HEADLINES - Under Items of interest from the Warrant Register 4.5 - Proposed Construction of Bridge from Cabot Rd. to Camino Capistrano at Merit Circle may affect equestrian crossing; Under Consent Calendar - Employer-Employee Relations Resolution between City and City Staff; Under Planning Agency Public Hearings - Preliminary Report for Renovations and Additions to Moulton-La Paz Shopping Ctr.; Under Information, Comments, Questions and Concerns - Per FCC Guidelines Problems with Cox Cable can be reported to the Franchising Authority which is the City of Laguna Hills. Current widespread problems with Cox's onscreen TV Guide and recording of programs is unresolved and getting worse.

2012 Candidates for City Council - It is an election year again for 2 of Laguna Hills City Council Members - Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleter. If you are interested in running for either of these council seats go to the City Web Site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ and click on "Interested in Running for City Council in 2012" on the Face Page for details.

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
January 24, 2012 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting

All council members were present
============================== 

City Council Meetings are now recorded in Video and Audio on the City Web Site. - Continue to see information for Win-Win -Wednesdays under - INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers, Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Citizen Alerts for future Council Meetings will be published on this blog site within 4 days prior to each council meeting. Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday February 14, 2012, 7 pm, at City Hall. Attend a City Council Meeting to speak or send e-mails to Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS - A Certificate of Recognition was given to Kylie West, LHHS Student Liaison for the Fall 2011 Semester, and a thank you for a job well done.  Kylie thanked everyone for this opportunity and noted this was her first time in a public speaking role. Staff report states the LHHS PTSA established the Student Liaison Position in 1993.

LHHS Students Jeena Bonutto and Adam Wong were given the oath of office as the new Student Liaison and alternate for the Spring 2012 Semester.

A Mr. Mark Gfiffion was introduced by the City Manager as a person who is here from Australia, had served as a City Manager in New Zealand and is currently the Director of Corporate Services for the Scenic Rim Regional Council. He is here to look at our emergency services offered in CA. He will also attend the annual Statewide City Manager's Conference next week.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Jeena Bonutto, alternate Adam Wong.

Jeena said the students are in the midst of finals now. Sunday, Feb. 12 is the Music Program's USO Concert at the Club House in Laguna Woods from 4 - 7 presenting 1940s Music. Go to www.Lagunahillsmusic.com for more information and you can buy tickets online. Ms. Karen Heffernan is the new PTSA President. The school just got 85 new computers. The Student Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Gunsolley is presenting Technology and Dangerous Teen Trends Tues. Feb. 28 from 7 to 9pm. Parenting Classes are starting for an 8 week course in Managing Family Conflict. The Drama Dept. is presenting Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. In Winter Sports every team, so far is in 1st place in the league. Jeena announced that Wesley Burkhard, LHHS Soccer player and team captain, was just recommended as a scholar athlete for the OC Varsity "and he has a 4.5 GPA, which is insane, I don't know how he does it!"  A Teen Info. Ap. for the I-Phone is now available for LHHS to tell everyone where the LHHS teams are playing.

MINUTES - City Council Approves 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 until the next city council meeting so there is always a significant delay for the public related to timely documentation of information from the city.

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $1,193,088.30
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None

Items of interest from the Consent Calendar -

Item 4.3 - Progress Payment 3 for energy efficiency project. Final payment of $16,584.12 for replacement of one 15 ton and one 12 ton roof mounted AC Units, replace 3 pumps with 3 variable frequency drive pumps, install T-8 lights and occupancy sensors, replace incandescent bulbs with LED based lamps at all traffic signal locations, and replace pedestrian indicators with LED based lamps. Location - Civic Center and citywide traffic signal locations.

Item 4.4 - Progress Payment 10 for La Paz Rd Widening at I-5 - $170, 208.30

Item 4.5 - Cabot-Camino Capistrano Bridge Project - Study from the City of Mission Viejo for Proposed Bridge to connect Cabot Rd. at Merit Circle with the northerly end of Camino Capistrano in the City of Mission Viejo. Public Hearing to be held in the City of Mission Viejo on Feb. 13, 2012. Staff report states City of Laguna Hills identified 2 concerns not addressed in the environmental documents. 1.- related to equestrian crossings on the new Cabot Rd. Camino Capistrano Intersection and 2. need for traffic signal interconnection and synch with the intersection of Cabot Rd. and Oso Pkwy.

Item 4.6 - 1 year extension of joint recreation maintenance and operation agreement the Saddleback Valley Unified School District for use of Upper LHHS field. Fiscal Impact - Approx. $15,000 annually for night lighting of athletic fields and maintenance.

Item 4.7 - Progress Payment 3 for Avenida de la Carlota widening project of $67,437.36

Item 4.8 Employer-Employee Relations Resolution (EERR) - Staff Report states these are procedural rules and regulations to address issues between the City and Laguna Hills City Employees Association. The City attorney's Office and City Management staff have developed this draft for presentation to the Association and approval by the City Council. The EERR addresses recognition of employee organizations, bargaining unit determinations, rights of management and employee organization, meeting and conferring regarding matters within the scope of bargaining and impasse resolution. The EERR does not address wages, hours, benefits or other terms and conditions of employment. Once the EERR is adopted the Association may decide to request a meeting with the City regarding wages, hours and working conditions which ultimately lead to an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). In the absence of an MOU the current salary and benefit structure will remain in effect until either party decides to make changes. No Fiscal Impact at this time.

Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion - None
Vote - Consent Calendar was approved 5-0


PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS -
Public Hearing Comments - None
Administrative Reports - Preliminary Report on a request from Vintage Property Group to remodel and expand the Moulton - La Paz Shopping Center using property to be acquired from the City.

Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger recused himself from the discussion related to living within 500 ft. of the project.

Mr. Chantarangsu, Community Development Director, presented the Staff Report regarding - A complete exterior remodel and expansion including the sale of 3 acres of land from the City to facilitate the development. There will be approx. 30,000 sq. ft. of new retail space including a 20,000 sq. ft. upscale grocery store which cannot yet be named. Existing buildings will get Craftsman style facade renovations with exposed gables. The facades will include decorative ledger stone. The buildings appear to be 2 stories from the outside but are actually one story. The appearance of the buildings is very attractive and there will be attractive new landscaping as well. In answer to Council Member Kogerman's question about streamlining this process for applicants, Mr. Chantarangsu explained that the meeting tonight is part of a streamlining process that includes preliminary meetings for the City Council/Planning Agency to see the plans in advance and comment on concerns, details, suggestions, etc. to give direction to the developer who, in this case, is Vintage Real Estate.

Comments from the council members included: Bressette had concerns re. lighting in 2nd story windows that could disturb surrounding communities, ample landscape to provide screening for the surrounding community, consideration of safety related to how the equestrian trail crosses the driveway, careful consideration of sign heights and pedestrian access to the site. He said he liked the architecture very much and the City should notify citizens in surrounding communities who could be affected even if they live more than 300 ft. from the site. Songstad asked about the numbers and types of tenants that would be in the new center. Kogerman mentioned she liked the look of the center and suggested making the supermarket look inviting from the street to attract more customers. Carruth noted she would like dedicated pedestrian access to encourage people to walk to and from the center and said she liked the architectural elements used in the design.
**There will be a PUBLIC HEARING for this project at the March 13, 2012 City Council Meeting.


CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS -

Administrative Reports - Item 7.2.1 Volunteer Connection Day Feedback and any proposed changes. Next Volunteer Connection Day is scheduled for Sat. April 21, 9am to 12pm.

Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent presented the Staff Report stating a name change to "Green Expo." was considered to increase attendance and to tie into Earth Day. The Parks and Recreation Commission was not in favor of this name change. The event continues to be trail clean-up and tree planting, this time on Aliso Hills between Mendocino Ct. and Alicia Pkwy., and one painting project. Event attendance was 94 in 2008, 97 in 2009, 99 in 2010 and 49 in 2011. Staff is considering hosting a Green Expo as part of the event with vendors that promote the importance of conservation and recycling. They are considering adding crafts and other art projects and perhaps a name change to Earth Day Laguna Hills. The Parks and Recreation Commission moved to engage the PTAs of each elementary school to work on the green element of the event. Fiscal Impact to the City about $1000. Dan said they would like to add a Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center in the parking lot and have the Surf Rider Foundation to accent the need to prevent litter on beaches related to how everything that goes into storm drains, drains to the beaches.

Comments from Council Members included: Lautenschleger said he was not thrilled about the Wyland presentation, argued that the Wyland trailer in an already full parking lot would interfere with Soccer Registration that day, and suggested alternate areas for trash clean up.  Kogerman expressed she was skeptical of changing the name to Earth Day and about Surf Rider Foundation participation to their political stance on the 241 expansion. She said she liked the Wyland thing but understood about the parking lot situation. Bressette asked if the City was locked into the date of April 21 and told it was, so suggested the Wyland Trailer be repositioned because it would be a great draw for children if well publicized. He added he didn't like the Earth Day name and would hate to see political issues about the toll roads brought up by the Surf Rider Foundation. Carruth said she liked the universal Earth Day name because children understand it and they don't understand the old name "Volunteer Connection Day". She added we all want clean water and air so although she understands political considerations she thinks this should be open to anyone to participate in promoting clean air and water. She said she liked the Wyland Mobile Learning Ctr. and suggested that children who attend work on a mural of the event to be presented at the same event next year. Songstad said the name change was appropriate, the trailer was okay if it can fit somewhere and the Surf Rider Foundation is a good connection related to everything draining to the ocean.

A motion was made to rename the event Earth Day Laguna Hills and incorporate the Wyland Trailer if feasible and the areas Lautenschleger suggested for trail clean-up.
Vote - Motion Passed 5-0


MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS **These Items are authored Council Members. The council member who authors an item also does all the research for that item - NONE


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS -

Lautenschleger announced a Flea Borne Typhus Alert from Vector Control and passed out flyers containing reminders of how to control fleas in an out of the home.

Carruth asked if the City will be compensated for the trees and railing that were in the corner of the Oso-Cabot Rd. improvement? Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer answered CalTrans has committed to some future improvements on that corner and the City will be receiving a small compensation from the County of Orange to cover the cost of re-landscaping that corner. Carruth also noted that City Manager Channing represented the City at the ACCOC Sex Offender Policy Discussion Forum last week where City Atty. Simonian was quoted often.

Songstad spoke about attending a League of Cities Meeting last week. He said there was an Initiative from California Forward that provides for more transparency from the State Govmt. but also encourages Cities to collaborate regarding sharing resources, revenues and services on a regional basis, overseen by the County with some monetary incentive from the State. Songstad said he was pleased to see that this was not well received. He said he is going to ask for this item to be agendized for a future meeting because it will be coming back. He said Redevelopment Agencies were also discussed and a Pension Reform Initiativs were floating around.

Kogerman brought up the new Caltrans off ramp from I-5 to OSO Pkwy. again, to stress that she has taken that ramp several times now to study how it works and has observed that a significant number of cars cross the double yellow lines/bumps illegally to avoid having to turn right on Cabot Rd. She noted that the signage there is poorly done, and the potential for accidents is high.  She asked the City Engineer to speak with Caltrans again about this. Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer responded that CalTrans essentially says they have the same set up on other off ramps that are not problems so they don't believe there will be significant problems here either. Kogerman also requested that Mission Viejo contact the HOAs for Moulton Ranch and Nellie Gail Ranch regarding their Cabot-Camino Capistrano Bridge Project.


CLOSED SESSION – Another Conference with Labor Negotiator Continued regarding the Terms and Conditions of Employment of the City Manager. Annual Public Employee Performance Evaluation continued regarding the City Manager.

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday February 14, 7 pm, at City Hall. Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
================================

CITY COUNCIL and CITY MANAGER REPORT CARD - Categories - (T) Transparency for Citizens, (A) Accountability to Citizens, (CI) Championing Citizen Related Issue, (AG) Achieving Citizen Related Goal Grades - (P) Pass, (A) for Authoring a Citizen Friendly Item, (F) Fail, (A+) Extra Credit. City Manager will be scored related to online and agendized Staff Reports and Requests.

Bressette - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Carruth -  P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Kogerman - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Lautenschleger - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Songstad - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

City Manager -  A - for adding a streamlining element to the City Council/Planning Commission Process for citizens and businesses.  We hope that this preview for the Council/Planning Commission with result in an actual time savings when planning issues come back to the Council for approval.  A - for assisting the council to create a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day.


INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:

Regarding Transparency in the City's Online Public Official's Compensation Report

Anonymous said...
No matter how many words they use they are not going to be able to smother those shocking numbers. That compensation is a joke regardless of length of time on the job. Also, when nothing ever changes for so long, the council members, the top managers, etc. things can definitely go stale and that seems to be what has happened here. Running a small city like this does not require a genius or a wizard but for the sake of citizens it should require council members and top officials who are open to new ideas and to change. I don't see that with these people and the relatively empty Laguna Hills Mall is one example of that sad fact.


Regarding the Safety in the Parks Issue

Anonymous said...
Regarding the child safety ordinance and the comment that there have not statistically been any incidents since Laguna Hills has been a city: We live on Hon Ave., my daughters attend LHHS, my junior assists at school with the developmentally disabled kids. A person who lives in our neighborhood, just three weeks ago not only exposed himself but also pleasured himself in front of very small children at Clarington Park. The watchful parents were oblivious, until a passing Fed Ex driver stopped and held the young man until the sheriff arrived; nope, never any such incidents in our city's history!  Laguna Hills

Anonymous said...
Hey, Lautenschleger's never had to be accurate because no matter what he said people voted him back into office for 20 years. So, why should he bother now?


Regarding Laguna Hills City Council and the Business Community

Anonymous said...
Last week I attended a meeting with a group of people from our local area. During a break a friend, who was also attending the meeting, asked me what was wrong with the Laguna Hills Mall. I thought for a moment and asked what he meant. His answer was quite simple and to the point. He pointed out that the food court was no longer there, that many specialty stores had moved out or were purely seasonal and that the anchor stores, Sears, Penny’s and Macys apparently did not generate sufficient traffic to enhance the revenue of the specialty shops and the food court.

My answer was; the thing that’s wrong with the Laguna Hills Mall is Laguna Hills.
Both Lake Forest and Mission Viejo have undertaken large programs to update, modernize and make shopper-friendly the Arbor of Lake Forest and The Shops at Mission Viejo. By comparison, what has Laguna Hills done to keep pace? – you guessed it – nothing. The city council has given lip-service to a combination or tie-in between the mall and the Oakbrook Plaza shopping area to the east. However, there has been no initiative or discussion to date from the city council.

I would presume sales tax revenue is an important source of funds for Laguna Hills. It is difficult to imagine the Laguna Hills Mall holding its own against The Arbor or The Shops. Perhaps the city council is too preoccupied with parking restrictions, signage, and council chamber mural decisions to undertake the more daunting and difficult task of promoting an environment for businesses to generate sales and thus provide sales tax revenues.
Maybe 20 years on the city council is just too long to tackle a tough problem.

Council Member Barbara Kogerman said...
Although I certainly share many of the previos blogger's concerns about the city council majority's priorities, particularly regarding the need to be proactive in attracting and retaining business, and making the process friendlier for new businesses, I must comment on the perception that the Mall is in trouble.

I have personally seen many of the excellent plans the Simon group is actively considering for renovating the Mall to make it an attractive and successful asset for the City. The vacancies you see are part of their preparation for major renovation, as they phase out leases in the south part of the Mall or fill vacancies with short- term tenants only, as the southern end will likely become an entertainment and dining center. Their plans are not final, and various concepts are being entertained, but I can tell you that the Laguna Hills Mall will undergo a transformation we can all enjoy and be proud of. Oak brook Village will undergo major improvements as well.  Nothing official has come before the Council, only concepts, but I am convinced we will see specific plans soon and all will have an opportunity to weigh in and create something wonderful for the City.  I only hope the Council majority will support streamlining their efforts and minimizing red tape to make the whole project viable for the property owners. We will all benefit. So stay tuned.

Anonymous said...
In response to Kogerman's response above. Thank you for those reassurances about the Laguna Hills Mall. We hope that there will be some progress on that soon, the many years of deterioration there don't speak well for the long time City Council and City Manager.

Regarding Chronic Problems with Cox Communications

Anonymous said...
In 2011 Assistant City Manager Don White told Councilmember Kogerman that the City collects about $480,000 annually from COX Cable and that goes to the general fund to safeguard the public's interests in the absence of competition. So where is the City now when the citizens need some safeguarding from COX? Nice deal for the city, bad deal for customers?

The COX onscreen TV Guide has not worked well for months and is getting worse. You often can't tell what programs are playing or when and you can't record programs because they are listed incorrectly or not listed at all. Sometimes to get one program recorded you have to record 2 which takes up too much space on the limited amount of recording time available, etc.

I have spoken with COX 4 times, sent e-mails, responded to online surveys from COX and all I got was that the online guide is having widespread problems, everybody who subscribes to COX, not just me, and they don't know when it will be working correctly. Meanwhile we will all continue to pay the same rates for services that don't work.
Why is the City not requiring COX to refund the portion of our cable rates that include the online guide and the recording of programs until the problem is solved?  Apparently the City is there to collect funds from COX but not to safeguard the citizens. How has the city spent that COX money for the last 20 years and what are those safeguards they are supposed to be using for the public interest?

Anonymous said...
In response to the blog comment about Cox. We are so frustrated with them. We are having the same problem and when I looked online I saw that Cox subscribers in Arizona are having this problem too. It must be everywhere but when we called Cox we were not told this. They tried to send signals to our box, etc. but none of that worked. This is ridiculous.

Anonymous said...
I am relieved to hear I'm not going crazy and other people are having the same problems with Cox but I'm very angry that Cox has not been honest with me about the problem affecting everyone and about how long it's taking to get this fixed. We are paying a fortune for this service and there always seems to be some kind of problem but this is ridiculous. I understand they were a monopoly in this area for a long time. That must be why they are paying the City. The first blogger is right the City needs to do something and there should not be any monopolies. Competition keeps the prices lower and the services better.

Anonymous said...
We have Cox too and we've had the same mess for a long time. We have to try to fool the system to record shows, some of our favorite shows aren't even listed and other are listed twice, etc. The last time we called Cox we were advised to continue to try to fool the system as we had already learned to do on our own.

Anonymous said...
Here is information I found on the Cox Cable TV problem - Cable Television - Where to File Complaints Regarding Cable Service You should always contact your cable company first when you have a complaint. If you are not satisfied with your cable company's response, contact your local franchising authority. The back of my cable bill states - To dispute the outcome related to your cable service, you may file a complaint with your local franchising authority: CITY of LAGUNA HILLS, 24035 El Toro Rd. Laguna Hills CA.

The Federal Communications Commission and local franchising authorities are responsible for enforcing a variety of cable television regulations. A franchising authority is the local municipal, county or other government organization that regulates certain aspects of the cable television industry at the state or local level. The name of the franchising authority may be on the front or back of your cable bill. If this information is not on your bill, contact your cable company or your local town or city hall.

Anonymous said...
Take a look at this from FCC site at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cable-television-where-file-complaints-regarding-cable-service
Questions or complaints handled by your franchising authority/City of Laguna Hills include:
Rates for basic service and equipment, installation and service charges related to basic service. This refers to the lowest level of cable service and generally includes local broadcast channels and public, educational and governmental access channels.
Rates for cable programming services tiers, also known as "enhanced basic." Cable programming services tiers ("CPSTs") include those programming services except the basic service tier, and does not include any premium channels (such as HBO or Showtime) or any pay-per-view services. The CPST rate is determined by the cable operator and is not subject to government review.
Customer service problems, including billing disputes, office hours, telephone availability of personnel, installations, outages and service calls. Local franchise authorities may adopt the Commission's Customer Service rules, at any time. The local franchise authority must provide the cable operator 90-days notice prior to enforcing the federal standards and may not adopt more stringent standards without the cable operator's consent.
Franchise fees, which are determined and retained by local governments.
Signal quality, including interference and reception difficulties.
Use of public, educational, and governmental (PEG) channels. These channels may be required as part of the franchise agreement. Your local franchise authority can provide information on any terms or conditions of use.


Regarding the Trees the City is planting in Communities

Anonymous said...
I was at a meeting and heard a young man from Laguna Hills say that he didn't want one of the many trees the City is asking residents to accept in front, and in some cases to the sides, of their homes. It was explained to him that the City sends residents notifications telling residents that if they don't want a tree they can say no and send the notification back to the city. This system is backwards. Companies used to be able to send people credit cards unless they said no, that was a problematic nuisance is now against the law. There should not be a negative response system for trees either. Trees, though beautiful, can also be huge problems for residents related to where they are placed. They can glog plumbing, and uproot hardscape such as driveways, sidewalks, etc. and they need a lot of care and water, which is expensive these days, and trimming. This City needs to take another look at their policy and change it to be more respectful of their residents. Residents should not have to waste time looking for junk mail that requires a negative response to prevent receiving something they don't want.


Regarding Songstad's Comments on the City

Anonymous said...
So, Songstad thinks that without him the City will deteriorate into mediocrity. What does he envision doing about that problem when inevitably, assuming he is only human with a limited life span, he will no longer be able to continue or term limits will take him out of the running? Is he concerned only for the City during the time that he will be living in Laguna Hills or does he have a succession plan?


Regarding our Police Chief Steve Doan

Anonymous said...
Steve Doan is a down-to-earth, very accessible gentleman. We will miss him in Laguna Hills!

Anonymous said...
We want to express our thanks to Chief Doan. We had a terrible problem in our Castle Hill neighborhood with speeding and eventually got some signs from the City but Chief Doan's deputies responded right away and made a big difference. The signs help long term but the police presence was an immediate help and they continue intermittently. Thank you very much Chief Doan from the non speeders in our neighborhood that is full of children.

Anonymous said...
After the City Council cut 2 sheriff's deputies from the budget, Chief Doan still did a great job for us and was always responsive when I had a question. That couldn't have been easy and we appreciate his good work.

Anonymous said...
Chief Doan's deputies made a big difference in the speeding problem on Lost Colt Dr. over the years Thank you to Chief Doan and his deputies. We are sorry to see you go.


WIN WIN Wednesdays!! is an ongoing series of restaurant fundraisers, a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA. Students, their families and members of the general community dine out for a great meals, and in return the restaurants donate a percentage of their proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. It's good for us AND it's good for local restaurants, hence the concept of WIN-WIN.

Year long fundraising projects like Win-Win Wednesdays allow the PTSA to fund many worthwhile programs such as "Every 15 Minutes" (a vividly realistic drunk driving prevention presentation), the Award Winning "I Can Make a Difference" program and the Safe and Sober all night "Grad Night" party that Keeps our kids not only safe but in Laguna Hills and on campus continuing a 23 year tradition that makes us HAWK Proud! ** Until further notice, Flyers are available through Hawk Happenings and/or as a link from the LHHS (Laguna Hills High School) web site. The WWW site was hacked and we are working to restore linkage.

February 1 - Pei Wei Asian Diner (Lake Forest) 11am -9 pm ** Bring the Pei Wei flyer **
February 8 - Habit Burger Grill (Aliso Viejo) 11am-9pm ** Bring the Habit Burger flyer **
February 15 - Ruby's Diner (Laguna Hills Mall), Breakfast, lunch or dinner ** Bring the Ruby's flyer **
February 22 - Baja Fresh (Laguna Hills) 10:30am to 9pm ** Bring the Ruby's flyer **
February 29 Pending
March 7 - Pick Up Stix (Laguna Niguel) Lunch or Dinner ** Bring the Pick Up Stix flyer**

** Be sure to "LIKE" us on Facebook to help spread the word and Don't forget our "WWW Everyday" Partners like Its a Grind Coffee House, Alpha Cleaners and Golden Baked Hams. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!


HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION - Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Donation checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. The Non-profit Corporation 501 (C) (3) status has been approved so all donations are tax deductible. E-mail Mike Bland at 35bland@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, etc. The city's e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site by clicking on this link - http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/

Please see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Facebook page by clicking on this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-Team-Darkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!

** Don't miss the very compelling Stories from Jane Wayne Day - Local Citizens Living as Marines for a day at Camp Pendleton, by Karen Robbins at http://www.benzinga.com/users/karenrobbins


NEWS STORIES AND BLOGS ABOUT LAGUNA HILLS: Click on the links below to see the stories.

Fred Smoller,The Brandman University Professor of Public Administration, "who offended the power elite" when his Master's Degree students won awards assisting Council Member Kogerman to research the total compensation of City Managers in Orange County has just resigned from his post. Why did this happen? - Click on http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/10/12/professor-who-offended-power-elite-resigns-post/109833/

LAGUNA HILLS CITY WORKERS: 12 PERCENT UNDERPAID?http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/09/01/laguna-hills-city-workers-12-percent-underpaid/95765/

Which city council makes the most money? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/07/11/which-city-council-makes-the-most-money/88311/#comment-169311

LA Times: Laguna Hills City Manager Salary http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oc-salaries-20110621,0,1126677.story

In O.C., city pay can be steep, but it’s not ‘abusive’ June 20th, 2011 http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/06/20/in-o-c-city-pay-can-be-excessive-but-its-not-abusive/85631/#comment-165059

June 9, 2011 ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT - Compensation Study of Orange County Cities http://www.ocgrandjury.org/pdfs/comp-study-oc-cities/Compensation-Study-of-Orange-County-Cities.pdf

City manager says compensation is fair http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-303264-channing-compensation.html

Political rebel faces an uphill battle http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-303262-kogerman-channing.html

Councilwoman: Public pay report inaccurate, self serving http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-299908-report-council.html

OC Watchdog Lavish health benefits slashed in Laguna Hills, Tustin http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/05/12/lavish-health-benefits-slashed-in-laguna-hills-tustin/82833/

After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writerhttp://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633
Click on http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.

No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/

Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/

OCREGISTER: Laguna Hills councilwoman says no to health benefits http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-282972-benefits-council.html

O.C. cities lavished health benefits on council members http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/06/oc-cities-lavished-health-benefits-on-council-members/69544/

Who has the best-paid city council in California? (updated) http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2010/12/02/who-has-the-best-paid-city-council-incalifornia/69418/ In Laguna Hills the Taxpayers pay the entire cost of heath care premiums for the elected part time city council members and their families. In addition, the City Manager's contract states "To the extent that payment of all or any portion of the dependent rate of premium, is not approved by the city council for all city employees, Channing shall be entitled to a salary increase or cash payment sufficient to cover the amount of premium or rate for dependent coverage not provided by the City plus applicable income taxes on that amount."

OCREGISTER: Chris Norby: Local officials susceptible to 'Bell syndrome http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/elected-276253-city-syndrome.html "Bell syndrome thrives where elected boards vote in lockstep, where groupthink is elevated, and skeptics are ostracized, and where top staff are seen as irreplaceable experts – with rubber-stamped salaries to prove it. Bell syndrome thrives when self-congratulation trumps self-examination."


CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY the DARNDEST THINGS IN PUBLIC! - Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members

January 10, 2012 - Council Member Songstad said, "I find it interesting that we are in a discussion where we are being asked to provide less information rather than more information, I thought transparency was all about providing more information."

To clarify for Council Member Songstad "Transparency" is not simply an amount of information it is clarity of information - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Transparency) - free from pretense or deceit, easily detected or seen through, obvious, readily understood, characterized by visibility or accessibility of information. Wikipedia (Transparency Behavior) - Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. All organizations have a transparency culture, but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done.

November 27, 2011 - Regarding the ordinance establishing parks as “Child Safety Zones, Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated, “Let's make one thing perfectly clear, there have been no sex crimes against children in the City since we incorporated."

You should have done some fact checking before speaking so boldly, Mr. Lautenschleger. According to information from the OC Sheriff's Dept. there have been 32 child molests in Laguna Hills in the past 11 years. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts.

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 Mayor 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.

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 unless you change members of the city council.

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN 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 2012 with 19 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician."


CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

For a roundup of Laguna Hills police calls check the Saddleback Valley News every Friday or click on - www.ocregister.com/news/saddleback


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