CITY OF RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
September 9, 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, Bradley J. McGirr (5). Absent: None (0). The Salute to the Flag was led by Boy Scout Troop 787.
1. SCHEDULE OF FUTURE EVENTS
Jennifer Cervantez, City Manager, announced the following:
1.1 PATRIOT DAY COMMEMORATION-FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2026, AT 5:30 P.M.,
LOCATED AT THE CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
1.2 RANCHO FAMILY FEST - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2026, AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2026, FROM 2:00 TO 10:00 P.M., LOCATED AT CENTRAL PARK
2. COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS/REPORTS
2.1 COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa announced she was honored to represent Council Member McGirr at the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Groundbreaking ribbon cutting of their new Wildfire Facility in Rancho Mission Viejo. The new facility will strengthen wildfire preparation and response times in Orange County. The City presented a certificate to Chief Maule.
Council Member Baert announced September is National Preparedness Month and encouraged residents to join the RSM Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for a free Citizens Academy; "Coffee with a Cop" will be held on September 12th from 9:00 to 11 :DO a.m., located at Haute Cafe and Market; and the new Plein Air Art Exhibit will be on display at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center through the end of October.
3. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
3.1 RSM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATE
Mayor Beall invited forward Sean Patterson, President of the RSM Chamber of Commerce, who provided a brief update regarding Rancho Family Fest, the Farmer's Market, State of the City and Brewing Up Business events. 1 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
City Council Regular Meeting Minutes September 9, 2026
Mayor Beall invited Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to join him for the following presentations:
3.2 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION - BUSINESS RECOGNITION TO EL FENIX CARNICER[A & KITCHEN
3.3 CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION TO CHERYL KUTA, ASSISTANT CITY
MANAGER/DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
3.4 PROCLAMATION - "HUNGER ACTION MONTH", SEPTEMBER 2026
3.5 PROCLAMATION - "NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH", SEPTEMBER 2026
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Beall announced the following eComment:
Alex Brown regarding OC Animal Care.
The following individuals addressed the Council on matters within the jurisdiction of the City Council:
Chris Mclaughlin, City of Rancho Santa Margarita resident, spoke regarding the November 13, 2024, City Council meeting minutes and the November 2024 election.
Josh Bastian, Co-Chair of Rancho Family Fest, provided an update regarding Rancho Family Fest.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Beall reported Council Member Baert requested to remove Agenda Item No. 5. 7 from the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
Council Member McGirr moved, seconded by Mayor Pro Tempore Figueroa to approve the Consent Calendar (Item Nos. 5.1 through 5.6).
The motion was approved by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
Council Members Baert, 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 RECOGNITION AND PROCLAMATIONS Approved the following:
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