Laguna Hills Watch Dog Special Edition - 2011 Laguna Hills City Survey for 2011 -Synopsis
conducted in March and April of 2011

The survey instrument for the 2011 survey was designed after consultation with the city manager and staff using the 2007 instrument as the starting point. The instrument used in the 2011 survey incorporated many of the questions used in the 2007 survey so that comparisons of the results of the two surveys could be made. The 2007 instrument does differ in several respects from the instruments of previous years. Questions about recycling, library services, public schools, Doctor’s Ambulance services, type of connection to the Internet, and shopping destinations were removed in 2011. Questions about social media usage, the source of most information about Laguna Hills, web-streaming city council meetings, and whether respondents’ dogs have been spayed/neutered and are licensed with the city were added in 2011.

Most of the respondents in the sample owned their homes (91.5 percent), were between the ages of 46 and 70 (62.7 percent), had some college experience or a degree (91.1 percent), and incomes over $100,000 (48.3 percent). Seventy-five percent of the respondents lived in Laguna Hills for more than 10 years. Eighty-three percent lived south of El Toro Road.

Forty-four percent of the sample was comprised of full-time or part-time employees. Forty percent were retired. Sixty percent were female. Twenty-two percent of the respondents had children under 18 living in the home with most having one (9.3 percent) or two (7.3 percent). About one-third (32.2 percent) had children in high school.

Maintain a low Crime Rate - Nearly all (94.0 percent) the respondents reported that maintaining a low crime rate was either extremely important (44.6 percent) or very important (49.4 percent) to them. The majority of respondents rated police service as excellent (37.8 percent) or good (45.8 percent). 24.4 percent reported that they called to report a crime (see Table 49). Other common responses included reporting a suspicious activity (13.7 percent). Among other reasons for contact were: called police because of a disturbance, noise problems, an emergency, a parking violation, and attending a neighborhood crime watch association meeting. 90.9 percent of the respondents who had contact with police rated police personnel as very professional and courteous.

Maintaining the Streets - Eighty-seven percent of the respondents reported that maintaining the streets was either extremely important (23.6 percent) or very important (63.3 percent) to them. When asked about streets concerning the quality of street and road surfaces in the city, a large majority (84.7 percent) rated street quality as either excellent (26.4 percent) or good (58.3 percent).

Providing Trash Collection and Recycling Services was either extremely important (29.3 percent) or very important (53.8 percent) to 83.1 percent of the respondents. 93.2 percent of the respondents rated the solid waste collection system as either excellent (40.9 percent) or good (52.3 percent). Twelve percent of the 26 respondents indicated that they rated the collection fair or poor because of missed pick up(s). 66.3 percent of the respondents reported that they had contacted CR&R and 98.1 percent of the respondents stated that their inquiry was resolved to their satisfaction.

Preparing the City for Emergencies - Eighty-three percent of the respondents indicated that preparing the city for emergencies was either extremely important (31.5 percent) or very important (51.5 percent) to them.  Respondents were asked if they utilized social media such as Facebook, Twitter or MySpace. Approximately one-third (34.2 percent) answered “yes.” When asked which applications they used, one-third (33.5 percent) reported using Facebook. Less than 3 percent used any of the other applications. Forty-four percent of respondents were either very likely (30.3 percent) or somewhat likely (13.2 percent) to use social media to receive instant emergency information.

Keeping Public Buildings and Facilities Clean - Seventy-two percent of the respondents indicated that keeping public buildings and facilities clean was either extremely important (15.8 percent) or very important (56.4 percent) to them.

Managing Traffic Congestion Around Schools was either extremely important (21.0 percent) or very important (47.7 percent) to 68.7 percent of the respondents.

Maintaining Slopes, Parks and Street Medians  was reported to be either extremely important (12.8 percent) or very important (55.6 percent) to 68.4 percent of the respondents. 85.8 percent of the respondents rated park maintenance as excellent (33.5 percent) or good (52.3 percent). Ratings for street medians and parkways were also strong. Thirty-four percent of the respondents rated street medians and parkways as excellent, and 54.0 percent rated them as good. Ratings for slope maintenance (71.3 percent excellent/good), came in behind those for parks and medians/parkways.

