HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 CC MINUTES 10.07.25Docusign Envelope ID: 7573C612-77F6-4535-B95E-2F8B74E33879
Agenda Item 2
Reviewed: Initial
City Manager Q +✓S
Finance Director N/A
CITY OF TUSTIN MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2025
OF THE CITY COUNCIL 300 CENTENNIAL WAY, TUSTIN
COUNCIL CHAMBER
VIDEO CONFERENCE
John Nielsen, Mayor Pro Tern
Ryan Gallagher, Council Member Austin Lumbard, Mayor Aldo E. Schindler, City Manager
Ray Schnell, Council Member Erica N. Yasuda, City Clerk
Lee K. Fink, Council Member David E. Kendig, City Attorney
MINUTES OF THE CLOSED SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
4:30 P.M.
City Clerk Erica N. Yasuda announced that the Closed Session meeting was cancelled.
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER — #3085 at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL - City Clerk Erica N. Yasuda noted for the record that Mayor Lumbard was
absent and Mayor Pro Tern Nielsen, Council Member Gallager, Council Member Schnell
and Council Member Fink were present.
INVOCATION - Rev. Tim Ellington, Aldersgate Methodist Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Council Member Schnell
PRESENTATION — Dr. Gurpreet Singh Ahuja provided an update on the Groundswell
annual report and presented a Certificate of Recognition to the City Council.
PUBLIC INPUT —
1. Laron Lancaster (in -person)
City Council October 7, 2025
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CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS 1-9 —
PUBLIC INPUT FOR THE CONSENT CALENDAR — None
It was moved by Council Member Gallagher and seconded by Council Member Fink to pull
Items 4, 6 and 7 and approve the balance as recommended by staff.
City Clerk Erica N. Yasuda noted for the record that the Council received an e-comment
from Gabriel Groen regarding Item No. 6 which was distributed to all members and made
available to the public on the City's website.
Roll Call Vote — City Clerk
Motion carried: 4-0
1. WAIVE READING IN FULL OF ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON THE
AGENDA
Motion: The City Council waived reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions on
the agenda and declared that said titles which appear on the public agenda shall be
determined to have been read by title and further reading waived.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — THE SPECIAL CLOSED SESSION MEETING AND
THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL HELD ON SEPTEMBER 16,
2025.
Motion: The City Council approved the Action Minutes of the City Council Meeting
held on September 16, 2025.
3. RATIFICATION OF PAYROLL AND DEMANDS
The City Council has approved the use of Government Code Section 37208 to
expedite the payment of City of Tustin obligations that are in accordance with the
approved budget or continued operations authorizations.
Motion: The City Council approved Payroll in the amount of $1,140,030.48 and
Demands in the amount of $8,056,707.42.
4. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1565 - DOWNTOWN
COMMERCIAL CORE SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT APPLICABLE TO
WELLINGTON PLAZA
Adoption of Ordinance No. 1565 approves Specific Plan Amendment 2024-0004,
amending the Downtown Commercial Core Specific Plan to limit the permitted uses
within the existing Wellington Plaza office complex to general and professional
offices, photography studios, and tutoring facilities.
City Council October 7, 2025
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It was moved by Council Member Gallagher and seconded by Council Member
Schnell that the City Council have second reading by title only and adoption of
Ordinance No. 1565.
Roll Call Vote — City Clerk
Motion carried: 3-1 (Council Member Fink dissented)
ORDINANCE NO. 1565 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF TUSTIN APPROVING SPECIFIC PLAN AMENDMENT 2024-0004 TO AMEND
THE DOWNTOWN COMMERCIAL CORE SPECIFIC PLAN SUCH THAT ONLY
OFFICE USES WILL BE ALLOWED TO BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE EXISTING
BUILDINGS AT WELLINGTON PLAZA LOCATED AT 505-515 E. FIRST STREET
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact associated with this item.
5. APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANCY ON TUSTIN AREA SENIOR CENTER FUND
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Staff is requesting City Council appoint Michele Markus to the Tustin Area Senior
Center Fund, Inc. Board of Directors.
Motion: The City Council appointed Michele Markus, an active community volunteer,
to the Board of Directors of the Tustin Area Senior Center Fund, Inc.
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact associated with this item.
6. AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE MAIN STREET AND OLD
TOWN IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTS
Staff is requesting the City Council award a construction contract to the lowest
responsive/responsible bidder for the Main Street and Old Town Improvements
Projects.
It was moved by Council Member Fink and seconded by Council Member Schnell
that the City Council:
1. Awarded a construction contract to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder,
Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $10,390,406.15 for the Main
Street and Old Town Improvements Projects and authorized the Mayor and
the City Clerk to execute the contract documents on behalf of the City; and
2. Appropriated $510,000 from Measure M2 Fair Share for the Old Town
Improvements Project.
Roll Call Vote — City Clerk
City Council October 7, 2025
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Motion carried: 4-0
Fiscal Impact: The Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Improvement Program budget
included funding in the amount of $7,000,000 for the Main Street Improvements
Project and $3,993,741 for the Old Town Improvements Project. In addition, $17,530
of Community Development Block Grant Program Year 2023-2024 funds were
reallocated administratively to this project.
The requested appropriation of $510,000 brings the total budget to $11,521,271 and
is needed to fully fund the Old Town Improvements Project.
Expenses include:
• Construction Contract— Schedule "A" (General Items) .................. $1,092,500
• Construction Contract — Schedule "B" (Old Town Improvements)- $3,707,105
• Construction Contract — Schedule "C" (Main St. Improvements) .... $5,590,802
• Contingency (10%)........................................................................ $1,039,040
• Construction Support and Geotechnical Services ................................ $91,824
• Total Budget................................................................................. $11,521,271
7. RECOMMENDATION OF PROPOSALS TO PROCEED TO A FINAL ROUND OF
NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE COMPETITIVE OFFERING FOR 150 E. FIRST
STREET
Two (2) proposals are recommended for City Council consideration to proceed to a
final round of negotiations for the competitive offering for 150 E. First Street within
Development Area 2 of the Downtown Commercial Core Specific Plan.
It was moved by Council Member Schnell and seconded by Council Member
Gallagher that the City Council took the following actions:
1. Authorized staff and the City's broker Professional Real Estate Services Inc. to
inform two (2) proposers from the competitive offering for 150 E. First Street that
they will be proceeding to a final round; and
2. Authorized staff to further reduce the number of proposals that will ultimately be
recommended to the City Council for consideration at a later date.
Roll Call Vote — City Clerk
Motion carried: 4-0
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact associated with this item.
8. CREATIVE SIGNALS GIFTED PUBLIC ART — TUSTIN COMMUNITY
FOUNDATION
City Council October 7, 2025
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At their September 17, 2025, Meeting, the Public Art Commission recommended to
forward three Creative Signals cabinet wraps as gifted public art donated by the
Tustin Community Foundation for final approval by the City Council.
Motion: The City Council approved the recommendation of the Public Art
Commission to approve three Creative Signal wraps proposed by the Tustin
Community Foundation and authorized the Parks and Recreation Department to
accept all three as gifted public art.
Fiscal Impact: There was no fiscal impact as all three Creative Signals wraps will be
funded by the Tustin Community Foundation and donated to the City of Tustin as
gifted public art.
9. OLD TOWN ART WALK PLANTER BOX PUBLIC ART PROJECT
At their September 17, 2025, meeting, the Public Art Commission recommended
forwarding two planter box public art concepts to be completed in association with
the 2025 Old Town Art Walk event for final approval by the City Council.
Motion: The City Council approved the design submissions received for repainting
two planter boxes at the Old Town Art Walk as recommended by the Public Art
Commission and authorized the Parks and Recreation Department to execute an
agreement with the artist.
Fiscal Impact: The cost of completing both planter boxes will not exceed $3,000. A
total of $2,000 will be paid to the artist and the Orange County School of the Arts and
the remaining funds will cover the cost of preparing the planter boxes for repainting.
The current balance in the Public Art Fund was approximately $44,000.
REGULAR BUSINESS
10. ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 25-59 DECLARING THE INTENTION TO FORM THE
TUSTIN LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING REASSESSMENT DISTRICT 2025
REPLACING THE EXISTING TUSTIN LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING DISTRICT
Council Member Schnell recused himself from the dais due to a potential conflict in
real property interest.
The Tustin Landscape and Lighting District was formed in 1985 and provides funding
for the maintenance of perimeter landscaping on arterial streets and for the operation
and maintenance of street lighting on public roads within the Tustin Ranch area. The
current assessment revenue is no longer sufficient to cover the cost of maintaining
the public infrastructure. At the July 15, 2025 meeting, staff recommended and the
City Council directed the preparation of an Engineer's Report for the Tustin
Landscape and Lighting Reassessment District 2025. This report presents the
prepared Engineer's Report for the City Council's approval and recommended
actions to initiate the formation of the proposed assessment district.
City Council October 7, 2025
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Assistant Director of Public Works Stacey Cuevas provided a PowerPoint
presentation.
Public Input — None
It was moved by Council Member Gallagher and seconded by Council Member Fink
that the City Council adopted Resolution No. 25-59 declaring the intention to form
Tustin Landscape & Lighting Reassessment District 2025 replacing the existing
district as of Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and to levy assessments commencing with Fiscal
Year 2026-2027, accepting and approving the Engineer's Report, ordering a property
owner official assessment ballot proceeding, and setting a Public Hearing for
December 2, 2025.
Roll Call Vote — City Clerk
Motion carried: 3-0-1 (Council Member Schnell recused)
RESOLUTION NO. 25-59
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA
DECLARING ITS INTENTION TO FORM TUSTIN LANDSCAPE AND LIGHTING
REASSESSMENT DISTRICT 2025 AND TO LEVY ASSESSMENT COMMENCING
WITH FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027; ACCEPTING AND APPROVING THE
ENGINEER'S REPORT; TO CONDUCT A PROPERTY OWNER OFFICIAL
ASSESSMENT BALLOT PROCEEDING ON THE MATTER OF THE NEW
ASSESSMENTS; AND SETTING A TIME AND PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING
ON THESE MATTERS
Fiscal Impact: Sufficient funds are budgeted and appropriated in the Tustin
Landscape and Lighting Fund for the required property owner's official assessment
ballot proceedings for the proposed reassessment district. The costs for operating
and maintaining the public infrastructure in the Tustin Landscape and Lighting District
are offset through the levy of the annual assessments. The proposed Tustin
Landscape and Lighting Reassessment District 2025 contains the same cost -
recovery structure with proposed annual assessments and a general fund
contribution.
The proposed reassessment district has no impact on the existing Tustin Landscape
and Lighting District Fund's budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. If approved by the
property owners, the reassessment district will replace the existing district and levy
assessments commencing Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Similarly, the General Fund
contribution would increase in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 and each year thereafter,
consistent with the proposed schedule outlined in the Engineers Report and Table 2
below. Should the Tustin Landscape and Lighting Reassessment District 2025 fail to
be approved by the property owners, maintenance will remain at reduced service
levels and will be refined annually to ensure expenses do not exceed revenue.
Council Member Schnell returned to the dais.
City Council October 7, 2025
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OTHER BUSINESS/CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY
City Manager Aldo E. Schindler
Announced the first of four of the seven buildings at the KB Home Stafford Glen housing
development site off of El Camino Real are nearing completion; new residents will be able
to move in at the end of the month; full completion of the development is anticipated to be
mid-2026.
Redevelopment of the vacant lot at the northwest corner of McFadden Avenue and Tustin
Village Way has been resurrected, the property owner plans to build a new convenient store
and gas station at the site.
City Attorney David E. Kendig
No report.
MAYOR PRO TEM AND COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Councilmember Fink
September 4
Attended the American Planning Association of Orange County 2025 Planning Awards
Night; announced the Community Development Department received two awards; the first
award was for the Families Forward project off of San Juan Street, the second award was
for the House of Ruth Project on El Camino Real; thanked city staff for their hard work on
the projects.
Announced from September 15, 2025-October 15, 2025, is National Hispanic Heritage
Month; recognized the following individuals, who are great examples of the Hispanic
Americans making a difference in the Tustin community.
• Vicente Sarmiento, Orange County Supervisor — the second Latino to serve on the
Orange County Board of Supervisors.
• Allyson Damikolas, Tustin Unified School District (TUSD) Board Member — the
second Latina to serve on the TUSD Board.
• Rebecca "Beckie" Gomez, former Tustin City Council Member — the first Latina to
serve on the Tustin City Council.
• Juan Carlos Vazquez, Chairman of the Board for the Tustin Chamber of Commerce.
• Jenelle Huerta, 2025 Miss Tustin.
September 18
Attended the last Tustin Sunset Market for the year; is looking forward to next year's
program; enjoyed interacting with the public.
City Council October 7, 2025
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nrfnhar 1-8;
Attended the Tustin Tiller Days event; thanked the Parks and Recreation Department,
Public Works Department, and the Police Department for all their hard work; appreciated
the support from other agencies throughout the County of Orange; was a great three-day
event.
October 8-10
Announced will be attending sessions at the League of California Cities 2025 Annual
Conference and Expo.
Announced the Bark or Treat event on October 11, 2025, at the Bark Barracks at Tustin
Legacy from 10:00 AM-1 2:00 Noon.
Announced the Old Town Art Walk and Artisan Market event on October 18, 2025, from
11:00 AM-5:00 PM in Old Town Tustin.
Announced the Halloween Howl event on October 31, 2025, from 2:00 PM-5:00 PM at the
Columbus Tustin Activity Center.
Announced on the last Saturday of every month, Tustin Tandems occur at Utt Middle School
from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM; John Patterson from Tustin Mazda is a sponsor of the program.
Council Member Schnell
Recognized good friend Amy Connelly who was in attendance with her son Nolan who was
working on a government education project; thanked them for attending the meeting.
September 22
Attended the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Allcare Specialty Pharmacy which is owned and
operated by Mary and Josh Pham; welcomed them to the Tustin community.
September 24
Attended the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) Joint Capital Program and Projects
Committee meeting; discussed the System Wide Traffic Study and the Toll Plaza Reuse
RFI's which is part of TCA's Strategic Plan initiative to explore other concepts for the
underutilized space.
September 25
Attended the Edward Jones Ribbon Cutting event with Mayor Pro Tern Nielsen; announced
Stephen Rhorer is the business owner of that location.
October 3
Had lunch with a few Tustin police officers; discussed the three-year strategic plan within
the Tustin Police Department; announced the department is doing very well under the
supervision of Police Chief Sean Thuilliez.
October 4
Participated in the Tustin Tiller Day Parade; was a great event.
City Council October 7, 2025
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October 5
Attended the Tustin Tiller Day Brewfest; announced Director of Parks and Recreation Chad
Clanton was in attendance as well as City Manager Aldo E. Schindler; there were fifteen
brewers, more than thirty different beers and was organized by the Tustin American Legion
Post 227; thanked the Tustin American Legion for volunteering their time.
Council Member Gallagher
Attended a few Orange County Sanitation District meetings; the main topics that were
discussed:
• The District is refunding old debit given the favorability of the bond market which will
save around ten million dollars in future interest payments; will be great for keeping
rates low in Orange County on sanitation charges.
• Certain projects are being executed using progressive design -build delivery
methods.
Will be presenting at the Orange County Sanitation State of the District on October 17, 2025;
Joaquin Esquivel State Water Resources Control Board will be the guest speaker.
Thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for their hard work with the Tustin Tiller
Days event; was a great event.
Thanked Mr. Lancaster for his comments during the City Council meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Nielsen
September 18
Attended the last Tustin Sunset Market of the year; announced it has been a great program
for the past two years; looking forward to next year's program.
September 24
• Presented at the Tustin Area Brockers Preview for Real Estate Agents in Tustin
regarding development within the City of Tustin.
• Attended the Tustin Public Schools Foundation Celebration of Schools event at
Tustin High School; congratulated the Tustin High School Dance Team and their
coach Kierstie Nielsen for their great performance at the event.
September 25
Attended the Edward Jones Ribbon Cutting event with Council Member Schnell;
congratulated Stephen Rhorer on his Edward Jones office.
October 3-5
Attended the Tustin Tiller Days event; congratulated Cherrill Cady for a great job with the
Tustin Tiller Day Parade; had a wonderful time at the Tiller Days event; volunteered at the
Tustin Tiller Day Brewfest; a lot of money was raised for the local non-profit groups.
Acknowledged Jorge Valdes, Orange County Board of Education Trustee who is a great
City Council October 7, 2025
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example of a Hispanic American making a difference in the Tustin community.
Announced the Bark or Treat event on October 11, 2025, at the Bark Barracks at Tustin
Legacy from 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon.
Announced the Old Town Art Walk and Artisan Market event on October 18, 2025, from
11:00 AM-5:00 PM in Old Town Tustin.
ADJOURNED at 6:54 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled on Tuesday, October 21, 2025,
for the Closed Session Meeting at 4:30 p.m. and the Regular Business Meeting at 5:00 p.m.
City Council October 7, 2025
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