Public vote on senior center shot down

Councilman Michael Posey wants voters to weigh in on what to do with the old Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center, but he got some pushback from fellow council members Monday night.

Councilman Erik Peterson proposed directing the Community Services Department to determine appropriate uses for the building, including a park with possible indoor space for a dedicated veterans memorial hall. That item was unanimously approved.

Posey’s plan, which he later retracted with an eye toward bringing it back later, would have asked voters on the Nov. 8 general election ballot if they want to sell the 12,000-square-foot center on 2 acres at 17th Street and Orange Avenue. The vote would have been advisory only, carrying no obligation by the city to follow the results.

Downtown residents who live near the site have expressed opposition to selling the land to developers, but Posey said he wanted the views of all the people of the city.

“The people who live downtown are basically saying they want this to be a park at the expense of every other citizen of Huntington Beach,” he said, explaining later that selling the Rodgers site — which is valued at about $14 million — could fund park improvements citywide but that turning the area into a park would further strain city expenses.

Another option is to keep the senior center intact, but it would have to be updated and maintained.

The center, a former World War II army barracks built in the 1940s and converted to a senior center in 1975, is in disrepair.

Posey said the advisory vote would cost about $8,500, but it would “engage [the city] in democracy.”

“This is an asset owned by all the voters,” Posey said. “Whether it’s sold or not sold has a domino effect on every voter in the city.”

“My goal is to balance the budget,” he said after the meeting. “This is a way to help fill the gaps because I don’t see another $14 million source of income in one shot coming from anywhere.”

Council member Jill Hardy said she did not believe Posey’s ballot idea was a good use of city money.

“I’ve already said I’m not going to support selling the property,” she said. “I think this is designed to split the vote on the people who want a building versus don’t want a building.”

Last year, it seemed that the site was destined for the construction of 22 homes and a park, but Newport Beach-based developer Christopher Homes backed out of the negotiating agreement with the city in December following opposition from residents.

Mayor Pro Tem Dave Sullivan said a meeting was held weeks ago with 300 residents who live by the site. None liked the idea of the city selling the land to a developer, Sullivan said.

If the city decided to sell the land, it would have to abide by Measure C, a charter amendment passed by voters in 1990 that would require a public vote.

Public outreach campaigns would cost an additional $75,000 on top of the cost of the election, said Kellee Fritzal, the city’s deputy director of business development.

Posey, who ended up retracting his item to revise the language, following a suggestion by Mayor Jim Katapodis, said while many people might believe his agenda opposes Peterson’s, the two go “hand-in-hand”.

“They’re really companion items,” Posey said. “I think the investigation with the community services can go parallel with any other options that are investigated.”

Katapodis appeared unsure of Posey’s proposal and said he didn’t know what would convince him it was a good idea, especially since potential developers have backed out when community support was not apparent.

At the least, he added in a phone interview, the wording could be simplified so as not to confuse voters.

Hardy said she agreed with Peterson’s idea to hear from the Community Services Department but that she hoped the matter wouldn’t keep getting put on the backburner.

“My biggest concern with this is that it doesn’t get locked up in the back end,” she said. “When that happens, then we have more problems on our hands. I want to try to keep it up to see what we can do with it. I don’t want to lock it up and turn it into a weed farm.”

A new senior center, three times larger than the old site, is expected to open later this year at Huntington Beach Central Park.

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Air show contract approved

The council on Monday also unanimously approved a three-year contract with Naples, N.Y.-based AirSupport LLC to promote and manage the city’s first air show, slated for October.

And it agreed to a $10 daily parking surcharge for the event’s first year, similar to the parking rates on July 4. Those charges would cover about half of the costs for additional city services needed for the event, estimated at about $194,000 for the year, event officials said.

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City clerk announces retirement

Joan Flynn, who has held various city positions over 18 years, announced her retirement Monday night after 12 years as city clerk,

effective June 6.

Assistant City Clerk Robin Estanislau was approved to fill the vacancy and, after some debate, the council decided to pay her at a starting rate lower than Flynn’s current pay. The pay issue will be visited after the November election, when a city clerk will be officially elected.

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Fireworks stand purchasers picked

Ten groups chosen to operate fireworks stands in the city for the Fourth of July holiday were announced at the council meeting.

In the youth sports category are Huntington Beach Pop Warner, the California Rush soccer team, South Huntington Beach Fastpitch Softball, Huntington Valley Little League and Huntington Beach Water Polo.

In the civic organizations category, which had 16 groups competing, Cross Point Church, Shorelife Church, the Elks Club, HB Reads One Book and Grace Lutheran Church were picked.

Brethren Christian High School and the city’s four high schools also automatically got approved spots.

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Twitter: @BrittanyWoolsey