City of Orange
City Council
February 25, 2025
MINUTES - FINAL
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in a joint Regular Meeting with the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Orange in the Council Chamber, 300 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, California.
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), Councilmember Barrios participated in this meeting via teleconference from 701 E. Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA 92866. A copy of the agenda was posted at this location.
5:00 PM CLOSED SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called Closed Session to order at 5:02 p.m.
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
Councilmember Barrios joined Closed Session via teleconference at 5:04 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:04 p.m. with all Members present to discuss the following:
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9. (One potential case)
b. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8
Property Location: 307 E Chapman Avenue
Agency Negotiator: Aaron Schulze, Economic Development Manager Negotiating Parties: Hicham Semaan, Mike Hernandez, Adam Chez Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
c. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)1.
Title: Police Chief
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None
5. ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
6:00 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the joint meeting of the City Council and Industrial Development Authority to order at 6:14 p.m.
(Note: Hereinafter the titles of Mayor, Mayor pro tem, Councilmember, City Attorney, and City Clerk shall be used to indicate Mayor /Chair, Mayor pro tem /Vice Chair, Councilmember /Authority Member /Governing Board Member, City /Authority/Governing Board Attorney, City Clerk /Authority Secretary /Governing Board Clerk.)
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Pastor Marco Salinas from Spirit and Truth Worship Center.
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor pro tem Denis Bilodeau.
1.3 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
Councilmember Barrios participated via teleconference.
City Clerk Coleman announced roll call votes would be taken for all action items as long as Councilmember Barrios was participating via teleconference.
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Orange High School Student Liaison Nadia Flores and El Modena High School Student Liaison Ximena Quijano Espinoza had scheduling conflicts and were not able to attend the meeting.
1.5 REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
None
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilmember Barrios verified there was no one present that wanted to speak at her location.
Public Speakers:
John Nelson expressed concerns with the City's waste service and street sweeping contract.
Doug Redding commended the CERT program.
Charles Brauer commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Allis Druffel commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Gregory Mathes commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Karen Rutledge commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Sister Diane Hejna commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Ben Figueroa stated he received a parking ticket on February 17 which he thought was a holiday.
Mark Lowry commented on the need for more affordable housing in Orange.
Alexis Gutierrez spoke about the division in our country.
James Kushon announced the Orange Dog Park is hosting a K 9 Veterans Day celebration on March 13.
Written Public Comment
Janice Brownfield submitted an email detailing the importance of clean air and air quality.
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. Agreement with Iteris, Inc. for on -call traffic engineering services and plan review.
ACTION: Approved the agreement with Iteris, Inc. in the amount of $ 250,000 for on-call traffic engineering services and plan review; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.3. Extension of Tolling Agreements between the City and Milan REI X, LLC to further evaluate non -residential uses for the “Brandman site” and the “Creekside Village site.”
Speaker cards were submitted for Item 3.3; therefore, the item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
Public Speakers:
Dru Whitefeather spoke in opposition of approval.
Bonnie Robinson spoke in support of approval.
ACTION: A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, to approve the extension of the Tolling Agreements with Milan REI X, LLC, for 90 days; and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreements on behalf of the City. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
BarriosNoes:
NoneAbsent:
3.4. Approval of plans and specifications for Annual Pavement Maintenance at Various Locations, Fiscal Year 2024-2025; authorization to advertise for bids; and finding of California Environmental Quality Act exemption.
ACTION: 1) Approved the plans and specifications and authorize advertising for Bid No. 24-25.09 (SP-4291), Annual Pavement Maintenance at Various Locations, Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
2) Found that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per State CEQA Guidelines 15301 (Class 1(c) - Existing Facilities).
3.5. Notice of Completion and Acceptance for Glassell Street & La Veta Avenue Water Quality Storm Drain Improvement Project; Bid No. 23-24.38.
Written Comment
Jake Comer submitted an eComment thanking the City for making storm drain improvements and suggested the City conduct public outreach educating residents and businesses about proper recycling and organic waste collection to further reduce trash pollution from entering drains and waterways.
ACTION: 1) Accepted Notice of Completion and Acceptance for Glassell Street & La Veta Avenue Water Quality Storm Drain Improvement Project (D-182) as complete. 2) Authorized City Clerk to file Notice of Completion with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
3.6. Notice of Completion and Acceptance for Main Library HVAC Replacement Project; Bid No. 22-23.34.
ACTION: 1) Accepted Main Library HVAC Replacement Project (SP-4049) as complete; and 2) Authorized City Clerk to file Notice of Completion with the Orange County Clerk-Recorder’s Office.
3.7. Second Reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange establishing parking meter zones, operations, fees, and procedures .
Ordinance No. 02-25. (Continued from February 11, 2025) Speaker cards were submitted for Item 3.7; therefore, the item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Councilmember Barrios recused herself from Item 3.7 due to a potential conflict with a nearby property. She was muted from the call at 6:52 p.m. and did not participate in the discussion.
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
Public Speakers:
Peter Wetzel spoke in opposition of adopting the ordinance.
AJ Ricci spoke in support of adopting the ordinance.
Brandy Romero expressed concerns with parking enforcement.
Staff responded to Council's questions regarding time constraints and exploring solutions for the Main Library if parking becomes an issue.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Tavoularis, seconded by Mayor Slater, to adopt Ordinance No. 02-25. The motion carried by the following vote:
Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
Bilodeau, and DumitruNoes:
NoneAbsent:
BarriosRecuse:
Councilmember Barrios was unmuted and returned to the meeting at 7:06 p.m. via teleconference.
3.8. Second Reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange containing administrative updates to various sections of Titles 9, 10, 12, and 13 of the Orange Municipal Code. Ordinance No. 03-25.
