8/1 Sup Com — City Council/Public Financing Authority, August 1, 2023

Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 5:57 PM
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Fw: Item 27 Elimination of the HB Human Relations Committee and Item 29 Modification of the Declaration of Policy of Human Dignity Attention: HB City Council
For the following reasons, stated to Nextdoor, I am asking you to Vote No on Item 27 and 29. It appears that you have already made of your mind, and this may be an exercise in futility, but I believe that you are going down a dark path by with Item 27 and 29.

Cheri Atkinson LCSW
Email to Nextdoor
At the HB City Council Meeting on 8/1 at 6m, in the HB City Council Chambers, there will be - Item 27, a vote to eliminate the HB Human Relations Committee of 25 years. This group works with the HB Police to monitor hate incidents and crimes, which are on the increase this year. The HB Human Relations Committee inspires and promotes mutual understanding, respect and the well being of all in our community through education and engagement. Item 29- The Declaration of Policy and Dignity is a declaration of the value of all in our community, and our commitment to stand up against acts of hate. This was written by past mayors Ralph Bauer and Shirley Dettloff. I believe that we will be going down a wrong path if Item 27 and 29 pass.

You can submit you opinion against Item 27 and 29 by writing to supplementalcommun@surfcity- hn.org and [email protected] (By Monday) or you cant attend the HB City Council and speak, on 8/1 at 6.

Thanks for taking your time to read this. I have great faith in our community.

SUPPLEMENTAL

COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 81|2023
Agendal tem No: 27 (23-641).
1 Moore, Tania
From: Karen Marie Carroll <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 6:05 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Concerns regarding 8-1-23 agenda
From: Karen Carroll
To Mayor Strickland and Members of the City Council
Following are my concerns regarding the unwarranted and unethical "recommendations" coming from the ad hoc "committee" that would dissolve or neutralize commissions or boards meant to ensure local input for effective intervention or mediation is needed to resolve local problems and complaints. You appear to be asking Sacramento to micromanage HB governing. Ironic!
Item 27
Recommendations to streamline and restructure a select number of citizen-led Boards, Commissions, and Committees and Council Committees
Dissolution
Housing/RHNA Ad Hoe Council Committee (for recommendations prior to public hearings) - reason given - "tasks complete" -
• Hopefully, a committee for this purpose is simply paused until a responsible HB plan for housing is eventually advanced - at which time the council should consult with professionally qualified persons to outline a workable timeline for implementation of the plan.

Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC).

The City Council suggests that the County of Orange (e.g. Orange County Human Relations Commission who publishes annual hate crime reports) and/or community-based nonprofit organizations would suffice to address any citizen concerns about their civil rights. • The reality is, the County Commission must address human rights violation complaints that come up in all cities in the County as well as schools in the County. Further, the County Commission has a "cooling off" period for each case. This means that serious problems faced by HB residents could not be resolved immediately with the help of fellow citizens who are familiar with local circumstances and are sincerely committed to assisting their neighbors. The immediacy of residents' concerns greatly outweighs any redundancy of mission statements on paper. This totally contradicts the city's stand on local control.

Mobile Home Advisory Board (MHAB)
The ad hoc committee suggests that conflict resolution issues between mobile home owners and park owners could be directed to the California Department of Housing and Community Development, which regulates mobile home parks. Also stated, there are resources in the city to which City staff could direct mobile home resident complaints.
• These resources are not specified. Does the staff currently work with individual residents and established agencies or organizations? Which ones? We commend the City's MHTBRA program for providing monthly rental assistance to eligible very low-income Huntington Beach senior mobile home owners, but there are other legal and civil rights that are better addressed by fellow citizens who are familiar with local conditions and who strongly committed to their neighbors. This totally contradicts the city's stand on local control.

2. Consolidation
Environmental and Sustainability Board
• The BCC Ad Hoc Committee recommends transfer of duties that may be appropriate to the Citizen Infrastructure Advisory Board/Public Works Commission (CIAB/PWC) with remaining duties going directly to City Council.
* So staff and citizens who monitor and maintain our streets, roads, and public works in general are to take on the environmental concerns of the city?
In denying approval of the Housing Element that was ready for submission to the State, Mayor Tony Strickland said that having to sign the statement of overriding considerations violated his 1st Amendment rights in that the statement forced agreement that mandated housing projects are more important than the impacts to the environment. "I can't in good conscience have my speech forced to sign a statement of overriding considerations because it goes against everything I stand for ... This is an easy vote for me". If the environment is that important to the Council, why would we not prioritize a Board specifically committed to environmental quality? Is the City Council serious about doing our part to care for our planet?

3. Reformation
Fourth of July Executive Board
• The BCC Ad Hoc Committee recommends renaming the Independence Day Board (and providing clarification of roles). Existing contracts with Soundskilz, Inc. and Stacey Newton are expiring, so the Committee recommends City staff to initiate a new RFP process for professional event services per the City's procurement policies.
*City residents are interested in possible relationships between the potential providers of professional event services and members of the City Council. Questions about the out-of-court settlement with Code 4 leads to questions about campaign assistance to recently elected council members by its CEO, Kevin Elliott.

Specific Events Committee as a Specific Events Executive Committee • Possibly related to the Fourth of July Board recommendation, The Specific Events Committee as a Specific Events Executive Committee as a standing Council Committee to 2 review Council's priorities for large-scale major specific events as a standing Council Committee to review Council's priorities for large-scale major specific events.

Item 28
Charter Committee Ad Hoc Proposals
• Why is this Council wanting to change dates and requirements for City Clerk? The duties of a City Clerk are very specialized and the experience of our current Clerk, especially over time in the city, is unquestioningly as good as it gets. HB citizens fear that this is laying the groundwork for further cronyism, and possible nepotism. How far will the Council majority go in remaking the City's administrative infrastructure to serve their long-term agenda and special interests? • Assuring security and integrity of voting in the City seems a worthy goal. Need citizens worry about the possibility of intimidation, discrimination or overlooking qualifications of personnel?
3 Moore, Tania
From: Shirlee Krause <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 10:33 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Is Huntington Beach attempting to become a "Dictator Government"? TO: Huntington Beach City Council
I am a handicapped 80-year-old woman who has owned a mobile home for almost 23 years, as well as previously been a renter here. I've seen many changes--good and bad, but some of the items on your August 1st Agenda I consider disgusting and shocking, enough so as to make me ill-no kidding! It has come to my attention that there are four City Council Members (aka "The Fab Four") who are systematically trying every dirty trick in the book to strip us mobile homeowners of our rights, together with attempting to harass all our citizens who want to vote without hassles and/or threats.

Specifically, the last agenda item which recommendations for potential charter amendments, one of which includes having the City control voting for local items, not the Orange County Registrar of Voters. This proposal includes voter identification and monitoring of ballot boxes. Come on! Are we becoming Big Brother here -OR- just becoming a communistic city?
One interesting development that all our Huntington Beach residents should be made aware of is the City is hiring a new Chief Assistant City Attorney who, I've been told, was forced out of his last three positions, filed for bankruptcy twice (debts listed were malpractice claims), and was sanctioned by a judge because he received payments from his bankruptcy clients for court fees, but did not pay all the client's court fees until the clients learned he hadn't paid them. Yikes!
Also, allegedly, this man went to a non-California accredited law school. This is important because the Acuity Charter requires that the elected City Attorney "MUST HAVE GRADUATED FROM AN ABA SCHOOL!" What? I guess this doesn't apply when The Fab Four has decided he's their choice! This entire situation is shameful, a travesty and a "black eye" for Huntington Beach and all of us residents! Clean up your act people or we're going to need to implement a new "Count The Silverware Committee" to monitor all the City's money!
Respectfully submitted,
Shirlee A. Krause
[email protected]
1 Moore, Tania
From: Debbi Parrott <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 3:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Items 27-29
Esteemed Council Members,
I greatly oppose the dissolution of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee, as well as the proposed election changes in item 28 as well as item 29.

The HBHRC customizes its programs based on the community's needs, uses a relatively low amount of city staff resources and shows our city's commitment to the ongoing safety and freedom from intimidation for our citizens. They have no interaction with the county level Human Relations Commission and while Groundswell occasionally partners with HBHRC, they do not duplicate these efforts nor do they have the relationships with the police and city leadership that the committee does. The election portion of item 28 seems to be great overreach as there is no evidence of systemic problems with the county registrar and may be seen as election tampering and open up the city to lawsuits. In regards to Item 29, The Declaration of the Policy on Human Dignity shouldn't be altered without an understanding of intent, context and purpose. Thank you for your time,
With gratitude,
Debbi Parrott
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 20239:04 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda #27 as it relates to HB Human Relations Committee From: Carol Daus <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2023 8:19 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]? Subject: Agenda #27 as it relates to HB Human Relations Committee Dear City Council Members,
I am concerned about agenda #27 (23-641 Recommendations to streamline and restructure a select number of citizen-led Boards, Commissions, and Committees and Council Committees), particularly as it relates to the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC). As a 27-year resident of HB, I have been impressed with the accomplishments of this fine group and I hope it will be retained despite this recommendation.

Now more than ever, the HB Human Relations Committee, with its 25- year successful track record, is essential to strengthen and promote a sense of community, improve safety, and respect the rights of residents and visitors. In the past couple of years, I have seen my own neighborhood in south Huntington Beach deteriorate in terms of vandalism, unsupervised children on e-bikes, hate crimes (i.e., Pride flags destroyed in front of homes) and even neighbors no longer speaking to one another. It was never like this before and it's not like this in many other communities in Orange County. We are a rich and diverse community with residents from different walks of life, and as more people of different backgrounds move into the area we'll continue to experience this population trend. That's why a group like the Human Relations Committee plays a vital role. It can bring a wide array of community members together to identify common goals that can help make Huntington Beach a stronger community for residents and visitors.

Please vote NO on Agenda item #27--especially if it involves abolishing the HB Human Relations Committee.

Thank you,
Carol Daus
ReplyForward
2 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:04 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 28: Dissolution of Boards/Commissions Attachments: JNC Note for CC.pdf
---Original Message-...

From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2023 12:05 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Cc: Gates, Michael <[email protected]>; Frakes, Sandie <Sandie. [email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item, 28: Dissolution of Boards/Commissions 27 Attached is a short note.

Thanks to everyone who has supported us in these past 6 years Phil
July 28, 2023
To: City Council
Re: Jet Noise Commission
Fm: Phil Burtis, JNC Commissioner
Cc: City Attorney
It has been a privilege and honor to serve the residents of Huntington Beach as part of the activities related to jet noise over the City since the fall of 2017. If the time has come to dissolve the Commission, that's fine.

However, over the next 3 to 7 years, there will be significant changes to the overall aviation industry country-wide, and there may be legislative and financial opportunities that will come as part of the "air taxi" AAM/UAM initiatives by the FAA, NASA, and others. It may be worth considering having some small ongoing staff capability to monitor these initiatives. Recall that part of the reason the Commission was created was due to being totally surprised by the FAA NextGen project. Similarly, there will be a day when someone comes into the City and wants to build what's called a "vertiport" to land their "air taxi".

Where that can go, what it needs, what fees can the City charge (if any) are all issues not yet addressed.

I would like to note, for the record, that the Jet Noise Commission did have several positive outcomes:
- We held a public workshop attended by over 200 residents and presented information on what had happened in 2017 to increase noise overhead and steps we hoped to take to mitigate it. - Working with Congressman Rohrabacher, we actually got an agreement from the Jet Blue CEO that he would retrofit their A320 fleet with a "vortex generator" that reduces noise on landing.

Of course, Jet Blue later left Long Beach entirely so it became a moot victory. - Working with Long Beach Airport and Southwest Airlines, we helped draft a proposal for a slight modification to the Long Beach approach over the City. Although ultimately rejected, it did establish an excellent working relationship with Long Beach and Southwest.

As a result of that relationship, Southwest has made a best-effort to have their pilots request a higher approach over the City instead of the default 1600 feet given by FAA air traffic control. As a result, since January 1, 2023, over 80% of all Southwest over-land arrivals from the east have been at 2500 feet or higher when crossing near Goldenwest and Ellis, and over 70% of all Southwest flights crossing the coast from the north have been at 2500 feet or higher.

I would like to thank all the other Commissioners who have worked together on the Commission these past few years for their time, commitment and expertise.

Finally, I would like to thank the staff that has supported us with a special thank you to Travis Hopkins for his perseverance coordinating all our interactions with the airports and airlines.

Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:06 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: comment, #27, #28, #29, 8-1-23 council meeting From: Dan Jamieson <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 1:31 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: comment, #27, #28, #29, 8-1-23 council meeting Dear HB City Council:

As a Huntington Beach resident, I appreciate the chance to comment in several items under consideration at the August 1, 2023 council meeting:
-Item 27: Boards and Commissions
I support retaining the mobile home and human relations committees. Both these committees serve vulnerable residents.

The county's human relations committee is an important group, but it is not able to focus on the specific issues facing HB. Our city suffers from an unfortunate strand of hatred and bigotry, and we need the "local control" and oversight of our own human relation committee.

The mobile home advisory board also serves some of our most economically vulnerable citizens, many of them seniors on limited incomes who face rising rents from aggressive mobile-home park owners. These wealthy owners, including private equity firms, have been squeezing mobile-home residents for their limited resources. (It is not lost on HB residents that mobile-home park owners have supported the current council majority.) While the current majority rails against the Calif. Dept. of Housing and Community Development regarding housing policy overall, in this instance, when vulnerable mobile-home residents are involved, the majority is content to punt the issue to HCD. But HCD is far removed from issues impacting local mobile-home residents, and our own advisory board can inform city leaders and HCD about HB-related park issues and violations. The council should do the right thing and retain the mobile home advisory board. -Item 28: Charter Amendments
Please table this item for further review. It is unclear why the council majority wants to amend the city charter.

We just had a detailed and costly charter review process that went on the ballot last year. Why this new effort? What is the cost? The prior charter commission developed proposals in an open, transparent process, but this proposal was developed by a handpicked group of like-minded council members meeting behind closed doors.

The mayor's retort last June was that the recommendations would be debated at a council meeting. But that will be too late. Residents have no idea why the item proposes changes to a hodgepodge of charter sections relating to bathroom footprints, budgets, meetings, elections and city offices. How are residents supposed to comment? Some recommendations may be good, others bad. Some probably don't belong in the charter. Several appear to 1 give the mayor more power and open up local elections to political influence. But we don't have enough information. What we will get will come from a limited, late-night council debate AFTER residents have spoken. Please delay this item, and if pursued, do it correctly through an open and rigorous process with public notice and comment, and put any changes to the voters in a November general election, not the lower-turnout primary election.
-Item 29: Amending the Declaration of Policy on Human Dignity Please vote NO on this item. The item does not state why we need to amend the Declaration, which is similar to the earlier 1996 version (both adopted unanimously by prior HB city councils). Perhaps it is the addition of "gender identity" to the newer text. The proposal looks like part of a continued culture war by the council majority against vulnerable people--especially trans people who are the subject of extremely vicious hate incidents and crimes. Perhaps I am wrong about the majority's motive; perhaps the council majority wishes to strengthen the Declaration. But the majority's actions to date do not inspire confidence. Please, do not pursue this item.

Sincerely,
Dan Jamieson
Huntington Beach
2 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:10 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Why?
From: Carolyn Kanode <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 7:12 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Why?
My concern is this you were elected to represent the entire city of Huntington Beach
not to foster a negative political agenda
Where is this heading? Are you puppets for a certain politica philosophy?
We have always been a kind, caring community
As a founder of the Huntington Youth Shelter
there was support and guidance from the police department and city officials
Today there is a dark atmosphere as the library is
threatened, along with boards that represent an enlightened community
So, I offer you a REAL project not filled with hate
Build a Huntington Beach Museum!!
Other surrounding cities have history museums
Why not Huntington Beach?
I offer this as a challenge
Your legacy could be a positive one rather then the negativity which surrounds this city
Use your leadership to better the city
Create a history museum build a spot where where the youth can visit and learn to appreciate the proud history of Huntington.

Beach
Respectfully
Carol Kanode
17382 Alta Vista Circle
Huntington Beach, 92647
714-235~5889
Sent from my iPhone
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 12:21 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: HB City Council Agenda 8.1.2023 Please Withdraw Items 27, 28, and 29 From: Pat Goodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 11:55 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; Fikes, Cathy <[email protected]> Subject: HB City Council Agenda 8.1.2023 Please Withdraw Items 27, 28, and 29 Dear Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, and City Council Members, Please withdraw Items 27, 28, and 29 from the City Council August 1, 2023, agenda. I find them to be very troubling to the wellbeing of the city and its residents and voters.

My first comment applies to items #27, 28, 29 and the use of Ad Hoc committees by the mayor.

I appreciate the effort by the mayor to use Ad Hoc committees to study issues, formulate policy for the city, and try to move items forward in a timely manner. However, Ad hoc committees were misused for agenda items 27 and 28 on Tuesday, August 1 city council agenda. It is not too late to correct this issue for agenda item # 29. And, therefore, should be withdrawn from the agenda.

In my mind, Ad Hoc committees ought to include citizens that try to reflect the impacted demographics of the issue under review, and/or folks with the experience and knowledge to add value to the discussion, and formulation of any policy recommendations. A city staff, and city attorney's office liaison(s) could be included for background as needed. The committee needs to engage the public, issue its report including, purpose, dates, times met, public comments, expert opinions, conclusions, and recommendations. A study session by the full council needs to take place for public input and discussion among the council in order to know how to move forward on the item. Couldn't three councilmembers meet periodically to brainstorm ideas without violating the Brown Act, and then bring an item forward this item on a subsequent city council agenda? Why do you need an ad hoc committee that meets behind closed doors? Is this what transparency looks like? Agenda Item # 27
The Human Relations Commission and the Mobile Home Advisory Board. They provide residents, businesses, police, and other first responders with an array of benefits and support when the situation calls for it. Here are some that I can think of: sounding boards for issues of economic and social policy, actions of discrimination, support to our police and victims of crime in the areas of human rights, community violence prevention, and 1 trust in our first responders. This commission and board promote problem solving through dialog, and, at their best, local control by the community to address issues in a timely manner. It is the job of city staff to connect residents to resources regardless of the role of a board or commission. So why have any board, commission, or committee in the first place? It is to engage the community in problem solving, and government oversight. Again, it's about local control, who are people most likely to turn to when they have questions or need services? I think we turn to local government. Certainly, we can find the funds to maintain this board and commission.

One of these mergers and consolidations I question is that of the Environmental and Sustainability Board with the Public Works Commission. Will the PWC membership increase to include members to address environmental reviews that come before the city council and promote environmental & sustainability programs? I do not understand Recommendation # 8 and 9. It is more of a transparency issue for you to identify why it is important to change the name of the Fourth of July Executive Board? Why would the city council have an events Ad Hoc subcommittee with only three members of the council on it? I'm concerned about public engagement and transparency and that this may be a tool to direct funding and resources to campaign contributors.

Agenda Item # 28
This item recommends eight changes to the city's charter with the caveat for more. I understand that this is only a proposal. The estimated ROV's cost for each item is $300,000 plus whatever costs the city might incur. I am very concerned about all of these recommendations save maybe # 1 and # 3. I am not in favor of 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. And have a few words to say about # 7.

Our government needs to look at ways for more voter participation and not tinker with voter access to cast a ballot in California. Voter participation is a major issue in our Democracy. The City/ County of San Francisco expanded voter participation for people who have children in the school district. These are people that pay taxes including property taxes. This expands participation in school board elections. Your proposal dilutes participation and is wrong for the voters in Huntington Beach.

I do not know how you will segregate the city ballot items from the county, state, and federal elections to implement this item's proposals.

1. Are there any allegations, and actual documentation of fraud and abuse of the elections in Huntington Beach?

2. What is the purpose of this measure?

3. What are the steps we need to take to have greater participation in our elections?

4. Are you proposing separate ballots and drop off sites for city races and ballot measures?
2 5. Does this proposal add twelve new in-person polling sites in addition to the 13 ROV sites?
Agenda Item # 29
I was here when that hate crime/ murder occurred in our city at the McDonald's on Beach Blvd. in 1996. Subsequent city councils have adopted this Declaration on Human Dignity unanimously (except for 2021, one member did not sign it). The perpetrator was not charged only with murder but also a hate crime under federal law. It was a horrendous time in our city's history. We cannot forget it because, sadly, these types of crimes that target "people who do not look like me" are still taking place. As residents, we need constant education on these crimes so that when we "see something we can say something." Again, my comments regarding Ad Hoc committees apply to this agenda item as well. This statement is one step in our education. It is directional, aspirational, and sets a welcoming no nonsense tone for our city to tourists, businesses, city employees and residents.

Please withdraw agenda items 27, 28, and 29. Rethink how to address these serious issues by engaging the public to come up with the best policies for our city as possible.

Thank you.

Patricia Goodman
Huntington Beach, CA
3 Moore, Tania
From: Judy Standerford <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 1:43 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Letter for August 1, 2023 City Council Meeting July 31, 2023
To the City Council
In Re: Agenda Item 27 - August 1 City Council Meeting
The reason for this item seems to be only to silence residents of Huntington Beach. The four council members in the majority do not want to hear any criticism of their actions. As the members of these committees are all volunteers any money saved by eliminating them is minimal.

Agenda Item 28. Pertaining to:

Section 310 This makes no sense at all. You want to elect a clerk who has no experience or skill in running an election and put this person in charge of a process which is complex and needs to be done carefully.

Section 702. And once you have your incompetent clerk you want to add unnecessary restrictions on voting by Huntington Beach residents. Voter ID at the polls is only meant to repress voting turnout - it has nothing whatsoever to do with stopping voter fraud. There is so little voter fraud anywhere in the state of California or in Orange County that putting this restriction on voters can only mean that you want to depress turnout. To allow for at least 12 polling places for in person voting is laughable. If you truly intend for all voting in Huntington Beach to be in person (and how else would this work if you want voter ID then do your calculations again and this time allow enough time and space for this to happen. And what form of ID would be acceptable to prove residence? And when would the clerk's office be open to provide this form of ID? Also - mail ballots have proved to be very popular and very safe from fraud. Would you take this option away from the over 50% of voters who vote this way? Please keep Huntington Beach functioning as a democracy and keep in mind that you serve the residents of this city.

Judy Standerford
19521 Sardinia Lane
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 27
From: Russell Neal <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 12:53 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 27
Item 27 Boards and commissions
The boards and commission reduction and consolidation proposal seems reasonable.

In particular, the Human Relations Commission is a one-sided policy advocacy group which is better suited for the private sector. Government should not lobby itself.

I do not have detailed knowledge of the Mobile Home Advisory Board. I see it as mostly lobbying for rent control on behalf of park residents. However, mobile home parks are a ticking time bomb when ownership of the buildings and the land is separated. This is a private party problem that always somehow becomes a city problem. In my opinion, this arrangement should not be permitted in the first place. The right answer is for the residents to own the land through an association the way they do in condominiums. There may be innovative ways to finance a transition to this arrangement, given tax laws and various private, state, and federal housing programs. I would support a working group of some sort to investigate such a transition to hopefully defuse the unpleasant situation.

Russell Neal
Huntington Beach
Moore, Tania
From: Cecily Gates < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 3:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda items
Dear Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, and City Council, My first comment applies to items #27, 28, 29 and the use of Ad Hoc committees by the mayor.

In my mind, Ad Hoc committees ought to include citizens that try to reflect the impacted demographics of the issue under review, and/or folks with the experience and knowledge to add value to the discussion, and formulation of any policy recommendations. A city staff, and city attorney's office liaison(s) could be included for background as needed. The committee needs to engage the public, issue its report including, purpose, dates, times met, public comments, expert opinions; conclusions, and recommendations. A study session by the full council needs to take place for public input and discussion among the council in order to know how to move forward on the item. Couldn't three councilmembers meet periodically to brainstorm ideas without violating the Brown Act, and then bring an item forward this item on a subsequent city council agenda? Why do you need an ad hoc committee that meets behind closed doors? Is this what transparency looks like? Agenda Item # 27
The Human Relations Commission and the Mobile Home Advisory Board. They provide residents, businesses, police, and other first responders with an array of benefits and support when the situation calls for it. Here are some that I can think of: sounding boards for issues of economic and social policy, actions of discrimination, support to our police and victims of crime in the areas of human rights, community violence prevention, and trust in our first responders. This commission and board promote problem solving through dialog, and, at their best, local control by the community to address issues in a timely manner. It is the job of city staff to connect residents to resources regardless of the role of a board or commission. So why have any board, commission, or committee in the first place? It is to engage the community in problem solving, and government oversight. Again, it's about local control, who are people most likely to turn to when they have questions or need services? I think we turn to local government. Certainly, we can find the funds to maintain this board and commission.

As far as merging and streamlining these activities I'm all for it and if some other agency can field this work for the people of Huntington Beach, great! Have you met with the affected members of the boards, commissions, and committees identified for elimination, consolidation, renaming? I think they would have something to say to address redundancies, and ways to consolidate responsibilities. 1 One of these mergers and consolidations I question is that of the Environmental and Sustainability Board with the Public Works Commission. Will the PWC membership increase to include members to address environmental reviews that come before the city council and promote environmental & sustainability programs?
I do not understand Recommendation # 8 and 9. It is more of a transparency issue for you to identify why it is important to change the name of the Fourth of July Executive Board? Why would the city council have an events Ad Hoc subcommittee with only three members of the council on it? I'm concerned about public engagement and transparency and that this may be a tool to direct funding and resources to campaign contributors.

Our government needs to look at ways for more voter participation and not tinker with voter access to cast a ballot in California. Voter participation is a major issue in our Democracy. The City/County of San Francisco expanded voter participation for people who have children in the school district. These are people that pay taxes including property taxes. This expands participation in school board elections. Your proposal dilutes participation and is wrong for the voters in Huntington Beach.

I do not know how you will segregate the city ballot items from the county, state, and federal elections to implement this item's proposals.

1. Are there any allegations, and actual documentation of fraud and abuse of the elections in Huntington Beach?

2. What is the purpose of this measure?

3. What are the steps we need to take to have greater participation in our elections?

4. Are you proposing separate ballots and drop off sites for city races and ballot measures?

5. Does this proposal add twelve new in-person polling sites in addition to the 13 ROV sites? Agenda Item # 29
I was here when that hate crime/murder occurred in our city at the McDonald's on Beach Blvd. in 1996. Subsequent city councils have adopted this Declaration on Human Dignity unanimously (except for 2021, one member did not sign it). The perpetrator was not charged only with murder but also a hate crime under federal law. It was a horrendous time in our city's history. We cannot forget it because, sadly, these types of crimes that target "people who do not look like me" are still taking place. As residents, we need constant education on these crimes so that when we "see something we can say something." Again, my comments regarding Ad Hoc committees apply to this agenda item as well.

Please withdraw agenda items 27, 28, and 29. Rethink how to address these serious issues by engaging the public to come up with the best policies for our city as possible.

Thank you.
2 Sent from my iPhone
3 Moore, Tania
From: Cecily Gates < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 3:41 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda items.

Dear Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, and City Council, My first comment applies to items #27, 28, 29 and the use of Ad Hoc committees by the mayor.

In my mind, Ad Hoc committees ought to include citizens that try to reflect the impacted demographics of the issue under review, and/or folks with the experience and knowledge to add value to the discussion, and formulation of any policy recommendations. A city staff, and city attorney's office liaison(s) could be included for background as needed. The committee needs to engage the public, issue its report including, purpose, dates, times met, public comments, expert opinions, conclusions, and recommendations. A study session by the full council needs to take place for public input and discussion among the council in order to know how to move forward on the item. Couldn't three councilmembers meet periodically to brainstorm ideas without violating the Brown Act, and then bring an item forward this item on a subsequent city council agenda? Why do you need an ad hoc committee that meets behind closed doors? Is this what transparency looks like? Agenda Item # 27
The Human Relations Commission and the Mobile Home Advisory Board. They provide residents, businesses, police, and other first responders with an array of benefits and support when the situation calls for it. Here are some that I can think of: sounding boards for issues of economic and social policy, actions of discrimination, support to our police and victims of crime in the areas of human rights, community violence prevention, and trust in our first responders. This commission and board promote problem solving through dialog, and, at their best, local control by the community to address issues in a timely manner. It is the job of city staff to connect residents to resources regardless of the role of a board or commission. So why have any board, commission, or committee in the first place? It is to engage the community in problem solving, and government oversight. Again, it's about local control, who are people most likely to turn to when they have questions or need services? I think we turn to local government. Certainly, we can find the funds to maintain this board and commission.

One of these mergers and consolidations I question is that of the Environmental and Sustainability Board with the Public Works Commission. Will the PWC membership increase to include members to 1 address environmental reviews that come before the city council and promote environmental & sustainability programs?
I do not understand Recommendation # 8 and 9. It is more of a transparency issue for you to identify why it is important to change the name of the Fourth of July Executive Board? Why would the city council have an events Ad Hoc subcommittee with only three members of the council on it? I'm concerned about public engagement and transparency and that this may be a tool to direct funding and resources to campaign contributors.

Our government needs to look at ways for more voter participation and not tinker with voter access to cast a ballot in California. Voter participation is a major issue in our Democracy. The City/County of San Francisco expanded voter participation for people who have children in the school district. These are people that pay taxes including property taxes. This expands participation in school board elections. Your proposal dilutes participation and is wrong for the voters in Huntington Beach.

I do not know how you will segregate the city ballot items from the county, state, and federal elections to implement this item's proposals.

1. Are there any allegations, and actual documentation of fraud and abuse of the elections in Huntington Beach?

2. What is the purpose of this measure?

3. What are the steps we need to take to have greater participation in our elections?

4. Are you proposing separate ballots and drop off sites for city races and ballot measures?

Please withdraw agenda items 27, 28, and 29. Rethink how to address these serious issues by engaging the public to come up with the best policies for our city as possible.

Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone
2 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 5:22 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: items 27,28,29
From: Flossie Horgan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 4:53 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: items 27,28,29
Dear Council members
The above mentioned items which appear on tonight's agenda should be withdrawn.

The various constituencies that exist in our city offer expertise and interest on City issues.

The City Council has opportunities to engage with the public to move forward on various complex issues facing our City.

Increased citizen involvement can lead to a more vibrant Huntington Beach.

Flossie Horgan
1 Moore, Tania
From: Siegal, Joan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 7:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: August 1st City Council Meeting, Comment on Agenda Item #27 Attachments: Public Comment Agenda Item #27.docx
Please see attached comments.

Joan P. Siegal
Cell: 714-886-7056
Date: July 31, 2023
Comment on: Huntington Beach City Council Meeting, August 1, 2023, Agenda Item #27, Recommendations to streamline and restructure a select number of citizen-led Boards, Commissions, and Committees and Council Committees:
• Adoption of an Ordinance to remove/repeal HBMC Chapter 2.102 Environmental and Sustainability Board and amend HBMC Chapter 2.111 Citizen Infrastructure Advisory Board/Public Works Commission.

Comment by: Joan Siegal, Member Environmental and Sustainability Board I am writing to request that the City Council reconsider elimination of the Environmental and Sustainability Board (Board). As I understand it, the purpose of this Board should be to advise the City Council on policies and proposed actions pertaining to: (1) stewardship of the natural environment of Huntington Beach, including beaches and open spaces (that is, the environment) and (2) conservation of natural resources (that is, sustainability) including water and fuel, and reduction in waste streams to go into landfills. Stewardship and conservation issues may be quite different from infrastructure issues, so combining the Boards would not eliminate overlap to a significant extent.

Also, there is real benefit in having citizen involvement in the development and implementation of environmental policies. Often policies are handed down from Federal, State and Local government with insufficient thought on how the policies will affect the average citizen or if the ratio of pain imposed by the regulation offsets the environmental benefit. This results in citizens complaining about governmental overreach. Conversely, not paying attention to issues raised by citizens will cause complaints about government neglect.

Currently the Board (including myself) is made up of practicing environmental engineering professionals, educators, and people retired from those professions. Having people with these backgrounds is helpful in understanding impacts of actions that could adversely affect the environment. We are also good at spotting regulations that do not have the infrastructure to support them. However, I would recommend openings in the Board, including some leadership positions, be filled by people from other industries. This would provide a more balanced and inclusive Board.

Lastly, it should be noted that the Board is filled with very enthusiastic and high energy people, who are volunteering their time because they love Huntington Beach. Put us to work in helping solve the City's problems and everyone will benefit.

Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 7:27 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: NO to EVERYTHING Strickland, Burns, Van Der Mark and McKeon are trying to do!!! Funny that 4 (Strickland, Burns, Van Der Mark and McKeon) of you ran on NO changes to the charter but here we are with you 4 wanting to make changes that sound like you want to control the residents. These changes are not to better our city in any way, shape or form. Same goes for dropping any committees. As well as councilmember Burns wanting to change anything with Declaration of Policy on Human Dignity, just shows that you and your 3 fellow councilmembers (Strickland, Van Der Mark and McKeon) do not really care about such things and have shown you can not even understand what human dignity means by things you 4 have said and decided to do already. Its, also, beyond obvious on why you 4 are trying to change the qualifications for city clerk.

Sadly we know that you 4 (Strickland, Burns, Van Der Mark and McKeon) have made up your minds before this even is for vote and do not really care what the residents have to say. Shame on you 4! Anna Plewa
Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 10:06 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Fw: Item 27 Elimination of the HB Human Relations Committee and Item 29 Modification of the Declaration of Policy of Human Dignity Attention: HB City Council
Please respond that you received this.

Cheri Atkinson LCSW
Attention: HB City Council
For the following reasons, stated to Nextdoor, I am asking you to Vote No on Item 27 and 29. It appears that you have already made of your mind, and this may be an exercise in futility, but I believe that you are going down a dark path by with Item 27 and 29.

You can submit you opinion against Item 27 and 29 by writing to supplementalcommun@surfcity- hn.org and [email protected] (By Monday) or you cant attend the HB City Council and speak, on 8/1 at 6.

Thanks for taking your time to read this. I have great faith in our community.

Moore, Tania
From: Celeste Rybicki <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 12:59 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: No on item 27 - save the city's humanity
Members of the HB City Council,
I am writing to voice my opposition to item 27 on this weeks agenda. I believe it will be detrimental to the public good of the city, not to mention insulting to its citizens, to get rid of so many citizen-led boards and committees. It is particularly disheartening to see the Human Relations Commission on the chopping block after a recent report shows hate crimes are increasing in our city. In my opinion, this current city council majority has gotten more and more polarizing, stoking the flames of division in our city and getting rid of a group whose purpose is to work and inform on safety, respect, and human dignity is a huge mistake. Each week we learn of more blatantly political and one- sided decisions being pushed on our city and I'm sick of it. HB has never seemed less welcoming and less respectful as when these meeting agendas come out. There are so many citizens speaking out against these items, in emails, public comments, and on social media and for a moment I feel hope and pride in our city again ... and then you vote against us time and time again. You vote against the city you were elected to represent. Please vote no on item 27 and try and reconsider your motives on all these agenda items.

Thank you,
Celeste Rybicki
15 yr resident
Moore, Tania
From: Ann Palmer <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 1:16 AM
To: [email protected]
CC: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: (Mostly) Support Agenda Item #27 and Agenda Item #3 All:

This is to communicate a level of support for Agenda Item #27; however, I do have some thoughts and questions related or tangential to the proposals. That is followed with an observation about Agenda Item #3.

It is always good to evaluate impact and efficiencies in our local government and pursuant to unanimously passing a balanced Budget fir HB, it is critical. So streamlining and consolidating committees, boards and commissions that employ staff hours and city resources is a good step.

Thoughts regarding specific actions;
• Human Relations Committee - Functions of this committee should be primarily handled by the city's Human Relations Department. For special community interests or gatherings, members of this group can still firm an informal citizens action group, volunteer for city events and organize outside activities. The particular Bauer educational/writing competition would actually be more appropriate for Youth Citizen Leaders committee or the Library to coordinate. Or they can form a not-for-profit and do this good work independently. Their voices will still be heard through the normal communication channels for the city council snd staff. • Jet Noise Commission - This commission was formed long after it should have been created as a Jet Noise and Air Pollution commission. Yes, it has been ineffectual so serves no purpose. But did you know a big contributor to the revamping of air traffic routes here stemmed from a study fielded and funded by Newport Beach? We haven't noticed the change as drastically because after months of it air traffic basically died during the shutdown and still has not completely recovered. But it's the increased pollution that will affect us and future generations. Articles from National Geographic and Science mag tell that sad story. So CC member will be assigned and act as needed and/or Intergovernmental Relations Committee will handle when necessary? OK but IMO, our city representatives should be on the job to know BEFORE we get the results if others' plans. Do we have updates in the SNA and LAX expansions? Did we ever truly consider a glide path study that the Pilots' Association told us they would consider? Your community supports you but we need to be kept informed of those things that affect our city.
• Mobile Home Advisory Board — There is no issue with this group for which the city has means to take action. Their voices can be heard as independent citizens or they can form independent associations • Urban Design Study responsibilities are proposed to be moved to the Downtown and Beachfront Ad Hoc Committee which may include OCH takeover. Did the Urban Design Study include only downtown? It would seem that nearly every HDD development acriss HB lacked any design and certainly strayed from the promise of setbacks, open space and anything remotely attractive. The community first heard about launching a PCH takeover during the previous administration and I believe it was summarily rejected. The vision apparently is to beautify PCH for incoming tourists (?) which would be nice but is it a priority for new budget allocation? And I guarantee that more tourists heading to our hotels and downtown areas are traversing our boulevard corridors.

Have you driven down Beach, Goldenwest or Warner from the freeway? If we have beautification dollars to 1 spend, out then there. And if the Coastal Commission is amenable perhaps the hotels could fund some beautification efforts along PCH. In the meantime, that's an unwise maintenance expenditure for which we have no city budget.

Regarding Agenda Item #3, the appointment of a CC member to serve as voting delegate (& another as alternate) for the League of California Cities, it is understood that this is SOP and good for our cities. For this exercise, for SCAG and for the efforts of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee I believe there are elevated awareness opportunities and Notes/ Cautions/Warnings to proactively evaluate.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to comment on the items in this vey full agenda for 08.01.23.

Respectfully,
Ann Palmer
30+ year resident
Huntington Beach 92648
Moore, Tania
From: Van Der Mark, Gracey
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 1:17 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected]
Subject: Re: Item 27 Elimination of the HB Human Relations Committee and Item 29 Modification of the Declaration of Policy of Human Dignity Thank you for your opinion. We will have to agree to disagree.

Have a good night.

Gracey Van Der Mark
Mayor Pro Tem - City of Huntington Beach
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 10:05:47 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Fw: Item 27 Elimination of the HB Human Relations Committee and Item 29 Modification of the Declaration of Policy of Human Dignity
Attention: HB City Council
Please respond that you received this.

Cheri Atkinson LCSW
Email to Nextdoor
At the HB City Council Meeting on 8/1 at 6m, in the HB City Council Chambers, there will be -Item 27, a vote to eliminate the HB Human Relations Committee of 25 years. This group works with the HB Police to monitor hate incidents and crimes, which are on the increase this year. The HB Human Relations Committee inspires and promotes mutual understanding, respect and the well being of all in our community through education and engagement. Item 29- The Declaration of Policy and Dignity is a declaration of the value of all in our community, and our commitment to stand up against acts of hate. This was written by past mayors Ralph Bauer and Shirley Dettloff. I believe that we will be going down a wrong path if Item 27 and 29 pass.

