Loading...
AHPIA-2024/05/21ANAHEIM HOUSING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS AUTHORITY REGULAR MEETING OF MAY 21, 2024 The Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority regular meeting of May 21, 2024 was called to order at 6:01 p.m. in the Council Chamber located at 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., in joint session with the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency, Anaheim Public Financing Authority, Anaheim Housing Authority, and the Anaheim City Council. The meeting notice, agenda, and related materials were duly posted on May 17, 2024. MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: Chairperson Ashleigh E. Aitken and Authority Members Norma Campos Kurtz, Jose Diaz, Carlos A. Leon, Natalie Rubalcava, Stephen Faessel, and Natalie Meeks City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and Secretary Theresa Bass ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDAS: No additions/deletions related to the Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items): No in -person speakers or electronically submitted public comments related to the Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority agenda. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS: Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tem Kurtz stated that at the Council meeting of May 7, there was a public comment regarding a meeting on April 13 with Disney consultant Joe Haupt that she did not add to her public calendar. She clarified that she attended a Disneyland Forward community meeting at Walnut Village and Mr. Haupt was in attendance, but she did not have a scheduled meeting with him. She highlighted the Ice Cream with a Cop event that she attended at Tocumbo Ice Cream and shared a photograph of the event. Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tem Kurtz thanked the Anaheim Police Department and volunteers who took the time to provide information to residents in attendance. She noted that Anaheim Police Department volunteers spend hundreds of hours visiting residents who are homebound, provide house checks for individuals on vacation, and provide information to residents regarding how to contact the Police Department or other City departments. Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tem Kurtz thanked all the children and parents who participated in the event. Authority Member/Council Member Diaz shared that his office will be hosting a Beach Boulevard Business Assistance Community meeting on Thursday, May 30, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the West Anaheim Youth Center. On Wednesday, June 5 at 7:00 p.m. the District 1 and District 2 Offices will be hosting a District Community Meeting at the Brookhurst Community Center. Authority Member/Council Member Faessel requested adjourning the City Council meeting in memory of three individuals. He shared that "Speed" Castillo was an Anaheim High School Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority Minutes of May 21, 2024 Page 2 of 4 District administrator, teacher, coach, and counselor. He was the Orange County liaison of officials for the CIF Southern Section. Speed Castillo will be fondly remembered by many Anaheim High School graduates. Jon Urbanchek was a longtime swimming coach at Anaheim High School, and then went on to become an Olympic swim coach. He was 87. Lastly, Marie Santangelo, a 50-year resident of District 5, was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who recently passed away. Her husband Ray, daughter Stephanie, and grandson Luke will miss her. Authority Member/Council Member Faessel highlighted and shared photographs of events he attended including the Mexico en el Corazon event at Pearson Park. He shared that Mexico's finest musical groups performed at the event at no cost to residents. He attended the Gun Buyback event at the Brookhurst Community Center. His wife Susan attended the Disney VoluntEARS book giveaway at Sunkist Elementary School. Authority Member/Council Member Faessel shared that he joined Congressman Lou Correa and Assemblymember Avelino Valencia at South Junior High School to celebrate all the community and parent volunteers. Authority Member/Council Member Faessel attended the Community Development Block Grant 50th Anniversary event at the Downtown Community Center. He thanked Housing and Community Development Director Grace Ruiz-Stepter and Deputy Director Sandra Lozeau for organizing the event. He also thanked all the non-profit organizations who were in attendance and do remarkable work in the community. Authority Member/Council Member Rubalcava thanked everyone who participated in the public comment process. She highlighted and shared photographs of events she attended in District 3 including the Children's Festival at Pearson Park hosted by Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center. There were a lot of groups who participated including Vibrant Minds, Green Bird, Anaheim Beautiful Teen Ambassadors, members of the Halloween Parade team, and the SWAT team. Her office hosted and funded a Teacher Appreciation Lunch at Anaheim High School. Lunch was served to over 300 teachers by El Polio Fino. Authority Member/Council Member Rubalcava thanked community leader Sofia Romero for hosting a community walk at Bush Street and Rose Street. She thanked Public Utilities General Manager Dukku Lee and Anaheim's Community Police Team including Sergeant Lopez and Officer Avila, for attending the event. Some of the issues discussed were graffiti, gang activity, and infrastructure challenges that will be fixed. She stated that a playground was built at Little People's Park, and she was grateful to work alongside so many people who truly love the City including City staff, Parks Commissioners and District 3 Representative Carlotta Rhea Clark, Authority Member/Council Member Meeks, Police Chief Armendariz, Community Police Team, and hundreds of volunteers who came together to create a safe space for kids to play, socialize and thrive. The playground features a zipline, two slides, swings, a climbing wall, see -saw, drums and chimes, and an educational panel where kids can learn sign language. Little People's Park was the site where the Chicano riots of 1978 occurred between the Anaheim Police Department and Mexican American residents. This conflict helped improve ties between the police and the neighborhood's Mexican American community. Since then, the City has come a long way and continues to celebrate Chicano history and value the relationship with law enforcement. She mentioned that last year the Anaheim City Council adopted August as Chicano Heritage Month. She noted that the Little People's Park playground sits alongside two iconic art murals including the 300-foot Chicano mural created in 2023 along the park's south edge and Emilio Vasquez's historic Chicano mural across the street at Sohan American Market. The playground is located at 220 West Elm Street and will officially open May 17. Authority Member/Council Member Rubalcava thanked Director of Community Services Sjany Larson -Cash and her team, CarMax Foundation, KABOOM!, and Anaheim Family YMCA because they were instrumental in ensuring that the playground was built in two days. She stated she would like to pause and honor a great life that was recently lost. Mr. Espiridion Castillo was best known by his nickname "Speed." He earned the name in high school when he ran the 400-yard dash in 50 seconds and Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority Minutes of May 21, 2024 Page 3 of 4 800 yards in two minutes and 10 seconds. Speed was born in New Mexico and grew up in Arizona, but he was a big part of Anaheim. Speed was best known as a longtime referee for Anaheim High School sports and as a security officer at Disneyland. He also served as a Personnel Commissioner with the Anaheim Union High School District. Speed was often there to help students who couldn't afford graduation expenses or with other help. He was recently inducted into the Anaheim High School Hall of Fame. He was a proud Air Force veteran who also served in the Korean War and with the Strategic Air Command. She requested adjourning the City Council meeting in memory of Speed Castillo. Authority Member/Council Member Leon shared that throughout the month of May, he has been recognizing graduating seniors across District 2 from Magnolia High School, Loara High School, Savanna High School, as well as the Brookhurst Project S.A.Y Program. He congratulated the 2024 graduating class for their exceptional dedication, hard work and perseverance throughout their academic journey. For District 2 residents living near Nutwood, he shared that he is continuing to meet with various stakeholders and trying to find a long-term solution for securing that area, especially by the railroad tracks between Crescent Avenue and Katella Avenue. He attended the Anaheim Car Club's Second Annual Car Show and presented the club with a certificate of recognition in honor of their events and hard work. He thanked the Anaheim Car Club for making the event possible and for bringing Chicano pride to the City of Anaheim. He also attended the Children's Art Festival at Pearson Park. He thanked the Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center as well as the City's Community Services team for organizing the event. He also thanked all the organizers, volunteers, performers, and attendees. Authority Member/Council Member Leon congratulated Bowl and Plate Eatery, the May Restaurant of the Month. They are located off Magnolia Avenue and Ball Road. Every dish tells a story of a 10-year friendship and love for Vietnamese and Thai cuisine. This is a great spot to indulge in a celebration of multicultural Asian food that will tantalize taste buds and leave individuals craving for more. He invited everyone to visit Bowl and Plate Eatery. He stated that he joins his colleagues in remembering Speed Castillo. He sent his thoughts and prayers to his daughter, family, and all who knew him. Chairperson/Mayor Aitken thanked Attorney General Rob Bonta and Supervisors Doug Chaffee and Vicente Sarmiento for hosting the Gun Buyback Program in the City of Anaheim. She noted that 337 firearms were voluntarily turned in by community members in exchange for gift cards. Firearms turned in included assault rifles, handguns, and homemade 3D-printed weapons. She thanked the Anaheim Police Department for leading the event with the help of other local Police Departments. Chairperson/Mayor Aitken stated that seeing so many community members turn in firearms to make their communities safer was a great way to start Mother's Day. She joined Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz and Authority Member/Council Member Leon in welcoming Mobility 21 at a reception honoring members of the California Transportation Commission, which was hosted at ARTIC. The group is dedicated to finding transportation solutions in Southern California and as the Chairperson/Mayor of Anaheim, member of SCAG, and OCTA Board Member, it was nice to welcome the California Transportation Commission to Anaheim. CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE: City Manager Vanderpool noted that the Anaheim Public Library will be launching this year's Summer Reading Program for all ages, "The Adventure Begins at Your Library," from May 28, 2024 to August 4, 2024. He invited everyone to join the fun. He shared that the Anaheim Public Library Communications Team beat out over 334 entries from across the country to receive the ALA PR Xchange Award in the External Communications category for their monthly Anaheim Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority Minutes of May 21, 2024 Page 4 of 4 Public Library e-Newsletter. He shared that Anaheim Public Utilities is hosting their annual OC Green Expo on June 8, 2024 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. along Center Street Promenade. Residents are invited to learn how to be more sustainable by reducing energy and water use, planting a shade tree, test driving a zero -emission vehicle, and recycling a -waste and organics. Join city departments, non -profits, and eco-friendly organizations at this free event. Please visit anaheim.net/greenexpo to register. At 7:03 p.m., Mayor/Chairperson Aitken recessed the Anaheim City Council, Anaheim Public Financing Authority, Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority, and Anaheim Housing Authority to address the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency agenda followed by the Anaheim Housing Public Financing Authority Agenda. The Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency and Anaheim Public Financing Authority were adjourned and the Housing and Public Improvements Authority was reconvened at 7:14 p.m. CONSENT CALENDAR: At 7:14 p.m., the consent calendar was considered. MOTION: Authority Member Leon 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 Vice -Chairperson Kurtz. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES — 7 (Chairperson Aitken and Authority Members Kurtz, Diaz, Leon, Rubalcava, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES — 0. Motion carried. R100 7. RESOLUTION NO. AHPIA-2024-002 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 2024 calendar year and rescinding Resolution No. AHPIA-2024-001 [rescheduling the meeting of August 6 to August 13, 2024; and the meeting of July 2 to July 23, 2024]. HP1188 8. Approve minutes of the Housing and Public Improvements Authority meeting of January 23, 2024. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, without objection, Chairperson Aitken adjourned the meeting of the Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority at 7:15 p.m. RespLVtfully submitted, Therese. Bass, CMC Secretary, Anaheim Housing and Public Improvements Authority