City of Laguna Hills
City Council / Planning Agency
Regular Meeting
Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Closed Session - Convening at 5:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by Mayor Caskey.
Roll Call of City Council Members (Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis appearance via teleconference)
Present:
Mayor Don Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis, via teleconference
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Council Member Erica Pezold
Announcement of Closed Session Item(s)
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Government Code Section 54956.9: (1 potential case: receipt of written notices threatening litigation from the Law Offices of Michelle R. Jackson alleging violation of the California Voting Rights Act.)
Threat of Litigation received June 20, 2023 Attached
Threat of Litigation received August 28, 2025 Attached
Public Comments on Closed Session Item(s)
There were no public comments on the closed session item.
Convene into Closed Session
Reconvene
Recess
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
2 General Business Convening at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Caskey.
Invocation: Council Member Wheeler
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
Roll Call of City Council Members (Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis appearance via teleconference)
Present:
Mayor Don Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis, via teleconference
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent:
Closed Session Report
A. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956.9
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) and paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Government Code Section 54956.9: (1 potential case: receipt of written notices threatening litigation from the Law Offices of Michelle R. Jackson alleging violation of the California Voting Rights Act.)
Threat of Litigation received June 20, 2023 Attached
Threat of Litigation received August 28, 2025 Attached
Assistant City Attorney Eggart stated that the City Council convened into Closed Session pursuant to the authorities listed on the Agenda and reported that the City Council by a vote of 3-1-1 (Council Member Wheeler voted No and Council Member Pezold was absent) authorized the City Manager to reimburse perspective plaintiff Art Sanchez and his attorney, the Law Office of Michelle R. Jackson, in the statutory amount of $41,125.35 pursuant to Elections Code section 10010(f) pursuant to the reimbursement request submitted to the City dated December 17, 2025.
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 Sophia Kim.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
3 1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Sophia Kim
Mayor Caskey presented a Certificate of Recognition to Sophia Kim recognizing her service as a Laguna Hills Student Liaison.
2. Schedule of Future Events
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Community Services Director Gannon announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. Public Comments
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment on nonagendized items that were received, forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by Deputy City Clerk McDonald:
Rona Henry on behalf of Welcoming Neighbors Home, the Kennedy Commission, and the Homes for All South OC Coalition
Alejandra Perez Matus on behalf of the Kennedy Commission The following individual(s) provided public comments on non-agendized items:
Damion & Ryan Hickman
Cathy Udovch
4. Consent Calendar
A motion to approve the Consent Calendar was moved by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Wheeler.
Roll Call 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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
4 4.2 Approval of Minutes for December 9, 2025, Regular Meeting Recommendation: That the City Council approve the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the December 9, 2025, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of January 13, 2026 Warrant Register
Recommendation: That the City Council ratify the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from November 28, 2025, to January 1, 2026, in the amount of $1,809,287.64.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for November 2025
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of November 2025.
4.5 Community Development Block Grant Application for the City of Laguna Hills Public Facilities & Improvements for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-01-13-1: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, authorizing the submittal of the City of Laguna Hills Public Facilities and Improvements Application for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and accepting the award of Community Development Block Grant Funds, if awarded funding.”
4.6 Cooperative Agreement with the City of Laguna Woods for the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria Avenue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway)
Recommendation: That the City Council: 1. Approve the Cooperative Agreement for the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria Avenue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway); and 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Cooperative Agreement for the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria Avenue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway).
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
There were no items removed from the Consent Calendar.
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, January 13, 2026
5 7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
City Manager Bob Wingenroth provided an oral report recognizing the Public Works Department for their efforts and preparation for the recent rainstorms and the Police Services Department for their handling of a protest at Paseo de Valencia and El Toro Road.
7.2 Community Services Director
7.2.1 Community Outreach and Engagement Services Agreement with the City of Mission Viejo
Recommendation: That the City Council approve the proposed Community Outreach and Engagement Services Agreement with the City of Mission Viejo for homelessness outreach services and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement.
Community Services Director Gannon introduced Mission Viejo Community Services Manager Andrew Fine.
Mission Viejo Community Services Manager Andrew Fine provided an update on the community outreach and engagement services provided over the past year and responded to Council Member requests for additional information.
Community Outreach Supervisor Carol Sullivan and Community Outreach Specialist Cassandra Heaslet responded to Council Member requests for 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 Pezold.
Roll Call 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.
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
6 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 requested a discussion on the Recycle From Home program introduced during public comments be agendized for a future meeting and received a second from Mayor Caskey.
Council Member Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney congratulated Mayor Caskey on his first full meeting and commended City Manager Wingenroth on an exceptional job as City Manager.
Mayor Caskey
Mayor Caskey provided comments on decorum and his vision for meetings this year.
Mayor Caskey provided an update on the MGP DA Ad Hoc Committee regarding The Village at Laguna Hills project.
Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis
Mayor Pro Tempore Mathis continued the update on the MGP DA Ad Hoc Committee regarding The Village at Laguna Hills project.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the City Council at this session, Mayor Caskey declared the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
____________________________________
Jennifer Lee, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of January 27, 2026.