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MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 2026
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING
Mayor Campbell called January 20, 2026, Regular Executive Session meeting of the City Council to order at 3:01 p.m., in the City Council Chamber.
ROLL CALL
COUNCIL MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Mayor John Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor and Council Members Troy A. Bourne, Sergio Farias, and Howard Hart.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE/PUBLIC COMMENT ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS: None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION (610.85)
An Executive Session was held for the following purposes, as authorized by statute:
a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) & (d) (1), the City Council conferred with legal counsel pertaining to existing litigation in the matter of Action Sports Management Group, LLC dba The Ridland Group v City of San Juan Capistrano, Orange County Superior Ct. Case No. 30-2025-01518977-CU-BCCJC. b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) & (d) (1), the City Council conferred with legal counsel pertaining to existing litigation in the matter of City of San Juan Capistrano v. State of California Energy Commission, et al., Orange County Superior Ct. Case No. 30-2025-01507450-CU-WM-CJC. c. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9 (a), (d)(2), the City Council conferred with Legal Counsel to discuss anticipated litigation – significant exposure to litigation (1 item).
d. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the City Council met with its Real Property Negotiators (Benjamin Siegel, City Manager; and Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney) concerning the price and terms of payment concerning certain real property located at 31796 El Camino Real, 31872 El Camino Real, 31882 El Camino Real (portions of Historic Town Center Park). Negotiating Party: San Juan Capistrano Performing Arts Center, a California nonprofit corporation. e. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the City Council met with its Real Property Negotiators (Benjamin Siegel, City Manager; and Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney) pertaining to the price and terms of payment regarding public right-ofway on the north side of San Juan Creek Road adjacent to property owned by the San Juan Hills Golf Club and the City (APNs 666-011-18, 27 and 28). Negotiating party: Roberto Brutocao, San Juan Hills Golf Club.
f. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the City Council met with its Real Property Negotiators (Benjamin Siegel, City Manager; and Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney) pertaining to the price and terms of payment concerning real property
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located at 31257 Ortega Highway, known as Reata Park (APN 125-172- 27). Negotiating party: Mike Evans, California Native Horticultural Foundation. g. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8, the City Council met with its Real Property Negotiators (Benjamin Siegel, City Manager; and Jeffrey Ballinger, City Attorney) pertaining to the price and terms of payment concerning a portion of public right-of-way located at the northwest corner of Old Mission Road and Ortega Highway. Negotiating party: Jake Griffith, Triforce Holdings.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ACTIONS: Council Member Farias recused himself from item 4e because he received a campaign contribution from the negotiating party.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, Mayor Campbell adjourned the meeting to Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. for a Public Business Session, in the City Council Chamber at the Community Center – 25925 Camino Del Avion.
Respectfully submitted,
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CHRISTY JAKL, CITY CLERK
Approved: February 3, 2026
ATTEST:
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JOHN CAMPBELL, MAYOR