CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved the proposed budget for next year.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The city has a balanced two-year budget with reductions in projects,

programs and services. The total budget is $351.4 million, which includes

$74 million already earmarked for special projects. One such project is

$700,000 for the Sewer Fund.

Vote: 7 / 0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The Council approved a motion proposed by councilman Peter Green to

change the hours of operation of the Best Friend Dog Park in Huntington’s

Central Park.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The new hours of operation at the park will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday

through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The previous

hours were 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the weekdays from April 2 to Oct. 31, 7

a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays from Nov. 1 to April 1, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on

weekends year-round. Ralph Bauer and Pam Julien Houchen cast the

dissenting votes.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“There’s other options for dogs to exercise, but no other options for

neighbors to have a quiet environment for kids to do their homework,”

councilwoman Connie Boardman. “I like the dog park, but we need to

restrict hours so I support Peter Green’s motion.”

Vote: 5 / 2

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council voted to limit the number of dogs an individual can take into

the Dog Park in Huntington Central Park. Pet owners may only bring three

dogs to the park at one time.

WHAT IT MEANS:

There had previously not been a limit to the number of dogs one person

could bring into the park, but concerns of noise and lack of safety

brought about by park users has put caused the limit. Councilwoman Connie

Boardman, who opposed the vote, is seeking greater restrictions.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“You can’t watch three dogs in the dog park,” Councilwoman Connie

Boardman said. “A reasonable ordinance would be one dog per person.”

Vote: 6 / 1 WHAT HAPPENED:

The council voted to award construction of the Huntington Beach

Central Park Sports Complex.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The complex will be built on a vacant site between Goldenwest and

Gothard streets. It will be a multipurpose facility accommodating both

adult and youth sports. The complex will include lighted fields, which

can be used for softball and soccer, two 1,680-foot concession stands and

restrooms, and an 858-space parking lot. The complex is scheduled to be

finished by October 2002, with play beginning during the spring of 2003.

Funding for the $18-million project came from bonds sold by the city.

Revenue to pay the bonds comes from beach parking revenue and revenue

from the sports complex programs. Councilwoman Debbie Cook opposed the

item, concerned about maintenance on the site. But the director of

community services for the city, Ron Hagan, said there will be a

six-month maintenance period, required by the contractor, beginning in

Oct. 2002, the expected completion date, to make sure the land is safe

for play.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I have problems with the site because it’s a landfill,” Cook said.

Vote: 5 / 2

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“The noise is unbearable, especially on the weekends. You don’t get

used to the dog park noise,” said Denise Smith, a 22-year resident who

lives across the street from the park.”

NEXT MEETING

Monday Oct. 1, 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 2000 Main St.