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spent in advertising to bring people into the shopping center; <br />that there was no decent department store downtown; and that Santa <br />Ana must have major department stores to bring customers into down- <br />town. <br /> <br />Dr. Walter Flaherty, 1915 N. Flower, stated that there had been no <br />mention of federal funding; that it seemed like a grandiose plan; <br />and he questioned how much the program would cost and how it would <br />be funded. <br /> <br />Mayor Griset explained that the California Redevelopment Law made <br />it possible to freeze the assessments in a project area and that <br />when any increased assessments were made, the money would go to <br />the Redevelopment Agency and to the rejuvenation of the area which <br />is included in the project. <br /> <br />Joe Gilmaker, 308 W. 4th, read to Council excerpts from the California <br />Health and Safety Code, and stated that the free enterprise system <br />should accomplish redevelopment without government interference; <br />that the proposed ordinance was an open door to urban renewal; <br />that if the present Council did not start it, the succeeding one may; <br />that it meant condemnation of property and one private interest <br />over another; that it might be possible for taxpayers to become <br />responsible for the debts of the agency; that he felt Mrs. Boer's <br />statement about the Mayor's conflict of interest was well taken; <br />and that it was private enterprise that had made the City and County <br />great and that private enterprise should be given some encouragement. <br /> <br />Gertrude Rowland, 316 N. Van Ness, stated she and other residents <br />of the downtown area had worked hard to keep their property; that they <br />had fixed up their houses and paid their taxes; that she agreed <br />with Mr. Farber that when there were no major department stores <br />downtown, people will go elsewhere; that people risk getting a <br />parking ticket when they park downtown but could park all day in a <br />shopping center; and that she was very much against condemnation <br />and eminent domain. <br /> <br />Mrs. Boer stated that those opposing the redevelopment agency did <br />not have a chance at the meeting, but that they would take their <br />objections to Sacramento; that the implementing legislation was <br />never intended for application in Santa Ana; that a public hearing <br />should have been held in a large hall; that both sides should have <br />been presented; that a panic button was being pushed before the new <br />Council comes in; that the matter had been set just before Christmas <br />for the purpose of discouraging public interest; that many people <br />live in the City under the constant threat of condemnation; that <br />the commission to be established would end up owning the lease on <br />every piece of property in the area; that there had been no <br />petition signed by 20% of the affected owners; no certified mail to <br />people in the district;~that the ordinance would not be subject <br />to referendum if adopted; and that no member of the proposed agency <br />could be an elected official. <br /> <br />Councilman Patterson left the Council Chambers at 10:00 P.M. and <br />returned at 10:03 P.M. <br /> <br />Councilman Patterson's motion to close the public hearing was seconded <br />by Councilman Villa and failed on the following roll call vote: <br /> <br />AYES: <br />NOES: <br />ABSENT: <br /> <br />Patterson, Villa, Yamamoto <br />Evans Herrin, Griset, Markel <br />None <br /> <br />Prior to the vote, Councilman Herrin stated that he was opposed to <br />the motion and that he believed it was Council's responsibility to <br />hear any information that is available. <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL MINUTES <br /> <br />480 DECEMBER 18, 1972 <br /> <br /> <br />