MINUTES
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting
April 14, 2026
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 1 April 14, 2026
A Regular Meeting of the City Council / Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis at 6:00 p.m., on April 14, 2026, in the City Council Chamber at 24035 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, California.
A complete copy of the agenda for the meeting containing all items as shown herein was posted by 5:00 p.m. on March 20, 2026, on the outdoor bulletin board at Laguna Hills City Hall.
A copy was also posted at Laguna Hills Community Center and Knotty Pine Park.
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present: Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: Mayor Don Caskey
Invocation: Jesús Cantu, Associate Pastor from Christ Community Church Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Sweeney
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Community Services Director Gannon announced the date, time, and location of upcoming City meetings and community events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Peyton Edberg, Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison: presented a report on recent activities at Laguna Hills High School.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 4.6, 4.8, and 4.10 were removed from the Consent Calendar for a separate discussion.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 2 April 14, 2026
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to approve the Consent Calendar as outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
4.1 Waive Reading in Full of all Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda The City Council waived reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declared 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 March 24, 2026, Regular Meeting The City Council approved the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the March 24, 2026, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for April 1, 2026, Special Meeting/Study Session The City Council approved the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the April 1, 2026, Special Meeting/Study Session.
4.4 Approval of Minutes for April 2, 2026, Special Meeting The City Council approved the City Council Minutes for the April 2, 2026, Special Meeting.
4.5 Ratification of April 14, 2026 Warrant Register
The City Council ratified the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from March 14, 2026, to April 3, 2026, in the amount of $545,140.90.
4.7 Initiation of 2026 Weed Abatement Program
The City Council adopted Resolution 2026-04-14-02 entitled: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Declaring Weeds and Rubbish on Specified Private Property to be a Public Nuisance, Commencing Public Proceedings, and setting a Public Hearing for May 12, 2026.”
4.9 Recognize April 2026 to be DMV/Donate Life Month
The City Council authorized the Mayor to sign the attached DMV/Donate Life Proclamation as requested by OneLegacy.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 3 April 14, 2026
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.6 Proposed Adoption of a Resolution Establishing No Overnight Parking Adjacent to Beckenham Park
The following individual provided public comments on Item No. 4.6: Danny MacNair.
Council Member Sweeney recused himself due to the proximity of his home to the subject park.
Interim City Attorney Burns and Assistant City Manager Ames responded to Council Member requests for additional information. Mr. Ames stated that the estimated cost to implement no overnight parking signage, should the resolution be adopted, is less than $2,000 and can be absorbed by the Public Works department.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to adopt Resolution 2026-04-14-01 entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Establishing a No Overnight Parking Zone from 10:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. on Streets Surrounding Beckenham Park."
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
RECUSED: Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney rejoined the meeting.
4.8 Summary of Status of Items Referred to the Traffic Commission by the City Council Assistant City Manager Ames presented the report and responded to Council Member questions.
Scott Miller, Chair of the Traffic Commission, responded to Council Member requests for additional information. He noted that he has called a special meeting of the Traffic Commission for April 30, 2026, to look at a strategic framework for the Commission.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to receive the report.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 4 April 14, 2026
4.10 Street Pole Banner Design
Community Services Director Holland Gannon presented the report and responded to Council Member questions.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to continue the item and send the matter to the Events, Beautification, and Communication Committee for review and recommendations.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
5. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
6. NUMBER NOT USED
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1 City Manager
7.1.1 Appointment of Interim City Attorney
City Manager Wingenroth introduced Colin Burns and presented the staff report.
Interim City Attorney Colin Burns recused himself from the discussion due to the proposed contract with his law firm.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to 1. Authorize the Mayor to enter into an Agreement for Consultant Services with Harper & Burns, LLP, for Interim City Attorney services; and 2. Appoint Colin Burns as Interim City Attorney.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
7.1.2 City Council Policy Establishing a City Council Meeting Curfew City Manager Wingenroth presented the report, followed by Council discussion.
