The San Clemente City Council adopted a package of consent items and introduced several ordinances at its Oct. 21 meeting. Below is a concise recap of formal actions and votes taken on consent and ministerial matters.

Key votes and items

- Building standards ordinance (first reading): Council introduced Ordinance No. 1796 to adopt portions of the 2025 California Building Standards Code (Title 24) with city amendments and set a public hearing for Nov. 4, 2025. The council found certain local additions reasonably necessary due to local climatic, geological and topographical conditions. Vote: unanimous, first reading introduced.

- Pedestrian audible-warning system: Council approved a first amendment to a consulting agreement with Pacific Railway Enterprises Inc. to continue the pedestrian audible warning system rehabilitation project (project 25505). The project description and funding in the staff packet show a federal/state/agency cost-share; council approved the amendment and authorized the city manager to execute the contract. Vote: unanimous.

- Camino Mira Costa median and pedestrian refuge (CIP 15232): Council awarded a construction contract to Gentry General Contracting (contract amount listed in the staff report) and approved the modified pedestrian refuge island design and associated improvements. The item passed on the consent calendar after public comment from neighbors raising traffic‑calming questions; council asked staff to also evaluate additional traffic‑calming measures and return with options. Vote: unanimous.

- Animal control and licensing ordinance (first reading): Council introduced the first reading of an ordinance updating Title 6 (animal control and licensing) to align local rules with neighboring jurisdictions and authorized staff to proceed to a subsequent hearing. Vote: unanimous (first reading introduced).

- Other consent actions: council approved routine consent calendar items including a resignation acceptance from appointed committees, contract awards and standard procedural actions; all items on the consent calendar were approved unanimously except where specific items were pulled for discussion.

What the votes mean: The ordinance introductions require a second reading and final adoption at the Nov. 4 public hearing (for the building-code ordinance); contract awards and amendments are authorized as approved on the consent calendar. Council asked staff to return with additional traffic‑calming options for the Camino Mira Costa neighborhood despite approving the median project contract.

Votes and tallies: Unless noted above, consent items passed by unanimous voice vote.