City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 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 5:01p.m.
Council Member Jared Mathis
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Mayor Pro Tempore Don
Caskey
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Government Code Section 54956.9: (1 potential case).
Public Comments
There were no public comments on the closed session items.
Adjourn to City Council Conference Room or City Council Chamber 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, February 25, 2025
2 General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by 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
Invocation: Traffic Commissioner Miller
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
Closed Session Report
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (1) of subdivision (e) of Government Code Section 54956.9: (1 potential case).
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 Student Liaison Kyden Brown.
1.2 Proclamation for American Red Cross Month
The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring March 2025 as "American Red Cross Month" and Mayor Sweeney presented the Proclamation to American Red Cross Southern California Orange County Representative and Laguna Hills resident Carol Gefis.
1.3 2024 Laguna Hills Deputy of the Year
Mayor Sweeney and Captain Burk presented a Certificate of Recognition to Deputy Michael Rodriguez, the 2024 Laguna Hills Deputy of the Year.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
3 1.4 Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce Report on Business Retention and Attraction Services
The City Council received a presentation from Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce President Christina Kennedy on recent business retention and attraction services.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. Public Comments
The following individual(s) provided public comments on non-agendized items:
Rigo Santana
4. Consent Calendar
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment opposing Consent Calendar Item No. 4.6 that was received, forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee:
David Martinez Martin Schwab Roger Gordon
Susan Mattisinko Kardena Pauza Ginger Osborne
Patricia De Launay Gary Stewart Ron Askeland
Gina Santos Kian Chou Michael Rochmes
Howard Schwid Lamar Kirchhevel Dominic Bendinelli
Ryan Berglas Fran Delaney-Barron Marilyn Palomino
Vivianna Goh Nathan Taft Dylan Plummer on behalf
of the Sierra Club
A motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.7, Item No. 4.8 and Item No. 4.9 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
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, February 25, 2025
4 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 February 11, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the February 11, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of February 25, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from January 31, 2025, to February 13, 2025, in the amount of $1,179,456.46.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for January 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of January 2025.
4.5 Second Reading and Adoption of Introduced Ordinance Relating to Unlawful Use of the Official City Seal
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Adopt an Ordinance entitled: "An Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Amending and Restating Chapter 1-12 (Official City Seal) of Title 1 (General Provisions) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code and Adding New Section 1-12.020 (Unlawful Use of Official City Seal) Making Unauthorized Use of the Official City Seal Unlawful."
4.6 Resolution Opposing SCAQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121 Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Opposing SCAQMD Proposed Amended Rules 1111 and 1121."
4.10 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.7 City of Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution entitled: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills Adopting the Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.”
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
5 Mayor Wheeler removed Item 4.7 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote 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 Proposed T-Ball Infield Installation at Costeau Park Recommendation: That the City Council direct the Public Works Director to install an infield at the existing backstop area at Costeau Park for “T-Ball” play.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.8 from the Consent Calendar to request to delay the action and expenditure to hopefully work out a deal with the Saddleback Valley Unified School District (whom he had talked with) with the hope of getting five baseball fields as opposed to the one smaller field at Cousteau Park.
At Mayor Sweeney's request, Dan Mandel, Laguna Hills Little League representative, provided information on the item.
A motion to continue the item to a future meeting was moved by Council Member Wheeler and received no second. As a result, no action was taken on this motion.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis
Nays: Council Member Wheeler
Abstain: None
4.9 Laguna Hills Civic Center Termite Fumigation
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Find and determine it is appropriate to waive formal bidding requirements of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code (LHMC) for the award of termite fumigation services due to the following reasons: a) No bids City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
6 or proposals were received through the formal bid process (LHMC Section 3-
08.090(G)); b) A reasonable attempt has been made to obtain informal bids or proposals; and c) It has been determined by the Purchasing Officer that three bids or proposals cannot be obtained (LHMC Section 3-08.110(C)); 2) Approve and award the Work Order Agreement with Western Exterminator Company; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the Work Order Agreement.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to request to delay the action and expenditure to pursue a building analysis and repair of damaged areas before the tenting. It was offered that an actual analysis would determine necessary repair (which should be done before tenting) and if tenting or spot treatment was the better option. The agenda item tenting was proposed on the basis of how long it had been with no tenting as opposed to actual damage analysis.
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 Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis
Nays: Council Member Wheeler
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.
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members There were no matters agendized by City Council Members.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
7 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
Mayor Sweeney
Mayor Sweeney reported on Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey's expected return.
Mayor Sweeney reported on the recent grand opening for MAC Flooring & Interiors located on Avenida de la Carlota.
Mayor Sweeney reported on the recent Westminster Police Department's 2024 Promotion and Awards Ceremony.
Mayor Sweeney recognized and expressed gratitude for the Orange County Sheriff's Department and Orange County Fire Authority.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of March 11, 2025.