MINUTES
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting
May 26, 2026
City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 1 May 26, 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 26, 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 22, 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, via teleconference pursuant to GC 54953 (c) Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: None
Invocation: Mayor Caskey
Pledge of Allegiance: Council Member Sweeney
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
There were no presentations.
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
Deborah Morse, Gerontologist: provided an introduction to Alzheimer's Orange County and outlined the services that the organization provides.
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4. CONSENT CALENDAR
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: 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 May 12, 2026, Regular Meeting Approved the City Council Minutes for the May 12, 2026, Regular Meeting.
4.3 Appropriations Limit for Fiscal Year 2026/2027
Adopted Resolution 2026-05-26-1 entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Establishing the Appropriations Limit (Gann Limit) for the City of Laguna Hills for Fiscal Year 2026/2027.”
4.4 Treasurer's Investment Report for April 2026
Received and filed the Treasurer's Investment Report for the month of April 2026.
4.5 Ratification of May 26, 2026 Warrant Register
Ratified the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from May 2, 2026, to May 14, 2026, in the amount of $1,168,222.86.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
4.6 Award of a Maintenance Services Agreement for Termite Fumigation Services at the Laguna Hills Civic Center to CDS Services, Inc.
Council Member Pezold asked if this is related to the termite situation that was discussed a few months ago.
Assistant City Manager Ames indicated that there has been an ongoing issue since it was last discussed in April of 2025. An inspection earlier this year determined that the Docusign Envelope ID: 5E7BFFBF-F76E-8535-81C1-A4A02D53343B City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 3 May 26, 2026
termite situation is past the spot treatment remedy and will require tenting.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Mayor Caskey, to 1. Award a Maintenance Services Agreement for Termite Fumigation Services at the Laguna Hills Civic Center to CDS Services, Inc. in the amount of $86,895; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4.7 Resolution Adopting a List of Street Maintenance Projects for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Funded by SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 Council Member Pezold asked whether this item was related to road maintenance discussed at the last meeting.
Assistant City Manager Ames responded that this annual resolution identifies all streets for which the City could potentially use Gas Tax funds.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to adopt Resolution 2026-05-26-2 entitled: "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Adopting a List of Street Maintenance Projects for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 Funded By SB 1: The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017." On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4.8 Development Application Status Report
Council Member Wheeler asked questions about the various projects outlined in the report.
Community Development Director Lowe provided general updates on the projects in question.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to receive and file the report.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
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AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
4.9 Amendment No. 1 to Tree Maintenance Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Citywide Tree Maintenance Services
Council Member Pezold asked if this contract includes comprehensive treatment for services including nutrient application, disease prevention, and disease monitoring.
She further asked whether anyone is monitoring the trees for the spread of disease.
Assistant City Manager Ames noted that he would get back to her with a response to her questions.
Motion made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to 1.
Approve Amendment No. 1 to the Tree Maintenance Services Agreement with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for Citywide Tree Maintenance Services; and 2. Authorize the City Manager to sign Amendment No. 1 to the Tree Maintenance Services Agreement.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
5. PLANNING AGENCY
At the hour of 6:32 p.m., Mayor Pro Tem Mathis recessed the City Council meeting and convened the Planning Agency meeting.
5.1 Roll Call of Planning Agency Members
Present: Chair Caskey, via teleconference pursuant to GC 54953 (c) Vice Chair Jared Mathis
Agency Member Erica Pezold
Agency Member Joshua Sweeney
Agency Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: None
5.2 Public Comments
There were no public comments on non-agendized items.
5.3 Planning Agency Public Hearings
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5.3.1 Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. USE-0250-2025, a request by Shawn Zuo on behalf of Alliance Vet, for Approval of a Proposed Veterinary Hospital located at 25226 Cabot Road
Vice Chair Mathis announced that he has a financial conflict of interest in this matter due to his partial ownership of the property under discussion. He recused himself and left the Council Chamber.
Assistant Planner Talia Markison reviewed the information provided in the staff report, provided a visual presentation, and responded to Agency Member requests for additional information.
At the hour of 6:51 p.m., Chair Caskey opened the public hearing.
There were no public comments.
Project applicant, Shawn Zuo, was unable to attend the meeting. The Agency Members expressed concern that he was not present to answer questions and suggested that the public hearing be continued.
Chair Caskey closed the public hearing at 6:54 p.m.
Motion made by Agency Member Wheeler, seconded by Agency Member Pezold, to continue the public hearing to the next Planning Agency meeting (June 9, 2026).
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES None
ABSENT: Mathis (recused)
At 6:59 p.m., Mayor Caskey adjourned the Planning Agency meeting and the City Council reconvened. Mayor Pro Tem Mathis returned to the Council Chamber.
6. CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
6.1.1 Local Public Employee Vacant Positions
Finance Director Eric Hendrickson made a presentation regarding local public employee vacant positions, pursuant to AB 2561 and Government Code section 3502.3.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Hearing no public comments, he closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
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Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, 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
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
7.1 City Manager
There was no report from the City Manager.
7.2 Assistant City Manager
7.2.1 Resolution Establishing City Council Policy No. 128 Regarding Disruption of Telephonic or Internet Service During Public Meetings Assistant City Manager Joe Ames presented the staff report and answered the City Council Member's questions.
Council Member Wheeler proposed a number of changes to the text of the policy.
City Attorney Burns indicated that he would review the proposed changes.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Pezold, to continue this matter to the next City Council meeting (June 9, 2026).
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7.3 Community Development Director
7.3.1 Urgency Ordinance Pursuant to Government Code Section 65858 to Establish a Temporary Moratorium on New or Expanded Massage Establishments in Laguna Hills
Director of Community Development Jennifer Lowe presented the staff Docusign Envelope ID: 5E7BFFBF-F76E-8535-81C1-A4A02D53343B City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 7 May 26, 2026
report and answered the City Council Members’ questions.
Captain Burke responded to questions related to Sheriff’s Department involvement in massage parlor activities.
Motion made by Council Member Wheeler, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to 1) Find and determine that the proposed urgency ordinance is not a project within the meaning of Section 15378 of the State of California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") Guidelines (Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations) and is exempt from the requirements of CEQA under Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines; and 3) Adopt Urgency Ordinance 2026-2 entitled: “An Interim Urgency Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills Pursuant to Government Code Sections 36937 and 65858, Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on New or Expanded Massage Establishments Pending Study and Preparation of an Update to the City's Municipal Code and Zoning Code and Determining the Ordinance to be Exempt from Environmental Review Under CEQA.” On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney, Wheeler
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7.4 Chief of Police Services
7.4.1 Update on E-bike Education
Captain Bill Burk presented a report on the Sheriff's Department education and outreach efforts to spread awareness for E-bike safety.
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 Pezold reported on the recent meeting of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency and Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) Board of Directors where the annual budget was adopted and the annual Capital Improvement plans approved. She noted that TCA was named Organization of the Year by the California Transportation Foundation.
Council Member Pezold outlined the agenda items approved by the Orange County Docusign Envelope ID: 5E7BFFBF-F76E-8535-81C1-A4A02D53343B City Council/Planning Agency Minutes 8 May 26, 2026
Mosquito and Vector Control Board of Trustees at the May 21, 2026, meeting, including approval of the 2026-27 district budget. She reported that there have been three cases of human typhus in Orange County along with unusually high volumes of mosquitoes this year.
Council Member Wheeler reported on the May 22, 2026, special meeting of the Older Adults Advisory Commission Executive Committee. As Chair of the Metric Committee, he helped develop goals for 2026–27, which were adopted by the Executive Committee at that meeting.
10. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Sweeney
Council Member Sweeney thanked the firefighters, law enforcement personnel, technical specialists, public works crews, partner agencies, and city staff for their response to the leaking chemical tank in Garden Grove, known as “The Western Incident.” He said that due to everyone’s efforts, the community was protected and the situation was successfully managed.
He also thanked Director Gannon for an excellent Memorial Day race event, Mayor Pro Tem Mathis for participating in the race, and Grand Marshal Redmond “Red” Ramos who was inspirational. Council Member Sweeney concluded his comments by emphasizing that economic development should remain one of the City’s top priorities.
Council Member Pezold
A motion was made by Council Member Pezold, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to look into implementing business licenses in Laguna Hills.
Mayor Caskey
Mayor Caskey thanked Council Member Sweeney for spending the time that he did at the Western Incident and providing information back to the city. He announced that he will put an item on a future agenda to discuss the potential of an inclusionary housing ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis echoed the sentiments of his colleagues on the wonderful Memorial Day event, and 5k and 10k races. He noted that more people participated this year than last, and the vibe at the finish line was fantastic. Mayor Pro Tem Mathis thanked Director Gannon's team for the work that they did to make the event happen.
Adjournment
At the hour of 8:26 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, June 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.
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____________________________________
Karen Hamman, Interim City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of June 9, 2026
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