CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
March 12, 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 Baer!, Anne D. Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL AND DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT - SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M., LOCATED AT APPLIED MEDICAL'S R100 BUILDING PARKING LOT
1.2 ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY "OPEN HOUSE" - SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2025, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M., LOCATED AT THE ORANGE COUNTY FIRE
AUTHORITY HEADQUARTERS
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr spoke regarding the Orange County Fire Authority's (OCFA) Open House. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr shared it is an opportunity for families to tour the different departments and apparatus within the OCFA.
Council Member Baer! visited the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program located at San Francisco Solano Church. Council Member Baer! advised the program offers free basic tax return preparation for low- and moderate-income taxpayers.
Council Member Baer! expanded on their services offered.
Council Member Baer! shared she participated on a panel discussion at Saddleback College for Women's History month where women from various fields and career stages shared their experiences with students including gender stereotypes, mentorship and the unique challenges women face in the workplace.
Council Member Figueroa thanked the RSM Chamber of Commerce for holding their twice a month Brewing Up Business Event which are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and that Dave Hanna was the most recent speaker.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignments:
1) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr announced he attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) meeting held on February 27, 2025. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr reported the OCFA approved amendments to the Personnel and Salary Resolution to the OCFA and renewed a health plan agreement between the OCFA and the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association.
2) SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AREA EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Council Member Baert announced she attended the South Orange County Watershed Management Area Executive Committee meeting held on March 6, 2025. Council Member Baert reported they elected a nominating committee tasked with recommending candidates for the Chair and Vice Chair positions. Council Member Baert advised the committee also reviewed the H2OC rain smart rebate pilot program. The committee also agreed to reduce their meeting schedule from three meetings per year to two.
Council Member Baert shared that in celebration of Earth Day on Aprill 22, 2025, the Santa Margarita Water District will be hosting its Gardens with Style Tour and Expo on April 19, 2025.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Beall and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr presented the following:
3.1 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO THE FRIENDS
OF THE LIBRARY BOOKSTORE
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComment:
Nancy Jones regarding overflow parking at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Figueroa moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.8).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baert, Figueroa and Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
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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 A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
Approved a Certificate of Recognition for a Business Recognition to the Friends of the Library Bookstore.
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the February 26, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED FEBRUARY 24, 2025 AND MARCH 3,2025
Approved the warrant registers totaling $483,087.75.
5.5 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT CURB RAMP INSTALLATION - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
BLOCK GRANT PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Americans with Disabilities Act Curb Ramp Installation - Community Development Block Grant 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 Recordation of the Notice of Completion, if all Stop Notices have been resolved and all potential claims are settled.
5.6 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ANNUAL CONCRETE
REPAIR PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Concrete Repair 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 Recordation of the Notice of Completion, if all Stop Notices have been resolved and all potential claims are settled.
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5.7 AWARD OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ALICIA PARKWAY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT TO R.J. NOBLE COMPANY, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $747,450.00
1) Approved the plans and specifications for the Alicia Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation Project; and
2) Found that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as a Class 1 Existing Facilities, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; and
3) Awarded a Public Works Construction Contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder R.J. Noble Company, Inc. of Orange, California, in the amount of $747,450.00, and reject all other bids; and
4) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Public Works Construction Contract.
5.8 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.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT
10.1 INTRODUCTION OF CAPTAIN DWAYNE CHAPPLE AS RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA CHIEF OF POLICE
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who introduced Captain Dwayne Chapple who will be serving as Rancho Santa Margarita's Police Chief.
Captain Chapple shared he is honored to serve as the Chief of Police and thanked the City for their support.
10.2 DEVELOPMENT OF COUNTYWIDE WASTE INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM
ENHANCEMENT AGREEMENT UPDATE
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided a brief update on the Countywide Waste Infrastructure System Enhancement Agreement and current negotiations between the cities and the county.
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10.3 BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CAPISTRANO VALLEY, INC. YOUTH RECREATION
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES AGREEMENT STATUS REPORT
Mayor Beall provided background information and introduced City Manager Cervantez.
City Manager Cervantez advised that at the January 8, 2025 Council meeting, City Council directed staff to negotiate a new agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Capistrano Valley (BGCCV) that addresses the comments expressed by the Council.
Further direction was given for staff and the BGCCV to meet by the end of January.
City Manager Cervantez clarified this status report is to provide an update on the status of negotiations and the requested Council direction.
City Manager Cervantez provided background information on the operations of the BGCCV and the status of negotiations.
City Manager Cervantez indicated that the City made an initial offer of a two-year agreement at $100,000 per year plus $100,000 toward relocation to another space along with City assistance in identifying a suitable location within the City. The BGCCV rejected the offer and did not make a counteroffer. Instead, the BGCCV responded that they would terminate services at the end of the agreement extension July 13, 2025, but requested an additional month to finish the summer program. The BGCCV representatives were further asked if they would consider a two-to-three-year agreement at the current rate of $120,000 per year, which they also declined. Staff indicated at that time that the City would willingly accommodate their request for a onemonth extension.
City Manager Cervantez concluded her presentation noting that no further action is required by the City Council regarding this agreement which expires in July with a onemonth extension to August 13th .
Mayor Beall announced the following eComments received:
Kristin Sato regarding the Boys and Girls Club.
Mayor Beall invited the following forward to address the City Council:
Kristi Acuna, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her frustration with the closure; feels the city is not willing to spend money on a program for the children in the community.
Jill Shae, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her son attends the Boys and Girls Club; expressed her worry and concern now that the program is closing.
Alex Perkins, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared his child attends the Boys and Girls Club and has excelled while at the program; is hopeful the city can come up with another alternative.
Renae Branch, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her concern for the upcoming school year for her child, as well as other middle school students with the closure of the Boys and Girls Club.
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City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes March 12, 2025
Shelby Ryann, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, expressed her desire for the Boys and Girls Club to remain open.
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, inquired why the status report was not a Continued Item; expressed his concern for the lack of written details on the negotiation meetings; or lack of a vote by the Council.
Mayor Beall clarified there is no vote by the Council as they did not participate in the negotiations; city staff held the negotiations as directed by Council to do so.
Council Member Baer! expressed she was disheartened that the city would no longer be offering the BGCCV. Council Member Baer! shared the services provided by BGCCV. Council Member Baer! understands the Council's responsibility to manage taxpayer dollars wisely, she believes this program was well worth the investment.
Council Member Baer! shared after seeing the impact of the closure firsthand she would be comfortable providing additional funding due to the value the program provides. Council Member Baer! stated aside from the January 2024 meeting there had been no public discussion about relocating the BGCCV; and that meeting the BGCCV said they sought a long-term relationship with the City. Council Member Baer! shared she was caught off guard that the offer included relocation from the BTRCC; Council Member Baer! believes it is important that this discussion brings clarity to the issue surrounding the BGCCV.
Council Member Baer! asked City Manager Cervantez how long the BGCCV had to decide after the initial offer was made, if the topic of relocation was brought up during the third negotiation meeting, and if the BGCCV requested a long-term relationship with the City.
City Manager Cervantez clarified the BGCCV did not make a counteroffer or ask for additional time, that relocation to another facility has been mentioned by the BGCCV on several occasions over several years, and was brought up during the third meeting, advised she did not know what the BGCCV wanted as they did not make any counteroffer.
Council Member Baer! inquired about future after school plans at the BTRCC.
Council Member Holloway clarified that the Council is not involved with the direct negotiations between the City and the BGCCV; inquired with the City Attorney how the Council could be present at negotiations.
City Attorney Sandoval indicated it could only happen at an agendized public meeting.
Council Member Holloway shared the Council does not know why the BGCCV did not make a counteroffer or ask the City for a longer grace period to notify members.
Council Member Baer! shared she is disappointed the BGCCV did not negotiate; believes the BGCCV did not negotiate because the offer was not one that offered a long-term relationship.
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11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Baert made a motion to discuss video streaming council meetings during a meeting in April or Budget discussions in May.
Mayor Beall asked if there was a second to Council Member Baert's motion; there was not a second to Council Member Baert's motion, therefore the motion died.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8: 13 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. , in the • y Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Caz:u L. ANTHbNY BEALL, MAYOR
PREPARED BY: (
Approved: March 26, 2025
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