ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 17, 2022
The regular meeting of May 17, 2022 was called to order at 3:05 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Anaheim City Hall, located at 200 S. Anaheim Boulevard. The meeting notice, agenda, and related materials were duly posted on May 12, 2022.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Trevor O’Neil and Council Members Jose Diaz, Gloria Ma’ae, and Stephen Faessel. Council Member Jose F. Moreno joined the meeting at 3:06 P.M. and Council Member Avelino Valencia joined the meeting at 3:35 P.M.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Harry Sidhu
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and City Clerk Theresa Bass
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORKSHOP: None
WORKSHOP: Capital Improvement Program
Finance Director Debbie Moreno reported the workshop would be a review of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the Fiscal Year 2022/23 budget. She advised the CIP is a five-year fiscal and planning tool to help build or improve public infrastructure projects with a minimum cost of $50,000. She explained it is funded by a variety of sources, noting they are often restricted funds.
She clarified approving the CIP does not necessarily mean approving each project in the plan or that other projects cannot be added to the CIP at a later date, especially if funded through grants or other restricted funds.
Ms. Moreno reported the CIP calls for a total investment of $217,000,000 with the majority of the money going towards transportation improvements and upgrades to the electric and water systems.
Community Services Director Sjany Larson-Cash reported on new fitness stations to be installed at Maxwell Park with funding through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). She advised plans are underway to replace the aging playgrounds at Citrus Park and Ross Park funded by CDBGs. She reported plans are also underway to help improve the Center Greens, Rio Vista Park, Orange County River Walk near Angel Stadium and the Honda Center, Aloe Promenade, La Palma Park, and Little Pine Park.
Public Works Director Rudy Emami reported on the remodeling of Fire Station 4 and the planned construction of Fire Station 12 in the Platinum Triangle. He detailed the process of how the Public Works Department identifies potential projects and searches for funding, including grants and federal or state transportation funding. He advised projects tend to fall into one of four categories – neighborhood improvements, street rehabilitation, traffic signal coordination and upgrades, and sewer construction. He highlighted numerous planned projects in each of the four categories, including the Sabina and Willowbrook Neighborhood Improvements, Broadway Street Rehabilitation, Euclid Street and Glenoaks Intersection Improvements, signal hardware upgrades, sewer projects at Knollwood Circle and on La Palma Avenue between Pauline and East Streets.
ITEM #24
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) General Manager Dukku Lee detailed over $80,500,000 of CIP projects to help strengthen the City’s electric grid through new or improved transmission and distribution infrastructure. He advised APU is focused on replacing transformers and substation equipment. He reported close to 80% of all City street lights have been replaced by light-emitting diodes (LED), an increasing amount of electric lines are being undergrounded, sustainable energy projects are proceeding, and plans are moving forward on a clean-energy educational center.
Mr. Lee reported APU is steadily increasing its annual water main replacements, improving pumping and regulating stations, and working on a new groundwater treatment program to help make the City’s water system more reliable.
Ms. Moreno reported the next budget workshop would be in three weeks to discuss the operating budget.
DISCUSSION: Council Member Faessel applauded Ms. Larson-Cash’s report of receiving a grant to help fund the OC River Walk and noted there may be even more public funds available. He noted he hears nothing but good things from residents after the Public Works Department completes its work.
He commended Mr. Emami on his department’s ability to stretch a dollar. He commended the contractors working swiftly and with pride for APU and thanked Mr. Lee on their behalf.
Council Member Diaz noted it was appropriate to have this discussion today during Public Works Week. He thanked Mr. Emami for his staff’s work improving the quality of life for Anaheim’s residents and for finding the most cost-effective projects to prioritize.
Council Member Moreno commended City staff for how well they search for grant opportunities. He thanked Congressman Lou Correa for earmarking $2,000,000 towards La Palma Park.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Ms. Larson-Cash clarified no General Fund dollars go towards CIP projects. She explained Community Services CIP projects come through development funds, grants, and other sources like CDBGs. She advised she would have to follow up to provide Council Member Moreno with a listing of funding sources by percentage.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Mr. Emami advised very little of the funding for Public Works CIP projects comes from the General Fund but advised the goal is to have a ratio of 10:1 for outside funding sources. He advised some grants for Public Works projects come with a 10% or 20% match from the City.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Ms. Moreno clarified the only thing in the CIP drawing from the General Fund is $3,000,000 for the rehabilitation of Fire Station 4. She confirmed the General Fund is paying just $3,000,000 out of $217,000,000 worth of CIP projects with the rest of the funding coming from external sources.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Mr. Lee confirmed its funding sources are different because APU customers ultimately pay for the infrastructure improvements. He advised APU does receive some grant funding for some projects and also receives funds from sources like the Orange County Water District. He confirmed most of the funding comes from customer rate payments being reinvested into CIP projects. He confirmed APU customers pay between 15-30% less than they would with private utility companies.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Ms. Larson-Cash reported staff would love to be able to build a second community swimming pool in the future. She advised Community Services is aware that it has been highly requested through the community input process, particularly in west Anaheim. She advised staff would have to find additional grant funds for this project or conserve from some other funding sources because development funds for west Anaheim are unavailable at this time. She noted pools are expensive and clarified all development funds allocated for west Anaheim have been spent.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Mr. Emami advised there is not currently a plan for a CIP on the Willdan Building. He advised that staff is looking on a big-picture level at what the downtown area could look like. He reported staff could start the discussion through community outreach and bring it to City Council in search of direction.
Council Member Moreno noted the City’s need to have staff to write these grant requests, which is why the City needs to stay fully staffed even in these lean times. He directed Ms. Moreno to report back on what a Federal or State Gas Tax holiday would mean to the City because it relies so heavily on Gas Tax revenues to support infrastructure projects.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Ms. Moreno confirmed Public Works accounts for about 6% of the General Fund’s expenditures and Community Services accounts for about 10% of General Fund expenditures.
Council Member Moreno expressed hope that City Council could help staff find more revenues to give back to residents through Public Works and Community Services projects.
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO CLOSED SESSION: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS: None
CLOSED SESSION: At 3:47 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil recessed to closed session for consideration of the following:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATOR
(Subdivision (a) of Section 54957.6 of the California Government Code) Agency Designated Representative: Linda Andal, Human Resources Director Name of Employee Organization: Anaheim Fire Association At 5:02 P.M., Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil reconvened the Anaheim City Council.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Pro Tem Trevor O’Neil and Council Members Jose Diaz, Gloria Ma’ae, Jose F. Moreno, Avelino Valencia, and Stephen Faessel.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mayor Harry Sidhu
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil announced Mayor Sidhu was not present this evening so he would chair the meeting. He reported Mayor Sidhu and a member of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce were involved in a federal inquiry. He advised there was also now a delay with the City’s agreement with the State over the sale of Angel Stadium. He explained what has been shared was news to all of them and raised concerning issues. He noted the facts were not yet known and they needed to respect the process for tonight’s meeting. He advised these issues were not on the agenda and could not be addressed by Council Members aside from the Council Communications period.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
INVOCATION: Pastor Charles Vermuelen, Kindred Community Church FLAG SALUTE: Council Member Avelino Valencia
PRESENTATIONS: Recognizing 2022 Mills Acts recipients
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil reported the City has one of the State’s largest Mills Act programs and displayed images of the nine (9) new Mills Act properties in the City.
Associate Planner Christine Nguyen noted it is National Historic Preservation Month and commended the work of the City and community to preserve its historic resources. She advised the nine (9) new Mills Act properties bring the City’s total to 390, making it the largest Mills Act program in Orange County and the third largest in the State. Each recipient was recognized by City Council.
Presentation on Anaheim Union Educational Pledge by Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD)
AUHSD Board of Trustees President Al Jabbar reported the Anaheim Union Educational Pledge is an attempt to provide all students with a comprehensive support system and career preparedness system network. He advised the pledge would provide this support in academic planning, college and career readiness, and family engagement from elementary school through high school.
AUHSD Chief Academic Officer Manuel Colón thanked the AUHSD Board and the City Council for their support. He reported the first pledge class was now graduating from college. He clarified the pledge is a partnership in collaboration with the Anaheim Elementary School District, local colleges, and other community partners such as the United Way. He thanked Community Services Superintendent Joe Perez for his work in helping to create the program.
Mr. Colón reported on how AUHSD’s graduation rates have improved among socioeconomically disadvantaged students, disabled students, and many other groups since the pledge was created for the 2016-17 school year. He advised that AUHSD’s overall graduation rate of 90.9% exceeds both the State and County averages after improving by 4.7% from 2016 to 2017. He reported on similar improvements in AUHSD’s A-G completion rates and Seal of Biliteracy rates. He noted the growing number of dual-enrolled students through community college partners offering courses at AUHSD schools, highlighting a student who recently entered the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with 80 credits already completed due to this program. He cited the high number of Anaheim Innovative Mentoring Experience (AIME) participants who are part of the pledge. He advised students have found a great level of academic success once enrolled in college, showing data on how AUHSD students outperform the general student body at both UCI and California State University at Fullerton.
DISCUSSION: In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil advised questions of the presenters would be out of order.
MOTION: Council Member Moreno moved to appeal the ruling of the chair, seconded by Council Member Faessel. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 5 (Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 1 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil); ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Motion carried; ruling overturned.
DISCUSSION: Council Member Moreno reported Mr. Colón is retiring and thanked him for his decades of service to Anaheim students.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Mr. Colón reported the opportunity to be in a City- managed internship has been transformational for many students. He advised these are the students who will return to the City and County to make them flourish. He thanked the City for its commitment to City staff and open doors to students. He confirmed the students receive a $600 scholarship for completing the internship.
Council Member Moreno thanked Mr. Jabbar and Mr. Colón for all AUHSD did to support the community during the pandemic beyond merely the realm of academia.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil thanked his City Council colleagues for overruling him, noting Council Member Moreno’s congratulatory remarks and questions were worthwhile.
Acceptance of Other Recognitions (To be presented at a later date):
Recognizing May 15-21, 2022, as National Public Works Week Acting Public Works Financial/Administrative Services Manager Nicole Sanchez accepted a proclamation recognizing May 15-21, 2022 as National Public Works Week and thanked City Council for this annual recognition for Public Works professionals.
Recognizing May 21, 2022, as Kids to Parks Day
Community Services Recreation Leader II Alex Singelyn accepted a proclamation recognizing May 21, 2022 as Kids to Parks Day. He spoke of the Oak Canyon Nature Center’s work connecting children with nature for education, recreation, and inspiration. He reported that there would be a special event to celebrate Kids to Parks Day on Saturday at Pearson Park.
