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05/27/2026 (Special)ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING OF MAY 27, 2026 The special meeting of May 27, 2026 was called to order at 2:30 P.M. in the Council Chamber of Anaheim City Hall, located at 200 South Anaheim Boulevard. The special meeting notice, agenda, and related material were duly posted on May 26, 2026. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Ashleigh E. Aitken and Council Members Carlos A. Leon, Ryan Balius, Natalie Rubalcava, Norma Campos Kurtz, Kristen M. Maahs, and Natalie Meeks STAFF PRESENT: Interim City Manager Greg Garcia, City Attorney Robert Fabela, and City Clerk Theresa Bass ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA: None PUBLIC COMMENTS: City Clerk Bass reported that there were no in -person speakers. City Clerk Bass reported one (1) public comment was received electronically prior to 2:00 p.m. [A final total of one (1) public comment was received electronically, distributed to the City Council, and made part of the official records]. — See Appendix. 2:30 P.M. - CITY COUNCIL — SPECIAL MEETING R100 1. RESOLUTION NO. 2026-054 T A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ratifying the proclamation of a local emergency issued on May 22, 2026 by the Acting Interim Director of Emergency Services of the City of Anaheim and finding that the conditions of peril that constitute the local emergency are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City of Anaheim [Local emergency caused by hazardous materials involving a chemical leak at an aerospace company in the City of Garden Grove near the intersection of Chapman Ave. and Western Ave., which threatened homes, residents and businesses in the City of Anaheim]. Provide direction to staff, as necessary, regarding the local emergency, including the possibility of continuing the proclamation of local emergency beyond May 29, 2026. Interim City Manager reported that on May 22, 2026, the City Manager's Office issued a proclamation of the existence of a local emergency, following a hazardous materials chemical leak at an aerospace facility in Garden Grove that threatened nearby homes, businesses, and areas within Anaheim. He explained that the proclamation was issued while the City Council was not in session and, under state law, required Council ratification to remain effective beyond seven days. He stated that the emergency conditions were beyond the City's normal resources at the time of the incident. He recommended ratification of the original proclamation; but did not recommend extending the local emergency beyond its scheduled expiration on May 29, 2026. DISCUSSION: Mayor Aitken commended City staff for their exceptional response to the hazardous materials incident, recognizing the professionalism, responsiveness, and compassion demonstrated throughout the emergency. She praised the coordinated efforts of City departments, including Community Services, Police, Fire, the Public Information Office, and emergency shelter staff, as well as partnerships with the school district, the Red Cross, and local businesses. She requested that the City Council Minutes of May 27, 2026 (Special Meeting) Page 2 of 6 City Manager convey the Council's appreciation to all City employees who assisted during the response. She inquired whether any additional Council action would be necessary to position the City to seek reimbursement for emergency response costs incurred by the City, businesses, and residents from the County or State. Deputy Fire Chief, Support Services Division Mike Byard explained that ratifying the local emergency proclamation is important to preserve the City's ability to pursue reimbursement for eligible emergency response costs. She stated that the proclamation supports efforts to recover costs associated with the emergency, including Emergency Operations Center activation and other eligible expenses incurred by the City and affected businesses through applicable state and federal assistance programs. Chief Communications Officer Mike Lyster reported that the City has begun evaluating potential assistance for affected businesses and residents by conducting an economic impact survey of approximately 150 businesses within Anaheim's evacuation zone. He explained that the survey will help document the extent of economic impacts and support requests for available county, state, and federal recovery resources. He added that the City has also committed to identifying assistance opportunities for affected residents as response efforts transition into the recovery phase. Council Member Balius stated that his home was located within the evacuation zone. He shared his personal experiences from the incident and expressed appreciation for the City's emergency response. He commended the coordinated efforts of City leadership and staff across numerous departments, including Police, Fire, Public Works, Utilities, Community Services, Economic Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, the City Clerk's Office, and the Emergency Operations Center, for their dedication throughout the holiday weekend. He recognized fellow Council Members for their presence at the evacuation shelter and thanked local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community volunteers for providing food, supplies, and other assistance to evacuees. He praised the community's collective response and the City's compassionate care for both residents and their pets during the emergency. He expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support provided by fellow Council Members, City staff, neighboring communities, and residents during the evacuation, noting that evacuees consistently praised the City's shelter operations and emergency response. He commended Community Services, the Fire Department, the Hazardous Materials Team, and Emergency Operations Center personnel for their dedication and professionalism throughout the incident. He requested that, following the emergency response, the Fire Department conduct a review of hazardous materials storage facilities within Anaheim to identify any similar risks and verify that appropriate safety systems are in place. He recognized the regional cooperation demonstrated during the incident and conveyed appreciation from the Mayor of Stanton for Anaheim's assistance to neighboring jurisdictions. Mayor Pro Tern Leon praised the City's response to the hazardous materials incident, stating that Anaheim staff demonstrated exceptional professionalism, compassion, and teamwork throughout the emergency. He recognized the efforts of all City departments, the Emergency Operations Center, and staff who worked extended hours to support affected residents and provide timely information. He specifically commended the rapid establishment of the evacuation shelter at Savanna High School and thanked the Anaheim Union High School District and school staff for their partnership. He acknowledged Council Member Balius, who was personally impacted by the evacuation while continuing to assist with the City's response. He requested that staff evaluate hazardous materials operations within Anaheim and return with draft letters or resolutions urging state and federal agencies to review regulations, oversight, and potential legislative changes to help prevent similar incidents. He thanked Anaheim residents for their patience and cooperation during the emergency. He also thanked first responders and emergency personnel from multiple agencies for their around- City Council Minutes of May 27, 2026 (Special Meeting) Page 3 of 6 the -clock efforts to identify the safest outcome for the incident. He commended Anaheim's response, highlighting the City's urgency, compassion, and professionalism, and expressed sincere gratitude to all staff, partner agencies, and community members who supported residents throughout the emergency. Council Member Maahs joined colleagues in expressing appreciation to City staff and all departments for their response to the emergency. She disclosed that she joined an emergency briefing conducted by the Emergency Operations Center by telephone over the weekend with other Council Members participating. She noted that the briefing was informational only, and that Council Members did not deliberate among themselves, and discussion did not include the emergency declaration before the Council. She inquired when the Council could expect a post -incident review to evaluate the City's response, identify communication gaps, and discuss opportunities for improvement. Chief Communications Officer Lyster reported that an after -action meeting was scheduled for the following morning to begin evaluating the City's emergency response. She explained that the review would assess both successes and areas for improvement, with a more comprehensive evaluation to occur over the coming days and weeks to identify lessons learned and strengthen the City's preparedness for future emergencies. Council Member Maahs thanked City staff for their emergency response and specifically recognized the Community Services Department for its work at the evacuation shelter. She noted having briefly visited the shelter but refrained from further involvement after recognizing potential Brown Act considerations. She thanked staff for providing accurate and timely public information through the City's social media. Council Member Rubalcava asked staff to clarify for the public the purpose of the emergency proclamation before the Council, including how ratification supports the City's ability to seek reimbursement for emergency response costs. She requested clarification on the circumstances under which the City Manager determined it was necessary to declare a local emergency. Interim City Manager Garcia explained that declaring a local emergency provided the City with additional legal authorities and operational tools necessary to respond quickly to the hazardous materials incident, including requesting mutual aid, obtaining emergency resources, activating personnel, protecting public safety, and preserving eligibility for potential state and federal reimbursement. He stated that the declaration was made after determining that the chemical release posed a significant threat to residents and property and after observing neighboring jurisdictions taking similar action. He explained that because emergency conditions had subsided and the City had taken the necessary steps to preserve reimbursement eligibility, staff was recommending ratification of the original declaration but not an extension of the local emergency beyond its scheduled expiration. In response to Council Member Rubalcava, Chief Communications Officer Lyster reported that approximately 6,152 Anaheim residents, representing about 2,000 households, and an estimated 150 businesses, including home -based businesses, were affected by the evacuation. He noted that the evacuation impacted a portion of West Anaheim from Friday through Monday evening. He added that normal City services, including trash collection and street sweeping, had resumed, and that the neighborhood had largely returned to normal operations despite the significant disruption experienced by residents and businesses. Council Member Rubalcava requested information regarding the City's emergency response costs, asking staff to provide estimated overtime hours by department —including Fire, Police, Public City Council Minutes of May 27, 2026 (Special Meeting) Page 4 of 6 Utilities, Public Works, and Community Services —and to identify any mandated employee overtime. She noted the additional demands placed on City resources during the holiday weekend and expressed interest in understanding the overall staffing impact of the emergency response. Fire Chief Patrick Russell provided preliminary estimates of the City's emergency response costs, reporting that approximately 324 personnel participated in the response. He reported that estimated costs included Fire with 16 personnel at approximately 1,292 hours for $196,296, Police with 169 personnel at approximately 2,037 hours for $252,000, Community Services with 97 personnel at approximately 1,309 hours for $125,000, and Public Works with 42 personnel at approximately 600 hours for $125,000. He noted that the total estimated personnel costs were approximately $698,435, with an additional $5,564 in supply costs, primarily for Community Services. He added that the figures were preliminary and would be refined as documentation was finalized for reimbursement. In response to Council Member Rubalcava, Chief Russell explained that Anaheim administers the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for most Orange County jurisdictions, overseeing hazardous materials storage regulations and compliance. He noted that Anaheim already conducts thorough inspections and has begun reviewing local hazardous materials storage facilities following the incident. He highlighted the significant role of Anaheim's Hazardous Materials Team, whose specialized response helped assess the damaged chemical tank, provide critical information to incident command, and support the development of a safer mitigation strategy that prevented a more serious release. He commended the team's expertise and noted its strong regional reputation in hazardous materials response. Council Member Rubalcava asked staff to clarify that affected Anaheim businesses would seek financial assistance through applicable state or federal disaster assistance programs, rather than from the City, and requested confirmation that the City is not responsible for compensating businesses for losses resulting from the incident. Interim City Manager Garcia confirmed that affected businesses would pursue available assistance through state and federal recovery programs rather than through the City. He added that the City's role is to assist businesses by connecting them with available resources, noting that the Economic Development Department has already begun outreach and recovery assistance efforts. In response to Council Member Rubalcava, Chief Communications Officer Lyster stated that there were no significant air quality impacts to Anaheim resulting from the hazardous materials incident and affirmed that residents, including those in previously evacuated areas, could safely resume normal daily activities. He confirmed that there were no public safety concerns affecting Anaheim's major attractions, businesses, or public venues. He acknowledged that misinformation circulated during the incident but emphasized that there was no major chemical spill or widespread air contamination, and that the public could rely on the information provided by the City throughout the emergency. Chief Russell reported that continuous air monitoring conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Orange County Health Care Agency, and regional hazardous materials teams detected no hazardous chemical release from the outset of the incident. He added that air quality monitoring continued around the clock throughout the emergency response. Council Member Rubalcava thanked City staff for their exceptional emergency response, emphasizing the importance of keeping residents informed and reassured throughout the incident. She expressed appreciation for the Public Information Office's efforts to provide timely and accurate updates to the community during the response. City Council Minutes of May 27, 2026 (Special Meeting) Page 5 of 6 Council Member Kurtz expressed sincere appreciation to Interim City Manager Garcia, Department Heads, and City employees for their outstanding response to the emergency, stating that their actions exemplified the "Anaheim Way." She thanked staff on behalf of residents and businesses and highlighted the dedication of City employees, noting that many volunteered to work during the holiday weekend, including some who had been evacuated from their own homes. She expressed pride in the City's workforce and community. Council Member Meeks echoed the appreciation expressed by her Council colleagues and commended City employees for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to public service during the emergency response. She stated that the City's response reflected Anaheim's culture of service and praised staff for stepping forward without hesitation to meet the community's needs. MOTON: Council Member Meeks moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. _2026-054 _ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ratifying the proclamation of a local emergency issued on May 22, 2026 by the Acting Interim Director of Emergency Services of the City of Anaheim and finding that the conditions of peril that constitute the local emergency are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City of Anaheim [Local emergency caused by hazardous materials involving a chemical leak at an aerospace company in the City of Garden Grove near the intersection of Chapman Ave. and Western Ave., which threatened homes, residents and businesses in the City of Anaheim], seconded by Mayor Aitken. DISCUSSION: Council Member Balius requested clarification regarding potential water contamination from the emergency response. Chief Russell confirmed that water runoff from the emergency response was monitored, controlled, and tested throughout the incident. He stated that measures were implemented to minimize stormwater impacts and that testing confirmed no contamination of the water runoff. Council Member Rubalcava commended the Police and Fire Departments for maintaining Citywide emergency response services during the incident, noting positive feedback from residents regarding prompt police response to unrelated incidents elsewhere in the City. She emphasized that public safety remained a priority throughout the emergency and thanked City employees for ensuring that resources continued to serve all neighborhoods while responding to the evacuation. MOTON: Council Member Meeks moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2026-054 _ A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM ratifying the proclamation of a local emergency issued on May 22, 2026 by the Acting Interim Director of Emergency Services of the City of Anaheim and finding that the conditions of peril that constitute the local emergency are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the City of Anaheim [Local emergency caused by hazardous materials involving a chemical leak at an aerospace company in the City of Garden Grove near the intersection of Chapman Ave. and Western Ave., which threatened homes, residents and businesses in the City of Anaheim], seconded by Mayor Aitken. ROLL CALL VOTE: AYES — 7 (Mayor Aitken and Council Members Leon, Balius, Rubalcava, Kurtz, Maahs, and Meeks); NOES — 0. Motion carried. Interim City Manager thanked City employees for their exceptional performance during the emergency, commending staff at all levels for their professionalism and dedication throughout the incident. He expressed appreciation to the City Council for its support, patience, and collaboration during the rapidly evolving response. He stated that staff would conduct a comprehensive after -action City Council Minutes of May 27, 2026 (Special Meeting) Page 6 of 6 review to identify lessons learned and opportunities for improvement and would report the findings and recommendations back to the Council for further discussion. ADJOURNMENT: With no further business before the Council, Mayor Aitken adjourned the City Council at 3:12 p.m. bmitted, CMC From: jodiemosley Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2026 5:31 PM To: Public Comment Subject: [EXTERNAL] Public comment Attachments: Screenshot_20260523_162947_Instagramjpg 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. Well it looks like your special meeting at 2pm forces you to actually think about west Anaheim for once. This was absolutely crazy, and I hope you put District 1 back on your radar again. We had enough worries before the Garden Grove danger. Please keep our west Anaheim in mind when making decisions, we need so much work on this west side. Thankyou. Sent from my Galaxy r w i r i T i'w a r �s f Fri K AVER SOUTH OF'+ rELLA .,. KATELLA . ow „ ti Nevy Golf' ulse I / d wr ii � a n ... Severe Damage LLEGE 7 s K EAST oderate Damage r w y C �x fl ` e M mh dAl 4W �. �� - r EETYlMI�lra,..:._ Y •