TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
1. Subject
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Approval of a Cooperative Agreement and adoption of a resolution designating City of Orange streets as County of Orange highways for off-site improvements related to the Workforce Reentry Center Project near West Metropolitan Drive and The City Drive South
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2. Summary
On August 12, 2025, the County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved a development agreement with Griffin Swinerton to construct a Workforce Reentry Center at West Metropolitan Drive and The City Drive South. To improve vehicular access to the Workforce Reentry Center, including traffic signal modifications, restriping, and median modifications, the Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved a Cooperative Agreement, and now requests the City of Orange’s approval of both the Cooperative Agreement as well as a City Council resolution consenting to a temporary designation of City of Orange streets as County of Orange streets. By approving both Resolution No. 11686 and the Cooperative Agreement, the County of Orange may complete the necessary offsite improvements. The Cooperative Agreement and temporary road designation will be in effect until 10 days after a Notice of Completion is filed.
3. Recommended Action
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1. Adopt Resolution No. 11686. A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Orange declaring certain streets within the City of Orange to be County of Orange highways during construction of intersection improvements at West Metropolitan Drive and The City Drive South.
2. Approve the Cooperative Agreement with the County of Orange regarding the design, funding, and construction of traffic signal, intersection, and roadway improvements for the Workforce Reentry Center Project at West Metropolitan Drive and The City Drive South.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology.
6. Discussion and Background
On August 12, 2025, the Orange County Board of Supervisors adopted a Final Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration and approved a development agreement (DA) with Griffin/Swinertron, LLC to construct a Workforce Reentry Center (Center) at the former Orange County Animal Care site generally located at The City Drive South and West Metropolitan Drive.
The DA includes minor off-site improvements to The City Drive South and West Metropolitan Drive intersection. The purpose of the off-site improvements is to improve vehicular access to the Center, including modifying the existing traffic signal by designing for an eight-phase operation and implementing necessary signing, striping, and median improvements, including redesign and relocation of the City monument sign. The improvements will conform with all City standard design guidelines and/or California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
To facilitate these improvements, it is recommended the City Council approve two actions. First, it is recommended the City Council approve a cooperative agreement (CA) with the County of Orange. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the CA on April 28, 2026, and now requires City Council approval. The CA specifies the roles and responsibilities of both the County and City during the construction project. Except for administrative costs the City may incur, the CA stipulates the County is 100% responsible for project funding.
Aside from the CA, it is also recommended the City Council adopt Resolution No. 11686. This resolution consents to the County of Orange’s recent designation of select City of Orange streets as County of Orange highway (see Attachment 3). By consenting to this designation, the City streets will be temporarily designated as a part of the County of Orange, thereby allowing the County to use Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account funds to support this project.
Upon the project’s completion and 10 days after the filing of a Notice of Completion, the streets will cease being a part of the County of Orange and will revert back to being designated as City streets.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Cooperative Agreement with the County of Orange
• Resolution No. 11686
• County of Orange Resolution