Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - May 14, 2013


SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Urgent Need for Volunteer Doctors and/or Nurse Practitioners for LHHS Athletic Physical Exams on Wednesday, May 22 between 4pm - 9 pm.  Due to several physician cancellations, this volunteer request has become URGENT! If several physicians and/or nurse practitioners do not volunteer, this event will need to be CANCELLED. We especially need physicians that are available at 4:00pm.   If you or someone you know are willing and able to help, please contact our LHHS Athletic Trainer: Ali Jeske 715-587-4534 (please note area code is 7-1-5) or ali.jeske@gmail.com  as soon as possible.


You can attend and/or run with heroes in the 2013 City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race. - 1/2 Marathon, 10K and 5K Honoring the USMC Dark Horse Battalion, on May 27, 2013. Be sure to attend the event this year that honors Wounded Warrior Corporal Josue Barron, as the Grand Marshall plus see the Static Display of Marine Corps Equipment and talk with the 3/5 Marines. For more information on the Memorial Day festivities visit www.lagunahillshalfmarathon.com.


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.


** BE SURE TO REVIEW THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS, MAY 7, 2013 BIENNIAL BUDGET SESSION to LEARN WHERE YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY GOES ** Scroll down to the Special Edition blog that is just below this May 14, 2013 City Council Meeting blog to see the where your city taxpayer money is going. If you're interested in what the City of Laguna Hills plans to do with your money in 2013-2015 this is a must read. Tuesday, May 7 was the 2nd Study Session for incorporating the City Council's Favorite Major Plans into the City's Budget and Tuesday, June 25 will be the last City Budget Session Meeting and the Only Public Hearing.


** 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, SPORTS and FUND RAISERS.
Item 1.2 - Mayor Kogerman recognized the AYSO Region 1422 as a Gold Award Winner for the Regional Assessment Program (RAP).
Item 1.3 - Update from the Laguna Hills 3/5 Marine Support Committee
Item 1.4 - Presentation from the OC Fire Authority on Pool Safety and Kitchen Fire Protection
** Public Comments - None
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $444,567.26
** 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 - Approved proposed Lease for Suite 210 at City Hall and proposed Lease Termination for Suite 220
Item 4.4 - Amendment No. 1 to extend a road maintenance and operations contract with Orange County.
Item 4.5 - Authorization to Advertise for bids for the Ridge Route Dr. Pavement Rehab Project.
Item 4.6 - Progress payment No. 4 for Community Center Maintenance
Item 4.7 - Progress payment No. 1 for Civic Center Maintenance
Item 4.8 - Progress Payment No. 4 for Citywide Pavement Rehab. Project.
Item 4.9 - NO RIGHT TURN ON RED for Southbound Avenida de la Carlotta at Paseo de Valencia
Item 4.10 - Application for Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Pgrm. Tier 1 Grant.
Item 4.11 - 3rd Quarter Finance and Treasurer's Report FY 2012-13
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar pulled for discussion - Item 4.3
** Planning Agency/City Council Public Hearings - None
** City Council Public Hearings - None
** Administrative Reports - Assistant City Manager
Item 7.2.1 - Presentation to City Council re. the 2013 City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race. - 1/2 Marathon, 10K and 5K Honoring the USMC Dark Horse Battalion.
Item 7.2.2 - Presentation to City Council re. the 2013 City of Laguna Hills July 4th Celebration.
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor- None
** City Council Member Comments -
A Major National Award for Council Member Gilbert, Kudos for LHHS production of Les Miserables and Adam Wong, Public Input from Citizen re. traffic safety issue was implemented, recognized and appreciated, plus 3 dates of interest in the community.
** Closed Session - None Noted
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post - ABOUT: Mayor Pro-Tem Blount's support for Citizens, Support for Citizens or NO, and City Views, City Views - Relevant or just Political, The Animal Shelter Issue.
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 - You can attend and/or run with heroes in the 2013 City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race. - 1/2 Marathon, 10K and 5K Honoring the USMC Dark Horse Battalion, on May 27, 2013.
** 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 14, 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
Urgent Need for Volunteer Doctors and/or Nurse Practitioners for LHHS Athletic Physical Exams on Wednesday, May 22 between 4pm - 9 pm. Due to several physician cancellations, this volunteer request has become URGENT! If several physicians and/or nurse practitioners do not volunteer, this event will need to be CANCELLED. We especially need physicians that are available at 4:00pm. If you or someone you know are willing and able to help, please contact our LHHS Athletic Trainer: Ali Jeske 715-587-4534 (please note area code is 7-1-5) or ali.jeske@gmail.com  as soon as possible.

HAWK HAPPENINGS is being translated into Spanish to reach out to more people.

We are proud to introduce one of our original Win-Win Wednesday's Everyday Partners, ALPHA CLEANERS. Continuing in the practice of returning a portion of the proceeds to LHHS PTSA, Teresa Kim at Alpha Cleaners, 24881 Alicia Pkwy., by Big Lots, is creating a Win-Win business. When you present the Alpha Cleaners flyer OR a WWW!! Fan & Supporter card, YOU will receive a 10% discount and LHHS PTSA receives 10% as well...EVERY DAY! Bedspreads, leather, wedding gowns, prom dresses...take it all in and we'll all win! And if you can't bring it in, they'll pick it up! Call Teresa at 949-586-1444 or visit their web site at www.alphadrycleaner.com

Valencia Elementary School's "Passport to the World" - Friday, May 17, from 4:00pm to 7:30pm. - Just to bring the "World" even closer to home, all LHHS families are invited and encouraged to attend Valencia Elementary School's international cultural event.  There will be a variety of booths (“World Displays”) representing over 20 countries including our own Chinese and Australian groups. There will also be international music and dance, other live entertainment, ethnic foods to sample, crafts, games and more.

SPORTS - LHHS is going to be hosting a Track Meet for the Elementary School's Track and Field Programs at LHHS in the near future.

FUND RAISERS
LHHS Alumni Association is working to increase involvement with a Brown and Gold Pages Service Directory. There is also a proposal for a HAWK WALK OF FAME where people can purchase bricks that can be engraved with names and will be used in a walkway at LHHS. Also a Alumni Assoc. Hall of Fame that recognizes the good that alumni, students and facility, do.

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!  GO-HAWKS!


Item 1.2 - Mayor Kogerman recognized the AYSO Region 1422 as a Gold Award Winner for the Regional Assessment Program (RAP). A Certificate of Recognition was presented to Laguna Hills AYSO Region 1422 and the following members were present to accept the Certificate: Kevin Gramling (Regional Commissioner), Jennifer Miller (Division Manager Coordinator), Jeff Ricciardi (Referee Administrator), Van Hoang (Webmaster) Mark Fullerton, and Joel Lautenschleger (Safety Director). Congratulations to the Laguna Hills AYSO!


Item 1.3 - Update from the Laguna Hills 3/5 Marine Support Committee from Mike Bland
Mike announced that yesterday the 3/5 returned from their deployment after about 8 months. John Howard, Owen Litfin, and Mike, from Team Dark Horse went to Camp Pendleton early in the morning to welcome them home and stayed all day to see everyone as the waves of Marines and Sailors kept coming in. Some of the 3/5 took their children on one of the ships and went back out to sea to give the children the experience of being on the ship with their Dads. At about midday the Stroller Warrior Moms' leader, Mia arrived and was able to give some great feedback from the point of view of the Marine Families. Mia commented on the Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race and said how great the atmosphere of the race is for novice and experienced racers alike with a great course, finish line and post race expo. It gives everyone, civilian and military, a chance to come together to honor those who laid down their lives for our country and show support for families of the fallen warriors. This is an opportunity for all people, who wonder what they can do, to learn how to become involved to support the families of the fallen and wounded warriors and all the service members. She said, as a racer, a Marine Spouse and a citizen the Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race is something really special. She also said the Stroller Warriors are promoting the race on their facebook page and now have 37 family members running, plus the stroller warriors will be at the expo. at the end of the race. Mia's husband is a Major and she has 4 year old twin boys.

Mike also announced that through the OC Fire Authority Laguna Hills Memorial Day Event will also have 6 bagpipes and 1 drummer who will play 3 songs including Amazing Grace and the Marine Corps Hymn. There will be 10 Marines and our Grand Marshall staying at the Hills Hotel and there will be a Pizza Get Together at Mountain Mike's Pizza. There are more than 100 military personnel and family running this year. The Grand Marshall for the race is Corporal Josue Barron, and he is also a wounded warrior. There will be a special presentation to him from Ashley Furniture and the details of that presentation will remain secret until Memorial Day. There was a story about Corporal Barron recently in the OC Register Newspaper and the Dark Horse banner on the Community Center can be seen in the background of that news story photo. Corporal Haggerty who wrote us the very nice letter is running again and Mike, John and Owen got to meet his Mom, who is so proud of her son, when the Marines returned from their deployment.

Council Member Bressette thanked Team Dark Horse for turning the Memorial Day Race into something memorable and added there are roughly 35 to 40 Homeland Security Employees running in this race because the race honors the Marines.

Council Member Gilbert asked Mike if he would speak to his Marine Liaison about the city eventually hanging banners honoring the fallen from the 3/5 with their names and photos.


Item 1.4 - Presentation from the OC Fire Authority on Swimming Pool Safety and Kitchen Fire Protection

Council Member Bressette gave some incidents of local drownings and near drownings as well as kitchen fires and introduced Division 5 Chief Bryan Brice and Battalion Chief Michael Contreras

Chief Brice announced that they came up with a process that when anyone in Laguna Hills requests a pool permit the pool safety team is notified and they can then talk personally with the new pool owners about swimming pool safety. Chief Brice noted how making it personal helps homeowners to much better understand all the risks involved. He said 85% of fatal drownings are adults and the near fatal drownings are mainly children. He said all those drownings are completely preventable when you know what to do such as always keeping eyes on children and not swimming alone, even as an adult.

Chief Contreras said he has been partnering with the community, management, and property owners, of the Stockport Apts., where there have recently been 2 fires that displaced 9 people. They are going to take their fire engines to those apartments and do safety checks to target cooking and electrical fires and tie that into smoke detectors. They engage the children and the parents in the process to educate everyone in both English and Spanish. This will take place on June 2 and 9, 2013 from 10:00 to 11:00 am. He added that Stockport provides smoke detectors and requires that the tenants take care of them.
Chief Brice, in answer to a question by Council Member Carruth, noted they do install smoke alarms free of charge through occasional grants for this purpose, specifically for people who can't do it themselves. He added they are working with Stockport Management on installation of smoke detectors and keeping them functioning. They suggesting writing things into the leases that help management to enforce keeping the smoke detectors functioning related to changing batteries every year and changing the smoke detector every 10 years, etc.

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount shared that when he was about 3 years old an off duty fireman resuscitated him after a near drowning in a public swimming pool and he said Thank You, as did Council Member Gilbert.
Mayor Kogerman thanked the Chiefs and noted the Fire Authority will have a booth in Laguna Hills on July 4 and could tie this to free placement of smoke alarms as needed.


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. There were no Public Comments.


CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $444,567.26
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 - Approved proposed Lease for Suite 210 at City Hall and proposed Lease Termination for Suite 220 - Staff has negotiated a five year lease for Suite 210 with the law firm of Carno & Carlton, LLP. This firm has been a long time tenant at the Civic Center and currently occupies Suite 220.
Item 4.4 - Amendment No. 1 to extend a road maintenance and operations contract with Orange County. - The City contracts with the County of Orange, through the “Contract for Road Maintenance and Operations,” Agreement No. D08-010, for routine Public Works maintenance services. The current agreement for these services is set to expire on June 30, 2013. Staff has requested a one-year extension of the agreement in order to align the expiration date with another County Contract related to Traffic Signal Maintenance Services. Staff proposes to then evaluate the potential use of private contractors for these services over the course of Fiscal Year 2013-14.
Item 4.5 - Authorization to Advertise for bids for the Ridge Route Dr. Pavement Rehab Project. - Plans and Specifications for the pavement rehab. of Ridge Route Drive from Avenida de la Carlota to Moulton Parkway, and of El Toro Road from Paseo de Valencia to Bridger Road have been completed. These individual projects are proposed to be implemented through one construction contract. Ridge Route Drive pavement rehabilitation work will be constructed during daytime construction hours due to the proximity of residences and the El Toro Road pavement rehabilitation work will be constructed during nighttime construction hours to reduce area traffic impacts. The Engineer’s Estimate of the Project construction cost is $1,100,000. Approval of Plans and Specifications and authorization to advertise the Project for bids is recommended.
Item 4.6 - Progress payment No. 4 for Community Center Maintenance/Refurbishment - Total this period to date = $88,575.90
Item 4.7 - Progress payment No. 1 for Civic Center Painting - $14,925.00
Item 4.8 - Progress Payment No. 4 for Citywide Pavement Rehab. Project.
Item 4.9 - NO RIGHT TURN ON RED for Southbound Avenida de la Carlotta at Paseo de Valencia estimated cost of $7,500
Item 4.10 - Application for Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Pgrm. Tier 1 Grant.
This project is included in the Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Capital Improvement Program Budget, in the amount of $70,000. The total project cost is estimated to be $87,219, which will consist of $64,915 of grant funds and a future match requirement of Measure M2 ECP $22,304. The matching funds for the grant will be provided through in-kind services over a ten-year period within the Public Works Operating Budget through the work of the City’s Public Works Supervisor and catch basin cleaning crews.
Item 4.11 - 3rd Quarter Finance and Treasurer's Report FY 2012-13
Staff is submitting to the City Council the Quarterly Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2012/13. The financial statements show the planned use of reserves during the Third quarter of the fiscal year, due to revenues and expenditures that are unevenly received and expended over the course of the fiscal year. The City's total fund balance as of March 31, 2013, is $6,497,171. See details on the city webs site.

ITEMS of INTEREST from the CONSENT CALENDAR-
Item 4.9 - NO RIGHT TURN ON RED for Southbound Avenida de la Carlotta at Paseo de Valencia - Upon staff’s review, it has been determined that the location justifies the establishment of a “No Right Turn on Red”. ** Editor's Note - Citizens who have been turning right on red at this intersection for so long need to know about this in advance and also need to note that 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 often 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!

ITEMS PULLED from the CONSENT CALENDAR - Item 4.3 was pulled by Council Member Bressette just to learn that the "changes" made to the Lease were the names of the prior lease holders to the current lease holders.

VOTE - Consent Calendar was approved 5 - 0

CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING - None
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -

** City Manager Channing said that on Thursday, May 9, it was announced in the OC Register Newspaper that the Laguna Hills Mall had been sold by the Simon Company to a real estate development company Geier Partners. He said they have met with the new owners a couple of times now, and will meet with them again in Los Vegas at the International Council of Shopping Center Owners. He noted the city had already hired a consultant to advance the interests of the city related to the Simon company so that will now be focused on the new owners.

Item 7.2.1 - Presentation to City Council re. the 2013 City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Race. - 1/2 Marathon, 10K and 5K Honoring the USMC Dark Horse Battalion.

Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent said there is a 2nd potential sponsor for the race in addition to long time sponsor Saddleback Medical Center. There is also a large group of volunteers that are much appreciated. Race registration is up 30% above the 2012 numbers and more than 250 ahead of 2011 which was the year of the largest turnout to date. There are 23 confirmed vendors for the Expo. and all the street closures have been addressed, HOAs notified, etc. He said thanks to Mr. Bland and Team Dark Horse members there are now aprox. 100 Marines and family members registered for the race and staff is excited about meeting Corporal Barron, the 1st ever Grand Marshall for the event.

Mayor Kogerman noted there will be a 1st ever ceremony at the Community Center this year at about 9:30 am including the introduction of Corporal Barron and his wife, and the musical performances, etc.


Item 7.2.2 - Presentation to City Council re. the 2013 City of Laguna Hills July 4th Celebration.

Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent presented the staff report that said - The City of Laguna Hills will host its annual Fourth of July celebration at the Laguna Hills Sports Complex on Thursday, July 4, 2013. The event will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and includes a number of activities in addition to the fireworks show. At the direction of OCFA personnel, the firing location on the Laguna Hills High School campus has been moved. Staff's recommendation is to authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with Pyro Engineering, Inc., for the 2013 fireworks display. The proposed show for 2013 will have approximately one thousand one hundred (1,100) shells, and a cost of $24,500. The entire budget is just under $54,000 which was just about the same as the $53,750 budget last year. The show will be approximately 18-20 minutes in length. This information was presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission at its March 14, 2013, meeting. Staff has received confirmation from a large number of Laguna Hills non-profit groups selling food and drinks. Should be a total of 12 food booths this year. Team Dark Horse will be present along with the Marines and their Static Display. Additional safeguards were also built into the agreement with Pyro Engineering.

Vote - The 2 reports received and filed plus approval for City Manager Channing to sign agreement with Pyro Engineering. 5 - 0


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount announced that an Ellis Island Medal of Honor, this year, was awarded to Dore J. Gilbert, MD, LTC USAR, our city council member. He added this is reserved for the Best of the Best of our citizens. He read a summary of the award, "Since it's establish in 1986, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor have recognized exemplary U.S. Citizens who have embodied the American Dream through their unique contributions to our culture and society. The impact of our collective cultural and ethnic heritage by the immigrants who passed through Ellis Island was immeasurable. As one of our nations most prestigious awards the medals of honor pay tribute to individuals who have dedicated to making a positive impact on our country and advancing our role in the world." He added, excellent work!! Everyone stood and applauded!
Council Member Gilbert responded that he was humbled by the recognition and added, thank you very much.  Congratulations to Council Member Gilbert!!

If you want to learn more about this award - you can go to - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellis_Island_Medal_of_Honor - The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO) and intended to pay homage to the immigrant experience. The medals honor the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children. Many Medalists take pride in documenting their family's entry to the country via Ellis Island. The medals are awarded to native-born and naturalized U.S. citizens from various ethnic backgrounds. The honorees are said to "exemplify outstanding qualities in both their personal and professional lives, while continuing to preserve the richness of their particular heritage."

The medals were established at the time of NECO's founding in 1986. A ceremony is held each May on Ellis Island. All branches of the United States Armed Forces traditionally participate. Both the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate have officially recognized the Ellis Island Medals of Honor. Each year’s recipients are read into the Congressional Record] The Great Hall where immigrants were once processed hosts the gala dinner which follows the ceremony. Approximately 100 Medalists are honored each year. Past Medalists include six Presidents, as well as Nobel Prize winners and leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government.

The Ellis Island Medals of Honor celebrate the diversity of American life, honoring not only individuals, but the pluralism and democracy that have enabled ancestry groups to maintain their identities while becoming integral parts of the American Way of life.
Visit http://www.neco.org/medal-of-honor/medalist.html  to see all the 2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award Winners.


Council Member Carruth - spoke about how good the LHHS Drama Dept's presentation of Les Miserables was including the performance of the last City Council Student Liaison and Actor, Adam Wong who played Javert and is an extraordinary young man.


Mayor Kogerman announced that she should have pulled item 4.9 for the Consent Calendar - NO RIGHT TURN ON RED for Southbound Avenida de la Carlotta at Paseo de Valencia in relation to an audience member tonight, Ms. Anita Robertson. Kogerman said we mention the need for citizen input and introduced Ms. Robertson as a good example of how valuable that can be.  Ms. Robertson said she called city hall about 2 months ago to tell them about the need for a no right turn on red at this intersection. She said she was forwarded to Public Works and she came here and asked again at a city council meeting and this happened and she is so happy about it because it was such a safety issue. Mayor Kogerman thanked the city also for moving so quickly on something.
Mayor Kogerman also noted that:
1. On March 15 at 11:00 am there is the ground breaking for The Village at Nellie Gail Ranch.
2. Wednesday at 5:30 pm Saddleback Medical Center is going to be recognizing the 25 year anniversary of the Women's Hospital.
3. On Friday, May 17,  Valencia Elem. School will have its International Festival from about 4 pm to about 7:30 pm.


CLOSED SESSION - None


The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, May 28, 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  P - For Vote to receiveand file reports on the Memorial Day Race and the July 4 Event.

Bressette  P - For Vote to receiveand file reports on the Memorial Day Race and the July 4 Event.

Carruth  P - For Vote to receiveand file reports on the Memorial Day Race and the July 4 Event.

Gilbert  P - For Vote to receiveand file reports on the Memorial Day Race and the July 4 Event.

Kogerman  P - For Vote to receiveand file reports on the Memorial Day Race and the July 4 Event.

City Manager - Nothing this time


** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers since the last council meeting:

ABOUT: Mayor Pro-Tem Blount's support for Citizens

Anonymous said...
I just want to say that I'm sittin here thinkin how good it is to have a council member like Andrew Blount who says he's proud to encourage and support citizens who are willing to step up and says he wants to add the opportunity for citizen input to the ad hoc committee to study City Views. It can get messy and risky when city councils actually embrace the community they're elected to represent, but it's the right thing to do and often what they learn from citizens is what council members need to know.


ABOUT: Support for Citizens or NO, and City Views

Anonymous said...
I just began to attend city council meetings and feel that I'm sitting in the middle of a seesaw in a child's playground. I hear Councilman Blount saying he's proud of this fellow councilmembers for supporting and encouraging citizens to step up and participate so my seesaw tilts and I am comfortably high in the direction of transparency, then I hear Councilwoman Carruth saying NO to citizen input with an ad hoc committee making decisions about City Views. She finally capitulates but declares that if there is any citizen input she wants to be told who those citizens are, as though "those citizens" who are willing to give input could be a serious threat to the city, or perhaps to her, so my seesaw tilts down with an uncomfortable thud. My experience with City Views is that just like most other city's publications, it's clearly what the city wants residents to believe about the city. Everyone expects that from a city publication so no one pays much attention to the "City Views" yet there was no discussion at all of content just numbers of pages? So, I find myself confusingly back in the middle. I am looking forward to hearing about the input from citizens about "City Views" and hope they won't be discouraged from giving honest opinions.

Anonymous said...
If any council members don't welcome and seriously consider input from citizens we need to question why they are council members. We elected them to represent us. We need to look very closely at this issue.


ABOUT: City Views - Relevant or just Political

Anonymous said...
City Views is a waste of time for me and I don't use community center services so there is a prime example of something I pay for as a citizen but never use. I do, however have a dog and I don't mind paying extra for good local services for animal care but I mind very much paying so much for county services that are not good. That makes no sense. Why would that anyone would anyone prefer to do that?

Anonymous said...
The biggest problem with City Views other than cost is its content. It needs relevance for residents. No one's ever going to pay any attention to the city talking about itself. That's just politics and what residents want to hear about is community. Who's doing what and where and when, everywhere in our community. About the Animal Services issue, that was so predictable. Just like with City Views the city is telling us more of what it wants us to hear rather than what actually exists. I have 2 dogs and I use a city park as a dog park when there is no one else around because this city gives me no other choices. Obviously, the city has never wanted to give me a choice about Animal Control either, because of course I would choose local services. That's a no brainer. I hope the newer council members will be able to correct some of this but we'll see.


ABOUT: The Animal Shelter Issue.

James said...
Responsible dog owners subsidize the public safety aspect of animal services by about 81% through dog license fees. (Cat owners pay no license fee) Those public safety services include dead animal pick-up, wild animals, and rabies quarantine. Imagine if there were a special tax on soccer players that paid for 81% of the entire Parks and Recreation Budget but no one else had to pay much if anything for the staff, services and fields. Don White, Assistant City Manager not only thinks this is a good idea, in his world the entire budget should be paid by the soccer players...or in this case the dog owners. Now imagine after paying all that money, the soccer teams had no say in the location, services or conditions of the fields. That is what it is like now with animal control services. Residents pay MORE per person in Laguna Hills, for fewer officers, to drive farther and for grimmer conditions than our neighbors in Aliso Viejo and Laguna Woods do. The city council is waking up to realize this, but Don White thinks the hidden dog tax is just the solution no matter how poor the service we pay for. James Vaughn

Robert and Denise said...
Yes, I would like the coalition to continue their work toward a local animal shelter for Laguna Hills.  I would like to see an alternative to participating in the main OC shelter. Thanks,
Robert &  Denise Pardue
(Laguna Hills residents)

Anonymous said...
From what I'm seeing it's not more cost effective to use the services at the County Shelter and the services are not as good as local services for the animals or the residents and unlikely to change, so why have we in Laguna Hills been stuck with this service for so long? If this is all accurate, we need to make a change to local services before we have to buy into the County for spend any more with the County. Absolutely continue to look for better local services for us and thank you and the new council members for finally getting us this information.

Anonymous said...
That county animal shelter is a black eye for the entire county. So many of us worked so hard for better services for our city back in 2005 and for years after that. Our city should not be committing to any county shelter even in the form of a new shelter which probably won't ever happen and won't be much if any different. Big question now is where is all that money paid to the county shelter going since we don't see it going to help our animals? If the prior city council had been honest with us we'd already have better services and if any of those prior council members didn't realize we weren't getting the true numbers, they weren't doing their jobs.


** 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 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.

May 15 - La Rana Mexican - Special "Diez-Y-Cinco" de Mayo Event Moulton Pkwy. Laguna Hills
May 22 - King's Fish House - Laguna Hills Mall
May 29 - Whole Food's Market - Aliso Creek Rd. Laguna Niguel
June 5 - Pizza Store, Alicia Pkwy. Laguna Hills

**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.

*** Attend and/or run with heroes in the City of Laguna Hills' Memorial Day Event on May 27, 2013 and 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 $68 if funds are received before 6/7/13. A donation in any amount will be gratefully appreciated and all donations are tax deductible.

*** LHHS Student and Parent Volunteers are needed for the Memorial Day Race activities. Volunteers will receive lunch, a volunteer t-shirt and recognition for their service to the community. If you are interested in volunteering for the day of the race (May 27th) or pre-race activities (May 25th and 26th) complete the Volunteer Registration form. See the Volunteer Letter for more information. E-mail Stacie Smith, Volunteer Coordinator Stacie@renegaderaceseries.com  the completed form or with any questions you may have. The Laguna Hills Memorial Day Event this year honors Wounded Warrior Corporal Josue Barron, who lost a leg and an eye. For more information on the Memorial Day festivities visit www.lagunahillshalfmarathon.com.


** 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 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.