Laguna Hills Watch Dog: October 2012

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - October 23, 2012

** Special Announcements - The Orange County Register Newspaper has endorsed Andrew Blount and Raghu Mathur for Laguna Hills City Council - They said, "The Laguna Hills City Council has been divided in recent years over issues of transparency and compensation for the city manager. Two incumbents, Joel Lautenschleger and L. Allan Songstad, were up for reelection this year, but decided not to run. That presents Laguna Hills voters an opportunity to add two new members to the Council who can help move it beyond its internecine squabbles and deal squarely with transparency, executive compensation and other issues facing the city of some 30,000 residents."

About Candidate Bill Hunt they said - "There were news reports last summer that he was being considered for chief of Fullerton's troubled police department, a position that may better suit his skill set than serving on the Laguna Hills City Council."

About Candidate Dore Gilbert they said - "Mr. Gilbert decided to run for council only after Mr. Lautenschleger and Mr. Songstad, whom he counts as longtime friends, informed him they weren't running. We imagine some voters might wonder whether Mr. Gilbert would chart his own course on the council or follow a path set by his friends, the outgoing councilmen."

To see everything they said about all the candidates for Laguna Hills City Council - click on http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-374220-council-hills.html and PLEASE

***DON'T FORGET TO VOTE ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 6, 2012. ***

*** The Launa Hills Watch Dog also STRONGLY ENDORSES:
Dr. Raghu Mathur,www.mathurforlagunahills.com University Administrator, Educator and President of the Laguna Hills Homeowners Association, before Cityhood and
Andrew Blount, www.blountforlagunahills.com Small Business owner
because, after many years of attending and reporting on Laguna Hills City Council Meetings, we believe they have the needed experience to serve, the dedication to being fiscally conservative, the dedication to serving residents and businesses, an extensive knowledge of our city government, a genuine interest in service to our citizens, in our schools and NO TIES to bind them to previous council policies of Lack of Transparency and Accountability for taxpayers. Perhaps, most importantly, they have pledged to proactively listen to residents and businesses. We encourage you to check candidates' web sites for endorsements from current and previous long term Laguna Hills City Council members who have clear records of voting against transparency and accountability and we hope you will make a decision to Vote in Favor of Maximum Transparency and Accountability in your city.

Also Please see - see - Ka-chinghe sound of a city manager being fired - just click on http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/10/19/ka-ching-the-sound-of-a-city-manager-being-fired/163292/
Attorney Craig Scott, quoted in this story, was a long term City Council Member in Laguna Hills who was often appointed by the rest of the long term city council members to be the labor negotiator for the Laguna Hills City Manager, who became the highest compensated City Manager in Orange County, and has the 4th highest severance package in the 7th smallest city in OC. Craig Scott was defeated for re-election in 2010 and Laguna Hills has a chance now to replace 2 more long term council members who supported bloated compensations. In our opinion, we need to be very careful NOT to elect city council candidates supported by the council members who are leaving, to avoid continuing the same policies.

** You can Learn More about the Candidates, (except Bill Hunt who reportedly chose not to participate) in the Orange County Register Newspaper online at: http://www.ocregister.com/news/candidates-351403-different-voter.html including their answers to important questions about the City of Laguna Hills.

** For the last 2 City Council Meetings, the City of Laguna Hills web site Blocked Public Access (on Sat. and Sun.) to the Agenda for a Tues. night City Council Meeting. This is after the City Manager pledged on behalf of the City, on Aug. 28, 2012, to uphold the provisions of the Brown Act including the preparation and posting, at least 72 hours before a regular meeting, of an agenda with description of each item of business to be transacted. - City Staff told us, at the Oct. 9, 2012 council meeting, that this is not deliberate and they are working on the problem. ** On Friday October 19 the City of Laguna Hills apparently decided to do routine maintenance on their web site so Residents, again, could not access the agenda for the Tuesday Oct. 23 Council Meeting. There was an online announcement that stated - Page will be down for scheduled maintenance October 19, 2012 from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Please check back later). The good news is that the city web site including public access to the Agenda for the Oct. 23 City Council Meeting did appear to be working on Sat. Oct. 20. Apparently the City needs to change the scheduled computer maintenance "down times" to mid-week rather than Fridays and weekends when Residents are looking for City Council Meeting Agenda Items. We do want to thank our City Clerk, Peggy Johns for her help in this matter. She gets all the information posted in a timely manner each week and assists people to access it when the system is down.

FEATURES DIRECTORY

** 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 -
Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report - Adam Wong - alternate Amanda Jafee
From Amanda Jaffee this week - Homecoming activities, LHHS Marching Band won 1st Place, A Harmful Effects of Drugs and Alcohol Pgrm., HAWK Girl's Tennis and Golf, Win-Win-Wednesday, The HAWK CHALLANGE FUND RAISER.
Item 1.2 - Team Dark Horse - Support Group for the 3/5 Marines adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Update on activities of the deployed 3/5 Marines, Update on the Marine Wives' Baby Shower with some great surprises, Update on Preparations for Christmas for the Marine Families, and Craft Day for the Marine children to make presents for their Dads.
** Public Comments - 4 comments about city and county workers removing political signs in Laguna Hills and other signs missing and/or vandalized
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $1,191,724.47
** 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 - Clarification of Municipal Code for Terms of Office for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions.
Item 4.4 - Progress Payment for Avenida de la Carlota Widening Project with change order #2 for $32,217.41
Item 4.5 - Progress Payment for Citywide Pavement Rehab.to American Asphalt and authorize Task Order for survey monument preservation.
Item 4.6 - City Council Authorization to execute a joint parking covenant/agreement.
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion - Items 4.3 and 4.4
** Planning Agency/City Council Public Hearings - Item 5.4 - A request, on behalf of SADDLEBACK MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, for Joint Use Parking Permit to establish off-site parking and for a Building Addition and Minor Site Improvements. - Some ADA Provisions added.
**Administrative Reports - Item 7.2.1 - Appointment of a Labor Negotiator for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee. + PUBLIC COMMENTS Mayor Melody Carruth wrongly Accuses Council Member Kogerman of calling for the City Manager's Resignation and Being the One to Blame for the waste of time and taxpayer money in the recent attempt to re-negotiate City Manager's Terms and Conditions of Employment but a Fact Check Proves her Wrong! Council Member Songstad reminds us that City Manager is an unwilling party in negotiations re. Terms and Conditions of his Employment but apparently votes for more of the same? In Public Comments citizens ask for no new provisions to the City Manager's contract before the election.
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor- None listed on the Agenda
** City Council Member Comments - No new cases of West Nile Virus in Laguna Hills, Aliso Creek Watershed, no more right turns on a red light from Cabot Rd. onto La Paz and 3 incidents of campaign signs being destroyed or vandalized, some tied to City Vehicles response from the City Manager.
** Closed Session -
Item 10.1 - Conference with Labor Negotiator - City Designated Representative City Manager Bruce Channing and Assist. City Manager Don White and Laguna Hills City Employees Association City Employee Organization

Item 10.2 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - The City Manager's Annual Performance Evaluation

Item 10.3 - Conference with Labor Negotiator John Goss, Labor Representative, for negotiation with the City Manager re. - Terms and Conditions of Employment. + Editor's Note re. recent history of this issue

** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post - About LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES and CITY MANAGER SEVERENCE COMPENSATION IN ORANGE COUNTY plus Win-Win-Wednesday's Schedule of Restaurants. You can place comments in the "COMMENTS" section at the bottom of the LHWD blog site report or send your comments to BlandMJ@aol.com Your name is never used in the comments section unless you give permission.
** How to support our 3/5 Adopted Marines and Updates - Team Dark Horse delivered your contributions for the Baby Shower for the 23 Marine Expectant Mothers
** 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
**Crime in Your Neighborhood

Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - October 23, 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 -

Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report - Amanda Jaffee (Adam Wong and alternate Amanda Jafee) - Amanda Jaffee reported that the Homecoming Game the Homecoming Dance and Spirit Week were held last week and LHHS lost the game 14 to 17, but it was a really fun and a great event. Our Princess was crowned at the game and our Prince was crowned at the dance. Up Late in the Golden State was the theme for the dance. The decorations all week were CA themes including vintage cars, and the Golden Gate Bridge. LHHS On Saturday the LHHS Marching Band won 1st place in the competition held in Laguna Hills. $90,000 has been raised for computer technology. The PTSA provided a Harmful Effects of Drugs and Alcohol program and the Teen Drugs will have a presentation Tues. the 23rd for Parents to assist them recognize substance abuse. For HAWK Girl's Tennis (that Amanda is a part of) and Girls Golf the finals will be tomorrow. This weeks Win Win Wednesday - next week on October 31 - Mountain Mike's Pizza (Laguna Hills) - all day. The HAWK Challenge Golf and Tennis and Dinner Fund Raiser is November 12 at the Mission Viejo Country Club to raise funds for the school and last years funds paid for the brand new computer lab.

Item 1.2 - An Update on the activities of Team Dark Horse the Support Committee for the 3/5 Marines adopted by the City of Laguna Hills. - Mike Bland and Evan Gost from Team Dark Horse spoke.

Mike Bland thanked the council for reassigning Team Dark Horse's Updates to the Presentations and Proclamations category, so that they will no longer be subject to the 3 minute time limit. He then announced that he hoped to be done in 30 minutes which resulted in stunned looks from council members followed by relieved laughs as they realized he was kidding. Mike said he received an update from Chaplin Pickering and the Battalion Surgeon Dr. Brill this week about the deployed 3/5 Battalion. Evan Gost noted the 3/5 had been on the island of Timor Leste about 300 miles from Australia. Evan said it's a small island, Timor Leste is the East side of the island and the other half of the island is Indonesia. This island was a Portuguese Colony originally and is a very poor nation whose infrastructure was devastated after the Indonesians took it over. The Marines did some very good humanitarian work there. Mike added that the team surgeon and 22 corpsmen treated over 2000 patients in 5 days. There are no roads so most locations are a full day's walk from the nearest town. Medical and dental issues were wide spread and varied. The Marines handed out thousands of bottles of vitamins, fever reducers, parasite killing medications and treated some serious illnesses and chronic infections including Elephantiasis. They performed surgery on a 12 year old boy with a chronic leg infection and at the end of each day smiling children lined up with the Marines to watch helicopters land. For these Corpsmen who lost 25 of their brothers in their last deployment and an additional 200 wounded, it was very important for them, this time, to experience villages and children, whom they could help, welcoming them with big smiles, handshakes and curiosity.

Evan Gost said the Marines noted that the people on this island although being poor in goods and resources are rich in spirits and smiles. He added that most of the people on Timor Leste are Roman Catholic while the Indonesians on the other side of the island are mostly Muslims. The Marines distributed candy and Soccer Balls to the kids and it was like Christmas in Oct. The Marines time on the island ended with a Soccer Game and lots of photos to remember for years to come. Evan said Chaplin Pickering ended his update with "Change is all around us, Everyday we face the challenges for that day. If we learn from the lessons for today, we are already prepared for what we may face tomorrow or down the road. As each day comes to a close, we pray for our loved ones back home to be safe, and that our love for them is felt across the vast waters of the Pacific."

Evan concluded with this type of response makes us even more dedicated to what we're doing for the family members that stay behind. These are noble patriots and young kids doing what they're supposed to do. Mike added, 2 years ago by this time this battalion had already lost 18 of their brothers, so we are so happy to try to support them.

Evan continued that there are about 62 expectant mothers left behind by the deployed 3/5. He showed a slide of a beautiful diaper cake that his wife Shirley Gost and their daughter created as the centerpiece for the most recent baby shower. It was made from infant diapers with all kinds of useful goodies mixed in. Thanks to Chris Boucly's announcement in OUR TOWNS under Laguna Hills in the Orange County Register Team Dark Horse received an incredible surprise of 28 beautiful handmade baby quilts from Maxine Evans, a 78 year old resident of Santa Ana to give to the wives of the deployed soldiers who are having babies now. The quilts were all delivered this week and now there is an offer of crocheted baby blankets as well. Evan said Team Dark Horse thanks everyone so much for all of the support you have given us to help these Marines and their families. Mike added that they also gave the mother's at the baby shower $50 gift cards. Evan added that VONS Grocery Store in Laguna Niguel came through again. They had already given $1,500 and now they also gave shopping carts full of diapers. Mike showed the wonderful Christmas Gift Collection Boxes that were all beautifully hand painted in Christmas Camouflage by Laguna Hills Resident Laura Dickson. 2 of the boxes were topped with a Camouflage outfitted Santas that sing "I'm Proud to be an American". Mike also displayed the gorgeous poster created by Aimee Desrosiers from the Behr Paints Marketing Dept. in Santa Ana. Aimee is putting 7 toy collection boxes at the Santa Ana Behr Paints Campus. Behr Paint and their employees collected 300 toys last year and Behr Paints is matching donations from its employees. Last item is that there is a Craft Day for the 3/5 Marine kids coming up and our own Teresa Bonutto is going to be involved in that to assist the kids who will be making gifts for their Dads.

PUBLIC COMMENTS -

John Bosch, Laguna Hills Resident spoke about the campaign sign disappearance issue. He stated that on Sunday Morning, Sept. 16, while taking a walk in his neighborhood, he spotted a worker from a County truck picking up campaign signs. He said he wondered why a County Employee was in his neighborhood on a Sunday Morning picking up signs from private property. He asked why and was told the signs were non-conforming with a County Sign Ordinance. Mr. Bosch said he told the worker that he had no right to take signs from private property and noticed several more signs in the back of his truck that were Dr. Mathur's and Andrew Blount's Signs. Mr. Bosch said he asked the worker on whose orders was he in this neighborhood and was told, by the worker, that he was there on orders from Laguna Hills City Inspector Vince Cardona. The worker showed a copy of the County Ordinance dated Nov. 22, 1991. The worker also wrote down his name and the name of our City Inspector who called in the order.

Mr. Bosch said continued that he and the worker got into a heated conversation and he thought the worker had no right to take the signs down regardless of whose sign it may be. Mr Bosh said, when I insisted he put those signs back he said he was going to call the police. Mr. Bosch said at my advance age cooler heads prevailed and I finally convinced him to allow me to replace those signs not 6 inches from where they had originally been placed, so I left feeling that I had won the battle and the war. He continued that the question still in his mind is why was the County in Laguna Hills on a Sunday Morning doing the job of what I think is the responsibility of a City of Laguna Hills Employee. He said last night on KTLA there was a report of a problem with sign's being vandalized in Costa Mesa and as all of you know a very bitter battle between a City a Employees Union and those interested in Government Reform there as well as literally thousands of dollars worth of campaign signs having been vandalized. He concluded with, that said, I don't suspect that's the issue here in Laguna Hills and what I hope is we can back off now and allow a little leeway to these candidates who put so much money into their campaigns.

Andrew Blount, 2012 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council said he has had numerous discussions with the City and knows it's the City's plan to stay away from the campaign signs unless they are illegally placed but he said he has approximately 100 signs missing along with other candidate's signs. He said on Oct. 18 he noticed that the signs along Nellie Gail Rd. and Cabot Rd. that had been there in the morning were missing later in the day. Later in the day he said he also noticed a City Truck that was a landscaping company doing some work on Nellie Gail and Cabot so he stopped and asked the foreman about the missing signs and the foreman said that a large man in a gray Honda Accord came and took the campaign signs about an hour and a half ago. Then the guy standing next to the foreman said, "What about those signs we have in the back of our truck?" Mr. Blount said he took a look in the truck and saw signs with trash stacked and landscape tools piled on top of them. He said he took pictures and then asked the foreman about this and was told that the man in the Honda Accord must have put those signs in the back of the truck. Because that sounded unusual Mr. Blount said he called the City, and the City Manager Channing responded right away with 4 Sheriff's officers.

Mr. Blount continued that he had a letter from a resident, Douglas Harris, who stated that he has seen the City taking signs down on La Paz and Aliso Hills Dr. and he had numerous reports from other folks regarding sign issues. He concluded that he thinks each of us has a simple request, if there is a pile of signs somewhere it would be great to know where. It's late in the election to be printing new signs with only 2 weeks left and personally he is out $1000 plus in signs. He added that 2 signs taken from that maintenance truck were reinstalled so about 98 are still missing. He said he doesn't know that they all end up in City trucks but he keeps hearing that they do so if there are signs in truck yards somewhere he would like them back.

Dr. Raghu Mathur 2012 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council said he also concerned with the signs. He said a number of signs for several candidates have been vandalized, broken, and trampled in different locations. 2 of the locations were La Paz and Aliso Hills and on Paseo de Valencia. He said reports were filed but he is not aware of any progress being made in the investigation of these 2 incidents. Now we are hearing that a city employee may be involved in the removal of these signs but said he is not recovering any of these signs. He said he would appreciate the City investigating this matter and if there are any signs retrieved he would sure like them back. About 200 of his signs are missing and/or vandalized.

Council Member Kogerman asked if Mr. Blount wanted the letter he passed out to council members read into the public record. Mr. Blount responded, that he would appreciate that. Kogerman read the letter from Laguna Hills Resident Douglas Harris, dated Oct. 22, 2012 stating - On Monday, Oct. 8, 2012, while driving on La Paz Rd. at the intersection of La Paz Rd. and Aliso Hills Dr. I observed a City Worker pulling political advertising signs off the hill and placing them in the back of his truck. I'm a local Real Estate Agent and I have in the past had some of my signs taken by city workers so I am sensitive to an act like this. I remember thinking at the time it seemed unusual for a worker to be picking up signs prior to an election. When I saw Mr. Blount's comments about losing signs on facebook I responded back and let him know what I'd seen. Kogerman said she spoke with this person after the incident and he said he recalls that it was a City truck.