You can submit you opinion against Item 27 and 29 by writing to supplementalcommun@surfcity- hn.org and [email protected] (By Monday) or you cant attend the HB City Council and speak, on 8/1 at 6.

Thanks for taking your time to read this. I have great faith in our community. 1 Moore, Tania
From: Dianne <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 5:41 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item #27, Recommendations 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 #2 - As stated in the recommendation, "many of these issues are being addressed by the County of Orange" which does not mean that all of the issues are being addressed. As cited by Matt Szabo in The Daily Pilot, hate crimes/incidences in HB have seen a significant increase since last year. It makes no sense to dissolve a committee that focuses on that issue, when this city is experiencing more hate. Turning a blind eye to these events and shirking the responsibility to the county is simply bad governance. #4 - Mobile home residents make up a sizable portion of the HB population. They have concerns that are unique to their living situation. Denying their voice because you don't like what they advocate for, is short- sighted. Citing one person who chose to resign from the Board, is not valid evidence that the Board should be dissolved.
#5 - As we have seen nationwide extreme weather patterns due to climate change, it is irresponsible to dissolve the Environmental and Sustainability Board. To maintain the high quality of life in HB, it is imperative that the city continually update the city's Sustainability Master Plan and its implementation. As a coastal city with a treasured nature preserve, serious consideration of the environment is required. #7 - There is a purpose to include local youth in City Council considerations and that is the purpose of the Youth Board. If you want to have a volunteer committee to plan events, there is no reason not to add one, but dissolving a Board that serves a worthwhile purpose is not necessary to accomplish the goal of a youth event planning committee.
#8 - There is no purpose in changing the name of the Fourth of July Executive Board. Even if the scope of the events surrounding the Fourth of July have evolved and expanded, the name change doesn't affect that and is simply busy work.

Sincerely,
Dianne Smith
Moore, Tania
From: Douglas Von Dollen < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 7:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition To Items #27, 28, and 29
I strongly urge the City Council to give up on its three-pronged fight to make Huntington Beach a white Christian nationalist city, most recently displayed through items #27, 28, and 29 on Tuesday's meeting agenda and the Mayor's selection of a Christian Chaplin to provide the opening invocation for the 14th straight meeting.

The three prongs being used are:

1. Blockage of any affordable housing that may benefit non-white families from joining the community.

2. Erasing of "tolerance" gestures such as flying of the Pride flag, breaking ties with the Interfaith Council, watering down a statement denouncing anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Semitic hate, tonight's item #27 which includes a recommendation to disband the city's Human Relations Committee, and tonight's item #29 amending the city's Declaration of Policy on Human Dignity.

3. Changes to boards and election rules such as the voter ID rules proposed in tonight's item #28, which have been shown to disenfranchise people of color in past situations.

This is an extremely dangerous path for the largest majority White/Non-Hispanic city in California to take and it should be abandoned immediately.

Sent from my iPad
Moore, Tania
From: Kimberlee Jarrah <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 7:57 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to disbanding MH Advisory Committee To Whom It May Concern,
I would like to speak at tonight's board meeting to help the city council understand that people live in mobile homes for a variety of reasons and that we all need and deserve a safe place for people with modest means to live.

I am a credentialed teacher with a Masters degree who had to move my two teenage children to a mobile home after my husband went overseas on a business trip and never came home in 2016. The only way I could stay in the city we love and grew up in and keep things as stable as possible for my kids was to move to a mobile home. Many young families are also finding this is where they will need to start out as home owners since prices have become so exorbitant.

Mobile home residents need a place to voice their concerns, especially with many parks now being taken over by large corporations and prices are being jacked up.

The city has the responsibility to support and help all residents, just like public schools need to support their diverse student populations. Please continue, in the spirit of democracy to be that voice for ALL the people, and don't let stereotypes or biases influence who you believe deserves representation.

I appreciate your time and promise to be polite in my presentation.

Respectfully,
Kim King
Cell (714)392-6966
(I got married last month, so I'm no longer Jarrah)
Moore, Tania
From: Jeanne Paris <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:16 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Support Agenda item #27 and #29
To the City Council,
My name is Jeanne Paris. My husband and I have been long time residents of Huntington Beach.

I am writing today in strong support of agenda item #27 - to streamline and restructure a number of BCC's as I think less is always better to truly focus on our needs and help bring them to the attention of council.

I also strongly support agenda item #29 - amending the Declaration of Policy on Human Dignity. If we dissolve the HB Human Relations Committee - which is full of virtue signaling and double speak this topic is moot. The activities can go on without sanctification from the council. The job of CC is to run the city not to gaslight our local citizens.

However - as I read this declaration, I am struck by the appearance of who gets to decide what 'hate speech" is. Do we not already have a Declaration of Independence and a system of rule of law?
If I express my concern as a citizen about certain groups that wanted to burn down my city 3 years ago - is that freedom of speech or hate speech? If a certain citizen of this community continually harasses a member of council by calling her a Nazi - is that of freedom of speech or hate speech?
It states in this Declaration of Policy on Human Dignity - that "every member of our community has the right to be treated with dignity and it is our collective responsibility to ensure this is normalized behavior. Participate at your places of worship, community meetings, wherever you are; lend your voice to opposing hate". I don't see anybody opposing "hate" towards certain council members.

Regardless, I think the US Constitution makes the declaration of dignity irrelevant.

Thank you.

Jeanne Paris
Moore, Tania
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect < [email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:21 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: AGENDA ITEM #27 - OPPOSED TO DISSOLUTION OF HBHRC Dear City Council Members -
I oppose the dissolution of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee.

Hate crimes in our community are not a "county problem." They are a Huntington Beach problem and should be directly addressed by the residents and elected officials of our community.

The HBHRC has a decades-long record of service to our Huntington Beach community and is as necessary today as it was when it was formed back in the 1990s. To suggest that the HBHRC is redundant and that staff resources would be better invested elsewhere while locally reported hate crimes are on the rise is a woefully out-of-touch and mindlessly inept recommendation.

I've been a homeowner in Huntington Beach for more than three decades and kicked around the beaches and streets of HB for a decade and a half before that. Countering hate and finding common ground has been a long- time struggle here, and that struggle continues to this very day. Dissolving the HBHRC would be little more than a direct concession to those who seek to divide our community and foster intolerance and hatred.

I'd like to believe our current city council is better than that, but based on your action over the past eight and half months, perhaps you're not.

Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
Moore, Tania
From: JC < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:35 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Meeting 8-1-23
I support Agenda Item 27
Seems to me there are an excessive amount of "committees".

Jean Cloyd
Resident of Huntington Beach
Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:41 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 27 With council meeting 8-1-2023
I support Agenda Item 27
This makes sense to me
Rob Cloyd
Huntington Beach Resident
Moore, Tania
From: Mark Sheldon < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:51 AM
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: City Council August 1, 2023 Agenda Item 27
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council:

As a Huntington Beach Resident for over three decades, I am writing to address the City Council Agenda Item 27 for the August 1, 2023 meeting.

I urge caution in the restructuring of Huntington Beach's Citizen Boards and Commissions which serve an ongoing purpose. My comments are directed in particular at the Environmental and Sustainability Board (ESB), though many of their considerations also apply to the other similarly structured Citizen Boards.

I had the honor of serving on the ESB's predecessor, the Environmental Board, from August 2013 through June 2019. In this position I had the opportunity to work with a number of citizen members, city staff, and City Council Liaisons. Each person brought their own expertise and perspective to the group. While the focus and actions of the Board changed to reflect new situations and changes in City Council priorities, the Board and its members have always stood ready to give their personal time and insight to provide the City Council a wider and better informed view of the issues facing the City and those who live and visit here.

This cross-disciplinary expertise lends itself to creative thinking and improvements, while also addressing the more tedious but critical work of providing informed feedback for CEQA and other environmental review documents. The latter includes the yet-incomplete Sustainability Master Plan, for which the recent reorganization of the Environmental and Sustainability Board is designed to review and advise/assist the City in its ultimate implementation.

I recommend that the City Council enable the Environmental and Sustainability Board to continue in its defined mission, in service to the City Council and people of Huntington Beach.

Thank You
Mark
--
Mark Sheldon
Huntington Beach Resident
Moore, Tania
From: Vivian Bui <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:55 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Communication for August 1st City Council Meeting Hello,
My name is Vivian Bui and I am an undergraduate student at Princeton University studying Public Policy. I am also an alumnus of Huntington Beach High School and former Chair of the Huntington Beach Youth Board. I am currently working a summer internship at Princeton as an advocate for civic engagement among the student body. I am sending this communication for the City Council to consider about Item #27, specifically about the dissolution of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee. Having worked personally with the HBHRC, I have witnessed first hand what it is like to be a productive citizen. The HBHRC's relationship to the Youth Board and youth committee, the HBPD, and city in general is one that I have admired for years. No radical political agenda has ever been associated with the HBHRC. The only agenda in this committee's mind is that our city should be kept safe from hateful acts, which is something I hope is something each Councilmember can agree on. I urge the City Council to not dissolve a committee that has large part of our city's history behind it.

To dissolve the HBHRC is to say that the hate crimes in the 1990s that prompted the creation of the HBHRC did not matter at all. While the OC Human Relations Commission does exist, HBHRC is unique because of its founding history. Our city is not like any other city in Orange County and we need our own human relations committee to address our unique issues regarding hate crimes and safety. HBHRC continues to dispel stereotypes that Huntington Beach is not safe for minorities, a public assumption that no other city in Orange County has had to face. The annual CommUNITY picnic, where members of the community and politicians of both political parties attend, has created a precedent that Huntington Beach is indeed safe. Without the HBHRC, I would not have found my own voice as an Asian-American woman. If the HBHRC is dissolved, the legacy of our City Council will be tainted and the opposite message that you want about our wonderful city will be publicized. Without the HBHRC, people all over the county and state will once again believe that Huntington Beach is unsafe for marginalized communities. The youth of Huntington Beach will not trust this City Council to respond effectively to hate crimes without the HBHRC. I urge the City Council to not dissolve the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee.

Thank you,
Vivian Bui
Moore, Tania
From: V.C. Rhone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:56 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL, CMO STAFF) Subject: Opposition to Agenda Item 27
Dear Esteemed City Council Members,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this email. Let me first say that I had hoped to attend the meeting this evening but am unable to due to unavoidable work conflict.

I am the chairperson of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee. However, I offer comments here as a concerned resident of Huntington Beach. While I am deeply disappointed and shocked by many of the agenda items, I am writing today in full opposition to Item 27.

The HBHRC met with their council liaisons Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark and Councilmember Burns on April 14th to discuss their goals and concerns for Huntington Beach. At that time, they indicated that safety was their number one issue. During a follow up meeting on July 6th, the HBHRC presented a proposal to address safety in all the neighborhoods and communities in Huntington Beach. During this meeting, the council liaisons revealed the BCC that uses the most staff resources. The HBHRC was not mentioned. However, the BCC that was, is not on this list for dissolution or restructuring.

During the July 6th meeting, Burns also said the HBHRC does much more than just track hate crimes and reports. During the HBHRC meeting on July 11th, the liaisons were present as HBPD detailed a significant number of hate crimes and hate incidents within the last 31 days.

On July 12th the HBHRC was asked by HBPD to help create a program in hopes of educating youth and families on hate crime prevention.

It should also be noted that Huntington Beach has already seen double the amount of hate crimes and incidents this year, than in the previous year alone.

On July 27th, just three weeks after hearing the HBPD's report and proposing safety programs to their council liaisons, and while their staff liaison was on vacation, the HBHRC discovered, through a public posting, that their committee was being put up for dissolution due to redundancy of programs and to reduce staff utilization.

The HBHRC has no contact or relationship with the Orange County Human Relations Commission and has only hosted two events in the last year with OCHR (which is a completely different organization that recently renamed themselves Groundswell). The HBHRC's programs which are custom-tailored for the specific needs of Huntington Beach have been featured in the Los Angeles Times. Notably their Cultural Cinema Showcase 1 has received nearly 3,000 films to date, with a portion of these films being shown throughout the year on HBTV.

It is generally understood that budget cuts are difficult. Everyone can agree on that.

What is not understood is how a committee that has existed for over 25 years and has successfully worked with every city council and police chief and that helps all HB residents from the Harbor to Oakview to South HB to downtown and everywhere in between, could be dissolved while they are actively doing the work they were created to do and in the middle of them doing it. In fact tonight, a few of our members are engaging with the community right now at the HBPD's National Night Out.

The Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee is a "flagship committee" for many other cities who later formed their own "HRCs." Other cities often call for advice or to simply model what is being done here. How can this council allow that legacy to end on their watch?
I was able to speak with Councilmember Burns by phone yesterday, on July 30th at length about my concerns. I hope that this agenda item will be pulled and welcome the opportunity to sit with our liaisons and hear from them on ways in which they feel we can reduce staff utilization.

Eliminating the committee without this conversation feels like a major misstep. The committee should remain in existence and operate under the banner of local government as an official city committee.

I urge you to reconsider this item and reverse course on the elimination of this committee that has worked successfully with many other departments for over 25 years.

Thank you,
V.C. Rhone
HB Resident
Huntington Beach Human Relations Chairperson
2 V.C. RHONE
HUNTINGTON Chairperson
Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee
Founder, Community Summit
HUME Director, The Cultural Cinema Showcase
COMMITTEE E: [email protected]
W: www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/HRC
"Creating Connections"
3 Moore, Tania
From: Cooper Carrasco <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:59 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Agenda Item 27
Hello Council
After reviewing the powerpoint presentation on streamlining citizen-led boards and commissions, having attended HRC and MHAB meetings myself, having spoken to numerous mobile home park residents, having spoken to the officer in charge of reporting the hate crimes and incidents to the HRC, in light of a quantifiable spike in hate crimes and incidents in huntington beach, in light of unprecedented Mobile Home Park ownership changes, rent increases, and threats of displacements for HB citizens, it would be undeniably wrong to dissolve the HRC and MHAB.

The HRC and MHAB are the most needed they have ever been since their inception.

Dissolving these will diminish our ability to address two great threats to Huntington Beach residents:
hate & predatory corporate landlords.

If the HRC gets dissolved, at least have the HBPD post their HRC hate crime / incident reports as press releases. To obscure that now, while we're seeing a spike this year is effectively a cover-up. https://voiceofoc.org/2023/08/huntington-beach-looks-to-can-human-relations-commission-as-hate- rises/
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-07-28/huntington-beach-could-axe-2-long- standing-boards-and-committees-change-city-charter
Do not dissolve HRC and MHAB.

Sincerely,
Cooper C.

Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:40 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: August 1st City Council Meeting, Comment on Agenda Item #27 Attachments: Public Comment Agenda Item #27.docx
From: Siegal, Joan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 7:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: August 1st City Council Meeting, Comment on Agenda Item #27 Please see attached comments.

Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:43 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Remove Agenda Items 27, 28, and 29 from Council Meeting Agenda From: Mikel Hogan <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:30 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <city. [email protected]> Subject: Remove Agenda Items 27, 28, and 29 from Council Meeting Agenda Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, and City Council, I am writing to request removal of Items 27, 28, and 29 from the August 1, 2023 Council meeting agenda.

These items are extremely harmful to the city of Huntington Beach in that they do not serve the needs of our community and are grossly undemocratic.

In addition, The use of secret ad hoc committee meetings that formulate city policy must stop as it is also harmful to democratic decision making process that our city needs in order to combat the increase in hate crimes, and current and looming social and environmental issues.

I urge you to rethink ways to address the serious issues facing our city based on transparency and public participation.

Mikel Hogan, Ph.D., resident of Huntington Beach for fifty years.

Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:43 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City Council Meeting 8-1-23
----Original Message----
From: J C <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:38 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City Council Meeting 8-1-23
I support Agenda Item 27
It appears there are way too many meatballs in the spaghetti sauce.

