Public comments

• Karen Lloreda stated, “I want to express my concerns regarding the number of leases we will be discussing during the summer agendas. Why is it so difficult to obtain the relevant information? I requested copies of all city leases over three weeks ago, and I still have not received them. I expect to get them soon, and I will follow up on all of them. I am very concerned that this council is not fully utilizing the city’s assets for the benefit of the residents. I will continue to pursue this matter.”

ICE Raids and Public Safety in Fullerton

• Yolanda Harrison expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m going to call you guys.” She pointed out the unfairness of the countdown clock starting while people are still heading to the podium. For example, Maureen needed an extra 10 seconds, but the timer was already ticking down, which is disgraceful and takes away from her speaking time.

Mrs. Harrison also highlighted increased ICE activity in areas from Harbor to Santa Ana and around Disneyland. She uses the ICE Block app and other resources to monitor this activity.

She emphasized that America is a melting pot of immigrants. If you lack Native American ancestry, you are an immigrant. Given the recent ICE actions, she asked the council and the chief of police, “What are you doing to keep people safe? What are you doing to protect immigrants, whether they are citizens, legal residents, or not?”

She underscored that as an immigrant herself—Canadian by nationality—she is concerned about the safety of the immigrant population and those at risk of ICE detention.

A Fullerton resident expressed deep concern, stating, “What has been happening in Fullerton and elsewhere in Southern California over the past month and a half is alarming. The illegal and unconstitutional methods used by ICE officers, or those impersonating them, are terrorizing our immigrant community members. This situation has left me feeling sickened and depressed. These individuals, who are integral parts of our communities, are being profiled and brutally swept up without due process and subsequently taken away. People are afraid to leave their homes, shop, go to work, send their children to school, or worship. My heart is broken over what is occurring.

“I urge you tonight to place this issue on the agenda and call an immediate special meeting so that the City of Fullerton can take action to support our immigrant community members, who are part of our society. I ask that you use our legislative platform to take meaningful steps. In the meantime, mere non-cooperation with ICE is insufficient. We need to take concrete action. I urge the City of Fullerton to join the federal class action lawsuit filed by the ACLU, Public Counsel, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. This lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt unlawful and unconstitutional profiling that denies due process and access to legal counsel.

“According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the state of California, along with 17 other states, has also joined the lawsuit. In addition to the city and county of Los Angeles, other cities joining the lawsuit include Culver City, Montebello, Runaway Park, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood.

“While the injunction was granted, the federal government has since filed an appeal, which was anticipated. I sincerely ask you to join this lawsuit. Now is the time for courage; everyone must speak up, push back, and do everything they can to stop this terror.”

• Jose Trinidad Castaneda expressed concerns about recent ICE raids in Buena Park, particularly following the city’s announcement that its Police Department would not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement. He highlighted a specific raid that occurred near City Hall shortly after this announcement, emphasizing the risk it poses to immigrant communities. Castaneda warned that cities voicing opposition to federal immigration policies may attract negative attention, potentially endangering residents. He shared personal anecdotes about the fear his family faces, including the possibility of being targeted by federal agents due to their ethnicity. He urged local leaders to be cautious in their actions to avoid drawing unwanted federal scrutiny.

• A Fullerton resident stated, “July is National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Disability Pride Month, National Picnic Month, National Hot Dog Month, and National Ice Cream Month. The city, and I am one of the typical ten referred to alongside Mr. Harrison and eight others, deserves congratulations for the Day of Music and for the Fourth of July events.

I am here tonight to advocate for the families living in the Orangethorpe Elementary School area who must walk on the street to travel to and from school. Children from pre-K to sixth grade deserve safe sidewalks to walk on. I have observed that students at other elementary schools in Fullerton have sidewalks and curbs to ensure their safety while commuting.

Regarding the presentation by the ACC OC, while the cost of $5,000 or $21,863 may be considered an acceptable expenditure, I believe these funds should be prioritized for building sidewalks for students aged 5 to 12 years in Valencia’s District 4. It has also been suggested that we approach the Orangethorpe School and attend the Fullerton School District Board meeting to seek assistance in constructing these curbs.

With all due respect to Council Member Charles, I have been troubled by the recent news coverage of raids. The images remind me of the black-and-white footage I saw of Nazis rounding up Jews, LGBTQ+, and Black individuals in the 1930s in Germany. We remember the oppressive regime of Hitler, and the current situation bears a striking resemblance. I believe we should do everything we can to stand up for our citizens. I know the current administration is acting for political reasons in California, and I feel compelled to express my concerns.”

•Holly said, “I just wanted to speak in support of the two women who spoke out about ICE. There was a raid at the Fullerton car wash on July 3rd. Thankfully, nobody was arrested, as the owner or manager on duty knew how to handle the situation and successfully got the ICE agents to leave without taking any workers with them. Unfortunately, since then, they have experienced a shortage of workers returning to the job, which has created longer wait times as they are seeing an influx of customers who support them. However, the workers don’t feel safe enough to come back to work.

I still encourage everyone to visit the car wash, but I believe it’s crucial for the City Council to provide simple educational materials to business owners in the city. This information will help them understand how to protect their workers if and when ICE arrives. I also agree that we should join the federal class action lawsuit, but I disagree with Mr. Castaneda about not attracting attention. I don’t think that’s a good approach. Speaking out against this abhorrent situation empowers others to do the same and raises awareness that these Nazi-like tactics are being used against people of color.

There is a quote, the source of which is not definitively known, that states, ‘For evil men or women to accomplish their purpose, it is only necessary that good men do nothing.’ It’s important for us to speak up in support of our immigrant friends, neighbors, and family members and to make our voices heard. If everyone speaks out, it will be difficult for the new ICE agents to target us since there are far more of us than there are of them. That is all I wanted to say. I truly believe we need to educate business owners about this issue.”

Fourth of July in Downtown Fullerton

• Maureen Milton, an independent advocate for individuals with disabilities, including those who are handicapped, have mobility challenges, or are little people, said, “I was off my feet by 5:00 PM, but the car show was organized so well. The cars were spaced far enough apart that I could use my walker to navigate around each one without worrying about damaging any vehicle. I spoke with one gentleman who mentioned that his paint job cost $8,000, and he remarked that it was relatively inexpensive considering he completed it during COVID. He pointed out a truck across the way and noted that its paint job was a $20,000 endeavor. If the cars hadn’t been spaced out, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy everything inside and out. I also thought the bike parade was fantastic. While observing the food vendors, she contemplated trying as many options as she could. Despite being limited in how long she could stay, she found the experience absolutely wonderful.”

Firework Fines and Safety

• Todd Harrison, a resident of Rancho La Paz in Fullerton, expressed concern about illegal fireworks in his neighborhood. He believes the Fullerton Police Department has a drone that could help monitor these activities. He mentioned that in some areas, police have successfully used drones to identify addresses where illegal fireworks are being set off, leading to citations issued later.

Mr. Harrison argued that while this approach doesn’t solve the problem immediately, it could deter future violations if residents realized there are real consequences. He acknowledged his reluctance to add more laws but suggested that Fullerton may need ordinances to handle the increasing disturbances caused by powerful fireworks.

His goal is to enhance safety and reduce stress for residents and pets alike, adding that a little more security would benefit the community.

Orange County Power Authority

• Gabriel Dimas Smith, the external affairs manager with the Orange County Power Authority (OCPA), provided an update on several beneficial programs available to residents. OCPA is a not-for-profit energy utility company that purchases clean energy and collaborates with Southern California Edison to deliver it to homes and businesses. By being an OCPA customer, you are actively reducing your carbon footprint in the city.

“One of our standout programs is the energy efficiency kit, which includes LED light bulbs, smart plugs, power strips, and weather stripping to help reduce energy costs. Thanks to local partners like Pathways of Hope, over 20% of the recipients of this kit have been Fullerton families.

“We also offer the “Charge at Home” program, which covers the full cost of a Level 2 EV charger, effectively making it free. Additionally, we provide guidance through the installation process. This offer is available for a limited time, so be sure to take advantage of it.

