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

Moore, Tania
From: Patty Esparza <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 4:20 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: 8/1/23 Agenda - Supplemental Communication Item#28 Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers:

With 20 years experience in the City Clerk's office, I have serious concerns and question the wisdom of spending over $300,000 each for the following proposed Charter Amendments:

Proposal #5 - Clerk and Treasurer Election Cycle:

What is the perceived benefit to this? I believe there is a valid reason for the current Charter staggering of elected positions - stability. If passed, potentially in 2026, we could have a new City Attorney, City Treasurer, City Clerk and 4 new City Councilmembers. Is that really what is best for our city? Proposal #6 - Clerk Qualifications:

This puzzles me the most, DOWNGRADING requirements for such an important position? The Elections Official, who (according to Proposal #7) you want to give more responsibility to by over-seeing a stand-alone election vs. consolidating with the county. And not require a new Clerk obtain a Certified Municipal Clerk designation which prepares them for the complex role of a City Clerk in a municipality? Again I repeat, is that really what is best for our city? This vitally important position administers democratic processes such as elections, access to city records, and all legislative actions ensuring transparency to the public - a NON-PARTISIAN position. I question what the motives are for this proposed change.

Proposal #7 - Local Control over Elections:

Is this even legal? Can we pick and choose which State Elections Code we want to follow? Respectfully,
Patty Esparza
Retired Assistant City Clerk, CMC and 38-year Resident
Sent from Mail for Windows

SUPPLEMENTAL

COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 8/12023
Agendal lem No: 28 (23-470)
1 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
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:04 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Charter
--Original Message-.

From: Erin Spivey <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2023 12:32 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Charter
To the city council,
1 am deeply offended by the proposed charter amendments. Not only are they unnecessary, they are antithetical to democracy. Eliminating county oversight of elections will open HB to even more lawsuits, costing the city ten of thousands upon thousands we can't afford. The council pointedly reminded us how tight the budget is to the point the proposed closing libraries.

Each of the proposed charter amendments will bring further lawsuits and further shame to our city.

I am appalled that this council would even consider such steps.

As ever,
Erin Spiver
Sent from my iphone, please excuse any typos
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:06 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Huntington Beach City Council Mtg. of 8/1/23 From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 9:44 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Huntington Beach City Council Mtg. of 8/1/23
Council Members:

Re Agenda Item #28 (23-670), Charter Review Ad Hoc Proposals I strongly oppose Section 702 re "Local Control over Elections" and question its purpose. I also question the validity of encroaching on the authority of the OC Registrar of Voters who has conducted historically fraud-free elections while notably making it easier to vote, not more difficult. I can guarantee that I'll be voting against this thinly disguised (and costly) voter suppression measure should it end up on a future ballot. Cheryl Elliott (Resident of Huntington Beach since 1980)
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:06 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Clerk Qualifications downgrade
From: Vickie Hamilton < [email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, July 30, 2023 10:01 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Clerk Qualifications downgrade
I strongly oppose the proposal to amend/downgrade position qualifications for City Clerk. Please leave the current qualifications and additional requirements in place to ensure the high standards needed of this very important city position.

As a longtime human resources manager, whenever I would see position requirements lowered before the hiring cycle for that position was opened, it proved to be a clear indication that someone was already in mind for the soon-to- be available position. However, that.someone couldn't meet the original position standards so the changes had to be made. . Of course, this is a dangerous practice.

Thanks for your consideration.

V.W.Hamilton
1 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
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 9:11 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Protect our Charter- Vote NO on proposed changes From: Cathey Ryder <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 7:21 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Protect our Charter- Vote NO on proposed changes During the 2022 HB City Council election cycle, voters were told that NO changes were needed for the HB City Charter. All were urged to vote NO on issues such as making the charter gender neutral, changing name of mayor pro tem to vice mayor and changing the process to replace a CC member who resigns was considered not necessary.

A committee of citizens spent considerable time reviewing each section of the HB City Charter prior to making the recommendations.
4 of the current CC members urged a NO vote on those changes that appeared on the November 2022 ballot.

Members of the Charter Review process were disappointed but accepted the outcome.

Now an ad hoc committee of only 3 of the current HB CC members, after a handful of meetings, are recommending a whole host of what many consider to be MAJOR changes.

I can't understand why anyone would want to reduce educational requirements, credentials and standards for the Huntington Beach City Clerk.

Charter amendments are expensive. Why would we spend money to downgrade job qualifications for the vital and non-partisan position of our City Clerk, who also serves as our elections official? The City Charter requires the City Clerk to have a Bachelor's Degree in business, public administration or a related field. This is quite broad and appropriate. Why change that? The Charter also requires the City Clerk to have certification as a Municipal Clerk, earned through education. The accreditation of Certified Municipal Clerk is important. This specialized education is a well- rounded, years-long program that trains participants on the vast aspects of the complex City Clerk profession. The CMC accreditation benefits our city - the public, staff, the department and the elected official on the job. Why eliminate that?
Stand-alone elections are expensive and difficult to manage. Attempting local control and changing how our elections are conducted is unnecessary. The Orange County Registrar of Voters is unmatched in efficiency and integrity. What is the reason for this?
Why we would consider changing the election cycle, potentially having 70% newly elected officials at once? The present staggered system works. We need less, not more, brain drain at City Hall. What is the purpose of this proposed change?
Is this really what's best for our city?
It doesn't make sense.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ross
Retired Huntington Beach Senior Deputy City Clerk and Certified Municipal Clerk 52-year Huntington Beach resident
1 Moore, Tania
From: R Ross <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 11:35 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: City Clerk - Proposed City Charter Amendments
To the Mayor and City Council:

I can't understand why anyone would want to reduce educational requirements, credentials and standards for the Huntington Beach City Clerk.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Ross
Retired Huntington Beach Senior Deputy City Clerk and Certified Municipal Clerk 52-year Huntington Beach resident
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.

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.

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
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City Charter Amendment Proposal and More
---Original Message---.

From: winchellg <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 12:36 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City Charter Amendment Proposal and More
Dear Mayor & City Council Members,
I am writing to express my concern about your City Charter Amendment Proposal.

My biggest concern is your proposal #7, proposing that the City Council take control of all aspects of our elections, thus removing control of Huntington Beach elections from the State Elections Code. This Code was established to safeguard the fairness of local elections by assuring that all eligible voters have unfettered access to the voting process and that the process itself was protected from fraud and abuses. It was designed to preserve the basic tenets of our democracy.

Please do not assume that you or any other City Council of the future have the historical knowledge or experience to foresee the potential negative consequences of removing control of our elections from State Election Code control.

Proposal #5 to move election of our clerk and treasurer to the gubernatorial election year with its normally lower turnout, will reduce the number of voters who participate in the selection of candidates. What does this contribute to the democratic process?
Democracy thrives on voter participation, not reduction of participation! Proposal #6 reduces the educational/training requirements for City Clerk. Why? Do we really want someone with no exposure to the skills and education needed to execute the job of city clerk? Additionally, why are you eliminating established boards and commissions? Your job is to work with and listen to all the input you can get from all viewpoints and THEN take action, not to eliminate citizen participation.

Please rethink some of your actions. Don't assume you know best. Listen to all sides.

Respectfully,
Grace Winchell, Former Mayor & Council Member
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 1:50 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda Item 28
From: Russell Neal < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 12:54 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Agenda Item 28
Item 28 Charter Amendments
The suggested charter amendments seem reasonable and worth considering.

In particular, the exploration of ways to ensure greater integrity for city elections might serve as an example for much needed reforms at the state level. The confidence of citizens in the election process is vital. It is better to achieve this by having measures in place to ensure system integrity in the first place than to engage in bitter arguments after the fact, as we have seen.

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.

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
city might incur.

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.

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: Ann Palmer < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 3:51 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: Agenda Item #23. Charter amendments
28 While I support continued review and assessment of the City Charter and am in favor of most of the proposals, I do have comments/concerns both favorable and questioning:

Proposal response:

Good idea as the transition has typically had some lack of clarity:

2. Not sure the reasoning nor the guidelines for meeting cancellation. Those should be made clear as well as the methods/ tools implemented to inform the public should it occur.

3.a.

Although no cost/price cap sounds dangerous, this provision is needed as these restroom facilities easily fall into disrepair and obsolescence.

3.b.

The repair, replacement and new installation aspects of playground equipment is important and therefore good to support. However, having increase by fully 100% within 10 yr period written into charter is not. That would mean in a 30 year period the footprint could expand by 300%. Some if our parks are too small to carry the increase but most of all our beach playgrounds — considered park facilities — should never allow that rate of increase. Well meaning projects for walking, bicycling, ADA access, playgrounds, sports programs, etc. are already intruding onto the natural beachfronts for which HB is known. I suggest a reduction in that provision to limit to 20% footprint increase in 10-year period OR 100% total increase in perpetuity.

4. I support the 2-year budget cycle. Th the efforts and negotiations that led to passing a balanced budget 7-0 this year were laudatory. NOTE: There is still a trajectory regarding future pension liabilities. While the city has taken measures to assure short-term, multi-year issues the problem will not be resolved and eventual lack of funding will be a treacherous problem without som uncomfortable restructuring IMO.

Not sure the reasoning (clarification would be welcomed) but I would support any measure that increased efficiency and local control. My assumption is that we would have better control and visibility of the election.

6. This is not something I fully support at this time. I was unaware that HR/job qualifications and descriptions needed Charter amendments. There is a recent trend to downgrade certain qualifications in both public and private sector jobs and that may be a good thing. Some major tech companies, in fact, are recruiting right out of high school. For many operational jobs a 2-yr degree in organizational management or policy writing, along with experience, may be the best option. On the other hand if certain positions have grown in scope the standing qualifications may be appropriate; and if responsibilities have been reduced then the pay grade may need reduction. So it seems inappropriate to focus on a single position at this time.

I STRONGLY SUPPORT local control over elections. We may not have much input into County, State or Federal practices but our local election processes should elicit trust and confidence among qualified voters. ID, neighborhood polling places and ballot box monitoring are excellent ways to ensure that. 1 It is unclear to what "Time of the Meeting" refers but if it has not yet occurred I would encourage Town Hall or other public information sessions regarding proposed Charter amendments.

Comments on other Agenda items slated for 08.01.23 will be sent in separate communications.

Thank you for your work and dedication to Huntington Beach.

Ann Palmer
30+ year resident
Huntington Beach CA 92648
310.982.8263 ph/txt
Sent from my iPhone
2 Moore, Tania
From: Ann Palmer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 3:58 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: CORRECTION: Agenda Item #28, not 23: Charter amendments On Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 3:51 PM Ann Palmer <[email protected]> wrote:

While I support continued review and assessment of the City Charter and am in favor of most of the proposals, I do have comments/concerns both favorable and questioning:

Proposal response:

1. Good idea as the transition has typically had some lack of clarity.

2. Not sure the reasoning nor the guidelines for meeting cancellation. Those should be made clear as well as the methods/ tools implemented to inform the public should it occur.

3.a.

Although no cost/price cap sounds dangerous, this provision is needed as these restroom facilities easily fall into disrepair and obsolescence.

3.b.

5. Not sure the reasoning (clarification would be welcomed) but I would support any measure that increased efficiency and local control. My assumption is that we would have better control and visibility of the election.

ID, neighborhood polling places and ballot box monitoring are excellent ways to ensure that.

8. It is unclear to what "Time of the Meeting" refers but if it has not yet occurred I would encourage Town Hall or other public information sessions regarding proposed Charter amendments.

Comments on other Agenda items slated for 08.01.23 will be sent in separate communications.

Thank you for your work and dedication to Huntington Beach.

Ann Palmer
30+ year resident
Huntington Beach CA 92648
310.982.8263 ph/txt
Sent from my iPhone
2 Moore, Tania
From: Ann Palmer <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 4:00 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: CORRECTION: Agenda Item #28, not 23: Charter amendments On Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 3:57 PM Ann Palmer <[email protected]> wrote:

On Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 3:51 PM Ann Palmer <[email protected]> wrote:

While I support continued review and assessment of the City Charter and am in favor of most of the proposals, I do have comments/concerns both favorable and questioning:

Proposal response:

Good idea as the transition has typically had some lack of clarity.

2. Not sure the reasoning nor the guidelines for meeting cancellation. Those should be made clear as well as the methods/ tools implemented to inform the public should it occur.

3.a.

Although no cost/price cap sounds dangerous, this provision is needed as these restroom facilities easily fall into disrepair and obsolescence.

3.b.

The repair, replacement and new installation aspects of playground equipment is important and therefore good to support. However, having increase by fully 100% within 10yr period written into charter is not. That would mean in a 30 year period the footprint could expand by 300%. Some if our parks are too small to carry the increase but most of all our beach playgrounds — considered park facilities — should never allow that rate of increase. Well meaning projects for walking, bicycling, ADA access, playgrounds, sports programs, etc. are already intruding onto the natural beachfronts for which HB is known. I suggest a reduction in that provision to limit to 20% footprint increase in 10-year period OR 100% total increase in perpetuity.

I support the 2-year budget cycle. Toh the efforts and negotiations that led to passing a balanced budget 7-0 this year were laudatory. NOTE: There is still a trajectory regarding future pension liabilities. While the city has taken measures to assure short-term, multi-year issues the problem will not be resolved and eventual lack of funding will be a treacherous problem without som uncomfortable restructuring IMO.

