Monthly Online Newsletter - February 2005
Please Make a Note -
City Hall will be closed for Presidents' Day February 21st.
The Tsunami Threat to Huntington Beach
By Glorria Morrison, Emergency Services Coordinator
The Asian Tsunami shocked us all with over 155,000 lives lost. The good news is that the world has come together to respond to the victims of this tragedy. As we see the impact, many residents are wondering, could Huntington Beach be hit by a tsunami?
A Tsunami is an infrequent yet serious hazard in the Pacific. It is a series of traveling ocean waves of great length generated by an earthquake in the ocean or coastal region, often over a long period of time. As the tsunami crosses the ocean, its length from crest to crest may be a hundred miles or more, but its height from trough to crest only a few feet. It cannot be felt aboard ships in deep water and cannot be seen from the air. But in deep water, tsunami waves may reach speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour. In shallow water along coastlines, the velocity of its waves diminishes and wave height increases. It is in these shallow waters that a tsunami strikes with devastating force and becomes a threat to life and property.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service has developed a sophisticated warning system which tracks tsunamis. The system was developed following the devastating Alaska earthquake in April 1946 which surprised Hawaii and the California Coast taking a heavy toll in life and property. Crescent City, California had 11 deaths.
A tsunami has a low probability of occurrence in California but high consequences. Virtually the entire Huntington Beach area is less than 100 feet above sea level and about 75% of the city is less than 25 feet above sea level. Consider this:
- Inland of the Bolsa Chica wetlands for a full 2 miles from the ocean, the elevation is only 0' to 5' above sea level
- Huntington Harbour homes are at 5' to 10' above sea level
- Where HB and Fountain Valley come together at Garfield the elevation is approximately 15'.
For more information on potential impact, go to www.HB-CERT.org for the CERT newsletter and see the Huntington Beach Tsunami Run-up Map, Tsunami Evacuation Map, and the City Elevation Map in color. For the Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Report, go to www.surf-city-hb.org and to Fire Department.
Huntington Beach has 8.5 miles of southwestern facing beaches that are vulnerable to tsunamis or tidal surges from the south and from the west. During the summer months, Huntington Beach can attract over 100,000 people a day to its beaches.
If your home is in a tsunami inundation area, select a safe place inland where your family can go. Have a Grab 'n Go bag for each family member with emergency supplies and 3-days of food and water that you can take with you when you evacuate. Include a change of clothing, emergency contact phone numbers, medications, and copies of all your important papers.
A Tsunami Watch is notification that an earthquake has occurred that "could" cause a tsunami.
A Tsunami Warning is notification that an earthquake has occurred and a tsunami is spreading across the Pacific Ocean which may impact our area. Usually an estimated time of the number of hours until arrival will accompany the warning.
The greatest worry we have is an offshore fault where the sea floor shifts causing a local tsunami. There would be no warning time. Within minutes of the quake the tsunami could strike. Any time you are at the beach and you feel an earthquake, go to higher ground immediately. Tell others around you to do the same.
If you wish to learn more, plan to attend the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes. Either call for a schedule or go on line to www.HB-CERT.org.
Tsunami Safety Rules
Tsunamis are the so-called "tidal waves" generated by some earthquakes. When you hear a tsunami warning, you must assume a dangerous wave is on its way. Unfortunately, as we have seen recently, tsunamis can cause great destruction and death.
- All earthquakes do not cause tsunamis, but many do. When you feel an earthquake or hear that an earthquake has occurred, listen to the radio for a tsunami warning. If you are on the beach, go inland to higher ground.
- An earthquake in your area is a natural tsunami warning. Leave the beach and low-lying coastal areas immediately if you feel an earthquake.
- A tsunami is not a single wave, but a series of waves. Time between these great waves can be as long as 45 minutes from one wave to the next. Stay out of danger areas until the Huntington Beach Police, Fire and/or Marine Safety Officers issue an "all-clear".
- Approaching tsunamis are sometimes heralded by a noticeable rise or fall of coastal water. This is nature's tsunami warning and should be heeded.
- A small tsunami at one beach can be a giant wave a few miles away. Don't let the modest size of one make you lose respect for all.
- The Tsunami Warning System does not issue false alarms. When an ocean-wide warning is issued, a tsunami exists. When a regional warning is issued, a tsunami probably exists.
- All tsunamis are potentially dangerous, even though they may not damage every coastline they strike.
- Never go down to the beach to watch for a tsunami. When you can see the wave you may be too close to escape it. If you hear a Tsunami Warning, make sure your teenagers don't go to the beach. Often times they believe they can surf the large waves. They must be educated to the fact that these waves can be deadly!
- Sooner or later, tsunamis visit every coastline in the Pacific. Warnings apply to you if you live in any Pacific coastal area.
- During a tsunami emergency, the Huntington Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Officers will try to save your life. Give them your fullest cooperation and follow all emergency responders' orders.
- In Huntington Beach, we have a warning siren system located at seven fire stations. The siren is tested the last Friday of each month, at noon. When you hear the siren activate at any other time, turn on your AM/FM radio to listen for emergency information.
- For more information on tsunamis, go to www.nws.noaa.gov or www.surfcity-hb.org/citydepartments/fire.
Stay tuned to your AM/FM radio or television stations during a tsunami emergency-bulletins issued through the Huntington Beach Emergency Services Office and National Weather Service can help save your life!
Chaperone needed for Sister City trip
The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach is seeking a chaperone for four student ambassadors to Anjo, Japan. Interested persons who either live or work in Huntington Beach are eligible.
Four Japanese students and their chaperone will visit Huntington Beach from June 23 to July 7, 2005. Responsibilities of our chaperone include hosting the chaperone from Anjo.
In a reciprocal hosting arrangement, our ambassadors and chaperone will travel to Japan from July 26 to August 10, 2005.
A stipend is offered to partially offset expenses. For information, please call 846-7685 or 374-5397. Please visit our website at www.hbsistercity.org.
Applications are available at the main branch of the library, from Community Services Department, 5th floor of City Hall, and from the website.
Valentine's Tea at the Library
On Friday, February 11th at 1:45 p.m., Friends of the H.B. Library will present a Valentine's Tea at the Central Library room C/D. Featured speakers will be Anne Burley, author of A Cornish Childhood, 1935-1947; Margaret Dumas, author of Speak Now; and Dream of the Great Blue author, Don West.
The tea will also include coffee, finger sandwiches and lovely, assorted sweets. Cost of this delightful afternoon event is $15. Reservation checks payable to FOTL must be made in advance to FOTL Tea, 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, 92646 or delivered to the Friends Gift Shop. For more information call (714)842-4481, ext. 2213 or press 7 at prompt.
Drought conditions still exist even after heavy rains
Even though we've had two major rainstorms, the City wants to remind residents that we're still in a drought. Residents can help ease the stress on our water resources by continuing to practice water use efficiency measures, especially when it comes to landscape irrigation.
Some 55-60 percent of all water used in Orange County is for outdoor irrigation, making the water savings potential enormous, according to city officials.
Here's how residents can help:
- When it does rain, turn off your automatic sprinkler system. You'll save money and help prevent street flooding during downpours.
- Depending on the weather, you can safely keep your sprinklers off following a rainstorm for up to three weeks.
- Water your lawn and garden very early in the morning or during nighttime hours.
- Make certain your sprinkler heads are operating properly. A brown patch of grass probably means a sprinkler head is broken or blocked by dirt, bugs or overgrown grass. If the rest of your lawn is green, that brown patch isn't due to lack of water.
- Don't water every day during the cooler winter months. Your landscaping doesn't need it, and you're just wasting money.
- When possible, replace shrubs with California-friendly plantings that require less water and remain green year round.
Practicing outdoor water use efficiency is really a win/win/win situation. You'll conserve water, save money, and by decreasing outdoor irrigation times, help protect the environment by reducing urban runoff.
For more information about water use efficiency, log on to www.bewaterwise.com or www.mwdoc.com.
Free Permits to Neighborhood Groups For Qualified Improvement Projects
Often neighbors would like to see a cracked sidewalk, or potholed alley, or a tree in the public-right-of-way replaced or repaired. Sadly, these improvements might not occur for a long time, especially when the long list of maintenance needs does not match up with available funds.
Some neighbors have wanted to fund and make improvements on their own. The City of Huntington Beach wants to help by providing no-fee permits and inspection services to neighborhood groups to work in the public right-of-way for improvements such as: tree replacement and/or removal, alley improvements, improvements to the curbs, gutters, and sidewalks, or other public improvements.
To help neighbors take advantage of this opportunity, a new brochure called "Huntington Beach Neighborhoods Working Together" is now available at the Economic Development and Public Works Departments in City Hall. The brochure describes that after defining the project, a neighborhood representative would first contact the City's Neighborhood Improvement staff at 536-5542 who would assist them with the process.
Before beginning, the participating neighbors would need to be committed to the project by making their financial commitments. Depending on the scope of work, a licensed insured contractor or engineer/architect who meets the City's requirements would need to be used. After that approval is made, a contract with the approved contractor would need to be signed. Before construction, the contractor would secure the no-fee permit for right-of-way encroachment and other approvals. During construction the City's Public Works Department will provide free inspections.
There is already a history of neighborhood success stories. Already, homeowners sharing an alley in the downtown area pulled together to make repairs to an alley and repave it, making it a smoother ride and improving its appearance. Also, neighbors on a cul-de-sac hired a contractor to replace parkway street trees and repair curb, gutter and sidewalk, enhancing home values. And, residents in a tract upgraded the landscaping in the public right-of-way at the entries to their community, making a more welcoming statement. Your neighborhood can join this list of success stories. We are here to help.
Beachmont Plaza at Brookhurst and Adams will get new look
The Beachmont Plaza Shopping Center remodel/reconstruction project,
originally entitled June 2002, is back on track. Portions of the aging center will be demolished to make room for a new 55,000 square-foot Ralph's Grocery and an 11,000 square-foot freestanding pad building. Existing-to-remaining structures will be treated with a new plaster finish, a new pitched concrete-tile roof, decorative columns, and other architectural enhancements.
In addition, the entire parking lot will be reconfigured including decorative paving treatments at driveway entrances, and new landscaping provided throughout. The project also provides for the existing Sav-On Pharmacy to be fitted with a drive-through window. A public art project will also be incorporated into the remodel.
The art project consists of five planter boxes and six benches cast in the form of open encyclopedias, in reference to the small Huntington Beach "encyclopedia lots" given away with the purchase of encyclopedia sets in the early 1900's. Off-site improvements associated with the project include a new traffic signal on Brookhurst Street north of Adams, and a new northbound right-turn lane on Adams Avenue.
The project had been delayed due to the competing interests of the property owners (Albertson's which owns Sav-On, and Ralphs the anchor tenant of the to-be-remodeled center) and the grocery store employee strike (during which time Ralph's contingent lease offer expired). However, the developer recently advised that they are near resolution on all the issues which have led to the delay and that they anticipate starting construction in the spring of 2005.
On a related note, the city approved conceptual plans to remodel the former Rally's building (the small drive-thru building at the corner) for use as a Starbuck's Coffee shop on October 14, 2004 (this is a separately owned parcel - not part of the previously approved shopping center re-build project). Although Starbuck's and the property owner are anxious to get the business running, they won't be opening right away.
The approved project involves significant upgrades to the site that will need to be completed first. The project architect is currently preparing the working drawings for submittal in the early part of 2005. We anticipate that Starbuck's will be in business this summer.
Volunteer Drivers needed for senior transportation
The City of Huntington Beach, Senior Services is in need of volunteer drivers for the Senior Transportation Program. This program provides door-to-door service to medical appointments, shopping centers, Rodgers Seniors' Center, and any other location within Huntington Beach. Volunteer drivers will receive on-the-job training and are asked to drive a four-hour shift per week.
