TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Nathalie Adourian, City Attorney
1. Subject
title
Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water”
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2. Summary
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury issued its report entitled “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water.” The City of Orange is required to respond to certain findings and recommendations contained in the report. The City’s proposed response is presented to the City Council for consideration and approval.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the City of Orange response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water,” and authorize the Mayor to execute the response on behalf of the City Council.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology.
6. Discussion and Background
The 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury issued the report “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water,” which includes findings and recommendations directed to water agencies throughout Orange County. The City of Orange is required to respond to Findings F2, F4, F6, and F8 and Recommendations R2, R4, and R5.
Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the City Council is required to respond to the findings and recommendations pertaining to matters under its control. The proposed City response is attached for the City Council’s consideration and approval.
Upon approval, the response will be submitted to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Superior Court as required by law.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378, as it will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Proposed City of Orange Response to the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water”
• 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report, “PFAS and Public Awareness: A Closer Look at Orange County Drinking Water”