Associated Inc. to determine the city’s ability to

provide its own animal services, and the resources needed for a

pro-humane shelter.

The committee will go over the feasibility study and return to the

City Council with any recommendations by June 30.

Vote:

7-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council members approved a joint funding agreement with the Huntington

Beach Union High School District for the construction of a swimming pool

at Huntington Beach High School.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city has set aside $790,972 from its park acquisition and

development fund for the project, which will be reimbursed through the

State Park Bond Act of 2000.

Under the joint leasing agreement, the city will pay its share of

$618,912 for the pool construction, as well as loan $172,053 to the

school district with interest to cover the project’s cost.

City officials met with district officials, as well as with

representatives of community aquatic groups and Save Our Kids, regarding

the pool’s construction.

The city’s plan to loan the funds to the school district must be

approved by City Atty. Gail Hutton.

Vote:

7-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council set aside about $629,000 for the purchase of

light-emitting diode modules to retrofit traffic signal lamps.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city plans to spend about $509,000 in unappropriated gas tax funds

and $120,000 in budgeted Measure M money to buy the light-emitting diode

systems, which will provide a more energy-efficient traffic management

system.

The diodes will replace red and green incandescent lamps in 116

traffic signals throughout the city, as well as pedestrian signals.

Yellow traffic signal lights will not be replaced because of the minimal

energy savings, though flashing yellow and red beacons will, city

officials said.

Traditional signal lights use 135-watt lamps in each traffic signal.

The newer system requires only 10 watts per light-emitting diode, saving

the city more than 2.9 million kilowatts and about $160,000 a year.

About $90,000 of those savings will be allocated to a light-emitting

diode replacement fund.

Vote:

6-0, with Councilman David Garofalo absent.

NEXT MEETING

The City Council will reconvene noon March 16 in rooms C, D and E or

the Huntington Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave.