Topping this week’s actions in local government, Anaheim leaders react to a report recommending that residents vote on council districts, and cities plan next year’s budgets.
The Anaheim City Council is set Tuesday to formally receive the final report of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Elections and Community Involvement, which recommended that the council approve a ballot measure asking voters whether they want district elections for the City Council.
The committee, which was formed after the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit alleging that the current at large voting system disenfranchises Latino residents, made its suggestion after seven months of deliberations, testimony from experts and comments from dozens of residents.
Other recommendations by the panel included: increasing the size of the council – not including the mayor – from four members to six or eight; translation into Spanish during City Council and community meetings; and holding six to 12 community meetings per year.
Elsewhere, several cities are holding budget discussions this week: Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Newport Beach, Buena Park and Placentia.
The workshops provide an opportunity for the public to weigh in on their city’s spending plans and on the balance among public safety, community services, infrastructure improvements and other priorities.
Fountain Valley City Council members are slated to interview candidates for city manager Wednesday morning.
Here’s a rundown of what’s up for debate this week across Orange County:
Anaheim City Council, Tuesday, May 28, at 5 p.m.
- Receive and file advisory committee’s report on City Council elections.
- Consulting agreement with Integrated Performance Consultants for contract operations and maintenance services for the water recycling and demonstration plant.
- Increasing the Cummins & White interim city attorney services contract amount by $30,000.
- Rejecting all bids for the Olive Street 16-inch water main replacement project.
Santa Ana City Council Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, at 5 p.m.
- Follow-up study session on the 2013-14 and 2014-15 budgets.
Closed Session
- City manager performance evaluation and appointment.
- Negotiations with the city’s service employees and police officers bargaining groups.
Irvine City Council Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, at 4 p.m.
- Approval of the 2013 consulting team.
Garden Grove City Council, Tuesday, May 28, at 5:30 p.m.
- Approving an amendment to the city’s development agreement with Newage Garden Grove for the development of the Sheraton Hotel on Harbor Boulevard.
- Amending the city’s general plan housing element for the period 2014 to 2021.
- Approving a revised Housing Authority administrative plan.
- Awarding a $165,000, two-year contract to Turbo Data Systems, Inc. for parking citation processing services.
Orange City Council, Tuesday, May 28, at 4:30 p.m.
- Presentation by Southern California Edison on summer readiness in view of the expected continued shutdown of the San Onofre nuclear power plant.
- Extending employment contract with City Manager John Sibley by one year at a base salary of $213,000.
Costa Mesa City Council Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, at 4:30 p.m.
- Study session on fiscal year 2013-2014 preliminary operating and capital improvement budgets.
Newport Beach City Council Special Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, at 3 p.m.
- Study session on fiscal year 2013-14 budget and updates on current-year budget.
Newport Beach City Council Regular Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, at 7 p.m.
- Awarding a $133,000 contract to Alta Planning + Design of Los Angeles, California to create a bicycle master plan.
- Scheduling a public hearing on the fiscal year 2014 budget for June 11.
- Disestablishing the Central Balboa Business Improvement District (also known as the Balboa Village Business Improvement District).
Buena Park City Council, Tuesday, May 28, at 5 p.m.
- Fiscal year 2013-2014 budget review.
- Receiving an update on general plan implementation.
- Awarding a contract to CARE Ambulance for the city’s medical emergency transport services.
San Clemente City Council, Wednesday, May 29, at 6 p.m.
- Receiving a presentation on the draft centennial general plan.
- Receiving a presentation on the conflict between preservation of trees on public land and the preservation of private ocean views.
Fountain Valley City Council Special Meeting, Wednesday, May 29, at 8 p.m.
Closed Session
- Interviews of city manger candidates.
Placentia City Council, Tuesday, May 28, at 6 p.m.
- Presentation on preliminary operation and capital improvement budgets for fiscal year 2013-2014.
Seal Beach City Council, Wednesday, May 29, at 7 p.m.
- Declaring an emergency at the restaurant building on the Seal Beach Pier in order to grant repair contracts without advertising for bids and authorizing a $100,000 budget adjustment for the repairs.
- Amending the Boeing Integrated Defense Systems Specific Plan.
Introducing an ordinance regarding emergency shelters. - Accepting resignation of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Graham McAllister and advertise the opening.
Closed Session
- Discussion of lawsuit City of Seal Beach v. Ruby’s Diner.
Adam Elmahrek and Brendan Wiles contributed to this report.
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.