CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 28, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Anne D.
Figueroa, Mayor Pro Tempore Jerry Holloway, Council Members L. Anthony Beall, Carol A. Gamble, Bradley J. McGirr (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member McGirr.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Greg Simonian, City Attorney; Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Mihaela Kennedy, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Figueroa and Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway presented the following:
1.1 PROCLAMATION - ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY "FIRE PREVENTION WEEK", OCTOBER 9-15, 2022
Agenda Item No. 1.2 was heard after Agenda Item No. 3. Public Comments, due to participant arriving later in the meeting.
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
2.1 ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL AND DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2022, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M., LOCATED AT APPLIED MEDICAL'S R100 BUILDING PARKING LOT
2.2 RSM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE "RANCHO FAMILY FEST"- SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2022, FROM NOON TO 10:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2022, FROM NOON TO 8:00P.M., LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
2.3 FALL FAMILY FEST/HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION- MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2022, FROM 2:00 TO 5:00P.M., LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual submitted an eComment to the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris Mclaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, questioned why Rancho Family Fest charges for admission to the event and does not believe the event should cordon off public space for a paid private event.
1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris Mclaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding Rancho Family Fest and expressed his concern regarding an admission fee to the event and spoke regarding previous events.
Debbie Griffiths, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, encouraged the City Council to issue a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month for October 2022.
Kristy De Leon, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her concern regarding contract negotiations for first responders and firefighters.
Council Member Gamble addressed speaker De Leon's public comment.
Mayor Figueroa and Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway presented the following:
1.2 PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK", SEPTEMBER 4-10, 2022
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Gamble moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 4.1 through 4. 7).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Beall, Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
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.
4.2 APPROVAL OF PROCLAMATIONS
Approved the following proclamations:
1) Orange County Fire Authority "Fire Prevention Week", October 9-15, 2022; and 2) "National Suicide Prevention Week", September 4-10, 2022.
4.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the September 14, 2022 City Council Regular meeting minutes. 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022
4.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 AND SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
Approved the warrant registers totaling $1 ,286,632.28.
4.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2022
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of August 2022.
4.6 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE CONSULTING SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH MERCY HOUSE LIVING CENTERS TO PROVIDE HOMELESS
OUTREACH SERVICES
1) Approved proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Consulting Services Agreement with Mercy House Living Centers for Homeless Outreach Services, which a) increases the number of hours to 20 per week, and b) increases the total maximum not-to-exceed compensation amount, from $12,936 to $32,142 for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, in order to provide increased homeless liaison services; and, 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Amendment No. 1 to the Consulting Services Agreement with Mercy House Living Centers, Inc.
4.7 FISCAL YEAR 2021/2022 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND
EVALUATION REPORT FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
Authorized staff to submit the Fiscal Year 2021/2022 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, including public comments, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR- None.
5. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS- None.
6. CONTINUED ITEMS
6.1 DESIGN REVIEW FOR THE ANTONIO PARKWAY GATEWAY IMPROVEMENTS
PROJECT
Mayor Figueroa introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided a brief overview of the staff report. City Manager Cervantez noted that the costs estimates for each of the designs includes an option to construct the parkway and an option to only proceed with the monument and median portions. City Manager Cervantez noted that a significant portion of the costs for all design options is the pavement on Antonio Parkway and it is particularly notable because regardless of any project to construct any of the aesthetic improvements, Antonio Parkway is scheduled to be repaved which accounts for the costs in Fiscal Year 2024/25. City Manager Cervantez believes it is about $1.3 million dollars of the total costs noted in the agenda packet that would be expended in any event in the near future for re-pavement of Antonio Parkway.
3 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 City Manager Cervantez invited Patricia Trauth, Principal Landscape Architect, with Glenn A. Rick Engineering and Development Co., who presented the conceptual designs for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements project.
Mayor Figueroa opened the item to City Council questions of staff.
Council Member Beall noted likes both Concept Entry Monuments A and B but prefers A; agreed to removing the pilasters from the median as a cost saving measure since they may not be visible; believes the initial investment of the woodcrete would be worth the investment for the parkway; and expressed his desire for the project to move forward.
Council Member McGirr noted he prefers Concept Entry Monument B, although he likes both A and B; suggested the median be completed sooner rather than later; agreed to removing the pilasters from the median; prefers the woodcrete for the parkway; and noted he is in favor of moving along with the project.
Council Member Gamble inquired where the monument sign would be located in relation to the Southern California Edison light pole; would like clarification if the light pole would cast a shadow on the monument sign based on its location. Council Member Gamble suggested lifting the three specimen trees that are located behind the monument sign; noted she is not in favor of Concept Entry Monument C; asked Ms. Trauth to look into the lighting of the monument letters; noticed that the cost estimate does not include soil preparation and soil amendment; would like color differentiation of the landscaping, suggested bougainvillea and a different color other than the purple. Council Member Gamble inquired what is the phasing and timing of the project in relation to the costs that are spread out multiple fiscal years. Council Member Gamble inquired regarding Concept Entry Monument A and its orientation in relation to curvature of the street.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway inquired of the location of the monument sign; inquired what the plan is for lighting the mor]ument sign; asked about the funding for the project.
Stefanie Turner, Finance Director, provided a brief overview of the funding for the project.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway noted the parkway improvement is last on his list but would like to look at the funding for the project; suggested using drought tolerant plants and inquired what kind of infrastructure will be utilized to water the plants; suggested holding off on the pilasters for the median; and prefers Concept Entry Monument A.
Mayor Figueroa inquired if there are plans to include additional electrical at the monument sign to add holiday decorations; and inquired where the fencing would begin and end; agrees with removing the pilasters from the median; and prefers Concept Entry Monument A.
Council Member Gamble noted that this project has been contemplated for several years and the funds that will be used do not come from the General fund, but are funds the City has amassed and saved for the project from the reserves fund. Council Member Gamble asked Finance Director Turner to share the amount of reserves that the City has amassed in relation to the annual City budget, depicting the savings that we have in the city.
Council Member Gamble would like to see a proposed value engineer from a design stand point concept for costs saving measures; to possibly increase the size of the blank 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 space on the sign, take the stone down 2 or 3 layers, maybe have stucco at the base of the front wall; and remove stone on the back of the monument sign.
The City Council reviewed the design concepts for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements Project and provided direction as necessary; authorized Glenn A. Rick Engineering and Development Co. to proceed with final design based on the City Council's direction and provided other input and policy direction.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 REALLOCATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-CORONAVIRUS
PROGRAM FUNDS
Mayor Figueroa introduced Cheryl Kula, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, who invited Mike Linares, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consultant, to provide a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Figueroa opened the item to City Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway inquired if it is uncommon for Families Forward to return CDBG-CV funds; inquired how the reallocation of CDBG-CV funds were determined and who determined the reallocation amounts. Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway commended the process staff took to reallocate the funds.
City Manager Cervantez elaborated on the process staff took to reallocate the CDBG-CV funds.
Mayor Figueroa commended CDBG Consultant Linares on his work on the reallocation of CDBG-CV funds.
Council Member Gamble moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the following staff recommendations:
Approved the proposed reallocation of Community Development Block Grant-Coronavirus funds as recommended by staff.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Beall, Gamble, McGirr, Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway, Mayor Figueroa (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Judy Bullockus, Trustee on the Capistrano Unified School District, announced she is up for reelection and asked for their vote to continue to serve on the school board. 5 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Cervantez reported that late last week the City received notification that the Housing Element was certified by the Department of Housing and Community Development, making us the 61
h in Orange County to receive such certification.
10. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
10.1 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received Oral Reports on the following City Council Committee Assignments:
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCIES
Council Member Beall reported he attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) meeting held on September 8, 2022. Council Member Beall reported the TCA received their annual customer service report with an overall customer satisfaction rating of 4.5 out of 5.
2) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Council Member Gamble reported she was unable to attend the Orange County Fire Authority meeting due to an important family celebration.
10.2 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT/COMMENT
Council Member McGirr shared regarding homelessness in relation to Agenda Item Nos.
4.6 and 7. 1. Council Member McGirr spoke regarding the Martin v. Boise Supreme Court Case and explained why the City cannot do more than what it is already doing regarding the homeless population.
Mayor Pro Tempore Holloway commented that the speed trailers are effective.
Mayor Figueroa noted she had the pleasure of presenting a Certificate to Daniel Madrid for donating food to the RSM Cares Food Pantry. Mayor Figueroa reminded everyone about the upcoming Rancho Family Fest.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Figueroa adjourned the meeting at 8:39 p.m., to the next regularly sche Council to be held on Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., in the Ci Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Califor i\ PREPARED BY:
6 ul d meeting of the City
Co neil Chambers, City