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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12_5_2006 - Council Minutes - Adjourned Regular MeetingAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 9, 2007 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES ORANGE, CALIFORNIA OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING December 5, 2006 The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on December 5, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in a Regular Meeting in the Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California. 7:00 P.M. SESSION OATH OF OFFICE CEREMONY 1. OPENING 1.1 INVOCATION Given by Chaplain Jon Wetterholm, Orange Police Department 1.2 PRESENTATION OF COLORS Led by Orange Police Department Color Guard 1.3 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Led by Lindsay Nault, Miss Orange 2007 1.4 ROLL CALL PRESENT - Smith, Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru ABSENT - None 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS - Rick Cryder, address on file, spoke on the election.3. SPECIAL TRIBUTE TO COUNCILMEMBER STEVEN F. AMBRIZ Presentations were made to Bridget Ambriz 4. LEGAL AFFAIRS RESOLUTION NO. 10147 A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange, California, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 7, 2006 declaring the results and such other matters as provided by Law.MOTION - Murphy SECOND - Smith AYES - Smith, Murphy, Cavecche, Dumitru Approved Resolution No. 10147.Pa2:e I CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2006 5. OATH OF OFFICE Administration of Oath of Office to Councilmember-Elect Denis R. Bilodeau.Administration of Oath of Office to Councilmember-Elect Mark A. Murphy.Administration of Oath of Office to Mayor-Elect Carolyn V. Cavecche.COMMENTS BY NEWLY- ELECTED MAYOR AND COUNCILMEMBERS-Councilmember Denis R. Bilodeau: I want to thank all you ladies and gentlemen for joining with me and my family at this joyous occasion. It is bittersweet that I accept this position this evening, as I planned to spend this campaign season with my friend Steve Ambriz in supporting his re-election. I actually spoke the morning of Steve's passing with him and we spoke about his election and his potential opponents and all the fun we were going to have with that-I guess we did have fun in the end. I am going to do my very best to carryon Steve's spirit of volunteer ism and community service. I pledge all of that to you.I want to start by thanking Bridget (Ambriz) for all her help-- you were so much help for me Bridget, and you were there for me always. I will never forget it. I would like to thank my wife, Suzanne and my children, Robert, Simone and Lea for their support and their support in the four years ahead. My wife has been a rock of support for me and she has quite frankly put up with a lot more than she needed to. I want to introduce my parents, Andre and Gigi Bilodeau, who are here tonight and please welcome them to our wonderful City of Orange.My in-laws are here tonight, Penny and Herb, thank you for joining us this evening.I have a whole list of people I want to thank tonight. I want to thank Councilman Mark Murphy and his mother Lois for all their help. Councilwoman Smith, Councilman Dumitru,the Orange City Firefighters Association, Assemblyman Todd Spitzer, Roger Fauble, Frank Elfend, Carmen Morinello, Martin Gardner, Marcia Zembower, Susan Summerdike, Nancy Boyd, Melissa Murphy, Christa Chase, Samantha Wallace, Stephanie Holcomb, Mike Lebeau,Brett Franklin, Dan and Kristen Patterson, Betty Heflin, John Stratman, Danielle Jacobs, Steve Sheldon, Doy Henley, Jim Beam, Mike Spurgeon, Michael and Gayle Merino, Paul Hernandez, Matt Cunningham, Bill and Scott Steiner, Frank and Karen Finn, Darren Smith,Jeremy Wayland, Fred Whitaker, Leslie Fauquet, Brian Lochrie, Kim Domer, the Chapman University Pikes Fraternity, Roger Yo, John Lewis, Matt Holder, Jackie and Phil Turner, and lastly Channel 7 Eyewitness News who helped pump up my name on election day.My Family and I are so proud to call Orange our home and it is such a privilege to serve here on this Council. The Council has many challenges ahead and I am confident that we will tackle them all. We will keep the City moving forward. The staff here is very dedicated to making this City the best that it can be and the best City in Southern California. Happy Holidays CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5,2006 5. OATH OF OFFICE (Continued) Councilmember Mark A. Murphv: I heard somebody say something today that describes things for me, especially these last six years-have you ever felt like your life was on permanent fast forward? That is what these past six years have been and, really, my time in elected office. It has been an extraordinary experience and something that I am so privileged to be able to continue my service in the City of Orange. I wanted to let all of you know how much I appreciated the opportunity of being Mayor of my hometown. There is no experience like it; and, Carolyn, you are joining a very fine group of folks that have had that privilege, and I know you will have those same types of experiences.There are so many memories I will take away that really are once in a lifetime. For me the community events-Third of July, Treats in the Streets, Tree Lighting as recent as last Sunday.It is really something special to see the community come out and celebrate the really good times. You see the community come out and support in tough times as well. I think that is what makes Orange truly unique - something that a lot of communities wish they had. Orange has a sense of community, a hometown sense of identity that really makes it special and a reason why people live here and raise their families; and generations after generations continue to be here.I want to say my thanks as well. Certainly my family-my wife Vikki, my mom - I appreciate all the help. Elected colleagues - Tita, we started on the Planning Commission together. Actually I don't mean to point this out, but we now have three former Planning Commissioners on the Orange City Council. Jon, thank you so much for all you have done and continue to do. Carolyn as well - your service is extraordinary and it will continue to be that way, I am confident. Bridget and Kaitlyn and the whole Gardner family - thanks so much for your support and your help. Todd Spitzer, thanks so much for being here and your continued support - it' s great having you as a neighbor as well in Orange. Bill Campbell has been an extraordinary leader and continues to be. Larry Dick, another elected official. I have introduced a whole list of former and elected officials that have dedicated their time and efforts to make the City of Orange a truly special place. I feel like it's a special club that I just joined.There are four former Mayors now in the room - Gene White, thanks for being here. Jim Beam and Joanne Coontz, thanks to all of you for the legacy that you have set. The goals that you set, how high the bar has been, and we'll continue to try and jump over that bar as well.Friends are truly the most special privilege of this whole situation in the City of Orange; and for me a number of people in this room have been here in the very beginning - since I got on the Community Video Advisory Board. In fact, Jim Beam appointed me to that board. Guys like Rich Alarcon, truly a great support and a good friend along with his wife, Penny. Mike Spurgeon, like I said I used to deliver his newspaper, and his wife Susie--she really deserves the honors in the family - thanks so much for being here. Frank Elfend, Carmen Morinello,friends first, business people second and third, people that, regardless of the fact that they don't live in the community, they care about the community. That is why there is going to be a Steve Ambriz Sports Park in the City of Orange because of those two guys right there (Frank Elfend and Carmen Morinello). Bill Steiner, if it wasn't for Bill taking the Board of Supervisors spot, I don't know i[I would have had theopportunity to be on the City Council.Pa2:e 3 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5,2006 5. OATH OF OFFICE (Continued) I thank you for all your guidance and all your support. Al Ricci, a family friend - I am fortunate enough to have a godson because of the generosity of he and his wife Mary,somebody very special. Bill Utter, a great campaign treasurer, along with Laura Cunningham _the two of them have acted as campaign treasurers for me since the very beginning. David Wilson is not here and has been a great friend and supporter. Also the Grienke Family. John Lewis - he was the first state elected official, first endorsement I really every had, a week after I got on the City Council and we started talking about what was going on. He is a great supporter. Barry Cottle and Roger Hobbs - I still remember the first campaign meeting I went to for former Mayor Gene Beyer in their office down the street, talking about things in Orange,along with Don Smith and others. Also Mayor pro tern Emeritus Freddie Barrera - the list just goes on and on. Marcia Zembower, Judy Sollee - I see so many people in the audience. If I don't stop here, I will have to name everybody in the audience that I truly consider a friend and a supporter and I appreciate that immensely.City Staff - I am trying to figure out where to start. You guys really make our job so easy up here because you represent the City so well - morning, noon and night. Whether it is Police and Firefighters who do an extraordinary job - or the Orange City Firefighters and the City of Orange Police Associations - thank you, you have been there from the very beginning for me and I truly do appreciate it - I am truly honored. All the employee groups and all the employees - we are so fortunate at the City of Orange to have who we have representing us out there and I want to say thanks. Mr. Sibley and staff - thanks for what you do for us; and I am going to mention a couple of people - Tara Finnigan and Irma Hernandez- they do an extraordinary job at keeping us up-to-date, briefed and prepared for any or all circumstances that we find ourselves in - whether it be at an event, whether it be people that want to have events, whether it be on the dais - and I just want to take a special moment out to say thanks to both of you. There are plenty more of you who have helped me out, but both of you have gone above and beyond the call of duty again and again and Itrulyappreciateitandwillneverforgetit.Foundations - the Public Library Foundation, as well as the Orange Community Foundation _ they are making a difference for us in having a new library, and having Grijalva Park and having things that we could not have otherwise. I want to say thanks - I see lot of people here that are involved in those foundations as well.Finally, to the residents and business owners that have placed your trust in me representing you thank you, thank you, thank you. It is truly a privilege to be able to say that you represent your hometown. When I go other places people can't believe that we have Council members that have lived here their whole life. It doesn't happen in other places and it is truly extraordinary. I am excited about what is coming forward, I know that you all are as well.Whether you talk about the Main Library or you talk about Grijalva Park or you talk about Ambriz Sports Park, there are projects and activities going on and continue to go on. I am confident with the support of everyone in this room, the City of Orange will continue to be the greatest place to live, work and raise a family. Thank you all and God bless you all.Pa2:e4 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2006 5. OATH OF OFFICE (Continued) Mayor Carolyn V. Cayecche: Well, quite a few months ago when my family and I started this endeavor, my dear friend Nancy gave me my mantra for this election. She advised me that when things got tough to keep repeating to myself - "we are on an adventure, we are on an adventure". It was great advice Nancy. I have to admit I wore that phrase out for months.This is a night of thank you's. I am actually going to take the time and I hope you will be patient because I have quite a list this evening.The first are my girlfriends who have dedicated themselves as my prayer team over these last few months. They prayed for my family and for the outcome of this election. I would like to thank Sherri Clemens, Robin Frazier, Shameeron Paur, Susie Wallace, Adrienne Gladson,Mary Dargatz, Jeannie Wronski, and Nancy Collins for the devotion and the time you gave.Thank you all so much - I consider your job the most important one in my campaign and I am very grateful for your commitment and the dedication that you gave to my family over these last few months. I would actually like to thank the entire Collins Family. Rick did my website, Jim followed me around with his video camera and even walked precincts with me for several hours. Every time I saw Rachel, her face lit up--she gave me a thumbs up and a word of encouragement. I don't think I could have gotten through this campaign without your friendship Nancy - thank you very, very much.There were so many people who walked the precincts. They monitored the blogs, they made countless phone calls and they opened their homes for events. Where ever I needed help,somebody always stepped up to the plate. There are so many of you here tonight that I am not going to be able to name you, but please know how much I appreciate your efforts and support thank you all so much. I would especially like to mention and thank the crew at STA, Keep Orange Clean, OrangeCitizensforParksandSchools, Orange Firefighters and the members of the Orange Police Department - thank you so much for your support.Jim and Sue Obermayer, Greg and Stephanie Holcomb - you received many frantic phone calls over these last few months - especially this last week of the election. You were always so calm and responsive. Thank you so much for putting up with me. Greg and Stephanie, you even took us in on election night, when it became very obvious that my home, by that time of the campaign, wasn't fit to be seen by anyone--especially the press. So, thank you very, very much. Dan Slater - Dan, yoursupporthasbeenunwaveringandIdon't think you will ever know how much that meant to me or how much your friendship means to me - thank you so, so much. I would also like to thank Supervisor Bill Campbell and Assemblyman Todd Spitzer.You both came out in support publiclybeforeIhadevenmadeanannouncementthatIwasrunningforthisofficeandyourmentoring gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of courage during this election - thank you so, somuch.Councilmembers Jon Dumitru and Tita Smith - you also came out strong right from the start.You both knew when I needed that phone call or the kick in the rear to keep me going. I am thrilled and honored to be able to continue serving with you both - thank you very much. This is a good City Council, I know that for a fact. I know it because Mayor Gene White told me that in the middle ofthe campaign when I was walking the precincts. We start with Tita's love Pa2:e 5 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2006 5. OATH OF OFFICE (Continued) and dedication to her sweet, sweet Orange and Jon's passion for service and his desire to shake things up a bit. Then we go to Mark's steadiness and his clarity of thought - when the rest of us get a little ruffled, then his great sense of history, not only for City Hall, but for his hometown of Orange. The four of us went through a lot this year-we suffered a loss, but through that loss, we bonded. Now we get to again have a fifth member on our team. It's nice for me to also have someone who loves roads and sewers. So, I appreciate that, and who like me, is in the midst of raising a family here in Orange. So, Councilman Bilodeau and Suzanne and all your family, welcome. We are looking forward to working with you in the next couple of years. Finally, there are no words to express my love and gratitude to my family. Campaigns are really lousy. You can try to sugar coat it, but really, if you haven't been through it, they are really just lousy and you need to have a supportive family who is just as crazy as you are and that is what I have. Stephen and Willie had months of mom not being there. Had no food in the house - but, I did better washing clothes this time. You dropped literature, you stuffed envelopes, you worked fundraisers - you both are the best - thank you very, very much.Kendra, you were my secret wellPon walking precincts. You even flew in from college one day to walk with me. But'it was your phone calls that kept me laughing and energized during this campaign andIjustthinkthatyouarewonderful-thank you so much. Rick, thank you so much for allowi!l~\lI\ll todo this and for petting all those Pugs like you really meant it during the campaignwalkmg. You were supportive 100% all the way through and I know that was very tough. I love you very, very much. Thank you.The message was delivered loud and clear by the citizens of Orange, during this campaign.The protection of your neighborhoods and your quality of life is vital and that will be my number one goal as Mayor of the City of Orange. My promise to you is that I understand and will always remember that I work for you - the residents of this wonderful community.Mark is right, to hold this office is a privilege and an honor and I thank you all very, very much.Pa2:e 6 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES December 5, 2006 6. ADJOURNMENT The Council adjourned at 8:00 p.m. to the George Weimer Room for a reception in honor of the newly-elected officials.The next Regular City Council Meeting is scheduled for December 12, 2006.Declaration of City Clerk, Mary E. Murphy, declaring posting of City Council agenda of anAdjournedRegularmeetingofDecember5, 2006 at Orange Civic Center kiosk, Police facility at 1107 N. Batavia,Shaffer Park; 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 meeting. E~M . MURPHY CITY- CLERK E Pa2: