Top issues on this week’s public meeting agendas include a vote in Santa Ana on eliminating a law aimed at reducing money’s influence in politics and cities planning how to spend federal money for the benefit of low-income residents.
On Monday, the Santa Ana City Council is set to decide whether to repeal one of the most stringent campaign finance laws in the county.
The 1996 law prohibits for three months City Council members accepting more than $250 from anyone with a financial interest in a council vote.
Repealing the law appears aimed at helping Councilwoman Michele Martinez, who is running for the Assembly. She recently took a $500 campaign contribution from a landscaping company two months after voting to approve a city contract with the firm, leading a local political watchdog to conclude that Martinez broke the city law.
The city’s staff report justifies repealing the restriction by arguing it’s not required by state law and “unfairly affects Santa Ana Council candidates” running for other positions.
Also this week, Newport Beach, Santa Ana and Westminster will hold public hearings on federal Community Development Block Grant funding for people with low or moderate incomes. Cities are given wide discretion on how to use the money, so long as it meets certain requirements and a priority is placed on benefiting impoverished residents.
And two cities, Newport Beach and Westminster, are poised to eliminate city ordinances banning the solicitation of business between pedestrians and occupants of vehicles. The decision comes after a similar law in Redondo Beach was struck down after day laborers took the issue to federal court.
Here’s a sample of items on this week’s agendas:
Santa Ana City Council, Monday, May 7, at 6 p.m.
- Repealing the city’s campaign finance law, which prohibits City Council members from receiving more than $250 from a person within three months after voting on an item in which that the person has a financial interest.
- Approve a $181,000 construction contract with Greenland Construction for the Plaza Santa Ana project.
- Public hearing on Community Development Block Grant funding.
Closed Session
- Workers’ compensation case: Robert Mendoza v. City of Santa Ana.
- Existing lawsuit: Santa Ana California Lodge v. City of Santa Ana.
- Labor negotiations with the Santa Ana Police Management Association.
Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, May 8, at 9:30 a.m.
- Increasing cost of contract by $325,000 with California Building Evaluation and Construction to replace generators at John Wayne Airport.
- Approving a $1.5-million three-year contract with Natures Image to manage plants at the Frank R. Bowerman and Santiago Canyon landfills.
Closed Session
- Workers’ compensation case: Elaine Webb v. County of Orange.
- Existing lawsuits in state court: County of Orange v. Eastcom Corp., etc., et al.; Eric Ocloo v. County of Orange, et al.; California Department of Finance and Dr. Jack Scott, Chancellor of the California Community Colleges v. Jan Grimes, in her official capacity as Interim Orange County Auditor-Controller.
- Existing federal lawsuits: Margaret Reed v. County of Orange; Jeffory Weaver v. County of Orange; Aaron Brady v. County of Orange.
- Property negotiations over 888 N. Main Street, Santa Ana.
- Labor negotiations with the Association of County Law Enforcement Management; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees; Alliance of Orange County Workers; International Union of Operating Engineers; Orange County Attorneys Association; Orange County Employees Association; and Orange County Managers Association.
Anaheim City Council, Tuesday, May 8, at 5 p.m.
- Public hearing on granting taxicab franchise licenses to Yellow Cab Company of Northern Orange County, California Yellow Cab and A White and Yellow Cab Inc.
- Approving $410,000 contract with the Psomas engineering firm to update the city’s sewer master plan for central Anaheim.
- For the third time increasing cost of consulting contract with KPMG for the ARTIC transportation project by $180,000.
Closed Session
- Anticipated litigation: claim by Michael Buss and another, unspecified case.
- Labor negotiations with the Anaheim Municipal Employees Association.
Costa Mesa City Council Study Session and Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.
- Update on 405 freeway improvement plans.
- Introduction of next fiscal year’s preliminary city budget.
Closed Session
- Labor negotiations with the Costa Mesa City Employee Association, Costa Mesa Firefighters Association, Costa Mesa Police Officers Association, Costa Mesa Police Management Association, Costa Mesa Fire Fighters Management Association and Costa Mesa Division Managers Association.
Huntington Beach City Council, Monday, May 7, at 6 p.m.
- Approving a city ordinance either completely banning the sale of dogs and cats at retail stores or allowing their sale only if obtained from a shelter, humane society or rescue organization.
- Public hearing on changing development impact fees to generate an estimated $20 million in added revenue to the city over the long term.
Closed Session
- Labor negotiations with Management Employees Organization.
- Potential lawsuits: Pacific Mobile Home Park v. City of Huntington Beach and another, unspecified case.
Newport Beach City Council, Tuesday, May 8, at 7 p.m.
- Repealing city ordinance prohibiting the solicitation of business between pedestrians and vehicle occupants. A similar law in Redondo Beach was struck down by a federal appeals court.
- Public hearing on significant amendments to this year’s and last year’s Community Development Block Grant funding plans.
- Public hearing on the coming fiscal year’s Community Development Block Grant funding plan.
- Creating a charter update commission.
Closed Session
- Negotiations with all labor associations.
Westminster City Council, Wednesday, May 9 at 7 p.m.
- Public hearing on the coming fiscal year’s plans for Community Development Block Grant funding and the HOME Investment Partnerships Act program.
- Repealing city ordinance prohibiting the solicitation of business between pedestrians and vehicle occupants. A similar law in Redondo Beach was struck down by a federal appeals court.