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, July 15, 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:
Acting City Clerk:
Doug Cirbo
Mark Tettemer
Benjamin Yu
Robert Pequeno
Scott Voigts
Debra Rose
Matthew E. Richardson
Thy Merritt
INVOCATION: The Invocation was provided by Vanessa Howard, South County Outreach.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country was led by Cub Scout Pack and Troop # 4321.
PRESENTATIONS: ( Item Nos. 1 — 3)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Tettemer, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Presentation Item Nos. 1 — 3. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
1. RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTEERS IN PARKS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Management Assistant Samantha to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The volunteers who performed quarterly park inspections for the Volunteer in Parks (" VIP") Program for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 were recognized.
2. UPDATE ON NEW CITY WEBSITE AND ASK LAKE FOREST SYSTEM City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Communications and Marketing Manager Volzke to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The presentation was received and filed.
3. TASTE OF LAKE FOREST RETURNS
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Economic Development/Housing Manager Grijalva to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The 2025 Taste of Lake Forest Returns presentation was received and filed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mark Hermanson expressed concerns with permitted parking on Malabar Road.
Mike Davison expressed concerns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the City.
Jay Cost expressed concerns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the City.
Andrew O'Connor praised public works staff and expressed concerns with the Ask Lake Forest system, and Council Member Yu and Mayor Voigts.
Reed Buck expressed concerns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the City.
Sean Fletcher thanked the Clean Lake Forest volunteers and expressed concerns with litter on the sidewalks after the 4th of July parade.
Lindsay Buck expressed concerns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the City.
Nikita Ganatra expressed concerns with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities in the City.
Brian McMillan came to the public comment podium to withdraw his submission for public comment.
CONSENT CALENDAR: ( Item Nos. 4 — 12)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 4, 7 — 9, and 11 — 12. 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 July 15. 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6 agenda were determined to have been read by title and further reading was waived.
7. SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH ABTECH
TECHNOLOGIES FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES ACTION: 1. The Second Amendment to the Agreement for Information Technology Support Services with Abtech Technologies was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest, the Second Amendment to the Agreement with Abtech Technologies substantially in the form attached.
8. SIXTH AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH ABTECH TECHNOLOGIES
FOR BACKUP AND DISASTER RECOVERY SERVICES
ACTION: 1. The Sixth Amendment to the Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc. for backup and disaster recovery services was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to execute, and the City Clerk to attest, the Sixth Amendment to the Agreement with Abtech Technologies, Inc., substantially in the form attached.
9. RESPONSE TO THE ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REGARDING LONG-
TERM SOLUTIONS TO SHORT-TERM RENTALS
ACTION: The City Manager was approved and authorized to submit the City's response to the Orange County Grand Jury Report regarding Long -Term Solutions to Short - Term Rentals.
11. AWARD SPORTS PROGRAM SERVICES AGREEMENT FOR YOUTH
SOCCER TO SOCCER STARS OF OC AND SOUTH COUNTY FRIDAY NIGHT
LIGHTS FOR YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL
ACTION: 1. Sports Program Services Agreements was awarded to Soccer Stars of OC to provide Youth Soccer programming and Friday Night Lights for Youth Flag Football at the Lake Forest Sports Park. 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest the agreements with Soccer Stars of OC for Youth Soccer Programming and Friday Night Lights for Youth Flag Football, substantially in the forms attached.
12. NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR IRRIGATION CONSERVATION PROGRAM PROJECT ( PW 2022-03)
ACTION: 1. Marina Landscape, Inc. was found to have completed construction of the Irrigation Conservation Program Project ( PW 2022-03). 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 the Notice of Completion for recordation to the Office of the County Recorder of July 15, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 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.
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION: ( Item Nos. 5 — 6, and 10) MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 5 — 6. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
5. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON JULY 1, 2025
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with comments made by Council members at this meeting.
ACTION: The minutes were approved as submitted.
6. CERTIFICATION OF WARRANT REGISTER
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with various program costs.
ACTION: The warrant register in the amount of $ 3,783,662.01 was approved.
10. CONSIDERATION OF FINAL FUNDING PHASES FOR THE CITY'S SHOP & DINE COMMUNITY GIFT CARD PROGRAM WITH YIFTEE, INC.
Mayor Voigts proposed a two - gift card limit per purchaser. Council discussion ensued. Nikita Ganatra offered public comment in support of the program.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Voigts, seconded by Council Member Yu, to:
1. That the City Council authorize the City Manager to enter into BOGO Campaign Quickstart Agreements for phases 11 and 12 with Yiftee, Inc., and solely include the $ 50 and $ 100 gift card options with a limit of one gift card per purchaser for the Shop & Dine Community Gift Card Program. 2. Adopt a Resolution Entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE 2025-2027 OPERATING BUDGET; AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): ( Item No. 13)
13. USE PERMIT 11-24-5754 ( HYPNOTIQ WELLNESS) TO ESTABLISH A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT AT 23811 BRIDGER ROAD, UNIT 100
July 15 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 6 Mayor Voigts turned the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno at 7:47 p.m. and left the dais at 7:49 p.m. Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno opened the public hearing. City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Senior Planner Santos and City Attorney Richardson to provide a presentation. Council members Cirbo, Tettemer, and Yu revealed they had no ex parte discussions on the subject matter. Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno revealed that he did have ex parte discussions with residents on the subject matter. Brian McMillan offered public comment and expressed concerns with the City violating 14th amendment rights should they vote to deny the use permit. Maria Basares offered public comment in support of denying the use permit. Council questions were asked and answered. Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno closed the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Cirbo, seconded by Council Member Yu, to adopt a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA APPROVING USE PERMIT 11-24-5754 TO OPERATE A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT IN AN EXISTING TENANT SPACE AT 23811 BRIDGER ROAD, UNIT 100 AND
FINDING SAID ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT. The motion was carried by a vote of 3-1-0, with Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno voting no and Mayor Voigts absent.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: ( Item Nos. 14 - 15)
14. BRANDING IMPLEMENTATION - POTENTIAL 2027 ROSE PARADE FLOAT City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Assistant to the City Manager Ruelas to provide a presentation. Reed Buck, Andrew O'Connor, and Ted Perle offered public comment against budgeting money for a Rose Parade float. Council questions were asked and answered.
ACTION: The presentation was received and filed.
15. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Principal Civil Engineer Claudio to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: The presentation was received and filed.
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 the 4th of July parade and invited everyone to the fire July 15, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6 awareness pop-up events at Portola and Borrego
Parks.
Council Member Tettemer: Council Member Tettemer reported on his attendance at the 4th of July parade and thanked staff for putting on a great event.
Council Member Yu: Council Member Yu reported on his attendance at the 4th of July parade and thanked staff for putting on a
great event.
Mayor Pro Tern Pequeno: Mayor Pro Tern Pequeno reported on his attendance at the 4th of July parade and thanked staff for putting on a great event.
ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 9:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
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THY MERRITT
ACTING CITY CLERK
July 15, 2025
APPROVED:
ROBERT
PQUENOMAYOR O TEM
LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 6