*** SEE THE CITY MANAGER'S RESPONSE TO THESE COMMENTS UNDER - CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS below.

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $1,191,724.47
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - NONE

Items of interest from the Consent Calendar -

Item 4.3 - Clarification of Municipal Code for Terms of Office for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions. Staff Recommendation - Adopt the ordinance that states Terms of Office are amended from 2 years to 4 years and the frequency of the meetings is changed from monthly to bi-monthly. These changes were amended by a Resolution in 2005 and had a first reading at the Oct. 9, 2012 City Council meeting. The new ordinance will read: "The term of each board or commission member shall be four years with staggered terms, and expire on January 31. When a commissioner's term expires, reappointment is not automatic."

Item 4.4 - 6th Progress Payment for Avenida de la Carlota Widening Project with change order #2 (in the amount of $10,015.12) for $32,217.41 This project began on Oct. 17, 2011- amended contract price is $839,977.82 Staff Report states Fiscal Impact is within the Capital Improvement Program Budget for this project.

Item 4.5 - Progress Payment for Citywide Pavement Rehab. $250,764.87 to American Asphalt and authorize a Task Order to Willdan for survey monument preservation. Staff Report states additional amounts of $43,500 for 116 Survey locations and $39,000 for 104 Survey locations are necessary to preserve and reset survey monuments after project construction. Staff Report states there were more survey monuments than originally estimated, some had been previously paved over and some were in bad shape. Fiscal Impact is stated to be within the Capital Improvement Project Budget for this program.

Item 4.6 - City Council Authorization for City Manager to execute a joint parking covenant/agreement between Mouldy, LLC and the City of Property located at 25202-25352 Cabot Rd. for the purpose of the establishment of DaVita Dialysis at Cabot Town Center and various site improvements.

Items pulled from the Consent Calendar - Item 4.3 Terms of Office for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions and Item 4.4 - 6th Progress Payment for Avenida de la Carlota Widening Project with change order #2 (in the amount of $10,015.12) for $32,217.41 were pulled by Council Member Kogerman. The remainder of the Consent Calendar was passed 5-0.

Item 4.3 Terms of Office for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions - Council Member Kogerman announced that she was opposed to this because in a few months she would like to revisit the whole issue of commissions and committees.

Item 4.4 - 6th Progress Payment for Avenida de la Carlota Widening Project with change order #2 (in the amount of $10,015.12) for $32,217.41
Council Member Kogerman stated there is now a 17% overage on this project and asked how unusual is that and is it something we failed to previously anticipate? Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer answered the working with Cal-Trans is difficult and somewhat unpredictable and Cal Trans has require multiple changes to off ramps and signs and there was also a road repair in needed in the same area so we took advantage of the contractor already being there to have that done so that was about $50,000 of that.

Vote - Consent Calendar Item 4.3 was passed 3 - 2 (Noes were Kogerman and Bressette) and Item 4.4 was 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 PUBLIC HEARING - ** Item 5.4 was continued from the Oct. 9, 2012 City Council Meeting.
Item 5.4 - MINOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT/PARKING USE - A REQUEST BY WBSA ARCHITECTS INC., ON BEHALF OF SADDLEBACK MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, FOR A JOINT USE PARKING PERMIT TO ESTABLISH OFF-SITE STAFF PARKING FOR USE BY MEMORIAL CARE CANCER TREATMENT CENTER, WHICH PLANS TO OCCUPY THE EXISTING BUILDING AT 24302 PASEO DE VALENCIA, AND FOR A MINOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT FOR A 3,160 SQUARE FOOT BUILDING ADDITION AND MINOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS.

Staff report says the building addition will eliminate some of the parking. City Staff is recommending off site parking for staff at a nearby parking structure on the Saddleback Hospital Campus so that patients will still have ample onsite parking at this building next to the Farmers and Merchants Bank. This issue was presented by David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: THE PLANNING AGENCY CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING; AND APPROVE THE MINOR SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT/PARKING

Council Member Bressette noted the absence of some Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues that needed to be addressed so with assistance from the City Attorney added term and condition # 27 that states: Prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy for the new structure the applicant shall install ADA compliant curb ramps at the intersection of PDV and Magdelena to the reasonable satisfaction of the City Engineer.
Vote was 5 - 0 to approve this Permit/Parking Use.

(** Editor's Note - According to the City web site under the Planning Dept. We won't be hearing more about the the Fritz Duda Company's proposal to REDEVELOP the OAKBROOK VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTER INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL RENTAL UNITS, UNTIL a new date is announced - Public Hearing Scheduled for: TBD)

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -

Item 7.2.1 - (Under - 7.2 City Attorney) Appointment of a Labor Negotiator - for the Annual Performance Evaluation of the City Manager.

Staff report states this process began at the Closed Session on Oct. 9. 2012 and was continued to Oct. 23, 2012. It also states - "According to case law, evaluation of performance is not limited to a comprehensive review of the employee's performance, but may include examination of particular instances of job performance. It may also include consideration of the criteria for such evaluation, the process for conducting the evaluation, and other preliminary matters to the extent those matters constitute an exercise of the City Council's discretion in evaluating a particular employee and actions related to a finding that the evaluation is satisfactory." This evaluation will continue in closed sessions until completed. Under the Brown Act the city council must take "final action" on any changes to salary or other compensation in open session. Report states $15,000 has been allowed as a maximum for the labor representative. Services for the labor representative are stated to be $150 and hour with travel time billed at 50% or $75 per hour.

City Staff Recommendation - That the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee.

