1977/02/0377-127
l~nagen~ent Control Center~ ~!4, So.uth Claudine Street, Anaheim, .~aliforni,'
COUNCIL MINUTES .-.. Feb.rusty 3.~ 1977~ 3:30 P. M.
The City Council of the City of Anaheim met in adjourned regular session.
PRESENT: COUNCIL }~MBERS: Kaywood (arrived 4:00 P. M.) Seymour, Roth, and
Thom
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS: Kott
PRESENT: ~AHEIM CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT: Harold Franzen, JoAnn Barnett,
Jerry Wood, Lewis Mote, Llewellyn Overholt and James Brier
ABSENT: Mmrtin Sklar
PRESENT: CITY MANAGER: William O. Talley
CITY ATTORNEY: William P. Hopkins
CITY CLERK: Linde D. Roberts
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Norman Priest
P~DE%~LOPMENT MANAGER: Bob Lyons
NEIGHBORHOOD PRESERVATION COORDINATOR: Gus Duran
COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER: Bill Vasquez
HOUSING COMMISSION: Bob Linn
REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION: Glenn Fry
COMiMUNITY SERVICES ADVISORY BOARD: Richard Verges
ANA~IEIM SAVINGS AND LOAN: Larry Ulvestad
~yor Thom called the meeting to order at 3:30 P. M. and advised that this
session was requested.by the Anaheim City Council as an informal informational
meeting with the Amaheim City School Board. He requested that Councilman' Seymour,
the originator of the motion calling this meeting at the January 4, 1977 adjourned
regular Council meeting, introduce the subject matter.
Councilman Seymour explained that the reason the Council wished this meeting
to present certain information to the School Board which would hopefully lead them
to some conclusions regarding the George Washington School. He reviewed the School
Board's decisions and actions which have resulted in the service level at the
George Washington School being currently at kindergarten through second year,
with third through sixth year students from the George ~shington School service
area being bussed to either Horace Mann or Loafs Elementary Schools.
Councilman Seymour commented that it is also his further understanding that enroll-
ment in George Washington School area has remained fairly constant despite the
fact that it hms been dropping in other portions of the School District and that
the School Board has given consideration to ~ropping grades one and two and
carrying on with a service level to meet the needs of a day school, nursery or
day care program. He stressed that the Council wished the School Board to be
presented with ~ome facts as to the City's current activiti~m and future plans
as they affect George Washington School, and which lead him personally to believe
that in order to further the City's Neighborhood Preservation Program, the
George Washington School services should not be deleted, but grade three through
six be reinstated. Further he indicated that the realignment of Lincoln Avenue
approved by the City Council on February 1, 1977 would also have an impact on the
George Washington School by effectively removing two classroomm or "wings" of the
school structure. The realignment would bring the roadway closer to the school,
both of which impacts should be evaluated. He stremsed that although the City
Council per se has not made any commitment, he is personally interested in seeing
77-128
~n~Kement Control Ceng.er,. 114 South C%aBd!na Street,i.?n~heim~ California
COUNCIL MINUTES ,..February ~ 1977, 3.:.30.~,M.
if the Council and the school district could not work together to the degree
of assistance with capital funding requirements or land to be obtained, in order
to continue operation, of a school facility for the George Washington School
service area.
Mr. Norman Priest gave an overview of the four programs underway in the field
of urban redevelopment, outlining the downtown project area which would ex-
perience the most dramatic attempt at revitalization and the fohr separate
but contiguous, target area~ located immediately north of Redevelopment Project
Alpha, generally running north to La Palma Avenue, between Anaheim Boulevard and
the railroad tracks, and including the Part Street area.
Mr. Gus Duran reviewed the Community Development Block Grant Program through
which the .City has received close to $3,000,000.00 and has applied these funds
to housing rehabilitation by low interest loans; housing repair grants to low
income families, 20 homes being repaired to date with 4 additional renovations
begun; and to the Youth Paint and Pickup Crew which has painted 27 homes mince
June, 1976. In the Public Works section of the Community Development Block
Grant program, the City is performing street and alley reconstruction; has
installed an improved water system and is ready to begin sidewalks, curbs and
gutters. Street lighting and electrical conversions to bring the electrical
distribution lines up to date is also planned. The Community Services section
of the program provides for crime prevention with an Officer assigned to the
target area and some funds toward historical preservation.
Mr. Norman Priest reported that within Project Alpha Plans there ara several
areas designated to remain residential which would be the subject of Neighbor-
hood Preservation Programs as just described, these being: (1) the area from the
Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad tracks to the George Washington School and
northerly of Chartres Street and realigned Lincoln Avenue; (2) the area ajacent
to Harbor Boulevard which will contain 700 new housing units, 1/2 of which would
be for family use and the remainder for senior citizens; (3) the area southerly
of existing Lincoln Avenue which would be served by a street tentatively called
"Center Street".
He analyzed the effect of Lincoln Avehue realignment on the George Washington
School would bethe loss of 2 "wings" of the existin~ school facilities. The
area adjacent to the Lincoln Avenue realignment could be buffered with green-
belt paths and pedestrian overcrossings. A recreational greenbelt is planned
for the property ~djacent to the railroad tracks and if rail service continues
at that location, a railroad underpass for Lincoln Avenue might be constructed.
He reviewed some of the commercial projects taking shape but noted that the
City Council's redirection in Project Alpha placed emphasis on preservation
of residential neighborhoods and while there would be some relocation of families
living in a~eas destined to be commercial, emphasis will be placed on good quality
housing. Relocated residents will be placed in neighborhoods as near to their
original homes within Project Alpha as possible.
77-129
b~naKement Control Ceq~.~r, .!1~ South..C!audina Street,. Anaheim,. California ~OUNCIL MI~UT~S, .-..~eb~qarv 3,.1977, 3:30.P.M.
Councilwoman Kaywood entered the meeting f~om the SCAG Executive Committee meet-
ing in Los Angeles (4:00 P.M.).
As far as the George Washington School is directly concerned, Mr. Priest ex-
plained that as the street realignment may affect the school, the Redevelopment
Agency would and should, at its expense, place the appropriate walls and barriers
to mitigate noise and create a safe school environment.
Councilman Seymour commented that a successful redevelopment process requires
commitment not only by the public agency but also the private sector and the
residents. He called upon Mr. Larry 51vestad of Anaheim Savings and Loan to
assess the ro]~e of the private sector in this process.
Mr. Ulvestad was optimistic about the speed with which the downtown Anaheim
neighborhoods are improving. He attributed this to economic, pressures, amenities
such as large trees, sizable rear yards, proximity to parks and schools; and.
renewed interest in the older architecture. Ail of these factors are combining
to attract young families back into these older neighborhoods. He explained that
the private firms would not be involved in programs in the downtown Anaheim
area unless they perceive a clear underlying demand by people, not governmentally
induced, for housing in the area. It has further been ascertained that the
private sector can make a reasonable profit helping families acquire these home
lending funds for reconstruction and finally placing a 30 year loan on the finish-
ed product. He noted there are a substantial number of people who want these older
homes and can pay market rate without subsidy, and that it is currently cheaper to
zemodel than to build new. The largest concern heard from these individuals is
that they are seeking stability in a neighborhood, they want to know that there
will be a continuing and constant program to maintain the area. The City of
Anaheim is currently perceived as being active in carrying out these tasks.
With regard to the George Washington School specifically, Mr. Ulvestad voiced
the opinion that restoration of school services at George Washington would serve
as the third leg of the neighborhood triangle. He explained that the closure of
that school would have a direct negative effect on the neighborhood because of
new regulations imposed on financial institutions removing certain rights to
make their own judgment about the desirability of a neighborhood and the safety
of lending in that area. Meant to undo "red l~ining'', these regulations have
caused lenders to look for specific physical factors to continue to'justify
non-participation in an area and the closure of a school is one of the factors
sought. It was his opinion that the complete closure of the school would be
devastating in its effect on preservation of the George Washington School service
area neighborhood and further would cause lenders to look at surrounding areas
to ascertain what impact this closure might have on those neighborhoods as well.
Therefore, p~. Ulvestad urged the School Board members to support the City and
private sector in these efforts on behalf of the residents.
Councilman Seymour requested cbmments from members of City Boards and Commissions
present. Mr. Bob Linn of the Housing Commission stated his support of the con-
tinuation of George Washington School as a teaching facility, noting that if there
is no local school this would discourage people from moving into the community.
He felt that the-continuation of George Uashington School is vital to the City's
redevelopment efforts.
77-130
Manaqe~ent Control Center, .114 South Cl~udina. S~ree.~, ~.paheim. CaltfqrniA
COUNCIL MINUTES - F.e.bruary 3, 1.~.7~,..3.~..30 .P., M,
~. Richard Verges, Chairman of the Community Services Advisory Board, com-
mented on the Board's Consideration of the George WaShington School facility
for use as a community center, noting that it would be an ideal location.
~.[r. Vargas concurred however that the Community Services Advisory Board does
feel the George Washington School attendance area needs a school facility, one
alternative being to purchase the current school plant for conversion to a
co~vanunity center and b?ilding a new school.
Councilman Seymour suggested that if the School Board and School Administration
recognize and share the serious concerns of the City regarding potential closure
of the George Washington School, that a study group be formed, made up of members'
of each body, School and City Staff, to look at the alternatives available for
resolution of the George Washington School problem.
In response to questions from the School Board, Mr. Priest explained that the
time frame for the Lincoln Avenue realignment is still general, as it is
yet in the design stage, but the earliest possible date would be late 1977. The
irapact on the school facility itself would be removal of one classroom and that
area being currently used as a library.
Mro Brier reported that the statements made relating to stability of enrollment
figures from the George Washington School attendance area is correct, and that
there are currently 144 students enrolled at the George Washington School with
approximate 78 students in grades 3 through 6 being bussed to other locations.
At the conclusion of discussion, Councilman Seymour inquired whether any of the
Council Members or School Board Members present would have any objections to
the task force approach he had suggested, the task force to be established on
a no-cormnitm~nts-made basis, with another joint meeting of both groups hopefully
to culminate a joint action.
No Council or School Board Members present indicated any opposition.
Councilman Seymour indicated that he would further like to see participation
on this task force by either the public directly or via the Community Services
Advisory Board, as well as the private sector, as he is firmly convinced success
requires the cooperation of all aspects of the community. He the~e~pon-re-
quested that Mr. Richard V~rgas and Mr. Larr~ Ulvestad either represent their
respective sectors of the community on the task force or see that an appropriate
representative is named.
MOTi____~: On motion by Councilman Seymour seconded by Councilwoman Kaywoo4
Council Members Seymour and Roth ~ere appointed to represent the Anaheim
City Council on the task force to evaluate George Washington School fa-
cility alternatives. Councilman Kott absent. MOTION CARRIED.
The Anaheim City School Board was also requested to designate two of
their members to serve on the task force.
ADJOU~IENT: Councilman Seymour moved to adjourn. Councilwoman Kaywood second-
ed the motion. Councilman Kott absent. MOTION CARRIED
Adjourned: 4:40 P. M.
LINDA D. ROBERTS, CITY CLERK