HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-24-2026 Council MinutesAPPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON MARCH 10, 2026
MINUTES
City of Orange
Orange City Council
February 24, 2026
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, February 24, 2026,
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
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: Bilodeau
Councilmember Gutierrez joined Closed Session at 5:03 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. with all Members present,
except Councilmember Gutierrez who joined Closed Session at 5:03 p.m. and Mayor
pro tem Bilodeau who was absent, to discuss the following:
a. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
City Negotiators: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager; Monica Espinoza, Human
Resources Director; Cody Kleen, Assistant Human Resources Director
Employee Organizations: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local
47 (Maintenance and Crafts and Water Division), Executive Management and Senior
Management Employees, Orange City Firefighters, Orange City Fire Management
Association, Orange Management Association, Orange Municipal Employees'
Association, City of Orange Police Association, and City of Orange Police Management
Association
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None
5. ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.
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Orange City Council Minutes February 24,2026
6:00 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Reverend Nancy E. Brink, Executive Director of the Fish Interfaith Center at
Chapman University.
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember John Gyllenhammer.
1.3 ROLL CALL
Present: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: Bilodeau
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Proclamation honoring K-9 Nash for six years of service to the City of Orange
Orange High School Student Liaison Jacob Gonzalez provided Council with a
brief update on school happenings.
1.5 REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Speakers:
Greg Arrowsmith spoke regarding statistics related to California correctional facilities.
Reggie Mundekis encouraged Council to support the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers (IBEW) and all employee bargaining groups.
Marci Carey spoke regarding federal immigration issues.
Michael Ristig spoke regarding federal immigration issues.
Ryan Johnson spoke about the use of non-sworn Community Service Officers to
supplement Police Department staffing.
Lynnette Gertz spoke regarding federal immigration issues.
Mel Vernon announced a "No Kings" event at Yorba Park on March 28.
Mary Oberschlake commented on federal immigration offices in Orange County.
Chip O'Neal encouraged Council to adopt a resolution stating the City would not assist
federal immigration officers.
Carole Walters inquired about parking meter funds.
David Casselman expressed support for Ukraine and commented on his First
Amendment rights.
Lisa Baldwin spoke about the notice mailed to residents regarding a proposed
development at the former Best Buy site.
Shawn Donnelly, City of Orange Water Division employee, talked about labor
negotiations and the retention of Water Division employees.
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Orange City Council Minutes February 24,2026
Josh Borden, City of Orange Water Division employee, stated the City of Orange is the
lowest paid City in the area and discussed retention concerns, noting employees are
trained by the City and subsequently leave for other jurisdictions.
Steven Borden spoke regarding the automation of street sweeping parking citations.
Paul (no last name given) suggested adding 15-minute parking spaces in Old Towne.
Written Public Comments
Janice Brownfield emailed about the dangers of air pollution.
Matin Sharifinejad submitted an eComment concerning the impact that the ban on
tobacco sales from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. has had on his business.
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. Approval of minutes of the City of Orange City Council Special Meeting held on
February 5, 2026, and Regular Meeting held on February 10, 2026.
ACTION: Approved minutes as presented.
3.3. Agreement with Lance, Soil & Lunghard, LLP for annual financial audit services
for the City and the Successor Agency of the former Orange Redevelopment
Agency for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 and an Agreed-Upon
Procedures for Payroll.
ACTION: Approved the agreement with Lance, Soil & Lunghard, LLP in the amount of
185,240 for audit services and Agreed-Upon Procedures for Payroll; and authorized
the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.4. Agreement with Officer Logan Shryock for the transfer of ownership of police
service dog, Nash, assigned to the Police Department's canine team.
A speaker card was submitted for Item 3.4; therefore, the item was removed from the
Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Public Speaker:
David Casselman spoke in support.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by
Councilmember Barrios, to approve the agreement with Logan Shryock to transfer
ownership of canine Nash; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on
behalf of the City. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: Bilodeau
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Orange City Council Minutes February 24,2026
3.5. First Amendment to Agreement with Tetra Tech, Inc. for additional design
services for Well 29 Equipping.
ACTION: Approved the First Amendment with Tetra Tech, Inc. in the amount of
191,200; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.6. Appropriation of $10,689 in designated grant funding received from California
Library Association and California State Library.
ACTION: 1) Accepted into the City's General Fund (100) revenue budget $10,689 in
grant funds from California Library Association and California State Library to:
100-2101-43201-262110-48 Lunch at the Library Grant FY26
2)Authorized the appropriation of$10,689 to General Fund (100):
100-2316-53101-262110-20 Operating Materials & Supplies
3.7. Appropriation of $55,000 from the County of Orange for the 2025 Proposition 69
funding award and approval of purchase of a forensic imaging and evidence
detection device from Foster& Freeman USA Inc.
ACTION: 1) Accepted into the City's Reimbursable Capital Projects (550) revenue
budget$55,000 in 2025 Proposition 69 funding from the County of Orange to:
550-4134-43299-264067 State - Other
2)Authorized the appropriation of$55,000 into Reimbursable Capital Projects (550):
550-4134-80101-264067 Equipment- Prop 69 2025
3) Approved the sole source purchase of the Crime-Lite AUTO device from Foster &
Freeman USA Inc. for$54,831.94.
3.8. Authorize an increase to two purchase orders for medical supplies and essential
equipment repairs for the Emergency Medical Transport Program.
ACTION: 1) Approved an increase to a blanket purchase order for a total not-to-exceed
amount of $375,000 with Life Assist, Inc. for medical supplies; and 2) Approved an
increase to a blanket purchase order for a total not-to-exceed amount of $85,000 with
Stryker Medical Supplies for medical supplies and other professional services.
3.9. Authorize purchase of replacement public use desktop computers and laptops
from CPAC, Inc.
ACTION: Approved the purchase order for replacement public use desktop computers
and laptops from CPAC, Inc. for$80,000.
3.10. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and related financial reports for the
Fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
ACTION: Receive and file the following documents for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2025:
1)Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
2)Audit Communication Letter
3) Independent Accountants' Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to the
Appropriations Limit Worksheets
4) Independent Accountants' Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to the
Investment Portfolio
5) Air Pollution Reduction Fund Financial Statements and Independent Auditors'
Report
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6) Independent Auditors' Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
7) Housing Successor Fund Financial Statements
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Item 3.4 was removed from the Consent Calendar and heard separately. All other
items were approved as recommended.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tavoularis, seconded by Councilmember
Dumitru, to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. The motion carried by
the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: Bilodeau
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SLATER
4.1. Discuss reinstating sidewalk steam cleaning services for the Plaza in Old Towne.
Mayor Slater proposed reinstating sidewalk steam cleaning services in Old Towne.
Council discussed the cost associated with restoring weekly and monthly cleanings, the
possibility of adding the Lemon Street parking structure to the cleaning schedule, and
the addition of security cameras in the parking structure stairwells.
Public Speakers:
The following spoke in support of reinstating the cleaning services: AJ Ricci, Brandy
Romero, Lisa Baldwin, Steve Molina, and Tim Mabshi.
With Council concurrence, staff was directed to restore cleaning efforts within the City
Manager's signing authority.
RECESS: The City Council recessed at 7:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:47 p.m. with all
Members present, except Mayor pro tem Bilodeau who was absent.
4.2. Discuss updating the standards for paving, driveway widths, and parking in
setback areas.
Mayor Slater noted an increase in the amount of vehicles parked in single driveways
and requested consensus to direct staff to revise standards related to paving, driveway
widths, and parking within setback areas.
Public Speaker:
Douglas Newall spoke about the need for updated standards, noting that accessory
dwelling units (ADUs) have contributed to an increase in the number of vehicles per
household.
With Council concurrence, staff was directed to return with a report on driveway
parking standards and the boarding house ordinance.
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Orange City Council Minutes February 24,2026
4.3. Additional Reports from Mayor Slater
Mayor Slater made a brief announcement about the current vacancies on various
Boards, Commissions, and Committees.
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Barrios requested that the Tobacco Ordinance be brought back to
Council for further updates.
Councilmember Gutierrez thanked Orange Police Department for keeping students
safe during the recent walkouts while allowing them to exercise their constitutional
rights.
Councilmember Tavoularis thanked the community for organizing a cleanup on Canal
Street and announced an Open House for the Heim & Meats specific plan on February
26, 2026.
6. AB 1234 REPORTS
None
7. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
None
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
8.1. Lottery selection for permits to sell safe and sane fireworks.
Staff provided a brief report noting that the three high schools identified in Resolution
No. 11648 (Orange High School, El Modena High School, and Richland High School)
have indicated their intent to move forward with the permitting process. Staff then
conducted the random lottery. The results were as follows:
1) Greater Orange Community Arts Theater Foundation (GOCAT)
2) Orange Plaza Rotary Club
3) Cedar Tree Music and Performance
4)Young Life
5) Santiago Canyon College Foundation
6) Orange Lutheran High School
7) McPherson Educational Foundation
8) Journey to Hope Ministries
9) Orange Antlers#1475/Orange Elks Lodge#1475
The following alternate organizations were selected:
1) Rest Ezzz Foundation
2)The Church of God of Prophecy Orange
3) Homeless Intervention Services of Orange County
4) Father JJ Juba Council 4922 Knights of Columbus
5) Love Orange
6) House of Mercy
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Orange City Council Minutes February 24,2026
8.2. Review of the Santiago Creek Commission Strategic Plan.
Deputy City Manager Jack Morgan presented the Santiago Creek Commission
Strategic Plan. Council expressed strong support for the plan and discussed options for
implementation.
Public Speakers:
Pamela Calera, Santiago Creek Commission Vice Chair, spoke in support of adoption
and expressed interest in collaborating with grant writers to advance the plan.
Adrienne Gladson spoke in support of adoption and implementation of the plan.
Theresa Sears spoke in support of adoption and implementation of the plan.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Councilmember Barrios,
to adopt the Santiago Creek Strategic Plan. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: Bilodeau
A motion was made by Mayor Slater, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez, to direct
the Santiago Creek Commission to collaborate with Townsend Public Affairs to identify
potential grant opportunities and engage community groups to implement the
recommendations detailed in the plan. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Noes: None
Absent: Bilodeau
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m. in Memory of
former City employee Viviano Cortez.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at
6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, with Closed Session beginning at 5:00 p.m., if
necessary.
V-ez.7i- ----rtit.,4 .
PAMELA COLEMAN DANIEL R. SLATER
CITY CLERK MAYOR
I
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