CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
GENERAL BUSINESS - CONVENING AT 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Heft.
INVOCATION: Council Member Caskey
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Pezold
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
1.1 Valencia Elementary School Student Liaison Report
The City Council presented Certificates of Appointment and received a report from Valencia Elementary School Student Liaisons Alex Kim and Catherine Karsaz.
1.2 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received an oral report from Laguna Hills High School 2023 Spring Student Liaison Alexa Richter.
1.3 Certificates of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaisons Alexa Richter and Audrey Masson
Mayor Heft presented Certificates of Recognition to Alexa Richter and Audrey Masson recognizing their service as the Laguna Hills High School 2023 Spring Student Liaisons.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 1.4 Certificates of Recognition for Outgoing Parks and Recreation Commissioners Dan Cooper and Neel Patel and Outgoing Traffic Commissioner Chris Bieber
Mayor Heft presented Certificates of Recognition to Dan Cooper and Neel Patel recognizing their service to the City. Outgoing Commissioner Chris Bieber was unable to attend the meeting.
1.5 Oaths of Office and Certificates of Appointment for Three Parks and Recreation Commissioners and One Traffic Commissioner
Mayor Heft administered the Oath of Office and presented a Certificate of Appointment to Traffic Commissioner Neel Patel. Parks and Recreation Commissioners Chris Bieber, Marc Trocchio, and Michael Zozaya were unable to attend the meeting.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announce the upcoming meetings and events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the City Council on non-agendized items:
Shelley Roe, thanked the City Council for the progress on the street vending issue in her neighborhood and requested additional signage to further abate the issue.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment on Item No. 4.10 that was received, forwarded to the Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City’s website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee:
Farhad Mafie, Maryam Mosallaie, and Tannaz Razzaghi each submitted electronic public comments thanking the City Council for consideration of this item and requesting support for H.R. 589 – MAHSA Act.
The following individuals addressed the City Council on Item No. 4.10:
Henny Abraham and Tannaz Razzaghi each provided public comments thanking the City Council for consideration of the item and requesting support for H.R. 589 – MAHSA Act.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 Motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler removing Item No. 4.6 and Council Member Pezold removing Item No. 4.10.
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
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 May 9, 2023, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the May 9, 2023, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for May 16, 2023, Special Meetings Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the May 16, 2023, Special Meetings.
4.4 Ratification of May 23, 2023, Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from April 28, 2023, to May 11, 2023, in the amount of $1,118,797.58.
4.5 Treasurer's Investment Report for April 2023
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of April 2023.
4.7 Special Funds Budget Adjustments
Recommendation: That the City Council approve budget amendments in the following funds: 1) SB 1383 Grant Fund for $44,821; 2) Supplemental Law Enforcement Services (State COPS) Fund for $16,000; 3) American Rescue Plan City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 Fund for $2,893,518; and 4) Liability Self-Insurance Fund (including transfer from General Fund) for $150,000.
4.8 Purchase or Lease of One Alternative Fuel Vehicle for Use by the Public Works Department Pursuant to Section 3-08.130 of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the purchase or lease of one (1) alternative fuel vehicle pursuant to LHMC Sections 3-08.130 from the list of approved vehicles; 2) Authorize the appropriation of funds from the City’s AB 2766 Subvention Fund for the purchase or lease of the approved vehicle; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase or lease agreement from a dealer in order to procure the vehicle from the list of approved vehicles.
4.9 Notice of Completion and Final Payment for the Civic Center Cooling Tower Replacement Project, CIP No. 505-A
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Certify the completion of and accept the improvements for the subject project; 2) Authorize the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion; 3) Authorize the recording of the Notice of Completion with the County of Orange and to release the faithful performance and payment bonds one year and 35 days, respectively, after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion contingent upon no claims or liens being filed with the City; and 4) Authorize payment of the final retention 35 days after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion in the net amount of $7,330.00, if no liens have been filed.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.6 Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler removed item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
Finance Director Hendrickson responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other audit reports for fiscal year 2021/2022.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
SECONDER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
4.10 Declaring Support of the Iranian-American Community and Condemning the Violence Perpetrated by the Government of Iran Against Its People Council Member Pezold removed item No. 4.10 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the Letters of Support to Congresswoman Young Kim, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Diane Feinstein, and Speaker Kevin McCarthy; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-05-23-1: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING SUPPORT OF THE IRANIAN-AMERICAN
COMMUNITY AND CONDEMNING THE VIOLENCE PERPETRATED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN AGAINST ITS PEOPLE".
A motion to move staff recommendation and to direct staff to revise the Resolution to include support for House Resolution 589 – MAHSA Act and to have the letters of support signed by all City Council Members was moved by Mayor Heft, seconded by Council Member Caskey.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor
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
5. PLANNING AGENCY
There were no separate Planning Agency Business Items for this meeting.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no City Council Public Hearings for this meeting.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1. City Manager
The City Manager gave no Administrative Reports.
7.2. Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
7.2.1 First Amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Solid Waste Procurement Services by and Between the City of Laguna Hills and the City of Lake Forest (MOU) and a Report on the Ad-Hoc Committee Policy Decisions Under Phase 1 of the MOU
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.
William O’Toole, President, EcoNomics, Inc., responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Receive a report on the Solid Waste and Recycling Franchise Procurement Ad-Hoc Committee policy decisions for the next 10-year franchise agreement under Phase 1 MOU work efforts; 2) Approve the First Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Solid Waste Procurement Services by and between the City of Laguna Hills and the City of Lake Forest; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the First Amendment.
RESULT: APPROVED [3-0]
MOVER: Don Caskey, Council Member
SECONDER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Erica Pezold, Council Member
ABSTAIN: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Joshua
Sweeney, Council Member
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
8.1. Mayor Heft and Council Member Sweeney
8.1.1 Council Discussion Regarding Options for Formation of a New Public Safety Standing Committee
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 A motion to reconsider the issue was made by Mayor Heft, seconded by Council Member Sweeney.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor
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
The following individual addressed the City Council on Item No. 8.1.1:
Yevgenya Koch, founder of Parents Against School Shootings (PASS), provided comments in favor of formation of a Public Safety Committee and requested additional School Resource Officers (SROs) be assigned to Laguna Hills schools.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member request for additional information.
Recommendation: Mayor Heft and Council Member Sweeney recommend that the City Council revisit the formation of a new Public Safety Standing Committee and appoint two City Council Members to serve on said committee.
Mayor Heft received consensus to direct staff to schedule a Public Safety City Council Workshop on the fourth Tuesday of every even numbered month at 4:00 p.m.
9. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1 Committee Assignment Reports
The City Council received reports from City Council Members on the City Council Committee Assignments listed in the staff report.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Caskey
Council Member Caskey referenced the Council’s recent discussion on e-bikes and shared an incident he recently had with an e-bike in the road.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, May 23, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler
Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler expressed concern over books that are available at the local libraries.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold shared her desire to hold collaborative meetings with local homeowner’s associations and to add the City Council’s committee assignments to the City’s website.
Council Member Pezold thanked Polices Services for the fantastic job they have been doing.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Heft declared the meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Janine Heft, Mayor
Approved at meeting of June 13, 2023