Resident urges limits on North Beach feeding events; staff says permits allow Sunday service

George Gregory, who identified himself as a North Beach resident, told the Public Safety Committee that recurring church outreach at North Beach has caused public-safety and quality-of-life problems and asked the committee to urge the City Council to stop the activity.

"This has gotta stop," Gregory said during oral communications. He described people receiving food and clothing near the North Beach restrooms and said the presence and timing of a nearby bus stop exacerbated the problem.

Committee Chair Mercuta asked staff for specifics. Staff responded that two distinct event types occur: a small morning Bible study that does not require a special-event permit and a recurrent special-event permit for a Sunday service that "has been occurring for decades." The staff report said the City Council previously considered an ordinance related to public feeding and declined to approve it by a 3-2 vote. The council approved the recurrent special-event permit for the Sunday service but did not add additional feeding restrictions.

City staff also said park rangers and the Orange County Sheriffs Department are aware of activity in the area and follow up on litter and refuse. The staff reply identified the 91 bus stop as part of the observed pattern but said routing decisions are generally made by OCTA (Orange County Transportation Authority).

Ending: Staff said the city is addressing the area through park rangers and sheriff patrols and noted council-level decisions about a feeding ordinance and the recurrent special-event permit had already been made.