CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
CLOSED SESSION - CONVENING AT 6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Heft.
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
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEM(S)
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review
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
RECESS
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 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: Council Member Sweeney
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
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
A. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review City Attorney Simonian stated that the City Council convened into closed session pursuant to the authorities listed on the Agenda with no reportable action taken.
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Lomarena Elementary Student Liaison Report
The City Council presented a Certificate of Appointment and received a report from Lomarena Elementary School Student Liaison Arthur Hayaud.
1.2 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School 2023 Fall Student Liaison Forrest Frey.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announced the upcoming meetings and events.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual addressed the City Council on non-agendized items:
Gregory Meade, a resident of Laguna Hills, expressed his appreciation to Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) for their response to a recent fire in his neighborhood.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar.
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 October 10, 2023, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the October 10, 2023, Special Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for October 10, 2023, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the October 10, 2023, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of October 24, 2023, Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from October 3, 2023, to October 12, 2023, in the amount of $1,403,275.65.
4.5 Treasurer's Investment Report for September 2023
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of September 2023.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 4.6 Appointment of Labor Negotiator
Recommendation: That the City Council, pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, select and appoint Mayor Heft to serve as the Council's designated representative for purposes of: (A) Facilitating the Annual Performance Evaluation of the City Manager; and (B) Conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee.
4.7 Second Reading & Adoption of Proposed Ordinance Adding Chapter 3-36 (Informal Bidding - Public Projects) to Title 3 (Revenue and Finance) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code to Provide Informal Bidding Procedures in Accordance with the Uniform Public Construction Cost Accounting Act Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Adopt Ordinance No. 2023-5: “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 3-36 (INFORMAL BIDDING - PUBLIC PROJECTS) TO TITLE 3 (REVENUE AND FINANCE) OF
THE LAGUNA HILLS MUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE INFORMAL BIDDING
PROCEDURES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE UNIFORM PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION COST ACCOUNTING ACT"; and 2) Authorize the Mayor to execute the Ordinance.
4.8 Approval of Proposed Contract Services Agreement for School Crossing Guard Services with All City Management Services, Inc., for a Three-Year Term
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the proposed Contract Services Agreement with All City Management Services, Inc., to provide school crossing guard services. The proposed contract is for a three-year term from November 10, 2023, through June 30, 2026, for a total not-to-exceed maximum contract amount of $457,152. The total not-to-exceed maximum contract amount is an aggregate of the following anticipated annual amounts: $138,845 for Year 1 (2023/2024); $147,096 for Year 2 (2024/2025); $156,211 for Year 3 (2025/2026); and an additional $5,000 per year ($15,000) to cover unanticipated costs; and 2) Authorize the Mayor to execute the proposed Contract Services Agreement for school crossing guard services with All City Management Services, Inc.
4.9 Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Development Impact Fees Annual Report Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Development Impact Fees Annual Report pursuant to California Government Code Section 66006.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 4.10 Purchase of Electric Cart with AB2766 Funds
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget in the AQMD AB2766 fund in the amount of $15,500 to afford the purchase of a new electric cart.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items removed from the Consent Calendar.
5. PLANNING AGENCY
Mayor Heft recessed the City Council Meeting, and acting in capacity as Chair, called the Regular Meeting of the Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, to order at 7:17 p.m.
5.1. ROLL CALL OF PLANNING AGENCY MEMBERS
Attendee Name Title Status Arrived
Janine Heft Char Present
Dave Wheeler Vice Chair Present
Don Caskey Agency Member Present
Erica Pezold Agency Member Present
Joshua Sweeney Agency Member Present
5.2. PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no Planning Agency public comments on non-agendized items.
5.3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Planning Agency Minutes were approved by the City Council.
5.4. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
There were no Planning Agency administrative reports.
5.5. PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
Agency Member Sweeney recused himself from participating in the item due to a potential conflict of interest caused by his residence being located within 1,000 feet of the subject parcel and left the dais.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 5.5.1 Site Development Permit/Master Sign Program (SDP/MSP) No.
USE-0140-2023, a Request by Diana Nagel, Project Manager with Promotional Signs, on Behalf of Property Owner Milan Capital Management for Approval of a Master Sign Program for Laguna Hills Plaza Located at 24901 Alicia Parkway
Assistant Planner Ash reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Agency Member request for additional information.
Chair Heft resumed the Public Hearing continued from September 26, 2023.
The following individual addressed the Planning Agency on Item No. 5.5.1:
Project Applicant Dick Christie, President, Promotional Signs responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project Applicant Bret Bernard, AICP, Director of Planning & Development, Milan Capital Management responded to Agency Member requests for additional information and agreed to abide by the project’s conditions of approval.
Chair Heft closed the Public Hearing.
Recommendation: That the Planning Agency:
1) Resume the public hearing continued from September 26, 2023; 2) Find and determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15311(a) (Class 11, Accessory Structures); and
3) Adopt Resolution No. PA2023-10-24-1: “A RESOLUTION OF THE
PLANNING AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT/MASTER SIGN PROGRAM
(SDP/MSP) NO. USE-0140-2023, A REQUEST BY DIANA NAGEL, PROJECT
MANAGER WITH PROMOTIONAL SIGNS ON BEHALF OF PROPERTY OWNER
MILAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT FOR APPROVAL OF A MASTER SIGN
PROGRAM FOR LAGUNA HILLS PLAZA LOCATED AT 24901 ALICIA
PARKWAY.”
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Agency Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Agency Member
AYES: Janine Heft, Chair; Dave Wheeler, Vice Chair;
Don Caskey, Agency Member, Erica Pezold, Agency
Member, Joshua Sweeney, Agency Member
PLANNING AGENCY ADJOURNMENT
Chair Heft adjourned the Planning Agency Meeting at 7:35 p.m. and reconvened the City Council Meeting. All Council Members were present in Chamber.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no City Council public hearings.
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 The City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race Event and the 3/5 Marine Battalion
Deputy City Manager/Community Service Director Reynolds reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Karen Robbins, Committee Secretary, Laguna Hills Team Darkhorse Support Committee provided information on the history of the race event and spoke in favor of the partnership the City has with Laguna Hills Team Darkhorse Support Committee and the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction to Staff on the City's Memorial Day Race event and the event's support of the 3/5 Marine Battalion.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 A motion to: 1) Allow inclusion of fallen service members from all branches of the military in the race event, providing additional banners and social media posts for additional fallen service members; 2) Direct Staff to prepare an authorizing resolution for community assistance funding in the amount of $10,000 per year, removing the pledge formula based on the number of race registrants; 3) Provide the public an option to donate to the 3/5 Marine Battalion on the race registration form; and 4) Allow Staff to work with Spectrum Sports Management to review and potentially raise race event fees was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler.
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
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
8.1 Opposition to Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 1 and Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) 13.
Mayor Heft provided information on the item.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Recommendation: Mayor Heft recommends that the City Council direct Staff to prepare a resolution supporting the Taxpayer Protection Act and letters of opposition to Assembly Constitutional Amendment (ACA) Nos. 1 and 13, and return to at a future meeting for City Council approval.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Don Caskey, Council Member
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
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, October 24, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
9 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 Pezold
Council Member Pezold stated that her thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim of a recent shooting in the City and praised Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) for their response to the incident.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Heft declared the meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Janine Heft, Mayor
Approved at meeting of November 14, 2023