Summary

City Council approves Active Transportation plan contract, adopts grant appropriations, advances Design Review ordinance

OrangeOct 28, 20254 min read

At a glance

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At its October 28, 2025 meeting, the Orange City Council approved a $384,781 contract to develop a Citywide Active Transportation Plan; accepted a $30,000 ABC/Office of Traffic Safety grant and a $41,702 library literacy grant with associated appropriations; introduced and conducted first reading of Ordinance No. 18-25 amending Design Review Committee duties (amended to update historic inventory definitions); bifurcated and approved the residential portion of a Downtown permit parking program while continuing the commercial portion to December 9, 2025; and approved an “Adopt a Box” utility box art and sponsorship program. The Council also met in closed session on labor negotiations (IBEW Local 47 and Top Management) and anticipated litigation related to proposed Design Review Ordinance amendments.

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Orange City Council

Topics discussed

LaborTransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationUtilities

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Key decisions

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Approved agreement with Mark Thomas and Company, Inc. for transportation planning services to develop a Citywide Active Transportation Plan in the total amount of $384,781 ($349,781 services + $35,000 contingency).
Approved Agreement with the State of California, Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control for the ABC/Office of Traffic Safety Grant Program ($30,000); adopted Resolution No. 11641; and appropriated $30,000 into specified General Fund accounts (Overtime - Safety and Training).
Accepted $41,702 in designated grant funding from California Library Literacy Services and authorized appropriation of those funds to Materials and Supplies and Part-time Miscellaneous Salaries.
Introduced and conducted First Reading of Ordinance No. 18-25 amending Titles 12, 16, and 17 to update duties and responsibilities of the Design Review Committee, with an amendment to update the definition of historic building inventory to include all historical inventories.
Bifurcated the Downtown permit parking program and adopted Resolution No. 11642 approving the residential portion of the permit program; continued the commercial portion to the December 9, 2025 Council meeting with staff directed to return with clarifying criteria (including limiting permits).
Approved the “Adopt a Box” Utility Box Art and Sponsorship Program and authorized staff to solicit artists and sponsors (staff directed to consider a patriotic theme for the first boxes).
Established a Council subcommittee (Councilmembers Dumitru and Barrios) to work with the City Attorney’s Office on proposed additions/reforms to OMC Chapter 2.10 (Campaign Reform) to revise contribution limits and transfers.
Directed staff to return with a proposed agreement to retain a consultant to develop a Historic Preservation Ordinance specific to the City of Orange.
In Closed Session, discussed labor negotiations with City negotiators (City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand and Assistant HR Director Cody Kleen) involving IBEW Local 47 (Maintenance and Crafts and Water Division) and Top Management, and considered anticipated litigation per correspondence dated October 22, 2025 from Carstens, Black & Minteer, LLP related to proposed amendments to the Design Review Ordinance (no reportable action disclosed).

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