City Council Minutes 1 March 25, 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 25, 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 25, 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 20, 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 (arrived at 5:10 pm)
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Ruesch
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum (left the meeting at 7:05 pm)
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
City Attorney Bill Curley announced that following Consent Calendar item #14 for the Annual Routine Tree Trimming Contract has some legal issues that the City has not had time to review and stated that it will be removed from the agenda and will return at a future meeting.
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.
City Council Minutes 2 March 25, 2025
CS2. 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 time of 5:01 Mayor Ruesch recessed to Closed Session. At the time of 6:02 Mayor Ruesch reconvened the meeting with all five Council Members present.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Bill Curley reported that CS1 was regarding Labor Negotiations and the Council was updated and given direction. CS2 was regarding conference with legal counsel and the Council was updated and given direction.
INVOCATION: Council Member Goodell
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Ruesch
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Update on Sober Living Legislation
Received presentation from President of Venture Strategic Jeff Corless.
Mayor Ruesch, with the consensus of the Council, announced that Item #17 will be heard and considered at this time.
PUBLIC HEARING (taken out of order)
17. Group Home and Sober Living Home Regulations
Director of Planning & Community Development Larry Longenecker presented the staff report.
Mayor Ruesch opened the Public Hearing at 6:27 pm
Tanya Wills, M.V.: Addressed the Council with her concerns over two sober living homes on her street and asked if there would be any punitive damage to the owners who don’t abide by the ordinance’s stipulations.
Mayor Ruesch closed the Public Hearing at 6:33 pm
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelley, to (1) find that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to state CEQA guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); and (2) introduce Ordinance 25- 354 Rescinding and Revoking the Existing Chapter 5.06 Of Title 5 of the Mission Viejo Municipal Code and Adopting
City Council Minutes 3 March 25, 2025
a New Chapter 5.06 of Title 5 of the Mission Viejo Municipal Code Titled "Group Home And Sober Living Home Regulations" and Related Findings.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Ruesch asked Fire Chief Cheyne Maule to give an update on the newly released State Fire Severity Maps by CalFire. Mayor Reusch mentioned that there will be a Town Hall Meeting on May 19 to discuss the maps and get feedback from residents.
Mayor Ruesch also announced that the staggering of voting districts for the next election will be addressed after the summer hiatus at the end of August or September.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Carolyn Gatto, M.V.: Spoke out against the individual that stole her sign at a rally. She asked what the Council will do to allow residents to exercise their first amendment rights. She asked that a law enforcement officer attend these rallies every Wednesday.
June Anderson, M.V.: Thanked Council Member Goodell and staff member Corey Gonyea for their immediate response in contacting her regarding the lack of landscape maintenance at the end of the Oso Creek Golf Course.
Peggy O’Neill, M.V.: Spoke out against CUSD Trustee Judy Bullockus on her racial slur at a recent Capistrano Unified School Board Meeting. She pointed out that this does not reflect positively on our City and asked the City Council to ensure a full condemnation of Judy Bullockus.
Kristen Wilcox, M.V.: Questioned the Police Chief’s response from the last meeting regarding ICE raids.
Asked why the police blotter is not up to date and the justification of clock cameras and why there was no public forum for this.
Melissa Fieber, M.V.: Spoke out against Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum’s comments at the last meeting regarding immigrants and ICE raids . She called the City Council to lead by example and asked that her concerns be followed up.
Michele Mitchell, M.V.: Spoke on agenda item 18, the renaming of the dive well at the Marguerite Aquatics Center and outlined why they authored this request for Dr. Ronald Brian.
Michael Schlesinger, M.V.: Commented on Council Member Goodell’s comments from the last meeting regarding district voting. He clarified that the court struck down the two-year extension and that Council Member Goodell and Kelley ran for a four -year term like everyone else. He asked if Ms. Bucknum has ever repaid the City while she sat illegally on Council from 2020-2022 and if she has not then why?
City Council Minutes 4 March 25, 2025
Dan Weerasekera, M.V.: Introduced himself as one of the Directors for the Mission Viejo Girls Softball League. He thanked the City Council for supporting the League along with staff members Barbara Swanson, Brian Zahn, Corey Gonyea, and Aumee Frey.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Addressed her concerns as to waiting to establish the staggering of districts in the Fall and suggested that this be done in May or June.
Stacy Holmes, M.V.: Spoke out on CUSD Board Member Judy Bullockus on her racial slur at a board meeting. Asked that the Council Member’s speak out against this and voiced concerns over how our City will be viewed.
Carlos Pianelli, M.V.: Asked that the City Council invite Congresswoman Young Kim for a town hall meeting so that her constituents can ask questions regarding social security and other funding cuts happening in the current administration.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Item #15 was removed for a separate discussion.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, 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, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum
1. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of March 11, 2025, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated February 28, 2025, in the Amount of $655,624.55 Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated March 7, 2025, in the Amount of $3,592,969.14 Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. Golf Check Register Dated February 28, 2025, in the Amount of $7,683.69 Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated March 7, 2025, in the Amount of $326,679.61 Ratified the accompanying check register.
City Council Minutes 5 March 25, 2025
6. General Plan Progress Report for 2024
Received report and directed staff to submit it to the state Office of Planning and Research (OPR) and state Housing and Community Development (HCD) by April 1, 2025.
7. Annual Road and Flood Control Maintenance Contract
(1) Approved Third Amendment, County Agreement #MA -080-23010587, with the County of Orange for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $2,155,254.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to the County of Orange for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $1,077,627.00, pending adoption of the 2025 - 2027 budget by City Council.
8. Annual Routine Monthly Landscape Maintenance - Contract Areas 9 & 10
(1) Approved Fourth Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Nieves Landscape, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 to increase the contract amount by an amount not to exceed $2,160,674.00; (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order for Landscape Contract Area 9 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $547,667.00 pending adoption of the 2025 -2027 budget by City Council; and (3) authorized issuance of a purchase order for Landscape Contract Area 10 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $532,670.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
9. Annual Routine Janitorial and Related Services at Various Park Sites and Facilities
(1) Approved the Eleventh Amendment for the Annual Routine Janitorial and Related Services at Various Park Sites and Facilities contract to Vocational Visions for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $417,522.00; and (2) autho rized staff to issue a purchase order to Vocational Visions for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $203,669.00, pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by the City Council.
10. Annual Routine Playground, Parkland, and Facility Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs
(1) Approved Sixth Amendment to the existing contract with Jamey Clark, Inc., for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $919,849.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to Jamey Clark, Inc., for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $459,924.00, pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
11. Annual Routine Park, Right -of-Way, and Electrical Facility, Lighting Maintenance Repair and Replacement
(1) Approved Fourth Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services to Real Estate Consulting and Services, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $643,110.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to Real Estate Consulting and Services,
City Council Minutes 6 March 25, 2025
Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $321,555.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
12. Annual Routine Fleet Vehicle Maintenance Services
(1) Approved Third Amendment to the existing contract for the subject services to Mission Viejo Service Centers, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $163,200.00; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to Mission Viejo Service Centers, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $81,600.00 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
13. Annual Routine Janitorial and Related Services at City Facilities
(1) Approved Thirteenth Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Alliance Building Maintenance, LLC for the subject services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $1,534,294.77 and (2) authorized issuance of a pur chase order to Alliance Building Maintenance, LLC for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $767,147.38 pending adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
16. Traffic Signal Synchronization Project Expenditure Extension
Authorized the Director of Public Works to submit a request to the Orange County Transportation Authority to extend the expenditure deadlines for Measure M2 Fiscal Year 2025 -2026 for the Ongoing Maintenance and Monitoring Phase of the Marguerite Parkway & Olympiad Road -Felipe Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
15. Purchase and Installation of Air Conditioning Equipment for the Oso Creek Golf Course Atrium Building
Director of Public Services Jerry Hill presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Goodell, seconded by Council Member Vasquez, to (1) award the contract to Tri -Pacific Heating & Air Conditioning, L.P., for the Installation of Carrier Air Conditioning Equipment and Controls for the Oso Creek Golf Course Atrium building in an amount not to exceed $69,426.00; and (2) approve the First Amendment to David Electric in an amount not to exceed $40,000.00 to provide electrical installation services for the Atrium building Air Conditioning Equipment.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum
NEW BUSINESS
City Council Minutes 7 March 25, 2025
18. Request to Name the Marguerite Aquatics Complex Dive Well after Dr. Ron O’Brien
Director of Recreation and Community Services Mark Nix presented the staff report.
Council Member Goodell recused himself from this item due to a conflict of interest and left the dais at 7:40 pm
Council Member Vasquez asked questions as to the policy on the naming of city facilities and questioned if the financial summary that she had asked for when the most recent Nadadores agreement was approved has been received by the City.
Nadadores’ Executive Director Michele Mitchell confirmed that reports have been sent and received at the expected time to the city per the agreement. Michele confirmed that Dr. Ron O’Brien did meet the requirements per the policy.
Mayor Ruesch called for the vote and Council Member Vasquez asked for an amended motion to not cover the cost of the installation. This motion died for a lack of a second.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Ruesch, to Approve the naming of the Marguerite Aquatics Complex Dive Well after the late Dr. Ron O'Brien as recommended by the Community Services Commission, and (2) approve the applicant's request for the City to cover the installation costs of approximately $2,540 after they have paid for the signage.
On roll call, said motion failed by the following vote:
AYES: Kelley and Ruesch
NOES: Vasquez
ABSENT: Bucknum and Goodell
Council Member Goodell returned to the dais at 7:49 pm
19. Mid-Year Budget Review for FY 2024-2025
Director of Administrative Services Ellis Chang presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Council Member Goodell, to a dopt Resolution 25-06 Amending the FY 2024-25 Budget for Adjustments to Certain Revenue Sources and Operating and Capital Improvement Program Appropriations.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bucknum
City Council Minutes 8 March 25, 2025
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
20. Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Report Received written report.
21. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Report Received written report.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
22. 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
Nothing to report.
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley attended the ribbon cutting for City Side Fiber which is a new fiber company in the City. She attended the Night Market’s Saint Paddy’s Day on March 15 which was lots of fun. Council Member Kelley commented that the night markets are very successful with great attendance along with the farmers market on Saturday mornings. She attended the celebration of a new community Torah at the Chabad in Mission Viejo which was very interesting and moving experience to see the Torah, which is the first five books of the Bible written in Hebrew by a Scribe. She indicated that he had just finished it while she attended the celebration and then they paraded through the street adjacent to the Jewish Center.
She said it was a wonderful event to support on behalf of the City.
Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez attended the Orange County Islamic Foundation dinner and really enjoyed the event as she does every year. She was invited to an event at State Senator Blakespear’s office where she was recognized as a woman who inspires. She indicat ed that someone within the community nominated herself and she mentioned that Council Member Bucknum was also nominated.
Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch stated he was proud to represent the City at the Saddleback Scouting District Dinner on March 13 which the City was awarded a certificate of appreciation for our support of scouting. He was also given an award for 25 years of service with scouting. Last week he was up in Sacramento representing the City in eleven different meetings on how we can get better support for Mission Viejo. He said it was a very quick trip. Lastly, he concluded his comments with a quote from Mahatma Ghandi, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world”.
City Council Minutes 9 March 25, 2025
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 8:02 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Ruesch adjourned the meeting in Memory of Taffy Wilberg to Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
______________________________________
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of April 8, 2025