October 2021
Andy's Updates shares news about all aspects of the Anaheim community. Thanks for tuning in!

This week's issue includes:

  • COVID-19 update
  • Rent help
  • Redistricting
  • Anaheim: Plan. Check. Go.
  • Hockey is back!
  • Water and power events

Find more about the city of Anaheim at Anaheim.net.
Delta surge wanes; vaccines top priority
Anaheim continues to see progress against the delta variant surge.

For four of the past five weeks, Anaheim has seen fewer new cases, which now are at their lowest level since July. Our case rate and testing positivity also are in decline.

If trends hold, we appear to have turned the corner on the delta surge that started in late June and peaked in August.

While sizable and challenging, the delta surge stands to come in as the smallest of the three COVID-19 surges we have seen since summer 2020.

We can thank vaccines for that. Yes, there have been breakthrough cases among vaccinated people. But far fewer and nearly always with only mild symptoms and less spread.

Sadly, it’s been the opposite for the unvaccinated, who have seen cases at five to six times the rate of those vaccinated. Nearly all recent hospitalizations have been among the unvaccinated.

How do we put coronavirus behind us once and for all? Widespread vaccination. That is why we don’t worry about polio, measles and so many preventable diseases today.

Anaheim is about 70 percent fully vaccinated, which is great. But we need to boost that even more. Vaccination rates for polio, measles, mumps, hepatitis B and chicken pox are 90 percent or higher.

There is a lot of talk and even misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. But the proof of their effectiveness and safety is right before our eyes. 

If you have questions about vaccines, ask your doctor or another trusted, knowledgeable source. For easy access to vaccines, visit Anaheim.net/vaccines.
Get rent help now
With the state eviction moratorium now expired and eviction proceedings allowed to resume Nov. 1, we know many struggling renters may be worried about rent they owe.

But we're here to help. Applications are open to tenants and landlords for rent help through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program.

If you're a low-income renter who has been struggling to pay rent due to COVID-19 impacts, you can get 100 percent of your back rent paid off, plus three months future rent to help you get a head start and get back on your feet.

We also have a new tool on our website that allows renters, landlords and officers of the court to look up the status of any application. If a renter has applied for assistance, they can't be evicted for owing rent.

Both tenants and landlords can now initiate an application for this program. Both will ultimately need to be involved in the process, but now either can get the ball rolling.

If you already applied and received assistance in previous rounds of the program, you do not need to reapply. Anaheim case workers are reaching out to previous applicants to offer additional help.

Apply now or check your application status at Anaheim.net/rentassistance. For questions or additional assistance, call us at (714) 765-4300, ext. 4890.
Redistricting
Following a month of community meetings across the city, Anaheim will host its second public hearing on the City Council redistricting process on Tuesday, Oct. 5.

During the public hearing, city staff will provide an update on the redistricting process, present available online public participation tools and share feedback received from residents at the seven community meetings held in September.

The Oct. 5 hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Anyone is welcome to attend and share public comments.

Anaheim launched the redistricting process in July. A final district map is slated to be completed in the spring.

Every 10 years, the Census gives us an updated picture of our community. Once the final counts are released, cities engage in the redistricting process.

Anaheim has six City Council districts, each with its own elected representative. Our current districts are based on data from 2010, so this is a chance to update them based on the new numbers.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to get involved in the process by attending community meetings, visiting the redistricting webpage and submitting comments and district maps for consideration.

At a third public hearing set for Nov. 2, the Anaheim City Council is expected review draft maps submitted by residents and those generated by the city’s demographer. The deadline for members of the public to submit maps to be reviewed at this meeting is Oct. 22.

Additional community meetings, with more opportunities to participate and submit maps, will be held in November and December.

For more information and to submit your map, visit AnaheimRedistricting.org.
Anaheim: Plan. Check. Go
We’re making it even easier to work with the city. 

We know it can sometimes be hard finding time to visit City Hall. And, while we’re still here and happy to serve you at our counters, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to work with us on your projects in a way that’s most convenient for you.

On Oct. 18, we’re launching Anaheim: Plan. Check. Go., a convenient online service to help you track and manage permits, applications and more from your home, office or ever changing worksite.

As we get this new system up and running, more applications and online services will be available in the coming months.

Here’s how you can use Anaheim: Plan. Check. Go. Starting Oct. 18: 
  • Schedule a building inspection
  • Renew a business license
  • Apply for a contractor’s business license and some utility permits
  • Track your applications as they move through the city’s review process 

As we prepare for the launch of this new portal, we’ll be closing some of our public counters on Friday, Oct. 15. Those counters include planning and building, public works and fire permits.

We appreciate your understanding and for planning ahead with the Oand look forward to serving you both in person and online!
Ducks hockey is back!
It's October and that means one thing here in Anaheim: Ducks hockey is back!

After nearly two seasons played in an empty or near empty arena due to COVID-19 precautions, we're excited to see fans come back to Honda Center this year.

There will be some things that will be different as we continue to come out of the pandemic.

Attendees at Honda Center events will need to provide either proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of the event start.

These statewide requirements for indoor venues will remain in effect until at least Nov. 1.

Those who are not vaccinated will be required to wear a mask while inside the arena.

For more on Honda Center policies, click here.

Let's go Ducks!
Water and power upcoming events
Public Power Week
Join us to celebrate Public Power Week at the Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market on Thursday, Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We'll have activities, giveaways and information to share about our cost-saving programs, rebates and services.

Be Water Smart
Anaheim Public Utilities will host a Be Water Smart Community Event on Saturday, Oct. 9 from 8-11 a.m. at the Walnut Canyon Reservoir.

There will be free refreshments, tours of the Lenain Water Filtration Plant and informational booths. Attendees will get a free water saving kit.
More at Anaheim.net