CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
GENERAL BUSINESS - CONVENING AT 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Heft.
INVOCATION: Pastor Ric Rodeheaver of Christ Community Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Caskey
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Janine Heft Mayor Present
Dave Wheeler Mayor Pro Tempore Present
Don Caskey Council Member Present
Erica Pezold Council Member Present
Joshua Sweeney Council Member Present
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.2 San Joaquin Elementary School Student Liaison Report The City Council received a report from San Joaquin Elementary School Student Liaison Mikailo Gomez. Mayor Heft presented Mikailo Gomez with a Certificate of Appointment.
1.1 Lomarena Elementary School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Lomarena Elementary School Student Liaison Ryan Chiorello. Mayor Heft presented Ryan Chiorello with Certificate of Appointment.
1.3 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received an oral report from Laguna Hills High School 2023 Spring Student Liaison Audrey Masson.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 1.4 Presentation of Proclamation for "Drowning Prevention Awareness" The City Council issued a Proclamation encouraging participation in the "Always Watch the Water" and “Never Swim Alone” campaigns by highlighting May through August as a "Drowning Prevention Awareness". Mayor Heft provided a presentation on drowning statistics including a video on water safety and presented the Proclamation to Baryic Hunter, Division Chief, Orange County Fire Authority.
1.5 Certificate of Recognition for Crime Prevention Specialist Alyssa Rabas, Orange County Sheriff's Department's 2022 Professional Staff Employee of the Year
Mayor Heft presented a Certificate of Recognition to Crime Prevention Specialist Alyssa Rabas, Orange County Sheriff's Department 2022 Professional Staff Employee of the Year.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments on non-agendized items.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler removing Item No. 4.6, Council Member Caskey removing Item No. 4.2, and Mayor Heft removing Item No. 4.4 and Item No. 4.5.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 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.
4.3 Ratification of May 9, 2023, Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from April 14, 2023, to April 27, 2023, in the amount of $242,144.79.
4.7 Designation of Voting Delegate for California Joint Powers Insurance Authority 2023 Annual Board of Directors Meeting
Recommendation: That the City Council designate the Mayor as the Primary Voting Delegate and the Mayor Pro Tempore as the Alternate Voting Delegate for the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA) 2023 Annual Board of Directors Meeting.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.2 Approval of Minutes for April 25, 2023, Regular Meeting Council Member Caskey removed Item No. 4.2 to abstain from voting on the item.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 25, 2023, Regular Meeting.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council
Member
ABSTAIN: Don Caskey, Council Member
4.4 Grant Application to OCTA for the Environmental Cleanup Program - Phase XII Catch Basin CPS-Mod and ARS-CL Screen Project, CIP No. 412-L Mayor Heft removed Item No. 4.4 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the submission of a Grant Application to the Orange County Transportation Authority for the Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Program for the Phase XII Catch Basin CPS-Mod & ARS-CL Screen Project and adopt Resolution No. 2023-05-09-1: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR FUNDS FOR THE MEASURE M2 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP TIER 1 GRANT PROGRAM, UNDER ORANGE COUNTY LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ORDINANCE NO. 3 FOR THE PHASE XII CATCH BASIN CPS-MOD & ARS-CL SCREEN PROJECT."
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
4.5 Proposed Office Lease with Agatha Global Tech, LLC for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 205, Laguna Hills, California
Mayor Heft removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the Lease Agreement with Agatha Global Tech, LLC, a California limited liability company, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 205, Laguna Hills, California; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications, as necessary, to the Lease Agreement and to execute the Lease Agreement.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 4.6 Excused Absence Request from Council Member Don Caskey for May 9, 2023, City Council Meeting
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to remove the item from consideration. No action was taken on the item.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve an Excused Absence Request from Council Member Don Caskey for the May 9, 2023, City Council Meeting, if he is not in attendance.
5. PLANNING AGENCY
There were no separate Planning Agency Business Items for this meeting.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1 Public Hearing on 2023 Weed, Rubbish, and Refuse Abatement Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Heft opened the Public Hearing.
Mayor Heft closed the Public Hearing.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Conduct a Public Hearing, receive and consider all objections; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-05-09-2: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA,
ISSUING AN ABATEMENT ORDER AND AUTHORIZING THE PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR TO COMMENCE ENFORCING WEED, RUBBISH, AND REFUSE ABATEMENT AGAINST SPECIFIED PARCELS OF LAND."
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council
Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 Mayor Heft received consensus to take Item No. 8.1.1 out of order on the Agenda.
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
8.1. Mayor Heft
8.1.1 Condemning the Actions of the Government of Iran
Recommendation: Mayor Heft recommends that the City Council direct City staff to prepare a resolution or letter of support stating that the Laguna Hills City Council stands in solidarity with the women of Iran and our Iranian-American population who have been impacted by the human rights violations committed by the Government of Iran.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on this item:
Mona Sedaghat, Soheyla Torabi, Farhad Mafie, Maryam Mosallaie, Farzaneh Farhand, and Farah Poozeshi each provided public comments thanking the City Council for consideration of the item and urging the City Council to adopt a Resolution condemning crimes against humanity committed by the Islamic Republic.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
An amended motion to draft a Resolution and letters of support to Congresswoman Young Kim, Speaker Kevin McCarthy, and all federal representatives for the City of Laguna Hills, modeled after the sample Resolution and letter provided in the Supplemental Agenda Materials Memo, for approval at the next regular City Council meeting was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Caskey.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica
Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council
Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1. City Manager
The City Manager gave no Administrative Reports.
7.2. Public Works Director/City Engineer
7.2.1 Bicycle, Electric Bicycle, and Motorized Mobility Device Safety Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment on Item No. 7.2.1 that was received, forwarded to the Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City’s website, and announced into the record by Deputy City Clerk McDonald:
Ronald Distor, a resident of Laguna Hills, submitted an electronic public comment on the item including a pdf brochure from calbike.org on safe bicycle infrastructure.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council direct Police Services to monitor and observe violations of State law and City codes related to motorized bicycles and devices and report back to City Council in one year.
A motion to move staff’s recommendation and to direct the Events, Communication, and Beautification Committee to research potential educational opportunities for the public was moved by Mayor Heft, seconded by Council Member Caskey.
RESULT: APPROVED [4 TO 1]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney,
Council Member
NAYS: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 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. Time Capsule Ad Hoc Committee
Council Member Caskey and Council Member Pezold
Project Update
Council Member Caskey and Council Member Pezold provided an oral report.
A motion to direct the Time Capsule Ad Hoc Committee to complete the committee objective by August 22, 2023, was moved by Mayor Heft, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler.
RESULT: APPROVED [3 TO 2]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor
SECONDER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
NAYS: Erica Pezold, Council Member; Don Caskey, Council Member
2. Association of California Cities - Orange County (ACC-OC) Legislative and Regulatory Committee
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler
April 27 Meeting
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler provided an oral report.
3. Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Board of Directors
Council Member Sweeney
April 27 Regular Meeting
Council Member Sweeney provided an oral report.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Heft
Mayor Heft reported that she and with the Executive Director of ACC-OC presented a PowerPoint presentation at the May 9, 2023, Irvine City Council meeting and achieved a unanimous vote for Irvine to rejoin the ACC-OC.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
9 CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S)
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9
Name of Case: Ross Massbaum vs. City of Laguna Hills; Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2021-01227472-CU-PO-CJC; Complaint for Personal Injury
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S)
There were no public comments on the closed session item.
ADJOURN TO CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM OR CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into closed session to consider the matter(s) listed above.
RECONVENE TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER
The City Council reconvened the City Council Meeting at 10:17 p.m. All Council Members were present in Chamber.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of California Government Code Section 54956.9
Name of Case: Ross Massbaum vs. City of Laguna Hills; Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2021-01227472-CU-PO-CJC; Complaint for Personal Injury City Attorney Simonian stated that the City Council convened into closed session this evening pursuant to the authorities listed on the Agenda with no reportable action taken.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Heft declared the meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 9, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
10 Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Janine Heft, Mayor
Approved at meeting of May 23, 2023