CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
July 9, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 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 Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 JULY 23, 2025 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELED
1.2 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M.:
SUNDAY, JULY 13-FLOCKOF 80's
SUNDAY, JULY 20 - THE ANSWER
SUNDAY, JULY 27- REDNECK RODEO
SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 -WAYWARD SONS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 - SPINTOWN (School of Rock band at 4:00 p.m., Spintown band at 6:00 p.m. - Dreamers Market from 4:00-8:00 p.m.)
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Figueroa encouraged parents to visit the RSM Library for their summer programs which include the Summer Reading Challenge, "Meet the Author" events, and the Kindergarten Readiness program. Council Member Figueroa announced the "Fiesta de Solano 2025" on July 11 th and 12th from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m., located at the San Francisco Solano Catholic Church.
Council Member Baert reminded residents to visit the Bell Tower Regional Community Center (BTRCC) for the RSM Cares Bell Tower Foundation Art Exhibit from July through August featuring artwork by Judy Carroll, Judy Cunningham, Olga Grun, and Carolyn Parsons.
Council Member Baert noted as a City Council Liaison to both the Capistrano and Saddleback Valley Unified School Districts she shared a brief update on recent outreach and collaboration efforts to strengthening the City's partnerships and supporting the local schools. Council Member Baert noted in April she met with Dr.
Christopher Brown, Superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District, alongside Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, and more 1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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recently met with Dr. Crystal Turner, Superintendent of Saddleback Valley Unified District, and Suzie Swartz, Board of Education President, alongside City Manager Cervantez. Council Member Baert noted the key topic discussions were school safety, including e-bike safety.
Council Member Baert shared that the Fire Safety and Preparedness Community Meeting and Readiness Expo is now available to watch on the City's YouTube channel.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
1) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr announced he attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) meeting held on June 26, 2025. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr reported he attended the Fallen Heroes Memorial Ceremony held the morning of June 26th. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr reported the OCFA approved the Community Risk Reduction Fee Schedule and created a new position "Lead Helicopter Crew Chief', responsible for safe and effective air operations and training and evaluation of all flight crew members. Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr noted that we have the very best professionals guarding our safe wellbeing.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Beall invited Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr forward to join him for the following presentation:
3.1 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO ELISSIMO
COFFEE & ROASTING
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComments:
Shawn Gordon regarding a kiosk suggestion for the BTRCC.
Shawn Gordon regarding landscaping on Las Flores and Via Con Dios.
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, stated he does not want any of his local property taxes that are dedicated for local law enforcement to go towards assisting immigration and customs enforcement (ICE), shared how much funding Congresswoman Young Kim has approved on ICE, detention facilities and building a wall; and shared his thoughts on Reagan's 1989 speech regarding immigrants.
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, clarified Council Member Figueroa's June 25th Council meeting comments regarding gas tax increases.
Tasia Surch, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked the City Council for a resolution supporting immigrants including financial assistance.
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Breanna Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding the findings of her records request for districting documents and her thoughts regarding the district map.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beall pulled Agenda Item No. 5.4 from the Consent Calendar at the request of a resident.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Figueroa to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.3 and 5.5 through 5.8).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
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 A CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION
Approved a Certificate of Recognition for a Business Recognition to Elissimo Coffee & Roasting.
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the June 25, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.5 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED JUNE 23, 2025 and JUNE 30, 2025 Approved the warrant registers totaling $824,951 .17.
5.6 AWARD OF SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE (SAAS) AGREEMENT WITH TYLER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND HUMAN
RESOURCES SYSTEM SOFTWARE
1) Approved Software as a Service Agreement (SaaS) with Tyler Technologies Inc., to provide and assist the City with the implementation of new Financial and Human Resources Management Software for a total cost of $73,110 for the first year; and 2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed (SaaS) with Tyler Technologies Inc.
5.7 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL
RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY PROJECT
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1) Accepted the improvements for the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Residential Overlay 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.
5.8 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
5.4 ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE RELATED TO THE FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY
ZONE MAP FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA LOCAL
RESPONSIBILITY AREA
Mayor Beall invited the following resident forward to address the Council:
Craig Innis, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, believes the Cal Fire Map is an egregious disservice to the community, believes it is based on Al data and requested the City coordinate with SAMLARC to trim trees on his property because they are a fire danger.
Mayor Beall stated he appreciates the speaker's comments and stated that the City is mandated by the State to adopt the maps; noted that the only discretion would be to make the maps more scrict. Mayor Beall asked for the City Attorney to elaborate what would happen if the city chose not to adopt the maps.
Gregory Simonian, City Attorney, noted that all cities in the State of California are required to adhere to the program and adopt an ordinance to approve the maps. It is his opinion that if the maps are not approved then they would be referred to the California Attorney General's Office for a Writ of Mandate to compel the cities to do so.
Council Member Holloway moved, seconded by Council Member Baert to approve the following staff recommendation:
Adopted Ordinance No. 25-02 entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES
WITHIN THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA LOCAL
RESPONSIBILITY AREA (LRA) AS DETERMINED BY THE CALIFORNIA
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION, OFFICE OF THE
STATE FIRE MARSHAL, PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51175 ET SEQ
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The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
6.1 CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
ADOPTION AND SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
Mayor Beall introduced Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, who invited forward Starla Barker, Consultant with Denovo Planning Group, to provide a brief overview of the PowerPoint.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Figueroa inquired if the local hazard mitigation plan is required to be updated every five years; is it a state mandate, what was the amount of grant funding received from Assembly Bill 2140.
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, there were none.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the following staff recommendations:
Adopted Resolution No. 25-07-09-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Adopted Resolution No. 25-07-09-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA 25-002, SAFETY ELEMENT UPDATE
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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6.2 ADOPTION OF GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 25-001 TO UPDATE THE
CIRCULATION ELEMENT, AND ADOPTION OF THE THIRD ADDENDUM TO THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Mayor Beall introduced Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kuta, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr inquired regarding the Regional Location Map on page 23 of the staff report and asked regarding the Sphere of Influence boundary line shown on the map.
Mayor Beall thanked staff for the report and noted the update seems minor.
Mayor Beall opened the Public Hearing.
Mayor Beall invited the following individual forward to speak on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, inquired if the circulation element includes traffic, and if it does, does it also include the flock cameras.
Mayor Beall asked Captain Chapple to provide a brief overview of the flock cameras.
Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kuta confirmed that all types of circulation vehicular and non-vehicular are addressed in the circulation element.
City Manager Cervantez clarified that the flock cameras do not record traffic and are not part of the circulation element.
Mayor Beall closed the Public Hearing.
Mayor Beall opened the item for Council discussion and deliberation.
Council Member Holloway thanked staff for the updates and thorough work.
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked staff for a thorough presentation.
Council Member Figueroa moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the following staff recommendations:
Adopted Resolution No. 25-07-09-03 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARTIA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE THIRD ADDENDUM TO THE 2020 GENERAL PLAN FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT, AS
PREVIOUSLY ADDENDED, FOR THE CIRCULATION ELEMENT UPDATE
PROJECT, PURSUANT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMETAL QUALITY ACT 6 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 9, 2025
Adopted Resolution No. 25-07-09-04 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT GPA 25-001, AN UPDATE TO THE GENERAL PLAN CIRCULATION ELEMENT 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)
6.3 PROPOSED UPDATE TO THE CITY'S FALSE ALARM FEE
Mayor Beall introduced Captain Chapple, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Mayor Beall clarified if a business owner can have up to three false alarms without a fee; asked Captain Chapple to address what kind of resources are expended when there is a false alarm; and asked when was the last time the fee was adjusted.
City Manager Cervantez clarified that the County requested that all contract cities implement the increased fee.
Council Member Figueroa inquired how often deputies respond to false alarms.
Council Member Holloway confirmed that false alarms are a drain on resources; inquired if fines motivate business owners to not have false alarms.
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; there were none.
Council Member Holloway moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr to approve the following staff recommendation:
Adopted Resolution No. 25-07-09-05 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO
SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY'S
CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S
DEPARTMENT FALSE ALARM FEE PROGRAM, UPDATING THE
CITY'S FALSE ALARM FEE, REPEALING RESOLUTION 21-03-24-03,
AND FINDING THAT THE ACTION IS STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM
THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER
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SECTION 15273 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES AND PUBLIC
RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080(8)(8)
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Figueroa, Holloway, and Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
7. NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked for clarification on when and how Council Members respond to public comments and questions; and inquired how a member of the public can get an item added to the City Council agenda.
Mayor Beall asked City Attorney Simonian to briefly provide information regarding the Ralph M. Brown Act, City Council Policy No. 4.4 and placing items on an agenda.
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding City Council Policy No. 4.4, asked the City consider purchasing one pride flag and supports adding more suicide prevention signs to the Antonio Parkway bridge.
Mayor Beall asked City Attorney Simonian to provide information regarding Council Members speaking to constituents after a council meeting.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Pro Tempore McGirr thanked everyone that showed up to Pavilions to collect food for those in need.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
L. ~ MAYOR
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PREPARED BY:
Approved: August 13, 2025
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