Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - October 22, 2013

** 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.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:

*** PUBLIC HEARING NOTICES - at the November 12, 2013 Laguna Hills City Council Meeting

1.  Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Of Laguna Hills amending Title 10 of the LH Municipal Code, adopting by reference the California Building Standards Code 2013 Edition, consisting of The California Building Code, The California Mechanical Code, The California Electrical Code, The California Code, The California Green Building Standards Code, the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
AND
Adoption of an Ordinance of the City Of Laguna Hills amending Title 5 of the LH Municipal Code, adopting by reference the 2013 Edition of the California Fire Code for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to the life and property from fire or explosion.

2.  Application for Conditional Use Permit for The Hills Hotel to demolish and existing swimming pool and construct a new outdoor courtyard in its place and construct a new swimming pool and fitness center at the north end of the hotel.  A Parking Use Permit is also being requested to approve a joint use parking plan to allow use of alternative parking standards for hotel accessory uses, office, restaurant, banquet, etc.

Interested persons will be given the opportunity to comment on this item at the public hearing and written comments may be submitted to the City Council prior to the hearing.

*** For Additional Information - See the City of Laguna Hills web site's face page under Quick Links - Public Notices for more information at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/


*** LHHS Fundraiser at Mountain Mike's Pizza on Oct. 30 and 31. No flier necessary, jut mention LHHS and 30% of your purchase will be donated to the school.

LAGUNA HILLS DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
Saturday, October 26, is Drug Take Back Day - Laguna Hills Residents can take expired  or unwanted medications to Laguna Hills City Hall at 24035 El Toro Rd. from 10 am to 2 pm. This service is free and anonymous.  For more information - Phone: (949) 707-2600 or Fax: (949) 707-2614. Email: clh@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us  
** Thank you to OC Register Reporter Megan Nicloai for this information in the OUR TOWNS section of the OC Register Newspaper on Oct. 23.

GET FIT and ENJOY the TRAILS OF LAGUNA HILLS - Mayor Kogerman Launches Saturday Morning Walks

Continuing her Saturday morning tradition of meeting with residents, Laguna Hills Mayor Barbara Kogerman is launching a “Walk with the Mayor” program meeting every Saturday Morning.  Check the City of Laguna Hills web site at www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us  and look under "Featured Links" for the Community Bulletin Board for locations and any instructions for each Sat. Morning Walk.   Mayor Kogerman’s Saturday morning walks promote the City’s Get Fit Campaign. Participants will be visiting a different trail each week and getting fit while having a captive audience with the Mayor.  Participants should bring water, wear comfortable shoes and use plenty of sunscreen. Dogs on a leash (with doggie bags) are welcome.  We’ll also pick up trash along the way.  “Fresh air and exercise, pleasant scenery, good conversation, and sprucing up our trails – what better way to spend a Saturday morning?” Kogerman asks.
** The Mayor's walk for Saturday, Oct. 26, will be on the "Nellie Gail Trail" starting at 9 am.  Trail walkers will meet at Baja Fresh, in "The Village at Nellie Gail", that is under construction, at the corner of Moulton Pkwy. and La Paz at 9:00 am for a 1.8 mile round trip.


** YOU CAN LISTEN TO YOUR MAYOR, Barbara Kogerman. ON FM RADIO- KSBR (88.50). 
Interviews  with Mayor Kogerman by Dawn Kamber of Saddleback Community College's FM radio station 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 is easy-listening jazz.


*** Congratulations to Laguna Hills' Villa Roma Restaurant for it's September 2013 Golden Foodie Award for Superior Service. The Golden Foodie is the red carpet culinary award show celebrating the best restaurants and chefs in Orange County.


Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - FEATURES DIRECTORY
** Closed Session - None
** Presentations and Proclamations:
Item 1.1 -  Report from Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kerstyn Gonzales - LHHS News, Sports and Fund Raisers + Win-Win Everyday Partners.
** Public Comments: Removal of the City's useless trees to save on landscape costs.
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $936,746.43
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register- None
** Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar:
Item 3.4 - APPLICATIONS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP
PROGRAM, LA PAZ ROAD WIDENING AND THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL
SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM TO OCTA FOR MEASURE M2 FUNDING
** 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:
Item 4.5.1 - AT&T Wireless has filed an application to modify and expand an existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy.
Item 4.5.2 -  Request for A Conditional Use Permit byTerri Dickerhoff on behalf of Core Power Yoga, requesting approval to operate a Yoga Studio on Lake Forest Dr.
Item 4.5.3 - Conditional Use Permit request by Aaron Rosen on behalf of Doctor’s Ambulance to establish an ambulance substation in the La Paz Village Shopping Ctr.
** City Council Public Hearings - None
** Administrative Reports:
Item 6.1.1 - 2nd Amendment to the Amended OC Fire Authority Joint Powers Authority Agreement related to Equity Issues - How much each city pays for Services from the OCFA and who's paying too much?
Item 6.2.1 - 2013 Veterans Day Observance from Mayor Kogerman requesting that the City of Laguna Hills spear-head coordinating and encouraging everyone to pause on Veteran’s Day, the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members and Mayor:
Item 7.1.1 from Council Member Carruth Requesting City Council consideration of Ridge Route Dr. Right of Way Utilization as a Public Trail Access to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
** City Council Member Comments - About: Importance of Recognizing Groups, Organizations, Businesses in the City;  Mayor Kogerman applied for LAFCO seat;  Vector Control Report; Lewis Moulton Family Event in Aliso Viejo; Honoring Veterans and Wall in Community Center for awards for the City.
** City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
** Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous blog post  ABOUT: COST OF SERVICE TO LAGUNA HILLS RESIDENTS FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER.

