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CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 8, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor L. Anthony Beall, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr, Council Members Keri Lynn Baert, Anne D. Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Mayor Beall.
Mayor Beall held a moment of silence for those that perished under the California fires.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025 - CITY HALL CLOSED
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
2.2 Council Member Baert announced she attended the Boys & Girls Clubs Operation Homework Hero Event. Council Member Baert stated this program represents an important service in the community and is proud the city provides this opportunity.
Council Member Baert also announced that she attended the 17th Annual Community Chanukah Celebration and Public Menorah lighting hosted by the Chabad Jewish Center of Rancho Santa Margarita.
Council Member Baert thanked her colleagues for their warm welcome and appreciated the time they have taken to get to know her and answer her questions.
Council Member Baert also thanked City Manager Cervantez, City Attorney Simonian and all the Department heads for their time, insights, and accessibility.
Council Member Figueroa thanked City staff for a wonderful New Year's Eve event.
Council Member Figueroa also thanked all the families who came to the event along with all the city stakeholders including RSM Cares, RSM Chamber of Commerce and RSM Rotary who served refreshments.
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORATION AUTHORITY
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Mayor Beall announced he attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) meeting held on December 12, 2024. Mayor Beall reported that the TCA held an annual alumni luncheon.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - None.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Figueroa moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.6).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
Council Members Baert, Figueroa and Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
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 MINUTES
Approved the December 11, 2024 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.3 CALENDAR YEAR 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Approved the proposed Calendar Year 2025 City Council Meeting Schedule.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 9, 2024 THROUGH DECEMBER 23, 2024
Approved the warrant registers totaling $2,015,491.13.
5.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2024
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of November 2024.
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. 7.
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS
8.1 CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA CR&R STREET SWEEPING UPDATE Mayor Beall introduced Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer, who provided a brief overview of the staff report. Public Works Director/City Engineer Parco introduced Andrea Howhannesian, Environmental Programs Coordinator, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to questions of staff.
Council Member Holloway inquired if CR&R was needed for a one-time cleaning if they would honor the current rate.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr asked if Council approves the additional street sweeping if it starts now or the next Fiscal Year.
Mayor Beall opened the item to City Council discussion and deliberation.
Council Member Baert asked that City staff increase public information.
Council Member Figueroa thanked City staff for providing the data and for the residents letting the Council know regarding street sweeping and expressed her support for the item.
Council Member Holloway noted he agrees with Option 2.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr noted he is also in favor of Option 2.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the following staff recommendations:
1) Received staff report and presentation for an update and discussion on CR&R Street Sweeping Services; and
2) Increased residential street sweeping seasonally to two times per month for the months of October through April for the remainder of the CR&R Incorporated street sweeping contract; and
3) Appropriated an additional $14,176.77 from the Fiscal Year 2024-25 General Fund operating budget for the seasonal increase in residential street sweeping frequency for the months of February through April 2025.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
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AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa and Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
8.2 YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES UPDATE BY THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CAPISTRANO VALLEY, INC. AS SPECIFIED BY THE
AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL YOUTH RECREATION PROGRAMS AND
SERVICES
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to questions of staff.
Mayor Beall inquired that the most significant concern was to address the disparity and inequity between the contract costs and the level of services provided in Rancho Santa Margarita versus the operation in San Juan Capistrano; the report failed to include all the information the City Council had requested, in particular the comparison between the two programs operations including the costs concerns, comparison in transportation and the average daily attendance; the 6 month report provided by the Boys & Girls Club still does not include the information requested by Council.
City Manager Cervantez stated the report provided does include additional information on the activities provided and the participation by activity, compared to other programs in the community; the comparison among the three locations, average daily attendance and City funding is not included.
Mayor Beall stated the report provided shows the Boys & Girls Club achieved a 33 percent increase in average daily attendance but did not see data to back it up, inquired if the city can independently verify the numbers.
City Manager Cervantez advised the Boys & Girls Club provide monthly reports on average daily attendance; in addition City staff has on a number of occasions conducting a spot count of the number of participants on any particular given day but has not been able to corroborate the numbers provided; there has been a visible increase in attendance, but has not been able to identify the average daily attendance as reported by the Boys & Girls Club.
Mayor Beall invited Nicole Watson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley, forward to address the Council.
Mayor Beall opened the item to questions of Ms. Nicole Watson.
Council Member Baert inquired about Counseling services and nutrition services to the children; inquired about the number or percentage of members seventh grade and above.
Council Member Figueroa inquired regarding the RSM Cares STEM grant and asked how the money is being utilized; congratulated the Boys and Girls Club on their 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 8, 2025
outstanding fundraising; requested Ms. Watson to elaborate on the cost information requested by Council.
Council Member Holloway noted that the information requested was to better understand the City's costs; inquired regarding page 3 of staff report regarding the daily attendance in comparison with other locations; why has the disparity not been reported and asked for the information to be provided and for the Council to review; asked if the information is confidential or public information; asked regarding her council comments regarding pivoting.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired regarding fundraising and how the funds are apportioned between Aliso Viejo, San Juan Capistrano and Rancho Santa Margarita; asked if the formula is fluid; noted he appreciated that transportation levels have increased; withdraws his concern with non-Rancho Santa Margarita residents who attend schools in the city.
Mayor Beall noted the five bullets points of questions previously posed by Council; noted it was important to get the comparison of the City to San Juan Capistrano and that the Boys and Girls Clubs stated they would be able to provide the comparison information; asked her to elaborate her suggestion of putting out a new request for proposals.
Mayor Beall announced the following eComments received:
Cindy Ashley regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Chris Johnston regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Chris McLaughlin regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Shawn Gordon regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Toni Cunningham regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Mayor Beall invited the following forward to address the City Council:
Mark Bantle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, addressed a student that has been struggling in his class and he noticed that his student has been getting assistance at the Boys and Girls Club.
Rick Friess, City of San Juan Capistrano resident, noted he is a founding board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs and shared his experiences with the club.
Alex Felthaus, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed his support for the Boys and Girls Club.
Cynthia Miner, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked for the City to advertise the Boys and Girls Club and shared her experience with the club.
Julia Stevenson, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding street cleanliness and noted she was concerned with the Council approving a monument sign.
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Janet Henry, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her concerns for the children in the community; expressed how Council Member Holloway's comment regarding street sweeping costs being "the cost of doing business" also applies to the cost of funding the Boys & Girls Club; and inquired regarding the DEi reading list.
Tammy Carone, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, noted that Mr. Richard Reeses' vision for the Bell Tower Community Center included a youth recreational center and organizations that would benefit the elderly.
Mark Talle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared how the Boys and Girls Club has been beneficial for his daughter and expressed the best way for the City to spend taxpayer money is on the children in the community.
Cyril Ffolkes, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, and board member of the Boys and Girls Club, expressed his support and personal experience with the club.
Brenda Sietsema, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared she is a volunteer math tutor for the Boys and Girls Club and expressed her support.
Su Abhyankar, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her support of the Boys and Girls Club and expressed how supporting the program is an investment for the city.
Jacqui London, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, supports using tax dollars for the Boys and Girls Club.
Jim Niswonger, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared his grandchildren attend the Boys and Girls Club and expressed his support for the club.
Jaclyn Martin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her experience with TLC, how it compares to the Boys and Girls Club and expressed her support for the club.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council discussion and deliberation.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr noted this item is a receive and file item only; believes it's worthwhile to continue to try to reach a solution.
Council Member Holloway thanked the residents for their comments and input; does not believe we are done and believes more can be done to get both sides what they want; asked if the Council offered less funding would it be rejected.
Ms. Watson clarified that they would not be able to provide the same services to the same number of children that currently attend.
Council Member Baert stated that the Boys and Girls Club has continued to raise funds and believes outreach needs to be improved; noted she respects the concerns her fellow colleagues have made; it is their fiduciary responsibility to ensure tax payer dollars are managed and utilized effectively and responsibly; noted she believes the City Council wants to continue the Boys and Girls Club; would like to move forward to sustain and enhance the program.
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Council Member Figueroa thanked everyone that spoke this evening; made a motion to direct staff to negotiate a new agreement; requested the Boys and Girls Club meet with City staff by the end of the month. Council Member Baert seconded Council Member Figueroa's motion.
Mayor Beall thanked everyone who took the time to share their views; whenever he makes any decision he generally will explain the rational; he was the one member that voted against the agreement; clarified that the City requested a 6 month report and noted the reasons; spoke regarding the DEi reading list; expressed concern that the Boys and Girls Club have not been dealing with the City in good faith.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr requested to have the motion re-~ead; ' Council Member Figueroa re-stated her motion. I )
Mayor Beall stated the goals should be to move towards parity with the City of San Juan Capistrano operation on a per capita basis; level of services to be provided; address the non-resident issue; discussion on a mechanism to have a verifiable average daily attendance provided to the city monthly and the process should be quick.
Council Member Figueroa suggested City Manager Cervantez meet with Council individually to get their concerns.
City Manager Cervantez believes she has a good understanding of Council's concerns with the focus being the economic concerns and the daily count; has confidence she can meet with the Boys and Girls Club and come up with mutually acceptable terms which can be brought back to Council.
Mayor Beall noted there is a motion by Council Member Figueroa, seconded by Council Member Baert to approve the following staff recommendations:
1) Received and filed; and
2) Directed staff to negotiate a new agreement with the Boys and Girls Club to provide youth recreation services at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center that addresses comments expressed by Council; requested that the Boys and Girls Club meet with City staff by the end of the month.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr (4)
Mayor Beall (1)
None (0)
None (0)
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS-None. 7 • I
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ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 9:51 p.m. in memory of Orange County Fire Authority Fire Apparatus Engineer Kevin Skinner, to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. , in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
PREPARED BY:
Approved: January 22, 2025
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