Laguna Hills council approves leasing council office, votes to relocate offices to Suite 255

Laguna Hills City Council voted April 8 to make the current council office suite available for lease and to relocate council offices to Suite 255 after extensive debate about the role and use of dedicated council space.

City Manager described the potential tenant (Serenity Escrow Inc.), the market rent (about $1,579 per month), and explained that leasing Suite 300 would generate roughly $18,000 annually. The manager sought direction to negotiate a 12‑month market lease and return to council for approval of the lease terms.

Councilmembers split on whether a dedicated council office should be preserved. Councilmember Hazel, who emphasized the office’s role for constituent privacy, safety and consistent public access, expressed disappointment the option was raised without prior background discussion: “These offices are valuable … we need to preserve them, especially for future council members.” Councilmember Wheeler argued an official office is important to maintain the council’s dignity and urged waiting until a replacement office is secured.

Mayor Sweeney raised timing and fiscal points and proposed a substitute motion to authorize staff to negotiate the lease and relocate the council office. The substitute, amended to make the current council office available for lease and relocate the council office to Suite 255 (currently licensed to the Chamber of Commerce on a month‑to‑month basis), passed on roll call: Mathis Aye, Hazel No, Kaske Aye, Wheeler Aye, Mayor Sweeney Aye.

City staff said the Chamber’s current occupancy of Suite 255 was month‑to‑month and the item to formally terminate or alter that license would be agendized separately if required. The approved action directs staff to proceed with negotiation and to return with measures needed to effectuate the relocation and lease.

The council’s substitute motion balances short‑term revenue generation against members’ requests to preserve dedicated workspace; staff will present implementation steps and any changes to existing third‑party licenses in a future meeting.