CITY OF LAGUNA WOODS CALIFORNIA
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
December 17, 2025
2:00 P.M.
Laguna Woods City Hall
24264 El Toro Road
Laguna Woods, California 92637
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Home called the Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Laguna Woods to order at 2:02 p.m.
II. ROLL CALL
COUNCILMEMBER: PRESENT: Home, McCary, Conners, Lee, Moore ABSENT:
All councilmembers participated in-person at the meeting location.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Macon, City Attorney Patterson, Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer Torres, City Clerk Trippy All staff participated in-person at the meeting location.
III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tern McCary led the pledge of allegiance.
IV. PRESENTATIONS AND CEREMONIAL MATTERS
4.1 Marcia Milchiker - 40th Anniversary, South Orange County Community College District Board of Trustees
( agenized by Mayor Home)
City Clerk Trippy read the commendation.
Ms. Milchiker made comments.
Councilmembers made comments.
Mayor Home called for a brief recess.
The meeting was called back to order at 2:22 p.m.
December 17, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
V. PUBLIC COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Damian Hickman and Ryan Hickman, Recycle from Home, commented on their program.
Councilmembers and City Manager Macon briefly responded to Mr. Hickman's comments.
Sandra Smolinsky, resident, expressed concerns regarding coyote traps.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to Ms. Smolinsky's comments.
VI. CITY TREASURER'S REPORT
6.1 City Treasurer Report
Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer Torres made a presentation.
Moved by Councilmember Moore, seconded by Councilmember Conners, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to receive and file the City Treasurer's Report for the month of November 2025.
VII. CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by Mayor Pro Tern McCary, seconded by Councilmember Lee, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to approve Consent Calendar items 7.1-7.7. 7 .1 City Council Minutes
Approved the City Council meeting minutes for the regular meeting on November 19, 2025.
7.2 Payment Register
Approved the payment register dated December 17, 2025, in the amount of $924,033.44.
7.3 Fiscal Years 2025-27 Budget Adjustments
Adopted a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND ADOPTING THE FISCAL
YEARS 2025-27 BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-26 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AND FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2027, INCREASING CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
APPROPRIATIONS TO RETURN (TRANSFER) UNSPENT FUNDS TO
THE GENERAL FUND AND UNASSIGNING THE UNSPENT FUNDS
December 17, 2025 2 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
7.4 Solid Waste Handling Services
Adopted a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF A FIFTH AMENDMENT OF THE AGREEMENT
WITH CR&R INCORPORATED FOR SOLID WASTE HANDLING
SERVICES, AND DETERMINING AND CERTIFYING THAT THE
FIFTH AMENDMENT IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT
7.5 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project:
Phase 9 - Expanded Scope
1. Approved the "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 9 - Expanded Scope" specifications as prepared by the project engineer.
AND
2. Approved a notice of exemption for the "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 9 -Expanded Scope" finding that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and authorized the City Manager to cause the notice of exemption to be filed pursuant to applicable law.
AND
3. Awarded a contract agreement to Bear Electrical Solutions, LLC for the construction of the "Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 9 - Expanded Scope", including all four alternative bid items included in the bid solicitation, in the amount of $180,775.00, plus authorized change orders not to exceed 20% ($36,155.00) of the base amount; and authorized the City Manager to execute a contract agreement and approve change orders, subject to approval of the contract agreement as to form by the City Attorney.
7 .6 Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria A venue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway)
1. Approved the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria Avenue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway) specifications as prepared by the project engineer.
AND
December 17, 2025 3 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
2. Approved a notice of exemption for the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria A venue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway) finding that the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and authorized the City Manager to cause the notice of exemption to be filed pursuant to applicable law.
