H.B. studies making selection process for fireworks sales leaner, fairer

Huntington Beach is looking to change its process for fireworks sales in what officials call an effort to make the selection of nonprofit sellers as efficient and fair as possible.

This past Fourth of July was the first time since 1987 that sales of state-approved “safe and sane” fireworks were permitted under city law. In November 2014, Huntington Beach residents approved Measure T, legalizing fireworks.

In February, the City Council passed an ordinance that set up a lottery process in which 15 local nonprofit civic, youth sports and high school organizations would be selected to sell fireworks at booths around the city from July 1 to 4.

On Monday, City Clerk Joan Flynn told council members during a study session that processing the applications was time-consuming.

The city received applications from 84 organizations, and the review time for each averaged about two hours, Flynn said.

Determining whether an organization had enough members to meet the city’s application requirements was the most time-consuming portion of the process, Flynn said.

Organizations are required to have at least 20 members who live, work or own a business in Huntington Beach. Many hours were spent contacting each organization to check on that, Flynn said. Additionally, the city clerk’s office had trouble determining the definition of a member, she said.

Flynn added that representatives of youth sports organizations were unwilling to provide player rosters because the players are minors.

City staff also had trouble determining whether national youth sports groups such as the American Youth Soccer Organization or Pop Warner have enough local impact to be included in the lottery.

Councilman Erik Peterson said he likes the idea of including national sports organizations because of their willingness to allow all children to play.

Flynn said she also was concerned that permits for high school groups were not spread out evenly. Ocean View High School won three of the five fireworks booths allotted to high schools.

Flynn and several council members are considering having each high school submit one application and letting the school determine which of its organizations would run the stand.

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Account to hold Rodgers senior center proceeds

The City Council voted 6 to 1 during its regular meeting Monday to have the city Finance Department create an account for proceeds of a sale of the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center site and property tax revenue from homes built there.

The council decided earlier this month to have staff enter negotiations with Newport Beach-based Christopher Homes, which can propose a plan to build 22 single-family homes and up to a 17,500-square-foot park on the 2-acre lot at Orange Avenue and 17th Street. The developer plans to offer the city about $11 million for the land.

Council members Erik Peterson and Barbara Delgleize brought forward the account idea with the intent of earmarking money from the site for park improvements citywide.

Councilman Dave Sullivan dissented in the vote, saying he would like the money to also be used for street improvements.