City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Invocation: Bishop Scott McKeon of Laguna Hills Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Pledge of Allegiance: Ze'ev Davis
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Joshua Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Don Caskey
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Jared Mathis
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
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 Kyden Brown.
1.2 Working Wardrobes 35th Anniversary
The City Council received a presentation on the services Working Wardrobes provides to the community and Mayor Sweeney presented a Certificate of Recognition to Bonni Pomuch, CEO, Working Wardrobes for 35 years of community service.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
2 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 Pezold removing Item No. 4.10 was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, 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 March 11, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the March 11, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of March 25, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from February 28, 2025, to March 13, 2025, in the amount of $1,894,038.44.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for February 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of February 2025.
4.5 Records Retention Management
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-03-25-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing and Directing the City Clerk to Dispose of Certain City Records in Accordance with the City's Record Retention Schedule.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
3 4.7 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for the Integration of the Fusus System
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to make minor modifications as may be necessary to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for the integration of the Fusus System and authorize the Mayor to execute the MOU.
4.8 Agreement for Shared Community Outreach Program Management Services Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed Community Outreach and Engagement Services Agreement with the City of Mission Viejo for homelessness outreach services and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.
4.9 2025 Arbor Day Recognition
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached Arbor Day Proclamation as required by the Arbor Day Foundation for the Tree City USA Certification.
4.10 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and direct Staff to forward the 2024 General Plan Annual Progress Report and Housing Element Annual Progress Report-Housing Implementation to the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) and the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
4.11 Countywide Emergency Mass Notification System (AlertOC) Memorandum of Understanding Update with the County of Orange
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the Emergency Manager to execute and manage the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the City of Laguna Hills and the County of Orange, to allow the City to continue to utilize the County's Countywide Mass Notification System, referred to as AlertOC, under the terms and conditions set forth in the County's Countywide Mass Notification System Operating Guidelines and the applicable vendor-provider agreements, commencing on December 30, 2024, and concluding on December 30, 2029.
4.12 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
4 Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.6 AB448 Letter of Support
Recommendation: That the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to send a letter of support for Assembly Bill 448 (AB 448) seeking to enhance the quality of care and services provided in Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs (STRTPs).
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to allow for discussion on the item.
City Attorney Simonian 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 Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, 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 Adopting New City Council Policy No. 115 - Rules of Decorum and Procedure for the Conduct of City Council Meetings
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a Resolution entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adopting City Council Policy No. 115 Entitled, 'Rules of Decorum and Procedures for the City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
5 Conduct of City Council Meetings', Which Update, Amend, and Restate the City Council's Established Rules of Decorum for Public Meetings Consistent with The Ralph M. Brown Act."
City Attorney Simonian reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to table the item was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
8.1 Mayor Sweeney
8.1.1 Membership in the United States Conference of Mayors Recommendation: Mayor Sweeney recommends that the City Council direct staff to submit an application for membership in the United States Conference of Mayors.
Mayor Sweeney provided information on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve Mayor Sweeney's recommendation was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 2, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis
Nays: Council Member Pezold, Council Member Wheeler
Abstain: None
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
6 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 issuing letters of support for all legislative proposals of the California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force be agendized on the Consent Calendar for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Sweeney.
Council Member Pezold reported on the 72nd Assembly District Women of the Year event she recently attended and requested that the City Council recognize Laguna Hills Woman of the Year Lauren Becker, Director of Braille Institute, at a future meeting and received a second from Council Member Mathis.
Council Member Pezold reported on the Lomarena Elementary School Read-In event she recently participated in.
Council Member Pezold requested a discussion during an upcoming budget workshop, on the possibility of donating the use of the Community Center for fundraisers for Laguna Hills elementary schools and the laws regarding making donations to other organizations.
Council Member Pezold reported on the Rooted Planting Event held on March 22, 2025, expressed her appreciation to City staff and indicated that the Events, Communications, and Beautification Committee would be discussing ideas to improve the events in the future.
Council Member Pezold indicated that during an upcoming budget workshop, she would like to have a discussion on adding a beautification budget allocation to the City's biennial budget.
Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey provided remarks regarding the new fire hazard severity zones recommended by the State Fire Marshal and requested that a report on the potential impacts of these changes on the City be agendized at a future meeting, received a second from Council Member Pezold.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
7 Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey addressed his recent absence, expressed his gratitude for being able to return to City Council meetings, and conveyed his appreciation for the kind wishes and prayers he received.
Council Member Mathis
Council Member Mathis expressed his happiness with Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey's return.
Council Member Wheeler
Council Member Wheeler presented two Excel spreadsheets he created, detailing all payments listed on the City's warrant registers approved since he joined the City Council in 2018.
Mayor Sweeney
Mayor Sweeney expressed his gratitude to have Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey back on the dais.
Mayor Sweeney expressed his appreciation to Civic Center tenant, Brian S. Mandel and his grandson Ze've Davis for performing the pledge of allegiance at tonight's meeting.
Mayor Sweeney reported on his recent attendance at the 8th National Session of the Mayors' Institute on City Design.
Council Member Wheeler
Council Member Wheeler reported that his former high school, Maysville Panthers, recently claimed their first ever Division 4 boys basketball state championship.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of April 8, 2025.