HomeMy WebLinkAboutDevelop Proposal for E-Bike Licensure and Use Regulations - (2) 2000 Main Street,
o - tie Huntington Beach, CA
• F9= 92648
City of Huntington Beach
APPROVED AS AMENDED
�eF�pUNTY C�Q� 7_0
File #: 23-732 MEETING DATE: 9/5/2023
Subject:
Submitted by Council Members McKeon and Burns - Develop Proposal for. E-Bike Licensure
and Use Regulations
Recommended Action:
While this is a concept in development, direct the City Manager to work with the Police Department
and the City Attorney to develop a proposal for e-bike licensure and use regulations. The proposal
should return to City Council in November. The following concepts should be addressed, if possible,
in the proposal that returns to Council:
• Require a city license to operate an electric bicycle within city limits unless the rider possesses
a valid driver's license.
o Establish a fee for license (akin to a business license)
• Mandate rental businesses to require customers renting e-bikes to view a safety video in order
to have a one-day license or show proof of a valid driver's license.
• Explore enforcement options for PD
o Revising current HBMC to assist officers with enforcement efforts - see if our HBMC
can "follow" or "borrow" rules and enforcement from the California Vehicle Code.
o New HBMC for "pocket bikes" (Surrons)
o Higher fine structures, bike impounding etc.
Attachment(s):
1. Burns and McKeon - Develop Proposal for E-Bike Licensure and Use Regulations
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 8/31/2023
powere7J7lA•LegistarM
City Council/ ACTION AGENDA September 5, 2023
Public Financing Authority
K) Approve the official dissolution of the City Council Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Review Ad Hoc Committee upon approval of recommended actions above.
Items B), H), I), J) Approved 5-2(Moser, Bolton-No);
Items A), C), D), E), F), G), K) Approved 4-3 (Kalmick, Moser, Bolton-No)
32. 23-734 Approved the Ad Hoc Committee's proposed Policy on Human Dignity
Recommended Action:
A) Consider the Ad Hoc Committee's amended Policy on Human Dignity, and
B) Formally dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee.
Approved 4-3 (Kalmick, Moser, Bolton-No)
COUNCILMEMBER ITEMS
33. 23-732 Approved as amended Item Submitted by Council Members McKeon and
Burns - Develop Proposal for E-Bike Licensure and Use Regulations
Recommended Action:
While this is a concept in development, direct the City Manager to work with the Police
Department and the City Attorney to develop a proposal for e-bike licensure and use
regulations. The proposal should return to City Council in November. The following concepts
should be addressed, if possible, in the proposal that returns to Council:
• Require a city license to operate an electric bicycle within city limits unless the rider
possesses a valid driver's license.
o Establish a fee for license (akin to a business license)
• Mandate rental businesses to require customers renting e-bikes to view a safety video in
order to have a one-day license or show proof of a valid driver's license.
• Explore enforcement options for PD
o Revising current HBMC to assist officers with enforcement efforts - see if our
HBMC can "follow" or"borrow" rules and enforcement from the California Vehicle
Code.
o New HBMC for "pocket bikes" (Surrons)
o Higher fine structures, bike impounding etc.
Approved 7-0 as amended to include ideas shared by Council at the dais
34. 23-731 Approved Item Submitted by Mayor Strickland and Council Members Burns
and McKeon - Move to Censure Council Member Moser
Recommended Action:
By Minute Order, or majority vote of City Council tonight, censure Councilwoman Moser for the
aforementioned statements and hostile/personal escalation made at the Council Meeting on
August 1, 2023; that those statements and hostile/personal escalation be deemed
"inappropriate," declare that they are not the views/statements of the City Council, and serve
as a reminder that those types of statements and hostile/personal escalations do not meet
Page 11 of 12
74.
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING - COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: COUNCIL MEMBERS PAT BURNS AND CASEY MCKEON
DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023
SUBJECT: DEVELOP PROPOSAL FOR E-BIKE LICENSURE AND USE REGULATIONS
ISSUE STATEMENT
The use of electric bicycles-commonly known as "e-bikes" - has proliferated in our community. E-bikes
are ridden by adults and children of nearly all ages and on nearly every type of ground surface-through
parks, bike lanes, bike paths, boardwalks, parking lots,streets, etc. Many of the riders of minor age
have not received the kind of driver's training,testing, or licensing that adults have and therefore,they
are not educated on the rules of the road for handling vehicles, nor are they aware of the dangers. In
addition, many e-bikes travel at a rate of 28 mph, and many modified "motorized bicycles"travel at
speeds close to 60 mph.
Because of a lack of regulation and oversight at the State level, e-bikes have not only become a nuisance
to drivers but those driving the e-bikes have become a danger to vehicles and a danger to
themselves. The number of collisions between e-bikes and vehicles has increased in the City,the
severity of the collisions and personal injuries has increased, and vehicle traffic has been forced to slow
or take alternative paths because e-bike drivers are in the roadways.
While we believe in small, unobtrusive government, regulation and oversight does become necessary
when certain conduct,such as unregulated use of e-bikes, causes disorder on our roadways and
pathways, and an increase in injuries to those in our community.
As such,we are recommending that the City look at options to implement a new program to require
licenses to ride/operate e-bikes in the City,which would require a certain amount of training to obtain,
and to update our Municipal Code in ways to allow our Police Department to enforce certain rules of the
road for e-bike riders without a valid driver's license.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
While this is a concept in development, direct the City Manager to work with the Police Department and
the City Attorney to develop a proposal for e-bike licensure and use regulations. The proposal should
return to City Council in November. The following concepts should be addressed, if possible, in the
proposal that returns to Council:
• Require a city license to operate an electric bicycle within city limits unless the rider possesses a
valid driver's license.
o Establish a fee for license (akin to a business license)
• Mandate rental businesses to require customers renting e-bikes to view a safety video in order
to have a one-day license or show proof of a valid driver's license.
• Explore enforcement options for PD
776
Council Member Item—E-Bikes (Burns and McKeon)
September 5, 2023
Page2of2
o Revising current HBMC to assist officers with enforcement efforts-see if our HBMC can
"follow" or"borrow" rules and enforcement from the California Vehicle Code.
o New HBMC for"pocket bikes" (Surrons)
o Higher fine structures, bike impounding etc.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Fiscal Sustainability& Public Safety
777
Mr. Amory Hanson
8102 Ellis Avenue
Apartment 121
Huntington Beach CA 92646
September 5, 2023
The Mayor of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach CA 92648
My Dear Mister Mayor,
I am writing to express my support for Item XXXIIIz
Sincerely Yours,
Mr.Amory Hanson
CC: The Honorable Grace Vandermark
CC:The Honorable Rhonda Bolton
CC:The Honorable Patrick Burns
CC: The Honorable Daniel Kalmick
CC: The Honorable Casey McKeon
CC: The Honorable Natalie Moser
SUPPLEMENTAL
commuNiCAT ON
Meetity sae. '7/5%2.3
33( 3
Agenda Item I�.,� 3.:z �;:.
Moore, Tania
From: Chris Varga <christopher.j.varga@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 10:11 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: City Council Meeting 9-5-2023
Huntington Beach City Council,
The following is in regards to City Council Meeting scheduled for 9/5/23. I will predict that all of the controversial
Agenda Items this week will pass 4-3 with the usual suspects on their side of the fence. The council will again sit through
hours of Public Comment as well as many email comments that one would hope might sway at least one council
member to vote outside the box. But not this council. The four block majority members of the council continue with
their fascist anti-woke agenda even when it doesn't reflect the City of Huntington Beach. I hope they keep you up to 3
AM with public comments this week! Enough with this MAGA agenda playbook.
Anyway, here are my positions on some of the agenda items:
Agenda Item 30(23-700). NO to any charter changes. The four of you campaigned on NO changes to the charter. Stop
the insanity. Stop the Gates family nepotism!
Agenda Item 31 (23-693) NO to all these changes.There are a lot of good coming out of these committees with a lot of
free volunteer labor! NO changes!
Agenda item 32 (23-734). NO on the changes to the dignity policy. It was just fine the previous version. No changes
needed. Stop making work!
Agenda Item 33 (23-732)Agree with this agenda item. The E-Bikes are out of control! This is a start. But we also have a
big problem with persons WITH driving licenses. The beach path is a highway with e-bikes going as fast as they can way
too often. We also need fines and enforcement! There is signage at numerous places on the beach path that states
"Prohibited: Motor Bicycles/Vehicle without permitted". I was taught in engineering school; electric motors are
motors! Either changes the signs, law or enforcement. Right now,everything goes!
Agenda Item 34(23-731) NO on this agenda item. Natalie Moser was right to question somethings that many in our city
have questioned about Council person Van Der Mark.
Agenda Item 35 (27-738).Just stop with this anti safety ban. Mask work! NO on this agenda item. This is just another
check mark in the anti-woke Republican agenda item. Wedge issue BS.
Sincerely,
Chris Varga
Huntington Beach
1
Moore, Tania
From: Steven C Shepherd Architect <steve@shepherdarchitects.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 1:20 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: AGENDA ITEM #33 E-BIKE SAFETY: EDUCATION & LICENSING IS NOT ENOUGH
I have been using an e-bike as my primary method of local transit since 2017, and over my six years of e-bike
ownership, the proliferation of e-bikes throughout our community and our coastal Orange County region has
been very noticeable.
E-bikes offer a low-cost, low environmental impact, and fun way to solve many of Huntington Beach's most
pressing issues. By encouraging, empowering, and enabling HB residents to ride e-bikes, we help reduce
congestion and pollution while increasing residents' health, community engagement, and general quality of life.
I run across many e-bike riders when navigating the arterial roadways of our community, and I am always
struck by the wide range of ages and riding backgrounds.
E-bike safety has been a concern in our community for a couple of years now. Our school districts started
implementing rider safety requirements, and I applaud any/all efforts by the City of Huntington Beach to
collaborate and support these efforts. Many of our youngest riders are particularly vulnerable due to the limited
experience on our streets and roadways. The programs initiated by our schools and in collaboration with the
HBPD are definitely a step in the right direction for improving public safety.
If you plan to implement a registration or licensing program, I strongly encourage these programs to be online-
based and easily navigatable. I would also encourage waiving any proposed fee(s) for the first six months to
incentivize compliance.
However, education and licensing alone cannot ensure all roadway users' safety.
The arterial roadways throughout Huntington Beach have been dangerous for decades. The primary danger to
pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers is the reckless and excessive vehicle speed of private vehicles. Our
arterial grid features roadways that are wide, long, and straight. This physical environment invites excessive
speeds, street racing, and other reckless displays such as donuts, burnouts, and drifting at select intersections.
The evidence of these activities is easily observed in our intersections and at the block walls that line these
thoroughfares. Even everyday drivers can unknowingly find themselves cruising along these arterial stretches
at 50 to 60mph. If you are serious about improving public safety along our roadways, please consider investing
in traffic calming devices and more protected bicycle infrastructure. Such an investment would encourage more
walking and bicycling and protect drivers of private vehicles from themselves.
By the way, not all two-wheeled electric vehicles are "e-bikes."A two-wheeled electrical vehicle that cannot be
propelled via physical pedaling is an electric motorcycle, not an e-bike.
Steve Shepherd
Huntington Beach 92646
1
Moore, Tania
From: Jeanne Paris <jeannemarieparis@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 2:11 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Yes on Agenda Items 32, 33, 34 and 35
To the City Council,
I strongly support Agenda item's 32, 33, 34 and 35.
I especially support Agenda item#35 regarding declaring the city to be a no mask and no vaccine Mandate City. The over
the top, authoritarian reaction from government officials during covid was appalling and completely unnecessary. The
damage done to small businesses, public school children as well as our totally economy will take years to recover.
This was a power grab the likes we have never seen.
If you want to wear a mask and get a vaccine, please feel free. But this should never have been tolerated as a mandate
across the state.
Thank you.
Jeanne Paris
Huntington Beach Resident
1
Moore, Tania
From: StarsStripes <starsstripes@me.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 2:44 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: City Council Meeting 9-5-23 Re: Item#33
I do support Item 33 for the following reasons:
• Requires non drivers licensed holders to get a city ebike license.
• Mandates Rental business require a safety Video for customers to view prior to renting them an EBike
• Requires non drivers Licensed holders to take a rules of the road safety class
Most of the issues I see on the road are from younger riders and their lack of awareness no knowledge of Rules of the
road. I have not seen this behavior from older adult riders. They are aware of their surroundings and do ride
defensively. The older riders also drive a lot slower.
The only thing I would not support is a Helmet law. I personally do not ride more than 5 mph and simply do not want to
wear a Helmet for that speed.
Sincerely,
•
Robert Cloyd
City of Huntington Beach Resident
i
Moore, Tania
From: Linda Moon <Isapiro048@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 2:58 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: September 5,2023 City Council Agenda
I write in opposition to Agenda Items 16, 30 (A-E), 31(A-K), 32, 33, and 34.
16. The City Council has absolutely no business addressing or determining standards for
selection of materials in the public library. The Library is managed and operated by well-
educated professional librarians, who have done an outstanding job in selecting
materials. There was no public call for council interference until Councilmember Vandermark
created a false issue, using a list of materials provided by the radical conservative group Moms
for Liberty. Statements that "young children have access to obscene materials" have been
proven false. The questioned sexually explicit materials were in the Adult section of the
library. Items in the Children's Library relating to homosexuality are age appropriate and
subject to parental selection. No "young children" arrive at and select materials without an
adult present and parents are notified by email regarding all materials checked out by their
children. I've yet to see a toddler arrive at the library alone, and few have the ability to read
any written text or understand the context of the items of concern.
30. The proposed charter amendments may not legally be put before the voters on a primary
election ballot. Election Code 9255 specifically requires that any charter amendments proposed
by the governing body be considered on the General Election ballot. There is no exception that
would apply to the proposed action.
The proposed Amendments have been steamrolled through without the opportunity for full
public scrutiny. The mostly self-serving amendments have been commingled in a confusing
and insufficiently descriptive manner. While charter revision commissions are not mandated by
the charter or state statute, they are provided for therein and have been the traditional manner of
amending the charter in Huntington Beach. Review by the charter commission, empaneled
pursuant to state law, allows input by the public and experts over an extended period of
time. Submission on the General Election Ballot allows for their consideration by the largest
voting population. The proponent councilmembers are obviously relying on a low-turnout
Primary Election to ramrod through amendments that only facilitate their further concentration
of control.
After making drastic budget cuts for city services due to reduced revenue and increased costs of
litigation and judgments against the city, the expenditure of$1,200,000 is unconscionable.
31. The dissolution of boards and commissions which have provided important and significant
input and expertise to the City over many decades is shameful and indicates an unjustified
i
arrogance of the proponent councilmembers in assuming that they know everything there is to
know about everything and need no public input. The new council members all promised to
listen to the public and invite their participation in decisions relating to the future of the
city. This item flies in the face of those promises.
32. The proposed amendment of the City's well-crafted compassionate Policy on Human
Dignity is an apparent attempt to diminish the importance of protecting traditionally targeted
people of identified classifications. It further denies the existence of those who do not fit into a
binary gender classification. An improper religious reference is also relied upon to justify its
provisions. The city has no legal control over the limitation of gender participation in activities
and the human dignity statement is without any legal significance to the enforcement of civil
rights. However, it does identify the city as one that is either welcoming and protective to all or
one in which the residents and their leaders are intolerant and discriminatory. I hope we will
not be seen as the latter.
33. This item creates another costly bureaucracy that would improperly distinguish rules for
the operation of e-bikes from those of surrounding cities in a manner that could not be easily
enforced. If the City is concerned about e-bikes, the issues of concern and appropriate
amendments to the California Vehicle Code should be discussed with our State Representatives.
34. This proposal to censure Councilmember Moser is outrageous. It highlights the
vindictiveness and personal animosity of the proponent councilmembers. Those
councilmembers have declined to support any standards of decorum for council meetings and
have repeatedly condoned assaultive language being used in reference to Councilmembers
Kalmick, Moser and Bolton by members of the public and themselves. The attempt to censure
Councilmember Moser for asking that Councilmember Vandermark acknowledge the existence
of the Holocaust before taking a position on the Human Relations Commission is absurd. It
was Councilmember Vandermark who responded with a screaming nonresponsive
diatribe. This item will likely be heard in the early hours of the morning when there will be
little audience for this totally unwarranted action. A mature and reasonable action would be to
request that staff draft a rational policy of council decorum.
Linda Sapiro Moon
lsapiro048@gmail.com
2
Moore, Tania
From: J C <qhlady@me.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 3:07 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Agenda Item 33, 9-5-23
I support Agenda Item 33
With one reservation; please do not make helmets a requirement to ride an E-bike.
If you must, helmet regulation only for 17 yrs and under.
Jean Cloyd
Resident of Huntington Beach
1
Moore, Tania
From: Levin, Shannon
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 4:38 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Fwd: City Council Meeting 9-5-23 re: Item 33
Get Outlook for iOS
From:StarsStripes<starsstripes@me.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 2:35:36 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject: City Council Meeting 9-5-23 re: Item 33
I do support Item 33 for the following reasons:
• Requires non drivers licensed holders to get a city ebike license.
• Mandates Rental business require a safety Video for customers to view prior to renting them an EBike
• Requires non drivers Licensed holders to take a rules of the road safety class
Most of the issues I see on the road are from younger riders and their lack of awareness no knowledge of Rules of the
road. I have not seen this behavior from older adult riders. They are aware of their surroundings and do ride
defensively. The older riders also drive a lot slower.
The only thing I would not support is a Helmet law. I personally do not ride more than 5 mph and simply do not want to
wear a Helmet for that speed.
Sincerely,
1
Robert Cloyd
City of Huntington Beach Resident
2
Moore, Tania
From: Levin, Shannon
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 4:41 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Fwd:Agenda Item 33, 9-5-23
Get Outlook for iOS
From:J C<qhlady@me.com>
Sent: Monday,September 4, 2023 3:05:26 PM
To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject:Agenda Item 33, 9-5-23
I support Agenda Item 33
With one reservation; please do not make helmets a requirement to ride an E-bike.
If you must, helmet regulation only for 17 yrs and under.
Jean Cloyd
Resident of Huntington Beach
1
Moore, Tania
From: Levin, Shannon
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 4:43 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Fwd: Ebikes
Get Outlook for iOS
From:Andrissa Dominguez<andrissahb@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 3:26:57 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject: Ebikes
Thank you for taking the ebike problem seriously
Andrissa Dominguez
714 369 3107
1
Moore, Tania
From: Paula Shawa <PShawa@outlook.com>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 8:18 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Agenda Item 33/E bikes/City Council Meeting Sept. 5
I strongly support looking into what can be done to better manage E-bike traffic in Huntington Beach
but find it amusing that Council Members McKeon and Burns have the audacity to whine about the
state not regulating them. If the state were to do so, you can be sure these guys would be
complaining to high heaven about interference in local governance.
Paula Shawa, 16822 Edgewater Lane, HB
i
2 >
Switzer, Donna
From: Scott Malabarba <scott@malabarba.org>
Sent: Monday, September 4, 2023 11:16 PM
To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)
Subject: regarding multiple agenda items for the Sept 5 council meeting
Dear Huntington Beach City Council members,
Council members Moser, Kalmick,and Bolton,thank you for your ongoing courage and integrity.
For the council as a whole, my comments on a number of agenda items for September 5 follow.
In (wary)support of 23-732,e-bikes
This looks like a genuine effort to address a real problem that falls with the city council's purview. Excellent, please do
more of that!
In opposition to 23-731,censure of Natalie Moser
The Proud Boys is an hate group that harbors criminals, terrorists, and traitors to this nation. Its purpose is to do harm to
entire segments of the American population, including tens of thousands of citizens of the city you serve.So,yes, if an
elected official has any association with this organization or espouses its beliefs, such as that the Holocaust was a hoax,
that is relevant.And it is fair to ask if they are the right person to revise a policy that was authored to take a stand
against those very beliefs.
This censure not about civility. It is a blatant attempt to silence a council member who asked a question that some don't
want answered.
In opposition to 23-734, revising the policy on human dignity.
"Protect children!" Of course--everyone wants to protect children.
If you were sincere,you would know that queer and trans youth face drastically elevated risk of bullying, harassment,
sexual assault, and suicide,and you would use your position to support and protect them.
Most of us are not looking to the city government to tell us how gender roles should work or what they suppose the
differences between the sexes to be. Furthermore,given the history of this city council in attacking librarians and
educators, I find this wording around sports to be concerning. Will you next target PE teachers?
I am not sure what to make of the paragraph stating that the council will "...vigorously fight criminal activity that risks
some one's [sic] freedoms..." Does it mean to imply that the police and city authorities have not been pursuing the
apprehension of criminals?Or perhaps, in light of the censure of Ms. Moser, it's a threat: violate our freedom to hurt
queer people without consequence and we'll turn the law on you.
"...lend your voice in support of treating and respecting all people equally."An admirable sentiment, and I look forward
to you all joining me with your voice in support of treating and respecting queer and trans people equally.
1
Let's be honest--this was never a good faith attempt. It was only ever about erasing the original intent of a policy on
human dignity that has been in place for decades.You could just leave it alone and move on.
In opposition to 23-700,special election and charter amendment
Prior to and during the June 26 special council meeting,we were told that the city was facing budget shortfalls in the
upcoming years and that major cuts across most city departments would be necessary.The city will be paying out 8
million+dollars in lawsuits.So how can the city afford 1.2 million for this election, plus ongoing and unspecified costs for
items like running elections?
The structure of the proposed ballot measures is manipulative.Consistently, I see a prominent voter-baiting item
(election takeover, ban Pride flags at City Hall) mixed in with completely unrelated items that look innocuous but add
power and reduce accountability for the council majority and city attorney.
Every ballot item is a terrible idea (with the possible exception of the Measure C update,which sounds benign, but at
this point who knows?).
Good-faith and well-authored ballot measures would be clearly and simply structured and allow voters to separately
choose on unrelated items.This special election will probably happen,so I can only hope that HB votes smarter this time
around.
Comment on 23-741, "safeguards"for library materials.
Of course the library staff has asked for more time--you have presented them with an insuperable problem.
The library contains thousands of books that many reasonable parents would agree are inappropriate for young
readers: most of the horror,thriller,suspense, and true crime sections; much of fantasy,science fiction, and
literature; some history; and the entire romance section (most of us, of course,just pay attention to our kids and don't
expect these books to be locked up). If you were sincere,you would be concerned about all of these and not just
Genderqueer.
If you were sincere,you would have also noted that commercial bookstores stock the same books.There's little point in
"protecting" children from these books at the library if they can just read them at Barnes and Noble.So you'll need to go
tell store management that they must rearrange their displays to meet your requirements.And then get sued (again).
I hope some of you have realized that this whole effort is a can of worms that will accomplish nothing and cost the city
time, money,and people.You could just make a note to better publicize the library's existing policies and move on.
Comment on 23-726, payouts from litigation reserves
These lawsuits predate current leadership. However, I would hope that upon having to pay out millions of dollars in
taxpayer money,the city would learn its lesson and not do it again.Yet,the city is constantly embroiled in lawsuits over
housing;the current council has doubled down on its stubborn refusal to comply with decades-old state law. It's not
"fighting for HB" if you keep losing.
In opposition to 23-738,anti-mask and anti-vax nonsense
This is pure theater.Attempting to override any county or state policies will probably just get the city sued (again).What
is most amusing about this item is that the people who are cheering for it never really cared, not even when people
were dying of Covid in HB every day.They certainly are not waiting for permission from the city council to rip off their
masks.This accomplishes nothing and makes HB look stupid.
2
Comment on 23-693,dissolve various committees and boards
I have no background on this matter. Perhaps it is entirely benign. However, in the context of other activities
of the current city council, such as 23-700, I am suspicious about the unexplained
dissolution of the Environmental and Sustainability Board, the Smart Cities and
Technology Committed, and the Youth Board.
Comment on 23-673,IRC contracts
I would never have noticed this were it not pointed out to me.
"...staff proposes to recommend to the City Council to approve a 2-year professional
services agreement for Federal legislative advocacy services with Van Scoyoc &
Associations and another 2-year professional services agreement for State legislative
advocacy services with Mercury"
But the plan is to "to execute a Professional Services Contract between the City of Huntington
Beach and Stapleton & Associates for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services", the lowest-
ranked vendor with just over half the overall score of the recommended vendor?
I have no background on this matter. Again, however, in the context of other activities of
the current city council, such as 23-700, it looks suspicious and I have to wonder what
underlying motives might be at play.
•
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Scott Malabarba, HB resident
3
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 10:08 AM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: September 5 agenda
From: Hb Mill<hbmillie@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday,September 5, 2023 9:49 AM
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject:September 5 agenda
Dear Council Members,
I write to the City Council to express my opposition to three agenda items on the September 5, 2023
agenda.
Item 30: 23-700: I oppose the submission of three Charter amendments to the March 5, 2024
Statewide Primary Election. The current Charter serves the City well and the cost of$1,200,000
could be better used for other city services.
Item 32: 23-734: I oppose the Ad Hoc Committee's amended Policy on Human Dignity. The policy
adopted on November 16, 2021 serves all residents of Huntington Beach. The proposed policy
discriminates against certain classes of residents.
Item 33: 23-732: I oppose the censure of Councilperson Natalie Moser. Councilperson Moser's
behavior was appropriate and acceptable for the discussion on August 1, 2023. Should this censure
occur, all Council members should be afraid to have challenging, but needed, conversations at future
Council meetings.
I have been a resident of Huntington Beach for 28 years and have sent 3 children through our public
schools. I have voted in every election for the last 36 years and I look forward to voting for the next
City Council members. Your vote on these issues will be remembered.
Millie Starks
i
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 12:30 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW:Agenda Items on September 5, 2023
From:Yvonne Duncan<yvduncan@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday, September 5, 2023 12:02 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject:Agenda Items on September 5, 2023
I write in opposition to Agenda Items 16, 30 (A-E), 31 (A-K), 32, 33, and 34
16. Why is the City Council getting involved with determining standards for selection of materials in
the public library? Librarians have Master's Degrees in Library Science and are well qualified to select
books for our children. I worked for 18 years with preschool children and none attended the library by
themselves. This is on the agenda because Councilmember VanderMark created an issue that wasn't
a problem. Books are selected by qualified Librarians and not be unqualified City Council members or
Lawyers.
30. The proposed charter amendments may not legally be put before the voters on a primary election
ballot. Election code 9255 specifically requires that any charter amendments proposed by the
governing body be considered on the General Election ballot. There is no exception that would apply
to the proposed action. You can't ramrod this!
31. The dissolution of boards and commissions which have provided important and significant input
and expertise to the City over many decades is shameful. How else can councilmembers learn about
areas that they do not know?
32.The proposed amendment of the City's well-crafted compassionate Policy on Human Dignity is an
attempt to diminish the importance of protecting traditionally targeted people of identified
classifications. An improper religious reference is also relied upon to justify its provisions. The city has
no legal control over the limitation of gender participation in activities and the human dignity
statement is without any legal significance to the enforcement of civil rights.
33. This item creates another costly bureaucracy that would improperly distinguish rules for the
operation of e-bikes from those of surrounding cities in a manner that could not be easily enforced. If
the City is concerned about e-bikes, the issues of concern and appropriate amendments to the
California Vehicle Code should be discussed with our State Representatives.
34. This proposal to censure Councilmember Moser is outrageous. It highlights the vindictiveness and
personal animosity of the proponent councilmembers. Those councilmembers have declined to
support any standards of decorum for council meetings and have repeatedly condoned assaultive
language being used in reference to Councilmembers Kalmick, Moser. and Bolton by members of the
public and themselves. There should be a request that staff draft a rational policy of council decorum.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Gonzalez Duncan
i
vvduncanyahoo.com
2
Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2023 4:15 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: e-bike agenda item
From: brianinhb@yahoo.com<brianinhb@yahoo.com>
Sent:Tuesday,September 5, 2023 3:49 PM
To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org>
Subject:e-bike agenda item
Good Afternoon,
I was planning on attending the council meeting tonight to speak about this agenda issue, but noting
that this is a concept in development, I thought I would email you and perhaps making appearance at
a meeting later.
I do not own an e-bike and do not anticipate ever owning one. I am certain if I were to voice my
concerns about e-bike users, my concerns would echo those of many.
My direct "one-liner" is, / think this entire item should be scrapped in favor of a better plan.
In the written statement from the authors, they write, "...because of a lack of regulation and oversight
at the state level, e-bikes have not only become a nuisance.."
I think this is an inaccurate statement. E-bikes are clearly identified in the California Vehicle Code
into one of three categories. If a "bike" does not fall in one of these categories, it falls under the
general category of a "vehicle" according to the vehicle code. That being said there are thousands of
laws in the vehicle code pertaining to e-bikes.
I think establishing a "micro-bureaucracy" with enforcement, licensing, fees, fines, etc., is a bad idea
and goes against the grain of the "small government" approach many in the city are trying to take.
My initial thought is that perhaps you could encourage the police department to aggressively enforce
the existing laws with regard to e-bikes, in leu of new laws.
There are so many facets to this issue it could encompass a lengthy debate. My original e-mail to
you was much longer, but I cut it short.
I am a retired police officer/detective sergeant of 37 years (not from Huntington Beach) and I have a
foundational expertise on law enforcement. In the event you choose to establish a focus group
discuss this topic I would be willing and able to participate.
Regards,
Brian Morris
i
(714) 337-3121
California Vehicle Code
415. (a) A "motor vehicle" is a vehicle that is self-propelled.
21200. (a) Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the
provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division... except those provisions which by their
very nature can have no application.
312.5 (a) CVC An "electric bicycle" is a bicycle equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric
motor of less than 750 watts.
(1) A "class 1 electric bicycle," or "low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped
with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(2) A "class 2 electric bicycle," or "low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped
with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing
assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
(3) A "class 3 electric bicycle," or "speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle," is a bicycle equipped with
a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour, and equipped with a
speedometer.
2
Huntington Beach City Council Meeting September 5, 2023
My name is Harry F. McLachlan,I am a resident of Los Amigos Mobile Home Park in Huntington
Beach.I am writing to encourage the council members to refrain from adopting the following
resolutions and ordinances: Resolution No.2023-40 dissolving the Human Relations Committee,
Ordinance No.3332 dissolving the Mobile Home Advisory Board,Ordinance No. 4298 dissolving the
Environmental and Sustainability Board,Ordinance No.4299 dissolving the Smart Cities and
Technology Committee,and Ordinance No.4297 dissolving the Huntington Beach Youth board.
I was in attendance for the entire August 1st City Council meeting and heard compelling arguments
from citizens and even participants in favor of keeping these programs,while the only negative
arguments came from the actual council members themselves who were in favor of dissolving and
eliminating these programs.So much for listening to the very citizens you are supposed to represent
and work for!
Regarding all of the proposed Charter Amendments,I am hopeful the council will decline to
consider submission of all of these amendments for voter approval of this blatant authoritarian
power-grab. CAN YOU SAY HYPOCRISY?NEPOTISM,PERHAPS?
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With specific regard to proposed Charter Amendment No.1,I worked as a poll-worker in
Huntington Beach during the primary election in June of 2020 and in the general election of
November of 2020.I worked alongside Independents,Democrats,and Republicans during these
elections.To a person,all politics were left outside of the voting center as we all worked together as
one unit to ensure that our mission to protect the rights of everyone seeking to vote and to provide a
safe and positive voting experience.The security protocols we performed every morning prior to
opening the polls and every evening after closing the polls were thorough and strict.We maintained
written records of each security procedure.When the election is over,everything is securely
transported to the registrar of voters in Santa Ana.
I personally take offence at any action or misinformation that proposes that our election process is
insecure and that there are frauds being committed.I find it curious that the only election
shenanigans pulled off either locally or on the national level are those being attempted by
Republicans.
Locally,in 1988 in Garden Grove Curt Pringle hired uniformed security guards to intimidate
Latino voters entering vote centers.The Republican Party was sued and settled the lawsuit for
$40,000.00.Nationwide in December of 2020,Republican groups from Arizona,Georgia,Michigan,
New Mexico,Nevada,Pennsylvania,and Wisconsin all submitted lists of fake so-called alternate
electors to the National Archives.These included dozens of local Republican Party leaders,four
current candidates for public office,six current office holders,and at least five federal office
holders.The indictments and potential indictments of these Republican fraudsters are playing out
in real time during this current meeting of our City Council.
Make no mistake.The majority on this City Council are following the nation-wide Republican
playbook by continuing to cast doubt on the security and legitimacy of our elections.No good will
ever come of letting power-hungry authoritarians anywhere near amending the city charter in an
effort to control the voting process."Local Control"is merely an Orwellian euphemism for a
blatant"Power Grab."
Charter Amendment No.2 is ridiculous on its face and a faux-patriotic jingoistic effort to ensure
that the Pride Flag is permanently excluded from being displayed at City Hall.I find it amusing
that at the last council meeting when this was brought up,Mayor Strickland blithely added that the
Olympic Flag should be added to the approved list.How thoughtful! Is there not an official"HB
Air Show"flag we might add to that list as well?
I applaud the proposal to develop E-bike Licensure and Use Regulations.It is long overdue,and I
am certainly not in the minority in having witnessed numerous incidents of unsafe and dangerous
operation of these vehicles on our city streets.
In closing I would urge the council to refrain from adopting Councilwoman Van der Mark's
resolution declaring the city to be a"No Mask and No Vaccine Mandate City".This is a public
health issue,not a"freedom"issue.This is just more red meat for the science-denying,pseudo-
religious conspiracy mongers who populate a huge swath of the"conservative"base.