City Council Minutes 1 January 14, 2025
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency,
Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
January 14, 2025
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 Ruesch at 5:00 p.m., on January 14, 2025, 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 January 9,2025, 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
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Vasquez
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Ruesch
Absent: None
Staff Present: Elaine Lister , City Manager
Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager
William P. Curley, City Attorney
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
RECESS AND RECONVENE MEETING
At the hour of 5:00 pm Mayor Ruesch recessed the meeting. Mayor Ruesch reconvened the meeting at 6:00 pm with all five City Council Members present.
INVOCATION: Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch asked for an update on Emergency Response
City Council Minutes 2 January 14, 2025
Chief of Police Ivins, Fire Chief Cheyne Maule gave update on emergency preparedness. Saundra Jacobs and Frank Ury of Santa Margarita Water District gave update on water supply. Emergency Operations Manager Paul Catsimanes also gave an update on the city’s response to the high winds.
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Presentation to Former Mayor Trish Kelley
Mayor Ruesch presented former Mayor Kelley the gavel plaque.
P2. Opening Remarks from Mayor Bob Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch gave his opening remarks.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Jeff McBride, M.V.: Spoke on the dangerous intersection signal timing at Felipe and Oso Parkway and pointed out that Lake Mission Viejo is a dead lake due to the change to reclaimed water.
Larry Gilbert, M.V.: Voiced his argument on the unwritten rotation policy of the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. He spoke on his objection to Council Member Vasquez being blackballed as Mayor Pro Tem this year.
Andrea Richard, M.V.: Asked for more police presence in the parking lot at Los Alisos Middle School for the revving of cars late at night. She stated she has called the non-emergency line, and nothing has been done.
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Spoke on her records request as to why Measure Y documentation was removed from City Hall and was told that it was attorney-client communications. He then outlined her email exchanges with City Attorney Bill Curley.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Spoke on the need for mixed- use housing across the street and asked the Council to keep an open mind.
Robert Breton, M.V.: Congratulated the City Council on a new year. He outlined the differences between incompetent leaders within our State and our local government who have protected our city from disasters and that their priorities are properly placed.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelley, 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
City Council Minutes 3 January 14, 2025
ABSENT: None
1. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of December 10, 2024, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated November 22, 2024, in the Amount of $870,802.16 Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated November 29, 2024, in the Amount of $5,115,031.76 Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. General Check Register Dated December 6, 2024, in the Amount of $799,316.08 Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. General Check Register Dated December 13, 2024, in the Amount of $4,262,343.71 Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. General Check Register Dated December 20, 2024, in the Amount of $1,551,058.08 Ratified the accompanying check register.
7. Golf Check Register Dated November 22, 2024, in the Amount of $139,248.77 Ratified the accompanying check register.
8. Golf Check Register Dated November 29, 2024, in the Amount of $3,876.70 Ratified the accompanying check register.
9. Golf Check Register Dated December 6, 2024, in the Amount of $253,371.11 Ratified the accompanying check register.
10. Golf Check Register Dated December 13, 2024, in the Amount of $92,249.69 Ratified the accompanying check register.
11. Golf Check Register Dated December 20, 2024, in the Amount of $24,526.73 Ratified the accompanying check register.
City Council Minutes 4 January 14, 2025
12. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for November 2024
Received and filed.
13. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for November 2024
Received and filed.
14. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for November 2024
Received and filed.
15. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for November 2024
Received and filed.
16. First Amendment to Lease Agreement with U.S. Representative Young Kim of Office Space
Authorized City Manager to Execute a First Amendment to Lease Agreement Between City and U.S. Representative Young Kim for Office Space Located Inside City Hall.
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
17. City Council Committee and Regional Board/Committee Representative Appointments and Update Posting of FPPC Form 806 Online
(1) Mayor Ruesch appointed representatives and alternates (when applicable) to the following regional boards/committees:
Motion made by Mayor Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint himself to the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Ruesch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, to appoint Council Member Kelley to the Transportation Corridor Agencies and Council Member Vasquez as alternate.
City Council Minutes 5 January 14, 2025
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez NOES: None
ABSENT: None
(2) Mayor Ruesch appointed representatives and alternates to the following regional/boards/committees:
(a) California Joint Power Insurance Authority – Council Member Vasquez/ Ellis Chang as alternate
(b) League of California Cities and Association of California Cities – Mayor Ruesch/Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum as alternate
(c) Orange County Council of Governments General Assembly – Council Member Vasquez/Council Member Kelley as alternate
(d) Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly – Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum/Council Member Kelley as alternate
(e) Southern Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committee – Council Member Goodell/Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum as alternate
(3) Mayor Ruesch appointed members to the City of Mission Viejo Committees:
(a) Standing Economic Development Committee – Council Member Goodell and Mayor Ruesch
(b) Mission Viejo Olympics Committee – Council Member Goodell and Mayor Ruesch (c) Property Owner's Insurance Committee(new) – Council Member Bucknum and Mayor Ruesch
(4) The City Clerk shall update the appointees list as required by law on Form 806 and post that form to the City's website.
18. Appointment of City Commission Members
Council Members made nominations, and the Council voted on the appointments as follows:
Community Services Commission
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum to appoint Saga Conroy.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes 6 January 14, 2025
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum to appoint Pam Smith.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Josh Vecchione.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded Mayor Ruesch to appoint Steven Thornton and Laura Ostrom as a senior appointee.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Tricia Gonsowski and Jeff Creer as a senior appointee.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Investment Advisory Commission
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Mayor Ruesch to appoint Arthur Levine.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes 7 January 14, 2025
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum to appoint Edward Rosenblatt.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, to appoint Ross Kesselman.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Steve Park.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Brent Cranmer.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Planning & Transportation Commission
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Joseph Blum.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes 8 January 14, 2025
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Council Member Goodell to appoint Robert Breton.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum to appoint LaVal Brewer.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Goodell to appoint Peter Molinari.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Mayor Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Goodell to appoint Gary Disney.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
19. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Report Received written report.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager listed had nothing to report.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
City Council Minutes 9 January 14, 2025
City Attorney Curley announced that the city will be watching closely using any changes in law regarding emergency circumstances in light of the recent wildfires in Los Angeles.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
20. 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 asked the City Manager for an update regarding the public comment received this evening on the intersection of Oso Parkway and Felipe. City Manager Elaine Lister stated the project to widen the entire intersection is in the final design stage and they hope to be in construction within the next year and she does understand the urgency and will see if this project can be moved up. The project, when completed will provide dual left turn lanes in all directions.
Council Member Goodell did comment that he has been rear-ended at this intersection with one of his sons in the car many years ago. He stated that he did attend the 20 th Anniversary of Bathgate
Elementary School and reminded residents of the original principal Curt Visca who had a show on Cox Cable called Curtoon Time that taught children how to draw. He said it was fun to see him and reminisce.
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley congratulate Sherry Merryfield on being named Employee of the Year.
She also recognized Emergency Operations Manager Paul Catsimanes for all his work the past two weeks with updating the Council on the winds and fire news, as well as Com munity Relations Director Robert Schick. She commented on outstanding work Public Services has made with cleaning up the mess from the winds a nd gave kudos to Jerry Hill and staff. Council Member Kelley also thanked residents for their generous participat ion in the Christmas gift drive for our Marine Adoption Committee and mentioned that there are left over gifts that will be given out at the Marines Mission Viejo Lake Day. She gave a shoutout to Castille Elementary School for being recognized in U.S. New s and World Report Best Elementary School Rankings. They are the number one elementary school in Capo Unified School District and ranked 17 th out of 47 of Orange
County’s best elementary schools along with being a high achiever in California ranked 165 out of 5,857 schools. Council Member Kelley attended the following events: Animal Shelter Volunteer Holiday Party; Grand Opening of Cookie Plug; Whoville Night Market; and the Holiday Mix and Mingle. She thanked staff for all their hard work. She also attended the Jewish Festival of Lights at the Norman P. Murray Community Center; a ribbon cutting at Laguna Wellness and Weight Loss on Alicia Parkway; Bathgate Elementary School 30 th Anniversary; and the Orange
County Division of the League of California Cities meeting
Council Member Vasquez
City Council Minutes 10 January 14, 2025
Council Member Vasquez attended the Animal Shelter Volunteer Holiday Party and commented what an impressive group of volunteers and that it really takes a special person to provide the love and care for animals. She stated that she really appreciates what these v olunteers do. She also attended the Jane Austen Ball at the Library and won a basket with Jane Austen books. Council Member Vasquez also attended the Night Market and commented on the great turnout. She attended the Festival of Lights and is looking forward to seeing how much the attendance grows this year. Lastly, she gave a recap on her daughter’s girl scout troop that participated in a community service project at Ivey Park Senior Living. She announced that Girl Scout Cookie Season is here. Lastly, she congratulated Sherry Merrifield on being named Employee of the Year and Bathgate Elementary School on their 30
th Anniversary.
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum also attended the Jane Austen Ball and the Night Market. She commented that a couple of the shops across the street stayed open during the night market and they were busy. In reference to a public comment earlier regarding the status of the store fronts across the street, Council Member Bucknum commented that those that are there running business are benefiting from what the city is doing with the night markets. She pointed out a new boutique next to Delize’s Restaurant with unique items and she recommended residents to visit. Council Member Bucknum stated our priorities are public safety which include our police and fire and everything that goes along with supporting them. She stated that we have to keep the pressure on streamlining and keeping government focused in light of the recent disasters which our insurance rates will greatly be impacted by what happened in Los Angeles. She is happy to serve on the new committee addressing property insurance because there needs to be a loud voice. Council Member Bucknum reminded residents to think about their yards right now with brush, eucalyptus and palm trees which are highly flammable. She s tated that the city does have programs if assistance is needed and to contact the city. She commented on the charitable donations that were collected at the farmers market this past Saturday was overwhelming and phenomenal. Lastly, she said it is going to be a game changer on what happens with the housing and infrastructure in Los Angeles, and she prays for the best. She wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch announced that we lost firefighter Kevin Skinner due to a medical emergency in the line of duty. He stated he was honored to attend with Station 24 to honor him on his last ride home on the overpass of Oso Parkway and expressed that if was very emotional t o stand with his fellow firefighters. He let Council Member Kelley know that Anne Figueroa for Representative Kate Sanchez was unable to make the meeting this evening but will have something for her tomorrow.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 7:46 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Ruesch adjourned the meeting in memory of those who have suffered and perished in the wildfires in Los Angeles, and resident Patricia Mae Ohman, to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
City Council Minutes 11 January 14, 2025
______________________________________
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of January 28, 2025