Laguna Hills City Council / Planning Agency Regular Meeting - October 13, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor Don Caskey at the City Council Chamber. All council members were present. The meeting included a legislative update from Assemblymember Diane Dixon, reports from the student liaison and staff, approval of consent calendar items with two items pulled for discussion, and two administrative reports leading to unanimous votes. Key discussions centered on traffic signal synchronization cooperative agreements, a new building plan check and inspection services contract, and the city's response to the Orange County Grand Jury report on state housing mandates.

Presentations and Proclamations

• Legislative Update (Item 1.1): Assemblymember Diane Dixon provided a legislative update, noting that 26 bills she authored were signed into law over her two terms. She highlighted bills related to e-bikes (prohibiting speed enhancers, restricting class three e-bikes to those 16 and older, and banning piggyback riding), drones in emergency areas (imposing a $75,000 fine), and human trafficking (requiring tattoo artist training and inclusion in state crime databases). The City Council unanimously received the report and expressed gratitude, with Councilmember Sweeney commending her efforts and Mayor Caskey noting her work across party lines. Dixon also presented a joint resolution with Senator Blakespear commending the council for their service.
• Student Liaison Report (Item 1.2): Marissa Allen, a senior at Laguna Hills High School, reported on recent events including Homecoming (October 9-10), athletic achievements (varsity football 5-2, girls' volleyball second in league), and academic opportunities such as Financial Aid Night and college application support. Councilmember Pezold asked about new school banners featuring student groups, and Allen confirmed they were prominently displayed. The council received the report with appreciation.

Consent Calendar

Routine items were approved unanimously by roll call vote (5-0) after Councilmember Pezold requested removal of Items 4.3 and 4.4. The remaining items included:

• 4.1: Waive reading of ordinances and resolutions.
• 4.2: Approve minutes of September 22, 2026, meeting.
• 4.5: Approve Development Impact Fees Report for FY 2025-2026.
• 4.6: Ratify warrant register for $1,923,594.41 (period Sept 14 – Oct 4, 2026).
• 4.7: Approve Measure M2 Expenditure Report for FY 2025-2026 and adopt resolution.

Items Removed for Discussion

• 4.3 & 4.4 – Cooperative Agreements for Traffic Signal Synchronization: Principal Civil Engineer Roy Rodriguez explained that the City of Laguna Niguel is the lead agency for the La Paz Road and Cabot Road Regional Traffic Signal Synchronization Program projects. The agreements involve OCTA-funded upgrades (traffic detection, pedestrian detection, backup batteries) across multiple cities. Councilmember Pezold asked about data sharing (confirmed anonymous vehicle counts only) and future funding opportunities. After discussion, she moved to approve both items, seconded and passed unanimously (5-0).

Discussion Items

• 5.2.1 – Award of Building Plan Check and Inspection Services Agreement: Community Development Director Jennifer Lowe presented the staff recommendation to approve a professional services agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for a three-year term (Nov 1, 2026 – Oct 31, 2029) with up to two one-year extensions. Transtech was selected from nine responding firms, scoring 87 out of 100 based on technical and fee evaluations. The agreement uses a tiered compensation model (45% of monthly collections between $60,000 and $80,000; 40% over $80,000; minimum $20,000/month). Councilmembers asked about cancellation clauses, applicant communication protocols, and potential best-practice improvements. Lowe confirmed termination provisions exist and that city staff will continue as primary contacts. Councilmember Wheeler expressed satisfaction with vetting. The motion to approve was made by Mayor Caskey, seconded, and passed unanimously (5-0).
• 5.2.2 – Response to 2025-2026 Orange County Grand Jury Report on Housing Mandates: Lowe presented the city's response to the report titled "California Housing Mandates: The Unintended Reshaping of Orange County Neighborhoods." The response addresses 22 findings and 20 recommendations. Laguna Hills agreed with findings on the complexity of housing laws, RHNA methodology, and the importance of regional participation. The city partially disagreed on the characterization of the six-cycle RHNA allocation as wholly questionable and on permitting fees being a substantial barrier. The city will not implement recommendations outside its authority (e.g., OCOG dues modification, countywide infrastructure plan) or those duplicative of existing state reporting (e.g., annual progress reports). Councilmember Pezold asked about including private sector perspectives not covered in the response. Councilmember Wheeler criticized the report for using inaccurate population data and reiterated concerns about the sixth-cycle RHNA increase from 2 to nearly 2,000 units. Mayor Caskey noted the report is a step forward but emphasized the need for stronger engagement in the seventh cycle. The motion to approve the response was made by Mayor Caskey, seconded, and passed unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

• All consent calendar items (4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7) approved unanimously.
• Cooperative agreements for La Paz Road and Cabot Road traffic signal synchronization (Items 4.3 and 4.4) approved unanimously after discussion.
• Professional services agreement with Transtech Engineers, Inc. for building plan check and inspection services (Item 5.2.1) approved unanimously.
• City response to Orange County Grand Jury housing report (Item 5.2.2) approved unanimously.
• No other formal votes were taken.

Other Reports and Comments

• City Council Committee Reports: Mayor Caskey reported on a SCAG committee meeting discussing potential Olympic community hub opportunities for 2028, with possible funding up to $500,000. Councilmember Wheeler reported on the economic committee, noting progress toward a Texas Roadhouse and a database showing loss of three of the city's top 11 businesses in the past year. Councilmember Pezold reported on the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) meeting, including new toll interoperability with Illinois and receipt of an unmodified audit opinion. Councilmember Sweeney reported on the Orange County Fire Authority board meeting, including $1.9 million in federal funding for urban search and rescue, and provided a PowerPoint honoring fallen firefighter Kevin Skinner whose name was added to the Colorado Springs memorial wall.
• Council Member Comments: Councilmember Pezold raised several topics: a request for an update on residential recycling pickup services, beautification of Laguna Hills Drive entrances, confusion over lot lines in older neighborhoods (e.g., Nellie Gail), and a suggestion for a "New to Laguna Hills" welcome page on the city website. Councilmember Sweeney reported on a recent trip to Washington D.C. with the All Cities Council Orange County, where the delegation held 28 meetings over two days to advocate for transportation, housing, energy, water, and public safety funding; he also suggested a city app for service requests but learned that an app already exists and the ECBC committee is working on enhanced functionality. Councilmember Mathis shared a personal observation about homeless encampments encountered while traveling, reflecting on the importance of preserving Laguna Hills' quality of life.

The meeting adjourned at 7:40 PM. The next regular meeting is scheduled for October 27, 2026, at 6:00 PM.