09/28/10 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
All council members were present
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – Mayor Bressette presented a Proclamation to Battalion Chief Art Nevarez from the Orange County Fire Authority proclaiming Oct. 3, 2010 through Oct. 9, 2010 as Fire Prevention Week. There will be an Open House at the Battalion Headquarters, Station 22 in Irvine, on Oct 2. 2010 and Oct. 3 - 9 is Fire Prevention Week. We were reminded to make use of Smoke Alarms in all homes and Mayor Bressette also reminded everyone of the need for barriers and alarm systems around swimming pools that are essential for saving the lives of children.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS – Mayor Bressette presented a Proclamation to Battalion Chief Art Nevarez from the Orange County Fire Authority proclaiming Oct. 3, 2010 through Oct. 9, 2010 as Fire Prevention Week. There will be an Open House at the Battalion Headquarters, Station 22 in Irvine, on Oct 2. 2010 and Oct. 3 - 9 is Fire Prevention Week. We were reminded to make use of Smoke Alarms in all homes and Mayor Bressette also reminded everyone of the need for barriers and alarm systems around swimming pools that are essential for saving the lives of children.
PUBLIC COMMENTS -
Bob Dickson, Laguna Hills Resident stated there were important changes to city ordinances held up at the last city council meeting for the silliest reasons, so more studies could be done. He said he believes in the future the council should reveal to the citizens the approximate costs of all of the studies they order because citizens have a right to know the value vs. the cost of these studies. The study ordered last week could take 3 to 6 months of Staff time and a lot of the City Attorney time as well.
Editor's Note - At the last City Council meeting Council Member Craig Scott asked for a broad based overhaul of the City's entire Purchasing Policy and Songstad and Lautenschleger voted for that as well rather than addressing the issues of having future purchases of the city manager's car budgeted in the biennial budget and approved, prior to purchase, by the city council and the term "Total Value" defined as Total Purchase Price. The council was told by the city attorney that this study could take 3 to 6 months. Mayor Bressette concluded this was a clever way to simply avoid this issue, that is a simple change, by sending it off to another report. The vote was 3 to 2 to send this issue off to be studied rather than act on it. The 2 votes against sending it off to be studied were Mayor Bressette and Council Member Carruth.
Mr. Dickson continued with why are we paying so much for toll roads charges for the City Manager when we would assume that 95% of his business would be done within the City of Laguna Laguna Hills? He asked if we are we paying for only the business related tolls or all his personal toll road charges as well?
Editor's Note - The City Manager's toll road charges for FY 2008-09 paid by the taxpayers were $1,514.76 and Mr. Dickson's question about the citizens paying for Channing personal toll road use was not answered. The LH Watch Dog obtained copies of the City Manager's Employment Agreement that states: "City shall provide Channing with a cell phone and tollway transponder, and shall pay the monthly service and toll charges. As part of his compensation, Channing shall be allowed unrestricted personal use of the cell phone and transponder when not engaged in City Business subject to IRS reporting requirements."
Mr. Dickson also noted that the City Manager is reportedly available 24/7 to the city and asked how many times in the past 2 years has he been recalled to the city after 8:00 at night or before 6:00 in the morning related to his status of being on call.
Editor's Note - On Sept. 17, 2010, the LH Watch Dog requested city records showing how many times in the last 5 years the Laguna Hills City Manager was required to return to the city before or after his regular working hours. Anybody want to guess what our answer was? Answer was - "Please be advised that the City is not in possession of any public records that are responsive to this request description."
Mike Bland, Laguna Hills Resident stated he believed the city council should have and post a very simple organizational chart like he has for the company he manages. His chart says "CUSTOMERS" at the top with a line pointing down to the words "THE REST of US" at the bottom. He suggested the City's chart should say "TAXPAYERS/Citizens" at the top with a line pointing down to "City Council and Staff" at the bottom, to serve as a continuous reminder of why they are all in their positions and to whom they should be accountable. He added that regarding posting of employee compensation all costs should be posted so the citizens can evaluate everything and decide for themselves if they think the costs justify the benefit . He said he read that Assist. City Manager Don White said unused vacation days that are redeemed for cash are not compensation and he disagrees. He said, as an example, if he pays an employee a $240,000 salary and the employee uses one month/ 23 business days of vacation then his cost is $240,000 but if the employee does not use those vacation days and redeems them for cash he pays that employee an additional $20,000 so this is absolutely a true additional cost and it is definitely compensation to the employee. He said we also asked the city for records of the City Manager's expenses and the names of the people who audit these expenses. The city's response to the names of people who audit the City Manager's expenses/expense account was - "The City is not in possession of any public records that are responsive to this request. Mike said he believes it is important to have checks and balances and for the citizens to know what who is spending what for what purpose, etc. How do you know, for example, that a gas credit card is being used only for a city vehicle, etc. if no one is auditing? He asked is there an audit committee, do the City Manager's expenses and other employee's expenses get audited or not?
Mayor Bressette asked the City Manager to address this issue. City Manager Channing stated there is an audit committee for the City Budget and Mayor Bressette and Council Member Lautenschleger are on it to meet with the auditors when books are audited on an annual basis, but the question was does the audit committee audit individual employees individual expenses and the answer is NO, We Don't Audit Individually for Employee Expenses. The audit committee looks to the independent financial auditor's to perform their annual audit of all the city's expenses to look at all the expenses posted.
Jim Haines, Laguna Hills Resident said he spoke at the last city council meeting about speeding problems in his neighborhood and he wanted to thank Mayor Bressette and Council Member Carruth for their support and Chief Doan for bringing saturation patrols into his neighborhood. He said this made a big difference right away in slowing traffic down. He added he would like to discuss other means of permanent slowing of traffic such as speed bumps and stop signs in the future. He also said that he supported the council in reconstituting the support for the Marines and getting it right this time.
Ali Djowharzadeh, Laguna Hills City Council Candidate for 2010 and 17 year resident stated - He introduced himself and announced he is running for Laguna Hills City Council. He said he is the author of a new book entitled "HOT DIET" and he is a survivor of stage 4 colon cancer. He added that all through his life and in his battle with cancer the need for leaving this world a better place than he found it and for doing good deeds was emphasized. He said as a test people can ask themselves - is this a better place because we lived here or because we left it?
LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Mike Spain Mike said the new Student Resource Officer is fitting in well and liking his job. He also caught 7 kids with Marijuana on the 1st day of school. There are 10 new units of classes being added to the schedule to deal with higher than expected enrollment. 50 CSD parking spots got painted this week so the top 25 most improved students get their own reserved parking spaces now as an incentive. The football game with Hemit last week was a huge success. Homecoming game is Friday with a dance on Saturday.
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 and 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 )
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 and 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 - 4.3 Community Development Block Grants for Aliso Meadows Condo. Assoc. for 2010-2011 - Rehab. of existing housing in the Via Lomas Area through block grant funds.
Item - 4.5 Consulting Services Agreement for Planning and Housing Services – GRC Associates is contracted by the city to assist in the annual planning and in coordinating the rehab. of the 248 unit prefabricated condominum project in the Via Lomas area originally approved in 1980 by the County of Orange. The annual cost for GRC's services is between $25,000 - $35,000. GRC’s contract is up for renewal and the cost is expected to be about $35,000 for the next year. The city rehabs. about 10 – 20 units per year in this area with CDBG funding.
Item - 4.6 Urban Tree Planting Program - Urban Tree Planting Grant Program. The city can seek up to $75,000 in Grant Funds with matching funds of $25,000 to plant approximately 600 trees in 2 areas of the city. 500 street trees are designated for the neighborhood bordered by Alicia Pkwy., Paseo de Valencia, and Cabot Rd./I-5. The trees will be planted between the curb and the Sidewalk in the parkways. The second area designated to receive trees is along the bike path between Via Lomas Street and Moulton Pkwy., North of Alicia Pkwy. The Grant includes funds for the purchase of 15 gallon trees, maintenance of the trees for 2 years and a public education program. The city hopes the residents will take over the job of watering the trees in neighborhoods and the current irrigation system will be used to water the trees along the bike path. Fiscal Impact to the City of $15,000 to $25,000 as $10,000 of the $25,000 required in martching funds may be able to be taken from Public Education available funding.
Warrant Register: $775,624.10
Items of interest - NONE
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - 4.3 Rehab. of housing in the Via Lomas Area was pulled by Council Member Melody Carruth who asked if the city could find funds to use to assist with landscape maintenance in this area because the grant for the rehab. of the housing cannot be used for this purpose. She noted that there are many dead trees and inappropriate plants for CA. Vern Jones, Community Development Director noted the irrigation system was also in need of significant repair and the city is looking for funds for this. 4.6 Urban Tree Planting Pgrm. was pulled by Council Member Craig Scott who thanked City Staff for finding the Grant for the Tree Plantings.
Items of interest - NONE
ITEMS PULLED from CONSENT CALENDAR - 4.3 Rehab. of housing in the Via Lomas Area was pulled by Council Member Melody Carruth who asked if the city could find funds to use to assist with landscape maintenance in this area because the grant for the rehab. of the housing cannot be used for this purpose. She noted that there are many dead trees and inappropriate plants for CA. Vern Jones, Community Development Director noted the irrigation system was also in need of significant repair and the city is looking for funds for this. 4.6 Urban Tree Planting Pgrm. was pulled by Council Member Craig Scott who thanked City Staff for finding the Grant for the Tree Plantings.
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
Public Comments - NONE
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -
PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - NONE
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -
City Manager Bruce Channing announced there have been a large number of calls this year regarding the presence of coyotes particularly in the Southern end of the city. He said the City is researching the matter with residents, HOAs, in other cities, with the State Fish and Game Dept. and the County Animal Control. He said the city's plan is to host a public meeting within a couple of months for public information on this subject and then come back to the council after that time with recommendations. Mayor Bressette asked if he could speed up this process. To that, City Manager Channing replied, "I don't think that'll change anybody's memories of what's been going on."
Editor's Note - What is Channing talking about? The suggestion to Speed up the process is not related to people's memories?
Item 6.2 A - Amendment to Laguna Hills Municipal Code re. Charitable and Commercial Solicitations
- The ordinance will read – NO person shall solicit between 6pm and 9am. No person shall step onto or over the threshold of a doorway or place hands, legs or any portion of the solicitor’s body in the doorway unless allowed to do so by the occupant and solicitor’s receiving money or anything of value must provide a written receipt. You can see the entire proposed ordinance on the city web site under City Council
Packets and Staff Reports Sept. 28, 2010. Council Member Craig Scott wanted to eliminate some of the wording regarding giving receipts for donations to citizens in case IRS rules about that change. Council Member Carruth stated regardless of any language used if solicitors never have to check in with the City the solicitors are not going to pay any attention to the city code. This ordinance does not go far enough in protecting the citizens.
Vote - Passed 5-0
Item 6.2 B - Update regarding ordinance for Annual posting of Public Official's Compensation Report on the City web site
– Requirement for Annual Public Official’s Compensation Report to be posted on City web site requested by Mayor Randal Bressette at the Sept. 14, City Council Meeting to encourage transparency and accountability in local government and promote public trust. Beginning Feb. 2011 and annually thereafter of each year the City Manager or designee shall post an undated version of the Aug. 2010 City of Laguna Hills Compensation report on the official city web site with a link on the home page of the web site. Please see the entire proposed ordinance on the city web site under City Council Packets and Staff Reports Sept. 28, 2010. Council Member Melody Carruth stated The City Manager's compensation Report draws conclusions for the reader that are political.
City Attorney Greg Simonian clarified that this ordinance ensures annual reporting that can't be taken down by the Staff, but it does not change the format of the report the staff recently placed on the City web site which is the format for future reporting as well. He added there are currently no laws regarding the contents of these reports so the format is up to the city council.
Council Member Melody Carruth added she was uncomfortable with the format of the current report on the city web site in which no bonuses are mentioned in the City Manager's Compensation Report. Council Member Songstad stated, This talk is out of line, this report is already approved. Mayor Bressette stated if we hadn't spent the last 2 months bickering about what should or should not have been included in the report our city council could have been way ahead of the curve on this but due to lack of transparency we are lagging behind. There is a Laguna Hills City Official, who doesn't want to be named, who used a Bureau of Land Management formula to arrive at a $393,846 compensation that was wrong and many other numbers were wrong, citizens deserve more information in the report and the three of you have said no. Council Member Melody Carruth stated she will support the motion to be sure this is done every year but it is incomplete information. Council Member Joel Lautenschleger argued the current report is complete.
Public Comments - Barbara Kogerman, Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council stated, last Wednesday in Sacramento, her two interns and she appeared before a joint oversight hearing, a joint legislative audit committee and the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review on the topic of Local Government Transparency and Accountability. This was the first such hearing since 1987. The words heard over and over again in Sacramento were Public Trust and Abuse of Public Trust. She said she and the interns enthusiastically supported State Auditor Elaine Howell's recommendations that local agencies make available online and in bound form at their front desks a report on absolutely everything that they spend on City Managers, City Council Members and other top administrators, every cent, report it all, why on earth not? She added, in addition to the favorable response received from the joint committee the State Auditor was very receptive to the conclusions in her report on the City Managers' Compensations as were the State Controller and the Attorney General - Report it All.
She quoted a source in the Orange County Register who said the reports have to have 4 elements for federal State and local governments to regain fiscal health and economic sustainability - easy to understand, easy to access, honest accurate and reliable and presented in the right context. She added that the current 11 page document on the City of Laguna Hills Web site that leaves out so much information fails this test of fiscal health and economic sustainability so in the words of one frustrated observer at the last council meeting. What are you trying to hide?
Vote - Passed 5-0
Item 6.3 A - Update on 3/5 Marines Support Committee - 6.3 A - The report on renewed support for the 3/5 Marine Battalion requested by Council Member Melody Carruth at the Sept. 14 City Council Meeting was not completed by City Staff who are still in the process of contacting the cities of Irvine, Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and Rancho Santa Margarita to determine each city’s involvement level. A letter was also sent to the 3/5 Marines Commander and the Family Readiness Officer, requesting their assistance in correctly organizing this effort. More information should be back at the Oct. 12 City Council Meeting, the 3/5 is currently deployed to Afghanistan.
Editor's Note: It is surprising that city staff did not seek information from other cities and adequately research this prior to organizing an adoption support committee the first time back in 2007.
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
MATTERS PRESENTED by MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
Council Member Lautenschleger - remarked that the Soccer Fields look great. He also talked about attending the CA. League of Cities meeting and stated there are no retiree Health Plans in the City of Laguna Hills. Council Member Carruth said the new school superintendent is young, concerned and very invested in the job. He has young children and seems very accessible. SB 250 failed but will come back in another form to help reduce unwanted pet population. Mayor Bressette said thank you to all who helped with the creek clean up last week. They cleaned up 330 pounds of trash and recyclables.
CLOSED SESSION - NONE
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Elections Information - Laguna Hills City Council Candidates for 2010
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/principles-269212-guiding-candidates.htm - Click on "Data" and find the candidates you want to know about. This link from The Orange County Register is an interactive site where The Register asked candidates a series of questions and published their answers. The answers are interesting and the candidates can add information. To date only Craig Scott from the Laguna Hills City Council Candidates has failed to Participate!
The Laguna Hills Watch Dog has a Candidate Questionnaire for all non-incumbent City Council Candidates. We will be happy to e-mail or hand you one to fill out if you are
running for City Council in Laguna Hills and wish to have your information included in the Laguna Hills Watch Dog. The Non-Incumbent candidates for Laguna Hills City Council
are:
Saeid Hariri - http://votesaeidhariri2010.webs.com/platform.htm ,
Ali Djowharzadeh - http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/11/02/ca/or/vote/djowharzadeh_a/ or
e-mail VOTE4AJ@gmail.com
Only Barbara Kogerman has filled out and returned our questionnaire and we have not yet been able to locate a web site for Ali Djowharzadeh.
The Incumbent Candidates are Melody Carruth - www.melodycarruth.com/
Please consult the candidate web sites to find out more about each candidate.
Many candidates have Campaign Signs ready now - if you want one for your yard please contact the candidates: Barbara Kogerman at 949-855-9889 e-mail to Kogerman4council@cox.net and the other candidates can be contacted through their information above. Of the non-incumbent candidates, Barbara Kogerman has delivered to citizens in Laguna Hills the Term Limits for the Laguna Hills City Council Initiative which will be on the November Ballot and her study of the Total Compensation Of All City Manager's in Orange County that led to State Legislation requiring transparency in public reporting of compensation for city staff and elected officials. Of the Incumbent Candidates Mayor Randal Bressette and Council Member Melody Carruth are both stressing the need for Accountability and Transparency in Laguna Hills City Government, the only Incumbent City Council Candidate for 2010 who has recently voted AGAINST additional transparency and Accountability for the City of Laguna Hills is Craig Scott.
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 & Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
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 & Comments from Watch Dog Readers -
Political scientist Jaime Regalado said a city like Bell, with a large, hard-working immigrant population where one in six people live in poverty, is an easy mark for a crooked government. Many people are too busy working to get involved in city matters and those who do are easily intimidated or given the run-around. In Laguna Hills people may not be in poverty but they are hard working and busy so don't let the opportunity pass this time to vote OUT Craig Scott who is the glue holding the majority of 3 who are against transparency and accountability in this city council together. Everybody needs to get out to Vote this time but NOT for Scott. Former Insider, now outside by choice
I looked, as you suggested, on the Laguna Hills City Web Site under City Council and Craig Scott where Scott is advertising his business. Why is it not a conflict of interest to have this guy negotiating the rises and bonuses for the City Manager and why is Scott allowed to advertise his business on the city web site? - Craig is the author or co-author of six books in his field of legal specialization. Soon to be published is his Severance Agreements: 6 Steps™ to a Better Deal (A How-To Guide for City Managers and Other Public Executives). What is going on in this city?
Professor Smoller, and his students have now been honored for their parts in Barbara Kogerman's report on OC city manager salaries and after all the harassment of the students by the OC City Manager's Assoc., the CA. League of Cities and city council members who reject transparency, the students and Barbara Kogerman were invited to Sacramento where they testified to help correct the problems with lack of transparency in compensation reporting. LH Citizen, still listening
Smith & Voshall: Without change, 'baby Bells' inevitable - http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-268205-cities-manager.html#article-comments
The 3 Laguna Hills council members who consistently Vote Against Transparency and for generous raises and bonuses for the City Manager and Assistant City Manager are constantly saying they did such a great job for Laguna Hills with their 2% at 60 CALPERS Retirement Plan for employees, but always fail to mention that the City pays both the employee and employer contributions for the plan and there is also a supplemental PARS Plan and an additional 457 plan which = 3 retirement plans. So, to keep it honest, an example of just the CALPERS plan is - if the Laguna Hills City Manager who started in city management at about age 25 retires at age 65 he will have had 40 years of service (there is no cap on years of service). If his salary tops at $350,000, 2% of that would be $7000 multiplied by his 40 years of service so at age 65 his annual retirement benefit would be $280,000. The citizens would continue to pay that for the rest of his life and for the rest of the life of the person who is his beneficiary. Now this doesn't sound like such a good deal and when you continue to add annual raises and the additional retirement supplemental plans it could be a lot more. It's time for honesty in this city and we aren't getting that from Craig Scott, Songstad or Lautenschleger who seem to feel they are better off if we are kept in the dark.- Citizen in the light
(Resolution #2004-06-08-4)
More on Laguna Hills' retirement costs - A
City of Laguna Hills Agenda Report from Administrative Services Dept. 4/27/1999, item 4.4: staff investigated amending the City’s PERS contract of 2% at 55 . . An examination of the 2% at 55 program revealed some inherent inconsistencies. Fundamentally, the advantage of the program is greatest if one retires at age 55. From that point forward, the value of the program declines until age 63 when there is no monetary difference between the 2% at 55 and the 2% at 60 programs . . .. Staff investigated other programs and made a recommendation that allowed the city to provide a supplemental retirement plan with the following noteworthy advantages over PERS 2% at 55: Instead of declining in value after age 55, the PERS defined program would continue to increase in value offering employees an incentive to remain with the City.
Additionally, the City paid over $44,000 last year into the City Manager’s private retirement program. The City also provides and pays for medical, dental and vision insurance plans for all full time employees and elected officials and their dependents. In addition to the annual stipends for each part-time city council member of $7,483.92, the City pays from $22,428.96 to $23,825.60 annually for each of 4 City Council Members for health, medical, dental and vision coverage, and $11,300.76 annually for the 5th Member of the Council, and paid $1,324 into PERS
for each council member last year
.
OC Register Response from Mayor Randal Bressette to dropping 2 Sheriff's Deputies from the Laguna Hills Police force in 2009 - My top 3 priorities are restoring Sheriff's staffing to pre-2008 levels following elimination of 2 deputy positions by the city council over my objections - we should have cut management instead. (The Council Majority, Council Members Craig Scott, Songstad and Lautenschleger, voted to drop 2 Sheriff's deputy positions in 2009, the same year in which they gave the City Manager his full 10% bonus and a $60,000 car.)
OC Register Response from Council Member Melody Carruth to dropping 2 Sheriff's Deputies from the Laguna Hills Police force in 2009 - Protect levels of law enforcement and public safety by restoring funding for Sheriff deputy positions cut during the last budget by the council majority.
Get rid of the Non-Transparency Deadlock in the Laguna Hills City Council with NO VOTES for CRAIG SCOTT who year after year negotiates the City Manager's raises and bonuses and consistently votes against transparency and accountability. - ACCOUNTABILITY FIRST
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 - 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
OC Register News Stories & blogs re: Laguna Hills
Transparency honor goes to Brandman students, law passes
OCREGISTER: City to look at renewing support for Marine battalion
OCREGISTER: No support committee just yet for Laguna Hills' adopted battalion
OC Register Editorial: City pay data belongs in daylight
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-261556-compensation-cities.html
Proposed California law would sanction cities that pay excessive salaries
http://www.latimes.com/news/la-me-bell-legislation-20100812,0,4204782,email.story
Mad scramble to yank veil off city salaries begins
http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/08/05/mad-scramble-to-yank-veil-off-city-salaries-begins/62215/
California's city officials scramble to limit damage from Bell scandal
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bell-impact-20100729,0,6243085.story
OCREGISTER: Editorial: Maybe call it the city of Alarm Bell
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-258416-bell-county.html
California's city officials scramble to limit damage from Bell scandal
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bell-impact-20100729,0,6243085.story
OCREGISTER: Editorial: Maybe call it the city of Alarm Bell
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-258416-bell-county.html
Editorial - 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,"
http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/compensation-249743-city-public.html
Top city manager compensation: $460,809, report says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/top-city-manager-compensation-460809-report-says/57287/
Controversial city manager compensation report now online
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/
Frustration, lack of transparency mar quest for city pay data
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/26/frustration-lack-of-transparency-mar-quest-for-city-pay-data/57991/
Prof defends students, study, in wake of city manager attacks
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/01/prof-defends-students-study-in-wake-of-city-manager-attacks/58291/
Laguna Hills defends city manager pay increases
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251558-manager-channing.html
OCREGISTER: Kogerman submits term limit initiative
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251580-council-kogerman.html
City Manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.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 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
Top city manager compensation: $460,809, report says
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/top-city-manager-compensation-460809-report-says/57287/
Controversial city manager compensation report now online
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/17/controversial-city-comp-report-now-online/57357/
Frustration, lack of transparency mar quest for city pay data
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/05/26/frustration-lack-of-transparency-mar-quest-for-city-pay-data/57991/
Prof defends students, study, in wake of city manager attacks
http://taxdollars.freedomblogging.com/2010/06/01/prof-defends-students-study-in-wake-of-city-manager-attacks/58291/
Laguna Hills defends city manager pay increases
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251558-manager-channing.html
OCREGISTER: Kogerman submits term limit initiative
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-251580-council-kogerman.html
City Manager who got car now gets performance bonus
http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-223526-bonus-manager.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 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
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