02/09/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All City Council Members were present

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – NONE

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - NONE

PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE

CONSENT CALENDAR- *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )

The Warrant Register = $203,962.08

Item 4.3 - Authorization to Advertise for Bids for Synchronization of Traffic Signals at Alicia Pkwy. and at La Paz Rd. including a new traffic Signal at La Paz Rd & Appaloosa City's information says these projects are budgeted for $875,000 mostly paid for by Measure M funds. This project will build upon the ongoing Orange County Transportation Authority's Alicia Pkwy. Traffic Light Synchronization project seeking to improve travel time for motorists over the entire length of Alicia Pkwy. across multiple jurisdictions.
Staff Recommends authorization to advertise these projects for bids.
** editor's note - Coordination of Traffic Signals was the highest rated Spending Priority for Laguna Hills Residents polled in the 2007 LH City Survey. 396 residents responded to this question about Coordination of Traffic Signals and 70.2% rated it a HIGH Spending Priority, 21% rated it Medium, 6% rated it Low and 2.5% Rated it - Do Not Spend.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0

Item 4.4 - Establishment of Passenger Loading and Unloading Zone at Valencia Elem. School. The Valencia Principal contacted the city staff with a request to create a Loading & Unloading Zone to alleviate traffic congestion during student drop off and pick up times. The Principal noted that buses do not use this location anymore and the location will be better utilized if passenger vehicles are allowed to temporarily load and unload there. On Dec. 10, 2009 city staff met with Principal Stonebarger and he indicated that traffic in the school parking lot during morning and afternoon pick up and drop off times is extremely chaotic. He proposed the solution requested here. Fiscal Impact approx. $750.00
Staff Recommends - City adopt a resolution implementing this solution - establish a passenger loading/unloading zone on the east side of Paseo de Valencia.
This Item Passed by a vote of 5-0

ITEMS PULLED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR - None there was No Discussion on the Traffic Signal Synch. Project or the Loading and Unloading Zones at Valencia School.

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION - Item 5.2 - Election of Public Improvement Corporation Officers - The Laguna Hills City Council, in addition to being the Laguna Hills Planning Agency, also acts as the Board of Directors for the Laguna Hills Public Improvement Corporation whose Primary Purpose is to render financial assistance to the city. The council members rotate their offices as Board President on the second Tues. of Feb. of each year. In 2010 they named Randal Bressette as Board President, and re-named City Manager, Bruce Channing as Vice President, Assist. City Manager Don White as Treasurer and City Clerk Peggy Johns as Secretary.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Item 6.2 - Assist. City Manager Don White - Civic Center Public Art Program, Continuing Historical, Cultural and Educational Programs is requesting that the city council Approve:
1. the completion of online exhibit and archive
2. the development of a local schools program and curriculum guide,
3. and Authorize the City Manager to amend the Professional Services Agreement with the City's Public Art Consultant to complete 1 and 2 above.

The Master Plan for the Public Art Program was approved in January 2006. The council selected an Early CA. in the Saddleback Valley historic theme and identified 11 pieces of art. The recent installation of the council chamber murals brings this phase of the Civic Center Art Program to a close. Staff is developing an Online Exhibit and Archive with pages of information about each piece of art. Estimated cost is $16,000

City is also investigating developing and Educational School Tour Program and Curriculum to provide teachers in Grades 3 - 5 the opportunity to foster student's understanding of the early history of the Saddleback Valley through visits to view and discuss the art and through art contests, essays, etc. that will also include elementary., middle and high schools. Estimated cost is $11,000.00

Additional Elements - Additional art pieces for the plaza area and the rotunda of the Civic Center are not yet commissioned due to the downturn in the economy but will be brought forward for re-activation when funds are available.

Fiscal Impact - Original budget was $514,000. Estimated final expenditures include an additional $16,000 for the online exhibit and archive, and an additional $11,000 for the school tour and curriculum guide for local teachers. The Civic Center Public Art program is funded by the City's Public Art Fund which includes loans from the General Fund. As of June 30,2009 the Public art Fund owed the General Fund $162, 813.00.

Staff Recommends approval of the requests stated above. *See more detail on the city web site under Agendas of Feb. 9, 2010 Vote - This Item passed 5 - 0

COMMENTS: Robert Evans, Artist who created the Council Chamber Murals
spoke about his research for the 3 new historical murals that were installed in the council chambers of the Civic Center last Friday. He thanked the council for their patience and said his research and design for the time period of these historical murals involved more work and time than doing the actual painting.

The highlight of the evening was these 3 large murals which are about 8 x 8 feet on both side walls of the council chamber and a huge mural about 8 x 20 feet on the back wall. They were all done in acrylic paint and the artist is still touching up the pieces and taking suggestions from the council related to fine detail.

Robert Evans later gave us details of how he found historical pictures of General Kearny, Commodore Stockton and Don Juan Avila and then had to figure out how they would look at younger ages and from the side although their pictures were full face. He added that the dog in the War Brings Change mural was an Australian Shepherd and some of the horses pictured in the Discovering Orange County mural were Spanish Barbs, some were part Mule, etc. as he tried to get the details right for the times in which the people and animals were portrayed.

The largest mural on the back wall is entitled Discovering Orange County and pictures, a scouting party on horses heading toward Trabuco Canyon. As you face the dais the mural on the right is entitled Mining Pecten Reef and portrays Native Americans mining in the area that is now Via Lomas. Pecten was used to construct Missions. The 3rd mural is entitled War Brings Change and portrays Army General Stephen Kearny and US Navy Commodore Robert Stockton with Don Juan Avila at Avila's ranch in Rancho Niguel during the Mexican-American War. All 3 murals are stunning and received high praise from council members and audience. A date for the official public ceremony for the presentation of the murals will be sometime in March. Remarks about the murals from the council members were: Craig Scott - Source of pride and an educational tool for the community, Joel Lautenschleger - Vibrant color and artist should stop now, no changes, Melody Carruth - In awe, so much attention to detail, art, science and history all brought together successfully, Lighting is wonderful. Randal Bressette - Lighting is wonderful in each one, Allan Songstad expressed concern for the security of the art work.

MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS:

Council Member Melody Carruth said she was wearing a Red Scarf around her neck as a symbol of Heart Awareness, good nutrition, exercise and check ups. She also initiated a discussion satellite school losses of about 3000 students resulting in boundaries changes for schools in an effort to avoid closing schools. She added that Valencia Elementary may receive 250 to 300 new students and the school board may vote tonight to restore the area of attendance for Laguna Hills High School to Laguna Hills.

Council Member Lautenschleger commented on the problems resulting from the school board currently reshuffling boundaries and how this often causes children living near a school to have to commute to a school further away.

Council Member Allan Songstad discussed a report from a January SCAG meeting related to a Land Use Plan to skew sales tax revenues to at least temporarily support the State. He asked the council to read the report and make a strong statement to SCAG to stop focusing on this and focus on things like Regional Transportation.

Mayor Randal Bressette announced that the OC Fire Authority held their Best and Bravest Awards Ceremony. 4 members from Station 22, Ellen Robinson, Johnny Choy, Evan Sorenberger and Ryan Cummings, received a Unit Citation for the rescue of an elderly woman from a burning house in Laguna Woods. Firefighter Cummings received the Medal of Valor from the OC Fire Authority. This was only the 3rd time in OCFA history that this medal has been awarded. From the OC Fire Authorities Civilian Team, one civilian won an award for pulling a victim from a burning car on I - 5 at La Paz, despite serious injuries to herself. Bressette noted Trauma Intervention Program gave their 2009 stats for Laguna Hills=192 LH residents served and average response time was 21 minutes.

CLOSED SESSION to consider the City Manager's Public Employee Performance Evaluation. On 2/10/10 it was announced that "NOTHING REPORTABLE" came from this Closed Session.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from
Watch Dog Readers

This City Council awarding another large bonus to their City Manager on top of his car and everything else is an "IN YOUR FACE" to the citizens of Laguna Hills. What do other cities
of comparable size in OC pay their City Managers in salary and bonus?
Outraged Laguna Hills Citizen

City Council Member Melody Carruth's complete explanation of her vote against the City Manager's 2009 bonus
"There was only one public vote on Mr. Channing's bonus. That vote occurred on Dec. 8, 2009 in public in the council chamber, close to midnight, following a regular city council meeting and closed session. Lautenschleger, Scott, Songstad and Bressette voted to award the performance bonus. I was the only council member to vote no. (Please check the OC REGISTER article Dec. 18, 2009 Local Section reporting on the Dec. 8th 4-1 public vote). In addition to my vote against the bonus I publicly stated on Dec. 8, in the chamber, the importance of a new city manager contract with no open-ended compensation. I publicly expressed my opposition to the $60,000 car, travel, and other compensation awarded to the city manager. My statements are recorded in the minutes of the Dec. 8 public meeting.

MR. CHANNING'S BONUS WAS EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 8, 2009. HE HAS HAD HIS $23,000 BONUS FOR SIX WEEKS.

While Mayor Bressette may now regret his vote on Dec. 8 - it is too late. It is unworthy of an elected official to try and change history or distort in any way, the minutes of a public meeting . It is improper for an elected official to suggest or infer a public document is untrue or false when the elected official knows full well the resolution accurately states the actions of a city council. Resolution 2010 before the city council on January 26 was not a vote on the bonus.
The bonus vote took place seven weeks earlier.

Resolution 2010 was written to ratify, formally confirm the city council's action on Dec. 8.

Resolution 2010 clearly states it is a " record of the city council's action on Dec. 8th. ( this Resolution language reads like a sequence of events) ".... the council convened in closed session on Dec. 8, 2009, for the purpose of conducting the annual performance evaluation....the city council reconvened in regular session and approved the award of a performance bonus to the City Manager by a vote of 4 to 1 (Council Member Carruth voting no)...Whereas, the City Council hereby ratifies the action taken on Dec. 8, 2009...Whereas, the above recitals are true and correct...."

The City Council was asked Tuesday night if Resolution 2010 was an accurate record of the Dec. 8, 2009 events which took place in public, in the council chamber. These resolutions adopted by the city council are serious documents which become part of the permanent city archives. The city council adopted Resolution 2010 because its contents were true. I voted to approve the resolution because it was true and accurate. It was a 4-1 vote. I was the only council member to vote against the performance bonus. Mr. Bressette, when asked if the recitals were true and accurate replied " Let's talk in private." We should all strive for more transparency in government - at all levels. Mr. Bressette refused to offer an explanation in public. Information, he suggested, would be forthcoming in private (in the parking lot? in a backroom?). He has yet to explain why he believes Resolution 2010 was not filled with factual information."
Melody Carruth, city council member

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.

How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by
the City of Laguna Hills This is still being worked out. More to follow.

OC Register News Stories and blogs

Laguna Hills term limits proposal kicks off
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-232184-council-hills.html

City manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.html

City Manager Benefits top $170,000 November 06, 2009
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-218145-insurance-salary.html

City manager won't comment on $60,000 car
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/city-channing-car-2635479-year-hills

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/

It's the Health Insurance, Stupid
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/its-the-health-insurance-stupid/42089/

Full benefits for part-time elected officials are reasonable, mayor says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2009/11/05/full-benefits-for-part-time-elected-officials-are-reasonable-mayor-says/42213/

Laguna Hills City manager gets $23,000 bonus over objectionshttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/bonus-council-channing-2253011-scott-city

Laguna Hills City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public

Feb. 1, 2010 - Laguna Hills Mayor Pro-Tem. Craig Scott commented on KOCE TV that Term Limits are undemocratic and shift power to Career Bureaucrats, campaign consultants and those who have other than our best interests at heart.
Mr. Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Craig Scott has been a Laguna Hills City Council Member without a break for 19 years so far and is expected to run again in 2010. So, by definition he is already a Career Bureaucrat and he achieved that without Term Limits!

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, 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)

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.

Reminders & Letters to the Editor

To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name and telephone number (telephone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.

You can contact all of the Laguna Hills City Council Members at: ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us phone: 949-707-2610 fax: 949-707-2614