City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 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: Council Member Pezold
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
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 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kyden Brown
Mayor Sweeney presented 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
The City Council received a presentation from Juan Gonzalez, Public Affairs Manager and Jessi Davis, Energy and Environmental Affairs Manager for Southern California Gas Company.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
2 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 Pezold removing Item No. 4.9 and Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.10 and Item No. 4.11 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
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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
3 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.
4.12 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.
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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
4 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
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.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.10 from the Consent Calendar to amend staff's recommendation.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation with the amendment to buy American was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
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
4.9 Proposed Lease Agreement with Serenity Escrow, Inc., a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 300, Laguna Hills, California 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.
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to oppose the Item.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
5 A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
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 Resolution No. 2025-04-22-1: "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.”
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.11 from the Consent Calendar to provide comments on the item.
At Mayor Sweeney's request, Traffic Commissioner Miller provided comments on the item and 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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
6 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
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.
City Manager Hildenbrand provided introductory remarks on the item.
Jamas Gwilliam, Managing Director, Merlone-Geier Partners, provided a presentation on the item and responded to Council Member requests for information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 7.1.1:
Ahn Nguyen
Andy Saymour on behalf of the Higher Wages Lower Rent Alliance Matthew Johnson, a resident of Laguna Hills
Sophia Wigglesworth
Rona Henry, Chair, Welcoming Neighbors Home
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the item to the June 24, 2025, regular meeting was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
A substitute motion to continue the item to the September 23, 2025, regular meeting was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
7 The main motion was amended by Mayor Sweeney and Council Member Mathis to direct staff to engage in negotiations with Merlone Geier Partners Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC and to form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey and Council Member Mathis.
Mayor Sweeney called for a roll call vote on the substitute motion.
A motion to continue the Item to the September 23, 2025, regular meeting was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold.
Roll Call Vote Result: Failed
Yes 2, No 3, Abstained 0
Ayes: Council Member Pezold, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council
Member Mathis
Abstain: None
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Sweeney called for a roll call vote on the amended main motion.
A motion to direct staff to engage in negotiations with Merlone Geier Partners Fund X Laguna hills, LLC and to form an Ad Hoc Committee consisting of Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey and Council Member Mathis 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
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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
8 City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 7.1.2:
Christina Kennedy, President & CEO, Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the item to the May 13, 2025, regular meeting was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council
Member Pezold, Council Member Mathis
Nays: Council Member Wheeler
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 Report
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 Pro Tempore Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey indicated that he received requests from constituents for the City to look into parking enforcement to allow street sweeping and requested to direct the Traffic Commission to review the issue and report their findings back to the City Council, receiving a second from Mayor Sweeney.
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold requested that the previously approved creation of a business recognition program be referred to the Events, Communication, and Beautification Committee with input from the Chamber of Commerce and received a second from Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
9 Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 8:22 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of May 13, 2025.