1998/12/16CITY OF ANAHEIM, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL
MEETING, DECEMBER 16, 1998
Special Meeting held December 16, 1998 at 2:00 p.m.
Present:Tom Daly, Mayor
Shirley McCracken, Mayor Pro Tem
Tom Tait, Council Member
Lucille Kring, Council Member
Frank Feldhaus, Council Member
Tom Wood, Deputy City Manager
Jeff Bowman, Fire Chief
Randall Gaston, Police Chief
Gary Johnson, Public Works Director
Bob Carr, Assistant General Manager Public Utilities
Kris Thalman, Intergovernmental Relations Manager
Lee Sohl, City Clerk
Special Guest: State Senator Joe Dunn
Mayor Daly called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. and welcomed State Senator Dunn to
Anaheim City Hall. Mayor Daly reviewed the City’s organization and pointed out that the team
that coordinates any legislative efforts on behalf of the City is headed by Kris Thalman and that
they work out of the City Manager’s Office.
Senator Dunn advised that he is a new comer to the local political scene, but that he intends to
represent the cities in his district the same way an attorney represents a client, and will do what is
in the best interests of the members of his district. He reported that his committee assignments
will be education, transportation, budget, veterans’ affairs, and the select committee on
mobilhomes. He stated he is here to listen and to be educated on the City of Anaheim positions
and concerns.
The following issues were briefed and/or discussed:
Transportation
– I-5 widening and rehabilitation – interest on the City’s part for additional landscaping and
attention to aesthetics.
Orange County Light Rail, or Urban Rail – the City is contributing ideas to OCTA at the present
time and decisions will be coming forward in the next couple of years.
Gene Autry Way – HOV facility – there are grant funds to accomplish the eastern portion and
some federal funds for the westerly extension, but at the present time there is a $20 million
shortfall.
Petroleum violation escrow account funds – this was a state program from which funds could be
appropriated to various projects around the state. Anaheim was fairly successful with programs.
This was discontinued and the Public Works Director hopes it might be workable with the
legislature once again. Further, the Public Works Director is interested in any legislation with
would further dilute the contracting authority of local governments. There are 5 to 10 bills per
year in this vein and they are never helpful to the ability of local government to manage contracts
in the public works environment.
Two projects which are the effect of transportation improvements: the sound wall on the north
side of the 91 freeway, which has created an echo and is a problem for homes in Peralta Hills.
CITY OF ANAHEIM, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING,
DECEMBER 16, 1998
Second, the problem on Orangethorpe where the rail lines were expanded for the Alameda
Corridor and 375 homes have been affected by noise and vibration from additional trips.
(Congressman Kim was working on this problem.)
Legislation:
The possessory interest tax which the County of Orange has levied on the Convention Center.
This adds to the cost of conventions and makes it more difficult to compete with cities which do
not have possessory interest tax.
The City is supportive of legislation which will limit the City’s liability for damage in land slides,
etc.
The City would be concerned about any legislation which would take away the ability of the local
government to use its land use authority, in instances such as SOB’s, billboards, zoning.
Law Enforcement:
The continuation of the COPS program is of high priority to the City. This program has enabled
Anaheim to restore 17 positions to the Police Force.
The liberalization of concealed weapons regulations is of concern to the Police Chief. He
especially believes that the authority for issuance of such permits needs to remain locally with the
Police Chief.
The removal or liberalization of asset forfeiture laws is also of concern. Funds derived from
forfeiture allow the Police Department to run narcotics prevention programs such as DARE.
Utilities:
Relative to deregulation of electricity, the City of Anaheim Public Utility feels this will ultimately
result in lower rates and will be of benefit to the citizens.
The City has recently entered into a partnership agreement with a private firm (fiber optics) to
provide services to businesses. There are some states, which have prohibited municipalities
from entering such partnerships. The Utility believes the ability to participate in these is of benefit
to the citizens and would like this ability to continue.
Due to deregulation of the electric industry, the California Public Utilities Commission is losing
some of their responsibility and may reach out to other areas in which they would like to regulate.
The City of Anaheim would like to keep control in the local area for such things as inspections,
finances, rates with respect to both water and power.
At the conclusion of the comments and responses, Tom Wood summarized that the City’s
legislative agenda is being completed and will be submitted to the City Council for approval and
adoption shortly. This will then be shared with all of the City’s representatives.
Mr. Wood also pointed out that the Anaheim City Council has pushed hard for economic
development and the many public and private projects in progress are the result of $6 billion in
investments in the City. The overall program is approximately one-half complete and will result in
many dollar benefits for citizens and businesses. The big winner is the State of California and
their investment is very minimal. It has been suggested for the last 2 years that Anaheim along
with Los Angeles be permitted to create “tourist development zones” whereby new incremental
dollars created because of investment by the cities could be refunded back to those cities. The
City of Anaheim would like support on this issue.
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CITY OF ANAHEIM, SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING,
DECEMBER 16, 1998
There were no additional comments.
Historical and decorative plaques were presented to Senator Dunn for display in his office.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:05 p.m.
Leonora N. Sohl,
City Clerk
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