** 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 gently used dress collection elegantly displayed on female guests at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball was a huge success thanks to all of who donated your dresses to the Marines for the Ball!  **Plus - See 2 special messages to Laguna Hills from 3/5 Marines, Wounded Warrior Capt. Cameron West and Corporal Travis Haggerty
** 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 REPORT for 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 Newspaper


Laguna Hills City Council Meeting - October 22, 2013
All Council Members were present
=========================================
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 -  Report from Laguna Hills High School Student Liaison Kerstyn Gonzales
NEWS:
Red Ribbon Week -  October 21-25 is be Red Ribbon Week.  LHHS students will be watching short anti-drug informational videos and receiving factual information about the dangers of drug abuse.  We are starting a series called Natural High where we spotlight different students who have chosen to get a "natural high" through playing sports etc…  The choice for them is drug-free. Thanks to PTSA, LHHS will be decorated with red ribbons.
Teen Psychology and Physiology of Adolescent Drug Addiction Parent Education Seminar – Wednesday Oct. 23 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm   As part of Red Ribbon Week, Deputy Gunsolley, LHHS’ School Resource Officer and guest speaker Dr. Jorge Galindo, will discuss current drug trends effecting teens and Dr. Galindo will discuss the psychology and physiology of adolescent addiction.  This parent education seminar is FREE. This presentation is for PARENTS ONLY.  Please contact Deputy Gunsolley at bdgunsolley@ocsd  or call 949-283-0271 with questions.  This important seminar is open to the public.  Please bring a friend!
ComedySportz Is Back! - Our opening home match is on Friday, October 25th at 7:00 pm in the Theater.  $7.00 covers admission, a door prize, and a snack at half time. It is the best deal in town!  Our opponents from San Juan Hills will be ready to battle for your laughs, so come and cheer on your favorite improv comedians!
LHHS Marching Band and Color Guard Tournament Sat. Oct. 26 - 2nd Annual LHHS Western Band Association Tournament, Hawk Stadium, 1st band performance at 5:15 pm
SPORTS:
Cross Country -  Friday, 10/25 - Mt. SAC Invitational@Mt.SAC, Walnut, CA
LHHS HAWKS Football Team lost 27 to 5 to Laguna Niguel.
FUND RAISERS:
SAVE THE DATE!! PTSA’s Hawk Challenge Golf & Tennis Tournament  This year’s tourney will be held 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 benefit every single LHHS student. 
GO HAWKS!

Mayor Kogerman added that there is a very high incidence of Prescription Drug Overdose among young adults in Orange County. She said she thought we were the 10th highest County in the Country for this problem and praised Officer Gunsoley for his seminars and his ongoing attention to this problem.

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked about Homecoming and Kerstyn responded that is was sold out and so much fun!

** WIN WIN EVERYDAY  is a fundraising project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA.  When you support our "Everyday Partners" - Alpha Cleaners, Golden Baked Hams, ToGO's, Subway, Supercuts, and Latte Da Bagelry & Grill by going to our web site at: http://www.winwinwednesdays.com/ and clicking on the names of the businesses to download their fliers to take to these businesses when you purchase services or food from them, they will donate a portion of their proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. This all year long fund raising effort helps Laguna Hills High School PTSA 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!


PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Sam Castillo, Laguna Hills Resident for 36 years pointed out that the City says it is short on funds for new and existing landscape but he noted the expensive yearly tree trimming of the about 15 Eucalyptus trees along Alicia with the big trucks and lift equipment, etc. and asked why the City spends all this money on these Eucalyptus trees that provide so little shade and so much litter.  He suggested removing these useless trees to save money.
Ken Rosenfield, Public Services Director, agreed that these Eucalyptus trees are the wrong species of trees for that slope and said these trees are being removed at the rate of about 3 trees per year so that there is not a massive change all at once.


CONSENT CALENDAR and WARRANT REGISTER

Item 3.3 - Warrant Register  - $936,746.43
** Items of Interest from the Warrant Register: None
** Items of Interest from the Consent Calendar: None

Item 3.4 - APPLICATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP PROGRAM, LA PAZ ROAD WIDENING AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL SYNCHRONIZATION PROGRAM TO THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY FOR MEASURE M2 FUNDING

SUMMARY: The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) issued a Call for Projects. Staff proposes to submit an application through the Measure M2 Environmental Cleanup Program Grant Program for water quality improvements on Cabot Road and to support other agency’s applications for regional Traffic Signal Synchronization projects along La Paz Road, El Toro Road and Moulton Parkway. The City previously submitted, and staff recommends the resubmittal of, a funding application for La Paz Road Widening. It is recommended that the City Council approve the proposed project submittals and Resolutions. 

Under the 2014 Measure M2 Call for Projects, approximately $35 million is available across Orange County for streets and roads improvements on a competitive basis. Staff has renewed an application for La Paz Road widening from McIntyre Street to Cabot Road.  Staff is proposing to start on this project by seeking funding for only environmental clearance, design, and right-of-way acquisition. Construction funding of the project would be sought in the future. The project includes the addition of a third easterly bound lane on La Paz Road between McIntyre Street and Cabot Road. The Cities of Laguna Woods and Mission Viejo are submitting funding applications to OCTA that include signals in the City of Laguna Hills for the Moulton Parkway Traffic Signal Synchronization Project.

Under another Measure M2 call for projects, staff has prepared an application for the Cabot Road Bio Swale Project, a water quality project on the east side of Cabot Road south of La Paz Road; on the southern parcel of Cabot Town Center. The proposed project includes the construction of bio swales to reduce pollutant loads from urban runoff within the San Juan Creek Watershed. Dry weather runoff from residential, commercial and public streets will be treated in the bio swales before discharging into the storm drain which eventually drains to the Pacific Ocean.

FISCAL IMPACT - If the projects are selected for funding, next year, amendments to the Capital Improvement Program Budget will be required. A twenty-five (25) percent City match is required for the La Paz Road Widening Project. The La Paz Road Widening Project has an estimated cost for environmental clearance, design, and right-of-way acquisition of approximately $620,000, requiring a match of $155,000. For the La Paz Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Project, the City of Laguna Hills’ share is estimated to be $20,000 and for the Moulton Parkway and El Toro Road Traffic Signal Synchronization Projects, the City of Laguna Hills’ share is estimated to be $10,000. For the Cabot Road Bio Swale project, a thirty (30) percent City match is required. The total project cost is approximately $251,000.

VOTE - Consent Calendar passed unanimously

** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion - None
** Items pulled from the Warrant Register for discussion - None


CITY COUNCIL/PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Item 4.5.1 - AT&T Wireless has filed an application to modify and expand an existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Parkway. The site is located on a Southern California Edison (SCE) utility easement on property owned by the City of Laguna Hills. The proposal includes increasing the number of panel antennas from three to nine and adding an additional 80 square feet onto the existing equipment enclosure. The purpose of this installation is to enhance AT&T’s network in this area, as AT&T moves to 4th generation LTE technology. The Applicant proposes to remove the existing three panel antennas (1 per sector, 3 sectors), and replace them with nine new panel antennas.  The antennas are 6 feet tall, mounted approximately 27 feet above the base of the 144-foot tall tower.

Staff has reviewed the Development Code requirements as well as General Plan issues, goals, and strategies, and has determined that the proposed project, subject to conditions of approval, will not result in any significant adverse impacts to the public health, safety, and general welfare. The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act. Because of the increase in number of antennas, the applicant has provided an Electromagnetic Energy study prepared and certified by a licensed engineer. The EME study shows that with the proposed changes, the site will remain in compliance with all Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rules and regulations.
Staff Recommendation - Conduct a Public Hearing and Approve.

This item was presented by David Chantarangsu, Community Development Director who noted that the City receives about $26,000 annually for this site and can expect an additional $8,000 annually after the installation of the additional antennas and amplifiers.  David also mentioned that the current equipment enclosure on the ground is difficult to see due to the landscape.  He added that there will be a wrought iron enclosure around the new expanded equipment enclosure to assist with guarding against graffiti and all of this will be coming back to the council for final approval.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  Hayley Peck from AT&T asked for any questions from the council and advised Council Member Carruth that she could not approve the additional landscape request herself, so must take that back to AT&T.
A total of 65 public hearing notices were mailed to surrounding property owners within a 300-foot radius of the subject site. As of this writing, staff has not received any comments.
There were NO PUBLIC COMMENTS at this PUBLIC HEARING from Residents of Laguna Hills.

Council Member Carruth asked 3 times about additional landscape to hide the equipment enclosure on the ground that will be expanded and she asked that the wrought iron enclosure be painted a sand color.  Council Member Carruth was advised 3 times by City Attorney Greg Simonian that she needed to wait until this issue comes back to the City for final approval for further discussion regarding the landscape.  He advised that the representative from AT&T that is here tonight has said she cannot agree to additional landscape and must take this back to AT&T, we don't know if there is irrigation to that area, and it is enough that we have given direction for additional landscaping on the record.
VOTE - 5 - 0 to Approve a modification and expansion of this existing Communications facility.


Item 4.5.2 - Request for a Conditional Use Permit by Terri Dickerhoff, on behalf of CorePower Yoga, Terri is requesting approval to operate a 3,600 square foot yoga studio on Lake Forest Dr. and allow for modified parking standards at 23052 Lake Forest Drive, Suite C-1, in the Mixed Use (MXU) zoning district. A health club use is permitted within the MXU zone, subject to approval of a site development permit. A conditional use permit/parking use permit is also being requested in order to allow for modified parking standards to be applied to address a theoretical parking deficiency. Staff has reviewed the Applicant’s proposal and found that it is consistent with the General Plan’s goals and strategies and with the City’s Development Code (“Code”). In order to approve the proposed project, the City must generally find that the proposed use is appropriate for the subject site and that it will not adversely affect adjacent uses, buildings, or structures.
Staff Recommendation - Conduct a Public Hearing and Approve
David Chatarangsu, Community Development Director presented this item.

Council Member Bressette asked several questions regarding adequacy of parking and was assured that the shared parking would be sufficient and there is a condition for a 30 minute window of time between classes to assist with parking.

