MINUTES
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting
April 28, 2026
A Regular Meeting of the City Council/Planning Agency of the City of Laguna Hills, California, was called to order by Mayor Caskey at 6:01 p.m., on April 28, 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 April 24, 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 Don Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: None
Invocation: Council Member Pezold
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Wheeler
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
Student Liaison Katherine Armstrong presented her final report highlighting drama performances, athletic achievements, and senior academic activities.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Katherine Armstrong
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis presented Katherine Armstrong with a Certificate of Recognition for her professionalism and dedication as student liaison since February 10, 2026.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 1 April 28, 2026
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 2 April 28, 2026
1.3 Recognition of Laguna Hills High School Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball Teams Mayor Pro Tem Mathis praised the girls and boys varsity basketball teams for historic achievements and presented the athletes and coaches with Certificates of Recognition.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Community Services Administrative Assistant Jessica Cardenas announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Karen Liftin: Commended the Laguna Hills High School basketball teams and thanked the City Council for recognizing the teams as well as Student Liaison Katherine Armstrong. She also discussed her recent attendance at the Water Wise Workshop at the Moulton Museum, noting that the speaker was knowledgeable and informative.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 4.5, 4.7 and 4.8 were removed from the Consent Calendar for a separate discussion.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to approve the Consent Calendar outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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 April 14, 2026, Regular Meeting The City Council approved the City Council Minutes for the April 14, 2026, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Ratification of April 28, 2026 Warrant Register
The City Council ratified the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from April City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 3 April 28, 2026
4, 2026, to April 16, 2026, in the amount of $1,363,462.68.
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for March 2026
The City Council received and filed the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of March 2026.
4.6 Informal Bidding Ordinance Use Quarterly Report for Public Works Projects The City Council received and filed the Informal Bidding Ordinance Use Quarterly Report for Public Works Projects.
4.9 Alicia Parkway Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (RTSSP) Cooperative Agreement
The City Council authorized the Mayor to sign the “Cooperative Agreement by and between the City of Laguna Niguel, and the Cities of Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, and Mission Viejo for the Alicia Parkway Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project."
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.5 County of Orange Law Enforcement Services Agreement Council Member Pezold suggested that the City structure the Sheriff Department’s operations and budget more like the Orange County Fire Authority’s.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to approve the agreement with the County of Orange for the provision of law enforcement services for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract on behalf of the City.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4.7 Adoption of an Ordinance Authorizing the City Engineer to Mark Parallel Parking Spaces on City Streets, including Via Lomas
Council Member Pezold stated that she pulled the item since she abstained from voting when the Ordinance was introduced.
The Council Members discussed the provision that allows future painting of lines on city streets without City Council authorization.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 4 April 28, 2026
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to adopt 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."
A substitute motion was made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to amend the Ordinance to remove the verbiage that allows future painting without city Council authorization.
Council Member Wheeler withdrew the substitute motion.
On roll call, said MAIN motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: Pezold
ABSENT: None
4.8 Development Application Status Report
Council Member Wheeler stated that he pulled this item to inquire about the proposed high school and how it would differ from the current high school.
Director Lowe responded that the proposed school would prepare students for college acceptance.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Mathis, to receive and file the Development Application Status Report.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5. PLANNING AGENCY
There were no items for the Planning Agency.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1 Adoption of Comprehensive Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Finance Director Eric Hendrickson presented the staff report.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 5 April 28, 2026
Mayor Caskey opened the public hearing at 7:13 p.m.
Dan Mandel, Laguna Hills Little League: emphasized the Little League’s significant capital improvements and volunteer contributions to city parks and requested continued fee exemptions or credits for Laguna Hills Little League.
Mayor Caskey closed the public hearing at 7:34 p.m.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to adopt Resolution 2026-04-28-01, as amended, entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Establishing and Adopting Updated Development Processing Fees and Other City Rates, Charges, and User Fees for Various Governmental Services and Finding that the Action is Statutorily Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Per Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(8).
The amendment directed staff to remove section 5 of the Resolution and eliminate the field lighting fee for resident non-profits.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1 City Manager
There was no administrative report from the City Manager.
7.2 Assistant City Manager
7.2.1 Authority to Advertise for Construction, Park Improvements for Cabot Park, El Conejo Park, MacKenzie Park, San Remo Park, and Veeh Ranch Park, CIP 241
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment on Item No.
