Anaheim City Council
April 18, 2023

ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 24, 2023
The regular meeting of January 24, 2023 was called to order at 3:00 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 January 19, 2023.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ashleigh E. Aitken and Council Members Natalie Rubalcava, Jose Diaz, Carlos A. Leon, Stephen Faessel, and Natalie Meeks [One Council Member vacancy]
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and City Clerk Theresa Bass
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO CLOSED SESSION:

City Clerk Theresa Bass announced that Closed Session Item No. 05 was withdrawn from the agenda by staff.

City Attorney Robert Fabela announced that Closed Session Item No. 02 pertained to claims by SRB Management and Angels Baseball related to the Stadium sale, with copies of the claims made available as part of the October 25, 2022, City Council agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS:

Fred Sigala, Jr. remarked that he is happy to take less time away from his family to come to Council meetings to complain about corruption. He encouraged access to Council meetings via Zoom for convenience and to enhance transparency. He credited the ongoing Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigation into the Angel Stadium sale for preventing the unimaginable. He encouraged the City to keep its land. He stated a lack of documentary diligence by the City is what allowed former Mayor Sidhu to be found not in violation of the Brown Act in his efforts to make the sale as profitable as possible for the Los Angeles Angels. He criticized former Mayor Sidhu for giving so much away to the Angels. He criticized the City’s laissez faire reaction to being levied a large fine by the State. He encouraged the City Council to take the issue seriously so the previous Council’s mistakes are not repeated by ignoring the voices of the people while thinking they can get away with something like the sale.

Vern Nelson noted that discussion of the People’s Homeless Task Force lawsuit should be interesting with a new Council, three of which were elected due to opposition to the stadium sale and championship of reform. He noted the previous ruling on potential Brown Act violations by former Mayor Sidhu came before the revelation of the FBI’s investigation of corruption surrounding the sale and revelations about destroyed evidence. He stated many of the revelations about the investigation’s nature would have affected the ruling. He noted FBI Special Agent Brian Adkins’ affidavit states his impression based on his discoveries is former Mayor Sidhu’s actions impacted the judge’s decision in the case. He encouraged the City Council to do the right thing relative to the Brown Act going forward. He encouraged the City Council to handle the next Angels negotiations properly and in the open. He stated the People’s Homeless Task Force deserves an award for its persistence leading to the FBI and California Attorney General coming to the rescue.

Mike Robbins encouraged the City Council to seek to avoid lawsuits, noting how the money spent on lawsuits where the City Council is culpable is frivolous spending. He encouraged the City Council to ITEM # 26
City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

spend its money more wisely than on lawyers and instead of things like meeting State affordable housing requirements, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance as evidenced by the Grandma’s House of Hope lawsuit, or homeless issues. He pondered how many homeless lives could have been saved by not giving so much money to layers.

Mark Richard Daniels recalled previously denied plans to build a Performing Arts Center in Anaheim and questioned if it too was victimized by the corruption of former Mayor Sidhu. He stated there has to be more to the City’s corruption than what has already been revealed, noting the FBI’s investigation remains ongoing. He encouraged reviewing the Perming Arts Center deal’s questionable dismissal to perhaps find more evidence of corruption.

CLOSED SESSION: At 3:13 P.M., Mayor Aitken recessed to closed session for consideration of the following:

1. CONFERENCE LABOR NEGOTIATORS
(Subdivision (a) of Section 54957.6 of the California Government Code) Agency Designated Representative: Linda Andal, Human Resources Director Name of Employee Organizations: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 47; IBEW, Local 47 Part-Time Customer Service Employees; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 47, Professional Management Unit; and IBEW Local 47 and Part- Time Management Unit

2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9 and/or initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9:

Name of Case: Two potential cases

3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
(Subdivision (d)(1) of Section 54956.9 of the California Government Code) Name of Case: Peoples Homeless Task Force Orange County v. City of Anaheim, OCSC Case No. 30-2020 01135406-CU-WM-CJC.

4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
(Subdivision (d)(1) of Section 54956.9 of the California Government Code) Name of Case: Teresa Perkins, et al. v. City of Anaheim, et al., USDC Case No. 8:19-cv- 00315-JLS-JDE.

5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9: One potential case.

Closed Session Item No. 05 removed by staff. No consideration or action taken.

At 4:40 P.M., Mayor Aitken reconvened the Anaheim City Council.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and Council Members Natalie Rubalcava, Jose Diaz, Carlos A. Leon, Stephen Faessel, and Natalie Meeks [One Council Member vacancy]
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and City Clerk Theresa Bass
City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

PUBLIC COMMENTS ON WORKSHOP:

Mike Robbins reported the People’s Homeless Task Force wrote a book on homeless solutions which was presented to the City in 2009. He reported The United Way and other groups use the information his organization put together 13 years ago. He lamented the City did not implement it back then. He added his organization would like to present the book to the current Council sometime.

Paul Hyek stated the City needs to make its shelters walk-ins. He reported he will tell Orange County to get rid of Mercy House. He stated Mercy House’s vans were stolen from the City of San Diego and the drivers are not properly licensed. He lamented an ADA-rated bathroom is reserved for staff only.

He invited the City Council to a breakfast and lunch for the homeless on Saturday in the City of Brea.

He encouraged having skilled homeless residents help run the shelters for jobs.

Fred Sigala, Jr. reported the homeless situation persists in District 2. He told the stories of several homeless residents who refuse the City’s help, noting people who choose this way of life are typically respectful to other residents like himself and do not wish to live under a shelter’s rules. He recommended a solution of walk-in shelter services as the City’s current shelter plan is not considered a step up for this self-sufficient portion of the homeless population. He called for permanent supportive housing and more temporary facilities until this construction can occur. He encouraged the City Council to view the matter as a temporary address of a public health emergency.

He suggested converting an existing shelter to a walk-in format, citing the Mental Health Association Homeless Drop-in Center in the City of Santa Ana as an example. He stated the City’s current services are not helping this segment of the homeless population and they should do more to identify residential needs, addressing them like a public health emergency.

Jeanine Robbins reported the City’s homeless situation has only gotten significantly worse since she and Mr. Robbins helped found the People’s Homeless Task Force. She reported she hears nothing but complaints about City Net and the Community Care Response Team (CCRT). She reported regularly not receiving responses to her calls to the CCRT team when with homeless residents. She recommended bypassing the CCRT team and calling Community Preservation Manager Sandra Sagert directly. She stated there should be an update at every Council meeting from City Net and the Illumination Foundation considering how much money the City gives each of them for so little success.

Mark Richard Daniels stated homelessness is the single greatest issue the Council Members will face and encouraged the formation of a commission on homelessness similar to the Senior Citizen Commission. He encouraged keeping better tabs on the much-derided City Net and Illumination Foundation, among others receiving City funds. He added a Task Force or Commission will help keep a focus on the homelessness issue. He called for the City to put more effort into solving this human tragedy instead of letting it fester from Council to Council.

Bryan Kaye stated Anaheim has historically not treated its homeless well, only offering mental health services. He added the homeless have to agree to take medications to enter a shelter and the medications are not helpful. He stated people need to have the opportunity to provide for themselves and contribute to society. He stated there is no future in the City’s current programs for the homeless – noting there’s never a formerly homeless public speaker at Council meetings who thanks the City Council for their medications and programs. He stated the City’s programs do not work, cost millions of dollars, and have created a segment of the population unable to care for themselves. He stated the City’s homeless issues are homegrown and encouraged the Council Members to meet with members of the public who have expertise in how to solve them.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Rebecca Kovacs-Stein encouraged the City Council to speak with City Net Vice President Matt Bates about metrics, noting he is in the audience. She noted the City partners with the County on County projects happening within the City. She encouraged connecting with more resource providers so everyone is on the same page. She noted the still-uncertified Housing Element can be used to help with the issue if the City gets the very-low-income housing done first. She stated as a real estate agent of higher-end properties, the stretch of Beach Blvd. between Ball Road and Lincoln Ave. cannot hold and sell the market rate developments the City is proposing. She suggested focusing on low-income mixed-use developments in this area. She encouraged the City to coordinate with stakeholders to get the best answers. She encouraged a monthly metrics update from City Net, American Family Housing, and all organizations involved in homeless programming in Anaheim.

City Clerk Bass reported that no public comments were received electronically related to the workshop.

Mayor Aitken closed public comments on the workshop.

Cecil Jordan Corkern notified the City Council of his attendance. Mayor Aitken stated public comment is closed and additional public comments can be made following the Workshop.

WORKSHOP: Information of Anaheim’s response to addressing homelessness Housing and Community Development Director Grace Stepter thanked Council Member Meeks for insisting this important matter be up for presentation so early in the session. She added all Council Members have reached out to her and her staff to express the importance of the homeless issue for both constituents and themselves. She offered credit to City Manager Jim Vanderpool for his leadership in aligning the comprehensive and humanitarian vision of the Housing and Community Development Department.

Ms. Stepter reported the City’s guiding principles for homelessness are serving those most in need, fostering partnerships, supporting a network of services, building livable communities, leveraging resources for affordable housing, and investing in the City’s people and places. She added the City recognizes they are serving segments of individuals with varying needs so a one-size-fits-all approach would not be proper. She noted there are legal and financial constraints as the City seeks to innovate.

Housing and Community Development Deputy Director Sandy Lozeau reported Martin v. Boise was occurring in the Ninth Circuit Court as the City was working on a settlement with its shelter laws from the Orange County Catholic Workers case, noting the settlement agreement ended in November 2021. She added the City now utilizes Martin v. Boise’s guidelines as it relates to sleeping on public property and its parameters the City must have an appropriate bed. She stated the City’s focus is on outreach first using its robust street outreach team that includes the CCRT, Volunteers of America Los Angeles, and Be Well Orange County (OC) with enforcement as a last resort.

Ms. Lozeau reported the City developed a Homeless Policy Working Group in 2017, laying the framework for the City’s system of homeless care. She added the group’s efforts led to Resolution 2018-009 which still guides the City’s policy. She reported the City developed a Homeless Action Plan in 2021 to serve as a guiding document through 2024, including an aggressive goal of reducing the City’s unsheltered homelessness by 70% and overall homelessness by 80%. She reported in December 2022 the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness released its “All In” Strategic Plan outlining how the federal government will collaborate with state and local governments City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

to reduce homelessness by 25% by 2025. She noted nearly half of the nation’s 582,000 homeless people are in California.

Ms. Lozeau reported the City regularly conducts census and point-in-time (PIT) counts of its homeless population to assess how it is meeting its goals and allow the City to receive federal resources. She noted there had to be modifications for PIT counts during the pandemic. She reported from 2019 to 2022, Anaheim’s unsheltered PIT dipped by 30% while its sheltered PIT increased by 16% with an overall reduction of 11%. She reported the Salvation Army shelter, the City’s largest, averages 275-280 people daily for an 86% capacity at the 325-bed facility. She reported the City’s unsheltered homeless averages 10 people per square mile and is 14% of the City’s entire population.

Ms. Lozeau reported the City created a monthly homeless collaborative meeting with over 200 service providers. She added City Net and the CCRT are often heard from but there are many other entry points into the City’s system.

Ms. Stepter reported on the City’s holistic system of care, including prevention, street outreach, emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, and permanent housing stages. She clarified the Bridges at Kraemer Place Homeless Shelter is run by the Salvation Army and not the City. She added Kraemer will present later in the workshop. She noted the City’s $100 million Section 8 Program is part of both the prevention and the rapid rehousing areas.

Ms. Stepter provided a brief overview of the City’s 4,033 existing affordable housing units, noting there are 575 more units currently in the pipeline. She highlighted several affordable housing developments in the City, including the 185 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units currently in the pipeline.

Anaheim Police Department (APD) Chief Jorge Cisneros reported in 2020 the APD decided to no longer respond to calls with no criminal nexus or safety concerns and added he planned to create the CCRT team to handle many of these calls instead. He reported the CCRT received 18,000 calls for service in 2022. He added the CCRT has contracted with Be Well OC and they have handled 858 calls this year. He reported a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) team responding to 651 calls last year, noting the need for this team is Police Officers and not clinicians have the power to enact a Welfare and Institutions Code Section 5150 hold if needed. He reported APD responded to 202,000 calls for service in 2022 with 24,000 of those having a homeless nexus, accounting for 12% of the total calls. He reported on the proactive work by the APD in areas with a larger homeless issue.

Chief Cisneros noted the City has some chronic low-level offenders who are unhoused. He added the County courts and Public Defender’s Office has worked with the APD to address these individuals balancing their need for services while also holding them accountable for their crimes.

Assistant City Attorney Mehtab Sandhu reported in collaboration with Chief Cisneros, the City Attorney, and others, the City started pushing its Anaheim Collaborative Court Evaluating Strategies and Solutions (ACCESS) Program to address regular offenders who do not have their underlying problems addressed. He added ACCESS meets these individuals early in the criminal justice system to attempt to get them into treatment for mental or drug issues to hopefully keep them out of the criminal justice system in the future. He reported the impetus for this is the increasing number of Fentanyl and other drug-related deaths among the City’s homeless population. He reported what makes the Anaheim program superior to other municipalities is that other cities try to see someone within 7-14 days but Anaheim strives to make a first contact within 48 hours before their arraignment.

He added the ACCESS system is less concerned with the crime and more concerned with why it was committed by the individual. He reported the plan began a year and a half ago but only began in City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

earnest on January 2nd and in this time five out of six criminals identified have taken the treatment plan. He expressed his optimism for ACCESS’s success and added City staff is encouraged by the numbers already.

Ms. Stepter reported on the financial side of this issue. She reported in 2017 a University of California at Irvine (UCI) study identified the need for a $300 million investment Countywide and a 2018 internal audit determined the City was spending $18 million annually addressing homelessness through staff resources. She added there was a $25 million investment from the General Fund into shelters in 2018 with three shelters being built within 79 days in 2019.

Ms. Stepter reported the City presently has $59 million in designated homeless funding, comprised of $6 million from the General Fund, up to $6 million annually in federal funds, and $32 million in State funds.

Ms. Stepter noted upcoming projects and programs include the continued piloting of the ACCESS Program, rehabilitation of the Tampico Motel, conversion of the Studio 6 shelter into PSH units, 257 new affordable units anticipated for 2023, a potential Phase 2 for the Center of Hope, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Anaheim Housing Authority and CalOptima Health for Rental Assistance program vouchers.

Ms. Louzeau corrected her earlier comment, noting that homeless residents account for 0.14% of the City’s total population and not 14%. She reported on the City’s ongoing efforts, highlighted by a UCI study to evaluate the City’s street outreach program and possible expansion of the CCRT team which is receiving far more calls than anticipated. She reported on ongoing discussions with local partners, regional collaborations, and federal and State agencies. She provided methods for residents to report homeless issues and key contacts.

Salvation Army Orange County Director of Operations Ben Hurst reported on the history of the $100 million 14-acre all-encompassing Center of Hope. He invited the Council Members to tour the facility which follows the theory the City does not have a homeless problem but rather a homeless throughput problem stopping short of reintegrating homeless residents into the community. He stated the facility has hosted representatives of 36 cities aiming to follow the Center of Hope’s lead of not stopping the cycle at PSH like most shelters. He noted the reintegration step being the measured outcome is unique and has led to global discussion within the Salvation Army. He lauded his sister’s recovery from methamphetamine addiction to being successful professionally and in raising a family as evidence of how well people can recover if you believe in them. He noted the young Center of Hope has already serviced over 1,300 unique individuals.

Mr. Hurst commended the City’s staff and stated extraordinary things are going to happen for the City’s homeless through the world-class Center of Hope facility. He added the City will soon be famous for its homeless work due to the center.

DISCUSSION: Council Member Meeks lauded the Salvation Army’s measure for success being reintegration.

In response to Council Member Meeks’ inquiry, Ms. Louzeau stated the City’s measure for success depends on the specific service provider, reporting the outreach team is measured by its contacts, whereas shelters and housing programs are measured by entrances and exits in addition to where the exits are going. She stated there are goals around the census and PIT counts. She added the ACCESS Program aims to touch on several areas of the greater issue. She noted several of the plans run through restricted federal and State funds requiring specific data in reports.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava’s inquiry, Ms. Lozeau clarified the City has a variety of protocols in responding to homeless who refuse City services depending on the type of response the outreach team receives. She noted some have needs for a specialized shelter such as a pet-friendly facility. She added that repeated refusals are documented before any enforcement action is taken if the resident is violating any laws. She noted it is not a crime merely to be homeless so it often stops if services are repeatedly refused.

In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava’s inquiry, Chief Cisneros clarified there are situations where the homeless can be removed from certain areas such as a sidewalk. He added homeless residents usually comply if an APD officer asks them to relocate if they are obstructing a pathway. Mr.

Sandhu an arrest for camping would go to the City Attorney’s office where they would have to meet a burden of proof the individual was lodging on the sidewalk.

In response to Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava’s inquiry, Ms. Louzeau confirmed staff tracks the number of homeless residents who refuse services. She added this information has been helpful to Chief Cisneros’ and Mr. Sandu’s teams as it relates to harder-to-reach individuals. She added if people are receptive to help the City can usually get them off the streets very quickly.

In response to Council Member Leon’s inquiries, Mr. Sandhu clarified California Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court works on the civil end whereas ACCESS is on the criminal end. He stated it is at the point of arrest where staff believes it has an opportunity to touch some lives through ACCESS. He noted people who ACCESS is aiming to reach are service-resistant and difficult but may come to recognize a need for help when put into the criminal justice system. He added the difference between ACCESS and CARE Court is the ability to get to individuals at the very beginning of the process. He clarified CARE Court serves similar goals but on a different timeline. He confirmed the ACCESS Program is currently in its pilot phase.

In response to Mayor Aitken’s inquiry, Ms. Lozeau confirmed the City has built relationships with transportation agencies such as the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to assist with homeless residents gathered on their properties within Anaheim. She added there are agreements allowing the City to go onto Union- Pacific Railroad and Caltrans property to conduct outreach and services with a notification.

Council Member Meeks expressed frustration these transportation agencies are not even better partners in allowing better access for the City to conduct outreach on their property. She offered her assistance if needed. She stated the City needs to enforce some of its laws relative to crimes like camping and loitering because the most compassionate thing the City can do for a homeless resident is to get them off the street and into services. She stated the work being done by the City is important and staff needs to continue to push to get the homeless into services. She encouraged community members to report homeless-related issues.

Council Member Faessel noted at one point every homeless bed in the City was in his District 5 and he became encouraged by a 2017 lunch with Mr. Hurst where he first introduced the Center of Hope’s concept. He stated the City still has a lot of work to do with its homeless and expressed appreciation for the work done by staff. He noted the homeless advocates who attend every Council meeting remind them all there is still a way to go despite the good work of staff. He thanked Mr. Hurst for the Salvation Army’s great work.

Mayor Aitken closed the Workshop.

INVOCATION: Pastor Moi Navarro, Sandals Church Anaheim City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

FLAG SALUTE: Council Member Carlos A. Leon
PRESENTATION: Presentation by Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee thanked the APD for its participation in his 4th District gun buyback program in October 2022. He reported the program got 400 firearms off of the 4th District’s streets, including 16 assault rifles. He stated participants received Amazon or gasoline gift cards for voluntarily exchanging their firearms, making the District safer. He added free gun locks were also distributed to residents through the program. He added there will be another gun buyback later in the year and expressed hopes the APD will again participate and play a vital role. He thanked Chief Cisneros and Mr. Vanderpool for their help in coordinating the event. He stated the buybacks were anonymous with no questions asked or names are taken. He thanked several APD officers who assisted with the program. He lamented this will not end gun violence but noted this means fewer guns could be used by their owners or stolen and used while committing crimes. He commended how the seven police departments in his district came together seamlessly for the event and noted how well it speaks for the mutual aid the cities can provide each other when needed.

Supervisor Chaffee commended the homelessness Workshop and added he has visited the Center of Hope, calling it a marvelous facility.

Supervisor Chaffee presented a plaque to Chief Cisneros recognizing the APD’s role in making the gun buyback program work successfully.

ACCEPTANCE OF OTHER RECOGNITIONS (To be presented at a later date):

Recognizing January 2023, as National Mentoring Month
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County/Inland Empire Vice President of Marketing Christopher Erkelens accepted the proclamation. He stated National Mentoring Month is a time to recognize the investment people have made in the lives of others through their mentorship. He added National Mentoring Month is also a time to invite others to serve as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters and give back to the next generation through a donation of their time. He thanked the City Council.

Recognizing February 2023, as Black History Month
Recognizing February 2023, as American Heart Month
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items):

City Clerk Bass reported that a total of 21 public comments were received electronically prior to 3:00 P.M. related to City Council agenda items and matters within the jurisdiction of the Anaheim City Council. [ A final total of 21 public comments were received electronically, distributed to the City Council, and made part of the official record]. – See Appendix.

Mark Richard Daniels inquired if there has ever been anything comparable in Anaheim’s history with two Council vacancies and a Mayoral resignation in such short succession. He expressed hopes there will not be another preordained appointment like with former Council Member Gloria Ma’ae. He stated he doubts tonight will be any different. He encouraged consideration for Annemarie Randle- City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Trejo due to her Board experience and community involvement. He encouraged the City Council to make a wise decision and not merely replay the process from the previous year.

