CITY COUNCIL WRAP-UP

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council unanimously approved two contracts, one with consultants

and the other with the Poseidon Resources Corp., that move forward plans

for a future desalination plant in Huntington Beach.

WHAT IT MEANS:

Council members approved a service contract with the firm RBF

Consulting to prepare environmental documentation for the planned

desalination plant, and OKd a reimbursement agreement with Poseidon for

planning services.

About $204,692 in general fund money was appropriated for the

environmental paperwork.

A private developer of waste water and water facilities, Poseidon is

looking to build a 3.9-acre seawater desalination plant near the AES

Huntington Beach powerhouse at 21370 Newland St.

Poseidon hopes to generate about 56,000 acre feet, or 18.2 gallons of

desalted water per day to be sold to water agencies. The plan includes

using water flowing through AES’ cooling system, which uses seawater, and

would require construction of about 10 miles of water pipelines in

addition to the plant itself.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“Tonight’s approval is the first step if the city of Huntington Beach

can to stay ahead of a water crises,” said Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff,

adding that a water shortage is predicted to be a future problem.

Vote:

7-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

The council set aside $32,450 to hire the firm Darrel Cohoon &

Associates as a consultant to develop a method and rate structure for a

sewer service charge approved last month.

WHAT IT MEANS:

In a Feb. 20 meeting, the council approved plans to develop a sewer

service charge for residential and commercial customers. The charge is

aimed at generating funds that would fund the operation and maintenance

of the city’s sewer system.

Cohoon and associates will calculate charges for specific customer

categories, including those in residential areas, apartments, commercial

property, industrial areas, high-consumption users and schools.

Vote:

7-0

WHAT HAPPENED:

Council approved plans to spend about $6,250 to expand a study on the

city’s mobile home market to include Orange County as well.

WHAT IT MEANS:

In August, the city OKd a study by the Center for Demographic

Research, a nonprofit group based at Cal State Fullerton, to conduct a

market study of mobile home parks in Huntington Beach in order to

determine the need for a rent control ordinance.

Following that initial study, set to cost about $27,500, staff was

directed by the council to obtain a proposal for the expanded, countywide

study.

Monday’s decision to expand the study was not unanimous, with some

council members stating it was necessary in order to make an intelligent

decision on rent stabilization while others disagreed.

WHAT THEY SAID:

“I’m not convinced that it’s needed,” said Councilwoman Connie

Boardman, of the study’s addition.

Vote:

5-2, with Boardman and Councilwoman Debbie Cook dissenting.

NEXT MEETING

The council will reconvene at 4:30 p.m. Monday in the council chambers

City Hall at 2000 Main St.