Stadium Deal to Be Topic of Forum

The impending deal between Anaheim and Walt Disney Co. that would finalize Disney’s partial purchase of the California Angels and extend the baseball team’s lease at Anaheim Stadium will be the subject of a public forum Tuesday.

The deal, which includes a $100-million renovation of the Big A, was given tentative approval by a bitterly divided City Council on April 3 and is expected to be completed later this month.

Facing mounting pressure from some who have accused Anaheim leaders of attempting to railroad the deal through, the mayor announced Thursday that a “town hall”-style public forum on the topic will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Anaheim Convention Center.

“This meeting will give the citizens the opportunity to ask questions, and understand the basis of this important agreement,” Mayor Tom Daly said. “There will be a complete presentation of pertinent facts and figures.”

But some were not satisfied.

Councilman Bob Zemel had called for a more formal public hearing during a City Council meeting, with officials required to give several days notice of the meeting and to provide much documentation regarding the deal.

“This is not a public hearing or a chance for anyone to get anything on the public record,” Zemel said. “I think the public wanted time to digest” the tentative agreement.

Zemel’s feelings were echoed by those involved in the newly formed Anaheim Taxfighters Assn., led by the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon, who asked the council to put the baseball deal before the voters in November.

“The city should reconsider the date because there is inadequate notice to Anaheim residents,” said Sheldon, also head of the Anaheim-based Traditional Values Coalition, a conservative Christian group.

Daly defended the scheduling of the forum, saying it is best to hold it “at the earliest opportunity.”

Daly said the forum will provide residents with an overview of the city’s operation of Anaheim Stadium for the last 30 years. If the new lease is approved, Disney would run the stadium and pay for 70% of the renovation cost.

The city is using taxpayer funds to pay for its 30% portion--a prospect that has been strongly opposed by Zemel and Councilman Tom Tait, who have insisted that the city be assured of a direct way to earn back its stadium investment.

The forum will be in Meeting Room B at the Convention Center, across Katella Avenue from Disneyland. Parking will be free and those who will attend are advised to enter the facility from Katella.