[0:29] Good evening, ladies and gentlemen
[0:31] Welcome to this regular meeting of the Rancho Santa margarita
[0:33] City Council.
[0:35] I'm going to call this meeting to order
[0:37] And tonight, we will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance.
[0:40] Councilmember Baer, would you please lead us in the pledge ?
[0:49] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
[0:53] and to the Republic for which it stands
[0:57] One nation under God indivisible,
[1:00] with liberty and justice for all.
[1:06] Thank you very much.
[1:07] City Clerk.
[1:08] We have a roll call, please Mayor Bill Hemmer,
[1:16] Mayor Pro Tem Figueroa here.
[1:18] Councilmember Baird here.
[1:20] Councilmember Holloway Councilmember Meeker
[1:22] here Thank you, Mayor.
[1:26] City Clerk.
[1:27] Tonight, we're implementing for the first time
[1:29] some new protocols to comply with changes in state law.
[1:33] And I wonder if you might give a brief update or explanation
[1:36] to people about our new protocols Yes.
[1:40] Thank you.
[1:40] Good evening, Mayor and members of the city council.
[1:43] This evening, our city council meeting
[1:45] will be video streaming live Members of the public
[1:48] can view the city council meeting live
[1:50] by visiting the city's agendas and minutes webpage.
[1:54] A watch button feature will appear once the meeting begins
[1:58] Also new this evening community members
[2:00] can participate telephonically during public comments
[2:04] or a specific item on the agenda.
[2:06] And we'll have Three minutes to speak if they.
[2:09] Community member excuse me is calling for two separate items
[2:13] on the agenda.
[2:14] They will need to call back in once their first call ends
[2:19] Community members who wish to address the City Council
[2:22] telephonically during the public meeting
[2:24] should electronically submit a request to call in form
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[2:30] Submitting the form prior to the meeting will allow me
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[2:36] under public comments or during a specific item on the agenda
[2:40] To join the City Council meeting by telephone.
[2:43] Dial (949) 229-7104.
[2:49] I will identify community members
[2:51] by the last four digits of their phone number
[2:53] when it is their turn to speak They
[2:56] will be unmuted at the appropriate time
[2:58] for a period of three minutes.
[3:01] I will ask the speaker to wrap up their comments when 30s are
[3:05] remaining.
[3:05] And they will be muted soon after.
[3:08] Following the meeting, the art the agenda minutes, audio,
[3:13] video and close captioning will be archived under the agendas
[3:17] and minutes by page the following day or soon thereafter
[3:22] For any questions regarding public participation during City
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[3:37] of RSM Dawg Thank you.
[3:39] Thank you, Mayor.
[3:40] City clerk.
[3:41] That brings us to item One on our agenda, which
[3:43] is schedule of future events.
[3:45] The city manager Thank you very much,
[3:48] Mayor Beall and members of the City Council The summer concerts
[3:51] start this coming Sunday July 12th and will run for six
[3:56] consecutive Sundays at Central Park from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m..
[3:59] The final concert on August 16th will feature two bands
[4:04] and the Dreamers market merchants in the park from 4
[4:07] to 8 p.m..
[4:08] All concerts are free and are open to the public Join
[4:11] us at beautiful Central park for live music
[4:13] with family friends, and neighbors.
[4:16] Food vendors community booths and the rotary dial.
[4:19] Seoul's popular beer and weingarten
[4:21] offer something for everyone.
[4:23] Our summer concert series is the perfect opportunity
[4:25] to get outside and enjoy the cool summer sunsets and Rancho
[4:29] Santa margarita.
[4:30] For more information, please contact the community center
[4:33] at (949) 216-9700 or visit rSM connect.org.
[4:39] And as a reminder the july 22nd meeting of the City Council is
[4:45] canceled per the approved city council meeting calendar.
[4:48] That was done earlier this year.
[4:51] Thank you.
[4:52] Thank you.
[4:52] Thank you very much Brings us to item Two on the agenda.
[4:57] Council member comments and reports.
[4:59] Item 2.1 is Council member comments.
[5:03] Look, First to my left.
[5:05] Anything Councilmember Holloway.
[5:07] Thank you.
[5:07] So I want to thank the chief and the deputies
[5:10] for all the work you continue to do with the E-bike Enforcement
[5:13] Seems like a real good balance of education and enforcement
[5:17] in other ways as you can and heard,
[5:19] nothing but positive comments from the public.
[5:22] The work you're doing.
[5:23] So thank you so much Right.
[5:27] Councilmember mager.
[5:28] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[5:29] I want to congratulate, first of all,
[5:31] Sam Clark for another fantastic Star Spangled,
[5:34] spectacular that he recently held.
[5:36] My congratulations Go to the entire board.
[5:38] Jeff Albrecht and all the other members of the board
[5:41] I also want to thank Chief Chappell for the Orange County
[5:44] Sheriff's department being there in full force
[5:47] They had a tough night considering what happened
[5:49] in Newport Beach on July 4, and they
[5:52] had to separate the herd, if you will
[5:54] and have some of the deputies go to Newport
[5:56] So thank You for keeping our community safe
[5:59] Thank you to Sam Clark for another great fireworks show.
[6:02] It just they pulled it off.
[6:04] And I know it takes a heck of a lot of work to do that
[6:07] and a lot of headache, I'm sure, and a lot of worry.
[6:10] So they did a phantom stick job.
[6:11] I want to point out the fact we have some new businesses coming
[6:14] to town, EOS fitness is in the final stages of completing
[6:17] their tenant improvements.
[6:18] I know it's been a while, but we're
[6:20] hoping that they will open this fall,
[6:22] preferably in October There are planning Commission also
[6:26] approved a conditional use permit for a new restaurant,
[6:29] The Goldfinch.
[6:30] That's going to be located at the it was Lulu's Cafe
[6:34] and before that, it was Canyon Grill.
[6:36] So now that's going to be the Goldfinch.
[6:37] It's going to be a really nice restaurant.
[6:39] They've been approved to have live music and dancing
[6:42] So I'm looking forward to them opening soon.
[6:45] I also want to point out that Cox Communications has been kind
[6:48] enough to donate $2,000 to RSM Cares and have directed that
[6:53] money to the Zero Trash group So they were happy that we have
[6:58] the zero trash program here in Rancho Tourism cares help
[7:01] sponsors.
[7:01] It with me and I just want to thank Cox Communications
[7:05] publicly for that donation.
[7:07] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:08] Thank you To my right, Mayor Pro tem.
[7:11] Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor.
[7:12] I just wanted to add on to Councilwoman Berger's comments
[7:15] and just thank Sam Lark for just an absolute wonderful 4th
[7:18] of July performance.
[7:20] The fireworks and the performance
[7:22] is were actually better than ever.
[7:23] So it was a very, very special 250th celebration in Rancho this
[7:27] year So thank you.
[7:28] Similar.
[7:29] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[7:30] Thank you.
[7:31] Councilmember Baer, thank you I, too,
[7:34] want to reiterate how appreciate Two of Ambev Sam
[7:38] Lark for their July fourth festivities
[7:41] from the start with the bike parade to the amazing fireworks
[7:44] display over our lake.
[7:46] You could see all the blankets set up
[7:48] and everyone was just enjoying the fireworks in the evening
[7:51] and celebrating 250 years of America.
[7:54] So I wanted to thank the Sam Mark staff and board
[7:57] and also thank our sheriff's department
[7:58] for being there and for throughout the weekend
[8:01] keeping our community safe.
[8:02] I appreciate that And then I just want to remind people that
[8:06] the ways of water art exhibit is presented by RSM Cares and that
[8:10] is now on display through August 31st at the Bell Tower regional
[8:14] Community Center.
[8:15] Be sure to stop on by and experience
[8:17] the incredible artwork created by our talented local artists.
[8:21] All inspired by the beauty movement and importance of water
[8:25] And it's wonderful opportunity to celebrate
[8:27] the arts and the creativity within our community.
[8:30] Thank you.
[8:31] Thank you very much That concludes item 2.1.
[8:35] We're now at 2.2.
[8:37] Committee a Simon reports.
[8:38] We have one on our agenda tonight.
[8:41] The Orange County Fire Authority and that is you.
[8:44] Council member McGurn Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[8:46] I'm proud to serve on the Orange County Fire Authority
[8:50] board of directors representing Rancho Santa
[8:52] margarita at our last meeting, June 25 26.
[8:57] We approved the design build services for a wildfire facility
[9:01] to be located in Rancho Mission Viejo.
[9:03] In other words, this is going to be a large facility that
[9:06] will enhance the wildfire response efforts of the CFA
[9:09] right here in south Orange County.
[9:10] So along with the helipad that's being built off of La Plata.
[9:14] This is all good news for all of us
[9:15] who worry about wildfires on a day to day basis.
[9:19] We also approved economic terms sheet
[9:21] for a memorandum of understanding
[9:23] between the CFA and the professional firefighters
[9:26] Association.
[9:27] In essence, we're going to have well-deserved salary increases
[9:32] for our firefighters from march 2027 to March 32nd.
[9:37] They deserve it.
[9:38] If you look what's happened recently,
[9:39] we had a fire in Dove Canyon In May, we
[9:42] had the Ford Fire in Rancho Mission
[9:44] Viejo which burned 11.6 acres.
[9:46] And just yesterday, we had the narrow fire in ladera.
[9:51] Five acres were burned.
[9:53] On each occasion, the CFA responded,
[9:55] as they always do, promptly and efficiently,
[9:58] and put those fires out.
[9:59] But it's wildfire season, folks and right after July Fourth,
[10:03] we know what happens with people who have
[10:04] illegal fireworks and whatnot.
[10:06] Keep your keep your eyes open.
[10:08] If you see anything.
[10:09] And please call that Latino CFA know so they can do their job.
[10:14] For those who may not be aware on June 10,
[10:17] our city hosted along with the CFA and Assemblywoman Anne Kate
[10:20] Sanchez and Sam Clark and Santa Margarita Water District a Fire
[10:24] safety and Preparedness meeting, and that meeting
[10:28] was really important.
[10:29] It showed people I know Chief Miles
[10:31] back there in the back row, we talked about home hardening,
[10:34] how to hopefully prevent fire damage to your home
[10:37] in the event of a wildfire.
[10:38] A lot of great advice was given Our chief
[10:43] Paul also spoke about evacuation and preparedness and advice
[10:47] from the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
[10:49] And it went on and on.
[10:50] We had a lot of others involved as well.
[10:52] And so I appreciate and some of them are here tonight.
[10:55] I'm really happy to see that So if you
[10:57] for those who are watching or listening at home, please
[11:00] go on our website city of rsm.org.
[11:02] That video is on there.
[11:04] And you can watch it from beginning to end.
[11:07] And there's a lot of great information.
[11:09] So i would recommend everyone take a look at it.
[11:11] Thank you Mr. Mayor.
[11:12] Thank you very much.
[11:14] That concludes item two.
[11:17] Bringing us to item three presentations and proclamations
[11:21] and 3.1 is a special proclamation from the city
[11:26] of Rancho santa margarita regarding our nation's 250th
[11:31] anniversary of American independence.
[11:35] As you know, today is July 8th.
[11:38] As you may not know the Declaration of Independence was
[11:42] first read publicly on July 8th, I did 250 years ago.
[11:48] On July eighth, 1776.
[11:50] And it was done.
[11:51] So by Colonel John Nixon in the state house
[11:54] yard of the Pennsylvania State House,
[11:57] which is now known as Independence Hall
[11:59] in Philadelphia.
[12:01] So the timing has worked out well
[12:03] for this particular proclamation that I'd
[12:05] like to share with you at this time in the year 1776,
[12:13] the continental Congress adopted the declare of independence,
[12:16] asserting the right of the 13 American colonies
[12:20] to self-governance and freedom from British rule
[12:25] This bold declaration laid the foundation for a new nation
[12:29] built on the principle of liberty democracy,
[12:33] and justice And over the past 250 years,
[12:37] the United States of America has grown from fledgling republic
[12:42] to a global super power.
[12:45] Continually striving to uphold these foundational ideals
[12:51] In the year 2026, the United States commemorates its 250th
[12:56] anniversary, also known as the Semi quincentennial This
[13:03] occasion offers a unique opportunity to reflect
[13:07] on our nation's journey to sell liberate its achievements
[13:12] and envision its future As we commemorate this significant
[13:17] milestone, Americans should work together in addressing
[13:21] the challenges of the 21st century and building a more
[13:25] equitable and prosperous society Nation wide celebration
[13:30] and events will be organized throughout the year to engage
[13:34] and inspire citizens from all walks of life.
[13:37] These activities will include historical reenactments
[13:41] and exhibits, parades and festivals and public discussions
[13:45] and forums community service initiatives May
[13:49] we all reaffirm erm our commitment to liberty
[13:52] and democracy.
[13:53] Honor, the sacrifices made by countless individuals
[13:58] to protect these values and ensure that future generation
[14:01] nations continue to enjoy the freedoms enshrined
[14:05] in our Constitution This proclamation serves
[14:09] as a powerful reminder of our nation's enduring
[14:13] spirit and a call to action for future generations
[14:17] as the United states embarks on the next chapter of its history
[14:24] the milestone celebration will stand
[14:27] as a testament to the strength, the resilience
[14:31] and the determination of the American people So
[14:36] therefore, as the mayor of this city,
[14:38] on behalf of my city council colleagues and everyone that is
[14:42] proud to call Rancho Santa margarita home we do hereby
[14:45] recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary
[14:49] of our nation's identity and pledge to continue fostering
[14:54] an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
[14:59] God bless America Thank you very much.
[15:09] I did all that was my Mike off I spoke loud.
[15:14] I hope you heard me For our next presentations could we.
[15:19] Can I have the mayor pro tem, please join me ?
[15:58] All right.
[15:59] Testing One, two, three.
[16:01] My mic is on.
[16:03] This is item 3.2, which are certificates
[16:06] of recognize Listen to Beth heard
[16:09] and Rhonda Lundberg for their Firewise USA community
[16:14] leadership.
[16:15] And at this time, if you would, please.
[16:17] Beth heard Rhonda Lundberg.
[16:18] Please come forward you.
[16:33] OK So, Greg you got it, right?
[16:45] Yeah.
[16:47] So please allow me to share the contents
[16:49] of this special certificate of recognition Beth
[16:53] heard and Rhonda Lundberg are dedicated
[16:56] members of the community associations of Rancho known
[17:00] as Car And they have demonstrated
[17:03] exceptional leadership and commitment
[17:05] to wildfire preparedness through their service to the Rancho
[17:10] Cielo community through their leadership and collaboration
[17:14] with residents, local fire officials and community
[17:17] partners.
[17:18] Beth and Rhonda played an instrumental role
[17:21] in guiding Rancho Cielo which is located in Tributo Canyon,
[17:26] to achieve national recognition as a fire wise USA community
[17:31] on November 17, 2025, the fire wise USA Program, administered
[17:38] by the National Fire Protection Association
[17:41] and recognizes neighborhoods that
[17:44] worked together to reduce wildfire risk through education.
[17:48] Defensible space, home hardening emergency preparedness
[17:53] and community wide mitigation efforts.
[17:57] Beth and Rhonda's dedication to promoting wildfire resilience
[18:01] and fostering neighborhood collaboration
[18:03] has help strengthen the safety preparedness and long term
[18:07] resilience of the Rancho Cielo community
[18:11] and their outstanding volunteer service.
[18:14] Leadership and commitment to protecting
[18:16] lives homes and the surrounding natural environment.
[18:20] Exemplify the spirit of community stewardship
[18:24] and public service So therefore, Beth rhondda,
[18:28] as the mayor of the city, on behalf of my City Council
[18:31] colleague it is our great privilege and honor
[18:34] to have you here tonight and congratulate you
[18:37] for all of your efforts on making Rancho Santa margarita
[18:41] a better and safer place.
[18:42] Thank you Before I would One of you like to say a few words
[18:53] but before I give them before I give you
[18:56] that microphone did you draw the short straw Did you win?
[19:01] I want to make sure you're aware that in addition
[19:03] to the certificate of recognition from the city
[19:05] of Rancho Santa margarita you also have received a special
[19:09] certificate from our 71st District Assemblywoman kate
[19:14] Sanchez from our state Senator Catherine Blake Spear,
[19:18] and from Washington, DC, from our Congresswoman Yung Kim
[19:21] And they each send their congratulation and thanks to you
[19:24] as well So here you go.
[19:29] Thank you.
[19:30] Oh well, thank you, Mayor Bill.
[19:32] And thank you, Pro-Tem and Figueroa and the whole city
[19:37] council for this wonderful honor.
[19:39] I feel so humble at being and i know Rhonda does, too.
[19:44] It being able to do this When we started back in March of 2025,
[19:51] we were asked by the chair, Derek McGregor,
[19:53] if we would be willing to help facilitate the houses that
[19:57] are in car which is all the enjoys that
[20:00] are in Rancho Santa margarita are to facilitate doing.
[20:04] Firewise communities.
[20:07] And so we jumped at the chance because we
[20:09] knew how important living in our is
[20:13] and how far wildfire fires are very likely here
[20:18] And this particular program does so much
[20:21] to help the communities become protective
[20:24] of their own communities so that they can be safe from wildfires.
[20:27] Appreciate it.
[20:28] Has helped with menu places.
[20:31] They are the Firewise community does exist in 42 states
[20:36] right now and they have helped protect those communities
[20:41] As a as always with a firewise community,
[20:45] it takes a community to make it a firewise community.
[20:49] And that is something that we have been working on.
[20:53] We currently have Four houses that are working on it.
[20:59] Rancho Cielo is our first Firewise community and rSM
[21:05] and really the credit for them becoming a Firewise community
[21:09] goes to them because it's their committee that
[21:12] really made that happen.
[21:14] Rhonda and I were very happy to help
[21:17] walk them through the process and help them.
[21:20] Problem solve issues that you have
[21:22] to do when you're doing the application
[21:24] as well as how you create your action plan, which
[21:27] is what helps the community maintain fire
[21:30] hardening within their common areas
[21:32] as well as with in each individual's home,
[21:35] as well as looking at emergency prepared this.
[21:39] But most of all, what we are hoping
[21:42] for is that we are going to be able to grow this
[21:45] so that all HOA is within RSM will have an operating entity
[21:49] and be willing to become Firewise communities,
[21:52] because one thing we know is it's not really a matter of
[21:55] if, it's a matter of when.
[21:57] We will have another fire here.
[22:01] And the thing about fire, if you're a firewise community,
[22:04] you help protect not only your community, but all the people
[22:08] around you because you're not going
[22:10] to be more likely to become a victim of the wildfire
[22:15] in the way it goes.
[22:16] So thank you very much.
[22:18] And i know do you mind maybe if I say a couple of things?
[22:23] I just wanted to say, Beth and rhonda, you
[22:25] guys are two outstanding women in our city.
[22:28] And just the countless hours you put
[22:29] into this Firewise certificate and certification that happened
[22:33] I know how long that took.
[22:34] But also your many years on the community association
[22:37] of Rancho Board as well.
[22:38] So those meetings are very early in the morning
[22:42] And how many people there are, there's
[22:43] probably 30 plus people there at every single meeting.
[22:46] And you guys do countless stick work.
[22:48] So thank you for everything you've contributed to our city.
[22:51] We appreciate it At this time, we're
[22:57] going to pause and take a few photos
[23:00] When I put you right in the middle of here
[23:02] Rhonda, Beth anyone that is here that might want
[23:05] to come forward and take photos, you're more than welcome
[23:15] OK, let's take pictures.
[23:16] OK So let's get it sort of right in the middle.
[23:18] OK Okay.
[23:19] Just a little That brings us to item 3.3
[23:54] on our agenda, which is a certificate of recognition
[23:58] as part of the business.
[24:01] Recognize ation program of the city and tonight,
[24:04] we're going to recognize digital photo graphics.
[24:09] And I'd like to invite forward at this time dmitri
[24:12] and Danielle la Magill pardon me, me me.
[24:17] Hi love.
[24:18] I hope i got that right, my love Who are the business owners?
[24:22] And Rob Ellen, the former business owner and Welcome.
[24:34] Sorry, I stumbled to me.
[24:38] You.
[24:39] Thank you Yes you guys.
[24:46] Come If I could, I'd like to share
[24:51] the con tense of this certificate of recognition.
[24:54] Our city council desires to distinguish
[24:57] with a great appreciation businesses that
[25:00] have made a signifi can't contribution to the success
[25:03] and prosperity of our community and digital photographic
[25:07] has proudly served the art sM community.
[25:10] For more than three decades, providing
[25:13] exceptional photography printing and image preservation services
[25:18] while becoming a trusted local business for residents
[25:22] throughout all of Orange County digital photo graphics
[25:26] offers a wide range of professionals services,
[25:29] including photo printing, photo restoration film processing,
[25:34] slide and photo scanning video and film
[25:37] transfers passport photos fine art reproductions
[25:42] and personalized photo products.
[25:45] Helping customers preserve cherished memories
[25:48] for future generations Digital photo graphics is committed
[25:53] to delivering outstanding customer service combining
[25:57] advanced technology with person analyzed attention and expert
[26:03] craftsmanship to ensure every project is completed
[26:07] with the highest level of quality and care
[26:10] Digital photo graphics supports the local economy
[26:13] by serving families, artists, businesses and organizations
[26:18] with reliable printing imaging and archival services that
[26:22] preserve personal histories.
[26:24] Celebrate special occasions and meet the professional needs
[26:29] of our community Digital Photo graphics
[26:32] long standing commitment to excellence innovation,
[26:35] and personalized service reflects the highest tandems
[26:38] of business operations and contributes to the vitality
[26:43] the character and prosperity of the great city of Rancho santa
[26:47] margarita.
[26:48] So as the mayor on behalf of my city council colleagues
[26:51] all the residents of this great city,
[26:52] we're so honored to have you here tonight to thank you.
[26:56] Digital photo graphics for your outstanding contributions
[27:00] to our community over three decades.
[27:04] Thank you for choosing RSM as your business home
[27:14] I'll mention that you also have certificates of recognition
[27:18] from your state.
[27:18] Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, your state Senator,
[27:21] Diane Blake Speer, and from your congresswoman Yong Kim.
[27:24] And they send their congratulations to you as well.
[27:27] Would anyone like to say a few words?
[27:29] We'll pass the match.
[27:30] Let me just say something I'm Rob Ellen.
[27:33] I'm the original owner, and Danny and Dmitri
[27:36] took it over a couple of years ago when I decided to retire.
[27:38] I couldn't have found two better people to turn the business over
[27:41] to danny as an artist by trade and Dmitri as an engineer
[27:45] by trade And between the two of them,
[27:47] they have made some fantastic progress
[27:49] over the last couple of years.
[27:51] And I'm so proud to have been part of the team
[27:53] and i would not have sold this business
[27:55] to anyone else other than these Two.
[27:58] So thank you both.
[28:00] Thank you Thank you so much, Mayor and members
[28:09] of City Council and everybody who is present
[28:14] Dimitry Dimitri This is my way of Daniella and i
[28:18] just wanted to recognize specifically Rob
[28:21] and his late wife Leslie, core owners of the business
[28:26] and operating for the vast majority of these 30 years.
[28:32] So basically, when we took over in 2024,
[28:35] we just continue to to build on whatever they already
[28:39] had accomplished for a quite long period of time.
[28:44] And I must say, we can't thank Rob
[28:48] enough that he's been making himself available for a council
[28:53] and help of any kind.
[28:55] And i hope we're just going to continue working together.
[28:59] No matter that we are now supposedly running the business
[29:04] Thank you.
[29:05] Thank you so much.
[29:05] It's a real honor.
[29:07] I get all the credit You get all the I thank
[29:11] you so much to the city of Santa Maria for recognizing us.
[29:15] It's it's truly means a lot to us.
[29:18] Thank you so much I just want to say thank you,
[29:24] Rob, and thank everybody.
[29:25] This is amazing.
[29:26] I'm just holding myself, not crying, because here you go.
[29:31] Look Thank you so much.
[29:32] We're going to pause right now and take some photos Anyone that
[29:35] is in the audience that would like
[29:37] to may come forward and take as many as you like I'm so sorry.
[30:00] You open your phone They have their whole paparazzi team
[30:15] here right now Awesome Thanks, you guys.
[30:29] Thank you.
[30:30] Thank you.
[30:30] Thank you so So before you leave, for anyone listening
[30:37] or in attendance that might not know where your business is
[30:40] located maybe you could share that
[30:42] and how they could reach you?
[30:43] Yes Um, digital photography is actually located in the Marcelo
[30:50] the Largo Center, which is on the lake.
[30:53] Our assembly.
[30:54] And if you go into the shopping center the easiest thing to find
[30:58] is.
[30:59] Is look on the roof We're right under the bell tower Yes.
[31:04] Not here.
[31:05] Got it.
[31:07] Perfect Thank you so much.
[31:09] Congratulations.
[31:09] Thank you so much for sharing All right
[31:51] That brings us to item four public comments This is the time
[31:56] to address the city council on any matter that is not listed
[31:59] on the agenda, but that is within the subject matter
[32:03] jurisdiction of the City Council.
[32:05] Public comment are limited to three minutes per person,
[32:08] and there is a time limit of 15 minutes for this first segment
[32:12] of the public comments portion of our agenda
[32:16] Those wishing to call in remotely
[32:19] should complete a request to speak call in form
[32:23] prior to the public comment section
[32:25] in order to ensure their timely participation
[32:30] So Council call leagues.
[32:32] I'll call your attention first.
[32:34] We did receive one e comment from Dr. Currie.
[32:40] Ken Mark regarding early wildfire detection technology
[32:45] and I believe you each have a copy of that in front of you
[32:49] here on the Dyess.
[32:50] You came as city clerk.
[32:54] Do we have any speaker requests, cards for people in attendance
[32:58] to speak live?
[32:58] I don't have any.
[32:59] We have none We have none.
[33:02] Do we have anyone that has called in
[33:04] and wishes to speak We do We have one.
[33:08] OK Can you connect that person ?
[33:17] Caller 5099 Caller 5099.
[33:23] You are being connected.
[33:24] Now OK so I am speaking and folks hear me.
[33:31] Yes we can.
[33:33] Great Thank you.
[33:36] So this is the first city council meeting with live video
[33:39] streaming and the opportunity for residents
[33:41] to call in from home.
[33:43] This new option will allow for more transparency
[33:45] into our own council meetings.
[33:47] The reason the city council voted to do this
[33:49] was because the State of California
[33:50] required all city council to provide more than streaming
[33:53] audio The state mandated that city councils allow residents
[33:56] to call in from home or have some other way
[33:59] to interact from home.
[34:00] There are many reasons to do this
[34:02] that are unrelated to actually following a law
[34:04] like it makes it easier for people with kids and jobs
[34:07] to participate from work or home It
[34:09] helps those with disabilities who
[34:11] may struggle with getting to and sitting
[34:13] through an in-person meeting for those who may not drive
[34:16] or don't have access to transportation
[34:19] they can now participate I'm glad this bill passed.
[34:21] So I want to make an important point residents have been asking
[34:25] the city to offer live video option for years
[34:28] and just in the past year, several residents have pointed
[34:31] out that this live video option would
[34:32] help immensely those who have jobs, kids and disabilities.
[34:37] The council has not moved by these pleas
[34:39] from residents The reason we have this better option today
[34:42] was that the state stepped in and required it.
[34:44] The deadline to implement it was July 1 of this year today is
[34:48] july 8th, and the city certainly dragged it out until that date.
[34:52] Again, I'm glad we have this transparency,
[34:54] even though the council wasn't willing to consider it
[34:55] until they received a mandate or I should
[34:57] say that even though not all members of the council
[35:00] were willing to consider it until they received
[35:02] the mandate from Sacramento In the interest of more
[35:05] transparency, I would ask that the Council make
[35:07] sure the instructions and information for the library
[35:09] was changing or very present on the city's website not
[35:12] just listed at the top of the agenda,
[35:13] which is several pages deep in the website
[35:15] and links out to a PDF file That should be stated clearly
[35:19] in a central location.
[35:20] As of now it's not clear and there
[35:22] isn't any information about how to access it
[35:24] outside of these agendas I hope the city will
[35:26] correct this or improve it They also
[35:29] have a list of every address in the city
[35:31] I think it will be a wonderful actor Transparency to send
[35:33] a letter to every address to let them know they can access
[35:36] the meetings in this way.
[35:37] I'm not even a little bit optimistic that this council
[35:40] will do this, which is more evidence of their preference
[35:42] that residents do not actually attend or comment
[35:44] at these meetings.
[35:46] Either way, I hope it's something that they will
[35:48] consider Thank you Thank you for those comments Are there any
[35:54] other speakers calling in the city Clerk ?
[35:58] There are none.
[35:59] OK.
[36:00] Thank you.
[36:01] That brings us to item five, the consent calendar
[36:04] for all matters on the consent calendar
[36:07] are to be approved in one motion unless a member of the city
[36:10] council staff or a member of the public requests
[36:13] a separate action on any item of the consent calendar
[36:16] I'm going to go ahead and pull item 5.5, because I understand
[36:20] a member of the public wants to discuss that.
[36:23] We need to remove any other items from the consent calendar.
[36:28] If none.
[36:29] Is there a motion to approve of the balance of the consent
[36:32] calendar other than 5.5?
[36:34] So moved ?
[36:36] Yeah.
[36:37] We have a motion Sorry from Ms..
[36:42] Baird and a second from Mr. Holloway.
[36:44] All in favor, please say I I mean,
[36:47] that motion carries unanimously.
[36:50] Item 5.5.
[36:51] Ms. City Clerk.
[36:52] I understand there was a call in request to speak
[36:57] from a member of the public.
[36:58] Can we connect that person to explain why?
[37:03] Will do.
[37:04] Caller 5099.
[37:06] Caller 5099.
[37:07] You're being connected now.
[37:11] Thank you I read through the city's letter related
[37:15] to this item.
[37:16] The letter related to the grand jury's report
[37:18] on the California housing mandates
[37:20] And i think it would be great keeping
[37:22] with that theme of transparency for my last comment,
[37:24] if the council would ask residents in the city
[37:26] how they feel about this or items like this
[37:29] They said in the letter that they agree
[37:30] with certain findings of a grand jury
[37:32] that people in Orange County do not
[37:33] want certain types of housing, including higher density housing
[37:36] and housing that would benefit those with lower income.
[37:40] So it says in Section seven of that letter,
[37:42] I'm going to read it right now.
[37:43] Quote, Residents in Orange County
[37:45] consistently expressed a desire for local planning decisions
[37:48] to reflect community priorities, including,
[37:50] but not limited to neighborhood character safety considerations,
[37:53] the environment and open space preservation.
[37:56] Quote so the city council consistently
[37:59] does not ask residents for feedback on anything at all.
[38:02] Let alone.
[38:03] This letter and grand jury finding
[38:05] Tony Beal is probably going to argue
[38:06] with what I say after they disconnect
[38:08] near the end of my comment as he is wont to do
[38:11] But was there a meeting held that was
[38:12] promoted early and often.
[38:14] So that residents could speak into this?
[38:16] I don't think there was or was jammed into a planning
[38:18] commission meeting that wasn't advertised to residents
[38:20] in any particular way Once again, the city isn't actually
[38:23] trying to get the feedback of residents The letter the city
[38:26] is discussing today states they agree
[38:28] with that statement in Section Seven
[38:29] that where county residents feel this way, maybe
[38:32] they do in general, but do they feel that way
[38:35] in this particular city?
[38:37] The city.
[38:37] These members are here to represent?
[38:39] We don't know, and neither do they
[38:40] because they never actually field or answer any questions
[38:43] from residents about literally anything.
[38:45] If anybody's been paying attention to city council
[38:47] meetings So I think we should consider that this letter is
[38:50] actually showing the feelings of this council of five people
[38:52] and something like 46 employees of the city
[38:55] And only those people, this council,
[38:58] especially the mayor will continue
[38:59] to behave this way unless we all start
[39:01] demanding more opportunities to speak into this decisions.
[39:03] And they give us a moment to actually try to listen.
[39:07] Thank you for the time.
[39:10] Thank you for those comments.
[39:13] In recognition of the fact that we're
[39:15] a representative government, we Five
[39:18] are the elected representatives of the people of Rancho Santa
[39:21] margarita I'm going to go ahead and move approval of this item.
[39:26] Second, we have a motion in a second.
[39:28] Is there any discussion ?
[39:29] Seeing none, I'm going to call for the vote.
[39:31] All in favor.
[39:32] Please say I I. That motion carries unanimously.
[39:35] Thank you All right, so that concludes the consent calendar
[39:43] And we will now move on to item six, which is public hearing
[39:47] items 6.1 is a request to continue
[39:51] the public hearings scheduled for presentation of fees study
[39:55] report and proposed resolution establishing and adopting update
[39:59] to development processing fees and other city rates, charges
[40:03] and fees for services.
[40:05] This could a good evening.
[40:07] Thank you, mayor Bill and members of the city council.
[40:10] As you stated, staff is requesting
[40:13] that we continue the public hearing on this item.
[40:15] So that we can present a full user fee study to you
[40:20] all at your next meeting.
[40:21] Okay.
[40:22] Thank you.
[40:23] Do we need a motion for this?
[40:24] I'll go ahead and move the staff recommendations.
[40:26] And our Second, second.
[40:27] The motion.
[40:28] A second.
[40:29] All in favor, please say, I that motion carries unanimously.
[40:33] Thank you Item seven is new business
[40:35] 7.1 Design review for the Civic Center Non-functional turf
[40:41] replacement eight and Monument Landscaping
[40:44] project and misandry Your bra is going to forgive that
[40:52] in lieu of our public works director
[40:54] Joe Parker, who is not able to be with us this evening.
[40:56] Good evening, Miss Brown.
[40:57] Welcome.
[40:59] Nice to see you.
[41:00] Could we please have your report ?
[41:05] Good evening, Mayor and City Council
[41:07] This presentation is to go over the turf replacement project
[41:11] designs for City Hall and bell Tower
[41:16] This landscape project was a part
[41:19] of the copy presented for approval for the upcoming year.
[41:22] The design phase commenced during fiscal year 20 2526.
[41:27] The areas included the portions of the existing landscape
[41:30] around City Hall and Bell Tower that had nonfunctional turf.
[41:34] This includes the serpentine grass
[41:35] at the front of the building off of El Paso,
[41:38] as well as a grass rushing along both sides of the roadway on La
[41:41] Miranda and Richard Reese way.
[41:43] The monument planners in each parking lot
[41:45] were added to the project to refresh
[41:47] with drought resistant plants The impetus for this project
[41:53] was the determination shown under aB 1572
[41:57] that the grass areas described around the City Hall and Bell
[42:00] Tower were considered nonfunctional requiring removal
[42:04] non-functional turf grass as any decorative or ornamental grass
[42:08] that is watered by potable water.
[42:11] AB 1572 applies to all government commercial,
[42:14] industrial and HOA turf Government agencies must be
[42:18] in compliance by January 1st, 2027.
[42:22] The intent of this bill is to help
[42:23] reduce the collective potable water usage required by grass.
[42:27] We'll introducing drought resistant
[42:29] landscaping back into these areas
[42:34] Above is the site map, highlighting the scope of work
[42:37] All areas in green are what is being presented
[42:40] for design tonight.
[42:41] The grass around the roadway and the serpentine planters
[42:44] will be removed and replaced with a drought resistant design.
[42:49] Staff pursuit rebates that are currently
[42:51] being offered through both the municipal water
[42:53] district of Orange County, known as Modoc as well
[42:56] as through the collaborative county efforts through rain
[42:58] smart rebates Additionally, a sustainable city feature
[43:02] will be installed This is in order
[43:04] to capitalize on an already essential project Two
[43:07] additional measures are taking place
[43:09] to further water conservation and utilize existing rebates.
[43:12] The first is the sustainability feature
[43:14] which will be installed to manage stormwater runoff,
[43:17] reduce erosion and improve infiltration.
[43:20] This will be in the form of a dry riverbed located
[43:22] at the bottom of the serpentine planters.
[43:25] The second is that the area that can be converted from spray
[43:29] to drip area excuse me.
[43:30] The second is that any area that can be converted from spray
[43:33] irrigation to drip irrigation will
[43:34] be modified The next slides will showcase
[43:39] the design options These options focus on the serpentine planter.
[43:43] Only but the estimated costs are inclusive of the entire project.
[43:48] This first option illustrates a denser plant design
[43:51] with smaller three quarter inch rocks.
[43:54] These can either be in the crest of the blue or shades
[43:57] or the Baja crest of the bronze shades
[43:59] for the rock or the rubble.
[44:01] This is estimated to be somewhere around 116,004
[44:06] construction This table breaks down the estimated costs
[44:11] for option one, and you'll see this again for option two
[44:14] and three with minor changes This section option maintains
[44:20] the dense plant design seen in option one.
[44:23] However, larger 4 to 6 inch rocks
[44:25] will be used at the perimeter while mulch
[44:27] will be the primary cover.
[44:28] These can either be in the Crush or both across the as before
[44:32] and this is estimated to be somewhere around $109,000
[44:36] for construction This table breaks down the estimated costs
[44:42] for option two.
[44:43] The cost difference is on line 18,
[44:46] with less tonnage set aside for the rock cover as mulch will be,
[44:49] the sap will be subsidized in this area
[44:51] instead This third and last option
[44:57] between for the serpentine grass has a sparser splint installed
[45:01] option with the rock cover being more visual This design has
[45:05] a larger 4 to 6 inch rocks as the cover
[45:07] and can also be in the two color options.
[45:10] This is estimated to be somewhere around 138,000,
[45:13] which is slightly above the original budget This final table
[45:18] breaks down the estimated costs for option three.
[45:21] The cost differences from the previous options
[45:24] include a higher cost for tonnage online 18
[45:26] with the larger rock cover as well as
[45:28] the differences in costs for the varying plant
[45:30] sizes and quantities.
[45:34] Above shows the general design for the roadway as mentioned,
[45:38] the options presented only cover the serpentine planter
[45:41] The roadway has limited options due to the maturity
[45:44] of the existing trees and narrow space.
[45:47] This will, however, follow the plant pallet
[45:49] seen in other locations throughout the city that
[45:51] have already undergone their AB 1572 transformation.
[45:55] The irrigation will also change from spray
[45:57] to drip The above depicts the refresher
[46:03] for the monument planters in the parking lots.
[46:05] In addition to refreshing the landscape with drought drought
[46:08] tolerant plants, the hardscape framing the sides, the hardscape
[46:12] that is framing the sides the signs will also
[46:15] be altered to larger plant pots This concludes my presentation,
[46:20] but I will be available to answer any questions.
[46:22] I also have the landscape designer Arthur
[46:25] Guy in the audience with me if needed.
[46:27] Thank you Thank you for that presentation.
[46:29] Council colleagues.
[46:30] Any questions for staff?
[46:32] To my left.
[46:33] My questions All right.
[46:37] Yes, Thank you.
[46:37] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[46:39] Pro Tem.
[46:39] Thank you.
[46:40] I was just wondering.
[46:41] So we're talking about option one and option two,
[46:44] about $7,000 difference.
[46:47] And you said that was primarily because of the use of mulch.
[46:53] Yes, correct So I know that we've
[46:56] had this discussion in the past in terms of mulch
[46:59] needs to be replaced more often.
[47:02] Do we know how often we would have to replace the mulch
[47:06] to make sure that it's looking as good as possible
[47:09] in ways that can make a difference
[47:11] and in terms of how much more money we might be spending down
[47:13] the road?
[47:14] It would be minimal because there's also
[47:16] maintenance behind keeping the rocks clean of debris.
[47:19] The other portion to this.
[47:20] And the reason why we wanted to include option two
[47:22] is that we also have sB 1383.
[47:25] That's always wanting cities to use more of our California
[47:29] organic mulch.
[47:30] So it is a good option to have so
[47:33] that we can add it towards our procurement targets.
[47:35] But we can provide that cost difference for you,
[47:40] but it would be minimal between what
[47:41] it would take to maintain the rocks
[47:43] and keep them clean versus replenishing the mulch.
[47:45] OK, great.
[47:46] Thank you so much.
[47:47] Thank you.
[47:48] Councilmember baer I just have One question regarding
[47:52] the use of rocks.
[47:53] Is this something where the rocks would be glued so that
[47:56] they wouldn't be moving around ?
[47:58] No, No, they would not be glued down.
[48:00] OK.
[48:05] I have to say, I'm not a fan of this state mandate
[48:08] and I'm heard a lot of complaints
[48:10] from residents, as Sam Clark has tried
[48:13] very hard to comply with the state requirement,
[48:15] pulling out grass, putting in drought resistant plant things.
[48:18] The the lush green of the community
[48:22] has turned into more of a brown desert landscape in large parts
[48:26] of the community.
[48:27] And I'd like to preserve some of the original thoughts
[48:31] and colors of this community to the extent
[48:33] possible I'm curious could you go to whoever's in control?
[48:39] Slide four Yeah.
[48:42] So the serpentine turf area is at the very bottom the two
[48:47] areas, correct?
[48:48] Yes.
[48:49] Was there any consideration of ever putting like synthetic turf
[48:53] grass there And in lieu of what you're proposing here tonight,
[48:57] that is something that can be looked into.
[48:58] However, that would not that wouldn't
[49:01] be that wouldn't fall into the rebates.
[49:03] So that $28,000 that we're anticipate in getting back
[49:07] in rebates for the conversion would go away Could it be that
[49:13] it would still be less money to put in turf than what is being
[49:16] proposed tonight?
[49:18] Potential It's something we could look into.
[49:21] I like the idea of having Green and preserving
[49:23] sort of more of the character of this civic center area.
[49:28] To the extent it's possible.
[49:30] I'm I think it's something to think about.
[49:34] And it might be worth taking the time to, to look into.
[49:38] Also some of the plantings that you put in.
[49:41] And turf is kind of flat.
[49:44] You're not going to trip over it as easy
[49:45] as long as somebody might be able to over plant material.
[49:50] But that's something I would want it to put out
[49:52] for consideration for there.
[49:55] And what you're referring to is the monument planters.
[49:59] What is in those planters right now?
[50:02] So currently this this is a small picture of it.
[50:07] You can see that elevated planter.
[50:09] There are some maybe rose bushes.
[50:11] It's kind of missing a lot of what it used to have.
[50:13] And it definitely doesn't have the drought resistant.
[50:15] We would be maintaining the trees
[50:17] and just putting in basically more more plants there.
[50:20] You can see that that that pot is kind of lacking
[50:23] and needs a better irrigation.
[50:27] But it's the entire planter would be a part of it.
[50:30] So that that for lack of a better term, that
[50:32] c-shaped all of that area would be replenished with the plants.
[50:37] Is it possible that turf in those small areas
[50:39] might also be beneficial and you don't have to irrigate it?
[50:42] You do it one time, and it lasts for years and years
[50:45] You're saying artificial turf?
[50:46] Yeah.
[50:48] Could underneath for a while.
[50:49] I mean, I love the planters.
[50:51] I think we could have a more A nicer plant, maybe
[50:54] a more elaborate pot But, yeah, from a water quality standpoint,
[50:58] I will always be more on the side of plants.
[51:00] They help with treating water and they also
[51:04] help with evapotranspiration which is a huge thing.
[51:06] And one of the things we push a lot in our and PDS and water
[51:10] quality discussions, but it is something we could look into.
[51:14] Well, I know it's not part of the recommendation tonight
[51:17] I, for one, would like to at least look into it
[51:20] and know what the cost differential might
[51:21] be for both of those areas But I'm just one person.
[51:25] I don't know if anyone else might have an interest
[51:28] in looking into that as well.
[51:30] Council colleagues, this would be your opportunity to say,
[51:33] you're right I agree with you.
[51:36] I would be interested, especially up in the
[51:39] in the front area by the serpentine planters
[51:42] to see the cost of turf cutting there.
[51:46] Like what the differential would be.
[51:47] I do understand that we wouldn't get those rebates.
[51:50] Would there be potential other rebates maybe
[51:51] we could get because I know there used
[51:53] to be when you took out grass and replaced it with turf,
[51:57] the rebates were available.
[51:58] Could we potentially maybe see other rebates ?
[52:01] Not for artificial.
[52:02] No.
[52:02] OK Anyone else?
[52:07] Mr. Mayor, I Councilmember Munger
[52:12] I'm not going to say you're wrong.
[52:14] Like you wanted someone to say I don't disagree with you
[52:17] in in with regard to the front of the city hall
[52:20] area with artificial turf.
[52:21] But I would certainly want to see
[52:22] the monument It's the planters around the monuments upgraded.
[52:27] They don't look like they did ten years ago.
[52:30] They need it.
[52:32] I point out One thing when the conversion, the grass conversion
[52:36] first started, it seemed to me and maybe
[52:38] I'm looking at the wrong picture,
[52:39] I'm in page 11, the dwarf needle plumb I believe
[52:45] that's the plant that was used as page 11 Can we bring up page
[52:53] 11?
[52:54] I don't have a slide 11.
[52:57] Yeah there we go.
[52:58] Apologies.
[52:59] The bottom left, the natal plumbing See it everywhere
[53:02] throughout the city.
[53:03] And you go down Santa Margarita Parkway.
[53:05] That's all that's there.
[53:06] But recently, Sam Lark has a long antonio mixed it up.
[53:11] They have lavender, they have a number
[53:13] of other plants that are, I think, more attractive.
[53:16] They've also planted a lot of trees bees,
[53:18] and I think they've done a really really good job making
[53:21] it look very, very nice I would want
[53:24] to avoid whatever we choose to do tonight
[53:27] or in the future focusing so much on this dwarf navel plum.
[53:32] And I think I'm picking the right plant.
[53:34] I'm not a botanist I'm not quite sure,
[53:36] but it's that low growing plant that
[53:38] has thorns and hides all the weeds and the weeds
[53:42] pop up in between that they don't they don't look that great
[53:45] And again Sam Lark along Antonio.
[53:49] I think I've done a really, really good job
[53:50] from Santa margarita Catholic High School, all the way
[53:53] to the edge of town.
[53:55] A really good job mixing it up.
[53:57] And so I would hope that when we decide not tonight,
[54:00] then in the future as to what we're
[54:02] going to do around city hall and along Richard Reese way
[54:06] and keeping in mind what Mayor Bill has said repeatedly
[54:10] in the past and I completely agree.
[54:12] I think all of us do.
[54:13] We always want to wonder around in our minds
[54:16] what Richard Reese would want And this is truly the Richard
[54:18] Reese way of doing things.
[54:20] What he would he approve of this and I
[54:23] think he would approve of color And so
[54:26] if whatever we choose to do, I would
[54:28] hope that the plants that we do plant
[54:31] are not just the dwarf native plum
[54:33] and that, frankly, some of the selections here.
[54:37] Option i think was option one doesn't knock my socks off
[54:46] with regard to the plants that are being proposed
[54:51] Option two doesn't necessarily knock my socks off either.
[54:55] I I would I would hope that whatever option we pick,
[54:58] maybe there's some variance that we could apply
[55:00] as to the types of plants that can be planted
[55:02] But again, that would be something other
[55:04] than that natal plum, that dwarf native plum
[55:07] and have some more color around City Hall.
[55:09] I think that would be nice.
[55:10] As far as the artificial turf, I don't have a problem with it
[55:13] in the front of City Hall but certainly the monuments,
[55:16] I think we need the plants That's my comment that.
[55:19] I appreciate that.
[55:20] Councilmember Holloway.
[55:21] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[55:22] The area that we're talking about potentially looking
[55:26] at turf unfair question Any idea what the square footage
[55:30] range is in that area?
[55:31] I'm trying to get an idea of how big of an area that is.
[55:35] The square footage in total, we're looking at, I think
[55:37] it's 60 300ft² that we are the area that the mayor talked about
[55:41] putting turf on.
[55:42] Oh, that's just the time Just that part I do
[55:45] have those numbers just not on the top of my head OK.
[55:50] And is it like ten feet by two?
[55:52] I'm trying to gauge what we're looking at here.
[55:54] I know is it's not a straight line,
[55:56] but um the reason I bring that up is if it's not
[56:03] a gigantic area, I mean, the cost of turf
[56:06] actually isn't that expensive as it used to be.
[56:09] I've turf it was amazingly inexpensive
[56:12] but it doesn't, you know, there's a lot of factors here.
[56:16] I agree.
[56:17] I think it's worth a look both financially and we
[56:22] could grab some turf and put it down there,
[56:24] get an idea of how it blends in or out.
[56:26] They'll give you a piece of turf so you can kind of get
[56:29] an idea of what it looks like.
[56:31] It's like it's worth the effort to take a look at it This
[56:33] isn't we don't have any legal timelines here right We do.
[56:37] Okay.
[56:38] This has to be implemented completely
[56:40] reconstructed by January Oh, okay.
[56:43] OK.
[56:44] But we do need to do a bid package or a contract
[56:49] and then start construction.
[56:50] So we do have a little bit of time.
[56:53] We could probably come back with those costs.
[56:55] I believe by the next meeting, which is going to be in August
[56:59] But I would highly recommend that that some options be
[57:02] chosen at that meeting.
[57:03] Mm hmm.
[57:04] It sounds great Mayor Pro Tem.
[57:07] Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[57:09] I would imagine, too, if we did turf
[57:11] in the front area in El Paso, that we
[57:13] could do some soft vegetation bushes behind it, too.
[57:17] Right just to soften it in terms of the transition.
[57:21] Yes There's a planter above the break from the serpentine
[57:24] that we could.
[57:24] So I would hope to in terms of just making
[57:27] it look aesthetically great.
[57:29] I'm a big fan of turf We just install
[57:31] it a couple of years ago, I didn't
[57:32] think I was going to like it as much as I
[57:34] I do, but it always looks green and always looks beautiful,
[57:37] so I think it's a good idea.
[57:39] Thank you.
[57:39] You, Mr..
[57:40] Great.
[57:40] Thank you.
[57:41] I know staff was just looking for some direction and tonight.
[57:44] Do you have enough direction based
[57:45] on what you've heard to bring a look into that turf option,
[57:50] come back at our next meeting If I could summarize I believe
[57:55] we have looking at some turf option for the serpentine,
[57:59] not using the dwarf needle plum, adding some color in.
[58:05] Is there any preference on mulch versus rock
[58:10] that would be helpful to know from the council I like rock.
[58:18] I like rock too It's also the least expensive
[58:22] or I'm in favor of option one.
[58:25] If you pick if you need it.
[58:26] Yes My.
[58:31] Yes.
[58:31] Thank you Councilman Robert, can I
[58:34] just ask a question about the rock
[58:36] and maybe i'm just overly concerned with people picking up
[58:41] the rocks and throwing it.
[58:42] Do we have any of those issues in our area currently now?
[58:47] Okay then I don't have an issue with it
[58:52] Good question Any other direction.
[58:56] You would like?
[58:57] Any questions you might have for us Nope.
[58:59] That's it.
[59:00] Thank you.
[59:01] Thank you for a great presentation
[59:02] and for all the work that went into it.
[59:04] Appreciate it.
[59:05] So that concludes item 7.1.
[59:08] We're now in item eight continued items.
[59:11] We have none.
[59:11] So we're back to public comments.
[59:14] Item nine, this is the final time
[59:16] to have public comments tonight to address the city
[59:19] council on any matter not listed on the agenda.
[59:22] But that was within the subject matter jurisdiction
[59:25] of the City Council.
[59:26] These public comments also are limited
[59:28] to three minutes per person I have no speaker requests cards.
[59:34] Do we have anyone that has called in
[59:35] and wants to speak tonight We do not.
[59:38] Okay so that concludes item nine on bringing item ten
[59:42] City Manager's report.
[59:43] The City manager.
[59:44] Anything?
[59:45] Tonight?
[59:45] I have nothing further this evening.
[59:47] Thank you All right, finally, item 11 matters
[59:50] presented by the mayor, Council members
[59:53] to my left council member.
[59:57] Miguel, thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[59:59] I just want to point out that RSM cares has
[1:00:02] a fundraiser called A Night in monte Carlo,
[1:00:04] set for Sunday September 13 2026, from 5 to 9 at cylinders.
[1:00:09] Mexican Restaurant.
[1:00:10] You can go on RSM cares.org and they
[1:00:13] are seeking sponsors Is this a fundraiser
[1:00:15] for what I consider the heart of Rancho santa margarita?
[1:00:18] The very folks to give back to the folks that need it,
[1:00:22] the people that are in need in our community,
[1:00:24] specifically through the RSM food pantry.
[1:00:27] And then I also want to remind everybody and it was brought up
[1:00:29] earlier through the city manager our first summer concerts coming
[1:00:32] up this sunday, The reflex, they always bring a big crowd,
[1:00:35] justifiably so.
[1:00:37] If you're free Sunday evening, I can't remember when they start.
[1:00:41] 6 p.m.
[1:00:42] 6 p.m..
[1:00:43] So come on out Central Park for the first of many summer
[1:00:47] concerts.
[1:00:48] Thank you.
[1:00:49] Thank you Councilmember.
[1:00:52] Anything?
[1:00:52] Councilman Robert Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
[1:00:55] I would just like to take a moment to thank our city clerk
[1:00:58] and the entire city staff who worked so diligently
[1:01:01] to ensure that tonight's meeting was ready to be livestreamed
[1:01:03] and that residents now have the ability to call in and provide
[1:01:06] public comment I'd also like to thank my council colleagues
[1:01:10] who supported this even though the law did not require us
[1:01:13] to video stream.
[1:01:14] We as all as a council voted to implement video streaming.
[1:01:19] I know that we had a tight timeline
[1:01:20] to make sure that the technology was installed.
[1:01:22] The processes were developed and everything was thoroughly
[1:01:25] tested That required a tremendous amount of work
[1:01:27] behind the scenes.
[1:01:28] And I sincerely appreciate everyone's efforts.
[1:01:31] I'm proud that the city of RSM is now live streaming
[1:01:33] our city council meetings.
[1:01:35] This is an important step forward
[1:01:36] and transparency accessibility and community
[1:01:39] engagement It gives residents who
[1:01:41] are unable to attend in person, including those
[1:01:43] with disabled these mobility challenges transportation
[1:01:46] limitations or scheduling conflicts
[1:01:48] the opportunity to stay informed about their local government
[1:01:52] and participate in the public comments process.
[1:01:54] All of my council colleagues believe this.
[1:01:56] This was important I believe this enhancement will strengthen
[1:02:00] the connection between our City Council and the community.
[1:02:02] We serve.
[1:02:03] Thank you.
[1:02:03] You.
[1:02:04] Thank you very much.
[1:02:06] All right.
[1:02:07] Well, that concludes our agenda tonight.
[1:02:09] So I'm going to adjourn this meeting,
[1:02:11] the next regular meeting of the city council will be held right
[1:02:14] here Wednesday August 12th, 2026 at 7 p.m..
[1:02:19] Thank you for your attendance.
[1:02:20] This meeting is adjourned