City Council Minutes 1 May 13, 2025
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
May 13, 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 May 13, 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 May 8, 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 (arrived 5:02pm)
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
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Legal Counsel: Threat to Critical Infrastructure Controls or Information Relating to Cybersecurity. Consultation with City Attorney and Director of Information Technology David Meyer
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
City Council Minutes 2 May 13, 2025
At the hour of 5:01pm Mayor Ruesch recessed to Closed Session. At the hour of 6:02pm Mayor Ruesch reconvened the meeting with all five Council Members present.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Curley announced that Closed Session No.2 was not discussed and shall be continued, and Closed Session No.1 was discussed with no reportable action.
INVOCATION: Mayor Ruesch
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Kelley
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Proclaim May 2025 Top Be Jewish American Heritage Month
Mayor Ruesch presented proclamation to Dr. Mark Cymerint and Jennifer Vigiletti.
P2. Recognize the Community of Character Committee for Receiving the Promising Practices Award
Mayor Ruesch presented proclamation to Council Member Trish Kelley, Committee Chairwoman Stacey Cartledge and President Ethan Williams.
Mayor Ruesch provided two updates. The first being the grand reopening of Fire Station 24 on Thursday, July 17, 2025, with more details to come nearer the time. And secondly, he addressed the upcoming election process regarding the staggering of terms. He stated that one can submit their comments on the city’s website and encouraged residents to share their comments pertaining to the staggering of districts for the 2026 Election.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Cathy Schlicht, M.V.: Played an excerpt of a recording of Mayor Ruesch’s outburst towards her public comments from April 22, Council meeting. Commented on how the Council abuses and intimidates public speakers and cuts off their time at the podium yet does not enforce the same policy for Council Members. Spoke of how the Mayor misled the public due to his limited knowledge of the flock system.
How he was chosen as Mayor over Cynthia because he has the same viewpoint as most of the Council, and concluded by stating the Mayor did not even have the decency to close the meeting in memory of former Council Member Gail Reavis who passed away last month.
Tom Moore, M.V.: Thanked the Mayor for being responsive to the community with regards to the upcoming elections and also thanked the City Manager for her update on the Steinmart property. He suggested the Memorial Day Celebration be moved from Kershaw Gardens to the Veterans Memorial at the Norman P. Murray Center and for the City to involve the community, schools , and bands in Veteran events.
City Council Minutes 3 May 13, 2025
Amy Buch, M.V.: Thanked the Council for recognizing and proclaiming Jewish American Heritage Month and how much that means to her.
Lynn Hillman, M.V.: Spoke on the flock cameras and voiced her concerns of resident’s privacy with this surveillance system in Mission Viejo. She questioned the Council’s decision on the need for this system in such a safe city.
Carlos Pianelli, M.V.: Thanked Council Member Vasquez for the opportunity of m eeting with Congresswoman Young Kim. He spoke of the constitutional crisis, due process as a right and not a privilege, of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), democracy and referred to the Character word of the month ~ Moral Courage.
Saga Conroy, M.V.: Spoke on the Love Mission Viejo Day event this Saturday, May 17 , and encouraged residents to view the website and sign up for a volunteer project.
Stacy Holmes, M.V.: Voiced his concerns on Capistrano Unified School District Board Member Judy Bullockus use of the N-word, and the lack of an apology. He questioned Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, Council Member Goodell and Council Member Kelley of their continued support of Judy Bullockus.
Sam Lewis, M.V.: Pastor Lewis stated that May 1st was National Day of Prayer where many churches came together and prayed for each and every Council Member. He showed his appreciation and gratitude for each Council Members and asked the Lord to give them wisdom and guidance in making the right decisions in leading our City.
Randall Simmons, M.V.: Voiced his concerns on Law Enforcement and ICE. He urged the Council to minimize ICE in Mission Viejo. Questioned the motivation for the installation of Flock cameras and who will control the data. Lastly, he encouraged establishing oversight of the Flock System.
Peggy O’Neill, M.V.: Complemented and thanked Mayor Ruesch for addressing the problem of mosquitoes. She also touched on Immigration, how this country is made up of immigrants and how the immigrants arriving today are no different to the immigrants that arrived in her great-grandfathers time, hoping for a better life.
Fiona Carroll, M.V.: Shared her concerns of Judy Bullockus representing Character Counts at Bathgate Elementary School.
Kelly Anderson, M.V.: Spoke of the recent Capistrano Unified School District Board M eeting pertaining to Judy Bullockus’ racial slur.
Elijah Saine, M.V.: Spoke on behalf of the Community of Character Committee on the Character Word of the Month “Moral Courage”.
Roger Perez, M.V.: Voiced his concerns regarding Judy Bullockus’ use of the N-word and asked that she recuse herself from participat ing in Bathgate Elementary School’s Character Cou nts Program.
Stated that as a parent, we need to set an example for our children that racial slurs are not acceptable so, he started a petition to remove Judy Bullockus from Bathgate Elementary School and asked the Council to sign his petition.
City Council Minutes 4 May 13, 2025
Mike Maiolo, M.V.: Spoke on the Love Mission Viejo Day event on Saturday, May 17, and thanked the City Council for allowing this event to take place.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Items 25 and 26 were removed from the Consent Calendar for separate consideration.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, 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. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of April 22, 2025, as presented.
2. General Check Register dated April 11, 2025, in the Amount of $2,595,767.54
Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated April 18, 2025, in the Amount of $2,914,167.16
Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. General Check Register Dated April 25, 2025, in the Amount of $850,982.09
Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated April 11, 2025, in the Amount of $14,091.31
Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. Golf Check Register Dated April 18, 2025, in the Amount of $254,136.76
Ratified the accompanying check register.
7. Golf Check Register Dated April 25, 2025, in the Amount of $26,397.71
Ratified the accompanying check register.
8. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for March 2025
Received and filed.
City Council Minutes 5 May 13, 2025
9. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for March 2025
Received and filed.
10. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for March 2025
Received and filed.
11. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for March 2025
Received and filed.
12. Transmittal of Pre-PARE Trustee Report for the quarter ending March 31,2025
Received and filed the accompanying Pre-PARE Trustee Report for the quarter ending March
31.2025.
13. Enterprise Storage Arrays Support Renewal
Approved 3-year support renewal for PureStorage enterprise storage arrays through CDW-G in the amount of $107,262.
14. Website Hosting, Support, and Development Services
(1) Approved third amendment to the existing agreement with Interpersonal Frequency for website hosting services, development, and support for the period of June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 (Year 2), increasing the contract by the amount of $128,282; and (2) authorized the issuance of a purchase order to Interpersonal Frequency in the amount of $128,282.
15. Secure Data Backup and Recovery Appliances
Approved purchase of the ObjectFirst OOTBI secure data backup storage appliances, including 5 years of support and maintenance, from Golden Star Technology in the amount of $107,361.
16. Second Amendment to the Waste Disposal Agreement Between the County of Orange and the City of Mission Viejo
(1) Adopted Resolution 25-10 Approving a Second Amendment to the 2009 Waste Disposal Agreement with the County of Orange; and (2) authorized the Mayor to execute the Second Amendment on behalf of the City of Mission Viejo.
City Council Minutes 6 May 13, 2025
17. 2025-2027 School Crossing Guard Services
Approved the First Amendment with American Guard Services, Inc., to modify certain terms of the contract contingent upon approval of the Fiscal Year 2025-2027 budget.
18. MV Shuttle Operations
Approved the Sixth Amendment with LAZ Parking California, Inc. for the operation of the MV Shuttle contingent upon approval of the FY 2025-2026 Operating Budget.
19. High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) Traffic Signal Installation & Intersection Improvements Intersection of Olympiad Road and Lake Mission Viejo/Youth Athletic Park - CIP 24259
(1) Adopted Resolution 25- 11 Amending the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget for Costs Related to CIP 24259; and (2) awarded the construction contract for the subject project to Select Electric, Inc. (A25-09) in the amount of $420,645.00.
20. Mission Viejo Trash and Runoff Abatement Project (TRAP) – 2025 Measure M2 ECP Grant Application
Adopted Resolution 25- 12 Authorizing an Application for Funds for the Environmental Cleanup, Tier 1 Grant Program under Orange County Local Transportation Ordinance No. 3 for the Mission Viejo Trash and Runoff Abatement Projects.
21. World Cup Soccer Fields Security Lighting (CIP 339) – Notice of Completion
(1) Certified the completion of and accept the improvements for the subject project; (2) authorized the City Manager to sign the Notice of Completion; (3) authorized the City Clerk to record Notice of Completion with the County of Orange and to release th e Faithful
Performance and Payment Bonds one year and thirty- five (35) days respectively, after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion contingent upon no claims or liens being filed with the City; and (4) authorized the payment of the final retention of $9,629.50, thirty- five (35) days after the date of recordation of the Notice of Completion.
22. Professional Services Agreements for On-Call CEQA Consulting Services
Approved four Professional Services Agreements for On- Call CEQA Consulting Services, awarded to: (1) Ascent Environmental, Inc. (A25- 10); (2) De Novo Planning Group (A25- 11); (3) Dudek (A25-12); and (4) Michael Baker International (A25 -13), each in an amount not to exceed $500,000 annually for a term of three (3) years, and authorized the City Manager to execute each of the four Agreements.
23. Draft Fiscal Year 2025 -2029 Consolidated Plan, including the Fiscal Year 2025 -2026 Action Plan for the Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 CDBG Funds and the 2025- 2029 Orange County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing.
City Council Minutes 7 May 13, 2025
Adopted Resolution 25-13 Approving the City’s Draft Fiscal Year 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, including the Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Action Plan for the Expenditure of Fiscal Year 2025-2026 CDBG Funds and the 2025- 2029 Orange County Regional Assessment of Fair Housing, and authorizing submission of the plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
24. Authorization Resolution to Allow the City Manager, or Their Designee, to Execute all Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) Documents
Adopted Resolution 25-14 Authorizing the City Manager, or their Designee, to Execute all Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA) documents.
27. Graffiti Removal, Steam Cleaning, Painting and Sealing Services – Bonanza Steam Cleaning, Inc.
(1) Approved Thirteenth Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Bonanza Steam Cleaning, Inc for the subject services; and (2) authorized a Change Order to the existing Purchase Order for Bonanza Steam Cleaning, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.
28. Annual Routine Playground, Parkland, and Facility Infrastructure Maintenance and Repairs – Jamey Clark, Inc.
(1) Approved Seventh Amendment to the existing maintenance contract with Jamey Clark, Inc for the subject services; and (2) authorized a Change Order to the existing Purchase Order for Jamey Clark, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $70,000.00.
29. Annual Routine Monthly Landscape Maintenance - Contract Area 3
(1) Approved Seventh 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 3 to Nieves Landscape, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $100,000.00.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
25. Revisions to City of Mission Viejo Personnel Policies
Human Recourses Manager Monique Goetz presented the staff report.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Kelly, to adopt Resolution 25-15 Providing for the Revisions to Select Personnel Policies.
City Council Minutes 8 May 13, 2025
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
26. Annual Routine Tree Trimming Contract
Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Services presented the staff report.
Scott Griffiths, Irvine: Spoke on the longstanding maintenance contract that the City has not gone out to bid on for the past 26 years. He asked the Council to give other companies the chance and opportunity to bid as well.
Council Members made various comments.
Motion made by Council Member Kelly, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, to (1) approve Thirty-second Amendment to the existing contract with West Coast Arborists, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027 in the amount of $2,918,547.00; and (2) authorize issuance of a purchase order to West Coast Arborists, Inc. for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $1,434,835.00 pending adoption of the 2025- 2027 budget by City Council.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
30. Compliance with New Legal Obligations re: Public Hearing on City of Mission Viejo Vacancies, and Recruitment & Retention Efforts (Assembly Bill 2561/Government Code Section 3502.3).
Human Recourses Manager Monique Goetz presented the staff report.
Mayor Ruesch opened and closed the Public Hearing at 7:37 pm as there were no requests to speak on this item.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Goodell, to adopt Resolution 25-16 Adopting a Public Hearing and Reporting on Vacancies, and Recruitment, & Retention Efforts Policy and Amending the City Council Policy Manual.
City Council Minutes 9 May 13, 2025
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NEW BUSINESS
31. Establish General Fund Target and Minimum Reserve Levels for 2025-27 Budget Cycle
Director of Administrative Services Ellis Chang presented the staff report.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Spoke on the Library and asked for further information, at a future Council meeting, regarding the library becoming self-sufficient and no longer getting the same allocation from the budget as in the past. She asked the Council to reconsider the city’s support for the library.
City Manager Lister stated that around 2017, subsidies were reduced at all City facilities , however, the Council can consider changing that moving forward. City Attorney Curley added that the library does receive funds from the County, and Director Chang mentioned that the library is projected to receive approx. 3.6 million of revenue from property taxes.
Motion made by Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum , seconded by Mayor Ruesch , to adopt Resolution 25-17 Establishing General Fund Target and Minimum Reserve Levels for the 2025-2027 Budget Cycle.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
No report given.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No report given.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
32. Council Member Reports of Events and Activities Attended ~ AB1234
City Council Minutes 10 May 13, 2025
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 spoke of flock cameras and the reason they are a consideration is due to the increase in property and vehicle crimes. With many neighboring cities also having flock cameras, it enables the city to solve crimes and keep residents safe. Commented on the situation pertaining to Judy Bullockus, and c oncluded by thanking Mike Maiolo and the Love Mission Viejo group and encouraged all residents to participate this coming Saturday.
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley highlighted upcoming events ; Love Mission Viejo Day, Saturday, May 17, and Memorial Day Ceremony at City Hall, Monday, May 26. She outlined various events she attended during the past couple of weeks ;
SCAG Conference (Southern California Association of
Governments), Wildlife presentation at the Norman P. Murray Center, Third Grade Environmental Fair, Earth Day/Arbor Day, Family Arts Day at the Potocki Center for the Arts, Teen Wellness Summit at Capistrano Valley High School, and a meeting with Sheriff Don Barnes at the Real Time Operation Center. She was also pleased to announce that the Character Program won National and International recognition and gave a shout out to Pip and Sir Speedy who donate their materials to all 23 schools.
Lastly, Council Member Kelley stated she attended a recognition luncheon hosted by the American Red Cross Orange County Division where the Mission Viejo Marines and Sailors Adoption Committee won the Heroes Award for service to the Arm ed Forces and showed a video highlighting their accomplishments. She thanked the committee and residents for their support of the Marines and Sailors, and David Engwall form the American Red Cross.
Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez commenced by stating she had a hand in the Election Comments page and that a resident actually brought it to her attention, and she passed it along. She also addressed comments made pertaining to Judy Bullockus and the inappropriate usage of a certain word. She completely understands and appreciates the residents’ reaction; however, stated the Council does not have jurisdiction over the matter and suggested maybe reaching out to the Community of Character leadership. Council Member Vasquez announced Mission Viejo Pride 2025 will be held on Saturday, June 21, at Saddleback College from Noon to 4pm and encouraged all to visit the website https://mv- pride.com for more details. She was also pleased to share that the committee has raised over $25,000 so far this year. She concluded by stating she attended the following events: a tour of the Real Time Operations Center in Tustin, Third Grade Environmental Fair, Earth Day/Arbor Day event, and a tour of Families Forward Community Market.
City Council Minutes 11 May 13, 2025
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum
Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum commented on the flock cameras and how they are strictly for Law Enforcement and crime prevention, working alongside neighboring South County communities to create a safer environment. She announced that she too attended the SCAG Conference (Southern California Association of Governments), and expressed her gratitude to Long Beach Council Member Cindy Allen for reappointed her to the Legislative Executive Committee. This will allow her to participate and contribute to providing transportation for the upcoming 2028 Olympics. She thanked those who spoke on Love Mission Viejo and all the houses of worship for their involvement. Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum attended; Earth Day/Arbor Day event, National Prescription Take Back Day, and the Mission Viejo Girls Softball end of season tournament. She reminded everyone of the upcoming 80’s theme Night Market on Saturday, May 17, the Property Insurance Town Hall meeting on Monday, May19, at 5:30pm and Memorial Day Ceremony at Kershaw Gardens on Monday, May 26, at 8am.
In closing Mayor Pro Tem Bucknum congratulated the Character Committee on their worthy recognition.
Mayor Ruesch
Mayor Ruesch announced that the website for posting comments on the staggering of districts for 2026 Election has been developed and will be up in the next day or so. He also had the opportunity to present the same presentation he had given to the Chamber of Commerce, to the residents of Sunrise Senior Living, and go through the history of the City’s Olympic movement including Council Member Goodells legacy. Mayor Ruesch concluded with a thought from Winson Churchill ~ success is not final, failure is not fatal, it’s the courage to continue that counts.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 8:25p.m., with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Ruesch adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
______________________________________
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
Approved at the meeting of May 27, 2025