December 12, 2023
City Council Meeting
Written Public Comments
City Council
Meeting Time: 12-12-23 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council 12-12-23
18:00
47 8 6 1 0
City Council
12-12-23 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS 1 0 0 0
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
1 0 1 0
5.1. Sustainability Group Update and Sustainability Plan (Gyllenhammer) 6 6 0 0 Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 3:33pm 12-10-23
My name is Ariane Jong-Levinger and I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at Chapman University. I urge the City Council to direct staff to work with Chapman University students to develop a Sustainability Plan. As an Environmental Engineer and alumna of the Environmental Science & Policy program at Chapman, I know that our community is vulnerable to the local impacts of climate change--including wildfires and extreme heat--and yet has so much to gain from swift and decisive action. Unprecedented funding for climate action is available through the Inflation Reduction Act, which can help Orange residents save money when adopting sustainable technologies like electric vehicles and appliances. Without a Sustainability Plan, the City of Orange loses out on both federal and state
funding opportunities. Moreover, Orange has the opportunity to be seen as one of OC's leaders in sustainability along with Irvine, Costa Mesa, and other cities that are already developing such plans. Lastly, by developing the Sustainability Plan in partnership with Chapman University, the city not only saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in consulting fees, but also gives our Environmental Science & Policy students a real-world, hands-on project to learn from while benefitting from the expertise of the professors leading the program at Chapman. It is truly a win-win for our city, the students, and our community as a whole. I myself intend to get involved as an expert on post-fire flood risk and how to manage it with flood control infrastructure. I implore you to direct staff to work with Chapman University students to develop a Sustainability Plan as soon as possible.
Agenda Item: eComments for 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Tony Trabucco
Location:
Submitted At: 12:17pm 12-12-23
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I walk the Santiago Creek trail between Hart Park and Santiago Park frequently, as I have for many years.
While it's not new news that there's an issue in/around the 22 Freeway overpass it is alarming that the criminal activity in the area is allowed to flourish. There are "bike shops" on both sides of the creek bed under the overpass, likely working on mostly stolen bicycles, directly under the "no loitering" signs, and this has been going on for several years. About 5 years ago the dirt embankment underneath the overpass was "improved" with concrete and decorative river rock. Unfortunately, near the top of the steep concrete embankment a shelf was created, which provides a convenient place for the proprietors of the bike shops to store bike parts as well as to store personal property, and often camp/sleep as well. It's not easy for law enforcement to access that area as it's a steep and possibly dangerous climb both up and down. Prior to this convenient shelf being created, there was no issues on the North side of the creek bed. My suggestion would be to fill this area with concrete as well, to eliminate the storage area created by the prior improvements (fencing it off likely won't help, as the fencing would simply be cut to allow access). This activity also brings with it a large amount of trash strewn under the freeway overpass and into the creek bed. The trail is often covered with stains of liquids of a dubious nature as well. All this in an area that used to be very pleasant to jog, walk, bike, etc.
Adjacent to the 22-Freeway overpass on the East and North sides is another problem area. The back wall of the Park Orleans condominium community is frequently covered in graffiti, visible from the walking trail. The City has done a great job in the past couple of years in painting over the graffiti promptly once reported. I'm also aware that the Park Orleans HOA has had to pay to have the walls painted on several occasions as well, which seems unfair as it is a problem not of their making. It's also not uncommon to see large piles of trash piled along the back of the fence, and the trash created by abandoned homeless encampments. Trash removal has taken place, albeit at a lower priority than the graffiti. It's discouraging to see this encroachment by the homeless and illicit bike shop operators impact this vibrant community. The HOA has had to completely enclose all of the trash facilities
and install security cameras (at a significant cost to the owners) which has helped, but not eliminated the issues.
Residents still have to be vigilant as thefts from vehicles and encounters with homeless individuals late at night (a tenant called recently to report that a man was sleeping outside of her front door on the 2nd floor) and in the early morning continue.
We realize that the area concerned is a "no man's land" but that shouldn't preclude there from being a lead agency that can communicate with the other stakeholders in the area, whether it be Cal Trans, the City of Santa Ana, and/or the City of Orange. The alternative is that a "Mad Max" environment exists, where there is no accountability by anyone (including those on electric bikes -- but that's a topic for another day). I've spoken to a number of people that will no longer walk/run/bike through this area due to its current condition, which is unfortunate given that it's such a great local resource. Thank you for your continued efforts in this area.
Agenda Item: eComments for 5.1. Sustainability Group Update and Sustainability Plan (Gyllenhammer) Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 11:33am 12-12-23
The City of Orange is behind the 8 ball with climate preparadeness. Pass this Sustainability plan.
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 9:00pm 12-11-23
I very much support a sustainability plan for the City of Orange. Two concerns that I hear often about are safer bike lanes and measures against air pollution.
Alexander Kurz,
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 8:47pm 12-11-23
Later is Too Late! Time is running out to remove legacy CO2 from the atmosphere and reduce emissions. I want to take another tact because I know you know about the unique funding opportunities and the opportunity to build community with Chapman University. I want to challenge you to address the underlying reasons that we have legacy CO2, pollution of all sorts, crowded streets, crowded schools, rising food prices, rental and home prices and unemployment rates. The size of the human enterprise is way out of balance with nature. Nature provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, the ocean and lands that sustain our food and the soil we grow our crops and trees in. I suggest part of the sustainability plan includes educating girls and women even more, standing with them as they empower themselves and encouraging small families and less consumption--of everything: meat, cell phones, clothes, new cars, etc. Of the mass of vertebrates on Earth, 96% is from humans and their animals they eat and pets. Only 4% is wild animals (whales, elephants, rhinos, tigers and lions-oh my!) We are way out of balances. By supporting women and girls, and encouraging smaller families the pressure on the City of Orange for resources will reduce, your communities will grow stronger as women take greater roles, they'll be less
crowding, less crime, more functioning democracy.
The time is now. Sustainability is the only job in town now in these remaining years to make a difference before tipping points are reached and we can not stop the systemic collapse.
Pam Pence
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 6:16pm 12-11-23
Mayor Slater and City Council members,
I am writing in support of developing a Sustainability Plan for the city of Orange. Heat waves, wildfires, and floods are becoming more commonplace due to climate change and directly impact the city's residents and businesses.
By putting together such a plan, the city would be taking an important first strategic step to prepare the city for climate change. It would also put the city in a position where it can access state and federal funding, such as from the Inflation Reduction Act, which often requires jurisdictions to have a sustainability plan to receive funding for projects. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Craig Preston
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 5:54pm 12-11-23
Mayor Slater and City Council members,
THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION. I am writing in support of developing a Sustainability Plan for the city of Orange. Heat waves, wildfires, and floods are becoming more commonplace due to climate change and directly impact the city's residents and businesses. By putting together such a plan, the city would be taking an important first strategic step to prepare the city for climate change. It would also put the city in a position where it can access state and federal funding, such as from the Inflation Reduction Act, which often requires jurisdictions to have a sustainability plan to receive funding for projects. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.
Maximillian Wang
Location: 92620, Irvine
Submitted At: 12:29pm 12-11-23
Mayor Slater and City Council members,
I am writing in support of developing a Sustainability Plan for the city of Orange. Heat waves, wildfires, and floods are becoming more commonplace due to climate change and directly impact the city's residents and businesses.
By putting together such a plan, the city would be taking an important first strategic step to prepare the city for climate change. It would also put the city in a position where it can access state and federal funding, such as from the Inflation Reduction Act, which often requires jurisdictions to have a sustainability plan to receive funding for projects. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue.