City of Orange
Orange City Council
September 23, 2025
MINUTES - FINAL
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 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
Mayor Slater called Closed Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
Councilmember Gyllenhammer joined Closed Session at 5:11 p.m.
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None
3. RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 5:01 p.m. with all Members present, except Councilmember Gyllenhammer who joined Closed Session at 5:11 p.m., to discuss the following:
a. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)1
Title: City Attorney
b. THREAT TO PUBLIC SERVICES OR FACILITIES
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957
Consultation with: Adam Jevec, Police Chief
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None
5. ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session was adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
6:00 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Pastor Danny Kurimay from Bridge Community Church.
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Councilmember Kathy Tavoularis.
1.3 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: None
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Proclamation honoring September 28 as National Good Neighbor Day
1.5 REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Speakers:
Greg Arrowsmith reviewed information available on Transparent California.
Reggie Mundekis was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk.
Mel Vernon was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk and encouraged residents to vote yes on Proposition 50.
Michael Ristig was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk.
Kimberly O'Neill was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk.
Mary Oberschlake was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk.
Cynthia Gonzalez was opposed to the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk and spoke about recent federal immigration raids.
Written Public Comments
Janice Brownfield submitted an email highlighting the importance of protecting and improving the environment.
Jon Goodrich submitted an eComment opposing the City Council meeting adjournment in honor of Charles Kirk.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
(Item 8.1 re-ordered to be heard before Consent Calendar.)
8.1. Agreement for Employment with City Attorney Nathalie Adourian.
A motion was made by Councilmember Tavoularis, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to approve the Agreement for Employment with City Attorney Nathalie Adourian; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
BarriosNoes:
NoneAbsent:
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. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Orange and The Regents of the University of California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography for Fire Camera Network Expansion.
ACTION: Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Orange and The Regents of the University of California, Scripps Institution of Oceanography concerning the installation, operation, and maintenance of fire cameras in the City of Orange effective upon execution; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.3. Finding of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption for Hazardous Fuels Removal Project.
This item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration by Councilmember Gutierrez.
Megan Berumen, Emergency Manager, responded to Council's questions regarding how the hazardous fuels removal project would be carried out.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Councilmember Gyllenhammer to find the Hazardous Fuels Removal Project Categorically Exempt from CEQA per Guidelines Sections 15301 and 15304. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
3.4. Revise the adopted budget for the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and appropriate to respective expenditure accounts for each program.
ACTION: 1) Reduced the City ’s adopted Fiscal Year 2025-2026 revenue budget for the Community Development Block Grant funds by $ 23,556, to a revised budget of $1,010,888.
2) Reduced the City ’s adopted Fiscal Year 2025-2026 revenue budget for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds by $93,864.50, to a revised budget of $338,366.50.
3) Reduced adopted budget for 2025-2026 ADA Ramps Project (CIP 266003) by $2,277.
4) Reduced adopted budget for 2025-2026 CDBG Street Improvements (CIP 255086) by $83,774.
5) Appropriated an additional $ 346,135 in Community Development Block Grant funds to the following expenditure accounts:
a. $53,747 in salaries and benefits
b. $183,625 in contract services
c. $90,463 in other professional and contract services
d. $1,500 in publicity and advertising
e. $800 in dues and memberships
f. $10,000 in software capitalization
g. $6,000 in travel and conferences
6) Appropriated an additional $ 319,177.50 in HOME Investment Partnerships funds to the following expenditure accounts:
a. $3,000 in other professional/technical services
b. $2,000 in contract services
c. $2,880 to software capitalization
d. $800 in dues and memberships
e. $5,966.65 in travel and conferences
f. $50,754.98 in Community Housing Development Organization set-aside g. $253,775.87 in HOME Developer Projects
7) Authorized the City Manager or their designee to make any non -substantial changes, if needed, and execute all forms and agreements, and any other documents required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for receipt of the funds.
3.5. Second Reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Title 17 of the Orange Municipal Code to comply with the Employee Housing Act (Health and Safety Code Sections 17000-17062.5) regarding farmworker and employee housing. Ordinance No. 14-25.
