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Special Meeting - City Council Discussion for Potential Char (2)
NGT 2000 Main Street, �y Huntington Beach,CA 000 "•..• v • 92648 40100 • Cityof Huntington Beach SEE ATTACHED ACTION 9' AGENDA FOR VOTES ON �cF�auNiv cP`\�oe CHARTER AMENDMENT ACTIONS File #: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager VIA: Travis K. Hopkins, Assistant City Manager PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst Subject: City Council discussion for potential Charter amendments to be considered for the March 5, 2024 Statewide Primary Election. Statement of Issue: Note: A PDF Version of this report is attached, in the event that the tables and images do not display properly on the reader's screen. On September 5, 2023, City Council authorized four Special Meetings scheduled on September 14, 21, 28 and October 5 to gather public feedback and consider potential Charter amendments. During the first meeting, City Council received public feedback and requested impact analyses for potential amendments, including those proposed by the Ad Hoc Committee and staff. On September 21, Council Members deliberated on several amendments that were previously proposed, while adding new amendments and requesting impact analyses on each one. On September 28, Council Members discussed several proposed amendments and took straw votes to either table the items or move items forward for further discussion on October 5. Following Council deliberation on all amendments, Council may approve proposed language and Charter amendments to identify those that could be placed on the March 5, 2024 Special Election ballot. Financial Impact: On September 5, 2023, staff provided initial estimates to place the three initially proposed ballot measures on the March 2024 Primary Election. After conducting additional research and conferring in depth with the Orange County Registrar of Voters (ROV), the staff is providing a closer estimate as follows: City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by Legistar'' File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 Cost for March 2024 Ballot Measures Range Includes Consolidated Election $318, 928 $383,128 Cost of the consolidated e for vote by mail ballot retu recovery for the purchase election equipment. 3 Ballot Measures (as $51,000 $76,500 Based on the number of p discussed on 9/5/23) for each measure at$8,5C and 3,000 words (the ranc based on 4-6 pages per rr Total $369,928 $459,628 1. Cost to hold a special election: $318,928 to $383,128. The final cost will depend on several factors incl. the number of cities participating and sharing in the total election costs. 2. Cost per measure: $17,000 to $25,500 each. The cost depends on the number of pages needed to print each measure on the ballot, which includes ballot language, the revisions, impartial analyses, arguments for/against, rebuttals. Last year's measures were around 5 pages each. Recommended Action: A) Consider the proposed Charter amendments and provide direction on bundling on one or more Charter amendments for placement on the March 5, 2024 Special Election ballot, and B) Direct the City Attorney and City staff to prepare and return ballot measure language on approved amendments and all other materials required for submittal to the ROV for City Council consideration. Alternative Action(s): Do not approve one or more of the recommended actions; direct staff accordingly. Analysis: During the September 28 Special Meeting, City Council cast straw votes to consider Charter amendments and requested staff return with proposed language and additional analyses for City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarTM' File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 consideration. Following tonight's.Council deliberation, at the October 17, 2023 City Council meeting: • Staff will bring forth bundled amendments and exhibits for final review; and • City Council may approve resolution(s) to,place Charter amendments on the ballot; and • City Council may select authors to create arguments. 1. Section 303. MEETINGS AND LOCATION. Recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on 8/1/23. Section 303. MEETINGS AND LOCATION. (a) Regular Meetings. The City Council shall hold regular meetings at least twice each month. unless it lacks a quortun.or the meeting is canceled by the Mayor or a majority of City Council Members. at such time as it shall fix by ordinance or resolution.In no event shall the City Council meet less than once each month. and The City Council may adjourn or re-adjourn any regular meeting to a date and hour certain which shall be specified in the order of adjournment and when so adjourned each adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting for all purposes. If the hour to which a meeting is adjourned is not stated in the order of adjournment, such meeting shall be held at the hour for holding-regular meeting's. If at any.time any regular meeting falls on a holiday such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. Preliminary Operational Analysis: Per the Charter, City Council must hold meetings at least twice per month. However, meetings cannot be held without a quorum, as governed by the California Brown Act. The amendment references this quorum to clarify this exception to the two-meeting rule. The amendment also permits the Mayor or majority of Council Members to cancel meetings. As part of this amendment, the City Council could consider outlining the circumstances or limiting the number of cancelations per year in an ordinance, resolution, or the Council Manual for greater clarity. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: There are no known fiscal impacts associated with this amendment. • On September 28, 2023, Councilmember Kalmick proposed an addition of the language to secure the holding of at least one meeting per month so that the Council meets regularly to conduct the people's business and avoid potentially frequent meeting cancellations. The City Council agreed via straw vote (7/0) to approve the proposed amendment with suggested minor changes. 2. Section 312. VACANCIES FORFEITURES AND REPLACEMENT. Recommended by Mayor Strickland. City of Huntington Beach Page 3 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarT"' File #: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 (The following language was placed on the November 2022 General Election ballot and serves as an example. The City Attorney's Office will need to provide final language, following Council discussion.) "Section 312. VACANCIES, FORFEITURES AND REPLACEMENT. (a)Vacancies. A vacancy in the City Council or in any other office designated as elective by this Charter. from whatever cause arising shall be filled by appointment by the City Council with at least four affirmative votes. (b; Forfeiture. If a member of the City Council is absent from all regular meetings of the City Council for a period of thirty consecutive days from and after the last regular City Council meeting attended by such member. unless by permission of the City Council expressed in its official minutes the office shall become vacant If an elected City officer pleads guilty or no contest to or is convicted of a felony or any crime of moral turpitude. or ceases to be an elector of the City the office shall become vacant. The City Council shall declare the existence of such vacancy Any elective officer of the City who shall accept or retain any other elective public office except as provided in this Charter shall be deemed thereby to have vacated the office under the City Government i;c; Replacement. In the event it the City Council shall fail to fill a vacancy by appointment within sixty days after such office shall become vacant the City Council shall forthwith cause an election to be held to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the City Council fills the vacancy by appointment. such appointee shall hold office until an election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term at the next general municipal election, Should the appointment occur after the filing deadline for the next general municipal election, the seat shall be deemed vacant upon the certification of the general municipal election, and the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Sections 312(a) and 312(4" Preliminary Operational Analysis: The proposed amendment adds requirements to fill a City Council vacancy by requiring at least four affirmative votes (and not a simple majority of the seated Council Members at that time). This proposed amendment would establish that such appointees would fill the vacancy only until the next general municipal election, when the local electorate may vote for a candidate to permanently fill the remainder of the unexpired term for that position. If the appointment occurs after the filing deadline for the next general municipal election, the seat is deemed vacant. Upon certification of the general municipal election, the newly seated City Council will be charged with filling the vacancy by appointment or election. This amendment is not expected to result in any significant operational impacts. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: This amendment will yield some additional costs to fill the vacancy via an election. However, it is not anticipated to result in significant financial impacts. City of Huntington Beach Page 4 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarT" File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 3. Section 313. NEPOTISM. Recommended by Council Member Bolton. 'NEPOTISM Section 313. CONFLICT OF INTEREST,NEPOTISM. (a) Conflict ofinterest, The City Council shall adopt or approve rules and regulations regulating conflicts-of interest and promoting-fair dealing in all City business. (b) Nepotism.The City Council shall not appoint to a salaried position under.the City goi erminent any person who iS a relative by blood or marriage within the third degree of any one- or more of the members-of such City Council. or any elected department head.nor shall the City Manager or.any department head.or other officer having appointive power appoint any relative of such person or of any Council member oT any-elected department head. within such degree to any such position. This provision shall not affect the employment or promotional status of a person who has attained.a salaried position with the City prior to the existence of a situation contemplated by this provision; however; Council members or officers with appointive powers'in such a situation shall disqualify themselves from all decisions affecting the employment.and promotional status of such person. Preliminary Operational Analysis: A review of regional charter cities, as it relates to the nepotism policies in their charters is below. Orange County Charter Section on Nepotism Cities Anaheim, Los Alamitos, Their charter language mirror Huntington Beach's,with minor variations Newport Beach, Seal Please note-These cities do not have elected department heads; as such, Beach they do not specifically prohibit Council from appointing relatives of elected department heads or other offers with appointive powers. Irvine, Santa Ana Their charters briefly mention a prohibition on nepotism and calls for the use of other governing policies(i.e. personnel rules)to outline the details. Buena Park, Cypress, No nepotism language in their charters. Placentia LA County Charter Section on Nepotism Cities City of Huntington Beach Page 5 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarTm File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 Glendale, Long Beach, No nepotism language in their charters. Los Angeles, Pasadena Huntington Beach provides details on its anti-nepotism policy in other authorizing documents (see below). However, they do not specifically prohibit the City Council from appointing relatives of elected department heads and other officers with appointive powers. A legal analysis would be required to determine if such a prohibition must be included in the Charter or can be included in other sources of authority: Source of Authority Details Personnel Rules 16-2 -Persons related by blood or marriage within the third degree*cannot report to and 16-3 the same supervisor or supervise one another. -Such persons cannot be in positions where one has access to privileged or confidential information that should not be accessible to the other. Administrative =An appointing authority cannot appoint an immediate family member of the Regulation 411 City Manager,.Department Head, or Personnel Director to a paid temporary or permanent position. -An employee cannot be moved to a position within the direct line of supervision of a relative;these relatives cannot have the same immediate supervisor. * The term `third degree" is the same as "immediate family" (relative), which includes an individual related by blood, adoption or marriage, e.g. spouse, parent, child, sibling, sibling/children-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, uncle/aunt, nephew/niece, stepparent/child/sibling, half-sibling. This item was discussed on September 28, 2023 and clarified that the proposed changes to this Chater section would prohibit the appointment of any relative within the third degree of any elected or appointed official in order to fill a vacancy of an elected position or other officer with appointive powers. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: There are no known fiscal impacts at this time. 4. Section 401(b) and Sections 601-605. Related to Biennial Budget. Recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on 8/1/23. _ City of Huntington Beach Page 6 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by Legistar'" File #: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 Section 401. POWERS AND DUTIES. Except as otherwise provided in this Charter,the City Manager shall be responsible to the City Council for the proper administration of all affairs of the City. Without limiting this general grant of powers and responsibilities,the City Manager shall have the power and be required to: (a) Appoint,promote,demote,suspend or remove department heads, officers and employees of the City except elective officers and the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police shall not be appointed or removed until the City Manager shall first have reviewed such appointment or removal with the City Council and have received approval for such appointment or removal by a majority vote of the full City Council. (b) Prepare the budget as required by this Charter annually,submit it to the City Council,and be responsible for its administration upon adoption. Section 601. BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET,PREPARATION BY THE CITY MANAGER. At such date as the City Manager shall determine,each board or commission and each department head shall furnish to the City Manager,personally,or through the Finanee-Difeetof Chief Financial Officer, estimates of the department's,board's or commission's revenue and expenditures for the ensuing two fiscal years.detailed in such manner as may be prescribed by the City Manager. in preparing the proposed budget,the City Manager shall review the estimates, hold conferences thereon with the respective department heads,boards or commissions as necessary,and may revise the estimates as may be deemed advisable. Section 603.13ILNrNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET. PUBLIC HEARING. At the time so advertised or at any time to which such public hearing shall from time to time be adjourned, the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget,at which interested persons desiring to be heard shall be given such opportunity. Section 604. BIENNIAL.�t BUDGET. FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION. At the conclusion of the public hearing the City Council shall further consider the proposed budget and make any revisions thereof that it may deem advisable and on or before the last day of the fiscal year it shall adopt the budget with revisions, if any, by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the total members of the Council. Upon final adoption,the budget shall be in effect for the ensuing.two fiscal years. Copies thereof,certified by the City Clerk,shall be filed with the City Manager,hinaaee-DireeteF Chief Financial Meet:, City Treasurer and the person retained by the City Council to perform the post audit function, and a further copy shall be placed,and shall remain on tile in the office of the City Clerk where it shall be available for City of Huntington Beach Page 7 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by Legistar" File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 public inspection.The budget so certified shall be reproduced and copies made available for the use of the public and of departments,offices and agencies of the City. Section 605.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS. From the effective date of the budget,the several amounts stated therein as proposed expenditures shall be and become appropriated to the several departments,.offices and agencies for the respective objects and purposes therein named;provided,however,that the City Manager may transfer funds from one object or purpose to another within the same department,office or agency.All appropriations shall lapse at the end of the second fiscal year to the extent that they shall not have been expended or lawfully encumbered. At any public meeting after the adoption of the budget,the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the total members of the City Council. Preliminary Operational Analysis: The amendments would transition the City from an annual to a biennial budget, starting in Fiscal Years 2026-2028. There is precedence for two-year budgets in Orange County; half of the 10 largest cities in Orange County (not including Huntington Beach) utilize biennial budgets. There are also known advantages and disadvantages of a biennial budget. Advantages may include reduced staff time from undertaking an intensive six-month budgeting process every year. It also encourages the City to plan strategically and longer term, particularly for larger projects and initiatives. Disadvantages may include longer range forecasting of revenues and expenditures further into the future; and more extensive budget amendments or mid-cycle reviews and adjustments that may potentially eliminate time savings in year 2. The Chief Financial Officer is supportive of a biennial budget. However, there will be operational impacts from implementing process changes that require updates to budget forms and document pages to account for the second year; updates to the accounting software; staff training; a new format for the mid-cycle update and adjustments; and criteria and process to carryover funds between years 1 and 2. The Finance Department would likely need to begin after the approval of this Amendment in order to kick off the budget planning season starting Fall 2025, while simultaneously developing the remaining annual budgets for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26. Lastly, the amendment proposes one administrative change-to retitle the Finance Director to Chief Financial Officer, which is the title used commonly today and matched with the City's organizational chart. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: The primary fiscal impacts will be the hours of staff time required to implement the process changes across all 12 City departments, conduct public engagement on this major change, and potential costs to make changes to the City's accounting software. The required staff hours will not be known until a plan is identified to transition the budget. City of Huntington Beach Page 8 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarT"" File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 On September 28, 2023, the City Council agreed via straw vote (7/0) with the biennial budget cycle but continue further discussion on October 5. 5. Section 612. PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PARKS AND BEACHES (Measure C). Recommended by Ad Hoc Committee on 8/1/23. The language of the proposed amendments to Section 612 are separately listed in Attachment 1- Proposed Changes to Charter Section 612. Public Utilities and Parks and Beaches (Measure C) due to length. Note that there are two recommendations for Section 612 (Attachment 1): 5a. Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation 5b. Staff Recommendation Preliminary Operational Analysis: Section 612, also known as Measure C, was a voter initiative that was approved by voters during the November 1990 General Election and was incorporated into the Charter thereafter. Measure C requires majority voter approval on matters involving the following, with some exemptions: • Sale, lease, transfer or exchange of park and beach lands in Huntington Beach • Construction of certain private and public developments on these-lands This proposed amendment would add to the list of current exemptions: public restrooms under a certain size, above ground public works utility structures under a certain size, new playground facilities or equipment in parks; and replacement playground facilities or equipment under certain sizes. These amendments would permit staff to provide these amenities without the added cost of a ballot measure, which would facilitate the process to provide public review earlier, and ultimately deliver projects to the public at an accelerated rate. Recommendations from City staff Based on staff experience working on public projects within the guidelines of Measure C, a few recommendations are listed for consideration: • Amend Section 612(a) to: 1) remove the dollar threshold ($161,000 adjusted for CPI) that triggers Measure C, as most projects exceed that value today or 2) It is important to note that projects complete an environmental review according to CEQA would still be required; conceptual design, all design documents, construction documents, and environmental review will still be prepared and presented to the public and City Council for a thorough review. Project construction would be contingent only after obtaining approvals for all items. • Amend Section 612(a) to clearly define "structure" and its minimum square footage, as it is not defined in the Charter. Determine if structure also includes flatwork such as pickleball and other sports courts. This would clear up ambiguity about which projects qualify under Measure C. • Amend Section 612(c) to add public restrooms as an exempted project; remove any square foot thresholds, as many projects such as restrooms and public works utilities exceed 3,000 square feet. City of Huntington Beach Page 9 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarT"' File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 An additional consideration is the subsequent development of an ordinance, upon approval of suggested changes, to strengthen the parameters of Measure C based on categories defined in the Parks Master Plan. The Charter language would provide the "upper limits" of Measure C with an ordinance possibly providing tighter parameters. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: Currently, Measure C requires the City to produce a "shovel ready project" by completing a conceptual design, all design documents, construction documents, and pertinent environmental studies, prior to placing a park or beach project on a ballot measure. The cost of each component may vary significantly (upwards of a million dollars) and often take on a percentage of the final total project cost. For the purposes of a general fiscal analysis, the average cost, per acre, of each phase of the project is listed below, and includes additional data for an anticipated 6% increase in costs in 2024: Project Phase Average Per Acre Cost Average Per Acre Cost (2023) 6% Escalation.(2024) Conceptual Design $5,340 5,661 Design Cost $13,949 $14,786 Construction Documents $44,463 $47,131 Construction $508,390 $538,893 Playgrounds average $110 per square foot in 2023, and $117 per square foot in 2024, with the anticipated 6% escalation in costs. This estimate does not include any costs to place the project on a ballot measure, which is an added cost. On September 28, 2023, the City Council agreed via straw vote (7/0) with updated Measure C language and continue further discussion on October 5. 6. Sections 702 and 705 (NEW). Recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on 8/1/23, and staff recommendations 9/10/23. City of Huntington Beach Page 10 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarT"" File #: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 Section 702. PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS. All elections shall be held in accoIdance with the provisions of the Elections Code of the State of California. as the same now exists or hereafter may be amended, for the holding of municipal elections,.so'far as the same are not in conflict with this Charter. In the event of such conflict. the provisions of this Charter shall control and prevail. in accordance with Section 103 of this Charter. Section 705. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS .As in Section 300. the City Charter shall determine the team of the C:ity's elective officers. the length of term. and the election cycle in which the election for those offices occur for the City's elective officers. (a) Beginning in 2026. far all municipal.elections: (1) "Elector"means a person who is a United States citizen.18 years of age or older. and a resident of the City on or before the day of an election. (2) The City may sh 'verifv the ehgibility.of Electors by voter identification. (3) The City may t-ia provide at least 20 ADA compliant residential voting locations for in-person voting dispersed evenly throughout the City. in addition to any City facility voting locations. (4) The City may 41E4 monitor ballot drop boxes located within the City for compliance with all applicable laws. Preliminary Operational Analysis Per the Ad Hoc Committee, the amendment envisions that the City would implement the proposed changes while still consolidating elections with the County Registrar of Voters (ROV). In this scenario and with the current number of registered voters, the ROV would continue to provide eight ballot drop box locations with vote by mail (VBM) options, three 11-day in-person Vote Centers at major City facilities, and ten 4-day in person Vote Centers at both local and smaller city facilities. The minimum number of Vote Centers is predetermined by an Elections Code formula and identified in the County's Election Administration Plan which will be updated in 2025. However, the City would need to provide poll voters to verify id, request an additional 10 Vote Centers and install video cameras to monitor the drop boxes. The City has inquired with the ROV about whether the County would allow City poll workers to conduct voter id verification at the County's Vote Center and whether the County would consider providing additional Vote Centers above and beyond what it provides now. On September 20, the ROV stated that it cannot comment on these proposals. City of Huntington Beach Page 11 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarTM' File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 In the event the ROV does not accept the City's proposal and does not consolidate elections, staff has conducted a very preliminary cost analysis for one City standalone election. The initial startup cost for items such as equipment is $664K - 858K; the recurring or operating costs to hold each election is $689K - $832K, with the estimated total cost of 2026 stand-alone local election for Huntington Beach to be $1.35 - $1.69 million. This is based on figures from other municipalities that have recently conducted standalone elections but scaled for Huntington Beach and its number of registered voters. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis Should the City eventually obtain an affirmative response from the County, the amendment would require the City to consider the following costs related to this amendment. The City would need to provide poll workers at each ROV Vote Center to verify voter identification; this would likely require recruitment costs, training and hourly wages at a rough cost estimate of $69,000. Regarding the cost of the additional ten 4-day in-person Vote Centers that will help achieve the total 20 residential voting locations described in the amendment - the ROV did not provide a cost estimate. The ROV stated that it is not their practice to bill jurisdictions on a Vote Center by Vote Center basis. If they are authorized by the County to provide the additional Vote Centers, the cost would be billed proportionately to all participating jurisdictions based on a formula that takes the number of voters per jurisdiction into account. This cost cannot be known at this time. Regarding drop box monitoring, the City may be able to install 24-hour video cameras on buildings within proximity to each drop box. If a building is located on private property, staff would need to negotiate an agreement to mount a video camera on the property. At this time, one firm offers video monitoring for approximately $2,500 per location including camera equipment and installation for 24- hour access. Based on that, the City would anticipate incurring at least $20,000 plus additional unknown cost related to the agreements. The City was advised by the ROV to further consult with the City Attorney regarding the legality of local monitoring of ballot drop boxes. On September 28, 2023, the City Council agreed via straw vote (4-3, Kalmick, Moser, Bolton - No) to move forward with the recommended amendment but with the following changes: • Change reference from "shall" to "may" in both Sections 702 and 705 • In Section 705, add "Beginning in 2026..." • In Section 705, amend it to state "20 ADA compliant voting locations" and take out "residential" from the Section. 7. Section 806. Display of Flags. Recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee on 8/1/23. City of Huntington Beach Page 12 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarTM' File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 SECTION 806. DISPLAY OF FLAGS. Except as otherwise provided herein,the City shall only fly or display at or on any of the City's properties the following flags: the_American flag.the POW/MIA flag,the State of California flag, the Huntington Beach City flag,the County of Orange flag, or any of the flags of the six branches of service: the Army,Navy,Air Force.Coast Guard,Marine Corps, and Space Force. During the Summer Olympic Games,the Mayor is authorized to order the display of the official Olympic flags for four weeks prior to the dates of the games,and for up to two weeks thereafter.The City may display any other flag in addition to those already enumerated,but only if authorized by a unanimous vote of all members of the City Council. Preliminary Operational Analysis: There are no known operational impacts at this time.. It should be noted that the amendment allows the City to fly additional flags not listed in the proposed amendment, if it is authorized by unanimous vote of the City Council. Comments by City Councilmembers include the requirement for unanimous vote whereas there are no other Charter sections require unanimous votes, this Charter section would disallow for any cultural or national flags to be displayed at the libraries, and this proposed amendment should have a stand-alone measure if it goes to the March primary ballot. On September 28, 2023, the City Council agreed via straw vote (4/3, Kalmick, Moser, Bolton - No) to move forward with the recommended amendment. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: At this time there are no known fiscal impacts. 8. Charter amendments from Measure L (2022) with exclusions. Recommended by Council Member Kalmick The language of the proposed amendments are listed separately in Attachment 2 - Proposed Changes from Measure L, 2002, with Exclusions, due to their length. Amendments related to Section 312 (Vacancy), 612 (Measure C) have been removed as they are being considered by City Council as separate amendments. Preliminary Operational Analysis: Measure L proposed both substantive and non-substantive amendments. Amendments to Sections 300, 303, 304, 306, 311, 312, 400, 601, 604, 801 are non-substantive in that they clarify or update language in the Charter regarding outdated phrases, syntax, dates, pronouns and titles. For example, Section 300 updates the election years to be more current and rephrases the term "casting of lots" to a "random drawing" for clarity. Section 303 updates the Charter to allow the use of "current technology" to distribute notices, changes the words "executive session" to "closed session" because closed session is the current City of Huntington Beach Page 13 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by Legistar'TM File#: 23-844 MEETING DATE: 10/5/2023 vernacular as well as clarify the process of adjourning City Council meetings. 303(c) 312(c) 400(d) and 801(e) replace pronouns "he" or "it" with "person" or the title being referred to and 311(d) 601, and 604 replaces "Director of Finance" with the updated title of "Chief Financial Officer". One substantive amendment is in Section 804 which would require City Council to consider a Charter review at least every ten years, starting after the last review conducted by a Committee, Council or staff. This would require additional staffing support to organize but does not pose a significant operating impact. On September 28, 2023, the City Council also agreed via straw vote to move forward with the recommended amendment except the provision of changing the title of Mayor Pro Tempore to Vice Mayor in Section 306 from Measure L and keep the title of Mayor Pro Tempore as it currently stands. Staff recommendation: All other inconsistencies in language and titles within the Charter shall be included for correction in this amendment should it be approved by the City Council. Preliminary Fiscal Analysis: There are no known fiscal impacts at this time. Environmental Status: Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project. Strategic Plan Goal: Non Applicable -Administrative Item Attachment(s): 1. Proposed Changes to Charter Section 612. Public Utilities and Parks and Beaches (Measure C) 2. Proposed Changes from Measure L, 2022, with Exclusions 3. PDF Version of RCA 4. Charter Proposals 5. Communications City of Huntington Beach Page 14 of 14 Printed on 10/4/2023 powered by LegistarTm City Council/ ACTION AGENDA October 5, 2023 Public Financing Authority 6:00 PM—COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALLED TO ORDER— 6:00 PM ROLL CALL City Attorney Gates has requested permission to be absent pursuant to City Charter Section 309(d), and Acting Chief Assistant City Attorney Paul D'Alesandro is attending tonight's meeting in his place. Kalmick, Moser, Van Der Mark, Strickland, McKeon, Bolton, Burns (All Present) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Councilmember McKeon INVOCATION In permitting a nonsectarian invocation, the City does not intend to proselytize or advance any faith or belief. Neither the City nor the City Council endorses any particular religious belief or form of invocation. 1. 23-813 Huntington Beach Police and Fire Chaplain James Pike ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS (Received After Agenda Distribution) Administrative Items #2 (77) PUBLIC COMMENTS (90-Second Time Limit)—41 Speakers ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS 2. 23-844 City Council discussion for potential Charter amendments to be considered for the March 5, 2024 Statewide Primary Election. Recommended Action: A) Consider the proposed Charter amendments and provide direction on bundling on one or more Charter amendments for placement on the March 5, 2024 Special Election ballot, and Charter Amendment Actions: Biennial Budget (Sections 401(b), 601, 602, 603, 604, 605) on March 2024 Ballot Strickland/Burns Approved 6-1 (Bolton-No) Elections (Sections 702, 705/new) on March 2024 Ballot Strickland/Burns Approved 4/3 (Kalmick, Moser, Bolton-No) Substitute Motion: Table all amendments until 2024 Kalmick/Bolton Fails 3-4 (Van Der Mark, Strickland, McKeon, Burns-No) Page 2 of 2 City Council/ ACTION AGENDA October 5, 2023 Public Financing Authority Flags (Section 806/new) on March 2024 Ballot Strickland/Burns Approved 4/3 (Kalmick, Moser, Bolton-No) Nepotism (Section 313) on March 2024 Ballot Bolton/Kalmick Fails 2-3-2 (Van Der Mark, McKeon, Burns-No; Strickland, Bolton-Abstain) 2022 Measure UCouncil Vacancies (as amended with exclusions and discrepancies in 303 and312 incorporated)/Cancellation of Meetings (Sections 300, 303, 304, 311, 312, 400, 601, 604, 801, 804) on March 2024 Ballot Strickland/Kalmick Approved 6-0-1 (Bolton-Abstain) Measure "C" (Section 612) Tabled/considered at a later date Bundle amendments into 3 Measures (1. Sections 702 and 705 (New) - Elections; 2. Section 806 (new) — Display of Flags; 3. Former 2022 Measure L items (including amended language for Section 303- Cancellation of Meetings and Section 312— Vacancies) and Sections 401(b), 601-605 for Biennial budget) Strickland/Burns Approved 6-1 (Bolton-No) B) Direct the City Attorney and City staff to prepare and return ballot measure language on approved amendments and all other materials required for submittal to the ROV for City Council consideration. Strickland/Burns Approved 4/3 (Kalmick, Moser, Bolton-No) PUBLIC COMMENTS (90-Second Time Limit)— 20 Speakers ADJOURNMENT— 8:27 PM The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing Authority is Tuesday, October 17, 2023, 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 Page 3 of 2 l' IOW TIN G ..... .. T ,•••.••,, 0 ••• `fit P O RA i '.• eo) \ 40 10 -- ==- Proposed___ Charter •• c-) • ,, if/",, ��___ • ____ ___„ • _ , _ = Amendments� Special City Council Meeting ,_ _ if October 5 , 2023 Da r. 0. (k AS • 190r'.0. ‘<es ' OW - eris P\ - i 0N. Cli 11110,, Ai Proposed Amendments Approved by City Council straw vote on 9/28/23 for further discussion tonight Topic iallilleharter Sections (9/28/23) Cancellation of MM11111111.. 7-0 Council Vacancies 17 7-0 Nepotism 313 Biennial Budget 401 , 601 , 602, 603, 604, 605 MIMI Measure C 12 ji1. Elections IO2, 705 (new) 4-3 1 Flags ¶06 (new) IWII.P"MIPPIMIPIl4-3 2022 Measure L 300, 303, 304, 311 , 312, 400, 601 , 604, 7-0 1111. 804 Cancellation of Meetings (Refer to page 3 of the agenda item) Section 303. MEETINGS AND LOCATION. . (a) Regular Meetings, The City Council shall hold regular meetings at least twice each month. unless it lacks a quorum or the meeting is canceled by the Mayor or a majority of City Council Members. at such time as it shall fix by ordinance or resolution. In no event shall the City Council meet less than once each month, filit4 The City Council may adjourn or re-adjourn any regular me4 tiii' ' to a date and hour certain which shall be specified in the order of adjournment and when so adjourned each adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting for all puiposes. If the hour to which a meeting is adjourned is not stated in the order of adjournment. such meeting shall be held at the hour for holding regular meetings. If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday such regular meeting shall be held on the next business day. Council Vacancies Agenda page 4 COUNCIL VACANCIES Section 312. VACA'.`CIES, FORFEITURES AND REPLACEMENT. (c) Replacement. In the event it shall falil to fill a vacancy by appointment within sixty days after such office shall become vacant. the City Council shall forthwith cause an election to be held to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the City Council fills the vacancy by appointment. such appointee shall hold office until an election to fill the remainder of the unexpired term at the next general municipal election. Should the appointment occur after the filing deadline for the next general municipal election. the seat shall be deemed vacant upon the certification of the general municipal election. and the vacancy shall be filled in accordance with Sections 312(a) and 312(c). Nepotism Agenda page 5 NEPOTISM Section 313. CONFLICT OF INTEREST, NEPOTISM (a) Conflict of Interest, The City Council shall adopt or approve rules and regulations regulating conflicts of interest and promoting fair dealing in all City business. (b) Nepotism. The City Council shall not appoint to a salaried position under the City government any person who is a relative by blood or marriage within the third degree of any one or more of the members of such City Council. or any elected department head. nor shall the City Manager or any department head or other officer having appointive power appoint any relative of such person or of any Council member or any elected department head. within such degree to any such position. This provision shall not affect the employment or promotional status of a person who has attained a salaried position with the City prior to the existence of a situation contemplated by this provision: however. Council members or officers with appointive powers in such a situation shall disqualify themselves from all decisions affecting the employment and promotional status of such person. Biennial Budget Agenda page 6 Section 601.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET,PREPARATION BY THE CITY Section 604.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET.FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND MANAGER. ADOPTION. At such date as the City Manager shall determine,each board or commission and each At the conclusion of the public hearing the City Council shall further consider the department head shall furnish to the City Manager,personally,or through the Director of proposed budget and make any revisions thereof that it may deem advisable and on or before the Finance,estimates of the department's.board's or commission's revenue and expenditures for last day of the fiscal year it shall adopt the budget with revisions,if any.by the affirmative vote the ensuing two fiscal years.detailed in such manner as may be prescribed by the City Manager. of at least a majority of the total members of the Council.Upon fuial adoption,the budget shall In preparing the proposed budget,the City Manager shall review the estimates,hold conferences be in effect for the ensuing two fiscal years.Copies thereoff,certified by the City Clerk.shall be thereon with the respective department beads,boards or commissions as necessary,and may filed with the City Manager.Director of Finance,City Treasurer and the person retained by the revise the estimates as may be deemed advisable. City Council to perform the post audit function,and a further copy shall be placed,and shall Section 602.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET.SUBMISSION TO THE CITY COUNCIL. remain on file in the office of the City Clerk where it shall be available for public inspection.The budget so certified shall be reproduced and copies made available for the use of the public and of The City Manager shall submit the proposed budget to the City Council at least thirty departments,offices and agencies of the City. days prior to the beginning of each even numbered fiscal year beginning in 2026.After reviewing the proposed budget and making such revisions as it may deem advisable,the City Section 605.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS. Council shall hold a public hearing thereon at least fifteen days prior to the beginning of each even numbered fiscal year and shall cause to be published a notice thereof not less than ten days From the effective date of the budget,the several amounts stated therein as proposed prior to said hearing.Copies of the proposed budget shall be available for inspection by the expenditures shall be and become appropriated to the several departments,offices and agencies public in the office of the City Clerk at least ten days prior to said hearing, for the respective objects and purposes therein named;provided,however,that the City Manager Section 603.BIENNIAL ANNUAL BUDGET.PUBLIC HEARING. may transfer funds from one object or purpose to another within the same department,office or At the time so advertised or at any time to which such public hearing shall from time to agency.All appropriations shall lapse at the end of the second fiscal year to the extent that they a, time be adjourned,the City Council shall hold a public hearing on the proposed budget,at which shall not have been expended or lawfully encumbered, sl• interested persons desiring to be heard shall be given such opportunity. At any public meeting after the adoption of the budget,the City Council may amend or supplement the budget by motion adopted by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the s total members of the City Council. t Section 612.PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PARKS AND BEACHES. Measure C (a) No public utility or park or beach or portion thereof now or hereafter owned or (recommended b y t h e operated by the City shall be sold,leased,exchanged or otherwise transferred or disposed of unless authorized by the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the total membership of the City Council and by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the electors voting our such ad hoc committee) proposition at a general or special election at which such proposition is submitted. (b) No golf course,driving range,road,building over three thousand square feet in Attachment 1- p.1 floor area nor structure costing more than$161,000.00 may be built on or in any park or beach or portion thereof now or hereafter owned or operated by the City unless authorized by the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the total membership of the City Council and by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the electors voting on such proposition at a general or special election at which such proposition is submitted after the appropriate environmental assessment,conceptual cost estimate,and reasonable project description has been completed and widely disseminated to the public.Effective January 1,2011,and each year thereafter,the maximum cost will be adjusted by the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles-Riverside- (4) to underground public works utility structures if park or beach use is not impeded; Orange County area. (5) to any public works construction,maintenance or repair mandated by state or (c) Section 612(a)and 612(b)shall not apply; federal law that does not negatively impact recreational opportunities;or (1) to libraries or piers; (6) to renewable energy projects that do not negatively impact recreational opportunities:snr (2) to any lease,franchise,concession agreement or other contract where; - the contract is to perform an act or provide a service in a public park or beach AND (7) to new children's playground facilities or equipment in any park;or to - such act was being performed or service provided at the same location prior to replacement children's playground facilities or equipment in any park or beach, January I, 1989 AND provided that the square footage of such replacement children's playground facilities - the proposed lease,franchise,concession agreement or other contract would not or equipment is not increased by more than 100%durintt any tell year period. increase the amount of parkland or beach dedicated to or used by the party performing such act or providing such service. (d) If any section,subsection,part,subpart,paragraph,clause or phrase of this amendment,or any amendment or revision of this amendment,is for any reason held to be (3) to aboveground public works utility structures or public restrooms under 6,000 invalid or unconstitutional,the remaining sections,subsections,parts,subparts,paragraphs, 37000 square feet; clauses or phrases shall not be affected but shall remain in full force and effect. Measure C - Staff proposed amendments Attachment 1- p.2 (slide 1 of 3) Current Language Proposed Language (a) No public utility or park or beach or portion thereof now or hereafter owned or operated by the City shall be sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred or disposed of unless authorized by the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the total membership of the City Council and by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the electors voting on such proposition at a general or special election at which such proposition is submitted. (1)An exception to the above would include parks owned either by a public utility or school district or leases between the City and a private entity as part of a private/public partnership agreement wherein the City receives a portion of the revenue generated as approved by a majority of the City Council. (b) No golf course,driving range, road,building over three thousand square feet in (b) No golf course,driving range, road,building over exceeding a ten thousand floor area nor structure costing more than$161,000.00 may be built on or in any park square foot footprint three thousand square feet in floor area nor structure costing or beach or portion thereof now or hereafter owned or operated by the City unless may be built on or in any park or beach or portion thereof authorized by the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the total membership of now or hereafter owned or operated by-the City unless authorized by an affirmative the City Council and by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the electors voting 6/7 vote of the total membership of the on such proposition at a general or special election at which such proposition is City Council and by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the electors voting on submitted after the appropriate environmental assessment, conceptual cost estimate, such proposition at a general or special election at which such proposition is and reasonable project description has been completed and widely disseminated to submitted after completion of(1)an Environmental review under California the public. Effective January 1,2011,and each year thereafter,the maximum cost will Environmental Quality Act(CEQA)(2)a conceptual site plan/Schematic Design defined be adjusted by the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County by the American Institute of Architects as a general overview of a project's basic area. features and construction cost estimates, and(3)a reasonable project description which have been widely disseminated to the public. .,nt pt al cost esti.. ate n d . able p ect.description has been y ar thereafter,the maximum cost will be adjusted by the Consumer Price Index for the Los Angeles Riverside Orange County area. Measure C - Staff proposed amendments Attachment 1- p.3 (slide 2 of 3) Current Language Proposed Language (c) Section 612(a)and 612(b)shall not apply; (1) to libraries or piers; (1) to libraries,-er-pierst, restrooms,playgrounds or other recreational park amenities such as, but not limited to:sport courts,pump tracks,sports fields, skate parks,concession stands,or picnic tables and benches that are typically used on a drop-in bases, during regular park hours. (2) to any lease,franchise,concession agreement or other contract where; - the contract is to perform an act or provide a service in a public park or beach AND - such act was being performed or service provided at the same location prior to January 1, 1989 AND - the proposed lease,franchise, concession agreement or other contract would - the proposed lease,franchise,concession agreement or other contract would not increase the amount of parkland or beach dedicated to or used by the party not increase the amount of parkland or beach dedicated to or used by the party performing such act or providing such service. performing such act or providing such service:Unless the increase or additional feature/expansion is for the benefit of the community and does not impede or impact any existing or future park or beach usage and such increase is approved by an affirmative 6/7 vote of the City Council. -Exception:that any additional feature/expansion would be allowed provided it is temporary in nature,and does not impede any other existing park or beach usage(example:extension of patio on open space vs.Removal of an existing park amenity to allow for extended use). Such use will be evaluated at the end of each lease term. Measure C - Staff proposed amendments Attachment 1 - p.4 (slide 3 of 3) Current Language Proposed Language (3) to aboveground public works utility structures under 3,000 square feet; (3) to aboveground public works utility structures under 310,000 square feet; (4) to underground public works utility structures if park or beach use is not impeded; (5) to any public works construction, maintenance or repair mandated by state (5) to any public works construction, maintenance or repair mandated by state or federal law that does not negatively impact recreational opportunities;or or federal law ;or (6) to renewable energy projects that do not negatively impact recreational (6) to renewable energy projects that do not negatively impact recreational opportunities. opportunities. (7)To any publicly owned or leased building used by the community for recreational purposes that changes its scope of use(example:a concession building changes to a community center)when such change is approved by an affirmative 6/7 vote of the City Council. (d) If any section,subsection, part,subpart, paragraph,clause or phrase of this amendment,or any amendment or revision of this amendment,is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional,the remaining sections, subsections, parts, subparts,paragraphs,clauses or phrases shall not be affected but shall remain in full force and effect. (3) to aboveground public works utility structures under 3,000 square feet; (3) to aboveground public works utility structures under 410,000 square feet; Section 702. PROCEDURE FOR HOLDING ELECTIONS. Procedure All elections shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code of the for State of California. as the same now exists or hereafter may be amended. for the holding of municipal elections. so far as the same are not in conflict with this Charter. In the event of such holding conflict. the provisions of this Charter shall control and prevail. in accordance with Section 103 of this Charter. elections Section 705. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Agenda page 10 As in Section 300. the City Charter shall determine the term of the City's elective officers. the length of term. and the election cycle in which the election for those offices occur for the C'ity's elective officers. (a) Beguuung in 2026. for all municipal elections: (1) -Elector- means a person who is a United States citizen 18 years of age or older. and a resident of the City on or before the day of an election. (2) The City may shall verify the eligibility of Electors by voter identification. (3) The City may to provide at least 20 ADA compliant re_• ,l voting locations for in-person voting dispersed evenly throughout the City. in addition to any City facility voting locations. (4) The City may shall monitor ballot drop boxes located within the City for compliance with all applicable laws. Display of Flags Agenda page 12 SECTION 806. DISPLAY OF FLAGS. Except as otherwise provided herein. the City shall only fly or display at or on any of the City's properties the following flags: the American flag. the POW MIA flag. the State of California flag. the Huntington Beach City flag. the County of Orange flag. or any of the flags of the six branches of service: the Army. Navy. Air Force. Coast Guard. Marine Corps. and Space Force. During the Sumner Olympic Gaines. the Mayor is authorized to order the display of the official Olympic flags for four weeks prior to the dates of the games. and for up to two weeks thereafter. The City may display any other flag in addition to those already enumerated. but only if authorized by a unanimous vote of all members of the City Council. 2022 Section 300. CITY COUNCIL,ATTORNEY,CLERK AND TREASURER.TERMS. The Measure L elective officers of the City shall consist of a City Council of seven members.a City Clerk.a City Treasurer and a City Attorney. all to be elected from the City at large at the times and in the (slide 1 /5) manner provided in this Charter and who shall serve for terms of four years and until their respective successors qualify. Subject to the provisions of this Charter. the members of the City Attachment 2- p 1 Council in office at the time this Charter takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms and until their successors are elected and qualified. Consistent with the staggered election process established in the new Charter in 1966 and reaffirmed in 2022. four members of the City Council shall be elected at the general municipal election held in-196 i 2022. and each fourth year thereafter. Three members of the City Council shall be elected at the general municipal election held in &2024. and each fourth year thereafter. No person shall be elected as a member of the City Council for more than two consecutive terms and no person who has been a member for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected a member shall be elected to the City Council more than one further consecutive term. Subject to the provisions of this Charter.the City Clerk.City Treasurer and City Attorney in office at the time this Charter takes effect shall continue in office until the expiration of their respective terms and the qualification of their successors.Consistent with the staggered election process established in the new Charter in 1966 and reaffirmed in 2022. a City Clerk and City Treasurer shall be elected at the general municipal election held in 4-964 2024. and each fourth year thereafter. A City Attorney shall be elected in 1966 2022. and each fourth year thereafter. The term of each member of the City Council. the City Clerk. the City Treasurer and the City Attorney shall commence on the first Monday regular City Council meeting following the certification of the election. Ties in voting among candidates for office shall be settled by of lots random drawing process conducted by the City Manager during the first regular City Council meeting following the certification. If no candidate meets the qualifications for office of the City Clerk. City Treasurer. or City Attorney. the City Council shall fill that position by appointment until the next municipal general election in which a qualified candidate is elected. Section 303.MEETINGS AND LOCATION. (a) Regular Meetings.The City Council shall hold regular meetings at least twice each Measure L, 2022 month.unless it lacks a quorum or is canceled by the Mayor or a majority of City Council s I i d e 2/5 Members.at such time as it shall fix by ordinance or resolution and may adjourn�-ad n any regular meeting to a date and hour certain which shall be specified in the order of adjournment_ Each re-adjourned meeting shall be a regular meeting for Attachment 2- p 1-2 all purposes.If rlre-hour to„a,:-t- ee - j a i d t a f .,a: h. e shag b__ e hld t t r t ld t ....._,.,,a.. ...e .,, .:..,. .. _ _ _ If at any time any regular meeting falls on a holiday such regular meeting shall be held on the next business clay. (b) Special Meetings.A special meeting may be called at any time by the Mayor.or by a majority of the members of the City Council.by written notice or current technology to each member of the City Council and to each local newspaper of general circulation,radio or television station requesting notice in writing. Such notice must be delivered personally.of by mail or by current technology at least twenty-four hours before the time of such meeting as specified in the notice. The call and notice shall specify the time and place of the special meeting and the business to be transacted.No other business shall be considered at such meeting.If any person entitled to such written notice files a written waiver of notice with the City Clerk.it may be dispensed with.This notice requirement shall be considered fulfilled as to any person who is actually present at the meeting at the time it convenes.In the event of an emergency affecting the public peace.health or safety,a special meeting may be called as provided in this section with less than twenty-four hours written notice by the Mayor Pro Tern in the Mayor's absence or by any member of the City Council in the absence of both the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tern provided that the nature of the emergency is set forth in the minutes of the meeting. (c) Place of Meetings.All regular meetings shall be held in the Council Chambers of the City or in such place within the City to which any such meeting may be adjourned.If.by reason of fire.flood or other emergency.it shall be unsafe to meet in the place designated.the meetings may be held for the duration of the emergency at such place within the City as is designated by the Mayor.or.if he the Mayor should fail to act,by a majority of the members of the City Council. (d) Open Meetings.All regular and special meetings of the City Council shall be open and public.and all persons shall be permitted to attend such meetings.except that the provisions of this section shall not apply to exeentivo closed sessions.Subject to the rules governing the conduct of City Council meetings.no person shall be denied the right to be heard by the City Council. Measure L, 2022 (slide 3/5) Attachment 2- p 2-3 Section 304. QUORUMS, PROCEEDINGS AND RULES OF ORDER. (a) Quorum. A majority of the members of the City Council shall constitute a quorum to do business but a lesser Iiuinber may adjourn from time to time. In the absence of all the members of the City Council from any regular meeting or adjourned regular meeting. the City Clerk may declare the same adjourned to a stated day and hour. The City Clerk shall cause written notice of a meeting adjourned by less than a quorum or by the City Clerk to be delivered personally. et by mail or by current technology to each Council member at least twenty-four hours before the time to which the meeting is adjourned. or such notice may be dispensed with in the same manner as specified in this Charter for dispensing with notice of special meetings of the City Council. Section 311. CITY TREASURER. POWERS AND DUTIES. (d) Prepare and submit to the Director of Finance Chief Financial Officer monthly written reports of all receipts. disbursements and fund balances. and shall file copies of such reports with the City Manager and City Council. Section 312. VACANCIES, FORFEITURES AND REPLACEMENT. (c) Replacement. In the event it the City Council shall fail to fill a vacancy by appointment within sixty days after such office shall become vacant. the City Council shall forthwith cause an election to be held to fill such vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. Measure L, 2022 Section 400. CITY MANAGER. COMPOSITION, TERM,ELIGIBILITY. REMOVAL. (s I i d e 4/5) (cl) Removal. The City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period Of ninety days next succeeding any municipal election at Which a member of the City Council 15 Attachment 2- p 3 elected. At any other time the City Manager may be removed only at a regular meeting of the City Council and upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the City Council. At least thirty days prior to the effective date of removal. the City Manager shall be furnished with a written notice stating the C ouncil s intentions and. if requested by the City Manager. the reasons therefor. Within seven days after receipt of such notice. the City Manager may by written notification to the City Clerk request a public hearing before the City Council. in which event the Council shall fix a time for a public hearing which shall be held at its regular meeting place before the expiration of the thirty-day period above referred to. The City Manager shall appear and be heard at such hearing. After furnishing the City Manager with written notice of the intended removal. the City Council may suspend the City Manager from duty. but hi-s the City Manager's compensation shall continue until removal as herein provided. In removing the City Manager. the City Council shall use its uncontrolled discretion and its action shall be final and shall not depend upon any particular showing or degree of proof at the hearing, the purpose of which is to allow the City Council and the City Manager to present to each other and to the public all pertinent facts prior to the final action of removal. Section 601. ANNUAL BUDGET, PREPARATION BY THE CITY MANAGER. At such date as the City Manager shall determine. each board or commission and each department head shall furnish to the City Manager. personally. or through the Director of Finan t Chief Financial Officer. estimates of the departments. board's or commission's revenue and expenditures for the ensuing fiscal year. detailed in such manner as may be prescribed by the City Manager. In preparing the proposed budget. the City Manager shall review the estimates. hold conferences thereon with the respective department heads. boards or conunissions as necessary. and may revise the estimates as may be deemed advisable. Section 604. ANNUAL BUDGET. FURTHER CONSIDERATION AND ADOPTION. At Measure L 2022 the conclusion of the public hearing the City Council shall further consider the proposed budget and make any revisions thereof that it may deem advisable and on or before the last day of the (s I i d e 5/5) fiscal year it shall adopt the budget with revisions. if any. by the affirmative vote of at least a Attachment 2- p 3-4 majority of the total members of the Council. Upon final adoption. the budget shall be in effect for the ensuing fiscal year. Copies thereof. certified by the City Clerk. shall be filed with the City Manager. Chief Financial Officer. City Treasurer and the person retained by the City Council to perform the post audit function. and a further copy shall be placed. and shall remain on file in the office of the City Clerk where it shall be available for public inspection. The budget so certified shall be reproduced and copies made available for the use of the public and of departments.offices and agencies of the City. Section 801.DEFINITIONS.Unless the provisions or the context otherwise requires.as used in this Charter: (a) "Shall"is mandatory.and"may"is permissive. (b) "City"is the City of Huntington Beach and"department.""board.""commission." "agency.""officer."or"employee"is a department.board.commission.agency.officer or employee.as the case may be.of the City of Huntington Beach. (c) "County"is the County of Orange. (d) "State"is the State of California. (€-e) The singular includes the plural and the plural the singular. (g t) "Person"includes firm and corporation. Section 804.CHARTER RE VIEW.The City Council shall determine if there is a need to convene a citizen's Charter Review Commission to conduct a review of the City Charter no less frequently than every ten years from the most recent formal Charter review conducted by a Charter Revision Commission.Ci Council.or Ci staff. Bundling Process from 2022 Tier 1 : administrative • syntax, outdated language, minor clarifications, and other improvements that would not likely require significant deliberation. Tier 2 : clarification and deliberation Address Charter issues that may require significant changes to City policies, roles, and responsibilities and would require lengthier deliberation. City Council Proposed Bundling of Measures Measure Charter Selections „A„ „B„ „C„ „p„ CALENDAR OF DEADLINES FOR PROPOSED HUNTINGTON BEACH CHARTER AMENDMENTS FOR THE MARCH 5, 2024, SPECIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION (STATEWIDE PRIMARY) Impartial Analysis 14 days after City Council Calls for Election City Council Meeting Dates Due Dates Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Arguments 14 days after City Council Calls for Election City Council Meeting Dates Due Dates Tuesday, October 17, 2023 Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Tuesday, November 21, 2023 Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Rebuttal Arguments 10 days after Arguments Submitted Arguments Due Date Rebuttal Due Dates Wednesday, November 1, 2023 Monday, November 13, 2023 Wednesday, November 22, 2023 Monday, December 4, 2023 Wednesday, December 6, 2023 Monday, December 18, 2023 (next business day) Orange County Registrar of Voters Deadline Last day for filing direct arguments, a city attorney impartial analysis, and a fiscal impact statement (if applicable). Friday, December 8, 2023 Orange County Registrar of Voters Deadline Deadline for filing of rebuttal arguments Wednesday, December 18, 2023 Switzer, Donna From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Friday, October 6,2023 10:37 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter amendments Original Message From: copper-boughs0e@icloud.com<copper-boughs0e@icloud.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 3:58 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter amendments Dear City Council Officials, I am writing to express my concern about the suggested special election to vote on proposed charter amendments. It appears to be hasty and unnecessary, and a waste of our tax dollars. Further, I am opposed to the proposed amendment to require voter ID at polls. It is unnecessary and unjust as it aims to limit certain groups of people from voting. It is also not legal according to current California state law. Thank you. Justine Arian-Edwards 1 Switzer; Donna From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:37 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:voting From: Donna Davis<dzdeel@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5, 2023 4:00 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:voting Stick with the state and county requirements for voting. Donna Davis i Switzer, Donna From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Proposed Charter Amendment From:Carol Robertson<carolr2020@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 4:41 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Cc: Kalmick, Dan<Dan.Kalmick@surfcity-hb.org>; Strickland,Tony<Tony.Strickland@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Proposed Charter Amendment Dear Honorable City Council Members, I am writing in regards to the proposed City Charter Amendment changes. I am fully and 100%in support Section 702 of the proposed Charter Amendment changes "Local Control Over Elections". I agree with requiring voter ID as well as monitoring the drop boxes. I am in favor of anything else to ensure election integrity in Huntington Beach. Please move forward to putting it out to a vote and the people of Huntington Beach can choose. Thank you, Carol Robertson- 37 year resident and small business owner. i Switzer, Donna From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 10:38 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Special election proposal and voter ID Original Message From:Annilise Flanagan-Frankl<anniliseff@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 4:41 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Special election proposal and voter ID I am opposed to the special election proposal.Wasting tax payer dollars on MORE political agenda items is not necessary. Secondly, moving to limit voter engagement is criminal.Voting by mail has been proven effective with NO history of voter fraud. Lastly, continuing to present HB as a right wing/Proud Boy/elitist town is a disservice to the hard working, compassionate people of this town. Annilise Flanagan-Frankl Sent from my iPhone 1 Switzer, Donna From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Friday, October 6, 2023 11:18 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Review Original Message From:John Carser<jcarser68@gmail.com> Sent: Friday, October 6,2023 10:18 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Review City Council: I have been a resident in Huntington Beach while most of you were in diapers. I am shocked and disheartened by your considerations to change the charter of our city in regards to the following proposals: 1. Requiring an ID to vote 2. Monitoring ballot boxes 3. Eliminating vote by mail 4. Forcing Huntington Beach to have elections conducted by the city instead of the Orange County Registrar I would first like you to show me your evidence of overwhelming fraud in local,county, state or federal elections. Your ideas and unwarranted proposals sound like extreme MAGA republican lies of fraud. These ideas that you have proposed are an act of voter suppression. If you continue on this path you are opening this once great city to major lawsuits. This council needs to re-evaluate the above proposals and eliminate more costly lawsuits. Take your MAGA hats off and work collectively for all the residents of this beloved city. I look forward to your response and your sharing of evidence of overwhelming election fraud. Also, how much money are you proposing to monitor all the various ballot boxes. Are you also aware that by your conservative majority proposal to eliminate vote by mail,you are again treading on voter suppression to our seniors. Do you really want to go down this road? Mr.John Carser 19771 Gloucester Lane Huntington Beach,CA 92646 Phone-(714)968-6122 Sent from my iPad 1 Moore, Tania From: Jeanne Whitesell <jswhitese1l3211 @yahoo.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 4:16 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Proposed charter amendments Dear members of the HB City Council, Because of the unknown costs that will result in these Charter amendments, I am opposed to putting them on the primary ballot in the Spring. I also understand that,if they are included in the primary ballot,we cannot vote on individual amendments but either everything or nothing. That certainly doesn't seem like a very good option for a thoughtful voter. It seems like the Council is inviting lawsuits,which enriches lawyers while using my tax money. I am having a hard time seeing how being caught up in the courts is improving Huntington Beach. Sincerely, Jeanne Whitesell 17922 Shoreham Lane HB, 92649 714 846 8978 SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: /0 saoa� _ Agenda Item NoV:_..242 3 • $t12 1 Moore, Tania From: Jaime Kauffman Palumbo <Jaime@pmdl.me> Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 4:18 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Comments for city council meeting To the Huntington Beach City Council, I am vehemently opposed to the changes proposed for the city charter,especially with regards to changes in how we vote. Nothing about the proposed changes are warranted or needed. Everything about them will be detrimental to our city.This will be a huge burden, in every way,for our city. How much money will this cost and how much chaos will ensue?So far,these special meetings have provided zero answers and seem to be simply a way to waste our time while hiding the fact that the majority on the council have no idea what they are doing. I am very pleased with how the OC Registrar of Voters handles my vote. I am notified in multiple ways any time my vote is handled and when it is counted. Any changes that imperils that system is dangerous and unneeded. Thank you, John and Jaime Palumbo 1 Moore, Tania From: Chris <loaticus5@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 5:37 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Feedback on air show and proposed charter changes Hello, my name is Chris Kluwe, a 15 year resident of HB, and I'm sending this email to protest both the politicization of the air show by letting known criminal and treasonous ex-president Trump do a flyover, as well as the proposed changes to the city charter that will not only waste taxpayer dollars but are clearly designed to concentrate power in the hands of an unliked,selfish minority of four individuals who currently control the City Council (Strickland,Van Der Mark, Mckeon, and Burns,with honorable mention to non-first amendment cognizant Attorney Gates). These actions are those of buffoons and the intellectually ignorant, and not only embarrass our city,they embarrass the principles of America, including being free from the tyranny of religion, as well as giving everyone a chance to vote without unreasonable burden. I urge these incompetent and shortsighted individuals to reconsider their actions (knowing full well they will not) because I am tired of my city being not just a laughingstock nationally, but also a burgeoning haven for intolerance, racism, and white nationalism. The five names I have just mentioned are bad, should feel bad, and should never engage in the political sphere again without some deep reflection on their numerous shortcomings and disgusting embrace of fascism as a political tool. Sincerely, -Chris 1 Moore, Tania From: Betty Kanne <bettykanne@hotmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 6:05 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: No to bundling. No to March. No to Voter ID October 4, 2023 City Council Members, I ask that you abandon all efforts to place items on the March 2024 Ballot that would change our City Charter. The four majority members cravenly mislead voters by pledging not to alter the City Charter and are now poised to utterly transform it for their own political benefit. The Charter Review Ad Hoc Committee Proposals should be soundly rejected with varying levels of outrage and vehemence. Voter ID equals Voter Suppression.Admit that this wholly unnecessary, cynically crafted"reform"is a misguided mistake that will cost our city incalculable millions in lawsuits and ill fated attempts at execution. It's a poisonous "solution"in search of a non-existent problem dreamed up by MAGA Culture Warriors in pursuit of limiting voting by overt voter intimidation. Shameful!Abandon this costly perfidy! Michael Gates's bloated salary,bloated department and brazen bid for an unassailable budget in the rapidly approaching time of needed cutbacks is fiscal irresponsibility beyond imagination.And this cynical ploy is put forward by erstwhile"fiscal conservatives"!! For shame!!! Untether yourself from your pathetic subservience to your puppet masters Michael Gates and MAGA Extremists. Drop your effort to put these toxic changes to our city's permanent constitution on the March Ballot. If you must persist in this misguided madness: Uncouple any and all initiatives! Place Stand Alone items only so that they may be judged fairly by their own merits (of flaws) and undergo the scrutiny of the electorate. Place any initiatives on the November, General Election Ballot. Let the full complement of voters consider the impacts of the proposals. An unwillingness to uncouple the initiatives and a persistence in putting them on the March Ballot with its scant participation is an overt admission of the deceit and subterfuge attendant in this entire Charter process. Vote no on Charter Changes. Betty Kanne Huntington Beach (40+year HB resident,homeowner,unfailing voter) bettykannePhotmail.com 1 Moore, Tania From: Louise Stewardson <loustew75@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:25 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: charter We do not need to change the city charter. It is too costly and unnecessary. Louise Stewardson 19741 Coastline Lane, HB 1 Moore, Tania From: vanessaweb@aol.com Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 9:51 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Amendments Dear Members of the City Council, When the newest members ran for this council,they ran on a "No charter amendment" platform. What has changed? Who is influencing them? How much money will be thrown away on unnecessary amendments when you were planning on limiting library hours and closing sites just 2 months ago? Our city does not need another costly lawsuit from the state. Our elections are secure in Orange County and this amendment would just be another waste of money. Please see the attached photo stating that the Orange County Registrar was granted the ISO 9001 certification in 1 2022. Voter ID a.t polling stations is not necess there are so many security features built Registrar's systems. In 2022, following E independent audit process, the Ora nc Registrar of Voters was granted ISO S. certification, an international standard \A Orange County in the top tier of election in the United States, regarding security a "Being awarded the ISO 9001 certificat build confidence among voters with th that we are holding ourselves to the his detail, accuracy and integrity." -- Neal K Registrar of Voters. The citizens of Huntington Beach deserve to have a full accounting of the airshow costs including all fees and subsides we've paid. How much did we make on the parking? My husband and I have lived in HB for almost 40 years and love our city. 2 Vanessa and Jeff Webster 3 Moore, Tania From: Jean Bogen <jeanbogen72@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:40 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Proposed charter amendments Dear council members and committee members: I want you to vote NO on the charter changes. The process to create the changes has been flawed. I want you to vote NO because of unknown costs for a special election. Tax dollars should be spent on services benefiting the majority of its citizens. I want you to vote NO because the legality of the proposed monitoring of drop boxes and showing ID to vote in person is questionable. Another lawsuit by the State against Huntington Beach is also an unknown expense and not a wise use of our tax dollars. Please think long and wisely before casting your vote. Thank you. 1 Moore, Tania From: Mikel Hogan <mhogan072@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 3:22 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Do Not Make Changes to HB City Charter City Council Members, I am writing to say do not make any changes to the HB City Charter. Such actions are undemocratic,weakens self-governance, is too costly and does not represent the best interests of our city. Dr. Mikel Hogan,50 year resident of Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: maryn427@gmail.com Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 3:47 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org To whom it may concern regarding tomorrow's agenda: You promised not to change the charter when you ran for your offices in the first place, but since you are reneging on that, I feel that the issues that are up for vote should be separate items,the bundling of unrelated items will cause so much confusion. Secondly,changes in the election process will incur costs when we are facing other financial issues. Isn't it illegal to run the city at a deficit???? I've lived in Huntington Beach for 51 years and there has never been a time when I've felt like our city government is not governing in in our best interests. Thank you, A very concerned resident. 1 Moore, Tania From: nora pedersen <pedersennor@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 4:21 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Fair Elections Wouldn't it be great if Tony Strickland and Michael Gates had to testify under oath?At the same time that they are playing good citizens, they are doing a very poor job of covering up their corruption. In cahoots with Gracie Vander Mark, our Mayor Pro Tem Christian Nationalist, they are trying to take over city elections from the county that has run unquestionably fair elections for decades. This is corrupt governance. Real fiscal conservatives would not force taxpayers to pay 1.2 million dollars for an election that only benefits themselves! Do not tinker with our elections. Nora Pedersen Huntington Beach I. Moore, Tania From: Linda Law <lindaklaw@aol.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 4:49 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Please reconsider proposed charter amendments Dear Council Members, Please reconsider adding the proposed amendments to the city charter. These proposed charter amendments are unnecessary and potentially very expensive. I understand that the city has limited funds and this seems a very poor use of those funds. I object to the city considering amendments that were not reviewed by a public commission. The costs to add these amendments to the ballot are unknown. There is no evidence of voter fraud that requires the monitoring of poll places or the presentation of a voter id. Actions like this invite lawsuits and seem utterly pointless. Thank you for your time. 1 Moore, Tania From: Judith Lewis <judilew22@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 5:29 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Proposed Ballot Issues I have watched all your deliberations to date on the proposed ballot issues and see no merit to them. Your Voter ID and ballot box monitoring proposals are especially onerous and will cost the citizens of Huntington Beach millions of dollars. A waste. Please do not vote for these--although from my observations, the majority has already made up its mind and no reasoning or facts will change it. There will be consequences. Judith Lewis 4057 Warner Ave, Huntington Beach Ca 92649 36 year HB resident 38 year public service; retired Captain L.A. County Sheriffs M.A. Public Administration 1 Moore, Tania From: Mary Ann Celinder <macelinder@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:09 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: re: elections It makes absolutely no sense for the city to run elections when the county has such a great system and fraud is seriously not an issue. I've never missed an election since I became eligible in 1972, not ever. I've always enjoyed going to the polls as part of the process but since covid, I've also liked filling out the forms in the comfort of my own home. It's also much easier for my mother who does not have mobility. Since voter ID is also suggested, does that mean the intent is to eliminate or restrict voting by mail? The current system is very efficient. I receive notice when my ballot is counted.The computerized system to see results is fast. Why reinvent the wheel? Is it just so you can have the poll watchers to intimidate voters? Or is the intent to suppress voting? Or bleed the city dry? This would cost the city more than the cost of running elections because it WILL be challenged and lost in court. NO CHANGES TO HB VOTING! Mary Ann Celinder 21341 Fleet Lane Huntington Beach Ca 92646 www.customleadedglass.com i Moore, Tania From: Mary Ann Celinder <macelinder@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:13 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: playground improvement I'm all for playground improvements but then it's packed in with requiring a unanimous vote to reduce the salary of the city attorney?Was the vote to give him that ridiculous rais unanimous? Sounds like someone wrote this amendment to serve himself. Did Gates author it? Yes,on playgrounds but remove it from anything else. Mary Ann Celinder Celinder's Glass Design 21341 Fleet Lane Huntington Beach Ca 92646 studio 714 962 8361 cell 714 504 8361 www.customleadedglass.com 1 Moore, Tania From: Renette Mazza <RMazza@grafairfreight.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:18 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: 2. 23-844 City Council discussion for potential Charter amendments to be considered for the March 5, 2024 Statewide Primary Election. Hello, I Renette Mazza agree with and support all charter amendments put forth and support the ballot measures to move forward. Warmest Regards, Renette Mazza 253-606-4013 Zip Code:92647 Residing in Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: Elizabeth SanFilippo <elizabethsanfilippo@fuller.edu> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:30 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF);supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: City Charter Changes -- Opposed I am a Huntington Beach resident and home owner for over thirty years and am opposed to the potential City Charter changes regarding how elections will be conducted. Evidence has not been presented demonstrating that there are any election issues that justify changes to voting in Huntington Beach. It is my understanding that the Orange County Registrar has been acknowledged as very effective in administering this important responsibility. The proposed changes could place unnecessary burdens on citizens as we exercise our right to vote and thereby prevent people from voting. The City has been advised by the State Attorney General that the changes contemplated to our Charter could be illegal and if passed would result in a lawsuit. Since the City Council recently contemplated budget cuts to services provided to residents and there are projected future deficits, I am concerned about the costs of this ballot measure, the legal costs to defend it if passed, and if implemented the costs associated with the changes. To be financially responsible,the potential Charter Changes should not be placed on the ballot. Thank you for your consideration. Elizabeth San Filippo i Moore, Tania From: Mary Ann Celinder <macelinder@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:31 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter changes/air show When I moved here in 1978, I never would have guessed that in a few years, Huntington Beach would be dubbed the Skin Head Capital of Orange County. For some reason,Skin Heads Nazi sympathisers,White Supremists and the radical right,are attracted to this city. Since then,the city has cleaned up its reputation,or has it? With the proposed changes to the city charter, I feel like those skin heads grew up to be not only voting, but serving in the city leadership. Photos of Van Der Mark with Oathkeepers and Proud boys completely disqualify her. Disgraceful. She should be removed. I feel like we have very dark days ahead if the majority rams through the ridiculous and expensive amendments and puts them on the ballot. Also, it was really wrong to turn the air show into a prop for the former president.A con man, liar, rapist does not deserve to be addressed as sir and honored by the city.We know he calls the military losers and suckers; he shouldn't have shared airspace with men of honor. Having his voice broadcast over our air was outrageous. Mary Ann Celinder 21341 Fleet Lane Huntington Beach Ca 92646 1 Moore, Tania From: Kathy McGuire <kzm@dslextreme.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 8:31 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Amendments Hello, I oppose all of the proposed charter amendments. They are not needed and they will cost money that the city needs for other necessities. Vote no. Reject all of the charter amendments. Thank you, Kathy McGuire i Moore, Tania From: Douglas Hart <dbhart2001@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 9:08 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Comments on Proposed City Charter Amendments I am writing concerning the proposed Charter Amendments once again. Despite enormous opposition by the citizens of Huntington Beach, it seems clear that the City Council majority does not want to listen. Despite running on the promise of no Charter amendments, the Council majority has reneged on that promise by putting these amendments up for a vote. Despite being Republicans that supposedly stand for"fiscal responsibility", the Council majority is about to commit the citizens of Huntington Beach to the potentially huge costs that will be incurred implementing these amendments, none of which actual solve any real problems. The Council majority is about to try to implement amendments that will certainly result in lawsuits, draining even more money out of the citizens' pockets. The Council majority seems to want to bankrupt the City instead of solving actual-problems. And they have so little confidence in what they are proposing that they are willing to have a costly special election in March where fewer voters are likely to participate rather than having this travesty face a lot more voters in the less costly November general election. The Council majority can stop this insanity by ending this amendment process right now. I strongly urge you to end this. If the Council majority can't see fit to listen to the people and not misuse our tax dollars, perhaps it is time to consider recalling the current Council majority and replacing them with someone more responsible. VOTE NO ON THE CHARTER AMENDMENTS!! Douglas Hart 5221 Chadwick Drive Huntington Beach, CA 92649 i Moore, Tania From: Cristina Caldera <ccaldera80@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 9:52 PM To: supplementaicomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Amendments Hi, I am a resident of Huntington Beach for 9 years now. My family and I live in the Harbour. Lately, I am ashamed and do not agree with the current city council and the proposed charter amendments. I think you all should stop wasting the tax payers money with this unnecessary election. If you feel so strongly about it,add it to the general election. Do your job and actually fix things in the city like the drunk drivers hitting people, homelessness,crime. Pick something that actually matters! Stop being shady and messing with the voting system . Feel free to call me with any follow up questions. Cristina Caldera 310-699-8446 1 Moore, Tania From: Mary Camarillo <mpcame10219@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 10:04 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: We don't need charter amendments Dear City Council There is no need for the charter amendments you are proposing for voting. There is nothing wrong with our current voting procedures. Charter changes are an unnecessary expense. Please do not revise our city charter or our voting process. Mary Camarillo HB resident 1 Moore, Tania From: Steven C Shepherd Architect <steve@shepherdarchitects.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 10:30 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: STILL OPPOSED TO THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS &THIS DEEPLY FLAWED PROCES You could have one thousand meetings to discuss these city charter amendments, and it wouldn't change the facts.The proposed City Charter Amendments fail on the merits and due to the deeply flawed process employed to bring these proposals forward. In completely ignoring the recommendations and efforts of last year's resident-led Charter Revision Committee,you insult our community and undermine trust in competent local governance. I feel so strongly about this that I am actually emailing you while I'm away on business. I guess I'm hoping that my comments will help me return to a community governed by some level of competence and sanity. Steve Shepherd Huntington Beach,CA 92646 1 Moore, Tania From: StarsStripes <starsstripes@me.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:05 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: 10-5-23 City Council Meeting, 6pm I do support the proposed charter amendments. I am for Section 806, Display of Flags I do support Voter ID for elections, In Person Voting,&Monitoring of Drop Boxes. I will say as I said before, I do not think these go far enough. We do have voter fraud happening around the country and I do not believe that we are not immune to it in Orange County. Governor Newsom just passed a CR saying there will be no hand counts in California. What is he trying to hide? There are 6 areas that are ripe or weak vulnerabilities for Voter Fraud. 1. Electronic Voting machines. We have been told that none of these machines are connected to the internet and they can't be uploaded with scripts via a USB jump drive. Then we find out they can be connected to the internet and have usb ports to upload scripts. This is a high vulnerability for fraud. I recommend Hand counts like the old days. Eliminate the vulnerability. 2. Signature Accuracy checks. These can be manipulated on electronic machines. They can be dialed up and dialed down to pass or reject anomalies in the signature. I know in Arizona, news outlets reported these were turned down to 30%. Literally passing everything. Again this is a vulnerability that is ripe for fraud. Michigan just had a massive signature fraud scheme uncovered. https://michiganadvance.com/2022/05/24/massive-signature-fraud-scandal-upends-michigan-gop- gubernatorial-race/ My suggestion is to hand check them during the hand count vote. 3. Drop boxes are a huge vulnerability for fraud. There are numerous documented massive dumps in the boxes all over the country. My suggestion is to have a drop box at each voting in person voting center. Hand the vote to one of the workers. 4. Single day voting. Voting is the most sacred right to be an American. It is for Legal Americans. You make arrangements to vote on that day. Pass legislation that requires employers to give workers time to vote that day. If you can't make it because of travel,you need to pre qualify to send in an absentee ballot. 5. Mailing out ballots to everyone on the voter roll. Unless you have clean rolls,this is ridiculous. Eliminate it. It is a waste of money that is high in vulnerabilities. 1 6. Ballot Harvesting. Ripe for Voter Fraud. There has to be a chain of custody of these. If someone walks into a voting center with 10 ballots,they need to go through an audit on site for those ballots. Registered voter needs to be verified,signatures need to be verified,the person bringing the ballots in needs to register them so if there is any problems,we know who to contact. No Ballot can just get dropped off. We have to have election integrity in America Let's talk about Voter rolls Electronic Registration Information Center, known as ERIC an obscure nonprofit that is meant to clean voter roll and reach out to eligible but unregistered voters. It was originally funded by George Soros Open Society and now is funded by state election agencies. They have been accused of not cleaning the voter rolls and leaving them bloated with dead people and people that have moved out of the area. It has got so bad that Louisiana,Alabama,West Virginia, Missouri,Ohio,Virginia, Florida, & Iowa have left Eric and many more states have put forth legislation to leave them. You guessed it, Orange County uses Eric I I have tried to get answers out of the registrar's office to see how many people have been removed from the rolls because of death or moving out of the area. I have not been able to get any answers. My confidence in our voting rolls being clean is 0%. I keep hearing Orange County has won awards but that is the people that basically run it giving themselves an award. Just like Hollywood. Robert Cloyd Huntington Beach Resident 2 Moore, Tania From: Paula Schaefer <pas92649@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:17 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Opposition to Charter Amendments Mayor and Council Members: This email is really for the newly-elected members: Please stop this charade that you are proposing these changes because you're committed to "saving Surf City." The past few meetings make it apparent to the majority of HB residents that you have not done adequate research as to the costs of these proposed amendments,the legality of the timing of them, or alternatives to a charter amendment. If you had put forth even a minimal amount of effort,you would have learned of previous efforts, known of the costs, and discovered alternatives to amending the charter-such as an ordinance. Rather,you attempted to ram through a hodgepodge of poorly thought out proposals that were at-times incomprehensible. It is apparent to me-and many of the City's residents that your intentions are to govern by culture war issues such as voter or election fraud,gay rights, and book banning. I believe these proposed charter amendments are inappropriately and illegally being placed on the March 2024 ballot. I also believe that this is a waste of taxpayers money and that the measures will fail. I believe that if you vote to approve these proposed charter amendment that the City will be sued -and lose,thus resulting in an even greater waste of the City's money and further damaging the City's reputation. Paula A.Schaefer 30+year resident, homeowner, and voter 1 Moore, Tania From: 2ellenriley@gmail.com Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:24 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Amendment Huntington Beach has majority Republican party voters. Republicans identify as conservative (preservative), but there's nothing conservative about the extensive new changes the Charter calls for. If only the Council listened to their constituents numbering close to 300 who have spoken at these meetings against the broad government overreach proposed with our taxpayer dollars. Where is your fiscal responsibility when the city needs the money for the major crime ,housing, and homeless problems we face? Use of 1.2 million of our dollars just to get on the ballot and if it wins the 2 million more to set polling stations, poll watchers, ballot boxes and all materials needed for elections violates the needs of the people of our fine city. It is big government in action! Ellen Riley long-time resident Taxpayer i Moore, Tania From: Jeanne Farrens <jeannefarrens@gmail.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:56 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Opposition to Charter Amendments Dear City Council Members, First I want to thank Councilman McKeon for being responsible for taking the charter process out from behind closed doors and opening it up to public input. And also for listening and being open to reconsideration of the amendments. It is clear that of all the new majority members, given his previous experience on past city charter committees, Councilmember McKeon has the most experience regarding the charter review procedures. Why is it that he was the only member of the new council majority who wasn't included on the ad hoc committee? It is curious - I daresay, suspicious -that the other members would ignore his expertise. Had these open public meetings been implemented as part of the ad hoc committee process from the beginning, much time would have been saved, and public outcry could have been avoided. I am grateful that he responded to his supporters' concerns and demands to allow the public to be heard. As a member of that public, I am concerned by the Council's desire to change the charter, and I must express my opposition to all the charter amendments for several reasons. First, as speakers have pointed out at the special Thursday meetings, these amendments will enshrine their proposals in what amounts to the city's Constitution, making it extremely difficult for any future city councils to change them, and especially when at least one of them —regarding the city's flag policy - is already a city ordinance. I'd like to point out that had it been in the charter, the city would have broken the law this past weekend by flying both the Australian and Canadian flag next to the American flag at the Pacific Airshow. Additionally, the way the amendments are bundled with 3 or 4 irrelevant proposals demanding either a yes or no vote all in one measure does not encourage voter participation or faith in the election —something Councilman McKeon stated was the main purpose of these amendments - but rather it creates confusion and forces the voters to either vote for something they do not agree with to support something they do, or, to just not vote at all. How is this preserving the integrity of elections? Above all, while the majority council has insisted that this is not an attempt to take over elections from the County, if the voting measure is placed on the ballot, that's exactly what will happen. It is a certainty that HB will be sued by Sacramento if the voter ID proposal passes. In fact in a Thursday news release, A.G. Bonta promised as much. i Not only did Bonta state that requiring voter ID. conflicts with state law, but he also pointed out that the city has not identified any basis for its voter ID proposal. Nor has any of the Council Majority identified such when asked directly by speakers to do so. Last week City Attorney Gates insisted that as a Charter City, HB has a legal right to require ID. He cited as evidence a lawsuit in which Redondo Beach (a charter city) won a lawsuit regarding their right to oversee municipal elections. The lawsuit -the City of Redondo Beach vs Padilla (the CA Attorney General at the time) - involved Redondo Beach setting its own date for election but had nothing to do with voter ID, which is a much more fundamental issue— in Bonta's words, it is the "foundation of our democracy". So it is unlikely this example of case law will stand up. Thus, in addition to the possible million dollars it will cost to put the measure on the ballot, HB taxpayers will likely be paying several more millions fighting a state lawsuit, not to mention unknown costs to facilitate and run its own election (as the County is sure to refuse to oversee the election given A.G. Bonta's warning). Important issues such as training poll workers, locating adequate ADA polling locations, costs of voting and monitoring equipment, procedures for the counting of ballots, including mail-ins, and the associated expenses have neither been identified nor enumerated in the proposals. Not to mention the time it will take to implement these changes. Are we expected to vote on the measures without knowing these specifics and costs? By March 5th? Finally, I object to these proposals as being nothing more than evidence that the city council dais no longer functions as a non-partisan podium to promote policies to protect the people and Huntington Beach, but it has now become a politicized partisan platform for promoting a MAGA agenda including protections against false conspiracies of voter fraud. As further evidence I cite the public "thumbs up" endorsement of Donald Trump by both Mayor Strickland and Attorney Gates at this weekend's Anaheim appearance of the former president and of Attorney Gates' promising that in HB we are "promoting voter ranking at the local level" (an announcement of policy in direct conflict with his position as a non-partisan representative of the citizens). I would like to know what Attorney Gates is talking about since those words do not appear anywhere on any measure. What new nefarious measures can we expect to be introduced — measures that rather than protecting voter integrity are an assault against it? If the council is serious about promoting election integrity, they must not move ahead with these unnecessary, poorly written and potentially illegal charter amendments. And let our award winning Orange County Registrar of Voters continue to oversee fair and safe elections in Huntington Beach. 2 Jeanne Farrens 3 Moore, Tania From: J C <qhlady@me.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:14 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: 10-5-23 City Council Meeting, 6pm I COMPLETELY SUPPORT the potential Charter amendments to be considered for the March 5,2024 Statewide Primary Election. I support Voter ID for elections, more in-person voting locations and monitoring of drop boxes. I support moving any/all sex/porn related books/etc from the Children's Dept.to the Adult Dept. I welcome oversight since the Library seems to have a problem. I support the proposed display of Flags. I support Biennial Budget. I could list more, but believe it isn't necessary. For the record,the handful of haters that appear to attend every meeting absolutely DO NOT represent the 200,000 residents of Huntington Beach. Long Live the Republic of California and America I (as so stated on our California Flag and Pledge of Allegiance) Jean Cloyd resident of Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: MARILYN Boehm <beachmama7@msn.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:23 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Opposition to City Charter changes I am strongly opposed to changing the City Charter to add mandatory voter I.D. The state Attorney General has already advised that he will file suit to this illegal amendment. Rushing this matter to a vote on the March ballot will cost the City in excess of $400,000 for a change that has already been declared illegal. With the State A.G. promising to challenge this voter I.D. provision, it could cost the city millions of dollars for this unnecessary and costly mandate. We already have in place an excellent, safe, and fair system through the Registrar of Voters. There is no need to switch to a system whereby the City becomes in charge of voter compliance, especially through voter sites scattered throughout the city. Eighty percent of voters, including me, prefer mail-in ballots. This new system may preclude my ability to mail in my ballot. In exchange, I will most likely have to vote in person, and I have a distrust in a City system that has not yet been established and/or shared with residents. Vote NO on Voter I.D. Marilyn Boehm, HB resident 1 Moore, Tania From: MEG ROBINSON <twokyu@aol.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:24 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Ballot charter amendments They were a bad idea 4 weeks ago.They are an even worse idea now that costs have come out. I oppose them all Margaret"Meg" Robinson 1 Moore, Tania From: MARILYN Boehm <beachmama7@msn.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:32 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Opposed to flag ordinance I am strongly opposed to eliminating the pride flag during Pride Month and, instead, limiting the choice of flags to be flown by the City Council. Why is it that we showed a Canadian flag at the Airshow, an event that has still not been made transparent according to how much it cost the taxpayers? If we are willing to fly an Olympics flag, which has nothing to do with our city, why not show the world that we are an inclusive city by flying the pride flag? Is it up to the City Council to decide which events are meaningful and which are not? Shouldn't the residents of HB make that call? Vote NO on the flag ordinance. Marilyn Boehm, resident of HB 1 Moore, Tania From: Kathey <kathey_haas@hotmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 3:19 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Amendments Mayor Strickland, Mayor Pro Tern Van Der Mark and members of the City Council: Thank you for your review of the City Charter,your special meetings on this topic and the opportunity for input from the public. I support the revisions to the Council Vacancies, Biennial Budget, Elections and Flags. I look forward to seeing these proposals on primary ballot in March 2024 where all the voters in Huntington Beach will have the opportunity to weigh in, not just the vocal few who are able to attend the special meetings. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of all the residents of Huntington Beach! Sincerely, Kathey Haas 50 year home owner and resident Sent from my iPhone 1 Moore, Tania From: Andrew Einhorn <andreweinhornpt@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 7:09 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Thursday Night Meeting Dear City Council, I do not support any of your charter amendments. Please stop wasting tax payer money on these worthless measures. Your GROUP THINK governmental rule needs to go back to drawing board. Conduct your job and take are of our streets, beaches, local control of crime, figure out and develop a plan with the help of the costal commission how to fix PCH south of seapoint as sea level rises. This is your job! Finally, GET THE AD HOC COMMITTEES BACK; YOU NEED ALL THE HELP YOU CAN GET! Sincerely, Andrew Einhorn HB resident and I am sure one of your favorite speakers! i Moore, Tania From: Kirby McCord <kirbymccord@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 7:38 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Dear council Council, Is it true that Kevin Elliot gave dignitary passes to 4 of 7 council members and their families?And of course, Gates and family. Are these the same four that settled with Elliott and won't release the terms of the multimillion-dollar settlement? Is this the same Kevin Elliot who was a college roommate of Mayor Strickland? Vote no on changing elections. Vote no on the charter changes. Kirby McCord Resident i Moore, Tania From: Susan Turner <saturner8@verizon.net> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 7:40 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Strongly Oppose Voter ID Requirement Dear City Council Members, I am a 60 year resident of Huntington Beach. I continue to strongly oppose all of the proposed charter amendments as written. The majority of HB citizens who have spoken at each meeting have clearly presented strong rationale for removing these proposals. The most concerning of the proposed amendments is the Voter ID requirement. Mayor Strickland, the HB citizens and the City Council Members who support the Voter ID requirement have yet to produce one piece of evidence of voter fraud in Huntington Beach. Proposing and supporting a Voter ID requirement proposal demonstrates a lack of education or a willingness to spread voter fraud misinformation. It was pointed out at the previous meetings, that HB voters can vote in other Orange County cities, no voter ID required. Not only is there a large cost to put this amendment on the ballot, there is also the strong possibility of CA State and private lawsuits plus the very real possibility of HB being required to run our own elections. Who wins in this situation? The Council Majority receive publicity but mostly the lawyers and courts receive great financial gain on HB citizens tax money. You have read the letters from Attorney General Rob Bonta and CA Secretary of State Shirley Weber warning that this proposal is in conflict with State Law. You have seen the emails, letters and heard the majority of voices opposing this amendment. You have heard the City attorney say something to the affect that we could possibly win in court because of some other cases in the State. Really? How many written letters and emails in opposition to the Voter ID requirement vs support have you received? How many speakers have spoken in opposition and support have you received? Of those is support, how many had verifiable facts regarding voter fraud in Huntington Beach? Please show me verifiable facts that demonstrate a broken system that we, the citizens of HB, need to spend potentially millions of dollars in placing this amendment on the ballot, litigating it and if won, implementing it. Mayor Strickland and Council Majority will you choose to carry forward this proposal in spite of the large HB citizen opposition? Thank you for your consideration, 1 Susan Turner 2 Moore, Tania From: jodykylel @aol.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:03 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: Jody Kyle Subject: City Council Meeting for Oct 5, 2023 -- Fw: Statement on Final Election Results Dear Council Members, I am a 25 year resident of Huntington Beach and am writing regarding the upcoming city council meeting on October 5, 2023. I strongly oppose the Voter ID and Flag amendments to the City Charter. Regarding the Voter ID charter amendment, I am forwarding another email I received from the Fred Whitaker, Chairman of the OCGOP. The email is dated November 17, 2022 and, among other things, the email addresses ballot harvesting and universal vote by mail. The email tells Republican voters that: "The 2024 election begins now. As the final results come in, we will have raw data to review and determine what worked and what we need to improve on. What we know immediately is ballot harvesting has made democracy about who can collect and turn in more ballots rather than earning votes. Until we can eliminate ballot harvesting and universal vote by mail, Republicans must adapt and win. " An email from Fred Whitaker dated October 13, 2022 states: "Only with Republican victories can we pass important Election Integrity legislation including Voter ID and finally end universal vote-by-mail. " Clearly, the proposed Voter ID charter amendment comes not from Huntington Beach residents but directly from the OCGOP. Mayor Strickland has an interesting "tell". During the city council meeting on September 14, 2023 I made one brief mention of ballot harvesting in my comment period. In the general discussion period among the council members Mayor Strickland was quick to assure the council and audience that ballot harvesting was the law. It seemed like an odd non sequitur at the time. In light of the attached email, it seems as if Strickland has already had ballot harvesting discussions with some other party. The CAGOP and OCGOP have a questionable history with ballot harvesting. During the 2020 election: • the OCGOP placed illegal drop boxes through out the county. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/12/us/politics/california-gop-drop-boxes.html https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-fresno-elections-California-santa-ana- be803bfe99f5eb35e17a6ee56315deb0 • two Orange County GOP candidates were investigated for running at least one illegal Vote Center. https://voiceofoc.org/2020/11/elections-officials-and-da-investigate-alleged-fake-vote-center-in- westminster/ The OCGOP and CAGOP have a dubious history with election integrity. Are Huntington Beach residents to believe that an election system designed by the majority city council members (no doubt in conjunction with the OCGOP) are free, safe, and fair? I think not. Best Regards, Mary Kyle Forwarded Message From: Republican Party of Orange County <reply@ocgop.org> To: "jodykylel@aol.com" <jodykylel@aol.com> Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 05:34:46 PM PST Subject: Statement on Final Election Results 0 = FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 17th, 2022 Statement on Current Midterm Election Results Orange County, CA - Hon. Fred M. Whitaker, Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County, released the following statement on the final Midterm Election results: "The 2022 midterm election cycle brought victories to be celebrated, lessons to be learned and work still to do. As Chairman, I oversaw the largest GOTV effort in Orange County for a midterm election. Orange County volunteers knocked on 548,513 doors and 937,360 phone calls in voter contact. We raised over $1.5 million that went 2 directly into field operations, mail, digital ads and text messaging to support our candidates. For the first time since 2010, all Republican statewide nominees for partisan offices won in Orange County. We reelected every single Republican countywide candidate from Sheriff to District Attorney. We outpaced Democrats in turnout by almost 30,000 votes. And we led the largest election integrity effort in history before the election with poll watching teams, observed as ballots were counted and cured Republican ballots whose signatures were not verified to fight for every single vote. There are a little more than 26,000 ballots left to count in Orange County, but the final results in our most competitive races are clear. I want to thank the 119 candidates we endorsed for running strong races and carrying the Republican banner across the county. Republicans have officially taken the majority in the House of Representatives and Nancy Pelosi will never serve as Speaker of the House again. Congresswomen Young Kim and Michelle Steel will be returning to Washington D.C. to represent Orange County after strong victories. Republicans Scott Baugh and Brian Maryott ran incredible campaigns that came down to the wire as some of the last races called in the nation. Both campaigns were selfless coordinating with the races below them and lifting up those seats. I could not be prouder of the races they ran, forcing Joe Biden to come to Orange County twice and costing national Democrats millions to protect these seats. Orange County Republicans will also send our strongest delegation to Sacramento in the state legislative races. Senators-elect Janet Nguyen and Kelly Seyarto won decisive victories and Assemblyman Phillip Chen and Assemblywoman Laurie Davies will be joined by Assemblymembers-elect 3 Diane Dixon, Tri Ta and Kathryn Sanchez. In our final county races, Pat Bates and Peggy Huang ran close races, but the numbers remaining do not appear to be enough to win these seats. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in Pat Bates race alone and coordinated all of our efforts with her campaign and the underlying races. I want to thank them for their efforts and willingness to run and fight to protect Orange County. In our local races, Republicans swept critical City Councils in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Brea, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Rancho Santa Margarita, Laguna Hills, Tustin and Yorba Linda. We also protected our Council majorities in Laguna Niguel, Orange and San Clemente. We competed in every race down the ballot including our critical school board races with strong Republican victories from reelecting Michelle Barto in Newport-Mesa and Judy Bullockus in Capistrano Unified to Todd Frazier flipping a Democrat seat in Placentia-Yorba Linda. We also took back the majority on the Orange Unified School District with Madison Klovstad Miner I want to take a moment to thank Assemblyman Steven Choi, Matt Gunderson, Rhonda Shader, Soo Yoo, Eric Ching, Chris Gonzales, Mike Tardif, Mitch Clemmons and Raul Ortiz for running strong campaigns and against the realities of redistricting all performed above party registration in Democrat heavy districts. Soo Yoo in particular came within a few thousand votes of defeating Sharon Quirk Silva showing us that seat is ripe for the taking. Each of these candidates brought the Republican Party closer to victory and built the foundation for future campaigns. A single election cycle cannot change a county. Democrats learned that in 2020 4 when we ended the "blue wave." The same is true for Republicans, no one election cycle can determine the fate of our party. Change takes time and for the foreseeable future, Orange County will remain the most competitive county in California. One thing is clear from our election results - Republicans are ready to rise up to the challenge. The 2024 election begins now. As the final results come in, we will have raw data to review and determine what worked and what we need to improve on. What we know immediately is ballot harvesting has made democracy about who can collect and turn in more ballots rather than earning votes. Until we can eliminate ballot harvesting and universal vote by mail, Republicans must adapt and win. We must also find unity within our party. Rogue Republican campaigns split the vote and cost us seats. Every moment and every dollar we spend fighting each other is wasted when we should be focused on defeating Democrats. The party, our county and our country are bigger than any one candidate's or organizations' ambitions. Orange County is the strongest local Republican Party in California and one of the strongest in the nation. Redistricting has resulted in multiple competitive districts crossing county lines. Just as important as progressing locally, we have begun to work with neighboring counties on strengthening their operations for stronger regional efforts in these critical seats. As your local Republican Party, we will continue to move the ball forward and advance on our victories and opportunities ahead in 2024." ### 5 Press Contact Randall Avila (714) 453-0900 Randall@ocgop.org 0 0 Copyright©2022 Republican Party of Orange County. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member or supporter of the OCGOP. Our mailing address is: Republican Party of Orange County 1422 Edinger Ave., Ste. 110 Tustin, CA 92780 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. 6 Moore, Tania From: Juana Mueller <juanamueller33@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:11 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter amendments Dear Huntington Beach City Council, Having volunteered for decades in HB Central Park, and experiencing the lack of City funds to properly maintain this jewel in our midst, PLEASE ABANDON your proposal of a special election to change our City Charter and spend that money on needed projects to maintain Central Park. The 50 year old irrigation system needs upgrading,the hundreds of trees lost need replacing,trash bins and pickup need upgrading because of a huge uptick in Park use,all need to be addressed, and many more issues. Personally, I am old and love voting by mail. How would you do a voter ID for this?? PLEASE ABANDON an un-needed and costly election to tweak our Charter. With all due respect, Sincerely, Juana Mueller. 1 Moore, Tania From: Chris Slama <slamahb@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:14 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: [SUSPICIOUS MESSAGE] Charter Amendments Consideration, October 5 Special Meeting This Message contains suspicious characteristics and has originated outside your organization. Dear Mayor and City Council, Unfortunately, I'm unable to attend the special meeting on October 5 regarding City Charter amendment considerations. As a long-time resident and former City employee, I do want to share some thoughts regarding pending discussions and decisions. City Attorney, Clerk, and Treasurer: I humbly urge that you do not take City-wide budgetary decisions away from the City Council. The function of a Council/City Manager form of government is that the City Manager proposes a budget to City Council for consideration, based on input, trends, facts, and current financial situation — not partisan politics. As pointed out by Mayor Pro Tem Van Der Mark, all departments need to function. Yes, the City Attorney, Clerk, and Treasurer are elected. However, all of their respective departments are part of an overall City organization that run this City. Further, there has been much discussion of these positions being elected "by the people." While these roles are appointed by the electorate, they may be filled through an election where they are unopposed. So, I would ask, which is more reflective of the citizens of Huntington Beach, those individual elected officials, or the body of seven City Councilmembers elected through a true democratic process? Politicizing the City's budget is dangerous, irresponsible, and not representative of the City's residents. The City Council website page states: "The residents of Huntington Beach are represented by a seven-member, part-time City Council. The City Council establishes policies and priorities for the provision of effective and efficient municipal services. The City Council is the city's legislative authority and sets the policies under which the city operates. The City Council's duties include establishing goals and policies, enacting legislation, adopting the city's operating budget, and appropriating the funds necessary to provide service to the city's residents, businesses, and visitors." If the proposed Charter revisions are made, consider that changes will need to be made to state that the residents are represented by a seven-member City Council, in addition to three individually elected officials who may run unopposed and be in complete disagreement with the majority Council at times. Further, the seven-member City Council would then represent the City, except in regards to legal and budgetary matters. Flag Policy: This is already set as an ordinance, and adding to the charter is unnecessary. The purpose of the City's charter is to enact laws, rules, regulations and procedures to govern and operate our City. Does governance and operation of a City really include restricting the types of flags displayed on City property? Councilmember Moser asked a specific question in the last meeting regarding events at the library including Pride Month and other cultural heritage celebrations. Councilmember Burns answered that no flags other than those listed in the proposed charter 1 language could be displayed on City property. He further exclaimed "Go ahead and look at a flag in a book." I think it's important that this Council seriously consider the ramifications of this proposal. The Pacific Airshow has featured performers from multiple countries, and recently boasted partnership with Australia. Were there any flags on City beach representing Canada or Australia last weekend? The annual Cherry Blossom Festival, recently produced by Code Four at Central Park, celebrates our partnership with our Sister City, Anjo, Japan. The US Open of Surfing, ISA World Para Surfing and World Juniors competitions host people from countries world-wide, and those of all abilities, gender identity and sexual orientation. The Olympic Charter Fundamental Principal 6 states, "The enjoyment of the rights and freedoms set forth in this Olympic Charter shall be secured without discrimination of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status." Are we really going to propose amending our City's charter to disallow flexibility to display flags that show support for our international partners and International Olympic Committee values? If these amendments are to be on the ballot, voters need to know that these are factors to consider. Charter Section 612 (Measure C): I'm truly excited to see that this has become a thoughtful discussion amongst Council. However, this is definitely one that should not be rushed and needs extensive public input. There is so much to consider here, and I guarantee one last meeting will not be sufficient to determine effective ballot language. I highly recommend further consultation with staff, the general public, and the original framers of Measure C. This is a huge opportunity to remedy charter language that has and will continue to hinder much-needed improvements to parks and facilities improvements to enhance quality of life in Huntington Beach. In addition to creating flexibility for improvements/expansion of existing amenities, please consider and consult with operators of concession facilities within our parks and beaches. Preservation of open space is important, but some flexibility for minor expansion/improvements of existing facilities could greatly enhance experiences for residents and visitors for decades to come. I am at your disposal for consultation on any of these matters, and would welcome the opportunity to meet if you find helpful. Please know that I respectfully submit this communication only in effort to offer my input as a longtime resident and former public servant who truly wants what is best for this amazing community. Thank you. Chris Slama Sent from Ma: for Windows 2 Moore, Tania From: Elizabeth SanFilippo <elizabethsanfilippo@fuller.edu> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:15 AM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Fwd: City Charter Changes -- Opposed Since I didn't receive a confirmation email, I am resending the email below regarding my opposition to potential changes to the City Charter. Thank you, Elizabeth San Filippo Forwarded message From: Elizabeth SanFilippo<elizabethsanfilippo@fuller.edu> Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 Subject: City Charter Changes--Opposed To:Citv.Council a@surfcity-hb.org,SupplementalComm@surfcitv-hb.org I am a Huntington Beach resident and home owner for over thirty years and am opposed to the potential City Charter changes regarding how elections will be conducted. Evidence has not been presented demonstrating that there are any election issues that justify changes to voting in Huntington Beach. It is my understanding that the Orange County Registrar has been acknowledged as very effective in administering this important responsibility. The proposed changes could place unnecessary burdens on citizens as we exercise our right to vote and thereby prevent people from voting. The City has been advised by the State Attorney General that the changes contemplated to our Charter could be illegal and if passed would result in a lawsuit. Since the City Council recently contemplated budget cuts to services provided to residents and there are projected future deficits, I am concerned about the costs of this ballot measure, the legal costs to defend it if passed, and if implemented the costs associated with the changes. To be financially responsible, the potential Charter Changes should not be placed on the ballot. Thank you for your consideration. Elizabeth San Filippo I. Moore, Tania From: Carol Daus <caroldaus@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:17 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF);supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: In Opposition to all charter amendments Dear Council Members, • As you know, I have expressed in past emails and public comments that I am deeply opposed to the charter amendments that would be placed on the March ballot. The conservative majority who argued for the mask/vaccine mandate stated that the primary reason for that dangerous proposal was to prevent political overreach. In reality,what they're proposing with voting control is the worst form of political overreach. It's extremely costly just to put it on the ballot, let alone running the elections independently going forward. Plus there undoubtedly will be a costly lawsuit, since it's illegal to impose Voter IDs in the state of California. You claim there's a silent majority that supports the majority. But interestingly,what we're finding is that there's a much larger silent majority of voters who don't support your misguided proposals! On another note, my father-in-law died of Covid (before vaccines were available). He was living in an assisted facility in Missouri that did not require masks.And my 35-year-old daughter has been battling long covid since January. She was a software developer and is still unable to work and is on disability. You four are unqualified to make medical decisions, plus you're totally insensitive to the millions of Americans who lost loved ones to Covid. Gracey: don't state medical information when it's wrong! Vastly more people died from Covid than mental health conditions related to Covid. Thank you, Carol Daus Huntington beach resident for 28 years 1 Moore, Tania From: Anthony Daus <addaus@gsi-net.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:30 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF);supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Opposition to Charter Amendments Dear City Council Members, Once again, I am writing to you in opposition to the needless charter amendments. These are a waste of time and money as they are addressing imaginary problems or are completely misguided. I am particularly concerned about the voter amendments. There is not voter fraud to address. Don't spend taxpayer money frivolously. This is a waste of time and money. It was only a few months ago that this council was concerned about the city's budget and making cuts to important services. How can certain members of this council justify these expenses? These amendments government overreach at its worst. Please start using some common sense and good financial stewardship in managing the affairs of my city. Tony Daus Frustrated Huntington Beach resident 1 Moore, Tania From: Linda Moon <Isapiro048@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:30 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: October 5 City Council Agenda Item#2 Dear Councilmembers: I write again to request that you reconsider your hasty ill-informed decision to place proposed charter amendments on the March 2024 ballot. We elect city council members with the expectation that you will make well-informed decisions on our behalf. Many of us are disappointed to see that you are attempting to make very uninformed decisions. Regarding proposed amendments to city election protocols, You have revealed that you are unaware that under the Voters' Choice Act, Huntington Beach voters may vote a Huntington Beach Ballot at any Voting Center in the County and that voters from other cities may vote their city's ballot at County Voting Centers in Huntington Beach. You are attempting to impose so-called voting enhancements that cannot be required of voters throughout the county or of other city's residents voting in Huntington Beach. You are unaware of registration procedures that do require presentation of photo identification upon registration and stringent signature verification procedures for mailed ballots, the signature requirements for in-person voting and the criminal penalties for fraudulent voting (which has not significantly occurred in Orange County). You are unaware of the very strict security provisions imposed by the County for Voting Centers, ballot boxes and ballot transportation. You have no knowledge of the current high security features of Orange County ballot drop boxes, which are mandated to be under constant camara surveillance and that the state-of-the-art drop boxes (designed by former Registrar Neal Kelly) even include fire suppression devices, designed to immediately extinguish fire. This information and much more is available from the Registrar's office, which provides frequent information programs for the general public and public tours. All of this information should have been obtained and reviewed thoroughly before you made the hasty ill- considered decision to proceed with this Amendment process. You are unaware that some of the measures proposed were illegal under State law, as stated by the Attorney General and Secretary of State in their letter to you. The arrogant rejection of this information by the Council and City Attorney, who shamefully referred to the Attorney 1 General as the enemy is telling of your disregard for any information contradicting your uninformed opinions. The race to place the amendments on the primary election ballot is also itself ill- considered. The City Attorney's interpretation of Election Code 1415 does not appear consistent with its plain language and other statutes addressing this issue were apparently not considered. Postponing submission to the November ballot would also allow the council more time to determine the financial and other ramifications of these measures. Please remember that the lack of knowledge is Ignorance. The rejection of knowledge is Stupidity. Linda Sapiro Moon 5861 Liege Dr. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 2 Moore, Tania From: meobrien <meobrien@earthlink.net> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:33 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: proposed city charter amendments I urge the City Council to SLOW DOWN.There remains too many unanswered questions relative to the proposed voter ID amendment.Voter ID is not required in California. Do we really want to get into another tussle with the state?We do not have assurance that the OC Registrar will participate and we will be left to manage the voting process ourselves at an unknown cost and city resource consumption that could be better used to tackle the other significant problems the city faces. Please do not spend taxpayers' money on a problem that doesn't exist. It erodes your credibility. Direct your attention to affordable housing, homelessness and mental health. Respectfully, Margaret O'Brien a 50 year HB resident 1 Moore, Tania From: jodykylel @aol.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:47 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: Jody Kyle Subject: City Council Meeting for Oct 5, 2023 -- Section 806 Display of Flags Dear City Council Members, I am a 25 year resident of Huntington Beach and am writing regarding the upcoming city council meeting on October 5, 2023. I strongly oppose the Flag amendment to the City Charter which reads: "SECTION 806. DISPLAY OF FLAGS. Except as otherwise provided herein, the City shall only fly or display at or on any of the City's properties the following flags: the American flag, the POW/MIA flag, the State of California flag, the Huntington Beach City flag, the County of Orange flag, or any of the flags of the six branches of service: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. During the Summer Olympic Games, the Mayor is authorized to order the display of the official Olympic flags for four weeks prior to the dates of the games, and for up to two weeks thereafter. The City may display any other flag in addition to those already enumerated, but only if authorized by a unanimous vote of all members of the City Council." At the city council meeting on September 28, 2023 Council Member Burns stated that the amendment was to include the DISPLAY of flags at Huntington Beach libraries at special events such as National Hispanic Heritage month. I have questions: • If I were to walk into an HB library wearing a t-shirt displaying the Scottish national flag (my own personal heritage), is that allowed under the charter amendment? Could I wear a lapel pin displaying the Scottish flag on city property? • Could HB employees or volunteers wear items displaying the Scottish flag? • Can I drive onto city property if my car displayed a decal of the Scottish flag? • Can I dive my car onto city property if it had an actual Scottish flag attached to it? • Can I park in city lots if my car had a Scottish flag attached to it? • Can the HB libraries display books if they have the Scottish flag on the cover? • Can I wear the Scottish flag as a garment, such a a shawl or cape, on city property? • Can I place the Scottish flag on the podium when I address the city council at meetings? J. • Can Huntington Beach employees or volunteers do any of the above? • When does the displaying of banned flags on city property start to infringe on personal First Amendment rights? If this seems trivial or foolish, imagine that instead of"Scottish flag" I had really said "Pride flag". When you try to take away rights from one group you end up taking them away from everyone. Council Member Burns claims to oppose "identity politics". The Flag amendment IS identity politics. It's just an identity that council members Burns, McKeon, Strickland, and Van Der Mark support. Yours, Mary Kyle 2 Moore, Tania From: Celeste Rybicki <celeste@celesterybicki.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:52 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Special charter amendment meeting Hi, I'll be brief but I want to be on record again as being against the charter amendments, both in content and in the rushed and suspicious way they are being presented. It seems like a lot of work and a lot of money to appease a small fraction of your constituents. If you insist on pushing these through to the ballot, I would implore you to single each issue out so voters can be clear on what they do or don't support.And it would appear that it will be significantly less expensive to wait until general elections,which would be smart as it looks like if voter id passes we will have a slew of new lawsuits to pay for. Thanks for your time, Celeste 14+yr resident of HB 1 Moore, Tania From: Harry McLachlan <mclachlanharry621@yahoo.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:51 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: Proposed Charter Amendments Attachments: Huntington Beach City Council Oct. 5, 2023 .docx Please see attached 1 Huntington Beach Special City Council Meeting October 5, 2023 For Discussion of Potential Charter Amendments My name Harry McLachlan. I am a resident of Huntington Beach. My opinion on Charter Amendment #1 has not changed. The voting proposals are a solution looking for a problem that does not exist. Your totally fact-free justification for this amendment comes from undocumented assertions by the seated conservatives that they have received "many calls" and spoken to "many people" regarding their totally unfounded concerns about the security of our local election. To a reasonable person, this is merely hearsay. I have attended all of the meetings on the proposed charter revisions and have read all of the supplemental communications submitted. The overwhelming majority have provided you facts which negate the very premises of your proposed changes to the proven voting procedures currently in place. Please cease this willful ignorance and listen to the majority of your constituents! You requested public feedback by holding these special meetings. You received it in spades. Please act ON it and not AGAINST it! The flag amendment also needs to go. Proffered by an absurd "ad hoc committee" made up of members with the sole intent of implementing their own personal and politically biased agendas in an effort to placate a minority of the citizens of Huntington Beach. Please drop this from consideration. Thank you for your attention. Moore, Tania From: Jessamyn Garner <jessamyngarner@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:59 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Oppose charter amendments Hi City Council members and Mayor Strickland, I'm writing to strongly oppose the proposed charter amendments that will be discussed at tonight's meeting. I wish I could be in attendance to voice my opposition more directly but I am unable to be there. The voter ID and ballot box monitoring proposal is abhorrent and an attack on free and fair elections. It will limit voter participation and cost the city millions of dollars we don't have to solve a problem that doesn't even exist.The proposal is also illegal, as you already know from the letter you received from Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley Weber. Our city cannot afford yet another lawsuit. Huntington Beach taxpayers and voters deserve better.We deserve fiscal responsibility and we deserve a council that does at least the bare minimum of following the law. Additionally, I strongly oppose the effort to put the flag ordinance into the city charter. It unfairly limits city properties from celebrating our sister cities, our sports teams, and our communities.And it limits the ability for future city councils to reverse this foolish limitation. Measure C is also a concern of mine. Requiring a vote of residents for every sale,lease,or exchange of beaches, parks,or public utilities will create significant costs to the taxpayer as we will need to hold many special elections to make these decisions. Special elections are also notorious for low turnout,which will favor the people in our community who have the time and the resources to participate in these special elections.These people are often wealthy and older than the general population, so these votes will be biased. Thank you. Jessamyn Garner (they/them) Huntington Beach resident and voter 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:09 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: City Council From:Christina Skoski<chris.skoski@gmail.com> Sent: Monday,October 2, 2023 8:08 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:City Council I've been a resident of HB since 1976. I've been following the city council meetings because I am concerned about the path our new conservative council majority has elected to take. The public comments and emails have been overwhelmingly against any changes to the city charter,yet these comments have been completely ignored, whether the topic is book banning,pride flags or anything as innocuous as who should be allowed to lead a prayer. It is quite obvious that 4 members have a political agenda and the decisions have already been made. They simply have no interest in listening to any opinions which differ from their own. There is no room for discussion or compromise. The dismissive attitude of this council is insulting to all the residents,not just the few. The votes have already been decided. Their overtly biased explanations are absurd which is recognized by the news media in OC and beyond. Their mandate was to be non-partisan and represent what's best for our city,yet they are fostering division and hatred in our community. Shame on you, Christina Skoski MD 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:11 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter amendments not shown necessary From:Allie Plum<skyedawg007@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7:42 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter amendments not shown necessary My name is Allie Plum. I want to register my strong objection to all changes proposed to the City Charter especially in regards to HB elections. The past elections have shown no fraud or problems. The cost in both people power and money is unnecessary for a system in place that is working. Please put the city of HB first and abandon this madness. You were elected on many promises one of which was No changes to the Charter. Thank you Council person McKeon for standing up for what you trust to be true. Sincerely, Allie Plum HB i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:11 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments From:Connie Quader<cquaderhb@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 7:48 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter Amendments To the majority of the City Council, WHY THE RUSH OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS?It seems as though you four have an agenda. Each proposed item should stand alone. No bundling of unrelated items. The unknown costs to Huntington Beach citizens for your frivolous &unnecessary proposed changes will, most likely result in costly lawsuits against the city. WHY NOW? It seems as though you four really don't know the citizens of Huntington Beach well &you don't care to know or listen to the majority of HB citizens! Your minds are already made up. WHY? You successfully have tarnished the image of our beautiful& much loved city! WHY? Also the Trump flyover was totally OUTRAGEOUS!! The Pacific Airshow was for all to enjoy NOT be politicized!! UNACCEPTABLE!! Sincerely, Connie & Shaheer Quader 44 Years HB residents i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:11 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Changes to the HB city charter From:Tracy Luth <p.Iuth@verizon.net> Sent:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 8:34 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Fw: Changes to the HB city charter Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS Begin forwarded message: On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, 8:27 AM, Tracy Luth<p.luth@verizon.net>wrote: I would like to express my concerns about the proposed changes to the HB city charter. I think that each proposed change needs to be presented along on the ballot rather than bundling unrelated items. I would like the city to consider and investigate the costs of running its own elections if it moves forward with voter ID requirements as well as costs defending itself against potential lawsuits about the constitutionality of voter ID requirements. Sincerely, Tracy Luth Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:12 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Admendments Original Message From:Susan E Turner<susanturnerart@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday,October 3,2023 10:17 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Admendments Hello, I want to let you know I,Susan Turner, HB resident, oppose placing the Charter Amendments on the primary ballot! Please DO NOT bundle and place on the primary ballot. Sincerely, Susan Turner Sent from my iPad 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:13 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: No on HB Charter Amendments From: Denise Bletsos<dabletsos@yahoo.com> Sent:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 3:52 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: No on HB Charter Amendments We are voting No on any of the current and future Huntington Beach Charter Amendments by our current City Council Members. You have held behind the door meetings and spent money in a way that is not explained to Huntington Beach citizens. Denise and Nikolas Bletsos i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:13 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Recent air show and charter issues Original Message From:Chris<loaticus5@gmail.com> Sent:Tuesday, October 3, 2023 5:36 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Recent air show and charter issues Hello, my name is Chris Kluwe, a 15 year resident of HB, and I'm sending this email to protest both the politicization of the air show by letting known criminal and treasonous ex-president Trump do a flyover, as well as the proposed changes to the city charter that will not only waste taxpayer dollars but are clearly designed to concentrate power in the hands of an unliked,selfish minority of four individuals who currently control the City Council (Strickland,Van Der Mark, Mckeon, and Burns, with honorable mention to non-first amendment cognizant Attorney Gates). These actions are those of buffoons and the intellectually ignorant,and not only embarrass our city,they embarrass the principles of America, including being free from the tyranny of religion, as well as giving everyone a chance to vote without unreasonable burden. I urge these incompetent and shortsighted individuals to reconsider their actions (knowing full well they will not) because I am tired of my city being not just a laughingstock nationally, but also a burgeoning haven for intolerance, racism, and white nationalism. The five names I have just mentioned are bad, should feel bad, and should never engage in the political sphere again without some deep reflection on their numerous shortcomings and disgusting embrace of fascism as a political tool. Sincerely, -Chris 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:14 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: charter From: Louise Stewardson<Ioustew75@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 8:27 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:charter We do not need to change the city charter. It is too costly and unnecessary. Louise Stewardson 19741 Coastline Lane, HB 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:14 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Ammendments Original Message From: David Rynerson<drynerson@earthlink.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 1:42 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Ammendments Council Members- At the last charter amendment meeting, I asked for an accounting of the communications both for and against the proposed elections charter amendment.To date, I have seen nothing from the city responding to this request. Given that the entire impetus behind this measure is supposed to be communications from city residents questioning our election integrity,the lack of documented evidence is suspicious. With upwards of 80%of voters voting by mail or drop box, no evidence of voter fraud, repeated certifications of the accuracy and security of our elections,the cited reasoning for this proposal appears weak at best, and positively specious at worst. Proposing to spend upwards of a million and a half dollars every election, (without cyber security and vote tracking costs), losing voting place flexibility, and introducing disruption and uncertainty into our election process to satisfy anecdotal complaints from a minority of voters does not pass the smell test. It is fiscally irresponsible. Decisions of this sort should be backed up with a cost/benefit analysis.The simple fact that you seem unable to quantify the actual cost to conduct our our elections, let alone the cost of defending the city from lawsuits brought in response to this measure, nor demonstrate the benefit of this proposal, clearly shows that this measure is inadequately researched to even be in discussion with the community, let alone on the ballot. Similarly,while I can understand that you don't want City Councils removing funding from an elected position,the amendment regarding the City Attorney, also fails the smell test.As previously noted, it was illegal when the City Treasurer's office was defunded, so a charter amendment is no deterrent to those who take illegal actions.Second,the proposed funding limits remove council budget oversight and flexibility.Just because the city has been involved in many lawsuits, quite a few of which were effectively sought by the city attorney, does not mean we will always be in such a state. Budgets should reflect the situation at the time they are crafted -not be locked in by charter requirements. Further,just because the City Attorney is an elected office does not mean it should be exempt from City Council oversight. If that were the case,the the City Clerk and Treasurer should get the same treatment,yet that is not proposed. Citizens elect the City Council to run the city bureaucracy, and the City Attorney,Treasurer,and Clerk are part of that bureaucracy,They are, and should remain, under the guidance and control of the City Council. And despite testimony from the City Clerk that neither she nor HR departments all overthe country have any problem parsing what"Bachelors in Business or related field" means, Mayor Strickland proposes to enshrine his judgement in the city charter because he finds it ambiguous. Exactly what HR qualifications does Mayor Strickland have to impose his judgement over that of HR professionals? Never mind that Mayor Strickland's proposal opens the city up to candidates whose education does not prepare them for this position. 1 What to say about the flag amendment? Councilman Burns says he doesn't want to play identity politics. Are you suggesting that there's no identity component to flags for POW/MIA and all of the various armed services? Why not the flags of other government agencies like the TSA or the IRS? And, as has been so aptly pointed out by minority council members,this proposal was modified three times in about six months, making enshrining it in the charter an expensive proposition. No,the real reason was spoken out loud at last week's public meeting: Councilman Burns wants it in the charter just to make it harder to be changed by future councils. He wants to impose his will, not only on current city residents, but on future ones as well. Exactly the opposite of being a representative of the people. What do all of these proposals have in common? They are proposed solutions to non-existent problems- problems that exist only in the minds of at least three members of the council majority, but not in real life. They are proposals wherein they wish to enforce their views on the entire city without any evidence of need,and at significant cost. They are, in fact, irresponsible attempts, not to represent the city's residents, but to make us pay for their authoritarian vision. It's well past time for you to listen to the will of the people and withdraw these ill-conceived proposals and actually get back to the real business of running this city. You have wasted enough of our time, and yours, as well. True leadership involves bringing people together around a shared set of facts to make reasoned decisions. Doggedly pursuing an polarizing agenda with a complete lack of factual support is the exact opposite of leadership. It is authoritarian dogma. Best regards, David Rynerson 6272 Newbury Drive 2 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:14 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Changes to Huntington Beach City Charter Original Message From: Linda Pohl<2travelinpohls@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 12:25 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Changes to Huntington Beach City Charter Please rethink your decision to put on the ballot Huntington Beach City running its own elections instead of the official Orange County Register of Voters. You were elected using this official election register or do you feel you were incorrectly elected? Not only is it illegal to have Cities run elections,which I realize doesn't mean anything to you, but it will be very expensive. Voters have short memories when it comes to additional taxes, or lost services to run these elections. Not only will the election itself be expensive but fighting the lawsuits to come will also encumber the City. The Air Show was nice and many people enjoyed it but voters won't remember the show but the cost to their wallet from your proposals. Be a responsible City Council and instead continue to use the system that elected you to office. Linda Pohl Sent from my iPad 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2:15 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments Original Message From:shakes-09-dame@icloud.com<shakes-09-dame@icloud.com> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 1:49 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Amendments It was very interesting to be reminded last week that the the platform on which you four new city council members ran to be elected to the city council,stated that there would be no charter amendments.Yet, here we are, not even 2 years long years later,where,together,you are going to vote for charter amendments which will drastically change the character of what used to be a nice city in which to live,costing YOUR constituents over$1 million!!! To discuss only a couple of items:The Orange County Registrar of Voters is well regarded and your proposed changes will not bring back integrity(according to Mr. Strickland)to our election system. It stinks of voter suppression, and it sounds like that's your intent.Your changes conflict with state laws.Just because we are a "charter" city does not allow us to violate state law, especially about voter rights! Why in the world do we need an amendment to ban a no mask-no vaccine mandate??? If we have another extremely dangerous pandemic like the beginnings of our Covid pandemic, do you not care about your citizens? As you have heard over the last 3 weeks,there are many residents who are opposed to these charter amendments. Unfortunately, I have gotten the message loud and clear that the four new council members have no interest in hearing opposing comments from your constituents. I know you already have your minds made up!! 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 3:22 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Voting Original Message From: Linda Pohl<2travelinpohls@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 2:32 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Voting My wife had her say in a letter to the council but I wanted to have my say "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Ridiculous to be spending time and money on an issue that worked fine before the new council thought it would be great idea to change the voting that got them elected. Walter Pohl Sent from my iPad 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 3:58 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: RE: Original Message From: letters-clumpy-Or@icloud.com<letters-clumpy-Or@icloud.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 3:47 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: RE: To whom it may concern regarding tomorrow's agenda: You promised not to change the charter when you ran for your offices in the first place, but since you are reneging on that, I feel that the issues that are up for vote should be separate items,the bundling of unrelated items will cause so much confusion. Secondly, changes in the election process will incur costs when we are facing other financial issues. Isn't it illegal to run the city at a deficit???? I've lived in Huntington Beach for 51 years and there has never been a time when I've felt like our city government is not governing in in our best interests. Thank you, A very concerned resident. , 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 5:24 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Please reconsider adding amendments to city charter From: Linda Law<Iindaklaw@aol.com> Sent:Wednesday, October 4, 2023 4:51 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Please reconsider adding amendments to city charter Dear Council Members, Please reconsider adding the proposed amendments to the city charter. These proposed charter amendments are unnecessary and potentially very expensive. I understand that the city has limited funds and this seems a very poor use of those funds. I object to the city considering amendments that were not reviewed by a public commission . The costs to add these amendments to the ballot are unknown . There is no evidence of voter fraud that requires the monitoring of poll places or the presentation of 1 a voter id. Actions like this invite lawsuits and seem utterly pointless. Thank you for your time. 2 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:43 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter amendments From: Kathy McGuire<kzm@dslextreme.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4,2023 8:32 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter amendments Hello, I oppose all of the proposed charter amendments. They are not needed and they will cost money that the city needs for other necessities. Vote no. Reject all of the charter amendments. Thank you, Kathy McGuire i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:43 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Voter ID From: Kathy Carrick<carrick92647@hotmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 8:34 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Voter ID Dear Mayor, Mayor Pro Tern and City Council Members, Could someone please explain how requiring voter ID is a form of voter suppression?I, honestly, do not understand how this can be so. Please refer back to the list of items that Mr. Twining supplied in his comments at the City Council meeting of 10/3 that require ID. If there are, indeed, HB citizens that have difficulty procuring an ID, how can our city offices help them with this process? Thank you. Respectfully, Kathy Carrick 48 year HB resident Sent from my T-Mobile 5G Device 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:44 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Opposition to HB Charter Amendments and Flag Proposal From:Julie Hampel<julie.hampel4@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4,2023 8:51 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Opposition to HB Charter Amendments and Flag Proposal Dear HB City Council, I oppose any and all proposed Charter Amendments for one basic reason-there is no need! The City Council has NOT completed a needs assessment to identify a problem, any problem with the HB voting process or flying flags at City Hall. Please abandon these foolish proposals that will cost the City of Huntington Beach money it can ill- afford. Specifically, Strickland, Van der Mark, Burns and McKeon-back away from these truly ridiculous changes to the City Charter and the Flag Issue. These are NOT problems. If you continue on this destructive path,the 4 of you become THE problem. Start doing your jobs instead of creating problems that don't exist. Julie Hampel HB Resident. 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:44 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter amendments From:Jerry Donohue<outlook_3F76BA7571D23BF1@outlook.com> Sent: Wednesday,October 4, 2023 8:56 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter amendments Enough already. We are going to get sued by the state for these new voting irregulaties. Lost city money, lost city prestige. Quit this obsession, show we can reflect on items, listen to our citizens and then change our minds. Thanks, Jerry Donohue Sent from Mail for Windows 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:44 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Against Charter changes to our local elections From:Allie Plum<skyedawg007@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 8:43 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Against Charter changes to our local elections Dear City Ciuncil, I am totally opposed to spending unneeded and unwarranted HB dollars(who knows how much?? Millions?)to fix our local elections that are NOT broken. We are not fraud ridden in fact our OC elections are held up as well done. The Charter amendments are confusing and bundled in a nonsensical way. The voting public will not be able to vote clearly Yes or No with the way these amendments are presented. Please stop this madness and vote to drop the idea of changing the City Charter and spending an exorbitant amount of money as yet to be determined. What can go wrong? Sincerely, Allie Plum HB resident and Immobile Home Owner 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:44 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: HB City Council Meeting, Thursday, October 4, 2023 From: Lee Marie Sanchez<Isanchez@uuma.org> Sent: Wednesday, October 4, 2023 9:07 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: HB City Council Meeting, Thursday, October 4, 2023 Dear Members of the Huntington Beach City Council N My family has owned a home here in Huntington Beach for over 50 years. Months ago I became aware of the makeup of the City Council and the plans for the unnecessary Charter Amendments being touted by only 4 of the Council's members. It has been obvious from the concerns of the vast majority of the citizens attending the meetings, as well as those sending emai,l that they believe these proposals are unnecessary, expensive and will likely engender several lawsuits, bringing even more costs and divisiveness to our community. I am totally opposed to all the amendments. A citizens council which is bipartisan and reflects the diversity of our city should be formed before anything is put on any ballot so that the people may have the opportunity to engage with each other in a measured, respectul and democratic conversation, not what is happening now. It is interesting to me that almost everyone I have spoken with about my concerns had no idea that they could send 1 the Council email or where to find that information . I have made it an ongoing practice to let everyone know about this process, those with whom I agree and with those whom I do not. The Council should make the effort to promote this information broadly to ensure we are ALL represented . N Rev. Lee Marie Sanchez, Retired and voting 2 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:45 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments Original Message From: Cristina Caldera<ccaldera80@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 9:51 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Amendments Hi, I am a resident of Huntington Beach for 9 years now. My family and I live in the Harbour. Lately, I am ashamed and do not agree with the current city council and the proposed charter amendments. I think you all should stop wasting the tax payers money with this unnecessary election. If you feel so strongly about it,add it to the general election. Do your job and actually fix things in the city like the drunk drivers hitting people, homelessness,crime. Pick something that actually matters! Stop being shady and messing with the voting system . Feel free to call me with any follow up questions. Cristina Caldera 310-699-8446 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:45 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: No to voter ID requirement Original Message From: chuynhful<cindy.oceanminded@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, October 4, 2023 10:38 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: No to voter ID requirement I do not support voter ID:this will discourage many disabled and elderly from voting if they misplace their ID The office of registrar of voters already check signature against what's on DMV files This is too extreme A concerned citizen of Huntington Beach Sent from Cindy's iPhone 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:45 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:We don't need any charter amendment From: Mary Camarillo<mpcame10219@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday,October 4, 2023 10:04 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:We don't need any charter amendment Dear City Council There is no need for the charter amendments you are proposing for voting. There is nothing wrong with our current voting procedures. Charter changes are an unnecessary expense. Please do not revise our city charter or our voting process. Mary Camarillo HB resident i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:45 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments Original Message From:Steven Christy<sctransportation55@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:01 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Amendments All are a waste of time and money This new majority on the council have no idea how to run a city? If you don't listen to your citizens how can you decide what is best They are out of control! Please we must stop there nonsense now!! Sent from my iPhone 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:46 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Ammendments From: Kathy Dowling<kathyldowling@msn.com> Sent:Wednesday, October 4, 2023 11:59 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Ammendments Stop the madness! 1. No to elections handled by the city as you propose. Unnecessary cost to the City so that you can make an unneeded change. Your views are not shared by many of us. 2. Do not change the election dates.We know you are looking for smaller turnout to aid your changes. 3. The Mayor looked ridiculous regarding Nepotism. If you had ever worked for a real company you would know why Nepotism is a problem. When you have relatives working for the same company in the Management structure,employees are unable to voice concerns honestly.This leads to employee dissatisfaction and a potential hostile work environment. It seems the City Attorney would be aware of this. 4. The Mayor always ends the speakers input with "thanks for coming". I would recommend that he be honest and say, "thanks for coming,we aren't interested in your input". At least that would be honest. Sent from Mail for Windows 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:47 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments From:Jeanne Farrens<jeannefarrens@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 12:25 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter Amendments Dear City Council Members, First I want to thank Councilman McKeon for being responsible for taking the charter process out from behind closed doors and opening it up to public input. And also for listening and being open to reconsideration of the amendments. It is clear that of all the new majority members, given his previous experience on past city charter committees, Councilmember McKeon has the most experience regarding the charter review procedures. Why is it that he was the only member of the new council majority who wasn't included on the ad hoc committee? It is curious - I daresay, suspicious - that the other members would ignore his expertise. Had these open public meetings been implemented as part of the ad hoc committee process from the beginning, much time would have been saved, and public outcry could have been avoided. I am grateful that he responded to his supporters' concerns and demands to allow the public to be heard. As a member of that public, I am concerned by the Council's desire to change the charter, and I must express my opposition to all the charter amendments for several reasons. First, as speakers have pointed out at the special Thursday meetings, these amendments will enshrine their proposals in what amounts to the city's Constitution, making it extremely difficult for any future city councils to change them, and especially when at least one of them — regarding the city's flag policy - is already a city ordinance. I'd like to point out that had it been in the charter, the city would have broken the law this past weekend by flying both the Australian and Canadian flag next to the American flag at the Pacific Airshow. Additionally, the way the amendments are bundled with 3 or 4 irrelevant proposals demanding either a yes or no vote all in one measure does not encourage voter participation or faith in the election — something Councilman McKeon stated was the main purpose of these amendments - but rather it creates confusion and forces the voters to either vote for something they do not agree with to support something they do, or, to just not vote at all. How is this preserving the integrity of elections? Above all, while the majority council has insisted that this is not an attempt to take over elections from the County, if the voting measure is placed on the ballot, that's exactly what will happen. It is a i certainty that HB will be sued by Sacramento if the voter ID proposal passes. In fact in a Thursday news release, A.G. Bonta promised as much. Not only did Bonta state that requiring voter ID. conflicts with state law, but he also pointed out that the city has not identified any basis for its voter ID proposal. Nor has any of the Council Majority identified such when asked directly by speakers to do so. Last week City Attorney Gates insisted that as a Charter City, HB has a legal right to require ID. He cited as evidence a lawsuit in which Redondo Beach (a charter city) won a lawsuit regarding their right to oversee municipal elections. The lawsuit - the City of Redondo Beach vs Padilla (the CA Attorney General at the time) - involved Redondo Beach setting its own date for election but had nothing to do with voter ID, which is a much more fundamental issue — in Bonta's words, it is the "foundation of our democracy". So it is unlikely this example of case law will stand up. Thus, in addition to the possible million dollars it will cost to put the measure on the ballot, HB taxpayers will likely be paying several more millions fighting a state lawsuit, not to mention unknown costs to facilitate and run its own election (as the County is sure to refuse to oversee the election given A.G. Bonta's warning). Important issues such as training poll workers, locating adequate ADA polling locations, costs of voting and monitoring equipment, procedures for the counting of ballots, including mail-ins, and the associated expenses have neither been identified nor enumerated in the proposals. Not to mention the time it will take to implement these changes. Are we expected to vote on the measures without knowing these specifics and costs? By March 5th? Finally, I object to these proposals as being nothing more than evidence that the city council dais no longer functions as a non-partisan podium to promote policies to protect the people and Huntington Beach, but it has now become a politicized partisan platform for promoting a MAGA agenda including protections against false conspiracies of voter fraud. As further evidence I cite the public "thumbs up" endorsement of Donald Trump by both Mayor Strickland and Attorney Gates at this weekend's Anaheim appearance of the former president and of Attorney Gates' promising that in HB we are "promoting voter ranking at the local level" (an announcement of policy in direct conflict with his position as a non-partisan representative of the citizens). I would like to know what Attorney Gates is talking about since those words do not appear anywhere on any measure. What new nefarious measures can we expect to be introduced — measures that rather than protecting voter integrity are an assault against it? If the Council is serious about promoting election integrity, you must not move ahead with these unnecessary and potentially illegal charter amendments. Let our award winning Orange County Registrar of Voters continue to oversee fair and safe elections in Huntington Beach. Jeanne Farrens keplyForward 2 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:47 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Opposed to flag ordinance From: MARILYN Boehm<beachmama7@msn.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 12:30 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Opposed to flag ordinance I am strongly opposed to eliminating the pride flag during Pride Month and, instead, limiting the choice of flags to be flown by the City Council. Why is it that we showed a Canadian flag at the Airshow, an event that has still not been made transparent according to how much it cost the taxpayers? If we are willing to fly an Olympics flag, which has nothing to do with our city, why not show the world that we are an inclusive city by flying the pride flag? Is it up to the City Council to decide which events are meaningful and which are not? Shouldn't the residents of HB make that call? Vote NO on the flag ordinance. Marilyn Boehm, resident of HB i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:48 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Dear Council From: Kirby McCord<kirbymccord@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 7:37 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Dear Council Council, Is it true that Kevin Elliot gave dignitary passes to 4 of 7 council members and their families?And of course, Gates and family. Are these the same four that settled with Elliott and won't release the terms of the multimillion-dollar settlement? Is this the same Kevin Elliot who was a college roommate of Mayor Strickland? Vote no on changing elections. Vote no on the charter changes. Kirby McCord Resident 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:49 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: My comments on the amendments to the city charter From:Ada Hand<adajhand@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 8:16 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: My comments on the amendments to the city charter I am opposed to all the amendments to the City Charter. They represent the majority's blatant attempt to take control of an election process that has worked flawlessly in the past. The cost of the elections in the future would be horrendous to the taxpayers of this City, especially considering the ensuing lawsuits that are sure to come. Taxpayers don't deserve this. You ran on a platform of No Changes to the City Charter and now you propose to transform it(and not by the use of the City Charter Commission, but rather by your Ad Hoc Committee of three). I am also opposed to the bundling of multiple amendments into one, supposedly to save money for the taxpayers. Instead, we will be asked to vote for three items when we may only agree with one or two items in the bundle. Ridiculous. There is government language about clear amendment language that does not confuse the voters --your bundles are an example of blatant overreach. I am opposed to the expansion of the City Attorney's staff. He already has resources beyond what L.A. County has -ridiculous. He is building his own fiefdom and the City Council is helping him. I am opposed to all the time, money, and energy taken by the City Council and staff to ban, censor, or sequester books at our public libraries. We have professional librarians and a process in place that actually worked for Ms. Van Der Maark,but you now attempt to mold the libraries into your kind of reading. The first step in an authoritarian regime. Shame on the Mayor and City Attorney for endorsing publicly a candidate for President of the United States, especially a candidate who committed what I believe is treason and who is legitimately accused of multiple counts in civil and criminal courts. The flyover at the Air Show was a sad example of doing a questionable act and then seeing if you have to apologize afterwards. You politicized the air show and you should be castigated. I am ashamed of our current City Council majority. Ada J. Hand Ten-Year Resident of Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 8:49 AM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: proposed city charter amendments Original Message From: meobrien<meobrien@earthlink.net> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 8:37 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: proposed city charter amendments I urge the City Council to SLOW DOWN.There remains too many unanswered questions relative to the proposed voter ID amendment.Voter ID is not required in California. Do we really want to get into another tussle with the state?We do not have assurance that the OC Registrar will participate and we will be left to manage the voting process ourselves at an unknown cost and city resource consumption that could be better used to tackle the other significant problems the city faces. Please do not spend taxpayers' money on a problem that doesn't exist. It erodes your credibility. Direct your attention to affordable housing, homelessness and mental health. Respectfully, Margaret O'Brien a 50 year HB resident 1 Moore, Tania From: Julia Gomez <JGomez@aclusocal.org> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:20 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Cc: Strickland, Tony; Van Der Mark, Gracey; Burns, Pat; Bolton, Rhonda; Kalmick, Dan; McKeon, Casey; Moser, Natalie; Gates, Michael; Fikes, Cathy; Paul Spencer Contact Subject: Public Comment re Oct. 5 Special Meeting, Agenda No. 2 Attachments: 2023.10.05 Letter to Huntington Beach from DRC and ACLU re Item No. 2.pdf Attached please find correspondence from Disability Rights California and the ACLU of Southern California opposing the proposed charter amendment relating to municipal elections. Best, Julia Julia Gomez, Staff Attorney ACLU of Southern California 1313 W 8th Street, Suite 200 Los Angeles, CA 90017 (o)213.977.5258 aclusocal.orq II facebook twitter II bloq II app ACLU SoCal: STAND FOR JUSTICE» Download our mobile app at mobileiusticeca.oro THIS MESSAGE IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO WHICH IT IS ADDRESSED AND MAY CONTAIN INFORMATION THAT IS PRIVILEGED,CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM DISCLOSURE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW. IF THE READER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT OR THE EMPLOYEE OR AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING THE MESSAGE TO THE INTENDED RECIPIENT,YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT ANY DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: /5/9093 Agenda Item No.; 2 (2,3 - Wig) i AMU Disability dal Rights AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION California Southern California California's protection &advocacy system Sent via email October 5,2023 Huntington Beach Mayor and City Council Council Chambers 2000 Main Street Huntington Beach,CA 92648 SupplementalComm@Surfcity-hb.org City.Council@surfcity-hb.org Re: October 5,2023 Special City Council Meeting,Agenda Item No.2 Opposition to Proposed Charter Amendment Relating to Municipal Elections Dear Mayor Strickland and Members of the City Council: We have serious concerns about the legality and negative implications of the proposal to add Section 705 to the city charter relating to municipal elections("proposed charter amendment"). Section 705's voter identification("voter ID")provision violates state law.What's more,the voter ID, drop box monitoring,and voting location provisions will likely result in voter suppression.We urge you to reject the proposed charter amendment to avoid voter disenfranchisement and to avoid the waste of taxpayer resources on an election,implementation,and unnecessary litigation. I. The Voter ID Provision Violates State Law Charter cities like Huntington Beach have home rule authority over certain local issues, including municipal elections.Jauregui v. City of Palmdale,226 Cal.App.4th 781,794-96(2014).This authority, however,is not unlimited,and a charter provision must yield to state law where,as here: 1)the provision conflicts with state law;2)the subject of the provision is a matter of statewide concern;and 3)the conflicting state law is narrowly tailored and does not unnecessarily interfere with municipal governance. Id.at 795-96;see also City of Huntington Beach v. Becerra,44 Cal.App. 5th 243,256(2020)(holding that even issues listed in the California Constitution as municipal affairs"must give way to inconsistent state laws addressing issues of statewide concern"). As to the first factor,a local voter ID law that imposes requirements on top of the state's process conflicts with the state's detailed voter verification framework which,as laid out in the Attorney General's September 28 letter,strikes a careful balance between guarding elections and ensuring that voters can successfully cast a ballot.See September 28,2023,Letter from Attorney General Rob Bonta and Secretary of State Shirley N.Weber,Ph.D.,to the Huntington Beach City Council at 2-3 ("Sept.28 Attorney General Letter");see also City of Huntington Beach,44 Cal.App.5th at 270("Charter city law is contradictory to state law when it is inimical thereto")(quotation marks omitted).With respect to the second factor,it is well settled that the issues implicated by the proposed charter amendment—voting rights and the integrity of local elections—are matters of statewide concern.See, e.g.,Johnson v. Bradley, 4 Cal.4th 389,409(1992)(holding that"the integrity of the electoral process,at both the state and local level,is undoubtedly a statewide concern");Jauregui,226 Cal.App.4th at 799-801 (voting rights, Huntington Beach Mayor and City Council Page 2 including protections against voting restrictions and vote dilution,are state interests"that go to the legitimacy of the electoral process").Finally,the state's conflicting provisions are narrowly tailored to enhance the integrity of the electoral process and to ensure that eligible individuals can cast a ballot free of unnecessary burdens.See Sept.28 Attorney General Letter at 2-3.The only way these provisions could possibly interfere with municipal governance is if the City adopted voter restrictions like the voter ID law. See Jauregui,226 Cal.App.4th 781 (the California Voting Rights Act("CVRA")"can necessarily only interfere with municipal governance when vote dilution is present"). The city attorney's heavy reliance on the Redondo Beach case is misplaced. In Redondo Beach, the court held that the Voter Participation Rights Act("VPRA"),which requires consolidated local and state elections,does not apply to charter cities. City of Redondo Beach v. Padilla,46 Cal.App.5th 902, 906(2020).The court came to this conclusion because the Elections Code exempts charter cities from following the state's established election dates,and the Legislature did not demonstrate a clear intent to depart from this exemption and apply the VPRA to charter cities.Id.at 910-11,918. The same is not true here—there is no language in the Elections Code that exempts charter cities from the state's voter verification and voting rights provisions. Indeed,the California Constitution entrusts the Legislature with enacting legislation to protect election integrity and the rights of voters irrespective of where they live, Cal.Const.art. II, §§3 &4,and courts have consistently ruled in favor of the state where,as here,a conflicting charter provision infringes on these rights,see, e.g.,Jauregui,226 Cal.App.4th at 802 (holding that a charter city's at-large election system that resulted in vote dilution and implicated election integrity was unlawful under state law);People ex rel. Devine v. Elkus,59 Cal.App.396,407-08(1923) (holding that a charter city's voting restriction was unlawful under the California Constitution notwithstanding the city's home rule authority over city council elections);cf. Lacy v. City and Cnty. of San Francisco,94 Cal.App.3d 391,410(2023)(clarifying that the court's holding that charter cities have home rule authority to expand the right to vote does not mean that charter cities can narrow the electorate). Changes made by city staff to Section 705 to provide that the city"may"instead of"shall" require voter ID does not save the proposed charter amendment because a grant of authority alone is sufficient to raise a conflict with state law and render a charter provision invalid.Huntington Beach,44 Cal.App.4th 243 at 271 (quoting Johnson,4 Cal.4th 389 at 339("A`conflict'may exist between state and local authority even though the city has not specifically legislated on that point through its charter,or by other`enactment"')).Because the voter ID provision conflicts with narrowly tailored state law on issues of statewide concern,the City Council should reject the proposed charter amendment.' IL The Proposed Charter Amendment is Likely to Result in Voter Suppression The voter ID proposal is illegal for a second reason—it will likely disenfranchise Huntington Beach voters.The same is true for the drop box monitoring and voting location provisions in Section 705. Voter ID requirements disproportionately impact voters of color,voters who are low income, voters with disabilities,and voters who have limited mobility.'Additional voter ID requirements could The state also regulates the monitoring of drop boxes and the siting of voting locations to ensure voter access and the integrity of elections.See,generally,Sept.28 Attorney General Letter at 2-4(providing an overview of relevant Elections Code and regulatory provisions).For the same reasons discussed in this section,these provisions likely conflict with and violate state law.See id. 2 Research over the past decade consistently shows that,when implemented,voter ID laws reduce turnout for individuals without proper identification,and these individuals are often voters of color,voters with disabilities,and elderly voters.See, e.g.,The Impacts of Voter Suppression on Communities of Color,Brennan Center for Justice (Jan. 10,2022),https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/impact-voter-suppression-communities- color(collecting studies);Vanessa M.Perez,Ph.D.,Americans with Photo ID:A Breakdown of Demographic Characteristics,Project Vote(Feb.2015),https://www.projectvote.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/AMERICANS- Huntington Beach Mayor and City Council Page 3 also result in improper ballot challenges.See Sept.28 Attorney General Letter at 3. Drop box monitoring by individuals other than trained poll workers can likewise result in voter suppression through voter intimidation,improper ballot challenges,or the misapplication of the state's laws.And although we commend the City's desire to increase the number of voting locations,more goes into siting locations than simply dispersing them evenly throughout the City.The Registrar of Voters selects voting locations to maximize accessibility by considering the proximity of voting locations to voters with disabilities, language minority communities,public transportation,communities with low rates of vehicle ownership, and communities with historically low vote by mail usage. Elec.Code §4005(a)(10)(B). The suppressive and disproportionate impact that Section 705 will no doubt have on certain voters raises serious equal protection concerns.While the U.S. Supreme Court has weakened voter protections in recent years,California's more robust equal protection and voting rights guarantees remain strong safeguards against voter disenfranchisement.See Cal. Const,art. I, §24("Rights guaranteed by this Constitution are not dependent on those guaranteed by the United States Constitution");see also Vergara v. State of California,246 Cal.App.4th 619,648 n.13(2016)(holding that California's equal protection clause proscribes policies that have discriminatory effect,regardless of motive or intent). We urge the City Council to reject the proposed charter amendment because it violates state law and will no doubt result in voter suppression.If you have any questions,please do not hesitate to contact us at igomezAacusocal.org or paul.spenceradisabilityrightsca.org. Sincerely, Julia A.Gomez Paul R. Spencer Senior Staff Attorney Senior Attorney ACLU of Southern California Disability Rights California Cc: Tony Strickland,Mayor,Tony.Strickland@surfcity-hb.org Gracey Van Der Mark,Mayor Pro Tern,Gracey.VanDerMark(aiisurfcity-hb.org Pat Burns,Councilmember,Pat.Burns(a,surfcity-hb.org Rhonda Bolton,Councilmember,Rhonda.Bolton(a)surfcity-hb.org Dan Kalmick,Councilmember,Dan.Kalmick(a,surfcity-hb.org Casey McKeon,Councilmember,Casey.McKeon(aisurfcity-hb.org Natalie Moser,Councilmember,Natalie.Moser@surfcity-hb.org Michael E.Gates,City Attorney,Michael.Gates@,surfcity-hb.org Cathy Fikes,Senior Administrative Assistant,CFikes@surfcity-hb.org WITH-PHOTO-ID-Research-Memo-February-2015.pdf(finding that voters of color and low-income individuals are less likely to have photo ID);Impact of Voter ID Laws on People with Disabilities,Vote Riders(Oct.2019), https://www.voteriders.org/impact-of-voter-id-laws-on-people-with-disabilities/(citing studies showing that the elderly and voters with disabilities are less likely to have photo ID). Moore, Tania From: Scott Malabarba <scott@malabarba.org> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 9:01 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: in continued opposition to proposed charter amendments Dear HB City Council, I am writing one last time in opposition to the proposed charter amendments being discussed this evening. Removing some of the originally proposed ballot items does not make those remaining acceptable. It's now certain that the proposed election changes are illegal and will result in legal action from the state of California. They accomplish nothing and the city will only waste precious tax money putting them on the ballot. The current city majority, once elected, promptly voted to remove the Pride flag from City Hall.Though thoroughly regrettable and driven by ill intent,this was your right as elected officials. But you now insist in taking that right away from future city councils who, even if they have public support for changing the flags flown over City Hall,will not be able to do so without spending significant city resources on yet another ballot measure. Please consider using your time to govern the city instead of making it more difficult for future city councils to govern. Sincerely, Scott Malabarba HB resident i Moore, Tania From: walton.karen@yahoo.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 9:45 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Against Proposed Voter ID changes As a Huntington Beach resident I am firmly opposed to the proposed voter changes. There is no actual (non-anecdotal) evidence of wide spread voter fraud. Having a special election is a waste of money. Not only will it cost the tax payers unnecessarily, it will lead to us ONCE AGAIN being sued by the State of California. Huntington Beach does not exist in a vacuum, it is within the State of California and needs to abide by it's laws or pursue the proper channels to change those laws at a state level. The grandstanding needs to end. You work for us. Stop making decisions designed to appease your election donors (that cost us millions in lost law suits) and get back to the business of the day to day running of the city. Fill a pot hole. Karen Walton 24 year resident of Huntington Beach i Moore, Tania From: Maria Sugranes <ladygracedem@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 9:58 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter Changes DON'T DO IT because 1) it's expensive, actually you don't even know how much of our taxes will go to fund this process 2) it disrupts a well organized and established process of voting 3) it targets particular populations. 4) it brings negative attention to our city. Maria Sugranes, HB resident since 1972 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:00 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Changes From: Maria Sugranes<ladygracedem@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5, 2023 9:58 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter Changes DON'T DO IT because 1) it's expensive, actually you don't even know how much of our taxes will go to fund this process 2) it disrupts a well organized and established process of voting 3) it targets particular populations. 4) it brings negative attention to our city. Maria Sugranes, HB resident since 1972 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:01 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Please don't do it Original Message From:Sue Brewsaugh<sue.brewsaugh@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 10:31 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Please don't do it Please do not change our voting system. Requiring voter ID will trigger another lawsuit against our city and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars that are badly needed elsewhere. At a previous meeting you discussed closing branch libraries and eliminating or decreasing other services. Please, please, please protect our services. After all,there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. HB resident for 30+years, Susan Brewsaugh 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:00 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW:Voter ID Original Message From: Kay Hellbusch Rawson<kayhellbusch@hotmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 10:07 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Voter ID An ID is required for EVERYTHING we do. We can't check out a book or play on the city teams or travel or have a credit card, bank account, buy a beer or go to school,get a job, rent a place to live or a multitude of other actions in our life. Voting is a constitutional right for all Citizens and getting an ID is a simple task which needs to be done to reside anywhere.When we go to the DMV, are they requires? Is you to check a box to see if you are a citizen or not in order to vote. No birth certificate, or official ID that you are a citizen is required.This action alone leads us all to have less than less faith in our voting system. We feel that the whole system is rigged and that the only way to have faith in our system once again is to have voter ID.Anyone who doesn't want it is not for our constitutional rights and is standing up for the less than .5%and not for the good of all. Please please keep fighting the good fight and have voter ID. Thank you Kay Rawson. 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:01 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendment re:voter ID From:Vickie Hamilton<bigvickster@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 10:38 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Charter Amendment re:voter ID I strongly support the suggested amendment to our city charter regarding the requirement for voter ID in upcoming elections. This requirement is long overdue statewide and nationally. Thanks. V. Hamilton Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:01 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Proposed charter amendments From: Kathleen Bunge<kateswynford@aol.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 11:05 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Proposed charter amendments Dear City Council Members, particularly the four majority members, My husband and I DO NOT support any of your proposed charter amendments, especially those requiring I.D. in order to vote. Attorney General Rob Bonta has already put you on notice that this would conflict with State law, and the State is ready to use legal action if you implement this. If this did occur, the State would no doubt prevail, and we Huntington Beach residents would be left, financially and otherwise, to pay the price. We have been carefully listening to the comments voiced by many concerned citizens, and it is very clear that you are not listening to the majority but are putting your own self interests in play. You are supposed to be representing the residents of Huntington Beach, but it is clear you are only representing yourselves and a small faction. We were also upset to learn of your actions when former President Trump was here in Orange County. It was clear that you used your positions on the City Council or in City government to toady up to a man who is a rapist, known and confirmed liar and is facing 91 felony counts. We do not like to see our city displayed in this light, and as your positions are non-partisan, we feel this was extremely improper. You should concentrate on the actions for which city council members are responsible and not attempt to revise policies/laws that then would be in conflict with established State or County laws or practices. Get back to doing your proper job! Sincerely, Kathleen and Monroe Bunge i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:02 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Proposed Charter Amendment Regarding Voter ID From: Rob Pool<rob.pooLoc@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday,October 5,2023 11:55 AM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CM0 STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Cc: Fikes, Cathy<CFikes@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Proposed Charter Amendment Regarding Voter ID City Council Members: "Doing the right thing isn't always easy, but it is necessary," McCarthy said. "I don't regret standing up for choosing governance over grievance. It is my responsibility, it is my job. I do not regret negotiating. Our government is designed to find compromise." Reading about the chaos this week in Washington brought me to this quote by former Speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy. Setting aside, for the moment, the question as to whether the former Speaker truly governed upon the principles he expoused in this quote, it is a good quote, nonetheless, and a good way to consider doing the people's business. As the majority of you, and Mr. Gates, were brief guests of the former Speaker's in his office earlier this year, I would hope that you might learn from his recent debacle and consider the wisdom contained in his quote. Specifically, "choosing governance over grievance". For, in the last nine month, it appears that grievance has been the overriding principle driving the majority of this city council. As a conservative, it pains me to see this and to have to state it directly. It is not any one issue that exposes this fact, but rather, the full body of your work. Council meeting after council meeting, it becomes more evident that your checklist consists of"righting the wrongs" done by previous city councils. But, with these proposed city charter amendments, you have stepped off a ledge in your willingness to "right the wrongs" to a whole new level of governance by grievance. You seem to now be acting as a proxy for the former President. After seeing what the former President said about Mr. Strickland this past weekend, and Mr. Strickland's endorsement of the former President, it now appears as if our mayor is being driven by a higher level of grievance. But I will submit to you, that the former President's grievances about election fraud should not be the driving force behind future policy in our city. And no matter how much someone in our city needs a position in a possible future Presidential administration, we cannot allow the virtue signaling to that presidential candidate become the driving force behind our city policy. We need to maintain control—local control—of our policies independent of anyone in state or federal government who may provide the possibility of future employment. With all that said, and it needed to be said by a conservative, I encourage the remaining city council members to examine ALL of the possible ramifications of putting a charter amendment on the ballot that has the possibility of spending the people's money in such a way that simply facilitates a possible route for one of your i colleagues to exit early from the Huntington Beach City Council and into a better paying government job elsewhere. Best regards, Rob Pool 2 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:05 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Charter Amendments Original Message From: Heather B<gheatherb@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:45 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) <city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: Charter Amendments HB City Council, Knock it off already! Your ultimate agenda with these new Charter Amendments is gross and very wrong.You are attempting to drive our community into the ground with this nonsense, which is going to bring about yet ANOTHER lawsuit from the State and quite possibly from other litigants and bankrupt our little Beach town. Lawsuits. Disenfranchising the same voters you claim to care about. YOUR closing of public libraries. It's all so bad. I'm just going to say it....Your bigoted ideals and "not in my backyard" mentality has got to GO!! We are voting Q you out. Watch Us!!The movement is strong Lb !! Heather B A disgusted HB resident Be Safe! Sent from my iPhone i Moore, Tania From: BETHANY WEBB <bethwebb711@msn.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 12:58 PM To: CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: No to Charter Amendments! Short and sweet. The Charter Amendment meetings have shown the Vast Majority of HB residents DO NOT support the proposed Charter Amendments! Vote No! Bethany Webb Cell. 714-726-2160 Bethwebb711@msn.com 1 Moore, Tania From: Jessica B. <jessicabudica@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 10:27 AM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Letter Regarding Special Meeting 10/5/23 Attachments: Huntington Beach City Council (2).pdf PDF Letter attached Jessica Budica,Huntington Beach Resident Huntington Beach City Council Re: Special Meeting: LGBTQ+Flag and Charter Amendments October 5,2023 Dear City Council Members, I want to join the numerous voices expressing their disappointment at the current council majority's attempt to: • Ostracize the LGBTQ+community by preventing their flag from being flown on city property • Put the city at likely risk of ANOTHER costly lawsuit due to voter suppression and changes in voting practices • Hold a special election to cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to serve the current Majority's interest for Charter Amendments(a contradiction to the platform they ran on) I understand that all parties are entitled to their beliefs in how the government, our city, our country should be run. But as elected officials,you are elected to serve your community,ALL members of your community.This means ensuring the safety and well being of all who live here. That includes communities who live lifestyles you may personally not agree with, like the LGBTQ+community.Prohibiting a flag is a clear and deliberate message—"You are not welcome."And although you personally may feel that way,your city,the people who live here do not feel the same.You were not elected to take it upon yourselves to deliver this message on our behalf. Additionally,until the faulty guidance of our City Attorney,this, and past councils, have made decisions that cost the city millions in lawsuits due to violation of state and even federal law.I know because as a former Environmental Board member,the City Attorney advised council to reinstate the use of plastic bags,which directly violated state law requiring a NEW EIR report before that decision could be made.And, sure enough,we lost MILLIONS in a lawsuit from numerous environmental groups.Now,this new council wants to make similar mistakes but in regards to voter suppression.Voter ID and similar laws are only proposed out of fear,fear that a group will be removed from power. So that group does what it can,under the guise of democracy,to suppress voices that will limit their power. We already know the state will seek retribution if these changes are made and voter ID and ballot box monitoring occurs.Does the Council majority care? I have growing shame for our city and the actions its Council chooses to take, ignoring the voices of the constituents it is meant to represent.I'm tired of being on the news and being laughed at by friends and family across the state and country because the current council majority makes decisions that will knowingly cost the city millions of dollars in lawsuits or chooses to practice old world thinking that is afraid of progress.Ban books,ban flags, limit the ease of voting... power hungry. 1 Jessica Budica,Huntington Beach Resident Huntington Beach City Council Re: Special Meeting:LGBTQ+Flag and Charter Amendments October 5,2023 Dear City Council Members, I want to join the numerous voices expressing their disappointment at the current council majority's attempt to: • Ostracize the LGBTQ+community by preventing their flag from being flown on city property • Put the city at likely risk of ANOTHER costly lawsuit due to voter suppression and changes in voting practices • Hold a special election to cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to serve the current Majority's interest for Charter Amendments(a contradiction to the platform they ran on) I understand that all parties are entitled to their beliefs in how the government, our city,our country should be run.But as elected officials,you are elected to serve your community,ALL members of your community.This means ensuring the safety and well being of all who live here.That includes communities who live lifestyles you may personally not agree with, like the LGBTQ+community. Prohibiting a flag is a clear and deliberate message—"You are not welcome."And although you personally may feel that way,your city,the people who live here do not feel the same. You were not elected to take it upon yourselves to deliver this message on our behalf. Additionally,until the faulty guidance of our City Attorney,this,and past councils,have made decisions that cost the city millions in lawsuits due to violation of state and even federal law. I know because as a former Environmental Board member,the City Attorney advised council to reinstate the use of plastic bags,which directly violated state law requiring a NEW EIR report before that decision could be made. And,sure enough,we lost MILLIONS in a lawsuit from numerous environmental groups.Now,this new council wants to make similar mistakes but in regards to voter suppression. Voter ID and similar laws are only proposed out of fear,fear that a group will be removed from power. So that group does what it can, under the guise of democracy,to suppress voices that will limit their power.We already know the state will seek retribution if these changes are made and voter ID and ballot box monitoring occurs.Does the Council majority care? I have growing shame for our city and the actions its Council chooses to take, ignoring the voices of the constituents it is meant to represent. I'm tired of being on the news and being laughed at by friends and family across the state and country because the current council majority makes decisions that will knowingly cost the city millions of dollars in lawsuits or chooses to practice old world thinking that is afraid of progress.Ban books,ban flags, limit the ease of voting... power hungry. Moore, Tania From: Gerry de Boer <brengerry@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:24 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter amendment A vote of NO on charter amendments Unknown costs to taxpayers 80 Per cent of Nov. 22 election was mail-in Not legal to have monitoring of election by"enforcement representatives" Gerry de Boer 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 2:15 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: recent city council actions From: Lynn Smith<myssmith@yahoo.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:49 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: recent city council actions unfortunately for me an many folks whom the council does not represent, i am ashamed that i live in a city that does not care about its constituents! and a city that wants to go against the state with voter id. i have shown my voter registration card, and license once, when i just turned 18 and that was my first voting experience! So, now huntington beach joins the states that promote voter supression. what are the 4 council members afraid of? the only thing i can do now, is to spend my dollars in adjacent cities. not huntington beach! Stay Safe, Stay Healthy ❑ Lynn Smith myssmith@yahoo.corn Virus-free.www.avg.com 1 Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 2:15 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: charter amendments From:Gerry de Boer<brengerry@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 1:21 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject: charter amendments A vote of NO on the charter amendments Unknown costs Proposed monitoring of election/Id requirement 80 percent of Nov 22 election was mail in Gerry de Boer i Moore, Tania From: Fikes, Cathy Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 3:34 PM To: Agenda Alerts Subject: FW: Special Election no From: Cindy Miller<millercyn33@gmail.com> Sent:Thursday, October 5,2023 3:04 PM To:CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF)<city.council@surfcity-hb.org> Subject:Special Election no City Council Members, I am a lifelong resident of HB, 50 plus years and am asking that there is no special election held. Besides the cost,he items listed for decision would change the city charter and should be part of the general election so that all residents have the opportunity to vote. Further, voter fraud is not a thing. Being fiscally sound and focusing on the immediate needs of the community is the primary role of city council. Bike safety, homelessness and city cleanliness are such priorities. I urge you to NOT hold any special election, as it is a waste of my tax dollars. Sincerely Cynthia Miller 1 Moore, Tania From: Barbara Shapiro <bshap2000@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 1:35 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF); supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter amendments We oppose all charter amendments, particularly changing voting from OC registrar of voting. There is zero voter fraud in HB and that is a fact. Saying that some people believe there is isn't a reason to spend millions. The changes will disenfranchise those who live in reality, not the majority's MAGA driven delusional world. There is evidence of collusion between Gates,Strickland and Trump to override the will of the people.. As far as the mask resolution you passed, congratulations on stupidity. Not only is there no mask/vaccine mandate,you conflated that with lockdowns which were not in the resolution. Gracey you expect us to believe that people committed suicide because they had to mask while shopping in Costco for 30 minutes? To say you are so out of your league here is an understatement of the century. It is so obvious that you think you can railroad your MAGA cult into law but you haven't really thought this through. The actions of the council majority are so egregious, as if you haven't actually heard of this thing called the law. Your traitor, sexual predator hero is certainly finding out with 91 felony counts. He too thought he was above the law, look how that's working out. Dr and Mrs Joseph Shapiro Sent from my iPad 1 Moore, Tania From: Steve Breit <sreit2691@aol.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 2:01 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF);supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: SPECIAL ELECTION Hello and to our City Government I am not in favor of implementing voter ID for our HB elections. I am also certainly not in favor of having HB city take control of administering our elections as opposed to the county. Our current system works fine and it seems these efforts just smell of politicizing something where a problem does not exist. I would much rather have our City Government just working to govern and not having to worry about anything such as taking up radical causes like this. I prefer our city to be seen as inclusive, positive and non political. I just want to live my life here and not worry about stuff like this. But, necessary and voices such as mine are needed at our City Meetings, then I will carve out the time to attend. Also I was thinking that all of our news was being reported in Surf City publications but apparently this is not the case. If the City Council is taking up initiatives such as this it should be published in the city emails sent out to our residents such as the information about the Air show lawsuit was so that there is transparency about what is actually going on. Sincerely, Steve Breit HB resident since 1984 1 Moore, Tania From: Cindy Miller <millercyn33@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 3:04 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Special election NO City Council Members, I am a lifelong resident of HB, 50 plus years and am asking that there is no special election held. Besides the cost, he items listed for decision would change the city charter and should be part of the general election so that all residents have the opportunity to vote. Further, voter fraud is not a thing. Being fiscally sound and focusing on the immediate needs of the community is the primary role of city council. Bike safety, homelessness and city cleanliness are such priorities. I urge you to NOT hold any special election, as it is a waste of my tax dollars. Sincerely Cynthia Miller 1 Moore, Tania From: Michael Gioan <digithings00@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 3:06 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: City Council Meetings: Open letter to the F4... To the Failing Four: Here is a brief recap of your accomplishments since being the majority in our City Council: • HB traffic:We see more and more traffic serious accidents, more and more serious incidents, unchecked speeding, unchecked violations, permanent and pervasive parking issues and entire neighborhoods of streets and roads in dire need of repaving, not to mention cracked sidewalks, etc.FAILED! • HB High Density issues:The last Building Commission meeting pushed through a project(supposedly for"elderly housing") sure to cause massive traffic jams, dearth of parking, not to mention a gigantic, multi-story building that will forever deface the quaint residential neighborhood where it will be erected.Any of you geniuses ever thought that older people oftentimes have reduced mobility and are better lodged on one-level facilities, instead of being piled up in rabbit cages? HDD construction runs rampant in HB and is doing nothing to solve the housing crisis,and despite your campaign promises(NO HDD),what have you done?FAILED! • HB homeless crisis:Again,according to campaign promises(solution in 90 days), nothing of substance has been done (by the City Council)to address this issue. Did you think homeless people will automatically get rich and purchase million-dollar condos because you sat under the dais?What have you done to really address this issue? FAILED! • HB long-term pension deficit:You fell asleep on the fact that there was a long-term loan secured by the previous City Council at advantageous terms, neglecting the fact that unless serious attention is paid to this issue, it will eventually come back,consuming an ever-increasing part of HB budget and stifling all other budgetary initiatives.Where is your plan to find new opportunities for revenue growth in HB, and what have you done about it?FAILED! • Bringing stable governance to our City:You were all elected with very thin margins and low turn-out,you represent only a tiny fraction of the HB electorate and do not have an overarching mandate to rule the City by fiat.What have you done to work out a policy of compromise? Nothing, instead you have run an utterly non- productive clown show under the dais at just about every CC meeting.FAILED! • Last but by no means least: Keeping your campaign promise of"NO Amendments": FAILED! Instead, here's what you've been doing for the last 9 months: • Dissolved most commissions having direct people input.Are you afraid of people's opinions? • Attempted to control the content of books provided by out libraries. • Attempted to defund our libraries. • Passed a restrictive City Ordnance about which flags can be flown on City property that you modified 3 times since (and violated last weekend). • Spent 4 months or more devising new, unneeded and antidemocratic amendments to the City Charter. 1 • Engaged the City into a process to run its own elections that will cost tax payers millions for zero gain on an fully documented to be non-existing problem (voter fraud), and all but destined to failure in the courts, despite what the City Attorney is claiming. I understand you would like to keep poor people and brown people from voting, but it just is not going to work, mark my words. Speaking of failure, here's another list,your little hobby about changing the city charter in misguided, unarticulated, and incompetent ways instead of doing your job. I suppose it's too hard to focus on what's really important in HB, because it takes more than admiring yourselves sitting under the dais and talk to provide actual solutions: • FAILED: Reducing the education level for City Clerk, in a way that was so corruptly design to favor nepotism, even one of yours decided it went too far(kudos Mr. McKeon). • FAILED: Carving out an administrative and financial fiefdom for the City Attorney,guaranteeing funding of the legal department even if it would spell bankruptcy for the City.That was so blatantly corrupt one of yours decided to shut it down (again, kudos, Mr. McKeon,for your integrity, sadly, it looks like your were read your rights and have since fallen in line). • FAILED: Having 7 out of 10 of the major City positions be up for election on the primary schedule instead of general election (well, Mr.Strickland, I applause your reversal, but I have to say, it was anything but undemocratic as you unilaterally withdrew the item). You did succeed in one area though: /have tripled my political donations budget to finance whomever opposes you and your disastrous, incompetent,and misguided policies. HB will quickly come to the conclusion that they thought they elected leaders and instead got political puppets. English is a very rich language and its collection of adjectives seems countless.Quite a few apply quite nicely through alliteration to you "4", and well describe how you have come across so far to an ever-increasing segment of the voting population: Fallacious 4, Farcical 4, Feudal 4, Fishy 4, Fumbling 4, Futile 4.There are many more, but I believe in keeping. it classy... Michael Gioan-32-year HB resident and homeowner 2 Moore, Tania From: Chris Varga <christopher j.varga@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 3:16 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org; CITY COUNCIL (INCL. CMO STAFF) Subject: NO on all Charter Changes Comments to the City Council meeting on 10/5/2023 I support a NO vote on all charter changes. You campaigned on and promised NO CHARTER CHANGES, stick with the plan! If they somehow end up on the ballot, please separate all changes so that they stand on their own. Chris Varga Huntington Beach 1 Moore, Tania From: tumbles_sighs_03@icloud.com Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 4:01 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Charter amendments Dear City Council Officials, I am writing to express my concern about the suggested special election to vote on proposed charter amendments. It appears to be hasty and unnecessary, and a waste of our tax dollars. Further, I am opposed to the proposed amendment to require voter ID at polls. It is unnecessary and unjust as it aims to limit certain groups of people from voting. It is also not legal according to current California state law. Thank you. Respectfully, Justine Arian-Edwards 1 Moore, Tania From: Mackey Davis <mackey@mackeyd.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 4:55 PM To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL. CMO STAFF) Cc: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: NO on Charter Amendments I am sure you have heard all the arguments and opinions(both emotional and legal) regarding the Council Majorities proposed Charter Amendments. I do not understand why they are doing this and ignoring the more important issues of Huntington Beach.The Council Majority got voted in and have turned their back on the "right thing to do".VOTE NO on the charter amendments. Be well, stay safe,and do good. Mackey Davis 6912 Derby Circle HB • Moore, Tania From: Christina Skoski <chris.skoski@gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, October 5, 2023 10:27 AM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Re: HB City Council Attachments: —W RD0000.j pg YES! I want this part of the public record On Thu, Oct 5, 2023 at 10:21 AM supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org<supplementalcomm(a@surfcity-hb.org>wrote: Good morning— The below email was received as a Supplemental Communication,which is considered a public record and would not be confidential. Did you intend for the below email to be a Supplemental Communication? Thank you, Tania Moore, CMC Senior Deputy City Clerk City Clerk's Office 714-536-5209 tania.moorec surfcity-hb.orq From: Christina Skoski<chris.skoski@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, October 2, 2023 8:09 PM To:supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: HB City Council Christina Skoski has sent you an email via Gmail confidential mode: HB City Council 1 This message was sent on Oct 2,2023 at 8:08:55 PM PDT You can open it by clicking the link below. This link will only work for SupplementalComm@surfcity-hb.org. View the email Gmail confidential mode gives you more control over the messages you send. The sender may have chosen to set an expiration time,disable printing or forwarding,or track access to this message. Learn more Gmail:Email by Google Use is subject to the Google Privacy Policy Google LLC,1600 Amphitheatre Parkway,Mountain View,CA 94043,USA You have received this message because someone sent you an email via Gmail confidential mode. 2 From:Christina Skoski<chris.skoski a ttjmail.com> Content expires Oct 9,2023 To:SupplementalComm@surfcity-hb.org HB City Council I've been a resident of HB since 1976. I've been following the city council meetings because I am concerned about the path our new conservative council majority has elected to take. Oct 2,2023,8:08:44PM The public comments and emails have been overwhelmingly against any changes to the city charter,yet these comments have been completely ignored,whether the topic is book banning,pride flags or anything as innocuous as who should be allowed to lead a prayer.It is quite obvious that 4 members have a political agenda and the decisions have already been made.They simply have no interest in listening to any opinions which differ from their own.There is no room for discussion or compromise. The dismissive attitude of this council is insulting to all the residents,not just the few. The votes have already been decided.Their overtly biased explanations are absurd which is recognized by the news media in OC and beyond.Their mandate was to be non-partisan and represent what's best for our city,yet they are fostering division and hatred in our community. Shame on you, Christina Skoski MD