City Council Minutes 1 April 8, 2025
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
April 8, 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 April 8, 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 April 3, 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 Se nior 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 announced that there was one properly agendized item on a litigation matter. The Council was updated but no reportable actions occurred.
INVOCATION: Council Member Kelley
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Proclaim April 2025 To Be National Donate Life Month Presented proclamation.
P2. Vector Control - Sterile Insect Technique (SIT)
Received presentation from Amber Semrow, Director of Scientific and Technical Services of the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District
Mayor Ruesch announced that the La Paz Bridge Widening Project is completed, and that Fire Station 24 of off Marguerite and Oso Parkway is estimated to be completed in Mid- May with a grand opening to follow.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Ethan Huff, M.V.: Spoke on behalf of the Community of Character Committee on the Character Word of the month “Service”.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Questioned Mayor Ruesch’s announcement at the last meeting regarding when the staggering of districts for the 2026 Election will be decided. She voiced concerns about how this decision came to be and requested that an update be a public hearing at the next meeting for residents’ input.
Michelle O’Brien, M.V.: Expressed her concerns and outlined why she is not in favor of Mission Viejo becoming a sanctuary city that some residents are asking.
Carolyn Gatto, M.V.: Asked for clarification on Chief Ivan’s statement at the last meeting regarding peaceful protests and asked that the Council compel the sheriff’s department to develop and consistently execute a plan for keeping citizens safe at these rallies.
Terry Black, M.V.: Outlined his reasons and the benefits of Mission Viejo becoming a sanctuary city.
Kristen Wilcox, M.V.: Asked that the police blotter be accessible to the public and that this item be addressed at the next Council Meeting.
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CONSENT CALENDAR
Item #10 was removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion.
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 March 25, 2025, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated March 14, 2025, in the Amount of $509,807.34 Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated March 21, 2025, in the Amount of $1,528,297.77 Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. Golf Check Register Dated March 14, 2025, in the Amount of $47,690.57 Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated March 21, 2025, in the Amount of $6,551.53 Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for February 2025
Received and filed.
7. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for February 2025
Received and filed.
8. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for February 2025
Received and filed.
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9. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for February 2025 Received and filed.
11. Annual Routine Monthly Landscape Maintenance - Contract Areas 9 & 10
(1) Approved Fifth Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Nieves Landscape, Inc.; (2) authorized issuance of a change order to the existing Purchase Order for Landscape Contract Area 9 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $90,000.00; and (3) authorized issuance of a change order to the existing Purchase Order for Landscape Contract Area 10 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $110,000.00.
12. Modifications to the City of Mission Viejo Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual - Modifications Reflect Position Changes, Conform to Regulations, and Update Website Addresses
Adopted Resolution 25-07 Adopting the City's Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual effective April 8, 2025.
13. Annual Pool Maintenance and Related Services at City Facilities
(1) Approved Eighth Amendment to the existing pool maintenance contract with 1st Choice Pool & Spa Solutions for the subject services for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $1,060,651.76; and (2) authorized issuance of a purchase order to 1st Choice Pool & Spa Solutions for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $530,325.88 pending the adoption of the 2025-2027 budget by City Council.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
10. Group Home and Sober Living Home Regulations Ordinance
City Attorney Bill Curley gave a report.
The following spoke in support of the adoption of Ordinance 25 -354: Ron Vander Heide, M.V.; Jenny Louro, M.V.; Jennifer James, M.V.; Connie Lanzisera, M.V.; Andie Lufy, M.V.; and Janet Beyl, M.V.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelley, to a dopt Ordinance 25-354 Rescinding and Revoking the Existing Chapter 5.06 of Title 5 of the Mission Viejo Municipal Code and Adopting 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
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NEW BUSINESS
14. FY 2025-2027 Revenue Projections
Director of Administrative Services Ellis Chang presented the staff report.
By consensus the City Council received and filed report.
15. Installation and Service Agreement of a Flock Safety Automatic License Plate Recognition System
Director of Emergency Operations Paul Catsimanes presented the staff report.
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Spoke on the U.S. District Court lawsuit pertaining to flock cameras creating a surveillance system on citizens. Asked various questions regarding the protection of citizens by the Privacy Act of 1974. Questioned the safety of the st orage on the data that is collected. Asked what is Edge Storage.
Connie Lanzisera, M.V.: Spoke out against the Flock Cameras. She asked that the Council not vote on this item this evening and asked that a public hearing be brought forth so the public can have input.
Kristin Wilcox, M.V.: Asked why this was not a public hearing and stated she is not in support of this system and feels it’s an infringement on civil rights. Voiced her concerns on how this data will be used and who can access it.
OCSD Commander Chris McDonald answered various questions from the City Council.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, to (1) authorize the City Manager to execute a service agreement with Insight Public Sector, Inc. (A25- 07) for a period of 4 years, in an amount not to exceed $899,400, to implement a Flock Safety Fixed Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) System subject to minor modifications by the City Manager, and (2) adopt Resolution 25-08 Amending the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Budget for Costs Related to the Implementation of the Flock Safety Automated License Plate Recognition System.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: Vasquez
ABSENT: None
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
16. Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Report Received written report.
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COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
17. 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 announced that the Marguerite Aquatics Center will be hosting the USA Diving for the 2028 Olympic Team training camp.
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley attended the Cal Cities Transportation Communications Public Works Policy Committee meeting which she is a member on March 28
th where several upcoming legislative bills were
discussed. She attended the Vocational Visions Annual Celebration and a ribbon cutting at KCI Investigations. Council Member Kelley encouraged residents to continue to check the city calendar for upcoming events. She wished a Happy Passover which is April 12 to the 19, as well as Easter on April
20. Lastly, she clarified that the City is not becoming a Sanctuary City and she would not support that.
Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez addressed her fellow Council Member that she is in favor of Mission Viejo as a Sanctuary City but realizes that it is currently not going to happen. She attended the Sensory Friendly Concert with the Pacific Symphony at the Norman P. Murray Center. She stated that it was lovely to see so many people together enjoying music and having the sensory component was really something. Council Member Vasquez indicated she is glad that we provide different events for everyone in our community.
She attended the Girls Inc. College Bound event, which is an organization the provides girls ranging from kindergarten to high school tools and resources where they can grow and evolve to find their path, whether vocational or a traditional four -year university. She also attended the ACCCOC Women in Le adership event and went to the Pulp Dixon concert at the Norman P. Community Center which had a great turnout of around 300 people which she heard is the highest number of attendees that the concert series has seen.
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum apologized that at the last meeting she had to leave the meeting due to a coughing fit and not feeling well. She highlighted her trip with the Southern California Association of Governments at the Sacrament Summit which was a whirlwind two -day event. Mayor Pro Tem visited with many of the legislators and listened to many meetings. She met with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara who is invited to the City’s Town Hall Meeting next month. Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum attended the Orange County Council of Governments Annual Conference at the Nixon Library where she got to introduce the hosing panel. She also represented the City at Fountain Valley’s Sober Living Town Hall which had a great turnout. Last Saturday she attended the Spring Boutique put on by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee. She reminded residents that Passover is coming up as well as Christian Holy Week with Easter on April 20. The Adopted Marine Battalion will enjoy the Lake this upcoming weekend
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with their families. She also wanted to let residents know that this Saturday there will be a Master Gardener Expo at the Norman P. Murray Center. She announced that there will be a dedication for the completion of the La Paz Bridge on April 16 at the Floor & Décor Store. Lastly, she wished everyone a Happy Passover and Joyous Easter.
Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch stated he was given the opportunity to visit the Reagan Library to see the Dead Sea Scrolls.
He encouraged residents to go view them. He said it was amazing to look at these scrolls that were 3,000 years old. He pointed out that the Reagan presidency was his first introduction to government as Reagan was the first President he worked for. Mayor Ruesch and Planning Commissioner Gary Disney supported the Orange County Sheriff’s department at the Baker to Las Vegas Run which is an all-night affair. Thirty- six hours and 700 miles, 241 teams participated, and the OC Sheriff’s team came in 11 th place. Lastly, he
ended with a quote from Will Rogers, “After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut."
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 8:22 p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Ruesch adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
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Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of April 22, 2025