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MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2026
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Campbell called the Regular meeting of February 3, 2026, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:03 p.m. Council Member Hart led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Pro Tem Taylor gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor John Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor and Council Members Sergio Farias and Howard Hart.
COUNCIL MEMBERS ABSENT: Council Member Troy A. Bourne.
MEETING DEDICATION: The meeting was dedicated in memory of Wyatt Hart, longtime resident and former San Juan Capistrano Mayor and Council Member.
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 TAYLOR
INTRODUCED: Ted Rosenfeldt, Planning Commissioner.
B2. DEPUTY PAUVID CHOI RECOGNIZED AS 2025 DEPUTY OF THE YEAR ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Correspondence: Jeff Weaver, City resident.
Public Comments: Jeff Weaver, City resident; and Mark Nielsen, City resident.
PUBLIC HEARINGS: None.
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded by Mayor Campbell, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Bourne absent to approve consent calendar items E1 through E6 and E7, as recommended by staff, with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused from item E5.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Bourne
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E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF JANUARY 20, 2026, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF JANUARY 20, 2026,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM NOVEMBER 14, 2025, THROUGH NOVEMBER 20, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
E5. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
CURRENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH LSA
ASSOCIATES INC. (LSA) FOR THE PREPARATION OF ADDITIONAL
BIOLOGICAL STUDIES FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT (EIR)
THAT IS CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED FOR THE PROPOSED LEGACY RANCH PROJECT, THEREBY INCREASING THE EIR COST BY $98,300, RESULTING IN A NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $485,486, TO BE FUNDED BY THE APPLICANT; AND, ACTION FOUND STATUTORILY EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO SECTION 15262 OF THE CEQA GUIDELINES (600.30) Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused himself because his son rents from him and is employed by the applicant.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart and Mayor Campbell
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Bourne
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Taylor
E6. RESOLUTION 26-02-03-01 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 25-06-17-09, THE CITY’S CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLANS; AMENDING SALARY TABLES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025-26 AND 2026-27 FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION STAFF; AND, DEFUNDING THE EXISTING
PUBLIC WORKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTOR POSITION AND
FUNDING ONE ASSISTANT PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR POSITION AT GRADE 75 (700.10)
E7. RESOLUTION 26-02-03-02 ADOPTED APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE OF
GENERAL FUND GRANT FUNDS FOR THE LA NOVIA FARM PROJECT
LOCATED AT 31750 LA NOVIA AVENUE; AND, ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT
FUNDS FOR LA NOVIA FARM PROJECT FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15332, CLASS 32 (IN-FILL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS) (670.50) Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Taylor, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Bourne absent to adopt Resolution 26-02-03-02 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY 3 2/3/2026
OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA APPROVING THE ACCEPTANCE
OF GENERAL FUND GRANT FUNDS FOR THE LA NOVIA FARM PROJECT LOCATED AT 31750 LA NOVIA AVENUE;” and acceptation of Grant Funds for La Novia Farm Project found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) per Section 15332, Class 32 (In-Fill Development Projects).
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Bourne
E8. ACTION FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15304 (CLASS 4) AND SECTION 15323 (CLASS 23); RESOLUTION 26-02-03-03 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING AND
AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT THE TEMPORARY
PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND STREET CLOSURES WITHIN THE
DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY ON SWALLOWS DAY, MARCH 21, 2026;”
ISSUANCE OF A PARADE PERMIT TO THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO FIESTA ASSOCIATION PER CITY MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION 5-11.05(B), APPROVED; AND, CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
FIESTA ASSOCIATION, WHICH RECOGNIZES THE FIESTA ASSOCIATION AS
THE LEAD AGENCY IN PLANNING, COORDINATING, AND CONDUCTING ALL OFFICIAL EVENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2026 FIESTA DE LAS
GOLONDRINAS CELEBRATION (600.30)
Public Correspondence: Benjamin Medina, Chamber of Commerce ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025 EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING
STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24), INCLUDING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLANDURBAN INTERFACE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA RESIDENTIAL CODE INCLUDING
APPENDIX AX SWIMMING POOL SAFETY ACT AND ADOPTING BY
REFERENCE THE ORANGE COUNTY GRADING AND EXCAVATION CODE;
ACTION FOUND EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER CEQA SECTIONS 15061(C)(2) AND (C)(3); AND PUBLIC HEARING SET FOR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF FEBRUARY 17, 2026, FOR ADOPTION OF SAID ORDINANCE (450.30)
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Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, and James Wiatrak, Building Official, responded to questions.
Christy Jakl, City Clerk read the title of the ordinance.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Farias, seconded Council Member Taylor, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Bourne absent to introduce and conduct the first reading of an Ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SPECIFIC SECTIONS OF TITLE 8 OF THE SAN JUAN
CAPISTRANO MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 2025
EDITION OF THE CALIFORNIA BUILDING STANDARDS CODE (CALIFORNIA CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 24), INCLUDING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ENERGY CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE, THE 2025 CALIFORNIA
RESIDENTIAL CODE INCLUDING APPENDIX AX SWIMMING POOL SAFETY
ACT, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS AND CHANGES THERETO; AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE ORANGE
COUNTY GRADING AND EXCAVATION CODE, TOGETHER WITH CERTAIN ADDITIONS, INSERTIONS, DELETIONS AND CHANGES THERETO”; action found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Per CEQA Sections 15061(C)(2) and (C)(3); and Public Hearing set for City Council Meeting of February 17, 2026, for adoption of said ordinance.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Bourne
F2a. REVIEW THE PROPOSED MONUMENT SIGN DESIGN ALTERNATIVES AND STAFF PROVIDED FEEDBACK; DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE’S
RECOMMENDED MONUMENT DESIGN, SELECTED; STAFF DIRECTED TO BID THE PROJECT WITH TWO PRICING ALTERNATIVES FOR MATERIALS; CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH RJM DESIGN GROUP TO
AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL WORK FOR THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN OF THE
MEDIAN MONUMENT SIGNS AS WELL AS PREPARE CONSTRUCTION
DOCUMENTS FOR THE VETERANS PARK MEMORIAL MONUMENT, TO
EXTEND THE TERM TO JUNE 30, 2026, AND TO INCREASE THE
COMPENSATION AMOUNT BY $32,000 FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT OF $75,500; AND ACTIONS FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA SECTION 15061 (B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION) (850.10/600.30) 5 2/3/2026
Paul Garcia, Acting Community Services Manager, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, and Tyler Page, RJM Design Group, responded to questions.
Public Comment: Steve Behmerwohld, City resident.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Campbell, seconded Council Member Hart, and carried 4-0 with Council Member Bourne absent to select the Design Review Committee’s recommended monument design, retaining the existing dimensions and size, adding “Est. 1776” on the front of the sign, and the use of porcelain pots.
Staff directed to bid the project with two pricing alternatives: one using natural materials and one using faux materials. The City Manager authorized to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Professional Services Agreement with RJM Design Group to authorize additional work for the conceptual design of the median monument signs as well as prepare construction documents for the Veterans Park Memorial Monument, to extend the term to June 30, 2026, and to increase the compensation amount by $71,250 for a total contract amount of $114,750; and actions found categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Section 15061 (b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption).
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias, Hart, Taylor and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Bourne
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO HOUSING AUTHORITY: (Refer to Housing Authority Minutes)
COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS: None.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS:
Mayor Campbell attended the League of California Cities Transportation, Communications and Public Works Policy Committee Meeting.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: None.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Campbell adjourned the meeting at 6:33 p.m. to Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 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
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Approved: February 17, 2026
ATTEST:
___________________________
JOHN CAMPBELL, MAYOR