City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, June 24, 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: Mayor Sweeney
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present:
Mayor Joshua Sweeney
Mayor Pro Tempore Don Caskey
Council Member Jared Mathis
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Council Member Erica Pezold
1. Presentations and Proclamations
1.1 Proclamation for Parks Make Life Better Month
The City Council issued a Proclamation declaring July 2025 as Parks Make Life Better Month and Mayor Sweeney presented the Proclamation to City staff.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
City Clerk Lee announced the upcoming meetings and events.
Mayor Sweeney received consensus from the City Council to take Item No. 6.1 out of order on the Agenda.
6. City Council Public Hearings
6.1 General Plan Amendment RZNE-0013-2024, a Minor Amendment to the Laguna Hills General Plan Mobility Element to Reflect Changes Made to the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways to Modify Major and Secondary Arterials to Collector Arterials
Recommendation: That the City Council:
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2 1. Conduct a public hearing;
2. Find and determine that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378; and,
3. Adopt a Resolution entitled: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Making a Determination that the Project is Exempt from CEQA under State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378, and Approving General Plan Amendment No. RZNE-0013-2024, a Minor Amendment to the General Plan Mobility Element to Modify Major and Secondary Arterials to Collector Arterials for Paseo de Valencia Between Alicia Parkway and Cabot Road, and Cabot Road Between Paseo de Valencia and El Paseo.”
Council Member Mathis does not have a legal conflict of interest, but out of an abundance of caution, he recused himself from discussion/action on Item No. 6.1.
Community Development Director Jennifer Lowe reviewed the information provided in the staff report and provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Sweeney opened the public hearing.
The following individual(s) submitted an electronic public comment on Item No.
6.1 that was forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Lee:
Susan and Mark Nicolosi
The following individuals addressed the City Council on public hearing item no 6.1:
Allison Murillo Susie Holloway Richard
Tom Robe Dave Holloway Dawn Ford
Beverly Thies Lamar Kirchhevel, P.E. Jean Kirchhevel
City Manager Hildenbrand responded to requests for additional information.
Assistant City Manager Ames responded to requests for additional information.
A motion to continue the public hearing to the September 9, 2025, regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. was moved by Mayor Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 0, Abstained 0
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3 Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
Council Member Mathis rejoined the meeting.
3. Public Comments
The following individual(s) provided public comments on non-agendized items:
Tom Robe
Heidi Prescott
Interim Community Services Director Gannon responded to requests for additional information.
City Attorney Simonian responded to requests for additional information.
Chief of Police Services, Captain Burk responded to requests for additional information.
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.5, Item No. 4.6, Item no. 4.7, and Item No. 4.8 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, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, 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 June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the June 10, 2025, Regular Meeting.
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Tuesday, June 24, 2025
4 4.3 Approval of Minutes for June 17, 2025, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the June 17, 2025, Special Meeting.
4.4 Ratification of June 24, 2025 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from May 30, 2025, to June 13, 2025, in the amount of $1,292,085.26.
4.9 Amendment No. 1 to Citywide Weed Abatement Maintenance Services Agreement with Specialty Mowing Services, Inc.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve proposed Amendment No. 1 to the current Citywide Weed Abatement Maintenance Services Agreement with Specialty Mowing Services, Inc., and authorize the Mayor to execute the Agreement.
4.10Assignment and Assumption of Lease and First Amendment to Lease with Premier Group International, an Investigative and Security Corporation, a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 203, Laguna Hills, California
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the proposed assignment and assumption agreement for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 203, Laguna Hills, California;
2. Approve the first amendment to the lease agreement with Premier Group International, an Investigative and Security Corporation, a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 203, Laguna Hills, California; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications, as necessary, to the assignment and assumption agreement and to the first amendment to the lease agreement and to execute both agreements.
4.11 First Amendment to Lease with Layla Fijany, DDS MS Corp., a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 205, Laguna Hills, California Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the first amendment to the lease agreement with Layla Fijany, DDS MS Corp., a California corporation, for 24031 El Toro Road, Suite 205, Laguna Hills, California; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to make minor modifications, as necessary, to the first amendment to the lease agreement and to execute the first amendment to the lease agreement.
4.12Adoption of Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Civic Center Budget Recommendation: That the City Council approve and adopt the FY2025/2026 Civic Center Budget.
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5 4.13 Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Laguna Hills and the Laguna Hills City Employees Association
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution No. 2025-06-24-1: "A Resolution of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adopting a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Laguna Hills and the Laguna Hills City Employees Association (LHCEA), and Superseding All Previous LHCEA Memorandums of Understanding Effective July 1, 2025"; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Understanding.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.5 Treasurer's Investment Report for May 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of May 2025.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.5 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Finance Director Hendrickson responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
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, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
4.6 Development Application Status Report
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.6 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Community Development Director Lowe responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
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6 City Attorney Simonian responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to receive and file the report was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
4.7 Award of Professional Services Agreement to KOA Corporation, Inc. to Develop the Laguna Hills Citywide Safety Action Plan
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed Professional Services Agreement with KOA Corporation, Inc., and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.7 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
Assistant City Manager Ames responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
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, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
4.8 Award of a Professional Services Agreement to GMU Geotechnical, Inc. for On-Call Plan Check, Geotechnical and Pavement Engineering and Inspection Consulting Services
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed Professional Services Agreement with GMU Geotechnical, Inc., in the amount of $50,000, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Agreement.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.8 from the Consent Calendar to request additional information.
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7 Assistant City Manager Ames responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Mayor Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, 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
6.2 Public Hearing and Second Reading and Adoption of Introduced Ordinance Adopting the Local Area Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map as Required by California Government Code Section 51179 Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Conduct a public hearing; and
2. Adopt an Ordinance entitled: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adding Chapter 10-84 to the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Adopting the Local Responsibility Area Fire Hazard Severity Zones Map as Designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection;”
City Manager Hildenbrand reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Sweeney opened the public hearing.
Mayor Sweeney closed the public hearing.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 0
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8 Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
The City Manager provided no administrative reports.
7.2 Finance Director
7.2.1 Employment Classifications, Salary Ranges, and Benefits for Management, Confidential, and Part-Time Classes of Employment with the City
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution No. 202-06-24-2: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, regarding employment and establishing salary ranges and benefits for Management, Confidential, and Part-time classes of employment with the City and rescinding Resolution No. 2023-07-11-4"; and
2. Approve the City's Employee Position Allocation.
Finance Director Hendrickson reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a PowerPoint presentation, and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
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 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Sweeney, Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey, Council
Member Mathis, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
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9 7.3 Chief of Police Services
7.3.1 Public Safety Update
Chief of Police Services, Captain Burk provided a public safety update report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
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
Council Member Wheeler
Council Member Wheeler requested a discussion on timelines for applications for building permits be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Council Member Mathis.
Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey requested to expand the discussion to include construction timelines and received a second from Council Member Wheeler.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of July 8, 2025.