City Council Minutes 1 June 9, 2026
MISSION VIEJO MINUTES
City Council, Community Development Financing Authority, Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency, Housing Authority, and Library Board of Trustees*
June 9, 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 June 9, 2026, 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 June 4, 2026, 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 Kelley
Council Member Ruesch
Council Member Vasquez
Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
Mayor Bucknum
Absent: None
Staff Present: Elaine Lister, City Manager
Jerry Hill, Assistant City Manager
Tarquin Preziosi, City Attorney
Ellis Chang, Director of Administrative Services
Kimberly Schmitt, City Clerk
Renata Winter, Assistant City Clerk
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 Bucknum recessed the meeting. At the hour of 6:00 Mayor Bucknum reconvened the meeting with all five Council Members present.
REPORT OF CLOSED SESSION
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City Attorney Preziosi announced that there was one properly agendized item on a litigation matter.
The Council was updated but no reportable actions occurred.
INVOCATION: Council Member Vasquez
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Mayor Bucknum
PRESENTATIONS
P1. Business Award - Shirt Cannery 50th Anniversary
Michael Rochter, M.V.: Gave kudos to the Shirt Cannery on their 50th anniversary and shared that the shirt he was wearing this evening he had them make when he retired from the postal service.
Presented proclamation to Julie Marshall owner of the Shirt Cannery.
P2. Recognize Mission Viejo AYSO Region 84
Presented proclamation to AYSO Assistant Regional Commissioner Gina Piquet
P3. Recognize Mission Viejo Girls Softball
Presented proclamation to Jesse Matlock President of Mission Viejo Girls Softball
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Faith Fersten, M.V.: Spoke on the fire and safety hazard on Via Santa Maria and asked if any progress has been made on this property.
Rhonda Reardon, M.V.: Spoke about the Spirit League event at Newhart Middle School and thanked Trish Kelley for encouraging her to attend.
Bryan Zahn, M.V.: Gave a shout -out to both AYSO and M.V. Girls Softball for their recognition this evening. He spoke about the ride -along he had with Orange County Sheriff’s. He emphasized how grateful he is for our sheriff’s department and how courteous the officers are.
City Attorney gave the following update on the Via Santa Maria property: He stated in the next several days, notice will go out which is a prerequisite to filing a nuisance abatement action and if that nuisance is not remediated, it will be quickly followe d by a nuisance abatement hearing at which point the city will have the opportunity to deem it a nuisance and all of this is a prerequisite should the city ever need to institute a nuisance abatement action in court.
CONSENT CALENDAR
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Motion made by Council Member Ruesch, 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. City Council Minutes
Approved the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of May 26, 2026, as presented.
2. General Check Register Dated May 15 & 22, 2026
Ratified the accompanying check registers.
3. Golf Check Register Dated May 15 & 22, 2026
Ratified the accompanying check registers.
4. Fiscal Year (FY) 2026/27 Investment Policies
(1) Adopted Resolution 26- 27 Approving the City's Investment Policy for FY 2026/27; (2) adopt Housing Authority Resolution 26-04 Approving the Mission Viejo Housing Authority Investment Policy for FY 2026/27; and (3) adopt Community Development Financing Authority CDFA Resolution 26-02 approving the CDFA Investment Policy for FY 2026/27.
5. Revisions to City of Mission Viejo Personnel Policies
Adopted Resolution 26-28 Providing for the Revisions to Select Personnel Policies.
6. City Treasurer's Monthly Report for April 2026
Received and filed.
7. Mission Viejo Community Development Financing Authority (MVCDFA) Treasurer's Monthly Report for April 2026
Received and filed.
8. Successor Agency of the Community Development Agency Treasurer's Monthly Report for April 2026
Received and filed.
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9. Mission Viejo Housing Authority (MVHA) Treasurer's Monthly Report for April 2026
Received and filed.
10. Trabuco Wetlands Habitat Rehabilitation (CIP 26273)
Authorized the City Manager to approve the First Amendment to the contract with ALL4 LLC (A26-20A) increasing the contract to a not-to-exceed amount of $309,300.
11. Design Services for the La Paz Road Pavement Resurfacing Project (CIP 837)
Issued a Purchase Order for design services for the resurfacing of portions of La Paz Road to Joseph C. Truxaw & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $72,120.
12. Design Services for the Marguerite Parkway Pavement Resurfacing Project (CIP 837)
Issued a Purchase Order for design services for the resurfacing of portions of Marguerite Parkway to Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $109,853.
13. Design Services for the Oso Parkway Pavement Resurfacing Project (CIP 837)
Issued a Purchase Order for design services for the resurfacing of portions of Oso Parkway to Psomas in an amount not to exceed $98,340.
14. Olympiad Road-Felipe Road Corridor Traffic Signal Synchronization Project (CIP 24258)
Issued a purchase order to ADVANTEC Consulting Engineers in an amount not to exceed $75,100 for design engineering services for Phase II (Operations & Maintenance) of CIP 24258.
PUBLIC HEARING
15. Civic Center Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (CIP 22249)
Public Services Operations Manager Corey Gonyea presented the staff report.
Mayor Bucknum opened the Public Hearing at 6:44 pm
Michael Rochter, M.V.: Stated he was glad to see the City moving forward with charging stations and encouraged the Council to implement more stations at other city facilities.
Mayor Bucknum closed the Public Hearing at 6:45 pm
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Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Council Member Ruesch to (1) adopt Resolution 26- 29 Establishing New User Fees for Public EV Charging Stations; and (2) award a 5-year subscription agreement with ChargePoint, Inc.(A26-21) for the management and maintenance warranty of the Civic Center Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations.
City Attorney stated clarification for the record that Exhibit A, there is a second page of exhibit a in the resolution which states the fee schedule, that is not the correct fee schedule. the correct fee schedule is attached to the resolution itself. Exhibit A to the report is the picture diagram, the photograph, the second page states the fee schedule, that was the older version of the fee schedule. The correct version is attached to the resolution as the fee schedule.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, and Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
NEW BUSINESS
16. Calling for a General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026, to Elect Five Members to the City Council for Districts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
City Clerk Kimberly Schmitt presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Ruesch, seconded by Council Member Kelley, to (1) adopt Resolution 26-30 Calling for the Holding of a General Municipal Election to be Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the Election of Certain Officers as Required by the Provisions of the Laws of the State of California Relating to General Law Cities; (2) adopt Resolution 26- 31
Requesting the Board of Supervisors of the County of Orange to Consolidate a General Municipal Election to be Held on November 3, 2026, with the Statewide General Election to be Held on the Same Date pursuant to § 10403 of the Elections Code; (3) adopt Resolution 26-32 Adopting Regulations for Candidates for Elective Officer Pertaining to Candidate Statements Submitted to the Voters at an Election to be Held on November 3, 2026; and (4) direct the City Clerk to schedule the adoption of the resolution citing the election
results and administration of the oath to the newly elected Council Members on December 8, 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.
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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17. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Law Enforcement Agreement and Additional Special Enforcement Services Provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department
Emergency Operations Manager Paul Catsimanes presented the staff report.
Motion made by Council Member Kelley, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Goodell to (1) approve the FY 2026-2027 Law Enforcement Services Agreement with the County of Orange (A26-22) for an amount not to exceed $25,550,539; and (2) approve funding in FY 2026- 27 in the amount not to exceed $35,000 for overtime related to special enforcement services.
On roll call, said motion carried by the following vote:
AYES: Bucknum, Goodell, Kelley, Ruesch, Vasquez
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS
No report given.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND ACTIONS
18. 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 reported attendance at several recent community events, including the OCCOG Annual Conference and the Capistrano Valley High School stadium grand opening on May 27; the OCFA Best and Bravest Awards on May 29; and the Spirit League Shoot-A-Thon on May 30. She also highlighted the tri-city Senior Games opening ceremony on June 5, noting that Mission Viejo hosted the tennis and pickleball tournaments. Finally, she noted attendance at the Capistrano Valley Interact Club event and the June 11 Barbadanes Park neighborhood renovation meeting.
