Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - September 10, 2013
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Don't Forget the City's 17th Annual Intercoastal and Watershed Cleanup Day - Saturday, September 21, 2013 from 9 am to 12 noon at the Laguna Hills Community Center. For more information, please call the Public Service department at (949) 707-2650
Fallout from report on O.C. City Officials' salaries still rankles. The link to this story is: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story This is regarding the 2012 Grand Jury Report - The Use of Government Influence On a Private Educational Institution 7/5/12
What's On Your Mind? Meet with your Mayor, Barbara Kogerman, and Share your Questions/Concerns on Saturday Mornings has been suspended until September but should be back in Sept. in the Southern Part of the City. We will keep you posted.
** YOU CAN LISTEN TO YOUR MAYOR, Barbara Kogerman. ON FM RADIO- KSBR (88.50). Interviews with the Mayor, by Dawn Kamber of Saddleback Community College's FM radio station, regarding each City Council Meeting, 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 each council meeting. The regular programming throughout this time is easy-listening jazz.
** Please 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 - None
** Presentations and Proclamations:
Item 1.1 - Certificate of Recognition for Arnel Corporation and Management Staff from the Alicia Apartment Communities for Drowning Awareness and Fire Prevention.
Item 1.2 - Letter of Support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium.
Item 1.3 and 1.4 - Appointment of and Report from Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kerstyn Gonzales for the 2013 Fall Semester.
** PLUS *** WIN-WIN-WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE OF RESTAURANTS
** Public Comments: Question of purchase of surplus property by a homeowner.
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $220,045.78
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register- None
** Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar:
Item 4.3 - 2 year Event Management Agreement with Renegade Racing for the 2014 and 2014 Memorial Day Races.
Item 4.4 - Proposed Amendment to contract with the County of Orange re. a Housing Rehab. extension for 2013-14 and an additional $80,000 allocation for Block Grant Funds for Aliso Meadows.
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register pulled for discussion - None
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar pulled for discussion - None
** City Council/Planning Agency Public Hearings - None
** City Council Public Hearings - None
** Administrative Reports:
Item 7.1.1 - Employment Classification, Salary Ranges and Benefits for City Management, Confidential and Part-Time Employees - Continued from the last 2 Council Meetings reaches a CONTRAVERSIAL CONCLUSION.
Item 7.2.1 - Presentation of a Mobile Application to provide news, events and city contact information to residents and businesses.
Item 7.3.1 - Street lighting for Highwood Circle
Item 7.3.2 - Request for City Tree Removal for Resident on Mawson Dr.
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor- None
** City Council Member Comments - New transponder for Toll Roads; Question of Opticon System use for Sheriff's Deputies; Mayor Pro-Tems son working on Eagle Scout Badge; Dirty Stop Signs in the City; Where was the report that was requested about the additional money we are paying to OC Animal Control?
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post ABOUT: LA Times - Fallout from report on O.C. officials' salaries still rankles, Compensation for the City Manager, Animal Care Services in Laguna Hills, Lack of Access from Nellie Gail Ranch to the shopping center on Moulton and La/Paz
** 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 - **
The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is coming up for our City's adopted 3/5 Marines. Do you have gently used ball gowns, prom dresses, or formal wear taking up space? Team Dark Horse will be happy to take them off your hands!!
Plus - See 2 special messages to Laguna Hills from 3/5 Marines, Wounded Warrior Capt. Cameron West and Corporal Travis Haggerty, after an extraordinary Laguna Hills Memorial Day this year and be sure to attend the City's 4th of July Celebration to see the Marines and their equipment and talk with them.
** 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 at OC Sheriff's Blotter- http://ws.ocsd.org/Blotter/BlotterSearch.aspx
You can contact the Sheriff's Dispatch by phone at 949-425-1800
** WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - September 10, 2013
All Council Members were present
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Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
CLOSED SESSION - None **Congratulations to Mayor Barbara Kogerman, and the new Council Members who changed the order of the council meetings to place "Closed Sessions" 1st rather than last on the Agenda. This 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 - Certificate of Recognition for Arnel Corporation for Drowning Awareness and Fire Prevention. OC Fire Authority Battalion Chief Michael Contreras and Division Chief Bryan Brice presented a the Certificate of Recognition to recognize the Arnel Corporation and management staff from the Alicia Apartment Communities for their commitment to the safety of their residents. This summer during the months of June and July, Arnel Corporation representatives and management staff from the Alicia Apartment Communities assisted the crew of Orange County Fire Authority Station 22 to develop and promote two important community safety programs throughout their properties. The two programs targeted Drowning Prevention and Cooking Safety in the Home. It is because of their efforts and commitment to safety that the City of Laguna Hills is now a safer community.
Item 1.2 - Letter of Support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium. Laguna Hills City Clerk Peggy Johns recommended that the CITY COUNCIL SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO DR. TOD A. BURNETT, SADDLEBACK COLLEGE PRESIDENT, AND NANCY PADBERG, PRESIDENT, SOCCCD BOARD OF TRUSTEES, FOR THE PROPOSED RENOVATION OF THE SADDLEBACK COLLEGE ATHLETIC STADIUM
Jim Leach, President, Saddleback College Foundation Board of Governors; Gary Capata, 1st Vice President, Board of Governors; and Donald Rickner, Executive Director, Saddleback College Foundation, spoke before the City Council at this meeting to request a Letter of Support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium. It is proposed that these renovations will make the Athletic Stadium a more valuable community resource for athletics, graduations, cultural and other community events. It is noted that no city funds are being requested at this time. The said the stadium was built in the 1970s and seats 3000 in permanent seating and 1,500 in temporary seating for the 40,000 plus Saddleback Student Body. They want to expand it to 10,000 seats, and add onsite bathrooms and concession stands. They added it is about a $10 million project to be presented to the South Orange County Community College District hopefully with support from the local cities and other community groups. Letters of support have been received from Mission Viejo and Laguna Niguel and they said they hoped to have all letters of support by Sept. 30, 20143. Council Members Carruth and Bressette said they could not support the request at this time without more information and could not support a letter that could be used to request city funds or a bond system. Council Member Gilbert said they really need a new stadium and it needs to be self funded. Mayor Kogerman and Mayor Pro-Tem Blount also supported it as a self funded project.
VOTE was 3 to 2 in support of a letter of support as a self funded project. NOES were Bressette and Carruth.
Item 1.3 - Appointment of Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kerstyn Gonzales for the 2013 Fall Semester. - The Laguna Hills High School Liaison Program is set up to provide for the Student Liaison Alternate to assume the position of Student Liaison after serving as the Alternate for one semester. Kerstyn Gonzales served as the Student Liaison Alternate for the spring 2013 semester, and it is in order for Kerstyn to now become the Student Liaison for the Fall 2013 semester. Interviews are usually conducted each May to select the Liaison and Alternate for the next year. However, this year interviews at Laguna Hills High School, due to scheduling conflicts, were not held in May, but instead would be conducted in October 2013. As soon as the Alternate is selected for the fall, he/she will be sworn in. The City Clerk met with Kerstyn Gonzales in early September and administered the oath of office.
Item 1.4 - LHHS Student Liaison Report from Kerstyn Gonzales
** To learn what is happening at LHHS now and all year long - Subscribe to Hawk Happenings at: http://www.svusd.k12.ca.us/schools/lhhs/subscriptions.html This is a free e-mail subscription.
First Day of School - Tues. Sept. 10, New principal is Mr. Brian Ferguson who came to LHHS from La Paz Intermediate School in Mission Viejo where he was an Assistant Principal. He has a Bschelor's Degree in Physical Education from CA. State University, Chico and Master's Degree in Education from the University of Washington. About 1651 students at LHHS now and new school web site is active at http://www.saddlespace.org/LHHS Welcome Back Dance is Friday Sept. 13th in the gym after the football game - Hawks Football will play Northwood. Consider becoming a member of the LHHS Parent-Teacher-Student-Association - PTSA only $10 for the year. The LHHS PTSA sponsors valuable events, programs and fundraisers and benefits every student at LHHS.
Some upcoming events include: the College Fair on Tues. Oct. 8, Red Ribbon Week on Monday Oct. 21, I Can Make a Difference Leadership Conference on Wed. Nov. 6, and the Hawk Challenge Golf &Tennis Tournament on Saturday, November 16th, at the Tijeras Creek Golf Club including veteran honors, helicopter ball drop, and much more. This is PTSA’s single biggest fundraiser and proceeds benefits every single LHHS student, so please, make plans now to join us in the FUN part of FUNdraising! The next PTSA General Assoc. Meeting is Monday, Oct 14, PTSA will be offering Coffee with the HAWKS. The first HAWK Brown & Gold Pages will be published this fall, mid Oct., and will identify those businesses or individuals who have made a donation of at least $25 to the LHHS PTSA. Continuing the Thursday Food Trucks in the back parking lot from 5:30-8:30pm. A portion of the proceeds go to support the VMA and Choir programs at our school. GO HAWKS!! Mayor Kogerman stated that the new principal will be at the next council meeting so we can all meet him, if his wife is not in labor at that time.
** WIN WIN Wednesdays!! - the on-going series of restaurant fundraisers that is a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA. Everyone can eat at these great local restaurants on Wednesdays and in return, they donate a portion of the proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. It’s good for us AND it’s good for the local restaurant community. This all year long fund raising effort 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"!
See our "WWW Everyday Partners" - Alpha Cleaners, Golden Baked Hams, ToGO's, Subway, Supercuts, and Latte Da Bagelry & Grill on our web site http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/ Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Glen Schmidt, Laguna Hills Resident asked about Public Policy 340 the disposition of surplus land. He told the council he would like to acquire a small strip of land on a slope, about 1/20th of an acre, adjacent to his property that appears to be surplus city land, that is in very poor condition, at 25891 Toluca. He showed photos of the current condition of the slope with parched soil and dead plants. He said he would extend his yard into this area and significantly improve the appearance of the land. He noted that there is no Homeowners Association in this area and that he had already spoken to Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services and was referred to the City Council regarding how to move forward on this. Ken Rosenfield advised that historically the city council has found that no property is surplus because all open space is of benefit. He added that sometimes the city's irrigation systems get old and become inoperable and the budget process only allows for so much at a time but the city will get to it eventually. Glen noted there would be no public use for this narrow strip of small slope so he would like to acquire and improve it. The City Council advised Glen to work some more with Ken Rosenfield to come up with a better definition of what is specifically being requested to see if they could get a report related to agendizing this as an item for discussion.
CONSENT CALENDAR and WARRANT REGISTER
Item 4.2 - Warrant Register - $220,045.78
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register: None
** Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar:
Item 4.3 - 2 year Event Management Agreement with Renegade Racing for the 2014 and 2014 Memorial Day Races.
Staff Report Summary - Event management services for the Memorial Day Half Marathon, 5K, 10K Honoring the United States Marine Corps Dark Horse Battalion (“Memorial Day Race”) has been provided by Renegade Racing since 2008. Staff is recommending for the City Council’s approval a two year professional services Agreement with Renegade Racing to continue as the event manager for the 2014 and 2015 Memorial Day Race events. Renegade Racing has a successful performance history with the City in managing and operating the Memorial Day Race events since 2008. The Purchasing Officer has determined that, due to Renegade Racing’s unique qualifications, that a competitive solicitation process is not necessary at this time.
In accordance with the City’s purchasing Ordinance, the procurement of professional services requires the issuance of a request for proposals. However, an exception can be made to this rule when it is determined that a vendor is uniquely qualified to perform a service due to a vendor’s performance history, expertise, and reputation (LHMC Section 3- 08.110 I). In this case, it is staff’s opinion that Renegade Racing has a proven track record of success in producing the City’s Memorial Day Race.
Under the proposed terms of the attached Agreement, Renegade Racing will receive a base fee of $46,000 per year to manage the 2014 and the 2015 race events. Renegade Racing has not increased this fee since 2010. In addition, Renegade Racing will receive $2.00 per participant in excess of 3,250 runners, along with a 20% commission on any cash donations received as a result of their efforts to obtain sponsorship revenues. Expenses for Renegade Racing’s services are accounted for in the City’s two-year budget.
Item 4.4 - Proposed Amendment go contract with the County of Orange re. a Housing Rehab. extension for 2013-14 and an additional $80,000 allocation for Block Grant Funds for Aliso Meadows.
Staff Report Summary: The City was recently awarded an additional $80,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds from the County of Orange for the on-going rehabilitation work at the condominium residences in the Aliso Meadows community located near the intersection of Moulton and Alicia Parkways. The grant funds cover the 2013-14 Fiscal Year and will be used by the Aliso Meadows Condominium Association to complete exterior renovations to residences in the complex. The activities contemplated include roof replacement, painting and repair of exterior siding, patio fencing, water heater closet repairs, and heating and ventilation repairs. The continued use of CDBG funds from the County for this project ensures that the Aliso Meadows community is maintained in accordance with expected community standards. Attachment A-1: Revises the project scope of work to indicate the project will result in the rehabilitation of 6 additional housing units; Attachment B-1: Adds an additional $80,000 to the Contract amount.
FISCAL IMPACT: Approval of the contract amendment enables the City to direct County CDBG funds to the Aliso Meadows Condominium Association for on-going rehabilitation work. There is no fiscal impact on the City’s General Fund.
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register for Discussion: None
** Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion: None
VOTE - Consent Calendar and Warrant Register passed 9 - 0
CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING - None
CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - Presented by the City Manager
Item 7.1.1 - EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY - This Item was Continued from the July 9, 2013 and the August 27, 2012 City Council Meetings.