Staff recommends that John Goss, who is reported to have over 40 years of city and county management experience and is a Senior Associate at Ralph Andersen and Associates, Inc. serve as the labor negotiator for the annual performance evaluation of the City Manager. Staff report states a closed session meeting was conducted on Oct. 9, 2012 to start the process of the performance evaluation of the city manager and to determine criteria for the evaluation as well as the process and procedures for conducting the evaluation including the use of a professional facilitator. (**Editor's Note - John Goss was the same person chosen by City Council Members Joel Lautenschleger and Melody Carruth, at the Nov. 9, 2010 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting to be the labor negotiator for the City Manager's 2010 Annual Performance Evaluation, but that year citizens spoke out against a raise and bonus for the City Manager, after which City Manager Bruce Channing concluded it would be unwise to expect a bonus and raise that year. At that time we noted that the Labor Negotiator for the City Manager in Laguna Hills had historically been Council Member Craig Scott.)

City Attorney Greg Simonian presented this item stating State law authorizes the city council to hold closed sessions with its designated and authorized labor representative re. the compensation of unrepresented employees such as the city manager, however prior to closed session the city council is required to hold an open session to identify and designate the representative chosen. It is recommended tonight that the city council designate John Goss of Ralph Anderson and Associates to serve as the City Council's designated labor representative in connection with the annual performance evaluation of the city manager and also to facilitate the annual performance evaluation.

Council Member Kogerman said she understood that appointing a labor negotiator gives the city council leave to discuss compensation for the city manager so that tonight there could be discussions of and modifications to the city manager's contract approved. She asked if the requirement to vote in open session could be done later tonight in this chamber when there is no one present in the audience to hear it.

City Attorney Simonian answered under State Law city council would be permitted to convene in closed session, discuss compensation via the designated labor negotiator, however any changes or modifications would legally have to occur out in open session through Minute Action and then be ratified at a subsequent council meeting in an open session by way of a formal resolution of the city council.

Kogerman then asked if we do not appoint Mr. Goss as a labor negotiator tonight but only as a facilitator then is any discussion of compensation off the table at this time? City Attorney Simonian answered that is correct.

PUBLIC COMMENTS -

John Bosch - Laguna Hills Resident stated the citizens of Laguna Hills have their eyes on this process and we want to be assured that our tax money is spent wisely. I can promise you the mood of the electorate has changed and while those of us who pay the bills are not allowed to be present when negotiations take place we would prefer that any revision in compensation be undertaken by the new council that will be seated on Dec. 10. If this current council were to hastily negotiate a new contract for the city manager prior to the new council being seated, I think it would be perceived as a complete disregard for newly elected council members and a disregard for the citizens.

Dr. Dore Gilbert, 2012 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council said he strongly supported hiring a labor negotiator, after sitting on the school board for years the school board never negotiated directly with the superintendent except when they hired. He noted that when they hired their last superintendent it was at $40,000 less than the previous superintendent. He noted that it flies in the face of the Orange County Register Newspaper that said he could not chart his own course which was amazing to him. (**Editor's Note - Dr. Gilbert is referring to the Orange County Register's Endorsement of Andrew Blount and Raghu Mathur for Laguna Hills City Council - you can see what they said at http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-374220-council-hills.html) He continued that it is much better to have a paid professional in the middle so as not to poison the relationship with the city manager. This will also assist to remove charges of favoritism and the good old boy notions that we have. Also need to slow down this process for the election that will produce 2 new council members who would like to have a say, if it's possible.
(**Editor's Note - See - Ka-chinghe sound of a city manager being fired http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/10/19/ka-ching-the-sound-of-a-city-manager-being-fired/163292/
Attorney Craig Scott, who is quoted in this story, was a long term City Council Member in Laguna Hills who was often appointed by the rest of the long term city council members to be the labor negotiator for the Laguna Hills City Manager, who is the highest compensated City Manager in Orange County, and has the 4th highest severance package in the 7th smallest city in OC. Craig Scott was defeated for re-election in 2010 . Laguna Hills has a chance now to replace 2 more long term council members who supported this bloated compensation and, in our opinion, we need to be careful Not to elect city council candidates supported by these council members who are leaving to avoid continuing the same policies.)

Dr. Raghu Mathur, 2012 Candidate for Laguna Hills City Council asked that no labor negotiator or facilitator be hired until after the election. What is the rush, especially considering that this matter has already been on the agenda for a long time? New council members should have a voice on behalf of citizens. Any hasty action on this will only lead to speculation and unnecessary suspicion.
(**Editor's Note - The Orange County Register, in endorsing Andrew Blount and Raghu Mathur for Laguna Hills City Council emphasized , "The Laguna Hills City Council has been divided in recent years over issues of transparency and compensation for the city manager. Two incumbents, Joel Lautenschleger and L. Allan Songstad, were up for reelection this year, but decided not to run. That presents Laguna Hills voters an opportunity to add two new members to the Council who can help move it beyond its internecine squabbles and deal squarely with transparency, executive compensation and other issues facing the city of some 30,000 residents." to see more just click on - http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/city-374220-council-hills.html

Council Member Kogerman offered a motion that the City Council appoint Mr. John Goss as facilitator for the purpose of conducting an annual performance evaluation only with no discussion of compensation at this time. She said it is not a matter of having a labor negotiator or not but when to have the labor negotiator. She noted that we recently spent 8 months and $23,000 of taxpayer money negotiating the city manager's Terms and Conditions of Employment with no result. (** Editor's Note - We spent 8 months of closed sessions from July 12, 2011 to May 22, 2012 and at least $23,000 of taxpayer money on Dan Cassidy, a labor negotiator from Liebert, Cassidy and Whitmore to negotiate the City Manager's Terms and Conditions of Employment which resulted only in an announcement from Mayor Carruth that Negotiations were concluded.)

Kogerman noted that according to the city manager's contract the city council can act at any time to increase the city manager's compensation, so it is not necessary too do this now just prior to an election. ** Kogerman's motion died for lack of a second.

Council Member Bressette asked about the timing of this issue and the City Attorney responded that the city council is not required by the city manager's contract or by law to act on this now. It is the council's prerogative to appoint a professional negotiator as a labor negotiator and/or a facilitator at this time or not. The city manager's contract requires that the council conduct a "Performance Evaluation" either in October or November of each year.

Mayor Carruth made a motion for the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee.

Council Member Kogerman stressed again that the city manager's contract requires only a Performance Evaluation in Oct. or Nov. of each year but compensation issues are not time sensitive. She also noted that perhaps Ralph Anderson and Associates may not be the right company to use as it is the same company that conducted the City Employee Compensation Report in 2011. It would be better to have more of a choice.

(**Editor's Note - Ralph Anderson and Associates is the same company that staff and then council chose to do the City Employee Compensation Report in 2011. Doug Johnson was the representative from Ralph Anderson who conducted the reporting at council meetings. The final report is reported at length in the June 28, 2011 issue of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog. About City Managers, Doug Johnson from Ralph Anderson and Assoc. said in June of 2011 - "there's a great amount of attention to City Manager Contracts and so I think there's a lot of discussion, a lot of negotiation going on interestingly in 2 categories, one is trying to be more responsive to those things that people have raised concerns about and the other is finding creative ways to hide money".
About non-management employees, Doug Johnson from Ralph Anderson concluded in June of 2011 that - Laguna Hills maintains a market position at approximately the 62 percentile related to the other cities in the study. He said the Health Insurance Benefits Costs paid by the City were higher than commonly found in the market place even after the City found lower Health Insurance Premium Rates this year. He said cash benefits were consistent with the market place. Labor rates aren't moving right now but in the short answer is maintain your position as long as it's something you can afford. He said he thinks there is a cost advantage to being fair and not having to deal with the problems of labor relations/unions that you might have if you suddenly go back to the 40th percentile. Since that time the Non-Management City of Laguna Hills Employees sought and obtained Employee Representation through the Laguna Hills City Employees Association as the exclusive representative of the City's full time and extended part time non management and non confidential employees.)

Mayor Carruth responded that Kogerman bringing up a waste of taxpayer dollars re. the waste of $23,000 to $30,000 spent in 2011-2012 for the previous negotiations with the city manager related to his Terms and Conditions of employment is "poor salesmanship on your part". Carruth stressed - As Mayor of this City she did everything she could to bring everyone together to re-negotiate his contract and it was months of work, and we were very close to successfully re-negotiating that contract and "you in a public meeting called for his resignation and the moment those word left your lips that was over". So if anyone is to blame for losing taxpayer dollars you are the one.

Kogerman responded, she did not call for the City Manager's resignation at that meeting. She said that something unacceptable occurred and if it should occur again, then at that point she would request his resignation but she did not expect it to occur again. (**Editor's Note and FACT CHECK - Mayor Carruth was Wrong and Kogerman is Correct. Kogerman DID NOT CALL FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S RESIGNATION. At the April 24, 2012 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting the incident, to which Mayor Carruth is referring, was recorded, can still be heard on the city web site and was also recorded in the Laguna Hills Watch Dog - This is a synopsis of that incident - Council Member Kogerman said she submitted an item to be placed on the City Council Agenda for this meeting. She said her item was submitted a day late but was accepted by the City Clerk Peggy Johns. She explained that she had vetted her item with the City Attorney, because it involved a City Ordinance, but was later told by the City Manager that he had pulled her item saying it was his decision related to whether a council member generated item could be placed on the agenda. Kogerman argued that the action of the City Manger challenges the legislative rights of elected City Council Members against the presumptive powers of the City Manager's and explained that from the 7 hour City Council Workshop on Saturday, March 12, 2011 the Procedure for placing items on the Council Agenda the Vote was 3 to 2 to retain the current practice of allowing any individual council member to agendize an item. Council Member Kogerman stated the purpose of this comment is to make clear that unless the council majority changes the procedure neither the City Manager or anyone else has authority to arbitrarily pull an item submitted by any council member. She said she will recommend censure or termination for anyone who does this in the future, unless it is just for the purpose of engaging in a discussion with the author.)

Council Member Bressette said, "While we don't have to take action on the city manager's salary this evening we have to take action on his performance review in closed session. We should, at the same time, move forward with whatever negotiations we might have." He also said he didn't support Kogerman's motion because he took offense at being called part of a lame duck council and references to this being able to be done in secret.

Council Member Songstad said it was not wise to eliminate the discussion of compensation and reminded all of us that he said a long time ago that unless you have 2 willing parties to negotiate the terms of a contract it is a waste of time. Songstad continued that "... it was a waste of money then and it would be a waste of money now." and added "We are not gong to be discussing any changes to the contract" . (** Editor's Note - It is True that Songstad did say unless you have 2 willing parties to negotiate the terms of a contract it is a waste of time and there lies the problem, according to Songstad. Since Channing was apparently not a willing party to negotiate in good faith, that was the reason for the recent waste of time in 8 months of closed sessions and the $23,000 to $30,000 waste of taxpayer money. Surprisingly, although Songstad reminds us frequently that Channing is not a willing party in these negotiations, he voted tonight for another labor negotiator and another round of closed sessions to negotiate with Channing tonight? It would be very interesting to know why Songstad might believe Channing is a willing party for negotiations now or why he voted for this if as he said ".... it was a waste of money then and it would be a waste of money now"?

Also Songstad said several times tonight - "We are not gong to be discussing any changes to the contract" but Item 10.3 under Closed Sessions states - Conference with Labor Negotiator - Agency Negotiator - John Goss, Labor Representative, Unrepresented Employee - City Manager, Negotiation - Terms and Conditions of Employment. Reconvene in Council Chamber for any reportable action taken. Terms and Conditions of Employment are about the City Manager's Contract.

In December of 2010 Council Member Carruth described the city manager's contract to us as a Golden Handcuff Agreement. She said amending the city manager's contract was an issue raised by me and was supported by the city council, however, Mr. Channing declined unless his salary was increased. The contract is a binding agreement which limits the city council's ability to make changes...hence the name "golden handcuff" agreement is appropriate here.)

VOTE - Staff Recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager, an unrepresented employee Passed 4 - 1. The No vote was Council Member Kogerman.

MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS and MAYOR - NONE

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS -

Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger said Vector Control has had no new cases of West Nile Virus reported in Laguna Hills this year. He said there is a DVD about this on the City web site.

Mayor Carruth reminded us that it is important to protect the watershed area of Aliso Creek and there is a new and improved area there. She also said she has had complaints from residents re. the change of no longer being able to turn right on a red light from Cabot Rd. onto La Paz. She asked if this is permanent and her answer from Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer was Yes, it is permanent due to the configuration of the new intersection.

Council Member Kogerman noted there were 3 incidents reported tonight of campaign signs being stolen and/or destroyed since Oct. 7, 2012. The 1st was a County employee taking signs down and said he was operating from a 1991 memo. She asked if we could talk with this city employee, Mr. Rios, whose instructions the County employee was reportedly following to get the truth. She added that on Oct.18 there is a resident reporting that he saw a City truck taking signs and there has been no answer for that incident. Then on Oct. 22 another odd story of a truck throwing in signs in with trash. She asked about problems in the City related to this and said she just can't accept the explanation that campaign signs always have issues. She stressed that we need to get to the bottom of this problem as it is a matter of freedom of speech and a very expensive issue for the candidates.

City Manager Channing answered that the EMA (?) and the City's Landscape Maintenance crews both pick up signs. The 1st incident was a County Employee that the city uses on weekends for illegal sign and other kinds of collections he was the person Mr. Bosh spoke to. Channing said, in that case this sign collector thought the signs were interfering with free access on sidewalks. This may have been an overzealous effort on the part of the County Contract Employee that could have been resolved by pushing the sign back into the slope. Channing continued that he did get into a pretty heated exchange as Mr. Bosh described it, and he also felt threatened. With regard to the 2nd incident Channing said he had no information about that. The 3rd item is the one Mr. Blount referred to and that involved the City's landscaping crew Nieves was doing landscape work along Cabot Rd. adjacent to the railroad track. They removed the signs to do their work and should have re-installed those signs but it took some talking to their supervisor to get them to acknowledge that the signs had been taken to their yard but they were able to find some signs and reinstall them.

Council Member Bressette said there has been a lot of attention to signs and signs get lost. He gave an example of a story about staking out a territory to wait for sign thieves one time at 4:00 in the morning. He acknowledged that the signs are a big investment. He said that sometimes other candidates move those signs and accused Dr. Mathur, or someone on Mathur's staff, of moving some of the signs Bressette had placed and replacing them with his own. Bressette did not give any documentation for this accusation or any circumstances, location, details or witnesses to support this accusation. He said there are bigger issues in this election than signs.

(**Editor's Note - We contacted Dr. Mathur to see if he wanted to respond to that and he told us the following - I have absolutely no idea of what Mr. Bressette is talking about. It's irresponsible of an elected official to make an accusation against someone without offering any documentation. Perhaps it's Mr. Bressette or someone on his staff who is moving the signs around and he is now cleverly trying to accuse someone else in his self-defense. He should know better. The public is sick and tired of such arrogant politicians.
Raghu

CLOSED SESSION –

Item 10.1 - Conference with Labor Negotiator - City Designated Representative City Manager Bruce Channing and Assist. City Manager Don White are the designated City Representatives to negotiate with the Laguna Hills City Employees Association, City Employee Organization

Item 10.2 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - City Manager's Annual Performance Evaluation (**Editor's Note - According to the information above in Item 7.2.1 Administrative Reports - This is one of a series of Closed Session Negotiations re. the City Manager's Annual Performance evaluation related to any bonus and/or raise he may or may not receive.)

Item 10.3 Conference with Labor Negotiator - Agency Negotiator - John Goss, Labor Representative, Unrepresented Employee - City Manager, Negotiation - Terms and Conditions of Employment. Reconvene in Council Chamber for any reportable action taken. (**Editor's Note - There is no staff report explaining why the City is apparently conducting another series of Closed Sessions re. the City Manager's Terms and Conditions of Employment with a labor negotiator and the long term city council members declined to explain the purpose for this as well? We recently spent 8 months of closed sessions from July 12, 2011 to May 22, 2012 and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money on Dan Cassidy, a labor negotiator from Liebert, Cassidy and Whitmore to negotiate the City Manager's Terms and Conditions of Employment and all we got was an announcement from Mayor Carruth that - Negotiations Were Concluded. Hopefully this time will be more productive for taxpayers?)

*** We did receive a message from the City Clerk after the Closed Sessions noted above stating - there was nothing to Report.

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, November 13, 2012 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 -
F - for voting for the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager just before an election and after 8 months of the same type of negotiations had recently failed and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money had been wasted.
P - for voting to approve the minor site development Permit/Parking for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center and A+ for noticing ADA issues for this project and getting them corrected.
P - for voting against Item 4.3 Terms and Offices changes for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions.
F - for accusing a candidate of substituting his signs for yours in the past without any supporting documentation.

Carruth -
F - for voting for the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager just before an election and after 8 months of the same type of negotiations had recently failed and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money had been wasted.
P - for voting to approve the minor site development Permit/Parking for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
F - for voting for Item 4.3 Terms and Offices changes for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions
F - for falsely and publicly accusing Council Member Kogerman of calling for the City Manager's Resignation.

Kogerman -
P - for voting against the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager just before an election and after 8 months of the same type of negotiations had recently failed and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money had been.
A+ for proposing a motion that the City Council appoint Mr. John Goss as facilitator for the purpose of conducting an annual performance evaluation only with no discussion of compensation until after the election.
P - for voting to approve the minor site development Permit/Parking for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
P - for voting against Item 4.3 Terms and Offices changes for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions

Lautenschleger -
F - for voting for the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager just before an election and after 8 months of the same type of negotiations had recently failed and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money had been wasted.
P - for voting to approve the minor site development Permit/Parking for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
F - for voting for Item 4.3 Terms and Offices changes for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions

Songstad -
F - for voting for the staff recommendation that the Council Select and Appoint a designated Representative for purposes of conducting Labor Negotiations with the City Manager just before an election and after 8 months of the same type of negotiations had recently failed and $23,000 to $30,000 of taxpayer money had been wasted.
P - for voting to approve the minor site development Permit/Parking for Saddleback Memorial Medical Center.
F - for voting for Item 4.3 Terms and Offices changes for the Parks and Recreation and Traffic Commissions

City Manager - F - FOR WEAK RESPONSE TO CAMPAIGN SIGN REMOVAL AND/OR VANDALISM IN THE CITY RELATED TO CITY AND COUNTY WORKERS.

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

ABOUT LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES

Anonymous said... Read what the 2012 Laguna Hill's City Council Candidates are saying - First In A Series Of Interviews With South County Candidates: Laguna Hills City Council Candidates Dr. Raghu Mathur, Bill Hunt, Andrew Blount, And Dore Gilbert, M.D. http://ocpolitical.com/2012/10/11/first-in-a-series-of-interviews-with-south-county-candidates-laguna-hills-city-council-candidates-dr-raghu-mathur-bill-hunt-andrew-blount-and-dore-gilbert/

Anonymous said... Bill Hunt sure clarified his position on the compensation for the over compensated Laguna Hills city manager. Unbelievable! Bill believes that, overall, compensation for city staff is fair. He said the proof is in the pudding – Laguna Hills is not facing the unfunded liabilities for employee benefits that other Orange County cities face. He believes that the City Manager’s compensation is more of a political issue than a fiscal one. http://ocpolitical.com/2012/10/11/first-in-a-series-of-interviews-with-south-county-candidates-laguna-hills-city-council-candidates-dr-raghu-mathur-bill-hunt-andrew-blount-and-dore-gilbert/

Anonymous said... Hunt believes that the City Manager’s compensation is more of a political issue than a fiscal one. Has he at least read the information in the compensation report on the city web site? And there's more that the City won't declare. Take a look at the current city council member who is hosting Hunt's fundraisers. Hunt is being supported financially by the council members who have a vested interest in the city manager compensation. I'm sick and tired of politicians who sell their souls for political expediency rather than focus on doing the right thing! Leaders like that are weakening our country, state and the communities from within. We need to root them out to keep America strong! http://ocpolitical.com/2012/10/11/first-in-a-series-of-interviews-with-south-county-candidates-laguna-hills-city-council-candidates-dr-raghu-mathur-bill-hunt-andrew-blount-and-dore-gilbert/

ABOUT CITY MANAGER SEVERENCE COMPENSATION IN ORANGE COUNTY

Laguna Hills Watch Dog said - Ka-chinghe sound of a city manager being fired http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/10/19/ka-ching-the-sound-of-a-city-manager-being-fired/163292/
Attorney Craig Scott, quoted in this story, was a long term City Council Member in Laguna Hills who was often appointed by the rest of the long term city council members to be the labor negotiator for the Laguna Hills City Manager who is the highest compensated City Manager in Orange County and has the 4th highest severance package in the 7th smallest city in OC. Craig Scott was defeated for re-election in 2010 and James Andrews is correct, we need to get rid of the city council members who supported these bloated compensation packages. Laguna Hills has a chance now to replace 2 more long term council members who supported this bloated compensation and we need to be careful Not to elect city council candidates supported by these council members who are leaving. We don't want more of the same.

Anonymous said... I'd have to go along with you on this subject. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to speak my mind!

** 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 and 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.

October 31 - Mountain Mike's Pizza (Laguna Hills) - all day
November 7 - Five Guys Burgers (Mission Viejo) - all day
November 14 - Wine Works For Everyone (Mission Viejo) - all day
November 21 - Polly's Pies (Laguna Woods) - all day ( + Pies for Marine Families in cooperation with Teen Darkhorse at LHHS.)
November 28 - El Pollo Loco (LH) - all day
December 5 - Ruby's (LH) - all day
December 12 - BJ's Brewhouse (LH) - all day
December 19 - Cafe Rio (LF) - all day
December 26 - Golden Baked Ham (LH) - all day everyday

**Don't forget to see our "WWW Everyday Partners - Alpha Cleaners, Golden Baked Hams and ToGO's on our web site. 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

*** Team Dark Horse is Collecting Donations for Early Christmas Gifts and Toys for the families of the Deployed Marines.

An update on the deployed 3/5 Marines from their Chaplin Matt Pickering - is noted above under - PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS.

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 and toy and Gift Collection Boxes will be distributed throughout the City. 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/

**Be sure to 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

** NEWS STORIES AND BLOGS ABOUT LAGUNA HILLS: Click on the links below to see the stories.
Grand Jury gets last laugh on "Shadowy" pension costs - Orange County Register OC Watchdog - Oct. 8, 2012http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/10/08/grand-jury-gets-last-laugh-on-shadowy-pension-costs/162930/
City officials abused power, grand jury says July 6th, 2012, 1:22 am · · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/07/06/city-officials-abused-power-grand-jury-says/158361/
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."

** CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD - For a roundup of Laguna Hills police calls check Sheriff's Blotter information - County of Orange at http://ws.ocsd.org/Blotter/ then choose a city/area and either a 7 day view or a 30 day view. The Sheriff's Open Calls,Cities and Areas - Media Page allows members of the media and residents of the community to see all open calls for all cities and areas. The Sheriff's Blotter enables residents to know what activity is occurring in their communities. A regular review of the calls in your area and the year-to-date crime statistics, at the bottom of each page in the OCSD Patrol Areas section, will provide you an accurate view of law enforcement activity in your community. It will also show you Official Radio Codes. You can contact the Sheriff's Dispatch by phone at 949-425-1800.
** You can also check the Saddleback Valley News every Friday for some of the police calls.

Laguna Hills Watch Dog

Monday, October 29, 2012

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