Council Meeting - February 17, 2026
CALL TO ORDER
The City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency convened at 5:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue.
ROLL CALL
Councilwoman Janice Lim arrived 5:35 p.m.
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) (1 Case)
B. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL – EXISTING LITIGATION
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) (1 case)
Name of Case: Yorba Canyon, LLC v. City of Yorba Linda
Case Number: 30-2025-01497724-CU-WM-CXC, Superior Court, County of Orange
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS
None.
CONVENE INTO CLOSED SESSION
The City Council convened into Closed Session at 5:33 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 6:32 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 4845 Casa Loma Avenue, Yorba Linda.
ROLL CALL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Girl Scout Troop 1125
INVOCATION
Bhai Deepinder Singh, Sikh Center of Orange County
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Todd Litfin said there was no reportable action on the items discussed in Closed Session.
INTRODUCTIONS & PRESENTATIONS
RECOGNITION OF PYLUSD PTA PRESIDENTS
Mayor Carlos Rodriguez recognized the following Placentia Yorba Linda Unified School District PTA Presidents for their exceptional leadership and dedication: Lynnsey Jorgensen - Bryant Ranch Elementary School, Rachel Sammons - Buena Vista Virtual Academy, Sheena Keo - Fairmont Elementary School, Shawna Marshall - Glenknoll Elementary School, Shweta Shah - Lakeview Elementary School, Elysse Salumbides (Past President) - Lakeview Elementary School, Marissa Bellanti - Linda Vista Elementary School, Jessica Zingali - Mabel Paine Elementary School, Lauren Badorek - Orange County School of Computer Science, Stefanie Holland (Executive Vice President) - Rose Drive Elementary School, Laura Nunez - Rose Drive Elementary School, Julie Szerlag - Travis Ranch School, Rosie Esqueda - Yorba Linda High School, Suzanne Chicuniec - Yorba Linda Middle School, and Jessica Candelaria - Placentia Yorba Linda Unified Council.
The PTA Presidents also received certificates from the offices of Congresswoman Young Kim, Senators Steven Choi and Kelly Seyarto, Assemblyman Phillip Chen, and Supervisor Don Wagner.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – ITEMS ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR OR ITEMS NOT ON THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA Angie Cohen, resident, expressed concerns regarding the proposed water rate increases and comments made by Councilwoman Lim at a November Yorba Linda Water District meeting. She shared an audio clip from the meeting and asked whether the City Council had taken a formal position on the rate increase and whether Councilwoman Lim was speaking on behalf of the City.
Margaret Thurston, resident, commented on the Accounts Payable Check Register, noting the City’s water bill exceeded $27,000. She inquired whether the proposed rate increase would impact LMAD zones and asked if other cities are similarly increasing water rates.
Pam, resident, voiced concerns about the proposed water rate increase and former Mayor Lim’s remarks. She referenced her water bill and compared the District’s proposed rates to those of the City of Anaheim.
Pat Nelson, resident, encouraged prior speakers to attend a Yorba Linda Water District meeting. She noted difficulty finding parking at the February 3rd Council meeting and stated she missed the discussion on the City Ventures project, which was continued to March 3. She expressed concerns regarding density, traffic, and Measure JJ.
Trudi DesRoches, Yorba Linda Water District Director, introduced the District’s Finance Manager, Christine McIlrevey, who was present to address questions. Director DesRoches referenced a mailer sent to residents explaining cost increases and announced upcoming District tours on March 3, 10, and 24. She encouraged community participation to better understand water operations. She stated the public hearing on water rates will be held April 9 and noted that residents may attend District Board meetings to ask questions. During discussion with the Council, she highlighted the District’s online water rate calculator and clarified that a legally required rate study was completed by an independent consultant to determine the cost of providing water service.
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager Peter Grant requested to remove Item No. 8 — Approval of the Agreement with J&E Construction for the Lemon Drive/Imperial Highway Storm Drain Project — from the Consent Calendar, noting it will be brought back at a later date.
Assistant City Engineer Rick Yee explained that recently identified underground utility conflicts near the storm drain may require relocation of existing conflicting utilities or design modifications. Improvements on Lemon Drive may be phased, allowing the storm drain replacement on Imperial Highway to proceed. Staff will return to the City Council at a future meeting to request additional funding to complete the Lemon Drive portion of the project once the scope and best solution for Lemon Drive has been identified.
Moved by
Campbell
Seconded by
Singh
Approve the Consent Calendar with the removal of Item No. 8.
AYES (5)
Rodriguez, Campbell, Huang, Singh, and Lim
CARRIED (5 to 0)
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA 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 – FEBRUARY 17, 2026
1. AP Check Register 2-17-26 - CC-FIN-26-005.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - AP Check Register 2-17-26.pdf
Receive and file the accounts payable check register and wire transfer report dated February 17, 2026, in the amount of $1,507,559.86.
3. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 3, 2026 CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC_Feb03_2026 - English.pdf
2. Green Sheet - Post-Minutes - CC_Feb03_2026-English.pdf Approve the minutes of the February 3, 2026 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting.
4. APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE FEBRUARY 10, 2026 CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE YORBA LINDA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY SPECIAL MEETING
1. Post-Meeting Minutes - CC SPC_Feb10_2026 - English.pdf Approve the minutes of the February 10, 2026 City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint special meeting.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT – NOVEMBER 2025
1. Treasurers Report Nov 2025 - CC-FIN-26-006.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Treasurers Report Nov 2025.pdf
1.) Receive and file the attached monthly Treasurer’s Report; and 2.) Delegate investment responsibility to the City’s Finance Director / City Treasurer for one year.
6. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2026-5972 TEMPORARILY CLOSING BASTANCHURY ROAD
1. Bastanchury Road Temporary Closure - CC-PW-26-009.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 2026-5972 Every 15 Minutes.pdf
1.) Adopt Resolution No. 2026-5972 temporarily closing Bastanchury Road between Cornell Lane and Princeton Place on April 23 for Yorba Linda High School’s Every 15 Minutes program: and 2.) Authorize the City Manager to approve future street closures for the Every 15 Minutes program.
7. APPROVE RESOLUTION NO. 2026-5971 TEMPORARILY CLOSING GOLDEN AVENUE
1. Golden Avenue Temporary Closure - CC-PW-26-008.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Resolution No. 2026-5971.pdf
Approve Resolution No. 2026-5971 closing Golden Avenue from February 19 through September 2026.
8. APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH J&E CONSTRUCTION FOR THE LEMON DRIVE/IMPERIAL HIGHWAY STORM DRAIN PROJECT
1. JE Contract Amendment - CC-PW-26-011.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Amend No. 1 JE Construction Corp.pdf
Approve an amendment to the agreement with J&E Construction Corp. in the amount of $97,800.
9. REPORTS OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIONS FROM THEIR LAST MEETING
1. Planning Comm. Recap 2-11-26.pdf
Receive and file this report.
10. CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE AND AGENCY REPORTS
1. Council Committee and Agency Reports - CC-ADM-26-006.pdf
2. Attachment 1 - Reports from CC Organizations.pdf
Receive and file this report.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT/MAYOR’S REPORT/MATTERS PRESENTED BY COUNCILMEMBERS/ OTHER AGENCY REPORTS City Manager Grant addressed public comments regarding water rates and confirmed that the City Council has not taken a position on Yorba Linda Water District rates.
Councilwoman Tara Campbell reiterated that the Council has not taken a position on District rates, noting that the District operates under its own governing board. In response to Ms. Nelson’s comments, she stated that the City would receive RHNA credit for the 62 proposed units in the City Ventures project. She explained that the site has been zoned RM-20 (20 units per acre) for over four years and that the designation was approved by voters. She added that the City worked with residents through a working group to identify appropriate RHNA allocations and minimize exposure to Builder’s Remedy. She concluded by wishing the community a happy Lunar New Year.
Councilman Shivinder Singh also extended Lunar New Year wishes and referenced the recent celebration at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum. He asked staff to clarify whether increased water rates would affect the City’s Landscape Maintenance Assessment District (LMAD). City Attorney Litfin explained that water costs are one component of LMAD expenses and that any potential increase would require a zone-by-zone analysis. Councilman Singh also asked Councilwoman Lim to clarify that her prior comments on water rates at the aforementioned November Yorba Linda Water District meeting were not made on behalf of the full Council.
Councilwoman Lim clarified that her remarks expressed support for public engagement, not for rate increases, and reiterated that the Council does not set water rates. She noted that she had encouraged the District Board to remain mindful of affordability. She also wished the community a happy Lunar New Year, announced the City’s ranking as the fifth safest city in California, and thanked public safety personnel. Additionally, she highlighted Presidents’ Day and the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum event featuring Abraham Lincoln, James Madison, George Washington and Ulysses Grant presidential reenactors. She concluded her comments by talking about the West Yorba Linda Little League, she congratulated the Orange County Sheriff's Department for their successful Cupcakes with Deputies at The Classic Cupcake and said the Miss & Teen Placentia, Yorba Linda & Canyon Hills are in transition and congratulated the current and past title holders.
Councilwoman Peggy Huang echoed Lunar New Year greetings and thanked Director DesRoches for attending. She attended the meeting in January where there was a robust discussion on the rate study and encouraged residents to review the District’s educational materials and attend the upcoming March tours. She reiterated that the Council and the Water District are separate entities and acknowledged the rising cost of water.
Mayor Rodriguez reinforced prior statements that the City Council has never agendized or taken a position on water rates, which fall exclusively under the authority of the District Board. He asked the City Attorney to confirm that the Council has no role in setting water rates, and City Attorney Litfin affirmed that rates are determined solely by the District, a separate entity. Mayor Rodriguez also extended Lunar New Year wishes, referenced the event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, reiterated upcoming Yorba Linda Water District tour dates, and offered well wishes to those observing Ramadan.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Rodriguez adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled City Council/Successor Agency to the Yorba Linda Redevelopment Agency joint meeting on March 3, 2026.