City Council Minutes 1 January 13, 2026
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency,
Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
January 13, 2026
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 Bucknum at 5:04 p.m., on January 13, 2026, 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 8, 2026, 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 Kelley
Council Member Ruesch
Council Member Vasquez
Mayor Bucknum
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
Staff Present: Elaine Lister, City Manager
Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager
John R. Harper, Interim City Attorney
Ellis Chang, Director of Administrative Services
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Public Employee Annual Performance Evaluation - [Government Code § 54957(b)(1)] Titles: City Manager and Assistant City Manager
CS2. Conference with Real Property Negotiator Government Code Section 54956.8. The unimproved real property commonly referred to as “Site 3” (City Housing Element) located on City-owned land directly adjacent to and southeasterly of the City’s Animal Service Center off Center Drive, and easterly of Saddleback College (Assessor Parcel Nos. 740-112-02, 03, 36, and 40, and 740-113-01). Agency Negotiators Elaine Lister, City Manager, Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager & Director of Public Services, Ellis Chang, Director of Administrative Services, Larry Longenecker, Director of Community
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Development, and John R. Harper, City Attorney. Negotiating Party: Mission Viejo Housing Authority under discussion price and terms
CS3. 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 5:05 pm Mayor Bucknum recessed to Closed Session. At the hour of 6:02 pm Mayor Bucknum reconvened the meeting with four Council Members present with Mayor Pro Tem Goodell absent.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Harper announced that staff analyzed three housing proposals regarding CS2 and based upon that analysis, the city has selected one of those developers and staff has been directed to commence negotiations and return to the Council with an agreement.
INVOCATION: Council Member Vasquez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Kelley
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Adopted Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Marine Division Quarterly Recognition
Mayor Bucknum presented certificates of commendation to the "Marine of the Quarter" Lance Corporal Teewon G. Manakpalah, and "Non- Commissioned Officer of the Quarter" Sergeant Grant G. Gallatin.
P2. Presentation to Former Mayor Bob Ruesch
Mayor Bucknum presented gavel plaque to former Mayor Ruesch.
P3. Opening Remarks from Mayor Bucknum
Mayor Bucknum gave her opening remarks.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Monique Goetz, M.V.: Thanked the Council for budgeting the cost of the welcome baskets for the City’s Adopted Headquarters Battalion’s entry level marines.
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Robert Breton, M.V.: Thanked Mayor Bucknum on her year as Mayor. He complimented her on her boldness on getting things down. He thanked former Mayor Ruesch for his past year as Mayor with his patience and kindness.
Kieran Franich, M.V.: Spoke on the Community Character Trait of the Month Perseverance. He gave examples of the trait perseverance.
Stacy Holmes, M.V.: Complained about the slurry sealing on his street with no handicap parking signs made available.
Michael Schlesinger, M.V.: Spoke on the banning of small gas-powered mowers and leaf blowers in Mission Viejo.
Jeff McBride, M.V.: Spoke out on dangerous conditions on intersection of Oso Parkway and Felipe. He asked that the traffic pattern be changed.
Tom Moore, M.V.: Gave a shout-out to the new Coastline Pizza. Asked why the county supervisors allowed the Orange County firefighting helicopter contract to lapse.
Cathy Palmer, M.V.: Spoke on Consent Calendar Item #17 request that we do as much as possible for the intersection of La Paz and Marguerite to be more pedestrian friendly.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Council Member Kelley , seconded by Council Member Ruesch, to approve the Consent Calendar outlined below.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Goodell
1. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the regular City Council Meeting of December 9, 2025, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated November 21, 2025, in the Amount of $1,270,145.60
Ratified the accompanying check register.
3. General Check Register Dated November 28, 2025, in the Amount of $827,955.30
Ratified the accompanying check register.
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4. General Check Register Dated December 5, 2025, in the Amount of $2,966,400.55
Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. General Check Register Dated December 12, 2025, in the Amount of $1,288,992.36
Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. Golf Check Register Dated November 21, 2025, in the Amount of $145,008.32
Ratified the accompanying check register.
7. Golf Check Register Dated November 28, 2025, in the Amount of $9,456.19
Ratified the accompanying check register.
8. Golf Check Register Dated December 5, 2025, in the Amount of $252,681.96
Ratified the accompanying check register.
9. Golf Check Register Dated December 12, 2025, in the Amount of $7,781.78
Ratified the accompanying check register..
10. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the City of Mission Viejo for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2025 and Related Reports
Received and filed.
11. Review and Approval of Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule Enforceable Obligations for the 26-27 A-B Annual Fiscal Period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
(1) Adopted Successor Agency Resolution 26 -01 Approving the Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule 26-27 A-B Enforceable Obligations for the Annual Fiscal Period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, Subject to Submittal to and Review by the Orange Countywide Oversight Board and by the Department of Fina nce Under the Division 24, Part 1.85 of the California Health and Safety Code, and Authorizing the Posting and Transmittal Thereof; and (2) further, the Director of Administrative Services, in consultation with legal counsel, shall be authorized to request and complete meet and confer session(s), if any, with the Department of Finance and authorized to make augmentations, modifications, additions or revisions as may be necessary or directed by the Department of Finance.
12. City Treasurer's Monthly Report for November 2025
Received and filed.
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13. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer's Monthly Report for November 2025
Received and filed.
14. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer's Monthly Report for November 2025
Received and filed.
15. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer's Monthly Report for November 2025
Received and filed.
16. Microsoft Windows Server Licensing
Approved the issuance of a purchase order to CDW Government (CDW -G) for Microsoft Windows Server Datacenter software licensing in the amount of $78,530.
17. Alicia Parkway at Olympiad Road Intersection Capacity Enhancement Project (CIP 26264)
Authorized issuance of a purchase order to ADVANTEC Consulting Engineers in an amount not to exceed $67,575 for design engineering services for the subject project.
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
18. City Council Committee and Regional Board/Committee Representative Appointments and Update Posting of FPPC Form 806 Online
(1) Mayor Bucknum appointed representatives and alternates to the following regional boards/committees and that the City Council vote on the appointments:
Motion made by Mayor Bucknum , seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Council Member Ruesch to the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Goodell
Motion made by Mayor Bucknum, seconded by Council Member Ruesch to appoint Council Member Kelley to the Transportation Corridor Agencies and Council Member Vasquez as alternate.
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On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Goodell
Motion made by Mayor Bucknum , seconded by Council Member Kelley to appoint Council Member Ruesch to the Orange County Vector Control Board.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: Goodell
(2) The Mayor appointed representatives and alternates to the following regional boards/committees:
(a) California Joint Power Insurance Authority~ Council Member Vasquez/ Director of Administrative Services Ellis Chang as alternate
(b) League of California Cities and Association of California Cities, Orange County ~ Mayor Bucknum/Mayor Pro Tem Goodell as alternate.
(c) Orange County Council of Governments General Assembly ~ Council Member Kelley/Council Member Ruesch as alternate.
(d) Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) General Assembly ~ Mayor Bucknum/ Council Member Kelley as alternate.
(e) Southern Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committee ~ Mayor Pro Tem Goodell/Council Member Vasquez as alternate.
(3) The Mayor appointed members to the existing City of Mission Viejo Committees:
(a) Standing Economic Development & Housing Committee ~ Mayor Pro Tem Goodell and Council Member Ruesch.
(b) Mission Viejo Sports and Events Tourism Committee Mayor Pro Tem Goodell and Council Member Ruesch
(c) Property Owner's Insurance Committee ~ terminated.
(d) City Attorney Services Committee Mayor Bucknum and Council Member Ruesch
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and (5) the City Clerk shall update the appointees list as required by law on Form 806 and post that form to the City's website.
19. Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Report
Received written report.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Lister gave updates on a few business and development projects. She pointed out that Wholesome Choice has been moving rather slowly, and that staff have had some public inquiry and the City is ready to issue the tenant Improvement Plans, however the owner must first obtain approvals from Orange County Health Department as well as Santa Margarita Water District. Staff reached out to the business owner today and the city is going to try to facilitate some assistance and will contact Orange County Health and the water district to see if we can speed things along for everyone’s benefit. Next, City Manager Lister touched on the Shops at Mission Viejo expansion project. The 50,000 square foot outdoor restaurant and retail ar e underway with the utility and building pad work. The shell buildings should be completed during summer 2026 and the businesses should be open before summer 2027, so there is a bit of delay between the shell s and the businesses occupancy. She stated that the Mission Hospital grading site and circulation is on schedule with construction to commence this spring. The entire project will be phased in over the next five to six years. She commented that the Costco gas station is underway, with construction starting early spring and should be open to the public summer 2026. Lucid Car Dealership will replace the former Infinity Dealership. The planning application has been approved, and they have submitted plans for tenant improvements, exterior site work, and they anticipate opening by fall of this year. Lastly, she announced that the city has a new medical office building, with construction plans submitted at the end of 2025 and they are currently under review.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No report given.
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 Kelley
Council Member Kelley thanked the Mission Viejo Activities Committee for all their work hosting and planning Santa’s arrival and Santa’s workshop. She also thanked city staff for the decorations and lights throughout the city. Council Member Kelley also tha nked the Marine Adoption Committee for planning the Marine Christmas gift drive and Christmas party. She attended a
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ribbon cutting ceremony at Your Floor Company and Joy Bird furniture store. Council Member Kelley announced that she attended the following events: Whoville Night Market, Mission Viejo Animal Services volunteer holiday party, a presentation on human traff icking. She gave a shout out to Monique Goetz for her work on the new marine baskets. Council Member Kelley highlighted the Potoki Center for the Arts and stated how much the program has grown with revenue surpassing the previous four fiscal years combined.
Council Member Ruesch
Council Member Ruesch commented that he had a great holiday with his daughter and family visiting from Spain. He addressed Mr. Moore’s public comments regarding the OCFA helicopter contract stating that this will be addressed this month by the board and to keep people at ease there is mutual aid always in place. He stated that he attended the 4 th annual Hanukah celebration
and had a great time with our Jewish community. Council Member Ruesch indicated that he is going to continue working on business development to continue to bring new business new life into our community. He announced that January 23 will be the first Jeronimo Tunnel Concert of the year. He reminded residents that this is a very popular event so plan to arrive early.
Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez attended the Jane Austen Holiday Ball and said it was very well attended and everyone had a great time. She also attended the Hanukah event. She highlighted her daughter’s girl scout outing at Ivy Park and holiday baking with her daughters. She stated she is excited the meeting is ending early so she can read The Secret Garden to her youngest daughter.
Mayor Bucknum
Mayor Bucknum started off recapping the holiday mixer with the League of California Cities, Orange County Business Council and Association of California Cities Orange County which was held at the Orange County Museum of Art. She attended the holiday caroling at the Potocki Center.
Council Member Bucknum also encouraged residents to attend the upcoming Jeronimo Tunnel Concert. She attended the Hanukah celebration and was very inspired by the Rabbi’s message. She also attended the Whoville event as well as having the privilege for her husband and herself to be Mr. and Mrs. Clause the last night of Santa’s Workshop. She gave a shout -out to Dirty Dog Pet Wash where she took her dog for a bath. Mayor Bucknum asked for a monthly update from the Police Chief and Fire Chief. She thanked the public commentors this evening and stated we will look into some of the concerns mentioned.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 7:29 pm, with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Bucknum adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.