CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council voted to continue the public hearing on the possible

rezoning of four properties to comply with the city’s General Plan for

development.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Lawyers hired by the city are preparing an opinion on how the proposed

rezoning will impact the Rodgers Senior’s Center.

The planning commission and city staff recommended to the council that

the senior center on 1706 Orange Ave. be rezoned to public-semipublic use

from its current open space, park and recreation use.

At the planning commission hearing Jan. 23, two speakers said they did

not want the site to be converted to residential use.

In addition to the senior center, three other sites may be rezoned.

The McCallen Park Boys and Girl’s Club at 2309 Delaware St. from

residential medium-density use to open space-park and recreation use, The

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 19191 17th St. from

residential medium density use to public-semipublic use and the Water

Division Office Yard at 19001 Huntington St. from limited industrial use

to public-semipublic use.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Mayor Debbie Cook presented the Mayor’s Award to Anita Balkee, legal

secretary in the City Attorney’s office.

WHAT IT MEANS:

City Atty. Gail Hutton, along with other employees in the City

Attorney’s office, recommended Balkee for the award.

Balkee was born and raised in Huntington Beach and currently lives in

the city.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“She is the most organized secretary anyone could have and she

anticipates the needs of others so well,” Hutton said.

WHAT HAPPENED:

After a three-month respite from office to give birth to triplets, Pam

Houchen was back in her familiar council seat at Monday night’s meeting.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Houchen delivered healthy triplet daughters, Rachel, Katherine and

Grace on Feb. 28 at Saddleback Memorial Hospital in Laguna Hills.

While on maternity leave Julien Houchen stopped attending council

meetings, but participated from home via telephone on a few occasions.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I want to thank council colleagues for great support and patience,”

Houchen said. “A fabulous array of well-wishers sent phone calls and

congratulations. The babies are all healthy and will be home soon. We’re

looking for baby sitters.”

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council voted to approve a grant with the Orange County

Children and Families Commission and approved a professional services

contract with Barbara Van Dine for consulting services in connection with

the commission’s proposed Family Resource Center in Huntington Beach.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The center would offer counseling and education for families with

children up to the age of 5, promoting school readiness and healthy

lifestyles.

The City of Huntington Beach received a $35,000 grant from the state

to pay Van Dine for coming up with a business plan, options for the

location of a Family Resource Center and long-term funding sources.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council voted to accept the resignation of Shirley Pepping

and approve the appointments of Rebecca Lopez and Jose Xichotencatl to

the Human Relations Task Force.

Council liaisons to the task force Ralph Bauer and Shirley Dettloff

recommended the appointments.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Human Relations Task Force is made up of 25 adult and 16 student

members dedicated to educating the public on tolerance. Lopez is a

professor in Cal State Long Beach’s Department of Social Work and a past

president of the Long Beach Human Relations Commission.

Xichotencatl is a second-year student at Golden West College and a

member of the Latino Student Assn. He is active in student government.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

NEXT MEETING

When: 5 p.m. April 1,

Where: Room B-8, Civic Center, 2000 Main St.