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MINUTES
AUGUST 5, 2025
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Bourne called the Regular meeting of August 5, 2025, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:11 p.m. Council Member Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Hart 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.
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 Rosenfeldt, Planning Commissioner.
B2. WILDFIRE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION PROCLAIMED FROM MIDSUMMER THROUGH EARLY AUTUMN.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
• Public Comments: Leslie Davis, City resident; Katie Chavez, Youth Advisory Board; and Clint Worthington (no place of residency provided).
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
D1. RESOLUTION 25-08-05-01 ADOPTED CONFIRMING THE 2025 COST REPORT FOR THE 2025 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM AND
AUTHORIZING THE ORANGE COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER’S OFFICE
TO INCLUDE THE ASSESSMENTS FOR WEED ABATEMENT CHARGES ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 PROPERTY TAX ROLL; AND CITY CLERK
DIRECTED TO FORWARD THE ASSESSMENTS TO THE ORANGE COUNTY AUDITOR- CONTROLLER (540.70)
Thomas Toman, Public Works and Community Services Director, provided an agenda report and responded to questions.
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Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing.
• Public Comment: Diane Harkey, Dana Point resident.
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to adopted RESOLUTION 25-08-05-01 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, CONFIRMING THE COST REPORT FOR THE 2025 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM IN THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO;” and the City Clerk directed to forward the assessments to the Orange County Auditor- Controller.
D2. RESOLUTION 25-08-05-02 ADOPTED FINDING THAT THE RECOMMENDED
ACTION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, CLASS 1 (EXISTING
FACILITIES); AND AMENDING CERTAIN CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR ACCESSORY USE PERMIT (AUP) 21-001 ISSUED TO THE TEA HOUSE ON
LOS RIOS WHICH PERMITS THE SALE AND ONSITE CONSUMPTION OF BEER, WINE AND DISTILLED SPIRITS WITH FOOD SERVICE (460.70) • Public Correspondence: Damian Orozco, The Tea House; Benjamin Medina and Kyle Franson, Chamber of Commerce; David and Andrew Hutchins, City residents.
Council Member Taylor recused himself due to proximity of his residence.
Council Member Taylor left the Chamber.
Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Mayor Bourne opened the public hearing.
• Public Comment: Clint Worthington (no place of residency provided); Benjamin Medina, Chamber of Commerce; Monica Mukai, City resident; and Damian Orozco, The Tea House.
Mayor Bourne closed the public hearing.
Moved by Council Member Hart to restrict private events hours, ceasing by 5:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 9:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; and conduct a compliance review of the Accessory Use Permit after a year but failed for lack of a second.
Moved by Council Member Farias to suspend private events for a one-year period, allowing time for the applicant to evaluate how they will conduct private events in the future in compliance with the Accessory Use Permit but failed for lack of a second.
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Council Action: Moved by Mayor Bourne, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried 3-1 with Mayor Pro Tem Campbell opposed and Council Member Taylor recused to adopted RESOLUTION 25-08-05-02 entitled, “A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA AMENDING CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL FOR ACCESSORY USE PERMIT (AUP) 21-001 ISSUED TO THE TEA HOUSE ON
LOS RIOS WHICH PERMITS THE SALE AND ONSITE CONSUMPTION OF BEER, WINE AND DISTILLED SPIRITS WITH FOOD SERVICE AT 31731 LOS RIOS STREET ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBER 121-143-15 AND 16)
(APPLICANT: PHILLIP SCHWARTZE, PRS GROUP.);” modifying the condition related to amplified music to prohibit amplified sound of any kind, including public announcement systems and DJs; and modifying the term of this Accessory Use Permit shall expire on August 5, 2026. City staff will conduct a compliance review of the Accessory Use Permit and provide a compliance report to the City Council prior to August 5, 2026. Upon review of the compliance report, the City Council may, without the need for a new application from the Applicant or additional Cultural Heritage Commission review or recommendation, extend this Accessory Use Permit for an additional time period as determined by the City Council. If during the term of the Accessory Use Permit City staff verifies a violation of any condition of approval of Accessory Use Permit 21-001, the Accessory Use Permit shall immediately be revoked pursuant to the process identified in Conditions of Approval.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart and Mayor Bourne
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Campbell
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to approve consent calendar items E1 through E8 and E10, as recommended by staff.
E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED.
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF JULY 15, 2025, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF JULY 15, 2025,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM MAY 2, 2025, THROUGH MAY 15, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
E5. THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED; AND ADJUSTMENTS TO THE CITY’S
OPERATING AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGETS FOR
FISCAL YEAR 2024-25, APPROVED (330.20)
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E6. ORDINANCE 1128 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO ADOPTING AND
DESIGNATING FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAPS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 51178 AND AMENDING CHAPTER 4-8 OF THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO MUNICIPAL CODE; AND A FINDING THAT
SAID ACTION IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (“CEQA”) AND IS ALTERNATIVELY EXEMPT FROM CEQA UNDER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3)” (540.10) E7. UPGRADE TO THE EXISTING BUDGETED ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
POSITION IN THE ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
DEPARTMENT TO A HIGHER LEVEL ASSISTANT ENGINEER
CLASSIFICATION, APPROVED (700.20)
E8. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE LICENSE AGREEMENTS WITH
THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FIESTA ASSOCIATION AND UNIDOS SOUTH OC, INC., FOR USE OF THE CITY-OWNED TJ MEADOWS BUILDING LOCATED AT 31421 LA MATANZA STREET, FOR A THREE YEAR TERM,
WITH TWO OPTIONAL ONE-YEAR EXTENSIONS UPON MUTUAL
AGREEMENT; AND SAID ACTION FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15061 (b)(3). (600.30)
E9. APPROPRIATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND
TO INSTALL TWO ILLUMINATED TRAFFIC SIGNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF DEL OBISPO STREET AND ALIPAZ STREET, APPROVED; AND SAID
ACTION FOUND EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO SECTION 15301 (C), EXISTING FACILITIES (370.30)
Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, provided an agenda report and responded to questions.
• Public Comments: Clint Worthington (no place of residency provided).
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to approve the appropriation in the amount of $25,000 from the General Fund to install two illuminated traffic signs at the intersection of Del Obispo Street and Alipaz Street; and said action found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (c), Existing Facilities.
E10. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A FUNDING AGREEMENT
WITH THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR
VISITOR INFORMATION SERVICES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAMS; AND APPROPRIATION OF $25,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO FUND THE CITY’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE, APPROVED (600.30)
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ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH ECOCENTER, INC., TO CONDUCT FARMING OPERATIONS AND
AGRICULTURAL FOCUSED PROGRAMMING ON CITY-OWNED PROPERTY LOCATED AT 31750 LA NOVIA AVENUE FOR A 20- YEAR TERM THAT MAY BE EXTENDED FOR TWO ADDITIONAL 10-YEAR TERMS UPON THE
WRITTEN REQUEST OF THE LICENSEE; AND, THAT THE LICENSE
AGREEMENT FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15332, CLASS 32 (IN-FILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS) (600.30)
• Public Correspondence: Kris Smith, City resident; and Robert Smith, City resident.
Matisse Reischl, Assistant City Manager, provided a PowerPoint Presentation and responded to questions. Andrew Sieger, Architect, and Jonathan Zaidman, Community Engagement, representing the Ecology Center, responded to questions.
• Public Comments: Clint Worthington (no place of residency provided).
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried unanimously to authorize the City Manager to execute a license agreement with Ecocenter, Inc., to conduct farming operations and agricultural focused programming on City-owned property located at 31750 La Novia Avenue for a 20- year term that may be extended for two additional 10- year terms upon the written request of the Licensee; and, that the License Agreement found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects) F2a. PRESENTATION FROM CALIFORNIA TROUT, INC. (CAL TROUT) ON THE TRABUCO CREEK FISH PASSAGE PROJECT, RECEIVED; AND CITY
MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION TO THE CPUC ON
BEHALF OF CAL TROUT TO ALLOW CAL TROUT TO CONSTRUCT A PUBLIC
MULTIUSE TRAIL BRIDGE ACROSS TRABUCO CREEK BENEATH AN
EXISTING RAILROAD BRIDGE AS PART OF THE TRABUCO CREEK FISH PASSAGE PROJECT (930.40)
• Public Correspondence: Joe Chiquete, City resident; and Derek Reeve, City resident.
Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Nate Yancheff, Project Manager with California Trout, Inc., provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. • Public Comments: Julie Ryan, City resident; and Diane Harkey, Dana Point resident.
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Council Action: Moved by Council Member Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried unanimously to receive a presentation from California Trout, Inc. (Cal Trout) on the Trabuco Creek Fish Passage Project; and authorize the City Manager to submit an application to the CPUC on behalf of Cal Trout to allow Cal Trout to construct a public multiuse trail bridge across Trabuco Creek beneath an existing railroad bridge as part of the Trabuco Creek Fish Passage Project.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO HOUSING AUTHORITY: (Refer to Housing Authority Minutes)
COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS: None.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
• Mayor Bourne provided feedback regarding the City Council meeting public comments and an update regarding the closure of the downtown movie theater.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Bourne adjourned the meeting at 7:39 p.m. to Tuesday, August 19, 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: August 19, 2025
ATTEST:
___________________________
TROY A. BOURNE, MAYOR