Thank you City Council for sending the brief against DHS and ICE

Harry Langenbach: I live in Fullerton, and I want to express my gratitude on behalf of our Fullerton as Our Home coalition for agreeing to join the lawsuit against DHS and ICE for their actions. I would also like to follow up on my previous request to hear about the progress of the lawsuit and the expected outcomes as soon as possible. Thank you.

Jason Phillips, Fullerton resident: I want to thank you again for voting to support the brief for the Pedro, MO, versus OMG lawsuit. I look forward to hearing about the contents of that brief, and I hope you will share it publicly. I believe this will go a long way in showing our neighbors that they are seen, heard, and cared for.

I also invite you to think creatively about other ways we can let our neighbors know they belong here, that they are valued members of our community, and that they are protected. For instance, last week, Costa Mesa allocated $100,000, with $50,000 going to two different nonprofits to support those affected by deportations and ICE raids. Additionally, they approved a further $200,000 for legal aid. They are also exploring the establishment of a rental registry to protect renters.

What other strategies can we implement to ensure our neighbors feel protected and cared for during these challenging times? Many of them are living in fear every day, and I believe we can do more to support them.

Speed Limits and Traffic

Renee: Yesterday, I spoke with Councilman Zahra on the phone and highlighted a few issues. I have drawn a map that I printed out for you.

I wanted to discuss the impact of population increase and recent housing developments in Fullerton, which have created significant traffic congestion. I believe the speed limits should be reexamined. Currently, the speed limit in State College, extending to Lemon, is set at 40 miles per hour, except near the school, where it is 25 miles per hour. I feel that 40 miles per hour through this area is too fast, especially during rush hour. Drivers often speed through the light at Raymond, creating dangerous situations for people trying to turn left onto Cornell or make right turns onto Commonwealth. Many drivers get rear-ended or hit during these maneuvers.

I’m not sure what guidelines determine speed limits or how we can initiate a reduction, but I would like to request that this issue be discussed.

Additionally, I printed out the approved truck route for Fullerton from your website. Over the last year and a half, there has been an increase in tractor-trailer trucks, tow truck drivers, gas tankers, and other vehicles, including those from RW, Zant, RL Carriers, and Costco, carrying double-decker trailers with new cars. According to the city map, Commonwealth is not an approved truck route from State College to Brookhurst; yet, truck traffic occurs here five days a week, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. The busiest days are Mondays, Thursdays, and occasionally Fridays. If there is a holiday during the week, the truck traffic worsens.

I would like to know if there is something we can do about this issue and whether we can cite these truck drivers for using non-approved routes.

The intersection at Lemon and Valencia

Todd Harrison: The intersection at Lemon and Valencia has received a makeover. The new left-turn light is functioning well, and the push-button walk lights, which took longer to install than we expected, are now in place. It was almost a week before the push buttons were installed and the light was made operational. The timing of the light has also been updated to be more intelligent in determining who goes next.

Last week was particularly challenging, as many drivers ran the red lights while waiting for two or three minutes for the light to turn green. Some people can be very impatient. However, the light is now working effectively; the left turns have improved, and crossing for children is much safer. Overall, this has been a nearly perfect win for the makeover. Could more improvements have been made? Probably, but given the available resources and the time it took, we are very pleased to see these changes implemented. I appreciate the efforts of the city and its engineering department.

That said, I still have a concern about the size of the intersection. The various crosswalks do not connect well, as there is a wide zone between them, and each leads directly to the sidewalk in its respective direction. This doesn’t resemble a New York City street where there might be a painted protective arch connecting the sidewalks. The curb cuts are standard wheelchair-width strips that lead into the center of the intersection, a feature I have discussed several times before.

Particularly at this intersection, where separate crosswalks face each direction, it would have made more sense to have either a wider curb cut or two curb cuts, one for each crosswalk at each corner. A wider curb cut would likely be simpler and would minimize tripping hazards in the center.

My wife, Yolanda, is using her scooter tonight, and I used mine today. For either of us to cross at Lemon and Valencia utilizing a mobility device means having to go diagonally into the traffic, which puts us directly in the lane. I urge you to address these issues at the next intersection.

Yolanda Harrison: I’m not even speaking, and the timer was already counting down. The timing at the intersection of Lemon and Lancia has been fixed, but it’s still off. When I use my scooter, I find myself in the intersection just to cross safely because of how the curb cuts are set up. It’s dangerous, and I fear for my safety. I’ve witnessed drivers making left turns from Valencia onto Lemon without a proper green light. They might think they’re waiting for the next green light, but the signals aren’t clear.

