Council delays debate on term limits

By Eleeza V. …, in 2005

The City Council on Tuesday delayed for one week the debate on setting term limits for board and commission members, as community members turned out to criticize the proposal. Mayor Curt Pringle said that Councilman Richard Chavez, who was absent because of an illness, asked that discussion be continued so that he could be present. The council previously voted 3-2 to ask City Attorney Jack White to draft an ordinance on the issue. Pringle and Chavez were joined by Councilman Tom Tait, who asked that such an ordinance be explored. Council members Shirley McCracken and Bob Hernandez voted against the proposal, saying that the council would do just as well if it removed those board and commission members it felt were no longer sewing the city well. Former councilwoman Miriam Kaywood asked the council to go back and take a second look at the proposal. "This is such an insult to the people who have been serving and serving well," she said. "If they're not doing their job all you have to do is say I move to remove this person ... and I know because I've done it. If someone is not serving the city well, then you should remove them." move members they don't feel are best serving the city. "We don't need new ideas. We've got ideas coming out the gazoo," he said. "What we need is intelligent people who must know the subject that they're addressing." Chamber of Commerce President Mike Neben also addressed the issue, saying that as a representative of the city's business community the chamber wants experienced commission members to be able to continue their service. "We favor talcing the political motives out of the selection and appointment process, holding the appointees accountable ... and removing those that are incapable of performing in a professional and unbiased manner," he said. The proposed ordinance would require any current board or commission members who are serving past two full four-year terms would be required to vacate their seats within 90 days. The city's guidelines for board and commission term limits would follow those set for council members - limiting members to two consecutive terms and forcing a two-year period off any boards before they can be reappointed. The limit would also prohibit members from more than one commission at a time, with the exception of ex-officio members who have to represent boards or commissions to other commissions. The ordinance would also count as one full service any two partial terms that equaled at least half a full term. In a separate ordinance, the council is also considering restructuring the Golf Course Advisory Commission, whose members have averaged more than 20 years each. The ordinance, if approved, would reduce the number of members from nine to five - though four only serve now. A parenthetical to the golf ordinance indicated that the city is moving toward dissolving the Anaheim Arts Council, replacing it with a Cultural Commission. The Arts Council, which was created by an ordinance in 1977, was always meant to be temporary. With the city's approval of a new cultural plan also came the suggestion to detach the Arts Council from the city and help it become its own nonprofit organization. The parameters of a Cultural Commission, which would be tasked with the goals laid out in the cultural plans, have not yet been hammered out, according to Community Services director Chris Jarvi. Council OKs permit parking on Clearbrook Residents of Clearbrook Lane secured guaranteed parking for their neighborhood Tuesday night when the City Council voted 4-0 to allow permit-only parking on the residential street from Webster Avenue to the end of the culdesac. Councilman Richard Chavez was absent from the meeting. All the residents of the street signed and delivered a petition to the city in November, seeking to form a resident-only parking area. The Planning Department supported their request and the Police Department agreed to patrol the street for violations. Here are other results from the Anaheim City Council meeting Tuesday night: STATE COLLEGE BOULEVARD Approved a $185,753 contract with R.J. Noble Co. for the State College Boulevard project, to conduct road way improvements between Orangethorpe Avenue and Via Burton Street. Approximately $100,000 in federal funds are set aside for the project. Approved, 4-0. Mayor Curt Pringle, Yes; Bob Hernandez, Yes; Richard Chavez, Absent; Shirley McCracken, Yes; Tom Tait, Yes. STATE COLLEGE AGREEMENT Approved the agency-state agreement to conduct improvements along State College Boulevard. The city applied for the funds to complete the project through the Orange County Transportation Authority, which obtained the funds through a state-administered program. BUS SHELTERS Approved extending an agreement with Viacom Outdoor, Inc. to continue maintenance services for bus shelters in the city on a month-to-month basis for eight months. The agreement also authorizes the staff to continue month-to-month agreements after the foregoing eight months. In 1994, the city entered into an eight-year agreement with Viacom. At the end of that contract, in October, the city solicited bids for a new service provider, but found none, sticking with Viacom. The agreement will generate about $13,000 each month for the city. VETERANS FUNDS Accept an award of $96,000 from the county's Board of Supervisors for the Workforce Investment Act Cost Reimbursements Agreement with the county for the Veteran's Employment Program Services. The state recently approved a request from the Anaheim and county workforce investment boards to develop a program, managed by the city's Workforce Development Division, serving 30 veterans through the Anaheim Workforce Center. THERAPEUTIC RECREATION CENTER Approved a one-year lease agreement with the YMCA of Orange County, authorizing it to use the Anaheim Therapeutic Recreation Center for a Saturday night class for developmentally disabled adults.. NEXT MEETING: 5 p.m. Tuesday. The City Council meets in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd.