CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: JULY 14, 2026
FROM: COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: APPROVE LEASE WITH ORANGE COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THE USE OF 44.18-ACRE FLOOD BASIN AT DAD
MILLER GOLF COURSE
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 11
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: NO
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, approve a Lease between the City of Anaheim and Orange County Flood Control District for the City’s use of a 44.18-acre flood basin parcel located within Dad Miller Golf Course, at 430 N. Gilbert Street, for an initial term of 25 years, with five (5) five-year optional renewals, in the amount of $215,000 per year, not including CPI, for a total estimated amount of $6.7 million for the initial term inclusive of CPI; and authorize the Community Services Director, or designee, to execute and administer the Lease and future renewals on behalf of the City.
DISCUSSION:
Dad Miller Golf Course, located at 430 N. Gilbert Street, sits on 103.54 acres, with 50.38 acres owned by the City of Anaheim (City), and 44.18 acres owned by the County of Orange (County) that serves as a Retarding Basin for the Carbon Creek Channel for flood control purposes during storm events. Nine holes of the Dad Miller Golf Course are situated on the County’s 44.18-acre parcel. The remaining nine holes, along with the parking lot, clubhouse/golf shop, maintenance facility, and driving range, are located on City-owned property and are not subject to this Lease Agreement.
The original Agreement governing use of the County property was executed in 1959 for a 25-year term and subsequently modified in 1977 for an additional 25 years. The Agreement authorized City use of the property for recreational purposes in exchange for maintaining the site.
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In 2002, the City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the County of Orange and Orange County Flood Control District for a two-year period ending in October 2004. An extension was approved in February 2005 for an additional two years.
Since that time, the agreement has continued on a month-to-month basis, subject to cancellation by the County at any time.
Approve Lease with Orange County Flood Control District for use of 44.18-Acre Flood Basin at Dad Miller Golf Course July 14, 2026
In December 2024, the County notified the City of its desire to formalize a long-term lease arrangement with rent payments to align this property with other County-owned properties utilized as golf courses. Following extensive negotiations, the proposed Lease Agreement establishes an initial term of 25 years with five additional five-year extension options. The annual rent will be $215,000 for the first five years and is priced below market value. Beginning in July 2031, rent will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index, with increases capped at a maximum of 2.5 percent per year. The total estimated rent over the 25-year term, if the full CPI increase is incurred, is approximately $6.7 million. The Lease also includes a provision reducing annual rent to $1 should the City annex the County of Orange Islands.
Under the Lease Agreement, the City’s responsibilities will continue to include general upkeep of the 44.18-acre area as well as a portion of the Carbon Creek Channel that runs through the City owned portion of Dad Miller Golf Course. This includes items such as trash removal, vegetation trimming, graffiti abatement, encampment mitigation and removing obstructions after rain events.
These duties are included in the City’s golf course operations agreement as part of the daily practices.
This item was brought to City Council on March 3, 2026 and was postponed, providing time for the County Board of Supervisors’ review and approval prior to City Council approval. The Board of Supervisors approved the 25-year lease agreement as presented on April 26, 2026.
Staff recommends approval of the Lease to allow for the continued operation of Dad Miller Golf Course as an 18-hole championship course and community asset for the City.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Community Services Department’s FY 2026/27 Golf Enterprise Fund budget.
Respectfully submitted,
Sjany Larson-Cash
Director of Community Services
Attachments:
1. Lease
2. Original Agreement
3. Modification of Agreement
4. 2002 Memorandum of Understanding
5. 2005 Memorandum of Understanding