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12-01-1998 Council Minutes Adj RegularAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 8, 1998 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING December 1, 1998 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on December 1, 1998 at 4:30 p.m. in an Adjourned Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 7:00 P.M. SESSION OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY MUSICAL PRELUDE Performed by The Swingsations INVOCATION Given by George Hood PRESENTATION OF COLORS Orange Police Department Color Guard PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Stephanie Baldwin, 1999 Miss Orange SINGING A MEDLEY OF GOD BLESS AMERICA Leslie Frazer PUBLIC COMMENTS - None CONSENT CALENDAR Declaration of City Clerk, Cassandra 1. Cathcart, declaring posting of City Council Agenda of an Adjourned Regular Meeting of December 1, 1998 at Orange Civic Center, Taft Branch Library at 740 E. Taft Avenue, Police Facility at 1107 North Batavia, the Eisenhower Park Bulletin Board,and summarized on Time- Warner Communications, all of said locations being in the City of Orange and freely accessible to members of the public at least 72 hours before commencement of said Adjourned Regular Meeting.MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Slater AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez ACTION: Approved.PAGE 1 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 LEGAL AFFAIRS RESOLUTION NO. 9047 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange, California, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 3, 1998 declaring the results and such other matters as provided by law. MOTION - Spurgeon SECOND - Murphy AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez Moved that Resolution No. 9047 as introduced, be adopted and same was passed and adopted by the preceding vote. PRESENTATIONS Supervisor Steiner presented the City an Urban Park check in the amount of $138,900 for the new Beazer Park. Supervisor Steiner introduced his successor newly-elected Supervisor Cynthia Coad.On behalf of the City Council, Mayor Coontz presented Supervisor Steiner with a plaque holding the Key to the City of Orange in gratitude for the many years of dedicated service.OATH OF OFFICE Administration of Oath of Office by the City Clerk to:Mayor-Elect Joanne Coontz Councilman- Elect Murphy Councilman-Elect Slater The following comments were given by:Mayor Joanne Coontz Orange is a great community and I am most honored to have been re-elected Mayor of this wonderful and unique City. I owe a great deal of thanks to a great number of people who supported me. Business and community leaders, city and county endorsing associations who see me fulfilling my job, including our Fire and Police Associations which deliver quality services to our community; and former mayors and elected county and state representatives. I am very proud ofthat support. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 Mayor Coontzs' comments (continued) I owe gratitude to my family, some of whom are here tonight, my husband, Lee; my son Lee, his wife Isabelle, there are three generations of Lees, and my daughter Elaine, her husband Dave Bevaque and son Ryan which means little King. Lee has three children, another Lee and Francis and their new addition baby Sara. Our son Alex was to be here tonight but he is working. They're all a great blessing to me. I thoroughly enjoy my job as Mayor and as a volunteer in the community. Every family has a set of ideals and principles that are often passed on for many generations. From an early age, I heard stories about my family, people who came to this country to escape religious persecution, who volunteered in many wars, who were teachers and ministers when the West was young; those who held local and State appointive and elected positions, several abolitionists and two grandmothers who worked with homeless children in the inner cities and helped to form the nationwide Parent Teacher Association. More recently my own father, who served as a California State Legislator. None of them were wealthy people because wealth did not rule their lives. The message was always clear, the same message that drew me to membership in Rotary International, "Do your best to sustain the American dream - to place service above self," and that' s been my motto.I went back and re-read my notes of the swearing-in ceremonies of 1994 and 1996. We achieved every one of the goals we set forth. Today we are a better City in every way. Our goals were accomplished with the help of outstanding department Leaders and the entire City family. Our financial position is strong and the community advisory committee on investments and audit are a valuable new addition to retain that strength.Our partnership with the business and industrial community has helped us to identify ways to improve our financial position, retain new business and attract several new ventures like the Stadium Promenade, The Block and the expanded Ford of Orange which will open soon.We are a safe City. We have proven success in helping individual citizens, businesses and neighborhoods reduce crime.The Council, staff and community worked diligently to help Chapman University bring their new law school to Orange and to expand their campus and parking. We developed significant improvements to our communications system and are prepared to meet the millennium in what is called "Y2K." Televising civic functions and City Council meetings was accomplished. We are updating and expanding our Library and park facilities. These are all the things we planned in the last few years. Community Services promoted highly successful family programs with a July 3rd extravaganza and the Halloween and Christmas events in the Plaza. Mobile recreation programs are being delivered to heavily populated neighborhoods who need the help. Even more important is the revival of a working committee with the Orange Unified School District to address the needs of our youth throughout the City. These are only a few of the goals we have achieved and I'm sure the two newly re-elected Councilmembers can add and fill in what I haven' t said. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 Mayor Coontzs - Comments (Continued).What are the opportunities and challenges for the near future? We placed a great deal of emphasis on making sure that the newly opened Eastern Transportation Corridor went smoothly and of the least disturbance to neighboring residents and we did not receive one Mayor's Hot Line Call, so I'm sure we did a good job.Our experience will help us to work successfully with Cal- Trans and OCTA on the monumental task of protecting community interests during new construction to the 55 Freeway beginning early next year. Other challenges soon awaiting our decisions are the regional issues of EI Toro Airport, Light-Rail, Reconstruction of the 22 Freeway and most important to our City's future the scheduled annexation beginning in 1999 by a previous agreement of the 7,200 acres of The Irvine Company land to the east of the new corridor. We want to make sure that our ten years of detailed planning for that area compliments the existing City and follow through on the main principles of our adopted zoning and general plan to protect the existing and future City of Orange. I pledge to you, the citizens of Orange, my full support as your Mayor. As one member of a five member City Council team, we will work together to further our goals and keep Orange the best City in the County. As we look ahead to the future, we will keep an eye on the rearview mirror to maintain the heritage that current and past generations have fought to preserve." Councilman Slater - Comments It' s hard to believe that four years have already passed since I was sworn into my first term.That was two days before the County declared bankruptcy and I'm sure, Mr. Steiner, that is a day you will never forget. It has been quite a ride these last four years with the bankruptcy, the death of our City Manager, Dave Dixon, the trash scandal, and the Police Chief firing. Although I'm still the youngest person on the Council, I can attest that there's a few less hairs, and what's left is a little bit grayer. But believe me when I tell you that there have been far more good and positive things accomplished in Orange during this time.My five favorites are: 1) The dramatic reduction in the crime rate and in neighborhood blight.2) The Block and the Century Stadium Promonade over on Katella. 3) The McPherson Athletic Field that will hopefully soon be Beazer Park. 4) Chapman University expansion and the acquisition of the Law School which is under construction. 5) Renaissance of our Old Towne Historic District and the placement of the entire square mile on the National Register making it the largest historic district in the State of California.There' s one major negative which is a black eye for the City of Orange and that's trashgate. This is an issue this Council cannot ignore and one that the citizens don't want us to ignore. But, it will be done right this time because as you have come to know me, you can be sure I'll tell you if it' s not. When the District Attorney finally issues his report that reveals the facts of this debacle and misuse of taxpayer money, I hope you insist that this Council take swift and immediate PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 Councilman Slater - Comments (continued)action as well and institute reforms because I can assure you that that's what I will insist on.This is one thing that you and I are going to turn into a positive for the City of Orange.I' m not being trite or canned here when I say that Orange is poised for a very bright future. Sure,I know many of you long-time residents are saying to yourselves that Orange was the best in the 30's or 40's or in the 50's. I grew up in the 1960's and I thought it was a great place then. But Orange is a big city now and there are so many things we can appreciate it for in that light. I think Orange is ready to accept its role as a major player in Orange County, but we must never stand by and let big city problems overcome us. That's where you come in. The brightness of Orange's future depends on you, its citizens. I'm counting on you to be a part of the vision I have for the City of Orange by telling me what you want for the future of our City. I plan to look at all aspects of our City and determine where we want to go in the 2151 century. I want your thoughts to be a part of the vision you expect me to promote for Orange's future. My door will always be open for you. I want to hear your ideas, your suggestions and your complaints. In fact you are welcome to join me at my home any morning at 7:30 when I take a one hour brisk walk. Just call my office the night before and let me know if you are coming - 997-0050. I would be happy to have you join me during that time. You have elected a good City Council and we are not always going to agree, but that's good and healthy. What you can count on is that I will always be soliciting your help and your support. The quality of life and health of any city or neighborhood is only as good as the investment in time and resources that its citizens are willing to commit. Before I conclude I would like to introduce my Mom Jean Slater, my campaign manager Linda Moresca, who I am very grateful for her help and organization skills. I also want to express my sincerest gratitude and appreciation to all of you who helped on my campaign. I appreciate how hard you worked and I appreciate each and every one of you very very much. I also wanted to thank my fellow Councilmembers for having the confidence to bestow on me the honor of Mayor pro tem these last two years. It meant a lot to me. Thank you very much. Most importantly I'm very honored to be re-elected to serve the citizens of Orange because quite frankly, I am passionate about this City. With the guidance and wisdom of our Creator, I will be proud to continue to serve on the Orange City Council."Councilman Murphy - Comments I too am truly honored the citizens of Orange have put their trust in me to represent them for another four years. I can't quite believe that it's been four years already since the last election and I'm almost the youngest guy on the Council. I want to say thank you to everyone who supported me on the campaign, the folks that stepped up and endorsed me early on, the elected leaders that are here as well as those that aren't here, but certainly Assemblyman Campbell, Bill Steiner, Supervisor, former Mayor Jim Beam and others. I really value the opportunity to continue to serve and I promise to you I won't let any of you down in terms of putting my fullest effort and all my attentions to the benefit to the City of Orange and all the citizens therein. PAGE 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 Councilman Murphy - Comments (continued)I also want to thank my family. The other addition that wasn't here four years ago when I was elected I'm so proud of is my wife, Vikki. Certainly those that go through elections know how much sacrifice families put into offices that are served. They are the unsung heroes sometimes because they have to understand and support the fact that we are gone at night, doing study sessions, going to events and doing things on weekends; and other times we plan our vacations around the events in the City. It takes a special individual, and I am really fortunate to have one of those special individuals as my wife. Also my parents are here, my Mom, Lois Murphy and Dad, Paul Murphy. I'm fortunate as well to have three generations. My grandmother who is a proud resident of the City of Orange, isn't here this evening.Many accolades have been talked about the City of Orange tonight and I couldn't agree more that we are on the crest of extraordinary times for our City. I believe we are well positioned to make the most of our future. The business community is certainly thriving. Once again Orange has been recognized as one of the Country's safest cities. The City organization itself continues to operate within a balanced budget while accomplishing some of the most aggressive projects in our City's history. The Block in Orange is a great example ofthat. It's been mentioned a couple of times before, but if you haven't been there yet, please take time to stop by. It adds a totally new dimension to our City and I'm so proud to have had a small part in bringing it to the City of Orange. Ford of Orange prepares to open up a new state of the art facility. One that hasn't been mentioned yet tonight is the new Town and Country Center that has opened facing Main Place.Many people don't know that that is in the City of Orange, but it is and we are so happy to see another center from the 50's and 60's vintage be brought up to the millennium and ready to address the economic challenges ahead.I' ve always focused on three issues: public safety, which is my prime responsibility as a City Councilman and I'm proud to have been supported by both the Fire and Police Families as well as a number of other endorsing organizations in the City and your support meant a lot to me. I promise that I will maintain your trust and represent all the citizens well. I want to continue to focus on the issues that will serve the taxpayers well and capitalize on all the opportunities ahead. You' ve heard about Beazer Park and I think you're going to hear a third commitment about that tonight which is the fact that we absolutely have to have Beazer Park as a part of our park and recreation structure. Frankly, I'm going to set out a challenge to say that we need to find another park site above and beyond Beazer. I thought one had already been identified and would soon be finalized, but as our population grows, we absolutely have to grow our parks and recreation resources as well for our youth.PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 Councilman Murphy - Comments (continued)Also, I'm going to throw out another challenge to the Council and that is we need to build a community center on either one of these new park sites or a park site we already have because it' s something that we've talked about for the last five to ten years. Certainly, a City of our size needs to have that as a part of our resources.I look forward to a groundbreaking for the new Library. While the current Library transformation will be unveiled early next year, we need to remain focused on an ultimate objective of a new main library and commit the energy, resources and a partnership to make sure that becomes a realty.East Orange has already been talked about. It's incredibly important to our future and I look forward in having an active role in that part. I will close with something I read that would be a good charter for the Council as a whole. There's a gentleman by the name of Ronald Reagan that said " The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things; he's the one who gets people to do the greatest things." I think the charter of this Council should be to get the entire citizenry of the City of Orange to do great things to make sure that our City continues to be the greatest place to live, work and raise a family. God Bless and thank you very much."COUNCIL REORGANIZATION Election of Mayor pro tem Mayor Coontz nominated Councilman Spurgeon to serve as Mayor pro tem.MOTION - Mayor Coontz SECOND - Murphy AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez Moved to approve the nomination of Mike Spurgeon to serve as Mayor pro tem.Mayor pro tem Spurgeon introduced the following dignitaries present: Assemblyman Campbell,Phil Yarborough, Trustee, Rancho Santiago College, Supervisor Steiner and successor Cynthia Coad, Jim Beam, former Mayor, and Dennis Bilodeau, representing Supervisor Spitzer's office.Councilman Murphy announced The Block will be holding a concert on December 10, 1998 which will be a fundraiser for local charities. Tickets are available at TicketMaster.PAGE 7 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 1, 1998 ADJOURNMENT MOTION - Mayor Coontz SECOND - Murphy AYES - Murphy, Slater, Mayor Coontz, Spurgeon, Alvarez THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED AT 7:55 P.M. TO THE GEORGE WEIMER ROOM FOR A RECEPTION IN HONOR OF THE NEWLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS.NOTE: THE CITY COUNCIL ALSO ADJOURNED TO AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1998 AT 5:00 P.M. IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS TO CONSIDER THE PLAZA PRESERVATION PROJECT.i~nt! MJ/k-kd CASSANDRAJ. THCART, CMC CITY CLERK JOANNE COONTZ MAYOR PAGE 8