06/22/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All Members were present

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – Mayor Randal Bressette announced that this meeting was dedicated to the memory of Sheriff's Deputy Steven Parsons, who was killed in the line of duty 10 years ago on June 24, 2000 at the age of 36, after being involved in a traffic collision in the City of Laguna Hills while on motorcycle patrol. On October 27, 1995, he was assigned to the city of Laguna Hills and became the 1st motorcycle patrolman. Mayor Bresette also announced that CA. Hwy. Patrol Officer Phillip Ortiz, who was injured in a highway collision June 9, died this evening. He was honored with a moment of silence.
http://www.ocsd.org/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=486&Itemid=601
- for more information about Deputy Steven Parsons.
Our Laguna Hills Sheriff's Deputies who still working hard to keep us safe in Laguna Hills. http://www.ocregister.com/news/doan-254252-patrols-cars.html
OCREGISTER: DUI patrols net 6 motorists, tow 10 cars

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Mike Spain will begin in Sept. 2010

PUBLIC COMMENTS - 5 comments. 4 from patients and 1 from a Medical Marijuana Dispensary business owner who stated that on June 18, 2010 Medical Marijuana dispensaries in Laguna Hills received 10 day notices from the city to close their doors related to zoning law violations. All speakers asked for re-consideration by the City. This action from the City of Laguna Hills followed similar action from Lake Forest. See more at http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-254684-dispensary-dispensaries.html OCREGISTER: Laguna Hills orders marijuana dispensaries to close

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 current 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 = $948,453.67 Includes the following items of interest: An additional $47,346.65 in expenses for the City's Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon and 5K Event: $421.88 to Balloons Sound Great, $3,273.31 to Diamond Environmental Services, $12,288.09 to Waltco Promotions, $4,520.80 to Big Top Rentals, $1,000 to Doctor's Ambulance Service, $622.91 to Electric City Printing Company, $250.00 to Joe Donaldson Designs, $812.49 to the LA Times Newspaper, $13,058.35 to Renegade Racing, $400.00 to Konrad Ribeiro, $2,704.08 to The Active Network, $7,994.74 to Time Management.
*Editor's Note - We are still waiting to hear publicly how many Laguna Hills Citizens participate in this event each year and why the city continues to lose money on it every year. A $10,000 loss was predicted by the City for this year's event.
$2,237.22 to Faubel Public Affairs for Summer 2010 "City Views"

Item 4.3 - Adoption of Annual Appropriations Limit for FY 2010-2011
Staff Report states the California Constitution places limits on the amounts of revenue that can be spent by public entities from proceeds of taxes. In 1993/94, the city's first fiscal year of operation, the voter's approved an Appropriations Limit of $9,102,336. This amount has been adjusted, by the city, annually based on population and inflation factors, etc. and is calculated by the city to be $28,115,019.00 for 2010-11. The city states that the anticipated proceeds of taxes minus the capital outlays and other qualified exclusions for this year resulted in an amount of $12,336,053.00, subject to the limit, which is below the legal limit by $15,778,965.00. The city also says that this calculation by the city is subject to an annual audit.
Staff Recommendation - Adopt a resolution adopting the appropriations limit.

Item 4.4 - Adoption of a set of Resolutions calling for the November 2, 2010 General Municipal Election and Adoption of Regulations for Candidate's Statements
The city clerk estimates that a $900.00 deposit is required for a candidate wishing to have a candidate's statement published. This amount includes translation and printing in required languages. A candidate's statement is optional. The normal procedure for distribution of candidates' statements is to include them in the Sample Ballot that is prepared and distributed by the OC Registrar of Voters. A candidate's statement shall not include party affiliation and may include name, age, occupation and a brief description of no more than 200 words setting forth the candidate's education and qualifications, expressed by the candidate. There can be no reference to other candidates and this must be submitted on a form provided by the city clerk in typewritten form at the time the candidate's nomination papers are filed. Resolution #94-07-12-1 provides for a special election for elective offices in the event of a tie vote. **Registered Voters may nominate Candidates between July 12, 2010 at 8 AM and August 6, 2010 at 5 PM. 3 City Council Seats are to be filled in 2010.

Staff Recommendation - Adopt a Resolution giving notice of a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2010. Adopt a Resolution requesting the County Board of Supervisors to consolidate a General Municipal Election to be held on the same date Nov. 2, 2010. Adopt a Resolution adopting regulations for statements of candidates for elective office to be submitted to the voters at the Nov. 2, 2010 election.
Fiscal impact to the city - Approximately $32,355.00

Item 4.10 - Request for Letter of Support for So. OC Wastewater Authority & So. Coast Water District's Petition to the State Water Resources Control Board for changes to the 2006 Permit Requirements for Groundwater Recovery Facilities.
Staff Report states the So. OC Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) and the South Coast Water District (SCWD) are requesting support for their appeal to the State Water Resources Control Board because a 2006 change in their permit to operate their Dana Point Facility significantly impacts their ability to operate the system cost effectively. Background - In the process of producing about 264 million gallons of treated groundwater annually the SCWD Groundwater Recovery Facility removes about 290 pounds of brine from brackish groundwater on a daily basis. This brine and the treated effluent from the wastewater treatment is discharged into San Juan Creek which empties into the Pacific Ocean. The original discharge permit measured the Total Suspended Solids where the discharge emptied into the ocean, but in 2006 the permit was revised to to measure the Total Suspended Solids at the point of discharge into San Juan Creek. The report states that the wastewater treatment process, that was revised to support the 2006 permit diverted brine, discharged to the Treatment Plant in Dana Point for additional treatment and in so doing increased the salinity of water treated at the Dana Point plant which compromises its ability to produce high quality recycled water cost effectively.
Staff Recommendation - Support the petition.
*Editor's note - None of the city council members questioned for themselves or for the public why the Water District is complaining now, in 2010, when it is challenging a 2006 rule change?

ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - NONE

VOTE - Consent Calendar Passed 5 - 0 without comment.

** See more details 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 - NONE

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - No public hearing. The city manager reported that the League of Cities petition to preserve city funds from being taken by the State qualified for the November Ballot.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Item 6.2A - Dial a Taxi Transportation Program for Seniors

Staff Report states Staff worked with the City of Mission Viejo and CA. Yellow Cab (CYC) to establish a Senior Dial-a-Taxi Program servicing both Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills in a combined contract. CA. Yellow Cab agreed to a rate of $15 per trip for a 2 year period, regardless of length, but within the "service area" which is the combined city limits of Mission Viejo and Laguna Hills, beginning Aug. 1, 2010. Satellite service will be extended to 2 destinations - South Coast Orthopedic Specialists in Laguna Woods and Irvine Transportation Center in Irvine for the existing One Way Price of $5 for the Customer and $10 billable to the city. Tipping is not required, but encouraged if there is 2nd stop service, travel to satellite destinations or extra driver assistance. There are no restrictions on the number of uses per month. After the 2 year contract CYC agreed to two one year contract renewal options. Deputy City Manger David Reynolds stated in response to a questions from Mayor Bressette that trips to the OC (John Wayne) Airport are not included in this service, but that need will be assessed for possible future inclusion.

Staff states they arranged a cooperative agreement between the City and OCTA for use of their Senior Mobility Program as the funding mechanism for the City of Laguna Hills Senior Dial-a-Taxi Program. Staff anticipates no general fund money to be used to fund the new taxi service. Staff says OCTA will fund 80% of the Program costs and the city is required to match 20%, but staff says OCTA's Senior Mobility Program funds can be used for "in kind" contributions such as staff time, materials, supplies and other expenses which can be counted against the city's 20%. The contract states, Article 3, B - "City agrees to a twenty percent (20%) match of funds provided by Authority. Local match may be made up of cash-subsidies, fare revenues or in-kind contributions."

User Policies and Services Guidelines state - the Dial-a-Taxi program will provide 7 days a week, 24 hours a day door to door taxi service to eligible, registered participants who are 80 years or older, 65 years or older and disabled, or 60 years or older with a revoked license or are unable to drive. Residents who are currently enrolled in OCTA's ACCESS Program are Not eligible for this program. Participants must have an approved application on file and be issued a Senior Dial-a-Taxi photo ID card before being authorized to participate in this program. Applications are available at the Laguna Hills Community Center (Community Center phone - (949) 707-2680) and on line at the City of Laguna Hills web site www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
**To see the entire agreement online on the City of Laguna Hills web site - go to Agendas and Minutes - City Council - Packets/Staff Reports June 22, 2010 and finally - Item 6.2A

Staff Recommendation - Approve the agreement VOTE - Passed 5 - 0

Editor's Note - This staff report says it was not until Jan. 26, 2010 that the city council directed staff to develop a taxi transportation program of citizens but "Provide Transportation Services for Seniors and Disabled Citizens" was the 2nd highest rated spending priority on the 2007 Laguna Hills City Survey. 51.5% of the citizens polled rated it as a HIGH spending priority, and 31.3% rated it as Medium. Service is now expected to begin by August of 2010. Also, if you look at page 38 of this staff report online you will see that this service has apparently been available, through OCTA, to this city since 2002 and possibly longer.

Item 6.2B - Athletic Field and Outdoor Amenity Rate Study and update of Reservation and Use Policies.

Staff Report states that the majority of the rates charged by the city fall below municipal benchmark averages as well as the costs to operate them, but staff is not proposing any increased fees for Laguna Hills Youth Sports Organizations. 83% of the Community Center and Sports Complex Athletic Field Reservation Hours in 2009 were booked by resident non-profit user groups such as AYSO Region 1422 and Laguna Hills' Little League. Approx. 91% of the 2009 gymnasium use was by Laguna Hills NJB Youth Program and other resident non-profit basketball sports groups. Staff said the Laguna Hills' Parks & Rec. Committee heard this information at their April 7, 2010 meeting and agreed with staff recommendations.

The Sports Complex Fields, Skate Park, Roller Hockey Rink, Picnic Shelter and Gazebo opened in November of 2000. Laguna Hills AYSO, Little League and a variety of other groups have utilized the soccer, softball and baseball fields. The picnic shelter and gazebo are heavily booked in the spring and summer for parties and picnics. There are very few requests for private use of the Roller Hockey Rink that is managed by the CA. Street Hockey Association, and the City of Laguna Hills only permits Skate Park reservations for the commercial rental category.

Staff says the city is not recovering the total operating costs for athletic field use with and without the use of field lights. Staff's table showing costs and income concludes that in 2009 for the city's Soccer, Softball and Baseball Fields the Total Revenue was $22,996.87, Total Operating Cost was $117,893.32 and Total Loss to the city was $94,896.45. When these amounts were combined with the 2009 revenue from the use of outdoor amenities (picnic shelters, town green and plaza and city parks) the total Operating Cost was $119,992 and Total Loss to the city was reduced to $86,828. Staff also says that in studying rates in neighboring cities rental rates in Laguna Hills for the 13 parks are below benchmark averages, and rate charged to NJB for the gymnasium is below the benchmark average.

The city does not charge the local youth sports organizations for the use of athletic fields unless field lights are used. If lights are used the cost is $15 per hour. The outdoor amenities - picnic shelters, town green and plaza, as opposed to the more costly to operate athletic fields, have nominal operating costs are recovering full costs and are generating revenue. The neighborhood parks are also covering their costs in all but the Resident Non-Profit category because the city does not charge for this category. Staff says Roller Hockey Rental Fees and Skate Park are also recovering costs.
* Editor's Note - in the City of Laguna Hills Biennial Budget Part 3, Capital Improvement Program, $1,000,000 is budgeted for "future' for Roller Hockey Roof Structure.

City Athletic Field Proposed Rate Recommendations are:
1. Rate of $15 for use of athletic field lights and free use of fields in daylight hours to remain unchanged to not-for-profit Laguna Hills Sports Organizations.
2. Increase of $5 per hour for Resident Private users at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex.
3. Increase rates charges for field use to the municipal benchmark average for the Non-Resident and Commercial Rental Categories.
4. Charge the same rate at Cabot Park. and the Community Center Sports Complex and the rate charged for the LHHS field should be $5 per hour less than the rate for the sports complexes athletic field amenities.
5. Increase fees to groups that reserve athletic fields for picnics, festivals, and other non-athletic uses.
6. Continue to charge $15 per hour per court for the gymnasium use with lights to the non-profit youth sports organizations.
7. Increase the rates for outdoor amenities and neighborhood parks that fall below the benchmark averages and charge a refundable $100 deposit for Resident non-profit users.
8. Establish a policy by which the rental rates for athletic fields and outdoor amenities will be adjusted at the start of each budget cycle - every 2 years.
9. Update the City Council Reservation and Use Policies.
Fiscal Impact to the city - Reservation Revenue increase of approx. $3,305 annually from Athletic Fields and Outdoor Amenities in addition to $76,500 recovered from the Community Center and the City Hall rental rates studies in 2009 - See more at http://www.ocregister.com/news/rates-254666-city-fields.html OCREGISTER: Cost to use athletic fields goes up
Staff Recommendation - Approve the changes VOTE - Passed 5-0
** Go to the city web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us, to Agendas and Minutes - City Council, to Packets/Staff Reports June 22, 2010 and finally to Items 6.2 B and 6.2BPolicy to see all the details in this 70 + page report.

Editor's Note - At the May 26, 2009 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Community Center Facility and Gymnasium rental rates were adjusted and an automatic adjustment to the rental rates based on inflation was established for every two years because these rates had not been adjusted for 6 years after originally being set in 2003. At that time, Mayor Joel Lautenschleger, suggested that the proceedings be taken to a "Private Session" and Council Member Randal Bressette reminded Mayor Lautenschleger that this was a "PUBLIC" HEARING. At the November 10, 2009 LHCC Meeting's Community Services Recreation Program Rate Study, the City Council approved increasing the rates charged for recreation programs and for facility room rentals after never having reviewed the rates in the past 10 years. The City Council did not reviewed these costs until the City of Laguna Hills Parks and Recs. Commission prompted these 3 studies.
** There are many opinions regarding what city services should be covered by taxes already paid by the citizens and which should involve user fees, so this is not a subject many city council members want to discuss publicly, but it is their job to review this information and make "PUBLIC" whatever their decisions are, so voters will be informed. Regarding the sports facilities, Mr. O'Toole from Greenplay, who was hired by the city to assess the recreational needs of the city, stated on 4/14/09 that the City of Laguna Hills has 12 parks (that # should have been 13), 2 sports fields, 1 Community Center, 15 parks in HOAs , 4 public schools, 2 soccer fields and 2 softball fields that were well utilized, 1 little league field and sports complex and 2 sports fields in Cabot Park that were underutilized. He said there were 3,300 total participants including kids and adults equaling a total of 10% of the community involved in Sports Organizations.

Item 6.3 A - Potential Amendments to Laguna Hills Municipal Code re. Charitable and Commercial Solicitations.

Staff Report says related to citizen complaints about a possible relationship between criminal activity and door to door solicitations the regulations for solicitation in the city are being re-examined. Solicitations are currently prohibited by the city between the hours of 9 pm and 8 am, at any house with a NO SOLICITORS sign, at any residential community with private streets with posted signs, etc., and are prohibited with use of profane language, with stepping onto or over the threshold, with placing body parts in doorways, with refusing to leave when asked, and with knowingly making false statements.

Staff says some cities have a solicitation permit process that may be helpful although it may be a problem for groups such as Girl Scouts selling cookies, etc. They suggested considering different hours such as allowing solicitation from 8 am to dusk and there doesn't appear to be any guarantee that cities with more stringent ordinances have less solicitors than those with less stringent ordinances.
Staff Recommendation - Receive public input, deliberate and provide staff with further direction.

Council Member Melody Carruth asked Lt. Doan if there was any correlation between burglaries and solicitors. Lt. Doan stated that he had not found any.

Valerie Geller, Laguna Hills Resident (who looked very familiar probably because she is the very talented concert violinist at Lulu's Creperie Restaurant in Laguna Hills) spoke in favor of a Solicitation Permit for Laguna Hills. She said large numbers of solicitors who are strangers have changed local neighborhoods and citizens are worried about letting children play in front yards, burglaries, etc. but are often reluctant, feeling intimidated, regarding calling the city to complain.

Grayson Span, a Laguna Hills Child Resident (who did an excellent job of public speaking) stated there are too many door to door solicitors in his neighborhood, too many unfamiliar people on the streets, too much trash from them and parents now making children play just in back yards. He stated strangers are coming into neighborhoods and taking over streets without asking permission.

There was a very lengthy discussion between city council members with Council Member Carruth asking for a City Solicitation Permit to assist the city in at least being able to identify who solicitors are and what they are soliciting for. The 4 City Councilmen argued that they have no evidence that a permitting process makes any difference related to a study of a Solicitation Permit Process in one city - Laguna Niguel. They said the best thing for citizens to do is post a "NO Solicitation" Sign on or near their front door because the city prohibits Commercial and Charitable solicitation where these signs are posted . Mayor Bressette added that permitting solicitors may give citizens an impression that the solicitors have some credibility. Mayor Bressette eventually moved toward a Permit Process that was voted down 3 to 2.

The hours for solicitation were changed From: No Solicitation between 9 pm and 8 am To: No Solicitation between 6 pm and 9 am. The VOTE for that passed 4-1 with Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott being the NO vote. Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott argued against a change in solicitation hours stating, "I have 25 years of experience in this community sending my girls out selling Girl Scout cookies. We always tell them go just after the dinner hour so that people are home. I don't see the benefit of going at 3:00 in the afternoon, you aren't going to find anybody home to buy your Girl Scout Cookies, but if you're out at 6 or 6:30 or 7, Girl Scout Cookies are sold during the season when it is light at that hour, you could be successful."

Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott also argued for a change in the wording of the current Municipal Code -4-20.040 (F) FROM: No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant To: No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the solicitor.
*Editor's Note Those of us who had read this part of the Municipal Code understood immediately that Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott was wrong about his proposed change in the Municipal Code that would have put citizens at risk if adopted, but citizens are not allowed to speak except during public comments, and at this meeting there were no more public comments allowed, so we sat there thinking how bizarre this was and how ridiculously helpless we were as citizens. The rest of the city council accepted Craig Scott's error without question. Thankfully, Council Member Alan Songstad finally noticed Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott's error and sent a message to Mayor Bressette who then acknowledged it publicly.

To clarify - Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott was asking for a change in the city municipal code to allow a solicitor to determine if he/she may place his/her body parts in a citizens doorway? Mayor Pro-Tem Craig Scott's actual statement was - "I have a concern with section 4-20.040 this is the section of the ordinance manner of solicitation prohibitions, and you'll see the language there it says No person shall solicit then it goes (A) through (E) and on page 92 it asks up at the top, and I think we have an error here, in our code, or I'm just not understanding it, it says in (F) that we can't have solicitors placing hands, legs or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway so that it reasonably appears that the door may not be closed unless allowed to do so by the occupant. I think that should be unless allowed to do so by the solicitor."

Once Mayor Pro-Tem Scott's error was noted rather than acknowledging it he claimed there was ambiguity in the wording of the Municipal Code between (E) and (F). 4-20.040 (E) states - "No person shall solicit by stepping onto or over the threshold of a doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant" and 4-20.040 (F) states - "No person shall solicit by placing hands, legs, or any portion of the solicitor's body in the doorway, unless invited to do so by the occupant". Again, the rest of the city council automatically accepted Craig Scott's "wordsmithing" and voted for changing this language in the Municipal code. (E) and (F) could certainly be combined but there is no confusion there regarding giving the resident the ability to maintain a distance between the solicitor and him/herself.

**We all learned from the City Attorney Greg Simonian that the City Codes for Soliciting apply only to Charitable and Commercial Solicitation and they Do Not apply to Political, Religious and Social Solicitation.

MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Randal Bressette stated that this Thursday June 24 is the 10th anniversary of the death of Sheriff's Deputy Steven Parsons who was struck on June 19 by a motorist who ran a red light. Randy spoke about the dedication of Deputy Parsons who was consistent, fair and determined to make the streets safer one citation at a time. He was our only motor officer at the time, was well known by school kids and was often requested to lead parades and to talk to the kids and show them his motorcycle. He loved his profession and his wonderful family, his wife Kathy and 2 children, a daughter Chelsea and a son Nathan.

CLOSED SESSION - Conference with Real Property Negotiator re. Price Terms of Lease. Property - Suite 201 at 24031 El Toro Rd. Negotiating Parties - Talbott, Eckhardt and Cohen
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For "CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" *** Update - go to www.ocregister.com/saddleback scroll down to "Local Maps" move the map to your area, and click on the crime icons for details that show calls to the OC Sheriff's Department. You can also see stats for Crime in Lake Forest & Laguna Hills on Fridays in the Saddleback Valley News that is delivered to our area. There is also more information at www.ocsd.org (the OC Sheriff's Dept.) 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.
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Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -

No money in Laguna Hills to honor those who defended our Freedoms
4th of July and Memorial Day Banners have not been installed on the light poles, and neither were the Christmas Flags. Our City has money to buy the City Manager a $60,000 personal Luxury SUV, spend $457,000 on custom painted murals at City Hall, Build a Vegas style entrance to Laguna Hills off El Toro road, but can't afford to put up a few flags to remember that a LARGE price was paid for our Freedom and to spend a few dollars on sponsoring the Marines. I would rather see the money losing marathon (I wonder how many Laguna Hills residents actually participate in this? I don't know of anyone personally.) go away and have the money lost go toward decorations and doing something nice for those who have continued to defend our freedom. (in my humble opinion). Pretty sad...Dee Dee

The Pet Police have arrived in Laguna Hills Neighborhoods
The dogcatcher is roaming Laguna Village, a community of 923 town homes in Laguna Hills, at Ridge Route and Santa Vitoria, attempting to get people to turn neighbors in by asking - "Do you know anyone who owns a dog in the neighborhood? Do you own a dog yourself?". Now we need to turn in our neighbors? Is this low life approach what we expected? Shame on that approach! Isn't if a door knock returns a bark, then they got a dog, taking the lazy approach? Apparently the city needs to generate revenue for the city manager's car and bonuses now, but how about getting us a good animal shelter in return for the dog license revenue generated? Some people may NOT have the fees to keep their animal companion. There are many elderly people who have dogs and cats as their only companions this is misguided. Will we need tax on hamsters and canaries soon? - Mr. C

Citizens on the issue of the city council, with the exception of Council Member Carruth, denying the Public's Right to Know re. cell towers in their neighborhoods -

How many wireless communication facilities are located in the guarded and locked gate community where Council Member Joel Lautenschleger lives? - Curious in Laguna Hills

Sounds like the planning commission is basically allowing this cell tower and does not want public input. The mailers are a joke. "If" they really did the mailers, the general public has little clue about cell towers. As I understand, other cities have successfully fended them off, as the FCC rules in support of such installations are not that black and white. Sure hope we get the term limits. Lautenshlager's remarks are pathetic. What an embarrassment. Clearly he must be "good friends" with the overpaid city manager. - Ms. LH Citizen

It appears our council view themselves as Kings. We REALLY need term limits. - Long time Laguna Hills Citizen

So hypothetically if we cover up San Onofre the public doesn't have to worry about atomic radiation. Is the city council's opinion with respect to microwave radiation fact? Micro waves are now used by the United States government as a weaponry in terrorist and urban warfare so microwaves can have danger levels. Some unknown effects, still no long term effects fully understood and documented. Furthermore all of a sudden a Swedish Scientist, I believe worked for Nokia, got so sensitive to microwaves he could not live in the city (or work) or be near a cell phone, or microwave radiation of any kind. We are bombarded by microwaves daily and bluetooth radiation wireless computer networks. There are unknown side effects and we, the citizens, do have the right to know. As with anything that falls under disclosure laws likely it is unconstitutional under federal law to hide possible health effects from the public? Would this be an opening for citizen litigation in the future for juries to find the city liable? Maybe the city should ask their insurance provider if this should be disclosed or coverage lost. We can't hide trash behind a fence to make it not trash any more? Microwave towers for various applications are a great profit revenue source under a long-term contract so maybe it's the money that blinds the current council members? Once again their lack of transparency is revealed as both a secret and a physical cover up. Do we need council members like that ? NO, that is why term limits are so important, and get rid of the trash behind the fence it smells by now. Mr. C

***Editor's Note - Related to the many messages received about this question a few of which are shown above, The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has done some initial online research on the Wireless Communication Issue in Laguna Hills and found the following information:

If you go to http://cityofmissionviejo.org/, and enter "Wireless" in the search mechanism on the web site you will see that the City of Mission Viejo has a Wireless Master Plan Study that was finalized in 2008. It has a huge amount of information for citizens including Site Locations of cell towers in their city including those on private and city owned property, Proactive Goals to reduce the number of sites through their co-location process, Mitigation of the Visual Impact through City Design Standards, and a Master Plan for the city to generate revenue by offering and maximizing the use of public properties.

The City of Mission Viejo's Planning Commission held public hearings during which several city park sites that were identified as highly sensitive to the community. Those sites will not be marketed to wireless carriers. They explain government regulations curtailing cities' restrictions of wireless carrier installations. They stress the necessity for local control and coordination. They discuss the ability of private property owners to negotiate with carriers for use of their property, and they show maps with locations of the wireless communication sites in Mission Viejo and the monthly rent they pay to the city, most at about $1,500/month.

There is - A local Governments Official's Guide to RF Emission Antenna Safety: Rules, Procedures and Practical Guidance is available on the FCC's RF safety web page at www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety. They state that wireless providers may fall under a number of additional federal regulations such as the Federal Aviation Administration regulations regarding height and proximity to airport facilities and projects in certain federal priority areas, including federal property, wilderness areas, wildlife preserves, endangered species habitat, historical sites, Indian religious sites, flood plains, and wetlands, may require an Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Protection Act. Wireless facilities that contain backup battery and generator systems may also be subject to federal regulations under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

If you go to www.cityofalisoviejo.com/ then to Zoning Code and search for "Wireless Communication" you will see that the City of Aliso Viejo's web site also has extensive information. Chapter 15.42 outlines specific goals and objectives for the city. They have a "Cumulative Effects" section #13 including the # of watts per installation and the # of total watts for all installations at a site plus the power rating for all existing and proposed backup equipment. They also have a clause for the city to hire and independent consultant to check on an installation at the expense of the wireless facility. .

If you go to the City of Laguna Hills web site and search for Wireless Communication or Cell Towers or Antennas, etc. all you get is "NO MATCHES FOUND", but if you persist and go the Municipal Code section and enter "Communications Facilities" you will find a brief section on Wireless Communication. Visual impact is discussed including "roof mounted facilities shall be screened from view by treatment which compliments the architecture of the building". Co-location efforts are necessary and lease agreements may not prohibit co-location. If the city finds that it is in the interest of the public health, safety and welfare telecommunication providers may be required to replace older facilities with newer equipment and permitted facilities shall be reviewed 5 years from the approval date to review new technologies. The city may require an applicant to provide a waiver for the city to hire an independent qualified consultant to check on an installation at the expense of the wireless facility. There is no map of where wireless facilities are located, no mention of how many are in the city, no mention of revenues received by the city from wireless communication facilities, and no information or referrals to other sites related to any health and safety information for the citizens.
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How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City
of Laguna Hills
Council Member Melody Carruth told us - If you want to serve on a new Support Committee for the Adopted Marine Division and/or make a contribution contact Richard Nagle at rnagle74@cox.net

Editor's Note - On Sunday 6/13/10 First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Marine Base at Camp Pendleton and pointed to Orange County and the rest of So. CA. as an example of communities here that have adopted fighting units, shipped off care packages and organized military appreciation days.

At the Aug. 25, 2009 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. Council Member 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. He said the reasons for that go back a long time so he did not propose to go over all of that, but if the city is to be consistent with the council decisions in the past the city should not be about reconstituting and it is not appropriate to use city resources to further the work that could be done by the committee if the committee chooses to. He said very frankly he hoped Ms. Carruth had not been suggesting, as a member of the council, that she's speaking for the city because that would be contrary to their adopted position. He stated he did not favor her taking the action that has been suggested and the city should remember that they have drawn a very clear line that the city will not sponsor, or devote assets or give resources of the staff's time and energy to efforts that ought to be coming from the committee, if at all. He insisted that the committee can do what it wants to do but the city ought to be in a hands off position from an official city standpoint.
Doesn't the city of Laguna Hills that adopted the 3/5 Marine Division have duty to support them in some way or why did the City of Laguna Hills adopt them? Many other cities in Orange County have done a great job of this.
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OC Register News Stories & blogs about Laguna Hills

Series of News Stories in OC Register online about Orange County's City Manager's salaries- The most highly compensated City Manager in Orange County is from one of the smallest cities - Laguna Hills - at $460,809.00 (or even at $400,809.00 without the new car he is the highest paid city manager in all of Orange County). In a City of only about 34,000, he has a full time staff of only 27 to manage including himself, his Assistant City Manager & his Deputy City Manager.

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

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

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/01/prof-defends-students-study-in-wake-of-city-manager-attacks/58291/ Prof defends students, study, in wake of city manager attacks

Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog : The Orange County Register Check out Huntington Beach exec gets $200,000 ‘forgivable loan’ - OC Watchdog

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251558-manager-channing.html
Laguna Hills defends city manager pay increases

http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251580-council-kogerman.html
OCREGISTER: Kogerman submits term limit initiative

http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/04/city-manager-strikes-back-you-want-this-job/58423/ - City manager strikes back: YOU want this job?!

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
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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 Alan 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" .
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Reminders & Letters to the Editor
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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