Why hasn’t any signage been put up to inform people that the timing and traffic lights at Lemon and Valencia has changed? There should have been warning signs along Lemon and Valencia indicating the new timings and traffic lights so that drivers could adjust. At least this should have been done before the kids returned to school.

I have a lot more to say, but given the icy conditions on the road ahead, I’m hesitant to speak out, as it could lead to my deportation. I’ve seen people get hurt, and I sincerely hope that no one else experiences this for the rest of the school year. Kids should not be targets; schools are not shooting galleries.

Police and Safety

Zee: To JV (Council Member Jamie Valencia) and District 4, I am ready to help with the necessary sidewalks and curbs for 1800 and 1900 W. Page Ave. Students continue to walk in the streets to and from Orange Park Elementary School every day. Before and after school, elementary school-aged students, ranging from about 5 to 12 years old, are often found in the streets.

I received an email from the city stating that we annexed this part of the block in 2004, and we have waited long enough for curbs and sidewalks. I would like to attend the Fullerton School District board meeting. However, I understand they also meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, which conflicts with these meetings. I’m not sure how we can make that work, but I would like to see if they would be willing to help us raise money for those sidewalks and curbs.

I participated in a Fullerton event where the police department was involved a couple of Saturdays ago. This was the second time I took part in this event, inspired by Dr. Zahra, who mentioned it was wonderful. I wanted to report that we have a fantastic Police Department. During my ride-along before the sun went down, we stopped and arrested a suspected house burglar. Additionally, we assisted at three car accidents and helped remove a suspected drunk driver from the streets.

At the end of this shift, I witnessed an administrative decision that potentially saved the city of Fullerton from a major lawsuit. The command staff chose not to breach a door where a right-of-way person was present. Two thieves entered the apartment, and instead of making a rash decision, they opted to take a different route with the detective, which I thought was fantastic.

Congratulations to Chief Jonathan Radus; he runs an exceptionally well-managed department with dedicated employees. We are very fortunate and blessed to have you, sir.

Trash not getting picked up

Jane Rands: I actually wanted to bring up a recent problem we encountered with our current trash hauler. We have our trash picked up on Thursdays, but we were informed that their truck was full that day. I’m unsure why they didn’t send another hauler to handle the pickup.

The next morning, I called to find out what happened and was told they would send someone out, but no one came by 3:30 pm on Friday. Instead, we received an automated message stating they would come on Monday. I called back that afternoon and suggested that it would be helpful if they could come out on Friday or even Saturday, since they do pick up some recoveries on Saturdays. They agreed to try, but ultimately didn’t come.

I called again last night, and thankfully, they came this morning. I’m grateful for that, and I’m not trying to complain; I just want to know the best way to track these kinds of issues. The trash service is contracted through the city, but our city isn’t really responsible for their actions, which makes communication difficult.

Since it’s a city service, we don’t have a means to log our concerns online. I would appreciate it if you could direct me to someone in the city who can assist me in tracking these issues. I want to keep a record not only to address current problems but also to share ideas for possible solutions. I have several suggestions regarding policies and procedures that could improve the community’s experience when problems arise with trash pickup.

Walk on Wilshire

Michael: I was just driving through downtown Fullerton a lot recently and thinking about the Walk on Wilshire. I know that I was not super involved in the creation and removal of the Walk on Wilshire and it was really sort of controversial. More than you’d expect considering the scale of the project was not big. I  know a lot of people wanted it as sort of walkable spaces, but I felt sad seeing it gone and I just was reminded of that recently and I figured I’d come comment about it. I know some people are really passionate about it.

People thought that there was sort of virtue signaling that all this project doesn’t make sense. You know, and they’re just virtue signaling that they like walkable spaces, but that this particular project was kind of stupid. And then some other people thought that it impacted businesses and negatively in downtown Fullerton.

I’m not qualified enough or involved enough to to call them wrong. All I can really do is give my. personal experiences and I really like the Walk on Wilshire. I biked through that area almost every day for work while I was there. It really added a lot of character and gave a sense of calm to that area. To me, it feels like sort of a contradiction to how much foot traffic it gets and yet how heavily car traffic it is as well. And it was just kind of nice to have that down there.

Strange Sound in Parking Garages

Dominic: I wanted to discuss the parking garages on Pomona Avenue—the Metrolink parking garage and the Soco parking garage. I have identified the source of the beeping noise: it is an exposed volt line that needs immediate attention, as it poses a serious risk. I have tried contacting Director Bise, but he hasn’t responded. I also reached out to Public Works, only to be transferred around without anyone answering my calls.

