Ci
ty Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 September 16, 2025
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
September 16, 2025
7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Gennawey called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Ray Gennawey – Present
Mayor Pro Tem Gene Johns – Present
Council Member Kelly Jennings– Present
Council Member Stephanie Oddo – Present
Council Member Stephanie Winstead – Present
INVOCATION – Janice Sherertz, Christian Science Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – B oy Scout Pack #872
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nathan Smith spoke on s afety hazard concerns at the Cove at El Niguel development.
Cheryl Friedling spoke on safety hazard concerns at the Cove at El Niguel development.
John Fernandez spoke on poor hillside and drainage maintenance by the Niguel Summit HOA and urged the City to implement annual checks, notices, and accountability measures to ensure proper upkeep and safety.
Patty Mouton thanked the Mayor and City Council for their leadership and response to the recent public events.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MO
TION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Johns, seconded by Council Member Oddo, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5 -0.
1. W arrants of September 2, 2025 and September 16, 2025 Approved a s written.
2. P ayroll Summary Register
Approved a s written.
3. Investment Report as of July 31, 2025
Received and filed.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 September 16, 2025
4. Annual Investment Report for Fiscal Year 2024-2025
Received and filed.
5. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on August 19, 2025
Approved as written.
6. Approval of Plans and Specifications for the Bus Shelter Replacement Project, Cash Contract No. 24-08, and Authorization to Advertise the Project for Bids
1. Approved the Plans and Specifications for the Bus Shelter Replacement Project, Cash Contract No. 24-08; and,
2. Authorized staff to advertise the project for bids.
7. Authorization to Submit the 2024-2025 Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
Authorized staff to submit the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Year 2024- 2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) to the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
DISCUSSION ITEM
1. Adoption of the City of Laguna Niguel Active Transportation Plan
Public Works Director Scott introduced the item and consultant Sam Sharvini provided a report on the City of Laguna Niguel Active Transportation Plan.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
There were no questions.
Mayor Gennawey opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Gennawey closed Public Comment.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 September 16, 2025
Council Member Jennings praised Director Scott and her team for their hard work and outreach on the study and plan, highlighting the surprising number of bicyclists counted and commending the City’s active community.
Council Member Winstead noted valuable input from the Traffic and Transportation Commission, and expressed support for securing funding, engineering, and implementing the proposed projects.
Council Member Oddo highlighted crash statistics involving bikes and pedestrians, emphasized the need for safety improvements and community recreation, suggested hosting an open streets event, and expressed support for securing funding and moving the proposed projects forward.
Mayor Pro Tem Jo hns praised the study and the P ublic Works department for already acting on its findings, noted the effective use of grant funding, emphasized the need to secure more funds for implementation, and proudly highlighted the popularity of the Salt Creek Trail in his district.
Mayor Gennawey praised the two- year effort behind the Active Transportation Plan, highlighting the extensive community engagement, valuable information it provides on the City’s infrastructure, and its importance in securing future grant funding.
A MOTION was made by Pro Tem Mayor Johns, seconded by Council Member Jennings to:
Adopt the City of Laguna Niguel Active Transportation Plan.
Motion carried 5-0.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Oddo thanked her fellow Council Members and staff for supporting the recent Firewise Resiliency Workshop, noted strong community interest with five existing Firewise certified neighborhoods and more considering adoption, and expressed gratitude to residents for prioritizing fire safety.
Council Member Winstead praised the success of the Firewise R esiliency Workshop, highlighted the full City Council’s participation as a sign of unity and commitment to residents, and expressed appreciation for serving alongside a supportive and diverse Council team.
Mayor Pro Tem Johns recognized National Voter Registration Day and Constitution Day, reflected on 9/11 and a DEA memorial honoring fallen agents and servicemen, and congratulated a local fifth grader, Ally Pervvis, for winning a statewide essay contest.
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Mayor Gennawey thank ed the Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies, and the Laguna Beach Fire Department for their swift and effective response to the recent Beacon Fire, which allowed residents to return to their homes after only a brief period of evacuation. He also recognized the Parks and Recreation Department for converting the Crown Valley Community Center into a welcome and reception center for potential evacuees while also continuing preparations for the Sea Country Festival, which he noted was a highly successful and well -organized event. Mayor Gennawey acknowledged several City departments /divisions, including C ode Compliance, Police Services, the C ity Attorney’s Office and the E xecutive Team for addressing a neighborhood issue involving an illegal business, helping residents feel safe again in their community. He thanked Council Member Oddo for hosting a well-run, well-attended and informative Wildfire Resiliency Workshop. Mayor Gennawey also shared his experience attending the Orange County Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, highlighting keynote speaker Rob Pelinka and a lighthearted exercise in naming a hypothetical Laguna Niguel professional basketball team, ultimately choosing the “Sea Country Sea Wolves.” City Manager/Department Reports
Chief of Police Services Isaac Flores provided a Police Services Quarterly Report.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gennawey adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:03 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk
City Council Special Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 1 September 25, 2025
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting
September 25, 2025
4:00 p.m. – Special Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Gennawey called the Special City Council Meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Ray Gennawey – Present
Mayor Pro Tem Gene Johns – Present
Council Member Kelly Jennings – Present
Council Member Stephanie Oddo – Present
Council Member Stephanie Winstead – Present
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Pro Tem Johns
STATE OF THE CITY
Mayor Gennawey provided a brief introduction and shared the State of the City Video, “Turning Vision Into Victory.”
Mayor Gennawey acknowledged all who participat ed in and remain committed to the success of the City of Laguna Niguel.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gennawey adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 5:54 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk