Council Tables Budget Vote a Week

Seeking to clarify its options for new parks, the City Council delayed approval of Anaheim’s $660-million annual budget for one week.

Although the budget would put $5 million toward the construction of several parks and the design of several others, it excluded several council pet projects such as a skateboard park, the revamping of Pearson Park and possible acquisition of Maag Ranch in Anaheim Hills. The council asked that Christopher Jarvi, director of the Community Services Department, report on the costs of those projects and outside funding sources.

Jarvi said Anaheim’s budget and the council members’ comments show a commitment to parks the likes of which the city has not seen for many years.

“For the past decade, there has been relatively little done in the way of park development,” Jarvi said. “We’re now seeing an era of renewed interest.”

Ross Park, a planned 5-acre park next to Betsy Ross Elementary School on Walnut Street; Deer Canyon Park, a natural park that will offer hiking, bike riding and horseback riding; and Vermont and George Washington parks, two small parks near downtown, should be completed by July 2001, he said.

The renewed interest stems from a vigorous economy and state and federal funding, Jarvi said. California voters passed a parks bond in March, giving Anaheim an additional $3.8 million. And Congress is considering allocating money for buying open space, Jarvi said.

In addition, the budget includes funding for designing a community center in west Anaheim, more than $2 million for remodeling the main library and $1.5 million for replacing cracked sidewalks.

Among the revenue is the city’s $12.6-million share of the Orange County bankruptcy settlement.

Also Tuesday, council members delayed approving a $447,000 consultants fee for a new clubhouse at the Anaheim Hills Golf Course. They asked staff to provide alternatives for the planned $6.2-million clubhouse. City staff say that the golf course’s existing clubhouse is too small for large tournaments and that plumbing and electrical systems are in need of major repair.

“We do need to move forward with improvements, but to decide we’re going to spend $6 million would not be prudent,” Mayor Tom Daly said.

One option would be to refurbish the existing clubhouse for about $2 million, said Jack Kudron, superintendent of parks and golf. Another would be to renovate the building, remodel the kitchen and add a banquet room, he said.

But Councilman Tom Tait questioned whether the clubhouse should be built at all. “This job is about setting priorities. I would prefer [spending money] on land for a new park.”

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988; Young Chang can be reached at (714) 520-2509