I have informed several council members about this urgent issue, as it requires immediate attention. If water reaches that volt and causes an explosion, it could become a national news story, and more importantly, it would pose a danger to all of us who rely on public transportation. As someone who uses public transit daily, I rely on the bus, which drops me off right in front of the parking garage. If that volt were to blow up while I was getting off the bus, it would be catastrophic—especially since I’m already dealing with a broken arm.

On another note, I would like to thank Council Members Jung and Valencia, Mayor Pro Tem Charles, and Council Member Zahra for passing the lawsuit on the ice. I appreciate your support. However, I want to emphasize the importance of addressing the volt issue as soon as possible. Fullerton Union High and Fullerton College are nearby, and we need to avoid a potential disaster. Also, welcome to Fullerton, Interim City Manager.

Free Meals

Robin Woolsey: I run the hot meals program at Orangethorpe Christian Church and have been a longtime friend of Curtis. We’ve discussed various programs that could potentially be started to help those in need. The pause program and the trailer project could establish a support initiative that provides food assistance and offers more individualized help for individuals requiring medical care.

Providing additional support, such as better food programs for those who are bedridden or need monitoring, could significantly improve their healthcare outcomes. I have 22 years of experience in foster care and spent 10 years providing personal care to individuals. For the past 26 years, I’ve also been developing the food program at Orangethorpe Christian Church.

Curtis and I have talked about my involvement in helping to create this new program. If you would consider voting to make funding available for the trailer project, I would be more than happy to assemble a team of like-minded individuals dedicated to helping others and ensuring they receive the support they need.

People require assistance to get to the right appointments, stay on schedule, learn to manage their time, and establish a routine. That’s all I can say for now. I invite you all to come down to Orangethorpe Christian Church on Monday nights at 6:00 PM for a free meal on me.

Problems at the Shelter

Joel Bross: I want to extend my gratitude to Curtis, Daisy, and Dan for their assistance last month. I spoke here previously about the Park Hotel and Suites, where I have been living since the 3rd. I am also very supportive of the construction of the mobile home park and the Point Common Apartments for long-term supportive housing or vouchers, as this would be a great solution.

As an older, retired individual living on a fixed income, I am seeking a permanent, low-income unit at the Winter Park Motel and Suites. However, since I checked in on the 3rd, I have been dealing with pest issues. I’ve been getting bites on my arms and neck. When I reported the problem on the 5th, I was informed that pest control services are scheduled for Tuesdays. Unfortunately, they didn’t arrive on that Tuesday, and when they finally came last Thursday, I was still experiencing bug bites from the previous night. I would prefer to be pest-free.

There were also issues with document preparation and check-in—no one was available to help me when I arrived, which led to misunderstandings regarding required paperwork. I was told not to approach the front desk until that Friday, but after showing them the bugs, I was threatened with a behavioral contract the following week for addressing the situation. I hope these issues have been resolved.

Once again, I would like to thank you for your support, especially for those who may be in similar situations. Curtis has been incredibly supportive in helping us find long-term housing solutions. Thank you very much.

Holly: I am currently at the Illumination Foundation, so Fullerton has become my adopted city. I wanted to take a moment to advocate for improving the area for the pets at the Illumination Foundation. At present, there is just a mound of sand and a small patch of astroturf in the middle of the pet area. When I approached the site manager to discuss potential improvements, he informed me that the area has remained unchanged for the last three years. As you can imagine, after three years, the look and smell of sand, especially when dogs use the area, are quite unpleasant.

Additionally, I would like to address a significant issue regarding water access at the Illumination Foundation, which is a fundamental human right. There are only two water fountains available for over 140 people, and there is no provision for bottled water. While there is an ice machine, it lacks a lever to fill up water bottles. Having only two water fountains for such a large number of people is unacceptable and may also constitute a health code violation.

I urge you to consider providing an ice machine that generates its own ice and a water filtration system to improve the situation. I would like to express my gratitude for all the generous efforts your council has made on our behalf thus far. Thank you for your time.

Curtis Gamble, and I am an activist for the homeless, veterans, Cal State Fullerton students, OCTA bus drivers, seniors, and the low-income community. I would like to present my recommendations.

First, I would like to request the withdrawal of item number 8, which pertains to the allocation of $750,000 from the Opium settlement funds for the Navigation Centers. On behalf of the homeless community, I also request item number 15, which involves an agreement with RRM Design Group for $102,000, as I believe it could be instrumental in assisting the homeless.

Additionally, I want to address the issue of tiny homes for the homeless. I would also like to discuss the Commons Apartments located at 1600 W Commonwealth, which is a $65 million development set to be available in December 2025. This presents a valuable opportunity for clients at the Navigation Center, as it would provide them with a place to transition to, especially since the current pace of movement has been slow.

To provide some context, the Mobile Home Park, a community for all ages located at 501 E. Orange Grove Ave. in Fullerton, has between 300 and 380 units. I’ll skip some of the background information, as I know you’ve heard it before, but I want to emphasize that the Fullerton Navigation Center represents a significant investment for both the city and the homeless community. The city purchased the building for approximately $10 million just over a year ago.

The facility has 150 beds, including 110 recuperative care beds and 40 navigation beds. The daily cost per bed for recuperative care ranges from $225 to $300, compared to $1,900 to $3,000 per day at a hospital. The emergency shelter beds at the Navigation Center cost $80 per day, which totals $2,400 per month for each of the 40 beds. In total, this amounts to approximately $1 million per year for those 40 beds.

I would also like to thank everyone who has spoken before me and encourage more individuals from the Fullerton Navigation Center to come and share their experiences. We have 150 people who could lend their voices to this important discussion. Finally, I would like to mention that the Fullerton Navigation Center provides a handbook for the 110 recuperative care beds, which is available here. We also need to ensure that the bulletin and municipal codes are accessible to the other 40 individuals currently in the shelter.

Landon: I am a resident at the Illumination Foundation and Navigation Center, a facility that has a legal contract to operate in your city. I am here today not to complain, but to report a troubling and systemic pattern of mismanagement and violations that directly contradict the terms of your partnership and, more importantly, the principles of human dignity.

I stand before you on behalf of myself and many others who are afraid to speak up. What I am about to share reflects a profound failure of public trust. The issues at the shelter are clear violations of the Orange County standards of care and the Recuperative Care Handbook provided to residents by the foundation. I am here to highlight a pattern of behavior from local management that demonstrates a clear lack of accountability, dignity, and basic human decency.

The most egregious example of this is the unjust exit of my friend Daniel. He was removed from the facility for a verbal threat made immediately after he was physically assaulted by another resident. Daniel was the victim in this incident, and his removal represents a grave act of injustice. He was punished for reacting to being attacked. I spoke with the CEO and the director of operations, who stated that both parties in any conflict would be exited, regardless of who was the aggressor. This policy is not one of fairness; it is one of injustice. It creates a clear and dangerous double standard that this city should not tolerate.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. I have been meticulously documenting a pattern of violations at this facility, each one demonstrating a clear disregard for our safety, health, and well-being. The main drinking water filter has not been changed in over a year, creating a public health hazard. Showers are frequently in disrepair, and restrooms are routinely closed for more than a week at a time. This is not a facility that provides recuperative care.

Furthermore, my personal property and that of other residents have been unlawfully disposed of by management, violating the Fullerton Municipal Code, which requires that the shelter provide secure storage for our belongings. We often receive as little as 15 minutes’ notice to prepare for pest control or transportation, even though management has been aware of these events for more than 24 hours. This facility has lost sight of its core mission and is being managed in a way that disregards basic human rights.

I am not here to make threats. I am here to present a formal report that will provide you with a choice. I have compiled a comprehensive packet of formal agreements along with supporting documentation, and I would be glad to share it with you and other oversight funding bodies, including the County of Orange and the federal government. I urge you to launch a formal investigation and hold the Illumination Foundation accountable to the standards agreed upon in its contract with this city.

Reverend Tonya: Hi. Missed you guys. How are you doing? Hi. So good to see you. I saw you at Villa Park. Yeah. Or build a playground. That was really nice. Like I just recently was diagnosed with SARS, and so I hadn’t had a mask on. And I had to get away from the kids and stuff, so I had to go. But I came here to say hello, and I miss you guys. Additionally, I’m extremely angry right now. There’s so much madness because of the injustice, because of. The way that people treat. All these people. It’s as if there is a whole other cast, right? As if we’re in India, it’s a caste, okay, and we’ll listen. This is. BS, we keep my language down, sorry about that. I’ve tried and I’ve wanted to. It’s a matter of getting stressed to understand that this is your family, these are your neighbors, these are your people, this is your city.

Please don’t treat them like strangers; these are your cousins, nephews, nieces, sons, daughters, uncles, and aunts. When I live in, I live at 3535 W Commonwealth. It’s like we’re in an encampment. It’s like World War 2, and they’ve got all like they’re like, ohh, everybody wants to kill Chinese, so put them in the cabin like it’s so wrong. We are treated like prisoners, and that’s the damn truth. That’s the damn truth. I don’t deserve that. They don’t deserve that. Nobody does. And I’m like, I’m retired from doing this. I’m never doing this again. This is my last time. I tried, I mean. I’ll leave you with this quote—nobody in the world. Nobody in history has ever gained their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were their oppressors. That’s you. That’s you. How’s that feel?