CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
May 20, 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 7:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: MAYOR MAX DUNCAN
MAYOR PRO TEM MIKE MUNZING
COUNCILMEMBER TIFFANY ACKLEY
COUNCILMEMBER GARRETT DWYER
COUNCILMEMBER TIM A. ZANDBERGEN
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: BRETT CHANNING, CITY MANAGER
SCOTT SMITH, CITY ATTORNEY
ANN EIFERT, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
SO KIM, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
SHAUN PELLETIER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
MARIA KENDIG, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES / CITY
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: Cub Scout Pack 702 led the Pledge of Allegiance.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
1.1 INTRODUCTION OF NEW CITY MANAGER BRETT CHANNING
Mayor Duncan introduced City Manager Brett Channing. City Manager Channing expressed gratitude and excitement to serve the City of Aliso Viejo.
PROCLAMATION FOR DROWNING PREVENTION AND AWARENESS SEASON Mayor Duncan presented the proclamation to Division Fire Chief Reid Gibson who expressed gratitude for the recognition. OCFA Community Educator Milton Neira addressed the audience and provided information regarding water safety practices, supervision around pools and open water, and methods to help prevent drowning incidents.
1.3 PROCLAMATION FOR WILDFIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION SEASON Mayor Duncan presented the proclamation to Division Fire Chief Reid Gibson who expressed gratitude for the recognition. OCFA Community Educator Milton Neira provided remarks regarding wildfire preparedness, defensible space, evacuation readiness, and fire prevention measures for the community.
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, REORDERING TO THE AGENDA:
None.
3. COMMUNITY INPUT:
1. Sebastian commented on recent public safety incident and shared concerns about community outreach.
2. Randy Schrock commented on bike satety.
3. Jena Minnick-Bull shared information about upcoming South Coast Conservatory events.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion: Mayor Pro Tem Munzing moved, and Councilmember Ackley seconded to approve the recommended actions for Items 4.2 through 4.4. Motion carried 5-0.
Councilmember Dwyer pulled agenda item 4.1 for separate discussion.
4.1 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Recommended Action: Ratify accounts payable checks and electronic funds transfers issued between April 24, 2026, and May 7, 2026, in the amount of $1,243,395.95.
Councilmember Dwyer requested additional information regarding a $1,000 grant payment to the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley. Director of Financial provided information regarding the scope of services performed.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved, and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to approve the recommended actions for Items 4.1. Motion carried 5-0.
4.2 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
4.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommended Action: Approve the minutes as submitted for the May 6, 2026, Regular and Special Meetings.
4.4 AWARD CONTRACT TO ECONOLITE SYSTEMS, INC. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 ACCESSIBLE PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL PROJECT - CDBG
Recommended Actions:
Approve Contract Documents, Specifications, and Plans for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Accessible Pedestrian Signal Project - CDBG;
2. Award a contract in the amount of $90,005.08 to Econolite Systems, Inc. as the lowest responsible bidder for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Accessible Pedestrian Signal Project - CDBG;
Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Econolite Systems, Inc.;
4. Authorize City staff to make total compensation to Econolite Systems Inc. up to $90,005.08 plus $9,000.51 (10% of the contract amount) to allow for contingencies, totaling $99,005.59; ano
Declare this project categorically exempt from the California Environmenta Quality Act (CEQA) process Per Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301 (Class 1: Existing Facilities).
5. PUBLIC HEARING:
None
DISCUSSION:
6.1 PRIMA FACIE CITYWIDE SPEED LIMITS — ORDINANCE
Recommended Actions:
Find that this Ordinance is subject to CEQA categorical exemption Class pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines, respectively, Title 14, California Code of Regulations Section 15301;
2. Introduce Ordinance No. 2026-253 declaring Prima Facie Speed Limits on Certain City Streets; and
3. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate an additional $70,000 of Gas Tax funds to the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.
Director of Public Works Pelletier, along with representatives from RK Engineering Group, Inc., presented the staff report and responded to City Council questions regarding the methodology and frequency of traffic studies, impacts on traffic satety enforcement, legal requirements for conducting vehicle speed surveys, current traffic safety data, and the rationale for the proposed speed limit reductions.
Mayor Duncan proposed that the matter be scheduled for a future Study Session to allow for further discussion and public input.
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Sebastian shared concerns about traffic safety.
2. Art Camoia shared same concerns about traffic safety.
Motion: Mayor Duncan moved, and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to continue the item to May 27, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried 4-1 (Councilmember Ackley dissented).
6.2 CITIZEN, SENIOR, AND YOUTH OF THE YEAR, CIVIC SERVICE AWARD, AND "KEY TO THE CITY" PROGRAM
Recommended Actions:
1. Review and discuss Council Policy 400-12 - Citizen, Senior, and Youth of the Year Program, Civic Service Award, and "Key to the City" Program and nomination process;
2. Direct staff to make any necessary changes to Council Policy 400-12 and/or nomination process;
3. Approve the reinstatement of the program and begin the annual nomination and selection process for the 2026 recognition cycle.
Mayor Duncan provided an overview. Council members expressed support for reinstating the recognition program and honoring community members for their contributions over the past two years.
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Marie T. shared support for civic service awards and shared concerns about transparency in the selection process.
Motion: Mayor Duncan moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5-0.
7. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT:
City Manager Channing announced upcoming summer recreation classes and camps, including scholarship opportunities available for eligible participants. He also announced that Shakespeare by the Sea will present "Macbeth" at Soka University on Thursday, July 23, at 7:00 p.m.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL COMMENTS / COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Councilmember Ackley:
• Attended a housing development tour with Lennar.
Councilmember Dwyer:
• Participated in the SCAG Regional Conference and General Assembly in Palm Desert.
linutes of the Regula
ity Council Meetir
• Volunteered at the Nourishing Great Futures Market supporting community food access efforts.
• Attended the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon. • Provided comments regarding retail vacancies at the Aliso Viejo Town Center. • Raised observations regarding campaign signage within the City. • Shared an update on the Know Your Dough Financial Literacy Program. • Attended the Esprit de Wolverine Awards ceremony at Aliso Niguel High School.
Councilmember Zandbergen:
• Participated in the SJHTCA Board of Directors Meeting. • Provided an update on the SR-73 Catalina View Improvements Project. • Welcomed newly appointed City Manager Brett Channing.
Mayor Pro Tem Munzing:
• Expressed gratitude for City staff
• Attended Orange County City Selection Committee Meeting. • Participated in a Lennar housing development tour.
• Attended Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
Mayor Duncan
• Attended Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce Luncheon.
Thanked City staff for their ongoing dedication and work. • Commented on recent incident at Aliso Niguel High School.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m. to Wednesday, May 27, at 7:00 p.m. to continue discussion of Agenda Item 6.1.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
MARIA RENA Kendig
MARIA KENDIG MAX DUNCAN
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes of the Regular
City Council Meeting