CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
To: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Justin J. Martin, Assistant City Manager
DATE: February 18, 2025
SUBJECT: Introduction of Ordinance No. 2025-234, Amending the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Related to the Senior Citizens Committee and Parks and Recreation Commission
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Waive full reading, make any amendments to, and introduce Ordinance No. 2025- 234 by title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-234
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
AMENDING DIVISION 3 OF TITLE 2 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, RENAMING THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION, AND
ELEVATING THE DUTIES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO THE
PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION,
AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION
UNDER CEQA IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
2. Direct that the proposed ordinance be placed on the agenda for the March 4, 2025, City Council Meeting for adoption.
BACKGROUND
The City of Laguna Niguel Municipal Code provides that the City Council may establish such commissions, boards, and committees as it deems necessary. Currently, the City Council has established three Commissions, and four Committees.
The Senior Citizens Committee is a City Council established committee responsible for providing advice on the programs and needs of senior citizens in the community that benefit and promote the involvement of senior citizens in community affairs. The Senior Citizens Committee is comprised of seven committee members and may have between one and seven alternates. Currently, all of the Senior Citizens Committee positions are vacant.
The Parks and Recreation Commission is a City Council established Commission responsible for reviewing and recommending to the City Council plans for the development of parks, recreation facilities, programs, and services in the City. The Commission is also responsible for establishing working relationships with the South Coast YMCA and Capistrano Unified School District to maximize the coordination of programs and use of facilities.
The Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the following:
• Providing recreational services;
• Aquatics Facility Operations & Programming;
• Sports Programs;
• Skate Park Facility & Operations;
• Crown Valley Community Center Facility & Operations; and, • Sea Country Senior & Community Center Facility & activities.
Given the fact that the Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for all recreational and programming activities for residents of all ages, including seniors, it is appropriate to elevate the duties of the Senior Citizen Committee into one commission called the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission. Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission membership be expanded from five to seven members. These changes are reflected in Ordinance No. 2025-234 (Attachment A).
ANALYSIS
The elevation of the senior center programming and activities to the Parks, Recreation and Senior Commission will ensure that the programs and activities of the Parks and Recreation Department are covered under one commission. Further, staff recommends the expansion of the newly renamed Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission by two members for a total of seven commissioners.
In order to ensure that the seniors continue to have an opportunity to participate in commission meetings, staff further recommends that at least two commission meetings, per calendar year, of the Parks, Recreation and Senior Commission be held at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center during operating hours.
Ordinance No 2025-234 is shown in Attachment A and reflects these changes discussed above.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may elect to:
1. Decide not to adopt Ordinance No. 2025-234. This would result in the City needing to conduct a recruitment to fill all five current vacancies on the Senior Citizens Committee.
2. Dinite to return with a revised ordinance to be presented at a future City
FISCAL REVIEW
Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025-234 increases the membership of the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission from five members to seven members. The fiscal impact of this action is $50 per month, which will be offset by a reduction in staff costs related to no longer preparing and hosting Senior Committee meetings.
LEGAL REVIEW
This report and Ordinance No. 2025-234 were drafted in collaboration with the City Attorney's Office. The City Attorney's Office has reviewed this report and ordinance as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Waive full reading, make any amendments to, and introduce Ordinance No. 2025- 234 by title:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-234
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
AMENDING DIVISION 3 OF TITLE 2 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, RENAMING THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION, AND
ELEVATING THE DUTIES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO THE
PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION,
AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION
UNDER CEQA IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
2. Direct that the proposed ordinance be placed on the agenda for the March 4, 2025, City Council Meeting for adoption.
Samasa Petasan a mie
Tamara S. Letourneau Scott C. Smith
City Manager City Attorney
Queto Marto Kein X. OCamon
Justin J. Martin Kevin X. O'Connor
Assistant City Manager Management Assistant
Attachment:
A. Ordinance No. 2025-234
ATTACHMENT A
Ordinance No. 2025-234
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-234
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
AMENDING DIVISION 3 OF TITLE 2 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL
MUNICIPAL CODE, RENAMING THE PARKS AND RECREATION
COMMISSION THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION,
AND ELEVATING THE DUTIES OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO
THE PARKS, RECREATION, AND SENIOR COMMISSION,
AND MAKING A DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION
UNDER CEQA IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel, California ("City") is a municipal corporation duly organized under the constitution and laws of the State of California; and WHEREAS, on October 1, 2019, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2019- 198, amending the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code to include previously adopted provisions for the operation of all City Commissions, Boards and Committees into Division 3 (Commissions, Boards and Committees) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code. Ordinance No. 2019-198 became effective thirty days thereafter on October 31, 2019; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to update its code to further amend Division 3 (Commissions, Boards and Committees) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) by (i) amending Article 4 (Parks and Recreation Commission); and (i) repealing Article 5 (Senior Citizens Committee) and reassigning its duties to the renamed Parks, Recreation, and Seniors Committee.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Recitals. The recitals above are true and correct and are incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2. Article 4 (Parks and Recreation Commission) of Division 3 (Commissions, Boards and Committees) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows (for reference added language is underlined and language proposed to be removed is struck through):
ARTICLE 4. - PARKS, RECREATION AND SENIOR RECREATION COMMISSION Sec. 2-3-28. Establishment, membership and appointment. (a) The Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission parks and recreation commission is hereby established.
(b) The Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission_parks and recreation commission shall consist of five seven residents of Laguna Niguel each appointed by the city council in accordance with the procedures for appointing members to City of Laguna Niguel commissions, committees and boards in article 1 of this division of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code. The mayor may appoint a member of the city council to act as a liaison between the city council and the commission.
Sec. 2-3-29. Term of membership.
The term of office of members and alternate members of the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission parks and recreation commission shall be for a period of two years, unless the city council, at the time of the appointment, expressly makes the appointment for a term of one year. The two-year term shall run from January 1 of a particular year to December 31 of the following year. The one-year term shall run from January 1 of a particular year to December 31 of that same year. The city council shall appoint the members of the commission for a particular term in January, at the beginning of the term. during the November and December preceding the term. In the event that there is a delay in the appointment of the members of the commission for a particular term, then the members appointed for the preceding term shall remain in office until the city council appoints their successors.
The terms of office for the members of the commission shall be staggered, to the extent feasible, such that the terms of no more than three four members terminate at the same time.
Sec. 2-3-30. Duties and responsibilities of the commission.
The duties and responsibilities of the Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission parks and recreation commission shall consist of the following:
(a) Review and recommend to the city council plans for the development of parks which are prepared for the implementation of city parks and recreation programs.
(b) Review and recommend to the city council plans for the development of recreation facilities, programs, and services in the city. (c) Establish working relationships with the South Coast YMCA and Capistrano Unified School District to maximize the coordination of programs and use of facilities.
(d) Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the city council. (d) Provide advice to the city council on the needs of the senior citizens of the community, both within the city and regionally.
(e) Promote the involvement of senior citizens in community affairs. (f) Provide input regarding a variety of programs for the benefit of senior citizens. (g) Act as a sounding board for individuals and organizations and city officials for ideas and plans which may affect senior citizens.
(h) Attend programs and activities at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center and participate in a volunteer capacity as needed.
Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the city council.
Sec. 2-3-31. Time and place of meetings.
The Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission_ Parks and Recreation Commission shall meet regularly, at least once each month, at a time established by the commission at its formation meeting, and it shall hold such other meetings as it deems necessary. At least two meetings per calendar year of the commission must be held at the Sea Country Senior and Community Center during regular operating hours, with the remainder of the meetings being held in the City of Laguna Niguel City Hall. All meetings of the commission shall be held in the City of Laguna Niguel City Hall.
Sec. 2-3-32. Officers.
The commission shall, annually in January of each year, select one of its members to serve as the chairperson of the commission and one of its members to serve as vice chairperson of the commission.
Sec. 2-3-33. Staff assistance.
The city manager shall provide the necessary staff for the technical and clerical assistance of the commission.
Sec. 2-3-34. Compensation.
Parks, Recreation, and Senior Commission Parks and recreation commission members shall be compensated at the rate of $25.00 for each meeting of the commission that they attend not to exceed two meetings in one month.
SECTION 3. Article 5 (Senior Citizens Committee) of Division 3 (Commissions, Boards and Committees) of Title 2 (Administration and Personnel) of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code is hereby repealed in its entirety.
ARTICLE 5. SENIOR CITIZENS COMMITTEE
Sec. 2-3-35. Membership and appointment.
(a) The senior citizens committee is hereby established. (b) The committee shall consist of seven senior citizens. The city council may also appoint from one to seven alternate members. All members of the committee and all alternate members shall be residents of the City of Laguna Niguel and 55 years of age or older. The senior citizen members of the committee and the alternate members shall be appointed by the city council in accordance with the procedures established for the appointment of members of city commissions, committees and boards in the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code. A city council member shall be appointed by the mayor to serve as a liaison to the committee.
(c) Alternate members may attend meetings and participate in the discussion of agenda items, but they may only vote if acting for an absent member.
Sec. 2-3-36. Term of membership.
The term of office of members and alternate members of the senior citizens committee shall be for a period of two years, unless the city council, at the time of the appointment, expressly makes the appointment for a term of one year. The two year term shall run from January 1 of a particular year to December 31 of the following year. The one year term shall run from January 1 of a particular year to December 31 of that same year. The city council shall appoint the members of the committee for a particular term during the November and December of the preceding year. In the event that there is a delay in the appointment of the members of the committee for a particular term, then the members appointed for the preceding term shall remain in office until the city council appoints their successors.
The terms of office for the members of the committee shall be staggered, to the extent feasible, such that the terms of no more than four members terminate at the same time.
Sec. 2-3-37. Duties of the committee.
The duties and responsibilities of the senior citizens committee shall consist of the following:
(a) Provide advice to the city council and the parks and recreation commission on needs of the senior citizens of the community, both within the city and regionally.
(b) Promote the involvement of senior citizens in community affairs. (c) Provide input regarding a variety of programs for the benefit of senior citizens. (d) Act as a sounding board for individuals and organizations and city officials for ideas and plans which may affect senior citizens.
(e) Attend programs and activities at the Sea Country Senior & Community Center and participate in a volunteer capacity as needed.
() Perform other duties that may be assigned by the city council.
Sec. 2-3-38. Time and place of meetings.
The senior citizens committee shall meet on an as needed basis at any facility owned by the City of Laguna Niguel.
Sec. 2-3-39. Officers.
The committee shall, annually in January of each year, select one of its members to serve as the chairperson of the committee and one of its members to serve as vice chairperson of the committee.
Sec. 2-3-40. Staff assistance.
The city manager shall provide the necessary staff for the technical and clerical assistance of the committee.
SECTION 4. CEQA. The adoption of this Ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Public Resources Code Section 21000 et seq.) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) because the project is covered by the general rule that CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. The adoption of this Ordinance only provides for minor amendments within the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code of the operational provisions for the City's already established commissions, boards and committees and does not have the possibility of resulting in any physical changes in the environment.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this Ordinance is, for any reason, held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance. The City Council hereby that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion thereof irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, subdivisions, sentences, clauses, phrases, or portions thereof be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force thirty (30) days after its passage.
SECTION 7. Publication. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this Ordinance and shall post or publish this Ordinance as required by law.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel on this 4** day of March 2025.
Ray Gennawey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk