CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

Ibiza restaurant owner Eugene Gallagher went before the City Council

to request that his restaurant’s entertainment license be extended. The

Huntington Beach Police Department recommendedthat Gallagher’s request be

denied. It cited several past noise violations as the reason for the

recommendation. Despite the recommendation, the council approved

Gallagher’s request.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Ibiza will now be able to play live music and serve alcohol until 1:30

a.m. Previously the restaurant was only allowed to play live music and

serve liquor until midnight.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“My concern is that we are increasing alcohol consumption. Anything

that leads to increased alcohol consumption, I’m against,” Councilman

Ralph Bauer said of the request.

“Maybe the music and dancing will burn off some of the alcohol,”

Councilwoman Grace Winchell countered.

Vote: 5-2 Approved

IN FAVOR/AGAINST:

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council extended the Huntington Beach Central Park Equestrian

Center’s lease for 10 years and added stipulations previously not in the

lease.

WHAT IT MEANS:

The center’s lease was extended for 10 years, and will be up for

renewal again in 2023. The equestrian center will now have to pay for all

utilities on the property -- something it did not do in the past. The

city had previously paid for all of the utilities. National Equestrian

Centers, Inc., owners of the Huntington Central Park Equestrian Center,

will also have to make $600,000 worth of improvements to the center.

Vote: 7-0

IN FAVOR/AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council amended the Transient Tax Allocation so that all of

those funds go to the Main Pier Redevelopment subarea. The bed tax

revenue is currently split between the city and the redevelopment agency.

The city takes 40% of the tax and it goes into the general fund. The

Redevelopment Agency gets the remaining 60% of the tax. The money

generated by the tax goes toward part of the Main Pier Redevelopment

subarea.

WHAT IT MEANS:

All of the funds generated by the tax will now benefit the Main Pier

Redevelopment subarea.

Vote: 5-2

IN FAVOR/AGAINST

WHAT HAPPENED:

The City Council approved a zoning text amendment that will allow

religious assembly as a permitted use for the Ellis-Goldenwest area bound

by Edwards Street on the west, Garfield Avenue on the south, Goldenwest

Street on the east and Ellis Avenue on the north. Mayor Debbie Cook

abstained from the vote saying she lives in that part of town.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Religious organizations will be now allowed to meet in the area.

Several churches, such as the Praise Christian Church have tried to meet

in the area and were told they were not allowed to do so. The groups have

addressed the council and asked it to amend the ordinance so that zoning

issues affecting congregations could be resolved.

Vote: 6-0

IN FAVOR/AGAINST

SOUNDING OFF

“I think it’s ironic that the ladies all voted for dancing,” --

Councilman Ralph Bauer said regarding the extension of Ibiza’s restaurant

entertainment permit.

NEXT MEETING

When: Monday, July 15, 7 p.m.

Where: Council Chambers, 2000 Main St.