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2006/11/13 ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA CITY NOVEM BER 13, 2006 (Adjourned Regular Meeting of October 17,2006) The City Council of the City of Anaheim adjourned the October 17, 2006 Council meeting to Monday, November 13, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. At 3:00 p.m. on November 13,2006 a Notice of Adjournment was posted on the exterior door of the Anaheim Council Chambers announcing the meeting had been adjourned to 4:30 P.M. on that same date due to a lack of quorum. Mayor Pringle called the meeting to order at 4:35 P.M. PRESENT: Mayor Curt Pringle and Council Members Bob Hernandez and Harry Sidhu; Council Members Chavez and Galloway joined the meeting at the beginning of closed session. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Dave Morgan, City Attorney Jack White, and Acting City Clerk Catherine Godoy A copy of the agenda for the November 13th meeting was posted on November 9, 2006 at the City Hall exterior bulletin board. ADDITIONSIDELETIONS TO CLOSED SESSION: Mr. Jack White, City Attorney, announced there was one item to add to the closed session agenda related to Public Employment: City Clerk. Council Member Sidhu moved to add that item to the closed session based on a finding by the Council that there was a need to consider such matter at today's meeting which arose since the agenda was prepared and posted November 9th., seconded by Council Member Sidhu: Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Mayor Pringle, Council Members Hernandez and Sidhu. Noes - O. Absent: Council Members Chavez and Galloway. Motion Carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS: None At 4:38 P.M., Mayor Pringle recessed to closed session for the following items: CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Name of case: South Coast Cab Co. v. City of Anaheim, United States District Court Case No. SACV 99-416DOC. 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9) Case name unspecified: Disclosure would jeopardize service of process. 3. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT: City Clerk ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 2 At 5:02 P.M., Mayor Pringle reconvened the Council meeting. Invocation: Pastor Lynn Westover Flaa Salute: Council Member Chavez At 5:04 P.M., Mayor Pringle called to order the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency and Anaheim Housing Authority for a joint public comment session with the City Council. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO ANY OF THE AGENDAS: Staff requested item 24 be pulled from the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENTS (ALL MATTERS EXCEPT PUBLIC HEARINGS): Since several historic homes were being relocated on Center Street, Don Baldwin, resident, requested the historic monument that was dedicated to Center Street be returned to its original location of 50 years ago, 50 feet east of its current location and facing Center Street. Mayor Pringle asked staff to review this request. Bob Lewis, resident, expressed confusion regarding the no smoking sign for the main library as to whether it applied only to the entrance of the building or on the walkway to the entrance as well. Mayor Pringle remarked that with the City's continuing effort to modify the building and with the walkway redesign which he anticipated would also include other access to the building as well, the problem would most likely be solved; however, he would suggest staff look into how the sign was directed and other ways to insure visitors who enter the library not be deterred by smokers on the walkway. Frank Feldhaus, resident, announced the 12th annual Christmas tree lighting and nutcracker market place in downtown Anaheim scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. After providing details on the various types of entertainment to be available, he invited the community to participate as the International Peace Choir led a candlelight processional to the 50 foot Christmas tree. Thomas Holguin, spoke on behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Anaheim Union High School District regarding the proposed reduction in the number of police officers assigned to the 15 junior and senior high school campuses in Anaheim. Mr. Holguin understood the City's efforts to reduce response times for police assistance but felt it would be at the expense of the students, staff and community safety. He remarked on the support offered by regularly assigned police officers who were familiar with the campuses, the students and staff and requested the City reconsider the reduction of school assigned police officers. Mayor Pringle asked Police Chief John Welter to respond, addressing the Department's manpower assessment and prioritization for calls for service. Police Chief John Welter indicated that the Department command staff met every two years to look at strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the organization. In that two-day workshop, the department addressed the need to reduce the 9.5 minute response time to Priority 1 police calls, which he explained were calls requiring an officer to respond immediately, such as crimes in progress, felonies, shootings, and traffic accidents with injuries. One of the recommendations to