Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - March 26, 2013
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS - What's On Your Mind? Meet with your Mayor, Barbara Kogerman, and Share your Questions/Concerns over a no-host coffee, bagel or breakfast at Latte Da Bagelry and Grill on the northeast corner of Alicia Pkwy. and Paseo de Valencia at 25461 Alicia Pkwy. Across PDV from the Laguna Hills Community Center. Meet the Mayor Every Saturday 9 am to 11 am in February and March. Each Saturday, through the end of March, "Meet the Mayor" will continue to be at Latte Da Bagelry and Grill from 9 to 11 am for good conversation and good food. Come on out and Meet the Mayor, it's a great way to Build Community!!
** Laguna Hills “Meet With the Mayor” Saturday Morning sessions will move to the north end of town starting Saturday April 6. 2013 to Solomon’s Bakery and Deli for the months of April and May. The 9 to 11 am. sessions are open to all who have questions or concerns about the city or simply want to stop and chat. “We enjoy a lively, wide-open format with no question or comment off-limits.” “We never know what will come up.” Kogerman reports. Past mornings have seen topics ranging from gun control to Girl Scouts. (Kogerman was able to put troops of Girl Scouts in touch with various community leaders for project ideas.) She will have on hand information on city services. She will also invite individual Council Members or others to drop by. The move to Solomon’s Bakery is part of Kogerman’s plan to rotate the meeting places every few months to different parts of the city to showcase Laguna Hills’ friendly neighborhood hang-outs. Solomon’s Bakery and Deli is located at 23020 Lake Forest Drive, Ste 170, in Laguna Hills, between Avenida De La Carlota and Del Lago Drive. (949-586-4717) For over 20 years this traditional and kosher-style bakery has prepared everything fresh and by hand.
** YOU CAN LISTEN TO YOUR 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.
LEARN HOW YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS RATE THEIR FAVORITE MAJOR PLANS FOR THE CITY and fit them into the City Budget at 2 workshops. April 16, and May 7, 2013 are the tentative dates for the 2 study sessions for the 2013-15 Biennial Budget and Six-year Capital Improvement Plan. The rating of proposed Favorite Major Plans by Council Members is slated for the 1st session that will begin at 6 pm. The 2nd Session focuses on the Six-Year Capital Improvement Plans and the proposed operating budget and is slated to begin at 5 pm. Although these are City Council Study Sessions,
both Sessions are Open To The Public
**Please Note the number of sessions and the dates and times have changed since they were originally announced. We will do our best to keep you updated if additional changes occur.
The 2nd and Last LAGUNA HILLS GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT UPDATE WORKSHOP will be held on Thursday, May 9, 2013. It will establish the City’s housing goals and policies covering the period between 2014 and 2021. Residents and other stakeholders interested in housing-related matters affecting the city are invited to attend the public workshops hosted by the City of Laguna Hills Community Development Department. For more information, contact Julie Molloy, Senior Planner at 949-707-2671 or emailjmolloy@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
** 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.
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - FEATURES DIRECTORY
** Presentations and Proclamations
Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jafee - alternate Kerstyn Gonzales - WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW AT LHHS - OC HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS - SPORTS - FUNDRAISING - DRAMA
** ALSO OC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RANKINGS - Congratulations to 2 of our Laguna Hills neighborhood elementary schools!
Item 1.2 - Oath of Office for Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Mackey
Item 1.3 Presentation from Orange County Vector Control
** Public Comments -
Continuous noise in a residential neighborhood
Possible hotline to city for reporting problems?
*Speaker on Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Contract with Aliso Meadows Condo. Assoc. re. Community Development Block Grant Funds spoke at the end of the meeting after Council Member Comments.
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $935,305.38
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register - $10,694.98 to Bank of America for Departmental Operating Expenditures Feb. 2013. ** A better explanation for this expense would be helpful
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register - None
** Items of interest in the Consent Calendar
Item 4.3 - Contract with Aliso Meadows Condo. Assoc. re. Community Development Block Grant Funds for FY 2012-2013
Item 4.4 - Progress payment for Community Center Building Refurbishment - $39,347.76
Item 4.5 - 2nd reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills Municipal Code establishing start time for Closed Session meetings would commence at 6:00 PM, one hour before the start of the General Business Session at 7:00 PM
Item 4.6 - 2012 General Plan Annual Report -
Items 4.8 - 4.10 - Awards for Contracts for Civic Center improvements
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion - Item 4.5 pulled by Council Member Bressette
** Planning Agency/City Council Public Hearings - Item 5.4.1 - Request to subdivide the Cabot Town Center Property into 4 parcels was continued indefinitely.
** City Council Public Hearings - None
** Administrative Reports - None
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor-
Item 8.1 - from Council Member Carruth - Request for official letter from the City Regarding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station
Item 8.2 - from Mayor Kogerman - Request for a study for a Proposed Citizen Based Planning Agency/Commission
** City Council Member Comments -
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount - Request for discussion of Creation of a Citizens Committee to Direct and Oversee the Promotion of the City of Laguna Hill in City Views,
Council Member Bressette - Kitchen Fires.
Council Member Dore Gilbert - Smoke Detectors
Council Member Carruth - Nuclear Power Plant
Mayor Kogerman - monthly police report, Saturday morning MEET WITH THE MAYOR moving to North Laguna Hills for April and May, our SRO and Prescription Pill addiction killing our youth.
** Closed Session - Conference re. leasing of Suite 200 at the Civic Center.
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post - ABOUT: Citizen Based Planning Commission, Win-Win-Wed and the Mandarin Chinese Language Program, City Views, Transparency in Laguna Hills and Corporal Haggerty's Letter, PLUS ***WIN-WIN-WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE OF RESTAURANTS
** You can place comments in the "COMMENTS" section at the bottom of this blog report and see comments there from others and you can send comments to BlandMJ@aol.com Your name will not be used in the comments section unless you give permission
** HOW TO SUPPORT OUR 3/5 ADOPTED MARINES and UPDATES FROM - TEAM DARK HORSE - Report from Comforting the Care Givers for the 3/5 Deployed Marines
** 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 - See where to look for Crime Reports for your Neighborhood
** WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
on this blog just below this report.
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - March 26, 2013
All Council Members were present
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See information for Win-Win-Wednesdays under INFORMATION, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers, Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS
Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jafee - alternate Kerstyn Gonzales
WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW AT LHHS Amanda said Open House Expo at LHHs will be on Wednesday 3-27 with all of the Public Invited and showing off to 8th graders what LHHS has to offer. Win-Win-Wednesday will be at Chick fil-A (LH) - all day on March 27 and there are 2 with another one at the LHHS Open House Expo. Next Wed. April 3 Win Win Wednesday is - Gold'N Baked Ham and Deli in Laguna Hills and will be supporting the LHHS Pep Squad. 10% of all proceeds from this will be going back to LHHS. Order your holiday ham or party tray from Gold’n Baked Ham, and a portion of the proceeds will go to both PTSA and Cheer! Gold’n Baked Ham has always generously donated 10 % back to LHHS, EVERY DAY! Return the WWW!! Gold’n Baked Ham Every Day flyer or present a WWW!! Fan and Supporter card and your purchase will benefit LHHS.
