The City of Huntington Beach, Calif., is returning to in-person city council meetings for the first time since January. The transition to in-person sessions was announced during a May 17 virtual council meeting by city manager Oliver Chi. The switch was attributed to improving COVID-19 metrics throughout Orange County. Councilmembers and members of the public will be allowed inside city hall under the condition they wear a mask, be vaccinated, or show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, Chi said. Huntington Beach Mayor Kim Carr welcomed the news during the May 17 council meeting. “I’m looking forward to getting the opportunity to see everyone face-to-face instead of in these little squares,” Carr said. Huntington Beach spokesperson Catherine Jun said the return to in-person meetings was in alignment with the state’s planned reopening June 15. The city will begin hosting in-person meetings June 1. When it returns to in-person sessions, council—which previously met on Mondays—will begin …