published in the Orange County Register on August 13, 2026. Following publication, the City Council may appoint the qualified nominee or direct that the election proceed.
Discussion:
California Elections Code Section 10229 provides that when only one person is nominated for an elective district office, the elections official shall certify those facts to the governing body. The governing body may, at a regular or special meeting held before the election, either appoint the sole qualified nominee to the office or direct that the election to proceed.
If the City Council appoints the sole qualified nominee, the District 4 contest will not appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The appointed individual will qualify for office and serve the same term, with the same rights, powers, and responsibilities as though elected at the municipal election. Moreover, t he Orange County Registrar of Voters requires adoption of the attached resolution to remove the District 4 contest from the ballot.
Public Notice:
In accordance with Elections Code Section 10229, notice of the uncontested office and the City Council's available courses of action was published in the Orange County Register on August 13, 2026.
Attachment:
1. Resolution
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RESOLUTION NO. 2026-XX
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA, PROVIDING FOR THE
APPOINTMENT TO THE DISTRICT 4 OFFICE OF THIS
CITY THAT W AS TO BE ELECTED ON TUESDAY,
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
WHEREAS, pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10229, at the close of the nomination period on August 7, 2026, there was one qualified nominee for the office of City Council Member representing District 4; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with California Elections Code Section 10229, notice of the uncontested office and the City Council's available courses of action was published in the Orange County Register, a newspaper of general circulation, on August 13, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO,
CALIFORNIA, DOES RESOLVE, DECLARE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That pursuant to § 10229 of the Elections Code of the State of California, the following action is being taken:
Tiffany Ackley the sole qualified nominee for the District 4 office, is hereby appointed to the office of City Council Member representing District 4 pursuant to California Elections Code Section 10229.
Section 2. The election for the District 4 office scheduled for November 3, 2026, is hereby canceled.
Section 3. The appointee shall qualify, take office, and serve the same term and under the same conditions as if elected at the November 3, 2026 General Municipal Election.
Section 4. The City Clerk is authorized and directed to transmit a certified copy of this Resolution to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Section 5. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2026.
__________________________
Max Duncan,
Mayor
206
Resolution No. 2026-xx
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Scott C. Smith,
City Attorney
CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, MARIA KENDIG, City Clerk of the City of Aliso Viejo, California, do hereby attest to and certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 2026-XX to be the original resolution duly passed and adopted by the City Council at their regular meeting held on the 19th day of August 2026, by the following roll call vote, to wit:
AYES: Councilmembers: ___________________________________________ NOES: Councilmembers: ___________________________________________ ABSENT: Councilmembers: ___________________________________________
Date:___________________ _______________________________ Maria Kendig,
City Clerk
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City of Aliso Viejo
AGENDA ITEM
DATE: August 19, 2026
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Shaun Pelletier, Director of Public Works/City Engineer
SUBJECT: DIGITAL SIGNAGE
Recommended Actions:
1. Receive and file the report on digital signage; and
2. Exercise City Council discretion in providing direction to staff.
Fiscal Impact:
The fiscal impact is dependent on City Council direction. Estimated costs for different options are indicated in this report.
Background:
Digital signage is a communication tool used by public and private organizations to disseminate information, provide warnings and emergency alerts, deliver announcements, promote services and events, and display real -time content through electronic displays such as LCD, LED, or projection screens. It enables organizations to communicate with targeted audiences quickly, dynamically, and effectively in locations such as transportation corridors, government buildings, schools, retail stores, corporate offices, and public spaces.
Examples of these types of signs already found within the City include portable radar/message trailers, construction arrow and message boards, permanent speed feedback signs , and AVCA’s digital marqu ee. The City uses these tools primarily for speed warnings, construction, and special event information.
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Discussion:
During the June 3, 2026, City Council Meeting, Councilmember Zandbergen received consensus to have staff to investigate possible locations and costs for different ty pes of permanent digital signage, primarily speed feedback signs and message boards for events or emergency notifications. This was requested to help reduce the need for any temporary signs or trailers being placed in the bike lanes, as well as the ability to provide consistent locations for speed feedback and messaging. Typically, these trailers are placed at bus turnout locations so the encroachment into the bike lane is minimal and there are not fixed OCTA bus routes within the City to impact. At some locations this isn’t feasible and the trailer placement blocks or restricts bicycle paths.
