Huntington Beach City Council Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Huntington Beach City Council regular meeting on October 6, 2026, addressed several procurement and spending matters. The council approved revised state and federal legislative advocacy contracts, with the state scope narrowed primarily to monitoring and the federal retainer with Stapleton & Associates reduced from $78,000 to $60,000 annually. Staff estimated annual savings of roughly $50,000–$60,000 on the state contract and $18,000 on the federal contract; the motion passed 5–2. The council also approved a $600,000 Main Street seat-wall and streetscape improvement project, funded by $400,000 from Visit Huntington Beach and a requested $200,000 transfer from the infrastructure fund. Of eight bids, seven were deemed nonresponsive for lacking the required masonry license; the remaining bid was from Rollcom. The item passed unanimously. Fire staff also reported a $294,621 grant for 10 automatic chest-compression devices, which the council supported.

The council approved assigning and amending the Parkbench Cafe lease to local operator 2R2S LLC, retaining the Parkbench Cafe name and establishing a 10-year term with a five-year renewal option. The lease includes a $1,600.61 base rent and percentage rent tiers of 8%–11% of gross sales, with no general-fund impact anticipated. A motion to continue the item for more disclosure and consideration of competitive solicitation failed 2–5; the lease action then passed, with two dissenting votes. Separately, the council voted 6–0 to have a Finance Commission subcommittee review the existing Independence Day Celebration RFP and contract deliverables and recommend stronger financial transparency and oversight provisions for the next solicitation. Staff said an RFP was being prepared and would incorporate relevant controls. No action was reported from closed session, which included negotiations involving a hotel lease.