Laguna Hills Watch Dog

2012-02-16T18:32:00.000-08:00

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
Laguna Hills City Council Meeting, February 14, 2012

Features Directory

**Special Announcements - You can now see and hear City Council Meetings on the City's Web Site, CONTACT LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

**Citizen Alerts for future City Council Meetings will be listed on the blog site within 4 days prior to a meeting - Consider attending a meeting that interests you.

** Presentations and Proclamations - Laguna Hills High School PTSA - "Every 15 Minutes" program on drunk driving with request for some additional funding.
** Public Comments - City's Adopted Marines Update and the City's Memorial Day Event, Toxic plants near Valencia Elem. School and possible air quality problems at the Valencia School Playground and the Community Center Sports Field.
** LHHS Student Liaison Report by Jeena Bonutto - Updates on LHHS activities
** Consent Calendar - Warrant Register - $296,583.43
** Items Pulled from the Warrant Register - $1250.00 for Coyote Control Program,
** Items of interest in the Consent Calendar - 2nd Quarter Financial Treasurer's Report, No Parking Anytime Zones at Plaza Pointe Dr., No Parking Anytime Zone on Santa Vittoria Dr. and Caminito Cruz, Employer-Employee Relations Resolution, Community Bulletin Board at the Community Center
** Items pulled from the Consent Calendar for discussion - Community Bulletin Board at the Community Center
** Public Improvement Corporation - Annual Election of Officers but the council failed to publicly announce who they elected as officers this year?
** City Council Public Hearings - Mandeville Dr. Permit Parking Zone
** Matters Agendized and Presented by Council Members - California Forward Ballot Measure - "The Government Performance and Accountability Act" - Opinion Presented by Council Member Songstad.
** City Council Member Comments - They didn't get a chance to comment this time?
** Closed Session - Another session with labor negotiator regarding Terms and Conditions of the City Manager's Employment Agreement, litigation conference, Real property negotiation conference re. sale of City property on La Paz and Moulton
* City Council Members Report Card - How did they score?
* Information, Comments, Questions, Concerns from LH Watch Dog Readers from the previous post including Win-Win-Wednesday - download restaurant flyers from LHHS web site for now + Comments on many subjects
* How to support our 3/5 Adopted Marines and Updates -
* News Stories and Blogs about Laguna Hills - find more in the OC Register online under "City-by-City News" - "Laguna Hills".
* City Council Members Say the Darndest Things in Public
* Crime in your Neighborhood
* Instructions for Writing a letter to the Editor of the OC Register Newspaper
2012 Candidates for City Council - It is an election year again for 2 of Laguna Hills City Council Members - Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleter. If you are interested in running for either of these council seats go to the City Web Site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ and click on "Interested in Running for City Council in 2012" on the Face Page for details.

All Council Members were present
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PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS - Presentation by Stefanie Yoshii, LHHS PTSA Chairperson and Karen Heffernan LHHS PTSA President and request for supplemental financial support for the Laguna Hills High School's "Every 15 Minutes" Pgrm. on the realities of drunk driving. They noted that this 2 day program is presented every 2 years and focuses on junior and senior high school students with the goal of reducing alcohol related driving incidents. It is funded in part by a grant from the State of CA. The LHHS PTSA is seeking reimbursement for related expenses that are not covered by the grant. In December of 2009 the City adopted Resolution # 2009-12-08-2 authorizing the expenditure of $2,500 for a public purpose as Community Assistance Funding.

Stefanie and Karen explained that 30 LHHS students are chosen to participate in this very realistic program as "living dead". On day 1 of the program the participating students are removed from classes one at a time by a Police Officer and the Grim Reaper, every 15 minutes, to illustrate the 1% that die from an alcohol related drunk driving incident. Everything is done as it would be done in at a real accident scene with emergency responders, paramedics and a coroner. Everything is video taped. No ocernight contact is allowed with or by the 30 "living dead" students and the next day the participating students face their own tombstones, in a temporary cemetery, and talk to the other students about how it felt to be suddenly dead without a chance to say goodbye. All discuss how they felt about seeing this and participating and about making good choices, being responsible and realizing they aren't invincible.
Staff Recommendation - Request for the City Council to provide staff with direction regarding a resolution for community assistance funding and the amount.
Vote - $2,500 was approved 5 - 0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Mike Bland, Chairman of the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines Support Group - Team Dark Horse, thanked the council for re-naming the Memorial Day Event to include the 3/5 Marines and announced that he had a meeting with Renegade Racing and Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent and David Reynolds, Community Services Director and Renegade Racing waived racing entry fees for 25 Marines to run in 2012 because they valued the Marine presence for the Memorial Day Event. Mike thanked Renegade and Dan and David for all their work and assistance. He also noted that they Team Dark Horse is contacting the County Fire Authority and the Police to see if anyone from their depts. would like to run in the event and is contacting local hotels asking for donated rooms for the Marines for the night prior to the event to allow them to participate early the next morning. He noted that the 3/5 has returned from training now and is presently scheduled to deploy to a ship in September of 2012.

William and Rebecca Frey, from Laguna Niguel spoke as grandparents about the highly toxic Oleander bushes planted across the street from Valencia Elem. School, on Paseo de Valencia, where children walking to school on a sidewalk rub up against them, pick the flowers and get the nectar from the plants on their hands. They noted Oleander plants can cause death if the nectar or plant parts are ingested. They presented documentation for the toxicity of the Oleander plant and requested that these plants be removed to protect the children. They also spoke about the air quality on the playground at Valencia that is so close to La Paz. They asked that sensors be installed on the playground to measure that air quality there to see if improvements need to be made. They noted that a similar problem exists at the Laguna Hills Community Center sports field related to the exhaust from all the vehicles on Alicia Pwky. that borders the field. They asked that the air quality there also be monitored to determine if there is a problem and that plants be added to protect children from the fumes. Mayor Carruth referred the Frey's to the School District for the problems at Valencia Elem. School.

Mayor Pre-Tem Lautenschleger said he wasn't sure how much of a pollution problem there was at the Community Center. He continued with, "The prevailing wind is always off the ocean blowing East so it's blowing from the soccer fields onto Alicia and across that way." He conculded that he doesn't believe it's a problem and doesn't know if it would be worthwhile to put monitors out there. He said he has refereed there for 8 years and no one has complained. Mrs. Frey pointed out that there are many cars backed up there with motors running and exhaust coming from the cars. Mayor Carruth said regarding the Community Center Soccer Field they would perhaps discuss this at a later time and said "from my perspective we have planted a lot of trees, a lot of shrubs to absorb the pollutants."

** Editor's note - Because we noted that the concerns of the Freys appeared to be less than fully addressed, in that the Freys were not referred to Ken Rosenfield Director of Public Services for follow up or more information, as is usually the case, we spoke with Mr. Frey and learned that the Frey's have 4 grandchildren living in Laguna Hills. We are also well aware of the dangers of Oleander so decided to some fact finding. On Feb. 16, we went to the sight of the Oleander shrubs and noted that they are planted next to a public sidewalk on what appears to be either City Property or property of the Vista Firenze Community as opposed to school property. There are other shrubs also planted in this area between the sidewalk and a wall, but there is a significant amount of Oleander planted in clumps of about 4 to 5 large bushes.

Next we went to the Laguna Hills Community Center and counted 20 trees planted about 16 feet apart in a planting strip next to the area of Alicia Parkway that borders the area where the sports field is located. These trees are about 12 feet tall and there 2 feet tall Raphiolepis bushes planted between the trees. The problem, related to any protection from exhaust fumes, is that these plantings are not primarily for screening but for decoration. The trees are currently leafless so there would be no protection at all from them in the Fall and Winter months. Also, the branches on these tree trunks begin at a height of 6 feet from the ground and the bushes beside the trees are pruned to 2 feet in height so there is always at least 4 feet x 16 feet of wide open space between each tree all along Alicia Pkwy. to allow exhaust to enter the area. We tested the wind direction and observed the flags in front of the Community Center and noted that on February 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm the wind was definitely blowing from the intersection of Alicia and Paseo de Valencia toward the sports field so that would appear to be from the South East to the North West as opposed to Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger's statement, "The prevailing wind is always off the ocean blowing East so it's blowing from the soccer fields onto Alicia and across that way."

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Jeena Bonutto, alternate Adam Wong. Jeena said the amazing SRO, Officer Gunsolley is conducting Kids and Technology classes for parents. She announced that the Win Win Wednesday is at Rubys for Feb. 15 and Baja Fresh for Feb. 22. A very important Western Association of Schools and Colleges lunch is scheduled for Sunday Feb. 26 at 4:30 pm. Winter Sports is going into CIF right now and everyone is doing awesome. The Wrestling Team just ran lead for the 26th year in a row and the Girls Basketball, in which Jeena plays, won the lead for the 6th year in a row.

MINUTES - City Council Approves the Minutes of the previous City Council Meeting for publication on the city web site. The minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication until the next city council meeting so there is always a significant delay for the public related to timely documentation of information from the city.

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $296,583.43
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - $1250.00 for Coyote Control Program.
Items of interest from the Consent Calendar:

4.3 - 2nd Quarter Financial Treasurer's Report - Staff Report states, the City's total fund balance as of Dec. 31, 2011 was $9,278,112. Total cash and investments - listed as $8,684,944 as of 12/1/2011 which is a decrease from $1.9 million compared with the same period in 2010. You may see more detailed information on the City web site.

4.4 - Establishment of No Parking Anytime Zones at Plaza Pointe Dr. Staff Report states concerns were expressed regarding big rig truck parking along Plaza Pointe Dr. at points that increased traffic conflicts. On January 18, 2012 the City Traffic Commission approved staff recommendation for No Parking Anytime Zones on portions of Plaza Pointe Dr. between Avenida de la Carlota and South Pointe Dr. Fiscal Impact to the City is estimated to be about $2000 for the installation of 8 signs.

4.5 - Establishment of No Parking Anytime Zone on Santa Vittoria Dr. and Caminito Cruz - Staff Report states the City determined vehicles parked near the intersection inhibited stopping sight distance of 250 feet. The City Traffic Commission recommended on January 18, 2012 that a No Parking Anytime Zone be established on a portion of the west side of Santa Vittoria Dr. to maintain proper sight distance. Fiscal Impact to the City is estimated to be about $500 for the installation of 2 signs.

4.6 - Employer-Employee Relations Resolution - Staff Report states at the Nov. 22 2011 City Council Meeting the Council recognized the Laguna Hills City Employees Association as the exclusive representative of the City's full time and extended part time non-management and non-confidential employees. The adoption of Rules and Regulations followed in the form of an Employer-Employee Relations Resolution (EERR). Some of the changes requested by the Employee Assoc. and agreed to by management are reflected in the Staff Report regarding Procedural Rules including:
1. A maximum of 3 employee reps. will be allowed reasonable time off without loss of compensation when formally meeting with City representatives.
2. The removal of display material by the City Manager has been changed from obligatory to optional
3. Language in Sec. 16 has been modified to clarify original intent.
4. Section 16.C and D - Section 16.C has been modified and Section 16.D added to include mediation and fact finding in impasse procedures. Staff report says if is optional for the City to agree to mediation which is non-binding but Fact Finding is required by law. Once this is adopted the Association may decide to request a meeting on matters affecting wages, hours and working conditions which would ultimately lead to the adoption of an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). In the absence of an MOU the City's current salary and benefit structure will remain in effect until such time as changes are requested by either party.

4.7 - Community Bulletin Board at the Community Center - Staff report states staff has determined that a Community Bulletin Board is feasible as a "limited public forum." A community bulletin board has been requested several times at City Council Meetings by Meg Gorham for "Win-Win-Wednesday" that provides funding for LHHS PTSA projects through a popular program that provides a local and dedicated food establishment, every Wednesday, that will donate a portion of the price of the meals of people who dine at the restaurants and provide the restaurant with a flyer downloaded from the Win-Win-Wed. web site.
Fiscal Impact to the City is $0 if they can use a spare bulletin board from the City Clerk's dept. The maximum cost is predicted to be $3000 for a 4 x 6 ft. bulletin board that is glass encased and locked. The Parks and Recreation Commission approved the bulletin board at it's Feb 1, 2011 meeting.

Items pulled from the Consent Calendar - Warrant Register Item for Coyote Control and Item 4.7 - Community Bulletin Board, were pulled by Council Member Kogerman. The rest of the Consent Calendar was passed by a Vote of 5 - 0.

Council Member Kogerman noted that for the Coyote Control Program $1250.00 had been paid to the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA for splitting the cost of their Coyote Control measures with the City and asked if any other HOAs had asked for this? She also asked if the Coyote situation was being monitored, if the maps were being kept and if there is an update on Coyote Activity related to how well they think the previous measures have worked, etc. City Manager Channing answered that this was a payment for services last November and letters were sent to all the HOAs advising them of the City's offer to assist with their Coyote Control Costs but no assistance was requested from other HOAs. Channing noted that Trapping was done in Nellie Gail and in North Laguna Hills with some success but added that there is no way to tell if this would lead to measurable changes in the Coyote behavior. He said they are maintaining a map now and will continue educating citizens.
Council Member Kogerman also thanked the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff for their solution to the Community Bulletin Board issue.
Vote - The Warrant Register and Item 4.7 from the Consent Calendar were passed 5 - 0.

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS - None

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION - "The PIC is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation whose primary purpose is to render financial assistance to the City." Although there was no announcement of officers at this meeting we know from last year that the new officer (Mayor Carruth) is elected as President replacing last year's Mayor. The other board members remain in place from year to year. In 2011 Council Member Kogerman called for a public explanation of the PIC Board and this is the explanation that was given. City Manager Bruce Channing stated, this board was created to assist the city with the financing of certain public improvements such as the construction of the Community Center and sports complex as well as the Civic Center improvements. Certificates of Participation that were issued in both cases operate through a Lease-back arrangement so the City had to have a 2nd entity to do that. The Public Improvement Corporation was created for that purpose. Every year that the Bonds are in place the PIC is required to meet so each year the minutes from the prior year are adopted and the new officers are elected. Council Member Bressette added that none of the members are compensated for serving on this Board and Council Member Kogerman noted there was also no compensation for serving on the Planning Agency.
Election of Officers - The Laguna Hills Public Improvement Corporation (PIC) is made up of City Council Members and the City Manager who serve as the Board of Directors and they meet annually on the second Tuesday of February. These people will serve "until the election and qualification of their successors as provided in Article 4, Section 2 of the bylaws". In
2010 the council re-named the City Manager, Bruce Channing as Vice President, Assist. City Manager Don White as Treasurer and City Clerk Peggy Johns as Secretary. In 2011 City Manager Bruce Channing continued as Vice President, the Assistant City Manager Don White continued asTreasurer, and the City Clerk Peggy Johns continued as Secretary. This year the council failed to announce what they did related to the election of officers?

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS:

7.2.1 - Mandeville Dr. Permit Parking Zone - Staff report states the purpose of this is the elimination of undesirable overflow parking from the adjacent multi-family Crestline Development from Moulton Pkwy. to a point 500 feet easterly on Mandeville Dr. Fiscal Impact to the City - About $750 for signage and the City would charge residents $15 per decal for a parking permit.
Staff Recommendation - City Council Receive and File the Report.

Ken Rosenfield, Director of Public Services and City Engineer explained that problem that this parking affected about 12 homes on either side of the first 500 ft. of Mandeville Dr. He said 58% of these residents voted for parking permits for their street and the City Standard requires 67%. He noted that eventually one more resident requested the permits so that raised the percent to 67% but if any resident changed his/her mind the percent would drop to 58 again and need to be brought back to the council so a decision was made against the permit parking for now.

Public Comments - Jacklyn Sprecher (sp?) from Mandeville Dr. said her household is not impacted and she doesn't really understand why this is needed because homeowners like her family will be impacted when then have a need to park their car on the street in front of their homes.

Council Member Kogerman read into the record a message received by the council from a resident that had not been previously noted. The message stated that parking is not a problem and more attention should be paid by the council to small business and creating jobs.

Vote - was 5-0 to receive and file this report/take no action.

MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS **These Items are authored by Council Members. The council member who authors an item also does the research for that item -
8.1.1 - California Forward Ballot Measure - "The Government Performance and Accountability Act". from Council Member Songstad - Report states - At this point it is not clear whether the Ballot Measure proponent, California Forward, will gather the required number of signatures to qualify this measure for the November 2012 ballot. The Government Performance and Accountability Act states that government must be: Trustworthy including that the Public Deserves Better Results From Government Services, Accountable for Results, Cost- Effective, Transparent, Focused on Results, Cooperative, Closer to the People, Supportive of Regional Job Generation, Willing to Listen, Thrifty and Prudent. You may view this 22 page document online on the City web site under city council agenda for Feb. 14, 2012.

A summary of the ballot measure in the staff report states: The Act's stated purpose is to bolster results and encourage local governments to work together. Once consistent theme is the State and local governments would be more efficient, effective and transparent through a budget process that examines progress toward program goals. The Act declares that "the shared purpose of the State and local governments is to promote a prosperous economy, a quality environment, and a community equity" through increasing employment, improving education, decreasing poverty, decreasing crime and improving health.

Council Member Songstad's comments could be summed up with his statement that this is good for the State Government but they didn't stop there. Songstad said he thought the analysis of this ballot measure done by Dan Carrigg was "pretty balanced". Included in the online reports for this item, Lobbyist Dan Carrigg says California Forward describes itself as "a nonpartisian, nonprofit organization working to bring government closer to the people." Songstad described it as an organization that is kind of a "think tank". Songstad said there are good things that deal with State Government here but not good for local government. He said the purpose that states - "the shared purpose of the State and local governments is to promote a prosperous economy, a quality environment, and a community equity" but does not define "community equity". It's goals are increasing employment, improving education, decreasing poverty, decreasing crime and improving health. He questioned some of these goals being the responsibility of City Government. Songstad stressed that related to cities working together to provide services more efficiently we already share one service, the Orange County Fire Authority, and also can share sales tax revenues if there is justification to do that. In answer to Council Member Kogerman's question Songstad stated there has been a decision made to gather signatures for this initiative to get it on the November ballot.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS - This meeting was ended by the Mayor before the council memebers had a chance to comment?

CLOSED SESSION – Another session with the Appointed Labor Negotiator with the City Manager related to Terms and conditions of the City Manager's employment. Conference with legal counsel re existing Litigation - Case of Laguna Hills vs Moreland Development Company and Conference with Real Property Negotiators related to a portion of the open space parces located at the couner or Moulton Pkwy. and La Paz Rd. 3.365 acres
The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday February 28, 7 pm, at City Hall. Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us ================================

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.

Bressette - P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar.

Carruth - P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar. F - Stated that there are plenty of plants to assist with air quality for children playing on the Community Center Soccer Field near Alicia without measuring the air quality or doing any fact finding.

Kogerman - P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar. A - For requesting a public report of progress of the Coyote Control Program for Citizens.

Lautenschleger - P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar. F - Stated he does not believe there is any danger for children playing on the sports field at the Community Center next to Alicia Pkwy. from automobile exhaust fumes without measuring air quality or doing any fact finding.

Songstad - P - Voted to pass the Community Bulletin Board for citizens and 2 parking area restrictions for the safety of citizens with the rest of the Consent Calendar. A - For authoring and presenting his political opinion for citizens on a possible ballot measure for 2012.

City Manager - Nothing to Report

INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers from the Previous Post:

WIN WIN Wednesdays!! is an ongoing series of restaurant fundraisers, a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA. Students, their families and members of the general community dine out for a great meals, and in return the restaurants donate a percentage of their proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. It's good for us AND it's good for local restaurants, hence the concept of WIN-WIN.

Year long fundraising projects like Win-Win Wednesdays allow the 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" party 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 & Schedule: www.WinWinWednesdays.com

** Bring the WWW!! flyer to these participating restaurants on these dates and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the LHHS PTSA

February 22nd - Baja Fresh. Laguna Hills -10:30 am to 9 pm
February 29th - ToGo's - Laguna Hills-Alicia Pkwy -10:30 am to 9 pm
March 7 - Pick Up Stix - Laguna Niguel-Alicia Parkway @ Pacific Park -11 am to 9 pm
March 14 - Don Jose's - Laguna Hills - 11 am to 9 pm
March 21 - Ted's Place - Laguna Niguel - 6 am to 9 pm
March 28 - Villa Roma - Laguna Hills - 11 am to 9 pm
April 4 - CA. Pizza Kitchen - Laguna Hills Mall 11 am to 9 pm

** Be sure to "LIKE" us on Facebook to help spread the word and Don't forget our "WWW Everyday" Partners like Its a Grind Coffee House, Alpha Cleaners and Golden Baked Hams. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!

Anonymous said...
It seems that the council and the city manager are finally doing better related to businesses in Laguna Hills. In the past few years there has been a lot of redevelopment and looks like that will continue. The city manager always take credit for that, and if that's true seems that he should have had a higher score? I don't know how we can tell if he had anything to do with the redevelopment or if it occurred because the businesses needed something to draw in more business and this was a good time to redevelop because the price of labor is down??

Anonymous said...
What's the deal with the City and Cox? If the city's getting paid to safeguard the public interest what is it that they're doing? Looks like they are working for Cox not the citizens because we never see or hear of anything they've done for us related to Cox??

Anonymous said...
I heard that Oakbrook Village may put in massive amounts of apartments with their new retail scheme. I understand the need to remodel that shopping center but there are already too many apartments in that area. Street parking is already a problem. What will the City do to mitigate the impact of more traffic congestion and more parking problems?

Anonymous said...
Congrats to Kogerman and Bressette for their scores in 2011. I realize this is not the entire picture but it's a good snapshot for citizens related to who is most willing to share information about what they are doing with the public. Do you think that the claim's from the city Compensation Study that the city employee's are 11.8% underpaid caused the employees to join a union?

Anonymous said...
Voted against publishing the annual goals of the city at the beginning of the year?? Voted not to review the City Manager's contract for possible revisions? Failure to clarify what was said by the ACC-OC members who are part of an organization supported by taxpayers. Don't want to move People's Business up in the council agenda. Thumbed noses at the Grand Jury. Allows employees to determine their own compensation policy with no input from citizens. This all sounds like and adoption of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy for Laguna Hills taxpayers.

Anonymous said...
Keep doing these scores and keep tracking the explanations for them, because we aren't going to find this information in City Views.

Anonymous said...
The reason Songstad and Lautenschleger scored so low in the Watch Dog's system is because they have done this job for 20 years and have done everything they think is needed. If you want things done your way why don't you run for city council?

Anonymous said...
The scores for the city manager are a reflection of the majority of the city council. City managers are not allowed the luxury of their own opinions unless those opinions agree with the majority of a city council that supports them.

Anonymous said...
Thank you for the history your site provides. I searched your site for all the past council meetings and have not been able to find so much information about the city council anywhere else.

HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION - Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Donation checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. 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 city's e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site by clicking on this link - http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/
Please see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Facebook page by clicking on this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-Team-Darkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!
** Don't miss the very compelling Stories from Jane Wayne Day - Local Citizens Living as Marines for a day at Camp Pendleton, by Karen Robbins at http://www.benzinga.com/users/karenrobbins

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

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/

LAGUNA HILLS CITY WORKERS: 12 PERCENT UNDERPAID?http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/09/01/laguna-hills-city-workers-12-percent-underpaid/95765/

Which city council makes the most money? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/07/11/which-city-council-makes-the-most-money/88311/#comment-169311

LA Times: Laguna Hills City Manager Salary http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oc-salaries-20110621,0,1126677.story

In O.C., city pay can be steep, but it’s not ‘abusive’ June 20th, 2011 http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/06/20/in-o-c-city-pay-can-be-excessive-but-its-not-abusive/85631/#comment-165059

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

Political rebel faces an uphill battle http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-303262-kogerman-channing.html

Councilwoman: Public pay report inaccurate, self serving http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-299908-report-council.html

OC Watchdog Lavish health benefits slashed in Laguna Hills, Tustin http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/05/12/lavish-health-benefits-slashed-in-laguna-hills-tustin/82833/
After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writerhttp://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633
Click on http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.

No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/

Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/

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."

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY the DARNDEST THINGS IN PUBLIC! - Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members

January 10, 2012 - Council Member Songstad said, "I find it interesting that we are in a discussion where we are being asked to provide less information rather than more information, I thought transparency was all about providing more information."

To clarify for Council Member Songstad "Transparency" is not simply an amount of information it is clarity of information - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Transparency) - free from pretense or deceit, easily detected or seen through, obvious, readily understood, characterized by visibility or accessibility of information. Wikipedia (Transparency Behavior) - Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. All organizations have a transparency culture, but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done.

November 27, 2011 - Regarding the ordinance establishing parks as “Child Safety Zones, Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated, “Let's make one thing perfectly clear, there have been no sex crimes against children in the City since we incorporated."

You should have done some fact checking before speaking so boldly, Mr. Lautenschleger. According to information from the OC Sheriff's Dept. there have been 32 child molests in Laguna Hills in the past 11 years. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts.

June 10, 2008- Mayor Allan Songstad said "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."

Thank you Mayor Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 years.

October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that."
So true, Allan, so unfortunately true unless you change members of the city council.

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.

Now, in 2012 with 19 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician."

CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
For a roundup of Laguna Hills police calls check the Saddleback Valley News every Friday or click on - www.ocregister.com/news/saddleback

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register Newspaper Letters to the Editor: E-mail to letters@ocregister.com Please provide your name, city of residence and phone number (phone numbers will not be published). Letters of about 200 words will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.

2012-02-11T13:04:00.000-08:00

HEADLINES/ ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST
for the Tuesday Feb. 14, Laguna Hills City Council Meeting

1. No Parking Anytime Zones for portions of Plaza Pointe Dr. between Avenida de la Carlota and South Pointe Dr. and on Santa Vittoria Dr. and Caminito Cruz

2. Mandeville Dr. Permit Parking Zone

3. City Employee-Employeer Relations Resolution

4. Council Decision on Allowing a "Limited Public Forum" Bulletin Board at the Community Center.

5. Request for funding for LHHS every 2 year "Every 15 Minutes" program with goal of reducing the incidents of alcohol related auto accidents.

6. Council Member Songstad's Report on "The Government Performance and Accountability Act" - a possible ballot measure for the Nov. 2012 election.

2012-02-04T10:10:00.000-08:00

SPECIAL REPORT - Laguna Hills Watch Dog - City Council and City Manager Report Card Scores for the Year 2011

These ratings are subjective and based upon the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's observations, recordings and scoring of every City Council Meeting in 2011 related to attention from Council Members and the City Manager to Serving the Citizens. These scores are, in the opinion of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog, a reflection of levels of Transparency, Accountability, Championing of Citizen Related Issues, and Achieving Citizen Related Goals. The city manager is not allowed to vote so he was scored based upon online and agendized staff reports as well as verbal reports from the city manager and from his management staff.

There is no perfect score. These scores are based upon items that came up in city council meetings during the year 2011. What is presented here is, in the opinion of the Laguna Hills Watch Dog, an illustration of a range of scores that were gleaned from votes taken, initiative that some council members took on behalf of citizens compared with others and a degree of willingness of all council members and the city manager to be transparent and accountable to citizens and possibly time spent on citizen related issues. Detailed explanations of each council member's and the city manager's scores are listed below the postings of the scores to further explain the Laguna Hills Watch Dog's reasoning behind the scoring of each item so that you can decide for yourselves how relevant the scores may be for you.

A+ is generally for achieving passage of a Citizen Friendly Item that a Council Member has authored, and for other special achievements/efforts for Citizens beyond the ordinary, A is generally for Researching and Authoring Citizen Friendly Items for the Council Agenda to be considered by the Council, P (Pass) is generally for voting for Citizen Friendly Items, F (Fail) is generally for voting against Citizen Friendly Items.

City Council Members are listed below from the highest scoring to the lowest. All of the dates shown with the items listed are dates of City Council Meetings. For additional information you can listen to the online audio/video of council meetings or scroll down on the Laguna Hills Watch Dog Blog site at http://lhwatchdog.blogspot.com/ to find the posting for each city
council meeting in the archives.

Council Member Barbara Kogerman received
A+ = 9
A = 18
P = 21
F = 0
Citizen friendly rating = 48
Citizen unfriendly rating = 0
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 48

Council Member Randy Bressette received
A+ = 7
A = 8
P = 22
F = 4
Citizen friendly rating = 37
Citizen unfriendly rating = 4
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 33

Mayor Pro-Tem Melody Carruth received
A+ = 1
A = 1
P = 18
F = 9
Citizen friendly rating = 20
Citizen unfriendly rating = 9
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 11

Council Member Joel Lautenschleger received
A+ = 1
A = 0
P = 14
F = 11
Citizen friendly rating = 15
Citizen unfriendly rating = 11
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 4
* Lautenschleger missed one council meeting on Nov. 22 and missed the opportunity for 3 votes at that meeting.

Mayor Allan Songstad received
A+ = 0
A = 0
P = 16
F = 13
Citizen friendly rating of 16
Citizen unfriendly rating of 13
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = 3

City Manager Bruce Channing received
A+ = 0
A = 4
P = 4
F = 26
Citizen friendly rating = 8
Citizen unfriendly rating = 26
TOTAL CITIZEN FRIENDLY RATING = (Negative 18)

See below for Detailed Explanations of each council member's and the city manager's scores

COUNCIL MEMBER KOGERMAN
January 11, 2011
A+ Refused City's High Priced Health Ins. Premium Plan for Part Time Council Members and elected to enroll in a less costly retirement plan
April 12, 2011
A+ for calling on the City Manger to respond to citizens concerned about the Coyote problem and for pointing out the need for announcements of the votes on every issue
for the residents listening to the online audio broadcasts of City Council Meetings.
May 10, 2011
A+ for problem solving a probable solution to continue the City Survey for the Citizens in the future
June 28, 2011
A+ for getting citizen friendly item she Authored -Review of City manager's Employment Agreement passed.
July 12, 2011
A+ for getting citizen friendly item she Authored - Re-negotiating the City Manager's Contract passed.
August 23, 2011
A+ for researching, documenting and announcing the flaws in the City's Compensation Study
September 27, 2012
A+ for pursuing an update from the City for the Citizens related to the Coyote Problem, getting the issue agendized for public input and prompting the City to track reported sightings of coyote problems from citizens.
November 22, 2011
A+ for getting the ordinance she introduced of protecting children in City Parks from sex offenders passed
December 13, 2011
A+ for a full year of listening to and representing the Citizens who elected her and for admirable conduct in the face of being consistently passed over for the position of Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem by the council although she received the highest number of votes in the 2010 election.