Council Member Carruth asked how the parking issue relates to people who have finished their Yoga class but frequent other businesses in the center so don't leave their parking space.  She asked is this is just a suggestion to management that they try to prevent parking issues?

Chantarangsu answered this does not mean that just because people are finished with their Yoga Class they have to leave their parking space. It is a request of the facility to provide a gap between classes to provide people the opportunity to free up parking spaces.

PUBLIC COMMENTS : A total of 46 public hearing notices were mailed to surrounding property owners within a 300’ radius of the subject site. To date, no comments have been received.
Terri Dickerhoff, the applicant, spoke and said this is "Hot Yoga" and these studios are fast growing.  There are 8 of these Yoga Studios open right now with several other of these studios in Orange County with 4 more to come by Feb. 2014.  She added that they like that 30 minute buffer of time between classes so people can shower, etc. 
There were NO PUBLIC COMMENTS at this PUBLIC HEARING from Residents of Laguna Hills.

Council Member Gilbert asked How Hot Does It Get?  Terri Dickerhoff answered not hot enough for a heart attack.  (everyone laughed)

Mayor Kogerman commented that she assumes the clients are mellowed out when they've showered so won't be rabid about their parking spaces.  (continued laughter)  Kogerman welcomed the new business and said she was glad they chose our City. 
VOTE - 5-0 to Approve the operation a 3,600 square foot yoga studio on Lake Forest Dr.


Item 4.5.3 - Request for a Conditional Use Permit by Aaron Rosen on behalf of Doctor’s Ambulance to establish an ambulance substation in the La Paz Village Shopping Center at 25260 La Paz Rd., Suite 4A, in the City’s Community Commercial zoning district. The center is developed with a mix of retail, service and restaurant uses bordering a residential neighborhood. Conditions of approval have been added to address potential issues regarding noise, parking, and compatibility with the center and nearby residences.   David Chatarangsu, Community Development Director presented this item and noted that the Doctor's Ambulance Service had been at this location and opertaing from this location since 1990 but was asked by the City  to re-apply after the remodel of this shopping center - there was no reason given for this re-application request?  Chantarangsu said they have an ambulance crew at this location 24/7 and 2 EMTs and 90% of their service is for Laguna Hills.  He also noted that their call history was about one call every other day, and they limit the use of their siren until they are on La Paz RD. and during their 20 plus years at this location the City has received no complaints.
Staff Recommendation - Conduct a public Hearing and Approve

Council Member Bressette had questions about ingress and egress and suggested that the City add a condition to limit the use of the siren until on they are on La Paz Rd. 
Council Member Carruth asked how often they serve Mission Viejo or other cities, did staff encourage this business to look at other industrial parks and later asked these same questions of the applicant, Mr. Rosen.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: A total of 58 public hearing notices were mailed to surrounding property owners within a 300’ radius of the subject site. To date, no comments have been received.
Mr. Rosen from Doctor's Ambulance Service said They have been in this location, with their ambulance, since 1990, but with the remodel of the shopping Center they were asked by the City to re-apply for this use. They have other sub stations, in different areas, and do serve other cities if that is required but has no records with him of the frequency of service to other cities.  In answer to a question from Mayor Kogerman he said have received no complaints from neighbors about the sirens in the 23 years they have been at this location. He added that safety is their number one priority.
There were NO PUBLIC COMMENTS at this PUBLIC HEARING from Residents of Laguna Hills

Council Member Carruth concluded she would vote against this because there are valid reasons why these types of businesses are not approved for use in a neighborhood center, without a conditional use permit, so she didn't think it was compatable and she thought there was a chance of expansion
Mayor Pro-Tem Blount thanked the applicant for being very prepared and for his very direct answers and said given the nature of his business he appreciated it.
VOTE - 4 to 1 in favor of this business remaining in the same location they have inhabited for 20+ years with no complaints from residents.  The NO VOTE was from Council Member Carruth.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS- None


ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS -

Item 6.1.1 - 2nd Amendment to the Amended OC Fire Authority Joint Powers Authority Agreement related to Equity Issues.
On September 26, 2013, the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) Board of Directors approved the proposed Second Amendment to address on-going equity concerns raised by the City of Irvine. In March 2012, the City of Irvine initiated efforts to explore and develop equity mitigation options, which could possibly be implemented in the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Agreement in return for remaining in the OCFA until 2030. According to State Law and pursuant to the Joint Powers statutes, member agencies are authorized to provide the methods of the provision of Fire Services, including the method of financing the provision of Fire Services. Approval by two-thirds or 16 of the 24 member agencies is required for the proposed amendment to become effective. The proposed amendment is included as an attachment to this staff report.
Staff Recommendation - Approve

City Manager Channing explained this issue stating this is a request to support a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that results in providing Fire Services to 23 Public Agencies in Orange County including the County's unincorporated areas.  He said this can be viewed in 2 ways.  One is as a complex issue related to how it affects the JPA and if it can be viewed as a reasonable solution. The other is a simple question of how important do you believe it is to keep the City of Irvine as a member of the Orange County Fire Authority?  Equity refers to the amount of funds each Cash Contract or Structural Fire Fund member provides to the OCFA measured against a reasonable relationship to the cost of services rendered.

Background is the Fire Authority was established in 1995 with 18 cities or so plus the County and has grown over time adding more cities to the (JPA)  Joint Powers Authority. The mutual powers of all the entities involved allow the Authority to provide the service. The Members are either Structural Fire Fund Members or a Cash Contract Members.  Structural Fire Fund Members, as the City of Laguna Hills is, are those who have a portion of their 1% basic levy property tax allocated directly to the County, and then conveyed to the Fire Authority for the purpose of providing fire services. Cash Contract Cities are those who literally write a check on a monthly or quarterly basis for the services that they receive. All members of the Fire Authority are committed, at this point, to a long term agreement established in 2010 which resulted in participation be committed until at least 2020, but preferably to 2030.

Irvine is a Structural Fire Fund Member and a couple of years back, came to the Authority and said that the amount of money they are contributing is disproportionately large as it related to other Structural Fire Fund Member Cities. They said the imbalance between how much they contribute and the actual cost of services they receive was such that they had strong objections to being such a donor city and they were looking for a resolution that would satisfy them in the form of getting compensation back from the Authority sufficient enough to where they believed they wanted to remain a part of the JPA.  That was effectively the threat that was presented in an objective way in that they thought they had little choice but to either insist on a resolution that was acceptable to them and the other members or seriously consider exercising their option in 2018 to give notice to leave.  So the Fire Authority established an Equity Work Group about 18 months ago to study the question and see if there was an equitable solution to keep all the parties happy.

Channing added that among the Structural Fire Fund Member Cities the percentage of that 1% General Tax levy that goes into the Authority varies by city, so we don't all have exactly the same rate and for Laguna Hills the rate is 10.35%. The average amount from the Structural Fire Fund Member Cities, if you take total 1% levy divided by the total taxes collected it would be 11.56%.  Irvine is above that at 20.42%, so if you combine the fact that their rate is higher than the average and the fact that Irvine has a very high priority throughout as a relatively new city with most of the City developed post Proposition 13, so the establishment of their assessed values and their rate against that assessed value is higher than some of the older cities, the consequence is they contribute a substantial sum of money that exceeds by $4 or 5 million a year what their obligation would be if they paid the average not to mention the difference between what it actually costs for the services.  In addition to the City of Irvine, Laguna Woods, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Juan Capistrano and the County of Orange have higher Structural Fire Fund rates than the average rate of 11.56%. These cities are expected to generate additional funds in unrestricted revenues.

Channing declared that this was a tremendous effort by the Equity Work Group being that the principle methodology for receiving the money to pay for services is inequitable in every respect. He noted that the same to houses in the same city of the same value could by paying disproportionately amounts of property tax but are getting the same service. He said there were 3 questions: 
1. How to remunerate Irvine for their excess payments without giving them money that is supposed to be used for fire services. 
2. How to treat everybody in a way that's fair to all member agencies. 
3. Can you do all this and still have the confidence that the Fire Authority will operate successfully.

Channing concluded he believes that they arrived at a reasonable solution driven by a belief that it was important to keep Irvine, that is the largest agency, in the Fire Authority Agency. This resulting amendment requires at least 16 members of the Authority to approve. If it is approved it will then go to court and asking a court to review this contract and validate that it's technically and legally fair.

Proposed Solution- Second Amendment to Amended JPA from online Staff Report

Key terms in the proposed amendment to the Joint Powers Authority (JPA) agreement include:
· Structural Fire Fund member agencies contributing more than the average share of the 1% property tax to OCFA will be eligible for equity payments.
· Eligibility for equity payments will be determined annually, based on a
prescribed mathematical formula.
· The City of Irvine may receive additional equity payments if the amount of property tax revenue that OCFA receives from Irvine grows in excess of 3.5% annually.
· For all agencies except Irvine, a five-year phase-in period will apply for
the value of equity payments, in order to ease the impact on OCFA’s
annual budget.
· Equity payments will be issued by OCFA using unrestricted revenue
sources.
· Structural Fire Fund members and Cash Contract members not eligible for equity payments shall not be required to pay additional contributions to OCFA as a result of the equity payments.
· Irvine must commit to remain with OCFA through 2030 and not elect to
withdraw from the Authority in 2020.
In addition to approving the above terms in the form of the Second Amendment, the OCFA Board of Directors approved two additional actions at its September 26, 2013 meeting:
1. Direct staff to pursue the delivery of in-kind services for agencies impacted by the five-year phase-in.
2. Authorize staff and General Counsel to commence a validation in the
Orange County Superior Court to obtain a judicial declaration of the validity of the Second Amendment.

FISCAL IMPACT:  In the short term, staff does not foresee any fiscal impact, and in the long term, does not anticipate any material financial benefit to the City.

Mayor Pro-Tem Blount asked the big question - "Given this amendment, will Irvine be happy?"  Channing responded, Yes, and as a result of the commitment will stay in the Authority until 2030.  Channing also responded to a question from Mayor Kogerman by stating that there are 3 or 4 others including the County who find themselves in the same condition as Irvine, so they too have the potential in the future to benefit from a rebate in revenue but theirs will take a period of 5 years to implement where Irvine's will begin on the effective date.
Council Member Bressette contributed that every member of the Authority will be happy with this agreement.  He added that Irvine is important monetarily and geographically. 
VOTE - The Amendment to the Amended OC Fire Authority Joint Powers Authority Agreement related to Equity Issues passed 5 - 0.


Item 6.2.1 - 2013 VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

SUMMARY: At the July 9, 2013, City Council meeting, Mayor Kogerman requested that the City of Laguna Hills spear-head, along with other cities in South Orange County, the coordinating and encouraging of everyone to pause on Veteran’s Day, the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans. Mayor Kogerman also requested that staff bring back a Proclamation to the City Council in observance of Veterans Day. On October 15, 2013, Mayor Kogerman, sent a letter and sample proclamation to all South Orange County Mayors encouraging them to issue a Proclamation, disseminate its message to all residents, business owners, and organizations within their City, and to encourage participation in the two-minute observance on November 11th at 11:11 AM.
Staff Recommendation - Adopt a Proclamation in Observance of Veterans Day 2013

City Clerk, Peggy Johns presented this item as noted above.  Mayor Kogerman said that at the dedication of the 5th Marines Memorial last Spring, General Kelly spoke about Remembrance Day in Britain and 11 -11- 11 refers to when the last shot was fired in WW I.  The Tradition in England is today, and used to be in this country, that everyone paused on Veteran’s Day, the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans. She said that all Veterans wear their uniforms or medals and ribbons on this day as well and hoped that would happen here.

Council Member Carruth thanked Mayor Kogerman for this and said any attempt to heighten awareness of our Veterans is welcome.
Council Member Dore Gilbert said he thought this was a great, moving proclamation to honor the Veterans, and spouses, sons and daughters.  
 VOTE was in favor of this Veterans Day Observance 5 - 0.


MATTERS AGENDIZED AND PRESENTED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND MAYOR

Item 7.1.1 -  COUNCIL MEMBER CARRUTH  - CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF RIDGE ROUTE DRIVE RIGHT-OF-WAY UTILIZATION AS PUBLIC TRAIL ACCESS TO LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK

Ridge Route Drive is no longer included in the Orange County Master Plan of Arterial Highways which creates an opportunity for Laguna Hills to access the urban coastal park system. Opening up Ridge Route Drive as a trailhead would provide Laguna Hills residents with a scenic view of Orange County's rugged, natural terrain and promote the public enjoyment of a County.
FISCAL IMPACT: It is estimated that the impact to the Operating Budget for annual landscape maintenance will cost $3,000, and annual utility costs of $2,000.

STAFF RECOMMENDATION - THAT THE CITY COUNCIL DIRECT STAFF TO:
(1) OUTLINE THE PROCEDURE FOR FACILITATING PUBLIC ACCESS FROM RIDGE ROUTE DRIVE INTO THE LAGUNA COAST WILDERNESS PARK;
(2) COMMENCE COMMUNICATION WITH OC PARKS COUNTY OF ORANGE, CITY OF IRVINE, THE IRVINE COMPANY, LAGUNA CANYON FOUNDATION, LAGUNA WOODS AND THE LAGUNA TERRACE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION;
(3) DETERMINE WHAT COSTS TO THE CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS MIGHT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF A TRAILHEAD AT RIDGE ROUTE DRIVE AND/OR COMMUNITY GARDEN OPTION; AND
(4) CONSIDER AMENDING THE BUDGET AND ALLOCATE FUNDING.

Council Member Carruth repeated the information above about the previous obstacles to a trailhead for Laguna Hills and added that she worked with the Irvine Company and they will not be building houses right next to Laguna Hills in the trailhead area and the numbers of houses that will be built has been decreased from about 700 to about 300. She said that Laguna Woods is committed to assuring the open space near their City and built a trailhead called "Woods End" at Aliso Creek and El Toro Rd. at what she was told was a reasonable cost. (she gave no numbers for that cost.) She spoke at length describing the maps she placed online in the City's web site under this agenda item but had no overhead pictures for the audience to view. She said Mr. Greenough has worked very hard on securing a beautiful set of photographs into a Laguna Canyon wilderness area and from these photographs, you could see why you would want to pursue a trailhead, but those photos were not visible to the audience at the council meeting or online.  She concluded that this area has the potential to become a window to the wild including a natural lake and added, it should be really important to all of us to create an access to this that would be easier for our residents.
Mayor Kogerman acknowledged that only the city council members had the photos for this area but the public could not see them and asked how they could be placed into the official record. 
**Editor's Note - These photos also were not on the City web site under this agenda item, so there was and is no chance for them to be seen by the public unless the public goes to the front desk at City Hall and asks to see them. If you are interested in this project you might want to do that.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: 
Mr. Bob Greenough, Laguna Hills Resident thanked the council and referred to the photos. He added that there are educational and hiking opportunities here for schools and for people wanting to hike all the way to the ocean. He asked that the council follow up with talking to the other agencies involved to find out if this is something we can or cannot do.  He said that he showed an Eagle Scout project in the package for this item. (The Eagle Scout project was not included by the City in the online information under this agenda item?) but there was a letter from Mr. Greenough online that said:I am requesting that you pursue the necessary action required to establish a trailhead gateway to be developed just past the intersection of Santa Victtoria Drive and the end of Ridge Route Drive located in North Laguna Hills. The quality of life is a priority to the residents in the City of Laguna Hills, and establishing a trailhead to the open wilderness area that is attached to the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park would provide an opportunity for Laguna Hills Residents to explore this open area without driving to an alternate location. Any North Laguna Hills wilderness hiking activity currently requires driving a car outside the City of Laguna Hills to an alternate entrance, in another location. As a supporter of several community outdoor activities as well as City improvement projects, I believe that the addition of a trailhead at the end of Ridge Route would encourage healthy living, improve the quality of city life, and become a big hit to any business wanting to relocate and support their employees in our community. Additionally, the proposed Ridge Route gateway could be the beginning of a North Laguna Hills Hiking trail to other adjoining trails, as well as, a continued trail to the Pacific Ocean. There is no other Land Locked City in Southern California, that I know of, who has this feature. I believe that a significant majority of the near 31,000 Laguna Hills residents will support your leadership to pursue this request, and then they will enjoy this hiking trail. Thank you for your consideration.

