December 9, 2003

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Project Self-Sufficiency - Orange County realtors (headed up by Jim McLaughlin of Tarbell) held a bowling tournament in November to raise scholarship money for Project Self-Sufficiency single parents. The scholarship funds are given out at the PS-S June Recognition Program. This event has raised $1,000 to $2,000 in the past, and this year the realtors gave PS-S over $4,000! Susan Edwards, PS-S Program Director, sends her thanks to a very generous community.

Winter Classes - Just mailed to all city residents - the SANDS Community Services Guide has 46 pages full of news, services, facility information, workshops, special events, and classes for tots, preschoolers, teens, adults, and seniors. The guide is available at all community centers, libraries, and City Hall. Mail-in registration is occurring now and continues through December 24. Walk-in registration will begin January 6 at Murdy and Edison Community Centers, City Gym & Pool, Huntington Beach Art Center, and Rodgers Seniors' Center.

Volunteers Needed To Celebrate the New Year - The New Year's Eve Dance Committee for Rodgers Seniors' Center is looking for a few great volunteers who want to have fun, listen and dance to magnificent music, enjoy delicious food, and toast the New Year. The New Year's Dance will be held at Rodgers Seniors' Center on December 31 from 8:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed to set-up, clean up, and serve. If interested, please contact Diane Swarts at 374-1544.

Friendly Visitors Trained - On December 3, the staff of Seniors' Outreach conducted a three-hour workshop to prepare 11 volunteers to participate as Friendly Visitors to the frail elderly in the community. In addition to the training provided by the volunteer coordinator and social workers, each volunteer received a Friendly Visitor manual. These volunteers will be matched by Outreach social workers to a senior in Huntington Beach who will benefit from the one-hour weekly visits. The first visit will be made with the social worker in attendance to introduce the client and the volunteer visitor. The goal of the Friendly Visitor Program is to provide clients with a caring visitor to help meet their fundamental needs of interaction and communication with others and to provide mental stimulation and emotional support. After the initial evening training and first social worker sponsored visit, the Friendly Visitor manages visits to fit their own schedule. Senior Services will next offer a six-week volunteer class, "Connecting with Seniors," at Seniors' Outreach beginning February 4 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. At the conclusion of this class, volunteers will be prepared to work in any of the Senior Services programs.

Marine Safety- Marine Safety Officers have been practicing emergency preparedness by inspecting their swiftwater rescue gear and scouting the Santa Ana River in the wake of recent Los Angeles hail storms and in anticipation of flood season. Marine Safety statistics for December 1 through 7 were as follows: attendance: 47,532; public contacts: 2,525; preventative actions: 49; law enforcement actions: 93; medical aids: 2.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Industrial Interview Program - Business Development staff conducted 17 onsite interviews in the Southeast Industrial Area. Companies visited are listed as follows:

Keltec	Brandall Modular	LHA Inc.	Stuart Educational
Edge Products	Seabreeze Machine	P J's Imports	OAS
Sunset Screenprint	Atlas	Pier Urethane
Multi Systems	Solar Breeze	RR Marine
John Byron Golf	Sandia Plastic	System 2000

Last Chance to Register for Economic Conference on December 16 - The 17th Annual Economic Conference, a partnership between the city of Huntington Beach and the Chamber of Commerce, has one of the best speaker lineups in its history; Economist Jack Kyser and luncheon speaker Dan Walters headline the event. Dan Walters has been interviewed on national news programs recently, commenting on the fiscal and political status of California during the Governor's transition. The Economic Conference will also feature local business leaders including: Bob McKnight of Quicksilver, and Steve Bone the Chair-Elect of the Orange County Business Council. The conference will be held on Tuesday, December 16, from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Waterfront Hilton, and the $60 fee includes breakfast and lunch. For reservations, contact the Chamber at (714) 536-8888.

Downtown Merchants Consider Forming Business Improvement District (BID - There will be a second merchant meeting this week to consider forming a BID in the downtown area. A Downtown Business Improvement District would allow cooperative advertising, creation of downtown visitor maps and other promotional materials, funding for special events, provision of services beyond levels currently being provided, and other activities as the downtown merchants determine. If the merchants continue to support a new BID, approval of the BID could come before the City Council early in 2004.

Waterfront Residential Update - The model home complex for Sea Colony at the Waterfront opened on Saturday, December 6. This collection of 106 single-family homes by Christopher Homes is seeing very strong demand. The next phase of homes will be released for sale on December 13 and will consist of eight homes priced between $1,025,000 and $1,210,000. Please call (714) 960-0717 or visit www.christopher-homes.com for more information.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT

Bella Terra (Formerly Huntington Center Mall) Update - J.h Snyder, Developer of Bella Terra, indicates that construction plans for the first portion of Phase II development will be submitted within the next week. Phase I development, consisting of Kohl's Department store and the surrounding parking and landscaping improvements, was completed in March 2003. The next phase of construction will begin with a multi-level parking structure and be followed by the movie theater complex early in 2004. Subsequent development plans include demolition of existing in-line retail stores; new construction of Krispy Kreme; Circuit City remodel; an entertainment, restaurant, and retail court; additional new tenant and pad sites; and façade remodel of existing remaining stores. Grand opening of the entire Bella Terra Huntington Beach mall is scheduled for Spring 2005.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Update - Development of a Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and a restaurant pad site has been approved at the former Rancho View School. The site is located on the north side of Warner approximately 500 feet east of Beach Boulevard and is currently home to the Ocean View Little League baseball team. Relocation of the little league fields to Park View School is currently underway with the refurbishment of existing fields at Park View and additional parking spaces under construction at Murdy Park. With the final approval in place, Lowe's will likely submit for building permits in early 2004.

Pacific City Update - The Pacific City EIR public comment period closed on December 3, and city staff along with the city's consultant, EIP, are currently preparing the Response to Comments. The Design Review Board and Subdivision Committee have reviewed the project and are recommending approval to the Planning Commission. The public hearing date for the Planning Commission is scheduled for February 24, 2004.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Retirements - November and early December have seen several retirements at the Police Department. Senior Officer Bert Adkins has retired after a long career with the Huntington Beach Police Department where he developed, among other things, a widely recognized expertise in outlaw motorcycle gangs. Lieutenant Bill Peterson also retired in late November after 25 years at HBPD. Peterson's last assignment put him in charge of the Traffic and Aero Bureau. Finally, our most senior Sergeant, J. Barry Case, retired on December 1 after a 35-year law enforcement career, 32 years of which were in Huntington Beach. Barry has spent the last 19 years as a Sergeant, working Patrol, Training, SWAT, and serving as an inspiration and mentor for a large number of younger officers and Sergeants.

Promotions - In a ceremony in the City Council Chambers on Thursday December 4, attended by close to 100 family members, coworkers, and friends, Chief Small promoted three very deserving individuals. Promoted from Officer to Sergeant were Gary Faust and Dave Dierking. Sergeant Faust and Sergeant Dierking will be assigned as Patrol Sergeants. Promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant was Tom Donnelly. Lieutenant Donnelly will be assigned as a Patrol Watch Commander.

PUBLIC WORKS

December 2003 Street Sweeping and Trash Collection Holidays - There will be no trash collection or street sweeping on Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25. Trash scheduled for collection that Thursday will be picked up on Friday, and trash scheduled for collection that Friday and Saturday will be picked up on Saturday. Sweeping cancelled for December 25 will not be rescheduled for a later sweep.

2004 Street Sweeping and Trash Collection Holidays - The following holidays in 2004 will be observed by the city and contractor crews who service your residential street:

Street Sweeping	Holiday - Day, Date	Trash Collection
No	New Year's Day - Thursday, January 1	No
No	Presidents Day - Monday, February 16	Yes
No	Memorial Day - Monday, May 31	No
Yes*	Day after Independence Day - Monday, July 5	No
No	Labor Day - Monday, September 6	No
No	Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 25	No
No	Christmas Day - Saturday, December 25	No

*Following is a list of City observed holidays on which street sweeping is scheduled, but no citations will be issued.

§ Martin Luther King Day      Monday, January 1

§ Independence Day (observed the day after)      Monday, July 5

§ Veterans' Day      Thursday, November 11

§ Day after Thanksgiving      Friday, November 26

§ Christmas (observed the day before)       Friday, December 24

When a trash collection day falls on a holiday, then trash service for the day of the holiday and the remainder of the week will be delayed by one day. When the holiday falls on Sunday, the Monday after will be observed as the holiday, and trash service for the entire week will be delayed by one day (Friday pick-ups are made up on Saturday).

Weekly Report Archive
Dec 02, 2003