City Council Minutes 1 February 13, 2024
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency,
Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
February 13, 2024
A Regular Meeting of the City Council, the Community Development Financing Authority, the Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, the Housing Authority, and the Library Board of Trustees of the City of Mission Viejo, Cal ifornia, was called to order by Mayor Kelley at 5:00 p.m., on February 13, 2024, at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, California.
A complete copy of the agenda for the meeting containing all items as shown he rein was posted by 5:00 p.m. on February 8, 2024, on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall. A copy was also posted at the Montanoso Recreation and Fitness Center, 25800 Montanoso Drive and Norman P.
Murray Community and Senior Center, 24932 Veterans Way. *All Board and Agency memberships are reflected in the title "Council Member."
Present: Council Member Bucknum
Council Member Goodell ~ arrived 5:12pm
Council Member Vasquez
Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch
Mayor Kelley
Absent: None
Staff Present: Dennis Wilberg, City Manager
Keith Rattay, Assistant City Manager
William P. Curley, City Attorney
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel – Pending Litigation: Janice Kronik Gath, et. al v.
Mission Viejo OCSC Case No. 30- 2024-01376969-CU-MC-CJC and Initiation of Litigation pursuant to paragraph (4) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 (15 cases)
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: S poke of the CC&R’s that were validated in 2015. She s tated that the City Attorney and City Council Members have the responsibility to do what is best for the City by obeying the law and not breaking it. She criticized the City Attorney on his actions and behavior, and blamed the City Manager for the City’s violation of the CC&R’s, and impending lawsuit. She reiterated the City Council should perform within the boundaries of the law, that the CC&R’s are in place to protect all prop owners, and to not allow the City Attorney to build up significant costs again.
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RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE
At the hour of 5: 00pm Mayor Kelley recessed the meeting to Closed Session. Mayor Kelley reconvened the meeting at 6:03pm with all five Council Members present.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Bill Curley stated the City Council received an update on CS1, and gave direction as to defending the City. No reportable specifics.
INVOCATION: Council Member Goodell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Bucknum
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Recognize the Mission Viejo High School Football Team on Their CIF State Division 1- AA Championship
Mayor Kelley presented commendations.
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Congratulated the Diablos Football Team on an exciting season. Thanked the fans, cheerleaders, band, and families, as they are a vital part of game. She stated this year was a roller- coaster but the team worked hard, challenged each other to be better, had an epic season and won the trophy. She concluded by stating she is looking forward to a repeat in 2024.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gayle Wood, M.V.: Chairperson of the Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee, t hanked the City Council for their support of the brave men and women of the Headquarters Battalion First Division at Camp Pendleton, and the Marine Adoption Committee. She also gave a big thank you to the residents of Mission Viejo for their generosity and support of the 1 90 families, which they adopted, over the holidays. S he concluded, that due to the volume of toys donated by Mission Viejo residents, the Committee was able to help out two other battalions at Camp Pendleton.
Valentina Naranjo, M.V.: President of Community of Character Committee , spoke of opportunities, leadership qualities, and volunteer programs within the Committee for students between 7 th grade and
high school. She explained how each month of the year represents a character word/ trait, and spoke of the importance of this month’s word ~ Unity. She concluded with a quote from Mother Theresa.
Walt Lawson, M.V.: Spoke of making Mission Viejo greener, benefiting all residents and combating air pollution. He questions why the City did not purchase electric vehicles last year, he gave a couple of suggestions with regards to de veloping action plans, and mentioned Federal and State incentives for purchasing electric vehicles. Lastly, he asked who on the dais owns an electric car.
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Ed Maurer, M.V.: Spoke of today’s exciting video presentation, and previous videos of Mayor Goodell during his trips related to the 2028 LA Olympics. He is hopefully Mayor Kelley will provide a video at the end of this year, and suggested she give an update on the efforts made to reduce the City’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Climate Action Plan.
Shane Ingalls, M.V.: Referred to the proposal he sent to the City Council with regards to converting Cordillera Elementary School into a public park. He appreciated the feedback he received, however, he wanted to highlight a few of the benefits in person.
Mayor Kelley requested staff provide an overview pertaining to Mr. Maurer’s comments at a future council meeting, and also an update from staff on Cordillera Elementary School.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Council Member Bucknum, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, to approve the Consent Calendar as outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
1. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council meeting of January 23, 2024, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated January 12, 2024 in the Amount of $1,770,475.22
Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated January 19, 2024 in the Amount of $1,145,277.05
Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. General Check Register Dated January 26, 2024 in the Amount of $1,074,876.43
Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated January 12, 2024 in the Amount of $24,491.71
Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. Golf Check Register Dated January 19, 2024 in the Amount of $12,263.24
Ratified the accompanying check register.
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7. Golf Check Register Dated January 26, 2024 in the Amount of $1,627.63
Ratified the accompanying check register.
8. City Treasurer's Monthly Report for December 2023
Received and filed.
9. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer's Monthly Report for December 2023
Received and filed.
10. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDF A) Treasurer's Monthly Report for December 2023
Received and filed.
11. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer's Monthly Report for December 2023
Received and filed.
12. Increase to purchase Order for Overdrive Digital Media Content
Approved $11,000 increase to Overdrive, Inc. purchase order #22400156 - 00 for digital media content.
13. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony
Approved Memorandum of Understanding A24-05 between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony for FY 23/24 programs amounting to $91,000.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
14. Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Report
Received report from Council Member Bucknum.
15. Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) Reports
Mayor Kelley gave her report.
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CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Wilberg shared that the State Department of Housing and Community Development finally certified the City’s Housing Element. He wished Cathy Palmer was here to hear the outcome, as she was very interested in the process and provided a lot of comments , and hopefully appreciates the hard work and that the City finally reached the finis h line. He also added, that he has a meeting scheduled with Superintendent Turner next week and Cordillera Elementary School is just one of the items he shall be discussing with her.
Mayor Kelley congratulated and thanked Director Lister and her staff for the arduous task in preparing the Housing Element and all their hard work.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
16. Council Member Reports of Events and Activities Attended ~ AB1234
By consensus, the City Council Members acknowledged their event and activities calendars as presented in the report and agreed to provide any changes to the City Clerk for the public record.
Council Member Bucknum
Council Member Bucknum commenced by asking when the Housing Element was s ubmitted to the State, and City Manager Wilberg responded October 2021. She also mentioned it would be beneficial to know the cost to the City. She stated that food/taco/fruit carts are popping up on the streets in Mission Viejo and taking business away from existing businesses. She implored residents to support brick and mortar shops, and mentioned the Rubio’s fundraiser taking place on Thursday, February 29, giving 30% of proceeds in support of the Marine Adoption Committee . She asked staff, the City Attorney and Orange County Sherriff’s Department to investigate how other cities, such as Anaheim and Irvine, are handling this and report back to Council at a future meeting. Council Member Bucknum also mentioned the danger of Proposition 1 ~ Behavioral Health Services Program and Bond Measure, which the Council opposed at the January 23, 2024 meeting. It creates a by-right approval process for adult substance use disorder residential program and recovery housing , and if it passed into law will allow agencies to put regulations into place with no oversight by voters, and redirect County local money. She referred to a factsheet on the City’s website and advised all to review. She attended the Mission Viejo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) ~ 40th Anniversary, and the Crucero Park Playground Area Rehab Meeting. She thanked City Staff for a great job, and residents for their feedback and perspective . Lastly, she r eminded everyone of the upcoming events this Saturday, February 17, Dump Day, Farmers Market, and in the evening enjoy the Love Fest Night Market.
Council Member Goodell
Council Member Goodell gave an update on all the exciting things happening with the Sports and Economic Tourism Committee. He mentioned he met with an Olympian from Israel today and toured the Aquatics f acilities, while Director Mark Nix took the Mexican Football Federation on a tour of City facilities. Next week a European Contingent shall be touring City facilities, followed by another
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large European Contingent the following month. He concluded by stating there is a lot going on and the Committee is working hard to answer all requests put forward to them, and he anticipates it will only get busier following the Summer Olympics in Paris this summer.
Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez stated she a lso attended the 2024 Chamber of Commerce Business Kick Off Mixer, at which the Chamber unveiled the MVCC Magazine release ~ a great resource. She appreciated being part of Mission Viejo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) ~ 40th Anniversary event. And, last night she attended the Crucero Park Playground Area Rehab Meeting. She added, it was nice to see a lot or residents involved and providing input. She thanked and congratulated Director Elaine Lister and her staff on the awesome job of completing the housing element. She is happy the City finally has a Certified Housing Element. She concluded by adding it is now officially Girl Scout Cookie season, plus her daughter is hosting a community clean up at 9:45am on Saturday, March 2, and invited other Girl Scout Troops to join them.
Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch
Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch stated he was absent at last City Council meeting attending a Vector Control Seminar, and added that D irector Laura Young shall be giv ing a presentation on Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Program at the upcoming Council Meeting in March. He regularly attends the weekly Daybreakers Chamber meetings. Two weeks ago, he attended the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACCOC) dinner and the topic was Artificial intelligence (AI) in Business & Government, a very interesting conversation. Lastly, he and his wife had great fun attending the Gnome Hunt event at Oso Creek Golf Course . He commended the golf course for all the y do, and encourage everyone to stop by, if only for coffee.
Mayor Kelley
Mayor Kelley announced she attended the 2024 Business Kick Off Mixer put on by the Chamber of Commerce, the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) ~ 40th Anniversary event, and the Crucero Park Playground Area Rehab Meeting. Lastly, she encouraged all to visit the Farmers Market held every Saturday from 9am-1pm.
ADJOURNMENT AT 7:25 PM TO TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2024, AT 5:00 P.M.
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Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of February 27, 2024