HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdopt Resolution No. 2026-02 Approving Application(s) for Wh 1INGi,_p 2000 Main Street,
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File #: 26-095 MEETING DATE: 2/3/2026
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric McCoy, Fire Chief
Jennifer Villasenor, Community Development Director
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Management Analyst
Christopher Kennedy, Economic Development Project Manager
Subject:
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-02 Approving Application(s) for Whale Tail Grant Funds from the
California Coastal Commission
Statement of Issue:
City Council approval is requested to adopt Resolution No. 2026-02 authorizing the City to submit
two applications for Whale Tail Grant Funding from the California Coastal Commission. One
application is proposed by the Community Development Department and the second is proposed by
the Fire Department.
Financial Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with submitting the Whale Tail Grant applications. If awarded,
each application would receive $50,000, for a total of$100,000 in grant funding. No City match or
cost share is required. For the Community Development Department project, Visit Huntington Beach
has allocated $65,000 to support the project through its Tourism Enhancement Program budget.
Recommended Action:
Adopt Resolution No. 2026-02, "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach
Approving the Application(s) for Whale Tail Grant Funds from the California Coastal Commission."
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The California Coastal Commission's Whale Tail Grants Program funds projects that connect people
to California's Coast and watersheds through education, stewardship and outdoor experiences.
Eligible projects often focus on coastal literacy, environmental awareness, and public access.
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File#: 26-095 MEETING DATE: 2/3/2026
For Fiscal Year 2025-2026, staff from the Fire Department and Community Development
Departments are proposing two separate projects, each requesting $50,000 in grant funding.
Community Development Department Proposal
The Community Development Department proposes an Interpretive Education Project on the
Huntington Beach Pier, developed in partnership with Visit Huntington Beach. The project would
create a self-guided, interactive interpretive walking tour to educate visitors about marine life, coastal
ecosystems, and Huntington Beach's surf culture and heritage.
This project would incorporate durable interpretive signage with digital enhancements to engage
visitors and promote environmental stewardship at one of California's most iconic public coastal
landmarks. If awarded, grant funds would be used to reimburse eligible costs associated with the
design and installation of the interpretive elements.
Fire Department Proposal
The Fire Department proposal would support the City's Beach Ranger Coastal Education Program,
which serves youth from the Oak View community. This program introduces participants to the ocean
environment and focuses on water safety and awareness, safe beach activities, aquatic animal
identification, and basic water skills and environmental education.
Grant funds would reimburse eligible operating and personnel expenses necessary to conduct and
support the program.
Council Action Required
City Council approval is required to:
• Support submission of the two grant applications
• Authorize the City to enter into grant agreements with the California Coastal Commission if
funding is awarded
• Designate authorized representatives to execute related agreements
Accordingly, staff recommends adoption of a resolution approving two Whale Tale Grant applications
in the amount of$50,000 each.
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. Resolution No. 2026-02
2. Whale Tail PowerPoint
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-02
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
APPROVING THE APPLICATION(S) FOR WHALE TAIL GRANT FUNDS FROM
CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION
WHEREAS, the Commission awards grants for projects that it determines are consistent
with Division 20 of the Public Resources Code and with the Commission's objective of
protecting and enhancing California's coast and ocean for present and future generations;
WHEREAS, the Commission requires that the governing body of the grantee certify
through a resolution that it approves the application for Commission grant funding and
authorizes the execution by a representative of the grantee of a grant agreement on terms and
conditions required by the Commission;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council hereby:
SECTION 1. Approves the filing of project proposal for Whale Tail program grant
funding from the Commission; and
SECTION 2. Delegates the authority to Travis Hopkins, City Manager; Eric McCoy,
Fire Chief; Jennifer Villasenor, Director of Community Development or Zack Zithisakthanakul,
Acting Chief Financial Officer, to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents,
including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests, which
may be necessary for the completion of the grant scope(s); and
SECTION 3. Agrees to comply with all applicable Federal, State and local laws,
ordinances, rules, regulations and guidelines.
PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach at the
regular meeting thereof held on the3n4 day of r- u� , 2026.
Mayor
REVIEWED AND APPROVED: INITIATED AND APPROVED:
City Mana er
Fire Chief
APPROVED AS TO FORM: INITIATED AND APPROVED:
\Ajk: //A
City Attorney Director of Community Development
25-17524/401291
Res. No. 2026-02
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF ORANGE ) ss:
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH ,)
I, LISA LANE BARNES, the duly elected, qualified City Clerk of the
City of Huntington Beach, and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of said City, do
hereby certify that the whole number of members of the City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach is seven; that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted
by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of all the members of said City Council
at a Regular meeting thereof held on February 3, 2026 by the following vote:
AYES: Gruel, Kennedy, Twining, McKeon, Burns, Van Der Mark, Williams
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RECUSED: None
City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the
City Council of the City of
Huntington Beach, California
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Grant Background
• Whale Tail Grant Funds are administered by the California Coastal Commission
• Statewide competitive grant program focused on coastal education and stewardship
• Supports projects that improve public understanding of marine life, coastal processes/heritage
• Prioritizes projects at high-use public coastal locations
• City submitted two applications for FY 2025-26 (Fire & Community Development Department)
• Council authorization required to submit application(s)
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Interpretive Education Project - HB Pier
Project Partner: Visit Huntington Beach
Grant Request: $50,000 (+$65k VHB funding) = $115k total project cost
Project Description: VISIT
• Self-guided, interactive interpretive walking tour that educates visitors about HUNTINGTOH
BEACH
the region's marine life, coastal dynamics, and surf heritage.
SURF CITY USA*
• Promotes coastal literacy, environmental stewardship, and enhance the
visitor experience at one of California's most iconic public coastal landmarks
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Beach Ranger Coastal Education
Pro ram - OakViewCommunity
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Grant Request: $50,000
Project Description:
• Beach Ranger Coastal Education Program
• Acquaints youth from the Oak View community with ocean environment and helps
develop water skills, ocean awareness, safe beach activities, aquatic animal
identification, and more � ,'
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Recommendation
Adopt Resolution 2026-XX approving the City' s Whale Tail
Grant applications for FY 2025 -26 .
Adoption of the resolution authorizes the grant
application and all associated actions required by the
grant .
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