MINUTES
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting
May 12, 2026
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 1 May 12, 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 May 12, 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 May 8, 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.
In addition, the agenda was posted at the remote location where Mayor Caskey was participating via teleconference: 27182 Hidden Trail Road, Laguna Hills, CA 92652.
Roll Call of City Council Members
Present: Mayor Don Caskey (via teleconference)
Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: None
Invocation: Elder Jeff Hamen of Christ Community Church Pledge of Allegiance: Mayor Pro Tem Mathis
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
1.1 Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Report
Student Liaison Peyton Edberg presented her final report highlighting athletic achievements, fundraising efforts, International Baccalaureate activities, and upcoming theater productions.
1.2 Certificate of Recognition for Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Peyton Edberg
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis presented Peyton Edberg with a Certificate of Recognition for her professionalism and dedication as Student Liaison since February 10, 2026.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 2 May 12, 2026
1.3 Proclamation for Drowning Prevention Awareness
Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Reid Gibson and Community Educator Milton Neira discussed drowning prevention and community responsibility around water safety. Mayor Pro Tem Mathis presented the Proclamation encouraging participation in the "Always Watch the Water" and "Never Swim Alone" campaigns by highlighting May through August as a "Drowning Prevention Awareness" period.
1.4 Presentation on South Coast Conservatory
Executive Director of South Coast Conservatory Jena Minnick-Bull discussed the Conservatory’s programs. Mayor Pro Tem Mathis presented the proclamation recognizing South Coast Conservatory Day and commending the organization for its outstanding contributions to the arts and community.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
2.1 Schedule of Future Events
Community Services Director Holland Gannon announced the upcoming meetings and events.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following discussed ongoing issues involving city-owned sycamore trees in the Sunset Place community and requested that the city proceed with the removal of the trees: Steven Coons; Bonnie Dehdashtian-Coons; and Mary Jiminez.
Assistant City Manager Joes Ames provided history on the trees, past replanting efforts, and staff's proposal to remove the sycamore trees. He noted that the HOA has indicated that they are not in favor of the trees being replaced with anything other than sycamore trees.
Greyson Spann: announced the Global Harmony Symphony scheduled for May 18, 2026, at 7:00 PM at the Laguna Hills Community Center.
Jay Pedroza: requested a permit parking program on Camberwell Street.
Andres O'Connor: expressed concern with near drowning incidents that he has witnessed and asked specifically what the OCFA drowning campaign would do and how it would enforce community safety.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
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:
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 3 May 12, 2026
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4.1 Waive Reading in Full of all Ordinances and Resolutions on the Agenda 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 28, 2026, Regular Meeting Approved the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the April 28, 2026, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Approval of Minutes for April 29, 2026, Special Meeting/Study Session Approved the City Council/Planning Agency Minutes for the April 29, 2026, Special Meeting/Study Session.
4.4 Ratification of May 12, 2026 Warrant Register
Ratified the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from April 17, 2026, to May 1, 2026, in the amount of $1,019,308.73.
4.5 Records Retention Management
Adopted Resolution 2026-05-12-01 entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing and Directing the City Clerk to Dispose of Certain City Records in Accordance with the City's Record Retention Schedule."
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
There were no items removed from the Consent Calendar.
5. PLANNING AGENCY
There were no items for the Planning Agency.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1 Public Hearing on 2026 Weed, Rubbish, and Refuse Abatement Assistant City Manager Joe Ames presented the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis opened the public hearing at 6:58 p.m.
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 4 May 12, 2026
The following expressed concern with the lack of maintenance at a home located at 25546 Oak Leaf Road and expressed their support for the weed abatement program: Karen Kalberg and Karen Litfin.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis closed the public hearing at 7:07 p.m.
Motion made by Mayor Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to adopt Resolution 2026-05-12-02 entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, issuing an abatement order and authorizing the Public Works Director to commence enforcing weed, rubbish, and refuse abatement against specified parcels of land."
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, Local Street Rehabilitation Project, CIP 101-M
Assistant City Manager Joe Ames presented the staff report and answered the City Council Member's questions.
Council Members Wheeler and Pezold proposed the city stick to the regular street resurfacing cycle.
Motion made by Mayor Caskey, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Local Street Rehabilitation Project, CIP 101-M; 2. Authorize the advertisement for bids for Local Street Rehabilitation Project, CIP 101-M; 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:
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 5 May 12, 2026
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: Pezold
ABSENT: None
7.3 Community Services Director
7.3.1 2026 Street Pole Banner Designs
Director of Community Services Holland Gannon presented the staff report.
The Council Members discussed the designs and expressed their likes and dislikes.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to approve the Civic Center banner (#1) as-is, the Welcome banner (#2) with the addition of the letters LH added to the hillside, and the Celebrating America 250 banner (#4) with an edit to the graphic to make the flag more prominent; and direct staff to make the changes and move forward with production of the banners.
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
Council Member Sweeney discussed the May 7, 2026, Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) meeting. He stated that cities like Laguna Hills need to stay engaged with regional issues and continue to advocate for policies that are practical, balanced, and respectful to the community.
Council Member Wheeler outlined the Orange County Older Adults Advisory Commission (OAAC) meeting of May 8, 2026, where they received a presentation on the Master Plan for Aging. He noted that housing is the number one priority for seniors along with ways to be notified of resources available to them.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 6 May 12, 2026
Council Member Pezold
Council Member Pezold stated that it would be nice to see signs at the parks that advertise the City's app and the concert series. She said people are asking for new soap pumps at the Civic Center and she has received a number of complaintsfrom residents that the culture at the Community Center is not inviting.
Mayor Caskey
Mayor Caskey thanked the Council for an efficient meeting. He said that people want to feel that they are being heard by staff and public safety personnel.
Council Member Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney thanked staff for the work on tonight's agenda and he encouraged residentsto support the Memorial Day ceremony, Team Dark Horse, and the half-marathon.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis commented on the current public discourse with e-bikes after recent accidents and deaths. He stated that the city should consider education and training efforts in the community.
Motin made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to bring back the e-bikes education matter at a future meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis noted that The Tiller House Hotel has won the prestigious Select Service Hotel award.
Adjournment
At the hour of 8:04 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, May 26, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
____________________________________
Karen Hamman, Interim City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of May 26, 2026