CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
September 10, 2025
07:00 P.M.
REGULAR MEETING AGENDA
Location:
Rancho Santa Margarita City Hall, Council Chambers
22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California 92688 Any person wishing to address the City Council on any matter, whether or not it appears on this Agenda, is asked to complete a "Speaker Request Form" available at the side table. The completed form is to be submitted to the City Clerk prior to the calling to order of the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter.
Per Council Policy 4.4, the Public Comments Period on items not on the agenda but within the City Council's subject matter jurisdiction shall not exceed (30) thirty minutes, and shall be divided into two equal segments on the regular meeting agenda, not to exceed 15 minutes each. Members of the public shall have three (3) minutes to speak during this comment period, however, a member of the public addressing the City Council on an issue within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council during the first segment of the Public Comments Period is prohibited from addressing the City Council on the same issue during the second segment of the Public Comments period. Additionally, the City Council is prohibited by law from discussing or taking any action on any matter not on the Agenda.
If you are commenting on a scheduled agenda Item, your comments will be heard during the time that the item is scheduled on the Agenda.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Beall, L. Anthony, Mayor
McGirr, Bradley J., Mayor Pro Tempore
Baert, Keri Lynn, Council Member
Figueroa, Anne D., Council Member
Holloway, Jerry, Council Member
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
1.1 PATRIOT DAY COMMEMORATION – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025, AT 5:30 P.M., LOCATED AT THE CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
1.2 RANCHO FAMILY FEST – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025, FROM 3:00 TO 10:00 P.M., AND SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025, FROM 2:00 TO 10:00 P.M., LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
1.3 ELECTRONIC WASTE DISPOSAL AND DOCUMENT SHREDDING EVENT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M., LOCATED AT APPLIED MEDICAL’S R100 BUILDING PARKING LOT
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
3.1 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION – SANTA MARGARITA LITTLE LEAGUE 10U AND 11U ALL-STAR TEAMS – DISTRICT 68 CHAMPIONS
3.2 PROCLAMATION – “HUNGER ACTION MONTH”, SEPTEMBER 2025
3.3 PROCLAMATION – “NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH”, SEPTEMBER 2025
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time to address the City Council on any matter not listed on this Agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Public Comments are limited to three minutes per person and a time limit of fifteen minutes for this segment of the Public Comments portion of the Agenda.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All matters on the Consent Calendar are to be approved in one motion unless a Council Member, staff or a member of the public, requests a separate action on a specific item on the Consent Calendar.)
5.1 WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES ON THE AGENDA RECOMMENDATION:
Waive reading in full of all ordinances on the agenda and declare 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 AND PROCLAMATIONS (Diaz) RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the following:
1)
Certificates of Recognition to the Santa Margarita Little League, 10U and 11U All-Star teams, District 68 Champions; and 2)
Proclamation declaring “Hunger Action Month” during the month of September 2025; and 3)
Proclamation declaring “National Preparedness Month” during the month of September 2025.
Item No. 5.2
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Diaz)
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the August 27, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
Item No. 5.3
5.4 APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE (Diaz) RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 24-09-11-02 AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED CONFLICT OF INTEREST CODE Item No. 5.4
5.5 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED AUGUST 25, 2025 AND SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 (Turner) RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the warrant registers totaling $704,781.13.
Item No. 5.5
5.6 FISCAL YEAR 2024/2025 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT FOR THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (Kuta) RECOMMENDATION:
Authorize staff to submit the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, including public comments, to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Item No. 5.6
5.7 APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATE AND ALTERNATES FOR THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE (Cervantez) RECOMMENDATION:
Appoint Council Member Baert as the Voting Delegate and City Manager Jennifer M. Cervantez as the Alternate Voting Delegate for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for the League of California Cities Annual Conference.
Item No. 5.7
5.8 CITY REPRESENTATIVE REPORT FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL DISTRICT (Cervantez) RECOMMENDATION:
Receive and file the report submitted by the City Council’s appointed representative to the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District.
Item No. 5.8
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
6.1 ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZCA) 25-001, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE TO UPDATE AND CLARIFY REGULATIONS RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW (Kuta) 1)
Receive staff presentation and report.
2)
Council questions of staff.
3)
Open Public Hearing.
4)
Receive public testimony.
5)
Close Public Hearing.
6)
Council discussion and deliberation.
7)
Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT CA 25-001 AMENDING AND RESTATING SECTION 9.04.190 (ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS) OF CHAPTER 9.04 (REGULATIONS FOR SPECIAL USES AND STRUCTURES) IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW, INCLUDING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15060(C)(2) AND (C)(3) AND PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17 Item No. 6.1
6.2 ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZCA) 25-002 ADDRESSING REGULATIONS FOR THRIFT STORES AND ADDING CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS AS A CONDITIONALLY PERMITTED USE IN THE PUBLIC/QUASI-PUBLIC ZONING DISTRICT (Kuta) 1)
Receive staff presentation and report.
2)
Council questions of staff.
3)
Open Public Hearing.
4)
Receive public testimony.
5)
Close Public Hearing.
6)
Council discussion and deliberation.
7)
Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA ADOPTING ZONING CODE TEXT AMENDMENT (ZCA) 25-002 AMENDING VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF CHAPTERS 9.01 (GENERAL PROVISIONS), 9.03 (ZONING DISTRICTS AND STANDARDS), AND 9.04 (REGULATIONS FOR SPECIAL USES AND STRUCTURES) OF THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO THE REGULATION OF CHILD DAY CARE CENTERS, AND THRIFT STORES, INCLUDING AN EXEMPTION FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15060(C)(2) AND (C)(3) Item No. 6.2
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 ORDINANCES AMENDING TITLE 10 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, 2025 EDITION, (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24) INCLUDING THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, RESIDENTIAL CODE, GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, ELECTRICAL CODE, PLUMBING CODE, MECHANICAL CODE, ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, ENERGY CODE, WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, FIRE CODE, HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE, EXISTING BUILDING CODE, AND REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS, AND ADOPTING THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE, AND THE 2024 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE (Kuta) 1)
Receive staff presentation and report.
2)
Council questions of staff.
3)
Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 10 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24) CONSISTING OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX B AND I, BASED ON THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE, INCLUDING APPENDIX BF, BH AND AA, BASED ON THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE; THE 2025 GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, BASED ON THE 2024 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, BASED ON THE 2024 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, BASED ON THE 2023 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA REFERENCED STANDARDS CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL BUILDING CODE; THE 2025 CALIFORNIA EXISTING BUILDING CODE; AND THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, INCLUDING APPENDICES F AND G, BASED ON THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS, AND DELETIONS; AND ADOPTING THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING POOL AND SPA CODE AND THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE 4)
Introduce for first reading, read by title only, and waive further reading of an Ordinance entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTIONS 10.06 AND 10.07 OF TITLE 10 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION) OF THE RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24, PART 9) INCLUDING APPENDICES B, BB, C, CC, AND H BASED ON THE 2024 INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN AMENDMENTS, ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS 5)
Schedule a public hearing to adopt the Ordinances identified herein and direct staff to prepare the appropriate public hearing notices for October 8, 2025.
Item No. 7.1
7.2 RESOLUTION APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, RATIFYING CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF THE CITY MANAGER (Simonian) 1)
Adopt a Resolution entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, WHICH RATIFIES CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE SALARY AND COMPENSATION OF THE CITY MANAGER MADE PURSUANT TO THE MINUTE ACTION TAKEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 13, 2025 2)
Authorize the Mayor to execute the proposed Second Amended and Restated City Manager Employment Agreement.
Item No. 7.2
8. CONTINUED ITEMS
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
This is the time to address the City Council on any matter not listed on this Agenda that is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council. Public Comments are limited to three minutes per person and a time limit of fifteen minutes for this segment of the Public Comments portion of the Agenda.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
ADJOURNMENT
The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will be held Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
CERTIFICATION
I, AMY DIAZ, City Clerk of the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, do hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Agenda was posted at Rancho Santa Margarita City Hall, Fire Station No. 45, and Trabuco Canyon Water District on September 05, 2025, by 6:00 p.m.
_____________________________________________
AMY DIAZ, CITY CLERK
______________________________
DATE
Disabilities Act
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, you should contact the office of the City Clerk at (949) 635-1800. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting.
Staff Reports
Materials related to an item on this Agenda submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Clerk's Office at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California, during normal business hours.