CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
April 15, 2026
Council Chambers, City Hall, 12 Journey
Aliso Viejo, California
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Duncan called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo to order at 7:05 p.m.
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
LAUREN TORRES, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
SO KIM, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
LIZZY MENDOZA, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, CHIEF OF POLICE SERVICES
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Maria Kendig led the Pledge of Allegiance.
REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION:
City Attorney Scott Smith reported that there was no reportable action taken on any Closed Session matters.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
1. 1 BUSINESS OF THE MONTH - ZAIT & ZAATAR LEBANESE RESTAURANT
AND BAKERY
Mayor Duncan introduced a video presentation and presented a certificate of recognition to co- owner Bassem Khanafer, who shared information about the business and expressed his appreciation.
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, REORDERING TO THE AGENDA:
Interim City Manager Ann Eifert requested to move item:
8. 1 COUNCIL INITIATED ITEM - REQUEST TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM BY COUNCILMEMBER DWYER, to item
6. 1 as a discussion.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved and Councilmember Ackley seconded to reorder the agenda as requested. Motion carried 5- 0.
Mayor Duncan requested the addition of the following discussion item to the agenda:
6. 2 COUNCIL INITIATED ITEM - REQUEST FOR ALISO VIEJO TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A " TREE CITY USA".
He stated that AVCA brought this matter to his attention following publication of the agenda and noted that the application deadline falls before the next regular scheduled council meeting.
Motion: Councilmember Dwyer moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to reorder the agenda as requested. Motion carried 5- 0.
3. COMMUNITY INPUT:
1 . Marie T. commented on affordable housing.
2. Sebastian commented on bike lanes and Flock surveillance cameras.
3. Thomas Pfeffer expressed support for a Pump Track.
4. Keval Shah expressed support for a Pump Track.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Unless otherwise indicated below, the following pertains to all items on the Consent Calendar.
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Munzing moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
4. 1 WAIVE THE READING OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS Recommended Action: Approve the reading by title only of all ordinances and resolutions wherein the titles appear on the public agenda; said titles shall be determined to have been ready by title, and further reading is waived.
4. 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes as submitted for the April 1, 2026, Regular and Special Meetings.
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Meeting
Regular Meeting Minutes
4.3 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Recommended Action: Ratify accounts payable checks and electronic funds transfers issued between March 13, 2026, and March 26, 2026, in the amount of $720,821.02.
4.4 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
WITH ADVANTAGE MAILING LLC FOR PRINTING AND MAILING SERVICES OF
THE COMMUNITY CONNECTION RECREATION GUIDE & CITY NEWS
Recommended Action: Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Advantage Mailing Inc. for printing and mailing services of the Community Connection Recreation Guide & City News.
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
6. DISCUSSION
6.1 COUNCIL INITIATED ITEM – REQUEST TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE
FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAM BY COUNCILMEMBER DWYER
Recommended Action: Authorize funding in the amount of $15,500 for the Financial Literacy Program at Aliso Niguel High School.
Councilmember Dwyer provided an overview and responded to questions regarding financial contributions to the program from the City of Laguna Niguel, founding students and State financial literacy curriculum and graduation requirements. Mayor Duncan opened for public comment. The following persons spoke:
1. Marie T. expressed disapproval of the program.
2. Destiny Lara expressed support for the program.
3. Nicole Berkman expressed support for the program.
4. Michael Adamson expressed support for the program.
5. Chris Carter expressed support for the program.
6. Nicholas Sitko expressed support for the program and recommended that council establish a deadline for reevaluating the program.
7. Sebastian expressed disapproval of the program.
8. Councilmember Ackley read an anonymous public comment received via _ __email which expressed disapproval of the program.
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Munzing moved and Mayor Duncan seconded to authorize funding in the amount of $1 0,500 for the Financial Literacy Program at Aliso Niguel High School and reevaluate the program again after three years. Motion carried 5-0.
6. 2 COUNCIL INITIATED ITEM - REQUEST FOR ALISO VIEJO TO BE RECOGNIZED AS A " TREE CITY USA"
Recommended Action: Authorize letter of support from Mayor to be included in Tree City USA application.
Mike Avramidis with AVCA provided an overview and responded to questions regarding City' s eligibility.
Motion: Councilmember Dwyer moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
7. CITY MANAGER' S REPORT:
Acting City Manager Eifert announced the City's 25thAnniversary Logo Contest for youth under 18 years old, submission deadline is April 22, 2026; Shrek Movie Night to be held at Aliso Viejo Ranch on April 17, 2026, at 6: 00 p. m.; Summer Camp registration early bird discount deadline on April 30, 2026; and Heroes Supporting Heroes event to be held at Webb' s Distillery on Thursday April 30, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL COMMENTS / COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Councilmember Ackley:
Encouraged residents to visit the Aliso Viejo Farmers Market on Saturdays from 8: 00 a. m. to 1:00 p.m.
Attended American Red Cross Blood Drive at Aliso Viejo Ranch.
Councilmember Dwyer:
Commented on " Know Your Dough" financial literacy program.
Mayor Pro Tem Munzing:
Attended Meet the Mayor event hosted by South Orange County Economic Coalition.
Announced Sender One grand opening on Saturday, April 18.
Attended OCFA Budget and Finance Committee Meeting.
Attended Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
Councilmember Zandbergen:
Encouraged the public to share their thoughts with the council.
Mayor Duncan
Commented on City' s projected budget surplus.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 8:35 p.m. to the Regularly scheduled City Council meeting of May 6, 2026.
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Meeting
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
R N ORRES M DU AN
DEPUTY CITY CLERK MAYOR
Regular Meeting Minutes
City Council Meeting