Rebecca Kovacs-Stein reported the perceived frontrunners for the vacant Council seat Norma Campos Kurtz and Linda Newby have hidden ties to Disney-funded Support Our Anaheim Resort Area (SOAR). She added Ms. Newby also has connections to organizations such as the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Anaheim First and has donated to SOAR under her business name. She added Ms. Kurtz and her husband have also donated to SOAR but the payment was given directly to SOAR Executive Director Jill Kanzler. She reported Ms. Kurtz served on SOAR’s Advisory Committee yet neglected to mention it on her Council application. She added Ms. Kurtz’s application also does not mention her time with Anaheim First and decried the lack of transparency in her application. She theorized based on media reports the decision for the City Council vacancy was made weeks ago and lamented the likelihood of a SOAR-tied candidate being chosen.

Kenneth Batiste stated this crucial upcoming vote could decide many upcoming Agenda items so special interests will put money in the process. He stated this is a chance to see if anything has changed. He added the worst part of corruption is how well it allows you to predict outcomes, stating Council Members Meeks and Diaz will side with The Walt Disney Company. He noted Council Member Diaz comes from communist Cuba where the people in power keep the others in poverty and still doubted he would vote for the people. He reported Council Member Meeks and Diaz will vote for the same person because of SOAR which he redefined as Screw Our Anaheim Residents. He stated a change is needed but questioned if the status quo would be maintained.

Cecil Jordan Corkern reported he has files on subliminal pornographic messages in Disney’s films.

He stated he wants the District 4 seat to see Disney cleaned up. He reported the Polk County Sherriff’s Department in the State of Florida made 17 arrests of Disney employees for child pornography. He questioned the work of past District 4 Council Members to clean up Disney’s pornography. He reported God sent him to California to do this work and not to party. He reported he is also working on gun laws with United States Congressman Lou Correa. He stated a minister is needed for the seat and thanked Council Member Faessel.

Anne Hertz-Mallari, Mayor of the City of Cypress and the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Anaheim, expressed her appreciation for the City’s ongoing support of the Boys & Girls Clubs. She reported they serve 800 Anaheim children daily at 10 clubhouses. She stated the data provided at the Homeless Workshop was impressive and indicative of good work being done by the City. She noted about 60 of the 800 children the Boys & Girls Clubs serve are homeless. She invited the Council Members to tour their clubhouses and expressed her excitement about working in their districts to provide additional youth and family support services.

Mike Robbins reported Attorney General Rob Bonta is increasing enforcement efforts on housing laws and attempting to overturn local planning from blocking higher-density residential developments.

He stated one of the goals for this Council, unlike previous Councils, should be increasing affordable housing. He noted the Council Members receive large amounts of money from builders but added a goal for the people will be to press the Council Members to make the affordable housing mandate a priority.

Jeanine Robbins reported she, Mr. Robbins, and many in the audience have been attending Council meetings twice a month for decades and witnessed deplorable behavior from the dais. She added votes often fall in favor of special interests, training active residents to treat many decisions with skepticism, including yesterday’s news about Angels Owner Arte Moreno deciding to not sell the team. She noted how the decision to sell changed with a new Council after his illegal deal with former City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Mayor Sidhu fell through. She stated past actions have ingrained into many residents not to trust anyone at the dais. She added this is why the need for transparency from the City Council is so high, noting former Council Member Avelino Valencia did nothing for District 4 other than use his Council seat as a stepping stone for higher political aspirations behind big business money. She added the same special interest money elected many of the Council Members and noted Council Member Diaz has publicly said he would not have been elected without special interest money. She noted now- Assemblymember Valencia took Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava on a recent tour and introduced her to business leaders yet he oddly does not appear in any of the photos on her social media. She added public comment should happen after a Workshop and not before one. She promised to remain vigilant about special interest-driven Council voting.

Jan Matson criticized excessive noise from Disneyland between 12:30 A.M. and 3:30 A.M. on a few occasions over the past few weeks, including loud music and constant train whistles. She stated she has lived near the park for 30 years but has never heard late-night excessive noises except in the past few weeks. She added her neighbors agree. She reported Disneyland has received neighbor complaints and the excessive noise has ceased. She encouraged the City Council to support the residents and encourage Disneyland to be a better neighbor.

In response to Mayor Aitken’s inquiry, Mr. Vanderpool confirmed staff can look into why there were late-night loud noises, including the possibility of a special event, and added Code Enforcement can also look into it.

Jodie Mosley reported the City has added unattractive murals to Beach Boulevard without asking the community. She stated nowhere in the Beach Boulevard Specific Plan were murals requested. She reported a representative of the City Manager’s office responded the murals are pretty and deter crime but added they have already been covered with graffiti and attract crime. She noted these murals are not in the Specific Plan, residents do not want them, and Council Member Diaz agrees.

She decried the ghetto-style appearance of the murals and added they are not good for their neighborhood. She inquired why the murals are there. She thanked the City for demolishing the Covered Wagon Motel and added 15 more need to go and should have been gone a long time ago.

She encouraged the immediate demolition of the Anaheim Lodge and the relocation of people living in the dilapidated motel. She requested the immediate removal of the unwanted Beach Blvd. murals, an apology, and for the money to be better used for landscaping and motel demolition. She stated the Specific Plan exists with resident feedback and there is no call in it for cheap and unattractive murals.

Cherie Grant reported she was surprised to see the newly-painted sidewalks along Beach Blvd., stated the art was ugly, and lamented they were soon covered in graffiti. She stated the sidewalk paintings should be removed and added residents also do not want painted murals on buildings. She questioned who approved the sidewalk paintings and murals, inquired about how much they cost, and requested to know what companies have the contract to do them. She stated the money could have been better spent on sandblasting sidewalks and fixing the dangerous lifted pavement. She stated if the neighborhood is kept in poor condition, the bad actors and crime will persist. She stated it is important for the City to look presentable and well-maintained but West Anaheim is a neglected stepchild. She stated West Anaheim needs to be improved sooner rather than later.

In response to Mayor Aitken’s inquiry, Mr. Vanderpool confirmed he can look into the background of the art installation and report back on the matter. He referred residents to the Rebuild Beach section of the City’s website to see all of the plans for the area.

Cecilia Flores reported she is representing residents at the intersection of Sunkist St. and Wagner Ave. She stated the safety of her neighborhood will be impacted by a project scheduled to go before City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

the Planning Commission. She reported a church at 2780 East Wagner Ave. had served her community for over 50 years but the proposal to convert it to a charter school will cause problems of traffic and congestion in a peaceful neighborhood. She stated the area is not safe for a school of the size proposed, out of an area already infested with traffic, the property only having one point of entry, and a driveway too narrow for hundreds of students to use daily. She inquired about noise protection and if barriers will be installed to protect adjacent yards. She expressed hopes the developer will meet with residents in good faith. She noted the church’s hours do not conflict with already high traffic windows unlike a school’s would. She added other residents were not made aware of the schools’ plans and added her community is already well-served by other local schools. She noted a community center or senior center would be a better use of the land, as District 5 lacks both.

Bryan Kaye thanked Mayor Aitken for chatting at a recent County Board of Supervisors meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava for her recent social media post on the Museum of Tolerance, and Council Member Leon for taking on a challenging position. He expressed disappointment about not getting an answer from any of the Council Members about an unspecified matter. He commended Mayor Aitken and her kilt-clad husband for their positive displays of affection at her swearing-in ceremony. He offered the City Council the opportunity to read the factual petition he presented instead of the one with no factual evidence about hate speech usage from an APD officer. He encouraged the Council Members to reach out to him.

Daryoush Ghashghai lamented the plight of Iranian people who have been tortured and then murdered. He encouraged everyone to show compassion and love for those they hold closest. He requested the City Council publicly condemn and renounce the Iranian regime in Iran for its crimes against humanity and its people. He stated such a resolution would give hope to those who feel abandoned.

Max Ahmadi supported a proposed resolution against the inhumanity of the Iranian regime. He stated there was an outcry over George Floyd’s death but noted there have been 1,000 killings in Iran. He stated it would have no environmental consequence or monetary consequence to the City but would show humanity.

Tim Murphy inquired about the decision-makers behind the City’s trash collection process, including the separation of food products from the trash. He stated it was a poor decision and should be for the voters to decide. He wondered if it is nothing more than an expensive experiment or if there is scientific evidence this will reduce methane gas. He requested data and evidence for why this is required. He stated this method of trash disposal will create problems of odor, insects, and rats. He inquired about the cost of the program to residents and questioned how it will be enforced. He requested the City Council reverse its course and let voters decide if it is wanted.

Mayor Aitken stated this is something mandated at the State level. She requested he speak with Public Works Director Rudy Emami for more information.

Vern Nelson repeated his public comments from before Closed Session for those not in attendance earlier. He advised the discussion of the People’s Homeless Task Force lawsuit over the Angel Stadium sale and Brown Act violations must have been interesting for a nearly-completely new Council elected at least in part due to expressed opposition to the sale and championing of reform.

He noted the previous ruling on potential Brown Act violations by former Mayor Sidhu came before the revelation of the FBI’s investigation of corruption surrounding the sale and revelations about destroyed evidence. He stated many of the revelations about the investigation’s nature would have affected the ruling. He noted Agent Adkins’ affidavit states his impression based on his discoveries is former Mayor Sidhu’s actions impacted the judge’s decision in the case. He encouraged the City City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Council to do the right thing relative to the Brown Act going forward. He encouraged the City Council to handle the next Angels negotiations properly and in the open. He stated the People’s Homeless Task Force deserves an award for its persistence that led to the FBI and California Attorney General coming to the rescue.

Henny Abraham, Iranian Engagement Director of the Republican Party of Orange County, reported she has been working since September 2022 on a highly non-partisan resolution. She told stories of her past encounters with Iran’s morality police before immigrating to the United States at the age of

14. She reported 10 Orange County cities have passed the resolution and noted Anaheim has a large Iranian population. She reported repeated messages to Council Members with this request. She requested audience members in support of the resolution stand. She requested the City Council agendize and approve the resolution like several of its neighboring cities.

Rebecca Lopez stated the City has no public sanitation. She added it is common in the City of Los Angeles and other large cities globally. She requested a public restroom and trash can at every bus stop as opposed to relying on third-party contractors. She stated there have been less than satisfactory results from City Net and APD’s homelessness efforts, including a lack of available shelter space. She added it should be possible for an Anaheim resident to receive shelter in another city if Anaheim shelters are unavailable. She added transportation should be available to a homeless Anaheim resident to return to the City from another city because the City’s outreach teams will not address your issue unless you are within the City’s borders.

Manuel Hernandez reported mental illness is created by government agencies to create profits for pharmaceutical companies through mind control programs. He stated mind control is real and called for readily available health care for the mentally ill and homeless. He referenced a segment about Havana Syndrome from the television show “60 Minutes.”
Wes Jones stated the administration of former Mayor Sidhu flourished during the pandemic when no public comments were permitted and the City Council did not care. He added that former Mayor Sidhu's administration tried to silence the people by requiring two seconds for an item to be agendized, preventing items not favored by the cabal from being heard. He noted things Agendized the cabal did not support were typically tabled immediately to get it out of their way for at least six months. He added the extra security at City Hall was likely put into place to chill people’s rights to speak. He encouraged Mayor Aitken and Mr. Vanderpool to return to standard security levels. He requested libraries be open on weekends, noting some students do not have access to computers at home. He suggested the Council Members discuss homeless matters with Becks Heyhoe from the Orange County United Way who was part of the UCI study referenced in the Workshop.

Paul Hyek requested walk-in homeless shelters. He called for changes with City Net. He decried the employees bullying bus drivers. He reported a large homeless encampment near the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) which needs to be removed. He stated homeless residents with trades could run shelters better than Mercy House, the Illumination Foundation, and City Net. He stated Anaheim needs homeless vendor systems akin to the City of Fullerton. He lamented the difficulties Ms. Lopez is having getting into a shelter in Anaheim.

Mazatl Tecpatl Tepehyolotzin spoke of Native American women who were raped by colonists. He thanked a member of the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) for voting to change the mascot of Anaheim High School from the racist Colonists nickname. He stated he stands in solidarity with the Iranians in attendance. He questioned why the nickname is still Colonists when there are 15,000 signatures on a petition against it. He referenced 2015’s California Assembly Bill 30 known as the California Racial Mascots Act and added Colonists are an example of what it forbids. He inquired City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

when Chicano Heritage Month would appear on the agenda. He added the El Camino Real Bells represent genocide against Native Americans and should be removed.

Donna Acevedo Nelson reported her son was beaten and killed by the APD in 2012 and she has been coming to Council meetings ever since to call for accountability and transparency. She stated 2023 should be the year for transparency as the City needs changes. She lauded having the Police Review Board, which she helped work hard for, but stated it is getting worse. She decried the secretive way Board Members are selected in private by staff and stated it should be done before the City Council for transparency. She called for an annual review of the Police Review Board and the ability for speakers to ask questions, noting they are often censored and told they are not familiar enough to ask what they are asking. She called for more public restrooms and the reopening of the La Palma Park bathrooms, noting she recently saw a woman publicly urinate in the park for lack of another option.

Kathy Tran thanked the City for purchasing the Covered Wagon Motel and Anaheim Lodge, demolishing the former with the latter soon to go as well. She stated she looks forward to the City purchasing and destroying more of them along Beach Blvd. She thanked Planning and Building Director Ted White and the Code Enforcement staff for their hard work and responsiveness. She encouraged the City to keep up the hard work of cleaning up District 1. She noted the Beach Blvd.

Specific Plan does not call for colored sidewalks and encouraged the City to follow the plan. She stated the sidewalk art did not look good and requested the sidewalk be power washed to remove the colors. She encouraged the City Council not to waste any money for a special election on Item No. 13 because the money could instead be used to improve District 4 based on residential requests.

Mitra Mosallaie reported on dire situations in Iran caused by the morality police which have led the nation’s women to protest. She requested the City Council stand in solidary with the people of Iran and pass a resolution condemning the Iranian regime. She stated it is a humanitarian issue where people are being deprived of their basic rights. She congratulated Mayor Aitken on being the first woman to hold the office and lauded how her volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of the United States of America encourages young women to have courage and make the world a better place. She stated the courageous girls in Iran are fighting for the end of this regime to make a better world. She encouraged Mayor Aitken to take the Girl Scout message to action.

Arthur Castillo reported he formerly worked in the City’s Parks and Recreation Department attempting to keep kids out of trouble. He stated the City could do better. He stated sometimes he is the only member of the public at Police Review Board meetings and lamented the lack of participation. He encouraged Council Members to attend the meetings on behalf of their districts. He agreed with Ms.

Nelson’s assessment of the difficulty in asking questions as a member of the public. He stated he supports the APD but is aware there are areas where they can make changes as it relates to youth.

He reported the Board will have to learn to find some common balance for its contrasting viewpoints.

He expressed concerns about what he hears from troubled youth about the APD and knowing no one listens to him at the meetings rendering him powerless. He requested an opportunity to share information with the investigators to help straighten out the City. He stated the City can do better.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:

Council Member Faessel requested the meeting adjourn in memory of the innocent victims of recent mass shootings including those in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, 39-year Anaheim Public Utilities Substation Electrician Jack Johnson, and Rob Hunter, General Manager of Metropolitan Water District Orange County.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava displayed photos of events she recently attended including a Coffee with the Principal at Anaheim High School and a mural painting with the local Anaheim Elementary School District, thanking the Public Utilities Department for supporting the muralists with sustainability items.

She thanked Congressman Lou Correa for hosting his Young Congressional Leaders event at the Downtown Community Center where area youth were able to learn about financial literacy. She also reported hosting a Young LULAC event at the Downtown Community Center last Sunday where approximately 200 families were served. She thanked Community Services Director Sjany Larson- Cash for her attendance and assistance with the event. She recognized USA Women’s Volleyball player Morgan Hertz for her provision of skills training to local young athletes through Pro Play. She reported that a local business, Clinica Mi Pueblo, was damaged by a car crash, and eight people were injured. She thanked the Anaheim Fire & Rescue Department and Anaheim Police Department for their quick response as well as the Economic Development and Community Services Departments for offering services to the business.

Council Member Leon reported his attendance at the Gilbert High School Hunger Drive and food distribution by Uplift Charities at the West Coast Islamic Center. He noted his participation in the Tet Parade in Westminster with Congressman Lou Correa, thanking all those who put the parade together. He wished all a Happy New Year. Council Member Leon looked forward to the future Council discussion regarding Angel Stadium. He requested the meeting adjourn in memory of Jess Saenz, a 95-year-old World War II veteran, and Anaheim High School graduate.

Mayor Aitken appreciated the arts in schools. She thanked Congressman Correa for holding the Young Leadership Conference in Anaheim. She announced that she provided an Irish Blessing at the swearing-in ceremony for Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, reported that she attended her first U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC, where she served as a panelist for women mayors and visited the White House, and reported that she hosted a group of Girl Scouts in City Hall to learn about local government.

Council Member Diaz showcased Habibi’s Hot Chicken at 2955 West Ball Road, which opened in December 2022 and serves halal Louisiana hot chicken. He announced an upcoming District 1 Neighborhood Services meeting on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 P.M. at Dale Junior High School.

CITY MANAGER’S UPDATE:

City Manager Jim Vanderpool reported that the Anaheim Police Department continues to respond to several calls regarding street racing. He reported that Anaheim Police Department officers have been partnering with the Orange County Street Racer Task Force and thanked the Anaheim Police Department for their effort and participation in the task force.

He announced that the Anaheim Public Library received an Association of Science and Technology Centers “IF/THEN” grant to assist women innovators in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. He reported that beginning January 2023, the Haskett and Ponderosa libraries would provide in-person and online sessions for the next generation of young women to explore STEM fields.

He further announced that the Finance Department was awarded the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 22nd consecutive year.

CONSENT CALENDAR: At 7:44 P.M., the Consent Calendar was considered.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

MOTION: Council Member Faessel moved to waive reading of all ordinances and resolutions and adopt 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 Meeks. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES – 0. Motion carried.

1. Receive and file minutes of the Library Board meeting of December 12, 2022.

2. Approve recognitions recognizing Kay Carpenter for her nomination as the Cypress College Foundation’s Citizen of the Year for Anaheim and Liz Dunster as the Cypress College Foundation’s Person of the Year.

3. Accept the bid from Bradley Lighting, Inc., in the amount of $355,650.00 plus applicable tax, for the purchase of palm tree lighting fixtures for the Anaheim Resort Maintenance District in accordance with Bid #9654.

4. Waive Council Policy 4.0 and authorize an increase of $485,661.41, from an amount of $2,943,402.45 to $3,429,063.86, to the value of Purchase Order 521-399554 with Howard Industries c/o Young & Co. for the acquisition of various size transformers for Anaheim Public Utilities due to escalating prices for raw materials and production costs caused by supply chain impacts for manufactured electric distribution system transformers.

5. Waive Council Policy 4.0 and approve an Agreement with Peregrine Technologies, Inc., in substantial form, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000, for an investigative analytical support system for use by the Anaheim Police Department for a one year period with four optional one-year renewal periods; authorize minimal changes that do not substantially modify the terms and conditions of the Agreement, provided the changes are determined to be de minimis by the City Attorney’s Office; and authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Agreement, exercise any renewal options, and take the necessary actions to implement and administer the agreement.

6. Approve a Master Consultant Agreement (Master Agreement), in substantial form, with 32 consulting firms, each in an amount not to exceed $450,000 per work order, with a $1,000,000 per year limit per consultant, for as-needed Community Services related capital projects throughout the City each for a five year term with an optional six-month extension to complete outstanding work orders; authorize the Director of Community Services, or designee, to execute and administer each Master Agreement and to take the necessary actions to implement and administer the agreements; and authorize minimal changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the Agreement, so long as such changes are determined to be de minimis by the City Attorney's Office (Albus & Associates, Inc.; Alta Planning + Design, Inc.; Architerra Inc. dba Architerra Design Group; BGB Design Group, Inc.; Black O’Dowd & Associates, Inc. dba BOA Architecture; Blais & Associates, LLC; Community Works Design Group; David Volz Design Landscape Architects, Inc.; Environmental Science Associates; Fuscoe Engineering, Inc.; Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.; GeoTek, Inc.; Group Delta Consultants, Inc.; Harrington Geotechnical Engineering, Inc.; KPFF Consulting Engineers; KTU&A; Leighton Consulting, Inc.; LSA Associates, Inc.; Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.; NUVIS; Perkins Eastman Architects, D.C.P., dba Perkins Eastman Architects; Petra Geosciences, Inc.; PlaceWorks, Inc.; PSOMAS; RHA Landscape Architects-Planners, Inc.; RRM Design Group; Schmidt Design Group, Inc.; Shannon & Wilson, Inc.; SWA Group, Inc.; Toal Engineering, Inc.; UltraSystems Environmental, Inc.; Verde Design, Inc.).

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

7. Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with KUBRA America West, Inc. for electronic payment processing services for Utilities customers to extend the Agreement term from three years with two optional one year extensions to ten years with automatic one year extensions thereafter until terminated; increase the annual transaction services amount from $110,000 to $150,000; authorize $100,000 annually for as-needed software and services, and allow unused amounts to carry over to the following year; maintain an annual authorization of $40,000 for Change Orders; and authorize the Public Utilities General Manager, or designees, to execute the First Amendment, order forms, work orders, change orders, and any related or associated documents for software licenses, subscriptions, maintenance, and related services for electronic bill payment and customer service solutions, and to take the necessary actions to implement and administer the Agreement as amended.

