>> Okay.
Good evening.
It is August 25th.
2026.
I would like to call to order the meeting of the Mission Viejo
City Council.
Community development agency with the Housing Authority,
and the library Board of Trustees.
We're going to take a verbal roll call
and we'll be doing verbal votes tonight as well.
With Council Member Reese being remote.
And participating via Zoom.
Council member Kelly is running a bit late.
She will join us directly in closed session.
[Roll call]
Mr. City attorney, are there any items for closed session
tonight, that you would please share with us?
>> Yes, madam mayor, we have three items on closed session
calendar period the first item is conference with legal
counsel, existing litigation and that is under government code
section 54956.9 subsection D subsection one.
The existing litigation.
The second item is legal Counsel.
One case under the same government code
subsection D code.
Potential litigation period the third item
is the annual Public Performance Evaluation.
Under Government Code section 54957 B one.
Titled the employee is the Assistant City Manager.
And that is our closed session for this evening.
>> Thank you very much.
We will go ahead and adjourn and -- not adjourn.
But recess to close session and return at 6 p.m.
Or shortly thereafter.
See you soon.
[Waiting for Host to Start Meeting]
[NO AUDIO]
>> Let's talk about some of the things we've done.
First off I'll mention we have a vision statement from our team.
To promote our local economy by positioning mission
video as a premier destination to experience
and participate in athletic events.
Our mission statement, we are dedicated to providing
world class sporting events, venues, and training
opportunities to inspire youth.
Increase local business revenues and elevate our profile
as a sports Mecca and hub for sports and events tourism.
I think we're doing a good job of meeting those goals.
Okay, to date --
I'm going to read this before we get our proclamations here.
Our confirmed countries in contract, many of these teams
have started training here in Mission Viejo, in fact.
The Australian para swim team was in the pool today.
And they have been for the last week.
Doing a great job over there.
Their training for the Pacific Games.
Which are happening in walnut next week.
And so here we have the Dutch National Olympic and Paralympic
teams.
Committees have already started coming and training.
The track and field came before the World Cup.
About two weeks ago.
They trained at Saddleback College.
Stayed at one of our hotels.
The Australian Dive and Paris Swim Federation.
The British Swim Federation.
The Canadian Dive Federation.
The French Dive Federation.
The German Federation.
The Japan Dive Swim Federation.
The New Zealand Swim Federation was here a week ago.
The Polish Swim Federation and para weightlifting.
Our USA diving team is also going
to be doing their training here.
In 2028.
Those are all big successes.
Good job you guys.
We keep getting more inquiries.
The program is working very well and creating a lot of success.
So far some of those successes include $1 million commitment
from the Dutch.
Which I've already submitted $300,000 to the city to help
cover all the expenses while they're here.
Including hotels. $100,000 from Supervisor Wagner's office.
Our Orange County Board of Supervisors
knows what we're doing and we ask them to help us
with discretionary funds.
And we got a $100,000 grant.
Supervisor Wagner gave that check to our mayor
at the symphony last week.
That was awesome.
Then the Dutch athletic team, just their last one week visit.
We calculated $44,000 into our local economy for one week visit
from that team.
That's the type of economic tourism we're talking about.
People coming here spending money here.
Anyhow, we have other community engagement opportunities
we're looking ahead towards.
We have submitted applications of interest
in hosting several of these.
Including we volunteered our city for the Olympic Torch Run.
That'll be fun. (laughs) I got to carry the torch once in 1996.
In Cabo Beach.
That was amazing.
The cauldron event where the torch ends and starts
along the route.
The Cultural Olympiad.
And official viewing fan zone, here
in Mission Viejo for the Olympics.
We are working on all of those so everyone
should be very excited about what's
going to happen over the next two years.
As the Olympics get closer and closer.
And we also plan to have several meet the athlete events where
the public can come and meet these athletes.
Especially our kids can come and see them and watch them
and learn about the commitment level
that it takes to be an Olympic athlete.
It's a city wide effort and we couldn't have done it
without our great partners.
I've got some proclamations here for some of them
that have helped Us.
And this one -- okay, you read it.
>> Okay.
It says commemorating the contributions of the community
to the American story during the semiquincentennial anniversary
of the United States.
Whereas on July 4th 1776, the United States of America was
founded on the bold ideas and enduring convictions of liberty
common justice and the pursuit of happiness,
that continue to guide our Republic.
Whereas our nation has approached its 250th anniversary
in 2026, known as the Semiquincentennial or American
250, communities are encouraged to reflect on our history.
Honor all Americans contributions
and look to the future.
Mission Viejo is renowned for distinguished Olympic history.
From hosting cycling races in 84, to the torch
that emblazons the city seal, to being
a longtime home and training ground for Olympians.
Hosting high performing athletes builds a strong community,
encourages tourism and community partners
are essential to building and uplifting a strong community
fabric.
Fostering community engagement.
Sense of civic pride among residents.
Playing a crucial role in supporting local efforts
for the betterment of the community
and offering unique experiences for our residents.
The Mission Viejo Sports and Events Committee
is a collaborative group of community partners dedicated
to attracting major athletic and special events
that boost local businesses.
Showcase the city's world class facilities.
And create engagement opportunities for residents.
Through coordinated efforts with schools, colleges,
local organizations and sports leaders,
the committee has been successful in welcoming
multiple International Olympic teams to conduct
pre-game training ahead of the LA 28 Olympics and Global
Championship events.
This growing momentum reinforces the city's role
as a vibrant hub for international sports
and community pride.
I therefore, by the authority vested in me
as the mayor of the city of Mission Viejo
and on behalf of the City Council,
do hereby recognize the contributions of the Mission
Viejo Sports and Events Committee,
which is made up of many people which we are going to mention
here in just a minute.
Brian, you led the way.
This was your vision that started a long time ago along
with other people.
It takes somebody that wore that gold medal, has the passion,
and frankly put Mission Viejo on the map in the 76 Olympics.
To really carry that out.
That's you.
So this is for you.
Thank you so much.
I'm going to let you read.
It's the same proclamation.
I'm going to have you start reading here.
This one is for the Saddleback College.
And it should be given to Doctor Lynn Anderson.
I'm sorry.
You have the video to run first.
>> That's right.
We forgot to introduce the video.
Got carried away.
Couldn't wait to get the proclamations.
>> Okay, we have a short video here.
Please turn your attention to the viewing screen.
>> In preparation for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles,
the city of Mission Viejo is hosting members
of the Netherlands Olympic team who will be training at various
facilities throughout the city.
Today the Dutch U20 national team
is training right here at Saddleback College.
>> It really is awesome.
We experienced it this week.
Our track and field team.
Our junior team.
They were the first ones that came here and experienced
the really lovely facilities that you have here.
It really has been a very good first experience.
But we already knew.
We've been here for two years.
We visited the town.
We met the people.
So, yes, we feel very honored that we
can be part of the Olympic preparations
here at Mission Viejo.
>> It's been a great week.
Super facilities.
Super friendly people welcoming us.
Making us feel at home.
But also, and we have different standards than the college has.
Anything we want, they make happen for us.
We feel really welcome.
>> A multi-year partnership with team NL had been in negotiation
for several years.
Now the city and its residents will not only
gain the novelty of hosting an Olympic team
but also the benefits of the team using the city's facilities
and working with local businesses.
>> Being successful in a league sport,
a big part of it is prepare yourself.
Don't be surprised by the circumstances.
That's what we did two years ago.
We came here with some of our colleagues.
We visited half of California.
We came here and we added up all the pluses and minuses
and in the end we were very convinced
that Mission Viejo, Orange County, that
has to be a place where we prepare for the Olympics
and Paralympics.
>> For sure.
It's an amazing opportunity, not only for the city,
but for Saddleback College as well.
We have amazing facilities.
Amazing staff and employees that are looking forward
to this partnership.
I think for us specifically, we take great care of our facility.
Being able to highlight what we do,
the showcase is just wonderful and for the team Netherlands,
we're just hoping for their success.
Their success is our success in a way.
We'll be watching very closely and looking for other ways
to partner and see how we can support.
>> We have spent a lot of time the last couple of years knowing
full well that this was going to come to fruition.
The businesses are really excited.
We're really concentrating on the restaurants.
We know a lot of trainees are coming
and they're looking for food.
We're setting up a conduit so they can understand where they
can access really good food.
>> Mission Viejo has had a proud history with the Olympics,
dating back to the 1984 Olympic Games.
When the city hosted the men's and women's cycling rotaries.
And
>> Something that our residents have talked about for many
years, remember 84, well now they're going to say remember
28.
And that's the exciting.
The Olympic movement will once again
be back here in Mission Viejo.
>> The way we envision Mission Viejo as we were approaching,
we saw that we needed to invest in our facilities and we did
that many years ago.
As has Saddleback College.
As have our high schools.
As have many of our businesses.
And that is a situation where if you build it and you are
prepared, they will come.
That is exactly what happened.
We are so proud that we were forward thinking.
Not even myself, but those before us
who had the vision for what Mission Viejo is and we
stayed on that.
We are an Olympic city and we have a sports economy that we're
embracing and building upon.
The world is seeing that and it's
being showcased to the world and we're just
so proud of the partnership with Saddleback.
Our school districts, our businesses in the city.
The Olympic exposure reaches beyond the facilities
and local businesses.
It also connects with the students here in Mission Viejo
as well.
>> It's very exciting that kids will be able to see Olympic
athletes and be able to see what's going on.
It's also a huge community spirit builder because we all
come together and we're able to see this and build
on our Olympic Foundation.
Our Olympic history and heritage.
It's very exciting.
>> We're so proud to be part of this partnership with the City
of Mission Viejo and to provide our students with an opportunity
to meet with Olympic athletes and train alongside them.
Really see if they dedicate themselves to their sport
and really dedicate and have the discipline
to continue to succeed for their.
What they could truly accomplish if that was something
they wanted to be able to do.
>> You, Saddleback does a really great job with partnering with
our local high schools.
And so what a great way to advertise it.
Really promote what we do here at Saddleback
for students who may want to come here in the future.
Athletes as well as those pursuing academics.
For our student population that are here now,
I think they were already proud to be a Saddleback student,
but this is going to take it to the next level.
What a thing to brag about to your family and friends.
I'm excited for the students that are coming in to say,
we're going to be attending a school where
we hosted the Olympics.
I think just positivity all around.
>> With world class facilities and beautiful weather,
we're hoping Team Netherlands enjoys their time in training
right here in the city of Mission Viejo as they prepare
for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Reporting for Mvtv news, I'm Garth Wyckoff.
>> High.
I'm fire captain and I owe.
Welcome to the U.S. Quarterly size up.
>> Oh, that's the next one.
Doctor Cordova and Sean Revell from Saddleback College,
will you please join us up here?
Our new president from Saddleback College.
Doctor Cordova.
Sean's been a member of our committee for several years.
Six years already, wow.
He handles all of the nuts and bolts .
The negotiation and contracting for all the facilities
at Saddleback.
It's quite an intricate process.
We need a picture.
Okay here come on let's hold that.
>> I'm going to read a little bit of this.
You heard most of it already.
Where at Saddleback College is home to world class athlete
facilities, including premier stadium, track,
and the newly developed throwers park,
making it one of Southern California's strongest training
environments for elite athletes.
These top tier venues were a major factor
in team NHL's decision to select Mission Viejo as its official LA
28 Pre-games training base.
Most recently team (indiscernible).
As they prepared for the U20 World Championships.
The college's high performance infrastructure
continues to position Mission Viejo
as a trusted home for International Olympic
preparation.
And now I, Wendy Buchman, by virtue of the authority vested
in me, on behalf of Wendy Buckner, the mayor of Mission
Viejo, and on behalf of the City Council,
I hereby recognize the contributions
of Saddleback College in the community.
Thank you so much.
We'll get everybody up here and we'll do a group photo.
So Next, is Alicia.
Here for our principal from Tribeca Hill.
Okay.
All right.
So also Trabuco Hills High School has great facilities
and they have bent over backwards accommodating people
who show up and all of a sudden say hey,
can we get a workout in?
Can we do weights today?
Whereas Trabuco Hills High School in the Saddleback Valley
Unified School District offer excellent athletic facilities,
including a high quality track and well-equipped weight room,
that have become trusted training sites
for elite international teams.
Their flexibility, hospitality, and genuine excitement
and welcoming Olympic athletes created red carpet experiences
that strongly influenced team Ls's decision.
I think you guys get the rest of it.
So we'll just --
Okay next, our great partners at the Mission Viejo Nadadores.
And where is the Margarita aquatic complex, home
of the renowned Mission Viejo Nadadores,
is one of the nation's premier aquatic venues
and a centerpiece of the city's international sports reputation,
the Nadadores have played an invaluable role
in helping the city recruit and welcome high performance
teams from around the world.
Most recently hosting delegations
from Japan, Argentina, Great Britain, and Australia.
Their deep expertise in working with Olympic level athletes,
combined with their flexibility, enthusiasm,
and collaborative spirit, has made the complex a trusted
training site for global teams.
This partnership showcases what Mission Viejo
can achieve through thoughtful planning, community pride,
and world class facilities.
We have director of Chamber of Commerce, Doug Zelasko.
Come on up, Doug.
Whereas the Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce
plays a key role in strengthening
the connection between local businesses
and the city's growing sports tourism
efforts, as an active member of the tourism Committee
the chamber has helped mobilize and engage the business
community around mission Viejo's La 28 Pre-games Training
Initiative.
Their involvement ensures that local shops restaurants,
and service providers, benefit from the influx
of international teams while contributing
to a welcoming community wide experience.
This partnership highlights how coordinated civic and business
engagement can elevate Mission Viejo profile
on the global sports stage.
And supervisor Don Wagner's office,
we have our field representative,
and one of our commissioners.
Whereas OC supervisor, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner has
been a key partner in advancing Mission Viejo sports and events
tourism efforts, offering leadership and support that
strengthens the city's ability to host world class athletic
programs his office $100,000 contribution provides essential
resources to ensure Mission Viejo can deliver high quality
training venues, reliable transportation,
and meaningful community engagement opportunities as part
of the LA 28 Pre-games training initiative.
This investment helps prepare the greater Mission Viejo
area to welcome international teams with excellence
and professionalism.
Supervisor Wagner's involvement underscores the commitment
to elevating Mission Viejo as a premier Olympic training
destination.
Whereas Capistrano Unified School district,
led by Capo Valley High School offers
strong athletic facilities that have become
an important part of Mission Viejo growing sports tourism
network, the district's openness,
flexibility, and team oriented approach,
have offered to make their venues readily
available for international training
and they're eager to connect their students with visiting
high performance athletes.
This collaborative spirit played a meaningful role in team
NZ's decision to select Mission Viejo as its 2028 Pre-games
training base.
Their partnership demonstrates how shared community enthusiasm
can help elevate the city as a global training destination.
Last but not least, Lake mission Viejo, Andrew Cuomo.
Whereas Lake mission Viejo has quickly
become one of the most sought after training venues
for international teams preparing for the LA 28 games,
thanks to its scenic environment,
versatile waterfront facilities, and exceptional hospitality,
the red carpet treatment has made
visiting National Olympic Committees feel at home.
Confident that the lake can support high performance
training needs.
The lake Association's partnership is invaluable.
This summer alone, they welcome teams
from team in L, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and other National
Olympic committees, exploring mission Viejo
at their pre-game base.
Strengthened Mission Viejo's appeal
as a premier international training hub.
So they're looking in many cases at the canoeing and kayaking
in the lake as a training base.
And the concerts ain't bad either.
We're going to do a group photo with this group.
Okay.
I noticed that we didn't have some of our other partners that
have been -- that made a major contribution.
I just wanted to mention briefly,
and that would be the hotels here in town.
The hotels have really gone out of their way
to make it very hospitable, a very hospitable environment
for visitors.
And have rolled out the red carpet in a way
we've never seen before.
We're very thankful.
We only have a couple, three hotels in town.
But they've gone way out of their way
to make this a very successful initiative.
So thank you, everyone.
>> Now you know why we're wearing the orange shirts.
Okay.
Next we have public comments.
Persons wishing to address the Council on City business
that is not listed on the agenda must do so at this time.
Members of the public who are present in chamber
and wish to speak should see the City Clerk now.
For those joining us remotely by Zoom or call in, please use
the raise hand function to be added to the speaker queue.
Those wishing to address the Council on any item that
is listed on the agenda should request
to speak before the item is called.
Once the public comment period is closed,
no additional speakers are permitted in the queue.
Each speaker may be allotted three minutes.
When called, please state your name and the city of residence.
We will start with our in-person speakers
and move to remote speakers.
When Madam Clerk is ready, please
state the number of the public comments we have tonight.
>> We have received ten in-person requests and no
requests electronically.
>> Thank you.
Would you please proceed with calling the speakers.
>> For the first speaker this evening is going to be Mark
Alessandro.
Followed by Noah Zollo.
>> Hey.
Mark Alexander with Mission Viejo.
Thank you Wendy and Brian.
For the excellent talk.
Looking forward to the Olympics.
I wanted to make you aware of the fatal accident on August
8th.
It happened at the intersection of Glenwood Drive and Pacific
Crest.
And Pacific Hills.
At 919 in the evening.
It was dark.
Short cut that intersection.
A lady was walking across the street with her husband right
behind her.
Only 2.5ft behind her with the dog.
She was halfway through.
The driver hit her.
Knocked her ten feet.
Cracked her skull wide open.
The doctors couldn't do anything.
She died the following evening.
At 530.
Very sad.
We bring this to you, maybe you can help us to do something
to expedite this.
We know in the past there's been several incidents.
They had put stop signs up.
They removed those and put yield signs up.
Nothing is stopping these speeders.
The only thing we can think of is some physical deterrence,
like a speed bump or even cameras or something.
I don't know how many people here on the council
were aware of the fatal accident.
That's great, the mayor was.
We do appreciate that.
We have sent letters to the Sheriff.
To the homeowners association.
We're walking around with the homeowner's association
in a few weeks period just to look at the area.
We've contacted the Sheriff.
We sent around a letter.
It's a very sad and tragic.
We hope you can help expedite this.
So something can be done.
Go ahead.
Oh, there's a traffic meeting on October 8th that will present
this too.
Thank you so much.
Thank you Wendy.
>> People cut through our neighborhood.
And by doing that, that presents a huge amount of traffic.
You can't see around the corners.
They're oval, you can't see.
The lighting is bad.
The overgrowth is bad.
When we come to that corner to walk our dogs or whatever,
we look twice or three times before we go ahead.
Because there's been accidents there before.
We did get a yield sign years ago.
And it's there.
But at night, with the lighting and with everything,
it's a challenge.
And we need your help.
Thank you.
>> Is there anything you can do to help us?
>> Right now we take your comments and --
thank you for coming.
>> Yeah thank you.
>> Noah Zolo, followed by Michael Rocher.
>> Good morning -- sorry good evening.
My name is Noah Zolo.
I'm a freshman at Kappa Valley High School
and I am with the Community of Character Committee.
During this time I would like to introduce this month's character
trait, self-control.
To quote our papers, the sage philosopher Cynisca
once stated most powerful is he himself, he who
has himself in his own power.
These insightful words reveal the wisdom
of the one who learns that self-control is a character
value developed through mental discipline for nearly 20 years
millions of kids throughout America
have learned how to practice mental discipline that
leads to self-control.
Through being taught the star process.
What is the star process?
It is a character development decision making tool
that the Jefferson Center of Character Education
developed to help young people become kids of character.
It has been taught to over 6 million kids and 6000 classrooms
throughout the US.
It is a character building winter.
The star stands for stop, think, act, review.
And success through accepting responsibility.
As a decision making tool, the star process
teaches young people the four important steps
to central decision making that builds discipline
leading to self-control.
As a personal example, there are many times
in my life where I have thought about saying something
in front of a crowd that would not appreciate it.
But by thinking of these processes
and controlling myself, I can practice self control.
I think about the consequences of my actions,
which affect my judgment and my future.
Thank you for listening.
>> Michael Roger.
Followed by Faith Bernstein.
>> Good evening, mayor, Council members.
Mike Roger.
Longtime Mission Viejo resident.
You guys know I'm one of those protesters.
As a general rule we tend to be somewhat
anti-authoritarian by nature.
As such it may surprise you to hear
me say how impressed I am with Captain Larsen.
Your new head of the City Sheriff's Department.
That surprises me too.
I found him to be open and honest.
Fair and knowledgeable.
Always willing to listen and share.
Generous with his time.
You made a good choice with him and I
hope he'll stick around for a long time.
We've been asking a lot of questions
lately about the surveillance cameras we see around our city
and find him very forthcoming about their uses, capabilities,
as well as some of the misconceptions
that are out there.
You should know I actually do trust him to do his utmost
to follow the laws and enforce the safeguards put
in place to uphold the delicate balance between public safety
and personal privacy.
And to instill that in his deputy's.
All that being said, I have concerns
and I think you should have some concerns as well.
I want law enforcement to catch bad guys.
That's no easy job.
If we all had cameras on us 24 over seven, no doubt
that job would be easier.
But it would cost?
Whereas the appropriate balance?
These are not just cameras but a national interactive network
of sharable coordinated technology
whose surveillance capabilities are only now being understood.
You've no doubt seen or heard about the abuses that
have occurred around the country and many right
here in California.
While we may be insulated from those misuses here in our city,
thanks to the diligence and guidance of Captain Larsen,
we must realize that we are only a part of a national system that
frankly seems to exhibit some gaping holes
in its administration.
Add to that the possibility of accessing and hacking
of sensitive information, compounded
by the rapid evolution of AI systems,
that make that easier, if not inevitable.
But my biggest concern is the overall concept
that history and the very nature of human beings and governments
show that if you build a mass surveillance apparatus,
even with the best of intentions and regardless of protections,
eventually someone or some entity
will come along and misuse it.
And with a network as comprehensive as this,
our democracy could lose total control over it.
What happens when our captain retires?
When our council changes?
When state laws are modified?
When our leaders no longer respect
our Constitution or system of checks and balances.
Many people around the country are asking the City Council
to pull out their contracts with these cameras
and be banned altogether some are calling
for searches of these databases to be
subject to judicial warrants.
I believe discussion of these issues is crucial on all levels.
City Council, staff, residents.
Thank you.
>> Dave Bernstein.
Followed by Bill Moorhead.
>> Hello, mayor, and city Council members my name is Faith
Bernstein.
I live at 22921 via Santa Maria in Mission Viejo.
I live next door to the hoarder that
lives at 22931 via Santa Maria.
I attended the hearing in August the 5th.
I was surprised the only issues code
enforcement was talking about were the trash
cans, the trailer, and stuff.
Not fire or safety hazards.
The officer did not seem very knowledgeable about the case,
even though she said she's been on it for three years.
He has gotten many extensions.
I would like to be informed if the warrant was obtained
and when it will be acted upon.
He has collected more stuff.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Bill Moorhead.
Followed by Wiley Foran.
>> Good evening mayor.
And Council.
Most of you know who I am.
I'm Bill Moorhead.
I'm a resident of 27022 Presidio Drive here in Mission Viejo.
I've been a resident for 33 years.
Also a member of the Presbyterian Church
up the street.
I also sit on the board of directors at Milton Legal Water
District.
And also Mission Viejo.
I am not here to talk about water.
I am here as a thank you to the City Council and staff
and specifically Mr. Robert Burton and Dave Likness.
Who were the drivers behind the parade 250.
I was very proud to be invited to that parade as part
of the Milton Water District.
People that are elected officials here in the city.
I also wanted to call out others.
Mark Nix told me not to call him out, he's not here.
O, there he is.
There's a lot of people that were
involved in this parade, 250.
I wanted to make sure both Dave Robert and Mark got called out
on what a great job they did.
On a more personal note, I was raised
in Gettysburg Pennsylvania and Gettysburg
was known for lots of parades and it's a very nostalgic
for me to be invited to be in this parade.
I do remember as a grade school student from one through six,
we would take flowers through the town.
All the graves.
That meant a lot to me.
It was a big part of my life as far as parades.
Being involved and the Mission Viejo 250th parade was a big
honor for me and made me very nostalgic.
I might be so bold to suggest future parades.
Celebrating our country's birthday.
Say parade 251.
252.
But let's not get too anxious.
I think 255 might be a good one to focus on.
If the city does decide to do parades in the future,
celebrating the 4th of July, I would be honored to be part
of that parade and I would certainly be a volunteer.
In conclusion, most importantly for me,
speaking tonight, I want to thank again both Dave and Robert
for the work they did on this parade.
I was very proud to be a part of it.
I think you guys did a great job.
With that, thank you very much for listening to me
and I'll see you sometime in the future, I'm sure.
Thank you very much.
>> Wiley Farran.
Followed by David Shmyr.
>> Howdy there.
I'm Wiley Farran.
Resident of Mission Viejo.
I'm here because I'm upset.
Why am I upset?
Great question, mayor.
Flock cameras.
They're everywhere these days.
They're in the news.
I probably pass by ten of them on my way
to work every single day.
I'm not sure how I feel about that.
I think it's a little creepy.
I think it's a little invasive.
And I don't really feel comfortable
being watched all the time by the government or by police.
I didn't even know about these things until six months ago.
That's my bad.
You guys voted on this in April 2025.
I was behind the times.
I'm sorry.
I'm here now.
I want to get rid of these cameras.
April 8th, 2025 meeting, it sounded like some of the members
of the council were scared.
Scared of roving bands from South America coming up here
and committing violence against the people of Mission Viejo.
Particular emphasis was placed on car crimes and property
damage.
In particular, one of you even mentioned
that you've been the victim of catalytic converter theft
multiple times.
The police commander who was here,
wove a stirring narrative of flock cameras
being able to save a little old lady from a carjacking.
Thank you.
Or being able to track catalytic converters with the cameras.
How could you not get the cameras?
It made sense.
I mean, exchange the Populace's privacy for safety.
We all want safety, right?
Who's providing the safety?
The commander that day, he mentioned misusing --
but right over in Costa Mesa a police officer stalked his wife,
stalked his mistress.
Are they safer?
I don't think they are.
That's just one bad officer, right.
One bad apple.
You all know the phrase.
The whole phrase is one bad apple spoils the bunch.
And I don't really feel comfortable with anyone
in that bunch having access to where I'm going.
In particular, the company that controls this data.
Where were they ten years ago?
What kind of security system do they have in place that
Facebook, Equifax, chase Bank have that they don't?
All those three companies I just listed
had data breaches with catastrophic consequences
for the public.
And you're telling me that flock has
some magic security that will prevent these data breaches?
If this data gets out, who could get access to this?
Gangs, terrorist, knowing where we
go at every moment of the day.
That seems way worse.
I think I'm running low on time.
How much time do I have left, does it say?
27 seconds, perfect, let's keep going then.
Catalytic converter theft.
This all started because of that.
I don't think these car crimes are so omnipresent that we need
to be monitored at all times and even if they are,
I think there's a simpler solution than monitoring
the entire public.
We could just put serial numbers on the catalytic converters.
Turn it into a more controlled thing.
I'm out of time.
I'll be here next week.
Thank you.
>> David, followed by Angela Monticelli.
>> Madam mayor, city council.
My name is David Samir.
I'm a longtime resident of Mission Viejo
and I live with my back up against the Maryland's
International Speedway.
Since Maryland's has been adopted as the route from La Paz
to the freeway or whatever freeway access.
La Paz has turned into a speed detriment.
Within the last ten days, there was an accident.
Within the last month, there was another accident.
Both of which happened right behind my house.
There are a couple of speed signs on the street.
But I called police before and asked for help.
I've asked for any kind of advice
or any kind of furthering of information to maybe help
with us that live in that speed zone.
The accidents have gotten worse.
One just a few days ago.
Bounced across the freeway.
Or bounced across the street.
Two sides of the street and ended up on a curve.
The one prior to that took out trees, it was late at night.
It took out trees and then it was a hit and run.
They disappeared.
The police did finally catch them.
All I'm saying is, that street has turned
very violent and very fast.
It wasn't like that when I moved in here.
I get it, progress.
Etc..
All I ask is that we put up some additional speed limits signs
or perhaps a flashing sign that says hey,
you're doing 70 miles an hour.
The way the street is designed, there
are blind spots coming up and over the top of the hill
and coming from the bottom over the top of the hill.
Either way.
Motorcycles and trucks haul down that street.
A lot of it's because of the detour from the freeway.
Again, as a long time resident, I
just ask for some help from you guys and maybe
to address it or look into it and see what we can do.
I've been told it was too expensive to put a sign up
that flashes and says you're doing 35 or you're doing 65.
That's what the police told me.
I don't know if that's the case.
I don't know if anybody has looked into that.
But I would think that would be a small price
to pay to prevent impending doom for the next person who's
walking across the street or driving across the street
and getting clipped by somebody doing 70.
Thank you.
>> Angela Fancelli.
Followed by Tom Moore.
>> Good evening mayor and members of the city Council
my name is Angela Ponticelli and I'm a mother of three young
active children.
With another baby on the way.
Praise God.
And have been a resident of Mission Viejo
for the better part of my life.
Approximately 23 years.
I also have the honor of speaking tonight
on behalf of the Creek team.
I was motivated to speak after learning
about the deeply concerning cancer cases reported
in Ladera Ranch and the questions that
have been raised regarding potential connection
to pesticide exposure.
As a mother, this has caused me to think very carefully
about the environments where our children spend
so much of their time.
I was very pleased to learn that the approximately three weeks
ago the city of Mission Viejo implemented an integrated
pest management or IPM guideline.
I appreciate the city choosing to be proactive
and taking steps to reduce unnecessary pesticide
exposure while maintaining our public spaces.
Tonight I am respectfully asking the city
to consider one additional step that would work naturally
alongside these new guidelines.
Updating the city's current public notification practices
to residents, so we can be clearly informed
when pesticides have been applied
to specific public areas.
This would include parks, turf, grass areas, playgrounds,
surrounding areas, athletic fields and sports parks
throughout Mission Viejo.
My children regularly play in parks
and participate in football and soccer throughout the city.
Like many parents.
I simply want the ability to make an informed decision
about when my children play, following a pesticide
application period this is not a request
to prevent the city from properly maintaining its parks.
It's a request for greater transparency and communication.
Clear signage or another easily accessible notification system
identifying what was applied, where it was applied,
and when it was applied, would give parents and residents
to make their own informed choices.
I am grateful that Mission Viejo has already
taken an important step through its new IPM guidelines
and I respectfully ask the Council
to build upon that progress by strengthening
the public notification requirements thank you
for your time, your service to our community,
and for considering the concerns of Mission Viejo families.
>> Thank you.
And the final speaker -- is that correct?
>> There's two more.
Tom Moore followed by Alex Guest.
>> Good evening.
Tom Moore.
Bear with me.
I'm going to read an article.
This is out of Thursday six, August 26th, New York Times.
Adam Crafton writes for The Athletic.
Which is a subsidiary of the New York Times.
Host cities claim FIFA still owns the money.
U.S. Host cities for the 2026 World Cup
are chasing FIFA for millions of dollars
they believe they were promised by soccer's governing body.
Which has gone so far unpaid.
FIFA's president Gianni Infantino announced
that people would make a contribution of $1 million
to each of the 11 cities across the country who are hosting
matches during the club tournament
period this was described as a legacy contribution.
He said the funds would be used to build many fields.
Small fields.
And support social projects.
The U.S. City is scheduled to host
games in 2026. (indiscernible).
Across 39 games during the World Cup according to the four
executives at U.S. Host City committees, all of whom
remain anonymous to protect relationships,
FIFA management repeatedly assured the cities
they would receive the same $1 million
contribution toward legacy, despite no public statements
ever being made by the organization.
This was made verbally by the members of the FIFA management.
I'm reading this because not too long ago
there were questions about the contracts.
For the Olympics in 28.
I want to thank Council Member Vazquez for asking questions.
Actually asking questions and verifying
that these things are closed.
We have good contracts.
Strong contracts.
I didn't hear anything in that meeting
that assured me that these contracts are closed and good.
I just want to say, this stuff happens all the time.
Everybody wants to have a party.
But then when the party is over, all of a sudden
there's a few people left holding the bag
and I don't want the residents of Mission Viejo holding
the bag.
I want to thank Council Member Vazquez for her comments
and questions.
Thank you.
>> Alex guest.
>> Good evening.
Distinguished mayor and city Council members.
My name is Alex Guest and I'm here
representing 827 Orange County residents
who have signed a petition demanding e-bike safety reform.
E-bikes are everywhere in our community.
Fast, heavy, and almost completely unregulated.
They can hit 25mph with no age restrictions.
No speed controls.
No licensing.
And they're entering people regularly.
I started this petition because I believe we can fix this.
34 cities in California have passed local e-bike safety
ordinances.
We can two.
We're asking for five things.
First, a minimum age of 16 years old second,
mandatory speedometers on all e-bikes.
Third, a county issued e-bike license with a road rules
on the road safety test.
So the county knows who's illegally or legally
riding on a (indiscernible).
And fifth, diverting these funds into a city
held youth E-bike Safety fund to fund infrastructure
for bike lanes and e-bike safety research.
These aren't radical, they're practical.
If 827 Orange County residents agree,
residents from every corner of our county,
including many from Mission Viejo who understand this safety
issue that affects all of us.
A Laguna Niguel City Council member
has already endorsed this petition.
Has praised us in an op Ed in the voice of OC.
I'm asking Mission Viejo to join us.
Endorse the petition.
Draft a resolution supporting e-bike safety.
Let's show that when young people stand up for communities,
cities listen.
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
Very well done very well done, sir.
Well done.
Will you give that information to our city clerk?
Thank you very much. (laughs)
>> That is our last in-person speaker.
>> Thank you so much.
Okay, I would like to have staff address one of the items
and then I'm going to -- actually two of the items.
If you could quickly address the protocols
we put into place regarding pesticides.
That was actually done more than three weeks ago.
Thank you for noticing.
If you could give a timeline of that.
We understand the importance of that
and we understood a long time ago before all of this stuff
has come up here Jerry, if you could do that.
And then also, I'm going to move up something on the agenda
up here can you address the e-bike?
I know there's an ordinance that you're
thinking of bringing forth.
Thank you.
>> Good evening Madam Mayor, city council.
Yes, in regards to our pesticide policy, our integrated
pest management program, we've actually
had it in place for over a decade officially period prior
to that, 20 years prior to that we were actually practicing it,
but we put it to paper a little over a decade ago.
And IPM program, I don't know if everyone knows what that is.
It's a sponsored program created by the University of California
Cooperative Extension Sciences.
It's a science based.
It's not all about spraying a pesticide.
It's about looking at the whole program
of how you manage your landscapes and your property.
Before a pesticide is considered to be used,
being organic or synthetic, whatever, staff
goes out and monitors the situation.
Finds out what the pest might be.
And then decides whether it's worth acting on.
Some pest thresholds, there okay.
There natural.
Plant selection is a Biggie.
I'll give you an example.
A pest on a California pepper tree.
Everybody probably knows what that is.
Well, it grows through, it Disfigures a leaf a little bit.
But the plant sustains itself.
So we choose not to treat that plant.
There's a lot of things when it comes to rodents
and insects and whatnot.
Making sure your buildings have Weatherstripping.
Really simple things.
It's part of a very effective program for keeping
your plants healthy.
Fertilizing your plants.
Like your body, you keep your plant healthy
and it can ward off pests.
You keep the area clean, most organic mulch
is a wonderful tool that has many benefits.
We use that extensively throughout the city.
Cultural habits.
Like I said, the appropriate plant material in the right
places.
We've changed our plant palette over the years
in Mission, many, many times.
Certain melodies come down the pike of different insects
from around the world.
We could choose to keep a particular plant because we like
it, but to keep that plant healthy would
require a lot of pesticide.
Examples like the oleanders that used to be all over our slopes.
Beautiful plant but there was a cute little insect called
a glassy winged sharpshooter.
That decided to be a vector to a very ugly disease.
Which is known as the oleander disease.
So we don't plant that anymore.
The same with the major premium all over the slopes.
We treated it for a while but realized
that's really not the responsible thing to do.
And there's other plants.
There's hibiscus that we loved.
But it gets a terrible whitefly.
Along with other plants.
That's just an example about being responsible upfront.
Rather than being reactionary and trying
to catch up and fight a battle that probably
shouldn't even be fought.
That's examples upfront.
We always evaluate situations when
we need to apply pesticides.
We always go through the least toxic pesticide first.
Most of the herbicides we use are in the level three category,
which is caution.
Which is very safe.
It's nothing you can't buy at Home Depot
to be honest with you.
All of our applicators -- our city staff,
we have pest control advisors, licensed by the city
of California -- the state of California.
They're heavily regulated.
All the pesticides are going through the process
of EPA regulations.
The county ag Commissioner oversees all the implementation
of the chemical pesticides.
They do reporting.
Our contractors are required to report monthly to the state.
We require them to report monthly applications to us
as well.
So we know what's going on on our property.
We have no governance over the HOA.
There's over 60 Hoa's in this town.
A lot of landscape.
We have no oversight over the.
We can only do oversight on our own property.
We don't spray any chemicals in the grass areas.
Where people recreate.
We stay away from playground areas.
We focus on ground cover areas.
Slopes.
Planters.
Things like that.
Where people aren't supposed to be walking through.
That's just a short little snippet of our program.
We take it very seriously.
We're very responsible with what we do.
I just wanted to share that.
>> Thank you very much.
I just want to say to the folks that we're asking,
I think they left, --
>> I just wanted everyone to know that I'm adding an agenda
item to the September 8th meeting which will essentially
direct the staff to update the current IPM program guidelines.
That will include things like codifying the city's website
guidance.
Strengthening the organic pesticide requirements.
A few other things.
It does include adding a public notice requirement.
So just keep that in mind.
Thank you.
>> Okay.
Thank you.
What I would like to do is I would
like to add for the folks that shared with us
the tragic accident, that that issue is coming to the traffic
committee.
Staff is already looking into it.
Hopefully they'll hear this and listen to this
after the meeting.
Elaine alerted me to that.
Thank you.
I would like to do a reorder of the agenda at this point.
And move the public Safety report
that Chief Larson was already set to give, which I think
will speak to some of these other items that have come up.
Have him move that up to, prior to the consent calendar.
With that --
>> Madam mayor?
Would you like me to give a presentation on the Santa Ana
matter now?
Or wait until the attorney report at the end of the agenda?
>> Thank you for that, appreciate that.
>> I just wanted to let the city know,
the residents know that following the exploration of --
after the public hearing on the abatement matter following
the expiration of the residents opportunity to cure
the violation, my office was in court filing for the abatement
warrant.
We were in this past Friday.
We filed the request for abatement warrant
this past Friday.
We're in court again on Monday.
We're in court again today waiting
for that abatement order.
And we were told to come back tomorrow
to await the return of the abatement order.
We'll stay in court as long as it
takes to receive the abatement order hopefully
the city can then proceed with actually performing
the abatement itself.
>> Thank you very much.
Okay moving on now to report from our Chief of Police.
If you could please proceed?
>> Good evening Mayor and City Council and city staff.
Last council meeting you asked me
to prepare on the Orange County Sheriff's blotter
as to why it's no longer on our website.
We had an issue, a cyber incident that
had us cut that server tie as.
Which housed our taggers database.
It had the who's in jail as well as the bladder.
Once we got rid of the blotter, we realized it was a well sought
after -- which Actually lays out a longer period of time versus
those calls that are in service at that moment.
You can go back 30 days and see the crimes that
are reported through our contract cities
and do your own mapping for that area.
In regards to the e-bikes, the Sheriff's department
has taken a very proactive approach.
Especially our southeast and southwest operation Division.
Partnering with our traffic office.
We're going through different city municipal codes.
Who have had several issues with the e-bikes.
And we are in the process of creating
an e-bike municipal code that's going to encompass
a lot of our contract cities and it
includes a lot of the topics that were brought up.
The 16 year old riding an e-bike that they're not supposed to.
The different laws we can enforce
throughout our city parks and sidewalks and roadways.
That we are hindered doing right now.
In that program also is a diversion program.
As well as, as you'll see in the future,
a lot of these community education
events that we're hosting.
Where parents can come out with the kids and do e-bike classes
and put on an eight hour e-bike safety class.
That's going to help us a lot in teaching the younger
kids the rules of the road as well as giving them
school safety.
We've also partnered with the Saddleback Valley and Capital
Valley school districts to conduct e-bike inspections
at the campus appeared to allow those legal e-bikes and the kids
that pass their test, their written test,
we are taking a proactive approach.
Working with city staff on an e-bike municipal code
for the city.
That's going to encompass a lot of those concerns
that we're seeing throughout our community.
The last topic the council and the mayor wanted to discuss
was related to flock.
I'll go through the history of flock.
Data privacy laws as well as our policies.
State laws that we abide by.
As well as share some success stories
related to flock camera system that we currently have in place
throughout the city.
A little background history, April 21st, 2025,
the city of Mission Viejo entered a contract with flock
safety.
To implement both automated license plate reader
technology and Zoom cameras throughout the city.
These cameras are deployed at the main entrances to the city
and cameras are deployed throughout busy intersections
in the city.
These technologies provide mission Viejo deputies
with additional investigative tools to enhance public safety.
While maintaining strong privacy protections.
The technology captures images of the vehicle
and uses optical character recognition
to identify license plate numbers.
It is an investigative tool designed to generate leads
during criminal investigations.
Assist in locating stolen vehicles and missing persons.
Support investigations involving crimes, residential burglaries
and organized theft.
More importantly, the technology enhances
the location of abducted children
and the rapid location of suspects
involved in crimes in our city.
The system is not designed to provide continuous surveillance
or track the movements of individuals.
It does not photograph drivers or vehicle occupants.
Its purpose is to identify vehicles.
Not the people inside of the.
Mission Viejo retains the data for one year,
allowing investigators to develop leads
in both current and long term criminal investigations.
PTZ camera footage is only retained for ten days
and is primarily used to provide deputies
with real time situational awareness
during active incidents.
It serves as a force multiplier by providing real time crime
monitoring.
Live streaming and access to investigative databases.
This partnership allows Mission Viejo deputies
to respond more effectively to crimes in progress.
Locate suspects and missing persons.
Recover stolen vehicles.
Enhance overall safety.
Officer Safety.
Since January 2026, the real time Operations Center
has provided operational support on 56 incidents related to Alpr
data.
When it comes to privacy, security and accountability,
protecting the privacy and civil liberties
of the community as a fundamental component
of the city's public safety technology program.
The technology is governed by California law
and comprehensive Orange County Sheriff's Department policy that
establishes strict requirements regarding access, retention,
auditing, and data sharing.
California Civil Code section 1798.90.5 through 1798.90.55
which commonly referred to as California's LPR Privacy law.
Requires the enforcement agencies
to adopt privacy policies.
Maintain audit logs, documenting all system access
period conduct regular audits.
Ensure the technology is used only for legitimate law
enforcement purposes.
It must be independently verified
through traditional investigation methods
before enforcement action is actually taken.
In addition to these requirements,
Orange County Sheriffs Department policy
provides additional safeguards.
Cameras are deployed only in public locations.
Where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy
and department policy prohibits the use
of facial recognition and biometric identification
technology.
The technology may not be used for arbitrary, discriminatory,
or unauthorized monitoring of individuals.
It may not be used to monitor First Amendment activities
except when necessary to address a legitimate public safety
concern.
Access is restricted to authorized department personnel
who have completed department approved training.
Every search requires a documented law enforcement
justification.
Such as a call number or case number.
Before information can even be accessed.
User authentication and audit logs audit
who access the system, ensuring transparency and accountability
California law also plays a strict limitations
on how information may be shared.
Information cannot be sold, shared, or transferred,
except to another public agency and only as otherwise permitted
by law.
In accordance with California law,
it does not use information for enforcement purposes.
And does not share data with any federal agency, especially
those involved with immigration enforcement.
Data is not shared with private out of state law enforcement
agencies and any authorized sharing with California agencies
requires written request.
An overall department approval.
To ensure accountability, Alpr usage
is monitored monthly by supervisor personnel.
While it undergoes an audit.
These audits review user access, in compliance
with department policy and many (indiscernible).
Here in the city of mission Viejo,
Sergeant Sandler conducts a monthly audit
related to our Alpr usage by our deputies.
To share some success stories related to flock usage,
within the city, mission Viejo deputies
investigated a felony hit and run involving an e-bike rider.
Using our flock Alpr technology and the PTZ cameras
at the nearby intersection, deputies
identified a suspect vehicle with a damage
consistent with the collision.
Eventually deputies obtained a search warrant.
The vehicle was seized as evidence
and registered owner was arrested for felony hit and run.
Another incident of victim reported
that another driver pointed a handgun at them
during a road rage incident.
Technology identified the suspect.
Another incident involved deputies
investigating a sexual assault. Used
flock to identify the suspect vehicle and a nearby camera
located the vehicle at a gas station.
Allowing deputies to safely conduct a high risk
stop and take the suspect into custody without incident.
Another one related to a stolen vehicle entering the city.
Flock alert notified deputies that
were on duty of a stolen U-Haul that had entered
the city of Mission Viejo.
Deputies quickly located the vehicle and safely
detained both occupants without incident.
Mission Viejo deputies routinely use the cameras
during domestic violence incidents, robberies,
traffic collision, welfare checks, and suspicious person
calls and any other critical incident.
In several cases camera observation
confirmed that emergency responders were already
on scene.
Or that a situation had stabilized allowing our deputies
to reduce lights and siren.
Reducing the risk to the deputies as well as the public.
The city of Mission Viejo investment in flock technology
has provided Mission Viejo deputies
with modern investigative tools and enhanced public safety
while maintaining strong privacy protections.
Since implementation, the technology
has helped to us identify suspects, solve serious crimes,
recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons,
preserve critical evidence, and improve overall officer safety.
Flock demonstrates that effective policing and strong
privacy protections can coexist.
The technology has helped deputies solve serious crimes.
Locate missing persons.
Improve officer safety while operating
under strict legal safeguards.
California Law, Orange County Sheriff's Department policy,
documented search justifications,
comprehensive audit requirements,
restricted user access and carefully limited data
sharing practices ensure the technology is used responsibly.
For legitimate public safety purposes period while
protecting the constitutional rights
and civil liberties of the Mission Viejo Community Park
>> Thank you.
I plan on agenda a presentation in the future
as things progress.
I will be doing that as well.
Thank you.
Moving on to the consent calendar.
Do we have any requests to speak on the consent calendar?
>> We do.
>> Okay, we do.
I would ask if any council members
would like to pull any other items besides items number 17
and 18.
Which I plan to pull.
If not, I will move the remainder.
I'm waiting.
I was waiting because I wasn't sure if you were done.
Okay.
I've got a motion and a second.
We have to do verbal votes tonight because Council Member
rice is -- do we have to take public comment first?
Excuse me.
Pardon me.
So for item number 14--
>> If you want to come up and speak, this is your time.
>> Thank you.
>> Good evening.
I'm a resident of Mission Viejo.
My resident property sits directly
behind Barbara Dane's Park.
While I understand the city's desire to renovate the park,
the current scope of the project introduces critical noise,
safety, and nuisance liabilities that directly affect
the quality of life, peace and security
of the immediate perimeter residents.
We already face ongoing documented nighttime intrusions.
Late night loitering and severe noise disruption
that frequently disrupts our sleep
and requires intervention from the Orange County Sheriff's
Department.
The proposed layout changes and lighting additions
will severely amplify these existing problems
under the strict design implications immediately.
As a directly impacted homeowner,
I formally request that the city integrate
the following modifications before final approval.
Number one is establish a stricter area park hours.
Changing it from 11 p.m.
To 9 p.m..
The number two is the mandatory automatic lighting timer.
And number three is illuminated enforceable rule signage
at the entrance to the park and also at the basketball court.
And careful placement of the water stations.
And number five is acoustic buffering for the basketball
court.
Because our property is shared direct boundaries
with the public space.
We (indiscernible).
I request that my comments be added
to the official public records.
Thank you.
>> Thank you for your comments.
Appreciate it.
We have a motion and a second for the remainder of the items?
I will go ahead and call the vote.
[Members voting]
>> I am also a yes.
Thank you.
Okay.
Could I get a staff report on item 17.
I'm really doing this just to shine a light
on this particular issue.
That has been a real challenge for us.
I think we answered it very well.
So if I could get the staff report.
>> Yes.
Madam mayor, our community director will give that.
>> Thank you come on good evening.
This is the city of Mission Viejo response
to the 2025, 2026 California housing mandates,
the reshaping of Orange County neighborhoods.
The grand jury report examines the role and responsibilities
of the State Department of Housing and Community
Development.
In determining the number of new housing units
the state of California should plan for every eight years
and across various income levels and designing a fair share
portion of the statewide housing need to each of the Metropolitan
planning agencies in the state.
This is known as the Regional Housing Needs Assessment.
Or Rina.
The grand jury explores the sixth Cycle 2020 Rina planning
process and examines how Rina and other prescriptive housing
mandates have placed a substantial pressure on Orange
County jurisdictions to plan for significantly greater levels
of housing capacity.
Based on the challenges and constraints observed,
the Orange County grand jury determined that the impacts
of the state's housing mandates are of concern and cannot be
ignored.
The report outlines 22 findings and 20 recommendations
to improve Orange County's role in promoting
greater equity, transparency, and public understanding
of the Rina process.
And the city's response is largely
agree with the grand jury's findings.
Staff is seeking council's authorization for the mayor
to sign and for staff to transmit the city's proposed
response.
For the grand jury report as presented
in the first attachment, exhibit A to the staff report
that concludes our presentation.
>> Thank you.
I just want to highlight that because much of what they
thought should be done -- the city of Mission Viejo was
actually doing.
I don't know how many of you remember,
but I was doing a report at every single meeting,
reporting out of scag and out of Rina,
and I was reporting that the state determined that the region
needed 1,341,827 units.
Just for the Scag region.
That's six counties.
Orange County being one of them.
And Mission Viejo was assigned 2217.
And the one thing that we asked was, where did you get --
orange County was assigned -- sorry I left that out,
we just asked where you got the 1,000,341 827.
That was really never answered.
Talk about transparency.
It's really required of us by the state.
But the transparency that we were getting from the state
was not there and so we actually are
pushing for legislation and regulations that
require just that.
Out of HCD.
I hope we get that for your sake.
After December, I'm off the city council.
But I'll still be advocating as a resident.
You better believe it.
With that, if anybody has any questions or comments,
I'll move the item, and I'm gladly --
I'm glad we signed the letter.
We're going to do a roll call vote.
[Members voting]
And I just wanted to bring this one to light.
This is a fun one.
Item number 18.
Could I get a staff report on the resident block Party
program?
>> Thank you mayor comment as we get adjusted back here.
I brought community services supervisor Marcelo Dario with me
who worked with the commission on this.
I'd like him to present the initial report.
>> Good evening mayor and fellow council members.
At the October 21st Community Services Commission
(indiscernible).
Where brought on to an ad hoc and Commissioner Conroy
were appointed onto this block party
where we met for several months in
regards to a block party program for our residents.
This program basically we came up with two options.
Option A was a bin delivery program.
In which these bins are containing supplies
that are reserved by the residents
and delivered directly to their homes by the city staff.
Or option B where the bins can be reserved by residents
and picked up at a designated city location.
Commissioners came up with a lot of ideas
in regards to how this benefits the community
and promoting community togetherness.
And also, a community survey was conducted in addition
to this, in which 47 residents that
attended a mission activities springtime Paris boutique
and April spring Madness week Night Market agreed with us.
And to residents saying no.
Those residents lived in a gated community parent
Commissioner is also here to answer any questions.
>> I just wanted the residents to know that this is something
that is going to be -- can you give us an idea of what the cost
will be for residents?
>> Yes.
It's a $100 refundable deposit.
You can rent the bins for $45.
Which is the permit fee for that.
These bins will be anything you need basically
games come a party equipment, traffic control.
>> Great.
Over the 4th of July there's many different people,
that's just one example.
This happens at other times.
There's a lot of neighborhoods that have little bike parades
and some of them are larger than little.
This is a great opportunity for those folks
to have a resource for those types of events
and have contact with city staff and you're making it really easy
for them and I wanted to make sure we highlighted
that for people as you plan for the events that are coming up.
I think the next big one is how do we in.
It seems like that happens. --
I think the next big one is Halloween.
It seems like that happens.
Any questions on this?
I'll go ahead and move the item.
Thank you.
Were there any comments, I guess we probably handled that
at the very beginning.
Thank you.
Council member Kelly?
Calling for the vote.
Probably should have said that.
[Members voting]
And then I am a yes as well.
Thank you.
Okay.
Next we have public hearings.
And this first one, item number 20
is a public hearing to consider all objections to the proposed
abatement of weeds on parcels less
than one acre for the annual weed abatement program 2026.
Any members that would like to speak on this item
would need to request to speak with the clerk
or raise your hand in the Zoom at this time.
>> We have no requests for this item.
>> Okay thank you so much.
Should I at this point consider the public hearing open.
And we have no comments.
Or no speakers.
Do we consider it closed at this point
or do we wait for the staff report?
Sorry.
Okay, I'll ask for a staff report now, thank you.
>> I'll ask our operations manager for the report.
>> Thank you, Jerry.
Good evening city Council.
This is to consider all objections to the proposed
abatement of weeds on parcels less
than one acre for the annual weed abatement for 2026.
Instruct Public Services Department
to proceed the removal of weeds.
On June 23rd, 2026, City Council adopted resolution 26-33 that
required notification of certain property owners to remove weeds
from properties designated and set the date of August 25th,
2026, for public hearing to hear and consider all objections
to the proposed removal of weeds by the City of Mission Viejo.
City staff mailed notices to all properties as designated
in resolution 26-33 exhibit A. In the past,
the majority of property is notified by the due date.
Staff recommends the City Council,
after hearing all objections for the proposed removal of weeds
on parcels less than one acre, overrule any objections
in accordance with sections 39568 through 39588
of the Government Code and -- when we brought this to City
Council on June 23rd, 2026, there were four residents
on the non-compliant list.
There are now currently three.
One was able to become in compliance.
And that is the report.
>> Thank you.
At this point is the point where I'm officially
opening the public hearing and I'm confirming,
we still do not have any requests to speak?
Thank you.
I will go ahead and close the public hearing at this point.
Colleagues, is there any discussion on this?
Seeing none, we do this every year, so thank you for that.
I did highlight, there was only three and one
came into compliance.
With that, I will ask for a motion.
With a staff recommendation.
>> I move.
>> Second.
>> Thank you.
That is to instruct the public Services department
to proceed and perform the removal of the weeds
in accordance with section 39568 and 39588 of the Government
Code.
Seeing no further comment, I'll go ahead and call for the vote.
[Members voting]
>> I am also a yes.
Thank you.
The next public hearing that we have
is a General Plan amendment, zone map amendment.
Development code amendment.
Which is petition for the city initiated for consideration
of an amendment to title nine of the Mission Viejo Municipal Code
to establish Development Code amendments to implement program
for.
Replacement housing.
And program 13.
Development Code amendments.
As identified in the Housing Plan of the city's sixth cycle.
Which is 2021 through 29.
Housing element.
And to comply with state housing law.
The General Plan Amendment and Zoning
map amendment, for the zone change,
or proposed to create a low barrier Navigation Center
overlay zone and and emergency shelter, residential overlay
zone.
As identified in the program 13 of the housing element.
For members of the public who wish to speak on this item,
please submit a request to speak with the clerk,
or raise your hand in the Zoom.
Can I please get a staff report?
>> Laura do you want to take it away?
>> Thank you again, Mayor and members of the council.
I'll ask if we can pull up the presentation.
As you mentioned, mayor, the housing element development code
amendments this evening implement two programs
in the housing Element.
Programs four and 13 of the city's
adopted and Certified General Plan housing element.
These programs and the actions being taken tonight
are all in compliance with and as
required by state housing law.
The code updates are primarily text changes.
There are general plan and zoning map revisions as well.
To add the two overlays.
Again, as you mentioned, for the low barrier
navigation center and the emergency center overlays.
All of which we will go over this evening.
This effort is funded by a state grant that
was awarded to the city called Regional Early Action
Planning or Repe.
2.0 grant program.
The grant is awarded through Scag and Acog
and it was Ocog who selected Interwest consulting Group
to help draft these amendments with Curt Pringle and Associates
assisting with the public outreach.
Housing consultant, Nick.
Is, with Interwest is here tonight
and will review the proposed code amendments.
Before we get into those details,
I want to briefly point out how one of the actions that
was proposed this evening also addresses the city's arena
accommodation.
A no net loss regulation that stipulates the city
must always be able to accommodate its remaining arena
obligation.
Related to tonight's actions, state law
requires that on properties where emergency shelters are
permitted, the city also has to permit development
of residential projects.
Its proposed onto specific sites and we'll
review those in just a moment.
This will result in additional Rena
capacity that helps the city meet its no net loss
requirement.
I want to emphasize this point.
Additional arena capacity is now needed
based on the city's recent approval, the Planning
Commission's approval, of the Burlington Site housing project.
As advocates for affordable housing,
the city initially relied on a long standing policy
to require for that project a minimum
of 15% of the units as affordable to lower income
households.
However the applicant offered only 5% of affordability per
citing SB 330 state law provisions and claiming the city
cannot enforce its 15% policy.
The applicant further asked the state Department
of Housing and Community Development
to weigh in on the issue.
And unfortunately, HCD agreed with the applicant
and sent the city and advisory stating that it could not
enforce its long standing policy because it was not formally
written and adopted prior to the application
submittal for that project.
The housing project was therefore
approved with only 5% affordable units, leaving the city
with a greater shortfall for its affordable units
than it would otherwise have.
The good news is, fortunately the arena capacity that
would be added by tonight's actions
would cover the shortfall from that Burlington project.
As well as provide capacity for potential future projects.
If there are no questions on that issue,
I'll ask Nick to take over the presentation.
>> Nick?
>> Good evening.
Mayor and city Council members my name
is Nick, with Interwest consulting Group.
I've been the project manager on this zoning code
amendment for about nine months or so tonight
for your consideration our city initiated zoning amendments
to implement programs for N 13 for the city certified 2021
to 2029 Housing Element and to ensure compliance
with recent changes to state law,
housing laws the amendments also support the city's
ongoing efforts to address housing
needs within the community.
As part of this effort the city conducted a community outreach
program to gather input from a variety of stakeholders.
Included stakeholder interviews conducted in early March.
Focus group meetings held in mid-March
with local housing advocates.
Nonprofit organizations.
And the development community, such as the building Industry
Association, B, and specific developers
who have worked in South Orange County.
A community workshop was hosted in April.
Feedback received through these efforts
was considered during the development
of the proposed zoning amendments.
In addition, the city also make social media announcement.
And sent notices to the paper, affected properties,
and stakeholders.
The first set of amendments was to address program
for the Housing Element.
February 8th, 2024, the California Department of Housing
and Community Development certified the city's housing
element as being in substantial compliance with state housing
Element Law.
The amendments ensure that new housing developments
do not reduce the total number of existing housing units
and do not reduce the number of dwellings.
Housing lower income persons as required
by program four of the Housing Element and State law.
This slide shows code amendments and the following
slides after this that are under program 13 of the Housing
Element.
Adjust for the general public, what
that means is temporary service and shelters designated
to quickly transition individuals
experiencing homelessness into permanent housing.
They remove obstacles to shelters such as bans on pets
and connect residents to directly intensive on case
manager and public benefits.
State law requires that cities allow development of low barrier
navigation centers permitting multi-family uses
if the facility meets specified requirements
periods such as a coordinated entry system and a system
for entering client information.
State law applies statutory timelines
for review and approval of low barrier navigation centers.
The intent of state law is to provide for low barrier
navigation centers as a tool for alleviating the homelessness
crisis and your community in Orange County and at large.
The city is proposing to update the existing emergency shelter
provisions that are currently in the code with a new overlay
district.
This include establishing an emergency shelter overlay
in the business Park zone with revised development
and operational standards the updated development
standards and reduced development constraints,
such as parking and separation requirements, as required
by program 13 of the Housing Element state law.
So two properties were identified
in the housing element.
To have an overlay for emergency shelters,
which are shown here on this map.
On the screen in an area close to the border of Laguna
Hills and the properties are 26941 Cabot Road and 27194
Camino Capistrano. (indiscernible).
The amendments will permit supportive housing developments,
50 units or fewer.
In applicable multifamily zones in the city.
Which is RPD 14, 30, 50, and 80, as required
by state law and housing element.
A new parking standard for supportive housing
has also been added to the development code for this.
Employee housing was also addressed.
Employee housing is privately housing
for five or more employees.
We updated definitions of employee housing
and added it as a permitted use in all residential districts.
We also address residential care facilities
and reasonable accommodations.
The amendments differentiate between small and large
residential care facilities.
Allowing small facilities by right and large facilities
with a conditional use permit that's
subject to objective design standards
as required by program 13 of the Housing Element
and also state law.
The city will update its rules for review
of disability related housing.
By removing certain findings that
are no longer allowed under state law and federal law.
Making the process clearer and more fair.
In terms of senior housing, the senior housing overlay,
these amendments assure that the senior housing
would be treated similarly to multifamily housing
by removing the conditional use permit requirement.
Retaining that senior housing overlay.
To avoid non-conforming properties
and reducing parking requirements
to encourage future development.
These revisions to the development Code
include the RPG 14, 30, 50, 80, and the five
sites in the senior Housing overlay,
will allow senior housing and congregate care
by right, with a plan development permit required
for the structure.
It will also (indiscernible).
Next slide.
The development code we had addressed,
SB 35, or streamlining of certain projects.
Projects that developers proposed and applicants.
This requires the city to establish
procedures to implement SB 35 eligible projects.
Include objective design standards.
And the application review process and approval authority
for the ministerial Review of Qualifying multifamily housing
projects under SB 35 has been added
to section nine of the Development Code period the code
update also addresses SB nine, which
allows the splitting of lots into two parcels.
One property into two parcels.
This has the city doing amendments
to implement SB nine requirements for urban lot
splits and duplex development.
And helps provide technical assistance to property owners.
The last set of development standards
includes adjustments to the height limits
for residential multifamily residential zones.
That includes an RPG 30 zone updating the height limit from
35 to 40ft and from two stories to three stories.
Also allows or recommends RPG 50 updating the height limit five
feet from 50 to 55ft and then RPG 80 zone is updating
the height limit from 65 to 84ft.
Which is a property zone, which is the mall site.
That's where that would be allowed.
With that, I'm going to turn over to Cliff Jones
to talk about the recommended actions for this evening.
>> Thank you, Nick.
The recommended action from staff
is that you find the project to be exempt from the California
Environmental Quality Act, based on staff determination.
And adopt resolution for approval of the general Plan
amendment and zoning amendment and development code amendment.
And introduce that ordinance.
Staff and the -- our consultants are available to respond to any
questions that you may have.
Thank you.
>> Okay.
Mr. City attorney?
>> Thank you.
Mayor Buckham has recused herself from this item.
She will not be hearing this item and she is not on the dais.
Apparently, out of an abundance of caution, a source of income
to her, Curt Pringle is a consultant
or otherwise involved in this process.
And therefore, mayor has recused herself from this item.
That is my report.
>> That's it.
That's a new position for her.
It's sort of just happened.
Kind of an oops.
Leave the dais here because of the potential conflict
or perception of conflict of interest.
Nothing major.
Just a procedural issue.
Is there any request to speak?
We do have some?
>> We do.
We have two.
The first is going to be Jim Pitkin and the second one
is Sal Faso.
>> Good evening.
>> Good morning Carbajal.
First of all, (indiscernible).
I'm one of those units that were put in that thing ten days ago.
We got the letter and said what the hell is going on?
Thanks to Elaine and Larry for Being very
responsive to my questions.
Very informative.
I was able to read all of that and another 64 pages.
Understanding this, that we have been layered as commercial.
Then we've been overlaid as a residential
and now we're being overlaid as another temporary or homeless
housing.
Whatever that may be.
I see that as what you're doing for the state, as requirements.
I get that.
But I have to have these questions.
Being the owner in the center, there are no busses.
There are no places for people to go and get
their health stuff.
Any kind of groceries in our area.
If you're talking about temporary housing
you're talking about somebody who has to move.
Be mobile.
Have to do things.
And it's a mile down the street or even more.
Where a destination location with a reputation
of great food, community service, and why
would we be looking to change our business
to do temporary housing?
I am 71 years old and I want to pay off my SBA loan
and I want my daughter, for the next 30 years,
to run my restaurant.
That puts me out of the picture.
I'm gone.
But we're here to support the community.
We always have been and we will continue to be.
Why would they rezone this building?
I don't get it.
It's sort of missing a few elements
and I don't know how we met the criteria.
Again, I have to compliment your staff on what you've done.
I appreciate your forthrightness,
getting back to me.
Obviously this is something that we read across --
we are right across from Paul mayor.
One of the biggest residential areas in the city.
So, thank you for your time.
>> Thank you.
>> As Jim said, good morning.
I want to come at night.
Councilman, women, managers and clerks, thank you for your time.
Not that I'm here in the same line of Jim,
I don't understand how the decision was made
or how the picks were made.
I could have picked different locations.
I'm not sure how that one got picked.
If that happens, I'll sell the building and leave.
I can't find a place in the world where you live comfortable