CITY OF TUSTIN REGULAR
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Ray Schnell, Mayor Pro Tem
Ryan Gallagher, Councilmember
Lee K. Fink, Councilmember
John Nielsen, Councilmember
Austin Lumbard, Mayor
MARCH 3, 2026
300 CENTENNIAL WAY, TUSTIN
Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager
David E. Kendig, City Attorney
Erica N. Yasuda, City Clerk
AGENDA
PUBLIC INPUT INSTRUCTIONS
PRESENTATION - ITEM 7
SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- 5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER – #3094
ROLL CALL - City Clerk
PUBLIC INPUT - Members of the public may provide comments in writing, in person or in real time via Zoom to address the City Council on items on the Closed Session Agenda.
CLOSED SESSION UPDATE - City Attorney David E. Kendig
CLOSED SESSION ITEMS - The Brown Act permits legislative bodies to discuss certain matters without members of the public present. The City Council finds, based on advice from the City Attorney, that discussion in open session of the following matters will prejudice the position of the City in existing and anticipated litigation:
1. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2), (e)(2), (e)(3), (e)(5): (3 cases)
2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION - Initiation of litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(4): (2 cases)
3. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION – Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(d)(2): (1 case) – related to the fire at the North Hangar owned by the Navy and the release of hazardous materials therefrom
4. LIABILITY CLAIM - [Government Code § 54956.95] Claimant: The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C Agency claimed against: City of Tustin
5. CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS - [Government Code § 54956.8] (2 cases) A.
Property Address/Description: 150 E. First Street
Agency: City of Tustin
City Negotiators: Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager; Nicole Bernard, Assistant City Manager; Brian Moncrief, Deputy City Manager/Real Property Negotiating Parties: CAZ, LLC
Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
B.
Property Address/Description: APNs 430-272-11-15, 22, 24 and 26-28, 430-272-04, 07, 08 and 20-23 (portion of) Agency: City of Tustin
City Negotiators: Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager; Nicole Bernard, Assistant City Manager; Brian Moncrief, Deputy City Manager/Real Property; Ryan Swiontek, Deputy Director/Real Property Negotiating Parties: ALMQUIST Development & Investments and DJM Capital Partners, Inc.
Under Negotiation : Price and Terms of Payment
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
- 6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER – #3094
INVOCATION – Pastor Sharon Barnes, Haven of Healing Ministry PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Fink
PRESENTATION – Tustin Host Lions Club Named 2025 California Lions Club of the Year PUBLIC INPUT – At this time, any member of the public may address the Council on matters which are not on this evening’s agenda, provided the matter is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council.
CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney David E. Kendig
CONSENT CALENDAR - All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and will be enacted by one motion without discussion. Persons wishing to speak regarding Consent Calendar matters should file a “Request to Speak” form with the City Clerk. (Agenda Items 1-6)
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA Recommendation:
That the City Council waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declare that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - THE SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2026.
Recommendation:
That the City Council approve the Action Minutes of the City Council Special Closed Session Meeting and the Regular Meeting held on February 17, 2026.
AGENDA REPORT
3. RATIFICATION OF PAYROLL AND DEMANDS
The City Council has approved the use of Government Code Section 37208 to expedite the payment of City of Tustin obligations that are in accordance with the approved budget or continued operations authorizations.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council approve Payroll in the amount of $1,167,287.72 and Demands in the amount of $3,216,103.45.
AGENDA REPORT
4. APPROVE PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS AND AUTHORIZE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS FOR HEIDEMAN SCHOOL PARK The plans and specifications for the Heideman School Park Project have been prepared, and the project is now ready for bid. Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2026, with completion estimated in Summer 2027.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Adopt Resolution No. 26-07 approving the plans and specifications for the Heideman School Park Project; and
2. Authorize the City Clerk to advertise to receive bids.
RESOLUTION NO. 26-07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR HEIDEMAN SCHOOL PARK, CIP NO. 20089, AND AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Fiscal Impact: The Heideman School Park project is partially funded by a Proposition 68 Statewide Parks Program Grant. The total grant amount available for the project is approximately $5 million, and the engineer's estimate to construct the project is $7,700,000. Upon receiving final construction bids, staff will prepare a recommendation for contract award, to include potential funding options (e.g., Capital Improvement Program adjustments, Park In-Lieu fee appropriations, General Fund, Land Sale Proceeds)
AGENDA REPORT
5. APPROVE THE REDESIGN OF THE ARMSTRONG AVENUE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE Two redesign alternatives for the Armstrong Avenue Pedestrian Bridge were evaluated in an effort to align construction costs with the project budget. The staff supported recommendation is made by an Ad Hoc Committee composed of Councilmember Gallagher and Mayor Lumbard.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the City Council approve design Alternative No. 2 for the Armstrong Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
AGENDA REPORT
6. DECLARATION OF SURPLUS COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
The City has accumulated a collection of obsolete and/or damaged computer equipment, including, but not limited to desktop and laptop computers, access points, servers, network equipment, printers, scanners, tablets, and phone devices that are no longer functional or needed for public use.
Recommendation:
1. Declare the listed computer equipment as surplus and not required for public use; and
2. Authorize staff to dispose of the equipment.
Fiscal Impact: The listed computer equipment has been determined to have zero salvage value and will be disposed of by an electronic waste service provider. This item has no direct fiscal impact.
AGENDA REPORT
PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 7
7. CODE STREAMLINING AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The goal of Streamline Tustin is to evaluate the City’s land use code and propose amendments to sections that lack clarity, are outdated, or do not reflect current regulations or adopted policy. The proposed Code Amendment 2025-0002 is a City initiated request to amend Tustin City Code Article 9 (Land Use) as part of the Community Development Department’s ongoing code streamlining and improvement program.
Specifically, Code Amendment 2025-0002 does the following:
* Updates select provisions related to Housing Element implementation programs; * Clarifies and codifies the City’s prohibition on short-term rentals; and * Includes minor technical and organizational corrections.
On January 27, 2026, the Planning Commission adopted Resolution No. 4538 (Attachment E), recommending that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 1574 approving CA 2025-0002. The Planning Commission staff report is provided as Attachment D for reference.
Recommendation:
That the City Council introduce and have a first reading, by title only, of Ordinance No. 1574, amending various sections of Article 9 (Land Use) of the Tustin City Code relating to the Streamline Tustin program to provide clarity, consistency of terms and definitions, implementation of select Housing Element programs, clarification of the prohibition on short-term rentals, and minor technical and organizational corrections.
DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. 1574
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF ARTICLE 9 (LAND USE) OF THE TUSTIN CITY CODE (CODE AMENDMENT 2025-0002) TO PROVIDE CLARITY, ENSURE CONSISTENCY OF TERMS AND DEFINITIONS, IMPLEMENTATION OF GENERAL PLAN 2021-2029 HOUSING ELEMENT PROGRAMS, CLARIFY THE PROHIBITION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS, AND ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH NEW STATE LAWS Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item.
AGENDA REPORT
OTHER BUSINESS/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY
CITY MANAGER ALDO E. SCHINDLER
CITY ATTORNEY DAVID E. KENDIG
MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
COUNCIL MEMBER NIELSEN
COUNCIL MEMBER FINK
COUNCIL MEMBER GALLAGHER
MAYOR PRO TEM SCHNELL
MAYOR LUMBARD
ADJOURNMENT
- The next meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, for the Closed Session Meeting at 4:30 p.m. and the Regular Business Meeting at 6:00 p.m.