AHA - 2023/03/28 ANAHEIM HOUSING AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 28, 2023
The Anaheim Housing Authority regular meeting of March 28, 2023 was called to order at
5:27 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Anaheim City Hall located at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. in joint
session with the Anaheim Public Financing Authority, Anaheim Housing and Public
Improvements Authority, Anaheim Housing Authority, and the Anaheim City Council. The
meeting notice, agenda, and related materials were duly posted on March 23, 2023.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Ashleigh E. Aitken and Authority Members Natalie
Rubalcava, Jose Diaz, Carlos A. Leon, Norma Campos Kurtz,
Stephen Faessel, and Natalie Meeks.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and
Secretary Theresa Bass
ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDAS: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items):
No electronically submitted public comments related to the Anaheim Housing Authority agenda.
Brandon Luna commented on available funding, legislation, and management requirements for
supportive housing, requesting that these items be discussed when considering the Housing
Authority budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
Council Member/Authority Member Faessel announced his attendance along with Mayor Aitken
at the National League of Cities Conference in Washington D.C. He noted his attendance at a
meeting regarding the Colorado River and the agreement between the various states, a meeting
with Congressman Lou Correa's staff for a tour of the U.S. Capitol, and the walked the floors of
the conference. He highlighted that he and the Mayor attended a luncheon for first-time
attendees of the conference, met with representative David Wetmore of Carpi & Clay, and
attended the General Session and various workshops. He attended a meeting on Pallet Homes,
a housing solution for homeless individuals, with founder Amy King. He shared that the Mayor
invited him to the California Cities reception and spoke of his meetings with Senator Dianne
Feinstein's staff and Senator Alex Padilla's staff to discuss the City's ongoing motel acquisitions
on Beach Boulevard, the ongoing Center of Hope continuation and expansion project, the
relocation of the City's Emergency Operations Center(EOC), and the Store One incubator
project. He noted he met with Congress members Young Kim and Lou Correa to discuss Be
Well OC, Center of Hope, the Knoll Ranch Open Space trail, and the District 5 River Walk. He
mentioned meeting with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director of
Preparedness Grant Division, Kerry Thomas to discuss the City's EOC relocation and the 2028
Olympics to prepare the City as a host city for a portion of the Olympics.
Mayor/Chairperson Aitken provided remarks regarding the importance of working with federal
representatives to advocate for the City. She thanked Council Member Faessel for joining her at
the conference.
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Council Member/Authority Member Faessel thanked Mayor Aitken, Chief of Staff Berenice
Ballinas, his staff, and City Manager Jim Vanderpool and his staff, for facilitating the tour of
Washington D.C.
Council Member/Authority Member Diaz highlighted Mayflower Dumpling Express located at
401 S. Magnolia Ave. He mentioned the business opened in September 2019 prior to the
pandemic, however, he noted the business quickly adapted to takeout during the pandemic. He
recommended their fried rice and encouraged residents to visit the restaurant. He mentioned
the Eggstravaganza event on Saturday, April 1st at Maxwell Park and invited residents to
attend.
Mayor Pro Tem/Vice-Chairperson Rubalcava thanked staff for their assistance hosting District 3
Neighborhood Services meetings at Rancho La Paz and Bush Street and Sycamore Street. She
noted the Public Utilities Department, Community Policing Team, Police Department Gang Unit,
Neighborhood Services, Code Enforcement, and Community Services Department attended the
meeting. She highlighted the Gang Unit, for providing resources to residents regarding gang
activity in the area. She mentioned her attendance with Council Member Leon at the Oath of
Office for incoming Anaheim Postmaster Manager, Ingrid Valenzuela. She mentioned she
participated in Read Across America week by reading a book to 6th grade students at Price
Elementary School. She noted her attendance at a recognition for Price Elementary students,
recognizing their sustainability efforts including forming a recycling club, creating their own
compost, and growing their own school garden. She mentioned the students were awarded 30
Chromebooks from Anaheim Public Utilities. She highlighted author and Anaheim High School
graduate Gustavo Arellano and his book in collaboration with coauthors, A People's Guide to
Orange County. She mentioned the book highlights Orange County's diversity and the impact
Hispanics had on the county. She noted that in collaboration with Director of Community
Services Sjany Larson-Cash and the Anaheim Library, Mr. Arellano has agreed to speak at the
Anaheim Central Library to discuss his book and meet with residents. She mentioned her
participation in Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva's "Women of Distinction" ceremony, where
35 individuals were honored, including Council Member Kurtz. She highlighted Anaheim High
School's 125th Anniversary and provided brief remarks on graduates from the school and their
accomplishments. She featured District 3 women Commissioners in recognition of Women's
History Month, including Planning Commissioner Michelle Lieberman; Parks and Recreation
Commissioner Carlotta Clark; Housing and Community Development Commissioner Cassandra
Perez; Community Services Board Member Nichole Rupp; and Senior Citizen Commissioner
Kandee Beas. She introduced Hannah Benron, the newest resident of Colony Park in District 3.
She encouraged District 3 residents to complete the District 3 neighborhood survey available at
anaheim.net/D3.
