200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
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Anaheim, CA 92805
Tel: (714) 765-5160
Fax: (714) 765-4454
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: JANUARY 27, 2026
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: FACILITY USE AGREEMENTS WITH THE AMERICAN
NATIONAL RED CROSS FOR USE OF CITY FACILITIES
DURING A DISASTER
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 11
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve seven designated Facility Use Agreements and Pet Addenda between the City of Anaheim (City) and The American National Red Cross (Red Cross) to permit the Red Cross to use designated facilities as a care and reception and/or care and shelter locations for disaster victims during a disaster; authorize the Community Services Director or designee, on behalf of the City, to execute the Agreements and any related documents and to take such actions as are necessary to implement and administer the Agreements.
DISCUSSION:
Facility Use Agreements with the American Red Cross provide significant benefits to Anaheim and its residents by ensuring timely, coordinated, and professional disaster response services. These Agreements enable the Red Cross to quickly establish care, reception, and shelter operations within City facilities during emergencies, minimizing disruption to displaced residents and supporting public safety and community resilience.
Additionally, the inclusion of pet accommodation ensures compliance with state law and helps keep families and their domestic pets together during disasters, reducing stress and improving shelter utilization.
In April 2014, the city entered into a Shelter Agreement for use of six city-owned facilities to provide emergency services to Anaheim residents, families and communities in the event of a disaster. Since that time, the Red Cross has revised its standard contracting practices to require a separate agreement for each shelter site rather than a single consolidated agreement. The seven city facilities proposed as disaster care, reception, and or shelter sites under these Agreements are as follows:
Brookhurst Community Center (2271 W. Crescent Avenue) Downtown Anaheim Community Center (250 E. Center Street) Downtown Anaheim Youth Center (225 S. Philadelphia Street) East Anaheim Community Center (8201 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road) Facility Use Agreements with American Red Cross for use of City Facilities during a Disaster January 27, 2026
East Anaheim Gymnasium (8165 E. Santa Canyon Road)
Ponderosa Park Family Resource Center (320 E. Orangewood) West Anaheim Youth Center (320 S. Beach Boulevard)
In addition, new California legislation requires that disaster shelters allow displaced residents to be accompanied by their domestic pets, necessitating the inclusion of pet addenda to each Facility Use Agreement. These addenda provide for designated pet areas within or adjacent to shelter facilities, consistent with public health and safety requirements. Ponderosa Park Family Resource Center has also been added as an additional designated shelter location, bringing the total number of facilities to seven.
Under the terms of the new agreements, the Red Cross may use and occupy the designated facilities on a temporary basis to conduct emergency and disaster-related activities, including care, reception, and shelter services for displaced residents and their pets. The Red Cross is responsible for reimbursing the City for any damage to the facilities resulting from its use, as well as reasonable costs associated with custodial personnel, supplies, and utilities, to the extent such costs would not have been incurred but for the Red Cross’s use of the facilities.
The agreements also include a termination provision allowing either the city or the Red Cross to terminate any Facility Use Agreement with thirty (30) days’ written notice to the other party. This provision provides flexibility for both parties while preserving the City’s ability to manage and protect its facilities.
Approval of these Agreements will ensure the City maintains effective disaster response capabilities, clear operational roles, and appropriate cost recovery measures for the use of City facilities during emergency events.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There is no budgetary impact.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (Brookhurst Community Center)
2. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (Downtown Anaheim Community Center)
3. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (Downtown Anaheim Youth Center)
4. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (East Anaheim Community Center)
5. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (East Anaheim Gymnasium)
6. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (Ponderosa Park Family Resource Center)
7. Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addenda (West Anaheim Youth Center)
8. American Red Cross Shelter Agreement