City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 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: Bishop Alejandro Rubalcava of Laguna Hills Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Caskey
1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School 2024 Spring Student Liaison Alternate Forrest Frey.
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:
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:
Michael Ross, Laguna Hills Resident
Kevin Bonny, Laguna Hills Resident
Craig Talbot, Laguna Hills Resident
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
2 Sheldon Kawahana, Laguna Hills Resident
Raymond Paya, Laguna Hills Resident
Susann Fiumani, Laguna Hills Resident
Patrick O'Fallon, Laguna Hills Resident
Victor Lanfranco, Laguna Hills Resident
Moses Yang, Laguna Hills Resident
Neel Patel, Traffic Commission Vice Chair
Russell Almquist, Laguna Hills Resident
City Attorney Simonian provided legal information on sober living recovery homes and street vending and signage.
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Pezold removing Item No. 4.7 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
4.1 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 September 24, 2024, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the September 24, 2024, Special Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for September 24, 2024, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the September 24, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of October 8, 2024 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from September 13, 2024, to September 26, 2024, in the amount of $264,099.54.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
3 4.5 2024 Summer Event Series Post-Event Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
4.6 2025-2027 Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K Event Management Services Agreement
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with Spectrum Sports Management, Inc., for event management services for the 2025, 2026, and 2027 City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race Events.
4.8 Approval of Parcel Map No. 2022-189 for Laguna Hills Plaza Shopping Center, 24791-24901 Alicia Parkway
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Final Parcel Map No. 2022-189, a portion of Vesting Tentative Parcel Map (VTTM) No. 2022-189, for the property located at 24794-24901 Alicia Parkway, subject to minor revisions as may be required by the City Engineer and City Attorney.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.7 Approval of Four Professional Services Agreements to: 1) Ascent Environmental, Inc.; 2) De Novo Planning Group; 3) Dudek; and 4) LSA Associates, Inc., for On-Call Environmental Review Consulting Services Recommendation: That the City Council approve four Professional Services Agreements with the following consulting firms: 1) Ascent Environmental, Inc.; 2) De Novo Planning Group; 3) Dudek; and 4) LSA Associates, Inc., for On-Call Environmental Review Consulting Services, in the total not to exceed contract amount of $500,000 each for a term of five (5) years, respectively, and authorize the City Manager to execute each of the four proposed Professional Services Agreements.
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.7 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the item to the October 22, 2024, regular meeting 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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
4 Nays: None
Abstain: None
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
7.1.1 Discussion on a Potential Change to the Start Times for Closed Session Meetings and the General Business Session of Regular Meetings for the City Council
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and direct staff to draft an ordinance to implement a change to the start times for Closed Session meetings and the General Business Session of regular meetings for the City Council.
City Manager Hildenbrand provided information on the item and 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 draft an ordinance to implement a change to the start time of the General Business Session of regular meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., for first reading at the October 22, 2024, regular meeting was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
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, October 8, 2024
5 7.1.2 Exploring the use of City-owned property at the Former Globe parcel (APN:
616-022-04) as a possible location for a Digital Freeway Billboard Recommendation: That the City Council receive the presentation regarding digital freeway billboards and provide direction to staff.
City Manager Hildenbrand provided a PowerPoint presentation on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 7.1.2:
Neel Patel, Traffic Commission Vice Chair
A motion to direct staff to prepare a draft RFP and return for City Council review was moved by Council Member Heft, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote 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
7.2 Award of Public Works Construction Contract and Award of a Professional Services Agreement for the Arterial Pavement Rehabilitation Project – Paseo de Valencia & La Paz Road, CIP 104/109, and Curb Ramp Replacement Project – Alicia Parkway
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Award the Public Works Construction Contract for the Arterial Pavement Rehabilitation Project – Paseo de Valencia & La Paz Road, CIP 104/109, and Curb Ramp Replacement Project – Alicia Parkway, to the lowest responsive bidder, Hardy & Harper, Inc., in the amount of $5,565,584.00;
2) Award a Professional Services Agreement to GMU Geotechnical, Inc. for pavement testing and observation services in the amount of $90,000; 3) Find that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1 Existing Facilities, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301;
4) Reject all other construction bids;
5) Authorize the City Manager to sign the Public Works Construction Contract with Hardy & Harper, Inc. and the Professional Services Agreement with GMU Geotechnical, Inc.;
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
6 6) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget to recognize revenue and expense in the amount of $200,000 from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021;
7) Authorize the Finance Director to transfer $336,350 from CIP 101 into CIP 104; and
8) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget by allocating $3,000,000 from the General Fund Reserves into CIP No. 104.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, 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
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 expressed concerns regarding rust on railings and trash cans and the maintenance of water fountains at parks in the City.
Council Member Pezold shared an idea to create a ballfield at Costeau Park.
Council Member Pezold requested updates on cameras at Stockport Park and the City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
7 lighting of the LH on the Hill.
Council Member Pezold requested that money she has saved by not traveling for the past five years be allocated to planting dwarf cypress trees throughout the City to clean the air and abate traffic noise.
Council Member Pezold provided comments regarding sober living recovery homes.
Council Member Pezold expressed her concerns about a sign on Paseo de Valencia.
Council Member Caskey
Council Member Caskey reported on the recent Parks & Recreation Commission community workshops regarding park improvements.
Council Member Caskey provided comments regarding sober living recovery homes.
Council Member Heft
Council Member Heft provided comments regarding sober living recovery homes.
Council Member Heft reported on the City's 3rd Annual Heritage Day Fall Festival.
Mayor Wheeler
Mayor Wheeler requested a discussion regarding sober living recovery homes be agendized for a future meeting.
Mayor Wheeler requested a discussion regarding increasing the mailing notification radius for public hearings be increased be agendized for a future meeting.
Mayor Wheeler announced a City Council Workshop will be scheduled for October 22, 2024.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned at 10:29 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of October 22, 2024.