City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
General Business Convening at 7:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Mayor Wheeler.
Invocation: President of Elders Quorum Mark Shaft of the Laguna Hills Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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
1.1 Appointment of Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Dylan Vu for the 2024 Fall Semester.
Mayor Wheeler presented a Certificate of Appointment to Laguna Hills High School Fall 2024 Student Liaison to Dylan Vu.
1.2 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School 2024 Fall Student Liaison Dylan Vu.
1.3 World Alzheimer's Awareness Month
The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring the month of September 2024 as World Alzheimer's Month and Mayor Wheeler presented the Proclamation to Dan Daley, Healthcare Outreach Specialist, Alzheimer's Orange County.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
2 2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. Public Comments
There were no public comments on non-agendized items.
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Item No. 4.5 and Item No. 4.9 removed by Council Member Pezold, Item No. 4.5 and Item No. 4.8 removed by Council Member Heft, and Item No. 4.6 and Item No. 4.7 removed by Mayor Wheeler, was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
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 August 27, 2024, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the August 27, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for August 27, 2024, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the August 27, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of September 10, 2024 Warrant Register Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from August 16, 2024, to August 29, 2024, in the amount of $408,645.29.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
3 4.10 Resolution Establishing City Council Policy 102-Procedure for Order of Authority
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-09-10-2: A resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, establishing City Council Policy No. 102 regarding a procedure for order of authority.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.5 Update of City Council Policy 317 - Public Facility Reservation & Use Policy, Related to the Use of City Facilities such as Community Center Rooms, Parks, Athletic Fields, Courts, and Gymnasium
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-09-10-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adopting Updates to City Council Policy No. 317."
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to oppose the item. Council Member Heft removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Deputy City Manager Reynolds responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation with the discussed minor change to page 13 of the policy was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote Result: Approved
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Heft
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
4.6 2024 Holiday Event Series Update
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information on the item.
Community Services Manager Holland Gannon responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
4 A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
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
4.7 Proposed First Amendment to Civic Center Office Lease with Fay Blix, an individual dba The Law Offices of Fay Blix, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 301, Laguna Hills, California
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the first amendment to the lease agreement with Fay Blix, an individual dba The Law Offices of Fay Blix, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 301, 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.
Mayor Wheeler removed Item No. 4.7 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
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 Heft.
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
4.8 Award of Public Works Construction Contract for the Laguna Hills Community Center Carpeting Replacement Project, CIP No. 513-B
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Award the Public Works Construction Contract for the for the Laguna Hills Community Center Carpeting Replacement Project, CIP No. 513-B, to the lowest responsive bidder, Floor Covering Unlimited, Inc., in the amount of $52,242.88; 2) Find that the Project is Categorically Exempt City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
5 from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1 Existing Facilities, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; 3) Reject all other bids; and 4) Authorize the City Manager to sign the Public Works Construction Contract.
Council Member Heft removed Item No. 4.8 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames 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.
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
4.9 Response to the June 20, 2024, Orange County Grand Jury Report Entitled "Ebikes Friend or Foe." Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
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 7:51 p.m.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
6 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/Site Development Permit/Master Sign Program (CUP/SDP/MSP) No. 0110-2022, a Request by Monique Lacher, on behalf of Aliso Equities, Ltd. for Approval of a Conditional Use Permit, Site Development Permit, and Master Sign Program Amendment to Construct a New Ralphs Fuel Station in the Alicia Town Center Located at 25594-25632 Alicia Parkway
Recommendation: That the Planning Agency:
1) Conduct a public hearing; and,
2) Find and determine that the proposed project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15332 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 32, In-fill Development Projects); and,
3) Adopt Resolution No. PA2024-09-10-1: “A Resolution of the Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Approving Conditional Use Permit/Site Development Permit/Master Sign Program No. 0110-2022, a Request by Monique Lacher, on behalf of Aliso Equities, Ltd., for Approval of a New Ralphs Fuel Station in the Alicia Town Center, Located at 25594-25632 Alicia Parkway, Including an Exemption from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per CEQA Guidelines Section 15332 of Title 14, Chapter 3 of the California Code of Regulations (Class 32, In-fill Development Projects)”.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
7 Chair Wheeler opened the public hearing.
Senior Planner Wuu reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project applicant and property owner representative Claude Yacole, Aliso Equities, Ltd., provided information on the project and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project applicant representative, Scott Jones, AO Architects, provided information on the project.
The following individual(s) provided public comments in opposition to Item No.
5.5.1.:
David Pufahl, Laguna Hills Resident
Project applicant representative Brian Estrada, RK Engineering Group, Inc., provided information on the project and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
David Pufahl, a Laguna Hills resident, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project applicant and property owner representative Claude Yacole, Aliso Equities, Ltd., responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
Project applicant representative, Scott Jones, AO Architects, responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments in opposition to Item No.
5.5.1.:
Anonymous Speaker
City Attorney Simonian responded to Agency Member requests for additional information
Project applicant and property owner representative, Claude Yacole, Aliso Equities, Ltd. agreed to abide by the revised conditions of approval.
Chair Wheeler closed the public hearing.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation with the addition of condition of approval no. 12a to Resolution No. PA2024-09-10-1 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
8 Roll Call Vote Result: Approved
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Chair Wheeler, Vice Chair Sweeney, Agency Member Caskey, Agency Member Heft, Council Member Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None
5.6 Planning Agency Adjournment
Chair Wheeler adjourned the Planning Agency Meeting at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened the City Council Meeting. All Council Members were present in Chamber.
At Council Member Pezold's request, Mayor Wheeler received consensus to take Item No. 8.1 out of order on the Agenda.
Mayor Wheeler recessed the meeting at 9:11 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:20 p.m.
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
8.1 Consideration of a Policy to Ban the Installation and Use of Artificial Turf on City-owned properties in the City of Laguna Hills
Recommendation: Council Member Pezold recommends that the City Council direct staff to prepare the policy and return at the September 24, 2024, meeting for final approval.
Council Member Pezold provided information on the item
Laguna Hills High School Student Ava Kornegay, provided a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information
Deputy City Manager Reynolds responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments in favor of Item No. 8.1.:
Julianna Kornegay, Laguna Hills High School Student
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
9 City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to direct staff to draft two optional policies, one to ban artificial turf and one to promote the preservation of natural turf, and return to a future meeting for approval was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
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
6. City Council Public Hearings
6.1 Proposed Update to City's Traffic Violator Apprehension Program Fee Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Conduct a public hearing;
2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-09-10-3: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Updating the City's Traffic Violator Apprehension Program Fee Repealing Resolution No. 2021-10-12-5, and Finding that the Action is Statutorily Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Per Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines and Public Resources Code Section 21080(B)(8)."
Finance Director Hendrickson reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Wheeler opened the public hearing and upon seeing no one rise, closed the public hearing.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, 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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
10 7. Administrative Reports
7.1 Proposed Reader Board at the Corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo de Valencia
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Approve the conceptual design of the proposed reader board at the corner of Alicia Parkway and Paseo de Valencia;
2) Establish CIP No. 318 for the proposed project;
3) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget by allocating $525,000 from the General Fund Reserves into CIP No. 318; and
4) Authorize City staff to develop construction plans and documents.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to table the item to the next regular meeting was moved by Council Member Caskey, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
Result: Tabled
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
7.2 Proposed Street Name Sign Replacements
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Approve one of the proposed conceptual street name sign designs; 2) Authorize City staff to develop bid documents for the procurement and installation of the street name signs Citywide; and
3) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget by transferring $200,000 from General Fund Reserves to CIP No. 153.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to discuss the proposed conceptual street name sign designs and table the discussion on the traffic signal mast arm signs to a future meeting was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
11 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
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve option 2 of the proposed conceptual street name sign designs was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Heft.
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
9. City Council Member Committee Reports
9.1 Committee Assignment Reports
There were no reports from City Council Members on the City Council Committee Assignments.
10. City Council Member Comments
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney provided comments on the ongoing Airport Fire.
Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler provided comments on 9/11 and called for a moment of silence.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned in honor of those lost on 9/11 at 11:04 p.m.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
12 ____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of September 24, 2024.