CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
August 18, 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 McGirr.
Staff Present: Jennifer M. Cervantez, City Manager; Gregory E. Simonian, City Attorney; Joe Parco, Public Works Director/City Engineer; Stefanie Turner, Finance Director; Dwayne Chapple, Captain; Amy Diaz, City Clerk.
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
2. NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
2.1 CONSIDER THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION APPOINTING THE SOLE NOMINEE TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN DISTRICT NO. 4, AND CANCELING THE NOVEMBER 3, 2026 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
FOR THIS UNCONTESTED OFFICE, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, DIRECT THE
LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICIAL/CITY CLERK TO PROCEED WITH HOLDING THE ELECTION FOR COUNCIL DISTRICT NO. 4
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.
Council Member Holloway inquired regarding the cost differences for the City in terms of both recommendations.
Mayor Beall opened the item to Council discussion and deliberation.
Council Member McGirr inquired regarding the ballots that will be mailed to District 4; and what is the basis of the cost savings estimate to only remove one name.
City Manager Cervantez explained that one of the largest costs in Elections are the printing of the ballot guide, and the District 4 pages would no longer need to be printed on the ballot guide if the Council canceled the election for that district.
Council Member McGirr shared that he recommends holding the election for District 4 so the voters are aware of who they are voting for; noted that the City budgeted the money for the Election in May; stated he prefers to stay on the ballot unless there • is some sort of unexpected urgency that would require an appointment.
1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Special Meeting Minutes August 18, 2026
Council Member Holloway inquired if there is a mechanism that would allow the appointment of District 4 to be put out there if the Council chose that option.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa noted she does not want to deny any resident the right to vote and shared she would like to proceed with the election; noted the election was a budgeted item.
Council Member Baert asked for clarification that if the Council were to approve an appointment, then it would be the same as if the person were elected; clarified that once an appointment is made, then no write-in candidate could go on the ballot; and inquired if the Council's decision would be setting a precedent for any future elections.
Mayor Beall asked for clarification from Gregory Simonian, City Attorney, that an appointed person to the City Council would serve in the identical capacity but their title would be different as an appointed incumbent; inquired regarding a ballot designation option for an appointed incumbent.
Mayor Beall noted he agrees with Council Member McGirr and believes every voter in District 4 deserves to know who is running to be their representative and what their platform is; shared that he also believes that a candidate that has taken the time and invested the effort to run, deserves the right to run, and to not carry a lesser title of appointed incumbent; he noted that the election costs were budgeted months ago and it's the cost of democracy.
Mayor Beall made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to approve the following:
The City Council directed the local Elections Official/City Clerk to proceed with holding the election for Council District No. 4.
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)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Tombeall
L. ANTHONY BEALL, MAYOR
2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Special Meeting Minutes August 18, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Approved: September 9, 2026