Molly Mcclanahan

City Clerk Anne M. York, who found herself in the middle of a recall storm that swept the city, is retiring on Sept. 30. York, who was the target of an unsuccessful recall drive, submitted her retirement papers this week. She sent a letter to the City Council saying she will leave the city later this month, but she left no explanation for her retirement. York was not available for comment Friday.

Five north Orange County city councils chose new mayors this week. In La Habra, Beth Graham was appointed mayor on a 4-0 vote with one abstention, replacing William Mahoney. Councilman Douglas J. Bystry abstained and voiced objections to the process. "I strongly favor an equal, fair and rotational basis for the selection of mayor in our city," he said. Bystry has served for three years on the council and said he felt it was his turn to become mayor a year ago.

The City Council on a 3-2 vote this week created a non-discrimination policy to be included in all city contracts, replacing an affirmative-action clause that one council member said was never formally approved. The new policy states that "in the awarding of the contract, the city shall give equal opportunity to all bidders, regardless of sex, race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin."

City Council members this week gave a resident permission to split a 5.6-acre parcel of land into six lots for single-family homes. The move, passed on a 4-1 vote, was denied in July by the Planning Commission after the landowner's neighbors asked the city to allow the land to be split into no more than five lots. The land fronts Vista Lomitas Drive and Lindendale Avenue.

A Fullerton Police Officers Assn. committee this week announced its support for four city officials facing a recall election June 7. The union's Political Action Committee voted unanimously to back the challenged officials, saying its members will cast their ballots against the ouster of Mayor A.B. (Buck) Catlin, City Clerk Anne M. York and council members Molly McClanahan and Don Bankhead.

Pat McKinley, a captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, was selected Tuesday to become chief of the Police Department. He will start Feb. 8. McKinley, 51, is a 29-year veteran of the LAPD. He will replace Chief Philip A. Goehring, who retired Dec. 28 after 31 years with the department. City Manager James L. Armstrong, in making the appointment, praised McKinley's leadership and community involvement.

The City Council tonight is expected to discuss a projected $4.2-million shortfall in the city's 1993-94 budget. Residents are encouraged to attend the council meeting and suggest ways to cut spending or raise more money, Mayor Molly McClanahan said. The mayor said she hopes to give direction to the city staff at the meeting, which is the fourth in a series of public discussions on the budget.

A judge has ruled that the city's 2% utility tax was properly created this summer, though only three of five City Council members approved it. Former Chamber of Commerce president Thomas J. O'Neill sued the city in August, arguing that the tax was illegal. O'Neill charged that four council members needed to support the tax on telephone, electricity, water, natural gas and cable television services. But Superior Court Judge Richard W. Luesebrink ruled Dec. 27 that the tax was legally imposed.

City Council members on Tuesday refused to reconsider their approval of a controversial low-income housing project. Residents asked the council to reverse last month's decision to allow the construction of a 27-unit apartment complex and a two-level parking structure at 2200 E. Chapman Ave. They argued that the project would create traffic problems. But the council voted 4 to 1 to deny their request. Councilman Chris Norby cast the lone dissenting vote. Mayor A.B.

While voter discontent with incumbents may have influenced some local elections, the majority of Fullerton voters were happy with the status quo. Councilwoman Molly McClanahan and Mayor A.B. (Buck) Catlin kept their seats on the council, defeating challenger Ray Merryman. "I'm very pleased with the election," said McClanahan, 53, who along with Catlin will be starting her third term on the council. "I believe it shows that voters are happy with the direction of the City Council."