Huntington Beach voters OK Sunset Beach tax
In a citywide election, Huntington Beach residents voted to require Sunset Beach residents to pay the same taxes as other citizens of the city of Huntington Beach. In effect, the annexation of Sunset Beach was now complete.
New police chief
City Manager Jill Ingram hired Joe Stilinovich, a veteran Long Beach Police commander, to be the permanent replacement for Chief Jeff Kirkpatrick, who retired in June 2011. Newly selected Chief Stilinovich spent his entire police career with the Long Beach Police Department and most recently served as the commander of the Gang and Violent Crimes Division in that city.
Stabbing suspect pleads not guilty
James Rivas, the suspect in the Rossmoor jogger stabbing, pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Boeing closes two buildings
Boeing officials announced that two key buildings on the company’s Seal Beach campus would be closed as a cost-saving measure. Approximately 1,000 employees will be transferred to El Segundo or Huntington Beach.
Another 500 employees will remain in Seal Beach. The sale of the buildings may benefit Seal Beach city government. Seal Beach receives only a small amount of sales tax revenue from the defense company.
Council to look at pier fishing
Seal Beach officials began to ponder reeling in fishing on the pier. District 1 Councilwoman Ellery Deaton asked staff to place the subject on a future council agenda.  Lions Club members have complained about fishermen damaging the memorial benches on the pier when they cut bait. There is only one authorized location for cutting on the pier: a single sink covered with bird droppings and often occupied by seagulls.  Councilman Gary Miller wanted the pier and the beach to be included in a consultant’s review of Seal Beach’s recreation facilities. News about the decision to hire a consultant to devise a master plan for recreation facilities led some Seal Beach residents to complain about what they regard as the neglect of Gum Grove Park. According to a sunnews.org poll, 83 percent of those responding said that yes, Seal Beach has neglected the park.
Leisure World fires dismisses director
Leisure World’s Golden Rain Foundation dismissed Executive Director Dan Schaeffer, citing a clause in the foundation’s 18-month contract with Schaeffer that allowed him to be terminated without cause. Carl Bourhenne, a Golden Rain board member who had voted against giving Schaeffer the contract in the first place, said the dismissal was not in retaliation for Schaeffer’s decision to file a lawsuit against Leisure World.
Christmas Tree Lighting
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting event, complete with man-made snow (you were expecting natural?) and a snowman building contest that was won on Nov. 24 by Seal Beach resident Kaylen Chang, 8. Run Seal Beach donated the snow at the event.
Council bans new vacation rentals
The City Council passed on second and final reading an ordinance permanently banning new vacation rental permits in Seal Beach. Meanwhile, owners of vacation rental properties who have applied for permits are continuing with the process of going to the Planning Commission to make their case for allowing them to make money by renting their units for the short-term market.
Ocean Place open space plan updated
The Seal Beach Parks and Recreation Commission received and filed an update on the open space plan for 6.4 acres of land that will become Seal Beach city property if the California Coastal Commission grants a development permit for Bay City Partners’ Ocean Place residential project. The approval process for the project now goes to the state agency, which will act on the matter at an unknown time in the future.
