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, December 16, 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 Pequeno
Scott Voigts
Debra Rose
Matthew E. Richardson
Thy Merritt
INVOCATION: The Invocation was provided by Chaplain John Siu, Orange County Sheriffs Department.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of our Country was led by Mayor Voigts.
PRESENTATIONS: ( Item Nos. 1 — 2)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Tettemer, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Presentation Item Nos. 1 — 2. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
1. SERVICE AWARDS
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Management Assistant Toyooka to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: Employee Service Awards were presented to those present.
2. MAYOR'S AWARD
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Management Assistant Toyooka to provide a presentation. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and praised Mayor's Award recipient Peggy Samantha.
ACTION: The Mayor's Award was presented to the selected recipient.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Andrew O'Connor expressed various concerns with program spending and Council Member Yu.
Bob Holtzclaw expressed concerns with Council Member Yu.
Tamara Menchoca expressed thanks on behalf of her mother to the Council and the Love Lake Forest participants for the repairs done on her mother's fence.
Oliver Brown requested security at Pittsford Park and expansion of holiday decorations throughout the city.
CONSENT CALENDAR: ( Item Nos. 3 — 10)
Andrew O'Connor offered public comment on Item No. 5 and expressed concerns with Council Member travel costs.
STATEMENT READ INTO THE RECORD:
Mayor Pro Tem Voigts: There are warrants on the register to the County of Orange. I am an employee of the County of Orange, but 1 do not work for the department that generated the warrants. Because the County of Orange is a public agency and because I do not work for the departments in question, I have determined that 1 have a non - interest in these warrants and will vote on this item.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 — 10. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
3. 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.
4. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON DECEMBER 2, 2025
ACTION: The minutes were approved as submitted.
5. CERTIFICATION OF WARRANT REGISTER
ACTION: The warrant register in the amount of $ 6,039,243.41 was approved.
6. THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH ONWARD ENGINERING FOR STREET AND TRAFFIC DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE 2021-2023 CAPITAL
IMRPOVEMENT PROGRAM
ACTION: 1. The Third Amendment to the Professional Consultant Services December 16, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 6 Agreement with Onward Engineering for Street and Traffic Design Consulting Services for the 2021-2023 Capital Improvement Program was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest, the Third Amendment to the Professional Consultant Services Agreement with Onward Engineering substantially in the form attached.
7. AWARD OF CONTRACT FOR FOOTHILL RANCH COMMUNITY PARK BOX LACROSSE CONVERSION PROJECT ( 24P04)
ACTION: 1. The contract documents for the construction of the Foothill Ranch Community Park Box Lacrosse Conversion Project ( 24P04) were approved. 2. A contract in the amount of $ 328,351.50 was awarded to Oppenheimer National for the Foothill Ranch Community Park Box Lacrosse Conversion Project 24P04). 3. A Resolution entitled, " A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING 2025-2027 OPERATING BUDGET; AMENDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26" was adopted. 4. All other bids received were rejected and return of the bid bonds upon receipt of the executed contract documents from Oppenheimer National was authorized. 5. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest the contract with Oppenheimer National.
8. SECOND AMENDMENT TO 2022-2026 AGREEMENT WITH AMERINAT FOR
LOAN PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT SERVICES
ACTION: 1. A Second Amendment to the Agreement with AmeriNat, for loan portfolio management services to the City of Lake Forest Housing Authority was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest the Second Amendment to the Agreement with AmeriNat, substantially in the form attached.
9. THIRD AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT WITH BKF ENGINEERS FOR
STREETS AND TRAFFIC DESIGN CONSULTING SERVICES - PROJECT # 1
LOS ALISOS AND MUIRLANDS INTERSECTION WIDENING
ACTION: 1. The Third Amendment to the Professional Consultant Services Agreement with BKF Engineers for Street and Traffic Design Consulting Services - Project # 1 Los Alisos and Muirlands Intersection Widening was approved. 2. The Mayor was authorized to sign, and the City Clerk to attest, the Third Amendment to the Professional Consultant Services Agreement with BKF Engineers in the form attached. 3. 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 was adopted.
10. AUTHORIZATION TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR CALOPTIMA
HEALTH'S HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS INCENTIVE PROGRAM -
December 16, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 6 ROUND 5
ACTION: 1. Staff was authorized to submit an application for CalOptima Health's Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program Round 5.2. The City Manager was authorized to execute all necessary documents related to this action.
DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: ( Item Nos. 11 — 14)
11. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO REGIONAL COMMITTEES AND
BOARDS, AND CITY AD HOC COMMITTEES
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited City Clerk Merritt to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered. Council discussion ensued.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Council Member Yu, to; 1. Appoint Mayor Pro Tem Pequefio to the position of Designated Member for the League of California Cities, with Council Member Yu as alternate, and re - affirm the current designated members and alternates to the remaining seats of Regional Committees and Boards.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Mayor Voigts, to; 2. Appoint Council Member Tettemer to the Audit Committee for a 1 - year term.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Mayor Voigts, to; 3. Appoint the incoming Mayor and Council Member Tettemer to the Economic Development and Legislative Ad Hoc Committees, appoint Council Member Cirbo to replace Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno for the City Council Policy Ad Hoc Committee, and re - affirm the current appointed members to the remaining ad hoc committees.
All motions were carried by a vote of 5-0.
12. SELECTION OF MAYOR AND MAYOR PRO TEM FOR THE 2026 CALENDAR YEAR
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Mayor Voigts to open the floor for nominations. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with Council Member Yu.
Mayor Voigts opened the floor for nominations for Mayor and nominated Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno to assume the role as Mayor in 2026. Council Member Tettemer seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Mayor Voigts closed the floor for nominations.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Voigts, seconded by Council Member December 16, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 6 Tettemer, to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno to assume the role as Mayor on January 1, 2026. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
Mayor Voigts opened the floor for nominations for Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno nominated Council Member Cirbo. Mayor Voigts seconded the nomination. There were no other nominations. Mayor Voigts closed the floor for nominations.
MOTION: It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno, seconded by Mayor Voigts, to nominate Council Member Cirbo to assume the role as Mayor Pro Tem on January 1, 2026. The motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
13. RECOGNITION OF MAYOR VOIGTS FOR HIS SERVICE IN 2025 City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno to recognize Mayor Voigts with a plaque and gavel. Representatives from Assemblymember Diane Dixon's Office and Representative Young Kim's Office presented certificates to Mayor Voigts. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with Mayor Voigts.
ACTION: Mayor Voigts was recognized for his service and leadership in 2025.
14. COMMENTS BY OUTGOING MAYOR
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Mayor Voigts to provide comments. Mayor Voigts recapped the City's accomplishments during his term as Mayor. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with Mayor Voigts.
ACTION: The opportunity to outgoing Mayor Voigts to present comments was extended.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Rose had nothing further to report.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Council Member Cirbo:
Council Member Tettemer:
December 16, 2025
Council Member Cirbo recognized Mayor Voigts for
his leadership in 2025 and reported on his attendance
at the Audit Committee meeting and the Tree Lighting
Ceremony. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year.
Council Member Tettemer reported on his attendance
at a Legislative Advocacy Trip to Washington D.C.,
the Sheriffs Team of Active Retired Seniors ( STARS)
Holiday Brunch, and the Tree Lighting Ceremony. He
LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 5 of 6
recognized Mayor Voigts for his leadership in 2025
and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year.
Council Member Yu:
Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno:
Mayor Voigts:
Council Member Yu reported on his attendance at the
Tree Lighting Ceremony, congratulated Peggy
Samantha on being the Mayor's Award recipient, and
recognized Mayor Voigts for his leadership in 2025.
Mayor Pro Tem Pequeno thanked his colleagues for
nominating him to assume the role of Mayor in 2026.
He reported on his attendance at the Tree Lighting
Ceremony, the Sheriffs Team of Active Retired
Seniors ( STARS) Holiday Brunch, a Legislative
Advocacy Trip to Washington D.C., a Love Lake
Forest event, and the 15th Annual Toy Drive at Our
Place. He congratulated the Saddleback Valley Pop
Warner football teams and cheerleading squads for
their achievements. He requested to adjourn the
meeting in memory of former Orange County Sheriffs
Department Deputy Gregg Ruiz, who served at Lake
Forest Police Services from 2000 to 2003. He wished
everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Mayor Voigts agreed to adjourn the meeting in
memory of Gregg Ruiz. He reported on his attendance
at the Sheriffs Team of Active Retired Seniors
STARS) Holiday Brunch, the Tree Lighting
Ceremony, and a toy drive event at Children's
Hospital of Orange County ( CHOC). He requested
consensus to place an item on the agenda to discuss
Council Member term limits. Council Member Cirbo
provided consensus.
ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned in memory of Gregg Ruiz at 8:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
THY MERRITT
CITY CLERK
APPROVED:
December 16, 2025 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 6 of 6