6. This is not something I fully support at this time. I was unaware that HR/job qualifications and descriptions needed Charter amendments. There is a recent trend to downgrade certain qualifications in both public and private sector jobs and that may be a good thing. Some major tech companies, in fact, are recruiting right out of high school. For many operational jobs a 2-yr degree in organizational management or policy writing, along with experience, may be the best option. On the other hand if certain positions have grown in scope the 1 standing qualifications may be appropriate; and if responsibilities have been reduced then the pay grade may need reduction. So it seems inappropriate to focus on a single position at this time.

7. I STRONGLY SUPPORT local control over elections. We may not have much input into County, State or Federal practices but our local election processes should elicit trust and confidence among qualified voters.

ID, neighborhood polling places and ballot box monitoring are excellent ways to ensure that.

It is unclear to what "Time of the Meeting" refers but if it has not yet occurred I would encourage Town Hall or other public information sessions regarding proposed Charter amendments.

Comments on other Agenda items slated for 08.01.23 will be sent in separate communications.

Thank you for your work and dedication to Huntington Beach.

Ann Palmer
30+ year resident
Huntington Beach CA 92648
310.982.8263 ph/txt
Sent from my iPhone
2 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 4:37 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: 8-1-23 Agenda Items 27 and 28
From: Linda Moon <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2023 2:58 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: 8-1-23 Agenda Items 27 and 28
Dear Mayor and City Council Members:

I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to Agenda Items Nos. 27 and 28 on the August 1,2023 City Council Agenda.

Of greatest concern is Item 28, the Proposed Charter Amendments. The council majority all ran for election on a platform of increased transparency and listening to the voices of the community. Instead, it appears that you are attempting to take every action possible to stifle the voices of the community, reduce transparency and assume absolute authoritarian control.

The proposed charter amendments are hidden in a backup document behind a misleading benign title. Charter revisions in Huntington Beach have for decades been followed by a procedure allowing broad public participation. Charter Review committees of knowledgeable residents have been formed, staff background assistance has been provided and the public has been given multiple opportunities to provide feedback before recommendations are submitted to the council and advertised for public hearing. Instead of following this well honed and honored process, you have formed an "ad hoc" committee of 3 recent inexperienced council members to propose amendments intended only to further their own political positions. No public input was sought by the ad hoc committee and appears that none is desired.

Of greatest concern is Proposal # 7 which would, if enacted, allow the City Council to take control of all aspects of city elections, removing any authority of the State Elections Code. While I don't believe this is even legally permissible, it obviously is an attempt at voter suppression and intimidation. The State Elections Code was enacted to safeguard elections and allow voters unimpeded opportunity to participate in the voting process. It protects the keystone of our democracy. Placing the elections into the exclusive control of the city opens the process to fraud and corruption.

Proposal #6, reducing the education, training and certification requirements of the City Clerk is outrageous and obviously intended to smooth the path for the candidacy of a specific unqualified resident chosen by the newly elected majority. It is even more absurd a proposal, given the above proposal to take over control of elections. The last thing we need is an inexperienced, untrained City Clerk managing elections.

Proposal #5, to move the City Clerk and City Treasurer elections to coincide with the Gubernatorial election is obviously intended to reduce participation in that election. No other justification is shown. 1 Proposal #4, to change the annual budgeting proposal to biannual, as opposed to annual, is irresponsible and contrary to state law.

Proposal #2, allowing the cancellation of city council meetings by majority vote of the council or when there is not a quorum is another attempt to assert absolute power and stifle the voice of the public. The public has a right to expect the council forum to be available, whether or not it suits the whims of the majority members or whether a voting quorum is present.

Proposal #8 allowing for the consideration and action on proposals not even disclosed to the public is reprehensible.

Agenda Item 27, which would dismantle previously active and important boards and commissions, is also intended to stifle the voices of the public not in agreement with the council majority. You have already attempted to render the boards and commissions ineffective by packing them with your political cronies, rather than residents concerned and knowledgeable of the purpose of the forum. Your attempt to eliminate them entirely reduces the citizen participation that you promised to expand.

Please reconsider these proposals. Any charter amendments need to go through the open public Charter Review Committee process, where citizens have the opportunity for input as well as to propose charter amendments, before proposals are submitted for vote on whether they will go onto the election ballot.

Linda Sapiro Moon
5861 Liege Dr.

Huntington Beach, CA 92649
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
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: Cathey Ryder <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 6:40 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Protect our Charter- Vote NO on proposed changes See below !
____ Forwarded message --------
From: Cathey Ryder <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 3:20 PM
Subject: Protect our Charter- Vote NO on proposed changes To: <[email protected]>
During the 2022 HB City Council election cycle, voters were told that NO changes were needed for the HB City Charter. All were urged to vote NO on issues such as making the charter gender neutral, changing name of mayor pro tem to vice mayor and changing the process to replace a CC member who resigns was considered not necessary.

Members of the Charter Review process were disappointed but accepted the outcome.

Now an ad hoc committee of only 3 of the current HB CC members, after a handful of meetings, are recommending a whole host of what many consider to be MAJOR changes.

Where are the staff recommendations for these changes, particularly those involving voter issues? When was the public invited to give input? Why were there no citizens invited to serve on this committee? This is not the transparency that was promised by the recently elected CC members.Shame on you! CJ Ryder
Longtime homeowner and voter in HB
Cathey Ryder
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller
Cathey Ryder
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." Helen Keller
1 Moore, Tania
From: Dianne <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 7:00 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Agenda Item #28
With the estimated cost of $300,000 per item to place each proposed charter change on the ballot, these changes are unnecessary (particularly, in light of the current deficit and cost-cutting). #2 - Allowing the Mayor, at his/her sole discretion, or the council majority, to cancel a regularly scheduled City Council meeting is not in the best interests of the citizens. Each candidate that runs for office in HB knows the job requirements include attending the regularly scheduled meetings. In order to maintain the transparency councilmembers claim to support, meetings should only be cancelled in the most extenuating circumstances. #5 - What is the purpose for changing the election cycle of the City Clerk and the City Treasurer? With no stated purpose for this change, it seems a simple waste of $300,000. Again, with the city's current shortfall, this proposed change is not good stewardship.
#6 - The writers of the original city charter were thorough in their evaluation of each section. I have witnessed the current City Clerk manage her duties with professionalism and dignity. Reducing the requirements for a candidate for City Clerk puts the city at risk of violating the Brown Act, as well as risks the decorum that has been maintained in the council chambers. The only possible motivation for this change is to pave the way for a potential candidate that aligns with the current council majority. If that potential candidate truly wants to serve the city, they could get more education to meet the requirements for the position. #7 - This is the most alarming of all of the proposed changes to the city charter, particularly if the qualifications for the City Clerk are reduced. Taking control of local elections is a very expensive endeavor that the city does not need to do. There has not been any proven voter fraud of any consequence, so this would be spending (a lot of) money to solve a problem that doesn't exist. Furthermore, local voter verification would be expensive and unnecessary. Currently, each voter is required to provide ID when registering to vote. Each registered voter is only on the voter rolls once. We don't have a problem with unregistered people voting because their name wouldn't be on the rolls. We don't have a problem with people voting more than once because their name is only on the rolls once.

Please don't waste city funds on these charter amendments that seem only to be suggested as a way to consolidate power for the current council majority.

Sincerely,
Dianne Smith
1 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: Carol Robertson < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:29 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Item 23-670
Esteemed Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I am writing in support of Agenda Item 23-670.

While I support all the Sections within this Agenda Item, I particularly support Section 702 (Local Control over Elections).

Thank you for bringing this forward. It is so important moving into 2024 that we can have faith in our elections.

Thank you,
Carol Robertson
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:41 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Item 28 - possible ballot measure for 3/5/24 - support Section 702 From: Sue Jervik <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 6:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Item 28 - possible ballot measure for 3/5/24 - support Section 702 Dear Huntington Beach City Council members,
I support requiring voter ID and improved security for our ballot drop boxes for Municipal Elections. It would be wonderful if this was required for all elections, but at least this would be a start HB resident
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:42 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Item 28
--Original Message..

From: Mary Ann Celinder <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, August 1, 2023 8:12 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < city. [email protected]> Subject: Item 28
We strongly object to the proposals to change the city charter re: elections.

It is important to maintain or improve access to voting, not restrict in any way.

One party wants to make access to voting harder, one wants to make it easy. Be on the right side of this issue.

Karl and Mary Ann Celinder, residents since 1978.

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) <[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: 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 Blyd 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 1st.

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
ACTON
H

IN GOD NE
WEI

COMNINDATTON
25 Armorersury Coloralke

20.045 Para Delgieiz
Mayor
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 DU
CON
Kim Cany
bindersta
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. 8/9
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/ 8/1/23, 9:20 AM Rhone: The Case for Human Dignity
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9/9
https://voiceofoc.org/2023/07/rhone-the-case-for-human-dignity/

City Council/Public Financing AuthorityAugust 1, 2023

City Council/Public Financing Authority
August 1, 2023