City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 9
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
5:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER – #3094 at 5:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL – City Clerk Erica N. Yasuda noted for the record that all members were present.
PUBLIC INPUT – None
CLOSED SESSION UPDATE – City Attorney David E. Kendig: The Council will convene to discuss Items 5A and 5B as they appear on the Closed Session agenda, including conference with its real property negotiators Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager; Nicole Bernard, Assistant City Manager; Brian Moncrief, Deputy City Manager/Real Property; Ryan Swiontek, Deputy Director/Real Property.
Mayor Pro Tem Schnell noted for the record that he needed to recuse himself from the discussion of closed session item 5B and leave the room because his employer and him have a financial relationship with Almquist Development and Investments Company.
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)
CITY OF TUSTIN MEETING MARCH 3, 2026
OF THE CITY COUNCIL 300 CENTENNIAL WAY, TUSTIN
COUNCIL CHAMBER
VIDEO CONFERENCE
Ray Schnell, Mayor Pro Tem
Ryan Gallagher, Council Member Austin Lumbard, Mayor Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager Lee K. Fink, Council Member Erica N. Yasuda, City Clerk John Nielsen, Council Member David E. Kendig, City Attorney
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 9
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)
Recessed at 5:01 p.m.
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
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 9
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER – #3094 at 6:00 p.m.
INVOCATION – Pastor Sharon Barnes, Haven of Healing Ministry
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Council Member Fink
PRESENTATION – Council Member Nielsen presented a Proclamation to the Tustin Host Lions Club in recognition of being Named 2025 California Lions Club of the Year.
PUBLIC INPUT – None
CLOSED SESSION REPORT – City Attorney David E. Kendig : The Council discussed Items 5A and 5B as they appear on the Closed Session agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Schnell left the room prior to discussion of Item 5B. Other than that, there was no reportable action.
CONSENT CALENDAR 1-6
PUBLIC INPUT FOR CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS – None
Council Member Nielsen requested to pull Item No. 4.
Council Member Fink requested to pull Item No. 5.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Schnell and seconded by Council Member Nielsen to pull Items 4 and 5 and approve the balance as recommended by staff.
Roll Call Vote – City Clerk
Motion carried: 5-0
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA
Motion: The City Council waived reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on the agenda and declared that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 9
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – THE SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON FEBRUARY 17, 2026.
Motion: The City Council approve d the Action Minutes of the City Council Special Closed Session Meeting and the Regular Meeting held on February 17, 2026.
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.
Motion: The City Council approve d Payroll in the amount of $1,167,287.72 and Demands in the amount of $3,216,103.45.
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.
It was moved by Council Member Nielsen and seconded by Mayor Lumbard that the City Council:
1. Adopted Resolution No. 26-07 approving the plans and specifications for the Heideman School Park Project; and
2. Authorized the City Clerk to advertise to receive bids.
Roll Call Vote – City Clerk
Motion carried: 5-0
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 r
eceiving 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)
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 9
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.
Council Member Fink moved to approve Alternative No. 1. The motion did not receive a second.
It was moved by Mayor Lumbard and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Schnell that the City Council approve design Alternative No. 2 for the Armstrong Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.
Roll Call Vote – City Clerk
Motion carried: 4-1 (Council Member Fink dissented)
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact associated with this item.
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.
Motion:
1. Declared the listed computer equipment as surplus and not required for public use; and
2. Authorized 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.
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 req uest to amend Tustin City Code Article 9 (Land Use) as part of the Community Development Department’s ongoing code streamlining and improvement program.
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 6 of 9
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.
Public Hearing opened at 6:20 p.m.
Assistant Director of Community Development Jay Eastman provided a PowerPoint presentation.
Public Input – None
Public Hearing closed at 6:26 p.m.
It was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Schnell and seconded by Council Member Nielsen that the City Council introduc ed and had 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 H ousing Element programs, clarification of the prohibition on short-term rentals, and minor technical and organizational corrections.
Roll Call Vote – City Clerk
Motion carried: 5-0
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 GENE RAL PLAN 2021 –2029 HOUSING ELEMENT
PROGRAMS, CLARIFY THE PROHIBITION OF SHORT -TERM RENTALS, AND
ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH NEW STATE LAWS
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact associated with this item.
OTHER BUSINESS/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY
MAYOR, MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 7 of 9
OTHER BUSINESS/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY
City Manager Aldo E. Schindler
Announced that staff facilitated two community meetings at the Tustin Family and Youth Center to gather public input on the Public Art Commission’s next project: a mural spanning three exterior walls adjacent to the parking lot; the project artist led a di scussion with thirty community members at each meeting; based on input, the artist will move forward with a variety of scenes that depict various activities which take place at the Center; the final design is predicted to be presented at the next Public Ar t Commission meeting on March 18th and will be recommended to the City Council for approval at the April 7th meeting.
City Attorney David E. Kendig
No report.
Council Member Nielsen
February 28
• Shared that he taught three classes at Santiago Canyon College for the University of Scouting, an annual adult training event held by the Orange County Council of Scouting America; had a great time.
• Attended the Tustin Community Foundation’s 13 th annual Sip & Stroll event; commented it was a very warm day and enjoyed strolling, sipping, and eating; thought it was a great event and congratulated the Tustin Community Foundation on its success; looks forward to more Tustin Community Foundation events in the future.
Council Member Fink
February 28
Attended the 13th annual Sip & Stroll event; explained his intent to volunteer with the Tustin Community Preschool, though their volunteer spots were full, and commented on the positive volunteer response in the community; added that he strolled through Old Town to enjoy the event; believed the event had a higher attendance than past years; was a great event.
Announced that the Arts Building on Main Street, where Rutabegorz was previously located, has a sign in the window for a new business: Maison Bakery; added that escrow has closed on the building; is optimistic that momentum will return in this part of Old Town and is hopeful that the bakery will be a new local favorite.
Attended The Malama Collective’s Open House and Fundraiser: Support the Mission of Care event; The Malama Collective is a new mental health services agency located in Old Town Tustin, that engages in community building, teaching the next generation of therapists, and other efforts which support mental health in the community; added it is a useful resource to know in Tustin.
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 8 of 9
Participated in an informative briefing with City staff – including police officers and Homeless Liaison Officers – regarding mental health services offered by the City; shared that mental health services are available to the community; asked those interested to contact the City’s Homeless Liaison Officers or to call City Net’s outreach number to be connected to services.
Added that Ramadan is still being observed; wished a “Ramadan Mubarak” to those who observe Ramadan in the Tustin community.
Council Member Gallagher
February 28
Attended the 13th annual Sip & Stroll event; expressed gratitude to all City staff who assisted with setup, patrol, and street closures; shared his understanding of the difficulty of closing streets for such an event; added that the closures made the event feel safer and l ivelier; believed the event was very well done.
Announced that last week was National Engineers Week; thanked all of the City’s engineers for their hard work; added that a career as an engineer can be a quiet effort, but is integral to the improvement of quality of life in a city; appreciates the work City engineers do to facilitate projects which improve local infrastructure.
Mayor Pro Tem Schnell
Wished Council Member Gallagher a Happy Birthday.
February 20
Toured the Orange County Animal Shelter; commented that Council has received many comments about the quality and care of animals housed in the shelter; emphasized he was very impressed by the facility, cleanliness, staff, and veterinary medical care; added that the facility was immaculate, that roughly 140 employees care for the animals, and that roughly 95% of the dogs processed through the shelter are adopted; applauded the good work the shelter does daily.
February 25
Attended the Transportation Corridor Agency Joint Finance and Investment Committee Meeting; elected a new Chair, Patricia Kelley, and Vice Chair, Stephanie Oddo, fo r the upcoming year and congratulated them on their appointment; conducted a budget review, compensation budget review, and review of insurance coverage for 2027; was pleased to see that the reduction in premium was 3 percent.
Announced the SR -241/SR-91 expressway connector project is moving forward, with agreements signed by the project partners, including the Transportation Corridor Agency and CalTrans; emphasized that the execution of the master agreement and the partner agencies is a significant step to starting the project; added that construction is expected to begin late 2026 or early 2027 and be completed in 2029; will help with the ease of traffic in Orange County once complete.
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B City Council March 3, 2026
Meeting Minutes Page 9 of 9
February 28
Attended the 13th annual Sip & Stroll event; commented it was a wonderful event and would like to see the attendance numbers; added that the event extended onto a new portion of El Camino and was happy to see the event grow from previous years.
March 2
Participated in Read Across America at Peters Canyon Elementary School; read to children in the first, second, and fourth grades; was impressed by their intellect, interest, energy, and joy.
March 3
Attended the monthly Orange County Cemetery District meeting; added that the highlight of the meeting was welcoming their new legal counsel, David E. Kending; is excited to have David on board and to have his assistance with leading the legal end of the co nstruction and completion of Gypsum Canyon Cemetery.
Mayor Lumbard
February 19
Attended a special meeting of the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors.
February 26
Attended a regular meeting of the Orange County Fire Authority Board of Directors; announced the Board’s approval of the contract for the interim Fire Chief, TJ McGovern; recalled his work in and around Tustin and his aid with the Hangar Fire; commented that TJ is a great fit for the job; announced a long-
term recruitment for a national Chief will be
opened later on; is grateful for his service.
Announced upcoming events for the City; shared that early summer camp registration begins on Wednesday, March 4, and more information can be found at TustinCA.org/Classes; added that Loteria Night will take place at the Tustin Family and Youth Center on Fr iday, March 20 from 5:30- 7:30 PM; announced that the deadline to submit vendor applications for the Community Yard Sale is Friday, March 27, and more information can be found at TustinCA.org/YardSale.
ADJOURNED at 6:37 p.m. 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.
___________________________ _____________________________ AUSTIN LUMBARD, ERICA N. YASUDA,
Mayor City Clerk
Docusign Envelope ID: E25D6E1E-D80A-4B12-99CC-170F8CC1BF4B