Enforcing Traffic Laws was either extremely important (18.6 percent) or very important (48.5 percent) to 67.1 percent of the respondents. When asked about traffic speed on residential streets, 53.4 percent of the respondents indicated that residential traffic speed was not a problem.

Reducing Traffic Congestion on City Streets Sixty-two percent of the respondents reported that reducing traffic congestion on city streets was either extremely important (14.8 percent) or very important (47.3 percent) to them. When respondents were first asked about traffic congestion in the city, 64.5 percent of respondents thought that traffic congestion was a serious problem.

Providing Library Services - Fifty-nine percent of the respondents indicated that providing library services was either extremely important (16.5 percent) or very important (42.3 percent) to them.

Keeping Citizens Informed of City Business and Events - Fifty-nine percent of the respondents reported that keeping citizens informed of city business and events was either extremely important (12.1 percent) or very important (46.5 percent) to them. Thirty-one percent of all respondents had visited the city’s web site in the past 12 months. This percentage represents an increase from the 27.1 percent who had visited the site in 2009. Respondents who had visited the web site were asked how often they used it. Over half (51.2 percent) used the web site less than monthly. Twenty-two percent used it at least monthly. Twenty-six reported using the site only once. Respondents who had visited the web site were asked the reason why they had visited the site. 30.8 percent used the web site to get general information on the city. Thirteen percent used it to register for recreation classes. Other reasons included: election information, look up salary information, pay a parking ticket, real estate research, and to follow-up on a complaint. 18.5 percent of the respondents stated that the web site was excellent and 59.7 percent of the respondents rated the web site as good. The percentage rating the web site as “excellent” generally appears to have decreased since 2007.

Providing Animal Control Services - Fifty-two percent of the respondents reported that providing animal control services was either extremely important (12.4 percent) or very important (39.2 percent) to them. The quality of animal control was the next question posed to respondents. The majority of respondents (57.8 percent) rated animal control services as excellent (16.0 percent) or good (41.8 percent). Only 41% of Respondents questioned answered “yes”to having any dogs. When asked if their dogs were spayed or neutered, 93.2 percent answered “yes.” Ninety-six percent of respondents with a dog reported their dog was licensed with the City. **Incorrect and misleading information in this question - no dogs are licensed with the City in Laguna Hills, they are all licensed with the County Animal Shelter in Orange who provides all of the Animal Care Services for Laguna Hills.

Providing a Variety of Recreation Programs - Providing a variety of recreation programs was reported to be either extremely important (6.3 percent) or very important (38.8 percent) to 45.1 percent of the respondents.

Revitalization of Commercial Areas - Forty-four percent of the respondents reported that revitalization of commercial areas was either extremely important (7.9 percent) or very important (35.9 percent) to them.

Providing Special Events - Less than one-third (29.6 percent) of the respondents indicated that providing special events like the 4th of July fireworks show was either extremely important (6.6 percent) or very important (23.0 percent) to them.

Trail Systems - 48.1 percent of the respondents indicated that they had used one or more of the trail systems. Usage appears to have fallen since 2007. 22.8 percent of the respondents indicated that they used the trails a few times a week and 18.5 percent used the trails once a week.

Video Streaming City Council Meetings - Respondents were asked if they would be likely to watch web-streamed city council meetings if the city decided to provide this service. 37% of all respondents reported they were either very likely (10.4 percent) or somewhat likely (26.4 percent) to watch council meeting on the web (see Figure 19).

Information about the City - Respondents were asked if they were aware that the City publishes a newsletter called “City Views.” 64.3 percent were aware of the newsletter. Respondents who were aware of the “City Views” newsletter were asked if they read it, 87.8 percent of the respondents answered “yes.” Answers to the question - What is the source of most of your information about Laguna Hills?, indicated that more people in Laguna Hills get their news about the City from the OC Register (29.6%) than from any other source including the City's own Newsletter (18.1%) that is mailed at taxpayer expense to every residence in Laguna Hills and the LA Times Newspaper (6.3%). For the first time the Laguna Hills Watch Dog got a mention in the stats (1.3%). Because we at the LH Watch Dog have a list of e-mail subscribers and stats from our blog, we know our numbers are significantly higher than the numbers noted here so we are assuming those for the OC Register are higher as well. 379 people responded to this question.

