CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 23, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor L. Anthony Beall, Mayor Pro Tempore Bradley J. McGirr, and Council Members Keri Lynn Baert, Anne D.
Figueroa and Jerry Holloway (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Holloway.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, announced the following:
1.1 NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION TAKE BACK DAY - SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025, FROM 10:00 AM. TO 2:00 P.M., LOCATED AT THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT
1.2 FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS - THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2025, FROM 4:00-9:00 P.M. AND WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025, FROM 4:00- 6:30 P.M., LOCATED AT CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1.3 SPLASH PAD OPENING DAY - SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025, AT 10:00 AM.,
LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Baert announced that RSM Cares is hosting an Exhibit of Artwork created by students from RSM Intermediate which is displayed at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center through May 23rd. Council Member Baert reported she recently attended an ACC-OC briefing titled "Strengthening Integrity in Public Leadership".
Council Member Figueroa thanked Mission Viejo Animal Services for their response to a mountain lion sighting during the holiday weekend.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked everyone that came out to the RSM Cares Food Drive on April 13th.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Mayor Beall announced he attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) meeting held on April 10, 2025. Mayor Beall reported the TCA adopted the annual Capital Improvement Plan and noted three current projects, 241/91 Express Connector, State Route 73 Catalina View Improvements, State Route 241 Loma Improvements. Mayor Beall noted the TCA approved a resolution for the 241 /91 Express Connector project regarding the environmental document certification to move the project forward.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
3.1 PRESENTATION - RSM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND
UPDATES
Mayor Beall invited Bunni Ickes, RSM Chamber of Commerce Member Services Representative, forward to provide an update to the City Council.
3.2 CERTIFICATE OF COMMENDATION TO ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT "2024 DEPUTY OF THE YEAR" RECIPIENT, DEPUTY BRIAN
BURTZLAFF
Mayor Beall announced Deputy Brian Burtzlaff unfortunately was not able to attend the meeting tonight, therefore Agenda Item No. 3.2 will be postponed to the next City Council meeting agenda.
3.3 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION - STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM 1) MELINDA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - MAYA McDOWELL AND OWEN
PADAYACHEE
Mayor Beall invited Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr and Council Member Baert to present the student recognition certificates.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComment:
Liz Cabrera regarding the Emergency Operations Plan.
Mayor Beall reminded members of the public that eComments need to be received by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the City Council meeting to be acknowledged during the Council meeting, eComments received after 4:30 p.m. will be acknowledged at the following Council meeting.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Holloway 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:
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025
AYES:
NOES:
Council Members Baert, Figueroa, 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 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
Approved the following:
1) Certificate of Commendation to Orange County Sheriff's Department "2024 Deputy of the Year" recipient, Deputy Brian Burtzlaff; and
2) Certificates of Recognition - Student Recognition Program:
a) Melinda Heights Elementary School - Maya McDowell and Owen Padayachee
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the April 9, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED APRIL 7, 2025 AND APRIL 14, 2025
Approved the warrant registers totaling $1,567,318.09.
5.5 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH 2025
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of March 2025.
5.6 AWARD OF A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL SLURRY SEAL PROJECT TO AMERICAN ASPHALT SOUTH, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $353,432.50
1) Approved the plans and specifications for the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Annual Residential Slurry Seal 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 American Asphalt South, Inc. of Riverside, California, in the amount of $353,432.50, and reject all other bids; and
4) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Public Works Construction Contract.
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ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
6.1 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CITY'S MASTER FEE SCHEDULE
BY ADJUSTING CERTAIN GENERAL GOVERNMENT FEES AND OTHER CITY
RATES, CHARGES, AND USER FEES FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT SERVICES
BASED ON THE INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
Mayor Beall introduced Stefanie Turner, Finance Director, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to questions of staff.
Mayor Beall clarified the fees are CPI adjustments to cover the costs of providing services.
Mayor Beall opened the public hearing; seeing no one present to speak, subsequently closed the public hearing.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council discussion and deliberation.
Council Member Holloway thanked Finance Director Turner and staff for their efforts on this project.
Mayor Beall moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve the following staff's recommendation:
Approved and adopted Resolution No. 25-04-23-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE MASTER FEE SCHEDULE BY
ADJUSTING CERTAIN FEES AND OTHER CITY RATES, CHARGES, AND
USER FEES FOR VARIOUS GOVERNMENT SERVICES BASED ON THE
INCREASE IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (CPI) AND FINDING THAT
THE ACTION IS STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15273 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080(8)(8) The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
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7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK
GRANT EXPENDITURE PLAN
Mayor Beall introduced Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kuta, who invited Mike Linares, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Consultant, to provide a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Figueroa inquired if the three non-profits were the only non-profits that applied this year and if he believes its due to the amount of paperwork they need to complete. Council Member Figueroa thanked everyone in the CDBG committee.
Council Member Baert inquired how many CDBG committee members participated and approved the three grants; clarified that community members are deciding how the money is being allocated, and asked how the allocation of grants spending is determined.
Council Member Holloway shared he participated at the CDBG committee meeting as the Council Member appointee and noted he believes that the allocation numbers the committee agreed to are the right ones.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked CDBG Consultant Linares for everything he does year after year.
Mayor Beall shared he is supportive of the recommendations stated in the plan and appreciates all the efforts of CDBG Consultant Linares and the committee.
The City Council reviewed the proposed use of Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant Funds and provided input to staff regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Community Development Block Grant Expenditure Plan.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11 . MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS - None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 7:58 p.m. , to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, C~ - ----=-~+-~="".LIJ/-~------- L. ANTHO B
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 23, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Approved: May 14, 2025
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