1998/12/08 (2)CITY OF ANAHEIM, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING, DECEMBER 8, 1998
Special Meeting of the Anaheim City Council held December 8, 1998
Present:Tom Daly, Mayor
Shirley McCracken, Mayor Pro Tem
Tom Tait, Council Member
Lucille Kring, Council Member
Frank Feldhaus Council Member
Jim Ruth, City Manager
Dave Morgan, Assistant City Manager
Tom Wood, Deputy City Manager
Jack White, City Attorney
Lee Sohl, City Clerk
Randy Gaston, Police Chief
Jeff Bowman, Fire Chief
Ed Aghjayan, Utilities General Manager
Kris Thalman, IGR Manager
Phil Tsunoda, Legislative Analyst
Guest: Congressman-Elect Gary Miller
Mayor Daly called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. in Conference Room No. 2 of the City
Manager’s Office, 7th Floor City Hall. The Notice of Special Meeting was delivered and faxed
between 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. on December 7, 1998.
The Special Meeting was called to meet with Congressman-Elect Gary Miller to discuss local
issues.
Mayor Daly welcomed Mr. Miller and introductions were made all around the table. The Mayor
pointed out that Kris Thalman and her staff are the points of contact in connection with
legislation, and they report to the City Manager. It was also noted that E. Del Smith is the City’s
Lobbyist in Washington.
City Manager James Ruth briefed the overall concerns of the City as follows:
law enforcement - several federal grants, the COPS program
transportation issues
de-regulation of utilities
Mr. Miller advised that one of his appointments is to the committee on transportation and there
will be major airport funding issues coming up in Congress during the next two years.
Mayor Daly explained that the entire City Council and the local business community are in favor
of the El Toro Airport; and during 1999 the El Toro property will be conveyed to the county.
Concerning deregulation at the federal level, Kris Thalman advised that the City has been
working on the technical portion of this; and that the Public Utilities General Manager will
personally be meeting with him on the subject, but the City’s position would be that the federal
standards should “grandfather” in the State AB1890 provisions.
Police Chief Randy Gaston noted that the Police Department has been successful with two
technology grants for placement of personal computers in the Police mobile units. This will
permit them to transmit reports via cellular directly to the Police Department. This represents a
great time savings for the Police and is being installed right now.
CITY OF ANAHEIM, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING,
DECEMBER 8, 1998
Congressman-Elect Miller inquired as to the effect of ERAF on the City; it was reported that the
1992 shift collectively cost the City $13 million.
On the subject of transportation, Gary Johnson commented on the use of STP funds through
OCTA. He noted that one very important project to Anaheim, which is only partially funded is
“Gene Autry Way.” The eastern portion was completed with the help of some federal and local
funds. Although short of funding this project will proceed and will not run out of money until
2001/2002 or 2003/2004 fiscal year. $21 million dollars is needed to stay on schedule. The City
is hopeful that OCTA will be part of the solution, but is looking also for federal funds. Mr.
Johnson noted that E. Del Smith will have complete lists of these project descriptions and
schedules.
Mr. Johnson pointed out one additional potential project in the Anaheim Resort Area. Due to the
urban rail planning, the City has been looking to locate a site for an intermodal transportation
center to support the 2nd theme park and the expanded Convention Center. Once the project is
more clearly defined it will be packaged and the City will request to bring it back for discussion.
Council Member Tait summarized the City’s efforts to obtain an I.N.S. agent at the Anaheim City
Jail for the purpose of identifying illegal alien criminals. It has been successful, showing a drop
in crime rate from 37% to 16% - and now it is a maintenance issue, I.N.S. continually tries to cut
it out. The City will need Congressman Miller’s assistance to keep it going.
Council Member Feldhaus stated that a project he was working on with Mr. Miller’s predecessor
is the problem on Orangethorpe Avenue where a second track was added to the rail right of way,
which is within 5 feet of some homes and causing noise and vibration problems.
Council Member McCracken noted that continued funding for the Prado Dam until the project is
completed is very important. This is the worst potential flood problem west of the Mississippi.
The funds have been budgeted, but not released.
At the conclusion of discussion and comments, Tom Wood summarized that the City’s legislative
agenda and package are being formulated and will be submitted to the City Council in January
1999 for their approval.
Congressman-Elect Miller stated that he enjoys working with cities and would like to sit down
and discuss these issues once a year.
Presentation of a historical picture plaque with city seal was made, two sets will be delivered for
both his Washington D.C. and local office in Yorba Linda.
There being no further business, by general consent, the meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
LEONORA N. SOHL
CITY CLERK
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