accomplish this goal was to remove three police officers from the Safe Schools program, leaving ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 3 four officers remaining in the program. The recommendations also included moving 17 officers from other special assignments into patrol and together with the three officers from the Safe School program; those additional officers would enhance the patrol's response to Priority 1 calls. In addition, he stated, by moving these officers into patrol, they would continue to work with the schools as the Patrol Division gained more training and more responsibility for schools. Chief Welter emphasized if he thought removing some of the school-assigned police officers would pose a threat to the schools, he would not have considered taking this action, pointing out an average of 18 calls per day in the program versus seven school assigned officers was not an efficient use of those officers time. He discussed the various elements of the department's strategic plan and the history of the Safe School program. . Mr. Dave Morgan, City Manager, emphasized that in the 2.5 years since Chief Welter joined staff, the City Council had supported the net addition of 30 officers which allowed the department to now fill positions at a level that was authorized. Mayor Pringle remarked that as Chief Welter finalized the redeployment, he would like that information provided to Council to see how the system was working. Chief Welter concurred stating that the changes won't be made until mid-December and emphasizing if negative impacts arose or a consequence not expected occurred, officers could be redeployed into different assignments. He ended his response by stating this was his attempt to be more efficient and effective with the department's officers to provide better service to the community. Dorothy Rose, Executive Director of Orange County Symphony, announced that after the Orange County Symphony had been dark for two years, a regional orchestra was formed and the Anaheim community could now come and see their first annual holiday concert on December 3rd. More details were available on the website, www.ocsvmphonV.orQ. Scott Blank, resident, stated he had received a parking ticket on back to school night and asked for the lack of parking at many of the City's schools be addressed to eliminate this problem. He also stated the Police Department's countertops were not ADA compliant for wheel-chair users. Mayor Pringle referred Mr. Blank to Transportation Manager John Lower. At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Pringle recessed the Anaheim City Council and Anaheim Housing Authority to consider the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency agenda, reconvening the Council meeting at 5:33 P.M. CONSENT CALENDAR: Council Member Sidhu removed Item No. 18 for separate discussion and Mayor Pringle removed Item No's 13 and 27; Item No. 24 had been removed by staff. Council Member Sidhu moved approval of the balance of the Consent Calendar Items 7- 32, seconded by Council Member Chavez to waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and to approve the following in accordance with the reports, certifications and recommendations furnished each Council Member and as listed on the Consent Calendar. Roll Call vote: Ayes - 5; Mayor Pringle, Council Members: Chavez, Galloway, Hernandez, and Sidhu. Noes - O. Motion carried MOTION: SIC calendar. Waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and adopt the consent 7. Reject certain claims filed against the City. C118 ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 4 8. B105 9. C350 10. 4249 11. 4250 12. 4251 14. D175 15. D175 16. 4252 17. 4253 4254 19. D129 Receive and file meeting minutes of the Community Services Board meetings of September 14, 2006 and September 21, 2006, Senior Citizens Commission minutes of August 10, 2006 and September 14, 2006, the Public Utilities Board minutes of September 7,2006, and the Community Center Authority minutes of September 22, 2005 and February 23, 2006. Adopt an Environmental Negative Declaration for the intersection widening project at Kraemer Boulevard and La Palma Avenue. Award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, All American Asphalt, in the amount of $679,999 and approve and authorize the Finance Director to execute the Escrow Agreement pertaining to contract retentions for the Ball Road improvements from East Street to 800 feet west of Southern Pacific Railroad project. Award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Pro Tech Engineering Corporation, in the amount of $71 ,015 and approve and authorize the Finance Director to execute the Escrow Agreement pertaining to contract retentions for the Schweitzer Park lighting project. Award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, Creative Contractors, in the amount of $42,993.89 and approve and authorize the Finance Director to execute the Escrow Agreement pertaining to contract retentions for the Little People's Park play area improvements project. Approve an increase in the Department of Public Works FY 2006/07 appropriation by $600,000 for three consultant agreements to provide on-call construction inspection services on Capital Improvement Projects for private developments. Approve a decrease in the Department of Public Works FY 2006/07 capital budget by $1,000,000 and increase the Community Services Department FY 2006/07 budget by the same amount to purchase and install the furniture, shelving, and equipment necessary to operate the East Hills Branch Library. Accept the bid and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Artistic Maintenance Incorporated, in an amount not-to-exceed $108,240 for landscape maintenance services for the Anaheim Library properties for a two-year period with three one-year optional renewals; and authorize the Purchasing Agent to execute renewal options, all in accordance with Bid #6763. Waive the competitive bid process and authorize the Purchasing Agent to purchase additional global positioning system software, tracking devices, and annual maintenance agreements from GeoSpatial Technologies, Inc., in a not-to-exceed amount of $145,000 for the Public Works and Planning Departments; establish new, annual airtime agreements for the ongoing operation of all of the City's GPS tracking devices in the not-to-exceed amounts of $27,711 with Sprint Nextel and $57,841 with Cingular Wireless; and exercise annual renewal options for the airtime agreements, subject to the availability of budget appropriations each year. Adopt the amended City of Anaheim Hazardous Materials Area Plan as revised in July 2006. ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 5 20. 4257 21. 4255 22. D154 23. 3184.A 24. 2725.1 25. 4256 26. P124 28. D154.5 29. D154.1 30. D114 31. C280 Approve and authorize the Fire Chief to execute any actions and documents as may be necessary to accept a grant award from the County of Orange for the 2006 Emergency Management Performance Grant, and upon award and acceptance of such grant, authorize an increase of the Fire Department's FY 06/07 revenue and reduce the general fund draw in the amount of $31,198. Approve an agreement between the City of Anaheim and The Planning Center in an amount not to exceed $161,405 to provide environmental services. Authorize the Human Resources Director to execute agreements for the acquisition labor and services for temporary personnel. Approve and authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to execute an agreement with the Municipal Water District of Orange County to provide a Weather Based Irrigation Controller Rebates Program (SmarTimer Rebate Program) to single-family residential and commercial properties and homeowners associations in a not-to-exceed amount of $63,000. Approve and authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to execute an amendment to an agreement with Frey Environmental, Inc., to extend the term of the agreement for up to three years at a cost of $242,000 per year to continue environmental consulting services for remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater at the former gasoline station located at 3270 W. Lincoln Avenue. Approve and authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to execute a Railroad Wireline Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company for the wireline crossing of power and communication lines within Underground District No. 50-Euclid Street. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-234 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ACCEPTING CERTAIN DEEDS CONVEYING TO THE CITY OF ANAHEIM CERTAIN REAL PROPERTIES OR INTERESTS THEREIN. (City Deed Nos. 10982-10984,10986 and 10987) RESOLUTION NO. 2006-236 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM APPROVING A LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 47 AND THE CITY OF ANAHEIM. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-237 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM APPROVING A LETTER OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE ANAHEIM MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, GENERAL UNIT AND THE CITY OF ANAHEIM. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-238 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ESTABLISHING THE DAYS AND TIMES OF REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL. ORDINANCE NO. 6041 (ADOPTION) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AMENDING CHAPTER 18.52 OF TITLE 18 OF THE ANAHEIM MUNICIPAL CODE ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 6 RELATING TO DENSITY BONUS (ZONING CODE AMENDMENT 2006-00049). (Reintroduced on October 17,2006, Item 30) 32. Approve the regular City Council meeting minutes of October 17, 2006. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR: 13. Reject all bids submitted for the La Palma Park Play Area Improvements project. D150 Terry Lowe, Community Services Director, informed Council the bids had come in for the La Palma Park project significantly over budget and staff requested they be rejected at this time. This would allow time to take another look at the design and also try to secure additional funding for the project. He remarked that based on the neighborhood demographics, staff felt the project would be eligible for grant funds and that rebidding it at a later date might find the market more agreeable. Mayor Pringle remarked that 10 firms had responded to the City's bid, all of which were 30 percent or more over the City's estimate, and asked how long the bids were valid and what the cost was for bidders to submit. Mr. Lowe responded the bids were good for 90 days and the cost of submitting a bid varied and was subject to the complexity of the project. Mayor Pringle recommended not rejecting the bids at this time while staff sought additional funding or ways to modify the bid, rather than have the same bidders go through the same process at a later date. Mr. Morgan stated he would meet with staff along the lines suggested and see what was possible. Council Member Sidhu concurred with continuing the item, asking if detailed estimates had been performed and were detailed bids or just total project dollars submitted. Mr. Lowe replied that when staff developed drawings as was done in this case, a complete estimate of the costs was also done and in this case, and he was not sure how detailed the bids submitted were. Council Member Sidhu requested more information on the bid submittals and why the City's estimate was less than the bids received. Council Member Hernandez asked if there was a policy which the City had in place which allowed for accepting bids over the estimated cost. Mr. Morgan indicated there was no hard and fast rule on accepting bids but that judgment was applied in each individual case which related to the market place or if there was value in rebidding. He pointed out the City handled close to 1,000 bids this year and very few of those bids were under estimated. Council Member Hernandez concurred in continuing this item and not disregarding the bids received. With no objection received, Mayor Pringle continued the item to mid-January, 2007. 18. Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Subrecipient Agreement with the D155 North Orange County Regional Occupational Program to provide youth development services under the Workforce Investment Act. Elisa Stipkovich, Community Development Director, stated this item was a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process and that 15 proposals had been received. She explained five panelists had reviewed the proposals and recommending going with the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program to provide youth development services. ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 7 Council Member Sidhu remarked it was difficult to make a decision with no details provided other than the recommendation to approve. Ms. Stipkovich responded staff would provide an additional report regarding the process as well as some of the criteria used to select the organization. Ms. Stipkovich also indicated it was possible to postpone action on the item until the next Council meeting. With no objection received, Mayor Pringle continued this item to the next meeting. 27. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-235 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE D155 CITY OF ANAHEIM AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION ON BEHALF OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT FOR A WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT FIFTEEN PERCENT FUNDS-GROWTH INDUSTRIES JOB TRAINING PROJECT, AND, IF AWARDED, AUTHORIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF SUCH GRANT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY AND AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006-07 ACCORDINGLY. Elisa Stipkovich, Community Development Director, provided a brief staff report. She indicated there was funding available from the state and the City was asking approval to apply for funding earmarked specifically for workforce challenges in advanced manufacturing as it would help to assist people in that profession to gain other skills and additional job training. She explained that all funds were distributed to third party vendors, generally through competitive bids as proposals were submitted and recommendations were made through the Workforce Investment program. Mayor Pringle remarked he had requested this item be pulled for discussion to talk about a related matter. Specifically he was interested in discussing the City's direction in attracting high paying and highly skilled jobs in Anaheim, especially important in light of Boeing's reduction of 35,000 in the workforce. He added with Boeing looking to redesign their entire complex, he would like to see the City focus their energy on bringing together the private sector, the Workforce Investment Board, the school districts and community colleges to work towards the same goal in attracting long-term sustainable jobs to Anaheim to build up the economy for the long haul. He recommended approving this application but to prioritize where and how dollars were spent. He suggested having a workshop around the first of the year discussing with private and public sector partners on what to accomplish. He added, if the City was not proactive in this matter, the industrial space in the canyon area could be underutilized and the City would be missing out on an opportunity to increase the value of the city's workforce. Ms. Stipkovich responded staff would start to work on the request, remarking the Workforce Investment Board represented the types of entities the Mayor was discussing, both public and private, and that the board also worked in conjunction with economic development strategy. Council Member Hernandez spoke of the Business Education Alliance comprised of the chancellor from North Orange County Community College District, the chancellor from the North Orange County Regional Occupation Program, an assistant to the superintendent from the Anaheim Union High School District, the Workforce Investment Board and the Chamber of Commerce with the focus of identifying ways to increase the value and viability of the workforce in Anaheim by redirecting and capturing high school dropouts and directing them into a skills program where college becomes an option for them later on, and invited the Mayor to attend a meeting. Mayor Pringle accepted the invitation and emphasized he was not questioning the value of workforce training programs or ways to transition youths into developing skills but that he wanted ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 8 to ensure future job growth in the City, to develop new industries, new business clusters and new growth sectors, pointing out the City should start exploring what those jobs and industries would be and then take the next step through the public and private sector organizations as partners in making those goals happen rather than sitting back rather than letting it happen on its own. Mayor Pringle moved for approval of Item No. 27, second by Council Member Chavez. Roll call vote: Ayes - 5; Mayor Pringle, Council Members: Chavez, Galloway, Hernandez and Sidhu. Noes - O. Motion carried. 33. Consider appointing one member to the Budget Advisory Commission, term to expire June B105 30, 2007; one member to the Golf Advisory Commission, term to expire June 30, 2007; and one member of the Senior Citizen Commission, term to expire 30, 2008. APPOINTMENT: Budget Advisory Commission (unexpired term of Lee Nguyen) term to expire June 30, 2007 APPOINTMENT: Golf Advisory Commission (unexpired term of Tom Kresel) term to expire June 30, 2007 APPOINTMENT: Senior Citizen Commission (unexpired term of Ray Brooks) term to expire June 30, 2008 With no objection from the Council, Mayor Pringle continued all three appointments to the next agenda. 34. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-239 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE D175 CITY OF ANAHEIM (i) REISSUING A PROCLAMATION OF THE EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AS HERETOFORE PROCLAIMED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY SERVICES OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM AND RATIFIED BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2006-17, AND (ii) DETERMINING THAT THE NEED FOR CONTINUING THE LOCAL EMERGENCY EXISTS. Jack White, City Attorney, stated Item 34 was the monthly public report on the status of the Ramsgate land movement and was on the agenda to reissue the proclamation of local emergency as the City Council had not met within the last 21 days and in order to take advantage of the protections afforded by the State Local Emergency Services Act, Council was required to review the status or re-proclaim the emergency to take advantage of protection under the state law for the City. Since the last council meeting, Mr. White explained, the City contracted for the removal of the debris on the three properties which were declared public nuisances and that debris removal was anticipated to be completed by the end of this week. Council Member Galloway moved to approve the Resolution No 2005-239 of the City Council of the City of Anaheim reissuing a proclamation of the existence of a local emergency in the City of Anaheim as proclaimed by the Director of Emergency Services and determining that the need for continuing the local emergency existed, seconded by Council Member Hernandez. Roll call vote: ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 9 Ayes - 5; Mayor Pringle, Council Members: Chavez, Galloway, Hernandez and Sidhu. Noes - O. Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 35. This is a public hearing to consider the approval of a special permit to move four residential D155 structures from 1207 West Center Street, 1621 West Lincoln Avenue and 125 West Elm Street to Redevelopment Agency-owned land located at 120 West Water Street, 129 and 131 West Stueckle Avenue and on 1225 West Center Street in the City of Anaheim. RESOLUTION NO. 2006-240 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM APPROVING A SPECIAL PERMIT TO MOVE FOUR (4) RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES FROM 1207 WEST CENTER STREET, 1621 WEST LINCOLN AVENUE AND 125 WEST ELM STREET TO REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY- OWNED LAND LOCATED AT 120 WEST WATER STREET, 129 AND 131 WEST STUECKLE AVENUE AND ON 1225 WEST CENTER STREET IN THE CITY OF ANAHEIM. (This item continued from October 17, 2006 meeting for readvertising, Item 35) Elisa Stipkovich, Community Development Director, informed Council a public hearing was required when structures were moved, and this action was to approve the special permit allowing relocation of historic homes. Ten historic homes were being relocated to Redevelopment Agency- owned land. She added there had been an open meeting with the communities involved and no individual expressed concerns on the relocation of the homes and most comments received supported this action. Mayor Pringle opened the public hearing. Don Baldwin, resident, spoke in support of this action which would create a new historical district in the City. He stated he had talked earlier about relocating the Center Street monument to the site it had been placed 50 years ago and encouraged Council to consider that request. He also urged the City to take the opportunity to improve the landscape at that corner as well as part of the overall improvement efforts by the City. With no other comments offered, Mayor Pringle closed the hearing. Council Member Sidhu moved to approve the Resolution No. 2006-240 of the City Council of the City of Anaheim Approving a Special Permit to Move Four Residential Structures from 1207 West Center, 1621 West Lincoln Avenue, 125 West Elm Street to Redevelopment Agency owned land located at 120 West Water Street, 129 and 131 West Stueck Ie Avenue and on 1225 West Center Street in the City of Anaheim, second by Council Member Galloway. Roll call vote: Ayes - 5; Mayor Pringle, Council Members: Chavez, Galloway, Hernandez and Sidhu. Noes - O. Motion carried. Report on Closed Session Actions: None Council Communications: Council Member Hernandez expressed his condolences to the families of the five firefighters who lost their lives in a recent brushfire set by an arsonist. He spoke of the loss which impacted the fire service family in general. ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 10 Council Member Galloway remarked she had attend a Health Fair in the central part of Anaheim which provided resources and access to women and children regarding different health issues and congratulated the Zonta Club of Newport Harbor for coming to the City and sharing their expertise and resources. She also announced that the next day, she and Council Member Sidhu would be traveling to Mito, Japan to officially represent Anaheim in celebrating a 30-year sister city relationship. The City of Mito would be celebrating Anaheim with a 3-day festival and presenting a sculpture for to be located in one of the City's parks. She added Anaheim would also be presenting a western theme sculpture to the city of Mito in return. Council Member Sidhu remarked he was honored to be part of the Veteran's Day celebration last week. He also addressed the opportunity to travel to Mito, Japan to be part of the 30th anniversary celebration of the two cities relationship which encouraged a better understanding of the meaning of culture, diversity and community services. He wished all a happy Thanksgiving holiday announcing the We Give Thanks, Inc. and the Casa Garcia restaurant would be providing free thanksgiving dinners at the Honda Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and invited volunteers to help in that effort. Council Member Chavez discussed Police Department response times to Priority 1 calls and the need for a reduction in those times, thanking Chief Welter to taking this direction. He also mentioned that he would like to see the project on Elm Street, which was 100 percent affordable housing, to be considered at the next meeting. Council Member Chavez had also attended the memorial service on behalf of the City of Anaheim for the fallen firefighters, a service that was attended by 10-15,000 supportive firefighters from all over the country. He stated it was an honor to be there along with 12 firefighters from Anaheim but also emphasized the dangers in providing structure protection during a brushfire when erratic winds shifted. He also spoke of the huge effort on behalf of Frank Garcia and the We Give Thanks, Inc. organization to provide meals for underprivileged people on Thanksgiving Day, remarking volunteers or helping with supplies, would be appreciated. Mayor Pringle informed the community he and Council Member Galloway, along with others from Anaheim and Orange County Transit Authority visited Denver to gain a better understanding of the Denver Union Station which included rail lines, connectors and transit components developed through assistance by the private sector. As Anaheim was moving forward with the ARTIC station, which would be the future site of the largest transit center in Southern California, it commented it was valuable to find out how the Denver project came about and to review the site and plans. He discussed the recent election in which the voters passed Measure M with 69.4 percent of the vote, which put in place a foundation to develop the transportation structure for the county for the next 30 years. He pointed out the largest single highway project in Measure M out of the $5 billion available was the $1.5 billion SR91 improvements. He thanked the voters for taking that action. He also indicated that both charter amendments placed by Anaheim City Council on the ballot dealing with protection on the use of eminent domain in the City as well as protection for the expansion of gambling without a vote of the people passed 80.8 percent and 75.7 percent respectively. On a personal note, he thanked the voters for their kindness in reelecting him as Mayor and thanked Council Members Galloway and Sidhu and their spouses for representing Anaheim at the Sister City celebration. ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES November 13, 2006 - Page 11 Adjournment: At 6:33 p.m., Mayor Pringle adjourned the meeting in memory of his mother-in-law, Delight Nease, who passed away November 2nd. Re1dUIIY SUbm~t.t,~e~diY1 j , ^ 11JlJ;tt~;/,(flft Uerine Godov Acting City Clerk