The Anaheim City Council is scheduled to meet behind closed doors on Monday and Tuesday mornings at 8 a.m. to discuss the appointment of a new city manager. The deliberations come approximately seven months after Jim Vanderpool, the city's previous top executive, resigned earlier this year. The city manager oversees Anaheim's operations, including a nearly $2.6 billion budget for Orange County's largest city.
Mr. Vanderpool resigned in February following questions concerning an undisclosed trip to Lake Havasu, which was paid for by the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce. This trip occurred as city officials prepared to vote on the Angel Stadium deal in 2020. The Angel Stadium deal later imploded amidst a broader corruption scandal. His resignation also followed ongoing questions over his close ties to resort interests, which were investigated by FBI agents.
During his tenure, Mr. Vanderpool served as one of the longest-serving city managers in Anaheim over the past 15 years. Some city council members had previously acknowledged his tenure for bringing consistency to the leadership role, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, his time in office was also significantly affected by a city hall corruption scandal. This scandal was initially triggered by an FBI probe that became public in 2022 and was subsequently compounded by the city’s own internal investigation into city hall’s operations. The ongoing scandal has raised questions regarding whether Mr. Vanderpool and other top city officials prioritized the interests of Disneyland resort entities and developers over the interests of Anaheim residents.
Following Mr. Vanderpool's departure, Anaheim City Council members voted to engage a consulting firm for a nationwide search to identify his replacement. The upcoming selection process marks a key moment for the city, which is concurrently facing other significant developments. Angels Owner Arte Moreno is anticipated to finalize a deal to sell his Major League Baseball team to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke early next year. Additionally, residents continue to await the results of an assessment of Angel Stadium’s condition. This assessment, initially approved four years ago, could be instrumental in informing any potential future negotiations concerning a stadium deal. The city's next city manager will assume leadership amidst these ongoing civic and financial considerations.
