Anaheim : No Settlement Yet Between Angels, City

The California Angels and the City of Anaheim on Tuesday failed to end a handful of legal disputes that Angels officials say stand in the way of serious settlement talks in the $100-million lawsuit team officials filed against the city three years ago.

City and team representatives met until after midnight Monday working on a proposed settlement agreement, which was presented to the City Council on Tuesday. The council met in executive session for nearly four hours Tuesday but did not approve the agreement.

“Based on what happened today, it is a matter of finalizing some language,” city spokeswoman Sheri Erlewine said. “We are guardedly very optimistic. We’re real hopeful.”

“The lack of action today is a disappointment, but the information we have leads us to believe that the only request the city is now making is to have their outside counsel review the document,” said Michael Schreter, vice president of Golden West Baseball Co., the Angels’ parent company. “We are cautiously optimistic.”

In 1983, the Angels sued the city to halt development of the Stadium Center, a multimillion-dollar office complex planned for the stadium parking lot. The preliminary legal disputes that are near settlement include questions over advertising and revenues from television, concessions and outfield seats.

Angels and city representatives will meet again Thursday and plan to announce a decision on the settlement agreement Friday afternoon, Erlewine said.