CITY OF DANA POINT
CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY
REGULAR SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
MEETING 5:00 P.M. Closed Session
6:00 P.M. Regular Business
MINUTES
Location: City Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210, Dana Point, CA 92629 Next City Council Ordinance No. 26-07
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Dana Point, California, was called to order by Mayor Gabbard at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber, 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210, Dana Point.
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
John Gabbard, Mayor
Mike Frost, Mayor Pro Tem
Jamey M. Federico, Council Member
Matthew Pagano, Council Member - ABSENT
Michael Villar, Council Member - ABSENT
STAFF PRESENT: Kelly Reenders, City Manager; Jeff Rosaler, Assistant City Manager; Shayna Sharke, City Clerk; Joseph Larsen, Assistant City Attorney; Captain Frank Gonzalez; Matthew Sinacori, Director of Public Works/City Engineer; Jonathan Lightfoot, Director of Community Development; Jaimie To, Economic Development & Housing Manager; Ray Oropeza, Code Enforcement Supervisor, Taelor Vonjaroschkapohl, Assistant Administrative Analyst; Ryan Haworth, Deputy City Clerk.
CLOSED SESSION
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION, Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(2), (2 cases) B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION, Government Code § 54956.9 (d)(1), (3 cases):
a. Center For Natural Lands Management v City of Dana Point, Orange County Superior Court Case No: 30-2021-01219668
b. Center For Natural Lands Management v City of Dana Point (CEQA), Orange County Superior Court Case No: 30-2025-01524239
City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026 c. City of Dana Point v California Coastal Commission, Orange County Superior Court Case No 30-2026-01558283
Mayor Gabbard recessed the meeting into Closed Session at 5:01 P.M. pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.
RECESS OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING UNTIL 6:00 P.M.
RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Gabbard reconvened the meeting at 6:00 P.M.
Assistant City Attorney Joseph Larsen stated there was nothing to report out from Closed Session.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tem Frost.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Certificate of Recognition - Keone Patterson
Mayor Gabbard presented Keone Patterson with a Certificate of Recognition for his heroic actions in saving his father following a surfing accident.
Business of the Quarter - Westwind Sailing
Mayor Gabbard presented Diane Wenzel, Director of Westwind Sailing, with a Certificate of Recognition for Business of the Quarter.
READING OF ORDINANCE TITLES
City Clerk, Shayna Sharke, read two (2) Ordinance Titles.
CONSENT CALENDAR
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FEDERICO, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM FROST, THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS BE ACCEPTED FOR ALL ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Federico, Frost, Gabbard
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pagano, Villar
2 City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026
1. WAIVE THE READING OF ORDINANCES AND APPROVE READING BY TITLE ONLY
APPROVED THE READING BY TITLE ONLY OF ALL ORDINANCES AND THAT FURTHER
READING OF SUCH ORDINANCES BE WAIVED
2. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 APPROVED THE MINUTES.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, AUGUST 10, 2026
RECEIVED AND FILED THE MINUTES.
4. CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
RECEIVED AND FILED THE CLAIMS AND DEMANDS.
5. ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA26-0002 RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND
JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
HELD A SECOND READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE 26-07 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA26-0002 TO MODIFY THE ZONING CODE
RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
6. ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA26-0003 REINSTATING SECOND DWELLING UNIT
STANDARDS IN THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM (LCP)
HELD A SECOND READING AND ADOPTED ORDINANCE 26-08 ENTITLED:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT ZTA26-0003 TO REINSTATE SECOND DWELLING
UNIT STANDARDS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S CERTIFIED LOCAL COASTAL
PROGRAM (LCP)
7. SALARY RANGES FOR REPRESENTED AND NON-REPRESENTED EMPLOYEE CLASSIFICATIONS; HEALTH PLAN PROVISIONS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2027; AND
CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
THE CITY COUNCIL:
1) ADOPTED RESOLUTION 26-09-15-01 ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING SALARY RANGES FOR REPRESENTED AND NON-REPRESENTED CLASSIFICATIONS; and
3 . City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026 2) ADOPTED RESOLUTION 26-09-15-02 ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA,
MODIFYING HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN ALLOWANCES FOR ELIGIBLE REPRESENTED AND ELIGIBLE NON-REPRESENTED CLASSIFICATIONS.
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3) ADOPTED RESOLUTION 26-09-15-03 ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE CITY'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mary Herron (Dana Point) gave a presentation, spoke in support of Proposition 39, and provided a handout to the City Council.
Linda Pillsbury (Capistrano Beach) spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Tammy Welch (San Clemente) spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Katie (Rancho Mission Viejo) spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Stefanie (Irvine) spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Joanie Laxson (Dana Point) gave a presentation and spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Kathy Wileman (Dana Point) gave a presentation and spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Mile Kelly (Dana Point) spoke in support of Proposition 39.
Michael Wechsberg (San Clemente) gave a presentation and spoke in opposition to the upcoming closure of the Laguna Beach Hospital.
Jena Minnick-Bull (San Clemente) provided information regarding the South Coast Conservatory and its upcoming events and extended an invitation to the community to attend.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Gabbard moved the order of the agenda to hear item 9 on New Business prior to the other items
9. DANA POINT TOURISM BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT ANNUAL REPORT FOR FY2025-2026
Jaimie To, Economic Development & Housing Manager, provided a Staff Report.
Kelly Steward, Ritz-Carlton General Manager, and Heather Johnston, Visit Dana Point President, presented an update on Visit Dana Point.
4 City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026 Discussion ensued.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVED AND FILED THE PRESENTATION.
• UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8. SHORT-TERM RENTAL UPDATE
Ray Oropeza, Code Enforcement Supervisor, provided a Staff Report.
Discussion ensued.
IT WAS MOVED BY MAYOR GABBARD, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM FROST, THAT THE
CITY STAFF RETURN WITH FURTHER DATA PRIOR TO ISSUING ADDITIONAL SHORT-TERM
RENTAL PERMITS AND CONSULT WITH THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION REGARDING TEMPORARY SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS.
The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Federico, Frost, Gabbard
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pagano, Villar
Mayor Gabbard re-opened the Public Comments section.
Aarti Chopra (Irvine) spoke regarding September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and requested that the City Council issue a proclamation in recognition of the month.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Gabbard moved the order of New Business to hear item 11 prior to item 10.
11. RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY Kelly Reenders, City Manager, provided a Staff Report.
Ron Andreas (Capistrano Beach) spoke regarding the local emergency on Beach Road.
Jason Moyer (Dana Point) asked the City Council to adopt the Proclamation of Local Emergency for Beach Road.
Amy Rogers (Capistrano Beach) spoke regarding the local emergency on Beach Road. 5 City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026 Discussion ensued.
IT WAS MOVED BY COUNCIL MEMBER FEDERICO, SECONDED BY MAYOR PRO TEM FROST, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADOPT RESOLUTION 26-09-15-04 ENTITLED:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING EXISTENCE OF A LOCAL EMERGENCY ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 The motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Federico, Frost, Gabbard
NOES: None
ABSENT: Pagano, Villar
10. DAYLIGHTING AMENDMENTS TO THE DANA POINT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
APPEAL PROCEDURES
Shayna Sharke, provided a Staff Report.
Discussion ensued.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECEIVED THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO PORTIONS OF THE DANA POINT MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO APPEAL PROCEDURES.
COUNCIL REPORTS, INCLUDING CITY RELATED MEETINGS ATTENDED Council Member Federico stated that he has turned in his list of meetings and discussed the lengthy permitting process that can be involved when seeking emergency funding from agencies. He also spoke about proclaiming September as National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
Mayor Pro Tem Frost stated that he has turned in his list of meetings and had nothing to report.
Mayor Gabbard stated that he will turn in his list of meetings, declared that September will be National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and announced upcoming events in Dana Point.
STAFF REPORTS
Kelly Reenders, City Manager, thanked City Staff and City Council for their efforts in responding to the a local emergency on Beach Road.
Joseph Larsen, Assistant City Attorney, had nothing to report. 6 City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Gabbard adjourned the meeting at 7:58 P.M. He announced that the next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be October 6, 2026 at 5:00 P.M. in the City Council Chamber located at 33282 Golden Lantern, Suite 210, Dana Point, California.
steadlel
SHAYNA SHARKE, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AT THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 6, 2026.
7 City of Dana Point
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 15, 2026 Meetings attended since September 2, 2026
Mayor Gabbard
09/02/2026 Ribbon Cutting Truly Gelato
09/02/2026 SCAG Executive Committee Meeting
09/03/2026 SCAG CEHD Committee Meeting
09/03/2026 SCAG Regional Council
09/04/2026 North American Real Estate Investment Forum - Costa Mesa 09/08/2026 Ribbon Cutting Acai Republic
09/08/2026 OCMVCD Joint Committee Meeting
09/09/2026 Honoring First Responders - Assemblymember Davies 09/10/2026 SCAG RHNA Subcommittee
09/11/2026 CNLM Mediation
09/12/2026 Capo Bay Homeowner Meeting
09/13/2026 Capo Bay District Emergency Closed Session
Mayor Pro Tem Frost
09/02/2026 Ribbon Cutting Truly Gelato
09/04/2026 ACC-OC
09/10/2026 TCA
09/10/2026 DP Chamber
Council Member Pagano
Council Member Federico
09/04/2026 ACC-OC Finance Ad Hoc
09/08/2026 OCTA Exec Committee
09/09/2026 OCTA Exec Briefing
09/09/2026 Legal Subcommittee
09/11/2026 Legal Mediation
Council Member Michael Villar
09/11/2026 Met with Don Russell, Capo Bay District Manager, Regarding Damage at Beach Road. 8