HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-14-2025 Council MinutesAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 11, 2025
MINUTES
City of Orange
City Council
January 14, 2025
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at
5:00 p.m. in a Regular Meeting in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange,
California.
5:00 PM CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called Closed Session to order at 5:03 p.m.
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
Councilmember Gutierrez joined Closed Session at 5:05 p.m. Mayor pro tem Bilodeau
joined Closed Session at 5:06 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:05 p.m. with all Members present,
except Mayor pro tem Bilodeau who joined Closed Session at 5:06 p.m., to discuss the
following:
a.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL— EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) & (d)(1) - Three cases
1) Name of Case: Susanne Elizabeth D'Arcy v. Thomas J. Rothenberger, et al.
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2020-01150553
2) Name of Case: Californians for Homeownership v. City of Orange
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01382115
3) Name of Case: The Orange JCP Project Owner, LLC v. City of Orange
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2024-01415352
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b. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property Location: 171 and 177 N. Cypress Street
Agency Negotiator: Aaron Schulze, Economic Development Manager
Negotiating Parties: Evan Clark
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Property Location: 307 E. Chapman Avenue
Agency Negotiator: Aaron Schulze, Economic Development Manager
Negotiating Parties: Hicham Semaan
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
c.PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)1
Title: City Manager
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None
5. ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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City Council Minutes January 14,2025
6:00 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Pastor Ric Olsen from The Beacon Church.
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Jon Dumitru.
1.3 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introduction of Miss Orange 2025 contestants.
1.5 REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Speakers:
Reggie Mundekis spoke in support of maintaining staffing levels for Police Department,
Fire Department, and non-safety employees.
Greg Arrowsmith described his rental properties in Palos Verdes.
Carole Walters inquired about the City's preparedness for a fire emergency.
Paul Sargeant spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
Katie Montgomery commented about the importance of libraries in the community.
Shari Oalal spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
Jordan Young commented about the importance of libraries in the community.
Matt Dyer expressed frustration with the recent public safety power outages.
Vicki Hernandez spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
M. Morelock spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
Joel Robinson spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
John Hill spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
RJ Weitzer spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
Brandy Romero recognized the donation of Starlink devices donated to the Fire
Department.
Rita Robinson spoke in opposition of the Orange Heights housing development.
Written Public Comment
Janice Brownfield submitted an email about the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
Kimberly DeLehman submitted an eComment opposing the Orange Heights housing
development.
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RECESS: The City Council recessed at 6:46 p.m. and reconvened at 6:53 p.m. with all
Members present.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
All items on the Consent Calendar are considered routine and are enacted by one
motion approving the recommended action listed on the Agenda. Any member of the
City Council, staff, or the public may request an item be removed from the Consent
Calendar for discussion or separate action. Unless otherwise specified in the request to
remove an item from the Consent Calendar, all items removed shall be considered
immediately following action on the remaining items on the Consent Calendar.
3.1. Waive reading in full of all ordinances on the agenda.
ACTION: Approved.
3.2. Confirmation of accounts payable warrant registers dated December 5, 12, and
19, 2024 and payroll check warrants dated December 6, and 20, 2024.
ACTION: Ratified the accompanying registers.
3.3. Approval of minutes of the City of Orange City Council Regular Meeting held on
December 10, 2024.
ACTION: Approved minutes as presented.
3.4. First Amendment to Attorney Services Agreement with Law Offices of Liebert
Cassidy Whitmore to provide legal services relating to personnel matters.
ACTION: Approved the First Amendment to Attorney Services Agreement with the Law
Offices of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore in the amount of $70,000; and authorized the
Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.5. Participate in a one-time Public Provider Ground Emergency Medical
Transportation Intergovernmental Transfer Program with the California
Department of Health Care Services.
ACTION: Approved agreements with the California Department of Health Care
Services in the amount of $1,100,000, plus a $110,000 assessment fee to the
California Department of Health Care Services for managing the Public Provider
Ground Emergency Medical Transportation program, payable in quarterly
Intergovernmental Transfers; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on
behalf of the City.
3.6. Approval of the submittal of a project funding application to Orange County
Transportation Authority for competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal
Synchronization Program. Resolution No. 11590.
Note: Councilmember Dumitru abstained due to a potential conflict of interest with a
competing agency and a nearby property interest.
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 11590. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Orange approving the submittal of improvement projects to the Orange County
Transportation Authority for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional
Traffic Signal Synchronization Program.
