2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
At this time, members of the public may address the Council on matters not listed on the agenda within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council, provided that NO action may be taken on off-agenda items unless authorized by law. Public Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker unless a different time limit is announced.
I am writing again to express concern for the proposed Orange Heights development in East Orange. Earlier this month, the wildfires in LA burned thousands of homes and killed at least 29 people. People were forced to flee their cars and run to escape the flames. This thought terrifies me. As a resident of Santiago Hills, my family also had to evacuate for the Canyon 2 fire in 2017. It was not easy to evacuate with bumper-to-bumper traffic as flames drew nearer. As you know, the Canyon 2 Fire burned the area of the proposed Orange Heights neighborhood.
When the next fire comes, how will we get out of the neighborhood safely with all those additional people? It is simply irresponsible to build on this land. The homes built here will be threatened by fire; it is just a matter of time. I urge you to consider the safety of residents and the risk that this development poses in light of past wildfires and potential future emergencies.
In summary, this development risks both the lives of the people who will move into this area and those already living here. I strongly encourage you to reconsider this plan and look for safer alternatives that prioritize public safety, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.
Dear Mayor and councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong support for the city's composting program. As part of the Orange Sustainability Group, I am passionate about making the best use of resources. In an era of increasing environmental concerns, composting organic waste is crucial for several reasons:
REDUCED LANDFILL WASTE: Composting significantly reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, which decompose anaerobically and release harmful methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.
IMPROVED SOIL HEALTH: Compost enriches soil quality, increasing its water-holding capacity and promoting the growth of healthy plants. This benefits local gardens and helps prevent soil erosion and runoff.
REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS: Composting reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are often produced using energy-intensive processes that contribute to climate change, and come in plastic bags.
I have gotten free compost and mulch from the county landfill multiple times, and it's honestly as good or better than the stuff you buy at the store. And it's free to residents!
We collect food scraps in a small bin on the counter and take them out to the yard waste bin a few times a week. If people are worried about the smell, although we don't have any, there are tricks. You can keep scraps in the freezer, and dump them in the bin right before you take the bins out to the street. Include yard waste (leaves, grass clippings) in the outdoor bin to balance moisture and prevent odors. There are also compostable bags now that many companies allow.
Beginning in 2022, SB 1383 requires every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. While working with the Orange Sustainability Group and talking to residents, it is clear that the law is not being followed. Many people we spoke with in multifamily units are not provided with Organic bins. And a lot of them didn't even know that it was required. We should work to improve the adoption of this law by educating citizens and employees (which is required by SB1383) and doing bin audits to make sure people comply with the law.
There are many ways we can help educate citizens. And a lot of jurisdictions already have information and flyers available. From experience, I'm sure they would be willing to let us copy their work to promote a healthier community.
Here are a few ideas:
Website: Dedicated page with FAQs, videos, downloadable guides, and a form for questions.
Mailers/Flyers: Informational materials delivered to every household, including clear instructions and visuals.
Social Media Campaigns: Engaging posts, contests, and Q&A sessions to reach a wider audience.
Community Events: Workshops, demonstrations, and festivals to educate residents in person.
Partner with Local Schools: Involve students in composting initiatives and spread awareness.
Thank you for your time,
William Melcher, Orange Resident
The City of Villa Park released an IS/MND on 1/24/2025 adopting their new Housing Element to rezone the Smith Basin, including Santiago Creek, off Villa Park Road at Hewes St, from Open Space to Commercia-Mixed Use, allowing development on the County Water District land, which is apparently within the City of Villa Park Limits. This would substantially impact the City of Orange and the Santiago Creek. Is the City of Orange aware of this project and will you be making comments? Attached is the NOI that was sent to Villa Park residents along with a copy of the MND.
From talking with my neighbors, it is clear that Orange residents are not putting their food waste into the green bins. I urge everyone to do what they can to increase adoption.
First, a refresher on the super powers of composting.
1. Composting Reduces Greenhouse Gases! Food waste in landfills emits 20% of our state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting prevents methane and air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma. Reducing Short-Lived Climate Super Pollutants like organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.
2. Composting Saves Money! Transporting and storing waste for landfills increases refuse costs. And plants using compost need less water, pesticides, and fertilizers.
3. Composting Improves Soil Quality! Plants grow vigorously and produce more food. Soil retains more nutrients and water which prevents/reduces erosion and runoff. Soil improves downstream water quality by retaining pollutants (e.g., nitrogen which kills corals and creates fishery dead zones).
All of us who understand how important composting is need to help others make this important behavior change. I don’t think what we are doing is enough. CR&R, City leaders, and all of us residents who understand the super powers of composting need to join forces to find solutions that will impact adoption. I think we need to explore ideas like doing bin audits and giving warnings for non-compliant residents. This will increase awareness of the law. And to help residents make the change, what about finding the funding to purchase the kitchen scrap bins like City of Tustin did. And maybe we enlist our city’s youth who need community service hours to distribute the bins with flyers containing tips for how to get started. I am sure if we come together on this important issue we can come up with even more ideas and find a way to successfully execute them. Our residents, planet, and pocketbooks will all be healthier.
