CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
June 21, 2023
2:00 P.M.
Laguna Woods City Hall
24264 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, California 92637
I. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Call to Order
Mayor Conners called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:00 p.m.
1.2 Emergency Circumstances and Just Cause Teleconferencing - N/A Il. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBER: PRESENT: Horne, McCary, Moore, Hatch, Conners ABSENT:
All councilmembers participated in-person at the meeting location.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Macon, City Attorney Patterson, City Clerk Trippy All staff participated in-person at the meeting location.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember McCary led the pledge of allegiance.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4.1 City Hall/Public Library Project Update
City Manager Macon provided an update.
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Bill O'Dowd, resident, expressed concerns regarding noise and traffic on El Toro Road.
Councilmember Moore briefly responded to Mr. O'Dowd's comments.
June 21, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
VI. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tem Hatch commented on his health.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hatch, seconded by Councilmember Horne, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to approve Consent Calendar items 6.1 - 6.6.
6.1 City Council Minutes
Approved the City Council meeting minutes for the regular meeting on May 17, 2023.
6.2 City Treasurer's Report
Received and filed the City Treasurer's Report for the month of May 2023.
6.3 Warrant Register
Approved the warrant register dated June 21, 2023 in the amount of $552,625.97.
6.4 Planning Services
1. Approved an agreement with 4LEAF, Inc. for planning services and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
AND
2. Approved an agreement with LSA Associates, Inc. for planning services and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
6.5 Senior Mobility Program Transportation Services
Approved an agreement with Cabco Yellow, Inc. doing business as California Yellow Cab for senior mobility program transportation services and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
6.6 Water Quality (Stormwater) Services
Approved an agreement with John L. Hunter and Associates, Inc. for water quality (stormwater) services and authorized the City Manager to execute the agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
VII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
7.1 Conditional Use Permit CUP-2023-0002 to allow for the establishment of an June 21, 2023 2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
administrative/professional office within an existing 3,272 square foot unit in an existing building, at 24310 Moulton Parkway, Suite C-2, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Mayor Conners opened the public hearing.
John Sanchez, Alignment Healthcare, provided information on the project and responded to City Council questions.
With no other requests to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Mayor Conners made comments.
Moved by Councilmember McCary, seconded by Councilmember Horne, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to adopt a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
CUP-2023-0002 TO ALLOW FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN
ADMINISTRATIVE/PROFESSIONAL OFFICE WITHIN AN
EXISTING 3,272 SQUARE FOOT UNIT IN AN EXISTING BUILDING, AT 24310 MOULTON PARK WAY, SUITE C-2, LAGUNA WOODS, CA
92637, AND DETERMINING AND CERTIFYING THAT THE
CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 15301 OF TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF
REGULATIONS
7.2 Sign Program SP-2023-0003 to allow for various signage at 23562 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA 92637
City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Mayor Conners opened the public hearing.
With no requests to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Councilmembers discussed the item.
Moved by Councilmember Horne, seconded by Councilmember McCary, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to adopt a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SIGN PROGRAM SP-2023-0003
TO ALLOW FOR VARIOUS SIGNAGE AT 23562 MOULTON
June 21, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
PARKWAY, LAGUNA WOODS, CA 92637, AND DETERMINING
AND CERTIFYING THAT THE SIGN PROGRAM IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15311
OF TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS
7.3 Building, Planning, Encroachment, and Grading Permit Fees City Manager Macon and Terry Madsen, ClearSource Financial Consulting, made a presentation.
Mayor Conners opened the public hearing.
Mark Nussbaum, resident, expressed concern regarding the cost of building permit fees, including for a project he recently undertook, and asked if there is an effort to ensure that there is no redundancy between fees charged by the City and homeowners' associations.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to Mr. Nussbaum's comments.
With no other requests to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff and staff responded to questions.
Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Hatch, seconded by Councilmember Horne, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to adopt a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING NEW AND INCREASED OR
MODIFIED BUILDING AND PLANNING SERVICES FEES, AND
ENCROACHMENT AND GRADING PERMIT FEES; AND
DETERMINING AND CERTIFYING THAT THIS ACTION IS NOT
SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
PURSUANT TO TITLE 14 OF THE CALIFORNIA CODE OF
REGULATIONS
Councilmember Moore made comments.
VIII. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
8.1 Cannabis Retail Sales Business Regulations
The following written public comments were received prior to the meeting and provided to the City Council; they are included in the meeting record • Ann Beltran, resident, email titled "please pass Cannabis Dispensary ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
June 21, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
• Deborah Orrill, resident, email titled "SUPPORT for the Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance in Laguna Woods. - READ BEFORE JUNE 21, 2023," dated June 19, 2023
• Denise Rapp, resident, email titled "L WV resident," dated June 19, 2023 • Elizabeth Miller, member of the public, email titled "Cannabis," dated June 19, • Gordon Worstell, resident, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Jonathan Adler, resident, email titled "I wish to speak June 21 on behalf of L.W.
Democratic Club in favor of cannabis dispensary ordinance," dated June 19, 2023 • Joseph Meyer, resident, email titled "Cannabis," dated June 19, 2023 • Joyce Kordower, resident, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Laguna Woods Democratic Club by Susan Dearing, President, and Jonathan Adler, Legislative Action Chair, email titled "pro cannabis dispensary ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Maura O'Neill and Michael Harnett, residents, email titled "cannabis dispensary ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Maureen Mehler, resident, email titled "June 21 meeting," dated June 19, 2023 • Michaele Nozaki and Sunya Mandel, residents, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Ralph and Stevie Magid, residents, email titled "Approval of Dispensary in Laguna Woods," dated June 19, 2023
• Rochelle Mandel, resident, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Russell M. Franklin, resident, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary," dated June 19, 2023
• Sandra Rosencrans, member of the public, email titled "Cannabis Ordinance Act," dated June 19, 2023
• Selma Bukstein, resident, email titled "Your vote," dated June 19, 2023 • Unidentified resident, email titled "Please vote for the dispensary," dated June 19, 2023
• Wendy Levin, resident, email titled "Please Pass The Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 19, 2023
• Gail Lewis, resident, email titled "YES on cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 20, 2023
• Diane Gross, resident, email titled "Attn All Council Members," dated June 20, 2023
• Joseph Rego, resident, email titled "Cannabis Dispensary Ordinance," dated June 21,2023
• United Cannabis Business Association by Jonatan Cvetko, Executive Director, email titled "Public Comment Item 8.1 - Cannabis," dated June 21, 2023 and attached letter titled "RE: Item # 8.1. - Cannabis Retail Sales Business Regulations," dated June 19, 2023
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City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Councilmember Moore left the meeting at 2:55 p.m. and returned at 2:57 p.m.
Councilmembers discussed the item.
Councilmember Horne made a motion to approve recommendation Al that was seconded by Councilmember McCary.
Maureen Mehler, resident, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers.
Chad Wanke, member of the public and part of the Committee to Support Measure T, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers, asked how the City would handle multiple applications received for the same location or at the same time, and encouraged the City to explicitly allow cannabis storefront retailers to make deliveries.
Mary Sheets, resident, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers.
Jonathan Adler, Laguna Woods Democratic Club, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers.
Kandice Hawes, Orange County NORML, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers (specifically, recommendation Al) and encouraged the City to form a committee to draft an ordinance, permit cannabis storefront retailers using a merit-based system, and not include a property requirement to apply for commercial cannabis permits.
Ms. Hawes also spoke in opposition to requiring cannabis storefront retailers to be the property owner if located in multi-tenant buildings.
Mike Getlin, Nectar Markets, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers and of an experienced operator requirement. Mr. Getlin also commented on his belief that the proposal to set the cannabis business tax rate at 10% or $35.00 per square foot is too high, and that cannabis storefront retailers are unlikely to secure leases in commercially owned property. Mr. Getlin also responded to questions from Mayor Conners and Mayor Pro Tem Hatch.
Jonathan Adler, resident, spoke in support of allowing cannabis storefront retailers.
Councilmember Moore left the meeting at 3:55 p.m. and returned at 3:57 p.m.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
Councilmember Moore made a substitute motion, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hatch, to direct the City Manager to re-agendize a discussion regarding cannabis retail sales/business regulations for the City Council meeting on July 19, 2023, including discussion regarding the public comments made at today's City Council meeting.
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At Mayor Conners' request, Captain Cruz Alday, Chief of Police Services, made comments regarding the Orange County Sheriff's Department's (OCSD) position on cannabis storefront retailers. OCSD is opposed to allowing cannabis storefront retailers.
Councilmembers discussed the comments made by Captain Alday.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
Councilmember Moore amended her substitute motion, which was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hatch, to read as follows: "Direct the City Manager to agendize a public hearing regarding cannabis retail sales business regulations for the City Council meeting on July 19, 2023, including discussion regarding the public comments made at today's City Council meeting."
Moved by Councilmember Moore, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Hatch, and carried on a 4-0-1 vote with Councilmember McCary abstaining due to not having a clear understanding of the recommendation, to direct the City Manager to agendize a public hearing regarding cannabis retail sales business regulations for the City Council meeting on July 19, 2023, including discussion regarding the public comments made at today's City Council meeting.
Mayor Conners called for a brief recess at 4:32 p.m.
The meeting was called back to order at 4:41 p.m.
8.2 Fiscal Years 2023-25 Budget and Work Plan & Fiscal Years 2023-34 Capital Improvement Program Development
City Manager Macon made a presentation regarding the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and the status of Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 Pavement Management Relief funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Hatch left the meeting at 4:51 p.m. and returned at 4:53 p.m.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
IX. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
9.1 Coastal Greenbelt Authority
Councilmember McCary stated that there would be a meeting in July 2023.
9.2 Orange County Fire Authority
At Mayor Pro Tem Hatch's request, Division Chief Baryic Hunter, Orange County Fire Authority, made comments regarding the Orange County Fire Authority's current fire June 21, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
academy graduation.
9.3 Orange County Library Advisory Board
Councilmember Moore stated there has been no meeting since the last meeting.
Item 9.5 followed Item 9.3, and Item 9.4 followed Item 9.7.
9.5 San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency
Mayor Conners provided a report and responded to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Hatch.
9.6 South Orange County Watershed Management Area
Councilmember Moore stated that she would provide a report at a future meeting.
9.7 Liaisons to Community Bridge Builders
Councilmember McCary stated there has been no meeting since the last meeting.
9.4 Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
Councilmember Horne stated that she did not attend the most recent meeting. She shared a video titled, "One Mosquito Bite Can Change a Life Forever" and made comments.
9.8 Other Comments and Reports - None
X. CLOSED SESSION - None
XI. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None
XII. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Conners and Councilmember McCary made comments regarding Juneteenth.
The meeting was adjourned in recognition of Juneteenth at 5:10 p.m. The next adjourned regular meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
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Approved: July 19, 2023
Cather S. Camer
CYNTHIA S. CONNERS, Mayor
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