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MINUTES
MARCH 4, 2025
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Bourne called the Regular meeting of March 4, 2025, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:04 p.m. Mayor Bourne led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Hart gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Troy A. Bourne (left at approximately 6:00 p.m.), Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell and Council Members Sergio Farias, Howard Hart, and John Taylor.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
CITY CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT: Per Assembly Bill 23, Christy Jakl, City Clerk, announced that each Housing Authority Board Member received a $50.00 stipend for conducting the Housing Authority meeting.
Agenda items are presented in the originally agendized format for the benefit of the minutes’ reader but were not necessarily heard in that order.
INTRODUCTIONS:
B1. COMMISSIONER INTRODUCTION: – MAYOR PRO TEM CAMPBELL INTRODUCED: Ted Rosendfeldt, Planning Commissioner.
B2. DEPUTY CHAD RENEGAR RECOGNIZED AS 2024 DEPUTY OF THE YEAR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
• Public Correspondence: Vida Hosseini, City resident; Ela Patel, City resident; Julian Khatibi, City resident; Michelle Silvas-Kirkelie, City resident; Sandip Godambe, City resident; and, Ali Shamari, City resident. • Public Comments: Richard Nguyen, City resident; and, Sophia Zuinga, Youth Advisory Board.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
D1. RESOLUTION 25-03-04-01 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 24-001 TO AMEND THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 3.7-ACRE AREA LOCATED AT 31726, 31734, AND 31736 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD (APNS 666-261-04, 666- 261-05, 666-261-12 AND A PORTION OF 666-261-14) FROM
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TO PUBLIC & INSTITUTIONAL,
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APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 24-002 TO ALLOW THE
PROPERTY AT 31734 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD TO BE UTILIZED FOR
EDUCATIONAL USES, AS CONDITIONED AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF CODE AMENDMENT 24-003, AND FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL);” INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CODE AMENDMENT 24-003 TO AMEND THE ORTEGA PLANNED
COMMUNITY COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 78-01 BY
CHANGING THE SECTOR DESIGNATION OF A 3.7-ACRE AREA FROM SECTOR A-2 TO SECTOR D IN ORDER TO ALLOW EDUCATIONAL USES WITHIN FOUR PARCELS LOCATED AT 31726, 31734, AND 31736 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD (APNS 666-261-04, 666-261-05, 666-261-12 AND A PORTION OF 666-261-14) AND FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL); INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT 24-001 TO AMEND SECTION 4.1.3 OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND ST.
MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PURSUANT TO
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65864 ET SEQ. AND FINDING
THAT SAID ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES
SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST.
MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL)” (440.25/420.25/460.70) • Public Correspondence: Craig Morris, City resident.
Laurel Reimer, Contract Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, responded to questions.
Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing. No public testimony was received.
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
Christy Jakl, City Clerk, read the title of the ordinances.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Bourne, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to adopt Resolution 25-03-04-01 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT 24-001 TO AMEND THE LAND USE DESIGNATION OF AN APPROXIMATELY
3.7-ACRE AREA LOCATED AT 31726, 31734, AND 31736 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD (APNS 666-261-04, 666-261-05, 666-261-12 AND A PORTION OF 666- 3 3/4/2025
261-14) FROM NEIGHBORHOOD COMMERCIAL TO PUBLIC &
INSTITUTIONAL, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT 24-002 TO ALLOW THE PROPERTY AT 31734 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD TO BE UTILIZED
FOR EDUCATIONAL USES, AS CONDITIONED AND SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL OF CODE AMENDMENT 24-003, AND FINDING THAT SAID
ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES
SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST.
MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL);” introduction and first reading of an ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CODE AMENDMENT 24-003 TO AMEND THE ORTEGA PLANNED COMMUNITY
COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 78-01 BY CHANGING THE
SECTOR DESIGNATION OF A 3.7-ACRE AREA FROM SECTOR A-2 TO
SECTOR D IN ORDER TO ALLOW EDUCATIONAL USES WITHIN FOUR PARCELS LOCATED AT 31726, 31734, AND 31736 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD (APNS 666-261-04, 666-261-05, 666-261-12 AND A PORTION OF 666-261-14)
AND FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA
GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL);” and, introduction and first reading of an ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT 24-001 TO
AMEND SECTION 4.1.3 OF THE EXISTING AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AND ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND
EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PURSUANT TO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65864 ET SEQ. AND FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) UNDER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, EXISTING FACILITIES (CLASS 1) (APPLICANT: ST. MARGARET OF SCOTLAND EPISCOPAL SCHOOL),” and, staff directed to explore potential modification of the annual adjustment to the additional payment and to provide St. Margaret’s Episcopal School with a year advance notice of the increase.
D2. RESOLUTION 25-03-04-02 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
UPDATING AND ESTABLISHING USER AND REGULATORY FEES FOR
VARIOUS CITY REGULATORY ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES SET FORTH IN A COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE;” AND, ACTION FOUND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A “PROJECT” UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) (390.10)
Ken Al-Imam, Chief Financial Officer, provided a presentation and responded to questions. Terry Madson, Clear Source Financial Consulting, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Mayor Pro Tem Campbell opened the public hearing. No public testimony was received. Mayor Pro Tem Campbell closed the public hearing. 4 3/4/2025
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Farias, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to adopt Resolution 25-03- 04-02 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA UPDATING AND ESTABLISHING
USER AND REGULATORY FEES FOR VARIOUS CITY REGULATORY
ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES SET FORTH IN A
COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE;” and, action found does not constitute a “project” under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to approve consent calendar items E1 through E4, E8, E9 and E10, as recommended by staff.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED.
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 18, 2025,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 13, 2024, THROUGH DECEMBER 19, 2024, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
E5. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO THE
MASTER SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENT WITH GRANICUS, LLC, TERM
ENDING MARCH 6, 2028, FOR WEBCASTING PUBLIC MEETINGS AND
ONLINE MANAGEMENT SOLUTION FOR CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST
REPORTING, THEREBY INCREASING THE TOTAL AGREEMENT AMOUNT TO $140,494; AND, COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO SECTION 3-
4.310(e) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, WAIVED (600.30)
Christy Jakl, City Clerk, provided an agenda report. Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, responded to questions.
• Public Comments: Rich Heimann, City resident.
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Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to authorize the City Manager to Execute an Amendment to the Master Subscription Agreement with Granicus, LLC, term ending March 6, 2028, for webcasting public meetings and online management solution for Conflict-Of-Interest reporting, thereby increasing the total agreement amount to $140,494; competitive bidding waived pursuant to Section 3-4.310(e) of the Municipal Code; and, staff directed to return to City Council Budget Workshop with options for an additional camera.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
E6. REQUEST FROM PREMIER EQUISPORTS EVENTS FOR INTERMITTENT EQUESTRIAN TRAILER PARKING ON A 2.4-ACRE PORTION OF CITYOWNED PROPERTY ADJACENT TO REATA PARK IN SUPPORT OF
EQUESTRIAN EVENTS AT THE RANCHO MISSION VIEJO RIDING PARK AT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FOR THE 2025 EQUESTRIAN SHOW SEASON, APPROVED; AND, STAFF AUTHORIZED TO DISCONTINUE TRAILER
PARKING WITH THIRTY DAY NOTICE TO PREMIER EQUISPORTS EVENTS, IF NECESSARY (570.10)
Matisse Reischl, Assistant City Manager, provided an agenda report and responded to questions.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to approved a request from Premier Equisports Events for intermittent equestrian trailer parking on a 2.4- acre portion of City-owned property adjacent to Reata Park in support of equestrian events at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park at San Juan Capistrano for the 2025 equestrian show season, approved; and, staff authorized to discontinue trailer parking with thirty day notice to Premier Equisports Events, if necessary.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
E7. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH LAZ PARKING CALIFORNIA LLC, FOR TROLLEY
OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR THE CITY’S GRANTFUNDED SUMMER WEEKEND AND SPECIAL EVENT TROLLEY SERVICE, FOR A COST OF $1,688,956 PLUS A 10% CONTINGENCY, FOR A TOTAL NOT TO EXCEED AMOUNT OF $1,860,000, OVER AN APPROXIMATE SIXYEAR PERIOD FROM MAY 24, 2025, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2031; AND,
PROPOSED ACTIVITY FOUND TO NOT CONSTITUTE A PROJECT UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) (600.30) 6 3/4/2025
Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, provided an agenda report and responded to questions.
• Public Comments: Amanda Meffert, City resident.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with LAZ Parking California LLC, for trolley operations and maintenance services for the City’s grant-funded summer weekend and special event trolley service, for a cost of $1,688,956 plus a 10% contingency, for a total not to exceed amount of $1,860,000, over an approximate six-year period from May 24, 2025, through June 30, 2031; and, proposed activity found to not constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
E8. TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT CONTRACT WITH THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, FOR THE
CALTRANS ORTEGA HIGHWAY WIDENING PROJECT, APPROVED; AND,
CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT AND ANY
INCIDENTAL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE
CONTRACT (670.50)
E9. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE INSPECTION SERVICES (ECIS)
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT DATED AUGUST 2, 2023, FOR NPDES PROGRAM COMPLIANCE INSPECTION SERVICES; AND, ACTIONS
FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) (600.30)
E10. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH R3 CONSULTING GROUP, INC.; AND APPROPRIATE $45,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO FUND THE SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT; AND COMPETITIVE BIDDING PURSUANT TO SECTION 3-4.310(E) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE, WAIVED; AND, ACTIONS FOUND CATEGORICALLY
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA SECTION 15061(B)(3)(COMMON SENSE
EXEMPTION) (600.30)
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ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CITY MANAGER’S EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT, APPROVED; RESOLUTION 25-03-04-03 ADOPTED
ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 24-06-18-07, THE CITY’S
CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS, IMPLEMENTING SALARY TABLES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024-25, 2025-26, AND 2026-27 FOR EXECUTIVE CLASSIFICATIONS;” AND, CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO
AMEND EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES,
PROVIDING FOR AN ADJUSTMENT IN APPROVED DEFERRED
COMPENSATION IN THE AMOUNT OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS ($500.00) PER MONTH (700.10)
Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney, provided a presentation.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Bourne absent to approved a Second Amendment to the City Manager’s Employment Agreement; RESOLUTION 25- 03-04-03 adopted entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 24-06-18- 07, THE CITY’S CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS,
IMPLEMENTING SALARY TABLES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2024-25, 2025-26, AND 2026-27 FOR EXECUTIVE CLASSIFICATIONS;” and, City Manager authorized to amend Employment Agreements with Executive Employees, providing for an adjustment in approved deferred compensation in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) per month.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO HOUSING AUTHORITY: (Refer to Housing Authority Minutes)
COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS:
H1. CONTRIBUTION OF $76,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND FOR A ONE-TIME
DONATION TO THE CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE FOR IMPROVEMENTS AT A NEW FACILITY, APPROVED (900.40)
• Public Correspondence: Richard Stein, Arts Orange County.
Mayor Pro Tem Campbell recused himself as he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Camino Real Playhouse and left the Council Chamber. He will coordinate with the City Attorney’s Office to seek advice form the Fair Political Practices Commission to determine if he can participate in future matters involving the Camino Real Playhouse.
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Council Member Farias provided a report and responded to questions. • Public Comments: Jim Taylor, Camino Real Playhouse; Leslie Eisner, Camino Real Playhouse; Frank Larkin, City resident; Ricardo Bea, City business owner; Rich Heimann, Alliance for San Juan Capistrano Art; Steve Behmerwohld, City resident (read comments on behalf of Andrew Reed).
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Farias, and carried 3-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Campbell recused and Mayor Bourne absent to approve a contribution of $76,000 from the General Fund for a one-time donation to the Camino Real Playhouse for improvements at a new facility.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, and Taylor
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Bourne
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Campbell
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
• Council Member Taylor reported attending the Orange Council Business Council event and announced the City Council receiving an award for Leadership in Public Service for the River Street project.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Bourne adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m. to Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. for an Executive Session, and 5:00 p.m. for the public Business Session, in the City Council Chamber at the Community Center – 25925 Camino Del Avion.
Respectfully submitted,
___________________________
CHRISTY JAKL, CITY CLERK
Approved: March 18, 2025
ATTEST:
___________________________
TROY A. BOURNE, MAYOR