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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-07-30Special Meeting Minutes City Council City of Huntington Beach Tuesday, July 30, 2013 5:00 PM - Council Chambers Civic Center - 2000 Main St. Huntington Beach, California 926, A video recording of this meeting is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and archived at www.surfcity-hb.org/government/agendas/ CALLED TO ORDER — 5:00 PM ROLL CALL Present: Hardy, Carchio, Boardman, Harper, Sullivan, Shaw, and Katapodis Absent: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Councilmember Sullivan ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS (Received After Agenda Distribution) Pursuant to the Brown "Open Meetings" Act, City Clerk Joan Flynn announced receipt of supplemental communications received by her office following release of the City Council agenda: Sixteen (16) communications on Item No. 1 — Input Regarding Sunday, July 28, 2013 Incident in the Downtown Area received from: Anonymous (2), John Angevine, T. J. Brown, Nancy Cathey, Bob DeCastro, Deborah Gabel, Ken Gordon, Andrew Hausig, Michael Heller, Beth Janich, Lynette Lilley, James Melton, Kenneth Smith, Ann Turner, and L. Voorhees. 1. Public Meeting to Receive Input Regarding the Incident on Sunday, July 28, 2013 in the Downtown Area Mayor Boardman welcomed the residents and commented that this meeting was an opportunity to hear from speakers, and that Council comments would be kept to a minimum as the emphasis was on gathering public input. Police Chief Ken Small provided a PowerPoint entitled Downtown Disturbance, July 28, 2013 that included the following titled slides: Planning, Preparation and Training, Timeline of Events, Mutual Aid and Police Response, Less Lethal Munitions, and Questions. PUBLIC COMMENTS PERTAINING TO SPECIAL MEETING ITEM (3 Minute Time Limit) John Webb, retired teacher and downtown resident, voiced concerns about fights, trash, parking, public urination, and body painting in the downtown area, and recommended that the U.S. Open of Surfing event be retained without additional activities (concerts, etc.). (00:02:42) Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 2 of 7 Marie St. Germain voiced concerns about Mayor Boardman being quoted in the newspaper as calling the civic disturbance a "minor' incident, and expressed major concerns about public drunkenness, urination, violence, etc. She requested that Council not allow events that require public safety resources to manage it. (00:34:33) Clem Dominguez described the incident as a blessing in disguise, because in his opinion, it will support the City holding stand-alone surfing events without added activities that bring too many visitors who do not contribute to the local economy; rather, participate in unlawful activity. (00:37:00) Cathy Broadfoot, downtown resident, voiced concerns about free events inviting too many visitors, recommending that the City charge admission for special events and provide shuttles to parking outside of the downtown area. (00:40:16) Brenda Berry, 12th Street resident, voiced concerns about the conditions of downtown and stated that the U.S. Open of Surfing event should provide surf -related music and activities, not the party atmosphere that is currently being presented. (00:41:29) Jeffrey Hansler, 2nd Street resident, read data included in a published magazine article that indicated large events like the U.S. Open of Surfing are being cancelled in cities nationwide due to risk of liability. (00:46:39) Mike Huseman, Faction Surfboards, complained about sales being down by 90% due to the event. He asked the City to consider charging for attendance to attract people who enjoy and know surfing, not young, irresponsible youth who come downtown to party. (00:48:09) Deb Gabel, 18th Street resident, voiced concerns about Huntington Beach being known as a town where anything goes, including deviant behavior. She suggested Council go back to basics and consider retaining quality of life versus increased branding. (00:50:19) Susie Smith, Main Street business owner, discussed fears about her building being burnt down by individuals lighting flags on fire on the roof of the El Ranchito Restaurant. She discussed costs associated with added security during City events and forming a group of business individuals who plan to get the event back to its original purpose ... surfing. (00:52:08) Don Mac Allister recognized Manley, Australia as our Sister City and surf town, and the importance of retaining our surfing legacy worldwide. (00:54:03) Bridget Kaub thanked public safety personnel, and voiced concerns about downtown visitors not knowing or caring about surfing, but rather were more interested in a place to party that contributed to the actions and unlawful activity experienced on Sunday night. (00:55:36) Charlie Wilson, 3rd Street resident, voiced concerns about the culture downtown, and the lack of respect for people and property. He provided support for forming a committee to help change nuisance behavior by undesirable visitors. (00:5$:43) Jeff Freud, 13th Street resident, discussed the problematic reputation of Huntington Beach based on the problematic activity in the downtown. He also described being awakened by a Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 3 of 7 burglar standing over him in his home, and his decision not to confront vagrants disturbing his personal property due to fear. (01:01:54) Sebastian Dominguez voiced concerns about young people partying and damaging local property, and also described his love for the City's surfing events, hoping Council can do something to make them safe and successful. (01:05:29) Andrissa Dominguez, 7th Street resident, voiced concerns about young people under the age of 20 causing problems (littering, drinking in public, parking), and recommended permit parking be granted to residents downtown and a greater Police presence to issue appropriate citations. (01-08:09) Janice Hopkins, 9th Street resident, voiced concerns about each year's crowd getting younger and rowdier. She described people sleeping in front of her home, public urination, and other activities, stating that downtown residents have had enough. (01:11:01) Jonathan Stahl encouraged the Council to do the right thing and make whatever decisions necessary to prevent the mayhem experienced downtown over the weekend from ever happening again. He described visitors as possessing a "mob" mentality, and cited venues that successfully manage undesirables by having the appropriate Police "presence" to help prevent unlawful activity. (01:13:11) Danielle Donman voiced concerns about 38 downtown establishments serving alcohol with a limited Police force to manage the number of intoxicated young people. (01:16:37) Kevin Raffay researched three years of police reports involving incidents downtown, and voiced serious concerns about intolerable behavior, too many bars, lack of parking, etc. He asked how Council could invite thousands downtown without providing resources (parking, restrooms, police), and described downtown as having a reputation of visitors being able to do what they want. (01:19:53) Karen Jackle, Huntington Beach Tomorrow, spoke about Council's previous discussion of forming a Downtown Task Force to consider crowd control, funding, oversight, and traffic for downtown events, suggesting research of successful venues who manage large numbers of people, traffic, parking, etc. (01:23:08) Jerry Wheeler, Chamber of Commerce, recognized Police, Fire and Public Works personnel who did a great job to get things back to normal. He suggested turning the unfortunate event into something positive, possibly through the Task Force which Council recently approved forming to help the downtown. (01:26.21) Aaron R. Holz discussed the lack of respect by out -of -area visitors, and how his parents would not allow him to attend the U. S. Open of Surfing event because of concerns related to lewd behavior, violence, public intoxication, etc. (01:29:28) Bob Bolen stated the event should not include free concerts; rather, be converted back to a surfing event only. He also opined that closing Main Street to vehicular traffic causes great problems and thinks that the City should be responsible for personal damages to buildings downtown. (01:31:39) Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 4 of 7 Ron Sterud, Hartford Avenue resident, thanked Public Safety and Public Works personnel, discussed how big events downtown often result_ in lewd behavior, and voiced concerns about appropriate dress in the downtown. (01:35:04) Kelly Cason, Huntington Harbour resident, voiced concerns about too much alcohol promotion and lack of safety downtown. She described how she and her family leave town when large events take place. (01:37:48) Gina Gleason, Main Street resident, described the U.S. Open of Surfing event as wonderful on the beach, but not downtown. She spoke highly of Police personnel and Huntington Beach businesses, and thanked Council for listening to everyone express their opinions. (01:40:42) Daina Anderson, downtown resident, voiced concerns about undesirable activity downtown and felt that the community and local organizations would be willing to volunteer to help with large events. She discussed lack of security, parking, public urination, etc. (01:42:45) Sarina Anderson spoke out against people coming in and trashing the City, and voiced concerns about there not being enough Police to manage the event. She opined that the U.S. Open of Surfing should go back to being a family event, and described Huntington Beach as having a terrible reputation. She also discussed how the Junior Guards program no longer allows kids to partner and participate in large events because it is not safe. (01:44:44) Steve Munoz voiced concerns about being physically handled by Vans Security Guards because of the t-shirt he was wearing, stating the City needs professional security to handle large events. (01:46:48) John Cormack, local resident, voiced concerns related to parking, trash and unlawful behavior in the downtown during large events, and opined that the City was fortunate that nothing more serious happened. (01:50:49) Ted Frankiewicz expressed concerns about Police personnel, in his opinion, not paying appropriate attention to what was going on before the event, describing major damage to property and the Huntington Beach image. (01:53:38) Monica Vega expressed love for the City and complimented Police for doing the best possible job with limited resources. She stated support for permit parking to help keep undesirables parking in their neighborhoods. She also voiced concerns about illegal fireworks and bars continuing to serve intoxicated individuals. (01:55:41) Kirk Brizzi, 13th Street resident, angrily requested that Council work to fix the problems described by downtown residents and business owners. (01:58:51) Dan Kalmick discussed other cities and venues who successfully manage large events where alcohol is served. (02-00:41) Joseph Lovewell discussed events that create an environmental where under -age girls are mixed with and men, making for an unsafe environment and inappropriate behavior. (02:03:30) Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 5 of 7 Ann Turner described the event as horrifying, and explained how she did not allow her son to attend the U.S. Open of Surfing because it is unsafe. She urged Council to stop hosting events that draw undesirables. (02:06:55) Peter Townend, former surf champion and Cofounder of the Open Pro in 1982, U.S. Open of Surfing in 1994, stated that the U.S. Open of Surfing doesn't have to be the biggest surfing event in the world, just the best. He suggested Council make the event better and live up to 100 years of the City's reputation as Surfcity. (02:09:32) Ken Gordon, downtown resident, voiced concerns about Council's poor decisions escalating the event to unhealthy proportions, and how the event brings a crowd into town that does not spend money, opining that funds earned come from sponsors. (02:12:29) MaryAnn Divona, downtown resident, said the U.S. Open of Surfing event produces negative effects all week long, discussing how the City invites 500,000 people to town but does not have the resources to manage them. She voiced concerns that residents will begin to take matters into their own hands. (02:14:32) Don Schrimpf, downtown resident, described being tired of witnessing drug use, public urination and drunkenness near his home. (02:21:48) Seana Cormack, downtown resident, felt that Huntington Beach as a community has been sold out for profit over resources and rationale. She described being sad that when she travelled down Pacific Coast Highway during the event to get home, she felt fear. She urged Council to bring the event back to its original purpose - surfing. (02:24:07) Megan Homer, downtown resident, described having four vehicles towed from her private property and voiced concerns about trash, public urination, and visitors who do not respect themselves, opining that people rise to the level of what is expected of them. (02:26:53) Robert Melzer, Jax Bicycle Center, sees the same behavior exhibited during the event every Tuesday night, and on the weekends. He opined that small actions can provide big results, recommending increased parking enforcement, citing petty/bike theft, traffic violations, loitering, public intoxication, urination, etc. (02:29:32) Mona Risch voiced strong concerns about the presence of drug and alcohol abuse. (02:33:01) Deborah Buffkin voiced concerns about unsafe conditions downtown tarnishing.the reputation of the U.S. Open of Surfing, urging Council to continue surfing events with integrity. (02:36:40) Marilee Movius, Surfrider Foundation, voiced concerns about trash and its harmful effects on the environment, urging Council to provide more receptacles in public areas, and increase public education about plastics and the ocean. (02:39:13) Alicia Whitney, owner of Sea Leggs Wine Bar downtown, thanked Public Safety and Public Works personnel, and opined the City places greater emphasis on event branding than the health and safety of its visitors and residents. She recommended that the City work to develop positive and strategic relationships. (02:42:40) Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 6 of 7 Gilbert Sais, downtown business owner, described how security personnel transitioned young people from the close of the Open into the downtown without considering how the saturation would result in negative behavior. (02:45:52) Bruce Wareh, downtown resident, voiced concerns about lack of adequate Police enforcement and how the incident produced a negative image for the City which may result in decreased property values. He voiced support for video surveillance in the downtown. (02:48:21) Richard Plummer, President, HB Neighbors, a downtown residents group that promotes balance between downtown visitors and residents, voiced concerns that the downtown culture is strictly being motivated by sales tax. (02:52:02) There being no others wishing to speak, Mayor Boardman called an end to the public comment period of the meeting. Police Chief Ken Small voiced support for Council's decision to allow residents to speak tonight, stating that the opinions expressed deliver a clear message that a Downtown Task Force is needed. He discussed the presence undercover officers downtown, Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) agents, and the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD), all of which aggressively enforce public drunkenness. He stated that the HBPD is opposed to free concerts on the beach, and discussed how residents opposed efforts of a 2009 Task Force to institute parking districts downtown because they were not willing to pay a minimal annual fee. He discussed past proposals to close Main Street, and thanked Public Works personnel for working hard to get Main Street reopened quickly. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS Councilmember Hardy thanked Councilmember Carchio for recommending that the Downtown Task Force be reinstated and voiced concerns that event visitors were not familiar with surfing personality Matt Costa. She stated need for surf -oriented booths, trash receptacles, family activities, temporary parking after 6:00 PM, water stations, volunteers, and elimination of ads promoting alcohol. She voiced concerns about closing the beach too early at the U.S. Open's conclusion, advertising for offsite parking, managing trespassers, and public access to roofs downtown. She concluded comments by thanking staff in Information and Community Services Departments. Councilmember Katapodis thanked people for participating in the discussion and called for more Police Officers downtown. He stated his opinion that the U.S. Open of Surfing event should be about surfing, and nothing else. Councilmember Shaw agreed with most of the proposed suggestions and opined that the Downtown Task Force is meant to resolve issues in the downtown. He stressed the importance of considering downtown as a neighborhood first, and how the City needs to reclaim its reputation as a family tourist destination. He also discussed changes made by the current Council to clean up the downtown. Mayor Pro Tem Harper expressed disappointment with how the event ended, and thanked the Public Works Department for its prompt efforts to clean up. He also offered a "hats off' to the Police Department, and discussed difficulties associated with changing the mix of people. He Council Special Meeting Minutes July 30, 2013 Page 7 of 7 opined that closing the beach early contributed to the problem by over -crowding downtown, and voiced concerns about young males being the primary destructive demographic. Councilmember Carchio expressed disappointment for individuals who show no respect for the law or property, and how they should receive strict consequence for their actions. He thanked local residents who protected the storefronts, and discussed how such a serious disturbance supports forming a Downtown Task Force. He opined that downtown residents should not be held hostage during downtown events, and how the focus needs to remain on surfing, not alcohol sponsors and other activities. Councilmember Sullivan expressed support for admission fees, and opined that the disturbance will prompt positive movement to reduce the number of bad bars downtown. He stated that surfing events should focus on surfing, and that Downtown Task Force meetings must be open and publicly noticed for the best possible participation. Mayor Boardman acknowledged concerns and requests made by downtown residents, reminded the public that video surveillance is planned for problem areas in the downtown, and thanked the public for attending. (03:01:30) ADJOURNMENT — At 8:41 PM to a special meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council (Semi -Annual Strategic Planning Session) on Friday, August 2, 2013, at 8:00 AM at the Huntington Beach Central Library, 7111 Talbert, Rooms C&D, and then to the next regularly scheduled meeting of Monday, August 5, 2013 at 4:00 PM in Room B-8, Huntington Beach Civic Center, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California. 4&j Cityttlerk of the City CouncVof the City of Huntington Beach, California ATTEST: law