City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2026

The City Council of Lake Forest, CA, held a regular meeting on March 17, 2026, which included extensive public comments and discussions on several procurement-related matters. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the approval of a contract renewal with Orange County Animal Care (OCAC) for animal care services. The council reviewed a detailed consultant report comparing OCAC with Mission Viejo Animal Services (MVAS), including cost analyses, service quality, and community satisfaction. Despite public concerns and calls to consider switching to MVAS, the council unanimously approved the five-year contract renewal with OCAC, while also agreeing to keep dialogue open with MVAS for potential future consideration. Additionally, the council held a public hearing on a planning commission appeal related to a Costco development project, ultimately approving the project after reviewing traffic impact studies and expert analyses. The meeting also covered the fiscal year 2026-27 draft action plan for the Community Development Block Grant program, with staff recommending allocations to public services, administration, and housing programs, which the council approved unanimously. Overall, the meeting addressed contract awards, vendor service evaluations, budget allocations, and capital improvement projects relevant to city procurement and community development.