Public comments: residents raise concerns about 'rolling coal', bird collisions, fireworks, sidewalks and a stalled core-area study

A range of community members used the council’s public‑comment period to raise public‑safety, environmental and planning issues.

Michael Rodger described the practice known as "rolling coal," said the EPA pursues sellers of the devices, and reported a recent rally where the sheriff pulled over a driver; he asked for consistent enforcement after a colleague received a ticket while another driver reportedly received only a warning. Kara Blick, representing the Audubon conservation committee and a Mission Viejo High School student, urged the council to adopt the Audubon Lights Out program—measures such as turning off exterior lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., dimming, and motion sensors—to reduce bird collisions and save energy. "As a city, we have a long standing commitment to reducing our energy usage as well as protecting our environment," she said.

Gene Derry described recurring illegal‑fireworks gatherings near Cordova Park on July 4 and New Year’s Eve and asked for more visible enforcement or fire‑department presence; the sheriff's captain advised residents to call the non‑emergency line and to try to identify launch locations when reporting fireworks. Carolyn Gatto thanked officers for providing presence at a recent rally and asked whether sidewalk work at La Paz & Marguerite is planned; city staff (Jerry) responded there are no sidewalk‑construction plans at this time but that nighttime repaving is scheduled in the long term and that AT&T has requested utility encroachment plans. Tom Moore, a longtime resident, urged a full financial‑accountability report on prior studies and the Mission Viejo core‑area vision plan, asking for costs for the ULI report and subsequent planning work.