LA Times: Is Disney Paying Its Fair Share In Anaheim

[Disney Irish]

Not to get too off topic, but we are. The Political machine is doing the slow churn, because one side wants the other to look bad. Also, Puerto Rico as the Territory it is, did vote down statehood 3 times in the past. Any Politician will tell you, it look bad to let a territory go to crap, but it even looks worse when a state needs help and the funding go to another place. It will always be political, they choose to be a territory not ever wanting to be the 51st state, then cry out they are not being fairly helped, when as a territory they are semi-autonomous. Sounds mean to say, but then it is the truth. With that rant out of the way, yes I'm passionate about statehood vs territory and the rules and laws that specifically govern each. Disney, probably could only send out Communication specialists and string cable, maybe. Maybe some Generators for Hospitals and emergency shelter, but they are not full on conglomerate that could rebuild a territory.

Not for nothing, but even as a territory these are still US citizens. As such are afforded the same rights as any other state. Also earlier this summer, even though it was a low voter turn out, they did vote in favor of becoming a state. Its up to Congress now to act on them becoming a state.

 

[DLR92]

Not to get too off topic, but we are. The Political machine is doing the slow churn, because one side wants the other to look bad. Also, Puerto Rico as the Territory it is, did vote down statehood 3 times in the past. Any Politician will tell you, it look bad to let a territory go to crap, but it even looks worse when a state needs help and the funding go to another place. It will always be political, they choose to be a territory not ever wanting to be the 51st state, then cry out they are not being fairly helped, when as a territory they are semi-autonomous. Sounds mean to say, but then it is the truth. With that rant out of the way, yes I'm passionate about statehood vs territory and the rules and laws that specifically govern each. Disney, probably could only send out Communication specialists and string cable, maybe. Maybe some Generators for Hospitals and emergency shelter, but they are not full on conglomerate that could rebuild a territory.

 

[Darkbeer1]

A couple of Interesting things in Anaheim politics related tp this article and Disney.

First off, another former city councilmember has thrown her hat into the new Mayor's race.

Lorri Galloway, who fought for the trailer park conversion to Sun-Cal housing in the Resort District in 2007 (the anti-Disney position) is running.

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

>>
Lorri Galloway, one of three on the five-member Anaheim City Council who voted in favor of the housing project, said, “Research shows that we have a need in and around the resort area for 27,000 units of affordable housing.” By trying to block some of that housing, she said, Disney is showing “complete disregard for the workers who make the resorts so successful.”

But Rob Doughty, a spokesman for the Disneyland Resort, said the goal was simply to keep housing out of an area zoned for resort development in 1994. Once the special zoning district was created, “the state and federal governments invested billions of dollars to clean it up,” he said. Disney and other companies then began building lavish facilities, including Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, which opened in 2001.

Mr. Doughty added that “companies like Marriott and Disney and Hilton make their investment decisions on what they assume the zoning is going to be.”<<

http://www.anaheimblog.net/2017/10/10/mayor-2018-lorri-galloway-to-announce-candidacy-on-october-11/

And here is an Unite HERE union story.

http://www.anaheimblog.net/2017/10/...union-no-genuine-concern-real-representation/

>>
Ferreras’ e-mail confirms Mayor Tait was going to endorse Lopez, a left-wing Democrat who supports forced unionization pacts as a condition of approval for hotel projects.

It also reveals divisions among Anaheim progressives. Ferreras tells Montgomery:

“I choose the community, I will forget about politics as a career and will support Martin Lopez since he is the Choice Candidate of my Labor Union Allies, so he can have what he is always paid to do and will not do if not paid. I will not complicate Mayor Tom’s plan of endorsement…”

Talk about a back-handed endorsement.

Ferreras tells Montgomery what he thinks of their mutual union allies:

“At least I know how these “so-called leaders” see our communities, a mere means to justify their end, a gap filler to advance their labor campaign. They are a group of “hired servants” who have no genuine concern for real representation but only their agenda. Unfortunately, they are our allies and we need each other, for better or for worse.”

Subsequent conversations must not have gone well, because Ferreras changed his mind and two weeks later filed his intention to run for Council District 4.<<

So the November 2018 looks like a battle Disney will enter, and will be in a real fight.

Especially since Anaheim does not offer primaries, and a large pool of candidates can create a winner with only 1/3'rd of the vote, so it is important to pick one person that multiple groups will support.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Now we are getting the district announcements.

District 6 (Anaheim Hills) is currently held by Kris Murray, a republican and pro-business/pro-Disney council person, and based on the city council meetings, the person who Dr. Moreno hates the most. She is termed out

Trevor O'Neill has come out and says he is running to replace Ms. Murray. The other two current Councilmembers, who are pro-business and pro-Disney and make up the rest of the current minority are supporting Mr. O'Neill, so he will be strongly favored District 6.

http://www.anaheimblog.net/2017/10/13/5/

So the key will be the other three seats that will be voted on next November. Disney is hoping they can get 2, if not 3, new folks that will support the Resort District. Nobody has officially announced yet, but most expect Dr. Moreno to seek re-election.

 

[Darkbeer1]

And in today's Orange County Register, the Editoral Board answers the LA Times question with a resounding YES!

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/14/does-disney-pay-its-fair-share-yes/

>>.A few weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times published a hit piece on Disneyland predicated on a misguided question: Is Disney paying its fair share in Anaheim? While the story raises some provocative questions about deals made between Disneyland and the city, the article had a seemingly predetermined narrative. Given Disneyland and Anaheim are in Orange County, and we analyze both the city and the company regularly, we thought we’d help the Times answer its own question: Yes, Disneyland pays its fair share to the city — if not more.

Disneyland is the single largest employer not only in Anaheim but in all of Orange County, providing nearly 30,000 jobs and stimulating the creation of tens of thousands more. As a 2013 economic impact study by Arduin, Laffer & Moore Consulting found, about one-third of the county’s $9.6 billion tourism industry was thanks to the Disneyland resort and its visitors. In addition, to the benefit of Anaheim taxpayers, Disneyland paid more than $125 million in taxes, bonds, levies, fees and contracts last year alone, according to the company.

By these metrics, and more, it is clear that Disneyland pays more than its “fair share.”

But the notion of “fair” presented in the story was quite different from what most people would think. While the story briefly asserts that “some of the city’s working-class residents said they don’t see enough of the upside” of Disneyland, it mostly gives voice to city officials whose idea of a “fair share” is more money in the city’s coffers.

While the story highlights problems like the city’s large unfunded pension liabilities, the 17 percent poverty rate and the poor condition of streets in areas throughout Anaheim, these problems are hardly unique to Anaheim. That’s not one company’s burden to fix — that’s the City Council’s job.

It’s reasonable to criticize Anaheim’s willingness to offer costly incentives to select businesses. But pitting blame for any significant portion of the city’s problems on Disneyland is utter nonsense. Disneyland’s continued investments in Anaheim have been a net benefit.

Moving forward, Anaheim officials should focus more on making the city a better place to do business and make better decisions about how finite resources are used instead of casting blame where it doesn’t belong.<<

Very well said

 

[Darkbeer1]

And Unite HERE, meet your replacement...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-travel-briefcase-robots-20171011-story.html

>>So far, the tasks reserved for the water-cooler shaped automatons are simple: When guests call down to the front lobby for linen, luggage or food, the robots will be deployed to roll into an elevator and up to the room to make the deliveries.


“Robots are the next wave of hospitality technology and we believe our overnight guests and those in the local San Gabriel community will find the robots to be intriguing and fun,” said Wanda Chan, general manager of the Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel.<<

Just think, Disney could dress them up to look like Droids....

 

[Darkbeer1]

http://www.anaheimblog.net/2017/10/17/morenoheim-where-a-deal-is-never-a-deal/

>>A fundamental element of good and just government is public confidence in the integrity of contracts and agreements – that once a deal is struck, it will be adhered to by all parties. It’s basic Good Government 101 – and it’s missing from a mischievous proposal District 3 Councilman Jose F. Moreno has agendized for tomorrow night’s council meeting in which he wants to crack open and re-negotiate agreements the city has already approved, and on the basis of which business planning and investment is already moving forward.

It’s ostensibly about funding sources for Councilwoman Murray’s Operation Home SAFE program to get the homeless off the streets and out of city parks and the Santa Ana River Trail….but not really. It’s political gamesmanship intended to discredit Operation Home SAFE – Murray had the temerity to upstage Moreno’s ongoing Homeless Policy Working Group — while also going after his favorite targets: Disney and the Resort District.<<

>>Moreno is either unaware or indifferent to the message it sends when an elected official pushes to arbitrarily pop up with an out-of-the-blue proposal to changes the terms of an agreement. Maybe, in his mind, this is limited to just the Hotel Incentive Policy agreements, but the principle is applicable to any agreement with any developer. It sends a chilling message to companies and enterprises considering doing business in Anaheim: the rules are subject to change at any time, for any reason.

There’s no nexus between 4-Diamond Hotel development and homelessness. And even if there were, it doesn’t justify trying to strong-arm a business into re-negotiating a contract because the politicians in charge have decided they want more money. That’s racketeering, not just governance.

No one believes Councilman Moreno will actually get his way. It’s doubtful even he thinks so. This is political theater. But it’s disturbing that he believes it is legitimate for Anaheim city government to attempt to re-write the rules in the middle of the game. Maximum certainty about the rules and the regulatory and tax landscape is a necessary pre-condition for economic growth. When enterprises don’t know the rules, or lack confidence that agreements, once entered into, will be honored, they stay and take their investment elsewhere. Moreno, with his cynical attempt to re-negotiate the TOT incentive pacts and strong-arm the hotel industry into using TID funds for something other than their intended purpose, is sending a clear signal that he believes any agreement with the City of Anaheim is always subject to change at the whim of the city council. That’s called bad faith and arbitrary governance, and it is a hallmark of basket-case banana republics, not just government under law.<<

 

[Darkbeer1]

http://www.dailynews.com/2017/10/25...diamond-hotel-on-the-west-side-of-the-resort/

>>
But almost immediately after announcing the bold project, Disney faced several hurdles. The neighboring businesses — the motels, hotels, and restaurants — along Harbor Boulevard protested, fearing that they’d lose foot traffic and see a decline in business. The City Council then dismantled the city’s planning commission and later reassembled it. And there was a belief among experts that follow the city’s relationship with Disneyland that the City Council majority would not allow Disney to build a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard.

Unlike the Eastern Gateway Project, Disney’s plan on the west side of the resort needs minimal city involvement.<<

So here is more proof that the current city council is so screwed up, well, Disney found a way around it.

 

[shortstop]

I like it. A big middle finger to the city. Lol

 

[DLR92]

I can't help but I think Disney hasn't made a wise move. It just shows how much they are more concern about them and not the community. But that just my opinion.

 

[Darkbeer1]

IMHO, Disney made the right moves

The decision to start on the West end wasn't cheap.

This will delay DCA expansion.

But it gets the project moving, which will bring in jobs, and opening the 4th Hotel sooner will bring in new tax revenue.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/10/new-hotel-disneyland-resort/

>>And that’s not all. This new hotel creates great benefits for the community, generating approximately $25 million in new taxes in its first five years of operation that go directly to Anaheim’s general fund. It also will create thousands of additional construction and permanent jobs and attract new hotel guests to the resort area.<<

 

[Deleted member 107043]

IMHO, Disney made the right moves

I agree. This a) shows that Disney already had a workable alternative plan as a backup, and b) it was willing to show good faith by pushing forward with the expansion and investment. At some point, maybe when the mood has settled, the Eastern Gateway, expansion will come back around. In the meantime this announcement should sooth the anti-Disney folks.

 

[Darkbeer1]

http://www.ocregister.com/2017/10/2...diamond-hotel-on-the-west-side-of-the-resort/

>>City reactions

Councilwoman Kris Murray called Disney’s announcement “extraordinary.” She said Disneyland’s new parking structure will bring in more people to Anaheim and the hotel will generate additional revenue to the city’s general fund. Though the Eastern Gateway project couldn’t move forward, she said Disney’s alternative plan is “the best case scenario.”

“Our residents are going to benefit,” Murray said. “Not only will this development create more construction jobs for the union and other permanent jobs at the new hotel, but the additional revenue from the hotel and new restaurants will help fund the city for decades.”<<

One key point, the November 2018 elections are important to Disney, and all the positive things they can use to support the candidates they prefer to get the New Mayor and councilmembers elected (plus get Dr. Moreno defeated). Having a lot of Construction Union Members working and giving their support is important. Also, the Westin project is also on the November ballot, which is important to Disney, especially now with the West Side improvements.

Hopefully the Stovall group will take advantage of its properties on/near Katella and Disneyland Dr., and make major improvements.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

and all the positive things they can use to support the candidates they prefer to get the New Mayor and councilmembers elected

I'm just spitballing here but wouldn't any anti-Disney candidate up for re-election point to this outcome and say they stood up to Disneyland and got a workable solution that makes everyone happy? This looks like it could be spun into a win for the Mayor to me.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I'm just spitballing here but wouldn't any anti-Disney candidate up for re-election point to this outcome and say they stood up to Disneyland and got a workable solution that makes everyone happy? This looks like it could be spun into a win for the Mayor to me.

Since Mayor Tait hates the TOT rebate program, no, as this is one of the 4 new Hotels getting the deal, along with the Westin, which will be getting better access to the parks.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Since Mayor Tait hates the TOT rebate program, no, as this is one of the 4 new Hotels getting the deal, along with the Westin, which will be getting better access to the parks.

I'm not talking about the hotel, as it was previously announced. I'm talking about Disney's announcement today confirming it is dropping the Eastern Gateway expansion.

 

[Darkbeer1]

I'm not talking about the hotel, as it was previously announced. I'm talking about Disney's announcement today confirming it is dropping the Eastern Gateway expansion.

I know, but it is one and the same, the construction unions back Disney, and not Tait/Moreno. So I don't see a spim that favors the Mayor.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here is the expected spin from Tait/Moreno, that the city of Anaheim is paying for the new Western Gateway Disney is building.

In reality, the city will pay nothing, Disney will be paying for building permits and inspections, and need APD traffic control to deal with the construction vehicles.

WHEN the 4th Hotel opens, then Disney will get a check from the city, but it will be a rebate check of 70% of the actual TOT revenue collected from the guests. So the city is still getting new revenues, not less.

 

[The Mur]

I’m guessing some of these Anaheim politicians read the Disney blogs and assume they must be correct-they don’t know what they are doing; a bunch of idiots etc. Of course Disney had a back up plan; corporations plan for days (often to their detriment) but the dollars and stakes are big. You have to have a fallback. May not be their 1st choice but one that achieves desired goals. The reality is It’s a giant chess game and Tait and Moreno are playing checkers.

 

[Darkbeer1]

So now the LA Times is on Disney's Naughty list, and why the OC Register and the Southern California News Group (Digital First) Had the series of articles and nothing from the LA Times...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disneyland-parking-20171026-story.html

>>Resort representatives didn’t immediately respond to a call and email from the Los Angeles Times but have confirmed to other news outlets that the Eastern Gateway project has been put on hold. The project would have included 6,800 parking spaces plus driveways where taxis, buses and shuttles could drop off park visitors.<<