Jean Cloyd
Resident of Huntington Beach
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:43 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Attachment to my letter, 7.31.2023 withdraw items 27, 28, 29 From: patgoodman <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:42 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Attachment to my letter, 7.31.2023 withdraw items 27, 28, 29 Please include this important testimony by V.C.Rhone to my 7.31.2023 letter to city council. https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ Thank you,
Patricia Goodman
Sent from my Galaxy
8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
VOICE fOC

COMMUNITY OPINION
Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
BY V.C. RHONE
9 hours ago
T Why you can trust Voice of OC
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 1/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
The Case For
HUMAN

DIGNITY
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 2/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
The one thing he hated more than anything else was prejudice. Having previously survived a heart attack, there wasn't much that he allowed to get him riled up anymore. But prejudice and racism were non-starters.

So on September 15, 1994 when skinheads hurled racial slurs at him, Vernon Windell Flournoy, a 44 year old Black man, stood his ground outside a Huntington Beach McDonalds on Beach Blvd and Knoxville.

He was shot and killed.

Just 19 months later, on February 3, 1996, George Mondragon, a 20 year old Native American man was stabbed 27 times by two White supremacists near a Huntington Beach lifeguard tower after being asked if he believed in "white power." He survived. But this near fatal stabbing tipped the scales.

Shortly thereafter, then mayor Shirley Dettloff and the late Dr. Ralph Bauer, along with former Huntington Beach Police Department Chief Ron Lowenburg, started the Human Relations Task Force (HRTF).

Co-founders and former Mayors Shirley Dettloff and the late Dr. Ralph Bauer speaking at the CommUNITY Picnic in Central Park
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 3/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
This was a call to arms, a promise by residents and elected leaders who were determined to right the reputation of Huntington Beach. They were collectively saying, "Not our city. Never again!" Now, over 25 years later and known as the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC), the mandate continues. But for how much longer?
The HBHRC is in danger of being eliminated by the Huntington Beach City Council on Tuesday, August Ist.

The mission of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee is to inspire and promote mutual understanding, respect, safety and the well-being of all in the community through education and engagement.

For over 25 years the HBHRC has maintained a partnership with the Huntington Beach Police Department tracking and monitoring hate crimes and hate incidents in the community. https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 4/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
H U
IN
GOD WE

COMMINDATON
Kimtinyten Brand Jaman Telatime Commutter 25" Akrmary Coetration Sensatget, teenaged goor
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Mayor
son
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 5/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
Mayor Barbara Delgleize presenting a commendation to HBHRC Chairperson V.C. Rhone on behalf of the committee But the committee does much more than that.

Seeing a need to engage more with the community, within the last four years the HBHRC has created numerous programs to address the diverse and varied needs of Huntington Beach residents. From the string of home robberies in the Harbor to the variety of issues confronting Oakview residents, the HBHRC has made itself available to everyone.

Reasons provided by the City Council to dissolve the program include redundancy and need to decrease staff resources. This is especially disappointing because the HBHRC council liaisons, Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark and Councilmember Pat Burns, seem to support this action.

I can personally attest that HBHRC executive officers met with the council liaisons on more than one occasion to discuss plans and ways to support their community goals because I am the Chairperson of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee.

In the past the HBHRC has successfully partnered with the Vans Corporation to host community dialogues during the 2022 US Open of Surfing. Additionally, when Visit HB staff began receiving calls from prospective businesses who were concerned about doing business in Huntington Beach, they contacted the HBHRC.

Prospective businesses and corporate sponsors referenced "Huntington Beach's low MEI score" (the Human Rights Campaign measure of how welcoming and inclusive a city is), as the reason they were hesitant to do business here.

Published in 2021, Huntington Beach's 2020 MEI score was 59 out of 100. The HBHRC, along with the previous City Council understood the negative impact a low MEI score can have on tourism. With the many recent changes in city policies over the last six months, I expect this number will drop significantly.

I believe in getting to know people for myself.

Over the course of many conversations with Van Der Mark and Burns, I came to understand the depth of their own convictions and beliefs. During initial meetings with them, they revealed that their top issue for the community was safety. I felt encouraged by this because this is the HBHRC's number one goal, as well. https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 6/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
Although we have some fundamental differences, with this common ground now being well established, I was optimistic.

How then, do we find ourselves here? How then, after less than 90 days of conversation, do Van Der Mark and Burns, along with the Boards Commissions and Committee Review ad hoc arrive at the decision that Huntington Beach would be better off without a committee whose primary focus is on the safety and wellbeing of the community?
The reasons provided do not mirror the actual work that the HBHRC does. Even Burns himself stated in a meeting on July 6th with HBHRC executive officers that the committee does "much more than just hate crimes and reports."
Eliminating the HB Human Relations Committee would be a misstep and a missed opportunity to work to further unite the community. As many policies have been reversed and changed by the new City Council, divisions and schisms within the community have deepened.

This has become evident with the recent uptick in hate crimes and hate incidents within the last few months.

Currently, as of June 30, 2023, the number of hate crimes and incidents are double the amount they were in all of 2022 and we still have five more months left in the year.

This is especially alarming. HBPD has asked the HBHRC to help create programs for youth to address this major concern in hopes of educating families on hate crime prevention.

This should be a priority for us all as in the case of the murder of Vernon Flournoy and stabbing of George Mondragon, teens were involved in those horrific crimes. If we can help educate and inform families and teens citywide, we have a chance to see a shift in these numbers and stop it before it becomes a nightmarish trend.
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 7/9 8/1/23,9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
GTON
• TI
I sighs it sises
HBHRC Member Dr. Elaine Bauer Keeley, the late Dr. Ralph Bauer Co-founder, with HBHRC Chairperson V.C. Rhone at the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee I hope the HBHRC will be allowed to continue its mission and continue to offer their many programs to the community such as the HB Listens Dialogue Circles, the Student Day of Dialogue, the Community Summit, the Ralph Bauer Youth Voices Essay and Art Contest and The Cultural Cinema Showcase (recently renamed the HB Cultural Film Festival) which features short films from underrepresented filmmakers. To date, the festival has received nearly 3,000 films during its run and also provides content to HBTV throughout the year.

We must all learn to leave one another with our human dignity intact. No matter how you feel about a different race or the LGBTQ+ community, or even someone who belongs to a different political party than your own, I think we can all agree that everyone deserves to live in Huntington Beach free from fear and discrimination.

It is imperative that local government prioritizes human dignity, safety, and the wellbeing of its residents.

Allowing the HBHRC to continue operating as an official committee of the City is a step in the right direction.

V.C. Rhone is a Huntington Beach Resident and Chairperson of the Huntington Beach Human Relations Committee (HBHRC). Her thoughts shared here are her own and do not represent the HBHRC as a whole. https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 8/9 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
Opinions expressed in community opinion pieces belong to the authors and not Voice of OC.

Voice of OC is interested in hearing different perspectives and voices. If you want to weigh in on this issue or others please email [email protected].
© 2023 Voice of OC.

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https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 9/9 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:44 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City council meeting for 8-1-2023
---Original Message--
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:43 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: City council meeting for 8-1-2023
I support Agenda Item 27
Wanted to make sure my voice is heard.

Rob Cloyd
Huntington Beach Resident
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:45 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Human Relations Commission
-----Original Message--.-
From: H Meyers <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:44 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Human Relations Commission
I am a longtime resident of Huntington Beach. I urge you not to disband the Human Relations Commission. The reasons given for doing so are specious. Disbanding the Commission sends the wrong message to the community when hate crimes have gone up dramatically in recent years.

Hildy Meyers
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:57 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Tonight's meeting
----Original Message----
From: Linda Rose <Irlindarose3 @gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:55 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Tonight's meeting
Mayor Strickland and mayor pro tem Van der Mark, how can you illuminate the Human Relations Committee? It has been in HB for 25 years and much needed in these divided city.

Please do not make it more difficult to vote by changing the election rules. Are you unhappy with the last local election results?
Linda Rose
Sent from my iPhone
1

City Council/Public Financing AuthorityAugust 1, 2023

City Council/Public Financing Authority
August 1, 2023