City Council Minutes 1 March 11, 2025
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
March 11, 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 March 11, 2025, at 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, California.
A complete copy of the agenda for the meeting containing all items as shown herein was posted by 5:00 p.m. on March 6 , 2025, on the outdoor bulletin board at City Hall. A copy w as 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
Ellis Chang, Director of Administrative Services
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation Paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9 Janice Kronik Gath, et. al v. Mission Viejo OCSC Case No. 30-2024 - 01376969-CU-MC-CJC
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE
At the hour of 5:01 Mayor Ruesch recessed to Closed Session. At the hour of 6:01 Mayor Ruesch reconvened the meeting with all five Council Members present.
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REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Curley indicated that the Council was updated, but no reportable action occurred.
INVOCATION: Council Member Vasquez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Goodell
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Proclaim the Month of March 2025 To Be Red Cross Month Presented proclamation David Engwall from American Red Cross of Orange County.
P2. Update on Potocki Center for the Arts
Received presentation by Director of Library Services Genesis Hansen.
Mayor Ruesch asked Chief of Police Jason Ivins to come to the podium to reiterate the Sheriff’s policy on immigration and the county’s policy on this subject due to questions that arose from the last City Council Meeting.
Police Chief Ivins read from a press release from Sheriff Barnes dated January 27, 2025.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Madina Kamran, M.V.: Spoke on behalf of the Community of Character and announced the character word of the month is Integrity.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Asked the City Council how they plan to stagger the terms for the 2026 and 2028 elections and asked that this be addressed at a future meeting.
Kristen Wilcox, M.V.: Asked that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids be put on the next City Council agenda and asked that the City declare itself as a Sanctuary City. She also asked that the Council publicly disclose the plans for the next election pertaining to the staggering of districts.
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Spoke on the three-minute public comment time limit and asked that the same be followed by the council members per their council policy.
Tony Dorta, M.V.: Voiced concerns on commercial vans parking on Athens Court and the lack of visibility for residents trying to make a left or right from San Remo Place . He asked that the Council look into this and perhaps install “no parking” signs.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item #17 was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
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Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelley to approve the Consent Calendar outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
1. Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of February 25, 2025, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated February 14, 2025, in the Amount of $1,052,109.32 Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated February 21, 2025, in the Amount of $959,664.57 Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. Golf Check Register Dated February 14, 2025, in the Amount of $94,509.23 Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated February 21, 2025, in the Amount of $68,979.95 Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for January 2025
Received and filed.
7. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for January 2025
Received and filed.
8. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for January 2025
Received and filed.
9. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for January 2025 Received and filed.
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10. Single Audit Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2024 Received and filed.
11. Designation of Positions as Authorized Agents to Apply for Federal and State Financial Assistance
Adopted Resolution 25 -05 Authorizing Certain Positions to Act as Agents for the Purpose of Obtaining Federal Financial Assistance and/or State Financial Assistance for Federal Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023 as part of the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.
12. Annual Routine Monthly Landscape Maintenance - Contract Area 8
(1) Approved Sixth Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Nieves Landscape, Inc.; and (2) authorized issuance of a change order to the existing Purchase Order for Landscape Contract Area 8 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $85,000.00.
13. Annual Maintenance Program for the Repair and Reconstruction of Streets, Drainage Channels, Storm Drains, Slopes, Emergency Response and Heavy Equipment.
(1) Approved Sixteenth Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services to Bistline Engineering, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $171,444.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to Bistline Engi neering, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $85,722.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
14. Annual Graffiti Removal, Steam Cleaning, Painting and Sealing Services Contract
(1) Approved Twelfth Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services with Bonanza Steam Cleaning, Inc. for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 to increase the contract amount by an amount not to exceed $220,000.00; and (2) authorized staff to issue a purchase order to Bonanza Steam Cleaning Services, Inc. for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $110,000.00, pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
15. Annual Routine Landscape and Irrigation Supplies
(1) Approved the Ninth Amendment to Purchase Agreement A19 -54 for landscape and irrigation supplies to SiteOne Landscape Supply for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $1,148,428.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase o rder to SiteOne Landscape Supply for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $574,214.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
16. Annual Routine Maintenance Program for Sidewalk Grinding Services
(1) Approved Fifth Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services with BPR, Inc., for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $169,313.00; and (2) authorized
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issuance of a purchase order to BPR, Inc., for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $84,656.50, pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
18. Annual Routine Landscape Rodent Pest Control - Contract Areas 1 and 2
(1) Approved the Third Amendments for both Contract Area 1 and Contract Area 2 for the subject service to Agricultural Pest Control Services for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027, in an amount of $78,499.00 for Area 1 and an amount of $42,979.00 for area 2; and (2) aut horized issuance of a purchase orders to Agricultural Pest Control Services for the period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed of $39,249.50 for Area 1 and in an amount not to exceed of $21,489.50 for Area 2 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
19. Annual Playground, Parkland, and Facilities Safety Inspection Services
(1) Approved Third Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services with Jamey Clark, Inc. for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 to increase the contract amount by an amount not to exceed $740,852.00; and (2) authorized staff to issue a purchase order to Jamey Clark, Inc. for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $370,426.00, pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
20. Annual Maintenance Program for the Removal and Replacement of Asphalt Pavement and Related Services
(1) Approved Fifth Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services to Ben's Asphalt, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $926,100.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to Ben's Asphalt, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $463,050.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
17. Saddleback Valley Unified School District Youth Services Contract 2025-2027
Director of Recreation and Community Services Mark Nix presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Council Member Kelley, to approve the Saddleback Valley Unified School District Youth Services Contract for 2025- 2027 (A25-05) in the amount of $134,596 in FY 2025- 2026 and $151,874 in 2026- 2027 as recommended by the Community Services Commission.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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CITY MANAGER REPORTS
21. New Commercial Development Proposals and New Commercial Businesses Update Received update from Director of Community Development Larry Longenecker.
22. Federal and State Grant Update
Received update from City Manager Lister.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
23. 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 clarified for the record that Council Member Kelley and himself forfeited two years of their terms so that all five members could run together in order to implement district- wide voting. He attended the Chamber of Commerce’s mixer and the amazing tour of the Leonard Cancer Institute at Mission Hospital. He encouraged residents to take the tour of that facility. They have some of the most technically advanced laser metho ds for treating cancer. Council member Goodell also attended the Jeff Lauder Celebration of Life. Jeff was one of the founders of Mission Viejo. He announced that he rejoined the South Orange County Executive Watershed Management Committee.
Lastly, he announced that the O’Neill family are the ones who donated the land for Mission Hospital and continue their stewardship of this community with a fifty-million-dollar donation.
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley participated in reading at two elementary schools this past week. She stated at her recent Orange County Division of the League of California Cities meeting that State Senator Stephen Choi spoke on the importance of local control and talked about various pieces of legislation that we support and asked for his endorsement on these issues. Council Member Kelley along with several other council members attended the North Mission Viejo and South Mission Viejo Little League Opening Day Ceremonies. She attended a ribbon cutting ceremony with Mayor Ruesch for Marque Urgent Care Center in the Olympia Plaza Center. Council Member Kelley attended the Meet the Mayors in Laguna Niguel and commended Mayor Ruesch for his nice overview of the sport s tourism focus that Mission Viejo is relying on at this time . She also attended the Conrad Reuland Fundraiser and gave kudos to staff. She also commented on the hospital expansion and the donation from the O’Neill family. Council Member Kelley stated that she attended the Persian New Year Event at Newhart Middle School and got to sample some of the food. Lastly, she mentioned that The Red Cross blood drives will no longer be holding blood drives in their trailers and is in need of new locations and that they are in need of blood.
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Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez asked specifically for clarification as to what Mission Viejo’s position is on ICE. Chief Ivins explained that we abide by SB54 and have limited communication with ICE. She attended Read Across America at Bathgate Elementary School and read to her daughter’s third grade class. She attended the Conrad Reuland Fundraiser and was very impressed with the turnout and all the items one could bid on. Council Member Vasquez also attended the first of the free concert series at Norman P. Community Center last week and really enjoyed the band. Lastly, she mentioned that her Girl Scout Troop is kicking off a crayon drive, so if you have any crayons, she will be happy to recycle them so that the troop may donate to an organization called The Crayon Initiative. The Crayon Initiative melts all the crayons and makes new ones to provide packages of crayons to children in children’s hospitals all over the United States.
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum commented on an earlier public comment regarding ICE. She stated that Mission Viejo residents have suffered from some crime at the hands of international gangs and these people should not be in our Country, let alone our City and we should not get in the way of people like that being brought to justice. She also stated that we should not be a sanctuary city and from her seat she would never vote for that. She also attended Jeff Lauder’s celebration of life and said there was a lot of history told, and it was a very nice celebration. Mayor Pro Tem also attended the Meet the Mayor event in Laguna Niguel and complimented Mayor Ruesch on his speech. She also attended the Conrad Reuland Charity Event and stated it is great to see how this event has grown over the years. She attended the dedication at Providence Mission Hospital and stated it was very meaningful to her and recognized the many attributes Tony Moiso and family have given to our community. Lastly, she reminded residents that this Saturday is the St. Patrick’s Day Night Market and encouraged everyone to attend along with the Farmers Market in the morning.
Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch told the public that the Council is very active and takes an interest in our city affairs by participating in all the events in our city. He thanked his council colleagues for representing the city and attending the hospital tour as he was unable t o due to an Orange County Fire Authority emergency meeting and a personal appointment he could not get out of. He also participated in Read Across America at Bathgate Elementary School for Mrs. Anderson’s fifth grade class and received thank you cards from the students. Mayor Ruesch participated in the Meet the Mayors and stated there is a lot of interest in our City from other surrounding cities and is happy to be representing Mission Viejo and the connections that have been made with all of South Orange County, as well as North Orange County. He attended the opening day of Mission Viejo Yacht Club along with approximately seventy- five others, which was a fantastic event. Lastly, he adjourned the meeting with the following words, “Whatever good things we build end up building us”.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 7:26 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Ruesch adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
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Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of March 25, 2025