Laguna Hills Watch Dog: May 2013

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - May 28, 2013

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

What's On Your Mind? Meet with your Mayor, Barbara Kogerman, and Share your Questions/Concerns over no-host baked goods, breakfast and deli fare at Solomon’s Bakery and deli-fare for the months of April and May. The Saturday, 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. She will have 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.

** Tuesday, June 25 will be the last City Budget Session Meeting and the Only Public Hearing to LEARN WHERE YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY GOES. BE SURE TO REVIEW THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, MAY 7, 2013 BIENNIAL BUDGET SESSION if you're interested in what the City of Laguna Hills plans to do with your money in 2013-2015 - scoll down to the Special Edition blog that is just below the May 14, 2013 City Council Meeting blog to see the where your Laguna Hills taxpayer money is going.

** Annual Open House for the Landmark 100 Year Old Red Barn in Laguna Hills, with antique farm tools and equipment, that can be seen off of La Paz near Valencia Elem. School west of Paseo de Valencia. The dates for the Open House are Friday through Sunday, June 7, 8, and 9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. He said there will be free refreshments and popcorn. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit a real antique barn!!!

** Consider Attending a Council Meeting to express your opinion on items of interest to you or just to observe. Citizen Alerts/HEADLINES for future City Council Meetings will be listed on this blog site within 4 days prior to a meeting.

Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - FEATURES DIRECTORY

** Closed Session - Conferences with Legal Council - Existing - Orange County Superior Court; Department C22, Case No.: 00587582 and Anticipated Litigation - 1 case re. San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. Public Comment on Closed Session Items - Convene to Closed Session - Reconvene to Council Chamber - Recess - General Business Reconvening at 7:00 pm
** Presentations and Proclamations
Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jafee - alternate Kerstyn Gonzales - WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW AT LHHS - Cultural Exchange, AWARDS - Drama Dept., SPORTS - Track and Field,, and FUND RAISERS - Grad Night Preview- June 18, Summer Cooking Classes and July 4 Event.
** Public Comments - Complaint re. inadequate signage posted for No Right Turn On Red at La Paz and Cabot Rd.? and Annual Open House for the Landmark 100 Year Old Red Barn in Laguna Hills - June 7, 8, and 9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $861,775.45.
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register - none
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register - none
Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar
Item 4.3 - Progress Payment number 25 for La Paz Road widening at I-5 in the net amount of $1,454.50 to SEMA Construction Inc.
Item 4.4 - Facility Operation of the Roller Hockey Rink by CA. Street Hockey - California Street Hockey Association (CSHA) manages the operations of the Community Center Sports Complex roller hockey rink.
Item 4.5 - Progress Payment number 1 for Civic Center (City Hall) Suite 100B Improvements in the net amount of $13,822.50 to Innovative Builders and Design.
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar pulled for discussion - ITEM 4.4 - Facility Operation of the Roller Hockey Rink by CA. Street Hockey pulled by Mayor Kogerman for questions about the facility's cost and revenues.
** Planning Agency/City Council Public Hearings -
Item 5.4.1 - Request on behalf of Property Owner for a New Master Sign Program for the Shopping Center Renovation at Moulton and La Paz. This is first "Signage" issue for our newest city council members plus comments from residents - See what they said and learn what they decided contrasted with information from the last city council meeting, a year ago, about this same center renovation.
** City Council Public Hearings
Item 6.1 - Minor General Plan Amendment, to the Laguna Hills General Plan Mobility Element
Item 6.2 - PUBLIC HEARING on 2013 WEED, RUBISH and REFUSE ABATEMENT
** Items of Interest pulled from the Consent Calendar - Item 4.4 - Facility Operation of the Roller Hockey Rink by CA. Street Hockey
** Administrative Reports
Item 7.2.1 - Designation of Voting Delegate for League of CA. Cities Annual Conference - Recommendation - Mayor Kogerman as the Voting Delegate and Mayor Pro-Tem Blount as the Alternate
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor- none
** City Council Member Comments - About the International Council of Shopping Centers in Las Vegas, Electronic cigarettes, 2013 City Memorial Day Event with words from Major Bobo
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post - ABOUT: Nothing this time
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.comYour 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 - ** Please see our thank yous and a very special thank you below from 3/5 Marine, Corporal Travis Haggerty, regarding an extraordinary Laguna Hills Memorial Day this year.
** 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
** FIND the CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD - Look at Crime Reports for your Neighborhood
** WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - May 28, 2013
All Council Members were present except Council Member Bressette
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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

CLOSED SESSION - Orange County Superior Court; Department C22, Case No.: 00587582 and Anticipated Litigation - 1 case

Closed Session Public Report - from City Attorney Greg Simonian -
1. - No Reportable Action on the OC Superior Court Case.
2. - On the Anticipated Litigation case - Per City Attorney Simonian, the city council has authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to prepare a petition for review with the State Water Resources Control Board of an action taken by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board in adopting the NPDES MS4 Permit -- R9-2013-0001, a Regional Permit for the So. OC area with a request that the petition for review be initially held in abeyance and to negotiate and enter into a joint defense agreement or similar agreement on behalf of the City with other co- permittees for joint preparation and prosecution, if necessary, of the petitions for review, the sharing of confidential information and related matters. One formally commenced, the petition for review filed on behalf of the city will be made available for public review and examination upon inquiry at the city clerks office.
** Editor's Note - See details re. the NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMIT AND WASTE DISCHARGE REQUIREMENTS FOR DISCHARGES FROM THE MUNICIPAL SEPARATE STORM SEWER SYSTEMS (MS4s) DRAINING THE WATERSHEDS WITHIN THE SAN DIEGO REGION at: http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/rwqcb9/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/updates041913/Errata_Sheet-_R9-2013-0001_Option_1.pdf
**Congratulations to Mayor Kogerman, who suggested this "Closed Session" change, and to the new Council Members who changed the order of the council meetings to place "Closed Sessions" 1st rather than last on the Agenda. This significantly increases transparency for Laguna Hills Citizens and allows for Public Comments as well as a report to the citizens, from each Closed Session, during the regular time period for City Council Meetings.

PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS:

Item 1.1 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Amanda Jafee - alternate Kerstyn Gonzales
To Subscribe to Hawk Happenings: http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/schools/lhhs/subscriptions.html

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW AT LHHS - 18 Secondary Principals from China came to Laguna Hills High School this week to observe our school and the American education system. It was a wonderful opportunity to build a foundation for rich, cultural exchanges. They were very impressed with our school, especially our Culinary Arts, Hawkeye Wrestling, Auto Shop and several teachers’ classrooms. Students from Japan came earlier and we are starting a joint program.

AWARDS:
MACY – Childress Awards
The MACY Awards are judged by adults who attend musicals at Orange County high schools, public and private, throughout the year. At the end of the year, they present awards and some scholarships to individual student performers and technicians as well as trophies for schools that produce outstanding shows. This year not one, but two of our male leads in Les Miserables : Jonah Buckels as Jean Valjean and Adam Wong as Javert were nominated. The winners, will be sent to the National High School Musical Theater competition in New York City. Our cast was also invited to perform a short selection from Les Mis on the stage at Segerstrom Hall in front of the 3,000 spectators!

CAPPIE AWARDS are coming in the future and this year LHHS has been nominated in 11 categories for Cappies Awards. The Cappies program is comprised of teams of high school students (“critics”) who attend shows at other Orange County high schools, public and private. After each show, the critics agree on an eligible performer or technician for each category for the “Critics Choice” form, then they write a review of the show, from which two are chosen to be published in the OC Register. (OC Cappies works with the Orange County Department of Education and current season student reviews are published on The Orange County Register website.) Then, at the end of the year, all the eligible critics get to vote on their favorites from their Critics Choice forms. This voting process determines the nominations and winners. Each participating school can enter one play and one musical, which for us this year were To Kill a Mockingbird and Les Miserables.
Sound: Kayla Pajarito, Jake Price, Dylan Tapia, Jake Hamilton, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Lights: Michaela Trumble, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Special Effects or Technology: Reed Jones, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables (for the projections)
Ensemble in a Play: Courtroom, Laguna Hills High School, To Kill A Mockingbird
Ensemble in a Musical: The Students, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Featured Actress in a Play: Jamie Enright, as Mrs. Dubose, Laguna Hills High School, To Kill A Mockingbird
Featured Actress in a Musical: Tiffany Carinchi, as Gavroche, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Male Vocalist: Jonah Buckels, as Jean Valjean, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Supporting Actor in a Play: Michael Bridgeman, as Bob Ewell, Laguna Hills High School, To Kill A Mockingbird
Supporting Actor in a Musical: Reed Jones, as Marius, Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Song: "One Day More", Laguna Hills High School, Les Miserables
Plus, Commendees: Hannah Bozman, Sabrina Ickes, Victoria Johnson, Mikey Lathon
We will not learn who wins until the Gala. We will be performing “One Day More” at the Cappies Gala because it has been nominated for Best Song. It’s the first time our school has been on stage for this program! Also keep an eye out for Jonah Buckels in the opening number.

SPORTS - Alana Jones is SOARING to the Master’s Meet Tonight!    Congratulations goes out to Alana Jones for qualifying for tonight's CIF Track & Field Master's Meet in the 1600 Meter Run! The Master's Meet brings together the best of the best from all of CIF Southern Section to compete for a spot at the California State Championships. Alana became the first Hawk in school history to make the meet in 2 different events, having run in the 3200 Meter Run last year. She qualified last Saturday by placing 4th in the 1600 at the CIF Division 3 Finals with a time of 4:58. She also ran the 3200 finishing 7th in a time of 11:04.

FUN FUND RAISERS - GRAD NIGHT PREVIEW - Parents and other curious ADULTS (no children please) will get a sneak peek at this year’s Grad Nite on Tuesday, June 18th from 5:00 to 7:30pm. Mayor Kogerman added that in addition to having a great time on Grad. Night there is an important safety issue involved related to keeping the grads safe at our school as opposed to being on the highways, etc. and the City Council helps support this. SEE YOU THERE!

SUMMER COOKING CLASSES - are coming from Win-Win-Wednesday -   Come find out this summer! Chef Heather and other local "celebrity" guest chefs will be cooking up something special every Wednesday, beginning July 10th through August 14th. This special Culinary Arts Program fundraiser will be open for registration beginning Saturday, June 1st for two-hour cooking classes in our own lab. Space will be limited, first-come, first-served and are expected to fill up fast. Watch for details in next week's Hawk Happenings.

