City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Closed Session - Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Wheeler.
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Dave Wheeler
Mayor Pro Tempore Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Don Caskey
Council Member Erica Pezold
Absent:
Council Member Janine Heft
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review B. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Unrepresented Employee: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager Public Comments
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Adjourn to City Council Conference Room or City Council Chambers Convene into Closed Session
The City Council convened into closed session to consider the matters listed above.
Reconvene to City Council Chamber
Recess
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
2 General Business Convening at 7:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. by Mayor Wheeler.
Invocation: Elder Tom Munson of Christ Community Church Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Pezold
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Dave Wheeler
Mayor Pro Tempore Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Don Caskey
Council Member Erica Pezold
Absent:
Council Member Janine Heft
Closed Session Report
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review B. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Unrepresented Employee: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager City Attorney Simonian stated that the City Council convened into closed session pursuant to the authorities listed on the agenda with no reportable action.
1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School Fall Student Liaison Alternate Forrest Frey.
Mayor Wheeler provided remarks on a Veterans Day event and recognized the veterans present at the meeting and thanked them for their service.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announced the upcoming meetings and events.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
3 3. Public Comments
There were no public comments on non-agendized items.
4. Consent Calendar
Jackie Lloyd and Geoff and Khanh Hager, residents of Alicia Place neighborhood, submitted electronic public comments opposing Item No. 4.8, that were forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee.
The following individual(s) provided public comments in favor of Item No. 4.8:
Nancy Norcross
Robert Wheelhouse
Natalie Lindsay
The following individual(s) provided public comments opposing Item No. 4.8:
Deanna Jacobson
Bonnie Hanna
Public Works Director/City Engineer Ames responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
David Oslinker, a resident of Laguna Hills, submitted an electronic public comment in favor of Item No. 4.10, that was forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee.
Morgan Gallagher of Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP submitted an electronic public comment on behalf of KB Ridge Route, LLC, KB Mill Creek, DST, and KB Spectrum Summit Plaza, LLC, opposing Item No. 4.10, that was forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee.
The following individual(s) provided public comments opposing Item No. 4.10:
Tibor Keleman
Morgan Gallagher
A motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Pezold and Council Member Caskey removing Item No. 4.8 and Item No. 4.10 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Pezold
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
4 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 October 22, 2024, 4pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the October 22, 2024, 4pm Special Meeting
4.3 Approval of Minutes for October 22, 2024, 6pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the October 22, 2024, 6pm Special Meeting
4.4 Approval of Minutes for October 22, 2024, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the October 22, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.5 Ratification of November 12, 2024 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from October 11, 2024, to October 31, 2024, in the amount of $579,749.66.
4.6 Second Reading and Adoption of Proposed Ordinance Changing the Start Time of City Council Regular Meetings From 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Adopt Ordinance No. 2024-3 changing the start time for City Council regular meetings, entitled: “An Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Amending and Restating Section 2-04.010 (Time of Regular Meetings) of Chapter 2-04 (City Council) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Establishing the Dates and Time of City Council Regular Meetings”; and 2) Authorize the Mayor/Mayor Pro Tempore to execute the Ordinance.
4.7 Orange County Transportation Authority Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects: Avenida de la Carlota, La Paz Road, and Cabot Road Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-11-12-1: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Approving the Submittal of Three Improvement Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for Funding Under the Comprehensive Transportation Funding Programs.” City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
5 4.9 OCTA Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project: Paseo De Valencia - Moulton Parkway Confluence Bypass Corridor
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to sign the Cooperative Agreement for the Paseo de Valencia – Moulton Parkway Confluence Bypass Corridor Project.
4.11 Cooperative Agreement with the City of Laguna Woods for Storm Drain Repairs on Ridge Route Drive
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to make minor modifications as may be necessary to finalize the Cooperative Agreement for the Ridge Route Drainage Repair Project; 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement for the Ridge Route Drainage Repair Project; and 3) Authorize the Finance Director to amend the budget by allocating $110,930.00 from the Gas Tax HUTA fund into CIP No. 403.
4.12 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.8 Alicia Place Neighborhood Permit Parking Program
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. 2024-11-12-2: "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 Alicia Place Neighborhood.”
Council Member Pezold and Council Member Caskey 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 Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
6 Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 0, Abstained 1
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: Council Member Don Caskey
4.10 Establishment of a No Parking Overnight Zone on Mill Creek Drive Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Find and determine that the proposed parking regulation is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Sections 15301 (the activity applies to the operation of existing streets, and will not expand the use of those existing streets) and 15061(b)(3) (the activity has no potential for causing a significant effect on the environment) of the CEQA Guidelines, Cal. Code of Regs, Title 14, Chapter 3; and 2) Adopt Resolution No. 2024-11-12-3: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, establishing a No Overnight Parking Zone from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. on the entirety of Mill Creek Drive.”
Council Member Pezold and Council Member Caskey removed Item No. 4.10 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.
At Council Member Pezold's request, Tibor Kelerman provided further public comments opposing Item No. 4.10.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold. This motion was withdrawn.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation for a temporary six-month period and revisit the item on May 27, 2025, was moved by Council Member Caskey, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Wheeler, Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney, Council Member Caskey, Council Member Pezold
Nays: None
Abstain: None
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
7 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 provided no administrative reports.
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
8.1 Update on Comprehensive Review of City Council Policies and Administrative Orders
Recommendation: That the City Council review the modifications made to the City Council Policies and provide direction to staff.
This item was not discussed, as it was completed during the special meeting held on November 12, 2024.
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 a reminder that trading committee and leadership positions can be viewed as a quid pro quo.
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Sweeney encouraged everyone to sign up for the countywide mass notification system, Alert OC and reported on a wildland firefighter training he recently attended.
Consideration of Compensation for City Manager
1 Consideration of Compensation for City Manager
Recommendation: Following completion of the annual performance evaluation of the City Manager, the City Council will take such action as it so determines.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
8 This item was not discussed, as the public employee performance evaluation is not yet complete. The evaluation has been continued to a meeting in January Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Wheeler declared the meeting adjourned at 8:33 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Dave Wheeler, Mayor
Approved at meeting of December 10, 2024.