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.

July 22, 2025:

1.    Authorized Orange non-profit organizations to rent public parking lots/spaces during the Orange International Street Fair – for donations.

2.    Authorized the California Fire Museum to operate a temporary history museum at the old fire station at 176 S. Grand Street.

3.    Approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the city and Milan (owner of the Sully-Miller property in Orange Park Acres) for resolution and clean-up of the site.

4.    Accepted an $18,000 donation from Friends of the Orange Public Library.

5.    Adopted an Ordinance updating the number of chickens allowed on residential properties.

6.    Received a report from Police Chief Adam Jevec on the effectiveness of illegal fireworks enforcement for this year’s 4th of July.

7.    Approved an agreement with Placeworks, Inc. for a redevelopment study for the Village (Mall) of Orange.

8.    Heard an update on the Economic Development Implementation Plan

9.    Received a presentation from Grant Thornton Advisors on the city’s financial health.

August 12, 2025:

1.    Approved an agreement with the Orange Chamber of Commerce Foundation to resume the annual May parade, starting on May 2, 2026.

2.    Approved an agreement with Robertson Industries, Inc. for maintenance and repair of rubberized tot lots in 5 city parks.

3.    Reviewed and approved the Statement of Investment Policy for Fiscal Year 2025-26.

4.    Adopted a Financial Management Policy – a first for Orange.

5.    Held discussions on how best to implement the recommendations from Grant Thornton Advisors.

6.    Directed staff to revise ordinances to limit the Design Review Committee’s purview to historic districts and properties.

7.    Appointed Sharon Zimmerman to the Orange Public Library Board of Trustees.

8.    Approved allowing the Orange International Street Fair Committee to produce Treats in the Streets and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

9.    Received a presentation on “Orange Yards,” a vision for the redevelopment of West Katella.

10.    Received an update on the city’s Investment Portfolio from City Treasurer Garett Smith.

August 26, 2025

1.    Approved a cooperative agreement with Anaheim for Ball Road – Taft Avenue traffic signal coordination – to move traffic more effectively. 

2.    Approve a final tract map for the Viewpoint Home project at the northeast corner of Cambridge Street and Katella Avenue (former AT&T building).

3.    Held discussions on how best to implement the Grant Thornton recommendations.

4.    Appointed Mayor Dan Slater and councilmembers Dumitru and Tavoularis (with Barrios as alternate) to a new Chapman University Liaison Committee.

5.    Expanded (by neighborhood request) a permit parking area near S. Swidler and E. Chapman Avenue.

6.    Received a quarterly update on the 2025-2030 Citywide Strategic Plan.

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City Council Meetings:  2nd & 4th Tuesday / 6 - 8 pm
Agendas are available the prior Thursday.

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.
[email protected]  /  714-744-2219