Speed Radar Feedback Signs
Speed radar feedback signs, like what was recently installed on Hummingbird Lane, could be considered for installation along any roadway, though they are typically seen around schools or in residential neighborhoods. In addition to Hummingbird, the City has six other permanent speed feedback signs located near Wood Canyon Elementary (2), Canyon Vista Elementary (3), and Don Juan Avila Elementary (1). These are programmed only to operate during school dropoff and pickup times to emphasize the importance of safety around schools. Generally, t here is a concern with 24/7 sign operation not being as effective because drivers can become blind to them. It is also important to consider adjacent land use and any unintended inconvenience from the light glare into residential windows.
Locations outside of school or residential areas including arterial and collector streets that provide long stretches of roadway without signals and/or that are downhill making speed creep much easier could be considered. Conversations with OCSD have indicated that the following locations are considered hot spots for speeding.
AV Parkway between Grand and Pacific Park - Southbound Aliso Creek between Eastwing and Westwing – Both Directions Pacific Park between Peppertree and Wood Canyon – South/Eastbound Pacific Park between Alicia and Deerhurst – Westbound Pacific Park near Canyon Vistas (Both Directions)
The cost for these signs is approximately $8,000-$10,000 each.
Alternatively, standard static speed limit signs could be installed more frequently to remind drivers of the posted speeds. There are no guidelines regarding how often speed limits are posted, other than that they must be posted at locations where speed limit is changing. Historically the City posted fewer signs due to long-term maintenance costs and concerns with sign pollution. Additional signs could be added at an approximate cost of $250 per location. Existing and/or new posted signs could also be accompanied with 209
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painted street pavement legends. Painted pavement legends could be installed for approximately $250 per location per lane, or citywide for an estimated $50,000-$75,000.
Digital Message Boards
Digital message boards are available in a variety of styles and configurations to support different communication needs. They are commonly referred to as changeable message signs (CMS), dynamic message signs (DMS), or variable message signs (VMS). These displays are used to communicate information such as special event notifications, wayfinding directions, travel times, emergency alerts, public service announcements, and advertising. Depending on the application, digital message boards may range from simple monochrome text displays to full -color, high -resolution screens capable of presenting graphics, images, animations, and video. The most appropriate type of digital message board depends on factors such as its location, the intended audience, environmental conditions, viewing distance, and the type of information to be communicated.
As noted previously, City owned CMS trailers are used for both speed feedback and messaging and therefore present the same concerns with bike lane encroachmen t regardless of the ir use. Bus turnouts are the main locations chosen, and the alternate location of the center painted median may be utilized. These remain the option of choice given the flexibility in locations to meet the needs of staff for any temporary messaging such as construction or special events.
Permanent message boards can be considered at locations where temporary CMS are frequently used and/or at high traffic/viewing areas. The location is critical in determining the type of signage and messaging that could be displayed. A digital marquee like AVCA has at Pacific Park and Aliso Creek Road is best positioned at very high traffic areas that also offer enough time to be read. Vehicles stopped at the signal are allowed this time to view the messaging and it can be more detailed. This type of sign with enhanced graphics would cost around $100,000 for the display and basic foundation . Design and any required site work such as grading, electric, or landscaping, along with how elaborate the foundation aesthetic is will greatly influence the total cost and is unknown at this time.
Consideration also must be given to land acquisition, easements or agreements since the City does not own land behind the sidewalks for the installation.
As with the temporary CMS, freeway -style DMS signs on the side or over the road are meant for locations where vehicles are not stopp ing and can only offer short messages as drivers pass by. Short messages make their use limited and are therefore not likely to continuously display messages. A simple permanent pedestal type sign similar in size to the temporary trailer display could be installed for about $100,000. A cantilevered sign over the street/sidewalk could be much more difficult to structurally design and install , 210
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with an estimated cost starting around $100,000. Both options present the same concerns with available space and potential need for land acquisition, easements or agreements.
A no-cost option would be to continue using the bike lanes at bus turnouts or locations where a minimum width of 5’ remains for cyclists. Staff could also utilize the center painted medians for the trailers if they are available at locations where the bike lane becomes too narrow. There is some increased collision risk being in the middle of the road, but the center median location is feasible when the median is wide enough.
Staff is seeking direction which, if any, sign options to implement or further investigate.
Environmental:
None at this time.
Attachment:
1. Presentation
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212
Digital Signage
(Councilmember Zandbergen Request)
Shaun Pelletier
Public Works Director
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The Ask…
That the City Council provide direction on speed
feedback signs and other digital signage within
the City.
2 214
June 3, 2026 City Council Meeting
- Councilmember Zandbergen expressed concerns of
temporary digital feedback signs in bike lanes
- Concensus received for Staff to review and report back on:
1. CMS Trailer usage and impact to bike lanes
2. Possible locations and costs of permanent speed feedback signs as traffic calming
3. Possible new marquee and/or permanent CMS for events or announcements and associated costs
3 215
Current Practice
•Portable trailers used for City
messaging
•Typically placed in bus turnouts,
with minimal impact to bike lanes
•This is not feasible in all locations
and does impact bike lanes
4 216
Purpose of Digital Signage
•Disseminate Information
•Provide Warnings and Emergency Alerts
•Deliver Announcements
•Promote Services and Events
•Display Real-Time Content
5 217
Existing Examples
•City Owned CMS Trailers
•Construction CMS or Arrow Board Trailers
•Speed Feedback Displays
•AVCA Marquee Display
6 218
Speed Feeback Signs
7 219
Speed Feedback Signs
•Provide real-time speed display to
promote safe driving
•Data collection on newer models
•Existing Permanent Locations
•Hummingbird Lane (2)
•Wood Canyon Elementary (2)
•Canyon Vista Elementary (3)
•Don Juan Avila Elementary (1)
8 220
9 Speed Feedback
Sign Locations
Red Star – OCSD Speed Hot Spots
& possible new locations
($8-10K each, Up to $70k total)
Blue Triangle – Existing Signs
221
Alternate Speed Calming Options
10 1. Change CMS trailer placement
• Avoid bike lane placement where less than 5’ clear is available • Placement in center painted median
• No cost until trailer replacement needed $20k-$25k
2. Add more static speed limit signs
• No regulations on number or spacing of posted speed limit signs • $250 per new location
3. Add painted pavement legends
• Added visual warning for drivers
• $250 per location per lane, approximately $50K-$75k citywide 222
Digital/Marquee Signs
11 223
Digital Marquee/Entry Monument
12 224
Freeway Style DMS
13 225
Possible Marquee
Sign Locations
14 Red Box – Potential Marquee Location
Red Triangle – Potential DMS Location
Note: City does not own property at
these locations and would require
land acquisition, easement or other
agreement with property owner for
installation
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Digital Sign Comparison
15 Factor
Option 1 -
Marquee/Entry
Monument
Option 2 -
Freeway Style DMS
Option 3 -
(Status Quo)
Portable CMS Trailer
Land Acquisition/
Easement
Required Required N/A
Community Branding Excellent Fair Poor
Emergency Messaging Excellent Excellent Excellent
Visibility at High
Speeds
Good Excellent Excellent
Architectural
Integration
Excellent Limited Poor
Graphics Capability High Limited-High Limited
Initial Cost $100k and up $100k $25k
Maintenance Moderate-High Moderate Low
Typical Lifespan 10-15 years 15-20 years 8-12 years
227
Digital Sign Comparison (cont.)
16 Option 1 -
Marquee/Entry
Monument
Option 2 -
Freeway Style DMS
Option 3 -
(Status Quo)
Portable CMS Trailer
Pros • Prominent/Defining
• Ability to put out more
information
• Nice look/aesthetic
• Very noticeable
• Doesn’t block bike
lanes
• Least expensive/No
expense
• Provides adequate
information to
community
• Can be moved
around/flexible
• Options that don’t
block bike lanes
Cons • Expensive (100k +)
• Duplicative of AVCA’s
• Location would require
AVCA easement or
private property agrmt
• Expensive (100k)
• Not as common in
arterial/connector
streets
• Some locations could
block bike lanes
• Not as attractive
228
The Ask…
That the City Council provide direction on speed
feedback signs and other digital signage within
the City.
17 229