City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m. by Mayor Sweeney.
Invocation: Council Member Wheeler
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:
City Council Reorganization
Remarks from Outgoing Mayor
The City Council received remarks from Mayor Sweeney.
Election of Mayor
Recommendation: That the City Council nominate and elect a Mayor to serve until December 8, 2026.
Mayor Sweeney nominated Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey to serve as Mayor.
The City Council elected Mayor Pro Tempore Caskey to serve as Mayor until December 8, 2026.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Council Member Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Sweeney, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
2 Recognition of Outgoing Mayor
Recognition of Outgoing Mayor and Resolution of Commendation, Joshua Sweeney
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-12-09-1: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, commending Joshua Sweeney as Mayor" and that the City Council present the Resolution and a plaque to Joshua Sweeney recognizing his service to the City.
A motion to adopt Resolution No. 2025-12-09-1 commending Joshua Sweeney as Mayor was moved by Council Member Mathis, seconded by Mayor Caskey.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 0, Abstained 1
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Sweeney, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: Council Member Erica Pezold
Remarks of Mayor Sweeney's Service to the City
Mayor Caskey provided remarks regarding Joshua Sweeney's service to the City as Mayor and presented him with the Resolution of Commendation and a City Seal Plaque.
Karli Wise, representative for Assemblymember Diane Dixon remarks regarding Joshua Sweeney's service as Mayor and presented him with a Resolution of Commendation.
Remarks from Newly Elected Mayor
The City Council received remarks from newly elected Mayor Caskey.
Election of Mayor Pro Tempore
Recommendation: That the City Council nominate and elect a Mayor Pro Tempore to serve until December 8, 2026.
Council Member Sweeney nominated Council Member Mathis to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore.
The City Council elected Council Member Mathis to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore until December 8, 2026.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 4, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Council Member Mathis, Council Member Sweeney, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: Council Member Pezold
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
3 Abstain: None
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 Ethan Keschner.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Ethan Keschner
Mayor Caskey presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ethan Keschner recognizing his service as a Laguna Hills Student Liaison.
6. City Council Public Hearings
Mayor Caskey took Item No. 6.1 out of order on the Agenda to start the public hearing at the scheduled fixed time of 6:30p.m.
6.1 Fifth Public Hearing and Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No.2025-7 Adding Sections 2-04.090 and 2-04.100 to Chapter 2-04 (City Council) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Implementing By-District Elections of Council Members from Five Council Districts
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Receive staff presentation and report;
2. Conduct the fifth public hearing necessary for continuing the process to transition to by-district elections;
3. Close the public hearing;
4. Discuss and deliberate;
5. Approve Second Reading and Adopt Ordinance No.2025-7, entitled: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adding Sections 2-04.090 and 2-04.100 to Chapter 2-04 (City Council) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Implementing By-District Elections of Council Members from Five Council Districts.”; and
6. Direct City staff and City’s retained demographer, National Demographics Corporation, to issue and post the Elections Code Section 21130(f) report, attached hereto, within 21-days of Council adoption of the final election district boundaries.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
4 Council Member Pezold does not have a legal conflict of interest; however, due to a potential ethical conflict of interest arising from her friendship with attorney Michelle R. Jackson, she recused herself from the item.
Assistant City Attorney Daudt provided introductory comments on the item and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Dr Justin Levitt, Vice-President, National Demographics Corporation (NDC) responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Mayor Caskey opened the public hearing.
The following individual(s) provided public comments on Item No. 6.1:
Heidi Prescott
Art Sanchez
William Lennertz
Phyllis Roberts
Cathy Udovch
Mayor Caskey closed the public hearing.
A motion to vote down the item was moved by Council Member Wheeler and received no second.
A motion to approve the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-7 and to direct City staff and NDC to issue and post the Elections Code Section 21130(f) report within 21 days was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney.
A substitute motion to revisit the selection of the Final Map and the Election Sequencing for the Ordinance was moved by Council Member Wheeler and received no second.
At the request of Council Member Wheeler, Mayor Caskey called for a roll call vote on the main motion.
A motion to approve the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2025-7 and to direct City staff and NDC to issue and post the Elections Code Section 21130(f) report within 21 days was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney.
Roll Call Vote Result: Passed
Yes 3, No 1, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, Council Member Sweeney
Nays: Council Member Wheeler
Abstain: Council Member Pezold [Recused]
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
5 2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Deputy City Clerk McDonald announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. Public Comments
The following individual(s) provided public comments on non-agendized items:
Dawn Ford
Jena Minnick-Bull
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the balance of the Consent Calendar with Council Member Wheeler removing Item No. 4.7 was moved by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Sweeney, 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 October 28, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the October 28, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for November 7, 2025, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council Minutes for the November 7, 2025, Special Meeting.
