WHAT HAPPENED A motion outlawing cellphone usage...

WHAT HAPPENED

A motion outlawing cellphone usage by City Council members and

staff at council meetings was approved.

WHAT IT MEANS

The motion, which was proposed by Councilwoman Connie Boardman,

will apply to closed and open sessions as well as council committee

meetings.

The City Council amended the proposal to allow the police and fire

chief to keep their phones on vibrate in case of an emergency.

In the case of any other emergency, family members can call the

phone in the caucus room or call the City Council’s administrative

assistant.

Councilwoman Pam Julien Houchen was absent for the vote.

WHAT WAS SAID

“I think it’s just a matter of courtesy,” Boardman said.

WHAT HAPPENED

The council approved a list of residential street improvements.

WHAT IT MEANS

Homeowners from four residential streets have signed petitions

requesting that the city remove and replace trees and repair damage

caused by the trees to curbs, gutters and sidewalks.

The cost for the work on the four streets -- Sunlight Drive,

Rambler Drive, Thunderbird Circle and Sparrow Drive -- is estimated

at $500,000. It will be paid for with funds from Measure M, a

half-cent sales tax approved in 1990 that provides funding for street

and freeway improvements and new transportation projects.

Roughly $380,000 for improvements to five other tree-damaged

streets will come out of Community Development Block Grant funding.

The streets are Fir Drive, Emerald Lane, Cypress Avenue, Michael

Drive and Darsy Drive.

The City Council authorized the city to request public bids for

construction.

Houchen was absent for the vote.

WHAT HAPPENED

Huntington Beach Firefighter Edward Hadfield was honored for

receiving Training Officer of the Year from the state of California.

WHAT IT MEANS

Mayor Cathy Green and Fire Chief Duane Olson congratulated

Hadfield for receiving the award.

Hadfield has been an active Huntington Beach firefighter for nine

years and teaches safety and survival courses in the city. He

recently received a bachelor’s in environmental leadership.

WHAT WAS SAID

“He is a dedicated guy, dedicated to the fire service and a very

loyal city employee,” Olson said.