Fire an Paramedic Services - Respondents were asked to rate fire and paramedic services. A large majority of the respondents (81.0 percent) rated these services as excellent

I Receive Good value for the City taxes I pay - The Strongly Disagree column has steadily increased since 2001 from 1.6% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011, the Disagree column has increased from 4.9% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011. The Agree column is high at 55% in 2011 but has steadily dropped from 68% in 2001, and the Strongly Agree in 2011 increased from 19.5% in 2001, and 21.4% in 2009 to 27.5 % in 2011.

Of those who contacted a City Employee in 2011 the Mayor and Council Members were the most frequently contacted - in 2009 (25.7%) and 2011 (26.4%). 72.6% of respondents said the City Employee they contacted resolved their problem, 27.4% said their problem was not resolved.

Feeling of Safety in the City - Ninety-three percent of the respondents indicated they felt Very Safe (47.2 percent) or Safe (46.1 percent) walking alone or with someone in their neighborhood at night, but the "Safe" rating has steadily decreased from 53.9% in 1995 and the Not Safe rating was 6.7% in 2011 - up from 5.3% in 2009.

Overall ratings of Laguna Hills being a good place to live - Excellent rose from 66% in 2009 to 67.5% in 2011 but Good decreased steadily from 39.8% in 1995 to 31% in 2009 to 28.5 % in 2011.

Graffiti Problems - Respondents were asked if graffiti was a problem in their area. Seventy-seven percent reported it was not a problem

Signage Problems - When Respondents were asked if the presence of commercial and retail signs in Laguna Hills detracted from the appearance of the city a lot, a little, or not at all, 53.2 percent of the respondents stated that the presence of such signs does not detract from the appearance of the city at all.

Property Maintenance Problems - Respondents were asked if commercial or residential regulations regarding property maintenance should be more or less restrictive or the same as they are now. As shown in Table 86, 27.5 percent of respondents thought that commercial regulations should be more restrictive while 30.8 percent of respondents thought that residential regulations should be less restrictive.

FUTURE SPENDING PRIORITIES

Improve landscaping on slopes and open spaces - Fifty-five percent of respondents who answered ranked improving landscaping on City-owned slopes and open spaces as either their first (27.1 percent) or second (27.8 percent) for future spending.

Expand and improve trail system - Nearly half (47.5 percent) of respondents who answered ranked expanding and improving the city-wide trail system as either their first (22.0 percent) or second (25.5 percent) priority. 22.8 percent of the respondents indicated that they used the trails a few times a week and 18.5 percent used the trails once a week. Retired respondents were more likely to report using the trail systems a few times a week compared to those of other employment status. 25.1 percent of the respondents rated the trails as excellent and 64.2 percent rated them as good.

Increase number of recreation facilities - Increasing the number of recreational facilities was the first (20.0 percent) or second (25.5 percent) priority for 45.5 percent of respondents who answered.

When asked What changes would you like to see in Laguna Hills, 24.5 percent of all respondents thought that no changes were required, 14.3% didn't know, but in answer to the question:   If City Government could change one thing to make Laguna Hills a better place to live now and in the future, what change would you like to see, residents who had suggestions to offer said this:

Parks/athletic fields/trails
Build a dog park.
Build an aquatic park.
Good public swimming pool, because there is no public swimming pool available.
I want to see more trails and businesses.
I would like the city to be more environmentally friendly.
I would like them to put restrooms inside the parks.
I would like to keep horse trails.
I would like to see a dog park by the recreation facilities.
I would like to see a small park on the edge of Ridge Route.
I would like to see parks that are nicer.
I would like to see redeployment of the community center's athletic fields.
Improvements to city parks, larger and more numerous.
More parking at the ball fields and the community center.
More parks and trails.
More parks.
More places for teenagers to hang out.
More playing areas for very young children (under 2 years old).
More programs for seniors.
More support of the local baseball fields.
My husband would like to see more sports parks.
Nicer community center and a ball park.
Park entrance from her yard to have steps
Pay more attention to the senior citizens.
Racquetball courts.
Some kind of recreation center, so I can utilize a track to run or walk on.
We don't have a park close to our house because all the other cities have one, but we do not.

Government processes/city communication
A more open election for council members.
All the goofballs could get out of here.
Allow the people to moon the train. Other than that they are doing their job, and publish City Council's salaries and reimbursements.
Change the council members.
Get rid of the city manager.
Lay off the third of their staff, and get them to working harder in landscaping.
Less politicians.
Make sure the city council meeting [?] are published online.
More and better quality communication with residents. Don't like flyers they send need more one on one.
More citizen involvement.
More communication to the citizens in regard to city issues.
More up front and honest about running the city.
Not to roll over with the political corruption. Some councilmen need to be removed. Do not agree with gay marriage decision.
Televised city council meetings.
The whole city divided into equal parts, with a city councilor for every portion of the city to make it fair and even, so we all have representation.
They should dissolve themselves. It should be under county administration.
They should use more actions instead of politics.
To see the city in one piece, eliminate separation in Laguna Hills. Improve the parking next to Laguna Hills community center.
Transparency: Where everything is out in the open: salaries, meetings and proceeds and process thereof are published.
Worried that the new council woman might change things.

Traffic lights
Better synchronization of traffic lights. That would relate to traffic flow.
Better traffic control
Better traffic control.
Better traffic control.
Better traffic timing on Alicia Pkwy.
Controlling the traffic and the streets is what I would like to see. Making intersections safer.
Survey Research Center, University of North Texas
I would like to see better coordinated signals.
I would like to see the street lights to be set up and working on the regular.
I would like to see traffic lights that are more synchronized.
I would like to see the “Welcome to Laguna Hills” sign near the freeway replaced.
Improve the flow of traffic. Especially on El Toro and La Paz.
Less traffic lights.
Lighting.
One thing. To synchronize those stupid lights. That's no joke! Especially with the price of gas these days, you get stopped at every light.
Stop lights readjusted. No more low income housing.
Synchronized traffic lights.
That El Toro I-35 needs easing of traffic.
The stop light timing goes faster
Traffic flow patterns would be improved in my vision.
Traffic flow.
Traffic lanes should either increase or add a warning if it is a turn only lane before it is too late.
Updating the traffic signals.

Roads/road planning
Better road conditions.
Better roads
Fill the potholes.
Fix the roads: Moulton.
Get rid of traffic on Alicia Parkway at night.
I am concerned about how they have handled street repairs; it has caused traffic congestion.
I guess taking care of the roads a little better, especially in front where I live.
I think they could repave Ridge Route.
I would like the road repairs done quicker.
I would like them to smooth out the bumps in the sidewalk and on the street.
I would like to see better roads and free health programs.
I would like to see improvement in the streets and landscaping.
I would like to see the finishing of the pavement of El Toro Road and Moulton Rd.
Stop doing different construction projects and finish the original and be done with it!!!
I'd like to see a lot of streets repaired, and I'd like to see better care of the city property.
Improvements on the road, they are full of potholes.
Some of the roads need to be fixed.
The potholes and keeping the roads paved nicely.
The quality of paving in residential streets is an embarrassment to the city of Laguna Hill. It’s too bad the city council doesn't care.
The work on the streets should be completed faster and finish one project before starting a new one, slows down traffic.
They need to fix the south corridor by Alicia.
Well paved streets.
Well the roads; they need to be fixed. There is a lot of damage to the roads. We have a park up the street and there's a continual [stream of] water coming down the street right in front of our house; it's slimy and running green. My husband has called them about it and they have not done anything about it yet.
Well, they are improving the roads. And that is the main thing that I would like to see done.

