Ted Halsey

This document presents the City of Rancho Santa Margarita's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2026-2027. The plan details the expenditure of CDBG funds across four primary categories: Capital Improvements, Housing Preservation, Public Services, and Administration. It outlines specific recommendations for activities such as ADA Curb Ramps, Minor Home Repair Grants, and public service grants, all aimed at meeting national objectives to benefit low and moderate-income residents and eliminate conditions of slum and blight.

The General Plan for Rancho Santa Margarita serves as a comprehensive blueprint to guide the community's development and vision for the future. It integrates seven state-mandated elements, including Land Use, Noise, Safety, Conservation/Open Space, Economic Development, Housing, and Circulation, with some elements updated and the Housing Element covering 2013-2021. The plan establishes goals and policies to guide future planning, informing decisions on land use, transportation, open space, and community services, and is implemented through specific City programs and regulations to shape the city's appearance and meet anticipated future needs.

This document details proposed traffic improvements for Antonio Parkway at Avenida de las Flores in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita, aiming to address resident concerns regarding unsafe driver maneuvers. It encompasses comprehensive research into various traffic engineering solutions implemented in other cities, the presentation of a specific design for intersection enhancements, and an outline of the project's cost and implementation schedule.

The meeting featured the certification of the results of the General Municipal Election held on November 5, 2024, and the subsequent reorganization of the City Council, including the administration of oaths of office to newly elected officers. Key agenda items included the election of the new Mayor Pro Tempore. Remarks were delivered by the newly elected Council Member and the incoming Mayor Pro Tempore, focusing on community safety enhancements, economic development efforts including new businesses like EoS Fitness and Ace Hardware, and preserving the city's Master Planned Community vision. The incoming Mayor also highlighted the city's strong financial status and recent infrastructure improvements.

The meeting commenced with scheduling future events, including holiday closures and the cancellation of the December 24, 2025, City Council meeting. A key segment involved the City Council Reorganization, specifically the election of the Mayor Pro Tempore, resulting in the unanimous election of Council Member Figueroa. Presentations included Certificates of Recognition for Community Emergency Response Team Class #4 members. Council members provided reports, noting community events such as the Breakfast with Santa and Zero Trash cleanup efforts, and shared updates from committee assignments including the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Authority (TCA) and the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), noting the impending retirement of the Fire Chief. Public comments raised concerns regarding street racing, amplified music, e-Bikes on sidewalks, graffiti, feedback on a recent press release concerning the CVRA lawsuit ruling, and suggestions for improving public engagement and meeting transparency.