Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - June 12, 2012


Features Directory


** Special Announcements - For Questions, Concerns and the 20 year LAGUNA HILLS GENERAL PLAN for LAND USE, MOBILITY/CIRCULATION, CONSERVATION and OPEN SPACE, COMMUNITY SERVICES and FACILITIES, SAFETY, NOISE, and HOUSING in the City - Click on http://www.ci.lagunahills.ca.us/documents/depts/commdev/Laguna_Hills_General_Plan.pdf

** Candidate Web sites for Laguna Hills City Council in the 2012 November Election -
Dr. Raghu Mathur: www.mathurforlagunahills.com   and   Andrew Blount: www.blountforlagunahills.com

** Citizen Alerts for future City Council Meetings will be listed on the blog site within 4 days prior to a meeting - Consider attending a meeting that interests you.

** Presentations and Proclamations - Certificate of Recognition for Jeena Bonutto for her service as LHHS Student Liaison for 2012 Spring Semester and Appointment of Adam Wong as LHHS Student Liaison for Fall Semester with Amanda Jafee as alternate.
CA. Dept. of Food and Agriculture presentation on Citrus Disease that has affected OC and a Treatment Program.
** Public Comments - Thank you to the City from the City's Adopted Marines and brief review of Memorial Day. 4 speakers request a formal presentation re. safety problems at the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant to be agendized. Announcement of OPEN HOUSE at the 100 year old Barn located on La Paz between Aliso Hills and Paseo de Valencia on June 16 and 17.
** LHHS Student Liaison Report Jeena Bonutto, alternate Adam Wong -
2 HAWKS broke Laguna Hills swimming records, another HAWK runner, beat 4 school records, Win-Win-Wednesday continues all Summer. PTSA gave Language Lab to LHHS. LHHS one of only 4 schools to have onsite grad night. Question answered where is Jeena going now. Plus We have to say goodbye, again, and brief report on the LHHS Grad Night Preview Night.
**Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $641,261.65
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register - None
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register- None
** Items of interest in the Consent Calendar - Item 4.3 - Progress Payment # 14 for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5, Item 4.4- Agreement to fund nutrient, Fecal Coliform and toxics in the Newport Bay Watershed Agreement with the County, Item 4.5 - Award of Citywide Pavement Rehab. Contract to All American Asphalt, Item 4.6 - City's Conflict of Interest Code, Item 4.7 - Establishment of NO PARKING ANYTIME ZONE on Bridlewood Dr. Item 4.8 - Claim against the City re. a person on a bicycle struck by a bus and killed, Item 4.9 - 2012-2013 Trauma Intervention Program Agreement
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion - Item 4.5 Award of Citywide Pavement Rehab. Contract to All American Asphalt - some concerns about this company's work from Council Member Bressette.
** Planning Agency -
** Planning Agency Public Hearings - Requested to construct a new Chase Bank Building with DriveThru ATM, including Demolition of Existing Gas Station on property at 24799 Alicia Pkwy.
** Administrative Reports - Item 5.5.1 - A Very Business Unfriendly Reception related to Request for New Master Sign Program for THE HILLS HOTEL resulted in a Marathon Discussion and a stunned audience in the council chambers?  See Comments from 2 residents who attended this council meeting. 
** City Council Public Hearings and Public Comments - Administrative Reports - Item 7.2.1 - 4th of JULY EVENT BOOTHS - request to rent a booth at the City’s 4th of July event to Register Voters and advertise campaigns for City Council.
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members - Protesting Sun Busting Blazing Billboards in Mission Viejo? ** City Council Member Comments - Praising the City's Memorial Day Celebration!
** Closed Session - None Noted
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
* Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post. PLUS Win-Win-Wednesday! - About You can leave comments on the web site or send them to BlandMJ@aol.com We do not use your name in the comments section unless you give permission.
* How to support our 3/5 Adopted Marines and Updates -
* News Stories and Blogs about Laguna Hills - find more in the OC Register online under "City-by-City News" - "Laguna Hills" and in the OC Watchdog
* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
* Crime in your Neighborhood
* Instructions for Writing a letter to the Editor of the OC Register Newspaper


Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - June 12, 2012
All council members were present
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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

PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS -

Items 1.1 - A Certificate of Recognition was awarded to Jeena Bonutto for her service with dedication and distinction as LHHS Student Liaison for the 2012 Spring Semester January 24, 2012 - June 12, 2012. Mayor Carruth noted Jeena's academic excellence, basketball skill and countless hours of volunteer work in the community plus her reports that give us an inside look at what's happening at LHHS.


Item 1.2 - Appointment of Adam Wong as LHHS Student Liaison for the Fall Semester with Amanda Jafee as alternate. Adam Wong was absent but Amanda Jaffee was given an extensive Oath of Office by Peggy Johns, City Clerk and a Certificate of Appointment. Mayor Carruth noted that these LHHS Liaisons were selected by a PTSA Committee.


Item 1.3 - CA. Dept. of Food and Agriculture Presentation from Mark Olson, representative, Debby Tanoyye, Branch Chief, and David Pegos, Special Assist. Plant Health, on Citrus Pest Disease Program.


Mark said the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) is the pest that carries the disease and the report says this pest was detected in Irvine and San Juan Capistrano. The disease this pest transmits to citrus trees deadly. It is known as Huanglongbing (HLB).


** Editor's Note - Through questioning of the speakers by Council Member Kogerman at the end of the presentation we learned that this disease (HLB) does not always accompany the pest (ACP), but may follow, so with this information we could go back through this report and make more sense of the information re. the pest vs. the actual disease and could clarify that although Mark noted the pest (ACP) has been discovered in Orange County, the first find of the actual disease (HLB) was noted on March 30 in Hacienda Heights.


Debby said citrus trees that have the disease will turn yellow and the fruit will deteriorate. The treatment plan is to eliminate the pest through Tempo SC Ultra (syfluthrin) a contact insecticide for controlling the adult and nymphs of the ACP and Merit 2F (imidacloprid) a systemic insecticide for controlling the immature life stages of the ACP applied to the soil underneath host plants. The trees that have the disease will die so they are dug out of the ground and destroyed. The speakers said the disease is not harmful to humans or pets.


Residents on affected properties will be invited to a public meeting where officials can address their questions and concerns. Residents are notified in writing at least 48 hours in advance of treatment and after treatment residents are given completion notices detailing post- harvest instructions/precautions. The proposed treatment area encompasses the portions of Orange County that fall within an approximate 9 sq. mile area around each property where ACP has been detected. If residents think they have found the pest or disease in their trees they should call the CA. Dept. of Food and Agriculture hotline as 1-800-491-1899.  Council Member Kogerman made a motion to post this information on the City's web site and make brochures available through the City, etc. to assist residents. There was a consensus of opinion to do as Council Member Kogerman suggested but no formal vote.


There will be more information on this at a Booth at the Community Center for the July 4th Celebration and To Learn More click on - http://www.californiacitrusthreat.org/
You can also look on the City web site at: http://permits.ci.lagunahills.ca.us/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspxmeetid=105&doctype=AGENDA and scroll down the Agenda Items to - PRESENTATION ON THE CITRUS PEST AND DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM Click on this item and the supporting materials will pop up for you to read.


PUBLIC COMMENTS -


Richard Nagle, Laguna Hills resident and Team Dark Horse Committee Board Member said thank you from Lt. Col. Griffin, 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Sailors and their families to the Council, the City and the Staff for honoring the Dark Horse Battalion at this year's Memorial Day Race. More than 40 Marines from the Battalion ran in the race as well as other Marines from Camp Pendleton. Also running for the first time this year were the Stroller Warriors who are Moms with little ones who are married to Marines and have started a club to emphasize fitness. Heather Kelly ran the race and she is the wife of Lt. Robert Kelly who was one of the 25 from the 3/5 Marines lost in the last deployment to Afghanistan. Heather Kelly and 2 of her friends ran wearing Team Kelly t-shirts with a photo of Lt. Robert Kelly on the shirts. That was very inspiring! Then there was the Lance Corporal, Travis Haggerty from San Antonio, Texas who ran the race with an American flag containing the names of all 25 of the Marines lost in Afghanistan. He runs with this flag every week but in the race he carried it and Lance Corporal Phillip Chronis also assisted him. Mr. Nagle concluded with a quote from Lance Corporal Travis Haggerty who said, "This is how every town in America should be, like this town, everyone talking, interacting and remembering." Mr. Nagle added, Team Dark Horse is looking forward to the 4th of July, and hope to replicate that same atmosphere and spirit.


Mayor Carruth thanked Mr. Nagle and noted Mr. Bland the committee did a wonderful job and we had a great day. Council Member Bressette added his appreciation to the committee for their hard work on Memorial Day. He said you have made Memorial Day very patriotic and memorable for Laguna Hills.


Gary Hedrick from San Clemente Green said their exposure to this issue began for their environmental group at the end of 2009 when they were approached by workers at San Onofre who were afraid to report safety violations. Then the disaster in Japan raised interest in this issue and people began to listen. He asked people to take a stand on this to protect public safety. He noted that people within a 50 mile radius of the nuclear facility were reported as endangered in Japan but serious amounts of radiation went beyond 50 miles. He said since this is a matter of public safety he hoped this City would be willing to take a stand on this and give their group a chance to make a formal presentation.


Lorrie Hedrick added that San Onofre has been shut since January 31 of 2012 due to a radiation leak from steam from some generator tubes. These generators were installed a little over a year ago yet are showing extensive wear more commonly seen in tubes after 20 to 30 years. Something is seriously wrong and needs to be thoroughly investigated and understood. Edison and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission are inspecting and testing but no determination made yet. They are considering running the generating tubes at 50% power. Benefits don't outweigh the risks. She said according to the NRC San Onofre has the highest number of safety allegations, 10 times the industry standard, and retaliation to employees coming forward with safety concerns of all the nuclear power plants in the United States. She noted that several other cities have already taken action and asked for a presentation to be agendized for the City of Laguna Hills. She added for more information go to www.sanonofresafety.org


Harold Johnson from San Diego added that spent fuel rods are stored onsite. He said it's estimated that there are 4000 spent fuel rods that have been sitting there in temporary storage. He noted the NRC ruled recently that spent fuel rods can be kept on the property of Nuclear power Plants in the USA for up to 60 years past the expiration of their license. He said a court of appeals overturned that ruling - United States Court of Appeals through the District of Columbia Circuit decided June 8, 2012 #11-1045 State of New York et. al. vs nuclear Regulatory Commission. He added there is no permanent disposal system for spent fuel rods now.


Karen Stone, Laguna Hills resident for 24 years requested that a presentation of the nuclear facility in San Clemente issue be agendized for the City of Laguna Hills.


Council Member Kogerman asked the City Attorney about the City Council taking a tour of the San Onofre Facility. City Attorney Greg Simonian responded - If the majority of the City Council wished to take a tour of a facility the Brown Act would require that to be a fully noticed open meeting however if less than a quorum wanted to take a tour that would not trigger Brown Act requirements. After some discussion, it was decided to agendize this item for the 1st Laguna Hills Council Meeting in Sept., 2012 with representation from both sides of this issue.


Mr. Carence Hauschild from Laguna Hills announced an OPEN HOUSE in his 100 year old Barn located on La Paz between Aliso Hills and Paseo de Valencia on June 16 and 17. There will be popcorn and bottle water and all are invited to tour the place.


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


Jeena thanked the City Council for this opportunity and said she had learned so much. She said all the HAWKS keep soaring. Morgan Nassif broke Laguna Hills swimming records in the 200 and the 500 Free Style and Grace Anderson beat the record in the 200 Free Style beating Morgan's record. Selena Jones runner, beat 4 school records in her season of track and field. She won a league championship plus the1600 Meter run and the 3200 Meter Run. She won the CIF division 3 championship for the 3200 Meter Run and at the Master's Meet she placed in the top 12 out of 508 schools in the 3200 Meter Run. Win-Win-Wednesday is going on all Summer long. PTSA gave LHHS a year end gift of a Language Lab for next year. Jeena noted the Grad Night Preview on Wed. June 13 and Grad Night on Thursday June 14. She added that LHHS is one of only 4 schools to have onsite grad night. Jeena answered a question from Mayor Carruth that she is leaving in August to go to Texas Christian University to major in Sports Medicine.


** Editor's Note - We had to say goodbye to Jeena tonight. This experience is always a little sad for us because we know we will miss something special about each LHHS Student Liaison. We will miss Jeena's enthusiastic reporting, and her tremendous pride in her fellow students and school that always came through in her reports. We'll miss her generous spirit with all her hard work and involvement in helping the community through her creation of Teen Dark Horse to help the City's adopted 3/5 Marines and their families and other activities, and her dedication to covering all the school news. The happy part of saying goodbye to her is noting that she is now off to a University life of continued service in the field of Sports Medicine where we are sure she will be appreciated as we appreciated her here.


** Editor's Note - June 13 was the 2nd annual Grad Night Preview at LHHS with great eating establishments, serving samples. The Grad Night theme (we can say it now!!!) was GAMES, every imaginable game from Video War Games to board game from the ancient past of some alumni parents. The decorations were extraordinary and a rousing tribute to the cleverness, comedic ability and dedication of the parents and others who created them. Past and present HAWK teachers, alumni students and parents with friends and relatives and both curious and supportive members of the community all gathered to experience the fun first hand and marvel at the decorations and the planning that went into providing this safe and exciting Grad Night for the 2012 LHHS Grads. We are sure this will be a treasured memory for the Grads for rest of their lives.


CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $641,261.65
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None
Items pulled from the Warrant Register - None


Items of interest from the Consent Calendar -


Item 4.3 - Progress Payment # 14 for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5 - $349,216.60 to SEMA Construction, Inc. Construction began in April of 2011 and total paid to date is stated to be $3,110,896.68. Fiscal Impact to the City - Report states this is within the Capital Improvement Program Budget for this project, CIP No. 159


Item 4.4- Agreement to fund nutrient, Fecal Coliform and toxics Total Maximum Daily Load Programs in the Newport Bay Watershed Agreement with the County and other agencies in the watershed. The Newport Bay Watershed (Watershed) has been listed as impaired under the Federal Clean Water Act for nutrients, metals and toxics, including selenium, and pesticides. As a result of that listing, total maximum daily load (TMDLs) setting limits for the pollutants causing impairment must be monitored and treated. The City was a party to a 2003 agreement, through which the agencies in the Watershed funded the necessary water quality testing and development of Best Management Practices for the TMDLs. 2003 Agreement expires at the end of this month, all agencies in the Watershed have worked together to craft a refined and new five-year Agreement establishing duties of the agencies on a cooperative basis to allow work to continue on the TMDL issues. A small portion of the northerly reaches of the City are in the Watershed.
Fiscal Impact to the City - The annual cost to participate in this water quality improvement program is estimated to be less than $10,000 per year.
Staff Recommendation - Approval of the subject Agreement is recommended.


Item 4.5 - Award of Citywide Pavement Rehab. Contract - Staff Request for Contract Award to the low bidder, All American Asphalt for $1,778,169.00


Item 4.6 - City's Conflict of Interest Code - Staff Report states the City's Conflict of Interest Code is being revised to add the position or Senior Management Analyst. Report states - The Council Members, City Manager, City Treasurer, Planning Commissioners, and other public officials who manage public investments are required to file Statements of Economic Interests pursuant to Government Code Section 87200 et seq., therefore; they are not included as designated positions in this Appendix. It has been determined that the position(s) listed below manage public investments and will file Statement of Economic Interests pursuant to Government Code Section 87200: Assistant City Manager, Finance Manager


Item 4.7 - Establishment of NO PARKING ANYTIME ZONE on Bridlewood Dr. from Appian to 180 feet South. The City received a request from a resident of the community to evaluate sight distance at the intersection of Appian and Bridlewood Drive. Upon review, it was determined that the sight distance at this intersection can only be maintained if vehicles are prevented from parking on the east side of Bridlewood Drive from Appian to 180 feet southerly. The Traffic Commission, at its May 16, 2012, meeting, approved staff’s recommendation to establish a No Parking Anytime Zone on the east side of Bridlewood Drive from Appian to 180 feet southerly.
Fiscal Impact to the City - The installation of two No Parking Anytime Zone
signs at an estimated cost of $500. Funds are available for this work in the Fiscal Year
2011-2012 Public Works Maintenance Budget.
Staff Recommendation - Adopt the Resolution.


Item 4.8 - Claim against the City, Staff Report states - Heirs of Romeo Jimenez-Zavaleta - On May 11, 2012, the City received a claim in an undetermined amount filed by the Heirs of Romeo Jimenez-Zavaleta. This claim was filed due to a bus accident which occurred on November 12, 2011, at the intersection of Alicia Parkway and Paseo de Valencia, and resulted in the loss of life to Romeo Jimenez-Zavaleta. On May 19, 2012, the City Clerk received notification from its Claim Administrator to reject the claim. The City Manager has the authority to reject claims in amounts less than $50,000. Because of the nature and undetermined amount involved with this claim, it is recommended that the City Council reject the claim. The Government Claim against the City of Laguna Hills and the County of Orange states report that Romeo Jimenez-Zavaleta lost his life while on a bicycle when he was struck by a bus. The location was noted to be Alicia Pkwy. and Paseo de Valencia.


Item 4.9 - 2012-2013 Trauma Intervention Program Agreement between the City and Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (TIP) Staff Report states - The City of Laguna Hills has given financial support to the Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., (TIP) since June 24, 1997. The services provided by TIP are invaluable to victims of traumatic events and their families that live in, or are visitors to the City. TIP counselors also offer valuable assistance to our Public Safety Officers when needed. This arrangement remains both effective and cost efficient. The Agreement will provide the City with TIP services 24-hours a day for the year. The level of service provided by TIP will remain the same as in years past. They will ensure volunteer availability on a 24-hour a day basis. Some of the services TIP provides are grief counseling, referral services, shelter, food, and transportation arrangements.
Fiscal Impact to the City - The total cost of the service is $3,641.28, which equates to $.12 per capita based on the 2010 City population estimate of 30,344 from the 2010 United States Census Report. The cost per capita did not increase over last year and is within the amount budgeted for FY 2012-2013.
Staff Recommendation - Authorize the agreement.


Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar - Council Member Bressette pulled Item 4.5 Award of Citywide Pavement Rehab. Contract to All American Asphalt for $1,778,169.00 and made a motion to pass the rest of the Consent Calendar.
Vote was 5 - 0 to pass the rest of the Consent Calendar. Council Member Bressette asked Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services and City Engineer if All American Asphalt was the Contractor that Aliso Viejo used on La Paz recently. Rosenfield responded he believes that is the same contractor. Bressette asked if Rosenfield had an opportunity to inspect their work. Rosenfield answered that he has not. Bressette said there were a number of things he found very disturbing about their work related to how they ripped up asphalt in a manner that severely impeded traffic from a lowered asphalt level into driveways and entrances. Rosenfield responded that these may be issues of inspection and management of the contract. Bressette also noted that this company working over the Memorial Day Weekend caused significant traffic jams. Bressette and Rosenfield agreed to discuss all the concerns later. Vote - Item 4.5 passed 5-0.


MINUTES - The 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 but you can now watch and listen to the City Council Meetings on the City's web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us


CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY
PLANNING AGENCY REPORTS


PUBLIC HEARINGS and Public Comments -


Item 5.4.1 - Conditional Use Permit Requested on behalf of CHASE BANK to construct a new Chase Bank Building with DriveThru ATM, including Demolition of the Existing Gas Station on the property at 24799 Alicia Pkwy.


David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director presented the Staff Report - Gensler, on behalf of Chase Bank (Applicant), has filed an application to demolish the existing gas station at 24799 Alicia Parkway in the Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU) zone and redevelop the site with a bank building and drive-thru ATM. The subject site is located on Alicia Parkway at Hon Avenue. The project site is currently a Union 76 gas and service station, which will be demolished. In addition to the 4,415 square-foot building, the site plan consists of 34 parking spaces and a remote (not attached to the building) drive-thru ATM, with dedicated drive-thru lane and a canopy that can accommodate about 6 cars. The proposal meets all development standards including setbacks, height limits, parking, and landscaping requirements. While the applicant does indicate possible signage areas on the elevation drawings submitted, no signage is proposed with this application. The applicant will be required to apply for and receive approval of a Master Sign Program for the site prior to installation of any signs pursuant to Laguna Hills. Chantarangsu noted there would be less traffic with the bank during the day than with the Gas Station. The Design of the bank will be Spanish Revival Style and the Landscape plan will continue with the landscaping that exists in the area without the introduction of new species.


DISCUSSION Summary - Mayor Caruth inquired about circulation and about the Palm Trees on the corner that appear to be dying. Chantarangsu responded there are Pigmy and Queen Palms there and we talked about maintaining those mature trees because those are the kinds of trees that are throughout that area. Carruth agreed that is the theme of the area but noted new trees near It's a Grind and asked if that is an effort to modernize the area. Chantarangsu responded not that we know of. Council Member Bressette inquired about the landscaping.


PUBLIC COMMENTS - Chip Williams, Architect for the Project said he was there to answer questions. Council Member Bressette inquired about landscaping and signs. Mr. Williams said they will be re-landscaping the one corner lot. He said they could work with existing trees or provide new ones if desired. The bank works with a sign company that researches what is required. Bressette suggested that the signs and the landscaping should compliment each other.


Mr. Austin Hon, Civil Engineer noted that the new building will sit a little lower in the parking lot and have better access to rights of way. Bressette asked where employees would park. Mr. Hon clarified that they are providing almost twice as many parking spaces as the number required by code so employees with park within their own parcel as far from the building as possible. Council Member Songstad commented that a declining gas station is replaced with a new Bank Building which is a good deal for Laguna Hills. Carruth noted we have a motion that now assumes staff will work with the applicant to improve the landscape.


Staff Recommendation - Approve the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Overall the project will make an aesthetic improvement at a “gateway intersection” of the City. The addition of a bank to this commercial center will provide a valuable service to the patrons of the commercial center and to nearby residents and businesses. The applicant has demonstrated that the project complies with all development standards and applicable design guidelines. Additionally the project is consistent with the General Plan and with the
conditions of approval will not result in any significant adverse impacts to the public health, safety, and general welfare.
VOTE - 5-0 to approve the Conditional Use Permit.


ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -


Item 5.5.1 - Request for New Master Sign Program for THE HILLS HOTEL at 25202 La Paz Rd. in the Freeway Commercial Zoning District


Staff Report States - Mickey Wu of Future Sign Inc. (hereafter referred to as “Applicant”), representing The Hills Hotel, is requesting approval of an application for a Site Development Permit and Master Sign Program for The Hills Hotel, located at 25202 La Paz Road in the (FC) Freeway Commercial zoning district. The Applicant’s proposal includes:


• Addition of a white, light-emitting diode (LED) band along the roofline of the hotel
building on the east elevation, facing the freeway.
• Replacement of the existing changeable copy reader board located on the hotel’s
monument sign with a new electronic LED reader board.


David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director Presented the Staff Report - Background from Staff Report states - The subject site is located northwest of the Cabot Road and La Paz Road intersection, off the I-5 Freeway. Surrounding land uses include the I-5 Freeway to the north and east;commercial retail and professional offices to the south; and single-family residences to the west. Due to the layout of the site and curvature of the I-5 Freeway at this location, The Hills Hotel lacks visibility from the freeway. In November of 2010, a blue LED band was installed on the hotel’s roofline for much of its perimeter, drawing complaints from nearby residents. After turning off the LED band when approached by staff, the General Manager of the hotel, Michael Mofid, requested that the City Council amend the Code to allow the use of LED or neon on the roofline of a building, since having increased visibility from the freeway would benefit his business. In January of 2011, the City Council requested staff to prepare such an amendment, which was reviewed and adopted by the City Council in April of 2011. The amendment allowed the use of exposed neon or LED lighting to outline individual windows, rooflines, or buildings subject to approval of a Master Sign Program, and established standards designed to address aesthetic concerns and limit potential negative impacts to surrounding properties. The code amendment also included provisions for LED-lettered signage.


Staff Recommendation states Staff believes that the proposed Master Sign Program tastefully implements roofline LED lighting while remaining considerate of nearby residences. The LED lighting will only face the I-5 Freeway and will be a neutral color (white) that will help improve the hotel’s visibility from the freeway. Replacement of the existing changeable copy reader board to an electronic LED reader board will improve the aesthetics of The Hills Hotel’s monument sign while also improving the hotel’s ability to advertise itself. The letters on the current sign have to be changed by hand by a person on a ladder. Staff has added 18 Conditions of Approval designed to address concerns over lighting intensity, color, off-site advertising, and other issues. Therefore, staff recommends approval of Site Development Permit/Master Sign Program No. 11-11-2114. David Chantarangsu Community Development Director stated the City did send courtesy notices to all of the adjoining residential properties to the west of the hotel and did not receve any feedback.


DISCUSSION Summary - Council Member Kogerman noted that the roof lights do not flash, twinkle or change in intensity and the sign is simply being updated not changed in size. The sign advertising is limited to hotel functions and events, no off site advertising. This is an update to modern technology. Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger asked if the City has a light intensity code for the strip of white light facing the freeway. David Chantarangsu Community Development Director answered there is a standard within the sign ordinance that limits the light level to 0.3 lumens. Council Member Bressette if there was a light intensity limit on signs as well. Chantarangsu responded the same ordinance that limits the intensity of lights also applies to the signs. He added the sign will display a single color message advertising hotel services and the messages will change without utilizing distractive functions. Bressette asked how often the message would change. Chantarangsu answered it may change several times over the course of a day. They don't want continually changing messages because they don't want people to miss the services or events they are advertising. He added no type of action is allowed on the sign other than the changing of a message. Bressette said so the intent is to allow the applicant to change the lettering without climbing on a ladder. Mayor Carruth asked why this says the applicant must request an amendment to change the color of the light on the roofline, why can't we just recommend and insist that on the color. Chantarangsu answered that is because we are telling the applicant he can't just change the color on his own. Carruth asked if the light would be any brighter than that on Furniture Row. Chantarangsu answered not as long as Furniture Row meets the code. Carruth asked if we could connect the condition of the property to this signage request related to "funny things in the parking lot" storage area, open trash containers, she asked shouldn't we go there first before we begin granting these signs to the applicant? Chantarangsu responded that the state of the property would be another issue. Carruth said these conditions are in some ways based on trust so if we already have a problem with the maintenance of that property in terms of graffiti abatement how would we know he would not change out a sign in terms of color or a more living sign or one that is continually changing? Chantarangsu said the conditions of approval enable enforcement of the permit he was given related to revocation of the permit. Carruth asked about how many times the sign could change she added that we are "trying to work with the applicant in assuring that what we approve here doesn't turn into something else". **Editor's Note - It appears to us that what the Community Development Director is trying to communicate here is that the Mayor cannot personally control everything in the City which is why there are all these procedures with conditions of approval for a business to get permission to change something and a City staff to inspect for violations. City Attorney Greg Simonian responded that he had gone through the conditions of approval at length with staff and found them to be quite specific and more importantly consistent with the sign ordinance. He noted that the conditions of approval are enforceable as a matter of law. They are not just predicated upon trust or understanding or a subjective view by the applicant of what he/she may think or he/she has to comply with. They are revocable through a noticed hearing at which point the City has the authority to revoke a permit that's been granted. 9-42.260 Prohibited Signs in the Municipal Code, again this no flashing, moving, animated or intermittently lighted signs. This code provision precludes, prohibits the applicant from having a LED changeable copy sign that is changing color, flashing, varying degrees of intensity. Anything similar to Vegas Style lights would not be permitted at all. Mayor Carruth continued - So the stories one reads about other communities who have approved these types of signs with the new technologies, there is no chance then that the applicant, without the approval of the City, could ever put in an electronic billboard. City Attorney Simonian responded, "Correct." This is not a billboard by definition, this is incorporating LED technology. Carruth kept on with Can you direct me to a condition that assures that the only information that's gonna be on this sign will relate to activities in that hotel. Chantarangsu noted condition number 12 City Attorney Simonian quoted condition # 12 as - for onsite advertising only and prohibiting any offsite advertising, but there could be other messages as authorized by law meaning 1st amendment rights as well. Carruth asked if this allows the applicant to put information on this sign for products that might be for sale or part of an event, weddings. City Attorney said, Yes, if it's related to the hotel.


Council Member Kogerman said she regretted any implication that there's any lack of trust between us and the applicant. She noted that everything has been spelled out clearly and is enforceable. She also questioned the ability of the council to tie something else on the site to the sign permit. City Attorney Simonian responded the City Council/Planning Agency does have the ability to defer a decision on this pending additional information related to a particular concern, but if there are concerns re. municipal code commercial property maintenance standards violations he would recommend the City pursue those through normal code enforcement channels.


At this point Mr. Raghu Mathur requested to be able to speak and was denied by Mayor Carruth who stated, "I'm sorry, we're still discussing, asking questions of staff, if you can be seated." Carruth continued, in response to Mrs. Kogerman's comment I did, in all truthfulness, question credibility, we have an applicant who was requested by staff and neighbors to turn off his LED lights that were not permitted and the applicant failed to do so, so when it comes to complying with Municipal Code because in the past he has had a problem with requests.  Council Member Bressette asked David Chantarangsu Community Development Director about what happened in May. Chantarangsu stated he did not have the institutional knowledge on that. Bressette then asked - how about from December on and stated that in Dec. they turned on the lights and called it holiday lights, is that correct? Chantarangsu responded that's correct. Bressette asked and the holiday lighting stayed on until? Chantarangsu answered at least through March and it may still be continuing, we don't have knowledge of whether or not the lights were actually turned off, but if I remember correctly our staff did contact the property owned to let him know. Bressette said so somewhere between what we would consider a normal holiday period and March, they were non-compliant with code. Chantarangsu responded, "Correct".  Bressette then noted that when we look at a contract we need to identify the rules and regulations and terms and conditions are. Bressette then asked if Staff was aware of any other violations of the City Code by the applicant. Chantarangsu said staff did notice today that there may have been interior permits needed and a building inspector was sent out to follow up and he said his understanding was the applicant was coming in to obtain a permit for some of the work that is apparently going on, on the property. Bressette asked if the intensity of LED lights can be controlled. Chantarangsu said I know you can but don't know if the set up the applicant has proposed includes that ability, like a dimmer switch.


Council Member Songstad asked how frequently the messages on the sign could change. City Attorney Simonian responded, that is not addressed in the code. Mayor Carruth then stated we don't regulate the sign at the high school but other than that there are no other signs like this in the City, legal non-conforming message boards with changeable text, so shouldn't we review the sign code before we begin approving this? City Attorney Simonian responded it was his understand that was what was done through having a preview of the applicant's request and having direction to staff to prepare an LED technology concerning not only signs but LED technology to outline buildings and rooftops and so on. The Ordinance that was brought back is the one that has been adopted. Carruth argued she did not think that sign code addresses the issue of a Marquee with moving text. City Attorney responded, It was interesting that Carruth used the word Marquee, because our sign code generally prohibits changing the copy on signs except for Marquee Signs so if there is a question as to whether this sign is a Marquee sign, Marquee signs are exempt from that rule that prohibits changeable copy signs.


Council Member Kogerman stated, we haven't heard from the applicant yet. She suggested asking the applicant how many changes of text on the sign he would need and how often and come up with an acceptable number. Mr. Mofid, the applicant from the Hills Hotel was asked to respond.


Mr Michael Mofid - Thanked the Council for all their time spent on this issue. He reviewed his requests and noted that the sign text currently has to be changed by hand by a person on the top of a ladder, which is dangerous, and takes about 2 hours every time it has to be changed. He said he wanted to advertise what goes on at the hotel, breakfasts, brunches, weddings, entertainment, etc. and did not want to change the text as often as every 1/2 hour. He added they do spend a lot of time and money cleaning up around the property related to trees and debris, etc. and spent $50,000 on landscaping in 2009. He said they have another $125,000 now to spend to redo the parking lot. He noted that the he spends about $8,000 a month on the landscaping. He said he is now changing some door jambs and floor tile and did not realize he needed a permit for that because he thought that was just maintenance. He added that if the council does not want to give him the sign that's okay. He said at Christmas he does like to decorate with lights and did not realize they were up so long but took them out completely once he did realize. He added that if the City sees issues that they believe need attention they can tell him and he will take care of it.


Council Member Kogerman confirmed that Mr. Mofid has made wonderful improvements and asked how much TOT Transient Occupancy Tax he paid to the City in 2011. Mr. Mofid responded total taxes paid in 2011 were about $250,000 and expected to be about $300,000 this year. Kogerman commented that the better his business does the better it is for the City so she believed the City should help him succeed. Mayor Carruth sought to clarify further by seperating the TOT tax and the food an beverage tax from the total tax Mr. Mofid said he paid last year. Council Member Bressette added that the City appreciates the job he is doing with the hotel and his generosity to the City's adopted 3/5 Marines in donating rooms for the City's Memorial Day. Bressette asked again about how often the sign would change text and requested a number that would be comfortable for Mr. Mofid. Mr. Mofid described that the event schedule at the hotel varies, sometimes things change several times a day and some times not for several days. Mr. Mofid noted that too many changes cause confusion. Mayor Carruth confronted Mr. Mofid with - First of all have you read every single condition, there are 18 conditions, I want to make sure you've read them all and I want you to tell us if you understand them and if you're willing to comply with these conditions. Mr. Mofid responded, yes ma'am and no questions. Bressette explained that related to holiday lights, in addition to what may be approved tonight Mr. Mofid in entitled to hang holiday lights at appropriate times and Mr. Chantarangsu will clarify that for you.


PUBLIC COMMENTS -


Dr. Raghu Mathur, Laguna Hills Resident stated he was glad the council heard from the representative from the hotel. He said from a lay person's perspective, sitting in the audience listening to the discussion on this issue it was embarrassing. I was appalled at the line of questions and concerns. I think there are better ways to handle it than to harass or embarrass or humiliate a local businessman. It seems to me that when you mention any trash problem or anything else in the parking lot, structure or need for repairs, it that is a solution looking for a problem and this also shows lack of trust and respect for the local businesses. I've heard this line of questioning before and today I just couldn't take it anymore. To me, this is an example of excessive governmental interference. If there are issues and concerns,problems, violations, then deal with them, but let's not start speculating about potential violations which haven't been brought to surface. There are better ways to deal with this with respect for local business men that contribute a lot of money to the City. Thank you.


Mayor Carruth responded to Dr. Mathur with you might want to wait until later in the agenda we have an issue on the City of Mission Viejo's proposal for large animated electronic billboards. She continued with I assume you might find that an interesting conversation. She stressed the quality of environment in Laguna Hills. Dr. Mathur responded with I am all for improving the quality of life and I am very concerned about major signs like the kind I have heard about in Mission Viejo Kaleidoscope area putting forth but in this case it's not the same thing. Carruth responded, It's pretty tough for us to tell Mission Viejo what to do when we don't even try to hold on to our own standards in the City of Laguna Hills, so I'm sure you understand why a lot of questions are being asked tonight and it's just part of the process, Mr. Mathur.
Dr. Mathur responded, Madam Mayor, I don't need a lecture, I understand that there are differences between those two scenarios and each one deserves attention on it's own merit. In this case it's a matter of our own local city businessman.


Council Member Kogerman added as a point of order that she did not think it was appropriate for us to lecture the individuals who come up here to give us information or engage in a debate with them. Carruth responded with, I was just asking Mr. Mathur if he would like to stick around for the other matter that is directly related to this one and I think he would find it very interesting.


Council Member Bressette asked again about the frequency of the change of text. After another discussion, this time involving Mr. Mofid, it was decided that a maximum of 5 changes in a 24 hour period to the LED Message Board would be comfortable for all. Council Member Kogerman suggested 5 times a day was too intrusive and asked for leaving it to Mr. Mofid's judgement not to exceed once per hour. Bressette said his concern was traffic safety and would not agree to once per hour so would not change his motion. Kogerman said she did not believe once per hour changing of text on the sign would cause traffic distractions so said she would not vote for this. Bressette added that Mr. Mofid agreed to the 5 times a day message board change. Mayor Carruth said she would vote against this because she did not support the LED component of the sign ordinance and still believes it is a mistake. Carruth added she does not support the message board concept, is deeply troubled about the condition of that hotel related to the view the neighbor's have of graffiti, mattresses, cars on blocks and improvements with no permit.

VOTE was 4-1 in favor of the motion to approve the applicant's request with a maximum number of changes per day on the message board of 5. The No vote was Carruth


** Editor's Note - There was a great deal of stunned disbelief in the audience of the Council Chamber related to how Mr. Mofid was treated. We do not usually receive comments before we publish a blog but we are printing this one from Mr. John Bosh, Laguna Hills resident, because after talking with others who attended the meeting we feel it is very representative of the overall impression of the discussion regarding this issue.


Anyone attending the June 12th, 2012 City Council meeting had to leave wondering what the proprietor of the Laguna Hills Hotel, Mr Michael Mofid did to provoke the hostile grilling he received from Mayor Carruth about of all things a simple request for a new marquee sign permit. It is after all just a sign but not to Mayor Carruth. It was clear she opposed the granting of the permit but her reason why isn't exactly clear. Despite the assurance of city staff and legal council the sign is legal and presents no safety issues to the city. The Mayor dug in her heels and launched into a perfect example of a solution looking for a problem that stunned everyone in the chamber. All Mr. Mofid asked for was a permit to replace an old, out dated sign with one that is modern, attractive and safer to use which begs the question was her rant about the sign or was it something else? For example, what relevance did Mr. Mofid's past run-ins real or imagined with the city elite have to do with a sign permit other than to send a message. Could it possibly have been driven by politics? Was the ordeal Mayor Carruth put Mr. Mofid through political payback for his outspoken support of term limits and past criticisms of City Councilman?


Only after Councilwoman Barbara Kogerman's admonishing and a scathing criticism of Mayor Carruth's treatment of a local businessman by Dr. Raghu Mathur did the Mayor tone down her remarks. As one who witnessed this ambush it's my opinion that hers was not civil behavior, it was contemptible and conduct not becoming our citiy's Mayor. Mayor Carruth made a bully pulpit of her lofty chair and made clear the need for fresh voices and new ideas at City Hall. John Bosch


CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS and Public Comments
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -


Item 7.2.1 - 4th of JULY EVENT BOOTHS
Summary from City Staff Presented by David Reynolds, Community Services Director who requested direction from the Council re. this issue - Lt. Col. Bill Kogerman has made a request to rent a booth at the City’s 4th of July event on behalf of two individuals who are running for City Council. These individuals have declared their intent to run for City Council in November, but will not technically become recognized council candidates until after the City Council Election filing period has opened and their “Nomination Papers” have been filed and accepted. The first date to file these papers is July 16, 2012. Lt. Col. Kogerman explained to staff that the purpose of the booth 4TH of July Booth Event was for the two candidates to register voters and advertise their respective campaigns for City Council. The City does not have a formal policy in place on what types of booths are allowed. Historically, however, the City has only allowed resident non-profit groups to rent booth space for fund raising purposes.Staff’s response to this request was that a City booth rental could not be accommodated because the purpose of the booth does not fit in with what the City historically has offered to the public from the 4th of July booths. However, staff did convey that the council candidates could pass out flyers during the event and set up their own table and accessories if they so desired. This is a new request and a significant departure from the traditional activities conducted from within the booths that the Community Services Department rents out for the day. Moreover, the activity, if approved, portends to open the door to other such requests in the future. Consequently, staff is reluctant to approve or deny the request without first receiving a policy-level determination from the City Council.
Staff Recommendation - The City establish a Formal Policy of Restricting Booth Rentals at the annual July 4th Celebration to Resident, Non-Profit Organizations for their fund raising purposes.

Council Member Barbara Kogerman recused herself from this discussion clarifying that it is not legally necessary for her for her to remove herself related to no financial or political conflict of interest involved but since her husband has volunteered as a consultant for the campaign of these candidates she is recusing herself to avoid any appearance of impropriety. She also invited anyone else on the dais to remove themselves if they felt there was any question of impropriety re. voting on issues that might affect rivals for political office. None of the other council members recused themselves.


Mayor Carruth spoke to the issue of keeping the Community Free, as much as possible, from Political Signs and made a motion to establish a formal policy of restricting the rental of booths at the 4th of July Celebration to non-profit organizations.

Public Comments - Mav Bressette, Laguna Hills Resident said she and several of her friends who were unable to be at the council meeting are very much in favor of the council developing a formal policy of restricting the rental of booths at the City's July 4th Celebration to only non-profit organizations because this exposure to thousands of people that the City makes available to the non-profits for their much needed fund raising activities every year is legendary here.
Vote - The motion to restrict the booth rentals to non-profits was passed - 4-0.


Item 7.3.1 From the Public Services Director/City Engineer - Request for Parking Zone on the South side of La Paz Rd. west of Paseo de Valencia.


Background from March 27 City Council Meeting and from Traffic Commission Notes - On March 27, 2012 Mr. Hauschild requested the City Council consider allowing parking along La Paz Road in the vicinity of the rear of his residence so that he could hold Open House events for his historical 100 year old barn from Illinois. He said he was going to have an open house in his barn on the weekend of June 16-17 and last time they did that they had about 300 people stop in. The barn is facing La Paz Road and an existing driveway located on the south side of La Paz Road, approximately 300 feet west of Monte Vista, along with a Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association Trail allows vehicular access to the barn. Ken Rosenfield, Public Services Director, City Engineer stated that new parking regulations were adopted in Oct. of 2009 in an effort to unify parking regulations throughout the City, smooth traffic flow and allow for bike lanes and eliminate truck parking. Some exceptions are made to serve Community Interest such as parking for Valencia Elem. School and the City allows parking for some special community events with frequency being a consideration. He noted that all properties that back up to La Paz have no access rights, by recorded track map, to La Paz Rd. He stressed that the purpose of the change in Parking Regulations was to not allow parking on arterial highways.


On May 16, 2012 the City of Laguna Hills Traffic Commission, in order to accommodate Mr. Hauschild’s request, proposed a temporary permit parking be allowed for a specific time frame along the south side of La Paz Road from Monte Vista to Aliso Hills Drive. The permits would be issued occasionally based upon a request from Mr. Hauschild for a certain number of hours during the Open House events. The two existing “No Parking” signs on the south side of La Paz Road between Monte Vista and Aliso Hills Drive will have to be covered or bagged by the permittee during permit parking hours.
Fiscal Impact to the City - Modifications to existing signage at an estimated cost of $600.


Staff Recommendation was presented by Ken Rosenfield, Public Services Director, City Engineer - Though staff is sensitive to the resident’s request to allow parking for access to the barn, extending allowed parking on the south side of La Paz Road would be contrary to the City’s goal to create consistent parking controls along arterial highways. In order to accommodate Mr. Hauschild’s request, staff is proposing an alternate solution than that recommended by the Traffic Commission. It is proposed that a permit parking regulation be established for the south side of La Paz Road from Monte Vista to 880’ westerly thereof. The establishment of a Permit Parking Zone would allow the City to place specific performance requirements on the use of the parking. Staff proposes to limit the permit parking for visits to the barn to one day per calendar quarter, limit parking to two hours per vehicle, allow permit parking from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and limit the total number of permits to be issued for any one day to 30, the approximate number of vehicles that can park in the 880’ distance. No fees are proposed to be assessed for the parking permits. The two existing “No Parking” signs on the south side of La Paz Road between Monte Vista and Aliso Hills Drive will have to be modified to allow for the Permit Parking Zone. Staff has prepared a Resolution, attached as “Resolution 2,” that would implement the Permit Parking Zone.


DISCUSSION Summary: Council Member Bressette inquired about safety related to any change in the parking provisions. Ken Rosenfield, Public Services Director responded that temporary parking could have a short term impact but this traffic safety issue is related to long term parking at the location more than anything else. Parked vehicles may tend to slow vehicles. Bressette noted that the bike lane is more narrow than the width of a car so there is danger re. opening a door into oncoming traffic as well as impeding bicycle flow which is likely to be heavier on weekends. Council Member Kogerman asked if there were safety issues during the 18 years that parking was permitted in that area? Ken Rosenfield responded the City adopted a bicycle Master plan in about 2009-2010 so before that time there was no bike lane and no data back that far but unaware of any bicycle conflicts on La Paz Rd. Kogerman asked if there had been any problems with the parking in the bicycle lane next to Valencia School and Ken Rosenfield only anecdotal comments from the public, he also responded that the 2 hour parking restrictions would largely be based on the honor system. Mayor Carruth asked if the Traffic Commission looked at the number of traffic deaths on La Paz Rd. She added that it has become a speedway and there have been 3 deaths and additional accidents. Ken Rosenfield responded that the Traffic Commission was not presented with traffic collision history information but noted that the vast majority of traffic collisions occurred at intersections. He added that they were not evaluating the issue of speed control but of parking. Carruth then asked if the Traffic Commission considered the curve in the road in the area where the temporary parking is being considered and compared it with a Dead Man's Curve. Rosenfield stated the staff did not include any information in the staff report about the roadway curvature known as vertical and horizontal curves and didn't know if the Traffic Commission discussed that from their own experience. Carruth asked would we be setting ourselves up for serious exposure here in allowing this exception that is not for a public purpose. City Attorney Greg Simonian responded, No, the vehicle code has essentially turned over all aspects of parking controls to local jurisdictions. Carruth asked if the City was setting a precedent with this exception related to other citizens with barns, etc. who want access. City Attorney Simonian - responded the use of an accessory structure must at all time remain in conformance with the City's zoning requirements. Carruth continued - Does it make it more difficult for the City Council to deny another resident parking on an arterial highway if this gets through? City Attorney Simonian responded - Not from a legal standpoint.


Public Comments -


Mr. Clarence Hauschild, Laguna Hills Resident and owner of the historic barn, making this parking request stated he is about worn down with all of this. He noted that there needs to be an extension of the school parking because the school needs the parking. He said there wasn't much more he could say if the council isn't going to take the Traffic Commission's recommendation. He responded to Council Member Bressette that he uses the barn for his hobby woodshop and the Open Houses are for people who have asked to see it. He noted that there are usually not more than 10 cars parked at one time to see the barn. He responded to Council Member Kogerman that the 2 hour restriction was too little to be useful and he would like unrestricted access. In rersponse to a question from Mayor Carruth re. why people couldn't walk down to the barn from the street in front of Mr. Hauschild's home he said he couldn't walk the hill. ** Editor's Note - In driving on La Paz, past this barn, one can observe that the hill behind Mr. Hauschild's home is very steep and only flattens out at the bottom where the barn is constructed. We have also learned that Mr. Hauschild is in his late 70s.


In answer to Carruth's question about why should the City make an exception for you, Mr. Hauschild noted that from 1991 until 2009 parking there was allowed and traffic has not changed. He noted that there is school parking just ahead and that could be extended. In response to Council Member Bressette he noted that the dirt road near the property that is a trail but requires much maneuvering so is not accessible for guests, especially in wet weather.


Mr. John Hauschild - son of Clarence Hauschild spoke up to note that he could probably articulate better the answer to this question and rest of the questions for his Dad. He noted that it's about 300 vertical feet from the barn up to the house and the walk down is on railroad ties embedded in dirt. He noted that this barn was constructed with the reasonable expectation of being able to access it from the street because at the time of the construction street parking was legal. He said more parking would help the school and his Dad and take overnight parking away so you won't have the problem of big rigs, that were previously mentioned, being parked there. In answer to Mayor Carruth's question about would he be afraid to open his car door if parked on La Paz in front of the barn area, he noted that he had seen a vehicle going over a ridge down the street on La Paz at about 100 mph lose control and spin out but parking or not parking can't stop stupidity, so it is always important to be cautious when opening any car door onto a busy street. Carruth continued to argue for use of the Nellie Gail Trail to access the barn.


Pamela Dow, Laguna Hills Traffic Commissioner stated in 19 years she has never come before the council about a traffic issue before. She said they always review safety issues looking at what had happened before in that spot when considering making a change. She said in this case there was no indication that there had been a problem there and several of the commissioners drove there and parked there and do know that frequently there are Valencia parents that park there. She added that one of the problems they considered was that the City changed the parking rules there just to be consistent. We are inconsistent when we make new parking available at Valencia School where the traffic lanes are narrower as that is less safe than this spot. She continued that the Principal and PTA of Valencia were in favor of more parking and this resident was having difficulty getting to his barn and we thought it would be friendly cozy city instead of a big city to be able to allow this. She noted that she would like to see the barn some day. She concluded that she understood that there were rare occasions when the council overruled the Traffic Commission but not too often when they were unanimous, as they were this time.


Ken Rosenfield, Public Services Director, City Engineer clarified for the record that what is being requested here is parking, not access. Council Members Songstad and Lautenschleger asked that the parking end at the west end of Mr. Hauschild's property so made a motion that the proposed parking would go from Monte Vista to the west end of Mr. Hauschild's property. Council Member Kogerman agreed with supporting the Traffic Commission and with ending the parking at the west of Mr. Hauschild's property.
VOTE - 3 to 2 in favor of Staff Recommendation with the change of ending the Permit Parking at the west end of Mr. Hauschild's property. The 2 No votes were Mayor Carruth and Council Member Bressette who both stated they felt parking there was not safe.


MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS -


Item 8.1.1 - From Mayor Carruth - CITY OF MISSION VIEJO SIGN CODE AMENDMENT
RECOMMENDATION - THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO: (1) SEND A FORMAL LETTER TO THE CITY OF MISSION VIEJO CITY COUNCIL STATING THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS OPPOSITION TO THE KALEIDOSCOPE PROPOSED SIGN PROGRAM, MORE SPECIFICALLY TO THE PROPOSED ELECTRONIC SIGNS AND OFF-SITE ADVERTISING; AND (2) NOTIFY ALL LAGUNA HILLS HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS LOCATED ALONG THE I-5 CORRIDOR REGARDING THE PROPOSED SIGN PROGRAM AND ITS POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE MISSION VIEJO FREEWAY CENTER OFF CABOT.
Mayor Carruth presented the Background - On June 4, 2012, the Mission Viejo City Council received a staff report and accepted public testimony regarding the possible initiation of a sign code amendment to establish an off-site advertising sign district and a newly proposed sign program for the Kaleidoscope shopping center in Mission Viejo. Community Development Director, David Chantarangsu, submitted a letter to the Mission Viejo staff offering comments, concerns and information regarding the proposed sign district (attached). Mayor Carruth attended the meeting and provided additional testimony regarding the potential impacts on Laguna Hills residents and the entire South Orange County area. She added that the new sign district on the Mission Viejo Side of I-5 freeway could reach from Avery Pkwy. to La Paz. Mayor Carruth said she expressed concern as a citizen of Laguna Hills at the Mission Viejo City Council Meeting about the proposed signage and stated, "The lights that are being proposed, their designs could be 50 times brighter than the sun."


The Sign Permit Application to the City of Mission Viejo requests: permission for the installation of 8 In-City Signs and 47 On-Site Signs on the existing Shopping Center (the "Building") located at 27741 Crown Valley Parkway in the City of Mission Viejo. It goes on to state that the In-City signs will be on all 4 sides of the property and consist of Digital Displays ranging from 2.5 ft tall x 13 feet wide to 60 ft. wide x 20 ft. tall and On-Site signs 24 ft x 32 ft to 13 ft.wide x 2.5 ft.tall. The application says the lighting will be shielded to limit the glare on neighboring parcels and says whe signs do not have a substantial adverse effect on a scenic vista.


In a letter to the City of Mission Viejo dated May 8, 2012 James M Leach, CEO for South OC Regional Chamber of Commerce/The Economic Coalition stated, " I am writing on behalf of the almost 400 members of the South Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce/The Economic Coalition to express our strong Support the Kaleidoscope Build-out and Signage Project."


In an letter to the City of Mission Viejo dated June 1, 2012 Tim Casey, City Manager from Laguna Niguel said, "The proposed Kaleidoscope Sign Program will significantly change the visual character of the I-5 corridor." "Our City Council is also concerned that the proposed electronic displays may affect driver and traffic safety on the I-5 and have light and glare impacts on the existing and future Laguna Niguel residents."


In an letter to the City of Mission Viejo dated June 4, 2012 David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director from from Laguna Hills referred to "Collateral Damage" from the new signage related to driver distraction and the production of intense light and glare.


Mayor Carruth made a motion to send another letter from Laguna Hills to the City of Mission Viejo opposing the sign program, this time with agreement from the Laguna Hills City Council Members. Council Member Kogerman added that she was also at the Mission Viejo City Council Meeting when this signage was proposed and the signs would be left on all night long advertising multiple products, etc. She said she agreed with everything Carruth had said and hopes that our letter would have a similar tone to the one from Laguna Niguel.
VOTE was 5-0 in favor of sending another letter.


** Editor's Note - See more about the Mission Viejo Signage issue at http://www.ocregister.com/news/council-358008-billboards-electronic.html
South County residents decry electronic billboard plan
By CHRIS BOUCLY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The billboards are part of a larger signage plan proposed as the next phase in rebranding Kaleidoscope as a vibrant destination along the lines of L.A. Live The proposal includes amending city code to create a special district allowing the billboards.
The Mission Viejo City Council voted 3-2 to reject the request by Durnin to draft an ordinance amending the city's sign code and instead asked staff to research options and standards for a sign program that may or may not include a sign district.


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS - Council Member Kogerman said the Laguna Hills Memorial Day was so moving and so thrilling. There was so much excitement in the community. It was a proud Memorial Day, a great success all the way around. Not only are the kudos well deserved for the committee and Mr. Bland but the entire City.


CLOSED SESSION – None Noted

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, June 26, 7 pm, at City Hall.
Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
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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.


** Editor's Note - Although we can't imagine that Blazing Billboards could be in the best interests of Citizens or Businesses, one letter of protest from the City of Laguna Hills has already been sent to Mission Viejo regarding the proposed Kaleidoscope Signage issue so we are simply grading the votes here and not the author of this Citizen Friendly Item.


Bressette - P - for voting for approval of Conditional Use Permit for Chase Bank , P - for voting for approval of New Master Sign and Lighting proposal for The Hills Hotel, P - for voting for Non-Profit Groups exclusive use of July 4th booths, F - for voting against the additional parking for the historic barn on La Paz (reasoning is that there is some danger but also some significant advantages for the owner of the barn and the school and the Laguna Hills Traffic Commission's vote for this was unanimous.)  P - for voting to send another letter to Mission Viejo re. the Kaleidoscope Sign Program.


Carruth - P - for voting for approval of Conditional Use Permit for Chase Bank, F - for voting against approval of New Master Sign and Lighting proposal for The Hills Hotel, P - for voting for Non-Profit Groups exclusive use of July 4th booths,  F - for voting against the additional parking for the historic barn on La Paz (reasoning is that there is some danger but also some significant advantages for the owner of the barn and the school and the Traffic Commission's vote for this was unanimous.)  P - for voting to send another letter to Mission Viejo re. the Kaleidoscope Sign Program.

 
Kogerman - P - for voting for approval of Conditional Use Permit for Chase Bank,  P - for voting for approval of New Master Sign and Lighting proposal for The Hills Hotel,  P - for voting for the additional parking for the historic barn on La Paz.  P - for voting to send another letter to Mission Viejo re. the Kaleidoscope Sign Program.
Kogerman did not vote on the issue of the July 4th booths, she recused herself to avoid any appearance of impropriety.


Lautenschleger - P - for voting for approval of Conditional Use Permit for Chase Bank, P - for voting for approval of New Master Sign and Lighting proposal for The Hills Hotel, P- for voting for Non-Profit Groups exclusive use of July 4th booths, P - for voting for the additional parking for the historic barn on La Paz.  P- for voting to send another letter to Mission Viejo re. the Kaleidoscope Sign Program.

 
Songstad - P - for voting for approval of Conditional Use Permit for Chase Bank, P - for voting for approval of New Master Sign and Lighting proposal for The Hills Hotel,  P - for voting for Non-Profit Groups exclusive use of July 4th booths, P - for voting for the additional parking for the historic barn on La Paz,  P -  for voting to send another letter to Mission Viejo re. the Kaleidoscope Sign Program.


City Manager - Nothing


** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:


About the LH Watch Dog


Anonymous said....
I am generally just an observer when it comes to blogs, but this actually made me wish to leave a comment. Fantastic work!
** Editor's Note - We appreciate your kind words and thank you for reading the Laguna Hills Watch Dog.


About the Laguna Hills General Plan Update in 2009


Anonymous said...
My wife and I actually attended public meetings in 2008-09 for the City's New General Plan and the one comment that kept recurring from the public was - Keep the Small Town Feel and the Open Spaces. We all know that the city needs to get revenue but 700 apartments in one area with possibly more to come at the Laguna Hills Mall is over the top and all I didn't hear the council members really working with citizens who already live in this area or in the La Paz Moulton area. Change will come but how that happens depends upon a city council that is willing to work well with the citizens who elected them. I don't see that happening in this city.


About the Laguna Hills City Manager's Contract


Anonymous said...
Hey Watch Dog it appears that the City Manager spent 8 months sucking up our money for a labor negotiator on his contract that resulted in nothing to report and the Mayor defended keeping the language from his contract that she called a golden handcuff in the municipal code. I think it's time to give up on all of them. Just get rid of the City Manager, who as I understand lives in Yorba Linda so doesn't even have to live in the city he runs, and then get rid of the last of the old time council members who refuse to move into the year 2012 as quickly as possible.


Anonymous said...
Tell Mayor Carruth the handcuffs are on the voters not the City Manager


About the Laguna Hills Police Services Agreement


Anonymous said...
If these council members still can't be honest with the voters about the number of police for Laguna Hills they aren't going to be honest about anything else. Enough is enough!


About the Oakbrook Village Plan


Anonymous said...
So apparently the "vision" of the city council has been to increase traffic congestion and vastly increase the number of rental units which fill up with people who don't have a commitment to the property much less the city. Sounds like a great plan for the current residents huh? Also why bother widening PDV when La Paz, has only 2 lanes in each direction?


Anonymous said...
Regarding all the apartments in the Oakbrook Village Area. We can't expect developers to be concerned about the welfare of the citizens. They are understandably concerned about the best opportunities for themselves but we can and should expect our council members to be concerned primarily for the residents and to make sure that there is always the best possible blend between the needs of the residents and the demands of developers. That blend did not appear to have happened with the Moulton-La Paz shopping area so I will be watching for better attention to the needs of citizens this time. Cities always need additional revenue and that's important but the city council members are charged with making that happen with great care for the needs of the citizens/voters. If protests at council meetings don't work, we can always use the ballot box.


About Laguna Hills MEMORIAL DAY


Anonymous said...
The Memorial Day this year was wonderful. The Marines were so much fun and I loved the one in the desert camouflage that looked like the Lion King. That outfit along with all the gear they carry must be barely tolerable in the heat. I don't see how that's possible. I have tremendous new respect for those guys.


Anonymous said...
God bless those Marines. They were so enthusiastic and friendly to all of us on Memorial Day. It couldn't have been easy for them to get there so early with all their stuff and those huge vehicles, especially considering everything else they have to do. And you just have to love the Marine who carried the flag with the names of his 25 buddies that were lost in Afghanistan. This was the best Memorial Day ever in Laguna Hills.


Anonymous said...
I agree, it was the best Memorial Day ever in Laguna Hills. Enjoyed every minute. I didn't run but my kids and I spent a lot of time with the Marines and their display. The Marines were the highlight of our day. We also saw Council Members Kogerman and Carruth, but didn't see the others?


Anonymous said...
I ran in the race and my family went home with great photos of us with the Marines in front of their equipment. What a difference they made in the race and in our day. Thank you Marines!!!!


Anonymous said...
My family had never been to the city's Memorial Day before. We were so surprised at the enthusiasm in the crowd and pleased at the presence of the Marines. The Marines couldn't have been nicer to us and our kids and we got plenty of photos. This is the first time we have felt real pride in our city. Please let the Marines know how much they were appreciated at this event and for all they do for us.


** WIN WIN Wednesday is an ongoing series of restaurant fundraisers that allow the Laguna Hills High School 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" that keeps our kids not only safe but in Laguna Hills and on campus continuing a 23 year tradition that makes us HAWK Proud! ** For Weekly Flyers & Schedule go to our web site at www.WinWinWednesdays.com and please be sure to "LIKE US" on Facebook!


** Bring the WWW!! flyer to these participating restaurants on these dates and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the LHHS PTSA and you can now get durable and attractive business card size Win-Win-Wednesday Fan and Supporter Cards that contain all the info. for W-W-Wed on one side including how to subscribe to W-W-Wednesday to get your flyers, dates and Restaurant Information sent to you weekly on Wednesdays and the other side of the card will serve as a universal flyer, if you forget to bring a flyer. You can sign up for an e-blast at WinWinWednesdays@gmail.com to have the weekly schedule and flyers for Win-Win-Wednesdays e-mailed to you.


June 20 -
June 27 - Lonestar Steakhouse, Oakbrook Village, Laguna Hills.
July 4 - WWW will be at the City Of Laguna Hills July 4th Celebration.


**Don't forget to see our "WWW Everyday" Partners like Its a Grind Coffee House, Alpha Cleaners and Golden Baked Hams on our web site. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us! Sneak Peek at GRAD NIGHT Preview Nite event: Wednesday, June 13th, with our delicious participating restaurant sponsors.


** HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION - Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills


Don't forget to join us and the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines at the Laguna Hills Community Center for the annual July 4th Celebration!!!


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/


**Go to the Team Dark Horse web site at http://teamdarkhorse.org/ to see how your donations are helping, and 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


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


Reader's weigh in: OC lacks will to battle 'shadow governments' Fred Smoller has been thinking about how to make local governments more efficient and accountable for some time. http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/05/05/readers-weigh-in-o-c-lacks-will-to-battle-shadow-governments/154356/
City among worst for alcohol fueled crashes
Fullerton and Laguna Hills had the worst rates of crashes that involved underage drinkers
Read more at: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cities-348774-crashes-among.html
New Reports with 2011 Statistics for the 70 year old Orange County Animal Shelter that Laguna Hills still uses for it's citizens
Fewer Animals Killed at OC animal shelter in 2011http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fewer-338291-killed-shelter.html?pic=1
Total euthanasia rate of 53%. Fewer were killed in 2011 because fewer were impounded at the County Animal Shelter in 2011. January 31, 2012 Teri Sfzora
Three out of four cats still don't leave shelter alive http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/02/16/three-out-of-four-cats-still-dont-leave-shelter-alive/148403/ Teri Sforza OC Watchdog
Kill Rate for Cats at the OC Animal Shelter in 2011 was 74% and only 17% adopted, down from 19% in 2010
Euthanasia Rate Stuck at Nearly 50% at O.C. Animal Care http://ranchosantamargarita.patch.com/articles/shelter-euthanizes-fewer-animals-in-2011 County Shelter finally admits killing animal for space in this story.
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 writer http://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


February 14, 2012 - Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger said, about concerns from grandparents regarding exhaust fumes from Alicia Pkwy. blowing onto the sports field at the Community Center - "The prevailing wind is always off the ocean blowing East so it's blowing from the soccer fields onto Alicia and across that way."

Another fact checking problem. The Santa Ana Winds which are most common from
October through March blow from the East to the West - from Alicia Pkwy. and Paseo de Valencia right on to that sports field.


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."


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.


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 - 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.


October 11, 2011 - Regarding Intent to Vacate Public Service Easements (Tree Pockets) along Paseo de Valencia and between Alicia and La Paz. Mayor Songstad concluded with, "Alright its been moved and seconded. Everybody understand what the action is here? We're setting a public hearing, blah, blah, blah. All in favor"


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 20 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   ** Editor's Note - The Nellie Gail HOA sent a on 6/8/12 notice stating is has been warned of a string of burglaries this week and reminded residents to secure their cars and homes and to contact the Sheriff's Dispatch at 949-425-1800.


WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register Newspaper Letters to the Editor: E-mail to letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name, city of residence and phone number (phone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity