50 years ago: groundwork laid for newly incorporated Yorba Linda at 1967 meeting

 Much of the groundwork for the newly incorporated Yorba Linda was laid at a four-hour meeting of civic leaders held days before the first City Council session 50 years ago this week.

Participating in the Oct. 26, 1967, meeting were the five newly elected council members and nine Steering Committee for Incorporation officers. Minutes were taken by Betty Christiansen, the only woman among 27 contenders for the initial council positions. (She placed sixth.)

Jim Erickson, a cityhood supporter who became the first City Attorney, told the group that revenue to finance the fledgling city was a key concern, according to meeting minutes. Incorporation proponents had promised to not levy a city property tax.

Sales tax revenue wouldn't be assigned to the city until Jan. 1, 1968, but gasoline taxes, license funds and other revenue streams would be available immediately. Additional voter registrations would bring in $150 each to the city.

One reason cityhood won by a 3 to 1 voter margin was dismay over county zoning decisions. According to meeting minutes, Erickson stated, “Zoning problems such as apartments and trailer parks can be cut off as soon as the city becomes a legal entity through the adoption of an emergency ordinance.”

While many of the city's first ordinances would follow county practices and contract for county services, such as policing and planning, the new council would have final authority on all matters. Zoning variances would go through the dreaded county process, but they would need council approval.

Erickson recommended council appoint a planning commission within one month and follow with other citizen advisory committees to deal with oil problems, beautification and parks and recreation as “an excellent way of involving more people in city government.”

Among other first actions Erickson suggested: appoint a city engineer, clerk, treasurer and attorney; set up a bank depository; establish a meeting place and time; purchase public liability insurance and surety bonds for each council member and city officer; and adopt a city seal.

Erickson “stressed the importance of the council presenting a solid front. It is important that there be no public blood-letting and dissension,” meeting minutes noted. Obviously, several succeeding councils have ignored this advice, which is too often impractical to implement.

Also, about “the art of talking to the press,” meeting minutes stated Erickson gave this advice to the new council: “As a general rule, reporters ask questions that would be embarrassing to the council, or they raise issues that will sell papers. Smile a lot and don't say much. Cities are a particular target of newspapers.”

The first council meeting was an organizational session held Nov. 2, 1967, at the Richard Nixon School (now the site of the Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum). The first regular council meeting took place at the school Nov. 6, 1967.