7.2.1 which were received, forwarded to the City Council prior to the meeting, posted on the City's website, and announced into the record by the City Clerk:
Jonathan Gennaro; and Harry Huggins on behalf of the Laguna Terrace Beautification Team.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to 1. Approve the plans and specifications for Park Improvements for Cabot Park, El Conejo Park, MacKenzie Park, San Remo Park, and Veeh Ranch City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 6 April 28, 2026
Park, CIP 241; 2. Authorize the advertisement for bids for Park Improvements for Cabot Park, El Conejo Park, MacKenzie Park, San Remo Park, and Veeh Ranch Park, CIP 241; 3. Authorize the City Engineer to make minor edits to the plans and specifications as necessary prior to bidding; and 4. Find that environmental review is not required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15301 as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption - “Existing Facilities.”
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7.2.2 Authority to Advertise for Construction, Acceleration/Refuge Lane Median Island Modification on Moulton Parkway at Mandeville Drive, CIP 303 Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to 1. Approve the plans and specifications for Acceleration Lane Median Island Modification on Moulton Parkway at Mandeville Drive, CIP 303; 2. Authorize the advertisement for bids for Acceleration Lane Median Island Modification on Moulton Parkway at Mandeville Drive, CIP 303; 3. Authorize the City Engineer to make minor edits to the plans and specifications as necessary prior to bidding; and 4. Find that environmental review is not required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, Section 15301 as a Class 1 Categorical Exemption - “Existing Facilities."
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney
NOES: Wheeler
ABSENT: None
7.2.3 Review of Agreements for On-Call Environmental Review Consulting Services and On-Call Planning and Environmental Consulting Services Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to receive the staff report.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: Pezold
ABSENT: None
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 7 April 28, 2026
7.3 Chief of Police Services
7.3.1 Public Safety Update
Captain Bill Burk, Chief of Police Services, presented the quarterly public safety report. He highlighted that 2025 crime was down 11.6% from 2024 (1,029 vs. 1,164 total crimes) and the first quarter of 2026 shows continued reduction in crimes against persons (-6.68%), property (-8.3%), and society (-40%).
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to receive and file the report.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8. MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER There were no Council Member agenda items.
9. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
9.1 Committee Assignment Reports
Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) Council Member Pezold outlined the recent OCMVCD Board of Director’s meeting and alerted the community to a rise in flea-borne typhus cases in Southern California.
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
Council Member Sweeney provided a summary of the recent meeting of the OCFA Board of Directors, highlighting the pension funding progress, operational audits, and staffing challenges.
Orange County Library Advisory Board
Council Member Wheeler outlined the Library Board’s recent meeting which included discussion of a leadership transition, budget overview, and the impact of Irvine’s library system separation.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 8 April 28, 2026
Orange County Transportation Authority Citizens Advisory Committee (OCTA CAC) Council Member Wheeler provided a summary of the CAC Committee’s recent meeting and noted that OCTA has started changing some of the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes to express lanes with the goal of eventually changing over all HOV lanes.
Additionally, a consultant discussed changes that will be made to public transportation for the World Cup.
Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission (OAAC)
Council Member Wheeler announced that he chaired the committee that developed metrics for creating annual goals. The committee just completed the 2026-27 goals and those will be presented to the Executive Board in late May. He noted that there are more than 1 million senior citizens in Orange County.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to bring back the topic of refining the City Engineer’s authority for street line painting to balance efficiency and oversight.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to direct staff to study and return to the City Council with a report on possible increases in rental fees to cover cleaning supplies and maintenance costs at community facilities.
Council Member Pezold requested the City Manager research the feasibility and cost of installing additional park surveillance cameras at El Conejo and Costeau Parks to address vandalism and unauthorized use.
Council Member Pezold asked about flooding issues in the neighborhood behind Ralphs.
Assistant City Manager Ames responded that the area was a former stream bed, and water historically tends to collect after rain incidents. He said the AT&T manhole near Paseo de Valencia and Alicia Parkway can get flooded and that AT&T has an engineer working on a solution to the problem.
Mayor Caskey disclosed that he injured his left foot and has an upcoming, extensive foot surgery. He stated that the surgery may impact his attendance at some meetings; however, he remains committed to his role as Mayor and will continue to participate via Zoom.
Adjournment
At the hour of 9:35 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council/Planning Agency at this session, Mayor Caskey adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 9 April 28, 2026
____________________________________
Karen Hamman, Interim City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of May 12, 2026