FEATURES: http://www.ocregister.com/news/kogerman-220553-council-campaign.html - Nellie Gail fundraiser kicks off 2010 City Council Campaign (and Term Limits Campaign) for Barbara Kogerman. Send your thoughts to BlandMJ@AOL.com
The candidates web site is www.kogerman4council.com
Congratulations to Deputy of the Year and SRO Ray Botta!!!
** Presentations and Proclamations - New CEO of Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) introduces himself.
** Public Comments - None
** LHHS Student Liaison Report from Lisa Mc Corkell -
** Consent Calendar - Will Transient Occupancy Taxes increase & Quarterly Financial Highlights
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - NONE - Consent Calendar passed as a whole.
** City Council Public Hearings - Flood Management Regulations, Municipal Code for Landscape Water Efficiency, Landscape Standards and Guidelines, Application for FY 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Funds for Public Facilities and the Florence Sylvester Senior Center
** Planning Agency Report and Public Hearing - NONE
** Administrative Reports - City Manager's Report, Ordinance for Removal of Encroachments from Public Right of Way, & Commercial Food Waste Diversion Pgrm.
** Other Business - City Council selects its designated representative to conduct a Closed Session meeting to discuss compensation of City Manager. - Will it be Council Member Craig Scott, again?
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Student Resource Officer Ray Botta named Deputy of the Year, Council Member Carruth's Request for city drop off points for toys/gifts for Adopted Marines was rejected by Council Member Craig Scott, Council Member Bressette Requested more transparency on city web site.
** CLOSED SESSION - Performance Evaluation for City Manager
* Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - in the Orange County Register Newspaper* Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Did the City of Laguna Hills "Unadopt" their Marines?
Laguna Hills City Manager makes more money than the Governor of CA!
**Clarification to the 11/10/09 City Council Meeting Report re. Community Services Recreation Program Rate Increases.
* How to Support the Adopted 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division- Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - temporary information below and need for volunteers
* Orange County Register Newspaper - News Articles with blogs* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public - Memorable Quotes from City Council Members* Reminders
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11/24/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - Will Kempton, new CEO of Orange County Transit Authority (OCTA) introduced himself. OCTA has about 1900 employees 17 voting Board of Director members and an annual budget of about $1.2 billion. Prior to coming to OCTA, Mr. Kempton had been with CA. Dept. of Transportation (CALTRANS) overseeing a budget of greater than $13.8 billion. He was with CALTRANS since 1973.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Last Friday the LHHS football team won a CIF game, this Friday will be the 2nd CIF game. The Marching Band and Color Guard placed 5th in their division. Wednesday is a minimum day and Thursday and Friday no school for Thanksgiving. The Health Challenge Event raised over $35,000
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
The Warrant Register - was $915,543.55
About $533,000 for Public safety, Bank of America bill for $12,508.06 for training, travel, vehicle fuel, program supplies and op. supplies for October. Cheveron bill for $868.70 for more fuel. US Postage bill of $3000 for the Winter 2009 Activity Guide.
Laguna Hills Quarterly Financial Highlights - states General Fund revenues are used primarily to finance the city's general governmental activities and Special Revenues and Grants are used for specific expenditures typically capital projects. This quarters property taxes were only at 2% of budget. Intergovernmental revenue came in at 7% of budget. Revenues for Licensing and Permits came in at 27% of annual forecast. Charges for services are 19% of budget. Fines and Forfeitures came in at 15% of budget. At quarter end operating revenues totaled almost $1.12 million. Laguna Hills Civic Center income for 3 months ending Sept 30 was $39,958. Funding Sources = $1.36 million, Funding Uses = $3.46 million and Excess of Sources = $2.28 million.
Transient Occupancy Tax - The city has over the years charged 10% for TOT and is considering an increase. Over the past 5 years the TOT tax generated an average of greater than $1 million annually to the General Fund. Staff recommends any increase be deferred for at least 2 years based upon the fragile state of the economy. If an increase is considered staff suggests 2%. Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel charge 8% most other cities charge 10% with Laguna Beach and Newport Beach at 10% plus 2% for Business Improvement District. Staff there is a strong interest in building new hotels in the city but problem with availability of land ready for development. Staff states a hotel business improvement district would serve as its own entity, separate from the city, with its own Board of Directors, bylaws and budget. Staff's opinion is that a Hotel/Business Improvement District would not work well in Laguna Hills given the number of hotels and rooms involved. There are only 4 hotels in Laguna Hills. There are merits for an increase
of TOT by 2% especially if the revenues are used for economic development but not at this time.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - None - The entire Consent Calendar passed as a whole 5 - 0
City Council Public Hearings
Flood Management Regulations - City has an existing floodplain mgmt. ordinance required by FEMA as a condition of the city's continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP is the only way for property owners to insure against flood risk. Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield stated there are very few properties in Laguna Hills that are that are adjacent to or in a flood zone. Basically only properties close to waterways and creeks are susceptible. This is a refinement not a substantial change.
Public Hearing for Ordinance with No speakers. Ordinance Passed 5 - 0
Municipal Code Relating to Landscape Water Efficiency - New state law requiring cities, by Jan. 1, 2010 to adopt either a state model water efficient landscape ordinance or a local alternative that is at least as effective as the State Model ordinance. Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield stated this will effect new and remodeled sites. Site owners will have to comply with strict regulations regarding irrigation systems. Onus will be on property owners to comply and present compliance to the city. Property owners will need the assistance of a licensed and certified landscape architect which will be expensive. Smart irrigation system water controllers will need to be used exclusively. Within 2 years these Smart Irrigation controllers will be the only ones available. The smartest of these can receive information related to climate conditions, etc. Residents will have to learn about this through the City Newsletter, at the counter at City Hall and hopefully though more wide spread means from the State. Staff suggests city adopt County Model
Council Member Craig Scott stated this ordinance is over reaching, totally inappropriate and philosophically revolting.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated Water Conservation will be the new normal, it works.
Public Hearing for Ordinance with No speakers. Ordinance Passed 4 - 1 in favor of County Plan. The 1 No vote was Craig Scott.
Landscape Standards and Guidelines - City's requirements for irrigation plans will now be located in chapter 9 - 47 instead of 9-46 to eliminate duplication and confusion. Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield stated this Ordinance was amended to remove references to irrigation since they are included in the Landscape Water Efficiency Ordinance.
Public Hearing for Ordinance with No speakers. Ordinance Passed 5 - 0
City Application for FY 2010-2011 Community Development Block Grant Funds for Public Facilities and Improvements for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center
- Federal Community Block Grant Funds administered by the County of Orange. City will send an RFP (Request for Proposal) by end of Nov. 2009 and is anticipating submitting an application for $50,000 to assist The Florence Sylvester Senior Center with cost of facility improvement and deferred maintenance. City can apply each year for "Eligible Projects" as needed. Staff requested authorization to apply.
Public Hearing for Ordinance with No speakers. Ordinance Passed 5 - 0
After never having contributed anything to the Senior Center for 17 years, under much pressure from the Seniors, the OC Register, the Laguna Hills Watch Dog and now the New Candidate for City Council in 2010, Barbara Kogerman, the city finally applied for and states it received one grant this year for $50,175 and is expecting to do the same again. Now the task for the city should also include the long requested transportation for seniors and the disabled.
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings - NONE The Conditional Use Permit request by Verizon Wireless to Install and Operate a Wireless Communication Facility on an existing So. CA. Edison Utility Pole, North of Via Lomas Dr. and West of the City's community Center was continued for 60 days for Verizon to study the conditions of the permit.
Administrative Reports
City Manager Bruce Channing stated at the State League of CA. Cities, he assisted with establishing strategic priorities for 2010 with the top priority being protection of local government revenues. Also, 4 city managers were invited to the Governor's office to discuss strategies for dealing with pension reform. He said local effort is needed on this issue because the State Legislature is not expected to act on it's own re. Pension Reform.
City Attorney Greg Simonian - An Ordinance Regarding the Removal of Encrochments from the Public Right of Way.
Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield stated the city finds couches, refrigerators, and trash in the Public Right of Way and need a more effective system to remove them. Should the city approve this, it will declare any Encroachment in the Public Right of Way in Violation of the Laguna Hills Municipal Code a Public Nuisance and allow the City Engineer to remove any Encroachment within the Public Right of Way which obstructs or prevents use of Public Right of Way and/or consists of refuse, rubbish or debris, or is a traffic hazard, if any Encroachment is not removed from the Public Right of Way following notice to a responsible party and opportunity for removal.
Public Hearing for Ordinance with No speakers. Ordinance Passed 5 - 0
Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program
Deputy City Manager, Community Services David Reynolds said 4 cities, Laguna Niguel, RSM, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano have approved this Food Waste Diversion Program and the 4 others looking at it soon. 21 are restaurants served by this recycling program but only 2 are actively using the program to date. Changing restaurant behaviors for the other 19 is under way and is part of the program education related to alternate disposal of food waste to save landfill space. Also landfill disposal rates will increase substantially on July 1, 2010 to discourage restaurants from dumping waste foods in landfills. Staff recommends continued support of the program with the Laguna Hills Mall already underway by the City of Laguna Hills in conjunction with 7 other So. County Cities who applied for a Grant for $400,000 for a one year pilot program for a commercial food waste diversion program from the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Passed 5 - 0
Other Business
Designated Representative to Negotiate Compensation of City Manager.
The City Council selects and identifies its designated representative for the purpose of conducting a Closed Session meeting with its authorized labor negotiator to discuss the compensation of the City Manager, an unrepresented employee.
The person who has done this in past years is City Council Member Craig Scott who appears to have been quite generous with the City Manager. This time, current Mayor Joel Lautenschleger was chosen to negotiate the city manager's compensation without additional comment. We don't know if the outcome from this combination will be any better than it was with Craig Scott but this takes the political heat off of Craig Scott related to all the recent bad publicity regarding this City Manager's Extra Large Salary and Benefits Package topped with a $60,000 new car from Tustin. Craig Scott is up for re-election in 2010.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger announced that Sheriff's Deputy Ray Botta, who is also the Student Resource Officer for Laguna Hills, was named Deputy of the Year at the Deputy Appreciation Breakfast.
Council Member Randall Bressette requested City Council Agenda Reports on City's Web Page with a recommendation that the city council request staff to prepare a report on the options for including Agenda reports on the City's web page and the associated costs therewith. This passed 4 - 1 with Craig Scott voting NO.
Having the complete Agenda rather than just the brief outline posted on the city web site for residents prior to every city council meeting is an important issue for more transparency in the city government in Laguna Hills. This Watch Dog Reporter spends at least 2 to 3 hours prior to every city council meeting reading the Complete Agenda and Staff Reports from the big book on the counter at City Hall to get some idea of what will actually be happening at a city council meeting, since many items are never openly discussed during the meetings. The Complete Agenda in the book at City Hall is already typed so there should not be much problem or additional expense involved in cutting and pasting it into the web site or just typing it into the web site initially and printing it out for the book on the desk at City Hall. Lake Forest and other cities have had their complete agendas posted on their web sites for a long time. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has long requested more transparency from this city council and the candidate for 2010 City Council, Barbara Kogerman, who has already done a great deal to encourage transparency from this city council has declared Transparency as one of her Primary Campaign Issues.
Council Member Randall Bressette reported on San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Draft's Tentative Order. On Nov. 17 Council Member Bresette attended the Public Hearing Considering Adoption of a new Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Permit for the San Diego Region of Orange County. Testimony was provided to the board regarding the potential impacts of the proposed permit. Following about 3 hours of testimony, and 30 minutes of Board Deliberation, the Permit was not adopted. Bressette stated that in his comments he assured the Board that the City of Laguna Hills was committed to clean storm water discharge and that we embrace reasonable, enforceable and effective water quality regulations. He added that he told them there were provisions of this permit not acceptable to Laguna Hills for economic, legal and practical perspectives and that many of the regulations were extremely costly, unnecessarily burdensome and impossible to enforce. He stated the bottom line was that the Board did not care and fees are very high for lack of compliance. Staff will follow this and keep us informed.
Council Member Melody Carruth reported on the Orange County Fairgrounds Sale and requested that the city council adopt a resolution supporting local government land use control. Melody said she brought a simple resolution in favor of local government control for the consideration of the city council.
Council Member Craig Scott stated there may be some illegal conduct in the resolution so need to look into that prior to signing and he would like to stay away from other cities' issues. He said State of CA. should be liquidating assets to pay their bills.
Council Member Songstad shared some concern for possible inaccuracies in the resolution, with need for staff to look into this. He proposed a substitute motion for looking into the language in the resolution and then deciding about signing or not. His substitute resolution passed 5 - 0
Council Member Melody Carruth requested a 3/5 Marine Battalion 1st division Toy Drive and requested that the city council direct staff to establish collection points at City Hall and the Community Center for new unwrapped toys and gift cards for children and teenagers to be delivered to Camp Pendleton on Dec. 22.
Council Member Melody Carruth announced that the 3/5 Marines Adoption Committee lost a couple of members who left the State but Richard Nagle is working on reconstituting the Marine Battalion Citizens Support Committee. Melody said she had also been in touch with the Laguna Woods City Council Members who expressed a lot of interest in partnering with Laguna Hills residents to reconstitute the Marine's Support Committee. She reflected on the difficulties of the 3/5 Marines currently coming off back to back deployments and who are now slated for, hopefully, about 10 months of being home. Melody said she spoke with Camp Pendleton's Outreach Coordinator who suggested the toys and gift cards. She added that although the Mariner's Church in Irvine has also adopted the 3/5 Battalion, we do not want to forget them. She noted the expired information on the city's web site and suggested collection sites at the Community Center and City Hall for toys and gift cards for the Marines and their families.
Council Member Craig Scott stated there was an article in the Register within the last week where it was reported that the city was trying to reconstitute the 3/5 Support Committee. He said the council has taken a very clear position that there will be no official city support by this council for the 3/5 Committee. He said the reasons for that go back a long time so he did not propose to go over all of that, but if the city is to be consistent with the council decisions in the past the city should not be about reconstituting and it is not appropriate to use city resources to further the work that could be done by the committee if the committee chooses to. He said very frankly he hoped Ms. Carruth had not been suggesting, as a member of the council, that she's speaking for the city because that would be contrary to their adopted position. He stated he did not favor her taking the action that has been suggested and the city should remember that they have drawn a very clear line that the city will not sponsor, or devote assets or give resources of the staff's time and energy to efforts that ought to be coming from the committee, if at all. He insisted that the committee can do what it wants to do but the city ought to be in a hands off position from an official city standpoint.
One thing the LH Watch Dog has observed over the years is that Council Member Craig Scott rarely fails to disappoint when the subject reflects a less than robotic need for spontaneous kindness to others and inclusiveness rather strict a adherence to a pre-conceived script. ** It is also important to note that it was the Laguna Hills Watch Dog Reporter Jean Bland, not Council Member Melody Carruth, who took this story to a reporter at the Orange County Register to publicize this problem in hopes of drawing attention to the cause of the apparently abandoned Adopted Marines before Christmas. This problem was thankfully brought to my attention by Dee Dee McGann-Gollwitzer who was trying to contact the 3/5 Marine Support Committee to find out how to help the Marines. - see more below
Council Member Randall Bressette followed Mr. Scott by stating what Mr. Scott said was true but that was on a 4 to 1 vote that has left Mr. Bressette frustrated, embarrassed and to a great extent angry over that action over many years. He said he has stayed out of it mostly because Deb Allen and the Committee wouldn't allow him to be involved despite the fact that he is a retired US Navy Chief Warrant Officer. He said he has been frustrated by the fact that the action of Mr. Craig Scott, so well verbalized has led members of the city council to accept awards on behalf of the city when frankly the city divorced the 3/5. He said he does support the collection boxes for the US Marines Toys for Tots program at the Community Center and at City Hall but that support because of prior action has nothing to do with the 3/5, it just happens as a program much like the firefighters across the street. He said he hopes that at some point this council changes it's mind.
Council Member Melody Carruth stressed that this is not about any of us or how we're inconvenienced it's about helping the Marines and being flexible.
Council Member Alan Songstad, who, as Mayor in the 2008 election year, benefited from the positive publicity from the Adopted Marine Battalion agreed with Ms. Carruth. He stated there have been obvious problems with the Adoption Committee and the city council has been placed in an awkward position, which he can explain at some future time, but this is just about the Marines who are protecting us in a time of war, so he agreed with Council Member Carruth to fully support collection points in the city for toys and gifts.
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger agreed with the collection points and proclaimed a consensus on this issue, rather than taking a vote.
**After the meeting Tom Epperson, and Mike Bland volunteered their services to assist with collection and delivery of the gifts for the Marines and hopefully other citizens of Laguna Hills will do the same.
CLOSED SESSION - to consider 9.1 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - City Manager and 9.2 - Conference with labor Negotiator - Name City Council Designee to negotiate salary and benefits for City Manager.
City Clerk Peggy Johns called on Wed. morning to report that there was Nothing to Report from the Closed Session.
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Laguna Hills Crime Watch
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Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to:http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
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What do you think about the new candidate for Laguna Hills City Council? Go to www.kogerman4council.com Send us your comments at blandMJ@AOL.com
Did anyone read the OC Register Watchdog Story Protest backfires: State bigwigs will get early pay cut http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/20/why-wait-big-pay-cut-for-state-bigwigs-to-happen-sooner-rather-than-later/44217/
The City Manager of tiny Laguna Hills makes more than the Governor
of the State of CA. How upside down is that? Jeff
Did the city of Laguna Hills Unadopt their Marines?
On 11/12/2009 - The Laguna Hills Watch Dog received a message from Dee Dee McGann-Gollwitzer a Laguna Hills resident who was trying to contact the Committee to support the Marine Unit adopted by the City of Laguna Hills. She said she had e-mailed the "darkhorse" address on the City of Laguna Hills web site and in the Watch Dog, and that e-mail address was no longer valid. She called the number for Debra Allen and it was disconnected. She called another number for the Community Center and talked to someone at the desk who had never heard of it. Dee Dee's concern was, "I wonder if they unadopted the Marines?"
There is a disclaimer on the city web site but the Mayor, City Manager or whoever should be at the helm of the city apparently dropped the ball on this one so the Laguna Hills Watch Dog took this problem to Laguna Hills City Council Member Melody Carruth who researched and reported that Laguna Hills resident Dick Nagle is reconstituting the 3/5 Marine Battalion Citizens Support Committee. Melody said we lost military mom Barbara Breazeale-Pozzi and Deb Allen (both moved out of state). If citizens are interested in serving on a committee this is the perfect time to get involved. In addition to Laguna Hills, the 3/5 Marine Battalion was also adopted by Mariner's Church in Irvine - see their contact information below to donate to the Marines and their families during the Holidays.
Council Member Carruth also said that at the Tuesday, November 24 City Council meeting she will ask the city council to approve gift card/toy collection sites at the Community Center and City Hall for 3/5 Marine Battalion families for distribution December 22. Ms. Carruth added, following back to back deployments in Iraq and Southeast Asia Laguna Hills residents will have opportunities to work with members of 3/5 and their families in 2010 and the formal Nov. 6, pre-Veteran's Day 3/5 ceremony at Laguna Hills High School Hawk Stadium was a wonderful example of the community connection these great Marines have with Laguna Hills. As they watched the game and chatted with coaching staff, parents and faculty members it was clear to me that these moments have meaning to them. These Marines and their families have made an impact at all levels of our community.
Thank you so much to Dee Dee for bringing this to our attention and to Council Member Melody Carruth, who was willing to play both detective & Santa to help and clearly did not misrepresent the city on this issue as Council Member Craig Scott queried at the 11/24 council meeting. Thank you to both Dee Dee and Council Member Carruth for bringing the Adopted Marine Division back to Laguna Hills for Christmas!
**Clarification to 11-10-09 Report - At the 11/10/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - Community Services Recreation Program Rate Study - Staff Recommended that the City Council approve Increasing the rates charged for recreation programs as outlined in the staff report. New increased fees for facility room rentals and increased fee schedules for classes were brought up to date after never having been reviewed in the past 10 years, by the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Staff to insure that the city does recover direct as well as indirect costs. A total of $9,530 would be the amount of increase in revenue to the city with the updated rates.
