CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 12, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 7:18 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Anne D.
Figueroa, Mayor Pro Tempore Jerry Holloway, Council Members Carol A Gamble, Bradley J. McGirr (4).
Absent: Council Member L. Anthony Beall (1). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Gamble.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Greg Simonian, City Attorney; Brendan Dugan, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Mihaela Kennedy, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS- None.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Mayor Figueroa introduced Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, who announced the following:
2.1 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022 - CITY HALL CLOSED
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual provided an eComment to the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Shawn Gordon, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, suggested the City video broadcast the City Council meetings, like neighboring cities, so that presentations may be viewed.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Gamble to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 4.1 through 4.8).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (4) NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member Beall (1)
4.1 WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA Waived reading in full of all ordinances on the agenda and declared that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
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4.2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the December 8, 2021 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
4.3 CALENDAR YEAR 2022 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Approved the proposed Calendar Year 2022 City Council Meeting Schedule.
4.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 6, 2021 THROUGH JANUARY 3, 2022
Approved the warrant registers totaling $1, 794,840.52.
4.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2021
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of November 2021.
4.6 AWARD OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 ANNUAL CONCRETE REPAIR AND PLANO TRABUCO CATCH BASIN AND SIDEWALK REPAIR PROJECT TO CT&T CONCRETE PAVING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,275
1) Approved the plans and specifications for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Annual Concrete Repair and Plano Trabuco Catch Basin and Sidewalk Repair Project; and 2) Found that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; and 3) Awarded a Public Works Construction Contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder CT&T Concrete Paving, Inc. of Diamond Bar, California, in the amount of $79,275 and reject all other bids; and
4) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Public Works Construction Contract.
4.7 AWARD OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT CURB RAMP INSTALLATION
PROJECT - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT TO KORMEX
CONSTRUCTION, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $130,000
1) Approved the plans and specifications for the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Installation Project - Community Development Block Grant; and
2) Found that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 1, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; and 3) Awarded a Public Works Construction Contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder Kormex Construction, Inc. of Ontario, California, in the amount of $130,000 and reject all other bids; and
4) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Public Works Construction Contract. 2 c
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4.8 CITY REPRESENTATIVE REPORT FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY MOSQUITO AND
VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT
Received and filed the report submitted by the City Council's appointed representative to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR- None.
5. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
6. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 DESIGN REVIEW FOR THE ANTONIO PARKWAY GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
Mayor Figueroa introduced Brendan Dugan, Public Works Director/City Engineer, who invited Barry Cowan, Civil Engineer, and Michael Salazar, Landscape Architecture Lead, with Rick Engineering, both of whom presented the conceptual design alternatives for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements project.
Mayor Figueroa opened the item to City Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway inquired regarding the proposed fence options at the monument; asked regarding the final placement of the monument in relation to the light pole; and clarified the type of stone being proposed.
Council Member McGirr inquired regarding the anticipated costs associated with the different plant palettes. Council Member McGirr suggested drought tolerant plants; noted he prefers the monument placement to be off to the side; and inquired regarding the tree behind the monument, whether it will be a mature tree or new tree.
Council Member Gamble noted that page 5 of the report shows a triangular shaped pyramid cap on the wall and shared that all of the City pilasters have domed tops; she also wants to make sure that the designer captures the color of the tops along the fence and monument sign. Council Member Gamble expressed her concerns regarding the orientation of the monument sign in relation to the light pole and how the light is going to cast in context with the sign and the distance between the two light poles. Council Member Gamble would like to see some real life pictures of the hill with the placement of the monument sign; would also like the Conceptual Design picture placed exactly where it will be mounted; and would also like to see a real life canopy size tree in relation to the monument sign. Council Member Gamble discussed the lighting and would like to make sure there are no shadows on the letters on the monument sign; and noted she would like to make sure the exact same font, tile, and pilasters are used; she asked the designer to include an alternate in the specifications for a trex product for a wood grain finish; and in regards to the plants, she loves purple fountain grass but noted it grows very large and needs to be replaced within 5 years. Council Member Gamble noted she is ok with the pilasters and likes the idea of up lighting the planting behind the monument wall.
Mayor Figueroa inquired regarding the monument size comparison between the Alicia T monument and the Antonio Parkway Gateway monument. Mayor Figueroa expressed her concern regarding the wood fencing. Mayor Figueroa suggested a stamped concrete 3 ~-----------------------------.1
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fencing similar to the fencing located at the Outlets in San Clemente. Mayor Figueroa r asked for samples and cost comparisons for a stamped concrete fencing. Mayor Figueroa likes the idea of pilasters and lighting them; and noted she prefers drought tolerant plants around the monument sign.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway had additional questions regarding the placement of the monument sign and the light poles. Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway expressed his concerns with the substantial amount of dirt that will need to be excavated for the placement of the sign. Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway suggested not placing any agave at the monument sign. Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway asked the consultant to provide his thoughts on the placement of the sign.
Council Member Gamble suggested having a couple of vignettes in the design development process that are real and to scale.
Council Member Gamble moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the following staff recommendations:
1) Reviewed the conceptual design for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements Project and provided direction as necessary, and
2) Authorized Glenn A. Rick Engineering and Development Co. to proceed with final design based on the City Council's direction; and
3) Provided other input and policy direction as appropriate.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member Beall (1)
7.2 APPOINTMENTS TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC
SERVICE GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Mayor Figueroa introduced Amy Diaz, City Clerk, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Figueroa opened the item to City Council questions of staff.
Council Member McGirr shared that resident Dick Aced is an outstanding member of the community and encouraged his colleagues to appoint Mr. Aced to the committee.
Council Member Gamble thanked everyone for their service to the committee.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the following staff recommendation:
1) Reappointed the eligible incumbent five (5) resident committee members to the Community Development Block Grant Public Service Grant (CDBG) Committee for a new two-year term, effective January 2022 and expiring December 2023, as follows:
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Resident Members:
1. Christine Belmonte
2. Wendy Braun
3. April Josephson
4. Rhonda Larson
5. Richard (Dick) Oakley
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member Beall (1)
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway to approve the following staff recommendation:
2) Appointed two (2) new resident committee members to the CDBG Committee for a new two-year term, effective January 2022 and expiring December 2023, as follows:
Resident Members:
1. James R. Aced
2. Ashley Regan
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (4)
None (0)
None (0)
Council Member Beall (1)
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
9.1 ORGANICS RECYCLING (SENATE BILL 1383) IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE Mayor Figueroa introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided an update on the implementation of organics recycling in the City.
10. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
10.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Council Member Gamble reported the Orange County Fire Authority special meeting was held on December 16, 2021. Council Member Gamble reported the purpose of the meeting was to continue the ability to have telephonic meetings. 5 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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10.2 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT/COMMENT
Council Member McGirr commended Wendi Redington, Community Services Supervisor, and her staff on a successful New Year's Eve event.
Council Member McGirr reported that Joe Forbath, a member of the City Attorney's Office, passed away in December 2021. Council Member McGirr shared that Joe guided the City through some real rough seas in the past number of years handling many litigation matters. Council Member McGirr shared that Joe was a fine person, always had a smile on his face, and was a real kind and generous soul.
Council Member Gamble noted that Joe was part of the Woodruff, Spradlin and Smart team that assisted Greg Simonian and represented the City very capably on matters of construction and construction defect. Council Member Gamble shared that Joe had a gift; he took extremely complex and technical construction matters and made them understandable so that the City Council could make decisions. Council Member Gamble shared Joe was far too nice to be an attorney but was a highly effective counsel. Council Member Gamble shared he will surely be missed by the firm but also missed by our City team. Council Member Gamble wished his family the best.
Greg Simonian, City Attorney, thanked the City Council for their remarks related to Joe Forbath. City Attorney Simonian noted he will be conveying their remarks to Joe's family and expressed Joe will be missed.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Figueroa adjourned the meeting in honor of Joe Forbath at 8:28 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, January , 2, at 7:00p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Ra ho Sa a Marg rita, California.
PREPARED BY:
Approved: January 26, 2022
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