CITY OF ALISO VIEJO
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
September 23, 2026
Aliso Viejo Ranch, The Red Barn
100 Park Avenue
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Duncan called the Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Aliso Viejo to order at 7: 12 p. m.
ATTENDANCE:
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
ANN EIFERT, DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
HONGDAO NGUYEN, ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY
MARIA KENDIG, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES / CITY
CLERK
SO KIM, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
LIZZY MENDOZA, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES
MANAGER
ISAAC AZIZ, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER
CORA SWANSON, HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER
CAPT. RYAN BUHR, ALISO VIEJO POLICE SERVICES
REID GIBSON, ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY CHIEF
COMMUNITY INPUT
None
SPECIAL PRESENTATION:
STATE OF THE CITY PRESENTATION
Mayor Max Duncan delivered the State of the City address, sponsored by the Aliso Viejo Chamber of Commerce. The presentation recognized Aliso Viejo' s 25th anniversary and its incorporation on July 1, 2001, and reflected on the City's past, present, and future. The Mayor introduced the City Council and noted the importance of preserving the City' s history.
As part of the City' s 25th anniversary celebration, Mayor Duncan introduced a video highlighting Aliso Viejo' s history and the people who helped shape the community. The video featured interviews with former Mayor Carmen Cave, former City Councilmembers Bill Phillips and Phil Tsunoda, retired Park Ranger Tom Maloney, Moulton Foundation President Jared Mathis, and Bob Bunyan, who worked with the Mission Viejo Company during the community' s early development.
The interviewees shared their recollections of the area before incorporation, the history of Moulton Ranch, the community' s efforts to become a city, and the establishment of Aliso Viejo' s first City Council. They also reflected on the City' s early development, the importance of preserving its history and open space, and their hopes for the community' s future.
City Manager Brett Channing, Captain Ryan Buhr, Orange County Sheriffs Department OCSD) and Chief Reid Gibson, Orange County Fire Authority ( OCFA) provided updates.
The Mayor thanked the presenters and staff for their work and partnership.
Also, the at the event recognized recipients through the Citizen of the Year Program, which was reintroduced to acknowledge residents' contributions to the community. The 2025 Civic Service Award was presented to Deputy Barragan for efforts promoting e- bike safety; the 2025 Citizen of the Year award was presented to Leilani Harwood for her service as AYSO Commissioner; and the 2025 Key to the City was presented to Michael Avramidis for volunteer service, including service on the Aliso Viejo Community Association Board.
The 2026 Civic Service Award was presented to lonut Breb for founding the Aliso Viejo Toastmaster club and initiating a youth leadership program; the 2026 Citizen of the Year award was presented to Carol Caito for her volunteer service with local school and community organizations; and the 2026 Key to the City was presented to Lisa Naegle for longstanding volunteer service, including service on the Aliso Viejo Community Association Board.
The Mayor concluded by thanking the Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring the event and the attendees for participating in the event.
ADJOURNMENT: 8: 47 p. m.
Respectfully submitted: Approved by:
VAM RIA ENDIG, MC MAX ` UNCAN
CITY CLERK MAYOR
Minutes of the Special
City Council Meeting