City Council Member Randall Bressette objected to rate increases of a third or more for residents because he wants to enable residents to keep taking their children to classes. He stated he would vote for increases only for non-residents.
Mayor Lautenschleger said he agreed with recovering costs and added that this should have been done every couple of years instead of waiting so long.
Vote was 4 - 1 with the only dissenting vote being Council Member Randall Bressette
Clarification to the Community Services Recreation Program Rate increases Report on 11/10/09. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog reported the Community Services Recreation Program Rate Increases as they were stated at the meeting - "A total of $9,530 would be the amount of increase in revenue to the city with the updated rates". Since that time we heard from City Council Member Melody Carruth that the $9,530 figure stated by Laguna Hills Community Services Superintendent Dan Meehan was a "Quarterly Figure" not an annual figure. We confirmed this with City documents and with a phone call to the office of David Reynolds, Deputy City Manager where we spoke with Jami
In addition to the $9,531 figure being a "quarterly" figure the staff report documents state that these figures are for the Spring 2009 Quarter Activity and their numbers show that although there is a $9,531 "Increase in Revenue" this is still a ($2,651) loss overall. According to staff numbers the staff led classes do not break even but the Contract Instructor led classes made a profit prior to the rate increases and will do better after the rate increases. The numbers from the staff report are as follows:
Profit/(loss) Profit/(loss) Increased
Current rate Proposed rate Revenue
Staff Classes ($18,038) ($10,730) ($7,353)
Contract Instructor $5,901 $8,079 $2,178
Classes------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total ($12,182) ($2,651) $9,531
Clarification Comments from Laguna Hills City Council Member Melody Carruth "While I voted against the residential rate increases for the Community Center Facility and Sports Park in May, I support the recreation class fee increases- in particular increasing those fees charged for non-residents. Non-residents ought to be charged a higher rate for classes and activities to cover the cost of City operational expenses. I believe we need to be in line with recreation class fees charged in other south county cities to move closer to full cost recovery. The City will continue to offer affordable classes while remaining competitive with surrounding cities and the School District. The approved reasonable rate increases will further maintain and protect the quality of our city facilities."
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How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division
Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
For now - Interested residents and businesses may contact Steven Vidal at the Mariner's Church in Irvine at 949-854-7030 ext. 267 or ext. 316 to donate to the Marines and their families during the Holidays. More information about the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adoption Committee, donations and providing support for the Marines, Sailors and families of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines will be forthcoming.
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OC Register News Stories and blogs
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City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html
Laguna Hills buys its city manager a $60,000 car - in Tustin
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
Checkpoint nets 14 people in Laguna Hills
http://www.ocregister.com/news/drivers-219231-dui-checkpoint.html
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/dogs-christian-county-2609339-suit-one
Woman mauled by 3 bull mastiffs sues county, city
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-million-budget-2473902-year-positions
Laguna Hills makes cuts to two-year budget
Remember to visit the page www.ocregister.com/readerforums/saddleback
when you've got something to share with the community.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/survey-city-respondents-2366204-hills-percent
Laguna Hills a good place to live, survey says
Laguna Hills Report Recommends Pet License Outreach. It also says shelters aren't crowded enough for spay, neuter program.http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-dogs-laguna-2281407-hills-report
Laguna Hills City Manager gets $23,000 bonus over objections http://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city
Senior Center in Laguna Hills Suffers financially - Officials of the nonprofit are angry that the city has never provided money, despite the services provided to its residents. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/senior-center-services-2216444-county-south
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Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public ==================================
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Well, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member and how would you define that? ***Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her. Be sure to see the exhibit of her Remarkable life at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - Mayor Allan Songstad said - "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."
Thank you Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 years)
March 11, 2008 - Don White, Assist. City Manager states Laguna Hills rejected a proposal from Mission Viejo to share their animal shelter in 2005 due to increased expense and "unknown and serious contractual problems that exposed the city's budget to unknown and uncontrollable cost increases and expenditures".
So, Don if the contractual problems are "unknown" how do you know they are serious and uncontrollable? Laguna Niguel has had the same contract that was presented to Laguna Hills with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter for more than 10 years and in 2008 Aliso Viejo joined the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter so none of this has been a problem for them? October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that." So true, Allan, so unfortunately true.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - 11-10-09
FEATURES: ** A Shoutout to our Laguna Hills Police dept. for patrolling Laguna Hills Neighborhoods and finding and stopping suspicious activity in empty houses. Good Work! See details at: http://www.ocregister.com/news/house-215859-doan-vacant.html
Campaign Kickoff on Thursday, November 19, 2009 for 2010 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council Barbara Kogerman - This is a chance to hear the candidate's ideas for the city, to share your ideas, to hear a Surprise Announcement and to experience one of the most beautifully designed and decorated homes in Laguna Hills. Contact 949-855-9889 for more information.
** Presentations and Proclamations - Orange County Human Relations Council Annual Report
** Public Comments - None
** LHHS Student Liaison Report from Lisa Mc Corkell - Seasonal Flu Shots avail at LHHS this Saturday
** Consent Calendar - Another progress Payment for Oso Pkwy. landscape project and $8,600,000.00 is budgeted for "Future" for Oso Pkwy landscape projects, also $610,000 budgeted for "Future" for 9 additional City Identification Monuments
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - 2 by Council Member Carruth
** Planning Agency Report and Public Hearing - Request from the Villa Roma Restaurant to incorporate limited music, dancing and entertainment
** Administrative Reports -
** City Manager's Report - Holiday Charitable events involving the Fire Dept.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Web Casting Laguna Hills City Council Meetings for the citizens - finally, after 18 years, could it be???
** Closed Session - Public Employee Performance Evalluation for the City Manager, Bruce Channing - Post closed session city said - Nothing to report .
* Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper
Theresa Razo is the representative for the Villa Roma Restaurant that is zoned Community Commercial (CC). The Proposed entertainment will occur entirely within the enclosed portion of the existing restaurant tenant space. The CC zoning permits restaurants and nightclub uses. Nightclub is defined as "an establishment dispensing liquor with or without meals in which music, dancing or entertainment is featured." The restaurant will be providing limited entertainment. music and dancing Thursday - Sunday 7 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday to 11 pm. The use of a DJ and live Karaoke is prohibited. There is an additional request to provide limited entertainment for private events and holidays, fund raisers, etc. Argentine and Italian foods are served here. The restaurant shares the building with it's own affiliated business partner the Villa Roma Market and Deli. There were 34 conditions included in the CUP including that the restaurant doors are to remain closed when entertainment is in progress. The city staff recommended approval of this CUP based upon no significant adverse environmental impacts so not a detriment to public health, safety and general welfare.
The Applicant Theresa Razzo spoke and answered the council's questions. There was a very lengthy discussion among the council members regarding the issue of noise problems for residents in a nearby residential community vs. the need for this business to be able to grow and make a profit. There had been several noise complaints in the past which were clarified by Laguna Hills Police Chief. Lt. Doan who stated The 4 noise complaints that the Sherrif's dept. responded to at this restaurant, 2 were on a Saturday night and 2 on a Sunday night. Nov. 13, Oct 25, Nov 23 of 2008 and Jan 24 of 2009 with no additional complaints since January. In all 4 of those instances the restaurant's front and patio doors were open when the deputies arrived and DJ Karaoke Music type were going on. He said that music was fairly loud and powerful and appears out of character with what the applicant is looking for at this time. He added that they had the volume of the music turned down and the doors closed and received no further calls on those evenings after the corrections had been made. The applicant was questioned about this and she responded that she and her husband, the chef, who are owners in this restaurant were not present during the times of the complaints, but have since learned that they must always have a manager on duty until closing to be sure this is in control and will do that in the future.
Council Member Melody Carruth argued there have been 7 calls with complaints and this area was not designated to be an entertainment zone with music and dancing, is too close to homes and upsets the balance in the area.
Council Member Craig Scott stated that based upon what he has heard from the applicant and the staff he would prefer to extended live the entertainment hours to 11 pm Thursday through Sunday and 10 pm on Valentine's Day as long as the noise is controlled and subsequent report is obtained in 6 months.
Council Member Randall Bressette supported Council Member Craig Scott's motion to extend the entertainment hours.
The CUP with staff recommendation passed 4 - 1 with Council Member Carruth being the No vote.
Administrative Reports
City Manager Bruce Channing stated the OC Fire Authority will participate in a Food Drive on Nov. 24. with food going to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank, and they will participate in SHARE Ourselves that also serves the residents of the County. All the area fire Depts. will be locations for drop offs. Also there will be a Spark of Love Toy Drive Nov. 21 - Dec. 24 to collect Toys at the local Fire Departments for unwrapped toys and sports equipment that are then re-distributed to underprivileged children throughout Southern CA.
Community Services Recreation Program Rate Study -
Staff Recommendation that the City Council approve Increasing the rates charged for recreation programs as outlined in the staff report. New increased fees for facility room rentals and increased fee schedules for classes were brought up to date by City Staff and Parks and the Recreation Commission after never having been reviewed in the past 10 years, to insure that the city does recover direct as well as indirect costs. A total of $9,530 would be the amount of increase in revenue to the city with the updated rates.
City Council Member Randall Bressette objected rate increases of a third or more for residents because he wants to enable residents to keep taking their children to classes. He stated he would vote for increases only for non-residents.
Mayor Lautenschleger said he agreed with recovering costs and added that this should have been done every couple of years instead of waiting so long.
This was passed 4 - 1 with Randall Bressette being the No vote.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
WEB CASTING the City Council Meetings??
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger resurrected the Web Casting idea (The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has advocated for years doing live and unedited web casts of city council meetings). He said a lot of the newspaper stories are just blogs, inaccurate and sensationalizing. He said the there is a lot of misinformation out there and web casting would allow more people to see how the city council operates and give them the ability to key in on one particular area of interest. He asked for a Staff Report on this idea, including costs and what is available. He added that it's good public policy to have a system that can be analyzed by anyone.
It is important to note here that at the December 11, 2008 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Joel Lautenschleger had been just been re-elected and began serving as Mayor for 2009. He said then that he was going to look into putting the city council meetings on the web site for citizens to view to let the citizens see how the city council actually reaches their decisions and prevent spin from the news media and by residents. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog responded - (Now, if only we could prevent spin from the city we'd all be in great shape! The Watch dog definitely encourages much more transparency in this city government including televised city council meetings, but will continue to tape the city council sessions and check for editing if the sessions are televised)
At the Laguna Hills City Council Meeting on March 17, 2009 Joel also said he wanted to streamline the city's web site and that hasn't happened either. Now on Nov. 10, 2009 following a lot of bad publicity related to the discovery of the large bonus and a $60,000 car for the Laguna Hills City Manager during an economic recession when the city reduced staff by 8%, is cutting back on other things and raising rates for classes, etc. this comes up again in the name of Transparency?
Council Member Melody Carruth agreed with getting a staff report and seeing what can be done with web casting the city council meetings to make it easier for the public to follow what the council is doing.
Council Member Randall Bressette stated "I find it interesting that a city council who wouldn't even agree to have Staff Reports published on the web site prior to city council meetings would even consider this." He suggested that if this is done do it live so it is not subject to edit and censure. People play to the camera making it go on much longer. This is not a way to respond to bloggers and horrible time for additional expenditures.
Council Member Craig Scott agreed with much of what Randy said that the conduct of council members would change, said it was unwise and objected to staff time spent for this.
He said he thought it was a virtual certainty that the conduct of council members will change, whether it's viewable live or later there will be the feeling that we've got to speak to all the issues.
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he was in favor of the report but challenged Randy Bressette on his statement that there was any decision made that staff reports not be included on the web site. He said he didn't think that was true and never voted on that.
The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has to go with Randy on this one. We have experienced an abundant lack of transparency from this city council but we never expected them to actually vote to make "lack of transparency" an official policy. If that happens we hope Mr. Songstad will let us know, and Mr. Scott were you not elected to speak, if briefly, to "all the issues"?
Draft Resolution re. the sale of the Costa Mesa Fair Grounds.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated she had a copy of a draft resolution to circulate among interested members of the city council regarding the sale of the Costa Mesa Fair Grounds and Costa mesa's right to determine land use provisions within their city boundaries.
Council Member Craig Scott rejected getting involved with the business of other cities and their land use issues, etc. .
New Eagle Scout in Laguna Hills
Council Member Randall Bressette congratulated a new Laguna Hills Eagle Scout - Parker Mc Pherson
** Closed Session - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION for the CITY MANAGER - Bruce Channing and Reconvene in regular session in the City Council Chamber to Report on whether any reportable action was taken on matters considered during closed session.
The Laguna Hills Watch Dog received a phone call from City Clerk Peggy Johns at 11:45 am on 11/11/09 with the information that there was Nothing to Report from the Closed Session regarding City Manager's Performance Evaluation on 11/10/09
Laguna Hills Crime Watch Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
Citizens shared their views in these recent OC Register stories through bloging their information and opinions:
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
Laguna Hills buys it's City Manager a $60,000 car in Tustin
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
It’s the health insurance, stupid!
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
Bruce Channing, City Manager chose not to respond to questions about his salary increases, big bonus for 2008 and his $60,000 car bought in Tustin in addition to all his other perks in the midst of a recession, but he did have this to say in an April 25, 2005 story in the Orange County Register Newspaper by Blythe Bernhard and Tony Saavedra entitled - Perks fill out city managers' compensation Running a town earns officials home loans, SUVs and free gas
On the other side is Laguna Hills City Manager Bruce Channing, who commands the seventh-smallest city and is the seventh-highest paid city manager in the county....
Channing said there are other factors to consider, such as experience, performance and how much councils are willing to pay to keep their chief executives from taking other jobs. Channing has been in Laguna Hills since 1991. "Performance is the key factor," he said. "If the City Council didn't think I was providing a valuable service, they would have decided long ago I wasn't worth the compensation I receive."
It appears that Melody Carruth may have been correct at the 6/10/08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting when the City Manager told her otherwise. The discussion involved PERS and PARS Retirement plans for Laguna Hills City Employees. The Discussion of Retirement Plans for City Employees was scheduled to come back for more discussion but we cannot find any evidence that it was discussed again in any Laguna Hills City Council Meeting after 6/10/08
Notes From the 6/10/08 LHCC Meeting
City Council Member Melody Carruth asked - Did we not make a decision years ago that salaries would be 5 to 10% higher than County to be competitive and that we would have a retirement package that may be a little lower?
City Manager Bruce Channing answered NO to that question.
From the City Council Policy #105 Financial Policies Biennial Budget FY 2009/10 - 2010/11
The city has an established employee compensation program that is designed to attract and retain highly qualified individuals who are capable of delivering a high level of service in a streamlined organization. The city will continue this commitment to competitive market based compensation and pay for performance.
The city will strive to maintain a highly competitive salary and benefits program which sets the top step of salary ranges at 5% above the County Average for each comparable position. The city manager will annually conduct a market survey of similar positions in Orange County and recommend to the city council salary adjustments in keeping with this policy.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division
Adopted by the City of Laguna HillsResidents and businesses interested may contact the City of Laguna Hills at (949)707-2680. Please contact Debra Allen at (949) 632-8395 or via the Committee’s email at darkhorse92653@cox.net for more information about the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adoption Committee, donations and providing support for the Marines, Sailors and families of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
Campaign Kickoff on Thursday, November 19, 2009 for 2010 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council Barbara Kogerman - This is a chance to hear the candidate's ideas for the city, to share your ideas, to hear a Surprise Announcement and to experience one of the most beautifully designed and decorated homes in Laguna Hills. Contact 949-855-9889 for more information.
** Presentations and Proclamations - Orange County Human Relations Council Annual Report
** Public Comments - None
** LHHS Student Liaison Report from Lisa Mc Corkell - Seasonal Flu Shots avail at LHHS this Saturday
** Consent Calendar - Another progress Payment for Oso Pkwy. landscape project and $8,600,000.00 is budgeted for "Future" for Oso Pkwy landscape projects, also $610,000 budgeted for "Future" for 9 additional City Identification Monuments
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - 2 by Council Member Carruth
** Planning Agency Report and Public Hearing - Request from the Villa Roma Restaurant to incorporate limited music, dancing and entertainment
** Administrative Reports -
** City Manager's Report - Holiday Charitable events involving the Fire Dept.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Web Casting Laguna Hills City Council Meetings for the citizens - finally, after 18 years, could it be???
** Closed Session - Public Employee Performance Evalluation for the City Manager, Bruce Channing - Post closed session city said - Nothing to report .
* Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper
* Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Recent OC Register Newspaper Stories about the Laguna Hills City Council
Laguna Hills buys it's City Manager a $60,000 car in Tustin
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
It’s the health insurance, stupid!
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
**Laguna Hills City Staff Top Level Salaries already 5% above the County Average
* How to Support the Adopted 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division- Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
11/10/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Orange County Human Relations Council Annual Report - Ken Inoyue, Commissioner with the OC Human Relations Council made a brief statement on data collected by the Council specific to activities in Laguna Hills including hate crimes, incidents, mediations and various programs. He said the OC Human Relation's Council identified 1 hate crime incident in Laguna Hills in 2008 and did one mediation in 2009 involving a Laguna Hills resident. Two LHHS students Sandy Mendez and Stephanie Perez participated in the OCHR Council's year long Human Relations Training Program.
LH Watch Dog sends congratulations to those students for volunteering for this valuable program and completing it.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Tonight CSF California Scholarship Federation is hosting a Veterans Day Banquet. AMCE is hosting a canned food Drive on November 20 and all canned food will be donated to So. County Outreach and there is a Fall Play, "Fools", by Neil Simon runs Nov. 19-21. Blood Drive hosted by Key Club on Nov. 19. No school tomorrow and football, tennis, girl's tennis boy's water polo and cross country have all made it to CIF this year.
Council Member Melody Carruth asked Lisa if she knew when the Flu clinic will be at Laguna Hills High School. Lisa stated she believes it is Saturday and is just for the regular Flu not the Swine Flu. Melody stressed it is open to the entire community not just the students.
Recent OC Register Newspaper Stories about the Laguna Hills City Council
Laguna Hills buys it's City Manager a $60,000 car in Tustin
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
It’s the health insurance, stupid!
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
**Laguna Hills City Staff Top Level Salaries already 5% above the County Average
* How to Support the Adopted 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division- Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
11/10/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Orange County Human Relations Council Annual Report - Ken Inoyue, Commissioner with the OC Human Relations Council made a brief statement on data collected by the Council specific to activities in Laguna Hills including hate crimes, incidents, mediations and various programs. He said the OC Human Relation's Council identified 1 hate crime incident in Laguna Hills in 2008 and did one mediation in 2009 involving a Laguna Hills resident. Two LHHS students Sandy Mendez and Stephanie Perez participated in the OCHR Council's year long Human Relations Training Program.
LH Watch Dog sends congratulations to those students for volunteering for this valuable program and completing it.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Tonight CSF California Scholarship Federation is hosting a Veterans Day Banquet. AMCE is hosting a canned food Drive on November 20 and all canned food will be donated to So. County Outreach and there is a Fall Play, "Fools", by Neil Simon runs Nov. 19-21. Blood Drive hosted by Key Club on Nov. 19. No school tomorrow and football, tennis, girl's tennis boy's water polo and cross country have all made it to CIF this year.
Council Member Melody Carruth asked Lisa if she knew when the Flu clinic will be at Laguna Hills High School. Lisa stated she believes it is Saturday and is just for the regular Flu not the Swine Flu. Melody stressed it is open to the entire community not just the students.
*** The OC Register Newspaper says Seasonal Flu Shots only, NOT Swine Flu, will be available from 9 am to noon on Saturday for $25. To register e-mail Nancy Walters at svhealth@svpta.org
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
The Warrant Register was $228,532.47 this time.
Progress payment # 8 for the Oso Pkwy Landscape Project was made to Marina Landscape. According to the Extended Agenda for this LHCC Meeting, this project began on Oct. 13, 2008 and started on a year of maintenance in May 2009. Maintenance work in progress includes hand and chemical removal of weeds, and preparation of grass areas for replacement hydroseeding, followed by plant replacements. 10% retention of the money paid to date continues to be withheld to insure job quality. Total paid to date is $995,608.00. The city's Biennial Budget 2009/10-2010/11 shows that in addition to the current Oso Pkwy Landscape Project, $8,600,000.00 is budgeted in the category of "Future, Unfunded" for Oso Pkwy. Open Space Landscape North and South between Moulton Pkwy. and Cabot Rd.
A progress payment of $7,500 was paid for the Robert Evans Murals which are reportedly close to being completed possibly by next month. The city's Biennial Budget states and additional $200,000 is budgeted in the category of "Future, Unfunded" for completion of the Early California History theme to include a Plaza Sculpture and something for the Rotunda. The city's Biennial Budget also states there is $610,000 budgeted for "Future, Unfunded" for 9 additional City Identification Monuments at each major street entry for community identification and enhancement. City also budgeted $525,000 for "Future, Unfunded" for an Equipment Storage Building at the rear of the proposed Aliso Hills Park.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar 2 items pulled by Council Member Melody Carruth who had questions about a payment to Robert Evans for the murals that are not yet completed and to Richard Fisher Assoc. for a change order . Her questions were answered by Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield.
Laguna Hills Watch Dog commends Council Member Carruth for asking about items in the consent Calendar including the Warrant Register if she has questions because this is an area of the agenda that we believe much too often passes literally hundreds of line items in the Warrant Register and others in the rest of the consent Calendar as a whole without any question. The $60,000 car for the City Manager was a Warrant Register line item that was not questioned.
Consent Calendar was passed 5 - 0
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings - Request from the Villa Roma Restaurant for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to incorporate limited music, dancing and entertainment in existing restaurant at 25254 La Paz Rd. Ste. A.
Theresa Razo is the representative for the Villa Roma Restaurant that is zoned Community Commercial (CC). The Proposed entertainment will occur entirely within the enclosed portion of the existing restaurant tenant space. The CC zoning permits restaurants and nightclub uses. Nightclub is defined as "an establishment dispensing liquor with or without meals in which music, dancing or entertainment is featured." The restaurant will be providing limited entertainment. music and dancing Thursday - Sunday 7 pm to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday to 11 pm. The use of a DJ and live Karaoke is prohibited. There is an additional request to provide limited entertainment for private events and holidays, fund raisers, etc. Argentine and Italian foods are served here. The restaurant shares the building with it's own affiliated business partner the Villa Roma Market and Deli. There were 34 conditions included in the CUP including that the restaurant doors are to remain closed when entertainment is in progress. The city staff recommended approval of this CUP based upon no significant adverse environmental impacts so not a detriment to public health, safety and general welfare.
The Applicant Theresa Razzo spoke and answered the council's questions. There was a very lengthy discussion among the council members regarding the issue of noise problems for residents in a nearby residential community vs. the need for this business to be able to grow and make a profit. There had been several noise complaints in the past which were clarified by Laguna Hills Police Chief. Lt. Doan who stated The 4 noise complaints that the Sherrif's dept. responded to at this restaurant, 2 were on a Saturday night and 2 on a Sunday night. Nov. 13, Oct 25, Nov 23 of 2008 and Jan 24 of 2009 with no additional complaints since January. In all 4 of those instances the restaurant's front and patio doors were open when the deputies arrived and DJ Karaoke Music type were going on. He said that music was fairly loud and powerful and appears out of character with what the applicant is looking for at this time. He added that they had the volume of the music turned down and the doors closed and received no further calls on those evenings after the corrections had been made. The applicant was questioned about this and she responded that she and her husband, the chef, who are owners in this restaurant were not present during the times of the complaints, but have since learned that they must always have a manager on duty until closing to be sure this is in control and will do that in the future.
Council Member Melody Carruth argued there have been 7 calls with complaints and this area was not designated to be an entertainment zone with music and dancing, is too close to homes and upsets the balance in the area.
Council Member Craig Scott stated that based upon what he has heard from the applicant and the staff he would prefer to extended live the entertainment hours to 11 pm Thursday through Sunday and 10 pm on Valentine's Day as long as the noise is controlled and subsequent report is obtained in 6 months.
Council Member Randall Bressette supported Council Member Craig Scott's motion to extend the entertainment hours.
The CUP with staff recommendation passed 4 - 1 with Council Member Carruth being the No vote.
Administrative Reports
City Manager Bruce Channing stated the OC Fire Authority will participate in a Food Drive on Nov. 24. with food going to the 2nd Harvest Food Bank, and they will participate in SHARE Ourselves that also serves the residents of the County. All the area fire Depts. will be locations for drop offs. Also there will be a Spark of Love Toy Drive Nov. 21 - Dec. 24 to collect Toys at the local Fire Departments for unwrapped toys and sports equipment that are then re-distributed to underprivileged children throughout Southern CA.
Community Services Recreation Program Rate Study -
Staff Recommendation that the City Council approve Increasing the rates charged for recreation programs as outlined in the staff report. New increased fees for facility room rentals and increased fee schedules for classes were brought up to date by City Staff and Parks and the Recreation Commission after never having been reviewed in the past 10 years, to insure that the city does recover direct as well as indirect costs. A total of $9,530 would be the amount of increase in revenue to the city with the updated rates.
City Council Member Randall Bressette objected rate increases of a third or more for residents because he wants to enable residents to keep taking their children to classes. He stated he would vote for increases only for non-residents.
Mayor Lautenschleger said he agreed with recovering costs and added that this should have been done every couple of years instead of waiting so long.
This was passed 4 - 1 with Randall Bressette being the No vote.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
WEB CASTING the City Council Meetings??
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger resurrected the Web Casting idea (The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has advocated for years doing live and unedited web casts of city council meetings). He said a lot of the newspaper stories are just blogs, inaccurate and sensationalizing. He said the there is a lot of misinformation out there and web casting would allow more people to see how the city council operates and give them the ability to key in on one particular area of interest. He asked for a Staff Report on this idea, including costs and what is available. He added that it's good public policy to have a system that can be analyzed by anyone.
It is important to note here that at the December 11, 2008 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Joel Lautenschleger had been just been re-elected and began serving as Mayor for 2009. He said then that he was going to look into putting the city council meetings on the web site for citizens to view to let the citizens see how the city council actually reaches their decisions and prevent spin from the news media and by residents. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog responded - (Now, if only we could prevent spin from the city we'd all be in great shape! The Watch dog definitely encourages much more transparency in this city government including televised city council meetings, but will continue to tape the city council sessions and check for editing if the sessions are televised)
At the Laguna Hills City Council Meeting on March 17, 2009 Joel also said he wanted to streamline the city's web site and that hasn't happened either. Now on Nov. 10, 2009 following a lot of bad publicity related to the discovery of the large bonus and a $60,000 car for the Laguna Hills City Manager during an economic recession when the city reduced staff by 8%, is cutting back on other things and raising rates for classes, etc. this comes up again in the name of Transparency?
Council Member Melody Carruth agreed with getting a staff report and seeing what can be done with web casting the city council meetings to make it easier for the public to follow what the council is doing.
Council Member Randall Bressette stated "I find it interesting that a city council who wouldn't even agree to have Staff Reports published on the web site prior to city council meetings would even consider this." He suggested that if this is done do it live so it is not subject to edit and censure. People play to the camera making it go on much longer. This is not a way to respond to bloggers and horrible time for additional expenditures.
Council Member Craig Scott agreed with much of what Randy said that the conduct of council members would change, said it was unwise and objected to staff time spent for this.
He said he thought it was a virtual certainty that the conduct of council members will change, whether it's viewable live or later there will be the feeling that we've got to speak to all the issues.
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he was in favor of the report but challenged Randy Bressette on his statement that there was any decision made that staff reports not be included on the web site. He said he didn't think that was true and never voted on that.
The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has to go with Randy on this one. We have experienced an abundant lack of transparency from this city council but we never expected them to actually vote to make "lack of transparency" an official policy. If that happens we hope Mr. Songstad will let us know, and Mr. Scott were you not elected to speak, if briefly, to "all the issues"?
Draft Resolution re. the sale of the Costa Mesa Fair Grounds.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated she had a copy of a draft resolution to circulate among interested members of the city council regarding the sale of the Costa Mesa Fair Grounds and Costa mesa's right to determine land use provisions within their city boundaries.
Council Member Craig Scott rejected getting involved with the business of other cities and their land use issues, etc. .
New Eagle Scout in Laguna Hills
Council Member Randall Bressette congratulated a new Laguna Hills Eagle Scout - Parker Mc Pherson
** Closed Session - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION for the CITY MANAGER - Bruce Channing and Reconvene in regular session in the City Council Chamber to Report on whether any reportable action was taken on matters considered during closed session.
The Laguna Hills Watch Dog received a phone call from City Clerk Peggy Johns at 11:45 am on 11/11/09 with the information that there was Nothing to Report from the Closed Session regarding City Manager's Performance Evaluation on 11/10/09
Laguna Hills Crime Watch Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
Citizens shared their views in these recent OC Register stories through bloging their information and opinions:
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/10/30/laguna-hills-buys-its-city-manager-a-60000-car-in-tustin/41479/
Laguna Hills buys it's City Manager a $60,000 car in Tustin
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills
City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/
It’s the health insurance, stupid!
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/
Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
Bruce Channing, City Manager chose not to respond to questions about his salary increases, big bonus for 2008 and his $60,000 car bought in Tustin in addition to all his other perks in the midst of a recession, but he did have this to say in an April 25, 2005 story in the Orange County Register Newspaper by Blythe Bernhard and Tony Saavedra entitled - Perks fill out city managers' compensation Running a town earns officials home loans, SUVs and free gas
On the other side is Laguna Hills City Manager Bruce Channing, who commands the seventh-smallest city and is the seventh-highest paid city manager in the county....
Channing said there are other factors to consider, such as experience, performance and how much councils are willing to pay to keep their chief executives from taking other jobs. Channing has been in Laguna Hills since 1991. "Performance is the key factor," he said. "If the City Council didn't think I was providing a valuable service, they would have decided long ago I wasn't worth the compensation I receive."
It appears that Melody Carruth may have been correct at the 6/10/08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting when the City Manager told her otherwise. The discussion involved PERS and PARS Retirement plans for Laguna Hills City Employees. The Discussion of Retirement Plans for City Employees was scheduled to come back for more discussion but we cannot find any evidence that it was discussed again in any Laguna Hills City Council Meeting after 6/10/08
Notes From the 6/10/08 LHCC Meeting
City Council Member Melody Carruth asked - Did we not make a decision years ago that salaries would be 5 to 10% higher than County to be competitive and that we would have a retirement package that may be a little lower?
City Manager Bruce Channing answered NO to that question.
From the City Council Policy #105 Financial Policies Biennial Budget FY 2009/10 - 2010/11
The city has an established employee compensation program that is designed to attract and retain highly qualified individuals who are capable of delivering a high level of service in a streamlined organization. The city will continue this commitment to competitive market based compensation and pay for performance.
The city will strive to maintain a highly competitive salary and benefits program which sets the top step of salary ranges at 5% above the County Average for each comparable position. The city manager will annually conduct a market survey of similar positions in Orange County and recommend to the city council salary adjustments in keeping with this policy.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division
Adopted by the City of Laguna HillsResidents and businesses interested may contact the City of Laguna Hills at (949)707-2680. Please contact Debra Allen at (949) 632-8395 or via the Committee’s email at darkhorse92653@cox.net for more information about the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adoption Committee, donations and providing support for the Marines, Sailors and families of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING 10-27-09
FEATURES:
** Presentations and Proclamations - Desalination Plant for South Orange County?
** Public Comments -
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - Report from Lisa Mc Corkell
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register this time is $622,796.02, - $4737.50 paid to Faubel Public Affairs for City Views Publication
4th Quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - City Reserves are about $11.5 million, with an 8% decline in the General Fund Revenue and Claims Settlements against the city increased 29.8% in 2009.
The Civic Center Management Committee Report - 17% Vacancy rate at Civic Center.
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - 1
** City Council Public Hearings - NONE
** Planning Agency Report - NONE
** Administrative Reports -
** City Manager's Report - NONE
** Assistant City Manager's Report - NONE
* Public Hearing for San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board - Request from staff that the city designate a member to make public comments at the NPDES forth term permit Public Hearing but city manager says Regional Board will not listen to anything that the players in this region have to say.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Bash before the Clash, H1N1 County info. & Dealing with CALPERS and Possible Constitutional Convention
** Closed Session - NONE
* Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper * Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers - City of Laguna Hills held Dog License Amnesty Day on 10/3/09 because it says it's losing about $200,000 a year in revenues for unlicensed dogs, but does not know how many new dog licenses were issued on 10/3/09?
==========================
10/27/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
===========================
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Desalination Plant for South Orange County?
Presentation by Scott Maloni from Poseidon Resources a private company home based in Stamford Connecticut has a desalination plant in Carlsbad, CA. co-located with the San Diego Gas and Electric Plant and is planning one in Huntington Beach co-located with the AES Power Plant on Pacific Coast Highway. It would use the existing infrastructure of the AES Power Plant to access seawater and purify 50 million gallons a day of drinking water for South OC residents. It has been approved by the City of Huntington Beach who also certified the Environmental Impact Report, and issued the Coastal Development Permit and the Conditional Use Permit for this project. The project is pending review by State Lands Commission and CA. Coastal Commission. Application has been made for permits from both of these agencies and hearings are expected in late 2009 or early 2010.
This project would decrease reliance on imported water and support Moulton Niguel Water District and El Toro Water District. It will use the Reverse Osmosis process to purify sea water. No tax dollars to be used in development of this approximately $350 million privately funded project. Moulton Niguel Water District has signed a letter of intent to purchase 4,000 acre feet of water per year from Poseidon which is enough water to supply 8,000 families of 4 for one year. El Toro Water District signed a letter of intent to purchase 3,000 acre feet per year. Endorsements have been received from Orange County State Senators and Assembly Members, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the OC Business Council and the OC Tax Payers Assoc.
The State Water Plan has reportedly identified a need for 500,000 acre feet of desalinated water by 2030. Poseidon will reportedly produce 56,000 acre feet of pure drinking water exclusively for Orange County every year. This is about 50 million gallons per day or about 8% of Orange County's water supply, enough for about 300,000 residents. The project is expected to create more than 2,000 construction jobs, 18 permanent jobs and an estimated 322 indirect jobs. Planning and construction costs are estimated to be about $350 million. Literature from the project says the water quality will be higher than imported water. The water from this plant is expected to be no more expensive than imported water and the plant should be operational by the year 2013. There are approximately 1000 desal plants now in operation all over the world.
Council Member Melody Carruth asked if there were any environmental objections and Mr. Maloni responded that there are some objections from people and groups who do not like the co-location with power plants who use sea water as cooling technology called once through cooling. They are pushing for desal plants to use a different type of technology to access seawater. He noted there are 4 reasons for co-locating with a power plant which are 1 - the need for an industrial zoned location, 2 -the need to be close to the ocean, 3 - the need to use the infrastructure of the power plant to get the pure water to the water districts and 4 - the desal plant uses water already taken from the ocean by the power plant to cool their generators, converts that discharge water to pure water, then mixes their salty residue with the plants discharge water to dilute the salt content of the discharge water. It takes 2 gallons of seawater to make one gallon of drinking water.
This Construction and Operation of this Project was supported 5 - 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Nov. 2 is a staff development day so No School that day. Last Saturday had the Homecoming Dance and won homecoming football game 45 to 7 against University. Oct. 28 at 7:00 is Fall Choir Concert, first concert of the year, Friday Oct. 30 at 7:00 is the first Comedy Sports Home Match, on Nov. 9 there is the 13th annual Hawk Challenge Event Fund Raiser - a dinner, auction and golf tournament to raise money for the school. There will also be a helicopter ball drop and the ball that goes into the hole wins $2,500. Call LHHS for additional information.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
The Warrant Register for this period = $622,796.02 The City Views Publication with Winter Activity Guide = $4737.50 paid to Faubel Public Affairs.
The 4th Quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - The unaudited results of the 4th Quarter FY 2008-09 Report states the city's accumulated reserves are about $11.5 million and the city's total managed cash and investments of $9,750,930 are invested in authorized securities.
Public Safety Budget states for FY 2008-09 $6,327,542 spent to date
Claims Settlements increased 29.8% in 2009 were $90,875 for 2008-09 - up from $70,000 in 2007-08.
There was an 8% decline in the General Fund Revenue with $3.7 million excess in funding used ($26.5 million) over funding sources ($22.8 million).
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision - Steering Committee Revisions for protection of Health, Safety and Welfare of persons utilizing Taxicab services noted that fares effective May 24, 2008 are $2.95 for the 1st 1/4 mile, 65 cents for each additional 1/4 mile and $30 per hour wait time. No extra charge for additional passengers.
The Civic Center Management Committee Report - reported the city's income from the civic center was $176,000 for the past year with higher vacancies than it had in the past quarter. It noted 2 vacancies with no current prospects Suites 100 and 205 and there will be a 3rd vacancy on Nov. 1 - Suite 300. These combined vacancies will produce a vacancy rate of 17%. Within 12 months the leases will expire on suites 200, 201, 220, and 304. Staff is reportedly applying for stimulus money to replace air conditioning units and offering 1/2 off of first 6 months rent on 5 year leases with current asking rate of $2.55/sq. ft. Report stated budget will be in good shape as long as Suites 200 and 300 remain leased.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - 1
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision was removed by Council Member Melody Carruth who expressed concern about smoking in taxies, the poor condition of the interior of some taxies, and a problem reported to her of some taxi businesses apparently being run from home in residential communities. She asked if the taxi drivers all received background checks for criminal records. She also asked
when would be the appropriate time to make suggestions regarding the regulation of Taxis?
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills answered in lieu of the appropriate staff resource person who was absent. Chief Doan stated our Administrative Sergeant Dave Harrington sits on both the Safety Committee and the Steering Committee representing the City of Laguna Hills. They meet on a bi-monthly basis and we can carry your comments, suggestions, etc. to those committees. Chief Doan stated he will check about the smoking and the condition of the interiors of cabs. He noted background checks are done for licensed cab drivers through required finger printing. He also stated that again he will check but does not think that licensed taxicab services can be run out of residential homes.
The Consent Calendar passed 5 - 0
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings -NONE
Administrative Reports
Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield Presented information on the Public Hearing for San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board and a request from staff that the city designate one of its members to make Public Comments at the NPDES Forth Term Storm Water Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Public Hearing on November 18, 2009 at 9:AM at the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Office in San Diego. Concerns were noted regarding working toward elimination of irrigation runoff, and discharges requiring an investigation within 2 days, etc.
About this San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting, City Manager, Bruce Channing stated on 10/13/09 - " The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is in the process of circulating a new draft, a permit for the San Diego Watershed Region, that we are in. Not surprisingly it is an extremely Draconian permit in its present form. One that is viewed by all of the agencies as virtually unattainable, and also beyond what would be considered reasonably best management practices and/or reasonable, practicable or whatever that term is that they use as far as being something we could actually do. I made the remark to the individual that was presenting that based on the way it's being promoted by the water quality district that it would be easiest, perhaps least expensive if we could just figure out how catch the rain before it hits the ground, so it could be returned to another source other than our storm drains because that's what they are hoping we can accomplish with the level of water quality." "The matter will be set for hearing, here fairly soon, requests are being made for elected officials in the region to attend and speak on the issue. It is expected that the County will appeal it after the hearing, because it's not thought that the Regional Board will not listen to anything that the players in this region have to say."
City Council Member Randall Bressette was assigned to attend this San Diego Water Meeting. Mayor Joel Lautenschleger will be busy that day. Council Member Bressette said he is very interested in this and is pleased to be the representative to this meeting.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger stated "Bash Before the Clash" to be held on November 6 - a Tri Tip Steak Barbeque with the Mayor being the cook. Go to the web site for Laguna Hills High School to get tickets for this to support the sports program.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated she attended the Orange County Health Care presentation that was focused on the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu viruses as well. She said the County was well prepared on this issue dispensing education and information to the public about this. She advised the Orange County Health Care web site has information on H1N1 vaccine clinic days, & hours and who qualifies for a vaccine, etc.
She also noted that the Vector Control leaders are focused on addressing CALPERS Pension Reform with changes related to retirement at a later age, reduced formulas for pensions, and changes would be applied to future service only.
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he is member of City/County School Board Task Force on State Governments Reform and assisted in developing guiding principles organizations could use to evaluate reform proposals. These guidelines were created and adopted by the State League of Cities and other organizations that then reviewed reform proposals. Since then State League has filed 2 measures to protect local revenues. California Forward (that studies reform of State Governments) is also going to sponsor some Initiative Proposals and they are projecting that there could be as many as 29 propositions that deal with State Governments. Alan states he forgot his notes but continues that the most serious proposal for a Constitutional Convention is from the Bay Area Council (similar to the OC Business Council) and he stated he was excited about their proposal. They will have 2 Initiatives - 1 to call a Constitutional Convention and the 2nd is the criteria for the calling of a Constitutional Convention. They will not be addressing taxes,
and they have a specific plan for selecting delegates for a Constitutional Convention. Some states have regularly scheduled Constitutional Conventions, he suggest maybe CA. should have that as well. He also stated SCAG assigned him to a committee that he wanted to be on that deals with SB 375 - Senate Bill 375: Redesigning Communities to Reduce Greenhouse Gases .
===============================
Laguna Hills Crime Watch =============================== Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
===============================
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
===============================
The City of Laguna Hills held a Dog Licensing Amnesty Day on 10/3/09 because the city says it is losing an estimated $200,000 a year in revenue for unlicensed dogs in the city. The city council stated they will hire a canvasser from the county to go door to door finding the unlicensed dogs in 2010 if people don't license their dogs during the Licensing Amnesty periods, but when the LH Watch Dog asked how many new licenses were issued on 10/3/09 the city replied it does not have that information? The OC Register newspaper said about 36 licenses were sold on 10/3/09. Editor, Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Re: Woman mauled by 3 bull mastiffs sues county, city
In the November 2010 city council race, please remember what the incumbents have provided us for animal control services. An example of these services are documented in an agenda item dated March 19, 2008 for the city of Aliso Viejo. According to the document, one county field officer covers Service Area 6 which includes Laguna Hills and this one officer is responsible for 196 square miles. If our city leaders had chosen to contract with Mission Viejo, “the Mission Viejo proposal would provide field officers covering 42 square miles.” Our leaders set us up for an accident waiting to happen with the cheapest, minimal service they could contract for, meanwhile splurging on a bonus during the recession for the city manager and art work in the council chambers. When Aliso Viejo City Council was spending their time getting better animal care services to protect their citizens, the Laguna Hills city council sent out in March of 2008 the City Views Newsletter - with a full page titled “Animal Services Enhanced.” What did we get? - “Reading with Fido”. - Valerie
** Presentations and Proclamations - Desalination Plant for South Orange County?
** Public Comments -
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - Report from Lisa Mc Corkell
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register this time is $622,796.02, - $4737.50 paid to Faubel Public Affairs for City Views Publication
4th Quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - City Reserves are about $11.5 million, with an 8% decline in the General Fund Revenue and Claims Settlements against the city increased 29.8% in 2009.
The Civic Center Management Committee Report - 17% Vacancy rate at Civic Center.
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - 1
** City Council Public Hearings - NONE
** Planning Agency Report - NONE
** Administrative Reports -
** City Manager's Report - NONE
** Assistant City Manager's Report - NONE
* Public Hearing for San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board - Request from staff that the city designate a member to make public comments at the NPDES forth term permit Public Hearing but city manager says Regional Board will not listen to anything that the players in this region have to say.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Bash before the Clash, H1N1 County info. & Dealing with CALPERS and Possible Constitutional Convention
** Closed Session - NONE
* Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper * Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers - City of Laguna Hills held Dog License Amnesty Day on 10/3/09 because it says it's losing about $200,000 a year in revenues for unlicensed dogs, but does not know how many new dog licenses were issued on 10/3/09?
==========================
10/27/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
===========================
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Desalination Plant for South Orange County?
Presentation by Scott Maloni from Poseidon Resources a private company home based in Stamford Connecticut has a desalination plant in Carlsbad, CA. co-located with the San Diego Gas and Electric Plant and is planning one in Huntington Beach co-located with the AES Power Plant on Pacific Coast Highway. It would use the existing infrastructure of the AES Power Plant to access seawater and purify 50 million gallons a day of drinking water for South OC residents. It has been approved by the City of Huntington Beach who also certified the Environmental Impact Report, and issued the Coastal Development Permit and the Conditional Use Permit for this project. The project is pending review by State Lands Commission and CA. Coastal Commission. Application has been made for permits from both of these agencies and hearings are expected in late 2009 or early 2010.
This project would decrease reliance on imported water and support Moulton Niguel Water District and El Toro Water District. It will use the Reverse Osmosis process to purify sea water. No tax dollars to be used in development of this approximately $350 million privately funded project. Moulton Niguel Water District has signed a letter of intent to purchase 4,000 acre feet of water per year from Poseidon which is enough water to supply 8,000 families of 4 for one year. El Toro Water District signed a letter of intent to purchase 3,000 acre feet per year. Endorsements have been received from Orange County State Senators and Assembly Members, the Orange County Board of Supervisors, the OC Business Council and the OC Tax Payers Assoc.
The State Water Plan has reportedly identified a need for 500,000 acre feet of desalinated water by 2030. Poseidon will reportedly produce 56,000 acre feet of pure drinking water exclusively for Orange County every year. This is about 50 million gallons per day or about 8% of Orange County's water supply, enough for about 300,000 residents. The project is expected to create more than 2,000 construction jobs, 18 permanent jobs and an estimated 322 indirect jobs. Planning and construction costs are estimated to be about $350 million. Literature from the project says the water quality will be higher than imported water. The water from this plant is expected to be no more expensive than imported water and the plant should be operational by the year 2013. There are approximately 1000 desal plants now in operation all over the world.
Council Member Melody Carruth asked if there were any environmental objections and Mr. Maloni responded that there are some objections from people and groups who do not like the co-location with power plants who use sea water as cooling technology called once through cooling. They are pushing for desal plants to use a different type of technology to access seawater. He noted there are 4 reasons for co-locating with a power plant which are 1 - the need for an industrial zoned location, 2 -the need to be close to the ocean, 3 - the need to use the infrastructure of the power plant to get the pure water to the water districts and 4 - the desal plant uses water already taken from the ocean by the power plant to cool their generators, converts that discharge water to pure water, then mixes their salty residue with the plants discharge water to dilute the salt content of the discharge water. It takes 2 gallons of seawater to make one gallon of drinking water.
This Construction and Operation of this Project was supported 5 - 0
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Nov. 2 is a staff development day so No School that day. Last Saturday had the Homecoming Dance and won homecoming football game 45 to 7 against University. Oct. 28 at 7:00 is Fall Choir Concert, first concert of the year, Friday Oct. 30 at 7:00 is the first Comedy Sports Home Match, on Nov. 9 there is the 13th annual Hawk Challenge Event Fund Raiser - a dinner, auction and golf tournament to raise money for the school. There will also be a helicopter ball drop and the ball that goes into the hole wins $2,500. Call LHHS for additional information.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
The Warrant Register for this period = $622,796.02 The City Views Publication with Winter Activity Guide = $4737.50 paid to Faubel Public Affairs.
The 4th Quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - The unaudited results of the 4th Quarter FY 2008-09 Report states the city's accumulated reserves are about $11.5 million and the city's total managed cash and investments of $9,750,930 are invested in authorized securities.
Public Safety Budget states for FY 2008-09 $6,327,542 spent to date
Claims Settlements increased 29.8% in 2009 were $90,875 for 2008-09 - up from $70,000 in 2007-08.
There was an 8% decline in the General Fund Revenue with $3.7 million excess in funding used ($26.5 million) over funding sources ($22.8 million).
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision - Steering Committee Revisions for protection of Health, Safety and Welfare of persons utilizing Taxicab services noted that fares effective May 24, 2008 are $2.95 for the 1st 1/4 mile, 65 cents for each additional 1/4 mile and $30 per hour wait time. No extra charge for additional passengers.
The Civic Center Management Committee Report - reported the city's income from the civic center was $176,000 for the past year with higher vacancies than it had in the past quarter. It noted 2 vacancies with no current prospects Suites 100 and 205 and there will be a 3rd vacancy on Nov. 1 - Suite 300. These combined vacancies will produce a vacancy rate of 17%. Within 12 months the leases will expire on suites 200, 201, 220, and 304. Staff is reportedly applying for stimulus money to replace air conditioning units and offering 1/2 off of first 6 months rent on 5 year leases with current asking rate of $2.55/sq. ft. Report stated budget will be in good shape as long as Suites 200 and 300 remain leased.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - 1
Orange County Taxi Administration Pgrm. Regulations Revision was removed by Council Member Melody Carruth who expressed concern about smoking in taxies, the poor condition of the interior of some taxies, and a problem reported to her of some taxi businesses apparently being run from home in residential communities. She asked if the taxi drivers all received background checks for criminal records. She also asked
when would be the appropriate time to make suggestions regarding the regulation of Taxis?
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills answered in lieu of the appropriate staff resource person who was absent. Chief Doan stated our Administrative Sergeant Dave Harrington sits on both the Safety Committee and the Steering Committee representing the City of Laguna Hills. They meet on a bi-monthly basis and we can carry your comments, suggestions, etc. to those committees. Chief Doan stated he will check about the smoking and the condition of the interiors of cabs. He noted background checks are done for licensed cab drivers through required finger printing. He also stated that again he will check but does not think that licensed taxicab services can be run out of residential homes.
The Consent Calendar passed 5 - 0
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings -NONE
Administrative Reports
Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield Presented information on the Public Hearing for San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board and a request from staff that the city designate one of its members to make Public Comments at the NPDES Forth Term Storm Water Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Public Hearing on November 18, 2009 at 9:AM at the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board Office in San Diego. Concerns were noted regarding working toward elimination of irrigation runoff, and discharges requiring an investigation within 2 days, etc.
About this San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board meeting, City Manager, Bruce Channing stated on 10/13/09 - " The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is in the process of circulating a new draft, a permit for the San Diego Watershed Region, that we are in. Not surprisingly it is an extremely Draconian permit in its present form. One that is viewed by all of the agencies as virtually unattainable, and also beyond what would be considered reasonably best management practices and/or reasonable, practicable or whatever that term is that they use as far as being something we could actually do. I made the remark to the individual that was presenting that based on the way it's being promoted by the water quality district that it would be easiest, perhaps least expensive if we could just figure out how catch the rain before it hits the ground, so it could be returned to another source other than our storm drains because that's what they are hoping we can accomplish with the level of water quality." "The matter will be set for hearing, here fairly soon, requests are being made for elected officials in the region to attend and speak on the issue. It is expected that the County will appeal it after the hearing, because it's not thought that the Regional Board will not listen to anything that the players in this region have to say."
City Council Member Randall Bressette was assigned to attend this San Diego Water Meeting. Mayor Joel Lautenschleger will be busy that day. Council Member Bressette said he is very interested in this and is pleased to be the representative to this meeting.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger stated "Bash Before the Clash" to be held on November 6 - a Tri Tip Steak Barbeque with the Mayor being the cook. Go to the web site for Laguna Hills High School to get tickets for this to support the sports program.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated she attended the Orange County Health Care presentation that was focused on the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu viruses as well. She said the County was well prepared on this issue dispensing education and information to the public about this. She advised the Orange County Health Care web site has information on H1N1 vaccine clinic days, & hours and who qualifies for a vaccine, etc.
She also noted that the Vector Control leaders are focused on addressing CALPERS Pension Reform with changes related to retirement at a later age, reduced formulas for pensions, and changes would be applied to future service only.
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he is member of City/County School Board Task Force on State Governments Reform and assisted in developing guiding principles organizations could use to evaluate reform proposals. These guidelines were created and adopted by the State League of Cities and other organizations that then reviewed reform proposals. Since then State League has filed 2 measures to protect local revenues. California Forward (that studies reform of State Governments) is also going to sponsor some Initiative Proposals and they are projecting that there could be as many as 29 propositions that deal with State Governments. Alan states he forgot his notes but continues that the most serious proposal for a Constitutional Convention is from the Bay Area Council (similar to the OC Business Council) and he stated he was excited about their proposal. They will have 2 Initiatives - 1 to call a Constitutional Convention and the 2nd is the criteria for the calling of a Constitutional Convention. They will not be addressing taxes,
and they have a specific plan for selecting delegates for a Constitutional Convention. Some states have regularly scheduled Constitutional Conventions, he suggest maybe CA. should have that as well. He also stated SCAG assigned him to a committee that he wanted to be on that deals with SB 375 - Senate Bill 375: Redesigning Communities to Reduce Greenhouse Gases .
===============================
Laguna Hills Crime Watch =============================== Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated.
===============================
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
===============================
The City of Laguna Hills held a Dog Licensing Amnesty Day on 10/3/09 because the city says it is losing an estimated $200,000 a year in revenue for unlicensed dogs in the city. The city council stated they will hire a canvasser from the county to go door to door finding the unlicensed dogs in 2010 if people don't license their dogs during the Licensing Amnesty periods, but when the LH Watch Dog asked how many new licenses were issued on 10/3/09 the city replied it does not have that information? The OC Register newspaper said about 36 licenses were sold on 10/3/09. Editor, Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Re: Woman mauled by 3 bull mastiffs sues county, city
In the November 2010 city council race, please remember what the incumbents have provided us for animal control services. An example of these services are documented in an agenda item dated March 19, 2008 for the city of Aliso Viejo. According to the document, one county field officer covers Service Area 6 which includes Laguna Hills and this one officer is responsible for 196 square miles. If our city leaders had chosen to contract with Mission Viejo, “the Mission Viejo proposal would provide field officers covering 42 square miles.” Our leaders set us up for an accident waiting to happen with the cheapest, minimal service they could contract for, meanwhile splurging on a bonus during the recession for the city manager and art work in the council chambers. When Aliso Viejo City Council was spending their time getting better animal care services to protect their citizens, the Laguna Hills city council sent out in March of 2008 the City Views Newsletter - with a full page titled “Animal Services Enhanced.” What did we get? - “Reading with Fido”. - Valerie
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING-10-13-09
FEATURES: A new Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council in 2010- Barbara Kogerman - Kickoff Campaign Thursday, November 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the home of Mr. James Vaughn at 25736 Dillon Rd. in Laguna Hills. Meet Barbara and hear her vision for the City of Laguna Hills. For more information call 949-855-9889 or e-mail kogerman4council@cox.net.
** Public Comments - A Puppet from the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley with an announcement about a Tour of 4 Homes Fund Raiser in Nellie Gail Ranch in December
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - Report from Lisa Mc Corkell
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register this time is $352,617.75, A new Stop Sign on Pine Nut Rd. at Tree Top Rd. Sorting out and Correcting previously botched Parking Sign Placements on Arterial Highways throughout the city.
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - NONE
** City Council Public Hearings - Appropriation of Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) Funds
** Planning Agency Report -
Item 5.3 - A request by T-Mobile to install and operate a 50 foot tall wireless communication facility disguised as a Eucalyptus tree near the Southeast Corner of Moulton Pkwy. and Alicia Pkwy.
Item 5.4 - Conditional Use Permit request to increase the boarding capacity of an Equitation Facility from 88 to 96 horses and related site improvements in Nellie Gail Ranch.
** Administrative Reports -
* Assistant City Manager's Report - A resolution authorizing the city to sell their Proposition 1A money to a 3rd party rather than loan that money to the State.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members -
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register this time is $352,617.75, A new Stop Sign on Pine Nut Rd. at Tree Top Rd. Sorting out and Correcting previously botched Parking Sign Placements on Arterial Highways throughout the city.
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - NONE
** City Council Public Hearings - Appropriation of Citizen's Option for Public Safety (COPS) Funds
** Planning Agency Report -
Item 5.3 - A request by T-Mobile to install and operate a 50 foot tall wireless communication facility disguised as a Eucalyptus tree near the Southeast Corner of Moulton Pkwy. and Alicia Pkwy.
Item 5.4 - Conditional Use Permit request to increase the boarding capacity of an Equitation Facility from 88 to 96 horses and related site improvements in Nellie Gail Ranch.
** Administrative Reports -
* Assistant City Manager's Report - A resolution authorizing the city to sell their Proposition 1A money to a 3rd party rather than loan that money to the State.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members -
* City Manager's Report - New information on Water District
** Notes from the Laguna Hills Parks and Recreations Commission Agenda - Laguna Hills is losing money on the 1/2 Marathon Event and classes at the Community Center & No response from County Animal Care Services to citizen complaints of off leash barking dogs.
** Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel re. 3 law suits
1 - Existing Litigation - Elaine Christian v. County of Orange, Orange County Animal Care Services, City of Laguna Hills.
2 - Existing Litigation - Infinity Insurance Company v. City of Laguna Hills
3 - Proposed Litigation - Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Govmt. Code Section 54956.9
===================================================================
In 2010 there will be 3 Laguna Hills City Council Members running for re-election -
Craig Scott, Randy Bressette and Melody Carruth. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog staff has interviewed one new candidate, Barbara Kogerman. In our opinion a strong candidate who is 100% dedicated to seeking office, who has strong support, strong experience, who attends city council meetings, who is very familiar with the issues of Laguna Hills citizens, and who can and will effectively articulate his/her vision to the citizens is needed to successfully challenge city council members who have been in office almost 20 years. Her kickoff campaign will be Thursday, November 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Home of Mr. James Vaughn at 25736 Dillon Rd. in Laguna Hills. Meet Barbara and hear her vision for the City of Laguna Hills. For more information call her at 855-9889 or e-mail her at kogerman4council@cox.net.
** Notes from the Laguna Hills Parks and Recreations Commission Agenda - Laguna Hills is losing money on the 1/2 Marathon Event and classes at the Community Center & No response from County Animal Care Services to citizen complaints of off leash barking dogs.
** Closed Session - Conference with Legal Counsel re. 3 law suits
1 - Existing Litigation - Elaine Christian v. County of Orange, Orange County Animal Care Services, City of Laguna Hills.
2 - Existing Litigation - Infinity Insurance Company v. City of Laguna Hills
3 - Proposed Litigation - Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Govmt. Code Section 54956.9
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In 2010 there will be 3 Laguna Hills City Council Members running for re-election -
Craig Scott, Randy Bressette and Melody Carruth. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog staff has interviewed one new candidate, Barbara Kogerman. In our opinion a strong candidate who is 100% dedicated to seeking office, who has strong support, strong experience, who attends city council meetings, who is very familiar with the issues of Laguna Hills citizens, and who can and will effectively articulate his/her vision to the citizens is needed to successfully challenge city council members who have been in office almost 20 years. Her kickoff campaign will be Thursday, November 19, 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the Home of Mr. James Vaughn at 25736 Dillon Rd. in Laguna Hills. Meet Barbara and hear her vision for the City of Laguna Hills. For more information call her at 855-9889 or e-mail her at kogerman4council@cox.net.
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10/13/09 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Debbie Carver - Member of the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley serving elementary and middle school children in the Capistrano School District with "Operation School Bell" spoke, and her puppet Melody also spoke. Melody, styled after the Muppets, was an adorable life sized version of a small child. Melody had an oversized mouth and a lot to say. The Assistance League is a national non-profit organization . During the last school year they supported 25,000 students. They provide new clothing for school children in need, head to toe. They clothed 1,200 students last year and 168 of those were from Laguna Hills. Their learning program provides grants to Middle School Teachers to enhance their classrooms. They gave $10,000 in grants to last year. When Melody is not at City Council Meetings she goes to Elementary Schools and talks with "Kids on the Block" about socially sensitive issues. They also have a Camp Pendleton Program where they give 2 new outfits to children in Military Families - Last year clothed 912 children. Debbie announced a Fund Raising Event - A tour of 4 Nellie Gail Ranch Homes decorated for the Holidays on Sunday December 6th, 2009 from 11:00 am to 4: pm. Tickets may be purchased for $35 after Nov. 19, 2009. For more information call 949-291-8404 or e-mail sharyn-art@cox.net
Anita and Bob Truitt - Laguna Hills Merchants - stated that they have 2 businesses.
Leisure World Auto Repair at 23512 Commerce Center Dr. in Laguna Hills which they have had for almost 20 years and Laguna Woods Auto Body which is a business they opened this year. They said they have been denied occupancy by the City of Laguna Hills related to some chain link fencing on the properties and they have been told they must replace this fencing. They explained that they rent the buildings for their businesses that the chain link fencing, that is not clearly visible from the public right of way, has been on the property for 19 years, since before Laguna Hills became a city. They said this is a blow to them because in this economy they cannot afford to remove and replace these fences.
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger verified that chain link fencing is not permissible in Laguna Hills, but since this is not an agendized item the city council could not address it at this meeting and, referred them to the city staff and asked staff to come back with a report on this issue.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell said tomorrow is a minimum day due to Back to School Night and Thursday is a Late Start Day. Friday, Oct. 23, is the Home Coming Football Game and Saturday, Oct. 24, is the Homecoming Dance. An LHHS Senior and Tennis Player, Jocelyn Lowe, was named OC Register Athlete of the Week on Sept. 28.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
Warrant Register this time is $352,617.75
$875.00 was withheld from the current billing of $8,750.00, and a $7,875.00 progress payment was made to Marina Landscape for the Oso Pkwy. Landscape Project. Total billing to date = $992,619.00 for this project. Staff withholds 10% from each progress payment to assure final performance of the work. This is the 7th progress payment and many problems remain on this project - see last edition of LH Watch Dog for more Information on the problems.
$26,979.00 was paid to the Orange County Animal Care Services for 3 months - April though June of 2009 - Is OC Animal Care services worth the money related to the poor service? See item in Parks and Rec. Commission Report below.
A new Stop Sign on Pine Nut Rd. at Tree Top Rd. - A resident complained about near miss traffic collisions at this intersection. Staff had Traffic Engineers conducted a field study which resulted in the conclusion that there are sight distance constraints in one direction as one enters the Tree Top Rd. intersection on Pine Nut. A Stop Sign was recommended as well the trimming of a private hedgerow at this location. The Traffic Commission, on Sept. 16, 2009, recommended approval of the Stop Sign plus a "Not a Thru Street" sign on Tree Top. Cost for a Stop Sign is listed as $750.00. One Stop sign will be installed and staff is reportedly conducting further study of traffic speed and cut through traffic concerns here to see if the other sign is really needed.
Arterial Highway Parking Regulation Signage - Staff report says - On Sept 16, 2009, the Laguna Hills Traffic Commission recommended establishment of consistent parking regulations. City Staff performed investigations of Parking Control Signage on Arterial Highways throughout the City and noted inconsistencies and conflicting signage such as No Parking Anytime and No Stopping Anytime. Some roads that contained signage did not have a Resolution for the signage because signs were placed under direction of the City Engineer as part of City Council Approved Projects. In other areas there were No Signs and No Resolutions noted where signs needed to be placed, etc. Also, all right turn pockets need to have No Stopping Anytime signs regardless of what controls exist elsewhere on the streets. For traffic safety No Stopping Anytime signs have been posted on streets with no adequate shoulder width to accommodate vehicles. Staff utilizes the verbage "Entire Block" on these signs to save money through reducing the # of signs by 2/3. This study concluded there are currently:
37 No Parking Anytime signs required
30 No Stopping Anytime signs required and
41 No Parking Anytime signs that need to be removed. These can reportedly be installed at other locations where needed. The Cost is estimated to be $10,000.00 and funds are reportedly available in the 2009-2010 Public Works Maintenance Budget.
Congratulations to this Traffic Commission and the city staff for identifying these long term wide spread errors throughout the city and for getting them on a path toward being rectified!
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - NONE of the items in this Consent Calendar were pulled or discussed individually by the city council members. They were passed as a block without comment.
City Council Public Hearings:
Appropriation of CITIZENS OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) FUNDS - Staff report states that the 2008-09 CA. State Budget appropriated money for continued funding of COPS funds first signed into law on July 10,1996. These monies are used exclusively for front line law enforcement. In FY 2009-10 Laguna Hills hopes to again receive $100,000 as in prior years. The city seeks to apply the money this year to partially offset the cost of funding one Lt. position for FY 2009-10. Currently the city has one full time Sheriff's Lt. who acts as Chief of Public Service. This position was reportedly made possible by utilizing funding from the FY 2004-05 COPS program for about 1/2 of the position. No matching funds are required.
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills, spoke and stated that he is hoping Laguna Hills will received these funds this year but can't be sure. Procedural requirements
require this Public Hearing be held to approve the use of those funds.
This use of the funds passed 5 - 0
All City Council Members were present.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Debbie Carver - Member of the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley serving elementary and middle school children in the Capistrano School District with "Operation School Bell" spoke, and her puppet Melody also spoke. Melody, styled after the Muppets, was an adorable life sized version of a small child. Melody had an oversized mouth and a lot to say. The Assistance League is a national non-profit organization . During the last school year they supported 25,000 students. They provide new clothing for school children in need, head to toe. They clothed 1,200 students last year and 168 of those were from Laguna Hills. Their learning program provides grants to Middle School Teachers to enhance their classrooms. They gave $10,000 in grants to last year. When Melody is not at City Council Meetings she goes to Elementary Schools and talks with "Kids on the Block" about socially sensitive issues. They also have a Camp Pendleton Program where they give 2 new outfits to children in Military Families - Last year clothed 912 children. Debbie announced a Fund Raising Event - A tour of 4 Nellie Gail Ranch Homes decorated for the Holidays on Sunday December 6th, 2009 from 11:00 am to 4: pm. Tickets may be purchased for $35 after Nov. 19, 2009. For more information call 949-291-8404 or e-mail sharyn-art@cox.net
Anita and Bob Truitt - Laguna Hills Merchants - stated that they have 2 businesses.
Leisure World Auto Repair at 23512 Commerce Center Dr. in Laguna Hills which they have had for almost 20 years and Laguna Woods Auto Body which is a business they opened this year. They said they have been denied occupancy by the City of Laguna Hills related to some chain link fencing on the properties and they have been told they must replace this fencing. They explained that they rent the buildings for their businesses that the chain link fencing, that is not clearly visible from the public right of way, has been on the property for 19 years, since before Laguna Hills became a city. They said this is a blow to them because in this economy they cannot afford to remove and replace these fences.
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger verified that chain link fencing is not permissible in Laguna Hills, but since this is not an agendized item the city council could not address it at this meeting and, referred them to the city staff and asked staff to come back with a report on this issue.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell said tomorrow is a minimum day due to Back to School Night and Thursday is a Late Start Day. Friday, Oct. 23, is the Home Coming Football Game and Saturday, Oct. 24, is the Homecoming Dance. An LHHS Senior and Tennis Player, Jocelyn Lowe, was named OC Register Athlete of the Week on Sept. 28.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
Warrant Register this time is $352,617.75
$875.00 was withheld from the current billing of $8,750.00, and a $7,875.00 progress payment was made to Marina Landscape for the Oso Pkwy. Landscape Project. Total billing to date = $992,619.00 for this project. Staff withholds 10% from each progress payment to assure final performance of the work. This is the 7th progress payment and many problems remain on this project - see last edition of LH Watch Dog for more Information on the problems.
$26,979.00 was paid to the Orange County Animal Care Services for 3 months - April though June of 2009 - Is OC Animal Care services worth the money related to the poor service? See item in Parks and Rec. Commission Report below.
A new Stop Sign on Pine Nut Rd. at Tree Top Rd. - A resident complained about near miss traffic collisions at this intersection. Staff had Traffic Engineers conducted a field study which resulted in the conclusion that there are sight distance constraints in one direction as one enters the Tree Top Rd. intersection on Pine Nut. A Stop Sign was recommended as well the trimming of a private hedgerow at this location. The Traffic Commission, on Sept. 16, 2009, recommended approval of the Stop Sign plus a "Not a Thru Street" sign on Tree Top. Cost for a Stop Sign is listed as $750.00. One Stop sign will be installed and staff is reportedly conducting further study of traffic speed and cut through traffic concerns here to see if the other sign is really needed.
Arterial Highway Parking Regulation Signage - Staff report says - On Sept 16, 2009, the Laguna Hills Traffic Commission recommended establishment of consistent parking regulations. City Staff performed investigations of Parking Control Signage on Arterial Highways throughout the City and noted inconsistencies and conflicting signage such as No Parking Anytime and No Stopping Anytime. Some roads that contained signage did not have a Resolution for the signage because signs were placed under direction of the City Engineer as part of City Council Approved Projects. In other areas there were No Signs and No Resolutions noted where signs needed to be placed, etc. Also, all right turn pockets need to have No Stopping Anytime signs regardless of what controls exist elsewhere on the streets. For traffic safety No Stopping Anytime signs have been posted on streets with no adequate shoulder width to accommodate vehicles. Staff utilizes the verbage "Entire Block" on these signs to save money through reducing the # of signs by 2/3. This study concluded there are currently:
37 No Parking Anytime signs required
30 No Stopping Anytime signs required and
41 No Parking Anytime signs that need to be removed. These can reportedly be installed at other locations where needed. The Cost is estimated to be $10,000.00 and funds are reportedly available in the 2009-2010 Public Works Maintenance Budget.
Congratulations to this Traffic Commission and the city staff for identifying these long term wide spread errors throughout the city and for getting them on a path toward being rectified!
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - NONE of the items in this Consent Calendar were pulled or discussed individually by the city council members. They were passed as a block without comment.
City Council Public Hearings:
Appropriation of CITIZENS OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY (COPS) FUNDS - Staff report states that the 2008-09 CA. State Budget appropriated money for continued funding of COPS funds first signed into law on July 10,1996. These monies are used exclusively for front line law enforcement. In FY 2009-10 Laguna Hills hopes to again receive $100,000 as in prior years. The city seeks to apply the money this year to partially offset the cost of funding one Lt. position for FY 2009-10. Currently the city has one full time Sheriff's Lt. who acts as Chief of Public Service. This position was reportedly made possible by utilizing funding from the FY 2004-05 COPS program for about 1/2 of the position. No matching funds are required.
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills, spoke and stated that he is hoping Laguna Hills will received these funds this year but can't be sure. Procedural requirements
require this Public Hearing be held to approve the use of those funds.
This use of the funds passed 5 - 0
Hopefully the absence of these funds would not strip our city of it's Police Chief, especially after we have already lost 2 deputies as a result of budget cut backs.
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings -
Item 5.3 - A request by T-Mobile to install and operate a wireless communication facility disguised as a Eucalyptus tree near the Southeast Corner of Moulton Pkwy. and Alicia Pkwy. This item was continued from last month because the city failed to notify residents living within a 300 foot radius of the subject site. Residents have reportedly now been notified. The tower will be 50 ft tall with 4 panel antennas, 6 equipment cabinets in a concrete masonry unit (CMU), and 1 GPS antenna. T-Mobile proposed painting the structure green, staff requested that the trunk be painted dark brown to blend better with the trees in the area. This camouflage technology is called "Monoeucalyptus". T-Mobile agreed to indemnify and hold the city harmless. Staff says there are no significant adverse impacts to the public health and safety and general welfare, as this equipment does not emit fumes, odors or smoke, and recommends approval of this request.
Vern Jones, Community Development Director, presented this information at the city council meeting.
At the request of City Council Members, Carruth and Bressette additional language was added with the assistance of the City Attorney, regarding mandatory replacement by T-Mobile of any plants or shrubs, etc. damaged as a result of the installation of this facility. This passed 5 - 0
Item 5.4 - Conditional Use Permit request to increase the boarding capacity of an Equitation Facility from 88 to 96 horses and related site improvements in Nellie Gail Ranch
The Staff report says the Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Facility will install new 3 rail fencing to create a turn out area, install new 3 rail fencing to create and exercise track around the existing upper arena, relocate the horse trailer storage area and provide additional landscape to screen this area. There will be no changes to the tennis or swim clubs. Site is 23 acres in size, and is designated as Recreation, Park and Private Park. No new structures are required. Reconfiguration of the existing barn/pipe stall structures will be made to accommodate the 8 horse increase. City staff says Nellie Gail Rancfh has been careful in scheduling of their facilities so that no two large attendance activities are scheduled in the same time on any given day. Operating hours are sensitive to the nearby residential neighborhoods and facilities close at 10 PM. This facility has been operating for more than 30 years with few complaints. Existing parking is adequate and there are no signage issues. 57 public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within a 300 foot radius of the site with no comments received. Staff recommends approval of this request.
At the request of City Council Members, Randall Bressette, Melody Carruth and Alan Songstad language was added re. screening of the horse trailer storage area with Podocarpus Trees and a limit for number of horse trailers stored in the trailer storage area.
Per City Attorney Greg Simonian the additional language would probably read - Proposed new condition #17 - all landscape screening for the Maintenance Yard and trailers shall be consistent with the requirements as depicted and set forth in the approved landscape plans. Greg said he was not sure what to do with Proposed new condition #18 limiting the number of parked trailers, because he didn't have enough verbage on that, but added, "We can reference the limit of the number of trailers set forth on the approved plans."
Vern Jones, Community Development Director, stated that the operations plan actually identifies 10 trailers and in that operations plan condition #10 says they will operate consistent with that operations plan, so he thought that condition was already covered.
Public Hearing Comments -
Maggie Merante, General Manager for Nellie Gail Ranch Owner's Association thanked the city staff, said she'd worked closely with staff on this and they were wonderful to work with. She said she had read all of the conditions, agreed to them and was here to answer questions.
Jan Curtis, Laguna Hills Resident said thank you to the city council for taking the time to finally address this issue. She said she was on the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA Board of Directors when they applied for this CUP over 2 years ago. She stated she wanted to register her support for this as a nearby resident of the Equestrian Center, of Nellie Gail and of Laguna Hills. She noted that these changes will not have any great impact on the residents. She stressed that the closing of the OC Fairground facility increases the importance of this facility and many businesses in the area profit from the existence of this facility.
Delores Caringella, Laguna Hills Resident registered her support for the expansion of the Equestrian Facility, stated she lives just above the Equestrian Center and was notified by the city about this public hearing. She said she is absolutely in support of the CUP and affirmed that the Equestrian Center is an asset to the community.
The CUP for the Equestrian Facility passed 5 - 0
Administrative Reports
Assistant City Manager, Don White's, Report - A resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a Purchase and Sale Agreement with respect to the Sale of the City's Proposition 1A Receivable from the State and authorizing certain other actions.
Vern Jones, Community Development Director, presented this information at the city council meeting.
At the request of City Council Members, Carruth and Bressette additional language was added with the assistance of the City Attorney, regarding mandatory replacement by T-Mobile of any plants or shrubs, etc. damaged as a result of the installation of this facility. This passed 5 - 0
Item 5.4 - Conditional Use Permit request to increase the boarding capacity of an Equitation Facility from 88 to 96 horses and related site improvements in Nellie Gail Ranch
The Staff report says the Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Facility will install new 3 rail fencing to create a turn out area, install new 3 rail fencing to create and exercise track around the existing upper arena, relocate the horse trailer storage area and provide additional landscape to screen this area. There will be no changes to the tennis or swim clubs. Site is 23 acres in size, and is designated as Recreation, Park and Private Park. No new structures are required. Reconfiguration of the existing barn/pipe stall structures will be made to accommodate the 8 horse increase. City staff says Nellie Gail Rancfh has been careful in scheduling of their facilities so that no two large attendance activities are scheduled in the same time on any given day. Operating hours are sensitive to the nearby residential neighborhoods and facilities close at 10 PM. This facility has been operating for more than 30 years with few complaints. Existing parking is adequate and there are no signage issues. 57 public hearing notices were mailed to property owners within a 300 foot radius of the site with no comments received. Staff recommends approval of this request.
At the request of City Council Members, Randall Bressette, Melody Carruth and Alan Songstad language was added re. screening of the horse trailer storage area with Podocarpus Trees and a limit for number of horse trailers stored in the trailer storage area.
Per City Attorney Greg Simonian the additional language would probably read - Proposed new condition #17 - all landscape screening for the Maintenance Yard and trailers shall be consistent with the requirements as depicted and set forth in the approved landscape plans. Greg said he was not sure what to do with Proposed new condition #18 limiting the number of parked trailers, because he didn't have enough verbage on that, but added, "We can reference the limit of the number of trailers set forth on the approved plans."
Vern Jones, Community Development Director, stated that the operations plan actually identifies 10 trailers and in that operations plan condition #10 says they will operate consistent with that operations plan, so he thought that condition was already covered.
Public Hearing Comments -
Maggie Merante, General Manager for Nellie Gail Ranch Owner's Association thanked the city staff, said she'd worked closely with staff on this and they were wonderful to work with. She said she had read all of the conditions, agreed to them and was here to answer questions.
Jan Curtis, Laguna Hills Resident said thank you to the city council for taking the time to finally address this issue. She said she was on the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA Board of Directors when they applied for this CUP over 2 years ago. She stated she wanted to register her support for this as a nearby resident of the Equestrian Center, of Nellie Gail and of Laguna Hills. She noted that these changes will not have any great impact on the residents. She stressed that the closing of the OC Fairground facility increases the importance of this facility and many businesses in the area profit from the existence of this facility.
Delores Caringella, Laguna Hills Resident registered her support for the expansion of the Equestrian Facility, stated she lives just above the Equestrian Center and was notified by the city about this public hearing. She said she is absolutely in support of the CUP and affirmed that the Equestrian Center is an asset to the community.
The CUP for the Equestrian Facility passed 5 - 0
Administrative Reports
Assistant City Manager, Don White's, Report - A resolution authorizing the execution and delivery of a Purchase and Sale Agreement with respect to the Sale of the City's Proposition 1A Receivable from the State and authorizing certain other actions.
According to the staff report, As part of 2009-10 State Budget the Legislature and Governor have agreed to suspend the provision of Proposition 1A and borrow 8% of property tax receipts from local agencies. For Laguna Hills the Orange County Controller has furnished a preliminary figure of $800,675. Under the terms of the legislation that enabled the suspension the city has 2 options: 1. - Wait until June 2013 to receive payment with interest from the State or 2. - Sell Proposition 1A Receivable to a 3rd Party - California Communities. If the city sells to CA. Communities the city will reportedly receive $800,675 in 2 installments in January and May of this fiscal year. Selling to CA. Communities effectively transfers risk of repayment to the bond holders. Staff is recommending this. The sale is contingent on the Senate passing and the Governor
signing SB 67 this month.
The information above was taken from the written Staff Report in the Extended Agenda that is only available to the Public in the office of City Hall for a couple of days prior to each city council meeting or by paid subscription. At the City Council Meeting this Purchase and Sale Agreement was not explained or reviewed for the Public. Assistant City Manager Don White said he didn't have anything to add and would take questions. He did remind the city council about the sale being contingent on the Senate and Governor passing and signing SB 67 and answered a few questions from the city council members.
Selling to California Communities passed 5 - 0
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
City Manager's Report - Bruce Channing stated he heard last week at the South OC Mayor's meeting that, " The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board is in the process of circulating a new draft, a permit for the San Diego Watershed Region, that we are in, not surprisingly it is an extremely Draconian permit in it's present form. One that is
viewed by all of the agencies as virtually unattainable, and also beyond what would be considered reasonably best management practices and/or reasonable, practicable or whatever that term is that they use as far as being something we could actually do. I made the remark to the individual that was presenting that based on the way it's being promoted by the water quality district that it would be easiest, perhaps least expensive if we could just figure out how catch the rain before it hits the ground, so it could be returned to another source other than our storm drains because that's what they are hoping we can accomplish with the level of water quality." "The matter will be set for hearing, here fairly soon, requests are being made for elected officials in the region to attend and speak on the issue. It is expected that the County will appeal it after the hearing, because it's not thought that the Regional Board will listen to anything that the players in this region have to say."
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger dedicated this meeting to Natalie Klein, Laguna Hills Resident who recently passed away but was appointed to the Vector Control Board and served there, for this city, for nearly 10 years. The LH Watch Dog was present when she had to give up her appointment due to an apparent change in policy of the Vector Control Board requiring appointment of only City Council Members. We remember she was disappointed, and talked about how much she loved the job and hated to give it up. She was certainly a very dedicated citizen who served the city well.
Closed Session with 3 Litigation issues, 2 existing - one auto against the city of Laguna Hills and one animal complaint against the Orange County Animal Care Services and the City of Laguna Hills and 1 proposed. The proposed litigation is stated to be Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Govmt. Code Section 54956.9 Government Code 54956.9 basically says that the governing body of a public agency may meet in closed session with legal counsel when there is pending litigation against the agency or there is a "significant exposure to litigation" against the local agency.
(b) (1) A point has been reached where, in the opinion of the legislative body of the local agency on the advice of its legal counsel, based on existing facts and circumstances, there is a significant exposure to litigation against the local agency.
The public report from the closed session was - "Nothing to Report."
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Notes from the Laguna Hills Parks and Recreations Commission Agenda
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On July 31,2009, a resident submitted a letter asking the City Council to make an Ordinance that bans dogs between 12 midnight and 8 AM in City Parks. (Park hours set
by the Laguna Hills City Council on 4/25/06 are currently from Dawn to 10 PM) the resident complains of dogs barking at early hours in Mandeville Park. He said that off leash dogs are allowed to run and bark in the park between the hours of 7:00 and 7:30 AM every morning. He said that after he complained to the city, Beverly at City Hall contacted Orange County Animal Care Services, and a . StLt. Frick sent an officer out once, but the problem continued and since that time his complaints have been ignored and his talk with the dog owner resulted in continuation of the same behaviors. Staff does not recommend a new ordinance because off leash running in the parks is prohibited and there is a barking ordinance - both enforced by Orange County Animal Care Services.
We are again reminded that Laguna Hills has chosen to retain the worst animal care and control services available, 20 miles away in the City of Orange at the 67 year old overcrowded animal shelter. The Laguna Hills City Council refuses to pay for better services through a nearby City Shelter and provides no Dog Park for it's citizens with dogs so citizens with and without dogs all pay the price that the city council refuses to pay for better services.
The Parks and Recreations Commission asked Laguna Hills Community Services Superintendent Dan Meehan how many of the runners in the Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event, that lost money for the city, were Laguna Hills Citizens. Superintendent Meehan stated he did not know but would get back to them. He was also asked why Saddleback Hospital pulled out of sponsoring the event and was told that was due to past financial losses.
Good Questions from this Commission. If Laguna Hills is going to continue to support an event that consistently loses money for the city shouldn't the event
at least consist of a majority of Laguna Hills Citizens?
The Commission Members, Larry Bertino, Dan Cooper, Mark Jones, Jack Noeneckx
and Carol Meyers are examining more $ losses for the city related to the classes at
the Community Center. They noted that the city splits the money taken in 70% (for the instructor) and 30% (for the city) with the class instructors that are mostly city staff. The Commission says other cities utilize the same split but Laguna Hills charges 31% less
than the overall average surrounding agencies charge for their recreation activities. The
Parks and Recreation Commission is suggesting full recovery.
The Parks and Recreations Commission asked Laguna Hills Community Services Superintendent Dan Meehan how many of the runners in the Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event, that lost money for the city, were Laguna Hills Citizens. Superintendent Meehan stated he did not know but would get back to them. He was also asked why Saddleback Hospital pulled out of sponsoring the event and was told that was due to past financial losses.
Good Questions from this Commission. If Laguna Hills is going to continue to support an event that consistently loses money for the city shouldn't the event
at least consist of a majority of Laguna Hills Citizens?
The Commission Members, Larry Bertino, Dan Cooper, Mark Jones, Jack Noeneckx
and Carol Meyers are examining more $ losses for the city related to the classes at
the Community Center. They noted that the city splits the money taken in 70% (for the instructor) and 30% (for the city) with the class instructors that are mostly city staff. The Commission says other cities utilize the same split but Laguna Hills charges 31% less
than the overall average surrounding agencies charge for their recreation activities. The
Parks and Recreation Commission is suggesting full recovery.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting 9-22-09
FEATURES:
** Presentations and Proclamations - None officially, but a HUGE thank you to our Laguna Hills Police and the rest of the Sheriff's dept. who captured the alleged bank robbers in Laguna Hills without any injuries occurring!
** Public Comments - NONE
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - Lisa Mc Corkell's report
** Presentations and Proclamations - None officially, but a HUGE thank you to our Laguna Hills Police and the rest of the Sheriff's dept. who captured the alleged bank robbers in Laguna Hills without any injuries occurring!
** Public Comments - NONE
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - Lisa Mc Corkell's report
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register this time is $787,060.22
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - NONE
** Planning Agency Report - T-Mobile requesting a wireless communication Tower disguised as a tree, Renovation of Apartments in Via Lomas Area
** Administrative Reports - Senior Services may receive Block Grant Funds but no transportation, Oso Pkwy. Landscape Problems - 2 issues - Landscape Project Deficits and Trail Fence Opening Problems (Why the string of bad contractors for Laguna Hills?) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Update - Did you know there was an HHW Pgrm. in Laguna Hills?
** City Manager's Report - None
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Now they like the State of CA. Initiative Process??
* * Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers - Reminder For all Pet Owners in Laguna Hills - Saturday Oct. 3 from 9 am to 1 pm - low cost vaccine , ID chips and license at the LH Community Center
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - NONE
** Planning Agency Report - T-Mobile requesting a wireless communication Tower disguised as a tree, Renovation of Apartments in Via Lomas Area
** Administrative Reports - Senior Services may receive Block Grant Funds but no transportation, Oso Pkwy. Landscape Problems - 2 issues - Landscape Project Deficits and Trail Fence Opening Problems (Why the string of bad contractors for Laguna Hills?) and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Update - Did you know there was an HHW Pgrm. in Laguna Hills?
** City Manager's Report - None
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - Now they like the State of CA. Initiative Process??
* * Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers - Reminder For all Pet Owners in Laguna Hills - Saturday Oct. 3 from 9 am to 1 pm - low cost vaccine , ID chips and license at the LH Community Center
See the Remarkable Life of Nellie Gail Moulton on exhibit in the lobby at City Hall
One of the citizens who does not agree with taxpayers buying the City Manager a $50,000 car
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09/22/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Randall Bressette was absent all other City Counil Members were present.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - No official Presentations or Proclamations but a HUGE thank you to Lt. Doan, our Chief of Police in Laguna Hills, and to all the Seriff's Deputies for their great work in the capturing of alleged bank robbers in the Nellie Gail area of Laguna Hills on Sept. 18, 2009 without any injuries. See story in the OC Register online at: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/suspect-pursuit-clemente-2572131-robbery-authorities Two suspected bank robbers were taken into custody after a high-speed pursuit through two freeways and a residential neighborhood in Laguna Hills. The two suspects abandoned the vehicle near Nellie Gail Road and Houston Trail, and a foot pursuit ensued.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - 1st home football game this Friday at 7:00 vs. El Toro High School, followed by dance with theme of Cowboys and Indians. No school on the Monday the 28th.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
Item 4.2 - The Warrant Register this time is $787,060.22
Item 4.3 - City shall adopt an ordinance requiring payment of a tax assessment prior to seeking judicial review of the assessment. This refers to the TOT - Transient Occupancy Tax/ Hotel Tax.
Randall Bressette was absent all other City Counil Members were present.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - No official Presentations or Proclamations but a HUGE thank you to Lt. Doan, our Chief of Police in Laguna Hills, and to all the Seriff's Deputies for their great work in the capturing of alleged bank robbers in the Nellie Gail area of Laguna Hills on Sept. 18, 2009 without any injuries. See story in the OC Register online at: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/suspect-pursuit-clemente-2572131-robbery-authorities Two suspected bank robbers were taken into custody after a high-speed pursuit through two freeways and a residential neighborhood in Laguna Hills. The two suspects abandoned the vehicle near Nellie Gail Road and Houston Trail, and a foot pursuit ensued.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - 1st home football game this Friday at 7:00 vs. El Toro High School, followed by dance with theme of Cowboys and Indians. No school on the Monday the 28th.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
Item 4.2 - The Warrant Register this time is $787,060.22
Item 4.3 - City shall adopt an ordinance requiring payment of a tax assessment prior to seeking judicial review of the assessment. This refers to the TOT - Transient Occupancy Tax/ Hotel Tax.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - NONE
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearings
Item 5.2 - A request by T-Mobile to install a wireless communication facility disguised as a Eucalyptus Tree near the Southeast corner of Moulton Parkway and Alicia Parkway in the open space. This issue has to be continued to Oct 13, 2009 because the city failed to notify residents within a 300 foot radius of the subject site.
Item 5.3 - A request to renovate the existing Rancho Moulton Apartment Complex located at 25701-25729 Via Lomas in the planned residential zoning district. The city's information states these are 51 two story wood frame units. Their exterior wood siding will be replaced with stucco, there will be repairs to the roofs, new fascia trim and gutters with downspouts, plus new energy efficient windows, and patio doors. The parking lot will be resurfaced, curbs and sidewalks repaired and completion date is targeted for 12/15/09. This project began without permits from the city so a hold has been placed on the project for approval of the Planning Agency. This was approved 4-0 - Good job Vern Jones!
Public Hearing Comments - Glen Gillespie, Representative for the owner of these apartments stated the apartments are fully occupied during this entire renovation.
Administrative Reports
City Manager's Report - None
Melissa Au-Yeung from the City Manager's office reported on the - Senior Services Block Grant
The city was awarded one of the 2 grants for which it applied and the council is voting tonight regarding signing contracts with the County of Orange and South County Senior Services to receive a Grant for Fiscal Year 2009-10 for approximately $50,175 which it has been tentatively awarded, to go to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. The amount of money actually received will be dependent upon US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations. The funds will be used to remove existing facility front and rear swing doors and add new automatic egress doors, remove restroom floor tile and add new non-skid tile, remove kitchen floor and floor drain and replace with new floor and drain, plus add new hands free faucets, 6 toilets and 2 urinals and a new phone system. There is No Fiscal Impact to the City. It has been almost a year since funds were last requested by the Florence Sylvester Senior Center and apparently more than 10 years (if ever) since Laguna Hills has contributed any funds to the Seniors. Now it appears that they may be contributing one grant they found for $50,175. This was passed 4-0
A review of this issue: At the 11/25/08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting city staff stated they had found some grants for Seniors and completed and submitted the applications. They reported 2 grants for about $50,000 each and an OCTA Senior Grant for 2009-2010 that requires matching funds from the city for a total of a possible $131,980. At the 12/9/08 LH CC Meeting Council Member Alan Songstad said if the all the grant money the city is applying for comes through that will be $131,000 and would make the City of Laguna Hills the largest contributor to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center
At the 11/11/08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting we were surprised to hear that the City of Laguna Hills had never contributed anything to the Non-Profit Florence Sylvester Senior Center located in Laguna Hills for Laguna Hills Seniors in the past 10 years. There was also a complaint that there was no transportation for seniors in Laguna Hills. The 2nd highest spending priority for Laguna Hills Citizens on the 2007 City Survey was - "Provide Transportation for seniors and disabled citizens."
Public Comments - Ms. Barbara Kogerman, Laguna Hills Citizen, thanked the council for moving forward on this Grant and urged the council to consider applying for an OCTA Senior Mobility Grant now to help Seniors get back and forth to the Senior Center.
City Council Melody Carruth asked staff about the Senior Mobility Grant.
City Manager Bruce Channing replied that they had been doing some analysis on the Senior Mobility issue and will go from there.
So, we learned that the city apparently did not apply for 3 grants, when they originally told us they had and apparently did not apply for the OCTA Grant, which was a top spending priority for Laguna Hills Citizens in 2007. The amount of $131,000, which was predicted by Council Member Alan Songstad, for Seniors was not received and the Transportation Grant was not included but at least, after 10 years of nothing, the Laguna Hills Seniors now hopefully will receive $50,000 to apply toward helping the Senior Center that is located in Laguna Hills stay open.
Public Services Director, City Engineer Ken Rosenfield's report - Oso Pkwy. Landscape Problems - 2 issues - Landscape Project Deficits and
Trail Fence Opening Problems
The Landscape Project Deficits
The Contract for the North and South Sides of the Oso Parkway Landscape Project was awarded to Marina Landscape, Inc. for $988,438.10. Marina Landscape was the low bidder of 7 bids per the 8/26/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Minutes. $1,510,000 was originally budgeted for this project. LH WATCH DOG readers may remember it was Laguna Hills Citizens Ms. Donna Sievers and Ms. Laura Dickson who constantly monitored the Aliso Hills Drive Slope Renovation Landscape Project to insure it's success in 2008. Deja Vu in 2009 when citizens are needed again. In our 9/8/09 issue Laguna Hills Citizen Mike Bland complained - My walk tonight took me on the new "landscaped" pathway along the South side of Oso Parkway between Moulton and Nellie Gail Road and I was horrified by many areas dying from lack of water and others over watered. The weeds were thicker in parts than the new landscape plants. The area looked terrible! Doesn’t someone from the city check to see if the area is being maintained correctly? Who is responsible for the follow-up here?
On June 10, 2008, LHCC Member - Mayor Allan Songstad said - "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with." But is this supposed to happen every time or can the city tighten the specifications when a contract is put out for bid on these projects to better eliminate the worst contractors?
The city's report says the landscape contractor's maintenance practices were lagging so the maintenance period of 1 year was extended 2 weeks for initial poor performance and further extensions are being considered. The contractor was not following recommended irrigation procedures due to misinterpreting information from Moulton Niguel Water District related to watering during the daytime hours. This resulted in the death of multiple trees, plants and ground covers. This is reportedly being corrected now as the contractor continues to adjust the sprinkler system to the needs of the new plants, etc. There was also a portion of the V-ditch on the North side that has some overgrowth and silt blocking drainage and this will reportedly be resolved by city maintenance. Additional trash containers will also be added to the trails 3 more on the North side and 2 on the South. Signs are also being installed to keep equestrians off of the new decomposed granite trail to prevent permanent damage.
Mr. Fisher, the Landscape Architect for the Oso Pkwy. Project project, stated, among other things, that the contractor's foreman reported he has not been able to obtain the support he needed from his boss related to manpower on this project. Mr. Fisher also stated that the Slope Saving Fescue was planted at the wrong time of the year which was a reason most of it died, and the sprinkler heads were changed by the contractor without permission from the city or the the Landscape Architect. Mr. Fisher added this can all be corrected but the city needs to decide what action to take to extend the contract, and/or recover damages.
Trail Fence Opening Problems
The city's report states the construction of the bioswale on the North side of Oso Pkwy. necessitated a relocation of a fence opening in the Nellie Gail Homeowner's Association equestrian trail fencing. A new location was chosen but an adjacent homeowner objected to that location so an alternate location was chosen in the field by staff. (The homeowner in question, who chose to remain anonymous, attended this City Council Meeting and stated he was protecting the extensive drainage system he had put in place on his property in 2005 and was guarding against continued vandalism to his property. He reported he had tools and fruit stolen and fences broken in the past. He strongly objected to the fence opening being located so close to his property, and his final recommendation was for no opening in the fence.) The new fence opening had an elevation difference and required five 2 ft. x 10 ft. steps. The Nellie Gail HOA then sent a letter to the city with a request for an "At Grade Trail Opening" to keep horses and riders safe from having to negotiate a steps. Then the Nellie Gail HOA reportedly had their fence contractor install 3 vertical posts in the stairway to prevent horses for leaving the private trail toward Oso Pkwy.
Ms. Marlene Sandler, Laguna Hills Resident stated she was opposed to what the homeowner who objected to the original site for the fence opening said. She noted
that they don't want the steps, but any of the other sites for the opening would be okay. She said the trail fence was installed when Oso got larger, and the traffic and speed increased. . She said it's true that there is no dedicated equestrian trail but that everyone except a motor vehicle is allowed on the multi use trails including equestrians. She said the equestrians wish they could have a series of underground tunnels to use to cross busy streets but using the street crossings is a necessity. She said that when Mr. Fisher made his original presentation to the Nellie Gail Board of Directors she talked to him about establishing the fence opening in the original area, which was much safer for equestrians, then the opening was moved about 260 feet and steps added. She asked that the trail opening be moved back in the direction where it was. She said the new trail on the South Side is problematic related to "No Horses Allowed" especially in wet weather.
There were 3 possibilities presented for Trail Fence Openings, with estimated costs varying from $1,000 to $30,000 for changes/relocations. The city staff was left with instruction from the council to discuss the fence opening in more depth with the Nellie
Gail HOA and attempt to work out a solution. "Mr. Rosenfield, solve the problem"
- per City Council Member Songstad.
Deputy City Manager/Community Services, Dave Reynold's report -Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Program Update - (last reviewed 6/19/08)
After one year of this program in Laguna Hills how's it going? Laguna Hills Citizens can drop off HHW at 3 collection points in Laguna Hills - (But do they know that?) :
1 - the Laguna Hills Community Center - You can dispose of batteries, cell phones and CFLs - (Compact Florescent Lamps) here
2 - The Laguna Hills Car Wash at 24794 Alicia Pkwy. - You can dispose of batteries and cell phones here
3 - Lamps Plus at 23451 Avenita de Carlota - You can dispose of CFLs only here
The results of this are stated to be - 497 batteries and 215 cell phones were collected at the Laguna Hills Community Center and there is no data for the other 2 drop off locations.
If you can quickly memorize and retain that assortment of drop off points and coordinate them with the items each one has agreed to accept you can ponder why only one of those collection points was relatively successful while you move on to the needles and syringes collection sites and their special instructions!
Starting in May of 2009 there were 2 Sharps (needles and syringes) locations noted:
1 - Moulton Plaza Pharmacy at 23665 Moulton Pkwy.
2 - Dial Drug at 24261 Avenida de Carlota
Residents may go to either of these locations and pick up a quart container that hold about 70 needles and syringes, fill them and return them to these locations.
The results of this are stated to be 560 syringes were collected at Moulton Plaza Pharmacy and No Information for the other location.
City Staff says drop off points are still a good option for citizens because Laguna Hills Residents dropped of HHWs at the following toxic waste dump centers:
1 - Anaheim = 7 drop offs
2 - Huntington Beach = 6 drop offs
3 - Irvine = 876 drop offs
4 - San Juan = 466 drop offs.
San Clemente and Aliso Viejo have started a door to door program for HHWs.
San Clemente's program began in Oct. 2008 and to date they have collected 29,956 lbs. of HHW items and had 485 collection calls in one year. This program added 35 cents a month ($4.20 per year) to their residents waste services bill.
Aliso Viejo's program began in April of 2008 but was only documented for the past 7 months. They recorded 143 calls for pickups and collected 6,519 lbs of HHWs. The cost for this program was incorporated into their solid waste services.
Per the report from Laguna Hills more residents of San Clemente and Aliso Viejo dropped off HHWs then called for collections.
***Old Cells Phones are requested by so many charities to raise money, so please also consider giving old cell phones to favorite charities rather than dropping them off at any HHW collection site.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger - Congratulations to our Sheriff's Dept. for stopping the armed robbers in the Nellie Gail area which involved our Laguna Hills Police and no injuries and thank you to the volunteers who helped with the Clean Up Day on Saturday, where about 220 lbs. of trash was collected.
Also Attended the League of Cities Meeting last week and the cities have passed a resolution to go forth with an Initiative to help protect Prop. A money from the State.
City Council Member Alan Songstad stated the theme for the League of Cities meeting was Strong Cities and Local Control. Protection for Prop. A money, gas tax, sales tax, TOT, etc. He said he and Joel made a 100/100 pledge to raise $100 and get 100 signatures on a petition for a strong State Wide Initiative to stop the State in the future from invading local funding. ** For those citizens who attended the Laguna Hills City Council Meetings when term limits were addressed you will share our confusion at hearing Joel and Alan talking about being eager to use the Initiative Process now when we heard them previously saying they did not believe in the Initiative Process, it should be eliminated and it was a poor way to run a government. Apparently it's a good tool if it's useful to them at the moment otherwise it's very bad and should be eliminated?
City Council Member Melody Carruth - It is the end of West Nile Virus season with
only 1 person and 7 birds testing positive in Orange County for West Nile Virus. Also LHHS projected an enrollment of 1600 students and has just under 1800 which means smaller classes and more classes for the students plus more teachers rehired.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
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Have you seen the new Nellie Gail Moulton Exhibit at City Hall in the lobby. It is a very interesting peek into the Remarkable Life of Ms. Nellie Gail Moulton for all to enjoy.
Reminder For all Pet Owners in Laguna Hills - On Saturday Oct. 3 from 9 am to 1 pm at the Community Center (25555 Alicia Pkwy-across the street from Ralph's supermarket) the County Shelter's low cost vaccination and micro chip identification program for all pets is the first step of the license amnesty program for Laguna Hills citizens. Per the City of Laguna Hills flyer :
Dog License - $24 for neutered or spayed dogs. and $100 for unaltered dogs - No fines or additional fees at this clinic for dogs that citizens have failed to previously license.
Vaccines for Dogs and Cats:
DHPP (DA2PP) - $14 Rabies - $6 Bordetella - $11 FVRCP - $14
Identification Microchips: - AVID Micro-chips - $28
All services are on a 1st come 1st serve basis. All dogs must be on collars or harnesses with leashes. Cats must be in carriers. Pet owners must be at least 18 years old and Method of payment is CASH ONLY for vaccines and micro-chip IDs.
**Checks are accepted for Dog Licensing Only.
*(If your pet has already been vaccinated, check with your Veterinarian to see if your pet needs additional vaccines.)
Excuse me, we are paying $50,000 for a car for the City Manager of Laguna Hills and we are also paying for all his expenses, plus his inflated salary and a big bonus. Apparently we can pay but we can't play? We can't be allowed to know the goals he has to meet to earn all this. In that case I am betting there aren't any goals that would be approved by citizens but there may be some that significantly benefit the city council members?? Harry - Laguna Hills Citizen for 32 years.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Laguna Hills Watch Dog 9-8-09
Laguna Hills WATCH DOG - September 8, 2009
Listening to the Laguna Hills City Council
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Laguna Hills City Council refuses to video tape their City Council Meetings so there has been no opportunity for citizens to learn how the actions of the city council affect their lives without attending all the meetings, until now. After 5 years of attending these meetings, we tape record and report the facts from these meetings to educate residents and ourselves and we keep our editorial comments separate from the facts. Anyone can receive these free e-mail reports by going to http://www.socoanimalshelter.org/ , and signing up with name, e-mail address, city and entering the words "Watch Dog" in the comments section.
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FEATURES:
** Public Comments - 3 people from the Bella Tierra Community re. status of on street parking permits there.
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - New LHHS Liaison for fall 2009 semester
** Consent Calendar - We have documents confirming that the 8/25/09 Warrant Register item - a $50,000 Toyota, is another benefit for the City Manager, in addition to his $233,592 salary, $32,000 bonus.
Item 4.3 - 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) of $24,565 to use in support of the Sheriff's Services.
Item 4.4 - 13 Annual Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19
Item 4.6 Laguna Hill's response to the Orange County Grand Jury's Report "Paper Water-Does OC have a Reliable Future?" is a blanket statement of "Disagree".
Item 4.8 Consulting Services Agreement for Planning and Housing Services with GRC Assoc.
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - Only one item was pulled from the consent calendar because it contained a payment to a client of City Council Member Craig Scott. Scott was not allowed to vote on that item.
** Planning Agency Report - Request for approval of tentative parcel map for the purpose of creating condo. ownership of office space to allow for conversion from General Office to Medical Office Space - Council Member Songstad's client involved in this so Songstad not allowed to vote.
** Administrative Reports -
** City Attorney's Report - A Transient Occupancy Tax collection measure change related to the city's collection of fees from hotels for rented rooms.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - 73 Toll Rd. to close for re- paving. Puppy Mill Bill, AB-241 passed the Assembly and SB-250 the Pet Responsibility Act waiting for a final vote.
** Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper
Listening to the Laguna Hills City Council
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Laguna Hills City Council refuses to video tape their City Council Meetings so there has been no opportunity for citizens to learn how the actions of the city council affect their lives without attending all the meetings, until now. After 5 years of attending these meetings, we tape record and report the facts from these meetings to educate residents and ourselves and we keep our editorial comments separate from the facts. Anyone can receive these free e-mail reports by going to http://www.socoanimalshelter.org/ , and signing up with name, e-mail address, city and entering the words "Watch Dog" in the comments section.
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FEATURES:
** Public Comments - 3 people from the Bella Tierra Community re. status of on street parking permits there.
** LHHS Student Liaison Report - New LHHS Liaison for fall 2009 semester
** Consent Calendar - We have documents confirming that the 8/25/09 Warrant Register item - a $50,000 Toyota, is another benefit for the City Manager, in addition to his $233,592 salary, $32,000 bonus.
Item 4.3 - 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) of $24,565 to use in support of the Sheriff's Services.
Item 4.4 - 13 Annual Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19
Item 4.6 Laguna Hill's response to the Orange County Grand Jury's Report "Paper Water-Does OC have a Reliable Future?" is a blanket statement of "Disagree".
Item 4.8 Consulting Services Agreement for Planning and Housing Services with GRC Assoc.
** Items removed from Consent Calendar - Only one item was pulled from the consent calendar because it contained a payment to a client of City Council Member Craig Scott. Scott was not allowed to vote on that item.
** Planning Agency Report - Request for approval of tentative parcel map for the purpose of creating condo. ownership of office space to allow for conversion from General Office to Medical Office Space - Council Member Songstad's client involved in this so Songstad not allowed to vote.
** Administrative Reports -
** City Attorney's Report - A Transient Occupancy Tax collection measure change related to the city's collection of fees from hotels for rented rooms.
** Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members - 73 Toll Rd. to close for re- paving. Puppy Mill Bill, AB-241 passed the Assembly and SB-250 the Pet Responsibility Act waiting for a final vote.
** Crime Watch Laguna Hills Report - see it in the Orange County Register Newspaper
** Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
**Big problems with the New Oso Pkwy Landscape Project?
**For All Laguna Hills Pet Owners-Keep the County Dogcatcher away from your door by licensing your dog with amnesty on Oct. 3.
* Orange County Register Newspaper - News Articles with blogs
* Orange County Register Newspaper - News Articles with blogs
* How to Support the Adopted 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division
* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public - Memorable Quotes from City Council Members
* How to contact the Laguna Hills City Council ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614
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09/08/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All city council members were present.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS - Jim Bresnan, Adam and Mac from the Bella Tierra Community in Laguna Hills, reported that 26 street parking permits were issued to residents of the community from the city but largely are not being used now due to the downturn in the economy. They added that they are keeping up with trash collection in the area and otherwise assisting the neighbors to be sure that all goes well with neighbors in the area related to the on street parking.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - This Thursday Sept 10th school starts. Cross Country Invitational is this Saturday from 8 to 4:00. Golf, football, volleyball, tennis etc. all start this week. 1st school play will be presented on Sept. 17 - 19 entitled " The Spelling Bee". LHHS Library will only be open Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday now due to budget cutbacks. 2 new guidance counselors, and a new administrator.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
All city council members were present.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS - Jim Bresnan, Adam and Mac from the Bella Tierra Community in Laguna Hills, reported that 26 street parking permits were issued to residents of the community from the city but largely are not being used now due to the downturn in the economy. They added that they are keeping up with trash collection in the area and otherwise assisting the neighbors to be sure that all goes well with neighbors in the area related to the on street parking.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - This Thursday Sept 10th school starts. Cross Country Invitational is this Saturday from 8 to 4:00. Golf, football, volleyball, tennis etc. all start this week. 1st school play will be presented on Sept. 17 - 19 entitled " The Spelling Bee". LHHS Library will only be open Monday, Wednesday and every other Friday now due to budget cutbacks. 2 new guidance counselors, and a new administrator.
Consent Calendar *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration)
The Warrant Register for 9/8/09 was $146,764.27.
At a time when many OC cities have announced furloughs for city employees to bridge budget gaps, last month, the Laguna Hills taxpayers purchased a 2010 Toyota Sequoia at a price of $50,000 for City Manager, Bruce Channing. Taxpayers are also responsible for all operating costs for the car including insurance, maintenance, repair and gasoline. Channing is allowed unrestricted personal use of the automobile when not engaged in city business subject to appropriate IRS requirements. This is in addition to the his 7/8/08 salary of $233,592.00 per year and his max. performance bonus of $23,000 plus and additional 10 days of paid vacation or cash instead of vacation which reportedly amounts to an additional $9,000 = $32,000.00. 4 members of the city council voted for his bonus in 2008, only City Council Member Melody Carruth voted NO. The city refuses to reveal the "8 mysterious goals" it says earned Channing a "Performance Bonus". City Council Member Craig Scott has been negotiating the city manager's salary and bonus package every 6 months.
Item 4.3 - City Received a 2009 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) of $24,565 to use in support of the Sheriff's Services. The Laguna Hills Police Services identified 2 projects for this money. 1) is the improvement of communication between Field Operations Personnel and City Staff in times of disaster through the purchase of hand held radios and chargers. 2) is mandatory training for Field Operations Personnel in continued education and professional development.
Item 4.4 - 13th Annual Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day on Sept. 19 8 AM to 12 noon - meet at the Community Center (25555 Alicia Pkwy-across the street from Ralph's supermarket). Last year 47 volunteers in Laguna Hills worked on creek areas, etc. picking up trash and the city gave $750 to the non-profit group Trails4All for supplies.
Item 4.6 Laguna Hill's response to the Orange County Grand Jury's Report "Paper Water-Does OC have a Reliable Future?" The Grand Jury evaluated drinking water supply sources and plans for an adequate drinking water supply for the remainder of the build-out of the County and public awareness of the "precarious" nature of our drinking water supply. Go to www.ocgrandjury.org/ to see the 06/09 complete report. The Grand Jury requires the city to respond to the Grand Jury Findings which were:
1. There is inadequate coordination between local land use planning agencies and local water supply agencies resulting in a process that fails to fully engage the issues.
a) Water Agencies have tended to avoid participating in growth management discussions.
b) Cities in the County have tended to not critically evaluate the limitations of water agencies supply projections.
2. California's looming water supply crisis receives little if any attention from the public compared with other environmental issues.
a) OC Citizens do not appear to grasp the seriousness of the water supply situation or complexity and urgency of necessary solutions.
b) Several recent substantial water supply awareness efforts (ex. OC Water Summit) are underway that show promise but appear targeted to audiences that are already informed.
Recommendation of OC Grand Jury - Each OC Municipal Plan Agency in cooperation with its respective water supply agency should prepare for adoption by it's City Council a Dedicated Water Element to add to its General Plan by June 30, 2010
It also stated - OC is uniquely fortunate to have a vast high quality well managed ground water basin serving the North County area but in the South it has an equally large high growth area with virtually no available ground water resources. This creates a "have vs. have not" situation that is conducive to inherent conflicts.
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The City of Laguna Hills issued a blanket "Disagree" with each of the 2 Findings of the Orange County Grand Jury to which it was asked to respond and stated Laguna Hills General Plan 2009 is comprehensive and it would be inappropriate to have a stand alone water element. Water already is addressed in several elements of the General Plan. It is convenient for the city to use the standard answer "We are built out, so no problem". What is not addressed is how much water Laguna Hills Residents will lose if the build out of South OC continues and there is no plan for additional water resources.
Item 4.8 Consulting Services Agreement for Planning and Housing Services with GRC Assoc. - For the city to receive $302,184 in a Community Development Block Grant Fund from the County of Orange it must extend the terms of the contract for an additional 6 months. In addition the Laguna Hills Staff is paying GRC Associates in Covina, CA. $52,000 to assist with the implementation of these funds.
All Consent Calendar items were passed.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - Only one item # 4.2 (the Warrant Register) was pulled from the consent calendar because it contained a payment to a client of City Council Member Craig Scott. Craig Scott could not vote on this item because a client of his was involved. There was no public discussion of the consent calendar items we listed above for you.
Planning Agency Issues and Public Hearing - Dave Ball, Senior VP of Development with CT Realty Corporation, representing the owner of a building at 23141 Moulton Pkwy, is requesting approval of a tentative parcel map for the purpose of creating condo. ownership of office space to allow for conversion from General Office to Medical Office on property with a Mixed Use District. He also is asking to modify existing easements between this property and adjoining properties that share driveways and access including the Lake Hills Community Church Property.
Public Hearing Comments - Vern Jones Community Development Director explained the issue and Mr. Dave Ball from CT Realty Corp. spoke in favor of this item.
This was passed 4-0 - City Council Member Allan Songstad could not vote on this matter because it involved a client of his.
Administrative Reports
City Attorney, Greg Simonian - Proposal that the city amend its Transient Occupancy Tax ordinance (Hotel Visitor's Tax). Hotel operators are required to collect 10% of the room rate charged and remit that amount to the city. If Hotel operators fail to remit the appropriate tax amount this change allows the city to issue a tax assessment which then must be paid by the Hotel to the city prior to seeking judicial review of the assessment of such a tax. Pay first-litigate later. This introduction of the first reading of the proposed TOT code ordinance change passed 5-0
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger - stated that he has seen signs around the area about the 73 toll road being closed, so he called Cal Trans and learned it would be closed mostly at night for re paving. He also reminded everyone about the 13th Annual Inner-Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday Sept. 19, 8 AM to 12 noon.
City Council Member Melody Carruth - Noted that the Puppy Mill Bill, AB-241 passed the Assembly and is on to the Governor's office. SB-250 the Pet Responsibility Act is still waiting for a final vote in the Assembly.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers
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Big problems with the Oso Pkwy Landscape Project?
Part of my walk tonight took me on the new "landscaped" pathway along the South side of Oso Parkway between Moulton and Nellie Gail Road. It has been several weeks since I walked this part of the pathway and was horrified at what I saw. Many areas are dying from lack of water and others were over watered. The weeds were thicker in parts than the new landscaped plants. The area looked terrible! If I remember correctly, I think the city paid over $1.6M for this work along Oso and it has not been maintained. From our experience with the Aliso Hills landscape project having to be monitored by citizens and now this, it appears that this is the way our city manages projects? Doesn’t someone from the city check to see if the area is being maintained correctly? Who is responsible for the follow-up here? Mike Bland
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For all Laguna Hills Pet Owners - On Saturday Oct. 3 from 9AM to 1PM at the Community Center (25555 Alicia Pkwy-across the street from Ralph's supermarket) the County Shelter's low cost vaccination and micro chip identification program for all pets is the first step of the license amnesty program for Laguna Hills citizens. Per the City of Laguna Hills flyer :
Dog License - $24 for neutered or spayed dogs. and $100 for unaltered dogs - No fines or additional fees at this clinic for dogs that citizens have failed to previously license.
Vaccines for Dogs and Cats:
DHPP (DA2PP) - $14 Rabies - $6 Bordetella - $11 FVRCP - $14
Identification Microchips: - AVID Micro-chips - $28
All services are on a 1st come 1st serve basis. All dogs must be on collars or harnesses with leashes. Cats must be in carriers. Pet owners must be at least 18 years old and Method of payment is CASH ONLY for vaccines and micro-chip IDs.
**Checks are accepted for Dog Licensing Only.
*(If your pet has already been vaccinated, check with your Veterinarian to see if your pet needs additional vaccines.)
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How about that "City Views" newsletter we just got the high gloss (high cost) activity guide, seems way over the top what is cost per distribution?/
Why is the no advertising in it from business to offset cost and bring to all citizens and actually make people spend more money in city?????
Fees for “Community” classes seem very high many can't participate for that reason. Is there any senior citizen pricing? Should be and/or there should be waiver for fees for hardship ?
TOYOTA ????????????? for who and for what purpose seems bad when you can get a Hyundai with longer warranty for half that money….. Mr. C - Laguna Hills resident
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Laguna Hills Crime Watch =======================================================================
Laguna Hills Crime Watch for the past 3 weeks go to: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/police-crime-blotter-2087713-arrest-burglary?City=Laguna Hills
Laguna Hills Crime, What's Happening in your Neighborhood by Alejandra Molina, Reporter, Orange County Register. Keep up with crime in Laguna Hills, where it's happening and how it might affect you. This column is continuously updated. ======================================================================
OC Register News Stories and blogs =======================================================================
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-million-budget-2473902-year-positions
Laguna Hills makes cuts to two-year budget
Remember to visit the page http://www.ocregister.com/share/forums/?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3a88a27b8e-242d-45ba-ad5a-93816e9e4444Forum%3ad42b7afa-4130-45cc-bdce-d4d05b8756c9&plckNumPerPage=200&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0 when you've got something to share with the community.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/survey-city-respondents-2366204-hills-percent - Laguna Hills a good place to live, survey says
Laguna Hills Report Recommends Pet License Outreach. It also says shelters aren't crowded enough for spay, neuter program.http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-dogs-laguna-2281407-hills-report Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objectionshttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city Senior Center in Laguna Hills Suffers financially - Officials of the nonprofit are angry that the city has never provided money, despite the services provided to its residents. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/senior-center-services-2216444-county-south
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http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-million-budget-2473902-year-positions
Laguna Hills makes cuts to two-year budget
Remember to visit the page http://www.ocregister.com/share/forums/?plckForumPage=Forum&plckForumId=Cat%3a88a27b8e-242d-45ba-ad5a-93816e9e4444Forum%3ad42b7afa-4130-45cc-bdce-d4d05b8756c9&plckNumPerPage=200&plckCategoryCurrentPage=0 when you've got something to share with the community.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/survey-city-respondents-2366204-hills-percent - Laguna Hills a good place to live, survey says
Laguna Hills Report Recommends Pet License Outreach. It also says shelters aren't crowded enough for spay, neuter program.http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-dogs-laguna-2281407-hills-report Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objectionshttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city Senior Center in Laguna Hills Suffers financially - Officials of the nonprofit are angry that the city has never provided money, despite the services provided to its residents. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/senior-center-services-2216444-county-south
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How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine DivisionResidents and businesses interested may contact the City of Laguna Hills at (949)707-2680. Please contact Debra Allen at (949) 632-8395 or via the Committee’s email at darkhorse92653@cox.net for more information about the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adoption Committee, donations and providing support for the Marines, Sailors and families of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines ========================================================================= Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public =========================================================================
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Well, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member?
***Craig Scott is talking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her.
Dec. 4, 2008 - LHCC Member - Craig Scott stated ".... based on what is recited here I think it is fair comment to say that Nellie Gail was not remarkable. "We did some research on this issue and if that's the best we can do, a school teacher, 2 daughters and ran the ranch until turning it over to her children, I submit that's not necessarily remarkable."
Really, Well, Mr. Scott, would you say you are a "remarkable" city council member?
***Craig Scott is talking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) who was born in Irving, KS on Dec. 8, 1878. Nellie Gail spent her childhood in Nebraska and came to California with her family in 1893. Upon receiving her teaching credentials, she taught school in the state of Washington near Seattle at the turn of the century. On one of her summer trips to visit her family in southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. The couple settled on a ranch of 22,000 acres. When her husband died she ran the 22,000 acre ranch while raising 2 daughters. She was also a school teacher, and an artist. Most of her paintings appear to have been done in and around Laguna Beach. Nellie Gail Ranch, in Laguna Hills, is named for her.
June 10, 2008 - LHCC Member - Mayor Allan Songstad said - "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."
Thank you Mr. Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking us" with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 18 years.
On May 27, 2008 - LHCC Member Craig Scott stated, "I am on the toll road every day and I don't want the tolls to go down, I want them to stay where they are or go higher and I'm ready to pay that price and I'd prefer NOT to have others do the same."
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 years)
Are there any volunteers willing to support a resolution proclaiming that the 73 Toll Road be set aside for the Exclusive Use of Laguna Hills City Council Member Craig Scott until such time that this pesky congestion problem caused by less entitled people, like the rest of us, is brought under control? OR - maybe people would like to e-mail Mr. Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us to encourage him to broaden his perspective. He has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member for 18 years)
March 11, 2008 - Don White, Assist. City Manager stated Laguna Hills rejected a proposal from Mission Viejo to share their animal shelter in 2005 due to increased expense and "unknown and serious contractual problems that exposed the city's budget to unknown and uncontrollable cost increases and expenditures".
So, Don if the contractual problems are "unknown" how do you know they are serious and uncontrollable? Laguna Niguel has had the same contract that was presented to Laguna Hills with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter for more than 10 years and in 2008 Aliso Viejo joined the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter so none of this has been a problem for them?
So, Don if the contractual problems are "unknown" how do you know they are serious and uncontrollable? Laguna Niguel has had the same contract that was presented to Laguna Hills with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter for more than 10 years and in 2008 Aliso Viejo joined the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter so none of this has been a problem for them?
October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that." So true, Allan, so unfortunately true.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
08/25/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All city council members were present.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - New Fire Chief appointed for Orange County Fire Authority - According to the City Staff report Chief Keith Richter comes from the Contra Costa County Fire District where he's been Chief since 1998. He has 30 years experience in fire service. He started in 1977 in the Tucson AZ. Fire Dept and served there for 21 years. He has a master of Science degree in Fire Administration and is a graduate of Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Welcome Chief Richter!
2 Awards for service for City of Laguna Hills employees - Judy Baker, Administrative Assistant II and Todd Holmes, Community Services Coordinator. Both have 10 years of service to the city, so are recognized with Certificate and a pencil and pen set according to the extended agenda report but we noted last night that they both appeared to have received small clocks. 5 years experience is recognized with a Certificate of Recognition.
We wonder how many years of service one has to put in to get the $50,000 Toyota???
Recognition of Lisa Mc Corkell as the new Student Liaison for Laguna Hills High School for the Fall Semester of 2009. The backup Liaison is Jason Brower.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mr. Jay Agatoni (name spelling uncertain) stated that he fenced his property in Nellie Gail after paying for a service to identify his property lines but has since learned that his fence encroached on city property about 5 feet on one side and 20 feet on another. He said he needed the approx. 5 foot high chain link fence to protect his dogs and children from coyotes and noted that he spent thousands of dollars to landscape the area to disguise the fencing. He asked the city council to allow him to leave his fence in place.
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger and Ken Rosenfield - Director of Public Services and City Engineer both explained to Mr. Agatoni why it is city policy not to allow encroachment by private citizens into city land and City Council Member Melody Carruth added that a 5 foot fence cannot protect a yard from coyotes. Mr. Agatoni was referred back to Ken Rosenfield for further discussion re. how to correct this problem.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Nothing tonight
Consent Calendar (**The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled from the calendar for individual consideration)
The Consent Calendar included a Warrant Register for $2,401,918.52. This amount includes the purchase of a $50,000 Toyota from Tustin Toyota in July 2009 with no information related to the reason for this purchase, who will be using the car or the make, year, model of the car, etc. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has requested information about this car purchase from the City Clerk. Law enforcement services were a large part of the expense listed as $532,622.50 in July and again in August. There were additional payments for engineering and landscape totaling $94,415.58 for the El Toro Median Island and payments totaling $18,119.72 for Training, travel, vehicle fuel, program and operating supplies for city staff.
Consent Calendar Item 4.5 includes a report that the 1/2 Marathon on May 25, 2009 had approx. 2,700 runners, with no mention of how many from Laguna Hills. It shows that expenses for this event totaled $138,445.00 and revenues were $126,817.00, so there was a loss of $11,682.00 for the City's General Fund. Despite this loss and a history of losses for this event the city staff is requesting a 2 year contract for 2010 and 2011 with Renegade Racing, the company who organized the 2009 event.
Consent Calendar Item 4.6 includes a report on the City's July 4th Celebration. This was another loss for the city. The total expenditure was quoted to be $47,447.00, the fireworks display cost was reported to $21,450.00 and the ticket sales were reported as $3,200.00.
Consent Calendar Item 4.9 is a change in the speed limits:
1. Avenida de la Carlotta- between Paseo de Valencia and Ridge Route - the new speed here will be 40 MPH
2. on Paseo de Valencia between Avenida de la Carlota and El Toro Rd. the new speed limit will be 35 MPH.
These Consent Calendar Items were all passed.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - 4.2, 4.4, 4.7 and 4.10
Item 4.2 (the warrant register) included a payment to a client of City Council member Craig Scott who is an attorney. He had to be recused from voting on an issue that affected his client. This was passed by the other city council members.
Item 4.4 was the Adoption of a Zoning Text Map Ordinance Amendments to Implement the Comprehensive General Plan Update (this refers to the New General Plan for the City)
This will be changing the zoning designation on approx. 40.4 acres located near the intersection of Alicia Pkwy. and Paseo de Alicia from Mixed Use and Community Commercial to Neighborhood Mixed Use. Also to change the zoning designation on approx. 39 acres located in the Via Lomas area from Medium Low Density to Planned Community Residential. Also a change in the zoning designation of approx. 2.27 acres located near the intersection of Moulton Pkwy. and La Paz Rd. from Open Space to Community Commercial.
Item 4.7 is the recommendation that the City Council Approve joining the (OCCOG) Orange County Council of Governments. Laguna Hills would be one of the already 40 members. This group is reported to assist cities with a myriad of state and regional concerns as well as contributing a coordinated Orange County voice when confronting issues such as Housing Needs Assessment Allocations, the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan and SB 375 that mandates land use and transportation planning be integrated and accomplished with a frame work of air quality and green gas emission reductions. The population of Laguna Hills is listed here as 33,412 in 2008.
Item 4.10 was said to have been placed under the Consent Calendar in error -
It is a membership agreement for the City of Laguna Hills to join (SCAG) Southern California Association of Governments. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Association of Governments is mandated by the federal government to research and draw up plans for transportation, growth management, hazardous waste management, and air quality. Additional mandates exist at the state level. SCASG was formed in 1965. ** It has long been the position of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog that the Laguna Hills City Council should have joined this group many years ago. The annual dues are reported to be $2,711.59. The designate appointed to this group was City Council Member Allan Songstad. The appointed alternate to the SCAG General Assembly was City Council Member Randall Bressette.
These Consent Calendar Items were all passed.
City Council Public Hearings - Item 5.1 Proposed resolution establishing an updated schedule of Penalties for Parking Violations and Late Payment Penalties
According to the city staff a State Mandated Court Surcharge requires the city to increase penalties by $3.00. The city created an itemized list of violations that include parking and failure to update registration, etc. with updated fines for these violations. Leaving the engine running while parked is a violation and abandoning a vehicle on the street requires an initial fine of $150.00.
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills spoke on this updated schedule of penalties. He noted that about 3246 parking citations were given out in Laguna Hills in 2008, so not updating these penalties would cost the city about $10,000 for another year. He supported the effort to have the city create it's own bail schedule rather than continue to rely on the County's bail schedule (itemized list of offences with schedule of fees for those offenses). Chief Doan coordinated with City Attorney Greg Simonian to produce this document for the city. These fees were also reported to be in compliance with those in the surrounding neighborhoods. This item was passed.
Public Hearing Comments - NONE
Planning Agency Issues - NONE
All city council members were present.
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PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS - New Fire Chief appointed for Orange County Fire Authority - According to the City Staff report Chief Keith Richter comes from the Contra Costa County Fire District where he's been Chief since 1998. He has 30 years experience in fire service. He started in 1977 in the Tucson AZ. Fire Dept and served there for 21 years. He has a master of Science degree in Fire Administration and is a graduate of Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Welcome Chief Richter!
2 Awards for service for City of Laguna Hills employees - Judy Baker, Administrative Assistant II and Todd Holmes, Community Services Coordinator. Both have 10 years of service to the city, so are recognized with Certificate and a pencil and pen set according to the extended agenda report but we noted last night that they both appeared to have received small clocks. 5 years experience is recognized with a Certificate of Recognition.
We wonder how many years of service one has to put in to get the $50,000 Toyota???
Recognition of Lisa Mc Corkell as the new Student Liaison for Laguna Hills High School for the Fall Semester of 2009. The backup Liaison is Jason Brower.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mr. Jay Agatoni (name spelling uncertain) stated that he fenced his property in Nellie Gail after paying for a service to identify his property lines but has since learned that his fence encroached on city property about 5 feet on one side and 20 feet on another. He said he needed the approx. 5 foot high chain link fence to protect his dogs and children from coyotes and noted that he spent thousands of dollars to landscape the area to disguise the fencing. He asked the city council to allow him to leave his fence in place.
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger and Ken Rosenfield - Director of Public Services and City Engineer both explained to Mr. Agatoni why it is city policy not to allow encroachment by private citizens into city land and City Council Member Melody Carruth added that a 5 foot fence cannot protect a yard from coyotes. Mr. Agatoni was referred back to Ken Rosenfield for further discussion re. how to correct this problem.
LHHS Student Liaison Report - from Lisa Mc Corkell - Nothing tonight
Consent Calendar (**The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled from the calendar for individual consideration)
The Consent Calendar included a Warrant Register for $2,401,918.52. This amount includes the purchase of a $50,000 Toyota from Tustin Toyota in July 2009 with no information related to the reason for this purchase, who will be using the car or the make, year, model of the car, etc. The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has requested information about this car purchase from the City Clerk. Law enforcement services were a large part of the expense listed as $532,622.50 in July and again in August. There were additional payments for engineering and landscape totaling $94,415.58 for the El Toro Median Island and payments totaling $18,119.72 for Training, travel, vehicle fuel, program and operating supplies for city staff.
Consent Calendar Item 4.5 includes a report that the 1/2 Marathon on May 25, 2009 had approx. 2,700 runners, with no mention of how many from Laguna Hills. It shows that expenses for this event totaled $138,445.00 and revenues were $126,817.00, so there was a loss of $11,682.00 for the City's General Fund. Despite this loss and a history of losses for this event the city staff is requesting a 2 year contract for 2010 and 2011 with Renegade Racing, the company who organized the 2009 event.
Consent Calendar Item 4.6 includes a report on the City's July 4th Celebration. This was another loss for the city. The total expenditure was quoted to be $47,447.00, the fireworks display cost was reported to $21,450.00 and the ticket sales were reported as $3,200.00.
Consent Calendar Item 4.9 is a change in the speed limits:
1. Avenida de la Carlotta- between Paseo de Valencia and Ridge Route - the new speed here will be 40 MPH
2. on Paseo de Valencia between Avenida de la Carlota and El Toro Rd. the new speed limit will be 35 MPH.
These Consent Calendar Items were all passed.
Items Removed from the Consent Calendar - 4.2, 4.4, 4.7 and 4.10
Item 4.2 (the warrant register) included a payment to a client of City Council member Craig Scott who is an attorney. He had to be recused from voting on an issue that affected his client. This was passed by the other city council members.
Item 4.4 was the Adoption of a Zoning Text Map Ordinance Amendments to Implement the Comprehensive General Plan Update (this refers to the New General Plan for the City)
This will be changing the zoning designation on approx. 40.4 acres located near the intersection of Alicia Pkwy. and Paseo de Alicia from Mixed Use and Community Commercial to Neighborhood Mixed Use. Also to change the zoning designation on approx. 39 acres located in the Via Lomas area from Medium Low Density to Planned Community Residential. Also a change in the zoning designation of approx. 2.27 acres located near the intersection of Moulton Pkwy. and La Paz Rd. from Open Space to Community Commercial.
Item 4.7 is the recommendation that the City Council Approve joining the (OCCOG) Orange County Council of Governments. Laguna Hills would be one of the already 40 members. This group is reported to assist cities with a myriad of state and regional concerns as well as contributing a coordinated Orange County voice when confronting issues such as Housing Needs Assessment Allocations, the 2012 Regional Transportation Plan and SB 375 that mandates land use and transportation planning be integrated and accomplished with a frame work of air quality and green gas emission reductions. The population of Laguna Hills is listed here as 33,412 in 2008.
Item 4.10 was said to have been placed under the Consent Calendar in error -
It is a membership agreement for the City of Laguna Hills to join (SCAG) Southern California Association of Governments. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Association of Governments is mandated by the federal government to research and draw up plans for transportation, growth management, hazardous waste management, and air quality. Additional mandates exist at the state level. SCASG was formed in 1965. ** It has long been the position of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog that the Laguna Hills City Council should have joined this group many years ago. The annual dues are reported to be $2,711.59. The designate appointed to this group was City Council Member Allan Songstad. The appointed alternate to the SCAG General Assembly was City Council Member Randall Bressette.
These Consent Calendar Items were all passed.
City Council Public Hearings - Item 5.1 Proposed resolution establishing an updated schedule of Penalties for Parking Violations and Late Payment Penalties
According to the city staff a State Mandated Court Surcharge requires the city to increase penalties by $3.00. The city created an itemized list of violations that include parking and failure to update registration, etc. with updated fines for these violations. Leaving the engine running while parked is a violation and abandoning a vehicle on the street requires an initial fine of $150.00.
Lt. Steve Doan, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills spoke on this updated schedule of penalties. He noted that about 3246 parking citations were given out in Laguna Hills in 2008, so not updating these penalties would cost the city about $10,000 for another year. He supported the effort to have the city create it's own bail schedule rather than continue to rely on the County's bail schedule (itemized list of offences with schedule of fees for those offenses). Chief Doan coordinated with City Attorney Greg Simonian to produce this document for the city. These fees were also reported to be in compliance with those in the surrounding neighborhoods. This item was passed.
Public Hearing Comments - NONE
Planning Agency Issues - NONE
Minutes - Minutes of the previous City Council meeting on July 14, 2009 state that in a Private Session Robert Hawkins, Attorney from the Golden Rain Foundation, that was formerly Leisure World, stated he believed there was a way the City of Laguna Hills could work with the Golden Rain Foundation to alleviate concerns of the environmental impact of traffic outside of the city and stated that the City of Laguna Hills failed to analyze this. In the Public session on July 14, 2009 Mr. Hawkins stated there were impacts on other cities as a result of Laguna Hills' New General Plan that need to be considered such as increasing the sq. ft. in the Urban Village Area at the intersection of Moulton and El Toro. He said an analysis should be done now and mitigation planned.
Administrative Reports
City Manager's Report - NONE
6.2 - Assistant City Manager's Report - City's Dog License Campaign coming to your house soon.
The Assist. City Manager, Don White said he had nothing to add to this report.
The Staff Report in the extended Agenda states the current estimate is that 43% of dogs in the city are licensed. It is projected that 36% of unlicensed dogs are not spayed or neutered. Unlicensed dogs reportedly represent a loss of license fees of over $200,000.00 annually therefore the city is seeking to recover these losses.
It is the opinion of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog that the city could have solved licensing problems years ago by providing animal care services for citizens that are not too dangerous and too far away for citizens to use. This city council had a chance to partner with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter and use the additional license fees the citizens indicated they were willing to pay for much better services, but the city council turned that down to continue to use the cheapest services available with the 67 year old dilapidated County Shelter that is 20 miles away in the City of Orange, has a 50 % and greater kill rate and in the past year impounded more than 43,000 animals. The City of Aliso Viejo wisely took the spot Laguna Hills was initially offered with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter and are very happy there. Mission Viejo's records show that citizens are more willing to license pets with a safe shelter close to home so numbers of unlicensed pets diminish without canvassing, and pet licenses are cheaper with the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter. It's a simple premise, if people are offered good services at a reasonable price people will join.
The new canvassing program is stated to include 1 full time canvasser for $40,000 which the city staff says should provide $53,000 in additional revenue initially and going forward should produce $36,000 annually. The city says they will publish public information from August through December 2009 and start canvassing in January of 2010. The August "City Views" has a 2 page spread and advertises a pet Clinic through he County Shelter to be held at the Laguna Hills Community Center for the entire population of Laguna Hills dog owners for 4 hours - from 9 Am to 1:00 PM in Oct. There will be license amnesty if Laguna Hills citizens license their pets at a city clinic. The low cost neuter and spay clinic that happens to be located in Laguna Hills but receives no assistance from the City will distribute low cost neuter and spay information at that clinic.
In November there will reportedly be another ad in the "City Views" about the canvassing. In February there will be an additional ad in City Views about the 45 day license amnesty period and the license campaign. There will reportedly be more press releases, one repeat Pet Clinic at the Community Center and on April 15 the license amnesty period will end. Staff states they will monitor monthly licensing reports to measure the success of the canvassing program. Current licensing data reported for Laguna Hills states:
Unaltered dogs = 303, Guide dogs = 3, Puppy licenses = 37, Senior Discounts = 276, Altered dogs = 2,501 and Total dogs reported = 3,120. Be sure to call the city to be sure about all of this as their report contains some contradictions in information.
6.3 - Contracts with the County of Orange and the Aliso Meadows condo Assoc. for Community Development Block Grant Funds - The city staff states that in the past 5 years Laguna Hills has received $1,516,766 from Orange County for 248 units in the Aliso Meadows condos in the Via Lomas area. For 2009-10 Laguna Hills was tentatively awarded $200,000.00 to rehab another 10 units so the city council is asked now to approve the contracts. Vern Jones, Community Development Director noted a new program requirement that newly rehabed residences cannot have rent increases for a period of one year.
6.4 - Community Services, Historical and Arts Commission Name Change
Request for the The Community Services, Historical and Arts Commission name to be changed to Parks and Recreational Services and the duties of the commission revised.
The above items were all approved
Public Comments - Speaker Art Ricolte (name spelling uncertain) stated he lives in the Via Lomas Area and 100 residential units in that area have been completed to date with Grant Funds through a program by HUD and have been brought up to safe and sanitary conditions. He said this has raised the morale of the community and he wants this to continue. He thanked the city council for approving this for another 2 years.
Matters Presented by Mayor & City Council Members
Mayor Joel Lautenschleger ended the meeting by stating that the city received a Certificate of Achievement from the Government Finance Offices Association auditors for their 2008 financial reporting. Joel said that this award states they demonstrate a sprit of full disclosure which he apparently interpreted as a high level of transparency. It's great that this city appears to work well with government auditors but related to transparency this is a continued problem for the citizens. A city receiving an award for being cooperative during an audit appears to somewhat childish but possibly is part of a program of positive reinforcement from auditors to encourage cities to comply up front rather than waste auditor's time?
In any case this statement about transparency from the City of Laguna Hills is a direct contradiction to what we experience, such as our report last month that at the June 23, 2009 City Council Meeting, Melody Carruth unleashed a storm of protest from Craig Scott, Allan Songstad, and Joel Lautenschleger by asking for more transparency from the city manager to the city council related to raises in wages for city staff. At the same meeting Mr. Tom Epperson, citizen of Laguna Hills, was told by Joel Lautenschleger that he was on the wrong subject when he echoed Ms. Carruth's request and asked for more financial transparency for the citizens as well. The citizens have been consistently denied information including the "8 goals" that the city manager was supposed to have met to receive his $32,000 bonus for 2008, and this week we find a purchase of a $50,000 Toyota by the city in the warrant register with no explanation related to why, or for whom. Citizens have been asking since March of 2008 for an explanation of why Don White, Assistant City Manager, announced that the fee for an animal control officer, for better service for Laguna Hills from the County Shelter, would be $230,000 a year when in Oct. of 2005 it would have been only $48,000 a year. Don White continues to refuse to comment on that. Hopefully this city is more transparent with auditors than they are with the citizens or even some members of their own city council?
Joel also said he and Allan had both attended a Summit On Government Conference for the League of Cities with 500 elected officials.
City Council Member Melody Carruth - Noted that the exhibit on the very remarkable life of Ms. Nellie Gail Moulton opened in the lobby of City Hall for all to see and 4 more historical exhibits are now on the walls of the City Hall Lobby leading to the back door.
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