November 2022

Andy's Updates shares news about the Anaheim community. We're bringing you November's edition early to celebrate the Halloween parade's return and details about ways to vote in the Nov. 8 election

This month's issue includes:

Halloween parade is back!
Voting: how to mail, drop off ballots or vote in person
Measure J: a look at the measure just for Anaheim voters
Latest from Anaheim Public Utilities

Find more about the city of Anaheim at Anaheim.net.

Halloween parade's big return!

The Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade makes its eagerly awaited return this weekend.

After modified events for the past two pandemic years, the parade and festival return in all their glory on Saturday, Oct. 29.

The parade, which dates back to 1924, is a labor of love for dedicated, creative and talented community volunteers. The history, creativity, talent, people and community bonding make the return of this time-honored event so special.

The professional-caliber floats harken back to the early days of the parade and feature Andy Anaheim ― our city’s official mascot ― and the always fun Rocket Witch, a replica of a float from the 1951 parade.

Leading up to the nighttime parade, the fall festival on Center Street Promenade will fill the day with old-time games such as apple bobbing and crafts for kids. There will also be kid and pet costume contests, entertainment and food vendors.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. with a new route. It will begin at Anaheim Boulevard and Broadway, travel west down Center Street Promenade to Harbor Boulevard, south on Harbor to Broadway, then west on Broadway to Manchester Avenue, where the parade ends.

A new float to look for: a Dia de los Muertos-themed float of a beloved great grandmother, appropriately named Bisabuela.

This year’s new Home Town Hero float will resemble a 1920s-era coach car with eyes for lights and decorated in Halloween colors and will honor an Anaheim community member.

Residents are invited to set up chairs and blankets along the parade route and enjoy this family friendly event.

Free parking is available in structures around downtown Anaheim.

You can find more info at Anaheimfallfestival.org.

Election time

Ballots are out, voting is underway and Election Day is around the corner in Anaheim.

Now through Nov. 8, voters across our city will cast their ballots for mayor, City Council seats and a measure specifically for Anaheim (see Measure J below).

As your official city newsletter, we don’t talk about specific candidates and their platforms. We leave this important decision to you.

Here’s a quick rundown of the field of Council candidates before voters:

Mayor, representing all of Anaheim: four candidates
District 2, in west Anaheim: two candidates
District 3, in central Anaheim: two candidates
District 6, in east Anaheim: two candidates

Vote-by-mail ballots arrived in Anaheim homes earlier in October. From there, voters have easy options for returning ballots.

You can always drop your ballot in the mail, postmarked no later than Nov. 8, using the included postage-paid envelope. You can track your mailed ballot here.

Across Anaheim, 12 ballot drop boxes are available. With most, you’ll park and walk up, including at the ARTIC transit center, libraries, community centers and parks.

Three drive-thru drop boxes are available at Granada Square retail center on State College Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue and at Magnolia Baptist Church and St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church in west Anaheim.

You can also drop off ballots at Vote Centers in Anaheim, which open Oct. 29 through Election Day.

Anaheim hosts three Vote Centers operating from Oct. 29 through Nov. 8 at community centers in west, central and east Anaheim.

Additionally, we will see 14 additional Vote Centers across our city operating Nov. 5-8.

You can vote in person at any Anaheim Vote Center or at those across Orange County.

A full list of Anaheim Vote Centers and ballot drop boxes is available here.

For more election information, visit the Orange County Registrar of Voters at OCVote.gov.

Anaheim ballot question: Measure J

Voters in the Nov. 8 election also will be asked to consider Measure J, a ballot measure specifically for Anaheim.

The measure, placed on the ballot by Anaheim’s City Council, would address a gap in the city’s hotel tax paid by those staying at a hotel or motel in our city.

If approved by a majority of voters, Measure J would update Anaheim’s hotel tax to require online and other travel companies to apply taxes on the full retail rate charged to visitors and guests for rooms booked in our city.

Right now, an inconsistency in the Anaheim Municipal Code hotel tax section results in online and other travel companies only having to pay tax on a flat rate agreed to with hotels and motels, rather than on what a room actually rents for.

Measure J would close that gap by clearly making online and other travel booking companies subject to the city’s hotel tax on the full retail amount of a room. It would also make clear that Anaheim’s hotel tax applies to parking, resort fees, internet, booking and other charges that appear on a final bill.

If approved, the city’s audit manager estimates the update could generate up to $3 million in additional hotel tax collected annually that would go toward public safety, community services and city bond obligations.

Measure J would not increase Anaheim’s hotel tax rate and would be paid only by visitors and guests at Anaheim hotels and motels.

Under state law, tax-related issues require voter approval. That is why voters are being asked to consider Measure J and its update to Anaheim's hotel tax.

In placing Measure J on the ballot, Anaheim's City Council is looking to ensure that the city's hotel tax is up to date and applied evenly among those who stay at a hotel or motel.

Anaheim's hotel tax is the primary source of funding for public safety, community services and city obligations.

For the 12 months through June 2022, Anaheim saw $167 million in hotel tax revenue that went directly toward police, fire, parks, library, community center and other city staffing to serve residents, businesses and visitors.

Hotel tax revenue also goes toward remaining debt from the 1990s expansion of The Anaheim Resort.

You can see more about Measure J here.

November events: Veterans Day, free Health Fair

Save the date for two upcoming November events.

Anaheim Veterans Day Ceremony

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, we will gather to honor veterans from all military branches in a special celebration at the city's Veterans Monument in downtown Anaheim.

We will hear from veterans, the commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and enjoy an armed forces medley choir performance.

Everyone is welcome to join us in paying tribute to the men and women who willingly served our country.

Anaheim Veterans Day Ceremony
Nov. 11, 2022, 11 a.m.
Anaheim Veterans Memorial Monument
241 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Anaheim Health Fair

Free medical, dental and vision services are available to our community at the Anaheim Health Fair on Nov. 12-13 at the Anaheim Convention Center.

This annual event brings primary medical services under one roof for those who may not have easy access to healthcare as well as anyone seeking easy, convenient and free care.

Anaheim Health Fair
Nov. 12-13, 2022, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Anaheim Convention Center, Hall E
800 W. Katella Ave.
Free parking off West Street
Anaheim.net/healthfair

Holiday light exchange

Already planning your award winning light display this Christmas?

Whether you're looking to create an impressive display or simply add a little festive flair around your home or office, Anaheim Public Utilities can help!

On Saturday, Nov. 19 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Anaheim residents can drive thru Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim and trade in an old strand of lights, or donate to the toy drive, and get two free energy-saving LED strands from Anaheim Public Utilities.

Register before the event so we know to expect you
Donated toys must be new and unwrapped
Must show proof of Anaheim residency, such as a utility bill

Find more details and register here.

More at Anaheim.net