ACTION: Adopted Ordinance No. 14-25.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
3.6. Second Reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Orange amending Section 12.48.105 of the Orange Municipal Code. Ordinance No. 15-25.
A speaker card was submitted for Item 3.6; therefore, the item was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Public Speaker:
Mary Oberschlake requested special consideration for Plaza Park.
Written Comment
Jon Goodrich submitted an eComment opposing an ordinance that limits free speech.
During discussion, staff confirmed the ordinance does not require permits for Plaza Park. Council emphasized protecting First Amendment rights and allowing lawful assembly.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Councilmember Barrios, seconded by Councilmember Gutierrez, to adopt Ordinance No. 15-25 with added language clarifying the ordinance will not impede free speech or assembly; and direction to staff to return with an overview of the City's free speech policies.
City Attorney Winthers explained the Ordinance would have to return for First Reading if changes in the motion on the floor were approved.
ACTION: A substitute motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to adopt Ordinance No. 15-25 as submitted and direct City staff to review ordinance language currently in the Orange Municipal Code that may impede free speech. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
Barrios, and GutierrezNoes:
NoneAbsent:
3.7. Authorize purchase of mobile routers for Orange Police Department patrol cars from CDCE, Inc.
This item was removed from the Agenda by staff. No further action was taken.
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Items 3.3 and 3.6 were removed from the Consent Calendar and heard separately .
Item 3.7 was removed from the Agenda. All other items were approved as recommended.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, 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
* * * * * * * *
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SLATER
Mayor Slater announced the Wall that Heals will be at Grijalva Park October 2 through October 5.
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilmember Barrios
Councilmember Barrios requested amendments to the sober living ordinance and the tobacco retail ordinance. With Council consensus, staff was directed to bring these items back for discussion at a future Council meeting.
In addition, she has asked the Governor to veto SB 79 which would allow dense housing projects in neighborhoods that are within a half-mile of major transit stops.
6. AB 1234 REPORTS
None
7. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
None
8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
8.1. Agreement for Employment with City Attorney Nathalie Adourian.
Item 8.1 was previously re-ordered to be heard before the Consent Calendar.
8.2. Discussion of potential traffic modifications and safety enhancements to the Orange Plaza
Public Works Director Chris Cash provided the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint Presentation and answered Council's questions.
Council discussed the various safety measures including rumble strips, crash rated bollards, raised median islands, street closures, and speed humps. Staff confirmed a majority of the incidents involved a driver under the influence.
Public Speakers:
Reggie Mundekis spoke in support of using bollards and raised medians.
Diana Zdenck, on behalf of OTPA, requested Council take more time to consider all options.
Brandy Romero urged Council to focus on protecting pedestrians.
Doug Redding spoke in support of using raised median islands.
Chad Hoctor spoke in support of using additional bollards.
Sean Chavarria, City Traffic Commissioner, spoke in support of using bollards and rumble strips.
Written Public Comments
Leslie Manderscheid submitted an eComment encouraging Council to take more time to consider all feasible options.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final September 23, 2025
Jim Beil, former City Traffic Commissioner, submitted an eComment in support of additional bollards.
Adam Feliz, OISF, submitted a letter opposing the use of raised median islands as the impacts to OISF events would be significant.
After further discussion, a motion was made by Mayor Slater, seconded by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, to direct staff to do further research and report back to Council after review by the Traffic Commission; and in the meantime, install rumble strips on the 200 block of west and east Chapman.
An amendment was proposed by Councilmember Dumitru to add installation of road reflectors. Mayor Slater and Councilmember Gyllenhammer agreed to the amendment.
A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, to install road reflectors and direct staff to do further research and report back to Council after review by the Traffic Commission. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, and TavoularisAyes:
Gyllenhammer, and SlaterNoes:
NoneAbsent:
8.3. Re-organization of positions within the Public Works Department.
A motion was made by Councilmember Gutierrez, seconded by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, to:
1) Approve the reclassification of the Assistant Public Works Director position to a Deputy Public Works Director position effective October 5, 2025. 2) Approve the reclassification of the Manager of Transportation Services /City Traffic Engineer to a Deputy Public Works Director position effective October 5, 2025.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Gutierrez, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
NoneAbsent:
9. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. in memory of Charles Kirk.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 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