District 6 Update from Council Member Natalie Meeks

Natalie Meeks

Anaheim City Council Member

DISTRICT 6 UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2023

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you had a fun, safe Halloween! Last month, we celebrated the 100th annual Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade, the Community Services Department hosted a community meeting, we welcomed a new business in Anaheim, I toured the Dwelling Place Food Pantry, and we recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Make sure to register for the upcoming Opioid-Fentanyl Town Hall on Nov. 9th.

I encourage you to follow me on social media for more updates and announcements.

Facebook Page

Opioid-Fentanyl Town Hall

Join us on Thurs. Nov. 9th to learn about the dangers of Fentanyl and steps you can take to keep you and your family safe. Hear from Supervisor Don Wagner, OC Health Agency, OC Sheriff's Department, Anaheim Fire and Rescue, and Anaheim Police Department about this very serious crisis in our community.

You will have access to community prevention and treatment resources. There will also be a training session on administering Naloxone, a life saving opioid overdose reversal drug. Each participant will be given a free box of Naloxone. If you have any questions please contact ADEPT@OCHCA.com. To register for the event, click the link below:

100th Annual Anaheim Fall Festival

and Halloween Parade

This year marked the 100th annual Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade. The festival featured live performances, costume contests, games, food, and more! The parade started at City hall and proceeded west down Center St. and Broadway. I had the privilege of participating in the parade along with my fellow Council Members, community members, and sponsors. Thank you to The Anaheim Fall Festival committee and all the sponsors for hosting the fun, family-friendly activities!

Neighborhood Services Community Meeting

We had a full house at the last Neighborhood Services Community Meeting! If you missed the meeting, below is a recap with links for additional information:

I gave a presentation of the Anaheim Anytime App. If you don't already use it, I encourage you to consider doing so. Below is a link with more information:

https://www.anaheim.net/2128/Anaheim-Anytime

A representative from Anaheim PD gave an update on crime prevention. You can learn more about preventative measures at the link below:

https://www.anaheim.net/6098/Police-Department

Anaheim Fire and Rescue Chief Pat Russell gave an update on "Know Your Way" - Anaheim's emergency plan for the hills area. You can learn more about "Know Your Way" at the link below:

https://www.anaheim.net/5204/Know-Your-Way

Lastly, Nick Taylor from the Planning Department gave an update on the Festival Center proposal. You can learn more about the proposal and sign up for updates at the link below:

https://www.anaheim.net/6474/Anaheim-Hills-Festival-Center

Welcome New Business

LA International Fencing Center of OC

On October 18th we celebrated the grand opening of the Los Angeles International Fencing Center-Orange County! The LAIFC specializes in competitive fencing training for fencers of all ages and skill levels. They have a team of Olympic caliber coaches and train Olympians from around the world. I had the privilege of meeting two members of the U.S. Olympic team, they each earned a medal at the last Olympics. I even had my first fencing lesson! I highly encourage you to check out their incredible center and consider enrolling your kids or yourself in their classes.

Learn More

City Council Recognizes Breast Cancer

Awareness Month

The City Council recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is generally curable if identified early. Make sure you and your loved ones are screened regularly.

Tour of Dwelling Place Food Pantry

I had the opportunity to tour the Dwelling Place Food Pantry with our City Manager, Jim Vanderpool. The food pantry offers fresh food to those in need and serves thousands of Anaheim residents weekly. At the Dwelling Place, you can expect to experience joy and hope, select food, receive prayer if needed, and connect with wrap-around resources (medical, social services, etc.). Thank you for all the wonderful assistance and services you provide in our community!

Learn More

Measure A Special Election

Official Results

The Measure A Special Election results are now certified. Measure A was defeated with 66% of Anaheim voters casting a "no" vote. Defeating Measure A protects the City's budget and future revenues.

Know Your Way During Fire Season

With regional fires around us, I want to remind you to be fire aware, alert and ready should we see fires closer to home. Everyone should have an emergency plan in place, especially those of us living in Anaheim Hills with the risk of wildfires, earthquakes and landslides.

Anaheim has a comprehensive evacuation strategy should we need to get people out during a wildfire or other emergency. Everyone in the hills should know their neighborhood evacuation zone and primary route out, plus two or three other routes in case roads are closed or conditions change.

In addition to knowing your evacuation route, it's good to know what zone you're in. You should have an emergency plan in place if you're at work, if your kids are at school, or if you have elderly relatives or pets at home.

Know your way — and what you'll do in an emergency. For more information, click the link below.

Learn More

What You Need To Know About Organic Waste

Single-family residences should now be separating food scraps from the main trash and putting them in the brown yard waste bin.

Food scraps that can go in the yard and organics waste bin include fruits, vegetables, meat, bones, eggshells, shellfish, grains and coffee grounds. You can also put food-soiled paper and paper bags without wax coatings in the organics bin.

Baking soda and charcoal filters can be used to minimize odors in your organic bin.

If you live in an apartment or townhouse, check with your property manager to understand how the program will work in your community.

You can find full guides and more information at the link below.

Learn More