Campaign contribution limits set at $500

Residents will be able to contribute up to $500 to local candidates in upcoming elections, now that the Huntington Beach City Council voted for the change a second and final time at its meeting Monday. The rule takes effect in 30 days, along with a whole package of campaign law changes that had been held up in months of debate over the contribution limit.

The final vote was 4-3, with Councilwoman Jill Hardy, Councilman Keith Bohr and Mayor Debbie Cook voting no.

At the same meeting, council members voted to cancel the lease of financially ailing Pay ’N’ Play Racquetball, which occupies space at Worthy Park that city officials are considering as a good spot to replace the Huntington Beach Skate Park. The old skate park will soon be demolished, since the Huntington Beach Union High School District voted to remove it as part of plans to build a multimillion dollar stadium at Huntington Beach High School.

Supporters of a new skate park said the Worthy Park site might be a good fit.

“With the high school park demolished, there will be no legal designated skateboarding area in the downtown area,” said resident Molly Kiefer.

— Michael Alexander