City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Closed Session - Convening at 5:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:01 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
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:
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
City Attorney Simonian announced the closed session items.
A. Conference with Labor Negotiators
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6(a) City Designated Representative: Eric Hendrickson, Finance Director Employee Organization: Laguna Hills City Employee Association, City Employee Organization
B. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) 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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
2 Reconvene to City Council Chamber
Recess
General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Closed Session Report
A. Conference with Labor Negotiators
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.6(a) City Designated Representative: Eric Hendrickson, Finance Director Employee Organization: Laguna Hills City Employee Association, City Employee Organization
B. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Initiation of litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) 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 taken.
Invocation: Council Member Mathis
Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey
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 Student Liaison Parsa Kaveh.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
3 1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Parsa Kaveh and Alternate Student Liaison Forrest Frey
Mayor Sweeney presented a Certificate of Recognition to Parsa Kaven recognizing his service as a Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison. Alternate Student Liaison Forrest Frey was unavailable at the meeting to accept the Certificate of Recognition.
1.3 Proclamation for Jewish American Heritage Month
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 1.3:
Steve Cogan
Roberta Scharlin Zinman
Dalia Bromberg
Mayor Sweeney presented a Proclamation to Tal Fox, Director of Community Engagement, Jewish Community Action Network, declaring May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month.
1.5 Proclamation for Wildfire Awareness & Prevention Season The City Council issued a proclamation declaring mid-summer to early-autumn 2025 as "Wildfire Awareness and Prevention Season" and Mayor Sweeney presented a proclamation to Michael Summers, Division Chief, Orange County Fire Authority.
1.4 Proclamation for Drowning Prevention Awareness
The City Council issued a proclamation encouraging participation in the "Always Watch the Water" and "Never Swim Alone" campaigns by highlighting May through August as a "Drowning Prevention Awareness" period and Mayor Sweeney presented the proclamation to Michael Summers, Division Chief, Orange County Fire Authority.
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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
4 4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.11 and Council Member Pezold removing Item No. 4.9 and Item No. 4.10 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
4.1 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 22, 2025, 430pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 22, 2025, 430pm Special Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for April 22, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 22, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.4 Approval of Minutes for April 29, 2025, 2pm Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the April 29, 2025, 2pm Special Meeting.
4.5 Ratification of May 13, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from April 11, 2025, to May 1, 2025, in the amount of $2,198,570.06.
4.6 Second Amendment to Waste Disposal Agreement with the County of Orange
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Second Amendment to the Waste Disposal Agreement (WDA) with the County of Orange, extending the term through June 30, 2026, and incorporating a 2.6% increase in disposal fees, consistent with the existing escalation formula.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5 4.7 Award of a Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc. for the Paseo de Valencia/Alicia Parkway Reader Board
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group, Inc. in the amount of $58,667.
4.8 Amendment No. 1 to Professional Services Agreement with Hartzog & Crabill, Inc. for On-Call Traffic Engineering, Traffic Signal Operations Support, and Transportation Engineering Consulting Services
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve proposed Amendment No. 1 to the current Professional Services Agreement with Hartzog & Crabill, Inc. for OnCall Traffic Engineering, Traffic Signal Operations Support, and Transportation Engineering Consulting Services, and 2. Authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.11 Amendment No. 1 to the 2016 License and Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the use of $48,440 in unencumbered FY 2024-2025 funds in the Information Technology budget for the first year cost of the cloud-based Enterprise Permitting and Licensing (EP&L software), and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 1 to the 2016 License and Services Agreement with Tyler Technologies, Inc.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.11 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Assistant City Manager Ames responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Community Development Director Lowe 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 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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
6 4.9 2025-2027 Fourth of July Celebration Sound and Stage Agreement Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the Sound and Stage Agreement between DJE and City of Laguna Hills for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027; and 2. Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.
Council Member Pezold removed Item No. 4.9 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Interim Community Services Director Gannon 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 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
4.10 Periodic Review of Development Agreement (Ordinance No. 2022-1) Between the City of Laguna Hills and MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC: Village at Laguna Hills Mixed-Use Project
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Receive and file a report submitted by MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC demonstrating its good faith compliance with the terms and conditions of the Development Agreement; and 2. Find and determine that MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC has complied in good faith with the terms and conditions of the Development Agreement for the period of April 22, 2022 through April 21, 2025.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.10 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Community Development Director Lowe responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Chief of Police Services Captain Burk responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
7 Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
5. Planning Agency
There were no separate Planning Agency Business Items for this meeting.
6. City Council Public Hearings
6.1 Public Hearing on 2025 Weed, Rubbish, and Refuse Abatement Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing, receive and consider all objections; and
2. Adopt a Resolution entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, issuing an abatement order and authorizing the Public Works Director to commence enforcing weed, rubbish, and refuse abatement against specified parcels of land."
Assistant City Manager Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Sweeney opened the public hearing.
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member request for additional information.
OCFA Division Chief Summers responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Sweeney closed the public hearing.
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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
8 7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
7.1.1 Consideration of Actions Related to City Council Office Relocation and Use of Suite 255
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Motion to reconsider relocation of the City Council office from Suite 300 to Suite 255;
2. Terminate the License Agreement with the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce for Suite 255, with a 30-day termination effective June 12, 2025;
3. Approve a new 5-year lease with Kapri, Inc. for Suite 255; and
4. Provide direction to staff regarding a preferred alternative location for the City Council office.
City Attorney Simonian provided comments on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to reconsider the relocation of the City Council Offices from Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 300 to Suite 255 was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
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
City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to terminate the License Agreement with the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce for Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 255 effective June 12, 2025, was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 1, Abstained 0
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
9 Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
A motion to approve City Council Relocation Option No. 2, to convert the front conference room to a City Council office, was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
A motion to approve a new 5-year lease with Kapri, Inc. for Laguna Hills Civic Center Suite 255 was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
Abstain: None
7.2 Assistant City Manager
7.2.1 City Council Chamber Audio/Visual Upgrades
Recommendation: That the City Council discuss and provide direction to City staff.
Assistant City Manager Ames reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to direct staff to move forward with Option 2 and Option 3, as provided in the staff report, was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 2, Abstained 0
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
10 Ayes: Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Mayor Sweeney, Council Member Mathis
Abstain: None
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
8.1 Consideration of Proposed City Council Policies titled: 1. Annual Joint Meeting of City Council and Appointed Commissions Policy; 2. Charge and Establishment of a Beautification Commission; 3. Unauthorized Communication Regarding Potential Litigation; and 4. Community Events Policy.
Recommendation: Council Member Mathis and Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey recommend that the City Council direct staff to prepare the policies and agendize for final approval at the May 27, 2025 meeting.
Council Member Mathis reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to direct staff to prepare the Annual Joint Meeting Policy and agendize for approval at a future meeting, was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
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
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the Establishment of a Beautification Commission Policy to a future meeting was moved by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Mathis.
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
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
11 Nays: None
Abstain: None
A motion to continue the Unauthorized Communication Policy to a future meeting 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
A motion to direct staff to prepare the Community Events Policy and agendize for approval at a future meeting was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
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
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.
10. City Council Member Comments
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold thanked the Council for acknowledging Jewish American Heritage Month and indicated that, based on the public comments received at the meeting, she would like a meeting scheduled to hear the grievances of the Jewish constituents of Laguna Hills.
Mayor Sweeney and Council Member Mathis responded to Council Member Pezold's comments regarding a meeting with the Jewish constituents of Laguna Hills.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
12 Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of May 27, 2025.