HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-23 SpecialMinutes
City Council/Public Financing Authority Special Meeting
City of Huntington Beach
Tuesday, September 23, 2025
4:00 PM -Council Chambers
Civic Center, 2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, California 92648
A video recording of the 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM portions of this meeting
is on file in the Office of the City Clerk, and archived at
https:1/huntingtonbeach.legistar.comlCalendar.aspx
4:00 PM -COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CALL TO ORDER SPECIAL MEETING -4:00 PM
ROLL CALL
Present:
Absent:
Twining, Kennedy, McKeon, Burns, Gruel, and Williams
Van Der Mark
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -Led by Assistant City Manager Marissa Sur
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS (Received After Agenda Distribution)
Pursuant to the Brown "Open Meetings" Act, City Clerk Lisa Lane Barnes announced supplemental
communications received by her office following distribution of the Council Agenda packet which were all
uploaded to the City's website and Councilmember iPads: Councilmember Item #1 (11 email
communications).
PUBLIC COMMENTS (1-Minute Time Limit set by Mayor Burns) -14 Speakers
The number [hh:mm:ss] following the speakers' comments indicates their approximate starting lime in
the archived video located at https:l/hun/ingtonbeach.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.
Unnamed Speaker, representing the Hospitality Community, commented on Council Member Item #1
(25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech
Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00:05:49)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:06:56)
Amory Hanson commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility
of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00:07:32)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:08:10)
City Council/Public Finance Authority Special Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 2 of 3
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:08:51)
Kathey Haas commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility of
an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00:09:55)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:10:59)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:11 :58)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:12:54)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:14:03)
Wendy Rincon commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility
of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00: 15:25)
Unnamed Speaker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the
possibility of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk.
(00:16:27)
Skywalker commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility of an
Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00: 17:33)
Bethany Webb commented on Council Member Item #1 (25-780) regarding discussion on the possibility
of an Artistic Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk. (00: 18:48)
COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS
1. (25-780) Approved Amended Item Submitted by Councilman Williams, Co-Sponsored by
Mayor Burns and Councilman Gruel to Discuss the Possibility of an Artistic
Expression of Freedom and Free Speech Mural Memorializing Charlie Kirk
Councilman Willliams introduced this item by sharing some photos of a spontaneous vigil held in
Huntington Beach to document the number of people in attendance. He described some of the
abhorrent actions taken in other cultures around the world where people are not free to express
themselves and where violence is used to suppress freedom. He added that he envisions a mural that is
focused on the core American values of freedom and free speech, and a symbol that will stand against
the use of violence. He also believes this effort in support of free speech will have educational and
generational impact. He added it is important to leave something monumental behind to help people
remember what happened on September 10, 2025.
City Council/Public Finance Authority Special Meeting Minutes
September 23, 2025
Page 3 of 3
Councilmembers Twining, Kennedy, Gruel and Mayor Pro Tern McKeon discussed Charlie Kirk's
message of free speech, faith in God, patriotism through bold dialogue, ideas, and that young people
have the power to shape the civic landscape; recognition of the concept that no one should destroy that
with which they do not agree; a majority of public speakers for this meeting acknowledging the tragedy of
Charlie Kirk's death; using only private funding for this project; consideration of media options other than
a mural; consideration of both private and public locations; and the Ad Hoc Committee recommendation
will return to City Council for final consideration.
A motion was made by Williams, second Burns to Work with Direct staff to explore the creation of a
mural as an artistic expression honoring freedom and free speech, memorializing Charlie Kirk and form a
City Council ad-hoc committee, comprised of Mayor Burns and Councilmembers Gruel and
Williams, authorized to identify a location, artist(s), and artwork for the mural, monument or plaque,
and return to Council for a final vote.
The motion carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Twining, Kennedy, McKeon, Burns, Gruel, and Williams
None
Van Der Mark
ADJOURNMENT -At 4:45 PM a motion was made by Mayor Burns, with a second by Williams, to
adjourn to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington Beach City Council/Public Financing
Authority on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, 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
httpJ!www.h,mJo~~bea~
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City Clerk-Secretary
of the City of Huntington Beach and Secretary of
the Public Financing Authority of the City of
Huntington Beach, California
Mayor-Chair