REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Eric McCoy, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Management Analyst
Subject:
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Approve response letter to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report “Wildfires Hit Home” and forward to the Presiding Judge
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Statement of Issue:
Transmitted for City Council consideration is a response letter to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report entitled “Wildfires Hit Home,” and authorize the Mayor to sign the attached transmittal letter to The Honorable Sheila F. Hanson, Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court. Pursuant to California Penal Code Section 933.05, the City must respond to the Grand Jury’s findings and recommendations within 90 days of publication (by August 18, 2026).
Financial Impact:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve the City’s response letter with findings and recommendations to the Orange County Grand Jury Report entitled “Wildfires Hit Home”; and
B) Authorize the Mayor to submit the response letter to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court.
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Alternative Action(s):
The City Council may take the following alternative action:
Amend the response letter prior to submitting it to the Presiding Judge. Pursuant to state law, the City must submit a response within 90 days.
Analysis:
In 2025-26, the Orange County Grand Jury prepared the report “Wildfires Hit Home” (Attachment 1). It includes findings and recommendations regarding wildfire risk, prevention, and community engagement in Orange County. Report highlights include:
• The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in Orange County, especially in wildland urban interface areas
• The designation of a High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (HFHSZ) within Huntington Beach
• The importance of defensible space inspection programs, community outreach, and participation in countywide wildfire prevention initiatives
• Recommendations for increased community engagement, annual wildfire prevention fairs, and promotion of programs, such as Safer from Wildfires and AB 888
As required by California Penal Code Section 933.05, the City’s formal responses must be reviewed and approved by the City Council. The proposed responses are shown in Attachment 2 and address the findings and recommendations, demonstrating agreement with the Grand Jury’s concerns. They also outline ongoing and planned actions to mitigate wildfire risk and enhance community resilience.
Report instructions state that a transmittal letter with the City’s responses is required to be submitted to The Honorable Sheila F. Hanson, Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court (Attachment 3). A PowerPoint presentation is included as Attachment 4.
Approval of the responses to the Grand Jury report will ensure the City’s compliance with statutory requirements and reaffirm Huntington Beach’s proactive stance on wildfire risk reduction.
Environmental Status:
Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5), administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment do not constitute a project.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Orange County Grand Jury Report “Wildfires Hit Home”
2. City Council Responses to the 2025 Grand Jury Report
3. Transmittal Letter from Mayor McKeon to the Honorable Sheila F. Hanson
4. PowerPoint Presentation