ANAHEIM – The City Council has called a special meeting to address residents’ questions in light of days of unrest following two officer-involved shootings.

It will be at 4p.m. Aug. 8 at Cook Auditorium on the campus of Anaheim High School, 811 W. Lincoln Ave. Mayor Tom Tait said he also plans to call for a council vote that night to place a measure on the November ballot for electing council members by district – something many in the Latino community have been pushing for, saying it would ensure better representation of Latinos. Tait said the city has until Aug. 10 to place a measure on the ballot.

The auditorium holds nearly 1,300 people, while the council chamber holds fewer than 200.

“City leaders recognize that there is a need for additional community dialogue and discussion,” reads a statement from the city. “Members of the Anaheim community are invited to come and present their thoughts, ideas and recommendations on ways to help improve the city and its relationship with its people, their neighborhoods and their government.”

A City Council meeting on July 24 was aborted after four hours “in the interest of safety,” the mayor said, when protests among an overflow crowd turned violent on the streets outside City Hall. Part of the problem that night was that the council chambers were overflowing with people, and many who wanted to get inside to address the council could not.

Protesters shouted, “Let us in!” But there was no more room.

The City Council had not been scheduled to meet again until Aug. 21. But council members said they needed to have a dialogue with the community sooner than that.

“I’m disappointed that the people who needed to be heard that night (July 24) were mostly shut out,” Councilwoman Lorri Galloway said. “We need to hear from them as soon as possible.”

Asked if she was concerned about a special meeting potentially being a flashpoint for more unruly protests, Galloway said: “There is that potential, and I am saddened by that. The city will do everything possible to ensure constructive dialogue.”

We need to move forward with that to begin to heal.”

The city’s statement said city business will be discussed that night, in addition to taking public comments. But the agenda typically isn’t released until about three days before a meeting. Those speaking to the council that night will have up to three minutes each – the standard time.

Comments can also be submitted prior to the meeting by emailing them to cityclerk@anaheim.net.

The meeting will be streamed live on the city’s website, anaheim.net.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com