HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-01-11MINUTES
Council Chamber, Civic Center
Huntington Beach, California
Monday, January 11, 1982
A tape recording of this meeting is
on file in the City Clerk's Office
Mayor Finley called the adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Huntington Beach to order at 7:30 P.M.
Mayor Finley stated that the purpose of the adjourned meeting was to study the
issue of the proposed Municipal Homeowners' Insurance Program.
ROLL CALL
Present: MacAllister, Thomas, Pattinson, Finley, Bailey, Mandic, Kelly
Absent: None
MUNICIPAL HOMEOWNER INSURANCE - TABLED
The City Administrator presented an overview of the proposed Municipal Homeowners'
Insurance Program. He stated that it was a voluntary program by which homeowners
who meet safety requirements may purchase homeowners insurance with a portion
of the premium after payment of claims returned to the City to support Police and
Fire services. He stated that Municipal Homeowners' Insurance is AVCO's program
( designed to couple -up with the City's safety program. Mr. Thompson informed
Council that the program would be available on owner -occupied, single family
residential units which have satisfactorily met safety requirements. He spoke
regarding the objectives of the program, the Home Safety Analysis, and the bene-
fits to the City of such a program.
The Chief of Police stated that loss rate can be diminished through the education
and crime prevention process. He described an experiment in the City wherein
residents of a certain district were educated regarding crime prevention methods;
that district experienced a 41% decrease in crime.
Fire Chief Picard spoke regarding the benefits of fire prevention education. He
spoke regarding organizational changes that would be made to facilitate the pro-
gram.
Steve Holden stated that he represented most of the independent insurance agents.
He spoke regarding the efforts made by insurance agents in distributing brochures
regarding fire and crime prevention. He stated that he believed that the govern-
ment should encourage small business.
Wes Bannister spoke regarding the costs and profits of the proposed program and
the a ty that might be incurred by the City.
Devon Dahl spoke regarding the cost of the proposed program and the failure of
similar programs in other cities. He recommended that Council table the matter.
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Bill Turkinback presented statistics explaining why he believed that such a pro-
gram was not economically feasible for the City.
Carl Lawrence stated that he believed that government should not be competing
with private enterprise.
Bob Davis, Director of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, stated that
the chaiTer had met as a committee to study the proposal and they did not rec-
ommend approval of the program. He stated that the Chamber of Commerce did not
believe government should intrude into the private sector. He suggested that the
City begin a City-wide safety campaign.
Discussion was held by Council regarding the matter.
Ronald Bogardus, Fire Chief, City of Oxnard, stated that the City of Huntington
Beach recent y reduced their fire station personnel. He encouraged Council to
take a good look at the AVCO program.
Frank Speers of AVCO stated that if their insurance rates were not competitive
the the consumer whould not buy. He spoke regarding the Cal Vet Program and
Workmans Compensation.
Robert Chodowski stated that he did not believe that local government had a
p ace in the private sector. He stated that government should provide safety
programs, fire and police protection.
Extensive discussion was held by members of Council.
A motion was made by Thomas, seconded by Mandic, to table consideration of the
proposed Municipal Homeowners' Insurance Program. The motion failed by the fol-
lowing roll call vote:
AYES: Thomas, Finley, Mandic
NOES: MacAllister, Pattinson, Bailey, Kelly
ABSENT: None
A motion was made by MacAllister, seconded by Kelly, to refer the proposed Munici-
pal Homeowners' Program to the Economic Advisory Board for study, with monthly
reports to Council, and that the proposal be brought back to Council as soon as
possible.
Following discussion, a motion was made by Pattinson to call for the question.
The motion died for lack of a second.
A motion was made by Mandic, seconded by Thomas, to table consideration of the
proposed Municipal Homeowners' Program. The motion carried by the following roll
call vote:
AYES: Thomas, Finley, Bailey, Mandic
NOES: MacAllister, Pattinson, Kelly
ABSENT: None
4: 0
Page #3 - Council Minutes - 1/11/82
Councilman MacAllister requested that staff be directed to actively pursue some
of the ideas as outlined in the Chamber of Commerce Task Force Report.
ADJOURNMENT
The Mayor declared the adjourned regular meeting of the Council of the City
of Huntington Beach adjourned.
ATTEST:
City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk
of the City Council of the City
of Huntington Beach, California
City Clerk Mayor
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