Well, the Wincome 4-Star Hotels have hit a bump in the road

[Darkbeer1]

A petition has been filed with the city, and looks like it has more signatures than needed to qualify.

Citizens for a Better Anaheim (aka Unite Here Local 11 Union) submitted over 18,000 signatures, out of which 12,651 have to valid Anaheim voters to qualify.

If that happens, then the city council will have to either rescind the tax break/rebate, or place the measure on the ballot.

Interesting to note, the Unions did not go after Disney and its 4th Hotel, just the two Wincome projects (The Anabella and Anaheim Plaza current locations).

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-728794-group-luxury.html

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/hotels-724794-wincome-anaheim.html

Should be interesting to see what happens, most Unions were in favor of the project, it is just one Union that handles staff such as housekeepers that is forcing the issue.

And then S.O.A.R. will have to decide how much they want to fight it, and if they want it to get on the ballot, as they would be the main group urging a "Yes" vote to keep the tax break deal.

http://soaranaheim.com/

Of course, if Wincome agrees to use Unite Here Local 11 workers, the whole issue will go away, and the deal would receive approval.

 

[rle4lunch]

that's because they know where their bread is buttered. and the fact that Disney more than helps Anaheim. Even the nicer 'hotels' around DLR aren't that great. When you can smell the front desk person and/or owner of the hotel because they don't believe in using deodorant, well, you can rest assured that your stay will have some sort of issue.

also, whenever a hotel advertises an "American breakfast" on a piece of paper at the front door, you know you're in for an interesting time. it's amazing how these places can charge the prices they're getting and completely screw up scrambled eggs and "pork bacon".

sorry for the rant. we've just stayed at a wide gamut of motels/hotels around DLR, and over time we've just decided to stay on resort, even if it costs us $500 more for the duration.

ALTHOUGH, you'll never, ever, catch us staying at Paradise Pier again. That is by far the worst Disney property we've stayed at out of all the resorts in america. Not because it wasn't clean or decent. It was because they've got ONE elevator (there's nothing like a 45 minute wait to get on the elevator from the 12th floor, eventually giving up and lugging a week's worth of luggage down the emergency stairs), they're customer service is shoddy and it feels like a value engineered ride. And yes, we know the backstory on the hotel and why it's that way. It was Disney's mistake acquiring that crappy place and slapping mickey on it.

 

[Phroobar]

Those darn kids pushing all the buttons on the elevator during check out time.

 

[castevious]

Does this effect Disney in any way? If the city rescinds the tax break instead of placing it on the ballot, does it rescind Disney's deal too or does this only effect the two hotels listed?

 

[TP2000]

@castevious the union is only going after Wincome, not Disney.

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, so we are going to talk politics, because that what this can of worms is...

I am not saying one group is right or wrong, but it is just the way the system works.

So the current Anaheim City Council is made of 5 persons who get to vote (The Mayor and 4 councilmembers), this is about to expand to 7 votes, but not relevant to this matter today.

Mayor Tom Tait happens to be against the program that was created prior to his current term, which is the 70% "rebate" of Hotel Taxes for the first 20 years collected if you invest in a 4 Star Hotel. There is no guarantee to the amount, only a "return" of the 70% of whatever is collected. But 3 members of the city council are in favor of it.

So now we have the "groups" interested in the projects..

Of course, Disney wants more 4 star Hotels, because it brings in a clientele that is willing to spend more money per day at the parks. Of course, they would like to have them stay with them, but since they are limited to the amount of rooms they can place on property, they are happy for non-Disney Hotels to bring in those type of clientele.

The shops and restaurants want the "higher spending" clientele to visit also.

The city, since they own and run the Convention Center (and also landlords of other major venues, such as Angel Stadium and the Honda Center) wants more Hotel Rooms, and the Anabelle project has some direct tie-ins to the Convention Center. (Not sure if the Mayor truly understands that).

Then we get to the Unions, more on that later. But when the projects and tax breaks were proposed years ago, they were in favor of them, especially the Construction Unions, but basically the employees understand a nicer hotel will bring in a nicer customer that will pay more, and tip more, helping their take home pay.

S.O.A.R. is a group of Anaheim Resort District businesses (And Disney had a large part in forming the group) that support keeping the District focused on Business. The reason it was formed was due to a zoning request in regards to taking away property from the Resort District to become housing, with a large amount "affordable" (or low income) housing. It was a pet project for one councilperson.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/20/business/yourmoney/20natreal.html

So here we are in 2016, and Disney wants to get the 4th Hotel on property to be built, and of course, wants the tax rebate. So they got everyone to agree and made sure it got approved, along with the 2 Wincome projects.

But we have a major Union who knows how to play the political game and is very aggressive in what they do, Unite Here Local 11. So they played along a few months ago to keep Disney happy (Unite Here members work the Disney owned Hotels). But they were not happy behind the scenes as the Wincome Hotels (and there are quite a few of them, not just in Anaheim) are non-Union.

So shortly after Disney got its approval Unite Here Local 11 decided to create "Citizens for a Better Anaheim" to get the signatures needed to force the city council to take the next step.

But Unite Here knows the political game, especially in California, where pretty much you can force delays in things like environmental reports, etc. if you have enough money and political connections to basically force the developer to make a deal, in which case the dispute disappears and goes away.

Here is an interesting story where Unite Here Local 11 got the right to pay less than minimum wage for Hotels IF they were union members.

http://www.latimes.com/local/cityhall/la-me-union-minimum-wage-20160410-story.html

So now we have an interesting situation, Unite Here Local 11 waited to make sure that the city council had limited choices, which are...

1. Repeal the Tax breaks on the 2 Wincome Projects.

2. Place it on the Ballot for voter approval. And here is the catch, until the vote is taken and wins, the tax deal is "suspended". And it is too late for the upcoming ballot. So they would have to wait until November 2018 or hold a special election. The city has to pay the costs, and it is a lot cheaper to just have it on a regular ballot.

So what is next, since Wincome agreeing to Unite Here would not just affect its 2 4-Star projects, but more than likely all their properties, they are not likely to agree...

http://www.ocdaily.net/pg/hotel-workers-union-using-referendum-threat-to-extort-anaheim-hotelier/

>>The militant hotel workers union UNITE-HERE Local 11 announced it will try to qualify a referendum against two of the three 4-Diamond hotel bed tax rebate agreements approved by the Anaheim City Council last month. UNITE-HERE is targeting the Anaheim Plaza Hotel and Ana Bella Hotel two properties being developed by Wincome Group, but not the TOT rebate agreement with Disney for its 4-Diamond hotel.<<

So if Wincome wants to "fight", they basically need to get the city council to agree to placing it on the ballot. We know that 3 out of the current 5 council votes are in favor of the projects, but they will have to expend some political clout to get it done.

And that is where S.O.A.R. comes in, and since that is a large part "Disney", what does Disney want, they have fought Unite Here before...

http://www.ocregister.com/news/union-330546-hotel-agreement.html

So which side do they agree with, do they push S.O.A.R. to get the deal on the ballot, and then spend the money needed to get the vote passed???

This is a story that has ties to the Disneyland Eastern Gateway Project and road/traffic improvements in the Harbor Blvd. area, the Anaheim Convention Center growth and more.

Will be an interesting thing to watch.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Alas, this hot potato is sitting in the oven, and nobody wants to touch it.

While I think many know that the odds will be that it is valid and approved by the Register of Voters, nobody wants to publically talk about it until the official approval is announced..

But there is some behind the scenes stuff going on, especially with Wincome and its affiliates. They are looking at the costs to fight it, and is it worth it. The main company is based in Hong Kong, so it does take some time, as there is the Anaheim folks that want to fight, while Hong Kong wants to wait and see. Which is understandable.

S.O.A.R. is taking a wait and see attitude as is Disney, as they want to do what Wincome is willing to contribute to the fight.

And now we have the switch from 5 to 7 council votes, which will happen early next year. All parties want to see if the new council will be pro-business or pro-union. BUT the timing of the petition will more than likely force the decision before the big election. So one option is seeing how the council can delay the vote until after the election. But they might be forced into a decision early.

So my guess, they will be a major scramble in mid October when the Register of Voters is due to announce the official count. So just like the Disneyland Eastern Gateway (Pumbaa) project has been delayed (on purpose), everyone is trying to figure out what to do, and where they need to focus to get "their" pet issues addressed.

So Happy Halloween to all, I think all the players will be getting more tricks than treats......

 

[TP2000]

Alas, this hot potato is sitting in the oven, and nobody wants to touch it.

Thanks for the update Darkbeer.

Another factor in this is that it's not just any union, but it's Unite HERE Local 11 with the infamous Ada Briceno at the helm, and that's a union and a person who has proven to be very combative, rather destructive, and even unhinged when it comes to their bargaining tactics. This is the same union that represents the Disneyland Hotels housekeepers and a few years ago they were at war with Disney over union contracts. They had Disneyland Hotel maids marching on Disneyland Drive at dawn banging pots and pans and purposely trying to wake up Disney hotel guests, then heckling and harassing the hotel guests and arriving CM's as they walked along the sidewalk. It was UGLY.

Banging pots and pans along Disneyland Drive

They also had a tent city set up in front of the Grand Californian with union organizers on hunger strikes, fasting for days at a time and doing press interviews from their fasting tents along the sidewalk.

And on busy weekends they'd take over Harbor Blvd. and stage sit-ins blocking traffic.

And to spice things up visually, Unite HERE Local 11 likes to dress up protesters in Disney costumes, for good photo ops as Mickey and Snow White are loaded into paddy wagons by the police.

All in a day's work for Ada Briceno and her union troops from Unite HERE Local 11. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. And union President Ada Briceno in her interviews and public statements has made it very clear that she's not quite fully attached to reality.

 

[Darkbeer1]

You mean this day...

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Theme-Parks/Disneyland-Resort-81408/

What an insane day, started early (Monorail trains arriving backstage), and probably walked backwards longer than I have besides for my track/soccer coaches....

https://darkbeer.smugmug.com/Theme-Parks/Disneyland-Resort-81408/i-HVrtkNn/A

It was all pre-planned, those who were to be arrested were picked to be non-Disney employees (heck most of them were not associated with Disney, either Union members or paid "fillers".

The protest at Disney Way and Harbor Blvd. was pre-planned between the Union and the Anaheim Police department, even down to the timing of how long it would last.

I was allowed (with other media) to stand in the middle of the intersection to take images, and get close to the actual arrests. Anaheim PD just asked us to not directly interfere with them. There was a stage area near the Pumbaa lot where they took them, and processed them, many were released right there after getting a ticket, a few people with a past history had to fo the APD headquarters, but also were basically released.

Great photo ops, and designed to stay off Disney owned property.

It was weird, as I knew some CM's that supported the fight, and some that didn't. But that is just life.....

 

[VJ]

Thanks for the update Darkbeer.

Another factor in this is that it's not just any union, but it's Unite HERE Local 11 with the infamous Ada Briceno at the helm, and that's a union and a person who has proven to be very combative, rather destructive, and even unhinged when it comes to their bargaining tactics. This is the same union that represents the Disneyland Hotels housekeepers and a few years ago they were at war with Disney over union contracts. They had Disneyland Hotel maids marching on Disneyland Drive at dawn banging pots and pans and purposely trying to wake up Disney hotel guests, then heckling and harassing the hotel guests and arriving CM's as they walked along the sidewalk. It was UGLY.

Banging pots and pans along Disneyland Drive

They also had a tent city set up in front of the Grand Californian with union organizers on hunger strikes, fasting for days at a time and doing press interviews from their fasting tents along the sidewalk.

And on busy weekends they'd take over Harbor Blvd. and stage sit-ins blocking traffic.

And to spice things up visually, Unite HERE Local 11 likes to dress up protesters in Disney costumes, for good photo ops as Mickey and Snow White are loaded into paddy wagons by the police.

All in a day's work for Ada Briceno and her union troops from Unite HERE Local 11. They will stop at nothing to get what they want. And union President Ada Briceno in her interviews and public statements has made it very clear that she's not quite fully attached to reality.

I remember all that. Unite HERE Local 11 was a thorn in Disney's side for a long while from what sites like Visions Fantastic were reporting. Really outlandish publicity stunts.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, enough signatures were found to be valid, and the matter will be addressed at next Tuesday night's city council meeting. (October 18th).

http://www.ocweekly.com/news/petiti...-agreements-successful-but-whats-next-7589572

>>According to the City Clerk, three options will be presented before the Anaheim City Council during its meeting on Tuesday. They can vote to revoke the development agreements, put them before the November 2018 general election, or schedule a special election.<<

Currently, Wincome is saying they want the matter to go to a special election and are willing to pay to push the matter to the voters.

Of course, UNITE-HERE wants to not have a special election, and force the matter to November 2018. This is in their favor, as that gives them more time to make a "deal" with Wincome and then disappear, saying they changed their mind and now support the tax breaks.

If you want to watch the council hearing, it will be online live at Anaheim.net, starting around 5 PM, and will more than likely be a long meeting, with lots of public comments for and against the matter.

http://anaheim.net/2142/Council-Meeting-Video

 

[TP2000]

Thank you very much @Darkbeer1 for keeping us updated on this!

I hope Wincome pays for the special election. Those never go well for the groups that don't want them, such as noisy unions like UNITE-HERE. Ada Briceno will blow a gasket if it goes to a special election.

 

[Ismael Flores]

That's why we don't get nice things built here in Southern California is at a decent timeline then they just never get built.

