To:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Honorable Mayor and Council Members
Tamara S. Letourneau, City Manager
August 19, 2025
Adoption of Fee Update for Sheriff's Response to Security System False Alarms
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025-1510, approving the updated fee for security system false alarms for the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) False Alarm Fee Program.
BACKGROUND
As a contract city with the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD), the City participates in OCSD's False Alarm Fee Program. Under this program, a fee is charged when OCSD responds to a third or subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or if a false alarm is intentionally triggered. The purpose of the False Alarm Program is to reduce false alarms, thereby saving law enforcement resources for real emergencies, recover costs from repeated false alarm responses, and improve police response and community safety.
For the City to participate in the OCSD program, the City was required to adopt an ordinance establishing the fee program and authorizing OCSD to collect that fee, and then adopt a resolution establishing the fee amount. On February 20, 2018, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2018-191 providing for the establishment of the fee program (Attachment A).
On April 3, 2018, following a fee study conducted by OCSD, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2018-1248, which established a $96 fee for the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or if a false alarm is intentionally triggered (Attachment B).
ANALYSIS
In 2025, OCSD completed a cost study, which determined that a fee of $209 per occurrence is needed to fully recover costs. The updated $209 fee amount is based on the estimated reasonable cost incurred by OCSD in responding to a security system false alarm at a residence or business. The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved the updated fee on June 24, 2025, with the new rate taking effect on July 1, 2025 (Attachment C). To align with the County and ensure full cost recovery, staff is recommending that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-1510 , updating its False Alarm Fee to match the new County fee (Attachment D).
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The City Council may decide not to approve Resolution No. 2025-1510, updating the fees for security system false alarms for the OCSD False Alarm Fee Program. This alternative is not recommended as the City will not recover the costs for responding to third and subsequent false alarms at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or if a false alarm is intentionally triggered.
FISCAL REVIEW
The OCSD collects False Alarm Fees on behalf of the City and applies the total amount collected as a credit to the City's annual contract. Reimbursements are issued two years in arrears. The City currently receives approximately $20,000 in credit each fiscal year, equivalent to approximately 200 instances where this fee applies. It is estimated that the updated fee could result in an additional cost recovery of approximately $23,500 per year.
The proposed fee increase will result in full cost recovery by the City of all costs associated with the response of Police Services personnel to false alarms in the City.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved this report and resolution as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council hold a public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 2025-1510, approving the updated fee for security system false alarms for the Orange County Sheriffs Department (OCSD) False Alarm Fee Program.
Scott C. Smith
City Attorney
Kevin X. O'Connor
Services Assistant to the City Manager
Attachments:
A. Ordinance No. 2018-191
B. Resolution No. 2018-1248
C. OCSD False Alarm Letter and Orange County Board of Supervisors Resolution D. Resolution No. 2025-1510
ATTACHMENT A
Ordinance No. 2018-191
ORDINANCE NO. 2018-191
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
PROVIDING FOR THE IMPOSITION OF A FEE TO RECOVER THE COSTS
INCURRED BY THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
RESPONDING TO FALSE ALARMS
The City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Recitals.
1. The City of Laguna Niguel ("City") contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services.
2. Under the terms of the contract, the Sheriff's Department is charged with responding to emergency alarms throughout the City.
3. Often times the Sheriff's Department will respond to the activation of a residential or business alarm when an actual emergency does not exist.
4. The City has not previously authorized the Sheriff's Department to collect a fee for false alarm responses within the City.
5. The false alarm fee would be charged to residences or businesses that trigger three (3) or more false alarms in a calendar year.
6. The false alarm fee is not punitive in nature, but rather is used to reimburse the Sheriff's Department's response costs
7. The City has the authority to impose reasonable fees under the police power granted to it by the California Constitution.
8. California Government Code Section 66018(a) allows the City to adopt such fees through ordinance, resolution, or other legislative enactment.
9. The City's typical practice is to establish a fee through ordinance and set the fee amount through adoption of a resolution.
10. The adoption of this Ordinance and subsequent fee resolution will bring the false alarm provisions into conformity with the City's standard fee establishment procedure.
- 1 -
11. The Sheriff's Department has asked the City to adopt the false alarm fee to collect the actual costs incurred when responding to multiple false alarms.
Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Article 6.5 entitled "False Alarms and Payment of Costs" is hereby added to Division 3 of Title 11 (Public Morals, Public Safety and Welfare) of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code to read as follows:
Article 6.5. False Alarms and Payment of Costs.
Section 11-3-700. In addition to any other fines or penalties established by law, the Orange County Sheriff's Department shall collect costs from any subscriber of or operator of an alarm system which signals three (3) or more false alarms within a calendar year.
Section 11-3-701. No person shall intentionally initiate a false alarm except for purposes of testing an alarm system and then only after having given the Sheriff's Department prior written notice thereof. Any person who violates this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and also shall be required to pay to the City of Laguna Niguel costs in addition to any fines or penalties established by law. The Sheriff's Department is authorized to collect such costs·on behalf of the City of Laguna Niguel.
Section 11-3-702. For purposes of this Section "alarm system" means any manual, mechanical or electrically operated circuits, instruments, and/or devices, which when activated, emit a sound or transmit alarms, a message, and/or trouble signals which necessitate, solicit, or requests response from the Sheriff's Department.
Section 11-3-703. For the purposes of this Section, "costs" means the costs incurred by the Sheriff's Department in responding to the false alarms, which shall be established by the City Council by adoption of a resolution.
SECTION 2. CEQA Exemption.
The City Council finds the establishment of fees for administrative services is statutory and categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") since establishing fees fit within the statutory exemptions for local agency decisions involving rates, tolls, or other charges pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080(b )(8) and Section 15273 of the CEQA guidelines. - 2 -
Therefore, the City Council finds this Ordinance is not subject to CEQA.
SECTION 3. 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 declares that it would have adopted this Ordinance and each section, subsection, subdivision, sentence, clause, phrases, 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 4. Effective Date.
This Ordinance shall go into effect and be in full force and operation from and after thirty (30) days after its final passage and adoption.
SECTION 5. City Clerk's Certification.
The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and cause the same to be posted at the duly designated posting places within the City and published once within fifteen (15) days after passage and adoption as required by law; or, in the alternative, the City Clerk may cause to be published a summary of this Ordinance and post a certified copy of the text of this Ordinance in the Office of the City Clerk five (5) days prior to the date of adoption of this Ordinance, and, within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall cause to be published the aforementioned summary and shall post a certified copy of this Ordinance, together with the vote for and against the same, in the Office of the City Clerk.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of February, 2018. /
ATTEST:
- 3 -
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE )SS
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL )
I, Eileen C. Gomez, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing is Ordinance No. 2018-191 which was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, held February 20, 2018 by the following vote:
A YES: Council Members Davies, Lindholm, Minagar, Mayor Pro Tern Jennings, and Mayor Gennawey
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: None
Eileen C. Gomez
City Clerk
..
ATTACHMENT B
Resolution No. 2018-1248
RESOLUTION NO. 2018-1248
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING A FEE FOR RESPONDING TO THIRD AND
SUBSEQUENT FALSE ALARMS WITHIN A CALENDAR YEAR OR AN
INTENTIONALLY SET FALSE ALARM IN THE AMOUNT OF
$96.00 PER OCCURRENCE
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel contracts with the Orange County Sheriffs Department for law enforcement services; and
WHEREAS, as a contract City, City is eligible to participate in the Orange County Sheriffs Department False Alarm Fee Program, which establishes a fee for the Sheriffs Department's response to three and subsequent false security system alarms at the same residence or business in a calendar year or an intentionally initiated false alarm; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the False Alarm Fee Program is to recover the cost of responding to false alarms as authorized by the City of Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Section 11-3-700 through 11-3-703; and
WHEREAS, a cost study by the Orange County Sheriffs Department shows that the current costs of responding to a false alarm is $96; and WHEREAS, the City desires to authorize the Orange County Sheriffs Department to collect a fee for false alarm responses within the City; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Sheriffs Department will collect the false alarm fees on behalf of the City and will credit the City's annual contract for the amount of false alarm revenue collected; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Public Hearing with respect to the proposed new fee was given according to law; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing with respect to the new proposed fee was held on April 3, 2018.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel as follows:
1. The City is authorized to participate in the Sheriffs Department False Alarm Fee Program.
Resolution No. 2018-1247 Page2
2. A fee of $96 shall be charged for the third and subsequent false alarms at the same residence or business that is responded to by the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the same calendar year.
3. A fee of $96 shall be charged for any intentionally false alarm that is responded to by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
4. The Orange County Sheriff's Department is authorized to collect the false alarm fees on behalf of the City and credit the City's annual contract for the amount of false alarm revenue collected.
5. The City Council finds that in accordance with Section 21080(b)(8) of the California Public Resources Code the charge identified in the supporting information is only for the purpose of meeting operating expenses and is, therefore, exempt from compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
6. This Resolution becomes effective upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of April, 2018.
ATTEST:
,.,,...
///
.,-
/'/
✓-
/
/.,,.
,,.,/
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF ORANGE )SS
CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL )
I, Eileen C. Gomez, City Clerk of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing is Resolution No. 2018-1248 which was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel, California, held April 3, 2018 by the following vote:
A YES: Council Members Davies, Lindholm, Minagar, Mayor Pro T em Jennings, and Mayor Gennawey
NOES: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
Eileen C. Gomez
City Clerk
None
J
ATTACHMENT C
OCSD False Alarm Letter and Orange County Board of Supervisors Resolution June 25, 2025
ORANGE COUNTY
SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Ms. Tamara Letourneau, City Manager
City of Laguna Niguel
30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Dear Ms. Letourneau :
SHERIFF -CORONER DON BARNES
The Orange County Sheriff Coroner (OCSD) took an updated False Alarm Fee to the Orange County Board of Supervisors that the Board approved on June 24, 2025. The new adopted fee increased from $141 to $209; an increase of $69 {48%).
A cost study was recently prepared by OCSD staff to determine the current cost to the Sheriff's Department when responding to excessive false alarms. The fee is charged for the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business that is responded to by the Sheriff's Department within a calendar year or for any intentionally set false alarm . The cost study indicated the fee at $209 per occurrence will allow full cost recovery for this service.
The fee is only in effect in the unincorporated areas of the County. Cities wishing to adopt this new fee will need to coordinate with the City Council to adopt a new or modify the existing City ordinance to incorporate the fee increase. Attached is the County minute order and new County Resolution. Once the City adopts the new fees, please return a copy of the minute orde r and signed City resolution to my attention .
If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected] .
Sincerely,
Law Enforcement Services Contracts Manager
Orange County Sheriff-Coroner
C:
Captain Isaac Flores, Chief of Police
Trevor Agrelius, City Finance Directo r
wwt, oc~hcnH gov
Integr ity without compromise I Service above self I Professionalism in the perf orman ce of duty I Vigilance in safeguard ing our community
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MINUTE ORDER
June 24, 2025
Submitting Agency/Department: Sheriff-Coroner
Public Hearing to consider adopting resolution approving increased fees for response to third and subsequent false alarm at same residence or business within a calendar year or intentionally set false alarm from $141 to $209, effective 7 /1/25; superseding resolution No. 20-106; and making California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption findings under CEQA Guidelines Section 15273 and Public Resources Code Section 21080(b )(8) and other related findings -All Districts The following is action taken by the Board of Supervisors:
APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED liiJ OTHER 0
Unanimous liiJ (1) NGUYEN: Y (2) SARMIENTO: Y (3) WAGNER: Y (4) CHAFFEE: Y (5) FOLEY: Y Vote Key: Y=Yes; N=No; A=Abstain; X=Excused; B.O.=Board Order Documents accompanying this matter:
liil Resolution(s) 25-081
D Ordinances( s)
D Contract( s)
Item No. 79
Special Notes:
Copies sent to:
Sheriff-Coroner I ASR Team/Coordinator I 6.25.2025
I certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Minute Order adopted by the Board of Supervisors, Orange County, State of California.
Robin Stieler, Clerk of the Board
Agenda Item
AGENDA STAFF REPORT
ASR Control 25-000425
MEETING DATE: 06/24/25
LEGAL ENTITY TAKING ACTION: Board of Supervisors
All Districts BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DISTRICT(S):
SUBMITTING AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Sheriff-Coroner (Approved) Brian Wayt (714) 647-1803
Noma M. Crook (714) 834-6681
DEPARTMENT CONTACT PERSON(S):
SUBJECT: Approve an Increase in False Alarm Fee
CEO CONCUR
Concur
COUNTY COUNSEL REVIEW
Approved Resolution to Form
CLERK OF THE BOARD
Public Hearing
3 Votes Board Majority
Budgeted: NI A Current Year Cost: NI A Annual Cost: NI A Staffing Impact: No # of Positions: Sole Source: NIA
Current Fiscal Year Revenue: $11,436
Funding Source: Other: 100% (False Alarm County Audit in last 3 years: No Fees)
Levine Act Review Completed: NIA
Prior Board Action: 7/28/2020 #27, 12/16/2008 #55, 812212000 #94 RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
1. Conduct the public hearing.
2. Adopt a Resolution that:
a. Finds that adoption of the Resolution approving the fee is statutorily exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 21080(b )(8) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines as the establishment or modification of rates, fees and charges which are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits, and purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment or materials.
b. Finds that the fee meets the requirements set forth in subdivision ( e )(2) to Section 1 of Article XIIIC of the California Constitution and is therefore exempt from the definition of a tax as used therein.
c. Finds that the revenue resulting from the fee established pursuant to this Resolution will not exceed the Sheriff-Coroner Department's reasonable cost to respond to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same business or residence within a calendar year, or an intentionally set false alarm.
d. Approves the proposed increase in the fee for the Sheriff-Coroner Department's response to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or any intentionally set false alarm, from $141 to $209, effective July 1, 2025, and superseding Resolution No. 20-106 and all previous resolutions on this subject.
SUMMARY:
Approval of the revised fee will allow the Sheriff-Coroner Department to fully recover the costs of responding to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or responding to an intentionally set false alarm in the unincorporated areas of the County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As authorized by Sections 5-3-307 and 5-3-308 of the Orange County Codified Ordinances, the fee is charged when the Sheriff-Coroner Department (Sheriff) responds to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business in the unincorporated areas, within the same calendar year, or when a false alarm is intentionally set. This can also be adopted by contract cities, which will ensure recovery of operational expenses for these services.
The table below details the history of fees for false alarms approved by the Board of Supervisors (Board).
Board of
Supervisors
(Board)
Aooroved Resolution Fee Comments
4/20/1988 88-527 $30 Board approved resolution.
3/26/1991 91-179 $56 Board approved resolution.
8/22/2000 00-336 $64 Board approved resolution.
12/16/2008 08-157 $85 Board approved resolution.
7/28/2020 20-106 $141 Board aooroved resolution.
A cost study was recently prepared by Sherift's staff to determine the current cost to the Sheriff when responding to false alarms. The cost study indicated the fee at $209 per occurrence will allow full cost recovery for this service. It is estimated that the increased fee will result in additional revenue in the amount of $11,436 per year.
A Notice of Public Hearing has been published to comply with Government Code Section 66018 which requires a local agency to hold a public hearing when new fees are adopted or existing fees are increased.
The proposed fee and supporting cost study were reviewed by the Auditor-Controller.
Compliance with Proposition 26: The fee does not fall within the definition of a tax under Proposition 26 because it is excepted by California Constitution Article XIIIC, Section 1, Subdivision ( e )(2).
Subdivision (e)(2) excepts from the definition of a tax, "a charge imposed for a specific government service or product provided directly to the payor that is not provided to those not charged, and which does not exceed the reasonable costs to the local government of providing the service or product." This Page2
exception applies because the fee amount is limited to no more than what is necessary for the Sheriff to recover the reasonable costs in responding to false alarms.
Compliance with CEQA: The adoption of the Resolution approving the fee is statutorily exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 21080(b)(8) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines as the establishment or modification of rates, fees and charges that are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits and purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment or materials.
FINANCIAL IMP ACT:
The proposed fee increase will result in full cost recovery of the costs of responding to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year or responding to an intentionally set false alarm. This revenue will be included in the FY 2025-26 Budget for Budget Control 060, Sheriff-Coroner and will be included in the budgeting process for future fiscal years.
STAFFING IMP ACT:
NIA
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment A - Draft Resolution
Attachment B - Government Code Section 66018
Attachment C - California Constitution Article XIIIC, Section 1 Attachment D - Orange County Codified Ordinances, Sections 5-3-307 and 5-3-308 Attachment E- Fee Checklist and Cost Study
Attachment F - Notice of Public Hearing
Attachment G - Section 21080(b)(8) of the Public Resources Code Page3
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
June 24, 2025
WHEREAS, Section 5-3-307 of the Orange County Codified ordinances establishes that the Sheriff-Coroner shall collect costs for responding to a false alarm; and WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 88-527, the Board of Supervisors established a fee in the amount of $30.00 for the Sheriff's Department's response to false security system alarms; and WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 91-179, the Board of Supervisors increased said fee to $56.00 to reflect full cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 00-336, the Board of Supervisors increased said fee to $64.00 to reflect full cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 08-157, the Board of Supervisors increased said fee to $85.00 to reflect full cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-106, the Board of Supervisors increased said fee to $141 to reflect full cost recovery; and
WHEREAS, the Sheriffs Department is proposing to further increase the fee charged for response to the third and subsequent false security system alarms at the same residence or business in a calendar year or response to an intentionally set false alarm so as to effect full recovery of the direct costs of responding to such false alarm; WHEREAS, the Sheriff' Department has conducted a cost study showing that the current cost for responding to such false alarms is $209; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Public Hearing with respect to the proposed revised fee was given according to law; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing pertaining to said proposed revised fee was held on June 24, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this Board of Supervisors does hereby Resolution No. 25-081, Item No. 79
Revised False Alann Fee
1. Find that adoption of this Resolution approving the fee is statutorily exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to Section 21080(b)(8) of the Public Resources Code and Section 15273 of the CEQA Guidelines as the establishment or modification of rates, fees and charges which are for the purpose of meeting operating expenses, including employee wage rates and fringe benefits, and purchasing or leasing supplies, equipment or materials.
2. Find that the fee meets the requirements set forth in subdivision (e)(2) to Section 1 of Article XIIIC of the California Constitution and is therefore exempt from the definition of a tax as used therein.
3. Find that the revenue resulting from the fee established pursuant to this Resolution will not exceed the Sheriff's reasonable cost to respond to the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business within a calendar year, or an intentionally set false alarm.
4. Approve, effective July 1, 2025, a fee of$209 will be charged for the third and subsequent false alarm at the same residence or business that is responded to by the Sheriff's Department within a calendar year or for any intentionally set false alarm.
The fee is only in effect in the unincorporated areas of the County.
IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution supersedes all previous resolutions on the subject.
Resolution No. 25-081, Item No. 79
Revised False Alarm Fee
The foregoing was passed and adopted by the fo llowing vote of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, on June 24, 2025, to wit:
AYE : Supervisors :
NOES: Supervis or(s):
EXCUSED: Supervi ·or( s):
AB TAINED : Supervisor(s) :
ST A TE OF CALIFORNIA )
)
COUNTY OF ORA GE )
KATRJNA FOLEY, DO ALD P. WAG ER, JA ET NGUYE
VICENTE SARMIE TO, DOUG CHAFFEE
CH!i!:d ~
I, ROBI STIEL ER, Clerk of the Board of Oran ge Coun ty, California , hereb y certify that a copy of this document has been delivered to the Chairman of the Board and that the abo ve and foregoing Resolution was duly and regularly adopt ed by the Orang e Coun ty Board of Sup ervisors WITNESS WH EREO F, l have her eto set my hand and seal.
Reso lution o: 25-08 I
Agenda Date: 06/24/2025
Item o: 79
Clerk of the Board
Co unt y of Orange . State o f Cali fornia
I cenify that the forego ing is a t111c an<l cnrrcc t copy o f the Resolution adop ted by the Board o f Supervi sors, OrJn ge County.
Stale of California
Robin Stiekr . Cle rk o f the Boan:! o f Supervisors
-e.
ocuSigned by:
B~·- HI.#--•~ ~ .... , .. '"_.,..,,I..,._. ___ _ _
/ Deputv
A 175358F47D1488 . .
ATTACHMENT D
Resolution No. 2025-1509
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-1509
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING A FEE UPDATE FOR SHERIFF'S RESPONSE
SECURITY SYSTEM FALSE ALARMS
WHEREAS, the City of Laguna Niguel contracts with the Orange County Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services; and
WHERAS, as a contract City, the City of Laguna Niguel is eligible to participate in the Orange County Sheriff's Department False Alarm Fee Program, which establishes a fee for the Sheriff's Department response to three and subsequent false security system alarms at the same residence or business in a calendar year or an intentionally initiated false alarm; and
WHEREAS, the goal of the False Alarm Fee Program is to recover the cost of responding to false alarms as authorized by the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Sections 11-3-700 through 11-3-703; and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 2018-1248 established in the amount of $96 for the Sheriff's response to security system false alarms; and WHEREAS, a cost study by the Orange County Sheriff's Department shows that the current costs of responding to a false alarm are $209; and WHEREAS, the City desires to authorize the Orange County Sheriff's Department to collect a fee for false alarm responses within the City; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Sheriff's Department will collect the false alarm fees on behalf of the City and will credit the City's annual contract for the amount of false alarm revenue collected; and
WHEREAS, a Notice of Public Hearing with respect to the proposed fee was given according to law; and
WHEREAS, a Public Hearing with respect to the updated proposed fee was held on August 19, 2025.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Laguna Niguel, as follows:
1. The City is authorized to participate in the Sheriff's Department False Alarm Fee Program.
2. A fee of $209 shall be charged for the third and subsequent false alarms at the same residence or business that is responded to by the Orange County Sheriff's Department in the same calendar year.
3. A fee of $209 shall be charged for any intentional false alarm that is responded to by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
4. The Orange County Sheriff's Department is authorized to collect the false I
alarm fees on behalf of the City and credit the City's annual contract for the amount of false alarm revenue collected.
5. The City Council finds that in accordance with Section 21080(b)(8) of the California Public Resources Code, the charge identified in the supporting information is only for the purpose of meeting operating expenses and is, therefore, exempt from compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act.
6. Resolution No. 2018-1248 is hereby repealed and superseded by this Resolution, effective upon its adoption.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 19th day of August, 2025.
Ray Gennawey, Mayor
ATTEST:
Marissa J. Asistin, City Clerk