Council Meeting - June 17, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency convened at 6:02 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.
ROLL CALL
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
A. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – ANTICIPATED LITIGATION, SIGNIFICANT EXPOSURE TO LITIGATION Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (3 Cases)
B. PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT – CITY MANAGER
Government Code Section 54957
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into Closed Session at 6:03 p.m.
RECESS
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency, Yorba Linda Housing Authority and Yorba Linda Municipal Financing Authority reconvened at 6:36 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilwoman Tara Campbell
INVOCATION
Rabbi Levi Blesofsky, Chabad Beth Meir Hacohen
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Todd Litfin said there was no reportable action.
INTRODUCTIONS & PRESENTATIONS
RECOGNITION OF CUB SCOUT PACK 775 AND BOY SCOUT TROOP 1775 Mayor Janice Lim invited to the lectern Cub Scout Pack 775 and Boy Scout Troop 1775 and presented them with certificates of recognition for their flag planting at the Richard Nixon Library in preparation for Memorial Day. Council thanked the Scouts for their volunteer efforts.
The Scouts also received certificates from the offices of Congresswoman Young Kim, Senators Steven Choi and Kelly Seyarto, Assemblyman Phillip Chen, and Supervisor Don Wagner.
PROCLAMATION DECLARING WILDFIRE AWARENESS & PREVENTION SEASON Mayor Lim invited Orange County Fire Authority Chief Kevin Fetterman and presented him with a proclamation proclaiming the height of wildfire season beginning in mid-summer and running through early autumn as "Wildfire Awareness and Prevention Season" and encouraged everyone to do their part to raise public awareness and take steps to protect homes and businesses.
Chief Fetterman spoke briefly about summer heat and the dangers of wildfires along with prevention tips.
Mayor Lim announced an additional special proclamation honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States Army and invited President/CEO of For Families of Active Military, Bridget Blehm to the podium, who introduced U.S. Army Captain Angelo Matz in Recruiting. They both thanked Council for their continued support and Mayor Lim presented them with a proclamation. She said the Continental Congress established the Continental Army on June 14, 1775, which laid the foundation for what would become the United States Army. The 250th anniversary is a milestone that celebrates the history of the Army, its achievements, resilience, diversity and strength.
Mayor Lim introduced her new intern, Claire Kwon from Yorba Linda High School.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR OR ITEMS NOT ON THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA Tamara Martin, Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Director and appointed State Archivist
provided an update on accessibility of records. She said on March 31st they released approximately 20,000 pages of new records related to National Security Council matters from President Nixon's time period and files related to countries throughout Asia and South America. She said the Nixon Library is participating in the Blue Star program for military families, offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families during the summer.
The program will end on September 1st. Ms. Martin announced their upcoming events, including the Title IX Run on Saturday, June 21st, their summer concert series and yoga.
Diane Kanne, resident, spoke about the misuse of e-bikes in the community and said she spoke at the Traffic Commission requesting restricted use of e-bikes on horse trails. She expressed her concerns that the Commission agreed with the Orange County Sheriff's Department recommendation of not restricting e-bike use on horse trails because of their inability to police the horse trails, as they are not allowed to use motorized vehicles on the horse trails themselves. She provided her reasons why they should be prohibited. She said they should not be allowed on streets, sidewalks or horse trails.
Pam Mikus, resident, thanked Mayor Lim and Councilwoman Peggy Huang for attending her son's Wall of Fame induction ceremony and thanked Mayor Pro Tem Carlos Rodriguez for his no vote on the Air Quality Management District's Rules 1111 and 1121. She spoke of her participation in a meeting with the City's Emergency Management Coordinator and staff and expressed her concerns on the organization and wildfire preparedness. She said she and other participants expressed their recommendations, including a dynamic real-time communication system that residents, police and fire can be on such as WhatsApp, a tech 911 system to improve responses, and coordinating and practicing response drills.
Richard de Bruijn, resident, expressed concerns with traffic lights that are not always functioning at the intersection of Villa Grande Drive and Bastanchury Road. He also spoke about the graduations at Yorba Linda High School and traffic for the parents picking up their children, his concerns focused on the two exits at the school and traffic signal synchronization.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Moved by
Campbell
Seconded by
Singh
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Consent Calendar.
AYES (5)
Singh, Lim, Huang, Campbell, and Rodriguez
CARRIED (5 to 0)
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency 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. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CHECK REGISTER – JUNE 17, 2025
1. AP Check Register 6-17-25 - CC-FIN-25-026.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - AP Check Register 6-17-25.pdf
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file the accounts payable check register and wire transfer report dated June 17, 2025, in the amount of $6,583,855.79.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 3, 2025 CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Jun03_2025 - English.pdf
It is recommended that the City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency approve the minutes of the June 3, 2025 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting.
4. CANCELLATION OF STREET LIGHTING AND LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (LMAD) SPECIAL ASSESSMENT FEES FROM ASSESSMENT YEARS 2019 AND 2020 FOR APN 353-531-05
1. LMAD Assessment Cancellation Years 2019 -20 APN 353-531-05 - CC-PW-25-021.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Letter from Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector.pdf It is recommended that the City Council: 1.) Cancel the Street Lighting and Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD) special assessment fees for assessment years 2019 and 2020 for APN 353-531-05; and 2.) Direct staff to provide written authorization to the Office of the Treasurer-Tax Collector to remove the specified charges.
5. APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH FOUNTAINHEAD CONSULTING CORP. FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT & INSPECTION SERVICES; AND APPROVE AGREEMENT WITH NINYO AND MOORE FOR GEOTECHNICAL & MATERIALS TESTING SERVICES FOR THE FY 24/25 ANNUAL PAVEMENT PRESERVATION PROJECT
1. Fountainhead Consulting Corp and Ninyo and Moore Agmt FY24-25 APPP - CC-PW-25-024.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Fountainhead Professional Services Agreement .pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Ninyo and Moore Professional Services Agreement .pdf It is recommended that the City Council: 1.) Approve a Professional Services Contract with Fountainhead Consulting Corporation (Fountainhead) in the amount of $212,012.00 to provide Construction Management and Inspection Services and authorize expenditures up to $31,801.80 in total contract contingencies (15% of contract) for potential additional services; and 2.) Approve a Professional Services Contract with Ninyo & Moore in the amount of $55,557.00 to provide Geotechnical and Materials Testing Services and authorize expenditures up to $8,333.55 in total contract contingencies (15% of contract) for potential additional services and unanticipated work; and 3.) Authorize the City Manager, on behalf of Council, to execute the proposed contract and agreements and change order approval authority to execute future contract modifications and increases in amounts not to exceed the contingency threshold amounts above for each respective agreement.
6. FACILITY USE AGREEMENT WITH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FOR EMERGENCY SHELTER USE
1. American Red Cross for Emergency Shelter Facility Use - CC-ADM-25-038.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Facility Use Agreement.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Pet Addendum.pdf
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Facility Use Agreement between the City of Yorba Linda and the American National Red Cross, allowing the use of the Tommy Lasorda Jr. Field House as a temporary emergency shelter and authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute the agreement.
7. AWARD A PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE YORBA LINDA BOULEVARD TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROJECT TO CROSSTOWN ELECTRICAL & DATA, INC.
1. RTSSP Crosstown Electric and Data Contract - CC-PW-25-022.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Project Area Map.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Notice of Exemption.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Crosstown (Contract).pdf
It is recommended that the City Council: 1.) Approve the plans and specifications for the Yorba Linda Boulevard Traffic Signal Synchronization Project from State College Boulevard to New River Road; and 2.) Find that the Project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Class 2, pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, Section 15302; and 3.) Award the Public Works Construction Contract to Crosstown Electrical & Data, Inc. for the Yorba Linda Boulevard Traffic Signal Synchronization Project from State College Boulevard to New River Road Project - in the amount of $2,380,799.00 and reject all other bids; and 4.) Authorize total contract contingencies of up to $357,119.85 (15% of the construction contract amount) for potential additional services and unforeseen work that may arise during construction; and 5.) Authorize the City Manager, on behalf of the City Council, to execute the construction contract and related agreements, and to approve future contract modifications and change orders within the authorized contingency amount.
8. FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 INVESTMENT POLICY
1. FY 2025-26 Investment Policy.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - F-10 Investment Policy FY25-26.pdf
It is recommended that the City Council approve and adopt the Investment Policy for fiscal year 2025/26.
9. RESOLUTION NO. 2025-5944 – FISCAL YEAR 2025/26 APPROPRIATIONS (GANN) LIMIT
1. GANN Appropriation Limit.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Res No. 2025-5944.pdf
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2025-5944 establishing the appropriations limit for Fiscal Year 2025/26.
10. RES NOS. 2025-5945 & 2025-5946, SUCCESSOR AGENCY RES NOS. 2025-24 & 2025-25 ADOPTION OF OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS FOR FY2025/26 AND 2026/27, APPROVAL OF THE CIP FY2025/26 - 2031/32
1. Adoption of Operating Capital Budget FY25-26 and FY 26-27.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Proposed FY 25-26 and 26-27 Budget.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - Authorized Positions Listing.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Salary Schedule Rev. 7-1-2025.pdf
5. Attachment 4 - Resolution 2025-5947 - Misc Employees.pdf
6. Attachment 5 - Resolution 2025-5948 - Mid Mgmt Employees.pdf
7. Attachment 6 - Resolution 2025-5945 Operating Budget.pdf
8. Attachment 7 - FY 25-26 and 26-27 Proposed CIP Budget.pdf
9. Attachment 8 - FY25-26 and FY31-32 CIP and Tier 2 List.pdf
10. Attachment 9 - OCFundtracker CIP Report 2025-06-05.pdf
11. Attachment 10 - Resolution 2025-5946 CIP Budget.pdf
12. Attachment 11 - SA Resolution 25-24 Operating Budget.pdf
13. Attachment 12 - SA Resolution 2025-25 CIP Budget.pdf
14. Attachment 13 - Staff Report 2 Yr Proposed Op. Budget CIP Review.pdf It is recommended that the City Council: 1.) Approve the Two-Year Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 as detailed in Attachment 1, approve the staffing authorizations set forth in the Authorized Positions Listing as shown in Attachment 2, approve the revised Salary Schedule as shown in Attachment 3, Adopt Resolution Nos. 2025-5947 and 2025-5948 to include and adopt certain new job classifications and salary ranges effective July 1, 2025 (Attachment 4 and 5) and adopt Resolution No. 2025-5945 (Attachment 6) approving the Two-Year Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27; and 2.) Approve the Seven-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2025/26 through 2031/32 as detailed in Attachment 8, including 1) the Tier 1 projects for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 included in the Two-Year Budget (Attachment 7) and 2) approval of the projects for Fiscal Years 2025/26 through 2031/32 and the currently unfunded Tier 2 projects in order to remain in compliance with the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Measure M2 Guidelines, and adopt Resolution No. 2025-5946 (Attachment 10) approving the CIP and Two-Year Capital Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27; and 3.) Approve the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Database submittals required by OCTA (Attachment 9); and 4.) Determine that the proposed CIP is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 158061(b)(3) as it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that this consistency finding will have a significant effect on the environment; and 5.) Authorize the carryover from the Fiscal Year 2024/25 budget to the Fiscal Year 2025/26 budget of 1) unspent CIP project budgets, 2) funds encumbered for outstanding purchase orders, and 3) certain unspent operating budget account balances, and direct staff to return to the City Council with a final list of carryovers for review and final approval after the books for FY 2024/25 are closed.
It is recommended that the City Council acting as the Successor Agency Board: 1.) Adopt Successor Agency Resolution No. 2025-24 approving the Two-Year Operating Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 (Attachment 11); and 2.) Adopt Successor Agency Resolution No. 2025-25 approving the Two-Year Capital Budget for Fiscal Years 2025/26 and 2026/27 (Attachment 12).
11. DENIAL OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES-STANTON LAW REPRESENTING MARY WARREN AND PETER HOFSAESS
1. Denial of Claims - Stanton Law-Mary Warren, and Peter Hofsaess - CC-ADM-25-047.pdf It is recommended that the City Council of the City of Yorba Linda deny the claims for damages filed by Stanton Law (representing Mary Warren) and Peter Hofsaess.
12. REPORTS OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIONS FROM THEIR LAST MEETING
1. Planning Comm. Recap 6-11-25.pdf
It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
13. COMMITTEE AND AGENCY REPORTS
1. Committee and Agency Reports - CC-ADM-25-042.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Reports from CC Organizations.pdf
3. Green Sheet - Attachment 1 - Reports from CC Organizations.pdf It is recommended that the City Council receive and file this report.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT/MAYOR’S REPORT/MATTERS PRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBERS/ OTHER AGENCY REPORTS City Manager Mark Pulone responded to Ms. Kanne's concerns on e-bikes. He said it is a topic that Council and staff have been working on addressing this past year. He said efforts have resulted in the draft ordinance that was reviewed by the Traffic Commission and will be coming before the Council likely in July. City Manager Pulone encouraged her to attend the Council meeting to share her concerns. He also responded to Ms. Mikus' comments and expressed appreciation for her concerns and suggestions. He said he likes the idea of adding what the City has done in terms of fire prevention and preparedness since 2008 on the website. Concerning drills and coordination with public safety, he assured her that it does happen, they get together in the field and there is constant communication between the City, fire and police services to plan and coordinate. He stressed that the City takes fire issues seriously. Regarding Mr. de Bruijn's concerns, he stated that the City will follow up with Southern California Edison as it relates to the streetlight issue. He said traffic during pickup and dropoff at schools is always a challenge, especially during graduations, but staff will contact the school district to see if they can make any improvements.
Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez said for the last several months, he has been providing updates on the Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Rules 1111 and 1121. And announced that on June 2nd the Board voted 7 to 5 in opposition of the proposed rules. He said there were over three hours of public comments and thanked Councilwoman Huang for providing her comments at the meeting. He spoke of the importance of full engagement and transparency and said it helped make a difference with this vote.
Councilwoman Huang thanked Mayor Pro Tem Rodriguez for his leadership on AQMD, and she thanked Mayor Lim for recognizing the U.S. Army's 250th birthday.
Councilwoman Tara Campbell responded to the comments made by Ms. Mikus and also assured her that the City does indeed partake in drills to prepare for potential fires. Chief of Police Service Captain De Anne Wigginton said police services has a strong relationship with the Orange County Fire Authority. Her team trains monthly on evacuation drills and routes. She said they have an application on their phones that allows them to update in real-time the homes that have been notified of evacuations. In addition, Captain Wigginton spoke about a joint operations briefing that will be held at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum for every City Chief with the Orange County Sheriff's Department along with Emergency Managers in July, and assured that staff is constantly training. Councilwoman Campbell said she believes the City benefits from contracting with the Orange County Sheriff's and Orange County Fire Authority as it provides the City access to more resources. She concluded her comments by addressing weed abatement and saying the City takes abatement seriously.
Councilman Shivinder Singh said the City posted the CEQA notice for the Bryant Ranch Center and asked staff to explain what the notice means and the City's adoption of Measure JJ. Community Development Director Nate Farnsworth said the City received a Builder's Remedy application that was submitted for the Bryant Ranch Center. He said the City disagrees with the premises of the application, but the City is still obligated to take it through the steps of the process. One of the steps entails reviewing the environmental impacts. The applicant is claiming that the project should be exempt from CEQA, however, the City disagrees, but the applicant can submit a challenge to the City's determination. As such, Director Farnsworth said the City has to provide the public with an opportunity to review the proposed project from an environmental perspective. Over the next 60-days, the City will be reviewing it and demonstrating why it should be subject to CEQA and the public will have an opportunity to provide comments as well.
Mayor Lim congratulated City Manager Pulone for serving in local government for 35 years and for having been with the City for 12 of those years. She said last week, he was recognized by the ACC-OC (Association of California Cities Orange County) as City Manager of the Year at the 2025 Leadership Summit and Golden Hub of Innovation Awards. She congratulated him for the much-deserved recognition. Mayor Lim invited the community to join Yorba Linda Police Services for "Pizza with Patrol" on Wednesday, June 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lamppost Pizza. She also announced the upcoming 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at Veterans Park and Yorba Linda Middle School. She said the event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and features live music, delicious food trucks, and a free kid’s zone, with the fireworks show at 9:00 p.m. Mayor Lim reminded residents that there will be street closures affecting the surrounding areas from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and said detailed information can be found on the City website. Mayor Lim concluded her comments by encouraging residents to attend the free Summer Concerts in the Park series, with the first concert on Sunday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m. at Hurless Barton Park, featuring The Trip, a classic rock band. Concerts will continue every Sunday through August 17.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
14. ADOPTION OF THE 2025 CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE PROTECTION FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE MAPS – ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1113
1. 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps - CC-ADM-25-046.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Ordinance No. 2025-1113.pdf
3. Attachment 2 - CalFire 2025 FHSZ Map Yorba Linda.pdf
4. Attachment 3 - Summary of Public Input Outreach.pdf
Community Development Director Nate Farnsworth said the City is required to review the Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps prepared by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFIRE) which outline the fire hazard severity zones throughout the state. He said the maps indicate state responsibility and local responsibility areas and are developed using scientific analysis of vegetation, topography and weather. He said the City is required to review and comment on the maps, and provide residents with an opportunity to comment.
Orange County Fire Authority Chief Kevin Fetterman shared a PowerPoint presentation on the item. He discussed FHSZ highlights, local responsibility area fire hazard severity zones and required timelines. He said the intent of these maps is also to promote the importance of individual preparedness and the roles of the residents in maintaining defensible space and home hardening.
Pam Mikus, resident, spoke about the response she received from staff regarding the FHSZ map, she said she was unaware about the public comment period and questioned the island area on the map that is not included in the Very High, High and Moderate zones but is surrounded by neighborhoods that are in that area. She expressed concerns with evacuation zones and said 95% of the Bryant Ranch area is in the Very High zone and stressed that the eastside is most vulnerable to wildfires. She requested that Council not adopt the map.
Diane Kanne, resident, also requested that Council delay action on the item and expressed her concerns with the map and fire hazard evacuation zones.
Peter Meng, resident, expressed concerns with the map and said it cannot predict how fire will behave. He said the 2008 fire report indicates that overgrown vegetation primarily fueled the fire.
A lengthy conversation ensued among Council regarding the map, Bryant Ranch and fire hardening homes. Councilman Singh suggested delaying voting on the item in order to receive more public comments on the maps. Council spoke about the 120-days from the date of the letter to designate the maps by ordinance, and how CalFire developed the maps.
Chief Fetterman said there is no process for CalFire to receive feedback or public comment.
City Attorney Litfin said although it is not entirely clear what the State means by "designating the maps by ordinance", the City should conduct the first and second reading within the 120-day time period to be safe.
Moved by
Huang
Seconded by
Rodriguez
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 2025-1113 approving the updated 2025 CalFIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for Local Responsibility Areas (LRAs) within the City of Yorba Linda, required by state law, and as provided by CalFIRE with no changes proposed.
AYES (4)
Rodriguez, Campbell, Huang, and Lim
NOES (1)
Singh
CARRIED (4 to 1)
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lim adjourned the meeting at 8:40 p.m. to the City Council Special Meeting on June 24, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.