Maybe that is why I hate unions as well

 

[Darkbeer1]

And here is the election angle, as described in this article.

http://voiceofoc.org/2016/10/challe...subsidies-in-anaheim-council-candidate-forum/

 

[Darkbeer1]

For the legalize...

http://local.anaheim.net/docs_agend/ag_3vers/agenda.pdf

>>
35. Referendum Petition concerning Ordinance No. 6376, Development Agreement No. 2016-00001.
Reconsideration of Development Agreement No. 2016-00001 with Good Hope International regarding certain vested development rights in connection with permitting the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of an eight-story Four Diamond Hotel containing 50 rooms and an additional 75,600 square feet of supporting retail, conference/meeting rooms/event space, and restaurants on a designated 8.8 acre property located at 1700 S. Harbor Blvd., and approval of one of the following Resolutions:
Approve an increase to the City Clerk’s fiscal year 16/17 budget by $59,741.40 to cover the cost of certification of the referendum petition by the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Motion:
A. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, repealing Ordinance No. 6376 approving Development Agreement No. 2016-00001 pertaining to the construction of a Four Diamond Hotel located at 1700 S. Harbor Blvd.
OR


9 October 18, 2016
B. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, ordering the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City at the General Municipal Election to be held in said City on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 (Ordinance No. 6376; 1700 S. Harbor Blvd.).
OR
C. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, calling for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 for the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City (Ordinance No. 6376; 1700 S. Harbor Blvd.)
OR
D. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, calling for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on for the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City (Ordinance No. 6376; 1700 S. Harbor Blvd.)

In the event the City Council adopts Resolution B or C above, it is recommended that the City Council also adopt the following Resolution:
E. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to consolidate a (General/Special) Municipal Election to be held on , with the Statewide (General) election to be held on that date pursuant to Sections 10403 and 10418 of the Elections Code.
36. Referendum Petition concerning Ordinance No. 6377, Development Agreement No. 2016-00002.
Reconsideration of Development Agreement No. 2016-00002 with FJS, Inc. regarding certain vested development rights in connection with permitting the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of an eight-story Four Diamond Hotel containing 634 rooms and up to 42,000 square feet of meeting space, up to 31,179 square feet of retail and restaurant space, and a seven-level parking structure, of which the ground floor would be dedicated to back-of-house uses for the Anaheim Convention Center on approximately 6.44-acre located at 1030 West Katella Avenue and approximately 1.67-acre triangular parcel of land currently owned by the City and proposed for sale to FJS, Inc., and approval of one of the following Resolutions:
Approve an increase to the City Clerk’s fiscal year 16/17 budget by $59,024 to cover the cost of certification of the referendum petition by the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Motion:
A. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, repealing Ordinance No. 6377 approving Development Agreement No. 2016-00002 pertaining to the construction of a Four Diamond Hotel located at 1030 W. Katella Ave.


10 October 18, 2016
OR
B. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, ordering the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City at the General Municipal Election to be held in said City on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 (Ordinance No. 6377; 1030 W. Katella Ave.).
OR
C. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, calling for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 for the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City (Ordinance No. 6377; 1030 W. Katella Ave.).
OR
D. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, calling for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on for the submission of a referendum measure to the electors of said City (Ordinance No. 6377; 1030 W. Katella Ave.).
In the event the City Council adopts Resolution B or C above, it is recommended that the City Council also adopt the following Resolution:
E. RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to consolidate a (General/Special) Municipal Election to be held on , with the Statewide (General) election to be held on that date pursuant to Sections 10403 and 10418 of the Elections Code.<<

So actually 4 choices, and Wincome and it looks like S.O.A.R. will fight for option D, a special election ASAP on Tuesday Night, while UNITE-HERE will push for the November 2018 date.

And with many of the city councilmembers up for election, it will be an interesting fight.

I should add, out of the 4 districts up for elections, 2 Incumbents are on the ballot, both voting for the Hotel Tax rebates, with 2 newcomers being added.

Out of the three remaining not on the ballot, the Mayor and one Councilmember tend to be pro-Union, and only one being pro-business who voted for the tax breaks.

 

[Darkbeer1]

And here is new page UNITE-HERE has set up against the projects (aka one sided).

http://www.wincomeanaheimrisks.org/

Not much there today, but we shall see how it changes/morphs after tomorrow night.

 

[Darkbeer1]

And the OC Register just released this news article...

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-732400-council-hotel.html

So tomorrow night should be a busy evening at City Hall.

 

[Darkbeer1]

At home, watching the live stream from home.

Missed the first few minutes of public comments, but it seems like it is the Hotel Union workers on one side, and the Union construction workers on the other

Still in public comments....

 

[Ismael Flores]

I hope the hotel companies don't get frustrated and walk away. Anaheim will again end up with two aging properties and might scare off other possible developers.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I hope the hotel companies don't get frustrated and walk away. Anaheim will again end up with two aging properties and might scare off other possible developers.

Well, Garden Grove is waiting in the wings to build...

Still Public Comments (over 2 hours strong now, and lots more to go), and a lot of different items to discuss other than the Wincome projects.