TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
1. Subject
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Review of the Santiago Creek Commission Strategic Plan.
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2. Summary
On October 10, 2023, the Orange City Council adopted Ordinance No. 13-23, creating the Santiago Creek Commission. Established as an advisory body to the City Council, the Santiago Creek Commission has been charged with recommending projects in and along the Santiago Creek Area. To achieve this task, the Santiago Creek Commission has developed a comprehensive strategic plan for the City Council’s consideration.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Adopt the Santiago Creek Strategic Plan.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 3: Enhance Public Communication Strategy and Quality of Life.
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology.
6. Discussion and Background
The Santiago Creek Commission (SCC) was established as an advisory body to the City Council with a focus on providing general advice and recommendations on matters that include:
• Implementation of public projects in/along the Santiago Creek Area.
• Implementation of the Santiago Creek Plans for the Santiago Creek Area.
• Preservation/enhancement of public open space within the Santiago Creek Area.
• Acquisition of private property when it becomes available.
• Preservation and/or enhancement of the ecological, scenic, historical, and recreational resources of the Santiago Creek (excluding private property and parks).
• Developing relationships with volunteer and non-profit organizations and public and private agencies interested in the Santiago Creek Area.
In lieu of providing intermittent recommendations on a as-needed basis, the SCC applied a proactive approach and developed a comprehensive set of recommendations via a strategic plan (Plan). Understanding that projects for west Orange may be significantly different for projects in east Orange, the SCC separated the Santiago Creek (Creek) into three distinct segments for substantive discussions. The three segments include:
• Segment One: East Orange to Villa Park Road
• Segment Two: Villa Park Road to the 55 Freeway
• Segment Three: 55 Freeway to Hart Park
Each segment includes various project recommendations, a map with select projects identified, and an accompanying vision statement that underscores the general themes within the respective segments. Additionally, aside from a general project description, the SCC Plan identifies the following components within each recommendation:
• Priority scores to identify those projects that are critical and feasible and would immediately improve and promote Santiago Creek (1); projects that would improve and promote Santiago Creek but would require additional funding (2); and projects that would improve and promote Santiago Creek, but funding is not readily available (3).
• Possible collaborations to identify community partners that can help achieve each project.
• Funding strategies so the City may implement the projects and minimize or eliminate any budgetary impacts.
• Community benefits to detail how each project could support the Orange community.
Overall, the Plan represents the collective efforts of the SCC and community members that have participated in SCC meetings since they first began in April 2024. The recommendations reflect the duties and tasks that the Orange City Council have charged the SCC with administering, and pursuant to Orange Municipal Code Section 2.62.100, these recommendations are now being submitted in writing for the Orange City Council’s consideration.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Draft Santiago Creek Commission Strategic Plan