Recognizing May 22, 2022, as Harvey Milk Day
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDAS: None
DISCUSSION: Council Member Valencia reported in light of the news of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) matters concerning Mayor Sidhu it was owed to residents to hear from their Council Members about the situation. He requested Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil amend the agenda to permit them to address the inquiry into Mayor Sidhu first.
In response to City Attorney Robert Fabela’s inquiry, Council Member Valencia clarified he would like to move Council Communications up to the present time.
Mr. Fabela advised this would be an appropriate motion, needing a two-thirds vote, or could be done at the Mayor Pro Tem’s request. He noted there was freedom for Council Members to give updates about themselves in this item but advised they would have to be respectful of a non-agendized item.
He clarified the motion was only to move Council Communications to this point of the agenda.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil’s inquiry, Council Member Valencia confirmed it was not a motion but rather a request to the Chair.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil noted he did not wish to make this decision unilaterally and requested feedback from his colleagues. He advised there would be ample time to address these matters after the business of the day was conducted.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Council Member Valencia explained this business was just as pressing, if not more pressing, than any business on the agenda.
MOTION: Council Member Valencia moved to set aside the orders of the day to take the agenda out of order and hear Council Communications/Agenda Requests prior to Public Comments, seconded by Council Member Ma’ae.
DISCUSSION: In response to Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil’s inquiry, Mr. Fabela confirmed this motion would require a two-thirds vote to pass.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Council Member Valencia clarified the motion is to move Council Communications up before Public Comment so the public could hear what their representatives had to say first.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil’s inquiry, Mr. Fabela clarified Council Communications is an agendized item but is not a window to debate other things on the agenda. He advised Public Comment does have to happen before agendized items but noted Council Communications is not something to be voted on so he was comfortable with it going either before or after Public Comments.
In response to Mayor Pro Tem Faessel’s inquiry, Council Member Valencia confirmed he would like to move Council Communications before Public Comment. He advised joining the two items in sequence would provide for a good collaborative moment, to which Council Member Ma’ae agreed.
MOTION: Council Member Valencia moved to set aside the orders of the day to take the agenda out of order and hear Council Communications/Agenda Requests prior to Public Comments, seconded by Council Member Ma’ae. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 5 (Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSTAIN – 1 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil); ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Motion carried.
Mr. Fabela clarified this was the opportunity for all Council Communications, including items typically raised at the conclusion of the meeting.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/AGENDA REQUESTS:
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil assured the community that the City Council and City operated in good faith in the stadium negotiations and recently received information that was surprising, concerning, and not part of the public process. In light of this and with many stadium issues coming forward soon, he recommended to staff that no stadium related items come before the City Council in order to evaluate the information that has come out and to respect the federal inquiry taking place. He further encouraged the City Attorney to bring any potential litigation concerns to be discussed in Closed Session, as appropriate. He advised that Anaheim would continue with the business of its citizens and residents.
Council Member Valencia advised the news that the mayor is under an FBI investigation puts a cloud over the City, and while everyone is entitled to legal defense, the evidence released by the Attorney’ General’s office makes it clear that Mayor Sidhu broke the law and his oath of office. He expressed disappointment, sadness, and anger at the alleged actions by Mayor Sidhu and believes the City Council must re-establish the public’s trust of government and City Hall. Council Member Valencia called on Mayor Sidhu to resign and let the City move forward. He hoped his colleagues could put aside any differences and stand for the residents of Anaheim. He requested an agenda item for the City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
next City Council meeting of a discussion and briefing on the Angels situation and related dynamics, with possible direction, if warranted, concurred by Council Members Moreno and Ma’ae.
Council Member Faessel requested the meeting adjourn in memory of Charles “Chuck” Malley, an accountant and former CPA for the Anaheim Community Foundation. He recognized the 95th birthday of Daisy Vuksanovich, Anaheim High School Class of 1946. Council Member Faessel appreciated Council Member Valencia’s comments and expressed that he was devastated and heartbroken by the information. He acknowledged knowing both individuals, thought he knew them well, and recognized that perhaps he did not as the evidence was pretty damning and he usually tries to look at the best side of people, rather than the worst side. He believed the City should try to learn the truth as fast as it could, with the efforts of the Federal and State governments, expressed his pride in serving the community, and advised his sadness at the cloud that now hangs over all the City Council.
Council Member Ma’ae reported the last 24 hours were deeply troubling to her as both a Council Member and resident. She noted the allegations were shocking, devastating, and felt like a betrayal.
She advised she came onto the City Council as a community advocate wanting to do the work required to help her district, the City, and its people, and she would continue to do that work as well as work toward building trust and faith in the Council again. She reported a collective concern for each resident and moving forward in a direction to renew confidence in their decisions. She believed the standard for every elected official is to represent the people and noted that this situation and information about people she thought had good intentions and that she could trust affected her greatly. She announce she remains committed to working with her colleagues to continue to build trust, move the business of the city forward, and create unity.
Council Member Diaz announced the next Rebuild Beach Community Meeting would be on Thursday, May 26 at 6:00 P.M. at Dale Junior High School, the next Rebuild Beach Business Watch Meeting would be on Tuesday, May 31 at 6:00 P.M. at the West Anaheim Youth Center, and the next Districts 1 and 2 Neighborhood Services Community Meeting would be on Wednesday, June 1 at 7:00 P.M. at Dale Junior High School. Regarding the recent news, he expressed disbelief and heartbrokenness when he learned of the news. He advised the same reasons he ran for office are why he still serves – to address the concerns of District 1 including a lack of economic opportunity, lack of housing, Beach Boulevard, and other streets that need to be addressed. He acknowledged that it is still early in the process and he wants the system to work.
Council Member Moreno thanked the Community Services Department for supporting neighborhoods with their Mobile Family Resource Centers. He acknowledged the efforts of the Public Utilities, Public Works, and Community Services departments on the new Kobe and Gigi Bryant Dream Court at Pearson Park, also thanking the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation and Nancy Lieberman Charities. He offered condolences to the family of Gildardo Parrales Gracian, 36-year-old resident, who was shot at the conclusion of the Cinco de Mayo Festival at La Palma Park, sharing that a GoFundMe link was available via his Council website. Addressing the news that became public yesterday, Council Member Moreno reported that California Attorney General Rob Banta requested a 60-day pause on the sale of Angel Stadium because the FBI is investigating the Mayor for public corruption allegations, in particular evidence that the Mayor conducted the stadium negotiation and sale process for his own re-election benefit through bribery, fraud, false statements, obstruction of justice, and witness tampering. Council Member Moreno viewed these actions as a disheartening violation of the trust of residents who believe elected officials will use their power to advocate for the common good of the public not for their own gain. He expressed disappointment that such a serious matter was not agendized for a discussion at tonight’s meeting, referencing the scheduling of a special meeting on April 26 to discuss the Stipulated Judgement as procedural precedent. He hoped the truth and full accountability would come to alight for all implicated. He questioned where the City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
statements by the Public Information Officer and City Manager came from in the City’s written statement and from where they were receiving direction. He urged staff to cease meeting with the Mayor, if occurring, and to meet only with the entire City Council present. Due to concerns raised in the FBI affidavit, Council Member Moreno urged staff to immediately cut contracts with the Chamber of Commerce and Anaheim First, requested a full financial audit for the use of funds in those contracts and any other contracts connected to Mayor Sidhu’s political donors, and asked the City Attorney to launch an independent investigation by an outside firm to see to what extent, if any, staff was involved in, participated in, or party to, the illegal and unethical behaviors of the mayor, Chamber staff, and political consultants. He explained to staff that this was not an indictment of them and their integrity but necessary to ensure that their names and reputations were not unnecessarily smeared and to begin to restore trust in City Hall. Council Member Moreno questioned if these allegations and actions prompted the changes to rules for agendizing items, influenced why stadium related items were not agendized, why his proposed campaign finance reform ordinance was tabled in March 2019, and what other quid pro quo arrangements many have been made. He announced that he planned to request at the next meeting to reintroduce the campaign finance ordinance to mitigate undue influence of money on the governance of the City. He reported SOAR had already raised $1,400,000 by January 2022 and formally asked Disney to cease campaign donations to elections in Anaheim.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items, except public hearing):
City Clerk Theresa Bass reported that a total of one (1) public comment was received electronically prior to 5:00 P.M. related to City Council agenda items and matters within the jurisdiction of the Anaheim City Council. [A final total of 1 public comment was received electronically, distributed to the City Council, and made part of the official record]. – See Appendix.
Prior to receipt of public comments, an outline of rules for public comments and a brief decorum statement was provided by Ms. Bass.
Ashleigh Aitken advised she was heartbroken to hear about the FBI probe of Mayor Sidhu. She reported she asked City Council at the last meeting not to agree to the stipulated judgment because the Angel Stadium sale was the severely undervalued result of a no-bid contract. She noted what was perceived as mere incompetence by Mayor Sidhu has now been shown to be acts of conscious fraud, greed, and deception. She advised Mayor Sidhu chose to be the sole negotiator, held secret meetings, and betrayed Anaheim’s residents. She noted she stands by the assertion by herself and others that the price was far too low. She called for a restart of negotiations and for the Council to recall the agreement to ensure the deal is done openly and fairly from the start. She called for Mayor Sidhu to resign.
Mark Richard Daniels advised there have been no scandals of this magnitude in Anaheim since the 1925 recall of the majority of the Council due to ties to the Ku Klux Klan. He noted the fast pace Mayor Sidhu always moved at in the negotiations and advised there should be no surprise now as to why. He called on Mayor Sidhu to resign. He noted he could sense how much strain the Council puts on City staff. He recalled former City Manager Chris Zapata was fired after he spoke the truth publicly. He noted that City staff would all be deposed in legal proceedings and reminded them they are working for citizens too. He thanked Council Member Valencia for speaking up. He advised there would be a new Mayor coming to restore public trust and endorsed Ms. Aitken for the position.
Mike Robbins reported Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Faessel, Diaz, and Valencia received millions of dollars in campaign donations from the same people as Mayor Sidhu. He advised Anaheim Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Todd Ament, political lobbyist Jeff Flint, and City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Council Member Ma’ae are also part of the problem. He noted all of these traitors to democracy degraded the public for calling out the corruption. He advised it is an honor for himself and his wife, Jeanine, to be called bad names by traitors and crooks. He called upon City Council to do the right thing against the perversion of the democracy they supported by voting with Mayor Sidhu on his illegal transactions. He called on Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Faessel, Diaz, Valencia, and Ma’ae to resign immediately.
Jeanine Robbins noted three weeks ago during public comment Mayor Sidhu was screaming at her insisting the Council was not guilty. She advised the Council Members are liars, cheats, and thieves who have mocked her and her husband, Mike. She advised the Council Members, except for Council Member Moreno, would follow after the FBI is finished with Mayor Sidhu. She decried the Council Members and former Council Members Jordan Brandman and Lucille Kring, wondering who would crack first under FBI pressure. She noted Council Member Ma’ae often expresses pride in being a founding member of Anaheim First. She cautioned Mayor Sidhu would also take down much of the City’s senior staff and send them to jail. She encouraged the Council Members to resign. She commended Council Member Moreno and former Council Member Denise Barnes for having the integrity to stand up to Mayor Sidhu.
R. Joshua Collins encouraged the Council to have the ear of God in its hearts and advised Jesus Christ promises an exposure of corruption from evil. He advised that you reap what you sow and they would not get away with their actions. He encouraged the City to work harder for the homeless and those in need of affordable housing, walk-in shelters, or sober living facilities. He encouraged the City to cut its contracts with the Walt Disney Company, the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, and Anaheim First. He called for the City to look out for people over profit. He called for Mayor Sidhu and all others to give their lives to Jesus Christ.
Bob Donelson called on Mayor Sidhu to resign. He advised the Council has been a rubber stamp for its corrupt Mayor, leading residents to lose trust in the Council Members other than Council Member Moreno and former Council Member Denise Barnes. He addressed how political contributions to the Council Members are all coming from sources the Council Members regularly vote to fund such as the Chamber of Commerce and Anaheim First. He advised this is likely just the tip of the iceberg of greed. He advised the Council is just a rubber stamp because many of them held different views before Mayor Sidhu’s election. He disagreed with money’s involvement in politics and called for a change. He advised it was a great vindicating day for many of them who have been decrying this situation for three years while being mocked by the Council Members.
Wes Jones reported it is Bicycle Month and District 3’s bicycle lanes are just painted in the middle of the road leading residents to play in traffic when riding bicycles and called on City Council to do better for its residents. He advised Mayor Sidhu’s situation would take care of itself. He agreed with Council Member Moreno’s take on some of the City’s crooked dealings with the last lease renewal process.
He reported residents were repeatedly lied to about the value of Angel Stadium and its surrounding land. He addressed the evasive answers by City staff to former Council Member Barnes’ inquiries during meetings. He advised they need to find out if this was pressure from Mayor Sidhu or engrained in staff and noted that it needed to change.
Manuel Hernandez reported that May is Mental Illness Awareness Month. He advised mental illness is created by government mind control programs to create a profit for large pharmaceutical companies.
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Cecil Jordan Corkern reported on subliminal messages about pedophilia in Disney films. He questioned if the Walt Disney Company has a sexual abuse problem. He advised that 17 Disney employees were arrested for child pornography and alleged that costumed characters at Disneyland have molested children.
Jorge Gavino, Treasurer of the Anaheim Democrats, noted Mayor Sidhu’s helicopter registration states he is a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona. He thanked Council Member Valencia for his call for Mayor Sidhu to resign. He questioned how the Council Members can claim they find the FBI investigation of Mayor Sidhu to be at all shocking, particularly after their weekly dismissal of public commenters saying such. He advised there was likely more involvement than just Mayor Sidhu. He thanked Council Member Moreno and former Council member Denise Barnes for sounding the alarm from the beginning. He encouraged the City to cut funding for the Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim First, and Visit Anaheim. He called for an investigation into each Council Member along with Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil’s aide and political strategist Cameron Wessel. He reported he is also on the Budget, Investment, and Technology Commission and reported the City is hemorrhaging qualified staff members because people do not want to work for the City.
Rebecca Kovacs-Stein called on Mayor Sidhu to resign to help put an end to Anaheim’s corruption.
She encouraged residents to stop supporting those who take corrupted political donations from SOAR, Anaheim First, and the Chamber of Commerce. She encouraged residents to stop voting for the majority of the Council Members, stating they are bad actors who make a fool out of the City staff and residents.
John Dunton advised there has been corruption in Anaheim for at least a decade. He commended Anaheim Police Department (APD) Chief Jorge Cisneros but advised not every APD officer is good.
He advised residents against filing internal service complaints with the City because they would be covered up. He encouraged residents to instead take corruption concerns to the FBI, State Attorney General, or United States Attorney General. He called for a new generation of officers to take over the APD from jaded veterans. He informed Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil that his organization is currently investigating him and the findings would be made public.
Vern Nelson encouraged Mayor Sidhu to resign.
Donna Acevedo-Nelson reported the City has been under dark clouds since the APD killed her son in July 2012. She expressed surprise anyone could be shocked by the FBI probe. She advised it is a good day when light is shined on corruption. She advised the subject would have been shot down if brought up by Council Member Moreno and Council Member Valencia only brought it up to show transparency in his campaign for a State Assembly seat. She advised Council Member Valencia was endorsed by SOAR and is no different than the rest of them. She shared her impression that Council Member Faessel believes in Anaheim and is not bought out. She expressed hope that the big campaign money disappears and the next Mayor could be someone from the core of Anaheim and not Anaheim Hills. She called for a Mayor who cares about the people.
Mazatl Tecpatl thanked Council Member Moreno for taking the Council’s punches. He reported dealing with issues of racism in Anaheim. He advised his Native-American heritage leads him to call Mayor Sidhu a wasi’chu, meaning a greedy person regardless of their skin color. He advised the Anaheim High School athletic nickname Colonists is offensive to Native-Americans like himself. He prayed for the Council in the Lakota language.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Dinorah advised there is corruption in Anaheim and its Housing Authority. She accused City staff of stealing a voucher for her housing and called upon fellow Cuban Council Member Diaz to investigate her stolen voucher. She advised nothing has happened since she brought it to the Council’s attention in 2019. She advised a federal official told her Anaheim is run like the mafia and needs to change its culture. She advised the City Manager and other employees should be fired. She called for an honest Housing Authority and accused Director of Housing and Community Development Grace Stepter of discriminating against her for being Cuban.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil advised he would ask Mr. Vanderpool to look into the voucher issue and respond to the resident.
Dinorah requested a meeting with Council Member Diaz and requested Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil root out the City’s corruption.
Thomas Fielder, People’s Homeless Task Force member, advised that they told the Council so, relative to the legal issues around the Angel Stadium sale. He noted the revelations from the FBI would allow the court case against the City to move ahead. He reminded the Council Members they supported Mayor Sidhu and that none of them should be shocked that any of this had happened. He encouraged residents to vote out the Council Members.
Aida Garcia recalled that in 2019 Rancho La Paz Mobile Home Park renters asked City Council for a rent stabilization ordinance because of the extreme rent gouging there. She reported the rent increases have continued unabated. She noted many of the residents are senior citizens who cannot afford the increases. She noted many of Anaheim’s mobile home parks, including Rancho La Paz, are owned by John Saunders who has no intention of protecting the community. She advised a rent control ordinance for mobile home parks should be revisited now that Mayor Sidhu would likely be removed from office. She stated that the Council Members are ethically and morally bound to assist their constituents.
Bryan Kaye advised it was good to see the Council Members speaking well with each other tonight, noting Mayor Sidhu prevented such dialogue. He advised if you are going to file a complaint it needs to be with the FBI because the APD would not act. He expressed disappointment with the Council Members for not punishing the APD officer who used racial slurs toward him. He expressed surprise that the Council Members expressed surprise about Mayor Sidhu and questioned if they were paying attention to the meetings and their regular stream of dissenting public commenters. He thanked Council Members Moreno and Valencia for standing up and making this evening possible.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil requested public speakers refrain from using profanity. He advised their comments would be better received if they showed respect and did not curse.
Kenneth Batiste stated that respect earned is respect given. He believed that City Council does not care about the residents and aligns with companies and organizations fighting wage increases, rent stabilization, and discouraging things like raising taxes on Disneyland or campaign finance reform. He decried the Council Members for pretending to be shocked about Mayor Sidhu when they were enabling him to do what he does. He questioned whom the Council Members were trying to fool when they voted for all of Mayor Sidhu’s questionable moves around the Angel Stadium deal over objections from Council Member Moreno and the public. He advised this was a good day for the City having its corruption exposed and a light shined on its politicians who do not vote for the residents.
He encouraged Hispanic residents to vote right because the current Council does not want them here.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Denise Barnes expressed her disappointment in the City’s leaders. She advised it does not take much to be in power and empower other things to allow you to become corrupt. She noted the road turned when Mayor Sidhu came in, citing the new need for three votes to agendize a matter to help block out Districts 1 and 3. She advised this did not just block her but also blocked thousands of residents from having their voices heard. She decried Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil for tabling the Rancho La Paz matter in 2019, showing a lack of conscience. She advised the new Council Members are naive and not finding their way to leadership and believed the City needs to clean the swamp and the days of these Council Members hurting residents are done. She thanked Council Member Moreno for standing tall even if he was alone in his determination to not let the ship go down.
Cynthia Ward advised Council Members should not be shocked by recent events because they ignored so many warnings from the residents over years. She advised the only surprise is it took the FBI so long to expose the corruption. She advised the other Council Members need to own their part in the damage to the City. She advised this could be foreseen as soon as Mayor Sidhu was elected and brought Mr. Ament in as his business advisor, combining greed and stupidity. She advised she is not celebrating but rather feeling sad that her beloved hometown looks so bad in the news. She advised the pandemic showed just how badly the City needs to diversify its economy with new businesses from more stable industries than tourism. She advised no reasonable person would consider such an unstable City with a trashed reputation. She questioned the Public Information Office for publishing Mayor Sidhu’s personal and political opinions instead of official City policies. She disagreed with Public Information Office for its spinning of the situation and not earning trust through honesty. She advised anyone shocked was not paying close enough attention to hold public office and should follow Mayor Sidhu out the door.
CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE:
City Manager Jim Vanderpool announced that City Council was provided a booklet from the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department, Emergency Management and Preparedness Division, which created the Anaheim Disaster Preparedness Guide to assist residents in learning about local hazards and making plans to stay safe. He noted this original concept was created using current State and Federal guidelines and resources with funding from the FEMA Emergency Management Performance Grant.
Additional funding will be used to create a Spanish version by September 2022, and copies are available for distribution to the community.
Mr. Vanderpool also announced, on behalf of the Community Services Department and Anaheim Public Library, that everyone is invited to the 165th birthday celebration of the Mother Colony House at Founders’ Park, 400 North West Street, on Saturday, June 4, 2022, 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
CONSENT CALENDAR: At 7:16 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered with Council Member Moreno pulling Item No. 08 for separate discussion and consideration.
MOTION: Council Member Faessel moved to waive reading of all ordinances and resolutions and adopt the balance of the consent calendar, in accordance with reports, certifications, and recommendations furnished each City Council Member and as listed on the consent calendar, seconded by Council Member Diaz. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Motion carried.
1. Receive and file minutes of the Public Utilities Board meeting of March 23, 2022 and the Sister City Commission meeting of March 28, 2022.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
2. Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with Aramark Sports and Entertainment Services, LLC for food and beverage operations at the Anaheim Convention Center to modify the three optional one-year available extension periods to one collective three-year renewal period to extend the agreement through December 31, 2025, add a 12-month notice of termination without cause provision, and reduce the annual Base Management Fee payable by the City to Aramark by $294,000 annually and establish the new annual minimum Base Management Fee payable during the extension period to be either the lesser of (a) Two Percent (2%) of Gross Receipts per year, or (b) $356,000 per year; and authorize the Executive Director of Convention, Sports & Entertainment to execute the First Amendment.
3. Approve the Cooperation and Contribution Agreement for Energy and Maintenance of Traffic Signal and Safety Lighting with Toll West Coast LLC for energy and maintenance costs for the traffic signal at Anaheim Boulevard and Cerritos Avenue, with the cost of maintenance paid 75% by the City and 25% by the developer.
4. Approve an Easement Deed with Pacific Bell Telephone Company, dba AT&T California (AT&T), across a city owned parcel located at 1016 North West Street (La Palma Water Complex) for undergrounding overhead facilities and authorize the City Clerk to deliver the Easement to AT&T for recordation.
5. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-044 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM approving Addendum No. 9 to the Revised Platinum Triangle Expansion Project Final Subsequent Environmental Impact Report No. 339 and the Updated and Modified Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan No. 106C for the Orangewood Avenue Improvements from the Santa Ana River to the east of SR-57 Project and determining its adequacy to serve as the required environmental documentation for the proposed project.
6. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-045 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM approving a Cooperative Fire Protection Agreement with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and authorizing the Anaheim Fire Chief to execute the Operating Plan and any other documents required in connection with that agreement (for wildland fire protection, in an amount not to exceed $140,226.26, for the term July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023).
7. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-046 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM adopting the updated City of Anaheim Hazard Mitigation Plan and approving submittal of the Hazard Mitigation Plan to the State of California Governor's Office of Emergency Services and to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and rescinding Resolution No. 2017-073.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-048 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM approving the application for grant funds from the Recreational Trails Program for the Nohl Ranch Open Space Trail Project from Scout Trail to Anaheim Hills Road and authorizing the acceptance of such grant on behalf of the City and amending the budget accordingly (grant funds in the amount of $1,900,000; local match requirement of $228,000).
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
10. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-049 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ratifying and approving the actions of the Anaheim Director of Community Services, or designee, in submitting a grant application on behalf of the City of Anaheim to the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the Clean California Local Grant Program for the North La Palma Green Promenade, Paseo and Parking Lot Project and, authorizing the acceptance of such grant on behalf of the City; and, determine that these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guideline Section 15306 (grant funds in the amount of $2,639,009, local match requirement of $879,690).
11. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-050 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ratifying and approving the actions of the Anaheim Director of Housing and Community Development, or designee, in submitting a grant application on behalf of the City of Anaheim to California Volunteers for the Youth Jobs Corps Initiative, and accepting such grant funds on behalf of the City of Anaheim and determining that these actions are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Guideline Sections 15061(b)(3) and 15306 (grant funds in the amount of $4,797,453).
Amend the Housing and Community Development Department’s Fiscal Year 2021/22 Workforce Development Grants Fund budget by $4,797,453.
12. ORDINANCE NO. 6529 (INTRODUCTION) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM adding, repealing, deleting and amending various chapters, sections and subsections of Title 8 of the Anaheim Municipal Code and based upon the finding and determination that said ordinance is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines (adoption of County of Orange Animal Control Ordinances improving the Vicious Dog Program, expanding the Barking Dog Program to include nuisances from animals other than dogs, and clarifying language relating to animal permits, kennel permits, and mobile grooming licenses).
Approve an increase of $263,958, for a total amount of $3,798,610, for the provision of animal care and shelter services with the County of Orange for Fiscal Year 2021-22.
Approve the Notice of Intent with the County of Orange, in the estimated cost of $3,944,380 plus a 10% contingency, for animal care and shelter services for the period of Fiscal Year 2022-23.
13. Approve minutes of the City Council meetings of October 26, 2021, November 2, 2021, November 16, 2021, December 7, 2021, December 21, 2021, and January 11, 2022.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR:
8. RESOLUTION NO. 2022-047 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM declaring a water supply shortage and ordering the implementation of Water Reduction Plan II in accordance with Chapter 10.18 of the Anaheim Municipal Code.
Anaheim Public Utilities (APU) General Manager Dukku Lee reported that 2022 has been an extremely dry year resulting in either severe or extreme drought conditions Statewide. He noted Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency, mandating the State’s water retailers, including APU, implement Level 2 Water Shortage Contingency Plans. He advised the latest City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
Executive Order calls for a ban on outdoor irrigation at commercial, industrial, and institutional establishments with ornamental turf.
Mr. Lee reported for APU customers, outdoor watering would be restricted to no more than three (3) days per week and up to eight (8) minutes per day. He reported the one-day-per-week restriction other area cities are facing does not apply to Anaheim at this time but could in the future. He noted APU customers saved over three billion gallons of water during the 2015 drought by reducing irrigation and replacing lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping. He noted the City’s water demands have decreased by 30% even though the City’s population has increased.
Mr. Lee reported outreach and public education were vital during the last drought and APU has created a robust plan for the current drought. He advised APU has already started targeted outreach to high-volume users. He advised APU’s philosophy has always been to partner with customers and educate them about the reasons for increased conservation rather than moving quickly on enforcement measures.
DISCUSSION: In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiries, Mr. Lee clarified staff is recommending adopting Plan II and reviewed a list of what this restriction level constitutes, such as no irrigation runoff, hose shutoff nozzles, no watering of pavement, prohibition of non-circulation fountains, requiring night time irrigation, and 3-days per week irrigation. He recommending reporting issues via Anaheim Anytime as well as noting that dialing 311 or the number on their utility bill are also options. He advised the only substantial differences between Plan I and Plan II – restaurants serving water upon request and hotels only laundering linens upon request – have already been implemented by many establishments in Anaheim.
In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Mr. Lee reported APU would be sharing a significant amount of information on social media to help educate residents. He encouraged Council Members to share the information with their followers.
MOTION: Council Member Moreno moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022-047 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM declaring a water supply shortage and ordering the implementation of Water Reduction Plan II in accordance with Chapter
10.18 of the Anaheim Municipal Code, seconded by Council Member Faessel.
DISCUSSION: Council Member Faessel reported that the Metropolitan Water District is at the center of many water conservation programs across Southern California. He noted certain areas in Ventura County and San Bernadino County are particularly water challenged. He advised Anaheim is fortunate to have a particularly strong aquifer but every drop counts.
Council Member Diaz clarified the Orange County Water District’s recycled water is better quality than rainwater for drinking.
MOTION: Council Member Moreno moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2022-047 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM declaring a water supply shortage and ordering the implementation of Water Reduction Plan II in accordance with Chapter
10.18 of the Anaheim Municipal Code, seconded by Council Member Faessel. ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES – 6 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Motion carried.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
14. District 2 appointment of an unscheduled vacancy to the Budget, Investment and Technology Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2022 and a District 4 appointment of an unscheduled vacancy to the Senior Citizen Commission to serve a term ending December 31, 2024.
Budget, Investment and Technology Commission
District 2 appointment: David Klawe (term ending December 31, 2022) (unscheduled vacancy, Leonard Lahtinen)
NOMINATION: Council Member Ma’ae nominated David Klawe. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Nomination approved.
Senior Citizen Commission
District 4 appointment: Frances Noteboom (term ending December 31, 2024) (unscheduled vacancy, Gabriel Zavala)
DISCUSSION: In response to Council Member Moreno’s inquiry, Council Member Valencia confirmed Ms. Noteboom is a District 4 resident.
NOMINATION: Council Member Valencia nominated Frances Noteboom. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu). Nomination approved.
PUBLIC HEARING:
15. This is a public hearing to consider amending the non-exclusive taxicab franchises of American Ground Transportation, Inc. and American Ground Transportation, LLC dba 24/7 Taxi Cab (50 taxicab permits) and Cabco Yellow, Inc. dba California Yellow Cab (155 taxicab permits) to extend the terms of the franchises to February 28, 2023.
ORDINANCE NO. 6530 (INTRODUCTION) AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM amending the non-exclusive franchise of American Ground Transportation, Inc. and American Ground Transportation, LLC dba 24/7 Taxi Cab to extend the term of the franchise (50 taxicab permits).
ORDINANCE NO. 6531 (INTRODUCTION) AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM amending the non-exclusive franchise of Cabco Yellow, Inc. dba California Yellow Cab to extend the term of the franchise (155 taxicab permits).
Community Preservation and Licensing Manager Sandra Lozeau reported this public hearing is to discuss extending the term of two (2) current taxicab franchises to February 28, 2023. She reported Anaheim is the only city in Orange County offering taxicab franchises. She advised staff recommends extending the permits.
Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil opened the public hearing. City Clerk Theresa Bass announced that no electronically submitted public comments were received related to Public Hearing Item NO. 15. There being no speakers present, Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil closed the public hearing.
City Council Minutes of May 17, 2022
MOTION: Council Member Ma’ae moved to introduce ORDINANCE NO. 6530 AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM amending the non-exclusive franchise of American Ground Transportation, Inc. and American Ground Transportation, LLC dba 24/7 Taxi Cab to extend the term of the franchise (50 taxicab permits) and ORDINANCE 6531 AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM amending the non-exclusive franchise of Cabco Yellow, Inc. dba California Yellow Cab to extend the term of the franchise (155 taxicab permits), seconded by Council Member Valencia. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil and Council Members Diaz, Ma’ae, Moreno, Valencia, and Faessel); NOES – 0; ABSENT – 1 (Mayor Sidhu).
Motion carried; ordinances introduced.
REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS (non-agenda items): None
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS/AGENDA REQUESTS:
Council Member Moreno requested an agenda item at the next meeting for a proclamation to declare Graduation Day in Anaheim to congratulate and celebrate the graduates in Anaheim, concurred by Council Members Faessel and Valencia.
ADJOURNMENT:
At 7:38 P.M., with no further business before the Council, Mayor Pro Tem O’Neil adjourned the City Council in memory of Charles “Chuck” Malley.
Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Bass, CMC
City Clerk