[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6623611,"mediaKeyId","2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc","parentId",2769571,"title","Council approves sewer rehab contract, updates cross‑connection rule, expands merchant online‑payment fees and extends Christ Cathedral event hours","audioSeconds",917,"startMs",4248000,"endMs",5165000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc&start=4248&end=5165","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc/thumbnail_4248000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623611/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Council-approves-sewer-rehab-contract-updates-crossconnection-rule-expands-merchant-onlinepayment-fees-and-extends-Christ-Cathedral-event-hours","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623611-bb934677a6b9e582d8f4c1de946a932e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179561&Signature=IVjMb3abS4Pnnfw4wDiLexKuwQePfp2hidLFFlgi8DOSy55Zgp65btCptzLw1Fa9BT09wRz5s-LLb57uSPrKsWO9YwTVDM24x71nNnv8jW9pXJTtW~DDmYYXV~vfBRiO7YYvmKQu0hsOO1OPnPYCQdY7QkbIfPMabSt8rjVydRyBp9Wj0lCJwWHMI0FTh4Ui6SceoNgd9zXg3598VWDjPzxzGfUZD9WyPyj7sGDD8S59WNY4p8uAKUTeCA-kuYLZO8gMKOqfbpx91sCKc7IoWEltDn~o6igTeIvAR5Icwvi4uKXUYTbXgk9g2DvEea8RqUyqmxTEfPF77Xye~9pA1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Garden Grove","date","2025-03-26T04:17:53.923Z","article","The Garden Grove City Council, Sanitary District and related bodies approved a package of operational items during the meeting, including a sewer system rehabilitation planning contract, the introduction of an updated cross‑connection control ordinance, increases to geotechnical on‑call contracts, adoption of a merchant fee approach for online payments and an extension of event hours for Christ Cathedral.

Sewer system rehabilitation plan: The Sanitary District board awarded a professional services contract to Somas (staff used the name Sumas in the report) to prepare the 2025 Sewer System Rehabilitation Plan — Phase 3. Deputy director Sam Kim said the Phase 3 area lies south of Orange Avenue, west of Ninth Street, north of Lamson Avenue and east of Beach Boulevard and that the negotiated professional services agreement totals $1,908,747. Staff said the work is included in the adopted fiscal year sewer capital improvement budget and that there is no general‑fund impact. The district board voted to award the contract; the transcript records a 7‑yes vote.

Cross‑connection control ordinance and cost share: The council introduced and passed first reading on an ordinance updating the city’s cross‑connection control program. Deputy Director Sam Kim said the update would replace a reference to Title 17 of the California Code of Regulations with the Cross Connection Control Policy Handbook and recognize the State Water Resources Control Board as the governing body for the handbook. Kim said local agencies must develop a cross‑connection control plan by July 1, 2025; the city’s cost share in a countywide consultant agreement is about $6,200, funded from the water enterprise fund. The council passed the ordinance to second reading and authorized the city manager to execute the cost‑sharing agreement by a recorded 7‑yes vote.

On‑call geotechnical contract amendments: The council approved amendments to the city’s on‑call geotechnical services agreements with Associated Soils Inc. and GMU Geotechnical Services Inc. Staff explained that a third firm, GeoCon West, failed to meet Community Workforce Agreement compliance; to preserve capacity staff recommended redirecting that firm’s remaining funds to the two compliant firms and increasing each contract by $150,000 (from $150,000 to $300,000). Staff said there is no impact to the overall project budgets and no additional appropriation needed. The council approved the amendments by a 7‑yes vote.

Merchant services / convenience fee: The council approved staff’s recommendation to have Point and Pay LLC charge customers a negotiated convenience fee for credit/debit/digital wallet transactions, rather than the city implementing a user fee. Patricia Song said staff negotiated a rate of 2.2% of the transaction amount with a $2 minimum per transaction for card and wallet payments; electronic check transactions would remain a 20¢ fee that the city will absorb. Staff said absorbing e‑check costs would amount to roughly $20,000 annually based on historical volume (≈100,000 e‑checks). Under the chosen option, customers see and pay the convenience fee directly to the vendor and the city avoids merchant costs on its general fund. Council voted 7‑0 to approve the vendor‑charge option.

Christ Cathedral event‑hour extensions: The council approved a written request from Christ Cathedral Parish, Diocese of Orange, to extend operating hours and exempt the events from the city’s standard noise hours for three events: the annual Marion Days (July 11–12, 2025) and two conferences (October 17–18, 2025 and November 14–15, 2025). Staff reported the Marion Days event previously drew about 20,000 attendees over two days and said the police department will be reimbursed for personnel services. The council approved the extension; a council member confirmed no recusal was required for parishioner members.

Proclamations and consent items: On the consent calendar the council adopted proclamations recognizing April as Black April Memorial Month and April as Arab American Heritage Month; both passed without discussion as part of the consent calendar (7 yes votes recorded). Other procedural consent and minutes items were also approved.

Votes at a glance
- Sanitary District: Award contract to Somas for 2025 sewer system rehabilitation plan phase 3 — $1,908,747. Vote: 7 yes, 0 no. (No general‑fund impact; funded in sewer CIP.)
- City Council: Introduce and pass first reading of the cross‑connection control ordinance; authorize city manager to sign cost‑sharing agreement (~$6,200). Vote: 7 yes.
- City Council: Amend Associated Soils Inc. and GMU Geotechnical contracts — increase to $300,000 by reallocating GeoCon West funds. Vote: 7 yes.
- City Council: Approve Point and Pay vendor‑charge approach (2.2% / $2 minimum; city absorbs 20¢ e‑check). Vote: 7 yes.
- City Council: Approve Christ Cathedral event‑hour extensions and noise‑ordinance exception for three 2025 events; police to be reimbursed for personnel. Vote: 7 yes.
- City Council: Adopt proclamations recognizing Black April Memorial Month and Arab American Heritage Month. Vote: consent, 7 yes.

Staff and department contacts included Deputy Director Sam Kim (Public Works/Utilities), Director Patricia Song (Finance/IT and payment services), Deputy Director Janet Palayo (Community Services/Events), and the city attorney’s office, whose staff advised that parishioner attendance did not create a disqualifying financial conflict.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-25: City of Garden Grove City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Garden Grove City Council and related boards approved several infrastructure, regulatory and operational items, including a $1.9 million sewer rehabilitation planning contract, an updated cross‑connection control ordinance, and a merchant payment arrangement that charges customers a convenience fee.","taxTitle","Garden Grove, Orange County, California","taxId",2926,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623617,"Garden Grove Housing Authority adopts 2025–29 PHA plan after discussion of long voucher waitlist",1317,1640000,2957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc&start=1640&end=2957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc/thumbnail_1640000.jpg","/articles/6623617/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Garden-Grove-Housing-Authority-adopts-202529-PHA-plan-after-discussion-of-long-voucher-waitlist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623617-884605bb1e4214214c683edb52c7d9fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179561&Signature=etS-AiRje6CA-~CVLUKzwwIWLqHqTgXTQQLj3mS6VD-rdWmO0dQY0v-d12ByabThHFN4WVmk9CryBDx4EPhzJYU1FOkol7rAr-uIVoIpPRyHGmzPhW~r-KPiUkgrlhBxUtlf6WvRkbzek-cDjoKw~DSl7yMaDUx1pLOJpQUt47-1cEz5zyiWKGX~W0RwPgDqQhE6TFOpm0DIJTVF-IQsxwzgRtIzhKz488trifIhP6Pr5QqTukvFUEeMbVcsSBim0qzsoBxqMrq3xWnm2rJgKCkHSImnzxQuw~NiPliKgTJiAs9sBGxQ9SwmAullP5Rrfbx8LrC2HkIq3Vw9cop1FA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garden Grove Housing Authority on Monday adopted its five‑year PHA plan for 2025–2029 and the annual public housing agency plan, authorizing the executive director to certify the documents after a staff presentation and public hearing.

Division Manager Tiana told commissioners the plan is a required submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and that Garden Grove earned a high performing rating under HUD’s assessment program. She said the plan documents the authority’s operations, goals and strategies for meeting local housing needs and must be filed with HUD prior to April 17.

The presentation explained why voucher wait times remain long despite steady work by staff. Tiana said the housing authority receives roughly $40,000,000 annually from HUD and that HUD’s assumed average housing assistance payment (HAP) in its formula is about $1,411 per month. Local HAPs in Orange County average closer to $1,600, she said, which reduces the number of vouchers the agency can issue against its allocation. Using HUD’s assumptions the agency’s allocation would equate to about 2,362 vouchers, but the authority currently issues roughly 2,200 because actual HAPs are higher.

Tiana also described turnover and wait‑list dynamics: the authority’s turnover is approximately 3% per year — about 66 vouchers becoming available annually — and the wait list was created in 2010 with about 17,000 names; at the end of 2024 roughly 1,550 applicants remained. She said staff estimates roughly 600 of those remaining applicants qualify for a Garden Grove local preference (veterans, domestic‑violence survivors, city residents or workers) and that, because many entries on the old list no longer respond, the list would take about three years to work through at current turnover rates.

Commissioners pressed staff on whether the authority could reduce wait times and whether alternate funding sources exist. Tiana said HUD is the primary source for the tenant‑based voucher program and that other federal or state programs either carry different time limits or different rules that generally prevent them from substituting for HUD vouchers. Commissioners noted the long waits reported by residents — including individual cases of people who had waited a decade or more — and several asked that the plan include a goal to seek ways to shorten the list.

After discussion, commissioners adopted the five‑year and annual PHA plan and authorized certification by voice/roll call. The recorded action was an approval with eight yes votes.

The plan documents the authority’s program accomplishments from 2020–2024, including maintaining high performance under HUD’s management assessment, streamlining inspections and landlord payments, and participation in Family Self‑Sufficiency and other voucher programs. The adopted goals for the next five years include maintaining high CMAP/SEMAP performance, applying for additional funding opportunities, expanding outreach to landlords and participants, promoting Family Self‑Sufficiency, and continuing collaboration with regional partners. Commissioners asked staff to add attention to reducing wait times as a stated goal so staff could pursue creative options and external funding opportunities.

The authority closed its public hearing after receiving no public comments and proceeded to the vote.","The Garden Grove Housing Authority adopted its 2025–2029 five‑year and annual PHA plan and authorized the executive director to certify it. Staff said the agency remains a HUD high‑performing housing authority but noted long voucher wait times driven by limited federal funding and low annual turnover.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6623607,"Garden Grove recognizes Doig Intermediate students, school district and partners for new mural near Santiago High",780,84000,864000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc&start=84&end=864","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2769571-5b5410ccf8901bae85b1fdf598cac0fc/thumbnail_84000.jpg","/articles/6623607/Garden-Grove/Orange-County/California/Garden-Grove-recognizes-Doig-Intermediate-students-school-district-and-partners-for-new-mural-near-Santiago-High","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623607-48a8ee8c711ed1bf0c66d6009b13935c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179561&Signature=G0cb7DzVvT-aJ5GJut0YcORdegJLqlH1aOnFIdholCON7ayymQfXTuqX99--CI7ThkM7qbeHEo4DEwK7JkNw5gcciRqn43VrunNEuxOAEQgMzYlh68SBZ0SgcWVw1leKQf4qtuv2sN7CNjP0v81giO-IFkYbufOSgkXOeXeUM4VTioUm8Klng3~J-sn9lNJjY5BnOyE5Xz6fHbHfpZSuBEPlOCi0310DTc6PHlE74dEOBvYhOMsdCHjuZe0MF5EDY1lDZx53y3J2cI-Yv7MbiEOJ8-5pbh6AxdSUFcgXKkUToqSEgVDrT0J7YGwjx~2uIbZmmaa3jbX-z7HT-sgaXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Garden Grove City Council recognized students and community partners for their work on a new mural created by Doig Intermediate School students in collaboration with the Garden Grove Unified School District and the city.

Assistant City Manager Matt West read a community spotlight highlighting the Doig Intermediate School Mural Project, which staff said is located along Trask Avenue across from Santiago High School. The mural — created with input from students, teacher Shweta Singh Wuth and muralist Mikayla Taylor — was described as illustrating a student’s journey through the Garden Grove Unified School District, starting at Clinton Elementary, continuing through Doig Intermediate and culminating at Santiago High School.

Garden Grove Unified School District Board of Education President Lan Nguyen and Trustee Walter Munyatan spoke from the podium, thanking students, teachers and city staff for supporting the collaboration. Trustee Munyatan noted the project began after student outreach in April 2023 and praised the city‑district partnership for providing students a civic engagement opportunity. Assistant City Manager West invited participating students to the front for a photo with the council.

Staff and board representatives listed participating students by name during the recognition. The students named in the transcript included Abdiel Garcia, Giovanna Miller, Catherine Garcia, Joanna Carabin, Javier Chavez, Eduardo Mario, Caden Zavala, Dylan Flores, Jacob Cervantes, Leonardo Aguilar, Jonathan Zotto, Joanna Bordeaux Rios, Guadalupe Castro, Melody Sandejas, Victoria Contreras, Benjamin Hernandez, Anastasia Herobron, Eileen Irajeta, Rebecca Silva and Lucia Rodriguez.

City leaders and school board members said the mural both beautifies the neighborhood and serves as an example of youth civic engagement and partnership between schools and the city.","City Council paused its agenda to spotlight the Doig Intermediate School Mural Project, inviting students, teachers and Garden Grove Unified School District officials to the dais and presenting a formal recognition of the project.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves sewer rehab contract, updates cross‑connection rule, expands merchant online‑payment fees and extends Christ Cathedral event hours

Garden Grove Housing Authority adopts 2025–29 PHA plan after discussion of long voucher waitlist

Garden Grove recognizes Doig Intermediate students, school district and partners for new mural near Santiago High