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Civic Center: 1974 - A Publication of the City of Huntingto
A PLACE FOR GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE Civic CENTER 419714 CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH `.,. CALIFORNIA / F 1 � � l CIVIC CENTER MARCH 30, 1974 2000 MAIN ST. F IV V' a rc to 4 � f : • .. � �� - � � _�,� -fit � - ,'( .•t yG� -cry"-� � '��`` �> - Y_ O/ OT a QjY ' I�l/lJ / .r � InIJ �r.�, � �1:t7 z /. '.,r.!• � J c� I�Il�lllll Y U1, _ i•n'yr� VICE MAYOR HENRY DUKE _ HUNTINGTON A BEACH civic NORMA BRANDEL GIBBS , CENTER Y TED W.BARTLETT MAYOR JERRY A.MATNEV Id ". . ALVIN M.COEN CIVIC CENTER : 1974 TABLE OF CONTENTS A Short History of City Government . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Civic Center Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 JACK GREEN An Artist's View. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Dedication Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Directory, Floor Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Administration, City Departments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 DONALD D.SHIPLEY 3 CITY STAFF: City Administrator David D. Rowlands Executive Assistant _ Floyd G. Belsito Civil Defense Wilbur J. Lage '^ Economic Development William J. Back Public Information William G. Reed Departments Elected: Attorney Don P. Bonfa Clerk Alicia Wentworth ' - Treasurer Warren G. Hall Appointive: a 1! Building John F. Behrens Finance 'ru Frank B. Arguello Fire Raymond C. Picard Harbors and Beaches Vincent G. Moorhouse Library Walter W. Johnson Personnel Edward H. Thompson Planning Richard A. Harlow Police Earle W. Robitaille Public Works W. E. Hartge Recreation and Parks Norman L. Worthy CIVIC CENTER: 1974 Former Officials Helping Plan This Center Councilmen Henry Kaufman George McCracken City Administrator Doyle Miller Assistant Administrator Branderr Castle Planner Kenneth Reynolds FIRST MAYOR - 1909 Public Works James Wheeler Citizen Advisors Monte Nitzkowski Urbal Land Institute Citizens Steering Committee Consultant Ted Adsit* (*deceased) 4 HUNTINGTON BEACH GREW FROM SWAMPS TO SEND MEN TO THE MOON IN 65 YEARS Huntington Beach is situated on a portion of the old Las Bolsas Rancho. In the early 1880's the rancho owner, Abel Stearns, sold the swamp lands and retained the mesa. The last sale of the Stearns Rancho Company was �- on the mesa to Colonel Bob Northam who raised and sold barley to surrounding ranchers. ;y SHELL BEACH Agriculture has been an important part of the story Known as Shell Beach until 1901, the of the city from the time of Spanish land grants until little town became Pacific City after P.A. today. Early farms, such as this chicken ranch, sus- Stanton purchased 40 acres, formed a syndi- tained the population of a few score farmers and at- cate and subdivided 20 acres on each side of tracted promoters to the area who saw the area Main Street. It was Stanton's dream that this as a potential resort city. town would become the western Atlantic City. In 1902 Stanton sold his interest to the Huntington Beach Company, a group of busi- nessmen from Los Angeles. The town name was changed again to Huntington Beach in 1904, in honor of Henry E.-Huntington who sponsored the extension of the Pacific Electric Railroad and brought the first "Red Cars" to town. Huntington Beach became a center for various religious groups and in 1905 a large auditorium was built for revivals and con- Housing was scarce in turn of the century days and ventions. Camp grounds with rows of tents tents in the shadow of the great tabernacle in Gospel surrounded the "tabernacle" and this area of Swamp served as homes for many of the early town became known as "Tent City". residents. 1 wuw r •fi'i'n'..-wyfhgtiL4 c.Pnn...:.. ..�� •. .. - ary .Y�lla.: a I , �n 5 V r C. . t � l� i ffalv7INCT®N®E 3 C.Fl First map of first area of Huntington Beach. Used by J.T. Reed selling lots in 1904. SCHOOL DISTRICT BORN On May 18, 1905 the Huntington Beach (� Company sold the parcel of land located be- tween 5th and 6th Streets and Orange and Pecan Avenues to the Pacific City School Dis- trict for a school site. This land later became one of the city hall sites. The school district changed its name to go along with that of the city and became the Huntington Beach School N' District in September 1905. The town of Huntington Beach was incor- porated as a 6th class city on February 17, 1909. The election votes that were cast showed 94 in favor and 25 against incorpora- pacific City School District became the Huntington Beach City lion. The board of trustees (city council)was School District soon after receiving from the Huntington Beach Company the site for a grammar school. Today there are more elected and consisted of five members, with than 40 schools in the city and students find excellent schools Ed Manning selected as chairman (mayor). from pre-school through community college. The first city marshal, clerk, and treasurer The city had grown a lot by 1906. Main Street was broad and the few buggies coming in from the surrounding farms were only occasionally harassed by that newfangled "automobile."The seeds were sown, how- ever, and already Huntington Beach had its first auto agency on Main Street as seen on the right side of this picture. '. Ds E aPaw.Tc.nsE.zNxaTss.SrusTnOswRtt ,; BkSI is THE url IT PAYS TO TRADE WiTM U5. .m IrUR MMRf;' JIr >-� 1 _ 6 were also elected at that time. The geo- According to Delbert (Bud) Higgins, city graphic area, 3.57 square miles,had a popula- historian and retired fire chief, the city found tion of 915 people. The first city hall was that by 1914 there was a need for additional located in the bank building on Main Street office space as the present city hall was not and Walnut Avenue. adequate. This large room was used for all city offices The board had appointed a committee to and meetings of the board of trustees at a look into various locations and costs but monthly rental rate of $12. The first jail was little was done as the financial situation was constructed sometime that same year. It was a poor and citizens were either questioning or single cell open metal cage which sat high on complaining about the cost of city operations. a platform of a tower that held the first fire- The Huntington Beach Company offered to bell above. This tower was built in an alley be- donate the north half of Block 416 across tween Main and Third Streets in the block from the Orange Avenue park site as a possi- behind Ocean Avenue. ble City Hall site. A provision requested by the company was that the building be con- structed on the site within five years and the cost not be less than $15,000. The matter was discussed at length during several meetings and GRADUAL GROWTH in March 1914 the deed was accepted. How- During the next five years there was gradu- ever, the half block parcel was never recorded al growth and the city progressed slowly. A and later was returned to the company but new salt water plunge and bathhouse was the park site was retained and the deed re- built by the Huntington Beach Company on corded in 1917. the beach in 1910. Fourth of July celebrations were held each year and people flocked to the beaches by the thousands, The event sponsored by the city is still held today. CITY MANAGER HIRED The fertile lands surrounding the town were Soon after the trustee election of 1916, a used for the farming of sugar beets and celery. new city manager-engineer was hired. Along Due to the large crops of sugar beets and with the new position, the city, in the process available rail service the Holly Sugar Compa- of setting up a gas department, was badly ny built a factory in 1911. This plant, located in need of additional office space. in the backlands, brought many families from The board of trustees bid on one of the Colorado to work in the new facility. bungalow classrooms that the school board Starting in 1911 and continuing over the auctioned off next to the old school at 5th next six years, the Huntington Beach Compa- and Orange,but lost out to the Women's Club. .ny deeded three parcels of land to the city Since the school had moved to a new and specifically for park use. Circle Park and Lake larger facility there was also the school build- Park the first, one full city block at 17th and ing available, but the city felt that it was too Orange Avenue (Recreation and Parks De- large and too costly to renovate and operate. partment) and a triangular parcel at 5th and The school district tore the building down and Main Streets and Orange Avenue (Li- according to the agreement and left a large brary and Administration). hole where the basement once existed. The land stood vacant for several years and was used later as the county fairgrounds. At the August 11 board of trustees meeting in 1916, Doctor G. A. Shank offered to con- BUILD NEW PIER struct a brick building on the south side of A $70,000 bond issue for construction of 5th Street in the second block from Ocean a concrete pier was approved by the voters Avenue for a city hall. The 50 by 50 foot and in June 1914 the "longest, highest and structure fronting on 5th Street with a 14 by and only solid concrete municipal pleasure 20 foot building in the rear for a jail was pier in the United States" was dedicated. built. By combining all offices, jail and fire Portions of this structure were destroyed by equipment at one location, the rental cost storms over the years but reconstructed from was only $7 per month more than they were time to time. The pier has been the focal paying at the time. This building was later point of the beaches and the U.S. Surfing purchased by the city for $12,000 with Championships since they were conceived in $2,000 down and the balance due over a 1959. period of seven years. 7 FIRST CITY HALL - 1909 - MAIN STREET AND WALNUT AVENUE tit CENTER AT 5th STREET AND ORANGE AVENUE UNDER CONSTRUCTION - 1922 U4 CITY HALL COMPLETED AND OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN 1923 8 11 LITTLE BOARD BUSINESS r 1 _ The board of trustees held its first meeting in the new cityhall on November 7, 1916. iP > The meeting ha little business with the main a topic being a resolution to pave Ocean Ave- nue from 23rd Street to First Street. The next few years were slow in the growth of Huntington Beach. The Huntington In 1909 Vincent's Place was "THE" place downtown, at least for show- Beach Company operated a ranch raising feed ing off the very latest in automobiles. These great machines were ready grains on some Of the 1400 acres it owned. for the July 4 parade that year and even today automobiles of the same In 1918 it held public land auctions to stay vintage form an important part of the Fourth of July Parade and Cele- bration out Of debt. The Encyclopedia Britannica whenever they can be found. Company came looking for the cheapest possible land to subdivide and give away as w. li bonus lots to purchasers of a set of their Students Reference Encyclopedias, (a special edition of some ten or twelve volumes.) The it K, company negotiated a deal with the Hunting- ton Beach Company and purchased seven, ( _ j five acre tracts located two and one half miles from the beach in the northwest section of the Huntington Beach Company property. It subdivided each five acre tract into sixty lots resulting in 420 lots in all. These lots located inland, on hillsides and in ravines, were for the most part worthless. This early (1907) library was always busy and students of all ages studied. Later this facility was replaced by the Carnegie Library and STANDARD LEASES OIL LAND later still by the library at Main and 6th Streets. A new library is to be In 1919 Standard Oil Company leased 500 opened this year at Talbert Avenue and Goldenwest Street. acres of land from the Huntington Beach Company for the purpose of drilling for oil. With the population at 1,680 in 1920, the first oil discovery was on May 24,by Standard _ Oil Company, but it caused little excitement because of the low production. Then in November of the same year "Bolsa Chica 4 )� Number 1" generally considered the first discovery well blew in uncontrolled spewing, bringing in 1,742 barrels of oil a day and pro- ducing 4,000,000 feet of natural gas per day. The roar could be heard for miles around and, according to Myrtle Brown Stinson, longtime 1 " resident, the children were given a holiday from school so that they could enjoy the ex- citement. Workers were brought in from all over the country to help control the gusher. The population and price of land skyrocket- Patriotism was ever an important part of the Huntington Beach scene ed overnight. Population went from a moral as this photograph shows. Patriotic events were common in the city as early as 1900 as the annual rodeo and horse races on July 4 would upright town Of 1,680 peaceful residents to attest. 6,000 hell-bent oil seekers. 9 1 y I � _ k I . I uIle, ilk -.r _ x ' SALTWATER PLUNGE ON NORTHWEST SIDE OF PIER ft' r s T b s s: a � : N HOLLY SUGAR PLANT AT GOTHARD STREET AND MAIN STREET . 10 s J f�A I 1 i • � AL i ( rlrro 2= I l a HUNTINGTON BEACH MUNICIPAL BAND - FORERUNNER OF TODAY'S CONCERT BAND Housing became a problem and the major in bonds for acquisition, construction and companies built dormitories or camp build- completion of a public assembly and conven- ings to help house their employees. Hotels and tion hall. The election was held May 31 and rooming houses resorted to renting one room the measure passed but was declared invalid. to three people, each using the bed for eight hours. Standard Oil leased the Evangeline r Hotel from the landowner to house some of their men. The landlady was pleased to do so as the hotel had only one boarder, a Holly TENT HOTEL COMPLEX Sugar employee, at the time. In the meantime Ordinance 229 accepted Each owner of an encyclopedia lot received the gift of the Huntington Beach Company an income of $100 a month. What appeared and blocks 405 and 505 officially became to have been a valueless gift of land resulted city property. Part of the park property was in fortunes of various amounts to its recipi- used as a tent hotel complex for the accom- ents. The bonanza continued for several years. modation of persons unable to find housing. On July 5, 1921 a lease contract was sinned with R.E. Wright who constructed small beaverboard houses and rented them for $30 and $35 a month of which $8 a year went to OIL RUNS CITY the city. Bungalet Court more commonly known as "Cardboard Alley" was located During the twenties and up until the sixties on the triangular piece of land where the the city was run by oil interests and it was Horseshoe Clubhouse was later built. That common for the city to have four out of facility later was used for courts and the city five people on the city governing board who administration building. dealt in oil. Then December 12, 1921 the board of From the time that oil was discovered the trustees passed Resolution 370 to call for city government, trying to improve the town, another election for City Hall bonds. The held many elections and adopted several reso- election was to be held February 24, 1922. lutions and ordinances. The measures on the ballot were for bonds Huntington Beach Company, after receiv- in the amount of $60,000 for construction ing the ownership of blocks 405 and 505 back of a city hall, $10,000 for fire apparatus and from the school district deeded the land to equipment, $25,000 for a public assembly the city for the sum of $10 in gold coin. A and convention hall, and $20,000 for a wharf. stipulation in the deed stated that the buyer The election was held and all of the measures shall maintain and keep in good condition except the wharf proposition passed by the the property as a public park and for no other two-thirds vote required. purpose otherwise the title granted shall re- This civic center complex consisted of vert back to the original owner. several buildings that were constructed over Early in January 1921 the board of trustees a period of years on a 3.23 acre plot of park passed Resolution 359 which called for an land located between Orange Avenue, Main, election to secure voter approval of $150,000 Fifth and Sixth Streets. 71 CITY HALL BUILDING The firm of Walker and Eisen was chosen as the architects of the new city hall and audi- torium and Clark Brothers Construction Company was awarded the general contract on October 16, 1922. The city hall was built on the old grammar school site facing Orange Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Streets. The main entrance to the building, a large concrete stairway, led F to the upper floor where most of the city i offices were located. The city clerk, financial offices and ad- ministration were the first to move into the main portion with the fire and police depart- ' y ments locating later on in the lower level. The gas company shared the lower level for a " rental fee of $200 a month. The board of trustees held its first meeting in the new city hall on July 3, 1923. The business was routine and mainly concerned Huntington Inn at 804 Ocean Avenue (Pacific Coast Highway) and 8th Street the use of the auditorium. housed for many years the men who took the black gold from the earth at The fire department moved into the build- Huntington Beach. Later the Huntington Beach Elks Club used the facility as a ina in 1925 and for the first time since it was meeting place. Its destruction in 1969 brought to an end the era for which the o building was constructed. Yet, many men still living in the city today carry with formed in 1909 had an adequate headquarters. them memories of the great years of oil when the Huntington Inn was a vital part of the community. Evangeline Hotel on 8th Street is still in business. It, too, has housed the men who helped build the city and its industry. When the big oil boom came in the ealy twenties Evangeline Hotel was pressed into service by Standard Oil Co. to house oil men from all over the nation. s The department was staffed by volunteers and was under the supervision of the police chief. Chief Tinsley was also pound master, ex-officio tax and license collector until the department was reorganized. �vCIVIC CENTER FOR 51 YEARS This civic center has been used for city offices from 1923 until the present with many additions and alterations over the 51 years. Many notable decisions were made by the board of trustees during this time, one of which awarded the contract for the installa- iiiuiiir. iii 1 tion of the ornamental street lights along Main Street from Mansion Avenue to the ocean. The contract with Pacific Engineering and Construction Company was for the sum of $28,887. The posts still adorn the street along with additional ones that have more /► powerful lights at main intersections for safety purposes. According to information given by Higgins, the 1933 earthquake damaged the city hall and auditorium to the degree that the city offices, had to be moved out into tents sur- rounding the complex until the damage was 12 Snyder Studio photographed much ° HUNTINGTON BEACH of the history of the city over the years and left us with this "Souve- � the spelling Beac, the Although � y �S'FtOppLIS o� the spelling is off, the enthusiastic SW/f1E µ call for tourism is unmistakable. (q,rcR�,p WAW j 1 i r SEA 9gss ' ' hLAFwf_ 4T CATM, OR „Ufl7lN4TgN DKfiGtk ( AL:kt) LnefpED AfIr j A AP-Pti, F14Kt OF 3 N'euNs , la 1004"1 Fishing has always been a popular sport near the pier. This "photo" in the pre-1910 days shows the enthusiasm local sportsmen have demon- strated for their favorite seaside sport. Of course, this "sea bass" is a mite exaggerated, but there can be no exaggeration of the love of the sea which has brought millions of persons to the pier and waters of the city beach. Millions of dollars have been invested by the city in making sure that the beach is preserved forever for use by the public. 13 T ■ 4 ' ��r Iuu f { — a�, r ~ Ocean Avenue was less busy in the past as this photograph shows. Part of the reason could be the"rapid transit"of the day--the fam- ous Red Car shown to the right of the picture between the depot and the beach pavillion. Bringing the Red Cars to the city was a feat which earned for the Pacific Electric Company owner the honor of naming the city after him --thus Huntington Beach after Henry Huntington. repaired. Telephone lines were installed into building to accommodate the additional office the tents and business carried on as usual for space needed. about a month when the city engineer de- After the fire department moved out and clared the building structurally safe for oc- into its new facility, the chamber of com- cupancy. merce moved in the right side of the build- As the city grew larger many changes and ing which has since been occupied by the additions were made especially to the main police department. •. rv+'rsw �I J r r 1,�r ■ ��: R 'I • l��•ip+ j ' Arches spanned Ocean Avenue for many years, coming down only after time threatened to make the steel unsafe enough to call for removal of the arches. Arches identified the city and provided a handy platform for Christmas decorations year after year. 14 ..ate=' .. - �!`•�• � _ �OOnn ylA W 741, • �t:. .a - Sports have played an important part in the day-to-day life of the ►fit. : ` city as this picture of the Merchants Team shows. Man in hat on right of picture is the city's first mayor, Ed Manning, a plumber Shadow of Goodyear balloon passes over the old racetrack north of who helped manage the team. Physical training facilities are includ. Ocean Avenue west of Beach Boulevard. The auto racing track ed in the new civic center and sports are important to many staffers built in 1946 was in full operation until 1951. from the city administrator on. OW All f Lifesaving goes along with being a beach resort city. Here lifeguard chief, later fire chief and now city historian, Delbert G. "Bud" Higgins (standing top right) shows off his 1944 crew (from left bottom row) Tom Hendrickson, Elmer Combs, Howard Ethington, Betty St. Clair, Vern Seltzer, Harlow Le Bard, Loren Thornton. Standing from left are Fred Swartz,Jack Dowry, Eddie Brown and Higgins. 15 AUDITORIUM The Auditorium or Memorial Hall was origi- nally built theater style in 1923 with the slant- ed floor of seats facing the stage on the north F Rfi , end and the entrance on the south side. Historian Higgins explained that the city 1 found it had limited use and so in 1931 the building was remodeled with a new floor and the stage changed to the south end and the entrance moved to the north end. The altera- tions made it possible for a variety of use such as dinners and special meetings. t 3� � In November 1930 the city executed a " lease with American Legion Post 133 for ex- clusive control, management and operation tip y of the second floor of Memorial Hall in re- turn for $5,000 in furnishings provided by the ' ■ legion for the lobby or reception room. Hunt- tington Beach Memorial Hall was dedicated as a monument to its men and women who served the United States in the armed forces during all of its wars. ' As the years passed, the city needing more room for offices, relocated the administration and financial offices into the north end of the Oil became important industry t the south end for their meetings. auditorium and the council on the stage at the early twenties, and if the Roaring Twenties roared through the nation, they roared just a bit louder in Huntington Beach. A watchtower was installed on top of the hall during the war in order to sight possible enemy planes off the coastline. On Memorial Day 1949 a War Memorial was erected by the VFW Post 7368 at the south end of the hall honoring all those citizens who gave their lives in all of the past wars. _ P ro I t " 3r HORSESHOE CLUBHOUSE The Horseshoe Clubhouse was constructed `ras t�,t_ in March 1931 for the sum of $3,625. Built on the north east corner of Triangle Park, it + k r = l; y •( � was used by several clubs for meetings until � 1942. Horseshoe pits were located on the right side of the Clubhouse. k l During the war the American Red Cross _ _ v set up headquarters in the building where they '.. gave first aid and volunteers rolled bandages. The Red Cross was asked to vacate in May 1950 and the Huntington Beach Recreation �� '` � --•: -- Department took over scheduling the building w� for use by several adult groups. In the early sixties the clubhouse was re- " modeled and an addition was built to accom- modate the municipal courts. y _ i Then in the late sixties the city needed Derricks lining the beach oil fields soon gave the name Oil City to the tiny resort more office space, so the city administration, community, but oil or no,the beach remained the main attraction for thousands personnel, clerk and attorney's offices were who flocked here any warm day. relocated in the clubhouse. 16 r, The romance of black gold brought many people - .. r; ,,,•, ` �f. _ to the city. The skyline for years was one of oil -+•r � } tt ' derricks and the city became one of the major oil _ fields in California. While oil has been blamed for A,r much blight in the community, oil has contributed j— I .) in many ways including the Christmas scene be- 1 z .( r-+`:✓+ y.. ,.,,. _ y„�b� B 5 low. Today the oil industry has removed all ` 7!i _ � �• derricks in the city, cleaned up much of its hold- A' �- =.z•_r -- ings and is an important contributor to financing city government and schools. _'r41 'i If PO �lI S Tj� I r _ 17 � a Lum: , Celebrations have been one of thej _ highlights of life in Huntingtonp Beach. The July 4 parade and cele- bration has been going on in some • �- form since 1900, formal) for 70 years. On the beach the Pavalon -to s ; Building, now the Fisherman Rest- ` R.�• aurant, has been the location for celebrations of all kinds and for + ,x .Y►' years was a favorite spot for some �% r of the biggest of the big band era - groups. The late William "Bill" 341 1 - Gallienne instituted so many par- ades, beauty contests, twins events and decorating contests that the - .. total has been lost. ' 7 Z-. Y' � e a N U ICI# e4 1 1 � i � a � t a; 18 i FIRE HOUSE The Fire Department was provided with a beautiful new station in 1939. The $20,000 building located on the comer of Main, Pecan, and Fifth Streets was dedicated November 15, 1939.The cost to the city was only $7,500 for materials as the Federal Works Progress 1°4_p' r', ... Administration (WPA)constructed it. �'f The firebell which is mounted on a stand r a'A 4{ in front of the building was the original bell used in the early days of Huntington Beach. Needing larger quarters the city bought the C a eui � old Edison Company building on Lake Street -. and relocated the Fire Department and Equip- ment there. The planning and building de- -9 t partments were moved into the old fire house. After a few years they needed more room ,ytapw and an annex and trailers were moved near the building to house other divisions. i�r-: f y si VT PUBLIC LIBRARY When the current Main Street facility, y consisting of 9,000 square feet, was completed in 1951, it was celebrated for its size and modern design. The Carnegie Library, 8th and Walnut Street, its predecessor, was half as big. The 1951 structure opened with 40,000 volumes supported by a budget of $4,000. Jail was not the place to be early in the history of Huntington Beach. This brick The marble facade at the entrance was a structure was built to last. It still stands in an alley downtown near 5th street. real attraction. The walls were pre-cast rein- is in new civic center is larger, brighter and much more comfortable, but still is not touted as a good place to spend any amount of time. Civil defense center forced concrete sections. The ceiling was below, closed on the end of World War Il, was the forerunner of modern civil acoustical and the heating was provided by defense center in basement of new police building, radiant pipes embedded in the floor. The __ large picture window at the north east end of y e CENTER the buildinga displayed various art work several s a r. d l Mrs. Lylyan Mossinger was librarian at the 10 time. The attractive park site remains a fine setting for the building. The new Library Information and Cultural ' Resource Center designated by world famous architects Richard and Dion Neutra is located in the Central City Park at Talbert Avenue and Goldenwest Street. • GROWING PAINS A total of 46 annexations took place from 1945 to 1972 increasing the original 3.57 square miles to the present 27.74 square miles. Two of the major annexations proved to be �y the turning point in residential development. The population grew from 11,000 in 1960 to well over 150,000 in 1974. Part of this 19 rv" 4, r dk, r,,.. ....,... . . ; .. r r r - e- Police Department in 1923. Police Chief Jack Tinsley and first police matron Kitty Sager (center) surrounded by (top row left to right) policemen George Colman, Tex Chote, Ray Bannister and (bottom row left to right) Bill Stanton, Highway Patrolman Elmer Parker and John Stanton. The eight-man force was mainly involved in settling fist fights,detaining drunks until they sobered up and serving as volunteer fireman. It grew to a force of 239 today schooled in various fields and with experts in the police sciences. The new police facility is equipped with many modern electronic devices that will help keep law enforcement up to date and provide the best protection for the citizens of Huntington Beach. 20 a Nil a L e _- Police Chief John Tinsley and children are shown in this 1923 picture with the automobile assigned to the chief of police. A lot of equipment was new in 1923 judging by this "latest" model fire engine. Bystander looks on as Fire Engineer Jack Sargent (behind wheel) and Policeman John Stanton try out driver's seat of new fire truck. 00 ,f I �' V ` � ,• is •� b ' Ib ` � . 1 �. v A �� � By the late 1930's the Police Department could sport motorcycles which were needed for all kinds of assignments including escorting President Franklin Roosevelt through the city. Believed to be in July 1938, the picture shows the President's car moving under the arches on Ocean Avenue which are decorated with streamers of hydranga blossoms. 21 i growth came about after the McDonnell Douglas plant located in Huntington Beach. During this decade Huntington Beach became the fastest growing city in the United States, growing 908 per cent. This changed the eity's image from the once lucrative oil city to a struggling bedroom community. The need for more services was apparent. ` , Citizens campaigned for more schools, parks and shopping areas. Newcomers got involved in community activities and demanded repre- sentation on City Council, commissions and [ boards. The residents rolled up their sleeves au and campaigned for the passage of bond issues and tax over-rides for schools and parks. As a result, there are five school districts comprised of thirty-five elementary and three high schools at present. POO _ FINE PARK SYSTEM ` Huntington Beach has one of the finest W. L. Mc Kenney may have sold groceries out of this old building on Main Street park systems in the state. The 200 acre Hunt- and Walnut Avenue, but the building is probably best known from the time it ington Central Park is due to open this year was the unofficial city hall of Huntington Beach. Noble Waite's drug store for many years was the gathering place for those who wished to talk about municipal along with ten neighborhood parks to bring affairs and many a man decided to run for city council because of discussions the system up to 39 parks totaling nearly held here. Today the building,cut to a single story, is a restaurant while the drug 350 acres. store has moved to modern quarters on Beach Boulevard. Now the third largest city in Orange County in both population and area the city's econo- mic development has grown with several new industrial plants attracted to the two industri- al plants attracted to the two industrial zones. This new employment means less travel time to jobs for many local residents. Commercial and industrial building permits have exceeded $40 million since 1968. Some 600 new retail units have been opened during Across Main Street from the new civic center is Huntington Beach High School the same five-year period. All 1,800 stores in which until a few months ago looked not too much different than it does in this the City amassed a total of $288,340,000 in 192fi photograph. Faced with having to make some of the buildings earthquake proof, the governing board of Huntington Beach Union High School District has sales of which the state returns one per cent of ordered extensive remodeling. all local sales back to the city. t _— — 22 - HUNTINGTON BEACH PUBLIC FACILITIES j CORPORATION NEW CIVIC CENTER BEGINS With the city growing by leaps and bounds, many of the offices were moved out of the existing Civic Center complex and still the } facilities were not adequate or structurally safe. In the 1960's the city conducted a series of studies investigating the departmental needs, site location, design criteria and finan- cial feasibility of the project before adopting Looking at model of new civic center are (from left) Public Facilties the program. Corporation directors Bill Ritter (later resigned and replaced with Many locations were investigated and much Robert Polly) Larry Curran, Darrell Ward, William Armstrong, R. controversy developed over the possible sites. Dudley Boyce. Finally at the October 17, 1968 council meeting the Main Street and Mansion Avenue location was approved. The 14.28 acre site directly across from the Huntington Beach High School was purchased from the Hunt- ington Beach Company. In 1970 the Huntington Beach Public Facilities Corporation was formed and in- corporated under the laws of the state as a 4 nonprofit corporation for the purpose of financing the construction of the new com- plex and other public buildings for the city. ROBERT N. POLLY KURT MEYER CITY LEASES CENTER The facilities are to be leased to the city by the corporation and the revenues derived from the lease payments will provide the funds for the principal and interest payments on the corporation's bonds. -- Kurt Meyer and Associates with The corporation functions as an indepen- Honnold, Reibsamen and Rex, de- dent organization and its policies are deter- signed the new civic facilities. The mined by a five-member board of directors construction was by Zapata Con- with William D. Armstrong, chairman, and structors, Inc., William M. McCune, members, Larry L. Curran, Dr. Richard president. City's representative on Dudley Boyce, Robert N. Polly and Darrell the job was Aubrey Horn. These E. Ward. men working together were respon- The Bank of America N.T. & S.A. has been WILLIAM M.McCUNE sible for a job described by all as appointed trustee. The trustee receives all of "a smooth operation.- the bond proceeds and disburses bond moneys. The bonding company is Fireman s insur- ance Company of Newark, New Jersey. Construction cost is $6.6 million with the f principal amount of bonds totaling $11.1 mil- lion. Bond proceeds will also be used to reim- burse the city for a portion of the site costs. NOTED ARCHITECT Kurt Meyer and Associates and Honnold, Reibsamen and Rex, in joint venture, are the architects for the Civic Center. Both firms have been recognized with many honors and AUBREY HORN awards for many of their outstanding pro- 23 r° J� �:. _. ;.�• , sties; 'j'7i.+S�p ..,. .. ..>- 6�:t'.i ' 1 1.1 no Its 3777 . w O� 24 i HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER DEDICATION PROGRAM SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 1974 9:45 a.m. Band Prelude Huntington Beach High School Band 10:00 a.m. Call to Order Master of Ceremonies, Darrell Ward Public Facilities Corporation Chairman Presentation of Flags U.S. Flag, Congressmen Craig Hosmer and Andrew Hinshaw State Flag, Assemblyman Robert Burke County Flag, Supervisors David Baker and Ronald Caspers City Flag, David D. Rowlands City Administrator Acceptance Mayor Jerry Matney Raising of Colors Police Explorer Post National Anthem Marina High School Mariners Pledge of Allegiance Judge Charles Bauer Orange County Superior Court Invocation Reverend James De Lange Father Thomas Schneider, OFM Huntington Beach Ministerial Association Musical Response Marina High School Mariners Master of Cermonies Darrell Ward Introductions and Acknowledgments Presentation of Keys Architect Kurt Meyer to Building Acceptance Address Mayor Jerry Matney Governors Message Dedicatory Address Robert H. Finch Counsellor to the President Benediction Leonard Shane President, Jewish Federation Council of Orange County Postlude Huntington Beach High School Band 12:00 p.m. Open House Hostesses, Chamber of Commerce Women's and Division. Grounds guides, Orange Refreshments Coast College Stewardess Trainees. 1 :30 p.m. Saturday Music Man Band 1 :30 p.m. Sunday Huntington Beach Concert Band 3:00 p.m. Sunday Edison High School Drill Team 25 MAIN STREET POLICE PARKING © I PARKING ILI W a z PARKING N I Ty z sryF � Fj. NO SCALE PARKING SITE PLAN 1 ADMINISTRATION 2 POLICE 3 DEVELOPMENT WING 4 COUNCIL CHAMBER 26 ADMINISTRATION SOUTH ELEVATION POLICE DEVELOPMENT R .. 2 2 - - - - - - EAST ELEVATION NORTH ELEVATION LFIF - FED B B -- -I- - -1 - 7 - - � - - - - - - COMPUTERS I DATA I GENERAL ID.C. B I PROC. I OFFICES I HEALTH LOUNGE — — — _ EVIDENCE&STORAGE CAFETERIA AREA REPORT I - — — — — EQUIP. WRITING I COMMUNICATIONS FINANCE( BASEMENT I ROOM LIBRARYr _ — — I TREAS I FIRE PUBLIC WORKS I LOCKER 71 LO BUS. I INFORMATION DESK TRAINING( L — — — ROOM I LIC. I V LOBBY I ( ROOM CLASS LOBBY TRAINING , — — — CIVIL LOBBY ®L 11 DEFENSE 7st FLOOR NORTH BASEMENT FIRST FLOOR BOILERS/STORAGE r MAIL CARPORT _ _ L—J — J — PURCHASING PROJ I — — — — — — I I PRINT SHOP r MGR (RECORD DETENTION I I LCITY 0___ FACILI7Y I BASEMENT CLERK COUNCIL CHAMBER SECOND FLOOR SOUTH BASEMENT WEST ELEVATION PLANNING —e U — — -- — — — — — — Cl— CATION RECORDS L BUILDING & BNE — — THIRD FLOOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DESK BUSIUSINESBUS SDJ ❑— _ LOBBYECONOMIC COUNCIL LOBBY PERSONNEL FIC CHAMBER/L CITY ATTORNEY I I PUBLIC INFO.( ,� 1 — B FIRST FLOOR i MEETING ROOMS ADMINISTRATION I. EQUIP — — — FOURTH FLOOR rMI 1\ 'w�,V\/ LOWER LEVEL " — — INVESTIGATION I F-- DIVISION COUNCIL _LOUNGE OFFICES LINISTRATIVE / LOBBY COUNCIL CES1LOB8�— — CHAMBER LOBBYATION DIVISION FIFTH FLOOR SECOND FLOOR UPPER LEVEL DRAWINGS NOT TO SCALE 27 lit him IL if 10 / \ a ,10 �� ` �Y ` �_ \ -�-' •.� ` , . \'� may. u . q ti jects. Notable among the accomplishments of COUNCIL CHAMBERS Kurt Meyer and Associates are an Urban Re- City Council Chambers seats 153 spectators newal Plan for downtown Pomona, a 48-unit in the main section, houses a lobby and meet- condominium in Beverly Hills, Financial Busi- ing rooms and related facilities in a special Center in Ventura and hotels in Guam and structure that inter-connects with the other Saipan. Honnold, Reibsamen and Rex have buildings by a lower level accessway. The accomplished such varied projects as Sunset- council chamber and adjoining assembly area Vine Tower and Linder Plaza office buildings, contain 10,222 square feet. The three meeting Solar Observatory for Caltech at Big Bear rooms will seat 437 persons. The chamber also Lake, Federal Office Building and U.S. Post has two projection screens and equipment for Office at Van Nuys Civic Center and Molecu- use in viewing multi media presentations. lar Biology Research Facility at U.C.L.A. The firm is also architect consultants to the Calif- ornia State University at Los Angeles and architects for the John Fitzgerald Kennedy ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT Library on the campus. BUILDING General Contractor Zapata Diversified The five-story structure will house the pub- Builders started the project February 15, lic service departments on the first floor level 1972. Zapata Diversified is one of two build- with management functions located on the ing construction divisions of Zapata Con- upper levels so as to leave the lower floors structors, Inc., a national firm wholly owned for easier public access. subsidiary of Zapata Corporation (NYSE) of The information desk, finance, treasurer, Houston, Texas. Notable projects of the firm license, fire administration and public works include Fashion Island in Newport Beach, the departments will be located off the main lobby twin office buildings in Newport Center head- on the first floor of the development building. quartering The Irvine Company, and several The purchasing and print shop will be housed engineering buildings for the McDonnell in the basement near the boiler and storage Douglas facility in Huntington Beach. section. The computers and data processing Recently selected by Rockwell Internation- sections will share the basement of the devel- al to construct a $4.7 million facility for the opment building with the cafeteria. Space Shuttle Orbiter for NASA, the firm The first floor of the administration build- also is currently constructing a $45 million ing is a partially open area with the main office building known as Pennzoil Place in lobby and elevators connecting to the develop- downtown Houston. President of Zapata Con- ment building and upper floors. structors is William McCune and Project Super- The second floor which only covers the intendent was Robert King, under the direc- south end of the building houses the city tion of Vice-President John E. Andreassen. clerk's office and record section along with the project manager's office. In addition to the elevators, an outside stairway leads to this floor. The building and community development and planning departments occupy the third FUTURE IN MIND level of the building. Planned to serve a population of 270,000 The fourth floor houses office of the City and built with future needs in mind, the Administrator, city attorney offices, eco- Civic Center consists of four major elements nomic and public information offices as well which are integrated into one unified complex. as the personnel department. A five-level administrative structure connect The area for council offices is on the fifth to the separate two-story police/public safety floor. building and the single-level development A helipad is located on the roof just below building with a common underground floor. the top edge of the two-foot-thick walls. An amphitheater seating 1000 complete with a lower plaza ties all four of the buildings to- gether. The complex is equipped with a pneu- matic tube system which provides inter- communication of all departments. The project has been a smooth running GOVERNMENT BY PEOPLE operation with a minimal amount of diffi- Architect Meyer has termed the council culties. The site previously was used for oil chambers, meeting rooms, training facilities production and included many old abandoned and ceremonial plaza as "government by the oil wells that were encountered and had to be people" facilities. capped. Three of the wells are still producing The purpose of the civic center is "not to approximately 40 barrels each per day which be a monument, but to carry out the process represents a favorable income for the city. of muncipal government," according to Meyer. These wells will be visually screened by The total project contains 188,125 sq. ft. landscaping and remain until they become of buildings. There are a total of 403 parking economically unproductive. spaces. With approximately 535 working days 29 1 spent on the job, the average daily work force, _5 a � employed by the contractor has been 100 workmen. Approximately 50 sub-contractors have been on the job at one time or another ' data during the past two years. A total of 19,700 yards of concrete were used to complete the project. 85,000 square feet of carpeting and . �. 420 tons of air conditioning have been install- . ed. •>-,. It f r �. POLICE BUILDING a ah'i The new police facility is more than a building, it is a police tool and an integral % y part of the police operations. The old facility served the Police Depart- ment since 1923. It was built for a city of 4.7 square miles with an eight-man police de- partment serving approximately 2,000 people. Main Street on left, Mansion Avenue on top and 17th Street on right corner border the Civic Center site as construction gets under way early in 1972- At top of picture is the ranch of the Huntington Beach A Company,to the left is Huntington Beach High School. P p [ 1 b _4. '1 �wl T 4 . z Building forms for concrete is heavy job requiring workers to be high in air on what Workmen pour concrete into forms for basement of development build- appears to be unstable platforms. Notice ing. Altogether, nearly 20,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured into safety belt and cable workman is wearing special forms to complete shells of the buildings. as part of strict safety program. 30 By the end of 1973 the department had grown to 169 sworn and 70 non-sworn full time em- j ployes, serving a population of 145,000 with- in the 27 square miles. Designed to grow with the department's - needs, consideration was also given to tech- nological advancements which will become \ available in the future. - On April 14, 1969, Space Utilization An- 1 alyzation, a division of Dillingham Corpora- I ' tion, completed a study which included pre- sent and future office space requirements for the city. To help in the planning of what was to be- come a model police facility, an architectural liaison officer was appointed to research and gather information so that the best features could be incorporated into the new building. One of the prime concerns was to create a , structure which permitted the best use of available area and create the greatest integrity between the worker and work space. This worker shows an intensity of purpose which resulted in the com- pletion of this $12 million center in the least amount of time with the least amount of troubles. Although there is concrete and steel for all FEDERAL FUNDS to see, the sweat of man's labor is what will make this building project STATE stand over the decades. Although the financing for the project was derived from the sales of non-profit, corporate bonds, a total of $159,000 in grant funds was received from the California Council on Criminal justice. These funds were used to develop a computer-aided communications system. Federalfunds totaling$113,760 were grant- ed by the Civil Defense Preparedness Agency to assist the city in the development of the Civil Defense Emergency Operating Center. The building is designed so that a third floor can be added later. The interior designed with non-bearing walls enclosing all offices. These design features were planned into the r original structure so that future modifications could be made at a minimum expense and " work disruption. A system of pneumatic tubes interconnects `w the records bureau with the jail, communica- tions, report writing area, administration and _ detectives. { The building security system was designed ` by Public Safety Systems, Inc. of Santa f Barbara. The main functional units of the (: - system are comprised of remote control tele- vision cameras, two-way audio inter-com- munications units, electronic door locks, inter- ' locking electric security doors, emergency y power and environmental systems and central- I} ized security control console. I SECURE AREAS Up she goes. Workman prepares forms for more concrete as the civic All doorways and hallways where personnel center Administration building goes up and up by the end of 1972. are not normally assigned are monitored by Notice the method of reusing forms for concrete as the building goes combinations of these security devices. In toward its ultimate five-story height. 31 addition to internal security areas, the ex- , ternal areas are also monitored,especially the police parking lot and entrance to the building �i and jail. 'I The city's data processing and finance areas 'I also fall under the police security network. Designed as much as possible to be self-con- tained,the facility is ready for the most severe emergency. In the event of an electrical power failure the emergency generator is capable of 'i maintaining communications, lighting and the ventilation systems. The emergency generator 5s_ i and emergency water supply is sufficient to last two weeks. The basement of the police building acts as the functional area for field activities. Covering an area of 44,954 square feet it con- *D tains the detention facilities, training facility, property storage, report writing, library, lock- ers and exercise room and roll call, briefing and training auditorium. The parking lot and jail entrance are also located at the basement level. The first floor is designed to be the main public service area. It covers 17,935 square feet and contains the public lobby, records lobby, service division offices, records storage, i Sighting along what is now the top of the ceiling to the upper plaza in the Administration building, this worker takes aim at the steel work going up to complete the upper floors to make the building straight and true. A Careful workmanship leads to construction of buildings far above average. Architect Kurt Meyer and Zapata Diversified Builders have insisted on top quality construction and workmanshiplike methods from all crafts. 32 watch commander's office, scientific investi- gation bureau and traffic bureau. The second floor is 16,880 square feet and primarily contains the administration func- tions of the Police Department. Located on this level are the offices of the chief, adminis- tration division commander, patrol division commander, detective division commander, services division commander, investigation, a administration vice, intelligence and narcotics. MODERN SYSTEMS Two of the unique features of the facility are the modern detention facility and the efficient communications center. The detention facility is divided into separ- ate sections for housing men and women, juveniles and adults as required by law. Day rooms in each cell block provide exercise area and eating tables, and the women's sec- tion is decorated with bright colorful walls. Designed by Motorola, the new communica- tions system is one of the first in the country. The communications bureau is the heart of all police operations. This bureau has the responsibility for monitoring all building se- €w curity systems,as well as radio-telephone com- munications, business alarms, police and fire call boxes. i Architect Meyer and the builders of the civic center designed special forms for concrete pouring which would result in maximum progress in construction at a COUNCIL SETS POLICY minimum cost. Here a builder is ready to take the forms and the buildings As the legislative branch of the government, higher. Below, concrete trucks pour walls of the police facility while workmen the council sets policy for the operation of in the foreground smooth walls already completed. the entire muncipal organization. The de- cisions made are usually preceded by many hours of study and deliberation. Several commissions and boards have been appointed to assist the council in making policy recommendations in each special field. These consist of the Allied Arts Commission, Board of Appeals, Design Review Board, En- vironmental Council, Public Facilities Corpo- ration, Library Board, Personnel Board, Plan- ning Commission, Recreation and Parks Com- mission and Underground Utilities Commis- - sion. The city has an average staff of 750 full � time and 250 temporary part time employees "^ under the supervision of the city administra- tor. The major departments are Administra- tion which includes Economic Development, Civil Defense and Public Information' Build- ' ing and Community Development, City At- torney, City Clerk, Finance, Fire, Harbors, "" • _ ;'; and Beaches, Library, Personnel, Planning and Environmental Resources, Police, Public Works, and Recreation and Parks. 33 i W _ l .Ipo ` 00 ' iL k44 & s „ter/ `' � �,; ? /ta�'f�" "r. :3`` ��� \ "�� '�.i `.ate � � • ' ,, _.(_ Construction involves not only rugged tearing at the earth and filling the earth with concrete, but also the less massive jobs such as weld- ing pieces of steel to form the backbone of the structure and the gentle placing and removing of concrete forms. III — tt .d:.l 34 i a N . y s f w t pir i • City Purchasing Agent Roy How and furniture supplier make last xs minute check on furniture to be installed in the center (top left) ■ o -j.. •.----- while Finance Department computer programmers ready the equipment for action (top right). Much of the heavy equipment y 3 was installed before floors were completed (center left). Circular structure at bottom is the council chambers. I �) �if:��r ,. - \tA['l fiR•Plr.�� ..y.y.: �r'�'v+�`.� � .�. -� ? �_ _.. Oat 35 1-+ r i I .d �, 4 y,ae ^3.�iga f t"�i�.c•�' +,i 4`tl`'v^�- VIEW FROM CIVIC CENTER TOP TOWARD SADDLEBACK MOUNTAIN 4 .+ With light fixtures installed to complete the outside of City Hall the - new view at Main Street and Mansion Avenue takes the form as seen below. The Police Building is to the left,council chambers in center ® foreground with the Administration Building in the back.The develop- ment wing is to the right. 44 Ilk IMP m.F 36 _ _ 1 , City Council: Ted Bartlett, Donald Shipley, Norma Brandel Gibbs, Mayor Jerry Matney, Henry Duke, Alvin Coen. Standing is City Administrator David Rowlands. Inset picture is of Councilman Jack Green. It HUNTINGTON BEACH CITY COUNCIL The City Council consists of seven members elected from the city at-large for four-year terms. The members are elected in even numbered years on a staggered schedule with four in one election and three in the next. These seven citizens who give of their time are paid a token amount monthly. The council is required to meet twice a month, according to the city charter, but councilmen often meet in special study sessions, ad- journed meetings and attend other government related meetings. They also attend and participate in many city, county and state functions on their own time. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Mondays of each month in the Council Chambers begin- ning at 7 p.m. If the need for a special meeting arises, the council starts at 5 p.m. The council elects one of its members as mayor and one as vice-mayor each year. The city's legislative body, the council's main duty is to set policy for the entire municipal organization. These decisions are usually preceded by many hours of research and study. The new council chambers will be a far cry from the quarters that the council has occupied for over 40 years. Equipped with one of the most modern electronic systems available,the chambers will enable the council to carry out the task of governing the city in the most efficient way. The public will enter at street level and sit theater bowl style in a semi-circle having full view of the council. There is a lower level entrance for the council members and city administration for easier access. The new electronic voting equipment will also hasten voter registration and election results. Two meet- ing rooms will be available for the overflow of crowds in case of a large gathering. These rooms have rear view and overhead projection systems. The modern audio, video and lighting equipment will aid in the multi-media presentations. The citizens will enjoy attending City Council meetings in the new chamber as they will be provided with a more comfortable setting. 37 CHARTER CITY POLICIES SET BY CITY COUNCIL 1 -4 CITY COUNCIL The city of Huntington Beach, incorporated in 1909, operated under its own charter which was granted in 1937. This charter provides for election of city council, city clerk, treasur- er and attorney. Several amendments and one complete charter change have taken place since that time. The city is governed under a council- administrator form of government. The body, known as the Board of Trustees until 1928, 1` became the City Council after an election held in April of that year. In 1966 another election changed the City Council from a five-member to a seven-member board. The seven-member city council is elected at large for alternating four year terms. The council elects one of its members as mayor and one as vice mayor each year. The body meets regu- larly twice a month on the first and third Mondays in the City Council Chambers. In addition the council meets in adjourned meetings, study sessions and special meetings called for conducting city business. The mem- bers receive a salary of $175 a month plus expenses. DAVID D. ROWLANDS ADMINISTRATION City Administrator David D. Rowlands as chief administrative officer of the city government supervises and is responsible for the effective management of the administrative affairs of the city. Rowlands gives general direction to the city departments and is responsible for the proper execution of policies set by the City Council and the enforcement of all laws and ordinances. Floyd G. Belsito is the executive assistant for operations. 'k a FLOYD G. BELSITO WILBUR J. LAGE 38 PUBLIC INFORMATION The Public Information Office is the city's news outlet. William G. Reed, public informa- tion officer, provides news releases and photo- graphs to all of the news media. In addition, the office furnishes general information to the public by phone, in person and by news- letters. The office also prepares and publishes special projects and acts as a clearinghouse for complaints and service requests of all kinds. A central service bureau for handling in- quiries, service requests and information ser- vice requests including tours was recently es- = " tablished. This center located in the lobby area of the main floor development building is part of the Public Information Office. WILLIAM G. REED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT This unit is the marketing arm of the city. It encourages new investment and employ- ment covering the commercial, industrial of- '4 fice, tourism and housing fields. fi Economic Development Officer William j. Back gathers, evaluates, collates, updates and disseminates statistical and other reliable city information for prospective investor's study. He assists new business and industries find plant sites, buildings and personnel. The Economic Development Office advertises in- ternationally in trade publications to encour- age new investment to the city that will create new jobs and a truly balanced community. These economic investments in the city will eventually help reduce the tax rates for the ®^ residents. CIVIL DEFENSE - Under the supervision of City administra- JANET FRIEND - CITIZENS SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE tion, Wilbur J. Lage, civil defense coordinator, is responsible for the planning, organizing, training and utilization of the city's resources in a combined effort to minimize the effects of a disaster and to facilitate rapid recovery. I The goal of this section is to minimize the loss of life, damage to property and to provide for recovery in the event of a major emergen- cy. The new Emergency Operating Center will be equipped, staffed and controlled under Civil Defense. Civil Defense also has the responsibility of insuring that the administrative requirements are maintained and submitted for state and federal matching fund requests for projects involving disaster preparation and planning. The office participates in the federal sur- plus property program enabling the city to purchase necessary surplus supplies or equip- ment at a savings to the city. WILLIAM J. BACK 39 CITY ATTORNEY Elected to a four-year term, the city at- torney is charged with the duty of advising and giving legal opinions to the council and officials of the city regarding all legal matters, drafting and approving ordinances, resolu- tions, contracts and other legal documents, prosecuting or defending civil actions as neces- sary in the city's behalf, prosecuting all FINANCE DEPARTMENT criminal cases involving charter and ordinance Finance Director Frank B. Arguello has violations and in general acting as the city's charge of the administration of the financial legal representative. affairs of the city under the direction of the City Attorney Don Bonfa has one assistant city administrator and is head of the Finance and three deputy attorneys with a trained Department. In addition to the duties set by clerical staff that handle all of the city'slegal $ Section 706 of the City Charter, the director matters. and his staff are charged with the issuing of business licenses, data processing, print shop management, purchasing, office mail distribu- tion, and water accounts in the city. DON P. BONFA The computer operation under the super- vision of finance is shared by several other de- CITY CLERK partments in the city which enables them to The City Clerk is elected to a four-year .° accomplish projects as efficiently as possible. term by the citizens. Alicia Wentworth was , appointed by the City Council to this position upon the death of elected clerk Paul Jones in 1973. -® The city clerk attends all council meetings and is responsible for the recording and main- taining of a full and true record of all the proceedings of the council. The clerk must maintain originals and records pertaining to all ordinances and resolutions, written contracts, �: BUILDING AND COMMUNITY agreements with the city and deeds for prop- ti,; erty. Among other duties the city clerk is in DEVELOPMENT The Department of charge of all city elections, custodian of the Building and Com- ad- city seal and performs other duties as required m ministering ty Development is responsible for by the council. She is assisted by an office tering a program t provide minimum staff of three. standards to safeguard life, health, property and public welfare by regulating and control- ling the design and construction of buildings. ALICIA WENTWORTH The department also controls the use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings and structures through the enforce- ment of adopted codes, ordinances and im- CITY TREASURER posed conditions. City treasurer is elected to serve a four- Under the supervision of Director John year term. He is responsible for the safe- Behrens, the department consists of four keeping of all public funds received on behalf divisions, administration, construction and of the city and deposits all such funds in the inspection, land use and occupancy and oil property designated depository. City Treasur- field. Working with a minimum staff the de- er Warren Hall pays out monies only on proper partment is self-supporting and operates fully orders, warrants or checks. He is also responsi- on the fees derived from permits and develop- ble for the proper administration and handling ers. of all special assessment funds. The model codes which the city uses are As the city official accountable for the all being reviewed to bring them up to date. management of public funds, the treasurer Some of the significant changes in building and his office staff prepare and submit month- codes will be in fire prevention and life ly financial reports and perform other duties safety. as may be required by the administrator. WARREN G. HALL 40 LIBRARY Huntington Beach public library, part of the city government structure, is under the guidance of Walter Johnson, Library Director. t The library and its staff make every effort to supply all materials and equipment needed by various segments of the community and also encourage participation by the public. Many of the services currently offered by the library include Dial-A-Book, free book mailing program, programs for the youth, minority groups,senior citizens and the handi- FIRE DEPARTMENT capped. Extensive research materials in micro- The Fire Department under the supervision film and microfiche format are available and a of Chief Ray Picard employs a force of 149 reference department will answer any question persons. The divisions are administration, fire in person or by phone. Huntington Beach prevention, fire control, medical assistance, Community Services Council maintains a com- communications and support and joint munity aid file and a referral service in the powers. library. The administration division will be located 11 The library administration will not be lo- in the Civic Center on the first floor off the FRANK B. ARGUELLO cared in the new Civic Center as it will move main lobby. to the new central library when it is com- The past year proved to be an important pleted. The $3 million dollar Cultural Re- one for the city in that the operational ef- source Center designed by the Neutra firm is ficiency of the department has been increased located in Central Park at Talbert Avenue and significantly. Golden West Street. The building will be com- There are currently six permanent fire pleted in the fall of 1974. It will feature a stations, one temporary and plans for an four-tier stack area capable of holding 350,000 additional facility. books,magazines,cassettes and other material. A paramedic unit was put into service to The glass structure will also include a book provide intensified medical assistance to the store, CATV broadcasting hook-up, a news citizens in all areas of the city. The main wire and stock market reporting system and function of the unit is to stabilize the condi- various meeting rooms. tion of the victim prior to transport to a ��� °• hospital. + The Joint Powers Training Center officially opened in September 1973. Located on Gothard Street in Huntington Beach, the pe.;•° HARBOR AND BEACHES center provides a unified and cost effective a°*•;, DEPARTMENT fire protection system for the cities of :`:°<<"' The Department of Harbors and Beaches, <... Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, West- °`°E:a; established in 1967 is recognized worldwide minster and Seal Beach. By combining funds as one of the finest public safety teams. the four cities constructed one center instead JOHN F. BEHRENS Headed by Vincent Moorhouse, the depart- of each building their own at a savings to the N ment's primary function is providing marine taxpayers. safety service for five miles of beach front City boundaries for fire fighters have been and twenty-four miles of inland waterways eliminated and the nearest fire station will " in the harbor area. respond to the emergency regardless of city. The department is divided into four major Huntington Beach holds a "Class 3" fire divisions, Lifeguard and Beach Division,Har- insurance rating which represents a consider- r bor Division, Environmental Division and able savings in fire insurance to the citizens. Beach Maintenance Division. Within the last six to seven years, the city has This department does not have offices in gone from a Class 9 rating to a Class 3, thus the new Civic Center as the headquarters are resulting in a substantial reduction in insur- located on the beach where most of their ante premiums. It is the goal of the depart- activities are centered. ment to hold this rating down to a minimum. Harbors and Beaches is administered by the director and assistant director who are responsible for the management and develop- ment of all beach, pier and harbor property and structure under the city's jurisdiction in- cluding the Muncipal Beach Parking Facility, beach and pier concessions and all other reve- nue sources pertaining to the beach and pier RAYMOND C. PICARD and adjacent properties. The Environmental Coastline Study, redevelopment of the munci- pal pier and the new overnight camping facility have been additional responsibilities. 41 i WALTER W. JOHNSON EDWARD H. THOMPSON During the peak visitation season 51 field stations are in operation daily, to serve the 3.5 million visitors each year. The department has 34 permanent and 75 recurrent employes, four rescue vessels and nine emergency vehi- PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT cles. Under the supervision of Director Edward One of the outstanding programs sponsored Thompson, the personnel department is re- by the Harbors and Beaches Department is the sponsible for eight general functional areas, Junior Lifeguard Program which has been recruiting, testing, benefit administration, very successful and had 350 boys and girls classification and salary survey, labor relations, enrolled this past year. training, safety and personnel board activities. To further equal opportunity employment the department has developed an affirmative action program for the purpose of making the city employee population representative of the surrounding community. The development and implementation of the employee suggestion program aimed at en- couraging cost saving suggestions from city employees has been very successful. Quite an extensive safety program which requires the evaluation of working conditions, safety training -and provisions for both the handicapped employed by the city and the citizens who.visit or attend functions in muni- cipal facilities is now in progress. Many of the ++ safety features that have been administered ra . are well received by the community. The Personnel Department located on the 4th floor of the Administration building has carried out these responsibilities and programs with a staff of nine persons. VINCENT G. MOORHOUSE 42 POLICE DEPARTMENT Under the supervision of Chief of Police Earle Robitaille, the Police Department must _ provide for the enforcement of all laws and protection of life within the city. The department is charged with the re- sponsibility of prevention and repression of crime, apprehension of offenders, recovery of property, regulation of non-criminal conduct and the performance of miscellaneous services. Organized into four divisions of Administra- tion, Uniform, Investigation and Services, the department's Vice and Intelligent Unit are combined and report directly to the chief. t The Administration Division is responsible for the overall supervision and coordination within the area of training, community rela- tions, crime prevention, personnel, planning RICHARD A. HARLOW and research and budget preparation. Vice and Intelligence Unit is responsible PLANNING DEPARTMENT Under the leadership of Director Richard Harlow,the Planning Department is comprised , of three divisions, current planning, advanc- ed planning and environmental resources. With the goals of providing a long range R ` comprehensive planning program, ordinances and programs that effectively carry-out the long range plans, competent staff to advise City Council and planning commission and responsive to needs and desires of citizens the department's objective is to accomplish these and other programs that will enhance the city's development. The current planning division has the responsibility of processing applications for the Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Adjustments and Design Review Board along with subdivisions for review by the commis- EARLE W. ROBITAILLE sion and City Council. It also provides infor- mation on zoning and proposed developments for the collection, preservation and identifica- to the public. tion of evidence. The advanced planning division is responsi- The Uniform Division consists of five separ- ble for long range programs which include de- ate units. Patrol,Traffic, Helicopter, jail Bur- veloping and maintaining the city's master eaus and Special Enforcement detail have the plan working with citizens groups and advising prime responsibility of prevention and re- the commission on matters concerning long pression of crime, apprehension of criminals range planning. and general aid and welfare of the com- Environmental resources is the newest di- munity. vision in the Planning Department. This divi- sion serves as staff to the Environmental Re- view Board, Environmental Council and coor- dinates the preparation and evaluation of en- vironmental impact reports. It also monitors regional, state and federal environmental pro- The Investigation Division has charge of the grams. Detective and Identification bureau. The De- tective Bureau is sub-divided into four units of crimes against persons, crimes against prop- erty, juvenile and identification. The identifi- cation bureau is responsible for the collection, preservation and identification of evidence. The Services Division provides technical, 43 special and other supportive services for the J PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT department. This division consists of three Public Works, one of the largest depart- units, Records Bureau, Special Services and ments in the city, is administered by Director General Services Bureau. The Records Bureau, `' and City Engineer H. E. "Bill" Hartge. the largest unit of the division, is responsible for the retention and retrieval of reports. All This department consists of four divisions, of the reports are processed under a cross Design and Development, Traffic and Plan- reference filing system and copies made avail- r Wing, Water, and Construction, Contracts and Maintenance Divisions. able to the necessary units and courts. The ' With a staff of approximately 180 persons Special Services bureau is sub-divided into # the Public Works Department is described as Data Processing, Statistics and Warrants. This the department with "service" as its motto. unit is responsible for all the subpeona and Some of the responsibilities the divisions processing service, warrant detail and statisti- have are street maintenance and sweeping, cal data compilation. p g' General Services Bureau consists of four munstreet and traffic lighting, water facilities, separate units. The Automotive Maintenance ance, a building and equipment and lann- ance, weed abatement, street trees and land- unit has the duty of keeping vehicles in good scaping, and storm drain and sewer mainten- condition so as to prevent major repairs. ance. Property detail maintains and safe keeps all evidence till needed in courts. H. E. "BILL" HARTGE RECREATION AND PARKS DEPARTMENT One of the most progressive in the state, PIONEER IN LAW FIELD the Huntington Beach Parks and Recreation Purchasing and budget control is charged Department is a leader in the planning and with property requisitions, uniform purchases development of open space and leisure time purchases and procurement of special funds. activities. Building Maintenance is responsible for the The department under the administration general maintenance and upkeep of all build- of Director Norm Worthy, is not located in ings. the Civic Center. He reports to the City Ad- The Huntington Beach Police Department ministrator and has the responsibility of the with a total personnel of 250 is a pioneer in management and overall coordination of all the field of law enforcement with many in- functions concerned with the development novative programs. and operation of a public recreation and park It was the first in the nation to start service. a ten plan work week (10-hour days, 4 days The city's master plan of parks, open space, per week). schools and recreation provides for a series of With the exception of a few administrators 32 neighborhood parks, six larger community and the records bureau all of the department parks and Huntington Central Park. personnel work a four-day, 10-hour week, with The neighborhood parks, usually two to ten acres, are designed to serve the residents one day each quarter devoted to training. of a single neighborhood and most adjoin an arm of the patrol division. The bureeauau has The Helicopter Bureau started is local elementary schools so that school prop- erty and facilities may be utilized. been very valuable to field security because Community parks of 10 to 40 acres serve of the immediate response time.Motorola Communications, Inc. developed residents from several neighborhoods and the first command control communications most are adjacent to high schools. system for this department under a federal grant. This system enables the department to increase the accuracy and reliability of com- munications, reduce response time, transmit 1 CENTRAL PARK TO OPEN and disseminate information rapidly and in- The 200-acre Huntington Central Park due crease the apprehension rate.This system can to open in the summer of 1974 is a regional be tied into the Fire Department and finance facility and will offer multi-use recreational computers. The documented time savings of y w facilities including recreation center, historical the system will increase the service efficiency w��;a area, rustic village, lakes with boating and .�� and better utilize the tax money of the citizens `� � - fishing, nature trails and camping just to with an estimated savings of $29,073 annually. name a few of the activities. To keep up with the pace of the city many ` The department staff includes 58 full time other programs that involve youth have been f1 and 155 part time employees. The majority initiated by the department. € of part time people are college students who instruct or are activity leaders at neighbor- hood playgrounds. The Recreation and Parks 1. Department is located at 17th Street and NORMAN L. WORTHY Orange Avenue. 44 \ ra ,I �f y" Farewell to the old Civic Center at Fifth Street and Pecan Avenue. This 1964 picture shows a dream city leaders cherished for years prior to its building. This hope of the past came to fruition here, matured over the years as more and more people came to Huntington Beach and finally it decayed as once bright, new buildings no longer could serve the needs of the people. From that decay came the desire for a new center, the wonderful new facility now dedicated. Cities move toward their destiny as well as do the men and women who govern these cities. Long may that movement be with the will to serve the needs of the people of the community. 45 I JI HUNTINGTON BEACH CIVIC CENTER : 1974 A Publication Of The City Of Huntington Beach Mayor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry A. Matney City Administrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David D. Rowlands Executive Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . William G. Reed Research Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connie Bauer Assistant To The Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . Louise Woodruff I Chief Photographer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Flanagan Historical Consultant . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delbert G. Higgins Publication Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary DeWeese Photographs By Public Information Office Staff 46 ( � (� r