CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
May 8, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 4:01 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 Baert.
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; Dwayne Chapple, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
2. STUDY SESSION
2.1 FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Mayor Beall introduced Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, who invited Stefanie Turner, Finance Director, to provide a detailed overview of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025/26 Budget, including reserve funds, revenues and expenditures.
Council Member Figueroa inquired if increases in property tax are due to property assessments and improvements.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired regarding the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Law Enforcement Contract cost.
Mayor Beall introduced Captain Dwayne Chapple, Chief of Police Services, who provided a PowerPoint presentation on law enforcement expenditures and service trends.
Mayor Beall inquired regarding the anticipated locations for the additional Flock cameras.
Council Member Holloway stated he is supportive of the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) contract increase. Council Member Holloway shared how impressed he is with the 15th ranking of safest city in the United States. Council Member Holloway inquired if there are currently 21 Deputies and if there any vacancies; inquired regarding crime rates and clearance rates in terms of Investigative Assistants; inquired when was the last time there was a police staffing increase request; asked Captain Chapple to elaborate on the calls for service numbers; inquired why there an increase on priority one calls; asked if City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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there much interaction with commercial businesses on understanding the value l'~I of tying into the real-time center and cameras; inquired if the OCSD have a policy on minimum staffing.
Brian Wayt, OCSD Executive Director, provided information regarding the OCSD staffing model.
Council Member Baert inquired regarding e-Bike statistics and inquired how the ordinance has impacted the statistics; inquired how the ordinance will help address the e-Bikes situation in the community.
Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney, provided information regarding the e-Bike ordinance, how it focuses on education and outreach, and how it's another tool for Police Services.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr added that the e-Bike ordinance was designed to mirror what was already established with the County of Orange and designed to educate children and parents.
Council Member Figueroa inquired how often Deputies rely on or use the Flock camera system. Council Member Figueroa congratulated the OCSD for lowering the response times; and noted she loves the focus on neighborhood programs.
Mayor Beall inquired if the OCSD has observed any trends that might increase focus on the coming year; noted that it is great to be the safest City but it's always important to prepare and be proactive, asked the Captain Chapple to share what proactive training he has scheduled for the coming year.
Council Member Holloway provided information regarding an active shooter training that was held last year. Council Member Holloway had questions regarding the e-Bike Statistics for 2023 and 2024.
The City Council discussed the budget development work papers for Fiscal Year 2025/26. City Council provided input to staff regarding recommended budget priorities, revisions and related matters presented in the report and accompanying work papers.
Mayor Beall recessed the Special Council meeting at 5:34 p.m. for a brief break.
Mayor Beall reconvened the Special Council meeting at 6: 11 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
2.2 REVIEW OF PROPOSED SEVEN-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025/26 TO 2031/32
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who invited Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer, to provide a detailed overview of the status of the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a list of proposed projects in the Seven-Year CIP for Fiscal Years 2025/26 to 2031/32 ..
Mayor Beall inquired regarding street sweeping; inquired regarding sidewalk repairs due to lifting and the Memorandum of Understanding with the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation (SAMLARC); inquired 2 -1
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regarding the cost for the 241-landscaping project; and asked if the City has discussed the potential plan for the 241-landscaping project with the County.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr clarified the completed_ traffic _signal intersections; inquired regarding holiday decorations for the Antonio Parkway monument; clarified if there are Measure M contributions for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements.
Council Member Holloway asked regarding the landscape portion of the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements; inquired if the project can be considered over two years; asked if the landscape is more expensive than the hardscape.
City Manager Cervantez spoke regarding costs on several components of the project, such as woodcrete fencing, pilasters, plant material, irrigation, and stone veneer.
City Manager Cervantez noted that one of the questions is if the project is an eligible project for Gas Tax or Measure M funding and stated that the City does not have sufficient funding in the current fiscal year to add a project of this magnitude to those special funds.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Parco went over the costs for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements project.
Council Member Holloway shared his concerns regarding the ongoing maintenance and water and irrigation issues for the project; would like to see the costs down or defer the construction over two years.
Council Member Figueroa believes there should be other alternatives for the woodcrete fencing for the Antonio Parkway Gateway Improvements; shared perhaps going from three fence rails to two, and eliminating a pilaster and allowing the length of the fence to extend longer. Council Member Figueroa believes there are ways to get the project costs down for consideration.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr noted he is in favor of completing the project.
City Manager Cervantez noted that the plans and specifications for the project are complete, if it is the Council's desire to deviate from them, then staff will need to have a design consultant review the project again.
Mayor Beall stated he is in favor for the project as-is since it is the southern gateway to the City; he reiterated that the plans and specifications are complete, and the Council have vetted the project. Mayor Beall recommends completing the project now.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired if the Council were to approve the project tonight, when would the project be constructed.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Parco shared construction could start within 3 to 4 months.
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City Manager Cervantez provided several options for bidding and construction 1- between two fiscal years. I Council Member Holloway inquired about the on-going costs in reference to irrigation and landscape maintenance. Council Member Holloway noted the benefit of the project is there but would like to see it done within two fiscal years.
Council Member Baert inquired how often a vehicle hits that area; asked if staff can come back and let the Council know if any other funding can be used, and perhaps maybe reallocating funds from different projects.
Council Member Figueroa asked if the estimate received for the project and if there is any concern of higher costs due to tariffs.
Discussion ensued regarding approving the project as-is or rebidding the project, and perhaps including add-on alternate bids, approximate cost to bring in some limited design work to redesign some of the elements.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr proposed keeping the project in the CIP and having the item come back for further review.
Mayor Beall is supportive of keeping the project in the CIP since it will come back to the Council to review.
Council Member Figueroa would love to see the project get done and believes it will be a huge improvement to the City.
Council Member Holloway inquired when the project will come back to the Council for review.
City Manager Cervantez noted it could come back to the Council sometime towards the end of summer.
Council Member Holloway clarified that the Council could approve the project asis but allow a design consultant review it to see where they can cut costs or provide alternatives.
City Manager Cervantez noted she believes the Council would like to look at alternative types of fencing, space out the pilasters a little bit further and looking at alternative pallets or plant material versus rock type material for the landscaping; inquired if there is something else the Council would like to review.
Discussion ensued regarding different options on how to review the project again for cost savings and council members expressed overall support for the project, excepting Council Member Baert who indicated she would not approve the project as-is.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Parco continued with the PowerPoint l presentation and remaining CIP projects. __
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr asked what the cost savings will be once the solar panels are installed at City Hall.
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Mayor Beall inquired about the Signal Synchronization project, and if there is a useful life to them or will annual maintenance be required. -Mayor Pro Tempore McGirrinquired regarding-the Habitat Restoration under the bridge and asked if the City is still paying on the project.
Public Works Director/City Engineer Parco inquired with the City Council where they believe the Park Trust funds would best be used.
City Manager Cervantez proposed that if the Council entertains it, that staff bring back an item for Council discussion for alternatives and talk about ideas for Quimby and Park Trust funds usage.
Council Member Holloway inquired if there is a way to count the number of kids that use the skate park.
Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, presented the Development Services Department budget.
Council Member Holloway inquired if there is anything else the Council can do to increase the revenue of the businesses and help them increase their income; are there measurables in reference to the RSM Chamber of Commerce.
Sean Autry, RSM Chamber of Commerce President, provided information regarding measurables.
City Manager Cervantez provided an overview regarding General Government expenditures.
Mayor Beall inquired what the total number of full-time employees at City Hall.
Mayor Beall thanked all the city staff for achieving a lot with a limited but professional staff.
Wendi Redington, Community Services Manager, provided an overview of the Community Services Department.
Council Member Baert inquired what the percentage is of the senior population; asked Community Services Manager Redington to elaborate on the opportunities regarding the $50,000 budgeted for the Bell Tower for council feedback, asked if she has heard from the community on what they would like to see.
City Manager Cervantez noted that the $50,000 is a placeholder, first staff intends to do some refreshing at the former youth lounge and elaborated on potential updates to the use of the youth lounge. City Manager Cervantez noted the space is intended to be an active recreational use and more space for existing programs.
Council Member Holloway inquired regarding the 2/5 Mariries budgeted amount of $5,000. ' • •
Mayor Beall asked the Council if there are any final que'st[ons for staff. 5 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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Council Member Holloway asked if there is anything else that is needed for the City's 25th anniversary celebration.
City Manager Cervantez noted that an additional concert is being added to the summer concerts in relation to the 25th anniversary celebration.
City Manager Cervantez noted that staff could use additional money for holiday decorations.
Council Member Baert asked if staff is looking at refreshing all of the current holiday decorations.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr asked if the City is sharing holiday decoration costs with SAMLARC.
City Manager Cervantez shared regarding the shared costs with SAMLARC in relation to the 25th anniversary and holiday banners.
Council Member Holloway noted he is in favor of Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr's idea of having the new monument look as good as the Alicia T monument.
Council Member Figueroa thanked city staff for all the hard work on the budget.
City Manager Cervantez recognized and thanked staff that worked behind the scenes on the budget, in addition to Finance Director Turner, Sloane Smith, Senior Accountant, Terry Gregory, Public Works Superintendent and Tri Nguyen, Assistant City Engineer.
The City Council reviewed the status of the Fiscal Year 2024/25 Capital Improvement Program (CIP); and reviewed the list of proposed projects.
The City Council provided staff direction on potential inclusion of projects in the Seven-Year CIP for Fiscal Years 2025/26 to 2031/32.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8:29 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, California.
PREPARED BY:
rO .,
~
AMY DIAZ, 0 FY CLERK~
Approved: June 11 , 2025
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