Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - January 8, 2013


Welcome back! We are looking forward to a more Citizen/Resident Friendly and Transparent Laguna Hills in 2013!!!  Do You have any New Years Resolutions for the Laguna Hills that weren't already published in the OC Register's Story - Resident's Resolutions for Laguna Hills, Lake Forest at  http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-382833-lake-forest.html  ?  Post them in the "Comments" section at the end of the blog page or send them to us at BlandMJ@AOL.com and be sure to give permission to use your name if you want your name published with the comments you send our e-mail address.


FEATURES DIRECTORY


SPECIAL REPORT - LAGUNA HILLS WATCH DOG's CITY COUNCIL and CITY MANAGER "CITIZEN FRIENDLINESS" REPORT CARD SCORES for the year 2012, can be found below "Write a Letter to the Editor", in this blog. There were some surprising changes related to the Citizen Friendliness scores of some council members


** We just learned that you can now listen to our New Mayor - Barbara Kogerman on FM radio KSBR (88.50).  She is being interviewed the day before and the day after each City Council Meeting by Dawn Kamber of Saddleback Community College's FM radio station.  The interviews will be played in 30-second spots, every hour and half-hour from 6 am through 9 am on the day of and two days after the council meetings. Their regular programming throughout this time is easy-listening jazz.


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


** Presentations and Proclamations -
Item 1.1 - Laguna Hills Sheriff's Deputy of the Year goes to Deputy Brian Gunsolley who is the Student Resource Officer for Laguna Hills' schools.
Item 1.2 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jaffee (Adam Wong - alternate Amanda Jafee) - Basketball girls and boys' varsity have 2 games each this week. Soccer girls and boys varsity have one game this week. This is anti- bull week. Drumline and Winterguard Musical programs getting started. Winter formal, Exciting news about the Spanish Immersion Pgrm. January 31 is a Teen Drug Trend Spanish Speakers Parent Education Night with Deputy Sheriff Gunsolley and a new Lacrosse Coach this year. Win-Win-Wednesdays are ongoing with Wed. January 9 at Cool Beans Coffee House - all day, Wed. January 16 at Chili's Aliso Viejo - all day and Wed January 23 at Daphne's (AV) - all day.
Item 1.3 - Presentation on LHHS International Award Winning Spanish Immersion Program and National Award Winning Teacher.
Item 1.4 - Presentation on the future I-5 Project between El Toro Rd. and the SR-73 with request for Public Outreach.
** Public Comments - NONE
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $1,232,358.39
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register - $18,402.93 to Faubel Public Affairs for the Winter Edition of "CITY VIEWS" plus $2,500 for Postage for CITY VIEWS = $20,902.93
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register- NONE
** Items of interest in the Consent Calendar -
Item 4.2 - Progress payment# 20 for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion - NONE
** Planning Agency/City Council Public Hearings - Item 5.4.1 - Request for Conditional Use Permit for Leasing of Commercial space for Exercise Facilities on Cabot Rd.
** City Council Public Hearings - Item 6.1 - City's Application for Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. + **EDITOR'S NOTE - A reminder to everyone who was here in 2008 and information for those who were not - a SYNOPSIS of the History of the Senior Services Funding Issue in Laguna Hills and how difficult it was for Seniors to get any services in a City with a significantly increasing Senior Population.
** Administrative Reports - Item 7.2.1 - Discussion of Laguna Hills' 2013 Proposed Earth Day Activities + **EDITOR'S NOTE - Designations that make Laguna Hills stand out vs. make it "Outstanding" in So. OC. 
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor- Item 8.1.1 Postponement of Interviews and Re-advertisement for City's Parks and Traffic Commission Openings. ** City Council Member Comments - Need voters for the election of a representative to the OC Council of Governments on Thurs., January 24 at their Headquarters in Orange.
** Closed Session - Item 10.1 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation - City Manager and establishing goals and objectives for the City Manager for 2013.
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post - ABOUT: Carruth's "True Market Forces" speech; Belly to Belly with Blount; Giving Private Information in Public; Trust in City Government; Kogerman as Mayor; Building Community; Laguna Hills' Trash Hauler and Political Campaigns  PLUS - *** WIN-WIN-WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE OF RESTAURANTS
***You can place comments in the "COMMENTS" section at the bottom of this blog site report and see comments there from others and you can send comments to BlandMJ@aol.com  Your name will not be displayed in the comments section unless you give permission.
** HOW TO SUPPORT OUR 3/5 ADOPTED MARINES and UPDATES FROM - TEAM DARK HORSE ** 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
** WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
** LAGUNA HILLS WATCH DOG's CITY COUNCIL and CITY MANAGER CITIZEN FRIENDLINESS REPORT CARD SCORES for the year 2012.

Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - January 8, 2013
All Council Members were present except Council Member Melody Carruth
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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 - Laguna Hills DEPUTY OF THE YEAR AWARD - The 2012 Laguna Hills Deputy of the Year Award goes to Deputy Brian Gunsolley who is the (SRO) Student Resource Officer for Laguna Hills' Schools. Mayor Kogerman stressed that with nationwide concern focused on school safety she was pleased to recognize Deputy Gunsolley who has been with the Sheriff's Dept since 1999 and with Laguna Hills since 2006. He is the SRO for Laguna Hills Schools. The Staff Report states Deputy Gunsolley has a strong working relationship with all our schools and school administrators, and works hard coordinating safety and security programs. He is very involved with the educational programs at LHHS and assists with the "Every 15 Minutes" Program focusing on preventing teen drinking and driving. He also assists with the "Is Your Teen At Risk?" Program focusing on teen drug use and numerous other educational programs focused on educating teens and their parents about many teen related issues. Through his hard work and diligence he has made Laguna Hills a safer place. In presenting this award, Lt. Tom Behrens, Chief of Police for Laguna Hills stated Deputy Gunsolley's fellow officers and supervisor selected Deputy Gunsolley for this award. He added that Deputy Gunsolley has been a tremendous asset, has great character, great work ethic, great intelligence, and is an all around good man. Principal Sean Boulton from LHHS added that in his 7 years at LHHS, before and after they had an SRO Program, he has seen the positive difference this program makes and stressed that on campus Deputy Gunsolley is 1st an Educator, 2nd a Parent and 3rd a Sheriff's Deputy at LHHS. He added that he also creates a healthy level of fear at LHHS and is appreciated by students and faculty. This well deserved award and presentation was followed and marked throughout by lots of applause!! ** Editor's Note - Our Congratulations also to Deputy Gunsolley for a great job at our schools !!!


Item 1.2 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jaffee (Adam Wong is the Student Liaison at this time but his alternate Amanda Jafee is filling in for him tonight) -
Just got back on Monday from holiday break and are looking toward end of semester finals that start on the 22nd. Basketball girls and boys' varsity have 2 games each this week, boys on the 9th and the 11th and girls on the 8th and the 10th in the LHHS main Gym. Soccer as well with both girls and boys varsity teams - boys' game on the 9th and girls' game today, both games are vs. El Toro. This is anti-bull week and everyone is coming dressed up as cowboys rounding up bulls to give a lot of support and have fun. Drumline and Winterguard Musical programs just getting started and preparing for their competition. Winter formal, on January 26, Theme is "A Night in Rome" and will be at Soka University. Very exciting news about the Spanish Immersion Pgrm. and Principal Boulton will speak next about that. On January 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 is a Teen Drug Trend Spanish Speakers Parent Education Night with Deputy Sheriff Gunsolley. There is a new Lacrosse Coach this year. Win-Win-Wednesdays are ongoing with Wed. January 9 at Cool Beans Coffee House - all day, Wed. January 16 at Chili's Aliso Viejo - all day and Wed January 23 at Daphne's California Greek in Aliso Viejo - all day.

Council Member Dore Gilbert, MD stated that was an excellent presentation and contributed that when his 5 kids went to LHHS students, teachers and coaches always concluded presentations with - "and as always Go HAWKS!"


Item 1.3 - Presentation on LHHS Spanish Immersion Program - LHHS Principal Sean Boulton and teacher Tonya Iribarne, gave a presentation to the City Council on the LHHS 2-Way Spanish Immersion Pgrm. and Ms. Tonya Iribarne received a Certificate of Recognition from the City for her dedication and passion for this important program. Mayor Kogerman contributed that LHHS Spanish Teacher Ms.Tonya Iribarne has won a NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD and her Spanish Immersion program has recently won an INTERNATIONAL AWARD for the BEST SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM IN THE WORLD. She added this is quite amazing and we couldn't be more proud and presented Ms. Iribarne with the Certificate of Recognition from the City. Principal Sean Boulton said we are the high school component of the 2 way immersion program in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. He introduced Ms. Avilla as another teacher in the Immersion Program who teaches 9th and 10th grade Social Science in Spanish. He added that Ms. D'Antonio who is another teacher in the language Immersion Program could not be here tonight.

Ms.Tonya Iribarne expressed that it was an honor and a surprise to be here tonight. She explained that the Language Immersion Program is a K-12 Program and the success of the program is thanks to all of the teachers, the parents, and most of all the amazing students involved. She said the program begins with 90% in Spanish and 10% in English with gradually more Spanish added and this progresses until in high school 2 classes, Spanish Language and History, are taught completely in Spanish in the 9th and 10th grades. In 11th and 12th grades Spanish Literature AP and IP is added. She said there is an amazing passing rate.

Ms. Iribarne said they are connected with the International Spanish Academy from Spain through the Spanish Embassy's Education Dept. Seniors in the program receive Certificates from Spain, which are equivalent to a high school diploma in Europe and they can study abroad. She said because they are a part of the Spanish Immersion Program in the International Spanish Academy, they get support from the Embassy including free material, books, motivational speakers, the Academy invites the kids to Los Angeles, send the teachers to conferences, they train, and they sent an Ambassador to the classroom. Amazing Student Awards have been won. 4 students from LHHS won fully paid educational/adventure trips to travel for 6 weeks in Spain and in another So. American Country meeting top Spanish Dignitaries. She added that only 3 or 4 students in the entire USA can win those awards annually. Winning the Spanish Immersion Program of the Year award included $5,000 in cash which was used for new text books, and $10,000 in materials from Santillana Publishing Company plus the PTSA donated $16,000 for a State of the Art Language lab for LHHS. She explained that the original award from Santillana was supposed to be $5000 but 3 of their students spoke to representatives from Santillana in Washington DC and Santillana was so impressed by the students that they gave an extra $5000.  This presentation was followed by much applause from the audience in the council chambers.  **Editor's Note - Our congratulations also go out to the amazing group of people! 

Council Member Dore Gilbert, MD congratulated the Language Immersion Program and added that he was able to see the first kids who started in the program at Gates Elementary School, about 20 years ago, graduate from LHHS with the diploma that was discussed. He said this program was introduced at Gates with a lot of skepticism in the community but added that they knew it was the right thing to do and is now so glad they did when they can now see the quality of students that have completed the course. He concluded with a "thank you very much for all your hard work" to all.


Item 1.4 - Presentation on the future I-5 Project between El Toro Rd. and the SR-73 -  Project Manager Hamid Torkamanha and Public Outreach Specialist Julie Toledo, from the OCTA - Orange County Transportation Authority presented a brief overview of the project, timing and Public outreach efforts.

Julie Toledo, was the 1st speaker and stated this is project overview, as the project will not start construction until 2018, meanwhile information plus input from the public will be gathered. She said that Measure M funding has already provided, over the years, approx. $7.5 million to Laguna Hills plus another $500,000 from M2. She said this project is an over $500 million project that will benefit commuters in So. OC. from 73 to El Toro Rd. She said this is much needed to improve capacity, congestion and mobility. Will be adding a General Purpose Lane and additional carpooling. Mr. Torkamanha added this goes from South of Crown Valley Pkwy to El Toro Rd. and includes sound walls as needed and approved by OCTA. 2nd general purpose lane will be added from Crown Valley Pkwy. to Alicia Pkwy. Now conducting Public Outreach. Julie continued that a Public Hearing will be held in July and more information about that will be forthcoming through additional City Council Presentations and presentations through many other community organizations, plus there is a Facebook page. The first Open House will be here (AT THE LAGUNA HILLS COMUNITY CENTER) on February 28 from 4:30 to 7:00 pm for questions and answers. Another Open House is Feb 27 at Mission Viejo City Hall.

Council Member Bressette asked and clarified with Julie that the project is from the 73 to El Toro Rd. NOT to the El Toro Y. Julie added that there may be another project from the El Toro Y to the 405 so she will keep Bressette advised on that.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked if OCTA has any kind of metric that is used to quantify traffic congestion? He gave an example of, "this project will reduce congestion by 25%". Mr. Torkamanha answered he was not sure and could look into that but in looking at the long term traffic picture to about 2040, more cars continuously show up to cause more congestion so this type of measure is difficult.
Council Member Gilbert - Suggested that Mayor Pro-Tem Blount could probably write the software for the kind of metric he was interested in seeing and clarified with the speakers that the possible additional lane that will be going from Crown Valley to Alicia Pkwy. will be on both the northbound and southbound sides of I-5. He also questioned why these lanes would both be General Purpose Lanes for such a short distance? Mr. Torkamanha explained they are looking at alternatives but one of these lanes may be from Alicia Pkwy to the South 73 and the 2nd General Purpose Lane will be from Crown Valley to Alicia.
Council Member Kogerman asked that this group be mindful of designing a Sound Wall that is needed for the area of the Aliso Creek Bridge for Laguna Hills Residents. Mr. Torkamanha clarified that OCTA needs to approve all the sound walls they pay for and they need to be in the CalTrans Right of Way and qualify for CalTrans approval but they will do anything they can.


PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE Mayor Kogerman again clarified that speakers are requested to complete a pink speaker form to be given to City Clerk Johns. This is voluntary and asked as a courtesy but is not required and stating your name and address publicly is also not required.


CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $1,232,358.39
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - $18,402.93 to Faubel Public Affairs for the Winter Edition of "CITY VIEWS" plus $2,500 for Postage for CITY VIEWS = $20,902.93
Items of Interest pulled from the Warrant Register - NONE


ITEMS of INTEREST from the CONSENT CALENDAR -
Item 4.2 - Progress payment # 20 for La Paz Rd. Widening at I-5 - $225,546.05. Work began on April 7, 2011. The contractor is reportedly working on corrective work to finish the project and the site has been placed on e one-year maintenance cycle as of Nov. 2012. Fiscal Impact - Report states this payment is within the Capital Improvement Program Budget for this Project.

Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion - None
Vote - Consent Calendar 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 5.4.1 - Request for Conditional Use Permit for Leasing of 10,000 sq ft. of Commercial Space for Exercise Facilities at 25214-25272 Cabot Rd. Staff Report States that after circulating the public hearing notice for this project, staff determined that the applicant's proposal does not require a Conditional Use Permit application and staff recommends termination of the application. This item required no action per the City Attorney, so no vote was taken.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - NONE


CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS -
Item 6.1 - City's Application for Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. This item was presented by Melissa Au-Yeung Senior Management Analyst. Staff Report states staff anticipates submitting an application for funds in the amount of $60,000 to assist with costs of facility improvements at the Senior Center. The County of Orange administers these Grants, for cities that participate in the Urban County Program, including the (CDBG) Community Development Block Grant program which are Non-entitlement cities with a population under 50,000. The City has successfully applied for these grants for this Senior Center for 4 years now. The funds this year will be used to remove and replace existing fluorescent light fixtures with energy efficient fixtures, and expand the hardscape on the south side of the building to create a larger Meals on Wheels staging area. The decision will be made by the County sometime in Feb. 2013. Fiscal Impact to the City - Staff Report states - None other than staff time.

Council Member Bressette said in the report No Fiscal Impact is noted and asked can you comment on how much actual staff time was spent on this application? Melissa responded that there is approx. a 6 month window where we receive funding and spend it so I would say about 10% of my time. Bressette responded, "So that's kindof a substantial amount of time with staff." Melissa added, "We calculated it to about $12,000 a year in lieu of staff time." Bressette responded, "We'll I guess I'd spend $12,000 to get 60 but it's a substantial amount of staff time and I appreciate it."

VOTE was 5-0 to pass this item and there were no public speakers.

**EDITOR'S NOTE - A reminder to everyone who was here in 2008 following this issue through the City Council and information for those who were not - below is a SYNOPSIS of the History of the Senior Services Funding Issue in Laguna Hills and how difficult it was for Seniors to get any services for Seniors in a City with significantly increasing Senior Population.

At the 10-28-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting-
Shirley Witt, Director of the Private Non-Profit Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center in Laguna Hills, asked the Laguna Hills City Council to include the only Senior Center located in Laguna Hills in the city budget. She said Laguna Hills Seniors are becoming isolated and depressed, and need transportation from their homes to the Senior Centers well as to many other destinations.

Marilyn Ditty, from the Florence Sylvester Senior Center said non-profit senior centers are in 13 cities and every other city has made a major contribution to the Senior Center Programs in their city, except Laguna Hills. She said she had asked many times for this city to contribute but they have never contributed. Many cities also have City Senior Transportation Programs but Laguna Hills does not. She noted that over 3041 meals were served last year to citizens of Laguna Hills, with a $10,613 deficit, to the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center which also provided almost 500 people with transportation. She mentioned that Laguna Hills City Council Members tell the public that they have senior services but they have not contributed to any. She estimated the contribution from the City of Laguna Hills to be about $100,000 for their Seniors. She told the city council that if they contribute, then in their next election they could truthfully say they do provide Senior Services in their city.

Mayor Allan Songstad argued that there are senior services at the Laguna Hills Community Center and Council Member Craig Scott asked if any other cities give $100,000?

Marilyn Ditty - responded that the services at the LH Community Center consist mainly of an aerobics program and exercise classes. She said RSM gives $150,000 a year and Laguna Woods give about $130,000 a year. Marilyn responded that the operating budget for just the Senior Center in Laguna Hills is about $500,000 and they are asking the city of Laguna Hills for only 20% of that - $100,000. She stated they would be glad to produce supporting documentation.


On 10/30/08 the Laguna Hills Watch Dog contacted Shirley Witt, the Director of the Florence Sylvester Memorial Senior Center and learned this is a Private Non-Profit Senior Center that had to raise funds to get the Center built. It was completed in 1999, and services 13 cities in the area through meals on Wheels, lunches at the Senior Centers, Socialization Activities, Transportation through the Senior Mobility Program, Information on Health and Wellness, Medicare and Financial Assistance, Case Management to assist Seniors who need additional help and more. She noted that all other cities they service pay their proportionate share for services except Laguna Hills who has been asked for 10 years to contribute but has done nothing. Shirley said about 20% of the population the center services was from Laguna Hills and many more were unable to get to the center from Laguna Hills due to lack of transportation. Shirley noted that the South County Senior Services Non-Profit Group held a National Aging In Place Mayor's Conference on Oct. 11, 2008 regarding available resources for Seniors in the cities and Mayors from 10 cities were invited. Mayor Songstad, whom she reported originally accepted their invitation, was a NO SHOW, but all of the other Mayors were proud of their city's services for seniors and happy to discuss them with the group.


At the 11-11-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Rita Rembolt, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen reported that RSM provides $7000 a month from their General Fund for Senior Services, and Lake Forest provides $11,000 a month while Laguna Hills provides nothing. She said Laguna Hills forwards about 30 phone calls a month to the private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills from out of State relatives who are concerned about their aging parents living in Laguna Hills. The Senior Center makes in home visits to Seniors in Laguna Hills to check on them and help them. She stated that Seniors who are 62 years of age and over are about 12% of Laguna Hills' population now and if you count the citizens who are 55 and over they are 23% of the Laguna Hills population.

Everett Stone, Laguna Hills Senior Citizen and GPAC member on the new Laguna Hills City Plan for the State of CA. stated his support for the Florence Sylvester private non-profit Senior Center in Laguna Hills and asked that the city council be supportive as other cities have done. He also noted a large pothole in Moulton Pkwy. near the Senior Center that has been there for months and needs repair and asked that it be repaired.


At the 11-25-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Robin Saunders, Laguna Hills Citizen for over 20 years, stated the private non-profit senior center in Laguna Hills supported her when she was caring for her mother and added we are one of the few cities without a city senior center and we owe it to the senior citizens to think of them.

Rita Rembolt a Laguna Hills Senior Citizen noted the recent "City Views" publication from the city included 4 pages of things for children under 5 and NOTHING for Seniors except the exercise classes from Saddleback NOT from the city.

Mayor Allan Songstad said the city has applied for grants that could total $131,000 in various funds. He said Lake Forest provides $11,000 a year from similar grants.


At the 12-09-08 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting
Bill Whalen, Laguna Hills Resident said he was impressed that the city council had so much money in the bank and reminded them of the need of the Florence Sylvester Senior Center for funds before the end of this year. He noted that the number of Seniors is increasing in this city and it is not realistic to ignore them and if the city can't find funds to help its seniors there is something wrong with the city's priorities.

Rita Rembolt, Laguna Hills Resident said there is a big hole in tonight's congratulations to each other among City Council Members for a job well done in that there were no references to seniors mentioned in any of the well done jobs. She noted that $3 million was earmarked for Parks and Recreation by this city but nothing for seniors?


2013 Update - The City of Laguna Hills provided no funding to the Senior Center in 2008. In 2009 the City was awarded one of the 2 grants for Fiscal Year 2009-10 for approximately $50,175 to go to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center with the stipulation that the amount of money actually received depends upon US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations.

The $131,000 in Grants, that Council Member Songstad said the City had applied for in 2008, never came through and reasons for that were not explained. The Community Development Block Grant is great when repairs are needed but a problem with this Grant is that the facility has to qualify each year for needed repairs and improvements to receive the Grant. The good news is that the Grant's help with repairs and Improvement frees up some funding from the Senior Center's repair budget for servicing Laguna Hills Seniors. Since 2009 the City states it has received a total of $216,334 to address repairs and deferred maintenance and upgrades for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

Regarding Fiscal Impact to the City - on May 22, 2012 in Item 4.7 on the Laguna Hills City Council Meeting Agenda entitled - Contracts with the County of Orange Age Well Senior Services for Community Development Block Grant Funds for FY 2012-2013, the City stated - Fiscal Impact to the City - the City has agreed to leverage the County’s funds with in-lieu staff time totaling approximately $8,000. No other commitment of General Fund monies is required.


ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Item 7.2.1 - Discussion of Laguna Hills' 2013 Earth Day that is scheduled for April 20, 2013 from 9 am to 12 pm. Until last year's update, this event was basically a Trail Clean up and Tree Planting Volunteer Day for Residents. Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent stated this event will involve a citywide Trail Clean Up, Tree Planting and Arbor Day celebration. In 2012 the Green Expo was added with an Art Contest entitled "What Earth Day Means to Me". This year's event was discussed with the Parks and Rec. Commission on Dec. 5, 2012. The Parks and Recreation Commission was in favor of adding a "Free Document Shredding Event" to give the public an opportunity to have confidential documents shredded from 8 am to 12 noon at no charge and continuing the "Green Expo" as part of the activities this year that will also include Trail Clean-Ups and the Planting of 15 Crepe Myrtle Trees along Paseo de Valencia between Stockport and Kennington. The Green Expo last year included Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Unit, Moulton Niguel Water District, El Toro Water District, West Coast Arborists, City Paleontologist and Oil Recycling as well as the Earth Day Art Contest. There were 67 participants in the trail clean-ups and tree planting, and 65 people visited the Green Expo last year. The event includes a complementary lunch at the Community Center for volunteers.

Council Member Bressette asked about how many staff hours are spent for this event? Dan answered the planning work and securing vendors is the bulk of the work, said he had estimated about $5000 in staff time and answered Bressette's next question that Tree Planting is a requirement for the designation of Tree City USA to continue for Laguna Hills.

** Editor's Note - Designations that make Laguna Hills stand out vs. Designations that  make Laguna Hills "Outstanding" in So. OC.  We have heard from many residents that perhaps it would be a good idea to also ask about the total annual bill for Water and Landscape Maintenance Services for this City, and if the Tree City USA designation is limited to 15 trees per year or includes additional annual tree plantings and if so how many and how does the continuing Tree City USA designation affect the annual Landscape Maintenance and irrigation Costs for the City coupled with other trees planted annually by the City as landscape features. Also, it may be good to know who selects the types of trees planted and if those selections will mature to appropriate sizes for the areas in which they are planted, if they are easy to grow in the areas where they are planted and if they are likely to interfere with nearby plumbing, sidewalks, driveways, etc. for residents and/or infrastructure of the City. Also, what does the Tree City USA designation mean for the City and what else needs to be done to keep that designation?

We like the idea we heard from Council Member Andrew Blount during his recent campaign for City Council re. distinguishing Laguna Hills in people's minds from the "other Lagunas" in the area.  We love LH Citizen Meg Gorham's idea of "Building a Community" and we recommend this story in the OC Resigister written by Patricia Hayden, Laguna Hills Citzen entitled "Laguna Hills Needs an Identity of its Own at http://www.ocregister.com/news/laguna-382827-hills-town.html   We hope any identity we build will be a very positive one and it would appear that the recent work of the PTSA in raising funds for their donation of $16,000 for the State of the Art Language lab for the LHHS Language Immersion Program whose Spanish Immersion Component has recently won an INTERNATIONAL AWARD for the BEST SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM IN THE WORLD and whose teacher, Mrs. Tonya Iribarne, won a NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD is an amazing piece of building a positive identity for the community, thanks to the work of so many generous and forward thinking members of the Community including the Win-Win-Wednesday-Fundraisers started by Meg Gorham at http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/ . We have become aware of other groups who accomplish so many positive things as well, perhaps we can combine some efforts to build a stronger community?    


Mayor Kogerman suggested encouraging the schools to get involved, adding more events and posting online Registration. She noted that she attended a League of Cities event in the Fall and loved that it involved Elementary Schools, Homeowner's Associations and Community Organizations competing with projects. People could sign up for projects online so people could all see what other people were signing up for to encourage sign ups. Some companies donated free t-shirts. There was a Build a Bike-a-thon where donated bikes were repaired to be re-donated to people in need of a bike to ride to school or where ever the need was. She suggested that early registration of ideas might encourage people to participate and maybe a more colorful flyer with pictures from last year. She added, we moved from 49 participants to a total of 132 last year and a lot of that was from the Wyland exhibit last year. Dan noted that the Wyland exhibit is not scheduled for this year. (There was no explanation given as to why the Wyland Exhibit was not scheduled?)  Kogerman continued that we will have to work harder to get the attendance up for this year and hopefully we can get better advertising. Dan stated no action was necessary this was just a request for feedback from the City Council. There was a motion to add the shredding and a second.  VOTE was 5 - 0 to add the shredding.
*** Past Attendance at this event has been: 97 people in 2009, 99 in 2010, 49 in 2011 and 132 in 2012.
*** The Free Document Shredding is limited to 7 banker boxes, plastic Bags, or paper bags per carload. Please remove notebooks, folders, binding clips or any type of metal before bringing your items to be shredded. For additional info. contact (949) 707-2680.
*** If an organization or community group would like to participate in this event - contact Todd Smyser, Community Services Senior Leader at (949) 707-2690.
Fiscal Impact to the City - Current budget is $1000.


MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR - Item 8.1.1 Postponement of Interviews and Re-advertisement for City's Parks and Traffic Commission Openings.
As of 5 pm at the end of the commission recruitment period on Jan. 2, 2013 the City has received a limited number of applications for current openings on the Traffic and Parks and Recreation Commissions and Council Mamber Carruth is not able to participate in the currently scheduled Jan. 15 interviews, therefore it is recommended that the City Clerk re-advertise the commission openings and select another date for the interviews. The new date chosen for the interviews was Tuesday, February 5, 2013 and the commissions current openings will be re-advertised in the legal advertising section of the OC Register's Saddleback Valley Newspaper, on the face page of the City web site and hopefully in "OUR TOWNS" in the OC Register Newspaper at some point. All 5 City Council Members will be conducting the interviews for the applicants. The interviews will start at 6:30 pm. VOTE was 5- 0 to pass this issue.
**Additional Information - The deadline for the receipt of applications for these Commission Openings has been extended to 5 PM on January 30, 2013. Contact the Laguna Hills City Clerk, Peggy Johns for additional information at 949-707-2630


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS - Mayor Kogerman stated she is going to be asking for the support of our council members and others in our district to vote for someone to be elected to the OC Council of Governments at a meeting held at 10:30 on Thursday, January 24, at their Headquarters in the City of Orange, at 600 South Main in Orange. Only those council members who attend the meeting (from RSM, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods) can vote for a council member from any of the Cities noted here to be elected to the OC Council of Governments. ** Editor's Note - This appears to be a difficult time on a week day for working people to attend.


CLOSED SESSIONS – Item 10.1 - Public Employee Performance Evaluation of the City Manager.  Mayor Kogerman commented that because the City Manager is the Chief Executive who controls the Day to Day Operations of the City, he has more authority and responsibility than any other officer of the City so supervision of the Chief Executive is probably the single most consequential duty of the City Council. We rely on the City Manger to work our way through the challenges tht face the City so we will give careful consideration to establishing his goals and objectives for 2013 and that's a process we are going to begin in closed session.


The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 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:

Blount - A for vote for the Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center

Bressette - A for vote for the Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center

Carruth - ABSENT

Gilbert - A for vote for the Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center

Kogerman - A for vote for the Block Grant Funds for Improvements at the Florence Sylvester Senior Center

City Manager - Nothing this time.

*** 1-13-13 Update - the A grade, rather than P, given for this vote was to accent the fact that there needs to be accountability to all citizens/residents of Laguna including Seniors and because it was noted that it was difficult for Laguna Hills Seniors to get any services for Seniors prior to this Pass Through Grant.  This grade would normally have been P for Passing a Cittizen Friendly Issue.  


** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers - since the last council meeting: ABOUT: Carruth's "True Market Forces" speech; Belly to Belly with Blount ; Giving Private Information in Public; Trust in City Government; Kogerman as Mayor; Building Community; Laguna Hills' Trash Hauler and Political Campaigns

ABOUT: Carruth's "True Market Forces" speech
Anonymous said...
I think Carruth in her "True Market Forces" speech seems to confuse the Republican vision of the "free market" system with a city's lack of planning. A city being proactive in looking for business and researching what types of long term businesses are most likely to be supported by residents in the City and in the surrounding area is not "regulating the economy" but is smart planning. Surely she must know that Measure M is taxpayer money? I feel much better about having 2 new business people on the city council who are also residents.

