CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2026
Council Chambers, City Hall, 12 Journey
Aliso Viejo, California
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Duncan called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo to order at 6:00 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION:
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to Government Code Subsection 54957( b)
Title: Interim City Manager
Mayor Duncan reconvened the Special Meeting at 7:06 p.m.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Scott Smith stated no reportable action was taken.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: MAYOR MAX DUNCAN
MAYOR PRO TEM MIKE MUNZING
COUNCILMEMBER TIFFANY ACKLEY
COUNCILMEMBER GARRETT DWYER
COUNCILMEMBER TIM A. ZANDBERGEN
STAFF PRESENT: ANN EIFERT, ACTING CITY MANAGER/ FINANCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR
SCOTT SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY
HONGDAO NGUYEN, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
KATHY BAILOR, INTERIM CITY CLERK
SO KIM, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
CORA SWANSON, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, CHIEF OF POLICE SERVICES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Duncan led the pledge of allegiance.
Special Meeting Minutes
1. COMMUNITY INPUT:
None.
2. DISCUSSION:
2. 1 CONSIDERATION OF COUNCIL AD HOC COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION
OF AUTHORITY TO ENGAGE PROFESSIONAL CITY MANAGER RECRUITER
AND/ OR FOLLOW- ON DUTIES
Acting City Manager Ann Eifert introduced City Attorney Scott Smith. Mr. Smith provided an overview of the options availablefor the recruitment of City Manager.
Councilmember Zandbergen Councilmember Dwyer, and Mayor Duncan supported establishing an Ad Hoc Committee. CouncilmemberAckley supported using the City' s Human Resources Department for this recruitment.
Motion: Mayor Duncan moved and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to establish an Ad Hoc Committee with Councilmember Dwyer and Councilmember Zandbergen serving as the City Council representatives. Motion carried 3-2, with Mayor Pro Tem Munzing and Councilmember Ackley dissenting.
3. ANNOUNCEMENTS / CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
The Mayor and Councilmembers expressed their sorrow over the loss of City Manager Mitzi Ortiz. Councilmembers Ackley requested support from the City Council to place an item on the January 21, 2026, agenda allowing the public to express their appreciation for Ms. Ortiz' s efforts on behalf of the community of City of Aliso Viejo.
4. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 7:20 p.m. to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of January 21, 2026.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
sr.1.\AM.,\Clii 7"f
KATHY BAILOR MAX DUNG
INTERIM CITY CLERK MAYOR
Special Meeting Minutes