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MINUTES
MARCH 18, 2025
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Bourne called the Regular meeting of March 18, 2025, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:12 p.m. Council Member Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Pro Tem Campbell gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Troy A. Bourne, Mayor Pro Tem John Campbell and Council Members Sergio Farias, Howard Hart, and John Taylor.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
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: Anna Dickinson, Cultural Heritage Commissioner; Ester Ocampo, Parks, Equestrian and Community Services Commissioner; Ted Rosenfeldt, Planning Commissioner; Tami Wilhelm, Planning Commissioner; and, Jerry Muir, Youth Advisory Board Advisor.
B2. FEBRUARY 1, 2025, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2025, PROCLAIMED AS “FIESTA DE LAS GOLONDRINAS”
B3. PRESENTATION BY SANTA MAGARITA WATER DISTRICT
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
• Public Correspondence: Michael Mavrovouniotis (no place of residence provided). • Public Comment: Brian De Franco, Representative for Assemblywoman Laurie Davies; Guadalupe Silva, Youth Advisory Board; Edyard Sierra, Youth Advisory Board; and, Kimberly Ventura, Youth Advisory Board.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
D1. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ENTITLED, “AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO AMENDING THE CITY’S LAND USE CODE REGULATING
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING
UNITS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW; AND FINDING THE
ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17” (420.25)
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Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and 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 ordinance.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried unanimously to introduce and conduct first reading of an ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AMENDING THE CITY’S LAND USE CODE
REGULATING ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS AND JUNIOR ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY WITH STATE LAW; AND
FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER PUBLIC
RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080.17”
D2. ORDINANCE 1124 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “AN INTERIM ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO EXTENDING FOR A SECOND TIME URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1116 PROHIBITING NEW
COMMERCIAL BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, ADOPTED AS AN URGENCY MEASURE; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA;” REPORT ADOPTED
DESCRIBING MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE CONDITIONS THAT LED TO ADOPTION OF URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1116 AND SUPPORTING THE SECOND EXTENSION (THE “10-DAY REPORT”); AND SAID ACTIONS
FOUND EXEMPT FROM REVIEW UNDER CEQA PER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE) AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15307 (PROTECTION OF NATURAL
RESOURCES), AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15308 (PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT), AND, IN THE ALTERNATIVE, PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21080(B)(4) AND CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15269(EMERGENCY PROJECTS) (1000.10)
• Public Correspondence: Brittany Syz, San Diego Gas and Electric Vice President, External Affairs & Communications
Matisse Reischl, Assistant City Manager, provided a presentation and responded to questions.
Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing.
• Public Comment: Theresa Ford, Laguna Niguel resident; Cathleen Pryor, Laguna Niguel resident (provided handouts); Ron Cabrera, City resident; Michael McGrady, City resident; and Dana Bulter Moburg, The Shea Center.
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
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Christy Jakl, City Clerk, read the title of the ordinance.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Council Member Farias, and carried unanimously to adopt Ordinance 1124 entitled, “AN
INTERIM ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO EXTENDING FOR A SECOND TIME URGENCY ORDINANCE NO. 1116 PROHIBITING NEW COMMERCIAL BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE
SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, ADOPTED AS AN URGENCY MEASURE; AND FINDING THE ACTION TO BE EXEMPT FROM CEQA;” adopt a report describing measures to alleviate conditions that led to adoption of Urgency Ordinance No. 1116 and supporting the second extension (the “10-DayReport”), approved; and, said actions found exempt from review under CEQA per CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense) and, in the alternative, CEQA Guidelines Section 15307 (Protection of Natural Resources), and, in the alternative, CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 (Protection of the Environment), and, in the alternative, Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines Section 15269(Emergency Projects).
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried unanimously to approve consent calendar items E1 through E6 and E8 through E15, as recommended by staff.
E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED.
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – SPECIAL MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF MARCH 4, 2025, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 4, 2025,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 20, 2024, THROUGH JANUARY 9, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
E5. CASH AND INVESTMENTS REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024, RECEIVED AND FILED (350.30)
E6. NEW DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION STATUS REPORT, RECEIVED AND FILED (440.10)
E7. HOUSING ELEMENT ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR THE 2024 CALENDAR YEAR, RECEIVED AND FILED; AND, STAFF AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT THE REPORT TO THE STATE BY APRIL 1, 2025 (430.10) • Public Correspondence: Miriam Zuniga, Community Leader Coalition.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to receive and file the Housing Element Annual 4 3/18/2025
Progress Report for the 2024 calendar year; and staff authorized to submit the report to the State by April 1, 2025.
E8. CITY’S GENERAL PLAN ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2024, RECEIVED AND FILED; AND, STAFF AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT THE REPORT TO THE STATE (420.10)
E9. EVAN BURGHER, ANNA DICKINSON, LEE KOVAL, PAUL LOPEZ AND ANN
RONAN APPOINTED TO THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM, ENDING MARCH 31, 2027 (110.20)
E10. JAKOB AWERKAMP AND ROB PLAVAJKA AS AT-LARGE MEMBERS AND
CHRISTINA DI SANO AS AT-LARGE ALTERNATE APPOINTED TO THE
DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM, ENDING MARCH 31, 2027 (110.20)
E11. SHELLY BARKER, ANDREW COMEAU, AUREA MANDUJANO, ESTER
OCAMPO AND KRISTINA PERRIGOUE APPOINTED TO THE PARKS,
EQUESTRIAN AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION FOR A TWOYEAR TERM, ENDING MARCH 31, 2027 (110.20) E12. STAN BRADEN, DARREN FANCHER, JEFF MOORE, TED ROSENFELDT
AND TAMI WILHELM APPOINTED TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM, ENDING MARCH 31, 2027 (110.20)
E13. ORDINANCE 1125 ADOPTED 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)” (440.25/420.25/460.70)
E14. ORDINANCE 1126 ADOPTED 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)
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E15. RESOLUTION 25-03-18-01 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE DECLARATION OF DESIGNATED EQUIPMENT
INVENTORY AS SURPLUS PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY
MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL AGREEMENTS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE
THE FINAL SALE OF THE DESIGNATED INVENTORY TO THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO;” AND, CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE ALL
AGREEMENTS REQUIRED TO FACILITATE THE SURPLUS PROCESS AND
FINAL SALE OF THE DESIGNATED INVENTORY TO THE CITY OF ALISO VIEJO (370.30)
E16. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING REMOVAL OF “NO STOPPING/PARKING” AND PERMITTING PARKING ON PORTIONS OF PASEO ADELANTO; AND,
FINDING SAID ACTION EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, SECTION 15301 (C) – ITEM REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA (570.30)
• Public Correspondence: Stacey Rojo and Matt Spaulding, business owners.
E17. STANDBY AGREEMENT WITH PREMIER EQUISPORTS EVENTS LLC AND
ACTION SPORTS MANAGEMENT GROUP LLC DBA THE RIDLAND GROUP
RELATED TO THE GROUND LEASE FOR THE CITY-OWNED RANCHO
MISSION VIEJO RIDING PARK AT SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – ITEM REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA (600.30)
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE ARGUELLO WAY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT (CIP 23102) AWARDED TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIBLE
BIDDER, OPPENHEIMER NATIONAL, INC., IN THE AMOUNT OF $896,400.70,
AND AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE THE CONSTRUCTION
CONTRACT AND CHANGE ORDERS FOR A TOTAL CONSTRUCTION
CONTINGENCY NOT TO EXCEED $150,000, APPROVED; AND, CITY
MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AN EASEMENT AGREEMENT WITH
THE ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS (CAPISTRANO PLAZA LLC AND SJC
MISSION VENTURES LLC) FOR TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION AND
PERMANENT EASEMENTS IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARGUELLO BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT; AND, APPROPRIATE $300,000 FROM THE PUBLIC BENEFIT CONTRIBUTION FUND AND $287,400 OF
AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) FUNDING FROM THE FACILITIES
OPERATION FUND TO ADDRESS THE PROJECTED CONSTRUCTION
BUDGET SHORTFALL FOR THE PROJECT; AND, SAID ACTION FOUND
EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES, SECTION 15301 (600.30) Council Member Taylor recused himself from the item due to proximity to his residence and left the Chamber.
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Nardy Khan, Environmental and Engineering Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
• Public Correspondence: Bill Ortega, The Trading Post; and, David Swerdlin, City resident.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Campbell, and carried 3-1 with Council Member Farias opposed and Council Member Taylor recursed to award a Construction Contract for the Arguello Way Beautification Project (CIP 23102) to the lowest responsible bidder, Oppenheimer National, Inc., in the amount of $896,400.70, and authorize the City Manager to execute the Construction Contract and approve change orders for a total construction contingency not to exceed $150,000; modification to restrict the plantings in front of the business at 12” – 18” maximum height; and, City Manager authorized to execute an Easement Agreement with the adjacent property owners (Capistrano Plaza LLC and SJC Mission Ventures LLC) for Temporary Construction and Permanent Easements in support of the construction of the Arguello Beautification Project; and, Appropriate $300,000 from the Public Benefit Contribution Fund and $287,400 of American Disabilities Act (ADA) funding from the Facilities Operation Fund to address the projected construction budget shortfall for the Project; and, said action found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the State CEQA Guidelines, Section 15301.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: (Refer to Successor Agency Minutes) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS:
H1. RECONSIDERATION OF CITY CONTRIBUTION TO THE CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE FOR TENANT IMPROVEMENTS TO NEW FACILITY (900.40) 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.
Council Member Taylor provided a report and responded to questions. • Public Comments: Paul Hunn, City resident; Darrell Hill, City resident; and Leslie Eisner, Camino Real Playhouse.
Mayor Bourne made a motion, seconded by Council Member Taylor, to reconsider the City’s Contribution of $76,000 to the Camino Real Playhouse for tenant improvements to new facility, but motion failed 2-2-0.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor and Mayor Bourne
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias and Hart
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Campbell
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CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Bourne adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. to Tuesday, April 1, 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: April 1, 2025
ATTEST:
___________________________
TROY A. BOURNE, MAYOR