ABOUT Belly to Belly with Blount
Anonymous said...
I like the belly to belly illustration, that's how it should be in a small city. I also am looking forward to this change and hope that now we are now going to see more previously "shut out" residents involved with the City and knowing and caring more about how it functions than only how it looks. I'm really looking forward to never again having to hear anyone say, "because that's how we've always done it"! This sounds very promising.

ABOUT Giving Private Information in Public
Anonymous said...
No one should have to give their home address, in public, so thanks to you and to Mayor Kogerman for pointing that out. I won't be doing that again. That can be written on the request to speak paper for the city so there is no need to announce it in public.

ABOUT Trust in City Government
Anonymous said...
Having absolute trust in the council is an enviable goal. It would be great to see us accomplish that in 2013 if transparency is mandated. Only when we have full disclosure can we decide what we want to keep and want we don't.

ABOUT Kogerman as Mayor
Anonymous said...
Just want to say we are thrilled to finally have Mayor Kogerman at the helm. It sure took long enough but now that it has happened we are looking forward to a very good year for the citizens and businesses in Laguna Hills.

ABOUT Building Community
Anonymous said...
I love that "Building Community" goal for Laguna Hills. There already seems to be much more awareness from residents of what is happening in city government, so the next step is getting more citizen participation in City Government. Would love to see that happen.

ABOUT Laguna Hills' Trash Hauler and Political Campaigns
Anonymous said...
Be sure to read - PACs linked to trash hauler supported local political campaigns December 28th, 2012, 2:45 pm by Morgan Cook at:http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/12/28/pacs-linked-to-trash-hauler-supported-local-political-campaigns/164873/
This involves the trash hauler for Laguna Hills.


** WIN WIN Wednesdays!! is an on-going series of restaurant fundraisers, a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA.  Eat at these great local restaurants on Wednesdays and in return, they donate a percentage of the proceeds to the LHHS PTSA.  It’s good for us AND it’s good for the local restaurant community.  This allows 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!  *** Recently the PTSA was able to donate $16,000 for a State of the Art Language lab for the LHHS Language Immersion Program whose Spanish Immersion Component has recently won an INTERNATIONAL AWARD for the BEST SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAM IN THE WORLD and whose teacher, Mrs. Tonya Iribarne, won a NATIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD ** For Weekly Flyers and Schedules go to our web site at http://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.

January 16 - Chili's Aliso Viejo (AV) - all day - Aliso Creek Rd.
January 23 - Daphne's California Greek (AV) - all day
January 30 - Flamingo's Mexican (LH) Laguna Hills - all day
February 6 - Pei Wei Asian Diner- both (LF) Lake Forest and (LN) Laguna Niguel - all day
February 13 - Villa Roma Argentine/Italian (LH) - all day
February 20 - Baja Tacos (MV)
February 27 - Baja Fresh - (LH) Laguna Hills - all day
March 6 - Athena Greek (LH) and Buffalo Wild Wings (LF) - all day
March 13 - California Pizza Kitchen (LH Mall) - all day
March 27 - Chick fil-A (LH) - all day

**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
*** Excerpts from the News Story of the Christmas Party on Dec. 9, 2012 for the children of the 3/5 Marines adopted by the City of Laguna Hills. This Christmas Story was written by Karen Robbins, Laguna Hills Resident.

This is a story about gratitude. It is the story of volunteers who worked tirelessly to collect , and deliver toys, of people who worked to decorate walls and doors, of folks who stayed late to disassemble and pack up when the day was done and the story of our community, who gave generously and rapidly when called upon.

Added to that is the story of the 3/5 wives, who took great care in dressing themselves and their children in holiday finery, as a gesture of respect and appreciation for the volunteer event. For three hours, the children and mothers streamed in, happily thanking the volunteers, excitedly choosing their gifts. All were appreciative and uniformly polite.

Finally, it's the story of the Marines, the men who were not there; the fathers, husbands and friends who serve their country and go where and when they are called. The Marines who sometimes come home wounded, or sometimes don’t come home at all were the reason for the gratitude, the efforts and the outpouring of support.

For all of this generosity, Team Dark Horse is so grateful. There were more than 300 children, most under the age of 11, more than 30 volunteers were involved and close to 400 toys were distributed. These children will grow up knowing Americans didn’t forget their families. Thank you to all who donated inside and outside of the community of Laguna Hills and to Behr Paints and their employees who helps so much every year.

Donation checks can be made to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653 or anyone can now donate via PayPal on the web site at http://teamdarkhorse.org/ 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. Laguna Hills City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee.

**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 Face book 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.
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/
Grand Jury gets last laugh on "Shadowy" pension costs - Orange County Register OC Watchdog - Oct. 8, 2012 http://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/
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 http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fewer-338291-killed-shelter.html?pic=1
Total euthanasia rate of 53%. 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. 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.
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
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
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/
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.


** WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register Newspaper - E-mail to letters@ocregister.com. Please provide your name, city and telephone number (telephone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words or videos of 30-seconds each will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.


SPECIAL REPORT- Laguna Hills Watch Dog's City Council and City Manager Citizen Friendliness Report Card Scores, for the Year 2012.

These ratings are subjective and based upon the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's observations, recordings and scoring of every City Council Meeting in 2012 related to attention from Council Members and the City Manager to "Serving the Citizens"  the council members were elected to serve. These scores are, in the opinion of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog, a reflection of levels of Transparency, Accountability, Championing of Citizen Related Issues, and Achieving Citizen Related Goals.

The city manager is not allowed to vote so he was scored based upon online and agendized staff reports as well as verbal reports from him and from his management staff.

There is no perfect score. These scores are based upon items that came up at city council meetings during the year 2012. What is presented here is, in the opinion of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog, a comparison of a range of scores that were gleaned from votes taken, initiative shown and action that some city council members took on behalf of citizens compared with others and a degree of willingness of all council members and the city manager to be transparent and accountable to citizens.

Detailed explanations of each council member's and the city manager's scores are listed below the postings of the final scores totals to further explain the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's reasoning behind the scoring of each item so that each person can decide how relevant these scores may be for them.

A+ is generally for achieving passage of a Citizen Friendly Item that a Council Member has authored, and for other special achievements/efforts for Citizens beyond the ordinary, A is generally for Researching and Authoring Citizen Friendly Items for the Council Agenda to be considered by the Council, P (Pass) is generally for voting "for" Citizen Friendly Items, F (Fail) is generally for voting "against" Citizen Friendly Items.

City Council Members and their scores are listed below from the Most Citizen Friendly Score total to the Least Citizen Friendly Score total. All of the dates shown with the items listed are dates of City Council Meetings. For additional information you can listen to the online audio/video of council meetings or scroll down on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog Blog site at http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com/ to find the posting for each city council meeting in the archives.

** December 2012 was not counted in these totals because 2 newly elected council members served and voted at the one meeting held in December in place of the 2 long term members that are now gone.