Council Members Pezold and Wheeler expressed that the proposed policy was unnecessary.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 5 April 14, 2026
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to postpone the item to the next meeting so the full Council has the opportunity to weigh-in.
On roll call, said motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Sweeney
NOES: Pezold, Wheeler
ABSENT: Caskey
7.2 Assistant City Manager
7.2.1 Proposed Adoption of an Ordinance Authorizing the City Engineer to Mark Parallel Parking Spaces on City Streets, including Via Lomas Assistant City Manager Ames presented the staff report and answered questions of the City Council.
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Mathis, to 1. Receive staff presentation and report; and 2. Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of Ordinance 2026-1 entitled: "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adding Section 11-12.110 to Chapter 11-12 (Stopping, Standing, and Parking) of Title 11 (Vehicles and Traffic) of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code Concerning Parallel Parking Lines."
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Pezold
ABSENT: Caskey
7.2.2 Discussion of Non-Profit Partners to Receive Street Name Signs for Auctioning Assistant City Manager Ames presented the staff report and answered questions of the City Council.
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to direct staff to develop a disposal policy for retired street name signs to be provided to nonprofit partners for auctioning or fundraising purposes.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: Caskey
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 6 April 14, 2026
In further discussion, the City Council asked Mr. Ames to store the retired signs at the City yard while the disposal policy is being developed.
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
9. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1 Village at Laguna Hills Ad-Hoc Committee Update Report Mayor Pro Tem Mathis provided an update regarding the Village at Laguna Hills project and shared a graphic that depicts the proposed development.
Director of Community Development Jennifer Lowe answered Council Member questions.
The following individuals submitted electronic public comments on item 9.1 prior to the meeting. Those comments were provided to the City Council, posted in the Chamber and on the City's website, and their names announced into the record by Interim City Clerk Hamman: Judy Northrop, Suzanne Model, Marcella Lawson, Rona Henry, Cynthi M. with The Kennedy Commission, and Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director of The Kennedy Commission.
The following individuals provided public comments in support of affordable housing:
Rona Henry, Cynthia M., Cathy Udovch, and Heidi Prescott Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to receive and file the oral report.
On roll call, said motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Mathis, Sweeney
NOES: Pezold, Wheeler
ABSENT: Caskey
City Council Members provided updates on the following regional Boards:
OC Older Adults Advisory Commission (OAAC)
Council Member Wheeler reported on the recent meeting of OAAC. He stated that the organization is working towards reaching and engaging the 1,084,000 older adults in the County and will be sharing affordable housing options.
Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA)
Council Member Pezold reported on the April 9 TCA meeting, noting a briefing on the State Legislative Watch List, approval of a 241-91 express connector project amendment, and receipt of a budget overview presentation with a focus on early repayment of toll road bonds.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 7 April 14, 2026
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Council Member Sweeney shared a video from the recent Fire Ops 26 training in which he participated. He stated that it was an outstanding hands-on experience for all elected officials and media representatives as it allowed participants to train alongside firefighters in real-world scenarios. He expressed his thanks to all firefighters, chiefs, support personnel, and their families.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Sweeney moved to recognize Lorraine F. Chapman at the next City Council meeting for 41 years of service to Saddleback Hospital. The motion was seconded by Council Member Mathis.
Council Member Wheeler moved to cut off funds to the two engineering firms working on The Village project. The motion was second by Council Member Pezold.
Council Member Wheeler moved to add an item to a future agenda to discuss human trafficking and its relation to massage parlors in Laguna Hills. The motion was seconded by Council Member Mathis. He also discussed the new fences inside the Ralph’s grocery store that were installed to deter theft.
Council Member Pezold asked the City Manager to communicate with Ralph's and other grocery stores regarding resources that are available to help avoid theft.
Adjournment
At the hour of 8:40 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council/Planning Agency at this session, Mayor Pro Tem Mathis adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
____________________________________
Karen Hamman, Interim City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Jared Mathis, Mayor Pro Tem
Approved at meeting of April 28, 2026