CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
August 26, 2026
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Present: Mayor L. Anthony Beall, Mayor Pro Tempore Anne D. Figueroa, and Council Members Keri Lynn Baert and Bradley J.
McGirr (4). Absent: Council Member Jerry Holloway (1). The Salute to the Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 LABOR DAY HOLIDAY - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026 - CITY HALL CLOSED
1.2 PATRIOT DAY COMMEMORATION - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026, AT 5:30 P.M..,
LOCATED AT THE CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
....
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Council Member McGirr announced that due to the extreme heat the Rancho Santa Margarita Library is open as a cooling station and the Bell Tower Regional Community Center is open as an alternate cooling station.
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa invited everyone to attend the RSM Cares Magic Fundraiser on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Council Member Baert announced she toured the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station along with City Manager Cervantez, and noted that tours are open to the public.
2.2 COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT REPORTS
Received an Oral Report on the following City Council Committee Assignment:
1) FOOTHILL/EASTERN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
Mayor Pro Tem Figueroa reported she attended the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) meeting held on August 13, 2026. Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa reported the TCA reviewed the 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, reported the $417 million- dollar Early Debt Paydown is on schedule as well as the policy to maintain the Zero Unfunded Pension Liability. Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa noted the TCA discussed its commitment to provide additional wildlife fencing and is working on improving wrong way driver safety measures, and reported Caltrans is accepting bids for the 241/91 Express Connector Project.
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City Council Regular Meeting Minutes August 26, 2026
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - None.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual addressed the Council telephonically on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Addison Young, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident and Representative of the Nonprofit Organization Beyond Plastics, spoke regarding Assembly Bill 1276 California's Law to reduce signal use plastic waste that requires foodware accessories to be provided only upon request.
Mayor Beall announced the following eComment:
Shawn Gordon regarding campaigning.
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
MaryAnn Verghese, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, thanked the Council for allowing the election for District 4 to continue; noted her concerns regarding lack of civic engagement and awareness of districts and asked how the Council plans to address this.
Breanne Boyle, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, thanked the Council for lowering the flags to honor Dolly Parton and Tim Curry; shared her thoughts regarding ICE, council meeting video streaming audio and closed captioning.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa moved, seconded by Council Member McGirr to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5. 1 through 5.11).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Baert, McGirr and Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa, Mayor Beall (4) NOES: None (0)
ABSTAIN: None (0)
ABSENT: Council Member Holloway (1)
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 furthe eadina waived
5.2 CLAIM FILED AGAINST THE CITY BY JEFFREY P. SCHWALBACH, ESQ. ON BEHALF OF CLAIMANT MEAGAN BRADLEY, CLAIM NO. 26-006
Rejected Claim No. 26-006 presented by attorney Jeffrey P. Schwalbach, Esq. on behalf of claimant Meagan Bradley on August 20, 2026, and directed the City Clerk to send the required claim rejection notification letter to the claimant. 2 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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5.3 APPROVAL OF WARRANT REGISTERS DATED AUGUST 10, 2026 AND AUGUST 17, 2026
Approved the warrant registers totaling $1,756,521. 18.
5.4 INVESTMENT REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JULY 2026
Received and filed the Investment Report for the month of July 2026.
5.5 APPROVAL OF EQUIPMENT LEASE AGREEMENT AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT FOR FOUR MULTIFUNCTION COPY MACHINES WITH C3 OFFICE SOLUTIONS DBA C3 TECH FOR A 48-MONTH TERM
1) Approved an Equipment Lease Agreement with C3 Tech for a multifunction copier lease for a 48-month term; and
2) Approved a Maintenance Agreement with C3 Tech for multifunction copier maintenance services for a 48-month term; and
3) Authorized the City Manager to execute the agreements for multifunction copier lease and maintenance services with C3 Tech for a combined estimated lease and maintenance cost of $60,576, for the term of the contract.
5.6 APPROVAL OF PROPOSED PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTS WITH GMU GEOTECHNICAL, INC. AND NINYO & MOORE GEOTECHNICAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES CONSULTANTS, INC., FOR ON-CALL
GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES
1) Approved a proposed Professional Services Agreement with GMU Geotechnical, Inc. (GMU) for On-Call Geotechnical Services for an initial three-year term in the maximum, not-to-exceed contract amount of $175,000; and 2) Approved a proposed Professional Services Agreement with Ninyo & Moore Geotechnical & Environmental Sciences Consultants, Inc. operating under SOCOTEC Brand (Ninyo & Moore), for On-Call Geotechnical Services for an initial three-year term in the maximum, not-to-exceed contract amount of $175,000; and 3) Authorized the Mayor to execute the proposed Professional Services Agreements with GMU and Ninyo & Moore.
5.7 APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER WITH SOUTH COAST LIGHTING & DESIGN, INC. TO PROCURE MATERIALS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026/27 TRAFFIC SIGNAL ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $157,947.06
1) Waived competitive formal bidding requirements and procedures set forth in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code (RSMMC) Section 3.07.060 and authorize the sole source procurement with regards to approval of a Purchase Order with South Coast Lighting & Design, Inc., as it is hereby found and determined, pursuant to RSMMC Section 3.07.070, that a specific make, model, or brand is necessary to match existing city goods and supplies or equipment or to facilitate the continuity of effective maintenance and support based on the information presented herein by City staff; and
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2) Approved a Purchase Order to South Coast Lighting & Design, Inc. for traffic signal enhancement materials in the amount of $157,947.06; and 3) Authorized the City Manager to sign the City's standard Purchase Order with South Coast Lighting & Design, Inc.
5.8 RESOLUTION AMENDING AND RESTATING CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 7.2
REGARDING TRAFFIC ENGINEERING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO
INCORPORATE MINOR UPDATES AND ADD TRANSPORTATION STUDY
GUIDELINES
Adopted Resolution No. 26-08-26-01 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA
MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING AND RESTATING IN ITS ENTIRETY CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 7.2 ENTITLED "TRAFFIC ENGINEERING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES" TO INCORPORATE MINOR UPDATES AND
ADD TRANSPORTATION STUDY GUIDELINES
5.9 RESOLUTION DETERMINING AND DECLARING A PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMIT OF 20 MILES PER HOUR FOR SCHOOL ZONES PURSUANT TO VEHICLE CODE SECTION 22352.5
Adopted Resolution No. 26-08-26-02 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CALIFORNIA, DETERMINING AND DECLARING A 20 MPH
PRIMA FACIE SPEED LIMIT IN ALL DESIGNATED SCHOOL ZONES
PURSUANT TO VEHICLE CODE SECTION 22352.5
5.10 APPROVAL OF A PURCHASE ORDER TO GRANICUS, LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $32,073.04 FOR AGENDA MANAGEMENT SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES
1) Waived formal competitive bidding requirements and procedures pursuant to the exemptions set forth in Rancho Santa Margarita Municipal Code Sections 3.07.070 (6), (9), and (11) based on the information and findings set forth in the staff report; and
2) Authorized the City Manager to execute a Purchase Order for a new annual recurring subscription agreement with Granicus, LLC and approve a Purchase Order to Granicus, LLC in the amount of $32,073.04 for agenda management subscription services.
APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATE FOR THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Appointed Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa as the Voting Delegate for the City of Rancho Santa Margarita for the League of California Cities Annual Conference. 4 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
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ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
5.11 APPOINTMENT OF DELEGATE FOR THE LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Mayor Beall noted he received a speaker request form after the vote had been taken for Agenda Item No. 5.11 on the Consent Calendar.
Mayor Beall invited the following individual forward to address the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked the Council to reconsider Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa as the Voting Delegate for the League of California Cities.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS - None.
7. NEW BUSINESS - None.
8. CONTINUED ITEMS - None.
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The following individual addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris McLaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, asked the Council regarding campaign signs located in the Republic Victory office.
10. CITY MANAGER REPORT - None.
11. MATTERS PRESENTED BY MAYOR AND COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Baert thanked the Public Works staff for installing the reduced 20 mph school zone signs in time for the start of the new school year. Council Member Baert is proud that the City is taking proactive steps to improve safety around schools and is thankful to her fellow Council Members for making it a priority.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Beall adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m., to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council to be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, located at 22112 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, California.
Tow'beal
L. ANTHONY BEALL, MAYOR
PREPARED BY:
Amy Diay
AMY DIAZ, CITY CLERK
Approved: September 9, 2026
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