General (39)
Susana Barrios
From:Stephanie Mercadante <burglin.stephanie@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 5, 2026 6:36 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] On Behalf of Marc Herbert
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
For public comment on May 05, 2026:
Good evening, Mayor and Council Members,
(Submitted written copies of Brown Act Violations to Mayor, Council, and City Attorney).
At the last Council meeting, the Mayor repeatedly interrupted my public comments in a manner that
violated the Brown Act.
The effect was to suppress the discussion of contaminants in the drinking water of the Hermosa village
and Anaheim residents. This was a health and safety issue that the public has a right to address without
interference.
This isn’t the first time there have been Brown Act concerns: At the Nov. 18th City Council Meeting, I
raised 6 Brown Act violations during Public Comments and submitted them in writing to the Mayor,
Council, and City Attorney as well. I reminded them again of these Violations at the Jan. 13th, 2026
Council Meeting. Today, almost 6 months later, I’m still waiting for a response.
When Public Comments are interrupted, and when concerns go unanswered, it sends a message—not
just to residents, but to City employees: Stay quiet. Don’t raise questions. Don’t challenge what’s
happening.
This is the message employees in the Public Utilities Department are now hearing.
The previous speaker outlined the requirements of California’s “Call Before You Dig” law—and those
requirements exist for a reason: Safety. Safety for the workers, as well as Anaheim residents.
There are documented concerns of employees being directed by their supervisors not to follow “Call
Before You Dig” and other safety requirements.
More concerning, employees report they are directed not to speak to their union representative. If they
attempt to contact their union representative, they are harassed, isolated, demoted, or terminated for
trying to protect themselves and protect residents.
The consequences are real. Multiple incidents have already occurred.
1) Gas lines have been struck.
1
2) An employee caught on fire.
3) Another suffered a severe, life-altering injury.
This is a leadership issue. Patterns like these cannot exist without being tolerated by those in positions of
authority.
The responsibility for health and safety in Anaheim accountability goes beyond the city’s frontline
supervisors.
It extends to the Mayor, this Council, the City Manager, the City Attorney, and Human Resources, who
are responsible for oversight and enforcement.
Unfortunately, based on the Mayor’s suppression of public comments and the Council’s silence on
serious issues, the City’s message is loud and clear: Take care of our friends, protect our careers
(period).
This must change… or it will change in November.
2