Andrea Bartlett

The City Council conducted a meeting involving closed session discussions on litigation, real property negotiations, and the City Manager's performance evaluation. Key agenda items included the approval of an amendment to an electronic records management software agreement, the second reading and adoption of ordinances regarding municipal code Chapter 6.14 and a ban on the sale and distribution of Kratom products, authorization of a sales tax consultant agreement, and approval of a solid waste agreement with the County of Orange. A public hearing was scheduled to address an appeal of a planning commission decision regarding a single-family dwelling development. The council also reviewed the housing element annual progress report, the mid-fiscal year budget status report, and proposed revisions to council policy regarding the acceptance of equipment and donations.

The agenda includes closed session items such as legal counsel conferences, real property negotiations, and a city manager performance evaluation. Key topics scheduled for discussion include the approval of various reports, an amendment to an agreement for electronic records management software, and the second reading of ordinances regarding the Dana Point Municipal Code and a ban on the sale and distribution of Kratom products. The Council will also review a sales tax consultant agreement, a waste infrastructure system enterprise agreement, a public hearing regarding an appeal of a Planning Commission decision, the Housing Element annual progress report, a mid-fiscal year budget status report, and updates to the Council policy on the acceptance and dedication of equipment and donations.

The committee reviewed the quarterly financial report for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 (July through September 2025). Revenues were reported at $8.6 million, slightly exceeding the previous fiscal year, despite a 3.5% decrease in transient occupancy tax, largely due to lower occupancy at the Ritz Carlton. Expenditures were down by $224,000 compared to the prior fiscal year, attributed mainly to the timing of street maintenance expenses. The committee also discussed the CalPERS pension actuary update, noting an estimated unfunded liability of $2.4 million based on an 11.6% investment return for FY25, resulting in a funded status of 94.9% when combined with the pension trust assets, which are projected to remain overfunded. Finally, the committee reviewed and recommended the annual update to the city's investment policy, which is scheduled to be effective January 1, 2026, and involves clarifying investment allocation language.

This document presents the City of Dana Point's Mid-Year Strategic Plan Metrics for the period of July to December 2025. It tracks progress across five key strategic goals: maintaining and ensuring public safety, maintaining and improving infrastructure and environmental sustainability, fostering economic health and prosperity, ensuring effective, efficient, and innovative city administration, and maintaining and enhancing Dana Point's unique sense of place. The report details performance metrics and achievements related to these identified priorities.

The meeting commenced with a call to order and roll call, noting one council member absent. A closed session was held for conference with legal counsel regarding litigation strategy review, including anticipated litigation under various Government Code sections, covering nine existing cases and one matter for potential litigation initiation concerning SND LLP. Following the closed session, the council took action to initiate receivership proceedings against the property owned by SND Limited Partners. Key public discussions included a presentation by a youth advocate regarding marine debris and plastic/cigarette pollution, proposing the implementation of a solar-powered trash collection robot (BBOT). Another presentation advocated for the city to join the 'Recycle from Home' residential recycling pickup service to promote sustainability and resident earnings from deposits. A commissioner also thanked the city for its support of community programs, specifically highlighting the recent Dia de los Muertos celebration.