Downtown task force to hold first meeting

Council members and downtown Huntington Beach residents and business owners will get their chance to discuss ways to improve the area at the first Downtown Task Force meeting on Thursday.

The 15 members who make up the newest advisory group will gather at the Main Street Library from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. to figure out ways to address drinking and other problems that plague the downtown area and find ways to improve beachside events like the U.S. Open of Surfing, which was followed this year by rioting in the city.

According to the agenda on the city’s website, the meeting will begin with comments from the public, the introduction of each member and a discussion of what’s good about the area and what needs to be changed.

Meetings will be held every second and fourth Thursday of the month at the library, 525 Main St.

Council members created the task force initially to address concerns residents had regarding the alcohol issues in downtown, but eventually focused on overall safety in the area after the disturbance following the U.S. Open in July.

For more information regarding the meeting, residents can contact Kellee Fritzal at kfritzal@surfcity-hb.org.

—Anthony Clark Carpio

Twitter: @acocarpio