8. Approve the Special Package Transient Occupancy Tax Agreement with Walt Disney Travel Co., Inc., and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement and any amendments thereto that do not alter the amount of transient occupancy tax due and payable under the agreement.

9. ORDINANCE NO. 6551 (INTRODUCTION) AN (UN-CODIFIED) ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM establishing the campaign contribution limit for the election cycle commencing January 1, 2023, pursuant to Anaheim Municipal Code Section 1.09.050 (campaign contribution limit increasing from $2,200 to $2,500).

10. Approve minutes of the City Council meeting of August 23, 2022.

BUSINESS CALENDAR:

11. RESOLUTION NO. 2023-007 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM for exception to the 180-day wait period in compliance with Government Codes 7522.56 and 21224 (Resolution to waive the 180-day waiting period for an APD retired annuitant (appointment of Vincent Delgado, Police Investigation Technician, as a retired annuitant, effective January 25, 2023).

Human Resources Director Linda Andal stated the item is a resolution requesting the waiver of the 180-day waiting period in approving the appointment of Police Investigative Technician Vincent Delgado as a retired annuitant. She noted, except for sworn personnel, the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) provides an employee who retires from a public employer must wait 180 days before starting employment with any member agency unless the City Council approves filling a critically-needed position.

Ms. Andal reported Mr. Delgado retired on December 30, 2022, after being responsible for conducting APD and Anaheim Fire & Rescue (AF&R) polygraph examinations. She stated there is an immediate need for an experienced polygraph examiner based on APD and AF&R staffing levels and recruitment. She stated approval of the item will authorize rehiring Mr. Delgado as a retired annuitant to bridge the period needed for the City to meet minimum staffing needs, decrease over time, and provide the needed experience to train and mentor Mr. Delgado’s successor.

MOTION: Council Member Faessel moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2023-007 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM for exception to the 180-day wait period in compliance with Government Codes 7522.56 and 21224 (Resolution to waive the 180- day waiting period for an APD retired annuitant (appointment of Vincent Delgado, Police Investigation Technician, as a retired annuitant, effective January 25, 2023), seconded by Council Member Diaz.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES – 0. Motion carried.

12. Consider (re)appointments to certain city Boards and Commission to serve terms ending December 31, 2026.

Housing and Community Development Commission:

District 2 appointment: Robert Esparza (term ending December 31, 2026) NOMINATION: Council Member Leon nominated Robert Esparza. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES – 0.

Nomination approved.

Planning Commission:

District 3 appointment: Michelle Lieberman (term ending December 31, 2026) NOMINATION: Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava nominated Michelle Lieberman. ROLL CALL VOTE:AYES – 6 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES – 0.

Nomination approved.

Senior Citizen Commission:

District 3 appointment: Kandee Beas (term ending December 31, 2026) NOMINATION: Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava nominated Kandee Baes. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES – 6 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES – 0.

Nomination approved.

13. Consider an appointment to fill the District 4 City Council vacancy.

I. Candidate Opening Statements
II. City Council Questions/Answers with Candidates
III. Public Comment
District 4 appointment: Norma Campos Kurtz (term ending November 2024) City Clerk Theresa Bass reported former Council Member Valencia was elected to the California State Assembly and resigned from the City Council on December 4, 2022. She added under Section

5.03 of the City Charter, a vacancy on the City Council should be filled by the City Council within 60 days, and should the City Council fail to do so, the vacancy would be filled by an election. She noted at December 20, 2022 City Council meeting, staff was directed to commence an application process and solicit community input. She reported on the staff’s robust outreach effort to encourage applicants and obtain input. She reported 14 applications were received during the application period with one candidate withdrawing their application after the meeting’s agenda was posted, leaving 13 candidates to consider tonight.

Ms. Bass stated each candidate will have an opportunity to provide an opening statement in alphabetical order. She noted a question-and-answer portion will follow the opening statements and City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

then open for comments by the public. She added if an appointment is not made by February 2, the seat must be filled by a special election at an estimated cost of between $205,930 and $227,239.

DISCUSSION: Mayor Aitken thanked all of the applicants and noted Council Members have met and spoken with the applicants individually. She thanked all of the District 4 residents for their insight into what they would like to see in a Council Member and what issues are the most important to them.

She thanked the staff for providing the organized process. She expressed hopes all applicants stay involved in making the City a better place and noted she has both won and lost Mayoral elections so she understands how it feels.

Mayor Aitken requested after the candidate opening statements for each Council Member to be prepared to present a candidate to advance candidates to the question-and-answer portion of the process. In response to Mayor Aitken’s request, none of the Council Members objected to this process.

I. CANDIDATE OPENING STATEMENTS:

Cecil Corken stated he can run for Council for his understanding of Disney security and the City. He stated as a minister he can pull strings with what God provides. He stated the City needs a minister on the team and this is his opportunity to counsel the City Council. He stated he is trying to clean up Disney from the pedophiles. He stated he is ready to answer questions and add to what the Salvation Army does to help the homeless. He stated the homeless need a minister’s help, and the APD should round the homeless up and bring them to the Salvation Army for counseling and ministering as well as he does. He added he prays for the City Council daily. He reported he works on gun laws for Congressman Correa. He stated he is available to answer questions.

Alfred Cuellar thanked the Council Members for meeting applicants. He requested the City Council recognize his profound love for Anaheim demonstrated through years of volunteer community service. He stated the District 4 representative must understand the community and be the voice of its residents and business owners. He added the Council Members must be able to reason when confronted with urgent challenges, moving differences aside to work together for the common good.

He stated the representative should be responsive to the community in decision-making. He stated he is that candidate, noting the Council Members have seen him organizing community events. He stated his appointment would be a great example for his two daughters about what can be accomplished with perseverance. He stated good things are coming for District 4 residents.

Daniel Dominguez stated he is a 35-year City employee who retired in 2006 with no political aspirations. He stated he wants to fill this two-year term as a thank you to the City for all of the wonderful years of service he was allowed to have. He reported driving through all of District 4 recently and stated he was pleased with how many projects he worked on for the City turned out, including Hermosa Village. He stated he will support whoever gets the position. He discussed his history working on the City’s code enforcement staff and thanked Mayor Aitken for giving him this opportunity.

Steve Douglas stated there are three reasons to appoint him. He stated the first reason is his experience working with large and small businesses, noting he would professionally treat all businesses – even Disney – the same regardless of their size. He added he would work with trade unions and business owners to keep them in Anaheim while attracting new ones. He said the second reason is his love of Anaheim, tracing his wife’s roots in the City back to 1891, noting her grandfather, Eli Smith, helped found the City. He stated the third reason is his motto to keep it simple and just serve. He added he will soon retire and have the time to serve the City, putting the needs of the City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

residents first. He added he drives for Uber and Lyft, bringing him to every corner of the City. He stated he would like to establish neighborhood teams as part of a community approach and combat quality-of-life issues like overcrowding. He pledged to hold landlords accountable through code enforcement, encourage community policing, and demand faster response times. He added he would develop a neighborhood team to address homeless issues.

Lisa Drake stated she is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a professor of Accounting and department chair at Foothill Community College. She cited her expertise in analyzing financial reports. She noted she started the college’s first accounting ethics course. She stated as an educator she has learned the value of working collaboratively and working with diversity, equity, inclusion, and transparency. She stated the opportunity to serve her community has become increasingly important as she nears retirement. She added she is a tireless worker, a good listener, and a firm believer in personal integrity. She stated her professional background and personal attributes could be of use to the City as it tackles its issues, done with the transparency residents deserve.

David Flores stated he has seen the City grow dramatically over seven decades, acknowledging growth is a challenge. He stated he has learned much from a career in manufacturing, 20 years as a volunteer coach, and a volunteer for Toastmasters International. He noted he taught the ideals of hard work and teamwork as a football coach and mentored many in communication skills through Toastmasters. He added he comes to the City with absolutely no public interests, special interests, or political ambitions – only a desire to serve. He noted as a retiree and full-time grandfather he has ample time to commit to the position. He stated he brings respect, integrity, and service. He stated he would like to see transparency as the districts not only work for themselves but as a team, noting his experience is in teamwork and service.

Talab Ibrahim explained as a small business operator he understands the challenges and issues facing residents, businesses, and the City as a whole. He reported his father migrated to the United States at the age of 17 and worked to support his family while earning a master’s degree, noting some of the lessons he took from his father are to always better yourself and improve. He noted his father served on a City Council in Palestine and encouraged him to apply. He reported he earned an engineering degree from California State University, Fullerton while also operating the family business, later becoming a manager of three properties. He stated this experience has provided him with the experience of how to plan and execute projects. He noted he understands the importance of creating a business-friendly environment that encourages economic growth and job creation. He encouraged attracting high-paying jobs to the City attracting skilled workers to help create a vibrant community. He endorsed creating safe neighborhoods and creating sustainable developments. He pledged to work tirelessly for Anaheim to become an internationally-recognized City for families to thrive and businesses to prosper. He added the City can overcome its many challenges. He expressed his confidence in his ability to bring people and businesses together. He stated the City’s children deserve better schools and playgrounds as part of ideal living conditions for young families.

Norma Campos Kurtz noted she has experience in business having worked for a major communications company for over 20 years. She added she has worked for labor and two legislators –California State senator, Joe Dunn, and an California Assemblymember, Tom Daly. She added her experiences working with the legislators led to her belief that elected officials represent and serve the constituents. She pledged to make herself available to the residents of District 4, meeting with them in their neighborhoods and taking City services to their neighborhoods. She cited parking issues, high housing costs, a run-down State College Blvd., short-term rentals, code enforcement response, high traffic, and crime as some of the issues facing District 4 – similar to those Citywide. She stated this is a perfect time for the City Council to address quality of life issues. She committed herself to work with the entire Council to better the lives of residents.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Mark Lopez credited his World War II veteran grandparents’ support for his ability to attend college, work, and own a home in Anaheim. He stated they instilled a sense of accountability, integrity, and work ethic in him. He added they also make him see the importance of senior citizens and veterans as the City budgets limited resources. He reported he worked for the Orange County Board of Supervisors, gaining valuable experience and leading him into public service. He stated his most important accomplishment is working with youth in public schools. He thanked the City Council for its support of Anaheim’s public schools and assistance to working families. He encouraged strengthening the relationship between the schools and the City. He added working with youth is not an academic exercise for him but rather mentoring and advocating for young residents is something he does daily. He added decisions made today will have the longest-lasting impacts on their futures and holistically investing in children is an investment in all of their futures. He stated he would be honored to help bridge gaps between the City and its schools.

