City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 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: Elder Clay Wilemon of Christ Community Church Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Heft
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
1.1 Appointment of Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Ann Pham and Alternate Forrest Frey for the 2024 Fall Semester.
Mayor Wheeler presented Certificates of Appointment to Laguna Hills High School Fall 2024 Student Liaison Ann Pham and Alternate Forrest Frey.
1.2 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School 2024 Fall Student Liaison Ann Pham.
1.3 Wildfire Awareness & Prevention Season Proclamation The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring mid-summer to early-autumn 2024 as "Wildfire Awareness and Preventions Season" and Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney presented the Proclamation to Michael Summers, Division Chief, Orange County Fire Authority.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
2 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) provided public comments on non-agendized items:
Carol Moore, Laguna Woods City Council Member
Babak Shahrestani, Laguna Hills Resident
Dawn Ford, Laguna Hills Resident
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Item No. 4.9, Item No. 4.10, and Item No. 4.13 removed by Mayor Wheeler and Item No. 4.19 removed by Council Member Pezold and Mayor Wheeler, was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Approved
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 July 9, 2024, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the July 9, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of August 27, 2024 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the periods from June 29, 2024, to August 15, 2024, in the amount of $4,763,005.33.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
3 4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for June 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of June 2024.
4.5 Treasurer's Investment Report for July 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of July 2024.
4.6 Resolution Establishing the Principal Civil Engineer Classification and Senior Public Works Inspector Classification along with Salary Ranges and Benefits for the Positions within the Bargaining Unit Covered by the Memorandum of Understanding with the Laguna Hills City Employees Association Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-08-27-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Establishing Principal Civil Engineer Classification and Senior Public Works Inspector Classification along with Salary Ranges and Benefits within the Bargaining Unit Covered by the Memorandum of Understanding with the Laguna Hills City Employees Association."
4.7 City's Conflict of Interest Code Update
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-08-27-2: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adopting an Updated Conflict of Interest Code and Rescinding Resolution No. 2022-09-13-1.
4.8 Designation of Voting Delegate for League of California Cities Annual Conference
Recommendation: That the City Council appoint the Mayor as the Voting Delegate and appoint the Mayor Pro Tempore as the Voting Delegate Alternate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
4.11 Response to the June 11, 2024 Orange County Grand Jury Report Entitled "Talking Trash: Recyclables and Organic Waste."
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the attached response to the Orange County Grand Jury's report; 2) Authorize the Mayor to sign the response letter; and 3) Direct the City Manager to submit the response.
4.12 Rejection of Bid Proposals for Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 205 Tenant Improvements Project, CIP No. 505-B
Recommendation: That the City Council reject all bid proposals received for the Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 205 Tenant Improvements Project, CIP No. 505-B.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
4 4.14 Informal Bidding Ordinance Use Quarterly Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
4.15Notice of Completion and Final Payment for the Phase XII Water Quality Project, CIP No. 412-L
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 $12,500.00, if no liens have been filed.
4.16Approval of Proposed Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Civil Engineering, Project Management, and Support Services with: a) Ardurra Group, Inc.; b) HR Green Pacific, Inc.; c) Hunsaker & Associates Irvine, Inc.; d) KDM Meridian; e) NV5, Inc.; f) TAIT & Associates, Inc.; and g) W.G.
Zimmerman Engineering, Inc.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the proposed Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Civil Engineering, Project Management, and Support Services with: a) Ardurra Group, Inc.; b) HR Green Pacific, Inc.; c) Hunsaker & Associates Irvine, Inc.; d) KDM Meridian; e) NV5, Inc.; f) TAIT & Associates, Inc.; and g) W.G. Zimmerman Engineering, Inc.; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreements.
4.17Approval of Proposed Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Landscape Architecture Services with: a) Nuvis; b) Richard Fisher Associates; and c) RJM Design Group, Inc.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the proposed Professional Services Agreements for On-Call Landscape Architecture Services with: a) Nuvis; b) Richard Fisher Associates; and c) RJM Design Group, Inc.; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreements.
4.18 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file report.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
5 Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.9 2024 Memorial Day Race Post Event Report and a Resolution Authorizing Community Assistance Funding for the 3/5 Marine Support Committee Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Receive and file the report; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-08-27-3: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing Community Assistance Funding for the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Division Support Committee, a California Non-Profit Corporation.”
Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Deputy City Manager Reynolds responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Community Services Manager Gannon 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: Approved
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
4.10 2024 Fourth of July Celebration Post Event Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.10 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Community Services Manager Gannon 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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
6 Result: Approved
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
4.13 Authority to Advertise Arterial Highway Rehabilitation Project – Paseo de Valencia and La Paz Road, CIP 104 and 109, and Curb Ramp Replacement Project – Alicia Parkway
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the plans and specifications for the Arterial Highway Rehabilitation Project – Paseo de Valencia and La Paz Road, CIP 104 and 109, and Curb Ramp Replacement Project – Alicia Parkway; 2) Authorize the advertisement for bids for the Arterial Highway Rehabilitation Project – Paseo de Valencia and La Paz Road, CIP 104 and 109, and Curb Ramp Replacement Project – Alicia Parkway; 3) Authorize the City Engineer to make edits to the plans and specifications as necessary; 4) Find that environmental review is not required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15301 as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption - “Existing Facilities.”
Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.13 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames 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: Approved
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, August 27, 2024
7 A motion to reconsider Item No. 4.18 was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Approved
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
4.18 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file report.
Community Development Director Longenecker 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: Approved
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
4.19 Consideration of Amendment No. 1 to Agreement to Commission Original Art Work for 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Darkhorse Bronze Memorial Sculpture with Brittany Ryan Studio, LLC.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to Agreement to Commission Original Art Work for 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines Darkhorse Bronze Memorial Sculpture with Brittany Ryan Studio, LLC.
Council Member Pezold and Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.19 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
8 Result: Approved
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
5. Planning Agency
Mayor Wheeler 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 7:57 p.m.
5.1 Roll Call of Planning Agency Members
Present:
Chair Dave Wheeler
Vice Chair Joshua Sweeney
Agency Member Don Caskey
Agency Member Janine Heft
Agency Member Erica Pezold
Absent:
5.2 Public Comments
There were no public comments for the Planning Agency on non-agendized items.
5.3 Approval of Minutes
The Planning Agency Minutes are approved by the City Council.
5.4 Administrative Reports
There were no Planning Agency administrative reports.
5.5 Planning Agency Public Hearings
5.5.1 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. USE-0182-2024, a Request by Nikolett Veradi, on Behalf of NKA California LLC, Project Applicant, to Establish a Health Club Use, Coeur Pilates, in an Existing 1,439 Square-Foot Tenant Space Located at 24251 Avenida De La Carlota, B4
Recommendation: That the Planning Agency:
1) Conduct a public hearing;
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
9 2) Find and determine that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 1, Existing Facilities); and
3) Adopt Resolution No. PA2024-08-27-1: “A Resolution of the Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Approving Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. USE-0182-2024, a Request by Nikolett Veradi, on behalf of NKA California LLC, Project Applicant, to Establish a Health Club Use, Coeur Pilates, in an Existing 1,439 Square-Foot Tenant Space Located at 24251 Avenida De La Carlota, B4, Including an Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 1, Existing Facilities).” Jennifer Ash reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Chair Wheeler opened the public hearing.
Property Owner, Paul Tanguay, Fritz Duda Company, spoke in favor of the project and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project Applicant, Nikolett Veradi, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information and agreed to abide by the conditions of approval.
Chair Wheeler closed the public hearing.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Caskey, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Approved
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
5.6 Planning Agency Adjournment
Chair Wheeler adjourned the Planning Agency Meeting at 8:09 p.m. and reconvened the City Council Meeting. All Council Members were present in Chamber.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
10 6. City Council Public Hearings
There were no City Council public hearings.
7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
The City Manager provided no administrative reports.
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
Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler requested a discussion regarding sending a letter to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in opposition to the Laguna Hills branch closure.
Mayor Wheeler requested the City reach out to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center to advertise their programs on the City's website.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion on an artificial turf policy be agendized for the September 10, 2024, regular meeting and received a second from Council Member Caskey.
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion on the potential hazards of eucalyptus trees be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Council Member Heft.
Council Member Pezold requested social media posts to highlight future agenda reports.
Council Member Pezold reported that she is working on e-bike social media posts.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
11 Council Member Pezold indicated her desire for the City to develop a multi-year strategic plan.
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney reported on the August 18, 2024, OCFA Brews for a Cause fundraiser for fallen firefighters held at GameCraft Brewing Co.
Council Member Caskey
Council Member Caskey requested that all Council Members sign the DMV closure opposition letter.
Council Member Caskey provided comments regarding eucalyptus trees and asked that we request input from the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and the City's Parks and Recreation Commission.
Council Member Caskey provided comments regarding strategic planning.
Council Member Heft
Council Member Heft agreed with Council Members Caskey's request to have all Council Members sign the DMV closure opposition letter and requested the letter to be prepared prior to the next City Council meeting.
Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler requested information on the upcoming Heritage Day event.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of September 10, 2024.