Council appoints restaurateur Andrew Gruel to vacated Huntington Beach City Council seat

Mayor Pro Tem Burns (referred to in the transcript as Mayor Burns) moved to nominate restaurateur Andrew Gruel to fill the seat vacated by Tony Strickland; Councilmember Vandermark seconded the motion. After a brief period for nominations and clarifying announcements the council called the roll. The motion passed in a roll-call vote: Councilman Twiney — yes; Councilman Kennedy — yes; Mayor Burns — aye; Councilwoman Vandermark — yes; Councilman Williams — yes. The mayor declared the motion passed and the city clerk administered the oath of office to Andrew Gruel.

Gruel thanked the council and said he plans to focus on core city services and constituent priorities, framing his remarks around public safety, clean streets and parks, support for small businesses and long-term economic sustainability. He described his background as a Huntington Beach small-business owner and volunteer during recent fires and said he would emphasize practical, operational issues.

Councilmembers welcomed Gruel to the dais. Several described his local volunteer work during community emergencies and small-business experience and expressed confidence he will be an active member of the council. Council directed that Gruel be offered the opportunity to speak at the meeting and for him to be officially sworn in; the oath was administered that evening.

The appointment was taken at the meeting as an administrative selection to fill the vacancy; multiple speakers during public comment before the vote urged the council to hold a special election or appoint the next-highest vote-getter from the prior election. The council’s motion to appoint Gruel concluded the administrative-selection process on the dais and the new council member was sworn in immediately following the vote.