City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 December 3, 2024
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
December 3, 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 – Present
Council Member Ray Gennawey– Present
Council Member Gene Johns – Present
Council Member Stephanie Winstead – Present
INVOCATION – Pastor Jim Szeyller, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Cadette Girl Scout Troop #8597
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were no public comments.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Council Member Gennawey, seconded by Council Member Johns, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
1. Warrants of December 3, 2024
Approved as written.
2. Payroll Summary Register
Approved as written.
3. Minutes of the November 19, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting
Approved as written.
4. Adoption of Resolution No. 2024 -1495, Approving the Submittal of Two Improvement Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for Funding Under the Competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program
Adopted Resolution No. 2024-1495, approving the submittal of the La Paz Road and Cabot Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects to the Orange County Transportation Authority for funding under the competitive Measure M2 Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program.
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5. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2024 -231, Amending Ordinance No. 91-45 to Establish the Prima Facie Speed Limit on Four Street Segments of Forbes Road and La Paz Road Within the City
Conducted second reading, by title only, and adopted:
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-231
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 91-45
TO ESTABLISH THE PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMIT ON FOUR
STREET SEGMENTS OF FORBES ROAD AND LA PAZ ROAD
WITHIN THE CITY
PRESENTATIONS
1. Administration of Oath of Office to Council Member Kelly Jennings, Council Member Gene Johns, and Council Member Stephanie Winstead
Assemblywoman Laurie Davies administered the Oath of Office to Council Members Kelly Jennings, Gene Johns, and Stephanie Winstead.
2. Comments by Council Members Stephanie Winstead, Kelly Jennings, and Gene Johns
Council Member Winstead expressed gratitude and humility upon taking the oath of office, emphasizing her honor to serve alongside her colleagues and her deep appreciation for the Laguna Niguel community. She credited the City's success to its smart and generous residents and their high level of expectations, which have fostered a culture of excellence known as the ‘Laguna Niguel way.’ Council Member Winstead acknowledged key figures who contributed to the C ity's growth and values, including the past leadership of Pat Bates, Linda Lindholm , Jerry McCloskey, Robert Ming, and Laurie Davies, highlighting their dedication to creating a fiscally strong, accountable, safe, and vibrant community.
She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to her family, friends, and supporters, particularly her son and husband. Council Member Winstead concluded with a commitment to work collaboratively with her fellow City Council members and City staff, invoking blessings for the C ity and the nation.
Council Member Johns expressed gratitude for the honor of serving on the Laguna Niguel City Council over the past year and a half and shared excitement about continuing to serve for another four years. He reaffirmed his commitment to keeping the C ity safe, fiscally responsible, and responsive to the needs of all residents, including veterans, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness. Council Member Johns thanked his family for their unwavering support, recognizing his mother, sister, sons, their spouses, and grandchildren for their presence. He gave special appreciation to his wife for being his biggest supporter, reflecting on how they moved to Laguna Niguel for retirement and quickly became deeply involved in the City. Council Member Johns concluded by sharing that he is looking forward to collaborating with the City Council and staff to address future opportunities and challenges, building on the progress made during his first term.
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Mayor Jennings expressed deep gratitude and humility for the opportunity to serve Laguna Niguel for another four years, emphasizing the privilege of being entrusted with the role unopposed. She highlighted her commitment to maintaining the City's excellence, thanking her City Council colleagues, volunteers, and C ity staff for their dedication and contributions to Laguna Niguel's success. Special recognition was given to the police and fire services for ensuring the community's safety. Mayor Jennings extended heartfelt thanks to h er husband, family, and friends for their unwavering support, which enables her to serve in this capacity. Reflecting on her accomplishments as Mayor over the past two years, Mayor Jennings celebrated the City's progress and pledged to build on its achievements in the years ahead. Mayor Jennings concluded with a commitment to fostering progress, partnership, and a bright future for the community and its residents.
CITY COUNCIL
1. Selection of Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Jennings opened Public Comments.
Janice Sherertz, Diane Growth, Michelle Antenesse, Pam Carrie, Jennifer Barb, and Suzanna Bortz s poke in support of Mayor Pro Tem Oddo to serve as Mayor for the upcoming year.
Amy David, Patty Mouton, Carl David, and Andrea Redfield spoke in support of selecting a Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem whose policy priorities align with the majority of Laguna Niguel residents.
Mayor Jennings closed Public Comments.
Mayor Jennings opened nominations for the Office of Mayor.
Mayor Jennings nominated Council Member Gennawey for the Office of Mayor.
There were no additional nominations for the Office of Mayor.
Mayor Jennings called for a roll -call voice vote for the nomination of Council Member Gennawey to the Office of Mayor.
Motion Carried.
Council Member Jennings opened nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Council Member Jennings nominated Council Member Johns for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Mayor Pro Tem Oddo nominated Council Member Winstead for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
There were no additional nominations for the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
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Council Member Jennings called for a roll-call voice vote for the nominations in the order in which they were received, the first being for Council Member Johns to the Office of Mayor Pro Tem.
Motion Carried.
a. Comments by Newly Appointed Mayor
Mayor Gennawey expressed gratitude to those attending the meeting and emphasized the value of respectful debate in the community. Reflecting on his roots in Laguna Niguel, he highlighted the City’s culture of volunteerism, safe neighborhoods, respect for law enforcement, reverence for seniors, honor for veterans, and the importance of small businesses as the backbone of the community. He expressed deep pride in serving as Mayor of his hometown and acknowledged the many individuals — family, friends, mentors, and community members who supported him along the way. Mayor Gennawey also recognized the challenges of the cost -of-living crisis and committed to using all available tools to ease this burden for residents, especially for those raising families. He pledged to continue fighting for an even better quality of life for Laguna Niguel’s 66,000 residents while upholding the C ity’s "sea country values." Mayor Gennawey concluded by reaffirming his dedication to the community and expressing hope for its continued success and blessings.
b. Comments by Newly Appointed Mayor Pro Tem
Mayor Pro Tem Johns expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in him and the honor of serving as Mayor Pro Tem. He emphasized the City Council's dedication to making decisions that prioritize the rights, safety, and well -being of Laguna Niguel residents, regardless of political affiliations. Mayor Pro Tem Johns reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a City where families can thrive, retirees can enjoy their lives, and businesses can prosper. Mayor Pro Tem Johns expressed confidence in the City Council's ability to achieve great things for the community.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Oddo reflected on her dedication to serving Laguna Niguel for the past two years and addressed several comments made during the meeting. She reiterated her stance on Proposition 1, stating that she di d not take a position on it and that the City would never be affected by it. She clarified her support of sober living home reform, and fighting sober living homes. Relating specifically to Proposition 5, she reiterated that she does not support tax increases in Laguna Niguel, in the past, currently, or in the future.
She emphasized her commitment to fighting for residents' interests and that she is proud and grateful to serve, and that she takes her role very seriously, as she sees her boss being the people of Laguna Niguel . Council Member Oddo highlighted her active efforts on initiatives such as combating the proposed BESS facili ty project , expanding EV charging stations, supporting fire insurance reform, and protecting open spaces through grants. She shared her ongoing dedication to public safety, the future of the federal building property, the General Plan update, infrastructure improvements, green b ike
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lanes, and fostering a shared community identity through programs like ‘Tree City USA’.
Council Member Oddo also expressed pride in personal initiatives, such as inviting youth to participate in City events, supporting a scholarship program for first-generation college students, and supporting local organizations like the Niguel Botanical Preserve and Laguna Niguel Historical Society. Council Member Oddo concluded by congratulating the three returning City Council members, and by thanking her supporters, family, and husband for their encouragement, noting that her work is driven by her love for the C ity and her commitment to advocating for all residents.
2. City Manager/Department Reports
There were no additional reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Jennings adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:57 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk