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Home My WebLink AboutExplore Termination of Symphony of Flowers Event - Council I UNTiNr 2000 Main Street, of CLV-Ois Huntington Beach,CA `°v= 92648 City of Huntington Beach oQ r APPROVED 7-0 . OUNU File#: 25-751 MEETING DATE: 9/16/2025 Subject: Item Submitted by Councilman Andrew Gruel - Explore Termination of Symphony of Flowers Event Recommended Action: Direct staff to explore steps to terminate the Symphony of Flowers event. Attachment(s): 1.Gruel Memo City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 9/10/2025 powered by LegistarTM 605 4.,a t4_L4o CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH c'UNT(C,1104 -- �. City Council Meeting - Council Member Items Report To: City Council From: Andrew Gruel, Councilman Date: September 16, 2025 Subject: EXPLORE THE TERMINATION OF THE SYMPHONY OF FLOWERS EVENT ISSUE STATEMENT The Symphony of Flowers was initiated to provide seasonal programming and community engagement. While the event was designed with good intentions, it has not achieved the desired alignment with Huntington Beach. As stewards of public resources, it is critical that City events reflect fiscal responsibility, strong community support, and alignment with our civic priorities.The Symphony of Flowers has required significant staff time, public safety allocations, and logistical costs without generating commensurate community benefit. Feedback from residents has consistently reflected concerns that the event did not capture the character of Huntington Beach or provide the type of seasonal experience residents value. In light of current budgetary constraints and the need to focus on core services, it is appropriate to sunset the Symphony of Flowers and free resources for programs that better serve the community. This action does not preclude the City from exploring new community events in the future. Staff and community partners may bring forward alternative proposals that are more cost-effective, sustainable, and reflective of the values and character of Huntington Beach. Termination of the Symphony of Flowers will eliminate ongoing City expenses associated with staffing, equipment, permitting, and public safety.These savings can be redirected toward higher- priority community programs. RECOMMENDED ACTION Direct staff to explore steps to terminate the Symphony of Flowers event. ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act(CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL Non Applicable-Administrative Item 2000 Main Street,Huntington Beach,CA 92648 I www.huntingtonbeachca.gov 606 From: Paula Schaefer To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF1;supDlementalcommCa surfdty-hb.orq;citv.manaaerCa�surfcity-hb.orq; mike.vialiottaCalsurfcity-h b.orq Subject: VOTE YES Agenda#24-#25-751 Gruel memo re Symphony of Flowers Date: Friday,September 12,2025 1:01:38 PM Council Members, I urge you to vote YES and terminate the agreement regarding the Symphony of Flowers and prohibit the event promoter from attempting any future event. This specific has been a complete failure by the event promoter who has failed to comply with many terms of the agreement. Additionally, I urge you to ensure that either the event promoter or the City repay Protect HB for the legal fees it incurred to require that appropriate environmental analysis was conducted. Paula A. Schaefer SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION Meeting Date: 09/16/2025 Agenda Item No. 24 (25-751) From: SUSAN MORABITO To: 5uoolementalcomm(asurfcity-hb.orq Cc: Allison Plum;Cheryl Ekstedt;Ada Hand;Robyn Harer Subject: Please reject the Symphony of Flowers proposal.It's very destructive to our great HB park wildlife' Date: Friday,September 12,2025 2:36:28 PM [You don't often get email from smorabito@aol.com.Learn why this is important at https•//aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification] Susan Morabito Huntington Beach City Council Meeting Sept 16, 2025 Agenda Item No.24 (25-571)Termination of Symphony of Flowers Event Better late than never that at least one member of our city council acknowledges that "Feedback from residents has consistently reflected concerns that the event did not capture the character of Huntington Beach or provide the type of seasonal experience residents value." I strongly urge the council to approve the termination of the Symphony of Flowers in language that clearly states that the entire multi-year contract with the operator is being terminated, and not merely a "sunsetting" of the first year. The operator is in serious financial trouble, and on our end we are looking at a money pit of legal and regulatory issues. It's time to retreat and declare victory. Our taxpayer dollars could and should be spent more judiciously on other community needs. Please vote "YES" on this item. Sincerely, Harry McLachlan, H.B. resident From: Pat Goodman To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF);5uoolementalcomm( surfdty-hb.org Subject: Yes on Agenda#8 and#24 and pass a compliant Housing Element Date: Monday,September 15,2025 11:05:54 AM Please vote YES on consent item # 8 to extend the management contract with Mercy House to operate the Navigation Center. We're seeing great results for this service to our community. Please vote YES on item # 24 to explore the termination of the Symphony of Flowers. I'm sure it seemed like a good idea at the time but as the details unfolded it was not a good location for this project, and may not fit the vibe of Huntington Beach. Also related to housing, although not on the agenda, please approve the Housing Element - 6th Cycle in order to maintain local control of our planning and development operations here in Huntington Beach. A compliant Housing Element will also permit the city to apply for grants to assist those in need of housing services. Thank you, Pat Goodman Huntington Beach, CA On Monday, June 30, 2025 at 04:56:44 PM PDT, Pat Goodman <patgoodman@yahoo.com>wrote: Dear Mayor Burns and City Council, Somewhat related to agenda #10 is political campaign signs. I hope that you will appoint a committee to address the bighte of political signs during the campaign signs that appear in public areas. I would be happy to serve on the committee. Thank you. Pat Goodman From: J-I Meyer To: 5uoolementalcomm1 surfcity-hb.orq Subject: Agenda Item 24 for September 16 City Council meeting Date: Monday,September 15,2025 4:18:09 PM I am a resident of Huntington Beach. I urge all City Council members to vote yes on Agenda Item#24, Explore Termination of Symphony of Flowers Event.This event is not appropriate for Central Park due to noise and other environmental impacts. Thank you, Hildy Meyers From: Chris macdonald To: suoolementalcommsurfcity-hb.orq Subject: In support of Items 24 and 25 Date: Tuesday,September 16,2025 5:01:00 AM Hello Huntington Beach City Council Members, I'm in support of Items 24 to terminate Sympony of Flowers and Item 25 on US Surfing. I live near Central Park and applaud Councilman Gruel for doing that. I'm a 2008 former Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum Board Member. Thank You Very Much, Chris MacDonald Huntington Beach Native Resident gg Virus-free.www.avg.com Switzer, Donna From: Betty Flynn <flynninhb@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, September 15, 2025 7:31 PM To: supplementalcomm@surfcity-hb.org Subject: Item#24 termination of the symphony of flowers You don't often get email from flynninhb@gmail.com. Learn why this is important Council Members, I urge you to please vote YES and terminate the agreement regarding the Symphony of Flowers, we the Community of Huntington Beach agree with Council member Gruel that it is time to terminate the Light Show in Huntington Central Park! Our parks, open spaces and wildlife must be protected! Thank you very much for your consideration. Betty Flynn Friends of all HB Parks Matter Sent from my iPhone 1 From: eve enoel 5t o l To: suoolementalcomm(asurfcity-hb.orq Subject: Terminate the Light Show Date: Monday,September 15,2025 8:23:10 PM You don't often get email from steve.w.engel@outlook.com.I earn why this is important Terminate the Light Show steve engel city council Huntington Beach Dear City Council, We and the Community of Huntington Beach agree with Council member Gruel that it is time to terminate the Light Show in Huntington Central Park. Thank you very much for your consideration. Steve Engel From: Brian Reilly To: 5uoolementalcomm @surfcity-hb.orq Subject: Kill the Symphony of Flowers! Date: Monday,September 15,2025 8:43:07 PM IYou don't often get email from breillyhb@gmail.com.1 earn why this is important Dear City Council Members, Protect and preserve our beautiful Central Park-kill the SoF idea. Do NOT support this bad proposal! Thank you, Brian Reilly