April 8, 2025
City Council Meeting
Written Public Comments
City Council
Meeting Time: 04-08-25 18:00
eComments Report
Meetings Meeting
Time
Agenda
Items
Comments Support Oppose Neutral
City Council 04-08-25
18:00
46 6 1 1 4
City Council
04-08-25 18:00
Agenda Name Comments Support Oppose Neutral
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
1 0 0 1
3.1. Waive reading in full of all ordinances on the Agenda. 1 0 0 1
3.10. First Amendment to Subrecipient Agreement with Shelter Providers of Orange County to revise the scope of work and total compensation. 1 0 0 1
7.1. Reconsideration of the frequency of the Park Planning and Community Events Commission meetings.
1 0 0 1
8.1. Discussion on possibly utilizing the former Orange Fire Department Headquarters as a fire museum.
1 1 0 0
10.1. Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Orange and the Mabury Ranch Homeowner's Association for tree maintenance. (Continued from March 11, 2025)
1 0 1 0
Agenda Item: eComments for 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 3:56pm 04-08-25
When using acronyms on any Agenda item, each acronym should be fully noted without having to look on the attachments for actual name of the acronym reference. Example, Item 7.2, Recommended Action No. 1 does not explain the acronym "CDBG" Program Committe.
Agenda Item: eComments for 3.1. Waive reading in full of all ordinances on the Agenda.
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 3:49pm 04-08-25
All of these Agenda items requesting approval of any funding should include the dollar amount in this section. For example, Item 3.10 for the Subrecipient Agreement does not note the dollar amount. We are forced to go to the attachments for that information.
Agenda Item: eComments for 3.10. First Amendment to Subrecipient Agreement with Shelter Providers of Orange County to revise the scope of work and total compensation.
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 3:58pm 04-08-25
The actual dollar amount should be noted on this Agenda Item.
Agenda Item: eComments for 7.1. Reconsideration of the frequency of the Park Planning and Community Events Commission meetings.
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 12:04pm 04-08-25
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members - My name is Eugene Fields. I am a homeowner in Orange, a husband, father and I serve at the will of the Council as a member of the Park Planning & Community Events Commission. I apologize for not speaking in person, but I also coach girls’ soccer for 9/10-year-olds and this is their practice night. First, I want to thank you for appointing me and allowing me to serve our City. It has been one of the heaviest burdens to carry, yet one of the greatest joys of my adult life.
I am writing for informational purposes regarding the benefit the PP&CE Commission brings.
The City staff brings a valid point that there are currently no City-sponsored events for a commission to plan for.
However, two of my colleagues met with City Staff at the end of 2024 for several hours to discuss options, sponsorships and partnerships the City could entertain to share the burden and continue the events. None of these proposals or options were presented to the Commission as a whole or to the City Council for discussion. If the Council decides to not have any City-sponsored events or not partner with local organizations/businesses, I respect the will of the Council, but I humbly suggest having invested members of the community - working with City staff and under the guidelines of the Commission's via the OMC - is a benefit to our City.
Part of that work has been done by several Commissioners - including myself - outside of the time we spend on the dais. Commissioner Ahlswede and I have taken meetings with staff, including a meeting when I was out of state attending to the death of a family member, to advise staff of opportunities to gain funding at regional, state and federal levels. Commissioner deVries reached out to several local businesses, which joined the City sponsorship program. Commissioner Litwin and I have engaged with proponents of a BMX park/pump track, connecting them with staff. Commissioner Kushon continues to seek opportunities through branding opportunities.
The Commission also has engaged with the community re: Park Planning on two projects. And there is a use to give the public an opportunity to have a place to hear about the work of Community Services - as well as to ask questions and voice their displeasure before escalating that to the City Council.
Finally, there is no need to curtail the meeting schedule, as I have made good on the promise to you - the City Council - that we will not meet if there was no need. In 2025, I have trusted our staff regarding that lack of need - although several of my fellow Commissioners have disagreed - and opted to cancel our first two meetings.
I posit that our City is in a fiscal crisis and instead of pulling the oars out of the water and letting the tides carry us, I respectfully request the Council allow us to continue our work: Connecting with the public, businesses, stakeholders and organizations to find a way to continue the events that make Orange Orange - a special place to live, work and play. Let us continue to plan for the Nation's 250th anniversary, as well as Orange's upcoming 140th anniversary. Y ou have put faith in the seven of us to do this work and I humbly ask you to continue to let us work with City staff to serve our City.
Agenda Item: eComments for 8.1. Discussion on possibly utilizing the former Orange Fire Department Headquarters as a fire museum.
Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 2:23pm 04-08-25
I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for the potential use of the former Orange Fire Department Headquarters as a fire museum. The building offers a unique opportunity to honor and celebrate the rich history of firefighting in our community while contributing to the city’s cultural and educational landscape.
The opportunity to establish a fire museum in the former Fire Headquarters would not only honor the legacy of our local firefight but also provide an invaluable educational experience for residents and visitors alike.
The proposed museum would be more than just a collection of artifacts. It would serve as a dynamic, interactive center for safety education, where visitors can engage in experiential learning through virtual exhibits, immersive adventures, and multimedia presentations. The majority of the incidents that firefighters respond to are preventable, which makes educational initiatives like this critical to protecting lives and property. With interactive displays, personalized experiences, and rotating galleries, the museum would empower visitors to take proactive steps towards safety and resilience.
I urge the City Council to consider this exciting opportunity and provide direction to City staff to explore the feasibility of transforming the old Fire Headquarters into a vibrant, educational fire museum. This project has the potential to make a lasting impact on our community, preserving history, honoring our first responders, fostering resilience and helping to save lives.
Thank you for your consideration.
Judy Henderson and family
Dana Point, CA
Agenda Item: eComments for 10.1. Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Orange and the Mabury Ranch Homeowner's Association for tree maintenance. (Continued from March 11, 2025) Overall Sentiment
Guest User
Location:
Submitted At: 4:04pm 04-08-25
As a resident in East Orange, Serrano Heights, I disagree with the removal of the pine trees on Serrano Ave unless they are truly unhealthy. The visual aspect of Serrano Ave will be permanently marred and the shade provided to pedestrians by these trees will be abolished. Was this action actually approved by the Mabury Ranch homeowners?