Inside City Hall WHAT HAPPENED: After...
Inside City Hall
WHAT HAPPENED:
After holding a public hearing the City Council gave final
approval for the formation of a Hotel and Motel Business Improvement
District. The district will promote the city as an overnight travel
destination without increasing the city’s annual contract with the
Conference and Visitors Bureau.
WHAT IT MEANS:
An extra 1% tax will be added to the city’s current Transient
Occupancy Tax. The money brought in will be paid to the city, but
used solely by the improvement district. The money generated will be
used for marketing and advertising purposes to promote tourism in the
city encouraging travelers to plan overnight stays as opposed to
daytrips. It is estimated that the tax will generate $350,000
annually.
WHAT HAPPENED:
The City Council approved a law that will require all of the
cellular towers in the city to be identified, and all wireless
telephone operators to inform the city when they no longer plan to
use a tower. The ordinance was passed following a public hearing.
WHAT IT MEANS:
If wireless telephone operators do not give the city notice that a
tower located on public land is no longer being used it will be
considered abandoned. The law will also make it easier for wireless
providers to install new towers that are more aesthetically pleasing.
A new tower could be approved without holding a public hearing if it
could be designed to blend in with the surrounding environment.
WHAT HAPPENED:
Following a
public hearing the council approved the request
of the California Statewide Communities Development
Authority to issue $10 million in multifamily housing revenue
bonds so that the Huntington Village Senior Apartments can be
purchased and repaired.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Now that the council has approved the request it will apply to the
state for the $10-million bond. It will also apply to the state for a
tax credit allocation of about $3.2 million. If the California
Statewide Communities Development Authority is successful in
purchasing the Huntington Village Senior Apartments it will rename
the complex Heritage Park of Huntington Beach. Repairs will be made
and 114 apartments will be available to low and very low income
seniors.
Councilwoman Houchen was out
of the room when the vote was taken.
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