Happy Earth Day! I support all the work the local orange sustainability group has been doing to educate the community and the council on how we can do better for our planet. Especially with the lack of information and support on issues like composting from the city. Neighboring cities have robust programs and education and we should utilize partnerships for our citizens. We are also nearly approaching the anniversary to the City’s “receive and file” of the Orange Sustainability Plan, and I have not seen any action implemented thus far, outside of Councilmember Gyllenhammer’s recent Solar Initiatives for City Buildings.
Electrification combined with Solar Power Generation not only leads toward sustainability and less reliance on imported fossil fuels, but it reduces costs in the long term. And right now I know the City is trying to ensure “fiscal” sustainability for the future. Please consider converting the City’s fleet to all-electric, again this can be done gradually and by utilizing funds like the CA Clean Air Act, upgrading the City’s electrical fixtures for better efficiency, encourage residents and business owners to convert to electric appliances and vehicles. Although Federal Tax Credits are up in the air, there is still millions of dollars available at the state level. Please direct people to the Switch Is On for info through the City’s website, Social Media, newsletters, and community events. A lot of money available is specifically for multi-family homes, like the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH).
Just last week Martinez-Franco was elected Irvine Councilmember and will be the tie breaker to keep Irvine in the OCPA. Tonight the Stanton City Council will be reviewing an OCPA feasibility study that was completed at no cost to the City, and will consider joining. Please allow OCPA to perform a free feasibility study, and seriously consider joining.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am in support of the city adopting a CEQA Certified Legally Binding Climate Action Plan. One that picks up where The Orange Sustainability Plan written by Chapman University's Environmental Science and Policy Division left off.
I recently joined the Orange Sustainability Group. I am so impressed with the work done by this group! I joined because of my interest reducing (or eliminating) plastic and styrofoam containers and seeing the city eliminate all toxic pesticide use in the management of the public lands along with educating the residents on alternatives to toxic chemical and pesticide use.
The City of Orange has the largest inventory of historic homes in California which takes stewardship to preserve. We should strive to become a leader in being stewards to our land as well. Examples being education in alternatives to toxic chemicals, neighborhood gardens and a multi-step plan for businesses (stores and restaurants) to eliminate plastic, styrofoam (which I think was already banned in California) and other containers that contain forever chemicals.
In my work as a health coach, I guide my clients not just in the health of the human body, but that of our environment. Human health will continue to be challenged if we don't address the health of our planet as is outlined in the Orange Sustainability Plan. The city needs to take action sooner rather than later.
I echo Jake Comer's comments on the Earth Day -
"The City of Brea is set to “receive and file” their own Sustainability Plan on May 20, which was also prepared by Chapman University
students. I would be saddened to see them implement it before Orange".
Thank you.
Vickie Laughlin
Dynamic Wellness
26 year resident in Old Towne Orange
Dear Mayor and council members,
I'm part of the Orange Sustainability Group and on this earth day hope to impress the urgency of adopting the Sustainability plan provided by the students of Chapman University. Many of the items in the plan not only improve the quality of life for your constituents, but they can save money as well.
While federal grants may be questionable right now, there are still many other opportunities for the city. With the price of fossil fuel continuously rising, solar is a great way to stabilize the budget. I'm thankful for representative Gyllenhammer's efforts to adopt solar on government buildings. If you pair that with EVs for the city it will multiply the savings.
I also see that there is an Letter of Intent to work with Milan and Landify to finally do something with the Sully Miller sight. I fully support getting the ball rolling on this and am excited to see this project get started.
And lastly, I would like to show my support for OCPA to conduct a Free feasibility study. Joining OCPA will give the city of Orange a seat at the table. And the residents will have more options on how to power their house than the Monopoly that SCE currently enjoys.
I oppose the inaction by the city council to enact or research and start funding efforts to bring to life the city's Sustainability Plan, delivered almost a year ago this May. I consulted on that project with Chapman University and other Orange Sustainability members. I have also completed a 10-month climate action planning program with the city of Doylestown in Pennsylvania. I am working again with Chapman University and the city of Brea to develop their sustainability plan. These plans are vital to foster community-wide efforts to improve our community's health and the environment and to build resilience and adaptation strategies to combat increasing temperatures, droughts, and wildfire hazards due to climate change. A city is not measured by what it applauds, but rather by what it does. Doylestown implemented my strategies into the Comprehensive Plan update and is hiring a Sustainability Coordinator. They heard the call from residents to act on climate, and it is a success story in the effectiveness of collaboration and engagement. Brea faces the real challenge of managing the urban-wildlife interface and wildfire threats. They are acting to protect their constituents. We demand that efforts be taken to safeguard our homes and our community.
