Truth in Elections? - Special Edition
Laguna Hills Watch Dog, July 24, 2010

In the interest of Council Member Allan Songstad's call for "TRUTH" in elections, and in response to copies of a Letter sent to us by LH Watch Dog readers dated 7-19-10, signed by Laguna Hills City Council Members Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleger, we have been requested to address the issue of "the truth" and how that is interpreted.

This letter, requesting campaign contributions for Council Member Craig Scott was sent just 6 days after Allan Songstad made the following statement at the 7-13-10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting in response to statements from the public and the press about the Laguna Hills City Manager receiving the highest total compensation package of all city managers in Orange County. Council Member Allan Songstad said, "....Integrity is the way to win an election and that's where I hope this debate is going to be ...... an election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win."......"Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true." (Please see his entire statement and response in the July 13, 2010 Laguna Hills Watch Dog.)

The letter from Council Members Songstand and Lautenschleger included the following paragraph: "Sadly, one city council challenger is amassing a large war chest of out-of-town money she's already begun spending in a vicious misinformation campaign. Her stated objective in running for City Council is to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." We're appalled by this discriminatory and divisive statement. Ugly politics have no place in Laguna Hills, and must not be allowed to take over our fine city."

This letter directed us to the political campaign site for Craig Scott. Because, unlike Craig Scott, we at the Laguna Hills Watch Dog do believe in truth in elections and are careful to separate documented information from our opinions, we went to the campaign site's "Contact" area on 7-21-10 and sent an e-mail to Council Member Scott asking who this un-named "Her" is and we requested documentation of the "stated objective" of "her vicious attempts to remove from the council all males over the age of 50". We have not received a response. For more information citizens may contact Council Members Allan Songstad, Joel Lautenschleger and Craig Scott at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us If anyone has any documentation about any candidate's stated objective to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." please send it to the Laguna Hills Watch Dog at BlandMJ@AOL.com.

Some Reader Responses to "Truth in Elections"

Laguna Hills Attack Dogs Turned Loose on City Council Candidate.
The attack dogs of Laguna Hills, Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleger were turned loose by council candidate Craig Scott to discredit city council candidate Barbara, “stir the pot”, Kogerman. These two “upstanding” city council members who, by the way, are not up for re-election issued a letter falsely smearing Ms. Kogerman. This just days after councilman Songstad called for a fair campaign stating in open council session, “An election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win."......"Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

It appears Ms. Kogerman made the grievous error of exposing how little transparency exists in Laguna Hills city government. Please Ms. Kogerman, everyone knows that common citizens should not know what their City Manager’s compensation is! No wonder the attack dogs are on the loose. - Over 50 in Laguna Hills

I read the letter from Lautenschleger and Songstad and was insulted that they were misstating facts and also a person running for council can't write his own letter? Of all the people to sign their names, these two are the two who are at the top of the "Clueless in Laguna Hills". I will be returning their envelope but there will be no money in it and I don't think they will like my response. - A long time Laguna Hills citizen

With all that is going on in the City of Bell and the huge $800,000 yearly salary + benefits and retirements, I hope each City gets the reviews the people deserve to have. - LH Citizen

I guess you knocked the wind out of their sails. - =) in Laguna Hills

What bothered me most about this letter was how these 2 incumbents talked down to the citizens on behalf of Councilmember Craig Scott. They obviously believe citizens lack the ability to connect the dots between Songstad's calls for truth and what he actually says, and to see though this claim that anyone would actually run for city council with a "stated objective" of removing all males over 50 from the city council. Can't you just picture a candidate handing that stated objective out in his or her campaign literature? If these 3 council members believe the citizens are that ignorant they should be using all the money they collect for immediate remedial education for the citizens rather than for a political campaign for Craig Scott. - Under 50 but Not stupid LH Citizen

I have to assume that Craig Scott has not answered you on this. Having met Barbara Kogerman I'm reasonably sure she would never be so stupid as to say such a thing to anyone. Only one word comes to my mind regarding the author of this slur - DELUSIONAL. After what has gone on in the City of Bell you would think these councilmembers would be more circumspect. But the Bell debacle proves once and for all that citizens ignore local politics at their peril. We all need to pay attention to what is happening in our own backyards and VOTE in November. - Paying attention in Laguna Hills

