Six Questions with Director Mike Posey

The OCCOG Governing Board includes 18 Orange County elected officials and nine ex-officio non-voting members who work together to represent Orange County’s interests in regional planning policy. Let’s meet Director Mike Posey:

Q1: What area of Orange County do you represent for OCCOG?
A1: I represent SCAG District 64, which includes the City of Huntington Beach.

Q2: What is your favorite thing about living in Orange County?
A2: Climate. Orange County is home to best weather in the world. Economic opportunity is unmatched. We have such a diverse business economy that Orange County can thrive in recessions that may affect other economies dependent on specific industries.

Q3: What issue got you interested in becoming a city council member?
A3: Our City Council was on path to micro manage business. The plastic bag ban, and establishing retail prices for paper replacements along with other non-business friendly measures motivated me to run.

Q4: What is Huntington Beach doing about the affordable housing issue?
A4: My 2019 agenda item seeking SB2 funds earned HB conditional housing element approval and dismissal of the Newsom vs Huntington Beach lawsuit. We have since added zoning for very-low income units and are working diligently on the new zoning for the sixth cycle RHNA. HB’s share will be 13,386 units. Additionally, the City approved issuance of revenue bonds to purchase two apartment buildings for conversion to moderate income units.

Q5: What is Huntington Beach’s best kept secret?
A5: Huntington Beach has a vibrant and diverse economic base. Tourism is our number one industry but we are also home to a very large manufacturing base. Huntington Beach also has about 80 businesses catering to the custom car industry/hobby. In addition to surfing, you will find a very large community of automobile enthusiasts.

Q6: The Summer Olympics are coming to Southern California in 2028. We've heard that some of the events will take place in Huntington Beach. What can you tell us about this?
A6: Huntington Beach hopes to host Olympic events. We are gearing up and engaged in advocacy to bring Olympic surfing to Surf City USA.