Editor’s note: If you have a question about a city issue—or a suggestion for filing a Public Records Act request—email Associate Editor Charles M. Kelly at editor2@sunnews.org.
Seal Beach Christmas Parade furniture and ADA access
In response to a request from a reader, the Sun recently asked city officials, “Has the city heard anything about chairs being placed on the sidewalks and blocking ADA access prior to events such as the upcoming Christmas parade? Doesn’t the city have rules about how far in advance of the parade that chairs can be staked out on the sidewalk?”
On Dec. 1, Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos wrote, “The City inspects and ensures that ADA access and that all access is available prior to the Christmas Parade. The City does not have specific rules regarding the placement of furniture prior to the event. The Seal Beach Lions, organizers of the Christmas Parade, also do a great job of ensuring that all spectators have access depending on their needs.”
In July 2012, the Sun reported that the Seal Beach City Council directed City Manager Jill Ingram to implement a policy that prohibited the public from placing personal items in Eisenhower Park to reserve space on summer concert days.
Naval Weapons Station ammo pier construction project set to start
The ammunition pier replacement project is set to begin soon at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, according to Public Affairs Officer Gregg Smith.
As previously reported, the Navy will build a 1,100-foot by 125-foot replacement ammunition pier. The project will include a channel for civilian boats traveling to and from Huntington Harbour.
“Our ammunition pier project contractor has started pre-staging equipment on the base, and is set to begin work during the week of December 16,” Smith wrote in a Dec. 2 email to the Sun.
“The first step of the project will involve moving some of the large rocks in the area where the new boat channel will be cut through, northwest of Surfside Colony Dredging is set to start this coming February. After years of environmental review and planning we are very excited to get this project underway,” Smith wrote.
Swimming pool project
The proposed construction of a community swimming pool on the grounds of the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach appears to be inching forward.
“As for the pool project everything is remaining on track,” wrote Public Affairs Officer Gregg Smith.“ The city is currently working on beginning soil borings and other environmental sampling, and this information will later be used to finalize both the pool design and the Navy lease.”
City’s beach parking lots need to be rebuilt
The city’s beach parking lots need to be replaced. Two city officials recently confirmed this.
“The beach parking lots are at a point where pavement rehabilitation really is not an option and thus the parking lot paving will need to be reconstructed,” wrote Public Works Director Steve Myrter in a Nov. 25 email to the Sun.
Assistant City Manager Patrick Gallegos said the same thing in a Dec. 1 email to the Sun.
“Yes, Coastal Commission approval will definitely be required,” Myrter wrote in a follow-up email.
Seal Beach Pier workshop schedule to be determined
The Sun recently asked: What’s the status of the community workshops to discuss the future of the Seal Beach Pier? “The City is currently working on a schedule to implement a variety of outreach efforts on this matter,” wrote Gallegos on Dec. 1.
Local Coastal Plan update
The Sun recently requested an update on the city’s Local Coastal Program.
“The LCP is on track to have the Land Use Plan (LUP) to the Coastal Commission by the end of the year as per the Coastal Commission Grant we received,” wrote Gallegos on Dec. 1.
A Local Coastal Program, once approved by the California Coastal Commission, can streamline the application process for property development in the coastal zone.
Organic recycling update
“he City continues to negotiate with Republic Services on an updated agreement that will include a program to meet the requirements of AB 1826 and other state mandated legislation,” Gallegos wrote on Dec. 1.
As previously reported in the Sun, Assembly Bill 1826, approved in 2014, requires local governments to set up organic waste recycling programs for businesses.
ABC licenses in Seal Beach
There are 47 Seal Beach businesses licensed to sell alcohol for consumption on-site, according to data found at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website.
City wide:
Of the 47 citywide Seal Beach alcohol licenses, 25 are for the sale of beer and wine at eating places. One license is for the sale of beer and wine at a public premises. Another 17 were “general” licenses for the sale of sale of beer, wine and “distilled spirits” at eating places. Two more were for sale of beer, wine and “distilled spirits” on a public premises.
“As to on-sale general and on-sale beer and wine licenses, [public premises] means premises maintained and operated for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages to the public for consumption on the premises, and in which food is not sold or served to the public as in a bona fide eating place, although food products may be sold or served incidentally to the sale or service of alcoholic beverages,” according to the ABC license.
“As to on-sale beer licenses, this means premises maintained and operated for sale or service of beer to the public for consumption on the premises, and in which no food is sold or served,” the website said.
One license, for the Old Ranch Country Club, is for a “special on sale general license.”
“Generally issued to certain organizations who cannot qualify for club licenses,” according to the ABC website.
“Authorizes the sale of beer, wine and distilled spirits, to members and guests only, for consumption on the premises where sold. Authorizes the sale of beer and wine, to members and guests only, for consumption off the licensed premises. Food service is not required. Minors are allowed on the premises,” according to the ABC website
One business, the Ayres Hotel in Seal Beach, has a license to sell beer, wine, and “distilled spirits” for consumption by guests or the people invited by the guests.
“This license [Type 70] is normally issued to ‘suite-type’ hotels and motels, which exercise the license privileges for guests’ ‘complimentary’ happy hour. Minors are allowed on the premises,” according to the ABC site.
Main Street:
There are 19 licenses for the sale of alcohol to be consumed on site on Seal Beach’s Main Street. Twelve of those licenses are for the sale of beer and wine at eating places. Two are for “bars or night clubs,” specifically Clancy’s and the Irisher. Five are for the sale and consumption of beer, wine and “distilled spirits” at eating places.
