LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
March 1, 2022
7:00 p.m. - Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - Mayor Gennawey called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Elaine Gennawey- Present
Mayor Pro Tem Sandy Rains - Present
Council Member Kelly Jennings - Present
Council Member Rischi Paul Sharma - Present
Council Member Fred Minagar - Present
INVOCATION - Pastor Jim Szeyller, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Cadette Scout Troop 4497
PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Recognizing Ms. Lucy Dunn for Her Exemplary Service and Dedication to the Orange County Business Council
Mayor Gennawey presented a proclamation to Ms. Lucy Dunn for her valuable contributions to Orange County in the areas of housing, community development and economic and business development. Mayor Gennawey thanked Ms. Dunn on behalf of the City Council for her services. Ms. Dunn thanked the City Council for this recognition.
2. Proclamation Declaring March 2022 as Red Cross Month in Laguna Niguel Mayor Gennawey presented a proclamation declaring March 2022 as Red Cross Month in Laguna Niguel to Community Volunteer Leader Mr. Ross Chun and Board Member Steve Thronson. Mayor Gennawey thanked them on behalf of the City Council for their services. Mr. Chun and Mr. Thronson thanked the City Council for this recognition.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Melissa Caldwell spoke on behalf of the Laguna Niguel Historical Society and thanked the City Council for covering the costs of the third grade coloring books for six of the schools within Laguna Niguel.
Mayor Gennawey closed general Public Comments.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 6 March 1, 2022
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Rains pulled Item No. 6 for discussion.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rains, seconded by Council Member Jennings, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented with the exception of Item No. 6.
Motion carried 5-0.
1. Warrants of March 1, 2022
Approved as written.
2. Payroll Summary Register
Approved as written.
3. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meetings on February 1, 2022, and February 15, 2022, and the Special City Council Meeting on February 8, 2022 Approved as written.
Investment Report as of January 31, 2022
Approved as written.
5. Approval of Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement for On-Call Professional Engineering Services with Psomas for the La Paz Road Earth Movement Evaluation - Phase 2
1. Approved Amendment No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement for On-Call Professional Engineering Services with Psomas to provide geotechnical and engineering services for the La Paz Road Earth Movement Evaluation - Phase 2 for a total not-to-exceed amount of $287,090 and waive the RFP Process for this Amendment due to this emergency situation;
Approved a not-to-exceed 20% contingency of the total contract in the amount of $57,418 for unforeseen conditions or extra work and authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve additional work for a total not-to-exceed amount of $344,508, if needed; and, Authorized the City Manager to execute Amendment No. 3 and future amendments to the Professional Services Agreement for On-Call Professional Engineering Services with Psomas, subject to the City Attorney making non-substantive changes.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 6 March 1, 2022 Award of Professional Services Agreement for Marketing Services for Summer Trolley Program with Jovenville, LLC dba We The Creative Approved the Professional Services Agreement with Jovenville, LLC dba We The Creative in the not-to-exceed amount of $143,000 to provide Marketing Services for the Summer Trolley Program over five years; Approved a not-to-exceed 10% contingency of the total contract in the amount of $14,300 for additional work and authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to approve the additional work with Jovenville, LLC dba We The Creative, if needed, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $157,300; and,
Authorized the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement and future amendments to the agreement, subject to the City Attorney making non-substantive changes.
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
6. Award of Professional Services Agreement for Summer Trolley Program Operation Services with LAZ Parking of California, LLC.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Rains referenced an overhead slide and discussed the mock-up of the vehicle wrap for the Summer Trolley program.
Council Member Sharma referenced a question that was brought up at the Traffic and Transportation Commission meeting relative to the Trolley route and requested further information. Public Works Director Scott referenced an overhead slide that displayed the Summer Trolley Program route and provided clarification on how the Summer Trolley Program was a pilot program, that there were three stops that were approved by Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) with a potential fourth stop, and future opportunities to expand the route to other areas within the City.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Sharma, seconded by Council Member Minagar to:
Approve the Professional Services Agreement with LAZ Parking California, LLC in the not-to-exceed amount of $973,408 to operate the Summer Trolley Program over five years; and,
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement and future amendments to the agreement, subject to the City Attorney making non-substantive changes.
Motion carried 5-0.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 6 March 1, 2022
DISCUSSION ITEMS
Strategic Plan Laguna Niguel 2050: The Pursuit of Happiness - 2022 Strategic Plan Update
City Manager Letourneau provided a report and PowerPoint presentation entitled "Laguna Niguel 2050 - The Pursuit of Happiness Strategic Plan Update 2022." Council Member Minagar asked for clarification on the date of completion for the City California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines under Goal #5's timeline. City Manager Letourneau clarified that the CEQA guidelines were completed and were left on the timeline to track the City's progress.
Council Member Jennings thanked the City Council for their vision and forethought and thanked City Staff for their efforts on the Strategic Plan Update.
Mayor Pro Tem Rains commended City Staff for their hard work and dedication on the Strategic Plan Update.
Mayor Gennawey commented on the success of the Strategic Plan Workshop and thanked City Manager Letourneau and City Staff for their diligence.
City Manager Letourneau thanked the City Council for their leadership and the City Staff for their dedication and hard work.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Jennings, seconded by Council Member Minagar to approve the 2022 Strategic Plan Update.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Adoption of Resolution No. 2022-1380 Adopting Updates to City Council Policies and Procedures
Deputy City Manager Martin provided a report and PowerPoint presentation entitled "City Council Policies and Procedures Update - March 1, 2022." Council Member Minagar referenced the Council Policy on Mayor and City Council and asked for clarification on the language for the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem taking office.
Discussion ensued amongst Council Members and City Staff. Mayor Pro Tem Rains recommended including language that adds clarification as to when newly elected members are sworn in and when the Mayor takes over. City Attorney Ennis concurred that the language would be updated for clarification.
Mayor Pro Tem Rains referenced the Council Policy on Mayor and City Council and expressed concern over the language on Agenda Item Requests. Discussion ensued amongst Council Members and City Staff. Two recommendations were proposed; to keep the existing language of the policy or split the section into sub-sections reflecting the threshold dollar amounts for the preparation of an agenda item. On a 3 to 2 vote (Yays - City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 6 March 1, 2022 Council Members Minagar and Sharma, and Mayor Pro Tem Rains, Nays - Council Member Jennings and Mayor Gennawey), the City Council directed City Staff to keep the existing language.
Mayor Pro Tem Rains referenced the Council Policy on Mayor and City Council and expressed concern over the language on recognizing outgoing members. Discussion ensued amongst Council Members and City Staff. Mayor Gennawey recommended taking out the phrase "at least one term" from the policy section regarding Resolutions of Commendations and Proclamations. On a 4 to 1 vote (Yays - Council Members Jennings and Sharma, Mayor Pro Tem Rains, and Mayor Gennawey, Nays - Council Member Minagar), the City Council directed City Staff to take out that phrase.
Council Member Sharma referenced the Council Policy on social media and commented on the importance of this policy.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Rains, seconded by Council Member Sharma to adopt Resolution No. 2022-1380 adopting the updated City Council Policies and Procedures as amended.
Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Sharma referenced the City's fiscal responsibility to the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) and encouraged everyone to be vigilant and prepared to meet those fiscal obligations. He gave a brief report on the meetings he attended for the following organizations: Laguna Niguel Traffic and Transportation Commission, Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control, and Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce.
Council Member Jennings congratulated Ms. Lucy Dunn on her accomplishments. She provided a brief report on the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce meeting. She spoke on the conflict in Ukraine and thanked the people of Ukraine for their show of strength and patriotism.
Council Member Minagar gave a report on the meetings he attended for the following organizations: Orange County Council of Governments, Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Finance and Investment Committee, TCA Toll Operations Committee, and Laguna Niguel Traffic and Transportation Commission.
Mayor Pro Tem Rains referenced her recent appointment to the Orange County Library Advisory Board and thanked Mayor Gennawey for her years of service on that board. She provided a brief report on various activities happening at the library and on the meeting she attended for the Orange County Housing and Community Development. She spoke on the accomplishments of Hedy Lamarr and Rosalind Franklin as part of her recognition of March as Women's History Month.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 6 March 1, 2022 Mayor Gennawey provided a summary on agenda items approved at the meeting tonight and gave a brief report on the Mayor's Leadership Breakfast. She listed upcoming dates for the Junior Civic Workshop, Savvy Senior Seminar, and the opening of the Family Assistance Ministries (FAM) Resale Boutique. She congratulated Assemblywoman Laurie Davies on being named the Orange County Legislator of the Year.
2. City Manager Report/Department Reports
Parks and Recreation Director Rivera provided a brief report on upcoming events at the Crown Valley Community Center.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gennawey adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Thy Merritt
Deputy City Clerk
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 6 March 1, 2022