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3.7. Authorization for the Director of Public Works to sign and file a financial
assistance application for a financing agreement with the California State Water
Resources Control Board for the City of Orange Wells 25 and 27 per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances Treatment Systems. Resolution No. 11591.
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. 11591. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Orange authorizing a representative to sign and file a financial assistance application
for a financing and grant agreement with the State Water Resources Control Board for
City of Orange Wells 25 and 27 PFAS Treatment Plant.
3.8. Authorization for designated City personnel to execute documents for federal
financial assistance for the Department of Homeland Security's Emergency
Management Performance Grant program for Fiscal Years 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Resolution No. 11592.
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No.11592. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of
Orange authorizing the execution of documents for federal financial assistance for the
emergency management performance grant program for Fiscal Year 2023, Fiscal Year
2024, and Fiscal Year 2025.
3.9. Appointment of City Councilmembers to Regional Boards and Committees.
Note: Although Form 806 was posted pursuant to FPPC Regulation 18702.5,
Councilmember Dumitru abstained.
ACTION: Confirmed City Councilmember appointments to Regional Boards and
Committees as follows:
Orange City/Schools Coordinating Committee - Gutierrez as representative with
Tavoularis as alternate
Foothill Eastern TCA (Tollroad) - Bilodeau as representative with Tavoularis as
alternate
North Net Fire Training (Joint Powers Authority) - Dumitru as representative with
Tavoularis as alternate
Orange County Sanitation District - Dumitru as representative with Gyllenhammer as
alternate
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control - Dumitru as representative
Orange Elderly Services (Senior Center) - Tavoularis as representative with Gutierrez
as alternate
Santa Ana Flood Protection Agency - Bilodeau as representative with Gutierrez as
alternate
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE ORANGE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
3.10. Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule for the fiscal period covering July 1,
2025, through June 30, 2026. Resolution No. SAORA-038.
1) Adopted Resolution No. SAORA-038. A Resolution of the Governing Board of the
Successor Agency to the Orange Redevelopment Agency approving a Recognized
Obligation Payment Schedule for the fiscal period covering July 1, 2025 through June
30, 2026, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 34177, and taking certain
related actions.
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2) Directed staff to transmit ROPS 25-26 and related administrative budgets to the
Orange Countywide Oversight Board of the Successor Agency to the Orange
Redevelopment Agency.
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Councilmember Dumitru abstained from Items 3.6 and 3.9. All other items were
approved as recommended.
A motion was made by Councilmember Barrios, seconded by Councilmember
Gutierrez, to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SLATER
Mayor Slater invited Fire Chief deMetropolis to provide an update on the Los Angeles
County wildfires.
Mayor Slater reported he attended a Zoom meeting with Southern California Edison
regarding the public safety power outages.
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Gutierrez requested a presentation by the Emergency Operation
Manager at a future meeting.
5.1. Citywide Audit (Gutierrez)
Councilmember Gutierrez requested staff return to a future Council meeting with
options for an audit from an outside firm. Council discussed cost, type, and scope of
audit.
Public Speakers:
John Nelson spoke in support of a forensic audit.
Sammy Rodriguez spoke in support of a forensic audit.
It was Council consensus to have staff return with a menu of options, types, and cost
for an audit.
5.2. Annexation of County Islands (Gutierrez)
Councilmember Gutierrez requested data, cost, and information on whether the County
would contribute to the annexation of County islands. Council discussed including all
County islands and conducting a survey of those residents.
Public Speaker:
Sammy Rodriguez spoke in support of annexing the El Modena Barrio.
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Staff was directed to engage with the County about annexing County islands and
return with a report to Council at a future meeting.
5.3. Council Committee Reports (Gutierrez)
Councilmember Gutierrez requested that Council provide reports on any outside
committees they serve on.
5.4. Highlight Local Business (Barrios & Gutierrez)
Councilmember Barrios highlighted the following local business: Chapman Crafted
Beer & Coffee. Councilmember Gutierrez highlighted the following local business:
America's Tire.
RECESS: The City Council recessed at 8:22 p.m. and reconvened at 8:32 p.m. with all
Members present.
6. AB 1234 REPORTS
None
7. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
None
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.1. A Public Hearing to consider an amendment to the Orange General Plan
including substantive updates to the Safety Element to comply with new State
law, minor non- substantive text and graphic updates to additional Elements of
the General Plan, and finding of CEQA exemption (General Plan Amendment No.
2024-0002). Resolution No. 11589.
Mayor Slater opened the Public Hearing at 8:33 p.m.
Written Public Comment
Adrienne Gladson submitted an eComment.
There being no public speakers, Mayor Slater closed the Public Hearing at 8:33 p.m.
During a brief discussion, Council asked why the following sentence was removed from
the Implementation Plan, Program 1-31 on page 382, "Maintain and enhance the
Preservation Resource Center within the Orange Public Library & Local History Center
that provides access to information about historic preservation regulations and
benefits, technical assistance materials, and information about research methods and
collections;" and requested the statement remain. Staff confirmed it could be added
back in.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Councilmember
Barrios, to: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 11589 with the revision requested by Council to
leave in the sentence in Program 1-31, Orange Public Library Programs. A Resolution
of the City Council of the City of Orange approving General Plan Amendment No.
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2024-0002 amending the City of Orange General Plan Safety Element to comply with
State law, and making non-substantive updates to City policies, text, and graphics to
the remaining General Plan Elements and implementation plan to maintain document
accuracy. 2) Find the proposal exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3), 15168(c), and
15162. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
9.1. Agreement with the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the annual
Orange Street Fair.
Councilmember Barrios recused herself from Item 9.1 due to her spouse serving on the
Orange International Street Fair Board and left the dais at 8:39 p.m.
Adam Feliz provided a brief report on the 2024 Street Fair. During discussion, Mr. Feliz
answered Council's questions regarding permits, increase to admission fee,
barricades, and recycle bins. He also confirmed the street closures early Thursday
morning are necessary.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Councilmember
Gyllenhammer, to: 1) Receive and file report from the Orange International Street Fair,
Inc. regarding the 2024 Orange Street Fair. 2) Approve the agreement with the Orange
International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the annual Orange Street Fair; and authorize
the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City. The motion carried by the
following vote:
Ayes: Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
Recuse: Barrios
Councilmember Barrios returned to the dais at 9:00 p.m.
9.2. Employment Agreement with a retired annuitant for the vacant position of Interim
Police Chief, pursuant to Government Code Sections 21221(h) and 7522.56(f).
Resolution No. 11594.
During a brief discussion, City Manager Kisela indicated the recruitment timeline for
hiring a new Police Chief was by April 2025.
A motion was made by Councilmember Barrios, seconded by Mayor pro tern Bilodeau,
to adopt Resolution No. 11594. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange
approving the Employment Agreement of a retired annuitant for the position of Interim
Police Chief, pursuant to Government Code Sections 21221(h) and 7522.56(f). The
motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gutierrez, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: None
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10. LEGAL AFFAIRS
10.1. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 01-25 amending the Orange
Municipal Code as it relates to safe and sane fireworks; and adoption of a
resolution establishing a fee, application process, lottery process, and number of
permits to sell safe and sane fireworks. Resolution No. 11593.
Mayor pro tern Bilodeau requested to revise Section 8.13.090(f) by changing "after
9:00 p.m. on July 4th" to "by 5:00 p.m. on July 5."
Council discussed adding the boundary map to the ordinance, adding signs throughout
the City, increasing the number of permits being issued, and enforcement.
Public Speakers:
Curt Peterson spoke in opposition of approval and suggested enlarging the boundary
where fireworks may not be sold or used.
Dru Whitefeather spoke in opposition of using Cannon as a border and would like to
see permanent signs installed throughout the City.
Brandy Romero expressed concerns with allowing fireworks in Old Towne.
During further discussion, staff was directed to place signs with boundary maps at each
sales booth, distribute flyers to each buyer with boundary information for at least two
years, and provide Council with a report in August 2025 to consider increasing the
number of permits.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember
Gyllenhammer, to:
1) Introduce and conduct First Reading of amended Ordinance No. 01-25 with the
following revision to Section 8.13.090(f): "...transporting fireworks by 5:00 p.m. on July
5." An Ordinance of the City of Orange amending Chapter 8.13 of the Orange
Municipal Code adopting rules and regulations regarding the sale, possession, and
discharge of safe and sane fireworks and amending sections of Ordinance 07-22 of the
Orange City Fire Code relating to safe and sane fireworks.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 11593. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange,
California, establishing a fee and adopting rules and regulations regarding the number
of permits as well as the application and lottery process to sell "safe and sane"
fireworks pursuant to Orange Municipal Code Chapter 8.13.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Dumitru, Tavoularis, Bilodeau, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: Barrios, and Gutierrez
Absent: None
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11. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:42 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at
6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, with Closed Session beginning at 5:00 p.m., if
necessary.
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PAMELA COLEMAN DANIEL R. SLATER
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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