Congratulations to Council Member Barbara Kogerman who received our Most Citizen Friendly Grade
A+ = 6
A = 6
P = 38
F = 6
Absences = 0
Citizen friendly rating = 50
Citizen unfriendly rating = 6
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 44 with No absences

Council Member Randy Bressette received
A+ = 5
A = 1
P = 28
F = 11
Absences = 2
Citizen friendly rating = 34
Citizen unfriendly rating = 11
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 34 with 2 absences

Council Member Allan Songstad received
A+ =
A = 1
P = 25
F = 18
Citizen friendly rating = 26
Citizen unfriendly rating = 18
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 8 with 1 absence

Mayor Pro-Tem Joel Lautenschleger received
A+ = 0
A = 0
P = 28
F = 21
Citizen friendly rating of = 28
Citizen unfriendly rating of = 21
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 7 with No absences

Mayor Melody Carruth received our Least Citizen Friendly Grade
A+ = 0
A = 1
P = 25
F = 26
Citizen friendly rating = 26
Citizen unfriendly rating = 26
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 0 with No absences

City Manager Bruce Channing received
A+ = 2
A = 4
P = No score because he doesn't vote
F = 5
Citizen friendly rating = 6
Citizen unfriendly rating = 5
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 1 with 1 absence

** See below for Detailed Explanations of each council member's and the city manager's scores

COUNCIL MEMBER KOGERMAN
January 10
A - Authoring an item to make a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voting yes on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site.
P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements
P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.
January 24
P - for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day
February 14
P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.
A - For requesting a public report of progress of the Coyote Control Program for Citizens.
February 28
P - voted for Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Resolution authorizing Community Assistance $2,500 in funding for the 2012 Laguna Hills High School PTSA EVERY 15 MINUTES program for 2012 to assist in preventing Drunk Driving.
A - took the wide-spread problem for residents with Cox Cable to the City for action and the problem is now corrected.
March 13
P - for voting for the Ashley Furniture Sign that assists the neighboring business.
March 27
A+ for clarifying for residents that it is Not Mandatory but voluntary for speakers at City Council Meetings to complete the speaker forms and to give their names and addresses and requesting that this be made clear for residents on Speaker Forms and in the City Council Agenda Reports.
P - Voting for City to do a study to solve the unsafe sidewalks problem near Valencia Elem. School
April 10
P - for suggesting a request for a study, related to what the City can do to limit excesses with future wireless antenna installations. No grade for the PEG Fee vs. Tax dispute tonight because 4 members of the City Council insisted, against the opinion of the City Attorney, that the PEG is a tax and, although it is a component of the franchisee, the Franchise Fee is not a tax? We agree with the citizens we interviewed that citizens should be clearly informed by the City about every fee or tax they pay to the City and Council Members should have a better attitude related to finding creative ways to make opportunities happen for citizens.
April 28
P - Vote for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency.
P - Vote against the City's response to the OC Grand Jury Recommendations for additional transparency.
A - for authoring a Citizen Friendly Item 8.1.1 and
A+ - for getting item 8.1.1 passed- Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed, and leaving it in place until they return and P for Voting for this item.
P - Vote for Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
May 8
P - for vote for an ordinance providing the City with a vehicle to use related to State required compliance with the Fair Housing Act required under the Housing Element of the City's General Plan.
May 22
P - for voting for the repeal of a Municipal Code stating the City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 6 months after any general municipal election at which a member of the City Council is elected regardless of whether that member is new or an incumbent.
A - for authoring the Citizen Friendly Item of repealing the Municipal Code that fosters the City Manager's binding agreement that limits the City's ability to make changes.
June 12
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.
June 26
A+ for learning about the County's Emergency Alert System and suggesting an effort by the City to promote Public education about this system.
P - vote for the permit for the Laguna Hills Buddhist Center,
P - vote for the option for Public Safety Funds,
F - vote for 200 word candidate statement inhibiting choice and Free Speech for candidates when incumbents can use their positions to campaign all year long,
A+ for being willing to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Grand Jury to look at making the City's Public Officials Compensation Report more transparent for taxpayers.
July - No council Meetings
August 28
P - Vote for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency.
P - Vote against the City's response to the OC Grand Jury Recommendations for additional transparency.
A - for authoring a Citizen Friendly Item 8.1.1 and
A+ - for getting item 8.1.1 passed- Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed, and leaving it in place until they return and P for Voting for this item.
P - Vote for Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
September 11
P - for voting for the El Pollo Loco Menu Board
September 25
P - for voting against the City's Response to the Grand Jury that stated the Grand Jury Report should not have been directed to this City.
P - for voting for the new Laguna Hills Business - Indoor Trampoline Park
October 9
F - for Item 7.2.1 - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS because the City Council designated the City Manager, or his designee to represent the City in matters of labor relations. We believe that because of the long history of lack of transparency re. compensation issues there should be an outside negotiator and auditor representing the taxpayers.
P - for Item 7.3.1 TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
P - Item 7.4.1 EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SAFETY EVALUATION - we agree with the need for careful consideration of traffic safety needs in all communities in the city.
October 23
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
November 13
F - for the Vote to pass the Oakbrook Village high density residential units without sufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the additional high density population and additional traffic will impact them.
P - for the Vote for the Online Community Bulletin Board
P - for the vote for Swimming Pool Safety
November 27
P - for voting for the change of Municipal Code to allow homeless shelters to comply with State Law.
P - for approving the design company for the La Paz Open Space Landscape and the intent to solicit the input from residents.
P - for questioning the vote for the almost $10,000 annual fee for the ACCOC.
P - for the vote for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2011/12
F - for the vote for the MOU for the City Employees and their Laguna Hills City Employees Assoc. because we believe to best serve the citizens this could have waited until the new council members were seated at the next council meeting on Dec. 11, 2012 and/or until they had time to completely review the entire employee compensation structure and the proposals, in depth. This is a 3 year plan that the new council members will have to live with for the majority of their 4 year term. Additionally this plan completely ignores the Supplemental Retirement Plan - PARS for which taxpayers also pay 100% of the employee and employer contributions.
======================================
COUNCIL MEMBER BRESSETTE
January 10
P - Actively supporting an item to make a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report.
P - Voting yes on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site.
P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements
P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center
January 24
P - for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day
February 14
P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.
February 28
P - voted for Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Resolution authorizing Community Assistance $2,500 in funding for the 2012 Laguna Hills High School PTSA EVERY 15 MINUTES program for 2012 to assist in preventing Drunk Driving.
March 13
P - for voting for the Ashley Furniture Sign that assists the neighboring business.
March 27
A+ for requesting that both the Traffic Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission that each meet 6 times a year always meet at each scheduled session, if for no other reason than to take public comments.
P - Voting for City to do a study to solve the unsafe sidewalks problem near Valencia Elem. School.
April 10
F - for not requesting a study tonight, related to what the City can do to limit excesses with future wireless antenna installations. No grade for the PEG Fee vs. Tax dispute tonight because 4 members of the City Council insisted, against the opinion of the City Attorney, that the PEG is a tax and, although it is a component of the franchisee, the Franchise Fee is not a tax? We agree with the citizens we interviewed that citizens should be clearly informed by the City about every fee or tax they pay to the City and Council Members should have a better attitude related to finding creative ways to make opportunities happen for citizens.
April 28 - ABSENT
May 8
P - for vote for an ordinance providing the City with a vehicle to use related to State required compliance with the Fair Housing Act required under the Housing Element of the City's General Plan.
May 22
P - for voting for the repeal of a Municipal Code stating the City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 6 months after any general municipal election at which a member of the City Council is elected regardless of whether that member is new or an incumbent.
A+ for defending the truth that this Municipal Code re. the City Manager was not voted into the City's code section by voters and had nothing to do with the original vote to incorporate the City of Laguna Hills.
June 12
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.
June 26
F - for Lack of interest in a public education effort in the City for the County Emergency Alert System.
P - vote for the permit for the Laguna Hills Buddhist Center,
P - vote for the option for Public Safety Funds,
F - vote for 200 word candidate statement inhibiting choice and Free Speech for candidates when incumbents can use their positions to campaign all year long.
A+ for being willing to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Grand Jury to look at making the City's Public Officials Compensation Report more transparent for taxpayers.
July - No council Meetings
August 28 - ABSENT
September 11
P - for voting for the El Pollo Loco Menu Board
September 25
F for voting for the City's Response to the Grand Jury that stated the Grand Jury Report should not have been directed to this City.
P for voting for the new Laguna Hills Business - Indoor Trampoline Park
October 9
F - for Item 7.2.1 - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS because the City Council designated the City Manager, or his designee to represent the City in matters of labor relations. We believe that because of the long history of lack of transparency re. compensation issues there should be an outside negotiator and auditor representing the taxpayers.
P - for Item 7.3.1 TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION.
P - Item 7.4.1 EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SAFETY EVALUATION - we agree with the need for careful consideration of traffic safety needs in all communities in the city.
October 23
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
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
November 13
F - for the Vote to pass the Oakbrook Village high density residential units without sufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the additional high density population and additional traffic will impact them.
P - for the Vote for the Online Community Bulletin Board
A - for Authoring a Citizen friendly item - Swimming Pool Safety.
A+ - for getting the Citizen Friendly item passed.
November 27
P - for voting for the change of Municipal Code to allow homeless shelters to comply with State Law.
P - for approving the design company for the La Paz Open Space Landscape and the intent to solicit the input from residents.
F - for voting for the almost $10,000 annual fee for the ACCOC without question.
P - for the vote for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2011/12
F - for the vote for the MOU for the City Employees and their Laguna Hills City Employees Assoc. because we believe to best serve the citizens this could have waited until the new council members were seated at the next council meeting on Dec. 11, 2012 and/or until they had time to completely review the entire employee compensation structure and the proposals, in depth. This is a 3 year plan that the new council members will have to live with for the majority of their 4 year term. Additionally this plan completely ignores the Supplemental Retirement Plan - PARS for which taxpayers also pay 100% of the employee and employer contributions.
December
=====================================
COUNCIL MEMBER SONGSTAD
January 10
F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site.
P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements
P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center
January 24
P - for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day
February 14
P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.
A - For authoring and presenting his political opinion for citizens on a possible ballot measure for 2012.
February 28
P - voted for Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Resolution authorizing Community Assistance $2,500 in funding for the 2012 Laguna Hills High School PTSA EVERY 15 MINUTES program for 2012 to assist in preventing Drunk Driving.
March 13
P - for voting for the Ashley Furniture Sign that assists the neighboring business.
March 27 - ABSENT
April 10
F - for not requesting a study tonight, related to what the City can do to limit excesses with future wireless antenna installations. No grade for the PEG Fee vs. Tax dispute tonight because 4 members of the City Council insisted, against the opinion of the City Attorney, that the PEG is a tax and, although it is a component of the franchisee, the Franchise Fee is not a tax? We agree with the citizens we interviewed that citizens should be clearly informed by the City about every fee or tax they pay to the City and Council Members should have a better attitude related to finding creative ways to make opportunities happen for citizens.
April 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additionall transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return
May 8
P - for vote for an ordinance providing the City with a vehicle to use related to State required compliance with the Fair Housing Act required under the Housing Element of the City's General Plan.
May 22
F - for voting against the repeal of a Municipal Code stating the City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 6 months after any general municipal election at which a member of the City Council is elected regardless of whether that member is new or an incumbent.
June 12
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.
June 26
F - for Lack of interest in a public education effort in the City for the County Emergency Alert System.
P - vote for the permit for the Laguna Hills Buddhist Center,
P - vote for the option for Public Safety Funds,
F - vote for 200 word candidate statement inhibiting choice and Free Speech for candidates when incumbents can use their positions to campaign all year long,
F - for being unwilling to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Grand Jury to look at making the City's Public Officials Compensation Report more transparent for taxpayers.
July - No council Meetings
August 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additionall transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return
September 11
P - for voting for the El Pollo Loco Menu Board
September 25
P for voting for the new Laguna Hills Business - Indoor Trampoline Park
October 9
F - for Item 7.2.1 - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS because the City Council designated the City Manager, or his designee to represent the City in matters of labor relations. We believe that because of the long history of lack of transparency re. compensation issues there should be an outside negotiator and auditor representing the taxpayers.
F - for Item 7.3.1 TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION we believe this entire process should be readdressed, nor just the number of years of office. P - Item 7.4.1 EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SAFETY EVALUATION - we agree with the need for careful consideration of traffic safety needs in all communities in the city.
October 23
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
November 13
F - for the Vote to pass the Oakbrook Village high density residential units without sufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the additional high density population and additional traffic will impact them.
P - for the vote for Swimming Pool Safety
November 27
P - for voting for the change of Municipal Code to allow homeless shelters to comply with State Law.
P - for approving the design company for the La Paz Open Space Landscape and the intent to solicit the input from residents.
F - for voting for the almost $10,000 annual fee for the ACCOC without question.
P - for the vote for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2011/12
F - for the vote for the MOU for the City Employees and their Laguna Hills City Employees Assoc. because we believe to best serve the citizens this could have waited until the new council members were seated at the next council meeting on Dec. 11, 2012 and/or until they had time to completely review the entire employee compensation structure and the proposals, in depth. This is a 3 year plan that the new council members will have to live with for the majority of their 4 year term. Additionally this plan completely ignores the Supplemental Retirement Plan - PARS for which taxpayers also pay 100% of the employee and employer contributions.
December
================================
MAYOR PRO-TEM LAUTENSCHLEGER
January 10
F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site.
P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements
P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.
January 24
P - for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day
February 14
P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.
F - Stated he does not believe there is any danger for children playing on the sports field at the Community Center next to Alicia Pkwy. from automobile exhaust fumes without measuring air quality or doing any fact finding.
February 28
P - voted for Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Resolution authorizing Community Assistance $2,500 in funding for the 2012 Laguna Hills High School PTSA EVERY 15 MINUTES program for 2012 to assist in preventing Drunk Driving.
March 13
P - for voting for the Ashley Furniture Sign that assists the neighboring business.
March 27
P - Voting for City to do a study to solve the unsafe sidewalks problem near Valencia Elem. School
April 10
F - for not requesting a study tonight, related to what the City can do to limit excesses with future wireless antenna installations. No grade for the PEG Fee vs. Tax dispute tonight because 4 members of the City Council insisted, against the opinion of the City Attorney, that the PEG is a tax and, although it is a component of the franchisee, the Franchise Fee is not a tax? We agree with the citizens we interviewed that citizens should be clearly informed by the City about every fee or tax they pay to the City and Council Members should have a better attitude related to finding creative ways to make opportunities happen for citizens.
April 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additionall transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public" before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return.
May 8
P - for vote for an ordinance providing the City with a vehicle to use related to State required compliance with the Fair Housing Act required under the Housing Element of the City's General Plan.
May 22
F - for voting against the repeal of a Municipal Code stating the City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 6 months after any general municipal election at which a member of the City Council is elected regardless of whether that member is new or an incumbent.
June 12
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.
June 26
F - for Lack of interest in a public education effort in the City for the County Emergency Alert System.
P - vote for the permit for the Laguna Hills Buddhist Center,
P - vote for the option for Public Safety Funds,
F - vote for 200 word candidate statement inhibiting choice and Free Speech for candidates when incumbents can use their positions to campaign all year long,
F - for being unwilling to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Grand Jury to look at making the City's Public Officials Compensation Report more transparent for taxpayers.
July - No council Meetings
August 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additional transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds, should always be made "Public" before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return
September 11
P - for voting for the El Pollo Loco Menu Board
