Topping this week’s public meeting agendas in Orange County is a long-awaited report by the Office of Independent Review regarding the Fullerton Police Department following the police beating death last year of transient Kelly Thomas.
Thomas’ death — and a published photo of his brutalized face after the assault — triggered a public outcry and a recall of some City Council members. District Attorney Tony Rackauckas has since filed a murder charge against one of the officers involved in the beating and a manslaughter charge against another.
A previous report by the firm detailed an internal affairs investigation into the Thomas death. That report has not been made public.
Meanwhile, the Anaheim City Council is scheduled to consider a rehearing of its taxi franchises.
Council members awarded 255 taxi permits to three companies, but at Councilwoman Kris Murray’s request, city leaders will consider revoking 50 permits from A Taxi Cab.
The awarding of taxi franchises in the city provides a window into the city’s politics. Former Mayor Curt Pringle, who is close to Murray, is the consultant for California Yellow Cab, which requested the rehearing.
And Greater Yellow Cab of Orange County President Larry Slagle is politically connected to the city’s power broking circles. Slagle was among those who controlled the political action group for Support Our Anaheim Resort, considered the primary campaign finance tool for the political establishment.
Slagle’s firm was awarded 155 of the permits in the initial hearing.
Other items highlighting this week’s public meeting agendas include:
Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 9:30 a.m.
- Amendment to the law enforcement contract with Stanton.
- An agreement to share in narcotics assets seizures.
- Agreements with HDR Architecture and TMAD Taylor & Gaines to design Immigration and Customs Enforcement office space at the Theo Lacy jail.
- Renewing and amending an agreement with James F. McConnell Jr. for federal advocacy.
Closed Session
- Appointing an interim CEO.
Santa Ana City Council, Monday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m., (Heritage Museum of Orange County Quilter’s Cottage)
- Federal liaison services agreement with The Ferguson Group.
- Relocation plan for the North Grand Avenue widening project between East First and East Fourth streets.
- Report on records retention and destruction policy.
Closed Session
- Performance review of City Clerk Maria Huizar.
Anaheim City Council, Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m.
- A five-year plan workshop for putting utilities underground (at 3:30 p.m.)
- Rehearing of the city’s taxi franchises.
- Recognized obligation payment schedule for the successor agency to the redevelopment agency.
- Emergency ordinance to levy a small property tax to pay off public bonds.
- A purchase order for emergency repair of the City Hall telephone system.
- A $1.7-million contract with Cal-City Construction Inc. for security enhancements at the Anaheim Convention Center.
- A $230,000 contract increase for C2 Reprographics to provide reprographics services to Public Works.
Costa Mesa City Council, Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.
- A “Civic Openness in Negotiations” ordinance that would require greater transparency in city officials’ dealings with public employee unions.
- Agreement with Merchants Landscape Services for parks and landscape maintenance.
- A report on the condition of city alleyways.
Huntington Beach City Council, Monday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
- Mayor Don Hansen’s proposal to establish a community foundation.
- Agreement with management employees, including increased retirement contributions.
- A $300,000 contract to outsource building plan review services to CSG Consultants Inc.
- Sewer services agreement with Midway Sanitary District for the proposed Vans Skate Park.
Fullerton City Council, Tuesday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m.
- Office of Independent Review report on the police department.
- Review of public records request procedures.
- Update on civil unrest in Anaheim.
- Update on the city’s infrastructure.
Closed Session
- Appointing a new police chief.