CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 22, 2023
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Jerry Holloway, Mayor Pro Tempore Carol A. Gamble, Council Members L. Anthony Beall and Anne D. Figueroa (4).
Absent: Council Member Bradley J. McGirr (1). The Salute to the Flag was led by Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School ASB.
Staff Present: Gregory Simonian, City Attorney; Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Brendan Dugan, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Mihaela Kennedy, Captain; Madeline Balsz, Deputy City Clerk.
1. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Holloway invited Seth Teigen, Chief Executive with Providence Mission Hospital, forward to present the following:
1.1 PRESENTATION- PROVIDENCE MISSION HOSPITAL UPDATE BY SETH TEIGEN,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Mayor Holloway invited Josh Bastian, President of the RSM Chamber of Commerce, forward to present the following:
1.2 RSM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS AND REPORT Mayor Holloway and Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble presented the following:
1.3 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION- STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM 1) RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL- SOPHIE DIBBLE AND
DYLAN GROSSGOLD
2) SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - MIA THOMAS AND DIEGO DILAO
2. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS - None.
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Brooke McLain, Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School student and ASB President, introduced ASB members in attendance and thanked the Council for the opportunity to be a part of the meeting.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 22, 2023
Sariah Hamadani, Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School student and ASB member, thanked the Council for their many achievements including making Rancho Santa Margarita one of the safest cities in California.
David Roche Jr., Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School student, thanked the City Council for allowing religious representation throughout the City.
Rhonda Reardon introduced Kara Havercamp, Rancho Santa Margarita Christian School teacher who is in charge of the student leadership team. Ms. Reardon thanked Laura Lopez, PIC/Assistant to the City Manager, for giving the ASB students a tour of the council chambers the day before.
LaVal Brewer, President and CEO of South County Outreach, shared how South County Outreach has helped residents in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Janice Copple, President of Saddleback Valley Republican Women's Federation, thanked the Council for the great job they do managing the City; and advised that Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, will be speaking at the Saddleback Valley Republican Women's Federation club meeting on April 27, 2023, at the Hills Hotel.
The following individuals submitted eComments to the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Nina Mehrnouche, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her concern for the recent break ins at loca,l restaurants.
Anastasia Surch, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her concern for the recent break ins at local businesses and mailboxes.
Beth Heard, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her concern and had several questions regarding the upcoming changes to the Accessory Dwelling Units and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units ordinance.
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 4.1 through 4.6).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
A YES: Council Members Beall, Figueroa, Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble, Mayor Holloway (4) NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member McGirr (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 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
Approved the following Certificates of Recognition:
1) Student Recognition Program:
a) Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School - Sophie Dibble and Dylan Grossgold
b) Santa Margarita Catholic High School- Mia Thomas and Diego Dilao
4.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the March 8, 2023 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
4.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED MARCH 6, 2023 AND MARCH 13, 2023
Approved the warrant registers totaling $1,740,889.13.
4.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2023
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of February 2023.
4.6 GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORTING FOR 2022
Received and filed the General Plan Annual Progress Reporting for 2022.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR- None.
5. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
5.1 ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT 23-001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE
RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE AND CLARIFY
REGULATIONS RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW
.. Mayor Holloway introduced Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Holloway opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Beall requested confirmation that the action to be taken by the City Council is being compelled by State of California mandates; asked staff to share if the City had any opportunity to forbid such action. Council Member Beall inquired if the Council did not take an action it would not prohibit anyone the ability to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU's).
Gregory Simonian, City Attorney, re-iterated that this is a state mandate handed down by Governor Newsom and State HCD, it is applicable to all cities throughout the state; failure to comply will subject cities to significant penalties including court actions and removal of land use authority. City Attorney Simonian advised it is applicable to all Homeowner's Associations through their CC&Rs.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 22, 2023
Council Member Beall inquired what ability, if any, the City has to address the possible parking problems associated with additional housing units; and the possibility of filing 1""··-~ some type of legal action against the State.
Council Member Figueroa inquired how many ADUs have been built in the City.
Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble expressed her opposition of the State's mandate disenfranchising cities and the ability to maintain their plans.
Mayor Holloway opened the public hearing to receive testimony, seeing no one present to address the City Council; Mayor Holloway closed the public hearing.
Mayor Holloway opened the item to Council discussion and deliberation.
Council Member Beall moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve the following staff recommendation:
Introduced for first reading, read by title only, and waived further reading of Ordinance No. 23-01 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOTING ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT CA 23-001 AMENDING AND RESTATING SECTION 9.04.190 (ACCESSORY
DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS) OF
CHAPTER 9.04 (REGULATIONS FOR SPECIAL USES AND STRUCTURES) IN
ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, INCLUDING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15060(C)(2) AND (C)(3) AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17
Motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Beall, Figueroa, Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble, Mayor Holloway (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member McGirr (1)
6. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS- None.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS- None.
9. CITY MANAGER REPORT
9.1 PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE AND BUSINESS WATCH CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS Mayor Holloway introduced Mihaela Kennedy, Captain with the Orange County Sheriff's II Department (OCSD), who provided a brief update. ·-·
Mayor Holloway opened the item to Council questions of staff. 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 22, 2023
Council Member Figueroa thanked Captain Kennedy for the OCSD's quick response and thanked City staff for addressing business' needs. Council Member Figueroa inquired regarding the early release of criminals and its effect on crime.
Council Member Beall thanked Captain Kennedy for the presentation. Council Member Beall reminded citizens that Rancho Santa Margarita is not immune from crime and asked business owners to take steps to protect their business. Council Member Beall thanked the OCSD for all that they do.
Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble thanked Captain Kennedy for the presentation. Mayor Pro Tempore Gamble inquired what types of crimes of opportunities are seen in the business community to educate the businesses to avoid or prevent them Mayor Holloway commented on the OCSD's response time. Mayor Holloway inquired how many commercial businesses there are in the City. Mayor Holloway advised that he is satisfied that the OCSD is doing everything they can to address the problem.
The City Council received and filed report.
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) FOOTHILL EASTERN/TRANSPORTATION CORRIDOR AGENCIES
Council Member Beall reported he attended the Foothill Eastern/Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) meeting held on March 9, 2023. Council Member Beall reported the TCA approved a contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to provide additional enforcement on the Toll Road geared towards public safety.
10.2 COUNCIL MEMBER REPORT/COMMENT- None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Holloway adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m. , to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 7:00p.m., · the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Approved: April 12, 2023
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