REVIEW OF INFORMATION FROM THE LAST 2 COUNCIL MEETINGS
After 2 1/2 hours of discussion at the last council meeting Staff reports that Direction was given to the staff to return with a revised Resolution stating - “That the City Council approve staff’s recommended scenario 4 approach with regard to establishing the new salary ranges and employee contributions to PERS and Health Care Premiums, but only for one-year (FY2013-14); and to bring all management and confidential employee position ranges up to 5% above the County average; to then add a 1.4% cost of living increase for all full time employees; to delete the paragraph at the bottom of page 1 and top of page 2 of the proposed salary Resolution, and to bring back a revised Resolution at the September 10, 2013, City Council meeting that reflects these changes.” The VOTE AT THE LAST COUNCIL MEETING was in favor of the direction to the staff as stated above 3 to 2 with Gilbert-Yes, Kogerman-Yes, Blount-Yes, Bressette-No, Carruth-No
Fiscal Impact of the Resolution Presented at this meeting- Staff reports For the City, the proposed Resolution at this meeting represents a 1.48% cost increase ($22,038) in affected management costs (salaries, PERS Employer Contribution, PARS, Medicare, PERS Employee Contribution, and Health Insurance Premiums) over the actual costs incurred in FY 2012-13. Total personnel costs budgeted for FY 2013-14 are $4,681,742. Staff has analyzed the fiscal impact of the proposed Resolution, along with known salary adjustments for all employees, and insurance premium changes. With the adoption of the attached Resolution, the total projected personnel costs for the City for FY 2013-14 is $4,672,000.
CONTENTS OF SALARY AND BENEFITS for City Management, Confidential Employee and Part Time Employees RESOLUTION Presented at this meeting.
Highlights from Staff are stated to be:
MONTHLY SALARY RANGES:
City Manager - $19,995 - $19,995
Assistant City Manager - $13,911 - $16,909
Deputy City Manager - $11,619 - $14,123
City Engineer - $12,583 - $15,295
Community Development Director - $12,233 - $14,868
City Clerk - $9,193 - $11,175
This report states that at the July 9, 2013 City Council Meeting the Council Directed the Staff to make a salary comparison with All other Orange County Cities and the results showed that :
Laguna Hills City Manager was already at the 107.30% mark related to salaries of other City Managers in OC
Laguna HIlls Assistant City Manager was at the 102.73% mark related to salaries of other Assistant City Managers in OC
RETIREMENT PLANS:
(PRIMARY RETIREMENT PROGRAM - CalPERS) -
Tier 1 Employees (hired before July 2012 or hired after July 2012 who have participated in a public retirement system within the 6 months prior to being hired): 2% @ 60 Program - Beginning July 1, 2013 shall pay 0.75% toward the City's normal cost rate of its pension program with Cal PERS as determined by Cal PERS). Additional benefits provided through Cal PERS shall include the following: One-Year Final Compensation, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Pre-Retirement Survivor Allowance and 1959 Survivor Benefits, including Third Level Benefits.
Tier 2 Employees - (Employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2013 who have not been members of a public retirement system within the 6 months prior to employment with the City): 2% @ 62 with 3 year Final Compensation and with employees paying 100% of the employee's contribution to PERS.
(ADDITIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM -PARS) - City shall provide a SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM as established in Resolution # 99-05-04-1, which affords management employees a defined contribution equal to 6.5% of base salary upon employment with the City.
City shall provide a RETIREE HEALTH SAVINGS PLAN as established in Resolution # 2001-12-11-2
City shall make available to all management the ICMA Retirement Corporation's Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan as a voluntary program that will be funded at the sole cost of each participating employee.
The City shall provide part time employees an alternative retirement plan as established in Resolution # 2000-06-27-5
INSURANCE:
The City shall pay for the FULL COST of MEDICAL INSURANCE coverage for FULL-TIME MANAGEMENT, and ELECTED MEMBERS including their DEPENDENTS as defined by the City's medical insurance program.
Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the City will pay the Full Cost of the lower of either the PPO or HMO program in a given year for FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES including ELECTED MEMBERS and their DEPENDENTS. Any cost increases, in medical insurance premiums that go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014 will be shared 50-50 between the City and full-time employees, including elected members up to a maximum of 4%.
The City shall provide and pay for a DENTAL INSURANCE plan for all FULL-TIME MANAGEMENT and ELECTED MEMBERS, including their DEPENDENTS.
The City shall provide and pay for a VISION INSURANCE plan for all FULL-TIME MANAGEMENT and ELECTED MEMBERS, including their DEPENDENTS.
The City shall provide and pay for a GROUP LIFE and ACCIDENTAL DEATH and DISMEMBERMENT plan for all FULL-TIME MANAGEMENT on the basis of 100% of the employee's annual salary to the next highest $1,000.00 increment up to a maximum of $200,000.
The City shall provide and pay for a SHORT and LONG TERM DISABILITY plan for all FULL-TIME MANAGEMENT.
ELECTED MEMBERS MAY OPT NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CITY'S MEDICAL DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE PLANS. *** MAYOR KOGERMAN HAS OPTED NOT TO PARTICIPATE THE City's Health Ins. Plan.
** EDITOR's NOTE - There is more information online on the City web site re. Vacation, Holidays, Leaves of Absence, Auto Allowances, etc. That information can be accessed onin the City of Laguna Hills web sire under this Agenda Item but near the end, under Section 4. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, of this Salary Ranges and Benefits Resolution there is an important FINAL STATEMENT of PROTECTION for the CITY MANAGER and the ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, ensuring that Increases in Management Benefits for other Management Staff will be passed on to them (in addition to what they are given in their Contracts with the City and, for the City Manager, ensuring that he will NOT be participating in any of the cost sharing for Retirement Benefits:
**IN THE EVENT OF ANY CONFLICT BETWEEN THE PROVISIONS OF THE CITY MANAGER'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT OR THE ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER'S EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND THIS RESOLUTION, THE AGREEMENT WILL PREVIAL."
To see the Employment Agreement for the City Manager go to: http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=3262 or if that doesn't work for you, go to the city's web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ On the face page, click on and Forms Documents and Maps then click on City Manager and click on City Manager Employment Agreement and Corresponding Resolutions. The online City Manager's Employment Agreement states Section 5 Salary C. - Channing shall be entitled to receive cost-of-living adjustments or any similar across-the-board increases that the City Council determines in its discretion to approve for all management employees.
Under Pension City Manager's Employment Agreement states A. City agrees to enroll Channing as a member of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) in the PERS plan selected by the City in its sole discretion. City shall pay for City's portion (employer's portion) and Channing's portion (employee's portion) of the contribution to the plan.**EDITOR'S NOTE - Here you can see the City Manager's last Updated (2003) Employment Agreement/Contract with the City that is still in effect. We noted that the last 2 pages of this agreement are misplaced on this site, so you have to scroll all the way to the bottom of the employment agreement document and then you have to continue to scroll through several additional documents showing subsequent years of raises, bonuses and additional vacations awarded to the City Manager to find the last 2 pages of the 2003 City Manager's Employment Agreement that contain the names of the council members who voted for and signed it. This document, Resolution no. 2003-03-18-1, was signed on March 18, 2003 and Replaced Channing's initial Employment Agreement from 1991. The 2003 Employment Agreement has since been called Channing's Evergreen Contract due to it's automatic extensions.
To see the Employment Agreement for the Assistant City Manager go to:http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=3747 or go to the city's web site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ . On the face page, click on and Forms Documents and Maps then click on City Manager then click on Assistant City Manager Employment Agreement. The online Assistant City Manager's Employment Agreement states Section 2 Compensation and General Provision for Benefits - 2.2 - Assistant City Manager shall be entitled to the same benefits as other management employees, including annual adjustments to salary, on the same terms and conditions applicable to all other management employees, except City Manager.
** We did not report on the one Confidential Employee because she was stated, at the August 27, 2013 meeting to be retiring soon and we also left out the part time employees because the impact from them is significantly less.
FINAL RESULTS OF SALARY AND BENEFITS for City Management, Confidential Employee and Part Time Employees RESOLUTION:
City Manager Channing announced that the terms of his contract are such that he is not obligated to contribute to the PERS Retirement Plan for City Employees.
Channing said he recognized that was perhaps a stumbling issue and similarly he is troubled by the fact that this resolution only addresses one year when historically two years are addressed. He asked the council to re-consider a two year Resolution with the same language as the represented employees (non-management) - a minimum of 3.5% increase in salary that could be adjusted up to 5% if their range falls below the standard of 5% above the county average, beginning July 1 of next fiscal year. Channing added that he would volunteer to pay the employee contribution to the PERS Retirement Plan in the same manner as that being asked of the other employees.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount said he was glad Channing was willing to make that change to his contract and would agree to that including Channing paying the 0.75% of his PERS for the 2 year duration of the Resolution.
Mayor Kogerman asked would that contribution to PERS be 3/4% in the 1st year then doubling to 1.5% in the 2nd year? Channing answered yes.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount outlined new Resolution language - Effective July 1, 2014 the salary ranges for all full time management and the confidential employee, shall be increased by not less than 3.5% to not more than 5%. Any increase in an individual salary range that is greater than 3.5% effective July 1, 2014 will be reported to the city council by the city manager and supported with a market salary survey of Orange County Cities for purposes of making said determination and ensuring that said employee's salary range remains at least 5% above the Orange County Cities average for comparative positions and made a motion based upon this language. Council Member Gilbert seconded the motion.
Mayor Kogerman noted that in the Red Lined staff version of the one year Resolution there was some language that needed to be cleaned up so that was discussed to make it match the new motion.
Council Member Bressette noticed that there was no language in the new motion stating it was subject to an amendment to the City Manager's contract. Mayor Pro-Tem Blount said his understanding is that the City Manager is amenable to that change in his contract.
City Manager Channing announced - A CHANGE OF HIS CONTRACT and ANY REVISION OF IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION, so what he is proposing is simply to VOLUNTARILY (verbally) AGREE that he will participate the same as everybody else. Channing added, in response to a question, that this would be a 2 year agreement. Channing's Current Employment Agreement Resolution No. 2003-03-18-1 states - 21. Modifications Any modifications to this Agreement shall be effective only if in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount agreed that was good enough for him and added he suspected that in the event that Channing doesn't contribute we'd probably hear about it.
Mayor Kogerman asked the City Attorney Greg Simonian if this public statement in a public meeting of the City Manager's intention was okay.
City Attorney Greg Simonian stated, That representation, in my opinion, would not be legally enforceable, however there are other provisions in the City Manager's Contract that the manger has chosen not to avail himself of, so to be clear the manager has represented publicly and to the city council that he is voluntarily agreeing to contribute to PERS in the same proportional share as other management employees. That is a rule of representation.
Council Member Bressette responded, "Are You Kidding Me?" Do you realize that by passing this motion you've guaranteed the City Manager an annual increase of not less than 3.5%, and not more than 5%. He continued that he remembered 3 years ago that a lady campaigning throughout the city of Laguna Hills carry a sign complaining about the overall excessive compensation of the City Manager and she was overwhelmingly elected. The City Manager's salary is at 107.3% of the Orange County Average which exceeds the 105% that this council has established and is our standard. He continued that he thinks the City Manager should receive increases in compensation/benefits only at his performance evaluation at the end of the year. He added he believes this resolution is totally inappropriate, but a no vote would send a wrong message to management staff that he does believe is entitled to certain increases so he declared that until an appropriate salary resolution is presented he will abstain.
Council Member Carruth said she thought it was not appropriate that the City Manager shared this concept of what he was going to propose with only some of the council and not all. She said she supports the dedicated city staff, but has reservations about the fiscal health of the city in the next couple of years, related to delays in commercial re-development unexpected increased in pension programs, uncertainty about health care premiums, a lot of unknowns, property tax is holding and sales tax is decreased so that is why she supported a one year resolution. She added that the council was struggling with an uneven playing field related to contributions by some staff to PERS and not other, so she would support the motion because she wants to support the bigger organization's function.
** Editor's Note: We found a few conflicts related to the statements above by Council Members Carruth and Bressette. On the city web site, according to the documents in the online posting of the City Manager's Contract, Carruth and Bressette voted for the City Manager's 2003 revised contract/Employment Agreement that is still in effect and states:
1. Channing shall be entitled to receive cost-of-living adjustments or any similar across-the-board increases that the City Council determines in its discretion to approve for all management employees.
2. City agrees to enroll Channing as a member of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) in the PERS plan selected by the City in its sole discretion. City shall pay for City's portion (employer's portion) and Channing's portion (employee's portion) of the contribution to the plan.
Also, on April 16, 2013, Council Member Carruth, who says here that she is concerned about the fiscal health of the City, proposed the most expensive Major Plan adopted by the City Council in 2013 which was to acquire the 11 acre SHEEP HILLS PARK for the City of Laguna Hills despite cost estimates from Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services/City Engineer, of landscape fees today for this park of about $80,000 a year as well as future expenses of about $1.89 million for a parking lot and a pedestrian bridge over Aliso Creek to get people from a parking lot into the park, as well as about $4 million for artificial turf on these sports fields that has a life of about 10 years.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount explained that he and the City Manager had lunch today with a gentleman from the water district and the matter of the City Manager not contributing to PERS really bothered him (Blount) because although it was not a lot of money he has been striving for equality so this matter came up in conversation today and that's how it happened that he was aware of the proposal from Channing.
Mayor Kogerman added that speaking as the "lady who was waiving the signs around" she appreciates the fact that Channing is listening to the council and has taken this step voluntarily. She added that 3.5% increase seems to be appropriate given that their assumption is a 2.5 % cost of living increase plus minor increases in the average salaries for city employees throughout the county.
THE EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY in a 2 year Resolution with the same language as the represented employees (non-management) - a minimum of 3.5% increase in salary that could be adjusted up to 5% if their range falls below the standard of 5% above the county average, beginning July 1 of next fiscal year with City Manager Channing volunteering to pay the employee contribution for 2 years, to the PERS Retirement Plan in the same manner as that being asked of the other employees.
VOTE - PASSED 4 in favor and 1 abstention. The abstention was Council Member Bressette.
Item 7.2.1 - Presentation by Melissa Au-Yeung of a Mobile Application to provide news, events and city contact information to residents and businesses.
** Editor's Note - The Laguna Hills Watch Dog acknowledges Laguna Hills Long Time Laguna Hills Resident Meg Gorham who suggested, many times at previous city council meetings, that the City adopt a method to allow citizens to report problems they observe through a hotline to the City to empower citizens and to make the staff aware of things they may not otherwise know about, as well as to assist Laguna Hills Businesses, the Laguna Hills High School and the City with public communication including special events, so we are glad to see the city listening and responding positively to citizens!
Staff Report Summary - At its April 9, 2013, City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to proceed with the development of a mobile application for the purpose of: providing news, events, and City contact information to residents, businesses, and visitors; promoting the City's many facilities, parks, and trails available to the public; and developing an additional alternative for the public to report an issue or submit specified requests for services. The mobile application includes the following features:
· News—as released in the City’s news updates
· City Hall—contact information for City departments and services
· Places—a full list of City parks, local trails and information on City facilities
· Report An Issue—users can submit requests for street maintenance or other issues, such as graffiti removal and pot hole repairs. This feature also includes the ability to add a picture, voice memo, or video, and can utilize the smartphone’s GPS function to automatically provide the location of the issue to be addressed.
· Shop & Dine—provides a categorized listing of businesses throughout Laguna Hills,
including restaurants, retail establishments, and professional services
· Calendar—includes City events
The free mobile application is now available for download in both iPhone and Android formats in their respective app stores. Staff will continue to market the mobile application, whenever appropriate, including through the use of City Views and the City website.
This was applauded by the Council and City Manager Channing added that he encouraged the finding and reporting of "bugs" that are always inherent to any new system.
Vote to receive and file this report passed 5 - 0
PUBLIC COMMENT
Len Herman, Laguna Hills Resident and 2013 President of the Orange County Association of Realtors said his wife discovered this app last week in City Views and they had it downloaded within 10 minutes. He said this is a wonderful job and his wife is a software developer and loves the app from the City. Great Job!!
Item 7.3.1 - Street lighting for Highwood Circle
Staff Summary was Presented by Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services - Staff presented community requests for street lighting additions at three locations during the 2013 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget Study Session. The three locations considered were on Mandeville Drive, Chelsea Lane and Highwood Circle. Staff presented the council with a potential Capital Improvement Program budget item of $50,000 for these 3 requests. The Council added this to the budget in the "future" category. The City Council did not select this project for funding in the next six-year CIP Budget. However, the City Council did request that additional information on the spacing and costs of installing one or more street lights on Highwood Circle be presented at a future meeting. Staff has worked with the utility provider, SDG&E, to determine the estimated costs of new lighting on Highwood Circle. As the City Council did not approve this Capital Improvement Project in the current two-year budget, staff recommends the City Council receive and file this report. A budget for this project can be reconsidered in the next budget cycle.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of street lighting installation is composed of two parts; the cost for SDG&E services for the installation of the street light pole and the cost for the City to retain a contractor to trench and lay conduit to SDG&E standards. The cost for the streetlight opposite 26981 Highwood Circle is estimated to be not more than $10,000. The cost to add a second street light on Highwood Circle is estimated to cost approximately $15,000. The cost of the second street light is higher than the first due to the estimated distance of trenching to reach an SDG&E service point.
Ken Rosenfield said the Lights on Highwood Circle are more than 300 feet apart, farther apart than the standard from the County that was used when these lights were installed.
Council Member Carruth expressed concern that a light installed so close to the yard of one of the homes on Rocking Horse could cause problems for the residents of that house. Ken responded this is actually a side yard with a fairly heavy shrub bed and trees.
Patrick Barry, Laguna Hills Resident from the Highwood Circle area noted the danger related to not being a able to see pedestrians in a dark area when cars come in off Nellie Gail Rd. and turn on Rocking Horse and do a left turn onto Highwood where there are no sidewalks so people walk in the street. There have been reported near misses so there is a pressing need for this one light. He stressed he is not asking for this for himself but for the people who live in the area and this one is $10,000.
Council Member Carruth asked again, what reaction has there been from the neighbor whose home is located next to where this light would be. Barry said he did not have a response from them, they are new neighbors and there are a lot of trees there. Carruth asked what neighbors are supporting your request? Barry named some of the neighbors but had nothing in writing to present to the council.
Council Member Bressette asked Ken Rosenfield how far down the street would the new light illuminate and would it be entangled in the trees and shrubs of the house where it would be installed? Ken answered that the light spread would be no more than 100 feet, but those trees would have to be kept trimmed and they are not city trees.
Carruth said her view was that this is pretty standard spacing in and around Nellie Gail and repeated that we have not heard from the resident who would be most impacted, and insisted that the street light would be above the trees and bushes of the home nearest to where it would be installed so she moves to Receive and File the report. Bressette seconded that motion. VOTE was 5 -0 to Receive and File.
Item 7.3.2 - Request for City Tree Removal for Resident on Mawson Dr. by Mr. Epstein.
Staff summary was presented by Ken Rosenfield Director of Public Services who said Mr. Epstein is not here so may not have realized this was on the agenda for tonight. The resident of 25252 Mawson Drive addressed the City Council at the meeting of August 27, 2013, to request the City remove the street tree located in the parkway in front of this home. Staff reviewed the condition of the California Sycamore tree at this location and determined that the tree should remain in place in accordance with the City Council Tree Preservation Policy No. 315; the tree is not diseased and declining, the tree is currently not damaging public property and the tree is not known to be a threat to private property. It is recommended the City Council receive and file this report.
Only the three Crepe Myrtle and 13 Eastern Redbud trees are considered to have the appropriate growth characteristics for the width of the parkway on Mawson Drive. The balance of the trees, at some future time, will likely cause damage to the sidewalk or curbs and may then require root pruning with sidewalk repair or removal of the tree. In the meantime, the trees add to the aesthetic of the street and provide many benefits to the community. Staff does not recommend the pre-emptive removal of trees on the basis that some day they may cause damage to public property. In the case of Mawson Drive, should the City act in this manner, as many as 26 trees would be removed and, across the City, hundreds of trees would be removed. During the 2012 sidewalk repair project on Mawson Drive, three trees were too large for the parkway space, had damaged public property and did require removal. However, the balance of the trees on this street, with the exception now of one declining Liquidambar, were not and are not proposed to be removed.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost for tree removal, depending upon the diameter of the tree, is approximately $250.
Council Member Bressette suggested that this item be continued 2 weeks to allow Mr. Epstein to be heard.
VOTE was 5 - 0 for this item to be continued to the next City Council Meeting.
MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR - None
CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:
Council Member Carruth spoke about the new transponder for the toll roads and how the toll roads are part of a statewide network that will ultimately be extended to an entire USA network. The new transponder is connected for toll roads from San Diego to San Francisco through new fast track programs that are moving away from using money and will use only the transponder or cards purchased for use. She displayed her transponder and advised that there is a button on it that when used results in a discounted rate if you have another passenger in the car and this can be used now in Los Angeles but should be coming to Orange County. She said there is also an app now for managing your fast track account.
Council Member Bressette said he was elected Vice Chairman of the Fire Authority's Finance and Budget Committee. The Fire Authority has many challenges related to an equity issue led by the City of Irvine and the renegotiation of contracts related to the labor union. He also reported that last Saturday he saw a 3 car accident at La Paz and Moulton and pulled over because this is the 3rd accident on La Paz and Moulton he has seen in a very short time. He said civilians were assisting the injured and assisting with traffic but it was about 3.5 to 4 minutes until the first responder from the Fire Authority responded and took control but it was about 8 minutes for our first sworn deputy to arrive. He said he wondered about the Opticon system that the City installed on our traffic signals years ago. The Fire Authority is connected to that system and his question is why are our deputies not connected? City Manager Channing answered that this is a generic system with various proprietary names that allows the Fire Authority to trip signals to get through intersections. He said primarily it's a cost factor and beyond that every time a vehicle trips a light it throws all the signals and their timing off until they can readjust so there is a concern, by some, that if this is given to Sheriff's Deputies as well as the Fire Authority it could render the traffic light synchronization system dysfunctional. Bressette asked for a staff report about the pros and cons and cost of the system for Sheriff's Deputies. Council agreed with requesting a staff report for the future.
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount said his 12 year old son Ethan is attending this meeting tonight as part of the work he is doing on a badge for an Eagle Scout Award that he wants to achieve by the time he is 14 yrs. old. He also noted there are a lot of dirty stop signs in City and asked how that is handled. Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services responded that this can be reported as a graffiti problem if that is the reason the sign is dirty or if signs are no longer reflective they are replaced.
Mayor Kogerman noted that there was no report from the Assistant City Manager Don White tonight (about the additional $46,117.00 in payments to the Orange County Animal Control after the Don White had told us there would be no more payments this year and we had a $28,000 credit.) She added that rather than a full report we'd be happy to have distributed to us some figures and if we need to follow up as a full fledged report we can do that. Council Member Bressette added that is not what he requested but he has already seen the report. Mayor Kogerman then distributed some pocket copies of the US Constitution.
The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, September 18, 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.
================================
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 in support of a letter of support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium as a self funded project.
P - for vote for the EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY - We agree with passing this for the majority of the management staff and other City Employees involved, although this was not a significant sacrifice for the City Manager considering that according to his own report he is already above 107% of the average salary of City Managers in the county and he did not agree to change any of the terms of his contract. The positive here are that this City Manager made at least a small effort in favor of supporting his staff who will now receive what the City has designated to be within their salary range. We, like many others do not believe he should have ever been allowed to double dip into the compensation given to his staff in addition to the significantly higher than average compensation and extra benefits he receives under the terms of his Employment Agreement.
Bressette -
F - for vote against a letter of support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium as a self funded project.
NO VOTE/Abstention - re. the EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY- We agree with passing this for the majority of the management staff and other City Employees involved, although this was not a significant sacrifice for the City Manager considering that according to his own report he is already above 107% of the average salary of City Managers in the county and he did not agree to change any of the terms of his contract. The positive here are that this City Manager made at least a small effort in favor of supporting his staff who will now receive what the City has designated to be within their salary range. We, like many others do not believe he should have ever been allowed to double dip into the compensation given to his staff in addition to the significantly higher than average compensation and extra benefits he receives under the terms of his Employment Agreement.
Carruth -
F - for vote against a letter of support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium as a self funded project.
P - for vote for the EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY - We agree with passing this for the majority of the management staff and other City Employees involved, although this was not a significant sacrifice for the City Manager considering that according to his own report he is already above 107% of the average salary of City Managers in the county and he did not agree to change any of the terms of his contract. The positive here are that this City Manager made at least a small effort in favor of supporting his staff who will now receive what the City has designated to be within their salary range. We, like many others do not believe he should have ever been allowed to double dip into the compensation given to his staff in addition to the significantly higher than average compensation and extra benefits he receives under the terms of his Employment Agreement.
Gilbert -
P - for vote in support of a letter of support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium as a self funded project.
P - for vote for the EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY - We agree with passing this for the majority of the management staff and other City Employees involved, although this was not a significant sacrifice for the City Manager considering that according to his own report he is already above 107% of the average salary of City Managers in the county and he did not agree to change any of the terms of his contract. The positive here are that this City Manager made at least a small effort in favor of supporting his staff who will now receive what the City has designated to be within their salary range. We, like many others do not believe he should have ever been allowed to double dip into the compensation given to his staff in addition to the significantly higher than average compensation and extra benefits he receives under the terms of his Employment Agreement.
Kogerman -
P - for vote in support of a letter of support for the proposed renovation of the Saddleback College Athletic Stadium as a self funded project.
P - for vote for the EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SALARY RANGES AND BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT, CONFIDENTIAL AND PART-TIME CLASSES OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY - We agree with passing this for the majority of the management staff and other City Employees involved, although this was not a significant sacrifice for the City Manager considering that according to his own report he is already above 107% of the average salary of City Managers in the county and he did not agree to change any of the terms of his contract. The positive here are that this City Manager made at least a small effort in favor of supporting his staff who will now receive what the City has designated to be within their salary range. We, like many others do not believe he should have ever been allowed to double dip into the compensation given to his staff in addition to the significantly higher than average compensation and extra benefits he receives under the terms of his Employment Agreement.
City Manager -
P - It is a small step forward for this City Manager to make a conditional effort that resulted in himself and his staff receiving a salary increase that is what the city council has determined to be within their adopted salary range.
** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers since the last council meeting:
ABOUT: LA Times - Fallout from report on O.C. officials' salaries still rankles, Increase in Compensation for the City Manager, Animal Care Services in Laguna Hills, Access from Nellie Gail Ranch to the shopping center on Moulton and La/Paz
ABOUT: LA Times - Fallout from report on O.C. officials' salaries still rankles
Anonymous said...
Did you see this in today's LA Times?
Fallout from report on O.C. city officials' salaries still rankles - latimes.com http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
"Songstad said he and Amante made it clear to Doti that Kogerman's report would make it difficult for Brandman public administration students to get hired in the county." "It just seemed self evident," Songstad said."
Anonymous said... http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
Look at this in the LATimes today It says:
The Tustin and Laguna Hills city councils voted to ignore the grand jury's recommendations, including the suggestion of ethics training. Songstad called the panel's report "stupid" and "misguided.
Anonymous said...
Did you see this today in the LA Times?
"Channing insisted that Kogerman's crew had exaggerated, and figures later posted on the state controller's website placed his compensation at $380,054. Still, a grand jury report later agreed that Channing was the highest-paid city manager in the county and said his compensation "exceeds levels in other comparably sized cities both inside and outside of Orange County.
"The day Kogerman's report was released, Smoller said, an angry Channing demanded to meet with the students and wanted their email addresses and phone numbers.
Smoller refused, but he agreed with Channing on one thing: The title page had credited the report to the graduate students and carried the Brandman seal, seemingly giving it the university's imprimatur. Smoller called Kogerman and insisted she remove the university's name, which she did.http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
Anonymous said...http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
Take a good look at this. It appears the Thugs may not have won. Ask Everyone who sees this story to write a letter to the Editor of the LA Times Newspaper or the Orange County Register Newspaper and request that the Grand Jury transcripts about this matter be released to the Public. We need the all the information about this. The Public needs to know the whole truth about the 2012 Grand Jury Report - The Use of Government Influence On a Private Educational Institution 7/5/12
Anonymous said...
I don't get the LA Times but a friend sent me this story - There's NO DOUBT in my mind that Channing shouldn't get another penny from this city. Let him try to go somewhere else if another city would want him with this reputation and the fact that for the last 20 years he's never done anything beyond managing this one little city that paid suspiciously him such a ridiculously high wage. http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
Anonymous said... http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
Interesting article. S.
Anonymous said...
VERY interesting. And that good old boy network is sickening. Those students that gathered info and then were not able to get jobs in the OC because of Songstad and friend, were women. Corruption lives in LH. So there are at least 3 reasonable new council members. The CM serves at the pleasure of the council and can be canned. Guessed he worked a sweetheart deal about that too. If I were on the council I would make his life hell. He would get publicly rebuked and made to fill out reports constantly. Also compensation can be drastically reduced at the time to renew his contract which should be annually. This is criminal. Don White has demonstrated he is not fit for his job as well. It's always amusing to see what happens at that council. Good stuff on what happened with the county animal shelter contract.
Anonymous said...
Why won't the Grand Jury release the records for their report? There have been too many questions about this report for too long. The public deserves to know the details.
Anonymous said...
I agree with writing a letter to send to the The LA Times and the OC Register, or whatever it takes to get the details of this thing made public. Those two women deserve, not only jobs, but respect from the public as well as from government entities who do want have and maintain a reputation of being honest and transparent. What these political thugs have done to those women for reporting "public" documents is way over the line of decency and worse yet this story reports that, about these women not being able to find government jobs, Songstad said, "It just seemed self evident". That statement says a lot about the degree of corruption politicians believe is inherent and acceptable in what they do.
Hiring these women would be a giant step forward for any government entity that seeks to have, maintain and be recognized for a public record of honesty and transparency. Could it be that there aren't any government entities in that category? Beyond that, the Professor who is teaching public administration should have the academic freedom to teach in the "real world". This has to be one of the great lessons for his students related to how the real world of government works and it needs to be thoroughly understood before students enter that world or that world needs to change.
Editorial Comment - Jean Bland, et al., Citizens of Laguna Hills said...
Related to comments we have been receiving regarding the recent LA Times' Story entitled Fallout from report on O.C. city officials' salaries still rankles, I wondered what had happened to "ETHICS" being taught as part of the curriculum for degree programs of all types in colleges and universities. I looked first at Brandman's online information for their Master of Public Administration, Local Government Program. As a part of their Master of Public Administration Program, in which the 2 women in this story were enrolled, Brandman's web site stated about it's Ethics Component - "Ethics: Apply ethical reasoning strategy to public administration case study." http://www.brandman.edu/program/mpa-local-government#sthash.fAVZSTzO.dpuf
To confirm the definition of "Case Study" I checked www.BusinessDictionary.com and found - A Case Study is a Documented study of a specific real-life situation or imagined scenario, used as a training tool in businesss schools and firms. Students or trainees are required to analyze the prescribed cases and present their interpretations or solutions, supported by the line of reasoning employed and assumptions made. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/case-study.html#ixzz2dxI7evq1
From Colorado State University at http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=60 I found - Case study research excels at bringing us to an understanding of a complex issue or object and can extend experience or add strength to what is already known through previous research.
The steps used in a case study were noted to be:
Determine and define the research questions
Select the cases and determine data gathering and analysis techniques
Prepare to collect the data
Collect data in the field
Evaluate and analyze the data
Prepare the report
Next I wondered how "Ethics" could be taught without the academic freedom to do a case study using Public Data collected from local governments and to prepare, analyze and report it accurately. I would have thought that if this type of report was incorrect, ethical expectations would be that the complaining party would:
1. Show proof clearly illustrating errors in the report and setting forth specific corrections, or
2. Issue a statement that they had learned from this case study of Total Compensation for City Managers in Orange County, CA. and admitted that their city manager was the highest paid city manager in the county with a explanation for why that is true
or
3. Admit that this fact about their City Manager had previously eluded them, and provide justification for it.
4. Admit that this fact about their City Manager had previously eluded them, apologize for it and correct it.
Instead, what has been reported here and by the OC Grand Jury is that offended city leaders complained to the President of the University asking that the college withdraw any university support for this study and the story noted that "Songstad said he and Amante made it clear to Doti that Kogerman's report would make it difficult for Brandman public administration students to get hired in the county. "It just seemed self evident," Songstad said. "Later the Tustin and Laguna Hills city councils voted to ignore the OC Grand Jury's recommendations, including the suggestion of ethics training," "Songstad called the panel's report "stupid" and "misguided". In addition, "In fall 2011, Brandman's chancellor, Gary Brahm, met with the Assn. of California Cities-Orange County over a proposal that the university sponsor a training program for newly elected council members. The group decided not to go through with it."
So although the two women, grad. students, involved in this case study won awards for being ethical, honest and valid from OC Supervisor Shawn Nelson and recognition from others in the State Government, and the OC Grand Jury report agreed that Channing was the highest-paid city manager in the county and said his compensation "exceeds levels in other comparably sized cities both inside and outside of Orange County," the long term lesson learned from this story appears to be that political power trumps ethical reasoning related to the two women grad students not being able to find work in the county and the resignation in protest of their Professor, Dr. Smoller. What kind of message is that for future leaders, and in this case taxpayers, and what kind of incentive does this provide for city and other leaders to improve methods of Public Administration in the future? If there is no incentive there would be no reason to continue to have an Ethics component in a Public Administration Program, but if there is a university that is willing to step up and employ the ethics that they teach there might still be hope.
Anonymous said...
Good comment, Jean. Instead of pointing out any perceived errors in Kogerman's report, Lautenschlager and others kept saying, "The numbers are all wrong - with never any details whatsoever pointing out any "wrong" numbers - all of which came directly from the city itself. So telling, that instead of applauding the daylighting of previously obscure data the public is entitled to know, which clearly serves the public interest, they took it as self-evident that no one would hire those engaged in such revelations.
Anonymous said...
Voice of OC - Community Editorial: Brandman Transcripts Should Be Released
Comment by Professor Fred Smoller 9-5-13
Professor Smoller asks that those who criticized the report also join the effort to daylight the grand jury transcripts so we can find out the truth. If the grand jury does sloppy work, we need to know it... If on the other hand the independent volunteers who serve on the grand jury do honest and comprehensive work that serves the public interest...then those who feel they are above the law and their enablers should be called out. See the entire story at: http://www.voiceofoc.org/community_editorial_board/article_44e78358-15e4-11e3-9405-001a4bcf887a.html?TNNoMobile
Anonymous said...
Still another story about the Grand Jury Transcripts - PUBLIC CEO.com - Opinion: Release Grand Jury Transcripts on OC City Manager Salaries http://www.publicceo.com/2013/09/opinion-release-grand-jury-transcripts-on-o-c-city-manager-salaries/
ABOUT: Increase in Compensation for the City Manager
Anonymous said...