Motion - Mayor Kogerman stated this is an option for a motion to be made to Explore Options related to the true costs which may include parking lot, signage, etc. Improvements/Options to be presented after exploration.

Council Member Carruth said, Correct, I wouldn't be real specific, just invision a path in the area and a corridor at the end similar to what was done by Laguna Woods at their trailhead, "Woods End".

Council Member Gilbert asked, "Is the projected cost $800,000?"

**Editor's Note **ADDITIONAL FISCAL IMPACT ** Listed online on the City web site under this Agenda Item on page 6 of the 3rd exhibit, regarding this item, is a page that states:
ct Costs and Project Funding:
Future - Total
ng/Design - $75,000
/Inspection - 50,000
uction - $675,000
Cost - $800,000
** Editor's Note - This cost information is what Council Member Gilbert is referring to and we're glad to see that he read the entire report and found it. Many of the letters on the left side of the document are cut off (as illustrated here) but the potential costs numbers are clear. We also were surprised to see this page because the information here is so different from the Fiscal Impact statement printed at the beginning of the item - (FISCAL IMPACT: It is estimated that the impact to the Operating Budget for annual landscape maintenance will cost $3,000, and annual utility costs of $2,000.)

Council Member Carruth answered Council Member Gilbert -  If you were to ask Mr. Rosenfield (Director of Public Services for Laguna Hills) that would be his number but he would look at it differently than I would. She said she would like to follow the example of Laguna Woods which is extremely simple.

Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services, responded this is a wide open canvas of what could be done. The dollar amount that we have for building and access road and landscaping and any number of other improvements could be more than that figure or substantially less. He aqdded that we would need to develop this piece of land consistent with it's "Public Right of Way" designation.  He suggested deferring further discussion of costs until more information is available.
Council Member Carruth said she would volunteer to delete the item from her motion that states - "4) CONSIDER AMENDING THE BUDGET AND ALLOCATE FUNDING" if that makes the council more comfortable.

Council Member Bressette asked how large this piece of land is, referring to the strip of Laguna Hills land to be considered the gateway. No one knew the answer to this question.  Council Member Bressette continued, the council already made their choices of projects for this budget and although this is something he'd like to do, this was not as important as the projects selected earlier this year when they were prioritized.  He said he suspected that this was a quarter million dollar project. There is already access available to Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in a short drive or hike from Laguna Hills. He added this will take a substantial amount of staff time that we don't have plus you have to consider parking and traffic impact as well the environmental impact.

Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services in response to a question from Mayor Kogerman said $7 to $10 million is needed for trails and much more for the open spaces in the City.

Council Member Carruth responded that we need to look at North Laguna Hills that has no real trail connections like the rest of LH does. We need to pay attention to North Laguna Hills and look to see if we can get some grant funds, and/or partners to cooperate on this. 
Council Member Bressette - Agreed this is a great area just not today. He said, we need to follow our Master Plan.  There is trail in North Laguna Hills and a creek and a wilderness area. 
Mayor Kogerman - she would like to see us just explore this as she asked us to do last week with the backlog of landscape. 
Council Member Bressette said this is a substantially bigger, more expensive exploration than Kogerman's project.
City Manager Channing contributed that the cost for staff time to look into this should only be a few thousand dollars.
Council Member Carruth said she has already met with some of  the people involved to get information.
Council Mamber Bressette said okay based upon Channing's estimate of a few thousand dollars. 
VOTE was 5 - 0 in favor of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead.


CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS:

Mayor Kogerman said she attended the Kids Konnected Gala, an educational outreach program, from the South Coast Symphony in Laguna Hills, to benefit the youth of Orange County through concerts free of charge to 4th grade students and their teachers including bussing to and from the concerts.  Kogerman said she re-presented the Certificate of Appreciation from the City of Laguna Hills and the South Coast Symphony as well as other organizations recognized in the Chambers are so appreciative of the recognition they have received through the City.  She added that the City needs to do more in recognizing groups within the City. She said she also participated in the Walk Against Drugs last week.

Mayor Kogerman announced that she applied for the Orange County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) position that was vacated when Council Member Peter Herzog left the Lake Forest City Council recently and she asked for support from the Laguna Hills Council Members.-
LAFCO, Orange County CA's Mission Statement - "LAFCO serves the citizens of Orange County by facilitating constructive changes in governmental structure and boundaries through special studies, programs, and actions that resolve intergovernmental issues, by fostering orderly development and governance, and by promoting the efficient delivery of services. LAFCO also serves as a resource for local governments and citizens by providing a structure for sharing information among stakeholders in Orange County."  http://oclafco.org/

Mayor Kogerman mentioned Vector Control has identified 829 neglected and/or dry pools in the County. She urged reporting of dry pools to Vector Control. 48 cases of West Nile Virus and 11 cases of Typhus reported this year. If bit by a mosquito you can get a blood test to determine if you acquired West Nile.

