MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Lake Forest held Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Lake Forest City Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, California, was called to order at 5:30 p.m. with all members present.
ROLL CALL: Council Members:
Mayor Pro Tem:
Mayor:
City Manager:
City Attorney:
City Clerk:
CLOSED SESSION
Doug Cirbo
Robert Pequeno
Benjamin Yu
Scott Voigts
Mark Tettemer
Debra Rose
Matthew E. Richardson
Lisa Berglund
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL- EXISTING LITIGATION
Existing litigation pursuant to Government Code section 54956.9(d)(1) Number of cases: 1
Case Name: Andy Atiyeh, an individual, et. al. v. City of Lake Forest Case Number: OCSC 30-2023-01365633-CU-BC-CJC
ACTION: Closed session was conducted.
RECESS: City Council recessed to Closed Session for the purpose of conducting regular City business.
At 6:30 p.m. Mayor Tettemer reconvened Open Session with all members present.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT: City Attorney Richardson had no action to report.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Andrew O'Connor expressed his concerns with Best, Best, and Krieger.
INVOCATION: The Invocation was provided by Chaplain Serena Cummins, Orange County Sheriffs Department.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country was led by Girl Scout Troops # 7601 and # 2519.
PRESENTATIONS: ( Item Nos. 2 — 3)
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Presentation Item Nos. 2 — 3. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
2. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY
Council Member Cirbo provided an introduction to this item and invited President of Gateways to Better Education, Eric Buehrer to receive the proclamation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The proclamation was presented and adopted.
3. UPDATE ON IRVINE RANCH WATER DISTRICT ACTIVITIES
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Irvine Ranch Water District Board Member John Withers to provide a presentation. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concern that a presentation for Southern California Edison was not made available prior to the meeting. Council member questions were asked and answered.
ACTION: A presentation from Irvine Ranch Water District was received.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Andrew O'Connor expressed concerns with day laborers.
Loujan Matin expressed appreciation for teachers and requested the City Council consider a resolution for Teacher Appreciation Week.
CONSENT CALENDAR: ( Item Nos. 4 — 8)
Item Nos. 6 — 8 were pulled for discussion.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 4 — 5. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
4. MOTION TO WAIVE READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ACTION: Said Ordinances and Resolutions which appeared on the public agenda were determined to have been read by title and further reading was waived.
5. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON JANUARY 2, 2024
ACTION: The minutes were approved as submitted.
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION: ( Item Nos. 6 — 8)
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, January 16, 2024 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6 to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 6 — 8. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
6. CERTIFICATION OF WARRANT REGISTER
STATEMENT READ INTO THE RECORD:
Mayor Pro Tem Voigts: There is a warrant on the register to the County of Orange. 1 am an employee of the County of Orange, but I do not work for the department that generated the warrant. Because the County of Orange is a public agency and because I do not work for the department in question, I have determined that I have a non - interest in this warrant and will vote on this item.
Mayor Tettemer: There are warrants on the register to the Irvine Ranch Water District. I am an employee of the Irvine Ranch Water District, but I do not work for the department that generated these warrants. Because the Irvine Ranch Water District is a public agency and because I do not work for the department in question, I have determined that I have a non - interest in these warrants and will vote on these warrants.
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with costs for several vendors.
ACTION: The warrant register in the amount of $ 6,537,239.11 was approved.
7. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES — SUSTAINABILITY IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (" SIP")
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with the cost of services from De Novo Planning Group. Mayor Tettemer asked for clarification on new State mandates that require a Sustainability Implementation Program for the City's General Plan. City Manager Rose reiterated that services provided by De Novo fulfilled those State requirements.
ACTION: 1. A contract in the amount of $ 85,540 was awarded to De Novo Planning Group for Professional Consulting Services — Sustainability Implementation Program (" SIP"). 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign and the City Clerk to attest to the agreement with De Novo Planning Group substantially in the form attached.
8. CONSIDERATION OF SIXTH FUNDING PHASE FOR THE CITY'S SHOP & DINE COMMUNITY GIFT CARD PROGRAM WITH YIFTEE, INC.
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with the cost of the agreement with Yiftee, Inc. Mayor Tettemer asked for clarification on funds allocated for this program. City Manager Rose clarified that funds for this program came from the City's General Fund in an amount equal to a portion of January 16, 2024 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 American Rescue Plan Act funds the City received and utilized pursuant to federal regulations.
ACTION: 1. The City Council authorized the City Manager to enter into the attached BOGO Campaign Quickstart Agreement with Yiftee, Inc. and solely include the $ 50 and $ 100 gift card options in the Shop & Dine Community Gift Card Program. 2. A Resolution Entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE 2023-2025 OPERATING BUDGET; AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 was adopted.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: ( Item Nos. 9 — 13)
9. MEMBERSHIP IN ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA CITIES, ORANGE COUNTY
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited City Clerk Berglund to provide a presentation. Director of Member Services for ACC - 0C, Kathryn Morrison, provided information. No public comment was offered. Council Member Pequerio recommended withdrawing membership. Mayor Pro Tem Voigts made a motion to renew membership for 2024 and to re-evaluate in one year. No second was heard. Council Member Yu made a motion to table the item to a later date. Council Member Pequerio seconded the motion. Council Member Cirbo suggested a workshop to further this discussion. Mayor Tettemer suggested to instead have staff distribute information to Council members in advance.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Council Member Pequeno, to table the item to a date to be determined by staff. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
10. ADOPTION OF REVISED VERSIONS OF CITY COUNCIL POLICIES City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited City Clerk Berglund to provide a presentation. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with several of the policies. Mayor Pro Tem Voigts made a motion to adopt administrative changes to the policies. Council Member Yu seconded the motion. Council Member Cirbo asked several questions on recognizing highly meritorious acts as a Council and as an individual. City Attorney Richardson clarified what was appropriate pursuant to the City's policies. Mayor Tettemer suggested tabling the discussion on giving additional gifts to highly meritorious acts to a later date.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to adopt the administrative revisions to the Resolutions and Recognitions policy. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
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11. STREET SWEEPING AND PERMIT PARKING RESTRICTIONS
ENFORCEMENT ORDINANCE
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Senior Management Analyst De La Paz to provide a presentation. Mark Greiner offered public comment and expressed concerns with street sweeping on his street, Osterman Road and Pittsford Drive. Council member questions were asked and answered.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to introduce for first reading an Ordinance entitled: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 12.16 OF TITLE 12 OF THE LAKE
FOREST MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF STREET SWEEPING AND PERMIT PARKING RESTRICTIONS. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
12. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE MAKING VARIOUS UPDATES TO THE
LAKE FOREST MUNICIPAL CODE
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Assistant to the City Manager Ruelas to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
Council Member Yu asked the Council to consider adding language related to emotional support animals to the Municipal Code. Mayor Tettemer asked for clarification on the definition of an emotional support animal. City Attorney Richardson clarified that under the American Disabilities Act emotional support animals are not considered service animals. Discussion ensued and Council members agreed to keep the language as presented by staff.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to introduce for first reading an Ordinance entitled: AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE LAKE FOREST
MUNICIPAL CODE TO MAKE MINOR AMENDMENTS, CORRECTIONS, AND
CLEAN-UP REFINEMENTS AND DETERMINING THE ORDINANCE TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA. The motion was carried by a vote of 5/0.
13. QUARTERLY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Principal Civil Engineer Mokarram to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered. Council member questions were asked and answered.
ACTION: The update was received and filed.
January 16, 2024 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Rose had nothing further to report.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Council Member Cirbo:
Council Member Pequeno:
Council Member Yu:
Mayor Pro Tem Voigts:
Mayor Tettemer:
Council Member Cirbo expressed that he wanted to
proceed with recognizing teachers during Teacher
Appreciation Week in May. Mayor Tettemer suggested
that Mr. Matin provide .informational materials to staff related to Teacher Appreciation Week, and that staff
in turn pass that information along to the Mayor and
City Council.
Council Member Pequeno provided information on the
City's history with day laborers and the legal definition of loitering. He also reported on his attendance at the Grand Opening event of Bubbly Paws and the Amigos
De La Colina Annual Breakfast. He thanked staff for
all their hard work.
Council Member Yu expressed that day laborers be
treated with kindness and compassion. He reported
on criminal activity around his neighborhood and
thanked Orange County Sheriffs Department for their
prompt response. He informed everyone of a Lunar
New Year celebration at the Civic Center on February
10 and requested consensus to bring a proclamation
to recognize Lunar New Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Voigts informed everyone of the
opening of two new businesses in Lake Forest, Bubbly
Paws and a new dance studio called The Den.
Mayor Tettemer provided consensus to Council
Member Yu's request for a proclamation recognizing
Lunar New Year.
ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:41 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
LISA BERGLU
CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
11 RK TET
M YOR
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