Two meeting of significant community interest are on the docket for Monday, February 13th.
Costa Mesa Charter Meeting
The final opportunity for additions to Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer’s proposal for a charter city ballot measure will occur tonight at a second Public Hearing.
The hearing is at 7 p.m. at Costa Mesa City Hall (77 Fair Drive). Residents and business owners can submit suggested changes on the city’s website (http://www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/charterForm.php).
The Voice of OC has more on the meeting here.
Anaheim Community Forum
In Anaheim a community forum, sponsored by KABC-TV, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at St. Anthony Claret Catholic Church, 1450 E. La Palma Ave. Planning f0r the forum began weeks ago, but in light of the City Council’s approval of a $158 million giveaway of future bed tax receipts to fund more than half of the project development costs, community activists plan to show up and discuss the giveaway. More on the story here.
I would like to post my remarks from tonights Anaheim town hall meeting here:
My name is John Santoianni. I’m an Anaheim City Commissioner.
We’ve been told that this hotel agreement will create jobs and act as an economic stimulus for the City of Anaheim.
I know that my brothers and sisters in the building trades are anxious to get back to work and that they’ve been devastated by this economic downturn.
Yet, under this hotel agreement some unknown entity has been given $158 million in subsidies, while under section 301(a), many construction workers may not see their first paycheck until 2016. Incentives should be given to put people to work now not four years from now.
Secondly, without a Project Labor Agreement, there’s no telling if union workers will ever be hired. And if they are, under section 604, they may not even get prevailing wages. Everyone hired for this or any other project, in this or any other city, deserves to earn a fair wage for a fair days work.
If all stakeholders were asked to work together then a good deal could have been reached. Sadly, we weren’t. So, now $158 million’s out the door, there’s no PLA, no community benefits agreement, and possibly no prevailing wage.
Is this fair? Is this just? Does this make any financial sense?
The answers are No, No, and No.
Thank you.