City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:06 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Invocation: Rabbi Dennis Linson of Temple Judea of Laguna Woods Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Mathis
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
1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Appointment of Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kyden Brown Mayor Sweeney presented a Certificate of Appointment to Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kyden Brown.
1.2 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
The City Council received a report from Laguna Hills High School 2025 Student Liaison Kyden Brown.
1.3 Legislative Update from Assemblymember Diane Dixon
The City Council received a legislative update from Assemblymember Diane Dixon.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
2 3. Public Comments
Michele Whiteaker, a resident of Laguna Hills, submitted an electronic public comment on non-agendized items, that was provided to the City Council at the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee.
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.5 and Item No. 4.8 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 January 14, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the January 14, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of January 28, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from January 3, 2025, to January 16, 2025, in the amount of $1,521,526.16.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for December 2024
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of December 2024.
4.6 Acceptance of Electronically Filed Government Claims to the City of Laguna Hills
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 2025-01-28-1: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing the Acceptance of Electronically Filed Government Claims to the City of Laguna Hills”; City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
3 and 2) Find and determine that the proposed activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines.
4.7 Excused Absence Request from Mayor Pro Tempore Don Caskey for the January 14, 2025, and January 28, 2025, City Council Regular Meetings Recommendation: That the City Council approve an excused absences request from Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey for the January 14, 2025, and January 28, 2025, City Council regular meetings for medical reasons.
4.9 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
4.10 Informal Bidding Ordinance Use Quarterly Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.5 License Agreement with the County of Orange for One Ballot Box at the Community Center
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the License Agreement with the County of Orange for one ballot drop box at the Laguna Hills Community Center and authorize the City Manager to execute the License Agreement.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
City Clerk Lee responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the item and return to the City Council for discussion on possible relocations for the ballot drop box 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
4.8 2024 Holiday Event Series Post-Event Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.8 from the Consent Calendar to provide comments on the item.
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4 A motion to receive and file the report 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 Attorney
7.2.1 Resolution Ratifying and Implementing Certain Changes to the Compensation of the City Manager
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Receive and oral report; and
2) Pursuant to the minute action taken by City Council during open session at the January 14, 2025, City Council Regular Meeting, adopt ratifying Resolution No. 2025-01-28-2: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Ratifying and Implementing Certain Changes to the Compensation of the City Manager, an Unrepresented Employee."
City Attorney Simonian provided an oral report summary of the recommendation for final action on the compensation of the City Manager as required per Government Code section 54953.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
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Tuesday, January 28, 2025
5 Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
7.3 Public Works Director/City Engineer
7.3.1 Exploring the Adoption of an Electric Bicycle/Mobility Device Ordinance 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.
Lucy Buckthal, a resident of Laguna Hills, submitted an electronic public comment on Item No. 7.3.1, 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 on Item No. 7.3.1.:
Chelsea Lund
At Council Member Wheeler's request Traffic Commissioner Miller responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 7.3.1.:
Chelsea Lund
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to direct City staff to study the Rancho Santa Margarita Mobility Ordinance as a model and return a draft to City Council for first reading and consideration at a future meeting was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
A substitute motion to conduct a joint workshop special meeting of the City Council and Traffic Commission to discuss the item and draft an ordinance was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Result: Failed
Yes 1, No 3, Abstained 0
Ayes: Council Member Pezold
Nays: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Abstain: None
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6 Mayor Sweeney and Council Member Mathis agreed to amend the main motion to include a joint workshop special meeting of the City Council and Traffic Commission.
Mayor Sweeney called for a vote on the amended main motion.
A motion to direct City staff to study the Rancho Santa Margarita Mobility Ordinance as a model and return to a joint workshop special meeting of the City Council and Traffic Commission for first reading and consideration was moved by Mayor Sweeney, 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
7.4 Deputy City Manager
7.4.1 Purchase of Computer Hardware for City Staff
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Waive competitive formal bidding requirements and procedures set forth in the City of Laguna Hills Municipal Code (LHMC) Section 3-08.090 with regard to approval of the purchase of new desktop computers (PCs), laptops, and docking stations as it is hereby found and determined, pursuant to LHMC Section 3-
08.110(K), that the recommended equipment purchases are for computer hardware;
2) Approve the proposed hardware purchases for the total not to exceed cost of $89,248.30; and
3) Authorize the City Manager to purchase the computer hardware as described in this staff report.
Deputy City Manager Reynolds reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Mathis, 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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
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7 Abstain: None
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
8.1 Consideration of the Installation of Touchscreen Technology in the City Council Chamber
Recommendation: Council Member Pezold and Council Member Wheeler recommend that the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding the installation of touchscreen technology in the Council Chamber to enhance functionality, and efficiency during Council meetings.
Council Member Pezold provided information on the item.
A motion to direct staff to conduct research on the item and return to the City Council for consideration at a future meeting 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
8.2 Consideration of City-Funded Health Savings Accounts for City Staff Recommendation: Council Member Pezold and Mayor Sweeney recommend that the City Council discuss the feasibility and potential implementation of city-funded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for staff. Council direction is sought regarding funding options, eligibility criteria, and program design to enhance employee benefits and support workforce well-being.
Council Member Pezold provided information on the item.
Finance Director Hendrickson responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to direct staff to conduct research on the item and return to the City Council for consideration at a future meeting was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Result:
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
8 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 the installation of new soap dispensers and upgraded toilet paper and paper towels in the restrooms at City Hall and the Community Center.
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion on conducting a study on the air quality in City staff areas, replacement of carpet at the Civic Center, and reupholstery of the chairs in the Council Chamber be agendized for a future meeting, no second was provided.
Council Member Wheeler
Council Member Wheeler provided comments to City staff regarding retirement account investments.
Council Member Wheeler provided a shout-out to Ohio State Buckeyes for their recent College Football Playoff Championship victory.
Mayor Sweeney
Mayor Sweeney reported on a United States Conference of Mayors 93rd Winter Meeting he recently attended.
Mayor Sweeney requested a discussion on the City becoming a member of the United States Conference of Mayors be agendized on the next regular meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of February 11, 2025.
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