COMMUNITY SERVICES
18th Annual Golf Tournament - The city of Huntington Beach held its 18th Annual Golf Tournament on April 22. It was a cloudy day at Meadowlark Golf Course where the tournament was held, but the tournament took place without a drop of rain. First place went to Gordon Harder with a gross of 75. The 2nd place award for gross went to George DeBlois, who scored 76. Awards were also given for low net using a Peoria Handicapping System. The winner of low net was Renee Nelson. Prizes were also awarded for Closest to the Pin and Longest Drive.
National Volunteer Appreciation Week/April 23 - 29 - This week at Rodgers Seniors' Center and Seniors' Outreach Center, balloons are flying, flowers grace the counters, and delicious donuts and chocolate complete the week-long party to honor Senior Services' volunteers. Volunteers make a difference in a senior's life every day. Huntington Beach Senior Services wishes to extend a THANK YOU to all the wonderful volunteers who help out every day. In the year 2005, 350 volunteers provided over 38,000 hours of service to Huntington Beach seniors. Volunteers transport seniors, package and deliver meals, visit the homebound, make spirit-lifting phone calls, garden, provide light housekeeping and home repairs, teach computer skills, prepare taxes, inspect the safety of seniors' homes, assist in the kitchen for the daily congregate TLC lunch program, serve on the Council on Aging board, assemble the Bright Outlook Newsletter, provide office support, clean the beach, knit, dance, play piano, and sing. The banner hanging from the rooftop at Rodgers says it all, "Volunteers Make It Happen!"
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
WOCCP - One of the most un-pronounceable acronyms, but a very good regional cooperative program, is named the West Orange County City's Partnership, or WOCCP. The Partnership was originally formed as the economic development arm of the West Orange County Cities Association (WOCCA), which used to consist of Mayors and City Administrators but has ceased meeting in recent years. Last week, Seal Beach hosted the regular quarterly gathering of economic development professionals from the 10 cities of West Orange County. Six cities were represented along with the Orange County Business Council. Discussions centered on planning activities for the upcoming year, with the focus directed to professional development and information sharing on such regional issues as mixed-use development.
Entry Node Advisory Group - The city is working to create new and artistically interesting signage to better mark a number of key vehicular entryways into Huntington Beach. To help in this effort, an advisory group of residents and staff met last week to review a set of concept drawings. After one additional round to brainstorm different designs, these concepts will be revealed on the city's website for general public review and comment. The signage concepts will then be submitted to the Design Review Board and City Council for approval.
PLANNING
New Tuesday Planning Commission Packet Distribution - The Planning Commission established a sub-committee to evaluate the public hearing and project review process that consisted of Commissioners, citizens, property owners, and applicants. Some of their recommendations have already been implemented such as the speaker allotment of time. In the last few months, a sub-committee of Commissioners working with Planning staff has further evaluated the details of the project review and public hearing process. One of their recommendations was to have the Planning Department deliver the Planning Commission packet (staff reports, plans, recommendations, conditions, findings, communications, and support material) one week prior to their Tuesday meeting. A second recommendation was to put the packet on the city's website for immediate public availability. The Planning Department retooled the internal review and publication process so that both of these recommendations could be accomplished. April 25 marks the first Planning Commission meeting where the packet was delivered to them seven days in advance of their Tuesday meeting and made available on the website. A special thanks to Planning Department staff Herb Fauland, Cathy Salcedo, Ron Santos, Paul DaVeiga, Chris Davis, and Brian Hatfield, as well as Tony Porter of Information Systems for making this new delivery time a success.
Toyota Ready to Begin Renovation - On April 20, representatives from Toyota obtained the necessary permits to begin the remodel of their dealership located on Beach Boulevard north of Garfield Avenue. Approved by the Planning Commission on May 24, 2005, this project will result in replacement of the existing vehicle sales and service building and improvements with a new 39,500 square foot vehicle sales and service building and an attached multi-level parking structure. When complete, the new facility will provide capacity for up to 465 vehicles. The project is being developed in stages to accommodate the continued operation of existing vehicle sales and service. Boasting both a sleek design and expanded sales capacity, the remodeled facility will enhance the appearance of Beach Boulevard and strengthen the city's economic base.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Promotions - Officers Mike Spencer and Mike Freeman were both promoted to the rank of Sergeant during the last two weeks. Spencer started with the department as a cadet and has been an officer for 18 years. He has worked Patrol, Directed Enforcement, Beach Detail, has been a Training Officer, and for the last eight years has been a Motor Officer. Freeman has been in law enforcement for over 20 years and has worked SWAT, Patrol, has been a Training Officer, and most recently was assigned to the Community Policing Team. Congratulations to both of them.
"Street Cop Awards" - Each year, the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge 1959 sponsors the "Street Cops Awards." They will be recognized later this month at a dinner at the lodge. This year's recipients are:
| Aero/Traffic | Dale Shields |
| Police Officer | Mike Lyons |
| Detectives | Phil Gasca |
| Police Services | Senior Records Specialist Shirley Davis |
Congratulations to all the recipients.
Special Escort - On March 20, LCPL USMC Marcus Glimpse, a resident of Huntington Beach, was killed in action in Iraq. He was returned to Orange County on April 19. The Police Department sent personnel who escorted the hearse to the mortuary in HB. Intersections in town were blocked to allow the procession to proceed without delays to the mortuary. The HBFD also had engine companies with their ladders raised near the intersection at the mortuary. It was a nice tribute by HB public safety for someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
PUBLIC WORKS
Tree City USA - Huntington Beach was recently named as a 2005 Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation to honor its commitment to community forest. It is the fourth year Huntington Beach has received this national recognition. Trees are a vital component of the infrastructure in the city and provide environmental and economic benefits. The city has met the four standards to become a Tree City USA: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program, and an Arbor Day observance. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Tree City USA. The program has grown to be the leading community forestry recognition program in the country. In commemoration of both Arbor Day and Earth Day, local volunteers planted trees near the Shipley Nature Center and along Goldenwest Street.
Weekly Report Archive 2006 2005 2004
