AHPIA-2023/11/28ANAHEIM HOUSING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORITY
REGULAR MEETING OF NOVEMBER 28, 2023
The Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority regular meeting of November 28,
2023 was called to order at 5:43 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.,
in joint session with the Anaheim Public Financing, Anaheim Housing Authority, and the
Anaheim City Council. The meeting notice, agenda, and related materials were duly posted on
November 22, 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 aaenda items):
No in -person speakers or electronically submitted public comments related to the Anaheim
Housing and Public Improvements Authority agenda.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
Authority Member/Council Member Kurtz thanked City employee Nick Gomez for organizing the
Veterans Day Ceremony and displayed photographs of all the veterans who attended the event.
She highlighted two Vietnam War veterans including her husband and thanked all Vietnam War
veterans. She congratulated the 33 graduates of the CIELO Entrepreneurship program.
Authority Member/Council Member Kurtz thanked Anaheim Public Utilities for hosting the
Holiday Lights Drive-Thru. She shared that she attended the Anaheim Ballet Nutcracker
performance with Anaheim Elementary School District students and stated that all the kids
enjoyed the performance. Authority Member/Council Member Kurtz requested that the meeting
adjourn in memory of former Assembly Member and District 4 resident Jim Morrissey.
Authority Member/Council Member Faessel requested the meeting adjourn in memory of long-
time District 5 resident Margarita Priego and Navy veteran Bob Brunette. He shared that the
Anaheim High School boys and girls volleyball teams were in need of volleyballs, and he was
able to arrange a donation from the Orange County Sports Commission. He along with
Chairperson/Mayor Aitken and Authority Member/Council Member Meeks attended a Business
Assistance meeting for Districts 5 and 6 held at Brewery X. Several departments provided
information and resources for businesses in attendance. Authority Member/Council Member
Faessel congratulated Chrysalis on their 5ch anniversary and noted that they have been a great
civic partner. He joined the City Manager at a recent Anaheim Police Department promotion
ceremony. He shared that he attended the Eli Home Christmas Ball and Tree Lighting and
shared that they received a $5 million grant from CalOptima. He attended the We Give Thanks
Thanksgiving meal event at the Honda Center. He thanked Reborn Cabinets for their Baths for
the Brave program and remodeling Coast Guard veteran Harry Takeno's bathroom. Lastly, he
along with Mayor Aitken attended the Anaheim White House Christmas Tree Lighting event.
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Authority Member/Council Member Diaz highlighted and shared photographs of El Muelle de
San Bias restaurant based on a beautiful love story from a seaside town in Mexico. They serve
seafood, churros, ice cream and will soon be serving beer. The food, prices, and service are
excellent. He encouraged everyone to visit the restaurant located at 2607 W. Lincoln Avenue, B.
Authority Member/Council Member Leon shared that his office partnered with Abrazar and
Mercy Health for a free COVID and flu shot vaccine clinic on Saturday, December gth from 9:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church. He invited everyone to the West
Anaheim Christmas tree lighting at Twila Reid Park at 6:00 p.m. He shared that the UPS store
off of Brookhurst Street in District 2 is partnering with the Anaheim Police Department for a
crime prevention community event on Saturday, December 2"d from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The
Police Department will teach learn crime prevention tips to protect oneself from fraud and
scams. There will also be a document shredding opportunity. He thanked Starbucks located at
Euclid and Katella for hosting the Coffee with a Veteran event. Authority Member/Council
Member Leon thanked Frank Garcia and the hundreds of volunteers who participated in the We
Give Thanks dinner. He also thanked Anaheim Public Utilities General Manager Dukku Lee and
Utilities Yard Working Supervisor Brian Cruz for delivering water on Thanksgiving Day. Authority
Member/Council Member Leon highlighted and displayed photographs of Big Wheel Bicycles
the November business of the month. It is a family owned business that has been around for
over 30 years in West Anaheim. They have a wide array of bike selections and provide custom
orders and repairs as well. He encouraged everyone to stop by the shop if they are looking for a
new bike or Christmas gift. Authority Member/Council Member Leon also highlighted and
displayed photographs of Country Family Cafe, the November restaurant of the month. It is a
family owned small business. Blanca and her husband opened the restaurant over 20 years ago
and quickly became a must -go to in West Anaheim. He encouraged everyone to stop by and try
out their breakfast. He requested that the meeting adjourn in memory of Ed Prange who was a
long-time coach and teacher at Loara High School. Mr. Prange recently passed away and on
behalf of District 2, he sent thoughts and prayers to the Prange family.
Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava thanked all the public comment speakers and
everyone who participated in the process. She congratulated and thanked veterans for their
sacrifice for our country. Anaheim's Veterans Day Ceremony took place at Anaheim's veterans'
monument near Muzeo. She was grateful to all the Veterans who attended. She thanked City
staff for making the event possible in particular Chief Communications Officer Mike Lyster and
his team and Public Utilities for giving away free green light bulbs which represent Operation
Green Light for supporting and helping veterans transition back into civilian life. She also
welcomed the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army who visited the VFW in Anaheim. She along
with Chairperson/Mayor Aitken also attended the Veterans Day Commemoration at Heroes Hall
Museum and Education Center. She thanked District 3 residents for their service. Vice-
Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava shared that she has served on the Chrysalis Advisory
Council for the past five years and she congratulated them for helping transform thousands of
lives by breaking barriers and providing transitional work, job readiness, and employment
placement to those able and willing to work. In District 3, post -Thanksgiving she participated in a
local cleanup sponsored by Green Bird at Radiant Brewery located off Lincoln Avenue. She
highlighted the owners of Radiant Brewery and noted they provided a welcoming environment.
They picked up approximately 40 bags of trash. Green Bird does not receive funding from other
sources, and they gather monthly or quarterly to pick up trash. She noted Green Bird will be
celebrating 10 years in Anaheim soon. Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava shared that
she was a guest on Cleste's Interest$ podcast which focuses on life, business, and growth
through the lens of a 12-year old. Celeste is currently recording season 5 and has recorded
close to 100 episodes and has featured entrepreneurs, public figures, and community
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organizers. She has over 3,000 streams with listeners in over 15 countries. Vice-
Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava thanked Chief Communications Officer Mike Lyster and
Video Production Coordinator Ron Roberson for making the experience professional and
memorable. She noted that since she was elected last November, one of her priorities has been
to go into the neighborhoods to address issues. At her first District meeting last year, they
successfully obtained a stop sign in the area. On Lemon Street, there were several concerns
with drivers speeding and unhoused individuals creating quality of life and safety issues. The
new Community Police Team, Public Utilities, and Public Works were there to answer questions
and provide resources. City departments also attended a meeting held on Dickel Street to
address safety issues regarding loud parties and parking challenges. She requested that the
meeting adjourn in memory of life-long District 3 resident and family friend Bertha Adelmaria
Munoa. Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Rubalcava requested support for the 15th Annual
K&A Community Holiday Brunch free breakfast event. The owners of K&A feed over 1,000
families who come to their restaurant on December 24th. They are also accepting toy donations
for the event and are requesting volunteers to help wrap gifts. Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern
Rubalcava shared that the District 3 Newsletter is up and running for those interested in
subscribing. Lastly, she wished her dad Ricky Rubalcava a Happy Birthday and noted that he is
a 40 year retired City of Anaheim Public Utilities employee.
Chairperson/Mayor Aitken thanked the wonderful team at the Anaheim White House for the
White House Christmas Tree Lighting honoring community leaders. On Thanksgiving Day she
joined first responders and City staff at the We Give Thanks event at the Honda Center. She
thanked the community sponsors including the Disneyland Resort and the volunteers who
helped make this event happen. She along with the City Manager and Authority
Member/Council Member Faessel attended the National League of Cities in Atlanta, Georgia
which provides local leaders with the tools and connections to help build a brighter future for
cities, towns, and villages. She along with Authority Member/Council Member Faessel visited
the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta and offered condolences on the loss this week
of the former First Lady Eleanor Rosalynn Carter. Chairperson/Mayor Aitken shared that the
Anaheim White House is accepting donations until 10:00 p.m. for the 13th Annual KFI
PastaThon benefiting Caterina's Club.
CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE:
City Manager Vanderpool shared that for the past few months, the communications team in the
City Manager's Office has been looking at different ways of providing captioning for City Council
meetings and other broadcasts. This effort includes the September launch of an Anaheim City
Council Meetings YouTube channel where meetings are streamed live. With YouTube, viewers
can turn on captions and see live English subtitles to follow along or to aid those who may be
hearing impaired. With YouTube, Spanish subtitles are an option playing back a meeting later,
but not live. To address live Spanish captioning, he shared that the City is evaluating the
purchase of additional broadcast equipment within the City's Manager's authority. The
equipment would allow for live Spanish subtitles for Council meetings as well as for all
broadcasts on Anaheim TV. Before moving forward, he stated that staff is evaluating if the
equipment is an effective way to reach those who may prefer Spanish subtitles. Staff is currently
looking to implement in early 2024 and look forward to sharing updates of the progress.
In its 37th year, the 'We Give Thanks' event continued its tradition of providing Thanksgiving
meals to the Anaheim community. The Anaheim Convention Center and Aramark collaborated
to prepare a feast that included 288 turkeys, 2500 pounds of mashed potatoes, 2500 pounds of
vegetables, and more. The meal preparation effort was supported by 160 volunteers over two
days.
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City Manager Vanderpool invited everyone to experience the spirit of a traditional Victorian
Christmas at historic Founders' Park located at 400 N. West Street. It will take place on
December 2nd, 9th and January 6' from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Founders' Park will feature
Yuletide decorations in the Mother Colony and Woelke-Stoffel Houses, and docents dressed in
period garb sharing the holiday traditions popularized during the Victorian era. Visitors to the
Carriage House will learn how to size and wrap oranges, just as the packing house workers
prepared Valencia oranges for shipping to the east coast for Christmas. Families and other
groups are encouraged to participate in the Victorian Christmas Scavenger Hunt! This event is
free and open to the public.
The Community Services Department, in collaboration with the Nutcracker Committee, and the
Downtown Anaheim Association, are hosting the 29th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Celebration and Holiday Village on Sunday, December 3rd from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Center
Street Promenade will be transformed into a "Holiday Village" featuring family fun activities that
will include children's crafts booths, kids train rides, holiday crafters, festive entertainment, and
a visit from Santa himself! New this year, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be hosted
on the steps in front of City Hall beginning at 6:00 p.m. with the tree lighting program featuring
performances by the Anaheim Ballet, Anaheim High School Choir, and a holiday reading by
Santa. He stated he looks forward to seeing everyone in attendance at this cherished
community event.
At 8:02 p.m., Mayor/Chairperson Aitken recessed the Anaheim City Council, Anaheim Housing
and Public Improvements Authority, and Anaheim Housing Authority to address the Public
Financing Authority agenda. The Housing and Public Improvements Authority reconvened at
8:03 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR: At 8:03 p.m., the consent calendar was considered.
MOTION: Authority Member Faessel 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.
R100 4. RESOLUTION NO. AHPIA-2023-004 A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING
BOARD OF THE ANAHEIM HOUSING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORITY
amending the dates and times for regular meetings of the Authority for the 2023
calendar year and rescinding Resolution No. AHPIA-2023-003 (rescheduling the
meeting of December 19 to December 12, 2023).
R100 5. RESOLUTION NO. AHPIA-2023-005 A RESOLUTION OF THE GOVERNING
BOARD OF THE ANAHEIM HOUSING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORITY
establishing the dates and times for regular meetings of the Authority for the 2024
calendar year.
HPI188 6. Approve minutes of the Housing and Public Improvements Authority meeting of August
29, 2023.
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ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business to conduct, without objection, Chairperson Aitken adjourned the
meeting of the Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority at 8:04 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
QTre§i Bass, CIVIC
Secretary, Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority