CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
April 22, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 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 Baert.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 PIZZA WITH PATROL -THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026, FROM 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., LOCATED AT SGT. PEPPERONl'S PIZZA
1.2 NATIONAL PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION TAKE BACK DAY -SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M., LOCATED AT THE CITY HALL PARKING LOT
1.3 SPLASH PAD OPENS - SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026, AT 10:00 A.M., LOCATED AT
CENTRAL PARK
1.4 BIKE-X AND HELMETS- SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2026, FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.,
LOCATED AT SADDLEBACK CHURCH IN LAKE FOREST
1.5 BUDGET WORKSHOP-WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 2026, AT 2:00 P.M., LOCATED AT
CITY HALL IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Holloway shared that he and other Council Members attended the Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) Medal of Valor ceremony held on April 16, 2026. Council Member Holloway thanked Police Chief Chapple and the men and women of the OCSD for what they do every day.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa announced that the RSM Friends of the Library Book Sale is back on Friday, April 24, 2026, and Saturday, April 25, 2026, located at the RSM Library.
Council Member Baert shared she was able to attend the Certified Emergency Response Training (CERT) class on Thursday, April 16, 2026, which focused on medical operations. Council Member Baert thanked all the CERT participants for their commitment to the program. Council Member Baert announced that RSM Cares is in need of dog and cat food for the RSM food pantry.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
April 22, 2026
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTION AUTHORITY
Mayor Beall reported he attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) meeting held on April 9, 2026. Mayor Beall announced the TCA conducted their 2027 Budget Workshop and shared a few projects scheduled for the upcoming year. Mayor Beall announced the toll roads have reached three million account holders.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Beall invited Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to join him for the following presentations:
3.1 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION - STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAM 1) MELINDA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - ELIZA HARDIE AND BRADLEY
JOHNSON
2) RANCHO VIEJO MONTESSORI SCHOOL - PRESTON ABAD AND ELLIS
ARMSTRONG
3) SANTA MARGARITA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL - KATHERINE RACKOHN AND
KATHY YU
3.2 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO RSM AUTO
BODY EXPRESS
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Young Marine Corporal Hurn with MCAS Tustin Young Marines, spoke regarding the MCAS Tustin Young Marines which is a leadership program for boys and girls ages 8 to 18 and focus on leadership, teamwork and discipline.
Janet Henry, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, shared her thoughts regarding the Mayor's Facebook post and comments.
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding the Council meeting agenda comments location on the agenda.
John Thomas, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding other public speaker comments.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beall removed Agenda Item No. 5. 7 for further discussion at the request of a resident. 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.6).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
Council Members Baer!, Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa, 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 RECOGNITIONS
Approved the following Certificates of Recognition:
1) Student Recognition Program:
a) Melinda Heights Elementary School - Eliza Hardie and Bradley Johnson; b) Rancho Viejo Montessori School - Preston Abad and Ellis Armstrong; c) Santa Margarita Catholic High School - Katherine Rackohn and Kathy Yu; 2) Business Recognition to RSM Auto Body Express.
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the April 8, 2026 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED APRIL 6, 2026 AND APRIL 13, 2026 Approved the warrant registers totaling $2,114,133.89.
5.5 AMENDED AND RESTATED NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION
SYSTEM (NPDES) STORMWATER PERMIT IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT 1) Approved and adopted Resolution No. 26-04-22-01, that authorizes the Mayor to execute and sign the Amended and Restated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement; and 2) Approved the Amended and Restated NPDES Stormwater Permit Implementation Agreement.
5.6 .APPROVAL OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CHARLES ABBOTT ASSOCIATES, INC., TO 3 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April22,2026
Mayor Beall introduced Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, who invited Mike Linares, CDBG Consultant, forward to provide a brief overview of the CDBG expenditure plan.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa inquired regarding the proposed numbers under the consolidated plan five year strategic outline.
Council Member Baer! asked CDBG Consultant Linares to provide an overview of who serves on the CDBG Committee.
Council Member McGirr shared an overview of the groups that will be assisted with the CDBG funds.
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Mayor Beall to approve the following recommendations:
1) Reviewed the proposed use of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant Funds; and
2) Provided input to staff regarding the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Community Development Block Grant Expenditure Plan.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baer!,
Figueroa, Mayor Beall (5)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore
7.2 SENATE BILL 707 BROWN ACT MODERNIZATION COMPLIANCE AND
IMPLEMENTATION
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Holloway inquired if the July 1st deadline is the date the process needs to be completed or started.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueora inquired if staff will have any issues to get this implemented by the July 1st deadline.
Council Member McGirr noted that SB 707 rewrites the government code; noted his support for the two-way teleconferencing; hopes the statute won't be modified by the state.
Council Member Baer! moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the following recommendations:
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026
1) Approved the plans and specifications for the Veterans Monument at Central Park Project; and
2) Found that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as a Class 1 and Class 3 New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures Existing Facilities, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301; and
3) Adopted Resolution No. 26-04-22-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL
EXPENDITURES FOR THE VETERANS MONUMENT AT CENTRAL PARK
PROJECT
4) Awarded a Public Works Construction Contract to Bolt Action GC, Inc. of Newport Beach, California, in the amount of $72,015; and
5) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Public Works Construction Contract; and
6) Approved a Purchase Order to Southern California Bronze, Company for the fabrication of plaque materials for the Veterans Monument Project in the amount of $38,418; and
7) Authorized the City Manager to sign the City's standard, Purchase Order with Southern California Bronze Company.
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baert,
Figueroa, Mayor Beall (5)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, announced the Lunch with the Mayor event atAlza Kitchen on April 23'd
, the Budget Workshop on May 13ir, and provided an overview the Council's tenure on the City Council.
John Thomas, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding the public speaker's complaints about partisanship and making things political. 7 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes April 22, 2026
Janet Henry, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, addressed the public speaker's comments and clarified that the City Council's positions are non-partisan.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Holloway encouraged residents to shop and dine in the City and thanked the OCFA and OCSD first responders for all they do.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
PREPARED BY:
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Approved: May 13, 2026
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