CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
May 6, 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 7:02 p.m.
TELECONFERENCE: Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(b), Councilmember Dwyer participated in the meeting via teleconference from the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, 74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. The agenda for saic meeting was posted at the location as required by the Brown Act.
ROLL CALL:
PRESENT: MAYOR MAX DUNCAN
MAYOR PRO TEM MIKE MUNZING
COUNCILMEMBER TIFFANY ACKLEY
COUNCILMEMBER GARRETT DWYER (Via Teleconference)
COUNCILMEMBER TIM A. ZANDBERGEN
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: ANN EIFERT, INTERIM CITY MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF
FINANCIAL SERVICES
HONGDAO NGUYEN, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
MARIA KENDIG, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES / CITY
CLERK
SO KIM, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SHAUN PELLETIER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
LIZZY MENDOZA, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, ALISO VIEJO POLICE SERVICES
DIVISION FIRE CHIEF REID GIBSON •
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Recreation and Community Services Manager Lizzy Mendoza led the Pledge of Allegiance.
CLOSED SESSION*
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to Government Code section 54957(b)(1)
Title: City Manager
CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 Agency Designated Representatives:
City Manager Recruitment Ad Hoc Committee
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
1.1 RECOGNITION OF ALISO VIEJO NIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS WRESTLING TEAM 2026 SOUTH COAST LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Mayor Duncan introduced Coach Rich Treviño who provided an overview of the team's championship season. Certificates were presented to the team and the team expressed gratitude for the recognition.
1.2 INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
MARIA RUANO-KENDIG
Mayor Duncan introduced Government Services Director Maria Ruano-Kendig.
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, REORDERING TO THE AGENDA
None.
3. COMMUNITY INPUT:
1. Sebastian commented on bicycle safety and bike lanes.
2. Adriana Graham commented on herbicide use in Orange County creeks.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Munzing moved, and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions for Items 4.1 through 4.9. 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 read by title, and further reading is waived.
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
4.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes as submitted for the April 15, 2026, Regular and Special Meetings.
4.3 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Recommended Action: Ratify accounts payable checks and electronic funds transfers issued between March 27, 2026, and April 23, 2026, in the amount of $2,046,739.26.
4.4 TREASURER'S STATEMENT - MARCH 2026
Recommended Action: Receive and file the March 2026 Treasurer's Statement.
4.5 AWARD CONTRACT TO BENA BUILDERS, INC. FOR THE CITY HALL FRONT
COUNTER RECONFIGURATION PROJECT - CDBG
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve Contract Documents, Specifications, and Plans for the City Hall Front Counter Reconfiguration Project- CDBG;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $54,000.00 to Bena Builders, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder for the City Hall Front Counter Reconfiguration Project- CDBG
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Bena Builders, Inc.;
4. Authorize City staff to make total compensation to Bena Builders, Inc.; up to $54,000.00 plus $8,100.00 (15% of the contract amount) to allow for contingencies, totaling $62,100; and
5. Declare this project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process Per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).
4.6 AWARD CONTRACT TO ALL AMERICAN ASPHALT FOR THE ALISO VIEJO
PARKWAY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT BETWEEN ENTERPRISE
AND ALISO CREEK ROAD
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve Contract Documents, Specifications, and Plans for the Aliso Viejo Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Enterprise and Aliso Creek Road;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $1,658,458.00 to All American Asphalt as the lowest responsible bidder for the Aliso Viejo Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Enterprise and Aliso Creek Road;
3. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a contract with All American Asphalt;
4. Authorize City staff to make total compensation to All American Asphalt up to $1,658,458.00 plus $165,845.80 (10% of the contract amount) to allow for contingencies, totaling $1,824,303.80; and
5. Declare this project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process Per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities)
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
4.7 AWARD CONTRACT TO PALP, INC. DBA EXCEL PAVING COMPANY FOR THE
CEDARBROOK PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT BETWEEN
GLENWOOD DRIVE AND ALISO VIEJO PARKWAY
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve Contract Documents, Specifications, and Plans for the Cedarbrook Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Glenwood Drive and Aliso Viejo Parkway;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $854,990.00 to Palp, Inc. dba Excel Paving Company as the lowest responsible bidder for the Cedarbrook Pavement Rehabilitation Project between Glenwood Drive and Aliso Viejo Parkway;
3. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a contract with Palp, Inc. dba Excel Paving Company;
4. Authorize City staff to make total compensation to Palp, Inc. dba Excel Paving Company up to $854,990.00 plus $85,499.00 (10% of the contract amount) to allow for contingencies, totaling $940,489.00; and
5. Declare this project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process Per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).
4.8 APPROVAL OF AMENDED AND RESTATED NDES STORMWATER PERMIT
IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement ("Agreement") between the County of Orange, Orange County Flood Control District (District), and participating Orange County cities (collectively called Permittees); and
2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement and any related documents necessary to implement the terms of the Agreement.
4.9 FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE SUBLEASE FOR WAREHOUSE SPACE Recommended Actions:
1. Approve a First Amendment to the Sublease Agreement with PV Maintenance, Inc. for 690 square feet of space for office and storage purposes at 27751 La Paz Road, Suite B, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 that extends the term three (3) years
2. Autorize she interim Cry anager to execute the First Amendment to the Agreement.
5. PUBLIC HEARING
5.1 ADOPTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2026-2027 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR
EXPENDITURES OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS
Recommended Actions:
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
1. Declare the City Council finds the FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") as the activity is not a project, as defined in Section 15378(b)(5) of the state CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Approve and adopt the FY 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan ("Action Plan") for the use of Community Development Block Grant ("CDBG") funds; and 3. Authorize the Interim City Manager to submit the Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), which executes the HUD contract, and authorizes the Interim City Manager to submit all related documents with the implementation of the Action Plan.
Senior Planner Rose Rivera provided an overview and responded to questions regarding Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) from Councilmembers.
Mayor Duncan opened the Hearing.
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Ryan Dillon, Operations Director with Last is First Philanthropies, thanked City staff for including his organization in the (FY) 2026-2027 Annual Action Plan.
There were no other speakers, and the Mayor closed the Hearing.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved and Mayor Pro Tem Munzing seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5-0.
6. DISCUSSION
6.1 AWARD CONTRACT TO SUPERIOR PAVEMENT MARKINGS, LLC FOR THE BIKE
LANE STRIPING AND SIGNING IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve Contract Documents, Specifications, and Plans for the Bike Lane Striping and Signing Improvement Project;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $1,139,016.40 to Superior Pavement Markings, LLC as the lowest responsible bidder for the Bike Lane Striping and Signing Improvement Project;
3. Authorize the Interim City Manager to execute a contract with Superior Pavement Markings, LLC;
4. Authorize City staff to make total compensation to Superior Pavement Markings, LLC up to $1,139,016.40 plus $113,901.64 (10% of the contract amount) to allow for contingencies, totaling $1,252,918.04;
5. Authorize the additional appropriation of $122,918.04 in AQMD funding to the fiscal year 2025-26 budget;
6. Provide direction on the use of Bike Lane Word Markings or Bike Lane Stencils throughout the project; and
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
7. Declare this project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process Per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).
Public Works Director Shaun Pelletier provided an overview and responded to questions regarding bike lane striping options, possibility of adding bollards to bike lanes, safety signage and parameters for AQMD funds.
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Sebastian expressed support for bike lane bollards.
Motion: Councilmember Ackley moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5-0.
6.2 APPOINTMENT OF BRETT CHANNING AS CITY MANAGER AND APPROVAL OF
CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Recommended Actions:
1. That the City Council ("City") appoint Brett Channing ("Channing") as Aliso Viejo City Manager;
2. That the City Council approve the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City and Channing memorializing the terms of his employment; and
3. Adopt Resolution No. 2026-04 amending the City employee salary schedule to reflect the salary provided in the City Manager Employment Agreement between the City and Channing.
Assistant City Attorney HongDao Nguyen provided a detail report on salary and benefits.
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Marie T. spoke in opposition to City Manager's salary and need for affordable housing.
2. Sarah Chamberlain also expressed opposition to the City Manager's salary.
3. Sebastian reiterated opposition to City Manager's salary.
4. Katie Dillard provided written communication for the record.
Incoming City Manager Brett Channing introduced himself and Council commented on his qualifications for the role. Council also thanked staff for completing the recruitment for this position in-house, without the use of outside consultants.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved and Mayor Pro Tem Munzing seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 4-1 with Councilmember Ackley dissenting.
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
7. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
Interim City Manager Eifert announced registration for recreation classes and camps and advised that Shakespeare by the Sea Presents: Macbeth would take place at Soka University on Tuesday, July 23, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. *Also, for the record reported that Closed Session was not held; therefore, there is no reportable action.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL COMMENTS / COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Councilmember Ackley:
Participated in the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority Conference.
Councilmember Dwyer:
• Thanked staff for their efforts during the City Manager transition.
Spoke about the "Know Your Dough" program at Aliso Niguel High School. • Visited the Nourishing Great Futures Market.
Participated in the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly. • Announced plans to attend the upcoming Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District annual budget meeting.
• Joined the Meet the Mayor event hosted by the Aliso Vijo Chamber of Commerce.
Councilmember Zandbergen:
• Participated in the Orange County Sheriff Department Medal of Valor event. • Joined the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
• Took part in the AVCA Arbor Day event and tree planting honoring former City Manager Mitzi Ortiz.
• Attended the Meet the Mayor event hosted by the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce.
Supported the Heroes Supporting Heroes event at Webb's Grainworks. : Celebrated Soka University's 25th Anniversary event.
Mayor Pro Tem Munzing:
• Participated in the Orange County Sheriff Department Medal of Valor event.
Attended Movie Night at Aliso Viejo Ranch.
• Supported the Boys and Girls Club Bocce Ball Tournament. • Celebrated the Sender One Grand Opening.
• Joined the Meet the Mayor event hosted by the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce. • Attended the Taste of Aliso Niguel event.
Participated in the OCFA Board Meeting.
• Took part in the AVCA Arbor Day event and tree planting honoring former City Manager Mitzi Ortiz.
Recognized honorees at the Crystal Apple Awards.
• Supported the Heroes Supporting Heroes event at Webb's Grainworks.
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
Mayor Duncan:
• Participated in the AVCA Arbor Day event and tree planting honoring former City Manager Mitzi Ortiz.
Attended the Taste of Aliso Niguel event.
Celebrated the Sender One Grand Opening.
• Joined the Meet the Mayor event hosted by the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce. • Spoke on the importance of recognizing members of the community.
ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 8:17 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on May 20, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
MARIA KENDIG MAX DUNCAN
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting