City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 5 March 3, 2026
LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL
Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting
March 3, 2026
7:00 p.m. – Regular Meeting
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL – Mayor Johns called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Gene Johns – Present
Mayor Pro Tem Kelly Jennings – Present
Council Member Ray Gennawey– Present
Council Member Stephanie Oddo – Absent
Council Member Stephanie Winstead – Present
INVOCATION – Farshad Jahed, Baha’i Community of Laguna Niguel
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Brownie Troop #3587
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Melissa Caldwell and Frank McGrath, representing the Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee, announced “Operation Baby Shower,” taking place March 1– 31, with six donation drop-off locations throughout Laguna Niguel and an Amazon Wishlist option to support military families. Melissa Caldwell also promoted the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Craft Marketplace on March 14 at the Crown Valley Community Center, featuring local vendors, food, and family-friendly activities.
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Jennings , seconded by Council Member Winstead, to approve the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried 4-0.
1. Warrants of March 3, 2026
Approved as written.
2. Payroll Summary Register
Approved as written.
3. Investment Report as of January 31, 2026
Received and filed the City of Laguna Niguel Investment Report as of January 31, 2026.
4. Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on January 14 and January 15, 2026, Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on January 20, 2026,
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Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on January 27, 2026, Minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting on February 17, 2026, and Minutes of the Special City Council Meeting on February 24, 2026
Approved as written.
5. Annual Holiday Closure Schedule for City Office Facilities and Services and Cancellation of the July 7, 2026, September 1, 2026, November 3, 2026 and January 5, 2026 Regular City Council Meetings
1. Approved the holiday closure schedule for City office facilities and services during April 2026, June 2026, November 2026, and December 2026; and,
2. Cancelled the Regular City Council meetings scheduled for July 7, 2026, September 1, 2026, November 3, 2026, and January 5, 2027.
6. Approval of Plans and Specifications for Heather Ridge Bike Lanes Project, Cash Contract No. 23-10, and Authorization to Advertise the Project for Bids
1. Approved the plans and specifications for the Heather Ridge Bike Lanes Project, Cash Contract No. 23-10; and,
2. Authorized staff to advertise the project for bids.
7. Approval of Final Tract Map No. 17721 and Subdivision Improvement & Maintenance Agreement
1. Approved Final Tract Map No. 17721;
2. Accepted the dedication of easements for emergency vehicle access, storm drain maintenance access, and Scenic Corridor preservation;
3. Approved the Subdivision Improvement & Maintenance Agreement; and,
4. Found recommended actions are consistent with The Cove at El Niguel Final EIR (SCH No. 2021110122), and require no further CEQA review pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21166 and CEQA Guidelines section 15162.
8. Approval of Right of Way Contract with Christian Mission Church and Authorization for Just Compensation for the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project
1. Approved the Right of Way contract with Christian Mission Church on a portion of Assessor Parcel Number 636- 034-07 for the Crown Valley Parkway Westbound Widening Project;
2. Authorized the payment of Just Compensation to Christian Mission Church in the amount of $200,230.27; and
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3. Authorized the City Manager to execute a Right of Way contract on the City’s behalf.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Recodification of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code – Title 6 Updates
Assistant City Manager Martin introduced the item and provided a report on the recodification of the Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Title 6 updates.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
There were no questions from the City Council.
Mayor Johns opened Public Comment.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Johns closed Public Comment.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Council Member Winstead expressed appreciation for the revisions, noting they improve clarity and ease of use while ensuring that future changes to laws, policies, and agreements are automatically reflected in the Municipal Code without requiring continual updates.
Mayor Johns thanked staff and the City Council before moving onto the next agenda item.
2. Annual Review of the City’s Adopted Legislative Platform
Assistant to the City Manager O’Connor introduced the item and provided a report on the annual review of the City’s adopted Legislative Platform.
COUNCIL QUESTIONS
There were no questions from the City Council.
Mayor Johns opened Public Comments.
There were no public comments.
Mayor Johns closed Public Comments.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
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Council Member Gennawey expressed support for the City’s Legislative Platform, noting it allows the Mayor to respond quickly to state and county legislation on behalf of the City Council, particularly on issues such as taxes, cost of living, and crime prevention while making the City more agile in addressing external governmental actions, and stated he supports the platform as presented.
Mayor Johns thanked staff and the City Council before moving onto the next agenda item.
OTHER BUSINESS/COUNCIL REPORTS
1. Council Reports
Council Member Gennawey reported attending a B .L.E.S.S.I.N meeting with the M ayor to review progress on the proposed B.E.S.S. project, sharing that the developer no longer appears interested in the site, which he described as positive news for the safety of Laguna Niguel and the broader South Orange County region. He invited local 8th –12th graders to attend the Youth Committee’s upcoming “Pizza with Police” event at Ballpark Pizza and expressed support for the City’s Iranian-American community, acknowledging recent mixed emotions and offering well wishes ahead of Persian New Year on March 20.
Council Member Winstead encouraged community support for Operation Baby Shower to assist military families and asked residents to keep deployed troops in their thoughts.
She thanked outgoing Military Support Committee Chair Frank McGrath, congratulated incoming Chair Melissa Caldwell, and noted the C ity’s receipt of a commemorative flag flown by the First Battalion Marines in honor of Laguna Niguel. Council Member Winstead shared Orange County Public Libraries’ upcoming “Kinder Palooza” event at the Laguna Niguel Library, designed to support kindergarten readiness through family -friendly educational activities.
Mayor Pro Tem Jennings expressed heartfelt gratitude to her fellow City Council members and City staff for their grace, patience, and support as she navigates medical issues, affirming her commitment to fulfilling her duties while focusing on her health and emphasizing the importance of teamwork and compassion in public service.
Mayor Johns shared his disappointment at missing the Little League opening ceremony first pitch due to inclement weather but hopes to participate at the closing ceremony. He thanked Chairman Nathan Banda and the Acjachemen Nation Council for inviting him to speak at a recent forum in San Juan Capistrano, and concluded by encouraging the community to keep deployed service members in their thoughts and prayers for their safe return.
City Manager/Department Reports
There were no reports.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johns adjourned the Regular City Council Meeting at 7:33 p.m.
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Respectfully submitted,
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Marissa J. Asistin, CMC, City Clerk