From: Erin Spivey
To: [email protected]
Cc: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: Agenda ítem 20
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024 6:20:26 PM
Dear Councilmembers,
I once again write to oppose a proposed ordinance that on its face is wrong for this city, unenforceable, and a waste of time and money: agenda item 20 “parents right to know” city ordinance The city can declare itself a “parents right to know” city and express support for people who align with this idea without creating the legal quagmire they seem intent on or by wasting more time in a lawsuit over a law we have no basis to object to.
However, since the council seems intent on moving forward, here are some questions for the four who support this ordinance, given its extremely vague language:
1. How old is a child? The ordinance says children, so that would legally apply to all minors, 0-17 and 11 months. If a child of 4 says “I like boys and girls” is that to be given the same weight as a 16 year old saying “I like boys and girls”?
2. What do you mean by “no educator…shall withhold information”? Are city employees expected to keep detailed records of each and every interaction and conversation with a teen, preteen, child, in case someone mentions that they might have same sex feelings? Given that city employees don’t have the same personal relationships with minors that teachers do, should employees also create logs with pictures of the minors to help them remember later, in case this ever comes up?
3. If an adult demands to know about a conversation in which a female minor mentioned a dream of kissing a princess, how is the city employee expected to verify that this person is a parent or guardian? Should the parent or guardian be prepared to show picture id plus the child’s birth certificate indicating they are the legal guardian? Or in case of foster children, should the guardian be required to present a letter from the state of California as well as express permission from their social worker? Could get very complicated.
4. Prior to speaking to any child, should city employees request the minor’s full name, birthdate and other verification to make sure they can document the conversation for the record, should a parent or guardian request it?
5. Or will the city be supplying body cameras to all employees for a third party panel to review, in case anything related to a minor’s sexuality, gender, or gender expression come up?
6. How does the city plan to enforce the ordinance that no educators/counselor/other adults interacting with minors ever withhold information, should they fail to comply? Will there be random reviews? Will a demerit system be implemented? Is jail time a possibility?
Obviously there are many other questions about this agenda item! However none of it matters. The four who support this agenda item clearly have no intention of creating an enforceable city ordinance, because that’s not what this is about.
This is just another chance for Gates and crew to sue the state of California over a law they don’t like. A virtue signaling suit built to earn them campaign donations and talking spots on Fox News, at the expense of Huntington Beach’s tax payers.
This is merely another way to burn down our budget with frivolous lawsuits, full of fury, resulting in nothing for our city, only more bills we cannot pay.
As always, in deepest disdain for the four who support this, and of course Michael Gates, I urge you to vote against 9/3/2024
20 (24-622)
this item.
Erin Spivey
Librarian
Lifelong resident
Sent from my iphone, please excuse any typos
From: SUSAN MORABITO
To: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda 20 is a strong No! Infringement on individual rights and privacy Date: Sunday, September 1, 2024 8:26:36 AM
Susan Morabito
From: Maureen Bekins
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council meeting 9/3/24, Agenda Item #20, File #24-622 Date: Sunday, September 1, 2024 8:47:14 PM
To City Council Members and
City Attorney Michael Gates
Regarding Agenda Item 20 (24-622)
Approving an ordinance making Huntington Beach a
‘Parents Right to Know’ city would be a waste of
time and resources since the City has no control over
the schools within its borders. The ordinance goes
against state law, and we don’t need more endless
lawsuits wasting money of the Huntington Beach
taxpayers.
Additionally, adding in the dedicated City employees
who work in our libraries, parks, recreation and
community service facilities, to be the responsible
parties of this ordinance is ridiculous. It would turn
them into a Gestapo-like group. I can’t imagine that
any of them ever signed up for that as part of their job responsibilities!
I recommend a no vote on this ordinance.
Maureen Bekins
Huntington Beach homeowner since 1978
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: For the record - City Council Meeting 090324
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:00:38 AM
Importance: High
Dear City Council Members,
It is obvious to me that our city attorney, Michael Gates, is the ringleader of the” posse” consisting of councilmembers Van der Mark, Burns, Strickland and McKeon…and it is obvious to me that what Mr. Gates is trying to do, does nothing to benefit our city and in fact, causes more unnecessary spending that only hurts the taxpaying citizens of Huntington Beach as well as our reputation as a friendly place to live and visit. I have walked past the parking spaces for our councilmembers, city clerk, city attorney, etc. at all times of the day and all days during the work week for over a year. Only once, have I seen Mr. Gates’ car parked in his spot. That leads me to question: does he really work? In addition, the debacle with the Air Show beginning with the lawsuit and more recently with the agreement looks like payola to a buddy or a big contributor. Why should the air show have greater benefits and concessions, at our cost, than any other event that takes place in Huntington Beach? Any why isn’t it called the Huntington Beach Pacific Air Show? Before Michael Gates, Jennifer McGrath, who served for 12 years, consistently received plaudits for her work to reduce outsourcing and save the city money, whereas Michael Gates has done just the opposite.
I would like to go on the record to say that Mr. Gates should resign his position so that the citizens of Huntington Beach can elect a City Attorney who will work for the good of the whole not for his or her own self-interests.
I would also like to go on the record in opposition to Items:
19: 24-551, the zoning map amendments
20: 24-622, the parents right to know
21: 24-617, establishing a flagpole at Baca Park in honor of Vietnam Veteran Medal of Honor Recipient John P. Baca
22: 24-624, establishing tobacco retailer regulations
In my opinion, Item 19 would change the current zones, would most likely cost the city money to do so and doesn’t really seem necessary. Item 20 infers that the city of Huntington Beach has authority over education policies and practices, which it doesn’t. It also gives the City Attorney the ability to represent individual and/or private plaintiffs against the state rather than representing the city as a whole which would not only be potentially very costly but also is in violation of our City Charter. Once again, this could open up more costly lawsuits from the state. When will Gates stop wasting our money?
Item 21 goes against what councilmembers Van der Mark, Strickland, Burns and McKeon voted on regarding flags flown on city property. If this item gets passed, it shows clear favoritism of one councilmember to pass his pet projects and also once again, shows how non diverse and non-inclusive these 4 members of our city council are: NO to the Pride flag for 6 weeks; YES, to a John Baca flag forever. And it seems only 2 people (out of almost 200,000 citizens of Huntington Beach), one definitely a buddy of the “posse” are requesting this. In addition, it will cost the city money that could be spent on more important things, like our infrastructure.
Item 22, proposed by councilmember McKeon goes from the ridiculous to the absurd. Did he come up with this idea in a dream? While it’s true that cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the US, it is a waste of time and money to even study this proposal. The state of California is already taking steps to reduce illegal sales of tobacco products to minors so, why are you wasting our time with this Casey? Don’t you have better things to do?
In conclusion, councilmembers Van der Mark, Strickland, Burns and McKeon, it would be great if you stopped serving yourselves and started serving the city you claim you love before you put us into complete bankruptcy.
Terry Rose
40+ year resident and homeowner
PS. Have you seen what our state Senate did this past week? August 30, 2024
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Today, Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine) announced that the Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 1174, which places a ban on local governments imposing voter identification (ID) requirements in local elections. The legislation prevents a patchwork of varying election requirements across the state and reinforces the State of California’s exclusive jurisdiction on the issue.
“This legislation makes clear that election integrity and voter eligibility requirements are exclusively up to the State of California,” said State Senator Dave Min. “We cannot have 100 different charter cities making up 100 different sets of voting rules, based on fringe conspiracy theories. I have repeatedly told the Huntington Beach City Council members pushing this issue that if they were to produce any evidence of widespread voter fraud, I would lead efforts to change California’s voter eligibility rules. They have not produced any such evidence. I am grateful to my colleagues for their overwhelming support for this bill, and I am hopeful that the Governor will sign SB 1174 into law later this year.” In March, the City of Huntington Beach approved a charter amendment that would implement voter ID requirements in City elections starting in 2026. If signed into law by the Governor, SB 1174 would nullify Measure A before it is enacted.
State Senate Passes California Freedom to Read Act, Targeting Book Bans at Public Libraries
August 29, 2024
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – Yesterday, the California State Senate passed Assembly Bill (AB) 1825 authored by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and coauthored by Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine). Known as the California Freedom to Read Act, the bill is designed to fight back against book bans that silence communities of color and LGBTQ voices. AB 1825 would prohibit public libraries from banning books based on partisan or political reasons, viewpoint discrimination, gender, sexual identity, religion, disability, or on the basis that the books contain inclusive and diverse perspectives.“California has an obligation to protect the fundamental right of access to diverse and inclusive books and library materials for everyone. The freedom to read is not only a fundamental right under our constitution, it’s at the heart of our nation’s democracy,” said Senator Min. “Censorship and book bans are not new in America. At an earlier, uglier time in our history, bans were placed on works by Shakespeare, the Diary of Anne Frank, and even Robin Hood. Today, in Huntington Beach and across the state, we’ve seen book bans take aim at the lived experiences and voices of LGBTQ and people of color. That’s why the passage of AB 1825 is so important, and I am so incredibly proud to work alongside my colleague Assemblymember Muratsuchi to defend the freedom to read and get this important bill to the Governor’s desk.”
“I am honored that the California Freedom to Read Act is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. Our freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy, and libraries provide a special place in the public's civic education. Unfortunately, there is a growing movement to ban books across the country, including in California,” said Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. “Book banning proponents are disproportionately targeting materials containing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQ and communities of color. We need to fight this movement to ensure that Californians have access to books that offer diverse perspectives from people of all backgrounds, ideas, and beliefs.”
According to the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom, challenges of unique titles in the United States increased 65% from 2022 to 2023, reaching the highest ever level recorded. In California last year, the ALA reported 52 challenges to 98 titles in public libraries and school libraries. A total of 47% of all book bans have primarily targeted LGBTQ+ and black indigenous people of color.
Please don’t get us into more lawsuits!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Levin, Shannon
To: [email protected]
Subject: Fwd: Council Mtg. of 9/3/2024
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:42:00 AM
Get Outlook for iOS
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:24:13 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Council Mtg. of 9/3/2024
Re Agenda Item #20
From Cheryl Elliott (44-yr. HB resident)
Frankly put, those of you who think this ordinance is justified or enforceable are out of your minds!!!
From: Jeanne Paris
To: [email protected]
Subject: Parents Right to know City
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 12:36:32 PM
I am writing in strong support of adding a chapter to the HB municipal code relating to making Huntington Beach a Parent's Right to know City.
I do not want to see parents' rights undermined. The California public government schools have once again overstepped their boundaries - and once again the HB majority of the CC have stepped up to protect children and parental rights.
The state wants to tear families apart. The state has no business interring in family's personal lives regarding this matter.
Thank you.
Jeanne Paris
HB Resident
From: Pride at the Pier
To: [email protected]
Cc: Kalmick, Dan; Moser, Natalie; Bolton, Rhonda; McKeon, Casey; Burns, Pat; Van Der Mark, Gracey; Strickland, Tony
Subject: Public Comment - Agenda Item #20, "Parents" Rights" Ordinance (24-622) Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:51:26 PM
Attachments: PatP Public Comment HB - [24-622].pdf
Hello,
Please see the attached supplemental communication regarding Agenda Item #20 (24-622).
Thank you.
Instagram Facebook Linkedin Tiktok
www.prideatthepier.org
Pride at the Pier is fiscally sponsored by Hack Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Our registered EIN is 81-2908499
Huntington Beach City Council;
Pride at the Pier stands in opposition of Agenda Item #20, wherein Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark asks for a Yes vote on an ordinance Declaring Huntington Beach to be a “Parents’ Right to Know” City. This ordinance enshrines performative cruelty into the law, while simultaneously lacking the detail required for effective enforcement and understanding from the city’s employees.
This city council majority made statements from the dais during the last meeting regarding AB 1955 that showed a continued desire to mislead constituents regarding the content and intent of the law. This alone creates doubt surrounding the intent behind this ordinance. Mrs. Van Der Mark’s long and documented history of anti-LGBTQ+ activism and associations with prominent figures in the anti-LGBTQ+ movements creates additional doubt, as does the statements and votes made from the dais from Mrs. Van Der Mark, Mr. Burns, Mr. McKeon, and Mr. Strickland over the last nearly 2 years.
The Huntington Beach LGBTQ+ community and our allies have significant reason to believe that this ordinance does not come from a good-hearted place to encourage healthy, family communication in HB, but rather it is an attempt to further build an environment where LGBTQ+ people, minors and adults alike, do not feel safe expressing their identity in this city.
The arguments for and against forced outing policies have been made loudly up and down this state. Pride at the Pier stands against forced outing policies, and in support of keeping government overreach out of these private conversations. No elected official should be dictating the timeline by which an LGBTQ+ youth comes out to their parent.
Public Comment: Agenda Item #20
(24-622)
September 3rd, 2024
Huntington Beach City Council
2000 Main Street,
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
PRIDE ATTHE PIER
Considering the incredibly unclear manner in which this ordinance is written, we feel it is likely that this is either a piece of unenforceable performative cruelty to rile up an anti-LGBTQ+ voting base ahead of the election season, or it’s an ordinance that is meant to tempt a lawsuit from the ACLU that the City Attorney Michael Gates will accept on behalf of the city with the hope of rising his political clout with a small minority of voters. A lawsuit, of course, that HB will be unsuccessful in at the cost of more taxpayer dollars. Either way, we don’t see this ordinance as being a positive for the community.
Mayor Van Der Mark, the Huntington Beach LGBTQ+ community is not a smokescreen for you, Michael Gates, and the council majority to use when you need a distraction from the calls of thousands asking for accountability for your governance decisions. We ask you to do better. [email protected] County, California
prideatthepier.org
Best regards,
Executive Director
Pride at the Pier
Kanan Durham
PRIDE ATTHE PIER
From: Linda Moon
To: [email protected]
Subject: 9-3-24 Agenda Item 20 Parents Right to Know
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:00:31 PM
I write in strong opposition to Agenda Item 20, Ordinance 24-622.
This ordinance puts city employees in legal jeopardy for failing to become mandated sexual orientation reporters, which is entirely unreasonable and far beyond their employment responsibilities. This sort of responsibility will make their continued service by highly skilled employees untenable. Enforcement will also be virtually impossible. Further, the provision stating that the city has legal standing to challenge AB1955 is absurd and essentially commits substantial funds, as well as employee service to more litigation over matters solely within the jurisdiction of school districts, not the city.
It appears that the City Council Majority is again seeking only to draw attention to itself and garner favor among extremist members of the community who might support their political ambitions.
I urge you to come to your senses and vote in opposition to this ordinance.
Linda Sapiro Moon
50 Year Huntington Beach Resident
From: Judith Lewis
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Regarding Agenda Item 20. 24-622
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:02:22 PM
Agenda Item 20. 24-622
Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4326 Adding Chapter 1.23 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Parents’ Right to Know City
Members of the City Council majority have gone crazy bonkers unhinged by wasting time and money on politically divisive issues and, in this case, something totally outside your jurisdiction.
State legislation AB 1955 affects schools, not the city. Offering up our City Attorney to engage in lawsuits for individual parents who object to the State legislation is irresponsible and a waste of our taxpayers' money when the City is already facing deficits.
Furthermore, I suspect your hidden agenda is an anti-homosexual campaign. You likely are among those who believe people in schools and libraries are “grooming” children to become homosexual and that parents should be able to take measures to forbid such an abomination. But you dare not say this out loud. Instead, you base the legitimacy of your concern on possible “harassment or suicidal ideation,” which the schools are still required to report to parents.
Your bias on this issue was revealed last September by your banning the pride flag, rewriting the Statement of Human Dignity to exclude mention of any minority groups, and dissolving the Human Relations Committee. Your political stance seeks to reverse any progress in dealing with hatred and biases against homosexuals.
This agenda item is unjustified, and you four should be recalled for dereliction of duty and misuse of taxpayer money.
--
Judith Lewis
37 year resident of Huntington Beach
From: H Meyers
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: City Council Agenda Item #20
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:14:06 PM
I am a long-time resident of Huntington Beach. I oppose the ordinance proposed in Agenda Item #20 for the September 3, 2024, City Council meeting. The City has no jurisdiction over schools and is again wasting taxpayer money to pursue an inappropriate right-wing social agenda that pretends to protect children while also purposely misinterpreting AB 1955. Too bad, HB City Council members who disagree with State law on this. This ordinance also irresponsibly, and probably illegally, expands the City Attorney’s power—another reason to oppose this reckless and dangerous ordinance.
Hildy Meyers
From: Joi Defoe
To: [email protected]
Subject: September 3rd council meeting
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:30:18 PM
I would like to voice my concerns regarding two issues:
1) Parents Right to Know ordinance
Please stay out of school business. The city council has no control over schools (thank god for that) and as such should focus on the business of running this city.
2) I support the demand that Supervisor Andrew Do resign his seat immediately. There is no place in government for someone like Andrew Do.
Thank you,
Joi Defoe
--
Joi Defoe
[email protected]
310.750.8535
From: Bev Sansone
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: City Council agenda item #20
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 7:12:03 PM
I am a long-term resident of Huntington Beach. I do not understand why our city council is proposing an ordinance regarding an issue we have no jurisdiction over. Why are we wasting tax payer dollars to propose this ordinance? And why would the city want our city attorney representing private interests? I disagree with the proposed ordinance and hope the city council sees fit to deny this agenda item.
Beverly Sansone, MD
201 20th St.
Huntington Beach
From: K Carroll
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: City Council Meeting Agenda Items 9/3/2024
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:07:44 PM
Greetings Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark, Pro Tem Pat Burns, Illustrious Councilmen Casey McKeon and Tony Strictland,
Thank you for reviewing my feedback on the following agenda Items:
24-622
Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4326 Adding Chapter 1.23 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code relating to parents' right to know City.
I strongly support this item. Schools and teachers need to stay out of the personal lives of children and concentrate on academics. Parent's WILL continue to take their children out of school and homeschool if they continue to push politically motivated agendas. 24-617
Item submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Burns - Establishing a flagpole at Baca Park in Honor of Vietnam Veteran Medal of Honor Recipient John P. Baca.
Thank you Pat Burns for submitting this item. I strongly support and believe we cannot do enough for our Vets, especially Vietnam. This particular item is especially close to my heart because my husband served in active duty in Vietnam and I was old enough to experience the loss of my older sister's friends who were drafted. Mr. John P. Baca certainly is deserving. I would be proud as an HB Citizen to recognize him.
24-624
Item submitted by Council Member McKeon - Establish Tobacco Retailer Regulations.
Direct the City Manager to work with the City Attorney to prepare an Ordinance for introduction at a future City Council Meeting to amend the Huntington Beach Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance to establish regulations for tobacco retailers citywide.
Thank you Councilman McKeon for bringing this forward and listening to the concerned citizens. Just like sober living, liquor stores, etc. I do believe that zoning for tobacco retailers should be zoned and regulated appropriately and not near schools. I strongly support this. I do not believe tobacco retailers should be anywhere near schools or business' and organizations that serve minor's needs.
24-628
Item submitted by Council Members Bolton, Kalmick and Moser - Supervisor Andrew Do - Demand to Resign
I strongly oppose this item. The people's vote must be honored and pressure to resign should not the role of our Huntington Beach City Council that is representative of the City of HB Citizens. Through my many investigations or fact finding, I have learned that things are not always what they appear on the surface. The investigation has just begun. I personally think it is disgusting that this is even being presented prior to finalizing the investigation and going through the Justice System. If Supervisor Do is found guilty; obviously, he would not continue in his current role. This agenda item is a political strategy on the part of the three who submitted this item and totally inappropriate.
In closing, Thank you so much for all you do for the HB Citizens and your tireless fast tract items. Your accomplishments are awesome
and unmatched. Know you are supported and
appreciated by the HB majority!!
Best regards,
Kris Carroll
From: Stouts Momma
To: [email protected]
Subject: Parents Rights City Ordinance
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:57:09 PM
To the City Council members,
Griselda Van Der Mark, Pat Burns, Casey McKeon, Tony
Strickland:
What is your fascination with minor's genitalia and sexuality!?! Your fascination is seriously cringe, creepy and weird. You also put children in harm's way by forcibly outting them to their parents.
Not all parents are safe to come out to.
But I don't think you believe kids are being indoctrinated into being gay or trans. I think you're just trying to scare your gay/trans kids to remain scared of accepting who they are.
Because if your kids see others out there living happily as their authentic selves then that might tell your kids that it's safe to be themselves. You want to keep them scared and terrified to be who they are.
Also, stop trying to deflect from your horrible airshow settlement.
You thought your HUGE
payout to your buddy, Kevin Elliot,
would never get out. But thanks to Gina, it has. Well, you can't put the cat back in the bag. We see your handouts and we want answers.
LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!
Christy
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: city Council meeting Sep 3, 2024
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:57:49 PM
I find your attempt to meddle in our public school policies with this ridiculous Parent Notification ordinance totally unacceptable. Take care of city business and leave the schools to run themselves! No to Agenda 20. Let Our Libraries run themselves and City Council attend to our city problems! Let our parents decide what books their children read and not city council! Keep government out of our schools and libraries! And quit wasting our city money on STUPID lawsuits against the state of CA. You arrogance and frivolous waste of our taxpayers money defies belief. Stop it! TJ England, HB resident/ taxpayer.
Sent from my iPhone
From: Buffie Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Agenda Items - 20, NO & 23, YES
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:01:16 PM
To City Council members:
Once again, the City Council MAJORITY attempts to pretend they have jurisdiction beyond their scope of power. You just don't tire of being belittled by our local newspapers for your ridiculousness. Is it actually conservative to subject city workers to mandatory subjective tattle-tailing on kids at camps, libraries, etc? What if the employee does not comply? Will they be arrested? I hear "anything is possible". What if they are wrong and the child isn't gay or wanting to change pronouns and they heard wrong? This will open the city up to discrimination lawsuits. This is so dumb. But that's what we expect from you - constant culture wars and political stunts.. You want to "out" kids so they can be possibly beaten or thrown out on the streets? How does that protect kids? And the City Attorney will represent a parent who wants to sue the state over what? How will that work exactly? You have no jurisdiction over schools or teachers. The taxpayers will be on the hook for this? Seems like a very bad decision and one that Mr. Gates is salivating over so he can get his name on the news.
He doesn't care about this city or kids.
--VOTE NO on AGENDA ITEM 20. 24-622
Meanwhile, OC GOP darling Andrew Do is up to his neck in corruption and FBI investigations. That corrupt buddy of Tony Strickland's should resign. --VOTE YES on AGENDA ITEM 23. 24-628
This is beyond embarrassing. Can't wait for the local newspapers and Opinion sections to skewer the majority and Gates once again. I think HB City Council MAJORITY and the City Attorney should mind their own damn business
Sincerely
Buffie Channel
35 year resident and homeowner
From: April Downs
To: [email protected]
Subject: Reject “Parents Right to Know”
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:04:48 PM
Dear City Council - The “Parents Right to Know” ordinance is not only a waste of city resources and an example governmental overreach, it is poorly written (vague) and threatens to open more lawsuits from our city. The City Attorney works for the city and is not in the position to represent individuals using our tax dollars.
We are a city where tourism is vital, and continuing to deliberately try and draw media attention for a far right agenda, advertises to investors and visitors we are not welcoming. This is not how I want me tax dollars spent nor how I want my city council to spend their time!
April Downs
Sent from my iPhone
From: Scott Malabarba
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: in opposition to agenda item 20
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 11:08:53 PM
Dear City Council,
I am writing to voice my opposition to agenda item 20 and the proposed ordinance.
As usual, your culture war posturing is insincere, grotesque, and self-serving.
We all know how the the four of you on the majority feel about queer and trans people. You made that very clear during your repeated attacks on the library, its staff, and the children who see themselves represented in the books you ban (which would actually be all of them, seeing as you banned "Everyone Poops"). You're not trying to help these kids, and you don't care about parents' rights unless those parents agree with you.
Ordinance 4326 is a disturbing mess that, among other horrors, claims the parent-child relationship as "a municipal affair."
The text correctly notes that "transgender and gender nonconforming students suffer from increased psychological, emotional, and physical harassment and abuse." If you were sincere, you would be asking yourselves and your supporters some tough questions about who is doing this harassing and what you are doing to enable and even encourage it.
As a resident and a parent, I don't care what you have to say about any of this. However, I would like to learn more about the disastrous Pacific Air Show settlement, which despite your best efforts we have now read and which this agenda item is probably just a weak attempt to distract the public from.
Hi Rhonda, Natalie, and Dan -- we appreciate you, as always! Sincerely,
Scott Malabarba
HB resident
From: Melanie Tioleco-Cheng
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Agenda item 20
Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 11:21:17 PM
Hello,
It's late so I'll keep it simple. For those parents--or any parents-- who are concerned about "Parents Right to Know", the solutions is straightforward, TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN.
Have open lines of communication. Keep open minds. Ask them about their day, about their friends, about their hopes and dreams, and, YES, ask them about their gender identity and sexual orientation in an age appropriate way.
If you're worried that they won't talk to you, then you have bigger problems than asking the government to mandate that you get to know who your kids are.
This agenda item is unnecessary, and can also have serious consequences for our children.
Please stop wasting our time and tax money and start governing our city.
Sincerely,
Melanie Tioleco-Cheng
HB resident and pediatrician
From: Pat Goodman
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Vote NO on Agenda Item 20 and Pull Agenda Item # 21 for further study Date: Monday, September 2, 2024 11:28:01 PM
Agenda Item 20 - please vote NO. This ordinance does not belong in city government, and will likely result in legal actions by school districts, unions, State of California, civil rights organizations. What I find most disturbing is how it misinforms the public about what current laws require of classroom teachers and administrators and school boards. Please don't use such a sensitive issue a child's human development, parent's rights, and school district responsibilities to misinform citizens, and cause division within our community. This is bullying and voter manipulation at its worse. You can be better than this.
Agenda Item 21 - please pull for further study. This item raises several questions. It seems that it's an issue that deserves a deeper dive.
I'm curious about other parks in Huntington Beach having U.S. flags flown. I don't think there is a flag at every park in the city. How will the flags be raised and taken down each day or will it be displayed on special occassions or a light shone on it from dusk to dawn? What about maintenance of the flag? I think that John Baca's story needs to be told, is there a way to make his story more prominent and accessible to visitors? Aren't there other parks that honor veterans and patriots in the city? Interesting subject.
Pat Goodman
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Oppose Item #20
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 1:39:15 AM
I strongly oppose agenda item #20.
It is clear that Ordinance 4326 was written in response to propaganda that has been spread in certain communities with regard to California bill AB1955. To be clear, AB1955 does not require teachers to keep secrets from parents. It clearly states that schools and school districts cannot create rules and policies that FORCE teachers to "out" their students.
If, as you state in paragraph B of the Findings section, you truly are concerned about the psychological well-being of LGBTQ students, you would understand that the stress of knowing their teacher is required to "out" them only adds more stress and increases the risk the student will attempt suicide. Reducing the stresses on students by eliminating their fear of outing before they are ready is the best way to reduce the suicide risk. Knowing they have a safe space to discuss their questions will help the student develop a plan to discuss with their parents, but that cannot usually be done in only three days.
Let's jump down to Section 1.23.020 (D). The ordinance has nothing to do with schools. You are now talking about educators only in city facilities, but you don't specify that you are only making this requirement of employees. What about library volunteers? Art Center volunteers? Are you intending to impose this ordinance on teen age employees, such as camp counselors and lifeguards? Are you going to define exactly what constitutes sexual orientation? Are parents going to be getting phone calls every time someone sees their child holding hands with another child? How exactly are you defining gender identity or gender expression? Many boys like to wear nail polish. Are their parents going to be getting phone calls advising them that their son may be exhibiting a female gender expression? But the craziest section of all is 1.23.030 (C). When the city is facing huge deficits and has looming legal judgements, you are writing a law that specifies that the City Attorney may initiate legal actions on behalf of residents with children in HB public schools. Since when will the City Attorney represent private citizens at taxpayer expense?
As Mr. McKeon likes to say, you have a fiduciary responsibility to be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars you oversee. Allowing them to be wasted on ridiculous lawsuits on behalf of individuals is an abdication of your responsibility.
Please vote NO and dispose of this item that is clearly a political stunt.
Diane James
From: Chris Varga
To: [email protected]
Subject: City Council Meeting Comments for 9/3/24
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 7:34:57 AM
Huntington Beach City Council: The following are comments to City Council Meeting on 9/2/24
Agenda Item 19 (24-551) – No to this agenda item. Come up with a state mandated housing plan to first!
Agenda Item 20 (34-622) – No to the Parents Right to Know – The City Council should stay out of the school. This is not in their roles and responsibilities. This is a non-problem. Quit with these MAGA agenda items
Agenda Item 21 (34-617) – No to another flag pole for the city to maintain. The war hero has a park named after him. This is an unnecessary expense in a city with budget issues.
Agenda Item 22,24-624) – No to more regulations on Tobacco sales. What’s next Alcohol? Stop the government overreach.
Agenda Item 23 (34-628) – I support the call for the resignation of Andrew Do for the Orange County board of Supervisors.
Sincerely,
Chris Varga
Huntington Beach
From: Deb Harvey
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Ordinance 4326
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:14:21 AM
Subject: Opposition to Ordinance 4326
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
As a long-standing tax-paying property owner, I wish to express my strong opposition to Ordinance 4326. This ordinance appears to be poorly conceived, carrying significant fiscal irresponsibility and potentially punitive consequences for City and contract staff. Furthermore, it seems unnecessary and could result in the misuse of tax dollars.
Specifically, I am opposed to any allocation of public funds that would permit the City Attorney to initiate legal action against the State on behalf of a private individual. I urge you to vote against Ordinance 4326.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
Deborah R. Harvey
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Parents Right to Know
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:19:29 AM
Dear City Council Members,
Please stop wasting our hard earned tax dollars on this frivolous ordinance and get down to business on making our city a safe and prosperous place for all. Our spending on attorneys and frivolous lawsuits is a huge misuse of public funds.
Sincerely,
Vanessa and Jeff Webster
40 year residents of HB
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
From: Richard Morris
To: [email protected]
Subject: tonight"s meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:23:17 AM
To the city council members,
I am asking you to vote against the ordinance known as "Parents Right to Know". The city council should not be creating ordinances for our city schools as you have no control over the schools. Please stop creating ordinances that wastes our city's taxpayer money on litigation.
Richard Morris
92646
From: Patrick Hughes
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Opposition to Ordinance 4326
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:28:17 AM
To the Huntington Beach City Council,
As a long-standing tax-paying property owner, I wish to express my strong opposition to Ordinance 4326. This ordinance appears to be poorly conceived, carrying significant fiscal irresponsibility and potentially punitive consequences for City and contract staff. Furthermore, it seems unnecessary and could result in the misuse of tax dollars.
Specifically, I am opposed to any allocation of public funds that would permit the City Attorney to initiate legal action against the State on behalf of a private individual. I urge you to vote against Ordinance 4326.
Thank you for considering my concerns.
Sincerely,
Patrick Hughes
From: Sue Welfringer
To: [email protected]
Subject: OPPOSE 24-622 Ordinance No. 4326
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:29:03 AM
24-622 Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4326 Adding Chapter 1.23 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Parents’ Right to Know City Approve for introduction Ordinance No. 4326, “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach Adding Chapter 1.23 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Parents’ Right to Know City.”
Resending my opposition email from August 4th. This ordinance does NOTHING to protect kids. Your motivations appear political and self-serving your own personal agendas.
Regards,
Sue Welfringer
August 04, 2024
Dear Mayor Van Der Mark and City Council Members:
I oppose item 24-541 placed on the Huntington Beach City Council Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, August 6
th.
I am curious: how many Huntington Beach educators have you asked for input / concerns regarding how your statement negatively affects them? I am curious: how many parents of LGBTQ+ children have you talked with to learn how this statement affects them and their children?
I am curious: if the City of Huntington Beach does not have the authority to set policy for our public and private education institutions, then why is this even a conversation to happen in our local council chambers?
Your actions on council are, indeed, curious. And in case you aren’t sure, based on how I feel about your attack on our library, curious is a euphemism for what I really think.
Sincerely,
Sue Welfringer
Resident since 1997
From: Isabella Ford
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: For the record
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:36:26 AM
For the record, I'd like to add my name to the list of residents requesting the city council take the following actions tonight:
1 - Cancel the "Parents Right to Know" Ordinance. AB 1955 should be signed into law. 2 - Demand OC Supervisor Andrew Do resign immediately. Even Janet Nguyen, one of your comrade politicians, has demanded he resign. This should be an easy one for all to agree on given the impact on the Orange County Budget and the fact that the City of HB counts on the County for funding various projects.
3 - Regarding John Baca park: Is the Medal of Honor flag one of the approved flags on our revised charter to limit the allowed flags on city property? I ask that you remove your flag amendment to the charter which limits the types that can fly on city property and go back to a time when you could fly different flags to publicly display the pride HB has for all groups.
Regarding your statement: "A flagpole will bring the park added attention, as it is easily missed in its current state." Are you sure residents surrounding John Baca Park actually want MORE people to frequent that park? I remember my toddler son asking "why are so many people at OUR park" as our neighborhood park started being used more. HB has hundreds of neighborhood parks and my understanding is we designed these small parks to not have bathrooms or a lot of parking spots so they attract the families that can walk or bike there. We don't necessarily want our neighborhood parks to be destinations. That is the purpose of the larger parks with facilities like bathrooms, parking, water, etc. 4 - Finally a few requests
- please release the Infrastructure report card
- please rejoin OCPA
- please cancel the Parent/Guardian committee at the library Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns.
Isabella Ford
714-308-0660
From: Lisa Angela Gibilie
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Re AB 1955
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:36:56 AM
It is long past due for the City Council to focus on local affairs instead of their numerous attacks on the State.
Leave the kids alone. You are taking your own personal views and wasting city money and resources to attack vulnerable children. You misled people in the community to think this is a larger issue when in truth, it would likely not even apply to most of them. You are attempting to violate the civil rights of a small vulnerable group of children. Many of these children come from homes where "outing" them to their parents may result in physical and or verbal abuse. Some may even be kicked out of their homes.
How many lost lawsuits have we had recently? How much time and money does this cost? How much of your time is spent on TV and Youtube interviews bragging about terrorizing our libraries and librarians, our teachers and students, and soon the electorate as we try to sort our way through your unnecessary change in voting.
Who will you target next? LGBTQ protections and anti-Semitism were removed from your revised Human Dignity statement. Did you mean them to be targets of abuse, or just not worth protecting? Before you go through with this, each person on the City Council needs to remember back when they were teenagers. Did your parents know everything you did? I doubt it. If you had secrets of your own, you need to let this fight go and the City Attorney has no business representing any one family on this issue either.
Better that you focus on the hordes of ebike riders who defy the rules of the road, causing accidents or the kids who get together in the evening and vandalize homes. These are the parents who need to be told about what their kids are doing because their kids are causing trouble.
Liberal Blue states are the antithesis of tyrannical governments. Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, N. Korea are tyrannical regimes. The definition of tyranny is a cruel, harsh, and unfair government in which a person or small group of people have over everyone else. When you fight tyrannical governments, you are typically incarcerated or executed.
You are on the wrong side of this argument, will waste time and money and lose in the end. More importantly just shame on you for even taking this on.
Lisa Gibilie
When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.
Willie Nelson
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
From: Mary Ann Celinder
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: Parents Right to Know
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:39:35 AM
RE: Parents Right to Know
If we are lucky, we all have safe spaces, people with whom we can be ourselves without holding back any part of who we are. Your safe spaces might include work, school, a club, a political gathering, your church, and hopefully, your family.
Most likely, your safest space is among friends where you can share the very personal side you might never feel free to talk about with family, especially your parents. Admit it, how many of you talk, in any detail, about your sex life with your parents? All children need safe spaces, for all the reasons listed in the ordinance. Nothing is more personal than your sexuality. Not all homes have the capability of accepting a child whose identity is not the norm Not only will this ordinance remove those safe spaces in every place with a Huntington Beach public worker, it removes the child’s home from being a safe space.
If your child does not feel free to be themselves at home, there is probably a reason. What a shame for a child to have fear of acceptance and the loss of freedom to be who they are without judgement. If a parent hasn’t sensed who a child is, it is on them to know their kids better, not an educator or any other public employee. You can leave a place that does not feel safe, like a club or church, but most of us don’t leave our family even if we have to hold back part of ourselves to be accepted.
This makes me think of how kids who were different were treated in the past. left handed kids were forced to be right handed to conform. We’ve come a long way since I or my kids were in school, but it’s still a right handed world and being a lefty isn’t easy. Read this article to see how what I mean.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bias_against_left-handed_people#:~:text=hand if necessary.-
,Forced use of the right hand,activities with their right hands.
In 1989, my eldest son entered kindergarten at Eader Elementary at 5 1/2. Mrs. Z had returned to teaching after 25 years. At the October parent/teacher conference, she shared that she expected our son would need to repeat kindergarten because of delayed fine motor skills, he would pick up a tool with either hand. She said it was important to develop pathways to the brain from a dominant hand and it would be best to correct him at home and school to be right handed.
This felt very wrong to us, so at our own expense, we took him to be evaluated by a developmental psychologist. After a series of tests, we were advised he was 50/50, no strong preference, but would likely find his way by his 6th birthday. In the meantime, he was building strengths in both sides and if he every became a brain surgeon (like the doctor’s left- handed wife), those strengths would come in handy.
Armed with this report, the teacher was stopped from correcting our child and sure enough, by his 6th birthday, he’d landed on writing with his left hand. We supported him as best as we could with tools available for left handedness, but it isn’t easy living in a world designed for right-handed people No one chooses to be different, it’s simply part of our core being.
We did not hold him back to repeat kindergarten. His favorite subjects were math and science and he is now a Marine Geophysicist. In high school, he became an All American Swimmer, lettered in Water Polo, Swimming, and Wrestle, earned the Hall of Fame Award for Waterpolo at Edison (those left and right strengths paid off as a goalie), and was State Champion in College for his Breaststroke. He was a HB lifeguard for 12 years and voted Life Guard of the Year by his peers.Things could have got differently for our son if we had thwarted his natural being.
Freedom to be who we are Is the most fundamental freedom we have. The intent of this ordinance is to take away the freedom of our children.
Mary Ann Celinder
Celinder's Glass Design
21341 Fleet Lane
Huntington Beach Ca 92646
studio 714 962 8361
cell 714 504 8361
www.customleadedglass.com
From: Carol Keane
To: [email protected]
Subject: Tuesday"s city council meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:42:15 AM
To the Huntington Beach City Council members:
The city council does not have control over our schools and should not be spending time writing and voting on ordinances that will ultimately result in more wasted money on lawsuits.
Our city attorney represents the Municipal Corporation of Huntington Beach and should not be a part of representing individuals. The Parents Right to Know ordinance is vague and you should vote against it. I would like the City Council to address the real issues facing Huntington Beach like traffic, recreation and particularly the deficit facing our city.
Thank you,
Carol Keane
Huntington Beach 92646
From: Jaime Kauffman Palumbo
To: [email protected]
Subject: Public Comment for Meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:51:30 AM
Hello,
I would like to express my extreme displeasure with Mayor Van Der Mark’s agenda item 20. This council majority’s priorities seem to be completely misplaced. Their job is to run the city, not insert themselves into the families of their constituents. How conversations about sexuality and gender expression should be had are not in their jurisdiction. They need to stay in their lane and work for the betterment of the city and not fear mongering about issues that do not pertain to them. Not only is the agenda item misleading, but it opens up our city to lawsuits once again. How much money are we going to pay out in pointless culture war fights before we realize the majority and our city attorney don’t know what they are doing and are simply trying to distract the electorate from that fact.
No matter how many ridiculous agenda items the majority concoct, we are not going to be deterred from holding them to account for the egregious air show settlement and all the money they have been bleeding out of our coffers.
Thank you,
Jaime and John Palumbo
From: Larry Slonim
To: [email protected]
Subject: Supplemental Comments on HB City Council Agenda, dated September 3, 2024 Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:51:37 AM
Attachments: To HBCC on Item 20, Ordinance 4326, 9.3.24.docx HBCC Agenda for 9.3.24
To the Huntington Beach City Council (and more specifically to Gracey, Pat, Tony, Casey and most of all, Michael Gates),
My wife and I do NOT support Item 20, relating to Ordinance No. 4326 and adding Chapter 1.23 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and urge all of the CC members to either A) table this proposal until it can be redrafted into a more fair ordinance accounting for and respecting every HB citizens’ rights, or B) make it a ballot measure for special election, so that ALL of HB’s registered voters can vote on it, or C) do both A) and B).
Our reasoning is as follows: Under findings L & M, Michael Gates wrote “The people of Huntington Beach have a right to govern…municipal affairs” and “As a Charter City, that derives its power from the consent of the people…” That means more than the ‘less than majority’ election of the councilmembers in 2022. You clearly are not representing the majority of the residents in this city of 200,000 people! And you certainly aren’t representing my wife and I in the manner we expect and demand. This new ordinance is very clearly based on religious morals, and those are NOT morals that many residents, including my wife and I, blanketly agree with! This proposed new ordinance flies in the face of our morals and chosen religion, and we will NOT sit idly by while the majority council and its city attorney spend our tax dollars attempting to apply and enforce citywide moral standards that we do not subscribe to!
This proposal for ordinance 4326 needs to be WITHDRAWN, or put on a citywide ballot for a public vote (though I don’t see how such a law, as it’s been currently drafted, could stand up to everyone’s constitutional right to freedom of religion).
Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980
HBCC Agenda for 9.3.24
To the Huntington Beach City Council (and more specifically to Gracey, Pat, Tony, Casey and most of all, Michael Gates),
My wife and I do NOT support Item 20, relating to Ordinance No. 4326 and adding Chapter
1.23 to the Huntington Beach Municipal Code, and urge all of the CC members to either A) table this proposal until it can be redrafted into a more fair ordinance accounting for and respecting every HB citizens’ rights, or B) make it a ballot measure for special election, so that ALL of HB’s registered voters can vote on it, or C) do both A) and B).
Our reasoning is as follows: Under findings L & M, Michael Gates wrote “The people of Huntington Beach have a right to govern…municipal affairs” and “As a Charter City, that derives its power from the consent of the people…”
That means more than the ‘less than majority’ election of the councilmembers in 2022. You clearly are not representing the majority of the residents in this city of 200,000 people! And you certainly aren’t representing my wife and I in the manner we expect and demand. This new ordinance is very clearly based on religious morals, and those are NOT morals that many residents, including my wife and I, blanketly agree with! This proposed new ordinance flies in the face of our morals and chosen religion, and we will NOT sit idly by while the majority council and its city attorney spend our tax dollars attempting to apply and enforce citywide moral standards that we do not subscribe to!
This proposal for ordinance 4326 needs to be WITHDRAWN, or put on a citywide ballot for a public vote (though I don’t see how such a law, as it’s been currently drafted, could stand up to everyone’s constitutional right to freedom of religion).
Larry and Susan Slonim
Home Owners in HB, continuously, since 1980
From: Dana Lee
To: [email protected]
Subject: Oppose Item 20
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:51:53 AM
Forced outing of kids to potentially
abusive parents, and forcing other people
to be gender police is appalling.
Vote no on Item 20.
From: Paula Schaefer
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected]; [email protected]; Gates, Michael
Subject: Fwd: VOTE NO ON AGENDA ITEM 20 (24-622)
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:52:08 AM
Council Members:
This item has absolutely no place on a City council agenda.
It is yet another example of the Fab4+1's self-aggrandizing efforts to garner attention to their ongoing culture war vendetta against any law they don't like.
The City has no control over the activities that this proposed ordinance attempts to criminalize within a school - in case you don't know, the City does not have jurisdiction over schools! So, the extremist majority 4 have added obligations to City employees to become park and playground police. Will the City now require its employees (shrinking in number) to monitor children's every action in a park, what the child is wearing, what game the child is playing? This proposed ordinance smacks of a police state, not a democracy.
The only economic problem that AB1955 causes the City is the colossal waste of time and money that City Attorney Gates wants to spend on this messianic mission.
Since when does the City Attorney represent individuals? Isn't the City Attorney's job to represent the elected City Council? So now, the City Attorney's office will also represent individuals? How will this even be possible?
To paraphrase what I heard recently, the Fab4+1s ego have no bounds and incompetence no floor.
Paula A. Schaefer
Huntington Beach resident
--
Paula A. Schaefer
From: Carol Daus
To: [email protected]
Subject: Opposition to Item 20 on Agenda (24-622) for Council meeting on 9-3-24 Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:53:54 AM
Dear Council Members,
I am in strong disagreement to Item 20 (24-622), which represents governmental interference into the personal lives of families. Teachers and city employees should not feel that it's their job to "out" teens.
You are clearly on the wrong side of history with this issue, and that's why the vast majority of Americans agree that LGBTQ+ individuals deserve the same freedoms as straight, cisgender individuals.
I would like Huntington Beach to remain a modern, welcoming city; not one that's ruled by four homophobic, backwards-thinking Council members.
Thank you,
Carol Daus
29-year resident of Huntington Beach
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); [email protected] Subject: OPPOSED TO AGENDA ITEM #20
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:54:20 AM
I was opposed to this item previously and remain opposed for all the reasons I mentioned in my previous email when this nonsense was originally introduced.
Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
From: Tim Channel
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Cc: [email protected]
Subject: Agenda Comments 9/3/2024
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 8:59:55 AM
City Council,
I urge a NO vote on item #20 24-622. When will the council majority realize that they DO NOT have magical powers that allow them to dictate rules they have no jurisdiction over? You do not have power to override state law nor any power over school boards. This is an embarrassment and complete over-reach. VOTE NO.
I urge a YES vote on item #23 24-628. Let's get the criminals out of office. Please VOTE YES.
Timothy Channel
Huntington Beach
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda 20 is a strong No for me; please don’t support Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:08:19 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: SUSAN MORABITO <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 8:25 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda 20 is a strong No for me; please don’t support Susan Morabito
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Parents Right to Know proposed city ordinance/supplemental communication Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:08:28 AM
From: pacj <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 10:12 AM
To: Estanislau, Robin <[email protected]>; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>
Subject: Parents Right to Know proposed city ordinance/supplemental communication
Based on AB1955 discussions at the last council meeting, an ordinance was drafted.
The ordinance recognizes it has limits on jurisdiction, but includes a segment through which the council majority can vote for the City to join other jurisdictions in litigation and can vote to assist individuals through litigation.
I have two serious questions. 1)With respect to HB employee duty to report gender identification issues to parents: How is that going to work? What training will be provided employees? Who will draft this training? What disciplinary measures will be taken against HB employees who fail to report gender identification issues to parents? What is the employee appeal process? Does this mandate violate any HB state or federal rights? 2) HB has a limited amount of dollars to fulfill its regular role as a city. The council has a serious duty to safeguard those dollars. Does the council seriously want to assist individual citizens in litigation over legislation? If so, where does it stop?
Sincerely,
Pat Quintana
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: School Issues item 20
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:09:37 AM
From: Diane Amendola <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 6:34 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: School Issues item 20
We elect school boards to run our schools.
We elect City Councils to run our City. Simple.
Other than as a parent you as council members need to mind our city business and leave schools alone. Shame on you butting into something that is not your business as a council. Is this all about Gracey losing her School Board election twice? It's not her business or yours. As a parent I'm astounded at your attempted Overreach.
Wow I did not know when I voted for 3 of you how controlling you are. Guess I made a big mistake as did my Republican friend in Sacramento. Wow I am astounded. What in the world ever happened to the concept of limited government. You members supporting #20 are sure not from my old Republican Party. Shame on you who forgot what we once stood for.
Mary Amendola
Get Outlook for iOS
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Agenda item 20 Tuesday meeting
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:10:35 AM
From: Lynne Deakers <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, September 1, 2024 6:56 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Agenda item 20 Tuesday meeting
I am writing to oppose item 20 on your next meeting’s agenda. This is way beyond the scope of city council. Please get back to the business of running our city!! I am appalled at the politics you are bringing to the council. You are just asking for lawsuits we as a city cannot afford. HB city council has always been a bipartisan group working to solve the every day issues our city faces. Please can you get back to working on city relevant matters !!
Lynne Deakers
Tim Deakers
Huntington Beach residents
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Opposing Agenda Item 20 "Parent Notification Ordinance" Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:10:41 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: Ameelia Ghareeb <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 8:05 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Opposing Agenda Item 20 "Parent Notification Ordinance" Good Morning Huntington Beach City Council Members,
I am a resident of HB, a Public School Teacher, and every member of my household votes in every single election.
I am shaking my head that the “Parent Notification Ordinance” (Agenda Item 20 on the September 3 Agenda) is being taken up for action. Outing gay kids is a new low.
In my 24 years of public service, personally have seen that the horror stories are true: kids kicked out, kids abused by their parents, kids whose lives fall apart because of someone revealing their orientation or identity. Thankfully, I have not seen a suicide…yet. There is great documentation that trans and gay kids experience this in far greater numbers.
The LEAST of the bad outsources is that this will cost taxpayer money and wasted time as the state overrules this anyway. I don’t even want to think of the worst consequences. It will not be adults who suffer them; it will be kids.
Please focus on solving real problems. Leave our kids alone.
Thank you,
Ameelia Ghareeb, 92649
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Council Mtg. of 9/3/2024
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:11:02 AM
From: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 10:24 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Council Mtg. of 9/3/2024
Re Agenda Item #20
From Cheryl Elliott (44-yr. HB resident)
Frankly put, those of you who think this ordinance is justified or enforceable are out of your minds!!!
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Parent Notification Ordinance
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:11:14 AM
-----Original Message-----
From: d. wada <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 2:52 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Parent Notification Ordinance
To all this concerns,
I am taking more time than I care to on this, not any of your business, agenda item. It seems the majority council members are attempting to cozy up to a small group of citizens with another non-issue that they keep creating.
Parents have the same rights as they've always had and it is their business to exercise that right without infringing on our overworked and underpaid teachers who have their jobs. Why do you demand more government oversight to do what parents should already be doing...
know their own children. What does this say about the council members who vote yes and the people who support this ordinance that they need someone else to tell them how their child identifies? It is not good governance creating policy that opens the door to unnecessary litigation, this is not a good fight for the elected officials of HB.
Keep it to crime, roads, tourism, and stay out of our personal lives.
Also, I know Pat Burns jingoistic maga mania knows no limit but can we table a flagpole at the Baca Park. It's great we have a park named after this hero but with a looming budget deficit this is not good timing. I dare say, a flag for one person versus a flag for one month supporting a group of discriminated lgbqt hardly seems balanced when you represent a city.
With regret,
Denise Wada
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Parents Right to Know
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:11:41 AM
From: Mark Tonkovich <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 4:07 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Parents Right to Know
Hello everyone,
Please note my wife and I support HB being a Parents Right to Know City. Parents are responsible for their children, not the government and parents should duly be notified
about a student’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Best,
Mark and Val.
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Tuesday night meeting agenda items
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:11:56 AM
From: Leslie Golson <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 5:16 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]> Subject: Tuesday night meeting agenda items
Dear City Council members,
I am dismayed to read that the majority and Michael Gates are again attacking established State Law, in this case State Assembly Bill 1955, which was signed into law July 15th. Your proposed ordinance #4326, re; Parents Right to Know is another attack against our state and majority rule. Your role is to uphold the law; not to tear it down with frivolous lawsuits that have nothing to do with running our city. In addition, may I note that your very argument in Paragraph C is specious since indeed sexual and gender orientation is "highly personal" (your words) and belongs between parents and children. There is no need for any city employee to stick their nose in it. Keep your noses clean and drop this idea before it becomes another expensive drain on our city coffer!
Also on the agenda is a recommended action to demand the resignation of Supervisor Andrew Do, which I wholeheartedly support.
Regarding the installation of a flag pole in honor of veterans and John Baca, there is no issue but money. How is it the city has $18,000 to raise a new flagpole when you are actively seeking ways to save money by privatizing our one- hundred-year-old public library? I am against this expense at this time.
Thank you for considering one constituent's opinions.
Leslie Golson
Huntington Beach resident
From: Fikes, Cathy
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Regarding Agenda Item 20. 24-622
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024 9:12:46 AM
From: Judith Lewis <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, September 2, 2024 6:02 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) <[email protected]>; supplementalcomm@surfcity- hb.org
Subject: Regarding Agenda Item 20. 24-622
Agenda Item 20. 24-622
Approve for Introduction Ordinance No. 4326 Adding Chapter 1.23 of the Huntington Beach Municipal Code Relating to Parents’ Right to Know City
Members of the City Council majority have gone crazy bonkers unhinged by wasting time and money on politically divisive issues and, in this case, something totally outside your jurisdiction.
State legislation AB 1955 affects schools, not the city. Offering up our City Attorney to engage in lawsuits for individual parents who object to the State legislation is irresponsible and a waste of our taxpayers' money when the City is already facing deficits.
Furthermore, I suspect your hidden agenda is an anti-homosexual campaign. You likely are among those who believe people in schools and libraries are “grooming” children to become homosexual and that parents should be able to take measures to forbid such an abomination. But you dare not say this out loud. Instead, you base the legitimacy of your concern on possible “harassment or suicidal ideation,” which the schools are still required to report to parents.
Your bias on this issue was revealed last September by your banning the pride flag, rewriting the Statement of Human Dignity to exclude mention of any minority groups, and dissolving the Human Relations Committee. Your political stance seeks to reverse any progress in dealing with hatred and biases against homosexuals.
This agenda item is unjustified, and you four should be recalled for dereliction of duty and misuse of taxpayer money.
--
Judith Lewis
37 year resident of Huntington Beach