What a mess with the City Manager. I do think they should ask for daily reports. Do a bit of micromanaging. Also ask for his expense reports and in the interest of full disclosure, disclose them. I have to wonder about the conflict of interest if any councilmember is suspected to have assisted him to negotiate his last contract that we all have to live with. This should be on the agenda every meeting and discussed in open session. Also might just be a way out of his contract. I would tell him since his employee White did such a crap job explaining what the heck you are getting charged for with animal services that you want full disclosure from HIM, after all, the buck stops right at the CM's lap. Then I would like to know what action was taken against White for being so unprepared at that meeting (that would be a closed session matter). This may reflect on his ability to manage others. If I had to put up with this, I would want a daily diary of his activities and explain the unusual request is rooted in his performance as a CM.
ABOUT: Animal Care Services in Laguna Hills
Anonymous said...
Valerie is right, we should not be with the OC Animal Shelter. This city has played the residents to get cheaper costs for the city and they never cared about the services. 2014 is an election year, let's get some candidates that will correct that problem. This city is hostile to pet owners and that needs to stop. Dog Owner in LH
ABOUT: Access from Nellie Gail Ranch to the shopping center on Moulton and La/Paz
Anonymous said...
Yesterday, taking a cue from Mayor Pro-Tem Blount, we checked out the accessibility on foot from Nellie Gail Ranch to the new shopping area on Moulton and La Paz and found that Mayor Pro-Tem Blount was correct. The tunnel, under La Paz appears too be not readily accessible to hikers, so the closest choices for crossing La Paz to get to the new shopping area are at La Paz and Moulton to the west and at La Paz and Aliso Hills to the east. Both of these intersections have traffic lights and crosswalks, but considering the high speed traffic on La Paz, may not be safe areas to cross and certainly not a great choice for potential grocery shoppers. It appears that Aliso Hills residents will be the major beneficiaries of this project, via the trials, so, one wonders why name of the Center is "The Village at Nellie Gail Ranch". Why not name it for the location where it is actually located "The Village at Aliso Hills"?
** 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.
*** The Marine Corps Birthday Ball is coming up for our City's adopted 3/5 Marines. Do you have gently used ball gowns, prom dresses, or formal wear taking up space? Team Dark Horse will be happy to take them off your hands!! For the wives of young and enlisted Marines, the cost of an appropriate dress can be prohibitive. That's where you, and Team Dark Horse come in. We will be collecting gently used formal wear up through September 21st in a collection box at the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA office. On September 23rd, the Battalion holds a fun "Ball Gown Try-On Party" for the wives. Please help us make this event special while they get ready to celebrate the Marine Corps Birthday! ** Any questions please contact Karen Robbins at itskr@yahoo.com
*** The new Commanding Officer of the 3/5 Marines, adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Lt. Col. Robert Rice and Sargent Major Ruiz will attend the Oct. 8, 2013 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting and tell us about the Commanding Officer's vision for the 3/5 and what the 3/5 will be doing for the next 2 years.
7-5-13 - Msg. from Mike Bland, Chairman of Team Dark Horse, the Support Group for the 3/5 Marines adopted by the City of Laguna Hills, re. Laguna Hills July 4th 2013 Celebration.
"We were honored to have not only the new 3/5 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Robert Rice, but the new 5th Regiment Commanding Officer, Col. Jason Bohm at our City's 4th of July Event. In attendance with them was the new family readiness officer, Brenda, the new XO, Major Bland Allen. All brought their families to the event and we had many more of the 3/5 members and family join us too. This was really something special for us that Rice and Bohn took time off to meet us and see what Laguna Hills was all about. I know now, we will not have any difficulties in continuing to grow our relationships with the 3/5. Col. Bohn wanted to make sure I knew this was the only support group event that both he and Rice were attending on the 4th, so that made us feel very special."
Please see 2 very special messages below from Wounded Warrior Capt. Cameron West, who lost his right leg and the sight in his right eye while serving with the 3/5 in Sangin, and Corporal Travis Haggerty, who runs in our Memorial Day race every year carrying an American Flag containing the names of all the 3/5 Marines lost in Afghanistan during their deployment in 2010 and does such a wonderful job of expressing thanks from all of us. In 2010, the 3/5 Marines DarkHorse Battalion lost 25 Marines during that deployment.
Capt. Cameron West, said about the 2013 Laguna Hills' Memorial Day Event, “Last night after all the festivities and the day came to a close, I thought to myself that there was nowhere else I would rather have been on this Memorial Day. And that’s a pretty big deal thinking of all the family and friends that I could have been with, but I realized for that day Laguna Hills took their place, and did a fine job doing it."
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.
PUBLICCEO.com
Opinion: Release Grand Jury Transcripts on OC City Manager Salarieshttp://www.publicceo.com/2013/09/opinion-release-grand-jury-transcripts-on-o-c-city-manager-salaries/
VOICE of OC - Community Editorial: Brandman Transcripts Should Be Released, Comment by Professor Fred Smoller 9-5-13 http://www.voiceofoc.org/community_editorial_board/article_44e78358-15e4-11e3-9405-001a4bcf887a.html?TNNoMobile
LA Times - The Use of Government Influence On a Private Educational Institution 7/5/12 http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-adv-professor-fallout-20130901,0,7321736.story
** Letter to the Editor from Laguna Hills City Council Member Andrew Blount -Tiered billing schemes for water not fair - http://www.ocregister.com/articles/water-522523-billing-tiered.html
Laguna Hills looks to mall sale to spur town-center plans by Megan Nicolai http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mall-516142-hills-laguna.html
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 Care http://ranchosantamargarita.patch.com/articles/shelter-euthanizes-fewer-animals-in-2011 County Shelter finally admits killing animal for space.
Fred Smoller,The Brandman University Professor of Public Administration, "who offended the power elite" when his Master's Degree students won awards assisting Council Member Kogerman to research the total compensation of City Managers in Orange County has just resigned from his post. Why did this happen? - Click on http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/10/12/professor-who-offended-power-elite-resigns-post/109833/ 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/BlotterSearch.aspx then choose city and either a 7 day view or a 30 day view. 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.
4 comments:
Just read the story about Channing agreeing to pay the "employee portion of his benefit" toward one of his retirement plans, PERS.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/management-525521-agreement-channing.html
Laguna Hills management to begin paying toward retirement
If Channing was concerned, as he says in the OC Register story, for his management staff why didn't he volunteer on his own to do this. Why did he wait to be asked by 2 city council members and why even then did he only "verbally" agree rather than change the applicable term for this in his contract with the city? Congratulations to Blount and Kogerman for working this out so that other city management would be paid but no kudos to Channing. He doesn't appear to understand real concern, sacrifice or support for others.
What the City Manager is doing is keeping his options open incase he needs to use the same bargaining power on the City Council in another 2 years and getting a raise for himself. edation 435
Might be a good idea to give some positive feedback to somebody like Channing any time he makes an attempt to move in a positive direction.
I'm guessing the reason we didn't hear from Don White at the last council meeting was because it's taking him a long time to come up with a believable response. Isn't it bad enough that we're paying more for bad county animal shelter services than for good local services. How much lower can the city take pet owners and why all the hostility to pet owners? Don't council members realize that pet owners are also voters? There is nothing in this city for pet owners. We don't have a dog park or a good animal shelter. We don't even have the immunization clinic that we used to have once a year anymore. What happened to that?
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