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 6, 2026, at the Lake Forest City Council Chambers, 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, California, was called to order at 6:30 p.m. with Council Member Voigts absent.
ROLL CALL: Council Members:
Mayor Pro Tem:
Mayor:
City Manager:
City Attorney:
City Clerk:
Mark Tettemer
Scott Voigts ( Absent)
Benjamin Yu
Doug Cirbo
Robert Pequeno
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 Scout Troop # 4321.
REPORT FROM STUDENT LIAISON: Ethan Barro, Student Liaison from El Toro High School, provided a report.
PRESENTATIONS: ( Item Nos. 1 — 2)
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Yu, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Cirbo, to approve Presentation Item Nos. 1 — 2. The motion was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Council Member Voigts absent.
1. INSTALLATION OF MAYOR FOR 2026
City Manager Rose introduced this item and invited Mayor Pequeno's family and colleague to hold the ceremonial oath of office. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with Mayor Pequeno. Mayor Pequeno called for a brief reception.
ACTION: Hold the ceremonial oath of office.
2. COMMENTS BY INCOMING MAYOR
Mayor Pequeno continued the meeting after a brief reception and provided comments on future projects.
ACTION: Extend the opportunity to Mayor Pequeno to present comments.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Sean Fletcher expressed concerns with signage illegally placed on private property.
Mike Davison expressed gratitude for living in Lake Forest and praised staff.
Mark Hermanson expressed concerns with permitted parking on Malabar Road. Mayor Pro Tem Cirbo requested for clarification and City Attorney Richardson and City Manager Rose provided information.
Reed Buck expressed concerns with an upcoming agenda item on Council term limits.
Andrew O'Connor expressed concerns with the Code Enforcement Division and Mayor Pequeno.
CONSENT CALENDAR: ( Item Nos. 3 — 5)
Item No. 4 was pulled for discussion.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Tettemer, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve Consent Calendar Item Nos. 3 and 5. The motion was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Council Member Voigts absent.
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.
5. REPLACEMENT OF EXTREME NETWORKS SWITCHING INFRASTRUCTURE ACTION: 1) The Quotation with Abtech Technologies for the purchase of Cisco Meraki network switches was approved. 2) The City Manager was authorized to execute quote ABTQ19467-02 with Abtech Technologies in the amount of 173,994.45, substantially in the form attached.
ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION: ( Item No. 4)
4. MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON DECEMBER 16, 2025
Andrew O'Connor provided public comment and expressed concerns with various issues raised at the previous meeting.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Tettemer, seconded by Council Member Yu, to approve the minutes as submitted. The motion was carried by a January 6 2026 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 2 of 4 Council Member Tettemer:
Council Member Yu:
Mayor Pro Tem Cirbo:
Mayor Pequeno:
Council Member Tettemer reported on his attendance
at the Quarterly Division meeting for the League of
California Cities.
Council Member Yu wished everyone a Happy New
Year.
Mayor Pro Tem Cirbo congratulated Mayor Pequeno
on being appointed Mayor and informed everyone of
an Eagle Court of Honor event he would be attending.
He invited everyone to attend the Snowfest at Pittsford Park on Saturday.
Mayor Pequeno reported on his attendance at the
Longest Night Candlelight Vigil memorializing
homeless people who have passed away. He
encouraged anyone interested in the Love Lake
Forest program to visit the City's website for more
information.
ADJOURNMENT: The Regular Meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
THY MERRITT
CITY CLERK
January 6, 2026
APPROVED:
ROBE T `' EQUENO
MAY
LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 4 of 4
vote of 4-0 with Council Member Voigts absent.
PUBLIC HEARING(S): ( Item No. 6)
6. ORDINANCE AMENDING LAKE FOREST MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION
9.146.050 RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
Mayor Pequeno opened the public hearing. City Manager Rose introduced the item and invited Senior Planner Santos to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered. Council questions were asked and answered. Mayor Pequeno closed the public hearing.
MOTION: It was moved by Council Member Tettemer, seconded by Council Member Yu, to: 1. Find that the adoption of the proposed ordinance is statutorily exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (" CEQA") pursuant to Public Resources Code § 21080.17. 2. Introduce for first reading an ordinance entitled: " AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST AMENDING § 9.146.050 OF THE LAKE FOREST MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO COMPLY WITH RECENT CHANGES IN
STATE LAW, AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE § 21080.17." The motion was carried by a vote of 4-0 with Council Member Voigts absent DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: ( Item Nos. 7 - 8)
7. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL POLICIES
City Manager Rose introduced the item and invited City Clerk Merritt to provide a presentation. Andrew O'Connor offered public comment and expressed concerns with the Recognition policy. Council questions were asked and answered. There was consensus amongst Council Members to table the item for further review.
ACTION: The Council tabled this item to the next regularly scheduled meeting.
8. STRATEGIC PLAN QUARTERLY UPDATE
City Manager Rose introduced the item and invited Assistant to the City Manager Ruelas Castellino to provide a presentation. No public comment was offered.
ACTION: Receive and file.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT: City Manager Rose had nothing further to report.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS:
January 6, 2026 LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Page 3 of 4