Several prominent business and political leaders in Anaheim will join Mayor Ashleigh Aitken’s advisory committee and lend their expertise in discussing reforms the city could take up following the recent release of an independent investigation into City Hall.
The eight members, several with roots in Anaheim, have business and political backgrounds. The committee will review the JL Group’s city-commissioned investigation and bring recommendations forward to the City Council, Aitken announced in a news release.
“I know my colleagues on the City Council will also have ideas and insights into how we can improve our processes and procedures,” Aitken said. “Together, we will chart a course toward a more honest and transparent government.”
Included on the mayor’s advisory committee are:
- Tom Daly, former Anaheim mayor and state assemblymember
- James Guziak, attorney and Santiago Geologic Hazard Abatement District board member
- Paul Kott, real estate agent and board member of Support Our Anaheim Resort
- Ed Lopez, North Orange County College District board president
- Bobby McDonald, OC Black Chamber of Commerce president
- Ryan Ruelas, Anaheim Elementary School District trustee
- Loretta Sanchez, former U.S. congresswoman
- Cynthia Ward, Orange County Cemetery District Board vice chair and a former councilmember policy aide
The committee’s first meeting is set to occur on Friday, Aug. 11, a few days before the City Council will have its next meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15 – its first since the investigation’s release. Included on the meeting’s agenda are several reforms Aitken said she asked city staff to include on the council’s agenda.
The most immediate reform the City Council could move forward with on Tuesday is a proposal to reduce the city manager’s signing authority to $100,000. If approved, contracts over that amount would need to get City Council approval. City Manager James Vanderpool told investigators that he didn’t want the signing authority…
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