Moore, Tania
From: Brad Bergeland < [email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, September 28, 2023 4:06 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: 28 September 2023 City Council discussion of 05 Sept 23 Agenda item 30(23-700) City Council members,
This is to document my opposition to the subject Agenda Item 30 (23-700) currently under discussion with the public. In this agenda item, the city council is considering the submission of 3 ballot measures encompassing several proposed Charter Amendments. The proposal is to have the 3 ballot measures included on the March 2024 Primary ballot.
None of the 3 ballot measures with the Charter Amendments should be approved to be added to the March 2024 primary election ballot. Below are just some of the reasons why:
1. Ballot Measure 1 - Anything to do with making changes to the local election process is unnecessary and costs too much. I've only heard that these changes are based on some verbal suggestions from some constituents, and will just be "enhancements" to the current process. It is well documented from the last two elections that the existing process of conducting elections has proven to be accurate, safe and conducted with integrity.
With regard to the City Clerk qualifying requirements, any wording that would result in diminished qualifications should not be incorporated. I would suggest no adjustment to the existing qualification requirements, as currently worded.
2. Ballot Measure 2 - Biennial budget in lieu of the current annual budget. I heard at the last meeting that a biennial budget would allow for more accurate planning and would be easier for the Finance Department. If they say it is easier, I'll take their word for it, but I disagree that a two year time frame would be more accurate than one year. How can that be when you are adding an additional out-year that has to be forecasted? Adding an additional year may just make it easier to mask budgetary/spending problems that arise early on, rather than addressing and fixing the problems.
These are just a few reasons why the subject agenda item should be rescinded. Any changes identified in 23-700 that might be voted as needed by the city council should be handled in a different way, other than as expensive ballot measures.
I trust that the city council has been listening to the citizen input from the last few weeks, and will truly consider removing Agenda Item 30 (23-700). That would be a good start to gaining more trust and confidence from a wider range of your constituents.
3. Finally, if the end result is that some or all of the amendments are put forward to be part of an election ballot, then it should be the 2024 General Election. Everyone from all parties should strive for strong voter turnout. General elections always have greater voter turnout than Primaries. This would provide more time to work on issues, give the voters more confidence and understanding of the issues up for vote; and of course, everyone agrees that it would save money.
Whether the costs of these Measures is $1.2M or $400K+, or whatever - let's save the cost to Huntington Beach taxpayers for changes that are unnecessary.
Brad Bergeland
37 year resident of Huntington Beach
1 Moore, Tania
From: Susan Matthewson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 6:27 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Charter Amendments
I go on record as opposed to these charter amendments. They are harmful, undemocratic, and written to promote an anti-democratic authoritarian rule of the city. No, no, no.
Democratic,
Sent from my iPhone
1 Moore, Tania
From: Barbara Richardson < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:24 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF, Subject: Changes to the City Charter
I am sending this email so my name will be on file that l am opposed to changing the city charter.
Because I believe that the proposed changes are going to be put on the ballot for the residents to vote upon, l am requesting that they be listed separately and not bundled. cost the eve residents should be warned how much the proposed measure to change current election procedure will Thank you,
Barbara Richardson
50 year Huntington Beach Resident
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
Moore, Tania
From: onewildart <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:41 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: October 3, 2023 meeting
Council Members,
I can only imagine how tired each of you are when you go home after regular City Council meetings, not to mention the additional Thursday night ones. I know I'M tired after watching them.....so much negativity, bickering, and ignoring what others have to say. I thought governing was about listening, considering, negotiating, coming to consensus, leaving with a feeling of a job well done. The animosity is palpable.
Please listen to the Majority of what attendees and those who send correspondence are saying....they don't agree with your charter changes, how you're shoving them down our throats and pushing it through for the March primary.
Bundling them is a not so subtle attempt to push thru less palatable items with popular ones.
After Trump's shout out to Tony at his rally on Friday, the obvious was confirmed. We see you. We know what you're doing. And if necessary the good people of HB will hold your feet to the fire for the next three + years until we have the opportunity to vote you out.
Disgusted!!
Trudy Roe
Sent from my iPad
Moore, Tania
From: Jennifer Tan <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 8:28 PM
To: [email protected]
City Council
Attacks on freedom to read are against our constitutional rights and liberty. No matter how powerful, wealthy, self-righteous or loud a group is, reading is a fundamental right. This attack on libraries puts all our rights and liberties in jeopardy.
Do not restrict books.
Vote NO on the city charter changes.
Dr. Jennifer Tan
Moore, Tania
From: MJ Baretich <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 9:56 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: CHARTER AMENDMENTS OBJECTIONS
Dear Mayor Strickland and City Council Members,
My name is Mary Jo Baretich, a 40-year resident of HB.
Please stop this proposed tinkering with our local election and the focus on Voter ID.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters already checks each ballot to verify if the voter is legitimate. Requiring Huntington Beach to run their own election is unnecessary, too impractical, too costly, and too fraught with controversy, especially since Attorney General Rob Bonta has already told the city that asking for identification at a polling place is against California law. If HB institutes a Voter ID requirement, there will be legal challenges. We Citizens do not need to pay for more lawsuits.
Forcing this particular unnecessary Charter amendment by you onto the public would destroy the trust and connection between our local government and the broader community. It is time for you to listen to the community. You do not need to lose their trust.
Additionally, we simply do not have the resources or the expertise to carry it out, especially if the Orange County Registrar of Voters is not fully on board with the effort. We were also not provided with actionable evidence and data to justify the proposed changes in our Election procedures. Show that evidence or pull your proposed misguided amendment.
Additionally, the lumping together of unrelated items in each of the proposed Charter amendments on the ballot is unacceptable. It confuses voters by forcing a Yes or No vote on unrelated items. If any proposed amendments are going to appear on the ballot, then each proposed item should stand alone on the ballot to allow for an up or down vote on each individual item—no bundling of unrelated items.
In conclusion, I state that - Perhaps we citizens need to get the assistance of an outside legal firm to conduct a much-needed legal analysis of all the proposed Charter amendments.
Thank you.
Mary Jo Baretich
1 Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 10:01 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: No on proposed HB City Charter Amendments
I fail to understand how the 4 new HB City
council members can justify their claims of election fraud in our last election when they were elected in the same election. Does this signify that they were fraudulently elected? There is no election fraud in this city. Drop this unnecessary fraud in HB! Drop this ignorant and costly idea!! Leave our library's children's book selection to our librarians and parents to manage! Government mustn't censor our books! The City Attorney, who is not qualified to do so, must be too busy dealing with the multiple lawsuits our city is now involved in to try to take on book censorship.
Please Drop these amendments! Please prevent nepotism in our city government and don't lower the education requirement to hire Mr Gates wife as City Clerk! I heard that Mr Strictland is for nepotism in HB but it should be discouraged! Please drop these poorly conceived and dangerous amendments to our city charter! Thank you, TJ England
Sent from my iPhone
Moore, Tania
From: Isabella Ford < [email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 10:47 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Serve all Huntington Beach Citizens
Just a few questions:
Why was Councilmember Moser censured for asking a clarification question instead of Councilmember Van Der Mark for interrupting with a very aggressive tone and continuing to yell instead of simply taking the opportunity to clarify truth vs rumor? Do you really have no regard for the health of our city as a whole? Do you hear the anger you are fueling? To ask a question shouldn't lead to such hateful comments but that is what the actions of Van Der Mark and Strickland showed that night.
It is important to question actions. It is also important to recognize and make efforts to correct any mistakes or misunderstandings. Instead, it seems the new city council members prefer to attack instead of explain or clarify what problem you are trying to solve with each charter amendment proposal.
What problem is the new council majority trying to solve by requiring voter id at the ballots? What is the cost benefit analysis of this proposed amendment?
Why budget every two years instead of annually? Is this normal practice? Why does the mayor need the ability to cancel a council meeting with no parameters? Isabella Ford
714-308-0660
Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 12:13 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Voting Requirements and Politicizing the Air Show My first concern is why are we changing the voting requirements, contrary to what the county and state are requiring. It seems like more money unnecessarily allocated for an unbroken system.
Secondly, thank you for bringing back the Air Show, but why was Trump over our air space at the same time? ! understand that a few of the council members are avid supporters of Trump, but on the ground it led to division as many people gave the middle finger as well as those who cheered the ex President. It marred what could have been a unifying experience for many.
Carolyn Eguchi
30 years homeowner/resident of HB
Moore, Tania
From: Patti Akers <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 12:22 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: In advance of our October 3 City Council Meeting I am unhappy with the way our city council has changed our city since the last election. It seems that those of you elected under the "Save Huntington Beach campaign" are doing the opposite. You have made this city partisan. You are not thinking of what can be done to better our city for its people. Instead, you are breaking apart what has been done already without any positive improvements.
I oppose your efforts to use your majority to behave as an angry, revengeful group intent on creating negativity and separation of residents, one against the other.
I am against your efforts to force changes to our charter and to change our voting laws in a rush against what your constituents are telling you about the unnecessary expense. You are not listening.
Sincerely unhappy,
Patti Akers
Sent from Mail for Windows
Moore, Tania
From: Susan Allen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7:46 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Resident Comments - Proposed Charter Amendments Dear City Council,
I am a resident, homeowner, small business owner and mom in Huntington Beach - and a voter. I strongly oppose the proposed changes to the charter of Huntington Beach. Regardless of whether I support the intention behind them, the proposed charter amendments will add costs (voter ID) and set the stage for continuous bickering (cultural references).
Our city does not need either. You have not sufficiently convinced me that your proposed changes are legal. I pay enough in taxes already - proudly so to call Huntington Beach home, but I don't want to pay more in taxes to cover legal challenges to the voter ID proposed changes. And I don't want city services like library hours and maintenance to suffer.
You have also not sufficiently convinced me that voter fraud is an issue. In fact, if you think there was a lot of voter fraud in the last election, then recently elected council members should step down in case fraudulent votes are the reason you were elected.
Regarding the cultural changes proposed, you would be setting a dangerous precedent with the city switching between far left and far right charter amendments every time the council changes. We clearly live in a city with residents of all political and cultural backgrounds. Your job as our leaders is to make the city a welcoming place for us all to call home.
The proposed charters do not accomplish this goal.
IF you persist on the changes, then you should list them individually so you can discern the true desire of the residents.
Thank you.
Susan Allen
6842 Lawn Haven Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Moore, Tania
From: Connie Quader < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7:47 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Charter Amendments
To the majority of the City Council,
WHY THE RUSH OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS? It seems as though you four have an agenda.
Each proposed item should stand alone. No bundling of unrelated items.
The unknown costs to Huntington Beach citizens for your frivolous & unnecessary proposed changes will, most likely result in costly lawsuits against the city. WHY NOW?
It seems as though you four really don't know the citizens of Huntington Beach well & you don't care to know or listen to the majority of HB citizens! Your minds are already made up. WHY? You successfully have tarnished the image of our beautiful & much loved city! WHY? Also the Trump flyover was totally OUTRAGEOUS!! The Pacific Airshow was for all to enjoy NOT be politicized!! UNACCEPTABLE!!
Sincerely,
Connie & Shaheer Quader
44 Years HB residents
1 Moore, Tania
From: BETHANY WEBB <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:01 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Charter Amendments and Airshow
Good morning,
I would like to add my continuing opposition to the proposed Charter Amendments. It is beyond hypocritical to have run campaigns Against charter amendments and then turn around and try to hurry them into a March primary election, costing us HB homeowners over a million dollars! Not only are they not needed, but once again they have put my beloved city of Huntington Beach into a negative spotlight and another threatened lawsuit! Why? Nothing presented at the Charter meetings has passed the smell test. No documentation was presented showing a need for any of the charter amendments! We have NO voter fraud! The Flag idea is nothing more than a red herring designed to further separate our city. Please stop trying to fire up the lunatic fringe in HB and try to start governing for all of us! Regarding the Airshow, I am once again asking for the documentation pertaining to the lawsuit and the details of the new agreement to be released.
I also want to put on record my disappointment and opposition to having a political candidate added to the airshow.
Particularly a candidate facing over 70 criminal charges! In the bogus Airshow meeting it was mentioned that the Airshow was to bring people from all over to HB. Let me be clear that candidate is despised my the majority of people in this country and throughout the world! Once again HB looks ridiculous!
Finally Leave Our Libraries Alone!
Bethany Webb
40 year+ HB resident and homeowner
[email protected]
Moore, Tania
From: Carol Daus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:19 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: In opposition to charter amendments
Dear City Council members,
Although you offered public meetings to address the charter amendments (thanks to Council Member Casey McKeon), I feel that you are not listening to "the will of the people." As you witnessed at the public meetings and as it's been recorded by emails from the community, there has been more public opposition to these measures than support. Yet you have not worked with concerned residents by 1) eliminating the proposed charter amendments altogether or 2) revising them so they're not bundled and offer more clarity to voters.
On another matter, why is our current City Council bringing politics into Huntington Beach? Mayor Strickland's endorsement of disgraced Trump, who has been indicted 4 times on a total of 91 charges, is inexcusable. Allowing Trump to fly over our airshow, which is supposed to be a community event, not a partisan fund-raiser, was a huge misstep. Furthermore, it's not appropriate that City Attorney Michael Gates is communicating with Trump about policy matters at pricey MAGA fundraisers. He's supposed to be a non-partisan government official. In fact, none of you should be making such blatant attempts to politicize our city. It's embarrassing and divides us even more as a community.
Carol Daus
Huntington Beach resident for 28 years
Moore, Tania
From: Tracy Luth <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:27 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Changes to the HB city charter
I would like to express my concerns about the proposed changes to the HB city charter. I think that each proposed change needs to be presented along on the ballot rather than bundling unrelated items. I would like the city to consider and investigate the costs of running its own elections if it moves forward with voter ID requirements as well as costs defending itself against potential lawsuits about the constitutionality of voter ID requirements.
Sincerely,
Sent from the all new AOL app for ios
Moore, Tania
From: MC Allen <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:38 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: City Council Meeting 10/3/2023
I get the sense that this will fall on deaf ears, nevertheless, since I can not attend the City Council meeting on 10/3/2023, I am writing this email.
Several issues are of concern
1) ELECTIONS: I do not trust local city officials to protect our elections & ballots. There's zero evidence of voter fraud in HB. The people proposing this have not offered any verifiable proof to justify such huge expenses. It's against California law and will subject our city to untold legal expenses defending a losing case.
Let's spend our precious resources on what the city needs like fixing the alley's in downtown. They're atrocious. In 2 years, l've had 4 nails, screws, or industrial staples in my tires requiring replacement tires 3 of 4 times. I've had 1 or 2 lifetime nails in my tires prior to moving to my current home 2 years ago. 2) CHARTER AMENDEMENTS: didn't the majority of the current city council run & get elected on campaign promises of no changes to city charter? Why are they now proposing changes to the city charter? How can we trust our elected officials if they reneg on their election promises.
With that in mind, each individual change must be a separate issue to be voted on. Our Charter is effectively our city's constitution and needs to be a stable documents not subject to the passing whims of any city council. 3) Why is Huntington Beach "Mayor" Strickland publicly speaking about "our" side and "their" side. Aren't the City Council members, from which a "Mayor" is selected annually, representing the entire city and all of its citizens. Why are there any "sides".
4) AIR SHOW - it is one of my absolute favorite things about living in HB yet it has become politicized by allowing presidential candidate, 4 times indicted, 91 felonies, confirmed civil law sexual abuser, over 30,000 verified lies, serial marital cheater, $100 million fraud, and counting, Donald Trump's plane fly over. It is a wonderful community event like the 4th of July parade where no political candidates are allowed an entry, yet Mr Trump's plane was allowed to fly over our beaches. Stop playing these silly games & pandering.
Was looking forward to living at the beach in this jewel of Orange County. HB has experienced amazing growth & beautification over the last years. It has bright & clean beaches, a beautiful cliff park, renewed bike path with such an ugly underbelly putting partisanship over actual city needs. Can you please prioritize city & citizens needs over these silly games. As the last affordable Southern Cal beach, let's keep it beautiful inside & out.
Thank you.
MC Allen
Huntington Beach, CA
1 Moore, Tania
From: Anthony Daus <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:43 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Charter Amendments
Dear City Council Members,
I am in opposition to the Charter Amendments. It is a poor use of the City's limited resources.
These amendments, particularly the voting amendment, will cost the City, at a minimum, upwards of $1M. This is to fix a problem that does not exist. A short few months ago there was talk of cutting services due to budget shortfalls. I don't think the full impact of these changes to the City budget are fully understood.
This is not good governance and clearly unnecessary government overreach.
Tony Daus
City of Huntington Beach resident for more than 25 years.
Moore, Tania
From: Devin McBride < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:50 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Concerned HB Homeowner
Good Morning Council and Mayor,
If the HB City Council majority goes ahead with the suppression of library books, there will be lawsuits. They will be expensive to fight in court and Huntington Beach will lose. Already we hear about budget shortfalls, this banning is illegal and expensive. It is unnecessary. We must fight for intellectual freedom and the right to safely explore identities, histories, and cultures.
Do not fiddle with the city charter.
Support our libraries and our librarians.
Devin McBride
Huntington Beach Homeowner
Moore, Tania
From: Mark Dixon <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:56 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Public Comments for October 3, 2023
Attachments: 10 03 2023 Charter election.docx
Please see attached, and include in the record for tonight's meeting.
Thank you -
Mark W. Dixon
21612 Bahama Lane
Huntington Beach CA 92646-7810
(657)489-3719
I understand the City Council majority of Huntington Beach is planning to administer its own election polling system, and I do not understand why. Is the City fearful of voter fraud, or does the Council majority simply want the voters to be afraid? According to the U.S. Attorney General appointed by President Trump, 60 failed lawsuits showed no voter fraud sufficient to affect the outcome of the election. What problem is this "solution" in search of?
The Orange County Registrar of Voters has an award-winning system in place, and it has run efficiently and accurately for decades. For the last election, I was trained and tested - and paid well for it - as a Lead Election Worker. My 32 hours of training and testing were in-person, on-site and online, and the team I led received 24 hours of paid training and testing prior to the election. The County of Orange paid us nearly $3000 before my team and I went to work as paid election workers.
We were not volunteers, and we put in 12 to 14-hour days for every day of the election period. Each step of the process was overseen by at least two workers at all times, and each of us signed our names to attest to the validity of those steps. I was in touch with my supervisor several times a day and received extraordinary support from the Registrar's office.
It's already working, and the taxpayers are paying for the expertise.
Now the Council majority is planning to charge the taxpayers at least a million dollars for a Charter election to duplicate - and likely not an accurate copy - to solve a problem that does not exist. And that cost does not include the additional - and considerable - expense of paying election workers.
Moving ahead with the special election is the biggest in a large and growing pile of misjudgments the right-wing majority of the Huntington Beach City Council has made in its brief time in office.
Moore, Tania
From: Beverly Sansone <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 9:01 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: City council meeting
My comments for tonight's city council meeting:
I have learned to "escape" Huntington Beach during the weekend of the air show, due to the excruciating, persistent noise overhead. Unfortunately, I didn't leave until Thursday and the "practice sessions" started on Monday. Also, I arrived home an hour too early and had to listen to jets flying overhead very low, very loud like I felt like I was in a war zone, as well as have to listen to car alarms going off due to the vibrations from the jets (needless to say the vibrations | felt in my home).
Bev Sansone
Moore, Tania
From: Kaitlin Mendoza < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 9:18 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) To Whom It May Concern,
I am sending this email to address the following concerns:
Politicization of the Air Show
No political candidate's should be allowed entry in the parade. Why was Trump's plane allowed to flyover? The Air Show should be non partisan and I am disgusted that it's become a political side show. This is a community event, not a chance to divide the city even further with political agendas and grandstanding. This should not be allowed.
Charter Ammendments
I am wholly against adding any of these to the HB City Charter. Especially the one concerning voter ID. The HB City Charter should reflect the guidelines of the city and NOT be used as political fodder. As a tax paying citizen I do not want to be footing the bill for new machines, more employees, training, maintenance, etc. There are already strict voting laws in place which is nothing new. STOP the political grandstanding. You are NOT reflecting the will of the majority of the citizens of HB. STOP using our city to try and further your own political agenda.
Regards,
Kaitlin Mendoza
Moore, Tania
From: Susan E Turner <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 10:09 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: HB charter changes on ballot
Hello city council, I DO NOT want to see City Charter Amendment on the ballot! Please hear what HB residents want.
I've been living and working in HB for over 40 years!
Sincerely,
Susan Turner
Sent from my iPad
Moore, Tania
From: imthewizardofroz < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 10:17 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Re: Charter Amendments
Councilmembers,
I demand that the Council listen to the voice of THE MAJORITY of HB RESIDENTS and VOTE NO on the proposed charter amendments.The entire process to create these amendments has been flawed.
The idea that four members would vote for something that clearly a MAJORITY of the residents of HB have been speaking out against and both the Secretary of State and AG of California find illegal is RECKLESS and not acceptable.
The Council has received letters from the California Secretary of State and the California Attorney General which question the legality of the proposed monitoring of official ballot drop boxes, as well as the proposed requirement to show an ID. Ignoring these letters would be irresponsible and would expose HB to a costly lawsuit that would undoubtedly be lost This is RECKLESS and NOT what our tax dollars should be used for.
Our tax dollars should be spent on city services that will benefit the MAJORITY of HB residents.
We insist that you hear the voice of the MAJORITY of HB RESIDENTS and vote NO. We are watching and will hold you accountable.
Roz Esposito
Resident of HB
Sent from my Sprint Samsung Galaxy Note8.
Moore, Tania
From: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 10:41 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Nov to charter amendments
The 3 proposed charter amendments are POORLY thought out, POORLY written, and NOT NECESSARY! Please drop these COSTLY damaging amendments and quit spreading political dissection in our city! There is no evidence of voter fraud in HB! How did the 4 of you get elected if as you claim there was fraud. Totally illogical! TJ England Sent from my iPhone
Moore, Tania
From: Thomas Meisenhelder < [email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 11:03 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Charter Proposals
Dear City Council Members,
As a resident and voter in Huntington Beach, I oppose the proposed charter amendments. They are foolish, punitive, and will have expensive and discriminatory consequences.
I am especially opposed to the proposed changes in voting procedures and the requiring of an ID to vote. The ID requirement is clearly illegal and unconstitutional.
Please rethink these foolish proposals.
Thank you,
Thomas Meisenhelder
20271 Sealpoint Lane
Get Outlook for iOs
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:45 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Charter Amendments
From: Laurence Elfenbein <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 5:40 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Charter Amendments
Dear Hungtington Beach City Council,
For the record I am opposed to all of the proposed changes to the Huntington Beach City Charter. These include the following:
• Reducing the qualifications for Elected City Clerk
• Making the City Attorney no longer accountable to the City Council • Stopping all non- profits or government agencies from partnering with the City on real.. estate projects without the vote of the people
• Having local elections conducted by the City instead of by the County Registrar • Requiring voter ID for elections
• Allowing poll watchers at ballot drop-off locations
• Changing the election cycle for City Clerk and City Treasurer to the same cycle as the Four Council Members
• Giving the City Clerk and City Treasurer a one time six year term allowing that newly elected person to vest in CalPers their first term ( poor business practice)
Changing the policy to ban the Pride Flag from being displayed on City property Why were the Australian and Canadian flags allowed to be flown on City property this weekend at the Huntington Beach Air Show on City property? Why are you proposing that this change be a unanimous when it only needs a majority to pass a law. Is this blatant discrimination? If You truly are interested in representing the residents of Huntington Beach, you should form a Bi- partisan committee of citizens of our community to have input on any of these changes and to collect data on the costs that the City will incur to make these changes.
In addition I attended the Air Show this weekend and enjoyed being able to relax with neighbors and visitors that were there to have a good time. Nobody expressed that the sounds of the air planes were the sound of freedom (freedom from what? are we at war?). Also, if you were not able to attend are you not allowed to be a patriot of this country. I think the atmosphere that you have created by standing shoulder to shoulder with the "Proud Boys" and taking photo ops with them does not move the ball to the 50 yard line where we can sit down together to solve our problems to make Huntington Beach a better place to live.
Respectfully,
Laurence Elfenbein
526 22nd Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714 - 851-4745
[email protected]
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:45 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: City council charter amendments
-----Original Message-----
From: Susan Matthewson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 6:29 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: City council charter amendments
I go on record as opposed to these charter amendments. They are harmful, undemocratic, and written to promote an anti-democratic authoritarian rule of the city. No, no, no.
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:46 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Unnecessary Charter Amendments
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Pohl <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:17 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Unnecessary Charter Amendments
When our Huntington Beach budget is already stretched too thin you would like to add the burden of holding elections paid for by residents. I'm not sure what the fascination is for paying millions of dollars so you can promote the prestige of having and paying for a small number of voters to vote in person. The one positive I can see is shining a light on your poor budgeting skills. Hopefully this will show your constituents what bad judgement the council shows in promoting expensive ideas that does nothing to improve our City.
Sincerely,
A Very Concerned Citizen
Linda Pohl
Sent from my iPad
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:46 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Changes to the City Charter
From: Barbara Richardson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 7:24 PM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Changes to the City Charter
I am sending this email so my name will be on file that I am opposed to changing the city charter.
Because I believe that the proposed changes are going to be put on the ballot for the residents to vote upon, l am requesting that they be listed separately and not bundled.
I also believe residents should be warned how much the proposed measure to change current election procedures will cost the city.
Thank you,
Barbara Richardson
50 year Huntington Beach Resident
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 4:34 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Proposed Charter Amendments
From: Sheila Ellis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 1:14 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) < [email protected]> Subject: Proposed Charter Amendments
I have watched the special council meetings the past three weeks and have seen the majority of resident public speakers opposing the charter amendments supported by the city council majority. The cost of putting these amendments on the ballot are unknown and additionally may put our city at risk of lawsuits, which would add to the ever growing legal costs being incurred by our city.
There is also the question as to why these charter amendments are needed. As for the election changes, why? Do you have proof of fraud you are not sharing with the public? I heard City Attorney Gates state to Mr. Trump our city would impose voter suppression but again, where is the evidence of fraud? How can he make this statement not knowing if the amendments will be on the ballot, pass or will not be dismissed by a court? Why is there a need to change the requirements for City Clerk? Why the need to add a charter amendment to limit which flags can be flown? Why, why, why the need for any of these proposed amendments? I strongly oppose putting these charter amendments on the ballot and lumping together unrelated amendments.
The council majority were voted into office on the platform of "no charter changes." Clearly, what they meant was only charter amendments which give them and the city attorney more power and suppress the residents' voices were allowable.
There are many other needs which require the city's resources and should have priority and the attention of the council. As the public hearings have shown, the majority of residents oppose wasting money on these amendments and I urge the council to listen to and respect the residents' opinions.
Sheila Ellis
(She/Her)
1 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 4:52 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Amendment Items: Voter I.D.
From: Suzanne Hart <[email protected]>
Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2023 12:03 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Amendment Items: Voter I.D.
Dear City Council members,
I am writing to you with concerns regarding requiring voter I.D. I have heard a handful of your constituents argue that it is needed, even though you have now heard many, many times that voter fraud is not an issue in H.B. I have also heard people who argue that "You need an I.D. to board ships, planes, ETC." While this is, of course, true, the fallacy in this point of view is that when one registers to vote, one must show I.D. and a signature. I was quite surprised when Mr. McKeon suggested that if one didn't want to show I.D., then one should "Should vote by mail! This doesn't make any sense! As I stated, one must present I.D. and signature when registering to vote. Cast ballots are verified by the County Registrar of Voters at each election period. Therefore, you are promoting a solution for a nonexistent problem.
Thank you for listening to my concerns,
Suzanne Hart (25 year resident)
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 9:18 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Charter Amendments/Violation to Ordinance Re: Flags From: Mason Creyaufmiller <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 8:19 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Charter Amendments/Violation to Ordinance Re: Flags To the Huntington Beach City Council:
Last week during the discussion of the Charter Amendment regarding the flying of flags Councilman Burns was asked a question about whether flags in celebration of national various heritages could be "displayed" at the public library. Councilman Burns clearly indicated that no other flags could be flown on "city property " Imagine my surprise to see the Australian and Canadian Flags being flown on city property. Are fines going to be levied? Will you let the producers of the airshow know that it is not acceptable? I am also appalled at the council's use of the airshow as a political stunt by allowing the former president's plane to fly over the airshow. I do not buy that it was a coincidence. That would have been approved by the airshow. You clearly have no ability to discern right from wrong. The Trump campaign should be charged for the ad.
I continue to oppose all proposed amendments. You violated our trust again when instead of allowing the 4 public meetings to go forward before you voted to move the amendments forward, you voted to move the voter ID, and flag amendments forward at the last meeting.
The residents are going to be the victims of your hypocritical actions with regard to the charter amendments. We will be paying millions of dollars to run elections that are not safe and likely blundered since our city is ill equipped to run elections. I would not vote in this city if run by the city and many others will do the same. 84% of residents already vote by mail and many more will follow suit because of the distrust of this city council. It is obvious that you believe that if you do this you will be reelected, I think after 3 years of your bullshit, HB will make the right decision and get rid of you all. Hopefully you will be recalled prior to that.
Laury Creyaufmiller
Longtime Resident
2 Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 10:41 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: A turning point
----Original Message-.
From: Lisa Grinnell < [email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, October 1, 2023 1:46 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: A turning point
Dear Members,
I am a new resident of Huntington Beach, and was flabbergasted when I attended my first council meeting last Thursday.
As I write this note, I'm listening to the airshow. These familiar sounds evoke positive memories for me of my dad and his military service that helped end Hitler. We were taught how the red flags of dictatorship showed up decades before and could have/should been stopped then.
The content of the proposed amendments and the slipshod way they are presented to voters smacks of authoritarian dictatorship. Doubtless the bottomless pit of unknown costs, chaos, and practices of inequality inherent in the amendments are intentional.
If you want to be known on the right side of history, vote no and stop these amendments now.
Lisa Grinnell
Huntington Beach