Anaheim City Council members are expected to meet behind closed doors on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. to discuss the appointment of a new city manager. This deliberation comes roughly seven months after the resignation of the previous city manager, Jim Vanderpool, who stepped down earlier this year amidst questions regarding his close ties to resort interests that were investigated by FBI agents. The incoming city manager will take the helm of Orange County’s largest city, overseeing a nearly $2.6 billion annual budget.
Mr. Vanderpool served as the city’s top executive during the COVID-19 pandemic and was noted as one of the longest-serving city managers in Anaheim over the past 15 years. His tenure was previously acknowledged by some city council members for bringing consistency to the leadership role. However, his time in office was also significantly affected by a city hall corruption scandal. This scandal was initially brought to light by an FBI probe that became public in 2022 and was later amplified by the city’s own internal investigation into city hall operations.
Over the years, the scandal raised questions about whether Mr. Vanderpool and other top city officials prioritized the interests of Disneyland resort interests and developers over those of Anaheim residents. Mr. Vanderpool ultimately resigned in February following scrutiny regarding his failure to disclose a paid trip to Lake Havasu, sponsored by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. This trip occurred just as city officials were preparing to vote on the chamber-backed Angel Stadium deal in 2020, a deal that subsequently imploded due to the corruption scandal.
Approximately one month after Mr. Vanderpool’s resignation, city council members voted to engage a consulting firm to conduct a nationwide search for his successor. The individual chosen to succeed Mr. Vanderpool will assume their duties at a significant juncture for the city. Angels Owner Arte Moreno is anticipated to finalize an agreement early next year to sell his Major League Baseball team to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
These upcoming deliberations on a new city manager and the potential team sale occur as Anaheim residents continue to await the findings of an assessment regarding the condition of Angel Stadium. This assessment was initially approved four years ago, and its results could play a crucial role in any potential future negotiations concerning a stadium deal for the city.
