Foothills Sentry September 2020

Foothills Sentry Page 11 September 2020 OUSD Candidates Alex Munoz Area 6 Having spent most of my life in a wheelchair and my entire life in Orange County, I am thankful to live in the community where I grew up, a community that sup- ported me as an English learning student with disabilities (SWD). Even though I cannot walk, I am one of you! I am a proud prod- uct of the Orange Unified School District, where I received my for- mal education, with honors. My younger siblings also graduated from schools in the district. My family bleeds Orange! I'm excited to use these unique perspectives, from being one of the few SWDs in OUSD to be- coming the first of my family to graduate high school and col- lege. I vow to be a man of ac- tion. My word is my bond and I plan to provide a curriculum that will challenge students and will always evolve with parent and teacher feedback. Decisions will be made as a community to ensure the future of our children and on a larger scale, the future of America. Avote for Alex Munoz is a vote for people who take on challenges and overcome them. I humbly ask for your vote for Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 6. April Braswell Area 6 Paid for by Arianna Barrios for Orange City Council 2020 • FPPC ID# 1416295 Homegrown Leadership for District 1 1. Reinvest in another 6%WFS alternative 2. Invest elsewhere 6% Alternative 36-Month Term • $50,000 Minimum Investment • 3-Year Commitment • 6% Per Year Return (Paid Monthly) • Security: Secured Promissory Note • Exit Strategy: After 3 years, when your money is liquid, you will have the option to: RETIREMENT I WEALTH MANAGEMENT Since 1968 12419 Lewis Street, Suite 101 Garden Grove, CA 92840 714-705-1900 www.wilson-financial.com Short-term rental regulations will go to city council The Orange Planning Commis- sion approved an ordinance regu- lating short-term rentals (STRs) in the city in a unanimous vote, Aug. 17. The ordinance is the city’s response to numerous resident complaints about the noise, par- ties, trash, disruption, overflow parking, calls to police, property damage and callous behavior that has taken over their neighbor- hoods due to short-term rentals. The complaints have been countered by property own- ers who rent their homes, guest houses and garage apartments to visitors who spend a few days in the area. They report that they are “responsible landlords,” en- counter no problems from guests or neighbors and enjoy the extra income. Balancing act The city listened to both sides and crafted an ordinance de- signed to protect the quality of life in Orange neighborhoods, respect property rights and the views of landlords. It also pro- vides a mechanism for the city to collect transient occupancy taxes and issue business licenses to STR operators. “This ordinance came out of necessity,” Commissioner Ernie Banks acknowledged. “It’s over- due. It will squelch problems and get rid of bad actors. The or- dinance makes everyone play by the same rules.” “We have STRs here,” Com- missioner Doug Willets agreed. “Regulating them is our respon- sibility. The key is enforcement.” The regulations permit STRs in just about every neighborhood, save for mobile home parks. Rental properties must be sepa- rated by at least 300 feet in single family and duplex zoned districts. Multi-family buildings with up to 10 units are limited to 20 per- cent STR use; buildings with 11 or more units are limited to 10 percent. The guest test Occupancy is limited to two persons per bedroom plus two, with a minimum two-night stay. Only off-street parking is al- lowed, and tenants must read and sign a “good neighbor” policy to ensure they understand what constitutes acceptable behavior. Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 9 a.m. Consistent complaints from neighbors may result in fines be- ing levied against the property owner. STR operators must be li- censed, with only two permits al- lowed per landlord. Corporations and LLCs will not be permitted, to discourage them from buying up local real estate and renting it out short-term. How many, a mystery The city is unsure how many STRs are operating in town, which makes it difficult to put a cap on the number that would be allowed. The staff report sug- gested a maximum 300 units be allowed within the city, but the planning commission chose to leave that number up to the city council. The online remote commission meeting allowed for public com- ments, received before 11 a.m. that day, to be read aloud during the STR discussion. Of 17 com- ments read, four opposed STRs entirely and asked for an outright ban. Another 10 were from land- lords, who largely favored the regulations but took issue with a few of the details. The rest were neutral, seeking clarification or asking questions. One opponent submitted a video showing 60- some weekend revelers behaving badly and setting off fireworks until one in the morning. The planning commission makes recommendations only. The final call will be made by the city council at a future meeting. The climate action group, Fridays for Future, has been unable to hold its weekly gatherings in front of the Orange City Hall due to CO- VID-19 restrictions. Instead, participants planted pairs of shoes to represent themselves in absentia. The first shoe-in, July 25, attracted 128 pairs. A second event is slated for Sept. 25 from 9 to 11 a.m. at city hall. Shoes can be dropped off at that time. Unclaimed shoes will be donated to a local thrift shop afterward. OUSD to provide meals Orange Unified will provide nutritious lunch and breakfast, at no charge, to students at Califor- nia, Esplanade, Handy and Taft Elementary and Yorba Middle School, in accordance with the National School Lunch/Breakfast Programs. Families eligible for free or reduced-price meals who do not receive notification letters may apply at paypams.com/on- line app, or contact OUSD Nutri- tion Services at (714) 997-6354. Grocery Outlet aids local families Shoppers at the Grocery Out- let, located at 1803 E. Chapman and owned by Mike and Melanie McCormick, helped raise $9,562 for the Independence From Hun- ger (IFH) program. From June 24 through July 31, customers could donate at the register when check- ing out, and receive a $5 coupon for a donation of $5 or more. The funds were divided between the Friendly Center and Youth Cen- ters of Orange; both organiza- tions aid struggling families. April Braswell is your neigh- bor, she's one of us. A longtime resident; she lives, works and worships here in Orange. Li- censed and certified small busi- ness owner creating jobs in our community. April is a community saver. Her instruction has saved lives and relationships in many families. The Red Cross is indebt- ed to April's life-saving platelets donations. April is well-educated at UC Berkeley, Smith College, and graduate studies at the Cali- fornia Institute of Integral Studies and Golden Gate University. She has turned her years of higher edu- cation into relation and lifesaving programs. April is an instructor at Orange Coast College, MiraCosta College, and LA Harbor College. April is active with Trinity of Orange Episcopal Church, Mari- ners Church, Toastmasters, Junior League, Women Helping Women, Working Wardrobes and Orange- wood Foundation. April will fix our schools. She will get students into classrooms, fix the budgets, require cursive writing and typ- ing instruction, install career cur- riculum and top ranked college preparation. April will make our campuses secure with single gate entrances and ID badges.