1 3/17/2026
MINUTES
MARCH 17, 2026
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
BUSINESS SESSION:
Mayor Campbell called the Regular meeting of March 17, 2026, of the City Council of the City of San Juan Capistrano to order at 5:12 p.m. Council Member Bourne led the Pledge of Allegiance and Mayor Campbell gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL:
COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor John Campbell, Mayor Pro Tem John Taylor and Council Members Troy A. Bourne, Sergio Farias and Howard Hart.
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 TAYLOR
INTRODUCED: Anna Dickinson and Evan Burgher, Cultural Heritage Commissioners; Ted Rosenfeldt, Planning Commissioner; former Mayors and City Council Members Larry Kramer and Joe Soto.
B2. FEBRUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH APRIL 30, 2026, PROCLAIMED AS “FIESTA DE LAS GOLONDRINAS”
B3. LETICIA TORRES, COMMUNITY SERVICES OFFICER, RECOGNIZED ON HER
RETIREMENT
B4. JUSTIN MONTANO, CHIEF OF POLICE SERVICES, RECOGNIZED ON HIS
RETIREMENT
B5. HEIDI IVANOFF, COMMUNITY SERVICES MANAGER, RECOGNIZED ON HER
RETIREMENT
Public Comments: Karen Crocker, Mission Viejo resident; Kathy Hooper, City resident.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS:
Public Comments: Kimberly Ventura, Youth Advisory Board; Shaila Pacheco, Youth Advisory Board; and Joslyn Venture, Youth Advisory Board. 2 3/17/2026
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
D1. ACTIONS FOUND EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, CLASS 1 (EXISTING FACILITIES) AND SECTION 15305, CLASS 5 (MINOR ALTERATIONS IN LAND USE LIMITATIONS); RESOLUTION 26-03-17-01 ADOPTED TO VACATE 1,974 SQUARE FEET OF EXCESS RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED ADJACENT TO 26874 OLD MISSION ROAD (FORMERLY ORTEGA HIGHWAY); RESOLUTION 26-03- 17-02 ADOPTED DECLARING 790 SQUARE FEET OF CITY-OWNED
PROPERTY WITHIN THE STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO 26874 OLD
MISSION ROAD AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND AND DIRECTING CITY
MANAGER OR DESIGNEE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF
GOVERNMENT CODE §54220 ET SEQ.; AND, CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A QUITCLAIM DEED EXTINGUISHING THE CITY’S RIGHTS TO THE 790 SQUARE FEET OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY WITHIN THE STREET
RIGHT-OF-WAY ADJACENT TO MISSION PLACE LLC, AFTER THE CITY
MANAGER COMPLIES WITH SURPLUS LAND ACT EXEMPTION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND ALLOWS 30 DAYS OF DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, AND AFTER ALL PUBLIC
UTILITY FACILITIES HAVE BEEN RELOCATED (670.50)
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused himself because his son rents from him and is employed by the applicant.
Jeremy Hohnbaum, Engineering and Environmental Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing. No public testimony was received.
Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Bourne, seconded by Mayor Campbell, and carried 4-0 with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused to find the actions exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 (Existing Facilities) and Section 15305, Class 5 (Minor Alterations in Land Use Limitations); RESOLUTION 26-03-17-01 adopted entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, VACATING EXCESS RIGHT OF WAY LOCATED AT 26874 OLD MISSION ROAD (FORMERLY ORTEGA HIGHWAY), MAKING FINDINGS PURSUANT TO
GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 37350; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER
TO EXECUTE A QUITCLAIM DEED TO TRANSFER THE PROPERTY TO THE
ADJACENT LANDOWNER UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN
CONDITIONS AND FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS
CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL
QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15301, CLASS 1 (EXISTING FACILITIES) AND SECTION 15305, CLASS 5 (MINOR ALTERATIONS IN LAND USE LIMITATIONS)”; RESOLUTION 26-03-17-02 adopted entitled, “A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, DECLARING PROPERTY NEAR 26874 OLD MISSION ROAD (FORMERLY ORTEGA HIGHWAY) AS EXEMPT SURPLUS LAND AND
DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO FOLLOW THE PROCEDURES SET 3 3/17/2026
FORTH IN THE SURPLUS LAND ACT, CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54220, ET SEQ., AS AMENDED, FOR ITS DISPOSITION AND
FINDING THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PER SECTION 15301, CLASS 1 (EXISTING FACILITIES) AND SECTION 15305, CLASS 5 (MINOR ALTERATIONS IN LAND USE LIMITATIONS)”; and, authorized the City Manager to execute a Quitclaim Deed extinguishing the City’s rights to the 790 square feet of City-owned property within the street right-of-way adjacent to Mission Place LLC, after the City Manager complies with Surplus Land Act exemption reporting requirements and allows 30 days of Department of Housing and Community Development review, and after all public utility facilities have been relocated.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Hart, Farias, Bourne and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Taylor
D2. ACTION FOUND EXEMPT FROM CEQA PER CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301, CLASS 1 (EXISTING FACILITIES); AND RESOLUTION 26-03-17-03 ADOPTED APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (TM) 25-001, AS
CONDITIONED (420.40)
Izzak Mireles, Senior Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, responded to questions.
Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing. No public testimony was received.
Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Bourne, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, and carried unanimously to find the action exempt from CEQA per CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, Class 1 (Existing Facilities); and to adopted RESOLUTION 26-03-17-03 entitled, “A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING TENTATIVE TRACT MAP (TTM) 25-00, TO ALLOW THE SUBDIVISION OF AN EXISTING COMMERICAL OFFICE PARK INTO 12 INDIVIDUAL BUILDING PARCELS AND ONE COMMON PARCEL, LOCATED AT 31351, 31431, 31451 RANCHO VIEJO ROAD & 31441 LOS CERRITOS AVENUE (ASSESSOR PARCEL NUMBERS: 650-142-06, -13, & 650-151-22) AND A FINDING THAT
SAID ACTION IS CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) REVIEW PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15301. (APPLICANT: LUKE CORSBIE, WARE
MALCOMB)
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D3. INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE APPROVING REZONE 25-002 (“REZONE”), CHANGING THE ZONING OF THE DEVELOPED PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 30700 (SWALLOWS CREEK) AND 30800
(FLUIDMASTER, INC.) RANCHO VIEJO ROAD FROM INDUSTRIAL PARK TO
COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING AND CHANGE THE ZONING OF AN
ADJACENT VACANT PROPERTY (APN: 650-112-07) FROM INDUSTRIAL PARK TO GENERAL OPEN SPACE; AND, FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS NOT
SUBJECT TO THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) BECAUSE THE ACTION DOES NOT MEET THE DEFINITION OF A “PROJECT” UNDER CEQA SECTION 15060(C)(3), AND IF IT WERE CONSIDERED A “PROJECT,” THE ACTION WOULD BE EXEMPT PER SECTIONS 15061(B)(3) AND 15320 OF THE STATE CEQA GUIDELINES (460.20)
Izzak Mireles, Senior Planner, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions. Joel Rojas, Development Services Director, responded to questions.
Mayor Campbell opened the public hearing. No public testimony was received.
Mayor Campbell closed the public hearing.
Christy Jakl, City Clerk read the title of the ordinance.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Campbell, seconded by Council Member Bourne, and carried unanimously to approve the introduction and first reading of an Ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING REZONE (RZ) 25-002 TO CHANGE THE ZONING OF THE DEVELOPED PROPERTIES LOCATED AT 30700 (SWALLOWS CREEK) AND 30800 (FLUIDMASTER, INC) RANCHO VIEJO
ROAD FROM INDUSTRIAL PARK TO COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING AND CHANGE THE ZONING OF AN ADJACENT VACANT PROPERTY (APN: 650- 112-07) FROM INDUSTRIAL PARK TO GENERAL OPEN SPACE, AND A FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS NOT A “PROJECT” AS DEFINED UNDER
STATE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION 15060(c)(3), AND IF THE ACTION WERE CONSIDERED A “PROJECT”, IT WOULD BE EXEMPT PER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15061(b)(3) AND 15320 (APPLICANT: DEDEAUX PROPERTIES, LLC).”
CONSENT CALENDAR:
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried 4-0, with Council Member Farias absent (stepped away from dais) to approve consent calendar items E1 through E9, E11, E12 and E13, as recommended by staff, with Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused from item E7.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Hart, Bourne, Taylor and Mayor Campbell NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias (stepped away from dais) 5 3/17/2026
E1. MOTION TO READ ORDINANCE BY TITLE ONLY, APPROVED
E2. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING (EXECUTIVE SESSION) OF MARCH 3, 2026, APPROVED
E3. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING OF MARCH 3, 2026,
APPROVED
E4. CHECK REGISTERS FOR THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 19, 2025, THROUGH JANUARY 8, 2026, RECEIVED AND FILED (300.30)
E5. CASH AND INVESTMENTS REPORT FOR THE MONTH ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2025, RECEIVED AND FILED (350.30)
E6. ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 AND RELATED AUDIT REPORTS, RECEIVED AND FILED (330.50)
E7. ORDINANCE 1132 ADOPTED ENTITLED, “AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING CODE AMENDMENT (CA) 25-003 TO AMEND THE LOS RIOS SPECIFIC PLAN (SP 78-01) TO ADD
AND REMOVE USES FROM THE LIST OF PRINCIPAL USES ALLOWED IN
THE HISTORIC COMMERCIAL DISTRICT, AND A FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS NOT A “PROJECT” AS DEFINED UNDER STATE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) GUIDELINES SECTION
15060(c)(3), AND IF IT WERE, IT WOULD BE EXEMPT PER STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15061(b)(3) AND 15320 (APPLICANT: 31791 LOS RIOS STREET LLC)” (420.25)
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor recused himself because his son rents from him and is employed by the applicant, and proximity to residence.
ROLL CALL:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBER: Hart, Bourne and Mayor Campbell
NOES: COUNCIL MEMBER: None
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBER: Farias (stepped away from dais) RECUSED: COUNCIL MEMBER: Mayor Pro Tem Taylor
E8. NEW DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION STATUS REPORT, RECEIVED AND FILED (440.10)
E9. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO THE
EXISTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE CODE
GROUP, INC., DBA VCA CODE (VCA) FOR BUILDING/GRADING INSPECTION
SERVICES, THEREBY INCREASING THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AGREEMENT AMOUNT TO $403,600; AND, AN INCREASE IN GENERAL FUND BUDGETED EXPENDITURES IN THE AMOUNT OF $76,000 TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSED INCREASE, APPROVED (600.30)
E10. DONATION FROM THE BASSI FAMILY TO INSTALL A BENCH AT THE SAN JUAN CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PARK, APPROVED (150.65)
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Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried unanimously to approve the donation from the Bassi family to install a bench at the San Juan Creek Neighborhood Park.
E11. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE AN ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
AGREEMENT, SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE FORM ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA REPORT, WITH THE COUNTY OF ORANGE COMMENCING MAY 31, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 30, 2031 (600.50)
E12. CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO ENTER INTO A THREE-YEAR SERVICE
AGREEMENT WITH AT&T FOR INTERNET SERVICE AT CITY HALL AND THE COMMUNITY CENTER (600.30)
E13. ACTIONS FOUND EXEMPT FROM CEQA PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15061(B)(3) (COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION); AND,
CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO EXECUTE A CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT WITH VANDERMOST CONSULTING. SERVICES, INC.
(ASSIGNOR) AND ALL4 LLC (ASSIGNEE) TO ASSIGN THE LETTER AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 1, 2024, FOR RIDING PARK STREAMBANK
RESTORATION PROJECT CONSERVATION EASEMENT ASSISTANCE
SERVICES (600.30)
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:
F1a. A REQUEST FOR A FINDING OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE OR NECESSITY AS
REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE
CONTROL TO ALLOW THE ON PREMISES CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL WITHIN A PROPOSED PRIVATE MEMBERSHIP LOUNGE (TYPE 57 LICENSE) AT AN EXISTING CIGAR LOUNGE LOCATED AT 31952 CAMINO CAPISTRANO, SUITE B-2 (APN 666-242-13); AND, A FINDING THAT SAID ACTION IS EXEMPT
FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA)
PURSUANT TO STATE CEQA GUIDELINES SECTION 15270 (APPLICANT:
FADEL GHANEM, CAPO CIGAR LOUNGE) – Continued to April 21, 2026 (585.15)
Benjamin Sigel, City Manager, provided an agenda report.
Council Action: Moved by Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, seconded by Council Member Hart, and carried unanimously to continue the item to the April 21, 2026, City Council meeting.
F2a. ACTIONS FOUND CATEGORICALLY EXEMPT FROM THE CALIFORNIA
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) PURSUANT TO CEQA GUIDELINES SECTIONS 15061(B)(3)(COMMON SENSE EXEMPTION); APPROPRIATE $1,000,000 FOR THE ALIPAZ STREET PAVEMENT REHABILITATION PROJECT (CIP 25101) FROM THE GENERAL FUND, APPROVED; INCREASE
THE PROJECT CONTINGENCY FOR THE ALIPAZ STREET PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION PROJECT (CIP 25101) BY AN AMOUNT OF $350,000, FOR A TOTAL CONTRACT CONTINGENCY OF $600,000, APPROVED; AND THE 7 3/17/2026
CITY MANAGER AUTHORIZED TO APPROVE CONTRACT CHANGE ORDERS
WITH HARDY & HARPER INC FOR THE ALIPAZ STREET PAVEMENT
REHABILITATION PROJECT (CIP 25101) UP TO $600,000 (600.30) Jeremy Hohnbaum, Engineering and Environmental Services Director, provided a PowerPoint presentation and responded to questions.
Council Action: Moved by Council Member Hart, seconded by Council Member Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, and carried unanimously to find the actions categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15061(b)(3)(Common Sense Exemption); approve appropriation of $1,000,000 for the Alipaz Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 25101) from the General Fund; approve the increase the project contingency for the Alipaz Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 25101) by an amount of $350,000, for a total contract contingency of $600,000; and, authorize the City Manager to approve contract change orders with Hardy & Harper Inc for the Alipaz Street Pavement Rehabilitation Project (CIP 25101) up to $600,000.
SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO COMMUNITY
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: (Please refer to Successor Agency Minutes) COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS: None.
CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: None.
CITY MANAGER REPORT: Benjamin Siegel, City Manager, introduced and welcomed the new Chief of Police Services, Captain Terrance Burton.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business Mayor Campbell adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m. to Tuesday, April 7, 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
Approved: April 7, 2026
ATTEST:
___________________________
JOHN CAMPBELL, MAYOR