Yudy Morales-Salazar quoted from the Bible about using your gifts to serve others. She reported she is a Guatemalan immigrant, arriving penniless in Anaheim in 1989. She stated she is the American Dream and knows what working hard, opportunities, and loyalty means working your way up from the bottom. She expressed her belief in the ability of a local government to make a difference. She expressed her desire to work for the City to make the community where she raised her four children even better. She expressed her excitement to integrate ideas, skill sets, and better outcomes to improve neighborhoods. She stated she is a compassionate person and added a leader has to be able to connect with both residents and businesses, noting she has the communication skills to be of service as a liaison in the diverse community. She championed her service to her children’s elementary schools, including serving as a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Board member among other volunteer roles. She added she earned a certification as a chaplain and now serves as a volunteer chaplain for the UCI Medical Center. She added she also has 30 years of experience with finances and knows State regulations, and how to adhere to policies.

Linda Newby reported she has served on many boards and commissions as an example of her working knowledge of how things work in Anaheim and with the process of community service. She stated she does not have political operations but the opportunity to be an 18-month placeholder appeals to her being a leader for her district. She likened the strong applicant field to when she first helped form Leadership Anaheim, bringing eager people forward to help the community.

Annemarie Randle-Trejo noted the City Council has an arduous task ahead of it on this appointment.

She stated she has always been a volunteer, from her daughter’s Girl Scout troop and extending to many other organizations such as the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and PTA. She expressed her passion to advocate for underserved students and their families and noted she has served 10 years on the AUHSD Board. She noted the fact she ran unopposed in the latest election speaks volumes about her strong work and the overall success of the School District. She outlined some of the innovative collaborative efforts AUHSD has executed during her tenure with local businesses and other organizations to benefit students and their families, serving the whole community. She stated the City Council can transform the hearts and minds of the community by rethinking how services are delivered so many citizens do not feel unrepresented. She added the dark clouds over City Hall from unfortunate recent events are a dark stain on everyone in the City.

She stated the City Council can only solve issues like housing and homelessness by working together. She stated despite having world-class tourist attractions, Anaheim should be able to maintain a small-town feel with attention shifting toward the citizens. She noted the City Council seat is usually decided by voters and she finished second in the most recent District 4 election. She added she is known, experienced, and has a proven leadership record which will go a long way towards gaining the public’s trust.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Dean Reynolds stated he has a vested interest in the community as a 55-year resident and homeowner whose children were raised in Anaheim with two still residing in the City. He stated he represents a grassroots format with no political agenda or aspirations. He stated he is tired of being an armchair citizen, making an analogy to an armchair quarterback. He noted he has been involved in the past with the Anaheim Museum, Anaheim Historical Society, the Boy Scouts, and Foster Parenting Orange County, showing how he is civic-minded. He added the issues facing District 4 are not unique but is multi-faceted with no simple solutions. He cited homelessness as an issue concerning to him, adding it is neither new nor unique to Anaheim. He stated affordable housing can be an oxymoron and wants to help residents without it becoming a handout. He added crime dates back to Old Testament tales of Jacob and Esau or Cain and Abel so the issue has always been with society. He called for more comprehensive traffic and parking controls, encouraging more citizen involvement with these issues plus crime prevention. He encouraged government transparency and equal time for all citizens and all businesses. He quoted physicist Albert Einstein in stating that problems cannot be solved with the same thinking used when the problems were created.

DISCUSSION: Mayor Aitken requested each Council Member to select a candidate to moved forward for further consideration.

Council Member Meeks selected Linda Newby to move forward.

Council Member Faessel selected Norma Campos Kurtz.

Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava selected David Flores.

Council Member Leon selected Lisa Drake.

Council Member Diaz selected Yudy Morales-Salazar.

Mayor Aitken selected Annemarie Randle-Trejo.

In response to Council Member Leon’s inquiry, Mayor Aitken confirmed the remaining candidates are excused with the City Council’s extreme thanks and gratitude.

Council Member Leon reported meeting with every candidate and wishing those conversations could have been longer. He echoed Mayor Aitken’s sentiments in expressing his thanks to the candidates for putting their names forward. He noted he was in their position applying for the District 2 vacancy in 2021 and expressed hope this is not the end of their involvement with the City.

II. CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS/ANSWERS WITH CANDIDATES:

Mayor Aitken stated questions would be asked of the remaining candidates in random order, so no single candidate has the advantage of always being either first or last and directed Ms. Bass to select them as such. She added she will start with Council Member Diaz and go in order by district. She noted for transparency she requested in advance the Council Members come prepared with questions.

Question No. 1 - Council Member Diaz inquired what the candidates see as the role of the City Council.

Mr. Flores stated the Council Members are akin to a Toastmasters Area Governor. He added they are the most important people in the organization as they have direct contact with the membership and those in leadership roles depend on them to provide information from members. He stated the City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Council Members listen to what people have to say, are open to their ideas, and work as a team to continue to help the team emerge from crisis and create a City current and future citizens will be proud of.

Ms. Morales-Salazar stated the City Council is the most representative of democracy. She added it represents the public, operates the budget, approves policies, and levies taxes. She noted the City Manager oversees the day-to-day operations but the City Council oversees it all. She stated the City Council is also the liaison with the community, providing the opportunity for everyone to speak. She stated the City Council is a local government able to listen to and represent the community while overseeing the financial and overall interests of the City.

Ms. Drake stated the City Council sets policy and added Council Members are representatives of their districts. She added it is incumbent upon Council Members to interact with residents and learn what is important to them to be brought back to Council. She added it is a body working together to advance the better interests of the City. She noted some issues are localized to a certain neighborhood such as a parking zone and others are Citywide like homelessness and affordable housing. She stated the City Council is the liaison between residents and the government.

Ms. Kurtz stated the City Council sets policy, establishes a budget, ensures the City operates within the budget, attracts businesses, and sets standards. She added most importantly the City Council serves its constituents, referring to both residents and businesses, to ensure a high quality of life standard for residents and prospering businesses. She stated the City Council sets the standard for the City and it is important to work together to achieve the goals.

Ms. Newby echoed what the other applicants said and highlighted the City’s professional staff as an asset. She stated it is important to empower the staff to do the work they are professionally trained to do. She added it is important for Council Members to listen to and be guided by not only residents but also what professional staff know so their designs and ideas can be implemented.

Ms. Randle-Trejo noted the previous applicants covered the bases in terms of policy setting, establishing the tone of the City, and instructing the City Manager to follow through. She noted the City Council must work and collaborate as a fantastic attribute. She noted they all only get one vote and they must represent the whole City in addition to their districts so Council Members need to be available not only for events in their districts but all across the City. She stressed communication and collaboration are key so ideas are heard from all sides of an argument.

Question No. 2 - Council Member Leon inquired if ethics, transparency, and trust are important characteristics of a Council Member and, if so, how would they bring it to City Hall.

Ms. Drake stated ethics are hugely important. She noted there is an ethics requirement she must follow as a licensed CPA, in addition to adhering to standards of independence in appearance and in fact. She clarified it is a tenet to not only look independent but to be independent. She confessed ensuring ethics are followed is tricky, noting she has both studied and taught the subject. She noted that increased transparency helps ensure ethical guidelines are followed and it helps to rip the lid off of the decision-making process so people can see the City Council is acting ethically. She stated they owe ethical behavior to their constituents.

Ms. Randle-Trejo stated transparency and accountability are extremely important, adding this was what she ran on in her AUHSD Board elections. She stated Council Members have to uphold the standards of their oath. She added they must show the ugliness and examine it so it can be fixed.

She reported this process of book-opening has been done on the AUHSD Board many times to meet City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

the State’s triennial Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) regulations. She added it is an arduous and painstaking process but it must be done, adding it is also the right thing to do because the public and children are watching.

Ms. Morales-Salazar reported she must pass an annual State ethics and compliance test as part of her profession. She added this also has to do with transparency. She added she manages grants and donations for the UCI School of Medicine, making following every detail in the documents important and every dollar must be documented. She added being transparent, truthful, and following all of the rules requires a person of character and integrity. She added if a late amendment must be made, it should be done in public and not after it was presented to the parties involved. She stated she believes in ethics, and compliance and that transparency demonstrates when a person has character and integrity.

Ms. Newby noted ethics are a matter of how people live their lives beyond only how they would perform as a Council Member. She stated everyone thinks ethics are important but how they demonstrate it is seen in how they live their lives and serve in their community. She added Anaheim can learn what transparency does not look like from its recent cycle and has tried to be more open and set a better example moving forward.

Mr. Flores stated integrity plays a large part in how you behave ethically. He added ethics are an important part of any organization. He stated the core of the question is Council Members make decisions affecting other people and there needs to be an ethical view of how those decisions are made. He noted the key is the level of transparency involved. He clarified the epitome of ethics is if you do what you say you will do in public when no one is watching. He stated you are a person of integrity when you do in private what you say you will do when talking to others. He added Council Members need to abide by the set ethical standards.

Ms. Kurtz agreed with Mr. Flores's insertion of the word “integrity” into the consistent answers of her fellow applicants. She clarified if you have integrity the decisions you make in public should be the same as what you discussed in private with no changes due to the audience. She stated they must be as transparent in negotiations and discussions as legally possible. She added if this process is continued, the City Council will earn the very important trust of its residents. She stated trust is earned and it can only be earned if you are ethical, have integrity, and operate with transparency so people can see your vote how you say you will.

Question No. 3 - Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava inquired how the applicants would approach the common quality of life issues facing residents and what their strategy would be to get something done for District 4.

Ms. Newby noted she has lived in an apartment, townhouse, and her own home so she understands the challenges and opportunities of different neighborhoods and housing situations. She added she understands public safety through attending the APD’s Public Awareness through Citizen Education (PACE) class, noting different APD chiefs over the years have managed the force differently. She commended how Chief Cisneros has put community policing first and his focus on making call times accountable. She added she is also a business owner so she also understands the small business environment. She stated she has all areas covered from personal experience.

Ms. Drake stated the public safety issue is the biggest issue. She reported there were recent issues of theft and vandalism in her townhome community leading to a very educational meeting with the APD. She stated the best way to reduce these issues is to get to know your neighbors. She City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

encouraged community involvement to help bring the community cohesively together to address some of these issues that cannot otherwise be solved without residents looking out for one another.

Mr. Flores focused his response on affordable housing, noting supply and demand drive prices within an area and everybody wants to live in Southern California, driving up the cost of living. He added this is more of a supply issue making the housing market too expensive. He stated the City Council should encourage development within the City to help bring developers who want to supply the City with needed housing. He noted would-be residents being forced to live in other cities due to costs and then commute to Anaheim for work makes other matters worse for Anaheim’s residents. He added the caveat of developers needing to understand there are responsibilities in the development and they cannot simply displace anyone they want, noting there are lifetime residents who live on fixed incomes and risk losing their property. He stated the City needs to think outside the box on how to encourage development while protecting citizens on fixed incomes who are at risk of being displaced while also being business friendly to help encourage investment in the City.

Ms. Randle-Trejo noted the phrase quality of life means many different things to people ranging from noise ordinance enforcement to housing conditions. She stated the starting point needs to be getting stakeholders together for courageous conversations. She added “quality of life” makes her think of the basics of food, clothing, and shelter. She noted AUHSD built a farm at Magnolia High School as a dual-purpose provider of food for the community and a science laboratory. She reported AUHSD has programs where students are learning about community service and coming up with innovative ideas.

She stated residents are working multiple jobs just to make ends meet and deserve help from the City. She added she would look to help District 4 residents by reaching out to AUHSD because they are already tackling quality-of-life issues.

Ms. Kurtz stated District 4 is comprised of several distinct neighborhoods. She stated she would work with each neighborhood on their priorities which range from parking to short-term rentals to crime and traffic patterns to the rehabilitation of State College Blvd. depending on where you are asking within the district. She added going on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis would be a good way to start addressing the district’s issues.

Ms. Morales-Salazar stated she likes the Anaheim Anytime phone application for reporting things including graffiti, crime, and abandoned mattresses. She expressed support for the CCRT and added it can achieve even more if the City enhances the program. She commended the Salvation Army and added she enjoyed the presentation during the homeless Workshop for living one block from the Center of Hope. She noted the Ponderosa neighborhood has parking issues and they can encourage residents to report it on Anaheim Anytime. She commended the City Council for approving the hiring of more APD officers and complimented the APD’s work. She clarified the Anaheim Anytime app, the CCRT, the Salvation Army, and letting the APD do its job are the keys to quality of life for her.

Question No. 4 - Council Member Faessel noted he and his team interviewed each of the six remaining applicants for at least an hour and a half, adding City Hall was dark when they wrapped up with Ms. Randle-Trejo last night. He offered each applicant a chance to share any other comments they feel are important but had yet to share.

Ms. Morales-Salazar stated she did not talk enough about housing in her discussion with Council Member Faessel. She added supply and demand are part of this topic and the City can incentivize developers to build properties to help cover the percentage of the population in need of affordable living. She lauded the percentage of the ocV!BE project dedicated to affordable housing. She stated she would like the City Council to know affordable housing is one of her priorities. She added City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

community communication would be one of her priorities so residents know what is available to them, noting knowledge is power. She stated how she has to approach communication with her 17-year-old son and 80-year-old father differs. She added she will pursue community outreach to create community involvement.

Ms. Newby agreed with Ms. Morales-Salazar about how Anaheim Anytime is something the City does well, commending its productivity in addressing civic problems. She noted Mrs. Faessel won an award one year for reporting the most issues through the app. She stated one weakness of the City today is talking about what it does well, adding Anaheim Anytime as one example. She stated the City has survived the pandemic through its tourism which is an accomplishment the City should be talking about more often. She encouraged a campaign to show appreciation for the City staff. She noted she and Council Member Faessel discussed a monthly highlight of a staff member and what they feel they have accomplished at City Hall for residents.

Ms. Kurtz stated she has not yet discussed increasing services to senior citizens, noting the City only has one full-time and two part-time employees providing services to the City’s senior citizen population. She encouraged increasing the staff to increase services for senior citizens, adding services to all community centers. She clarified she considers businesses of all sizes as constituents and aims to ensure they have the tools they need to succeed so they stay in Anaheim. She added this can also help attract more diverse businesses to the City, providing funding for things like senior citizen services and library hours.

Mr. Flores reported he and Council Member Faessel spoke as old-timers about how much the City has grown up and changed in their lifetimes. He stated he did not agree with the public speakers who accused the Council Members of having already made their selection. He stated he felt a sense of integrity in speaking with each Council Member. He emphasized he has no political ties or special interest ties to anyone. He stated he would come to the City Council listening to everybody and is an open book to serve the community as well as he can with the facts presented. He promised he will serve the community with integrity in the best interests of the entire City with no external ties.

Ms. Randle-Trejo recalled when she was first appointed to the AUHSD Board 11 years ago it was not a majority party-affiliated Board appointing her. She recounted assuming a seat on a diverse, divided, and divisive Board where things could get ugly. She noted she was able to pull the Board together because part of her presentation was presenting to them what they look like pounding fists on the dais and making staff and constituents feel horrible. She encouraged the Board to do things differently and instead focus on why they are there doing this job. She added it allowed for better collaboration and the Board flourished. She noted she is the only one of the applicants who has been in this position and worked together to make things happen.

Ms. Drake noted she is a recent resident of the City, moving there in 2020 unlike the lifetimes spent in Anaheim by other applicants. She stated she is excited by Anaheim and added she and her husband lived in Orange County as teenagers and decided to return. She added research led them to Anaheim because of its potential to become a diverse urban center. She discussed the process behind the appointment and noted she likely would not have received a chance to speak individually with each Council Member under any other circumstance. She reported finding a warm and welcoming group of people who provided their phone numbers and encouragement to stay involved regardless of whatever happens tonight. She stated it meant a lot to her.

Question No. 5 - Council Member Meeks inquired about how the applicants will handle the inevitable challenge of wanting to provide additional services for residents but hitting a budgetary wall.

City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

Ms. Kurtz stated she would look first at things important to residents and businesses across the board, such as the APD and AF&R. She added next would be services that helped residents survive the pandemic and because important daily such as the library system, community centers, and other broad services servicing the most people. She stated it is important to maintain good salaries for City staff so Anaheim attracts the best and brightest. She added she would be willing to let go of things she would like to do in District 4 but perhaps seek alternative ways of funding them so they are not lost to budgetary constraints. She stated she would help businesses truly succeed so there is an increase in revenue to the City.

Mr. Flores stated budgeting is always an issue regardless of what organization is being discussed. He added budgets also have to be flexible because they can change, noting the pandemic’s sudden negative impact on the Toastmasters budget. He stressed the importance of prioritization in a budget crunch, adding he would have essential City services well-funded first to maintain a healthy quality of life for residents, singling out City staff and the AF&R. He stated as it relates to improvements, the City Council should discuss what is the most important to the City as a whole, even if a project in a different district will help the City more than one he is championing for District 4. He stressed the teamwork he taught in his coaching career as being part of the solution and added there will always be next year for the District 4 project. He added Council Members have to be open to the idea they cannot have it all and prioritize things to enhance the City as a whole.

Ms. Randle-Trejo stated the first step is ensuring all of the City’s budgetary stakeholders know the situation. She added she would have City staff take a one-page sheet on the budget directly to union members and other employees so they know what is going on. She stated she would add more Workshops for the public to see the budget in the name of transparency. She agreed to prioritize City services like the APD and AF&R is important. She stated a priority is making sure all residents have heat and electricity whether they can afford to pay or not. She noted small pieces of beautification may be seen as a luxury items but beautiful neighborhoods uplift the City. She added there can be ways to do this without spending money through methods such as volunteers. She added if the City Council works together it can balance the budget, give raises, and keep the City safe at the same time.

Ms. Morales-Salazar noted budget is in her daily life as a fiscal officer and the City is no different than an individual because no one wants to run a business in a deficit. She stated she would regularly look at the City’s sources of revenue and expenditures to gauge the balance point. She emphasized the importance of a monthly balance looking at day-to-day operations. She noted if this assessment ends with a surplus, District 4 needs it.

Ms. Drake stated she loves analyzing budgets because the allocation of resources is an important thing to learn both personally and professionally. She stated when instructing students about budgets you must know where your money is coming from and then what your needs are. She noted not all needs will be prioritized the same for every person which is where consensus comes into the picture.

She stated residents and businesses alike must have their basic needs met not added there must be an ability to reach a consensus with colleagues because not everyone will assess the level of needs the same way.

Ms. Newby agreed with Ms. Drake’s consensus comments and added the word “compromise.” She stated Anaheim First ended up with a dark shadow but lauded the pride of the process in its work.

She added Anaheim First monthly looked at the City budget by District and listed priorities, making compromises so any given district could address an urgent need. She noted the needs sometimes have to sync with the timing of a funding request. She stated as it relates to knowing where the money comes from the Resort is the City’s economic engine and the funding for the APD, AF&R, City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

libraries and other things comes directly from the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) generated by the Resort. She stated it is important for the City to recognize this fact and honor it.

Question No. 6 - Mayor Aitken requested the applicants discuss a situation in their lives where they embodied the kindness modeled in Anaheim’s “City of Kindness” motto.

Ms. Randle-Trejo noted they are celebrating Kindness Week at the elementary school where she works. She added unkind things are said to her all the time by small children with behavior issues so she has to be a model of kindness to redirect the children’s behavior and show them how they should respond to the unkind. She stated she embraces the “City of Kindness” motto. She added she would like to see more done to recognize City staff which has been through a wringer the past couple of years.

Ms. Kurtz reported when she worked for a legislator he cast an unpopular vote leading to picketing outside their office. She reported instead of locking their office doors, they brought out cookies and lemonade on a hot day and sat down with the picketers for a conversation. She added only through this conversation did the picketers learn the bill had been amended so it was no longer what they wanted. She noted this made the legislator’s staff feel good for helping people understand the situation, adding they had a phenomenal relationship with this group moving forward as a result of the kindness. She explained that treating people with kindness makes them more likely to listen to you and helps build mutual respect. She added treating people with kindness is paramount for those wishing to do good for the community.

Ms. Newby stated one former Mayor’s motto was “kindness is contagious.” She added it can be amazing how kind you can be to someone when they are coming at you with their issues and frustrations. She reported she often sees people waiting in library lobbies who are mad and frustrated at life itself and being able to offer them a smile keeps them from being mad at you. She noted that treating everyone who enters her sphere like this works for her.

Ms. Drake reported as a teacher she is sometimes on the receiving end of unkind comments, noting they often stem from frustration. She stated she has found the best reaction is to sit the student down and listen to them as they let out their frustrations. She said often people just want to be heard and a positive shift happens after they are heard. She stated kindness is worth practicing.

Ms. Morales-Salazar reported when she prays in the morning she wonders if she will make a difference for someone today and make them feel special. She added this is her choice to do and also her choice to see kindness in others. She cited simple examples of kindness she has seen in the past few days, including two soccer teams sharing water despite a lopsided score. She also reported on a child dropping his food at an In-N-Out burger and an employee running around the counter to help the child, promising to replace the food, and make sure the child does not cry. She noted acts of kindness can teach lessons and change lives. She cited a recent food drive she drove by at the intersection of State College Blvd. and Ball Road and added they are blessed to have kind people around them to serve as an example of doing good for others.

Mr. Flores reported there were very few Hispanics around when he grew up in Anaheim and occasionally his Anglo-Saxon friends’ parents would tell them they should not play with him. He reported his father’s response to this is they do not like him only because they do not know him, encouraging him to ask the parents why this is the case instead of getting mad. He added his father told him he needs to gain their respect because respect is not owed in a free country so he City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

encouraged being kind to the parents instead. He stated he learned early on in life that you can get further with kindness than retaliation.

III. PUBLIC COMMENTS (Agenda Item No. 13):

Mark Richard Daniels stated this has been a good vetting process but has been too short and recommended more time for selection. He added it is too much like a game of chance. He stated they would have to pick Ms. Randle-Trejo based on merit because of her background being a Board member and working with special needs children. He added she understands the issues here from her work with the AUHSD Board and could help from day one.

Mike Robbins expressed his wish the applicants could have been there for the last budget presentations and to hear the audience’s concepts. He encouraged mandating candidates attend one year’s worth of Council presentations and public comments to run for the office, so they know more about the City rather than coming in blind. He added an economics degree would help in running a City with $1.5 billion in debt. He decried Ms. Newby and Ms. Kurtz for their involvement with SOAR, the Chamber of Commerce, and Anaheim First. He added due to the litigations he would prefer not to have candidates who would take away his time from the People’s Homeless Task Force serving the homeless. He added his preference is to not have people so extensively attached to special interests and is free of those constraints.

Jeanine Robbins commended Council Member Leon’s question for the applicants about transparency and honesty. She noted Ms. Newby is a member of the Chamber of Commerce which has a poor reputation and a shill organization in Anaheim First designed to steal money from the City and a member of SOAR. She decried how Ms. Kurtz neglected to include information on her application, noting she was a member of the SOAR Advisory Committee and remains a member of Anaheim First.

She noted five of the six Council Members were elected with the help of hundreds of thousands of SOAR dollars or a promise from SOAR not to campaign against you. She reported being at a People’s Homeless Task Force meeting yesterday where the unanimous answer was an unnamed candidate would be appointed because of SOAR. She stated the most qualified person will be overlooked and a SOAR candidate will be appointed. She speculated the decision has already been made and it makes her sad to see one cabal traded for another cabal ruled by Disney money and special interests. She encouraged the City Council to prove her wrong.

Rebecca Kovacs-Stein stated Ms. Randle-Trejo hit the nail on the head. She reported she would have asked how the applicants would agendize an item for a meeting, offering insight into what an applicant’s pet projects would be. She added she also liked Ms. Morales-Salazar and Ms. Drake, crossed off the two SOAR members immediately, and enjoyed listening to Mr. Flores. She stated Council Members need to know department heads, the City Manager, and how cities are run but she did not get a feeling other than Ms. Randle-Trejo the candidates understood this. She endorsed Ms.

Randle-Trejo if someone must be appointed for almost two years.

Kenneth Batiste inquired of Council Member Meeks if her candidate (Ms. Newby) accepted $250,000 from former Mayor Sidhu for Anaheim First. He questioned if Ms. Kurtz was former Council Member Valencia’s boss and if the City Council is still going in the same circles. He added you can have different faces with the same agenda of putting money over people. He stated the whole country is in a mess because Fortune 500 companies are corrupting the government, adding nothing is wrong with the government but rather the people in the government. He stated the Council Members have sold out and are very low on the transparency, ethics, values, and morals totem pole. He decried how the special interests are making everything go around themselves and not helping the people. He admonished the three Hispanics on the City Council for not coming out in favor of rent control to keep City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

their people housed and safe. He stated Disney only cares about its bottom line and shareholders.

He wished the Council Members a good night’s sleep and hoped they do well on Judgement Day.

Vern Nelson noted he is not from District 4 and lamented the cost of a special election. He stated it is clear Ms. Randle-Trejo is the most qualified, adding she has been twice elected by District 4 voters.

He stated this knowledge and trust from District 4 residents should be considered. He called for independence from Disney and the Chamber of Commerce, so being a member of Anaheim First and SOAR should disqualify Ms. Newby and Ms. Kurtz. He reported short-term rentals are a big issue in District 4 after former Mayor Sidhu reversed a ban on them, and only Ms. Randle-Trejo has discussed reinstituting a ban on short-term rentals. He added if the job went to people who attend and comment at Council meetings then it should go to Mr. Corkern. He noted Ms. Randle-Trejo has spoken several times against the Angel Stadium sale. He commended how Mayor Aitken has arranged the dais seating by district number so as not to put people they do not like at the outer edges and added Ms.

Randle-Trejo would look good between Mayor Aitken and Council Member Faessel.

Donna Acevedo Nelson reported she grew up in District 4 but a lot of her childhood paper route is now gone and being swallowed up like the old Downtown. She stated Disney and the Resort area are responsible for this. She recalled how much she enjoyed growing up there and how she could see the Matterhorn Bobsleds from her swing set and you could see her backyard’s pine tree from the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride. She questioned how the City Council can earn residential trust when the tentacles of the Chamber of Commerce are involved in this process. She stated this should be the year of transparency and there should not be people with the Chamber of Commerce and Anaheim First people as candidates while the City is still being investigated. She endorsed Ms. Randle-Trejo, adding it is important for the school districts to partner up with the City.

Mark Lopez expressed his support for Ms. Randle-Trejo. He reported during the 2021 District 2 vacancy Council Member Faessel stated his preference for a Council Member with policy-setting experience beyond just an advisory capacity and could hit the ground running. He added in 2021 Council Member Faessel also called for someone who had gained the confidence of the community and noted Ms. Randle-Trejo has the confidence of her community by being both elected and reelected. He added she has withstood the scrutiny of the voters and competing interests, has taken unpopular positions, and has experience preparing for meetings like these. He reported during her Oath of Office ceremony comments, Council Member Meeks stated her desire to build a better future and added there is no better way to do this than to start with the students Ms. Randle-Trejo works with daily. He recalled Ms. Aitken mentioned building a better relationship with the schools in her Oath of Office comments, adding Ms. Randle-Trejo is an elementary school employee and an AUHSD Trustee. He reported Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava mentioned supporting working families in her Oath of Office comments, noting Ms. Randle-Trejo has worked with those families daily. He reported Council Member Leon mentioned inspiring students to achieve greatness in his Oath of Office comments, adding Ms. Randle-Trejo works towards this goal daily.

Mazatl Tecpatl Tepehyolotzin called to his ancestors in his Native-American language and endorsed either Ms. Randle-Trejo or Mr. Flores. He stated Mr. Flores is relatable to him, noting he was harassed during the Chicano movement and how, being darker-skinned, even Mr. Flores can be harassed by lighter-skinned Mexicans. He added Ms. Randle-Trejo is the one on the AUHSD Board he can best connect with in discussing the racist Colonist nickname for Anaheim High School’s sports teams. He added only she spoke from the heart and she would make a great transparent and loyal Council Member.

Linda Martinez encouraged the City Council to look beyond any differences they may have. She criticized how Ms. Randle-Trejo has never reached out to her requests to discuss safety matters in City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

her AUHSD Board capacity. She stated she understands where the candidates are coming from and expressed no hate towards Ms. Randle-Trejo, only a lamentation she had been more inclusive. She expressed hopes no one uses the position as a stepping ladder, keeps their head up when facing criticism, and asks God for guidance.

Wes Jones stated there were a lot of good candidates but he endorses Ms. Randle-Trejo. He reported meeting her while doing homeless community service and finds her to be an intelligent woman with good character who wants to do the best for Anaheim. He added she supports clean safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, rent control, and busting short-term rentals, and will listen to her constituents. He noted the AUHSD which she helps manage as a Trustee has 28,000 students, a $500 million budget, and 3,000 employees. He added she has proposed a City-School District partnership which he stated would be fabulous for assets like libraries and parks benefitting the City’s youth.

DISCUSSION: Mayor Aitken commended the applicants and added they are all qualified for the office and opened the floor for nominations.

Mayor Aitken nominated Ms. Randle-Trejo.

Council Member Leon nominated Ms. Drake.

Council Member Diaz nominated Ms. Morales-Salazar, stating she is active in her community, an immigrant, and a reflection of her community.

Council Member Faessel reported when he interviewed the applicants his second question was to have them define the impacted neighborhoods in District 4. He stated Ms. Kurtz came up with more neighborhoods than he was aware of. He added she can hit the ground running. He added she is his primary candidate.

NOMINATION: Mayor Aitken nominated Annemarie Randle-Trejo. ROLL CALL VOTE: 2-3-1 (AYES:

Mayor Aitken and Council Member Leon; NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava and Council Members Diaz and Meeks; ABSTAIN: Council Member Faessel). Nomination failed.

NOMINATION: Council Member Leon nominated Lisa Drake. ROLL CALL VOTE: 1-3-2 (AYES:

Council Member Leon; NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava and Council Members Diaz and Meeks; ABSTAIN: Mayor Aitken and Council Member Faessel). Nomination failed.

NOMINATION: Council Member Diaz nominated Yudy Morales-Salazar. ROLL CALL VOTE: 3-1-2 (AYES: Council Members Diaz, Leon, and Meeks; NOES: Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava; ABSTAIN:

Mayor Aitken and Council Member Faessel). Nomination failed.

NOMINATION: Council Member Faessel nominated Norma Campos Kurtz. ROLL CALL VOTE: 5-0-1 (AYES: Mayor Aitken and Council Members Rubalcava, Leon, Faessel, and Meeks; ABSTAIN:

Council Member Diaz). Nomination approved.

At 10:24 P.M., Mayor Aitken recessed to Closed Session and reconvened the Anaheim City Council at 11:20 P.M.

REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS (non-agenda items): None
City Council Minutes of January 24, 2023

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:

Council Member Diaz congratulated Assistant City Clerk Jennifer Hall and wished her good luck.

Council Member Leon congratulated Assistant City Clerk Jennifer Hall on her new opportunity and thanked all the residents, particularly from District 4, for participating in the City Council appointment process.

COUNCIL AGENDA SETTING:

Council Member Leon reported that the Charter Review item would likely come forward at the first February meeting. He also asked to agendize in February or March a discussion or workshop regarding Angel Stadium.

Council Member Leon requested an agenda item at the next meeting regarding a Tech Scholars Program.

Mayor Pro Tem Rubalcava requested an overview/update regarding the Police Review Board, an update on the operational status of parks with potential action by Council, and consideration of the resolution regarding Iran as noted by several public comment speakers and as approved by the City of Orange and forwarded to the City Clerk for reference.

ADJOURNMENT:

At 11:24 P.M., Mayor Aitken adjourned the City Council in memory of the victims of recent mass shootings, Jack Johnson, Rob Hunter, and Jess Saenz.

Respectfully submitted,
Theresa Bass, CMC
City Clerk