Summary of Public Comments

Orange County Workforce Innovation High School

• Mercedes Corona: Shared her positive experiences as a graduate of Orange County Workforce Innovation High School, expressing gratitude for the support that helped her achieve personal growth and secure job opportunities through programs like the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act.

Fullerton is Our Home

• Fullerton is my hometown, and I’m proud to be the pastor of First Lutheran Church, which supports the community through the Carrying Hands Pantry and weekly meal services without requiring personal information from guests. In our Lutheran Christian tradition, we advocate for inclusivity at the Holy Communion table, welcoming everyone regardless of their background. As part of the Fullerton as Our Home Collaborative coalition, I would like to give each council member a Fullerton is Our Home T-shirt as a reminder that Fullerton belongs to everyone.

• Elizabeth Martinez: highlighted her lifelong residency in Fullerton, emphasizing the importance of the city as a place of belonging.

Sidewalks for School Kids

• Zee: Who moved to Fullerton in 1978, advocated for sidewalks and curbs for children walking to school on West Page Ave and wanted to collaborate with District 4 and the Fullerton School District.

He congratulated Golden Hills Little League on their achievements. Additionally, he expressed concerns about a recent City Council meeting where Fred attempted to reallocate $10,000 in

funds. He noted a lack of trust regarding Fred’s motives, especially after it was revealed that the Boys and Girls Club couldn’t receive the funds due to incomplete reporting. He emphasized the inefficiency of the discussion at the meeting and reiterated his advocacy for safe bike paths.

Illumination Foundation and Navigation Center

• Joel: Discussed his struggles with homelessness and his need for permanent supportive housing, recounting negative experiences with previous housing programs.

• Alan Mullins: I want to talk about my experience at the Illumination Foundation in Fullerton. I’ve faced racist comments, called the N word multiple times, and when I brought it to the staff’s attention, they did nothing. Some people at the facility make it feel like a prison, and I often feel uncomfortable because I’m from Texas, not California.  Since I had a heart attack in March and have been in this place recovering with only 10% heart function, I’ve noticed that the environment isn’t helping me get healthy.

There are ongoing issues with drugs and other activities that staff should be more aware of. Additionally, I’m allergic to certain foods, and the restrictions on what I can bring to eat have made it harder for me to follow my diet. I want to love California, but my experience hasn’t been positive. I believe the staff is great, but there’s a disconnect between them and the clients. I came here to focus on my health, leaving my family behind to do so. This facility needs to prioritize the well-being of its clients and address the negative behaviors present. I’m speaking up for future clients who deserve better.

• Tony Rios: Just bear with me. I had a stroke maybe five months ago, but I am in this program, the  Illumination Foundation. I’ve been there for almost 3 months, and I’m just going to say. Something I don’t even know if it fits in here, but you know, they don’t, they don’t really get into a prop. I mean, not having showers for 150 people, not having them for three days, that’s pretty bad. Not cleaning their filters. You see on the highway, people don’t clean those filters for over a couple of years. That’s back. There is only one microwave for 150 people. Come on, you’re going to get a lot of arguments. Why are you taking my food out there? I mean, you know, little things that they should fix right away. Just seems like that. That’s how we knew I had to say that I was inspecting this, but I’m thankful I predicted I’d come up here and just say hi to you all. Hey, God bless you guys all.

• Curtis Gamble: Click here to read article A Potential Solution for Fullerton’s Homeless Crisis

• Joseph Maldonado: Advocated for funding a park renovation project and suggests improved transportation options for the Illumination Foundation Navigation Center. He also mentions engaging the council to update the parks master plan.

Street Lighting

• Kurt Johnson: Raised concerns about inadequate lighting at the intersection of Pomona and Commonwealth, particularly for pedestrian visibility when buses turn from the terminal. He mentioned that modern headlights and solar-powered intersection lights contribute to the problem, making it difficult to see pedestrians, which has led to incidents in the area. Additionally, he suggested that brighter lighting is also needed at the corner of Orangethorpe and Harbor.

Public Requests New Ordinance Requiring Law Enforcement to Unmask and Identify Themselves

• Harry Langenbacher: I want to thank you for deciding to file an amicus brief. I would like to hear that Fullerton would be a plaintiff in the case. [Harry was interrupted by Mayor Fred Jung, who said that Harry could not speak on the item as it was already voted on.]

The original reason I wanted to make a public comment was on something that was not on the agenda. I ask you to consider. Enacting an ordinance to prevent any police in Fullerton from being unidentifiable, such as by covering their face, refusing to wear, or identifying themselves. Driving in and taking people away in unmarked cars, so we don’t know where they’ve been taken. I believe that other cities have done something like this. I think it would be beneficial to hold these police officers accountable; if they can’t be identified, the individuals committing these illegal acts should also be held responsible. So please consider doing that.

• Pastor Phillips: Thank you again, Counselor, for signing on to the brief and listening. I encourage everyone at home to watch those comments, if available online, as it was incredibly encouraging to hear from people in our city and those who have felt othered. They belong here, and Fullerton is their home. I also wanted to ask about two additional points, as Harry mentioned that you would create an ordinance requiring agents to identify themselves, not wear masks, carry body cameras, and drive marked cars to provide proper paperwork. And identify themselves when asked. Some cities are working on this, and I believe LA has passed something similar or is working on something. I would also like to request that you allocate funds for legal aid. This is a way for us to embody the reality that Fullerton is our home for everyone and that all immigrants belong. I know there is at least one punk rock fan on the council, and I’m not sure what else to say. I believe that the most punk rock thing we could do in a city is to include everyone and support everyone. I ask you to view the city as a home for everyone and embody that in everything we do. I know we’re struggling financially, but I don’t want to see our money go to our neighbors. And the need for those who have their backs against the wall, who need support, who have lost their head of household or others who provide income. And I believe you heard from Deacon Tony at the closed session that he was left on the street as his family was gone. And so, how do we care for those who live in our home?

• Speaker: I would like to thank the council for taking the time to listen to public comments tonight. You listen to everybody, and you let it go on for too long. You didn’t cut anyone off at the end; you let them finish, and that felt really respectful. Really appreciate it. Thank you for your vote. I don’t know how you voted, but it passed. That was really a good thing. I agree with some of the previous commenters about the way things are done in Fullerton. I agree that some cities have put together financial aid, both for replacing income and legal fees. I know LA has either done it or is working on it. I’d like to see Fullerton do that. I think the state of California has allotted some money for that, and I would like us to do that. And then one last thing when people self-deport. It’s our loss. Our true loss.

Transportation and Bicycle Safety

• Steven Sherry, Transportation and Circulation Commissioner: Stressed the importance of improving transportation to connect people and bridge divides in Fullerton. He pointed out low attendance and discussions in the Transportation Circulation Commission and urged collaboration with the council and residents for new ideas. He mentioned Council Member Valencia’s idea to use the upcoming Olympics to boost interest in Fullerton through the train station. Sherry encouraged more community involvement by inviting residents to attend the commission’s meetings on the first Monday of each month.

• Speaker: Highlighted two main issues: the increasing hostility towards cyclists and pedestrians on Fullerton streets and the need for community protection. She shared stories of violence against cyclists and called for improved infrastructure to ensure their safety. She thanked the council for opposing ICE kidnappings, emphasizing the community’s shared responsibility to protect its members and the importance of keeping everyone safe.

• Jensen: Expressed that 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 while simple maintenance standards are failing to keep sidewalks accessible even after being paved because of issues such as erosion from adjacent slopes. This is most evident along the sidewalk along the east side of Euclid, north of the Hiltscher Trail crosswalk.

• Dominic: Discussed the pressing issue of bike lanes and safety for cyclists, sharing his personal experience of being injured while on an e-bike due to a parked car blocking a bike lane. He highlighted that Commissioner Harrison’s wife had a related incident, underscoring the dangers cyclists face. Dominick criticized Mayor Jung’s car-first stance, expressing disappointment that public safety for cyclists is not prioritized. He urged the addition of more bike lanes, particularly on poorly maintained streets like Commonwealth, to prevent accidents and enhance safety for cyclists.