CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
July 8, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 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.
Mayor Beall introduced Amy Diaz, City Clerk, who provided a brief overview on public participation during the Council meeting relating to Senate Bill 707.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 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.)
1.2 JULY 22, 2026 CITY COUNCIL MEETING CANCELED
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member Holloway thanked Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) Chief Dwayne Chapple and Deputies for all the work they continue to do with the e-Bike enforcement.
Council Member McGirr congratulated the Rancho Santa Margarita Landscape and Recreation Corporation (SAMLARC) and the OCSD on a fantastic Star Spangled Spectacular event; noted that EöS Fitness and the Gold Finch are new businesses coming to town; shared that Cox Communications have donated $2,000 to RSM Cares Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa also thanked SAMLARC for a wonderful Fourth of July event.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes July 8, 2026
Council Member Baert reiterated how appreciative she is for SAMLARC's Fourth of July festivities; also thanked the OCSD for their services on Fourth of July; reminded residents that "The Ways of Water" Art Exhibit presented by RSM Cares is on display through August 31s' at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center (BTRCC).
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY
Council Member McGirr announced he attended the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) meeting held on June 25, 2026. Council Member McGirr shared the OCFA approved a Wildfire facility to be located in Rancho Mission Viejo which will enhance the wildfire efforts with OCFA. The OCFA also approved an Economic Items Term Sheet with the Orange County Professional Firefighters Association. Council Member McGirr shared that on June 10th the City, OCFA, Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, SAMLARC and Santa Margarita Water District, hosted a Fire Safety and Preparedness meeting, and noted that the video is available on the City's website.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Beall presented the following proclamation:
3.1 PROCLAMATION - 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE Mayor Beall invited Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to join him for the following presentations:
3.2 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION TO BETH HEARD AND RHONDA LUNDBERG FOR FIREWISE USA® COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
3.3 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO DIGITAL PHOTO
GRAPHIX
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComment:
Dr. Curi Kenmark regarding Early Wildfire Detection Technology.
The following individual addressed the Council telephonically on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding live video streaming regarding Senate Bill 707 requirements.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beall removed Agenda Item No. 5.5 for further discussion at the request of a resident.
Council Member Baert moved, seconded by Council Member Holloway to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.4 and 5.6 and 5.7).
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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 CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION AND PROCLAMATION Approved the following:
1) Certificate of Recognition for a Business Recognition to Digital Photo Graphix; and 2) Certificates of Recognition to Beth Heard and Rhonda Lundberg for Firewise USAR Community Leadership; and
3) Proclamation celebrating the United States 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
-...
5.3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Approved the June 24, 2026 City Council Regular meeting minutes.
5.4 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED JUNE 22, 2026 AND JUNE 29, 2026 Approved the warrant registers totaling $649,679.97.
5.6 RESPONSE TO THE 2025-2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT DATED MAY 19, 2026, ENTITLED, "WILDFIRES HIT HOME"
Authorized the Mayor to sign the response letter to the Orange County Grand Jury relative to the findings and recommendations contained in the May 19, 2026 report "Wildfires Hit Home".
5.7 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
5.5 RESPONSE TO 2025-2026 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT DATED MAY 27, 2026, ENTITLED "CALIFORNIA HOUSING MANDATES, THE UNINTENDED RESHAPING OF ORANGE COUNTY NEIGHBORHOODS"
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Mayor Beall announced the item was pulled at the request of a resident.
The following individual addressed the Council telephonically on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, inquired if there was a meeting held for residents to speak regarding the California Housing Mandates.
Mayor Beall moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the following recommendation:
Authorized the Mayor to sign the response letter to the Orange County Grand Jury relative to the findings and recommendations contained in the 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report entitled, "California Housing Mandates, The Unintended Reshaping of Orange County Neighborhoods."
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)
PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS
6.1 REQUEST TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR
PRESENTATION OF FEE STUDY REPORT AND PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ESTABLISHING AND ADOPTING UPDATED DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING FEES
AND OTHER CITY RATES, CHARGES, AND FEES FOR SERVICES
Mayor Beall introduced Cheryl Kuta, Development Services Director/Assistant City Manager, who requested that the agenda item be continued to the next City Council Mayor Beall moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to approve the following recommendation:
The City Council continued the noticed public hearing to the City Council's August 12, 2026, regular meeting.
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)
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NEW BUSINESS
7.1 DESIGN REVIEW FOR THE CIVIC CENTER NON-FUNCTIONAL TURF
REPLACEMENT AND MONUMENT LANDSCAPING PROJECT
Mayor Beall introduced City Manager Cervantez who invited Andrea Brahm, Environmental Programs Coordinator, forward to present a brief overview of the staff report.
Mayor Beall opened the item for Council questions of staff.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa inquired regarding the cost difference for Options 1 and 2 related to the use of mulch and how often mulch should be replaced.
Council Member Baert asked if the rocks would be glued down so that they would not be moving around.
Mayor Beall inquired if there was any consideration of placing synthetic turf grass in lieu of what has been presented and what the cost differential might be. Mayor Beall shared he prefers having green and preserving more of the character of the civic center area to the extent possible and asked if staff can look into it; asked what is currently in the monument planters.
Council Member Baert would like to see the cost of placing turf by the serpentine planters, understands the City would not get the rebates but could we potentially receive other rebates.
Council Member McGirr would like to see the planters around the monuments upgraded; suggested not using the Dwarf Natal Plum plant and had reservations regarding the plants listed under Options 1 and 2. Council Member McGirr hopes there is some variance of the types of plants that can be planted, suggested more color around City Hall and shared that he does not have a problem with turf in front of City Hall.
Council Member Holloway inquired what the square footage of the area is for the proposed turf location; agrees with getting costs for the turf.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa suggested installing soft vegetation bushes behind the turf, if the turf option is selected.
Council Member Baert asked if there is an issue with rocks being picked up and thrown, otherwise she does not have an issue with using rocks.
The City Council suggested using the turf option for serpentine; to not use the Dwarf Natal Plum; add color; and use rock over mulch, regarding the three design options for the Civic Center Non-Functional Turf Replacement and Monument Landscaping project CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
L.:
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
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11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member McGirr encouraged everyone to attend the RSM Cares fundraiser "A Night in Montecarlo" to be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., located at Celinda's Mexican Restaurant; and encouraged everyone to attended the first summer concert on Sunday.
Council Member Baert thanked the City Clerk and City staff who worked so diligently to ensure that tonight's meeting was ready to be live streamed. Council Member Baert thanked her Council colleagues who supported live streaming and stated she is proud the city now provides live streaming.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
And for
L. ANTHONY BEALL, MAYOR
PREPARED BY:
Dice
Approved: August 12, 2026
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