LEGISLATIVEPLATFORM
City of Huntington Beach2000 Main StreetHuntington Beach, CA 92648 www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
2024
City Council
Tony Strickland, MayorGracey Van Der Mark, Mayor Pro TemRhonda Bolton, Council MemberPat Burns, Council MemberDan Kalmick, Council MemberCasey McKeon, Council MemberNatalie Moser, Council Member City of Huntington Beach
Guiding Principles
The City of Huntington Beach Legislative Platform outlines the process through which the City Council, City Manager, City staff and the City ’s legislative advocates can act in a timely manner in response to legislative proposals. The Legislative Platform serves as an opportunity to identify specifi c priority areas of interest for the City. The Legislative Platform is developed and mainta ined using legislative positions taken by the City Council, input from the City Council and City staff, research of current law and pending legislation, and discussions with local leg islative staff in consultation with the City ’s legislative advocates.
Legislation that is consistent with the 2024 Legislative Platform will be reviewed, approved, and signed by the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, or City Manager. In addition, legislative positions that are deemed time-sensitive and are consistent with the Legislative Platform may be signed and approved by the City Manager. Once approved, the position letter will be sent to the bill’s author, the Cit y’s legislative advocates, and o ther stakeholders as deemed appr opriate by staff, and a copy of the letter will be distributed to the City Council.
Legislation that is inconsistent with or silent on the City ’s Legislative P latform may be placed on the agenda for consideration by the Intergovernmental Relations Committee and the City Council. The City Manager may also provide a letter of con cern or interest without taking a formal position on a piece of legislation, upon concurrence of the IRC.
The City of Huntington Beach 2023-2027 Strategic Plan was ad opted to define the internal policies and programs the Huntington Beach is prioritizing. The Strategic Plan set eight goals and strategies:
Economic Development Fiscal Stability
High Performing Organization High Performing Organization Housing Infrastructure Investment
Public Engagement Public Engagement
This Legislative Platform is both an asset and key undertaking the City’s strategy to bolster the Surf City USA economy, continue working on successful initiatives , such as homeless services, take on opportunities to shape additional public policies, and create fun, safe spaces for the community.
Legislative Priorities
1. Preserve and Enhance Local Control. Support measures that preserve and protect the City’s local authority as a charter city to enact policy pertaining to local affairs.
Oppose measures that seek to preempt local control without the concurrence of the City of Huntington Beach.
a. Support measures that provide municipalities with increased input in the development of the Regional Housing Needs Assessment (RHNA). b. Oppose legislation that places a state mandate on the City without providing the funds necessary , or offsetting benefit /matching funds, to carry out the program (unfunded mandate).
c.
2. Economic Development and Fiscal Responsibility.
a. Support legislation that strengthens, protects, and expands ongoing revenue for the City.
b. Support measures that promote and enhance Huntington Beach as a tourist destination.
c. Support efforts to bolster the City’s small business community. d. Support efforts to coordinate economic development and land use. e.
3. Homelessness. The City supports efforts and legislation that seeks to alleviate homelessness throughout the state by providing funding and programmatic assistance to Cities and counties.
a. Support increased or sustained funding and oppose cuts to the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), specifically, support funding of community services and housing programs including Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), HO ME Investment Partnership, Em ergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and housing voucher programs.
b.
4. Housing & Land Use Regulations.
a. Monitor land use issues and support measures that preserve local control over planning and zoning matters.
b. Support legislative efforts to reform State housing element laws to simplify and streamline processes and requirements, including the process of establishing RHNA requirements, and achieving housing element certification.
c. Support efforts that provide municipalities with more control over the establishment and placement of licensed and unlicensed group homes and sober living homes, and transitional and supporting housing uses. d.
5. Public Safety.
a. Support measures and grants that would provide funding for Be Well OC to provide additional mental health support that works in coordination with the police department and homeless outreach teams.
b. Support public safety related legislation and funding of activities, infrastructure, technology, staffing, and equipment needs of police, fire, and lifeguards.
c. Support legislation that clarifies the public safety strategy for e-bikes and e- bike riders.
6. Infrastructure.
a. Seek state and federal funding for infrastructure projects. b. Support legislation that expands transportation planning, funding , and voluntary incentives to include an incr easingly mul ti-modal perspective focusing on transit, pedestrian ways, bikeways, multi-use trails and parking. c. Support legislation that provides for the relinquishment of certain portions of state routes within the City if found to be in the best interest of the state and our community.