JULY 4th EVENT - Put on by the City. and LHHS will also be involved in this . GO-HAWKS!

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Mayor Kogerman always clarifies 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.

Brent Richtsmeier, Laguna Niguel Resident said we have something similar to the IRS scandal going on here right now at the corner of La Paz and Cabot Rd. He said what's happening here is not in compliance with engineering and the signs are often not visible because of parked cars and traffic. He added there's nothing illegal about having invisible signs unless you want to enforce them. He admitted he was one of the people who received a ticket here, so took photos of the intersection to hand out to council members to let them see the problems that exist here. He said he tried working with the City Planning Director and made copies of comments he received from the city, for the council members, stating basically that the signs are okay. He continued that the City Planning Director was unwilling to document what was good signage as opposed to adequate signage and suggested that Mr. Richtsmeier do a traffic study on the problem to show why the signage was insufficient. Mr. Richtsmeier added that after he reported this problem one of the signs was made visible and added this is not how he believes we want to run a city government. He added that he followed up with lots of documentation in addition to his photos and the arresting officer gave false information related to his photos of the intersection being taken before the signage was installed, etc. He asked the city council to look at this and take corrective action.
Council Member Blount asked Mr. Richtsmeier what signage was involved and Mr. Richtsmeier responded that it was a No Right Turn On Red Signs at La Paz and Cabot.
*** Editor's Note - This is something we, at the LH Watch Dog, warned citizens about in our last blog on May 14. - No RIGHT TURN ON RED is already posted at Cabot Rd. and La Paz but widely ignored. The No Right Turn On Red Signs are small and posted up high and at the far right of the road so are not easily spotted unless one knows about them. Be sure to look for them!

Clarence Hauschild, Laguna Hills Resident on Gallup Circle announced the Annual Open House for his Landmark 100 Year Old Red Barn, with antique farm tools and equipment, that can be seen off of La Paz near Valencia Elem. School west of Paseo de Valencia. The dates for the Open House are Friday through Sunday, June 7, 8, and 9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. He said there will be free refreshments and popcorn. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit a real antique barn!!!

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $861,775.45.
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None
Items of interest pulled from the Warrant Register (which is part of the Consent Calendar) for discussion - None

Consent Calendar Items:

Item 4.3 - Progress Payment number 25 for La Paz Road widening at I-5 in the net amount of $1,454.50 to SEMA Construction Inc.

Item 4.4 - Facility Operation of the Roller Hockey Rink by CA. Street Hockey - California Street Hockey Association (CSHA) manages the operations of the Community Center Sports Complex roller hockey rink. An Agreement was approved by the City Council on June 1, 2005 to permit CSHA to manage, operate and maintain the roller hockey facility. This Agreement can be extended for one year renewals and CSHA is requesting another extension of the Agreement until May 31, 2014. Staff recommends that the City Council approve this extension. FISCAL IMPACT: The City receives a portion of the revenue generated by CSHA’s coordinated hockey rink recreation activity. Payments to the City are calculated by 15% of adult team fees, 10% of youth team fees, and 15% of the total facility-generated revenues. For 2012, the City received $5,542 in revenue from CSHA.

Item 4.5 - Progress Payment number 1 for Civic Center (City Hall) Suite 100B Improvements in the net amount of $13,822.50 to Innovative Builders and Design.

ITEMS of SPECIAL INTEREST from the CONSENT CALENDAR - Item 4.4

ITEMS PULLED from the CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEM 4.4 - Facility Operation of the Roller Hockey Rink by CA. Street Hockey Association - pulled by Mayor Kogerman.

Mayor Kogerman asked if the approx. $5000 to $5,500 revenue for the City from this Hockey Rink that does not appear to be costing us much has held steady. David Reynolds, Community Services Director reported that participation in Hockey Leagues has decreased over the years so revenues we have recognized for that activity have decreased. He answered that right now there are about 10 adult and 4 youth teams compared with 2005 when there were about 20 adult and 25 youth teams. So the revenue in 2012 was about $5000 and was probably in the ball park of about $30,000 at one point, but this is just a guess. He added there were 2 things brought to our attention by CA. Street Hockey, one was a decrease in popularity and the 2nd is re. the concrete surface of our hockey rink as opposed to the new Sport Court plastic material currently being used.  The cost for a new surface plus a new roof that is needed is about $1.2 Million.
VOTE - Consent Calendar was approved 4-0

CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING -
ITEM 5.4.1 - Request from Vintage Real Estate, LLC on behalf of Property Owner Moulton La Paz, LLC for a New Master Sign Program for the Shopping Center Rennovation at Moulton and La Paz.

SUMMARY: The applicant, Vintage Real Estate, LLC, on behalf of the property owner, Moulton La Paz, LLC (“the Applicant”) has applied for a new Master Sign Program (MSP) for the shopping center at the corner of Moulton Parkway and La Paz Road, in the Community Commercial zone, which was recently approved for a complete renovation, remodel, and expansion dubbed THE VILLAGE AT NELLIE GAIL RANCH. The proposed MSP includes specifications for tenant storefront signs and three freestanding signs. A freestanding sign is proposed at each of the three driveways that serve the property.

David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director, presented the Staff Report - Staff has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA and it has been determined that this request is categorically exempt from CEQA. Categorical Exemptions are projects that have been determined not to have a significant effect on the environment and that have been exempted from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act. Class 11 consists of construction of minor structures accessory to existing commercial institutions, including on-premise signs.

Notices were mailed to 129 property owners within a 300-foot radius of the subject property, 36 occupants of the subject site, and Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association. As of the writing of this report, staff has received no comments from property owners or tenants of the subject property. Staff notes that the Nellie Gail Ranch Owners Association has verbally expressed some generalized concern over the name of the shopping center which refers to Nellie Gail Ranch. However the City is generally unable to regulate the content of signage.

The applicant has requested 1.5 sg. ft. of wall sign area vs the city's 1 sq ft. of wall sign area permitted and the applicant is also requesting the free standing signs exceed the city's standards. Concepts of the signage on the buildings were shown in the council chambers.

COMPONENTS OF THE SIGNAGE REQUEST

1. FREE STANDING SIGNS - Applicant is proposing:

2 Center ID Signs about 13 ft. 10 inches tall including the name of the Center as well as tenant panels located at the northernmost driveway off of Moulton and on the La Paz side driveway. The city's code allows up to 20 feet tall for this type of sign so the applicant is about 6 ft under the max. allowance by the city for these 2 signs. City Code also allows for a 400 sq. ft area for these signs and the applicant's signs are about 1/3 of that max. amount. allowed by the city. City allows a max. of only 2 tenant panels per sign but the applicant is asking for 5. Plus the applicant is asking for a smaller amount of room for the name of the center than the city specifies. The City wants about 50% of the sign for the name of the center and the applicant is requesting only about 10% of the sign for the name of the center.

1 Monument Sign about 12 feet tall that does not include the name of the center. City code allows up to a 4 foot monument sign with a 40 sq. ft. sign area with no limit on the number of panels.

Staff Recommendation - Monument sign and Tenant ID signs be reduced to comply with the code. Applicant states Landscaping will obstruct the vision of the signs as well as contractual requirement of at least 3 of the tenants to display their names and logos.

2. WALL SIGNS - Applicant is proposing:

A larger wall sign area - a 1.5 sq. ft per lineal ft. ratio.

Staff is concerned that the applicant may be creating some disproportionate sign area so is recommending that the 1 sq. foot per lineal foot ratio be maintained except on the FRESH MARKET store that is larger with 4 sides exposed.
Staff recommendation - an additional Condition # 21 to this plan in response to a concern from a resident located on Charleton St., across La Paz from the center, to plant an additional 10 trees provided by the applicant on the City owned slope across La Paz from the Center to assist with a residents concerns related to lighting at the center.

PUBLIC HEARING - began at 8 pm and ended at 9:30 pm

Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz Development said regarding the 2 Center ID Signs, they are under the size requirement here and must by contract display the Fresh Market, Chuck E. Cheese's and Big 5 tenant signs and all the colors and heights of letters, etc. on the signs for these businesses are icons for them. He also noted the heavy landscaping on the site that tends to obscure the signs. He said the Monument and Identity Signs are compensation for the tenants from the obstruction of view of the center from the street. He added that he'd like to retain the 5 tenant signs on the Monument sign to give some attention to 2 other tenants in addition to the ones they are contracted to feature. Jerry also mentioned that when they were here before they were engaged with the homeowners and promised a different landscape plan for the back of the property to screen for the homeowners. He added there would be a special meeting with the homeowners to show them what we're doing. He said they were adding 35 to 40 new trees that would not block homeowner's views but would block the backs of the buildings and the parking lots are inundated with trees. He added they were happy to add the 10 trees across the street as well.

Timothy Morris, Laguna Hills Resident on Los Alamitos said he is directly behind building B and is closest in elevation to this project, just 7 feet higher than the existing building so with the additions to the height on some of the buildings his view will be blocked, and he bought the house for the view. He said that since the last meeting about a year ago when the plans for this development were approved, he was never notified about any other public hearings about this signage program other than this one. He said he checked with his neighbors and they also said they received no notices. He added he has a problem with making the signs larger and lighted, as well as making the buildings larger. He added that in the past year this property/the slope behind the buildings and the palm trees, have not been maintained, even though they said last year that it would be. He added that they aren't dong what they say they're going to do, but they leave and he has to live there.

Jordan Friedman, Laguna Hills Resident from Falcon Hill across La Paz from this center. Jordan said they are in the house across the street that most directly faces this center. He mentioned that when they bought the house they had no idea that eventually the vegetation would be gone and replaced with a sea of lights, neon glare and all the traffic, etc. He said even now there some glare and have no idea what these changes will bring.

Shanon Friedman, Laguna Hills resident from Falcon Hill noted that no one has talked about the lighting issue tonight, just the signs but not whether or not they are illuminated and if illuminated how illuminated are they? Is there going to be neon lighting? We can't tell what the difference will be in the size of the signs now vs. what is being proposed. She thanked them for the trees on her side of the street as a barrier. She said her house would be facing the direction of one of the monument signs so she'd like to know more about that. She also asked if the lights can be turned off at night.

David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director responded to questions from Mayor Kogerman, about the glare from lighting the city's municipal code limits the amount of glare that signs can emit and the landscape will diffuse light. He added there is no neon signage that is part of this project and on the monument signs only the lettering is illuminated not the background. He added there are no limits on the applicant related to turning lights off at night. ** Editor's Note - Back on April 24, 2012, Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz development said the new lighting will shoot down to the ground and not up or off to the sides with low light levels.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS RE. SIGNAGE ISSUES

Council Member Carruth spoke many times, and at length, so we consolidated most of her comments here (you can hear her and everyone else, in detail, on the city web site audio recording for this meeting.)
Carruth asked Mr. Chantarangsu if these large monument signs would have a negative impact on some of the residents and told Mr. Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz Development, she was opposed to deviating from the city's sign code. Jerry said the Wall Signs won't be visible from the major streets. Carruth said she still had not heard a reason to ignore the sign code, and continued with "I know Mr. Blount said, hey, whatever they want to do, if you want to put a Strip Center and a Gentleman's Club in there that's great."- Editor's Note - correction, and clarification for the record, Mayor Pro-Tem Blount did not say this. You can see what he did say below and/or listen to the audio on the city web site. Carruth continued, "We are here to look out for the residents." She said the monument signs are a throw back to the 60s or 70s with multiple tenant signs. Carruth added, "We made a commitment to people who live in that neighborhood. We are really changing the character and personality of that corner now."   ** Editor's Note - At the April 24, 2012 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting, we covered this same applicant's Request for a Conditional Use Permit for the Renovation and Expansion of this center. At that time many of the surrounding residents were very upset about the loss of their views and the changing of the views on Monte Royale from Open Space to Commercial Buildings related to the 44 foot tall Market roof/tower elements here, when 40 ft was the standard in the City with an allowance for minor deviations not to exceed 10%, and the addition of another building. At this May 28, 2013 meeting Council Member Melody Carruth voted against 3 monument signs that range from 5 to almost 14 feet tall but in April of 2012, she was in favor of the height of the towers on the buildings that are up to 44 ft. tall and did not allow additional time for the residents to consult further with the developer regarding a reduction in the height of those towers?
On April 24, 2012 Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz development said, in response to the complaints about loss of views, if you don't like the cupola we can take it off. There are 2 elements over 40 feet over the front entry and this could probably be lowered more. He said the building tower could be lower, it's a question of the design element and the neighbors wanting it to be lower and the answer is I think we can lower it if that's what the City wants to do. Jerry added that they definitely want to do all they can and suggested an additional condition be added for lowering some of the tower elements a few feet. He added they could lower the 41 foot tower element to 32 feet. Carruth, who was the Mayor at that time, stated the project has already been modified, and is the result of 2 years of work on the General Plan where it was identified as an Opportunity Area. She said the center was in a downward spiral and asked, what's next a tattoo parlor? She suggested that the residents drive around and look at all the renovations in the City and said she supports the plan as presented. She added that this renovation responds to the philosophy of the General Plan which is, "We've got to get our residents out of the house." "We've got to get our residents eating healthy food." "It's part of our "Get Fit Plan" that we adopted 10 years ago." She said they could cut off 18 to 20 inches from a tower or two but it needs to look good and said she thinks you all will be very glad we approved this project. A Vote was taken and the plan passed, without giving the residents additional time to consult with the developer's representative just as the developer's representative stated he was willing to work more with the residents.

Mayor Kogerman made a request to add a condition that proposed tenant monument signs would not be broken up to make additional smaller signs. Jerry Garner agreed to that.

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount expressed thanks to Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz Development for the investment in the community and asked if the signs are large enough to maximize success of the businesses in the center. Jerry answered that he thinks the signs he has proposed for this project will work well. He reminded the council that tenants live and die by their signs. Blount added later that as a City we are not here to decide what somebody does with their property. We have some rules, some laws and the code, and added he did not see anything here that was out of line with the quality of the center. In this case we can plant some trees to diffuse light, etc. He added that he hears the problems about property values but doesn't think he is in a position to tell a property owner you can't do what you want to do with property you own.

Council Member Gilbert thanked Jerry Garner and asked if they could stick to the 1 to 1 ratio if they were given additional space for the logos. Jerry responded that could go either way they just need the text and the logo on the sign.

MOTIONS MADE

Council Member Carruth made 2 motions that failed because they received no seconds.
1. ADOPT A RESOLUTION ENTITLED: "A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING AGENCY OF THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING SDPM/MSP NO. 3-13-2531,A REQUEST BY VINTAGE REAL ESTATE, LLC, ON BEHALF OF THE PROPERTY OWNER, MOULTON LA PAZ, LLC, FOR A NEW MASTER SIGN PROGRAM FOR THE SHOPPING CENTER LOCATED AT 26534-26562 MOULTON PARKWAY with the additional condition number 21.
2. Not approve the monument sign M3

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount made a motion for purposes of discussion - That we approve the signage as proposed by the applicant with the additional condition 21. Seconded by Council Member Gilbert.   Blount later modified his motion to include Condition 22 from Kogerman and to include that the project stick to the 1 to 1 sign ratio if they can also add the tenant logos by moving up to the 1 to 1.5 ratio for the logo from Gilbert and the FRESH MARKET building would be allowed to use the 1.5 to 1 ratio.

Mayor Kogerman added Condition 22 that proposed 2 Center ID Signs would not be broken up to make additional smaller signs but used as shown in the pictures tonight.

The one Monument Sign (M3) was discussed at length and it was decided, with assistance from the City Attorney Greg Simonian, to state - Freestanding sign M3 shall comply with all requirements of Laguna Hills Municipal Code, including sign height and area, number of tenant panels, and amount of copy area dedicated to identifying the center. Council Member Carruth said to Jerry Garner, Representative for the Moulton La Paz Development, "You spent a lot of time, as a representative of the company, talking about the importance of the Village at Nellie Gail Ranch, what would be the method that you'll communicate that to the residents and people who happen to drive through?" She continued "The Village at Nellie Gail Ranch seems to be important to you and the developer, where is it and why aren't you showcasing it if it's important?"   Jerry responded, the name is important, because we're striving for authenticity. This project is authentic, it is what it's represented to be, it's top of the line, etc. He continued that he didn't think you go to a project because of it's name but because of what you find there. He suggested keeping the 3 tenant signs on the Monument sign.

Substitute Motion from Mayor Kogerman - Condition 23 the Monument Sign - Height of Monument Sign - not to exceed 5 feet in height not including the architectural element with 3 tenant panels per side with one tenant per panel. Seconded by Council Member Gilbert. This Motion approved 3 - 1 No vote was Carruth.

FINAL MOTION/RESOLUTION as stated by the City Attorney Greg Simonian - Made by Council Member Blount and seconded by Council Member Gilbert - Approve the Master Sign Program as proposed by the applicant with the inclusion of condition 21 to modify condition 19 concerning tenant wall sign area (limited to 1 square foot per lineal foot of building frontage with the addition of logo signage not to exceed up to 1.5 sq ft per lineal foot of building frontage in total except for the sign area for Building A which shall be limited to 1.5 sq. ft. per lineal foot of building frontage.) Delete Condition 20 to add a Condition 22 and to add a new Condition 23 the Monument Sign - Height of Monument Sign - not to exceed 5 feet in height not including the architectural element with 3 tenant panels per side with one tenant per panel.

FINAL VOTE - This Resolution passed 3 - 1. The No Vote was Council Member Carruth.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS

Item 6.1 - Minor General Plan Amendment, to the Laguna Hills General Plan Mobility Element to reflect changes made to the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways.

SUMMARY: The “Master Plan of Arterial Highways” (MPAH) is a countywide roadway network that is cooperatively planned by the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the County of Orange and Orange County Cities in order to accommodate future travel demand throughout the County. In 2009, the City of Irvine submitted a request to the OCTA to amend the MPAH by deleting the extension of roads planned to traverse into the Laguna Canyon area. Ridge Route Drive and Santa Vittoria Drive in north Laguna Hills are affected by this amendment. As part of the MPAH amendment process, the City entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OCTA, along with the Cities of Irvine, Lake Forest and Laguna Woods, agreeing to Irvine’s request and accepting certain obligations to facilitate the modification of the MPAH, one of which is the processing of a General Plan Amendment to ensure that the City’s Mobility Element is made consistent with the MPAH modification. The proposed General Plan Amendment will revise three pages in the Mobility Element to address the modification of the MPAH and fulfill the City’s obligation to amend the General Plan under the MOU with OCTA and the referenced cities. This Amendment is also necessary to ensure that the City remains eligible for Measure M2 revenue and other funding programs available through the County.

Irvine requested the amendment as a result of the scaling back of development plans in the area by the Irvine
Company. Consequently, road extensions depicted in the MPAH to serve future new
development became unnecessary.The four proposed amendments to the MPAH include:
1. Deletion of Bake Parkway from Lake Forest Drive to State Route 133.
2. Deletion of Ridge Route Drive from Santa Vittoria Drive to Bake Parkway.
3. Deletion of Santa Maria Avenue from Santa Vittoria Drive to State Route 133.
4. Addition of Santa Vittoria Drive from Lake Forest Drive to Santa Maria Avenue as a
collector arterial highway.

FISCAL IMPACT: As described in the MOU, the City will receive funding for street improvements.
There were no Public Comments. VOTE - Passed 4- 0

ITEM 6.2 - PUBLIC HEARING on 2013 WEED, RUBISH and REFUSE ABATEMENT

This is the time and place established for the first Public Hearing associated with the Annual Weed Abatement Program. The Public Services Department requests that the City Council conduct the required Public Hearing, receive public testimony, and adopt a Resolution formally initiating the Annual Weed Abatement Program for public nuisance abatement of weeds, rubbish, refuse, and/or dirt on specified parcels in the City of Laguna Hills. On April 25, 2013, the City mailed the legally required notice to destroy weeds and remove rubbish, refuse, and/or dirt to all affected property owners identified on the 2013 Weed Abatement List. The notice provided that if the public nuisance is not abated and removed by the owners of the parcels of land, such nuisances will be abated and removed by City authorities in accordance with the abatement procedures set forth in Government Code Section 39560 et seq., in which case the cost of such removal shall be assessed upon the parcel of lands from which or in front of which such weeds, rubbish, refuse and/or dirt, are removed and that upon confirmation such cost will constitute a lien upon such parcel or lands until paid.

There were no Public Comments. VOTE - Passed 3 - 0, because the council voted while Mayor Pro-Tem Blount was out of the room.

