Mayor Dan Slater (center) with (clockwise from top left) Mayor pro tem Dennis Bilodeau and Councilmembers Arianna Barrios, Jon Dumitru, Kathy Tavoularis, Ana Gutierrez and John Gyllenhammer
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Have you ever wondered what goes on at Orange City Council meetings? Important decisions to better our city and announcements about our community are made at these meetings. In this column provided by Mayor Dan Slater, we look at the highlights of recent meetings.
January 14:
1. Approved moving ahead with a project to synchronize signals on Glassell Street. Funding is predominantly from countywide Measure M.
2. Considered requests from Councilmember Gutierrez for a city-wide audit and annexation of county “islands” within the city’s boundaries. City Manager asked to report back.
3. Approved an agreement with the Orange International Street Fair, Inc. to produce the annual Street Fair n 2025, and through 2030.
4. Approved first reading for an Ordinance and Resolution setting up rules for the sale of Safe and Sane fireworks (second reading approved January 28).
January 28:
1. Accepted a $20,000 donation from the Orange Public Library Foundation.
2. Authorized the purchase of two new motorcycles for the Orange Police Department and a new truck for the Public Works Department, replacing vehicles long past their useful life.
3. Approved temporary street closures for approved special events.
4. Made two additional appointments, bringing the Citizens Audit Committee to the authorized seven members.
5. Approved the first reading of an ordinance approving paid parking in the 8-block commercial core of the downtown Plaza (second reading approved February 25).
6. Adjourned the meeting in memory of former Orange Mayor, Mark A. Murphy.
February 11:
1. Considered a request from Mayor Slater to develop an evacuation plan for horses and animals in Orange Park Acres.
2. At the request of Councilmember Barrios, considered weighing in on SQMD proposed rules regarding residential furnaces and small water heaters.
3. Considered a request from Councilmember Gyllenhammer to study solar initiatives for city buildings.
4. Approved administrative adjustments to the Orange Municipal Code.
February 25:
1. Extended the “tolling agreement” with Milan for 3 months.
2. Approved annual pavement maintenance for various streets throughout Orange.
3. Requested the City Manager report back on the issuance of street sweeping tickets on holidays.
4. Request from Mayor Pro Tem Bilodeau to make a few practical alterations to the city’s ordinance regarding backyard chickens.
5. Made appointments to fill vacancies on the city’s Traffic Commission and the County’s Vector Control Board.
6. Gave direction to the City Manager to have our Citizen Audit Committee review city budgets dating back to 2008 and issue a report.
7. Direction given to the City Manager to conduct an organizational assessment.
8. Approved employment terms for an Interim City Attorney.
9. Received a quarterly update on our Citywide Strategic Plan.
City Council Meetings:
2nd & 4th Tuesday / 6 - 8 pm
Agendas are available the prior Thursday.
www.CityOfOrange.org
Meet the Mayor:
Every Wed & Thu / 5-7 pm
Call to schedule a 30-minute meeting with Orange Mayor Dan Slater to discuss issues that are important to the city.
Orange City Hall:
300 East Chapman Ave.
CRivas@CityOfOrange.org
714-744-2219