AND
3. Approved a cooperative agreement for the Pavement Management Plan Project (Eastbound Santa Maria A venue between Santa Vittoria Drive and Moulton Parkway) with the City of Laguna Hills, and authorized the City Manager to execute the cooperative agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
AND
4. Adopted a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND ADOPTING THE FISCAL
YEARS 2025-27 BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-26 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AND FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2027, INCREASING GENERAL FUND AND
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE
"PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN PROJECT (EASTBOUND
SANTA MARIA AVENUE BETWEEN SANTA VITTORIA DRIVE
AND MOUL TON PARKWAY)"
7.7 Measure M2 (OC Go) Expenditure Report
Adopted a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING AND CONCERNING THE
MEASURE M2 EXPENDITURE REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25
COMMENCING JULY 1, 2024 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS
8.1 Conditional Use Permit CUP-2025-0003, a request by the Camino School/St. Nicholas Catholic Church for approval of a conditional use permit amending Conditional Use Permit CUP-291 to allow for the establishment of an educational institution use, alternative provisions to off-street parking regulations resulting in a reduction in available off-street parking stalls during ce1iain hours, and installation of an outdoor shed at the property located at 24252 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 December 17, 2025 4 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes City Manager Macon introduced the item and noted that it will instead be considered at the City Council's meeting on January 21, 2026 at 2 p.m. at Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Moore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to cancel the public hearing.
8.2 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Public Facilities & Improvements Project Proposals
City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Mayor Home opened the public hearing.
With no requests to speak, the public hearing was closed.
Councilmembers discussed the item.
City Manager Macon responded to councilmember comments.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Moore, and carried unanimously a 5-0 vote, to:
1. Ratify the City Manager's submittal of a proposal to the County of Orange requesting $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under the Fiscal Year 2026-27 Public Facilities & Improvements grant program (County of Orange RFA #012-000089-NC) to support the "Pedestrian Accessibility Improvement Project: Phase 1 0", which generally consists of:
- A $250,000 primary project involving the reconstruction of two driveway crossings ( one on Moulton Parkway generally south of the Mobil Station and one on Moulton Parkway south of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf before Laguna Country United Methodist Church); and
- A $250,000 waitlist/expanded scope project involving the installation of two new safety lights at two intersections (El Toro Road/Canyon Wren Lane and El Toro Road/Calle Corta).
AND
2. Adopt a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING THE SUBMITTAL OF A
PROPOSAL TO THE COUNTY OF ORANGE FOR COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS,
PROSPECTIVELY ACCEPTING THE AW ARD OF SUCH CDBG
December 17, 2025 5 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
FUNDS, MAKING RELATED AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE
FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 PUBLIC FACILITIES & IMPROVEMENTS
GRANT PROGRAM (COUNTY OF ORANGE RFA #012-000089-NC),
AND DETERMINING AND CERTIFYING THAT THE SUBMITTAL
OF A PROPOSAL AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE AW ARD OF FUNDS
IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENT AL QUALITY
ACT
IX. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
9.1 Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and Various Fiscal Year 2024-25-related Reports and Statements from Independent Auditors/ Accountants Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer Torres and Bob Callanan, CliftonLarsonAllen, made presentations.
City Manager Macon and Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer Tones recognized Melissa Leanza, Accountant, on the occasion of her upcoming retirement.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Moore, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to receive and file the following documents pertaining to Fiscal Year 2024-25:
- Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 (Fiscal Year 2024-25); and
- Independent Auditors' Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with Government Auditing Standards; and
- Independent Auditor's Statements on Auditing Standards 114 Letter: The Auditor's Communication with Those Charged with Governance; and
- Independent Accountants' Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures Applied to Appropriations Limit Worksheet No. 6 for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025; and - Independent Accountants' Report on the Alternative Compliance Examination Engagement for Recipients That Would Otherwise be Required to Undergo a Single Audit or Program-Specific Audit as a Result of Receiving Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025. 9 .2 California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust Fund City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Lee, and carried December 17, 2025 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to:
1. Approve a contribution of $262,828 to the California Employers' Pension Prefunding Trust Fund ("CEPPT") for investment in the CEPPT Strategy 1 portfolio and authorize the City Manager and Administrative Services Director/City Treasurer to cause such contribution to be made and to execute agreements, documents, and certifications necessary to do so.
AND
2. Adopt a resolution titled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA
WOODS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND ADOPTING THE FISCAL
YEARS 2025-27 BUDGET AND WORK PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR
2025-26 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2025 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AND FISCAL YEAR 2026-27 COMMENCING JULY 1, 2026 AND
ENDING JUNE 30, 2027, INCREASING GENERAL FUND
APPROPRIATIONS FOR A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CALIFORNIA
EMPLOYERS' PENSION PREFUNDING TRUST FUND ("CEPPT"),
AND MAKING RELATED AUTHORIZATIONS
9 .3 Public Safety Grant Program
City Manager Macon made a presentation.
