City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Closed Session - Convening at 5:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Erica Pezold, arrived at 5:04p.m.
Council Member Jared Mathis
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Mayor Pro Tempore Don Caskey
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Attorney - Annual Performance Review (cont'd) B. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review (cont'd) C. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Dave Wheeler, Council Member
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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
2 Reconvene to City Council Chamber
Recess
General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Invocation: Elder Robert Paprocki of Christ Community Church Mayor Sweeney provided a prayer for Council Member Caskey and those affected by the wildfires
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Sweeney
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Jared Mathis
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Mayor Pro Tempore Don Caskey
Closed Session Report
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Attorney - Annual Performance Review (cont'd) B. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Public Employee Title: City Manager - Annual Performance Review (cont'd) C. Conference with Labor Negotiator
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Negotiator: Dave Wheeler, Council Member
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 and indicated that a report on the City Manager's compensation would be provided at the end of the meeting as agendized.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
3 1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Dylan Vu was not available at the meeting to provide a report.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Dylan Vu
Dylan Vu was not available at the meeting to receive the certificate.
1.3 Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) - Orange County 30-Year Anniversary The City Council issued a Certificate of Recognition to Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) - Orange County and Mayor Sweeney presented the Proclamation to Crisis Team Manager Bev Lewis.
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 balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.6 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
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 December 10, 2024, Regular Meeting City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
4 Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the December 10, 2024, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of January 14, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from November 29, 2024, to January 2, 2025, in the amount of $1,761,232.35.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for November 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of November 2024.
4.5 Second Reading and Adoption of Introduced Ordinance Relating to Electronic and Digital Signatures
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Adopt Ordinance No. 2025-1 relating to electronic and digital signatures, entitled: “An Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adding Chapter 1-14 (Electronic and Digital Signatures) to Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Relating to the Authorized Use of Electronic and Digital Signatures”; and 2) Authorize the Mayor/Mayor Pro Tempore to execute the Ordinance.
4.7 Designate Authorized Agents to Sign Emergency Management Performance Grants for the Federal Fiscal Years of 2024, 2025, and 2026 Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-01-14-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Designating Authorized Agents for the Acceptance and Execution of Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG)".
4.8 Community Development Block Grant Application for the City of Laguna Hills Public Facilities & Improvements Application for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-01-14-2: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing the Submittal of the City of Laguna Hills Public Facilities and Improvements Application for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and Accepting the Award of Community Development Block Grant Funds, If Awarded Funding.”
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.6 Memorandum of Agreement By and Between City of Laguna Hills, City of Aliso Viejo, City of Lake Forest, City of Mission Viejo, and City of Laguna Niguel for Sharing of Emergency Management Resources
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
5 Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the proposed Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Laguna Hills, City of Aliso Viejo, City of Lake Forest, City of Mission Viejo, and City of Laguna Niguel for Sharing of Emergency Management Resources; and 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Senior Emergency Management Programs Coordinator Rabas responded to Council Member 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 Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
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
The City Manager provided no administrative reports.
7.2 City Clerk
7.2.1 City Council Representatives to Other Boards, Committees, and Agencies Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1) Review the City of Laguna Hills City Council Representatives to Other Boards, Committees, and Agencies List, provide directions to staff regarding any necessary changes for appointments to the list, and by motion, approve the City Council Representatives to Other Committees/Agencies List, as revised City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
6 by the City Council; and
2) Approve and direct the City Clerk to prepare and post an updated FPPC Disclosure Form 806 to reflect all paid city representative appointments to outside agency boards, committees, and/or commissions in accordance with state law.
City Clerk Lee reviewed the information in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Sweeney obtained the Council's consensus to address the necessary appointments during tonight's meeting and defer the remaining appointments to a future meeting when Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey is present.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to appoint Council Member Mathis to fill the vacancy on the Events, Communications, and Beautification Committee was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
A motion to re-appoint Council Member Wheeler as Representative and Mayor Sweeney as Alternate to the OC Public Libraries Library Advisory Board was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
A motion to appoint Council Member Pezold as Representative and Council Member Mathis as Alternate to the Transportation Corridor Agencies San Joaquin Hills Board of Directors was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
7 Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
A motion to dissolve the Solid Waste & Recycling Franchise Procurement Ad Hoc Committee was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
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 requested a discussion on providing touchscreens on the dais in Chamber be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Council Member Wheeler.
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion on funding health savings accounts for staff be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Sweeney.
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, January 14, 2025
8 A motion to make the following changes to the compensation of the City Manager in recognition of exceptional job performance during the performance period under review: 1) Effective December 2, 2024, the City Manager’s current annual base salary shall be increased by 6%, from $274,300 to $290,758; 2) Effective December 2, 2024, the City Manager is awarded a one-time 6% performance bonus for calendar year 2024, as authorized pursuant to Section 4 of the City Manager’s Employment Agreement; and, 3) The City Attorney is directed to prepare a resolution ratifying these minute actions for City Council approval at the regular meeting of the City Council on January 28, 2025, was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of January 28, 2025.