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
Item 7.2.1 - Designation of Voting Delegate for League of CA. Cities Annual Conference - Recommendation - Mayor Kogerman as the Voting Delegate and Mayor Pro-Tem Blount as the Alternate

SUMMARY: The Annual Conference for the League of California Cities is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, through Friday, Sept. 20, 2013 in Sacramento. An important part of the Conference is the Annual Business Meeting, scheduled for noon on Friday, September 20th. At this meeting, the League membership will consider and take action on resolutions that establish League policy. A notice from the League of California Cities describes the process and provides procedures for voting at the Annual Conference. This notice is being provided to member cities earlier than usual, as hotel space near the Sacramento Convention Center will be especially tight this year. In order to vote at this Annual Business Meeting, the City Council must designate a Voting Delegate and an Alternate, who may vote in the event that the designated Voting Delegate is unable to serve in that capacity. The League By-Laws provide that each City is entitled to one vote in matters affecting municipal or League policy. At its December 11, 2012, meeting, the City Council reconfirmed the appointment of the Mayor as the Voting Delegate and Mayor Pro Tempore as the Alternate.

VOTE - Passed 4 - 0

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:

Assist. City Manager Don White reported that the he attended the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) convention in Las Vegas. White said we have attended intermittently since 2001 or 2002. In 2011 the City started exhibiting at the show so this is their 3rd year at the show as exhibitors. He said this was the busiest show they've attended. He said they were able to meet with: brokers who work in the Laguna Hills Trade Area, a few of the commercial owners in Laguna Hills, and multi family housing developers with whom they discussed long term strategy. He said they took this opportunity to promote the future redevelopment opportunities at the Phillips site with about 20 developers. They met with the Fritz Duda Company-owners of Oakbrook Village, the owners of the Courtyard at La Paz with whom they discussed the former Claim Jumper Property, and had several meetings with the new owners of the Laguna Hills Mall. White quoted one of the partners as saying, Simon (the former owners) rarely thought about this mall and we wake up in the morning thinking about it. ** Editor's Note - It is great to hear that, under new leadership, this city is now interested in and actively pursuing opportunities for city businesses to broaden the tax base. This is a significant improvement over their previous "hands off" approach.

Mayor Pro-Tem Andrew Blount said this ICSC show puts all the players in touch with each other in one room. He said the new Laguna Hills Mall owners are a top notch development firm and the LH Mall is the largest property of the 40 or 50 properties that they own. He noted that very few malls have the freeway footage that this mall has and the ease with which people can exit the freeway and get directly into the mall. He said the owners are thinking carefully about what to do here, and about some indoor and some outdoor elements at the mall. He said they have spend a lot of time getting to know the area and had some rendering of some ideas for it at the conference. He added that the new owners are a CA. based firm in San Diego and OC. The new owners of the mall have already been talking with the owners of Oakbrook Village regarding enhancing the freedom of movement from Oakbrook to the Mall. He laughingly concluded that we are set up for some great signage arguments in the future.

Council Member Melody Carruth spoke about electronic cigarettes having a negative effect on dining at restaurants and how the city needs to work with businesses community to restrict this. She requested a staff report on this issue.

Council Member Dore Gilbert spoke about the Memorial Day Event with the 3/5 Marines in Laguna Hills and thanked Mike Bland and Team Dark Horse Committee Members for an unbelievable job. He said it wasn't just a BBQ, it was what it was supposed to be, remembering the fallen for our freedoms. He also congratulated Mayor Kogerman for her part in this. He said she was gracious and eloquent and made everybody feel at home and with her remarks. He said he heard nothing but positive comments.

Carruth spoke again and thanked the City Staff (led by David Reynolds and Dan Meehan) for a great Memorial Day related to all their flawless coordination and effort with Renegade Racing and all the volunteers, groups and other participants.

Mayor Kogerman said thank you to Carruth and Bressette for aiding the rejuvenation of the 3/5 Committee and picking the right guy, Mr. Bland, to head that up and said he has given of himself so much.

Mayor Barbara Kogerman read one of comments of a participant in the Memorial Day Event, a Marine, Major John Bobo, who said: Mike, I want to thank you for thinking of me and including me again in this year's race, I believe it epitomizes the spirit of Memorial Day. I was in awe of the presence of Team Kelly, Cameron West, Corporal Barron and all the other Marines that ran for their fallen brothers. The closing ceremony was top notch and a stark reminder of what this day is all about. Corporal Barron summed it up when he stated that today was not about him but about his fellow Marines who didn't make it home. That's a strong statement from a warrior that's sacrificed so much.

Along with 3/5, I was a member of 1st Bn, 3d Marines in Fallujah 2004 when we lost 45 Marines. Additionally, I lost an uncle in Vietnam. As such, I know that many families who view Memorial Day as more than the beginning of summer, a time to go shopping, or a time to bar-b-que; and that's the spirit that I felt today. Corporal Barron gets it; Cameron West gets it; you and the Laguna Hills military support group get it. I hope that the rest of our nation gets it as well and understand the true meaning of Memorial Day.

I thank you again for the invite and for everything that you do for the battalion and the Marine Corps. I look forward to next year's event and will compete as long as I'm physically able!   Semper Fi.

Mayor Kogerman said there were many more messages from the Marines, and said we're appreciated because we appreciate them and show it so well, and one of the reasons we show it so well is volunteers like Mike Bland and certainly the staff. She noted that we've put a lot more on staff than they've had to deal with before and they've stepped up in so many ways. It was a wonderful day for the City and we can all be proud of and thankful again to our fallen.

