October 26, 2004
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Sports Complex Draws Teams From Across the Nation - Girls Fast pitch softball at the Central Park Sports Complex was the activity of the weekend of October 23 and 24. The Central Park Sports Complex was taken over by girls' fast pitch softball teams from all over the nation, state, and county. Nearly 60 different teams from New Jersey, Ohio, New Mexico, and California came to Huntington Beach for a National College showcase tournament. This tournament featured some of the nation's top softball players and gave college scouts from around the United States an opportunity to view and evaluate the top prospects in the nation. Sunshine, softball, and great weather combined to make for a great time for all. There were many compliments on the facility. The host organization, O.C. Batbusters, has not only expressed interest in using the facility for the 2005 tournament, but they want to expand the event in the future.
Marine Safety - The NSSA Open Surf Contest was held on the south side of the Huntington Beach Municipal Pier on October 23 and 24. On May 13 while off duty, Huntington Beach Marine Safety Officer Steve Reuter rescued several Marines while surfing off Camp Pendleton. As a result, MSO Reuter received the Good Samaritan Award at the 33rd Annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon on October 19. The Toes on the Nose Surf Contest will be held on the south side of the Municipal Pier on October 29-31.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Bus Tour - About 30 elected officials, staff, citizens, and members of the Citizens Participation Advisory Board (CPAB) toured the city to view Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) activities and services. Capital projects toured included park improvements, housing rehab loan projects, street construction, and the newly constructed Oak View Skate Park. Bus riders also had the opportunity to observe public services activities including Adult Day Services, Project Self- Sufficiency, Seniors Outreach, Oak View Community Center, Oak View Library, Community Services Program, and Community Care Health Centers. CDBG funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allow cities to provide services and improvements to low and moderate-income residents and areas.
Circuit City Opens New Store at Bella Terra - On October 14, Circuit City had a grand opening to celebrate the reconstruction of their new store at Bella Terra. Circuit City more than doubled its original size, and it is now sporting its new store layout with a greater array of electronics. The new store exterior now matches the Bella Terra Italianesque design, and it will compliment the design of Macaroni Grill which sits opposite the new store.
New Auto Dealer LED Board Operational - As of Monday, October 25, the auto dealer's debuted a brand new color LED sign. The new sign is now a full color screen able to transmit digital photographs and advertisements of the 13 auto dealers within the city. The new signs have been made possible by a $474,000 loan from the city's Redevelopment Agency that will be repaid by the auto dealers over a seven-year period of time. Auto dealers collectively represent the largest category of sales tax generation for the city.
Waterfront Hotel's Lease Payments Increase - The Hyatt's third operating year begins January 2005. As such, its ground lease payment will increase from $75,000 to $150,000 for the year. The Hilton's lease payment will increase by the change in the CPI. Together the hotel's lease payments to the Redevelopment Agency will be an additional $82,413 over 2004. Both hotels will receive their notification letters on the lease payment increases this week.
Public Hearing Notification - The public hearing notice on the Redevelopment Agency's Five Year Implementation Plan and Ten Year Housing Compliance Plan for the Huntington Beach Project (merged project area) appeared in the Independent last Thursday for the first time. The notice will be published three times before the public hearing scheduled for November 15. Staff also posted the public notice in five locations within the project area. Both documents are available for review at the reference desk at the Central Library, the City Clerk's Office, the Department of Economic Development, and at www.hbbiz.com.
Hyatt Recommended - The November/December 2004 edition of National Geographic Traveler has a brief story on "Hotels California: Where to Live It Up" which profiled four new hotels in California. It also listed four "Others We Like," and that brief listing included the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery - Smoke alarm batteries need to be changed at least once a year. So when you change your clock back to standard time this Sunday, October 31, remember to change the batteries in your smoke alarms too. Once you have changed the batteries, be sure to test the alarms. This simple act cuts the risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half. In the U.S., roughly 80 percent of fire deaths result from fires in homes without working smoke alarms. In addition to changing batteries, smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
Electrical Fire - On Sunday, October 17, the Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Edgewater Lane. When units arrived on scene, the two-story home was fully involved in fire on the first floor, with the fire very quickly extending into the second floor. A quick, aggressive fire attack brought the fire under control, and no one was injured. Fire crews salvaged many valuables. Damage was estimated at approximately $300, 000, but property saved was valued at $1.2 million. The cause of the fire was determined to be an electrical short of a lamp cord that ignited drapes and a sofa in the downstairs living room.
Swift Water Rescue Alarm - During last week's torrential downpour, the Fire Department received a call that someone had witnessed a young girl falling into the flood control channel in Santa Ana. Immediately, swift water rescue crews from Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach Fire Departments were put in place. Joining the unified command were Newport Beach and Huntington Beach Lifeguards. A Orange County Fire Authority helicopter joined the rescue efforts when HB1 was grounded. These crews utilize special equipment and tactics designed for this type of rescue. After approximately 55 minutes, it was determined that the report was a false one. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.
PUBLIC WORKS
OCTA Open House Improving the I-405 Corridor - OCTA will hold two local meetings to share three possible alternatives for improving the I-405 Corridor:
| Wednesday, October 27 | Thursday, October 28 |
| | |
| Costa Mesa | Rossmoor |
| Neighborhood Community Center | Community Center |
| The Victoria Room | Rush Park |
| 1845 Park Avenue | 3021 Blume Drive |
| 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. | 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Orange County Transportation Authority planners assigned to this project will share aerial photomaps and answer questions regarding the potential impacts of various options for improving the I-405. The three alternatives to be discussed are the result of the third phase of OCTA's 18-month Major Investment Study for the I-405 corridor and its long-range effort to keep Orange County moving. The study has included input from community leaders, city engineering staff, local elected officials, business owners, and residents. The I-405 opened in 1969, with carpool lanes added in 1991. Since then, population, jobs, and traffic have increased in the area. The I-405 now carries over 300,000 vehicles per day in some sections, and traffic volumes are expected to increase 25 percent by 2025. Taking public input into account, the study team will further evaluate the three alternatives to identify a locally preferred alternative. Criteria for selecting the locally preferred alternative will include cost, impacts to adjacent residents and businesses, and environmental concerns, among others. A locally preferred alternative for improving I-405 will be presented to the public in early 2005.
Weekly Report Archive
Oct 12, 2004
Oct 05, 2004
Sep 28, 2004
Sep 21, 2004
Sep 14, 2004
Sep 07, 2004
Aug 31, 2004
Aug 24, 2004
Aug 17, 2004
Aug 10, 2004
Aug 03, 2004
July 27, 2004
July 20, 2004
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July 06, 2004
June 29, 2004
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June 08, 2004
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Apr 27, 2004
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Feb 24, 2004
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Jan 27, 2004
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