Infrastructure and Community Services Chapter 

Public Facilities and Public Services Element

STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS

The Government Code requires the discussion of law enforcement and fire protection as part of a "Safety Element." This General Plan extracts these components of the Safety Element and discusses police, fire and other public facilities in its own element, the Public Facilities and Public Services Element.

TECHNICAL SYNOPSIS

This element discusses public facility service provision for Huntington Beach residents and businesses. The services discussed in this element include: law enforcement, fire protection, marine safety, education, libraries, and governmental administration. Each section discusses public facility location, service levels and service provision constraints or issues.

A.   LAW ENFORCEMENT

The City is served by one central police station and four substations (Figure PF-1 ):

• Main Station - 2000 Main Street
• Oakview Center Substation -17261 Oak Lane
• Downtown Substation - 204 Fifth Street
• Huntington Center Substation - 7777 Edinger Avenue
• Huntington Harbour Substation -16889 Algonquin Street.

At the five stations are 371 personnel (229 sworn officers and 142 civilian or non-sworn employees) equating to a 1.2 ratio of officers per thousand population (as of 1994). The City has established a goal of 1.5 officers per thousand population. In order to meet the desired ratio, the Police Department would have to hire 56 additional officers, resulting in a total of 285 sworn officers. As the population grows, additional personnel will be needed to maintain an acceptable ratio of officers per thousand population.

The Ad Hoc Growth Management Committee Report (May 1988) does not indicate a deficiency in police equipment (patrol and detective's cars, motorcycles, prisoner transportation buses, all-terrain bicycles, and helicopters). However, as the police force grows, more equipment will be needed to maintain acceptable response times.

Between 1990 and 1993, Part I crimes against persons (aggravated assault and robbery) increased nine percent while crimes against property (burglary, theft, and automobile theft) decreased two percent. Overall, Part I crimes against persons decreased by one percent, however, calls for service increased by six percent.

An ongoing and increasing crime problem is the sale and use of narcotics and crimes related to the use of narcotics (i.e., thefts and assaults). Areas of the City with particularly heavy narcotics activity are the Florida and Utica reporting districts, Amberleaf Circle and Koledo Park-Oakview area.

The Downtown and beach areas continue to require extra police coverage, particularly during the warmer months of the year when crowds increase. Thefts and drunkenness are the primary crimes. Although the Koledo Park-Oakview area still requires extra police coverage, the police substation in that area has helped to stabilize reported crimes. However, calls for service remain high and are related to social disturbances and drug activity. Local gang activity consists primarily of minor assaults and graffiti.

The Police Department assigns priorities to its calls for service depending on the nature of the calls. The current average response time, by priority, is as follows:

• Priority 1  - Emergencies, 7.28 minutes.
• Priority 2  - Some urgency, 11.28 minutes.
• Priority 3  - Non-emergencies, 20.17 minutes.

Staff availability, crime rate, and traffic congestion are the most influential factors on response times. As traffic increases, travel times to calls become longer, particularly when personnel must travel longer distances. Increasing traffic congestion may mean a need for increased use of two-wheel vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles, and the use of helicopters for emergencies.

The police department has several programs designed to reduce crimes:

• Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention - trains local residents to watch neighbors' homes and to report suspicious activity to the police; School Safety Program - the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) Program teaches elementary students about the dangers of drug use and ways to avoid drug use;
• Critical Accident Suppression Enforcement Team - places a select team of traffic officers in areas with a particularly high number of traffic accidents. Through the use of warnings and citations, driver awareness is increased and accidents are decreased; Special Enforcement Unit - monitors gang activity;
• Location Specific/Special Event Coverage - provides liaison between the police department and residents. On occasion, the Special Coverage will include assignments such as controlling vehicular, bicycle, skateboard, and pedestrian traffic;
• Senior Patrol (RSVP)
• Citizen Police Academy (CAP)
• Beach Patrol - prevents fights, alcohol and drug use, and thefts; enforces beach traffic control and City beach regulations; and acts as a crime deterrent; and
• Anti-Crime Coalition - is a partnership between the police department and community members addressing crime and related problems in a multi-faceted approach.

B.   FIRE PROTECTION

The City of Huntington Beach Fire Department has seven fire stations located at the following addresses (Figure PF-1 ):

The Fire Department proposes to relocate and enlarge Station 8 (Heil Fire Station) to a location near the Graham Street and Edinger Avenue area, and to build a new fire station near Springdale Street and the proposed Cross-Gap Connector in the Bolsa Chica Development. If the proposed Cross-Gap Connector is not constructed, two fire stations will be required. The two stations are proposed to be located in the Edwards/Garfield area and the Graham/Kenilworth area.

The Fire Department operates on a 24-hour shift basis with one command unit staffed with two persons, seven paramedic engine companies staffed with four persons each, a combination engine, hazmat/light air company staffed with three, two ladder truck companies staffed with four persons each, and three ambulance units staffed with two persons each,. This provides a daily total of 41 firefighters supported by dispatchers and administrative staff. Staffing levels are increased when fire risk levels are high-for example, during high winds, active fire conditions, or natural disasters.

Additional staff is available, as needed, through mutual aid and automatic aid agreements with other cities. The City receives and provides staffing assistance from and to other fire agencies on a county-wide and statewide basis through the Office of Emergency Services when a large fire or disasters occurs. Local automatic aid agreements with Orange County and the Cities of Westminster, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Fountain Valley, and Costa Mesa Fire Departments enable the participating cities' and county calls to be answered by the closest available emergency units regardless of jurisdiction in which the calls occur. The current automatic aid agreements provide each of the cooperating cities with a five alarm capability.

The Growth Management Element's emergency response time objective, including participation by other cities in the automatic aid agreement, is the arrival of the first fire or paramedic unit within five minutes, 80 percent of the time. Areas that do not meet the five minute response time 80 percent or more of the time are shown in Figure PF-2 . Deficient area response times can be reduced to meet the City's Growth Management Element's response time objective by constructing Master Planned Arterial Highways for new developments, a new fire station at the proposed Cross Gap Connector and Springdale Street, and by relocating Station 8-Heil to Graham and Production.

The non-emergency response time goal is 15 minutes, 85 percent of the time. Approximately 59 percent of calls for paramedic service are responded to within five minutes. The slower paramedic response time is due to the current number and location of fire stations. Sixty-eight percent of the calls received by the Fire Department are for medical aid, 6 percent are for fires (29 percent structure fires, 71 percent other fires) and the remaining 26 percent are calls for other types of service.

The Fire Prevention Division of the Huntington Beach Fire Department is divided into five sections: petro-chemical, new development review, fire prevention programs, arson investigation, and public education.

• Petro-Chemical - administers the hazardous materials disclosure program, soil remediation and oversees oil field conditions;
• New Development Review - participates in the planning review and approval process and building plan review; also ensures that new developments are in compliance with fire code requirements, and that fire protection devices and systems are installed and maintained correctly;
• Fire Prevention Programs - ensures that all existing residences and businesses comply with City fire protection regulations. When fires occur, this section determines the causes and recommends remedial action;
• Arson Investigation - investigates all fires of undetermined origin;
• Public Education - educates and trains the public about fire dangers, and;
• Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) - coordinated through the Emergency Services Division, educates and trains the public to respond to emergency situations.

The Fire Department has integrated its services along with other safety service systems, as follows:

• Emergency Medical Service - All requests for emergency medical assistance are handled by the closest available fire company and fire paramedic unit.
• Emergency Rescue - Light rescue can be performed by an engine company but all heavy rescues require the tools and equipment associated with ladder trucks.
• Emergency Services/Civil Defense - Major emergencies or disasters require the activation of the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC). All City emergency resources are immediately placed under the command of the Fire Chief, Police Chief or designated assistant functioning as the City Civil Defense Director. The EOC is responsible for preparation and operational planning for the following types of emergencies or disasters: aircraft accidents, industrial accidents, catastrophic fires, earthquakes, floods, explosions, oil spills, tsunami, tornado, nuclear accident, war and civil disturbance.
• Emergency Communications - The Fire Operating Center (FOC) operates under a Joint Powers Authority with the Cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach. The FOC controls fire reporting and dispatch, coordinates the emergency operations for the four city fire departments, and provides the mechanism by which the four cities can integrate their emergency operations.
• Fire Combat Training - A Regional Training Center located next to the Gothard Fire Station is a consolidated facility operated under Joint Powers Authority for the Cities of Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, and Westminster. Fire combat training and simulation are performed at the Center.

C.   MARINE SAFETY

The Marine Safety division is responsible for responding to all aquatic emergencies within the City limits, the coastal waters, the Santa Ana River, and, in the case of a mutual aid response, to other aquatic emergencies within Orange County. The City of Huntington Beach Marine Safety division is located at the Vincent G. Moorhouse Lifeguard Headquarters, 103 Pacific Coast Highway.

Staffing for the approximately 3.5 miles of City beach is performed by eleven permanent marine safety personnel (one Captain, three Lieutenants, and seven Marine Safety Officers). Approximately 75 recurrent lifeguards are utilized during the peak season to maintain beach and water safety. Hours of operation during this period are typically 6 AM to midnight.

Daily staffing levels during the winter season consist of four Marine Safety Officers (two patrol units, station zero on the pier, and a dispatcher) as well as an Operations Lieutenant. The Marine Safety Captain is present Monday through Thursdays, and an Administrative Lieutenant Sunday through Wednesday. Winter staffing is for daylight hours only.

Currently, a public safety issue exists during the periods when there are no Marine Safety Personnel on duty. This can be corrected with measures such as an increase in personnel or implementation of an emergency call-out procedure during the evening hours.

The following equipment is utilized by the Marine Safety division: eight four-wheel drive trucks, two four-wheel drive Blazers, three 29 foot twin screw ocean rescue vessels, two wave runners (Yamaha loan program) and five evacuation boats. The three ocean rescue vessels are docked at the Warner Fire station at 3831 Warner Avenue. The remainder of the marine safety rescue equipment is staged in the lifeguard headquarters.

Twenty-two lifeguard towers are placed at intervals along the 3.5 miles of City beach. A three story observation tower is located on the pier and is manned 365 days a year during daylight hours. This tower is expected to be replaced as a part of the ongoing pier reconstruction project. When the new tower is constructed, the existing tower is expected to be relocated to the west beach area to serve population increases from the Holly-Seacliff Specific Plan area.
The Marine Safety division administers the eight week Junior Lifeguard Program. In 1995, the program included 900 children from the ages of 6 to 17 years of age. Due to the large number of participants, the program has outgrown its present facilities. A new facility is expected to be built as part of the south beach improvement project in the future.

In addition to the Junior Lifeguard Program, the Marine Safety division participates in additional public education programs through visits to local schools as well as hosting presentations at the lifeguard headquarters.

D.   EDUCATION

The City of Huntington Beach is served by one high school district and four elementary/junior high school districts. The Huntington Beach Union High School District includes the entire City and extends slightly into Westminster and Fountain Valley. The Huntington Beach City School District is the only district located entirely within City boundaries. The Westminster, Ocean View, and Fountain Valley School Districts all incorporate sections of Huntington Beach and parts of other surrounding cities. (The school district boundaries were set prior to determination of the current boundaries of the City and were not changed after subsequent annexations to the City.)

1. Huntington Beach Union High School District

The Huntington Beach Union High School District operates four high schools serving Huntington Beach students (Figure PF-3 ). Each facility serves grades 9 through 12. In 1988, the District began a five-year plan for reconstruction of some of its facilities with the ultimate goal of moving the District Offices out of rented facilities and into a permanent. District-owned facility. In 1990, Edison High School was expanded and a new wing called the Special Abilities Cluster was constructed to incorporate the students from the Guidance Center. A new continuation facility, called Valley Vista High School, was constructed in the City of Fountain Valley and serves the students from the former Wintersburg High School. The Guidance Center and Wintersburg High School facilities will be razed to make way for the development of multi-family housing. Minor renovations were made at Huntington Beach and Marina High Schools to accommodate district office departments. The remaining district office departments will be housed in a new facility. The district is currently under capacity in Huntington Beach (9,250 total capacity, with 7,935 active enrollment as of fall 1994 - 1,315 open seats).

Enrollment in District schools serving Huntington Beach has declined in recent years. However, due to growth in the elementary feeder districts, plus planned development, enrollment is projected to grow in 1995 and thereafter. Projections for schools within the City show an enrollment of 9,934 in 1999, 684 students over capacity. Projections also indicate that Edison, Huntington Beach, and Marina High Schools will surpass 100% of utilization by the year 1999/2000.

The age of District schools range from 20 to 70 years old and require renovations and improvements. Currently, State funding for school renovations is nonexistent and the only source of funds is from developer fees. The District has already committed a portion of future developer fees for the construction of Valley Vista School.

The District also operates an Adult School and an Alternative School at 16666 Tunstall Lane and has a maintenance facility at 525 Yorktown Avenue.

2. Ocean View School District

Twenty-two of the Ocean View School District's 25 schools are located within the City of Huntington Beach (Figure PF-4 and Table PF-1 ). At the present time, the fifteen operating schools are at capacity.

The Ocean View School District has ten closed schools in Huntington Beach. The schools and their current uses are:

In the 1991-1992 school year, the Ocean View School District reconfigured to include junior high or middle schools. Marine View, Mesa View, Spring View, and Vista View Schools became middle schools serving grades 6-8. Crest View and Haven View schools closed and the remaining operational schools serve grades K-5. The District is in the process of determining what to do with the Crest View and Rancho View facilities.

3. Westminster School District

The Westminster School District has four operating facilities in Huntington Beach. The District's Huntington Beach facilities are either at or slightly over capacity. These schools are currently serving students who are transported from other parts of the district. The District plans to open two of its non-operational facilities to accommodate the students who are being bused to the Huntington Beach schools. This action will subsequently relieve the over-enrollment burden on the Huntington Beach facilities. Gill Elementary School is the District's one vacant school in Huntington Beach. It is currently being used by the Orange County Department of Education as a Special Education facility; however, the school site will ultimately be developed with 58 single family residential units.

The Westminster School District has one closed school in Huntington Beach. The school and its current uses are:

4. Fountain Valley School District

The Fountain Valley School District has three operational elementary schools in the City of Huntington Beach (one 6-8 grade facility and two K-5 facilities). The three operational schools currently operate well below capacity. The age of District schools range from 22 to 32 years old. In order to perform needed renovations, the District must depend on the general operating fund, developer fees, or proceeds from the sale of surplus property. The School District has four closed school sites which operate with other uses:

5. Huntington Beach City School District

The Huntington Beach City School District has 13 facilities in the City. Eight facilities are active schools, four are currently leased for other uses, and one, Gisler School, is used by the Huntington Beach Playhouse on a semi-regular basis for productions. All of the District's operating facilities are either at or over capacity even with twenty-one portable classrooms in use to accommodate over-enrollment. The District plans to place additional portable classrooms at Dwyer Middle School.  The District's remaining operational facilities do not have the space for additional portable classrooms. The District has plans for a proposed school located near the Garfield Avenue/Saddleback Street intersection. The District is now formulating a strategic asset management plan to address over-enrollment.

The non-operating schools and their use are as follows:

E.    LIBRARIES

The Huntington Beach Library System is comprised of the following five facilities (Figure PF-1 ):

• Central Library and Cultural Center has on average 3,000 visitors per day. It holds 350,000 volumes with an additional 12,000 genealogy items and 5,700 media items including compacts discs and video cassettes;
• Graham Branch Library has on average 240 visitors per day and holds 19,850 volumes;
• Oakview Branch Library has on average 100 visitors per day and holds 6,540 volumes;
• Banning Branch Library has on average 214 visitors per day and holds 24,197 volumes; and
• Main Street Branch Library has on average 160 visitors per day and holds 26,670 volumes.

F. GOVERNMENTAL ADMINISTRATION AND SERVICES

The Huntington Beach Civic Center is located at 2000 Main Street (Figure PF-1 ). The structure houses the majority of City offices including: Administration, Administrative Services, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Council, City Treasurer, Community Development, Community Services, Economic Development, Fire Department, Police Department, and Public Works. The Central Library and Cultural Center, located at 7111 Talbert Avenue (See Figure PF-1 ), contains the offices for the Library Services Department.

The Civic Center is also the home for various government run services such as Project Self-Sufficiency, a program designed to assist low-income, single parent families to achieve economic independence through education and job training.

ISSUES

1. An additional 56 police officers are currently needed to meet the desired 1.5 officer per thousand population ratio. (PF 1.1.1)
2. New development and an increased population will require additional police services and equipment. The relationship between the location and rate of growth and the impact on existing facilities should be considered to ensure adequate levels of service. (PF 1.1.2, PF 1.3.1, and PF 1.3.2)
3. As population continues to grow, of concern are the means to expand police facilities and services, reduce the rates of crime, and enhance the perception of safety in all areas of the City. (PF 1.1.2 and PF 1.1.3)
4. Additional paramedics are necessary to improve emergency response times. (PF 2.2.1)
5. The existing fire sprinkler ordinances may not be adequate. (PF 2.3.1 and PF 2.3.2)
6. Fire Department response times are not being met in all areas. (PF 2.1.3 and PF 2.1.4)
7. There is an increased fire hazard resulting from an aging building stock. (PF 2.3.3)
8. The City must plan for the additional fire station, if the Cross-Gap Connector is not constructed. (PF2.1.6)
9. Huntington Beach Union High School District, Westminster School District, and Huntington Beach City School District either have or potentially have capacity problems. (PF 4.1.1, PF 4.2.1, and 4.2.2)
10. Non-operational schools are being leased for other uses while other schools are overcrowded. (PF4.1.1)
11. Increase in library patronage generated by development may overload the library system's capacity to provide adequate services without appropriate funding increases. (PF 5.1.1)
12. Additional Marine Safety officers are necessary to meet the needs of increased beach/marine usage and to improve emergency facilities, and training response times. (PF 3.1.3)
13. With the development of Bolsa Chica and other nearby areas, the public's use of the northern beaches has, and will continue to increase. Additional Marine Safety officers and facilities are necessary to meet the needs of the northern beach users. (PF 3.1.3)
14. As population increases and Federal, State, and County funding decreases, the ability to provide adequate facilities and services may be impacted. (PF 4.1.1, PF 6.1.1, PF 6.1.2, and PF 6.1.3)

GOALS. OBJECTIVES. AND POLICIES

The following section presents the goals, objectives, policies, and programs for Public Facilities and Public Services in the City of Huntington Beach. At the end of each policy is a reference to the appropriate implementation program.    Each implementation program's schedule and possible funding sources are indicated in the Public Facilities and Public Services Implementation Matrix.

Police

Goal

PF1
Protect the community from criminal activity,
reduce the incidence of crime and provide other
necessary services within the City.

Objective

PF1.1
Provide adequate police facilities and personnel to correspond with population and service demands, and provide protection for the community from illicit activities and crime.

Policies

PF I.I.I
Enhance and maintain personnel and facilities in the City's Police Department necessary to provide response times at standards determined by the Growth Management Element. (I-PF 1 and I-PF 2)

PF 1.1.2
Ensure that adequate Police services are maintained through a periodic conditions and needs assessment of department services, facilities and personnel. (I-PF 1, I-PF 2, and I-PF 4)

PF 1.13
Consider requiring that development projects contribute fees based on their proportional impact and demand for new resources, in accordance with State Nexus legislation. (I-PF 3)

PF 1.1.4
Identify streets and intersections which are prone to congestion, thereby impeding emergency response times, and pursue mitigation to the greatest extent feasible. (I-CE I and I-PF 4)

Objective

PF 1.2
Decrease incidents of criminal activity and traffic accidents through public awareness and involvement.

Policies

PF 1.2.1
Continue to support community-based crime prevention efforts through regular interaction and coordination with existing programs, assistance in the formation of new neighborhood groups and regular communication with neighborhood and civic organizations. (I-PF 2, I.-PF 4. I-PF 5, and I-PF 6)

PF 1.2.2
Continue to educate me public about the dangers of
drug abuse. (I-PF4 abdI-PF6)

PF 1.2.3
Work with school districts to expand the D.A.R.E. program at the local schools. (I-PF 2)

PF 1.2.4
Continue to educate the public on methods to increase traffic safety. (I-PF 4 and I-PF 6)

PF 1.2.5
Continue to remain knowledgeable of gang related activities, and intervene/interact as necessary to reduce the impact of gangs including working with the local school districts to educate staff, students, and parents of gang-related trends. (I-PF 4)

PF 1.2.6
Continue to assist the public in knowledge of home and business security measures. (I-PF 4, I-PF 5, and I-PF <5)

Objective  

PF 1.3
Ensure that new developments in Huntington Beach are designed to encourage safety.

Policies

PF 13.1
Ensure that project development site designs provide "defensible space". (I-PF 7)

PF 1.3.2
Ensure that new development and land use proposals are analyzed to determine the impact their operators, occupants, visitors or customers may have on the safety and welfare of the community. (I-PF-7)

Fire/Paramedic

Goal

PF2
Ensure adequate protection from fire and medical
emergencies for Huntington Beach residents and
property owners.

Objective

PF2.1
Provide fire protection and paramedic services to all parts of the City of Huntington Beach.

Policies

PF 2.1.1
Locate fire stations in a manner which will enable emergency fire response times to meet a five minute standard, 80 percent of the time. (I-PF 4)

PF 2.1.2
Identify streets and intersections which are prone to congestion, thereby impeding five minute emergency response times, and pursue mitigation to the greatest extent feasible. (I-PF4)

PF 2.1.3
Maintain adequate facilities and personnel by periodically evaluating population growth, response time and fire hazards. (I-PF4)

PF 2.1.4
Maintain phasing and funding standards based on population, response time projections, and buildout in accordance with the Growth Management Element. (I-PF4)

PF 2.1.5
Consider requiring that new developments be assessed a pro-rated fee to pay for additional fire facilities and personnel. (I-PF 3)

PF 2.1.6
Identify deficiencies and methods to remedy the deficiencies within the Fire Service Master Plan. (I-PF 4)

Objective

PF2.2
Organize the Fire Department emergency systems so the maximum safety may be provided to the City.

Policies

PF 2.2.1
Provide paramedic units based in local fire stations throughout the City which will assure fast and efficient emergency health care in Huntington Beach- by providing paramedic response times at a standard of five minutes, 80 percent of the time. (I-PF 2 and I-PF 8)

PF 2.2.2
Utilize modem equipment and techniques to ensure adequate safety for the citizens of Huntington Beach. (I-PF 2 and I-PF 8)

Objective

PF2.3
Attempt to achieve "built-in" fire protection for all structures.

Policies

PF 2.3.1
Continue to require all structures to follow all State and nationally recognized fire codes. (I-PF 4, I-PF 7, and I-PF 9)

PF 2.3.2
Ensure that new construction is designed with fire and emergency access and safety in mind. (I-PF 7 and I-PF 9)

PF 2.3.3
Ensure that existing buildings are maintained in a manner which is consistent with fire safety. (I-PF 4 and I-PF 9)

Objective

PF2.4
Increase fire and safety awareness among the public.

Policies

PF 2.4.1
Maintain and enhance a fire prevention public education program. (I-PF6)

PF 2.4.2
Maintain and enhance a first aide and lifesaving public
education program. (I-PF6)

Marine Safety/Resources

Goal

PF3
Provide the highest level of safety and service to
beach visitors and harbor users.

Objective

PF3.1
Ensure adequate staffing and facilities for rescue operations.

Policies

PF 3.1.1
Continue to analyze Marine Safety needs and recommend operational changes as necessary. (I-PF 10)

PF 3.1.2
Appropriately assign and position personnel and equipment in response to weather, beach usage and special events. (I-PF 10)

PF3.L3
Enhance and maintain the high quality Marine Safety staff. (I-PF 10)

PF 3.1.4
Provide state-of-the-art lifesaving techniques and facilities. (I-PF 10)

PF 3.1.5
Coordinate and communicate with other safety personnel to ensure an effective emergency response capability. (I-PF 11)

PF 3.1.6
Coordinate with Orange County for the provision of high quality marine patrol in Huntington Harbour. (I-PF 12)

Objective

PF3.2
Decrease the need for rescues and emergency responses by increasing public awareness of marine safety.

Policy

PF 3.2.1
Establish a proactive Marine Safety public education program. (I-PF 6)

Objective

PF3J
Provide a clean, enjoyable marine environment and protect existing natural and visual resources.

Policies

PF3 J.I
Ensure beaches and associated facilities are clean and litter free. (I-PF 2)

PF 3.3.2
Monitor sand movement, coastal erosion and methods of mitigation. (I-PF 1)

PF 3.33
Oppose offshore oil drilling off Huntington Beach where visual and environmental quality may be impacted. (I-PF 12)

PF 3.3.4
Support the creation of wildlife sanctuary for habitats along the coast in order to preserve and protect natural beach environments. (I-PF 12)

PF 3.3.5
Maintain oil spill contingency plans. (I-PF 12)

Educational Facilities

Goal

PF4
Promote a strong public school system which advocates quality education.     Promote the maintenance and enhancement of the existing educational systems facilities, and opportunities for students and residents of the City to enhance the quality of life for existing and future residents.

Objective

PF4.1
Monitor new land use changes within the City and cooperate with the local school districts in the review of impacts on enrollment and the availability of present and future school facilities.

Policy

PF 4.1.1
Continue the dialogue between the City of Huntington Beach and the local school districts regarding the review of measures to alleviate school overcrowding in some areas and available capacity in schools in other areas. (I-PF 12)

Objective

PF4.2
Monitor new development activities within the City and coordinate with local school districts to meet future educational needs in the undeveloped areas of Huntington Beach.

Policies

PF 4.2.1
Continue communication and cooperation efforts between City officials and the local school districts, especially in the areas of population projections, funding sources, and through annual monitoring of development activities, in order to promote a better quality of life for existing and future residents. (I-PF12)

PF 4.2.2
Require new development projects to pay appropriate school impact fees to the local school districts. (I-PF 3)

PF 4.2.3
Ensure that development shall not occur without providing for adequate school facilities. (I-PF 12, I-PF 15. I-LU25, andI-LU26)

Objective

PF4.3
Provide public services at sites with existing public or institutional uses.

Policies

PF 4.3.1
Continue to encourage the operation of public services, such as elderly or child day care, at "closed" school sites. (I-PF 13)

PF 4.3.2
Investigate the feasibility of permitting and/or providing child or elderly day care services at public and private institutional facilities such as churches, temples, other religious buildings, hospitals, and schools. (I-PF 13)

PF 4.3.3
Create, establish, and implement shared responsibility agreements between the City of Huntington Beach and the local school districts for the maintenance and operation of properties and facilities where public recreation activities occur at local school sites. (I-PF12)

Library Service

Goal

PF5
Ensure that a high-level of library services and
facilities are provided to the City's residents.

Objective

PF5.1
Provide adequate library service that responds to the needs of the community.

Policies

PF 5.1.1
Consider constructing new libraries and rehabilitating and expanding existing libraries as required to meet the needs of the library users. (I-PF 12 and I-PF 14)

PF 5.1.2
Consider expanding library outreach services for seniors and others who are physically unable to visit library facilities. (I-PF 2)

PF 5.1.3
Consider expanding the adult English literacy program. (I-PF2)

PF 5.1.4
Consider developing a school/library program where local school libraries would serve as City library satellites. (I-PF 13)

Governmental Administrative Services and Capital Facilities

Goal

PF6
Ensure adequate governmental administrative
services and capital facilities for all agency
operations.

Objective

PF6.1
Provide sufficient civic office space to meet the City's needs for the current and future population.

Policies

PF 6.1.1
Ensure adequate government facilities and services are being provided to meet the needs of the City's population. (I-PF 1, I-PF2, and I-PF 12)

PF 6.1.2
Ensure adequate public meeting space is available for small group and large group meetings. (I-PF 1)

PF 6.1.3
Maintain or improve the governmental facilities and services in order to meet the adopted levels of service and standards established in the Growth Management Element. {I-PF 1 and I-PF 12)

PF 6.1.4
Ensure that government run services and programs meet the needs of the citizens of Huntington Beach. (I-PF 1 and I-PF 2)

IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMS

I-PF1 Evaluations and Assessments

1. Monitor departmental needs and conduct an annual assessment of services evaluating infrastructure and equipment conditions in all existing   facilities,   personnel   staffing conditions, and facilities, equipment and personnel needs for the coming fiscal year, based on anticipated population growth and service levels.
2. Annually report on the City's coastal conditions utilizing studies such as the Coast of California Storm and Tidal Wave Study, and recommend methods of reducing local coastal erosion and public safety hazards due to the natural removal of sand.
3. Evaluate the need for expanded public meeting space.

I-PF 2 Improve and Upgrade Services and Facilities

The City will:

1. improve and upgrade existing police facilities and service conditions as determined by the annual assessment and conform with the adopted levels of service for Priority 1, 2, and 3 calls as outlined in the Growth Management Element;
2. expand the D.A.R.E. program to local schools;
3. enhance the use of police liaisons in problematic neighborhoods and with the local schools;
4. enhance the use of foot patrol officers in unique areas of the City such as Downtown and on the beaches in order to increase interaction between officers and the public;
5. increase the number of trained paramedics and paramedic units and make every engine company a paramedic and/or engine company;
6. increase the use of the subscription based "FireMed" program in the community;
7. clean and inspect City marine facilities daily;
8. consider analyzing the appropriateness of a book mobile and other mobile library sources;
9. continue to expand and upgrade government run services such as Project Self Sufficiency and the Senior's Outreach services to the elderly;
10. cooperate with the school districts in formulating plans and programs to enhance and upgrade the school facilities used by the community  for parks,  recreation,  and educational purposes; and,
11. expand the communication and dialogue between the City and the school districts to better understand, coordinate, and effectively utilize limited financial and property resources of the City and school districts, in order to maximize the improvement and upgrading of school facilities within the City.

I-PF 3 Fees

1. New development shall be required to contribute fees to cover the cost of additional facilities  and capital  improvements  in accordance with State Nexus legislation (e.g. Governmental Code 65996) and with the needs of each applicable school district.
2. Continue to require persons requesting building permits to pay the appropriate school fees to the local school districts prior to issuance.

I-PF4 Operational Programs

1. The following operational programs shall be continued:
• Crime Prevention program which inspects homes and businesses and advises means of securing property and minimizing and deterring criminal attack;
• Drug  Abuse  Resistance  Education Program (DARE);
• Critical     Accident     Suppression Enforcement  (CASE)  team   which promotes public awareness of traffic safety issues and techniques;
• Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) which monitors gangs and other unusual crime problems.
2. The Fire Department will continue to:
• maintain the Computer Aided Dispatch system (CAD) and the automated Records Management System (RMS);
• assess areas of existing and pending development and plan for placement of fire facilities and equipment necessary to provide emergency fire response time of five minutes, 80 percent of the time;
• assess and determine the location and number of fire facilities required in the Bolsa Chica,  dependent upon the construction of the Cross-Gap connector;
• identify and prioritize intersections for OPTICOM devices and expedite a plan for installation;
• document  fires  and  fire  services (including the number, types and geographic locations of fires, the number, types and cost of damages, number and types of injuries, response times, number of responding units and responding personnel);
• implement the fire and school related policies of the Growth Management Element; and
• conduct annual fire inspections of all commercial and industrial buildings in the City.

I-PF5 Neighborhood Watch

The City shall support the Neighborhood Watch program through advising and assisting neighborhoods in efforts to watch the homes of others and report suspicious activity to the police. Areas without watch programs shall be identified and assisted in initiating and continuing Neighborhood Watch programs. A similar program for commercial areas shall be established and may be implemented by the Chamber of Commerce or other similar organizations.

