Switzer, Donna
From: Karen Marie Carroll <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 20238:06 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Items
Mayor Strickland and Members of the City Council
I am writing in opposition to or with serious concern regarding the following items on the 9/5/23 City Council Meeting Agenda: Item 30. 23-700, 31. 23-693, 26. 23-707, Item 27. 23-704, Item 28. 23-733, 15 23-700, and 16. 23-741
Item 30. 23-700- This item marks acceleration of a trajectory putting control of our city into the hands of extremists who are already providing their friends and associates opportunities to profit through secret settlements and now a re-do of bidding for contracts.
What is being proposed appears to build on actions already taken that clearly benefit the new majority - along with their friends and family. Financial gain and political ambition are equally apparent. I point to the following:
1) At the outset of your terms, you upped the limits on campaign contributions that give you quite an advantage in campaigns to come. I contributed to several candidates in the last election, and it was difficult for me financially. But I gave the limit and thought it was fair because there were limitations in place for all candidates. The current majority, however, was strategically supported by investors and groups many of which are outside of our city. 2) You propose re-arranging election cycles that would permit City Attorney Michael Gates and his wife Kelly Gates to run together, without reasonable limits on what they could spend together in a very well financed campaign. Included is a reduction of the requirements for City Clerk, which would permit Ms. Gates to run. Moving election oversight from the County to the City Attorney and City Clerk is ridiculous, unnecessary, and expensive. The optics are terrible! Further, it plays to the myth that there is election fraud here, for which there is no evidence.
Items 31. 23-693, particularly points I), J), and K)
This agenda item would change the application requirements for local contracts that open the door for persons, agencies, or firms that organize our local events. Will Code Four and Kevin Elliot be selected to run the 4th of July Parade and other city events too? We have heard that the Blue Angels 1 and other armed forces units arrange airshows without a middleman like Mr. Elliott. That is the way it is done in other locations, such as Seattle.
Item 15. 23-673
I question the change to accept the staff recommendations for federal lobbying consultants. Why accept the lowest ranked vendor to provide legislative analysis for our city? I understand that Mayor Strickland has received political contributions from that contractor. Really, this is the best that Huntington Beach deserves? Could there be any more evidence of political payback? Item 16.23-741
Cultural issues outside of the those that actually matter to all residents were presented with a strategy of shock. Are you saying the extreme examples you found were in books in our library and schools in our city? I think not. I assure you, most of us do not want you to take on our parenting, just do the normal business of governing our city.
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