City of Laguna Hills
City Council
Special Meeting
Minutes
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 11:02 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
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
Public Comments
There were no public comments on the special meeting items.
City Council Workshop Item(s)
1 Discussion of Governance Best Practices and City Council's Long-Term Vision Recommendation: That the City Council receive governance and strategic planning training in open session, facilitated by Jacob Green and Associates, Inc. (JGA), to discuss governance best practice and to begin the process of building alignment around the City Council's long-term vision.
The City Council received a presentation from Jacob Green and Associates.
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
A. Public Employee Performance Evaluation
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) Public Employee Title: City Manager
B. Public Employment
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Titles: City Manager
Interim City Manager
Acting City Manager
City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2025
2 C. Public Employee Appointment and Employment
Government Code Section 54957(b)(1)
Titles: Interim City Manager
Acting City Manager
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.
Reconvene to City Council Chamber
Closed Session Report
The City Council convened into Closed Session this afternoon pursuant to the authorities listed on the Special Meeting Closed Session Agenda.
Closed Session Item “A” – No reportable action taken
Closed Session Item “B” – No reportable action taken
Closed Session Item “C” – The following reportable action was taken by the City Council:
After serving the City of Laguna Hills for three years, City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand recently announced that he will be resigning in order to accept a new City Manager position with the City of Orange. Mr. Hildenbrand submitted his letter of resignation to Mayor Sweeney yesterday, June 24, 2025. His last day with the City of Laguna Hills will be August 8th. His resignation will be effective at the end of the day, Friday, August 8th.
As a result of this afternoon’s Closed Session, the City Council voted (4-0-1 / Council Member Pezold Absent) to appoint Assistant City Manager/Public Works Director/City Engineer Joe Ames as the Acting City Manager, effective 5:01 p.m. on Friday, August 8th, pending the preparation by the City Attorney of an Interim City Manager Employment Contract. It is the intention of the City Council to enter into an Interim City Manager Employment Contract with Mr. Ames, along with an Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement with Mr. Ames, which is to become effective after Mr. Ames completes his Interim City Manager services engagement, which proposed agreements are anticipated to be presented for review, consideration, and approval by the Council at the July 8, 2025, regular City Council meeting. Upon Council approval of a proposed Interim City Manager City Council Special Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, June 25, 2025
3 Employment Contract with Mr. Ames it is expected that Mr. Ames will then serve as the Interim City Manager effective 5:01 p.m., Friday, August 8, 2025.
Upon completion of his Interim City Manager services engagement, it is anticipated that Mr. Ames will continue to serve as the Assistant City Manager, pursuant to an Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement.
The City Council directed the City Attorney to prepare both an Interim City Manager Employment Agreement and an Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement with Mr. Ames for future City Council consideration and approval at a regular meeting.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Sweeney declared the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Joshua Sweeney, Mayor
Approved at meeting of July 8, 2025.