Senior Services provides transportation for seniors, ages 55 and over, and assists with their mobility needs in order to promote self-sufficiency and independence. Drivers drive more than 90,000 miles annually collectively. There is no charge to use the service, but donations are always appreciated.
For additional information on becoming a volunteer driver, please call Diane Swarts, Volunteer Services Coordinator, at (714) 374-1544.
Huntington Beach Police in process of recruitment
Did you know that the Huntington Beach Police Department is the largest department in the City, with 220 sworn positions, 135 full-time civilian positions, and about 30 part-time positions? Did you know that it takes more than just Police Officers to make a department run smoothly? Do you know that the department is looking for quality candidates to fill a variety of open positions?
The Huntington Beach Police Department is an exciting place to work, with many specialty assignments and some of the most modern facilities and equipment in the state. Specialty assignments available, after of few years as a patrol officer, include Investigations, SWAT, K-9, Narcotics, Downtown Footbeat, Beach Patrol, and our Aero Bureau. The department has a modern full-service jail with space for 72 arrestees, one of only two crime labs in the county, and a state of the art dispatch center.
The department is now recruiting for several positions, including Police Officer, Detention Officer, Communications Operator (911 dispatcher), Records Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Parking Control Officer, Custodian, Police Cadet, and Crossing Guard. Each position has its own eligibility requirements, application procedures, and testing schedules.
If you are interesting in applying for any of these positions, please visit the City of Huntington Beach website at www.surfcity-hb.org/jobs. Candidates will be required to pass a comprehensive background investigation prior to hire. Recent drug use, convictions, or crimes of moral turpitude could cause disqualification.
Public Works crews busy with rain damage
As a result of the recent storms, Public Works street crews have been busy repairing a vast number of new potholes throughout the city. Potholes are created when water seeps though the asphalt layer and erodes the base material that supports the street.
Between January 4 and 19, crews repaired almost 600 potholes. Over 14 tons of permanent cold patch was applied. On average, one 50-pound bag fills one pothole; however, a large hole at Edinger and Bolsa Chica required 10 bags of material. Permanent cold patch costs $270 a ton and is only used in wet conditions. Once the temporary pothole patches are placed, crews do not immediately return to perform permanent repairs.
Permanent repairs are done on an as-needed basis. All of the arterial streets have been reviewed at this time, and any new forming potholes are addressed as necessary. Normally three to four people are assigned to patching potholes, sidewalks, emergency repairs, and hazardous material spills.
During adverse weather conditions, all 14 members of the Street Program respond to storm duty to focus on cleaning storm drain grates.
They remove obstructions from the street, fill potholes, and handle road closures. The street crew worked 116 hours of storm-related overtime between January 1 and January 14. The city appreciates their dedication and hard work under very adverse conditions.
Passport Services available at City Hall 
If your future travel plans call for a destination beyond the borders of the United States, then you either need a new passport or you may want to check your current passport to make sure it is up-to-date.
The City of Huntington Beach, through the City Clerk's Office, has been designated as a United States Acceptance Facility for people needing a passport for the first time, as well as for people needing to renew their existing passport.
The City Clerk's Office also provides information packets to help you expedite your application for a Passport. Located at the Huntington Beach City Hall, 2000 Main Street, on the 2nd floor, it is open Monday thru Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including lunchtime hours. For more information call 714-374-1600.
Deputy City Clerk Robin Roberts receives January Mayor's Award
In the short time that Robin Roberts has worked for the City of Huntington Beach, she has become a major asset to the City Clerk's Office. Robin has taken on the enormous tasks of re-organizing the Vault, handling Record Retention, research requests, and is currently working with Information Services on an Optical Imaging Program. Known to her co-workers as a cheerful team player, Robin is very knowledgeable in Records Management practices and is always has a significant role in analyzing and solving problems at the City Clerk's Office.
This mother of three has lived in Huntington Beach since she was four years old. Robin graduated from Orange Coast College in the Construction Management/ Construction Technology Program and immediately began working in the construction industry, where she worked for 20 years. After taking a short break to be at home with her children, Jessica, 20, Danielle, 16, and Kathleen 13, Robin re-entered the workforce in April, 2004 to work for the City of Huntington Beach.
Robin has been very active in the community throughout her life, holding various board positions and serving as president for the Hawes Elementary School PTA and South Huntington Beach Girls Fast Pitch Softball. She has also been a soccer coach for AYSO Region 56, and served as a board member on the Huntington Union Council PTA. Currently she is a board member of Project Self Sufficiency.
Robin, shown in the photo with her family and City Clerk Joan Flynn(top left), received the award from Mayor Jill Hardy (far right) at the January 18th meeting.
Swing Band to perform at Pier on Mother's Day
Put on your dancing shoes and bring your mom down to Pier Plaza on Mothers Day, Sunday May 8. The Pier Plaza Presents Concert series kicks off with the sound of the Royal Crown Review,
a seven piece swing band that combines jazz and jump in an elegant blend of everything from be-bop to gut-bucket blues.
This popular band signed with Warner Brothers Records in 1995, releasing their first album Mugzy's Move, which formally established the band's "hard-boiled" style with songs of Hollywood street life and big-top tragedies.
Over the past several years, the group has toured extensively and made innumerable television and radio appearances, including "Late Night with Conan O'Brien", the "Today Show" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".
Royal Crown Review has appeared at the Playboy Jazz Festival, performed live with Bette Midler at the Billboard Music Awards, and performed at an eclectic mix of events from major jazz festivals such as the Concord and Newport to the Warped Tour.
Most recently the groups' music was included the films "Cat in the Hat" and "Something's Gotta Give" as well as the television series "Wonder Falls". Royal Crown Review has released several albums that have gained positive critical acclaim and fans throughout the world.
The Royal Crown Review will be at Pier Plaza on Sunday, May 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM
The Pier Plaza Presents Concert series is sponsored by Farmers and Merchants Bank. It is presented on various Sundays from May through August. For a complete lineup of the 2005 series, contact the Community Services Department at 714-536-5486.
Noodle -Making event to raise funds for Project Self-Sufficiency
Ruby Palace Chinese Restaurant is celebrating the "Year of the Rooster" this Chinese New Year by offering the public the opportunity to see demonstrations of the ancient art form of Chinese noodle making.
The Centuries-old tradition will take place on Friday, February 4 and Saturday, February 5 between 6 and 8:30pm. There is no extra charge to see this ritual at Ruby Palace Chinese Restaurant, 18330 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach. However, during the month of February beginning February 4, all proceeds from egg roll sales will go to benefit Project Self-Sufficiency also located in Huntington Beach.
The only ingredients needed in Chinese noodle-making include one pound of dough, one knife and a pair of experienced hands to create hundreds to thousands of noodles. The longer the noodles, the longer one can expect to live, as told by Chinese custom.
The added egg roll sales and its proceeds will benefit Project Self-Sufficiency, a low- income single parent program in Huntington Beach, whereby participants must live, work or attend school in HB.
For more information about Chinese noodle-making or for details on Chinese New Year dinner, contact Ruby Palace (714) 848-6088.
City Clerk announces the availability of Agenda backup online
City Clerk Joan Flynn has announced that the public now has available an opportunity to download backup information for current agendas listed on the City's website.
"We are pleased that access to the information regarding agenda items is now available as PDF files that can be downloaded off the internet," stated City Clerk Flynn. "This will save the public the time to come into City Hall to pick up copies of the agenda reports."
Agenda items usually have a "Request for Council Action" that provides back up information to the issue to be discussed. The RCA's are now available on the City's Website. Attachments are not yet available, however, it is hoped that they will also be included at a future date. To access the agenda and backup materials, users need to go to the City's website - www.surfcity-hb.org - and click on the following items:
1) Elected Officials
2) City Clerk
3) City Council Agendas
Any items that have a description in blue will feature the RCA in PDF format. Simply click on the blue to bring up the document.
Surf City Huntington Beach Visa Card
Last December, the City of Huntington Beach launched the new Surf City Visa Credit Card program and it became a great way for many residents to finish off their holiday shopping. While the new cardholders benefit from both the convenience of a Visa card and low introductory rates, the City also benefits.
For every Surf City Huntington Beach Visa card issued, and for every purchase made, the community receives revenue for parks, recreation, libraries, cultural programs and more. In addition to shopping locally, day-to-day purchases with your Surf City Huntington Beach Visa card will help provide programs and activities for children and others here in Huntington Beach.
Now our partner, U.S. Bank, has announced new changes that will make the Visa card even more attractive. Beginning this fall, they will be offering new benefits to cardholders, including member rewards such as travel, merchandise or cash; and customizable card art to make our card look even more like 'Surf City'!
Keep an eye out for additional information as it becomes available. Or, to apply now, log on to the City's website, www.surfcity-hb.org and use the link provided to the U.S. Bank's secure on-line application page. You may also pick up an application at any one of a number of City public counters and return it in the postage paid mailer.
Sandbags available through Public Works Department
Local citizens can receive up to 20 sandbags from the City of Huntington Beach Corporate Yard at 17371 Gothard St. The sandbags are available during storms and when significant rainfall is in our forecast. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. These hours may be extended in the event of a major storm.
Sandbags are for the personal use of Huntington Beach residents only. Contractors and businesses can purchase sand and bags at most building supply centers and home improvement stores. Residents should be prepared to show a form of personal identification, like a driver's license or photo I.D card, and a current utility bill or similar proof of HB residency. Citizens are asked to bring their own shovel and fill their own bags, unless they are physically unable.
The elderly and disabled may call the HB Fire Dept. CERT message line, (714) 536-5974, to have sandbags delivered by volunteers. The City does not collect bags after the rainy season. It is the responsibility of the resident to lawfully dispose of the sand and the bag when no longer needed.
The Yard is located at 17371 Gothard St. between Warner and Slater Avenues. For more information, please call Public Works Maintenance at 960-8861. For all information or questions on flood preparedness, call the Huntington Beach Fire Department Emergency Services Office at 536-5980.
Pacific Shoreline Marathon to be held February 6th
On Sunday, February 6, 2005 the City of Huntington Beach will host the Pacific Shoreline Marathon. This is the ninth year for the event, which includes a marathon, half-marathon, 5K run, children's run and expo.
The 2005 event course will remain the same as last year with the closure of Pacific Coast Highway from Beach Blvd. to Warner Ave. The expo and start/finish will be located in the beach parking lot, between Beach Blvd and Huntington Street. Portions of inland streets will also be closed including Seapoint St., Garfield Ave., Ellis Ave., Talbert Ave., Edwards St., Inlet Dr., Overlook Dr., Summit Dr., Varsity Dr., Central Park Dr., Goldenwest Ave. and areas of Central Park.
Although there will be access in and out of all neighborhoods throughout the event, you may experience some delays during that time. All roads will be open by 2:00 PM or sooner, depending upon safety. The event organizer has worked closely with the Police and Fire Departments to insure that emergency service to the community is not affected in any way. We apologize for any inconvenience to residents and business owners.
For information contact: Community Services Department 714-536-5486 To participate in the event contact: Pacific Shoreline Marathon 949-581-0105 or on-line at marathonrun.com
February Television Schedule for Channel Three
| Community Bulletin Board | All Day, Everyday |
| City Council Live Broadcasts | February 7th and 22nd starting at 6 pm (The Tuesday meeting is due to the February 21st Presidents' Day) |
| City Council Re-Broadcasts | February 8th at 10 am and Feb. 9th at 7 pm For the February 7th meeting |
| February 23rd at 10 am For the February 22nd meeting |
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| Planning Commission Broadcasts | February 8th and 23rd at 7 pm |
| Planning Commission Re-Broadcasts | Thursday following the meeting at 7 pm |