City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025 - 6:00 PM
(Closed Session at 5:00 p.m. when scheduled)
City Council Chamber
24035 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Joshua Sweeney
Mayor
Don Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore
Jared Mathis
Council Member
Erica Pezold
Council Member
Dave Wheeler
Council Member
In Person Public Comments: Any person wishing to address the City Council/Planning Agency on any matter, whether or not it appears on this Agenda, is asked to complete a pink “Request to Speak” form available on the table at the back of the Chamber and submit the form to the City Clerk. The Request to Speak form assists the Mayor in ensuring that all persons wishing to address the City Council are recognized and ensures accurate identification of meeting participants in the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes. Completion of the form is voluntary. It is City policy to limit public testimony to up to three minutes per person, as determined by the Mayor, and a total time limit of thirty minutes for Public Comments. If you are commenting on an Agenda item, your comments will be heard at the time that item is scheduled on the Agenda. If you are addressing the City Council on an item not listed on the Agenda, the City Council is prohibited by law from discussing or taking any action on that item.
Submission of Electronic Public Comments: Those wishing to make electronic public comments may submit their comments by email to the City Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. In the subject line of the email, please state your name and the item number you are commenting on.
Any public comment received that does not specify a particular agenda item number will be announced during the general public comment portion of the agenda. All comments received by 4:00 p.m. on the date of the meeting will be provided to the City Council and will be provided for public inspection at the meeting. During the applicable agenda item, the City Clerk will announce the name of the sender and subject matter of all electronic comments received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Email comments will NOT be read by the City Clerk during the meeting.
Electronic public comments may only be submitted via email and comments via text and social media (Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), etc.) will not be accepted.
For questions or assistance, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (949) 707-2635 or via email.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
2 General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Resolution No. 96-04-09-1 established rules of decorum for public meetings held by the City of Laguna Hills. Resolution No. 96-04-09-1 is available on the table at the back of the City Council Chamber.
Invocation
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
Roll Call of City Council Members
1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive a report from Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kyden Brown.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kyden Brown
Recommendation: That Mayor Sweeney present a Certificate of Recognition to Kyden Brown recognizing their service as a Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison.
1.3 Presentation from Southern California Gas Company
Recommendation: That the City Council receive a presentation from Juan Gonzalez, Public Affairs Manager, Southern California Gas Company.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Recommendation: That the Deputy City Clerk announce the upcoming meetings and events.
3. Public Comments
This is the time to address the City Council on any matter not listed on this Agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Public Comments are limited to three minutes per person as determined by the Mayor and a total time limit of thirty minutes.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
3 4. Consent Calendar
All matters listed under “CONSENT CALENDAR” are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion approving the recommendation listed on the Agenda. There will be no separate discussion unless Members of the City Council or City staff request specific items be removed from the Consent Calendar.
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 April 8, 2025, 330pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 8, 2025, 330pm Special Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2025, 4pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 8, 2025, 4pm Special Meeting.
4.4 Approval of Minutes for April 8, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 8, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.5 Ratification of April 22, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from March 28, 2025, to April 10, 2025, in the amount of $2,374,782.69.
4.6 Treasurer's Investment Report for March 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of March 2025.
4.7 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
4.8 Informal Bidding Ordinance Use Quarterly Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
4.9 Proposed Lease Agreement with Serenity Escrow, Inc., a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 300, Laguna Hills, California City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
4 Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the lease agreement with Serenity Escrow, Inc., a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 300, Laguna Hills, California; 2) Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications to and negotiate the final terms of the lease agreement, as necessary; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the lease agreement.
4.10 Purchase of Two Alternative Fuel Vehicles for Use at City Hall and for the Community Services Department Pursuant to Section 3-08.130 of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Approve the purchase of two (2) alternative fuel vehicles pursuant to LHMC Sections 3-08.130 from the list of approved vehicles;
2) Authorize the appropriation of funds from the City’s AB 2766 Subvention Fund for the purchase of the approved vehicles; and 3) Authorize the City Manager to execute purchase agreements from dealers in order to procure the vehicles from the list of approved vehicles.
4.11 Side Street Stop Sign Installation on Sunburst Avenue at Largo Drive Recommendation: That the City Council: 1) Find and determine that the proposed stop control intersection is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 15301(c) of the CEQA Guidelines, Cal. Code of Regs, Title 14, Chapter 3 (the operation and maintenance of existing highways and streets is categorically exempt); and 2) Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Designating the Intersection of Sunburst Avenue and Largo Drive as a Stop Intersection and Authorizing the Installation of a One-Way Side Street Stop Sign on Sunburst Avenue at Largo Drive.”
4.12 Rescindment of the Approval and Award of Work Order Agreement with Western Exterminator Company for Termite Fumigation at the Laguna Hills Civic Center
Recommendation: That the City Council rescind the approval and award of the Work Order Agreement with Western Exterminator Company for termite fumigation at the Laguna Hills Civic Center, awarded at the February 25, 2025, regular meeting.
4.13 Recommendation to Oppose Unless Amended: SB 16 (Blakespear) Homeless Housing Reporting Requirements
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt an “Oppose Unless Amended” position on SB 16 (Blakespear) and authorize the Mayor to transmit a letter to the appropriate legislative offices conveying the City’s position.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
5 4.14 2025 Fourth of July Celebration Pre-Event Report and Fireworks Agreement Recommendation: That the City Council 1) Receive and file the 2025 Fourth of July Celebration pre-event report; and 2) Approve the Fireworks Display Agreement between Garden State Fireworks ("GSF") and the City of Laguna Hills for 2025 and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
4.15 2025 Memorial Day Nonprofit Beer Garden Partner
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the Parentis Foundation as the 2025 Memorial Day Nonprofit Beer Garden Partner.
4.16 Opposition to AB 647 (Gonzalez) – Housing Development Approvals:
Residential Units
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt a position of opposition to AB 647 (Gonzalez) and direct staff to transmit a letter of opposition to the bill author, legislative committees, and relevant advocacy organizations.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
5. Planning Agency
The Planning Agency is called to order only if there are items scheduled to be presented to the Planning Agency.
6. City Council Public Hearings
7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
7.1.1 Request by Merlone Geier Partners for Initiation of Proposed Major Project Modifications to the Village at Laguna Hills Development Agreement and Formation of Ad Hoc Committee
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1) Receive a presentation by Merlone Geier Partners regarding their request for initiation of Major Project Modifications to the Development Agreement for the Village at Laguna Hills Mixed-Use Project;
2) Review and provide direction to staff on whether to engage in negotiations with MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC (“MGP”) regarding the proposed Major Project Modifications to the Development Agreement for the Village at Laguna Hills Mixed-Use Project; and
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
6 3) Consider the formation of an Ad Hoc Committee comprised solely of two members of the City Council (less than a quorum) to help facilitate the requested negotiations and to make recommendations to the City Council.
7.1.2 License Agreement for Suite 255 – Termination or Shared Use Policy Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction to staff regarding either of the following:
1) Terminating the License Agreement with the Chamber of Commerce and proceeding with converting Suite 255 into City Council office space; or 2) Adopting a proposed shared use policy that allows both the City Council and the Chamber to utilize Suite 255 on designated days.
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
9. City Council Member Committee Reports
9.1 Committee Assignment Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive reports from City Council Members on the City Council Committee Assignments listed in the staff report.
10. City Council Member Comments
Adjournment
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council/Planning Agency will be May 13, 2025, at 6:00p.m., in the City Council Chamber, located at 24035 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, California.
CERTIFICATION
I, JENNIFER LEE, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Hills, do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Agenda was posted at Laguna Hills City Hall, Laguna Hills Community Center, and the Courtyard at La Paz Center by April 17, 2025, at 5:00p.m.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
7 It is the intention of the City of Laguna Hills to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act in all respects. If as an attendee or a participant at this meeting you will need special assistance beyond what is normally provided, the City of Laguna Hills will attempt to accommodate you in every reasonable manner. Please contact the office of the City Clerk at (949) 707 2635. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting.
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office at 24035 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, California, during normal business hours. In addition, such writings or documents will be made available for public review on the City’s website at: https://www.lagunahillsca.gov/supplementalagenda and at the respective public meeting.
City Council Members receive no additional compensation or stipend as a result of simultaneously convening meetings of the Laguna Hills Planning Agency.