================================
January 11, 2011
A - Authored request for updating and clarification of the City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
A - Authored request for Review and Explanation of provisions of City Manager's Contract
January 25 - 2011
A - Authoring the Citizen Friendly Item of City Council Financial Policy Regarding Employee Compensation Recommendations for everyone making $100,000 or more be revised to reflect citizen's wishes and current economic conditions. Discussion of this was postponed through a substitute motion by Votes from Carruth, Lautenschleger and Songstad.
March 22, 2011
A - Authored Citizen Friendly Item of Publishing Annual Goals of the City at the beginning of the year rather than at the end
May 10, 2011
A - Authoring Citizen Friendly Issue of revising the On-line Public Official's Compensation Report for Calendar year 2010.
May 24, 2011
A - for her role in precipitating the new lower premium rates for Medical Ins. for City Council Members and staff through her refusal to accept the higher rates and her investigation and exposure of the previous rates. Kogerman was absent from this meeting when the City Manager announced the decrease in Health Insurance Rates. The lower cost policies had been available since 2003 and the largest decrease in the rates was in the rate for the City Manager/City Council department which decreased from $179,893 to $74,135 = a 59% decrease.
June 14, 2011
A - Vote to delay Adoption of City's Biennial Budget for results of City Employee Compensation Study
A - Vote and protest against adoption of Budget w/o results of City Employee Comp. Study
June 28, 2011
A - Authoring a Review of City manager's Employment Agreement Item for the Council Agenda
July 12, 2011
A - Authoring the citizen friendly Item of re-negotiating the City Manager's Contract
A - Authoring a citizen friendly alternative Resolution for City Employee Compensation Policy including employees paying 2% of their Employee Contributions to their CalPERS Retirement plan with an additional 2% added each year until they and the City are each paying for half of the total plan cost.
August 23, 2011
A - Authoring a Minority Response to the Grand Jury Compensation Study Report
A - Authoring an item on the agenda for the residents, drawing attention to the need for a successful plan for addressing the coyote problem in the City.
September 27, 2012 A - Authoring an Ordinance for Child Safety from Sex Offender Zones in City Parks.
October 25, 2011
A - Authoring item in favor of transparency and accountability questioning the ACC-OC's conduct related to it's claims to be "very member centric, and attempt to stay out of issues that were controversial for its members." regarding news reports of their discussions with Chapman University President Jim Doti re. Dr. Smoller and the Compensation Studies that revealed the Laguna Hills City Manager as the highest paid City Manager in the County.
November 22, 2011
A - for championing the no cost to the City fund raising mechanism for City's adopted 3/5 Marines through the Memorial Day Event.
December 13, 2011
A - for effort to move the People's Business to higher priority on the City Council Agenda.
A - for introducing the item of a City Planning Commission consisting of Citizens

======================================
January 11, 2011
P - Voted to continue the Citizen Survey
P - Voted for fund raising opportunity for the City's Adopted Marines at no cost to the City
P - Voted for updating and clarification of Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for Review and Explanation of City Manager's Contract
February 8, 2011
P - Voted for Citizen friendly updated Compensation Report
P - Voted for updated citizen friendly Purchasing Regulations
February 22, 2011
P - Voted against taxpayer paid $24,500 study of 26 City Employees' Compensation, based upon old hiring and compensation policies and with input only from the employees whose compensation is being studied
March 22, 2011
P - Voted for publishing Annual Goals of the City at the beginning of the year.
May 10, 2011
P - Voted for continuing the 2013 City Survey
June 28, 2011
P - Voted for review of City Manager's Employment Agreement for possible changes
July 12, 2011
P - Voted for the Citizen Friendly Appointment of a Labor Negotiator to attempt to re-negotiate the City Manager's Contract.
July 12, 2011
P - Voted against the Resolution by City Staff to determine their own Compensation Policy for the City.
August 23, 2011
P - Voted against the City Staff authored Response to the Grand Jury Compensation Study related to researching and finding significant methodology flaws in the City's Compensation Study that was used as the defense for the City's response. Additionally the City's compensation study failed to include the City's Top Officials although the Grand Jury specifically requested - "R.4: Compensation Levels The City of Laguna Hills conduct a compensation review of top officials."
P- Voted for need for improved plan to address coyote problems in the City.
September 27, 2012
P - Voted for the Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
November 8, 2011
P - Voted for the City Attorney. to draft a Safety in the Parks Ordinance.
P - Voted to add City's Adopted 3/5 Marines name to the City's Memorial Day Event
November 22, 2011
P - Voted for Protecting children from registered sex offenders in the Parks,
P - Voted for raising money for the Marines through the Memorial Day Event,
P - Voted to continue the commercial food waste diversion plan
December 13, 2011
P - 2nd vote for child safety from registered sex offenders in the parks

March 8, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 26, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
October 11, 2011 - Nothing to Report for this council member

COUNCIL MEMBER BRESSETE
January 11, 2011
A+ for championing the rescue of the 2011 City Survey for residents from City Staff who requested that it be discontinued.
*This item was corrected from the original Jan. 11, 2011 LHWD posting because it was mislabeled there as a vote under P (pass).
A+ for achieving ongoing support, at no cost to the City, for the City's adopted 3/5 Marines.
May 24, 2011
A+ for achieving success in getting his agenda item passed for reduced fees from the City for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were initially invited to run in the City's Memorial Day Race then charged to run, plus a $200 booth refund to the 3/5 Marines support group due to no booth being used.
August 23, 2011
A+ For researching, documenting and announcing flaws in City's Employee Compensation Study
A+ Authored a Substitute Motion and got it Passed regarding need for a plan to address widespread Coyote Problem in the City.
November 8, 2011
A+ for Championing the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines and working for a no cost to the City plan to support them in 2012 and beyond.
November 22, 2011
A+ for successfully passing a no cost to the City fund raising mechanism for the City's adopted 3/5 Marines through the Memorial Day Event for 2012 and beyond.

=============================
January 11, 2011
A - Authored request for updating and clarification of the City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
A - Authored request for changes in the Acquisition and Budgeting of City Manager's vehicle
January 25, 2011
A - For Defending the concept that it is inappropriate to use a substitute motion to simply defer a council decision * this item was corrected from the original report where is was previously labeled as P (pass)
May 24, 2011
A - Authored Agenda Item to reduce fees for City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run
in the City's Memorial Day Race.
June 14, 2011
A - Vote to delay Adoption of City's Biennial Budget until the next council meeting for results of City Employee Compensation Study
A - Vote and protest against adoption of the new Budget without results of City Employee Compensation Study
July 12, 2011
A - Authored Substitute Motion for City Employee Compensation Policy.
November 22, 2011
A - for Championing the ordinance of protecting children in City Parks from registered sex offenders

==============================
January 11, 2011
P - Voted for a no cost to the City fund raising opportunity for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines for 2012
P - Voted for updating and clarification of the City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for review and explanation of the City Manager's employment contract
P - Voted to continue the 2011 City Survey for residents
February 8, 2011
P - Voted for the updated City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for updated Purchasing Regulations.
March 22, 2011
P - Voted for publishing the City's Annual Goals for the year at the beginning of the year rather than only at the end of the year.
May 10, 2011
P - Voted to continue the City Survey for Citizens in 2013
May 24, 2011
P - Voted to Pass the New lower premium rate Composite Health Care Ins. for Council Members and Staff
P - Voted for reduced fees for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run in Memorial Day Race
June 28, 2011
P - Voted for review of City Manager's Employment Agreement for possible changes.
July 12, 2011
P - Voted against City Staff's Resolution to allow City Staff to determine their own Compensation Policy and was not allowed to present alternative possibilities.
P - Voted for the appointment of a Labor Negotiator to attempt to re-negotiate City Manager's contract.
August 23, 2011
P - Voted against City Staff's response to Grand Jury Compensation Study related to researching and finding flaws in the City's Compensation study that was used as the defense for the City's response. Additionally the City's compensation study failed to include the City's Top Officials although the Grand Jury specifically requested - "R.4: Compensation Levels – The City of Laguna Hills conduct a compensation review of top officials."
P - Voted for need for improved plan to address coyote problems in the City.
September 27, 2012
P - Voted for the Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
November 8, 2011
P - Voted for the City Attorney to draft a Safety in the Parks for children from Registered Sex Offenders Ordinance
P - Voted to add City's Adopted 3/5 Marines name to the name of City's Memorial Day Event
November 22, 2011
P - Voted for Protecting Children from Registered Sex Offenders in the Parks,
P - Voted for raising money for the Marines at no cost to the City through the Memorial Day Event
P - Voted to continue the commercial food waste diversion plan.
December 13, 2011
P - Voted 2nd vote for Child Safety from Registered Sex Offenders in the parks

==================================
February 22, 2011
F - Voted for taxpayer paid $24,500 study of 26 City Employees' Compensation, based upon old hiring and compensation policies and with input only from the employees whose compensation was being studied.
October 25, 2011
F - for not requesting an investigation to clarify for citizens what was said by ACC-OC members including Mayor Songstad regarding news reports of their discussions with Chapman University President Jim Doti re. Dr. Smoller and the Compensation Studies that revealed the Laguna Hills City Manager as the highest paid City Manager in the County.
December 13, 2011
F - for ignoring voter's top choice in 2010 for Mayor Pro Tem in 2012
F - for no effort to move the People's Business to a higher priority on the City Council Agenda.

March 8, 2011 - Nothing to report from this council member
April 12, 2011 - Nothing to report from this council member
April 26, 2011 - Nothing to report from this council member
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to report from this council member
October 11, 2011 - Nothing to report from this council member

MAYOR PRO -TEM CARRUTH
January 11, 2011
A+ For achieving ongoing support from the City for the City's adopted Marines through an optional $3 contribution box on the runner's registration form for the 2011 Memorial Day Event.
====================================
January 11, 2011
A - Authored Useful Opportunity Idea for additional support for City's Adopted Marines - $3 check off box added to registration for Memorial Day Marathon runners in 2011

=====================================
January 11, 2011
P - Voted to continue the 2011 City Survey for residents
P - Voted for a not cost to the City fund raising opportunity for the City's Adopted Marines for 2012
P - Voted for updating and clarification of the City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for Review and Explanation of City Manager's Contract
February 8, 2011
P - Voted for updated online Pubic Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for updated Purchasing Regulations.
May 10, 2011
P - Voted to continue the City Survey for residents in 2013
May 24, 2011 -
P - Voted for reduced fees for the City's 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run in the 2011 Memorial Day Race
June 28, 2011
P - Voted for review of City Manager's Employment Agreement for possible changes.
July 12, 2011
P - Voted for the appointment of a Labor Negotiator to attempt to re-negotiate City Manager's contract.
August 23, 2011
P - Voted for need to address widespread coyote problem in the City.
September 27, 2012
P - Voted for the Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
November 8, 2011
P - Voted for the City Attorney to draft a Safety in the Parks Ordinance Protecting Children from Registered Sex Offenders.
P - Voted to add City's Adopted 3/5 Marines name to the name of the City's Memorial Day Event
November 22, 2011
P - Voted for Protecting Children from Registered Sex Offenders in the Parks
P - Voted for raising money at no cost to the City for the City's Adopted Marines through the Memorial Day Event in 2012
P - Voted to continue the commercial food waste diversion plan.
December 13, 2011
P - Voted Yes on 2nd Vote for Child Safety from Registered Sex Offenders in the parks.

=======================================
February 22, 2011
F - Voted for taxpayer paid $24,500 study of 26 City Employees' Compensation, based upon old hiring and compensation policies and with input only from the employees whose compensation is being studied.
March 22, 2011
F - Voted Against publishing the City's Annual Goals for residents at the beginning rather than only at the end of the year.
June 14, 2011
F - Voted Against a delay in the Adoption of Biennial Budget for results of City Employee Compensation Study
F - Voted for adoption of Budget without results of City Employee Compensation Study
July 12, 2011
F - Voted for the City Staff's Resolution to determine their own Compensation Policy for the City without discussing alternative Resolutions from other council members.
August 23, 2011
F - Voted for City's response to Grand Jury although the City's compensation study failed to include the City's Top Officials as specifically requested by the Grand Jury - "R.4: Compensation Levels – The City of Laguna Hills conduct a compensation review of top officials."
October 25, 2011
F - for not investigating to clarify for residents what was said by ACC-OC members including Mayor Songstad regarding news reports of their discussions with Chapman University President Jim Doti re. Dr. Smoller and the Compensation Studies that revealed the Laguna Hills City Manager as the highest paid City Manager in the County.
December 13, 2011
F - for ignoring voter's choice in 2010 for Mayor Pro Tem in 2012
F - for no effort to move People's Business to a higher priority on the City Council Agenda.

Jan. 25 - 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
March 8, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 12, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 26, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
October 11, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member

COUNCIL MEMBER LAUTENSCHLEGER
A+ - For Opting out of the City's Expensive Health Care Ins. Coverage for Medicare.
A - None
=====================================
January 11, 2011
P - Voted to continue the 2011 City Survey for residents
P - Voted for a no cost to the City fund raising opportunity for the City's 3/5 Adopted Marines
P - Voted for updating and clarification of the City's online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for Review and Explanation of City Manager's Contract
February 8, 2011
P - Voted for updated online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for updated Purchasing Regulations but voiced that they were not needed.
May 10, 2011
P - Voted to continue the City Survey of residents in 2013
May 24, 2011
P - Voted for reduced fees for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run in the 2011 Memorial Day Race
P - for Passing the New Composite Health Care Ins. Rate
August 23, 2011
P - Voted for need to address widespread coyote problem in the City
September 27, 2012
P - Voted for the Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
November 8, 2011
P - Voted for the City Attorney to draft a Safety in the Parks for Children from Registered Sex Offenders Ordinance.
P - Voted to add City's Adopted 3/5 Marines name to the name of the City's Memorial Day Event
December 13, 2011
P - Vote yes on 2nd Vote for Child Safety from Registered Sex Offenders in the park Ordinance.

=====================================
March 22, 2011
F - Voted Against publishing the City's Annual Goals for residents at the beginning rather than only at the end of the year.
February 22, 2011
F - Voted for taxpayer paid $24,500 study of 26 City Employees' Compensation, based upon old hiring and compensation policies and with input only from the employees whose compensation is being studied
June 14, 2011
F - Voted Against delaying Adoption of biennial Budget for results of City Employee Compensation Study
F - Voted for adoption of Budget w/o results of City Employee Comp. Study
June 28, 2011
F - Vote Against review of City Manager's Employment Agreement for possible changes.
July 12, 2011
F - Voted for the City Staff's Resolution to determine their own Compensation Policy for the City without discussing alternative Resolutions from council members.
F - Voted Against the appointment of a Labor Negotiator to re-negotiate City Manager's contract.
August 23, 2011
F - Voted for City's response to Grand Jury although the City's compensation study failed to include the City's Top Officials as specifically requested by the Grand Jury - "R.4: Compensation Levels – The City of Laguna Hills conduct a compensation review of top officials."
October 25, 2011
F - for not investigating to clarify for residents what was said by ACC-OC members including Mayor Songstad regarding news reports of their discussions with Chapman University President Jim Doti re. Dr. Smoller and the Compensation Studies that revealed the Laguna Hills City Manager as the highest paid City Manager in the County.
December 13, 2011
F- for ignoring voter's choice in 2010 for Mayor Pro Tem in 2012
F - for no effort to move People's Business to a higher priority on the City Council Agenda.

Jan. 25 - 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
March 8, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 12, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 26, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
October 11, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
November 22, 2011 - Lautenschleger was absent from this City Council Meeting

MAYOR SONGSTAD
A+ - None
A - None

================================
January 11, 2011
P - Voted to continue the 2011 Citizen Survey for residents
P - Voted for a no cost to the City fund raising opportunity for the City's Adopted Marines.
P - Voted for updating and clarification of Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for Review and Explanation of City Manager's Contract
February 8, 2011
P - Voted for updated online Public Official's Compensation Report
P - Voted for updated Purchasing Regulations
May 10, 2011
P - Voted to continue City Survey for Residents in 2013
May 24, 2011
P - Voted for reduced fees for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run in the Memorial Day Race
August 23, 2011
P - Voted for need to address widespread coyote problem in the City
September 27, 2012
P - Voted for the Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
November 8, 2011
P - Voted for the City Attorney to draft a Safety in the Parks for Children from Registered Sex Offenders Ordinance.
P - Voted to add City's Adopted 3/5 Marines name to the name of the City's Memorial Day Event
November 22, 2011
P - Voted for Protecting Children from Registered Sex Offenders in the Parks
P - Voted for raising money at no cost to the City for the Dity's adopted Marines through the Memorial Day Event
P - Voted to continue the commercial food waste diversion plan.
December 13, 2011
P - Voted yes on 2nd Vote for child safety in the park from registered sex offenders. .

=====================================
February 22, 2011
F - Voted for taxpayer paid $24,500 study of 26 City Employees' Compensation, based upon old hiring and compensation policies and with input only from the employees whose compensation is being studied
March 22, 2011
F - for voting Against publishing the City's Annual Goals at the beginning rather than the end of the year.
June 14, 2011
F - Voted Against delaying Adoption of biennial Budget for results of City Employee Compensation Study
F - Voted for adoption of Budget without results of City Employee Comp. Study
June 28, 2011
F - Voted Against review of City Manager's Employment Agreement for possible changes.
July 12, 2011
F - Voted Against the appointment of a Labor Negotiator to attempt to re-negotiate City Manager's contract.
F - Voted for the City Staff's Resolution to determine their own Compensation Policy for the City without discussing alternatives from other council members.
August 23, 2011
F - Voted for City's response to Grand Jury although the City's compensation study failed to include the City's Top Officials as specifically requested by the Grand Jury - "R.4: Compensation Levels – The City of Laguna Hills conduct a compensation review of top officials."
F - For lack of transparency, as Mayor, related to failure to report what has been done about coyote problem in the City to residents
October 25, 2011
F - For failure to clarify for residents what was said by ACC-OC members, including Mayor Songstad, regarding news reports of their discussions with Chapman University President Jim Doti re. Dr. Smoller and the Compensation Studies that revealed the Laguna Hills City Manager as the highest paid City Manager in the County.
December 13, 2011
F - for ignoring voter's choice in 2010 for Mayor Pro Tem in 2012
F - for no effort to move People's Business for higher priority on the City Council Agenda
F - political comments as out going Mayor and not addressing goals he set for himself as incoming Mayor.

January 25 - 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
March 8, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 12, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
April 26, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to report for this council member

CITY MANAGER CHANNING
A+ Nothing extraordinary from City Council Meetings - see City Manager's online End of the Year Report for 2011 on the City web site.

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April 26, 2011
A - Reduction of Health Care Premium Costs but only after the previously high rates had been exposed in the News and many years after the lower rates had been available.
A - for combining and simplifying the City Temporary Use Permits via Vern Jones, Community Development Director.
May 10, 2011
A - Success in working with business owner in the city to problem solve the difficult problem of how to reconstruct a gas station and convenience store on a smaller lot, that would still be convenient for citizens to use, at the corner of El Toro and Avenida de Carlota via Vern Jones and his Dept. of Community Development.
* This item was corrected from a P (pass) in the original posting to an A
A - For not losing money for the City in 2011 - a 2.4% increase in the General Fund.

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January 11, 2011
P - For Citizen friendly effort to acquire Computer Software for online Audio online recordings of city council meetings.
September 27, 2012
P - For obtaining Block Grant Fund for the Senior Center.
P - For Community Services Director's honest evaluation of charges for classes.
October 11, 2011
P - For probably a good taxpayer savings to outsource management of the Community Center.

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January 11, 2011
F - For Staff Recommendation to eliminate the 2011 City Survey that is a tool for citizens to state their opinions
January 25 - 2011
F - Lack of Transparency - A public report from the Urban Land Institute's Technical Assistance Panel was presented without the criticisms of the City and recommendations for the City that were contained in the report including that the City should take a more proactive role in partnering with the business community, the City's hands off approach to governing misses the opportunity for collaboration among landowners and the reluctance of the fiscally conservative City to invest funds for any projects other than public transportation and signage.
February 22, 2011
F - Lack of Accountability and Transparency by not requiring reporting of attendance at Community Service Special Events to be broken down into attendance and participation by Laguna Hills Citizens vs. others and reporting Fiscal Impact to the City, if any, for these events. Citizens deserve to know more about where their tax dollars are going and for what
March 8, 2011
F - For the online Public Official's Compensation Report that was supposed to be a convenient and easy to read "At A Glance Table" for Citizens, but was published as a lengthy narrative requiring a search for the tables showing compensation.
March 22, 2011
F - For presenting inaccurate and misleading information without presenting documentation re. the Orange County Animal Shelter to residents including this excerpt from the March 22, 2011 City Council Meeting - City Manager Channing interrupted with, "None of these animals were euthanized for space." This is Not True according to the OC Grand Jury Study of 6-3-08 - "IS ORANGE COUNTY GOING TO THE DOGS?" - The Grand Jury Report stated - "The number of euthanized animals led the Grand Jury to question why the figure is so high. A large percentage of the animals euthanized was due to lack of space at the County Shelter."
April 12, 2011
F - For doing nothing pro-actively for Residents about the Coyote Problem related to not agendizing the matter for discussion at a City Council meeting as promised in Dec. of 2010 and not announcing for citizens what if anything had been done and when.
May 10, 2011
F - Failure to be pro-active for citizens in looking for, finding and reporting solutions to a reported problem with the Biennial City Survey rather than suggesting canceling it in 2011 and again for 2013.
May 24, 2011
F - For asking for full fees for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines who were originally invited to run in the City's Memorial Day Race + $200 Booth Fee when they did not use a booth and brought a display to assist the Event.
June 14, 2011
F - For requesting a vote to Adopt the Biennial Budget without results of City Employee Compensation Study
F - for not presenting any information regarding when the results of the Compensation Study will be available or why they were not presented at the June 14 council meeting as the City Manager had previously stated they would be.
June 28, 2011
F - for continuing the OCRA Senior Mobility Prgm. Funds for the Dial-A-Taxi transportation Program for Seniors, as is, without learning why more seniors are not using it.
F - For 20 years of never checking with CA. Edison to see if the City needed a License agreement or some form of written agreement to hang City Signs including Traffic Signs on their poles.
July 12, 2011
F - For City error in the contract agreement with Nieves effective July 1, 2009 but not discovered until 2011 resulted in a maximum increase of $55,001.08 or about 22%.
F - For not volunteering to re-negotiate the City Manager's Contract with the City that has made him the highest compensated City Manager in Orange County.
August 23, 2011
F - For the City Staff authored Response to the Grand Jury Compensation Study
F - For lack of staff attention to monitor of the audio and video equipment for this city council meeting
F - For failing to develop a specific long term plan, involving input from residents, to deal with the long term coyote problem in the City
September 27, 2011
F - For failing to track the coyote problems and sightings reported by residents
F - For not volunteering for good faith cuts to excesses in the City Manager's employment contract.
October 11, 2011
F - For establishing a City emergency notification program to residents through Twitter and not being able to use it in a power outage because the City's Tweeter was on vacation.
F - For not sending information to residents in a timely manner so they will be better able to respond.
October 25, 2011
F - For a dog license campaign update containing claims of successes for the City that were not validated by documentation for citizens.
November 8, 2011
F - For not clarifying the accuracy or source of information of the financial reports from the City's Memorial Day Events on the annual City web site reports of the event.
November 22, 2011
F - For recommending Against raising money for the City's Adopted 3/5 Marines through the Memorial Day Event at no cost to the City and recommending instead that the Marine Support Committee ask for annual donations from the City's General Fund.
F - For touting an award for Excellence in Financial Reporting from GFOA every year, in the City Manager's End of the Year Report, without mentioning that everyone can read on the GFOA web site that every other city in the area that belongs to the GFOA receives the same Certificate/Award.
F - For advertising, in the City Manager's End of the Year Report, that City Salary levels are 11.8% below the market when the City's Top Management was not included in the City's Employee Compensation Study by Ralph Anderson and Associates.

February 8, 2011 - Nothing to Report from this meeting
September 13, 2011 - Nothing to Report from this meeting
October 11, 2011 - Nothing to report from this meeting
December 13, 2011 - Nothing to Report from this meeting

2012-01-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

HEADLINES - Under Items of interest from the Warrant Register 4.5 - Proposed Construction of Bridge from Cabot Rd. to Camino Capistrano at Merit Circle may affect equestrian crossing; Under Consent Calendar - Employer-Employee Relations Resolution between City and City Staff; Under Planning Agency Public Hearings - Preliminary Report for Renovations and Additions to Moulton-La Paz Shopping Ctr.; Under Information, Comments, Questions and Concerns - Per FCC Guidelines Problems with Cox Cable can be reported to the Franchising Authority which is the City of Laguna Hills. Current widespread problems with Cox's onscreen TV Guide and recording of programs is unresolved and getting worse.

2012 Candidates for City Council - It is an election year again for 2 of Laguna Hills City Council Members - Allan Songstad and Joel Lautenschleter. If you are interested in running for either of these council seats go to the City Web Site at http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/ and click on "Interested in Running for City Council in 2012" on the Face Page for details.

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
January 24, 2012 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting

All council members were present
==============================

City Council Meetings are now recorded in Video and Audio on the City Web Site. - Continue to see information for Win-Win -Wednesdays under - INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers, Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Citizen Alerts for future Council Meetings will be published on this blog site within 4 days prior to each council meeting. Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday February 14, 2012, 7 pm, at City Hall. Attend a City Council Meeting to speak or send e-mails to Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS - A Certificate of Recognition was given to Kylie West, LHHS Student Liaison for the Fall 2011 Semester, and a thank you for a job well done. Kylie thanked everyone for this opportunity and noted this was her first time in a public speaking role. Staff report states the LHHS PTSA established the Student Liaison Position in 1993.

LHHS Students Jeena Bonutto and Adam Wong were given the oath of office as the new Student Liaison and alternate for the Spring 2012 Semester.

A Mr. Mark Gfiffion was introduced by the City Manager as a person who is here from Australia, had served as a City Manager in New Zealand and is currently the Director of Corporate Services for the Scenic Rim Regional Council. He is here to look at our emergency services offered in CA. He will also attend the annual Statewide City Manager's Conference next week.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - None

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Jeena Bonutto, alternate Adam Wong.

Jeena said the students are in the midst of finals now. Sunday, Feb. 12 is the Music Program's USO Concert at the Club House in Laguna Woods from 4 - 7 presenting 1940s Music. Go to www.Lagunahillsmusic.com for more information and you can buy tickets online. Ms. Karen Heffernan is the new PTSA President. The school just got 85 new computers. The Student Resource Officer (SRO), Deputy Gunsolley is presenting Technology and Dangerous Teen Trends Tues. Feb. 28 from 7 to 9pm. Parenting Classes are starting for an 8 week course in Managing Family Conflict. The Drama Dept. is presenting Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs. In Winter Sports every team, so far is in 1st place in the league. Jeena announced that Wesley Burkhard, LHHS Soccer player and team captain, was just recommended as a scholar athlete for the OC Varsity "and he has a 4.5 GPA, which is insane, I don't know how he does it!" A Teen Info. Ap. for the I-Phone is now available for LHHS to tell everyone where the LHHS teams are playing.

MINUTES - City Council Approves the Minutes of the previous City Council Meeting for publication on the city web site. The minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication until the next city council meeting so there is always a significant delay for the public related to timely documentation of information from the city.

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $1,193,088.30
Items of interest from the Warrant Register - None

Items of interest from the Consent Calendar -

Item 4.3 - Progress Payment 3 for energy efficiency project. Final payment of $16,584.12 for replacement of one 15 ton and one 12 ton roof mounted AC Units, replace 3 pumps with 3 variable frequency drive pumps, install T-8 lights and occupancy sensors, replace incandescent bulbs with LED based lamps at all traffic signal locations, and replace pedestrian indicators with LED based lamps. Location - Civic Center and citywide traffic signal locations.

Item 4.4 - Progress Payment 10 for La Paz Rd Widening at I-5 - $170, 208.30

Item 4.5 - Cabot-Camino Capistrano Bridge Project - Study from the City of Mission Viejo for Proposed Bridge to connect Cabot Rd. at Merit Circle with the northerly end of Camino Capistrano in the City of Mission Viejo. Public Hearing to be held in the City of Mission Viejo on Feb. 13, 2012. Staff report states City of Laguna Hills identified 2 concerns not addressed in the environmental documents. 1.- related to equestrian crossings on the new Cabot Rd. Camino Capistrano Intersection and 2. need for traffic signal interconnection and synch with the intersection of Cabot Rd. and Oso Pkwy.

Item 4.6 - 1 year extension of joint recreation maintenance and operation agreement the Saddleback Valley Unified School District for use of Upper LHHS field. Fiscal Impact - Approx. $15,000 annually for night lighting of athletic fields and maintenance.

Item 4.7 - Progress Payment 3 for Avenida de la Carlota widening project of $67,437.36

Item 4.8 Employer-Employee Relations Resolution (EERR) - Staff Report states these are procedural rules and regulations to address issues between the City and Laguna Hills City Employees Association. The City attorney's Office and City Management staff have developed this draft for presentation to the Association and approval by the City Council. The EERR addresses recognition of employee organizations, bargaining unit determinations, rights of management and employee organization, meeting and conferring regarding matters within the scope of bargaining and impasse resolution. The EERR does not address wages, hours, benefits or other terms and conditions of employment. Once the EERR is adopted the Association may decide to request a meeting with the City regarding wages, hours and working conditions which ultimately lead to an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding). In the absence of an MOU the current salary and benefit structure will remain in effect until either party decides to make changes. No Fiscal Impact at this time.

Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion - None
Vote - Consent Calendar was approved 5-0

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARINGS -
Public Hearing Comments - None
Administrative Reports - Preliminary Report on a request from Vintage Property Group to remodel and expand the Moulton - La Paz Shopping Center using property to be acquired from the City.

Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger recused himself from the discussion related to living within 500 ft. of the project.

Mr. Chantarangsu, Community Development Director, presented the Staff Report regarding - A complete exterior remodel and expansion including the sale of 3 acres of land from the City to facilitate the development. There will be approx. 30,000 sq. ft. of new retail space including a 20,000 sq. ft. upscale grocery store which cannot yet be named. Existing buildings will get Craftsman style facade renovations with exposed gables. The facades will include decorative ledger stone. The buildings appear to be 2 stories from the outside but are actually one story. The appearance of the buildings is very attractive and there will be attractive new landscaping as well. In answer to Council Member Kogerman's question about streamlining this process for applicants, Mr. Chantarangsu explained that the meeting tonight is part of a streamlining process that includes preliminary meetings for the City Council/Planning Agency to see the plans in advance and comment on concerns, details, suggestions, etc. to give direction to the developer who, in this case, is Vintage Real Estate.

Comments from the council members included: Bressette had concerns re. lighting in 2nd story windows that could disturb surrounding communities, ample landscape to provide screening for the surrounding community, consideration of safety related to how the equestrian trail crosses the driveway, careful consideration of sign heights and pedestrian access to the site. He said he liked the architecture very much and the City should notify citizens in surrounding communities who could be affected even if they live more than 300 ft. from the site. Songstad asked about the numbers and types of tenants that would be in the new center. Kogerman mentioned she liked the look of the center and suggested making the supermarket look inviting from the street to attract more customers. Carruth noted she would like dedicated pedestrian access to encourage people to walk to and from the center and said she liked the architectural elements used in the design.
**There will be a PUBLIC HEARING for this project at the March 13, 2012 City Council Meeting.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS -

Administrative Reports - Item 7.2.1 Volunteer Connection Day Feedback and any proposed changes. Next Volunteer Connection Day is scheduled for Sat. April 21, 9am to 12pm.

Dan Meehan, Community Services Superintendent presented the Staff Report stating a name change to "Green Expo." was considered to increase attendance and to tie into Earth Day. The Parks and Recreation Commission was not in favor of this name change. The event continues to be trail clean-up and tree planting, this time on Aliso Hills between Mendocino Ct. and Alicia Pkwy., and one painting project. Event attendance was 94 in 2008, 97 in 2009, 99 in 2010 and 49 in 2011. Staff is considering hosting a Green Expo as part of the event with vendors that promote the importance of conservation and recycling. They are considering adding crafts and other art projects and perhaps a name change to Earth Day Laguna Hills. The Parks and Recreation Commission moved to engage the PTAs of each elementary school to work on the green element of the event. Fiscal Impact to the City about $1000. Dan said they would like to add a Wyland Clean Water Mobile Learning Center in the parking lot and have the Surf Rider Foundation to accent the need to prevent litter on beaches related to how everything that goes into storm drains, drains to the beaches.

Comments from Council Members included: Lautenschleger said he was not thrilled about the Wyland presentation, argued that the Wyland trailer in an already full parking lot would interfere with Soccer Registration that day, and suggested alternate areas for trash clean up. Kogerman expressed she was skeptical of changing the name to Earth Day and about Surf Rider Foundation participation to their political stance on the 241 expansion. She said she liked the Wyland thing but understood about the parking lot situation. Bressette asked if the City was locked into the date of April 21 and told it was, so suggested the Wyland Trailer be repositioned because it would be a great draw for children if well publicized. He added he didn't like the Earth Day name and would hate to see political issues about the toll roads brought up by the Surf Rider Foundation. Carruth said she liked the universal Earth Day name because children understand it and they don't understand the old name "Volunteer Connection Day". She added we all want clean water and air so although she understands political considerations she thinks this should be open to anyone to participate in promoting clean air and water. She said she liked the Wyland Mobile Learning Ctr. and suggested that children who attend work on a mural of the event to be presented at the same event next year. Songstad said the name change was appropriate, the trailer was okay if it can fit somewhere and the Surf Rider Foundation is a good connection related to everything draining to the ocean.

A motion was made to rename the event Earth Day Laguna Hills and incorporate the Wyland Trailer if feasible and the areas Lautenschleger suggested for trail clean-up.
Vote - Motion Passed 5-0

MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS **These Items are authored Council Members. The council member who authors an item also does all the research for that item - NONE

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS -

Lautenschleger announced a Flea Borne Typhus Alert from Vector Control and passed out flyers containing reminders of how to control fleas in an out of the home.

Carruth asked if the City will be compensated for the trees and railing that were in the corner of the Oso-Cabot Rd. improvement? Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer answered CalTrans has committed to some future improvements on that corner and the City will be receiving a small compensation from the County of Orange to cover the cost of re-landscaping that corner. Carruth also noted that City Manager Channing represented the City at the ACCOC Sex Offender Policy Discussion Forum last week where City Atty. Simonian was quoted often.

Songstad spoke about attending a League of Cities Meeting last week. He said there was an Initiative from California Forward that provides for more transparency from the State Govmt. but also encourages Cities to collaborate regarding sharing resources, revenues and services on a regional basis, overseen by the County with some monetary incentive from the State. Songstad said he was pleased to see that this was not well received. He said he is going to ask for this item to be agendized for a future meeting because it will be coming back. He said Redevelopment Agencies were also discussed and a Pension Reform Initiativs were floating around.

Kogerman brought up the new Caltrans off ramp from I-5 to OSO Pkwy. again, to stress that she has taken that ramp several times now to study how it works and has observed that a significant number of cars cross the double yellow lines/bumps illegally to avoid having to turn right on Cabot Rd. She noted that the signage there is poorly done, and the potential for accidents is high. She asked the City Engineer to speak with Caltrans again about this. Ken Rosenfield, City Engineer responded that CalTrans essentially says they have the same set up on other off ramps that are not problems so they don't believe there will be significant problems here either. Kogerman also requested that Mission Viejo contact the HOAs for Moulton Ranch and Nellie Gail Ranch regarding their Cabot-Camino Capistrano Bridge Project.

CLOSED SESSION – Another Conference with Labor Negotiator Continued regarding the Terms and Conditions of Employment of the City Manager. Annual Public Employee Performance Evaluation continued regarding the City Manager.

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday February 14, 7 pm, at City Hall. Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us
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CITY COUNCIL and CITY MANAGER REPORT CARD - Categories - (T) Transparency for Citizens, (A) Accountability to Citizens, (CI) Championing Citizen Related Issue, (AG) Achieving Citizen Related Goal Grades - (P) Pass, (A) for Authoring a Citizen Friendly Item, (F) Fail, (A+) Extra Credit. City Manager will be scored related to online and agendized Staff Reports and Requests.

Bressette - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Carruth - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Kogerman - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Lautenschleger - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

Songstad - P for voting for a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day

City Manager - A - for adding a streamlining element to the City Council/Planning Commission Process for citizens and businesses. We hope that this preview for the Council/Planning Commission with result in an actual time savings when planning issues come back to the Council for approval. A - for assisting the council to create a more citizen friendly version of the old Volunteer Connection Day.

INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:

Regarding Transparency in the City's Online Public Official's Compensation Report

Anonymous said...
No matter how many words they use they are not going to be able to smother those shocking numbers. That compensation is a joke regardless of length of time on the job. Also, when nothing ever changes for so long, the council members, the top managers, etc. things can definitely go stale and that seems to be what has happened here. Running a small city like this does not require a genius or a wizard but for the sake of citizens it should require council members and top officials who are open to new ideas and to change. I don't see that with these people and the relatively empty Laguna Hills Mall is one example of that sad fact.

Regarding the Safety in the Parks Issue

Anonymous said...
Regarding the child safety ordinance and the comment that there have not statistically been any incidents since Laguna Hills has been a city: We live on Hon Ave., my daughters attend LHHS, my junior assists at school with the developmentally disabled kids. A person who lives in our neighborhood, just three weeks ago not only exposed himself but also pleasured himself in front of very small children at Clarington Park. The watchful parents were oblivious, until a passing Fed Ex driver stopped and held the young man until the sheriff arrived; nope, never any such incidents in our city's history! Laguna Hills

Anonymous said...
Hey, Lautenschleger's never had to be accurate because no matter what he said people voted him back into office for 20 years. So, why should he bother now?

Regarding Laguna Hills City Council and the Business Community

Anonymous said...
Last week I attended a meeting with a group of people from our local area. During a break a friend, who was also attending the meeting, asked me what was wrong with the Laguna Hills Mall. I thought for a moment and asked what he meant. His answer was quite simple and to the point. He pointed out that the food court was no longer there, that many specialty stores had moved out or were purely seasonal and that the anchor stores, Sears, Penny’s and Macys apparently did not generate sufficient traffic to enhance the revenue of the specialty shops and the food court.

My answer was; the thing that’s wrong with the Laguna Hills Mall is Laguna Hills.
Both Lake Forest and Mission Viejo have undertaken large programs to update, modernize and make shopper-friendly the Arbor of Lake Forest and The Shops at Mission Viejo. By comparison, what has Laguna Hills done to keep pace? – you guessed it – nothing. The city council has given lip-service to a combination or tie-in between the mall and the Oakbrook Plaza shopping area to the east. However, there has been no initiative or discussion to date from the city council.

I would presume sales tax revenue is an important source of funds for Laguna Hills. It is difficult to imagine the Laguna Hills Mall holding its own against The Arbor or The Shops. Perhaps the city council is too preoccupied with parking restrictions, signage, and council chamber mural decisions to undertake the more daunting and difficult task of promoting an environment for businesses to generate sales and thus provide sales tax revenues.
Maybe 20 years on the city council is just too long to tackle a tough problem.

Council Member Barbara Kogerman said...
Although I certainly share many of the previos blogger's concerns about the city council majority's priorities, particularly regarding the need to be proactive in attracting and retaining business, and making the process friendlier for new businesses, I must comment on the perception that the Mall is in trouble.

I have personally seen many of the excellent plans the Simon group is actively considering for renovating the Mall to make it an attractive and successful asset for the City. The vacancies you see are part of their preparation for major renovation, as they phase out leases in the south part of the Mall or fill vacancies with short- term tenants only, as the southern end will likely become an entertainment and dining center. Their plans are not final, and various concepts are being entertained, but I can tell you that the Laguna Hills Mall will undergo a transformation we can all enjoy and be proud of. Oak brook Village will undergo major improvements as well. Nothing official has come before the Council, only concepts, but I am convinced we will see specific plans soon and all will have an opportunity to weigh in and create something wonderful for the City. I only hope the Council majority will support streamlining their efforts and minimizing red tape to make the whole project viable for the property owners. We will all benefit. So stay tuned.

Anonymous said...
In response to Kogerman's response above. Thank you for those reassurances about the Laguna Hills Mall. We hope that there will be some progress on that soon, the many years of deterioration there don't speak well for the long time City Council and City Manager.

Regarding Chronic Problems with Cox Communications

Anonymous said...
In 2011 Assistant City Manager Don White told Councilmember Kogerman that the City collects about $480,000 annually from COX Cable and that goes to the general fund to safeguard the public's interests in the absence of competition. So where is the City now when the citizens need some safeguarding from COX? Nice deal for the city, bad deal for customers?

The COX onscreen TV Guide has not worked well for months and is getting worse. You often can't tell what programs are playing or when and you can't record programs because they are listed incorrectly or not listed at all. Sometimes to get one program recorded you have to record 2 which takes up too much space on the limited amount of recording time available, etc.

I have spoken with COX 4 times, sent e-mails, responded to online surveys from COX and all I got was that the online guide is having widespread problems, everybody who subscribes to COX, not just me, and they don't know when it will be working correctly. Meanwhile we will all continue to pay the same rates for services that don't work.
Why is the City not requiring COX to refund the portion of our cable rates that include the online guide and the recording of programs until the problem is solved? Apparently the City is there to collect funds from COX but not to safeguard the citizens. How has the city spent that COX money for the last 20 years and what are those safeguards they are supposed to be using for the public interest?

Anonymous said...
In response to the blog comment about Cox. We are so frustrated with them. We are having the same problem and when I looked online I saw that Cox subscribers in Arizona are having this problem too. It must be everywhere but when we called Cox we were not told this. They tried to send signals to our box, etc. but none of that worked. This is ridiculous.

Anonymous said...
I am relieved to hear I'm not going crazy and other people are having the same problems with Cox but I'm very angry that Cox has not been honest with me about the problem affecting everyone and about how long it's taking to get this fixed. We are paying a fortune for this service and there always seems to be some kind of problem but this is ridiculous. I understand they were a monopoly in this area for a long time. That must be why they are paying the City. The first blogger is right the City needs to do something and there should not be any monopolies. Competition keeps the prices lower and the services better.

Anonymous said...
We have Cox too and we've had the same mess for a long time. We have to try to fool the system to record shows, some of our favorite shows aren't even listed and other are listed twice, etc. The last time we called Cox we were advised to continue to try to fool the system as we had already learned to do on our own.

Anonymous said...
Here is information I found on the Cox Cable TV problem - Cable Television - Where to File Complaints Regarding Cable Service You should always contact your cable company first when you have a complaint. If you are not satisfied with your cable company's response, contact your local franchising authority. The back of my cable bill states - To dispute the outcome related to your cable service, you may file a complaint with your local franchising authority: CITY of LAGUNA HILLS, 24035 El Toro Rd. Laguna Hills CA.

The Federal Communications Commission and local franchising authorities are responsible for enforcing a variety of cable television regulations. A franchising authority is the local municipal, county or other government organization that regulates certain aspects of the cable television industry at the state or local level. The name of the franchising authority may be on the front or back of your cable bill. If this information is not on your bill, contact your cable company or your local town or city hall.

Anonymous said...
Take a look at this from FCC site at http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cable-television-where-file-complaints-regarding-cable-service
Questions or complaints handled by your franchising authority/City of Laguna Hills include:
Rates for basic service and equipment, installation and service charges related to basic service. This refers to the lowest level of cable service and generally includes local broadcast channels and public, educational and governmental access channels.
Rates for cable programming services tiers, also known as "enhanced basic." Cable programming services tiers ("CPSTs") include those programming services except the basic service tier, and does not include any premium channels (such as HBO or Showtime) or any pay-per-view services. The CPST rate is determined by the cable operator and is not subject to government review.
Customer service problems, including billing disputes, office hours, telephone availability of personnel, installations, outages and service calls. Local franchise authorities may adopt the Commission's Customer Service rules, at any time. The local franchise authority must provide the cable operator 90-days notice prior to enforcing the federal standards and may not adopt more stringent standards without the cable operator's consent.
Franchise fees, which are determined and retained by local governments.
Signal quality, including interference and reception difficulties.
Use of public, educational, and governmental (PEG) channels. These channels may be required as part of the franchise agreement. Your local franchise authority can provide information on any terms or conditions of use.

Regarding the Trees the City is planting in Communities

Anonymous said...
I was at a meeting and heard a young man from Laguna Hills say that he didn't want one of the many trees the City is asking residents to accept in front, and in some cases to the sides, of their homes. It was explained to him that the City sends residents notifications telling residents that if they don't want a tree they can say no and send the notification back to the city. This system is backwards. Companies used to be able to send people credit cards unless they said no, that was a problematic nuisance is now against the law. There should not be a negative response system for trees either. Trees, though beautiful, can also be huge problems for residents related to where they are placed. They can glog plumbing, and uproot hardscape such as driveways, sidewalks, etc. and they need a lot of care and water, which is expensive these days, and trimming. This City needs to take another look at their policy and change it to be more respectful of their residents. Residents should not have to waste time looking for junk mail that requires a negative response to prevent receiving something they don't want.

Regarding Songstad's Comments on the City

Anonymous said...
So, Songstad thinks that without him the City will deteriorate into mediocrity. What does he envision doing about that problem when inevitably, assuming he is only human with a limited life span, he will no longer be able to continue or term limits will take him out of the running? Is he concerned only for the City during the time that he will be living in Laguna Hills or does he have a succession plan?

Regarding our Police Chief Steve Doan

Anonymous said...
Steve Doan is a down-to-earth, very accessible gentleman. We will miss him in Laguna Hills!

Anonymous said...
We want to express our thanks to Chief Doan. We had a terrible problem in our Castle Hill neighborhood with speeding and eventually got some signs from the City but Chief Doan's deputies responded right away and made a big difference. The signs help long term but the police presence was an immediate help and they continue intermittently. Thank you very much Chief Doan from the non speeders in our neighborhood that is full of children.

Anonymous said...
After the City Council cut 2 sheriff's deputies from the budget, Chief Doan still did a great job for us and was always responsive when I had a question. That couldn't have been easy and we appreciate his good work.

Anonymous said...
Chief Doan's deputies made a big difference in the speeding problem on Lost Colt Dr. over the years Thank you to Chief Doan and his deputies. We are sorry to see you go.

WIN WIN Wednesdays!! is an ongoing series of restaurant fundraisers, a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA. Students, their families and members of the general community dine out for a great meals, and in return the restaurants donate a percentage of their proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. It's good for us AND it's good for local restaurants, hence the concept of WIN-WIN.

Year long fundraising projects like Win-Win Wednesdays allow the 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" party that Keeps our kids not only safe but in Laguna Hills and on campus continuing a 23 year tradition that makes us HAWK Proud! ** Until further notice, Flyers are available through Hawk Happenings and/or as a link from the LHHS (Laguna Hills High School) web site. The WWW site was hacked and we are working to restore linkage.

February 1 - Pei Wei Asian Diner (Lake Forest) 11am -9 pm ** Bring the Pei Wei flyer **
February 8 - Habit Burger Grill (Aliso Viejo) 11am-9pm ** Bring the Habit Burger flyer **
February 15 - Ruby's Diner (Laguna Hills Mall), Breakfast, lunch or dinner ** Bring the Ruby's flyer **
February 22 - Baja Fresh (Laguna Hills) 10:30am to 9pm ** Bring the Ruby's flyer **
February 29 Pending
March 7 - Pick Up Stix (Laguna Niguel) Lunch or Dinner ** Bring the Pick Up Stix flyer**

** Be sure to "LIKE" us on Facebook to help spread the word and Don't forget our "WWW Everyday" Partners like Its a Grind Coffee House, Alpha Cleaners and Golden Baked Hams. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!

HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION - Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Donation checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. 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 city's e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site by clicking on this link - http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/

Please see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Facebook page by clicking on this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-Team-Darkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!

** Don't miss the very compelling Stories from Jane Wayne Day - Local Citizens Living as Marines for a day at Camp Pendleton, by Karen Robbins at http://www.benzinga.com/users/karenrobbins

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

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/

LAGUNA HILLS CITY WORKERS: 12 PERCENT UNDERPAID?http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/09/01/laguna-hills-city-workers-12-percent-underpaid/95765/

Which city council makes the most money? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/07/11/which-city-council-makes-the-most-money/88311/#comment-169311

LA Times: Laguna Hills City Manager Salary http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oc-salaries-20110621,0,1126677.story

In O.C., city pay can be steep, but it’s not ‘abusive’ June 20th, 2011 http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/06/20/in-o-c-city-pay-can-be-excessive-but-its-not-abusive/85631/#comment-165059

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

Political rebel faces an uphill battle http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-303262-kogerman-channing.html

Councilwoman: Public pay report inaccurate, self serving http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-299908-report-council.html

OC Watchdog Lavish health benefits slashed in Laguna Hills, Tustin http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/05/12/lavish-health-benefits-slashed-in-laguna-hills-tustin/82833/

After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writerhttp://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633
Click on http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.

No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/

Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/

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."

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY the DARNDEST THINGS IN PUBLIC! - Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members

January 10, 2012 - Council Member Songstad said, "I find it interesting that we are in a discussion where we are being asked to provide less information rather than more information, I thought transparency was all about providing more information."

To clarify for Council Member Songstad "Transparency" is not simply an amount of information it is clarity of information - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Transparency) - free from pretense or deceit, easily detected or seen through, obvious, readily understood, characterized by visibility or accessibility of information. Wikipedia (Transparency Behavior) - Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. All organizations have a transparency culture, but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done.

November 27, 2011 - Regarding the ordinance establishing parks as “Child Safety Zones, Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated, “Let's make one thing perfectly clear, there have been no sex crimes against children in the City since we incorporated."

You should have done some fact checking before speaking so boldly, Mr. Lautenschleger. According to information from the OC Sheriff's Dept. there have been 32 child molests in Laguna Hills in the past 11 years. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts.

June 10, 2008- Mayor Allan Songstad said "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."

Thank you Mayor Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 years.

October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that."
So true, Allan, so unfortunately true unless you change members of the city council.

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.

Now, in 2012 with 19 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician."

CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

For a roundup of Laguna Hills police calls check the Saddleback Valley News every Friday or click on - www.ocregister.com/news/saddleback

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register Newspaper Letters to the Editor: 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 will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.

2012-01-22T17:36:00.000-08:00

ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST FOR the JANUARY 24,

LAGUNA HILLS CITY COUNCIL MEETING

Employer-Employee Relations Resolution between City and City Staff

Current Widespread Problems with Cox Cable's onscreen TV Guide and recording of programs can be reported to the Franchising Authority which is the City of Laguna Hills if no resolution received from Cox.

Preliminary Report for Renovations and Additions to Moulton-La Paz Shopping Ctr.

Proposed Construction of Bridge from Cabot Rd. to Camino Capistrano at Merit Circle may affect equestrian crossing

2012-01-13T12:53:00.000-08:00

Laguna Hills Watch Dog
January 10, 2012 - Laguna Hills City Council Meeting

All council members were present
==============================
City Council Meetings are now recorded in Video and Audio on the City Web Site. - Continue to see information for Win-Win -Wednesdays under - INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers, Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at - ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

Citizen Alerts for future Council Meetings will be published on this blog site within 4 days prior to each council meeting. Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday January 24, 2012, 7 pm, at City Hall. Attend a City Council Meeting to speak or send e-mails to Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us

HEADLINES:   Request from Council Member Kogerman for Citizen Friendly Revisions to the online Public Officials Compensation Report.  2 new microwave dish antennas requested from AT&T for the Moulton Niguel Water Tank location on Nellie Gail Rd.   Annual Block Grant Applications for Renovation of housing in the Via Lomas area and for Improvements to the Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

PRESENTATIONS and PROCLAMATIONS - None

PUBLIC COMMENTS - Meg Gorham from LHHS PTSA's Win Win Wednesdays said she hopes to see the Council Members in one of the W-W-Wednesday Venues in 2012. She announced that the W-W-Wednesday's web site was hacked and is down now so flyers for the Win Win Wednesday meals can be downloaded from the Laguna Hills High School web site until the W-W-Wed. web site is fixed. She noted that the at the Wednesday, January 11 - Chick-fil-A (Aliso Viejo) 11am-8pm No flyer needed and No flyer needed for Wednesday, January 18 - Cafe' Rio (Lake Forest) 6-8pm either. Deemers in Laguna Niguel is scheduled for Wed. Jan. 25.

LHHS STUDENT LIAISON REPORT by Kylie West, alternate is Jeena Bonutto
Kylie said Tues. Jan. 17 is a presentation on the Latest Drug Trends by Deputy Gunsolley the Student Resource Officer (SRO) at LHHS in the theater from 7 to 9pm. This is for Adults Only. Another event for Parents Only in the LHHS theater on Kids and Technology and Dangerous Teen Trends Tues. Feb. 28 from 7 to 9pm. Every 2 years LHHS and the City of Laguna Hills hosts "Every 15 Minutes" a very realistic event held to make students more aware of the consequences of drunk driving. It will be held this year on Mon. April 2 through Tues. April 3 on the LHHS Campus. The Winter Formal is being held in Dove Canyon on January 28 and it's a Fairy Tale theme. The Talent Show on Feb. 10 in the LHHS theater featuring so many talented students at LHHS. This performance is sprinkled with surprises, amazing singers, etc. Finals are coming up the week of Jan. 24. Two music events are coming up. On Friday, Feb 3 there is the Small Ensembles and Student Composition Concert at 7pm in the LHHS theater and on Sunday Feb. 12 the USO Concert at the Club House in Laguna Woods from 4 - 7. Wrestling match is coming up. The Hawks are #2 in the County and they will compete against the # 3 ranked San Clemente High School. She added we actually beat Mission 77-0, and Capo Valley 40-25 in South Coast League. Girls Basketball is having a game now against El Toro and they've been doing really well. Kylie announced that this is her last report because the semester is ending. She thanked the council so much for this opportunity. We thank Kylie for her reports, she did a great job and we will miss her.

MINUTES - City Council Approves the Minutes of the previous City Council Meeting for publication on the city web site. The minutes from tonight's meeting will not be approved for publication until the next city council meeting so there is a long delay for the public related to timely documentation of information from the city.

CONSENT CALENDAR - Warrant Register = $1,221,555.67

Items of interest from the Warrant Register - $15,063.75 to Faubel Public Affairs for Professional Fees for Winter Edition of City Views with Activity Guide

Items of interest from the Consent Calendar -
4.3 - Renewal and Extension of Term of Memorandum of Understanding between OCTA and City of Laguna Hills for El Toro Rd. Traffic Light Synch. Project.
4.4 - Progress Payment for Avenida de la Carlota Widening Project
4.5 - Revised 7 year Capital Improvement Pgrm. Budget for Renewed Measure M Compliance - OCTA determined that the City of Laguna Hills 7 year Capital Improvement Pgrm. Budget submitted in June of 2011 did not include line items for 100% of the projected Measure M turnback funds so have required the City to revise and resubmit. In order for the City to remain eligible for Measure M funding the City must demonstrate continued compliance with requirements, policies and guidelines.

Items Pulled from the Consent Calendar for Discussion - None
Vote - Consent Calendar was passed 5-0

PLANNING AGENCY PUBLIC HEARING - AT&T Request for 2 new Microwave Dish Antennas to be added to existing facility located at the Northeast Corner of Nellie Gail Rd. and Gallup Circle.

The new Community Development Director David Chantarangsu presented the request by AT&T to add 2 new microwave dish antennas to an existing facility. This monopole currently has 12 panel antennas, 2 Microwave antennas and other related equipment. The site contains 3 water tanks for the Moulton Niguel Water District. Mr. Chantarangsu said the height of the antenna will not actually increase but with the addition of the new dishes the overall height will be increased from 53 feet to 57.5 feet. Mr. Chantarangsu added that a couple of calls have been received from nearby residents expressing safety concerns but the 1996 Federal Telecommunications Act prohibits cities from denying cell sites based on safety concerns. City Staff recommends approval.

Alex Sataroff (sp?), AT&T Representative, in answer to questions from council members, explained that the antennas require a clear line of sight from point to point and there is no reason to believe people will be effected by this. He stated the need for additional microwave dishes is to increase the speed and capacity of data related to dropped calls, need for faster down loads and uploads, etc. One antenna is 3 feet in diameter for longer distance the other is 2 1/2 feet. He said the two considerations for replacing poles are: 1. A pole can no longer support additional antennas and 2. Budget. He added that the height of surrounding trees used to screen these areas can interfere with transmission.

PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS:

Mr. Michael Goodin, Laguna Hills resident stated he has been here before and there are already about 50 parabolic antennas at this sight. He said he is concerned about the existence of cumulative effects of radiation with no RF studies being done. He said he would also like assurances that these waves are not pointed at any houses. He noted there is no evidence presented here of FCC requirements being met. He said he spoke with someone at the Moulton Niguel Water District who sent a response stating - we currently don't have recent environmental or RF studies for this sight, and he said the water company suggested that the City has a right to require the applicant to provide information of meeting FCC requirements. He asked that the applicant (AT&T) be made to do their due diligence.

Mr Goodin noted that he can see this pole clearly from upstairs windows in his house and from the park as there is nothing to block that. He added there is also no evidence that AT&T has spoken with the Nellie Gail Ranch HOA about this. He suggested more homework be done and this be continued at another meeting. He reminded the council that although there is a requirement for testing within 90 days of installation, that's putting the cart before the horse and they didn't do that after the last installation and probably won't do it this time. Community Development Director David Chantarangsu said he had no information regarding previous testing at this site and City Manager Channing said he didn't have the information either, but would supply this to the council tomorrow. Mr. Goodin also requested for more data as to why this installation has to be here, now and this way.
**Editor's Note - If studies were done and there are reports, we hope copies of that information will be supplied to the public as well as to the City Council Members?

Mr. Ing, Laguna Hills resident said he is a Telecom. Investment Analyst and shares the concerns of Mr. Goodin. He noted similarities with asbestos studies stating in the beginning that it was not harmful and later learning that was not true. He said there have been no long term studies for this, microwaves heat tissue and this antenna is sending microwaves across the park where kids play. He added that demands to increase speed and capacity of data are endless so when will enough be enough? This is a snowball effect, there is the problem of aesthetics and property values are affected. He added that he received his notice for this meeting over the holidays and felt that notice did not allow much time to research and prepare.

Mr. Scott Baskin, Laguna Hills resident said the overhead photos of this site presented by the applicant were selective and the site can't be effectively screened because the trees would interfere with transmission. He agreed with Mr. Ing that this problem will escalate with AT&T and their competitors. He added that this sight was set aside by the developer as a water site service area for the community and has now been turned into a convenience for AT&T. He asked where the logic was in that, especially in the middle of a residential community.

Alex Sataroff, AT&T Representative said they could do a study before adding the antennas and a cumulative study after construction is complete and a file will be available for the public. He said the RF radiation is non-ionizing and has no effect on humans. He suggested checking the American Cancer Society web site for more information. He cited the need for better service in times of emergency and said the company is trying to use existing sites rather than establishing more sites.

City Atty. Greg Simonian confirmed the Federal Telecommunications Act prohibiting cities from denying sites related safety concerns as long as the sites comply with FCC regulations and recommended that the City take the applicant up on his offer to conduct pre and post installation cumulative studies. He also said it is within the purview of the Planning Agency to put the burden on the applicant to not only provide a statement concerning feasible alternatives but also to provide additional information to clarify why it's necessary to address the shortcomings of their current facility.

Council Member Bressette stated, in response to questions from the public, that this site is one of the highest in Laguna Hills and is unfortunately a link in everyone's network. He added that he supposes Moulton Niguel Water District needs the rent. Editor's Note - Mr. Bressette makes an important point, hosts for these antenna sites, including this City are well paid. He also asked what is our remedy if the RF energy exceeds FCC guidelines? Community Development Director David Chantarangsu responded we could have the applicant adjust the facility so that is does comply or failing that we could revoke the permit.

Council Members Songstad and Lautenschleger both said they remembered that the RF levels are always very low to miniscule.

Council Member Kogerman made a motion to continue this public hearing for the applicant do the pre-testing and notify the Nellie Gail HOA then return to the City Council with a proof of compliance with FCC requirements. Vote was 5-0 to pass the motion.

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS -

Community Development Block Grant Application -
Community Development Director David Chantarangsu explained this is a Federal Grant but the County takes applications for it. This is the annual Block Grant Application to the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Community Development Black Grant (CDBG) program administered through the County for renovation of housing in the Via Lomas Area. An application for the Maximum allowance of $360,000 has been submitted to renovate 18 condo units of this 248 unit complex. The total funding for repairs will come from CDBG funds and Aliso Meadows Homeowner's Association Funds. The staff report states staff has been applying for this funding and hiring a consultant to administer this program about 8 years for this area that was approved by the County in 1980 to provide low and moderate income housing. Mr. Chantarangsu said there was 1 comment received from the community re. vision testing for children. There were no public speakers. Vote - Passed 5 - 0

Annual Block Grant Application for funds for Public Facilities and Improvements for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. The City began applying for these block grants in the 2009-2010 fiscal year after a public outcry from senior citizens. Melissa Au-Yeung presented this item. - The City has obtained $164,628 to date to address repairs and maintenance issues for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. This year the funds are for expansion of a newly-installed solar paned system and a retractable room divider. There is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time for completing the application.
There were no public speakers. Vote - Passed 5 - 0

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None

MATTERS AGENDIZED and PRESENTED by CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
**These Items are authored Council Members. The council member who authors an item also does all the research for that item -

From Council Member Kogerman - Item # 8.1.1 - Revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report posted on the City web site.
Council Member Kogerman presented her recommendation for revision of the online Public Official's Compensation Report. She and Council Member Bressette discussed substitute motions and recommended that staff return to the City Council with a revised Public Officials' Compensation Report for council approval. Their recommendations were that the At-A-Glance Tables of the Compensation Report on the City's web site should be the focus of the body of information that is presented there when a citizen is looking for compensation information and the information in the narratives which is very out of date should be made current and made available with links for those who are interested in learning more.

The point they made was that when citizens visit the City web site and see the "PUBLIC OFFICIALS' COMPENSATION REPORT" title on the initial page and click on that title, rather than being presented with compensation report tables they are presented with lengthy narratives about the media, the board of supervisors and Cal-PERS, etc., then presented with the 1st link to At-A-Glance tables which provides more lengthy narratives interspersed with tables, etc. making it cumbersome and very distracting for citizens to access just the compensation information.

Kogerman gave some examples of the tables of clean and simple compensation reports from other cities that were not cluttered with lengthy narrative and noted that these cities were commended by the Grand Jury for accessibility.

Council Member Songstad responded, "I find it interesting that we are in a discussion where we are being asked to provide less information rather than more information, I thought transparency was all about providing more information." "I think the Compensation is just fine, I think that's valuable information and that people should know how the City functions and how the City's organized." **Editor's Note - To clarify for Council Member Songstad "Transparency" is not simply an amount of information it is clarity of information - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Transparency) - free from pretense or deceit, easily detected or seen through, obvious, readily understood, characterized by visibility or accessibility of information. Wikipedia (Transparency Behavior) - Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. All organizations have a transparency culture, but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done.

City Attorney Greg Simonian responded to a how would we do this question from Mayor Carruth, stating, "In 2010 the City Council wished not only to adopt the August 2010 City of Laguna Hills Compensation Report in the format and manner in which that report is prepared but the City Council went the extra step to ensure that this report would not only be uploaded onto the City's web site and annually updated as an administrative matter, it also codified it to ensure that that would be the Law of Laguna Hills." He went on to say it would be his opinion that if the City Council wishes to change the report the council would have to continue this item, bring it back with a new proposed format report and then adopt a new ordinance and jettison the old report.

Mayor Carruth asked how much flexibility does staff have in editing out pages or paragraphs? City Attorney Greg Simonian responded, "Technically none". He continued that the Council was very meticulous and specific in the format of that report, the subheadings, subsections, content and said he believes the staff only has the latitude to update the numeric data provided in the previous year. Staff can clean up stale information but cannot change the format of the ordinance. The whole purpose of codifying it was to ensure that it could not be changed.

HISTORY OF THIS ISSUE - At the Sept. 14, 2010 City Council Meeting Mayor Bressette made a motion to amend the "Public Official's Compensation Report" to include tables detailing Salary and Benefit's information for City Council and Management Staff. He asked the City Council to direct the City Manager to amend the "Public Official's Compensation Report" to include all of the total compensation items which are in the existing report and to add unused vacation buyout, unused sick leave buyout, taxable personal use of a city-owned vehicle, taxable personal toll-road fees and employee's Medicare contributions paid by employer. Additionally the report will include an easy to read "At-A-Glance" tabular format with tables inserted after the City Council compensation section for each City Council Member and Staff Member. He said we have an obligation to report to our residents/taxpayers in an easier to read format detailing the numbers and the total rather than expecting them to read through 11 pages consolidating pieces of information that appear throughout that report. He said the city manager disagreed about posting the vacation buyout, but items should be detailed not reported in a lump sum. Council Member Carruth stated that regardless of what the reporting requirements of the state controller will be, there is an expectation from our community to provide accurate information in an easy to understand format. Why not get ahead of the curve on this rather than wait for a requirement to keep up. Vote - Carruth and Bressette were defeated 3 to 2 on this issue, by Songstad, Lautenschleger and Scott. A Substitute Motion to - Approve the compensation report as written by the staff and if changes are required the report can be modified at that time was passed 3 to 2.

Mayor Pro-Tem Lautenschleger spoke at length saying that the Grand Jury's Report was a joke was not factually honest and was misleading and they did a lousy job.
**Editor's Note - Regarding being factual, Mr. Lautenschleger needs to be reminded that when the Grand Jury asked Laguna Hills to conduct a Compensation Study of their Top Management, Laguna Hills responded citing the City's 2011 Compensation Study that failed to include their top management?? Lautenschleger also noted that there was no allowance in the Grand Jury Study for Cities like Laguna Hills who had age banded benefits (He means - Health Insurance Premiums for their City Council Members). ** Editor's Note - Again, regarding being factual - Perhaps the Grand Jury made no allowance because Laguna Hills had the opportunity to change those age banded benefits years earlier but waited until after those very high premiums were exposed in the news, therefore, it was their choice to retain that type of benefit.
Lautenschleger then touted the 2% at 60 Pension Plan that Laguna Hills has but neglected to say that the City pays 100% of the contribution for both the employer and the employee and also has a supplemental plan (PARS) for which the City also pays both the employer and employee contributions. Lautenschleger added if you want accuracy and thoroughness go to Laguna Hills and noted he was against revising the Compensation Report.

Mayor Carruth said she would rather wait and look again at this issue in March of this year after the staff completes its updates to the City's Public Official's Compensation Report. She added at the time this format was moved forward by the city council it made sense because the citizens wanted an explanation of public official compensation.
**Editorial Comment - With their substitute motions Kogerman and Bressette were recommending a change to the format of this report to a focus on the numbers with links to the narratives. The City Attorney clearly stated above that the staff cannot change the format with updates, the council must vote to create a new format.

VOTE - Kogerman and Bressette both made substitute motions which were both defeated 3 - 2 by Lautenschleter, Songstad and Carruth.
**Editorial Comment - For those of us in Laguna Hills who are die hard "Where's Waldo" Fans this is good news! We get to continue sifting through long narratives seeking those elusive numbers. Songstad, Lautenschleger and Carruth, over the objections of Kogerman and Bressette and in defiance of a 2011 Orange County Grand Jury Report - Compensation Study of Orange County Cities, voted NOT to revise the format and Not to clarify information on the City web site's Compensation Report that earned the City a "D" for Clarity by the 2011 Compensation Study of Orange County Cities Grand Jury Report.

CITY COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS - None
CLOSED SESSION – Another conference with the Labor Negotiatior Daniel C. Cassidy regarding the Terms and Conditions of the City Manager's Employment Agreement. Also another conference re. the City Manager's Annual Performance Evaluation which determines if he receives a bonus for 2011 and if so how much. 0 - 10% of his salary is the figure that is quoted as a cap for his bonus but in past years he has received additional vacation days to exchange for cash as well.

Conference with Legal Counsel re existing litigation, City of Laguna Hills v. Moreland Development Company and a Conference with Real Property Negotiators.

The Next regular City Council Meeting is Tuesday January 24, 7 pm, at City Hall. Contact Laguna Hills City Council Members at ccouncil@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us ================================

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.

Bressette - P - Actively supporting an item to make a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report. P - Voting yes on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site. P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

Carruth - F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report. P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site. P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

Kogerman - A - Authoring an item to make a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report P - Voting yes on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site. P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

Lautenschleger - F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site. P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements  P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

Songstad - F - Voting No on a citizen friendly revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report P - Voting to require AT&T to demonstrate the compliance with FCC regulations prior to adding microwave antennas to an existing telecommunications site. P - Voting for Community Block Grant for Via Lomas building improvements P - Voting for Block Grant for Florence Sylvester Senior Center.

City Manager - F - for no available reports of previous compliance with FCC regulations at the proposed site for the installation of 2 additional cell antennas.

INFORMATION, COMMENTS QUESTIONS and CONCERNS from Watch Dog Readers:

Anonymous said - Vote for your favorite Women in Orange County Politics at "topix http://ocpoliticsblog.com/2012/01/05/who-are-the-top-women-in-orange-county-politics/

Anonymous said re. City Holiday Banners - As I have driven around the various cities this Holiday Season, I have noticed how festive and colorful the other cities such as Mission Viejo and Dana Point look because they have continued to display the Seasons Greetings Banners on their light poles. We used to do this which, in my humble opinion, added a festive, positive, warm feeling to the City of Laguna Hills that all the residents and their guests could enjoy throughout the Holiday Season.

The last few years, this has been discontinued. I would like to see this added to the 2012 budget to reinstate the Holiday Banners. I'm not asking for the other seasons - just the end of the year banners. If we have $7,000,000 sitting in the bank, surely we can afford to do this.

Anonymous said - Hi everyone. This is my very first visit to this excellent place.
Thanks for the great information.

Anonymous said re. Irony in City Government - You just gotta appreciate the IRONY in Laguna Hills City Government.
1. In June of 2011 the Orange County Grand Jury Compensation Study that examined all elected Officials and all employees in Orange County Cities being paid at a base salary in excess of $100,000 per year concluded "the term abuse is highly subjective in nature" but added that the CA Atty. General announced he would look into any city official's salary that exceeds $300,000. The Grand Jury continued, "Based on the data submitted to the Grand Jury by all 34 Orange County cities, the highest paid city employee or official of the 1,837 positions so reported is the Laguna Hills City Manager, with a base salary of $233,592 and total compensation of $378, 427. It is clear that this is a substantial compensation level. As a point of reference in that regard, the Chief Executive Officer for the County of Orange received a total compensation of $324,535, according to the State Controller web site.

In Dec. of 2011, Allan Songstad, as the outgoing Mayor of Laguna Hills, warned citizens that if City Employee Compensation is effected by mostly political criticism the City may fall into "grave fiscal danger from mediocre city management."

2. The 2011 Orange County Grand Jury singled out Laguna Hills for the compensation of the City Manager and Assistant City Manager/Finance Director in the City of Laguna Hills exceeding levels in other comparably sized cities both inside and outside of Orange County and Recommended that the City of Laguna Hills Conduct a Compensation Review of Top Officials.

The City of Laguna Hills conducted an almost $25,000 taxpayer funded compensation study in 2011 that Did Not Study Top Officials (City Manager and Assistant City Manager) and cited this study in their response to the Grand Jury Recommendation?

3. Council Member Lautenschleger, who appears to have chronic problems delivering correct information, continually touts Laguna Hills as being such a safe city but never mentions that he lives in a gated community?   It's difficult to decide if Songstad and Lautenschleger think Laguna Hills Citizens and the OC Grand Jury are stupid, have no memories or both.

Anonymous said- Regarding Revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report - As I have said on more than one occasion, Melody is Impossible!! How can she so blatantly change sides on issues such as this, which were brought up over and over in the last quarter of 2010 and the beginning of 2011. She was screaming about the 3/2 votes and the substitute motions that were used to circumvent this issue during her election year. NOW she is part of the 3/2 to give Channing this little victory. She is truly the "Teflon man".

What makes these elected officials think any one in this city cares one single bit that there are a couple of other cities out there that are better at hiding compensation information than we are???? That is the best they have???? They need to be recalled just for using that argument!!! These political antics need to be exposed. It is not in the citizens best interest it is just "same o'l, same o'l" and frankly I'm not amused.

Anonymous said - 2012 is a very important election year....We need to replace the old guard...What drives me nutty is that Lautenschleger is mayor pro tem. Should have been BK.

Anonymous said - Great report……these people never cease to amaze me. What happened to “Common Sense”?

Anonymous said - I applaud Bressette for sometimes breaking ranks with the other long term "we can only do the way we have done if for 20 years" group on the council, and for acknowledging that it doesn't take a genius to do that job, but I don't appreciate his snippy comment of "I'll second this just to vote no." I remember him saying that before and it strikes a very sour note. It just doesn't need to be said.

Anonymous said - We seriously need 2 new Laguna Hills City Councilmembers this year. I strongly suggest a combination of elementary school teachers and Miss Mannners. If this situation was not "reality" for Laguna Hills I would guess it was material for a bad comedy routine. Mayor Songstad set goals for himself as Mayor in Dec. of 2010 but never referred to them again. Where was he in elementary school when the rest of us learned the basic premise of goal setting is that goals are set as yardsticks to be measured at a later date? He just sets but never measures?!

He topped that by dropping the worst bomb a politician could drop in Orange County. He said that if we don't continue to pay the highest compensation in all of Orange County for our top city management we could, take a breath here, become "Mediocre"! Ahhhhhhhhh!! As if that wasn't enough to get him re-elected in 2012, he then nominated his long time playmate, Joel Lautenschleger for Mayor Pro-Tem, emphasizing that newcomers will not be allowed to play in his sandbox. This is the long term mentality he wants us to embrace to save ourselves from mediocrity. Where are those elementary school teachers in Laguna Hills? We need you now!
Anonymous said - I am back in Illinois now reading local news. Can you imagine the City of Laguna Hills offering grants for qualifying residents to fix up their homes? I can't! Good idea though.http://couriernews.suntimes.com/news/9829764-418/elgin-again-offering-grants for-property-improvement.html

Anonymous said - Regarding the Tree Pockets deeded from the City of Laguna Hills to the residents along the SW side of Paseo de Valencia and between Alicia and La Paz. - From the Oct 11, 2011 City Council Meeting.
This stuff the City Council is doing is so unbelievable - like the mailing of the package to the Residents for the City to Vacate the land with so little time to respond! What I don't understand is why they didn't take care of that slope for so many years. It's gotten uglier year by year. Those euc trees are all dying and they've continued to remove the trees leaving the block wall areas exposed. This is such a main part of a view of the city and they are going to give it to the residents who probably will just let it go. I don't get it! I bet they'll have to pay more property taxes for it too.
If I were a resident living off Kennington and backing to the creek area between Beckenham and Los Alisos, I would be extremely concerned about the rapid erosion of the land on the south side of the creek. Over the last couple of years it has lost a minimum of 5 feet. At this rate, if they do not concrete this area in or add massive rocks, they will have to worry about their homes!!

Anonymous said re. a Community Bulletin Board - The city council can't think of a way to set up a Community Bulletin Board at the Community Center so that residents can communicate with other residents for free about what's happening in the community?

And they refuse to even discuss moving the items that are of interest to citizens up from last on city council agendas. Are they that afraid of the Citizens having any kind of voice in their own community? I've had enough of this attitude, this needs to change.

WIN WIN Wednesdays!! is an ongoing series of restaurant fundraisers, a project of the Laguna Hills High School PTSA. Students, their families and members of the general community dine out for a great meals, and in return the restaurants donate a percentage of their proceeds to the LHHS PTSA. It's good for us AND it's good for local restaurants, hence the concept of WIN-WIN.

Year long fundraising projects like Win-Win Wednesdays allow the 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" party that Keeps our kids not only safe but in Laguna Hills and on campus continuing a 23 year tradition that makes us HAWK Proud! ** Don't forget to Download your Fundraiser Flyers to present to the eating establishments at the LHHS web site until the W-W-Wednesday site is repaired. T
here are also some flyers at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Win-Win-Wednesdays/188686554512301?ref=

January 18 - Cafe' Rio (Lake Forest) 6-8pm only ** No flyer needed for a 20% donation
January 25 - Deemer's American Grill (Laguna Niguel) 11am-9pm ** Bring the flyer**
** "LIKE" us on Facebook to help spread the word and Don't forget our "WWW Everyday" Partners like Its a Grind Coffee House, Alpha Cleaners and Golden Baked Hams. Bring the flyers for these everyday partners and Support the businesses that support us!

HOW TO SUPPORT THE 3rd BATTALION, 5th MARINE DIVISION - Adopted by the City of Laguna Hills - Donation checks can be made specifically to "Laguna Hills Team Dark Horse" and mailed to - Team Dark Horse, 27251 Lost Colt Dr., Laguna Hills, CA. 92653. 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 city's e-mail for the 3/5 is 3/5-support@ci.laguna-hills.ca.us City Clerk Peggy Johns is the City Liaison to the 3/5 Support Committee. Go to the City web site by clicking on this link - http://www.ci.laguna-hills.ca.us/

Please see the Laguna Hills 3/5 Adopted Marines Facebook page by clicking on this link - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laguna-Hills-Team-Darkhorse/132765660119128 and share it with your friends!!

** Don't miss the very compelling Stories from Jane Wayne Day - Local Citizens Living as Marines for a day at Camp Pendleton, by Karen Robbins at http://www.benzinga.com/users/karenrobbins

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

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/

LAGUNA HILLS CITY WORKERS: 12 PERCENT UNDERPAID?http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/09/01/laguna-hills-city-workers-12-percent-underpaid/95765/
Which city council makes the most money? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/07/11/which-city-council-makes-the-most-money/88311/#comment-169311

LA Times: Laguna Hills City Manager Salary http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-oc-salaries-20110621,0,1126677.story

In O.C., city pay can be steep, but it’s not ‘abusive’ June 20th, 2011 http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/06/20/in-o-c-city-pay-can-be-excessive-but-its-not-abusive/85631/#comment-165059

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

Political rebel faces an uphill battle http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-303262-kogerman-channing.html

Councilwoman: Public pay report inaccurate, self serving http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-299908-report-council.html

OC Watchdog Lavish health benefits slashed in Laguna Hills, Tustin http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/05/12/lavish-health-benefits-slashed-in-laguna-hills-tustin/82833/

After attacks, city-manager-compensation sleuths win state award March 21st, 2011, posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writerhttp://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/03/21/after-attacks-city-manager-compensation-sleuths-win-state-award/78545/#comment-139633
Click on http://www.publicceo.com/ for more of this story.

No more $60,000 SUVs for city manager? http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/02/09/no-more-60000-suvs-for-city-manager/75030/

Gold-plated benefits? New councilwoman just says ‘no’ http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2011/01/18/gold-plated-benefits-new-councilwoman-just-says-no/72532/

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."

CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY the DARNDEST THINGS IN PUBLIC! - Memorable and surprising Public Quotes from City Council Members

January 10, 2012 - Council Member Songstad said, "I find it interesting that we are in a discussion where we are being asked to provide less information rather than more information, I thought transparency was all about providing more information."

To clarify for Council Member Songstad "Transparency" is not simply an amount of information it is clarity of information - Merriam-Webster Dictionary (Transparency) - free from pretense or deceit, easily detected or seen through, obvious, readily understood, characterized by visibility or accessibility of information. Wikipedia (Transparency Behavior) - Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. All organizations have a transparency culture, but few have a culture of transparency, i.e., a culture of being aware of transparency and incorporating it routinely into how things are done.

November 27, 2011 - Regarding the ordinance establishing parks as “Child Safety Zones, Council Member Joel Lautenschleger stated, “Let's make one thing perfectly clear, there have been no sex crimes against children in the City since we incorporated."

You should have done some fact checking before speaking so boldly, Mr. Lautenschleger. According to information from the OC Sheriff's Dept. there have been 32 child molests in Laguna Hills in the past 11 years. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but not their own facts.

June 10, 2008- Mayor Allan Songstad said "We have to go through a bidding process and sometimes the low bidder is not always the best contractor, but sometimes that's what we're stuck with."

Thank you Mayor Songstad, that is exactly what we have been trying to tell you about the Laguna Hills City Council "sticking " the residents with the same bad vendor - The Orange County Animal Shelter for the past 19 years.

October 25, 2005 - Mayor Allan Songstad, speaking about the Laguna Hills City Council said, "When you've been doing business in a certain way for 13 years you're not likely to change that."

So true, Allan, so unfortunately true unless you change members of the city council.

August 19, 1994 - LHCC Member Allan Songstad - From the Los Angeles Times Newspaper Article Collections - Orange County Focus - August 19, 1994 LYNN FRANEY - Laguna Hills Councilman Declines to Run for Reelection With Councilman L. Allan Songstad Jr. declining to run for reelection, at least one newcomer will gain a seat on the City Council this fall. Songstad said he never intended to run for a second council term and that he is not a "career politician." That leaves space for at least one of the challengers, Cindy Greengold, Saeid Hariri, Grant R. Marcus or Charmane Riggs.

Now, in 2012 with 19 years on the Laguna Hills City Council we are guessing Council Member Songstad has changed his mind about being not being a "career politician."

CRIME IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
For a roundup of Laguna Hills police calls check the Saddleback Valley News every Friday or click on - www.ocregister.com/news/saddleback

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR of the Orange County Register Newspaper Letters to the Editor: 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 will be given preference. Letters will be edited for length, grammar and clarity.

2012-01-06T14:15:00.000-08:00

Laguna Hills Watch Dog Special Edition

Interview with Laguna Hills Police Chief, Captain Doan, who is leaving this month
Review of the Emergency Preparedness Academy that Chief Doan brought to our City.
Heads Up for City Council Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 - Items of Possible Interest for Laguna Hills Citizen

We will soon be saying goodbye to our Laguna Hills Chief of Police, Captain Steve Doan, who has been with us for almost 8 years, because his recent promotion to Captain requires that he move up to a Division Commander level. For all our citizens who have come to know him personally, for all who appreciate the difficult job he has done keeping our City safe with fewer deputies now than when he started and for those who have completed the Emergency Preparedness Academy he brought to our City we say thank you! Although we are happy for him we will miss him very much.

We recently sat down with Chief Doan to learn more about his job and his history with our City. Before becoming the Chief of Police for Laguna Hills Captain Doan progressed through the ranks of Sergeant and Lieutenant in South OC serving as a Deputy Investigator in the South Operations Division. In answer to our questions, Chief Doan, explained some basics in the organization of the Sheriff's Dept. A Captain is a Division Commander who oversees a "Division" consisting of a group of Cities. Each City is referred to as a "Bureau." A Lieutenant oversees each of the 12 Orange County Cities/Bureaus contracted for police services with the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. A Sergeant oversees a "Detail" examples of which may be one of the shifts in a 24 hour schedule or a Narcotic's Detail. etc.

We learned that Captain Doan will be assigned to the North Operations Division now to oversee all the cities in No. OC that contract with the County Sheriff's Dept., all the unincorporated areas in the North, the Emergency Communications Division that takes our 911 calls, the Reserves - a group of 400 volunteers, and the Security Bureau that provides protection at County Buildings. He will be leaving on January 13, 2012 and although his new assignment sounds tremendously daunting, he was excited about this new opportunity.

Some interesting background on Captain Steve Doan is that he was born at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. He graduated from the University of Colorado with degrees in Architecture and Business and then returned to this area. With that background, you might be asking yourself, how did he become a Sheriff''s Deputy? We have his Dad to thank for that. Steve told us the story of his Dad who was a dentist who was talked into that occupation by his father. His Dad admitted to never being happy as a dentist and advised his son to find something to do that he would look forward to doing every day of his life. Steve took that advice, and went to Golden West College, where he took some Administration of Justice classes. He then applied to the Sheriff's Dept., where he has been for 27 years, and told us he has never regretted his choice. His wife was also an Orange County Deputy Sheriff.

As a Deputy Investigator in Special Operations and Intelligence Chief Doan coordinated with other units to protect dignitaries such as Presidents, Senators and Mayors and monitored events for problems with domestic terrorism, local anarchists involved in creating chaos, threat assessments, and murder for hire cases. He noted that the Chief of Police positions for the 12 OC cities are coveted positions and a number of Lieutenants are interested in the position in Laguna Hills that he is leaving. The City Manager will be interviewing applicants for the new Laguna Hills Chief of Police as will the Captain of the South OC Sheriff's Division.

Chief Doan told us he will miss Laguna Hills. He said he felt he had a good fit with the officers who worked for him and with the City Department Heads. He said he especially enjoyed the personal contact with citizens and being out and about developing relationships in community. He mentioned that the City Manager has been a great boss with no micro-managing of his department as long as he stayed within his budget. Regarding his duties as Police Chief he noted that, because of the lean government policy in Laguna Hills, the Police Chief here is also in charge of emergency services. He said he gained experience in streamlining here and welcomed the Student Resources Officer (SRO) position with the City Schools in 2008. The SRO serves the high school and the 3 elementary schools as well as at the skateboard park and around town as needed. The SRO also assists as a classroom resource for instruction on law related education, with violence diffusion, with safety programs, with alcohol, drug and crime prevention, and serves as a counseling resource for students, teachers, and parents. Chief Doan acknowledged that Laguna Hills was the last City in the area to appoint an SRO but added that LHHS is half the size of other high schools in the area.

Regarding his highest priorities for Laguna Hills, Chief Doan cited Traffic Safety, Response Times and Quality of Life Issues. He noted that when he switched his department from patrol cars to motorcycles for traffic patrol, there was a 20% overall reduction in traffic collisions. He explained that patrol cars were too large for traffic patrol and could be hazards at intersections. He added that he monitors activity daily and stations motorcycle patrols at the most problematic intersections because it does no good to be writing tickets in one part of the City when the majority of accidents are occurring at another part. He added that there have been no homicides in Laguna Hills since he started here in February of 2004.

Chief Doan and Casey Lambert-Few, the 1st Laguna Hills Crime Prevention Specialist in Laguna Hills, brought the Emergency Preparedness Academy (EPA) to Laguna Hills. He explained that the EPA was derived from the County's CERT (Citizen Emergency Response Team) developed by Scott Brown, Battalion Chief at the OC Fire Authority. CERT trainees receive essentially the same training but at graduation they receive a hard hat and are expected to be first responders in times of emergency. It takes additional staff to manage a CERT program so he and Casey developed the Emergency Preparedness Academy as a better fit for Laguna Hills. Chief Doan's pride in the EPA is obvious as he talks about it and we share his enthusiasm for this program. Please see below for a brief review of the Laguna Hills Emergency Preparedness Academy that we along with about 38 other Laguna Hills Citizens just completed.

Despite all his responsibilities our Chief Doan always has a calm, friendly, easy going manner that we will miss. We found him to be a straight up guy that we could trust. We wish him the very best in his next assignment and always good health and safety.

THE LAGUNA HILLS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ACADEMY

About 40 people attended the Fall 2011 Laguna Hills Emergency Preparedness Academy. It was a free 8 week course, for 3 hours every Thursday Night at the Laguna Hills Community Center. The Citizens’ Emergency Preparedness Academy is a joint venture between the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The program was adopted by the City in 2008 and, to date, about 150 Laguna Hills residents and business owners have graduated from this program. The Fall 2011 program was very well coordinated and managed by Brittney Oldham, the Laguna Hills Crime Prevention Specialist.

You may be thinking this is a lot of time spent so is it really worth it?

Do you know what an AED is and how to use it in an emergency? Do you know how CPR protocol has changed and has your old CPR Certificate expired? Do you know First Aid and what you are and are not allowed to do, under the law? Do you know there is a Terrorism Intelligence Center in Orange County and how it functions to protect us? If there is a wide spread disaster do you know the minimum amount of time you need to be prepared to function on your own without any help? When calling 911 do you know if it's better to use a land line or a cell phone and why? Do you know what water around your home is safe to drink, when properly treated, and what isn't? Do you know what you need in a Disaster Kit for your home, car and pets? Did you know that in a disaster evacuation you are encouraged to take your pets with you? Do you know the newest information about where to place yourself inside and outside of a building in an earthquake? Do you know how to assist a trauma victim? Do you know where the nearest fire hydrant is to your home and how many houses are between your house and the nearest corner/intersection. Do you know what not to do with victims of auto accidents unless there is no other choice? Do you know how to Triage victims of a disaster?

The answers to these and many other questions are just a part of the essential information you will learn in this program. It may sound overwhelming but don't be intimidated, you will pass everything. The information is tailored for non-rescue professionals and the very patient instructors will coach you through.

Those who attended received information packed presentations and very useful goodie bags from:

The Orange County Fire Authority on Fire Safety and Light Search and Rescue,

The Orange County Sheriff's Dept. on an Overviews of Police Services in Laguna Hills, the County Terrorism Unit and 911 Dispatch Procedures
The Red Cross on Earthquake/Disaster Preparedness
The El Toro Water District on Water Safety Procedures
Southern California Edison on Electrical Safety in a Disaster
The Orange County Animal Shelter on Disaster Prep for your Pets
The Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) on Assisting Trauma Victims
Doctor's Ambulance gave us CPR and AED Training with a 2 year Certification, and First Aid with an additional 2 year Certification.

The Final Event for Graduation was a stunningly realistic MOCK DISASTER DRILL at the Orange County Fire Authority Training Center in Irvine. There were several disaster scenarios set in actual buildings and vehicles staged to be in a variety of conditions ranging from relatively safe to too unsafe to enter. There were volunteers in elaborate make up who very convincingly mimicked a wide range of injuries and stayed in character acting their parts. The entire process was an adrenalin rush happening for each EPA graduate as each of them tried to maintain calm, hang on to their common sense, remember what they had learned and practice their new skills. Unless you are an experienced rescue professional you will make mistakes, but you will learn from professionals who are guiding you and feel a significant surge of success for being brave and concerned enough to complete this program. You will also leave with new confidence in knowing that you now have skills to care for yourself and others, as needed, in the event of a disaster.

As a bonus to all of this we also received a delicious free meal at every meeting, so for 8 weeks, there was no cooking dinner on Thursdays!

Here is what some of the citizens who attended the Fall 2011 Laguna Hills Emergency Preparedness Academy had to say about it:

I have recently completed the Community Emergency Preparedness Academy (CEPA) sponsored by the City of Laguna Hills and coordinated and administrated by the Orange County Sheriff's Department - Laguna Hills Police Services. I believe this academy provided invaluable information to deal with the potential for disasters which could strike this community. I would encourage all citizens to avail themselves of this important community asset. Byron Stiegemeyer

Attending this Academy was an eye opener for me. I learned that preparing for an emergency was more than casually storing extra food,water,flashlights, and knowing how to turn the gas off in the house. Experts in every field taught us how to respond in the event of a crises or natural disaster through lectures, videos and hands on experience. We became certified in both CPR and First Aid. I am now confident that I can responsibly help my family and my community. Karen Blume

City of Laguna Hills Community Emergency Preparedness Academy (CEPA) was extremely rewarding to me. I have been a 1^st Responder at my work for the last 9 years with some extensive training but never received as much information as I did from this Academy. This will not only be useful to me, if needed in an emergency within the City of Laguna Hills, but very useful at my work. I plan to include some of the ideas/practices I learned from the academy in my work emergency plan and conduct a mock emergency drill like we did on the last night of training. Thank you, City of Laguna Hills and especially Captain Steve Doan and Brittney. Mike Bland

I really enjoyed the course - the information was relevant and I learned a lot about how, who and what works especially with Edison and El Toro Water district. The Orange County Fire Authority and the Sherrif Service are doing an excellent job in our community - please accept our gratitude for your service. I also want to thank Brittney for a job well done by organizing the Academy. All the presenters were great. The Red Cross presentation and training was outstanding. I loved the hands on training we received from the OC Fire Authority on Light Search and Rescue as well as the "mock disaster" with our graduation. Thank you to all for an excellent course!! Anita Beukman

Excellent Community Resource. Mary Park

Really enjoyed it and it bolsters our Nellie Gail Emergency Preparedness Committee's strength. John Park

Heads Up for City Council Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012 - Items of Possible Interest for Laguna Hills Citizens

Planning Agency Public Hearing - A request by AT and T to add 2 new microwave dish antennas to an existing facility located at the Northeast Corner of Nellie Gail Rd and Gallup Circle. This monopole currently has 12 panel antennas, 2 Microwave antennas and other related equipment. The site contains 3 water tanks for the Moulton Niguel Water District. The height of the antenna will be increased from 53 feet to 57.5 feet. City Staff recommends approval

City Council Public Hearings - Community Development Block Grant Application - The annual Block Grant Application to the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Community Development Black Grant (CDBG) program administered through the County for renovation of housing in the Via Lomas Area.

Annual Block Grant Application for funds for Public Facilities and Improvements for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. The City began applying for these block grants in the 2009-2010 fiscal year after a public outcry from senior citizens. The City says it has obtained $164,628 to date to address repairs adn maintenance issues for the Florence Sylvester Senior Center. This year the funds are for expansion of a newly-installed solar paned system and a retractable room divider. Their is no fiscal impact to the City other than staff time for completing the application.

Matters Presented by City Council Members and Mayor - From Council Member Kogerman - Item # 8.1.1 - Revision of the City's Public Official's Compensation Report posted on the City web site.

Recommendation that staff return to the City Council with a revised Public Officials Compensation Report for council approval as soon as any potential changes currently under consideration affecting management contracts are completed and that this revision exclude some extraneous portions of the Public Official's Compensation Report, such as biographies, duties, and discussions of city organization, from the body of the report and provide these via links for those who want to learn more. Kogerman requested that the AT-A-GLANCE-TABLES be the primary content provided for each official by category - City Council Members and City Management Employees. -
The 2011 Orange County Grand Jury Report gave the City of Laguna Hills the following grades for their current reporting - "C" for Content, "D" for Clarity and "B" for accessibility. The City's response to the Grand Jury was that their reporting "provides Appropriate disclosure".