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Public Comment
From:gail eastman <
Sent:Monday, October 5, 2020 9:52 AM
To:Public Comment
Subject:Letter to Mayor & City Council members
Attachments:Letter to city council.docx
I would like to submit the attached letter to Mayor Sidhu and Council Members as part of the public comment at the
October 6, 2020 council meeting.
Please confirm receipt.
Thank you,
Gail Eastman
1
Mayor Harry Sidhu October 5, 2020
Anaheim City Councilmembers
th
City Hall – 7 Floor
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
Dear Mr. Mayor and Councilmembers,
As a former Mayor Pro Tem and Councilmember, I’d like to congratulate and thank you for your support
of the agreement reached between the City of Anaheim and SRB Management at the September 29 City
Council meeting. This important milestone in Anaheim’s history will open up the Angel Stadium
property for amazing development opportunities, and at last puts to rest long lingering questions about
the future of Angels Baseball in Anaheim.
During my service on the Anaheim City Council, I was one of several councilmembers who tried to work
with team owner Arte Moreno to come to a deal that would keep the Angels in Anaheim.
Unfortunately, our then-mayor’s inability to work in good faith and partnership eventually left those
negotiations fruitless.
Thanks to the negotiating team led by Mayor Sidhu, Anaheim now has a great opportunity in front of it
for a seven acre centerpiece park plus 5.2 acres of additional park lands and 5,175 new housing units,
including affordable housing. Up to two new hotels, and millions of square feet of commercial space for
offices, entertainment, retail, and restaurants, all of this will contribute much needed additional tax
revenue to the City. Plus the City will no longer be in the stadium ownership business with its inherent
risks of ownership. In addition to those ongoing benefits the city receives additional cash and release
from ongoing responsibility for that property.
Possibility most important to Anaheim baseball fans, the Angels will stay in Anaheim for at least the next
three decades. That’s great news for the enjoyment of Angel’s fans and baseball lovers throughout
Anaheim, Orange County and beyond. But also good news for city wide community organizations and
non-profits that the Angels have been such strong generous supporter and partners with over the years.
The entire community will continue to be blessed through their presence in our city.
I urge you to continue to stand strong and support this great proposal on October 6 when it comes back
to you for its second reading.
Thank you,
Gail E. Eastman
Anaheim City Council, 2010-2014
Mayor Pro Tem, 2012-2013