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Home My WebLink About2021-07-26 (Adj Spcl Mtg)Adjourned Special Meeting Minutes City Council/Public Financing Authority City of Huntington Beach Monday, July 26, 2021 6:00 PM -Council Chambers Civic Center, 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach , California 92648 or Virtual via Zoom Webinar A video recording of the 6:00 PM portion of this meeting is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, and archived at http://www.huntingtonbeach.ca/gov 6:00 PM -COUNCIL CHAMBERS RECONVENED CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY SPECIAL MEETING OF JULY 19, 2021 ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Peterson, Delgleize, Carr, Posey, Moser, and Kalmick None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -Led by Councilmember Peterson ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS (Received After Agenda Distribution) Pursuant to the Brown "Open Meetings" Act, City Clerk Robin Estanislau announced supplemental communications received by her office following distribution of the Council Agenda packet: City Clerk's Report #1 (21-565) Recap of Action Taken at July 19, 2021 Meeting submitted by City Clerk Robin Estanislau Administrative Items #2 (21-564) One Hundred Forty-Four (144) email communications received regarding the unscheduled vacancy on the City Council PUBLIC COMMENTS (3 Minute Time Limit) -25 In-Person and 4 Call -In Public Speakers The number [hh:mm :ss} following the speakers' comments indicates their approximate starting time in the archived video located at http://www.surfcitv-hb.org!governmentlagendas. Jenny Braithwaite, an applicant for the City Council vacancy, was called to speak and stated her opinion there are many better ways to spend $1 M than on a Special Election , and encouraged the current Councilmembers to compromise to reach a majority decision. (00:05:22) Laura Sire, a long-time resident of Huntington Beach and a retired teacher, was called to speak, thanked Councilmembers for their service, and reiterated the City Council responsibility, per the City Charter, to fill an unscheduled vacancy through appointment. (00:07:41) Council/PFA Adjourned Special Meeting July 26, 2021 Page 2 of 5 Kathy Carrick, a 47-year resident of Huntington Beach, was called to speak and stated her support for appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to the Council vacancy. (00 :10:51) Russell Neal , a resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated his support for appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to the Council vacancy, but considering the amount of political division within the City, Mr. Neal added his opinion that calling for a Special Election is the most fair way to proceed. (00:13 :57) Nicole Dutton was called to speak and stated her support for either appointing Gracey Van Der Mark, or holding a Special Election, to fill the vacant City Council position . (00 : 15 :49) Kimo Gandall , a Professional Registered Parliamentarian , Real Estate Agent , and Former Chairman of the California College Republicans and College Republicans at UCI, was called to speak and stated his support for either appo inting Gracey Van Der Mark, or holding a Special Election , to fill the vacant City Council position . (00 : 17 :55) Karen Carroll, a 45-year resident of Huntington Beach and veteran high school teacher, was called to speak and shared her expectation that City Council will follow Charter guidelines and select the applicant who will ethically and legally advocate for, and act in the best interests of, all residents . (00 :21 :08) Tim Geddes, a long -time resident of Huntington Beach, was called to speak and stated his support for appointing a known and respected former Councilmember to the vacant Council position to avoid the fiscal and community turmoil of a Special Election, while also allowing all aspirants to run for a Council position on an equal basis in 2022 . (00 :23:20) Martha Morrow, an applicant for the City Council vacancy, was called to speak and shared her opinion that many City Council members appear to be more interested in appointing a candidate that aligns with their respective ideologies rather than listening to and respecting the voice of the voters . (00 :26 :20) An unnamed guest, lifetime resident of Huntington Beach and Candidate for City Council in 2022 , was called to speak and shared his support for a Special Election to fill the vacant City Counci l position , and described efforts to ensure that candidates with conservative values are elected to the City Council in 2022. (00 :30 :36) An unnamed guest was called to speak and stated his support for honoring the voters and appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to fill the vacant City Council position . (00 :34 :13) John Aird , a resident of Huntington Beach and 22-year Veteran, was called to speak and passionately shared his support for a Special Election to provide voters the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to fill the vacant City Council position . (00 :35 : 18) An unnamed guest was called to speak and stated her support for a Special Election , rather than allowing Councilmembers to appoint a candidate that aligns with their ideologies , as the fairest way to fill the vacant City Council position . (00:38:35) John Bostick was called to speak and stated his opinion that filling the vacant City Council position should not be about partisanship , but rather ensuring a team that represents all residents of the great city of Huntington Beach. (00:42:03) Council/PFA Adjourned Special Meeting July 26, 2021 Page 3 of 5 Galen Pickett, a long-time resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated his opinion that it is the duty of City Councilmembers to fill the vacant position by appointment, but not by appo inting the candidate who lost by the least votes in the November 2020 election . (00:44:30) Kathryn Levassiur, a resident of Huntington Beach, was called to speak and stated her support for the Council making an appointment as the City Charter requires to fill the City Council vacancy. (00:46:40) Rhonda Bolton , applicant for the vacant City Council position , was called to speak and described her qualifications for the position and her goal to see that all residents feel safe, have a decent place to live , and have economic opportunity. She further stated her opinion that Councilmembers should take care of business without being paralyzed by partisan division . (00:49 :30) Frank Zappia , a long-time resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated his support for a Special Election to fill the vacant City Council position , especially considering the lack of Council consensus at the last Special Meeting . (00 :51 :41) Ceason Baker, a 15-year resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated that if the Council is not able to reach a consensus and appoint Gracey Van Der Mark to the vacant City Counci l position, then they should call for a Special Election. (00 :53:55) Beverly Braden, a resident of Huntington Beach for over 20 years , was called to speak and stated that even though she did not personally vote for Gracey Van Der Mark, in her opinion appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to the vacant City Council position is the right thing to do , or call for a Special Elect ion . (00 :56:56) Nader Hanna was called to speak, described a hypothetical City Counci l meeting , and used historical situations and Biblical references to support his opinion that the current situation in Huntington Beach will turn into a civil matter given how irate people are . (00 :58 :35) Kainoa Vea, a life-long resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated his support for appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to fill the vacant City Council position , or call for a Special Election. (01 :01 :55) Maria Piccolo, a resident of Huntington Beach for over 20 years , was called to speak and stated her opinion that Huntington Beach residents supported diversity in the November 2020 e lection , not the identity politics currently exhibited by City Councilmembers. (01 :03:46) Suzanne Cervellon, a resident of Huntington Beach for over 20 years , was called to speak and stated her support for appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to fill the vacant City Council position . (01 :07 :11) Bruce Wareh, a 32-year resident of Huntington Beach , was called to speak and stated his support for honoring the November 2020 election and appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to the vacant City Council position. (01 :08:34) Call-in speaker Janet Michels , a 25-year resident of Huntington Beach, was invited to speak and stated her support for the appointment of Rhonda Bolton to the vacant City Council position . (01 : 11 :35) Council/PFA Adjourned Special Meeting July 26, 2021 Page 4 of 5 Call-in speaker Buzz McCord was invited to speak and stated his support for Council appointing a constructive and reasonable voice to the vacant City Council position , and not waste taxpayer funds by calling for a Special Election . (01 : 13: 19) Call-in speaker Kathy O'Conner Phelps , a 25-year resident of Huntington Beach and former member of the Design Review Board , was invited to speak and encouraged recently elected Councilmembers to demonstrate their election promises to represent the residents of Huntington Beach by appointing Gracey Van Der Mark to the vacant City Council position, or call for a Special Election. (01: 15:24) Call-in speaker Katie was invited to speak and shared her opinion that the City Charter should be honored and Council should make an appointment to fill the vacant City Council position. (01 : 16:56) CITY CLERK'S REPORT 1. 21-565 City Clerk Estanislau provided a recap of action taken at the July 19, 2021, Special Meeting ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 2. 21-564 Appointed Rhonda Bolton to fill the unscheduled vacancy on the City Council (continued from July 19, 2021) Mayor Carr stated that the Council had the option to reconsider appointing one of the final three candidates of Rhonda Bolton, Jeff Morin, or Gracey Van Der Mark, or call for a Special Election . Mayor Pro Tern Delgleize read a prepared statement, which included her reasons for supporting the appointment of Rhonda Bolton to the vacant City Council position. A motion was made by Carr, second Kalmick to select Rhonda Bolton for appointment to the vacated City Council seat. A substitute motion was made by Posey, second Peterson to call for a Special Election to fill the vacated City Council seat. The substitute motion failed by the following vote: AYES : Peterson, and Posey NOES: Delgleize, Carr, Moser, and Kalmick The original motion made by Carr, second Kalmick to select Rhonda Bolton for appointment to the vacated City Council seat, carried by the following vote: AYES: NOES : Delgleize , Carr, Moser, and Kalmick Peterson, and Posey RECESS : At 7 :35 PM , Mayor Carr called for a 10-minute recess; the meeting reconvened at 7:48 PM . Council/PFA Adjourned Special Meeting July 26 , 2021 Page 5 of 5 City Clerk Estanislau administered the Oath of Allegiance to newly appointed member of the City Council, Rhonda Bolton. Councilmember Bolton took a seat on the dais. COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS (Not Agendized) -None ADJOURNMENT -7 :51 PM to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 , at 4:00 PM in the Civic Center Council Chambers , 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California . INTERNET ACCESS TO CITY COUNCIL/PUBLIC FINANCING AUTHORITY AGENDA AND STAFF REPORT MATERIAL IS AVAILABLE PRIOR TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS AT http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov ATTEST: · City Clerk-Secretary City Clerk nd ex -officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach and Secretary of the Public Financing Authority of the City of Huntington Beach, Californ ia Mayor-Chair