City Council Minutes 1 February 10, 2026
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency,
Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
February 10, 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 5:00 p.m., on February 10, 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 February 5, 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 (arrived 5:10pm)
Mayor Bucknum
Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
Absent: None
Staff Present: Elaine Lister, City Manager
Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager
John R. Harper, Interim City Attorney
Ellis Chang, Director of Administrative Services
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
CS1. Conference with Real Property Negotiators: Property Los Osos, 25282 Marguerite Parkway: Agency Negotiators; Elaine Lister, City Manager, Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager, and John Harper, Interim City Attorney: Negotiating Party: Santa Margarita Water District General Manager: Under Negotiation: Price and Terms
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AND RECONVENE
At the hour of 5:01pm Mayor Bucknum recessed to Closed Session. At the hour of 6:01pm Mayor Bucknum reconvened the meeting with all five Council Members present.
City Council Minutes 2 February 10, 2026
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
Interim City Attorney Harper announced there was no reportable action on item CS1.
INVOCATION: Council Member Ruesch
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Recognize the 2025 Employees of the Year
Mayor Bucknum presented certificates of commendation to (1) Animal Control Officer Stephanie DeAlmeida, City of Mission Viejo Employee of the Year; (2) Fire Apparatus Engineer, and Paramedic Max Harter, Orange County Fire Authority Employee of the Year; and (3) Deputy Cameron Mosher, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Employee of the Year.
P2. Proclaim the Month of February 2026 To Be American Heart Month
Mayor Bucknum presented proclamation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michael Rotcher, M.V.: Stated former Mayor/Council Member Raths’ claim that he was yelled at during a protest is false. He called attempts to link Council Member Cynthia Vasquez to the group “revenge politics” and defended the group’s actions as peaceful, democratic expression.
Sophia Borazjani, M.V.: Spoke on the Community Character Trait of the Month Unity. She highlighted its importance and gave examples of the trait Unity.
Shirley Bates, M.V.: Shared photos of neighbor ’s behavior at 26531 Mimosa , (PODs, trash cans, and frequent trucks) claiming repeated violations for the past 2–3 years that impact nearby disabled neighbors and asked for the City’s help.
Peggy O’Neill, M.V.: Urged the Council to invit e the Orange County Registrar of Voters to hold a community presentatio n to explain election procedures, security, and checks and balances, and to answer questions to counter misinformation and restore public trust.
Jim Farris, M.V.: Provided a handout requesting the Council commission an independent operational and financial review of the City and raised concerns about rising crime, perceived police inaction, and code-enforcement issues.
Stacy Holmes, M.V.: Thanked staff for recent handicapped parking fixes and urged proactive accessibility improvements. He also accused the Council of sidelining a non -white member
City Council Minutes 3 February 10, 2026
drawing parallels to federal removals of Black officials and urged the Council to stop racist actions.
Steve Thornton, M.V.: A Wilderness Glen resident thanked the Council and staff for fuel-reduction work that protects homes and reduces wildfire risk. He urged continued pursuit of grants and praised the Crucero Park renovations.
Carolyn Gatto, M.V.: Disputed Greg Raths’ Jan uary 27, claim that protesters at La Paz and Marguerite harassed him, saying she did not hear any disparagement of his military service or anyone asking him to leave. She also condemned his personal and inappropriate attack on Council Member Cynthia Vasquez and urged speakers to refrain from airing personal grudges.
Tom Moore, M.V.: Provided a handout about the obelisk and urged the Council to continue clearing overgrown vegetation at the San Felipe “knuckle” to improve visibility and access to the Oso Creek corridor and the planned obelisk.
Barbara Casserly, M.V.: Stated residents are not being heard . She criticized the Council’s budget choices, the sidelining of Council Member Cynthia Vasquez, faulted their silence on a racist school board incident, objected to praise for a speaker who attacked Council Member Cynthia Vasquez and urged the Council to listen, be more responsive and respectful.
Len Pastick, M.V.: Praised the City Council’s work but argued Council Member Cynthia Vasquez was unfairly passed over for Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem despite strong public support and qualifications. He urged voters to choose inclusive Council Members in the 2026 election and encouraged Council Member Vasquez to run for re-election.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell , 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 January 27, 2026, as presented.
2. General Check Register dated January 16, 2026, in the amount of $1,371,117.47
Ratified the accompanying check register.
City Council Minutes 4 February 10, 2026
3. General Check Register Dated January 23, 2026, in the Amount of $1,298,402.13
Ratified the accompanying check register.
4. Golf Check Register Dated January 16, 2026, in the Amount of $200,702.09
Ratified the accompanying check register.
5. Golf Check Register Dated January 23, 2026, in the Amount of $20,021.96
Ratified the accompanying check register.
6. City Treasurer’s Monthly Report for December 2025
Received and filed.
7. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for December 2025
Received and filed.
8. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer’s Monthly Report for December 2025
Received and filed.
9. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer’s Monthly Report for December 2025
Received and filed.
10. Transmittal of Pre-PARE Trustee Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2025
Received and filed the accompanying Pre -PARE Trustee Report for the quarter ending December 31, 2025.
11. Memorandum of Understanding between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony
Approved Memorandum of Understanding between City of Mission Viejo and Pacific Symphony for FY 26/27 programs amounting to $116,000.
13. Revisions to City of Mission Viejo Personnel Policies
Adopt Resolution 26-03 Providing for the Revisions to Select Personnel Policies.
City Council Minutes 5 February 10, 2026
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
12. City of Mission Viejo Safe Routes to School Action Plan Project (CIP 26269)
Transportation Engineer Mario Gutierrez presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell, to award a contract to CR Associates (CRA) (A26-03) in an amount not to exceed $559,689.00 for transportation engineering services for the subject project.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NEW BUSINESS
14. 2026 Orange County Multisport Festival in Mission Viejo
Director of Public Works Rich Schlesinger presented the staff report.
Micheala Watson, Villa Park ; Christina Vaughan, Orange ; and Russ Jones, San Juan Capistrano: Spoke in favor of this event.
Motion made by Council Member Ruesch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell , to (1) approve the request submitted by Five Point Events to hold the 2026 Orange County Multisport Festival in Mission Viejo on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Council Member Ruesch, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell, to approve the request for City in-kind funding to Five Point Events matching contributions not to exceed $15,000 for the 2026 Orange County Multisport Festival as described in Exhibi t D and provide direction to City staff.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, and Ruesch
NOES: Vasquez
ABSENT: None
City Council Minutes 6 February 10, 2026
15. Mid-Year Budget Review for FY 2025/26
Director of Administrative Services Ellis Chang presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell, to adopt Resolution 26-04 Amending the FY 2025/26 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: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Council members provided input.
MAYOR’S, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE REPORTS AND ACTIONS
16. Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) Report
Received written report.
CITY MANAGER REPORTS
City Manager Lister reported that a previously delayed grant through Congresswoman Young Kim ’s Office was approved by Congress about a week ago and the city is awaiting contact from the awarding agency. She also provided a brief update o n the RFQ for legal services, stating staff received six responses which they are reviewing and will forward the selected firms to the ad hoc committee, and will schedule a Special Council meeting (date TBD) for final interviews and selection.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No report given.
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.
City Council Minutes 7 February 10, 2026
Council Member Kelley
Council Member Kelley congratulated the Employees of the Year and thanked them for their service.
She attended the successful grand reopening of Crucero Park and encouraged residents to visit. She also reminded the community of the upcoming Oso Fit event on Saturday, February 28, and recognized Community of Character Committee student Sophia Borazjani for her consistent participation in meetings and city events.
Council Member Ruesch
Council Member Ruesch announced he participated in an OC Focus interview and gave an OCFA update; stating the search for a new permanent fire chief is underway with TJ McGovern serving as interim; the equipment-replacement program keeps roughly 55 additional units available to avoid shortages; like those in the Palisades fire. He also shared the recent completion of Station 24, that Station 9 (near the mall) is prioritized for replacement in the next 3–4 years, and Station 31 will be evaluated for repairs and upgrades.
Council Member Vasquez
18. Community Education and Resources for Mission Viejo Residents, Workers & Visitors
Council Member Vasquez presented her report.
Michael Rotcher, M.V.; Laycee Barragato, M.V.; Cathy Palmer, M.V.; Annie Cwieka, M.V.; and Barbara Casserly, M.V.; Spoke in support of Council Member Vasquez’s recommended resource list.
Dale Tyler, M.V.: Urged the City not to provide resources that could help undocumented immigrants evade enforcement, called for support of law -abiding residents who feel fearful, and insisted the City uphold and enforce immigration laws.
Council members provided input.
Motion made by Council Member Vasquez, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell, to direct staff to compile a list of resources to help educate residents, workers, and visitors about recent immigration enforcement actions in Orange County , adding concrete “what not to do” guidance and preventative tips from law enforcement, language encouraging non-interference with law enforcement and adherence to the law, carefully vetting links (noting ICE.org as a comprehensive source) and recommended staff return with a propo sed vetted list and suggested wording at the February 24, 2026, Council meeting.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
City Council Minutes 8 February 10, 2026
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
Mayor Pro Tem stated he was glad to be back after several business trips that caused recent absences, including attending a film festival in Palermo where a documentary he was a part of about an event from 50 years ago received recognition. He noted he and his wife enjoyed the trip and concluded by saying he expects to be present and engaged in Council meetings for the next few months.
Mayor Bucknum
Mayor Bucknum thanked Commissioner Steve Thorton for the Crucero Park grand opening. Shared she did a promotional segment on American Dream TV about people moving to and staying in Mission Viejo. Stated she will share the Registrar of Voters presentation date, once scheduled. Mentioned she attended the Galentine’s Book Authors Club hosted by the library and reminded residents of the Oso Fit event on Saturday, February 28, and pickleball/tennis tournaments the first weekend in March at Felipe and Marguerite Tennis Recreation Centers. She concluded by asking staff to place an item on the next agenda to discuss plans for a committee’s proposal for an America’s 250th Birthday Parade.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 8:32 pm, with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Bucknum adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
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Renata Winter
Assistant City Clerk