HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL PREVIEW

Here are some issues the Huntington Beach City Council will review on Tuesday.

BUDGET DISCUSSION

Council members will consider adopting the city budget for 2006-07, presented by City Administrator Penny Culbreth-Graft Aug. 21. The item is open for public hearing.

WHAT TO EXPECT

City Council members have studied the budget as well as had one-on-one meetings with Culbreth-Graft to discuss the $319-million budget. Culbreth-Graft presented the budget at a study session Aug. 21. In the past, not many local residents have turned up for the budget public hearing, and this year is not expected to be different.

SELECTION PROCESS REVISION

The council will be discussing revising the selection process for appointing members to the city’s boards and commissions. The item was submitted by Councilman Keith Bohr.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Members of the public are appointed to about 30 city boards and commissions in couple of ways. Each council member can appoint a member to a board, such as the finance board or planning commission. Another way is to advertise vacancies, and appointment is confirmed by council or council liaisons. Bohr is suggesting changing that process to a competitive application process, picking a member based on work experience, interest and skill level.

When council members appoint a member to the board or commission, many times members accept without understanding what the responsibility requires, Bohr said. The item is likely to generate some heated debate.

BEACH BOULEVARD, EDINGER CORRIDOR FACE-LIFTS

The consent calendar item is back on the agenda. Council plans to sign agreements with two agencies to prepare a plan for improving Beach Boulevard and the Edinger Corridor.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The item was pulled from the last council meeting Aug. 21 as a couple of council members had been concerned about costs of the studies. The council will be at hiring two firms for about $760,000 to put together an economic revitalization plan for Beach Boulevard and the Edinger Corridor. Freedman, Tung and Bottomley will be asked to prepare a strategy to specifically revive Beach Boulevard. The item was submitted by Economic Development Director Stanley Smalewitz and acting Planning Director Scott Hess.

— Compiled by Purnima Mudnal