Council Member Ruesch
Council Member Ruesch reported he also attended the OCCOG Annual Conference, noting future regional implications for piloted and autonomous air taxi technologies. He also represented Mission Viejo at the Chinese American Elected Officials Installation in Monterey Park on June 5 to support regional business development. Additionally, he met with Simon Property Group representatives to discuss economic preservation at the mall and potential collaboration on the upcoming Fire Station 9 rebuild. Finally, Council Member Ruesch withdrew his request regarding recreation memberships for past council members due to legal complexities.
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Council Member Vasquez
Council Member Vasquez reported on her attendance at several recent community events. She attended the Capistrano Valley High School stadium grand opening and ribbon- cutting ceremony, noting that the new facility will serve as a wonderful venue for future graduating classes. She also attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) 18th Annual Best and Bravest Awards, where local Fire Station 31 was recognized. Council Member Vasquez additionally participated in the Spirit League Shoot-a-Thon, meeting with organizers and making a personal donation, and attended the La Paz Creek Golf Classic community event. She attended the Capistrano Valley Interact Club event held in Mission Viejo, commending the impressive leadership of graduating seniors who rebuilt the program. Finally, she attended the Barbadanes neighborhood meeting to discuss upcoming park renovations, expressing excitement for the heavily utilized area's new playground facilities.
Mayor Pro Tem Goodell
Mayor Pro Tem Goodell reported that he was out of town the past two weeks celebrating his 42nd wedding anniversary in Hawaii. It was a wonderful trip. He announced that he is incredibly excited about a potential breakthrough at the next County Board of Supervisors meeting. Our Community Services Commissioner, Saga Conroy, let him know that the supervisors have discretionary funds available for community projects, especially for the LA28 Olympics. We put together a package, and I am happy to report that Supervisor Wagner has approved a $100,000 grant for our city. This funding will help us bring Olympic teams here to use our facilities as a training base. The grant approval will need to pass the full Board at their next meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Goodell recently had a great one - on-one meeting with Supervisor Wagner , and he is highly supportive, so we feel very confident. He gave a huge thank you to Saga Conroy for bringing this to our attention, Mark Nix for ghostwriting a terrific proposal letter, and Supervisor Wagner for his partnership. We look forward to the Board's final decision."
Mayor Bucknum
Mayor Bucknum attended the Orange County Council of Governments (OCCOG) Annual Conference and introduced a panel discussion regarding innovative transportation ideas ahead of the LA28 Olympics. She attended the grand opening of the new stadium. Commended Council Member Trish Kelley and Judy Bullockus for their leadership in ensuring proper Mello- Roos funding was directed to complete the project. Mayor Bucknum attended closing ceremonies for the South Mission Viejo Little League. She attended the Capital Int eract Banquet, highlighting local Rotary Club support for youth leadership at Mission Viejo and Trabuco Hills High Schools. She also attended the neighborhood informational gathering at Barbadanes Park to clarify that project plans are moving forward and correct rumors regarding alleged budget cuts. Mayor Bucknum highlighter upcoming City events: Concert on the Green this Friday at 6:00 p.m. at the Norman P. Murray Community Center , Night Market is scheduled for June 20, Flag Day activities scheduled for Sunday and noted the city's red, white, and blue decorations ahead of national celebrations. She announced the America 250 Parade & BBQ Music Fest scheduled for Saturday, July 11 and that staff is working with local businesses to manage traffic ingress and egress during temporary road closures along Marguerite and La Paz. Lastly, she announced that she
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will be attending the Chamber of Commerce Annual Lunch to deliver a "Mini State of the City" address this Friday.
ADJOURNMENT
At the hour of 7:36 pm, with no further business to come before the City Council at this session, Mayor Bucknum adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
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Kimberly Schmitt
City Clerk