LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
April 4, 2023
6:15 p.m. - Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL - Mayor Jennings called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:17 p.m.
Mayor Kelly Jennings - Present
Mayor Pro Tem Rischi Paul Sharma - Present
Council Member Ray Gennawey- Present
Council Member Stephanie Oddo - Present
Council Member Sandy Rains - Present
CLOSED SESSION
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
There were no public comments.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION ITEM
1. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE EMPLOYMENT/APPOINTMENT
Pursuant to Section 54957(b) (1) of the Government Code Title: City Attorney
City Council conducted Closed Session.
Mayor Jennings called the regular meeting back to order at 7:01 p.m.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
Interim City Attorney Ghirelli reported that there was no reportable action taken on Closed Session item 1: Public Employee Employment/Appointment.
INVOCATION - Jim Szeyller, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Girl Scout Troop 2476
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rosemarie Fernandez, on behalf of the Laguna Niguel Woman's Club, discussed the "Just One" campaign to raise awareness for domestic violence.
Monty McDivitt, on behalf of the Laguna Niguel Botanical Preserve, spoke about the upcoming Earth Day Volunteer Event on Saturday, April 22, 2023, between 8:30 and 11:30 am.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 April 4, 2023
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Rains pulled Item No. 4. for comment. Council Member Oddo pulled Item No. 6 for comment.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Gennawey, seconded by Council Member Oddo, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
1. Warrants of April 4, 2023
Approved as written.
2. Payroll Summary Register
Approved as written.
3. Investment Report as of February 28, 2023
Approved as written.
5. City Sponsorship of Dana Hills High School and Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite 2023
1. Approved a sponsorship donation of $2,500 to the Dana Hills High School Grad Nite Committee; and,
2. Approved a sponsorship donation of $2,500 to the Aliso Niguel High School Grad Nite Committee.
7. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-219, Amending the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Related to the Electronic Filing of Statements of Economic Interests and Campaign Disclosure Documents
City Council conducted second reading, by title only, and adopted:
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-219
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING DIVISION 8 OF TITLE 2 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, ALLOWING FOR THE ELECTRONIC AND PAPERLESS
FILING OF STATEMENTS OF ECONOMIC INTERESTS AND CAMPAIGN
DISCLOSURE DOCUMENTS
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 April 4, 2023
ITEMS PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
4. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on February 21, 2023, and Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on March 8, 2023
Council Member Rains stated that she would be abstaining from this item since she was absent from the March 8, 2023, Special City Council Meeting.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sharma, seconded by Council Member Oddo, Approve as written.
Motion carried 4-0-1, with Council Member Rains abstaining.
6. Adoption of Resolution No. 2023-1423, Approving the City's Participation in the Nationwide Opioid Litigation Settlement Agreements with CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Allergan, and TEVA; Approving the California State-Subdivision Agreements Regarding Distribution and Use of Settlement Funds, and Authorizing the City Manager to Take All Actions Necessary to Implement the Settlement Agreements
Council Member Oddo expressed her support for this item and thanked the City Attorney's Office for bringing it forward. She stated her support for the Attorney Generals across the United States, going after the corporations who have fueled the Opioid Crisis that has inflicted so many people across the Country and the City of Laguna Niguel.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Oddo, seconded by Council Member Gennawey, to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-1423, approving the City's participation in the national settlement of lawsuits against CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Allergan, and TEVA for the impacts of the opioid addiction crisis, direct settlement proceeds to the County of Orange to use for authorized opioid substance abuse and prevention programs, and authorize the City Manager to take all actions necessary to implement the settlements.
Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. 2023 Laguna Niguel Strategic Plan
City Manager Letourneau provided a report on the 2023 Laguna Niguel Strategic Plan.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tem Sharma expressed gratitude to City Manager Letourneau and staff for their work in accomplishing the goals outlined in the adopted 2022 Strategic Plan.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 7 April 4, 2023 Council Member Oddo commended staff for a job well done and stated that the Strategic Plan is a road map for City staff. Council Member Oddo added that the Strategic Plan is not an all-encompassing document and that the plan is primarily for large and new projects. She clarified that the adopted Strategic Plan does not limit the City and still provides flexibility for creativity and new ideas.
Council Member Gennawey thanked staff for the Strategic Plan Update. Council Member Gennawey discussed the extensive public outreach staff conducted to revise the strategic plan.
Council Member Rains discussed the importance of having a Strategic Plan, stating that it provides a roadmap for City staff. Council Member Rains commended staff for all of the accomplishments in 2022.
Mayor Jennings expressed her gratitude to the staff for all their hard work and accomplishments on top of managing daily operations. She added that she was pleased with the amount of resident engagement that occurred when the plan was originally adopted in 2019 and encouraged residents to participate again when the Strategic Plan Survey is released in Falll 2023.
A MOTION was made bỳ Council Member Gennawey, seconded by Council Member Rains, to:
Adopt the 2023 Strategic Plan Update.
Motion carried 5-0.
2. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2023-220, Amending Ordinance No. 91-45 to Establish the Prima Facie Speed Limit on Two Street Segments of Pacific Park Drive Between Alicia Parkway to La Paz Road and La Paz Road to the SR-73 Freeway Within the City
Public Works Director Scott provided a report.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Gennawey discussed the Traffic and Transportation Commission hearing on this item. Council Member Gennawey encouraged residents to slow down when driving on Alicia Parkway.
Council Member Rains stated she was pleased that Assembly 43 exsists to allow Cities to maintain existing speed limits and she discussed the dangers of driving at high speeds and the risk of losing control when speeding.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Gennawey, seconded by Council Member Rains, to:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 April 4, 2023
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2023-220, by title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-220
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 91-45 TO ESTABLISH THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMIT ON
TWO STREET SEGMENTS OF PACIFIC PARK DRIVE BETWEEN ALICIA PARKWAY TO LA PAZ ROAD AND LA PAZ ROAD TO THE SR-73 FREEWAY
WITHIN THE CITY
2. Direct that the proposed Ordinance be placed on the agenda for adoption at the April 18, 2023, City Council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL
1. Introduction of Ordinance No. 2023-221, Amending the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Related to the Military Support Committee
Deputy City Manager Martin provided a report on the amendment to the Laguna Niguel Munucipal Code related to the Military Support Committee.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Council Member Oddo discussed the importance of empowering more City leaders and expressed the importance of having commissions and committees be chaired by their members, with the City Council serving in a liaison capacity.
Mayor Pro Tem Sharma discussed the evolution of the Military Support Committee during his six years of involvement with the committee. He discussed how amending the Military Support Committee leadership structure will afford committee members more opportunities to participate in the committee's operations. Mayor Pro Tem Sharma stated that he believes the committee has a great roadmap for 2023 and that the timing is right to make this change.
Council Member Rains discussed how last year (2022) was very much a transitional year for the Military Support Committee and that it is now appropriate to create more autonomy for the committee to serve the City's adopted military units.
Council Member Gennawey expressed his support for this item dating back to when it was previously discussed on April 5, 2022
Mayor Jennings stated that this item is long overdue and expressed her appreciation for Council Member Oddo and Mayor Pro Tem Sharma for bringing this item forward.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Sharma, seconded by Council Member Oddo, to:
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 7 April 4, 2023
1. Waive full reading and introduce Ordinance No. 2023-221, by title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2023-221
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
THE LAGUNA NIGUEL MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE MILITARY SUPPORT
COMMITTEE, INCLUDING PROVISIONS ON THE ROLE OF CITY COUNCIL
LIAISONS, DESIGNATION AND SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR, AND
OTHER NON-SUBSTANTIVE REVISIONS AND MAKING A FINDING OF EXEMPTION
UNDER CEQA IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
2. Direct the proposed Ordinance be placed on the agenda for adoption at the April 18, 2023, City Council meeting.
Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Mayor Pro Tem Sharma thanked the Public Works Department for their work on the slurry seal project off Golden Lantern and wished everyone a happy Easter.
Council Member Rains discussed her attendance at the Orange County Council of Governments General Assembly and shared the importance of creating homeownership in the City and valuing incentives over mandates. Council Member Rains stated that the League of California Cities has taken an opposed position on Senate Bill 423 and wished everyone a Happy Passover and Easter.
Council Member Gennawey discussed his attendance at the "Taste of Dana Hills" and "Bunny Bonanza." Council Member Gennawey discussed the upcoming Fighting Back Member Gennawey discussed the upcoming artil yay even and aste of lo e on April 22.
Council Member Oddo discussed the progress made between Insurance Commissioner Lara and the California FAIR Plan to increase insurance coverage limits to $20 million.
Council Member Oddo discussed her experience speaking to 3d and 4th graders at Malcolm Elementary School and shared comments made by students during a mock public comment session. Council Member Oddo shared that she was recently elected Vice-Chair of the Environmental Committee for the Transportation Corridor Agency and discussed the work the agency does to preserve open space and wildlife.
Mayor Jennings discussed her experience observing the Orange County Fire Authority Large Animal Rescue Training at the Shea Center. Mayor Jennings discussed her experience leading a tour of City Hall and Laguna Niguel Police Services for a Daisy City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 7 April 4, 2023 Troop. Mayor Jennings encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming Fighting Back Fentanyl Event on April 12, 2023, at the Crown Valley Community Center.
2. City Manager/Department Reports
Chief of Police Services Flores highlighted the accomplishments of the Laguna Niguel Police Auxiliary Citizens' Team (PACT) Bike Patrol and their efforts in improving the safety and well-being of the community.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jennings adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 7 April 4, 2023