Loading...
SA 2024/03/26SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO ANAHEIM REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 26, 2024 The Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency regular meeting of March 26, 2024 was called to order at 5:44 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 March 21, 2024. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Ashleigh E. Aitken and Agency Members Norma Campos Kurtz, Jose Diaz, Carlos A. Leon, Natalie Rubalcava, Stephen Faessel, and Natalie Meeks. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Jim Vanderpool, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and Secretary Theresa Bass ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDAS: No additions/deletions related to the Successor Agency agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items): No public comments offered related to the Successor Agency agenda. No electronically submitted public comments related to the Successor Agency agenda. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS: Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz highlighted and shared photographs of events in District 4. She thanked the Anaheim Public Utilities team who were out in the rain handing out dusk -to - dawn lights to residents. They set up in Joseph Gonzales's driveway in District 4. Joseph Gonzales is a Commissioner for the Housing and Community Development Commission. He noticed the copper was being stripped from lights in his neighborhood and he contacted the District 4 Office, Anaheim Public Utilities, and the Police Department. Anaheim Public Utilities went out and fixed the lights on several streets as quickly as possible. They also went around the neighborhood and noticed that the alleys were very dark and installed lights. Residents were very appreciative. Olive Street Elementary School located at the corner of Vermont Avenue and Olive Street recently had a walk through their neighborhood and several moms and teachers joined in walking the neighborhood. At various stops, residents would share what was going on in their neighborhood. The parent noted that the Police Officers who patrol the area are friendly and stop and say hello to the kids in the neighborhood which helps the kids feel safe walking to school. The parent shared that every six months the City of Anaheim hosts a neighborhood event to provide resources to residents, food, and books. Vice -Chairperson/ Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz thanked City departments who help make Anaheim neighborhoods safer to live in. Agency Member/Council Member Faessel requested adjourning the City Council meeting in memory of Andres Bonilla Pacheco who was involved in a traffic accident and passed away. Agency Member/Council Member Faessel shared that he joined Chairperson/Mayor Aitken and Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz at the Association of California Cities, Orange County Mayoral Roundtable. He was not able to attend the Alzheimer's 2024 Walk at Angel Stadium because he twisted his ankle, but his wife Susan joined Chairperson/Mayor Aitken in the rain for the walk. There was a great turnout despite the inclement weather. He thanked Anaheim Public Successor Agency Minutes of March 26, 2024 Page 2 of S Utilities for all the streetlight repairs in District 5 mainly in and around State College Avenue due to the copper thefts. Agency Member/Council Member Diaz thanked Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz and Agency Member/Council Member Faessel for recognizing Public Utilities. He noted that it is routine for Anaheim Public Utilities and Public Works to work in the rain, heat, weekends, birthdays, and holidays. He mentioned that while residents are safe in their homes, Public Works and Public Utilities are working in inclement weather unplugging drains and keeping the City safe. Agency Member/Council Member Diaz highlighted 011igo Grill located at 3240 Lincoln Avenue. He shared that the Korean American family immigrated from Korea and the owner's son grew up in Anaheim and loves Mexican food and that is why he created the Korean Mexican fusion menu at the restaurant. Agency Member/Council Member Diaz stated the food is delicious and he invited everyone to support the local business and immigrant community. Agency Member/Council Member Rubalcava highlighted and shared photographs of events she attended in District 3 including the first Neighborhood Watch meeting of 2024 in the Westmont Drive neighborhood. She thanked District 3 resident and Realtor Jackie Garibay for taking the lead working with neighbors, the District 3 Office, Public Utilities, Public Works, and the Anaheim Police Department to host Neighborhood Watch meetings. Ms. Garibay worked in collaboration with Public Works to install the Neighborhood Watch signs in her neighborhood. Public Utilities staff were also on hand to help the neighborhood with lighting initiatives and other ways to keep the neighborhood safe. District 3 hosted two Anaheim Mobile Family Resource Center events serving the Balsam and Catalpa neighborhoods. She thanked Neighborhood Services for leading the initiative, Code Enforcement for attending the events, the Anaheim Public Library for distributing books to all of the kids in these neighborhoods, Love Anaheim, Anaheim Family YMCA, OC Animal Care for providing dog and cat tags for the pets, Project Foodbox for providing fresh fruits and vegetables to Cal Optima recipients, Family Promise of OC for providing housing information, and District 3 Council Aides Daniel Hernandez and Melissa Cuevas. She noted that some of the major initiatives in both neighborhoods are speeding and the lack of parking. She stated that as a policymaker it is difficult to solve those issues as they currently are already established, but one of the things she promises the residents she represents is that she will work hard to prevent further congestion and other parking issues by collaborating with the Planning and Building Department and developers to hopefully include more or sufficient parking in neighborhoods. Agency Member/Council Member Rubalcava attended the Anaheim Family YMCA and City Church Egg Hunt at the Sports Complex. She loved seeing all the families enjoy themselves in the community. Pictures with the Easter Bunny were offered, there was lots of candy, and a little bit of Jesus at this event. She was grateful for City staff who braved the cold and rainy weather to serve and engage with the community. She gave a special shout out to Anaheim Public Utilities and shared that they now have hard hats for the kids and the Fire Department has competition. She also recognized Neighborhood Services, Anaheim Police Department Community Policing Team, and District 3 Council Aides for attending the event. Agency Member/Council Member Rubalcava shared that the Anaheim Police Department participated in the Baker to Vegas Race. The two teams made Anaheim proud. The open team ran their fastest since 1996 and finished seventh overall out of 258 teams, placed seventh out of 36 teams in the open division, and retained the title of Orange County's fastest -running team by beating the Orange County Sheriffs Department by five minutes and the Santa Ana Police Department by 40 minutes. The invitational mix team ran the fastest time ever placing eighth out of 36 teams. She congratulated the Anaheim Police Department's Baker to Vegas running teams. Agency Member/Council Member Rubalcava shared that her dad is a 41-year veteran of Anaheim Public Utilities. He was a Mainline Pipe Successor Agency Minutes of March 26, 2024 Page 3 of 5 Fitter, and he was one of those people always on call. She recognized Public Utilities employees who go above and beyond to make sure that the City's infrastructure is maintained. Agency Member/Council Member Leon thanked the Anaheim Public Utilities team for organizing the Community Resource Fair and EV Test Drive event at Savanna High School. There was a great turnout despite the rain and the team proved that nothing could dampen the dedication to sustainable living and community engagement. He congratulated all the community groups, organizers, volunteers, and residents that attended the Annual Easter Extravaganza at Maxwell Park. He thanked Nathan Zug, Love Anaheim, Sandals Church, Magnolia Baptist, and everyone who helped organize the fun event in West Anaheim. Agency Member/Council Member Leon highlighted and shared photographs of Atticus Cafe, the March Restaurant of the Month. Atticus Cafe Atticus Cafe is a woman -owned breakfast restaurant located off Magnolia Avenue. The owner Chef Yara serves delicious comfort brunch and vegan items. They have chilaquiles, cafe de olla, pancakes, and a lot more options including a lot of protein -packed meals for any gym and fitness enthusiast out there. Chef Yara also happened to be celebrating her birthday and he wished her a happy birthday again and thanked her for adding flavor to the community one delicious meal at a time. Vice -Chairperson/ Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz mentioned that former Senator Joseph Dunn accepted the Cesar Chavez recognition on behalf of the family because he was close to them. He walked with the Chavez family and Dolores Huerta from Merced to Sacramento, along with his two young children. On the second march that the farmworkers had, Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz was honored to join them and that is why UFW and the Chavez family mean a lot to both former Senator Dunn and Vice-Chairperson/Mayor Pro Tern Kurtz. Chairperson/Mayor Aitken highlighted and shared photographs of events she attended including the Boys and Girls Club Annual Gala. She stated the Boys and Girls Club put on a wonderful event and the kids were a joy to be around. She stated that Agency Member/Council Member Leon joined her bright and early for the Alzheimer's Walk and it was a rainy day from start to finish. After that event, she headed over to the Community Resources Fair and then the District 2 Easter Eggstravaganza. She was invited by the Iranian American community to the Nowruz Festival in Irvine, and she wished everyone celebrating a Happy New Year. Chairperson/Mayor Aitken thanked the Anaheim Police Department for attending a District 6 event at a senior facility to speak about crime fraud, credit card fraud, phone fraud, and all the different things that can get individuals in trouble on the internet. The event was hosted by Community Services Board Chair Linda Barnett. CITY MANAGER'S UPDATE: City Manager Vanderpool shared that the Anaheim Police Department is finalizing its 2023 annual report. He displayed the report and shared that crime in Anaheim was down 6 percent last year from 2022. The most serious crimes, including murders, rapes and assaults, declined by 4 percent. Thefts, burglaries and other property crimes fell 12 percent. There were eight homicides in 2023. While that is eight too many, that was down 20 percent from 2022. There were 16 percent fewer traffic fatalities than in 2022. The Police Department handled more than 196,000 incidents in 2023. Response times for the community are also moving in the right direction. Priority 1 calls, the most serious calls with immediate threat to life, saw a response time of 6 minutes and 42 seconds, down 10 percent. Other priority calls also saw significantly quicker responses. The annual report is being finalized with statistics undergoing reconciliation with federal Department of Justice standards. Successor Agency Minutes of March 26, 2024 Page 4 of 5 He highlighted the Natural Products convention which brought more than 65,000 people to Anaheim and was the largest trade show at the Convention Center since reopening after the pandemic closure. The healthy food and lifestyle show included more than 3,300 exhibitors and saw 140,000 pounds of food donated to Orange County's food bank, Second Harvest. He shared that the new Anaheim Youth Advisory Council held its first meeting last week. The Youth Council is made up of 18 students, representing all six districts. They are ready to offer invaluable support and guidance to City staff, providing input on youth programs, projects, events, and initiatives. In April, the Youth Council will take on its first project helping the Anaheim Community Foundation to promote the Youth and Family Needs Assessment Survey. He further shared that Anaheim's Economic Development Department was part of a recent trade delegation to South Korea to promote ties between Anaheim and a major partner in trade and visitors. The visit, led by the Small Business Development Center, is one of three Anaheim engagements with South Korea. In October, Anaheim hosted the World Korean Business Convention at the Anaheim Convention Center, the first time the trade show was held outside South Korea. He welcomed to City Hall a planning delegation from the largest province in South Korea. At 6:53 p.m., Mayor/Chairperson Aitken recessed the Anaheim City Council to address the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency agenda. CONSENT CALENDAR: At 6:53 p.m., the Consent Calendar was considered with Agency Member Meeks pulling Item No. 1 for separate discussion and consideration. MOTION: Agency Member Faessel moved to approve Item No. 2 as presented, in accordance with reports, certifications, and recommendations furnished each agency member and as listed on the consent calendar, seconded by Agency Member Leon. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES — 7 (Chairperson Aitken and Agency Members Kurtz, Diaz, Leon, Rubalcava, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES — 0. Motion carried. SA162 2. Approve minutes of the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency meeting of July 11, 2023. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR: AGR-8479.81. Approve the Eighth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Tetra Tech BAS, Inc., increasing the maximum compensation by $11,900,000 from $29,809,661 to $41,709,661, to operate, monitor and maintain the landfill gas extraction and treatment system; authorize the Executive Director of the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency, or designee, to execute and administer the amendment; and increase the Economic Development Department Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget by $11,900,000 in Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Funds. DISCUSSION: Agency Member Meeks highlighted the project and the clean-up services at the site. She requested if the item returns to the Agency that it includes an updated status on the project and future utilization of the property. Successor Agency Minutes of March 26, 2024 Page 5 of 5 Executive Director of the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency Sergio Ramirez clarified staff is working to develop the subject property and a remedial action plan was approved by several agencies. Property Development Manager Stephen Stoewer added that in 2021, methane release was detected at the Davis Mud Pit. He noted the City investigated the release and a remedial action plan was composed, and a clean closure activity on the Davis Mud Pit portion. The action allows for the removal of the Davis Mud Pit mud, continuing clean closure activity, and required operations. He confirmed the majority of the funds of the contract are devoted to remediation. In response to Agency Member Meeks, Property Development Manager Stoewer detailed the Davis, Sparks, Anderson, and Rains mud pits. He confirmed there were no new methane releases and there is an active landfill gas remediation system around the other three mud pits. He noted the City can install a new landfill gas system for the Davis Mud Pit, delaying the project by four to five years, or remove the mud pit. Agency Member Diaz noted the cost of construction will be lower following the removal of the mud. He highlighted the project and its benefit to the West Anaheim community. In response to City Manager Vanderpool, Executive Director Ramirez clarified the funding source is not from the General Fund. The project will be funded through Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Funds allocated by the State. He added if costs increase, the City can request additional funding. In response to Agency Member Faessel, Project Manager Stoewer confirmed the estimated amount for removal is approximately three (3) acres, 15 to 30 feet deep. MOTION: Agency Member Meeks moved to approve the Eighth Amendment to Professional Services Agreement with Tetra Tech BAS, Inc., increasing the maximum compensation by $11,900,000 from $29,809,661 to $41,709,661, to operate, monitor and maintain the landfill gas extraction and treatment system; authorize the Executive Director of the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency, or designee, to execute and administer the amendment; and increase the Economic Development Department Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget by $11,900,000 in Redevelopment Property Tax Trust Funds, seconded by Vice -Chairperson Kurtz. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES — 7 (Chairperson Aitken and Agency Members Kurtz, Diaz, Leon, Rubalcava, Faessel, and Meeks); NOES — 0. Motion carried. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business to conduct, without objection, Chairperson Aitken adjourned the meeting of the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency at 7:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, 'o 4eesa Bass, CMC Secretary to the Successor Agency to the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency