CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
May 15, 2024
The meeting was called to order at 4:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Carol A Gamble, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr and Council Member Anne D. Figueroa (3).
Absent: Council Members L. Anthony Beall and Jerry Holloway (2). The Salute to the Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney; Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director; Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Mihaela Kennedy, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS- None.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Mayor Gamble introduced City Manager Cervantez who announced that at the previous budget workshop meeting staff discussed the general fund which included the revenues, expenditures and reserves; and went through the proposed Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget but did not have discussion on the CIP budget.
City Manager Cervantez noted that at this time staff will resume the CIP budget discussion. City Manager Cervantez noted that the Council can revisit any of the other items related to expenditures, revenues or reserves at the Council's pleasure.
2.2 REVIEW OF PROPOSED SEVEN-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024/25 TO 2030/31
Mayor Gamble introduced City Manager Cervantez who invited Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer, who provided an overview of the proposed CIP projects.
Mayor Gamble proposed that the City Council consider referencing page 133 of the agenda packet regarding the Seven-Year CIP and Street Maintenance program projects.
Mayor Gamble proposed that the Landscaping at SR-241 and Santa Margarita Parkway (SMP) project, that will be utilizing general fund reserves, be pushed out a year. Mayor Gamble noted she is not content with the current retail sales, which affects the City's sales tax.
City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Special Meeting Minutes May 15, 2024
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr concurred with Mayor Gamble that the SR-241 and I' ·1 SMP project should be pushed out. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr proposed that 1) the Veterans Monument at Central Park also be pushed out to Fiscal Year 2025/26, due to project costs.
Mayor Gamble proposed the Veterans Monument project be a fundraising effort.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr recommended the Antonio Parkway Gateway monument and median projects be completed this fiscal year.
Mayor Gamble inquired when the park fees will expire in reference to the Veterans Monument.
City Council discussion ensued regarding the Skatepark project improvements and park fees.
Council Member Figueroa concurred with her colleagues regarding the Antonio Gateway project and would like to see the project completed; looks forward to the Veterans Monument; noted she would prefer to get the Veterans Monument moving rather than the Skatepark project.
City Manager Cervantez noted that staff has discussed deferring the ballroom floor refinishing by one year if the Council would like to entertain that as well.
Mayor Gamble proposed using the park fees that are dedicated funds for the Skatepark Improvements project; and would like to get information on what other cities have done to fund their monuments. Mayor Gamble proposed not removing the Veterans Monument from the CIP but rather push it out a year and use the restricted park fees for the Skatepark Improvements project.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr likes the idea of a fundraiser for the Veterans Monument; inquired if staff has other potential uses for the Quimby fees and when is the appropriation date for Quimby fees; also proposed using the restricted park fees for the Skate Park improvements project.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired if the Dog Park needs any improvements.
City Council discussion ensued regarding the Bell Tower Regional Community Center (BTRCC) Generator and Enclosure and the BTRCC Audio Visual Upgrade projects.
Mayor Gamble proposed that staff gather information for the upcoming fiscal year regarding providing a venue at the BTRCC that would be ideal for the community.
Council Member Figueroa asked for clarification regarding the City Hall Panel Project.
City Council discussion ensued regarding the City Hall and BTRCC Roof l j Improvements and Solar Roof Panel Installation projects that will span for two __ years, and the SMP Bridge Hinge Repair project.
2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Special Meeting Minutes May 15, 2024
City Council discussion ensued regarding the three community support requests, one from Saddleback College Foundation regarding their Gala, which is not incorporated into the budget; second from the RSM Chamber of Commerce for the Rancho Family Fest; and the third request from the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation (SAMLARC) to continue providing holiday banners.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr recused himself from the Saddleback College community support request since his wife is a professor at the college, although she is not a member of the Gala.
City Manager Cervantez noted that the support request from Saddleback College was not incorporated into the budget.
The City Council reviewed the list of proposed projects.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Gamble adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday , May 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
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PREPARED BY:
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Approved: June 12, 2024
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