CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
Tuesday, December 12, 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: Council Member Sweeney
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler
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
CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION
REMARKS OF OUTGOING MAYOR
The City Council received remarks from Mayor Heft.
ELECTION OF MAYOR
Mayor Heft nominated Mayor Pro Tempore Wheeler to serve as Mayor.
Council Member Pezold nominated Council Member Caskey to serve as Mayor.
The City Council elected Dave Wheeler to serve as Mayor until December 10, 2024.
RESULT: DAVE WHEELER [3-0]
AYES: Janine Heft, Mayor; Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
NAYS:
ABSTAIN:
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
2 RECOGNITION OF OUTGOING MAYOR AND RESOLUTION OF COMMENDATION,
JANINE HEFT, MAYOR
Recognition of Outgoing Mayor and Resolution of Commendation, Janine Heft, Mayor
The City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-12-12-1: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, COMMENDING JANINE HEFT AS MAYOR" and Mayor Wheeler presented the Resolution and a plaque to Janine Heft recognizing her service to the City.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
SECONDER: Dave Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Don Caskey, Council Member;
Janine Heft, Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council
Member; Joshua Sweeney, Council Member
REMARKS REGARDING MAYOR HEFT'S SERVICE TO THE CITY
The City Council provided remarks regarding Mayor Heft’s service to the City.
REMARKS OF NEWLY ELECTED MAYOR
The City Council received remarks from newly elected Mayor Wheeler.
ELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEMPORE
Mayor Wheeler nominated Council Member Sweeney.
Council Member Pezold nominated Council Member Caskey.
The City Council elected Joshua Sweeney to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore until December 10, 2024 with the following votes:
RESULT: JOSHUA SWEENEY [3-2]
PEZOLD: Don Caskey
HEFT: Joshua Sweeney
WHEELER: Joshua Sweeney
SWEENEY: Joshua Sweeney
CASKEY: Don Caskey
RECESS AND RECONVENE
Mayor Wheeler recessed the meeting at 7:40 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 7:51 p.m.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
3 1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received an oral 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 announce the upcoming meetings and events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the City Council on non-agendized items:
Traffic Commissioner Neel Patel provided public comments in favor of the Mandeville Parking Program and the City moving towards districting.
Olivia Meis, representing Fifth District Supervisor Foley’s office congratulated and provided certificates for the newly elected Mayor and Mayor Pro Tempore.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Pezold removing Item No. 4.10 and Item No. 4.12.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Janine Heft, Mayor
SECONDER: Joshua Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Joshua Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Janine Heft, Council Member; Erica Pezold, 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 November 14, 2023, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the November 14, 2023, Special Meeting.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
4 4.3 Approval of Minutes for November 14, 2023, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the November 14, 2023, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of December 12, 2023, Warrant Register Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from November 3, 2023, to November 30, 2023, in the amount of $1,689,978.82.
4.5 Treasurer's Investment Report for October 2023
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of October 2023.
4.6 Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other audit reports for fiscal year 2022/2023.
4.7 Affirmation of Appointments List for City Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Recommendation: That the City Council affirm the Local Appointments List and direct that it be posted on the City's web site, at City Hall and in the Laguna Hills Branch Technology Library in accordance with Government Code Section 54972, the Maddy Act.
4.8 2024 City Council Meeting Calendar
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the proposed 2024 City Council Meeting Calendar.
4.9 Proposed Second Amendment to Civic Center Office Lease with Agatha Global Tech, LLC, a California Limited Liability Company, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 304, Laguna Hills, California
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the second amendment to the lease agreement with Agatha Global Tech, LLC, a California limited liability company, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 304, Laguna Hills, California; 2) Approve the "Assignment and Assumption of Lease and Consent of Lessor;" 3) Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications, as necessary, to the second amendment to the lease agreement and the "Assignment and Assumption of City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
5 Lease and Consent of Lessor;" and 4) Authorize the City Manager to execute the second amendment to the lease agreement and the "Assignment and Assumption of Lease and Consent of Lessor."
4.11 Contract Change Order No. 5 for Community Center & Sports Complex Improvements, CIP No. 237
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve Contract Change Order No. 5 to Oppenheimer National for the Community Center & Sports Complex Improvements, CIP No. 237; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute additional Contract Change Orders, if required, up to a total of $10,872.50.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.10 Mandeville Neighborhood Permit Parking Program
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.10 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
The following residents of Laguna Hills spoke in favor of Item No. 4.10:
Rick Youngren, Greg Rankin, Gary Cervenka, Phillip Cook, Darren Devito Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Find and determine that the proposed permit parking controls are not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, Cal. Code of Regs, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2023-12-12-2: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A RESIDENTIAL PERMIT
PARKING AREA AND A NO PARKING ZONE DURING DAYS AND HOURS OF STREET
SWEEPING ON CERTAIN STREETS IN THE MANDEVILLE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD."
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Joshua Sweeney, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Janine Heft,
Council Member; Erica Pezold, Council Member
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
6 4.12 Approval of a Consulting Services Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc. for Information Technology Support Services.
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.12 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Waive competitive formal bidding requirements and procedures set forth in the City of Laguna Hills Municipal Code (LHMC) Section 3-08.090 with regard to approval of the proposed Consulting Services Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc., as it is hereby found and determined, pursuant to LHMC Section 3-08.110(K), that the recommended contract is for Information Technology services; 2) Approve the proposed Consulting Services Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc. for Information Technology support services for a three-year term in the total not to exceed contract amount of $415,125.00; and, 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed Consulting Services Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Janine Heft, Mayor
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Joshua Sweeney, Mayor Pro
Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member; Janine Heft,
Council Member; Erica Pezold, 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.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1. City Manager
The City Manager provide no administrative reports.
7.2. City Attorney
7.2.1 Resolution Ratifying and Implementing Certain Changes to the Compensation of the City Manager
City Attorney Simonian provided a summary of the recommendation for final action on the compensation of the City Manager as required per Government Code section 54953.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
7 Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Receive an oral report; and
2) Pursuant to the minute action taken by the City Council during open session at the November 14, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting, adopt ratifying Resolution No. 2023-12-12-3: “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING AND
IMPLEMENTING CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE COMPENSATION OF THE CITY MANAGER, AN UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEE.”
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member, Janine
Heft, Council Member, Erica Pezold, Council
Member
7.3. Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director
7.3.1 Authorization to Solicit Proposals for the Collection, Transportation, Processing and Diversion of Recyclable Materials and Other Materials and for the Collection, Transportation, and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste.
Deputy City Manager/Community Services Director Reynolds reviewed 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. reviewed 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 Item No. 7.3.1:
Chrystal Denning, CR&R Regional Vice President expressed CR&R’s pride and honor to be the City’s current provider and that CR&R’s is looking forward to participate in the RFP process.
Lake Forest Council Member Robert Pequeño spoke in favor of Item No. 7.3.1 and the collaboration between the two cities.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
8 Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Request for Proposals for Residential and Commercial solid waste and recycling services substantially in the form attached, and authorize staff to solicit proposals.
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Erica Pezold, Council Member
SECONDER: Don Caskey, Council Member
AYES: Dave Wheeler, Mayor; Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Pro Tempore; Don Caskey, Council Member, Janine
Heft, Council Member, Erica Pezold, Council
Member
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS There were no matters agendized by City Council Members.
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 spoke regarding the importance of the oath of office and its provisions regarding corruption and ethics.
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney spoke on the pleasure of serving with his colleagues this past year and he is looking forward to the next year.
Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler reported that he met a new resident who may be a good candidate for the Traffic Commission.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Heft declared the meeting adjourned at 9:51 p.m.
City of Laguna Hills City Council/Planning Agency Tuesday, December 12, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes
9 Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of January 9, 2024