City Council Minutes 1 August 27, 2024
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency,
Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
August 27, 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, California, was called to order by Mayor Kelley at 5:00 p.m., on August 27, 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 August 22, 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 Goodell
Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch
Mayor Kelley
Absent: Council Member Bucknum
Council Member Vasquez
Staff Present: Elaine Lister, City Manager
Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager
William P. Curley, City Attorney
Cheryl Dyas, Director of Administrative Services
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Labor Negotiations - The Council Will Provide Direction to its Labor Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957 and 54957.6. The Parties to the Negotiations Are the City and City’s Unrepresented Employees. The City’s Negotiator is Elaine Lister.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AMD RECONVENE
At the hour of 5:01 Mayor Kelly recessed to Closed Session. Mayor Kelley reconvened the meeting at 6:01 p.m.
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REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Curley announced that the City negotiators were given some direction and parameters, but no reportable action was taken.
INVOCATION: Mayor Kelley
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Goodell
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Proclaim Mid -Summer Through Early Autumn 2024 as Wildfire Awareness & Prevention Season
Mayor Kelley presented proclamation to Fire Chief Cheyne Maule.
P2. Recognize Mission Viejo Girls Softball League Teams 10U Silver Mayhem for Placing 1st at USA Softball Regional Tournament and 14U Gold Adrenaline for Placing 1st at USA Softball SoCal State Tournament
Mayor Kelley presented certificates.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Pointed out the discrepancy of wording in the Impartial Analysis that was changed due to her due diligence in pointing out to staff. Questioned where the oversight and check and balances.
Ben Cartlidge, M.V.: Spoke on the Character Word of the Month “Self-Control”. Highlighted the STAR Process which stands for Stop, Think, Act, Review, and gave examples of how he has implemented this in his life.
Robert Breton, M.V.: Congratulated Elaine Lister on becoming City Manager and outlined how the decision to appoint her was unanimous.
Sharon Genton, M.V.: Announced the Inaugural “Love Mission Viejo Day”, which will take place on Saturday October 12 at Newhart Elementary School at 9 a m. There will be various volunteer projects and encouraged residents to attend. For more information residents can go to www.lovemissionviejo.org
Cathleen Pryor, M.V.: Introduced herself as the President of the Laguna Heights Community Association in Laguna Niguel. She voiced her concerns and wanted to alert the City of the proposed lithium battery storage facility being proposed in San Juan that was denied a permit, however they have appealed to the State which can override San Juans ordinance prohibiting this
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storage facility. They are concerned with the cost and availability of fire insurance for these residents.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 22 was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Goodell, to approve the Consent Calendar outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum and Vasquez
1. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of August 27, 2024, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated June 28, 2024, in the Amount of $1,706,517.51 Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated July 5, 2024, in the Amount of $2,442,369.08 Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. General Check Register Dated July 12, 2024, in the Amount of $1,260,116.54 Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. General Check Register Dated July 19, 2024, in the Amount of $2,242,035.73 Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. General Check Register Dated July 26, 2024, in the Amount of $1,322,701.47 Ratified the accompanying check register
7. General Check Register Dated August 2, 2024, in the Amount of $3,726,656.19 Ratified the accompanying check register.
8. General Check Register Dated August 9, 2024, in the Amount of $3,576,839.11
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Ratified the accompanying check register.
9. Golf Check Register Dated June 28, 2024, in the Amount of $210,511.16 Ratified the accompanying check register.
10. Golf Check Register Dated July 5, 2024, in the Amount of $55,442.39 Ratified the accompanying check register.
11. Golf Check Register Dated July 12, 2024, in the Amount of $314,282.80 Ratified the accompanying check register.
12. Golf Check Register Dated July 19, 2024, in the Amount of $110,234.17 Ratified the accompanying check register.
13. Golf Check Register Dated July 26, 2024, in the Amount of $80,486.30.
Ratified the accompanying check register
..
14. Golf Check Register Dated August 2, 2024, in the Amount of $80,603.53 Ratified the accompanying check register.
15. Golf Check Register Dated August 9, 2024, in the Amount of $21,334.88 Ratified the accompanying check register.
16. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for June 2024
Received and filed.
17. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for June 2024
Received and filed.
18. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for June 2024 Received and filed.
19. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for June 2024
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Received and filed.
20. Transmittal of Pre-PARE Trustee Reports for the quarter ending June 30, 2024
Received and filed the accompanying Pre-PARE Trustee Reports for the quarter ending June 30, 2024.
21. Traffic Violator Apprehension Program (vehicle removal due to driving without a license or with a suspended or revoked license)
Adopted Resolution 24 -39 Confirming Participation in the Orange County Sheriff's Department Traffic Violator Apprehension Program and Adopting Fees Associated with the Program.
23. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony for Expanded Programming for FY 24/25
(1) Approved Memorandum of Understanding between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony (A24-30) for FY 24/25 for expanded programming totaling $146,000; and (2) adopted Resolution 24-41 Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget for Costs Related to Pacific Symphony Cultural Arts Events.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
22. Lower Curtis Park - Water Quality Improvements (CIP 20245)
Director of Public Works Mark Chagnon presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Goodell , seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, to ( 1) authorize the City Manager to approve Construction Contract Change Order 1 with Earth Construction and Mining, Inc. (ECM) in the amount of $356,483; and (2) adopt Resolution 24-40 Amending the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Budget for Costs Related to Capital Improvement Project CIP 20245.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum and Vasquez
PUBLIC HEARING
24. Public Hearing to Consider All Objections to the Proposed Abatement of Weeds on Parcels Less than One Acre for the Annual Weed Abatement Program 2024
Public Services Manager Corey Gonyea presented the staff report.
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Mayor Kelley opened the Public Hearing at 6:58 pm.
Victoria Bruno, M.V.: Objected to the proposed weed abatement due to the protection of trees and shrubs in open spaces, such as the coastal stage, scrub chaparral, and southern oak woodland.
Mayor Kelley Closed the Public Hearing at 7:01 pm.
Assistant City Manager Jerry Hill explained that the City works very closely with the OCFA staff in regard to any fire concerns related to weed abatement along with environmental biologists that we use in order to make sure we are preserving any native species.
City Attorney Curley pointed out that this proposed weed abatement is for residential properties aimed at fire safety and aesthetics.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Goodell, to Approve Instructed the Public Services Department to proceed and perform the removal of weeds in accordance with Sections 39568 through 39588 of the Government Code.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum and Vasquez
NEW BUSINESS
25. Consideration of Requesting Governor Newsom to Declare a State of Emergency as Regards the Present Property Insurance Crisis in the State of California
City Attorney Curley presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, to a dopt Resolution 24-42 Requesting the Governor of California to Declare a Statewide State of Emergency as to the Availability of Structure Fire Insurance for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Structures in California.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum and Vasquez
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MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
26. Voting Delegate and Alternate(s) for the 2024 League of California Cities Annual Conference
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch, to approve Mayor Kelley’s appointment of herself as voting delegate and City Manager Elaine Lister as alternate for the League of California Cities Conference Annual Business Meeting on Friday October 18, 2024.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum and Vasquez
27. Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Report Received written report.
28. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Report Received written report.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
29. 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 Goodell
Council Member Goodell stated that there will be a deeper dive report on the results from the trip to the Olympic in Paris after they meet as a group. He did say that it was a very succes sful trip, and the goal was met to sign a memorandum of understanding with Team Netherlands to make this a training ground for the next Olympics. Council Member Goodell said they were wonderful and people to engage with and we are looking forward to the same type of atmosphere here. They met with other groups that are als o looking for a home away from home during the Los Angeles Olympics. He announced that the Nadadores Dive Team won the National Championship this year and our Master Swim Team finished second place to San Diego Masters. He noted that the oldest swimmers were 104, 94, 91 and 89 which was incredible to watch and a great event.
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Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch
Mayor Pro Tem Ruesch spoke on the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Program. He explained yesterday at Turf Park was the first release of approximately 4,400 radiated and marked male mosquitoes to breed with female mosquitos which will produce sterile mosquitos. This should drop the mosquito population, and it should make a difference. Overall, the next 36 days they will be monitored to see how far they fly by the traps set throughout the area. Lastly, he shared a quote from the athletic director of the Netherlands stating “There were other communities that they met that had better facilities that would meet the Dutch needs, but they chose Mission Viejo because of the friendliness of our community. It made them feel they were welcome here and that’s why they are coming to Mission Viejo”. Mayor Pro Tem expressed that this is a great testament to who we are and yes, we are an Olympic City and we now have the eighth most successful team in the world coming to Mission Viejo.
Mayor Kelley
Mayor Kelley highlighted the following events she attended; Concert on the Green July 19, two Night Markets, the Farmers Market, Boots Beer and Barbecue, Pacific Symphony and Prelude in the Park, National Night Out Event, Library and Cultural Services Volunteer Recognition. She also attended a photo opportunity w ith Congresswoman Young Kim and Santa Margarita Water District at Lake Mission Viejo to highlight Congresswoman Kim for securing over a million dollars in funding that would be use to help offset construction costs for the installation of the Mission Viejo Brine Line Project which will allow Santa Margarita Water District and the downstream Reclamation agencies the ability to produce a lot more recycled water, which helps our lake and helps regional demands on imported portable water to South Orange County. She stated she attended the Masters Swim Meet and was so surprised that 1300 swimmers competed from all over the nation and the number of cars parked along Marguerite Parkway and adjacent neighborhoods by the aquatics center. Lastly, she attended Paddle for the Battle Pickleball Tournament at Felipe Tennis Center.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 7:26 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Kelley adjourned the meeting in memory of Carolyn Schuler Jones to Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
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Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of September 10, 2024