CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 13, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 7:06 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Carol A Gamble, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr, Council Members L. Anthony Beall, Anne D. Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Beall.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney; Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Mihaela Kennedy, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL AND DOCUMENT SHREDDING - SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024, FROM 8:00 AM. TO 12:00 P.M., LOCATED AT APPLIED MEDICAL'S R100 BUILDING PARKING LOT
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Gamble asked staff to prepare a report on the youth services provided by the Boys and Girls Club for agendizing a presentation at a future City Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Council Members Beall, Figueroa and Holloway concurred with Mayor Gamble's request.
Council Member Figueroa announced that RSM Cares will be hosting a Food Pantry on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m. at Pavilions.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr welcomed Synergy Healthcare to the community, he noted that he and Council Member Figueroa attended a ribbon cutting for Synergy Healthcare last Saturday, March 9, 2024.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Mayor Gamble reported that the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) will be hosting their annual Open House on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. which will be held at OCFA's Regional Headquarters in Irvine. • 1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 13, 2024
Mayor Gamble announced she attended the OCFA meeting held on February 22, 2024. Mayor Gamble reported that the OCFA received 18,234 calls for 13,917 incidents in the service area for an average of 497 incidents a day, which is nearly a five percent increase year over year. Mayor Gamble noted that the OCFA dispatches an appropriate response in an average of 57 seconds, which is below a one minute and four second national average.
Mayor Gamble thanked her OCFA colleagues for their unanimous support of her motion to add an extra firefighter to the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's firefighting forces via a grant application for a "Safer Program". Mayor Gamble noted the additional staffing position will be at no cost to the City or OCFA as it is funded through the Safer Program Grant. Mayor Gamble noted that the balance of the meeting was spent in closed session.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Gamble and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr presented the following:
3.1 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION - STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM 1) RSM CHRISTIAN SCHOOL- PATTERSON BRAY AND ABIGAIL REULMAN
3.2 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION - NATIONAL JUNIOR BASKETBALL, 2ND GRADE
BOYS ALL-STAR TEAM, ORANGE COUNTY CHAMPIONS
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Gamble announced the following eComments received:
Chris McLaughlin, regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Shawn Gordon, regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Joslyn Petty, regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
David Austin, regarding the OCFA, Government oversight and litter.
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Ethan Murray, Representative with Senator Blakespear's Office, announced Senator Blakespear will be hosting two events in Orange County, a Fentanyl Town Hall meeting and a Woman's Surf Day event located at San Onofre on Sunday, April 7, 2024, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Michael Ebel, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared he looks forward to discussing the Boys and Girls Club on a future agenda.
Mayor Gamble asked City Manager Cervantez to clarify the occupancy of the Boys and Girls Club.
City Manager Cervantez shared that the Boys and Girls Club operates under a youth services contract for the City; and noted that the City entered into a contract services agreement after 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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conducting a request for proposals to provide youth services on behalf of the City. City Manager Cervantez noted that the Boys and Girls Club agreement expires on July 13, 2024.
Anastasia Surch, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, thanked the City Council for adding the Boys and Girls Club to a future agenda and asked the council to also include the museum for further discussion.
Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney, for purposes of clarification noted that the Boys and Girls Club contract is not a lease, they are not a tenant, and noted that this is not an eviction and there is no lease termination involved. City Attorney Simonian stated the City has procured the services through a competitive process and utilizes a contract services agreement, therefore words such as tenant, eviction, and lease, have no place in this discussion.
Tammy Woo\gar, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked that the City reconsider their decision because the Boys and Girls Club is much needed and wanted in the community.
City Manager Cervantez clarified with the City Council that staff would need time to put an agenda report together and cannot commit to the next Council meeting; noted that staff has a meeting scheduled with the Boys and Girls on March 20th and the next agenda packet is prepared shortly thereafter. City Manager Cervantez noted she does not want to create any false expectations; staff will prepare the agenda report as soon as possible.
Liz Labrador, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club and clarified information regarding the Boys and Girls Club contract; expressed her opposition to a museum.
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared she is glad the Boys and Girls Club will be placed on a agenda but feels it should not have taken this long since they provide a vital service for local families.
Shaina Saudaie-Jahromi, City .of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, noted she spoke to a representative with the Boys and Girls Club and provided clarifying facts from the previous City Council meeting.
Laura Lunn, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her support for the Boys and Girls Club and is moved to hear that an item will be placed on a future agenda.
Su Abhyankar, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, noted that if it is the Council's goal to align services and programs with the current demographics, many· residents have attended several meetings displaying that the Boys and Girls Club is essential for the City.
Bobby Cox, Dove Canyon resident, spoke regarding the Measure Z campaign.
Jerry Holloway clarified that the historical room decision was on an agenda, discussed and sent back to the City Manager for further review.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Beall to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.6).
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The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Beall, Figueroa, Holloway, Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr and Mayor Gamble (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
5.1 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.
5.2 APPROVAL OF CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
Approved the following Certificates of Recognition:
1) Student Recognition Program:
a) RSM Christian School - Patterson Bray and Abigail Reulman. 2) National Junior Basketball, 2nd Grade Boys All-Star Team, Orange County Champions.
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the February 28, 2024 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 26, 2024 AND MARCH 4, 2024
Approved the warrant registers totaling $370,052.55.
5.5 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 CITY HALL INTERIOR
PAINTING PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Fiscal Year 2023-24 City Hall Interior Painting Project; and
2) Authorized the City Clerk to file a Notice of Completion with the County of Orange Recorder's Office within fifteen (15) calendar days, as required by Section 9204 of the California Civil Code; and
3) Authorized the retention monies to be released thirty-five (35) days after the Date of RE)cordation of the Notice of Completion, if all Stop Notices have been resolved and all' potential claims are settled.
5.6 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.
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6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 GENERAL FUND BUDGET UPDATE
Mayor Gamble introduced Stefanie Turner, Finance Director, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Gamble opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Holloway thanked City staff for all their efforts towards Economic Development; inquired if there is an actual number that the city is losing due to the change in allocation regarding online sales tax to fulfilment centers; reminded residents regarding the importance of shopping in brick and mortars in the City because if an order is placed online then the sales tax goes back to the fulfillment centers.
Council Member Beall thanked staff for a thorough report, and looks forward to working on the upcoming budget.
Council Member Figueroa thanked staff for the report; inquired if Hinderliter, De Llamas and Associates consulting took into account various inflationary factors; asked staff to provide an overview of the different franchise fees categories; noted a large increase in interest income and inquired if different investment strategies were used because of the anticipated high interest rates.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked staff for a thorough report; noted the importance of sales tax to the city; shared regarding fulfillment centers and the effect they have on sales tax coming into the city.
City Manager Cervantez noted that the percentage of online sales tax that the city received is based on how much sales tax is produced in the city, if the City's sales tax that . is generated in Rancho Santa Margarita decreases then the City's percentage that is received in the County pool decreases; noted that this is the allocation formula throughout the entire state.
Mayor Gamble inquired regarding restricted revenues; clarified the salaries and benefits budget savings and unfilled positions within the law enforcement contract; inquired regarding the revenues, inquired regarding the shift in sales tax allocation; clarified if residents buy online and pick up their merchandise at the store then the City will receive the full sales tax; stated that the second largest revenue source in the City is sales tax.
City Manager Cervantez clarified that the next fiscal year budget should not have significant savings in either of the salaries and benefits category, or in the law enforcement contract.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve staff's recommendation:
1) Reviewed, received and filed report information and budget work papers presenting:
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a) Actual budgetary performance through December 31, 2023; and b) Projected amounts for full Fiscal Year 2023/24 General Fund operations. 2) Adopted Resolution No. 24-03-13-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023/24 FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA,
CALIFORNIA
3) Adopted Resolution No. 24-03-13-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE CARRYOVER OF HVAC UNIT UPGRADES FISCAL YEAR 2022-23 APPROPRIATION AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET TO
INCLUDE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURES FOR THE HVAC UNIT UPGRADES (FISCAL YEAR 2023-24)
4) Adopted Resolution No. 24-03-13-03 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-24 CITY HALL UNINTERRUPTIBLE POWER SUPPLY
REPLACEMENT PROJECT
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Beall, Figueroa, Holloway, Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr and Mayor Gamble (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Mark Talle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked the City Council to reinstate the Boys and Girls Club lease.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT
10.1 ENGINEERING & TRAFFIC SURVEY UPDATE FOR ANALYSIS OF SPEED LIMIT REDUCTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 43
Mayor Gamble introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
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City Manager Cervantez noted that every several years the City conducts an engineering and traffic survey to determine the speed limits. The surveys are required in order for the speed limits to be enforced. City Manager Cervantez noted that Assembly Bill (AB) 43 was passed by the State of California a few years back and it allowed cities under certain circumstances to reduce speed limits by five miles per hour, therefore requiring a new speed survey. The City has planned for conducting a new speed survey in the next Fiscal Year 2024/25, however, due to the financial picture that the City is presently in and now that the State of California has provided guidance on how to implement AB 43, staff is recommending advancing the speed surveys to begin this fiscal year. The City is in contract with the consultant, Urban Crossroads, and there are funds in the budget. Staff has issued a task order to perform the survey this fiscal year and city staff looks forward to bringing back the results of the speed survey so that the Council can implement AB 43.
The City Council received and filed.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Holloway thanked all the members of the OCSD and the OCFA for all they do.
Mayor Gamble was excited to announce that the city is once again first on the Help-a-Hero Program, and thanked everyone that came out to show support for the OCFA, OCSD and those important young men and woman that are part of the Special Olympics.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gamble adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
PREPARED BY:
Approved: March 27, 2024
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