HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-02-25CITY COUNCILIREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Room B-8, Civic Center
Huntington Beach, California
Friday, February 25, 1994
In the absence of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore, Councilmember Leipzig called the adjourned regular
meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to order at
3:00 p.m.
CIJy C VEL PMENT AGENCY ROLL CALL
PRESENT: -&+ , Bauer, Winchell, Leipzig, Sullivan, Moulton -Patterson (arrived 3:32 p.m.)
ABSENT: Robitaille j 61 LVA
to
PRESENTATIOND OF THE H NT TON BEACH CHAMBER OF
CQMMERCE
P k, President, Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, informed Council that members of the
business community were looking forward to sharing their concerns with Council.
PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COUNCIL BY MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Corley Burnham, Director of Facilities, McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, informed Council of their products and
composition of their work force. He stated their area of concerns such as zoning, plant expansions and
modifications, permit and fee process, and Air Quality Management District issues. He stated that McDonnell
Douglas has very good relations with Police Chief Lowenberg and Fire Chief Dolder. Mr. Burnham stated
McDonnell Douglas has good dialogue with the city. He thanked past Mayor Winchell for her assistance in the
company's space station efforts. He stated they would like the city to expand its role on issues that make the
state expensive for businesses such as environmental issues and the Air Quality Management District.
Mayor Moulton -Patterson arrived at the Council meeting.
Dave Garofalo, publisher, The Local News, stated that he wished to bring to the forefront that the business
community is an equal investment partner in the process we call local government in Huntington Beach. He
spoke regarding the needs of the business community and that the city, Chamber of Commerce and staff can
find solutions. He distributed a communication to Council setting forth his comments.
Dick Harlow, member of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, stated the city and
businesses are aware of the business problems such as declining sales tax revenue and vacant shopping
centers and industrial parks. He stated that he believes Redevelopment may be the only way to turn around
some centers and also to talk to the owners of centers who have revitalized them. He complimented Council
on how they have worked through committees and with the community so closely on the Downtown Plan. He
commented on the need to have a committee review the proposed entire re -write of the city's planning code,
and that the sign ordinance should be adjusted according to the needs of the locate.
Councilmember Leipzig stated that a committee has been formed.
Mr. Harlow stated that he would like to be a part of it.
Robert London Moore, representing Mills Land and Water, spoke regarding his opinion that the city should not
proceed with the rezoning of his property located from Beach Boulevard to Newland Street along the inland
side of Pacific Coast Highway. He stated that in a July letter, he had requested the city to provide types of use
for the land but has received no response. Mr. Moore stated that he believes the report of the General Plan
Advisory Committee should be considered and reviewed prior to conducting a blanket rezoning. He requested
that Council come up with some viable economic uses for this land.
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Page 2 - Council/Agency Minutes - 02/25/94
Steve Bone, representing Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort, spoke regarding the needs of the small shop
keepers for city assistance. He spoke regarding the Edinger area and the encouragement that is needed for
the business owners to succeed as a very high quality - off price area, as it is in a Redevelopment Area
already. He spoke regarding Beach Boulevard landscaping needs.
Barry Ellerbroek, owner of Burger King, spoke regarding the opportunity for the city to become the regional
center in Orange County and the need for vision and leadership. He stated the need for a shared parking
concept downtown. He spoke regarding some of the stumbling blocks encountered by businesses including
the building permit process for his Burger King project. He commented on the need to find a compromise on
the Bolsa Chica.
Della Chadwell, representing Huntington Beach Mall, spoke regarding a $125 Fire Code fee and its effect on
the business community. She spoke regarding needed improvements in the building permit process.
Richard Harlow, Richard Harlow and Associates, spoke regarding the MSI Study shortcomings. He reported
on the experience of an egg farm business. He encouraged the city to speak with one voice under the
Assistant City Administrator to better coordinate city services.
Brad Hills, representing Brad Hills and Company, C.P.A., spoke regarding a problem a client had encountered
with the city and stated the need for a user friendly city.
Art Avilg5, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member, related an example of when a business was
hindered from locating in the city. He spoke regarding his efforts to convince a lock company to consider
moving to the city.
Cathy e, representing Guardian Center, spoke regarding their cooperation with the city and cited examples
of the Police and Fire Departments. She spoke regarding the loss incurred to the center when the Pizza
Kitchen moved.
Win Levsav, representing Bishop Hawk of Southern California, thanked the city for helping to locate a tenant for
the old Red Onion - Peters Landing location. He stated he believed the city had a good staff but needed tools
with which to work. He spoke regarding a difficulty he had encountered with the Police Department,
Bob Eck, Marksman Products, cited his company's good relations with the city.
Tony Qrsingspoke regarding a forthcoming code amendment that he believed would detrimentally affect his
property.
Ryan Rieches, Graphic Edge, Incorporated spoke regarding the good service he had received from Jim Lamb,
Project Manager, Economic Development Department. He stated he believed the Economic Development
Department needed more support.
Lloyd Cohen, D and J Dolls and Bears and President of Five Points Merchant's Association, spoke regarding
difficulties with signage regulations and trouble with permission to use his "A" frame structure at his location.
He informed Council that he believed the $125 Certificate of Occupancy fee was excessive as he had only
moved his business from one office to another in the same center. He spoke regarding the difficulty in holding
side walk sales.
Councilmember Sullivan stated that he would bring a proposal to Council that a business owner be appointed
to the Council Sign Committee.
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Page 3 - Council/Agency Minutes - 02/25/94
Suzanne Beukema, owner of Main Street Cafe, thanked the Director of Public Works for his help in moving the
bus stop in front of her business, also appreciation to Daryl Smith, Superintendent of the Park, Tree, and
Landscape Division, for his help "beyond the call of duty" on the Pier Fest activities. Ms. Beukema expressed
appreciation to the Assistant City Administrator for his proposal to establish an Ombudsman program. She
spoke regarding the outdoor dining issue and shared parking concept. She stated that the in -lieu parking fee
had prevented the expansion of her business.
Bob Mandic, Mandic Motors, urged Council to fix the lights on Main Street between Adams Avenue and Lake
Street. He reported on the National Award Mandic Motors had been honored to receive from the AAA Motor
Club and that Mandic Motors was the only one in Orange County to be so recognized. He suggested
consideration be given to an outlet store concept for Huntington Center. Mr. Mandic suggested a staff
business advocate.
Tom Van Me spoke regarding the difficulty dealing with the city relative to his shopping center sweeping .
operation. He stated income producing businesses which have to operate at night need help in having the city
noise ordinances applicable to their businesses.
Denise Devine, Graphic public relations agency, stated she would like to see a permanent kiosk downtown to
promote businesses. She spoke regarding the surfing museum promotional problems stating long lead times
for event planning and limitation on types of event sponsors were problems. She stated the Public Information
Office has been very helpful.
Sam Eagle, Attorney at Law, spoke regarding a newspaper article about a motorcycle shop that left the city due
to what he believed to be an unfavorable business climate made for the business.
Pat Rogers-Laude', representing the Huntington Beach Mall, addressed Council regarding the need for the city
to be sensitive as to how the subject of the Huntington Beach Mall was discussed at public forums. She
recommended more attention be directed to the north Huntington Beach businesses; perhaps a North
Huntington Beach Business Association could be developed.
There being no speakers present to further address Council the comment portion of the meeting closed.
Paul Cook, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, suggested that the Council hold these
business forums in different areas of the city.
The Mayor and Council expressed their appreciation to all the speakers and members of the audience who
took their time to come to this meeting and advise Council of their concerns and offer their suggestions. The
Councilmembers stated that the next step would be to take action on these concerns.
ADJOURNMENT CITY„ COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMEN][ AGENCY
Mayor Moulton -Patterson adjourned the adjourned regular meetings of the City Council and the
Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to Monday, February 28, 1994, at 5:00 p.m. in the
Council Chambers, Civic Center, Huntington Beach, California.
ArTf�. 04* 4464QZV>0 40
City Clerk/Clerk
Clerk of the Redevelopment Agency and City
Clerk and ex-ofFcio Clerk of the City Council
of the City of Huntington Beach, California
Mayor/Chairman