September 25
F for creating a Grand Jury Response that denies all responsibility by Laguna Hills.
F for voting for the City's Response to the Grand Jury that stated the Grand Jury Report should not have been directed to this City.
P for voting for the new Laguna Hills Business - Indoor Trampoline Park
October 9
F - for Item 7.2.1 - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS because the City Council designated the City Manager, or his designee to represent the City in matters of labor relations. We believe that because of the long history of lack of transparency re. compensation issues there should be an outside negotiator and auditor representing the taxpayers.
F - for Item 7.3.1 TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION we believe this entire process should be readdressed, nor just the number of years of office. P - Item 7.4.1 EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SAFETY EVALUATION - we agree with the need for careful consideration of traffic safety needs in all communities in the city.
October 23
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
November 13
F - for the Vote to pass the Oakbrook Village high density residential units without sufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the additional high density population and additional traffic will impact them.
P - for the Vote for the Online Community Bulletin Board
P - for the vote for Swimming Pool Safety
November 27
P - for voting for the change of Municipal Code to allow homeless shelters to comply with State Law.
P - for approving the design company for the La Paz Open Space Landscape and the intent to solicit the input from residents.
F - for voting for the almost $10,000 annual fee for the ACCOC without question.
P - for the vote for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2011/12
F - for the vote for the MOU for the City Employees and their Laguna Hills City Employees Assoc. because we believe to best serve the citizens this could have waited until the new council members were seated at the next council meeting on Dec. 11, 2012 and/or until they had time to completely review the entire employee compensation structure and the proposals, in depth. This is a 3 year plan that the new council members will have to live with for the majority of their 4 year term. Additionally this plan completely ignores the Supplemental Retirement Plan - PARS for which taxpayers also pay 100% of the employee and employer contributions
==============================
MAYOR CARRUTH
January 10
F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report.
P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site.
P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements
P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.
January 24
P - for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day
February 14
P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.
F - Stated that there are plenty of plants to assist with air quality for children playing on the Community Center Soccer Field near Alicia without measuring the air quality or doing any fact finding.
February 28
P - voted for Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Resolution authorizing Community Assistance $2,500 in funding for the 2012 Laguna Hills High School PTSA EVERY 15 MINUTES program for 2012 to assist in preventing Drunk Driving.
March 13
F - for voting Against the Ashley Furniture Sign that assists the neighboring business.
March 27
A - for requesting study to solve the solve the problem of unsafe sidewalks near Valencia Elem. School.
P - Voting for City to do a study to solve the unsafe sidewalks problem near Valencia Elem. School.
April 10
F - for not requesting a study tonight, related to what the City can do to limit excesses with future wireless antenna installations. No grade for the PEG Fee vs. Tax dispute tonight because 4 members of the City Council insisted, against the opinion of the City Attorney, that the PEG is a tax and, although it is a component of the franchisee, the Franchise Fee is not a tax? We agree with the citizens we interviewed that citizens should be clearly informed by the City about every fee or tax they pay to the City and Council Members should have a better attitude related to finding creative ways to make opportunities happen for citizens.
April 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additionall transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return.
May 8
P - for vote for an ordinance providing the City with a vehicle to use related to State required compliance with the Fair Housing Act required under the Housing Element of the City's General Plan.
May 22
F - for voting against the repeal of a Municipal Code stating the City Manager shall not be removed from office during or within a period of 6 months after any general municipal election at which a member of the City Council is elected regardless of whether that member is new or an incumbent.
June 12
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.
June 26
F - for Lack of knowledge, as Mayor, of the County's Emergency Alert System and lack of interest in a public education effort in the City for the County's Emergency Alert System,
P - vote for the permit for the Laguna Hills Buddhist Center,
P - vote for the option for Public Safety Funds,
F - vote for 200 word candidate statement inhibiting choice and Free Speech for candidates when incumbents can use their positions to campaign all year long,
F - for being unwilling to follow the recommendation of the Orange County Grand Jury to look at making the City's Public Officials Compensation Report more transparent for taxpayers.
July - No council Meetings
August 28
F - Voting for Consent Calendar Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency, does not ring true when this council member also voted against additional transparency in Consent Calendar Item 4.3.
F - Vote against additionall transparency in Item 4.3 - response to the OC Grand Jury.
F - Vote for Item 7.2.1 the Sale of Public Art - We believe "Public" Art, provided through public funds should always be made "Public", before it is marketed.
P - Item 7.2.2 Community Center online Public Art Archive re. history of this area and fossils discovered during the construction of the Community Center.
P - Vote for Authorizing hanging the 3/5 Marines (adopted by the City of Laguna Hills) Darkhorse Banner at City Hall each time they are deployed and leaving it in place until they return
September 11
P - for voting for the El Pollo Loco Menu Board
September 25
F for creating a Grand Jury Response that denies all responsibility by Laguna Hills.
F for voting for the City's Response to the Grand Jury that stated the Grand Jury Report should not have been directed to this City.
P for voting for the new Laguna Hills Business - Indoor Trampoline Park
October 9
F - for Item 7.2.1 - LABOR NEGOTIATIONS PROCESS because the City Council designated the City Manager, or his designee to represent the City in matters of labor relations. We believe that because of the long history of lack of transparency re. compensation issues there should be an outside negotiator and auditor representing the taxpayers.
F - for Item 7.3.1 TERMS OF OFFICE FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION AND TRAFFIC COMMISSION we believe this entire process should be readdressed, nor just the number of years of office. P - Item 7.4.1 EQUESTRIAN TRAIL SAFETY EVALUATION - we agree with the need for careful consideration of traffic safety needs in all communities in the city.
October 23
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.
November 13
F - for the Vote to pass the Oakbrook Village high density residential units without sufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the additional high density population and additional traffic will impact them.
P - for the Vote for the Online Community Bulletin Board
P - for the vote for Swimming Pool Safety
November 27
P - for voting for the change of Municipal Code to allow homeless shelters to comply with State Law.
P - for approving the design company for the La Paz Open Space Landscape and the intent to solicit the input from residents.
F - for voting for the almost $10,000 annual fee for the ACCOC without question.
P - for the vote for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for Fiscal Year 2011/12
F - for the vote for the MOU for the City Employees and their Laguna Hills City Employees Assoc. because we believe to best serve the citizens this could have waited until the new council members were seated at the next council meeting on Dec. 11, 2012 and/or until they had time to completely review the entire employee compensation structure and the proposals, in depth. This is a 3 year plan that the new council members will have to live with for the majority of their 4 year term. Additionally this plan completely ignores the Supplemental Retirement Plan - PARS for which taxpayers also pay 100% of the employee and employer contributions.
===========================
CITY MANAGER CHANNING
January 10
F - for no available reports of previous compliance with FCC regulations at the proposed site for the installation of 2 additional cell antennas.
January 24
A - for adding a streamlining element to the City Council/Planning Commission Process for citizens and businesses. We hope that this preview for the Council/Planning Commission with result in an actual time savings when planning issues come back to the Council for approval.
A - for assisting the council to create a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day.
February 14 - Nothing to Report
February 28 - Nothing to Report
March 13 - Nothing to Report
March 27
A+ for the additional transparency related to the "Planning Department Information" now being linked to all the current Planning Projects on the City web site by Community Development Director David Chantarangsu and his staff, for residents to see.
April 10 - Nothing to Report
April 28
A for placing citizen friendly Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency.
May 8 - Nothing to Report
May 22 - Nothing to Report
June 12 - Nothing to Report
June 26
A+ for his contribution to the Community through Saddleback Community Hospital F - for having so little information on the County's "Alert OC" Emergency Warning System
July - No council Meetings
August 28
A for placing citizen friendly Item 4.6, a pledge to mandate transparency.
September 11 - Nothing to Report
September 25 - Nothing to Report
October 9 - ABSENT
F - for another weekend without access to an online City Council Agenda for the Public prior to a City Council Meeting.
October 23
F - FOR WEAK RESPONSE TO CAMPAIGN SIGN REMOVAL AND/OR VANDALISM IN THE CITY RELATED TO CITY AND COUNTY WORKERS.
November 13
F - 10 years spent with the Oakbrook Re-development Project but insufficient explanation to the surrounding community of how the Oakbrook Village high density residential units population and additional traffic will impact them.
November 27
F - for an unbalanced end of the year report recognizing only a positive spin related to 2012 happenings in the City of Laguna Hills and ignoring citizen assistance.