Loading...
AHA - 2023/08/15 ANAHEIM HOUSING AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 2023 The Anaheim Housing Authority regular meeting of August 15, 2023 was called to order at 5:47 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Anaheim City Hall located at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. in joint session with the Anaheim City Council. The meeting notice, agenda, and related materials were duly posted on August 10, 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 in-person or electronic public comments were received related to the Anaheim Housing Authority agenda. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS: Council Member/Authority Member Leon invited District 2 residents to the Brookhurst Corridor Study Walking Tour on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Stater Brothers. He shared that participants may arrive between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. and will be given a map of the route and asked for feedback regarding the current state of the area and what they would like to see in the future. The feedback from the walking tour will be used to develop recommendations for the City to consider for public improvements in the area. He shared that the District 2 Office, in collaboration with dozens of organizations, distributed over 600 backpacks and school supplies to students at the James Madison Elementary School Back to School Bash. Council Member/Authority Member Leon was grateful to collaborate with the City and community partners to make the event a reality. He thanked Public Utilities, Public Works, Community Services, Fire and Rescue, Police Department, Mark Lowry and the Community Action Partnership Orange County for providing food boxes for families, Anaheim Run Club, James Madison Elementary School staff, Anaheim Elementary School District Superintendent Dr. Downing, Eddie the custodian who worked tirelessly throughout the event, Taylor Griffin and Maggie Moreno from his Team, all the volunteers from Project Say, and the community for helping make the event a success. Council Member/Authority Member Leon shared that one of the reasons he ran for office is to ensure that the issues discussed on the dais are in the context of how they effect and help residents. He stated that potential actions, following the release of the JL Group report, will be discussed later in the meeting and he reiterated his commitment to exploring, analyzing, and implementing sound public policies that will help establish safeguards so that the City does not go through this again. He stated that the City Council is still in the process of reestablishing the City's trust in City Hall and must implement well-thought-out public policy because residents deserve that. Council Member/Authority Member Leon stated that Orange County is home to some of the greatest higher education institutions with faculty who are subject matter experts that can help provide unbiased recommendations that are also data and research-driven that may very well go above and beyond some of the recommendations in Anaheim Housing Authority Minutes of August 15, 2023 Page 2 of 6 the report, but more importantly are not driven by special interests. He shared that he looks forward to personally engaging with some of the educational institutions, residents, and City staff to bring additional policy recommendations to the City Council for consideration. It will be a lengthy process and he looks forward to discussions with colleagues to show residents that the current Council is not the Council that led the City to this mess in the first place. Council Member/Authority Member Faessel requested the meeting close in memory of Sarah Alevizon. He shared that she was married to former Council Member Bob Hernandez and was active in the community for more than 30 years. She volunteered for the Assistance League of Anaheim, Anaheim Women's Group, Anaheim Arts Council, Anaheim Ballet, The Ebell Club of Anaheim, and the Anaheim Library Foundation. Council Member/Authority Member Faessel stated that she was well-loved in the community and wished her husband and family well. Council Member/Authority Member Kurtz highlighted and displayed photographs of events she participated in. She thanked Officers Woo and Jasmine from the Anaheim South District Police Community Team, for attending four different community events. They attended the Ponderosa Neighborhood clean-up and provided ice cream for the kids. They also presented in Spanish, along with the Fire Department, a safety forum for residents in the Ponderosa neighborhood regarding Fentanyl and what signs parents should look for if they are wondering if their kids were using drugs. Council Member/Authority Member Kurtz also thanked the Orange County Employees Association and Anaheim Municipal Employees Association for bringing out a hotdog wagon and feeding families who walked around the neighborhood picking up trash. She also thanked Anaheim Neighborhood Services and Anaheim Public Utilities for providing information at the event regarding City services. Council Member/Authority Member Kurtz thanked Officers Woo and Jasmine, Housing & Community Development Deputy Director Sandra Lozeau, and Public Utilities Communications Supervisor Melissa Seifen for attending a community meeting to discuss concerns in the neighborhood due to the homeless. Council Member/Authority Member Kurtz referenced the Barbie Storytime event and Silvia Salas- Sanchez book event at the Euclid Branch Library and thanked staff for the great events. She encouraged residents to attend community events because staff do not just do their job, they are listening and working with residents to help improve the quality of life for residents. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chairperson Rubalcava requested that the meeting close in memory of Fernando Mejia, a father of four daughters, who untimely lost his life at Kern River. She thanked Director of Community Services, Sjany Larson-Cash and her staff for all the work they have done in recognition of Chicano Heritage Month Celebration. As part of the celebration, a new Chicano mural is planned at Little People's Park. She also thanked everyone who participated in public comments and stated that public comment is part of a process just like the JL Group report. The report helps the Council better understand issues involving a prior Mayor and former Chamber of Commerce Executive. The report also raises questions about lobbyists and how money allocated by a prior City Council impacted the City, but suggestions that the report represents what Anaheim is today are completely inaccurate. The people who currently sit on the dais have grown up in this City and have a vested interest in the success of the City. She stated that she personally takes offense when people mention that Council Members do not have a vested interest in moving the City forward in a positive way. Mayor Pro TemNice- Chairperson Rubalcava stated that she personally welcomes thoughtful consideration of the report's recommendations, but speculation that goes beyond that is unwarranted. Slides were displayed and she noted that the first set of recommendations highlights an appointment of an ombudsman, upholding City Council/Manager form of governance, considering improvements to Information Technology (IT), amending the lobbying ordinance, and an audit of how the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim may have misused funds. She pointed out Anaheim Housing Authority Minutes of August 15, 2023 Page 3 of 6 that there is no recommendation that would suggest that anyone on the City Council should step down and there is no justification in the recommendations for attacking the work and character of anyone on the dais or anyone working for the City of Anaheim today. She stated that she would like to set the record straight regarding directing City staff because that is an inaccurate accusation included in this report because she always works with City staff through the City Manager to get things done. She highlighted her accomplishments since taking office as follows: Passed a Hotel Workers Safety Ordinance to protect the people who work in the Resort District, created transparency, tree trimming, obtained stop signs on Bush and Sycamore, worked with Assembly Member Valencia to obtain $1 million in funding for Northgate Store No. 1 which is located in District 3 and will benefit the workforce development of the people who live in the City of Anaheim, secured public safety officers to help keep schools safe in response to an incident that occurred at Sycamore Junior High School, housed a woman who was homeless, prepared a Chicano Heritage initiative to represent the people in District 3, and has worked on behalf of small businesses in District 3. She highlighted the allegation in that report regarding the Small Business Development Group. She clarified that in a public meeting, she requested that the Economic Development Department staff work with the Small Business Development Group which provides opportunities for small businesses to obtain capital through the Federal Government if they are struggling and that is something she will never deny because the City needs to do more for small businesses. Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member Rubalcava stated that unfortunately the mischaracterization in the report was expected given the volume of information and interviews, but what is inexcusable are the secondary accounts over the past two weeks and even in the Council Chamber tonight because she respects City staff and has read the City Charter. She reiterated that she always works with the City Manager to collaborate respectfully with City staff. She noted that the reports passage about an Anaheim First binder is also inaccurate and chronologically impossible. Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member Rubalcava noted that after the report came out, she provided the City Attorney's Office with an email from a community member, one month after the election, January 13, 2023, regarding Anaheim First issues. She stated that as a candidate, she along with many of her supporters canvased thousands of houses, sent text messages, and made phone calls to residents. She stated that feedback from residents and understanding what they want from their elected officials is priority number one, because she ran to represent District 3, not to represent her own personal interest. Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member Rubalcava stated that for that, she will never apologize. She received this information via publicly accessible information that candidates have access to during campaigns. Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member Rubalcava welcomed thoughtful consideration of the report's recommendations and any beneficial insights that may be gained. She stated that the City Council has an obligation to ensure that the report is handled responsibly, competently, with dignity and respect, and must resist pressure campaigns and rushed reactions to the results of the investigation. She welcomed all points of view during the process but stated that, as a City of more than 300,000 people, it extends well beyond what was just heard during public comments. What most residents in District 3 ask for is for the City Council to focus on homelessness, affordable housing, crime and public safety, parks, libraries, streets, timely trash pick-up, graffiti removal, and other important quality-of-life issues. Mayor Pro Tem/Authority Member Rubalcava stated that she will focus on those concerns including making sure that the City Council is transparent. She stated that as the City of Anaheim moves forward, she looks forward to working with all Council Members, as well as City staff. Council Member/Authority Member Diaz highlighted and displayed photographs of Bionicos Green Paradise at 3414 West Ball Road, at the corner of Ball Road and Knott Avenue. He shared that the restaurant is owned and managed by immigrants from Guadalajara, Mexico. The owners have been in business for just over a year and work hard to maintain the restaurant. Sandwiches, shakes, salads, smoothies, and fruit floral arrangements can be prepared. He Anaheim Housing Authority Minutes of August 15, 2023 Page 4 of 6 encouraged everyone to support Bionicos Green Paradise. He also shared a flyer regarding the Cheer Mini Pioneer cheer clinic on August 30th and 31 st at Western High School. He stated he will continue working to improve Beach Boulevard and address homelessness and the housing crisis. Mayor/Chairperson Aitken highlighted and displayed photographs of events she participated in. She reported that she was selected to participate in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Program along with 40 mayors from across the world, focusing on leadership skills and policy development with a real focus on getting things done at the municipal level. She stated she was looking forward to partnering with some of the California mayors as well as mayors from across the world in tackling issues. It was amazing how whether it's mayors from Italy, Amsterdam, or New Zealand, everyone is trying to tackle the same issues as municipal public servants. She thanked the Anaheim Police Department, Fire and Rescue Department, and all the volunteers who organized the National Night Out event in District 6 because it was a huge success. She also gave a shout-out to Jason Perez from Neighborhood Services for winning the donut eating competition three years in a row. He ate a dozen donuts in under three minutes. Mayor Aitken highlighted that she had the pleasure of hosting the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy Christoper Coes at ARCTIC. Mr. Coes was visiting the OC Vibe project and presented the City with a $5 million Rebuild American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant which will be used to help reinvent the area around the OC River Walk. She thanked the Council Members who were able to meet with the Secretary of Transportation and welcome him to ARCTIC. Mayor/Chairperson Aitken stated that she and Council Member/Authority Member Leon attended the "Tacos With A Cop" event at Taco Land. She thanked the Police Department Community Policing Team for reaching out to the community and taking the time to meet with families. Mayor/Chairperson Aitken visited Roosevelt Elementary School and welcomed students back to school. She wished all students in Anaheim good luck in their new school year. She reported that she was invited to give a welcome speech at the Orange County Labor Federation dinner, highlighting all the wonderful work that Anaheim's working families do as well as those who advocate for working families. CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE: City Manager Vanderpool announced the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the City of Anaheim for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. It's the City's 48th consecutive award, the most received in the state. He noted that since the City Council approved the Clean California agreement in March, the Anaheim Team including Housing & Community Development, CCRT, Public Works and the Police Department have been working every Saturday along the 5, 57, and 91 freeways to clean up Caltrans rights of way. He was happy to report, that in just a few months a milestone of 100 tons of trash was picked up from the freeway on and off ramps that serve as a gateway to the community. This work is fully reimbursable by the state through the Clean California program. Anaheim Housing Authority Minutes of August 15, 2023 Page 5 of 6 The Public Works Department received authorization to proceed with the construction of safety enhancements at seven intersections across the City valued at over$2.1 million funded entirely by the Federal Highway Administration. Some of the intersections include Brookhurst/La Palma, Euclid/Crescent, Harbor/Lincoln, and Ball/State College. This continues the City's mission to improve safety on roadways and maximize the federal and state grant dollars brought to Anaheim. He invited the community to the celebration of Central Library's 60th Anniversary on Sunday, August 27, from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Attendees of all ages will be able to join in on the festivities. There will be a self-portrait collage craft corner, a trivia contest, and a history scavenger hunt where patrons can win prizes. To celebrate the 60 years of impact, there will be a story time with special guests Sesame Street characters Elmo and Cookie Monster. Families will be able to make birthday hats for the cake cutting and enjoy music from special guests Sean Oliu and the Coastline Cowboys! City Manager Vanderpool invited Police Chief Jorge Cisneros to the podium and thanked him for the many years of dedicated service to the community. He stated it was an absolute pleasure to work with him and stated that staff and the community will miss him. Police Chief Cisneros shared that it has been a great five years and thanked the City of Anaheim for the opportunity he was given. He stated it has been an honor and privilege to work with the women and men of the Anaheim Police Department, other City Departments, and numerous organizations. Police Chief Cisneros stated he has been Chief for 13 years of his career and working for the City of Anaheim is a great way to end his career. Mayor/Chairperson Aitken, on behalf of the City Council, thanked Police Chief Cisneros for his many years of service. At 8:00 p.m., Mayor/Chairperson Aitken recessed the Anaheim City Council to address the Anaheim Housing Authority agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR: At 8:00 P.M., Vice-Chairperson Rubalcava 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 Meeks. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES — 7 (Chairperson Aitken and Authority Members Rubalcava, Diaz, Leon, Kurtz, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES — 0. Motion carried. 1. Approve Professional Services Agreements, in substantial form, with six consultants, AGR-14252 each in an amount not to exceed $200,000 per term for a term ending June 30, 2024, AGR-14253 with two additional two-year extensions for a total amount not to exceed $600,000, for AGR-14254 on-call environmental services to support current and future Housing and Community AGR-14255 Development Department activities; authorize the Executive Director of the Anaheim AGR-14256 Housing Authority, or designee, to execute, implement, and administer the agreements; AGR-14257 and authorize de minimis changes that do not substantially change the terms and conditions of the agreements, as determined by the City Attorney's Office (The Converse Professional Group, Dudek, EFI Global, Inc., Leighton and Associates, Inc., Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical & Environmental Sciences Consultants, and Pacific Edge Engineering, Inc). Anaheim Housing Authority Minutes of August 15, 2023 Page 6 of 6 AHA177 2. Approve minutes of the Housing Authority meeting of June 27, 2023. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, without objection, Chairperson Aitken adjourned the meeting of the Anaheim Housing Authority at 8:01 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Theres ass, CMC Secretary, Anaheim Housing Authority