The city council must act today, on Earth Day. We need to phase out natural gas in homes and replace harmful appliances with electric, non-emitting ones. We must invest in community choice aggregation for electricity through programs offered through Orange County Power Authority. They can help our community leverage our voice and request the amount of renewables required to power our lives. We need to build our green areas and plant native, drought-tolerant species of plants and shrubs. This technique promotes biodiversity, reduces our demand on potable water, and saves money. We need more energy efficiency programs to help residents improve the insulation and performance of their homes, many of which are 100 years old. We can offer composting and better recycling programs throughout the city to bolster sustainable living and accountability.
Sustainability is not a roadblock. It is an opportunity it grow, teach the community and each other best practices, and foster togetherness to build up our community, promote environmental well-being, and ensure residents live the best lives in the best city in Orange County. Use the community residents as resources to help find funding and gather ideas for programs to consider implementing. We are more than willing to work with the council. This is my community, and it is yours. Let's make it the best one we can, together.
NO ORANGE HEIGHTS - Joe Thompson (Orange resident)
I live in Tustin/Irvine and I am against the Orange Heights Development. The proposed project is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which would put thousands of residents in harm’s way. Other similar proposed projects in Los Angeles and San Diego County have been stopped for this exact reason. The Orange Heights housing development would bulldoze an existing wildlife corridor and eliminate a critical habitat for a number of native California animal species. I am requesting that the city council require a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to be conducted by the Irvine Company and to give the community an opportunity for meaningful public comment and engagement regarding this project.
Guest User at April 21, 2025 at 11:36am PDT
I live in Serrano Heights on Monaco Pkwy (for 22 years.) The streets are swept weekly in the entire area, from Cannon/Imperial up Serrano to the Orange/Anaheim border. There are NO PARKING signs on every street including mine. Yet when the street sweeper goes through cars are parked on the street. Parking enforcement gave tickets out years ago - they followed the sweeper - but it stopped. During these times of budget problems, the City should send parking enforcement to the area during sweep times to write tickets.
Brian Hews
Owner/Publisher
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper
22 year resident
Happy Earth Day! I support all the work the local orange sustainability group has been doing to educate the community and the council on how we can do better for our planet. Especially with the lack of information and support on issues like composting from the city. Neighboring cities have robust programs and education and we should utilize partnerships for our citizens. We are also nearly approaching the anniversary to the City’s “receive and file” of the Orange Sustainability Plan, and I have not seen any action implemented thus far, outside of Councilmember Gyllenhammer’s recent Solar Initiatives for City Buildings.
Electrification combined with Solar Power Generation not only leads toward sustainability and less reliance on imported fossil fuels, but it reduces costs in the long term. And right now I know the City is trying to ensure “fiscal” sustainability for the future. Please consider converting the City’s fleet to all-electric, again this can be done gradually and by utilizing funds like the CA Clean Air Act, upgrading the City’s electrical fixtures for better efficiency, encourage residents and business owners to convert to electric appliances and vehicles. Although Federal Tax Credits are up in the air, there is still millions of dollars available at the state level. Please direct people to the Switch Is On for info through the City’s website, Social Media, newsletters, and community events. A lot of money available is specifically for multi-family homes, like the Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH).
Just last week Martinez-Franco was elected Irvine Councilmember and will be the tie breaker to keep Irvine in the OCPA. Tonight the Stanton City Council will be reviewing an OCPA feasibility study that was completed at no cost to the City, and will consider joining. Please allow OCPA to perform a free feasibility study, and seriously consider joining.
NO ORANGE HEIGHTS.
Dear Mayor and City Council,
I am in support of the city adopting a CEQA Certified Legally Binding Climate Action Plan. One that picks up where The Orange Sustainability Plan written by Chapman University's Environmental Science and Policy Division left off.
I recently joined the Orange Sustainability Group. I am so impressed with the work done by this group! I joined because of my interest reducing (or eliminating) plastic and styrofoam containers and seeing the city eliminate all toxic pesticide use in the management of the public lands along with educating the residents on alternatives to toxic chemical and pesticide use.
The City of Orange has the largest inventory of historic homes in California which takes stewardship to preserve. We should strive to become a leader in being stewards to our land as well. Examples being education in alternatives to toxic chemicals, neighborhood gardens and a multi-step plan for businesses (stores and restaurants) to eliminate plastic, styrofoam (which I think was already banned in California) and other containers that contain forever chemicals.
In my work as a health coach, I guide my clients not just in the health of the human body, but that of our environment. Human health will continue to be challenged if we don't address the health of our planet as is outlined in the Orange Sustainability Plan. The city needs to take action sooner rather than later.
I echo Jake Comer's comments on the Earth Day -
"The City of Brea is set to “receive and file” their own Sustainability Plan on May 20, which was also prepared by Chapman University
students. I would be saddened to see them implement it before Orange".
Thank you.
Vickie Laughlin
Dynamic Wellness
26 year resident in Old Towne Orange
Dear Mayor and council members,
I'm part of the Orange Sustainability Group and on this earth day hope to impress the urgency of adopting the Sustainability plan provided by the students of Chapman University. Many of the items in the plan not only improve the quality of life for your constituents, but they can save money as well.
While federal grants may be questionable right now, there are still many other opportunities for the city. With the price of fossil fuel continuously rising, solar is a great way to stabilize the budget. I'm thankful for representative Gyllenhammer's efforts to adopt solar on government buildings. If you pair that with EVs for the city it will multiply the savings.
I also see that there is an Letter of Intent to work with Milan and Landify to finally do something with the Sully Miller sight. I fully support getting the ball rolling on this and am excited to see this project get started.
And lastly, I would like to show my support for OCPA to conduct a Free feasibility study. Joining OCPA will give the city of Orange a seat at the table. And the residents will have more options on how to power their house than the Monopoly that SCE currently enjoys.
Thank you,
Bill Melcher
I oppose the inaction by the city council to enact or research and start funding efforts to bring to life the city's Sustainability Plan, delivered almost a year ago this May. I consulted on that project with Chapman University and other Orange Sustainability members. I have also completed a 10-month climate action planning program with the city of Doylestown in Pennsylvania. I am working again with Chapman University and the city of Brea to develop their sustainability plan. These plans are vital to foster community-wide efforts to improve our community's health and the environment and to build resilience and adaptation strategies to combat increasing temperatures, droughts, and wildfire hazards due to climate change. A city is not measured by what it applauds, but rather by what it does. Doylestown implemented my strategies into the Comprehensive Plan update and is hiring a Sustainability Coordinator. They heard the call from residents to act on climate, and it is a success story in the effectiveness of collaboration and engagement. Brea faces the real challenge of managing the urban-wildlife interface and wildfire threats. They are acting to protect their constituents. We demand that efforts be taken to safeguard our homes and our community.
The city council must act today, on Earth Day. We need to phase out natural gas in homes and replace harmful appliances with electric, non-emitting ones. We must invest in community choice aggregation for electricity through programs offered through Orange County Power Authority. They can help our community leverage our voice and request the amount of renewables required to power our lives. We need to build our green areas and plant native, drought-tolerant species of plants and shrubs. This technique promotes biodiversity, reduces our demand on potable water, and saves money. We need more energy efficiency programs to help residents improve the insulation and performance of their homes, many of which are 100 years old. We can offer composting and better recycling programs throughout the city to bolster sustainable living and accountability.
Sustainability is not a roadblock. It is an opportunity it grow, teach the community and each other best practices, and foster togetherness to build up our community, promote environmental well-being, and ensure residents live the best lives in the best city in Orange County. Use the community residents as resources to help find funding and gather ideas for programs to consider implementing. We are more than willing to work with the council. This is my community, and it is yours. Let's make it the best one we can, together.
NO ORANGE HEIGHTS - Joe Thompson (Orange resident)
I live in Tustin/Irvine and I am against the Orange Heights Development. The proposed project is in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, which would put thousands of residents in harm’s way. Other similar proposed projects in Los Angeles and San Diego County have been stopped for this exact reason. The Orange Heights housing development would bulldoze an existing wildlife corridor and eliminate a critical habitat for a number of native California animal species. I am requesting that the city council require a new Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to be conducted by the Irvine Company and to give the community an opportunity for meaningful public comment and engagement regarding this project.
Guest User at April 21, 2025 at 11:36am PDT
I live in Serrano Heights on Monaco Pkwy (for 22 years.) The streets are swept weekly in the entire area, from Cannon/Imperial up Serrano to the Orange/Anaheim border. There are NO PARKING signs on every street including mine. Yet when the street sweeper goes through cars are parked on the street. Parking enforcement gave tickets out years ago - they followed the sweeper - but it stopped. During these times of budget problems, the City should send parking enforcement to the area during sweep times to write tickets.
Brian Hews
Owner/Publisher
Los Cerritos Community Newspaper
22 year resident