MINUTES
City Council/Planning Agency Regular Meeting
July 14, 2026
City Council/Planning Agency 1 July 14, 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 6:00 p.m., on July 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 July 10, 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.
Mayor Caskey opened the meeting at 6:03 p.m. and resumed the public hearing for item
1.2.1. 1. Joint City Council/Planning Agency Meeting
1.1 Roll Call of City Council/Planning Agency Members
Present: Mayor Don Caskey
Mayor Pro Tempore Jared Mathis
Council Member Erica Pezold
Council Member Joshua Sweeney
Council Member Dave Wheeler
Absent: None
1.2 Joint City Council/Planning Agency Public Hearings
1.2.1 The Village at Laguna Hills – A Request by MGP Fund X Laguna Hills, LLC to Modify the Previously Approved Village at Laguna Hills Project to Redevelop the Former Laguna Hills Mall Site Located at 24001 Avenida de la Carlota #B; 23451 Calle de la Louisa; 24162 Ronda del Rossmoor; 24100, 24126, 24155 and 24300 Laguna Hills Mall, Including an Amendment to Urban Village Specific Plan; Approval of Site Development Permit; Conditional Use Permits; Master Sign Program; Parking Use Permit; Amended Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 19123 for Residential, Condominium, and Commercial/Retail Purposes to subdivide 10 existing lots into 27 lots; and Amended and Restated Development Agreement No. USE-0239-2025.
1. That the City Council and Planning Agency:
a. Re-open the joint public hearing of the Planning Agency and City Council;
b. Find that the Project is within the scope of the 2009 General Plan Program Environmental Impact Report as Addended in the First Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 2 July 14, 2026
through Seventh Addenda and Mitigation Monitoring and
Reporting Program for the Village at Laguna Hills Project and does not require additional environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines Section 15162 (Subsequent EIRs and Negative Declarations);
c. Adopt a Resolution entitled: “A Joint Resolution of the Planning Agency and City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Approving Site Development Permit, Master Sign Program, Conditional Use Permit for the Additional Hotel, Amended Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. 19123, and Amended and
Restated Development Agreement No. USE-0239-2025, a
Request by MGP FUND X LAGUNA HILLS, LLC, to Modify the
Previously Approved Village at Laguna Hills Project to Continue to Redevelop the Former Laguna Hills Mall Site Located at 24001 Avenida de la Carlota #B; 23451 Calle de la Louisa; 24162 Ronda del Rossmoor; 24100, 24126, 24155 and 24300 Laguna Hills Mall, and Making Certain Findings in Connection Therewith.”
2. That the City Council:
a. Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Amending and Restating a Development Agreement Between the City of
Laguna Hills and MGP FUND X LAGUNA HILLS, LLC for the
Village at Laguna Hills Project.”
b. Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled: “An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Amending the Urban Village Specific Plan.”
c. Consider converting the Village at Laguna Hills Ad Hoc Committee into a Standing Committee to monitor and advise on the implementation of the Development Agreement and project development.
Mayor Caskey reopened the public hearing at 6:05 p.m.
The following spoke in favor of the project: Marcella Lawson, Cynthia Marquez, Heidi Prescott, William Derentz, Kendall Carter.
The following spoke in neutrality to the project: Rose Casey.
The following spoke in opposition to the project: Griffin Joseph, Charlie Carno.
The following individuals submitted an electronic public comment on Item No.
1.2.1. The comments were provided to the City Council Members prior to the Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 3 July 14, 2026
meeting, posted on the City’s website, and announced into the record by City Clerk Stevenson.
Comments in favor:
1. Amir Baum
2. Ann Beltran
3. Anne Kolar
4. Bruce Johnson
5. Ceasar Covarrubias
6. Christine Morinello
7. Cindy Ashley
8. Denise Legters
9. Elizabeth Hansburg
10. Erin Simmons-Schwarz
11. Frieda Gorelick
12. Hugh and Nancy Winter
13. Jay C.
14. Jill Martinez
15. Joel Goldstein
16. Judy Northrop
17. Kathy Esfahani
18. Keith Tuominen
19. Marcella Lawson
20. Margaret Struve
21. Marilyn Schoeder
22. Mark Allshouse
23. Michelle Antenesse
24. Micki Nozaki
25. Rev. Celia Young
26. Rev. Rayna Hamre
27. Ron [no last name]
28. Rona Henry
29. Rosemarie Jensen
30. Sayre Weaver
31. Sheryl Sterry
32. Stan Goldberg
33. Susan Dearing
34. Vicki Hines
35. Wendy Washington
Comments in Nuetrality:
1. Orange County Transportation Authority
2. City of Lake Forest
Comments in opposition:
1. Angelica Ramirez
2. Daisy Pascua
3. Fiegan Fazilat
4. Geoff Leavell
5. Giselle Hernandez
6. Incia Haider
7. James Blacken
8. James Grierson
9. Lorene Mann
10 Lucila Soria
11. Radames Flores
12. Stacy DeMore
13. Wes Chavez
Mayor Caskey closed the public hearing at 6:50 p.m.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 4 July 14, 2026
City Staff answered the City Council Member’s questions.
The Development team answered the City Council Member’s questions.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, seconded by Council Member Sweeney, to approve staff’s recommendations.
On roll call, said motion carried the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Sweeney
NOES: Wheeler, Pezold
ABSTAIN: None
1.3 Joint City Council/Planning Agency Meeting Adjournment Mayor Caskey recessed the meeting at 9:54 p.m.
Mayor Caskey reconvened the meeting at 10:02 p.m.
2. Presentations and Proclamations
There were no presentations.
3. Schedule of Future Events
3.1 Schedule of Future Events
Community Services Director Hollan Gannon announced the City's upcoming meetings and events.
4. Public Comments
Yining Wang: Spoke regarding the massage expansion moratorium and her business.
Madelyn Unholz: Spoke regarding the City's use of Flock Safety Cameras.
Cathy Udovch: Was called but did not respond.
5. Consent Calendar
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Council Member Wheeler, to approve the outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Wheeler Sweeney
Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 5 July 14, 2026
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
5.1 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.
5.3 Ratification of July 14, 2026 Warrant Register
Ratified the accompanying Warrant Register for the period from June 12, 2026, to July 2, 2026, in the amount of $781,370.85.
5.4 Grant Application to OCTA for the Environmental Cleanup Tier 1 Program, Ridge Route Drive Biofiltration Project
1. Ratified the grant application submittal to the Orange County Transportation Authority's Environmental Cleanup Tier 1 Program for the Ridge Route Drive Biofiltration Project; and 2. Adopted Resolution 2024-07-14-1 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, Authorizing an Application for Funds for the Environmental Cleanup, Tier 1 Grant Program under Orange County Local Transportation Ordinance No. 3 for the Ridge Route Drive Biofiltration Project
5.5 Notice of Completion and Final Payment for Laguna Hills Community Center Electrical Improvements, CIP 520
1. Certified the completion of and accept the improvements for the subject project; 2. Authorized the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion; 3. Authorized the recording of the Notice of Completion with the County of Orange and to release the faithful performance and payment bonds one year and 35 days, respectively, after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion contingent upon no claims or liens being filed with the City; and
4. Authorized payment of the final retention 35 days after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion in the net amount of $14,274.11, if no liens have been filed.
5.6 Notice of Completion and Final Payment for the Street Name Signs Project, CIP No. 113
1. Certified the completion of and accept the improvements for the subject project; 2. Authorized the Public Works Director to sign the Notice of Completion; 3. Authorized the recording of the Notice of Completion with the County of Orange and to release the faithful performance and payment bonds Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 6 July 14, 2026
one year and 35 days, respectively, after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion contingent upon no claims or liens being filed with the City; and
4. Authorized payment of the final retention 35 days after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion in the net amount of $11,855.00, if no liens have been filed.
5.7 Award of an On-Call General Maintenance, Repair, and Specialty Trade Services Agreement to Jamey Clark, Inc.
1. Awarded an On-Call Maintenance, Repair, and Specialty Trade Services Agreement to Jamey Clark, Inc.; 2. Authorized the Interim City Attorney to make minor modifications to the contract as may be necessary to execute the Agreement; and 3. Authorized the City Manager to sign the Agreement.
5.8 Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. for Building and Safety Services
1. Approved Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. for On-Call Building and Safety Services; and
2. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement.
5.9 Award of a Public Works Construction Contract to Hardy & Harper, Inc. for Acceleration Lane Median Modification on Moulton Parkway at Mandeville Drive, CIP 303
1. Awarded the Public Works Construction Contract for the Moulton Parkway and Mandeville Drive Project (Acceleration Lane Median Modification on Moulton Parkway at Mandeville Drive), CIP 303, to the lowest responsive bidder, Hardy & Harper, Inc., in the amount of $149,000.00; 2. Authorized the City Attorney to make minor edits as may be necessary to execute the Contract; 3. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Contract; 4. Found that the Project is Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1 Existing Facilities, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; and 5. Rejected all other construction bids.
5.10 Award of Consultant Agreements for On-Call Public Works/Engineering Consulting and Support Services
1. Approved the proposed Consulting Agreements for On-Call Public Works/Engineering Consulting and Support Services with (1) Bucknam Infrastructure Group, Inc., (2) GMU Geotechnical, Inc. dba GMU Engineers and Geologists, (3) RKA Consulting Group, Inc., and (4) Transtech Engineers, Inc.; 2. Authorized the City Attorney to make minor edits as may be necessary Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 7 July 14, 2026
to execute the Agreements; and 3. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Agreements.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar
5.2 Approval of Minutes for June 23, 2026, Regular Meeting Council Member Wheeler requested this item be removed from the Consent Calendar. He was not in attendance of the meeting and wished to abstain from the vote.
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to approve the minutes of the City Council Regular Meeting for June 23, 2026.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Sweeney
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Wheeler
6. City Council Public Hearings
6.1 Confirmation of 2026 Weed Abatement Cost Report
Assistant City Manager Joe Ames presented the staff report and answered the City Council Member’s questions.
Mayor Caskey opened the public hearing at 10:22 p.m. Hearing no public comments, Mayor Caskey closed the public hearing at 10:24 p.m.
Motion made by Council Member Sweeney, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Mathis, to 1. Conduct a public hearing regarding the 2025 Weed Abatement Cost Report; and 2. Adopt a Resolution entitled: “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills, California, confirming the 2026 Weed Abatement Cost Report and providing for the collection of weed abatement assessments on the next regular tax bill levied against the subject parcels for municipal purposes." On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Caskey, Mathis, Pezold, Wheeler, Sweeney
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 8 July 14, 2026
7. Administrative Reports
7.1 City Manager
There was no report from the City Manager.
8. Matters Agendized and Presented by City Council Members
9. City Council Member Committee Reports
9.1 Committee Assignment Reports
Council Member Wheeler spoke regarding the Orange Council Older Adults Advisory Commission. He reported that they adopted their metrics.
Mayor Caskey spoke regarding the Southern California Association of California Cities. He reported that the meeting was mostly logistical, but two reports on projects that were sponsored on transportation and redevelopment in Fox Hills and the other was in San Bernardino.
Council Member Sweeney spoke regarding the Orange Council Fire Authority. He reported that the Authority discussed the upcoming budget and preparations for fire season.
Council Member Pezold spoke regarding transportation Corridor Agencies. She reported that the Board of Directors passed some contracts, received a legislative update, and had an update regarding changeable message signs.
10. City Council Member Comments
Mayor Caskey allowed City Manager Wigenroth to provide some comments. The City Manager thanked staff for their efforts to ensure that the meeting proceed smoothly.
Mayor Pro Tem Mathis spoke regarding the Mayor returning in person.
Council Member Wheeler thanked Community Services Director Holland Gannon and staff for the 250 Anniversary event on July 4th , and the City banners.
Sweeney spoke regarding the Mayor returning in person; thanked the residents that attending the meeting and staff for running the meeting; and welcomed the new City Clerk.
Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D City Council/Planning Agency 9 July 14, 2026
Pezold spoke regarding the 250 Anniversary event on July 4th and the new City Clerk.
Mayor Caskey spoke regarding the 250 Anniversary event on July 4th, returning to Council in person. Mayor Caskey stated that he appreciate Council serving residents and having discussion regarding items.
Adjournment
At the hour of 10:40 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council/Planning Agency at this session, Mayor Caskey adjourned the meeting.
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council/Planning Agency will be August 25, 2026, at 6:00p.m., in the City Council Chamber, located at 24035 El Toro Road, Laguna Hills, California.
____________________________________
Joshua Stevenson, City Clerk
ATTEST:
____________________________________
Don Caskey, Mayor
Approved at meeting of August 25, 2026
Docusign Envelope ID: 2389C82F-2ABC-8707-81E4-D354BD84415D