Here’s a rundown of the main issues we’ll be tracking this week throughout Orange County.
Is there something happening in your city we should know about? Let us know.
1. Huntington Beach Might Ban Fireworks
A split Huntington Beach City Council will decide Monday whether to permanently ban the possession, sale or use of fireworks in the city.
In early 2012, the city council approved a two-year trial period for sparklers and other nonexplosive fireworks.
Supporters of legalizing state-approved fireworks, such as Mayor Matt Harper, have argued it enables personal choice on a holiday that celebrates America’s independence. Newer building materials, they add, have greatly reduced the chance of fires.
Opponents meanwhile cite injuries and fire hazards and contend legal fireworks encourage residents and visitors to bring in illegal cherry bombs, bottle rockets and other fireworks that explode or send fire and sparks high into the air.
Decades ago, legal fireworks were a big source of income for local charities that set up sales stands in the weeks ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.
But in the mid-1980s, most cities banned them, in part because of health and fire hazards, but also because of one of California’s biggest political corruption scandals.
Former Anaheim fireworks manufacturer W. Patrick Moriarty was convicted and imprisoned on bribery and corruption charges that involved dozens of state and local elected officials, including several from Orange County.
Officials received money, prostitutes, vehicles, vacation housing and other gifts, including jobs for relatives, in return for helping with his state fireworks bills and local ordinances.
Moriarty’s influence included having the state apply the marketing slogan “safe and sane” to nonexplosive fireworks.
Huntington Beach’s decision is expected at Monday’s City Council meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. Click here to read the full agenda.
2. County Could Make Cuts to Animal Services
Faced with a $626,000 funding gap for animal services, Orange County supervisors plan to decide what to do this week.
One option suggested by county staff is a series of cuts to the agency, which handles animal control, animal shelter services, animal licensing and public education programs.
The county’s animal shelter would be closed on Mondays, animal intake would end at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m., and a public education officer would be laid off, among other reductions.
Other options are to devote an extra $626,000 in county funds toward the agency or to increase the agency’s fees.
The county’s animal services cover 17 cities and unincorporated areas.
County supervisors are also being asked whether to establish a new regional agency that would oversee animal services in conjunction with the cities or whether to abandon services for cities altogether.
The supervisors meeting starts Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. Click here to read the staff report.
3. Appraisal Adds New Dimension to Stadium Debate
Anaheim residents now have official figures for how much their baseball stadium’s land is worth: $225 million to $325 million, not including the stadium building itself.
The values are expected to add new fodder for the debate over lease negotiations with Angels owner Arte Moreno.
Last year, the council approved a controversial negotiations framework that would give Moreno and an investment group 155 acres surrounding the stadium for $1 annually for 66 years.
The Angels in return would develop the land and use the revenue to finance up to $150 million in stadium renovations.
Members of the council majority have said the framework is only a starting point for negotiations and not set in stone. Critics have argued the document sets up a massive giveaway of public assets to a billionaire and that the Angels are already required to do the renovations under the current lease.
Mayor Tom Tait said the appraisal confirms his criticism of the lease framework.
“The appraisal states the obvious, and it’s that the stadium property is worth hundreds of millions of dollars more than just $1 a year,” Tait told the Orange County Register. “If the property is going to be developed, then we should get credit for the value of the property, plain and simple.”
Councilwoman Kris Murray, meanwhile, said the city should move forward with the proposed deal.
“We have the framework in front of us that keeps the team in Anaheim, renovates an old stadium, and doesn’t impact our taxpayers,” Murray declared in a statement.
The appraisal is set for discussion toward the end of Tuesday’s council meeting, which starts at 5 p.m. Click here for the staff report and here for the appraisal.
4. Fullerton to Revise Sex Offender Ban in Parks
Fullerton’s ban on convicted sex offenders in city parks will likely be revised in the wake of court rulings and a potential lawsuit.
Since the 1940s, California has wrestled with laws that deal with convicted sex offenders and what they can and cannot do after they are released from prison and complete parole.
In the past four years, about half of Orange County cities adopted laws that banned adults convicted of sexually abusing children from living near or going into city parks.
But a series of court decisions ruled the city ordinances went too far or conflicted with state laws, which take precedence. Most Orange County cities have now changed their laws or are in the process of doing do.
Fullerton also faces the possibility of a lawsuit by an organization known as California Reform Sex Offender Laws. Lawyers for Fullerton have said the city would likely lose such a suit.
Fullerton’s council meeting starts Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Click here to read the staff report.
5. La Habra Moves to Create Citywide Bike Path
As government leaders across Orange County boost their emphasis on bike safety, La Habra officials are set to take their own step toward bike friendliness this week.
City leaders will vote Monday on a $470,000 contract for designing a nearly three-mile bikeway that would span La Habra from its border with Whittier to the city line at Brea.
The 12-foot-wide city bikeway would follow the Union Pacific Railroad right of way and form part of the northern boundary for the 66-mile Orange County Bicycle Loop that would connect 16 cities from North County to the beach.
The contract is expected to go to JMDiaz of the City of Industry. The paved bikeway will be separate from the street and reserved for bicycles, with federal grants covering $453,000 of the cost and $68,000 coming from the city.
In all, the bikeway’s construction is expected to cost just over $10 million.
In addition, a separate $78,210 contract is up for City Council approval for another firm, Fehr & Peers Transportation Consultants, to help update La Habra’s master plan for the bikeway.
La Habra’s council meeting starts Monday at 6:30 p.m.
Then on Tuesday, Yorba Linda City Council members are scheduled to vote on a letter of support for other state and county agencies that are seeking ways to close gaps in the Orange County Bicycle Loop as it passes through the city.
Major Meetings This Week:
Monday
• Huntington Beach City Council
• Los Alamitos City Council (Special Meeting)
Tuesday
• Orange County Board of Supervisors
• Fountain Valley City Council
• San Juan Capistrano City Council
Wednesday
• Children and Families Commission of Orange County
Thursday
• CaOptima Member Advisory Committee
• Transportation Corridor Agencies Board
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda. Please contact Tracy Wood directly at twood@voiceofoc.org and follow her on Twitter: twitter.com/tracyVOC.