Here are some of the things the...

Here are some of the things the City Council discussed at Monday’s

meetings:

HOUCHEN REPLACEMENT

Grace Winchell was sworn in at the beginning of the City Council

meeting as a temporary replacement for former Councilwoman Pam Julien

Houchen, who resigned amid allegations that she had sold condominiums

that had been converted from apartments without the proper permits.

Winchell was supposed to be sworn in at the end of Monday’s

meeting following an Oct. 18 request by Councilman Dave Sullivan.

Sullivan changed his mind on Monday and made a motion to bring

Winchell on at the beginning of the meeting, arguing that he felt she

was knowledgeable enough on that night’s topics. Mayor Cathy Green

voted against the early appointment, saying that she felt Winchell

may have missed some important details because she wasn’t able to

attend a closed session discussion.

WHAT IT MEANS

Winchell will serve one more meeting before the seat is filled on

Dec. 6 by the winners of the election. In is unclear what political

impact if any she will have on the dais, although she did act as a

swing vote Monday night on the second reading of an ordinance dealing

with affordable housing ratios. That motioned passed with Council

members Gil Coerper and Cathy Green voting against.

PARKING FOR SHIPLEY NATURE CENTER

The council unanimously approved a proposal by Councilman Gil

Coerper to consider constructing a temporary parking area for the

Shipley Nature Center.

The center sits on the west side of Huntington Beach Central Park

and houses several habitats of native plants that are part of a

five-year volunteer restoration plan. The center, however, has

inadequate parking.

On Monday, the council directed staff members with the Community

Development Department to design a temporary parking lot to

accommodate 50 vehicles on a portion of undeveloped land that could

be accessed near the corner of Goldenwest Street and Talbert Avenue.

WHAT IT MEANS

The issue will now go before the Community Services Commission, a

citizen’s advisory group, for recommendations and eventually make its

way back to the council for consideration.

Councilwoman Debbie Cook said she would be interested in such a

plan, but said that parking shouldn’t be too close to the center

because that would discourage people from walking.