The City Council on Tuesday approved a cost-sharing plan for much-needed facilities as well as a plan that will ultimately bring sports tourism and revenue from around the globe to Mission Viejo.
As previously reported by the City on January 26 and March 9, the plans and costs that Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay discussed in detail at the January 24 City Council meeting regarding Santa Margarita Water District’s Oso Creek Water Treatment Plant and City Administrative/Storage Building were presented to the Council for consideration of an agreement. In a 4-1 vote, the Council approved the plan that dates to 2021. The City’s original corporate yard was part of the Santa Margarita Water District’s former water treatment plant, which was one of the original plants in Orange County. In 2020, the water district informed the City it would tear down the outdated plant to replace it with a new facility that will treat a higher capacity of water more efficiently with a smaller footprint. Like other municipalities, the corporate yard had been part of the City for decades. Essential to City operations, it’s the base for the City fleet; emergency response purposes; maintenance; and other needs. The agreement the Council approved on Tuesday will cover the construction of the new Corp Yard Administration/Storage building for the City, and the project will include the Administration and Storage Building, a new access road, parking lot and recreational open space easement to support future expansion of the Oso Creek Trail System within the Core of the City.
In addition, the Council unanimously approved Mayor Brian Goodell’s upcoming representation at the Oceania National Olympic Committee’s General Assembly in Brisbane, Australia. Rick Blas, Executive Director of the Oceania National Committee, which represents 17 countries, was impressed with the City’s Olympic tradition and state-of-the-art facilities for hosting international athletes while visiting Mission Viejo last month and invited the Mayor to take part in committee’s General Assembly. Having delegations of athletes from other countries live and train in Mission Viejo in the years leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles would result in a boost to the local economy and other numerous benefits, which could make Mission Viejo an even more attractive place to live, visit, and conduct business.
In other Council news, 97-year-old World War II veteran William Simonoff was recognized for his vast efforts by the Council, U.S. Representative Young Kim and Supervisor Don Wagner. The highly decorated U.S. Army Sergeant was honored with the “Medal of Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur” at the French Consulat.
The City Council normally meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month. Residents are encouraged to attend City Council meetings, which are streamed live on the City’s website and air on Cox Channel 30 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99. Stay tuned to the City’s social media sites for up-to-date news and information.
