BUILDING & SAFETY
Building & Safety Department Employee Selected as 2004 Outstanding Woman by California State Senator Betty Karnette – Michele Diaz, Permit Supervisor from the Building & Safety Department, was selected by Senator Betty Karnette for the 2004 Outstanding Woman from the city of Artesia for her exemplary volunteer activities. Ms. Diaz, who resides in the city of Artesia, is the current President of the Friends of the Library, served on the Planning Commission for eight years (three years as Chairperson), member of the Beautification Program participating in planting trees and vines, and past member of the volunteer Code Enforcement Program.
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Sports Complex Grand Opening – The grand opening of the Huntington Central Park Sports Complex was held on Saturday, April 24. Over 2,000 people attended including Dana Rohrabacher, and representatives from Tom Harman’s and Jim Silva’s offices. Ralph’s at Golden West and Garfield was a huge contributor to the event. They donated hot dogs & condiments, chili, chips, cookies, beverages, and paper goods. Donations of products and services were also received from Lamppost Pizza (95 pizzas), Jump-O-Rama, Rainbow Disposal, and Hanson Recycling. Lloyd Skaggs and the Huntington Beach Playhouse provided a mural of the HCP Sports Complex, which served as a backdrop for the stage. The HB Concert Band and Upstairs Band provided music. The event was overwhelmingly successful due in very large part to Gisela Campagne, who was the organizing chair, and the forty or more volunteers who did everything from setting up, arranging teams for the demonstration games, and offloading Ralph’s food donations, to running game booths, cooking food, and cleaning up after the event. The Community Services Department sends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who assisted with the HCP Sports Complex grand opening.
HB Disc Golf Tournament – Two-round tournaments are held the first Saturday of each month at the Central Park Disc Golf Course, on Golden West Street across from entrance to Library and Sports Complex. Play begins May 1 at 10:00 a.m.; cost is $6 to $15. Call 714-425-9931 for more information.
Exciting Home Tour Coming Up – Tickets are available at the Huntington Beach Art Center for the May 8 Home and Garden Tour. A variety of unique homes and gardens specially decorated for this driving tour will be open for enjoyment, and a gourmet lunch at the center and map to the homes will be provided. Cost is $40. Please call 714-848-1845 for more information.
Newland House Museum – Due to the loss of available docents, the Huntington Beach Historical Society will open the Newland House Museum for tours only on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Special arrangements can be made for groups of ten or more by calling 714-962-5777.
Brides & Grooms Learn to Dance – For all the June wedding participants who want to look good together on the dance floor, there is a “first dance” class on May 8 at Murdy Community Center. The one-class session from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. costs $50 per couple, and you bring your own music. Even dads and brides can learn to dance together. Sign up at Murdy Community Center.
Adopt-A-Beach – Tim Turner, Adopt-a-Beach Coordinator, reported that on Saturday, April 24, the city and Simple Green hosted an Earth Day Cleanup. Over 500 volunteers cleaned the three-plus miles of Huntington city beach collecting 4,180 pounds of trash and debris. After the cleanup, Simple Green presented $1,000 checks to the nineteen nonprofit organizations that just completed their participation in the Simple Green Adopt-a-Beach Program. Each group was responsible for a section of the city beach, which they cleaned once a week for five months November through March. The city is very grateful to these dedicated groups who help keep the beach clean in the off-season.
Go and Do Likewise – When a 94 year-old, low income woman was unable to make required improvements to her mobile home, Senior Services Social worker, Michelle Yerke, enlisted a local, faith-based, volunteer group, Go and Do Likewise. Fourteen volunteers from the group spent all day Saturday, April 24, cleaning up the yard, removing an old shed, and painting the mobile home. The improvements brought the home and property up to required park standards. In addition, through the Huntington Beach Council on Aging, Rainbow Disposal made a generous donation to fund the clean-up project.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Photos Donated – Jack Clapp of beach concessionaire Dwight’s fame, has donated two 6 foot mounted photos of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. The oldest photo is from the late 1950’s, with the second photo from 1999. It’s an interesting opportunity to compare how the intersection has changed. The photos are on display in the Economic Development Department reception area on the fifth floor. Thanks to Jack for sharing this bit of HB nostalgia.
Boeing Site Briefing – Mayor Cathy Green, Assistant City Administrator Bill Workman, and Economic Development Director David Biggs were hosted by Will Trafton, Vice President – General Manager for Expendable Launch Systems, for a briefing and site tour at the Huntington Beach Boeing facility on Wednesday, April 21. Mr. Trafton was joined by the senior executives on site for the briefing, which provided the City Officials with information on the current programs and projects on the Boeing campus, plus an overview of the future plans including an update on the levels of employment on the Boeing campus. After the briefing, a site tour was provided which highlighted the exciting defense and space system projects taking place at the Boeing Huntington Beach site.
