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.