What San Clemente is about to decide

The council meets in closed session at 4:30 PM, and the business meeting convenes at 5:30 PM in the Council Chambers, 910 Calle Negocio, 2nd Floor, San Clemente. No public hearings are scheduled. These are pending decisions from the posted agenda — not outcomes. Every item links to the official record.

Source: official agenda (PDF) · meeting page · Next meeting: September 15, 2026

✅ What actually passed (confirmed from the Legistar vote record): Per the city's meeting record, the council adopted Resolution 26-146 on Proposition 39 (Item 10D) by a 3-1-1 vote — Knoblock, Cabral, and Wu in favor, Enmeier voting no, Mayor Loeffler abstaining. The record describes the resolution as "regarding Proposition 39, which establishes additional voter identification and citizenship verification requirements," and lists 14 speakers in support and six opposed. The press-conference policy review (10C) ended with no action: a motion by Enmeier, seconded by Wu, to direct staff to return with a policy that all councilmembers be notified of any press conferences was overtaken by a substitute motion by Knoblock, seconded by Cabral, to table the item, which carried 3-2 with Wu and Enmeier voting no. The revised Pension Investment Policy, Resolution No. 26-145 (10B), was adopted 5-0. The Coastal Strategic Plan (10A) was accepted by council consensus, with staff directed to continue pursuing its projects; no roll-call vote is recorded. On consent, the $2 million State Coastal Conservancy grant resolution (11E), Ordinance No. 1812 on park-ranger enforcement (11D), the MWDOC water-loss agreement (11F), the Beaches, Parks and Recreation work plan (11G), and the Q&E Pipeline notice of completion (11H) each passed 5-0; the minutes and the warrant and payroll registers (11A–11C) are marked approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.; the minutes are still marked draft.

The headline: the council will consider accepting a $2 million State Coastal Conservancy grant for Phase 2 of the Sand Retention Pilot Project planning study, and, in a separate item, accepting the 2026 Updated Draft San Clemente Coastal Strategic Plan and directing staff to keep pursuing the projects in it. Three council-initiated items follow under New Business: a revised pension investment policy, a review of the rules for council members holding press conferences, and whether the city should take a position on Proposition 39.

💰 Coastal money & the Coastal Strategic Plan

A resolution accepting $2 million in grant funding from the State Coastal Conservancy for Phase 2 of the Sand Retention Pilot Project planning study. Resolution 26-147 would find the study exempt from CEQA (Section 15262, feasibility and planning studies, and Class 6, Section 15306), authorize the City Manager to execute the grant agreement, accept the $2M into miscellaneous grant revenue Account No. 014-636-45300-000-17700, and appropriate a matching $2M to the same account. Item 11E
The 2026 Updated Draft San Clemente Coastal Strategic Plan: staff asks the council to accept the updated plan and direct staff to continue pursuing the projects it lists. Item 10A

🗳️ Council-initiated items: pensions, press conferences & Prop 39

A resolution adopting a revised Pension Investment Policy. Resolution No. 26-145 would repeal and replace Policy and Procedure 202-2 (dated December 18, 2013) with a revised Pension Investments Policy and Procedure. Agendized by Councilmember Cabral, with support from Mayor Pro Tem Knoblock and Councilmember Enmeier, at the August 4, 2026 meeting. Item 10B
A review of city policy on council members conducting press conferences, with possible policy changes. The council may continue current practice or modify the policies associated with press relations. Agendized by Councilmember Wu, with support from Councilmember Enmeier and Mayor Loeffler, at the August 18, 2026 meeting. Item 10C
A resolution taking a position on Proposition 39: the council will consider public input and determine whether to take a position. The agenda does not describe the measure. Agendized by Mayor Pro Tem Knoblock, with support from Councilmember Cabral, at the August 18, 2026 meeting. Item 10D

⚖️ Ordinances & enforcement

Second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 1812, amending Section 1.12.010(A)(6) of the Municipal Code to authorize park rangers to enforce provisions of the California Fish and Game Code, with a finding that the action is exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Sections 15307, 15308, and 15321. Item 11D

🤝 Agreements & contracts

A ten-year Water Loss Control Agreement with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), running July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2036 (Contract No. C26-52). Resolution No. 26-148 would also grant an exemption to the city's purchasing policy for an agreement with a public or quasi-public entity and find the project categorically exempt from CEQA under Class 7 (Section 15307). No dollar figure is listed on the agenda. Item 11F
A Notice of Completion for the Camino Vera Cruz Recycled Water Line Extension (CIP Project No. 17407), accepting the work from contractor Q&E Pipeline Company. Resolution No. 26-150 would authorize release of the payment bond 35 days after recordation if no liens have been levied, and release of the performance bond upon receipt of a warranty bond equal to 25% of the total construction cost. Item 11H
Resolution No. 26-149 approving the Beaches, Parks and Recreation Commission FY 2026-27 Work Plan as proposed. Item 11G

🔒 Closed session (4:30 PM)

Existing litigation: one case, VM Development II, LLC v. City of San Clemente, Orange County Superior Court Case No. 30-2025-01512943-CU-WM-CJC. Closed Session A
Real property negotiations with the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) over terms of a license agreement for Coastal Rail Stabilization Project Area 3 (Mariposa Point Beach Trail). City negotiators: City Manager Andy Hall, Assistant City Manager Brian Brower, and Public Works Director/City Engineer Dave Rebensdorf. Closed Session B1
Real property negotiations with Introduction Unlimited, Inc. over terms of a potential lease of city right-of-way between 242 and 218 Avenida Del Mar for the Farmers Market. City negotiators: Hall, Brower, and Beaches, Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Wylie. Closed Session B2
The City Attorney will report out on closed session during the business meeting. Item 6

🪑 Also on the agenda

A warrant register totaling $9,398,882.32 across three runs ($1,569,442.91 paid 8-7-26; $3,604,467.18 paid 8-14-26; $4,224,972.23 paid 8-21-26), plus a payroll register of $1,259,845.17 ($628,491.34 for the period 7-20-26 through 8-2-26; $631,353.83 for 8-3-26 through 8-16-26). Item 11C
Approval of the August 18, 2026 special and regular meeting minutes, and receipt of the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Commission special meeting minutes of June 23, 2026. Items 11A–11B
A proclamation to Orange County Fire Authority Division Chief Maule recognizing Wildfire Awareness and Prevention, followed by an OCFA update on activities, emergency response efforts, and recent incidents. Item 1A
Per the agenda, at 11:00 PM the council will determine which remaining items can be heard that night and continue the rest to a future meeting.

Council Brief summaries are produced from official public records by our automated newsroom and reviewed before publication. Items are described as posted; the council may amend, continue, or remove items at the meeting. Spot an error? hello@councilbrief.com — we publish corrections.