Tim Rundel

The City Council meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussions included the approval of the consent calendar, which covered approving council minutes from November 10, 2025, accepting planning commission minutes from October 7, 2025, and receiving the monthly financial report for October 2025. Staff reports featured the acceptance of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, audit report, which resulted in an unmodified opinion. Council members also discussed and authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Donkerk Construction for $29,972.91 for the installation of a new emergency power generator at the wastewater treatment plant. A significant portion of the meeting involved non-action discussion regarding the Mayor's upcoming resignation in January 2026, the process for soliciting and interviewing applicants for council positions, and clarifying that a council member would likely step up to fill the mayoral vacancy, with the terms of the resulting vacant seat depending on the existing terms of the council members.

The agenda for the meeting includes the call to order, roll call, and approval of the minutes from the October 23, 2025 meeting. Commission business is slated to cover the acceptance of the resignation of Chair Steve Kerr, followed by the election of a new Chair and Vice Chair. There are also sections for public appearances and information updates/discussion items, including a parks update.

The City Council meeting agenda for January 12, 2026, included a scheduled public appearance regarding South Coast Community Aquatics. Key items under Council action included the reception of the monthly financial report for November 2025, and significant discussion regarding the resignation of Mayor Isaac Hodges and the process for filling the resulting vacant council position, including reviewing applications from Nicholas Chapman, Jim Jollota, and Anthony Bond. The agenda also listed informational non-action items, such as the December 2025 Vouchers.

The special city council meeting addressed council discussion regarding upcoming mayor and potential counselor vacancies. Several council members expressed their willingness to serve as mayor, contingent upon the procedural timeline for appointments. The discussion also covered the process for interviewing applicants for the open position, referencing past procedures involving attorney-suggested questions and live interviews. Procedural clarification was sought regarding the sequence of appointing a new mayor versus filling the resulting vacant council seat. The meeting concluded with an agreement to seek guidance from the city attorney on the correct procedural steps before proceeding with selection.

The City Council meeting began with a proclamation honoring Veterans Day, recognizing several city employees who are veterans and detailing their service. The consent calendar involved the approval of council minutes from October 13, 2025, acceptance of Parks and Recreation Commission minutes from July 24, 2025, receipt of the September 2025 financial report, and the cancellation of the November 24 and December 22, 2025 city council meetings due to holidays. Key discussions focused on the Budcross Park improvements project, which involves installing new playground equipment, pave pathways, and other amenities utilizing a local government grant, with approval sought for the $123,638.99 contract with Playcraft Systems LLC. Additionally, the council held a public hearing regarding updates to the system development charges (SDC) methodologies for water, wastewater, storm water, and transportation, discussing options for adopting the methodology and subsequent fee adjustments, noting the fees have been frozen since 2018.