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City agrees to raise share of Santiago Geologic Abatement District assessment to avoid landslide risk
Summary
Anaheim staff recommended and the council approved a voluntary increase in the city's contribution to the Santiago Geologic Hazard Abatement District assessment from about 12% to 17.75%, tying it to a minimum annual deferred-maintenance expenditure; the measure passed 6-1.
The Anaheim City Council agreed to support a recalibrated Prop. 218–compliant assessment for the Santiago Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GAD), with the city voluntarily increasing its share of the GAD's annual cost from roughly 12% to 17.75% to protect hillside neighborhoods and public streets.
City staff said the Santiago GAD — formed after the 1993 landslide in Anaheim Hills and funded originally by litigation settlements — operates a network of dewatering wells and monitoring equipment that prevents slope failure. The GAD has relied on temporary assessments and short-term reserves since initial funding ran out in 2022.
Staff told council the city owns public streets (by easement) within the GAD and that failing to sustain the dewatering system could cause slope reactivation and infrastructure damage. The GAD board’s earlier attempt to pass a permanent assessment had narrowly failed; staff said the city contribution increase should make the ballot effort more successful. The city’s additional commitment is tied to a guaranteed minimum of $20,000 annually for deferred maintenance on the dewatering system, indexed to CPI.
Council debate focused on fairness to private homeowners — the GAD covers around 300 private single-family parcels — and on protecting public infrastructure. The council approved the city’s voluntary contribution 6-1; one council member voted no.