I-PF6 Public Education

The City departments will:

1. increase the development and use of verbal and written education tools including lectures and illustrations offered through Huntington Beach Cable Television, clubs, public and private schools, neighborhood groups, service organizations,   youth   groups,   business organizations and other interested groups or organizations intended to promote awareness and understanding of the various programs offered to the community;
2. secure and develop safety video programs for public service programming and make available to check out at public libraries, video stores, public and private schools and City Hall;
3. provide    more     community    based cardiopulmonary    resuscitation    (CPR) programs to citizens via neighborhood watch, health clubs, professional groups, youth groups, churches and any other groups and individuals willing to learn life saving CPR;
4. distribute information on ocean hazards and general lifesaving techniques to the general public in the form of cable TV shows, brochures, displays and beach signage; and
5. Increase   public   participation   in   the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program.

I-PF7 Development Review

1. Participate in the development review process including pre-development plan submittal meetings, building plan check and Planning Commission meetings as needed in order to ensure that new developments provide maximum visibility and security for entrances, pathways, corridors, open spaces and parking areas, and fire safety access.
2. Respond to requests from Community Development to provide input on the criminal activity and public safety and welfare issues associated with proposed land uses or activities.
3. Through the development review process, review comments on development from the school districts.

I-PF8 Computer Aided Dispatch System and Automated Records Management System

Obtain a modem Computer Aided Dispatch System (CAD) and Automated Records Management System (RMS) to provide greater fire and emergency response times and record keeping.

I-PF9 Code Enforcement

1. Update City Fire Codes to ensure the most recent State and National Fire Codes (UFC, NFC, and NFPA standards) are being implemented.
2. Provide Uniform Fire Code and California Code of Regulations training to Fire Protection Specialists and Engine Companies so they can better enforce the code by risk analysis and interpretation.

I-PF 10 Marine Safety Staffing/Staff Training

1. Marine Safety needs will be seasonally reported every three years,  identifying necessary changes in staffing and facilities to maintain public safety.
2. Marine Safety Officers will monitor, on a daily basis, through weather service information and department estimates, the beach's population, weather and surf conditions for the purpose of locating public lifeguard needs.
3. Require competitive recruitment and intensive training in the latest life-saving techniques.
4. Continue  the  exchange  program  with Australian and New Zealand lifesavers to help ensure the use of state-of-the-art rescue techniques and management procedures.
5. Continue annual testing consisting of written and physical exams to requalify City lifeguards.
6. Continue the existing Junior Lifeguard Program to educate youth about ocean hazards and instruct them in basic  lifesaving techniques.

I-PF 11 Emergency Response Coordination

Maintain communication with State safety personnel, local school districts, and City Fire and Police divisions to coordinate emergency response efforts.

I-PF 12 Interagency Coordination

1. Work with the County to facilitate high quality marine safety.
2. The City will coordinate with the Orange County Coalition of Cities and support a) lobbying efforts opposing offshore oil drilling; and b) the creation of protected habitat sanctuaries along the Orange County coastline.
3. The City Fire Department will coordinate with the Community Services Department, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and appropriate State and Federal agencies in preparing   and   maintaining   oil   spill contingency plans.
4. The City shall continue to establish meetings with the local school districts to discuss issues of mutual concern and interest.
5. The City and the local school districts shall utilize consistent population projections based on existing, new and proposed development within the City.
6. The City shall meet with local school districts to  develop  and  implement a shared maintenance and operations agreement for the: a) use of school facilities for public recreational activities; and b) use of City parks for educational purposes.
7. Continue to coordinate with the County of Orange to ensure that consistency with the adopted Measure "M" criteria and other county programs is achieved within the City's Growth    Management   program    and incorporated   into  the   City's   Growth Management Element in a timely fashion.
8. Continue to coordinate with Federal, State, County, and local safety agencies to facilitate a high level of cooperation in responding to emergencies such as oil spills, search and rescue or swiftwater response.

I-PF 13 Feasibility Study

The City will conduct a study evaluating:

1. the feasibility of providing services such as education, recreation, day care, or adult care, at designated closed school sites;
2. the feasibility of providing satellite library services at local school libraries; and
3. the benefits and disadvantages of permitting and/or providing public services at designated institutional uses.
4. the financial advantages and disadvantages to the City and the community of using closed school sites or operating school sites for public services.

I-PF 14 Funding Sources

The City shall identify and solicit funding from additional sources to support the library facilities and activities. These may include state and federal grants or loans and donations or sponsorships by local and national corporations, philanthropic organizations, and other private individuals and groups.

The City shall cooperate and coordinate with the school districts in identifying and soliciting funding from additional sources to support the expansion and development of school facilities in order to enhance the educational opportunities, activities, and programs offered by the school districts, and to address issues facing the school districts which affect the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.

I-PF 15 Development Impacts on Educational Facilities

Develop a review process that would require that development impacts be reviewed by the City with the developer and with the School Districts prior to project review for determination of necessary mitigations to school impacts. Require developers to meet with the appropriate school district with the intent to mitigate the impact on school facilities, prior to project approval by the permitting City authority.