Monthly Online Newsletter - September 2004
Police Chief to hold community meeting regarding RV Ordinance
Police Chief Ken Small will be hosting a community meeting at 6 p.m. on September 21 to discuss the serious problem of city streets in residential areas being used for storage of recreational vehicles and trailers. This meeting will be held in the City Council chambers.
Chief Small is inviting the public to hear his presentation about proposed changes to the city ordinances involving the parking of RV's and trailers. The proposed ordinance changes will apply to RV's 20 feet and over, as well as boats and personal watercraft.
Chief Small welcomes all public comments. It is anticipated that a proposed ordinance will be submitted to the City Council at a future meeting.
The problems of parking RV's in residential areas include the deterioration in appearance of neighborhoods, complaints from residents, and habitation of these RV's by their owners. In addition, many of the current regulations are ineffective. Chief Small, in a recent study session, noted that there are no restrictions on parking locations, and that enforcing the 5-10 complaints he receives per day is very difficult.
The revisions will affect City Code HBMC 10.44. The draft ordinance is available at the City Clerk's office.
Civil War Days to be re-enacted in Central Park
The public is welcome to see living history at the upcoming Civil War Days, September 4 and 5, in Huntington Central Park. Battles, settlers, weapon demonstrations, food, and a concert are offered on Saturday, with church services and more battles on Sunday.
Refreshment proceeds benefit the Huntington Beach Historical Society. For more information, please call 969-8928 or visit HBhistory@aol.com.
Distance Derby raised money for Project Self Sufficiency
Nearly 1,000 runners competed for medals during the 50th "Distance Derby" run on Saturday, August 14th to benefit Project Self- Sufficiency.
The 10-mile, 5-mile, and kids fun races were held to assist low- income, single parent families achieve economic independence and improve their quality of life. All participants began at Pier Plaza, just north of the Pier, and ran south.
Vendors such as SOBE, Sandal's Resort, and local chiropractors, combined with over 100 community volunteers helped ensure this event to be a success. Even local radio station KLAC was broadcasting live at the event and working with Public Works to distribute fun goodies to the event participants. WalMart was the hospitality sponsor for the event.
Counted among the many community volunteers who helped was a troupe of Girl Scouts from Seattle, Washington, who happened to hear about the event while surfing the Internet. During the weekend of the event, they had planned on visiting Disneyland. However, they made special arrangements to ride the OCTA bus to attend the event and help clean up.
This event is the oldest fundraising run in Orange County, but is the first year that Project Self- Sufficiency was the benefactor of the proceeds. The event was promoted by Susan Edwards, Dottie Hughes, and Janeen Laudenback.
Plans for next year's event are already underway, and the date for the event will be announced soon.
Project Self Sufficiency works to provide low-income families with opportunities for education, skills, and abilities necessary to move towards self- sufficiency. More information about this program can be found by calling (714) 536-5439. For a brochure about the program, email Susan Edwards - sedwards@surfcity-hb.com.
BB Jazz presents "A Romantic Evening in Central Park" 
Al Jarreau is headlining a September 11th benefit concert called "A Romantic Evening in Central Park" to raise money for children with Autism as well as for the wives and victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. BB Jazz presents the Second Annual HB Smooth Jazz Festival in Central Park.
Concertgoers have three choices for tickets. General admission @ $40 lawn seating, Gold @$100 VIP seating with dinner, Platinum @$200 VIP table seating with dinner and all beverages. The $200 "Platinum VIP" seats include a table, free BB Jazz shirt, all-you-can eat buffet, tableside drinks, as well as a personal waiter.
The Frost family, whose daughter Lisa was a victim of 9/11, will be attending the festival in Central Park. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Wives & Victims of 9/11. Other musicians performing include Kevin Toney with Andre Delano, Richard Smith with Brian Bromberg, Pieces of a Dream, Christine Day with Everette Harp, Ray Fuller & more. The concert will be held in the bandstand area of Huntington Beach Central Park. The first performer is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. Central Park is located at Goldenwest Blvd. and Talbert Avenue Gates will open at noon.
BB Jazz can be found on the Internet by logging onto www.bbjazz.com, or by calling (714) 377-7574. This non-profit organization was started in 2001 by Corky and Betty Bennish. Their nephew Sonic is autistic and they wanted to find a way to help his family fight their battle. Betty combined her love of smooth jazz with her background in the music industry to help promote the company and their events. BB Jazz has promoted jazz concerts in Huntington Beach at Central Park and in the Library Theatre for three years.
Downtown Huntington Beach Business Improvement District approved
The City Council approved a new Business Improvement District (BID) for the downtown area at its meeting on August 16. Downtown merchants have been working with Economic Development staff to form a BID for more than two years, holding several public meetings and fine-tuning the assessment structure to make it as fair as possible.
It is expected the BID will generate about $80,000 to enhance the area and market downtown businesses. In September, a seven-member BID Board will be elected from among those paying the assessments to manage how the funds are spent. The Huntington Beach Hotel/Motel BID and the Huntington Beach Auto Dealers BID renewals were also approved at that meeting.
City Fire Department receives high ISO rating 
The city of Huntington Beach Fire Department was recently survey by the Insurance Services Offices (ISO) to determine its Public Protection Classification (PPC) and was awarded a Class 1 rating, which is an exemplary fire suppression rating. This is the first time in the City's history that it has received such an excellent ISO rating. ISO is the leading supplier of statistical, underwriting, and actuarial information to the property/casualty insurance industry and is used by most insurers to calculate the premiums for residential, commercial and industrial subscribers.
The ISO's PPC program evaluates communities according to a uniform set of criteria defined in the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule. This criterion incorporates nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association.
Using this rating scale, ISO objectively reviews the fire suppression capabilities of the community and assigns a Public Protection Classification - a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection in the community and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression programs do not meet minimum recognition criteria. ISO evaluates a community approximately once every 10 years or when major department changes occur. The last time Huntington Beach was surveyed was 1990; at that time, the City received a Class 2 rating.
The Fire Suppression Rating Schedule allots credit to three major features of a fire suppression system by evaluating the following:
Fire Alarm and Communication Systems: This accounts for the community's ability to handle and dispatch fire alarms.
Fire Department: This accounts for the largest part of the total classification, which focuses on items such as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department staffing and training.
Water Supply System: This is the second major portion of the total classification highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression, including hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspecting frequency and condition of fire hydrants.
In all three major areas, the city of Huntington Beach received exemplary ratings. Out of over 37, 000 fire departments in the nation only 42 have a Class 1 rating. In California 10 have acquired that rating and in Orange County 3 departments which include Anaheim and Santa Ana along with Huntington Beach have received the highest possible rating.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau
The Huntington Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau is a non-profit 501(c)(6) corporation that promotes HB as the premier overnight beach destination in Orange County and Southern California - a vision that our city's founders had more than 100 years ago but is only now coming to fruition. By providing important visitor services and luring more guests to Surf City, the Bureau helps strengthen our economy and enhance our lifestyle.
Those of us who live and work here are well aware of HB's charms. Without visitors, however, our cost-of-living would be higher and our quality-of-life would be diminished. Visitors enrich our economy with purchasing power and revenue generated from room, sales and property taxes. And don't forget all of the jobs created - not only in the hospitality industry. Many of the recreational, dining and shopping options that make HB so dynamic would not exist today without tourism. (Even our police department and parks are partially funded by these vital tax dollars.)
The Bureau offers a free visitors guide, toll-free 24-hour recorded information, advertising, public relations, a first-rate website - www.hbvisit.com - and numerous other promotions and activities to attract and inform visitors. Additionally, it staffs two visitor information centers (main office and a seasonal pier-side kiosk) to welcome visitors and direct them to area businesses. The Bureau's marketing approach engages community members from all backgrounds - soliciting their feedback on how best to promote Surf City while strongly preserving its heart and soul.
Want to learn more? Well, here's your chance! The HB Pipeline, an online Bureau publication, will soon be available to you from the City's Website. Just check www.surfcity-hb.org.
It's time for football
Fall youth sports will be starting up again soon, and the last day to register your child is September 11. Flag football has four leagues for children in grades first through eighth, while volleyball has a two leagues for kids in grades five through eight.
The fee for either sport is $40/child, which includes a team shirt. Checks should be made payable to "City of Huntington Beach." The leagues will begin on September 11, and weather permitting, be completed by Thanksgiving.
For more information, contact the Murdy Community Center (7000 Norma Drive) at 960-8895 or John Valinsky at the Edison Community Center (21377 Magnolia Street) at 960-8870.
It's Happening in September at The Huntington Beach Art Center
The Art Center invites you to attend the opening reception for our next exhibition, featuring the work of Ed Moses and Jimi Gleason, on Friday, September 10, 7-9 p.m. 
This exhibition of Contemporary Paintings is guaranteed to impact the senses and dazzle the psyche. Take advantage of this opportunity to mingle with two critically acclaimed artists, as well as experience high-level art right in your own city. The exhibit will run September 11th through October 17th.
Support your local Arts Center while enjoying scrumptious food, beverages, and fun events! "Brunch for the Arts" is the Art Center's biggest fundraising event and one of its most exquisite affairs. Held annually, the "Brunch" helps to raise the money, which is greatly needed to help sustain the operations of this local arts organization. This year "Brunch for the Arts" is to be held at the lovely Waterfront Hilton Beach Resort on Sunday, September 19, at 11:15. The event will include a live and silent auction, as well as a champagne brunch. The "Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles" provides the entertainment, with a live performance of gospel music.
Are you a Classical music fan? If you answered yes to this question, the Art Center is the place for you to be on Sunday, September 26, 4-5:30 p.m. Classical pianist Brian Barclay performs a selection of works from Beethoven, Brahms, Ravel and Ginastera. Come relax and take in the sounds of a live master pianist and don't forget to visit the galleries!
The Art Center is located at 538 Main Street. The hours are Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 6 pm and Sundays noon to 4 pm. Admission is free. For further information, call the Art Center at (714) 374-1650.
Author Dean Koontz to Appear at Central Library, Halloween Eve
Yes, how apropos that on Halloween Eve October 30th, internationally recognized author Dean Koontz will be the special featured guest lecturer of Friends of the Library.
With world wide sales of over 250 million books in 32 languages, Mr. Koontz has made the NEW YORK TIMES best seller list an incredible 38 times! He is a master of nail-biting chillers and plot twists. Two options are available for this event: Dinner reservations for 6:30 p.m. including lecture and preferred seating, are $25 with doors opening at 6:00.
The lecture only price is $15 with doors opening at 7:15 p.m. The lecture will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m. in the Library Theater. All reservations must be pre-paid and seating is limited, so reserve early to avoid disappointment.
Send checks payable to FOTL to "FOTL Evening", 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, 92648 or deliver to the Friends Gift Shop within the Central Library. For further information call 842-4481, ext. 2213 or press 7 at prompt.
How to Dispose of Hazardous Waste the Easy and Environmentally Safe Way
Information from the City of Huntington Beach Environmental Board
What can be done with old paint or your old computer monitor? Since these hazardous waste products cannot go into the regular trash, what is the answer?
Hazardous waste can be disposed of easily and safely thanks to the City of Huntington Beach and the County of Orange. Right here in Huntington Beach we have a County run Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC), located at:
Rainbow Disposal
17121 Nichols Street (between Warner and Slater avenues)
enter at Gate 6
This HHWCC facility is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. and their phone number is (714) 834-6752.
What is considered hazardous waste that cannot go into the regular trash? A good rule of thumb - anything labeled caution, warning, dangerous, flammable, poison, corrosive, or toxic is considered hazardous waste. Also, any liquids, either hazardous or not, do not go into the trash. Hazardous waste is harmful to the environment and to us, but by disposing of it at the HHWCC we help protect our air, land, waterways, and the ocean.
The HHWCC is the easy place to get rid of old paint, solvents, used motor oil, pesticides, herbicides, automotive and household batteries, pool chemicals, fluorescent lamps, aerosol containers, mercury thermometers, medications, and even television sets and computer monitors. Computers and keyboards can still be put in the regular trash.
Just bring your hazardous waste to the Huntington Beach HHWCC where you do not even have to get out of your vehicle. The facility personnel will remove the materials for you while you stay in your vehicle. There is no charge to you to dispose of these products or for this service. Yes, disposing of hazardous waste at the HHWCC is easy, safe, and FREE.
Link listing the products - www.oc.ca.gov/iwmd/hhwccproducts.asp
Link listing of the Stop and Swap - www.oc.ca.gov/iwmd/stopandswap.asp
Link for handling and transporting HW- www.oc.ca.gov/iwmd/hhwcctransport.asp
Huck Finn Fishing Derby brings hundreds to Pier
The municipal pier was crowded with little "fishers" last weekend during the 41st Annual Huck Finn Fishing Derby. Based on records available, this was the biggest event ever in the history of the fishing derby.
Volunteers with the Huntington Beach Fishing Club helped to sign in the over 325 
children who participated in the event. The staff of Western Fishing & Boating Radio co-sponsored the event with the Community Services Department. Big Fish Tackle in Seal Beach donated 200 rods and reels to those who registered early at their store.
Sport Chalet donated two bicycles for the costume contest. No one went away empty handed. Equipment was available for check out with the Department of Fish & Game. Over 250 fish were caught during the derby, making it a very successful event.
Safety lessons save lives
"It's Fire Prevention Week: Test Your Smoke Alarms" - that's the theme of FPW 2004, the annual national fire safety campaign. Testing smoke alarms may sound like basic advice, but this lesson can save lives.
All too often the presence of a working smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death. But despite the fact that smoke alarms are now widely popular, roughly 70 percent of home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Because fire can spread through a home so quickly, it is essential that everyone in your family be able to recognize the sound of the alarm, and has a plan for getting out safely.
Smoke alarms are the fire safety success story of the 20th century, but they can't save your life if they're not working. Test your smoke alarm today. It could make all the difference. For more information go to www.firepreventionweek.org. In commemoration of National Fire Prevention Week the Huntington Beach Fire Department will be hosting Open House on Saturday, October 9 at all of the eight fire station locations from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Please drop by your local fire station.
Mayor's Award goes to John Roulette
The August Mayor's Award was presented to Senior Budget Analyst John Roulette. John has worked for the City since 1975, when the City calculated its budget on a calculator. When John is not working with the City's budget, he is playing rock and roll in a band. John was joined by his family, Mayor Cathy Green and Administrative Services Director Clay Martin, when he received his award on August 16th.
Congressman to host forum on protecting the homeland
The 911 Commemoration and Citizen Corps will be holding a community forum entitled "Citizen Corps: Protecting the Homeland" on Saturday, September 11, 2004. The forum will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Huntington Beach City Council Chambers, located at 2000 Main St., Huntington Beach.
The purpose of this event is to provide information on current local, state and national preparedness activities. A major focus of the forum will be on how families, communities, and the nation can better protect themselves.
Participants will become acquainted with specific tools, contacts, resources and recommendations regarding programs such as: Citizen Corps Council Development, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Peninsula Emergency Response Team (PERT), Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS), Radio Amateurs, RSVP, Neighborhood Watch, Medical Reserve Corps, and others.
This event is being co-sponsored by Governor Schwarzenegger's Office of Services and Volunteerism (GOSERV) and the City of Huntington Beach.
For further information, please visit the program's official website at http://www.house.gov/rohrabacher/homesecevent.htm
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher's office may also be contacted for further information by calling (310) 377- 9493.
Save Our Strays working to establish animal shelter
Save Our Strays fifth annual pancake breakfast will be held on September 11th from 8 am to noon at Lake Park in Huntington Beach. The Park is located on Main Street between 11th and 12th Streets and the cost is $7 each. There will be a raffle and vendors and, of course, pets are invited.
Save Our Strays of Huntington Beach is a non-profit community-based all-volunteer organization dedicated to improving the lives of lost and stray pets of Huntington Beach and their caretakers. The organization was founded in 1999 and currently has over 250 members.
The main goal of SOSHB is to establish a pro-humane animal shelter in Huntington Beach. Until that dream can be realized we have found other ways to help.
- We work with the Orange County Animal Services to assist in finding homes for animals in their care. At any of our events we invite the county to bring animals that are available for adoption.
- We participate in events to educate and raise awareness about microchip identification and the low-cost spay/neuter/microchip program sponsored by the City of Huntington Beach. We have participated at the PET EXPO, a Girl Scout "Pet Adoption Awareness Fair" and information tables at Petco.
- Karen Chepeka, President of SOSHB, has appeared on KOCE's Real Orange News, to explain the microchip process.
- In March of 2003 we received a $15,000 grant from the City of Huntington Beach to develop and administer a low-cost spay/neuter and microchip program for the residents of the City of Huntington Beach. We have reached out to HB residents with special emphasis on senior citizen mobile home parks, Rodgers senior center, Oakview Park (the information was translated into Spanish), and Project Self Sufficiently in the City of HB.
- To date, 50 animals have been spayed or neutered through our programs and over 350 animals have been microchipped.
For more information about Save Our Strays, please call 714-442-1446 or check out the website www.saveourstrayshb.org
What you should know about West Nile virus
Now is the time to become aware, not alarmed
West Nile virus (WNV) is transmitted by mosquitoes. The best way to reduce your chances of contracting this potentially serious disease is to avoid mosquito bites.
The most effective way to reduce the chances of mosquito bites is to reduce the places where mosquitoes develop. Half of the mosquitoes produced in Orange County come from residential backyards. Residents should check their homes and workplaces for potential mosquito development sites. Anything that can hold water for a week can produce mosquitoes. Use your imagination; you will be surprised at the number of places in your yard with standing water.
The easiest single step to reduce the chance of a mosquito bite is to check your window screens. One of the known vectors of WNV is the Southern House Mosquito, this is the mosquito species that comes indoors and wakes you up at 2:00 AM. Window screens are the greatest factor in reducing mosquito borne diseases, greater than chemicals used to control the mosquitoes themselves.
Protect your family by taking a few personal protective steps, wear long sleeves and long pants when going out at periods of peak mosquito activity, and wear a mosquito repellant containing DEET. Follow label directions. For more information, call Orange County Vector Control at (714) 971-2421.
Open House for Shipley Nature Center on September 18th
The Friends of Shipley Nature Center will be holding an Open House on September 18th from 10 am to 2 pm. After almost two years of hard work many changes have taken place at Shipley and the Friends of Shipley Nature Center want to share this success with the community.
Restoration of the nature center is still taking place, but on September 18th, the public will be able to see hundreds of new plants, refurbished trails, a restored Interpretive Center and demonstrations.
Docents will be present to lead tours, and maps of the area will show what the next steps are to complete restoration. Learn about the exceptional birding opportunities at Shipley, buy a native plant at the Native Plant Sale, tour the new Interpretive Center, walk through a redwood forest, learn the history of the area, are just a few a things taking place at the Open House.
Everyone is welcome to see what a jewel we have right here in Huntington Beach. It is truly an oasis in the middle of a very urban city. Join the Friends and share the pride in restoring such an important piece of Huntington Beach. For further information and directions, go to www.fsnc.org, or call 714-842-4772.
Friends of the Library September Authors' Luncheon
The Huntington Beach Friends of the Library are proud to present authors Kem Nunn and Denise Hamilton at their September 24th noon luncheon at the Huntington Beach Central Library. Nunn's debut book, Tapping the Source, was set in the surfing community of Huntington Beach and became a surfing classic. His latest effort, Tijuana Straights, is due out in August.
Award winning L.A. based writer-journalist Denise Hamilton worked as a suburban reporter for the L.A. Times for ten years before her first critically acclaimed book, Jasmine Trade, was published in 2001. The latest in her series of best-selling Eve Diamond crime novels entitled Last Lullaby was released in April. The public is invited to hear the experiences of these two fascinating authors. Cost of Lecture and luncheon - $12. Call 842-4481, ext. 2213 or press 7 at prompt.
Council on Aging to host Senior Saturday 2004
The Huntington Beach Council on Aging is proud to announce its 16th Annual "Senior Saturday Community Festival," to be held at Pier Plaza in downtown Huntington Beach, on September 18, 2004, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Approximately 50 sponsor booths will be at the event offering information, products and services geared toward seniors. This is an excellent opportunity for seniors and their families to spend an afternoon by the Pier while gathering pertinent information amid a festive atmosphere.
In addition to the sponsor' booths, there will be a $2 breakfast, $3 lunch, and free entertainment throughout the day. Pier Plaza is located adjacent to the Huntington Beach Pier at the intersection of Main St. and Pacific Coast Highway.
The Council on Aging is a non-profit organization that supports programs and services for Huntington Beach Seniors through the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors' Center and the Huntington Beach Senior Outreach.
For more information, please call the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors' Center at (714) 536-9387.
Swimming Pool and Spa Entrapment Hazards
All of us are aware of the drowning hazard that swimming pools and spas pose for young children, but many are not aware that older swimming pools and spas can present a drowning hazard even for older children and adults due to entrapment hazards. Entrapment can occur when hair gets entangled in a suction outlet, limbs get stuck in a drain or the body is held against a suction outlet and forms a seal.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission documented 126 entrapment cases from 1990 to 2003. These incidents resulted in 25 deaths with 11 due to hair entrapment and 14 due to limb or body entrapment. Additional incidents may have occurred but were not reported. Recently a ten-year-old girl in Huntington Beach nearly drowned when her hair became entangled in the family's backyard spa.
Some older swimming pools and spas are equipped with only one main drain resulting in a very high suction force. There are some approaches to limit this hazard as described below.
To minimize the risk of entrapment:
- No swimming pool or spa should be operated if any of the covers of the suction outlets, including main drains, are missing damaged or not secured.
- Drain covers should display markings for maximum flow rate and a statement that the cover has been tested and certified to comply with ANSI/ASME Standard A112.19.8M, commonly referred to as anti-entrapment covers. Replacement drain covers are available for many installations.
- For manufactured in ground or above ground spas, check with the manufacturer to determine if a recall has been issued for the drain or filter outlets.
- If there is only one main drain, another drain can be plumbed and spaced at a sufficient distance to ensure that an individual cannot block both drains. Both drains then need to be covered with anti-entrapment covers.
- Atmospheric vents may be a solution by breaking the vacuum at a suction outlet once entrapment occurs. These devices should be properly designed and installed by a licensed installer.
- Listed Safety Vacuum Release Systems (SVRS) can be installed that sense an increase in pump suction vacuum and open to the atmosphere to release the suction force.
Water Conservation is urged in Huntington Beach
Southern California is in the sixth year of an extended drought. Water supplies are being pushed to the limit and water agencies are struggling to meet the demand for safe, reliable supplies. Over the years, Huntington Beach has led the way as a "waterwise" community. Water consumption over the last fifteen years has been nearly constant.
Even with the growth in new homes and population, the City has been consuming the same amount of water as it did in the late 1980's. However, as the drought continues, Orange County is beginning to see the effects. Water consumption throughout the County is beginning to climb with the month of May 2004 being the highest overall increase in the last ten years.
Here in Huntington Beach, consumption over the last four months has steadily risen. The chart below compares residential water use by the month with last year. Note the steep increase since March. With a 30.5% increase in June, residents are asked to voluntarily do their part to save this precious resource.
The biggest potential savings are outside the home in the garden. Plants need far less water than may be realized. Also, homeowners are urged to consider planting more native species; they are not only beautiful, but require far less water. For tips on how to save water, go to www.bewaterwise.com or call the Public Works Utilities Division at 536-5921.
Support your City - Shop, play and stay in Huntington Beach!
The City of Huntington Beach wants to encourage all residents to commit to spending your money within the city limits of Huntington Beach. Each resident can make a big difference by keeping sales tax dollars in the city to provide critical services such as police, fire, parks and recreation and library programs.
In the year 2003, the City of Huntington Beach faced a severe budget shortfall and because of trimming the budget and continuing to run a "lean, mean public service machine," we have been able to keep providing the services to residents that they deserve.
Revenues from sales taxes, and transient occupancy taxes paid at hotels and motels, help provide the services we all need and enjoy. Local support of restaurants, shops, caterers and services strengthens our local economy. One person truly can make a difference and your resolution to "Shop, Play and Stay," in Huntington Beach will help our community continue to grow and prosper.
Surf City Huntington Beach Visa Card
What better reminder to Shop, Play and Stay in Huntington Beach than a Surf City credit card? The new Surf City Huntington Beach Visa is now available. The City will receive $20 for every new card issued, plus 10.4 cents for every $100 spent. The funds will be directed to Parks & Recreation, Libraries, Cultural Programs and the General Fund to support city services.
Watch for application information in your utility bills, and at the City website www.surfcity-hb.org. You can also stop by the local US Bank Branch at 9042 Garfield Avenue to sign up for the card. Be among the first businesses, residents and surf fans to carry the Surf City Visa.
Regular use of the card for everyday purchases like groceries and gasoline help preserve and enhance the Huntington Beach lifestyle, especially when you Shop, Play and Stay in Huntington Beach! For more information on the Surf City Huntington Beach Visa Card or other Economic Development issues, check out www.hbbiz.com or contact Economic Development staff by phone at (714) 536-5542.
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.
September Television Schedule for Channel Three
| Community Bulletin Board | All Day, Everyday |
| City Council Live Broadcasts | September 7th and 20th starting at 7 pm |
| City Council Re-Broadcasts | September 8th at 7pm For the September 7th meeting Sept. 21st at 10 am & Sept. 22nd at 7 pm For the September 20th meeting |
| Planning Commission Broadcasts | September 14th and 28th at 7 pm |
| Planning Commission Re-Broadcasts | Thursday following the meeting at 7 pm |