City of Orange
Orange City Council
August 11, 2026
MINUTES - FINAL
The City Council of the City of Orange, California convened on Tuesday, August 11, 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
Mayor Slater called Closed Session to order at 5:00 p.m.
1.1 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: Gutierrez
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 Gutierrez who was absent, to discuss the following:
a. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) & (d)(1) – One case Name of Case: John Nelson v. City of Orange
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2025-01581964
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
None
5. ADJOURNMENT
Closed Session was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
6:00 PM REGULAR SESSION
1. OPENING/CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Slater called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m.
1.1 INVOCATION
Given by Pastor Brenton Fessler from Orange Police Chaplain.
1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Mayor Dan Slater.
1.3 ROLL CALL
Present: Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and Slater
Absent: Gutierrez
1.4 PRESENTATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Slater announced that Item 9.1, County of Orange Unincorporated Island Annexation Study, would be postponed to the August 25, 2026, Regular City Council meeting, when all Councilmembers would be present.
Recognition of outgoing Boards, Commissions, and Committees members. Council recognized Park Planning & Community Events Commissioner Adam Litwin for four years of service. A certificate of appreciation was mailed to the following members who were not able to attend the meeting: Planning Commissioner Rick Martinez for seven years of service, Design Review Committee member Greg Ledesma for three years of service, Traffic Commissioner Matt Hamilton for three years of service, Traffic Commissioner Seimone Jurjis for three years of service, Audit Advisory Committee member Jeff Grampp for two years of service, Audit Advisory Committee member Jack Shroeder for two years of service, Design Review Committee member Mike Lopez for two years of service, and Design Review Committee member Adrienne Gladson for 2 years of service.
1.5 REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS
None
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Public Speakers:
The following spoke in support of efforts to prevent the closure of the Holiday Skate Center: Shelby Smith, Billy Crowder, Madison Aibies, Larry Himmel, Amy Haskins Vallin, Tara French, Olga Oreshkina, Scott Sackin, Ryan Baldasari, Annabelle Baldasari, Val Susselman, Jane Susselman, Maggie Susselman, Avida Martinez, Natalie Chen, Lisa Barker, Aleeya Hart, Kevin Reyes, and Tammy.
Richard Sanchez spoke regarding Orange County United Way initiatives.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
David Stevens spoke in opposition of the proposed 24/7 warehouse project on Glassell.
Rachel Rolnicki spoke in opposition of the proposed 24/7 warehouse project on Glassell.
Craig Attanasio spoke regarding First Amendment rights and ongoing immigration issues.
Mary Oberschlake announced that DeFlock National Week of Action would take place August 16-22.
Stacey Schuerman stated that the installation of parking meters have negatively impacting her business and requested consideration of a validation program for repeat customers.
Written Public Comment
Sam Miles submitted an eComment requesting that the Council reconsider Ordinance No. 08-26A, which temporarily restricts the issuance of new massage parlor business licenses in Orange.
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. Confirmation of accounts payable warrant registers dated July 7, 9, 16, 21, 23, and 30, 2026 and payroll check registers dated July 2, 17, and 31, 2026 ACTION: Ratified the accompanying registers.
3.3. Agreement with UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. for environmental and survey services for the Riverdale Avenue Complete Street Improvement Project and authorize continuation of unspent grant balance and required match for Riverdale Avenue Complete Streets project
Note: Councilmember Tavoularis recused herself from Item 3.3 due to a potential conflict with a nearby property interest.
ACTION: 1) Approved the agreement with UltraSystems Environmental, Inc. in the amount of $ 89,540 for environmental and survey services; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement on behalf of the City. 2) Authorized the continuation of the project budget in the amount of $426,000 to:
263-5101-87102-255039-20 Riverdale Avenue Complete Streets
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
3) Authorized the continuation of the project budget in the amount $2,560,720.33 to:
550-5101-87102-255039-20 Riverdale Avenue Complete Streets
3.4. Second Amendment to the Agreement with Willdan Engineering for on -call building services
ACTION: Approved the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Willdan Engineering in the amount of $ 200,000 for on -call building services; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.5. First Amendment to Contract with G .M. Sager Construction Co ., Inc. for Asphalt Repair Services
ACTION: Approved the First Amendment to the Contract with G .M. Sager Construction Co., Inc. in the amount of $ 135,000, plus a 10% contingency of $ 13,500 for asphalt repairs; and authorized the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
3.6. Second Reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 13-26 amending Chapter 12.48 of the Orange Municipal Code pertaining to parks to update sections related to smoking and vaping
Note: Councilmember Barrios registered a no vote.
ACTION: Adopted Ordinance No. 13-26.
3.7. Annual review and approval of the Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2026-27
ACTION: Adopted the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 City of Orange Statement of Investment Policy.
3.8. Investment Portfolio Update report for April, May, and June 2026 ACTION: Received and filed the Investment Portfolio Update report for April, May, and June 2026.
3.9. Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “Wildfires Hit Home”
Item 3.9 was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration by Councilmember Gyllenhammer.
Fire Chief Velasco responded to Council's questions regarding the Firewise community-based program. Staff is researching options for implementing a local Firewise program in Orange.
ACTION: A motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember Dumitru, to approve the City of Orange's response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, "Wildfires Hit Home," and authorize the Mayor to execute the response on behalf of the City Council. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
GutierrezAbsent:
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
3.10. Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “California Housing Mandates: The Unintended Reshaping of Orange County Neighborhoods”
ACTION: Approved the City of Orange response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “California Housing Mandates: The Unintended Reshaping of Orange County Neighborhoods,” and authorized the Mayor to execute the response on behalf of the City Council.
Approval of the Consent Calendar
Item 3.9 was removed from the Consent Calendar and heard separately .
Councilmember Tavoularis recused herself from Item 3.3. Councilmember Barrios registered a no vote on Item 3.6. All other items were approved as recommended.
A motion was made by Mayor pro tem Bilodeau, seconded by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. The motion carried by the following vote:
Bilodeau, Barrios, Dumitru, Tavoularis, Gyllenhammer, and SlaterAyes:
NoneNoes:
GutierrezAbsent:
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
* * * * * * * *
4. REPORTS FROM MAYOR SLATER
None
5. REPORTS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS
5.1. Highlight Local Business (Gutierrez)
Item 5.1 was not heard.
6. AB 1234 REPORTS
None
7. REPORTS FROM CITY MANAGER
None
8. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.1. Public Hearing pursuant to Government Code Section 53083 to consider approval of the Vehicle Incentive Program Participation Agreement with five Orange franchised automobile dealerships, contingent upon voter approval of a future Transactions and Use Tax Measure
Senior Administrative Analyst Taylor Samuelson provided the staff report utilizing a PowerPoint presentation.
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
Mayor Slater opened the Public Hearing at 7:09 p.m.
Public Speakers:
Reggie Mundekis spoke in support of the vehicle incentive program.
Curt Peterson spoke in opposition of the vehicle incentive program.
Mary Oberschlake agreed with the premise of the program but expressed concerns with the timing of the program.
Chip O'Neal spoke in opposition to the vehicle incentive program.
Written Public Comment
A.J. Ricci submitted an eComment in opposition of the vehicle incentive program.
Mayor Slater closed the Public Hearing at 7:18 p.m.
During deliberation, Council discussed the differences between franchised dealerships and independent used vehicle dealers, the City's anticipated costs for marketing the program, and vehicle incentive programs implemented by other cities.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor Slater, to approve the recommended action as presented in the staff report.
A substitute motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember Barrios to approve a vehicle purchase incentive program which grants a rebate to any resident purchasing a vehicle within the City, regardless of location and does not include marketing costs paid to sellers.
An amended substitute motion was made by Councilmember Gyllenhammer, seconded by Councilmember Barrios, to direct staff to return to the City Council with a revised vehicle purchase incentive program that considers a broader scope, including both franchised and independent dealerships. The motion failed by the following vote:
Barrios, and GyllenhammerAyes:
Bilodeau, Dumitru, Tavoularis, and SlaterNoes:
GutierrezAbsent:
Following the failed substitute motion, Mayor Slater called for the vote on the main motion.
A motion was made by Councilmember Dumitru, seconded by Mayor Slater, to: 1) Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a Participation Agreement with the participating Orange franchised vehicle dealers (Mazda of Orange, Selman Chevrolet, Nissan of Orange, Toyota of Orange, and Villa Ford of Orange) to establish the Vehicle Incentive Program for the period of April 1, 2027 to April 1, 2040, for an amount not to exceed $ 1,550,000 per year in rebates ($20,150,000 over the 13-year term ), contingent upon voter approval of a future Transactions and Use Tax (sales tax ) Measure; and 2) Approve the Vehicle Incentive Program Guidelines as established by the City Manager and Economic Development Subsidy Report and direct staff to return following the November 3, 2026, election with any necessary implementation actions and budget appropriation requests, contingent upon voter approval of the proposed Transactions and Use Tax Measure. The motion carried by the following vote:
Orange City Council Minutes - Final August 11, 2026
Bilodeau, Dumitru, Tavoularis, and SlaterAyes:
Barrios, and GyllenhammerNoes:
GutierrezAbsent:
9. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
9.1. County of Orange Unincorporated Island Annexation Study and Policy Direction Item 9.1 was postponed to the August 25, 2026, Regular City Council meeting.
10. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
The next Regular City Council meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 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