Councilman Hired as Director of New Hotel / Motel Assn.

Councilman Bob D. Simpson has been hired as executive director of a newly formed hotel and motel association and may be unable to vote on issues relating to the proposed Disneyland Resort because of conflict-of-interest laws.

Simpson, who accepted the $36,000, part-time position last week, said local hotel owners and managers asked him to head the Anaheim Area Hotel / Motel Assn. to represent the industry’s views on important tourism issues.

“They just wanted a stronger voice,” he said of the 40 hostelries that are expected to compose the association, including the Disneyland Hotel and some of the other bigger hotels in Anaheim. He said that the job eventually could become full-time.

“I am going to make a decision very shortly about that,” said Simpson, who had been retired.

City Atty. Jack L. White acknowledged that Simpson may have to refrain from voting on some items coming before the City Council because of potential conflicts of interest.

White said those may include the $3-billion Disneyland Resort, the Walt Disney Co.’s theme park named Westcot and hotel project which would be built next to Disneyland.

“It all depends on the issue,” White said. “We’ll have to determine it on a case-by-case basis.”

Simpson said he realizes there is a potential for conflict in a vote on the Disneyland Resort, but added, “Hopefully, that won’t occur.” He indicated he will be guided by the city attorney.

“You can rest assured that after 40 years in government, I don’t want to end my career in jail,” Simpson said.

White said the test of a conflict of interest is whether the City Council’s vote would materially or financially affect a councilman’s employer or would further “the expressed policies of his employer.”

While the impact of Simpson’s abstention from votes isn’t certain, the City Council has in the past voted unanimously in favor of items involving the Disneyland Resort.

One of the issues that surely will concern the association will be any proposed tax increase on hotel room stays. City officials confirmed this week that such a tax increase is part of the financial framework for the Disneyland Resort.

Simpson said that the hoteliers recognize “that Disney and the Westcot expansion are the economic engines that drive the entire industry” and that they are not necessarily opposed to the tax increase as long as it benefits the whole industry.

Simpson, the former fire chief and city manager in Anaheim, said he took the job to help the hotels establish their new group. “We just came to a meeting of the minds,” he explained.

He plans to work about 20 hours a week on association business and is starting by meeting with counterparts at other hotel associations in the Southland.