06/28/2024 - Council Minutes - Special MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 13, 2024
MINUTES
City of Orange
City Council
June 28, 2024
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 4:30
p.m. for a Special Meeting in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange,
California.
4:30 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called Closed Session to order at 4:32 p.m.
1.1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Ana Gutierrez.
1.2 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
2. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
2.1. City of Orange Public Safety/City Services Local General Transactions and Use
Tax (Sales Tax). (Continued from June 25, 2024.)
Public Speakers:
The following spoke in support of placing a sales tax measure on the ballot:
Sister Mary Sweeney, Bradley Brown, Ray Winick supports a 1%, Curt Peterson
supports a 1%, Jonathan Zimmerman supports a 0.1/2%, Reggie Mundekis supports a
VA for 10 years, Ryan Pratt, Matt Hamilton, Doug Hamilton supports a 3/4% for 4
years, Pat Buttress supports a 1/2%, Diana Zdenck supports a 1%, Dru Whitefeather,
Bryan Hyland supports a 1%, Eugene Fields, Tim Smith, Doug Redding, Lirio Sanchez
supports a 1%, Laura Thomas, and Mike Learakos.
The following spoke in opposition of placing a sales tax measure on the ballot:
Bill Masters, Eddie Albright, Todd Spitzer, Paula Prizio, Carole Walters, Gary
Doebereiner, Vicente Mendez, John Sackrison, Sara Catalan, David Johnson, Ernie
Glasgow, and Allen Mozneft.
Charles Bell spoke in support of an audit.
Written Public Comments
Stephanie Lesinkski Tilhof emailed in support of a 1/2% sales tax for 10 years.
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The following submitted eComments in support of placing a sales tax measure on the
ballot: Johnny Pham, Patricia Waasted, Jeff Lawrence supports a 3/4% for 4 years,
Don Dawson supports a 3/4% for 5 years, and Michael Ristig.
During deliberations, Council discussed whether they would support placing any kind of
sales tax measure on the November ballot, the range of percentages they could
support, and duration.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tern Barrios, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez,
to adopt Resolution No. 11559 with a 1% transaction and use (sales) tax expiring after
10 years and a 1/2% transaction and use (sales) tax to follow expiring after 10 years.
The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, and Slater
Noes: Tavoularis, Bilodeau, and Gyllenhammer
Absent: None
During further discussion, Councilmember Bilodeau indicated he would only support a
1/2% measure. Councilmember Gyllenhammer expressed he did not support any tax
measure at this time and thinks the City can continue making budget reductions and
streamline processes through technology. Council also discussed eliminating Council
stipends and health benefits.
Mayor Slater made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 11559 with a 1/2% transaction
and use (sales) tax expiring after 10 years; but then withdrew his motion to allow his
colleague to make the motion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Bilodeau, seconded by Mayor Slater, to adopt
Resolution No. 11559 with a 1/2% transaction and use (sales) tax expiring after 10
years.
A substitute motion was made by Mayor pro tem Barrios, seconded by Councilmember
Gutierrez to adopt Resolution No. 11559 with a 1/2% transaction and use (sales) tax
expiring after 15 years.
During discussion, Councilmember Dumitru indicated that a 1/2% sales tax would leave
the City with an ongoing deficit after 4 years.
A substitute motion was made by Mayor pro tern Barrios, seconded by Councilmember
Gutierrez, to adopt Resolution No. 11559 with a 1/2% transaction and use (sales) tax
expiring after 15 years. The motion failed by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Gutierrez, and Slater
Noes: Dumitru, Tavoularis, Bilodeau, and Gyllenhammer
Absent: None
Mayor Slater called for the vote on the main motion.
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City Council Minutes June 28,2024
A motion was made by Councilmember Bilodeau, seconded by Mayor Slater, to adopt
Resolution No. 11559 with a 1/2% transaction and use (sales) tax expiring after 10
years. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange ordering the submission
to the qualified electors of the City a certain measure relating to a local general
transactions and use tax (Sales Tax) at the November 5, 2024, General Municipal
Election as called by Resolution No. 11545. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, and Slater
Noes: Dumitru, and Gyllenhammer
Absent: None
Council requested the City of Orange Police Association, the City of Orange
Firefighters Association, Mike Spurgeon, Carolyn Cavecche, and Mike Short write the
argument in favor, with consent, with Barry Cottle and a City of Orange business leader
as alternates.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Barrios, seconded by Mayor Slater, to adopt
Resolution No. 11561 requesting the following to be signatories of the argument in
favor: one representative from the City of Orange Police Association, one
representative from the City of Orange Firefighters Association, Mike Spurgeon,
Carolyn Cavecche, Mike Short with Barry Cottle and an Orange business leader as
alternates.
Resolution No. 11561. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange Setting
Priorities for filing written arguments regarding a City measure and directing the City
Attorney to prepare an impartial analysis for the measure to be submitted to the voters
at the General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, and Slater
Noes: Gyllenhammer
Absent: None
Abstain: Dumitru
2.2. City of Orange Public Safety/City Services Transient Occupancy Tax Measure.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor Slater, to
withdraw Item 2.2 from discussion. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Councilmember Dumitru left the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
2.3. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Proposed Budget Reductions.
Council discussed reconsidering council compensation and health benefits and
terminating all city memberships. Mayor Slater prefers to wait on discussing council
compensation until all Councilmembers are present.
A motion was made by Mayor Slater, seconded by Councilmember Bilodeau, to
postpone discussion of eliminating City Council compensation and health benefits to
the August 13, 2024, City Council meeting. The motion carried by the following vote:
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City Council Minutes June 28,2024
Ayes: Tavoularis, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: Barrios, and Gutierrez
Absent: Dumitru
During further discussion, staff was directed to return with a report about reinstating the
Crossing Guards Program.
2.3. Fiscal Year 2024-25 Proposed Budget Reductions.
Public Speakers:
Reggie Mundekis supports bringing back the crossing guards program and expressed
concerns with the City canceling its SCAG membership.
James Kushon spoke about relinquishing a $125,000 CIP dog park project leftover
from FY24 budget.
Chris Jepsen opposes any reductions to the library or library staff.
Eddie Albright encouraged the City to accept Wilson Automotive's donation for the
Concerts in the Park series.
Councilmember Tavoularis left the dais at 6:30 p.m. and returned at 6:41 p.m. Mayor
pro tern Barrios left the dais at 6:39 p.m. and returned at 6:40 p.m.
A motion was made by Mayor Slater, seconded by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, to
reinstate all Concerts in the Park events pending the donation from Wilson Automotive
is received by Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Tavoularis, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: Dumitru
Abstain: Barrios, and Gutierrez
3. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6:00
p.m., in the Council Chamber, with Closed Session beginning at 5:00 p.m., if
necessary. The July 9, 2024, Regular City Council meeting has been cancelled.
PAMELA COLEMAN DANIEL R. SLATER
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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