Bella Terra Groundbreaking – J.h. Snyder and the Ezralow Company hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 22 for the initiation of the next phase of the redevelopment of Huntington Center into Bella Terra. The well-attended ceremony featured donations to the Therapeutic Riding Center and the Orange County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Mayor Cathy Green and City Administrator Ray Silver provided comments from the city’s perspective, with the ceremonial ribbon cutting taking place after remarks from the developer. Site work is already underway, with the parking areas being demolished to make room for the staging of the work. Demolition of the former enclosed mall will commence shortly. Look for a 2005 opening for the new Bella Terra center.
SeaCove Opening – Models for SeaCove at the Waterfront, the William Lyon residential community behind the Hyatt and the Hilton, are nearly complete and will open to the public on Saturday, May 1 at 10:00 a.m. While there is an extensive interest list already in place, more information on these homes can be found at www.lyonhomes.com.
International Council of Shopping Centers Breakfast Program – Economic Development Director David Biggs, was one of four panelists for a program on retail development. The more than 250 retailers and developers in attendance were interested to learn how to approach cities regarding large format retail. David highlighted how each community is different and that retailers and developers need to be flexible with their development programs in order to respond to local conditions and quality of life concerns.
Orange County Executive Survey – On Tuesday, April 27, the city will be one of the sponsors of an Urban Land Institute Orange County breakfast program on the results of the 2004 Orange County Executive Survey. The Orange County Executive Survey is a forecast for the business environment that covers employment, expansion, and relocation plans, public policy trends, international operations, and other issues. The Graduate School of Management of the University of California, Irvine, has done it annually since 1986.
SeaColony Update – The next release of the SeaColony at the Waterfront homes by Christopher Homes will occur on Saturday, April 24. Phase 4A consists of 7 homes. The developer is rapidly moving towards completion of the Phase 1 homes with the closings and first occupancies by the end of May. Phase 2 homes should be completed by August. It is anticipated that the Redevelopment Agency’s participation payments would commence with one of the Phase 2 closings. More information on SeaColony is available at www.christopher-homes.com.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
“Every 15 Minutes” – Once again, the Fire Department participated in the annual “Every 15 Minutes” drunk driving education program held at Edison High School on April 21 and April 22. On April 21, a simulated two-vehicle heavy rescue, with one vehicle overturned, ejected a teenage boy and resulted in his “death.” Two others were treated and transported to Huntington Beach Medical Center. The fourth person involved was the teenage drunk driver who caused the accident and was “arrested.” Firefighters who responded were connected to a microphone during the incident, which was used at the student assembly on April 22. An overview of the event was presented at the assembly along with a variety of speakers who spoke on how drinking and driving has affected their lives. Captain Don Freeman of the Fire Department was one of the speakers. His son was the teenage boy who was the “dead victim” during the exercise.
Splash into Summer Safety Expo – The Orange County SAFE KIDS Coalition, in collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), Hoag Hospital’s Project Wipeout and California State Parks, is hosting a free kid’s safety expo to help present information on water, helmet, fire, and child passenger safety. The expo will be held on Saturday, May 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Huntington State Beach at Newland and Pacific Coast Highway. This exciting event will feature safety exhibits with live demonstrations and fun activities for kids of all ages.
PUBLIC WORKS
Park Lighting Saves Electricity Costs – Through efforts by Public Works and Administrative Services personnel, new electricity rate schedules now apply to 19 park locations. By changing the rate to Dusk to Dawn lighting. the City expects to save approximately $87,000 annually. With the new schedule, the average cost is reduced from 17 cents to 7 cents per kilowatt hour. The Public Works Department has made other substantial reductions to the City’s electricity usage. In June 2001, the Public Works Transportation Division staff replaced the bulbs in the City’s 119 signalized intersections with energy efficient LEDs, reducing the kilowatt usage by 93%. Additionally, energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling systems have been installed in the Civic Center, libraries, fire stations and community centers.
Weekly Report Archive
Apr 20, 2004
Apr 13, 2004
Apr 06, 2004
Mar 30, 2004
Mar 23, 2004
Mar 16, 2004
Mar 09, 2004
Mar 02, 2004
Feb 24, 2004
Feb 17, 2004
Feb 10, 2004
Feb 03, 2004
Jan 27, 2004
Jan 20, 2004
Jan 13, 2004
Jan 06, 2004
Dec 30, 2003
Dec 23, 2003
Dec 16, 2003
Dec 09, 2003
Dec 02, 2003
