HUNTINGTON BEACH : Council OKs Smaller Fourth of July Board

In a move to coordinate Independence Day activities more effectively, the City Council has given preliminary approval to shrinking the Fourth of July executive board from 15 members to seven.

Board members historically have been selected by the council from a group of applicants. Under the proposed change, each council member would appoint an individual to a four-year term on the panel.

The committee oversees the city’s annual Independence Day parade and other holiday activities, and it raises the money to pay for them. This year, the board raised about $130,000 to cover costs and coordinated about 200 volunteers.

Mayor Victor Leipzig cast the only vote against the proposal, saying at Monday’s council meeting that he prefers the current procedure of selecting board members.

Some board members, too, opposed the change and also objected because, they said, they were not informed or involved in its planning.

George Cross, a board member and event volunteer for 15 years, said his biggest objection is the appointment by individual council members.

“It makes it a potential political board--and it’s always been apolitical,” Cross said. “I’m in favor of keeping the application process.”

Community Services Director Ron Hagan said the changes are needed to monitor the budget, contract processing, special permits and purchasing procedures more closely.

“Now all the decisions for contracts and expenditures will have to be by actions taken by the seven-member board,” he said.

The council will take a final vote on the change at its Sept. 5 meeting.