CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
January 14, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor L. Anthony Beall, Mayor Pro Tempore Anne D. Figueroa, and Council Members Keri Lynn Baert, Jerry Holloway and Bradley J. McGirr (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member Holloway.
SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY - MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026 - CITY HALL CLOSED
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member McGirr commended Wendi Redington, Community Services Manager, on the New Year's Eve celebration.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa shared her thoughts and expressed condolences regarding Mikey Run, a member of the community.
Council Member Baert thanked Community Services Manager Redington, the Community Services staff, and everyone involved with the New Year's Eve event.
Council Member Baert shared that for the month of January, RSM Cares will have an art display from St. John's Episcopal School students at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center. Council Member Baert reminded residents regarding street sweeping services twice a month from October through April.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS - None.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - None.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComments:
Chris McLaughlin regarding the Neilsen Merksamer invoice.
Chris McLaughlin regarding Law Enforcement.
Nina Mehrnouche regarding a request to read eComments aloud. .1
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2026
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Kaitlyn Everitt, Vice President of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Take Steps Youth Leadership Committee, requested a proclamation to recognize World IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) Day on May 19th.
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her thoughts and held a moment of silence for Renee Nicole Goode.
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, inquired of Captain Dwayne Chapple, Chief of Police, regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Council Member Holloway moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.11).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: 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 MINUTES (Diaz)
Approved the December 10, 2025 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.3 CALENDAR YEAR 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE
Approved the proposed Calendar Year 2026 City Council Meeting Schedule.
5.4 ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION AMENDING & RESTATING THE RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE & RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 19-01-23-01 Adopted Resolution No. 26-01-14-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING THE RECORDS RETENTION SCHEDULE AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION 19-01-23-01
5.5 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED DECEMBER 8, 2025 THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2026
Approved the warrant registers totaling $2,337, 103.62. 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2026
5.6 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2025
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of November 2025.
5.7 RESULTS OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL STATEMENT AUDIT, SUMMARY
FINANCIAL INFORMATION, REQUIRED AUDITOR COMMUNICATIONS,
APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT REPORT, AND ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025
Received and filed the City's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025.
5.8 APPROVAL OF A PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH BUREAU VERITAS NORTH AMERICA, INC., FOR ON-CALL CIVIL ENGINEERING
PLAN CHECKING CONSULTING SERVICES
1) Approved the proposed Professional Services Agreement with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., for as-needed, on-call civil engineering plan checking consulting services for an initial three-year term in the maximum, not-to-exceed contract amount of $100,000; and
2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Professional Services Agreement with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
5.9 APPROVAL OF EXTENSION TO SOFTWARE LICENSE AND SUBSCRIPTION
AGREEMENT WITH CITYTECH SOLUTIONS FOR PERMITS PRO AND CODE
APPLICATIONS
) Approved the proposed two-year extension of the Software License ar subscription Agreement with CityTech Solutions for CityTech Permits and Coc Applications; and
2) Authorized the City Manager to execute the Software License and Subscription Agreement with CityTech Solutions for CityTech Permits and Code Applications.
5.10 PROPOSED AGREEMENT FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT
SERVICES WITH THE CITY OF MISSION VIEJO
1) Approved a proposed Agreement for Community Outreach and Engagement Services with the City of Mission Viejo to provide 20 hours per week of Homeless Outreach Services, for a three-year term in a maximum not-to-exceed contract amount of $228,942; and
2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Agreement for Community Outreach and Engagement Services with the City of Mission Viejo.
5.11 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.
City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2026
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 APPROVAL OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC
SERVICE GRANTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Mayor Beall introduced Amy Diaz, City Clerk, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff; there were none.
Mayor Beall thanked all the resident members that have volunteered to serve in this capacity on behalf of the residents of the City.
stat recommendatid, seconded by Council Member McGir to approve the following 1) Received and reviewed the Mayor's proposed Community Development Block Grant Public Service Grants Advisory (CDBG) Committee Appointments List; and 2) Approved the Mayor's proposed CDBG Committee Appointments to appoint six (6) resident committee members to the CDBG Committee for a two-year term, effective January 2026 and expiring December 2027, as follows:
Resident Members:
1. Mikelle Daily
2. Jason Garthoffner
3. Jaclyn Giampa
4. April Josephson
5. Lisa Matro
6. Stacy Zar
3) Approved the appointment of Blaine Nelson as the Planning Commission representative for the CDBG Committee.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
7.2 APPROVAL OF THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY OF
ORANGE FOR THE ANTONIO PARKWAY, AVENIDA DE LAS BANDERAS, AND
AVENIDA EMPRESA REGIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION
PROGRAM PROJECT
Mayor Beall introduced Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2026
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa inquired regarding project meetings between the City, County of Orange and Caltrans.
Council Member Baert asked for a general overview of the video detection systems and CCTV cameras at selected intersections.
Mayor Beal inquired what the useful life of the synchronization project is.
Council Member Baert inquired if there is a time efficiency point that staff is expecting from the traffic signal synchronization project.
Chalap Sadam, President of AGA Engineers, provided a brief overview of the traffic signal synchronization project.
Mayor Beall expressed his support for the project and for the City's continuing commitment to enhance the quality of life for the residents by increasing and improving the free flow of traffic, enhanced safety and environmental benefit.
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Baert to approve the following staff recommendations:
1) Approve the Cooperative Agreement with the County of Orange for the Antonio Parkway, Avenida de las Banderas, and Avenida Empresa Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program Project; and
2) Authorize the Mayor to sign the proposed Cooperative Agreement.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, , Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa, Mayor Beall (5)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: None (0)
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared how long each Council Member has served on the Council; asked the Council to require term limits for Council Members.
Amber Bloomer, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, requested that City Council Policy No. 4.4 be reversed regarding reading eComments aloud and that the Council video record Council meetings.
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Mayor Beall asked City Attorney Gregory Simonian to provide a brief overview of Senate Bill
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Mayor Beall wished everyone a Happy New Year and shared that he is proud the city continues to thrive. Mayor Beall expressed his support for Law Enforcement, both locally and federally. Mayor Beall shared his thoughts regarding residents expressing their first amendment rights to protest in a safe manner.
12. CLOSED SESSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
The City Council convened in Closed Session, in the City Council Conference Room or Emergency Operations Center Conference Room, City Hall, to consider the following matters:
12.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Government Code Section 54956.9.
Name of case: Michelle R. Jackson dba Law Offices of Michelle R. Jackson, Plaintiff/Petitioner v. City of Rancho Santa Margarita, Defendant/Respondent; Petition for Writ of Mandate; Notice of Appeal; Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30- 2024-01419113-CU-WM-WJC.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS - None.
ADJOURN TO CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM OR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
CENTER CONFERENCE ROOM
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened in Closed Session at 7:39 p.m., to consider the matters listed
RECONVENE TO CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The City Council reconvened in regular session at 8:08 p.m., in the City Council Chambers.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Simonian reported the City Council convened in Closed Session pursuant to the matter listed above and there was no reportable action taken as a result of the Closed Session.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes January 14, 2026
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, January 28, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Tow Beall
L. ANTHONY BEALL, MAYOR
PREPARED BY:
Cume Diac
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AMY DIAZ, CITY CLERK.
Approved: February 11, 2026
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