06/11/2024 - Council Meeting - Special MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JULY 23, 2024
MINUTES
City of Orange
City Council
June 11, 2024
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at
4:30 p.m. for a Special Meeting in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange,
California.
4:30 PM BUDGET STUDY SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the meeting to order at 4:34 p.m.
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
2. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
2.1. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund Budget Balancing Proposal.
Public Speakers:
Mark Leestma spoke in opposition of eliminating community events.
Katherine Connaghan spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior
Center.
Linda Jaeckels spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
David Bastin spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Danilo Farol spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Reggie Mundekis spoke about the budget crisis and supports reductions across the
board.
Mike Short stated the Orange Community Master Chorale would like to help with the
Tree Lighting event.
Mat Thomason spoke in support of implementing a Life Safety Fee for universities.
Mikeline Skibsted spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Amy Parker spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Linda Hicks spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Janice Lagrave spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Carole Walters spoke in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
Doug Redding spoke in support of a payment in lieu of taxes for non profits.
Tim Smith spoke in opposition of reducing public safety budgets.
Doug Vogel spoke in opposition of increasing taxes.
Elisabeth Costello spoke in support of finding other ways to increase revenue.
Grace Hills spoke in opposition of eliminating community events.
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City Council Minutes June 11,2024
Written Public Comments
Steve Tyler submitted an email in support of a sales tax measure if 3rd of July and
other special events were eliminated.
John Tomlinson, Apartment Association of Orange County, submitted a letter opposing
the proposed $250 fee for investment properties.
Vickie Talley, MHeT, submitted an email in opposition of a long-term rental fee and
annual impact fee for residential investment properties.
Aurora Murphy submitted an email in opposition of eliminating the funding to the Senior
Center.
A form letter from 219 Orange Senior Center participants was received in opposition of
eliminating the funding to the Senior Center.
City Manager Kisela introduced the item and Finance Director Trang Nguyen presented
the staff report. City Manager Kisela reiterated that any reductions would be temporary.
Staff will bring back a budget update in December for Council's consideration.
Council discussed funding for Senior Center, Library programs, Our Orange magazine,
reducing staff at community events, and employee vacancy rate.
After further discussion, Council voted on each section of the FY 2025 proposed
expenditure reductions.
Eliminate hiring incentive" ($73,000) was removed from Administrative Support
proposed reductions and will be considered under the public safety discussion.
Administrative Support Reductions*
Reduce supplies, training, and office equipment $52,136
Consolidate 24/7 app with Mainstar 20,700
Eliminate communication support service contract 75,000
Eliminate City Council meals 1,500
Eliminate CERT program 28,500 (for future consideration)
Eliminate contribution to Miss Orange 5,000
Eliminate Ride Share/Health Fair 5,000
Eliminate membership to League of CA Cities 34,000
Eliminate membership to SCAG and OCCOG 17,500 & 11,200 (for future
consideration)
City Council, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Human Resources, and Finance
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tern Barrios,
to approve proposed Administrative Support reductions as presented except "Eliminate
hiring incentive" line item, which was removed. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
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City Council Minutes June 11,2024
2.1. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund Budget Balancing Proposal.
Library Services Reductions
Reduce PT staff 286,299
Resources/subscriptions, programs,
supplies, outreach, events, training/development 223,069
A motion was made by Councilmember Bilodeau, seconded by Mayor pro tern Barrios,
to approve proposed Library Services reductions as presented. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Landscape services -change to mid-grade fertilizer 66,505
disband the use of soil additives
Park custodial - remove seasonal cleaning 16,720
and reduce cleaning frequency
Cleaning services - reduce dog park cleaning services 8,970
Landscape services- remove fertilization services 10,000
Our Orange" design and printing 103,000
Cleaning and day porter at OES 74,700
For future consideration:
Water cost-turn off Veteran's fountain 9,024
Cleaning services -eliminate Veteran 11,200
fountain cleaning contract
Lyons Security nightly patrols in Parks 154,746
Aquatic Program - summer 2025 226,475
A motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Mayor pro tern
Barrios, to approve proposed Community Services reductions with the following line
items removed for separate consideration: PT staff for various special events, portable
restrooms, holiday decorations, Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Veterans
Day, Treats in the Streets, Tree Lighting Ceremony, 3rd of July, Special event supplies,
and Orange Elderly Services contribution. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
PT staff for various special events 91,000 $100,000 for future consideration
A motion was made by Mayor pro tern Barrios, seconded by Councilmember
Gyllenhammer, to reduce PT staff for various special events to $91,000 this year and
move $100,000 for future consideration. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, and Gyllenhammer
Noes: Bilodeau, and Slater
Absent: None
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City Council Minutes June 11,2024
Community Services Reductions
Portable restrooms 17,000 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Mayor pro tern Barrios,
to keep the portable restrooms at Killefer and El Modena basin. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, and Slater
Noes: Tavoularis, and Gyllenhammer
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Holiday Decorations 63,000 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tern Barrios,
to keep the Holiday Decorations. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: Bilodeau
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Veterans Day 2,245 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember
Dumitru, to keep the Veterans Day event. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Concerts in the Park 26,700 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tem Barrios,
to keep the Concerts in the Park event with the condition that staff contact the Kiwanis
Club and other services groups that have expressed interest in assisting by taking over
the event for the next two fiscal years. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, and Gyllenhammer
Noes: Bilodeau, and Slater
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Tree Lighting Ceremony 55,425 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Councilmember
Gyllenhammer, to keep the Tree Lighting Ceremony with the condition that staff
contact the Community Master Chorale and other non-profits that have expressed
interest in taking over the event. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
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City Council Minutes June 11,2024
Community Services Reductions
Treats in the Streets 14,141 - keep
A motion was made by Mayor pro tern Barrios, seconded by Councilmember
Gyllenhammer, to keep the Treats in the Streets event this year with the condition that
staff begin the efforts to find a group to take it over. The motion carried by the following
vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, and Gyllenhammer
Noes: Slater
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Special Event supplies 23,650 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember
Dumitru, to retain Special Event supplies. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: Bilodeau
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Orange Elderly Services contribution $224,100 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Councilmember
Tavoularis, to continue funding the Orange Elderly Services at the same contribution
amount and direct staff to work with Santiago Community College for collaboration and
savings. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
Movies in the Park 9,200 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tem Barrios,
to keep the Movies in the Park event. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, and Gyllenhammer
Noes: Tavoularis, and Slater
Absent: None
Community Services Reductions
3rd of July 135,582 - keep
A motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember
Dumitru, to keep the 3rd of July event and direct staff to work with the Park Planning
and Special Events Commission to increase sponsorships, review fees, and reduce
costs where possible. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, and Gyllenhammer
Noes: Tavoularis, Bilodeau, and Slater
Absent: None
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City Council Minutes June 11,2024
2.1. Fiscal Year 2024-2025 General Fund Budget Balancing Proposal.
This item was continued to the 6:00 p.m. Regular Session on June 11, 2024.
3. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:34 p.m. to the Regular Meeting on June 11, 2024, in
the Council Chamber for the purpose of continuing Item 2.1.
worPAMELACOLEMAN DANIEL R. SLATER
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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