CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council agreed to draft an ordinance that would restrict the

display of animals for entertainment purposes. The ordinance is meant to

ensure that animals are protected from abusive trainers and cruel

treatment, said Councilwomen Pam Julien Houchen and Grace Winchell who

brought the item forward. Councilmen Ralph Bauer and Peter Green

dissented.

WHAT IT MEANS:

If passed the ordinance would ban all circuses, fairs or livestock

shows of any kind in the city. The item was brought to council members by

an organization called Save Our Strays, which has sought to open a

Huntington Beach based humane center. The organization said it hopes to

stop any cruelty to animals inflicted by trainers.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“It’s not something I want to promote in my city,” Councilwoman Pam

Julien Houchen said.

“It’s basically an anti-circus amendment,” Councilman Ralph Bauer

said, “To me circuses are as American as apple pie. I think we should

keep our big, fat noses out of it.”

Vote: 4-2

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved a one-year agreement with Disc Sports

Management to operate and maintain the Disc Golf Course in Huntington

Central Park. The city had previously been in charge of the course.

Community members complained regarding its improper maintenance and

several fights between people using the course have been reported to the

police. By having Disc Sports Management operate the course, council

members said they felt that these problems could be avoided in the

future. Mayor Debbie Cook and Councilman Ralph Bauer wanted a master plan

to be drafted so that the best use for the course could be determined.

The plan would outline how the course would be operated in the future and

how much those who use the course would be charged to use it. Anyone over

the age of 16 who uses the course currently pays a $1. Both Cook and Bauer felt that the fee could be raised.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Disc Sports Management will be in charge of maintaining the Disc Golf

Course along with administering and collecting the $1 fee. It will also

deal with any complaints or disputes that arise from use of the course.

The city will review the agreement in one year. In the meantime, a master

plan will be prepared that will outline how the course will be operated

in the future.

Vote: 6-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

Councilman Ralph Bauer asked that the Intergovernmental Relations

Committee develop an energy policy for the city.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The Intergovernmental Relations Committee would be assigned the task

of developing an energy policy that would outline how the city could best

use existing technology to save energy. The policy would outline how the

city could monitor emerging and evolving technologies, and discuss which

technologies are most cost effective for the city to use.

Vote: 5-0

IN FAVOR / AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

City Administrators requested of the the City Council that the

Transient Tax Allocation tax be amended.

Currently, the bed tax revenue is split between the city and the

redevelopment agency. The city takes 40% of that tax and it goes into the

general fund, and the Redevelopment Agency gets the other 60%. The money

generated by the tax benefits part of the Main Pier Redevelopment

subarea.

WHAT IT MEANS:

If amended, the tax would benefit the entire Main Pier Redevelopment

subarea. The council followed the recommended action and approved the

introduction of the new ordinance. The proposed ordinance will be

reviewed and will return to the city council in 30 days for final

approval.

Vote:4-2

IN FAVOR/AGAINST:

NEXT MEETING

When: July 1, 5 p.m.

Where: Civic Center Council Chambers, 2000 Main St.