September 20, 2005

COMMUNITY SERVICES

Beach Operations - Community Services would like to introduce Tom Green, a returning city of Huntington Beach employee, to the Beach Maintenance Division. Tom is filling the position of Sr. Facilities Maintenance Technician. He previously worked for eight years in the Building Maintenance section of Public Works. The past two years, Tom has had his own business and decided to return to the city to share his vast knowledge of building maintenance. Community Services welcomes Tom Green back.

Medicare Part D-Drug Benefit - The Medicare Prescription Drug coverage known as "Part D" starts January 1, 2006, and is prompting many questions. Huntington Beach Senior Services plans to be well educated and provide correct information as it becomes available. To better serve the seniors in Huntington Beach, Senior Services is addressing the need for information in two ways. First, the Social Workers from Seniors' Outreach attended meetings hosted by the American Society on Aging (ASA), the Social Security Office, and Medicare, and they are now trained Medicare Advisors. Huntington Beach seniors with questions on Medicare may call the Seniors' Outreach information and referral line at (714) 960-2478 and ask to speak to a social worker. In addition, on October 13 at 12:30 p.m., Rodgers Senior Center will host a presentation by the Health Insurance Counseling Program (HICAP) on the Part-D drug benefit. For clarification, HICAP invites you to bring any information that has flooded your mailbox regarding Medicare Part-D, and dessert will be served. The Huntington Beach Council on Aging, Feedback Foundation, and Huntington Beach Hospital are sponsoring this event. Call (714) 536-9387 for reservations.

Annual Surf Contest - The 35th Annual Huntington Beach Surf Contest was held this weekend on the south side of the pier. On September 17 and 18, there were 190 participants from the Huntington Beach area who competed for prizes and bragging rights. This contest was open to all age categories but was limited to those residing in the Huntington Beach Union High School District area. The event was run by the Community Services Department with enormous support from local businesses. Aaron Pai from Huntington Surf and Sport donated $5,000 worth of prizes to winners as well as providing T-shirts to all of the participants. Java Point provided coffee and donuts both mornings. Sugar Shack fed the staff and volunteers on both days. Duke's fed all of the participants a fantastic feast on Sunday at the conclusion of the event. Awards were given for 1st through 6th place in each division, and an overall award was presented to the winner of the Super Heat. The overall winner of the Super Heat was Todd Hutton.

Huntington Beach Art Center - On Saturday, September 24, the Huntington Beach Art Center will present the exhibition, Beyond Plein Air: An Artist's Perspective of Huntington Beach. The community is invited to enjoy wine, hors d'oeuvres, and an opportunity to meet the artists at the opening reception from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The artists who participated in the Plein Air Festival have been painting in various locations throughout Huntington Beach for the last two weeks, capturing scenic images characteristic of the city. They will submit up to three paintings each for the exhibition and sale of works, which continue until September 30. Proceeds from the event will benefit both the artists as well as the exhibition and education programs of the Huntington Beach Art Center. Call the Art Center for additional information at (714) 374-1650.

PUBLIC WORKS

Flood Control Channel Repairs - The Orange County Flood Control District (District) has identified locations along the East Garden Grove - Wintersburg Channel (C05) levee that are in need of repair prior to the upcoming storm season, specifically near the north side of the levee adjacent to, and downstream of, the Shea Homes property south of the city's Slater Pump Station facility. Although the current condition of the levee is not considered an emergency, the District will take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the residential homes located north of the Shea property. The District plans to address the slope erosion with several hot-spot repairs accomplished with their Operations Division forces prior to the rainy season. They will also address the more moderate slope erosion with an interim riprap lining repair project along the full length of the eroded channel area, with a public contract to be bid this coming spring/summer. Due to the protracted time it may take to acquire the necessary environmental permits for construction (including the required biological assessment and certified CEQA documentation), the larger riprap repair cannot be conducted prior to this storm season. District staff has also been in contact with the California Coastal Commission concerning this project, and their staff has notified the District of the presence of endangered species in the immediate area that may require special attention, further complicating the timeline for this project. The District will be conducting a meeting with the staff of Shea Homes to discuss additional temporary storm protection alternatives that can be implemented prior to or during the storm season. The contact for additional information is Phil Jones, P.E., Manager, Orange County Resources and Development Management Department, Flood Control Design, office: (714) 834-2599, FAX: (714) 834-6796, Phil.Jones@rdmd.ocgov.com.

Weekly Report Archive 2005 2004 2003