Landscaping/maintenance/city clean-up
Better landscaping on the streets.
Create areas for the community to work on placing plants and trees in the neighborhood, in which would make the community flow and look a lot better.
I can't say off the top my head, I'm not really unhappy with anything. Actually molten rework is taking too long. I want to see public work done efficiently and residents are not in convinces. Specifically the rework on Molten parkway.
I honestly don't know. I live off of Osell (Oso?) Parkway, between Cabot Rd and Nelly Gail Rd (sp?) there are hillsides with lots of untrimmed shrubbery. I believe it's the responsibility of the homeowners association, but it is not being taken care of.
I would like to see better landscaping.
Improvement in the cleanliness of the city.
Keep the palm trees and branches trimmed, so they do not house rats.
Landscape, cleaning of off ramp to Laguna Hills, because it looks filthy. Because going to Mission Viejo looks better, I mean we had trees for the past 20 years. And all our neighbors had to call to get trees trimmed. My concern is that every year it’s going to be the same thing. So I would like to see the widening of the streets and signals on Paseo de Valencia.
More landscaping.
Plant more trees in the parks and city areas, and mitigate the sounds and pollution effects of the freeway. Also, I would like to have a decent size city animal shelter.
Quality of the neighborhood has gone downhill, graffiti and poor maintenance of yards.
Take better care of the slopes and along the roads.
The landscaping all over, do not seem to like to trim trees.
The street sweeper isn't as thorough as he should be but that's my only complaint.
They could do better on landscaping along the roads and parks.
They have a slope right behind me that needs to be maintained. They need to realize when it's theirs and to keep it clean. I would like to see better maintenance of the slopes and properties around my house. For example, the palm trees and the slopes are eye sores and I'd like for the city to know if they own certain properties before they say they can't fix them.

Schools and education
A middle school for Laguna Hills.
Better schools.
Higher rate of night classes.
I wanted a better education, schools, smaller classrooms.
I would change...I don't like the fact that there is no middle school in my area.
I would like for there to be a junior high school.
I would like to see them spend more money on their high schools.
I'd find a way to get a junior high school within city, so kids don't have to cross freeway to get to intermediate school.
Improve the surrounding school system.
Improved educational system.
Make the schools better. Keep the kids active, more active, or as active as they have been.
Over all security system. The schools do not have a lot of safety and people have concerns about their safety. The facilities around the school need to be more secure for the kids’ safety.
Put more money into public schools and provide more activities for the youth.
The kids that live in Laguna Hills could go to school in the city of Laguna Hills.
Um, give more money to the schools.
Very concerned in the Laguna Hills High School. They are no longer meeting education standards. To attract business to the area there are too many empty spaces in the area. They need to move traffic and to be attractive to business.
We need to look in to where the kids are coming from in our school. We need to see where everyone is coming from. The streets are crowded and the schools are crowded, so it is unclear where the kids are coming from.

Staff/Council compensation
A lower price city manager.
City manager is making too much money compared to other city sizes.
I don't see any immediate change needed. Salaries of city officials are bothersome.
I would not change anything right now, except maybe salaries and benefits for government employees.
I'd like the see the city managers' to a reasonable salary, 150-175 thousand. I also think the assistant city manager. They should be moved to services for children and the elderly.
More efficiency, Employees are overpaid, city council is grossly overpaid.
Pay officials less pay, Laguna Hills is not too big so I think they are paid too much.
Pay the city manager a lot less money, reduce the overhead of city government, cost, city bases.
Reduce city manager’s salary. He is making too much money.
Reduction of the city manager’s salary.
Salary review.
Stop wasting money on the medians and the roads.
The biggest thing we're looking at is the salaries being paid to the officials. Some of the salaries in some of the towns are getting excessive. If you're a part-time city mayor and you're getting $400,000, that's a lot of money. I think that city improvements would be a better location for the money.
The cost in government drop. City manager is making too much money along with staff.
The expense account.

Police/law enforcement
A city government. Improve the Police Department.
Enforce the laws that they make: they have no drinking in parks, no smoking in parks, no storing of trailers or boats, and none of these laws are enforced.
I would like more police patrols and less costly children's' classes.
I would like to see a stop on the organized crime, gang, and dirty cops in the area. I would also like to see warning signs near residential areas and apartments that warn people about the keynotes in the area so they can protect their dogs or cats.
I would probably like see a better effort from law enforcement to solve drug use at parks.
I would say more police and sheriffs, and making sure that hill sides are cleaner.
Improve the Police Department, and more observation of general crimes. Improve the traffic stoplights and city congestion.
It's a waste of time having cops looking for traffic violators within the neighborhood I live in. Don't waste taxpayer money on that.
More law enforcement.
More policemen drive around because of robberies.
Nobody pays attention to traffic signals.
On the street of Olso Parkway, patrol needs to be heavier for speeding.
Police force is too aggressive.
Police officers who better complete their jobs and district attorney who better complete their jobs as well.
Probably more policemen.

Festivals/events/services/public transit
Better transit system.
Better transportation, better stoplights systems. You have to wait 5 to 7 minutes. Traffic control and more bus stops. Better telephone system and better water systems and better public parks, put more effort in cleaning the parks.
I believe more community events.
I would like a swimming pool and transportation for people who don't drive.
I would like to see more community events.
I would say a better service between Laguna hills bus station and Urban train station.
Maybe better public transportation, such as more bus routes and more frequently too.
More access to wider sidewalks more community availability.
More activities for young people.
More city public transportation and lower costing community classes.
More public transportation, and more walkable city, and more bike trails.
Probably more community events.
Public transportation.

Code enforcement/zoning regulations
Fairness in enforcing city code and lack of uniformity and tend to play favorites and specifically the law.
Get rid of illegal immigrants and they are a drain on the school system and they don't contribute taxes. I would like to see the travel trailers off the street. I would like to see people who live in Laguna Hills doing the survey.
Get rid of illegal immigrants. Less safe and poor economy, multiple people living in the same condos. Shopping carts on front lawns and street.
I noticed more graffiti. It looks horrible and makes it look worn down.
Making it easier to get conditional use permits.
More aggressive enforcement on people who don't clean up their lawns and on street parking in neighborhoods.
More cost effective local government. More streamlined planning and building department.
More mixed use development.
Not allowing smoking in apartment buildings.
Stricter laws on shopping centers to keep them more exclusive.
They could do a better job with the way people take care of their homes. Take away trashy cars off the streets, and some of the playgrounds should have bathrooms.

Housing/growth/property taxes
Better housing.
In areas that don't have home associations, the city should have more control of how the homes look. In some areas that don't have them, the neighborhoods look really bad, reducing the property value.
It's going good. Maybe around the Laguna Hills Plaza, it's going bad. Something should be done there to liven up the place.
Less development.
Less taxes. (2)
Like to see the city government not grow, services that can be outsourced, outsourced.
Lower taxes. (2)
Lower taxes. Don't like supporting people who don't belong here.
Stop building.
To try to keep the growth rate down. The good thing about Laguna Hills is that it is not too crowded, but in the last 10 years, there has been more traffic and more people.

Traffic enforcement/Parking issues
A little more parking space, shopping centers and more roads to get around.
I would like them to stop using my street as a car park.
I would like to see better parking on the streets. Particularly around the corners where the cars are just packed and it makes it very difficult to go around the street.
Little better traffic enforcement, real bad problem with people running lights and making right hand turns when it's not allowed.
Nothing specific comes to mind.
More condominium parking,On our street, we can't even park in front of our own house. It used to be so open.
Post the signs for street cleaning days throughout the neighborhood as opposed to one location.
Some arrangement that would limit jammed parking space along the streets in the city. There are certain areas where it's like one lane between the cars and the curb. Both curbs and down the center of the street is the only thing available. It obscures stop signs and it's generally dangerous ... The east end of Cousteau (from Alicia east through Mackenzie) is [particularly bad] ... more cars than houses. I have a 3 car garage ... but cars park in front of my driveway anyway. They overhang into my driveway.
We need more street parking closer to the house. One of the main streets has been designated “no parking” and it's a pretty wide street.

Animal shelters
A dog shelter.
An animal shelter.
Animal shelter is needed.
I would like to see an animal shelter, so they don't have to go to the Orange County or Kill shelter.
I would like to see them build a local animal shelter in the city or combined with other south county cities.
I'd like to see a no kill animal shelter
I'd like to see them cooperate with other cities and an animal shelter.
Well, I think that it would be very helpful if there was an animal shelter so we wouldn't have to go to Orange County. Something more nearby would be helpful.

