Dana Point Council backs opposition to nearby battery storage project, adopts strategic plan and manager contract amendment

Dana Point City Council on June 17 authorized Mayor Matt Pagano to send a letter of opposition to the California Energy Commission (CEC) regarding the proposed Compass Energy Storage Project located near the 5 Freeway and the Los Angeles–San Diego rail corridor in San Juan Capistrano.

City staff said the CEC deemed the project application complete on April 30, which triggered a public information and scoping period that included meetings on May 29 and June 3. Riley Kesabasian, a city staff member who presented the item, said residents and government representatives raised concerns about the project's single access point crossing an active railroad corridor, the potential operational impact on daily train service in the event of a construction incident or accident, local creek erosion near the site, and fire-related risks. Kesabasian said the city is recommending the council authorize a letter of opposition to the CEC. "Based on this overwhelming opposition from the public and other government representatives, we are recommending that city council authorize the mayor to send a letter of opposition to the CEC for this project," Kesabasian told the council.

Councilmember Federico moved to send the letter and Councilmember Michael Vilar seconded. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

"If I lived at the top of this slope, looked down at this thing that could catch on fire and on a windy day in September or October, I would not wanna be near this thing," Councilmember Federico said during debate, citing fire-safety concerns and a recent facility fire elsewhere.

In other business the council:

- Adopted an update to the city's strategic plan. Jamie To, a city staff member who presented the update, said the revision incorporated council comments from the June 3 meeting and added language addressing neighborhood electric vehicles. A council member moved and the council approved the recommended action by voice vote.

- Authorized staff to submit an application to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) to be included on the 2026 Fire Risk Reduction Community list. City staff said the application opens July 1; inclusion on the list would prioritize Dana Point for certain Cal Fire grants and may be considered by insurers when setting rates. The list, if approved, would be effective July 1, 2026, for two years. The council approved submitting the application by voice vote.

- Approved an amendment to the city manager's employment agreement following a subcommittee review of benchmarking data. The council moved and approved the staff recommendation; council members who spoke praised City Manager Mike Killebrew's fiscal stewardship and staff leadership.

- Approved the consent calendar by roll call/voice vote. The clerk read the titles of a second-reading ordinance amending the municipal code to define electric bikes or scooters; the consent calendar then was moved, seconded and approved.

During the closed-session report the city attorney said the council had voted in closed session to initiate a receivership action against the property at 34616 Via Catalina. "The council voted on a motion by Councilmember Balar, seconded by Mayor Pagano, approved unanimously to initiate a receivership action, against the property at 34616 Via Catalina," the city attorney reported.

The meeting also included employee recognitions (employees of the quarter), a proclamation/certificate presentation to Benjie Nolo of the nonprofit Exodus Cry, and several public commenters who raised unrelated local concerns such as a resident inquiry about a permit and a request to explore community goat grazing for vegetation management. Staff gave an update that the city's new permitting system and website were scheduled to go live the following Monday.

Votes at a glance

- Compass Energy Storage Project: Motion to authorize the mayor to send a letter of opposition to the California Energy Commission — Mover: Councilmember Federico; Second: Councilmember Michael Vilar; Outcome: Approved (voice vote; no recorded opposition).

- Strategic plan update: Motion to adopt updated strategic plan — Mover: not specified in the record; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

- Fire Risk Reduction Community list (2026) application: Motion to authorize submission of application to Cal Fire — Mover: not specified in the record; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

- City manager employment agreement amendment: Motion to approve amendment per staff report — Mover: Councilmember Federico; Outcome: Approved (voice vote).

- Consent calendar (including second reading/adoption of ordinance defining electric bikes/scooters): Motion to approve consent calendar — Mover: not specified in the record; Outcome: Approved (voice vote/roll call).

- Closed-session action (initiating receivership): Motion to initiate receivership action against 34616 Via Catalina — Mover: Councilmember Balar; Second: Mayor Matt Pagano; Outcome: Approved unanimously (reported in closed session).

Why it matters: The council's opposition letter adds Dana Point to a cluster of neighboring cities raising safety and siting concerns about proposed large-scale battery storage near a rail corridor and freeway — issues that typically factor into the CEC's siting and safety reviews. Inclusion on Cal Fire's list could help the city compete for hazard-mitigation grants and influence insurance assessments. The manager contract amendment and strategic plan adoption set local fiscal and policy direction ahead of the next budget cycle.

The council's next regular meeting is scheduled for July 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. at Dana Point City Council chambers.