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers,
I am writing again to express concern for the proposed Orange Heights development in East Orange. Earlier this month, the wildfires in LA burned thousands of homes and killed at least 29 people. People were forced to flee their cars and run to escape the flames. This thought terrifies me. As a resident of Santiago Hills, my family also had to evacuate for the Canyon 2 fire in 2017. It was not easy to evacuate with bumper-to-bumper traffic as flames drew nearer. As you know, the Canyon 2 Fire burned the area of the proposed Orange Heights neighborhood.
When the next fire comes, how will we get out of the neighborhood safely with all those additional people? It is simply irresponsible to build on this land. The homes built here will be threatened by fire; it is just a matter of time. I urge you to consider the safety of residents and the risk that this development poses in light of past wildfires and potential future emergencies.
In summary, this development risks both the lives of the people who will move into this area and those already living here. I strongly encourage you to reconsider this plan and look for safer alternatives that prioritize public safety, particularly in wildfire-prone areas.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kimberly DeLehman
Santiago Hills
Dear Mayor and councilmembers,
I am writing to express my strong support for the city's composting program. As part of the Orange Sustainability Group, I am passionate about making the best use of resources. In an era of increasing environmental concerns, composting organic waste is crucial for several reasons:
REDUCED LANDFILL WASTE: Composting significantly reduces the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, which decompose anaerobically and release harmful methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas.
IMPROVED SOIL HEALTH: Compost enriches soil quality, increasing its water-holding capacity and promoting the growth of healthy plants. This benefits local gardens and helps prevent soil erosion and runoff.
REDUCED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS: Composting reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which are often produced using energy-intensive processes that contribute to climate change, and come in plastic bags.
I have gotten free compost and mulch from the county landfill multiple times, and it's honestly as good or better than the stuff you buy at the store. And it's free to residents!
We collect food scraps in a small bin on the counter and take them out to the yard waste bin a few times a week. If people are worried about the smell, although we don't have any, there are tricks. You can keep scraps in the freezer, and dump them in the bin right before you take the bins out to the street. Include yard waste (leaves, grass clippings) in the outdoor bin to balance moisture and prevent odors. There are also compostable bags now that many companies allow.
Beginning in 2022, SB 1383 requires every jurisdiction to provide organic waste collection services to all residents and businesses. While working with the Orange Sustainability Group and talking to residents, it is clear that the law is not being followed. Many people we spoke with in multifamily units are not provided with Organic bins. And a lot of them didn't even know that it was required. We should work to improve the adoption of this law by educating citizens and employees (which is required by SB1383) and doing bin audits to make sure people comply with the law.
There are many ways we can help educate citizens. And a lot of jurisdictions already have information and flyers available. From experience, I'm sure they would be willing to let us copy their work to promote a healthier community.
Here are a few ideas:
Website: Dedicated page with FAQs, videos, downloadable guides, and a form for questions.
Mailers/Flyers: Informational materials delivered to every household, including clear instructions and visuals.
Social Media Campaigns: Engaging posts, contests, and Q&A sessions to reach a wider audience.
Community Events: Workshops, demonstrations, and festivals to educate residents in person.
Partner with Local Schools: Involve students in composting initiatives and spread awareness.
Thank you for your time,
William Melcher, Orange Resident
The City of Villa Park released an IS/MND on 1/24/2025 adopting their new Housing Element to rezone the Smith Basin, including Santiago Creek, off Villa Park Road at Hewes St, from Open Space to Commercia-Mixed Use, allowing development on the County Water District land, which is apparently within the City of Villa Park Limits. This would substantially impact the City of Orange and the Santiago Creek. Is the City of Orange aware of this project and will you be making comments? Attached is the NOI that was sent to Villa Park residents along with a copy of the MND.
To Mayor Slater and the City Council:
From talking with my neighbors, it is clear that Orange residents are not putting their food waste into the green bins. I urge everyone to do what they can to increase adoption.
First, a refresher on the super powers of composting.
1. Composting Reduces Greenhouse Gases! Food waste in landfills emits 20% of our state’s methane, a climate super pollutant 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Composting prevents methane and air pollutants like PM 2.5, which contributes to health conditions like asthma. Reducing Short-Lived Climate Super Pollutants like organic waste will have the fastest impact on the climate crisis.
2. Composting Saves Money! Transporting and storing waste for landfills increases refuse costs. And plants using compost need less water, pesticides, and fertilizers.
3. Composting Improves Soil Quality! Plants grow vigorously and produce more food. Soil retains more nutrients and water which prevents/reduces erosion and runoff. Soil improves downstream water quality by retaining pollutants (e.g., nitrogen which kills corals and creates fishery dead zones).
All of us who understand how important composting is need to help others make this important behavior change. I don’t think what we are doing is enough. CR&R, City leaders, and all of us residents who understand the super powers of composting need to join forces to find solutions that will impact adoption. I think we need to explore ideas like doing bin audits and giving warnings for non-compliant residents. This will increase awareness of the law. And to help residents make the change, what about finding the funding to purchase the kitchen scrap bins like City of Tustin did. And maybe we enlist our city’s youth who need community service hours to distribute the bins with flyers containing tips for how to get started. I am sure if we come together on this important issue we can come up with even more ideas and find a way to successfully execute them. Our residents, planet, and pocketbooks will all be healthier.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Tani, Orange Resident