CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
GENERAL BUSINESS - CONVENING AT 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Wheeler.
INVOCATION: Rev Pat McCaughan of St. George Episcopal
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Pezold
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Dave Wheeler Mayor Present
Janine Heft Mayor Pro Tempore Present
Don Caskey Council Member Present
Erica Pezold Council Member Present
Don Sedgwick Council Member Present
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison
Recommendation: The City Council received an oral report from Laguna Hills High School 2022 Spring Student Liaison Kaitlyn Heinecke.
1.2 Presentation of Proclamation for Red Cross Month
Recommendation: The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring March as "Red Cross Month" and Mayor Wheeler presented the Proclamation to American Red Cross Southern California Region Board Member Susan DeGrasse and Community Volunteer Leader, Ross Chun.
1.3 2021 Laguna Hills Deputy of the Year
Recommendation: Mayor Dave Wheeler presented a Certificate of Recognition to Deputy Colton Walsh, 2021 Laguna Hills Deputy of the Year.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Recommendation: Assistant City Clerk Lee announced the upcoming City events for the month of March 2022.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual submitted electronic public comments on non-agendized items that were received, forwarded to the Council prior to the meeting, and announced into the record by Assistant City Clerk Lee:
Richard Nagle, former Parks & Recreation Commissioner and US Marines Captain from 1965 to 1971 submitted an email offering his support for a memorial honoring Marines that served in Vietnam from the 3/5 Battalion and 2/4 Battalion.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on non- agendized items:
Mike Bland, founding member of Laguna Hills Team Darkhorse, spoke regarding a memorial honoring Marines that served in Vietnam from the 3/5 Battalion and 2/4 Battalion.
Barry Graham, spoke regarding a memorial honoring Marines that served in Vietnam from the 3/5 Battalion and 2/4 Battalion.
Evan Gost, a resident of Laguna Hills and member of Laguna Hills Team Darkhorse, spoke regarding a memorial honoring Marines that served in Vietnam from the 3/5 Battalion and 2/4 Battalion.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Pro Tempore Heft removing Item No. 4.7.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Don Sedgwick, Council Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 4.1 Waive Reading in Full of all Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda Recommendation: That the City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
4.2 Approval of Minutes for February 8, 2022, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Minutes for the February 8, 2022, Special Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for February 8, 2022, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Minutes for the February 8, 2022, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of February 22, 2022, Warrant Register Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from January 28, 2022, to February 10, 2022, in the amount of $995,216.64.
4.5 Second Quarter Financial & Treasurer's Report for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Second Quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
4.6 Amendment to Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget for 30TH Anniversary Activities
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-02-22-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, amending the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Budget by increasing the General Government Department Operating Budget for 30th Anniversary activities."
4.8 30TH Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee Update on Banners Recommendation: That the City Council review and approve the installation of 30th Anniversary banners, including a limited number of Moulton Museum banners.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.7 Support for the Brand-Huang-Mendoza Tripartisan Land Use Initiative Mayor Pro Tempore Heft removed Item No. 4.7 to provide a brief presentation from Our Neighborhood Voices Initiative Leader, John Heath.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-02-22-2: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Supporting the Brand-Huang-Mendoza Tripartisan Land Use Initiative to Amend Article XI of the Constitution of the State of California to make Zoning and Land Use Community Affairs, and Not of State Interest.”
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council
Member; Don Sedgwick, Council Member
5. PLANNING AGENCY
There were no Planning Agency Business Items for this meeting.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no City Council Public Hearings for this meeting.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1. City Manager
The City Manager gave no Administrative Reports.
7.2. Community Development Director
7.2.1 Housing Element Update Workshop Date Options
Community Development Director Longenecker reviewed the information provided in the staff report.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on this item:
Travis Buckley, a resident of Laguna Hills, spoke in opposition to high density housing at the Courtyard at La Paz commercial center.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 Jimmy Hanes, a resident of Laguna Hills, spoke in opposition to high density housing at the Courtyard at La Paz commercial center.
Pat Hansen, a resident of Laguna Hills, spoke in opposition to high density housing at the Courtyard at La Paz commercial center.
Jeanette Takacs, a resident of Laguna Hills, spoke in opposition to high density housing at the Courtyard at La Paz commercial center.
Interim City Manager Rosenfield responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council select one or more dates and times for the Housing Element Update Workshop and schedule a Special Meeting of the City Council for that purpose.
A motion to schedule a Special Meeting to hold a Housing Element Update Workshop on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., was made by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor
SECONDER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Erica Pezold, Council Member; Don Sedgwick,
Council Member
7.3. Public Services
7.3.1 Nellie Gail Road Equestrian Crossing Update of Improvements and Consideration of a Raised Intersection
Assistant City Engineer Shah reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on this item:
Ed Leard, a resident of Laguna Hills, spoke in favor of a split raised intersection design concept.
Interim City Manager Rosenfield responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 Recommendation: That the City Council authorize Staff to survey Nellie Gail Ranch area residents to determine if there is support for constructing a Split Raised Intersection at the Nellie Gail Road Equestrian Crossing at the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Equestrian Center Driveway.
A motion to authorize Staff to survey Nellie Gail Ranch area residents with an expansion of the property owner survey area as discussed by the City Council, to include all of Nellie Gail Road (Oso Parkway to Moulton Parkway) and adjacent cul-de-sac streets, as well as all of Hidden Trail Road (Nellie Gail Road to Stageline Drive) and adjacent cul-de-sac streets, and to support design concept #2 if the required 67% support of residents is achieved, was made by Council Member Sedgwick, seconded by Council Member Caskey.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Don Sedgwick, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Erica Pezold, Council Member; Don Sedgwick,
Council Member
7.4. Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
7.4.1 Updated Community Center and Sports Complex Security Camera and Lighting Plan
Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director Reynolds reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Interim City Manager Rosenfield responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Chief of Police Services Captain Stiverson responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council review the Updated Community Center and Sports Complex Security Camera and Lighting Plan and direct Staff to prepare a Budget Amendment to increase camera installations and City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 lighting improvements at the Community Center and Sports Complex as described in the report.
A motion to continue the item to a future meeting and direct Staff to return to the City Council with additional options for aesthetics and dimming/brightening options to be controlled alongside the cameras, was made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Heft.
RESULT: CONTINUED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Janine Heft, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Erica Pezold, Council Member
NAYS: Don Sedgwick, Council Member
7.5. Finance Director
7.5.1 Review of American Rescue Plan Act and Proposed Projects List Finance Director Reyes reviewed the information in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to City Council requests for additional information.
Interim City Manager Rosenfield responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on this item:
Neel Patel, a resident of Laguna Hills, provided recommendations and raised inquires on the item.
Recommendation: That the City Council appropriate the City's entire allocation of Coronavirus-related State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), for the provision of government services for projects as defined herein to the full extent of the "standard allowance", through the period of performance, and direct Staff to provide Budget Amendments as necessary to implement said projects.
A motion to continue the item to a future meeting in the summer was made by Council Member Pezold and no second was made. As a result, no action was taken on this motion.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 A motion to appropriate the City's entire allocation of Coronavirus-related State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), as authorized under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the City’s contract for Police Services was made by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Don Sedgwick.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor
SECONDER: Don Sedgwick, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Janine Heft, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Don Sedgwick, Council Member
NAYS: Erica Pezold, Council Member
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS There were no matters agendized and presented by City Council Members.
9. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1. Committee Assignment Reports
Recommendation: That the City Council receive oral reports on the following City Council Committee Assignments:
1. OC Mosquito and Vector Control District Board of Trustees (Council Member Pezold) - February 17, 2022 Meeting.
Council Member Pezold had no report.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Heft
Mayor Pro Tempore Heft requested that a discussion regarding reconsideration of funding for the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce be agendized for the March 8, 2022, City Council Meeting and received a second from Council Member Pezold.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold requested that a discussion regarding a memorial honoring Marines that served in Vietnam from the 3/5 Battalion and 2/4 Battalion be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Pro Tempore Heft.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Regular Meeting Minutes
9 Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler requested that a discussion regarding Initiative No. 21-0042, The Taxpayer Protection and Government Accountability Act, be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Council Member Pezold.
Council Member Caskey
Council Member Caskey reported that he plans to work with Staff to improve the City’s website accessibility, transparency, and communication.
Council Member Sedgwick
Council Member Sedgwick announced that the Orange County Fire Authority has implemented a car seat installation program to help parents and caregivers ensure car seats are installed correctly.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold requested that a discussion regarding working with SDG&E to convert street lights to led lighting be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Pro Tempore Heft.
Mayor Pro Tempore Heft
Mayor Pro Tempore Heft requested that tonight’s meeting be adjourned in memory of former Laguna Niguel Mayor, Robert Ming.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned in memory of Robert Ming, former Laguna Niguel Mayor, at 10:58 p.m.
Melissa Au-Yeung, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of March 8, 2022