4.4 Approval of Minutes for November 18, 2025, Special Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the November 18, 2025 Regular Meeting.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
6 4.5 Ratification of December 9, 2025 Warrant Register Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from November 9, 2025, to November 27, 2025, in the amount of $744,397.14.
4.6 Financial Statements for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and other audit reports for fiscal year 2024/2025.
4.8 Affirmation of Local Appointments List for City Boards, Commission, and Committees
Recommendation: That the City Council affirm the Local Appointments List and direct that it be posted on the City's website, at City Hall, and in the Laguna Hills Branch Technology Library in accordance with Government Code Section 54972, the Maddy Act.
4.9 Approval of Parking Citation and Parking Permit Processing Agency Services Agreement with Data Ticket, Inc.
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Waive formal competitive bidding in accordance with Laguna Hills Municipal Code (LHMC) Section 3-08.090 with regard to approval of the proposed Parking Citation and Parking Permit Processing Agency Services Agreement with Data Ticket, Inc., as it is hereby found and determined, pursuant to LHMC Sections 3-08.110.G, I, and J, that the decision to use and rely on the 2020 County of Orange competitive selection process is appropriate;
2. Approve the Parking Citation and Parking Permit Processing Agency Services Agreement with Data Ticket, Inc.; and 3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement.
4.10 First Amendment to Agreement with CR&R Incorporated, a California corporation, for the Collection, Transportation, Processing and Diversion of Recyclable Materials, Food Scraps, Yard Trimmings, Construction and Demolition Debris and Other Materials and for the Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the First Amendment to Agreement with CR&R Incorporated, a California corporation, for the Collection, Transportation, Processing and Diversion of Recyclable Materials, Food Scraps, Yard Trimmings, Construction and Demolition Debris and Other Materials and for the Collection, Transportation and Disposal of Municipal Solid Waste, and 2.
Authorize the Mayor to sign the First Amendment to Agreement.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
7 Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
4.7 2026 City Council Meetings and Holidays Calendar
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the 2026 City Council Meetings and Holidays Calendar.
Council Member Wheeler removed Item No. 4.7 from the Consent Calendar to provide comments on the item.
A motion to approve staff's recommendation was moved by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Sweeney.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Sweeney, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
Abstain: None
5. Planning Agency
There were no separate Planning Agency Business Items for this meeting.
7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
City Manager Wingenroth reported on the City's recent Tree Lighting Ceremony and complimented and thanked Community Services staff for their efforts on a successful event.
7.2 City Clerk
7.2.1 City Council Representatives to Other Boards, Committees, and Agencies
Recommendation: That the City Council take the following actions:
1. Review the City of Laguna Hills City Council Representatives to Other Boards, Committees, and Agencies List, provide directions to staff regarding any necessary changes for appointments to the list, and by motion, approve the City Council Representatives to Other Committees/Agencies List, as revised by the City Council; and
2. Approve and direct the City Clerk to prepare and post an updated FPPC Disclosure Form 806 to reflect all paid city representative appointments to outside agency boards, committees, and/or commissions in accordance with state law.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
8 City Clerk Lee reviewed the information provided in the staff report and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
A motion to approve the City Council Representatives to Other Committees/Agencies List with all appointments remaining the same was moved by Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Vote Result: Passed
Yes 5, No 0, Abstained 0
Ayes: Mayor Caskey, Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis, Council Member Pezold, Council Member Sweeney, Council Member Wheeler
Nays: None
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 City Council Committee Assignments.
10. City Council Member Comments
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold thanked Assistant City Manager Ames for his hard work and service as Interim City Manager and expressed her appreciation for the bench at Costeau Park.
Council Member Pezold welcomed new City Manager Bob Wingenroth.
Council Member Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney expressed his honor to have served as Mayor for the past year and congratulated Mayor Caskey and Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis on their appointments.
Council Member Sweeney welcomed new City Manager Bob Wingenroth.
Council Member Sweeney reported on the City's recent Tree Lighting Ceremony and expressed his appreciation to Interim Comm Services Director Karen Crocker for her efforts on the event.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
9 Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis
Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis echoed Council Member Sweeney's comments and thanked former Mayor Sweeney for his service over the past year and expressed his excitement for the coming year.
Council Member Wheeler
Council Member Wheeler expressed his appreciation for Assistant City Manager Ames' service as Interim City Manager and to new City Manager Bob Wingenroth.
Mayor Caskey
Mayor Caskey expressed his excitement for Bob Wingenroth's appointment as City Manager and expressed his appreciation to Assistant City Manager Ames for his service as Interim City Manager.
Mayor Caskey provided comments on his vision for the coming year.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Caskey declared the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of January 13, 2026.