City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 7 October 21, 2025
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
October 21, 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 – Pastor Jim Szeyller, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Boy Scout Pack #705
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Tisha Holbert, Nancy Williams, Patty Williams, and Linda Sukur spoke about the turf project at El Niguel Country Club.
Alissa Cope spoke on consent calendar item number 8.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Consent Calendar Item No. 7 was pulled from the consent calendar.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Johns, seconded by Council Member Winstead, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 5-0.
1. Waive the Reading of all Ordinances
Approved the reading by title only of all ordinances wherein the titles appear on the public agenda; said titles shall be determined to have been read by title, and further reading is waived.
2. Warrants of October 21, 2025
Approved as written.
3. Payroll Summary register
Approved as written.
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 7 October 21, 2025
4. Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on October 7, 2025
Approved as written.
5. Introduce Ordinances to Adopt, by Reference, Code Contained in the 2025 California Building Standards Code, including Local Amendments, and Related International Codes
1. Waived the full reading and introduced by title only Ordinance Nos. 2025- 237 and 2025-238, entitled:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-237
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
ELECTRICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE; THE 2025 ENERGY CODE, THE 2024
INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE; AND THE 2024
INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE; TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND PENALTIES; AND AMENDING TITLE 8 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL MUNICIPAL CODE
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-238
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE;
TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, DELETIONS, ADDITIONS
AND PENALTIES; AND AMENDING TITLE 11 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL
MUNICIPAL CODE
2. Directed that the proposed Ordinances be placed on the December 2, 2025, Agenda for adoption at the regular meeting of the City Council immediately following the required public hearing.
6. City Grant Funding for Community Services/Cultural Arts Programs, Special Events and School-Based Activity Sponsorships
Approved $75,000 in City grant funding for Community Services/Cultural Arts Programs and Special Events/School -Based Activity Sponsorships, as recommended by the Grants Ad Hoc Committee.
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8. Award o f Professional Services Agreement for Defensible Space and Vegetation Management Study to Dudek
1. Awarded the Professional Services Agreement for Defensible Space and Vegetation Management Study to Dudek in the not -to-exceed amount of $72,762;
2. Approved a not-to-exceed 20% contingency of the total contract in the amount of $14,552 for unforeseen conditions or extra work and authorize d the City Manager to approve additional work for a total not -to-exceed amount of $87,314, if needed; and,
3. Authorized the City Manager to execute the Professional Services Agreement with Dudek, subject to the City Attorney making non-substantive changes.
ITEM PULLED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
7. Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2025 -236, Prohibiting the Sale and Distribution of Kratom and Nitrous Oxide Products
Council Member Oddo stated that staff will conduct a public information campaign to help residents understand the City Council’s actions and the new rules.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Oddo, seconded by Council Member Jennings to:
Conduct a second reading, by title only, and adopt Ordinance No. 2025-236:
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-236
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIFORNIA,
AMENDING DIVISION 3 OF TITLE 5 OF THE LAGUNA NIGUEL MUNICIPAL
CODE, PROHIBITING THE SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF KRATOM
PRODUCTS AND NITROUS OXIDE PRODUCTS, AND MAKING A
DETERMINATION OF EXEMPTION UNDER CEQA IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH
Motion carried 5-0.
DISCUSSION ITEM
1. Approve the Community Preferred Alternative for the La Paz Road Mobility Enhancements and Permanent Repair Project, Direct Staff to Proceed with Final Engineering Design, and Find the Project Categorically Exempt from CEQA
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 7 October 21, 2025
Public Works Director Scott introduced the item and provided a report with City consultant Pat Somerville on the approval of the community preferred alternative for the La Paz Road mobility enhancements and permanent repair project.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
Mayor Gennawey asked for clarification regarding a slide showing the median in the community -selected mobility option with Class 4 bike lanes, specifically confirming whether the median would be flat or sloped. The City consultant explained that the median would be sloped only near the landslide area, while the rest of La Paz Road would remain flat as it is currently.
Mayor Pro Tem Johns clarified that the proposed roundabout would be the C ity’s first but would be simple to navigate, with only one lane in each direction and three entry points. He noted that this design makes it easier to use than multi -lane roundabouts and asked for confirm ation that studies show roundabouts reduce fatalities by about 90% and injuries by approximately 60% compared to traditional intersections with traffic lights. Engineering Services Manager /City Traffic Engineer Kathy Kell ey confirmed t hat roundabouts significantly improve safety, citing Federal Highway Administration data showing a 90% reduction in fatal crashes and a 60% reduction in injury crashes nationwide. She explained that roundabouts have only eight conflict points compared to 3 2 in traditional intersections, due to the elimination of left turns and lower travel speeds, which greatly reduce the severity and likelihood of collisions.
Mayor Gennawey opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Gennawey closed Public Comment.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Mayor Gennawey thanked staff and City consultant Mr. Somerville for the presentation and expressed strong support for both recommended proposals, particularly the introduction of a roundabout. He shared that he is a fan of roundabouts based on his experiences in other cities such as Orange and Santa Ana, noting that they help keep traffic moving smoothly by reducing unnecessary stops at traffic lights. He emphasized that roundabouts require drivers to slow down but allow continuous flow when clear, making t hem an efficient traffic solution. Mayor Gennawey noted that this would be the first roundabout in Laguna Niguel and that it is well -suited for the selected location with moderate traffic. He concluded by stating he would vote in favor of both proposals, which were also supported by nearly two-thirds of the community.
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Council Member Oddo stated her support for the proposals, praising the outreach efforts and noting that the recommendations reflect the preferences of the residents.
Mayor Pro Tem Johns thanked Public Works Director Scott and staff for their work on addressing the longstanding landslide issue, stating that he believes the proposed solution will permanently resolve the problem and fully supports the plan.
Council Member Winstead expressed strong support for the roundabout, particularly at the Rancho Niguel and La Paz intersection, citing pedestrian safety concerns due to people crossing without a crosswalk. She noted that the roundabout would shorten crossi ng distances and provide safer pausing zones.
She thanked staff for securing $15.5 million in grant funding, conducting public outreach, and developing options that balanced community input with safety and topographical considerations, stating that the plan reflects what both the community and the Traffic and Transportation Commission want.
Council Member Jennings thanked staff, the consultant, and residents for their input. Although initially opposed to roundabouts due to safety concerns and potential driver frustration, she said the presentations and discussions have changed her mind, and she will vote in favor.
Mayor Gennawey highlighted that the La Paz Road remediation has been a long- term effort. The project will cost just under $20 million, with $15.5 million funded by a state grant and approximately $4 million coming from the C ity’s budget and infrastructure reserves, reflecting careful fiscal planning.
A MOTION was made by Council Member Winstead, seconded by Council Member Oddo to:
1. Approve the Community Preferred Alternative for the improvements to La Paz Road from Aliso Creek Road to Crown Valley Parkway, consisting of two vehicular travel lanes, Class IV bikeways, pedestrian improvements, landscape improvements, roundabouts at the intersections of La Paz Road
2. Direct staff to proceed with final engineering design of Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the project;
3. Find the project categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301, Class 1 (Existing Facilities), and Section 15304, Class 4 (Minor Alterations to Land); and,
4. Direct staff to prepare, execute, and file with the County Clerk and State Clearinghouse a Notice of Exemption documenting this categorically exempt finding within five working days of its approval.
Motion carried 5-0.
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OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Winstead shared her experience attending the Capistrano Unified School District Central Kitchen National Lunch Week kickoff taste test. She praised the intentional procurement of nutritious, high- quality foods, the kitchen’s move toward scratch preparation, and their farm -to-school approach sourcing local and organic ingredients. She highlighted creative items like magenta dragon fruit sorbet and handmade pickles. Council Member Winstead emphasized that the kitchen provides nutritious meals s upporting students’ learning and well -being, reassuring parents that school lunches are thoughtfully prepared.
Council Member Oddo shared that the South Orange County Community College District unanimously rescinded the community benefits agreement related to the proposed battery energy storage system project, which she viewed as a positive outcome for the community. She also shared that disabled veterans can now use toll roads for free without needing special license plates, and that the Military Support Committee is launching its holiday toy drive, with collection on November 8– 9 at Walmart or at the Veterans Day Ceremony event on November 11 at Sea Country Senior and Community Center.
Mayor Pro Tem Johns highlighted several community events and public safety initiatives.
He attended the 250
th anniversary of the San Juans, noting the strong emphasis on family and community, and the San Clemente FAM Hunger Walk on October 12, encouraging volunteer and donation support for local food assistance programs. He reminded residents that October 25 is Drug Takeback Day at City Hall for safe, anonymous disposal of unwanted medications. Mayor Pro Tem Johns also recognized Red Ribbon Week (October 23-31) honoring DEA agent Kiki Camarena and promoting a drug-free lifestyle, with this year’s theme “Life is a puzzle. Solve it drug- free.” Lastly, he shared a warning about the dangers of kratom, which had been displayed like candy at a gas station, noting the City has passed an ordinance banning it due to its harmful effects.
Mayor Gennawey shared that he had the honor of serving as “principal for a day” at his alma mater, Aliso Niguel High School, where he engaged with students and staff, revisited classrooms, and received a VHS tape of a class project from 2002. He expressed appreciation for Capistrano Unified School District and its teachers, administrators, parent volunteers, and students. He highlighted upcoming Chamber of Commerce events, including the Women Who Mean Business Awards and a mixer at the new Argentinian restaurant, Tierra De Fuego . Mayor Gennawey shared that he also attended the 250 th
anniversary celebration of San Juan Capistrano, noting the participation of the Acjachemen Nation (Juaneño Band of Mission Indians) and the deep historical roots of Laguna Niguel, including its Native American heritage reflected in the C ity’s name and seal. Mayor Gennawey emphasized pride in the City’s history and the meaningful participation in this milestone event.
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City Manager/Department Reports
There were no reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gennawey adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk