The city has held a series of workshops and study sessions on the project.
The City Council also unanimously approved departmental cuts, including more than $1 million in the police department, which, when combined with union concessions, will fill a $4-million revenue shortfall.
The city departments submitted about $3.4 million in cuts, and the union contract changes saved the city another $1.4 million, said City Administrator Fred Wilson.
The police department will cut more than $1.2 million from its budget by leaving positions vacant and reducing helicopter air support.
The department is also cutting almost $40,000 from its budget by eliminating its Fourth of July weekend staff support services and ending its contract with private security services and California Highway Patrol to patrol the parade route and assist during the fireworks show. Additional fundraising will be needed to pay for help over the extended weekend.
The number of beach fire rings will be reduced by 50%, from 167 to 83, the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center will be closed Saturdays, and the Huntington Beach Central Library will be closed Sunday with additional closures at branch libraries.
Councilman Devin Dwyer also directed staff to look into how much money would be saved by cutting council meetings to once a month and taking Planning Commission meetings off Channel 3 and webcasting them instead.