Councill Member Carruth said she attended the Lewis Moulton Family Event in Aliso Viejo.  A Moulton Granddaughter, Jane Barnes said she will come to Laguna Hills City Hall to see the exhibit on Nellie Gail Moulton. A woman at the event was dressed as Nellie Gail Moulton and told stories from history.

Council Member Bressette said he is very pleased about the Resolution honoring Veterans and asked about making a duplicate of that and hanging it at the Community Center and forwarding a copy to the CA. Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Chairman of the CA. Veteran's Board and to all of the CA Veteran's Homes.  He also asked about dedicating a wall in the Community Center for Proclamations from and awards for the City over the years.


The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday, November 12, 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 for Approval for AT&T Wireless to modify and expand the existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy. because basically we have learned over time that we have little to no choice in these matters.
P -  for Vote for Approval for CorePower Yoga facility on Lake Forest Dr.
P -  for Vote for Approval for Doctor's Ambulance be allowed to remain in the location they have inhabited for 20 plus years with no complaints from residents to date.
P - Vote for Approval of work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority. 
P- for Vote for Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
P - for VOTE for Approval of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead

Bressette
P - for vote for Approval for AT&T Wireless to modify and expand the existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy. because basically we have learned over time that we have little to no choice in these matters.
P -  for Vote for Approval for CorePower Yoga facility on Lake Forest Dr.
P -  for Vote for Approval for Doctor's Ambulance be allowed to remain in the location they have inhabited for 20 plus years with no complaints from residents to date.
P - Vote for Approval of work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority. 
P- for Vote for Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
P - for VOTE for Approval of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead

Carruth
A - for the introduction of a Citizen Friendly Item of the exploration of the cost for a Trailhead and getting it passed. We could not give this item the full A+ due to lack of visibility for the public of the photos of the area in question at the council meeting and online.  
P - for vote for Approval for AT&T Wireless to modify and expand the existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy. because basically we have learned over time that we have little to no choice in these matters.
P -  for Vote for Approval for CorePower Yoga facility on Lake Forest Dr.
F - for Vote Against approval for Doctor's Ambulance be allowed to remain in the location they have inhabited for 20 plus years with no complaints from residents to date.
P - Vote for Approval of work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority. 
P- for Vote for Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
P - for VOTE for Approval of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead

Gilbert
P - for vote for Approval for AT&T Wireless to modify and expand the existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy. because basically we have learned over time that we have little to no choice in these matters.
P -  for Vote for Approval for CorePower Yoga facility on Lake Forest Dr.
P -  for Vote for Approval for Doctor's Ambulance be allowed to remain in the location they have inhabited for 20 plus years with no complaints from residents to date.
P - Vote for Approval of work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority. 
P- for Vote for Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
P - for VOTE for Approval of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead

Kogerman
A+ for introducing the Citizen Friendly item of Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans and getting it passed.
P - for vote for Approval for AT&T Wireless to modify and expand the existing communications facility at 26680 Alicia Pkwy. because basically we have learned over time that we have little to no choice in these matters.
P -  for Vote for Approval for CorePower Yoga facility on Lake Forest Dr.
P -  for Vote for Approval for Doctor's Ambulance be allowed to remain in the location they have inhabited for 20 plus years with no complaints from residents to date.
P - Vote for Approval of work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority. 
P- for Vote for Approval of the Veteran's Day Observance on the eleventh day, at the eleventh hour, and eleventh minute, for a two-minute remembrance to honor all Veterans.
P - for VOTE for Approval of just the exploration of the cost for a trailhead

City Manager
A - for report and work done to address the Equity Issues in the Orange County Fire Authority.


** INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers since the last council meeting: 
About: The COST TO LAGUNA HILLS RESIDENTS FOR SERVICE AT THE ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

Anonymous said...

At the time of the news story about the dog dumping from citizens of Rancho Santa Margarita I suspected that the county would charge the city of Laguna Hills.

The county seemed very negligent in the entire incident as the responsible parties appeared to be running an illegal breeding business in a city serviced by the county.

Of course it is easier to bill Laguna Hills rather than look through the Penny Saver and on Craig's list for puppies for sale in the OC and take a bite out of these cruel and costly illegal backyard businesses.

The city of Laguna Hills is exposing itself to unknown and uncertain future billings from the county with no control over any future financial burdens if Laguna Hills accepts this bill without dispute.

Rather than follow through immediately with liens, etc, on the perpetrators, the county is hitting the citizens of Laguna Hills with the bill for this crime.

Again, why should the city of Laguna Hills be paying this bill? This was not just a homeless dog dumped in our city. It was 29 dogs identified in the news as being from the city of RSM. If the county wants a city to pay, it should be RSM for not policing their neighborhoods better. There is a reason that the pet limit is 3 per household. All those dogs at one house creates waste issues.


** 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 gently used dresses collection for the Marine Corps Birthday Ball was a huge success thanks to all of you who advertised for us, who donated your dresses and to Teresa Bonutto who collected the dresses and took them to Camp Pendleton.  There were about 200 dresses collected and the ladies at the Birthday Ball looked and felt glamorous in them.  It was a wonderful occasion for all who attended!!!

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."

Corporal Haggerty said:  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.

www.PUBLICCEO.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/
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 REPORT for 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 highlights 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.