City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 August 20, 2024
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
August 20, 2024
7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Jennings called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Kelly Jennings – Present
Mayor Pro Tem Stephanie Oddo – Absent
Council Member Ray Gennawey– Present
Council Member Gene Johns – Present
Council Member Stephanie Winstead – Present
INVOCATION – James Wenger, Grace Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Boy Scout Troop #734
PRESENTATIONS
1. Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC)
Executive Director, Kris Murray, provided a presentation on the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Cheryl Frink spoke on Assembly Bill 1955 and shared her support of the USA Resolution.
Trevor Burkholder spoke on special events at shopping centers within the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Council Member Gennawey, seconded by Council Member Winstead, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 4-0-1.
1. Warrants of August 20, 2024
Approved as written.
2. Payroll Summary Register
Approved as written.
3. Annual Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2024
Received and filed the City’s Annual Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2023-2024.
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4. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on August 6th, 2024
Approved as written.
5. Terminating the Local Emergency in Connection with the Recent Earth Movement Under La Paz Road
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-1490, terminating the local emergency in connection with the recent earth movement under La Paz Road.
6. Award of Purchase and Installation Agreement to Shaw Sports Turf California, Inc. for the Sports Field Synthetic Turf Replacement at the La Paz Sports Park, Cash Contract No. 23-27
1. Awarded the Purchase and Installation Agreement to Shaw Sports Turf California, Inc. for the Sports Field Synthetic Turf Replacement at La Paz Sports Park, Cash Contract 23-27 in the amount of $1,219,591;
2. Authorized the Public Works Director/City Engineer to process change orders in an amount not to exceed 20% of the total contract for $243,918, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $1,417,203, if needed;
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Purchase and Installation Agreement for the Sports Field Synthetic Turf Replacement at La Paz Sports Park, with Shaw Sports Turf California Inc., and future amendments to the Agreement, subject to the City Attorney making non-substantive changes; and,
4. Authorized the Public Works Director/City Engineer to execute the Notice of Completion at the conclusion of construction.
CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEM
1. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024-1491, Providing for the Appointment to the Offices of Council Member in Districts 1, 3, and 5 Those That Were Nominated and Canceling the November 5, 2024 Election
City Attorney S mith provided a report on the adoption of Resolution No. 2024- 1491, Providing for the Appointment to the Offices of Council Member in Districts 1, 3, and 5 Those That Were Nominated and Canceling the November 5, 2024 Election.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
Council Member Gennawey inquired about the options provided to the City Council in the staff report. City Attorney Smith responded that the options provided to the City Council are options provided by California E lections Code Section 10229. Council Member Gennawey inquired if cities typically appoint the candidates instead of moving forward with an election. City Attorney Smith responded that the typical outcome in this situation is that cities appoint the candidates instead of moving forward and paying for an election.
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Council Member Winstead spoke into the record that City Attorney Smith had previously answered her question as to how much it would cost to hold an election, $73,000 dollars.
Mayor Jennings opened Public Comments.
Diane Harkey congratulated the nominees and recognized the City Council for their service.
Mayor Jennings closed Public Comments.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Council Member Gennawey congratulated Council Members Winstead and Johns and Mayor Jennings for running unopposed and that it is a testament to their leadership and confidence that the residents have in them and looks forward to continuing to serve with them. He expressed a conflict between his principled desire to have elections even with only one nominee per seat and the practical consideration of the $73,000 cost for a ceremonial election. He pointed out that many cities in the county are struggling financially due to increasing mandates and tax revenue shortfalls and although the City is not facing any financial issues, he believes that saving $73,000 is prudent. He stated his support to appointing the three nominees to the City Council to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Mayor Jennings acknowledged the challenge in accepting the unique situation but agreed with saving the money to benefit the C ity's residents. She appreciated Council Member Gennawey’s points and expressed excitement about moving forward with the decision.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Johns , seconded by Council Member Gennawey to:
Adopt Resolution No. 2024-1491, providing for the appointment to the offices of Council Member in Districts 1, 3, and 5, those that were nominated to be elected at the November 5, 2024 General Municipal Election and canceling the election.
Motion carried 4-0-1.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Winstead praised Public Works Director Scott and her team for the successful and early opening of Southbound La Paz Road. She expressed excitement about the Sea Country Festival, noting the impressive band lineup and well -planned layout. Council Member Winstead stated that she appreciated the timely invocation by James Wagner, emphasizing the importance of driving safely as the school year begins.
She encouraged patience and compassion for students, teachers, and parents as they adjust to the new school year.
Council Member Johns shared that on August 8th, he and his wife, along with others from the Lions Club, helped Family Assistance Ministry by distributing meals and 27 backpacks
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filled with school supplies. He also shared that he attended Amber’s Cantina Ribbon cutting, noting the impressive 26- year tenure of the same chef and owner. Council Member Johns thanked Public Works Director Scott for her efforts in re opening La Paz Road, praised Director Harmon for the successful summer concerts, and expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming Sea Country Festival, highlighting the new event footprint.
Council Member Gennawey recommended listening to podcasts from the Association of California Cities – Orange County , which feature local policy issues, and thanked the ACC-OC for their work. He praised the improvements on Rancho Niguel Road, noting positive feedback from residents. Council Member Gennawey expressed excitement for the upcoming Sea Country Festival, highlighting a new feature: a high school Battle of the Bands sponsored by the Laguna Niguel Youth Committee. He encouraged the residents to attend the festival, mentioning the new layout, various attractions, and community booths. He thanked everyone for a great summer and shared that he looks forward to a successful Sea Country Festival.
Mayor Jennings expressed gratitude to Public Works Director Scott for the improvements to the streets and roadways and to Parks and Recreation Director Harmon for the exceptional summer of activities and for the new vision for the Sea Country Festival. She invited residents to attend the Sea Country F estival and extended thanks to all staff for their hard work.
2. City Manager/Department Reports
Public Works Director Jacki Scott announced that the Long-Term Phase 2 interim project on La Paz Road was completed and now accommodates both northbound and southbound traffic, easing a major inconvenience. She shared that the permanent repair, funded by $15.5 million dollars grant funding, will take 3 to 5 years to design and construct, aiming to prevent future landslide issues. Public Works Director Scott expressed deep appreciation for the Public Works team's critical role in the project's success.
Community Development Director Jonathan Orduna reported that the Chet Holifield Federal Building, known as the Ziggurat Building, is currently up for sale through an online auction conducted by the General Services Administration (GSA). The auction, which began in early June, had a soft close on July 31, meaning it continues if bids are placed within 24 -hour intervals. The highest bid as of the Council Meeting stands at $147.6 million dollars. The GSA estimates that the closing process will take about six m onths, with the final outcome expected by spring 2025. He stated that t he City looks forward to working with the new property owner on future plans for the site.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jennings adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:47 p.m., in memory of Tom Wilson, former Laguna Niguel Mayor and Orange County Supervisor.
Respectfully submitted,
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5 August 20, 2024
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk