CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP

-- Mary Beth P. Adomaitis

Huntington Beach is taking conserving energy seriously and is being

rewarded for it efforts.

Southern California Edison Co. presented the city with a $507,500

rebate check as reimbursement for purchasing light emitting diode traffic

signal indications.

The rebate is a result of a traffic signal program established by the

California Public Utilities Commission that encourages the replacement of

incandescent traffic signal lamps with energy efficient light-emitting

diode modules. Huntington Beach is the largest city recipient to date in

Edison’s incentive program.

The City Council approved the original funding for the modules in

March. Since then, city crews have installed the new lights in all green

and red vehicle indications, as well as all pedestrian signals at each of

the city’s 116 traffic signals. In addition, these lights were installed

at all flashing yellow and red beacons.

“Much credit for receiving the full amount of the rebate must be given

to the traffic signal maintenance crews in the Public Works Department,”

said Tom Brohard, Huntington Beach’s transportation manager. “They were

given less than three months to purchase and install 4,800 LEDs before

June 1, or we would have received only half of the full rebate.”

The new lights allow for significant savings as they only use 7% of

the energy required by incandescent lights. The city will save about

$1,000 a day or $400,000 a year.

The new lights have a five-year warranty and life span of eight years.

Talbert Beach homes are completed

The final 10 homes have been completed in the Talbert Beach

Redevelopment subarea.

Developer Bijan Sassounian said that the 10 homes have been sold at an

average price of $385,000 and are all occupied. They are expected to

bring in about $38,500 a year in property taxes.

This project represents the development of the last parcel in the

Talbert Beach Redevelopment subarea, which was originally formed to

eliminate the amount of lots in that area.

Duke’s raises more than $11,690 for nonprofits

Duke’s Huntington Beach presented checks of more than $11,690 from its

three-month Big Wednesday promotion. At its Spring Finale part sponsored

by Billabong, Hawaiian Islands Creations and Surfer Magazine, checks were

presented to Lisa Brooks of the Surfrider Foundation and Kelli McGee of

American Oceans Campaign, each in the amount of $4,045. Other checks were

presented to Orange County Coast Keepers for $2,200, multiple sclerosis

organizations for $800 and the Huntington Beach Surf Life Saving Assn.

for $600.

Big Wednesdays were held at the Barefoot Bar with an evening of full

drink and food specials, celebrity bartenders, live music, surf movies

and prizes from surf sponsors.

City Pool & Gym to offer birthday parties

As a way to beat the heat this summer, the City Gym & Pool is offering

birthday parties for children 6 and older.

For $200, Director Dottie Hughes’ recreation staff will lead the group

in games and activities, and a pool lifeguard will watch over those

swimming.

The pool does not supply decorations or food, including cake and ice

cream. The parties can include up to 20 children and last about two

hours.

For more information and available times, call (714) 960-8884.