Leaders discuss state of the city

One of the most direct encounters between business and government in Huntington Beach doesn’t happen within city limits; it’s miles away at the Pala Mesa golf resort in Fallbrook, where the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce has its yearly planning conference.

That’s where business leaders, chamber of commerce members, city staff and elected officials came together last week to discuss the state of the city in the 25th annual event. Some hot topics were identity theft, streamlining building permits and new developments going up around town, attendees said.

Altogether, 85 people attended the three-day planning conference, said Joyce Riddell, the chamber’s president.

City staff gave detailed presentations on the state of essentially every major planning and development project in the works, business-related changes in policy, results from economic and demographic studies commissioned by the city, quality-of-life issues and other government actions that touch on the economy.

Council members spoke on their own priorities for the year to come. Many took questions, as well.

“It’s an exchange of information with the businesspeople and the chamber, working to open up lines of communication,” Mayor Gil Coerper said.

Added city spokeswoman Laurie Payne: “It’s not just our folks telling the Chamber leadership what’s going on.

“It’s about getting feedback, as well. It’s a nice one-on-one [occasion], fielding questions, concerns and comments.”

City Administrator Penny Culbreth-Graft spoke on the city’s overall goals, while staff and officials gave detailed presentations on their areas of expertise. Speakers ranged from police to planners to school officials.

“Information is always helpful to the community,” Hess said. “It’s what we also do with our planning commission regularly.”

After hearing from officials, the chamber made decisions.

It set a legislative agenda, which has taken on some new issues this year. Goals include health care affordability, energy supply issues and conservation, housing affordability and supply, a strong infrastructure and education.

Locally, business concerns about identity theft have led the chamber to plan a partnership with Huntington Beach police to fight the fast-growing crime. Though the process is just beginning, Riddell sees value in collaboration.

“They [police] have a lot of wonderful tips and suggestions for putting on a program together,” Riddell said.

City officials agreed.

“It’s a really critical issue to the community,” Payne said. “We have one of the biggest fraud departments in the country.”

Ultimately, Riddell called the event a major success with new members, as well as old.

“Some of the people said it was the best ever,” she said.

“It was a very good cross-section of the community.”