City services/distribution of funds
Cut down on expensive [?] and would like to see a dog park.
I think they can stop spending money on things they don't need to.
I would like to see if they could sell the city hall that they've got and make some money off of that.
I would like to see the city manager take a salary more in line with the private sector. Such as half of what he is currently getting.
Lower costs.
Maintain and expand city trail systems and provide facilities like benches and water fountains at trail intersections and trailheads.
More services and less expensive than now.
Spend less money.
Stop spending money on the lavish improvements of the city hall and on large bonuses to the city manager.
To stop squandering money, they seem to have money to burn. Planting grass like in Alicia Parkway.

Utility issues
City using less water.
Do something about the blackouts in the city.
Fix water situation. They are all rationing on water.
It's dark around here. I would like more light at night.
Summertime is too dry and the hillsides should look better. They look too dry.
The end of water rationing.
They have chopped down all the utilities trees by the highway just to put in one new lane.
To improve the water quality of the city.
Well, I guess the water district is becoming an issue. They keep jacking up our rate. We use the same amount of water and it doesn't make sense. We used a lot of water this winter, it is not right.

Traffic
Less traffic problems at peak hours.
Less traffic. (4)
Reduce the traffic through the city.
Traffic concerns, freeway exits into Laguna Hills are too congested.
Traffic.

Shopping
Disneyland or a big mall.
More restaurants.
Strip malls and large mall is run down and need to be updated.
The appearance of the shopping center so that it looks more attractive, and the ability to access the freeway better.

New library
A library, more gardens, and parks. A better post office location and better post office.
A library.
Have libraries.

Public assistance
More services for people who are older than 65 such as handicapped travel assistance. Transportation for special needs to doctor’s appointments.
More support for senior issues.
Their assistance to bring back small business.

Jobs
I want to see it that we get people in here for jobs, when I first lived here it was empty. Growth is good, but let’s get people jobs. Either by giving people tax breaks or something and get business in here.
I would want to see more jobs because right now I am unemployed.

Other
A new post office.
But there are houses that people moved (from) and left abandoned, and there are health problems. I have called the city but to no avail. Mosquitoes.
Continuing the diversity of city council, well the past election we had a new member and we were happy and we want to get new [members] in. I'm very happy with last election, new member.
Developing an ethnic problem in Laguna Hill and I would like to see something done about that.
I don't want city government doing stuff, want a simple lifestyle.
I would like to change the area where I live. It's in a bad condition.
I would like to see more friendly people that are more trusting with one another.
I would like to see them to take down the trees in the back my house at Alicia Parkway. It is also a safety hazard, if those trees split during a storm, it would not be a safe situation.
Just make it more of a community somehow. The town is so spread out so it doesn't have a real town feeling. When I first moved here they would show on the local cable access network someone going through all of the propositions that you could vote on and explain what each one meant. I think this was very insightful and would help people know how to vote. I think they should start doing this again.
Less control by Nelly Gail.
Lot more provisions for older people.
Make it have more of a downtown. Like a central downtown, like in the mid-west.
Pay the teachers better and get rid of tenure. We have great teachers and they are being bullied out of money.
That we could have more dogs in the area.
The neighborhoods have greater identity, a fostering of neighbors knowing each other and participating with each other.
The post office being closer to homes, or more centrally located.
There are two of them. More intelligent management of projects such as street reconstruction (execution was poorly done). And finding a way to give the citizens of Laguna Hills the ability to use recycled water for their plants, rather than regular water. There's a third, as well. Stop any and all development until the area has sufficient water resources available so we don't go on drought condition by increased residential and business development.
To be more resident friendly, for example garage sale signs being ripped down.
To make it more inviting during the holidays. There weren't any decorations for Christmas and it was like, “Come on, let's celebrate.”
To restrict the kind of people who move in to the area and so that it doesn't look poor, and to have the crime rate go down.
To see the kind of services they offer. I don't know what they offer.
Un-privatization of parking violations, taken care of by private company, as well as the hassle taking care of parking violations. Would rather deal directly with Laguna Hills.