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Council authorizes license agreement to relocate Surf Museum into Main Street Library
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Summary
The council authorized a license with the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum to occupy roughly 1,200 sq ft of Main Street Branch Library space under a license that sets base rent at $500/month and assigns responsibility for improvements and maintenance to the museum; proponents cited synergy with the art center, opponents warned of archival and access concerns.
The City Council authorized staff to execute a license agreement allowing the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum (ISM) to relocate into dedicated space at the Main Street Branch Library.
Staff summary and terms Community and Library Services Director Ashley Wysocki presented the proposed license: the museum would occupy about 1,200 square feet within the library’s approximately 9,500 square foot footprint, maintain ownership and liability for its collection, and fund any interior improvements in its designated space. The proposed rent is $500 per month with late fees and annual CPI adjustments. The agreement provides the museum up to 12 annual board meetings, a dedicated work area for receiving and preparing displays, co‑sponsorship of up to eight “Surf and Sundays” events, the city’s assistance with marketing, and first‑come/first‑served parking at the art center when available. Staff said relocation and improvement costs are expected to be supported by Visit HB and that no city capital funding is planned for the build‑out.
Public concerns and council response During public comment multiple residents urged the council to pause the agreement until supplemental exhibits and details were made available; concerns raised included whether library functions (public access, computer/Internet services, study space) would be compatible with a museum footprint, questions about prior rent arrears by the museum at its former location, archival preservation (lack of air conditioning in some library spaces), and what the city would be asked to provide beyond the leased space (parking, showmobile, promotion). One speaker called for additional transparency because exhibits A and B were posted late in supplementary materials.
Councilmembers who supported the measure emphasized potential synergy with the art center, increased foot traffic on Main Street, and the temporary nature of the arrangement. Supporters also noted a 60‑day termination clause in the agreement that the city could use if the partnership proved unworkable.
Vote and next steps After discussion the council authorized execution of the license agreement on a recorded roll call (motion passed). Staff will formalize the license documents and move forward with the relocation, while continuing to answer operational questions (archival storage, utility capacity, exhibit build‑outs) during implementation.
Context Staff noted the surf museum’s current facility has low ceilings and limited display capacity; the library’s higher ceilings would allow display of historic surfboards and the co‑location is intended to strengthen Main Street’s cultural node. Several public speakers urged the city to ensure the library’s core services remain protected and that any archival holdings receive appropriate climate controls and cataloging support.
