HomeMy WebLinkAboutPier Stairs Advertising - Submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Twining ��NTINGT 2000 Main Street,
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File #: 26-588 MEETING DATE: 7/7/2026
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Shannon Levin, Council Policy Analyst
Subject:
Implementation of Huntington Beach Pier Stairs Advertising Pilot Project
Statement of Issue:
On June 16, 2026, the City Council directed the City Manager to research and implement advertising
on the stairs of the Huntington Beach Pier. Staff requests authorization to implement a pier stairs
advertising pilot project for up to one year.
Financial Impact:
Revenues derived from pilot program will be included in the report due early 2027.
Recommended Action:
Authorize the City Manager to implement a one-year pilot project for pier stairs advertising and
amend the contract with Rio Media and Advertising to expand the scope of services to include pier
stairs advertising.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve and direct staff otherwise.
Analysis:
On June 16, 2026, the City Council authorized the City Manager to research advertising on the
Huntington Beach pier stairs.
Over the last several weeks, beach event sponsors have expressed interest in advertising upcoming
events.
Pilot program will allow the City to evaluate advertising allowed via the Rio Media contract and City-
permitted Specific Events. Over the pilot period, staff will evaluate interest from Specific Event
partners. The program will target specific events and local businesses.
Staff recommends the City Council authorize the City Manager to amend the contract with Rio Media
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 2 Printed on 7/1/2026
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File #: 26-588 MEETING DATE: 7/7/2026
and Advertising by expanding the scope of services, and direct the City Manager, or designee/
Community & Library Services Director, to develop a one-year pilot program and manage the
implementation of the pilot project in collaboration with Rio Media.
Staff will provide a report to City Council within nine months.
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:
Goal 2 - Fiscal Stability, Strategy A - Consider new revenue sources and opportunities to support the
City's priority initiatives and projects.
Attachment(s):
1. Council Member Item Report - Pier Stairs Advertising - June 16, 2026
City of Huntington Beach Page 2 of 2 Printed on 7/1/2026
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52
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'�-....N� City Council Meeting - Council Member Items Report
To: City Council
From: Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twining
Councilman Don Kennedy
Date: June 16, 2026
Subject: PIER STAIRS ADVERTISING
ISSUE STATEMENT
The Huntington Beach Pier stairs provide a high-visibility advertising opportunity in one of the
City's most visited destinations. Custom stair wraps can capture the attention of residents and
visitors as they access the beach and pier, creating a memorable and engaging experience.
Activating a site, such as the steps, could allow the City to advertise upcoming, City-sponsored
events. Additionally, the City could license the site to bring in revenues, with preference given to
local vendors.Also, advertisers could align their messaging within a Specific Events Permit such
as the U.S. Open of Surfing.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Manager to research and implement advertising on the stairs of the Huntington
Beach Pier.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Not Applicable
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Goal 2 - Fiscal Stability, Strategy A- Consider new revenue sources and opportunities to support
the City's priority initiatives and projects.
2000 Main Street,Huntington Beach,CA 92648 I www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
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s' City of Huntington Beach APPROVED 6-1
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File #: 26-550 MEETING DATE: 6/16/2026
Subject:
Item submitted by Mayor Pro Tem Twining and Councilman Kennedy - Pier Stairs Advertising
Recommended Action:
Direct the City Manager to research and implement advertising on the stairs of the Huntington Beach
Pier.
Attachment(s):
1. Twining-Kennedy - Memo
City of Huntington Beach Page 1 of 1 Printed on 6/10/2026
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City Council Meeting - Council Member Items Report
To: City Council
From: Mayor Pro Tem Butch Twining
Councilman Don Kennedy
Date: June 16, 2026
Subject: PIER STAIRS ADVERTISING
ISSUE STATEMENT
The Huntington Beach Pier stairs provide a high-visibility advertising opportunity in one of the
City's most visited destinations. Custom stair wraps can capture the attention of residents and
visitors as they access the beach and pier, creating a memorable and engaging experience.
Activating a site, such as the steps, could allow the City to advertise upcoming, City-sponsored
events. Additionally, the City could license the site to bring in revenues, with preference given to
local vendors.Also, advertisers could align their messaging within a Specific Events Permit such
as the U.S. Open of Surfing.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct the City Manager to research and implement advertising on the stairs of the Huntington
Beach Pier.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Not Applicable
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Goal 2- Fiscal Stability, Strategy A- Consider new revenue sources and opportunities to support
the City's priority initiatives and projects.
2000 Main Street,Huntington Beach,CA 92648 I www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
819
From: Janet Bean
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF);suoplementalcomm(a surfcity-hb.org
Subject: Agenda Item Agenda Item 26-550
Date: Thursday,June 11,2026 11:17:58 AM
Re:the proposal for the Pier Stair Advertising
I am writing to ask,that those of you that care about preserving the beauty of our historical
and beautiful pier, vote NO on the agenda item for advertising on the pier steps.
While I understand the need to find additional income sources, since you are not able to find
ways to cut spending, this is not the answer.
The dollar amount that it possibly might bring in does not outweigh the defacing of our
beautiful pier area. You have already sold out our beach areas by allowing ads to be placed on
lifeguard stations, please do not further destroy the beauty of our pier by allowing ads to
clutter up the area.
Keep our beaches and pier ad free!!!! Who wants to come to a beach area that is cluttered
with corporate advertising?
Please Vote NO!
Thank you,
Janet Bean
SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATION - Meeting Date: 6/16/2026 Item No. 27 (26-550)
From: Stacey Shell
To: CITY COUNCIL(INCL.CMO STAFF)
Subject: Agenda Item 26-550
Date: Thursday,June 11,2026 12:44:58 AM
Agenda Item 26-550
Pier Stairs Advertising Proposal
Huntington Beach Mayor, City Council Members, and City Manager
I am writing today to voice my strong opposition to Agenda Item 26-550, which
proposes the implementation of commercial advertising wraps on our historic
Huntington Beach Pier stairs.
I understand the city's desire to look for alternative, non-tax revenue streams,
this specific proposal crosses a line from fiscal responsibility into the literal
defacing of our most treasured public landmark. Monetizing the very steps of our
iconic pier strips away the natural, classic coastal aesthetic that makes Surf City
incredibly special to residents and visitors alike.
Turning our historic beach infrastructure into a billboard clutters public spaces for
short-term corporate cash. Opening this door risks turning Huntington Beach into
a commercialized amusement park rather than a historic beach community,
prioritizing outside corporate branding over our local heritage. Once we sell out
our landmarks to private interests, it is incredibly difficult to walk those decisions
back.
Public assets like the Huntington Beach Pier belong to the community, not
corporate sponsors. I urge this council to reject Item 26-550 and instead seek
creative financial solutions that do not compromise the visual integrity, character,
and beauty of our coast.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of the community's voice.
Sincerely,
Stacey Shell
From: Starry SheU
To: Twinina,Butch
Subject: Re:Agenda Item 26-550
Date: Thursday,June 11,2026 4:25:42 PM
Attachments: stairway ads-forte Search one
Dear Mayor McKeon, City Council Members, and City Manager,
Thank you so much for your responses to my initial concerns.While Mayor McKeon's prompt request for alternative
ideas was brief, I want to thank Mayor Pro Tem Twining for taking the time to elaborate on the proposal, share the
rendering, and provide the specific target of$5,000 to$7,000 per month in expected revenue.
Now that the specific financial goals and event details are clear, I strongly maintain that wrapping our historic pier
stairs is unnecessary. I understand the vinyl wraps are temporary, but I believe using our landmark infrastructure for
commercial advertising sets a bad precedent. Beyond cluttering public spaces with corporate logos, placing
advertising graphics on the historic pier stairs creates an avoidable safety hazard. Stairs require focused attention,
and forcing pedestrians to look down to decipher commercial ads or graphics on the step faces is a dangerous
distraction. People need to look forward safely while moving up and down public walkways.The steps should remain
completely clean and free of any visual distractions.
These major events like the US Open and WSL already utilize extensive branding throughout the sand and boardwalk
footprints. They do not need to wrap the historic pier structure itself.As a charter city,we must maintain our local
standards. Since the city already approved advertising on our beach lifeguard towers under an agreement that
explicitly bans alcohol and gambling,we must uphold those same strict, family friendly design rules for the pier.
To easily match or exceed the target of$5,000 to$7,000 per month without introducing any commercial wraps or
distractions to the pier stairs, can the council explore these alternative, community supported programs instead?
The city could launch a commemorative plaza brick program.Allowing residents and visitors to purchase engraved
bricks placed flat in the surrounding plaza walkways generates an immediate, high-margin revenue stream.This
model builds long-term local pride and hits financial targets through pure community investment without touching the
stairs.
The city could implement a sponsored pier bench program.The city could establish a program for uniform pier
benches featuring elegant bronze markers to honor families, loved ones, or local businesses.This brings in steady
upfront and recurring maintenance fees.
The city could optimize special event and film permitting. Rather than expanding physical ad spaces, the city can
adjust permit and impact fees for large scale outside commercial productions and athletic events that utilize our public
coast, capturing more revenue from the organizers directly.
Pursue electric vehicle charging partnerships. Installing fast charging stations in city owned beach parking lots
through a revenue sharing model allows an outside provider to cover all installation costs while generating steady
monthly income for the city.
Thank you again for reviewing these alternative solutions. I look forward to seeing the council protect our historic
landmarks and public safety while pursuing these non intrusive revenue options.
Stacey Shell
On Jun 11,2026.at 9:43 AM,Twining,Butch<Butch.Twining;iasurfcity-hb.org>wrote:
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Stacey,here's a rendering.US Open and WSL want to advertise the upcoming event.
This type of advertising will be temporary and targeted to local events and organizers.This type of advertising is very
popular around the country.The wraps are easily removable and leave no evidence they were ever there.Again,this is not
permanent.Targeted LOCAL(primarily)advertising!
Oh,and did I mention it'll bring the city between$5k-S7k per month??As Casey mentioned,if you have any ideas to bring
revenues to the City,by all means,let me know
Edward"Butch"Twining
Mayor Pro Tempore
Huntington Beach,California
2000 Main Street,Huntington Beach,CA 92648
Phone:714.536.5553
On Jun 11,2026,at 12:44 AM,Stacey Shell<stacey.shell@outlook.com>wrote:
Agenda Item 26-550
Pier Stairs Advertising Proposal
Huntington Beach Mayor, City Council Members, and City Manager
I am writing today to voice my strong opposition to Agenda Item 26-550,which proposes the
implementation of commercial advertising wraps on our historic Huntington Beach Pier stairs.
I understand the city's desire to look for alternative, non-tax revenue streams,this specific
proposal crosses a line from fiscal responsibility into the literal defacing of our most treasured
public landmark. Monetizing the very steps of our iconic pier strips away the natural, classic
coastal aesthetic that makes Surf City incredibly special to residents and visitors alike.
Turning our historic beach infrastructure into a billboard clutters public spaces for short-term
corporate cash. Opening this door risks turning Huntington Beach into a commercialized
amusement park rather than a historic beach community, prioritizing outside corporate branding
over our local heritage. Once we sell out our landmarks to private interests, it is incredibly
difficult to walk those decisions back.
Public assets like the Huntington Beach Pier belong to the community, not corporate sponsors. I
urge this council to reject Item 26-550 and instead seek creative financial solutions that do not
compromise the visual integrity, character,and beauty of our coast.
Thank you for your time and your consideration of the community's voice.
Sincerely,
Stacey Shell