OC HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS Amanda reported that LHHS has been ranked 23rd of 68 County high schools in Best OC High Schools, and Mission Viejo was 37th, Trabucco was 43rd and El Toro was 50th. She added this high number was exciting for LHHS.
SPORTS LHHS Comedy Sports Team recently competed in the Fullerton College theater Festival and out of 50 + team they placed 1st!!! Track Meet vs. Capo Valley tomorrow at home at 3 pm. Swim Meet vs. Trabucco Hill HS on Thursday at home at 3 pm. Boy's golf vs Mission Viejo HS at the Mission Viejo Country Club.
FUNDRAISING - LHHS raised $3,085 for the portion of their funds from the SVUSD car raffle campaign. The PTSA board voted to give all the money back to the school and 11 refurbished computers were purchased for the LHHS computer lab and language lab with those funds. Book Drive coming up for the entire Saddleback Valley School District. This will benefit the children of CHOC Hosp. This is from Monday March 25th to Friday April 12th and you can donate new and gently used picture books. You can donate by dropping books off at the front office. Food Truck Thursdays at LHHS - It’s Food Truck Thursday! Gourmet food trucks are here every Thursday in the LHHS parking lot! Bring your appetite and all your friends for food and fun! Follow Curbside Bites for all the latest in bookings for the food trucks coming to LHHS! This supports all activities at LHHS and most specifically the Music Program.
DRAMA - The Spring Musical is les Miserables. Don’t miss this amazing performance by our LHHS thespians of les Miserables April 25th through 27th and May 2nd through 4th at 7:00 pm at the LHHS Theater. (May 4th’s performance is at 5:00pm to not conflict with Athletic Booster’s Casino Night). Stay tuned for ticket sales information. GO-HAWKS!
** ALSO OC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RANKINGS - Congratulations to 2 of our Laguna Hills neighborhood elementary schools. Thank you to a very alert Laguna Hill's citizen for this information - In an article from the OC Register on 2/3/13, based on a variety of criteria including academic achievement, diversity and physical fitness, Lomarena Elementary at 25100 Earhart Road, was given a spot in the Silver Medalist category and fell in the top 5% and Valencia Elementary at 25661 Paseo de Valencia was named in the Bronze Medal category and fell in the top 20% of 379 Elementary Schools in Orange County! Another outstanding commendation for Laguna Hills schools and the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. If you'd like more information on these or the other SVUSD schools, visit the District web site, www.svusd.org and follow the trail. In addition, if you need to see for yourself the incredible jobs they are doing at these schools visit Lomarena's web site at: http://www.saddlespace.org/Lomarena/welcome/cms_page/view/606203 and Valencia's web site at http://www.saddlespace.org/Valencia/welcome/cms_page/view and Valencia's Open House will be Thursday evening, May 30th.http://www.ocregister.com/articles/schools-414106-elementary-test.html?data=1&appSession=041112740048866#article-data
Item 1.2 - Oath of Office for Parks and Recreation Commissioner Chris Mackey
At March 12, 2013, City Council Meeting Chris Mackey was appointed to fill the unscheduled vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission through the end of the term expiring on January 31, 2015. The Parks and Recreation Commission called an adjourned Regular Meeting on March 14, 2013, for the purpose of discussing the 2013-2015 Fiscal Year Budget, 2013 Community Services Year End report, and the City’s 4th of July event. To allow Commissioner Mackey to participate in this important meeting, the City Clerk gave the Oath of Office to Commissioner Mackey just prior to the March 14, 2013, meeting. Tonight the City Clerk officially swore in Commissioner Mackey at the City Council meeting and Mayor Kogerman presented her with a Certificate of Appointment. Congratulations again to Ms. Chris Mackey!
Item 1.3 - Presentation from Orange County Vector Control
The Orange County Vector Control District provided a presentation to the City Council which that covered District Operations, control programs, and outreach efforts within the City of Laguna Hills. Jared Dever, Director of Communications of the Orange County Vector Control District, gave the presentation. He spoke about the Public Health definition of a Vector being a Carrier. He explained that Vector Control is not a Pest Control Agency but is a Public Health Agency that provides education. They provide active control and education throughout the county for mosquitos primarily helping homeowners help themselves. For rats they provide mainly education. For Fire Ants they encourage residents to contact them for active treatment because residents tend to break up the colonies and spread fire ants if they try to treat them. He said West Nile Virus comes from mosquitos. He explained the life cycle of the female mosquito that sucks blood and spreads this disease. He warned about standing water and noted that just a thimble full or water can be enough to perpetuate the lifecycles of mosquitos. He said there was one death from West Nile Virus in OC in 2012 which causes permanent brain damage and or death and there is no cure for this in humans. He discussed Flea Born Typhus carried by bacteria from wild to domestic animals to humans and the need for continuous flea control for pets. This is curable with Doxycycline with early treatment.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor Kogerman clarified that speakers are asked to complete a pink speaker form to be given to City Clerk Peggy Johns. Providing your name and address is a courtesy but is not required unless you would like to be notified about your issue.
Ms. Valerie Tastad 14 year resident spoke about the continuous loud noise level in her neighborhood that the city attorney says the City can't rectify because the decibels of this noise do not exceed the numbers of decibels allowed by the city's noise ordinance. She said the noise continues from 4:30 to about 8:30 at night and is coming from a generator in a medical building. She said she has spoken to the building's owners and they don't do anything about it. She said a gentleman took readings and demanded that they do some repairs to the equipment to lessen the sound and that did lessen the sound but did not make it go away. She asked if the City could re-address what the sound decibel levels should be in a residential area. David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director said the city allows the amount of noise that is generated here so there is no violation. Ms. Tastad said she understands that the noise level is acceptable to the City but not to her as a property owner. Mr. Chantaragnsu explained that the noise was from an Air Compressor and they suggested to the company that the Air Compressor be shut off at night but have received no response from the property or building management company. Ms. Tastad said the equipment was working fine until 5 years ago and asked if the city ordinance could be changed to cover continuous noise rather than just noise decibels. She said they have been fighting this battle for 5 years and it destroys their peace and quiet. She requested that the City consider continuous noise rather than just decibels in their residential noise ordinance requirements.
Meg Gorham, long time resident said she tried never to have an observation without a recommendation and suggested that her street Shenandoah needs curbs as it is the only street in Laguna Hills that doesn't have any. She said Vince Corona, at the City assured her that this was in the works. She noted there also needs to be a better sign as you're crossing to the community center where some cars are turning left others are turning right and there's no overhead sign to tell you which lane to be in. It's not a safe situation especially between the community center and Starbucks. Also on Alicia in the property where the Chase Bank is at the corner of Han and Alicia there's a big abandoned RV that 's been there for at least a month near where It's a Grind moved out. Meg suggested a method to report things like this for citizens through a hotline to the City to empower citizens and to make the staff aware of things they may not otherwise know about. Mayor Kogerman said she understands the Traffic Commission is going to be discussing that signage at the Ralph's shopping center that Meg was referring to.
