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 7, 2025, at the Lake Forest City Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, California, was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with all members present.
ROLL CALL: Council Members:
Mayor Pro Tem:
Mayor:
City Manager:
City Attorney:
City Clerk:
Doug Cirbo
Mark Tettemer
Benjamin Yu
Robert Pequerio
Scott Voigts
Debra Rose
Matthew E. Richardson
Lisa Berglund
INVOCATION: The Invocation was provided by Jeff Shields, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country was led by Scout Troop # 4321.
REPORT FROM STUDENT LIAISON: Maya Lowrey, Student Liaison from El Toro High School, provided a report.
PRESENTATIONS: ( Item Nos. 1 — 5)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Council Member Cirbo, to approve Presentation Item Nos. 1 -- 5. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
1. INSTALLATION OF MAYOR FOR 2025
City Manager Rose introduced this item. Andrew O'Connor provided public comment and expressed concerns with Mayor Voigts. Mayor Voigts was sworn in by his daughter, Shaelynn, with his wife, Stephanie, by his side.
ACTION: The ceremonial oath of office was held.
2. COMMENTS BY INCOMING MAYOR
Mayor Voigts introduced this item and provided comments on the upcoming year as mayor. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The opportunity to present comments was extended to Mayor Voigts.
3. RECOGNITION OF EL TORO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited City Clerk Berglund to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: Certificates of recognition were presented to the El Toro High School Girls Cross Country Team.
4. 2024 HOLIDAY LIGHTS COMPETITION
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Communications and Marketing Analyst Veloz to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: 2024 Holiday Lights Competition Winner Linda MacPherson was recognized.
5. 2024 B.E.S.T. AWARDS PROJECT OF THE YEAR JOINT SOLID WASTE
AGREEMENT PROCUREMENT
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Public Works Director Wheeler to provide a presentation. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with the costs of the solid waste agreement.
ACTION: The presentation was received.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Andrew O'Connor expressed concerns with several of the Council members. Council Member Cirbo and Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno replied to his concerns.
Michael Behzad expressed concerns with several citations he received. Staff was directed to reach out to him.
CONSENT CALENDAR: ( Item Nos. 6 — 13)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 6 — 13. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-
0. 6. MOTION TO WAIVE READING OF RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES ACTION: Said Ordinances and Resolutions which appeared on the public January 7, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 7 agenda were determined to have been read by title and further reading was waived.
7. MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON DECEMBER 17, 2024
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with the costs of the agreement with Kosmont.
ACTION: The minutes were approved as submitted.
8. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON DECEMBER 17, 2024
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with various program costs.
ACTION: The minutes were approved as submitted.
9. SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH ARDURRA GROUP, INC.
FOR MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING/ STAFF AUGMENTATION SERVICES
ACTION: 1. The Second Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc. for Municipal Engineering/ Staff Augmentation Services was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to execute, and the City Clerk to attest, the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Ardurra Group, Inc., substantially in the form attached.
10. CONSIDERATION OF A SUMMARY VACATION OF AN IRREVOCABLE
OFFER OF DEDICATION IN GREENLEAF AND EMI WAY AND ACCEPTANCE
OF EASEMENTS IN PORTIONS OF EMI WAY, GREENLEAF, AND LOPALA ACTION: 1. A Resolution entitled, " RESOLUTION TO SUMMARILY VACATE
AN IRREVOCABLE OFFER OF DEDICATION FOR GREENLEAF AND EMI WAY, PURSUANT TO STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE SECTION 8330, ET SEQ., ACCEPT EASEMENTS IN PORTIONS OF EMI WAY, GREENLEAF,
AND LOPALA, AND FINDING SUCH ACTIONS EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT UNDER STATE CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3)" was adopted.
11. APPROVAL OF FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 19299
ACTION: 1. A Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING FINAL TRACT MAP NO. 19299, CREATING A 57 - NUMBERED AND 30 - LETTERED LOT January 7, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of SUBDIVISION FOR SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES ON 12.406
ACRES LOCATED ON THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF BAKE PARKWAY
AND RANCHO PARKWAY was adopted. 2. The Subdivision Improvement Agreement with Toll West Inc., doing business as Toll Brothers West Inc., a Delaware Corporation, to construct the subdivision improvements associated with Final Tract Map No. 19299 was approved and the Mayor was authorized to execute and City Clerk to attest the agreement. 3. The Subdivision Improvement Faithful Performance Bond and Subdivision Improvement Labor and Material Bond, each in the amount of $ 429,838.41, the Subdivision Improvement Warranty Bond in the amount of $ 42,983.84, and the Subdivision Improvement Monument Bond in the amount of $ 66,000 from Toll Brothers West Inc. for the construction of subdivision improvements were accepted.
12. NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR ROCKFIELD BOULEVARD MEDIAN IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ( 24S09)
Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno thanked staff for their efforts on this project and asked if the median could be extended in the future.
ACTION: 1. I.E. General Engineering, Inc. was found to have completed construction of the Rockfield Boulevard Median improvement Project ( 24S09). 2.
The Notice of Completion was approved and the Mayor was authorized to execute the document on behalf of the City. 3. The City Clerk was authorized to submit Notice of Completion for recordation to the Office of the County Recorder of Orange County within fifteen days of the City Council approval, as required by Section 9204 of the California Civil Code. 4. Staff was authorized to release any unencumbered retention in accordance with California law.
13. NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR SLURRY SEAL PROJECT FOR ARTERIAL STREETS: MUIRLANDS BLVD. FROM BAKE PARKWAY TO LOS ALISOS BLVD. AND JERONIMO ROAD FROM BAKE PARKWAY TO LOS ALISOS BLVD. ( PW 2021-05B)
ACTION: 1. VSS International, Inc. was found to have completed construction of the Slurry Seal Project for Arterial Streets: Muirlands Blvd. from Bake Parkway to Los Alisos Blvd. and Jeronimo Road from Bake Parkway to Los Alisos Blvd. ( PW 2021-05B) 2. The Notice of Completion was approved and the Mayor was authorized to execute the document on behalf of the City.3. The City Clerk was authorized to submit Notice of Completion for recordation to the Office of the County Recorder of Orange County within fifteen days of the City Council approval, as required by Section 9204 of the California Civil Code.4. Staff was authorized to release any unencumbered retention in accordance with California law.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): ( Item No. 14)
January 7, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 7
14. CONSIDERATION OF AN URGENCY ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION
9.146.050 OF CHAPTER 9.146 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LAKE FOREST
MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND
JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Mayor Voigts opened the public hearing. City Manager Rose introduced the item and invited Community Development Assistant Director Stonich to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered. Council questions were asked and answered. Mayor Voigts closed the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Council Member Tettemer, to: 1. Find that the adoption of the proposed urgency ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (" CEQA") under Public Resources Code section 21080.17. 2. Adopt an urgency ordinance entitled: " AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST FOR ZONING CODE
AMENDMENT 12-24-5760 AMENDING SECTION 9.146.050 OF CHAPTER
9.146 OF TITLE 9 OF THE LAKE FOREST MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING
UNITS, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21080.17." The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: ( Item Nos. 15 — 17)
15. LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY PLATFORM FOR 2025-2027
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Assistant to the City Manager Ruelas to provide a presentation. Partner and Director of Government Affairs Ana Schwab and Assistant Director of Government Affairs Christopher Keosian from Best, Best, & Krieger, LLP, provided brief comments and answered Council questions. No public comment was offered. Council discussion ensued.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, to: 1. Adopt the proposed 2025-2027 Legislative and Regulatory Platform. 2. Receive and file a presentation from Best, Best & Krieger, the City's Federal Lobbying Services provider. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
16. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited City Clerk Berglund to provide a presentation. City Attorney Richardson also provided information on a future Abstention Policy. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with several policies. Council questions were asked and answered. Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno made a friendly amendment to direct staff January 7, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 7 to draft an Abstention Policy, and adopt staff recommendations. Council Member Cirbo seconded the friendly amendment.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Council Member Cirbo, to: Direct staff to draft an Abstention Policy, 1. Adopt the draft City Council Logo Wear Policy. 2. Readopt the City Council Invocation Policy. 3.
Revise all other City Council Policies as directed. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
17. STRATEGIC PLAN QUARTERLY UPDATE
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Assistant to the City Manager Ruelas to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
Council questions were asked and answered.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Voigts, to receive and file the presentation. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Rose had nothing further to report.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Council Member Cirbo: Council Member Cirbo reported on his attendance at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor and the Public Safety
Ad Hoc Committee meeting.
Council Member Tettemer: Council Member Tettemer had nothing further to report.
Council Member Yu: Council Member Yu congratulated Mayor Voigts on being mayor. He encouraged everyone to visit V
Wagyu BBQ, a new restaurant in Lake Forest, and
wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno: Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno thanked staff for their hard work and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Mayor Voigts: Mayor Voigts reported on his attendance at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. He requested consensus on an
ad hoc committee with Council Member Cirbo to
discuss scouting projects in Lake Forest.
ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
January 7, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 7 Respectfully submitted: APPROVED:
LISA BERGLUND
CITY CLERK
January 7, 2025
SCOTT VOIGTS
MAYOR
LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 7 of 7