An unidentified member of the public spoke in support of security cameras and asked how the City is protecting places of worship.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to the member of the public's comments.
Kathryn Freshley, resident, asked about the legality of granting funds to private parties.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to Ms. Freshley's comments.
Cush Bhada, President of the Golden Rain Foundation ofLaguna Woods, spoke in support of the proposed grant program and asked about eligibility for security camera funding.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to Mr. Bhada's comments.
Rabbi Joseph Mendelsohn, resident, asked about future plans for the proposed grant program.
City Manager Macon briefly responded to Mr. Mendelsohn' s comments.
Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
December 17, 2025 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern 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, ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 5.1
PERTAINING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PUBLIC SAFETY
GRANT PROGRAM AND RELATED FUNDING PROGRAMS, AND
ALLOCATING EXISTING FISCAL YEARS 2025-26 AND 2026-27
GENERAL FUND BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS TO FUNDING
PROGRAMS
9 .4 Potential lease of a portion of the real property commonly known as City Centre Park located at 24121 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA 9263 7 Mayor Home recused herself from this item and left the meeting for the reasons previously stated at the City Council meeting on November 19, 2025.
City Manager Macon made a presentation and noted that the new recommendation is to take no action due to the City having not yet received the California Depatiment of Housing and Community Development's Surplus Land Act findings letter.
Battalion Chief Romo, Orange County Fire Authority, and City Manager Macon responded to a question from Councilmember Moore.
Mayor Home returned to the meeting at 3:49 p.m.
9.5 City Council Salary
Mayor Home introduced the agenda item.
Councilmember Moore briefly left the meeting at 3:52 p.m. and then returned to the meeting.
Jonathan Adler, resident, expressed support for increasing City Council compensation.
Cush Bhada, resident, expressed supp01i for increasing City Council compensation. Councilmembers discussed the item and staff responded to questions.
Noel Hatch, resident, expressed support for increasing City Council compensation.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Lee, and carried on a 4-1 vote, with Councilmember Moore opposed, to direct staff to draft an ordinance for future consideration by the City Council that would - if adopted by the City Council - increase the salary that each member of the City Council is eligible to receive beginning with salaries paid for January 2027.
December 17, 2025 8 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes An unidentified member of the public commented on the timing of agenda items.
Mayor Home moved items 11.1 and 11.2 to next on the agenda. There were no objections.
XI. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
11.1 City Council Organization - Office of the Mayor
Mayor Home made comments.
Moved by Mayor Home, seconded by Councilmember Conners, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to appoint Annie McCary to serve as Mayor effective immediately through December 2026.
11.2 City Council Organization - Office of Mayor Pro Tern Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Councilmember Home, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to appoint Pearl Lee to serve as Mayor Pro Tern effective immediately through December 2026.
X. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS AND COMMENTS
10.1 Coastal Greenbelt Authority
No report
10.2 Orange County Fire Authority
Councilmember Home provided a report.
10.3 Orange County Library Advisory Board
Councilmember Moore provided a report.
10.4 Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District No report. Mayor Pro Tern Lee advised that the next meeting is December 18, 2025.
10.5 San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency
Councilmember Conners provided a report.
10.6 South Orange County Watershed Management Area
Councilmember Moore provided a report.
December 17, 2025 9 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
10.7 Liaisons to Community Bridge Builders
No report
10. 8 Other Comments and Reports - None
XI. CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS
11.3 City Council Meeting Schedule
City Manager Macon made a presentation.
Moved by Councilmember Conners, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Lee, and carried unanimously on a 5-0 vote, to:
1. Schedule an adjourned regular meeting of the City Council for December 22, 2025 at 2 p.m. at Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
AND
2. Approve a new City Council meeting schedule for January 2026 through June 2027.
XII. CLOSED SESSION - None
XIII. CLOSED SESSION REPORT - None XIV. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:24 p.m. The next adjourned regular meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637. The next regular meeting will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Laguna Woods City Hall, 24264 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
Approved:
December 17, 2025 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes