Minutes — Laguna Hills City Council, June 25, 2024

City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
General Business Convening at 7:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Wheeler.

Invocation: Traffic Commissioner Miller
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Roll Call of City Council Members

Present:

Mayor Dave Wheeler
Mayor Pro Tempore Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Don Caskey
Council Member Janine Heft
Council Member Erica Pezold
Absent

1. Presentations and Proclamations
There were no presentations or proclamations.

2. Schedule of Future Events

2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announced the upcoming meetings and events.

3. Public Comments
The following individual(s) addressed the City Council on non-agendized items:

Rigo Santana
Scott Miller, Traffic Commissioner

4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Item Nos. 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, and 4.9 removed was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Council Member Pezold.

City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
2 Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

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 June 11, 2024, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the June 11, 2024, Regular Meeting.

4.3 Ratification of June 25, 2024 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the periods from May 20, 2024, to May 22, 2024, and May 31, 2024, to June 14, 2024, in the amount of $785,594.16.

4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for May 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of May 2024.

4.7 Proposed First Amendment to Civic Center Office Lease with Carno Law Group, a Professional Law Corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 260, Laguna Hills, California
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the first amendment to the lease agreement with Carno Law Group, a professional law corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 260, Laguna Hills, California; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications, as necessary, to the first amendment to the lease agreement and to execute the first amendment to the lease agreement.

Items Removed from the Consent Calendar

4.5 Community Outreach and Engagement Services Agreement with the City of Mission Viejo
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed Community Outreach and Engagement Services Agreement with the City of Mission Viejo for City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
3 homelessness outreach services and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.

Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information on the item.

Deputy City Manager Reynolds responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

4.6 Agreement for Animal Control and Shelter Services with the City of Mission Viejo
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Agreement for Animal Control and Shelter Services with City of Mission Viejo and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.

Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information on the item.

City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

4.8 Adoption of Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Civic Center Budget Recommendation: That the City Council approve and adopt the FY2024/2025 Civic Center Budget.

Council Member Heft removed Item No. 4.8 from the Consent Calendar to request City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
4 additional information on the item.

City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Council Member Caskey.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

4.9 Award of Janitorial Services Agreement for the Laguna Hills Community Center to Savoy Ritz Group, Inc. dba The Ritz Companies Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Award the Janitorial Services Agreement for the Laguna Hills Community Center to Savoy Ritz Group, Inc., dba The Ritz Companies, for an initial five (5) year contract term in the total maximum not-to-exceed contract amount of $955,000; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Janitorial Services Agreement with Savoy Ritz Group, Inc.

Council Member Heft removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.

City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

Deputy City Manager Reynolds responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Council Member Pezold.

6. City Council Public Hearings
There were no City Council public hearings.

7. Administrative Reports

7.1 City Manager

7.2 Award Agreement for Residential and Commercial Solid Waste Collection Services
Recommendation: That the City Council:

1. Approve Agreement for the Collection, Transportation, Processing, and Diversion of Recyclable Materials, Food Scraps, Yard Trimmings, Construction and Demolition Debris and Other Materials, and for the Collection, Transportation, and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste to CR&R, Incorporated.

2. Authorize the Mayor to sign the Solid Waste and Recycling Agreement substantially in the form attached.

3. Direct staff to set a public hearing to adopt proposed rates in accordance with Proposition 218.

Deputy City Manager 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., reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

Chrystal Denning, CR&R Regional Vice President, responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Caskey.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
6 7.3 Study and Report on Inclusionary Housing Ordinances Recommendation: That the City Council direct staff to study and report back on the issue of Inclusionary Housing Ordinances pursuant to the 2021-2029 Adopted & Certified Housing Element Update - Implementation Program H-7.

City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation and direct staff to return with a preliminary report at the August 27 meeting was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Pezold.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

7.4 Selection of a Design for the Reader Board at the Corner of La Paz Road and Paseo de Valencia
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the conceptual design of the proposed reader board at the corner of La Paz Road and Paseo de Valencia; and 2) Authorize City staff to develop construction plans and documents.

City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

The following individual(s) addressed the City Council on Item No. 7.4.:

Neel Patel, Traffic Commission Vice Chair
Larry Ryan, Principal, RJM Design Group, Inc, responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to approve staff's recommendation and direct staff to contact the property owners of other suggested locations was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.

A substitute motion to proceed without a designated location and direct staff to contact the property owners of other suggested locations was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.

City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
7 Mayor Wheeler called for a roll call vote on the substitute motion.

Result: Failed
Yes 2, No 3, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Nays: Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
Mayor Wheeler called for a roll call vote on the main motion.

Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member Pezold
Nays: Mayor Wheeler
Abstain: None

8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members

8.1 Annual Donation to Laguna Hills High School PTSA for Grad Nite Recommendation: Council Members Heft and Cakey recommend that the City Council discuss increasing the annual donation to Laguna Hills High School PTSA for their graduation night celebration.

Council Members Heft and Caskey provided information on the item.

At Council Member Heft's request, Melissa Auten, Laguna Hills High School PTSA representative, provided information on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

Katherine Welles, Laguna Hills High School PTSA president, responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.

A motion to direct staff to prepare a community assistance funding resolution increasing the annual donation amount to Laguna Hills High School PTSA to $8,000 for purposes of the Laguna Hills Grad Nite event, allocating $6,000 to the event and $2,000 toward scholarships and to direct staff to contact the school district superintendent for clarification on the check cutting procedures was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.

Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
8 Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft, Council Member
Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None

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 provided comments on her hopes for a shift in the focus and direction of schools.

Council Member Caskey
Council Member Caskey provided comments on a committee assignment report he would like to agendize for the next meeting.

Council Member Caskey provided comments clarifying his thoughts on a graduation night celebration.

Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney reported on the 4th Annual Laguna Hills Car Show.

Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m. ____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of July 9, 2024.

Laguna Hills City CouncilJune 25, 2024

Laguna Hills City Council
June 25, 2024