Obviously some males over 50 feel threatened by a female who has some wits and smarts, even looks good and might get to the bottom of hidden agendas in city government, the old boys club needs to stop. We can look at the city of Bell to see a worse situation of a self serving "good old boys" club. We have a lesser situation here, but without needed checks and balances. Let's get some fresh blood, and why not a smart female (no age restrictions) who wants transparency and will provide it for citizens. Someone who will seek grants for the elderly without being forced to do that and get us some good animal shelter services for the fees that we pay rather than the concentration camp for pets that we have now. Honesty with no bashing of a worthy competitor is what integrity should be. I support Barbara and her agenda of transparency and oversight in all city matters, no idiotic spending on "roman columns" etc. Also, I have to touch on this - ..."sadly, one city council challenger is amassing a large war chest of out-of-town money she's already begun spending in a vicious misinformation campaign..." Why is this sad? The only one who will feel sad is the one who vacates the seat they thought they would own for the rest of their life. Every politician needs money and it's not always the one with the most money but the one with the best agenda who wins. Regarding out of town donations, many people work in Laguna Hills or have businesses here and live out of town, etc. - Mr. C

On July 13, Laguna Hills City Council Member Songstad said statements about the compensation of the City Manager were grossly inaccurate and the City Manager being able to give 11% raises without city council approval is just false. Regarding accuracy and honesty council members better be sure the information their city provides is correct because all the information for comparisons of Total Compensations for City Managers in Orange County, came directly from the cities. 3 cities have now corrected some of their information but nothing from Laguna Hills whose City Manager continues to be the most highly compensated in Orange County. On June 23, 2009 Laguna Hills Council Members Songstad, Lautenschleger and Craig Scott voted against obtaining approval from the City Council for the City Manager to raise annual staff salaries up to 11% + give staff bonuses on his own. Mike in Laguna Hills

I can't believe that any educated person running for office would make that statement. Sounds like a smear campaign from the incumbents to me. A Laguna Hills Resident

Interesting that with his (the City Manager's) compensation that his settings on "Linked in" are to look for new career opportunities. Spending our city's money searching for a better opportunity for himself. Like the opportunity he has right now is not enough. Linked in Laguna Hills Citizen

I received one of those letters too - addressed to the people that lived here before us, 14 yrs. ago, ha! My husband and I couldn't believe how absurd it is. I especially choked on the "Laguna Hills is in excellent financial health because of Craig's insistence on conservative management of our tax dollars" - don't you have facts that Scott is the one who negotiated our City Manager's inflated salary? Conservative Laguna Hills Citizen

Editor's note - We were told each year in City Council Meetings that City Council Member Craig Scott was elected by the other Council Members to negotiate the City Manager's Total Benefits package until 2009 when that job shifted to Joel Lautenschleger after citizens expressed so much discontent with the City Manager's 2008 bonus of $32,000 which consisted of $23,000 plus $9000 in additional vacation days. Also Council Member Craig Scott was running for re-election in 2010 which is when the announcement of the 2009 bonus is made.

An excerpt from: Executive Law Group - www.execlaw.com R. Craig Scott - may help explain Council Member Craig Scott's apparent lack of accountability to Laguna Hills taxpayers : "... Mr. Scott understands how employers typically deal with executives' employment issues. And from that understanding, he has developed techniques and strategies to assist executives to cut the best deals possible, whether they are moving into, or out of, an employment situation. "

In June of 2009, Council Member Craig Scott also voted against requiring City Council Approval for the City Manager to give annual staff raises & bonuses.

Incumbent Craig Scott's Statement - Her stated objective in running for City Council is to "remove from the Council all males over the age of 50." We're appalled by this discriminatory and divisive statement. Ugly politics have no place in Laguna Hills, and must not be allowed to take over our fine city." My Response - "No, I am in favor of removing all incumbents. Unfortunately, only three are running for reelection. Again." - Westy

07/13/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
4 Members were present, Council Member Melody Carruth was absent

Special Announcement - Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Initiative (Term Limits campaign ID # 1323046) qualified for the November 2010 Ballot.. See details in the OC Register Newspaper http://www.ocregister.com/news/council-255733-signatures-ballot.html

A Comedy Night "Totally Laughable" Fund Raiser for Barbara Kogerman, Candidate for City Council in 2010, will be held at the Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills on August 27th at 7 pm - $20 per person includes a pasta meal. Contact Barbara Kogerman with any donations for a possible Silent Auction at 949-586-5552.

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – 15 year Anniversary Award for City Engineer and Public Services Director Ken Rosenfield, from Mayor Bressette, who stated Ken actually started 18 years ago as a consultant City Traffic Engineer. Ken has a BS degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Irvine an MBA from UC Riverside and became a Registered Professional Engineer in 1981. Congratulations, Ken!

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Brabara Kogerman, Laguna Hills Candidate for City Council stated she had been denied the chance to speak at the June 22, City Council Meeting, and was later told by the Mayor that her comments were not important. She said she wanted to comment about the increase in fees to citizens from CR&R trash collection in Laguna Hills without any prior notice to citizens. She asked why this citizen issue had not been discussed at any City Council Meetings and options examined to prevent any undue rise in rates. She noted that the CR&R contract spells out a formula for annual rate adjustments and the city knew about this in April or May, but nothing was done for individual citizens or businesses. She also noted that CR&R pays a franchise fee of $250,000 to our city every year and perhaps something could have been negotiated related to a decrease in the franchise fee in favor of lower rates for citizens. There was no response from the city.

Laura Dickson, Laguna Hills Citizen, stated she lives in the Aliso Hills area and has noted an increasing number of trucks, fencing and building materials are collecting on the corner of Aliso Hills and Alicia. Contractor trucks are also parked overnight on the streets of the neighborhood. She suggested that maybe the trucks could be parked at City Hall overnight where they could be overseen by the police to prevent vandalism, etc. Mayor Bressette, who said he lives in the same area stated he agreed with Laura's observations and commented that the area in question is scheduled to become a park in about 2 years.
Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer and Public Services Director responded the city is refurbishing the soccer fields at the Community Center now and trucks should leave once that job is completed. He said he would take a look at the trucks parked on the streets an see if the city could do some screening of that area for the residents.

Mr. Atwall, Laguna Hills Business Owner since 1998, stated his business is a 7/11 Store near the corner of Ridge Route and Moulton that cannot be seen from the street. In that area the road is being widened and the sign for his businesses was removed. He said he was told to come here and ask for an exemption for a temporary sign and estimates he has lost $56,000 in revenue to date due to loss of a sign for his business. Mayor Bressette asked if the city could help with a temporary banner or sign for all the businesses in that area. Vern Jones, Community Development Director stated - he might be able to put a banner on the building.

Vivian Stapleton, Recreation Music Class Instructor for 17 years in numerous cities stated she teaches classes for children and the city's recent $10 non resident fee increase for contract instructor led classes has created a hardship for her clients and has impacted her enrollment. She asked if those fee increases could be reduced to $5 for any set of classes that are under $100 or $5 for Early Childhood Classes. She said most surrounding cities have no fee or only $5 for non residents. David Reynolds, Deputy City Manager stated the city pays for Instructor's insurance, advertising in "City Views", and facility expense. He explained if there is a dip in participation that will be addressed, but most people who complain continue to pay. He said agreed with Vivian that this rate hike was too high for a 1 day class so the city reduced the fee from $10 to $2 for one day classes.

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: Additional $20,082.43 in fees for Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon Event - $56.00 to Clark County School District, $255.00 to American Shield Private Security (in Garden Grove), $433.17 to Bear Communications Inc.(in Pittsburgh),$1,452.59, C&D Electric (in Anaheim), $13,500.00 to Pacific Traffic Control (in Los Angeles), l, $125.00 to Pack, Dwayne (?), $2,880.00 to Renegade Racing (in Irvine), $416.00 to Saddleback Valley Unified, $214.67 to Waltco Promotions (in Los Angeles), and $750.00 to South Coast Outreach for Share of Proceeds+160 lbs of canned goods.

Editor's Note - There was no Public Discussion at any city council meeting of the city's funding for its 4th of July Celebration this year, On April 27, 2010 the Consent Calendar stated the "Fiscal Impact to the City was $52,324 including the cost of the fireworks which is $23,500."

Item 4.4 - School Crossing Guard Agreement - City has contract with All City Management Services for 6 Crossing guards at 5 locations. Fiscal Impact to the city is $64,809. Staff Recommendation - Authorize the Agreement for 2010-2011

Item 4.5 - Delegation of authority to the City Manager to act on behalf of the City of Laguna Hills pertaining to the City's Worker's Compensation Excess Insurance. In Nov. of 2005 the City Council authorized a self-funded Worker's Compensation Program for the city. City is self insured for the 1st $125,000 in losses and is a member of CSAC Excess Ins. Authority to cover additional losses. Staff Recommendation - Delegate Authority to the City Manager.

Item 4.8 - Cooperative Agreement for South OC Watershed Management Area - This formalizes a partnership between the County, Cities, Water and Wastewater Agencies to collectively and regionally plan for water related projects. Staff Recommendation - Approve the agreement

Item 4.9 - Civic Center Budget - Rental income decreased from Estimated Actuals (EAs) of $1,187,290 in 2009-10 to Proposed Budget (PB) of $1,118,889 for 2010-11. Net income decreased from EAs of $222,651 in 2009-10 to PB of $124,711 for 2010-11. Capital Project - $65,000 needed to replace HVAC Units and a Cooling Tower.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the Budget

Item 4.10 - 2010 Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon & 5K Event Report - Staff Report states the city actually cleared $3,296.00 with total Expenses of $127,405.00 and Revenues of $130,701. The city also reported the number of Laguna Hills Participants in this 2010 event = 192. There were 193 from Mission Viejo and 187 participants from Aliso Viejo. City Staff credits their success this year to a reduction in expenditures and increased sponsorship revenues. Staff said this event helps the city's businesses by people being here shopping and dining and a total of 12 rooms were booked at hotels in Laguna Hills for this one day event.

Editor's Note - The big winner among the companies paid by the city for this event was Renegade Racing, in Irvine, with at least $34,058.35 as their share of the pot for Event Management. We found no Laguna Hills businesses that were paid?

In Oct. of 2009 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. Dan Meehan stated he did not know but would get back to them. He was also asked why Saddleback Hospital pulled out of sponsoring this event and said that was due to past financial losses of up to $35,000 in 2007. The City of Laguna Hills reported that it expected to lose $10,000 on the 2010 event.

The city is now answering questions we and City Parks and Rec. have been asking since last year. In 2008 this event lost $7,390 for the city, in 2009 it lost $11,626, this year it reported that it made $3,296 and 192 Laguna Hills Citizens participated.
Pros are - The city did not lose money for the 1st time this year & made $3,296.00, 192 Laguna Hills citizens participated, Some participants may have eaten and/or shopped in the city and 12 hotel rooms were reportedly rented for this 1 day event in the City of Laguna Hills. $750.00 went to South Coast Outreach + 160 lbs of canned goods.
Cons are - The "MEMORIAL" aspect of Memorial Day was ignored by the city, this is the 12th Annual City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon 5K Event and less than 1% of Laguna Hills citizens are participating in it, there is some inconvenience to citizens of closed streets and the congestion of a reported 2,600 people at the site of the event, no payments were noted to have been made to any Laguna Hills businesses for this event, but we could have missed something in the reports.
Question for the citizens of Laguna Hills - Is there value for Laguna Hills citizens and businesses in continuing this annual event in Laguna Hills?

Item 4.12 - Contract with County of Orange for Community Development Block Grants for 2010-11. For 2010-11 The City of Laguna Hills has been tentatively awarded $200,000 for Aliso Meadows Condos, a 248 unit pre-fab condo project, Phase 7 in the Via Lomas area. Staff has annually applied for block grants to assist in rehabilitating this area at the rate of about 10 to 20 units per year. Staff Recommendation - Approve a contract with the County of Orange for the Block Grants.

ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - Mayor Bressette pulled 3 Items: 4.4 (above), 4.7 (Avenida De La Carlotta road widening) and 4.10 (above)
VOTE - Balance of the Consent Calendar Passed 4 - 0

Mayor Bressette asked if there was an raise in salary for the school crossing guards and was told there was a 50 cent raise only for those who had been recently certified. Mayor Bressette gave the staff a chance to talk about not losing money this year at the Memorial Day Event. Dan Meehan stated that Saddleback Hospital donated $15,000 this year vs. $10,000 last year and the city found better buys on products needed for the event. Mayor Bressette recused himself from Item 4.7 due to a client relationship. VOTE - Items 4.4 and 4.10 were then passed 4-0 and Item 4.7 was passed 3 - 0.

** 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. If you want to see details of these things Look Quickly, because they are removed from the web site shortly after city council meetings.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - Item 5.1 - Confirmation of Weed Abatement Cost Report. Staff Report says 3 properties did not comply after notification so the city was forced to remove their weeds. Fiscal Impact to the city - for the 3 properties was $1,341.77. Staff Recommendation - Adopt Resolution confirming the 2010 Weed abatement Cost Report & provide for the collection of assessments on the next regular tax bills levied against subject parcels. There were no Public Comments. VOTE - Passed 4-0

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS
Item 5.3 - A request from Farmers and Merchants Bank to make parking lot modifications on the properties at 24300 & 24302 Paseo De Valencia including spike strips at ingress and vehicular access gates with key code boxes at egress points in an effort to restrict free parking to the patrons of the bank only. Vern Jones, Community Development Director, stated the bank will allow for entry into the parking lost and will then give code #s to clients, while they are inside the bank, to allow them to exit the parking lot. Codes will probably change weekly. Staff Recommendation - Approve the request. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

Item 5.4 - Preliminary Application to make storefront, parking lot, landscape and sign modifications to the building site currently occupied by Furniture Direct at 23251 Avenida De La Carlota. Staff Recommendation - Receive presentation, approve design in concept only and refer to staff for processing. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

Item 6.2 A City Clerk - Certification of Results of Initiative Petition Signatures for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council
Editor's Note - It should be clarified here that the certification letter from the County Registrar explained: Number of signatures filed was 2,961. Number Required was 1,935. Number of signatures verified was 2,220. Number of Signatures found valid 2,036. Number of signatures found invalid was 184 of which 27 were duplicates. The Registrar's office stopped counting signatures after 2,036 signatures were found to be valid because there was no need to continue the count once the minimum number of signatures were certified and each signature verified cost the city $3.40.

Staff Recommendation - Adopt a Resolution calling and giving notice of the holding of the election on November 2, 2010 for the purpose of submitting this Term Limits Ballot Initiative, also set priorities for filing ballot arguments and an impartial analysis from the city attorney, requesting the Election Dept. to canvass election returns and request the County Board of Supervisors to consolidate a General Municipal Election.

Greg Simonian, City Attorney, stated the Initiative qualifies for the ballot, the proposed Resolution calls the election, sets priorities for ballot arguments and takes other actions pertaining to the election.

Public Comments - Barbara Kogerman, Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council stated this is a milestone for the citizens of Laguna Hills who will now have the right to vote yes or no for City Council Term Limits. She said it was her privilege to chair this grass roots movement and the signature gatherers achieved a 92% validity rate because this was a door to door grass roots effort. The facts resonated with the voters who want to eliminate ineffective policies such as the council's willingness to compensate our City Manager more than any other City Manager in Orange County. People want greater transparency in how our city is run and they want to have a voice in those decisions. The people don't want the same people using the benefits of office to stay in power indefinitely. The people of Laguna Hills want, what 60% of other cities in Orange County have, fresh ideas, new practices, and room for someone new to be elected to the council at least every 8 years. She ended by saying it's a privilege to share this important point in our city's history with volunteers, the city staff and the city attorney and thanked them all for all their hard work.

Michael Bland - 28 year Laguna Hills Resident, stated a city council member had stated he had heard Term Limits' signature gatherers had been giving false and misleading information, so he wanted the council to know what he said and citizen's comments to him. He said he, his wife and other volunteers went house to house for 18 weeks starting in North Laguna Hills and moving South through all the neighborhoods except Falcon Hill, which is a locked gated community. He said they used walking sheets that showed addresses of Registered Voters so that was probably why the validity rate of signatures was so high. He stated he always identified himself by name and as a volunteer citizen of Laguna Hills collecting signatures for Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council. Frequent comments/questions from residents were, "We don't have term limits now?", "I'm for Term Limits for all politicians," and "Tell me about our city government?" Four people said they weren't interested. One neighbor said," I won't sign because I like the council people". He said five people asked if he was running for council and others said they had issues with the council so wanted to sign. Many were not aware of any issues so he gave them sheets with headlines and web addresses for numerous articles in the Orange County Register Newspaper including information about the City Manager's total compensation package being the largest in Orange County. Ten citizens asked him to name all 5 city council members. Most everyone thanked him for taking his time to do this for the city. He concluded that although this was a lot of work it was also a lot of fun meeting great people. It was a true grass roots effort and from what he learned people do want it.

William Enholm, Laguna Hills Resident, said he works near Chino and there's nothing like driving through there every day to make one appreciate Laguna Hills more, so maybe the council's doing a better job than they get credit for, at least in that area. He said he knew that Term Limits was as popular with incumbents as Thanksgiving is with turkeys so he appreciated their patience, but added it's a great day for those who favor term limits. He thanked the staff, city council, city attorney and city clerk for their cooperation. He said it was great to be treated fairly since we are not professionals but a grass roots effort. He concluded that this effort showed Barbara Kogerman's ability to lead, offered his congratulations to the people and said he looks forward to seeing this on the ballot.

