MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
August 10, 2022 3:30 PM
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Barbara Delgleize, Mayor
Mike Posey, Mayor ProTem
Kim Carr, Councilmember
Robert Ramirez, Staff Liaison
A video recording of this meeting is archived at https://huntingtonbeach.legistar.com.
1. CALL TO ORDER
3:31 PM
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Delgleize, Posey
Absent: Carr
Staff in Attendance: Ursula Luna- Reynosa, Steve Holtz, Charles Kovac, Kriss Casanova, Robert Ramirez
3. SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19
Notes of Executive Order N- 29-20, which allows a local legislative body to hold public meetings via teleconferencing, and to make public meetings accessible telephonically or otherwise electronically to all members of the public seeking to observe and to address the local legislative body.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the June 8, 2022 meeting approved as submitted (2-0-1)
6. HOUSING UPDATE
Housing Manager Charles Kovac provided an update on the Mobile Home Tenant Base Rental Assistance Program indicating that research is being conducted on best practices. The program will be presented to the Mobile Home Advisory Board on July 25 and to City Council on October 4 at the earliest. Ursula Luna-Reynosa added that the item would first come to City Council in September for direction.
Manager Kovac also provided an update on two affordable housing developments , 8375 Talbert, and 18750 Delaware. On September 6, City Council will consider th e development at 8375 Talbert , which will include 34 affordable ownership units. The 346-unit affordable rental development at 18750 Delaware is tentatively scheduled to go to City Council i n October. Details for each project are in negotiation, including finalizing the Affordable Housing Agreements for both projects.
In closing, Manager Kovac provided an update on the FY 2022- 23 CDBG Public Services recommendations. The CDBG Program year began July 1 with $176,879 in funding applied towards Public Services. The application period for FY 2023-24 CDBG Public Services funds will begin in November, with applications due by December 9.
7. Development Update
None.
8. General Update
Economic Development Manager Kriss Casanova delivered an update on t he annual renewal of the Downtown Huntington Beach Business Improvement District (the District) for FY 2022- 23. On September 6, the Annual Report and a Resolution of Intention to levy assessments will be presented to Council . On October 4, a public
hearing will take place to consider formally adopting the assessments. Income assessments and expenses for FY 2022-23 are estimated at $107,000, with proposed expenses going towards enhanced security ($32,100), the Executive Director position (26,750), marketing and events ($21,400), holiday beautification ($16,050), and additional cleaning ($10,700).
Manager Casanova provided an update on the auto reader board sign located adjacent to Interstate 405. The exemption under which the sign is able to operate is set to expire on January 1, 2023. To comply moving forward, Caltrans has notified the City that the sign must either be:
1. Removed
2. Converted to on-premise advertisement; or
3. Considered an off-premise advertising display. If this option is selected, an Outdoor Advertising Permit must be obtained provided that the display conforms to the current provisions of the Outdoor Advertising Act.
Manager Casanova added that the current expansion of Interstate 405 and removal of existing landscape area might be cause for decertification, which would allow the City to then seek an off -premise advertising display permit. Next steps include submitting a letter to Caltrans requesting an extension of the right to maintain the Subject Display through November 2024, and considering legislation that would extend the law that allows for the existing exemption. Further information will provided as it becomes available.
Manager Casanova also gave an update on the Hilton Concession Lease that expires in January 2023. City Council will be asked to consider a restated agreement .
Improvements to the existing space are being proposed, which include the addition of serving alcohol.
Additionally, Manager Casanova provided an update on the relocation of the Police Substation in downtown. The new location being considered is at the corner of Walnut Avenue and
3rd Street. Terms to lease the space are being discussed and once final will be presented to City Council for consideration.
In an update on 21 Main Street, it was noted that the proposed tenant, Surf City Partners, has secured approvals from the City, including a Conditional Use Permit and approval from the Design Review Board. Approvals from the California Co astal Commission and the California State Land Commissions remain pending. Lease terms are in preliminary discussions and will be brought to Council for consideration.
Finally, Manager Casanova provided an update on the Business Retention and
Expansion (BRE) Program. Since March, business visits have taken place. Staff has been successful connecting busi nesses with available resources and topics of discussion have included assistance with the permitting process and workforce development needs. Bludot, a Customer Relations Management (CRM) software, has been helpful tracking business visits and documenting follow-up activities.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:15 pm. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Economic Development Committee is Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 3:30pm at the Huntington Beach City Hall, Room B8, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California.