** Last Reminder about the Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Petition: We must turn in all our Term Limits signatures this week, so if you have any signatures that you have collected or if you have a petition with your own signature please e-mail your name address to Jean Bland at BlandMJ@AOL.com. Jean will come to your house and collect your petitions this week. If you have not yet signed also contact Jean Bland who will bring you a petition to sign. Please do not mail your petitions now as they may not reach their destination in time.
05/25/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – None
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Kelly Kreen (sp?), Laguna Hills Citizen spoke about the new business she and her partner have established in Laguna Hills which is very similar to an Auto Club for Bicycles. It is called OC Bicycle Service + Garage, and is located at 23011 # E7 Moulton Pkwy.,or go to orangecountybicycleservicegarage.com/ for additional information. Phone is 949-916-0960. They will be providing Roadside Service for cyclists as well as a full service garage with maintenance, repair, workshops and many other services at their store location.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Jason Brower - Jason said this would be an "all positive" report tonight. Besides the Valedictorian the other 2 speakers who have been chosen to speak at graduation this year for LHHS are Cassidy La Fee and Jason Brower. There was much applause for Jason whose LHHS Liaison reports this semester have been outstanding. Jason thanked Council Member Carruth for writing an excellent letter of recommendation for him. He said that made him so proud and he is honored to be one of the 2 speakers from a group of 9 who tried out for the 2 speaker positions. Jason went on to say this is a winding down of the school year with senior finals approaching in mid June followed by graduation in late June. The crime and attendance problems are experiencing a reversal now and that is good to see because it is the job of the students to show up for class.
MINUTES - Recommendation that the City Council Approve the Minutes of the previous, City Council meeting for publication on the city web site. The Minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication on the city web site until the next City Council Meeting. *Editor's Note - Citizens can find more current information as well as historical information from Laguna Hills City Council Meetings on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog site at: http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole, with no public discussion, unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - Warrant Register = $936,660.15
Includes the following items of interest:
$2,500 to US Postal Service for CITY VIEWS Summer 2010 issue
$14,781.88 to Faubel Public Affairs for CITY VIEWS Summer 2010 issue
*Editor's note - A total of $17, 281.88 for one edition of City Views Magazine which contains information for the Public and Public Relations for the City Council.
$ 853.00 to Bounce House Company for 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event
$1403.50 to First Student - Program Expense for 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event
$ 734.25 to KF Studios - Event Promotional Services for 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event
*Editor's Note - We still don't still don't know how many Laguna Hills Residents participate in this event that has historically lost money first for Saddleback Hospital and then for this city, and is expected, according to the city, to lose $10,000 this year. From the Minutes of the August 5, 2009 Meeting of the Laguna Hills Parks and Recreation Commission (now available online on the City of Laguna Hills website) Superintendent Meehan reported to the Parks and Recreation Commission that approx. 2,700 participants registered for the Memorial Day Half Marathon and 5K Event. Commissioner Noenickx asked Superintendent Meehan how many residents participated in the event. Mr. Meehan stated that he would research the participation figures with Renegade Racing and provide this information to the Commission. Commisioner Noenick asked Superintendent Meehan why Saddleback hospital pulled out of running this event. Mr. Meehan states that Saddleback Hospital opted to eliminate this event from their budget due to financial losses in the past. We hope that this year city staff will finally count and report the # of Laguna Hills Residents who participate in this event and the amount of the losses.
$2,900.00 to Joe A. Gonsalves & Son - A Lobbying Firm that represents Clients before the State Legislature. Editor's Note - Lobbying for what? - No explanation given by the city?
$50,175.00 to the Florence Sylvester Senior Services Rehab. Project. This is a Grant received through the County. *Editor's Note - At the May 11, 2010 City Council meeting we were told it was $52,000 with no fiscal impact to the city so what happened to the other $1,825.00 that was supposed to be in the grant for the Senior Center?
We thank City Council Member Melody Carruth for answering this question for the public and explaining how the grant system works in this case as follows: "I have the answer to your question about the warrant register not matching the billboard size check for Marilyn. The warrant register amount is for the grant we received last year. The 2009 construction has been completed, Marilyn submits her bill and we send her a check in May 2010 for the amount listed in tonight's warrant register. Next year, when the next phase at the senior center is completed, we will send her the second check....it should be for the $52,000 we all saw during Randy's presentation two weeks ago." (Council Member Carruth is referring here to Marilyn Ditty, Chief Executive Officer, of Age Well Senior Services, for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center) We also note from the September 22, 2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting that the amount of money actually received will be dependent upon US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations. There is No Fiscal Impact to the City
Item 4.3 - Law Enforcement Services Agreement - The City Agenda states the city has a total staff of 43.22 (but many of those positions are Shared Staff as follows, per the city's information):
10.2% of 1/2 of one (.5) Sergeant - Traffic
10.2% of 4 Deputy Sheriff IIs - Traffic
10.2% of 1 Investigative Assistant - Traffic
10.2% of 1 Office Specialist - Traffic
6% of 1/4 of one (.25) Sergeant Auto Theft
6% of 2 Investigators - Auto Theft
6% of 1 Investigative Assistant - Auto Theft
6% of 1 Office Specialist - Auto Theft
10.32% of 3 Investigative Assistants - Court
12.12% of 1/2 of 1 (.5) Motorcycle Sergeant
The Law Enforcement Staff the City has full time totals 27.97 as follows:
1 Lieutenant at 40 hours per week - Management
2.97 Sergeants - each full time sergeant position is 40 hours per week - Supervision
2 Investigators - each 40 hours per week - Investigation Services
14 designated 1 deputy units each at 40 hours per week - deployment to be determined by Sheriff in cooperation with City Manager. - Patrol Services
1 School Resource Officer at 40 hours per week - deployment to be determined by Sheriff in cooperation with city manager
4 designated motorcycle units each at 40 hours per week - deployment to be determined by Sheriff in cooperation with city manager for Traffic Services
2 community Service Officers each at 40 hours per week for Parking Control
1 Crime Prevention Specialist at 40 hours per week.
The total cost for Laguna Hills is listed as $6,457,708 for FY 2010-11
*Editor's Note - It is important to note here that the term "position" refers to all of the fractions of a position as well as to what we would normally think of as a full time position related to a total staff of 43.22. So, Laguna Hills actually has 27.97 full time staff positions plus 1 and a small fraction of a full time position of shared staff. Laguna Hills does justify their statement in the online staff report that they have 0.75 Sworn Staff per 1000 residents which they say places them 3rd from the top in So. OC Cities, just under Dana Point (with 0.92 per 1000 residents) and San Juan Capistrano (with 0.76 per 1000 residents), but to say they have a total staff of 43.22 they'd have to S - T - R- E - T - C-H their numbers considerably, so we asked Laguna Hills Police Chief Steve Doan about the shared staff and he clarified for us that the fractions of positions are County Auto Theft and Traffic Officers in Shared Regional Positions that are cost allocated to all the contracting cities.
We also want to note that on Tues. 5/25/10 the Project 999, 630 mile Annual Memorial Bicycle Ride from Sacramento, to assist the family of any Orange County POST Certified Deputy or Officer who is injured or killed in the line of duty culminated at the Peace Officers Memorial Monument in Santa Ana. Please go to http://www.project999ride.org/?page_id=4 to learn more about this annual event and how to become a donor or sponsor for future events.
Staff Recommendation is - Authorize the Law Enforcement Services Agreement.
Item 4.5 - California Jobs Initiative -
Staff Report says The California Jobs initiative is an effort to suspend AB 32 (State Assembly Bill 32, the Global Warming Act for Alternative Energy Development www.ElementMarkets.com to protect the environment, until the State's employment rate decreases to 5.5% for a year.
Staff Recommendation - Support the California Jobs Initiative.
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE
VOTE - All items on the consent calendar were approved 5 - 0 without comment.
** See more detail for most of the Items noted in the Consent Calendar on the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us under City Council Agendas, the Date of the City Council Meeting and the Item # on the agenda.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5.1 - 2010 Weed Abatement Program
City says on 4/29/10 it sent notices to all property owners affected giving them until June 5, to remove the weeds, rubbish or refuse, etc. or the city will do the removal and bill the property owner. Fiscal Impact for the City for Weed Abatement is $55,000
Kenneth H. Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, City Engineer noted that starting next week and over the next 30 days the City Property's weeds will be removed and the community is responding to removal of weed notifications.
Public Comments - None
Staff Recommendation - Issue an Abatement Order
VOTE - This item was passed 5 - 0
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Update on Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon and 5K from David Reynolds, Deputy City Manager - Staff will be onsite at 3:30 AM on Monday preparing for this event and the event will begin at 7 am. Over 1600 race participants signed up to date which is 60 to 70 more than last year, so staff is anticipating 2800 to 3000 runners. There will also be a diaper dash and a kid's run. A new addition this year will be the Food Drive for So. County Outreach so the staff is encouraging race participants and spectators to bring canned food and non perishable goods to donate.
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Melody Carruth stated interviews for new LHHS Student Liaisons were held last Friday with Principal Boulton and Mary King, who served on the General Planning Committee, and new students were chosen for the first semester of next year from a group of exceptionally strong students.
Council Member Melody Carruth stated there have been a number of calls received about the new construction for a cell phone tower on Beckenham across from Sunset. She asked for clarification of when residents are informed of a project like this one and how the residents are allowed an opportunity to voice their concerns. Mayor Randal Bressette responded the problem is that this item is not agendized for tonight so can't discuss it now but if the council wishes to agendize the item for the next meeting for Mr. Jones that would be appropriate. Council Member Carruth stated she would like to do that. There was a consensus to agendize this item for the next council meeting.
*Editor's Note - see more about this item + a photo below under "Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers"
Council Member Melody Carruth called for a report from City Manager Channing on Term Limits for the next City Council Meeting. City Manager Channing agreed.
Council Member Lautenschleger confirmed the excellence of the LHHS student pool from which the student liaisons for next year were chosen.
Mayor Randal Bressette stated the city received a memo from the Parks and Recreation Commission recommending the implementation of a citizen volunteer program to assist with enforcement of the municipal code in parks and to serve in other volunteer capacities. He asked the city council for acknowledgement of this memo and a response to the Parks and Recreation Commission that the most appropriate time for this to be brought back to the council would be at the budget session this year.
Mayor Randal Bressette announced that tomorrow is the Peace Officer's Memorial Ceremony in Santa Ana, an opportunity for us to remember and give thanks to those men and women of law enforcement and specifically our Sheriff's Department for the jobs they do and the sacrifices that many of their fellow officers have made. There will be a ceremony, a luncheon at the Original Mikes Restaurant and then a fund raiser even by the OC Traffic Officer's Association.
CLOSED SESSION - None
====================================
The "Laguna Hills Crime Watch" has been removed from the OC Register Newspaper on-line. To find out about crime in Laguna Hills and how it affects your neighborhood go to www.ocsd.org (for the OC Sheriff's Dept.) then click on "E-Services" for the pull down menu, next click on "Sheriff's Blotter" then click "Laguna Hills" for the 7 or 30 day view. There is also information in the Saddleback Valley News on Fridays Under "Crime in your Neighborhood" under Laguna Hills.
Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
The following is a list of web addresses and titles are for 1 editorial + 6 recent stories in the OC Register Newspaper by the OC Watchdog about and revolving around Candidate for City Council Barbara Kogerman's discovery from city records pulled from every OC City that the City Manager of Laguna Hills makes more in salary and benefits than any of the City Managers in any of the other cities in all of Orange County, although he manages only 27 full time employees including himself, his Assistant City Manager and his Deputy City Manager, in a very small city of almost 34,000 residents.
Editorial in the Orange County Register on Friday, May 21, 2010 - Managing some big pay packages begins with "If you require a fresh source of indignation over public employees' perks, look no further than Laguna Hills,"..... Go to: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/compensation-249743-city-public.html
News Story in OC Register online about the Laguna Hills' City Manager's salary and benefits compared with other city managers in OC. The most highly compensated City Manager in Orange County is from one of the smallest cities - Laguna Hills - at $460,809.00. In a City of only about 34,000, he has a full time staff of only 27 to manage including himself and his Assistant City Manager and his Deputy City Manager. Go to: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/top-city-manager-compensation-460809-report-says/57287/ -Top city manager compensation: $460,809, report says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/ - Controversial city manager compensation report now online
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/20/average-pay-for-big-city-city-managers-292651/57549/ - Average pay for big-city city managers: $292,651
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/21/mid-sized-city-manager-compensation-272573/57643/ - Midsized city manager compensation: $272,573
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/22/small-city-managers-average-pay-262196/57737/ - Small city managers average pay: $262,196
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/26/frustration-lack-of-transparency-mar-quest-for-city-pay-data/57991/ Frustration, lack of transparency mar quest for city pay data
The Laguna Hills Watch dog has received several e-mails from citizens regarding a scaffolding that has been erected on the medical building on Beckenham across the street from the neighborhood on Sunset. The Watch Dog was told that the final height of this addition will be around 42 feet and will house a cell phone tower. We were also told that no public notice was given by the city so the neighbors were not given a chance to object. Besides the third floor edition being an eyesore, the neighbors expressed concern about radiation produced from the tower with no guarantees that it is not harmful to their health.
I don't get how the City can spend $457,000 on painting murals on the City Hall walls, building a gaudy (in my humble opinion), Vegas type entry to Laguna Hills off El Toro Road by City hall, and let two deputy positions go and let the Code Enforcement position go. Something is wrong with this picture. Annon.
The answer to the frequently asked question about how the city council members have remained in office for nearly 20 years is that the Laguna Hills City Council doesn't want outside interference in what they consider their private domain. It is basically a transparency issue. Give the citizens the Mushroom Treatment - keep them in the dark
and cover them with bullshit! Tom
Yes, bring in a big glossy check that reads "Big Production" so the City Council's family members can use it for self serving purposes. How about asking the Florence Sylvester Senior Center what they need and how the city can help? Since the city has reserves and should take seriously the needs of its seniors who have been long time contributors to this city, is it not reasonable that maybe the council members should each take a day of internship at the Senior Center to really see what is needed, what goes on there and how well the Florence Sylvester Senior Center helps with what little funding they have? Mr C.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills We continue to question this but we never get an answer from the City Council?? Editor's Note - On Aug. 25, 2009 in a LHCC Meeting - 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. Craig Scott went on to say the council has taken a very clear position that there will be no official city support by this council for the 3/5 Committee. Doesn't the city that adopted a Marine Division have duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities have done a great job of this why not this one?
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 objections
http://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.
Council Member Craig Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a course or progress through life, or a distinct portion of life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Council Member 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 has achieved Career Bureaucrat status and he achieved that without Term Limits. Congratulations Mr. Scott!
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? Council Member Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) Born in Kansas in 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 a summer trip to visit her family in Southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. They 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 in the lobby at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - 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 Council Member Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 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 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 19 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.
August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus August 19, 1994LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2010 with 18 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician" .
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com 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
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
** Special Announcements - Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council: We need to turn all our Term Limits Signatures in at the end of this month so we need EVERYONE who has not yet signed to contact Jean Bland at BlandMJ@AOL.com. Jean will make sure a petition is delivered to you to sign and collect any petitions you want to turn in. You must be a Registered Voter in Laguna Hills to sign the petition, but you can be a Registered Voter anywhere in CA. to collect Signatures. If you want to help, please contact Jean Bland or Barbara Kogerman at Kogerman4council @cox.net.
05/11/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – The City obtained a Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities and Improvements for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center that is located in Laguna Hills in the amount of $52,000 to be used for the purpose of: Demolishing and removing 2 common walls in the mail program room, Framing and installing 2 portable walls to establish a storage area, Installing new carpet and replacing baseboards and Painting the interior of the center. Mayor Randal Bressette presented a super sized glossy printed cardboard check to Marilyn Ditty, Chief Executive Officer, of Age Well Senior Services, for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. Mayor Bressette stated his son is getting his doctorate in Gerontology and wants a photo of this to include in a report and his mother who lives in Laguna Woods requested a photo to show that the City of Laguna Hills actually gave money to the Senior Center. He also thanked County Supervisor Pat Bates for the Grant. Marilyn Ditty expressed that some of the previous Grant was spent making the floors in the Senior Center less slippery for the Seniors so was money well spent to assist in preventing falls. She also said there are 3 members on their Board of Directors now that live in Laguna Hills. She thanked the city and especially Melissa Au-Yeung from the City Manager's office who gave a great deal of personal on site assistance to the Senior Center.
*Editorial Comment - This is the 2nd Grant the City of Laguna Hills has obtained for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center in 10 years after being asked by the center for help many times. This effort of finally obtaining Grants, that are available to cities for this purpose, began in 2009 after the Laguna Hills City Council was confronted by the Senior Center and their own Senior Citizens in 2008 about Laguna Hills being the only city in the area that had never contributed anything to the center to assist in helping it's own Seniors. *See history of this controversial issue below under -"Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers"
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Dwight Del Gado, from the US Census Bureau said there has been a National rate of a 73% response from people communicating their census information. The Orange County rate is 73%, and the Laguna Hills rate to date is 77% but was 79% in 2000. Numerators will now be knocking on doors to obtain information from those who have not responded.
Barbara Kogerman, City Council Candidate for 2010 stated it was commendable that the City obtained the Grant for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center but why did it take so long to serve our growing Senior Citizen Population in Laguna Hills? Our neighboring cities from their inception have been providing for the needs of their Senior Citizens while the Senior Center located in our city still lacks adequate funds for programs, staff and services. This Laguna Hills Grant is for building improvements not services, meals, etc. The City Council needs to realign its spending priorities to provide for essential needs of its citizens.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - 3 furlough days on June 7, 11 and 14 are now scheduled for teachers related to the budget cuts. Many of the students are excited about it but the teachers are less ecstatic and will still be working for some of it. Next week is CST testing for Seniors so school will start later in the afternoon. Even in classes that are not specifically for Seniors there is extensive preparation for CST testing as there was last year. Laguna Hills is hoping to maintain their level of extremely high CST scores including numerous practice tests. The school year, in terms of academic testing, is winding down and almost all students have completed their IB and AP testing. The lack of attendance problem had improved but those numbers are beginning to slide again so the school is actively involved in pursuing truancy and informing students of the importance of their regular attendance at school related to funding and to their academic achievement. The problem of the increase in theft that recently occurred has been brought under control with the assistance of the SRO, Deputy Botta, and the administration making several public announcements. Jason was asked if he had chosen a college yet by Mayor Bressette and he responded that he hoped to attend UCI for Political Science in the hope of later attending law school and becoming an attorney. Council Member Melody Carruth noted to Jason how good the recent LHHS production of the musical Beauty and the Beast was with the full orchestra and great acting.
MINUTES - Recommendation that the City Council Approve the Minutes of the April 27, 2010 City Council meeting for publication on the city web site. The Minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication on the city web site until the next City Council Meeting.
*Editor's Note - Citizens can find more current information as well as historical information from Laguna Hills City Council Meetings on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog site at: http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole, with no public discussion, unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - Warrant Register = $376,526.62
Includes the following items of interest:
$1,274.00 to Event promotional Services for 1/2 Marathon/ 5K Event
$750.00 - to Pack, Dwayne for Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon/5K Event
$6,000 to Renegade Racing for Event Mgmt. for 1/2 Marathon /5 K Event
* Editorial Comment - In 10/09 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. The City Reports it expects to lose $10,000 on the event this year. If Laguna Hills is going to support an event that consistently loses money for the city shouldn't the City at least know how many Laguna Hills Citizens participate in it?
$9,487.50 - to Pixel Pushers, Inc. - Professional Fees for City Web Site?
$30,749.52 to Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart - Legal Services
Item 4.3 - 3rd quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - City's working funds stood at approx. $8.7million as of March 31, 2010. For the 9 months ended March 31, 2010
Actual YTD total funding sources = $29,626,288 and Total Funding uses - $32,435,836 deficit for uses vs. sources was ($2,809,548)
Amended Budget Total Funding Sources = $24,215,119 and Total Funding Uses =$24,555,309 deficit for uses vs. sources was ($340,190)
Expenditures for the City Council/City Manager portion of the city budget rose from 5% in 2009 to 7% in 2010.
Item 4.4 - Authorization to advertise for bids for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5
Plans include widening of the southbound I-5 off-ramp to add a 4th exit lane, widening for La Paz Rd to allow a dual Left turn from westerly bound La Paz Rd to southerly bound Cabot Rd, widening of La Paz Rd to add a third eastbound travel lane as an exclusive access lane for the freeway ramps behind the bridge piers, and conversion of the westbound La Paz Rd to southbound I-5 onramp to a continuous movement loop ramp.
Fiscal Impact - approx. $5 million to $6.6 million. This project is budgeted in the fiscal year 2010-2011 in the amount of $5,021,545 with an additional $545,000 anticipated to be available from a program entitled CARITS. The results of the bids will determine if sufficient funds are available to construct the project.
Staff Recommendation - Approve Plans and Specifications and Advertise for bids.
Item 4.5 - Freeway Agreement for State Route 73 - San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
State Dept. of Transportation (Catrans) has requested the City approve this Freeway Agreement because this project, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, State Route 73, was constructed by the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) with the expectation that the State (Caltrans) would agree to accept ownership and maintenance and the State did accept this in 1995. In 1996 Route 73 was declared by Caltrans to be a "Freeway". This agreement designates the responsibilities of the State and the cities regarding the existence of the Freeway as it affects local city streets. No Fiscal Impact.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the Freeway Agreement.
Item 4.6 - Contractor Services Agreement with Outdoor Sign Systems, Inc. for Entry Monument Sign Manufacturing and Installation Services.
In Oct. of 2008 the City approved an agreement with Hoke Outdoor Advertising, Inc to complete Entry Monuments at entry points to the City, but Hoke went out of business. The entry monuments on Alicia and La Paz were damaged in traffic collisions and the city wanted a new entry monument on Moulton south of Lake Forest Dr. The Alicia Monument was repaired and replaced and the La Paz monument was repaired and stored. The Moulton Entry Monument was started and not completed. The new contractor has agreed to complete this job and store the mold for the monuments for $25, 224.18.
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the agreement.
Editorial Comment - Regarding dollar amounts the City's spends for Monuments in Laguna Hills, at the 4-28-09 Laguna Hill City Council Meeting - Item 4.2 - A Warrant Register that was approved in amount of $987,432.31 included a progress payment of $197,158.50 on the El Toro Median Island next to the City Hall - which included 1 median monument for $23,700.00 , 1 median monument for $28,500.00, 2 sconces for the median monuments for $30,000.00 and large pilaster uplighting for $10,800.00. This item was passed without comment and in a Special Budget Session on the same date the City announced it wanted to install City Monuments at all major street entries up to 15 locations for an estimated amount of $610,000.00 Then at the 11-10-2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting $610,000.00 was budgeted for "Future" for 9 additional City Identification Monuments.
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Council Member Alan Songstad removed the Monument Item 4.6 to ask why the new contractor was a member of the family of the old contractor that went out of business. City Manager Bruce Channing responded that the new contractor was a nephew of the old contractor who is in the same business.
VOTE - The Items in the Consent Calendar were passed 5 - 0
** See more detail for most of the Items noted above on the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us under City Council Agendas, the Date of the City Council Meeting and the Item # on the agenda.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS None
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Melody Carruth asked City Manager Bruce Channing when the council would receive the report they requested in January of this year related to a Term Limit Ordinance for the City Council. City Manager Channing responded that the staff is working on this report that includes information on all the existing types of term limit ordinances for cities in OC and it's getting close but he doesn't know when it will be completed. Council Member Carruth also reported that Vector Control lost it's District Manager and cool weather has kept the West Nile Virus at bay. No West Nile discovered to date this year. She reported that planes are flying over North Orange County to spot neglected swimming pools.
Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated comments form Barbara Kogerman were "slightly skewed" and presented his reasons for the 10+ year delay in support from the City of Laguna Hills for the Senior Center related to giving them some immediate "relief" for licensing and planning issues when the center was constructed. Lautenschleger also questioned the number of people from Laguna Hills actually using the services at the Center, and stated he found out that over 90% of the seniors being serviced by the center are from Laguna Woods. He said he found that out himself when he was collecting signatures on an initiative and he went to "that place" to get signatures and out of 35 signatures there was only one from Laguna Hills. He also said that when the Senior Center came to the City to ask for funds, their statistics and accounting were never forthcoming.
Editorial Comment - We agree that the Senior Center should keep records and provide accurate information to the cities and we haven't heard complaints about that from any other cities, but Council Member Lautenschleger, you appear completely unaware of your own statistics deficits and bad math. You should be aware that being at a location one time, counting heads and collecting signatures does not qualify as valid research on which you can base reliable statistics, and 1 is not 10% of 35! If you had done the basic math correctly, based on your faulty premise it appears you would have been even happier to arrive at your incorrect conclusion that 97.15% of the people at the Senior Center are not from Laguna Hills. You are accountable to the citizens of Laguna Hills for honesty, accuracy in public office. At the 12/8/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting you described 2009 as,"the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression" yet you, as the appointed negotiator for City Manager Bruce Channing's 2009 salary and benefits, gave away a $23,000 + bonus to the City Manager who had also just received a $60,000 car from the Laguna Hills Citizens. This looks like more really bad math, to us and more than "slightly skewed" spending priorities!
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he wants the staff to get the figures from Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo and other cities for what they pay for Services for Seniors.
CLOSED SESSION - For conference with Legal regarding Existing Litigation. subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9 Eric Young v. City of Laguna Hills, Case No. 30-2009-00324531
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. In this particular case, the board has cited 3(c) as the source of the exposure (upon legal counsel).
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The "Laguna Hills Crime Watch" has been removed from the OC Register Newspaper on-line with no reason given. What Happened to: 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.
INFORMATION, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS & COMMENTS from Watch Dog Readers
History and Review of the Controversial Senior Services Issue in Laguna Hills
At the 10-28-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Shirley Witt, Director of the Private Non-Profit Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center in Laguna Hills, spoke to the Laguna Hills City Council asking them to include the only Senior Center located in Laguna Hills in the city budget. She said Laguna Hills Seniors are becoming isolated and depressed, and need transportation from their homes to the Senior Centers well as to many other destinations.
Marilyn Ditty, from the Florence Sylvester Senior Center said non-profit senior centers are in 13 cities and every other city has made a major contribution to the Senior Center Programs in their city, except Laguna Hills. She said she had asked many times for this city to contribute but they have never contributed. Many cities also have City Senior Transportation Programs but Laguna Hills does not. She noted that over 3041 meals were served last year to citizens of Laguna Hills, with a $10,613 deficit, to the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center which also provided almost 500 people with transportation. She mentioned that Laguna Hills City Council Members tell the public that they have senior services but they have not contributed to any. Marilyn asked Laguna Hills to "partner with us now." She estimated the contribution from the City of Laguna Hills to be about $100,000 for their Seniors. She told the city council that if they contribute, then in their next election they could truthfully say they do provide Senior Services in their city.
Mayor Allan Songstad argued that there are senior services at the Laguna Hills Community Center and Council Member Craig Scott asked if any other cities give $100,000?
Marilyn Ditty - responded that the services at the LH Community Center consist mainly of an aerobics program and exercise classes, RSM gives $150,000 a year and Laguna Woods give about $130,000 a year. Those amounts are divided between the transportation, the Meals on Wheels and the Senior Center. Marilyn responded that the operating budget for just the Senior Center in Laguna Hills is about $500,000 and they are asking the city of Laguna Hills for only 20% of that - $100,000. She stated they would be glad to produce supporting documentation and added that in the past few years they have drained their reserves so would have to rent the building out if the city will not partner with them.
On 10/30/08 the Laguna Hills Watch Dog contacted Shirley Witt, the Director of the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center and learned this is a Private Non-Profit Senior Center that had to raise funds to get the Center built. It was completed in 1999, and services 13 cities in the area through meals on Wheels, lunches at the Senior Centers, Socialization Activities, Transportation through the Senior Mobility Program, Information on Health and Wellness, Medicare and Financial Assistance, Case Management to assist Seniors who need additional help and more. She noted that all other cities they service pay their proportionate share for services except Laguna Hills who has been asked for 10 years to contribute but has done nothing. Shirley said about 20% of the population the center services was from Laguna Hills and many more were unable to get to the center from Laguna Hills due to lack of transportation. Shirley noted that the South County Senior Services Non-Profit Group held a National Aging In Place Mayor's Conference on Oct 11, 2008 regarding available resources for Seniors in the cities and Mayors from 10 cities were invited. Mayor Songstad, whom she reported originally accepted their invitation, was a NO SHOW, but all of the other Mayors were proud of their city's services for seniors and happy to discuss them with the group.
At the 11-11-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Rita Rembolt, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen reported that RSM provides $7000 a month from their General Fund for Senior Services, and Lake Forest provides $11,000 a month while Laguna Hills provides nothing. She said Laguna Hills forwards about 30 phone calls a month to the private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills from out of State relatives who are concerned about their aging parents living in Laguna Hills. The Senior Center makes in home visits to Seniors in Laguna Hills to check on them and help them. She stated that Seniors who are 62 years of age and over are about 12% of Laguna Hills' population now and if you count the citizens who are 55 and over they are 23% of the Laguna Hills population.
Everett Stone, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen and GPAC member on the new Laguna Hills City Plan for the State of CA. stated his support for the Florence Sylvester private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills and asked that the city council be supportive as other cities have done. He also noted a large pothole in Moulton Pkwy. near the Senior Center that has been there for months and needs repair and asked that it be repaired.
At the 11-25-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Robin Saunders, Laguna Hills Citizen for over 20 years, stated the private non-profit senior center in Laguna Hills supported her when she was caring for her mother. They assisted her to be a good care giver. She asked the Laguna Hills City Council to include funds for the center in their budget. She said we are one of the few cities without a city senior center and we owe it to the senior citizens to think of them. She said there are 3 essentials in life, something to do, to love and to hope for.
Rita Rembolt a Laguna Hills Senior Citizen noted the recent "City Views" publication from the city included 4 pages of things for children under 5 and NOTHING for Seniors except the exercise classes from Saddleback NOT from the city.
Mayor Allan Songstad said the city has applied for grants that could total $131,000 in various funds. He said lake Forest provides $11,000 a year from similar grants.
At the 12-09-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Bill Whalen, Laguna Hills Resident said he was impressed that the city council had so much money in the bank and reminded them of the need of the Florence Sylvester Senior Center for funds before the end of this year. He noted that the number of Seniors is increasing in this city and asked them to find it in their hearts to help the seniors, because it is not realistic to ignore them. He suggested if the city can't find funds to help its needy seniors there is something wrong with the city's priorities.
Rita Rembolt , Laguna Hills Resident said there is a big hole in tonight's congratulations to each other among City Council Members for a job well done in that there were no references to seniors mentioned in any of the well done jobs. She said the Florence Sylvester Senior Center needs $30,000 by the end of the year. If again there is nothing from Laguna Hills the senior center's programs will have to be reduced. She noted that $3 million was earmarked for Parks and Recreation by this city but nothing for seniors? She reminded them that the Grant Funding, if it comes through, would not come through until June or July and funding is needed now.
The City of Laguna Hills gave no money to the Senior Center in 2008.
9 Months Later at the Sept, 22, 2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting,
Melissa Au-Yeung from the City Manager's office reported on a 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.
*Editorial Comment There was No Fiscal Impact to the City and there was not the $131,000 that Council Member Songstad had predicted (reasons for that were never explained). Of course these Grants are wonderful when repairs are needed but problem with these Grants is that the facility has to qualify for the need for repairs each time and the money has to be spent on the needs of the facility not the needs of the Seniors.
**Comment from the LH Watch Dog Blog Site re. the - April 27 City Council Meeting
Couldn't Lautenschleger and Songstad have at least faked some minimal concern for Public Safety on the 30 - to 50 microwave and other antennas at one location in Laguna Hills issue until the study from Moulton Niguel was completed? I think we'd all like more information on this issue because it's obvious that the city council has no clue as they so freely admitted these antennas are all over the city now and they didn't bother with thorough studies before? How sloppy ridiculous do politicians have to get before people start paying attention? Jim D.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills We get this question a lot but we never get an answer from the City Council?? Editor's Note - On Aug. 25, 2009 in a LHCC Meeting - 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. Craig Scott went on to say the council has taken a very clear position that there will be no official city support by this council for the 3/5 Committee. Doesn't the city that adopted a Marine Division have duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities have done a great job of this why not this one?
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.
Council Member Craig Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a course or progress through life, or a distinct portion of life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Council Member 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 has achieved Career Bureaucrat status and he achieved that without Term Limits. Congratulations Mr. Scott!
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? Council Member Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) Born in Kansas in 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 a summer trip to visit her family in Southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. They 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 in the lobby at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - 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 Council Member Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 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 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 19 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.
August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus August 19, 1994LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2010 with 18 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being a "career politician" .
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com 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
05/11/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – The City obtained a Community Development Block Grant for Public Facilities and Improvements for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center that is located in Laguna Hills in the amount of $52,000 to be used for the purpose of: Demolishing and removing 2 common walls in the mail program room, Framing and installing 2 portable walls to establish a storage area, Installing new carpet and replacing baseboards and Painting the interior of the center. Mayor Randal Bressette presented a super sized glossy printed cardboard check to Marilyn Ditty, Chief Executive Officer, of Age Well Senior Services, for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. Mayor Bressette stated his son is getting his doctorate in Gerontology and wants a photo of this to include in a report and his mother who lives in Laguna Woods requested a photo to show that the City of Laguna Hills actually gave money to the Senior Center. He also thanked County Supervisor Pat Bates for the Grant. Marilyn Ditty expressed that some of the previous Grant was spent making the floors in the Senior Center less slippery for the Seniors so was money well spent to assist in preventing falls. She also said there are 3 members on their Board of Directors now that live in Laguna Hills. She thanked the city and especially Melissa Au-Yeung from the City Manager's office who gave a great deal of personal on site assistance to the Senior Center.
*Editorial Comment - This is the 2nd Grant the City of Laguna Hills has obtained for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center in 10 years after being asked by the center for help many times. This effort of finally obtaining Grants, that are available to cities for this purpose, began in 2009 after the Laguna Hills City Council was confronted by the Senior Center and their own Senior Citizens in 2008 about Laguna Hills being the only city in the area that had never contributed anything to the center to assist in helping it's own Seniors. *See history of this controversial issue below under -"Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers"
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Dwight Del Gado, from the US Census Bureau said there has been a National rate of a 73% response from people communicating their census information. The Orange County rate is 73%, and the Laguna Hills rate to date is 77% but was 79% in 2000. Numerators will now be knocking on doors to obtain information from those who have not responded.
Barbara Kogerman, City Council Candidate for 2010 stated it was commendable that the City obtained the Grant for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center but why did it take so long to serve our growing Senior Citizen Population in Laguna Hills? Our neighboring cities from their inception have been providing for the needs of their Senior Citizens while the Senior Center located in our city still lacks adequate funds for programs, staff and services. This Laguna Hills Grant is for building improvements not services, meals, etc. The City Council needs to realign its spending priorities to provide for essential needs of its citizens.
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT - by Jason Brower - 3 furlough days on June 7, 11 and 14 are now scheduled for teachers related to the budget cuts. Many of the students are excited about it but the teachers are less ecstatic and will still be working for some of it. Next week is CST testing for Seniors so school will start later in the afternoon. Even in classes that are not specifically for Seniors there is extensive preparation for CST testing as there was last year. Laguna Hills is hoping to maintain their level of extremely high CST scores including numerous practice tests. The school year, in terms of academic testing, is winding down and almost all students have completed their IB and AP testing. The lack of attendance problem had improved but those numbers are beginning to slide again so the school is actively involved in pursuing truancy and informing students of the importance of their regular attendance at school related to funding and to their academic achievement. The problem of the increase in theft that recently occurred has been brought under control with the assistance of the SRO, Deputy Botta, and the administration making several public announcements. Jason was asked if he had chosen a college yet by Mayor Bressette and he responded that he hoped to attend UCI for Political Science in the hope of later attending law school and becoming an attorney. Council Member Melody Carruth noted to Jason how good the recent LHHS production of the musical Beauty and the Beast was with the full orchestra and great acting.
MINUTES - Recommendation that the City Council Approve the Minutes of the April 27, 2010 City Council meeting for publication on the city web site. The Minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication on the city web site until the next City Council Meeting.
*Editor's Note - Citizens can find more current information as well as historical information from Laguna Hills City Council Meetings on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog site at: http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com
CONSENT CALENDAR *(The Consent Calendar consists of multiple items, including the Warrant Register, on which the city council votes as a whole, with no public discussion, unless an item is pulled for individual consideration )
Item 4.2 - Warrant Register = $376,526.62
Includes the following items of interest:
$1,274.00 to Event promotional Services for 1/2 Marathon/ 5K Event
$750.00 - to Pack, Dwayne for Event Promotional Services 1/2 Marathon/5K Event
$6,000 to Renegade Racing for Event Mgmt. for 1/2 Marathon /5 K Event
* Editorial Comment - In 10/09 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. The City Reports it expects to lose $10,000 on the event this year. If Laguna Hills is going to support an event that consistently loses money for the city shouldn't the City at least know how many Laguna Hills Citizens participate in it?
$9,487.50 - to Pixel Pushers, Inc. - Professional Fees for City Web Site?
$30,749.52 to Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart - Legal Services
Item 4.3 - 3rd quarter Financial and Treasurer's Report - City's working funds stood at approx. $8.7million as of March 31, 2010. For the 9 months ended March 31, 2010
Actual YTD total funding sources = $29,626,288 and Total Funding uses - $32,435,836 deficit for uses vs. sources was ($2,809,548)
Amended Budget Total Funding Sources = $24,215,119 and Total Funding Uses =$24,555,309 deficit for uses vs. sources was ($340,190)
Expenditures for the City Council/City Manager portion of the city budget rose from 5% in 2009 to 7% in 2010.
Item 4.4 - Authorization to advertise for bids for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5
Plans include widening of the southbound I-5 off-ramp to add a 4th exit lane, widening for La Paz Rd to allow a dual Left turn from westerly bound La Paz Rd to southerly bound Cabot Rd, widening of La Paz Rd to add a third eastbound travel lane as an exclusive access lane for the freeway ramps behind the bridge piers, and conversion of the westbound La Paz Rd to southbound I-5 onramp to a continuous movement loop ramp.
Fiscal Impact - approx. $5 million to $6.6 million. This project is budgeted in the fiscal year 2010-2011 in the amount of $5,021,545 with an additional $545,000 anticipated to be available from a program entitled CARITS. The results of the bids will determine if sufficient funds are available to construct the project.
Staff Recommendation - Approve Plans and Specifications and Advertise for bids.
Item 4.5 - Freeway Agreement for State Route 73 - San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor
State Dept. of Transportation (Catrans) has requested the City approve this Freeway Agreement because this project, the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor, State Route 73, was constructed by the Transportation Corridor Agency (TCA) with the expectation that the State (Caltrans) would agree to accept ownership and maintenance and the State did accept this in 1995. In 1996 Route 73 was declared by Caltrans to be a "Freeway". This agreement designates the responsibilities of the State and the cities regarding the existence of the Freeway as it affects local city streets. No Fiscal Impact.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the Freeway Agreement.
Item 4.6 - Contractor Services Agreement with Outdoor Sign Systems, Inc. for Entry Monument Sign Manufacturing and Installation Services.
In Oct. of 2008 the City approved an agreement with Hoke Outdoor Advertising, Inc to complete Entry Monuments at entry points to the City, but Hoke went out of business. The entry monuments on Alicia and La Paz were damaged in traffic collisions and the city wanted a new entry monument on Moulton south of Lake Forest Dr. The Alicia Monument was repaired and replaced and the La Paz monument was repaired and stored. The Moulton Entry Monument was started and not completed. The new contractor has agreed to complete this job and store the mold for the monuments for $25, 224.18.
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the agreement.
Editorial Comment - Regarding dollar amounts the City's spends for Monuments in Laguna Hills, at the 4-28-09 Laguna Hill City Council Meeting - Item 4.2 - A Warrant Register that was approved in amount of $987,432.31 included a progress payment of $197,158.50 on the El Toro Median Island next to the City Hall - which included 1 median monument for $23,700.00 , 1 median monument for $28,500.00, 2 sconces for the median monuments for $30,000.00 and large pilaster uplighting for $10,800.00. This item was passed without comment and in a Special Budget Session on the same date the City announced it wanted to install City Monuments at all major street entries up to 15 locations for an estimated amount of $610,000.00 Then at the 11-10-2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting $610,000.00 was budgeted for "Future" for 9 additional City Identification Monuments.
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Council Member Alan Songstad removed the Monument Item 4.6 to ask why the new contractor was a member of the family of the old contractor that went out of business. City Manager Bruce Channing responded that the new contractor was a nephew of the old contractor who is in the same business.
VOTE - The Items in the Consent Calendar were passed 5 - 0
** See more detail for most of the Items noted above on the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us under City Council Agendas, the Date of the City Council Meeting and the Item # on the agenda.
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS None
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Melody Carruth asked City Manager Bruce Channing when the council would receive the report they requested in January of this year related to a Term Limit Ordinance for the City Council. City Manager Channing responded that the staff is working on this report that includes information on all the existing types of term limit ordinances for cities in OC and it's getting close but he doesn't know when it will be completed. Council Member Carruth also reported that Vector Control lost it's District Manager and cool weather has kept the West Nile Virus at bay. No West Nile discovered to date this year. She reported that planes are flying over North Orange County to spot neglected swimming pools.
Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated comments form Barbara Kogerman were "slightly skewed" and presented his reasons for the 10+ year delay in support from the City of Laguna Hills for the Senior Center related to giving them some immediate "relief" for licensing and planning issues when the center was constructed. Lautenschleger also questioned the number of people from Laguna Hills actually using the services at the Center, and stated he found out that over 90% of the seniors being serviced by the center are from Laguna Woods. He said he found that out himself when he was collecting signatures on an initiative and he went to "that place" to get signatures and out of 35 signatures there was only one from Laguna Hills. He also said that when the Senior Center came to the City to ask for funds, their statistics and accounting were never forthcoming.
Editorial Comment - We agree that the Senior Center should keep records and provide accurate information to the cities and we haven't heard complaints about that from any other cities, but Council Member Lautenschleger, you appear completely unaware of your own statistics deficits and bad math. You should be aware that being at a location one time, counting heads and collecting signatures does not qualify as valid research on which you can base reliable statistics, and 1 is not 10% of 35! If you had done the basic math correctly, based on your faulty premise it appears you would have been even happier to arrive at your incorrect conclusion that 97.15% of the people at the Senior Center are not from Laguna Hills. You are accountable to the citizens of Laguna Hills for honesty, accuracy in public office. At the 12/8/09 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting you described 2009 as,"the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression" yet you, as the appointed negotiator for City Manager Bruce Channing's 2009 salary and benefits, gave away a $23,000 + bonus to the City Manager who had also just received a $60,000 car from the Laguna Hills Citizens. This looks like more really bad math, to us and more than "slightly skewed" spending priorities!
Council Member Alan Songstad stated he wants the staff to get the figures from Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo and other cities for what they pay for Services for Seniors.
CLOSED SESSION - For conference with Legal regarding Existing Litigation. subdivision (a) of Government Code Section 54956.9 Eric Young v. City of Laguna Hills, Case No. 30-2009-00324531
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. In this particular case, the board has cited 3(c) as the source of the exposure (upon legal counsel).
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The "Laguna Hills Crime Watch" has been removed from the OC Register Newspaper on-line with no reason given. What Happened to: 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.
INFORMATION, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS & COMMENTS from Watch Dog Readers
History and Review of the Controversial Senior Services Issue in Laguna Hills
At the 10-28-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Shirley Witt, Director of the Private Non-Profit Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center in Laguna Hills, spoke to the Laguna Hills City Council asking them to include the only Senior Center located in Laguna Hills in the city budget. She said Laguna Hills Seniors are becoming isolated and depressed, and need transportation from their homes to the Senior Centers well as to many other destinations.
Marilyn Ditty, from the Florence Sylvester Senior Center said non-profit senior centers are in 13 cities and every other city has made a major contribution to the Senior Center Programs in their city, except Laguna Hills. She said she had asked many times for this city to contribute but they have never contributed. Many cities also have City Senior Transportation Programs but Laguna Hills does not. She noted that over 3041 meals were served last year to citizens of Laguna Hills, with a $10,613 deficit, to the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center which also provided almost 500 people with transportation. She mentioned that Laguna Hills City Council Members tell the public that they have senior services but they have not contributed to any. Marilyn asked Laguna Hills to "partner with us now." She estimated the contribution from the City of Laguna Hills to be about $100,000 for their Seniors. She told the city council that if they contribute, then in their next election they could truthfully say they do provide Senior Services in their city.
Mayor Allan Songstad argued that there are senior services at the Laguna Hills Community Center and Council Member Craig Scott asked if any other cities give $100,000?
Marilyn Ditty - responded that the services at the LH Community Center consist mainly of an aerobics program and exercise classes, RSM gives $150,000 a year and Laguna Woods give about $130,000 a year. Those amounts are divided between the transportation, the Meals on Wheels and the Senior Center. Marilyn responded that the operating budget for just the Senior Center in Laguna Hills is about $500,000 and they are asking the city of Laguna Hills for only 20% of that - $100,000. She stated they would be glad to produce supporting documentation and added that in the past few years they have drained their reserves so would have to rent the building out if the city will not partner with them.
On 10/30/08 the Laguna Hills Watch Dog contacted Shirley Witt, the Director of the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center and learned this is a Private Non-Profit Senior Center that had to raise funds to get the Center built. It was completed in 1999, and services 13 cities in the area through meals on Wheels, lunches at the Senior Centers, Socialization Activities, Transportation through the Senior Mobility Program, Information on Health and Wellness, Medicare and Financial Assistance, Case Management to assist Seniors who need additional help and more. She noted that all other cities they service pay their proportionate share for services except Laguna Hills who has been asked for 10 years to contribute but has done nothing. Shirley said about 20% of the population the center services was from Laguna Hills and many more were unable to get to the center from Laguna Hills due to lack of transportation. Shirley noted that the South County Senior Services Non-Profit Group held a National Aging In Place Mayor's Conference on Oct 11, 2008 regarding available resources for Seniors in the cities and Mayors from 10 cities were invited. Mayor Songstad, whom she reported originally accepted their invitation, was a NO SHOW, but all of the other Mayors were proud of their city's services for seniors and happy to discuss them with the group.
At the 11-11-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Rita Rembolt, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen reported that RSM provides $7000 a month from their General Fund for Senior Services, and Lake Forest provides $11,000 a month while Laguna Hills provides nothing. She said Laguna Hills forwards about 30 phone calls a month to the private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills from out of State relatives who are concerned about their aging parents living in Laguna Hills. The Senior Center makes in home visits to Seniors in Laguna Hills to check on them and help them. She stated that Seniors who are 62 years of age and over are about 12% of Laguna Hills' population now and if you count the citizens who are 55 and over they are 23% of the Laguna Hills population.
Everett Stone, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen and GPAC member on the new Laguna Hills City Plan for the State of CA. stated his support for the Florence Sylvester private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills and asked that the city council be supportive as other cities have done. He also noted a large pothole in Moulton Pkwy. near the Senior Center that has been there for months and needs repair and asked that it be repaired.
At the 11-25-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Robin Saunders, Laguna Hills Citizen for over 20 years, stated the private non-profit senior center in Laguna Hills supported her when she was caring for her mother. They assisted her to be a good care giver. She asked the Laguna Hills City Council to include funds for the center in their budget. She said we are one of the few cities without a city senior center and we owe it to the senior citizens to think of them. She said there are 3 essentials in life, something to do, to love and to hope for.
Rita Rembolt a Laguna Hills Senior Citizen noted the recent "City Views" publication from the city included 4 pages of things for children under 5 and NOTHING for Seniors except the exercise classes from Saddleback NOT from the city.
Mayor Allan Songstad said the city has applied for grants that could total $131,000 in various funds. He said lake Forest provides $11,000 a year from similar grants.
At the 12-09-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Bill Whalen, Laguna Hills Resident said he was impressed that the city council had so much money in the bank and reminded them of the need of the Florence Sylvester Senior Center for funds before the end of this year. He noted that the number of Seniors is increasing in this city and asked them to find it in their hearts to help the seniors, because it is not realistic to ignore them. He suggested if the city can't find funds to help its needy seniors there is something wrong with the city's priorities.
Rita Rembolt , Laguna Hills Resident said there is a big hole in tonight's congratulations to each other among City Council Members for a job well done in that there were no references to seniors mentioned in any of the well done jobs. She said the Florence Sylvester Senior Center needs $30,000 by the end of the year. If again there is nothing from Laguna Hills the senior center's programs will have to be reduced. She noted that $3 million was earmarked for Parks and Recreation by this city but nothing for seniors? She reminded them that the Grant Funding, if it comes through, would not come through until June or July and funding is needed now.
The City of Laguna Hills gave no money to the Senior Center in 2008.
9 Months Later at the Sept, 22, 2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting,
Melissa Au-Yeung from the City Manager's office reported on a 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.
*Editorial Comment There was No Fiscal Impact to the City and there was not the $131,000 that Council Member Songstad had predicted (reasons for that were never explained). Of course these Grants are wonderful when repairs are needed but problem with these Grants is that the facility has to qualify for the need for repairs each time and the money has to be spent on the needs of the facility not the needs of the Seniors.
**Comment from the LH Watch Dog Blog Site re. the - April 27 City Council Meeting
Couldn't Lautenschleger and Songstad have at least faked some minimal concern for Public Safety on the 30 - to 50 microwave and other antennas at one location in Laguna Hills issue until the study from Moulton Niguel was completed? I think we'd all like more information on this issue because it's obvious that the city council has no clue as they so freely admitted these antennas are all over the city now and they didn't bother with thorough studies before? How sloppy ridiculous do politicians have to get before people start paying attention? Jim D.
How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills We get this question a lot but we never get an answer from the City Council?? Editor's Note - On Aug. 25, 2009 in a LHCC Meeting - 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. Craig Scott went on to say the council has taken a very clear position that there will be no official city support by this council for the 3/5 Committee. Doesn't the city that adopted a Marine Division have duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities have done a great job of this why not this one?
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.
Council Member Craig Scott seems confused about this considering that a career is a course or progress through life, or a distinct portion of life and a Bureaucrat is a term that usually connotes someone within an institution of a government. Council Member 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 has achieved Career Bureaucrat status and he achieved that without Term Limits. Congratulations Mr. Scott!
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? Council Member Craig Scott is speaking about Nellie Gail Moulton (1878-1972) Born in Kansas in 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 a summer trip to visit her family in Southern California she met Lewis Moulton whom she married in 1908. They 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 in the lobby at City Hall!
June 10, 2008 - 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 Council Member Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 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 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 19 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.
August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus August 19, 1994LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.
Now, in 2010 with 18 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being a "career politician" .
Reminders & Letters to the Editor
To write letters to the editor of the Orange county register newspaper: letters@ocregister.com 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
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