Council approves contract payment, tobacco zoning buffer, volunteer ad hoc committee and charter‑cities collaboration

The Huntington Beach City Council approved several items Tuesday evening, including a contested contract payment, a 1,000‑foot zoning buffer for tobacco retailers, the creation of an ad hoc committee to standardize city relationships with volunteer organizations, and a directive to pursue a collaborative program with California charter cities.

The council voted 6–1 to authorize additional funding related to an existing well‑remediation/contract matter, with Councilmember Kennedy casting the lone “no” vote. Councilmembers said the item arose from legacy contract language and inconsistencies in historic well plans, and that the approved amendment set a not‑to‑exceed ceiling intended to avoid a longer, more costly delay or litigation. Mayor Burns and other council members described the adopted amendment as the least‑cost outcome in a…