“Currently, we are working on our community power plan, which gathers input from residents through a survey to determine the types of programs they would like to see from our agency. I’m happy to report that we have received 700 responses so far. If anyone is interested in participating, please visit the Orange County Power Authority website.

“Lastly, I want to highlight our Green Pioneers program for local businesses. This marketing initiative promotes businesses that utilize 100% renewable energy, helping to attract more customers to these businesses in our city.”

Urban Forest Management Plan

• Jensen Hallstrom said, “I would like to begin my comments by thanking Council Member Zahra for pulling Consent Calendar item number 19. It’s essential to have a thorough discussion on this topic, particularly regarding my concerns shared during public comment at the last City Council meeting.

“I want to reiterate the need for a comprehensive update on our Urban Forest Management Plan. I know I may sound repetitive every time I mention this, but as I walk through our community—visiting parks, trails, and streets—it’s clear how vital healthy, mature, and well-managed trees are to the well-being of Fullerton residents.

“I recently met with the city manager about a particular issue that was not adequately addressed in our last iteration of the Urban Forest Management Plan: the problem of root rot developing among many mature trees in parks across Fullerton, primarily due to poor irrigation practices, including sprinkler overspray.

“We witnessed this issue at Adlena Park several years ago, my childhood park, where 70-year-old Chinese elms were cut down—representing roughly a third of the park’s mature shade canopy. This occurred because of two main factors: improper irrigation and mechanical damage caused by mowers and string trimmers. The moisture from sprinkler overspray fosters bacterial and fungal pathogens that compromise the structural integrity of the trees at their trunk bases, leading to an increased risk of failure.

“I discussed this matter with the city manager concerning Byerrum Park, as I have been bringing this issue to the city’s attention for years. Just the other night, I walked by and noticed the sprinklers still hitting the trunks of these 70-year-old trees that have been managed with taxpayer dollars for seven decades. The community deserves proper management and care for our parks, but challenges like these hinder our ability to achieve that. I hope our contractor can provide some insights on these issues.”

Halstrom said he was against the vote of approval for the Euclid sidewalk gap closure, as he considered it wasteful spending to pave a 600-foot-long concrete sidewalk and install a steel tube fence. At the same time, simple maintenance standards are failing to keep sidewalks accessible even after being paved with asphalt or concrete because of issues such as erosion from adjacent slopes, which deposits mounds of soil back onto paved sections. This is most evident along the sidewalk along the east side of Euclid, north of the Hiltscher Trail crosswalk.

Save Les Amis Outdoor Dining

• Jinan Montecristo, a business owner of a restaurant called Les Amis in downtown Fullerton, stated, “Tonight, I’m speaking not only to City Council members but also to the residents, business owners, and community members of Fullerton. When it comes to outdoor dining and the needs of small businesses in this city, my voice, along with the voices of others, often falls on deaf ears.

“The topic I want to address this evening is outdoor dining opportunities in Fullerton. Outdoor dining benefits everyone; it brings people together, builds community, increases foot traffic, and drives sales tax revenue. It supports jobs, improves safety and visibility, and makes Fullerton a more appealing place for visitors.

“After 15 years of trying to explain, educate, and collaborate, I am no longer here simply to plead. I am here to demand accountability. As a small business owner for over 20 years, I have been honored as Woman of the Year twice for my commitment to this community, alongside receiving several other awards. A restaurant is not just a place to eat; it’s a gathering spot where people can enjoy live music, experience beauty, food, and culture in a space that has been thoughtfully designed for the people of Fullerton.

“When times are tough in our community, we strive to be a model business. Our restaurant has garnered recognition from patrons who travel from near and far to support us. We are experienced and invested business owners speaking not from greed but from a place of logic, fairness, and decades of lived experience.

“What we are asking for is simple: stop punishing small businesses and restaurants—specifically restaurants—for trying to do the right thing. While the appeal of outdoor dining is obvious and beneficial to cities, communities, and businesses alike, the reality is that its use is often limited by the elements: extreme heat, cold, wind, rain, and humidity make patio usage difficult.

“I reached out in good faith and requested individual meetings with every council member to share a small restaurant owner’s perspective directly; only two members responded and agreed to meet with me. Unfortunately, those meetings yielded no meaningful help.

“This council appears to be so deeply divided that it hardly seems appropriate to call them representatives of their constituents. Their decisions seem driven by political affiliations rather than the well-being of our community. This is not only shameful but also detrimental to the future of Fullerton.”

•Oliver Montecristo stated, “I am her son. It is deeply insulting that I have to stand here, along with my injured mother, begging for our livelihood over a slab of concrete without any legitimate and, more importantly, consistent reasoning. This is not just an insult to me and my family, but to the residents of Fullerton as well. Mr. Mayor, on July 25, you plan to be celebrating at Fox while allowing our space and legacy to be repossessed on rigid and unjust grounds.

Mr. Zahra, I attended your groundbreaking event two weeks ago, and it was a beautiful trail, by the way. In your speech, you emphasized the importance of community and the concept of shared spaces that foster relationships. You made a promise. I urge you to do the right thing. If more businesses were given the chance to create outdoor spaces without being burdened by exorbitant lease agreements, we would see more life on our sidewalks, more vibrancy, and more connections.

For the past 15 years, we have been required to pay monthly lease fees to use city-owned public sidewalks for patio space, which the city does not furnish, maintain, or clean. We are responsible for all costs, including furniture, umbrellas, lighting, maintenance, trash removal, and labor, while the city contributes nothing. It’s like leasing an apartment without a roof.

Without any consultation, our monthly lease has increased from $1,200 to $3,500, effective November 2024. Because we missed a year of payments during the pandemic when business fell, we are now required to back pay based on the previous rate of $1,200. In total, we are expected to pay $5,000 a month for a weather-dependent slab of concrete that the city neither maintains nor improves. That amounts to $60,000 a year.

I’d like to emphasize that this is not prime real estate the city could use to generate revenue. These are just slabs of concrete. If it weren’t for our dedication, these spaces would remain empty. What’s even more outrageous is the flawed logic behind this policy. Some businesses can simply set out plastic tables and chairs in front of their establishments with no consequences—$0 monthly lease, no fines, and no harassment. Yet, if a business invests time, money, and care to create a beautiful, intentional patio space, they face thousands of dollars in monthly fees. The message here is clear: don’t invest, don’t beautify, and don’t improve.

To make matters worse, not all businesses are held to the same standards. I’ve learned that some businesses are not paying anything at all, which raises serious questions about fairness and legality. When we asked the city to justify this system, they claimed it would be illegal not to charge a lease, suggesting that businesses don’t consent to the use of public space. This is simply untrue. If it were legal, cities like Brea and many others wouldn’t be using a simpler, permanent system without issues.

Please don’t hide behind taxpayer concerns when it’s convenient, especially when those contributing most to the city’s vitality are the ones being squeezed the hardest. Currently, this city’s policy discourages investment, punishes effort, and rewards mediocrity. It does the exact opposite of what a “business-friendly” city should do.

Because we have not paid the new, exorbitant encroachment lease for our patio, we have received an email from the city demanding that we remove all patio fencing and furniture by July 25. If we don’t comply, the city will remove it themselves, charge us for a month’s storage, and dispose of it at our cost, as though we don’t have enough to worry about as a small business. They will confiscate our deposit, and it won’t matter that we’ve spent thousands maintaining these spaces ourselves.

Just to be clear, we’re not alone in this; many other businesses are in the same predicament. This is not a partnership; this is extortion. Small business ownership is already a financial struggle without being burdened by outrageous and unreasonable demands from the city.

We are used to this outdoor space only being utilized around 30% of the time. How can you justify charging monthly for square footage under these circumstances?

Here is what we are asking for on behalf of all small businesses in Fullerton:

1. Revert the lease rates back to the previous amounts immediately so we can continue operating without being forced off our patios.
2. Transition to a reasonable, annual permit-based system, understanding that sidewalks should be a community asset—not a money grab.
3. Stop punishing those of us who genuinely invest in the city’s future. We are not the problem; we are part of the solution.

We are here not just to serve food, but to serve the community. We deserve a city that respects that.

Naloxone in the Restaurants in Downtown Fullerton

• Robin Rush from Recovery Road stated, “We are an organization located on the border of Orangethorpe and Placentia in Anaheim, but we serve approximately 30% of the Fullerton community. We operate a food pantry and also engage in advocacy, including naloxone distribution and housing support. Additionally, we attend meetings here in Fullerton.

“I want to express my gratitude for the opportunity to apply for the block grant. I was challenged by someone on your board regarding the distribution of naloxone in the restaurants in downtown Fullerton. I’m pleased to report that we have successfully implemented this in about 13 restaurants in the area. Thank you for considering us for any opportunities.”

Council Majority Against Public Interest

• A Fullerton resident stated, “This council majority has demonstrated a troubling pattern: rewarding insiders, silencing dissent, and consolidating power within a small, donor-funded network. At your very first meeting as the new majority, you killed ‘Walk on Wilshire,’ an event beloved by many in Fullerton and supported by nearly 70% of residents. According to the city’s own survey, no real justification was ever provided. The only voices in favor of this decision were those looking to take on Tony Bushala and 888 Cigar Lounge, both of whom are donors to the deciding votes.

Then, in March, Mayor Jung introduced a proposal to convert Fullerton into a charter city. Despite a lack of public demand and overwhelming skepticism, residents expressed concerns about expanded council powers and reduced oversight. Instead of addressing these concerns, you offered shifting and contradictory justifications. You claimed this move was intended to combat state mandates, yet charter cities remain bound by those mandates. You also asserted it was to formalize a mayoral rotation, even while blocking that very rotation by nominating yourself for a third term. These contradictions indicate that the true motivations behind this push are not being shared with the public.

Meanwhile, this council majority has waged a quiet war on free speech. You banned local newspapers from City Hall and tried to frame it as a relocation to the library, despite the library’s rack not accommodating full-size newspapers. You limited your colleagues’ speaking time and banned negative commentary, clearly designed to suppress dissent. These actions are not those of confident public servants; they resemble the tactics of insecure authoritarians.

On March 31st, Mayor Jung awarded administrative support for a cultural festival to political donor Jake Sagen Oh, president of Link One Inc., through a memorandum of agreement signed without council approval. That was not within your authority to grant, yet it reflects the same pattern of quietly providing public resources to political allies.

Additionally, you have repeatedly misrepresented your role to the Korean community. You have taken multiple unreported trips to South Korea, met with Sangnam officials, and created the impression that Fullerton is offering economic support, despite our sister city status being purely symbolic. You have exploited language barriers to craft two versions of yourself: one presented here, and another curated abroad, detached from reality.

This council majority has ignored residents, rewarded donors, and silenced critics. You have blurred the lines between public service and private benefit. Tonight, you face a major vote under public scrutiny. I urge each of you to seriously consider what side of this pattern you want to be remembered for and what kind of governance you believe Fullerton deserves.”

Advocating for Senior Living

• Curtis Campbell, an activist for the homeless, veterans, OCTA bus drivers, Cal State Fullerton students, seniors, and low-income communities, stated, “The Senior Advisory Committee should meet every month for the benefit of seniors. The Fullerton Observer is crucial for our community; we really need this newspaper. If you look at the front of the newspaper, you’ll see me and my buddy Curtis, along with others, at the grand opening for the trail. It’s very exciting, and that’s why we want the paper. It’s the first time I’ve been on the front page! You can barely see me, but I’m there, and it’s impressive to give people the recognition they deserve. It’s important.

The Rancho La Paz Mobile Home Park, located at 501 E Orangethorpe Ave. in the cities of Anaheim and Fullerton, has a total of 380 mobile homes—240 on the Anaheim side and 150 on the Fullerton side. The mobile homes in Anaheim are situated in the SB-2 Industrial zones designated for emergency shelters, recuperative care, and medical respite. It is important for the Rancho La Paz Mobile Home Park and the Fullerton Navigation Center, in partnership with the Elimination Foundation, to continue supporting our homeless community as well as our low-income community.

According to our housing element, there are approximately 300 homeless individuals in Fullerton. The Fullerton Navigation Center has 150 beds, but we need an additional 150 beds. I attended a meeting the other day at the Rancho La Paz Mobile Home Park, thanks to Todd and his wife Yolanda, who gave me the chance to speak. I shared with them that we should partner to help one another. Our seniors need significant assistance, and the senior living at the Navigation Center requires a lot of support. I would really appreciate it if we could work towards this.”

Walk on Wilshire – for the Record

• Matt. Lelie mentioned that he hadn’t planned to speak during public comments, but he wanted to address a point made by an earlier speaker who claimed that only Tony Bushala and the Cigar Lounge wanted to end Walk on Wilshire. The speaker mistakenly referred to this situation as an “event,” when, in fact, it was a years-long closure of a public street. The claim that nobody wanted it opened to traffic is simply untrue.

While the street ultimately has been reopened, there are still certain individuals, like Tony Bushala and a cigar lounge, that may have differing opinions. “However, I want to clarify that I am not Tony Bushala, and I do not own a cigar lounge,” said Leslie.

Leslie continued, “I have argued many times for the street to be reopened and for the “Walk on Wilshire” to be closed, not out of any animosity toward those who enjoy it, but because I believe it’s better public policy. Thank you for allowing me to correct the record.”

• A Fullerton resident stated, “I want to take the opportunity to clarify the record. I was part of the organization group Save Walk on Wilshire, and we worked hard to preserve the Walk on Wilshire. While I understand that there are some individuals who may not have appreciated the space, our efforts resulted in gathering 2015 signatures in favor of keeping it. We also received supportive statements from nearly 70 local businesses advocating for the retention of the Walk on Wilshire.

I consider the Walk on Wilshire to be an open space because it was available to pedestrians and bicyclists, while closed to cars. All those who supported it wanted to keep the space open. Throughout our Save Walk on Wilshire advocacy campaign, countless individuals approached us unsolicited, expressing their support and asking how they could help save it. The overwhelming support we received over several months was astounding; it clearly reflected the community’s enjoyment of the space.

The reasons for its closure, voted on by council members Jamie Valencia and Fred Jung, were unclear. However, during the City Council meeting on October 15th, Mr. Jung expressed that he wanted to see the space extended all the way to Malden. In his vote, he explicitly ruled against extending the existing Walk on Wilshire by just 200 feet unless his preferences were met. This occurred approximately three weeks before the election, and given the Walk on Wilshire’s popularity, one can assume he didn’t want to be recognized for opposing such a favored community space.

After the election in January, he abruptly voted against keeping the Walk on Wilshire because the exact changes he requested were deemed too expensive. It’s interesting to note that despite being a seasoned politician, he seemed surprised that a project of this nature would actually incur costs. Councilmember Valencia appeared to agree with him, resulting in both of them voting against this popular public space.

I just wanted to set the record straight on this matter. Mr. Jung often claims that he doesn’t think the public’s opinion is worth considering because it’s only the same ten people who attend council meetings repeatedly. However, given that we have many new faces in the chambers tonight, I felt it important to share this information for those who might not be aware.”

Council Member Reports

Community leader Egleth Nunnci and Councilmember Dr. Ahmad Zahra

• Council Member Dr. Ahmad Zahra expressed his gratitude, saying, “I want to thank everyone who was able to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Union Pacific trail. It was a truly unique moment during what has been a challenging time for all of us. These positive moments are special, and we should cherish them. I believe in the power of community, and the trail project is a testament to what we can achieve when we come together, especially in opposition to special interests and greed.

I want to thank our staff for organizing such a wonderful event, and I appreciate everyone who showed up, including our Mayor Pro Tem. It was a fun occasion. I also want to give a special shout-out to the mothers who have advocated for this project over the years. We’ve seen their tears and heard their passion as they worked to make this happen. Kudos to all of the moms, particularly those from the Center for Healthy Neighborhoods and Eagleton. They have been a tremendous force for good in our community.

It’s unfortunate that many people couldn’t come out to celebrate that day due to the fear instilled by ICE raids and the unnecessarily aggressive policies affecting immigration. These actions reflect cruelty in its worst form, in my opinion. I believe it’s crucial to share information, and I appreciate our police department and the city for providing resources to help people understand their rights. It’s also important to protect our businesses and maintain open communication within our community.

I know there are additional points to discuss, and I’ll pass the floor to the Mayor Pro Tem on that. However, we cannot remain silent during this time; we must stand strong and united. Strength lies in unity, and if we band together, we will prevail as a society.

I have a few follow-up items. Last time, I requested an update on outdoor dining and a review of the associated costs and policies. I’d like to formally agendize this matter, as I’ve been asking for a strategic business plan that includes outdoor dining for many years. This is my seventh year on the council, and we still haven’t addressed it. We are struggling to support small businesses, so I would like to review the outdoor dining costs and property leasing options. If I could get a second on that request, I would appreciate it. (Mayor Pro Tem Dr Shana Charles seconded it)

I’d like this to be addressed as soon as possible, perhaps at the next meeting or the one after. I also requested an update on the Urban Forest Plan. I’d like to know when that will be coming forward.

Additionally, when I first joined the council in 2019, we began discussing our city’s ADA compliance and had a plan in place. However, the pandemic and changes in leadership have stalled progress. I would like an update on the status of our ADA plan.

Lastly, I appreciate the mayor’s update on the regional boards he serves on. I would like to request an update regarding the recent leadership changes at the Metropolitan Water District. I heard there was a change in the general manager several months ago, and I think it would be beneficial for the public to be informed about this situation.”

• Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Shana Charles stated, “It has certainly been a long month since our last meeting. During that time, I attended a meeting at the Orange County Mosquito Vector Control District, where I received a positive update. We have a relatively low mosquito population this year, thanks to their efforts— they’re doing a great job. I’d like to take a moment to mention my newsletter. If you’d like to receive it, please email me or speak to me after the meeting. I am happy to add you to the distribution list. I send it out after every council meeting, and I mention this because the Mosquito Vector Control District has created an informative video about the dangers of West Nile virus, which I will include in my newsletter.

I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who made public comments. Many of you are in the same boat as I am, staying informed about the local news, and I appreciate our shared perspectives. I have been very troubled by the ICE activity in our city over the past two or three months. For those of you who have been attending our meetings or watching them online, you know I have been voicing my concerns during this time. However, I noticed that the minutes of our meetings do not reflect all the important topics being discussed. For example, the agenda item regarding the Urban Forestry Plan was not recorded in the minutes. Therefore, I would like to request that staff provide more detailed minutes of our discussions. I also share information in my newsletters, so please reach out to me if you would like to receive that.

Regarding ICE activities, I have been actively involved. I published an open letter in the Fullerton Observer, and someone recently questioned my efforts, stating that I have not been doing enough. I assure you that I am doing everything I can. I have attended every protest I could, including those in front of City Hall. It was quite meaningful for me to participate in the car show on July 4th, where I had the honor of presenting the Mayor’s Award. Afterward, I returned to protest before heading back for family commitments and then to the July 4th celebration in the evening. I want to thank the city staff for organizing such a wonderful event where Fullerton could celebrate our nation’s independence. I stated on stage in front of thousands that we were celebrating the Declaration of Independence, which asserts that all are created equal and that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—these are inalienable human rights. This is what we are celebrating, along with the principles enshrined in the Fourth and Fifth Amendments of our Constitution.

I have been vocal about these issues by speaking at events, organizing rallies, and attending gatherings. I will be at the John Lewis event tomorrow night in Brea, just north of my district. I plan to stand at one corner there. Next week, we will have another vigil outside City Hall, likely on the 25th, which I will confirm in my newsletter.

Additionally, I learned about a renowned legal scholar’s presence at Cal State Fullerton last week, and I made sure he felt welcome in our district. I took the opportunity to ask him an important question: what can we do as cities? That’s when I found out, for the first time, about the ACLU lawsuit. Despite consuming a lot of news, I hadn’t come across it. He mentioned that cities could consider joining it. Following his suggestion, eight cities in Los Angeles, including LA City, joined the lawsuit, providing a strong leadership that can drive this effort and utilize their resources effectively. Thankfully, we received an injunction that Friday night, which prohibits targeting individuals based on specific characteristics. This injunction is significant as it is meant to protect our residents, even if it initially only referenced the participating cities. Unfortunately, tactics of domestic terrorism have proven effective in many cases, but we will continue to advocate for our community.”

The City Attorney informed us that I can share the news that the injunction issued last Friday does indeed cover our residents. We can join that lawsuit by submitting an amicus brief, just like other cities are doing. I know that other cities in Orange County are also discussing this at their meetings next week. I would like to add this to our agenda so we can talk about joining the lawsuit at our next meeting, and I’m happy to second that motion.

Additionally, I want to highlight that my fellow council members asked for information regarding what Fullerton is doing in terms of immigration efforts. The staff has placed that information on our website’s front page, which includes educating people about their rights and linking to our police policy of not working with ICE. Thank you to the city staff for responding so quickly to this request.

I’ve also been distributing “Know Your Rights” information in my newsletter, and I believe we need to do more work with our businesses in this area. I will be following up on that.

I hope everyone enjoys the upcoming events in Fullerton, such as the free movies organized by our city staff and concerts in the park. These community events are important in bringing us together. We will continue to protect our vulnerable neighbors.

• Council Member Jamie Valencia stated, “I would like to share some updates on the Kaboom Playground project, which is progressing well alongside the Union Park trail. Will is planning to move forward with this on September 13th. I want to thank everyone for their community outreach during the July 4th event, where we had over 800 participants—this is the highest number we’ve ever seen for a Kaboom event. Congratulations to the city for getting involved; I’m really proud of this initiative.

We expect to complete this phase of the project by next week, and afterwards, we may consider adding a community garden. There’s a lot happening in that area, including mural art initiatives.

Additionally, we have an event coming up on July 26th called “Christmas in July.” This is a significant effort to collect donations. Fire and Pathway of Hope, along with a few other organizations, will help facilitate this drive for supplies. We are asking the community to bring non-perishable food items, hygiene supplies, and school supplies. Let’s fill the truck with goods to distribute to those in need.

Please join us on July 26th at 8:30 AM for a bike ride and donation event. I am also organizing a meet and greet in our district, District 4. I will choose a park and invite city staff to join so that we can have a casual meeting where you can ask questions and get to know me better. Stay tuned for the date and time on my social media or website. Donations can be dropped off in the courthouse parking lot before you head out to ride your bike.”

• Council Member Nicholas Dunlap began by congratulating the Golden Hill Little League 12-and-under team for winning the sectional championship. He shared that the journey starts in District 56, the local area, where the team was successful. They advanced to the sectionals but had a challenging schedule, playing five consecutive days from Friday to Tuesday. Despite the difficulties, the team won their first game, lost the second, and then came back strong for the remainder of the tournament.

Dunlap noted that this is an exciting time for the kids, who will now play on Saturday in Fountain Valley for the state championship. They are hopeful for a rematch against the team from the Valley that defeated them last year. He expressed gratitude towards the parents and family members for their sacrifices that help make these dreams a reality.

Additionally, Dunlap mentioned that Leo Fender Day is coming up on August 10th at 4:00 PM at the Fullerton Museum Center. This event will coincide with the closing ceremony for the Fullerton punk exhibit. He encouraged everyone to see the exhibit before it closes, if they haven’t already. On Leo Fender Day, there will be performances by three bands: Agent Orange, Manic Hispanic, and Channel 3. He emphasized that it will be a fantastic event and urged people to make it a point to attend.

Mayor Fred Jung mentioned, “My report is in the agenda packet.”