Council Member Allan Songstad stated, "Obviously we will find out what the people of Laguna Hills want to do in November and obviously that'll be the law of the city and I'm fine with what they decide even though I have views about what I think is good public policy and what's bad public policy. It should be noted though that only 18% of the cities statewide have term limits. In that sense Orange County's kind of an anomaly. We have a lot more cities in Orange County than we do state wide that have term limits. I'm not sure why that is. What I would like to see though is that accurate information is disseminated by all sides. I've heard several comments tonight about the compensation of the City Manager. Um, uh, That is just grossly inaccurate. Um, it includes the full price of a city owned car in his compensation in here and many, many other mistakes and inaccuracies. That is not the way to win an election. Integrity is the way to win an election and that's where I hope this debate is going to be, is on the merits of term limits, what has this council done? What has the city done? How's the city been run since incorporation? Have we benefited, have we not? And, maybe people will say no we haven't, but there's just inaccurate statements like the city manager's compensation, the part about Mr. Channing being able to give an 11% raise without city council approval. Those are just plain false. That's just false and an election shouldn't be won on falsehoods. It needs to be won on truth. If you can't win it on truth you don't deserve to win." ...... (He went on to say term limits won't affect him for 12 years so he had nothing to lose) ....then continued with, "Let's lay the facts out there and let the voter's decide, let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

Editor's Note - 1 - Before a member of the city council speaks to citizens about "accurate information, truth and honesty," that member needs to be sure the information the city provides is correct because all the information for the comparisons of the Total Compensations of all City Managers in Orange County, came directly from the cities. 2 cities (Huntington Beach & Newport Beach) did correct some of their information and their corrections were published, but the Laguna Hills City Manager still remains clearly on top with the highest Total Compensation in all of Orange County from the 7th smallest city. If Council Member Songstad believes the financial reporting information from the city of Laguna Hills was faulty he needs to take responsibility to supply corrected documentation, so we will all know. It's that simple. We completely agree with "... let's not put false statements out there and mislead people into believing things that aren't true."

Editor's Note - 2 - Resolution No, 2007-06-12-2 signed by Mayor, Joel Lautenschleger on June 23, 2009. **Anyone can request a copy of this resolution from City Hall. This resolution states: Paqe 2 - "The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 5% salary adjustment for meritorious performance to any employee who has reached the top pay range in their position. The City Manager, at his discretion, may grant up to a 6% increase in salary adjustments and cost of living increases to all employee positions effective July 1, 2008."
Page 6 - C. - "The City Manager is authorized to create and administer a Management Incentive Program for management employees for outstanding performance ranging from 0 - 10% of annual salary at the end of each calendar year."

Additionally Notes from the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's recording of the June 23, 2009, Laguna Hills City Council Meeting state the following:

City Council Member Melody Carruth unleashed a firestorm by asking if there were any guidelines for the City Manager's bonus program for the city staff. Funds for this program were established to be between about $75, 000 and $85,000 per the city manager and the assistant city manager. City Council Member Melody Carruth asked if the words "with the approval of the city council" could be added to the words "at the city manager's discretion" in the interest of transparency and check and balances, especially in times like this when many cities are looking at every benefit and the public expects transparency. Melody noted that there was no requirement now for the city council to even be advised of this expenditure. She also asked about the car allowances and mileage reimbursement for staff and if there were any guidelines or requirements for these and would he give the city council a set of the guidelines.

City Council Member Randy Bressette suggested that language be added to "at the city manager's discretion" stating that a report be given to the City Council regarding salary increases and bonuses, etc. rather than adding that the city council must approve the city manager's discretion because the Council is very interested in assuring that staff is adequately compensated.

City Council Member Craig Scott said he was very strongly opposed to comments in the motion because they intrude inappropriately on the city manager's authority. If we don't like the way he's doing this we ought to change the city manager but we ought not to undermine his discretion. When we charged him to make these decisions I think it's inappropriate to then require that there be a public report or that he justify in some way the exercise of his discretion. He stated that in many cities it is part of the city code that the city council cannot intrude in the way that has been suggested by the comments and by the impending motion.

City Council Member Allan Songstad said he saw no reason for any report from the city manager.

Mayor Joel Lautenschleger said this is how we have been doing business for 18 years, Channing has the authority and no need to invade. This is superfluous.

Vote was taken on motion for additional language to be added to City Manager's discretion and the motion failed 3 to 2. Scott, Lautenschleger and Songstad voted NO, Carruth and Bressette voted Yes.

FACTS: The information for the study of the Total Compensation of each of the Orange County City Managers was originally requested by Barbara Kogerman who is a candidate for city council. All of the information for this entire report came directly from the cities. The information was compiled, researched and compared by an independent group of graduate students from Brandman/Chapman and Pepperdine Universities under the direction of a University Professor, Dr. Smoller from the Brandman University Master of Public Administration Program. (We, at the LH Watch Dog, don't know Professor Smoller personally but found that you can google information about him at: www.brandman.edu/CSL/smoller.pdf .) The graduate students were asked to research the Total Compensation, including cars, for all city managers and their results were reviewed by the OC Watchdog staff of the Orange County Register Newspaper before they were published. The OC Watchdog staff has continued to take input from OC cities on this issue. Please judge for yourself by going to the following story from the Orange County Register and clicking on "Laguna Hills response" for the Raw Data given by the City of Laguna Hills at: http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/ - Controversial city manager compensation report now online - "Are the numbers fair? We’ve been counseled (by one straight-shooting city manager) to be wary of the numbers at both the very high and very low ends of the benefits scale. Bruce Channing of Laguna Hills comes out as No. 1 in compensation — at $460,809 — partly because the cost of his city-purchased car was included in the tally in one lump (nearly $60,000 right there). He’d still be in the lead, however, even if one completely eliminated the cost of the car. (Here are the numbers, directly from the city: Laguna Hills response.)"

Response to Council Member Songstad From Laguna Hills Citizen James Vaughn, Prior Member of Nellie Gail Ranch HOA Board of Directors and Term Limits signature gatherer - "We are neighbors who were talking to neighbors, sharing information we got from the city itself. It's funny how they say the facts are lies without offering any facts of their own to refute them. For a sitting councilman to call citizens liars for sharing information that came from the city he claims to lead, demonstrates either how out of touch he is or how incredibly arrogant he is. Either is reason in and of itself why we need term limits. Councilman Songstad and the other incumbents need to recognize that the citizens have spoken up and they can either fight us or join us. Looks like they have chosen to fight the community rather than lead them."

Response to Council Member Songstad From Laguna Hills Citizen Mike Bland, Businessman, Term Limits Signature gatherer and husband of the LH Watch Dog Publisher - We, as citizens, have a responsibility to question what our elected officials are doing with our tax dollars. We need to seek the facts and take a informed stance, if necessary. Too many of us have supported council members without fully understanding the issues and the ramifications of the council's actions.

Response to Council Member Songstad From Bill Kogerman, Laguna Hills Resident, Leader of the grass roots campaign against the proposed El Toro Airport and husband of City Council Candidate Barbara Kogerman - I was astounded by Songstad's unwarranted attack on the credibility of the City Manager's Compensation Report's revelations that the Laguna Hills City Manager is the highest paid City Manager in the County. Songstad and his council majority have allowed this financial disgrace to occur. It's their legacy by omission or commission. Either they didn't know what they were doing (Asleep at the Switch) or they played cozy with taxpayers' money (Bait Us and Switch). There's nothing in Songstad's rantings that demonstrates the city council majority acted prudently. It's one thing for Songstad to puff up his chest on the dais and pontificate without providing any clarity on baseless allegations and another to discuss the Report's conclusions honestly in an open debate. It is his style to deflect the responsibility for the financial transgressions of Councilman Scott, because Scott's running for an extended 24 year City Council Career while Songstad circles the wagons in the incumbent majority's defense. Songstad needs to try to right the City's wrongs and let Scott's own inexcusable diatribe resonate with our residents.

Mayor Bressette - Thanked the citizens who went door to door. He said he felt the language in the Term Limits should have been stronger and a spending limitation should have been included, but he agreed that the signature gatherers met some of the nicest people in the world while gathering signatures.
VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

Item 6.2 B - Designation of Voting Delegate for League of CA. Cities Annual Conference. Mayor Randal Bressette was designated as the delegate and Council Member Allan Songstad was designated as the alternate .

Item 6.3 - Park Playground Renovations at Costeau Park and Community Sports Complex Playground Fiscal Impact to the city $185,000 for Costeau Park and $305,000 for the Sports Complex Playground. Construction to be in late Fall of 2010 and to include rubber safety surfacing in play areas, Shelter over sand play area & Replacements of benches and tables. A detailed presentation given by the Project Landscape Architect with overhead pictures.

Public Comments - Nichole Wyckoff, Laguna Hills Citizen speaking for neighbors and children, stated her thanks to the city for taking comments from the citizens. She said the ground resurfacing will be great. Play structures, other than the ones shown here, that are much better and more engaging are available. There is more available for younger kids than mainly climbing. Need more than one bench in the parks. Larger trees are good for shade but need to be inspected, because one recently dropped a very large branch that could have endangered a child.
Staff Recommendation - Approve the preferred plan for resurfacing of the playgrounds. VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Mayor Randal Bressette thanked city staff for their work on the 4th of July Celebration and said resident non profit groups did very well selling food and drinks. Mayor Bressette visited a Junior Build A Fort event and noted that the kids were having a lot of fun and said he proudly gave Certificates of Recognition to 3 Laguna Hills Eagle Scouts recently. City Council will be on Vacation until August 24, 2010.

CLOSED SESSION - None
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For "CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD" *** Update - go to OCREGISTER: Crime in your neighborhood - http://www.ocregister.com/news/reported-257761-block-road.html Also: 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.

Information, Questions, Concerns and Comments from Watch Dog Readers -

Many inquiries have been received asking: Are the expensive Medical Benefits for our part time Laguna Hills City Council Members life long as they were in Mission Viejo?

Long term incumbents have a lot in common with alcoholics. Both claim they can quit anytime they want but can never come up with a reason why they should. Keen Observer
I collected signatures for Term Limits and wanted to share the stories of those who claimed they were afraid of what certain incumbents would do if they found out their family had signed the petition. And a woman who said at first that the fact that she hadn't heard anything bad about the council for twenty years seemed ok, but then she realized she hadn't heard anything good either and reached for the petition to sign. James

Watching the signs and the median projects take place over the past few years I repeatedly thought to myself "My, Laguna Hills must have money to burn.... this seems so unnecessary and such a waste of money." Although I had driven by the Civic Center many times, I had occasion to go inside the other day and it took my breath away. It is luxurious and it was obvious to me that no expense had been spared in the architectural design and construction and in the interior design and decor. When I put that together with what I have been reading in the Watchdog lately, and the articles in the OC Register regarding the City Manager's Salary, SUV, full benefits for part-time employees I was angry and incensed. Angry in Laguna Hills

How to Support the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Division Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
OCREGISTER: Marines given royal sendoff by Mariners Church
http://www.ocregister.com/news/mariners-255221-families-regiment.html - Thankfully the Mariner's Church has come through in helping the 3/5 Marines that the City of Laguna Hills took credit for adopting and then apparently abandoned. This article says the 3/5 will be going back to Afghanistan in September. - 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 - Correction to a date error in the 6/22/10 Laguna Hills Watch Dog. We said that on August 25, 2009 Council Member Craig Scott made comments about the 3/5 Marines. That date should have been November 24, 2009 and his recorded comments were: Council Member Craig Scott stated, "There was an article in the Register within the last week where it was reported, by the reporter, the city was trying to reconstitute the 3/5 Support Committee. I raise the issue with staff because we have taken, as I understand the council's action, a very clear position that there will be a no support by this council. No official city support for the 3/5 Committee. Now the reasons for that go back a long time so I don't propose to recurse all of that, but it is not, let me just state it this way, if we are to be consistent with the council's decisions in the past, my understanding is that we 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. Uh, very frankly I hope Mrs. Carruth has not been suggesting, as a member of the council, that she's speaking for the city on these matters, because that would be contrary to our adopted position. So I don't favor her taking the action that has been suggested and I think we need to remember that we have drawn, what understand to be a very clear line. The city will not sponsor, the city will not devote assets, the city will not give the resources of our staff's time and energy to efforts that ought to be coming from the committee, if at all. That's not a judgement we should be making. The committee can do what the committee wants to do but we ought to be in a hands off position from an official city standpoint."

OC Register News Stories & blogs about Laguna Hills

Is a city manager worth $800,000?
www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bell-salary-20100715,0,7352605.story

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 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 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".

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