** There was an additional Public Comment below just after COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS from a resident who arrived too late for this comments section but commented on Item 4.3 from the Consent Calendar -Contract with Aliso Meadows Condo. Assoc. re. Community Development Block Grant Funds for FY 2012-2013
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
CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $935,305.38
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - $10,694.98 to Bank of America for Departmental Operating Expenditures Feb. 2013. ** A better explanation for this expense would be helpful here!
Items of interest pulled from the Warrant Register (which is part of the Consent Calendar) for discussion - None
ITEMS of INTEREST from the CONSENT CALENDAR
Item 4.3 - Contract with Aliso Meadows Condo. Assoc. re. Community Development Block Grant Funds for FY 2012-2013 - Since 2004 the City of Laguna Hills has received Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the County of Orange on behalf of the 248-unit Aliso Meadows Condominium development project located on Via Lomas. For Fiscal Year 2012-2013, the City of Laguna Hills was awarded $162,000 to rehabilitate up to 20 units in the development. In order for the Home Owners Association (HOA) to use the funds, it must enter into an agreement with the City in which the HOA agrees to abide by federal, state and county regulations associated with the CDBG funding. Staff is recommending that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the contract with the Aliso Meadows Condominium Association. Aliso Meadows is a 248-unit pre-fabricated condominium project, approved in 1980 by the County of Orange, providing low and moderate-income households an opportunity for ownership.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this project comes from the County with the exception of 40-60 hours of staff time each year. The City has used consultants to assist the HOA with technical issues associated with the project such as income qualifying residents, preparation of bid documents, and payroll. Funding for this consultant work has been budgeted for this fiscal year.
Item 4.4 - Progress payment for Community Center Building Refurbishment - $39,347.76
Item 4.5 - 2nd reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills Municipal Code establishing the dates, times and Location of City Council Regular Meetings. on February 19, 2013, the City Council discussed changing the time for City Council regular meetings so that the start time for Closed Session meetings would commence at 6:00 PM, one hour before the start of the General Business Session at 7:00 PM. - "The regular meetings of the City Council of the City of Laguna Hills shall be held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month as follows: at 6:00 p.m. for Closed Session Business and/or Study Sessions, when scheduled, and at 7:00 p.m. for the General Business Session. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Closed Session meetings of the City Council may be scheduled as part of the General Business Session, when necessary, and nothing herein shall operate to preclude the City Council from reconvening into Closed Session as part of the General Business Session for purposes of completing Closed Session discussions in the event the City Council does not complete the Closed Session discussion between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m."
Item 4.6 - 2012 General Plan Annual Report - State law requires each city to submit an annual report to the state describing steps it took to implement its General Plan during the previous calendar year. The annual report provides the City Council with a snapshot of how the City implemented the General Plan and also assists the state in understanding how each jurisdiction is progressing toward meeting its regional housing need. Attached is the City’s 2012 Annual Report, which provides the status of the City’s General Plan implementation efforts and the purpose of each General Plan Element (i.e. Land Use, Mobility, Conservation and Open Space, Community Services and Facilities, Safety, Noise, and Housing). You can see this, in detail on line on the City web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ under the Agenda for the March 26, 2013 City Council Meeting. Previously, there were no consequences if a local government failed to prepare an Annual Report. However, with the enactment of SB 375, failure to comply with the reporting and hearing requirements can now lead to a court injunction and sanctions. The Annual Report must be forwarded to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) and the Governor’s office of Planning and Research by April 1st of each year.
Item 4.7 - 2013-2015 City Council Biennial Budget Workshops - Recommendation that City Council cancel the proposed April 2, 2013 session.
Items 4.8 - 4.10 - Awards for Contracts for Civic Center improvements
Items of interest pulled from the Consent Calendar - Item 4.5 - 2nd reading and adoption of an Ordinance of the City of Laguna Hills Municipal Code establishing the dates, times and Location of City Council Regular Meetings. on February 19, 2013, the City Council discussed changing the time for City Council regular meetings so that the start time for Closed Session meetings would commence at 6:00 PM, one hour before the start of the General Business Session at 7:00 PM. was pulled by Council Member Bressette who said he removed the item to vote no on it for reasons he has discussed in the past.
Vote - on Item 4.5 was 4 in favor and 1 against. Council Member Bressette was the one against. Vote - the rest of the consent calendar was passed 5 - 0
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING - Item 5.4.1 - A request to subdivide the Cabot Town Center Property into 4 parcels at 25214-25272 Cabot Rd. in the Freeway Commercial Zone District. This item was continue from the Feb 26 council meeting to each meeting thereafter and is continued again, this time to an uncertain date.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
Vote - 5 - 0 to continue this item indefinately
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None
MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR
Item 8.1 - From Council Member Carruth - Regarding the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station - Council Member Carruth introduced and discussed this issue which requested a letter (reviewed by the City Council and signed by Mayor Kogerman to the NRC and elected Representatives, Senators Boxer, Feinstein and Congressman Issa and Chairwoman Macfarlane which might include the following Points:
(A) THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS SUPPORTS THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION’S FULL AND COMPLETE INVESTIGATION INTO THE DESIGN AND APPROVAL PROCESS; AND
(B) THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS IS CONCERNED THAT RECENT INFORMATION PLACES INTO QUESTION THE SAFE OPERATION OF UNIT 2 AT 70% OF POWER AND REQUESTS THAT THE NRC REQUIRE A LICENSE AMENDMENT BEFORE UNIT 2 CAN BE RESTARTED; AND
(2) DIRECT STAFF TO SEND A LETTER (REVIEWED BY CITY COUNCIL AND SIGNED BY MAYOR KOGERMAN) TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON AND THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION REQUESTING INFORMATION REGARDING THE FOLLOWING:
(A) HOW WILL RATEPAYERS BE REFUNDED FOR THE COST AND OPERATION OF THE $780 MILLION STEAM GENERATORS WHICH FAILED IN LESS THAN A YEAR OF OPERATION?
(B) GIVEN THE EXTENDED SHUTDOWN, WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO PROVIDE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE 15-19% POWER LOST?; IS SCE PUTTING TOGETHER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND/OR RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INSTALLATION INCENTIVE PROGRAMS?;
(C) RATEPAYERS ARE PAYING $54 MILLION EACH MONTH FOR AN INOPERABLE PLANT AND, WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE CPUC TO PREVENT SCE FROM FUTURE COLLECTIONS? AND (4) WHEN WILL THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TAKE SAN ONOFRE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION OUT OF THE RATE BASE?
Council Member Carruth's summary of this issue included: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission continues to expand and intensify its investigation into the operation of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Recent information released to the public indicates that NRC Chairwoman Allison Macfarlane is interested in understanding the design flaws, revisiting the license approval process and determining if the Return-to-Service Action plan submitted by Southern California Edison might result in unsafe operating conditions. It has been suggested by some experts that reducing Unit 2’s capacity to 70% will not prevent the unusual tube wear and the possibility of yet another radiation leak.
The City Council should consider communicating to California Senators Boxer and Feinstein, Congressman Issa and Chairwoman Macfarlane our concerns regarding SONGS (San Onofre Generating Station). The troubled facility, located 22 miles south of the City of Laguna Hills, raises questions about public health and safety issues, meeting energy needs for the ever expanding South County region and the possibility of a short circuited licensing procedure. SCE appears to be reluctant to apply for a license amendment and proceed through a lengthy approval process. County residents have learned recently that Mitsubishi under the supervision of Southern California Edison, declined to make design changes to reduce vibration which might have increased the level of safety to its steam generators before the new equipment was installed.
Radiation leaks and the unusual tube wear shut down the Unit 2 and Unit 3 fourteen months ago and yet the plant continues to be in the rate base. In addition to the red flags raised over public safety, a Unit 2 restart plan which lacks technical assurances of reduced tube wear and a refusal to properly amend its license agreement, SCE has not been forthright with its ratepayers. The $780 million steam generators, financed in part by ratepayers, were shut down in less than 11 months. The steam generator’s failure according to some experts quoted in the LA Times is "unprecedented in the nuclear power industry." One senator stated "... SCE cut corners to avoid a new Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process." SCE’s attempt to place the blame on manufacturer Mitsubishi does not necessarily absolve the utility company of full responsibility. Given that SCE failed to properly oversee and manage the design process for equipment which was paid for by ratepayers, the Council may determine it is appropriate to direct letters to California Public Utilities Commission and California Senators Boxer and Feinstein. SCE continues to collect $54 million each month from Southern Californians for services they no longer receive. SCE should immediately remove SONGS, a facility no longer operating, from the rate base. SCE might be advised to focus more of its efforts toward meeting future needs through the identification of new alternative sources of energy.
Council Member Questions and Comments
Mayor Kogerman asked what exactly are we seeking to accomplish from the letter that has been requested? Council Member Carruth answered she was concerned that if that was no response the NRC might think Laguna Hills may agree with a return to service plan that would happen as proposed and she would like to see a full investigation including a Public Hearing. She said she wants the NRC to understand that we want a full and complete process without shortcuts and full assurance that the equipment is safe when it goes back online.
Kogerman noted that the PUC started a process in Oct. and asked what the letter would seek to accomplish related to the PUC? Carruth answered she did not understand why we are continuing to pay for equipment from which we are not receiving service.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked, Is it your understanding that they are using the $54 million a month to help remediate problems at the facility? Carruth responded that she didn't know. Council Member Gilbert asked do we have any members of Edison or someone here tonight to answer questions?
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mayor Kogerman asked Frank Wasko why Edison hasn't requested some sort of rate relief.
Frank Wasko, Region Manager Edison Public Affairs, from Southern California Edison responded that in 2008 Edison applied for 2 license amendments for technical issues with a steam generator replacement and received them. He added the license amendment process only occurs if there's a change to the existing operating license. He added this will be the 3rd license amendment they have sought for the 4 steam generators. He continued that the NRC, governing body for nuclear safety in the USA, verified publicly that Edison followed all applicable regulations re. modifications in the steam generator process and that they wholly informed the NRC of all changes.
Wasko continued that back in July the NCR wrote a letter to Barbara Boxer and stated that specific NCR regulations included criteria to determine when a license amendment is required for proposed changes to a facility. He said the steam generators were evaluated against this criteria and no license amendment was required. He added that cost recovery for services is governed by the Public Utilities Commission and they are carefully reviewing all the costs including if there are refunds that will be given. He said this is a one and a half year process that went into effect in Oct. and they are supplying monthly costs and numbers to the commission whose investigation has included 2 public sessions with another one due in May in San Diego. He added that they are looking first at warranties and insurance money. The Steam Generator Warranty from Mitsubishi is $138 million and so far Mitsubishi has paid $45 million to cover some of the costs incurred. He noted that Edison's has insurance for $2.7 billion. He said the costs incurred so far are about $402 million, and they are paying those on their own. No rate payers are getting hit with this right now. He added that any rate payer exposure/burden is at least a year and a half away.
Regarding license issues he said the next public meeting to discuss this with the NRC is going to be April 3, in Maryland. That meeting can probably be watched on computers. For the Summer he said they don't have the AES Huntington Beach Power Plant due to emissions issues, and solar and wind won't do it so they are going back up with SONGS at a conservative 70% and they believe that will work. He explained that this 3rd license amendment is not required but being done voluntarily because they have decided to operate at a more conservative 70 percent rather than 100 percent and that is technically a license deviation. He said he heard that in April the PUC will approve conservation programs for the summer.
In answer to Mayor Kogerman's question about a story in the LA Times reportedly saying that they knew the equipment was not safe, Mr. Wasko said Mitsubishi has now admitted that they were off on their computer modeling so the report they submitted to us was incorrect and that caused the vibration to happen. He said they/Edison did not know anything was unsafe and what you may have read in the LA Times does not validate what the true facts are. He said the process is going to go to litigation and go down a road with the NRC and the CPUC and they have all the facts and figures.
Council Member Carruth asked additional questions about the 3rd license amendment and the restart plan that may be occurring too soon. Wasko answered that the NRC has requested that they show integrity to 100% so Interteck-Aptech did a complete analysis and told the NRC they can run Unit 2 at 100% full tube integrity for 11 months, so that question's been answered. Carruth asked about the cost to rate payers related to refunds and the problem of the longer this process takes the more difficult it would be to connect with rate payers who may have moved etc. so why not take San Onofre off the rate base now. Wasko answered it's a state law that once we're off line for 9 months the state jumps with a full year and a half investigation process so they cannot make their own decision about this. The State Process will decide who pays what. Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked Mr. Wasko if he would take his child to visit this power plant and Wasco answered yes and she lives closer to the facility. Council Member Gilbert (who is also a Dermatologist) joked that he's been surfing in San Clemente for about 20 year and his wife says he glows at night. An audience member joked that might be a dermatology problem.
Vote - Ms. Carruth's motion did not receive a 2nd so there was No Vote.
Item 8.2 - from Mayor Kogerman Proposed Revision of the Constitution and Timing of Meetings of the Planning Agency/Commission
Mayor Kogerman introduced and discussed her recommendation: THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO:
(1) RETURN WITH A REPORT CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION ON MUNICIPAL INDEPENDENT PLANNING COMMISSIONS:
(A) METHODS FOR THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PLANNING COMMISSIONERS;
(B) RANGE OF NUMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS;
(C) DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES;
(D) TERMS OF OFFICE AND SCOPE OF POWERS;
(E) PROCESS FOR REMOVING AN INDEPENDENTPLANNING COMMISSIONER;
(F) APPEALS PROCESS;
(G) MEETING FREQUENCIES AND NOTICING REQUIREMENTS;
(H) ESTIMATE OF ASSOCIATED COSTS, IF ANY, OF ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN INDEPENDENT PLANNING COMMISSION; AND
(2) UPON CITY COUNCIL REVIEW OF THE ABOVE REPORT, TO RETURN WITH PROPOSALS FOR DISSOLVING THE CURRENT “PLANNING AGENCY,” AND IN ITS PLACE ESTABLISHING AN “INDEPENDENT PLANNING COMMISSION” COMPRISED OF QUALIFIED RESIDENTS APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ACCORDING TO PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COUNCIL.
SUMMARY: The “independent” Planning Commission model is by far the most common planning methodology employed by cities for good reasons. It is preferred by the vast majority who appear before this governmental agency, because this governmental processes and the manner of deliberation are much more conducive to rendering a more thoroughly-vetted result than by appealing directly to the ultimate decision-approval agency without prior public discussion. It permits more efficient use of the City Council’s time. The independent Planning Commission process saves time, reduces minutia, and is citizenfriendly. With these compelling reasons, combined with the advent of term limits, and the maturation stage now evident in the City, it is now timely to form an independent Planning Commission in Laguna Hills.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this recommendation is to enable the City Council to evaluate the practices of municipal Planning Commissions which operate independently from their respective City Councils, in anticipation of replacing the current Laguna Hills Planning Agency with a separate independent Planning Commission answerable to the duly-elected City Council.
Mayor Kogerman explained her Rationale: An independent Planning Commission is the most common planning decision-making body among Orange County’s 34 cities, only four, Aliso Viejo, Cypress, Laguna Hills, and Villa Park do not currently have an independent Planning Commission or a committee or commission that performs the same functions. The remaining 30 Orange County Cities, regardless of size, have independent Planning Commissions or committees that perform the functions of an independent Planning Commission. City Council members in these cities, while retaining ultimate approval of decisions made by their independent Planning Commissions, rely on the broad expertise of their independent commissioners and city staff for a full, effective and impartial review of planning matters which are ultimately determined by the City Council.
Independent Planning Commissions present an efficient way to make planning decisions. Throughout the state and nation, the “independent” Planning Commission process is the norm. It is the professional business decision-making arena that the public expects and to which it is entitled. Independent Planning Commission meetings foster unfettered discussion under freer circumstances without the time constraints typically imposed when a city council is conducting its general business. The main argument against using independent Planning Commissions for the planning process is the contention that they are inefficient, adding an “extra, unnecessary step,” and increase costs. These contentions have little credence. Municipalities employ independent Planning Commissions because they are far better equipped to deal with the “nitty-gritty.” They fully develop background and make recommendations, yet the City Council makes the final decisions. Independent Planning Commissions act as a clearing house for an abundance of items, thus saving valuable time that might otherwise be inefficiently utilized by the City Council. The independent Planning Commission processes tend to be less formal and more conducive to investigatory exchanges on items that need not come up before the City Council. When independent Planning Commission decisions come before the City Council, the City Council can act more effectively and decisively, and be confident that their ultimate decisions are based on a fully-vetted process. The independent Planning Commission plays the first eight innings of the game, yet the ninth inning and deciding inning remains in the hands of the City Council.
Foreseeable planning needs will require increased focus on planning issues beyond those the City has dealt with in the past. While Laguna Hills may be considered largely “built out,” the City now faces considerable planning issues due to its aging housing stock and capital improvements. There are generally considered to be four stages in the urban cycle: Growth, Maturation, Decay, and Reconstruction and Renewal. With aging commercial centers and their increasing needs for refurbishing, and some neighborhoods approaching 50 years of age, parts of Laguna Hills have reached the Maturation stage, with some capital improvements in the Decay stage, and others approaching the latter state of Reconstruction and Renewal, where careful planning becomes increasingly important. Some local “strip centers” have completed or begun efforts at modernization. Plans have recently been approved for major revisions to the La Paz/Moulton Parkway Center and Oakbrook Village; the Ashley Furniture Complex is completely new; and plans for major renovation to the Laguna Hills Mall are expected in the foreseeable future. Centers at Cabot Road have considerable need for upgrading and modernization, among others. It has never been true that there is little need for an independent Planning Commission based on lack of future projects. Indeed, municipal planning needs are more likely to increase from this point onwards.
Now that Term Limits have been established in the City, a credible resource for future replacement of City leaders is imperative. A “succession plan” is needed to provide a “back bench” and training process for future City Council members. In many cities, their independent Planning Commission fills this important governance role Independent Planning Commissions provide increased citizen participation in and exposure to the municipal process, allowing more of our residents to become involved in local governance. In the performance of their duties, independent Planning Commissioners become very familiar with major issues affecting their city’s economic and aesthetic development. While the current Parks and Recreation Commission and Traffic Commission also grapple with important matters and provide experience in governance, these commissions often deal with issues that are generally amenable to shorter-range solutions. While also involved with immediate city needs, independent Planning Commissioners must focus on long-range considerations. Their decisions are building blocks for the future. The independent Planning Commission creates an environment for an intelligent and knowledgeable continuity for future city governance. Failure to provide an environment for the development of future political leaders is short-sighted and counterproductive.
Holding Independent Planning Commission meetings separate from the City Council meetings is citizen-friendly. Residents who periodically attend City Council Meetings usually do so in order to address specific issues that are non-planning related. History demonstrates that Laguna Hills City Council meetings are frequently bogged down in lengthy planning discussions of little general interest, inconveniencing citizens who have attended to provide feedback on matters of greater interest to them. In the current Agenda structure, those matters are not addressed until after an often-lengthy Planning Agency meeting is adjourned. A separate time for independent Planning Commission meetings could increase attendance at City Council meetings, providing for a more efficient allocation of the City Council’s public service and thereby increasing both valuable citizen input to City matters and improving citizen understanding of decisions made by the City Council.
Council Member Questions:
Council Member Gilbert asked about this cost for this and Mayor Kogerman responded that is a question to be answered through the study she is proposing. She added that we already have a Planning Agency and a Planning Staff.
Council Member Bressette asked the City Manager about additional costs. City Manager Channing responded he had some ballpark estimates and noted that the present planning staff has no administrative assistant to prepare and circulate agenda materials to commissioners so would need to supply this support and that position would probably be about $75,000 a year with salary and benefits. In addition a planning commission must have a City Attorney present at their meetings and a clerk to report the minutes and meet all the Brown act notice publishing requirements. He added that commissioners are often sent to training at a commissioner's academy, so he guessed that costs in the neighborhood of $100,000 a year would be incurred. In answer to a question from Mayor Kogerman, Channing stated Parks and Rec. and Traffic Commission do not require an attorney to be present and the staffing of those 2 commissions is performed by the clerical support for each of those departments and there would be 2 agenda processes because he is assuming that every issue that goes in front of the Planning Commission would also go before the City Council.
Council Member Gilbert asked if an Independent Planning Commission would cause delays. City Manager Channing answered that would depend upon how often they met. City Council meets twice a month so if the Planning Commission only met once a month there could be delays. He added a lot would depend upon whether the council would delegate their authority to the commission and not have those issues come to the council thus eliminating the appeals process. Mayor Kogerman responded that City Councils still make the ultimate decision in every city she knows of and in her experience delays don't usually happen because of the City but because of developers.
City Attorney Simonian contributed that delays are conceivable with significant development projects related to the bundle of entitlements that developers seek approval for from the city. He continued that many of the documents for these entitlements come up from the planning commission to the council for approval so this creates a 2 step process. It would require a notice of public hearing at the planning commission level followed by a notice of public hearing at the council meeting, so 2 dates required for approval.
Council Member Gilbert asked if it would be possible for us to have a planning commission that would ba ad hoc, that we could use as needed. City Attorney Simonian answered No, state law gives the city council the option of creating a planning commission but if they don't do that all the planning functions are vested with the city council. There can be no hybrid or grey area planning commission or for a single or specific project.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked if there are other functions the planning commission could perform if our planning agenda becomes less burdensome or things we're not doing that they could accomplish? David Chantaragnsu, Community Development Director responded there is presently a balance between public review and the efficiency of the applicants. That is consistent with the way the city has organized itself in being responsive to our residents and our business owners as well as providing an appropriate level of public review. He continued, If you ask applicants I think they would say the process is working very quickly and if you ask staff, it's a very thorough service provided to applicants. Mayor Kogerman asked Chantaragnsu since he's worked under both models which one does he prefer? Chantaragnsu responded, from his experience planning commissions view development project in a black and white fashion in a box, does it meet the codes or not, but the city council brings the review process to a higher level where they consider other factors such as how a project affects other areas of the community.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Len Herman Laguna Hills Resident said he is here representing only himself tonight, not the OC Assoc. of Realtors, and he is speaking in favor of an independent planning commission. There are some areas of the city that are ripe for renovation now so there will be plenty of work for a planning commission to do in reviewing and examining concepts prior to a city council approval. Secondly the introduction of term limits means the city will need more people to come forward and serve on future city councils. A separate planning commission would permit more citizen involvement, expose talent and potential while providing an entry point into local government. He concluded with he thinks it's something to consider.
Council Member Discussion:
Mayor Kogerman made an motion to vote for a study for an independent planning commission.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount offered a substitute motion to pull out letter H and consider only this - the estimate of cost - ((H) ESTIMATE OF ASSOCIATED COSTS, IF ANY, OF ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING AN INDEPENDENT PLANNING COMMISSION) because as much as he appreciates City Manager Channing's impromptu discussion of costs it would be very helpful to have something that's written to assist in making a decision, if it comes back a lot less than Mr. Channing described it would make a decision simpler for all of us and make this a staff report for the next meeting.
Mayor Kogerman modified her motion to accept the motion of Mayor Pro-Tem Blount and the motion was seconded by Council Member Gilbert.
Council Member Carruth said she would not be voting for the motion and all want the business community to grow and flourish and this has always worked so well. She added that Aliso Viejo eliminated their planning commission and this is counter to small government philosophy and the 2 new members of this council were not on a planning commission.
Council Member Bressette agreed and said next to the budget the most important task this city council has spent time on is the planning agency and he doesn't understand why we wouldn't want to continue to spend time on that job building a sound friendly business environment in the city. For the last 22 years this system has been efficient, friendly, cheap and getting the job done. He added that bigger government is never better so no reason to spend another dime or moment on this.
Mayor Kogerman said we got lucky with Andrew Blount and Dore Gilbert on the city council but we do need to find a way to engage more citizens in the decision making process and if not this we need to find something else or take a big risk with no succession plan. She added she believes we have occasionally fallen into politicizing the planning process when applicants come here and an independent planning commission de-politicizes the process.
Vote was 3 in favor 2 against (the 2 against were Carruth and Bressette) so it was passed to look at the cost for establishing an independent Citizen based Planning Commission.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS
Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Blount said he'd like to agendize for the next meeting - The Creation of a Citizens Committee that will Direct and Oversee the Promotion of the City of Laguna Hills. With regard to City Views, do we want to have a City Views, what do we want to be in it. We were thinking there's got to be some folks within our community who would be happy to volunteer some time to figure that out and discuss the identity of our city and a number of different things. Having a group of citizens that are excited about Laguna Hills and love it as much as we do and could help direct some of that in the ways in which we spend our dollars on the promotion of the city would be really helpful.
Mayor Kogerman asked for a head nod from the council members to get Mayor Pro-Tem Blount's item agendized, but before that council happen Council Member Bressette interjected that this may be considered a Major Plan. Major plans will be discussed on April 16 and he said that would be the best place to talk about this where they can have a full and complete discussion about it and direct staff how to do it all at that meeting. Bressette said he didn't mind having a report come back but this would be a more effective way of doing it. Blount clarified that he was not asking for a report, just asking to have something on the agenda that they could talk about but if we want to talk about it on the 16th instead that's okay too.
Council Member Bressette spoke about Kitchen Fires. He said there was a small kitchen fire on Stockport last week. Fire Authority arrived, put it out, but it displaced 8 people. So be careful when you're cooking. be careful with all appliances and electric wiring and talk to your elderly parents. Lots of information on the OC Fire Authority web site.
Council Member Dore Gilbert spoke about Smoke Detectors and stressed that whether any detector is battery or hard wired it is only good for 10 years. He noted that you still may get a light or a buzz from the detector but the detection process has deteriorated and will probably not pick up the smoke or the heat. So put a date on your smoke detector and replace it if it's 10 years old. He also noted that he really enjoys being on the city council and tonight was a great example of the free flow of information and not every thing always goes the way you want it to go but part of the problem is that we can't discuss these things before the meeting so he might not understand some of the issues presented until he has the opportunity to hear them at these meetings plus getting info. from staff gives him a couple weeks to think and consider what has been said before making a decision.
Council Member Carruth spoke again about the Nuclear Power Plant saying there are concerns from a lot of people on local, state and federal levels about the permanent disposal of spent fuel. She added that San Onofre is located in an earthquake zone and was never designed to handle anything over 7 on the richter scale. The ARC has asked the National Academy of Science to assess Cancer Risks for residents who live near nuclear plants. She added we need , deserve to have and should request an evacuation zone.
Mayor Kogerman stated each council member received a monthly police report from Lt. Tom Behrens and Kogerman asked for feedback from the council on the police report. She asked would they prefer that it be on the agenda or happy with it being distributed to council members and available to the public if requested. She stated she was getting a "happy without" response? Kogerman then thanked Ms. John's (the city clerk) for putting together a council member handbook with all the policies and procedures and protocols that the city follows. Council Members can now have their own manual. She reviewed the past few weeks noting that the Saturday morning MEET WITH THE MAYOR sessions will move to North Laguna Hills for the months of April and May to Solomon's bakery at 23020 Lake Forest Drive, Ste 170, in Laguna Hills, between Avenida De La Carlota and Del Lago Drive. (949-586-4717) She add this has been fun meeting people and discussing issues and following up. She said she was Principal for the day at LHHS and came away with more great reports on how our SRO Deputy Gunsolley is doing. He has Parent Meetings in Spanish and English and has 80 to 130 parents attending the Spanish Language Parent Meetings on a regular basis. Students, Parents and Staff go to him for counseling. Mayor Kogerman reminded everyone that the SRO position is funded by the City. She thanked Council Member Carruth for assisting with the presentation for Eagle Scouts. Kogerman said she met with the South OC Mayors and learned that prescription pill addiction is literally killing our youth in South OC. They discussed what to do about this. She also attended OC Forum's Annual State of the County Presentation. If you go to Orange County Forum you can download their report. Medal of Valor Luncheon was attended today, she joked that Mayor Pro-Tem Blount missed it because his plane was late and horribly embarrassed them all when a spotlight was focused on his chair and he was asked to stand and he wasn't there!! Everyone laughed! S he closed with being Mayor is a busy job.
PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED -
Mr. Frank Merjahunder (sp? last name) was late to the meeting so the item on which he wished to speak had already been passed when he asked to speak on Consent Calendar Item 4.3 - Contract with Aliso Meadows Condo Assoc. re. Community Development Block Grant Funds. Frank said he is speaking on behalf of the Aliso Meadows Home Owner's Assoc. The upgrading of 20 units project was advertised through Blue Book and Frank bid on it and reached an agreement on what it would take but there wasn't enough money to do all 5 parts, which is 20 units, related to the "Prevailing Wages" clause that ran the cost up. He said that in this case because this is a Grant to assist the units the "Prevailing Wages" clause doesn't apply. He asked the staff to look into it and see if this clause could be removed so the work can be done.
City Attorney Greg Simonian responded that the agreement that the city council approved this evening between the City and the HOA contains numerous legal requirements from the city's underlying Master Funding agreement with the County of Orange. The master Funding Agreement contains a multitude of legal requirements including the requirement for the payment for prevailing wage on this particular job. We're required to extend that prevailing wage requirement into the agreement that was approved this evening. The agreement in written in such a way that it indicates that if prevailing wages are required then the sub-contractor is required to pay them. The City has made a determination, based on the CA. labor code, that prevailing wages would be required for this project. However based on the way the contract is drafted, if it's later determined that prevailing wages are not required for this project, and the department of labor issues such a determination, and the Country of Orange concurs with it, then prevailing wages are not required to be paid. But at this point it's our determination that this is a prevailing wage job based on the number of units and the total dollar amount of government subsidy involved, and this is a CA. Labor Code Requirement which is different.
CLOSED SESSION - Conference regarding leasing of Suite 200 at the Civic Center.
The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, April 9, 2013 - 7 pm, at City Hall
Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
** In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in City Council meetings, you should contact the office of the City Clerk at (949) 707‑2635. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting. She then reviewed the past
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CITY COUNCIL and CITY MANAGER REPORT CARD - Categories - (T) Transparency for Citizens, (A) Accountability to Citizens, (CI) Championing Citizen Related Issue, (AG) Achieving Citizen Related Goal Grades - (P) Pass, (A) for Authoring a Citizen Friendly Item, (F) Fail, (A+) Extra Credit. City Manager will be scored related to online and agendized Staff Reports and Requests:
Blount
A For Citizen Friendly introduction of discussion of the creation of a citizen's committee to direct and oversee the promotion of the City of Laguna Hills in City Views, a taxpayer funded publication costing more than $100,000 a year.
P For Voting for the Citizen Friendly issue of moving Closed Sessions to before rather than after City Council Meetings.
P For voting for a study to consider the issue of the cost of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
Bressette
F For voting against Item 4.5 from the Consent Calendar - the issue of moving Closed Sessions to before rather than after City Council Meetings.
F For Voting against a study to consider the issue of the cost of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
Carruth
A For Citizen friendly effort to make the issues at the local Nuclear Power Plant more transparent for citizens.
P For Voting for the Citizen Friendly issue of moving Closed Sessions to before rather than after City Council Meetings.
F For Voting against a study to consider the issue the cost of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
Gilbert
P For Voting for the Citizen Friendly issue of moving Closed Sessions to before rather than after City Council Meetings.
P For voting for a study to consider the issue of the cost of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
Kogerman
A For requesting a Study of the issue of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
P For Voting for the Citizen Friendly issue of moving Closed Sessions to before rather than after City Council Meetings.
P For voting for a study to consider the issue of the cost of acquiring a Citizen Based Planning Commission
City Manager - Nothing this time
** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers since the last council meeting
ABOUT: Citizen Based Planning Commission, Win-Win-Wed and Mandarin Chinese Language Program, City Views, Transparency in Laguna Hills, Corporal Haggerty's letter
ABOUT: Citizen Based Planning Commission
David said... A separate citizens Planning Commission is the best way to go, and most cities have implemented such a system; in those cities the PC’s decision on any given project is subject to review and reversal or affirmation by the City Council. Such a two tiered approach tends to eliminate most of the politics and makes the process a lot more transparent. Also, adding a PC means a greater chance for input from residents concerned about a particular planning issue."
David K. Robbins
ABOUT: Win-Win-Wed and Mandarin Chinese Language Program
Anonymous said... We went to WinWinWednesday at Mandarin Terrace and met the Mandarin Chinese Language and Culture Program Teacher from Laguna Hills High School, Ms. Hwang We were so impressed with her and her attitude of always looking at how to improve everything. She's a great asset for the high school and the community.
ABOUT: City Views
Anonymous said...Good for new councilman Gilbert for advocating advertising for City Views. Over $100,000 a year is a ridiculous amount of money for taxpayers to be spending for basically a glossy brag rag. Let's get some better content in the City Views portion of this publication that is more relevant to the community as well as advertising.
ABOUT: Transparency in Laguna Hills
Anonymous said...Transparency still has a long way to go in Laguna Hills when comparing the LH city web site with other cities but hope the new council members will stay on this and support Mayor Kogerman to keep improving it. Whatever happened with the recent closed sessions considering the City Manager's compensation? If he won't agree to curb some of that excess there are plenty of others who would love to do that job in this small city for less.
ABOUT: Corporal Haggerty's Letter
Anonymous said...We love the letter from Corporal Haggerty. God Bless him, we are proud to be able to support him and all our servicemen.
Anonymous said...Thank you Corp. Travis Haggerty for being a positive voice for the fallen and for letting us know what our support means to the 3/5 Marines. We do so little compared with their sacrifice but to know that it does help them in any way at all is a wonderful thing to hear. We are so happy to have the opportunity to do anything and so proud of these Marines. Please keep these updates coming.
Meg Gorham said...I was in the Chamber that evening when Mike read Corporal Haggerty's letter what struck me the most was that we have not adopted a "Battalion", with a number and a rank and a mascot and a banner. Instead, we've adopted people....real human beings that are not only benefited by our financial support, but are truly touched by the impact we are making in their lives. We will never need to wonder whether or not we are making a difference, and giving never feels better than that. It's not just about the money or even the gift cards or baskets or treats....it's about sharing our hearts with others. Thank you Mike and Jean and Team Dark Horse for providing the bridge that connects us collectively Laguna Hills, and us as individuals, with this fine group of souls.....Meg Gorham
Mike Bland said... When I received the e-mail/letter from Corporal Haggerty, I knew I had to share this. After readying this at the last council meeting, the Mayor said she thought I was about to lose it towards the end. Told her I had read it aloud twice the night before to our Team Dark Horse members to see if I could make it without tearing up. This letter meant so much to me and just shows how important support groups are to our military. I am looking forward to seeing Corporal Haggerty run again this year in our Memorial Day race with his flag. On our Team Dark Horse facebook page, we have received many comments on this letter and some from the moms/wives of the 25 fallen. Please come out and see many of the 3/5 members and family run on Memorial Day and their special “Static Display” they will bring to the Laguna Hills Community Center. Mike Bland
Karen said...What struck me when we read Cpl Haggerty's letter was the depth of wisdom and appreciation he possessed for the devoted acts of strangers ; and the recognition that the thoughts he expressed had come at such tremendous cost. That this young Marine, who'd witnessed the loss of lives of so many Marine brothers, would write such a letter, to thank a town for the simple acts Team Dark Horse had done, moved me beyond words. Team Dark Horse had actually done what we'd set out to do...reach across miles and time zones and disparate places to hold the hearts of those who serve our country. Karen
Evan said...Well said Karen! Travis Haggerty is a very impressive individual. I was moved by Travis Haggerty's letter to the point of wanting to participate in the Memorial Day run. Thanks. Evan
Anonymous said...Go, Evan! Will you have a Team Evan?
Micki said...Evan, as biased as I am, I suspect that this young Marine is perhaps a cut above most of the chosen few of the nation’s finest!
Micki said...I know Team Darkhorse was created out of love. Corporal Haggarty's letter lets us understand we can make a difference. Sometimes words can't explain our thoughts or feelings but his letter does just that. Memorial Day without a meaning isn't much to celebrate. I feel like every month we have a special meeting for a future celebration! Micki Zettel
** 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.
March 27 - Chick fil-A (LH) - all day
April 3 - Gold'N Baked Ham and Deli (LH)
April 10 - Mangia Bene Cuchina (LN) - all day
April 17 - Deemer's American Grill (LN) - all day
April 24 - Fuddrucker's (LF) - all day
May 1 - Habit Burger - May Day (both LF and AV)
May 8 - Mimi's Cafe (LH)
**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
BE SURE TO SEE ALL THE GREAT THINGS YOUR DONATIONS HAVE MADE POSSIBLE at the Team Dark Horse web site - http://teamdarkhorse.org/
Taking Time to Comfort the Care Givers for the 3/5 deployed Marines - their spouses/kids/loved ones. We thank Cindy Farnum, wife of a Marine Officer, for organizing this and making this happen on Friday March 23, 2013 and all her wonderful volunteers. Cindy heads Operation Help A Hero, which is a 501C3 non-profit organizatrion, and you can find her web site at www.operationhelpahero.org Cindy was assisted by Mariner's Church at their beautiful Ocean Hills Church in San Juan Capistrano. There were rooms full of children ranging from new borns to teens who were cared for, entertained and fed while their moms were treated to dinner followed by a host of free treats including massages, hair styled and cut, spray tans, makeup, manicures and pedicures followed by complimentary photos at the end.
Team Dark Horse, the Laguna Hills 3/5 Marine Support Group, supplied "Stress Busters" Gift Cards as raffle prizes for the moms and babysitting for the youngest group of tots was supplied by Team Dark Horse Member Teresa Bonutto and her volunteers, Sandy Fogarty and her daughter Ansley, and Sandra Cross with her daughters Danielle and Corryne. This youngest group ranged from just a few weeks to only 18 months. We stopped by this room just in time to witness the chaos as moms left their tots in the care of these seasoned care givers to experience some much needed care for themselves. The sound decibels were spiking as the moms tentatively left the room, but Teresa assured us that within 15 minutes the little ones would be distracted and comfortable again. We stuck around to watch, and to our surprise, learned that Teresa was almost magically correct. The brightly colored new toys and special attention, at a ratio of almost one to one, from these care givers changed the screams to smiles and brought wide eyed wonder to these little faces. We stopped by the other rooms of children and noted the pizza and fun they were having. As we left we passed multiple tables full of artistically decorated cup cakes waiting for all the moms and kids. We thought all of you would be pleased to hear a little bit about how the donations and/or participation from you and from others are helping the 3/5 community, our city has adopted, and Team Dark Horse thanks you!!!
*** The recent and Very Special Message from 3/5 Marine Corporal Travis Haggerty thanking the City and all the Supporters of the 3/5 Marines. This is just the 1st paragraph: "Hello, my name is Corporal Travis Haggerty, 1st Platoon, Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. I am currently deployed on the 15th MEU and was also on the last deployment with 3/5 to Sangin, Afghanistan. I had the honor of participating in the Laguna Hills Half Marathon last year and ran with the American flag that had the names of our fallen warriors on it. The run was a great way for everyone involved to support the Marines that have fallen and the sacrifice that they and their families have made for this country. I will be the first one to tell you that the overwhelming support that your organization gives to this battalion and its families is remarkable. We could not have received a better city to stand by our sides."
On the Team Dark Horse web site at http://teamdarkhorse.org/ YOU CAN SPONSOR A MARINE IN THE LAGUNA HILLS 2013 MEMORIAL DAY RACE by clicking on the donate button on the Home Page or by sending a check to the address on the Home Page. The full race Fees are $58 if funds are received before 3/15/13, $63 if funds are received before 6/7/13 and $68 if funds are received before 5/7/13. A donation in any amount will be gratefully appreciated and all donations are tax deductible.
You can also join the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines by running with them in the 1/2 Marathon Race through Laguna Hills and 4 other cities or you can participate in the 10K walk and Run, the 5K Walk and Run or the 1/2 mile Kids Run.
You can see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Face book page by clicking on this link -https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-Team-Darkhorse/132765660119128?ref=ts&fref=ts
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.
** NEWS STORIES AND BLOGS ABOUT LAGUNA HILLS: Please Click on the links below to see the stories.
Robbins:Supporting Team Dark Horse
by Karen Robbins, March 8, 2013 The Orange County Registerhttp://www.ocregister.com/news/dark-498871-horse-marines.html
Latest Update on the Orange County Animal Shelter in the OC Register Newspaper - The 54 percent overall death rate was pretty much the same as 2011http://www.ocregister.com/news/cats-496442-percent-animal.html
Distinguished Budget Award’ more about good looks than financial health January 17, 2013 - OC Watchdog by Keegan Kyle,http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2013/01/17/distinguished-budget-award-more-about-good-looks-than-financial-health/165287/
Resident's Resolutions for Laguna Hills, Lake Forest at http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-382833-lake-forest.html
Laguna Hills Needs an Identity of its Own at http://www.ocregister.com/news/laguna-382827-hills-town.html
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, 2012http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2012/10/08/grand-jury-gets-last-laugh-on-shadowy-pension-costs/162930/
City officials abused power, grand jury says July 6th, 2012, 1:22 am · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writerhttp://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 citizenshttp://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 Carehttp://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 onhttp://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 Citieshttp://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 writerhttp://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633Click 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.
