After being sued under the State Records Act, the City of Huntington Beach Pacific Airshow has finally made public a Settlement agreement it tried to keep secret.
The Settlement Agreement that awards up to $7 million for the one-day cancellation was made after an oil spill from an area pipeline caused the cancellation of one day (Sunday) of the air show in 2021.
Huntington Beach officials refused to release the settlement until a judge ruled under the state’s records act that it must be made public.
In a statement, Huntington Beach Mayor Gracey Van Der Mark said “the Settlement Agreement was held back by the City Attorney due to the city’s imminent lawsuit with Amplify Energy and other oil spill descendants.”
“As the community knows, the Pacific Air Show is a world-class event that brings millions in economic benefits to Huntington Beach.
Though the city throws around the $100 million benefit each year, a Voice of OC investigation in the exactly how that number is derived seemingly came up short. Undoubtedly, however, the thousands of tourists who attend do bring a substantial economic boost.
According to the settlement, which is now posted online, Huntington Beach agreed to pay $2 million in 2023, and another $3 million in six-year installments (until 2029).
In addition, the city ganted to Pacific Air Show the right to recover an additional $2 million from whatever settlement, if any, is derived from litigation against the pipeline and related interests.
Finally, the city will refund $149,200 in fees paid by Pacific Air Show to Huntington Beach towards the 2022 show and will defer fees on 600 parking spaces and guarantee them at least $110,000 in parking income during the show.
In her statement, Mayor Van Der Mark said the settlement “ensures the potential for future airshows, which again, she says produces $100 million per year in economic benefit.
“Although there are terms for potential longer term airshows, “no commitments have been made in the settlement.”