1965/03/11?RESIDING
OFFI3ER:
MIN UTE5
ANAHEIM STADIUM COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
Thursday, March ll, 196) - 1:)0 P. M.
Anaheim City Hall, City Council Conference Room
Rector L. Coons, Chairman
Thc meeting was called to order by Chairman Coons. He advised that Co~,~issioner Hughes
was back east on business and Commissioner Clover would not be able to attend this
meeting due to an important business appointment.
ROLL CALL:
Pre sent:
Commissioners
Rector L. Coons, Chairman
Charles Currier
· Harry Knisely
Absent:
Commis sione rs
Dick Glover
Paul Hughes
ALPC PRESENT:
Thomas F. Liegler, Stadium Manager
Cedric rallis, Business Manager, Los Angeles Angels
Alan Watts, Deputy City Attorney
Joe Conner, Anaheim Drag f~aceway
~n Christ, American Hot Rod Association/Anaheim Drag
K~rry Clark, West $oast Diroctor, ~erican Hot Rod Association
Jim '~ice, President, ~erican Hot Rod Association, Kansas City, Mo.
Jack Boettner, Los Angeles Times
Phil Hanf, Anaheim Bdlletin
Approval of Minutes
The Minutes of the meeting of March 4, 1965 were approved as written and mailed.
Anaheim Drag Raceway Proposal
As mentioned at the last regular meeting. Mr. Conner presented to 'the Co~mnission rep-
resentatives of the American Hot Rod Association (listed above). Mr. Tice announced
that in the event the proposed track was constructed in time, the A.H.R.A. National
Championships would be committed to thDs track for 1966. Commissioner Knisely asked
nlm if the dollar figures shown in the proposal were realistic and Mr. Tice replied
that if anything, they were probably conservative.
i~. Christ presented to the Co~,ission a layout of the proposed track and grandstand.
He recommended a more economical grandstand than the one originally proposed which
utilized the space under the stands for valet parking. He exRlained that his recom-
mendation was for a very low grandstand of l0 rows with 5 levels which would not be
a large barrier or eyesore and would only displace approximately 100 to ~120 parking
spaces. When questioned about the substitution Ln grandstand plans, Mr. Christ
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ANAHEIM $?ADIUM COFJ~ISSION MINUTES March 11, 1965
Anaheim Drag' .~acewa~ Propqsal (cent)
explained that he did not feel the additional expenditure was justified since the
elaborate elevated grandstand would cost over twice as much to construct as the lower
one and, in his opinion, would be less attractive. Mr. Coons interposed that he
certainly would not be very receptive to the construction of any type of grandstand
which wouldn't lend to the aesthetic atmosphere surrounding the stadium and compatible
with the stadium itself. Mr. Christ stated that they still intend to put in the
facade as shown on the cover of the proposal and sketch submitted, however, the stands
just wouldn't be as high and there would be no valet parking. Commissioner Coons
suggested that revised sketch be submktted to give some idea of what is being pro-
po sed.
Chairman Coons asked if the deceleration lanes of the track would be barricaded when
in operation. Mr. Christ stated that they would not be; that the 'spectators would
not go into this area as the initial acceleration attained is the most exciting part
of the race since the outcome of the race is generally decided in the first 250 to
300 feet. He did not actually answer Commissioner' s query regarding someone acci-
dentally getting into the area in question.
Based on his past two years' experience an~ the A.H.R.A.'s Eleventh Season in the
racing business, Mr. Qhrist estimated that the average family coming in from out of
the area (thirty minutes or more.driving time) will generally spend approximately
ten dollars per event in the city it visits, which could mean an additional gross
income to the immediate Anaheim trade area of $450,000,000 over a period of one
year. The greatest economic benefit to the Stadium and to Anaheim, according to
Mr. Christ, would be the advertising. .He stated that there would be year-round
promotion, using three radio stations with 150 exposures per'week stating the. name
"Anaheim,, and the sports stadium~
Chairman Coons asked Fm. Liegler if he had had an opportunity to speak to the con-
struction firm regarding whether or not the installation and operation of the pro-
posed drag strip would interfere with construction on the Stadium. ~M. Liegler
reported that a time problem exists in that all specifications and planning have to
be submitted by April 1st. However, the parking lot in question could be paved
and made available without any problems.
The meeting was recessed at 2:14 for thirty minutes for the purpose of permitting
the Commissioners to attend the joint meeting between the City CouHcil and the
~nisterial Association.
At 3:45 the meeting of the Stadium Commission ~as reconvened. - Present were:
~ommissioner$ Coons, Currier and Kn[sely and M~'. kieglez'.
The Anaheim Drag Raceway proposal was discussed b~iefly and'it was decided that
certain principles should be established concer'ning 'the quality of grandstands,
parking and concession revenue, etc., and furt~mr that the proponent would have
to agree to operate under these conditions before any additional consideration
could be given to their proposal.
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ANAHEI~.~ STADIUM COl~IS~!ON MINUTES March 11, 1965
Chairman Coons asked Mr. Liegler for his views on the feasibility of attempting to
~ake any interim use of subject property at this time while it is under construction.
Mr. Liegler stated that, in his opinion, "we have to walk before we can run" and the
first measure would be to set up general policies on the basics upon which the
Stadium will be judged by the publtc;!namely, (1) egress and exit access; (2) clean
and adequate wash rooms; and (3) good adequate foodstuffs. He continued that
regardless of whether the temn wins or loses, the people will go away pleased if
these things are satisfactory. His thoughts were that the Commission should not
put too much of a load on the 'image' until the Stadium operation is well under way.
Commissioner Coons concurred that the compilation of a manual of policies and pro-
cedures was of prLme importance and should be started. However, he pointed out that
the Crdinance, under which the Stadium Commission was established, states that they
are responsible for advice to the Council for both the Stadium and the Convention
Center and he feels they should continue bo study as many different revenue possi-
bilities as are submitted, always bearing in mind that said 'image, be maintained
and any additional uses of the property under consideration be compatible with the
Stadiu~, its tenant and the community.
Secretary's Resignation
Chairman Coons read Mrs. Betty D, Wilson's letter of resignation, which was submitted
due to conflicting obligations. Co,~issioner Knisely moved that the resignation be
accepted 'with regret,. Commissioner Currier seconded, Carried.
The meeting was adjourned at ~:20 P. M.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty DS~ Wilson, Secret~ry