CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
June 3, 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.
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
CLERK
LIZZY MENDOZA, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, ALISO VIEJO POLICE SERVICES
DIVISION CHIEF REID GIBSON. ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Brett Channing led the Pledge of Allegiance.
1. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:
None.
2. ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, REORDERING TO THE AGENDA:
None.
3. COMMUNITY INPUT:
1 . Marie commented on market rate housing availability, illegal short- term rentals posted on web and noted that city had not applied for state grant funding for affordable housing and sustainable communities.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Motion: Councilmember Ackley moved, and Mayor Pro Tem Munzing seconded to approve the recommended actions for items 4. 1, 4. 2, and 4. 4 through 4. 14. Motion carried 5-0. Councilmember Ackley pulled item 4.3 for separate action.
4. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve the minutes as submitted for the May 20, 2026, Regular Meeting.
2. Approve the minutes as submitted for the May 27, 2026, Special and Adjourned Regular Meetings.
4. 2 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
Recommended Action: Ratify accounts payable checks and electronic funds transfers issued between May 8, 2026, and May 21 , 2026, in the amount of 574, 630. 82.
4. 3 TREASURER' S STATEMENT - APRIL 2026
Recommended Action: Receive and file the April 2026 Treasurer' s Statement.
Councilmember Ackley inquired about negative CFD funds and long-term interest rates. Director of Financial Services Eifert provided background information.
Motion: Councilmember Ackley moved, and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to approve the recommended actions for Items 4. 3. Motion carried 5- 0.
4. 4 BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE CITY' S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE Recommended Action: Direct staff to conduct a review of the City' s Conflict of Interest Code and return to the City Council with its findings and any recommended updates by October 1, 2026.
4. 5 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION - NOVEMBER 3. 2026
Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt Resolution 2026- 05 Calling for the holding of a Regular General Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities;
2. Adopt Resolution 2026- 06 Calling for the holding of a Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the election of certain officers as required by the provisions of the laws of the State of California relating to general law cities;
3. Adopt Resolution 2026- 07 Requesting the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the Regular General Municipal Election to be held
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City Council Meeting
on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date pursuant to Section 10403 of the California Elections Code:
4. Adopt Resolution 2026- 08 Requesting the Orange County Board of Supervisors to consolidate the Special Municipal Election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, with the Statewide General Election to be held on the same date pursuant to Section 10403 of the California Elections Code; and
5. Adopt Resolution 2026- 09 Adopting regulations pertaining to candidate statements submitted to the voters for an election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
4. 6 APPROVAL OF COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITIES
OF ALISO VIEJO, LAGUNA NIGUEL, LAGUNA HILLS, AND MISSION VIEJO FOR
THE ALICIA PARKWAY REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION
PROGRAM PROJECT
Recommended Actions:
1 . Approve the Cooperative Agreement by and between the City of Laguna Niguel and the cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Mission Viejo for the Alicia Parkway Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project;
2. Authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the agreement; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute future amendments to the agreement.
4. 7 AWARD CONTRACT TO GMU ENGINEERS & GEOLOGISTS FOR ON- CALL
GEOTECHNICAL AND MATERIAL TESTING SERVICES
Recommended Actions:
1 . Award a contract to GMU Engineers & Geologists, Inc. ( GMU) to perform geotechnical and materials testing services; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services contract with GMU for an amount not to exceed $ 200, 000.
4. 8 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH NV5, INC. FOR
CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES
Recommended Actions:
1 . Approve a second amendment to the agreement with NV5, Inc. to perform construction inspection services that renews the agreement for an additional one- year term and increases the total compensation under the agreement by 360, 000 for a total contract amount of $ 660, 000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the contract.
4. 9 FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH NV5, INC. FOR ON- CALL
CIVIL ENGINEERING SERVICES
Recommended Actions:
1. Approve a first amendment to the agreement with NV5, Inc. to perform on- call civil engineering services that renew the agreement for an additional one- year
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term and increases the total compensation under the agreement by $50,000 for a total contract amount of $ 100, 000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the first amendment to the contract.
4. 10 THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH NIEVES LANDSCAPE, LLC.
FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Recommended Action:
1. Approve a third amendment to the agreement with Nieves Landscape, LLC to perform landscape maintenance services that renews the agreement for an additional five- year term and increases the total compensation under the agreement by $ 1,090, 000. 00 total contract amount of $ 2, 180,000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the third amendment to the contract.
4. 11 SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH GREAT SCOTT TREE SERVICES, INC. FOR TREE MAINTENANCE SERVICES
Recommended Actions:
1 . Approve a second amendment to the agreement with Great Scott Tree Services, Inc. to renew the agreement for an additional three- year term for tree maintenance services, and increase the total compensation amount by 101, 000 to $ 277, 000; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the contract.
4. 12 SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE DECLARING PRIMA
FACIE SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN CITY STREETS
Recommended Action: Conduct a second reading and adopt an Ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 2026- 253 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO CALIFORNIA, DECLARING PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMITS ON CERTAIN CITY STREETS.
4. 13 AGREEMENT WITH ALL CITY MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026- 27 CROSSING GUARD SERVICES
Recommended Action: Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement with All City Management Services, Inc. for school crossing guard services for fiscal year ( FY) 2026- 27.
4. 14 AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF ORANGE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026- 27
LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Recommended Action: Approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement with the County of Orange for Fiscal Year 2026- 27 law enforcement services in the amount of S11, 550, 802.
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City Council Meeting
5. PUBLIC HEARING:
5. 1 REPORT ON STAFF VACANCIES, RECRUITMENT, AND RETENTION
EFFORTS
Recommended Actions:
1. Conduct the public hearing; and
2. Receive and file the report on staff vacancies, recruitment, and retention efforts.
Mayor Duncan opened the Hearing. There were no speakers and the hearing closed.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
5. 2 ZONING CODE AMENDMENT ZA- 2026- 01004: OBJECTIVE DESIGN
STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS
Recommended Actions:
1. Find that Zoning Code Amendment ZA- 2026- 02004 is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act ( CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061( b)( 3) of the State CEQA Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading of an Ordinance entitled: ORDINANCE NO. 2026- 254 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO
VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE ALISO VIEJO MUNICIPAL CODE TO
ESTABLISH OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR QUALIFYING
HOUSING PROJECTS AND DETERMINING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
Director of Community Development Kim introduced Allen Lunas, consultant from PlaceWorks who provided an overview and responded to questions from Councilmembers. Planning Consultant presented the proposed Objective Design Standards for qualifying residential projects. The presentation reviewed the purpose and applicability of the standards, related zoning code amendments, stakeholder outreach, and proposed site planning, architectural, and large- scale residential design requirements.
Mayor Duncan opened the Hearing.
The following spoke on the matter:
1. Marie T suggested community input be included in addition to developers.
There were no other speakers, and the Mayor closed the Hearing.
Motion: Councilmember Ackley moved and Councilmember Dwyer seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
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City Council Meeting
6. DISCUSSION:
6. 1 ADOPTION OF TELECONFERENCING DISRUPTION POLICY AND
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PLAN IN
COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 707 ( SB707)
Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt Resolution 2026- 10, a new City Council policy addressing a disruption of telephonic or internet service during City Council meetings, in compliance with Senate Bill 707 and Government Code Sections 54953. 9 and 54953. 10; and
2. Approve the SB 707 Community Outreach and Public Engagement Plan to encourage participation by historically underrepresented and underserved communities.
Director of Government Services/ City Clerk Kendig provided an overview of new legislation and policy requirements.
Motion: Councilmember Zandbergen moved and Councilmember Ackley seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
6. 2 PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026- 27
Recommended Actions:
1. Adopt Resolution 2026- 11 adopting the Annual Budget for Fiscal Year 2026- 27;
2. Adopt Resolution 2026- 12 approving updated City Salary Schedules to include cost- of- living adjustments of 3.2% and the addition of Principal Civil Engineer and Principal Planner job classifications, effective July 1, 2026; and
3. Adopt Resolution 2026- 13 setting the annual appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2026- 27.
Director of Financial Services Eifer presented proposed budget and responded to questions from Councilmembers. The City Council requested that a 5-year Forecast be presented within the next 60 days.
Motion: Mayor Pro Tern Munzing moved and Councilmember Zandbergen seconded to approve the recommended actions. Motion carried 5- 0.
7. CITY MANAGER' S REPORT:
City Manager Channing reported that he was entering the third week of his tenure and expressed appreciation to City staff for their efforts in maintaining operations over the past six months. He highlighted the recent budget adoption and encouraged residents to participate in the City' s summer recreation classes and camps, noting that scholarships are available for eligible participants. He also announced the upcoming Shakespeare by the Sea performance at Soka University on July 23, 2026, and reminded the community
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that applications for the Citizen of the Year, Senior of the Year, and Youth of the Year awards will be accepted through June 30, 2026.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS / COUNCIL COMMENTS / COMMITTEE UPDATES:
Councilmember Ackley:
Inquired about the deadline for submitting nominations for Citizen of the Year. City Manager Channing stated that nominations are due by June 30 and that the information is posted online.
Noted that any additional comments will be submitted in writing.
Councilmember Dwyer:
Announced the City's upcoming 25th Anniversary Celebration, including recognition of the winning anniversary logo. He noted that the City will host a booth highlighting summer programs and activities and that a community celebration is scheduled for July 15, 2026.
Reported that the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District detected West Nile virus activity and encouraged residents to eliminate standing water and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Additional information is available at OCVector. org.
Attended the Memorial Day ceremony at El Toro Memorial Park and recognized those who have served in the military.
Attended the Orange County Fire Authority' s Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony on May 29, 2026, and congratulated Division Chief Reid Gibson on being recognized as a Chief of the Year nominee.
Attended the Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Month event on May 21, 2026.
Attended the Second Harvest Great Futures Market food distribution event held earlier that day.
Councilmember Zandbergen:
Attended the Memorial Day ceremony at El Toro Memorial Park.
Attended the Orange County Fire Authority' s Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony.
Requested discussion regarding the placement of additional speed feedback signs at strategic locations throughout the City. He suggested evaluating potential permanent locations near The Ranch and along both sides of Aliso Creek Road and exploring partnership opportunities with the Aliso Viejo Community Association regarding use of its electronic signs.
Inquired about the schedule for bicycle lane striping and upcoming street resurfacing projects.
Mayor Pro Tern Munzing:
Attended a Memorial Day observance.
Participated in the Aliso Viejo Community Association and City Subcommittee meeting, where several matters of mutual interest were discussed.
Commented on recent reductions to speed limits within the City.
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Attended the Orange County Fire Authority' s Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony in his capacity as an OCFA Board Member and congratulated Division Chief Reid Gibson on his recognition.
Reported that the Orange County Fire Authority is finalizing labor negotiations with its firefighters.
Wished residents a safe and enjoyable summer.
Mayor Duncan
Commented on the positive and productive meeting between the City and the Aliso Viejo Community Association Subcommittee.
Reflected on the life and contributions of Ron Withnell and requested that the meeting be adjourned in his memory.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Duncan adjourned the meeting at 9:16 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Adjourned In Memory of
Ron Whitmill
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
RI K M D C
CITY CLERK MAYOR
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City Council Meeting