Council Member/Authority Member Leon congratulated Magnolia High School for their CIF-SS
title win. He congratulated Magnolia High School student, Mimi Alkalach for her win at the
Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) Soapbox Speech Finals with her speech,
"Catching Confidence". He congratulated Clara Barton Elementary School Striking Tanks for
their win at the Anaheim Elementary School District's E-Sports Championship Tournament
becoming the 2023 E-Sports Rocket League Play Code Compete champions. He mentioned his
staffs attendance at the jersey retirement for former Loara High School softball player Laura
Lapin. He noted Ms. Lapin's accomplishments including becoming an All-American at Stanford
University and her participation at the 2008 Olympic games. He noted his staff attended the
VFW Annual Award Ceremony and congratulated the awardees including Police Officer of the
Year, Anaheim Police Officer Kenneth Gulley and Firefighter of the Year, Anaheim Fire &
Rescue Captain Dave Thompson. He thanked Chief Russell, Captain Valente, and the entire
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crew at Fire Station No. 2 for a tour of Station No. 2 and a ride along. He announced his office
collaborated with the Federacion de Clubes de Guerrero and other organizations on a free
resource fair in the ABC neighborhood in District 2 and distributed information on Section 8
housing and other resources. He thanked United Across Borders Foundation for distributing free
groceries to families during the resource fair. He thanked Federa Sanchez for organizing the
event and thanked neighbors for attending. He announced his team met with the Council on
American-Islamic Relations of Greater Los Angeles (CAIR). He mentioned their headquarters
were located in District 2 and thanked Executive Director Hussam Ayloush and the CAIR team
for meeting with his team and their continued advocacy. He featured Minh Smog as the March
2023 District 2 Business of the Month. He recognized the Anaheim Police Department and West
Anaheim Police Team for their Tacos with a Cop event, the Public Utilities Department for their
Community Resource Fair, the Public Works Department for their Compost Giveaway, the
Economic Development Department for a tour of District 2, and the Convention, Sports, and
Entertainment Department for the National Products Expo West event. He recognized Kareem's
Restaurant located off Brookhurst Street and Ball Road as the March 2023 District 2 Restaurant
of the Month. He mentioned Kareem's Restaurant was one of the first restaurants to open in
Little Arabia in 1996 and encouraged residents to visit the restaurant. He thanked the Economic
Development Department for visiting the restaurant and presenting the restaurant with the
recognition. He congratulated the Anaheim Public Library for being a finalist in the 2023
National Medal for Museum and Library Service.
Council Member/Authority Member Meeks announced the Anaheim Hills Rotary Club will be
hosting an Easter egg hunt event at Reagan Park from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. She requested
that the meeting adjourn in memory of the six victims of the mass shooting in Nashville on
Monday, March 27th
Council Member/Authority Member Kurtz thanked Neighborhood Services for visiting three
neighborhoods in District 4, including the Dakota and Clifton neighborhoods and Hermosa
Village. She recognized the Public Utilities Department, CalOptima, the Anaheim Library, and
Love OC for providing resources to those neighborhoods that accommodate residents' needs.
She thanked the Segerstrom Foundation for providing funding to the Anaheim Ballet to visit
various Anaheim elementary schools to perform for students involved in after-school programs.
Mayor/Chairperson Aitken thanked Council Member Leon for attending a community meeting
with UNITE HERE to discuss issues and concerns in the community. She mentioned her
participation on a panel at a women's conference organized by Southern California Edison and
the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce. She congratulated Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava for
assisting with the event. She recognized Anaheim resident Kay Carpenter for representing the
City at the Cypress College Americana Awards. She mentioned her attendance at a tour of the
Salvation Army's Center of Hope permanent housing facility opening in June. She highlighted a
meeting she had with Josh Friday, California Chief Services Officer, to discuss the California
Youth Job Corps. She noted the City received nearly $5,000,000 from the State to focus on
assisting unemployed youth in the community. She attended Anaheim Night at the Honda
Center on March 17th and thanked those who attended. She highlighted meeting the Consul
General of Japan Kenko Sone and celebrating his majesty the Emperor of Japan's birthday.
She attended a community swearing in ceremony of Congressman Lou Correa and
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia in the city of Santa Ana. She mentioned her attendance at
the Jessie Rees event in partnership with Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and
expressed hope to conduct an event at City Hall to create joy jars as Jessie Rees did. She
announced that she served as the honorary chair for the Boys and Girls Club Aces of Clubs
fundraiser at The Ranch restaurant in Anaheim. She thanked Chief Russell for the opportunity
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to attend the opening ceremonies for the California Unified Program Agency training
conference. She mentioned she attended the Orange County Council of Governments event for
local agencies to discuss issues they face throughout Orange County and how agencies can
work together to resolve those matters. She thanked Council Member Faessel for attending the
National League of Cities conference in Washington D.0 with her.
CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE:
City Manager Vanderpool thanked Congressmember Correa and Congressmember Kim for
their commitments to submitting funding requests for the City. He expressed optimism over staff
meetings with Senator Feinstein and Senator Padilla over potential future commitments for
grant funds.
At 6:47 P.M., Chairperson Aitken recessed the Anaheim Housing Authority agenda and
reconvened at 6:49 P.M.
CONSENT CALENDAR: At 6:49 P.M., Authority Member Meeks moved to approve the
consent calendar as presented, in accordance with reports, certifications, and recommendations
furnished each Authority Member and as listed on the consent calendar, seconded by Authority
Member Kurtz. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES —7 (Chairperson Aitken and Authority Members
Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Kurtz, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES— 0. Motion carried.
AHA177 5. Approve the Annual Public Housing Agency Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and
authorize the Executive Director of the Anaheim Housing Authority, or designee, to
execute required certifications and related documents.
6. Approve revisions to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan for Fiscal
AHA177 Year 2023-2024.
R100 7. RESOLUTION NO. AHA-2023-002 A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING
BOARD OF THE ANAHEIM HOUSING AUTHORITY amending the dates and times for
regular meetings of the Authority for the 2023 calendar year and rescinding Resolution No.
AHA-2023-001(rescheduling the meeting of July 25 to July 11, 2023).
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to conduct, without objection, Chairperson Aitken adjourned the
meeting of the Anaheim Housing Authority at 6:50 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Bass, CMC
Secretary, Anaheim Housing Authority