ACTION: Adopted Ordinance No. 03-25.
3.9. Authorize single source purchase and installation of four Opticom GPS Emergency Vehicle Preemption Systems from DDL Traffic, Inc.
ACTION: Approved the single source purchase and installation of four Opticom GPS Emergency Vehicle Preemption Systems from DDL Traffic, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $47,500.
3.10. Authorize purchase of second year maintenance of Assureon Trusted System and support from Complete Paperless Solutions, LLC as a single source vendor.
ACTION: Approved the purchase of second year maintenance of Assureon Trusted System and Support Services from Complete Paperless Solutions, LLC for $34,926.00.
3.11. Authorize purchase for repairs to the Fire Department aerial truck and other apparatus and designate Fire Apparatus Solutions as a single source vendor.
ACTION: Authorized purchase for repairs from Fire Apparatus Solutions for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 for an amount not to exceed $ 100,000, funded through the Equipment Expense Fund (710).
ITEMS RELATED TO THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
3.12. Adoption of a resolution amending the Bylaws of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Orange. Resolution No. IDA-006.
ACTION: Adopted Resolution No. IDA-006. A Resolution of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Orange, California amending the Bylaws of the Industrial Development Authority of the City of Orange.
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Items 3.3 and 3.7 were removed from the Consent Calendar and heard separately .
Councilmember Barrios recused from Item 3.7. All other items were approved as recommended.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
* * * * * * * *
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SLATER
Mayor Slater requested policy changes regarding specification of street sweeping holidays. With Council consensus, staff was directed to draft a resolution listing official observed street sweeping holidays.
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
5.1. Highlight Local Business (Gutierrez)
Councilmember Gutierrez highlighted the following local business: Dulceria Cami Yoli.
5.2. Other Councilmember Reports
Councilmember Gutierrez reported the Orange City/ Schools Coordinating Committee discussed the crossing guard program and use of city facilities at their last meeting.
Mayor pro tem Bilodeau reported the Foothill /EasternTransportation Corridor Agency successfully managed an early pay down of $ 200 million of bond debt and plan to pay down another $ 720 million of bonds over the next five years resulting in a $ 3.1 billion reduction in debt of the toll roads.
Mayor pro tem Bilodeau also requested updates to the current backyard chicken ordinance. With Council consensus, staff will schedule the ordinance for consideration on a future meeting agenda.
6. AB 1234 REPORTS
None
7. REPORTS FROM BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS
7.1. Appointment to the City Traffic Commission.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to appoint Doug Redding to the City Traffic Commission to fill an unexpired term ending June 30, 2027. The motion carried by the following vote:
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
7.2. Appointments to the Investment Advisory Committee.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, to continue this item to a future meeting date to allow the City Treasurer time to review the applications. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
7.3. Appointment of Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees representative.
Entered into the record: Sean Chavarria's resume for consideration as appointee to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control Board of Trustees.
A motion was made by Mayor Slater, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to appoint Sean Chavarria to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees to fill an unexpired term ending January 5, 2026. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
8. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
8.1. Audit and Organizational Assessment
City Manager Kisela recommended using the City's Audit Advisory Committee to review budget and audit reports from 2008 to the present and then summarize their findings at a Council meeting.
Public Speaker:
Reggie Mundekis spoke in support of the City Manager's recommendation.
Council discussed conducting an organizational assessment, the cost, and using the Audit Committee to review financials.
With Council consensus, staff was directed to use the Audit Advisory Committee to review financial reports and Prop 218 as it relates to the City's waste service and street sweeping agreement. In addition, staff was directed to prepare a Request for Proposals for an organizational assessment.
City Manager Kisela also discussed creating a 5-10 year Fiscal Strategic Plan. The plan would establish a roadmap for the City to obtain fiscal stability. Staff was directed to schedule a presentation at a future Council meeting.
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
9.1. Amendments to Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Orange and the Orange City Fire Management Association, Executive Management and Senior Management employees’ classification terms, and Citywide Pay Schedule in accordance with the requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 2 Section 570.5. Resolution Nos. 11598, 11599, and 11600.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez, to:
1) Adopt Resolution No. 11598. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange rescinding Resolution No. 11494 and all amendments thereto and approving the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Orange and the Orange City Fire Management Association concerning classification matters effective July 1, 2023, through and including June 30, 2026.
2) Adopt Resolution No. 11599. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange rescinding Resolution No. 11577 and all amendments thereto and approving provisions relating to the classification terms of employment of Executive and Senior Management employees.
3) Adopt Resolution No. 11600. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange rescinding Resolution No. 11588 and amending the Citywide Pay Schedule in accordance with the requirements of California Code of Regulations, Title 2 Section 570.5.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
9.2. Employment Agreement of a retired annuitant for the vacant position of Interim City Attorney pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h). Resolution No . 11601.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember Tavoularis, to adopt Resolution No. 11601. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange approving the Employment Agreement of a retired annuitant for the position of Interim City Attorney, pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h). The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
9.3. Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan Quarterly Update.
Senior Assistant to the City Manager Jack Morgan provided an update utilizing a PowerPoint presentation and answered Council's questions.
The report was received and filed.
9.4. Monthly Treasurer’s Reports for October, November, and December 2024.
City Treasurer Garrett Smith presented the report.
The report was received and filed.
City Council Minutes - Final February 25, 2025
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
The next Regular City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, with Closed Session beginning at 5:00 p.m. if necessary.
/s/ Pamela Coleman /s/ Daniel R. Slater PAMELA COLEMAN DANIEL R. SLATER
CITY CLERK MAYOR