CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
June 24, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor Pro Tempore Anne D. Figueroa, and Council Members Keri Lynn Baer!, Jerry Holloway and Bradley J. McGirr (4).
Absent: Mayor L. Anthony Beall (1). The Salute to the Flag was led by Council Member McGirr.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1. 1 INDEPENDENCE DAY HOLIDAY OBSERVED -FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026 - CITY HALL CLOSED
1.2 SAMLARC'S STAR SPANGLED SPECTACULAR EVENT-SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026, FROM 8:00 AM. TO 9:30 P.M., LOCATED AT THE LAGO SANTA MARGARITA
BEACH CLUB
1.3 SUMMER CONCERT SERIES, LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK FROM 6:00 TO 8:00 P.M.:
SUNDAY, JULY 12 - THE REFLEXX
SUNDAY, JULY 19 -PISTOL BLONDE
SUNDAY, JULY 26-WAYWARD SONS
SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 -SEGA COUNTRYSIDE
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 - 90s ROCKSHOW
SUNDAY, AUGUST 16 - TYPICAL GYPSYS AND DIEGO'S GARAGE (STARTS AT 4:00 P.M.)
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Baer! reported she participated in a discussion with South County Elected Officials on Economic Development and the challenges cities face from the California unfunded mandates; attended the Cal Cities Regional meeting where they received updates from several agencies; and attended the Cityside Fiber Groundbreaking Ceremony; congratulated the San Francisco Solano Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) team for the following accolades: First Place among mediumsized VITA sites for year-over-year growth and a one hundred percent perfect score during their Internal Revenue Service's site visit.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa thanked everyone for attending the Veterans Monument Dedication; also thanked the veterans that assisted with the project, and thanked City staff for getting the project done in a timely manner.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026
5.5 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED JUNE 8, 2026 AND JUNE 15, 2026 Approved the warrant registers totaling $1,815,260.27.
5.6 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF MAY 2026
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of May 2026.
5. 7 RESOLUTION TO ALLOCATE AND APPROPRIATE ROADWAY MAINTENANCE AND
REHABILITATION ACCOUNT (RMRA) FUNDS, IN THE ESTIMATED AMOUNT OF $415,000 TOWARD THE ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL SLURRY SEAL PROJECT, $795,000 TOWARD THE ANNUAL RESIDENTIAL OVERLAY PROJECT, $650,000
TOWARD THE W/B SANTA MARGARITA PARKWAY PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (PLANO TRABUCO ROAD TO ALMA ALDEA), AND $300,000 TOWARD
THE PLANO TRABUCO ROAD AND TRABUCO CANYON ROAD SLURRY SEAL PROJECT TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP)
Adopted Resolution No. 26-06-24-03 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A LIST OF PROJECTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FUNDED BY SB 1: THE ROAD REPAIR AND
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2017
5.8 ADOPT RESOLUTIONS FOR RENEWED MEASURE M (M2) ELIGIBILITY TO UPDATE
STATUS OF THE LOCAL SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PLAN, PAVEMENT
MANAGEMENT PLAN, AND APPROVAL OF ORANGE COUNTY FUNDTRACKER
CAPITAL IMPROVEMEMT PROJECT LISTING
1) Adopted Resolution No. 26-06-24-04 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, CONCERNING THE UPDATE OF THE LOCAL SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PLAN FOR THE MEASURE M (M2)
PROGRAM
2) Adopted Resolution No. 26-06-24-05 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, CONCERNING THE STATUS AND UPDATE OF THE PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE MEASURE M (M2)
PROGRAM
3) Approved Orange County Fundtracker Capital Improvement Project Listing; and 4) Directed staff to submit the required Renewed Measure M eligibility submittal documents with the Orange County Transportation Authority.
5.9 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE LOS ALISOS PAVEMENT REHABILITATION
PROJECT
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026
1) Accepted the improvements for the Los Alisos Pavement Rehabilitation 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.
5.10 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE SANTA MARGARITA PARKWAY PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Santa Margarita Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation 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.
5.11 NOTICE OF COMPLETION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 TRAFFIC SIGNAL
ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT
1) Accepted the improvements for the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Traffic Signal Enhancements 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.
5.12 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH CHARLES ABBOTT ASSOCIATES, INC., TO
PROVIDE CONTINUED ON-CALL PROFESSIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING, BUILDING & SAFETY, PLAN REVIEW AND INSPECTION CONSUL TING SERVICES 1) Approved proposed Amendment No. 5 to the current Professional Services Agreement with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc., for continued On-Call Professional Civil Engineering, Building & Safety, Plan Review and Inspection Consulting Services, which amendment increases the total maximum not-to-exceed compensation amount by $50,000, from $2,597,000 to $2,647,000 through the end of the current contract term; and
2) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Amendment No. 5 to the Professional Services Agreement with Charles Abbott Associates, Inc. 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes June 24, 2026
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS
7.1 PROPOSED RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CLASSES OF REGULAR
EMPLOYMENT, SALARY RANGES, AND BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES WITH THE CITY AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 26-02-11-01
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa invited City Manager Cervantez who introduced Cheryl Kuta, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director, to provide a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Holloway inquired regarding the cafeteria allowance amount in comparison to other cities average and had questions regarding benefits and deferred comp.
City Manager Cervantez provided an overview of the cafeteria allowance.
Council Member Holloway moved, seconded by Council Member Baert to approve the following staff recommendation:
Adopted Resolution No. 26-06-24-06 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING CLASSES OF REGULAR
EMPLOYMENT, SALARY RANGES, AND BENEFITS FOR EMPLOYEES WITH THE CITY AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO. 26-02-11-01
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Council Members Baert, Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa (4)
None (0)
None (0)
Mayor Beall (1)
7.2 APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION RATIFYING AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGES TO THE
ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF THE CITY MANAGER, AN UNREPRESENTED
EMPLOYEE, FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF ANNUAL PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa introduced Gregory Simonian, City Attorney, who provided a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa opened the item to Council questions of staff.
Council Member Holloway noted that the salary increase that is being approved is well deserved.
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Council Member McGirr shared that the City is blessed to have the best City Manager in Orange County and noted that the salary increase for City Manager Cervantez is well deserved.
Council Member Baer! shared Dr. Cervantez is one of the longest tenured City Manager's among our comparable cities and one of the most educated and experienced, she further thanked City Manager Cervantez for her leadership and effective management.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa congratulated City Manager Cervantez and noted that it is a pleasure to work with her.
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the following staff recommendations:
1) Received an oral report regarding changes to executive compensation pursuant to Senate Bill 1436; and;
2) Pursuant to the minute action taken by the City Council during open session on June 10, 2026, adopted a ratifying Resolution No. 26-06-24-07 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, RATIFYING AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGES
TO THE ANNUAL BASE SALARY OF THE CITY MANAGER, AN
UNREPRESENTED EMPLOYEE
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baer!, Holloway, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa (4)
NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Mayor Beall (1)
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT
City Manager Cervantez thanked the City Council for their support and noted she is entering her 15th year with the City; and thanked the City staff for all their dedicated work.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Baer! recognized the outstanding work on both the Los Alisos Pavement Rehabilitation and Santa Margarita Parkway Pavement Rehabilitation projects, which both came in at lower cost savings and thanked Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer, and staff for their leadership, dedicated and excellent management on the projects.
Council Member Baer! shared her thoughts regarding the 25oth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and wished everyone a safe Fourth of July. 6 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa shared that the Fire Preparedness Community meeting video is available on the City website and thanked Laura Lopez, Public Information Officer, Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Maule and Orange County Sheriff's Department Chief Chapple for their assistance at the event.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Approved: July 8, 2026
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