Mayor Kogerman and Council Member Gilbert thanked the OC Fire Authority for the Fife and Drums and Mayor Pro-Tem Blount thanked the Sheriff''s Dept. for plenty of Sheriff's presence that made everybody feel safe and secure. He continued that it was an amazing day and sadly with the losses that the 3/5 had sustained it really was a "Memorial" Day in tribute to the fallen soldiers. Blount added he learned he actually could walk 3 miles, so he is starting to do that now each day, it's only an hour, so he's going to try to keep it up.

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, June 11, 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
================================

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   P - For voting for the final determination of the signage consideration for the renovation of the shopping center at Moulton and La Paz.

Bressette - Council Member Bressette was absent from this council meeting

Carruth   F - For voting against the final determination of the signage consideration for the renovation of the shopping center at Moulton and La Paz.

Gilbert    P - For voting for the final determination of the signage consideration for the renovation of the shopping center at Moulton and La Paz.

Kogerman   P - For voting for the final determination of the signage consideration for the renovation of the shopping center at Moulton and La Paz.

City Manager
A+ For the wonderful job done by the Community Services Dept. for the Memorial Day Event.
P - For attending the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) convention in Las Vegas this year and actively pursuing opportunities for the city's businesses there.

** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers since the last council meeting: ABOUT: Nothing this time

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

June 5 - Pizza Store, Alicia Pkwy. Laguna Hills
June 12 - TK burgers, La Paz Mission Viejo
June 19 - CPK (LH Mall)
June 26 - Poeology, Irvine Spectrum
**Don't forget to see our "WWW Everyday Partners - Alpha Cleaners, Golden Baked Hams and ToGO's on our web site. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!

** HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION adopted by the City of Laguna Hills
Team Dark Horse says THANK YOU, **BE SURE TO GO TO THE TEAM DARK HORSE web site at http://teamdarkhorse.org/ to SEE HOW YOUR DONATIONS ARE HELPING, see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Face book page by clicking on this link - http://teamdarkhorse.org/ 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.

Thank you Mayor Barbara Kogerman who did such an extraordinary job of supporting the Memorial Day Event this year and honoring the Marines with special tributes including our city's 1st ever Grand Marshall, Wounded Warrior Corporal Josue Barron, and thank you to all our city council members. We send Huge Thank Yous to David Reynolds and Dan Meehan the leaders of the City of Laguna Hills' Community Services Dept. and to their staff who have fearlessly taken on the enormous task of making this event bigger and better every year, to all the citizens of Laguna Hills and nearby residents, to Team Dark Horse volunteers and all the the other volunteers, to our fabulous photographers-Dee Dee McGann-Gollwitzer and Jerry Zettel, to the Event Sponsors Saddleback Memorial and Fladeboe Automotive Group, and to Chase Bank, Ashley Furniture, The Hills Hotel in Laguna Hills, and the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach for their generous donations to our Grand Marshall and Marines and to Mountain Mike's Pizza for our Pizza Party with the Marines.

Very special thank yous to our 3/5 Marines and their families who participated in this event including Mia and the Stroller Warriors and Kim Reese, the fabulous 3/5 Marines' Family Readiness Officer who coordinates everything with us, and to all the Marines and Navy Personnel at Camp Pendleton who assisted the Marines and their equipment to be with us on this day. Our enduring gratitude goes to everyone who serves in the Military and to their families for the sacrifices they have all made and continue to make to preserve our freedoms.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the support of our City's adopted 3/5 Marines and to the success of Memorial Day 2013. We had record breaking participation in the race this year as well as an enormous turnout for the entire event, and we were especially honored with the presence of two Gold Star Families of our 3/5 fallen Marines, the Families of LCpl Irvin M. Ceniceros and of 1st Lt. Robert M. Kelly.

Please see a very special message below from Corporal Travis Haggerty, who does such a wonderful job of expressing thanks from all of us. Travis runs in our race every year carrying an American Flag containing the names of all the 3/5 Marines lost in Afghanistan during their deployment in 2010. They were sent to Sangin, the most dangerous place in Afghanistan. Their task was to regain the Taliban stronghold, a notorious poppy growing region in a mountainous area north of Marja. The DarkHorse Battalion lost 25 Marines during this deployment.

Mr. Bland,
I would like to thank you for yesterday and all the things that Team Darkhorse and Laguna Hills made possible for memorial day. Every time we see the people interacting with all the Marines and truly taking time to remember our fallen brothers is a honor. A success would be a understatement for how yesterday went. All of you have done so much for our battalion, and even more for our Gold Star families and wounded warriors, and we can not thank you enough for taking care of our brothers. Again, everything that all of you have done and the efforts that you have put forth do not go unnoticed.   Thank you and Semper Fi,                Corporal Haggerty

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

For the NBC News Video Interview for the 2013 Laguna Hills Memorial Day Event Go to http://www.nbclosangeles.com/video/#!/on-air/as-seen-on/Marine-Amputee-Quick-to-Help-Marathon-Bomb-Victims/208907861

Robbins:Supporting Team Dark Horse, by Karen Robbins, March 8, 2013 The Orange County Register http://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 2011 http://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, 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 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 on http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/10/12/professor-who-offended-power-elite-resigns-post/109833/ 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 onhttp://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."

** FIND the 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.

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