[4:55] Okay. Good evening. It is September 8, 2026, and I'd like to call to.

[5:00] Order the meeting of the Mission VA host city council, the community development, financing authority, the successor agency of the community development agency, the housing authority, and the library board of trustees. I will go ahead and take verbal roll call, council member Kelly, council member reach, council member Vazquez, mayor pro time Gidel, and I am also present. Okay, so I don't believe there's any closed session, Mr.

[5:29] City Attorney, can you confirm that for us?

[5:31] Correct, there are no items on the closed session agenda.

[5:34] Okay, with that in mind, we'll go ahead and recess and come back for our meeting at

[5:41] 6 o'clock.

[5:49] Good evening.

[5:51] I am calling to order the set the session of the Mission VAO City Council and it is September

[5:58] 8th, 2026 and we're calling to order the meeting of the Mission VAO City Council, the

[6:05] community development financing authority, the successor agency of the community development agency, the housing authority, and the library board of trustees.

[6:14] I see that we have all of our council members here.

[6:16] We did not have any closed session.

[6:19] If you could please confirm that Mr. City Attorney.

[6:22] Thank you Madam Mayor, that is correct, as listed on the agenda, there were no closed session items this evening.

[6:28] Okay, thank you very much.

[6:29] So we'll go ahead and have council member Reesh do the invocation and council member Vasquez do the Pledge of Allegiance.

[6:38] Thank you Madam Mayor, if you all rise with me, Almighty

[6:48] God, we thank you for bringing us together tonight to serve our city.

[6:53] Grannis this council wisdom, discernment and clear focus as we discuss the business of our community.

[6:59] Give our leaders listening hearts, patience and the courage to make fair decisions.

[7:04] help us put aside our personal differences and work together for the peace, safety, and well-being of all our residents in your name, amen.

[7:18] In honor of all of those who died on September 11, including my colleagues, please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance.

[7:32] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for

[7:38] which it stands one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

[7:45] Thank you.

[7:53] Okay, at this point we have a few presentations so I'm going to go down to the podium and

[7:57] then colleagues will be ready for some pictures.

[8:12] Okay, first up we're going to have Shane Mall if you could come on up and you are the

[8:20] Assistant Chief of EMS Operations Training and Promotions, I believe that is your current

[8:26] new title.

[8:28] Is that correct?

[8:29] Yes.

[8:30] And we're going to present you a proclamation on wildfire awareness.

[8:35] So thank you for being here.

[8:36] This is a proclamation from the City of Mission VAO on wildfire awareness and prevention season.

[8:43] In 2020, California experienced a record breaking wildfire season with over 4 million acres burned across the state.

[8:51] And in 2024, the state faced 8,024 wildfires that burned approximately just over a million acres, reflecting a significant increase from the previous year.

[9:04] The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County, including the Eaton and the Palisades fires in early January,

[9:10] 25 resulted in at least 29 fatalities and destroyed over 16,000 structures.

[9:17] The economic impact of these fires is profound and with tragic death tolls and

[9:22] an estimated damages an economic loss is reaching up to $250 billion.

[9:29] Where as extreme fires are growing threat to public health and safety, homes, air quality, and climate goals.

[9:37] Approximately 25% of California's population lives in areas identified as high or very high fire hazard severity zones.

[9:48] sudden and intense wildfires may swiftly emerge,

[9:52] transversing vast distances in penetrating urban zones far

[9:57] from their origin.

[9:58] thereby

[10:00] Detrimentally affecting public health and diminishing overall quality of life. Every citizen has a key role in preventing destructive wildfires from occurring. Public education and up-to-date, regional emergency planning are key to making our communities more resilient to the impacts of wildfire and other extreme weather events. Orange County residents can learn about ready, set, go to prepare for wildfire season and help prevent loss of life and property.

[10:29] at ocf, excuse me, ocfa.org.

[10:34] So now therefore I Wendy Buckton by the virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Mission, of Mission Viejo.

[10:40] And on behalf of the City Council, do hereby proclaim the height of fire, wildfire season, beginning in mid-summer and

[10:49] running through early autumn as wildfire awareness and prevention season.

[10:54] And I encourage everyone to do their part to raise public awareness, take steps to protect

[10:58] your own homes and businesses to prevent sparking a wildfire.

[11:03] When less spark means one less wildfire.

[11:07] Thank you for being here, appreciate that.

[11:10] Would you like to say a few more?

[11:14] I always take a microphone.

[11:15] Thank you very much mayor, city council, city staff appreciate it.

[11:18] And thank you to everyone for being here and just hearing all that.

[11:21] Obviously as you're all very aware, we live in a beautiful, beautiful place.

[11:25] But fire season here in California is truly year round.

[11:28] We're coming into kind of the peak of it right now.

[11:29] As everybody is aware, you know, the September October, you start getting the San

[11:33] Anowons.

[11:33] But you've seen it.

[11:34] Fire happens year-round just last week.

[11:37] I'm sure you all saw on the news we had the Gibby Fire, which burned up 230 acres just

[11:42] off of Ortega with no winds.

[11:44] So everything is definitely very ready to burn, even with that little bit of rain.

[11:49] And so just know that from the OCFA side, we are prepared to respond and just like we did

[11:55] on the Gibby Fire, we sent a huge response from the ground in the air.

[11:58] We are here to do that, but we really need your help.

[12:01] This is a team effort.

[12:04] Please, if you go to our website, like the mayor mentioned,

[12:06] O-C-F-A dot org, it'll write in the front.

[12:09] It's ready set go, we want everybody to get

[12:11] what the information they can.

[12:12] And right, that will take you into our program

[12:14] that'll teach you how to protect your homes,

[12:16] because it's not typically, it's not always the flaming fire

[12:19] front that's going to light the homes on fire.

[12:21] It's the little tiny flying embers

[12:22] that will get into your eaves, they're up into your attics,

[12:25] or into a pile of stuff that we have next to our houses.

[12:27] And that will be what truly sets the fire to your home.

[12:31] And it's a really sad thing when you lose homes that are nowhere near the brush,

[12:34] but little embers get in there.

[12:35] And there's a ton of stuff that you can do that absolutely protect your home.

[12:39] We've seen it over and over again on these fires.

[12:41] So if you go to the website, it'll give you a whole slew of information,

[12:44] more information than you probably want.

[12:47] But of ways that you can protect your home.

[12:49] And the other thing I would highly recommend is on there there's a link

[12:52] that you can schedule a free home assessment.

[12:54] And one of our inspectors will come out

[12:56] and they'll come out of the clipboard and they'll inspect your entire property front to back all the way to your property lines

[13:01] and they'll give you a punch list of everything you can do to protect your home and it's a free service.

[13:06] A lot of people have really utilized that over the last few years and I'd really recommend it for you and please take advantage of it.

[13:12] But please, thank you for partnering with us and thank you for recognizing Wildcarsie.

[13:16] We're going to get a picture.

[13:17] All right.

[14:04] Okay, next I'd like to ask Malaya, Malia.

[14:09] Thank you, Carrie, Director of Government Affairs and Community Relations at Second Harvest

[14:14] Food Bank, Orange County, and is Christian with you?

[14:17] Okay, thank you, and she is a Director of Food and Nutrition at Capo Unified School District

[14:24] to come to the podium.

[14:25] and I'm going to present this proclamation for you.

[14:30] Thank you for coming, appreciate it.

[14:33] Okay, so this is a proclamation for Hunger Action Month.

[14:37] We are, several of us are wearing orange again, so thank you.

[14:41] We had this last month too, so we're so glad to be able to support this.

[14:47] And that is the second harvest food banks colors.

[14:50] And I know that because I've been there a few times,

[14:53] and it's a great effort to be able to come and do that.

[14:58] So for a hunger action month, we're

[15:00] We're recognizing this for the month of September, and this hunger and poverty are issues of vital concern in California. We're approximately 22% of California households and 27% of households with children experience food insecurity. Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive and people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families. Yet over 387,000 individuals, including 112,000 children,

[15:30] one that's one in six children here in Orange County are food insecure.

[15:35] Whereas the city of Mission Viejo is committed to taking steps to combat hunger in every part of our community and to provide additional resources.

[15:43] That those in the city of Mission Viejo need and whereas the city of Mission Viejo is committed to working with the OC hunger alliance and

[15:51] educating people about the role and importance of food banks and the charitable food system.

[15:56] in addressing hunger, raising awareness of the need to devote more resources and

[16:01] attention to hunger issues, and working collaboratively to optimize the food

[16:06] system and address food insecurity as a symptom of poverty.

[16:10] In 2020, the Orange County Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank collectively

[16:16] recorded an average of 808 roughly 1000 individual food distribution visits

[16:23] It's per month from our community members facing food insecurity and distributed over

[16:29] set almost 73,000 pounds of food through their partner networks of food pantries at senior

[16:35] center schools, colleges, university, houses of worship, soup kitchens, shelters, and other

[16:41] community organizations.

[16:43] Abound food care helps facilitate the recovery of over 25 million pounds of excess edible food

[16:50] in Orange County each year, reducing food waste and providing that food to those who need it, whereas 211 Orange County received 15,563 calls from Orange County residents seeking food assistance and were connected by 37,962 referrals to food pantries in the past year,

[17:13] And whereas meals on wheels Orange County prepared and delivered 1,272,000 meals in 2025,

[17:22] providing older adults and vulnerable neighbors with vital nutrition, compassionate support,

[17:28] and services promoting health independence and dignity.

[17:32] And whereas the month of September has been designated hunger action month in order to bring attention to food insecurity in our communities,

[17:40] communities, and to enlist the public in the movement to end hunger by taking action,

[17:46] including volunteering, donating, and advocating to ensure every community and everybody in

[17:51] it has the food that they need to survive. Whereas food banks and other organizations across

[17:57] the country, including members of the OC Hunger Alliance, will host events throughout the

[18:02] month of September to bring awareness and help end food insecurity in our local community.

[18:08] So now therefore, I Wendy Bucknam by the virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the City of Mission Viejo.

[18:14] And on behalf of the whole City Council, do hereby recognize September,

[18:19] 2026, as hunger, action, month, and the City of Mission Viejo.

[18:23] Here you go. Would you like to say a few words?

[18:26] Thank you so much.

[18:30] Thank you, Mayor Bucknam. Thank you, Council.

[18:32] Thank you to the City of Mission Viejo.

[18:34] Here I'm going to, I'm a little taller. There we go.

[18:37] September is hunger, action, month, as the mayor mentioned.

[18:39] And orange is not only the color of second harvest, but

[18:42] it's also the color of hunger awareness.

[18:44] So we go out to all 34 cities who have officially declared September's Hunger Action Month.

[18:49] So we appreciate the entire county's support to help us spread awareness as the mayor so

[18:54] eloquently read all of those statistics for us.

[18:56] We have a lot of work to do in Orange County.

[18:58] We're a very fortunate county, a very lovely county.

[19:00] I love living here, but there's one in six kids are still experiencing what we call food insecurity.

[19:05] So I work at Second Harvest Food Bank, there are two food banks in the county.

[19:09] there's us, there's Orange County Food Bank up in Garden Grove. We are part of the OC hunger alliance,

[19:14] which is a wonderful group of anti-hunger non-profits, 211, Meals on Wheels. We all work together

[19:20] in the county to kind of help spread awareness and address food insecurity. So September, we encourage

[19:24] you, you know, learn about food insecurity in our county. I get involved, come volunteer with us,

[19:29] we love our volunteers, help spread awareness to those that you know and what you've learned here

[19:34] tonight. You can visit us on our website feedoc.org slash h-a-m for hunger action

[19:39] months and we have a bunch of events going on in September. Like I said, come out and volunteer

[19:43] with us and get involved and just help us spread the word. All right. Thank you

[19:53] so much for

[20:26] Okay.

[20:28] Okay. Last, we have a special recognition for the Aliso, or sorry, Oso Creek golf course. And

[20:38] And I'd like to have Colleague and General Manager of the Oslo Creek course come to the podium

[20:44] and anybody else you'd like to have come with you.

[20:47] And just we're going to have you say a few words and I want to present this to you.

[20:52] So we are commemorating contributions of the community to the American story during the

[21:00] semi-quinn centennial anniversary.

[21:03] So on July 4th, 1776, the United States of America was founded on the bold ideas.

[21:07] and enduring convictions of liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness, truths that continue to guide our republic.

[21:15] As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, known as a semi-quinn centennial or America 250,

[21:24] communities are encouraged to reflect on our history, honor all Americans, contributions, and look to the future.

[21:31] Local businesses are vital to our community's economy, and they embody the American spirit.

[21:36] Local businesses also contribute significantly to the character and prosperity of Mission B.A.O.

[21:43] Whereas this 250th milestone is an opportunity to recognize the role of local businesses and

[21:48] citizens in shaping our nation's values and future.

[21:51] And whereas we encourage everyone to support local businesses and

[21:55] celebrating our heritage and inspiring future generations.

[21:59] Whereas an acknowledgement of the exemplary leadership and

[22:06] revitalization of this distinguished mission BAO asset.

[22:10] And through your dedicated efforts instead of fast stewardship,

[22:14] you have significantly enhanced the legacy and value of the Oso Creek Golf Course.

[22:20] Thereby enriching the recreational opportunities and the quality of life for the city's sins of mission BAO.

[22:26] Your contribution stands as a testament to the spirit of community pride and

[22:31] excellence, deserving of the highest commendation and sincere appreciation.

[22:37] Now therefore, I, Wendy Buckton, by the virtue of the authority vested in me as the mayor of the city of Mission Viejo, and on behalf of the entire Mission Viejo City Council, do here by recognize the contributions of the Oso Creek Golf Course in the city of Mission Viejo.

[22:51] Thank you.

[22:59] Good evening, everybody.

[23:01] Thank you, Mayor, Madam Mayor, City Council,

[23:03] and everyone here tonight.

[23:05] When we first started this journey,

[23:06] it also creaked the city had a vision

[23:08] for what this facility could become.

[23:10] And our job as a team was just to take that vision

[23:12] and execute it.

[23:13] We wanted also creaked to be more than just a golf course.

[23:16] We wanted to be a place where our community

[23:17] could come together.

[23:19] Whether it's for golf, special events, dinner with family,

[23:22] or just having the best hot dogs in town.

[23:25] With the vision with the support of the city

[23:27] and work hard with dedication, an incredible team,

[23:29] and also we have been able to turn that vision

[23:32] into something very special.

[23:33] Something our community can enjoy,

[23:35] and something we can all be proud of,

[23:37] and be a brag about.

[23:38] I am very grateful for this recognition tonight,

[23:40] but I share it with the entire team.

[23:42] I am proud to have how far we have become,

[23:45] and I'm more excited about where it's going to be.

[23:49] Unfortunately, our chef, Ricardo,

[23:50] would not be able to come tonight,

[23:52] but he is the main reason for this success.

[23:54] I just wanted to throw that out there.

[23:55] Thank you, Jerry, for all your support,

[23:57] Board and City Council, and thank you, guys.

[24:31] Thank you.

[25:00] Okay, we are now at the point for public comments, persons wishing to address the council on city business that is not listed on the agenda. Must you so at this time, members of the public who are present in the chamber and wish to speak should see the city clerk now. For those joining us remotely by Zoom or calling in, please use the raise hand function to be added to the speaker queue. Those wishing to address the city council on any item that is listed on the agenda should request to speak before the item is

[25:29] Once the public comment period is closed for each item, no additional speakers are permitted in the queue.

[25:35] Each speaker may be allowed to three minutes.

[25:38] When called please state your name and city of residence.

[25:40] We will start with in-person speakers and then move to remote speakers.

[25:45] When ready, Madam Clerk, please state the number of public comments we have tonight and call up our first speaker.

[25:52] Thank you, Mayor.

[25:53] So tonight we have 17 in-person speakers and we do have one person requesting to speak via Zoom.

[25:58] the first speaker this evening is going to be Faith Fernston and then it's going to be followed by a group of six individuals and I'll call their name after Faith speaks.

[26:16] Good evening mayor and city council members. My name is Faith Fernston and I live at 22921 via Santa Maria Mission Viejo.

[26:24] Next door to the quarter of 22931 via Santa Maria.

[26:31] Today, the city has not obtained a warrant to clear up the property.

[26:35] It has been two weeks.

[26:37] Why has it taken this long?

[26:41] He has gotten more stuff and added more stuff to the mess.

[26:45] That property is a safety and a fire hazard.

[26:51] Also, I wanted to speak about, I did speak to the animal services department a while back about the gentleman who lives at the horror house.

[27:01] He has a 180 pound dog, and he allows him to poop in the backyard, which is not great.

[27:07] Sunday morning, I go out to get my paper, and the smell is in the street.

[27:13] When I spoke to the animal services, they said they couldn't do anything unless it was a grigis.

[27:18] Now, I don't know what their limit of a grigis is, but mine is every single day.

[27:23] Okay, especially now the heat is happening, it is every day.

[27:27] So I would like something to be done with that, I would appreciate your cooperation.

[27:32] And also, I'd like to know when the city is going to take action about the hoarder and with the abatement warrant.

[27:41] Thank you.

[27:47] Mr. City Attorney?

[27:49] Thank you, Madam Mayor, have an update.

[27:51] As of this afternoon, the abatement warrant has been issued by the court.

[27:55] It was issued this afternoon and the city moving forth with to abate the nuisance.

[28:03] Thank you, the next speakers.

[28:06] The next speakers are going to be a group of six individuals by the name of Mel,

[28:11] Fari, Jocelyn, Grant, John, and Audrey.

[28:25] Okay, I guess I'm going to be sure.

[28:27] All right, I will be the first to speak, this contingent of table tennis participants is a small group.

[28:35] and then we have a larger group here, just to show you our numbers and our influence.

[28:40] You have a copy of a petition that Fari has put together and we have all signed.

[28:48] And I'm going to go ahead and read it so we all get a feel of what our sentiments are.

[28:54] We have the undersigned residents and senior citizens of Mission V.A.

[28:57] Ho, respectfully request that the city provide more days and larger rooms for senior table tennis

[29:04] activities at our community facilities. Table tennis is much more than a

[29:10] recreation for older adults. Scientific research attached to this petition

[29:16] demonstrates playing table tennis can help promote motor coordination,

[29:21] metal alertness, and short-term memory. All of these are important aspects of

[29:26] healthy aging and maintaining independence. Unfortunately, Mission VA

[29:32] They hope currently offers only two part days per week in a room too small to accommodate

[29:39] the growing number of participants.

[29:41] At times, there will be 15 to 20 people waiting to play.

[29:46] This makes it too difficult for adequate playing time.

[29:50] Nearby communities such as Lagoon and a Gell and Lake Forest provide rooms that hold four

[29:56] tables.

[29:57] and more days of play.

[30:00] We've always been very proud of our city and all the amenities it offers. We hope this modest investment we're asking would provide us a healthier aging process. Thank you.

[30:30] I'm going to read to you and then you can have the copy of the scientific research that

[30:35] promotes plane ping pong as and it calls the ultimate brain sport.

[30:43] It is the single one sport that promotes shorter memory, hippocampus, brain mechanics,

[30:54] Neuroplasticity Changes, Coordinated Brain Activities,

[31:00] Neuro-Degenerative Disease Prevention, Alzheimer's Therapy,

[31:05] Parkinson's Support, and many more cognitive enhancement.

[31:12] So we're plating with you.

[31:14] We've asked several times to the staff where we play.

[31:20] We've been ignored.

[31:21] many times, sometimes very loudly and very angrily, because we just – it's too small

[31:30] room that we have, and it's too hot. We have had many people that were tripped and

[31:38] fell. I don't know if anyone has sued you, but it's possible that they will. There are

[31:46] For more people who want to speak, thank you so much for letting me speak.

[31:53] Good evening, my name is Melville Walda.

[31:56] I just wanted to reiterate some of the items that John's willing, the first presenter spoke about.

[32:01] In comparing some of the other adjacent communities and cities,

[32:08] Mission Bial has two tables, and like they said, only two half days of activity available.

[32:14] The room, as they mentioned, is too small.

[32:17] It's very prone to injury.

[32:20] The people waiting on the sidelines in their chairs have often been bumped into.

[32:26] The cabinetry in the room has been bumped into and people bang their backs and ankles on that.

[32:34] So it's not safe in addition to, it just isn't conducive to playing table tennis.

[32:40] The ceilings are only 8 feet high.

[32:42] areas like Lake Forest and some of the other joining cities have up to four

[32:49] tables. Some as many as five days a week offered opportunities to play table

[32:54] tennis in rooms that are designed more conducively to play table tennis.

[33:01] Addicoot space, ceiling height, etc.

[33:06] That's all I had to say.

[33:07] Thank

[33:12] you. Good evening. My name is Grant Chambers. I live in Mission Viejo. I'm a

[33:19] veteran and ping-pong player.

[33:24] The best exercise in the world for people with

[33:29] Parkinson's and Alzheimer's is ping-pong. It has reached national attention and

[33:37] there are cities and chapters nationwide that are being funded because of the

[33:43] fast-moving attention to the ball that Ping-Bong brings.

[33:50] The brain synapses that occur with the quick decisions that have to be made in milliseconds

[33:56] is both healthy and healing and competitive advantage.

[34:03] For seniors, you wouldn't believe what's going on in that room.

[34:07] There is nothing but loud screaming, laughing, applause.

[34:14] It's fun, it's sociable, and it's the greatest exercise in the world.

[34:19] I get my 10,000 steps in a three-hour period of playing ping pong.

[34:26] For seniors with Parkinson's, it's end Alzheimer's, it's life enhancing and enriching.

[34:35] One of our members, Tom, you don't want to measure brain surgeon because of the tremble in his hands.

[34:41] but you want him on your ping pong team it is unbelievable these fast flicker

[34:48] the wrist that he can send the ball by you before you can even move to it so

[34:54] So that's it. I'll repeat the opening. The best...

[35:00] Exercise in the world for people with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's is ping pong. Thank you.

[35:14] Hi. My name is Audrey Locke, and I'm here to support my colleagues in requesting consideration to our petition. I'd love a show of hands for people who are here tonight. This is just a very, very small portion. So please consider all of the wonderful benefits that a very

[35:37] small change could make to all of us.

[35:42] Thank you so much.

[35:43] Thank you.

[35:49] Our next speaker is going to be

[35:51] Yusuf Cameron, followed by Tom Moore.

[36:04] Hi, my name is Yusuf Karmron.

[36:06] I go to Mission Viejo High School

[36:07] as a sophomore and 10th grade.

[36:09] I am part of the community of character committee

[36:11] and I would like to introduce the character trait

[36:14] for September, which is responsibility.

[36:17] Responsibility is a quality of being able to fulfill duties

[36:20] or tasks. Responsibility involves knowing what is expected of you in doing it. Often

[36:25] in tasks are specific requirements such as requests from parents, employers, or teachers.

[36:31] But responsibility also involves having an intuition or a sense of what needs to be done

[36:35] and then taking the initiative to do it. The word response means answer, thus to be responsible

[36:41] means to be able to answer. Responsibility also includes being trustworthy, dependable, reliable,

[36:48] productive and being able to plan ahead. Responsibility is a life skill which

[36:53] does not come naturally, but can be taught and instilled in children through

[36:57] training and practice. When we train our children to become responsible we're

[37:01] helping them towards maturity. Responsibility isn't just completing a task, it's

[37:06] also an attitude, the idea of taking action and being proud of doing it yourself.

[37:12] One way I have shown responsibility in my life is completing all assignments,

[37:16] as completing all assignments on time rather than procrastinating it.

[37:20] I like to end my speech with a quote about responsibility by Booker T. Washington.

[37:25] He states, few things help individual more than to place responsibility upon him,

[37:30] and to let him know that you trust him. Thank you and have a good evening.

[37:40] Tom Moore, followed by Connie Lazarusura.

[37:52] Tom Moore, resident of Mission Viejo. First a request and in a comment.

[37:59] I'd like to encourage the residents of Michigan to familiarize themselves with the history and intent of the state of California state housing element law enacted in 1967.

[38:10] This was AB 1952, it was actually written by Pete Wilson and in the comment.

[38:19] And noon on the 11th of September in remembrance of those who died and those who continue to be affected by a terrible event.

[38:26] I will walk from the pocket park south of Oslo Creek Trail along Marguerite Parkway to the Peace Memorial on the west side of the Oslo Creek Trail.

[38:35] That's it for this evening.

[38:44] Connie Lazaracera, followed by Andy Lawfee.

[38:49] Good evening, Council.

[38:50] Connie Lanzacera, Mission BAHO.

[38:52] At the April 8th, 2025 City Council meeting, Mayor Rich told the public that the FLOx Safety ALPR system had been discussed during prior City Council meetings alleging that the public had time.

[39:04] to review and speak about this surveillance system.

[39:07] I have scoured all City Council agendas from January 1, 24 through April 8, 25 and

[39:14] not have found one single time the flock APL, APL system was agendized.

[39:21] Allowing the public to speak of the surveillance system, I believe the allegations presented

[39:27] by the City Council that the system was discussed by the Council is false.

[39:32] I have subsequently filed a public records request for any and all agenda items that have taken place between January 24th and April 8th 25.

[39:42] Maybe I miss something in my research and I will wait the city's response to my inquiry.

[39:47] I am not talking about random discussions that were brought up by people here.

[39:51] I am talking about agenda items.

[39:54] Insight Quotation 0228

[40:00] 2-9-6-9-5-0 that became a contract, details 44, Falcon, Falcon, ALPR, fixed cameras, and 10

[40:10] Condor PTZ cameras, video cameras. During Paul Kassamanis, sorry for ruining that, April

[40:18] 8, 25 presentation on the contract, he never mentioned the 10 PTZ video cameras. He only

[40:25] They mentioned the 44 fixed ALPRs.

[40:29] This is a gross misrepresentation of the contract that the Council approved.

[40:36] PTZ video cameras are live streaming and track people's movements in real time.

[40:41] The cameras also have audio capabilities that listen to and record conversations.

[40:46] This camera has nothing to do with reading license plates, as it is not focused on a choke point.

[40:54] This is pure surveillance of innocent people going about their daily lives.

[40:59] On January 12th, 2021, and January 9th, 2024, during Trish Kelly's goals for

[41:06] her new year's mayor, Trish stated that public safety was one of her top priorities.

[41:11] In her speech, as she mentioned, that she would partner with the then current chief of police services to hold public safety

[41:18] meeting, town hall meetings to focus on crime trends and combating crime.

[41:24] I issued a public records request asking for the dates and subject of all town hall meetings

[41:30] beginning in 21 and currently, to current.

[41:34] The response to my request was this, no applicable, applicable record is on file.

[41:41] I have not found one town hall meeting, again, proved me wrong.

[41:46] Trish also stated on January 9th, 24, that she was pleased to say that she would be acquiring

[41:52] the ALPL system. I wonder how she knew on January 9th, 2024 that we would soon be buying

[42:00] this system in the not- to- in the not- to- may be summarized.

[42:05] Okay. The bottom line is this. I want these contracts canceled. I do not want to live in

[42:11] a surveillance state, city that constantly records my everyday moments, movements, it is

[42:18] none of your business, where I go, what I do, and what I say.

[42:28] Next speaker is Andy Loppie, followed by Laura Loppie.

[42:37] Good evening, city council members.

[42:40] My name is Andy District One.

[42:43] We must ask ourselves why flat cameras and data centers are rapidly on the rise, why the

[42:48] The urgency to usher in a massive AI surveillance system.

[42:52] A surge, however, in terminating flock camera contracts have begun over privacy,

[42:57] internal misuse audits, and federal access concerns in over 100 US cities.

[43:03] San Francisco and LA found improper federal agency data queries after audits,

[43:09] where the LAPD had allowed its contract to expire in July 26th.

[43:14] For many, it is evident that privacy is the concern.

[43:17] Others who remain indifferent or in favor of giving away one's vehicle fingerprint for safety to private tech companies and

[43:25] geofence brokers, profiting off your data might think otherwise.

[43:30] While many argue ALPR cameras can legally view a public road, it is rather how data is collected and often shared.

[43:37] Primarily, lack of safeguards to prevent hacking and misuse like selling data to neural networks.

[43:43] The ones which collect and share personal information and are data to the hands of geolocation

[43:49] brokers.

[43:51] Flock's selling point is that these cameras only track license plates, not people.

[43:56] But in a flux contract, it states that it can upgrade their cameras any time, meaning

[44:01] facial recognition and phone tracking are at play.

[44:05] Flock uses a code called Associates.

[44:08] The upgrade code is for Flock's new AI investigation system.

[44:11] Please not only consult vehicle's color maker model but on behavior.

[44:17] Behavioral AI investigations have become the cause of many and warranted arrests.

[44:22] A woman drove in her own neighborhood too many times, became a suspect and was falsely arrested for stealing a package office someone's porch.

[44:30] It took her car's dash count to provide her innocence.

[44:34] As for the city of LA, there was a 32% misread rate in two months.

[44:38] with 160 false felony stops.

[44:42] All of these false reads suggest that artificial intelligence is the new sheriff in town and

[44:48] guiding innocent citizens.

[44:50] We become a person of interest, associated to crime by adding AI to the equation of Flax Network Logging.

[44:57] Surveillance has always been the end goal.

[45:00] Work system network upgrades will accelerate the control grid, which subjects innocent citizens. The new system must properly be fed.

[45:09] A.R. requires enormous amounts of data and computing power to identify patterns and predict behavior. The more we let computation of our data bill, the more sophisticated models can reach their ankle. Our compliance is needed for developing this grim future.

[45:25] It's my opinion that flock is a dystopian violation of our rights.

[45:29] With this, I respectfully ask the council to review its contract with flock and kindly

[45:34] add it to the agenda to allow further discussion.

[45:37] Thank you.

[45:43] Laura Loco, followed by Anthony Alia.

[45:52] Good evening, council.

[45:53] I'm Laura Loco.

[45:54] I live in Micheleo.

[45:55] I would like to discuss just a couple of things.

[45:58] First, I would like to support council members' suggestion of

[46:05] updating the city's integrated pest management program guidelines.

[46:09] I support that, and I think that it's very smart, and it's good for the environment.

[46:13] It's good for the children in the community, and it could help pretty much everywhere with the pest control and water and the access that it gets to into our water supply.

[46:23] Next, I would like to suggest that the OSO Creek Vision Plan be put on hold just because we've got new members that are going to be coming in.

[46:34] in the next year, in the next few months.

[46:37] And so I would like to say that those people should be put into the decision making

[46:41] when it comes to the OSO plan, the OSO vision plan, and the Tribigo Wetlands Habitat.

[46:48] That's a good idea.

[46:49] We've needed to do that because it was a mess up from the city that didn't do it correctly in the first place.

[46:53] So I'm glad that's being addressed, but I would also like to suggest that there are groups at colleges,

[46:58] like landscape students who possibly could come in and be in there as a volunteer

[47:04] to do the abatement of some of the invasive plants. I know my daughter is a

[47:09] landscape architect student at USC and they do these sorts of projects where

[47:13] they join in with cities and go in and get the experience of what they're learning

[47:18] about hands on. It's an option to be able to reduce the cost to the city, just a

[47:24] thought. And finally, I would like to say is somebody who is, okay, who am I? I'm on the

[47:29] Hunger Council of feeding America. I'm also a supporter of L.A. Food Bank and, oh my gosh,

[47:39] what's it called? Harvest, second harvest. I'm so sorry, you guys, my brain. It is kind

[47:45] of ironic to me that there are several people in this room that vote for people and support

[47:50] people who have taken food away from children and take funding away from food for children.

[47:56] So I would like people to recognize that when they're doing these things like supporting Second Harvest, which is great.

[48:02] I love it, but it's kind of a hypocrisy.

[48:06] Thank you so much.

[48:12] Anthony Ilya, followed by Wiley Veron.

[48:22] Thank you, Mayor and City Council for the opportunity to speak tonight.

[48:27] Some good news.

[48:28] My name is Anthony Leo, as I said, I live in Corcubian in Mission Viejo.

[48:33] And after the Eaton and Palisades fire happened to see a television documentary about some

[48:41] of the causes and some of the effects.

[48:44] And one of the things that struck me was that we live in Mission Viejo, which the mayor

[48:49] mentioned is also an area where we can have fires whether we want them or not.

[48:54] And so I picked up the phone and I called the Water Department.

[48:57] And I already knew the answer, but I said, can you tell me the last time the fire hydrants were inspected?

[49:05] Can you tell me the last time that the underground water valves were inspected?

[49:14] 2019.

[49:16] And I said, can you tell me why that program stopped because it was supposed to happen every two years?

[49:22] And I already knew the answer, but I wanted to hear the water company tell me that due to

[49:27] public opinion about wasting water during the drought, we just quit doing it.

[49:34] We quit doing it.

[49:36] I'm a volunteer advisor to the Oso Valley Hometers Association, 6,800 homes, which I mentioned

[49:44] that to the water department.

[49:46] And I said, we would very much like you to start your program again.

[49:51] and I called back two weeks later and I gave the city clerk the information about Ben

[50:00] You can contact by email or by a telephone and whoever is responsible at the city for infrastructure. Get them to put the entire city on a schedule to have the hydrants inspected and the water valves inspected. So we found out that a number of hydrants needed to be refurbished, but even more important. Under our feet, the infrastructure, until I was in commercial real estate for

[50:29] 40 years, so I know about this stuff. The water valves have an on-off component and this

[50:37] is what it looks like. And the fire department or the water department sticks a tool in there

[50:42] to turn it on and off. Well guess what, they're all out around.

[50:48] So in our neighborhood, they're

[50:50] all replaced. And it was done the day before I called back two weeks later. And I went out

[50:56] on the street and there are all these chalk marks and an area about this big where the

[51:03] asphalt was dug up and the guys replaced the water boughs.

[51:09] So who's going to do it at the city? Who's going to pick up the phone and ask the water

[51:14] department to finish the job? You got my phone number? You got my email address.

[51:22] I want

[51:22] I want to know that this city is safe, my time is just about up.

[51:26] The last thing I want to tell you is that all over Southern California, we're from Ohio originally.

[51:32] We've been here since 1990, but I'm just stunned at the lack of fire prevention in building homes around here.

[51:39] No closed eaves.

[51:41] The biggest thing you can do in any area for single family members.

[51:46] Close the eaves and put a smoke arrestor on top of the chimney.

[51:50] Thank you.

[51:53] Sir, the microphone's been turned off.

[51:56] We're going to our next speaker.

[52:00] Please go ahead and hand that to the clerk and we'll get an answer to you.

[52:04] Thank you so much.

[52:05] Thanks for your time.

[52:06] Thank you.

[52:09] Our next speaker is going to be Wiley Farron, followed by Jen Jill Schindler.

[52:21] Hope this doesn't come to my time.

[52:27] Out of there, I am back again, Wiley Fan,

[52:30] fan and resident of Mission Viejo.

[52:32] Fear four into the flock, camera smackdown.

[52:35] I think I came on a little too strong last time,

[52:37] Costa Mica, Costa Masta, police stalking,

[52:40] data breaches, sorry, I got a little too passionate.

[52:43] So today I thought I would try a new angle

[52:44] that's a little less divisive, a little less provocative.

[52:49] Racism, let's have the white man talk about racism real quick.

[52:52] Are we racist?

[52:53] Are we the people of Mission Viejo racist?

[52:57] They don't look too racist to me, but if you were to take a look at where our

[53:00] flock cameras are located, someone might think otherwise. The reason I say that is

[53:04] because there are three flock cameras located in the Home Depot parking lot

[53:07] on Hillcrest. Three flock cameras specifically targeting Hispanic and Latino

[53:12] day workers, day laborers who are just trying to do an honest day's work. They're

[53:16] not the people who are coming from South America to attack us and gangs. They're

[53:20] just honest people trying to make money to provide for their families. I see that

[53:25] I'm losing you guys a little bit.

[53:26] Let me change the angles.

[53:27] I don't know why I thought races would be a good topic

[53:29] to lead with.

[53:29] Let me change angles.

[53:31] Perfect.

[53:31] Now I can talk to these lovely people and the camera.

[53:35] So let's try to do angle.

[53:37] The root of all evil.

[53:39] Money.

[53:40] The members of this council are not stupid.

[53:42] In fact, you guys have some serious financial acumen.

[53:46] Self-starting entrepreneurs, fall small-time business owners.

[53:50] And mission vehicles run a budget surplus

[53:51] for the last couple of years.

[53:53] Great job, gang.

[53:54] So, I trust you guys as financial intuition and financial judgment.

[54:00] And so, I trust you guys when you look at the placement of these flock cameras to not

[54:04] spend money frivolously and waste it on these high-tech cameras that aren't going to

[54:07] be monitoring anything valuable, just monitoring dead spots.

[54:11] So, it's a little weird that there are two flock cameras monitoring fair haven memorial service

[54:16] on center drive, monitoring corpses and mourners going to funerals.

[54:22] Maybe there's some crime statistics I'm not aware of.

[54:25] Maybe mourners are out committing car jackings and stealing cattle at converters.

[54:29] Maybe there's a rising zombie crime.

[54:32] Or maybe it's because Fairhaven Memorial Service is about a football field away from the

[54:37] home depot on Hillcrest.

[54:40] Yep, we're bringing it back to racism.

[54:44] You know, I've got a little ahead of myself.

[54:46] The chief of police Jason, I think he's here, spoke last week and said, quote, these cameras

[54:51] are deployed at the main entrances to the city and cameras are deployed throughout busy

[54:55] intersections in the city. I think that may have been a lie because last I checked.

[55:00] The parking lot of a home depot is not really a major artery for traffic in Mission Viejo. Another thing, there's about 50 cameras in Mission Viejo. That means 10% of all Mission Viejo cameras are located in this single parking lot. I hope this parking lot's a hotbed for criminal activity, because otherwise it looks like we're either racist, bad with money, or don't really care about protecting the people of Mission Viejo. Please remove the floor cameras. Thank you.

[55:31] Our next speaker is going to be Kathy Palmer, followed by Carolyn Gatto.

[55:35] So I

[55:38] think you missed somebody who had mentioned she had come up to speak with me.

[55:43] So she's going to go later on.

[55:44] Excuse me.

[55:45] Thank you.

[55:52] The tall people were here before me.

[55:56] Hi, I'm Kathy Palmer, a longtime resident of Mission Viejo.

[56:01] And I'm here to ask that our public safety officials give a public service announcement about cooling centers for

[56:12] more vulnerable populations.

[56:14] When I came to the City Council meeting tonight, according to my car, it was 99 degrees out at 6 o'clock.

[56:22] That heat wave is lasting at least through Thursday, perhaps through Friday.

[56:29] I'm lucky, I can afford to run my air conditioning.

[56:33] I have the means to come to cooling centers, but there are people who don't have that luxury.

[56:40] and I would like the city to do some outreach to make sure people know that there are places they can go, especially at night to stay cool.

[56:51] Thank you.

[56:56] Carolyn Gatto.

[57:02] Good evening.

[57:03] My name is Carolyn Gatto and I live in Mission Viejo.

[57:07] As you know, we are 56 days away from the midterm elections.

[57:12] As many as five city council seats have the potential to be turned over to new members.

[57:17] members. Anyone who is new to the council should not be expected to carry the potential

[57:22] burden of overseeing projects or administering expenditures that were decided on in the

[57:29] closing weeks before the election. Projects and expenditures that they may fundamentally

[57:36] disagree with. For that reason, I propose an immediate moratorium on approval of capital

[57:41] expense projects until after the new council members have been seated next year.

[57:48] Let's call it the Mitch McConnell rule. You know how that works. Once election day draws

[57:54] too close, the status quo should take precedence if he can do it so can you. Thank you.

[58:06] That is our last in-person request to speak for non-agenda items. It looks like the one

[58:12] speaker we had on zoom is no longer raising their hand so that's all I have.

[58:18] Thank you.

[58:27] I just want to address just a couple of things really quickly. I would

[58:33] like our chief to address if there are cameras on properties that do not

[58:39] belong to the city is that possibility.

[58:44] Yes Mayor thank you and good evening city

[58:46] council members, it was brought up home depot having OPR cameras.

[58:52] Those are not city owned OPR cameras, home depot privately purchased OPR cameras as well as lows.

[58:59] And the reasoning behind that was the amount of theft that was taking place at home depot on a monthly basis.

[59:04] That the organization itself privately purchased OPR cameras for their businesses.

[59:11] Also, can you advise if HOAs can purchase, I know there was a question about a camera that was located off of one of our main areas.

[59:21] Can you advise if HOAs are purchasing these as well?

[59:25] Yeah, correct. HOAs are purchasing them. Gated communities are purchasing them.

[59:30] Private neighborhoods are also purchasing them. So, although they may be off the main streets and out of our main entrances and exits,

[59:39] private businesses are actively purchasing block cameras for their neighborhoods.

[59:45] Okay, thank you, I just wanted to clarify that.

[59:47] And then also, I appreciate the comment on the cooling centers.

[59:52] I know that that information does go out and staff, could you advise if you have put any notifications out or if there's a plan to do more?

[1:00:00] Yeah, in fact, I just confirmed with Robert. He can, Robert, you want to touch on what we have done?

[1:00:11] Yes, thank you. We have posted that a few times and we certainly can't do so again. Okay. Thank you. Appreciate that. Let's do that ASAP. It was hot, driving, and I can adjust to that. Okay. Next up, we have the consent calendar. Does any city clerk, are there any requests to speak for any items that are on the consent calendar?

[1:00:32] I received no in-person requests, and I don't see any via Zoom.

[1:00:36] Thank you.

[1:00:37] Colleagues, is anybody interested in pulling anything?

[1:00:40] If not, I'll take a motion.

[1:00:44] I move approval of the consent calendar.

[1:00:47] Second.

[1:00:49] Thank you.

[1:00:49] Any further comment?

[1:00:51] Go ahead and register your votes.

[1:00:55] Thank you.

[1:01:09] Okay, that is unanimous.

[1:01:13] Next up, we have for new business.

[1:01:15] We have the third amendment to the Employment Agreement for Assistant City Manager, Director

[1:01:21] of Public Services, Jerry Hill, could I plead, are there any request to speak from our

[1:01:28] public?

[1:01:29] Not on this item, no.

[1:01:30] Thank you.

[1:01:32] Can I get a staff report?

[1:01:36] Good evening, Madam Mayor and Council Members.

[1:01:38] My name is Monique Gets and I'm the HR Manager with the City of Mission Viejo and I'll be

[1:01:42] giving the staff report on this subject tonight.

[1:01:44] On June 25th of 2024, the City Council appointed Mr. Jerry Hill to the position of assistant city manager and also the dual position of director of public services for the remainder of this old report, I'm going to refer to the title as assistant city manager just for brevity.

[1:02:04] On December 9th of 2025, the Council approved the first amendment to Mr. Hill's employment

[1:02:11] agreement and then on January 27th of 2026, the Council approved a second amendment to

[1:02:17] Mr. Hill's employment agreement.

[1:02:20] Pursuant to Section 7 of that employment agreement, the City Council may increase the

[1:02:26] Assistant City Manager's annual-based salary and or benefits following an annual evaluation

[1:02:32] performed by the city manager.

[1:02:34] The city manager has concluded the fiscal year 25-26 evaluation process for the assistant

[1:02:41] city manager and has made suggestions to the council.

[1:02:45] On August 25th of 2026, council gave direction to staff during closed session to make proposed

[1:02:52] amendments to Mr. Hill's employment agreement and to bring a third amendment to a future council

[1:02:58] meeting.

[1:02:58] That is the agreement that you have in front of you tonight to discuss and to vote on.

[1:03:05] The third amendment in front of you reflects a base salary increase in the amount of 4% to be effective back to July 1st of 2026.

[1:03:16] And a one time lump sum discretionary bonus in the amount of $2,607.89 that would be payable to Mr. Hill on December 11th of

[1:03:30] The 4% salary increase will change Mr. Hill's annual salary from $260,789 to $271,220, which is an increase of $10,432.

[1:03:46] All other items and conditions of its employment remain the same.

[1:03:50] There are sufficient resources in the fiscal year 2627 adopted budget to absorb the proposed

[1:03:58] additional personnel costs.

[1:04:00] And then as for formality on August 10th of 2011, California Code of Regulations Title

[1:04:07] 2, Section 570.05 was enacted and amendments were made to sections 571 subdivision B.

[1:04:16] These modifications require the city to adopt a publicly available pay schedule that identifies the position, title, pay rate for all city of mission via who employee ease.

[1:04:28] Pay schedules must not reference another document in lieu of disclosing the pay rate.

[1:04:33] The current salary schedule adopted by the council on May 26th of 2026 with an effective date of July 1st of 2026.

[1:04:43] provides sufficient movement in the assistant city manager salary range to

[1:04:47] accommodate the recommended base salary increase. Therefore I don't have a

[1:04:52] revised salary schedule in front of you tonight. That concludes my oral report

[1:04:57] and I am here to answer any questions you might have.

[1:05:00] Thank you. Colleagues, any questions, comments?

[1:05:08] Okay, thank you. Council Member Kelly.

[1:05:12] Yes. Thank you for the report. And I'd just like to take the opportunity to let our residents know how fortunate we are to have Mr. Hill working with us here in Mission Viejo. He comes with a lot of experience, a lot of talent.

[1:05:34] I don't know if you noticed, but he wears two hats, he's doing two positions, and so I'm very appreciative of Mr. Hill and the work he does with us here in Mission Viejo, and I will move the recommended action.

[1:05:58] seconded. Any further comments?

[1:06:03] Go ahead everyone just your vote.

[1:06:09] Okay that is unanimous.

[1:06:11] Thank you Jerry for all your hard work we appreciate it.

[1:06:16] Okay next we have the Tribute

[1:06:18] Co-Wetlands Rehabilitation and if we could do we have any public recommence on this one?

[1:06:27] We do have one request to speak from someone in person by the name of Kathy Palmer.

[1:06:31] Okay.

[1:06:45] I'm still a county Palmer.

[1:06:48] And before starting, I just want to remind the council members that if any of you have

[1:06:55] taken campaign contributions from the NIEVs landscaping company or the baseline engineering

[1:07:06] company since you filed your last reports that you need to refuse yourself from this agenda

[1:07:13] item.

[1:07:16] I'm going to speak in support of it, but I'm also going to use this time to support Cynthia

[1:07:23] Vasquez agenda item 8 to update our integrated pest management program.

[1:07:30] The use of toxic pesticides and herbicides is becoming more and more of an issue.

[1:07:37] We have children with very rare cancers, a cluster in La Dera Ranch, and many of those can often be attributed to environmental factors.

[1:07:51] I also want to strongly oppose council members Gdell's proposal to lock a new council in to carrying out a six year plan that they may or may not agree with.

[1:08:05] As far as agenda item six goes, I am all in favor of any and all wetland rehabilitation.

[1:08:16] I love watching the birds in Osso Creek, the water birds, even though I'm really not a water bird person, but I'd like to see in them.

[1:08:25] But I also just want to point out that irony of being required to spend at least $500,000 for the project.

[1:08:33] but because of the highway construction debris that was hauled in to create lower Curtis Park, which, again, Councilmember Godell, in particular promoted as a free use to create a park, which we're not even sure if that will ever happen.

[1:08:57] So as it turns out, this free park is going to cost, it sounds like the city tax payers,

[1:09:06] at least 250,000, and the golf course, another 250,000.

[1:09:12] So sometimes free is not so free.

[1:09:15] But I am all in favor of any and all wetland mitigation that can be done.

[1:09:22] Thank you.

[1:09:22] Okay,

[1:09:28] can we get a staff report, please?

[1:09:31] Yeah, our public works direct to Rich, less enjoyable, give us a good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the council.

[1:09:39] As part of the requirement to grade an import soil and to lower Curtis Park, the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board,

[1:09:47] the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US Army Corps engineers are requiring the city to perform habitat environmental restoration.

[1:09:55] on a parcel land by the county of Orange located in the-

[1:10:00] The Royal Tribute Code just north of the Royal Tribunal Golf Club has mitigation to compensate for the loss of wetlands within Lower Curtis Park. The restoration work consists of the removal of non-native vegetation, minor grading, and the planting of native vegetation. In addition, do the fact that there is a delay in obtaining authorization from the county of Orange to perform the restoration work. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is also requiring the city to perform additional

[1:10:29] capital habitat, environmental restoration at the Oso Creek Golf Course as mitigation

[1:10:35] for the habitat temporal loss.

[1:10:38] The proposed work at the Oso Creek Golf Course consists of removing an existing low flow,

[1:10:44] concrete channel, dredging one of the existing ponds, minor grading, and planting to establish

[1:10:51] wetland and riparian habitat.

[1:10:53] The proposed improvements at the Oso Creek Golf Course will not affect the playable areas

[1:10:58] of the golf course.

[1:10:59] The improvements are anticipated to enhance habitat functions and improve the visual aesthetics

[1:11:05] of the area within the golf course.

[1:11:08] Work on the Royal Turbica Restoration site is already underway.

[1:11:13] And the work at the Ose Creek Golf Course Restoration site is ready to begin.

[1:11:18] The approval of these agreements in the amount of $280,000 in the Ebis landscape and $180,000

[1:11:25] to biceeline engineering is necessary to provide funding to complete these projects.

[1:11:30] That concludes my report and I'm happy to answer any questions.

[1:11:36] Thank you.

[1:11:38] Colleagues, do we have any comments or questions on this?

[1:11:45] Okay, Mayor Pro Temgi-Dell.

[1:11:50] I'll just comment that this,

[1:11:58] some of these requirements were just created due to something that was unforeseen in the lower Curtis Park.

[1:12:05] and that was a rise in the water table of 20 feet and that rise in the water which we still

[1:12:12] don't know where that water came from, but it rose from the time we started the project

[1:12:18] till the time we stopped the project where it is because that rise in the water table caused

[1:12:24] some of the earth to slip to move a little bit. So in the interest of safety we had to put

[1:12:32] put in high droggers to drain that site and that created a situation on the border with the county's property.

[1:12:40] And created this situation where we had to mitigate those impacts on an off-site location.

[1:12:49] So some things you just can't foresee.

[1:12:52] And that's the risk you take when you go forward with projects that you never know what can happen.

[1:13:00] So I'll leave it with that.

[1:13:02] Thank you make

[1:13:07] a motion I don't see any other comments sure I'll move the recommended action

[1:13:15] Okay, I don't see any other comments so go ahead and register your votes

[1:13:21] That

[1:13:29] is unanimous. Thank you very much.

[1:13:33] Okay

[1:13:34] All

[1:13:39] right next we have

[1:13:43] Committee reports etc. I don't see anything in the packet city manager

[1:13:48] Do you have anything you'd like to report on?

[1:13:50] Yeah, I would just like to mention and sort of ties into our first presentation tonight, that it looks very much like we have been successful in getting a wildfire mitigation funding and the order of about $850,000.

[1:14:06] So we are very excited and we'll put that to good use.

[1:14:18] Did you want to know where it came from?

[1:14:20] Yes, excuse me, that was, came through Senator Blake's office, and so we thank her very much for that, that is very good.

[1:14:28] Thank you.

[1:14:30] Okay, and is anything further, Madam City Manager?

[1:14:34] That's it for me, thank you.

[1:14:35] Thank you.

[1:14:36] And then next we have our city attorney.

[1:14:40] Do you have anything you'd like to report?

[1:14:42] I briefly expand on the Santa Maria abatement warrant.

[1:14:46] So the court gave us, gave the city two weeks to

[1:14:49] to effectuate the warrant, which adds the next urgency to the city getting it done.

[1:14:54] Okay, great.

[1:14:55] Thank you.

[1:15:00] Okay, next we have our councilmember comments. We'll start with councilmember and also just double checking your AB1234 reports. We'll have councilmember Kelly go first.

[1:15:13] Thank you. I haven't been as busy the last couple of weeks. I think things have slowed down now that school has started and life is getting a little bit back to normal. I did attend a CalCities Orange County division meeting.

[1:15:31] and Board of Directors, the election on August 27th.

[1:15:37] I am a member of that board and did represent the city at that event.

[1:15:43] I also attended on August 28th, the Capo Valley High School opening season football game,

[1:15:54] which took place in the brand new stadium.

[1:15:56] It was beautiful and very good to be there to support one of our mission V.A. Ho's schools.

[1:16:07] I see that there are quite a few events coming up the next couple of weeks and

[1:16:16] And gosh, three or four of them coming up right on Saturday, September 12th.

[1:16:24] There is a repair cafe event from 8.30 to 1 at the Norman P. Murray Community Center.

[1:16:30] And this is a time when you may bring things to that event to help to get them repaired.

[1:16:38] Also on September 12th there is ails and tails at 2 o'clock in the celebration garden which is on the Osal Creek Trail.

[1:16:51] Also on September 12th there is a movie in the park at Crude of a Park.

[1:16:57] It's goat and that is at 5 o'clock. There are two other movies in the park.

[1:17:02] events coming up. So I just encourage you to check your calendar. Also this Friday, September 11th,

[1:17:12] there will be at Mission Viejo High School, a mission for heroes game, football game. And this

[1:17:19] is a time when the high school recognizes our first responders and honors them and also honors

[1:17:27] our military men and women and we will be, they will be honoring 10 of our current active

[1:17:36] duty Marines. I attended a Marine Adoption Committee meeting today and learned that there

[1:17:43] will be 10 of our active duty Marines here at that game and they will be honored as well

[1:17:49] as some of our firefighters and law enforcement police services officers.

[1:17:56] That concludes my report.

[1:17:58] Thank you.

[1:18:00] Thank you.

[1:18:02] Council Member Rish.

[1:18:04] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[1:18:07] Much like Council Member Kelly, a rather brief report in terms of things.

[1:18:13] I do have to report today.

[1:18:15] was at the Chamber of Commerce and they have said they'll be issuing a email

[1:18:22] campaign that on October the 15th they'll be accounted it for them at Norman

[1:18:27] P. Murray they'll be more information to come out I think it starts at seven o'clock

[1:18:33] so look for that it'd be kind of an interesting time to meet all the people

[1:18:37] running for office. I'm very curious about table tennis. I was wondering if we could

[1:18:42] get kind of an extended report on that. I mean, they talk about they've got a room.

[1:18:48] Sounds like they need more. A lot of excitement there. So if we could get some information,

[1:18:52] maybe from community services, just a little bit about what they do. I look forward to

[1:18:57] that and we could get back to us at a later date.

[1:19:01] One last thing, Madam Mayor, I think it's

[1:19:06] It's the flock camera issue is obviously of great concern to many of our residents.

[1:19:12] And I was hoping that we could get a more extended report on that.

[1:19:16] And I'm thinking some of the things are understanding what cameras that we have, the type, their capability.

[1:19:24] I mean, I'm hearing we can read license plates, but I'm also hearing they can read people.

[1:19:30] They can hear us just to be able to understand what is and isn't.

[1:19:34] I think would be really good.

[1:19:36] I'd like to understand our costs, the length of the contract, and certainly the successes

[1:19:46] and the failures.

[1:19:47] But I think I'd like to know if we can from our police services, some of the successes,

[1:19:52] because I think everything is wait and I'm really interested in that.

[1:19:57] And the last thing I wrote down was...

[1:20:00] Data acquisition, and I think that would fit in with capabilities as well. So, if we could get back to us with that, by other question, I think it was well answered is there seems a proliferation of cameras, but yeah, if they're on private property, they generally belong to those people. The Home Depot ones, I happen to know because I know the company that makes them. And that's just their private business. But for the things that we do are public wants to know, and I really would like to be able to have that.

[1:20:31] That's it, thank you.

[1:20:33] Thank you.

[1:20:34] Next, we have Council Member Vasquez, and you have a potential update to the city's

[1:20:39] Integrated Pest Management Program Guidelines.

[1:20:42] Yes, so I will go ahead and read the agenda report.

[1:20:47] In response to recent information regarding cancer clusters in Ladara Ranch, I have received

[1:20:53] Inquiries about the City of Mission VA hosts use and management of pesticides.

[1:20:58] While pesticide use may be necessary in certain circumstances to effectively manage public spaces and address specific health, safety, and maintenance concerns, we should continue looking for ways to reduce unnecessary exposure and strengthen protections for the health and safety of our residents.

[1:21:16] The City of Irvine's comprehensive approach to pesticide management provides a strong model

[1:21:23] and standard for consideration.

[1:21:25] I have had the opportunity to compare Mission Viejo's Integrated Pest Management program

[1:21:30] guidelines with Irvines, and I'd like to have Mission Viejo's guidelines updated to provide

[1:21:37] residents with stronger protections, greater transparency, and clear safeguards regarding

[1:21:42] pesticide use.

[1:21:43] For brevity, below is a high level overview of the requested updates.

[1:21:49] A more comprehensive outline of the requested updates is also attached.

[1:21:54] Codify the city's website guidance that pesticides are not applied in park turf grass,

[1:21:59] athletic fields, playgrounds, or other areas where people, particularly children, recreate.

[1:22:06] Strengthen the organic pesticide requirement by changing whenever fiscally practical and

[1:22:13] Improvement to be the most effective to use organic pesticides first when pesticides are needed.

[1:22:20] Add Water Quality Act, Clean Water Act allowed pesticides as an intermediate tier before EPA level three pesticides.

[1:22:29] Strength and monitoring and record keeping by requiring regular monitoring and monthly records documenting pest activity, treatment options considered, effectiveness and costs.

[1:22:41] Require an annual IPM report to the City Council summarizing pesticide use and related information.

[1:22:48] Add public notice requirements like Irvine's, including advance notice posting after applications and temporary barriers when appropriate.

[1:22:58] Strengthen application documentation and approve requirements, including the pesticide concentration, application rate, reentry time and site specific schedule.

[1:23:08] Required documentation that non-chemical alternatives were considered before pesticide use.

[1:23:15] I'm not asking the city to adopt an organic pesticide policy.

[1:23:20] I'm asking for a stronger, more transparent IPM policy that prioritizes public safety,

[1:23:27] and public health and safety reduces unnecessary pesticide exposure,

[1:23:32] establishes clear safeguards for pesticide use, and gives residents greater visibility into where, when, where, and why pesticides are being used.

[1:23:43] I believe these updates would strengthen public safety, provide greater transparency and accountability, and

[1:23:49] give our residents stronger protections while allowing the city to effectively manage our public spaces.

[1:23:55] Thank you.

[1:23:55] Thank you, and I apologize I did not ask for a public comment before you get that report.

[1:24:01] So do we have public comment on this item, sorry about that?

[1:24:04] We do.

[1:24:05] Okay.

[1:24:06] We received three public comment requests for the specific item.

[1:24:09] The first one is going to be Michael Rothscher.

[1:24:23] Good evening.

[1:24:24] I'm Michael Rothscher.

[1:24:25] A long time mission to be a Hill resident, Madam Mayor of Council members.

[1:24:31] I just want to say that I think the reforms that Council member Vesca says put forth in

[1:24:36] and her resolution are well written,

[1:24:38] straightforward and quite reasonable.

[1:24:40] I listened with interest at the last meeting

[1:24:42] when I think it was the last meeting.

[1:24:44] You know, yeah, they kind of run together after a while.

[1:24:47] I don't know if you guys feel that way.

[1:24:49] I believe it was Mr. Hill, perhaps,

[1:24:52] that gave an overview on our present policies

[1:24:54] and I came away feeling pretty good

[1:24:56] about how we are handling our pesticide use.

[1:25:00] But that doesn't mean that we can't or shouldn't try to do even better. Irvine has said a fine example with their program, and I think anything we can do to emulate that would be to our credit. I think this one's a no-brainer, and I urge you to vote in favor. Thank you.

[1:25:20] Our next speaker is Nicholas Valencia, followed by Bogdan Stalkia.

[1:25:30] Good evening, Madam Mayor, members of the council and dear neighbors.

[1:25:37] You'll have to forgive me. I have a newborn at home and I'm running on caffeine and lack of sleep.

[1:25:46] So have a little something to share with you today.

[1:25:53] I spend a massive amount of time in our city sparks and they're usually the only place where my toddler son can burn enough energy to take an app.

[1:26:05] My family's life revolves around these public spaces, and if you have children or grandchildren

[1:26:10] of your own, probably yours too.

[1:26:15] We usually joke that a little dirt builds the immune system, but the recent news about

[1:26:20] cancer clusters in our neighboring Ladera Ranch change how we look at these public spaces.

[1:26:27] It was a stark reminder that we cannot wait for a tragedy on our own backyard before choosing

[1:26:33] to act. This is exactly why I'm here to fully support Councilwoman Vasquez proposal.

[1:26:41] This proposal is about preventive safety and basic transparency. We shouldn't have to

[1:26:47] play a guessing game or scour a municipal website to know if the fields or kids roll around

[1:26:53] are safe. To our council members, the decision you make tonight

[1:26:58] stands far beyond routine and directly impacts the health of our children and our grandchildren.

[1:27:07] You have the opportunity to shape the legacy of the city,

[1:27:10] choosing proactive protection or reactive regret.

[1:27:16] And to my fellow neighbors, thank you for being here tonight.

[1:27:20] Remember that elections are coming up and our actions do matter. Thank you.

[1:27:46] Thank you for the opportunity to speak here today I've never been to one of these and to be honest I never thought I would maybe in my early 30s I was thinking maybe another decade or two.

[1:27:55] But I'm glad I'm here because I think it's for an important reason so I'm just here to echo the support of the proposal brought forward by council members Cynthia Vasquez.

[1:28:04] like Nikolas before me I have a toddler and an infant at home basically our

[1:28:09] weeks revolve around the parks here in Mission Viejo where they were pushing

[1:28:13] strollers or sitting out on the grass we're spending an enormous amount of time

[1:28:16] at these public spaces they're basically our backyard hearing about the health

[1:28:21] concerns in nearby towns naturally made me pause as a parent of young children we

[1:28:26] know it takes a lot of hard work to maintain our city we're just simply asking for

[1:28:30] a few common-sense changes outlined in the proposal.

[1:28:33] Trying natural maintenance options first,

[1:28:36] guaranteeing playgrounds stay chemical free,

[1:28:38] and just giving folks a heads up when spring does happen.

[1:28:42] These are small tweaks to the rules,

[1:28:44] but for those of us raising kids,

[1:28:46] it really makes the world's difference.

[1:28:50] It's a simple, proactive step to keep our parks safe,

[1:28:53] transparent, and enjoyable for everyone.

[1:28:55] Thank you for listening,

[1:28:56] and thank you for your service, sir, city.

[1:28:57] That

[1:29:02] was the last in-person speaker request and I don't see any on Zoom.

[1:29:06] Thank you very much.

[1:29:09] Okay.

[1:29:10] Colleagues, do you have any questions?

[1:29:12] I would ask staff.

[1:29:14] I know that we had a speaker that came to the last meeting and I had asked for

[1:29:19] anything that could be done in response to what she requested.

[1:29:24] Any updates that you've been able to make as a result of her comments?

[1:29:28] Yes, Madam Mayor, we did hear the comments last week, and as I recall one of her major comments was that she wanted public notification so they can make choices of, you know, if we're applying a pesticide in a given park, maybe they have the opportunity to go to a different park.

[1:29:50] So what we've done is public services staff worked with our IT department and our community relations department.

[1:29:56] And now, and we now have on the,

[1:30:00] The Internet on the public services web page, the ability to go to our IPM program, and you can click on pesticides use, and that will show you what's happening or what will happen in the next couple days, in any given location, at a park that we may be applying pesticides. And Corey, who's our operations manager, I think are we committed to a 48 hour notice?

[1:30:26] Yes, we try to strive for 72 hours depends on when we get the records from our landscape

[1:30:35] contractors, but the goal is 72, but sometimes it will definitely be 48 hours before.

[1:30:40] Thank you.

[1:30:41] Thank you.

[1:30:42] And then we're also we've approved signage, our onsite signage that the landscapers will

[1:30:47] would begin using too. We've approved their verbiage how that's going to read in the field.

[1:30:54] Thank you. And when you say pesticide, I know that in our areas where people recreate,

[1:31:00] when did we put into place the use of organic materials in those areas? Can you give an estimate?

[1:31:07] For the folks that were concerned, I think it would be good for them to know how many years

[1:31:11] ago this older city council approved that.

[1:31:14] We worked, I want to say 2016, I want to say 2016, so a decade ago, we worked with the University of California Cooperative Extension, PhDs at the South Coast Field Station in Irvine to put together our policy or in our guidelines, pesticide, IPM guidelines, and so they did the same thing with the city of Irvine that's the same people helped both of us put our policy together.

[1:31:43] some very scientific-based group folks that I have a whole lot of respect for, always have.

[1:31:51] They were really good to work with.

[1:31:53] So that's how it came about to what it is today.

[1:31:56] And it's always, in the industry standard, you always use the least toxic,

[1:32:01] be it organic or synthetic, organics can be toxic as well.

[1:32:06] And the opposite can be true for synthetics.

[1:32:09] But you always start with the least toxic pesticide or approach and then work your way up as needed.

[1:32:18] We have it, we don't spray any pesticides in the grass areas nor around the playgrounds.

[1:32:26] In the guidelines or Cynthia or councilman, women, best guys you mentioned to codify the guidelines.

[1:32:35] I would just say that they are guidelines for a reason.

[1:32:38] We need a little flexibility as a professional staff, things come up.

[1:32:44] If we need to get in the grass and treat for red imported fire ants, we'll do that.

[1:32:51] But to codify that and just say no pesticides in the turf grass all the time,

[1:32:57] that's just not how a good maintenance program works.

[1:33:00] In my professional opinion, we need a little flexibility.

[1:33:03] Right, and I understand that, but that's not what this agenda item says, I'll give you an example.

[1:33:11] On the city's website, it says, the city does not apply pesticides in park turf graph,

[1:33:17] grass athletic fields, playgrounds, or other areas where people, especially children, recreate.

[1:33:23] But then if you look at the actual guidelines, the language is different.

[1:33:27] So, that's why I'm asking for that to be included and to be rewritten to say something along the lines of use of organic pesticides should be included and considered as the primary source for controlling pests in parks, turf grass areas, sports fields and playgrounds, whenever episcopically practical and proven to be the most effective.

[1:33:49] So, actually, I'm sorry, that is the current language.

[1:33:54] And so, the other one is to change it to use organic pesticides first when pesticides

[1:33:59] are needed.

[1:34:00] So that would then indicate, hey, we're going to try the organics kind first and then

[1:34:06] if we need to use the other one, then we will.

[1:34:09] But right now, the way that it reads is just saying, well, you know, we might use it if

[1:34:16] If it's, you know, fiscally practical, which doesn't sit well, especially with public safety.

[1:34:25] Okay.

[1:34:26] Well, I think it reads fines the way I wrote it and read it.

[1:34:30] But I'll give you an example of fiscal responsible being responsible.

[1:34:35] We have a couple nasty weeds on the front slopes of the civic center right now facing Margaret Parkway.

[1:34:41] It's growing within our broad leaf ground cover.

[1:34:43] There's some nasty nut sedge and bermuda grass in there.

[1:34:49] Organically, we can't, organic herbicides are non selective,

[1:34:54] whatever hits it kills.

[1:34:57] But it also, they don't translocate.

[1:34:59] It's a contact.

[1:35:00] Act, kill. So it only kills what you see above ground, whereas the synthetics have the ability to be selective, depending on the herbicide. So we can go in and spray for a grass in a broadleaf environment, and the grass will be our target kill, whereas it won't harm the plant that we want to save. So that's really important. Otherwise, we'd be out there hand-pulling weeds, which we were last week, and we were not winning the battle. So that was our first choice of an organic approach.

[1:35:29] It's a cultural approach to try to get on top of the weeds, but it's just not being effective.

[1:35:34] Right, and I'm not saying that we can't use pesticides.

[1:35:37] I'm just saying that to add the language where it says that we will use organic pesticides first.

[1:35:43] So, we did that, that didn't work, so then we moved on to something stronger.

[1:35:47] Right.

[1:35:47] So that's what I'm saying.

[1:35:51] Well, how it's worded, I mean, it's literally, is when pesticides are needed, use the following prioritized approach.

[1:35:55] But it, well, it's the first step, and that doesn't work, and you move on to something else.

[1:36:00] Correct.

[1:36:01] Yes.

[1:36:02] That's, well, are we in agreement?

[1:36:05] Well, but the thing is, is that that's not included in the language, in the guidelines right now.

[1:36:11] Well, I kind of think it is, but it's, I'm reading them right now.

[1:36:15] Since when pesticides are needed, use the following prioritization approach.

[1:36:19] Organic pesticides, level three caution.

[1:36:21] EPA-level caution-labeled pesticides, only one deemed necessary to protect public health and economic impact by a licensed pest control advisor.

[1:36:29] That's under the category of park tour grasses, sports fields and playgrounds.

[1:36:34] Right, so right now, I'm just going with the very first part of this, so page one section A, that part where it starts with use of organic pesticides, et cetera.

[1:36:47] That's the language that I'm specifically talking about right now.

[1:36:50] And then as far as the level three, we can move on to that in a moment.

[1:36:57] So the first part is, again, page one, section A, and revising that language so

[1:37:04] that it clearly states that organics will be tried first, when pesticides are needed.

[1:37:12] So instead of the current language.

[1:37:14] I mean, the current language's use of organic pesticides should be included and considered as a primary source of controlling pests.

[1:37:24] In parks, turf grass areas, forest fields, and playgrounds, whenever fiscally practical, and proven to be the most effective.

[1:37:30] Right, and that is the issue is whenever fiscally practical, which gives the public the impression that if it's too expensive, we're not going to use it, and we're going to use something else.

[1:37:43] So that's why I'm making the suggested change that would remove that type of language.

[1:37:51] I understand that, but we do have a budget that we need to operate within.

[1:37:56] Yeah, but we have a lot of money to be spending on other projects.

[1:38:00] And I think that public safety is really important to spend a little bit on this too.

[1:38:06] Well, regardless of whether it's an organic or synthetic, we're going to keep the public in mind.

[1:38:12] and safe was, safety speaking.

[1:38:14] Okay, and I think the one way that we can start

[1:38:16] is by changing, updating this language.

[1:38:21] Okay, I'll take that as your comment.

[1:38:25] Okay.

[1:38:27] Okay, so the next person that I have speaking is Trish Kelly.

[1:38:35] Yes, thank you.

[1:38:36] I have nine grandchildren,

[1:38:38] and we do spend a lot of time in our city parks

[1:38:41] and on our city sports fields and our city facilities.

[1:38:46] So I think everyone is concerned about safety.

[1:38:51] I just had a couple of questions, though, for Mr. Hill.

[1:38:56] Our guidelines are close to the city of Irvine's.

[1:39:03] How are they different?

[1:39:05] What are the differences?

[1:39:11] There's not a whole lot of difference, be honest with you.

[1:39:14] I've read them and reread them.

[1:39:18] I'll offer this in their 2025 annual report, the City of Irvine, which is on their website.

[1:39:29] Some of the excerpts include they have 61 parks in the great park.

[1:39:34] The use of pesticides was necessary to keep up effective pest control in the parks.

[1:39:38] synthetics are used to control weeds.

[1:39:41] So I understand the stigma of Irvine being organic,

[1:39:46] but Irvine also recognizes that, you know what,

[1:39:49] sometimes we need another tool in the toolbox.

[1:39:51] So they're not entirely organic.

[1:39:52] I just want to make that clear.

[1:39:56] Okay, I'm just, she's using...

[1:40:00] Irvine is the example that we want to, that we want to follow. So I was just curious about exactly what the differences are there.

[1:40:13] I had a couple of other questions. What do, let's see, you answered one. How long we've had at pesticide policy and it looks like it's been about 10 years or so. That's correct.

[1:40:27] Yes, ma'am.

[1:40:29] Okay, the contractors and city employees are those who applied the pesticides and evaluate

[1:40:39] are they trained?

[1:40:42] Yes, yes to answer your question.

[1:40:45] Before a pesticide is applied to any city property or any government property, you have

[1:40:51] We have to have a licensed pest control advisor, right?

[1:40:56] Some people refer to as a prescription to address a specific problem.

[1:41:02] Okay, so you're going after you have a weed problem.

[1:41:05] So you're going to have to have a trained individual, licensed individual,

[1:41:09] write you a recommendation on how to solve it.

[1:41:12] And then that comes to the public agency.

[1:41:15] We look at it and approve it or not.

[1:41:16] And then what happens after that, then the contractor gets the go ahead to apply and he has to have licensed pest control applicators oversee the application of the pesticide use.

[1:41:33] So there's quite a process and on top of that, there's a slew of reporting involved.

[1:41:38] We get monthly reports from our contractors of every chemical used in the city turned in with their invoices.

[1:41:47] They're also required to report it to the department of pesticide regulations.

[1:41:52] Everything they apply through their company wide, and we also supply an annual report to for

[1:41:58] the NPEDS permit that we have through the county of all the pesticides applied on city properties.

[1:42:11] So, part of the training that the contractors go through, does that involve looking at what alternatives we might have or is that something that you look at what alternatives that we have and how are those decisions made?

[1:42:28] Yes, and those decisions are made both by staff and the contractors.

[1:42:33] The contractors will give recommendations to city staff and city staff knowing the individual locations.

[1:42:42] And we may evaluate a park, it's more closely analyzed than a median along the roadway would be.

[1:42:50] Because it's two different obviously landscape purposes, parks get prioritized because that's where people recreate.

[1:42:57] So, we take extra caution to one, see if it's, do we really need to apply anything?

[1:43:03] Or are we happy with, you know, a certain, you know, degree of population of weeds or

[1:43:09] I think weeds that can be taken care of via mechanical means over time or whatever.

[1:43:15] Is it an emergency?

[1:43:16] Probably not.

[1:43:17] So, those are the type of priorities that we think about.

[1:43:21] Okay, I think you mentioned also that some of the organic products are actually detrimental.

[1:43:29] Some of them can be the vinegar products and some of the citrus products depending on

[1:43:34] the label.

[1:43:35] It's mainly for the applicator because he's dealing with the concentrated form, but by

[1:43:40] the time it hits the field, it's not such a severe worry, but yes, some of them can be more

[1:43:48] more caustic than the synthetics.

[1:43:51] Okay.

[1:43:52] Now, providing the information live on the website as you've been doing, are we, do you know if we're getting a lot of hits on that?

[1:44:00] Has there been a lot of interest?

[1:44:02] I think we just put it out today, Cory, is that?

[1:44:04] Yeah.

[1:44:05] It just came live today, so.

[1:44:07] Okay.

[1:44:08] That's great that that information is available.

[1:44:11] I guess I'm having trouble seeing what the difference is.

[1:44:18] here, what this would actually do that's different than what we are already doing.

[1:44:26] Well, let me just jump in there, Trish, because on, if you look at, let me double check,

[1:44:31] let me just make sure Trish is done.

[1:44:32] Yeah, this is going to be helpful.

[1:44:34] Okay.

[1:44:34] Yeah.

[1:44:35] You all set, Trish?

[1:44:36] Okay.

[1:44:37] Okay.

[1:44:37] Thank you.

[1:44:38] So, if you look at page three and four of the agenda item, you'll see that it actually

[1:44:45] fleshes out the requested updates and these updates that I'm proposing were all, every

[1:44:52] single one was pulled from what the city of Irvine is currently doing.

[1:44:57] So, it's just filling in some of the...

[1:45:00] The gaps are guidelines. That's all it's doing. Not more, just it puts us on par with what Irvine is doing. So all of these requested updates are the things that are not included in our program right now, or they're just slight tweaks to the guidelines to make it more essentially the same as what Irvine offers.

[1:45:27] Okay, I'm going to just kick back to Mr. Hill of then, and how do you see these as different than what we do?

[1:45:40] Well, on page three, as you mentioned, Councilwoman Vasquez, so you're recommending taking out the Fisk or the financial end of that? Is that what you're doing there?

[1:45:53] Let's see, which were you looking?

[1:45:55] Well you guided me to page I think three of your right so page three so if we're starting from the top so

[1:46:03] Let's see the first one was to just get

[1:46:07] Clarification there so codify the city is existing website guidance regard regarding recreational areas add language stating

[1:46:15] The city does not apply pesticides in parks turf grass athletic fields playgrounds or other areas where people especially children

[1:46:22] and recreate this should be incorporated directly into the adopted guidelines rather than appearing only on the city's website and that would strengthen the organic pesticide requirement and revising the language on page one section A from use of organic pesticide should be included and considered as the primary source for controlling pests in parks, turf grass areas, sports fields and playgrounds whenever fiscally practical and proven to be the most effective to use organic pest

[1:46:52] pesticides first when pesticides are needed, this removes the qualifiers whenever

[1:46:56] fiscally practical and proven to be most effective, which gives the city

[1:47:00] broad discretion to move away from organic pesticides. The policy should

[1:47:04] establish a clear health and safety first preference for organic pesticides, so

[1:47:09] that's the first one. And that was just something that, honestly, when I was

[1:47:13] looking at the website and I was looking at our policy and I saw that's what

[1:47:20] So that actually is one of the first things that caught my eye was that this, the website

[1:47:24] says, hey, we don't use this stuff, but then in the policy it says something different.

[1:47:29] So I just want to reconcile that and just make that clear as far as where we stand.

[1:47:38] And the rest of this, these updates are directly related to the, what Irvine currently provides

[1:47:46] in their IPM program guidelines.

[1:47:49] I'm on the comment there is, like I said, I think staff needs some flexibility.

[1:47:54] Yes, in our guidelines, it gives this wiggle room to use whatever, you know,

[1:48:00] responsibly we determine necessary. And as you stayed on the website, yes,

[1:48:04] currently we don't use any pesticides in the grass areas or the athletic fields or

[1:48:08] the pick or playground areas. That's what it says. I totally agree with you.

[1:48:13] But three months from now, something may happen and we may need to adjust that.

[1:48:18] And the guidelines give us the flexibility to do that.

[1:48:22] Yeah, but this does also this does too.

[1:48:25] I mean, it's not again, it's not saying, hey,

[1:48:27] we're only going to be using organic.

[1:48:30] It just means that's the first line of defense.

[1:48:33] And again, the first line of defense doesn't work.

[1:48:35] You move on to something stronger.

[1:48:36] That's what it's saying.

[1:48:38] That's what I'm asking for.

[1:48:40] And again, everything else, all of these other updates

[1:48:44] are directly from what Irvine is doing right now that we are not currently providing.

[1:48:51] Right. Okay, let's also hard to do this on the fly.

[1:48:56] Okay, well then how about this?

[1:48:59] How about this?

[1:48:59] If can we have staff come back with a red line modification to our policies based on input from

[1:49:07] this and based on what is going to be practicable for staff at our next meeting or as much time

[1:49:18] as you need.

[1:49:19] Yeah, that would be helpful.

[1:49:22] I would appreciate that.

[1:49:23] So how much time are we talking here?

[1:49:27] I think we can get back at the next meeting, yes.

[1:49:30] If not, they'll be in communication with us, but I would think it could come back by the

[1:49:35] next meeting.

[1:49:38] Yeah, I mean, honestly, I just, you know, again, this is, I think we all know that I'm very well researched, and that's why this all came from Irvine.

[1:49:49] So again, it's just that I'm just saying that it's, you know, I appreciate having the information on the website. I think that's a great start.

[1:49:59] But

[1:50:00] But, you know, there's definitely other things that we need to shore up. And it just, you know, I know that this is, this is, we agree. It's more work. And I get that and I totally appreciate that. But this is just, it's a matter of public safety. I mean, you know, actually, it's funny. It's like, both of my kids, even the older one, older one, it still likes to go to the park.

[1:50:28] So I, you know, I get where they're coming from, I mean, it's just one of those things that, you know, let's try and prevent things before, you know, something could potentially happen.

[1:50:40] Okay. Well, I think 10 years ago, that's exactly what we did. And I agree with improving it so that it's perfectly clear and transparent.

[1:50:48] And I would ask that staff come back with a red line version of our policy so that we can not do it on the fly.

[1:50:57] Yeah, that's that's fine, okay, and I would like that these changes be incorporated into that document as well.

[1:51:06] Staff will look at what you're what you're proposing and then we'll come back with what staff would propose.

[1:51:12] Okay, okay, so we're going to table this until the next meeting.

[1:51:15] I wasn't quite through Madam here.

[1:51:17] Okay, I'm sorry.

[1:51:18] I didn't see your name up there.

[1:51:20] Yes, I had one more point that I had wanted to make.

[1:51:24] So let me just revisit back to that.

[1:51:27] Okay.

[1:51:27] I think that I like the idea of having the staff take a look at this and see what kind of red line improvements they might be able to make.

[1:51:39] But I want to be very careful that in whatever our policy is that we don't tie the hands of the staff.

[1:51:47] Our staff members are dads and

[1:51:52] grandpas and they're very concerned about safety as well.

[1:51:57] The example that Mr. Hill gave was if there is an outbreak of red fire ants,

[1:52:06] that's a danger to our children and may need to be addressed immediately and

[1:52:14] And they need staff to use their discretion on how to handle the red fire ants.

[1:52:22] So I just want to be careful that we don't tie the hands of the staff, and that we're not adding an extra layer of government on our process.

[1:52:38] Thank you.

[1:52:38] Okay.

[1:52:42] Last comment.

[1:52:43] Yes.

[1:52:44] I'll remember Vesca's then Councilmember Rich.

[1:52:46] Yeah, and I mean, Church, I agree with you.

[1:52:50] But as far as, you know, we're not, as far as adding another level of government, we're

[1:52:57] not asking for things like flock cameras, we're asking for just stronger protections for our

[1:53:03] residents, including children who are within proximity closer to the ground, right?

[1:53:10] which puts them closer to these pesticides.

[1:53:14] So it's just, you know, it's helpful for everyone,

[1:53:17] helpful for your pets.

[1:53:18] I mean, we all benefit from something like this.

[1:53:22] And I know, again, I know that it's, you know,

[1:53:25] can be considered a hassle, but it's definitely worthwhile

[1:53:29] because we need to think about our future generations

[1:53:32] and how they are, you know, a part of this community

[1:53:37] and we want to continue to see it thrive.

[1:53:42] Thanks.

[1:53:44] Councilmember Rich.

[1:53:47] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[1:53:49] Mr. Hill, do we use Vector for fire ants,

[1:53:53] or do we take care of that ourselves?

[1:53:55] Vector does most of the fire ants, yeah.

[1:53:56] That's what I thought.

[1:53:57] Thank you.

[1:53:58] It didn't used to be that way, way back then,

[1:54:00] but now they do.

[1:54:01] Nowadays.

[1:54:03] Okay, so from a process standpoint,

[1:54:05] do we need to go ahead and table this in a motion?

[1:54:08] I recommend to motion be made to direct staff as stated on the record and the staff will come back at the next meeting with the provisions.

[1:54:18] Great, and I'll make that motion.

[1:54:20] Okay, I'll second.

[1:54:23] All in favor, go ahead and cast your votes.

[1:54:29] Okay, that's unanimous.

[1:54:30] Thank you very much and just a reminder.

[1:54:33] We have safe playgrounds and recreation spaces as they're being cared for right now.

[1:54:39] so I don't want to have anybody have fear over our current process bottom line.

[1:54:46] And we will make it even better as far as notices go and that are on the website as well as on in our policy.

[1:54:53] So thank you.

[1:54:56] Okay, next we have Mayor Pro-Tum, Goodell.

[1:55:00] I'll go ahead and ask for public comments. Do we have any? We do. We have four requests to speak on this item. The first one is Tom Moore, followed by Caroline Gatto.

[1:55:25] Yeah, Tom Moore, Mission Viejo, for 54 years.

[1:55:31] Yeah, one of the things that I want to avoid. I mean, I can see, I've had conversations with people up here before on this. I can see something a lot more enhanced.

[1:55:41] and what's being proposed, I mean, much more enhanced.

[1:55:48] But my problem is, here we go again on the Village Center Plan, right?

[1:55:54] The Louis adventure, we're going to make this thing fantastic and great,

[1:55:58] but it doesn't involve any of the residential properties.

[1:56:03] So now we're proposing to take essentially parking lot

[1:56:10] all this stuff for the country club and the annadories in the Margaret Rex Center.

[1:56:16] And it's up, up away from downtown area, but it's still part of, I guess, the vision plan for also Creek.

[1:56:23] I can't support this now.

[1:56:27] I can support it when I see something down the road that incorporates and

[1:56:33] It integrates everything from also Parkway up to Alicia Parkway and everything east of Marguerite Parkway and up to an including the also pre-Gripparian area.

[1:56:46] I have no idea what the city plans for all this and I think the residential property owners deserve some kind of an understanding with the city of what's being proposed.

[1:56:57] What does this area look like in 20 years?

[1:56:59] Who knows, we keep on jumping from whatever this is across the street to the

[1:57:05] next. And I do support this, and ads have been around, I moved here in 74, they were here, right?

[1:57:11] They were here long before that too.

[1:57:13] And I support that, they've been long term good for the community.

[1:57:19] But I can't support this the way it's presented.

[1:57:23] And I read Mike's licensure comments, I listen to Kathy Palmer's comments,

[1:57:31] And I have to, I have to support what they're saying.

[1:57:35] We're not, we're not there yet, you know?

[1:57:38] I think these are all good things, but I don't see anything other than this city jumping from project to project to project and no support in the long run.

[1:57:49] I don't see a 20 year plan.

[1:57:51] I have never seen anything from the city that says this is what we're proposing for this area in 20 years over the course of the lifetime.

[1:58:00] in this area. And I would jump to the other side of Marguerite Parkway, include the Ridge from

[1:58:05] Toronto down to Oslo Creek, Colonglipaws, and over the Paws. That is what is the city of

[1:58:12] Mission Viejo. That is the business community. All the stuff down at the south end, you know,

[1:58:19] there's all that down there. But this is the community right here. This is where it happens.

[1:58:24] And, you know, I'll leave it at that.

[1:58:28] Thank you.

[1:58:30] Carolyn Gatto, followed by Michael Rocher.

[1:58:38] My name is Carolyn Gatto, and I live in Mission B.A.O.

[1:58:44] Economic development was included on the specific list of city priorities on the year-end close-out,

[1:58:51] 2024, 2025 budget, and mentioned at the council meeting last May 26th.

[1:58:57] While development of a four to six year vision plan for the Oso Creek golf facilities could be expected to by some to lead to economic development.

[1:59:07] I believe the council's time energy and priorities are misplaced.

[1:59:13] Instead of spending taxpayers money on a public private partnership feasibility study that's for a facility that only rich people will be able to afford to use.

[1:59:23] and that was proposed by a council member who was terming out, I suggest you get back

[1:59:29] to basics and figure out what to do with the pathetic looking shopping area in the center

[1:59:34] of town. The core area vision plan rather than the Oso Creek vision plan deserves the council's

[1:59:41] immediate attention because it will be used by far more residents and visitors than a golf course,

[1:59:47] clubhouse or banquet space ever will.

[1:59:51] While I appreciate the efforts the council is making to prevent mission V.A.O. from meeting

[1:59:55] the unfortunate fiscal fate of some other Orange County cities.

[2:00:00] By anticipating revenue reductions and making changes to balance the budget, I failed to understand why creating a fancier playground for the city's most affluent residents could be considered a priority. Any feasibility study and further discussion of the OSO create golf and banquet facilities for rich people should be tabled until realistic solutions for mission VA hosts core area have been developed and implemented for the rest of us. Thank you.

[2:00:35] Michael Rocher, followed by Jill Shindler.

[2:00:40] Hello, Michael Rocher.

[2:00:43] As I think about the improvements the council is considering making to the golf course,

[2:00:47] it occurs to me that these upgrades will primarily benefit the well to do.

[2:00:52] Now don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with that.

[2:00:55] But I can't help but wonder, given the budget cuts that have been implemented in various

[2:00:59] departments, is this really a good time?

[2:01:01] We have other projects that are being delayed that could benefit more residents.

[2:01:07] And given that many families are struggling right now, might that money be better spent on programs that could help those members of our community.

[2:01:14] I would recommend that we take a step back and consider all of our options.

[2:01:19] Let's not be too quick to implement a good idea at the wrong time.

[2:01:24] Thank you.

[2:01:30] Thank you.

[2:01:31] Jill Schindler.

[2:01:33] The second time.

[2:01:34] Thank you.

[2:01:35] Jill Schindler.

[2:01:36] Mission via resident.

[2:01:37] I want to just echo what are my fellow residents have said.

[2:01:41] You know, this board has done a really good job of maintaining physical responsibility.

[2:01:46] You've worked really hard, but you had to make some unfortunate cuts.

[2:01:50] You made cuts to seniors.

[2:01:52] You deferred maintenance for parks and then to turn around and say to our families, you

[2:01:57] know, your park is not going to get an upgrade.

[2:01:59] But we got some money for the golf course, your seniors, your grandma, you know, she's going to have fewer rides to her doctor's appointment.

[2:02:08] But we got money to check on a private partnership.

[2:02:11] I'm having a hard time stomaching cuts to our vulnerable groups while we're supporting money for public private partnerships and improving core vision plans.

[2:02:26] Again, at going earlier comments while I look across the street at a sign mark building that's been sitting empty for a long time.

[2:02:34] Thank you.

[2:02:38] That was our last request to speak and I don't see any on zoom.

[2:02:42] Thank you.

[2:02:44] Okay, Mayor Pro Temke-Dell, would you like to present your topic?

[2:02:49] Yes.

[2:02:50] Thank you.

[2:02:52] Okay, I've got a PowerPoint and we'll just put up the first slide.

[2:02:56] Before I go into the slides, the other slides, which will go through really quickly.

[2:03:03] I do want to go back to the November 9th to 2021 council meeting and the agenda report for

[2:03:14] the vision plan that was created over the course of time from 2019 to 2021.

[2:03:22] That was a previous council to this council that did that.

[2:03:26] We created a two to six-year plan that we voted on at that time, and I'm just going to paraphrase some of this.

[2:03:37] I don't want to go into all the detail just for brevity sake, but I'll try to hit the important points.

[2:03:46] So the 18-hole par-60 executive course was built in 1970 and includes a 5,400-square-foot clubhouse.

[2:03:54] facility with a large covered outdoor terrace.

[2:03:59] As stated by the City Council, the purpose for purchasing the property was to preserve

[2:04:03] both the golf course and public space areas and control future development of the facility

[2:04:10] in a manner that enhances the golf course facility, best serves the city's residents and

[2:04:16] establishes a more sustainable operation, both environmentally and economically, well into

[2:04:22] the future. Shortly after purchasing the course, the city began making improvements to the

[2:04:27] course and upgrades at the clubhouse, including hiring a new chef and revamping the restaurant

[2:04:33] and the terrace on the green and all the improvements to date have been funded with golf course revenues.

[2:04:38] And it's been very successful by the way that's my personal ad. In the spring of 2020,

[2:04:43] as directed by the city council, the city issued a request for proposals to qualify consultants to

[2:04:49] to assist the city in preparing a vision plan for the Oso Creek Golf Course and related public space.

[2:04:55] 10 proposals were received and after multiple interviews, MR Profund was-

[2:05:03] The primary purpose for the vision plan was to explore future use and operation of the site, including potential complimentary uses such as hospitality or other recreational uses that would serve to enhance and sustain the existing golf course facility. In addition to the golf course, the visioning effort includes potential future use of approximately five of an approximately five acre, undeveloped city on site, located

[2:05:29] west of the 35-acre open space parcel and southeast of existing city on

[2:05:35] Margarit Recreation Center as well as the future concepts at the Recreation

[2:05:39] Center itself. By the way, that five-acre piece is the piece that we are currently

[2:05:44] working on to develop a new parking lot for the aquatic center and the YMCA and

[2:05:51] the tennis center. The vision plan process, the critical first step of the

[2:05:56] The vision plan process was a comprehensive community outreach effort to fully understand

[2:06:01] the needs and desires of the city's residents.

[2:06:05] This began with a community-wide telephone survey conducted by True North Research in

[2:06:12] June and July of 2020 that showed strong resident support for creating new trails, preserving

[2:06:18] open space, enlarging the existing clubhouse, and creating space for recreational activities

[2:06:25] such as pickleball or bachiball. The survey also showed support for complimentary revenue generating

[2:06:33] uses such as banquet facilities and an upscale restaurant as part of the clubhouse expansion.

[2:06:41] Now, I remind you all at this time in July of 2020, what was happening in the world, COVID, right?

[2:06:49] right? So we did a survey out to all our residents and it was the most popular and

[2:06:57] responded to telephone survey in history of Mission Viejo because everyone was stuck

[2:07:04] at home and they were happy someone called them to talk to them about what they wanted in

[2:07:07] our city. Just that's a little side for me. Okay. In November of 2020, M.R. profan consultant

[2:07:16] and team led several stakeholder listening sessions, including online meetings with surrounding residential neighborhood representatives and user groups of both the golf course and the Marguerite Recreation Center facilities and on March 11th 2021 prior to consultant preparation of the draft vision plan, the city conducted an advertised online public workshop attended by 125 members of the public a second online public workshop was advertised and held on July 27th of 2021 to share with the residents.

[2:07:45] the concepts proposed in the draft vision plan.

[2:07:48] The second workshop was attended by 86 people.

[2:07:53] Based on the public input received during the city's extensive outreach,

[2:07:58] the consultant prepared both short-term action items and

[2:08:01] longer-term concepts for future consideration.

[2:08:04] The short-term improvements are grouped into two phases, two to four years and four to six years.

[2:08:09] To coincide with the city's two-year budget process and ensure adequate funding is identified for

[2:08:14] the priority golf course projects. The long-term concepts presented in the draft vision plan

[2:08:20] are offered as food for thought ideas for the community to consider beyond the short-term

[2:08:25] six-year timeframe.

[2:08:34] I'm going to go now to the minutes of that meeting. Just a couple of points

[2:08:40] from the minutes of that meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Bucknam made a motion to receive and file

[2:08:47] the report to adopt the two to four year plan and continue to look at the four to six year plan.

[2:08:52] She has in support of the parking and modifications on Casa del Sol, which she shall leave to capable

[2:08:58] hands of staff and engineers to work out and potentially paying for that through development.

[2:09:02] However, she's not supporting moving forward with the remainder of the vision plan.

[2:09:06] And I remind you, if you don't remember, and you weren't part of it, the remainder of the vision plan beyond six years had all kinds of things in it that people were kind of a little bit put off by.

[2:09:17] Okay, some things might have been, I don't know, a lot of things, a lot of things, okay.

[2:09:24] Then it said Mayor Kelly asked to clarify the recommended action and

[2:09:28] reiterated that the motion is to receive the file report, but

[2:09:32] only the part of the report that goes up to six years and

[2:09:34] approve the near term two to four year plan and four to six year plan.

[2:09:38] Council Member Gidele says he's in sport of motion, blah, blah, blah.

[2:09:43] Okay, then Mayor Buckton reiterated her motion, two to four year plan, plus we'll keep looking at that four to six year plan, the options, but not moving forward, pass anything beyond six years.

[2:09:55] After further discussion, Sachs joined in, and anyhow,

[2:10:00] It turned out that the motion carried four to one. I was the no vote because I didn't believe in bifurcating the plan. I thought we should accept the plan or not accept the plan. But, yeah, that was my opinion at the time. Just so, you know, okay. So now, tonight we have before us, we are in year six, since we created the plan and adopted the plan. And the four to six years is slipping away.

[2:10:31] Okay, and that's why I'm pushing for this to be considered tonight.

[2:10:37] Before I leave this council, I would like to see us complete what we started and not let it slip away.

[2:10:44] So, the recommended action tonight is to one adopt resolution, 2646, directing staff to advance the Osso Creek Vision Plan into the four to six year phase.

[2:10:55] and to initiate a public-private partnership feasibility process.

[2:11:01] Two, initiate a public-private partnership feasibility study.

[2:11:07] For a new golf course clubhouse, banquet event venue, food and beverage operations, potential for hospitality,

[2:11:16] potential for hospitality, and additional parking that may be required.

[2:11:20] And three, return to council within 60 days with a feasibility report, fiscal analysis, procurement strategy, and draft PPP terms sheet.

[2:11:31] PPP is public private partnership.

[2:11:34] Okay, so that is the action item.

[2:11:36] So here we have our strategic roadmap, detain the purpose.

[2:11:41] If we go to page two,

[2:11:46] these are the objective to now is obtain the council approval to move forward with the feasibility study.

[2:11:51] to pursue PPP and expand the Oso Creek Offcourse Clubhouse.

[2:11:56] As I just said, with enhanced food and beverage services, expand parking

[2:12:00] percent to Oso Creek Offcourse, and the public space vision plan.

[2:12:04] Specifically, year four to six improvements, as recommended by the Council in 2021.

[2:12:11] Challenges, budget, enter into exclusive negotiation agreement with the qualified developer following an RFQ RFP process.

[2:12:19] who will, they will, invest their capital to fund the feasibility studies.

[2:12:26] Similar to site three, the true mark, exclusive negotiation agreement we entered into earlier this year for the affordable housing site, site three.

[2:12:34] And the current mark negotiations where we are negotiating an exclusive negotiation agreement with a developer for that site.

[2:12:42] Just following the same plan, same format.

[2:12:45] Other challenge, surplus land deck.

[2:12:49] Our city attorney has examined this and worked on it with the state and found that it's not required to go through the surplus land act if we don't change the uses on the site if we're just updating and enhancing and intensifying the uses, there's no surplus land act implications if we do change the use and we add hospitality, which means a hotel, then all bets are off we may have to go through that surplus land act process, but that doesn't mean it kills the project.

[2:13:18] Okay, next page please.

[2:13:22] Previous concerns raised at our last meeting on May 12th, 2026.

[2:13:28] The priorities that we established during our April 9th, 2024 Council workshop on the budget.

[2:13:34] Group one projects included site three with an exclusive negotiating agreement entered with true mark homes to develop partial affordable homes development.

[2:13:43] The builder has terminated that process.

[2:13:46] Due to project infeasibility, because of site work costs, environmental and market factors.

[2:13:55] That one's dead.

[2:13:57] Number two, numbering system didn't come out quite right on this, it's changed.

[2:14:02] Annual park playground rehabilitation, that is ongoing, we're currently doing Barbidane's park.

[2:14:08] Three, Sierra Rec Center rehabilitation, started today underway, okay?

[2:14:15] Okay? Number four, number three up there on the board, North Oso Creek Trail Bike Pedestrian Trailhead.

[2:14:24] That is ongoing.

[2:14:25] We have designed it and we're awaiting the grant funding that has been committed but not received yet, correct?

[2:14:34] Okay, so that's going forward.

[2:14:38] Cordillera School Site Project, Saddleback Valley Unified School District is still using the site.

[2:14:44] It's a dead deal for now as far as the city's concerned. It's their property and they're using it

[2:14:50] Six Le Manscha playground project. I put dead deal for now

[2:14:54] I don't know if there's anything happening. I don't think there's anything happening with Le Manscha right now correct, okay

[2:15:00] The legislature is not moving forward. Group two projects. We're a Los Osos project. We know that we decided that what we had planned there is infeasible. Plus, we have a lawsuit that's really limiting our ability to move forward. And we have an RFQ and exclusive negotiating agreement negotiations with the developer to buy the mark.

[2:15:24] So that's going forward in that capacity. The performing arts center determined to be infeasible due to cost.

[2:15:31] The golf course parking structure stand alone.

[2:15:35] That died but is included in this particular project potentially.

[2:15:41] And then there were a couple other projects.

[2:15:43] Lower Curtis pad project.

[2:15:44] We already talked about that tonight.

[2:15:46] Currently on hold due to groundwater problems and ground movement.

[2:15:50] And then the consequential things that have happened because of that.

[2:15:55] and then the America 250 parade was on the list and that is done and it was a

[2:16:00] raging success okay so that's where we are with those priorities next slide

[2:16:08] please okay the operational gap community demand when we did all our surveys

[2:16:18] and our community meetings upscale dining and food and beverage offerings were

[2:16:22] in high demand by the public.

[2:16:26] Dedicated banquet facilities for large scale private and civic events were also under high demand.

[2:16:33] And expand our recreational spaces, including pickle ball courts and trail extensions.

[2:16:39] So those are things that this project would help facilitate.

[2:16:44] Next page please.

[2:16:47] The six year phasing strategy requires a shift in funding.

[2:16:51] We did years two to four near term enhancements using money out of our out of the golf operations for the most part

[2:17:00] by operational

[2:17:01] cash flow

[2:17:03] Four to six grant have to think differently. We're moving forward on with third-party capital is going to be required

[2:17:10] That's why a PPP is important. The city maintains ownership. We bring in a partner. They spend the money. They do the studies

[2:17:18] they present them to us. We approve them. We create a partnership deal going forward and

[2:17:24] we split the revenues coming out of it under some formula that is yet to be determined.

[2:17:30] So that's how this works. Next page please. Okay, key development zones. This was something from

[2:17:38] way back in 2021. This doesn't necessarily hold true anymore, but I just put this in to show you

[2:17:43] that this is the site where the clubhouse is currently located at Osso Creek with the parking lot

[2:17:51] and it would include a number of things that would still need to be determined through this process

[2:17:57] and negotiations. Next slide please. And why a public private partnership? Again, the city brings our

[2:18:07] prime municipal land. We have long-term civic vision. We have entitlement control over the property

[2:18:12] community and we have community trust, hopefully.

[2:18:15] And then the private partner brings substantial capital investment, commercial operational

[2:18:21] expertise, and assumption of financial and construction risk.

[2:18:28] So everyone who's worried about a spending money taken away from other people, need to realize

[2:18:33] that our partner brings the money.

[2:18:35] This is how we leverage an asset that we have in the community to get something more than we

[2:18:42] we have now and still have a sustainable future with a property that we own in perpetuity and protect for the future generations.

[2:18:52] Next slide please.

[2:18:55] And I think this one was supposed to come out, so let's just go to the next one, because that one's just a little too complicated.

[2:19:02] And then, and here's sort of the pathway, we come up with a scope, economic development committee works with staff to come up with the RFQ RFP.

[2:19:13] We go out to the RFQFIP and then we decide who's the best partner to team up with and execute a 90-day exclusive negotiating agreement with the selected finalists to move into the planning phase and then come up with a disposition and development agreement for the 3-P or PPP project going forward.

[2:19:38] I see this happening sometime in the first quarter of next year with the new council.

[2:19:45] So we're not locking them into anything.

[2:19:47] They will be in complete charge of this process going forward.

[2:19:50] We're just tan it up, a big victory for the next council to come in the way I see it.

[2:19:57] And I don't know that we really need to look at this.

[2:20:00] We won't get any more of these slides. They're just more about the PPP process. I guess we'll go to the last one. And we'll talk about the Mission Viejo legacy. There's two more to go ahead of.

[2:20:11] One more. Here we go. A properly executed public-private partnership will transform Oso Creek into a premier destination by adhering to a transparent, legally sound procurement process. Mission Viejo will deliver the world-class amenities,

[2:20:28] the community demands and deserves without compromising the city's financial future.

[2:20:38] Is there a presentation?

[2:20:46] Okay. Any comments?

[2:20:49] Staff, do you have anything to add to this?

[2:20:52] Madam Mayor, I have some brief comment on the surplus lands act discussion if that would

[2:20:56] be helpful for the city council.

[2:20:58] Please.

[2:20:59] Sure, thank you.

[2:21:00] We had two separate meetings with HCD that is a city manager of Lister,

[2:21:07] our community services director, Logan Ecker, and myself with HCD staff.

[2:21:13] We submitted a question to them in writing, posing in essence what is being planned.

[2:21:20] The council member, Goodell, discussed, they got back to it.

[2:21:25] They called on a second meeting, after their first meeting put in writing,

[2:21:30] they opined that as proposed, not including the hotel,

[2:21:36] most proposed the expansion and rehabilitation of the clubhouse improvement restaurant facilities,

[2:21:44] potential expansion or enlargement of parking opportunities, including a parking structure,

[2:21:50] there would be exempt under the surplus land

[2:21:53] act under the mixed-use exemption.

[2:21:56] However, they were unequivocal in that any type of hotel

[2:22:01] use anything other than a temporary event,

[2:22:05] one day of that, two day of that, would be subject

[2:22:07] to surplus land act provided that the lease for the underlying

[2:22:11] property is over 15 years, which this type of lease

[2:22:14] probably certainly would be, they have not, however, provided us that opinion and writing.

[2:22:23] So this is an oral opinion given to us by HCD staff.

[2:22:26] So it is not in writing, so take that for what it is worth.

[2:22:31] But that is the sum and subsistence of our conversations with HCD.

[2:22:37] Okay.

[2:22:41] I'm happy to answer any questions.

[2:22:42] I may have some comments at the end, but nothing, no.

[2:22:45] Okay.

[2:22:46] Thank you.

[2:22:46] I have a question on what you showed on the screen, Brian, and what your recommendation is which is to initiate a public private partnership study and initiate a feasibility process.

[2:23:02] Are you saying none of that is going to have a cost associated with it?

[2:23:07] No, I'm not saying that.

[2:23:09] I think there would be some staff time, clearly there would be some legal time with the city attorney to do that process to prepare it, but the rest of it would be a burden on the partner as a way I see it going forward any kind of planning or.

[2:23:27] But if we're doing a feasibility study, we don't want the people that are going to do the.

[2:23:33] It's a feasibility study on doing a PPP.

[2:23:36] It's not undoing the whole project.

[2:23:38] Okay, we're not going to design it and cost it and then go find a partner to do it.

[2:23:43] That's not the way I see it.

[2:23:44] I see us doing a, just as we did with TrueMark where we did an RFQ and they responded,

[2:23:51] they were selected and then they went in and they did their own feasibility studies.

[2:23:55] same thing with what's happening now with the mark, with our potential partner there on an ENA going forward.

[2:24:04] They're sending their money.

[2:24:05] Okay, so just to have the capacity to generate this RFQ.

[2:24:12] We would probably need some help with that similar to what we did with the mark building.

[2:24:19] Oh, okay.

[2:24:20] I mean I have a little bit of a different idea with process, but I think there's different ways to do it.

[2:24:26] But we would need some help, I think, making sure we go out to the right people.

[2:24:33] I don't know who all potential developers would be, so we would definitely want some assistance

[2:24:38] with that.

[2:24:39] Similar to what we did with the March RFQ.

[2:24:43] Okay.

[2:24:44] Thank you.

[2:24:45] Okay.

[2:24:46] It looks like Council Member Vesquez.

[2:24:49] Great.

[2:24:50] All right.

[2:24:50] So I think the plan is, it's a really great idea, right?

[2:24:55] But my concern is that we are living beyond our means.

[2:25:00] And as a city, in its retirement years, we need to plan for the long term and spend, save, and invest wisely. If, for example, if we're struggling to pay utility bills, reducing our reserves, cutting department budgets, and spending $6 million on parking lot, without a quantifiable need, or an established plan for how it will operate, how can we justify spending more taxpayer dollars to study a public-private partnership for a new golf course clubhouse,

[2:25:29] the banquet, event venue, food and beverage operations, possible hospitality uses and additional

[2:25:35] parking. So here's what I'm thinking, is that before we take on any more major projects,

[2:25:42] I think that we need to take a step back and look at the big picture. And first and foremost,

[2:25:49] resolve the now defunct core area vision plan before we jump into another vision plan. And

[2:25:56] And I appreciate that this vision plan wouldn't be designed first and then peddled around

[2:26:04] to potential developers.

[2:26:06] So that's a great thing, but I think that the timing isn't right.

[2:26:14] Like I said, we've already made cuts department-wide, we're already spending a lot of money on

[2:26:24] this other big project. I mean it's you know I think that and I appreciate that you know it's

[2:26:32] coming up on year six and you want to see this through and I totally get that. But again

[2:26:39] sometimes it's we have to think about is this a need or is it a want? And sometimes you know even

[2:26:46] though you have this thing on your checklist sometimes we're not going to be able to check that box

[2:26:51] and the other concern I have is that the little thing called scope creak, scope creak creak, I can't even talk.

[2:27:00] That you jard out with this project and then you start adding things to it like a hotel, like a parking structure, like a, you know, I don't know,

[2:27:10] like additional bathrooms or pickleball courts or whatever it is and it just keeps going.

[2:27:17] So for me personally, I think that it is an everyone's best interest in the community for us to put this on hold indefinitely and leave it for another time because right now I think the timing isn't right.

[2:27:34] And regarding the item number five, that was on our prioritization list.

[2:27:41] As far as I know, it's still on the prioritization list, which is the Le Manship Park playground project.

[2:27:48] I consider it still on the prioritization list until we have another prioritization meeting to discuss additional priorities.

[2:27:57] Thank you.

[2:28:03] I'm not seeing any other comments.

[2:28:05] Council Member Kelly.

[2:28:10] Yes.

[2:28:12] Councilmember Vasquez brought up a question. Is this a need or a want? And I'm going to ask Mayor

[2:28:22] Pro Tem Goodell to talk about what the needs are as far as kind of what is driving you on this not not only the

[2:28:36] the fact that it was part of a plan and we are conceivably at the next steps, but what do you see as the need?

[2:28:48] Well, I believe that we have a need to create a sustainable economic engine in our community, engines, let's say,

[2:28:56] and that this is one of the assets that we have currently that can do that.

[2:29:01] But it can be, it's currently successful as it is.

[2:29:05] We do plow the money back into it that we earn on it, but it's revenue neutral.

[2:29:12] But if we were to expand the food and beverage service, for example, and create a banquet

[2:29:17] facility where weddings could be held, I mean, we have a small wedding venue there now with

[2:29:22] the little glass barn, but we do have a parking problem with that glass barn and that thing.

[2:29:34] But if we were to increase that, that would be more than double that capacity.

[2:29:39] I think if we talked about a 500 room banquet facility versus I think we're limited to no more than 200 in the barn.

[2:29:48] Is that right?

[2:29:48] About 200, Jerry?

[2:29:50] 150 actually. 150 inside. Okay, so it'd be four times bigger almost and you could

[2:30:00] We look at that every weekend for a wedding. We could turn that thing into a revenue-generating machine. That's an asset that we have. It's something that we can use to pay for a lot of things in this city that currently we don't have revenues being generated for. So that's the way I see it. I think there's a huge opportunity, huge upside, in places where they've done this, such as the ranch in Laguna, or Ben Brown's golf courses.

[2:30:29] has done a phenomenal amount of upside with not only their hotel rooms, but also their

[2:30:35] banquets, their weddings, and just the revenue from the restaurant itself.

[2:30:42] It's a very popular place to go and they're making a lot of money and they're making,

[2:30:49] I don't know off the top of my head how much more, but it's something in the order of five

[2:30:53] to ten times more money than they were before they upgraded that space.

[2:30:56] So it's a, it's a, it's a giant revenue generator for them.

[2:31:02] Okay, I do know that parking over there is a nightmare.

[2:31:07] And especially if there is an event like a wedding or a banquet, a couple of questions.

[2:31:16] First of all, I did want to clarify, there was a comment made earlier that the city's

[2:31:21] financial position has caused us to stop renovating parks, and that is not true.

[2:31:29] We are currently renovating Barbedaine's Park, and we are also renovating Sierra Recreation Center.

[2:31:38] So I just want to make sure the public knows that we're not, we're not axing park renovations or

[2:31:46] neglecting our facilities.

[2:31:48] Question, so Mr. Mayor Pro Tem, you state that the developer would pay for the feasibility study,

[2:31:58] but it sounds like from the city manager there would be a cost to the city to hire a consultant

[2:32:04] to help to prepare the feasibility study, is that correct?

[2:32:07] I think Mayor Pro Tem has sort of a proposing an approach that's probably a little different

[2:32:18] from the approach I would propose.

[2:32:21] I would suggest doing our own, you know, if this is a path you want to go down, then we

[2:32:27] do our own feasibility study.

[2:32:31] it's not going to be a huge cost in the larger scheme of things and I think it would just give the city more control to do it that way, and then you would take that depending on what you got back and go out and solicit, you know, partners, similarly again to what we did across the street, but I think there's different ways to do it.

[2:32:54] But I just personally feel that way would give you a little more control.

[2:32:57] Now, any other studies raising capital, etc., then yes, that would then be on whatever partner was ultimately selected or potential partner.

[2:33:12] Yeah, I'll just add on to that.

[2:33:14] I think City Manager is correct that if you had the partner lead the feasibility study and

[2:33:24] They're going to lead you the direction they want to go.

[2:33:26] There's no doubt about that.

[2:33:28] And I've done that before when I worked at Santa Margarita Company and we developed Rancho Santa Margarita with partners that did that.

[2:33:36] And but the projects were turned out great, I had nothing bad to say about them, other than that's the approach we took.

[2:33:45] We brought the partner in and they paid for it and they led the charats if you want to call it that, where they put everything up on the walls.

[2:33:52] and everyone kind of throws all their ideas up and they have the public come in and make their comments.

[2:33:57] Mr. Moore, I'm sure we'll be at all those meetings and it's a very dynamic process, but that's one

[2:34:06] way to do it. Another way to do it would be to have to go into a room and say this is what we want.

[2:34:10] Now you come in and bring your money and help us get it done. We're going to have more limited ideas

[2:34:18] and creativity in my opinion if we do it that way as opposed to have them lead the process because that's what they do that's what they're really good at and you know if we wanted to look at the difference between let's say we want

[2:34:32] a hospitality or not hospitality right so that means going into the SLI this surplus land act potentially and pay what are the risks and rewards to do in that versus avoiding that you know if we're fearful

[2:34:46] of whatever that outcome could be.

[2:34:49] I think that maybe it's a matter of how you define

[2:34:52] what's in the reuse area, you know?

[2:34:58] I mean, we're still going to have the golf course.

[2:35:00] We're still going to have parking, we're still going to have a lot of things we have already food and beverage. But if you throw in some hotel rooms, then, you know, that piece of it. And we would need, you know, the legal staff's health to determine what the risk is of doing that if we decided to do that. The potential upside is way higher, I would say, with hospitality approach in terms of the revenues long term. But there could be some pain, there could even be some

[2:35:29] And danger at the start with how we have to deal with the state on that issue.

[2:35:36] Okay, I just have one more question and you've actually already answered this but I want to hear it again.

[2:35:45] Is doing a feasibility study as you've proposed, is that going to bind the future council into a decision?

[2:35:56] No, I don't believe it would.

[2:35:58] I don't believe it would bind anyone into anything.

[2:36:01] I think what it is is information that they can use to make decisions and

[2:36:05] go forward if they choose to if they think it's in the best interest of the city at the time with the budget that they have.

[2:36:12] And whatever the constraints are, nothing gets finalized until you go through this process.

[2:36:21] And so you have to go through it to find out what the answers are that you need to know in order

[2:36:25] to make the final decision.

[2:36:27] So I don't think it binds anyone.

[2:36:30] I think it just tees it up so that they don't have to wait and we've got a bunch of new

[2:36:35] council members come in and kind of get in their feet wet in terms of just the normal mechanics

[2:36:40] of city government and then for anyone to take on a very large initiative like this could

[2:36:52] be daunting.

[2:36:54] So we tee it up and then it's a lot easier for them to make decisions and decide what to do going forward.

[2:37:02] Okay, so it's providing a resource a tool for a future council to take a look at and make their own decision on whether this is something they wish to pursue.

[2:37:16] I think that's right.

[2:37:17] I don't think at this point in time with three months left in the year.

[2:37:24] Basically, I don't think there's any way this gets done before the new council seated and they take charge and make the decisions.

[2:37:31] I really don't.

[2:37:34] Thank you.

[2:37:36] Call the member, Rhish.

[2:37:38] Thank you, Madam Mayor.

[2:37:41] This bodes a lot of thought.

[2:37:44] But I think to some of the initial things that the public wanted, they wanted a more upscaled restaurant.

[2:37:52] I think we've accomplished that.

[2:37:56] They wanted other public meeting centers and in our own way, we've sort of accomplished that as well.

[2:38:04] I'm not smart enough to know the feasibility of the project.

[2:38:12] Expanding or rebuilding the clubhouse?

[2:38:14] Yeah, absolutely. I see that as as a need. I know the kitchen is

[2:38:19] undersized for what we currently do. So I see

[2:38:24] that is something coming up soon that's necessary. A greater event space

[2:38:31] or parking structure or hotel.

[2:38:37] Again, I'm not smart enough to say that there's

[2:38:40] the need for that right now but I'm concerned in the economic situation.

[2:38:45] Do we need a larger event space?

[2:38:48] We're trying to deal with our parking which by the way, I think in a future council in the new way build Seattle

[2:38:54] It's going to monetize itself. I'm kind of excited for the way I'm hearing it. It's not just a cost. I think it's going to be recoverable

[2:39:02] And the hotel

[2:39:04] Well, yeah, that sounds great. We need a hotel

[2:39:08] I'm very concerned. I've written down Costa del Sol Residence about four times on this piece of paper

[2:39:16] And I would never go anywhere without at least engaging the public in something like this.

[2:39:23] So there's a lot of reservations, but but but means everything else doesn't matter

[2:39:28] what I just said.

[2:39:28] Now we're really going to talk about what I do, which is yeah, there it probably would

[2:39:34] vote us well to understand that the feasibility moving forward economics turn.

[2:39:39] Is this something that could be profitable at some side, but I'm just concerned it's a larger project than really we need right now.

[2:39:53] and Councilmember Vasquez, something you said does resonate is we've got a number of projects.

[2:40:00] Going home right now, maybe we want to finish one of those first, unless this thing can prove to be an economic windfall, and then that'll fund other things. So moving forward, the feasibility study, as long as it's reasonable, I could see that moving beyond that. No, I right now couldn't see that at all. I'm just not wise enough to be able to say that's a huge need, which means I've gotten a big circle that

[2:40:29] I guess, I'd be concerned if it's reasonable what that study would look like to be able to give a future council head start on all the projects, including that council

[2:40:45] member Veskis.

[2:40:47] Yeah, I still think we're better off holding just holding the project again, you know, we're basing all of this off of something that was done in 2021.

[2:40:59] 2021, it's 2026, and then, you know, with a new council, it doesn't make any sense.

[2:41:09] I mean, I can appreciate, you know, giving, you know, at least a partial new council heads

[2:41:18] up our assistance sort of a leg up, if you will, with this kind of a project, but I think

[2:41:24] that in the long run, we would just be better off to let, you know, the new council decide

[2:41:31] if they even want to do a feasibility study in the first place, so there's that.

[2:41:38] And also, so just to sort of bring it back to, you know, what we're already undertaking

[2:41:45] that, you know, in November of 2025, you know, it was voted to establish a $2 million capital

[2:41:53] improvement project for the $6 million parking expansion, right?

[2:41:57] And unfortunately, there was no plan at the time to how we were going to fund the remaining $4 million.

[2:42:04] And so how we were able to make this happen, in other words, where the $2 million came from,

[2:42:09] was the city used the fiscal year 2025-2026 general fund resources,

[2:42:15] and reduced the economic uncertainty reserved by $900,000.

[2:42:19] And that's how we established the parking lot capital improvement project, and funded other expenses like 800,000 for inter-departmental utility costs.

[2:42:32] So to me what this means is that we reduced our reserves because we were having difficulty covering utility expenses.

[2:42:41] While at the same time establishing a $6 million parking project without a plan for

[2:42:48] how we were going to pay for the remaining $4 million.

[2:42:51] And then five months later, in May of 2026,

[2:42:55] there was a vote again to use the remaining $4 million

[2:42:59] in bonds intended for the now defunct core area vision plan

[2:43:05] to fund the parking lot, right?

[2:43:07] So we're spending all of this money and at the same time,

[2:43:14] And we're still saddled with that debt for all of the bonds that were issued, and we have this empty building.

[2:43:21] So again, I think that we just, I can appreciate Brian, where you're coming from, as far as wanting to see this through.

[2:43:31] But I really just don't think that it's the right time, and it's best to let the future council decide on how they want to proceed with this project.

[2:43:42] Thank you.

[2:43:42] Council

[2:43:46] Member Gidell.

[2:43:47] I thought I saw your name.

[2:43:50] Yeah, thank you.

[2:43:51] In terms of your questions, Council Member Rich,

[2:43:57] I just would say that this was the first

[2:44:02] project that we started working on before the other ones came up and joined the priority

[2:44:08] list.

[2:44:09] Okay, and that when we switched, council switched over, those came up the elevated higher, but now many of those have gone away or are being handled.

[2:44:22] So, but this one has never gone away.

[2:44:25] It's still just there, you know, and it's sure you could wait 10 years and do it in 10 years.

[2:44:32] It's going to be 10 more years before you get any increased revenues off it if you wait 10 years.

[2:44:37] so it's I mean right now it's it's like a no harm situation the golf course is

[2:44:43] doing great it's just paying for itself and everyone seems to be very happy with

[2:44:47] the golf course just the way it is but but we could generate so much more

[2:44:52] revenue for our city and for other projects if we were to have a little more

[2:44:58] or vision and say...

[2:45:00] Hey, this is, this is an asset that we can really, I guess, you know, boost here and get a lot more revenue coming into our city for to help sustain things, you know, as you and as we all know, the prices and costs of everything are going up, particularly our big items are men in green and blue in the back of the room, and women, that's expensive, that's public safety element for our city. And it's something that we have to bear.

[2:45:30] and we have to think about how we're going to do it.

[2:45:32] How are we going to keep doing this for the next 20 to 50 years, 100 years?

[2:45:38] We've got to think a little bit more out of the box in my opinion and say,

[2:45:42] let's take advantage of assets that we can monetize.

[2:45:46] And I think this is the best one that we have to do that.

[2:45:51] Thank you.

[2:45:54] Council member Reesh.

[2:45:58] Mr. Pro Tem, that bodes the question, how long it takes government to do anything?

[2:46:04] We just completed the traffic light at the lake that I started as a planning commissioner.

[2:46:10] So I respect what you're saying there, and the reality is sometimes you have to evision.

[2:46:15] We certainly do because we can't act no matter how excited we are about anything, it takes

[2:46:22] time to do every government project.

[2:46:27] So yeah, a feasibility study, maybe more than one, as economics move along, I think, or

[2:46:34] boat well.

[2:46:35] And I do lean towards the fact that, yeah, I think you've identified something that has

[2:46:41] more potential, but it just isn't going to happen tomorrow.

[2:46:45] So maybe we do need to look at that, realizing that no matter what we do, it may go into two

[2:46:51] Councils it may not be this one it may be the next owner of the one beyond that so make a motion.

[2:46:59] I move for a cost feasibility study for

[2:47:08] the recommended action yes the recommended action

[2:47:11] thank you okay thank you okay I heard a motion and I heard a second let me let me before

[2:47:19] we go any further the let me ask staff again as I understood my notes the majority of this

[2:47:25] We'll be able to do in-house, is that correct?

[2:47:27] It means that she wants to be.

[2:47:29] Yeah, I guess it's there.

[2:47:31] No, that's not correct.

[2:47:35] Well, there's two things.

[2:47:36] You talked about the recommended action, so I just need clarification.

[2:47:40] We also talked about the city staff hiring a consultant to do a fiscal and feasibility study.

[2:47:48] There should be a little bit of cost, probably in the order for about $45,000 to do it that way.

[2:47:53] But it definitely gives you more control, you sort of control the study more.

[2:48:00] So I just want to point that out.

[2:48:03] So we've got an estimated $45,000 cost, correct?

[2:48:07] Correct.

[2:48:09] Okay, and this study doesn't lock us in with any partnership, it's just a study to give

[2:48:18] us additional information moving forward correct it would be the first part and then the second part

[2:48:26] would then to go out and look for partners assuming we wanted to go further that it made sense

[2:48:33] and that would I guess that's the part that needs to move it seems like public sentiment

[2:48:41] is it needs to move into the next council rather than obligating ourselves all right so the

[2:48:49] The dollar amounts $45,000, it'll give us a look at a clubhouse, an event space.

[2:49:00] I'm not real excited about a parking structure hotel but at least I think it'll give us some numbers.

[2:49:06] But if it gives us the clubhouse itself and what that'll do, I think that in itself will probably pay for itself.

[2:49:13] So I move forward with my recommendation.

[2:49:20] So that includes initiating a public

[2:49:23] private part public private

[2:49:26] partnership feasibility study

[2:49:28] as well as

[2:49:32] yes, okay, sorry.

[2:49:35] Because there's two items here.

[2:49:37] Okay, let's buy for business.

[2:49:41] True, three items.

[2:49:43] So I just want to be clear what your

[2:49:44] motion is.

[2:49:45] No, I see these items.

[2:49:49] That's what I heard initially.

[2:49:51] I see.

[2:49:53] Three.

[2:50:00] Well, we don't know what a public-private partnership would look like unless we find out what it is.

[2:50:08] So yes, all three items. Okay. Okay. Councilmember Kelly. I think City Manager Lister kind of answered my question in her comments. I do support this. I think it's good to get this information and to move forward with looking at what the possibility

[2:50:32] So I do support it.

[2:50:34] Thank you.

[2:50:35] Council Member Vesquez.

[2:50:36] Well, again, I don't think that it's wise to spend money when you're going to have at least three new council members in the new year.

[2:50:46] I mean, it just seems that, you know, it's kind of a nice gesture, but it's just one of those things that I think it's better decided when the time comes.

[2:50:56] I mean, you never know that priorities could completely shift.

[2:51:01] And it's funny that Bob mentioned Cosset Elso, because that's what I had also written down as far as,

[2:51:09] I'm sure that the residents of Cosset Elso will not be happy with having all of this development around them.

[2:51:16] Again, I think it's a great idea, I think that yes, we absolutely need to find more ways to generate new revenue.

[2:51:26] absolutely but again doing some kind of a feasibility study just for the sake

[2:51:32] of doing it just seems a little unnecessary to me at this time you know

[2:51:40] again we still have the Stein mart building we still have the six million

[2:51:47] dollar parking lot which you know that money could potentially be spent on

[2:51:53] and renovating five to six parks, I mean, I know that we have the funds for

[2:51:59] Barbadanes, and we have the funds for the Sierra Rec Center, and that's really great.

[2:52:05] But what happens after that?

[2:52:07] I mean, that's what we currently do not have funding for.

[2:52:12] So, again, I think that we may be biting off more than we can chew.

[2:52:20] And you know, these are really great ideas and I think in the future something like this would be wonderful, but I think for the time being we are best leaving that money, you know, those, those city funds alone.

[2:52:34] I know it's not a ton of money and I get that, but I mean, we could also say, well then we could, let's say that $45,000 could fund half of the, you know, the senior ride program that we cut.

[2:52:49] Right? I mean, you could use it for something like that instead. So, again, I think we're

[2:52:56] just better off just, you know, letting this one go, letting this one, letting other people

[2:53:02] make that decision in the future. Thank you. Thank you. Council Member Rish.

[2:53:06] And then I'll make a final comment. Right. Yeah, I only have one thing to say. And it's been

[2:53:11] brought up here before that it seems like as a council, we shouldn't do anything anymore,

[2:53:16] well, then why are we here? But why are we here? The point is, I think we're still an

[2:53:22] active council the next three months. Otherwise, we might as well just go home and say everybody

[2:53:27] come back in January. That does bother me. Otherwise, why am I doing what I'm doing? I think

[2:53:33] there's three and a half years and somewhere there's 20 years with the experience sitting here.

[2:53:38] Are you always going to make the right decisions? Time will tell. But if you make no decisions,

[2:53:43] you know, what the result is, nothing. So, I'm not comfortable with always waiting for a new council. Thank you.

[2:53:50] Thank you. Okay, so I just want to make a comment that I feel I was very sensitive to this. I feel that it was, that I told councilmember Gidell that I'm not comfortable

[2:54:01] settling another council with a decision, a large decision on what's going to be done there. In other words, I don't believe that we should be doing

[2:54:11] anything without the input of the surrounding community.

[2:54:15] This does not do that.

[2:54:17] This is a feasibility study to know what we could even talk to the surrounding community

[2:54:22] about.

[2:54:23] That's why this part of it makes sense for me and I'm going to go ahead and call the question

[2:54:28] now.

[2:54:28] I had one more comment.

[2:54:30] I'm calling the question.

[2:54:31] We've said the same thing over and over.

[2:54:34] I'd like to call the question.

[2:54:35] May I ask for clarification on the motion?

[2:54:37] Is the motion to just direct staff to look into hiring a consultant to enter into a feasibility study?

[2:54:45] Or is the motion also to approve the resolution?

[2:54:52] It's the same perfectly done.

[2:54:54] It's the action.

[2:54:56] Yes, okay.

[2:54:57] So I made a motion to call-

[2:55:00] Call for the question, which needs a second. And then we need to vote on that to end comments, correct? So is that correct, Mr. City Attorney? Correct. And just to clarify, once again, for the record, so the motion is items one, two, and three of the recommended action. Correct. Is that correct? Okay. Thank you. And if I could just chime in to on the third action, we will endeavor for 60 days.

[2:55:29] But if we're hiring a consultant, I can't guarantee that.

[2:55:33] So that's fine, just report back to us.

[2:55:35] Okay.

[2:55:35] Is, are you fine with that?

[2:55:37] Okay.

[2:55:38] Okay, so I'm calling for the question.

[2:55:41] Say yes if you want to call for the question, that's what this vote is for.

[2:55:48] Simply to call for the question, that's this vote.

[2:56:00] Did you vote in lock it?

[2:56:08] Okay, that passes.

[2:56:10] I would like to make a comment about my vote.

[2:56:16] It was a call the question.

[2:56:17] It wasn't too approved, but you can make the comment after the next vote.

[2:56:23] Is that correct?

[2:56:25] Thank you.

[2:56:27] Okay, now we're going to call for the question on the motion.

[2:56:35] We're going to vote on that motion.

[2:56:37] There we go.

[2:56:44] Okay, Councilmember Raskis, go ahead.

[2:56:45] You can make your statement.

[2:56:49] So it's not a matter of stopping work of this council.

[2:56:55] It's just a matter of making smart decisions.

[2:56:59] And again, it's just one of those things looking at the bigger picture, giving a new council the opportunity to make that decision.

[2:57:09] Again, it's nice to provide that information, but again, it's just better off being left to the next council.

[2:57:21] Thank you.

[2:57:22] Okay, we do make smart decisions up here.

[2:57:24] All of us, thank you very much for that comment.

[2:57:27] Okay, now it's my opportunity to speak.

[2:57:35] Thank you.

[2:57:37] Okay.

[2:57:38] I have the opportunity to have a meeting with congresswoman young Kim with all the mayors in her district.

[2:57:45] That was held in Villa Park and it was a really good conversation.

[2:57:49] And I just wanted to report that to the community.

[2:57:52] Talked about some of the things that congresswoman young Kim has been able to provide as far as funding goes for our community and it was an opportunity to thank her.

[2:58:01] And then, I also wanted to highlight some things coming up.

[2:58:05] Councilmember Kelly mentioned the event that is happening on 9-11, and I, and it's really also a tribute for the whole community to attend.

[2:58:18] There's going to be a band that's playing and it's going to be a 9-11 tribute over at Mission VA High School.

[2:58:24] Not only are we honoring some great people, but I want to encourage people to please come to that.

[2:58:30] to honor 9-11 and then I'm going to go ahead and adjourn the meeting and I have two very special

[2:58:36] people to adjourn the meeting and honor of and in memory of and the first one is my father.

[2:58:45] Past away the morning after the last council meeting somewhat suddenly and he had an illness but it

[2:58:55] definitely escalated faster than we anticipated. His name is Doug Burke and he was born in Buffalo,

[2:59:01] in New York, and he worked at Bethlehem Steel for 30 years, and then did some contract work for the military because he was an expert at environmental safety and he was in charge of closing down Bethlehem Steel's deal mills at the end of his career, and I learned a lot about hard work from him, and he is the last of six brothers in the Burke family.

[2:59:30] my grandmother had six boys, bless her heart, and he was the last one.

[2:59:35] His brother, one of my favorite uncles, passed away just three months before him.

[2:59:43] So in memory of him, it would be number one for me, and then of course, right there,

[2:59:50] right behind him is our dear friend, and Commissioner, Mission Viejo City Commissioner,

[2:59:55] Joe Blum, who passed away on a week ago.

[3:00:00] Sunday, August 30th. And Joe, I know we, we, Brian had a very heartfelt prayer at the last meeting. And Joe, unfortunately, succumbed to some significant illnesses with a double pneumonia. And, and was taken very good care of at Mission Hospital, but he just couldn't overcome the challenges that he faced. So he was a long time mission be a resident.

[3:00:29] President, I think he came here at a similar time as you, Brian, 1970s just so after you.

[3:00:38] Went to high school at Mission VAO, high school.

[3:00:40] His family was very involved in the development of a lot of Rancho Mission VAO, Rancho Santa

[3:00:49] Margarita.

[3:00:50] I believe Lidera Ranch, even a bit of Mission VAO, as well as Rancho Mission VAO.

[3:00:55] So Christopher Park is named after his brother who died at a very young age.

[3:01:02] So the Blum family is a amazing family in part of our heritage of Mission B.A.O.

[3:01:14] And Joe was a good friend to anybody he met.

[3:01:17] And I know that Brian and Joe went to high school together and Brian has long stories of lots

[3:01:22] of shenanigans that you got into, but his services are going to be held at St.

[3:01:28] Killians. Next Thursday, the 17th at 10am, and I know there will be many in the

[3:01:36] Michigan Bayhood community. I know people are flying in for that to honor Joe and

[3:01:41] honor Paula. You may have noticed that our city flags were at half-staffed beyond

[3:01:47] on the Dolly Parton half-staff, and that was in honor of Joe Blum and the legacy that

[3:01:56] he has left for the City of Mission B.A. Ho. So in memory of those two fine men, I adjourned

[3:02:03] in the meeting until September 20th.

City Council Summary

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